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𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐀 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐞 | 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐢 𝐁𝐞𝐨𝐦𝐠𝐲𝐮

☕︎ pairing: beomgyu x gn reader

☕︎ word count: 13.6k

☕︎ genre: fluff, friends to lovers, mutual pining, slowburn, jealousy, café au

☕︎ synopsis: years of working at the café have left you hopelessly in love with your co-worker, beomgyu. unbeknownst to you, he's been hiding the same feelings, but neither of you dared to make the first move. when a job offer threatens to pull you away, the delicate balance between you and him is put to the test. will you risk taking the chance or let it slip away in regret?

☕︎ a/n: mainly inspired by the song take a chance with me by niki and also a thousand miles by vanessa carlton. repost because i accidentally deleted the original (╥﹏╥)

☕︎ taglist: @bamgeutori @bamgyt @woncheecks

The chime of a bell caught your attention as the front door swung open. Your head jerked up as Beomgyu walked in. An apologetic smile adorned his face, his hair was slightly disheveled, and his backpack hung off one shoulder, wrinkling his tee.

“Look who finally showed up.” Soobin said.

“Sorry, I'm late. Some errands got in the way.” Beomgyu sheepishly said as he hurriedly made his way into the kitchen, flashing you a smile before disappearing behind the door.

“Hey, Y/N, could you finish up this order for me?” Soobin asked. “I'm running late for class so I'll just count the cash in the register before turning it over.”

“Yeah, go ahead. I’ve got you covered.” You said, swapping places with him at the coffee machine.

He had already finished preparing the ingredients for the hazelnut frappe and all that was left for you to do was assemble the drink together. After four years of experience working at the café to fund your college education, you’ve memorized all the recipes like the back of your own hand. Making them was just like clockwork.

You grabbed a plastic cup, drizzled it with syrup before filling it with ice. Then you carefully poured in the coffee, followed by milk, and lastly, the whipped cream—which was nowhere to be found inside of the fridge.

“Soobin! We’re all out of whipped cream. Why did you let a customer order a frappe and then forget about the whipped cream?!”

“What?! Didn't you do inventory earlier?” He asked, pausing from counting.

“Is the sky blue? Of course, I did! But sometime during your shift, you used up all the whipped cream and didn't tell me! Or even bothered to make some!” You were stressing out and it took every ounce of restraint in your body not to hit him upside the head.

“Calm down, tiger. Let me take care of that.” Beomgyu finally emerged from the kitchen in his apron and wrapped an arm around you as he gave your shoulder a squeeze. “I'll talk to the customer while you go grab the heavy whipping cream from the stocks. Breathe, okay? I don't want you to get an aneurysm over whipped cream.”

You inhaled sharply and sighed before walking off into the kitchen. Beomgyu turned to Soobin, who lowered his head, feeling guilty over the mishap.

“Sorry about that.” He said.

“Don't take it personally. Y/N just really cares a lot about working here. That's why they get worked up when something goes wrong.” Beomgyu reassured him.

“I know, but…” Soobin trailed off, glancing at the kitchen door before continuing his sentence. “Don’t you think Y/N has been super stressed lately? They're always so tense while working.”

Indeed, Beomgyu noticed this. He started working at the café a year after you began. He was the third trainee you had supervised and the second longest-serving employee after you. Due to this, the both of you were extremely close and even considered each other best friends. He quickly caught on to your quirks which made it easy for him to read your mood. So every little detail and any slight change would never go unnoticed by Beomgyu.

However, he knew this wasn't just any change of mood. You finally graduated from college four months ago but you were still working at the café. Despite sending out numerous job applications you could no longer count, not a single one had called back to say you were hired. To say you were anxious or troubled would be an understatement.

Beomgyu was well-aware that underneath the tough exterior, you were threatening to fall apart any moment. Another minor inconvenience too heavy to bear and it would tip off the entire tower. It was only a matter of time, like a fuse burning low. He had to make sure he was there to keep you from shattering under the weight of it all.

“I know, but don't worry about it. I'll talk to Y/N.” He said, patting Soobin on the back. “Just focus on that. You wouldn't wanna make a mistake with the money. The boss is the last person you'd want to get on the wrong side of. Also, could you point out who ordered the frappe?”

Soobin directed the other boy's gaze to a woman sitting in the corner of the café. Beomgyu approached her to apologize for the delay in her order and ensured that you were all working on it as promptly as you could. She didn’t seem to mind, smiling graciously before he left. As he returned to the counter, you walked out of the kitchen with a carton of heavy whipping cream in one hand.

“Great, you found it.” He said.

“Yeah but it’s staying in the freezer for a few minutes. I’m gonna have to put the hazelnut frappe in there too.” You said, turning around to reach over for the cup but Beomgyu was already handing it to you. As you took it, your hands brushed and what felt like a jolt of electricity shot up your arm, hot and sudden, causing your heart to skip a beat.

“Thanks.” You mumbled, swiftly turning your face away from him before he could catch the shift in your expression.

“Well, I’m clocking out now. Everything is balanced and double-checked.” Soobin shut the cash register with a click and took off his apron. “Sorry again about the whipped cream, Y/N.”

“It’s all good, just don’t forget next time.” You said before he headed off into the kitchen to grab his stuff from the lockers.

You shut the refrigerator door and dusted your hands off. Beomgyu was leaning against the counter, resting his weight on his elbows, silently watching you with an unreadable look. It made you uncomfortable, not in a creepy way, but more like nervousness that you were unable to tell what he was thinking.

It wasn’t the first time—and lately, it had been happening more often. Like he wanted to say something but couldn’t despite the pressure bubbling, building up inside of him. Although the silence between you was thick, whatever was holding him back was growing thinner by the day. It was only a question of when it would burst.

Soon, Soobin walked out of the door and all the tension in the air dissipated. He waved goodbye as he left and now, it was just you and Beomgyu in charge of the café. You went to clean the coffee machine while he took charge of bussing the tables before disappearing into the kitchen for a few minutes to wash the dishes.

In the meantime, a couple of customers came in and you took their orders. Beomgyu assisted you in preparing and serving them as soon as he came back, then eventually moved on to making the whipped cream.

This is what you liked about working with Beomgyu. The two of you were just so in sync with each other that it made working at the café seem like a piece of cake. Maybe it was the years of experience or the number of shifts you worked together, but either way, nothing could go wrong with Beomgyu around. He was your right hand.

“Excuse me!” Called a voice from the pickup side of the counter—it was the customer who ordered the frappe from about fifteen minutes ago.

“I’ll be with you in a sec!” Beomgyu said, finally topping the drink with a swirl of whipped cream and some more syrup. Then he sealed the cup with a dome lid, slipped it and a straw into a takeaway holder before handing it to her. “Thank you for waiting, we’ll make sure it won’t take this long next time.”

“You know, if the wait always ends with you handing me my drink, I wouldn’t mind waiting again.” She said and your ears sharpened, zeroing in on them like the instincts of a guard dog. She took the drink with a smile that lingered a little too long for your liking.

Beomgyu blinked, caught slightly off guard.

She giggled, then tilted her head. “Wait… have we met before? Oh, I know! Did you take Introductory Biostatistics last semester? Professor Hong’s class?”

“Oh… um… yeah! I-I think so…” Beomgyu blinked again while stumbling over his own words. “You’re um… sorry, I forgot your name.”

“It’s Doah. Beomgyu, right?” She tucked her hair behind her ear, still smiling coyly.

You felt steam coming out of your ears as you gripped way too tightly onto a dishcloth, scrubbing aggressively on an already spotless counter. Her voice was laced with honey, a little too sweet to be casual, but hearing it filled you with venom.

“Lucky guess! You just read that off my nametag, didn’t you?” He chuckled, shifting on his feet as he shot you a look. The kind that screamed ‘HELP ME’ with his eyes.

But you dared not to look in their direction. Not when you wanted to grab the kettle and toss it in her direction.

Doah laughed again. “Yeah, I actually never got your name. But I remembered your face. Pretty impressive how I pay attention to detail, huh?”

