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Wisps of white drew his attention away from the slight chill in the air he could faintly feel tickling his sinuses as he focused on putting one foot in front of the other on the slightly uneven pavement.
Mesmerized for a moment, Minghao watched his breath dissolve into the air before memories of the shiver reached him once again, leading him towards one of the many cafes lining the square.
Drawing his oversized coat closer, he almost dipped his head out of habit before realization hit him, not for the first time that day. To a passerby, it may have just looked like Minghao's cheeks were pinked healthily due to not being used to the cold but Minghao felt himself burning as he crept to a corner of the cafe furthest from the register and most other people with minimal noise.
Once at his destination, he slumped in his chair, tense muscles loosening as he felt himself relax in his solitude. Breathing in the warm aroma of coffee that wafted in the cafe with faint undertones of vanilla, Minghao was welcomed by a waiter wearing a gentle smile that he felt himself return.
“A cup of warm lemon tea,” he told him, and the waiter nodded, squinting a little bit as he scribbled onto the sturdy little pad he held in his hands. Minghao spotted faint stains of browns in the corners and hid a faint smile to himself at the thought of what must’ve possibly been the story behind that.
“I’ll have your order here in a bit,” the waiter informed him cheerfully, “would you like to have anything to eat with that?”
At the mention of food, Minghao was aware of the growing pit in his belly which only increased with the waiter’s curious eyes on him.
“No,” he forced out, his smile slightly strained now as he ignored the fact that he hadn’t eaten anything since he had woken up today. “That’ll be all.”
Minghao kept his eyes on the table as the waiter only nodded mutely before bowing and moving away, presumably to get started on his order or to another table. Staring at his fingers, Minghao blankly played with the light filtering through the window beside him as it glinted off of the multiple rings he wore on each of his fingers.
Almost all his fingers. One of his fingers was glaringly plain, unadorned by the metal that decorated its other companions, the one finger that held the most painful memories of all and the one Minghao refused to dwell on.
The clatter of cutlery startled him out of his thoughts as Minghao was jolted back to reality only to see a chocolate chip muffin being placed in front of him, a napkin and spoon included along with his tea. One questioning look up confirmed the same waiter who had taken his order arranging those very items in front of him.
“It’s on the house,” said the waiter, answering Minghao’s unvoiced question, shushing him as he looked up to protest.
“I’m told that our chocolate chip muffins are unmissable,”the waiter continued, not waiting for Minghao to speak. He looked at Minghao, eyes sparkling, and Minghao felt himself shrink under the other’s bright aura. “It’s an old recipe but an extra review won’t hurt.”
And with a wink, the waiter was gone, leaving Minghao speechless and staring at his reflection in the dark tea set in front of him, muffin set tantalisingly right beside it. Ignoring it, he grabbed his tea, revelling in the scant that had calmed him from his childhood day before taking sips big enough to warrant a scolding from his mother.
Though he was trying to be inconspicuous, Minghao could feel the weight of the waiter’s eyes on his neck. Steadfastly not breaking his focus in finishing his tea, Minghao gathered his things before slipping out of seat. For once, he wished he hadn’t chosen a spot so far away from the door despite being guaranteed privacy and before he could make his exit, he received a tap on his shoulder that had him whirling around, heartbeat increasing and eyes wide before he realized what was happening.
Face-to-face with his waiter, who was in fact quite tall, Minghao was met with a pout as the waiter alternated between switching his gaze between the muffin and Minghao.
“You made it sad,” the waiter told him and Minghao couldn’t help but let out a giggle at the employee’s facial expression that looked genuinely sad for the abandoned muffin.
“I get that you didn’t order it, but maybe give it a home?” The waiter asking, offering the muffin to him once again and Minghao couldn’t help but let out a snort.
“It’s a muffin,” He told him seriously and the other let out a scandalised gasp.
“Don’t listen to him baby, he didn’t mean it,” he whispered, cradling the muffin carefully, much to Minghao’s amusement.
“Okay, I’ll take her,” Minghao conceded, reaching for the muffin with a slight smile at the waiter’s dramatics.
“Yay, you’re adopted,” the waiter cheered as he handed the muffin over to Minghao, napkin and all. Minghao’s smile stayed on his face but internally he wondered if he should tell the waiter about the horrors of edible foodstuffs actually having to be, well, eaten.
“By the way, what’s your name,” the waiter asked, before blushing immediately at his words.
“You don’t have to tell me,” he amended, offering him a sheepish smile and gesturing to the muffin. “I’ll understand if you won’t want to come back after this.”
