Another day, another long trudge back home
At least you had Kronii to look forward to when you got back
As you entered and closed the door behind you, you noticed a familiar scent in the air
Sweet, homey, nostalgic
Cookies
No sooner had you closed the door than Kronii came from the kitchen wearing a simple blue dress and floral apron
You wanted to say hi and at least hug but she had already taken your hand, leading you back to the kitchen
There, on the counter, was a plate of fresh cookies, your favorite kind, still warm from the oven
”Surprise!” Kronii said excitedly
She hugged you before quickly whispering, “Welcome home.”
You plucked a couple of cookies from the plate while Kronii handed you a tall glass of cool milk
You had never had any cookies as good as these, save the ones your grandmother used to make
”How’d you make these?”, you say in between bites
She gives you a self satisfied look, “I guess I’m just naturally good at baking.”
You’re not buying it
She could barely fry an egg a week ago
”I guess I had some practice...” Kronii says, her cheeks reddening with embarrassment
You take a sip of cold milk, “Thought so. How many batches did you try making?”
Her face get even redder
”About 300 or so..”
It catches you off guard, so much so you start coughing up the milk you just drank
Kronii pats your back, handing you a napkin to wipe your lips
As you recover from your coughing fit she sits back down
”Kronii how do you make ‘about 300’ batches of cookies?”
She nervously starts fiddling with her apron
”Well, I completely botched the first batch I made. I added way too much of everything and I burned it in the oven. The kitchen was a mess and it was only half an hour until you were going to come home so I rewound time.”
You start to catch on to what happened
”I thought I would just try again, you know? Well that time I spilled the mixer—but it was still salvageable so I still used the dough. I burned them again. So I rewound time again.”
Your gradually start to become less amused and more worried
”The third time around I managed to not burn them. But they had too much flour. So I rewound again.”
She nervously laughed
”After that I guess I just rewound time whenever I messed up. It was always something little that ruined the whole thing. I-I wanted them to be perfect, but I could never get it right.”
She was looking down in shame
”I tried and tried but it was never good enough. I just wanted to do something nice for you, to pay you back for the stuff you’ve done for me.”
She was frowning now
”I guess I’m a failure at everything I try, huh?”
She looked up to see your concerned expression
”I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I know I’m no good at—“
You pull her into a tight embrace
”You and I both know that’s not true.”
You pull her tighter
”I don’t love you because you’re perfect. I like you the way you are—serious but dorky, smart, slightly narcissistic...”
She lightly stepped on your toe as you said that last comment
”I couldn’t care less about whether these cookies are perfect, or even if they taste good, I would still like them because you made them for me.”
You pull away slightly to look her in the eyes
”So don’t beat yourself up about it ok?”
She nods and gives you a quiet, “Okay”
You kiss her on the forehead
”That being said, I’m gonna have another.”
She grabbed your hand as it reached for the plate
”Sorry, but I want to make these last. You’re already had three today”
There was that haughty personality you had fallen in love with
You chuckle before ruffling her hair, “Whatever you say.”