Work Text:
“Says we’re gonna need two eggs.” TK reads out, looking at the back of the cardboard packaging. “I don’t know why we can’t just make the cupcakes from scratch.” TK says, a slight grumble poking through the sentence. Carlos grabs the box from TK and places it in the basket.
“Because Ty,” Carlos says, stopping to look at the frosting choices. “We can’t bake.” Carlos explains before crouching down to look at more options. He settles on a tub of buttercream and decides to pick up a box of food coloring. “Not only would we possibly ruin the entire bake sale; but I think the student media team would be really mad at me if we gave everyone food poisoning.” Carlos smiles, lightly teasing.
“I don’t know; I think we’ve got it in us.” TK says, grabbing an extra tub of frosting and sneaking it into the basket. Carlos is reading the back of the package, seeing what else they need besides eggs when he asks, “Ty, do you know how many ingredients it takes to make a cake?”
“Of course not, I don’t know how to bake.” TK answers, pulling his phone out of his back pocket. He’s typing when he says, “It surely can’t be that ma-oh my god.” TK’s eyes widen. He looks at the list on his phone and cranes his neck over to look at the back of the box. “Fine.” TK says under his breath and reaches for the sprinkles.
“What was that?” Carlos teases, leaning over and putting his hand behind his hear. “Did you just confirm I was right?”
TK throws the sprinkles in the basket and leans in close to whisper in Carlos’ ear, “As if I would ever give you such sweet satisfaction.” He gives Carlos a kiss on the cheek and grabs his hand as he pulls him over to the dairy aisle.
— —
“Are you one hundred percent sure we can’t take them out already? ” TK says, looking possessively at the cupcakes slowly rising in the oven. Carlos is sitting on the counter, skimming through his study guide.
“Don’t even think about touching them, TK.” Carlos says without looking up from the page in front of him. He pushes his glasses back up on his face; reminding himself that he has to tighten the screws in the legs. “We set a timer for a reason; let the timer time.” TK rolls his eyes and tries for a different approach.
“What if they’re done and they’re burning as we speak?” TK asks, still staring at the cupcakes. “What if it’s a super secret recipe and these take half the time usual?” TK was grasping at straws at this point and he knew it.
“Betty Crocker’s directions have never steered me wrong before.” Carlos responds, still not looking up. “How about you spray the other cupcake tin, give yourself something to do.” TK sighs as he pulls out another tin and looks for cooking spray. He’s staring the mixing bowl, looking at the left over batter that’s going to be used for the next batch of cupcakes.
“You’re okay with me eating just a little bit of the batter, right?” TK says and Carlos’ head snaps up at that.
“Absolutely not; have you been sneaking cake batter when I’m not looking?” Carlos says, jumping down from the counter and walking over to the mixing bowl. He pushes his glasses up one more time before reaching for the cupcake tin.
“No!” TK’s quick to amend, though he can’t deny that the thought crossed his mind.
“Good, you could get sick.” Carlos says, starting to spray the cupcake tin himself. “While we’re at it; save some frosting for the rest of us.” Carlos says, smiling at TK’s shocked face. “Yeah, you’re not the super secret spy you think you are.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” TK says, feigning innocence.
Carlos cocks an eyebrow and grabs the tub of frosting that’s clearly been opened. He pulls back the lid and shows TK the frosting; a plastic spoon made divot hard to ignore.
“Wow, you can’t trust Mitchell with anything can you?” TK says, referencing Carlos’ roommate. Mitchell, who hadn’t been in the apartment since they started cooking.
“Oh that’s who it was, huh?” Carlos asks, pulling TK close to him; wrapping his arms around his waist.
“Well it couldn’t be me.” TK clarifies, “You know my sweet tooth is only for someone as sweet as you.” He says, giving Carlos a kiss. It tastes like confectionery sugar, vanilla glaze and is sickeningly sweet
— —
“Carlos,” TK begins, just this short of a whine. “Are you sure we can’t just have one cupcake?”
“For the last time TK, no.” Carlos says, using a knife to spread the icing. Thank god TK sneaked a second tub in the basket when Carlos “wasn’t looking.” “We already ruined half the batch by getting,” Carlos pauses. “Distracted.” TK gives Carlos a sly smile as he sprinkles the cupcakes.
Carlos turns to look at the front door to his apartment as it opens. Mitchell is walking in, looking a little damp. He smiles at Carlos and TK but his eyebrows furrow when he sees what they’re doing.
“Side hustle, I’m assuming.” He says, walking over to grab one of the cupcakes. Carlos smacks his hand away and Mitchell looks affronted.
“We’re making them for the bake sale; don’t get any ideas.” That was all that needed to be said as Mitchell works for the university paper. Carlos couldn’t be happier about his luck of getting him as a roommate. Carlos coming home after a late night show was about as common as Mitchell leaving early to catch a story.
“Oh you didn’t hear?” Mitchell asks. “Sarina said she’d call everyone; the bake sale is off. Apparently a storm is rolling through, and I think I caught just the beginning of it.” Mitchell says, referencing his shirt. “Since our booth is outside, she thought it would be best to move it.”
“They can’t move it inside?” TK questions, hand inching towards a cupcake and Carlos nods in approval.
“And go up against the athletic department?” Mitchell answers and though it’s a question, it’s more of an understood statement. Mitchell says something about studying for his last final and heads to his bedroom.
Carlos pulls out his phone and says, “Oh, wouldn’t you know; a missed call from Sarina and a text saying the bake sale is cancelled.” Carlos lets out a sigh and looks at the cupcakes, decorated and ready to eat. “Well, let’s like we’ve got to do something with th-”
“Already ahead of you.” TK says, grabbing a second cupcake.
“How are they?” Carlos says before grabbing his own. He wipes a finger against the top of the cupcake, licking the frosting off.
“So good and super sweet.” TK says, before giving Carlos another kiss. “But nowhere near as sweet as you.”