Something foreign rose in Minghao and he didn’t know what pushed him to say his next words, whether it be sadness, frustration, the genuine laughs the other man had elicited from him in a long time, or even a combination of the three.
“Minghao,” He introduced himself, bowing slightly. A mischievous grin climbed onto his face at the look of relief crossing the waiter’s features. “Your baby is going to a safe place,” and he was sufficiently rewarded with the surprised expression on the other’s face.
“I-I’m Junhui, hi,” Junhui stammered slightly, bowing slightly deeper than Minghao himself did, noticeable since he was the taller of the two.
“Nice to meet you Junhui.” Minghao smiled, feeling the edges of his face crinkle up as he held the muffin in one hand and buried another in his coat pocket.
The hand clenched as Junhui smiled back, more blinding than anything else in the white morning light of early morning.
“Enjoy your muffin, Minghao,” Junhui said, warmth in his voice, and Minghao nodded, hand tight around the muffin, feet moving towards the door.
Crisp wind seeping back into the crevices of his clothes as he stood with his back to the cafe, Minghao took a moment to inhale, chill air entering his lungs and clearing his head from the fog the warmth had generated within him.
Aware of the muffin still held by him, the fist in his coat unclenched as he brought it up to his lips, detecting a hint of vanilla before he bit into it.
It tasted like he expected it to, spongy with bits of chocolate to bite into. But as Minghao ate, his stomach taking over his head for a rare bit, it felt like so much more. It wasn’t only spongyu, it was soft, it wasn’t only sweet but it melted in his mouth.
Most importantly though, Minghao thought, as he continued his walk down the square, slipping the wrapper and used napkin into his pocket to throw away later, it was warm and Minghao closed his eyes as the sun shone its first rays down on the wintery earth he was on.
* * *
Riding his rented bicycle through the square, enjoying the stronger afternoon sunlight that had graced them that Thursday, Minghao was brought to a surprised halt as a voice called his name, carrying across the sparsely populated marketplace.
“Hi.” Junhui was slightly breathless when he jogged up to him, the cold clearly visible on his paler face, yet it didn't discourage the smile gracing his lips and wrinkling the corners of his eyes.
“Hey,” Minghao said tentatively, yet not hostile either. He waited patiently for Junhui to catch his breath before nodding at Junhui’s suggestion that they walk together, laughing slightly at the panic that followed hsi words in clarifying that only if Minghao wanted to.
Assuring him that indeed, he did not mind walking together, the two walked in companionable silence, following the roughly paved stone path down the river that divided the town in two.
Water lapping gently on stone served as a background for the two as Junhui asked if Minghao was from around here, to which Minghao replied with a steady no, not wanting to go into detail. Junhui didn’t push either and the two resumed with their activity of Junhui pointing out various spots and Minghao nodding along in equal parts wonder and intrigue.
Not turning onto the bridge on Junhui’s insistence found them seated a little beyond, under a lone willow tree in a space that jutted from the concrete surrounding them. Minghao shivered as a slight breeze blew through where they were sitting but found himself paying no heed to the sting as the leaves hanging around them moved in perfect synchronisation in accordance with the wind.
Fingers brushing against his shoulder, Minghao flinched back only to see Junhui holding his own coat, hands poised for placing it around Minghao in their previous position.
“Sorry,” Minghao said, slipping back into his seat, shrinking even further into his layers as he felt Junhui place the coat gently around his shoulders.
A soft “Don’t be” followed and Minghao kept his gaze down on his shows, unwilling to look up as he chastised himself for being so sensitive even after months of separation. The space on his left ring finger seemed glaringly empty now, taunting him and he shifted even further into the oversized coats he was wrapped in.
A gentle “It’s okay” from Junhui brought Minghao back from his thoughts to warm brown eyes watching him in concern.
Minghao shook himself slightly. “I’m fine,” He told Junhui, determinedly staring forward. “I’m fine,” he repeated, feeling the warmth within himself dissipate a little.
Maybe if he’d looked to the side, he would’ve seen Junhui frowning in confusion before turning as well, worry etched on his features as the man who wore his heart on his sleeve wondered, watching a far away boat sail further and further away till it became a mere dot in the distance.
* * *
Lunch found Minghao and Junhui in an old Korean style restaurant on the riverside as Jun declared they had the most authentic Korean tasting food in the whole of the town. When asked how he knew, Junhui just shrugged and said he’d spent two years in Korea, completing his studies as well as double majoring in music and dance.
