Crepuscular Clocksmith

8. Secretive Smiles

"You look tired these days."

Yunho took Seonghwa's coffee cup from the machine and replaced it with his own. Even after stirring sugar and milk into the hot beverage, Seonghwa grimaced at the first taste. He hated the stuff, but he kept falling victim to the lure of caffeine.

The whirring of the machine as it prepared Yunho's coffee droned on in the back of his head, making him sleepy.

"Don't I always look tired?"

Seonghwa contemplated him. Then, he shook his head while blowing on his drink.

"Not like this. Usually, you look drained from work. Now you look like you are skipping on sleep."

"A fine line," Yunho replied with a yawn. He couldn't complain. The time he spent lying awake while the rain thrummed against his window, wondering what Mingi was doing and whether he felt lonely, he might as well spend with the handsome naga. It was worth the missing hours.

"Did a new season of One Piece drop? I get the binge-watching, but perhaps the weekends are a better time for that?"

Yunho chuckled as he received his coffee. The colour reminded him of the cosy sweater he had last seen Mingi in.

"It's not as if my work performance is suffering. I know what I'm doing."

They made their way back to the office, slurping their hot beverages to ward off the cold temperatures.

"I'm just worried. You can tell me if something is bothering you. I may be your colleague, but I also consider you a friend." Seonghwa adjusted his specs as he sat down. When he offered Yunho the package of gummy bears he had brought as a snack today, Yunho accepted them.

"Thank you, Seonghwa. If I ever need to vent, I will think of you."

Seonghwa gave him a relieved smile before he scooted closer to his keyboard. They fell back into their usual typing before their section chief could come over and nag at them.

-

Hey, wanna hang today?

Yunho shouldered his bag as he glanced at the windows. No rain today.

Quick fingers typed out an answer to Hongjoong.

Sure, bring pizza.

Yessir.

After slipping his phone into his pocket, Yunho joined Seonghwa, who loitered at the entrance corner to wait for him. Together, they called their goodbyes towards the remaining coworkers and made their way outside.

"What are your plans for the evening? More anime?" Seonghwa asked as they waited for the elevator. With a chuckle, Yunho glanced at his watch. This was around the time Mingi would eat. Or would Wooyoung drop by for another delivery? The shop's schedule was unpredictable despite the restrictive terms.

"Hongjoong wanted to come over, so we will hang out. I will send him home early so you don't have to be worried, yes?"

At the mention of the man, Seonghwa brushed his hair back with a shy hand.

"You meet him often?"

"Whenever we both have time off work. Want me to relay a message?" With a cheeky grin, Yunho followed Seonghwa into the elevator and pressed the button. Seonghwa fixed his collar in front of the mirror to hide the blush dusting his cheeks.

"N-no, no need. I have nothing to say to him. Maybe tell him I said hi." Seonghwa cringed to himself, but Yunho nodded with an indulgent chuckle.

"Will do."