Wow, almost a month since I started this fic. And even though I've finished it (all but one chapter) already, I never got around to post this. I hope you guys know and understand that Let The World Know will always be my number one priority, but I will try to not let you wait this long for the third chapter.
'Hey, college boy.' Seth looks up, surprise written all over his face. Roman can't tell if he's glad to see him or not, but he can say that he himself is more than happy to meet Seth here. Though he has to admit that it's not really a coincidence he showed up at the kid's work place.
And damn, he had to drink a lot of coffee in the past few weeks to find out where in Des Moines Seth is working after his classes. All because the boy heeded his moronic advice to not show up at the garage anymore. Seth never listened to him before, but the one time he's not in the best mood and lies for Dean's sake, that idiot actually does.
Dean has been all kinds of grumpy ever since Seth left – for good as it would seem –, driving Roman slowly into insanity because he can't watch his best friend suffer like this. Not that Dean would ever admit that he misses Seth, but Roman is not blind.
That's why he's here, trying to find out if the other is still interested in any kind of relationship, which he doesn't really doubt. Roman suspects he's just as stubborn as Dean, waiting for him to make the first move. He's never seen two bigger fools in love, but he's dead set on helping them along.
Just so he can come to work without having to deal with a snarling, sullen co-worker every day. He misses the time when Dean would be so engrossed in his work that he'd sing along to the radio, completely forgetting where he was and who was there with him. When Dean strolled around the shop with a little, confident swagger in his walk, just happy to be there and work for his money in a job he can be proud of.
Dean enjoys this profession way more than him, which is why he pitched the idea to his father to give the garage to his best friend once he retires. Dean has earned it. But Roman would demand a pay raise, of course.
'Roman,' Seth says, the insecurity in his voice betraying the annoyed expression. He lets go of the rag he used to wipe the counter with and looks behind Roman, probably in the hopes there'd be a long line, so he doesn't have to deal with him. But the puppy's out of luck. There is no one in the shop besides him, so they have all the time in the world.
Well, not really, since his daughter is waiting outside, having the time of her life on the little mechanic, bright pink pony. He can hear her laugh even through the closed doors, waving at him with a huge smile on her adorable face, while the horse gently rocks her back and forth.
'What are you doing here?' Isn't it obvious? He was the one who told Seth to stay away – all because Dean is too thickheaded to admit he's the best thing that's ever happened to Seth and vice versa –, so naturally he wants to be the one telling him he needs to come back.
He even misses Seth rolling up in Dean's old Camaro, asking for help to keep her in a splendid condition by making him fix whatever abstruse problem he could come up with this time.
The Chevrolet should be Dean's biggest clue that Seth was never able to forget him. The kid took care of a car, paid for it with the last bits of his money, just to keep it in good shape. Like he wanted to make sure it was fine until Dean came back to him, so he would see that he and their friendship mattered a lot.
He makes a vague hand gesture and puts on his most charming smile. 'Hoping to get a coffee and a hot chocolate – the white one – for my daughter,' Roman finally answers the question, frowning when Seth looks at him as if he just spotted an alien crawling out of his ear. 'What? You think us bumchucks don't know our way into the city?'
Seth rolls his eyes and turns to the coffee machine without saying a word. The kid is so much like Dean. Obstinate, headstrong, obdurate and totally getting on his nerves with his stupidity.
Why can't people ever accept that the thing right in front of them is the real deal? That it doesn't get better than this? That Dean is his soulmate and Seth is his brother's one true love. High school romances usually don't last – at least he's never seen one work so far – but those two clearly are destined to be together.
Even a blind man would be able to see the unbreakable bond between them. It's like a corny chick flick's going on every time they meet. The impact they made on each other's lives is too big to just throw everything away carelessly. Dean has done so once, Roman won't let him make the same mistake twice.
Seth puts the hot chocolate on the counter, grabbing a second cup to make the coffee for him. Still not a single word. Hopefully he's not that rude to all his customers.
'You alright?' he asks, hoping to get the real conversation started before he has to throw his drink at Seth to stall for more time. 'Never been better,' comes the almost arrogant reply. Seriously? Seth wants to play that game now? Man, He's is too old for this shit.
A good clobber over the head would probably solve this mess but he thinks it can't hurt to try the civilized way first. Someone of the three of them has to be the mature one.
