While the Sun Shines

34.

Nick had something to make up for. 

When it came to Blake, it seemed Nick always had something to make up for. Though, it was more a feeling than a knowing this time. Last night, Blake had happily shared his reasons for choosing Chemistry in college. And Nick had repaid him by completely clamping up and making things uncomfortable, turning a nice conversation into a stilted one that didn't quite recover. Blake hadn't called him out for it, but Nick was sure he had noticed. For one, Blake hadn't kissed him again before retreating into his room to study after dinner.

Maybe Nick was just overthinking this... probably he was overthinking this, but when in doubt there was one thing he could always do: buy and cook more food. At least cooking allowed Nick to show himself from his best side; competent and capable. Not a sad loser who got tense about everything that reminded him of his failures. 

The timing to prepare an elaborate breakfast was perfect, too. Blake had mentioned he had an important exam, and who wouldn't be happy about receiving a surprise-breakfast on an exam day? Nick didn't allow himself to really ask that question. Thoughts like that could easily start up the anxiety train, which could come up with at least ten reasons why someone wouldn't be happy to be surprised. He couldn't afford to hesitate because he'd already gone out to the store again and bought all the ingredients needed for whole-wheat pancakes with strawberries, blueberries, and maple syrup. And bread. Because last night Nick had realised he'd forgotten to buy bread due to the creep in the store. 

The loaf of bread had disappeared into the cupboard, while the rest of the ingredients immediately ended up in the batter or sprawled out across the counter. Nick wasn't sure how many pancakes Blake wanted, so he decided it was better to have too many rather than too few. Any leftovers could just be kept in the fridge, after all. Nick was working on pancake number five when his phone buzzed. Since he was waiting for the batter to solidify anyway, Nick checked who was texting him this early, fully expecting it to be his phone provider or something. His brows raised when he saw Alex' name. 

Alex: Hi! Want to play games tonight? 

Nick: Hi. You're up early. And sure. 

Alex: Hah, could say the same about you. my 7 your 8 tonight okay?

Nick: Okay!

Nick and Alex chatted for a little longer. Alex explained how he was up early because the neighbour's new dog always decided to throw a fit and bark at six in the morning for some reason. Nick replied he was making pancakes for breakfast, and shared some pictures. During the entire text conversation Nick wondered why he couldn't just talk to Blake as easily as he did to Alex. Then, Alex had to go and Nick kept making pancakes until the batter ran out. The pile was so large it started to look like it could feed an entire family.

Making sure there was enough food wasn't the most important part, however. Food was also all about the presentation. How the plates were set up could make the difference between really impressing someone or having them appreciate the gesture but think it was nothing special.  

Nick could roll up one of the pancake into a penis shape, put blueberries on the side as 'balls', and drizzle it all in syrup. It seemed Blake enjoyed that kind of humour if his joke with the dough was any indication. The problem was that Nick already felt his face turn beet-red at the thought of presenting a pancake-penis. Blake could pull stuff like that off confidently, but Nick was afraid he would come off as weird because he was clearly shy about it. It was too risky. After a few moments of of hesitation, Nick settled on dividing the pancakes over two plates with the regular fruit on the side set-up.