The bell above the shop door jingled faintly as the first rays of dawn slipped through the windows. Min stretched his arms, yawning as he shuffled around the counter. He hadn't realized how late the night had dragged on until the warm gold of morning painted the shelves.
Kei was already awake, of course. He sat at the counter, a steaming cup of tea in hand, looking as though the sleepless night hadn't touched him. His silver eyes reflected the sunlight in a way that made them almost glow.
"You didn't sleep," Min said, rubbing at his own drowsy eyes.
Kei smirked faintly. "Neither did you."
"That's different," Min muttered, reaching for a broom. "I was thinking. You were sulking."
The corner of Kei's lips twitched upward at Min's bluntness. "sulking, hm? You make it sound so dramatic."
Min leaned on the broom handle, eyeing him with mild exasperation. "If the shoe fits."
Kei chuckled quietly, and for a brief moment, the heavy atmosphere of last night seemed to dissolve. The sound was soft, rare, and it made Min's chest feel strangely light.
"Stop smiling like that," Min grumbled, turning away to sweep. "It's distracting."
Kei tilted his head. "Distracting, how?"
Min's ears warmed, but he refused to answer, focusing instead on the dust gathering along the floor. Kei didn't press, but Min could feel his gaze following him, steady and unreadable.
The silence stretched, comfortable this time. Birds chirped faintly outside, and the hum of the morning market drifted in from the streets.
Finally, Kei broke it. "Min."
"Hm?"
"About yesterday…" Kei's voice softened, losing its usual composure. "Thank you."
Min blinked, pausing mid-sweep. "For what?"
"For not forcing me," Kei said, setting his cup down. "And for staying anyway."
The sincerity in his tone caught Min off guard. He looked at Kei, and the words he wanted to say tangled in his throat. Instead, he managed a simple, "Always."
Kei's eyes lingered on him, unreadable yet warm. Then he rose from his seat, brushing past Min with a quiet, "Come on. We have work to do."
Min watched him move toward the shelves, and though the shadows of last night weren't entirely gone, the morning light felt stronger—like a promise that not everything had to be heavy.
To be continued...