It Was a Nightmare... Until It Wasn't

It was a nightmare. No, not even a nightmare was as bad as this. Thinking back on the shopping trip mere hours before, Atlas couldn’t have possibly known just how terrible the rest of his day was about to become. It was a cool, crisp day in the Burrowgatory and his favorite grocers was a nice stroll away and all he needed was the following: chocolate syrup, whipped cream, and strawberries for toppings, flour, eggs, and milk for the cupcakes, and some yummy apples to snack while he baked. He got his things, politely made small talk with the clerk, and walked back with stuffed paper bags in either arm. So how could it have come to this?

When he returned home, Atlas set the oven to pre-heat. It was an older oven, one that took its time, and so Atlas matched the pace. Sleeves rolled, apron tightened, he began to prep his cupcake batter with careful concentration. He whisked and whisked away until he achieved perfect consistency and then poured them into the cupcake molds, ready to pop them in to bake. He managed to get the frosting and toppings ready and nabbed a little strawberry slice here and there. It was all going so perfectly.

Before he could continue, a knock at his door garnered his attention. With Chantilly at his feet, he picked them up before approaching the door, hesitation and nervousness fraying his every nerve.

“Hello…?” He called out softly before peering through the darkened peephole. Odd. It wasn’t dark out yet. Was it purposely covered? Anxiety floods him, uncertain if he should call out again or flee the other way to call for help. Atlas continues, wary now. “…who goes there?”

A giggle chimes from the other side and fills the large bun with immediate relief. He knew that gentle laugh anywhere.
“Hellllooo Atlas, can I come in?” They inquire and free their hand from the peephole to reveal themselves. On the other end was a lovely, elegant bun—one whose company Atlas cherished above all else. Even through the distorted fisheye-like view, their smile was kind yet playful, their tail swishing behind them. “I brought your favorite—candied pears!”

The door slowly swings open, the larger and smaller bun now face to face with their respective tails swinging. There’s a warm glow across Atlas’ face along with a small, appreciative smile. He nods and steps aside, allowing Powder passage into his humble abode. “Welcome…and thank you…” He presses his hand to the small of their back, leading them towards the kitchen.

Chantilly wriggles in Atlas’ arms and jumps into Powder’s, who graciously takes the Loafki into their embrace. They set down the elegant container of candied pears to coddle and coo the imp, delighted by their presence. “I am so sorry dearest Chantilly, I will be sure to bring you a treat next time…not that you care for that, hm?” The doll-like bun muses, turning to Atlas whose attention was fixed solely on the box. “Darling Atlas—you don’t have to wait for permission. They’re for you.” Even after all this time, he was too polite for his own good. The larger bun nods, reverently tugging at the bow of the container to make it undone. With the lid pulled off, he takes a small, candied pear and bites into it, eyes sparkling with each delicious bite of the sugared treat. His ears twitch, expression honeyed with sincere affection for his companion’s thoughtfulness.

“…my thanks…” Atlas murmurs between chews, lost in his own saccharine world—so lost, in fact, he almost failed to notice the forming knit between Powder’s brows. Concerned he had done something to offend the other, he readies himself to apologize, to beg for forgiveness if he must. Before he can utter his remorse, the other takes a sniff and then another.

“Do you smell that…? It’s as though something’s burning…?” And what little color shows on Atlas’ face drains as he scrambles into the kitchen and to his oven.

Plumes of smoke emit from his oven as he nearly yanks the cover off its hinges. The smoke all but bellows out, unleashed into the kitchen before swept out the open window Atlas thankfully left open. He coughs, squints, as he takes the tray of now overbaked cupcakes out and onto the countertop, waving the smoke until the panic in him dissipates, leaving an exhausted, worried bun in its wake. The monochrome figure turns to his companion and immediately rushes to their side, glancing at Chantilly too. All accounted for…? Powder, who had since covered their mouth, smiles behind their hand, and waves him off gently. All accounted for.

“Sorry…was distracted…” He deflates, shrinking as much as a bun his size could, poor guy. Powder giggles and places a reassuring hand on his forearm before walking over to assess the damage.
“You managed to stop it before it could get worse! Besides, they don’t look that bad.” It was a gentle lie, one that Atlas still managed to appreciate because it was them. “We’ll just need to slap more frosting and you’ll barely know.” They place Chantilly onto the other counter before circling back to Atlas, tugging him with encouragement. “C’mon then. We’ll enjoy them together.”

And just like that, the two went onto finishing Atlas’ disaster of cupcakes. With every smile and joke shared, he figured that maybe it wasn’t a nightmare after all.