Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It's a Monday.

Nothing unusual really happens on Mondays. The unordinary and interesting mostly grace the weekends when people have more time to linger around the cafe. 

The cafe is a cozy dreamy place, home to dog-eared books and dried flowers, blanketed by oranges, greens, and browns — old telephone models, vintage trinkets, polaroids. It's nothing short of beautiful. Naturally, the place invites people. It often becomes the meet-up place for friends and couples, and most of the time, they would stay for hours. 

Well, some only stay to gawk at seven gorgeous gorgeous guys operating the place.

The cafe does serve good food and drinks. Heesung, the owner's son, made sure that the baristas took a crash course in coffee-making as well as training in food service and management in general. So, even though the majority of the customers are there to unashamedly flirt with the staff, it doesn't mean that that's the sole reason the cafe is thriving. Evidenced by a lot of take-out orders too, they can say that the quality of food and service brings in regulars, especially the elderly and children. 

Okay, but undeniably… the visuals of the cafe crew are just so otherworldly it sure is a major factor in why people keep coming. 

The boys know that. 

At first, it was bothersome. Jungwon would often be called to serve and wait for the same group of people even though Ni-ki, who is also the cafe's waiter, is obviously less busy than him. And, vice versa. (Whoever the customers are drawn to, honestly.) Ni-ki once had to wait for ten minutes for a pair of girls who apparently can't decide what to order. Although it was so obvious they're just stalling in an attempt to prolong a conversation with him. 

Sometimes, they cannot help but let some attitude slip out of their demeanor, especially when their shifts are after a long day at university. With patience thinned, Jungwon, eyes sharp and cold, would not bother smiling, and Ni-ki, with his deep deep voice, would not even bother for niceties and greetings. Of course, these only happen when Heesung's not on the shift with them or else they would be scolded to no end about how it's improper to behave that way to customers. The two youngest would just huff and apologize, knowing Heesung's right. Still, there's no remorse or guilt evident from them too as they also know that the customers willingly ignore their unfriendly behavior because, well… what's a snide remark if it's from cute guys?

Foolish. But they are the customers. They pay for their service and accommodation. They sustain the cafe. Eventually, the boys have learned how to use this truth to their advantage. If fan service will keep the cafe running, so be it. A compromise this little won't hurt.

Or so they thought.

Because it's Monday. And nothing extra usually happens on Mondays. On this day of the week, student customers are rare. It's usually parents and professionals who drop by. The day would usually end pleasantly with it being the least busy out of all the days of the week — which means they're not bombarded with orders. 

The only thing special about Mondays is that all seven of them are on shift together. Jake mans the cashier. Just the role perfect for the golden boy like him. With his perpetual smile, cheerful voice, and friendly eyes, Jake is obviously the best person to interact with people. That, and because the others are not as patient as him when handling awestruck and dumbfounded customers. Sometimes customers forget they have change or leave huge sums of tips, and they have Jake to thank for that. When he's not around, Heesung or Sunoo, as the next most amicable members, would occupy his station.  Sunghoon handles the drinks. He brews the coffee, concocts the juices, and whatnot. Sunoo often helps him out, too. Jay and Sunoo are placed in the far back, making the orders. Jay mostly does the cooking, with him being a culinary student, it's a no-brainer that he's best suited for that. Sunoo helps him anyway, assisting him with the ingredients and presentation of the food. Just like Heesung, Sunoo can pretty much do anything. He does not stay in one place. He would cook with Jay and Heesung, mix drinks with Sunghoon, clean and serve with Jungwon and Ni-ki, and back up Jake.

Just like today. That's what's different today. Sunoo is manning the cashier.

"You should have just stayed at home and rest, Jake-hyung. There's six of us here, we can manage." Sunoo said softly, stirring a cup of Chamomile tea he made for Jake to soothe the older's hoarse throat.

Jake is leaning against the counter, watching Sunoo struggle to open the jar of honey he intends to put in the tea. He gently reached for the jar from the younger, and Sunoo obliged. 

"Aw, don't you want me here?" Jake visibly pouts while holding out the jar for him. Sunoo just chuckles, fully aware Jake's only teasing him.

"You know that's not what I meant, hyung. I just want you to take proper rest." He then hands the tea to the beaming boy in front of her. 

"My baby's concerned for me!" And though his voice cracked, the glee seeps in his smile and cheeks. Sunoo could only look at him with fondness, too enamored by his hyung to continue chiding him.

"He's concerned for the cafe. You might scare the customers away if you showed up sick to work." Sunghoon butts in. He was listening all this time to the two, what with them hanging out in his designated space.  And secretly, the endearment Jake repeatedly calls Sunoo is starting to annoy him; he wants to burst his bubble out of spite.

"Hey, sore throat's not contagious!"

"It is, you dummy."

"Sunoo baby, is sore throat contagious?"

"It is, hyung."

Jake gasped, quite dramatically. Eyes wide and mouth gaping, his head dramatically turned to Sunoo, worry displayed on his easy face.

"Nooo," he drawled a whine. "What if you get infected? I don't want you to get sick!" Just the thought of it seriously bothers him. Sunoo getting sick is bad. Sunoo getting sick because of him is worse. Although if it comes down to it, there's no doubt he will take care of him. 

Sunoo shook his head. "Don't worry about me, hyung. Worry about yourself now."

"Yeah, just go home." Sunghoon chimed in again, earning a glare from Jake.

"You can wear a mask, hyung. If you're really keen on staying." Sunoo smiled. And the older looks at him with his signature glossy puppy eyes, before putting his right hand on his forehead, mimicking a salute. 

“Just help out on Heesung-hyung and Sunghoonie-hyung. I’ll take the cashier for now.” He added, slowly walking towards the front. It's better not to stress his hyung's voice so he volunteered to do the talking today. 

“Thanks, Sunoo-baby. I’ll treat you to Teokbokki tomorrow!”

“Sure, hyung.”

There’s no use turning down Jake. Or any of his hyungs, for that matter. Actually, even the younger ones. It is as if they’re so set on spoiling him whenever they have the chance to. One time, Jake bugged him into accepting the perfume he bought for him as thanks for babysitting his dog, Layla. Sunoo thought it was too much, especially when he only looked after the dog for a day. Not that taking care of Layla was a chore. He actually found himself enjoying the company of the cream border collie, feeling like he was the one who needed to pay for being able to be with Layla. Nonetheless, his hyung won’t take no for an answer. In the end, he gave in. 

It was unfair. The perfume was his favorite and his hyung knows it. The babysitting gig isn’t even enough reason to buy him that considering the cost was actually hefty – almost like Sunoo’s entire month’s allowance. He’s actually glad that he toned it down to treating him Teokbokki and mint chocolate ice cream not long after that. Because when the others found out about Jake buying him perfume, the rest of the boys also bought him ridiculous gifts. What surprised Sunoo even more was the participation of Jay and Sunghoon, who are usually quiet and reserved. These two do not meddle nor contribute to the already chaotic dynamic of their workplace. If anything, they neutralize the hyperactiveness of Jake with their impeccable composure. Their quiet balances the bickering of Jungwon and Ni-ki. Their elegance and skill override the clumsiness and wackiness of Heesung.

Sunoo likes it-- the way the seven of them are shaped differently yet somehow fitting together. 

So paint Sunoo surprise when the two took part in what seemed like buying-Sunoo-the-best-gift competition. Ni-ki was the one who set the embers when he bought Sunoo a bag the next day. Jungwon fueled it by buying him a set of scented candles. The others followed suit and it baffled him so much. What are they on to?

It was about to continue for another week when Sunoo threatened to ignore them if they didn’t stop. It was an empty threat. Sunoo never has a bite in his word. And yet, it worked. Well, it didn’t stop entirely. They would still “lowkey” buy Sunoo things they thought he wouldn’t notice, disguising their intentions as afterthought rather than purposeful purchases. Like how Jay told him he accidentally bought an extra bracelet of the same kind so he gave it to Sunoo. The latter accepted the gift without much resistance, fully sold by the excuse his hyung made up. (Much to the dismay of the other five, obviously unhappy with how Jay successfully convinced Sunoo to wearing a couple bracelet disguised as a giveaway.)

The cafe doors opened, welcoming a trio of guys who looked like university students. Everyone went to their position, almost on cue. There were plenty of vacant seats inside with some occupied only by a woman with a toddler and two men too engaged in a conversation.

The three guys went straight to the counter, and Sunoo was more than ready to attend to them. Flashing his pretty smile, he spoke to the guy with the long hair, the one who's already looking at him. 

"Good afternoon! Welcome to Manifesto Café. May I know your order?"

The two other guys were talking to each other, while the other one was still staring at him. The guy's doe-eyes look like beautiful black orbs. Sunoo finds it pleasant to look at.

"Your number."

