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Heeseung had made a terrible mistake.
He realized this the moment he pushed open the door to Moonlight Café and was immediately assaulted by an explosion of pastel pink, frilly lace, and the sweet scent of vanilla and strawberries. His friends had been relentless in their teasing, insisting he needed to "loosen up" and "try something fun" after weeks of being buried in his composition thesis. A maid café, they had said. It will be hilarious, they had said.
They had not warned him about Jaeyun.
The café was moderately busy for a Thursday afternoon, filled with small groups clustered around tables decorated with miniature flower arrangements and delicate china. Heeseung chose a table near the window, table seven, trying to calm his racing heart. He was not usually this nervous about new experiences, but something about the overly cute atmosphere made him feel out of place, like he had stumbled into a different world entirely.
He was studying the menu, trying to decipher the difference between the "Dreamy Afternoon Blend" and the "Moonlight Special," when he caught movement in his peripheral vision.
And then his entire world tilted on its axis.
The omega approaching his table was the most devastating thing Heeseung had ever seen in his twenty-three years of life.
He was petite, with a delicate frame that the maid uniform seemed specifically designed to accentuate. The dress itself was a masterpiece of calculated cuteness: black fabric with a fitted bodice that emphasized a tiny waist, short puffed sleeves trimmed with white lace, and a skirt that flared out just above mid-thigh, revealing long, slender legs covered in white knee-high socks with small bows at the top. Over the dress, he wore a white apron with layers of ruffles cascading down the front, tied at the back with a large bow that drew attention to the curve of his lower back.
But it was his face that completely destroyed any coherent thought Heeseung had left.
His hair was a rich honey-brown color, styled in soft, slightly tousled waves that framed his face perfectly. A small white headband with lace trim sat atop his head, keeping his hair back while a few rebellious strands fell across his forehead. His skin was flawless, smooth and fair with a natural glow that made Heeseung wonder if he was even real or some kind of ethereal being.
His eyes were large and expressive, a warm brown that reminded Heeseung of melted chocolate, framed by long lashes that cast shadows on his cheeks when he blinked. His nose was straight and perfectly proportioned, and his lips were full and naturally pink, curved into a professional smile that still somehow managed to look genuine and warm.
Then their eyes met, and Heeseung felt his face immediately burst into flames.
The omega tilted his head slightly, and the movement made his hair shift, catching the afternoon light streaming through the windows. Up close, Heeseung could detect his scent: sweet vanilla with undertones of something floral, maybe jasmine, distinctly omega and absolutely intoxicating.
"Welcome to Moonlight Café," the omega said, and his voice was like honey, smooth and sweet with a slightly playful lilt. He performed a small curtsy, bending his knees and lifting the edges of his skirt just slightly, and Heeseung's brain short-circuited watching the fabric flutter around his thighs. "My name is Jaeyun, and I will be your server today. May I start you off with something to drink?"
Heeseung opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again but no sound came out.
Jaeyun waited patiently, and Heeseung noticed how his lips curved up just a bit more at the corners, like he was trying not to laugh. Those lips were absolutely perfect, soft and full, and Heeseung could not stop staring at them. He watched, mesmerized, as Jaeyun's tongue darted out to wet his bottom lip, a quick nervous gesture that sent Heeseung's alpha instincts into overdrive.
"I... uh..." Heeseung finally managed, his voice coming out embarrassingly high-pitched. He could feel his ears burning, and knew his face must be an alarming shade of red. He gripped the menu like it was a lifeline, forcing his eyes down to the laminated surface. "Coffee. Just... just coffee, please."
His hands were shaking. His actual hands were shaking. Over a cute omega in a maid uniform. Heeseung wanted to crawl under the table and never emerge.
"Would you like our house blend, or perhaps something flavored?" Jaeyun asked, his pen poised over his notepad. Heeseung noticed his hands were elegant, with long fingers and neat nails painted a soft pink that matched the café's color scheme. Even his hands were pretty. This was unfair. "We have vanilla, caramel, and hazelnut available."
"House blend is fine," Heeseung mumbled, still unable to meet those devastating eyes for more than a second at a time. His knee was bouncing under the table, nervous energy coursing through him.
