It’s the thought that counts. Or, that’s what Jon was trying to tell himself as he gaped at the horrific crime scene left behind in the kitchen. He was in danger of getting ripped a new one if he didn't clean the mess up before his parents got home. If the sickeningly sweet smell of burnt cocoa didn't take him out first, that is.

Damian had laughed when he had called him over the phone in a panic, every remnant of his pride crumbling into dust in the wind when he admitted not knowing whatever the hell a ‘bain-marie’ was. Perhaps a quick search on the Internet before nuking his candy melt concoction with his heat vision would have been a much better idea. Who knew that chocolate-covered strawberries would actually be so difficult to make? And despite Jon’s best efforts, the end result wasn’t exactly what he envisioned either — But he didn’t want to blow forty dollars with the Valentine's Day upcharge around this time of year when he could just attempt to make them himself. Plus, the money saved was most definitely going to be spent on an extra gift to make up for how disappointingly goopy everything looked.

He could hear Otho and Osul giggling in the background as he desperately tried to wash dishes in the sink as fast as he could, all while trying to pack the literal fruits of his labor up. At least the box he chose was heart-shaped? That’s a point in the book, at least. Maybe. Hopefully.

“Do not breathe a word of this to Mom and Dad,” Jon warned the twins, after hiding all the evidence and haphazardly putting his shoes on. “I don’t need them trying to interrogate me about my love life, especially…” He paused for a moment. Confidence is key, and there’s no need to set himself up for failure before he even goes out to pick up another present. “Just don’t say anything, got it?” he settled on with an added thumbs-up.

How hard was it actually going to be, to ask someone to be his Valentine? Other than having to face down the very real crushing fear of rejection. It should be easy, right?