casually:
"By the way… your apron's inside out."
Changbin looked down. Swore under his breath.
Jeongin? Just sipped his Americano, smirking the whole way to his table.
"Why Are You Always Here?"
Jeongin started showing up more often.
Always alone. Always iced Americano.
Sometimes sketching in a small notebook. Sometimes just... staring.
At Changbin.
One day, Changbin snapped.
"Do you enjoy making me uncomfortable?"
Jeongin looked up, bored. "Yes."
"You think you're cute, huh?"
Jeongin tilted his head. "I know I'm cute. You're the one who keeps dropping plates every time I wink."
"I– that was once."
"Three times."
Han and Minho watched from the counter like it was reality TV.
"Just date already," Han muttered. "Their sexual tension is so thick it could be sliced and served."
It was late October. The café hosted a Halloween-themed Open Mic Night.
Jeongin showed up in a black robe and vampire fangs. Changbin was dressed as a cowboy. Naturally.
Jeongin had signed up to perform. No one expected it.
When he stepped onto the mic and began singing a stripped-down version of EXO's "Universe," everyone went quiet.
Even Changbin. Especially Changbin.
Because Jeongin's voice?
It wasn't loud.
But it hit like a confession.
After his performance, Jeongin returned to his seat without fanfare. Changbin was still stunned.
Later, when their shifts ended, and the café was dark except for the glow of the fairy lights, Changbin caught him outside.
"Hey."
Jeongin turned. "You good, Cowboy Bin?"
Changbin exhaled. "You sounded amazing. Like… really amazing."
Jeongin shrugged. "I sing sometimes."
"You should sing for me more."
That caught Jeongin off guard. "Why?"
Changbin stepped closer, nervous but determined.
"Because… I like your voice. And your fox eyes. And your scary little smirks. And how you always call me out. And how you've completely wrecked my sanity for the past two weeks."
Jeongin blinked. Then, a rare, soft smile spread across his lips.
"So… you like being wrecked by me?"
Changbin sputtered. "Why are you like this??"
Jeongin stepped closer, brushing Changbin's hand with his own.l
"Because you like it."
And with zero hesitation, Jeongin leaned in and pressed a soft, cool kiss to Changbin's cheek.
Changbin stood frozen. Jeongin turned to leave — and just before walking off, he glanced over his shoulder.
"Tomorrow. Same time. You better remember my order."
Changbin watched him disappear into the night, a stupid smile on his face.
"I will."
After That...
Jeongin became a regular at 143 Café — not for the coffee, but for Changbin.
Changbin started keeping a mini sketchbook of Jeongin doodles he'd never admit to owning. Jeongin? He occasionally hummed love songs behind Changbin just to watch him drop things.
And late at night, when the café closed and the stars were out, they'd sometimes sit together outside. Quiet. Hands brushing. Eyes locked.
Neither of them needing to say much.
Because when it came to them — silence spoke volumes.