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The seven of them sat in the mess hall. Leo served them dinner.
“And today from Chef Leo’s kitchen, Mac ‘n’ cheese!”
“Cheese?” Frank asked.
“Don’t worry, big guy, it’s lactose-free cheese,” Leo said.
“I’ve tried that stuff before,” Frank said, “It tastes like plastic.”
“Just… give it a try. Trust me. I put my own little spin on it,” Leo assured him.
“Great,” Frank mumbled, clearly not convinced. He reluctantly took a forkful.
A look of utter euphoria spread across Frank’s face. He turned to Leo, his eyes wide with shocked pleasure.
“Oh! Oh, Leo, this is so good!”
Leo nodded, humbly.
“No, but seriously, this is Frank-friendly?”
“And Vegan. It’s also high in protein and carbs, therefore it’s great if you wanna hit the gym. So yes, very Frank-friendly.”
“Where’d you learn to cook like this, man?”
“From my mom,” Leo said, “Though I wonder if there’s any fire abilities that come into it- I always know the exact temperature to take it off the heat. And I know what saucepans to use, what the best materials are, their properties, et cetera. That plays a big part in it.”
“Wow… just, wow, man,” Frank said, and took another forkful, “You are making me this for every meal from now on.”
“Just wait until you try my cheeseless cheese pizza.”
“Pizza!?” Frank’s face was utterly overjoyed, “I love you, Leo Valdez.”
Leo was a little flustered at the confession, although Frank obviously meant it as a joke.
“No, but seriously. Marry me. Live with me forever and just cook me food, the whole time. Be my stereotypical kitchen wife,” As if to emphasise the point, he clambered off his chair and got down on one knee. Leo was barely taller than him in his lowered state, but the gesture was obvious.
“Frank!” Hazel cried, incredulously.
“Sorry, honey, but you don’t understand,” Frank said, turning to Hazel, “It’s so hard to find good food I can actually eat. I love you, but I have no choice but to leave you for Leo.”
Hazel sighed in mock-resolve, “I completely understand, Frank.”
“You do?”
Hazel put the back of her hand to her forehead in a dramatic faint, “Now go. Be with him.”
Frank turned back to Leo now. They were all grinning.
“Leo Valdez, will you marry me?”
“Yes! Yes! A thousand times yes!” Leo cried, and leaped into Frank’s arms. Frank caught him, and Leo could tell he barely weighed a thing to the big guy.
The others cheered.