✿ cafe

@son hyunwoo /with my thoughts on you, the feel of your lips against my fingers, your hand on my elbow to guide me from the cafe, the slow buzz beginning to build within the cafe even as we leave it doesn't seem so bad/ A single man no longer. How does it feel, Hyunwoo-yah. /my voice is soft, stroking the little endearment of the suffix as my fingers link with yours and I hold myself close/ Perhaps we should go somewhere a little more private. /giving your hand a small squeeze within my grasp, my fingers a little short by comparison, I brush my thumb over the outside of your hand and smile softly as I give our arms a swing/ You know I've wondered what your dorm looks like in person...

[ ] There's now a Monsta X dorm so we can move there~

@kim donghyun *leaning closer to you when you brush the crumbs from my mouth, i risk detection by the prying eyes of the public, grabbing your hand, kissing the fingers that had so generously helped me* thank you, hyung *reaching into my pocket, i pull out my mask, slipping it on, making sure it's secure behind my ears* i'm ready *rising to my feet, i cup your elbow, moving us through the cafe, trying to use the most direct route possible to the front door, knowing our presence is causing a bit of a stir among the remaining patrons. opening the door for you, i follow you outside, finding the cooler air to be a relief, taking a few deep breaths to calm myself* i walked in there a single man, and look at me now *chuckling, i reach for your hand* where to, hyung?

((move to walls or do you think we could get a room? maybe a monsta x dorm?

@son hyunwoo /it takes a moment before I register the eyes on us even after you've mentioned we need to leave; as you finish your cheesecake, I take a much too large gulp of iced coffee, managing to unsettle my stomach, and I leave the last corner and crumbs of the scone behind on the plate/ I think so too... /when you ask me how you look I glance at you, eyes a little wide, though I reach up to brush a couple of the crumbs from the crust from the corner of your mouth/ There, now you're perfect. /smiling, I disentangle myself and push myself from my seat, feigning a sort of disinterested posture as I reach for my sunglasses to put them back on and then tuck my hands into my pockets, though the gesture is meant more to keep my hands from shaking as the moment and what it means begins to hit me in waves/ Shall we?

@kim donghyun *there is no hesitation in your voice when you agree to be mine, and i can feel relief washing over me as i lean closer to you, your soft voice luring me nearer to you, my hand reaching up impulsively to your hair when you rest against my shoulder* of course, i'll be yours, hyung - for as long as you want me *looking around the shop, i notice a few people staring at us, and i murmur against your ear* i think we need to get out of here, hyung *grabbing my fork, i make short work of my cheesecake, dabbing at my mouth with my napkin to wipe up whatever smeared over my lips* how do i look, hyung? did i get it all?

@son hyunwoo You're right about that. /my voice remains low, a feather soft whisper slipping past tiers that I then nibble on just to keep from trembling, and the warmth of your hand over mine manages to permeate my skin, venturing from my fingers and hand, up my arm, and into my shoulder; listening to you, I find there's a feeling growing in my heart that I can't quite place as I anticipate what you'll say next/ Oh... o-oh of course. /the answer, as quick as I manage it, strikes me as being unfulfilling and I laugh softly/ I mean yes, of course I will. How could I not-- I... /my voice returns to a soft whisper and I lean in close, daring to let my cheek rest against your shoulder for a brief second in place of being able to show much more physical affection/ I will, Son Hyunwoo, as long as you'll be mine too.

@kim donghyun it means that i know we've only gone on one coffee date, hyung, but i think we both know there is more here than just the camaraderie of co-workers or even of friends *your whisper had sent a shiver through me, and i squeeze your hand with mine, feeling the warmth of our connection permeating my shirt, the muscles of my arms flexing* i don't want to pressure you or rush you, but i do know that i don't want to share you with anyone else either. i was hoping you'd give me a chance to date you, hyung - to prove to you that i'm not playing with your feelings *clearing my throat, i smile at you, a hint of shyness in my eyes* i've never had a boyfriend before, not an official one, and i'd like to do it right *bowing my head for a moment, i take a deep breath before i speak again* would you be mine, kim donghyun?

