Originally written for the livejournal community ourancontest for its first drabble theme, "roses." It won first place (go me!). I hope you enjoy this, and if you want, drop a review when you're done to tell me what you thought. Thank you! ((bow))
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Sympathy in Earl Grey
Kanako cannot think of teacups without smiling.
She supposes that that's the effect that Tooru's had on her – thoughtful, soft-spoken Tooru with his calm, humble voice and smiles that hide nothing, except for perhaps words of affection he reserves only for her. And even now, as she looks into the depths of the cup she's holding – a Jinori, her favorite brand – she closes her eyes and grins, hugely.
It's enough for her to ignore the punctuated drip, drip of her tears as they fall and hit the tea inside her favorite cup.
She sighs and thinks not for the first time that she misses him.
The grip around her teacup tightens.
He gave this cup to her before he left to study abroad, this one and many others of the same set the day before she saw him off. "They're Jinori and rose-colored," he'd told her with a smile. "Your favorite brand and your favorite color… I hope you like them. They made me think of you."
Kanako remembers accepting them with a smile, and even now she's smiling because she simply cannot think of teacups without doing so, or else it will mean that she's forgotten him.
Rose-colored teacups…
They are beautiful, she thinks.
Her favorite brand and her favorite color.
"Tooru…"
And so she wipes her eyes on the pink handkerchief beside her and adds more sugar to her tea, thinking and knowing that she will wait for him forever.
She smiles.
"…I love them."