"𝘐𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵? 𝘐 𝘨𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘴𝘰."
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷
The weekend arrived with a crisp breeze and the soft golden light of autumn filtering through the trees. Sunoo stood by the window of his apartment, watching as leaves swirled lazily down the street below. The world outside seemed to slow, but inside, his workspace was alive with energy—a chaotic symphony of scattered pencils, fabric swatches, and paper.
On the corner of his desk, Luni stretched out like royalty, her black fur glinting in the sunlight.
"You really don't do much, do you?" Sunoo muttered, running a hand over her head.
Luni responded with a slow blink, her tail flicking against the stack of papers threatening to topple over.
Sunoo smirked. "Guess I'll do all the work, as usual."
He turned back to his sketchbook, his fingers already moving to bring an idea to life. Each pencil stroke felt deliberate but light, as if the fabric and texture he imagined were guiding his hand. Slowly, the page transformed—a pair of low-waisted slacks with embroidery cascading down the sides, the lines elegant yet playful. He paused, imagining the flow of the fabric as someone walked.
A faint growl from his stomach broke his focus. Glancing at the clock, he realized hours had passed.
"Café break it is," he murmured, stretching his arms above his head. He carefully slipped his sketchbook into his bag, grabbed his coat, and headed out the door.
ᓚ₍ ^. .^₎
The café was one of Sunoo's favorites, tucked away on a quiet street. The moment he walked in, the smell of freshly brewed coffee and the low hum of jazz music wrapped around him like a warm blanket. Mismatched chairs and vintage tables filled the space, giving it a charmingly disorganized feel.
Sunoo ordered a latte and a slice of lemon tart, then claimed a corner booth near the window. As he settled in, the muted afternoon light cast soft shadows across his sketchbook. He flipped to the design from earlier, pulling out a pencil to refine the hemline. The world around him faded as he worked, the café bustling quietly in the background.
"Sketching in public? Bold move."
The low, familiar voice startled him out of his thoughts. Sunoo looked up to find Riki standing there, a faint smirk playing on his lips.
"Riki," Sunoo said, recovering quickly. He tilted his head, a small grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Do you always show up unannounced, or am I just that lucky?"
Riki slid into the seat across from him, setting down his coffee cup. "Maybe I just like keeping you on your toes."
Sunoo raised an eyebrow but didn't argue. "So, what brings you here? This doesn't exactly scream 'your scene.'"
Riki shrugged, his movements casual. "Needed coffee. You?"
"Fueling my creativity," Sunoo said, gesturing to the sketchbook open in front of him.
Riki's gaze dropped to the page, his dark eyes scanning the intricate details. "This one's new?"
"Yeah," Sunoo said, leaning back. "Started it this morning. Still figuring out some of the embroidery."
Riki nodded, his expression thoughtful. "It's good," he said after a moment, his tone sincere.
The unexpected compliment made Sunoo pause, a soft blush warming his cheeks. "Thanks," he muttered, glancing down to avoid Riki's steady gaze.
For a while, neither of them said much. Sunoo worked on his sketch while Riki leaned back, observing the café's quiet rhythm. Occasionally, Riki made a teasing comment, and Sunoo responded with a sharp retort, their words weaving easily into the soft background noise.
At one point, Sunoo broke off a piece of his tart and held it out to Riki.
"Here. Try it," he said, his voice casual.
Riki raised an eyebrow, the smirk returning. "You're offering me food now?"
"Don't overthink it," Sunoo shot back, the fork still extended. "Just try it before I change my mind."
Riki leaned forward, taking the bite with a small chuckle. "Not bad," he admitted, leaning back in his chair.
"Told you," Sunoo said, a flicker of triumph in his voice.
ᓚ₍ ^. .^₎
Time slipped away as easily as the sunlight faded outside. By the time they left the café, the air had grown colder, their breaths visible in the fading light. The street was quieter now, the occasional crunch of leaves underfoot filling the silence between them.
"You heading home?" Riki asked, his hands tucked into his jacket pockets.
"Yeah," Sunoo replied, pulling his coat tighter around him. "You?"
"I've got a few things to take care of," Riki said vaguely. He hesitated for a moment, then glanced at Sunoo. "Text me when you get back."
Sunoo blinked at the unexpected request. "Why?"
Riki shrugged, his tone nonchalant. "So I know you didn't trip over something on the way home."
Sunoo smirked, rolling his eyes. "Sure. Wouldn't want you losing sleep over me or anything."
Riki's lips twitched, his amusement barely contained. "See you, Sunoo."
"See you," Sunoo echoed, watching as Riki turned and disappeared down the street.
As he walked home, Sunoo's thoughts lingered on the café, the conversation, and the small moments of warmth tucked between their words. He smiled to himself, the day's chill no match for the subtle glow still warming his chest.