Jay's Fantastical Sleepover Extravaganza

Higgy marveled at the golden brown rice in the pan beside him, the rice he’d cooked to perfection. Only a genius could weave together such a delicious dinner from the few ingredients afforded to him. Jay would understand. He’d understand Higgy had more to offer than just some ordinary fan. And then, and then–

“I told everyone that the food is ready.” Toni interrupted him from cleaning the cookware. “Should I do something else now?”

“Set the table. Eight spoons, eight plates, eight forks.” Higgy tilted his head toward the drawers and cabinets. He set aside the pot he cooked rice in to dry.

With a sound of acknowledgement, Toni grabbed the utensils out of the drawers. “What about the cups for the tea?”

“The tea!” Higgy snatched the pot and refilled it with water, then placed it on the stove to heat up. His foot tapped. He stared intently, pressuring it to bubble, but the laws of nature were much more stubborn than Toni.

“The plates and cups are high. I don’t know if I can reach them, sorry.” Toni softly apologized, fingertips barely able to reach the open cabinet above him. “Do you think you can climb–?”

“No. I’m not climbing on countertops like an animal.”

“But you do at ho–Oh!”

Higgy whipped toward the sound of a doorknob opening.

“Hi.” Nicky’s face eased inside.

“You.” Higgy motioned for him to enter. “Wash your hands and grab those plates and teacups. Eight each.”

“Okay.” Nicky lugged himself over to the sink without any question.

He watched long arms reach the plates with ease and set them down on the counter. Next to come down were the teacups, with a saucer for each one.

Higgy nodded in approval. “You two can set the tables now.” His eyes hunted for any traces of steam from the pot. “I’ll keep an eye on this water.”

“Okay.” Nicky picked up the stack of plates. “We’ll come back for the teacups.”

“No. I’ll handle that. You go.” Higgy kept his eyes on the stove while footsteps passed behind him, occasionally flickering from the pot to the kettle. His hair bristled on end waiting for the sound of the door closing. Finally, he heard it. Solitude at last.

The kettle held his attention now. No matter what Jay told him, he needed to see what else was in it. Did he want to betray him? Absolutely not, but delivering a sour performance went against everything he stood for.

His hand rested on the lid. Voices filled the room next door. Time ran short, though he kept his cool. One deep breath and the lid was off like that. Easy. Now to look inside.

…Now to look inside.

Guilt stabbed him in the chest when the door opened, and the lid dropped back on the kettle. For a brief moment, he wished that were enough to kill him until he found the will to live again in Stanley’s face.

“Everything come along smoothly with the rice?” Stanley smiled, none the wiser.

“Yeah.” Higgy breathed out, drawing his hand away from the kettle cool as can be. “Of course.”

“Really?” Stanley leaned in the doorway. “Last time I was here, you were talkin’ about cookin’ it in a pot like it was the end of the world. So I guess it can be done, huh?”

“I never said it can’t.” Higgy flipped his bangs. “It’s like cooking spaghetti in a coffee pot. You can do it. There’s better ways, though.”

“Alright, alright. I’ll get outta your hair. Besides,” Stanley looked back, “I think there’s someone else who wants to come in.” He stepped out of the way.

“Coming through, hoohoo~” Jay’s voice shot chills up Higgy’s spine. “Sorry to interrupt. You two can continue if you’d like.”

“No, no, I was just leaving.” Stanley closed the door behind him, but not before giving Higgy a wink and a smile. This confused him, at least until he realized the situation he’d been put in.

For the first time ever, he and Jay Kingston were alone together.

Other people would cry in his shoes. They might even faint. Such reactions were beneath him. The goofy grin on his face should also be beneath him, and yet it stayed no matter how hard he tried to push it down.

“‘Ello. ‘Iggy, am I right?”

“Y-Yeah.” Higgy leaned back to prop himself on the counter. Instead, his hand slipped on a knob. Flames engulfed the burner with the pot of water.

“Heavens alive!” Jay brushed Higgy out of the way and turned off the burner.

“Sorry, I didn’t–Sorry.” Higgy cut himself off, not wanting to waste time with meaningless words.

