Page 40 of By Rude Strength

“You can create stuff out of thin air.”

“Technically, I’m using the matter that’s in the air, but yes.”

“And you can transmute stuff into other stuff.”

“Yes.”

“Why bake?”

Cass blinked in surprise. “What do you mean?”

LA picked through his pill bottles and shrugged. “What’s the point of baking if you can make a cake instantly?”

“Is it really a cake if I just snap my fingers and make a cake? Where’s the fun in that?” Cass sat down on the floor next to LA. “I like baking because…”

“Because?”

“When there’s a problem, there is always a solution,” Cass replied. “Cake is too dense? Might have overmixed the batter or didn’t let the butter get to room temperature. Sunk in the middle? Probably opened the oven too much. Cracked? Could be the temperature was set too high. Sometimes I wish people were that easy to figure out.”

“What?” LA shifted in his seat. “Can’t just stick a toothpick in them and see if they’re done?”

“No, that would hurt.” Cass wrinkled his nose. “But take you for example. I can’t actually tell if I’ve made a difference in your life yet.”

“I’d say you have.” LA nudged Cass’s side with his foot. “I apologized to someone today and tried to, you know, not be an asshole. Plus, I vowed to get over Gavin. That’s something, isn’t it?”

Cass raised his brow. “I suppose.”

“And hey.” LA tapped the side of his glass. “This is the same one I poured when we started the cake.”

“Really?” Cass perked up.

“Yeah.” LA smirked. “Was too distracted being bossed around by a giant monster who didn’t like how I buttered the pans.”

“It’s not my fault you looked like you were trying to stab the pan with the butter. I was concerned.”

LA chuckled. “I was imagining the pan was Gavin’s face.”

“I’m not sure if that’s healthy.”

“Better than wanting to stab him for real.”

“True.”

LA left his drink on the table as he stood. “Well, come on.” He limped toward the living room.

“Come on where?”

“You really want to sit on the floor watching a cake cool? Or do you wanna come watch a movie on the couch?”

“Oh!” Cass immediately hopped up to his feet and the entire kitchen rattled. He eagerly followed LA out into the living room. “What kind of movie?”

“What do you like?” LA flopped onto the couch. “Wait, let me guess. Romantic comedies?”

“Why are you saying that like it’s a bad thing?” Cass sat down on the end, tucking his wings back.

“That’s totally your favorite, isn’t it?”

“So?”