Ephemeral Reverie #1 - The Silence Between

Chapter Twelve - Routine

The next few weeks were weird.

Charlie quickly found herself in the 'habit' of waking at the ungodly time of half past four to the smell of coffee and cooking food. She lay on her bed the first morning, completely unprepared and unsure of just what to do or say. She wanted so badly to go back to sleep, but the knowledge someone moved through her kitchen kept her awake.

She wandered blearily into the kitchen, wondering if Griff had stayed over that night and also what could've possibly possessed him to be awake and want to make food. Could the guy even cook? She stopped in the archway, blinking through her sleep. It wasn't Griff.

Reiem seamlessly weaved between the pans on the stove. He turned at her arrival, dumping the food onto a plate. After not seeing much of him for the first week, this was an unexpected—but pleasant—development.

"Good morning, Miss Charlotte."

Reiem turned off the stove, wiping his hands on the apron at his waist.

She gave him a small wave as she stifled a yawn. "Morning."

After placing the food, he took his own seat at the table. Reiem was far too well dressed for the small town, and had a gloved hand curled around a mug of coffee. His hair was somewhat shorter, coming down past his shoulders even as it was pulled back into a ponytail, and it revealed an undershave. When he met her eyes, a slight glimmer of curiosity came into his own, yet it made Charlie feel almost absurdly shy. It shouldn't have, she scolded herself. She turned her attention to the food before her. Blueberry pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage links. She blinked a few times before looking up, a hint of unease on her face. Reiem took notice, his brows arching above his glasses.

"Is something the matter? The food not to your liking?"

"No, no! It's fine, I just... You didn't have to cook for me, Reiem."

He gave a small shrug. "Mornings come early and the body cannot be ill-prepared to handle the coming tasks. It was no trouble, Miss Charlotte." He frowned slightly, returning his eyes to his mug. "I enjoyed cooking when I was able."

They fell into a comfortable, if somewhat awkward, silence. Charlie ate, messing on her phone, and Reiem occasionally jotted things down into a black notebook as he drank his coffee. It had been easy to be in his company years ago since there were always others around, but now she was faced with feelings she wasn't sure how to handle.

Charlie: So I know you're not awake right now but Reiem made me breakfast.

Griff: joke's on u i AM awake

Charlie: :O

Griff: and a little jealous

Charlie: Then come over, you dork. He made...a lot.

Charlie: I feel a little weird with him just...well, 'here'.

Griff: someone got butterflies? ;)

Charlie: ...yeah, I guess.

Charlie: But not the kind you're thinking of.

Charlie: Why are you even awake?

Charlie: ...actually nevermind I don't even wanna know.

Griff: too late

Griff followed up with a series of eggplant, peach, and water droplet emojis. Charlie nearly choked on her mouthful of pancake as she snorted and cringed all at once. She looked up to find Reiem looking at her inquisitively. He motioned his mug to the device in her hand.