Heat filled his face, and shame weighed him down so much he didn’t have the strength to lift his eyes from the ground. On the other hand, being close enough to smell Jay’s coffee cologne made his heart do backflips. It was slightly overbearing. Why did it make him this happy? More importantly, how could he save face with these obnoxious feelings in the way?

A green glove waved in front of his face.

“Huh?” Higgy’s head snapped up until he made eye contact with his own startled reflection in Jay’s glasses.

“Eheh, sorry to startle you.” Jay adjusted his glasses. “Once again, are you ‘urt at all?”

“Yeah.” Higgy nodded coolly. “I mean no, I’m okay. Thanks.”

“Oh, good.” Jay exhaled. “What is this pot for anyway? Were you cooking somefing else?”

“No, I was heating up water for another batch of tea.”

“Another batch?” He studied Higgy intently, or at least it felt that way. Then, he looked into the pot. A small smile crossed his face. “I was a tad worried I didn’t make enough for all of us, so that may be for the best. Though that may not be too big of an issue thanks to the fried rice you made. It looks quite lovely, by the way.”

“Thanks.” Higgy flipped his bangs, managing to salvage his smile into something controlled.

“Why don’t you go on and serve it? I’m sure the others are close to gnawing on the tablecloth by now. I’ll be wiv you shortly after reheating this kettle.”

“I’ll take care of it.” With a nod and a promise, Higgy left the kitchen with the pan of rice and a serving spoon.

He carried out his task, head held high and carefully placing portions down on the plates of Benji, Stanley, Nicky, Kenji, Toni, and yes, even Maxy. Two seats remained open, one at the head of the table between the Bakers and the other between the Kezwicks. Of course, Higgy served the first plate before his own.

“Oh, you’re sitting here?” asked Benji.

“Of course not. You were saving this for Jay, right?”

“Sorta.” answered Stanley. “Knowin’ him, he might wanna sit at the other seat to be more low-profile.”

For whatever reason, he and Benji stifled smiles. Higgy stared blankly between them and saw Kenji doing the same across the table. Whatever. Those two were always weirdly giggly. No need to spend the effort trying to figure out why.

“Hmph. What would I look like sitting at the head of the table in his own house?” Higgy scraped the last of the rice onto the plate between Nicky and Kenji while glaring Maxy out of reaching for his spoon.

The doorknob slipped from Higgy’s grasp as he went to open it. Jay nearly crashed into him on his way out, but Higgy backed out of the way in a slide. Not quite the backslide he hoped to achieve, but it looked sleek and intentional.

“Oh dearie me! Apologies, ‘Iggy.” Jay exited with a saucer and teacup in hand. He set it down in front of Stanley, then turned back to Higgy. “Actually, would you mind ‘olding this open for me? That way, I can carry more cups at once.”

“Of course.” Higgy bowed slightly while holding the door. Jay valued efficiency, another sign that they were kindred spirits.

He stayed in place, a faithful statue to Jay as his featherlight footsteps took him to and from the dining room.

“Thank you so very much.” After delivering the final teacups, Jay walked back in. “You can leave the pan in the sink. I’ll wash it later.”

“I can take care of it.” Higgy left the door behind and put the pan away, letting it soak in the sink so food wouldn’t stick to it as much.

Jay joined him at the counter, grabbing a tray from the cabinet. “No, no, I’ve already asked too much of you.” He set his kettle on it, along with a bowl. “I can’t ‘ave me esteemed guests washing dishes. It’s bad enough I left cooking to you. Can you ‘and me that teaspoon?”

Higgy plucked a teaspoon from the sink’s utensil holder. The soft fabric of Jay’s glove brushed up against his hand during the handoff. It was brief, yet something told Higgy this sensation would be seared into his memory for good. Maybe his talent will rub off on him? No. Pathetic thoughts like that needed to be drowned for the sake of his dignity.

“All I need now is to grab some sugar and lemon from the–” By the time Jay turned around, Higgy already had the door open. “Eheh, I-I wasn’t asking for you to get it for me.”

“I know. I just thought it be more efficient.” Higgy grabbed the bag of sugar and returned to the counter.

“...Right, thank you.” Jay accepted the bag. “What about the lemon?”

“There are none.”