@son hyunwoo Well it's a very potent special ability, even if it does only work on me. /the brush of your hand causes me to tilt my head, your touch an intoxicant even if only for a brief moment though I wish it had gone on longer/ I can only say what I see, and what I see is a man who has managed to make me feel special over the span of a single coffee date. /with my hand resting on your arm, and your hand coming to rest over mine, my thumb skims over the fabric of your shirt, indulging in that little bit of connectedness in the moment; when you speak of me, of having seen me and having thought I was attractive, I find myself feeling flushed once again and I lean in close to you, my shoulder pressing against yours for a moment as we sit this close/ I don't know that I could do that either. I suppose if I had to it would certainly take some doing before the holidays rolled around again, but I know I don't want to be okay with just being colleagues. /tipping my chin a little, my eyes meet yours sheepishly and my voice is barely even a whisper as I dare to say your name/ Does this mean what I think it means, Hyunwoo?

@kim donghyun i make you feel amazing? i think that's a special ability i have that only seems to work for you, hyung *chuckles, my hand reaching out, gently tucking a strand of your hair back into place, my fingers taking the opportunity to caress your cheek for a moment as i pull my hand back, resting it on the table, my food forgotten* i'm not known for being a great wit - far from it *when you reveal the lengths you'd go to for someone you care about, i can't help but smile, shifting my chair so that one of my knees rest against yours. i make no effort to move when your hand finds my arm, resting there as if it was the most natural thing in the world* you make me want to be sweet, hyung. this is going to sound odd, i'm sure, but all these years, i've seen you around, i knew you were part of starship, i thought you were attractive, but that's all the farther it ever went *my hand covers your hand, pressing your palm against my forearm, the fabric of my shirt the only barrier* but today, after talking to you for these few hours, i feel like - i don't think i can just go back to just being your work colleague, hyung

@son hyunwoo [ ] But see, not a big deal after all in this instance, lol.

Oh no? /my brows rise slightly, my expression open as I look at you, listening to you compliment them, and I glance down shyly, only to look up the moment you're even closer to me; for a moment, I contemplate reaching out to place my hand on yours again and rekindling that connection/ You know just what to say to make me feel amazing. /with another little nibble of my scone, I steal a sidelong glance at you and nod once/ And I would be happy to have a dog and live a little closer to one of the poles as long as the person I care about was there to keep me warm. /our conversation seems to indicate a certain level of compromise, the uniqueness of our tastes evident and yet it's all too clear that both of us aren't stuck on our preferences and while lost in that thought, I reach out, fingers resting lightly on your forearm without really thinking about it/ You're so sweet.

@kim donghyun ((i'm laughing because i posted as wonsik! you're right, it's not so bad since both of my muses belong to you

your eyes? i'm happy to say i don't need a hint about them, hyung *nods, my own eyes disappearing when i smile* unlike my eyes, yours are big and soft, and i find it very hard to look away from them. your eyes are one of the reasons you're beautiful, but i suspect you've been told that before *my chair legs scrape across the floor when i scoot a little closer to you again, my hand reaching over to drag my cheesecake along with me, leaving the plate in front of me once i'm settled* i think differences are what make people interesting, don't you? having differences isn't the problem, it's when someone is a stick in the mud and won't try to see the other person's side that you start having problems. *leaning my elbow on the table, my body turned toward you, i gaze at you unabashedly* i'd be happy to have a cat and live on the equator if i thought that someone i cared about might want to live that way

@son hyunwoo It doesn't seem like you'll need much help, but I would gladly give you a few hints. You already know I like being called beautiful. If you like my eyes I'll just be even weaker. /when you mention your members, I give a small shake of my head, occupying myself with my iced coffee again/ I don't know that I would be surprised. I think I already have a good idea of that. /only just aware of your movements as it seems you're mirroring me, I'm all the more amused when you cough and hide your mouth/ It's interesting how little we differ even though we keep leaning opposite directions. I admit... /falling quiet for a moment as the thought of being cuddled by you crosses my mind, I decide it's best not to think on it too much and instead an almost enigmatic smile crosses my lips/ That sounds like it would make me value winter a lot more.

@kim donghyun going to drop some hints for me? any help you can give me will be greatly appreciated, hyung *laughing when you mention that you done all your growing up, i nod my head, my eyes filled with amusement* i'm in the same boat. why do you think i work out so much? i'm not willing to give up food, so exercise is the only answer *my smile grows a little softer* my members would argue that i'm not that observant, but when something - or someone - is important to me, you'd be surprised how aware i can be *watching you eat the small bite of scone, i become aware that my own lips have parted as if i'm mirroring your every move. coughing, i cover my mouth with my fist before i take a sip of my latte* i love swimming and other sports, so summer appeals to me, but to be totally honest, i do love getting cozy in my sweaters and staying home to keep warm, so winter wins *tilts my head* maybe i can enjoy summer with you, and as a matter of fairness ofc, i can do my best to keep you warm in the winter. how does that sound, hyung?

