qvietlight:
With the kettle boiled, Henry sets about pouring their tea, going through the motions that are as natural as breathing. The mug he instinctively sets out for Elaine has a delicate bluebird painted on the front, and has sat, unused, at the back of his cupboard for almost a year. He supposes he’s come to think of it as being hers - it seemed wrong to let anybody else drink out of it. “I’m not going to let you pay, you goose,” he says with a laugh, handing over her tea. “In fact, I insist you take some things home with you today - I made far too much anyway, I’ll never sell it all. I’ll get you a box before you leave.”
Henry nods in understanding at what Elaine says - he’s often guilty of the same, not least because it’s hard to cook for just one person without any waste, but because there’s so often another person in the Valley that would benefit from a meal made by a friend. It’s just his turn to be on the receiving end this time, that’s all.
It’s almost imperceptible, but the fairly innocuous question regarding his wellbeing makes Henry’s smile flicker. In truth, he’s still embarrassed by his behaviour during those black months, that she ever had to see him like that, even if a chance at rekindling their friendship came from it. “Yes, fine, just keeping busy, you know?” he says quickly, dismissively, desperate not to talk about it. He’s always been terrible at talking about it… “But, uh, how are you? How’s Sofia, have you seen her lately?”
Elaine watches silently as he pours the tea into their respective mugs. Another hit of deja vu-- that night she had seen him in one of his worst states, both tearful as they apologized to each other over tea. There’s a small strain in her heart at the thought of it, but then she sees the bluebird painted onto the mug he hands her, and she feels light again. She hasn’t told Henry about Fitz yet, has she? “But--... fine. I’ll pay back in kindness, though. So expect more leftovers.” She grabs the mug carefully, shooting him a small but playful smile.
She watches him carefully, and notices the small twitch of his simper, and worries for a moment she’s already said the wrong thing too soon. Sometimes, she feels like the two of them are almost too similar-- she can recognize herself, even in her worst moments, in him. He swerves around the question, and she can tell, but she doesn’t want to push. She just wants him to know she’s there for once. “... Okay.” She says after a moment with a nod, her gaze lingering, and lets it go for now.
“I’ve been... I don’t know. I'm feeling pretty okay lately, so I guess that’s good.” There’s an awkwardness to her answer, like she’s struggling not to just say I’m fine with a dismissive smile. She’s starting to try and be more OPEN. It’s not easy. And at the mention of Sofia, her cheeks almost instantly darken in a blush. “Oh, um, yeah, I’ve... I’ve seen her lately. I, um... we’re-- she’s-- she’s doing fine. Good. Uh, yeah. I-- I’m pretty sure she misses you.” Elaine chuckles and tries to hide behind her mug. She takes a long sip, even though it burns her tongue. Very nice. Smooth. Subtle.



