“Didn’t pay enough attention in class, clearly.” You muttered under your breath, moving on to cleaning the portafilter, nearly dropping the filter basket. Fortunately, you caught it in your hand. Unfortunately, it was piping hot and you instantly threw it in the sink where it clanged loudly against the metal surface.

“You okay?” Beomgyu asked, turning around to check on you.

“Oh, I’m fine.” You said and waved a hand dismissively.

Doah cleared her throat and leaned closer. “It’s really nice seeing you around again. Mind if we exchanged socials? We could follow each other on Instagram.”

Boy, was she persistent. It was pretty admirable yet so aggravating.

You took a peek from the corner of your eye and saw Beomgyu hesitate for half a second. Then he smiled faintly, the kind that was shown to others as a gesture of politeness rather than interest.

“I guess we could.” He said but before he even got to finish his sentence, Doah was already handing him her phone.

The moment their fingers touched, you bit back your irritation as Beomgyu keyed his Instagram into her phone.

“There. I just sent a follow request,” she said while taking her phone back. Then Doah smirked. “And maybe next time, you can forget about my whipped cream on purpose.”

Beomgyu gave a tight-lipped smile. “Hopefully not. We're actually trying to do better in that department.”

That made her blink, smile faltering and charm wavering for a split second. But she recovered fast. “Well… see you around then.”

And with that she scurried out of the café, bell above the door chiming as she left. Beomgyu stepped away from his spot and stood next to you, letting out a breath he had no idea he had been holding in.

“You certainly handled that well.” You said, fidgeting with the check spindle on the counter.

If you weren't seething with jealousy right now, you'd have told him she was cute and he just blew it. But you'd never say it to his face because that would only mean having to come to terms with your feelings. And it was scary to admit it out loud, even to yourself, that you had fallen for him sometime ago.

“Handled? What's that supposed to mean?” He asked, furrowing his eyebrows at you.

“Come on, she was ogling you. And she gave you her Instagram! You can’t be this dense.” You rolled your eyes, accidentally tearing off a receipt from the check spindle a little too hard.

He let out a short laugh, not buying your faux casual act. “I knew what she was up to. I was just being polite to the customer.”

“Yeah… real polite.” You forced a lightness into your tone that didn’t quite reach your eyes.

“You sound like you didn’t want me to be polite.” He grinned playfully and snatched your hand to keep you from tearing out more receipts. “That’s enough.”

“That’s not what I said!” You scoffed, yanking your hand out of his grasp.

“No, but maybe it’s what you meant.”

“Alright, this conversation is over. Since you’re soooo polite, maybe you should follow her back. I don’t care what you do, Beomgyu.” You walked away to find a new pointless task to do and settled with restacking the coffee cups.

Beomgyu chortled, following you from behind. “Really? Because it seems to me like you do care, though.”

You turned to him sharply. “I said this conversation was over.”

“Fine, I’ll drop it.” He said, raising his hands in mock surrender, but the smirk on his lips said otherwise.

You huffed, directing your focus on aligning the stack of cups so perfectly it could have passed a military inspection. He lingered for a while, watching you with that same undecipherable look from earlier, then sighed.

“I’m deleting her follow request.” He said and took out his phone from his jeans. “She wasn’t my type, anyway.”

You froze mid-stack, the corner of your mouth twitching before you forced it back down to frown.

“Well, you’re pickier than I expected.” You said snarkily.

His lips curved slightly. “I guess I am.”

He was too close for comfort and you wondered if he could possibly hear your heart thrumming in your chest.

“What are you doing just standing there anyway? Go help out in the kitchen or something. Go away.” You hissed, pushing him out of the way as you marched off to the cash register.

Beomgyu knew he had gotten to you. You were too easy to read, much to his amusement. Although he enjoyed poking holes in the facade you put on, just to catch glimpses of the feelings you kept hidden, he knew all too well that he was wearing one of his own. His was woven from careful smiles and harmless teasing, a shield to keep his real emotions from spilling out. If he let even one thread loose, he feared everything would unravel—and you’d see just how much he felt for you.

Later that night, you closed up shop and got ready to go home. You waited for Beomgyu while he dragged down the metal gate over the café and secured the lock in place. Then he got up and dusted his pants as you handed him back his backpack.

“I can’t wait to sleep. My back is killing me.” You yawned, stretching your arms above your head.

“Me too. Want me to carry your bag for you?” He offered.

“No, you don’t have to. I’m good.” You said, but he was already pulling it off of you and though you resisted initially, he was too stubborn and you caved in. You muttered, “Thanks.”

The two of you walked in silence, exhausted from all the work you accomplished today. It was a pleasant night, the cool air against your skin, and the faint hum of the city enveloped you like white noise. Your footsteps against the pavement echoed into the dark as bats flitted overhead, casting shadows underneath the glow of the streetlights.

You arrived at the nearest bus stop and sat down, Beomgyu taking the seat right next to you. It was ten minutes until the next bus rolled up, the arrival time blaring brightly on the screen. It was quiet, save for the occasional car passing by and the faint ambulance siren from a distance.

Beomgyu leaned back, hands tucked in the pockets of his hoodie. His shoulder brushed against yours—too light to be deliberate, yet too lingering to be accidental. You stiffened, feeling the tension in the air rise. There it was again—the jolt of electricity that made your heart skip a beat. You were beginning to think he would make a very good defibrillator.

“I almost forgot to tell you, I got an email a while back and I have a job interview tomorrow!” You said, a wide smile blooming on your face.

“Really? That’s great! I hope you get it.” He said, beaming at you. “But what about your shift, though? Do you need me to take over?”

“Oh no, that’s taken care of. I talked to Yeonjun and he said he’ll handle it.” You replied, but you sounded way too casual about it for Beomgyu’s liking.

“You asked Yeonjun? Why him?” He pouted, realizing that he wasn’t the first person you considered, moreover, not the first person to receive the good news either.

“Well, he was the only one out of everyone else who won’t be busy tomorrow.”

I’m the last one to find out?! He wanted to say, but bit his tongue to keep it from spilling out. “But you could have asked me. I’ve been with you the entire time.”

You raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t you mention that you have a quiz first thing tomorrow morning? You should be focusing on passing that instead of covering my shift.”

“Like I can't do both? You underestimate me.” He huffed and crossed his arms.

“It's not like that.” You chuckled, amused at how mopey he was being. “It's your last year in college. You can't afford any distractions this time around.”

“Who said you were distracting?”

“What?”

“Who said I was distracted?”

Silence stretched between you, as if time had frozen, and your gazes met. Beomgyu was still, his eyes wide like a deer caught in headlights—he dared not move a muscle, as if doing so made him invisible. Meanwhile, you blinked, unsure if you heard him correctly the first time. Then he shrugged, feigning nonchalance, before playfully bumping into your shoulder.

“I mean—” his voice cracked and he cleared his throat, stretching back as if he wasn’t internally panicking. “I’m perfectly capable of juggling my studies with work. It’s never been a problem for me before. What? Like it’s hard?”

He said it so whimsically, even adding in a quote from an excellent movie. But buried beneath his laughter, he was desperately hoping you would catch the bait he just threw. You couldn’t be fooled, though.

“What did you just say?” You asked, not ready to move on from his Freudian slip.

“I said I can multitask. It’s not a distraction if I’m helping you out.” He said nonchalantly as he ran his fingers through his hair and looked at the time on the bus schedule, anxiously bouncing his leg and praying you would just leave his little blunder alone.

You sighed in defeat and decided to let it go, although feeling a little frustrated. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Am I?” He turned to you with a smirk and nudged you with his elbow, suddenly in a teasing mood. “Then next time you’ve got news, maybe tell me first… before Yeonjun.”

His tone carried a subtle edge that you certainly didn’t miss, the pout reappearing on his lips.

“Noted, I’ll do better next time… but why does this bother you?” You asked, tilting your head, eyes searching for answers in the expression on his face.

“Because,” he said simply, “I like it when I’m the one you call first. Not after Yeonjun… or anyone else.”

This time, he locked eyes with you, his gaze steady and unflinching. A warmth swelled in your chest and crept up to your cheeks while chills ran down your body. His words echoed in your head, crossing a fine line between a plea and a confession, leaving you wondering if you should read into it or let it slip quietly away.

