Late night donuts [CLOSED]

[stampeded]

Characters: L and Vash, possibly others later
Content: L wants to make Vash donuts as an apology for earlier ill treatment, but will it do the trick?
Setting: The kitchens
Time: A little after 2 AM, takes place a day or two after the kitchens get fixed up
Warnings: A little angst, a little awkwardness, and possibly some kitchen accidents.

Comments

[sugarforteatime]

L had already started his work a little before two. He wasn't certain how much Vash would be interested in spending time with him, so he was fully prepared to just foist the donuts on him and hope that started to heal the intense awkwardness between them. He had the batter half complete, and he was heating up oil for frying when he heard someone - hopefully Vash - stumble and shush someone while entering the kitchen.

He turned around to see Vash and Peanut in the doorway of the kitchen.

"I suppose she knew there would be donuts." He crouched and wiggled his fingers at the kitten and she playfully batted at them. After a moment he looked up and gave Vash an awkward smile. "Thank you for coming, I was unsure you would accept."

It made him very glad that Vash had. He really had not made many friends yet on the ship, it was hard for him to open up, and he hadn't even opened up much to Vash, but losing that connection had left him feeling isolated these last few days.

[stampeded]

"There was no way I could refuse an offer like that," he said, smiling back at him - his own smile wasn't very bright, but it was there. Vash knew that Ryuzaki was going to a lot of trouble for this, not to mention being nicer than he had to be. It would've been stupid to turn him down over hurt feelings.

Spotting the various cooking things laid out around the kitchen, he wandered over to inspect what was going on, eying the oil and the batter with great interest. "You really are making them? I had no idea you could cook!" That settled it; Ryuzaki had to be some sort of part-time donut fairy for doing all of this. Vash hadn't ran into someone so generous with donuts in a very long time.

[sugarforteatime]

L had hoped Vash wouldn't be able to resist the lure of donuts, although he had some doubts after he had used them to get into Vash's room and to -- He gave another smile, this one even weaker than the last.

"Of course I am making them. I thought the location was a give away." He continued to stir up the batter and added a few finishing ingredients. "I know how to cook most dessert foods, I learned when I was younger." He could also make 'real' food, of course, but that was more a side effect of the fact that Watari wouldn't teach him more about baking cake until after he'd learned to cook other things. "Besides, donuts taste better fresh, I would have had to buy them hours ago."

Peanut came up to rub against his leg before finally curling up on top of his foot.

[stampeded]

Ryuzaki really was a talented guy, wasn't he? Vash spent a moment to smile in amusement at the way Peanut was acting, before turning most of his attention back to the cooking. He did make sure to stay out of the way, not wanting to inconvenience the man more than he already had.

That was part of it right there. "I know, but... you're going to a lot of trouble for this. You didn't have to." He would've been perfectly happy with less than fresh donuts, especially after the donut ban had made it so much harder for him to get his hands on some.

It made getting homemade donuts like this something really special.

[sugarforteatime]

L finally scooped out the second batch of donuts, and although he thought they could stand to wait a little longer he pinched off a corner of one of the cooled ones and held it up to Peanut who ate it greedily. "They are cool enough to eat." He grabbed the rest of the donut for himself.

It tasted very good if he did say so himself. Watari would be proud.

"Women fetch a better asking price, I suppose." Or women were less likely to bid for men? He didn't really know how those things work. It made sense to him anyway, otherwise why go to the trouble?

[stampeded]

Vash didn't wait any longer, grabbing one off the rack and taking a bite. It was delicious - a little different than the way the cooks tended to make them, but that was not a complaint at all. He scarfed down the donut in record time, completely oblivious to how Peanut was now trying to climb up his chest.

"Mmmm... these are great! I haven't had donuts this good in a while!" He had already picked up another, and was likewise chowing down on it in record time.

"I don't think," he said between bites, "An auction was, mmph, needed at all! I like their drive, but really!"

[sugarforteatime]

L worked much more casually at his donut, he was allowed to go off and buy donuts, cakes and candy any time he wanted to, so that was not pressing for him.

"I am glad you like them." Peanut was deftly working her way up Vash's front and L didn't think she would be too happy to discover Vash had no intention of parting with donuts. He went to pull Peanut off of Vash, grabbing her by the scruff and supporting her a little more than he might have otherwise.

"I looked over the figures. The auction was a large portion of our profits, although the fair was a moderate success in its own right. We could not have made such extensive repairs without the auction." He wasn't sure why Vash was so resistant, it was clear they had made a great deal of money from the auction, the bachelorettes had not been asked to provide services. L didn't particularly see the harm.

[stampeded]

After he finished his second donut, he shook his head at the sight of the now very unhappy-looking kitten. She might've been able to beg like a pro, but there was very little Vash would willingly give up donuts for, and cats weren't included in that list.

"It brought in that much money?..." He ate his next donut a little slower, thinking about it. Vash still didn't like the general idea of it, but... "...They could've at least asked us about doing it," he said finally, a little lamely. Vash would've shot the idea down, but the captain... well, he might've let it happen. It was hard to guess what sort of reaction he would've had.