Egotober Day 25: Cauldron
Patton couldn’t help but grin, giggling to himself as he stood over the giant pot on the stove. He felt a bit like a wizard over a potion cauldron, which was fitting considering the season and all the decorations around the mindscape. There was fake spider webbing, actually cute versions of spiders around, ghosts, jack o lanterns, bats, skeletons, you name it. There were even some with a bit of…bloody touch from Remus that was fine in small doses.
As he looked through his recipe book to think of what to make today, couldn’t ever go wrong with spaghetti and meatballs really he decided after a few minutes, he was reminded of the times the past week that the others had come into the kitchen and helped him make something.
Logan had come down first, a bit of a sheepish look on his face when he’d admitted an interest in learning food preparation and Patton had been ecstatic to take him into the world of baking, as he thought it would be more preferred to the logical Side as it needed precise steps. With his peanut allergy and how he liked things not completely sweet in mind, and of course his adoration for Crofter’s, they’d made jam thumbprint shortbread cookies with a bit of lemon to add that tartness. He remembered how Logan had eaten them alongside some finger sandwiches while they’d read together in the library later.
Virgil had been next, in the middle of the night looking for a midnight snack to calm himself down, Patton had talked to him a bit but hadn’t pushed on what was wrong as he’d looked a bit like a scared cat about to bolt. Then he’d gently coaxed him into helping him bake something. He knew that he liked something more subtle, maybe a little bit bittersweet and coffee, so they’d made espresso sea salt caramel semi sweet brownies and had them with a glass of milk while they’d talked about what had had him afraid until Virgil felt comfortable enough to sleep again.
Roman had been next, he’d come down in a sulking pout one day because of artist block and when Patton had seen how hard he was half glaring at his sketchbook, like if he could he’d set it on fire he’d redirected his attention with the offer of cooking. Roman loved strawberries and raspberries and he did not do subtle very well, plus he knew the prince liked to go overboard. They’d not only made a shortcake with layers of cream and mixed berry jam between the cake, but fresh bread and butter to go with pork chops, home fries and Mac and cheese. And Roman had been so delighted by the experience that he’d found his art again.
Remus had been soon after Roman, the Duke had almost scared Patton to death when he’d just popped up behind him. But when he’d calmed down he had kind of…not sheepish or embarrassed, he didn’t think Remus felt either of those things really, but sort of hesitantly asked if he could help make something. Patton had of course said yes and didn’t push why as he sort of felt it was a case of Intrusive Thoughts being too much even for Remus, though Patton had been the one in charge of knives. Remus was a bit like Roman in that he did not do subtle, and he liked contrasting flavors, and they’d made very messy, but very delicious subway sandwiches and a dirt cake with sour sweet gummy worms.
Janus had been the most recent, his opposing Side in a sense had just tapped his shoulder with a secretive smile on his face and asked if he needed help with dinner. Patton had naturally accepted and he knew that Janus liked things a little spicy, flavors that changed in your mouth from one to another like layers in an onion and that he liked lemon. They’d made chicken curry with rice and lemon bars. And they’d actually had a long talk that night that had gone from helping Patton with his issues on pushing too much to Janus’ need to hide when things got too much.
Patton knew things wouldn’t always be easy, there was him to worry over, Roman and Logan still needed to work through various things, but…so long as there was good food and someone to talk to. It would all be ok.
