𝓔𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓷𝓪𝓵 𝓼𝓾𝓷𝓼𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓮
ᴮᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᴹᵃˢᵒⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵐᵒᵐ

Elena stretched out on the couch, her head resting comfortably on Mason's lap as the soft hum of the TV filled the room.

His fingers traced lazy circles on her arm while they half-watched 10 Things I Hate About You for probably the fiftieth time.

"You know," Mason said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, "if you keep lying like that, you might actually fall asleep."

"That's the point," Elena mumbled, her eyes fluttering closed as Mason's hand skimmed down to her wrist and back up again. His touch was so familiar, so easy now. It was almost scary how quickly they had fallen into this rhythm—being together felt natural, like it had always been meant to happen.

A knock on the doorframe made them both glance up.

"Elena," her mom's voice drifted in from the hallway, "you and Mason want to help me bake some cookies?"

Elena sat up, her brows raising. "Since when do you need help baking?"

Her mom smiled knowingly. "Since I realized I could get free labor out of you two."

Mason chuckled. "I'm in."

Elena groaned, but the smile tugging at her lips gave her away. "Fine."

They made their way to the kitchen, where Elena's mom already had ingredients scattered across the counter. Flour, sugar, chocolate chips—all the good stuff.

"Alright, Mason," Elena's mom said, handing him a mixing bowl. "Since you're basically part of the family now, you can do the honors."

Mason's ears turned a little pink, but he smiled as he took the bowl. "I'll try not to mess it up."

Elena leaned against the counter, watching him measure out the flour. "You say that like you haven't baked with us before."

"Yeah, but I wasn't dating you before," Mason replied, shooting her a playful smirk.

Elena's mom snorted as she poured sugar into the bowl Mason was holding. "Oh, he's a smooth one."

Mason shrugged. "Gotta keep her impressed somehow."

Elena rolled her eyes but felt her face flush. She grabbed the bag of chocolate chips and poured in way too many.

"That's too much," Mason said.

"No such thing," Elena shot back.

Her mom laughed as she stirred the dough. "Honestly, she's right."

They worked together in a comfortable rhythm, Mason standing close enough that their arms would occasionally brush. Every time it happened, Elena felt that same spark in her chest.

When the dough was ready, Elena's mom handed Mason a spoon. "Taste test?"

Mason scooped up some dough, holding it up to Elena's mouth.

"Taste," he said, eyes twinkling.

Elena gave him a look but leaned forward and took a bite, letting the sweet chocolate and sugar melt on her tongue.

"Good?" Mason asked, his gaze fixed on her mouth.

She swallowed, then smiled. "Perfect."

"You two are so cute it's disgusting," Elena's mom teased, sliding the baking tray into the oven.

Mason grinned and slipped his arm around Elena's waist, pulling her closer. "You'll survive."

"Barely."

They stood there for a while, swaying gently to the music playing softly from the kitchenspeaker. Elena leaned her head against Mason's shoulder, his hand warm against her back.

The timer beeped.

"Alright, lovebirds," Elena's mom said, grinning as she pulled the tray out of the oven. "Try not to make out while the cookies are cooling."

"Mooom," Elena groaned, but Mason just laughed.

"I'll try to control myself," he teased, pressing a quick kiss to the side of Elena's head.

Her mom winked. "Good luck with that."

— ETERNAL SUNSHINE —