“Really?” He raised an eyebrow. “Ah well, I suppose we’ll ‘ave to do wivvout.”

Higgy stood by the sink, resisting the urge to start washing the pan while Jay scooped sugar in and out of the sugar bowl, levelling it, and repeating the process for longer than really necessary.

Higgy finally broke the purposeless silence. “Should I hold the door open again?”

“Oh, yes, that would be much appreciated, thank you.” Jay levelled the sugar once more. “Sorry for the wait, heheha. I’ll be wiv you in one moment.”

Higgy waited diligently by the door while Jay found the perfect position to store the sugar bag in the refrigerator and rearranged his tea tray to his liking. Once the kettle completed the tray, Higgy opened the door for him to pass through without interruption, interlocking gears in a well-oiled machine. He then took his place by Jay’s side.

“Please, do ‘ave a seat.” Jay dismissed him with a smile. Higgy took his leave while Jay looked around the table. “My, my, wiv such a beautiful dish in front of us, I’m a tad bit embarrassed to share what I’ve prepared.”

“Oh, you cook?” remarked Stanley.

Jay gave a bright, somewhat forced smile and laugh in response. His sights then set on Higgy. “Since you’ve been so ‘elpful,” he set the tray down in the middle of the table, “I’ll pour your cup first.”

“Why, thank you.” The satisfaction of having Jay pour for him first might taste better than the tea itself. He sat like a king, a smirk curling on his face as it poured into his cup.

The plop of a macaroni noodle shattered that smirk in an instant. Nothing else followed, not tea nor sound.

“Apologies, aheheh. Sometimes this ‘appens.” Jay pounded the back of the kettle with his hand until a cascade of greyish brown noodles plopped into the cup. “There we go!”

Shocked stares from around the table reassured Higgy that he wasn’t hallucinating. Even Nicky’s eyes widened a little, though he still managed a smile. Unfortunately, Maxy’s shark-like grin took the crown for ‘Biggest Smile at the Table,’ and Higgy was a fish buffet.

Was this some kind of prank? No. Of course not.

“I ‘aven’t forgotten your ‘ard work, little Toni.” Jay showed no signs of breaking into laughter as he poured the next cup.

“Thank you very much.” Toni stopped blinking long enough to give his appreciation.

“And just so you don’t feel left out…” Jay’s next victim was Kenji, who sat between them.

“Thank you.” Kenji tried to smile. His brows furrowed. “Does this have coffee in it?” It certainly looked more like coffee, cloudier than any tea Higgy ever had, complete with browned foam.

“Hahahaha, no.” Jay immediately left to fill Nicky’s cup with chunks.

“Thank you. I appreciate this.” Nicky accepted it with the most grace of anyone so far.

Maxy eagerly lifted his cup towards Jay as the latter leaned over the table. “Thanks, man!”

“Appreciate it.” Benji was the next to be served. Enough time went by that he managed to regain his composure.

“...Thank you, Jay.” Stanley sounded like he was trying his best to be polite, though Higgy couldn’t see his face.

Jay poured his own cup last, like any good host, though any good host would see the problem here. He sat down with the same plastered smile he had while serving ‘tea.’ “There’s a bowl of sugar should you ‘ave any need of it.” He lifted his cup. “Anyhoo, chin chin and all that.”

Silence continued as Jay ducked his head down to eat rice. Thankfully, this left him unaware of Maxy holding back laughter to the point of tears and Toni’s extreme confusion. Everyone else began the rice, but left their cups alone.

“This ‘tea’ is a little lumpier than I’m used to, I’ll admit.” Benji lifted his, breaking the silence. “What’s in it?”

“Green tea and macaroni.” Jay kept his head down. “You all don’t ‘ave to try it if you don’t want, haha. I realize it was a mistake to make it.”

“Nonsense!” Maxy’s silence came to an unfortunate end. “I’m no coward,” he looked around the table with that foolish grin on his face, “I’ll give it a try.”

Not letting himself be outdone, Higgy took a big swig–pinkie up–before Maxy could put his money where his mouth was. Regret hit him immediately. Too caught up in impressing Jay, he forgot about the burnt tea. Horrifically burnt, as he found out. The taste of charred grass coated his mouth, and instead of being able to gulp it down quickly, noodles prolonged things. At least poison would’ve ended his misery.

