You asked for more Shane/Dustin fluff, and you got it! This is the last part of the Comfort Foods thread, for the foreseeable future anyway. But have no fear, there will be more fluff to come!

Comfort Foods

Part 3: Breakfast for Breakfast

(aka The Reason Behind It All)

It was late by the time Dustin and Shane awoke the next morning. Dustin was sprawled out on the couch while Shane had put the two overstuffed chairs together for a makeshift bed. Both were covered with blankets that weren't there earlier.

"I was wondering when you two would wake up," his mother said as Dustin stumbled into the kitchen.

"Where'd you guys go?" Dustin asked, kissing his mother's cheek.

"We didn't get back until really late with Jessie. We looked at a college, remember?"

Dustin thought for a moment, then nodded. He didn't really remember, but it was safer to nod. He sat at the breakfast bar, watching his mother cook. Shane came in a few minutes later, sitting next to Dustin.

"Morning," he mumbled to his yellow clad love, kissing his cheek behind his mother's back.

"Morning," Dustin replied.

"I hope you don't mind cinnamon French toast for breakfast," she said.

"Not at all."

"What did you both end up doing for dinner last night?"

"I made pancakes," Dustin answered. "With tater tots."

"That's why I couldn't find them," his mother sighed with a smile. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah, thanks for the blankets," Shane answered.

"Not a problem. You boys looked a bit cold. I remember when your father and I used to fall asleep watching television on the couch. Or doing other things…"

"Mom!" Dustin groaned. "I don't need to know."

Dustin's mom chuckled at her son's reaction. "You know you weren't a product of Immaculate Conception."

"Mom!"

Mrs. Brooks just shook her head, continuing to make a lot of French toast. Shane excused himself, heading out of the kitchen.

"What's with all the comfort food? I noticed that you boys had cookies too."

"I got a date with him tonight," Dustin answered. "We're going double with Hunter and Cam."

"What part makes you nervous?"

"The part with Shane. I know we've been going out for a while, but we never had a real date. I'm afraid I'm gonna screw it all up and he'll never want to see me again."

"Honey, I don't think you need to worry about that. If all disastrous dates ended up in broken relationships, well, you and Jessie wouldn't be here."

"So there's hope for us?"

"Of course there is. And I'm sure it won't be the disaster you're predicting."

"You're talking to Hurricane Dustin," he pointed out.

"You are not that bad. Just relax and try to have fun."

That conversation thread stopped when Shane reappeared in the kitchen, reclaiming his seat next to Dustin. The younger brunette cuddled against Shane, who wrapped an arm around Dustin's shoulders. Dustin's father and Jessie soon came into the kitchen and the five ate breakfast while talking about the college Jessie had seen.

It was almost noon by the time Shane went home. And as nervous as Dustin was for their date, Shane felt the same way.