Sunoo's smile froze. His previously crescent eyes gradually grew wider, stunned by the boy's answer. If a large question mark could hover at the top of his head right now, it would. Suddenly, there's tension hanging in the air. Like the world paused. And maybe it did. If the world consists only of six guys, that is. Because dramatically, six guys stopped midway through whatever they were doing. 

"Sorry?" Sunoo probably misheard. Or maybe he missed some words? But the cafe was relatively quiet. The guy did not answer him, still staring with what seemed to be wonder and amusement. 

Oblivious to Sunoo and the three new customers, the exchange was loud enough to be heard by everyone in the room. (No, not everyone, only loud enough to be heard by six observing and listening pairs of ears.) Though the six continued what they were doing, their minds are elsewhere. Nothing else matters at that moment, nothing more interesting and important than the conversation Sunoo was having with the three strangers.

A chuckle filled the stilled and silenced atmosphere. It came from the tallest one of the three.

"I'm sorry about this guy. He's not normally like this."

"Ah… “ Sunoo nervously laughed, not quite grasping the situation. Thankfully, the tallest guy proceeded with ordering. Sunoo attentively listens as he taps and presses buttons in the cash register, completely unaware of the still fixated eyes on him.

“One iced americano, one white mocha, and one caramel macchiato for Soobin, Yeonjun, and Beomgyu coming right up!” He said after he was done. He smiled and faced the three, handing them the receipt.

As if entranced, Beomgyu, from what Sunoo gathered when Soobin was telling him their orders, finally spoke up from being dazed.

“Wow, you’re so pretty.” Beomgyu looked at the name tag he was wearing and continued, “You’re so pretty, Sunoo!”

Being called pretty is something Sunoo is already accustomed to. Not that he dwells on being called beautiful. It was nice, but it was not something he constantly thinks about. However, it is the first time he encountered someone who is so straightforward about it. Most people would wait for the right time, an opportune moment, to gush over his looks. But this person… this person right here… blatantly expressed his admiration without much regard for their situation…

His hyungs were more used to the attention. Months working in the cafe, he was only mostly situated in the far back, not engaging with people. Inevitably, some customers still notice him. Just like the rest, he responds as politely as he can. If ever he mans the cashier, it's always in the mornings when people are scarcely present. 

Jungwon huffed loudly. As the one nearest to them, he can’t help but be incredibly uneasy. Sunoo does not look like he needed saving but if the customers were to try anything, he’d be dragging him behind his back in a heartbeat. For now, with teeth gnashing, he watched intently, trying to quell his annoyance. 

Sunoo was overwhelmed, to say the least. How can this person enthusiastically compliment someone – a stranger he met just a few minutes ago? What happened to hello?

Confused, and now shy from the excessive attention, he muttered a small “thank you.”

“Please excuse us. He’s just really overly friendly.” Yeonjun smiled sheepishly. 

“No worries! Please wait for your orders to be served. You may sit anywhere you like.” 

“Can I sit in front of your counter then?” 

Sunoo felt two figures looming behind his back. He did not look at them, though. Stunned into silence again by the guy named Beomgyu. Sunoo tilts his head in disbelief and then chuckles, feeling entertained by the bizarre character. He was reminded again that this often happens in their cafe. Luckily enough, he was not usually on the receiving end. How do Jake, Jungwon, and Ni-ki bear with this every day? That, he does not know. But it doesn’t matter, does it? Whoever is on the receiving end doesn’t matter. When they all started working in the cafe, they knew that any of them might be subjected to the unsolicited amount of attention. If his friends can tolerate it, he certainly can do it, too. That's the compromise they all agreed to take. 

“Even your laugh is pretty.”

“Yeonjun, please make him shut up.” Soobin looks like he just wants to already storm out of the cafe. Yeonjun just shrugged, unfazed by his friend’s antics. 

Sunghoon crossed his arms, not even trying to hide his furrowed brows. Gone was the sunny demeanor of Jake, his usually kind face now contorted into a subtle scowl. The two stood beside Sunoo like his bodyguards, daunting and gauging.

If this was a different occasion, they would have gotten an earful from Heesung already. But Heesung stood quietly from the storage's door, just as intimidating as the rest. So opposite of what they should be doing. 

Sunoo finds Beomgyu harmless. What a goofy character, he thought. 

“Unfortunately, Beomgyu-ssi, we cannot let you sit there. The other customers need to order, too.” Sunoo smiled, casual and nonchalant. Too nonchalant for his own good. Because if you were to ask Heesung, no one should be able to approach their Sunoo like that.

“Oh. Alright.” Beomgyu didn’t care that he was refused. All he cared about was that Sunoo uttered his name. “I didn’t know my name sounded that good if it didn’t come from your mouth.”

“That’s it. That’s it. I’m too embarrassed now. Can we have the orders to-go?” Soobin whined. 

“No problem. Wa–” 

“Here.” 

Jay swooped in so suddenly with a tray of the complete orders. While everyone else was caught up in their strange customer's silliness, he took it upon himself to do what was supposed to be Jake and Sunghoon's work. Not that he can blame them for forgetting everything else. Jay took one for the team — got rid of the common enemy by giving them what they needed to go. 

Sunoo looked at Jay, surprise apparent on his face. 

That's our Jay-hyung, ever so reliable. He thought. 

Soobin grabbed the orders while Yeonjun dragged Beomgyu. Unlike their friend, the two have a basic understanding of social cues. They were fully aware of the unamused glares directed at them, the tight-lipped mouths ready to fire threats if they ever made a mistake of uttering one wrong word to Sunoo. While Beomgyu's vision narrowed and stayed at Sunoo, they were able to look at the larger picture of the scene. And they knew instantly the pretty boy's off limits. It's like he is an artwork with a large sign hanging above his head saying "hands-off." 

"Bye, Sunoo-yah! See you around!" Beomgyu animatedly waved. Sunoo returned the gesture, completely innocent of the haywire thoughts of his company.

"What a weird guy, no?" He quipped, remembering what happened just moments ago. No one responded. Only then did he notice the unreadable expressions his friends were wearing. 

Oh, only if he knew. It's like there are emergency alarms blaring simultaneously inside their heads. And Sunoo, sweet sweet naive Sunoo, has no idea.

"Sun, can I ask for help with the inventory? I just need to have someone recheck it for good measures. I'll take over the cashier in the meantime." It was Heesung who broke the silence. The six of them secretly exchanged glances.

And isn't it funny? How the six of them, extremely different as they are, managed to share one single thought right now?

"Sure, hyung!"

And when the person occupying their heads was now out of earshot, everyone, as if on instinct, walked over to Heesung.

"We'll have an emergency meeting." He said urgently. 

No one questioned what it was going to be about.

Chapter Text

“Are you sure we’re not overreacting right now?” Jay asked, trying to be the voice of reason for their group. Normally, he does not have to. His friends, even though they could be rash sometimes, are not tactless and immature. However… it’s not the case right now. It’s not the case whenever it concerns Sunoo. Even Jay feels rationality leaving his body if it weren’t for the last grips of his sanity. 

“Hyung, I heard the guy saying he’s planning to go back here to ask for Sunoo-hyung’s number.” Niki excused as if that was a valid enough reason to be alarmed.

“This isn’t the first time Sunoo got hit on.. " Jay still tries. And maybe he isn't convincing them. He's trying to convince himself he shouldn't be feeling threatened.

"Well, yes. But they never did more than staring or greeting." Jungwon furrowed his eyebrows.

"That's because they would be immediately repulsed by Sunghoon's cold unsmiling face. And your death glares too!" He pointed at Jungwon and Niki. He's not trying to spite them for it. Jay knew he would be no better if he's not busy in the kitchen. 

"The guy earlier was so dense, Jay." This time, it was Sunghoon who exasperatedly butt in. "He can't read the room for the life of him. Scowling and glaring doesn't seem to work on him."

Jake and Heesung visibly nodded their heads, agreeing to what Sunghoon said.

"Right. How can someone not notice they're being lined up for death row? Even his friends eventually caught on." Jake rolled his eyes.

“Again, this isn’t the first time Sunoo got hit on… and it’s kind of inevitable, don’t you think?” Jay sighed, his voice traced with tiny resignation. And who could blame him? Who? What with the walking living perfection that is Kim Sunoo in their presence, Jay, with all the logic left in him, understands that admiring Kim Sunoo is as natural as breathing.

"Yeah, good thing you mentioned Jay, because yesterday, that Hanni girl was here again and he gave him mint choco cookies!" Jake helpfully (not) supplied.

"Damn."

Groans and hisses were heard in unison. Honestly, they looked foolish standing in a circle, failing to be inconspicuous. 

"I know that guy. He's from our uni. The same building as me.” Heesung suddenly stated, as if it just dawned on him. 