@son hyunwoo Don't be surprised if I show you just how to take it for yourself if that's what you really want. /with my iced coffee in hand I take a small sip, the flavor a little bitter by comparison, and I find myself wondering if I might ever get to know the taste of your lips from your tiers themselves/ I'm sure I would love it, though I've done all my growing so it wouldn't do me as much good as it did you when you were young. I think at my age I can only grow out. /your reasoning makes me smile and I chuckle softly, lifting my head to meet your gaze/ I suppose that's true. You're observant then. /breaking a small piece from my scone, I bring the small bite to my lips, brushing the pads of my fingers against the corner of my mouth and an errant crumb to avoid looking like a sloppy eater/ I get cold easily, so as much as I like the things that could go with winter if I were so lucky at this point in my life, I still have to say I prefer summer for everything but fashion. But what about you?

@kim donghyun actually that makes me happy, hyung. hold onto that key tight, though don't be surprised if i try to figure out how to make it mine *noticing your flushed cheeks, i realize you are as aware of our indirect kiss as i am, and i'm tempted to take another slow bite of cheesecake, but i sip my latte instead, deciding that i've teased you enough for now* you'll have to try my mom's gimbap sometime, hyung. i'm sure it's one of the reasons why i grew up to be so big and strong *grinning broadly, i nod my head when you admit to preferring sushi* i don't think you're easy to read, hyung, and i'm sure i'll get things wrong, but like i said - a pup like me loves gimbap, but a sophisticated kitty like you is obviously going to prefer sushi. it was a pretty easy guess for anyone paying attention *pursing my lips, i think for a moment before i speak again* alright, hyung. a question for you. do you prefer winter or summer?

@son hyunwoo There have been a couple who have tried looking for it, but I still have a hold on that key. Your hyung doesn't give it away freely for just a compliment. /the sight of your smirk, and the knowledge that both our mouths have wrapped about that fork in your possession, brings a flush to my cheeks though with my hand slipping away a few moments later it's clearly visible that the apples of my cheeks are rosier than they were moments before/ I should have guessed. There's a reason you were able to identify your mom's gimbap when none of your members could guess their own. /a little gasp escapes my lips which I've managed to nibble into a slightly rosier tint from the inside as the legs of my chair scoot forward thanks to your tug/ You would guess correctly. I feel like I'm either easy to read or you're seeing me a lot clearer than I guessed you might.

@kim donghyun *helping myself to another bite of cheesecake, using the fork we've now shared, i hold it in my mouth a little longer than necessary, giving you a smile as i pull it out* am i the only one who's ever found that key? i can't believe other men haven't found you beautiful, hyung *my smile borders on being a smirk* and anyone looking at you, then looking at me, would know you're the more sophisticated one *when you hide your face, i want to admonish you, but i manage to hold my tongue since i have no right to tell you that i don't want you to conceal anything from me* i'll look forward to your more sophisticated kitty, and you can anticipate my howling dog *pursing my lips, i chuckle softly* i think you could guess the answer to that one, hyung. i'm a simple guy, so give me a plate of gimbap, especially if my mom made it *hooking my foot on the leg of your chair, i give it a little tug, pulling you closer to me* how about you? i want to guess sushi

@son hyunwoo You have very good taste, if I do say so myself. /as we sit together I find myself so enamored that I bring my arms to the table, resting my elbow on an open palm, and then my cheek against that upraised hand/ You just called me beautiful and sophisticated. I don't know if you realize that, but I think you may have just found the key to getting everything you could want from me. /it's the mention of me meowing that makes me laugh a little sheepishly, hiding the lower portion of my face with my hand instead of resting on it/ I might have to work on my meow in that case. A beautiful and sophisticated one just for you, instead of the alley cat I would normally mimic. /my eyes light up, amused at the thought/ If you would let me try, I can see myself wanting to just to hear it at least once. Now... /the tip of my index finger taps against my bottom lip, dragging that plump tier down a little/ Sushi or gimbap?

