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He accepted the water with still shaking hands, making some of it slosh over onto his fingers. But he managed to lift it and take a small sip, the cool liquid easing his aching throat, Fritz closing his eyes briefly. They still stung, but at least he wasn't crying anymore.

"Maybe a tiny bit less clove next time," he admitted hoarsely, his eyes fluttering against Carson's continued ministrations. His fingers clenched the glass a little more securely. "But it was delicious; all of them have been good, you are wonderfully talented."

Carson's statement, however, made him glance up sharply, his heart in his throat once more. The whispers edged around his thoughts, flooding him with doubts, though he tamped down on them desperately as he focused on the sound of their voices and the feel of their presence.

"I - I wouldn't want to intrude - " he began unsteadily, blinking rapidly. "Really - "

Carson raised his eyebrows at Elke, worried - she hadn't said anything to him about not feeling well, and he felt mildly betrayed by the revelation. However, her expression told a slightly different story, and that story was that Carson was to conscript Fritz into the cupcake stand by any means necessary, never mind his confusion over her health.

"Definitely could," he said, hand still in motion on Fritz's back. "You'd be a big hit with the customers. Handsome guys and cupcakes. It's a winning combination. Besides, she says you're sticking around, so that's that."

With his free hand, he reached for his piece of break and took a bit. "This is fantastic, Elke - when are we adding it to the farmer's market menu?"

Elke raised her eyebrows right back. If only her role as Virgo included the ability to beam thoughts into the heads of others! She never would've given it up. "It's true," said Elke. "The only thing better for the farmers' market is two handsome men and a cute girl."

The cute girl was Elke.

"I would appreciate it so much," she said, all big green eyes and earnestness. "I've been awful, not getting back into contact with you. I'm so sorry."

"I think you're overestimating my qualities," Fritz mumbled, face heating, but he decided not to argue further, especially with Elke looking at him so expectantly. He said quickly, "No - no, you were busy, I understand."

He stuffed the last of the bread in his mouth and swallowed a bit too fast, coughing a bit, Fritz reaching for the water.

"If I'm keeping you awake, I'm sorry," he said, a little hoarsely. "I can go rest on the couch."

"Or close friends and sleeping," supplied Carson, who was fine with this idea as long as Elke was. He was well-acquainted with close-quarters sleeping arrangements, and so long as he could be on the edge of the bed didn't foresee any personal problems.

"Your call, honestly," he said, setting a hand on Fritz's shoulder. "Promise I didn't know she was gonna invite you to snuggle when I brought you over, but, like, I can't say it's a bad idea."

He shrugged.

"She's a good cuddler."

"You're no more an intrusion than Carson is," said Elke. "Is there anything you need before bed?"