Happy Endings ⁘ Chenle

27 ⁘ Sandwich

I went a bit overboard lmao this chapter is so long

also explain to me why Taeil looks like Chenle's kid here

⁘ 27 ⁘

Upon stepping into the café, the smell of fresh coffee filled Da-eun's lungs. Warmth swirled around her, scents of sweet pastry mixing with that of savoury snacks. Wall-high windows avoided the need for the low hanging lamps to be turned on and so they merely hovered there tiredly. The café was neither filled with noise nor busy with people but it wasn't close to being empty either.

"Da-eun!" a familiar voice greeted her. She turned around, soon coming face to face with the boy that wore his usual warm smile.

"Hello Mr Moon," she greeted him politely, causing his smile to turn into an awkward grimace.

"Don't call me that, please."

"Oh." Da-eun nodded, urging him to go ahead. "Then...?"

"Taeil," he said. "Just Taeil."

She happily agreed, saying, "It's nice to see you again, Taeil."

Matching her enthusiasm, the boy smiled again. "Nice to see you too," he said, then motioned for her to follow him. "You're meeting Chenle, right? He isn't here yet but he asked for a table at the back, let me take you there."

Grateful, Da-eun followed him quietly. She looked around as they passed a few customers, some of which seemed delighted about the sight of the boy.

The girl got curious. "Do you own this café?"

Taeil shook his head, yet quickly corrected that to, "I co-own it. It was the first place that I owned." He laughed to himself, looked back at the girl. "I didn't have the heart to let go of it, so I am technically still an owner. I am not here much though."

It made sense. The way the café was furnished, the decor, the smells even - it felt like a home, of sorts. Who wouldn't struggle to let go of this?

"Here we go," Taeil said as he motioned towards the table he had reserved for them.

It stood against a large window facing a small backyard. Usually void of people, the only ones that could see her from here were the countless plants that grew there contentedly and the occasional birds that would get lost in the space that offered peacefulness in an otherwise busy city.

Da-eun thanked him as she sat down. Just then, her phone vibrated, causing her to avert her attention from Taeil to the bright screen.

Noticing that, Taeil hummed. "I will get you some water." And with that, he excused himself.

Shrek Enthusiast

Da-eun I am so sorry
I'll be late
they were taking super long but I couldn't just leave
(4:29 PM)

don't worry about it I'm not in a rush
I will wait

if you don't want to you can also leave

and miss out on a chance to see you?
who do you think I am 😔

hahaha
but I mean it

so do I
take your time and get here safely

okay okay
I will hurry
(4:31 PM)

"So where is he?" Taeil asked as he placed a glass of water on the table.

"On his way," Da-eun said.