saintsumi. 𝙠𝙖𝙯𝙚𝙝𝙖𝙮𝙖 𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙨𝙪𝙢𝙞.
the smell of the beans always tickles his sinuses. it isn’t exactly pleasant. the smokiness of the roast reminds him of tobacco, but perhaps that is because he selected such a fine coffee to treat the other with ? regardless, for this hour it is far too much caffeine. now is the time when he should be resting, rid himself of the stresses of such a day. the paper cup steams, floral aroma much gentler on the senses. its twin is held opposite, but not for long, as it is settled upon a surface, and warm fingers find other purchase. thinly twining in the strands of cerulean which guard the face of his companion, a bit too long these days, and tucking it behind a sensitive ear. careful not to tickle him where he knows he may.
❝ HiMERU - san, you can hardly keep your eyes open. ❞ there is some apology hiding there. though, he is only a bit sorry for the action. he does not mean to fuss more than he will accept, however … to see his head nod like a sleepy kitten is all worth his transgression. ❝ you will have to sleep earlier tonight. drink this. ❞
it is not his personal craft, simply a store - bought blend, but it seemed to be a reputable teashop. a black tea, not too caffeinated, with notes of hibiscus and tangerine. if he closes his eyes, he sees it coming from open blossoms and ripe fruit on the branch. floral bouquet, high acidity. refreshing and perky. he offers the cup, parrying the other’s scolding with a simple gesture, inching ever closer to his side.
❝ i will join you for a cup. ❞ it isn’t a question. he has already found his seat, and moves toward it, shoulders squared toward the very comfortable armchair close by. aims to curl himself between the arms and cradle his tea and behold HiMERU and be rejuvenated. ❝ doesn’t that seem nice ? ❞
HiMERU seems warm. he hopes he is not falling ill.
HiMERU really doesn’t need the drink to help wake him up. tatsumi does all of that all by himself, by no other means than by simply existing. he triggers some fight-flight-freeze instinct in him every time he speaks. though … lately … such an adverse reaction has been sluggish in coming. HiMERU worries he may be getting softer towards tatsumi, when he deserves nothing but to be looked upon with judgement and cast some awful sinner’s punishment for what he had done.
instead, he says nothing. his eyes droop again, before he blinks them open and keeps them wide and gazes down at the cup he’s taken without even noticing. even he can tell in his sleepy reverie that there’s a bitter tinge to it, but it doesn’t smell awful to him. in fact, it smells pretty nice.
he really has no strength to argue. ❝ hmm. ❞ and he follows tatsumi over to the chairs. there is another, identical, right next to his, and himeru makes a temporary home there, perching on it with one leg crossed beneath him. he clutches his cup, holding it to his nose and letting the scent overwhelm his senses. his prickling, tired gaze settles on tatsumi.
ever the saint. ever the welcoming, warm, smiling gaze of a man who seems to want nothing more on the outside than to make sure those around him are safe and rested up. a terribly confusing man who HiMERU wants to hate so badly he feels stupid for it. the yearning of hatred has nothing on the constant feeling that he’s wrong. he’s wrong for thinking it. he can’t fight against it.
❝ thank you. ❞ he lowers his head. ❝ you shouldn't have. ❞ in a voice dripping with unamusement. yet there is a sliver of grateful truth in there that he can't hide, on account of his being too tired to do so. ❝ you are this kind to everyone, aren't you ? ❞