His silence seems to work, because Seth stops his task, the empty cup still waiting to be filled, his curiosity stronger than his stubbornness.
'How's business going?' Oh for God's sake, he's so sick of this slow dance. Really, how much resentment and insecurity took hold over their hearts in the past that both of them can't stop pining over each other but don't dare to step up first?
Though, he has to give Seth some credit too. He tried very hard to show Dean that he has no problem with picking up where they left off, practically shoving his heart into Dean's hands.
So he decides to lighten the mood, somehow feeling a bit bad for Seth because he got rejected so many times in the past month and completely gave up the moment Roman lied to him about Dean's dating life. He never thought he'd be the one ruining something perfect.
'We lost our most profitable client, but we manage.' That does elicit a tiny, amused smile out of the other, before his eyes turn dark and he shakes his head as if to remind himself of a resolve he made, a promise to not give into his temptation again.
To save himself the heartache.
Smart, but really sad too, isn't it? The shadow of Dean is hovering over them, his name on the tip of their tongues, yet Seth is too proud to be the first one to crack.
Apart from the fact that his daughter is outside, waiting for him to give her her favorite drink, he's so done with playing this game. He likes it better when people talk about what goes through their heads instead of making him figure it out on his own.
'You're not gonna ask?' he sighs annoyed, the cocked eyebrow on Seth's face showing him that he knows very well what this surprise visit is all about. 'No.' Sometimes he wishes he could just ignore this and go on with his life, not caring about this love mess, but Dean is his best friend and Seth doesn't seem too bad and all he wants for his brother is to be happy.
'So,' he changes the subject, thinking it can't be wrong to try a different approach by getting to know Seth better. He likes the kid, but he needs his trust too. 'You're gonna be an architect?' Actually, he has no idea what he's studying, never asked either Dean or Seth himself, but for some reason he believes he's overheard that one time.
'Lawyer,' the other corrects him, all friendliness suddenly gone. Not so fast, kid. They're not done yet. 'Dean might need one in the future.' That's hopefully a blatant lie, but it can never hurt to know one who's not the devil's advocate in a fancy suit.
Seth puts the lid on his coffee and punches some numbers into the register, looking at him as if he's the last person on earth he ever wanted to see, pointing at the amount he has to pay with a forced friendly expression. 'As nice as this has been, I got work to do.'
The shop is still empty, but he knows when he's not welcome. This sure didn't go the way he expected. Still, he can't stop himself from swallowing down his pride to help out his best friend. 'Course,' Roman shrugs, showing Seth that he knows very well when he's being lied to.
'Just– maybe you could swing by during the holidays. I'll even wash your car.' He certainly won't, but it's always worth a shot. Seth stares at him with wide, almost thankful eyes, before his brain takes over and the kid grits out a very harsh and distant, 'Not going home this year.'
If he wouldn't go to jail for murdering Seth, he'd totally stab him in the heart right now, because that's what Dean is going through every time Roman tells him he's ready to close the garage and Seth hasn't showed up.
But fine, he's failed today and he has to accept his defeat. However, if he's lucky, his visit at least got the ball rolling. Small ripples can cause the largest waves.
'See you around,' he bids his farewell and leaves the shop kind of unsatisfied, which changes as soon as his daughter runs to him with a loud, exuberant cheer, grabbing her hot chocolate eagerly and he can barely keep her from taking a large gulp that will burn her throat.
June 27, 2014
He can't believe this damn car decides to let him down just when he wants to take her out for a ride to hear her purr, see if she's still alright after uselessly standing around for weeks. Never before has the malfunction indicator lamp flashed this angrily at him and he curses Dean for the first time for giving him the Chevy without leaving him money for her too.
He's just saved enough of his salary to go on this weekend trip to Minnesota, so he could take his mind off his studies and work and his non-existent life. Thankfully, he'll get his Bachelor degree in a few months, so he can specialize in Family Counseling – after Dean he couldn't help himself – and get a proper job, so he gives this old car the special treatment she deserves.
Five years ago, his parents thought he should have a new one, but Seth refused to even talk about that option. If they wanted to do him a favor, they could give him some money so he could redo the paint work. His dad paid for it, before he left him and his mom and took all their money with him. Kind of like a crappy don't be sad we're getting divorced gift.
