the one that got away | seongjoong (✓)

• VII •

[chapter dedicated to sparklymingii_ for always leaving the sweetest comments <3]

days went on, and soon, hongjoong had finished promotions for his comeback. he was extremely excited, looking forward to getting to sleep in a bit and maybe get to visit starlight cafe in the near future.

it was a little before eight at night, an hour before closing, when hongjoong decided to finally make his way to starlight cafe and get the drink that held such a strong meaning to him. the cafe was a little ways away from his apartment, but that was no big deal to him. he was determined, and thankfully, public transit was pretty easy to navigate. the hardest part was staying hidden from fans, but hongjoong was okay with a couple of fans noticing him if it happened. he just didn't want to be swarmed.

it took him nearly forty five minutes to get to the cafe, causing hongjoong to panic when he saw no one inside other than a single person at the front, cleaning tables. he sighed in relief when he saw their hours, then walked inside and smiled small when he was surrounded by the comforting aura of the cafe.

"hi, welcome to starlight cafe!" minhee said with a smile.

"hello!" hongjoong responded, taking off his hat and scarf, smiling a bit.

"oh my goodness! you came back!"

"i couldn't help myself, the drinks here are really good and the staff was amazing to me and my team."

"i'm sure my boss would love to hear that. anyways, what can i get started for you?"

hongjoong quickly skimmed the menu, his brow furrowing when he realized that the drink he was given last time wasn't on the menu.

"um... surprise me. has your menu changed at all since i last came in?"

"nope! nothing's changed. i'll get you something good though, i promise!"

"great... how much?"

"on the house! i'm sure my boss won't mind."

"are you sure?"

"absolutely."

"here, keep this for yourself then. thank you so much," hongjoong said appreciatively, handing minhee a five.

minhee smiled a bit and nodded, shoving the bill in his pocket.

"i know you guys close soon, but would it be alright if i just sat down for a bit? it's a long trek back to where i live."

"no problem! go ahead!"

"thank you... oh! and do you have a bathroom?"

"just around the corner!"

hongjoong nodded and quickly ran off to the bathroom, leaving minhee unsure of what to make. he quickly went to the back, where seonghwa was in his office, typing away on his computer.

"hyung?"

"what's up, minhee?"

"um... what would you make for someone who came in and asked you to surprise them?"

"depends on who it is. do you know them?"

"i mean... not really. he's come in before though."

"who?"

"kim hongjoong. the idol."

"he's here?"

minhee nodded and seonghwa quickly stood up.

"you just clean up, okay? i'll take care of this one."

minhee responded with a soft "okay", then went to grab the broom and start sweeping. seonghwa sneakily made his way out to make hongjoong's drink, the boy now sitting with his back to the counter, eyes glued to his phone.

seonghwa quickly made his drink, then went to bring it to him when he felt a pit growing in his stomach. he wasn't ready for this. what if hongjoong never wanted to see him ever again? minhee noticed quickly, giving his hyung a look of confusion, then seonghwa sighed and waved him over.

"here's his drink," seonghwa whispered.

"thanks, hyung."

seonghwa quickly nodded and made his way back into his office as minhee brought the drink over, causing a bright smile on hongjoong's face.

"thank you so much," he said softly.

he sipped the drink and closed his eyes in delight at that same familiar taste, then sighed and got up, bidding farewell to the kind young barista. he made his way back to his apartment, continuing to wonder what they had named this drink at starlight cafe that he knew so well, yet couldn't seem to find.

little did he know, he was looking in all the wrong places.

________________
tbh i love making these little paths crossing unknowingly moments bc they're such a tease to y'all as readers lmaooo