A Demigod in Wonderland? (TWST x PJO)

Chapter 6

"Okay, now we just sprinkle on some powdered sugar, and..."

"ALL DONE", Ace, Grimm and I yelled.

"All...done...", Deuce's cheer was muted. I think I heard him sniffle, but I wasn't sure. Ace squinted his eyes at him. "Seriously, what happened when you guys went shopping?"

By the time we returned with freshly bought eggs, Ace had been ready to jump on us for being gone too long. Trey was concerned too. But after they saw us stride in with a bruised and dejected Deuce in tow, they decided they didn't want to know.

"He's still in shock." Maybe I shouldn't have told him that right after he confessed. I patted his shoulder reassuringly. Ace made a face at us. "Whatever..."

"Well, who cares about that?", Grimm drooled at the freshly baked tart, its scent settled over the kitchen like a cosy fireplace. I couldn't blame him-it did smell amazing. "Can't we just take a-"

"Absolutely not!", I swiped the (my) tart off the table. " Ace needs one for his apology, and this one's for later."

From the corner of my eye, I saw Ace sneaking up from the other side of the table, his hand already stretching for the plate. I spun around, blocking him with a quick motion.

"C'mon, Willow, I agreed with Grimm. I'm pretty beaten with all this baking. Can't we have a teeny-tiny slice?", Ace said with the most innocent-sounding voice, but I knew better.

"Over my dead body", I snarled, lifting it away from him.

"Hey guys!", Cater strode into the kitchen. "What are you doing?"

His gaze went over Ace and me, to Grimm and a still-sulking Deuce, then finally stopped at the tarts on the table. "The tarts are done? Sweet! Let me grab a pic real quick..."

"NOW you decide to show up?", Ace raised an eyebrow. Cater waved him off. "I was just checking in to see how hard my little fledglings were working."

"It's tough work if you're not used to it. But there's no better cure for fatigue than something sweet from the oven!", Trey chuckled. "You two don't have to fight. We have another tart here you can eat."

"Hmph", Ace huffed and went over to Trey. " I still think it's pretty funny how you managed to show right when it was ready to eat, Cater."

This time Cater didn't try to hide it. He laughed. "Someone's gotta be the official taster!"

Trey cut the tart into pieces and set aside plates for us. One bite in, we were in paradise.

"Whoa! It's like a pastry in a fancy bakery!", Deuce commented. "Told ya", Ace said. "Rich in flavour, yet not too sweet... It's like chestnuts are dancing across my tongue!", Grimm sighed.

"Is that a good thing?", Trey blinked. "It's a compliment in Grimm-speak, don't worry", I told him.

Cater still hadn't taken a bite yet. Instead, he poked Trey. "Trey, you gotta do the thing."

"Hmm? What do you mean?" I asked. "You'll see," he winked at me. Trey smiled at my puzzled expression. "Okay, all right. But first, I gotta ask everyone: What's your favourite food?"

"Me? Probably cherry pie", Ace said.

"Canned tuna is my favourite. Also, cheese omelettes, roast meat, and pudding..." Grimm trailed off.

"If I had to pick, I guess I'd say... omurice?", Deuce nodded.

"Pecan pie," I said.

"I'd like a grilled lamb with Diablo sauce!", Cater declared.