@kim donghyun *when you talk about animals, i find myself watching your lips as you speak, getting a little lost in them as you accept the bite of cheesecake that i offer you, my eyes widening when your mouth lingers on my fork, drawing the utensil back slowly as i watch you chew* i'm glad you enjoyed it, hyung *listening to you, i nod when you confess to being a cat person, a smile spreading over my lips* this may sound silly to you, but that makes perfect sense to me, hyung. you're beautiful and sleek and sophisticated - much more like a cat - and i'm big, and silly and a little clueless sometimes - much more like a dog. i think i'd like to hear you meow like a cat some day *taking a sip of my latte, i chuckle* i bet you could make me howl like a dog if you tried

@son hyunwoo Nor do we need to consider what I looked like at seventeen or eighteen. /when you catch me looking at you, I glance down and busy myself with another sip, my lips wrapped about the straw in the plastic cup/ I like most animals as well... well, most mammals. The fluffy things. /a soft chuckle leaves my lips when you mention the puppies and my eyes light up as I remember having seen the interview, though the exact details allude me so I opt not to bring it up more; with your fork presented to me, I look between it and you, the indirect kiss making me pause as if to ask if you're sure before I carefully wrap my lips about the tines and take the offered bite, the strawberry cheesecake a nice blend of sweet and tart, and yet I almost swear there's a a hint of what it might be like to kiss you directly in that bite, though I fan the thought away and hide my mouth behind my free hand as I swallow/ That was really good. Thank you. But dogs or cats, right. I admit I've spent most of my life around dogs and I do love them, but I feel like I'm more of a cat person. Which is to say nothing of my attempts to meow like a cat... /my cheeks flush a little at the memory as I trail off/

@kim donghyun i think you're right, hyung *chuckles* i'm not sure i want to think about thirteen year old hyunwoo *taking a sip of my latte, i bow my head, hoping i'm not blushing at the thought of the teenage version of myself, my chin ultimately lifting to find your eyes on me* i like to think i love all animals, except maybe spiders and snakes which i think is more of a reflex than an actual dislike, but if i had to choose, i do like dogs *grins* we got to spend some time with some puppies when we did an interview in america, and it was hard to leave them behind when we were finished *scooting my chair a little closer to you, i cut off a bite of my cheesecake, offering it to you, wondering if you'll realize it will be an indirect kiss if you eat from my fork* how about you, hyung? dogs or cats?

@son hyunwoo I feel like we might want to skip that first question since you would have been thirteen, maybe fourteen, when I began as a trainee. /laughing softly, I take another sip from my drink before indulging in the piece of scone; my eyes rove over your features, admiring your eyes for a moment before I shyly glance down toward the table/ Perhaps those generic which do you prefer questions might be a better place to start. /after making the suggestion, I sit up a little straighter in my seat rather than leaning back in it, and I lean into the table almost as if to come a little closer to you/ Speaking of cats and dogs, which do you prefer?

@kim donghyun *reminding myself to be more judicious in my use of compliments, remembering a story my mother always told me about only kissing the one's you really care about because if you kiss everyone, then your kisses become meaningless, i listen to your suggestion, cutting off a piece of the cheesecake, savoring the slightly sour creaminess before i pop a strawberry in my mouth. i nod, encouraging you, knowing there is still a lot we both need to know about the other* you're not rambling, hyung - i think it's a very good idea. what kind of questions would you like to ask? very specific ones like what year we started training or is there anything the members do that drive us nuts? or do you just want to ask things like which do you prefer, coffee or tea? cats or dogs? i'm game for anything

@son hyunwoo Well they're very nice to hear and I certainly wouldn't tell you to stop so long as they're coming freely, but don't feel that you need to compliment me. I'm already all ears. /after you take a sip I follow suit, taking a sip of the milky coffee, the bitterness removed from the coffee, and I draw my scone a little closer by its plate/ We should talk and get to know each other, shouldn't we? Though I admit that after all these compliments and what I know of my hoobaes I already like what I see. /setting the iced coffee down, I gently break a small piece off from the scone while I speak, the sweet pastry crumbing on the plate/ Though I admit we probably both know a bit about each other already and I feel like I'm at a disadvantage because I don't know what you do or don't know... or what you care to know, for that matter. I'm starting to ramble, I'm sorry.