"Yeah? And your building's next to the Medicine department building, right?" Jungwon inquired, eyebrows raised, his tone heavy with implication. Jake knows what he's trying to tell them. There are only two people who have their classes in the Med building— him and Sunoo. Jake is taking up veterinary science while the younger is in medical technology. 

"Look, the campus is big. What are the odds he'll bump into Sunoo?" Jay countered. He's right, of course. There is only a miniscule possibility of Sunoo meeting the guy. Their university is quite known and it accommodates thousands of students. Even them cannot see each other often.

This thought somehow pacified their agitation. Well, except for one. 

"The chances are low but never zero, hyung." Niki spoke in pout, evidently unsatisfied.

"Should we take turns accompanying him to lunch?" Sunghoon suggested. He's talking to them but he has this faraway look in his face. 

"Fetching him from classes, too!" Jungwon beamed at the thought.

"Guys, hold on—" Heesung was about to say something when the door of the storage room opened, revealing Sunoo, awfully clueless of the conversation the others just had.

"Heesung hyung, the inventory's all good." 

Sunoo has this bounce in his step whenever he feels accomplished. One can tell he's in a high-spirited mood when he walks as if his feet have springs under them and the strands of his hair dance momentarily as he moves. It is fascinating, like watching the sun peek behind chunky fluffy clouds. Warm. 

Everyone brightened up. It was as if they were discussing top confidential information in a dark room and someone abruptly turned on the lights. They realized they were not really subtle when Sunoo halted, confusion apparent on his cute face. 

"Is there something wrong?"

The crease slowly settling in the boy's face as his lips pursed in worry was enough to instill panic. They immediately recognized how weird it must have looked like to Sunoo seeing them in their positions.

"It's nothing, hyungie." Jungwon is the one to quickly reassure the brunette. Niki gave him a thumbs up and the others smiled as they returned to their designated places.

☕

It has been exactly a week after the incident with Beomgyu and as expected, the boys did not let up one bit. If anything, they became more intense. The encounter really struck feelings they've been trying really hard to quell. It was already difficult enough to tame their affections and to discount it as friendliness around Sunoo. That is why to witness someone unabashedly declare their liking for him stirred ugly urges and emotions inside them. Top of mind is probably fear . 

They say fear shows you what you are afraid to lose. They say that you would know what is truly important to you when you lose your mind over the thought of its absence in your life. The way their fight or flight response was triggered tells him how his mind perceived the situation as stressful and frightening. They felt the need to be guarded, as if, if they blinked for a split second, Sunoo would disappear in front of them.

The boys, in spite of the banters and teasing, only trust each other when it comes to him. Sure, they see each other as competition but they acknowledge that all of them would treat him with the sincerest intentions.  They know that no one would ever be deserving of Kim Sunoo, not even them . Maybe that's why they all agreed to settle as being his friends. A truce. Being his friend is already a luxury after all. 

Unintentionally, they were the ones who built the prison for their feelings. Because losing Sunoo is a bargain of confessing they aren't willing to entertain.

Today is Monday again. 

So far, so good. 

So far, Niki hasn't lingered by the entrance door yet just to scan potential admirers. Although the urge to flip the "Open" sign whenever suspicious people arrive was almost irresistible. (K, Niki's friend, actually dropped by and got the door slammed to his face when Niki remembered he called Sunoo pretty once.)

So far, Jungwon hasn't attempted to just take the orders as soon as the customers sit instead of them going to the counter themselves and having an opportunity to see his precious hyung. (Well, he tried, but not after realizing it would be more difficult for Sunoo to register the orders. He only does so when Jake takes over— the older would even throw him a thumbs up, seemingly approving of what he's doing.)

So far, Sunghoon hasn't forced Sunoo to wear a mask. No, not the surgical face mask designed to cover half of the face. He meant the masks that cover the entire face with holes only for the eyes and nose.

"Sunoo, do you perhaps want to try to wear a mask?" He tried to ask with fake nonchalance, like he doesn't have an ulterior motive..

Sunoo curiously looked at him, his shiny eyes, amber with specks of star-like wonder, looking at Sunghoon as he felt his breath hitched. It feels like he'll choke on air anytime.

"Mask, hyung? What for?" Sunoo's tone was gentle, soft and sweet, like his eyes, his cheeks, his dimples that only appear when his smile reached his ears, his cheeks that pink when pinched… like the rest of him. Everything about him exudes tenderness. His entirety is solace. He is comfort-personified. Which is ironic because Sunghoon feels his heart clenched at the sight of his face, so he takes it back. Sunoo is his personal walking heart-attack. 

The subject of his haywired thoughts has no idea of the turmoil inside his mind (and heart) as he struggled to answer his question (which isn't a difficult one, by the way) only to manage with a:

"Yeah.." He almost stuttered. It would have been really embarrassing and painfully obvious otherwise. 

Sunoo's lips opened, the lack of words getting the better of him so he settled for a tiny laugh. The one that twists Sunghoon's insides and makes him want to grab a fistful of his hair because of how cute it sounds. Thankfully, he managed to get a hold of himself by remaining to look like he has stomach constipation.

"What do you mean 'yeah' hyung?"

That's when Sunghoon realized that his answer,  the one he was proud of managing to utter, did not serve the purpose of Sunoo's question. He groaned inwardly. 

"I mean, yeah, the masks.. haha, you know, the ones we wear on Halloween… "

"Sunghoon hyung… it's June. " 

So far, Jake has not yet messed up anything in the kitchen when he has his eyes constantly glued to Sunoo. Well, there was one instance where he almost did when he did not see Jay beside him while he was carrying a frappe Sunghoon just made. All because he was checking if the guy ordering touched his sunshine’s hand longer than what was deemed as normal. In Sunoo’s case, no one is allowed to touch him for more than two seconds. 

So far, Jay has not burned the kitchen down and so far, Heesung has not acted on the impulse of just…closing…the… cafe… 

Yeah, so far, all good. As good as it can get, anyway. Because it could have been a lot worse. 

☕

It’s Monday again and there’s seven of them. 

Sunoo hums candidly as he washes used cups and saucers at the far back. His only audience being Jay who is currently on a break and Jake who dries the kitchen wares he finished washing. If he ever noticed his friends acting silly this past week, he kept it to himself. With the upcoming prelims in the university and the deadlines he has to meet, he cannot make room in his mind to think of anything else right now. Nonetheless, moments like this make him forget his worries especially when he's surrounded with people who he loves and loves him back. It's moments like this that take him back to the time where he started working here. 

A year ago, he chanced upon this coffee shop with a hiring advertisement outside its facade. The thought of getting a part-time job has occasionally crossed his mind and he might have taken one already if his sister Dahyun isn't so opposed to it. She always says she's going to take care of everything. There's really no need for him to work but it would ease the guilt out of him if he could help a little by being independent.

Her sister is working abroad so he's currently alone living in an apartment. Sunoo applied for a scholarship and passed so his tuition isn't really a problem. However, studying medicine still costs a lot. He needs all the money he can earn to get through it.

He looked up the sign embedded above the cafe. 

Café Manifesto, it reads.

And so, with a curious and determined spirit, he pushed the door open and went inside. 

He was greeted by the aroma of coffee, something he already expected. The scent of flowers, however, surprised him. It was a mix of sweet and woody. It's not repulsive and it kinda blends well with the smell of caffeine.

There were no customers at that time. Maybe because it's two in the afternoon and it's one of its dead time. Sunoo walked slowly to the counter he saw while letting his eyes wander on the interior of the establishment. The inside was colored in earth tones which Sunoo likes. There are shelves filled with books and trinkets. There's a dainty globe, a vintage camera, music box, and figurines. The mosaic windows are like the ones designed for cathedrals and it filters the light that passes through it into a flash of color. He looked up and saw the high ceiling decorated with hanging rustic bulbs. Sunoo was sure it looks magical at night as it looks enchanting in the day.

Sunoo found the cafe so beautiful that he cannot help but let out tiny gasps of awe and admiration. Unbeknownst to him, while he was busy appreciating the place, Heesung was behind the counter, eyes zeroing into him– how the flowers installed seemed so lackluster when he’s next to them, how the lights coming from the stained glass make him glow as if he’s the subject of unspoken prayers and veneration. For a moment, he looked like a wingless angel tasked to take him. Now that he’s staring in the pools of honey that were his eyes, he figured he might just let him.

“Good afternoon!” Sunoo beamed at the sight of the person. He smiled at him, ready to inquire. “I saw the sign outside. I’m wondering if you’re still accepting applicants?”

Heesung would have answered immediately if his head weren’t clouded with thoughts of how this pretty boy’s voice is as delicate as he looks. Why does he feel his pulse beating erratically? Before he knew it, his fingers slowly touched the side of his neck, below the angle of his jaw where the pulse is. It’s the habit he picked up when he gets nervous. 

“Yes..” He slowly composed himself. “Yes, we do, actually. Are you interested?”

