Soulful (TayNew)

part-30

Author Pov

Tay had planned it for days. He wanted this to be perfect. Before New’s regular work started, they needed some time together—a proper date to recharge, to be wrapped up in each other without the distractions of work, stress, or anything else that could come between them. Tay knew that his New was about to embark on a new journey of independence, and though it made him proud, a part of him wanted to hold onto these moments a little longer.

New awoke to the scent of breakfast. His eyes fluttered open, and there was Tay, standing at the foot of the bed with a tray of food. He wore a goofy grin, the kind that made New both melt with love and cringe a little. On the tray was an artfully arranged breakfast—pancakes in the shape of hearts, strawberries, and fresh orange juice.

"Good morning, my beautiful Hin," Tay greeted him with a dramatic flair, setting the tray down gently in front of New.

New rubbed his eyes, still groggy, but smiled at Tay’s enthusiasm. “Tay...what are you doing?”

Tay sat on the edge of the bed, leaning down to press a kiss to New’s forehead. “Just treating the love of my life the way he deserves,” Tay said in an exaggerated tone, his voice dripping with affection. “And if love could be measured in pancakes, Hin, you’d have enough to reach the stars.”

New laughed, picking up his fork. “You’re so embarrassing, Tay.”

“I’m not done!” Tay declared, placing a hand on his chest as if wounded. “Do you know why I made pancakes?”

New raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

“Because they’re round, like the infinite love I have for you,” Tay said, barely able to keep a straight face as New groaned.

“You are *so* cheesy.”

“I prefer to think of it as romantic,” Tay corrected, leaning in closer. “And do you know why I cut the strawberries in little hearts?”

New smirked. “No, but I’m sure you’ll tell me.”

Tay’s eyes twinkled. “Because my heart belongs to you, Hin. Forever.”

New put his face in his hands, trying to hide his growing grin. He should’ve been used to Tay’s antics by now, but there was something about the way Tay could make even the cringiest lines sound sweet and sincere.

Tay didn’t stop there. The morning was filled with endless compliments, declarations of undying love, and dramatic metaphors. While New tried to finish breakfast, Tay recited Shakespearean sonnets, dramatically rolling off the bed and declaring New to be the “light of his life, the sun to his moon.”

New chuckled through all of it, shaking his head. “You’re unbelievable, Tay.”

“I’m in love, Hin,” Tay said with a dreamy sigh, lying back on the bed. “And when you’re in love, you’ve got to let it out. You’ve got to scream it from the rooftops!”

By noon, Tay had whisked New away for a day filled with romantic adventures. He had it all planned out—walks in the park, a picnic under the trees, and a boat ride on the lake.

As they strolled through the park, hand in hand, Tay kept up his antics.

“Hin, you know,” Tay said, pausing dramatically in the middle of the path. “If I had to choose between breathing and loving you, I would use my last breath to tell you I love you.”

New burst out laughing, pulling Tay along before he could gather more attention from passersby. “Oh my god, Tay, you need to stop!”

“I can’t stop!” Tay protested, throwing his hands in the air. “My love for you is like a river, flowing endlessly!”