Sonder
n. the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own—populated with their own ambitions, friends, routines, worries and inherited craziness—an epic story that continues invisibly around you like an anthill sprawling deep underground, with elaborate passageways to thousands of other lives that you'll never know existed, in which you might appear only once, as an extra sipping coffee in the background, as a blur of traffic passing on the highway, as a lighted window at dusk – The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows
Summary: Whenever Mimi began her magic in the kitchen, TK could not help but watch her dance across tile floors, stirring and mixing and humming, concocting edible items that not satisfied the stomach, but seemed to calm the heart.
Warning(s)/Spoiler(s): several years post-02
Rating: K+/PG
Character(s)/Pairing(s): TK, Mimi
Author's Note: Thank for your reviews; however, I cannot fulfill requests that do not give a prompt! Remember, I need something to go off of, not just a character or pairing. Something as simple as a word will do!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Digimon or anything else you may recognize.
02. Spinnin'
and i've lost all feelin', everybody singin'
Whenever Mimi began her magic in the kitchen, TK could not help but watch her dance across tile floors, stirring and mixing and humming, concocting edible items that not only satisfied the stomach, but also seemed to calm the heart. It was a dance choreographed long ago, one that TK never truly learned, complete with the rhythm of pots scraping against marble and the melody of her soft voice. She hadn't always been such a good cook; TK could distinctly remember the odor of burnt cabbage and the texture of bacon as rubber. But over time – and with practice – Mimi's hands began to work magic, and TK was always drawn to her kitchen.
"TK, could you grab the container up on the top self? I think it has some extra spices." Her voice was sudden, stark in comparison to the light ease that had settled. But TK smiled, nodded, and silently retrieved the container. Mimi sighed. "You men and your tall legs." She stuck out her tongue when TK straightened, smirking. "Let's not forget who's making dinner for you tonight," she added, her eyebrows raised.
TK deflated and Mimi laughed at him. "You offered," he said, shrugging. A waft of pineapple and sugar reached him and he felt his mouth watering. "Mmm, whatever it is you're making, it smells delicious."
Mimi beamed. "I hope it tastes just as good! Now get out of the kitchen before I decide to eat everything myself." TK chuckled at her strict tone – Mimi's moods were a whirlwind of switches, but somehow they made her seem more cohesive.
TK sighed as he sat down on his chair again, watching as Mimi opened the oven and pulled out a tray of meat. The saliva in TK's mouth built up again, threatening to overflow. He licked his lips when Mimi covered the tray in a sauce; his stomach growled. "I'm really glad you moved back to Japan, Mimi."
Mimi grinned, her laugh echoing against the sounds of shrills and pops. Her laugh was the climax to a never-ending symphony; her sigh of triumph the dénouement to her concert of cuisine. "You only like me for my cooking." TK did not bother denying her claim; it was untrue, of course, but Mimi knew that better than anyone.
As Mimi laid out dishes filled of food, TK set up plates and forks and spoons, a thrill in his spine and a dance in his stomach. By the time Mimi had finished, TK was staring at the food eagerly, his stomach still rumbling in impatience.
When Mimi sat down gracefully, she pulled a napkin toward her, settled it on her lap, and took a sip of water. Only when she reached for the bowl of vegetables did TK dive for the various items displayed on the kitchen table, ignoring the roll of Mimi's eyes. Once his plate was full, however, he quietly cut up his meat, mixed in his vegetables, and pushed aside his desert.
"So tell me about university," he asked, his fingers occupied with his utensils, but his attention focused solely on his friend.
Mimi smiled before spinning a tale about ruined potatoes, colored pens, and a professor who could not seem to pronounce "cavalry."
Spending time with Mimi had perks, TK believed, but her delicious cooking was only one.