The boy visibly brightened, if he wasn’t already shining. “Yes! I’m Kim Sunoo.” He offered his hand for niceties. Heesung gulped before taking it.

Sunoo . Of course, that’s his name. Pretty people have pretty names. 

“I’m Lee Heesung.” 

The first touch of their hands worried him. 

Will he feel it, too? I mean, the pulse in my wrist was far enough to be felt but there’s a pulse in the thumb, too, right?  

His internal soliloquy was overridden by the softness of Sunoo’s palm and how it now gently slides out of his. 

“So what are the requirements, if I may ask, Heesung-ssi?”

“You can actually start as soon as you’re ready.”

“Huh?”

“I mean, you can start today already. We’re really undermanned at the moment so…” he excused.

“Are you the owner?”

“The owner’s son actually…”

Sunoo’s mouth turned into a small ‘O’ which made Heesung chuckle.

The bell at the top of the door frame chimes signaling the entrance of people coming in. Heesung and Sunoo looked at its direction in unison. The two guys who just entered started walking towards them, alternately looking at the boy behind the counter and the unfamiliar face next to him. When they got nearer, Sunoo stepped aside thinking they are customers. 

"That's Jay and Sunghoon." Heesung told him. "They also work here."

Sunoo nodded, now looking at Jay and Sunghoon who are also mirroring his gaze.

"This is Sunoo. He's going to work here, too."

"Great. I'm Jay. Nice to meet you, Sunoo." Jay offered his hand. Sunoo flushed at his politeness and accepted his hand in a heartbeat.

Jay's appearance looks rough in a good way. His eyes are sharp yet there's kindness to them. His high nose bridge and chiseled jaw are attractive and he has the most boyish charming smile that he has ever seen. His lips may be the only soft part on his face. 

On the other hand, he turned to the guy named Sunghoon, eyes expectant. While Jay has rough features, Sunghoon has soft ones. His eyes are orbs of powerful black but his eyelashes ease their intensity. His nose is pointed and his thin lips always seem to be tightly closed. The moles littering his place add to his beauty. But why were his eyebrows furrowed?

It did not escape Sunoo’s eyes when Jay slightly nudged Sunghoon. 

Ah… is he an introvert?

“Hello, Sunghoon-ssi. I’m Kim Sunoo.” He took it upon himself to initiate and instead of offering to shake hands, he bowed to him instead. Maybe he’s not comfortable talking and even having skin contact with strangers.

Sunghoon bit his lips, eyebrows almost meeting. 

“Sunghoon. Nice to meet you.” If his voice quivered, he did not make it obvious. God, he did not mean to– he wanted to shake Sunoo’s hand! The regret seeps in his system like bile. He was just– he didn’t know how to react in his presence. Who is this stranger? If he shows up with his curly brown hair curtaining his glossy foxy eyes and smiles with his shiny plump lips with cheekbones asking to be bitten, what is one supposed to do? How can one act normally?

And now how can one live if he missed the chance to hold his seemingly soft hands? How how how

Sunghoon is one emotionally-constipated guy disguised as ice-cold prince who does not give a fuck. Luckily, when words fail him, (and actions too) which is all the time, Jay appoints himself as his spokesperson.

Jay laughs at the awkwardness of his friend and smiles knowingly. Even his friend isn’t safe from Sunoo’s cuteness, huh? Guess that makes the two of them…

“Don’t worry, Sunoo. He’s just shy at first.” Jay reassured the brunette. Sunoo smiled back cheekily, his eyes crinkling.

“No worries, hyung!” He said enthusiastically. 

Hyung.

Hyung.

Hyung???

Hyung!!!

The word echoes in the trio’s head, sounding so foreign each time. They were used to being with people in their age group and someone calling them hyung felt so new, so strange. It tugged at their heartstrings and entangled them.

“Ah! I forgot to tell you. I’m a Med Tech sophomore at Decelis.” Sunoo added when he saw the baffled expression of the three. He knew they were older than him, if the IDs Jay and Sunghoon were wearing were anything to go by.

“Really? That’s good. We go there too, Sunoo. I’m a senior now though, these two are juniors.” Heesung explained. “You know, we’re still looking for three more people to hire. It would really help if you know anyone.”

“Oh? Uhh… I think I know a friend… but I’m not sure yet.” He smiled sheepishly, a certain blonde popping in his mind. 

☕

“I know you don’t need a job Jake-hyung, but do you maybe want to work in a coffee shop? The cafe I applied in needs three more people and—”

“Wait, Sunny, you applied to what?” Jake froze on his seat, head turning so fast to look at his friend across him as he sipped in his mint choco frappe. 

“To a cafe…” Sunoo’s voice getting progressively low.

“Does Dahyun-unnie know about this?” His eyebrow slightly raised in an attempt to be reprimanding but he can never look scary. To Sunoo, Jake always look kind.

“Nope.” He said with an emphasis on ‘p’. “She won’t know because you’re not gonna tell her.”

“Sunny!” He groaned. “Why did you even need the work?”

Sunoo just pouted. His soft lips protruded as he looked at Jake with pleading eyes.

Fuck fuck fuck

Jake closed his eyes, breathing in and out. To someone else, it may look like he’s calming himself from anger. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. Closing his eyes is his way of collecting his resolve to not give in to Sunoo. If there’s anything he learned from being friends with him for two years, it is that Sunoo has a very very very (note: very) irresistible charm he has become a victim to. 

If Sunoo were just to ask for his bank account details (which he knows Sunoo wouldn't ever as he has the purest soul), he’d probably give it to him. 

“Where is that cafe and how do I apply, too?” He sighed in defeat. 

Sunoo perked up in his seat and punched the air. 

“You’re really the best, hyung!” He grinned and Jake knew right there and then he lost again. As he laughed at Sunoo’s antics, he realized he didn't even plan to resist in the first place. If losing that smile is the consequence of the fight, he’d surrender immediately.

Chapter Text

When Jake joined the cafe, he instantly knew the three were his rivals. Their fond lingering eyes were an easy giveaway, but what really convinced him was their excessive assistance to his friend, almost like Sunoo grew three shadows overnight. Okay, understandably, Sunoo is newly hired. Of course, he will need all the assistance he can get. BUT so is he, so why are the three acting like Sunoo would break if he would do as much as pouring hot water into a cup of tea? 

Jake had conflicting feelings about this. On one hand, he is comforted by the fact that Sunoo will be surrounded by people who would not let him be in harm’s way. On the other hand, he thinks he is doing well protecting Sunoo on his own. He thought of persuading Sunoo to quit, to remind him that he is pursuing a medical course, one of which demands are exhausting and limiting. Aside from that, he promised his sister he would not let him work. This is a mistake. Well, they haven’t signed the contracts yet, maybe they can still—

His internal dilemma was interrupted by a tender giggle, one he’d recognize anywhere. He looked up and saw Sunoo laughing at the failed coffee art attempt. What’s supposed to be a leaf-shaped milk foam on top looked more like misconfigured triangle. 

“I’m sorry, hyung. I’ll practice at home.” He heard the younger sheepishly mutter, his glassy apologetic eyes directed at Sunghoon who can’t seem to return the gaze. Jake can almost laugh at how obviously Sunghoon softened if the tint of pink at the shell of his ears isn’t indication enough. From what he observed, patience was not the guy’s strong suit. What with his constant snappy and sarcastic remarks towards Jay whenever they’re talking. This was a large contrast to how he’s been acting with his friend. He was very patient in teaching Sunoo how to make coffee art, they’ve been at it for an hour already. And during that time, Jake was waiting for him to make a mistake. One harsh word, just one , and he’ll storm out of this cafe, dragging Sunoo with him. To his surprise, not only that Sunghoon never said anything remotely mean, but he was even gentle and encouraging. From an obviously stiff and rigid person like him, one would think he’s not capable of such. 

“Don’t worry about it, Sun. His heart art sucks anyway. They look like open and close parentheses.” Jay said, comforting Sunoo.

“Shut up, Jay,” Sunghoon said, his thick brows almost meeting. He breathed out slowly and finally looked Sunoo in his face. “It’s fine, Sunoo-yah… it’s not even that bad. You’ll get the hang of it eventually.” 

The tone of his voice was sweet and soft, Jay and Heesung could not believe their ears. Sunghoon sees their disbelief and ignores them purposely. He cannot make the same mistake of presenting himself as repulsive to Sunoo. His mind still replaying the guarded look of the younger when they first met. His eyes were careful, like he was scared to offend him.

Jake smiled at this sight. He wanted to tap Sunghoon’s shoulders, and tell him how wrong he was for thinking Sunoo would fault him for being himself. But who was he to say that? Wasn’t he also the same when he met Sunoo that fateful day at the beach?

☕

The sun was an hour away from setting and while it neared the horizon, it colored the sea with orange hues. 

