Among The Stars || Yungi

Chance

    Yunho found it difficult to keep his head on his shoulders as he was slowly nodding in and out of sleep. With about thirty more minutes until closing for his small cafe, he decided to clean up early in hopes that it would make his suffering come to a quicker end. 

   He wiped the auburn tables and stacked the cushioned iron chairs atop of them. He then mopped the brown tiled floor with haste, missing a few spots with no care. Yunho was proud of his establishment. It was a quaint building in the center of town, usually busy with sight-seeing tourists or hard working businessmen. It made him happy to have something under his control, and even happier to see customers satisfied with his mother's own recipes. His work made him enough money to do a little more than just survive; he was able to do the things he wanted to do and more. And that was all he needed. Yunho didn't have many close people; his widowed mother lived in the next town over and his few friends weren't as adventurous as the young ambitious boy. He had few friends who wanted to do the things that he did. He didn't mind, and of course he still hung out with them, but none of them were the perfect puzzle piece to Yunho's upbeat soul. That was until a certain star entered his lonely galaxy.

   When Yunho got home he went straight to the shower. He took a second to view his well built frame in the slowly fogging mirror of his small apartment bathroom. He looked at his tired details; small bags under his eyes, and drooping eyelids. His light brown hair was askew and pointed in seemingly infinite directions from the day's work. He undressed swiftly and stepped into the shower after testing the water with his rosy fingertips. Yunho would have gone straight to bed if it weren't for feeling disgustingly sweaty after his bike-ride home. Letting the hot water run down his lean, muscular body, he only thought of the one thing he wanted.

   Sleep

   Feeling slightly more awake, the tall boy stepped out of the shower and dried himself off. He went to his closet to grab some clothes when he heard his phone buzz from his bed. Yunho took his time to gather clothes before going to see who was bothering him at the time.

   The message was from one of his closer friends, Jongho. Yunho was taken aback at the message as it read:

Hey.. I just wanted to let you know that I care about you. I know this isn't usual from me, but I felt that I needed to say it. I've been thinking a lot about you, take that how you wish, but I appreciate all that you do. Goodnight Yunho.

   Light tears built up in his bright brown puppy eyes as he read the message. He wasn't used to this affectionate attention from friends, especially from Jongho being that he isn't great at expressing emotions, but Yunho appreciated it. He had always been the close and loving type so being surrounded by distant friends and one's who were uneasy with expressing feeling took a small toll on him. Yunho knew his few friends cared, but it's small acts of recognition that keep him going day-to-day. 

   That night, Yunho got into bed and it had felt like the first time in years since he had been there. He lied on his soft queen sized bed, wrapped in all of his blankets, finding it easy to fall asleep to the soft drizzling sound of rain that came from his bedside window.

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   It had been a slow couple of days at his shop because of a holiday and many places were closed due to citizens visiting their families. Yunho had been counting change when the ring of the cafe door's bell chimed and snapped him out of his rhythm. 

   "Hi welcome t-" Yunho began, but he was shortly cut off by a deeper voice.

   "Well this place is about as full as the others!" the ostensibly younger male chuckled to no specific person.

   A young melancholic woman laughed out of what seemed to be pity. She seemed drained and out of it as the fiery young boy stepped lively to the counter.

   "What will it be?" Yunho smiled to the young couple.

   "I'll have a small iced, Ristretto, 10 shot, with breve, 5 pump vanilla, 7 pump caramel, 4 Splenda,  poured, not shaken.. What do you want babe?" the deep voiced male asked.

   "Oh I won't have anything.." the younger woman said hesitantly. 

   The boy looked puzzled at his partner's decision, but went on with his payment.

   "What's the order name?" Yunho asked.

   "Mingi" The younger boy replied, and happily sat down at a table with his confidante. 

   After Yunho delivered the order to the couple, he went back to the counter and pretended to be busy. He was brought out of his daydreaming when he heard the woman say something.

   "I need to talk to you about something Mingi..." She started

   "I have been thinking about this for a while, and I think we should break up."

   Mingi was visibly shocked. He seemed so child-like and oblivious to Yunho, and he was able to see the younger boy's heart tear apart just from the look in his small precious eyes. 

   "I think it is for the best." The girl continued, "I just don't think it's going to work out. You know I care about you, but my heart isn't there romantically." 

   The girl stopped, and Mingi looked at her wistfully.

   "Okay." Mingi finally spoke. His tone was understanding and calm and the girl was shaking.

   "So... this is it?" said the younger boy, looking to the girl for any ounce of reconsideration.

   "I think so Mingi, I'm sorry." The girl got up and left Mingi to sit alone with his unfinished drink.

   Yunho didn't want to admit to eavesdropping on their conversation, but seeing Mingi's torn expression caused him to go and talk to him. 

   "Not to interrupt.." Yunho began, "but do you need anything?"

   Mingi looked to Yunho with appreciation, but silently shook his head.

   "I think it will be a rough night for me tonight" Mingi said as a small tear caressed his soft cheek.

   Yunho thought for a second. Originally, he hadn't planned on asking the younger stranger to go back to his apartment with him, but Mingi didn't seem to be a threat, and Yunho had nothing to lose.

   "Well..." Yunho started, "would you like to come to my apartment tonight and chill? I know it's very strange having someone you don't know invite you over, but we can talk about how you feel if you'd like." Yunho gave Mingi his best smile.

   "I guess.." Mingi stated carefully, "I have nothing better to do, but only if you are okay with it."

   "Of course." Yunho said as he began to write his address and phone number down on a napkin.

   "I guess I'll see you then." Mingi said as he was getting up to leave.

   Yunho walked back to his station as Mingi was leaving, thinking about what he had just gotten himself in to. He was almost excited to see him later, and pondered how the night would go when the younger's voice cut him off.

   "Oh yeah I'm sorry, what was your name?" Mingi inquired.

"My name is Yunho."

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A/n

Wo o o my hand hurts

I was planning on adding more to this but i'll save it for the next chapter ;)