@kim donghyun i'm not sure what's happening when it comes to all the compliments *confesses a little sheepishly, reaching out to pull my latte and cheesecake a bit closer once i'm settled in my seat again* i'm not usually this clever with words - just ask my band members - but for some reason when i'm around you, i can think of all kinds of nice things to say *chuckles when you turn my compliment around on me, claiming to be the luckiest man since you're with me* i think this is my motivation, hyung. you don't seem to be aware of how wonderful you are. i think all these compliments keep building up inside me because i want to prove to you that you're amazing *shrugging, i take a sip of my latte, enjoying the sweetness tinged by the bitterness of the expresso* so you're probably just going to have to get used to me praising you, hyung

@son hyunwoo /when you jump up to get my chair for me, I swear I can feel my heart actually skip a beat from something so small, though I take the offered chair and lift a hand at the mention of the cheesecake/ You have an incredible body, and while I wouldn't presume that it comes easy... you deserve a small treat once in a great while without guilt. /the compliments that seem to flow so easily from you leave me a little warm and flushed yet again and as I reach for my coffee it's almost solely for the purpose of obscuring my face partially with the cup/ You know just what to say, and I don't know how you can deliver compliments so easily, but I love hearing every single one of them. /with my iced coffee cool against both palms as I keep the cup in both hands, I glance at you sheepishly from beneath my brows/ I don't think you could claim luckiest man alive, since we're just out for coffee and you've already made me feel that way about getting to sit here with you.

@kim donghyun *pretending to be preoccupied with my napkin, folding it and unfolding it, i spend the moments that we're separated watching you, noticing the line of your jeans as they hug your body, smiling when you lower your face, pretending that you hadn't stolen a glance in my direction. when you make your way across the dining room, balancing the tray with all of our goodies, i jump up, pulling back your chair for you before i slip back into mine, my eyes alight when i see the cheesecake in front of me, tempting me* my trainer would have a fit if he could see me now *shaking my head, i flash my smile at you* that's not true, hyung - even if they didn't make a commotion about recognizing you, i still say they had the better bargain because they got to look at you. people as attractive as you don't grow on trees, you know *glancing up at the baristas, i chuckle* they were very lucky, but since you're sitting here with me now, i must be the luckiest man alive

@son hyunwoo Strawberry cheesecake, of which I will most definitely have a bite, and a latte. Coming right up. /smiling warmly when I push myself up from my chair, I move around our table, perhaps drawing a little too close to you in the process before I cross the cafe toward the counter, the swing in my step a little more pronounced and the tightness of my stonewashed jeans perhaps a little too evident; though I would inwardly chastise myself for being so blatant, once I reach the counter to deliver and pay for our orders, I think about it very little while I wait at the other end of the counter; before I can stop myself I steal a glance your direction, only just noticing you and your chair are angled my way, and I lower my head a little; while it's clear none of the staff seem to recognize my face, I don't feel as bad when the young woman placing our order and its tray down in front of me has to call for my attention; balancing the tray on both hands I return to the table and place it down between us, your latte and the slice of strawberry cheesecake aimed toward you, and my milky iced coffee and scone aimed toward my empty seat before I gingerly sit down once again/ Disaster avoided. I don't think anyone recognized me, so your theory of better bargains wasn't quite accurate. But I'm still flattered.

@kim donghyun *blinking when you mention that you'll be getting a scone, i glance back at the display, then back to you, an almost childishly happy grin on my face* in that case, hyung, just so you don't have to eat alone, i'll have a piece of the strawberry cheesecake *my eyes are gleeful at the thought, and i lean on the table, resting my chin on my hand* i want you to promise you'll try a bite. if you don't, i'm going to have to have to work out that much harder later *when you make your way to the counter, i tell myself not to stare because it's not polite, but without even having to move, my chair is at the perfect angle to watch you cross the cafe, and i take the opportunity, smiling to myself as your hips sway, avoiding the other tables and diners*

@son hyunwoo I don't mind. Besides, it's a hyung's job to take care of his dongsaeng at least in some way. /catching your gaze on the display, I tilt my head a little, waiting to see if you ask for anything more, and yet when you don't and seem to compliment me by mentioning the bargain for the baristas, I laugh softly, my eyes crinkling at the corners/ You're flattering me, and I like it. /giving your hand a gentle squeeze beneath mine I withdraw and then speak up again, just resisting the urge to shape my lips about your name for the sake of discretion/ A latte and what else? I'm planning on having a scone. I don't think you would let your hyung eat alone, would you?

@kim donghyun *when you place your hand over mine, i'm so focus on this small gesture of yours, that i don't register what you say, but when my brain finally catches up, i look up, my cheeks giving me away a little with a pale pink tinge that runs along my cheekbones* are you sure you don't mind, hyung? all i want is a latte *my eyes glance at the counter, seeing the display of pastries, but i look away, not wanting to be tempted, thus causing you more trouble and expense* it probably would be best if i stay at the table, though i'm not sure the baristas aren't getting the better end of the bargain since you're going to be doing the ordering