Snowbaz one shots!

The great road trip snack debate

Simon loved road trips.

Well, sort of. He loved the idea of them. The open road, endless possibilities, getting away from everything he knew and all the things that haunted him. But the reality? After hours of driving through the middle of nowhere in an old car that kept making unsettling noises, he was starting to think that maybe he should have planned this whole thing better. Or, you know, planned it at all.

"Are we there yet?" Simon groaned from the passenger seat, his forehead pressed against the cool window as he watched miles of cornfields blur past.

"No, Snow, we're not there yet," Baz replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm. His hands were firmly on the wheel, looking annoyingly calm and collected, even as the car rattled over another pothole.

Simon turned to face him. "Are you sure you know where you're going?"

Baz sighed dramatically. "Yes, Simon, I'm sure. We've got GPS now, remember? We're not wandering through the forests of Yorkshire hunting for dragons." He shot Simon a sideways glance, a tiny smirk curling on his lips. "Unless you've decided there's a mystical burrito we need to slay somewhere in Nevada?"

Simon ignored the jab. "I just think maybe we're getting low on fuel. And snacks."

Baz's smirk disappeared, replaced by an expression of genuine concern. "Oh God, not the snacks. We can't survive on another half-bag of gummy worms."

Simon perked up. "There's a petrol station up ahead. I'll grab some more food."

"Finally," Baz muttered under his breath, flicking the turn signal as they pulled off the highway.

The gas station was the kind that looked like it hadn't been renovated since the 1980s—flickering neon lights and faded advertisements for products Simon didn't recognize. He hopped out of the car eagerly, glad for the chance to stretch his legs. Baz stayed behind to fill up the tank, looking too dignified for the grimy setting.

Simon stepped into the store, the door chiming cheerfully as he entered. The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting everything in a harsh, sterile glow. The shelves were packed with a confusing mix of items: motor oil, soda, a questionable selection of magazines, and—most importantly—snacks.

He wandered the aisles, grabbing anything that caught his eye. Sour gummies, cheesy crisps, and a large bag of caramel popcorn. He was halfway through debating between two brands of beef jerky when Baz walked in, looking impossibly elegant even under the harsh lighting.

"What are you doing in here? We don't have all day, Snow," Baz said, eyeing Simon's overflowing basket.

"Stocking up," Simon replied with a grin. "If we're gonna survive this road trip, we need supplies."

Baz rolled his eyes. "Yes, because we're clearly facing a life-or-death situation in the middle of a perfectly civilized American highway." He reached over and plucked a packet of crisps from Simon's basket. "And these aren't even remotely healthy."

Simon snatched it back. "Hey! Hands off. Road trip snacks aren't supposed to be healthy. They're supposed to be fun."

Baz's lips quirked. "If you eat like that, you're going to feel sick before we even reach California."

Simon waved him off, already eyeing the slushy machine by the counter. "Live a little, Baz."

"Some of us would rather live a little longer," Baz replied dryly, but Simon noticed the way Baz's eyes flickered to the brightly colored slushies with something that looked like... curiosity.

"Do it," Simon urged. "Get a slushy."

Baz crossed his arms over his chest, an eyebrow arching in that annoyingly superior way of his. "I am not drinking something that looks like it's made of antifreeze."

Simon shrugged. "Suit yourself. More for me." He grabbed a large cup and started filling it with an unnatural blue flavor, watching it swirl around like a snowstorm.

Baz made a disgusted noise. "That cannot be good for your organs."

"It's probably magic," Simon said, grinning as he took a huge slurp. His eyes widened, and he let out a satisfied sigh. "See? That's the good stuff."

Baz rolled his eyes so hard Simon was sure he could hear them click. But after a moment, he sighed and grabbed a small cup. "Fine. If it'll shut you up, I'll try one." He tentatively pulled the lever, dispensing a swirl of bright red slush.

Simon watched with glee as Baz took a cautious sip. For a moment, Baz's expression was unreadable. Then, to Simon's delight, his eyes widened, and his lips curled up into a reluctant smile.

"It's... not terrible," Baz admitted.

Simon laughed. "I knew it! You secretly love junk food."

"Don't get ahead of yourself, Snow," Baz retorted, but Simon could see the corners of his mouth twitching.

With their arms full of snacks and slushies, they headed back to the car. Simon tossed the bags into the back seat, then climbed into the passenger side, already tearing into a packet of crisps.

Baz started the engine with a sigh, but there was a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "You're impossible, you know that?"

Simon just grinned around a mouthful of crisps. "Yeah, but you're stuck with me."

Baz rolled his eyes again, but he reached over to steal one of Simon's crisps. Simon let him, because that was the thing about Baz: he acted like he didn't care, but he always ended up sharing whatever weird adventure Simon dragged him into. Even if it involved bright blue slushies and too many bags of junk food.

As they pulled back onto the highway, the sun was setting in a blaze of pink and orange, casting everything in a warm glow. Simon leaned back in his seat, feeling happier than he had in a long time. The open road stretched out ahead of them, endless and full of possibility, and for once, he wasn't worried about where it would take them.

Because as long as Baz was there with him—sipping a neon red slushy and pretending not to enjoy it—Simon knew he was exactly where he was supposed to be.

"Next stop," Simon declared, pointing ahead dramatically, "we're getting milkshakes."

Baz just laughed, shaking his head. "Snow, you're going to give us both diabetes before this trip is over."

"Worth it," Simon replied, grinning, and Baz didn't argue.

And for once, the road ahead felt like it could take them anywhere.