Jeongguk held his breath, waiting for someone to answer. Finally, a deep voice crackled through the line.
“Hello? Who is this?”
“Yes, hello. My name is Jeongguk. I’d like to order a medium pizza, half cheese, and the oth–” He stopped mid-sentence, a laugh erupting from the other end.
“Very funny. I didn’t think you’d call.”
“Sorry,” Jeongguk said, a flush creeping up his neck. “Must have the wrong number. Goodbye.”
Before he could tap the red end call button, the man said, “Wait.”
“Tomorrow, 1:30, same place, same table.” Taehyung hung up before Jeongguk could respond, leaving him staring at his phone.
*Does he really expect me to go?* Jeongguk wondered, a strange fluttering in his chest. To his own surprise, he found himself heading towards the coffee shop the next day.
He didn't know *why* he’d gone, didn’t even know why he’d called in the first place. Yet, here he was, standing before the storefront, his watch reading 1:29.
The aroma of roasted coffee beans hit him as he stepped inside, a comforting scent that felt like coming home. He scanned the room, searching for Taehyung, but he was nowhere to be seen. *Maybe he was joking.*
*You’re such a fool for coming,* Jeongguk scolded himself.
He might as well get a coffee, now that he was here. The line was nonexistent, so he walked up to the cashier, the same woman who’d taken his order last time. She offered a warm smile. “What can I get for you?”
“A regular caffè au latte, please,” Jeongguk said, reaching for his wallet. Before he could retrieve any bills, a voice chimed in from behind him.
“And a flat white, same size,” Taehyung added, sliding his credit card across the counter.
Jeongguk turned, meeting Taehyung’s gaze for a brief moment before turning back to the register. He walked to the table they’d occupied during their previous meeting.
He’d come after all.
Taehyung hadn’t expected Jeongguk to actually show up. A small, hopeful part of him had known he would, but he hadn’t dared to admit it.
Their drinks were prepared. Taehyung grabbed both cups, placing Jeongguk’s in front of him.
He found the boy sketching in a small notebook, completely absorbed in his work, ignoring the steaming cup beside his hand.
Pulling out the chair seemed to draw Jeongguk’s attention, mirroring their first encounter.
Jeongguk took the drink, murmuring a quiet “Thanks” before taking a long sip.
“I was expecting you to yell at me earlier,” Taehyung said, watching Jeongguk’s reaction.
“What?”
“When I paid. I thought you’d give me a speech about how you could take care of yourself, that you didn’t need a stranger paying for you.”
“You’re not a stranger, and I’d never say no to anything free,” Jeongguk replied, returning to his sketching.
“Glad to hear I’m not a stranger.”
The rest of the time was spent in comfortable silence. Taehyung asked what he was drawing, and Jeongguk responded with a single word.
—•
Hi.
Is it ramen, ramyeon, or ramyun?
I like the way ramyun is spelt, so I’ll stick with that.
Bye <3