He just ran away from home. If ever that is home .

There's nowhere he wants to go. Not that he knows a lot of places in this neighborhood or even in the entirety of Korea. He lived in Australia for the majority of his life and only visited here on occasion. Naturally, he has no friends here. No one he could run to. 

The only thing he was familiar with was the seaside where his older brother took him by chance two years ago. After walking out of the family party, Jake took Layla from his room and stormed out of the house. If he spends a minute more inside it, he’ll probably lose the remaining tethers of his sanity. And so he walked, with no set destination. He wandered around for almost an hour, letting Layla tug the leash he’s holding on to, leading the way until the lined houses thinned and the view of the seaside gradually came into view. 

Fortunately, the beach isn't crowded. He could count the number of people on one hand. He sat in the sand, the black tuxedo he was wearing looking odd against its brown grains, his ragged mind finding ease and comfort from the sounds of the waves. He needed to breathe and breathe he did. 

For a few minutes, he just had his eyes closed, breathing slowly, the sound of the waves dulling the edges of his mind. He wished for time to pause. He wished he could stay here forever and not go back. He wished he could be somewhere where he could just be… him.

The orange tint gets darker as the minutes pass, it makes the sun look like it is bleeding. The ongoing sunset looks like an unattended ache. Like an open wound unmended. And somehow, Jake found himself mirroring it. Like a self-portrait. 

He closed his eyes and he felt like the world disappeared. He could almost pretend he’s not existing. Like he's not real. Born to a family of lawyers, it’s no surprise expectations weigh heavy on his shoulders ever since he was a child. He carries them with familiarity now, like a curse, like Sisyphus casually pushing his personal boulder every day. 

When will it be lighter? 

His reverie was cut short when he heard a tiny sniffle. It was barely audible but with an empty shore, it was loud enough. He turned to his left where the sound came from and saw a boy on his knees near the waters, his hands placed together and outstretched to the sea as if offering.

Jake stood up and brushed the back of his pants. Maybe it's about time to find Layla too. He let her run free earlier seeing how excited she was to be outdoors. He started walking, determined to ignore the boy near him. 

"I don't want to let you go too, Sebby." He heard the person whining. "But you almost died! And I… I can't let that happen."

Jake would be lying if he said he was not intrigued by the stranger's animated dialogue with who knows what. But he kept walking, finding it hard to search for cream furs amidst the sand. Nevertheless, soon he spotted his dog running in his direction.

He was about to welcome him to a hug when it surprisingly ran past him. 

"Hey, buddy! Where are you going?" 

The dog ran toward a young boy he saw earlier. Layla approached the figure tentatively, sniffing as it circled the person. He jogged hurriedly, afraid that the stranger would be bothered by his border collie. Layla tends to get excited at times seeing new people and lunges at them like they’re her friends. Exactly like what Layla is doing right now.

When he caught up to his dog, his eyes widened when he realized that it’s already licking the stranger’s face. The latter was seemingly confused but not repulsed to his relief.

“Layla! You can’t just do that. Oh god, I’m sorry.” He said as he tried to pull the dog away.

“Uhm.. h-hi. It’s okay. I’m fine.” The boy replied. He still looked quite taken aback, hands still outstretched. And now that he got closer, he was able to identify what’s actually on his hands. It’s a blue crab. 

“Are you crying?”

“No…”

Jake wanted to laugh. This stranger just lied to his face outright, with his face tear-stricken. He settled with a smile and decided to sit beside him. He fished for the pockets of his coat searching for his handkerchief and when he found it, he handed it. The stranger, albeit hesitant at first, eventually took it.

“Thank you…?” he said, prompting.

“Jake. I’m Jake”

“Thank you, Jake. I’m Sunoo.” He said shyly, now carrying his blue crab in one hand, the other patting the tears away with the handkerchief. Jake eyes the blue crab with curiosity, holding himself back from asking. Good thing he didn’t have to because Sunoo eventually spoke up.

“This is Sebastian. He’s my pet.” He said it so casually as if having a pet crab is as normal as having a cat or a dog but Jake just smiled in amusement.

“Hello, Sebastian. This is Layla.” The dog barked at the mention of her name. “Are you also taking him for a walk?”

At this remark, Sunoo’s eyes started to water to Jake’s horror. His eyes shone with unshed tears. 

Holy shit. Did I say something bad?

“Hey, I’m- I’m sorry, please don’t cry!” Sunoo sniffed and Jake has never felt like a terrible person for making someone cry. 

“I..” Sunoo paused and sniffed again, “I’m letting go of Sebby today. I’m sending him back to the sea.”

He stayed quiet, not knowing how to extend comfort properly. He figured listening for now would be enough. The silence urged Sunoo to continue. 

“It’s just- it was really scary! My mom accidentally poured the wrong salt in his water tank and I noticed he was not moving for a while and I thought he died already. It was just-! Do you get me?”

“Y-yeah. I mean, I would be sad too if Layla almost died.”

“Right? It would have been devastating. I’d prefer freeing him than having him die in my arms.” 

The guy talked in pout, eyes downcast and worried. His long eyelashes graze his upper cheeks, slightly pink from crying. God really has favorites, because how can he look heartbroken and beautiful simultaneously?

“Have you always had crabs as pets?" He asked, unable to stop himself.

“Not really. Sebby’s the first one. I had a snail though. And a frog.” There was a hint of tenderness that spilled in his voice. Just when Jake thought he couldn't be more odd, in a good kind of way. Silence settles for a while between them, the sound of the waves and the occasional quacking of birds as background noise. Sunoo seemed to have calmed down, too, Sebby the crab coddled comfortably in his lap, and Layla napping beside Jake.

“I don’t suppose you intended to be here,” Sunoo said. Jake smiled at him but he saw no mirth in his eyes.

“You’re right. It’s just where my feet took me.” He was looking down and playing with the sand. There is something in Sunoo's eyes that scares him. Like he’s see-through and Sunoo can figure him out without words. Jake learned that some people are not strangers, even when you meet them the first time. 

For Sunoo, it was just an ordinary Tuesday. For Jake, it was the turning-point of his life. It was a formative moment, like a canon event that will happen in every other life.

Jake learned that Sunoo loves the things that are typically uncared for– crabs, snails, bugs. Most people would scream and run away from these poor things, their existence branded as repulsive and revolting. It might be because of that fact that Jake found himself orbiting towards him more, almost as if finding a home that welcomes the unloved and overlooked. Here in the grains of sand and crashing waves,  there was a smile that soothed the ache no medicine couldn’t nurse. It looked like it could be home.

☕

More than a coffee shop, Cafe Manifesto is a constant battlefield. If Sunoo’s attention is an item on the menu, it would for sure be the bestseller , the popular, and the customer’s favorite . Probably the baristas’ pick too. 

“It’s my turn to teach Sunoo with the pastries today.” Jay faced Sunghoon, his arms crossed in front of his chest like he wouldn’t be entertaining any opposition about it.

Sunghoon scoffed, his thick attractive eyebrows forming a frown. “We’re not yet done practicing the lattes so I’m still teaching him today.”  

In the corner, Jake is rolling his eyes. These two, really . 

Sunoo and Jake have managed to blend seamlessly with the cafe so far. For a week now, the two have been diligently working. Jake even finds himself enjoying it despite his initial reservation, his natural extroversion making customer service a breeze for him. 

Little did Sunghoon and Jay know, that none of them would be able to teach anything when Sunoo showed up, two tall boys behind, equally shy and quiet. 

“Hyungs! I have company.” Sunoo’s delight could lighten up a room. Being Sunoo’s friend is like having your personal share of the world’s sunlight. His brightness seeps into your skin like a tattoo and his smile is contagious, almost like it’s prompting you to smile, too. The three immediately turned their heads in his direction, any trace of animosity from what they were arguing about was now absent. 

“Sunny! You’re here early.” Jake greeted him warmly, Sunoo’s presence being a welcome reprieve from work and the banter of his colleagues.

“We got dismissed early!” The younger cheerfully supplied, walking slowly towards the counter where the three were gathered behind. Sunoo smiled at the three of them, making Jay lick the bottom of his lips in awe, and Sunghoon plush a tint of pink in his cheeks and the shell of his ears. Even so, just as the sunshine’s presence is a palpable force in any room he enters, so are the beings within his proximity. It was not that long until the three spared attention to the unfamiliar towering individuals following Sunoo like bees to a flower. 

“Hi, hyungs. This is Jungwonie,” he says, glancing at the boy to his right, whose frown eased a little under his gaze. “And this is Ni-ki!” turning to the boy to his left, who seems too enamored to care about anything else except for him.

Jake, used to Sunoo’s oblivious attitude concerning his innate ability to attract people, sighs. Yep, happens every day. Beside him, Jay raised an eyebrow and Sunghoon unsparingly looked at them with scrutiny. 

