.
.
A few hours later
.
.
The golden hour was fading into a soft twilight as Kei and Fay stepped into the warmth of their shared space, the plastic bucket between them heavy with the day's silver harvest. There was a comfortable rhythm to their stride, their shoulders occasionally brushing, punctuated by glances that said more than words ever could.
.
.
.
Once in the kitchen, the reality of their "catch" set in. As Fay turned to retreat toward the hallway, a hand clamped firmly around her wrist.
"What?"
Fay asked, pausing.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"To my room."
"Ehhh? So I'm supposed to cook all this alone?" Kei said
"Yeah,"
"I don't know how to cook." Fay said
Kei didn't skip a beat, tugging Fay back toward the counter.
"Well, I'm going to teach you. Consider this a mandatory lesson."
"Whaaaaaat?!" Fay's protest was loud, but her feet stayed planted.
"No 'whats.' Come here."
.
.
.
.
Kei reached into a drawer and pulled out a pale apron, handing it over. Fay took it with a sigh of resignation, slipping the loop over her head and cinching the strings around her waist.
.
Then, Fay reached into her pocket for a simple hair tie. She raised her arms, her elbows framing her face as she gathered her dark hair. She held the tie between her lips for a second, her eyes narrowed in focus, before sweeping everything up into a high, neat ponytail.
.
"_"
For Kei, the world suddenly shifted.
The hum of the refrigerator became a distant, muffled echo. The ticking of the clock slowed until every second felt like a heartbeat. As Fay tilted her head to secure the tie, exposing the graceful line of her neck, Kei felt the air leave her lungs. The sight of Fay domestic, focused and strikingly beautiful in something as simple as an apron hit her like a tidal wave.
(She looks like a wife)Kei thought, her heart doing a slow, heavy roll. (My wife).
"Okay, I'm ready," Fay said, snapping the tie.
"What first?"
.
.
The world rushed back to full speed, leaving Kei slightly dizzy. She blinked rapidly, her face warming.
"I...uh...I'm gonna clean and cook the rice first."
She shoved the bucket toward Fay, trying to hide her trembling hands.
"Here, Fay. Clean this round scad."
"Ok."
"Meanwhile," Kei managed to say, grabbing a knife,
"I'll slice the eggplant, onion and ginger."
Kei tried to focus on the vegetables, but her eyes were like magnets, constantly drifting back to Fay. She watched the way the ponytail swayed as Fay scrubbed the fish, her heart swelling with an affection so intense it was almost painful. She was so lost in the sight of fay that she didn't realize how fast her knife was moving.
Slice. Slice. Slice....
"Oww!"
The sharp sting snapped the spell. Kei pulled her hand back, a bead of crimson blooming on her index finger.
"What happened?"
"I accidentally cut my finger," Kei said, her voice a bit airy.
"But not deep, so don't worry, it's just..."
"Wait here"
Fay left.
She returned seconds later with a band-aid, her expression uncharacteristically stern with worry. She took Kei's hand, her touch cool and steady as she carefully applied the bandage.
...
Kei didn't even feel the cut. She was too busy staring at Fay with a look of pure, unadulterated yearning. A soft, lopsided smile spread across her face.
"_"
Fay looked up, catching the expression. "Why are you smiling?"
"It was nothing."
"Who person smile when they hurt?"
Fay grumbled, her brow furrowing.
"Are you sure you cut your finger? Not your brain?"
"Yeah," Kei laughed softly.
"_"
Fay let out a huff and stood up straight.
"That's it. Let me cook. You should just rest."
"I don't want to, Fay. It's just a minor cut."
"I said I will cook," Fay insisted.
"Just tell me what to do."
"Okay," Kei whispered, leaning back against the counter with a satisfied grin.
.
.
.
.
.
Under Kei's guidance, Fay moved with a determined grace. She finished the fish and moved on to the vegetables.
"What's next?"
"Crush the garlic."
Fay did so with a satisfying thwack.
"Done. Next?"
"In a wide pan, layer the ginger, garlic and onions at the bottom," Kei instructed.
Fay followed the order precisely.
"Now, lay the round scad side-by-side on top of the aromatics. Season lightly with salt and pepper."
"Okay..."
"Pour the vinegar over the fish. And don't stir it! Let it simmer for two to three minutes until that 'raw' vinegar smell is gone."
"Got it. Wait....what are you doing?"
.
.
Fay froze as she felt a sudden warmth against her back. Kei had stepped in close, wrapping her arms slowly around Fay's waist. She rested her chin on Fay's shoulder, the scent of the sea and the kitchen blurring together.
"_"
"Isn't it obvious?" Kei murmured.
"Focus, Fay," Kei teased, her voice vibrating through Fay's back.
"I am focused!" Fay retorted, though her ear becoming a little red.
"Don't worry," Kei said softly, her eyes closing.
"Don't give this hug a meaning. I'm just... I'm tired. Let me stay like this."
"Fine," Fay whispered.
After a few minutes of quiet simmering, Kei spoke again.
"Add the coconut milk now, Fay."
"Okay. Then?"
"Let it simmer for eight to ten minutes. Then add the eggplant, cover it and cook for four more."
"Kei.....where are you going"
Kei vanished left.
Kei was back with her phone. She slid back into the hug, holding the device out.
"Look at the camera, Fay"
Snap.
The screen captured them: Fay, looking at kei with wooden spoon in hand and Kei, looking at the camera beaming with a triumphant, loving grin, clinging to her as the steam rose from the pot.
.
.
.
The meal was finally served rich, creamy round scad in coconut milk. that filled the kitchen with an inviting aroma. They sat across from each other, the steam curling between them.
Kei lifted a perfect piece of fish and leaned across the table.
"Here, Fay... ahhh."
Fay stared at the offered food, then at Kei's hopeful face. Without a word, she reached for her own spoon and took a bite of her own portion.
"I have hands, Kei."
Kei froze, the rejected bite still hovering in mid-air. Her face turned a brilliant shade of crimson.
"Fine,"
she muttered to herself, pulling the spoon back.
"Here, Kei... ahhh."
She fed herself, trying to look dignified while her heart felt like it was doing backflips.
.
.
As they ate, the room fell into a comfortable silence. But Kei couldn't help herself. Between every bite, she looked up, her eyes lingering on Fay. She watched the way Fay ate, the way the light caught her eyes, looking at her with a gaze so full of love it was impossible to hide. Fay kept her head down, but the faint, persistent blush on her ears suggested she felt every bit of that gaze.