Ross woke up the next morning with a sticky patch underneath him on the mattress and a lingering dream in which he was doing all the x-rated things in Jim's notebook to him and they were both having a very good time while doing it. He knew he would have to play it cool though, but he was also completely hyped up over what he had planned.
Francis was up when he stumbled through to the kitchen. He was making breakfast and grinned when he saw Ross.
'So we're all going out tonight.' he said. 'You coming? You can invite Jim if you want.'
'I actually have plans.' Ross grinned. 'And if I'm lucky, I will not be coming home tonight.'
'Nice.' Francis poured out a mug of coffee and handed it to him. 'Actually this has been kind of a slow burn for you.'
'He's worth it.' Ross smiled into his mug. 'I like this one.'
After breakfast he thought about what to wear and what to get for dinner as he sat on his bed, laptop open while he browsed for ideas. He wanted to kind of blow Jim away, but his cooking skills left much to be desired. He contemplated take out, but that wasn't nearly as upscale as he wanted.
'Francis?' he yelled from his room. A few moments later his cousin stuck his head around the door.
'What?' he asked.
'I need to take something tonight that is super easy to make and incredibly impressive.' Ross looked up at him. 'Suggestions?'
'How impressive?' Francis quirked an eyebrow at him. 'Second date impressive or get into his knickers impressive?'
'Both.' Ross leaned back against his pillows and huffed. 'Come on Gordon Ramsey, you must have something even I can't fuck up.'
'Well. There is something.' Francis said. 'I assume he has an oven.'
'I reckon?' Ross shrugged. 'Actually I have no idea.'
'Well, ask him.' Francis rolled his eyes at him.
'Okay.' Ross reached for his phone and texted Jim.
This is an odd question, but do you have an oven?
His phone buzzed a second later.
Yeah? Why?
I might need to use it.
Now I am intrigued. Just what are you doing?
Never you mind. Just answer the question.
Yes, I have an oven Mr Mysterioso.
Ross chuckled and nodded to Francis.
'The oven has been confirmed.' He grinned at his cousin and Francis looked thoughtful.
'All right. Get your arse up, we're going shopping.' He turned and walked down the corridor and Ross got up. He had a quick shower and got dressed, then went to find Francis waiting in the living room with no sign of Elizabeth, who liked to lie in bed for most of the day on the weekend.
They headed out and walked to the shops a few roads away. Fortunately there was Marks and Spencers and Francis headed straight for it, dragging Ross behind him.
'So what we need is minimum effort but maximum effect.' He perused the shelves, and then turned to Ross. 'Does he have allergies?'
'I have absolutely no idea.' Ross frowned. 'I know he likes bacon. That's about it.'
'Brilliant.' Francis snorted with laughter. 'So that's no bloody help. Okay we'll go with something simple that you can just reheat.' They went through the shop and ended up with the ingredients for coq au vin, one of Francis's best efforts, a baguette and a salted caramel and honeycomb cheesecake which made Ross very happy.
