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The café was part of Tai’s daily route.
Every morning, he left his house, put his earphones in, and walked the same twenty minutes to the café. Same streets, same turns, same quiet stretch through the park. It was routine. Familiar. Easy.
Was the coffee worth the twenty minute walk? No, not really.. The coffee was good, sure, but Tai would never take twenty minutes out of his day just for some coffee considering there was another café just down the street from his house that serves coffee just as good.
Rather it was specifically to see his crush old friend, Rejoice.
Rejoice and Tai met in high school, got really close and kept in touch after graduation. Tai wasn’t even sure how they are as close as they are, considering Tai and Rejoice are polar opposites.
Rejoice loved bright colours, Tai hated bright colours, he had always preferred monotone colours, saying too much colours hurt his eyes. It seems he might have adapted to them throughout years of hanging out with Rejoice.
Tai stopped in front of a small corner shop, walking in to the familiar smell of freshly baked pastries. A slim blonde haired figure’s hand shot up, waving at Tai, with the biggest smile plastered across his face.
“Hey, Rejoice. The usual, please,” Tai said, sliding into his usual seat by the counter.
Rejoice did not even look surprised. He was already tapping at the register. “You always say that like you have other options.”
“There’s a café right next to my house,” Tai said casually.
Rejoice raised a brow. “And yet you still walk all the way here. I’m touched.”
“Don’t be,” Tai muttered, though the corner of his lips lifted slightly.
“So you’re saying it’s not for me?” Rejoice asked, leaning forward, softening his grin just a touch.
Tai met his gaze for a second longer than necessary. “Did I say that?”
Rejoice blinked, then laughed quietly. “Careful, Tai. You’re starting to sound honest.”
“Must be the lack of sleep,” Tai shot back, trying to act casual.
“Or maybe you just like seeing me,” Rejoice said, already reaching for a cup, eyes flicking up briefly.
Tai looked away, pretending not to notice how Rejoice’s fingers brushed the paper cup a little longer than necessary.
“Don’t tell me you walk twenty minutes just for coffee,” Rejoice teased.
Tai huffed softly. “It’s not about the coffee.”
Rejoice tilted his head. “Good. Would’ve been sad if it were.”
Tai only smiled faintly.
“You’re being honest. It’s weird.”Rejoice said, straightening up again, though the smile on his face had softened.
“Don’t get used to it.”
“No promises,” Rejoice shot back easily, grabbing a cup and turning toward the coffee maker. “I might start expecting this version of you.”
Tai watched him for a moment, fingers tapping lightly against the table. “Sounds like a you problem.”
“Everything about you is a me problem,” Rejoice replied without missing a beat.
Tai almost choked on air. “You say things like that to all your customers?”
“No,” Rejoice said, glancing over his shoulder, eyes bright. “Just the ones who walk twenty minutes for me.”
Tai looked away first this time, bringing a hand up to his face like he was thinking, even though he clearly was not.
“You talk too much,” he muttered.
“And you keep coming back,” Rejoice said, pouring the coffee with practiced ease. “So it works.”
Tai let out a quiet huff. “Just make the drink.”
“Already doing it,” Rejoice replied. “Anything else you want while you’re here? A compliment? Free pastry? My number again?”
“I already have it.”
“Good,” Rejoice said, turning back to face him fully now, holding the cup out but not letting go just yet. “Wouldn’t want you making that walk for nothing.”
Tai reached for the cup, their fingers brushing for just a second longer than needed.
“…Yeah,” Tai said quietly. “Wouldn’t want that.”
Rejoice finally let go, smile lingering.
“Good answer.” Rejoice grinned smugly. “Oh, by the way, I’m getting off work early today. Wanna hang out later?”
“Why not? I don’t have anything else to do.” Tai mumbles both hands holding his cup.
They walked together, Tai leading the way, hands stuffed in his pockets, Rejoice falling into step beside him. The park was quiet, golden sunlight filtering through the trees. Birds chirped faintly, and the air smelled faintly of grass and warm earth.
“You never bring people here,” Rejoice said, glancing around.
“I thought you’d like it,” Tai replied casually, though his fingers flexed against his coat.
Rejoice smirked. “You thought right.”
They reached a small bench by the pond. Tai sat first, patting the spot beside him. “Sit or don’t,” he said, a faint edge in his voice.
Rejoice grinned and dropped down beside him, a little closer than usual. The quiet between them felt heavier, full of things neither had said yet.
“You walk twenty minutes every morning to that café,” Rejoice said after a moment, “and you still act like it’s not for me.”
Tai exhaled softly. “Why do you keep bringing that up?”
“I like hearing you admit it,” Rejoice replied, softer now.
Tai didn’t answer immediately, eyes fixed on the water. “You already know,” he said quietly.
“I do,” Rejoice said. “I just like hearing it anyway.”
The breeze rustled the leaves. Tai’s shoulder brushed against Rejoice’s. Neither moved away.
“…I like seeing you,” Tai said finally, voice low.
Rejoice blinked, caught off guard, then smiled softly. “That wasn’t so hard, was it?”
“Don’t make it a thing,” Tai muttered.
“Too late,” Rejoice replied, nudging him gently.
They sat like that for a while, the sun dipping lower, shoulders touching, hands brushing lightly but intentionally. Tai watched the way Rejoice’s hair caught the light, how the corners of his smile softened in the quiet.
“You could’ve just texted me,” Rejoice said eventually.
Tai shook his head. “Not the same.”
Rejoice laughed quietly. “Yeah?“
Tai didn’t answer, letting the moment linger. Routine or not, the café walk had never felt meaningless.
Tai and Rejoice sat side by side on the bench, shoulders almost touching. The breeze rustled the trees, making the moment feel suspended in time.
Rejoice shifted slightly, and their hands brushed,just a fleeting touch,but Tai’s heart skipped anyway. He quickly pulled back, pretending it didn’t happen.
“You’re jumpy,” Rejoice said, eyes glinting, a teasing edge in his voice.
“I’m not,” Tai muttered, though he was very much aware of the warmth spreading through his chest.
Rejoice leaned back casually, letting his arm hover close to Tai’s. “Sure, sure. It’s cute, though,” he added softly, almost under his breath.
Tai glanced at him, and their eyes met for a long second. Too long. His fingers twitched, hovering near Rejoice’s hand, unsure if he should move or stay.
“Your shoulder,” Rejoice whispered, “is kind of… warm.”
Tai felt heat rush to his cheeks. “Is that supposed to mean something?”
Rejoice smirked, leaning a tiny bit closer, so that their elbows touched. “Maybe,” he said softly, eyes locked on Tai’s. “Maybe it does.”
Tai’s breath hitched slightly. “You’re… impossible.”
“Maybe I like being impossible,” Rejoice said, his tone teasing, but his smile softened.
Another pause. Their hands drifted closer, fingers almost touching. Tai froze, heart racing. Rejoice didn’t pull away. He just let the space linger, letting Tai decide whether to close it.
“I…”Tai started, then swallowed, looking down at their hands. “Never mind.”
Rejoice’s hand twitched, brushing lightly against Tai’s. “Hmm,” he murmured, “I think you’re overthinking it.”
Tai’s chest tightened. “Maybe I am.”
Rejoice laughed quietly, leaning back again, but the corners of his smile lingered, just for Tai. That small laugh, that soft warmth.
It made the park feel a little smaller, a little more private, just for them.