The only bright side was that he finished it right as Jay was about to take a sip. “Wait, Jay.”

“Yes?”

Higgy took a deep breath. “I burnt the tea.”

Toni gasped even though he knew beforehand.

“I took it off of the stove when you said to, but that was too late.” Higgy lowered his head. “I take full responsibility for the mistake. If you’ll let me, I can make another batch. It won’t happen again.”

To his surprise, Jay sipped the tea anyway. “Eh? It tastes normal to me.” He looked at Higgy with sympathetic eyebrows. “Please don’t fret, you’ve done a fine job.”

A gulp came from Stanley’s direction. “A-Are you sure? No offense to Higgy, but this is real bitter.”

“If I may.” Kenji lifted a finger after taking his own sip.

Jay lifted his head. “Yes, Kenji?”

“Is this green tea?”

“Why yes it is.”

Kenji looked in Stanley’s direction. “Green tea does tend to have a bitter taste, from the few times I’ve tried it.”

“Only if it’s brewed wrong.” Guilt hit Higgy once he remembered who brewed it. “I mean–”

“But maybe boiling the tea in the water is how they do it in England.” Toni’s eyes pleaded into his.

“You mean boiling the tea bag itself?” asked Stanley.

“Yeah, that’s how it was when we got there.” Higgy thought it was odd at the time. He shared Toni’s line of reasoning, still something didn’t sit right with him. For a country known for drinking tea, English people wouldn’t brew it badly on purpose, right?

“No matter where I’ve been, I’ve never heard of doing it that way. Is it really a British thing?”

“Well, when I asked me bruvva if it was the right way, ‘e told me–” Jay stopped in his tracks. His face twisted. “I’m beginning to think I’ve been ‘ad.”

He started giggling, then laughing, but not in the normal joyful way, at least not entirely. The laughter seemed more confused than anything. Maybe nervous?

“That rapscallion played me for a sucker.” The laughter didn’t fully stop. “I-I just thought tea was an acquired taste. And to think I should’ve been in London by now! The Brits ‘ave been on me back for years. If they caught wind of this, they’d–Oh, I don’t even want to think about it.” He finally caught his breath. “You might’ve saved me life.”

Maxy took a sip of his tea. “That explains the burnt tea, but what about the noodles?”

“Since I’ve inflicted you wiv this meal, I suppose I should tell.” Jay laughed. “One day, I wanted tea and a snack and didn’t feel like making both.”

“I feel that!” Maxy raised his cup and took another swig.

“Of course, me siblings don’t understand the appeal at all, calling it ‘concerning’ and ‘a crime against good taste.’ Part of me wanted to prove them wrong, that it’s not too bad if given an honest chance.” ‘Not too bad’ didn’t mean good, but Higgy kept that to himself. “But then I saw this rice and thought, ‘Well, I’ve gone and made a right fool of meself, haha.’”

“I admire the creativity and potential.” Nicky sipped his own cup. “Prepared differently, I think this could work. This would go well with salt and cayenne pepper.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t say hot sauce.” added Kenji.

“Huh. I wonder what would happen if you boiled macaroni in hot sauce.” Nicky reminded everyone why no one ate his cooking. “Maybe I should try that one day.”

“Yeah! I’ll help.” Maxy enabled him.

“You are going to give yourselves ulcers.” warned Kenji.

“You look like you’re about to get one just from this conversation.” Benji chuckled.

“Haha, I dunno about the ‘ot sauce, but I’ll ‘ave to consider the salt and cayenne idea.” Jay wagged a finger. “By the way, this rice is positively delightful. You’ve truly outdone yourselves.”

Toni shared a smile with Higgy. “Thank you!”

“Thanks, I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Higgy was happy to provide Jay with something worth calling dinner.

“What’s the meat bits? They ‘ave a familiar flavor.”

“Beef jerky. From your closet.”

“Really?” Jay’s eyebrows raised. “I’m impressed, though you were free to use the beef in the freezer if you wanted.”

“There was none.”

