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“Would you like to have a cup of tea with me?”
A simple question that requires a simple answer.
A small request between 2 friends that could mean anything from a simple meet up to a more deep meeting.
A way to spend time with someone else, be it someone you are barely acquainted to, or someone you love dearly.
Something very simple.
But for her, it never really is such a simple thing.
Not with him involved.
But alas, the question has been asked. What does she answer? Should she say yes? But are there any consequences to that? Does she have anything planned ahead? Is there work to be done, meetings to be had, or disputes to be settled? Perhaps is it almost her practice time again, or perhaps it’s cleaning hour at home?
So many factors go into one’s mind upon hearing such a noble request.
“Yes, that would be lovely.”
When he is involved however, all of that goes out the window. If she’s busy, he wouldn’t mind accompanying her work; she’s done that before. If she’s going to practice her sword arts, he’s probably the best partner aside from her own brother as a practice partner. So, all in all, there’s no reason to deny it.
Of course, none of that is important now. She doesn’t have any work, meeting, or dispute that needs to be settled. Her sword training isn’t until many hours from now, and she has nothing on her plate to do at the current time.
She has no reason to deny his request, and even if she did, she wouldn’t deny him in the first place.
Ah, the magical thing known as love. How puzzling it can be at times, eh?
What else is important in love? Gestures.
Sounds simple? Why, of course it is, but to them, those little things mean everything. They portray the subconscious mind he has towards her, and it shows how he treats her without a second thought.
How he would naturally go about with her.
When the doors of Komore Teahouse open, it isn’t by her own power, he opens it for her and closes it behind her, removing the need for her to exert any power.
When they’re looking for a table, he walks ahead of her to make sure they get a table, such that she doesn’t have to tire herself looking for one.
When they order their drinks and snacks, he makes sure to use his voice to order it all, such that she doesn’t have to spend her beautiful voice for such a neglectable task.
Small things, small actions, mere gestures that don’t seem to amount into something big. But for two people going about their lives together, these little things matter.
Be it for him, or for her.
“Yes, that one. And make sure it’s done right, okay. Yes, thank you, that will indeed be all.”
“Thank you, we will have your order out shortly. Please wait.”
“Thank you.”
A small amount of words are exchanged, and his eyes are back on hers. Within mere moments, she can feel his soft gaze upon herself, telling her that he is right in front of her, and that his focus is solely on her and only her right now.
And for the couple sitting on the same table, nothing is more ideal than that; my attention on you and your attention on mine.
A simple formula; yet one that not many couples get right all the time.
But for these 2? Of course they get it right.
Not out of forcefulness, or out of obligation, but as an act of habit. People are habitual creatures; they do things easily by muscle memory and subconscious movements without needing to think long.
When one has a habit that is detrimental, it takes a long time to break such a bad habit from one’s life.
When one has a habit that is good, it takes a short amount of time to break a noble habit into one that is less ideal.
But for a couple, habits like these often portray their feelings for one another, their stance towards one another, and most importantly, their value towards one another.
“So, how was your day?”
“Oh, it’s been doing great. The weather isn’t too hot outside, so it felt wonderful going around the city today. How about you?”
“Oh, good too. The commissions were quite near together and none were really pulling on my leg. I’m tired of all those slime balloon ones, so not getting them was a nice change.”
“Ah, excellent. It seems our day today is quite fantastic indeed.”
“Agree on that one, dear.”
Conversation.
Something that sounds simple, looks simple, yet is anything but simple to do.
To her, the idea of conversing so casually with someone was such an alien concept to her a while back, before she came into close contact with him. The idea that 2 people have to engage in communication with one another, and to strive to keep it going together.
It wasn’t easy at first, but once she learned the ins and outs, it came naturally to her. All she had to do was answer and keep it going in a good direction, and voila. She has a conversation with him.
Of course, there were many awkward moments at first, or even moments where she fumbled and caused the conversation to end prematurely, but everyone makes mistakes, no? So long as you learn and try again, how bad can it be?
Right now, one can definitely see that it indeed is not bad at all. Conversations with him are especially wonderful, and she feels like once she starts there’s no stopping them until they are forced to stop by an external factor.
Such as this time.
“Oh, our food is here.”
“Ah, perfect timing. I was starting to feel a bit hungry from all that.”
“Hehe, is Paimon rubbing off on you?”
“You know I don’t compare to that glutton of a small fairy.”
Sharing food, a simple activity that others may feel like is a very simple thing, but for her to share her food with him,, to have a casual conversation with him while eating, and drinking from the same teapot.
A simple activity, yes, but a very meaningful one indeed. Many people say that some activities are more impactful than others in terms of relationships, but in all honesty, she didn’t see it that way.
To her, anything done together can be as impactful as they wished it to be depending on the context and thoughts of the people doing it together. Sharing a meal with him, spending time with him, sharing their thoughts to one another. Simple gestures and actions, but to her it shows he is willing to be open to her, and that she feels the same towards him as well.
And as such, there’s nothing else she’d prefer to be doing right now.
So when he moved his chopsticks carrying food towards her face, she knew better than to not accept them.
And why wouldn’t she?
A gentle pull of her hair back, a small reddening of her cheeks, and short movement forward, and in it goes.
And yes, it does taste better when he fed her as opposed to taking it herself.
Such is the norm of a couple having a meal together, eh?
A small feeding here, a dash of drink sharing there, and some small talk in between all serve to keep the atmosphere lively and lovely between them.
However, all meals must come to an end, and though they spent a good hour and some here, it’s time they moved on to do something else eventually.
“Ah, that felt nice. Shall we push off now? I feel like if we stay here too long we’d end up lazy.”
“I agree with your sentiments.”
Ah, another thing. Agreements and disagreements. People who have yet to meet before would really have tendencies to disagree on many things, though they would also have agreements every here and there.
These 2 though, being together for more than a year, and perhaps even longer before that now, would have tendencies to agree with each other, especially with their minds thinking quite alike now.
But, be that as it may, you’d still need some disagreements every now and then to keep things interesting and as a reminder that you aren’t the same person, no?
Today is not an example if a disagreement however.
“So, where are you off to after this?”
“Hmm, I’m not sure. I’ll probably check with Paimon back at the teapot since my dailies are done, then stroll about the city or plains. You?”
And, as with all things, you would have to eventually separate after meeting together.
A small sad moment in their lives, to be granted the mercy of meeting and interacting with the one you love, only for them to inevitably have to divert from your path.
A sad time indeed, but one that usually is overshadowed by the promise of meeting one another again at a later time to keep one’s spirits up.
However, sometimes, when the stars aling, perhaps the separation doesn’t have to be so soon.
“Say, Aether?”
“Yes?”
“My brother is out on field work today. So I have no one to spar with today during my practice sessions. Forgive me for asking, but perhaps do you mind if you become my spar partner for a day?”
And in this case, the stars do align.
“Oh, sure. I’ve got nothing better to do, but just be ready to be beaten again.”
“Hehe, shouldn’t I be saying that to you?”
“Not in your life.”
“We’ll see then~”
Ah, the trials and tribulations of being a pair. Sometimes together, sometimes not. Sometimes acting as one, sometimes acting as 2. But, apart from all that, it’s really simple without that many compilations if you see things the right way.
Now, how about a cup of tea?