Unseen Gravity

Chapter 1: Unfamiliar Hearts

The autumn breeze swept through the narrow streets of Seoul, rustling the golden leaves that clung to the trees. Tae walked with his hands stuffed into the pockets of his long coat, eyes scanning the crowded street but seeing none of it. His thoughts were elsewhere, occupied by the one person who had been unknowingly invading his mind for months now—Gguk.

Tae first met Gguk at a mutual friend's party. The setting had been chaotic, full of laughter, chatter, and loud music. But among all the noise, his attention had been drawn to one person. Gguk, standing by the window, quietly sipping his drink, seemingly lost in his own world. The contrast had intrigued Tae—how someone could be so present yet detached at the same time.

Gguk was mysterious, his dark eyes revealing little, but there was a warmth in them that hinted at something deeper. His sharp jawline, coupled with his effortlessly cool style, caught attention wherever he went, but it was his quiet presence that made Tae curious. They had exchanged a few words that night, nothing significant, but enough for Tae to be left wanting more. Since then, they had crossed paths occasionally, always sharing brief but meaningful glances.Now, Tae couldn't shake the feeling that something was pulling him toward Gguk, like an invisible thread binding their fates together. But he wasn’t sure if Gguk felt the same way. Tae had never been one to chase after people, preferring to let relationships develop naturally. Yet, with Gguk, there was a spark—a tension that begged for more.

As Tae reached the small café where they had agreed to meet, he took a deep breath, steeling himself for whatever this encounter might bring. It wasn’t like they were strangers, but their interactions had always been casual. Today, though, Tae hoped for something different. Maybe a real conversation, or maybe a moment that would shift the dynamic between them.

Inside, Gguk was already seated by the window, his usual quiet self, scrolling through his phone. He looked up as Tae entered, offering a small smile. It was the kind of smile that could make anyone feel at ease, and Tae's heart stuttered in response. He approached the table, trying to suppress the excitement bubbling beneath his calm exterior.

“Hey,” Tae greeted as he slid into the seat across from Gguk.“Hey, you made it,” Gguk replied, setting his phone aside. His voice was as deep as Tae remembered, soothing in a way that caught him off guard every time. For a moment, they sat in comfortable silence, the tension between them palpable but not uncomfortable. Tae felt the weight of unsaid things hanging in the air. He wanted to bridge that gap, but wasn't sure how.“You come here often?” Tae finally asked, the question simple but meant to ease them into conversation. Gguk shrugged. “Sometimes. It’s quiet here, good for thinking.”Tae nodded, understanding perfectly. “Yeah, it’s got that vibe.”As their conversation unfolded, Tae realized how easy it was to talk to Gguk. Beneath the quiet demeanor, Gguk had an unexpected depth—thoughtful, curious, and surprisingly funny. They talked about music, movies, and even their shared love for photography. Time passed quicker than expected, and before Tae knew it, the café was beginning to close for the evening.“Time flies when you’re having fun, huh?” Gguk said with a smirk, his playful side coming through.Tae chuckled, feeling lighter than he had all day. “Yeah, guess so. We should do this again.”There was a brief pause as Gguk seemed to consider the suggestion, his eyes locking onto Tae’s. “Yeah… we should.”That look. Tae felt his pulse quicken, and for a second, he wondered if he was imagining things, but there was something there—an unspoken promise in Gguk’s gaze.

A flicker of something deeper than just friendship.As they walked out together into the cool night, their hands brushed accidentally, sending a jolt through Tae’s body. It was a simple touch, yet it held a thousand possibilities. Neither of them pulled away immediately, the brief contact lingering just long enough to leave Tae wondering. Was it the beginning of something? Or just another fleeting moment? Tae didn’t know, but for the first time in a long while, he was ready to find out.