“What do you mean?” Something dawned on him. “Right, me staff must’ve done away wiv the perishables today! Me sincerest apologies to you both. It’s a miracle we ‘ave any food at all!”

Miracle, huh? Finally, someone recognized Higgy as the miracle maker he was, and no better person to do it. He brushed a hand against his bangs, not saying anything, but taking in the compliment.

Blue eyes and a mocking smile interrupted his celebration. Higgy raised his eyebrows as if to ask ‘What are you looking at?’ Maxy simply snickered and went back to eating.

“I was wondering ‘ow you managed to use three ‘ole lemons wivvout it coming through at all. Quite a shame we don’t ‘ave any.” Jay picked up his teacup. “This goes quite nicely wiv a slice of lemon and sugar.”

“So you do drink this with sugar.” Stanley spoke up. “I was wondering.”

“Not always, but It ‘elps wiv the bitterness.”

Across from him, Higgy saw Toni’s eyes dart back and forth from the sugar dish. He didn’t understand why he was so nervous, but he gave him a nod of approval since he obviously needed someone to tell him what he could do.

Toni shyly dumped a spoonful of sugar into his cup and stirred it around. He smiled a little after drinking it. “It does help.”

Higgy stared at his own cup only to see starch tendrils reaching back at him. Maybe sugar cut down on the bitterness, but he couldn’t imagine the result tasting anything other than sickly. If it were up to him, he’d add some shoyu, sesame seeds, salmon, green onions, and a bit of shredded nori. That may salvage this mess. Wait a minute, that sounded familiar…

“Higgy?” Nicky craned his head to the side. “Is something wrong with your tea?”

“No, I just realized something. This is like ochazuke.” A poor man’s ochazuke, but ochazuke nonetheless. Higgy anticipated Jay’s confusion. “It’s sort of like your tea but instead of macaroni, there’s rice.”

“And there’s other toppings, too.” Nicky mimicked sprinkling. “It’s soothing to the soul.”

“Really?” Jay reacted as if he’d just been told magic is real. “Oh, sweet vindication! I knew I was onto somefing by using tea for cooking, but I ‘adn’t realized the idear already existed.”

“Ooh! Is that the thing with the crunchy stuff? The thin, crunchy sticks.” Benji tried to illustrate with his hands. “Stan, you remember? I think we had some after one of Kenji’s concerts in Hayashiton.”

“Was it at that one little shack near the woods with the lady who kept fussin’ over Kenji?” asked Stanley.

“Yeah, yeah, that place!” Benji looked to Kenji. “What was it she kept saying about you?”

Kenji looked up from his plate, mildly surprised at everyone staring at him. “It was something like ‘You look so tired the wind could topple you over.’” He shrugged. “I was tired, but there’s really only so much food one person can take.”

“And she was on a mission to find out!” Benji laughed heartily. “I wonder if she’s still around. Maybe we’ll run across her again one of these days.” He pointed his fork at Nicky. “I can see you bein’ her next victim.”

“You better be hungry.”

“I’m always hungry.” Nicky gazed at his brother meaningfully. “For life. For love. For ochazuke.”

Unsure what to say, Kenji just reached over, patted him on the head, and returned to eating.

“I would love to try that someday.” mused Jay. “Izzat just a specialty from Jiyuko…ku?”

Higgy nearly dropped his spoon. “You know about Jiyukoku State?”

“Eheh? Oh shoot–Forgive me, hahah! I thought you already knew, but I suppose I’ve only mentioned it to Kenji so far. Glad I pronounced it correctly.”

“Well, that’s settled.” remarked Stanley. “About that dish you wanted, it’s Japanese, right?”

Higgy and the Konnos answered various forms of yes.

“Yeah, you could probably get some when you’re in Japan.”

“Or you could stop by in Jiyukoku.” Nicky added, opening a floodgate of possibilities in Higgy’s mind. Jay Kingston in Jiyukoku? He could have a concert there, and Hinito could open for them. It might just open up the chance for Higgy to live out his dream of dancing with Jay onstage.

Benji grinned. “Yeah, I could see that lady spoiling you, too.”

