fragments of us ֶָ֢ (odehan)

conflicted emotions

Seungmin strolls through the streets, taking his time to pet a few cats that cross his path. He's enjoying the chill of the evening, the soft glow of streetlights illuminating his way.

Eventually, he arrives at a familiar place - the café. It's become a sort of nightly routine for him, stopping by for a quiet cup of coffee before heading home.

He pushes open the door, the sound of the windchime announcing his arrival. As he enters, he takes in the familiar sight of the café - the soft glow of the overhead lights, the cozy ambiance, the smell of brewing coffee.

His eyes involuntarily find the counter, where Hyeongjun is currently busy cleaning the area. The older boy is focused on his task, blissfully unaware that Seungmin's eyes are now fixed on him.

Seungmin hesitates for a moment, torn between the desire to approach Hyeongjun and the comfort of his usual spot in the corner. But as he catches Hyeongjun's glance, his feet seem to make the decision on their own, taking him towards the counter.

He takes a seat on the stool, watching as Hyeongjun continues cleaning. He studies the other boy, taking in the way he moves, the way his hands work deftly, and the way his features are illuminated by the warm light.

It's a sight that's both familiar and captivating, and Seungmin finds himself unable to look away. His gaze lingers on Hyeongjun's face, tracing the curves of his nose, the shadows and highlights dancing across his skin.

Hyeongjun looks up, his eyes meeting Seungmin's, and asks, "Do you want the usual?"

His tone is soft, a familiar habit between them. He's already preparing to make the artist's usual order, his hands moving with a practiced ease.

The sound of Hyeongjun's question suddenly pulls Seungmin back to the present. "Yes, please," he replies, but there's a hint of hesitation in his voice. The truth is, the usual order isn't actually to his taste. It's alright, but not his cup of tea (haha get it?). Yet, he's been ordering it purely cause Hyeongjun first recommended it,

He watches silently as Hyeongjun busies himself with the coffee, a part of him feeling guilty for not being completely honest about his preferences. But there's something about seeing the smile on Hyeongjun's face whenever he orders his usual that he can't bear to ruin.

It's a small deception, one that he's sure Hyeongjun is oblivious to. And as he watches the other boy work, his heart is a tangle of conflicted emotions - guilt, affection, and a strange sense of satisfaction.

As Hyeongjun sets the coffee down in front of him, Seungmin can't help but notice how the café worker's hand brushes against his own, the brief touch sending a shiver down his spine. He lifts the cup to his lips, taking a sip. The taste he's come to associate with Hyeongjun's smile, even though it doesn't quite suit his palate.

Seungmin sets his cup back down, glancing up at Hyeongjun. "What time does your shift end?"

Hyeongjun chuckles at the predictable question, his smile light and teasing. "The usual" he answers, a response that's as familiar as their nightly meetings in the café.

The routine has become a comforting habit for them both - each night, Seungmin drops by after work to ask the same question, and each time, Hyeongjun responds with the same answer. It's a strange but endearing aspect of their late night meetings.

The café worker knows that Seungmin rarely ever varies his questions. Whether it's out of genuine curiosity or just a sense of comfort in the familiar, Hyeongjun isn't really sure. But there's something oddly endearing about the other boy's predictability, and he can't help but feel a small flutter in his chest whenever he knows what question is coming next.

He glances at the clock on the wall, noting the time. "I still have about an hour left," he tells Seungmin, continuing with his work.

He can feel the artist's eyes on him, watching him with a calm but unwavering gaze. It's something he's gotten used to, the way Seungmin seems to observe his every movement as he cleans the café. It should probably make him feel self-conscious, but instead it feels more like a warm, comforting presence.

The quiet of the café is occasionally broken by the soft clinking of dishes and the hum of the coffee machine in the background. It's a soothing, almost peaceful atmosphere, one that Hyeongjun has come to associate with his late-night shifts

He feels a strange sense of anticipation, knowing that Seungmin will be sticking around until his shift ends. The hours always feel different, somehow longer and shorter at the same time, when the artist is there.

As the hour passes, Hyeongjun finishes his cleaning and starts tidying up the cafe. He glances up at the clock frequently, noting the decreasing time left until the end of his shift.

The café is nearly empty, save for a few late night stragglers, and Seungmin, who is still silently sipping his coffee in the corner. The artist's eyes haven't left Hyeongjun once, watching his every move with a sort of lazy interest.

He continues to work, trying to focus on the task at hand and ignore the way his heart has begun to beat a little faster. The knowledge that Seungmin is watching him, his eyes following his every movement, is both unsettling and alluring.

Every time Hyeongjun looks up, he finds Seungmin looking right back at him, his gaze steady and his expression neutral. It's unnerving but also strangely intriguing, like a game they subconsciously play each night - who will look away first? Hyeongjun is usually the one to break eye contact first, his cheeks heating up slightly under the intensity of Seungmin's stare. He busies himself with wiping down the counters again, trying to maintain a casual facade, even though his heart feels anything but casual right now.

He glances up at the clock again, and a sense of relief washes over him as he realizes that his shift is almost over.

His heart is hammering in his chest now, the countdown to the end of shift leaving a restless flutter in his stomach. He steals another glance at Seungmin, finding the other boy still watching him, his eyes almost amused as he lifts the coffee cup to his lips.

Finally, the alarm Hyeongjun had set on his phone rings, the sound piercing the quiet of the cafe and momentarily breaking the spell between them. He glances quickly at the time, confirming that his shift is indeed over.

He lets out a sigh of relief, switching off the alarm and shoving his phone into his pocket. He gives the café one last final look, ensuring everything is tidy and in order. Even though his shift is technically done, he knows Seungmin isn't going anywhere yet.

The artist is still sitting in his spot in the corner, sipping his coffee almost complacently, as if he planned to stay there for a while longer. Hyeongjun can feel the other boy's eyes on him, the weight of his gaze heavy and expectant.

He takes a deep breath, steeling himself for the familiar routine of their late-night meetings. With a last glance in Seungmin's direction, Hyeongjun walks around the counter and heads towards the artist's table, a small flutter of anticipation stirring in his stomach.

As he approaches, Seungmin looks up at him, a small smile playing on his lips. It's a sight Hyeongjun has come to recognize, a subtle hint of warmth often hidden behind the artist's cool exterior.

Hyeongjun hovers by the table, his heart fluttering a little with anticipation. He glances down at Seungmin, who's still leaning back in his seat, taking the last sip of his now lukewarm coffee.

"Walk?" Hyeongjun finally asks, breaking the quiet between them.