Submission (#613) Approved

There was no better way to spend time with someone than baking. Especially baking sweet treats with them.

The kitchen was a bit of a mess, flour and whatnot strewn around the counter from the attempt at baking things together concisely, but that didn't matter much at all. The process was enjoyable, and the outcome was even more enjoyable, and that was all that mattered to Claramay. A mess was a given, especially in baking, when you created things. They would deal with the mess later.

For now, they were going to revel in their successful work.

They were going to revel with their companion for the job, Clippy.

Clippy was triumphantly standing beside the counter, in the process of frosting the cake. It hadn't enjoyed the process of waiting for the cake to cool down after they had already had to wait for it to bake, and had immediately set to work frosting once given the okay.

Joining their companion, Claramay lifted their instrument of choice, and began to smooth the frosting down to help it form better shape on Clippy's behalf.

"I really appreciate you joining me for this," they commented as they worked.

The cake was a delicious reward to be shared at the end of the day, but the experience and time spent with someone else was just as nice. Especially when you could step back and look at the thing you guys created together at the end.

Claramay was glad they had chosen someone pleasant to work with.

"I appreciate you inviting me," Clippy rebuked immediately, refusing to be thanked or anything akin for simply helping in the process. "Doesn't hurt that I get cake at the end of this, either, mind you."

Laughter emitted from Claramay, as they moved to flick some of the frosting at Clippy, who gave an overdramatically offended gesture at the action.

"Says who?" Claramay said, laughter still lacing their voice. "I didn't say anything about you having this. Did I?"

"I wouldn't say stuff like that while I'm still holding the frosting tube in my hand," Clippy teased back, brandishing it threateningly for a moment before returning right back to his work.

Needless to say, they were having a good time together.

Also needless to say, their hard labor paid off. By the time they finished decorating the cake, wearing a good amount of the frosting they had flung at one another in their little joke arguments, it was quite the beauty.

Two layers, although the one on top was a little small, it stood rounded and straight. They had successfully managed to avoid any accidental leaning. It was split into a multitude of colors neatly, them both having decorated half in their own particular style. A decision Claramay had made, as they had reasoned that it would make it even more obvious it was a creation of their blooming friendship. Half was pink, with little interlacing blue patternings among the top and bottom of each layer, along with a little candle on top. A traditional looking cake, made interesting with the ways the colors interlocked. The other half was a deeper blue, with white lines running through it in symmetrical patterning, something Clippy had spent ages on. Little pieces of red, green, and yellow decorated it in different patterns as well, although these were not as symmetrical as the white lines. A candle sat on top, but it had become slightly askew, and Claramay had insisted there was no need to fix it.

It added character to the cake, they had argued, and Clippy had relented.

Standing there, viewing their joint creation, Claramay felt their feelings were confirmed.

There was nothing better than baking with a friend.