Minghao was surprised, reminded of his own days as a breakdancer, before priorities took over and he was forced to leave. He told Junhui so, leaving out the part where even his teacher has been expressly forbidden to indulge in his pleas to dance as a child, merely shrugging and stating that he’d turned his focus to his studies instead.
Junhui accepted that and Minghao said nothing when Junhui told him, eyes sparkling, over lunch that he bet Minghao had been a good dancer and he’d pay to see him dance.
Minghao looked down and said nothing, failing to notice Junhui's frown upon observing his nervously wringing hands.
* * *
Inspecting his outfit in the mirror, Minghao frowned at how the belt fit over his stomach, arms covered in stripes adjusting it time and again as he repeated to himself that he looked good. Good enough for the sudden bout of warm weather that had come about and left Minghao wanting, good enough that he was desperately trying to convince himself to leave the house in his mirror.
The ring of the doorbell sent Minghao in a flurry of panic as he dived for his phone, checking the time frantically. When Junhui had asked when he was free next, Minghao had been torn in his desire to accept despite the niggling at the back of his head that refused to leave, even if he had.
In the end, he hesitantly said yes and took pleasure in Junhui’s reaction, his face lighting up in childlike joy and surprise, as if he hadn’t expected Minghao to accept his invitation to meet up once again.
This had led to Minghao nervously sweating in front of his mirror in the room he used to stay in whenever he used to visit his grandparents. Now long gone, they had left the house to be inherited by Minghao. Minghao smiled wanly to himself in the mirror. Even in death, they continued to protect and provide Minghao with a safe haven to shelter and protect him from the cold outside.
That had nothing to do with his current dilemma though. A visit from the delivery man, a half stuttered thank you in his undressed state, left Minghao to set the package on his bed and stare at it. A moment granted by liquid courage and a lapse in judgement had found Minghao on an online shopping site late one night.
The result of which he was reaping, Minghao thought drily, head spinning as he carefully unwrapped the bits of black and silver that clung to its packaging.
They were piercings, ones that Minghao used to enjoy wearing, paired in accordance to his outfit of the day, back when he’d been passionate, back when he’d been allowed to.
Minghao’s fingers trembled with their weight as his feet took him towards the mirror, fumbling slightly as he fixed them on his ears. Checking their fastening, he finally stepped back, satisfied. Rubbing concealer under his eyes, Minghao finally deemed himself ready to leave, grabbing his bag and keys on the way out before he set off to meet Junhui at their designated meeting spot at the square.
Minghao frowned slightly at the thought. Junhui had been so excited yet he’d refused to tell Minghao where exactly they were going, asking him to meetup first instead. Though knowing Junhui, it would be something harmless, Minghao couldn’t shake the feeling of unsettlement that rested on his shoulders from the moment he began his ten minute walk to the square.
To his pleasant surprise, Junhui was already waiting there, large bag in hand, hopping in place like he possessed more energy than his entire being could contain. Spotting Minghao in the distance, Junhui started jumping up and down, hands waving wildly before Minghao acknowledged him as well. Hiding a smile, Minghao’s eyes narrowed as he tried to make out what exactly Junhui was carrying.
The bag turned out not to be a bag at all. Instead it was merely a collection of items wrapped in a singular piece of cloth, wrapped in an indecipherable series of knots that Minghao couldn’t begin to count.
“You made it!” Junhui said excitedly.
“You’re early,” Minghao noticed, and Junhui cocked his head curiously.
“Shouldn’t I be though? I was the one who invited you,” Junhui asked, and Minghao looked down, trying to hide the blush rising on his cheeks.
“Yeah, well, I guess I’m not used to that,” he muttered, before looking up and around, ignoring Junhui’s gaze on him on purpose. “So where are we going?”
That seemed to bring Junhui out of his curiosity sure enough, much to Minghao's relief.
“You’ll see,” Junhui said, coyly taking Minghao’s hand and pulling him away from the square.
“Jun,” Minghao laughed, a cool breeze from the river engulfing them as Jun led him further along the promenade. He whined, “Tell me.”
Jun laughed. “All in good time, love,” He responded, a mischievous smirk on his face as he tugged them along with minimal resistance from Minghao. Minghao’s eyes widened slightly at the term of endearment but he found himself lost for words as Junhui let go of his hand. MInghao suddenly found himself staring up an eerily dark staircase, accessible to all from the side of one of the houses lining the riverside.