He has a stepdad now, a very kind man and Seth likes him a lot, simply because he makes his mother happy. And he got two siblings he adores but who also constantly make fun of him because he won't give up on the Camaro. They, as well as everybody else, fail to understand that this is all he has left from Dean – aside from the memories.
There are no pictures of them together, no love notes he has hidden in a shoe box in his closet, no bracelets or other tokens of their relationship. It's not like they never thought about it, they just always forgot. They'd been teenagers, clumsy and horny; the two of them never had enough time for anything.
He tried to have a boyfriend after Dean, but it just wasn't the same. It, they, never felt right, so he dumped all of them, completely giving up on all kinds of relationships when he went to college. Maybe he wasn't made for anyone else and to be honest, he never got over Dean leaving him in the dead of the night without a single word in the first place.
Dean didn't break his heart, which is odd; it's more like he kissed him goodnight without telling him he'd be gone forever, leaving Seth to think he'd see him in the morning. He never got any closure, but a part of Seth didn't want it.
Getting that would mean having to let go of Dean and that's the last thing on earth he aims for. One day they'll meet again; Seth strongly believes that. He only has to wait a bit longer and Dean will walk into his life as unceremoniously and silently as he vanished out of it.
Well, seems like he'll spend his saved money on the black Chevy once more, keeping the memory of his ex-boyfriend alive for as long as he possibly can. He'll probably die alone and forsaken, the Camaro his only companion just because he's unwilling to accept that Dean chose a life without him.
'Trouble in paradise?' his dad asks – well, technically his stepfather, but he calls him dad for ages now; he's much closer with him than his biological father anyway –, smiling down at him through the open window. 'She's only giving me the same amount of headaches as her previous owner.'
He gets a friendly clap on the shoulder for that, as well as the directions to the newest, but undoubtedly best and cheapest garage in town. 'Heard a real hunk works there,' his dad adds, obviously thinking that these news will somehow make him happy. 'With a huge tattoo, long, black hair, half-Samoan.'
That's so not the type of man he likes, but he appreciates the thought nonetheless. 'Where's the catch?' he asks, not wanting to squash his dad's hopes that he'll go out and find someone who loves him back as much as he still loves Dean. His father is one of the very few people who know the true story of what happened the night he woke up bloody and concussed in Dean's house, the almost dead Mrs Ambrose getting put on a gurney, no signs of his best friend or Mr Ambrose.
'I also heard he has a daughter.' Seth laughs and starts the engine again, praying that the weird noise doesn't mean she's gonna die on him on the way to the garage, tipping two fingers at his forehead to say bye. A kid wouldn't scare him away, but he's not looking for a partner at the moment. Or ever.
Seems like he should go to therapy once more, to deal with his obvious Dean Ambrose ruined me for everybody else problem.
Seth finds the place very quickly, the car thankfully not letting him down even though he gets the feeling that red light blinks faster and more warningly with each second that passes. 'Almost there, baby,' he tries to soothe the car, patting her lightly on the dashboard. 'The Adonis will take care of you.'
He turns the steering wheel to the left, rolling up the driveway and almost crashes his beloved Camaro into another parked car when his eyes land on a guy in a dirty overall, the heat of the late June sun making the man sweat so much that he decided to strip off his goddamn wife beater in this very moment.
His dad was right, there is a hunk working here, but it's not a tanned, inked Samoan. It's a– wait a second. Hold the freaking phone. He knows those scars, has run his fingers over them more times than he can imagine, even traced them with his tongue.
It can't be. This is a fucking joke, a trick of his imagination. He's hallucinating. It finally happened; his mind shattered completely. There's no way he would come back and not tell Seth.
But then again, he left without a word too.
Before he even has the chance to get out of his car, Dean turns around, eyes roaming over it and the license plate, face lighting up as if someone just switched on the freaking sun. 'Well fuck me,' Seth hears the almost awestruck whisper and for a moment time stands still.
They haven't locked gazes yet but Seth already feels like his insides have turned to lava. Rage and disbelief surge through his body, fighting for dominance.
'Ro, you gotta see this. Holy shit, that's my first car,' he yells all over the place, the most delighted smile settling down on his face, hands reaching out as if he wants to touch the Camaro to make sure he's not imagining this. Good to see they're both having a hard time believing this is indeed happening.
