A/N – The days are just flying by now! Hopefully I can keep up!
Prompt – We're neighbours and I just got locked out of my apartment. I was baking cookies that will burn if I don't get back in there quickly.
Jeff lounged against the counter as the coffee machine gurgled. He ran a hand through his damp hair; he hadn't been bothered to dry it after his shower. He was just adding the sugar to his coffee when there was a frantic knocking on his front door. It continued until he got the door open. His neighbour, Nick, was standing there, looking a little panicked.
"Hi!" Nick started, bouncing slightly on his toes. "Have I even given you a spare key for my apartment?"
"Um, I don't know. I don't remember you ever doing so, but I'll check if I have it. Come in."
Jeff went into his kitchen, Nick following closely behind him, and opened the drawer of spare keys and pens and phone chargers. It was a bit of a muddle of a drawer, it was where he dropped things that had no other place. There were four random keys in there.
"Uh, well this one is my parents', but I'm not sure what these three are… look familiar?"
He handed the three keys to Nick, who studied them quickly.
"Definitely not either of those." He passed two of them back to Jeff, but held up the third one. "I'm not sure about this one, it looks kinda right, can I go try it?"
"Sure."
Jeff followed Nick out into the hallway, watching as he tried to shove the key into the lock, wiggling it to try and get it to work. He sighed when it didn't.
"Damn it." He handed the key back to Jeff. "Do you think I can kick the door down?"
Jeff frowned. "Uh… wouldn't it be better to call a locksmith?"
"I have cookies in the oven!" Nick cried, running his hands through his hair. "They're going to burn if I don't get them out in, like, ten minutes!"
"Ah, ok. Um…" Jeff had no ideas; Nick stared at him, waiting for an answer.
"I just went to put the garbage out and the stupid door shut behind me!"
Nick started pacing the hallway, punching the door every time he walked past it. Jeff stood back, silently watching. He'd always found Nick incredibly cute, and the way he kept ruffling his hair just made him look cuter. And the fact he was baking cookies… And those jeans…
Jeff was startled from his musings when Nick growled and slumped back against the wall, sliding down to the floor and dropping his head into his hands.
"I'll be right back," Jeff said before dashing off down the stairs. He got to the building's superintendant's office and hammered on the door.
"Hey Jeff, you ok?" Mr Hagerty asked as he opened the door.
"Do you have a spare key for apartment twenty?"
"That's not your apartment, Jeff, I hope you're not up to something."
"No, Nick's locked himself out, and he's panicking because he left the oven on."
"Oh dear…"
Mr Hagerty followed Jeff back up the stairs. Nick was still sitting on the floor, looking a little pathetic. He stared open mouthed as Mr Hagerty walked over to his door, holding up a key and grinning.
"Oh God! I didn't even think of you, Mr Hagerty! Thank you so much!" Nick cried, leaping to his feet and dashing into the apartment as soon as the door was unlocked.
"Well, I'll leave you boys to it then, have a good evening," Mr Hagerty said to Jeff who was peering around the door of Nick's apartment. He leant towards Jeff and muttered quietly, "He likes you, you know." He jerked his head in Nick's direction. Jeff bit his lip and grinned, his cheeks tinged pink.
"Thanks, Mr Hagerty." Jeff shook his hand then followed Nick into his apartment. "Are your cookies alright?"
"Perfect!" Nick said just as the oven timer went off. He pulled them out of the oven and set them on the side to cool.
"They smell great," Jeff said, inching closer and stretching a hand out towards them. Nick slapped his hand away.
"Nu-uh-uh! Not yet, let them cool."
"Ooh, I can have one then?"
"Of course! You saved them, you can have as many as you want." He looked up, catching Jeff's eye. Jeff suddenly realised how close Nick was standing to him. "Thank you by the way," Nick added, leaning forward to kiss Jeff's cheek.
Jeff turned his head, catching Nick's lips with his own. Nick gave a little gasp of surprise, but relaxed into the kiss when Jeff wrapped one arm around his waist. Nick's hands found their way onto Jeff's shoulders and they kissed for several more long moments.
When they broke apart, Nick looked a little stunned but Jeff just grinned and reached over to snag a cookie.
A/N – Bonus points for anyone who knows why I named their superintendant Mr Hagerty! :)