"Wonderful choice," Jaeyun replied, and Heeseung risked another glance. The omega was writing down his order, and Heeseung found himself captivated by the way his brow furrowed slightly in concentration, by the way he caught his bottom lip between his teeth as he wrote. That lip bite nearly killed Heeseung on the spot. "And would you like anything to eat? Our strawberry shortcake is particularly popular today."
When Jaeyun looked back up at him, Heeseung was caught off guard by the full force of his gaze. Those eyes were even more beautiful up close, sparkling with what looked like genuine friendliness and maybe a hint of amusement. Heeseung's mouth went dry.
"Just the coffee," he whispered, not trusting his voice to go any louder without cracking.
"Of course! I will be right back with that for you," Jaeyun said with another bright smile. Then he turned, and Heeseung got his first full view of the back of the uniform. The large bow at his waist swayed as he walked, drawing attention to his slim figure. The skirt flared with each step, and Heeseung found himself tracking every single movement, completely mesmerized by the gentle sway of his hips, the way the lace trim of his socks peeked out from beneath the hem of his dress.
Heeseung buried his face in his hands the moment Jaeyun disappeared behind the counter. This was a disaster. An absolute disaster. He had never reacted to anyone like this before, omega or not. Sure, he appreciated beauty when he saw it, but this was different. This was visceral, overwhelming, like every instinct in his body had woken up at once and decided that Jaeyun was the most important person in the entire world.
He forced himself to sit up, to try to act normal, but his eyes kept drifting across the café to where Jaeyun was preparing his order. Even from a distance, Heeseung could not help but catalogue every detail. The way Jaeyun's hair caught the light. The elegant line of his neck when he tilted his head to listen to another server. The graceful movements of his hands as he worked.
Heeseung was so completely screwed.
When Jaeyun started walking back toward his table carrying a tray, Heeseung felt his heart rate spike. He watched the omega weave between tables, and noticed the way other customers glanced up at him with appreciation. Of course they did. How could anyone not stare at him?
"Here is your coffee," Jaeyun said as he arrived at the table, and Heeseung watched in fascination as he carefully set down the cup and saucer. There was a small cookie on the side that Heeseung was fairly certain had not been part of his order. Jaeyun's fingers were so delicate as they arranged everything perfectly, and Heeseung caught himself staring at the pale pink polish on his nails again. "Please let me know if you need anything else."
"Thank you," Heeseung managed, his voice steadier this time though his face still felt like it was on fire. He was close enough now to see the faint dusting of freckles across Jaeyun's nose, barely visible but absolutely adorable. "Um... Jaeyun, right?"
The omega nodded, and Heeseung watched the way his hair shifted with the movement, how a strand fell across his eye. Without thinking, Heeseung imagined reaching up to brush it back, and the thought made his blush deepen even further.
"Yes, that is correct," Jaeyun replied, and was it Heeseung's imagination, or did he look pleased that Heeseung had remembered his name?
"It is a nice name," Heeseung blurted out, then immediately wanted to die. It is a nice name? That was what he was going with? Not 'you are the most beautiful person I have ever seen' or 'I think I just fell in love at first sight' but 'it is a nice name'? "I mean... I just... never mind. Thank you for the coffee."
But Jaeyun was smiling at him now, a genuine smile that made his eyes crinkle at the corners and revealed a hint of perfect white teeth. Heeseung felt his breath catch in his throat. If he had thought Jaeyun was beautiful before, it was nothing compared to what that smile did to his face.
"You are welcome," Jaeyun said softly. Then, after a moment's hesitation, he asked, "And may I ask your name?"
Heeseung's eyes widened. Jaeyun wanted to know his name. This gorgeous omega actually wanted to know who he was.
"Heeseung," he said quickly, too quickly, stumbling over the syllables. "Lee Heeseung."
"It is nice to meet you, Heeseung," Jaeyun replied, and hearing his name in that honey-sweet voice made something warm unfurl in Heeseung's chest.
