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Mio sat at the coffee table in the living room. At the same time, Zoe prepared dinner for them. This domestic life she fell into with Zoe tugged on her heart. She couldn’t explain it, but every time, Zoe would curl up against her and rant about her day. Anything Mio was now a part of was as if they’d been doing it for years. She feels spoiled. She knows that after her father, Zoe was her everything. Living through multiple different lives that their minds conjured up in a span of nine to ten hours. It felt like a lifetime ago. A dream that seems to never end, looping, making them experience something that could never be experienced truly. Made her wonder if they were bound to find each other. To help and heal with one another. No matter where they’ll always find each other.
She got extremely protective one time. It was about three months after The Machine tried to take their ideas, and Rader risked their lives over his creation. It was fall to wintertime time and the two of them were meeting up at a cafe. Zoe notified her that she had grabbed them tea and was waiting for Mio at a booth. Once she got there, she saw a familiar dirty blond hair. However, a brunette with short hair accompanied hers. Quickly, she reached her table to see Zoe clutching the two cups of tea as the man was leaning over the table. Too close. Reading Zoe’s face, she’s clearly at her limit. I should’ve been faster.
“Mio! One black tea with honey.” She pushes her cup towards her gracefully.
“Thanks, I didn’t mean to be late. Let’s go?” Trying to get the two of them away from the stranger. Offering her hand, Zoe takes it into hers. Warm.
“Thank you for the chat, but I must go.” Waving, to the best of her ability, lets herself get dragged out by Mio, whose grip tightens. Not letting the man finish his complaint for the interruption. They get a couple blocks away and near a park when Zoe asks.
“Are we in a hurry?” Zoe squeezes her hand, a hidden question, ‘ Are you okay?’ Squeezing her hand in return. She looks behind them, noting that he didn’t follow.
“No, just better to enjoy tea outside. Without any extra disturbances .” Zoe giggled at that. Her thumb brushed over Mio’s knuckles.
“Good to know. I was worried you’d stood me up.” It was meant to be a tease; Mio knows that. But it makes her feel embarrassed.
“Never.” Pulling her closer where their arms pinned against their sides. Ignoring the heat rushing to her face. She blames it on the tea and the cold.
“I know.” Zoe nudges her head against hers. She doesn’t pull away when Zoe tucks their hands into her jacket pocket.
Zoe tapped her back, snapping out of her trance. The tug returned, looking at her. Stray hairs fell from her usual bun and baggy pants with a loose tee, her Jurassic Park one. The text and print faded over the years of being worn and washed.
“Dinner’s ready.” Softly spoken as if trying not to startle her, as if she were a stray cat. “The book isn’t going anywhere, I promise.” Nodding, she saved the story and closed the laptop, making her way to the bar stool where dinner was set. Set next to each other were identical plates. Cook salmon with a side of mashed potatoes and a glass of water. Not too much, but not too little. The television hums in the background as they eat in silence. However, Mio ate more slowly than usual, picking at her food and watching the potatoes smear against the plate. Thinking about what they are. Or more of what Zoe truly meant to her. What does she mean to Zoe? Zoe tugs on her sleeve.
“Are you feeling unwell?” Concern was written all over her face, something Mio disliked, and her being the reason behind it.
“No, not at all. I’m just thinking.” About us. About you. “Nothing bad, I promise.” Taking a bite out of the meal. She can feel Zoe stare at her before continuing to finish her plate. Trusting Mio’s statement.
Shyly, Mio brushes her unoccupied hand against Zoe’s. Zoe switched her fork to her left hand and intertwined their pinkies, quickly squeezing Mio before turning her attention to the television. Mio studies her face. Even with the flickering colors of the screen and the warm light bulb in the back, she can still see the green in her eyes. The pupils dilated and contracted to the flickering. Truly breathtaking. She smiles to herself. She wouldn’t trade anything for this.
“You’re staring again.”
“I know.”
Zoe scoffs but smiles with a blush on her face.