“Why do you keep looking at me like that?” You said in a low hushed whisper, almost as if you were too afraid to acknowledge the elephant in the room.

“Like what?” He asked, lips twitching into a smug yet gentle smile.

You rolled your eyes and sighed. “Nevermind.”

Before he could press you for an answer, the bus rolled up with a loud hiss and the doors slid open. You both got up from your seats and climbed aboard, leaving the moment full of unspoken feelings to linger at the bus stop, tucked away in the past where it would stay. However, the tension between you was stubborn, refusing to dissipate and remained with you for the rest of the ride.

It was early in the afternoon the following day when Beomgyu clocked in at work. Your absence at the café shadowed him like a raincloud hovering above his head. It’s not that he was against you being away for an important job interview—in fact, he was so ecstatic about it that he wished you luck over the call early this morning before leaving for class. He just missed having you around to spend time with and work like a ‘dynamic duo’ (a term he coined sometime ago). How he dreaded the day you would finally resign. Working at the café wouldn’t be the same without you.

“Looks like we’ve got an order on the delivery app.” Yeonjun said, taking a look at the POS device. “Two iced caramel macchiatos, a breakfast croissant, and… rose pasta.” “You take the kitchen, I’ll handle the drinks.” Beomgyu said, already positioned at the coffee station.

Yeonjun hummed in approval and left the room. Just then, the bell above the door chimed and Beomgyu instinctively turned to greet the customer—only for his brain to system crash. Doah walked into the café, instantly locking eyes with him, and his mind blue-screened so hard it needed a forced reboot. Internally panicking, he bolted for the kitchen door, muttering about Yeonjun burning the pasta.

“Change of plans. I take the kitchen, you handle the drinks.” Beomgyu said, attempting to snatch the ladle out of the other boy’s hand.

“No way. I was here first!” Yeonjun shot back, shielding himself with his arm to keep the former from stealing it.

“Come on, just let me have this.” Beomgyu made another grab but Yeonjun stretched his arm far from his reach.

“Why are you acting so crazy? You broke the coffee machine, didn't you?” Yeonjun’s eyes narrowed in suspicion.

Beomgyu relented and sighed. “There’s a customer outside that I’d rather not deal with.”

“Why not?”

“She asked for my Instagram yesterday and followed me.”

Yeonjun raised a brow. “And how is that a problem?”

He hesitated, squirming. “Let’s just say Y/N isn’t fond of her.”

“Ohhh.” Yeonjun nodded knowingly, a mischievous grin spreading like wildfire on his face. “They’re jealous.”

“What?! That’s not what I said.” Beomgyu retorted.

“Trust me, it’s obvious. Still not my circus, not my monkeys.” Yeonjun said, turning the stove off and grabbing the other boy by his shoulders, then shoved him out of the kitchen. “Deal with it yourself.”

With that, Beomgyu was sent stumbling back to the counter where Doah was eyeing the pastries in the display case. Upon hearing him return, she glanced up with a bright smile as he straightened his apron, as if it somehow made him look less flustered.

“Find anything you like in there?” He quipped, shuffling behind the cash register like it was a shield, nearly tripping over his own feet in the process.

“Actually, there is something I like over…” She drawled as her fingers tiptoed across the counter and stopped just short of him, “here.”

Beomgyu let out a small squeak, mentally scrambling for words but coming up with none.

“Aha! Yes,” Doah cut in smoothly, her index finger sliding down the menu lying on top of the counter. “I’d like a hot pumpkin spice latte. To go, please.”

“Great taste!” He chuckled sheepishly and tapped a few buttons on the touch screen pad. “Would that be cash or card?”

Doah fished through her wallet, took out her money, and handed it to him. Beomgyu took it—indifferent to the way her hand brushed against his—opened the drawer to the cash register, and then handed over her change.

“This will probably take a while, we just have to finish up an order for delivery. Why don’t you take a seat first?” He said, stepping away from the cashier and returning to the coffee station.

“Yeah, take your time. I’d love to watch how you make the drinks.” She sat on a chair by the pickup side with her chin propped up in her palm.

Beomgyu pressed his lips together into a thin line. Doah’s flirting game was strong but he had no interest in playing along. Without you around, it wasn’t the same. Seeing the look of jealousy on your face, the sarcasm dripping off your words like venom, the way you distracted yourself with insignificant tasks—it was half the fun. No, all of it.

Without it, it just felt hollow. Like there was a you-shaped hole in his heart and he needed your presence to patch it up. Your attention was far more captivating than Doah’s and he knew he was hopeless if he still kept his feelings to himself.

But alas, he couldn't risk upsetting the perfect balance of the universe that allowed him to exist in the same time and place as you. He couldn't stand the thought of you pulling away should he cross the line beyond being friends. So instead, he swallowed it down, but it was like drowning at sea, the saltwater burning in his lungs.

“Watch out! Hot stuff coming through!” Yeonjun scurried out of the kitchen, holding a takeout box of freshly cooked rose pasta in his hands.

He set it down on the counter then went over to the display case to grab a breakfast croissant with a pair of tongs. Beomgyu gave the drinks a neat drizzle of caramel and capped them before carrying them over to the counter. He fit the cups into a takeaway holder as Yeonjun stood next to him, placing the food into a paper bag before sealing it with a stapler.

“Delivery rider should be here in about…” Yeonjun read off the screen of the delivery app, “three minutes.”

“Well, time for me to make that pumpkin spice latte.” Beomgyu wiped his hands dry on a dishtowel and returned to the coffee station.

Meanwhile, the other boy stood by the cash register, waiting for someone to arrive and claim the order. He glanced to the side and caught sight of Doah, who had been patiently waiting in her seat, scrolling through her phone but peeking every now and then at Beomgyu. It did not take long for him to piece two and two together. A cheeky smirk formed on his face as he sauntered towards his co-worker.

“Is that her? She is pretty cute.” Yeonjun teased, nudging him.

“Cut it out.” Beomgyu muttered, pouring milk into a steel cup and turning on the steamer, releasing a sharp hiss. He purged out the excess water before lifting the cup to the nozzle, the milk frothing and a sweet scent filling the air.

Yeonjun took one more glance at Doah. She had lost interest in her phone and was now watching them curiously. He turned back to Beomgyu whose eyebrows were furrowed in concentration as he carefully tilted the cup, the milk swirling in a gentle vortex.

“You know, I can see why Y/N would feel threatened.”

“Threatened?” Beomgyu let out an incredulous scoff. “The only threat here is this boiling milk to your face.”

Before Yeonjun could clap back at him, the bell chimed and a man walked in. Outside was a motorcycle with a delivery box parked by the curb.

“And that's my cue.” He stepped away to hand over the takeout order to the delivery rider.

The cup in Beomgyu’s hand grew warmer, the milk slowly rising to the brim. He held it in his hands for a few more seconds until it was almost too hot to touch and set the cup aside. He twisted the knob on the machine and turned off the steamer.

Once the drink was blended, he grabbed a paper cup from the neatly stacked pile you had unnecessarily fussed over yesterday—he giggled at the image of you with a pout etched on your face, eyebrows knit together as you refused to look his way—and poured the warm pumpkin spice latte into it, topping it with whipped cream and a dash of cinnamon powder.

“Here you go. Be careful, it’s hot.” Beomgyu slid the cup across the counter towards Doah.

“Funny, I was about to say the same about you.” She said with a playful glint in her eyes and took the cup.

Beomgyu quickly pulled his hand away and tugged at his apron, straightening it again like he always did when he was nonplussed by her flirty remarks. This did not go unnoticed by Doah who giggled at his reaction, stirring her latte idly.

“So… I’m guessing you must have had a busy day yesterday?” She asked.

“Well, we were quite preoccupied. Lots of customers—especially in the evening.” He answered. “Why’d you ask?”

“Well…” she tilted her head, the kind of move that might have made his chest tighten if it had been you. From Doah, though, it fell flat. “I understand work must have been so hectic and you probably forgot to follow me back.”

