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It's been a week.
That's it. It's just been a week. It's an odd feeling where the days flew by too quickly, yet also not fast enough. There's deadlines that were met but also made for later dates, routines that feel familiar but boring, and too many things to keep track of but also feeling like you're not doing enough. Every day you wake up, get ready for whatever you have to do, go to your destination, come back, and sleep. The only variation from that dull routine is your workload or maybe a random and small encounter of sorts.
Maybe this week was more hectic than other weeks. Maybe this week was filled with anxiety-inducing deadlines and expectations of just having to prove that you exist in the world. Maybe this week made you cry, throw something, scream, or even feel like you don't belong anywhere. Maybe this week brought up some painful memories, or even created some new ones. Maybe, just maybe, this week wasn't especially kind to you and you had to talk to someone. Maybe you don't have anyone to talk to. Well, not anymore at least.
One day out of the week, one moment out of life itself, you're greeted by a tall man with long gray hair, his tea set, and a kind smile that despite his formal looks could soothe the pain out of any rough edge. One day out of the week, one moment out of life itself, you and Vesper sit by each other and just talk. He always brings tea for you both to share, and explains a little about where that tea came from or other small facts that he knows. If you don't like tea or aren't wanting to have some that day, he always understands and brings something else for you to drink. It could be a small bit of instant coffee, juice, or even just water - though he always has water on him, both cold and hot.
He always goes off on rambles or tangents about various things he's interested in. Usually it involves technology or video games, but no matter how much he rambles there's always two things that he makes sure to do: allow moments in the visit to sit in silence, and listen to you. He's not a therapist so any insight may not apply, but he always makes sure to let you vent or ramble as much as you need for harsher weeks, or excitedly tell him for lighter weeks. He may not understand some things you're into, but he still asks questions and listens intensely. He'll add his own thoughts from time to time, making sure not to interrupt you too much (sometimes he gets excited or wants to tell a funny story), but most importantly he listens. He always listens, always.
There's times where you both share a laugh; there's times where you cry on his shoulder; and there's always times where you both just sit in silence over drinks, just sharing the moment and space between you both. You both end up meeting in different places, but regardless these visits are always at least once a week.
When the visit is over, there's something that this constant routine always guarantees: After helping clean up and you both say your goodbyes, Vesper opens his arms and wraps you in one last hug. Because of his height, his arms wrap around you and you can feel the material of his sleeves touching your arms and shoulders. The material itself isn't very soft, but it's still warm like his heart, and on the times where he wears his jacket there's even more material to lose yourself in. His scent is comforting, and sometimes his long hair tickles your face and nose. He always apologizes when that happens, but it's never really an issue. Sometimes it's a quick hug before you or he has to dash off somewhere, sometimes the hug lasts a long minute and seems tighter than usual. When it ends he leaves with a smile, and turns away to head to wherever his next destination is while you return to your own duties and routine.
Everything keeps moving the way it does. Maybe this week is nicer or maybe it's the same, but no matter what happens there's always a sweet and kind academic advisor visiting you with a smile on his face, and a cup or two of hot tea.