Minghao peered up suspiciously, unable to make out anything as the path spiraled upward, “How do I know I can trust you?”
“Good question,” Junhui said, reaching his hand out once more for Minghao to take. “Do you like sunsets?”
Minghao’s eyes widened and with another glance upwards, he hesitantly put his hand into Junhui’s.
Hands tightening around his own, Junhui looked up at him.
“You won’t regret it, I promise.”
And Minghao doubted he would as his fingers tightened over Junhui’s, half-hearted cries of “slow down!” and laughter echoing as Junhui led them up, taking the steps two at a time with Minghao close behind.
“Wow.” Minghao breathed, Junhui letting go of his hand as he rotated, taking in the view that surrounded them.
Standing on one of the slightly higher rooftops, houses stretched inward as far as the eye could see in the backdrop of quickly fading daylight. Bird chatter started and quieted as they flitted around, enjoying the last hours of daylight before they had to turn in for the night. Below Minghao’s feet, the roof slightly sloped downwards with the flatter boundary at the end which reassured Minghao in spite of the fact they weren’t very high.
“Wow,” Minghao said for the second time that day as he noticed the spread Junhui had already kept ready and arranged for their arrival. “You really prepared all this?!” He asked incredulously.
Junhui merely shrugged, throwing a grin in his direction when he noticed Minghao was staring at him in disbelief. “It’s nothing,” He shrugged, nonchalantly setting up the cutlery that had been in the bag he brought with Minghao.
“Junhui.”
“Minghao.”
Minghao stared him down and Junhui stared back before he finally sighed, ignoring the slight whoop his heart gave hearing the small cheer Junhui let out from beside him as he lowered himself carefully on to the slightly slanting rooftop.
Silently accepting the slice of cake Junhui offered him, Minghao watched in amazement as Junhui whipped out a thermos flask and two teacups from somewhere within the depths of his bag (cloth? bundle?) and expertly poured them out before handing a saucer to Minghao.
“You do this a lot, don’t you?” Minghao realized.
“Yeah,” Junhui admitted, not meeting Minghao’s gaze, “I do.”
Minghao looked away from Junhui, his eyes travelling over the horizon as the sky deepened to a rich gold and suddenly Minghao wished he had his camera with him.
“You look nice today,” Junhui blurted out suddenly, and Minghao turned to look at him. Junhui blushed and Minghao raised an eyebrow.
“Thank you?” Feeling flustered, Minghao kept his tone even as his brain scrambled to process what Junhui had just told him. Junhui had complimented him.
“I mean it,” Junhui said seriously. “Especially the,” Junhui gestured at his ears, blush deepening, “earrings.”
Minghao smiled, looking down at his tea. “Thank you,” He said sincerely, happiness only increasing as Junhui grinned and leaned back satisfied, his eyes on the horizon too now.
Deep indigo was beginning to creep in from the west as the gold faded to a pink before giving way to the inky sky Minghao knew so well from the times he had spent crying to the stars, hoping, begging for things to get better.
“Hey, are you all right?”
Concern laced in Junhui’s voice brought Minghao back from his memories, a stray tear tracing its wake down his face. Faintly Minghao registered a warm presence beside him, finger hovering above his cheek and Junhui impossibly close.
“May I?” Jun’s voice was but a whisper. Minghao nodded mutely, leaning into his touch as Junhui’s hand tenderly swiped across his cheek and Minghao let his head drop onto his shoulder.
“I’m sorry,” Junhui said, wrapping his arms around Minghao and Minghao’s heart wrenched at the sadness in his voice. Still wrapped in him, Junhui startled as Minghao shook his head vehemently.
“Not your fault,” He murmured, and he felt Junhui’s arms relax as they pulled him closer. “I’m the one who should be sorry for ruining our night like this.”
Junhui brought a hand to his face, cupping his cheek. “No Hao,” he told him, lifting his face so they could look eye-to-eye. “It’s not your fault,” He said firmly, dropping his hand and Minghao didn’t know what to feel as they sat there, sharing heat as the chill of night set in.
“Could we just… stay here for some time please,” Minghao asked softly.
“Of course,” Junhui replied gently, food forgotten.
“We can stay here for as long as you want.”
* * *
Pleased from the warmth emanating from beside him, Minghao opened his eyes to Junhui’s sleeping facade, which, in all honesty, should be downright terrifying to most people.
But Minghao found that he didn’t mind that the older tended to sleep with his eyes rolled back and instead, focused on the sunlight filtering through his dark brown bedhead before reaching Minghao in its diluted form.