If Seth ever had any doubts about this being Dean, all of them got erased the moment he opened his mouth. He could never forget that voice. It's deeper and rougher now, but there's no mistaking. His breath hitches in his throat and his eyes start to burn.
He spent the past seven years searching for a ghost and here he is, five minutes away from his parents' home, unharmed, safe, happy. Dean has a new life that doesn't involve Seth and it's making him feel hollow and like he shouldn't even be here.
But his car – Dean's beautiful, treacherous Chevrolet – chooses that moment to get closer to its rightful owner again, engine stuttering and going out with a loud bang. Awesome. What a great first impression Dean must get now, thinking he didn't treat his baby with the utmost respect.
A tall man walks out, shielding his eyes from the bright sunlight, bumping his shoulder against Dean's while snickering, 'Congrats.' Dean rolls his eyes and steps closer, fingers now tentatively grazing over the hood and Seth can pin down the exact moment skin connects with steel.
He's been here before, a whole lifetime ago and for a second all his eyes are able to see is a younger version of Dean with longer, sleeked hair that he used to put in a ponytail, wearing shirts with stupid yet funny prints on it and jeans that had more holes than was probably in, nose piercing and ear ring, showing Seth for the first time the seven year old second-hand vehicle he bought after saving almost his entire life for it.
There's a nice scruff on Dean's face, dirty blond, light brown hair shimmering in the sunshine, lazy, curly strands falling into his blue eyes. He has put on a lot of muscles and for a few heartbeats Seth can only stare at the biceps before he continues to take in Dean's new appearance.
He looks great; at ease. Not at all how Seth remembers him. Though, to be fair, the last memory he has of Dean is a whispered I'm sorry.
He wishes the car would still work, because he'd love nothing more than to drive away, disappear before he recognizes him, before he can do any damage. If Dean hasn't reached out to him yet, then it's pretty clear he doesn't want him in his life.
Right now the Camaro is nothing more than a cracked shield separating him from Dean. He'll look at him every moment and as soon as their gazes meet, he'll know. Dean will be able to tell who he is, thanks to the little scar on his cheekbone.
Because he was the one giving it to him when they were little kids.
Oh God, he's waited for this for a whole lifetime and now that Dean is within his grasp he can't move, can't breathe, can't even think straight. Countless questions are burning on his tongue, ready to be thrown at his childhood friend, but most of all Seth just feels let down. By Dean and the world alike.
His hands shake when he reaches for the handle and he needs two attempts to open the door. Getting out will change everything, will make Dean real once again and Seth will no longer have an excuse to live in the past. He's not ready to lose Dean once more.
He just found him.
'Sorry for groping your car, man,' his former friend apologizes, still sounding so damn elated that his chest starts to hurt, 'but that's my old–' Dean blinks twice, stepping closer, right hand hovering awkwardly in the air – as if he wants to touch him too, to make sure he's not just projecting Seth's face onto some stranger because he's in possession of the Camaro.
For a moment shock freezes Dean's whole body and Seth can see it in his eyes that his mind takes him back several years – making him see the good and the bad, plus the horrible ending – before he's able to cover it up with an unbelieving laugh.
'Ro,' he breathes, fingers reaching for his co-worker's arm so he can find something to hold on to. 'Tell me you see a bearded guy with blond and brunette hair and a little scar on the cheek, right under his glasses.' Ro looks at Seth with a curious expression, like he's some animal in the zoo he's never seen before, the gaze making him sweat nervously.
'All there, Dee. Know him?' Dean doesn't even listen to the question, just covers his mouth, only now realizing that Seth is indeed standing right in front of him. 'That's,' his childhood friend breathes out, and before he can react Dean is hugging him.
He doesn't even care about all the sweat and grease; for a moment Seth feels way too blessed, old memories washing over him, burying him under a pleasant wave of nostalgia and happiness. He can't stop his arms from reaching out and returning the embrace, too ecstatic to have Dean this close again.
'Seth,' his childhood friend murmurs into his ear, nose nuzzling against his cheek, 'is this a dream?' 'No,' he reassures him, running his fingers through the slightly damp hair, pressing Dean as close to his body as he possibly can; successfully ignoring the intrigued look this Ro guy is throwing at them.
Neither one of them wants to let go, that much is obvious, but Seth pulls away when Dean's friend starts to cock his eyebrows.
