"You can always learn. Many people don't, because they prefer to spend their time on other things, and I don't really blame them." Ian shrugged. "I'd probably be the same if my grandmother hadn't taught me from a young age. Now it's more than just useful—I honestly enjoy it. It relaxes me."
Dave shook his head. "Lucky you. I'm more like, the faster I'm done, the better."
"Do you two alternate who's doing the cooking?"
"No, we tend to work together, since it speeds up the process. There are days when only one of us handles the prep, and the other handles the dishes, but it's rarer and less fun."
Mostly because they teased each other with lingering touches and light groping when working together. Ian didn't have to know that part, though.
"My grandmother never let anyone into her kitchen unless she was teaching us something, and now that I'm thinking about it, I don't think I've ever cooked with anyone but her, so maybe I'm the same."
This could have offered a nice segue to teasing Ian about ever having cooked for a certain rock star who had hired KRK quite often over the years and always asked for Ian specifically after the first time. The company rumors had these two anywhere from only flirting to secretly married by now, and Ian had to endure a lot of ribbing, which he used to handle with grace. However, recently it seemed like the jokes had started to rub him the wrong way, so Dave bit his tongue.
"Hey, how about we move to the living room?" Ian gestured towards the couch. "I'd happily kick back for a while."
"Subtle, you are not," Dave told him dryly, even as he grabbed the crutches. "After you."
Ian shook his head. "You wouldn't know subtle if it bit you in the ass."
"I would if it asked nicely first."
Still, Dave couldn't hold back a sigh of relief once he was sitting down again, with his leg on the throw pillow lying on the coffee table.
Ian settled sideways on the couch, facing Dave.
"Be honest, how are you doing with this?"
"Impatient and grumpy, mostly."
"So, the usual?"
As Dave glared at him half-heartedly, Ian broke out a grin.
"Couldn't resist."
"I can tell you I'm not missing the constant abuse to my person." Dave sighed. "I'm living in peace and quiet—"
"You live with Travis, that's not—"
"—and away from the peanut gallery. It's glorious."
"I bet."
"I don't miss you at all," Dave declared, but his grin was probably ruining the effect. "None of you."
"Well, we do miss you. There's only so much shit Martinez can take, and we prefer to even it out between the three of you."
"And who is this 'we', exactly? Because last time I checked, everyone was getting their share, not just us three."
"Fine, you may bemyfavorites."
Dave snorted. "Aww, you say the sweetest things… in between all the shit you say."
"I do like mixing it up."
"Any new gossip to share?"
Ian tossed his hair back with a grin. "I thought you'd never ask."