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Sarad smiled and nodded, "i can understand that. maybe i should make you one with dark chocolate, tthat way it's bitter and sweet. they are easier to eat more of them." he looked around the room and couldn't believe how happy it made him, being back here. "Dale? thank you. seriously, i have no idea how to repay you for all you've done for me."

Sarad stood as the timer went off, "i still think there is something i should do to make it up to you. you're not going to be paying for dinner for a while, you hear?" he pulled the custards out of the oven and carefully lifted them from the water bath. of just one drop of water had gotten into the creme, it wouldn't uphold the texture and be a failure. he sprinkled the top with sugar and lit up the torch. he burnt the sugar on top, making it a hard crust before getting a spoon and handing one over. "i hope you like it."

Sarad looked at the brulee, making sure that it wasn't runny and sighed in relief when he saw it held. "oh good-" he smiled at Dale and took his own brulee to the stool next to his friend. "i'm glad you like it." he took a careful bite and found that it was fairly good for a first try. "needs a little more milk, but it's pretty good. i had a pistacio one once that i'd like to try and remake someday."

Sarad laughed a little, "if only. after i graduate, i will be going to medical school and afterwards working in one of my family's hospitals. anything less-well, you know." he shrugged and took another bite, "but feel free to come over whenever you like and i'll make you something. deal?" he would be happy just being able to make these things on his own, and when he moved out he wouldn't have to hide it anymore.

Sarad stood up and took the dishes to the sink, "I-" what did he want to do? if Sarad didn't have to follow the plan his family had thought up for him, what would he do with his life? cooking. he'd do something where he could cook every day. maybe a bakery, like Dale had said. "you're going to have to get healed up and start running more if you want to make it to the Olympics." he said, avoiding the topic of himself completely, "i can set up a training schedule for you, if you want."

Sarad had thought Dale was done, but he seemed to be taking his time so he left that dish there and washed what was left. "you wake up early enough as it is, how about running after classes? you have a bit of a break before club, right? but then, running right before club might not be a good idea either." he shook his head and started to dry, "i don't know what to tell you, Dale. it's up to you to decide what you want to do, even if it is tiring." he winked to show he was teasing a little.

Sarad nodded, "i could do that much, at least." the towel was taken from him, but Sarad didn't protest. he knew it would be pointless to argue. he washed Dale's dishes and handed them over, "we've a few club things to discuss after this. you can stay, but it will probably be boring." he glanced to the group, and then back to Dale, "up to you. i won't make you sit through it, though."

The week passed in a happy haze after that. Sarad focused on his school, but always in the back of his mind was the overwhelming joy that he didn't have to quit his club. he still was going behind his family's back, but that didn't seem to matter. if she wasn't charged for fees, then there was no way of his aunt knowing, right? before he knew it, it was time for the track meet. Sarad woke with Dale, unsure of what to wear. "do people wear the school colors when they watch a meet?" he asked, uncertain.