“They’re going to work here, too!” 

Chapter Text

The first time it happened, it was an accident. Jungwon just arrived at school practically panting in a hurry to get to his seven am class. It was just the first week and he already came to class late thrice, not including this one. The route from his new dorm to his new university is taking a lot of getting used to and Jungwon is really awful at directions and at waking up early. He is hoping the 5-minute grace period allowed by their university will save him from the lecture of his professors about tardiness. They could give freshmen students some slack especially since the semester is just beginning.

Before he gets to their building, he would have to pass by a narrow sidewalk full of students equally speeding to their respective rooms. He had to move sideways from time to time, muttering a low series of “excuse me" as he tried to tread past people who were terribly slow like they have all the time in the world. A little nudge and bumps here and there was no problem at all so he switches from walking fast to running and skipping. 

Jungwon was zooming to the entrance of his college when he hit someone's shoulder. He feels it before he sees it . He registered a scalding pain in his arms before he realized he crashed into someone with hot brewed coffee in their hands before the end of the pavement. He hissed at the sting of the burn, imagining already how painful the skin would turn out. The coffee also stained the ends of his polo and soaked his left sleeve.

Great . What a terrible morning .

The person he bumped into cried out endless apologies. They even offered tissues and wet wipes, which he politely accepted. He was annoyed but he knew that it was no one's fault. After declining more offers of compensation from the person and assuring them he was fine, he asked where the clinic was. 

He is absolutely late now but there is no way he's going to his class with his uniform blemished and skin tingling with pain. He sighed and walked in the direction he was told, energy dampened by the incident. Now grumpy and with a frown marring his face, Jungwon knocked and opened the door to the school clinic, desperate to get a hold of an ointment that would somehow ease his pain. He released a sigh heavy with disappointment when he spotted no one inside.

Just my luck! Fuck this day.

Turning to leave, he was startled to see a person behind him. He was welcomed by amber eyes enclosed in sharp delicate slits, looking at him with curiosity.

“Hello. Do you need anything?" The person spoke and Jungwon scrambled for words. He was not surprised to find none. There must be no vocabulary yet for this feeling. 

“Sorry, did I scare you? I’m Sunoo." Sunoo smiled and he thinks it rivals the sun. “I’m an intern here. We open at 7:30 usually so sorry if you did not find anyone. Did you wait long?" His gentle eyes darted towards his right hand holding his left arm, perhaps noticing the now apparent reddening burn on his otherwise pale skin. He’s hoping the red in his cheeks is less obvious.

“No.. I just arrived.” He said sheepishly. Gone was the trace of annoyance he was feeling earlier. 

Sunoo was, to say the least, arresting. Some curly strands of his hair curtain his smooth forehead, elegantly brushing the tip of his prominent eyebrows. While his eyes are striking, it carries a warmth and radiance that extends to the person on the receiving end of his gaze. And his lips looked like where the stars borrowed their shine from. 

While Jungwon still struggled for something to say, Sunoo wordlessly opened the door to the clinic again, glancing kindly at him with an unspoken invitation.

“Your name is…?” Sunoo asked, moving towards a cabinet, opening drawers like he was searching for something.

He cleared his throat, the words he was trying to weave together dying in his tongue.

“Jungwon." He managed to say.

Sunoo hummed, looking successful in finding what he was looking for. He sat in a small Ottoman chair fit for three people and pat the space beside him, urging Jungwon to sit.

He timidly walked closer to him and gently sat down.  His nose caught a scent of vanilla and peaches. Sunoo watched him with careful and thoughtful eyes, which was supposed to bring ease and comfort to Jungwon but might have done exactly the opposite. To be subjected to such a gaze is disorienting. He’s surprised he has not melted yet into a puddle of red. 

“Can I hold your hand?” Sunoo asked, not wanting to touch the other without his consent. Jungwon nodded, embarrassed by how quickly he did. His hands touched his wrists with utmost gentleness, his fingers grazed his skin and he could almost forget about the nagging pain. 

“This looks like this hurt. Where did you get this?” He watched as Sunoo's eyes inspected his wrist with care, his lips almost jutting out into a pout. 

“I- I just bumped into someone in my hurry to go to class. They were holding a hot coffee and it spilled on me.” 

“Come here, let’s get it washed and cooled first.” He tugged him gently to go to a sink located at the far back of the room. Beside it was a door for the restroom. Sunoo touched the hem of his sleeves to raise it further to his elbows before opening the faucet and bringing Jungwon’s wrist under it. He flinched and almost took his hand away from the water if only it was not held by Sunoo. 

“Sorry,” Sunoo muttered softly. “Please endure it for a while.”

“O-okay.” He shyly replied. “Are you a first-year, too?” Judging by the uniform Sunoo is wearing, he assumed he belonged to the College of Medicine or Nursing. He cannot actually tell the difference in their uniforms. 

Sunoo chuckled. “No, but I’m flattered you thought I was.” Jungwon notices that he smiles with his eyes and the mirth in it is infectious. 

“I’m a second year. Med tech. How about you?” Sunoo eyed the collar of his uniform, and after a while, recognition flashed on his face. “College of Architecture?” 

Jungwon nodded. The thing about their university is that everyone’s degree can be distinguished by their uniforms. 

“I’m guessing you’re a first-year.” 

“How did you know?”

“Well, you don’t have your ID yet. The guards will only allow you inside the campus without one if you’re a freshman.” He chuckled. The sound was tickling and it coursed through Jungwon’s body like electric touch.

After some time, they returned to the Ottoman chair and Sunno brought out the balm he was searching for earlier. Sunoo momentarily let go of his wrist to open the lid and Jungwon almost sighed at the loss of the contact, his burned hand left hanging in the air, waiting for Sunoo to take it again. A small smile crept to his lips when he did not have to wait long. 

“This might take a week or so to heal, Jungwonnie.” Sunoo started to apply the balm around the edges. He quietly looks up at Jungwon, expecting him to flinch a little but the boy seemed occupied. Unbeknownst to him, the nickname came out so smoothly from Sunoo that it kinda rewired his brain into a slush of nothingness. Just a nickname and it got his head reeling. It was just a nickname. The extent of the effect this guy could have on him scares him.

“I’ll give you this balm so you can reapply whenever it aches. It will also help in preventing it from scarring.” He smiled and the next he knew, Sunoo already stood up. 

“It’s done?” He asked, baffled. He couldn’t help the disappointment from showing on his face. Sunoo just nodded. 

“Yes,” He grinned at him. “You can come back here if you need any help though.”

***

The second time it happened, Jungwon believed it’s fate. He was walking behind his block mates, trying to come up with an excuse to go to the clinic. It has been a week since he met Sunoo and the older has not left his mind. The encounter struck him deeper than he thought it would. It was not love at first sight but curiosity at first glance– the need to know more, to learn everything about a person. It was an inability to look away. And you know what they say about paying attention intently? It is the beginning of devotion. 

But he cannot just barge inside the clinic hastily. He could lie about feeling sick but he would feel bad knowing Sunoo might be busy attending to truly ill patients. He sighed, kicking a pebble in the pathway. That’s when one of his block mates turned around, the T-square case attached to one of its shoulders dangled too fast and too close and the edge hit Jungwon in the face before he could avoid it.

He stumbled back and groaned from the instant sting. His classmate immediately to his side to help him.

“Oh my gosh, Jungwon, I’m so sorry!” Daniel looked at him with panic. 

“It’s fine,” he consoled him halfheartedly. He knows the guy meant no harm. It’s just that Architecture students tend to be a walking-hazard with their tools. 

“Wait, it’s bleeding..” Daniel pointed out. He touched his cheek and felt something wet, his fingers now tinged with blood. 

Oh . 

“Jungwon, are you okay? Why are you smiling?” Daniel looked at him confused. He just shook his head and chuckled.

“Nothing! I’ll go to the clinic. See you later.” 

“But what about lunch?” But Jungwon was too far gone to answer, skipping his way to the campus clinic. 

When he arrived, he paused in front of the glass door to look at his reflection. His hair looked quite disheveled, some strands were sticking out. The wind must have blown them when he was running. He ran his hand through his hair to brush it. He also tried to smoothen the wrinkles in his uniforms by stretching the fabric and pressing his palms into them. He smiled when he saw the blood still smeared on his cheek before slowly pushing the door open inside. 

He saw a lump of burgundy hair first before he met his eyes. Sunoo must have heard the door open. 

“Jungwon?” Sunoo’s eyebrows raised, his face friendly. He remembered his name . Jungwon’s chest swelled with unadulterated joy. Like he just won the lottery. 

“Hello, Sunoo-hyung.” He greeted, his face flushed from seeing his crush again. But then again, it was hot outside. He’s sure Sunoo would just think it’s from the heat. The initial delight on Sunoo’s face in seeing him was quickly replaced with worry when he finally noticed his cheek.