He never intended to. In fact, he had already deleted her follow request immediately after she left the café yesterday. Doah showing up again only proved how impressively persistent she was. Beomgyu’s ears tinged with pink, realizing she must have found out.

“I–uh… yeah, I totally forgot all about it,” he stammered, taking a dishrag and wiping the counter clean. “I was just so tired, I went right to sleep as soon as I got home.”

“It’s fine… I was just hoping to wake up to your cute face on my feed,” she said and brought the cup to her lips before stopping short a few millimeters. “But I guess seeing you here in person is even better.” She winked and then took a sip.

“Oh, don’t waste your time.” Yeonjun appeared out of nowhere, casually slinging an arm around Beomgyu’s shoulders, a teasing grin on his face. “He’s already taken. That barista he was with yesterday? Yeah, they’re totally dating. Aren’t you, Beomgyu?”

Doah’s eyes went wide, taken aback as she stared at him, waiting for his response. He stood there for a moment, blinking and utterly appalled at Yeonjun’s sheer audacity to lie. There was a smirk on his face so wide as if he had just dropped the juiciest gossip. Before the awkwardness could thicken, Beomgyu knew he had to take matters into his own hands.

He opened his mouth and all he could come up with was, “Yeonjun!”

“Oh, shit!” He slapped a palm to his forehead, feigning shock. “I forgot you guys were still keeping it a secret,” then he lowered his hand and turned to Doah, the smirk returning to his face. “But between you and me, they weren’t exactly subtle about it. He still blushes when he gets a text from Y/N. He’s completely smitten—”

“Alright, I think you’ve said enough.” Beomgyu snatched a napkin from the dispenser and slapped it over Yeonjun’s mouth.

Doah laughed, yet the sound of her voice quickly wavered and her smile did not reach all the way up to her eyes. She took another sip of her pumpkin spice latte, but longer this time, as her gaze drifted to the side in thought. Once she set the cup down, she stood from her seat and slung her bag over her shoulder.

“Well, I guess that explains a lot.” She glanced one last time at Beomgyu, wearing a smile that dimmed at the edges. “Lucky Y/N. I’ll just have to settle for my latte then.”

Then she grabbed her cup and left the café, like a soldier retreating from a lost battle. The bell clinked and then there was silence. Beomgyu whirled around immediately, seizing Yeonjun by the shoulders.

“Are you crazy?!” He shrieked, shaking the older boy so hard his head bobbed. “You told her I’m dating Y/N! What if they hear about this? They’ll kill me!”

Yeonjun laughed, prying the younger boy’s hands off. “Relax. You can’t be more wrong. Did you really think I was making all of that up?"

Beomgyu froze, his already pink ears glowing into a bright red. “W-What the fuck do you mean by that?”

“Seriously, Beomgyu?” Yeonjun crossed his arms. “Anyone with eyes can see that you and Y/N like each other.”

Beomgyu scoffed and ran his fingers through his hair, pacing behind the counter. “You can’t be more wrong. Just because we’ve been working here the longest, it only makes sense that we’re really close friends, but it doesn’t mean we like each other.”

“Sure.” The older boy rolled his eyes. He held his arm out to the counter, blocking Beomgyu from moving any further. “Deny it all you want but we’ve seen how you look at Y/N with those heart eyes. It’s disgusting!”

“Has it ever crossed your mind that maybe you’re reading too much into it?”

“Am I also reading too much into it when you two cover for each other every time one of you makes a mistake? Or when you take the bus with Y/N until they get home even though you live on the opposite side of town? Or how Y/N immediately volunteers to take over your shifts when you can’t?”

Beomgyu’s mouth opened and closed, like a fish out of water, but no words came out. He wracked his brain for a response—an excuse—but each one died on his tongue. Yeonjun was right but he was too proud to back down and admit it. Even though it was the truth, saying it out loud would make it feel too real. If you found out he had been harboring a deep affection for you for quite some time now, how would you react? Would it make things different between you? He was afraid of what might happen next.

“We’re co-workers.” Beomgyu said at last, his voice cracking halfway through. “We’re supposed to have each other’s backs. You know… teamwork.”

“Oh, cut the crap!” Yeonjun snorted so hard it bounced off the walls of the café. “Teamwork, my ass. Then I guess I should start offering to carry Soobin’s bag and hold his hand every time we cross the street.”

Beomgyu’s jaw dropped to the floor, his face flushing. “I do not hold Y/N’s hand!”

“I never said that,” Yeonjun shot back with a wolfish grin.

The younger boy groaned, collapsing against the counter with his forehead in his hands. Meanwhile, his teasing co-worker just laughed, clapping him on the shoulder.

“You do a really bad job at denying it,” he said, then the expression on his face shifted into a more serious one. “But how long do you plan to keep on pretending? Y/N is bound to move on—to a better job, maybe even someone else—and then what? Stop stalling before you lose your shot for good.”

A chill ran down Beomgyu’s spine as realization dawned upon him. Yeonjun gave him a reassuring pat on the back before pulling away to go back into the kitchen. As soon as he left, Beomgyu eventually stood up, regaining composure as he resumed carrying out his duties at the counter. However, he could not seem to brush off Yeonjun’s words that echoed in his head incessantly throughout the day.

“And then what?”

He may not know what would happen next, but surely enough, he did not want to risk losing his chance at something real all because he was too scared to try.

The next few days went by normally. You were back at the café, working full-time, while Beomgyu and the rest of the part-timers rotated shifts.

The first thing you talked about when you got to work together was your job interview. You were brimming with excitement and a newfound confidence he had never seen in you before—and he loved how it looked on you. Your energy was so infectious that he could not help but give in to it, ignoring the anxiety prickling in his heart.

Today was a particularly busy day. The café was bustling with customers; seats were taken and tables were full, but that did not stop more from coming. Takeout sales went up for those who could not be seated.

The workload was too hectic for two people alone. Due to this, you called for backup and thankfully, Soobin showed up to lend a hand. With three of you on the job, it was much more manageable. Soon enough, the swarm dwindled to a murmur and you finally had a moment to catch your breath and sit down.

“The sink is overflowing with dishes but I really don't feel like doing them now.” Beomgyu dragged a stool next to you and plopped down on it.

“Let Soobin take care of that.” You said with a yawn.

The boy next to you stretched and the bones on his back released a series of satisfying pops. You chuckled in amusement then mimicked him, unable to resist the temptation of cracking your back. Somehow it helped ease the tension in your body and you felt much lighter than before.

The two of you sat in silence, simply taking the time to rest in the absence of chaos. You fished your phone out of your pocket and turned it on. Thumbing through the notifications flooding your screen, you swiped them away one by one, stopping when you came across an email.

It was from the company that interviewed you a few days back. You held your breath, already bracing yourself for rejection, just like all the other jobs you applied for.

Each time, you hoped for good news but wound up with disappointment after seeing those dreaded five words. “We regret to inform you…” and that was all you needed to read. Why go on? You got the message. The rest of their explanation was irrelevant.

Beomgyu noticed your stillness. His eyes lingered on your face before dropping to the phone, which trembled in your grasp. Without second thought, he cupped your hand with both of his and the warmth of his touch was surprisingly comforting.

“You did your best. Whether you get that job or not, things are going to work out. Rejection doesn't define your self-worth. Don't let the cruel world of employment snuff out your spark. You've got potential and a promising future. Believe in yourself, Y/N.” His brown eyes bore into yours while he spoke, in a voice so gentle, as if raising it even slightly would disrupt the calm.

His genuine sincerity made your heart swell in your chest and something within you shifted. You could no longer hold onto your pride if it meant not taking a chance on Beomgyu. He was one of a kind and you would be a fool to let someone so sweet and caring as him slip away.

“It’s a good thing you're here with me today. I don't know what I’d do without you. Thanks, Beomgyu.” An earnest smile bloomed on your face along with the courage to open the email sitting in your notifications.

You bit your lip in an attempt to steady your nerves as you read through the message.

“Oh my god.” You gasped, slapping your free hand over your mouth. “I got the job. What? We are pleased to inform you… oh my god, I got the job! Beomgyu, I'm hired!”

You jumped up from your seat and squealed, catching the attention of some customers in the café. Beomgyu immediately stood up, joining you in your revelry. You threw your arms around each other and bounced up and down like little kids behind the counter.

