Baking, while entirely within Sterling's repertoire, had never particularly been a great passion of the Warlock. He'd always preferred though particularly extravagant meals with various courses plated with neat precision upon stark white platters. To see an entire feast come together at his hands - to see the faces of the unsuspecting light up upon its discovery and their glimpses of satisfaction upon consuming it - it was that which he so greatly enjoyed. The suggestion of opening his own restaurant, however, drew his gaze sharply upwards as he glanced at his boyfriend across the table. It was, admittedly, the dream. To have his own fine dining establishment - with his name proudly upon the menu and a Michelin star underneath. "One day," Sterling responded softly only to prompt a small shrug on his shoulders, the boy entirely oblivious of those thoughts that danced upon Henry's mind. "I still have a lot to learn before then, though." One day, he'd go to a proper culinary school. One day, he'd work his way through the ranks to become a Sous Chef. One day.

He fell silent in the wake of that conversation, his thoughts briefly considering, for the first time in a long time, the very future he desired. He watched as Henry all but devoured the lamb in front of him. At the very least, it reassured him that his boyfriend enjoyed the tastes of the seared meat. It was sometime later that the pair finished that decedent meal of lamb. Henry was all too quick to jump at the dishes, the Warlock almost surprised by his boyfriend's kindness. He was inclined to linger at the kitchen table for several moments longer before Sterling coaxed himself to his feet, meandering towards the kitchen to put away the rest of their meal in neat Tupperware containers. His bright blue eyes turned from his task of finding a space for them in the fridge as Henry's hand suddenly reached out to him, caressing his cheek. It was such tenderness that it caught the Warlock entirely off guard.

A warm simper crossed Sterling's features as Henry leaned closer, only for their lips to meet in a gentle, loving kiss. How long had it been since Sterling had felt Henry's lips against his own? Upon his very figure? It was so....rare these days. The touch of Henry's hand upon his waist only furthered that glimpse of surprise and yet, he made no effort to end that kiss before his boyfriend did. It was, however, those four simple words that caused a beaming grin to cross his lips, even despite how soft his own voice responded. "I love you too." Those words of affection between the two men, even at the very height of their relationship had tended to be rare and yet, they were all the more meaningful after everything that had happened between them. He did love Henry, in spite of the attack and the damage done to the Warlock himself. In spite of those feelings that had so shattered his self-confidence - through it all, he still loved Henry.

STERLING TENEMBRAGE