would you like a cup of tea before you go? // dino x steph
at the very start of every new season there is a feeling of hope that comes along with it. it might be in the gust of wind in autumn or in the sudden rain during summer, something changes and awakens you the feeling that time has passed. along with time comes the feeling of unexpected things that are being aligned with the universe. but there are some constants you ought to keep even as years pass and seasons change. not so you ought but so do you seek. it's important to you that this stays the same. if that's something or someone, either way it's up to you to keep it elevated in your life so it doesn't slip between the cracks of time. for every elaborated act of holding on there must be effort. dongyoung's grip on maintaining his mundane life is extraordinary to say the least. it takes more than just strength, it takes piece by piece of who he is to keep everyone satisfied. lately though, he is been feeling unable. not only is he not happy with what he is but he feels like the person who deserves the most love out of him is the least pleased.
the question on her lips, pulls dongyoung out of his misery and into her warmth. his eyes light up not only to look at her and read her expression but also to understand if she's comforting him out of care or pity. honestly, he doesn't care. either are welcome. it feels like a hug to be asked if he would like something, specially a cup of tea. yes, he would, does she need to even ask? does she know him? is he reading it too much? he probably is, he shouldn't be. he would never question her affection but she has every right to question his. this very train of thought sounds morally wrong and corrupt. he wants to sleep in her arms and forget about himself. instead he holds her kind eyes with a side smile, closes his own to not get lost again and says calmly: "yes, please."
his head then hits the sofa cushion, his body is tired and overwhelmed but he feels some sort of adrenaline as the smell of baby powder hits his nose. he is aware that the baby is sleeping because it's during those small moments of the day that he and stephane can hold a conversation for more than three minutes without being interrupted by responsibilities. although today they didn't talk, he slept on the couch for about two hours and he woke up with stephane reading by his side, the words of the book in front of her held all her concentration. he watched her in silence before speaking up, it felt as if anything he said might break the spell. as he watched her he realized he couldn't see what she was so interested in. she was way too smart, he always knew that. however he struggled with the fact that he might never see what she saw. eventually she gets caught doting her image and she smiles, she mentions the time and asks him if he'd like the a cup of tea and so he wonders alone as she goes to the kitchen.
even with his eyes closed he is not completely unaware, he listens her shifting in the kitchen, the sound of the stove on and the steps she takes. he imagines her and the thought alone makes him get up, go to her and see exactly what he picture. tha image in his mind demanded him there and so he is. dongyoung wraps his arms around her waist as she is turned back, he holds her close, feeling the scent of flowers, rain, musk, sweet honey... all seasons aligned, all the time of the world keeps them in place on that hug. it never changes, it evolves them. he feels himself growing not only in length but in soul. she is charging him. the timer goes off, she softly escapes from him. his shoulders slump, he drinks his tea and before he leaves he says i love you, i'll call you before you go to bed like he always does. later when he gets home, the lights are out and he realizes he didn't.
