The low hum of the air conditioner fills the air as Mary steps through the familiar doors of the All about Tea cafè. Itâs quieter, steadier. The flicker of lightbulbs that needs replacing has given way to a soft, consistent glow. Behind the bar, Julian looks up from a drink, but the cup is still in hand.
âDidnât expect to see you back so soon.â
He sets the cup down, wiping his hands on a rag, his usual guarded expression shifting, just a little, into something warmer. The tension in his shoulders eases, a faint spark catching in his eyes.
âI figured the small drama between you and your friend would be too much and you need space.â
A beat. Then, almost too soft to catch:
â...But Iâm glad youâre here.â
Mary just gave him a small almost shy smile as she fixes her glasses while walking up to the bar.
"Well... She won't be much of a bother with our dates all that much."
Mary says as she leans against the bar.
"May I have a...."
"Macha milk tea with extra boba?"
Julian sets the already prepared drink on the bar and nudged it towards Mary with a small smile.
"On the house."
Julian says to which a pink hue of blush covers Mary's cheeks from the gesture. She lets out a small laugh as Mary sets down a to-go cup on the bar.
"I also bought you coffee, made sure it's to your taste when I made it."
Mary pushes the cup towards him.
The two of them sit in comfortable silence while drinking the drinks they made for each other.
"You ever think..." Julian started to which Mary tilts her head as they listen.
"That our atoms were made next to each other? That's why we feel strongly connected?" Julian spoke to which made Mary blink.
"Did you scientifically explained soulmates?" Mary ask with an amused tone while Julian blushes slightly.
"Is it too cringe? Nerdy? Cheesy?" He asks, Mary's posture relaxes as she shakes her head with a small smile.
"No... I think it's sweet... endearing too" Mary reassures which makes Julian relax.
They both return in comfortable silence, making small talks here and there about their day until Mary has to leave.
As Mary gets ready to leave Julian walks around the bar and gently grabs Mary's hand with such gentlness from tinkering hands.
"I have something for you." Julian says as he dugs around in his pants pocket and pulls out a keychain and places it in her hands. Mary examins the key chain and realize it's a mini collage of all the photo they have taken of each other.
She sees one photo from their high school times during the time Julian was still courting her, they were in the All about Tea cafè, the same one they are standing in right now, the very same cafè where they had their first date.
Mary smiles as she held the keychain so gently as if it's a chinese porcelain doll, she looks up at Julian with a small smile.
"Thank you." She says.
Julian just smiles as he brings her hand up and places a soft gentle kiss on her hand.
"Be careful on your way home." Julian says before letting go, Mary nods with a small blush on her cheeks.
"I will." She says before grabbing her bag and leaves the cafè with a spring in her steps as she can't wait to tell her author friend what happened.
Julian smiles as he watches her retreating figure from the cafè, he gently touches the bracelet with a magnetic charm with a small smile as he goes back behind the bar, ready to clock out.
They both leave the cafè with the thoughts of each other and how they are ready to publicly call themselves lovers sooner or later.
This fic is mine MayarinLen :]