✔ Caffeine || CHOI SOOBIN FF

ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝟟𝟛

~im having a writers blockkkkkk as alwayssss~

-Start of Chapter 73-

The café is quiet, wrapped in the kind of stillness that only comes late at night. I kneel on the floor behind the counter, the soft rustle of my movements filling the empty space as I clean up the shards of a broken plate.

I don't mind staying behind; the late hours feel comforting, a gentle hum of routine. It keeps my mind off things. With a sigh, I gather the last piece of glass, setting it carefully on the counter above me.

The soft chime of the bell over the door startles me.

Without looking up, I call, "Excuse me, the café's closed—"

The words catch in my throat as I glance to the side and see a pair of sneakers just inches from me. My heart jumps. Slowly, my gaze travels upward, meeting a familiar figure towering above me.

"Soobin?"

His name leaves my lips in a whisper. He stands there, his hands buried in the pockets of his hoodie, his face unreadable but his eyes brimming with something that makes my stomach twist.

"Can I talk to you?" he asks, his voice low and tentative.

I feel my cheeks flush. Hastily, I push myself up, brushing off my apron. "Uh, sure, I—"

But before I can fully stand, my foot slips.

A yelp escapes me as I lose my balance. In a flash, Soobin moves forward, his arms catching me before I can hit the ground. My hands instinctively shoot out, gripping the edge of the counter for support. Pain shoots through my fingers.

"Y/N!" Soobin's voice is sharp, laced with concern.

I wince, glancing down to see blood welling from a small cut on my palm. A shard of glass must have nicked my skin when I reached for the counter.

"I'm fine," I mumble, trying to pull back, but his hold is firm.

"You're not fine," he says, his brows furrowing in frustration as he guides me to sit on a nearby stool. His hands are gentle but insistent as he grabs a clean napkin from the counter and presses it to my hand.

I can't bring myself to meet his eyes. "What are you doing here, Soobin?" I ask, my voice quieter now.

He doesn't answer immediately. Instead, he focuses on wrapping the napkin around my hand. The silence stretches between us, heavy with unspoken words.

Finally, he says, "I had to see you."

My breath hitches, my eyes snapping up to meet his. The softness in his voice, the vulnerability—it makes my chest tighten.

"You shouldn't be here," I say, my tone wavering. "It's late, and—"

"I know," Soobin interrupts, his gaze locking onto mine. "But I couldn't wait anymore."

My heart pounds as his words hang in the air.

"I... I've missed you, Y/N." he admits, his voice barely above a whisper.

I open my mouth to respond, but the words won't come. 

"Let me help you clean this up," Soobin says, his voice steady, though his hands linger on mine for a moment longer than necessary.