Beneath the Surface

Part 17

The gentle patter of rain against the large glass windows of the bookstore filled the otherwise quiet shop. Longtai stood behind the counter, momentarily abandoning the task of sorting books to watch the rain. It wasn’t the kind of rain that darkened the skies or sent the world into a stormy gloom—it was that soft kind of rain, where the sun still shone faintly behind the clouds, casting a golden hue over everything. The raindrops sparkled in the light, like delicate jewels falling from the sky.

Longtai rested his arms on the counter and sighed, his mind wandering to Yok. It was impossible to keep his thoughts away from him. Especially now, in this weather. It reminded him too much of the last time they had walked together in the rain.

Flashbacks:

It had been pouring heavily that day. The streets were practically empty, as people rushed to find shelter from the sudden downpour. Longtai had been caught without an umbrella, hurrying along the street with his hood pulled up, but it did little to keep him dry.

“Longtai!” Yok’s voice called out through the rain, cutting through the rhythm of raindrops hitting the pavement.

Longtai turned, slightly startled, to see Yok running up to him. He was holding an umbrella, his hair already wet and sticking to his forehead. He looked slightly out of breath but managed to give Longtai that familiar, easy smile.

“You’re going to catch a cold like that,” Yok had said, moving the umbrella to cover both of them without asking.

Longtai’s heart had raced in that moment, the proximity sending a wave of warmth through him despite the cold rain. They walked in silence for a few minutes, their footsteps echoing softly against the wet pavement, and Longtai could feel the warmth of Yok’s shoulder brushing against his every now and then.

“You didn’t have to…” Longtai had mumbled, barely audible over the rain.

Yok shrugged, casting him a sidelong glance. “What kind of friend would I be if I let you walk home in this?”

_Friend, _The word had echoed painfully in Longtai’s mind. It had brought both comfort and a bitter ache at the same time.

He snapped out of his flashback, the memory still lingering in his chest. He missed that moment—those small, tender moments that felt so natural with Yok, even if they made his heart ache in ways he couldn’t explain.

Longtai sighed and stared out at the rain again, the steady rhythm calming his racing thoughts. Maybe Yok hadn’t noticed how much that kiss had meant to him. Maybe Yok didn’t even think about it at all. After all, they were friends… right?

The soft chime of the doorbell startled him. Longtai glanced up and froze when he saw the figure standing in the doorway.

Yok.

He was drenched again, his sleeveless shirt clinging to his skin, revealing his tattoos, the rain dripping from his hair onto his face. He looked like he had been running, his chest rising and falling quickly as he caught his breath. His expression wasn’t his usual carefree smile, though—it was something closer to frustration.

Longtai’s heart jumped into his throat, and a wave of concern washed over him. “Why are you drenched again? You’re going to get sick!”

Yok didn’t answer right away. Instead, he strode up to the counter, leaning against it, still panting slightly. His eyes locked onto Longtai’s, and the intensity of his gaze made Longtai’s stomach flip.

Longtai’s hands fidgeted nervously on the counter. He knew he couldn’t avoid Yok any longer, not when Yok was standing right there, staring at him like that.