AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"What do you mean?" I watch the tea seep into the liquid turning it a straw color.
"What did you do for fun in Midori, to relieve stress?" He motions around the kitchen. "I bake late at night after everyone's gone to sleep. What is your outlet?"
I take a minute to think about it. "Do baths count?"
"As relaxing as that is, no. I mean a hobby. Something you pour your energy into that brings you joy?"
I open my mouth but close it again when I struggle to find an answer. "I enjoyed going for swims in Midori, and when I was in the mood, I'd read, but I rarely finished any of the books I started."
He plucks our tea bags out of our mugs and disposes of them. "Why is that?"
I shrug. "Not enough romance for my liking."
Finn barks out a hearty laugh and shakes his head. "Ask Eris." He flicks his eyes over his glasses and smiles. "She might have a few of those romance books you're looking for."
"And how would you know that?" I tease, watching as he squeezes honey into our tea.
"I've known the woman for three years. I pay attention."
"What else have you noticed?" I grab the small spoon he offers and match his movements in stirring the honey in my mug.
The corner of his mouth ticks upward, but he doesn't meet my intrusive stare. "Someone is being awfully nosy tonight."
"I'm curious what you have observed over the years about someone you love."
His eyes finally latch onto mine, but he doesn't deny being in love with Eris. "Well," he clears his throat, bringing his mug to his lips, "when she's comfortable and feels safe, she sleeps on her left side. She has a not-so-secret stash of chocolate in a hollowed-out book in the library. When she's nervous her right eye twitches and she sniffs everything before she eats it. Need I continue to embarrass myself?" He takes a long sip of his tea before noticing the tears welling in my eyes. "What's wrong?"
"That's really sweet, Finn."
He shrugs, as if what he's confessed isn't that big of a deal. "It's easy to notice things when you care."
"I…" That strikes me. "Never mind."
"What is it?"
I bite my bottom lip before admitting, "I don't think I can tell you anything deeply personal about Bastian. The corners of his blue eyes crinkle when he smiles, he has boyish dimples, and he brings me gifts from his travels. Other than those superficial things, I don't really know him like I thought I did."
"And that bothers you?" he asks.
"It's sobering." I stare at the tea swirling in my cup. "How have I grown up with him, been in love with him, but truly not know him?"
"Maybe you were more enamored with the idea of being in love, than actually loving him."
"Wow," I whisper.
Finn busies himself by cleaning his glasses with the tip of his apron. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to upset you – "
"You didn't." I snap my head up to look at him. "I've been living my life in accordance with everyone else's expectations, that I'm not even sure I know what love is."
"I think you know what love is, Shaye. You went from wanting all of us executed for kidnapping you to laughing with us, sharing meals with us, even fighting by our side against Soul Eaters. I'd say that's a form of love."
I shake my head and finally take a long sip of the warm chamomile tea and love the burn against the back of my throat. "That's just being a decent human," I counter.
He places his elbows on the counter. "Would you have done that before we kidnapped you?"
We both know the answer is no, but I am too ashamed to admit it.
"Do you want to try baking with me?" His unexpected question saves me from confessing the truth.
