Work Text:
January 2nd, 2026
11:08am
~~
The Eight Misfits
Davrin
We still up for game night at my place this weekend?
Neve
Me and Bellara will be there. She's bringing some new soda we found at the store yesterday.
Looking forward to seeing what you guys think of this one.
Taash
As long as there's some ale, I'll be there. Lace says she'll bring some extra pillows. It's expected to snow over the weekend.
Harding
I'll make sure to bring plenty!
Oh, I also picked up some special treats for Assan and Spite!
Lucanis
Mierda, Harding! Do you want Spite to be all over you for the whole night?!
Arendil
Spite is nothing but a big sweetheart! Don't bully him, Lucanis!
I hope you guys are looking forward to the treats I'm bringing!
How does Lemon Meringue Fridge Cake sound?
Bellara
You had me at 'Lemon'!
~~
Arendil lets out a little chuckle at Bellara's response. He always knew his sister loved lemon, but he also knew Harding would enjoy his dessert a lot too. Those two have the biggest sweet tooth out of all of them. Lucanis preferred nutty or coffee flavoured treats, Davrin loved fruity treats, Taash has a thing for cinnamon and Neve loved treats with a cool, minty kick.
Emmrich was open to try almost anything, but Arendil did notice the Professor has a particular love for Pineapple and Hazelnut.
Speaking of…
The man frowns as he sees everyone chatting away, except for the one person he was thinking about.
Emmrich was always responding, even if it was a few minutes later than everyone else. He has a teaching job, he couldn't respond to them all the time, but…
Something wasn't right…
Arendil knew the man only had one morning class, at that ended over an hour ago.
So why wasn't Emmrich responding?
The man shakes his head and pockets his phone, trying not to think too much. Emmrich could have fallen asleep when he arrived home, or he could be too emersed in his latest book.
Arendil was determined not to worry.
—
15:28pm
He was definitely worrying…
Arendil knows when he is stress baking. He's been doing it all day. Two pies, three cakes and four trays of chocolate chip cookies later, and Emmrich still hasn't responded.
The others began to notice, trying to get in touch with the Professor, but their messages were remaining unread.
Arendil makes a decision. A stupid one, perhaps, but he couldn't take Emmrich's silence anymore.
He dips his hands back into the bag of flour and starts rolling out the remaining square of dough that he had made.
If he's going to see Emmrich, he's going to at lease bring something as an excuse.
—
17:37pm
Knock knock!
Emmrich grumbles, not having the energy to answer the door. He contemplates waiting until the person knocking leaves to see if they left anything behind, but the knocking persists. "Alright!" He shouts, clearly at his wits end. He scrambles up from his place on his couch and storms over to the door, flinging it open with every intention to shout at whoever was on the other side, but his tongue becomes still at the sight of Arendil stood before him. "A-Arendil?"
Arendil shrugs sheepishly, his hands tucked behind his back. "Hey, Emmrich. Apologies for showing up unannounced but…I couldn't shake the feeling that you were having a bad day. When you didn't respond in the group chat, I began to worry." He pulls his hands out in front of him, revealing a freshly baked Apple Pie. "So, I thought I'd bring you something to cheer you up!"
The Professor was dumbfounded, his hazel eyes wide with surprise. "You…baked for me because…you had a feeling?" He asks, unable to wrap his head around the man's intuition.
"Was I right?" Arendil asks, with a knowing smile.
Emmrich just nods, clearly unable to form words at that moment in time. He opens the door wider and gestures for the baker to enter his humble abode. His eyes track the other man as he steps inside, taking a moment to crouch down and pet Manfred when the loveable cat rushes over to him. He closes the door as he watches Arendil shower Manfred with affection, feeling his heart race, as it tends to do when he is around the baker.
He quickly dismisses the feeling.
"Do you have somewhere I can set this pie down without Manfred getting his whiskers in it?" Arendil suddenly asks, which snaps Emmrich back into reality.
"O-Of course! Please, follow me." Emmrich hurries into the kitchen, smiling subconsciously as he hears Arendil's soft footsteps follow behind him.
—
18:04pm
"So," Arendil starts as he settles down against the couch cushions, plate in his hand. "want to tell me why you've been ignoring everyone today?"
Emmrich pauses mid-bite, looking like a deer caught in headlights. He swallows, frowning as he struggles to find the right words. Eventually, he sighs, turning his head away to avoid the baker's gaze. "Today has just been…terrible."
Arendil waits, patient as ever. "Talk to me, Emmrich. Whatever you tell me won't reach the others, I promise."
