The group gathered around a corner in the building. Apparently, Mary and Chastity set up a small kitchen with the resources they found in the supply room and lying around.
Mary moved with quiet efficiency, stirring the pots, tasting, and even giving Ivy a small taste of the food. Ivy was still given the small task to fold napkins into clumsy shapes, trying to mimic her mother's work.
Sol, who hovered over the edge, watching Chastity run around, hurrying and doing ten things at once. He tried to be useful and fetched water for the pot, stirred whenever he was asked, but his movements were awkward and uncertain. Well, nothing too surprising for someone who's never tried cooking, or when he did, he almost burned his parents' kitchen with water. He for sure wasn't a cook, and it showed. But still, he wanted to help as much as he could.
Mary glanced at him, noticing his uncertainty and awkwardness.
"You're doing fine," she said, though her tone might have carried more patience than truth.
After a pause, she added, "Why don't you take over dessert? For now, we just have small appetizers and almost a full meal, but what's missing is the best part... Dessert! Something simple. Ivy will definitely like that."
Sol glanced down at Ivy, sitting and still trying to fold the napkins, but it seemed like she had given up and just started doing anything but folding them properly.
He stood there for a moment, the ladle in his hand halfway to the pot.
"Dessert?" He repeated, unsure.
Mary nodded, "Mhm," already turning to her side of the small kitchen. "Yes, something sweet. It measures things out after the meal."
Sol swallowed, looking down at the pot he was stirring. He nodded. "Here, I'll take over the mixing. You can go check the supply room for some sweet stuff or ingredients." Mary offered. Sol stepped away. "Okay, I, I'll go check the supply room, then."
He headed toward the supply room again, rummaging through the supplies. He found a tin of dried fruit, pulled that out, checked the can, and then continued searching for other things.
He found a packet of sugar and something that might pass for flour. He wasn't sure, but decided it was the best option he had for now.
He stared at the ingredients he had gathered, trying to make sense of what would taste well together and what wouldn't make any sense.
After a moment, he picked the ones he was sure of and found a small table near the kitchen where Mary and Chastity were still working on the food. He started unpacking the ingredients.
He let a small sigh, and rested his hands on his hips: before he could move an inch to get started, a voice echoed behind him, but only for him to hear. Kai drifted closer to him, leaning against the table behind him, clearly invading a lot of personal space, but he couldn't care less. He looked over Sol's shoulder. Sol froze and didn't dare to turn around until Kai muttered something in his ear.
"You're making dessert, huh? Delicious choice."
Sol finally shot him a look. "I wasn't the one who chose it... Mary did. For me, I guess."
Kai nodded and picked up a tin of peaches from the table. Sol noticed an upward smile from Kai from the corner of his eyes.
"Yeah, relax. I'll help, actually. Believe it or not, I'm not terrible at this." He took a step next to Sol and rolled up his sleeves. Sol finally noticed Kai had taken off his coat. He was wearing a black loose pullover. It didn't hang too low, but neither too high. And with his rolled-up sleeves, Sol could see his blue, almost icy cold, just like Kai's eyes, veins popping out.
He stared for a moment too long, but Kai didn't seem to notice.
"Are you sure...? You don't have to help me."
Kai shrugged, already measuring sugar with surprising precision. "You'd be amazed at the things I could do with my hands. I also had a lot of free time and used to pick up things like baking and cooking."
This made Sol raise his eyebrows. It made him question Kai's past as well. He had just met him, and sure, he was intimidating, unpredictable, at times teasing and playful, but he also had a kind side to him.
Sol snapped out and started to actually try to make something, and not just stand there clueless. He began, but almost immediately fumbled with the flour, accidentally spilling more than he intended. At the same time, Kai moved with practiced ease, mixing, stirring, and adjusting everything.
Kai finished the dough and looked over at Sol. "Stir this for me." He handed Sol the small pot of cream. "Stir like this." He guided Sol's hand, trying to teach him how to do it the right way before he let him do it alone. He steadied him when he stirred too fast and corrected him when he added too much sugar.
"You're a natural at this," Kai smirked while kneading the dough.
Sol's cheeks warmed. He couldn't tell if Kai was just joking or actually being sincere.
Mary noticed them and smiled faintly, a little amused. "Looks like you've found your teacher." She stood next to Sol, her arms crossed over her chest.
Sol smiled awkwardly, his cheeks warming even more. "I, I mean, I guess..."
Kai smirked while still working on the dough in his hands. "Yeah, don't worry. I'll make sure you don't poison anyone."
Sol blushed, "I wouldn't." He muttered.
When the dessert was finally ready, Chastity had prepared a set dining table with chairs and plates for everyone. Mary started bringing the food over. Richard, who had been napping while everyone worked their asses off, sat down first and impatiently waited for the food. Kai let the peach creme cheese cake rest. "Okay, everyone, let's gather around the table now."
They had actually managed to make something really good out of the supplies and everything else that was available. After bringing the food, Mary sat down with Ivy on her lap. Richard held chastity close to her, "Bring me some water." Chastity rolled her eyes but obliged. The rest of the group noticed, of course.
Kai sat next to Sol. "..."
For a moment, the room felt almost normal. The warmth of the food, the sound of laughter from Ivy and Mary, and the closeness of almost everyone sharing something small like this, but real.