The quartet quickly got to work, crafting their differing dishes and joyfully chattering away in the kitchen. Avery and Nytin decided to work together in preparing the meal Nytin wanted to make. Avery helped Nytin cook the meat while he prepped the other ingredients, putting halves of the bell peppers in the oven to roast. Avery cooked the diced onions, added seasoned beef, and finished it with tomato sauce according to Nytins’ directions.

Nytin was humming happily, cleaning up what he had cut and used and discarding any excess parts of the ingredients he used. He returned to Avery, standing close to her, “When it comes to a boil, it's ready, and we can add the tomatoes and rice, and then I’ll add more seasoning.”

Amirah piped up from the table, where she was cutting up ingredients to make a rather diverse salad. It appeared to have black beans, tomato, spinach, cucumber, avocado, feta cheese, and a handful of other ingredients that paired up wonderfully together, “Speaking of seasoning, you guys like Italian dressing, right? Well…Blaire likes ranch.”

Nytin glanced at Avery, who thought for a moment before answering, “It's probably my favorite, aside from avocado ranch.”

Nytin hummed in agreement, “Avocado ranch is quite good. Even if you add chicken to the salad, it’s a good addition, but as for dressing, I’d have to say French dressing is my favorite.

Blaire’s nose scrunched, “Just normal ranch is fine, anything else is kinda gross, but I only really like carrots.”

Nytin chuckled, “You seem to be very picky, no?”

Blaire shook her head, “I'm not picky; I just like eating specific things in specific ways…” She watched as Nytin raised a brow. “It's called having preferences…” She crossed her arms as a doubtful look spread across Nytin's face. After a few seconds, she looked away and pinched her fingers together, leaving a barely visible gap between them, “Okay…I'm just a little tiny itty bitty bit picky…”

The group had a small laugh about that, but Amirah couldn't help but notice Nytin had stopped to stare at Avery as she laughed. His expression turned soft just for a moment before he adjusted his sleeves and turned to the stove again. He then began helping Avery again when he noticed the filling had come to a boil and added the remaining ingredients: rice and cheese.

Blaire sniffed the air and sighed satisfactorily, “God, that smells amazing…” She excitedly moved towards Avery and Nytin, “When is it gonna be ready?”

Nytin hummed, “About twenty minutes or so, and then we’ll be preparing the cake while those roast in the oven.” 

They continued to make their dishes, while Blaire simply watched and helped where she could, as she didn't have much skill in the kitchen. It wasn't a major interest of hers to begin with. She watched as Avery helped Nytin fill the peppers after they had finished roasting in the oven, topping them off with cheese before popping them back in the oven and setting a timer.

Blaire excitedly sat at the island, staring at the oven in anticipation, “How long did you say these had to roast for?”

Avery giggled as Blaire could hardly contain her excitement, “Nytin just told you they’d be ready in twenty minutes.”

“Oh yeah, I forgot.”

Avery and Nytin began getting the ingredients for the dump cake out of the fridge shortly after finishing the stuffed peppers, but this time Avery politely declined Nytin’s help, “I can handle making the cake, if that's okay with you…I want to try on my own.”

Nytin hesitated briefly, but simply smiled and nodded, “Of course, it's something you wanted to do after all.” 

With that, he moved towards the sink and began to wash everyone's used dishes. While he did, he couldn't help sneaking a few glances at Avery, ensuring all was well and she didn't need help. However, this hadn't gone unnoticed by the two others in the room. Amirah slowly picked up her phone and began to type into it. 

After a few seconds, Blaire’s phone buzzed in her pocket and she quickly picked it up and looked at the notification.

Do you see how he’s looking at Avery?

Blaire’s eyes wandered over to the other two in the room. Nytin was still at the sink, but there were no more dishes. He was simply watching Avery cut butter into even little squares. The look Nytin had on his face reminded her of a sad puppy wanting attention. She looked at her phone again and began typing.

nytin was doing that at the park he just stopped and looked at him and then his ears got all red

Amirah giggled from across the room and started typing again.

Do you think maybeeeee…?

maybeeeee wat

He has feelings? For Avery I mean.

we could ask him but like they just met like 2 months ago

True but we can test it, just ask him for something, see how he reacts, and then I’ll do it, and then we’ll get Avery to do it somehow. We only knew each other for a few months when you asked me out.

tru 

also have i ever told us i love when u plot like this

              It's fun <3 

Thus, the two began enacting their plan. First, Blaire decided to get Nytin out of the room by offering to let him relax in the living room while she put dishes away. At first, he appeared hesitant but went, relaxing on the loveseat, looking at all the differing pictures and decorations dotted around the room. Then, after a while, Blaire suddenly called his name from the kitchen.

“Nytin, did you see where the knife cover is?” 

He hadn't bothered to turn around from the television as he tried to figure out how to turn it on, “Depending on which one…I'm fairly certain I washed it, otherwise, I’m unsure.”

Blaire looked at Amirah motioning for her to try next while she answered, “Kay thanks.”

Amirah nodded and after a few seconds had passed, she called for him as well, “Nytin?”

This time, he had turned around, “Yes?”

“Did you want extra dressing in your bowl or anything?”

Nytin had to think about it for a few seconds before answering. He found the question odd, but he figured it was simply her way of accommodating everyone, “No, thank you. Dress it how you like.”

Amirah smiled, “Alright but don't be shy, help yourself to whatever.”

Nytin nodded and smiled gratefully, “Thank you again for your hospitality.”

Amirah motioned for Blaire to sit with her, and the two began whispering amongst each other. It appeared they were arguing for a moment, but eventually, Amirah sighed and stood up, walking over to Avery, “Can one of us try it to make sure it's not too sweet?”

Avery was carefully stirring a pan of bite-sized apple slices she'd added into a mixture of butter, cinnamon, water, and sugar, “That’d be helpful. These should be done soon, so gimme a second.”

She hummed in acknowledgment, taking a glance at Nytin, who was slightly turned in their direction and clearly listening in on their conversation, “Kay, just let any of us know, and I'm gonna go set the table.”

As Avery began to “eyeball” the measurements, adding a little brown sugar and cornstarch to the mix she had created, Amirah and Blaire watched her quietly. After a while, the anticipation clearly got to Blaire as she chewed on her nails, and Amirah had to intervene after taking notice.

“Babe, stop biting your nails.” Amirah reminded her gently.

In almost an instant, Blaire took her fingers out of her mouth, “Oops, sorry Amirah...” She laughed sheepishly but stopped as Avery called out.

“Nytin!”