“Oh my, Jungwonnie. What happened to you?” He stood up to look closer at his face. 

“I’m prone to accidents, I guess.” He tried to deadpan but the worry in Sunoo’s eyes made him want to bask in happiness. Sunoo disappeared to the back of the room and when he came back, he was carrying a medicine kit already. 

“Uh-huh. Should I start setting up appointments for you then?” Sunoo played along.

“I’d like that.” He beamed. The older just scoffed.

He sat in one of the chairs as he waited for Sunoo who dragged one of the office chairs with wheels so he could sit in front of him. In here, inside the enclosed white space mostly overwhelmed with the smell of antiseptic and medicines that would trigger his nausea on normal occasions, he could indulge himself with Sunoo’s undivided attention. 

“Silly, you.” Sunoo chided, but he felt no bite in his words. What happened after was something he did not prepare himself for. Sunoo tenderly cupped his cheek, softly whispering, “This might sting” before feeling a patch of cotton being pressed to his skin. 

It did sting. But he could overlook the pain and dwell on their close proximity instead. Under the dull white light of the clinic, Sunoo’s eyes are the prettiest shape he has ever seen. It was lined with long eyelashes that kissed his upper cheeks whenever he blinked. Under the ray of the sun, brown eyes look immaculate but Sunoo’s look like it is drowning in perpetual sunlight. 

He tried his best not to mewl pathetically in the warmth of his hand holding his cheek. How could it feel so right and perfect? Like he was meant to be here, shaped and simultaneously undone by this person in front of him.

Sunoo, oblivious to the turmoil of the boy in front of him, rummaged through his box of medicine and whatnots.

“Okay, Jungwonnie. Please pick one.” He chirped enthusiastically and when Jungwon looked at his hands, realizing one of them was gone now from caressing his cheek, he was surprised to see bandaids lined neatly in one of his palms. He was dumbfounded. 

“Uhh, hyung, don’t you have the regular ones?” He asked hesitantly. The choices were appalling. He cannot imagine walking around with a Kuromi or Cinnamoroll bandaid on his cheek!

Sunoo pouted and he regretted what he said almost immediately. 

“W-what do you think suits me?” He sighed in relief when the light returned to Sunoo’s face as soon as he asked. 

“Honestly, you give off Kuromi vibes! You’re always wearing the same grumpy expression.” He started unwrapping the bandaid.

“I do?” Jungwon knew though. He was always told how he has an unapproachable demeanor, his eyes almost akin to daggers, repelling people constantly. This fact has always been favorable to him, but not this time. Not if he wants to keep him close. 

“Don’t move.” Sunoo touched his face again to stick the bandaid. “There you go.” He patted his cheek twice, eyes twinkling.

***

The third time was on purpose. Don’t get him wrong. He did not deliberately hurt himself. But he might have consciously eaten spoonfuls of pasta with shrimp to trigger his allergies. Hence the rashes now decorating his neck and arms. 

“Jungwon,” Sunoo’s tone was reprimanding. He smiled at him, his dimples showing. “It hasn’t been two days since you were here!” 

“I swear, hyung. I didn’t notice the shrimp until I started feeling itchy.” Of course, it was a lie. 

“You know, it’s always nice to see you but not here, please. I don’t like regular patients.” Sunoo sighed but smiled gently afterward. He walked towards the cabinets, probably looking for Cetirizine, not noticing the blush that crept to the younger’s face. 

But there is an ever-persistent ache in me that says I need to see you. 

“Drink this.” 

Jungwon took the table immediately and drank. 

“You should take care of yourself more, you know.” He almost choked on his water. 

“Y-yes, hyung.” 

But it’s nice being taken care of by you.  

“At this point, I should get paid for being your personal nurse.” Sunoo joked. He perked up when he heard it. It’s now or never.

“Hyung, are you doing something later?” 

“Later?” The older touched his chin, thinking of his schedule. “Why?”

“Do you want to get coffee with me?”

“Coffee, you say?” Sunoo smiled, an idea forming in his head. “Sure, Jungwonnie. I know a place.”

Chapter Text

Being a fine arts student, Ni-ki's accustomed to colors more than anything. He can even say he knows more about them than himself. If you ask him what his sister’s favorite food or her mother’s favorite flower is, he would say it’s sushi and tulips without much thought, and he would brace himself then from consecutive smacks and slaps that would follow because more often than not, he's wrong. 

However, when you asked him what color is HEX:#76b5c5, he’d say it’s the shade of Glacier in a heartbeat. Like a walking color palette. From the primary to the complementary ones, he could name them, describe them by heart.

He knows that green is not only the color of trees, but also of hope, of the feeling of the wind and its cool breeze caressing your cheeks. That orange is not only the color of sunset, but of the warmth of a friend’s hug. That blue is not only the color of the ocean but also of grief. That red is not only the color of fire, but it’s also of anger. Of laughter. Of love . He could go for hours on end explaining this to a blind person, already used to the usual confused looks he would earn from the seeing ones. And he’d enjoy it nonetheless. 

He clicked the shutter button once again, capturing the crowd passing through one of the pedestrian crossings inside their campus. In the window of his camera viewfinder, he finds a different kind of comfort. Like an observer, closely watching the world but not participating in it. There is solace in seeing from a distance, immortalizing moments that may not happen again with his little device. It has always felt like magic– one that he will always be amused by. 

It’s now noon, and the rush of people wanting to grab lunch makes their way in different directions. These are people from different walks of life– a doctor in a green scrub suit, a professor carrying a pile of paper, a familiar uniform of a famous food delivery app in pink, a swarm of black suits who are probably from the college of law, and a distinct crowd of students from a conservatory of music carrying instruments bigger than them. He clicks and clicks and clicks, the sound of the camera a familiar hum. 

He felt a nudge on his side, hearing a voice right after. 

“Any luck finding your muse yet?” Taki huffed, the side of his face decorated with beads of sweat from the glaring afternoon sun. They should have brought hats. Today's class required them to go out and find a subject, and it somehow slipped his mind it’s already the start of summer. 

“No.” He replied curtly, moving the camera away from his face for a while. 

“Did you even try?” His friend raised an eyebrow at him, awfully aware of his antics.

“Well…” he drawled. “I just don't get it. Why do we need to find a muse to take a photograph of?”

It's absurd, really. Out of all things, he has this aversion to taking photos of people. A full moon? His camera would be out in an instant. A flower? Click. An intricate skyscraper? An elaborately shaped cloud? Captured. But a person? He'd stare at the people who ask him for shots like they asked something immoral and walk away. He hates it. God, he loathes it . He has often associated it with vanity. 

Don't get him wrong. He doesn't mind if people want to take a picture of themselves for memory's sake. Heck, he doesn’t care if their gallery's filled with their faces. Poses too planned, smiles too pretentious and overdone. 

But that's the thing.

He wants to catch rawness, envelope it with his hands, and protect it from the tricks of time. The candidness of unshed tears threatening to drop and the unrestrained laugh whose sounds seem to paint every pixel of the picture with vibrance. Nothing compares to that. 

“Ni-ki, look, this is our final project. You have to yield.”

But stubbornness is a person, and he is Nishimura Ni-ki.

“What's the worst thing that can happen? Fail the exam? I’ll show him the best photos he's ever seen in his life and no person would be in it.”

But stubbornness is also fate, and it is Nishimura Ni-ki's personal demise.

Fueled by his renewed determination, he held up his camera once again. Mischief crawling to his lips in the form of a smirk. He continuously clicked the button, zooming in on objects that are inanimate, with blurred frames of people, as if to tease. A human subject is present in each photo, but never the focus. He is a menace like that.

“We both know you're gonna pass anyway. You're so annoying.” Taki grunted begrudgingly, and understandably so. Ni-ki doesn’t even have to try. The insane amount of talent he was naturally gifted with can help him survive most of the courses he has to take. Despite that, he is not one to do things halfheartedly. 

He lost count of how many pictures he has taken now, and he may have to go through a lot of deleting later of photos that didn’t turn out right to save storage. He moves his head languidly, the camera still stuck onto his eye, scanning his environment through the lens. People kept going, the leaves rustled from the trees, and the sun still shone brightly. But he feels untouchable. He can stop time. 

Or so he thinks. Because at this moment, it seemed more like time stopped for him . 

His fingers acted mindlessly, touching the button with practiced ease like how he’d done a thousand times. He did so with quiet desperation, like a man starved in a desert or a photographer who waited for a decade for a Blue Supermoon. 

Suddenly, the spectrum of colors he thought he knew flawlessly, like ink to his skin, like the shadows and lights he always played with, seemed so foreign. 

Click . 

His hair was brown, but not like the bark of a tree but of a cup of tenderly stirred coffee. Its gentle curls bounce as he giggles, the vibrations of his laugh evident from his shoulders.

Click .

