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“Hunter, this is bad,” Gus said, stepping back from the abomination that certainly wouldn’t be getting any passing grades in Hermonculus’ class.
“It can’t be that-,” Hunter wanted to assure him, but when he laid eyes on the dripping mess of buttercream and overbaked cake, he couldn’t bring himself to finish his sentence. “Okay. So, it’s a little bad. What’s the occasion?”
Gus groaned and buried his face in his hands. “It’s Matty’s birthday today,” he murmured, already defeated. “I thought it would be nice if I baked it myself instead of just buying one, but...”
The layers only slid further and further apart.
Hunter nodded along in an attempt to be sensitive. “Why don’t you just illusion it to look nice?” He asked, gesturing to the loose mess in the box Gus had brought it to school in.
“And then what happens when he cuts into it!?” Gus cried, throwing his hands up in frustration. “I would say it reminds me of him, but that’s kind of a messed up thing to say to your boyfriend on his birthday, isn’t it!?”
Hunter held up his hands and started counting up while taking in a deep breath to model the technique for Gus.
“Yeah, yeah, I’m the one who taught you that, anyways,” he sighed, his shoulders dropping as he threw his head back. “I’m just frustrated.”
“It’s the thought that counts?”
Gus opened his mouth for a rebuttal, but was met with Matt’s face practically pressed against his.
“Hey, you,” he said, catching Gus with hands on his waist when he nearly stumbled back. “I saw an opening. Don’t blame me for taking it.”
“I should not have taught you how to deafen footsteps,” Gus said, burying his face in Matt’s shoulder.
“I’m gonna leave you to this,” Hunter said, stepping away from the impending situation.
Gus only had the energy to flash a thumbs-up.
“That for me?” Mattholomule asked, glancing over at the cake on the table. The icing was melting onto the table and out of the container Gus had put it in.
“Yeah...,” Gus admitted quietly, pulling away from Matt’s shoulder. “I just wanted it to be special. I didn’t want to phone it in and just buy something.”
Matt chuckled at it and scooped up a fingerful of icing. “It kinda looks like me,” he said, licking it off of his finger. “Hey, that’s pretty good! Did you make that yourself?”
“The frosting is store bought,” Gus admitted. “But I made the batter from scratch.”
“Is it any good?”
“Not sure.”
Matt drew a spell circle and picked a chunk off of the top of the cake, placing it on one of the paper plates Gus had brought. “Only one way to find out,” he said, picking up a fork and taking the inaugural bite. He offered the next forkful to Gus while he chewed. “I mean, it’s a little bland.”
“Sorry.”
“For what?” Mattholomule chuckled. “It’s better than anything I could have ever made for myself. Thanks for the surprise. I mean that.”