He giggled in delight. “Congratulations! I'm so happy for you!”

“What's going on here?” Soobin asked upon walking in and you paused from jumping.

“Y/N passed the interview! They're hired!” Beomgyu exclaimed.

“That's wonderful news. Congratulations!” The taller boy rushed over for a group hug, squeezing both of you in his arms. After a few seconds, he let go when Beomgyu started squirming and pleading for air. “We should throw you a farewell party. A proper send-off before you step into the real world.”

“Of course! We should ask Ms. Jung to join us too. After all, this café, and her, carried me through college.” You said.

“She has helped us out a lot.” Soobin nodded thoughtfully and briefly patted you on the shoulder. “Anyway, I’ve got to clear the sink before the next rush hour.”

With that, he gave one last smile before turning away and slipping into the kitchen, leaving you and Beomgyu alone behind the counter. The café seemed to quiet just a little, but you were still bubbling over with excitement. You glanced at the boy next to you and beamed, his heart skipping a beat, he could have sworn he saw stars twinkling.

“Hey… want to celebrate after work?” You asked, trying not to sound too hopeful. “Just the two of us,” you added.

Beomgyu grinned like an idiot. “Of course, I do! Where are we going?”

You chuckled softly, pleased by his uncontainable enthusiasm. “There’s this new diner I’ve been wanting to try for some time now. Their dessert menu looks interesting. What do you think?”

“I do love diners and desserts,” he said—and you, he almost added. “I’m sold.”

“Then it’s set!” You said, clapping your hands together. “We’ll head there right after closing.”

You promptly went back to work, unable to hide the giddiness in your grin. Beomgyu found it endearing, his eyes reluctant to leave you before he finally forced himself to look away.

“And then what?”

He may soon have to find out. It made him nervous, but nevertheless you were worth the risk.

Once the café was closed and Soobin had gone his way, you and Beomgyu set off together toward the diner. The streets were lined with traffic, the noise of horns and engines drifting in the background. LED signages and street lights colored the night aglow, the pedestrian light flashing green as you felt Beomgyu hook his fingers to the strap of your bag, tugging you close to his side while you crossed. Upon reaching the other side, he tugged slightly stronger on your bag, trying to get it off your shoulder.

“You don’t always have to carry my bag for me, you know.” You said, though there was no hint of protest in your tone.

“I know,” he replied simply. “I just want to.”

“Why?” You asked, eyeing him curiously.

His answer was quick, made without thought, a deflection disguised as nonchalance. “Why not?”

You tried to read the look on his face, as if it were much easier for him to show than tell, but he was just like a starless night—full of secrets. He locked eyes with you and smiled, the kind that meant he knew what you were up to. Then he looped his arm around yours and steered you ahead with a gentle but eager shove.

“Come on. I’m hungry! Where is this diner, anyway?” Beomgyu whined and you could practically hear him pouting through his words.

“We’re almost there—hey, not too fast! I might fall!” You laughed as he tugged you along.

“Then hold on tight because I’m not slowing down.” He teased as you struggled to pick up the pace.

Seven hundred meters, ten minutes, two crosswalks, and a single detour down the wrong street later, you finally stood before the diner. And to your dismay, it was closed. The lights were out, the doors were locked, and the sign out front read “Sorry, we are CLOSED”.

“No, this can’t be. I swear I checked their page and it says they’re open until midnight.” You said, taking your phone out to double check. As your eyes scanned their latest post, you frowned and let out a dejected sigh. “Well, shit. They’re under maintenance… for three days.”

“Don’t fret. The night is still young.” Beomgyu said in an attempt to cheer you up as he rubbed circles on your back. “You and I can still celebrate.”

You gazed forlornly at the diner. “I don’t know where else to go. I was really looking forward to trying their brownie sundae!”

“I know a place. Come on.” He held out his hand for you to take.

For a moment, you stared at him. The gesture was simple yet so tender, causing something tacit to tug at your heartstrings. Your heartbeat was thumping loudly, you could hear it, tuning out the rest of the world. For a split second, you wondered if Beomgyu was being his typical self, casually sweet and good-natured. But one look into his eyes and you could see right through. Smiling, you finally slipped your hand into his, letting him lead the way. Your palms pressed against each other, filled with warmth and an unspoken longing. It felt like catching starlight—fleeting, but achingly surreal.

Beomgyu warned you that it was going to be quite far, but with nothing else to do tonight and tomorrow being your day off, you didn’t mind. It took one bus ride away from the suburbs, you and Beomgyu sitting side by side, sharing a pair of earphones. You stared out the window, watching the city lights guide you to your destination as you allowed the music to quiet your thoughts.

Twenty minutes went by unnoticed until you felt Beomgyu tapping you on the shoulder, signaling that you arrived at your stop. As you alighted from the bus, a cool breeze drifted by and you were instantly hit with the scent of moss and fresh earth. The trees rustled gently in the wind and the shrill buzzing of cicadas drowned out everything else.

He pointed at a convenience store across the road. “Let’s go in there and grab some food first.”

You nodded, humming in agreement. He took you by the hand again as your heart violently skipped a beat, and then you walked across the road and into the convenience store.

Even though tonight went differently, you were happily living in the moment. Beomgyu sat across you, his hair falling over his eyes as he hungrily slurped the last of his ramyeon. Meanwhile, you were chewing on your food while popping open a can of soda. It fizzed and the smell of sweet carbonated cherry filled your nose as you lifted the drink to your lips to take a sip.

“So, where to next?” You asked before taking another swig of cherry soda.

“You’ll see,” he said, showing you his palm and making grabby fingers—a gesture that meant he wanted to try what you were having too. Despite the moue of disapproval on your face, you passed him the can anyway. He drank down a few gulps, much to your annoyance that you began pinching his arm until he stopped and gave it back.

“Don’t finish it!” You said, snatching it from his fingers.

He only chuckled before letting out a small burp. He said, “Wanna grab some ice cream?”

“Finally, dessert!” You stood up from your seat, collecting your trash and discarding it in the bin.

“But I'm paying this time.” Beomgyu said with narrowed eyes and you shook your head dismissively. “You paid the bus fare for both of us and all the food we just ate. At least let me pay for the ice cream, please?”

You smirked and pinched his cheek, teasing him. “Fine, but if you're paying, I'm getting the most expensive one they have.”

Then you let go and slid the freezer open in search of a sweet treat. His fingers brushed the spot you had pinched, a tingling sensation lingering on his skin, as he gazed at you fondly. At last, you chose one in your favorite flavor and held it up with a big smile on your face. It was a sight to behold that had Beomgyu thinking that he would happily buy it for you everyday, even if it cost him his whole paycheck, just to see you smile.

“What? Is there something on my face?” You asked.

Beomgyu snapped out of his thoughts, realizing he had been staring a little too long. “I was just thinking since I’m paying for it, would you at least let me have the first bite?”

You shrugged coolly. “Sure, why not?”

“Actually, forget it.” He said and grabbed another ice cream. “I’ll just buy the same one so we can match. Besides, anything you like has to be good.”

He said it so casually yet it made you blush.

“I guess it’s decided. Let’s pay for it now.” You said and walked to the counter in haste, hoping he wouldn’t catch the flustered look on your face.

After Beomgyu added a bag of chips and paid for everything, you both stepped outside again. The air smelled sharper and greener, the cicadas still singing under the soft glow of the moonlight. He guided you to the other side of the street, and you easily fell into stride beside him, eating your ice cream along the way.

Past the foliage of trees and down the stone steps, you found yourself at a park by the riverside. It was quaint and tranquil, with so few people around you could count them on one hand. There was a vacant bench facing the river and Beomgyu went over to it with you in tow, taking a seat once you stood before it.

At first, it was silent. The both of you simply basked in each other’s presence as you watched the river steadily drift by, the reflection of stars and city lights sparkling in the water. Though your mind began wandering elsewhere, it could barely ignore the feeling of Beomgyu’s leg pressed up against yours. Rather than tensing up, this time, you allowed yourself to feel comfortable. You had always liked the warmth of his touch, even if your feelings made you jump at every brush of contact. However, tonight, with the truth lingering on the edge of your tongue, you chose to welcome the closeness instead of shying away.

