head over heels

17 ~ pancakes

[A/N - i have binge watched the entirety of heartstopper season 3 in one sitting. It was an experience, excuse me while i go cry for a week.]

Evan opened his eyes blearily, noticing a wad of ginger fur in his face. He grumbled, trying to breathe around the expanse of fur, but the cat seemed to stubbornly want to suffocate him.

"Blagh," he spluttered, removing Gus from his face.

He turned, noticing Kei watching him.

Evan looked away, noticing that the movie's end credits were rolling. "O-oh shit, sorry i didn't mean to sleep through the entire—"

"We banned the S word didn't we?" Kei said, a smile tugging at his lips.

"I mean—"

"You were tired, if anything, nap more, I'm very aware this beanbag is the most comfortable thing ever."

Evan nodded, "It is."

Kei paused, then a flash of nerves crossed his eyes, disappearing almost as quickly.

"You should um— come over more," Kei said, he pointed at Gus, "He likes you."

Evan smiled, "Y-yeah, I'd um, I'd like to." He focused on the tv, heart thudding. "I like Gus too."

The faint chimes of Ghibli music echoed throughout the room for a moment. Eventually, Kei broke the silence.

"Uh, Mom left for some lecture thing. It's still early, do you want pancakes?" Kei questioned.

Evan glanced at his phone. It was barely nine. He smiled.

"Please," he murmured, "I would kill for pancakes right now."

Kei laughed, placing Gus on his shoulder deftly as he stood. Evan grinned at the sight, Gus stood tall surveying his surroundings from his new height.

He got up, following Kei out the hall and down the hall.

He winced at the pictures on the walls, they reminded him all too much of his own house, only there Ethan had his achievement shrine while he and Emma got half a frame in the corner. At least Evan shared a bunch of photos with his twin. Emma got the short end of the stick in that regard.

Like the exterior of the house, the kitchen was plain. White countertops and white cabinets. The only decoration seemed to be a few science themed magnets on the fridge.

Gus hopped off Kei's shoulder, sitting himself on the bench to watch the happenings proudly.

Kei pulled out pancake mix from one cabinet, along with a big bowl.

"Favourite pancake type go—"

"Uhh, berry?"

Kei nodded, "A respectable choice."

"What about you?"

Kei knelt, pulling out a small packet from a cupboard. "Green pancakes."

Evan squinted at the label, "Oh— Matcha yum."

Kei shrugged, "Or that. I prefer just green pancakes. Ominous really, could be anything." He paused, then brightened, "Oh, wait, maybe I have food colouring?"

He rummaged through a cabinet, brandishing a small bottle.

"Pink!"

Evan snorted, "Pink pancakes?"

Kei nodded excitedly, turning to the freezer to yank out some berries, "Pink pancakes for you, green for me."

The look on Kei's face made him want to melt into the floor. It was like every time Kei stepped into a room with him, his anxiety melted away. He stared as Kei separated the pancake mixture into two bowls, then started sprinkling matcha powder into one.