You hadn't meant for it to turn into a thing, but somehow, it did.
Malcolm had texted you on a Saturday morning:
"Caffeine run. Come keep me from buying another muffin I don't need."
So now you were sitting across from him in the corner of a coffee shop, sunlight spilling through the big front windows, the smell of espresso everywhere. He looked unfairly good in the morning light—hoodie half-zipped, messy hair that said he hadn't even tried, guitar pick hanging from a chain around his neck.
"Okay," you said, stirring your drink with unnecessary aggression. "Why'd you drag me here when you could've just... not bought the muffin?"
"Accountability partner," he replied smoothly, already unwrapping a blueberry muffin.
You laughed. "You're hopeless."
"Hopelessly charming." He smirked, breaking off a piece of muffin and flicking a crumb at you.
You were about to fire back when a girl from the next table leaned over, eyes wide. "Sorry—are you guys, like, together? You're so cute."
The words hit like a cymbal crash. Your brain scrambled for an answer, but Malcolm beat you to it.
"Yeah," he said casually, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. He took a sip of his coffee, completely unbothered.
Your heart stopped. Yeah?
The girl beamed, whispered something to her friend, and turned back to her latte.
You stared at him. "Excuse me?"
"What?" he asked innocently, licking sugar off his thumb.
"You didn't correct her!"
He shrugged. "Why would I?"
"Because—because—" you sputtered. "People are gonna think things."
He leaned forward, eyes glinting with mischief. "And is that so bad?"
You opened your mouth, but no words came out. The silence stretched, charged and dangerous, until you finally grabbed your straw and jabbed it toward him. "You're impossible."
He grinned, leaning back. "And you're blushing."
You were. Badly. And the worst part? He definitely noticed.
As you sat there trying to calm your heartbeat, Malcolm pulled his notebook out of his hoodie pocket, scribbling something down between sips of coffee. You caught a glimpse of the line before he angled the page away:
Even in sunlight, you undo me.
YOU ARE READING
Between Strings and Silence
FanfictionYou and Malcolm keep orbiting each other, playing with tension, flirting, and slowly deepening your bond through music and late-night moments. The big confession and kiss don't come until later, making every small touch or lyric feel electric.