Slipping out of bed, Minghao padded to the kitchen in his pajamas before deciding on a simple omelette and toast breakfast. Beverages, he decided, he would make later based on what Junhui preferred more.
Humming to himself, Minghao set about the kitchen, chopping, stirring and pouring into a frying pan before two arms snaked around his waist and Junhui’s head rested on his shoulder.
“It’ll burn if you keep it there any longer.”
Minghao immediately sprung into action from contemplating on whether to flip it or not and scowled when the omelette broke into two. Junhui’s airy laugh floated to his ears and he stared disappointedly at the ruined omelette before surrendering his spatula to Junhui.
“How about you prepare the toast, I’ll take it from here,” Junhui hummed, expertly scooping up the omelette and placing it on the plates Minghao had set down beside the stove.
Minghao sulked. “But I was doing well, you get the toast,” He protested, only to be met with lips on his.
“I know that but perhaps we can save the cooking lessons for another day?” Junhui’s suggestion was gentle when they parted and Minghao mulled over it a bit.
“But I wanted to make you breakfast,” he muttered, slightly disappointed, taking a step back. Junhui chewed on his lower lip, a thoughtful look on his face before lighting up.
“Come here,” He said suddenly, and Minghao fixed him with a suspicious gaze.
“Xiao Hao, trust me.” Junhui’s eyes twinkled and Minghao allowed himself to be pulled into his embrace, his back against Junhui’s chest as he found himself facing his stove.
Junhui’s hands guided his own to the bowl as they poured the omelette mixture into the pan and held the spatula together. Watching carefully, Minghao memorized the feeling of Jun’s hands on his, the curve of his fingers against his own and how they lightly flipped the omelette together, perfectly.
“We did it.” Minghao was incredulous.
“We did,” Junhui sounded proud, before letting go of Minghao’s hands. “Now how about you try lowering it onto the plate?” He suggested and Minghao nodded.
Gripping the spatula tight, Minghao concentrated on getting it fully underneath before lifting it up and placing it onto the remaining plate. The warmth around his middle left him as Junhui moved across the room to pop two pieces of bread into the toaster as Minghao carried their plates to the kitchen island in his apartment.
“Jun,” Minghao called. “What would you like to drink?”
Jun turned to face him before shrugging. “Surprise me,” He grinned, before closing the distance between them in two long strides and before Minghao knew it, they were kissing again.
What was initially chaste turned into a heavy makeout session, both men breathing hard when they finally parted, foreheads still joined.
“Toast’s done,” Junhui whispered. Minghao shook his head and closed his eyes, tightening his arms around Junhui’s neck while he felt Junhui do the same around his waist.
“Hao, your omelettes,” Junhui reminded, his voice again not more than a whisper. At Junhui’s attempt to gently detach from him, Minghao only tightened his hold around Junhui and buried his face into his neck.
“D-don’t go,” Minghao said, hating himself for stammering. Junhui shushed him, drawing him closer and rubbing comforting circles on his lower back.
“I’m here, I’m right here Hao,” Junhui comforted and Minghao closed his eyes, breathing in the scent of Junhui’s t-shirt that he’d slept in, focusing on the point of contact between his back and Junhui’s hand.
Calming down finally, Minghao took a deep breath and removed himself slightly from his spot on Junhui’s shoulder, slightly guilty at the look of genuine concern and reassurance that Junhui gave him.
“Thank you,” Minghao finally managed out, averting his eyes. “Last night, thank you for listening.”
Junhui’s eyes widened before drawing Minghao into a hug once more.
“Don’t mention it,” He murmured against his ear. “No one should have to go through that ever.”
“But that’s the thing,” Minghao continued, still downcast. “I did.”
Junhui pulled back and Minghao was startled by the determination in his eyes. “Well, I’m here now and I say fuck him,” Junhui spit out and Minghao was shocked at the ferocity of his words. “No one can hurt you as long as I’m here,” Junhui said firmly.
Sighing into his embrace, Minghao sighed deeply. Relief washed over him like no other, over the knowledge that Junhui wasn’t judging him, Junhui was leaving him despite all the mistakes he’s made in the past.
“Jun?” Minghao started quietly, and continued upon hearing a hum in response from Junhui. “I think I really like you.”
He felt the arms around him subtly tighten, not uncomfortably so, and Minghao welcomed the touch. He felt Junhui smile into his neck.
“I think I really like you too.”
And Minghao relaxed. If the omelettes and toast were a little cold afterwards, none of them mentioned it.