'Ro, that's,' Dean introduces him, but the man just holds out a hand for him to shake and grins, 'Seth. Yeah, I gathered that much.' He wants to say that it's nice to meet one of Dean's friends but the moment he thinks that the words get stuck in his throat, forming a gigantic lump he can't swallow down again.
His silence becomes weird, so Dean takes it upon himself to break it, cupping Seth's right cheek with his hand and smiling at him all lovingly. Wow, whatever happened in the last years to Dean, it worked like magic.
'Can't believe you kept her.' What was he supposed to do? Just get rid of his first love's car, a piece of history and source of all kinds of awesome memories? Who does he think he is? 'Good car,' he forces his mouth to talk, his own voice sounding like that of a stranger.
Dean chuckles and lets go of his face, taking in the sight of his beloved baby. 'She's fourteen, man. I wouldn't have held it against you if you'd gotten rid of her.' He tries to play it down with a big smile, but he can see that Dean is completely overwhelmed that Seth never gave up on him.
'I'll leave you two to it, then. Nice to finally meet you,' Dean's co-worker waves at them, walking back into the garage, the sound of his footsteps matching the light chuckle they can hear. So, this Ro guy knows all about their relationship, which means that Dean trusts him implicitly.
However the man did that, he made Dean tell him their story and judging by the way he looked at them, he also knows the ungraceful ending. A lot has changed in the past and Seth isn't too excited about it.
What couldn't be altered by time is the chemistry they have, because Seth can still feel that spark, that strange electricity, still has butterflies in his stomach when he dares to fleetingly glance into Dean's eyes, still wishes to keep the other forever.
What the past also couldn't erase are Seth's feelings for him. He's not quite sure if he's supposed to be glad or disappointed by that. Dean is not his anymore, yet he's all Seth wants. Whoever stays faithful for over seven goddamn years deserves a second chance, right?
'You're back.' The words just tumble out of his mouth, like he needs to let Dean know how surreal this situation is and that he waited so long to say them. Dean has the decency to look guilty at that, rubbing at the back of his neck, a huge black stain appearing on the skin.
'Uhm, yeah.' Yet he won't share the exact date he decided to come back. 'Thought you're living in the city.' Wait. So Dean knows he's residing on campus. He found out where he is, what he's doing but even though he fucking knows, he never tried to reach out to him.
This day just keeps getting better and better.
'How do you know?' he asks, closing the car door and leaning against the frame, crossing his arms in front of his chest because otherwise he'd probably punch Dean in his handsome face. His old friend shrugs, clearly not comfortable with the question. 'Small town. People talk.'
He scoffs, only a second away from storming off the property. 'Never heard anyone say a word about you.' And believe him, if he'd ever gotten wind of someone mouthing off about Dean like they used to in their childhood, he'd have torn the whole village down just to see him.
Seth can't believe that Dean kept this a secret, as if he has no right to know his friend is okay. For the longest time Seth feared that Dean died that night, that Mr Ambrose hid his body somewhere in the woods and now it turns out he's back and fine.
'I'm not that popular,' Dean tries to explain but Seth just waves it all off. He has no time and certainly not the patience to deal with those pathetic attempts at lying. Lucky for him he has a more important question to ask. 'How long?'
Dean sighs, turning away from him as if he already knows how pissed Seth will be when he hears the truth. 'Bout two years. Started working here last June.' He has no idea how he manages to not bash Dean's head in with a monkey wrench, but he saves that idea for later.
He hums, trying to let go of the anger bubbling up inside of him. It's not fair to railroad Dean, especially since he doesn't know what happened in the five years before he decided to return home. 'So, what're you doin' in the city?'
'Studying Law.' Despite everything, Seth can't keep the lightness out of his voice, still very sure that he chose the right future after seeing how helpless Dean and his mother had been all their life. Dean nods impressed, leaning against the Camaro right next to him, shoulders touching for a second. It's unbelievable how this one, tiny contact sets his whole body aflame.
'What'll you major in?' Of course Dean has to ask the million dollar question. He closes his eyes and lets the sun shine down on him, knowing full well what face Dean will make once he'll share this detail. 'Domestic violence.'
For a while he only hears the wind rustle through the treetops, but there's no need to look at Dean anyway. And he really wants to give his old friend the chance to compose himself, after realizing that Seth chose this path because of him.
