Human - Tao X OC

June

Snippet of Chiyo and Tao's life, two years after Carol and Tuesday's "Mother" release.

-

Nobu's mother was just sick. Even still, it didn't really settle anything at all. She had some form of cancer and apparently didn't want to risk taking Chemo, and didn't have money for anything else anyways.

Her life was in the hands of something else now, and so I prepared an extra lunch each day to ensure Nobu wouldn't end up sick from malnourishment. Even still, he came knocking on my door at least once a week, giving me gifts of thanks from his mom or asking for help cause he scrapped his knee.

When I asked him why he trusted me out of everyone else, he said it was because he heard me sing.

So as the summer came around, Tao and I got used to another change in our new lives. Or, were they even new anymore?

-

"Will you still love me, when I'm no longer, young and beautiful?"

As the audience clapped, Tao leaned over to me, "I will."

My eyes widened, knowing immediately what he meant. We sang a cover of an old song by Lana Del Ray, and even though I really was just singing, and not really concerned with any answer, he answered it like I asked it anyways.

I smiled as he gave me a glimpse of his own smile. His eyes still showed more than anything else as they always had. He was still always so serious... but now he had seemed to completely delve into the love I'd given him.

Did I miss the moment he completely let go?

"So will I." I replied, and we walked off the stage together.

I helped get out some drinks and then sat down with Tao, giving him his own tea.
"Tonight went surprisingly better than usual." I smiled as I rested my hand on my cheek, "Probably because it's a vacation day."

Tao rose a brow as I moved my eyes to glance at him, "I heard that today's a popular day to take off because of the good weather."
"What constitutes guaranteed good weather every year?" He asked.

I shrugged, holding my hands out, "Maybe, the hope of the people together convincing Mother Nature to reward them with what they want?"

He just blinked at me.

Suddenly people started cheering, and we turned our focus to a man who came charging through the crowd in the shop with a violin case, stumbling onto the stage with a grin.

I turned to my boss, "A volunteer?"
She smiled, "He was inspired by you and your husband."

Ah, for the last time, we're not married.
"Hear that, Tao?"
Tao didn't reply, studying the man as he set himself up. He looked young, but confident.

He started off high and fast, spreading a joyful feeling throughout the shop and a young couple started dancing together in the open space in front of the stage.

As the music built up and seemed to intoxicate everyone, the people started to move the tables and chairs and join in on the dancing. Maybe I was right after all, the collective hope of the people on this day made the sun shine brighter than usual.

Actually, it was probably just the music. After all I've been through, I managed to fall in love with a wonderful man who makes me smile everyday... and I got to fall in love with music with him all the same.

"Tao."
"No."
I sweat dropped, standing and smirking and grabbing his hand, "Just for a few seconds. Let me make this a beautiful memory."

He rolled his eyes and scoffed a laugh, "Isn't it already?"

I smiled sweetly at his words and he paused. We stared into each other's eyes, just studying the colour. We were human and we were beautiful. And out of everything, music made us feel the most human.

"Let's let go of everything for this second."
He stood with a sigh and grabbed my hand firmly. The look he gave me was the same as always, kind of forceful somehow.

"The more I'm with you, the more I forget about everything else. You should know that by now."

Ah, yes. He's definitely embraced his love language alright. I laughed lightly at the thought, and kissed his cheek before leading him in to dance.