After Jaeyun left to attend to other customers, Heeseung tried to focus on his coffee, but it was impossible. His eyes kept tracking the omega around the café like he was magnetic. He watched the way Jaeyun moved between tables with practiced grace, the way he leaned down to talk to customers with that sweet smile, the way he tucked hair behind his ear when it fell into his face, revealing a small silver earring Heeseung had not noticed before.
Every gesture was like poetry. When Jaeyun laughed at something another customer said, his whole face lit up and his shoulders shook slightly, and Heeseung felt a pang of jealousy that he was not the one making him laugh like that. When Jaeyun bent to pick up a dropped napkin, the movement was so graceful it took Heeseung's breath away. When he bit his lip in concentration while writing down an order, Heeseung had to grip his coffee cup to keep his hands steady.
At one point, Jaeyun reached up to adjust his headband, and the movement made his uniform ride up slightly, revealing just a sliver of pale skin at his waist. Heeseung immediately looked away, his face burning, feeling like he had seen something he should not have even though it was completely innocent.
Heeseung had no idea how long he sat there, nursing his coffee that had long since gone lukewarm, but he could not bring himself to leave. Every few minutes, Jaeyun would pass by his table, and each time he would offer a soft smile that made Heeseung's heart skip. Sometimes Jaeyun would pause to check on him, asking if he needed anything, and Heeseung would stammer out a response while trying not to stare too obviously at the way the afternoon light made Jaeyun's skin seem to glow.
"Would you like a refill?" Jaeyun asked, appearing at his table for what must have been the third time. Heeseung's cup was still half full, but he found himself nodding eagerly anyway, desperate for any excuse to keep Jaeyun close for a few more seconds.
"Oh, um, yes please," Heeseung said, watching intently as Jaeyun leaned forward slightly to pour from the fresh pot. This close, Heeseung could smell his scent more strongly, that sweet vanilla and jasmine that made his alpha instincts purr with satisfaction. He noticed the way Jaeyun's eyelashes cast shadows on his cheeks, the slight part of his lips as he concentrated on not spilling a drop.
The proximity was doing dangerous things to Heeseung's self-control. He could see the pulse point at Jaeyun's throat, could see the delicate line of his collarbones just visible above the neckline of his dress. When Jaeyun straightened up, Heeseung caught a glimpse of his profile, the elegant slope of his nose, the soft curve of his jaw.
"You have really pretty eyes," Heeseung blurted out before his brain could catch up with his mouth. The moment the words left him, he slapped a hand over his face, horrified. "I am so sorry. That was... I should not have..."
But Jaeyun laughed, a genuine, delighted sound that made Heeseung's heart flip in his chest. His eyes disappeared into crescents when he laughed, his nose scrunching up slightly, and Heeseung committed every detail to memory, wanting to hear that laugh every day for the rest of his life.
"Thank you, Heeseung," Jaeyun said warmly. "That is very kind of you to say."
The fact that Jaeyun had remembered his name made Heeseung's heart soar. Emboldened by the positive response, even though his face was probably the color of a tomato, Heeseung stumbled forward with his thoughts.
"I just... you are very..." Heeseung gestured helplessly, unable to find adequate words. "Everything about you is pretty. The uniform, your hair, your smile... I am sorry, I am not usually like this. I am making a fool of myself."
"You are not making a fool of yourself," Jaeyun assured him gently, and then he leaned down slightly, bringing his face closer to Heeseung's level. Heeseung could see gold flecks in his brown eyes that he had not noticed before. "I think you are sweet."
Heeseung stopped breathing. He was fairly certain his heart stopped beating too. His brain completely short-circuited, unable to process the fact that this beautiful, perfect omega had just called him sweet. His face went from red to what must have been an alarming shade of crimson, and his mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water.
"I... you... really?" he squeaked out, his voice embarrassingly high.
Jaeyun nodded, a soft smile playing on his lips. Those perfect, pink lips that Heeseung absolutely should not be staring at but could not seem to look away from.
The spell was broken when another customer called for Jaeyun's attention. As the omega excused himself with an apologetic smile, Heeseung slumped back in his chair, his heart racing and his mind reeling. He was in so much trouble. One afternoon and he was completely, utterly, hopelessly infatuated.
