I woke up with a start, body clammy and in a cold sweat. My body jolted up into a sitting position, hand clutched to my chest. I took a moment to catch my breath before jumping when a huge crash sound came from somewhere in the hideout. I got out of bed and rushed towards the kitchen, coming across Denmark and Glasgow fighting across the kitchen island. Glasgow had Denmark raised above the ground with his hair shaped as big hands, Denmark fighting and seeping their magma in droplets onto the offending hair tendrils to try and escape but with no use. 

Emilio sat in the barseat he was sat at yesterday night, sipping a cup of black coffee in his hands while watching the show around him. Warsaw shook their head and told them to stop when they almost knocked the pan she was cooking pancakes on, trying to stay calm and out of their argument. I sat next to Emilio at the island after dodging Denmark’s feet flying near my head as Glasgow wiggled them side to side. “What are they fighting about?” I asked when I was safe in my seat.

Emilio shook his head, setting down his mug before responding. “They are childish and wanted to impress you with breakfast but couldn’t do a simple thing together like always. Warsaw had to step in so they didn’t poison you.” My eyebrows rose at the news, glancing between the two on either side of us.

“Awe that’s sweet of them, but I was gonna just grab something on my way to meeting a friend. You remember her, right? Holly from the cafe we visited on our first meeting?” He nodded when I said the name, picking up his mug and taking a long sip of his coffee before Denmark got slammed onto the island in front of us. “Nice save!” I complimented, a small smile on Emilio’s lips. 

At the sound of my plans, Warsaw turned away from the stove and into our conversation, flour all over their apron and leggings. “You sure you don’t want to stay for pancakes and bacon?” The spatula was still in their hands, expertly dodging it away when Glasgow was the next to be thrown towards the island. Warsaw took a deep breath with their eyes closed before returning their gaze back on me.

“Mmm why not? It’s still pretty early and Holly and I are meeting for lunch anyways.” Warsaw smiled and cheered in their own way, twirling back towards the stove to check on the pancakes.

Denmark and Glasgow finally calmed down with their mini battle, Denmark chewing on Glasgow’s hair tendril in retaliation and him grimacing in response. He flung them onto the couch, wiping the drool off with some paper towels. “Gods you’re so gross, Den!” He groaned as he tossed the soaked paper towels into the trash can, cursing under his breath so they couldn’t hear his jinx.

I shook my head with a smile, admiring their closeness. It was like having a sleepover and meeting your friend’s siblings. Suddenly, Denmark gasped dramatically, sitting up quickly before pointing an accusing finger at Glasgow. “I heard that! What did Warsaw say about using native tongue curses!” He rolled his eyes and stuck out his tongue before turning towards the coffee maker to grab himself a cup of mild tempted coffee.

“Those can actually happen, ya know?” They huffed and crossed their arms, Warsaw’s pancakes getting ready to be put on plates. They sighed in a content way before turning around and placing the first finished plate in front of me. I thanked them quickly before adding the syrup and powdered sugar, digging in with ease. They sat and watched for a couple seconds while waiting for more to finish cooking, proud that they were enjoyable.

“These are hands down the best pancakes I’ve ever had!” I said after swallowing a big bite, Warsaw’s shoulders shaking with hidden laughter, their back facing the island. Emilio grabbed a fork and snuck a bite off my plate while I was busy complimenting the chef, catching the movement in my peripheral. I whipped my head around and gave a playful “hey!” before he shoved the piece of pancake in his mouth. He nodded in approval, my fork stopping his when he tried to get another sneaky bite.

Warsaw shoved a plate in front of Emilio, shaking their head with faux disappointment. “Keep your forks to yourselves, gentlemen.” They scolded with a playful smile, shaking their spatula at both of us. Emilio waved his fork dismissively before chowing down on the pile in front of him. Denmark popped up at the island, pulling up a chair next to me. They tapped their fingers against the edge of the counter, tapping faster in excitement when a plate was put in front of them. Glasgow stayed leaned against the counter with his mug comfortably in his hands, casually watching Warsaw work in front of the stove.

Soon enough we all were sitting around the island with plates either half done or already in the sink like mine and Emilio’s. We sipped on our respective drinks, chatting with the others while they finished up their own plates. After helping with the dishes as my thank you, having to really fight to help, they put on a movie in the background while we moved the conversations to the living room.

It quickly became the time for me to go meet up with Holly, snagging some clothes from Denmark since we were similar enough in sizes that it wasn’t too big on me and the underclothing from last night’s events getting itchy after sleeping in them all night. I got some lung crushing hugs from Denmark and Glasgow, Warsaw telling me to visit anytime and soon, their words being exactly “Please come back as soon as you can, you’re always welcome here, and I can’t take being alone with them any longer.” The last part more hushed as they squeezed my biceps a little tighter than their grip already was, suddenly being shoved into a more loving hug than the first two. I hugged back with the same vigor, rubbing their back with my face in their super fluffy hair.

Emilio offered to drop me off at the meet up location, having to run errands anyways. I asked if we could stop by my dorm really quick so I could grab some things, the college grounds on the way to where we were going. He obliged and waited patiently as I grabbed my bag and some other trinkets, running back out so he didn’t have to wait too long. He was casually leant against the side of the spare van, leg propped up and a cigarette dangling between his index and middle, smoke rising from his mouth and nose, more than the average cold weather breath. When I came out of the dorm building he quickly dropped it and snuffed it out with the tip of his boot. I smirked towards him and made a comment about him smoking, his reaction consisting of eyes rolling and hands tucking into his jacket pockets.

“Ready to go?” He asked after I was done teasing him, jutting his thumb towards the van he was leaning on. I nodded and got into the passenger seat, setting my stuff down between my legs. It was a quiet ride besides the radio jamming out the latest songs, Emilio focused on driving and my eyes captivated by the outside flashing by in waves of blurs. My head was leaned against the window, the cold of the glass making my face feel tickly. I glanced towards Emilio while commercials were playing, studying his face until he glanced my way. I quickly looked back towards the window, the foggy glass now cooling down the flush overtaking my face.

We soon arrived at the restaurant, Holly being spotted from outside with her figure sitting in a window near the entrance. I thanked Emilio, grabbed my stuff, and waved goodbye as he drove away. The moment I walked in and we made eye contact, I knew I was going to be bombarded with questions from her. “So who dropped you o–” She started the moment I sat down, my eyes rolling as I quickly cut her off. “Holly, please.” She giggled at the slight whine in my voice before motioning for the robot server to come take our orders.

“You know I can’t help myself, Luck. You finally have a crush and I can finally pull the annoying friend card!” She bounced a little in her booth, causing another eye roll from me. I ignored giving her a response, focusing on ordering food from the bot waiter sitting patiently with its screen facing us. Once done, I motioned for Holly to order, the silence feeling nice in the moment while she focused on her own stuff. I looked around the restaurant and out the window, tapping my fingers on my knees as I observed.

There was a weird air about today that I hadn’t registered until we were sitting alone in the midst of a busy restaurant, a suffocating feeling draping over me as the hairs on the back of my neck became alert. I quickly looked around me, sudden paranoia filling my lungs.

Something bad was going to happen.