“Ohoho, ‘ow I would enjoy the ‘ospitality, but it’s guaranteed I’ll be visiting Japan first. Either way, I shall look forward to ordering it, haha~” Something about the way Jay talked when this happy sounded like singing. “But I’ll probably need one of you kind gents to write the name down for me if I’m to ‘ave any ‘ope of remembering.”

“Well, you just so happen to be sitting next to the sweetest man here!” Benji motioned across the table to Stanley.

“No he’s not, Nicky’s right here.” Stanley proved his status as the more realistic Baker.

“Can’t argue with that.” Benji gave up. “He is sitting by the most handsome man in the room, though.” Untrue. Higgy sat even further away, but that wasn’t his biggest concern right now. Higgy and Kenji gave each other an uneasy look as Benji flirted not just with his husband, but fire.

“You?” Stanley too??

“Wh–? You know I was talkin’ about you!”

“Of course!” Stanley chuckled. “Please, we’ve been married so long, I sometimes feel like I know you better than you do.”

“Heh! Maybe you do.”

Benji went back to eating as usual, and presumably Stanley did, too. Nicky kept smiling until a double take forced him to catch up to how Higgy and the rest felt. He, along with them, sat there stunned. They looked between each other and the Bakers before finally setting bug eyed stares on Jay, who drank from his teacup, pinkie up, as if he’d heard nothing at all.

Jay lowered it. “Is somefing wrong?”

Not knowing how to answer, Higgy picked up his spoon. Snickering came from the other end of the table not long after. First Stanley’s, then Benji’s, confusing everyone yet again. Higgy wished they’d explain whatever bizarre game they were playing already.

Benji tapped Jay with his hand. “Good job, kid.”

Jay stared blankly at him. “I ‘aven’t the slightest idea what you mean.”

His flat expression then broke into a grin, and he, too, joined the Bakers’ giggle fit.

“You should’ve all seen the looks on your faces!” He slapped one hand against the other in a hearty clap. “It was better than I imagined!”

“Told’ja it would pay off.” came Stanley’s smug voice.

Maxy smiled incredulously. “You knew they were married the whole time, didn’t’cha?” He slow clapped. “You guys really got us good!”

“Didn’t we?” Benji’s gold tooth sparkled. “I’ll admit, I didn’t expect him to keep a straight face for so long.”

“I like to think I’m quite good at pretending not to notice things, hmhm~ The glasses ‘elp.” Jay busied himself moving the handle of his teacup around.

“When–? How? What?” Kenji finally unfroze. “Mr. Stanley, I thought you didn’t know if he knew.”

“I didn’t until a little while ago.” Stanley answered matter-of-factly.

Kenji stared at Higgy as if he had answers. He shrugged, whispering ‘I don’t know, either!’

“So you’re not… mad at them?” Toni spoke up.

Jay’s expression softened. “There’s enough to be afraid of in this world as it is. I’d rather give me esteemed guests as comfortable a stay as I can.”

Nicky let out a deep sigh.

Higgy looked up at him. “What’s wrong with you?”

“If I didn’t have to save my voice for the performance, I’d burst into song.”

“Aww, Nicky, that’s alright.” It sounded like Stanley patted him on the back.

Nicky faced Jay. “In any event, we really appreciate you accepting their love and allowing it into your home. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

“We know it’s not normal here in America,” Toni followed, “so, um, thank you for being nice about it.”

Maxy slung an arm over his chair. “Thanks for not bein’ a jerk.”

Kenji straightened his posture. “On behalf of Mr. and Mr. Baker, thank you for your understanding.”

“Thanks for,” Higgy tried to think of a personalized thanks that wouldn’t sound too close to what Maxy said, “having human decency.” Too flippant. Borderline rude. “I mean, thanks. Thanks.” Terrible.

“Of course, heheh.” Jay gracefully accepted their appreciation. He turned to the back left wall, with the embroidered picture that read ‘Home is where you eat with the ones you love.’ “Please, make yourselves at ‘ome.”

Grateful for the sentiment, Higgy still couldn’t shake the bitter aftertaste of making a failed impression with his thanks. Though maybe in his own way, with his cooking, he made this place feel more like a home for everyone.

…That made no sense at all. Jay lived here; of course he already felt at home!