The rest of Heeseung's visit passed in a blur of stolen glances and racing heartbeats. He could not stop watching Jaeyun, noting every little detail: the way he swayed slightly when he walked, the way he played with the lace on his apron when he was standing idle, the way he bit the inside of his cheek when he was thinking. Every gesture, every expression, every movement was like a revelation.
When it came time to pay and leave, Heeseung approached the counter where Jaeyun happened to be processing bills. Their fingers brushed when Jaeyun handed back his change, and Heeseung felt a spark of electricity at the contact. Jaeyun's hands were so soft, so small compared to his own.
"Did you enjoy everything?" Jaeyun asked, and Heeseung noticed the way he looked up through his lashes, almost shy.
"Very much," Heeseung said quietly, trying to memorize every detail of Jaeyun's face from this angle. "The coffee was great. And the service was... exceptional."
He saw the way Jaeyun's cheeks colored slightly at the compliment, a faint pink that made him look even more beautiful. Gathering every ounce of courage he possessed, Heeseung asked, "Will you... will you be working tomorrow?"
The hope in Jaeyun's eyes when he answered made Heeseung's chest feel tight. "Yes, I have the afternoon shift again. Two to eight."
"Oh. That is good to know," Heeseung said, trying and failing to sound casual. "I might... I might come back. For the coffee. It is really good coffee."
"Just for the coffee?" Jaeyun asked with a playful tilt of his head, and Heeseung felt his breath catch at the teasing tone.
"Well... maybe not just for the coffee," Heeseung admitted in a whisper, unable to maintain the pretense.
Jaeyun's smile was radiant. "I hope to see you tomorrow then, Heeseung."
"You will," Heeseung promised, his voice gaining a touch of confidence. "Definitely. I will be here."
Heeseung did return the next day. And the day after that. And every day that week, always arriving at exactly two-fifteen, always sitting at table seven, always ordering coffee and that strawberry shortcake he had finally tried and found delicious, though not nearly as sweet as Jaeyun's smile.
Each visit revealed new details about the omega that Heeseung hoarded like precious treasures. He learned that Jaeyun had a habit of humming softly while he worked, melodies that Heeseung's musician's ear recognized as popular songs. He learned that Jaeyun's left hand was slightly more expressive than his right when he talked, gesturing in elegant arcs. He learned that when Jaeyun was embarrassed, he would touch his ear, and when he was pleased, his eyes would sparkle with flecks of amber that caught the light.
On his fifth visit, Heeseung brought a small gift: a bookmark shaped like a coffee cup with tiny hearts on it. His hands shook as he presented it.
"I saw it and thought of you," Heeseung explained, feeling his cheeks heat up as they always did around Jaeyun. "Because of the café, and because... well, because I am always thinking of you lately."
Jaeyun accepted the bookmark with such care, his fingers tracing over the design, and the soft, touched expression on his face made Heeseung's gift feel inadequate. He should have brought flowers. Or chocolates. Or the moon if he could have figured out how to give it to him.
"I was thinking," Heeseung continued, fidgeting with the bookmark's wrapping. "Maybe sometime, we could meet somewhere that is not here? Do not get me wrong, I love the café, but I would like to take you on a proper date. If you want. No pressure."
Jaeyun's face lit up in that way that made Heeseung's heart stutter. "I would really like that. How about this Saturday? I have the day off."
"Saturday is perfect," Heeseung agreed, probably too enthusiastically. "I will plan something special. I promise."
As Jaeyun returned to work, Heeseung found himself grinning like an idiot into his coffee. A real date. With Jaeyun. Outside the café where Heeseung could actually focus on him without the distraction of the uniform and the other customers and…
"Excuse me, sir?"
Heeseung looked up to find another server standing by his table, an omega named Sunoo if he remembered correctly. Sunoo had a mischievous glint in his eye that made Heeseung immediately wary.
"Yes?"
"I wanted to let you know about our special customer appreciation activities today," Sunoo said with a smile that was far too innocent. "Since you are such a regular customer, Jaeyun-ssi would be happy to provide you with our premium service experience. Would you be interested?"
Heeseung had no idea what that meant, but if it involved Jaeyun, he was already nodding. "Sure, that sounds nice."
