After a painful breakup, Mingyu and Minghao cross paths again and rediscover their feelings.
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The city lights blurred together as Mingyu glanced out the taxi window, his heart weighed down by an inexplicable heaviness.
He was returning from yet another long day at the office, exhausted and drained.
The end of autumn had brought a chill to the air, reminding him of that time last year, before the breakup, before the silence between him and Minghao had settled like an ache he couldn't shake.
It was strange how something that had once felt so secure could unravel in such a way that left only hollow memories behind.
As the taxi turned the corner, it passed a familiar cafe, one where they used to sit for hours, tucked into the corner booth, laughing about little things.
Mingyu forced his gaze away, but it was too late, the memory had slipped back in.
Minghao's laugh, the warmth of his hand on Mingyu's, the way he'd look at him with that knowing, quiet smile.
He sighed, leaning back in the seat as he silently told himself that some things were better left in the past.
Little did he know, fate seemed to have other plans.
It was another few days before he encountered Minghao again.
A Friday evening, unassuming, normal.
The last thing Mingyu had expected was to bump into him in a quiet, off-the-beaten-path art gallery he'd only stumbled into by chance.
He wasn't sure what drew him in that night, a vague desire to clear his head, maybe, or to avoid the loneliness waiting for him back home.
Mingyu turned a corner, lost in thought, when he froze.
There, a few feet away, Minghao stood, studying a painting with that same intense focus Mingyu remembered so well.
His posture was relaxed, one hand thoughtfully resting against his chin, and his expression, calm and unguarded, took Mingyu back to their quietest moments together, those where words hadn't been needed.
Mingyu's instinct was to leave before Minghao noticed, but his feet remained glued to the floor.
Against his better judgment, he stood there, simply observing, until Minghao finally turned and met his gaze.
The moment stretched, a silent acknowledgment passing between them, neither knowing quite what to say.
After what felt like an eternity, Minghao offered a gentle, almost hesitant smile.
Mingyu took a deep breath, steadying himself as he approached.