Ni-ki couldn’t tell the difference anymore between the sound of his heartbeat and the shutters of his device. It drummed further when his subject spotted him, eyes directly looking at the camera. The immediate thought of seeming like a creep crawled to his chest, and horror filled his lungs. Nevertheless, among these feelings was wonder.  

Hazel . No. Amber? Color #A2523A. Like a burnt brick. A muted and dusty shade of red that looks more like brown. Of the eyes that are staring back at him, as if truly seeing him. 

And then he smiled. He found out right then that the color of melting is yellow. When the universe began as a tiny, dense fireball that exploded, this must have been what it felt like. 

Click .

#FFE5B4. Peach . His cute, tiny dimple just a little below the left of his lips looks like an accessory made just for him. The slant of his pretty nose, rosy on its tip and the crinkle of his eyes with perfect folds are all tinged with peach. 

Click .

The shimmer of his lips. HEX: #d5717d. Pinkish. Like the petals of a delicate rose, one with dew drops from the moist of the morning, attracting pollinators with its glisten.

Click .

Ni-ki couldn’t remember a time when taking a photo was not enough. Usually, when he wants to store a moment forever, a picture would have sufficed to sate the need. This time, however, he wants the moment to be real. To be tangible, to be unmistakably alive. 

He put down his camera abruptly, but also too late. The throng of crowd already covered the boy from his vision. Taki jumped, startled by his sudden action, but he ignored him. 

“Shit,” he muttered under his breath. “I can’t find him.” He continued scanning the densely packed mass of people, wishing the boy would reappear. 

“Can’t find who?” Taki asked, baffled. He sighed in exasperation, a sense of loss gradually seeping into his system. 

“My muse.”

☕

“Wait, so you’re saying you have a muse now?” His friend asked. “Like, since when?”

“Just now. Didn’t you see him?” Ni-ki brushed his hair using his hands, its strands immediately returning to curtain his forehead. “How will I find him now?” There is an edge to his voice that suggests hopelessness. 

“Huh? That’s new. Ni-ki wants to photograph someone? You might as well say dinosaurs still exist. Let me see the picture.” Taki urged, hand outstretched, ready to receive. “Maybe you caught his ID or something.”

He was hesitant, a frown marring his face. Ni-ki knew about the concept of gatekeeping but had never actually felt selfish to that point. But for once, he understands—the want to keep something special all for himself. But how can he find him without utilizing the only material with the semblance of his person? It was necessary. He handed the camera to Taki, feeling resigned. 

Taki turned on his camera, pressing the buttons to browse the pictures. He hummed lowly while doing so when he suddenly let out a tiny gasp. “Woah. I get you, Ni-ki kun.” Ni-ki glowered as if Taki just stole his candy. “He’s very pretty.”

“You’re not really helping, you know?” He snarked. 

“Well, what if I tell you I know what college this uniform belongs to? Not very helpful, huh?” Taki rolled his eyes and flashed his tongue to him.

He shot an eyebrow at him, a flicker of hope sprang in his chest. “What college?” 

“It’s the college of medicine, you buffoon!”

“How was I supposed to know that? There are many colleges here with white uniforms like Engineering!” He huffed. 

“Anyway, you owe me coffee because of that.” 

“No thanks.”

☕

For the love of all things good, Ni-ki has never been one to act on impulsiveness. He had always pegged himself to be someone who always thinks things through before acting on them. So why now is he finding himself in front of the building of the College of Medicine?

He heaved a sigh. He should have known better than to listen to Taki. Even if the pretty person is really from this program, can he really find them by waiting in front of their building? It was so silly. And yet, here he was, in one of the gazebos outside the establishment, leaning on one of its pillars and trying to be inconspicuous, even though he’s not going to do anything remotely wrong. 

Initially, he did consider that he’s never going to meet the person again. This is a huge university, and with a population of more than 20, 000, sometimes it’s even hard to meet his friends by chance. What more, a nameless pretty person? And for what? To make him his muse? Would he even agree?

He ran his hands over his face. His sulking became more apparent with the slight pout of his lips, eyebrows further closing the distance between each other.

He heard a low grumble from the sky. He eyed the slowly darkening clouds with annoyance. 

Great . 

He stood up straight, ready to go before it started to rain. He figured 30 minutes was enough for an attempt. He went here knowing that this could be trying in vain. Maybe he should just proceed with his previous plan of disregarding the nature of the task entirely and submit what he wants to. That was originally the plan. Photography should be genuine, anyway. Why was he so persistent about this?

Perhaps he was only carried away. It was only a spur-of-the-moment, one where he was caught off guard. 

But also, he cannot the deny the feeling of spring blossoming inside him. It has been a week now but he still remembers it vividly. The feeling quite similar to standing too close to a ravine, breathless and wretched with thrill. Like a burst of colors beautifully blending together. 

Red . The only color aside from black that newborns can grasp for the first few months of life. The beginning of perception. 

Green . During sunsets, when you wait a little bit more before the sun fully dips below the horizon, there is a rare occasion where it shows a hint of green. It’s very fleeting that if you blink even for a second, you will miss it. Not many people are too keen to wait so long for something so short-lived. Seeing that person was exactly like that feeling. 

Grey . He had always liked the rain. The world gets this natural filter of somber and solemnity. It stills a world that refuses to pause. The sky unmasks the earth with all its filth, quieting the chaos of the mortal world. He hears the soft tapping of rain even before he walks out of the gazebo. A number of students ran towards the place for shelter, simultaneous to the opening of the umbrellas to act as shields from the beads of water falling. Ni-ki did not anticipate this. The weather is unpredictable these days. Too fickle for his liking. He has no choice but to wait it out since he brought no umbrella, and judging by the dimness of the sky, it doesn't look like it's going to let up soon.

He finds this whole ordeal funny. Right after his declaration of rebelling against what he was being asked to do, he saw someone who compelled him to do the very thing he refused to– take a portrait. It’s like someone from above heard him and, out of mockery, delivered an angel. 

The unrelenting drops of rain gather into puddles at his feet. He can’t help but watch as they accumulate. One thing he looks forward to when raining is the rainbow-like effect he sees in the puddles of water. His grade eight science teacher talked about this and said that this phenomenon was called thin-film interference. Something about the light interaction with oil and other substances on top of the water leading to reflection and refraction or something. He was not interested in science at all but the topic about colors piqued his interest. 

He feels a presence beside him. Must be someone seeking cover from the rain, too. He noticed their reflection in the puddle as they were wearing a yellow raincoat. A bright lump of color in an otherwise gloomy and dark environment. 

He hears the rustling of clothes. The faint huffs of breaths of what must be a person catching their breath. Ni-ki can’t help but spare a glance. And he has never turned his head so fast in his whole life when he got to see a glimpse of the person’s face beside him. 

The pretty person . 

His eyes widened, surprised by the coincidence. He couldn’t believe it. It really worked?

What should I do? What should I say? Shit.

The words died on his tongue before he could even speak when the person in the yellow raincoat noticed him. It seems to be confused why he is being stared at but not repulsed by it.

“Yes?” The guy asked sheepishly.

Ni-ki breathed deeply. This was his chance, and he's not going to miss it.

“Hello, I'm Ni-ki.” He managed to utter. Nothing to give away how he's a bundle of nerves at the moment. 

The beautiful stranger politely smiled. “Hi, Ni-ki. I'm Sunoo.”

Sunoo .

He couldn’t think of a more fitting name. 

“Can you be my muse?” 

*** 

Ni-ki still remembers that day like it's a carefully framed photo beside his bed. It's a memory he tried to relieve almost every night. How Sunoo agreed to have his photos taken. How he used up five film rolls even though one would have been enough. How his professor, infamous for being stingy when it comes to grades, gave him an A+. How he told Sunoo about it and watched his eyes sparkle in delight. 

He'd follow him for a week even after that with made-up excuses of “I need your opinion of which photos look best” or “I need to give you a copy of your pictures, hyung” which Sunoo surprisingly bought. 

And now he's working in the cafe he's working in because he said, “I could do some things in my free time.” That’s what he said, but he's fooling no one except Sunoo.

Taki just shook his head when he found out about it. His friend’s out-of-character actions not making sense to him. Although he finds it hilarious, seeing Ni-ki compete for Sunoo’s attention with five other guys.

Hired at the same time as Jungwon, Ni-ki's realization came gradually. Heesung and the others might have politely accepted him into the shop but their wary gazes did not escape him, especially whenever he tried to approach Sunoo. At the same time, he isn't blind to notice how Sunghoon would tenderly assist the boy when using the steamer because it might get burnt, or how Jay would reach for the supplies in the higher cabinet all the time so Sunoo wouldn't have to. 

It's these gestures that made understanding dawn on him: these boys are his kind. They are more or less one and the same when it comes to Sunoo. Bees drawn to the same flower.