"Wonderful! I will let him know," Sunoo said, and the way he practically skipped away made Heeseung wonder what exactly he had just agreed to.
Five minutes later, Jaeyun appeared at his table carrying a tray with what looked like a dessert parfait. But it was the expression on his face that made Heeseung's heart rate spike: he looked nervous, his teeth worrying at his bottom lip in a way that was absolutely devastating.
"So, um, Sunoo mentioned you agreed to the premium service," Jaeyun said, setting the parfait down. His cheeks were already pink, and Heeseung had not even found out what this service entailed yet.
"I did," Heeseung confirmed, though now he was getting nervous too. "What does that involve exactly?"
Jaeyun's blush deepened. "Well, it is a traditional maid café activity where I... where I feed you the dessert. While making it cute. With sound effects."
Heeseung's brain short-circuited. "You... feed me?"
"Only if you are comfortable with it!" Jaeyun said quickly. "We do not have to if it is weird. I know it is a bit much and…"
"No, no, it is fine," Heeseung interrupted, even though his heart was already racing at the thought. Jaeyun feeding him? With his own hands? While being cute? Heeseung was going to die. He was absolutely going to die right here in this café. "I am... I am okay with it."
Jaeyun looked relieved and nervous in equal measure. He pulled a chair around to sit next to Heeseung instead of across from him, and the proximity made Heeseung's mouth go dry. He could smell Jaeyun's sweet scent even more strongly now, and could see the way his hands trembled slightly as he picked up the spoon.
"Okay, so, um..." Jaeyun cleared his throat, and Heeseung watched his adam's apple bob with the movement. "I am going to make this strawberry parfait extra delicious with magic. Are you ready?"
Heeseung nodded, not trusting his voice.
Jaeyun scooped up a spoonful of the parfait, then held it up between them. He made a little gesture over it with his other hand, then looked at Heeseung with the most adorable expression, eyes wide and innocent.
"Moe moe kyun~!" Jaeyun said in a higher, cuter voice, making a little heart with his hands. Then he brought the spoon toward Heeseung's mouth, his own face burning red. "Say ahhh~"
Heeseung thought he might actually combust. Jaeyun was so close, his face mere inches away, those perfect lips formed into a small 'o' shape, his eyes watching Heeseung expectantly. The hand holding the spoon was shaking just slightly, revealing that Jaeyun was just as affected by this as Heeseung was.
"A-ahhh," Heeseung managed, opening his mouth, and Jaeyun gently slid the spoon in.
The moment was so intimate it made Heeseung dizzy. He was hyperaware of everything: the way Jaeyun was biting his bottom lip as he concentrated, the gentle scrape of the spoon against Heeseung's teeth as he pulled it back, the way Jaeyun's eyes were fixed on his mouth made Heeseung's skin feel hot.
"Is it good?" Jaeyun asked softly, his voice back to normal, and Heeseung could see the genuine concern in his eyes beneath the embarrassment.
Heeseung swallowed, tasting strawberries and cream but barely registering the flavor because all he could think about was how close Jaeyun was, how he could see the individual lashes framing those beautiful eyes, how there was a tiny smudge of whipped cream on Jaeyun's thumb that Heeseung wanted to…
"It is perfect," Heeseung said, his voice coming out rougher than intended.
Jaeyun smiled, pleased, and prepared another spoonful. This time, he seemed a bit more confident, adding a little "Here comes the airplane~" gesture that was so adorable Heeseung wanted to pull him into his lap and never let go.
As Jaeyun fed him another bite, his hand shifted to steady the spoon, and his fingers brushed against Heeseung's jaw. The contact was brief, accidental, but it sent electricity racing through Heeseung's entire body. He saw Jaeyun's eyes widen, saw the way his breath caught, and knew the omega had felt it too.
"Sorry," Jaeyun whispered, pulling his hand back quickly.
"Do not be," Heeseung said, then gathered his courage. "You can... you can touch me. If you want. I do not mind."
The look Jaeyun gave him was so full of warmth and shyness and something deeper that Heeseung felt his chest constrict. For the next few bites, Jaeyun's hand rested gently on Heeseung's shoulder, his thumb occasionally brushing against Heeseung's neck in a way that made it very difficult to concentrate on anything other than the omega next to him.