'You'll be fantastic, it's in your blood.' No, he's never been able to aid anyone or else Dean would never have left him. That evening wouldn't have happened if he'd only been strong enough. But it did and his whole life got turned upside down. Knowing that he wants no one else to ever suffer the same fate as them, he decided to help those who cannot help themselves.
'So,' Dean suddenly bursts out, pushing himself off the car and forcing Seth to make eye contact again. 'You made her die right in front of me.' Wow, that was short. And totally not satisfying. He has so many more things he wants to ask, to share; they have so much catching up to do.
But Dean has closed the door on him and he knows better than to try and push him into doing anything. So for now, he's willing to play this stupid game, more or less patiently waiting for his move.
'All planned,' he smirks, letting go of his grudge, smiling at Dean like he really means it. Ah, this feels so much better. He's always hated being mad at him. 'I swear to God, she's gonna be the financial death of me.'
'Lemme see what I can do for her,' his childhood friend murmurs, urging Seth to get behind the wheel, so they can roll her into the garage.
Once the Camaro is inside, Dean opens the hood, an almost silent wince leaving his mouth. Black Beauty must be in pretty bad shape. 'Alrighty,' Seth speaks up casually, heaving himself on top of the car roof, which immediately earns him a reprimanding glare. He doesn't move, cocky grin on his face.
This is just like when they had been teenagers; it's a nice reprieve from all that shit that has happened today so far.
'Anything else you wanna confess? Boyfriend, fiance, kids?' He has no right to get any answers, their time together is long since over, but he can't help it. And he likes to know where they stand, if he has a tiny chance to get back together with Dean.
'Nope,' his friend comments and Seth is barely able to hide his joy until Dean stabs him in his heart with his next words. 'I don't do boyfriends. Not sure about the kid part though.' The last part's supposed to be funny, but Seth's soul just shattered into a dozen pieces.
No boyfriends. Makes him wonder if that's because of the debacle his first relationship turned out to be. At least that's something Seth can work with. He has convinced Dean to be his boyfriend once already, he can do that again. Somehow. Hopefully.
Seth sags his shoulders and fiddles with a loose thread on his jeans when Dean flashes him a disarming smile, his heart melting instantly. God, he hasn't felt like this in forever. It's amazing and pathetic at the same time. He's definitely a lost cause.
'And you? Any smart college kids waiting in line to get a piece of you?' Is that jealousy he hears? Oh God, please let it be jealousy. Sadly, he also realizes that Dean hasn't gotten rid of this particular character trait. His old friend still thinks he's not intelligent enough or worthy of anything in his life.
'No,' Seth heaves a long-suffering sigh, debating with himself if he should tell Dean that he was never able to get over him. 'But?' the other correctly assumes that there's more to it, making Seth want to cuddle up to him tonight.
'But I just realized I'm kinda in love with someone.' He almost falls off the roof when the smile on Dean's face dies, a fake one replacing it. 'That's nice,' he grits out and Seth is barely able to stifle the laugh that wants to escape. Dean isn't over him either, but pretends he doesn't care because he's still that though, strong, yet scared and lonely boy Seth fell in love with over a decade ago.
'Lucky guy. Or girl?' 'Guy,' Seth shakes his head and crosses his legs, watching how Dean vanishes behind the hood to inspect the motor once more. At least, that's what he wants Seth to think. He knows him better than anyone though, is perfectly aware of the fact that Dean needs a second to put his mask back on to not show Seth any of his weaknesses.
As if he doesn't know them already.
'I missed you.' He can't not tell Dean, the most important person in his entire life, that he hasn't forgotten about him in the meantime. That he thought about him day in, day out. And he kinda hopes that his ex-boyfriend will admit the same, so they can skip the whole charming the other part and get to the good stuff.
But Dean's nowhere near ready, the admission making him flinch so badly that he rams the back of his head against the hood. Seth can't just waltz into his life and expect things to be like they used to be. Dean might seem happy and relaxed but he's still completely guarded and afraid of opening up. By now, probably because of different reasons.
Seth jumps down the car and laughs heartily, clapping Dean on the shoulder to show him it's okay if he doesn't say anything; he shouldn't feel pressured to do anything he's not able to.
This is going to be challenging, since Dean is the toughest nut Seth knows. He cracked him once though. Should be a piece of cake now that he knows all the tricks already.