VALERIE LEANED AGAINST BILLIE'S kitchen counter, arms crossed, watching as billie rummaged through cabinets and pulled out random baking supplies. flour, sugar, chocolate chips-things valerie was pretty sure she'd only ever seen in aesthetic pinterest pictures.
"so... remind me again why we're doing this?" valerie asked, raising an eyebrow as billie plopped a mixing bowl onto the counter.
"because it's fun," billie said simply, flashing a grin. "and because i make killer cookies."
valerie tilted her head. "i feel like you've hyped these cookies up so much that if they don't cure my depression, i'm gonna be disappointed."
billie laughed, grabbing an apron and tossing it at valerie. "put this on, vei. you're gonna help."
valerie caught the apron awkwardly, holding it up and squinting at it. "why does it say 'kiss the cook'?"
"because i'm hilarious," billie said, tying her own apron around her waist. it had cartoon dinosaurs on it.
valerie shook her head, slipping the apron over her head and fumbling with the strings in the back. after struggling for a solid ten seconds, she groaned. "b, help me."
billie stepped behind her, her fingers brushing lightly against valerie's waist as she tied the strings. "you're helpless, you know that?"
"i never claimed to be otherwise," valerie said with a grin.
once they were both situated, billie started measuring out ingredients, while valerie stood beside her, holding a wooden spoon like it was a microphone.
"so, chef eilish," valerie said in an exaggerated TV host voice. "what's the secret to your world-famous cookies?"
"love," billie said dramatically, placing a hand over her heart.
valerie snorted. "oh my god. you're insufferable."
"no, but seriously, it's brown butter. it makes them taste insane," billie said with a wink.
"brown butter?" valerie repeated, squinting at the stick of butter on the counter. "how do you... brown it?"
billie froze mid-pour with a measuring cup full of sugar. "you've never browned butter before?"
"billie, i've barely boiled water before."
billie set the sugar down and turned fully to face valerie, her expression dead serious. "you've... never baked? like, ever?"
valerie shrugged. "does reheating pizza count?"
billie's jaw dropped. "we're changing your life tonight, valerie."
and with that, chaos ensued.
it started with billie explaining how to brown butter. valerie nodded along, trying to look serious, but within two minutes, she had splattered butter on her apron and let out a panicked squeal when the stove hissed.
"it's attacking me!" valerie cried, leaping back.
billie doubled over laughing, clutching the counter for support. "it's butter, vei. it's not going to fight you."
"you don't know that!" valerie shot back, pointing an accusing finger at the pan.
eventually, with billie supervising closely, the butter browned without further incident.
next came the flour, which somehow ended up everywhere.
"val, you're supposed to pour it into the bowl, not fling it like confetti," billie said through fits of laughter, brushing flour out of her hair.
"i panicked!" valerie said defensively, holding the now half-empty bag of flour like it was a live grenade.
by the time they managed to get all the ingredients mixed together, the kitchen looked like a crime scene. there was flour on the counter, sugar sprinkled across the floor, and chocolate chips scattered in random places.
"if anyone walks in right now, they're gonna think we committed a baking-related homicide," valerie said, surveying the mess.
billie wiped a smudge of flour off valerie's cheek with her thumb. "worth it."
once the dough was finally on the baking trays and in the oven, they both collapsed onto the kitchen floor, backs resting against the cabinets.
"how do people do this regularly?" valerie asked, staring at the oven.
billie grinned, bumping her shoulder against valerie's. "it's fun, though, right?"
valerie smiled softly. "yeah. it is."
they sat in comfortable silence for a moment before valerie spoke again. "i feel like... we've needed a night like this for a while."
billie's grin softened into something gentler. "yeah. we have."
after the cookies had cooled down enough to eat, they each grabbed one and leaned against the counter, chewing thoughtfully.
"okay, i'll admit," valerie said, her mouth still full. "these are incredible."
billie smirked. "told you. world-famous."
valerie held up her half-eaten cookie. "to brown butter."
"to brown butter," billie echoed, tapping her cookie against valerie's in a mock toast.
as the night stretched on, they migrated to the couch, bringing the tray of cookies with them. a random movie played quietly in the background, though neither of them was really paying attention.
at one point, valerie's head ended up on billie's shoulder, and billie's head rested lightly against valerie's.
"thanks for tonight," valerie said softly, her voice sleepy.
billie smiled, her eyes fluttering shut. "anytime, val."
and in the quiet warmth of billie's living room, surrounded by crumbs, flour stains, and soft laughter, they both felt-just for a moment-that everything was exactly as it should be.