Zavien
Never regret anything that made you smile
Her comment didn't strike him as strange - he probably did need to stop eating in the kitchen - but the 'we' rang heavier in the air. It was obviously a slip based on the blush splattering her cheeks. The implication of doing anything together wasn't something he shrank from. Even if he couldn't have what they'd shared yesterday, it didn't alter how he felt about Soh as a friend, and he harbored the naive hope that they would continue to be in each other's lives regardless of how things worked out. Even more absurd was the hope that everything would shift, that he could somehow make yesterday into something more, that they could move forward without being held back. The thoughts distracted him as he approached the table, his words muttered to no one in particular. "I don't mind change."
Redirecting his focus, Zavien let Soh take her seat before claiming his own next to her. She was within reach but the distance felt too far and he fought the inexplicable urge to be closer again. The distraction of her fork was welcome, his own already placing eggs into his mouth - noting that they were much better than he could have made. He smiled sideways at her, obviously uncaring for the apology she offered. It wasn't necessary and he didn't really like how often he heard her say the word. But before he could chastise her, Soh seemed to be gathering the courage to broach the topic hanging over their heads. He waited, bracing until she appeared to change her mind.
Swallowing, he shrugged his shoulders at her question. "I don't spend much time here, so I usually eat while I'm out." Amongst the community, Zavien's assistance often earned him a kind meal, or enough goodwill to purchase one at the local shops. He rarely went hungry, and he hadn't thought it to be much of a problem before this morning, when he had someone else to care about. His eyes flickered up to the person of interest, clearing his throat as he added, "But I could put in more of an effort for when people are over." 'People' obviously being her from the casual follow-up question. "What foods do you like?"
Redirecting his focus, Zavien let Soh take her seat before claiming his own next to her. She was within reach but the distance felt too far and he fought the inexplicable urge to be closer again. The distraction of her fork was welcome, his own already placing eggs into his mouth - noting that they were much better than he could have made. He smiled sideways at her, obviously uncaring for the apology she offered. It wasn't necessary and he didn't really like how often he heard her say the word. But before he could chastise her, Soh seemed to be gathering the courage to broach the topic hanging over their heads. He waited, bracing until she appeared to change her mind.
Swallowing, he shrugged his shoulders at her question. "I don't spend much time here, so I usually eat while I'm out." Amongst the community, Zavien's assistance often earned him a kind meal, or enough goodwill to purchase one at the local shops. He rarely went hungry, and he hadn't thought it to be much of a problem before this morning, when he had someone else to care about. His eyes flickered up to the person of interest, clearing his throat as he added, "But I could put in more of an effort for when people are over." 'People' obviously being her from the casual follow-up question. "What foods do you like?"
