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Crickets chirped often in Faraway Town, especially in the summer. Considering Hero had lived there for nearly his whole life,he grew to find comfort in the annual chirrrp, chirrrp that came to fruition from the start of May all the way to October. It meant the warm, friendly season was upon them.
It also made him reminiscent of the summers before him. All the summers spent with Mari, his fiancée… All those months spent with his family and friends, it made summer put an undeniable pep in his step. His fiancée… He remembered when he proposed to Mari at the beach, during a day with all his friends. The whooping and screams of joy from the others when he leant down on one knee in front of the love of his life, and asked her to marry him. How she flushed, and covered her face before saying a wholehearted “Yes.”
That was when he was in his last summer before the end of culinary school. Now it has been a year, an absolutely amazing year. Not only did he graduate from culinary school, but he moved back to Faraway to live with Mari in a homey apartment they saved up to buy. There was no other town they’d have gone to.
Speaking of their apartment… Hero sighed lovingly as he sunk into the cushions of their couch, a cup of coffee gingerly nestled in his hands. Eyes wandering around the room, precious memories attached to each thing in that home. Photos. Hero wouldn’t have believed it if he said Aubrey too would pick up photography like Basil. But the photos framed on the walls so gently were all her work… Plants… so many plants… All courtesy of Basil of course. Not just decorative flowers with ornate meanings, but pots of homegrown herbs that the blonde boy taught Hero how to care for. All these fancy appliances… He felt so fuzzy when Kel surprised Hero by showing him all the expensive cooking appliances that Hero had no clue Kel saved up for… That little sneaky brother of his, hiding it so excellently. Hero musingly smiles, bringing his still warm coffee up for a sip.
“Mrrooow…” A cat rubbed up against Hero’s legs, having noticed the man’s presence and deciding to swoon him for attention and affection. Sunny’s gift to his sister and Hero. The boy had gone to a rescue shelter and picked out a mischievously beautiful calico cat for the two’s home. Hero clearly recalled the short boy’s reasoning. “So when one of you are home alone, neither of you can get lonely, because you’ll have Nala there.”
Hero’s eyes fondly looked at Nala, and chuckled. “It’s early, but not early enough to stop bothering me, huh Nala?” He swaps the hands he held his coffee mug in, his now free hand reaching to pet the calico cat. “Calicoes are lucky cats. And I want you and Mari to have her. I have Mewo after all…” Sunny’s sheepishly shy words while placing a small, unbelievably fluffy cat in Hero’s arms, as said kitten was already purring and meowing in content.
Another meow cut his thoughts off again, before Nala pandered off towards the kitchen, right to her food bowl. “Oh, you’re hungry! I see… Let’s get you some food, Nala.” He sets the coffee cup down onto a crocheted coaster on the coffee table, pushing himself up and walking to the kitchen, his socks softly pitter-patter against the light hardwood flooring.
A symphony of meows, and Hero holds back a laugh. He endearingly mumbles about how impatient the cat was, and then opened a cabinet, pulling out a can of tuna, and grabbing some oils and dietary supplements to mix in with the fish. Leaning down to grab Nala’s bowl, before placing it onto the light countertops. Hands flexing, he opens the can and grabs a fork to pour the fish into the ceramic bowl. Tossing the now empty can into the trash bin, he popped open a bottle of fish oil, pouring it into the bowl as well. Putting the oil back into the cabinet, he reached to the fridge and pulled out coconut oil, using the fork to place a bit into the fish as well. After adding another supplementary powder provided from the vet, he mixed all the things in. A light clink as he placed the bowl down beside the counter, Nala going to attack the food in mere moments of it being set down.
Hero paused, looking around. Gleaming morning light flowing into the room, telltale signs of the early morning. A wayward glance at the clock, and that reminded him what he forgot. Donning a fond smile, he pulled out another mug from a cabinet, the mug sliding with ease onto the counter. He may as well make Mari some coffee for when she wakes up. It was, what, 7:27? Mari’s alarm always rings the moment the clock hits seven-thirty. Popping open a jar of instant coffee, he used the spoon kept inside and scooped in the grinded java, shutting the jar and popping open a nice glass jar of sugar. Picking up a hearty spoonful, the sweet crystals tumbled into the mug as Hero monotonously flicked the electric kettle on, almost musical in the way he made his way around their kitchen.
With a click of the kettle, and steam pouring out its nozzle, Hero pours in the water into the mug awaiting. Humming as he made his way to the fridge, pulling out a bottle of milk and pouring it into the mug. Placing the bottle back in its rightful spot, picking the warm mug up and holding it gingerly. As the scent of the fresh, hot coffee filled his nose, he padded his way down the hall towards a dimmer room, curtains drawn to dim the morning. Making his way to a side of the cozy bed, hair pulled into a braid resting on the pillow. Mari… He sets the mug down onto the bedside table, painted with flowers (courtesy of Sunny and Basil), a hand lightly landing onto the woman’s shoulder. “Mari… Time to wake up…” His voice softens. A sleepy grumble of protest, before she turned over, sleepy eyes meeting Hero’s.
“Good morning…”
She gently smiles at Hero, easily melting the man further than what he assumed was possible. “I made you some coffee.” He hums, a smile painting his lips.
Mari hums in return, pushing herself up. Her neat-the-prior-night was no longer as neat with her toss and turns of slumber. “How sweet of you, Hero…” Her voice was slowly waking up, and she reached for her warm coffee. Hero’s face donned a pink tint, and he turned to go pull the curtains open for the day. Once done, the room was flooded with the soft morning glow. Hero looks out at the sky, a bit unclear with heavy gray clouds. “I think it’ll rain today.” He muses. “A day in, huh?” His fiancée catches onto his lovestruck connotations. “Should we watch some movies today then? Or make some food?” She muses right back.
“I fed Nala. She still eats every meal like she’s starved.” His voice cuts off with a chuckle, and Mari smiles into her coffee. “She eats like Kel, doesn’t she?” Mari quips with a lighthearted giggle, earning a louder chuckle from Hero. Wiping a tear forming in the corner of his eye, trying to catch his breath. “Oh— Oh god, she does!” He tries to calm his bubbling laugh.
Mari seemed amused by his expression, setting her mug down. “Hero, mind leaving for a moment? I’m gonna get dressed. Find some movies for us to watch?” Her final sentence’s tone tilts upward, as she pushes herself up. Hero sputters for a moment then quickly agrees, hurrying out the room and softly shutting the door. Wandering up to a tall cabinet by the TV console, opening it and filtering through the cases of DVDs, many not originally theirs. Pulling out a movie he saw fit, a classic between them. Universally loved. He sets it on top of the DVD player before pondering. To watch a movie, I need snacks right…?
The cabinet in the pantry swings open, and Hero unveils a stash of salty and sweet snacks, hitting the door shut with his hips, bringing the snacks and unceremoniously dropping it on the coffee table and pulling a blanket onto the couch. Picking up his abandoned coffee, taking a generous sip and sinking into the couch cushions once more.
Mari eventually joined Hero on the couch, in comfortable pajamas as she cozied up by her fiancé, and they both watched the movie. Hero’s heart melted a bit. How could he be so… lucky? He wanted this to be forever, he wanted this for them both forever.