‣ chapel

@❀┊jiang taemin ᵃ "That would be a perfect place to have tea." Kang confirmed with a small nod, his smile warm and thoughtful. Shaking his head lightly at the suggestion of preparing the tea in the office, he explained, "Tea is best served warm and prepared in front of you. It’s as much about the process as it is about the drink itself." He held up the thermos he had brought along, giving it a small shake. "I might just need to reheat my water slightly, but everything else will be ready to go." Kang’s tone was calm but carried a quiet passion, his love for tea evident in the way he spoke. "After all, the beauty of tea lies in its preparation, like a performance that engages all the senses."

Kang then motioned toward the office and asked with a polite tone, "Would it be alright if I reheated the water there? I wouldn’t want to impose without your permission, Pastor."

@☁︎┊lan kang ᵃ taemin’s eyes shifted to the raised canvas case before returning to mr lan kang, listening to the professor carefully. at the mention of a tea blend suitable for the season, their head tilted minutely. once the fellow alpha was done with his explanation, they looked at their watch to check the time, then out the stained glass windows to gauge the weather.

“the pantry is in the office,” explained taemin as they brought their focus back to mr lan kang. “there’s a gazebo behind the chapel. i believe having a drink there would be worthwhile.”

taemin nodded in the direction of their office, asking, “would you like to prepare the tea first before going to the gazebo?”

@❀┊jiang taemin ᵃ Kang turned at the sound of the pastor's voice, his sharp features softening into a gentle smile as he greeted the other with a slight nod of his head. "Good afternoon, Pastor." Kang said, his voice low but clear, respectful of the serenity that surrounded them. He lifted the small, padded canvas case in his hand, tilting it slightly to emphasize its presence. "I’m here to make you tea. Is it a good time?" He hoped his visit wasn't interrupting the other, though he also trusted the pastor would tell him if it did. “Of course, if you’re busy, I can leave you to it and try another day,” Kang added, his words measured but earnest. He wasn’t one to impose, though the faint curve of his lips betrayed that he would prefer to stay. “I’ve brought a blend that suits the weather, It would be a shame to let it go to waste.”

Adjusting the case in his hand, Kang shifted his weight slightly, though his posture remained relaxed, his free hand sliding into his pocket.

@☁︎┊lan kang ᵃ the chapel was not a location known for eventful happenings. even on days with many religious patrons visiting, the small building was hushed like midnight. the quietude never disturbed taemin though; it was a characteristic that he greatly appreciated.

taemin was hiding out in the office—a small room to the immediate right of the entrance. the left led to the washing closets, as the nearest on the campus was still a good walking distance away. they were flipping through the visitation records, noting the guests that had arrived to pay their respects or request assistance. the logbook was a habit they picked up after becoming a pastor, a way to pass the time and recall the people that had seen them that day. it served no other purpose than an idle hobby, though taemin felt that it could come in handy in specific scenarios.

he blinked as he heard himself being addressed. picking up a pen, he checked the clock on the table before scrawling the date and time in the logbook. he left the name blank, intending to fill that piece of information later.

putting down the pen, taemin made their way out of the office. the door creaked as it opened, piercing the quietude in the chapel. a soft groan resounded as the heavy frame swung shut behind them, closing gently.

he cocked his head to the side, eyeing the visitor. from his angle, he could make out just a slight side profile of the guest. the appearance was familiar, and it took a second for taemin to recall the visitor's identity. he held his hands in front of him, leisurely walking towards the guest.

"i'm here," called taemin from behind, stopping a few steps away. "what can i help you with, mr kang?"

@❀┊jiang taemin ᵃ Closing his lesson plan with a quiet sense of accomplishment, Kang glanced at the time on his watch. A brief thought crossed his mind that perhaps the pastor was in the chapel. It had been on his to-do list to visit, and now seemed as good a time as any. Turning to the window, he noted the weather, its crisp and calm air seemingly tailor made for a quiet tea break. Even if the pastor wasn’t around, Kang reasoned, he could still enjoy the tea he’d prepared and try again another day. Reaching under his desk, he retrieved a small padded canvas bag, a travel sized tea set he often carried with him. Compact and practical, it was a convenient option for moments like these, though it paled in comparison to the elaborate setup he had at home. On days when time or energy felt scarce, Kang relied on this quicker method without sacrificing the quality of his brew. He always took care to ensure the tea’s essence remained intact.

When Kang arrived at the chapel, he slowed his pace, his steps cautious and measured. He didn’t want to inadvertently interrupt a ceremony or disturb anyone in silent prayer. The absence of activity brought a small measure of relief, and he stepped further inside, his gaze instinctively drawn to the serene beauty of the space. "Pastor Taemin?" Kang called softly, his voice echoing faintly in the quiet expanse. He walked down the aisle, each step a moment to take in the intricate details of the chapel’s interior. The subtle play of light filtering through stained glass, the warmth of polished wood, and the stillness that seemed to linger in every corner.

Though Kang wasn’t a particularly religious man, he couldn’t deny the atmosphere of the place. There was a quiet sanctity here, a sense of peace that felt almost tangible. It wasn’t something he encountered often, and he found himself appreciating the unexpected calm it brought. For a moment, Kang allowed himself to simply stand there, absorbing the tranquility.