Title: Bliss (1/1)

 

Author: Kendra A

 

Rating: PG-13, because of one swear that’s repeated. And because of… subtext? Textual innuendo?

 

Summary: In a happy world where they got together instead of angsting over different brunettes with emotional problems (i.e., Angel and Fred, just because everything got *so* *painful*), Cordelia and Gunn have a moment of…

 

 

 

*   *   *

 

Cordelia Chase sighed and rubbed her fingers over her eyes. “No, look, see—”

 

“Stop being so condescending.”

 

Gunn was not in the best of moods today.

 

“I’m not being condescending,” said Cordelia, losing patience. “It’s just that you’re being idiotic.”

 

“Hey!”

 

“Well, it’s true. I’ve done this before and wait, who hasn’t? Oh, yeah—you.”

 

“Gimme a chance, huh? I always thought this was for sissies.”

 

“Pardon me. You’ve never complained before.”

 

“I never had to participate before! …And besides, I like the smell.”

 

Men. “So you’re content to just sit back and reap the fruits of my labor?”

 

“Essentially…?” Gunn appeared to be considering, but then he smirked. “Yes.”

 

“What kind of a relationship is this? I’m a giver, you’re a taker!”

 

“Oh, be quiet.”

 

“It’ll all end in tears,” said Cordelia melodramatically. “I can tell.”

 

“If you’d just explain what I’m supposed to be doing nicely, maybe we could salvage the tragic remnants of this love affair.”

 

“Well. Wash your hands first, nimrod. I don’t need your germs.”

 

“Fine, fine.” Gunn turned on the water, reached for the soap, and grimaced. “I don’t like this soap. It smells weird.”

 

“Tough! And, hey! That’s lilac, from Bath and Body Works.”

 

“I’m gonna go use the soap in the bathroom.”

 

“Where’d I put that book?”

 

“I’ll be right back,” said Gunn, and trundled off.

 

Cordelia flipped the book open and stared blankly at the pages. Damn. “Do you remember what page the instructions were on?”

 

“Oh, you’re so competent,” Gunn yelled from the bathroom, and then came back in, wiping his hands on a towel. “You wow me with your… competence. I dunno what page. 600-something. Ain’t there an index in the back?”

 

Cordelia blinked. “Good call. Okay—here we go. Page 637. Do we have everything?”

 

“Lemme see the list.”

 

“Quit shoving! Just ask nicely. No, the book stays behind the plastic thingie so the pages don’t get messed up.”

 

“Huh.” Gunn stared. “That’s kinda neat, actually.”

 

Cordelia preened. “Isn’t it? Okay, read me the instructions.”

 

“Okay.” Gunn peered at the pages, and then said, “Wait. Don’t you have to preheat the thingie?”

 

“What? Oh, yes! I’d forgotten. …How did you know that?”

 

“I lived on my own for years, babe. You learn some stuff. And besides, you usually do that, don’t you? Where are the apples?”

 

“… You watch me?”

 

“I like the smell,” said Gunn, with dignity. “It says we need eight apples.”

 

“You watch me?”

 

“Yes, fine. I do. It’s all domestic and shit. It’s… nice.”

 

“Domestic and shit,” Cordelia repeated, and laughed. “You want to do this, don’t you? Idiot. …You’re so cute.”

 

“I am not cute,” said Gunn, horrified. “I am very, very manly.”

 

Cordelia could only try to stifle her laughter.

 

“I mean it. I am very masculine. Lots of testosterone, and don’t you forget it.”

 

“How could I? The playoffs are tonight, you basketball freak.”

 

Gunn shook his head at her. “Yes, but this negates it. This is… Gimme a word.”

 

“Emmasculating?”

 

“Whatever. But my friends must never, ever hear of this. Do you understand?”

 

“Don’t worry,” said Cordelia, in the voice she usually used on dogs and very, very small children. “You’re very, very manly. Grr. Man.”

 

Gunn eyed her suspiciously, but ended up slinging an arm around her shoulders and sighing. “…Thank you.”

 

Cordelia leaned up to press a kiss against his cheek, but started laughing again instead.

 

“Stop that,” said Gunn. “Now, how much sugar do we need?”