Work Text:
“Here, hopefully this will make you feel better.”
Beautiful slowly took the cup into her spindly hands. “Oh, thank you, Gentle. You really didn’t have to.”
“No, no, I wanted to.” Gentle’s eyes shined brighter. “I want you to be okay.”
“...All right.” If Gentle wanted to help her so much, even when proven futile, how could she be the one to say no? She took a sip of the warm liquid and waited for it to go down her throat.
“Is this sweet tea, but warm?”
“Yes!”
Beautiful stared at her tired reflection in the dark liquid. “Huh. I never thought of doing this.” Maybe because she was too busy staring off into space.
“Well I didn’t want it to be too cold, because then it might hurt, but I also wanted to make you something sweet so that you get more nutrients. So I was looking and I found sweet tea, I know it’s usually iced and not hot but um, that’s okay, right?”
Beautiful’s eyes went up to Gentle’s. She didn't know what the right words were. She failed once. Of course she would fail again. So she just didn’t try.
“Of course.”
Gentle laughed nervously. “Does it taste all right?”
“Yes.”
“Do you feel better?”
“Maybe after I drink all of this first?”
Gentle blushed. “Oh right! Go ahead! It’s all yours!”
Beautiful slowly drank the remainder of the cup. She knew exactly what would happen if she didn’t. Gentle would blame herself for not knowing her exact tastes despite Beautiful never telling her. She would retreat into the familiar image of a perfect, beautiful princess who just wanted to make everyone happy.
Gentle was learning to stand up for herself. She was just now starting to reach out. She didn’t need Beautiful to drag her down. So it was okay to be a bit uncomfortable. She was already doing all of this for her. Besides, it wasn’t too bad. Just different.
“Um, maybe next time I’ll make cheong instead? If you don’t like it-”
“Gentle.” She smiled. “It’s perfect just the way it is.”