Halfway through the parfait, Jaeyun made a particularly enthusiastic "Yummy~" sound effect, and some of the whipped cream got on the corner of Heeseung's mouth. Before Heeseung could reach for a napkin, Jaeyun grabbed one and leaned in even closer, his face serious with concentration as he gently dabbed at Heeseung's lips.
Heeseung stopped breathing. Jaeyun was so close now that Heeseung could count his eyelashes, could see the faint freckles across his nose, could see the way Jaeyun's tongue darted out to wet his own lips nervously. The touch of the napkin against his mouth was feather-light, but Heeseung felt it everywhere.
"There," Jaeyun said softly, but he did not pull away immediately. For a long moment, they just stared at each other, the air between them charged with something electric and terrifying and wonderful.
It was Sunoo's voice calling from across the café that finally broke the moment, and Jaeyun jerked back, his face flaming red.
"I should... I have other customers," Jaeyun said, standing up quickly, though Heeseung noticed he seemed reluctant to leave. "Did you... did you enjoy that?"
"Yes," Heeseung said honestly, his own face burning. "Very much."
Jaeyun's smile was radiant. "Good. Maybe we can... maybe on our date on Saturday, we can do more things that make you happy?"
Heeseung's heart felt like it might burst out of his chest. "I would love that. Though honestly, just being with you makes me happy."
The sound Jaeyun made was somewhere between a laugh and a gasp, and then he was fleeing back to his duties, though not before Heeseung caught the huge smile on his face.
The next day, when Heeseung arrived at his usual time, he found Sunoo waiting for him with another one of those mischievous smiles.
"Jaeyun told me you enjoyed yesterday's premium service," Sunoo said, and Heeseung felt his ears burn at the memory. "Would you like to try our photo experience today? It is very popular."
"Photo experience?" Heeseung asked cautiously.
"You get to take a photo with your server in a cute pose," Sunoo explained. "Jaeyun will even draw a little decoration on it and sign it for you. Most customers love it."
The thought of having a physical photo of Jaeyun, of them together, made Heeseung's heart race. "Yes. Definitely yes."
Sunoo's grin widened. "I will get him for you."
When Jaeyun appeared, he was holding a Polaroid camera and looking simultaneously excited and nervous. His hair was styled with a small thin white ribbon that matched his apron.
"Sunoo said you wanted to do the photo experience?" Jaeyun asked, and Heeseung noticed he was playing with the lace on his apron again, rolling the delicate fabric between his fingers in that tell-tale sign of his nerves. The gesture drew attention to his hands, and Heeseung found himself staring at the elegant curve of his wrists.
"If you do not mind," Heeseung said, his voice coming out softer than intended.
"Of course not!" Jaeyun said quickly, his eyes brightening. Then, more shyly, he added while looking down at the camera, "Actually, I was hoping you would want to. I would like a photo with you too."
That admission made Heeseung's chest feel warm, and made his alpha instincts practically purr with satisfaction. Jaeyun wanted a photo of them too. He wanted to remember this, to have something physical to keep.
"How does this work?" Heeseung asked, trying to keep his voice steady.
"Well, you can choose the pose," Jaeyun explained, his cheeks already turning that pretty shade of pink that Heeseung had come to adore. "Most customers do a peace sign or a heart. We stand close together so we both fit in the frame, and I set the timer on the camera."
Standing close together. Heeseung tried to control his breathing at the thought. Every time Jaeyun was near him, Heeseung felt like his senses were overwhelmed in the best possible way.
"Could we... could we do a heart?" Heeseung asked. "Together, I mean. With our hands."
Jaeyun's eyes lit up, sparkling with those amber flecks that only appeared when he was particularly happy. "Yes! That would be really cute. Let me set this up."
Jaeyun set the camera on a nearby stand with a timer, his movements graceful and practiced. Heeseung watched the way his skirt swayed as he moved, the way he bit his lip in concentration as he adjusted the angle. Then Jaeyun came to stand next to him, close enough that their shoulders were touching, that Heeseung could feel the warmth radiating from his body through the fabric of their clothes.