"Just…everything went wrong. First my car refused to start, then the USB that holds all of my lesson plans went missing, after that the projector malfunctioned halfway through my class and then…" Emmrich sighs, rubbing a hand over his face. "Two of my students fell ill during their presentations and…" He shakes his head, stabbing at his slice of pie with his fork. "It just seemed like the universe was against me today. Eventually, when I got home, I just…"
"Wanted to pretend like nothing existed for a while?" Arendil finishes, catching Emmrich off guard. "I understand. I feel like that when the day my mother was murdered rolls around. Everything just hits at you from every angle and the only way you feel better is if you are underneath the warmest, cosiest blanket you have in the one place you feel safe."
He understands.
He truly understands.
"I apologise for shutting myself away, and for shouting at you as I approached the door. I admit that my temper was…running high." Emmrich apologises, holding his slice of pie closer. "For what it is worth, I have never tasted such a delicious, fluffy Apple Pie like yours before!"
Arendil waves off his compliment with a smile. "All it takes is practice, and I've made this pie for three years already. It's very popular in the Fall season."
Manfred jumps up onto the couch and proceeds to curl himself up in Arendil's lap, purring happily in contentment.
The sight of his beloved companion and the baker who was showing him nothing but pure kindness almost makes his heart combust right then and there.
Get a grip, Volkarin! You are far too old to feel this way!
"Can I ask you something, Emmrich?" Arendil suddenly questions, tilting his head with a curious look in his eyes. When he receives permission to continue, he leans over and places his plate on the coffee table. "Do you have a favourite dessert? I mean, one that you would die for? I know you love my Pineapple Pound Cake, but…surely there is one that you've loved your whole life, right?"
Emmrich lets out a chuckle, his body relaxing at the baker's question. "Well, I enjoy everything I have tried from you so far but…" He bites his lip before meeting the other man's emerald eyes. "My mother used to make me a Hazelnut Torte every year for my birthday. I have tried multiple times to recreated it, but it was just never the same as hers. I would give anything to have it like she made it again."
Arendil smiles, the curious gleam turning into something else. "A Hazelnut Torte, huh? I'll have to get my thinking hat on."
"You don't need to make it just for me, Arendil!" Emmrich stammers, realising just what the baker was thinking.
"Nah, I need some new ideas for my Spring menu anyways. Floral teas, fairy cakes and fresh fruit cakes need something different to go alongside them this year." Arendil just brushes him off, already having his mind set. "Besides, I always bake the desserts for our friend's birthdays, so I need something to make for when yours comes around!"
Emmrich could feel the way his heart swells.
Maker, he shouldn't feel this way but…
Why does it feel right?
—
22:25pm
Arendil reaches over to scratch Manfred, who was curled up in Emmrich's arms, underneath the chin which earns him a purr in return. "I'll see you soon, sweetheart." The baker whispers, his voice full of affection. His emerald eyes turn to Emmrich and a warm smile spreads across his lips. "Next time you feel this way, let one of us know. Or, if you'd rather be left alone, at least tell us that. We're a tough group, we'll understand if you need space."
Emmrich hums, feeling himself flush. "I…apologise for my actions. I'll make sure to apologise to the others. But…" He reaches out a hand, grasping onto the baker's forearm. "Thank you, Arendil. For the pie, for the visit, for everything. You have been nothing but kind. I will make this up to you, I promise." He reins in his emotions before he reveals too much. "Just…thank you."
The baker smiles, his eyes shining in the faint moonlight. "Emmrich, it truly is no bother. I care for my friends, I enjoy baking for everyone. This was nothing but me caring for you." He takes Emmrich's hand that was holding onto him and squeezes it in return. "You're worth it." He simply states, shrugging. "I better head off." He turns to leave before he stops and looks at the Professor from over his shoulder. "If you want to make it up to me, how about you come by my bakery at sunset. We can walk to Davrin's together?"
Emmrich was certain his whole face was red at this point.
"I-I'd be delighted!" He stammers out, hitting himself internally at how stupid he sounds.
Arendil simply chuckles, waving and taking his leave.
Emmrich waits until the baker has disappeared from view before he rushes back inside and presses himself against the closed door. He rubs at his forehead with his free hand, groaning with despair. "Maker…what is wrong with me…?"
Manfred meows, his tail flicking as his large eyes look up at his owner.
"Oh, don't start!" The Professor chides his cat, knowing exactly what Manfred would say if he could talk.
This was bad. This was very bad.
The feeling of knowing, the racing of his heart…
Why was Arendil making him feel this way?!