[ It's so easy for him to be happy around Makoto. It's so easy for him to be himself around Makoto. There's no stage and performances and he can be fully himself. The smiles come naturally, his voice is easy going. There's none of the high-strung stress that settles in him when he's working sometimes. ]

I want you to learn, too. Not because I am asking you to cook for me or something.

[ But because Makoto wants to learn. He wants to know. And JJ wants to always know Makoto feels accomplished in that front. He knows hot great it feels to finally get good at something. He's gone through that here times before. He stirs the curry gently, tilting his head carefully so not to nudge Makoto away. ]

It's almost done. I'd never ask you to help today. This is all me.

[ Just the way he wanted it to be. Food was, he had learned since they had started living together, a great way to express how he cares about someone. He was usually taken care of at home - with limited time, strict dietary needs, and people managing his life nonstop, it was nice to do this for someone else. He never really got it, just expected it, but now he sees the appeal of giving someone else something they really like to eat. ]

Like --

[ He turns off the burner. ]

Give it a moment to not scorch your tongue and it's all set.