“This is certainly better than going to that diner.” You said, gazing moonily at the scenery before you, half-distracted by the haze of your thoughts

“Really? What about the brownie sundae you were talking about?” Beomgyu teased, but he couldn’t help himself from grinning at your words.

“I’m still going to try it someday,” you giggled, then turned to him and smiled tenderly. “But I’d love to come here more often with you.”

Beomgyu returned your smile, the tips of his ears turning pink. “Yeah, me too.”

I should tell him now, you thought but the second you opened your mouth, all your courage went down the drain together with your words. You mentally scolded yourself for hesitating, but you miscalculated your confidence and were at a loss for what to do next. Soon, you both finished consuming your ice creams and Beomgyu tore open the bag of chips.

“I can’t believe you’re leaving the café so soon. I’ve gotten used to working with you there.” He said, digging into the bag and tossing a chip into the air before catching it in his mouth.

“Me neither. I’m going to be a real adult and start doing adult things,” you said, sticking your hand into the bag, the wrapper crinkling as you dug for a chip. “Filing taxes, paying bills, building my career… I’m going to be adulting.” Your voice was filled with dread as you dramatically shuddered.

“You’ll be fine. You always figure things out,” he said. “Remember that time a customer ordered a blueberry muffin and I punched it in, forgetting we were sold out? And instead of refunding them or asking them to order something else, you sent me to the nearest grocery store to buy blueberry compote. While I was out, you chatted up the customer to keep them from growing impatient. Then when I came back, you grabbed a plain muffin, cut it open, and filled it with blueberry compote before serving it to the customer.”

“Yeah, that was actually a clever move. After that, Ms. Jung promoted me to team leader.” You smiled fondly at the memory.

“Clever.” He nodded in agreement. “Resourceful and charming too. The world needs more people like you in it, Y/N.”

“Aw… thanks.” You ducked your head, hiding the way your cheeks warmed at his words.

Beomgyu smirked knowingly, watching you from the corners of his eyes before playfully bumping into your shoulder. “I’m just telling the truth. You’re reliable and people don’t just like you—they lean on you.”

“Like you’re doing right now?” You teased and he rolled his eyes, but his smile betrayed him.

Then you poked your finger into his side, causing him to yelp and jump away before he seized you by the wrists to keep you from tickling him any more. You both laughed in glee as he held you tightly while you struggled to free yourself from his grasp.

“Will you stop wriggling so I can finish?” he said with a grin, but something in his tone drew the mischievousness right out of you, grounding you in the moment.

“You were saying that you can lean on me.” You said with his hands still firmly wrapped around your wrists.

And if you didn't notice before, you were now highly aware of how close you were. Beomgyu’s face was mere inches from yours, you could feel his hot breath fanning over your skin. His hands trembled nervously but his gaze was fixed on yours, heavy and lingering. It messed with the rhythm of your heart, beating much faster than you thought was possible.

“It’s because you’re strong,” Beomgyu said, voice low, loosening his grip on your wrists but not letting go. “You don’t back down from a challenge, even the ones that make others give up. You find a way around it. You’re a good listener, but you don’t just help people feel seen, you make sure they’re understood.”

He spoke almost too earnestly, it was hard not to believe he meant more than he was saying. Hope surged in your chest, wild and frantic, coalescing with the fear that you were only imagining it. Beomgyu let the silence stretch as he thought of his next words very carefully. Meanwhile, your pulse hammered in your ears as you prayed he would speak again.

After one long minute that felt like an eternity of waiting, he said, “You’re the type that makes people believe they can get through the day… because you make me believe I can. You—”

His voice faltered, breath hitching as he broke eye contact. For a moment, he looked like he was on the verge of saying more, his lips parting—but he caught himself, pressing his mouth shut before the words could escape.

“Y-You make me wish you w-weren’t leaving the café.” He sputtered out quickly and let go of your wrists to rub the back of his neck. All the sincerity and courage he mustered up instantly shattered, replaced by timidity. “Anyway, I’m really going to miss working with you.”

Oh.

You were quite frustrated with how that turned out, but you couldn’t blame him. You were just as reluctant. There was nothing else you could do but soften at his words and allow a small smile—half warmth, half the ache of words left unsaid, a bittersweet feeling sitting in your chest.

“Yeah, me too, Beomgyu.” You reached for his hand and squeezed it reassuringly, “me too.”

Later that night, you would find yourself in bed, laying wide awake and staring at the ceiling above. The quiet of your apartment amplified the restlessness inside you. Questions raced in your mind as you replayed everything that happened earlier.

Confusion surrounding Beomgyu’s real intentions and feelings grew, but it only sharpened the ache in your heart. He could lie to you all he pleased, but someday he would have to face the truth. Although you understood his fear, you hoped he trusted you enough to know you’d still be by his side when his walls finally came crumbling down.

Day after day, Beomgyu went to his classes with his hands in his pockets and headphones in his ears, but his thoughts were always louder than the music. The lecture hall faded around him as he spun a pen in his hand, his mind circling back to the night by the river. In his hands, he held your wrists and felt each pulse drumming against the pads of his fingers. He recalled the way you looked under the moonlight, your eyes wide and bright, keenly listening to his every word like it was gospel.

The moment you shared was very sentimental that he nearly drew back his facade, as though it were a veil of clouds dissolving into a mist, faint starlight peeking through. However, as soon as he was about to say it, his throat tightened and fear held him back. He caught a shadow of disappointment flicker in your eyes, which was quickly masked by a forced and subtly pained smile.

Beomgyu cursed himself for hesitating. The timing was just right, perfect even, yet he could not bring himself to tell you the truth. He hated being such a coward, especially when he was so close to finally opening up his heart to you. But he didn’t, and the weight of his regret felt much heavier than the years of longing he carried for you.

“Earth to Beomgyu. Earth to Beomgyu!” Soobin snapped his fingers in front of his face.

Beomgyu blinked, realizing class had already been dismissed while he had been staring absentmindedly at a blank page on his notebook. He hopped out of his seat and picked up his bag, flinging it carelessly over his shoulder.

“You okay?” Soobin asked, chasing after Beomgyu as he walked down the steps, in a rush to exit the lecture hall. “Hey, wait up!”

“What?!” He whipped around with a scowl on his face. Although he didn’t mean to sound so harsh, it came out that way, the taller boy visibly flinching at his tone.

“Dude, I just wanted to check in on you.” He said, raising his palms in front of him like he were approaching a wild animal. “I’ve noticed you’ve been out of it lately. Are you alright?”

Beomgyu noticed the way his own shoulders were tensed up. He rolled them back and sighed.

“I’m fine… yeah, I’m good.” He lied; it was lazy, but he didn’t care enough to make up a more compelling argument or even try to sound convincing.

“Seriously, you’re gonna have to do better than that if you want me to stop asking.” Soobin crossed his arms and eyed him skeptically.

“You’ll tire out eventually because I don’t want to talk about it.” Beomgyu’s reply was curt as he tugged on the strings of his hoodie and tightened it.

Then he began to walk away when Soobin said, “It’s Y/N, isn’t it?”

Hearing your name alone was enough to stop Beomgyu in his tracks. He stood rigid, like a tree rooted to its spot.

“You’re anxious about them resigning, and it’s been eating at you for a while now.” Soobin didn’t wait for him to reply and continued, “You don’t think I’ve noticed how you have trouble paying attention in class lately? And you’ve been messing up a few orders this week. You poured milk in a customer’s black coffee for fuck’s sake.”

Beomgyu’s jaw tightened, but he mustered up a scoff as he finally turned to face Soobin.

“Look, I haven’t been sleeping well these days because I stay up until three in the morning to study,” He said, knowing all too well that he’s been sleep-deprived because he spent nights overthinking things between you. “I’m bound to make a few mistakes which I am taking accountability for, but it’s no big deal. I’m just tired and I really want to go back to my dorm now.”

Soobin raised a brow. “Tired enough to pour milk into straight black coffee?”

