Originally requested by marsy-

Cole's bare feet pad softly against the wooden floor of the Bounty. The ship is dark and quiet, unusual for a Saturday morning. Considering it's seven am, it makes sense, everyone's asleep. So why not Cole?

He'd woken up around ten minutes ago to an alarm he'd set on his phone, plugging earphones in so only he'd hear it. The reason? It's his boyfriends birthday. And he wanted to make something nice. Something sweet. Kai's birthday cake.

Now, everyone knows Cole isn't the best chef or baker out there, but he's willing to try his best. For Kai.

Another question left unanswered is, how did Cole slip away from Kai? His boyfriend sleeps on top of him, gripping his shirt so tightly, Cole can't even get him off, not that he ever would, he finds Kai extremely adorable in that position. He'd slipped a pillow underneath Kai and soothed him when he started making noises of discomfort. Kai had instantly nuzzled into the pillow and relaxed.

Smiling, Cole opens the door to the kitchen and grabs a bowl, weighing scales and a spoon. Placing them on the island counter, he grabs Kai's apron from the back of the door, instantly relaxing once he puts it on.

Pulling his phone out of his pocket, he opens the recipe he found the previous day. A recipe for chocolate cake, both of their favourite cake flavour. Cole's eyes scan over the ingredients for the cake.

Ingredients
For the cake
200g golden caster sugar
200g unsalted butter, softened plus extra for the tins
4 large eggs
200g self-raising flour
2 tbsp cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp milk

"This shouldn't be too hard," Cole murmurs.

Turning the oven on, he sets it to 220 degrees Celsius, Cole turns back to the island. Cole's eyes scan the first two steps.

Method
STEP 1
Butter the base and sides of two 20cm round sandwich tins and line the bases with baking parchment.

STEP 2
In a large bowl, beat together 200g golden caster sugar, 200g softened unsalted butter, 4 large eggs, 200g self-raising flour, 2 tbsp cocoa powder, 1 tsp baking powder, ½ tsp vanilla extract, 2 tbsp milk and a pinch of salt until pale.

Cole lines the tins with baking parchment and butter and puts them to the side. Pulling the large bowl towards him. Grabbing the sugar, he measures out 250g of sugar. He dumps it all into the bowl. He dumps a clump of unsoftened butter in on top. He cracks two eggs perfectly but the second two drop small shards of eggshells into the bowl, both of them unnoticeable. He proceeds to add 200g of self-raising flour and 2 teaspoons of cocoa powder along with one tablespoon of baking powder. Then Cole adds half a tablespoon of vanilla extract. Cole adds two teaspoons of milk and a pinch of salt before stirring the mixture.

His eyes scan the ingredients for the buttercream and the next set of instructions.

STEP 3
Divide the mixture between the prepared tins. Bake for 20 mins or until a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean.

STEP 4
Leave to cool in the tin for 10 mins, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

STEP 5
For the buttercream, put 100g chopped milk chocolate in a heatproof bowl and melt in the microwave, stirring every 30 secs. Leave the melted chocolate to cool for 5 mins.

Cole separates the mixture into the tins and stuffs them into the oven. Turning away, he grabs a smaller bowl.

He measures out 125g of milk chocolate, drops it into the bowl and stuffing it into the microwave for 2 minutes, making sure to stir it every thirty seconds. Pulling it out, he leaves it on the side to cool. Grabbing the timer, he sets it to forty minutes and wanders back upstairs to Kai.

His boyfriend is rubbing his face against Cole's pillow, whether it's to try and wake up or to check if it is Cole, he doesn't know. Sitting down, he runs his hand through Kai's hair.

"Ooh."

Cole jolts and looks down, a soft smile lays across Kai's face, making Cole smile, knowing Kai loves having his hair stroked and played with.

Laying down, Cole cuddles into Kai's side, resting his head on Kai's shoulder. A nuzzle to the top of his head, indicates that his sleepy boyfriend knows he's there. Looking up, his heart melts at the wide smile on Kai's face. Cole nuzzles into his boyfriend's neck and drifts off.

⚣⚣⚣

Forty-five minutes later, Cole wakes up with Kai on top of him, nuzzling his cheek and holding his hand. Cole smiles and pecks him.

"Mmh," Kai shuffles lightly.

Cole hushes him and rubs his back. It's not fair to wake him up this early.

"Mmh!"

"Shh Kai."

Kai shuffles and slowly blinks his eyes open. His dark brown eyes staring into Cole's hazel ones, making a faint blush dust across Cole's cheeks. Kai smiles and kisses his nose, making Cole's face get redder.

"H-Happy birthday," Cole stutters out, the stutter only showing when Cole's embarrassed.

Kai's smile becomes wider and he kisses Cole, lightly pushing him backwards. Cole holds Kai's arms and kisses back. Kai's the first to pull away, hovering just above Cole, their noses almost touching. Cole tugs him back down.

⚣⚣⚣

They slowly pull away from each other, both their faces flushed. Cole leans up on his elbows, making Kai climb off him. Once Cole's sat up properly, Kai crawls back onto his lap, grabbing his hands. Cole smiles and snuggles into him.

"I got you something."

Kai perks up instantly and whips his body around to face Cole. Cole chuckles and holds him.

"It's downstairs."

Crawling off him, Kai looks down at the teen he fell in love with. He adores everything about him, his features, his warm, comforting arms and he looked hot in Kai's apron-.

"Is...is that my apron?"

A bright blush dusts across Cole's cheeks and he rubs the back of his neck before nodding. Kai smiles as a blush dusts across his cheeks.

