Outside Work We... •[TNN One-shots]•

Dancing •|| SHIVIAN ||•

Prompt: Shibhon and Vivian dance together.

Vivian hummed along to the upbeat tune blasting from the small speaker on the counter. The kitchen smelled of garlic and herbs, and the faint sizzle of something frying filled the air. She was stirring a pan with exaggerated flair, tapping her feet in time with the music, completely in her element.

Shibhon leaned against the doorway, watching with a soft smile. Vivian hadn’t noticed her yet, too caught up in her impromptu cooking performance.

“Do you always cook with this much... enthusiasm?” Shibhon asked, finally making her presence known.

Vivian jumped slightly, spinning around with a spatula in hand. “Don’t sneak up on me like that! I could’ve accidentally seasoned you instead of the food.”

“I’d take it as a compliment,” Shibhon teased, stepping closer.

Vivian narrowed her eyes playfully, but her grin betrayed her. “What are you doing over there? Come help me before I burn this masterpiece.”

“Burning food is your specialty,” Shibhon quipped, but she moved to join her anyway.

As Shibhon reached for the cutting board, the song changed to something slower, more melodic. Vivian froze for a moment before setting down her spatula.

“Hold on,” she said, grabbing Shibhon’s hand.

“What are you doing?” Shibhon asked, laughing as Vivian pulled her away from the counter.

“We’re dancing,” Vivian declared, wrapping an arm around Shibhon’s waist and taking her hand in the other.

“Dancing? While dinner is cooking?”

“Dinner can wait. This is more important,” Vivian said, spinning her gently.

Shibhon let out a laugh, her cheeks flushed as they swayed to the music. “You’re ridiculous, you know that?”

“And you love it,” Vivian said with a wink.

They moved together in the small kitchen, bumping into chairs and laughing at their clumsy steps. Vivian twirled Shibhon again, nearly knocking over the spice rack, but neither of them cared.

“You’re a terrible dancer,” Shibhon teased, leaning her forehead against Vivian’s.

“I prefer to call it ‘freestyle,’” Vivian replied, grinning.

The song came to an end, and they stilled, the world seeming to pause around them. Shibhon looked up at Vivian, her eyes soft and full of affection.

“You’re the best part of my day,” she said quietly.

Vivian’s grin softened into a smile, her thumb brushing against Shibhon’s hand. “Right back at you, Bon.”

The smell of something slightly overcooked interrupted their moment.

“Ah, the food!” Vivian yelped, rushing back to the stove.

Shibhon doubled over laughing, watching as Vivian frantically tried to salvage their dinner.

“See? I told you burning food was your specialty,” Shibhon teased, slipping back into her spot at the counter.

“Yeah, yeah. But at least I can dance,” Vivian shot back, tossing a playful wink her way.

Shibhon just shook her head, the smile never leaving her face. Burnt food or not, nights like this were her favorite.