* * *
“I’ll be with you in a minute!”
Minghao smiled as he toyed with one of the straws in the holder on the counter while waiting for his boyfriend, “And here I thought you liked seeing me.”
Junhui’s head popped up as he looked up in surprise at Minghao’s teasing tone and he broke into a grin of his own.
“Well, maybe I just didn’t expect you here,” Junhui flirted back, watching as his visiting boyfriend straightened up in fake offense.
“Excuse you, I have been a regular customer here since day one,” Minghao humphed. “One hot lemon tea please.”
“Day one when we met?” Junhui questioned with a knowing glint in his eye and Minghao blushed.
“That was just a bonus to this amazing cafe I found.”
Junhui put the back of his hand on his forehead in fake hurt, “The betrayal, Hao.”
“Get used to it.” Minghao grinned, making his way to their usual table in the corner, fully knowing Junhui would follow him soon with his drink even if he currently stood at the register, shaking his head in exasperated fondness at the younger’s teasing.
Settling down with the book he’d brought, Minghao immersed himself in it as the time for Junhui’s shift to end came closer.
“You look good today.”
Minghao looked up to the other slipping into the booth opposite him, his own chocolate frappe in hand while Minghao’s tea waited in front of him. Suddenly feeling self-conscious, he looked down at the outfit he’d picked out that day.
“Really?” He asked, shyer now under Junhui’s keen gaze.
“Of course.”
Minghao looked down at the table, wishing blood didn’t rush to his face when Junhui took his hand in his own hand and added, “You always look really good, love.”
“You look really nice too,” Minghao complimented genuinely, not ignorant to how the older’s clothes did well in complimenting his body type. There was a surprised pause and Minghao feared he had said something wrong when he was startled by Junhui, who threw his head back, roaring with laughter.
“What? I mean it,” Minghao said defensively, bringing his hand back to his chest. He attempted to take a sip of his tea but hissed slightly as it was still too hot to consume safely, finally deeming glaring at Junhui an appropriate response instead.
“You’re so cute,” Junhui finally said, his chest still heaving with laughter. “You’re the cutest, love.”
Minghao scoffed, delicately picking up his teacup and taking a sip. “I am not,” He firmly refuted, only for Junhui to laugh once more. Huffing, Minghao turned away and huffed, which only led to Junhui trying to take his hand and conceding that no, he was in fact, not cute (although the laughing and Minghao’s slowly growing smile didn’t help his cause at all).
Laughing as they left Junhui’s cafe hand-in-hand, Junhui’s eyes widened as he looked at someone beyond Minghao’s shoulder. Minghao barely had a minute to turn before he felt a hand tap that same shoulder and he turned to look up at an otherwise intimidating man if not for the apologetic smile on his face.
At Minghao’s questioning gaze, the man lowered his eyes to fumble with his hands. Looking down, Minghao realized he was holding a bunch of photographs in his hands.
“Um, I was just- I’m a photographer and I was sitting there,” The man stuttered, gesturing vaguely in the direction he’d been seated in. “You two looked cute and I’m sorry for taking them without permission but I thought you’d like to have these…” He trailed off as he thrust his hand out, photographs carefully grasped face up in them.
As he focused on the photographs, Minghao ran a hand over the photos before gently taking them from the man. “Are you sure?” He questioned, his voice tender, not taking his eyes off the photographs. He felt Junhui shift beside him to get a closer look.
“I’m sure.” The man smiled at them both. “You should have them, you guys look good together.”
“Thank you,” Minghao whispered, barely taking notice as the man took his leave, watching as the couple poured over the pictures of them, drinking and laughing at the cafe.
One had caught Minghao mid-blush, just as Junhui had complimented him while the other photo caught Junhui mid-laugh while an offended Minghao pointedly glared at him over his teacup.
Both had been taken in a way where the expressions on Minghao’s face were seen just right and light across Junhui’s face made him glow like he was having the time of his life in the middle of the cafe, over a cup of chocolate and an amused boyfriend.
There were solo shots too, of Junhui working behind the counter, his features a picture of concentration, and Minghao absorbed in his book, eyes wide when he came across a particular plot twist he hadn’t been expecting.
All-in-all, they were pretty good pictures and the man felt proud, turning away as the smiles shared between the couple turned tender, feeling like he was interrupting something that might be a private moment to them.
Camera held between his fingers, Mingyu smiled to himself, in his own and the couple’s happiness, and wished that they would be happy and healthy forever.