"You look hot."

Cole's face turns even redder, his eyes darting downwards. Kai smiles and gently holds his chin, lifting his face so their eyes meet. Stroking his cheek, he feels Cole shiver beneath him, making his smile wider.

"Okay, I'll let you go now."

"T-Thanks."

Kai lets go and climbs off his lap, allowing Cole to climb out of bed and stretch. Kai smiles and watches, a blush forming on his face. Cole smiles and pecks his forehead.

"I'll call you when I'm ready," Cole murmurs into Kai's hair.

Kai nods gently and squeezes Cole's hands. Cole smiles and squeezes them back.

"I can't wait," Kai murmurs, his warm breath tickling Cole's nose.

Cole blushes and reluctantly pulls his hands away from Kai's. A reassuring smile comes across Kai's face.

"We'll cuddle all day. How does that sound?"

Cole's head snaps up and he nods rapidly, his eyes lighting up. Kai smiles and pecks his nose.

"I love you so much."

"I love you too...Koala."

"Hey!" Cole chuckles.

Cole rests his head against Kai's shoulder and nuzzles, seeking warmth and some form of physical contact from his shorter boyfriend. Kai's hand travels up Cole's back and into his raven hair, stroking it gently. Cole relaxes instantly at the touch. Kai smiles and holds him.

"I have to get your present."

"I want cuddles."

"You said we'd cuddle all day, remember?"

Kai rubs the back of his neck and nods, looking down. Cole pecks Kai's hand before pulling away.

"I shouldn't be long."

Cole walks out of their room, down the wooden stairs into the kitchen. Grabbing a tea towel, Cole pulls the oven door down. Placing the towel on his arm, he pulls the oven tray out, grabs the cake tins and places them, not so gently, onto the oven top. Closing the oven, Cole throws the towel onto the table before turning back to the cakes, his eyes shining in hope.

His head droops when he says the 'cakes' completely black, having been burnt to a crisp in the oven. Mind racing, Cole tries to think where he went wrong. He followed the recipe. Maybe it was mixing up a tablespoon and teaspoon? But that wouldn't affect the cakes too much...right? Was it the temperature? The time? Frantically looking around, Cole spots his phone on the island, where he'd left it before he went to cuddle with Kai. Dashing over, Cole grabs it and shakily unlocks it, his vision blurred due to unwanted and unneeded tears. His eyes start frenetically scanning the page, trying to read it through his tears.

"Cole?"

Cole jolts and his head snaps up. His slightly blurry boyfriend is stood in the doorway of the kitchen, one hand holding his phone and the other resting on the doorway. Kai walks over, places his phone on the island and grabs Cole's hands.

"What's wrong cupcake?" Kai asks.

"N-Nothing...I-I'm okay," Cole's eyes dart to the ground, breaking eye contact from his already concerned boyfriend.

Kai squeezes Cole's hands. I don't think he's upset because he was alone, he's usually fine alone for five minutes. So what caused it? Looking around the kitchen, Kai's eyes land on the two cake tins. Kai's eyes soften as he rubs circles on Cole's knuckles.

"Cole..did you bake a cake for me?"

Cole's eyes overflow with tears and he starts shaking. Kai pulls him closer and rubs circles on Cole's back. Cole wraps his arms around Kai and stuffs his head into his boyfriend's chest.

"Shh..." Kai soothes, rubbing his hand up and down one of Cole's arms.

A quiet whimper escapes Cole's lips, his whole body shaking with silent cries. I've failed him. I wanted to make something and I failed. The thought is enough to louden the volume of Cole's crying, as well as the intensity.

"Shh Cole, shh."

Cole shakes violently in Kai's arms, his body shivering. Kai slowly steps towards the dining table, sinking into one of the seats and pulling Cole onto his lap. Cole falls into his chest and cries into the fabric of Kai's shirt, soaking it with tears. Kai's hands trail up and down Cole's arms, radiating a gentle heat, trying to ease Cole's shivering. Kai presses his lips to Cole's forehead and cups his face, wiping away Cole's tears with his fingers.

"I-I...I-"

"Breathe Cole, deep breaths."

Cole's body shakes as he forces air into his lungs, Kai holds his waist as his body shoots upright. He rubs circles along Cole's arms and back.

"And out."

Cole shakily exhales before collapsing back into Kai's chest, crying loudly. Kai rubs more circles and pulls Cole further onto his lap, trying to provide as much physical comfort as he can.

"Shh shh sweetheart," Kai gently sways back and forth, rocking Cole in his arms.

Cole shakes and sniffles. Kai hushes him, cups his face and raises it gently.

"Hey, it's okay. I know what you wanted to do and it's lovely, but it doesn't matter, you didn't need to make it Cole."

A small nod makes Kai sign inwardly, seeing some of his stubbornness reflecting on his boyfriend. He rubs circles on Cole's knuckles.

"I-I d-do...y-you d-do s-so much for me a-and I-I n-never g-give it b-back t-to y-you."

"But you do. How many times have you stayed up all night because I was crying? How many hours do you spend holding me? How many times have you promised not to leave me? You mean so, so much to me Cole. I love you so, so much and I can't put it in enough words."

Cole whimpers and clutches Kai's shirt. Kai rubs his back.

"How about we go cuddle and watch some movies? I'll be your teddy bear and you can cling to me all you want. Sound good?"

Cole nods shakily and wipes his eyes. Kai pecks him and carries him into the living room where they spend the rest of the day cuddling with the cake forgotten.

Alternate endings in the next two parts!