I Get a Sugar Rush Whenever I'm With You - Chapter 8.3
Good evening fellow Drukkari stans, or whatever time it is for you! I come bearing another mini-chapter! If you've fallen behind and need to catch up, you can find all previous installments on my Table of Contents here. Druig is still trying to figure out what Sersi (and Makkari) is up to, but he's hoping Kingo will help him make some headway. Will he succeed? Find out now, in the next mini-chapter of Drukkari in the Great British Bake Off!
The delicate balance Druig was trying to maintain tipped heavily with the technical. While he'd suspected his previous win would be a fluke, coming in dead last the very next week was still a low blow. He did his best to get his moping out before dinner, as he'd have other things to think about. Unfortunately, he wasn't the only one moping this week.
"Cheer up, Sersi. At least you made it to Week Eight," Kingo said, trying and failing to sound upbeat. Right on cue, he was hit by a flying crouton. "I haven't missed that."
You're making it sound like she's already lost, Makkari chided as he glared at her.
"There's always tomorrow," Gil added, sounding a little more reassuring than Kingo.
"Thanks, but I've definitely got my work cut out for me tomorrow," Sersi noted, wearing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"At least you didn't come in last," Druig muttered, earning a genuinely sympathetic smile from Sersi.
"So, this is what he's usually like?" Phastos asked.
"More or less, yes," Sersi confirmed.
"Okay, enough brooding! Fill me in on all the dinner gossip I've been missing!" Kingo interjected.
I already filled you in, so you haven't missed much! Makkari declared.
"Seriously? Wow, you really need me around to keep things interesting, don't you," he replied smugly, prompting Makkari to roll her eyes.
"So, you've told him about all our love lives?" Gil asked nonchalantly.
"I mean, she didn't go into as much detail as she could've, but yes," Kingo remarked. "You and Thena were pretty obvious, though, so I figured that out on my own."
"I'm not repeating my stories from last week," Phastos declared.
"That's fine, I'm more interested in drama between bakers. No offense."
"Offense taken."
"And I already know about Sersi and Dane, of course."
"Of course," Sersi responded before turning to Makkari and Druig. That reminds me we still haven't picked a time for drinks.
"Excuse me, just because you didn't say it out loud doesn't mean I didn't see that. What's this about drinks?" Kingo interjected. Druig's expression was unreadable, but Sersi and Makkari gave each other a slightly panicked look as the rest of the group waited expectantly. Wincing, Sersi spoke up first.
"I was just going to treat Makkari and Druig to drinks for helping me with Dane," she admitted. As they had feared, Kingo was not amused.
"I said we should go out for drinks together weeks ago! I helped with Dane, too. And you were just going to go without me!?" he ranted.
"Sorry, I didn't know you helped," Sersi said sheepishly.
Well, you didn't help that much, Makkari added.
"I helped enough to warrant an invitation!" Kingo insisted.
Much to Druig's confusion, a mildly pained look came over both Sersi and Makkari's faces. The rest of them had all lapsed into an awkward silence as they watched the conversation play out. Finally, Makkari gave Druig a quick look before she spoke.
Sersi, can Kingo come too?
"Always room for one more," Sersi answered. The two women looked at Kingo in anxious anticipation. He stared them down for a moment before letting out a sigh.
"I'll have to make room in my very busy schedule, but sure, I'd love to."
Druig swore he could see the tension leaving Makkari and Sersi's shoulders, but not entirely. The group collectively began picking at whatever food they had left before Phastos broke the silence.
"Well, Kingo, you do keep things lively."
"Told you," he replied proudly.
-
In all the excitement, Kingo had completely forgotten the ultimate reason he'd been invited to dinner. He'd also forgotten what time he needed to leave to sneak back to his hotel, and it was now quite late, a fact that only crossed his mind as they were leaving Sersi's room. Druig was about to volunteer his room when, much to his surprise, Makkari beat him to it.
You can take mine. I'll ask Sersi if I can share with her, she said. I just need to get a couple things first.
"Thanks, even if you didn't tell Sersi how useful I was in getting her and Dane together," he responded.
"We're very sorry, Kingo. We'll make sure we invite you to every outing for eternity," Druig deadpanned.
"That would be much appreciated. Goodnight." And with that he walked away.
Makkari turned back to Druig to bid him goodnight when he asked, Can we talk? Before you go to Sersi's?
She nodded before running after Kingo.
-
About ten minutes later, there was a knock on Druig's door. He opened it to find Makkari, now in pajamas. Before he could say anything, she was already pushing past him and into the room, so he shut the door behind her.
I'm sorry Kingo blew it, Makkari said when he turned back around.
That certainly didn't go the way we thought, but I wouldn't say he blew it completely, Druig answered carefully.
Really? How so? she asked.
I knew there was something odd about Sersi suddenly wanting to take us out for drinks. Tonight, she was very reluctant to invite Kingo, he observed.
I guess she was, Makkari said. She was avoiding eye contact.
You were as well, he pointed out.
Was I? I did ask Sersi to invite him, she continued, her face beginning to flush. Druig took a step toward her as he pushed on.
Makkari, you know what Sersi's planning, don't you?
She took a deep breath and finally looked him in the eye. Druig could see a flurry of emotions running through her mind. I might, she said meekly.
Why didn't you tell me? he asked in earnest.
It's a surprise, she answered, a hint of a smile on her face.
A surprise… for me?
Makkari nodded, her smile growing. An odd sensation that felt like a mixture of relief and anticipation washed over him.
And Kingo being there ruins it?
I've said too much. I can't tell you any more, she said firmly.
You mean you're still not going to tell me what it is? he said, eyebrows raising.
Nope. I'm sworn to secrecy.
Without another word, Druig took a few steps away and collapsed face first onto his bed like a petulant child. Just as he'd hoped, Makkari barked out a laugh. He suppressed a smile as he turned over to sign, Merciful Makkari, please put me out of my misery.
Dearest Druig, I'm afraid I can't do that, she answered, still giggling as she walked over to sit by him on the bed.
Why not?
I pinky promised.
Alright, I can see your hands are tied. This prompted another round of giggles from Makkari. Once she'd calmed down again, Druig asked, Is it at least a good surprise?
I hope so, she said thoughtfully. Okay, that's all I'm saying about it. No more questions.
Very well, he conceded with a sigh. What should we talk about, then?
How delicious Gil's pie was today?
That was an incredible pie. Must've been working on the recipe for ages.
They talked on and on, jumping from subject to subject with the ease of two people who'd known each other for years. Sometimes, Druig had to remind himself they'd only met a couple of months ago. While he fought it for as long as he could, Druig eventually felt himself drifting off into a restful sleep.
-
Leave it to Kingo to help by also completely messing things up 🤣 Anyway, hope you enjoyed this mini-installment!
Part 29
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