“Leave it, Bin.” He grumbled, tugging his hood lower over his face. “It’s not about Y/N. You’re reading into things.”

Before his friend could say another word, Beomgyu dashed off, disappearing down the hallway.

“And then what?”

It rang in his head, over and over, like a broken record he couldn’t shut off. It was also a gnawing reminder that his time was running out and he had to act sooner before his chance could slip away.

By the time a week had gone by, the day of your farewell party arrived, and Beomgyu’s nerves were shooting through the roof. It was a Friday and Ms. Jung shortened the café’s business hours, closing two hours earlier than usual to make time for the celebration. She invited all of you to dinner at a Korean barbecue restaurant across town.

While you bickered with Soobin and Yeonjun over who would be in charge of the grill, Beomgyu could hardly hear a word, too absorbed in his own thoughts as he bounced his leg restlessly. The fact that you were all celebrating your farewell felt strange. He truly was happy for you achieving a new milestone in your life, but the trepidation creeping in his bones made it hard for him to be in the moment.

“Why don’t you help out by cutting up the meat?” Yeonjun said, shoving a pair of scissors into Beomgyu’s hands with a pointed look.

“Uh… yeah, sure.” He stuttered, reaching over to snip at the beef strips sizzling in the grill.

Meanwhile, you stole glances at him every once in a while. It was hard not to notice that Beomgyu wasn't being his usual self. He seemed to fade into the background, sitting across you wordlessly with glassy eyes. If your suspicions were correct, it was safe to assume neither of you have moved on from the night by the river.

The table buzzed with chatter and laughter, empty dishes clattering as you stacked them near the edge of the table, smoke and the warm, savory aroma of meat filled the air. Beomgyu did his best to laugh at all the jokes and stories, watch the others congratulate you, and join in on the conversation, but as the night went on, the more he grew anxious. Soon, the drinks came and you were now taking shots. He swallowed down the alcohol together with the words burning in his throat, desperate to escape.

“Ah… this takes me back to when Y/N had their first sip of alcohol,” Ms. Jung said, turning to you with a fond grin. “You already started working at the café in your second semester of freshman year. You were so preoccupied with studies and work, leaving no time for friends or parties. I thought to myself, ‘this kid works really hard that it makes me proud, but they need to loosen up,’ so I took on the mantle of introducing Y/N to college drinking culture.”

“You’re a terrible influence, Ms. Jung.” You joked.

She picked up the bottle of soju and poured some more into your shot glass. “Just drink up and let me finish the story.”

“You guys are seeing this, right? Unbelievable.” You threw your hands up in mock despair, earning a round of laughter from the table.

“At that time, Y/N was the youngest of my staff, being the only freshman there,” Ms. Jung said. “We went to a bar to celebrate the birthday of a previous employee—”

“Eunbi.” You supplied.

“—and then we ordered some cocktails and beer. Beginner drinks,” Ms. Jung continued. “Y/N tried the cocktails first, figuring they’d be the easiest way to ease into the taste of alcohol. After a few glasses, they grew confident and wanted to try beer next. So we poured them a glass and then… and then…”

Ms. Jung’s words dissolved into a fit of giggles as she recalled the memory, pounding the tabletop with her fist as she grew red in the face.

“Get yourself together, Ms. Jung! Don’t leave us hanging! Tell us what happened next!” Beomgyu egged her on, already a bit tipsy after downing more shots past the point of keeping count.

“They took one swig and spat the beer back out into the glass. Then they started coughing like they’d choked on a fish bone! The look on Y/N’s face was priceless!”

The table roared with laughter, you included. Tears were prickling in the corners of your eyes and you couldn’t even be mad. It was indeed a hilarious memory and it was nice to finally see Beomgyu filled with mirth that night.

Soobin decided it was his turn next. He recounted a time when the café ran out of condensed milk and you asked him to make a run to the nearest grocery store. But to your surprise, he was afraid of crossing the street on his own, something he revealed to you quite bashfully. It ended with you on the run, leaving him alone to take charge of the café.

“Boy, was it a relief to see that he hadn’t burned the place down while I was away.” You teased.

“How are you six foot one and afraid of crossing the street alone?” Yeonjun said, looking at him incredulously.

“The crosswalk light was broken!” Soobin retorted, hitting him with his elbow.

After that, it was Yeonjun’s turn. He recalled when he was the only employee during the morning shift on a chill day. It was raining hard and he was dealing with a bad stomachache. When there were finally no customers around, he temporarily closed the café and locked the front door before using the restroom. By the time he was done, he saw you glaring at him from outside the door, shivering and drenched from the downpour.

“They stood there, shaking like a wet dog! I felt so bad, but now I just laugh whenever I remember it.” He grinned, trying his best not to burst out laughing again.

“You’re mean.” You pouted and gave him the stink eye.

Throughout the entire time sharing stories, your eyes kept finding Beomgyu’s in the laughter. Each glance was like a silent reassurance, despite the words left unsaid by the river, that neither of you had pulled away. Whatever tension lingered between you gradually softened into a dull ache, small enough to ignore but impossible to forget.

“How about you, Beomgyu?” Soobin asked and everyone’s heads snapped towards him.

“Yeah, you and Y/N are the closest out of all of us. You must have thousands of fond memories together.” Yeonjun said, nodding in agreement.

You leaned forward, eyes fixed on Beomgyu and eager for whatever story he might share. Caught in the weight of your gaze, he struggled to decide where to begin. He thought of everything and nothing all at once. How could he just pick one when all his memories of you were his favorite? Especially not when the phantom of the confession he never gave by the river still haunted the corner of his thoughts.

Beomgyu thought back to the first day he met you—a memory that always stuck in his mind. He chanced upon the café on a hot day in search of a good iced americano. When he finally reached the front of the line to place his order, it was like love at first sight. You were cute and charming, causing him to develop a crush on you instantly. Thus, he came back occasionally and finally built the courage to ask you out, but the moment he stood before you, his words fell flat. Instead, he asked if there were any job openings, consequently leading to him getting hired at the café. But after ending up as co-workers, and eventually best friends, every second spent with you was special.

He recalled when you came crying to him once. You were convinced that you were going to fail a class and feared losing your scholarship. Seeing you in pain like that pained him too, so he provided you with emotional support, delivering words of comfort and reassurance. Little did he know, that was the day you started seeing him in a different light.

Suddenly, you found yourself looking forward to Beomgyu’s presence, hoping to work more shifts with him. Every brush of your fingers sent electricity surging through your veins. His laugh was an angelic melody which was enough to make you believe heaven was a place on earth. His gentle manner drew you in, like a warm sunrise over the horizon at dawn, and his silly personality lit sparks that made every moment with him feel alive. It was an unlikely blend, but fit so seamlessly. And that made you fall hopelessly in love with him over time.

“Well… Yeonjun is right. There’s just too many,” Beomgyu admitted, rubbing the back of his neck with a sheepish smile. “But maybe the one that stuck with me most was when I was a bit too clumsy and scalded my hand with the steamer. I tried to act tough, saying it was nothing to worry about, but Y/N wasn’t having it.”

He let out a short laugh and glanced at you, reading the expression in your eyes. You gave a curt nod, as if to say, “Go on.”

“They marched over and dragged me behind the counter then shot me in the leg—no, I’m kidding.” Beomgyu waved his hand before him as the table erupted in snickers.

“You should thank your lucky stars that all I had was patience and burn cream, not a loaded weapon.” You remarked playfully.

Beomgyu grinned, his gaze softening before he continued. “Y/N made me run my hand under cold water and refused to let me move. I was just stuck by the sink and if I offered to help, they barked at me to stay out of it. And mind you, it was quite a busy day. After that, they shoved my ass onto a stool, grabbed the first-aid kit, and patched me up while still keeping an eye on the counter. Just imagine Y/N juggling a bandage in one hand and the café in the other. Honestly, it was impressive and terrifying at the same time. Kinda like a tiger.”

He chuckled, shaking his head. For a fleeting moment, his eyes lingered on yours again, and the table caught a faint flicker of something unspoken. It was like a flash of lightning—charged and burning, but gone in the blink of an eye. Before anyone could point it out, he quickly looked away, clearing his throat.