"Okay, so we raise our arms like this," Jaeyun said, demonstrating by lifting his arms above his head in a graceful arc, "and we connect our hands at the top to make the heart shape."
Heeseung raised his arms, his heart already racing, and when Jaeyun's hands touched his to form the top of the heart, he felt that same electric spark from before. Jaeyun's hands were so small in his, so soft and delicate. The omega's pinky finger curled around Heeseung's, and Heeseung had to resist the urge to intertwine their fingers properly, to hold on and never let go.
He could feel Jaeyun's pulse through the contact point where their wrists touched, rapid and fluttering like a bird's wings. It matched the frantic beating of his own heart.
"Perfect! Now stay still and smile!" Jaeyun said, and Heeseung could hear the genuine happiness in his voice, and could feel the slight tremor in the omega's hands.
But Heeseung could not focus on the camera. He was too aware of Jaeyun pressed against his side, of the way their arms formed a heart above them, of the sweet scent of vanilla and jasmine that was so concentrated this close that it made Heeseung dizzy. He turned his head slightly and found Jaeyun already looking at him instead of the camera, a soft smile on his face that was different from his customer service smile. This one was private, real, just for Heeseung. His eyes were warm, affectionate, and slightly wondering, as though he could not quite believe this was happening either.
The camera flashed.
"Oh no, we were not looking at the camera," Jaeyun said, but he was laughing, his nose scrunching up in that adorable way that made Heeseung's heart clench. His whole face transformed when he laughed like this, uninhibited and joyful. "Should we take another one?"
"Can we keep this one too?" Heeseung asked, his voice coming out almost pleading. He wanted this photo, this candid moment of them looking at each other, and wanted to be able to see the way Jaeyun looked at him when he thought the camera was not focused on them.
Jaeyun's expression softened, melted into something tender and sweet. "Yes. We can keep this one too."
They took another photo, properly posed this time, both looking at the camera and smiling. Heeseung tried to focus on the lens, but he was hyperaware of Jaeyun's presence beside him, of the continued contact of their hands, of the way Jaeyun had leaned into him slightly, as though seeking his warmth. But it was the first photo that Heeseung knew he would treasure when Jaeyun handed them both over. In it, Heeseung could see the way he was looking at Jaeyun, the open adoration on his face, the softness in his eyes, and the way Jaeyun was smiling back at him with such warmth that it took his breath away even in a still image.
Jaeyun took the photos to a small table and pulled out a set of colorful pens. Heeseung watched, completely fascinated, as those elegant fingers carefully drew tiny hearts and stars around the border of the photo. His tongue peeked out slightly between his lips as he concentrated, and Heeseung found even this small gesture unbearably cute. Jaeyun added little sparkles, some flowers that matched the ones in his hair, and then a small speech bubble coming from his own image that said "Thank you for coming!"
The handwriting was neat and round, with little flourishes on certain letters that spoke of care and personality.
"Can I write something on yours?" Heeseung asked impulsively, wanting to give Jaeyun something personal, something that would make him smile when he looked at it later.
Jaeyun looked surprised but pleased, his eyebrows raising and a delighted smile crossing his face. "Of course!"
Heeseung took the pen with trembling fingers, very aware of Jaeyun watching him with curious eyes. He carefully wrote on the white border of Jaeyun's copy: "The prettiest person I have ever seen." Then, smaller underneath, he added "- Heeseung" with a tiny heart next to his name.
When Jaeyun read it, his entire face turned red, spreading from his cheeks to his ears to his neck, and he made a small sound that was half gasp, half laugh. He pressed the photo to his chest, right over his heart, looking at Heeseung with such open affection that Heeseung felt breathless.
"You are going to kill me with kindness," Jaeyun said, but he was smiling so wide his eyes had disappeared into crescents, his cheeks pushing up and creating the cutest expression Heeseung had ever seen.
"I hope not," Heeseung replied, feeling bold enough to reach out and gently tap Jaeyun's nose with his finger, a playful gesture that made the omega's eyes widen in surprise before he giggled. "I have a date with you on Saturday. I would hate to miss it."
Jaeyun's giggle was like music, light and happy and utterly enchanting.