“After that, I couldn’t go back to work one-handed and Y/N called for backup to send me home. And honestly? It was the first time I realized just how stubborn they are. So stubborn they’d single-handedly run the café while also making sure I was taken care of.” He said, drawing his story to a close with a soft smile.

Everyone seemed to agree, nodding their heads and murmuring amongst themselves. Your heart brimmed with a pleasant warmth as you began to tear up.

“I always thought of the café as my second home. I’m really going to miss you all.” You bit down on your lip, quivering as you attempted to stifle the sobs.

“Man, you’re such a drama queen.” Yeonjun said with a shaky voice and not-so-subtly wiping the tears in his eyes, causing everyone to have one last good laugh.

“This calls for a toast.” Ms. Jung declared and grabbed the bottle of soju, refilling each of your shot glasses. Then she raised her glass in the air as everyone followed suit. “To Y/N, we wish you nothing but the best as you explore a new chapter of your life. I hope you know we’re all proud of you. Here’s to all the success waiting for you. Cheers!”

“Cheers!” The rest of you responded in unison, clinking glasses before you tipped them back.

After everyone sobered up and Ms. Jung paid the bill, you walked out of the restaurant and said your goodbyes. At first, she offered you a ride back to your place but Yeonjun discouraged her, insisting it was for the best while shooting Beomgyu a look. He knew what that meant. Time was ticking and his feelings could no longer wait. If not now, then when?

After Ms. Jung drove off and Yeonjun and Soobin headed for the subway, it was only you and Beomgyu left walking down the sidewalk. There weren’t many people around as you reached the bus stop. The night pressed in around you and the world felt smaller—just you and him in the afterglow of shared smiles and lingering warmth.

Beomgyu tucked his hands in his pockets, rocking gently on his heels as he worked up the courage to do or say something. Anything. It had to be now.

Though you sought his eyes all evening, now they were the one place you couldn’t bring yourself to look. Instead, you took interest in the cracks on the pavement, tracing them with the tip of your shoe. The silence wasn’t uncomfortable, not exactly, but it was taut and stretched thin—like Cupid had an arrow drawn too long against the bowstring, longing to strike true.

For the billionth time that night, your eyes met and it felt like you were crashing into the situation you had been dodging for far too long. This could be the last time things would be the way they are and it scared you shitless. Nevertheless, what you felt was real and you had to give it a voice before it was silenced forever.

“Beomgyu,” you said, the tone in your voice delicate and shaky, “I have something to tell you.”

“Me too.” He said, like a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.

“But… you have to promise me that you won’t hate me after this,” you said.

The corners of his mouth tugged upwards as he gazed at you tenderly. “Nothing in this world could ever make me hate you, Y/N."

“But I need you to promise me.” You tried to sound firm but the words trembled out of your lips.

Beomgyu shook his head and stepped closer. His hands reached for yours and gently closed over them. The warmth of his touch was both exhilarating and grounding, making you blush and calming your nerves at the same time.

“You don’t have to make me promise that. Allow me to go first. Let me be the one to carry the weight of it.” He said and you felt your shoulders relax, suddenly aware of how tense you had been this whole time. “If this ruins anything, then I’ll take the blame for it.”

He drew in a shaky breath, his smile wobbly and faltering as his gaze flickered between your eyes in search of courage. Then, he let out a laugh that sounded almost self-mocking and said, “I thought I’d never say this out loud, but every day that you’re here reminds me that it’s impossible for me to keep it a secret forever.” He paused and swallowed hard, his throat burning from all the time he spent straining to keep the words from coming out. “I’m going to miss you so much, and not because we’re co-workers. I like you, Y/N. I really like you—no, I’ve had enough of being hesitant. I love you, Y/N. More than I should and for such a long time now. I’m sorry I was too afraid to tell you before, but then it scared me more to think about how different things are going to be once we lead separate lives. And now I can’t let you walk away without knowing.”

Your mouth hung agape as you stood there, stunned. His eyes glimmered with utter sincerity and you searched for any hint of mischief—but there was none. He was telling the truth and you found yourself smiling, unable to contain the rush of overflowing joy. You threw your arms around him and pulled him into a tight embrace, catching him by surprise, but he was quick to respond and reciprocated the gesture.

“I love you too, Beomgyu. I’m sorry it took so long, but I knew we’d finally come around. I was also so scared because you’re my best friend and I didn’t want to lose you over this. But it pained me every single day to think I’d lose you for not being honest about my feelings.” You blurted through tears of joy while sniffling.

Then you pulled away and giggled. “Oh, this makes me so happy!”

Both of you stared at each other, grinning from ear to ear and fingers intertwining. Then you noticed Beomgyu’s gaze drifting down to your lips before finding your eyes again.

You smirked and lifted an eyebrow. “What are you planning?”

“Oh, you know,” he said in a low voice, leaning dangerously close to your face, his breath fanning over your skin, “just another thing I’ve been wanting to do for some time now.”

His lips pressed against yours, soft and reluctant, as though giving you one last chance to pull away if you happened to change your mind. But when you leaned in, sufficing as a clear response that you wanted this too, the kiss deepened and all restraint broke.

He drew you nearer, his free hand cradling your cheek as if he was afraid you’d somehow fade away, desperate to make sure that this moment was real. Your fingers found the back of his head, threading through his soft locks, urging him closer even though there was hardly any space left between you.

The kiss was tender and sweet, yet strewn with desperation, like a ravenous appetite you were dying to finally satiate. Your lips moved in a rhythm where every missed chance and swallowed word were pacified to stillness, instead replaced by an inevitable craving for more. You could feel his pulse racing through the press of his lips as well as your own, echoing the same cadence. Every breath, every gentle brush, every lingering pause carried an intense longing for this moment and neither of you were holding back anymore—and it felt like time and space had come to a standstill for this very moment.

By the time you parted, faces barely an inch away, you were breathless. Your face was hot, your lips tingled, and your heart was threatening to burst out of your chest. Beomgyu spent a few seconds trying to catch his breath, chest heaving and hair slightly disheveled.

“Wow… if I had known kissing you would be this amazing I would have done it sooner.” He said with a goofy smile plastered all over his face.

“Lucky for you, there's plenty more where that came from.” You said, growing bolder as you grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and pulled him into another kiss.

His lips landed clumsily on yours and he laughed, nearly breaking the kiss until you pressed harder, tugging him closer to muffle out the noise. This time, there was nothing graceful about the way you moved. You bumped each other's noses and teeth, but neither of you cared. The messiness of it all only made it sweeter and intimate, as though the walls you put up were finally coming down, allowing both of you this moment of vulnerability.

When you broke away, Beomgyu laughed again, giddy and breathless. Then he rested his forehead against yours and all you could see were his warm brown eyes. You giggled with a wide smile spreading on your face that mirrored his. The joy was simply too infectious.

“I guess that makes you all mine now.” You said, more as a statement than a question.

“I was already yours long before this moment.” He said, threading his fingers with yours and clasping tightly onto your hand. “And I'll always be yours for as long as you want me.”

His answer was more than enough and you were glad. All those missed opportunities and bouts of hesitation, though they were frustrating, led to this very moment and you wouldn't have it any other way. It was perfect in your own special way.

“Still got an appetite for a brownie sundae?” He asked, the tone in his voice making it sound more like a suggestion.

You jolted back and gasped, eyes going wide as saucers. “The diner is back in business?!”

“They sure are.” He said, unable to keep himself from grinning at your adorable reaction. “I say we head there tonight and order one brownie sundae for two.”

Just then, the bus rolled in, coming to a halt with the brakes hissing. The doors opened as light spilled onto the sidewalk, illuminating the bright smiles on your faces.

“Is it a date?” You asked.

“Consider it our first.” He said.

With your hand in his, he pulled you towards the bus and guided you up the steps. The doors shut as soon as you boarded and the driver pulled away. You and Beomgyu slipped into a seat at the back, still hand in hand, your head finding solace in his shoulder while he rested his lightly atop yours.

This was only the beginning, a risk that promised change, but grounded in the familiar bond that tethered both of you in comfort.

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