cafe 。

@ΝΓΤ ⁴ taekwoon you’re welcome for letting you know that i am not a prude
/unlike you, that for one sadistic reason or the other walk effortlessly through the rain, i curse softly under my breath whenever the rain hits hard against the expanse of my shoulders.
/speeding up my steps in order to get there quicker i chuckle almost a little breathlessly when you insist on paying, shaking my head slightly underneath the drenched hood.
fine, i won’t argue against getting paid, then
/with my old sneakers soaked through and through i stand with you, under the roof, water dripping from the edges of the hood, tipping my head slightly back as i look up at you
/bites back the urge to curse you out then for being tall and stuff, life is unfair in that sense
/instead i laugh softly, arms wrapping around my torso, and there’s only the hint of a quiver to my lips as i respond to your claim about artists and never quite finishing their work.
you’re right, there’s always room for one improvement or the other, hence i prefer to have a deadline set, or i don’t finish it all
procrastination is a real thing and i suffer from it
/i smile slightly and moves my weight from one foot to the other.
i’ll keep you updated on the progress
and—
hey taekwoon, hit me up if you ever want company or something, alright?
/briefly let’s my eyes travel over the features of your face, lips curling upwards into a wide smile, nodding.
take care, and goodnight
/watches your retreating back before i spin around on my heels and heads back towards my own building a the hot shower that awaits there.

@ΔΧΛ ³ baekhyun each to their own. like i said, humans are pack animals by nature. it usually takes something unpleasant to change that within someone
/shrugs at first when you mention my radar being something else, smiling a little before i'm quirking a brow at you as you're reassuring me sleeping around is fine
thank you for the assurance that you're not a prude, baekhyun
/teases you just slightly before waving off your thanks for letting you borrow my gloves again, myself tugging the collar of my jacket up around my neck to shield me a bit
well he's welcome. i'll be sure to drag you out your room sometimes soon again
/calls over the sound of the rain since its falling hard enough that it makes me have to raise my voice just to be heard in the first place
/rather than ducking under roofs like you i just walk under the rain, the icy sting numbing my skin slightly, most importantly my back and its almost soothing
/turns my attention back to you at my side when you ask about a deadline for the project then mention actually doing it for free, shaking my head swiftly at the thought
i'd prefer to pay. i'll be commissioning you again i'm sure and money isn't an issue if you were worried about it
i know student life tends to us all dry of what little we have
/once we reach the campus i stand under the shelter of one of the adjoining buildings, caught between our two frats as we make puddles at our feet with how wet we are
as for a deadline... i'd say whenever its ready but then most artists say they are never fully finished with their work, right?
so lets give you... a fortnight? its nothing too big or grand in use of media so it shouldn't take up too much of your time. if that's too little time then let me know
honestly i'll take it whenever you want to give it to me. like when you grow sick of looking at it
/reassures you as i squeeze out water from the ends of my hair, dipping onto the floor though the sounds are swallowed up by the rain turned torrential by now
i better let you go and clean up for now, before you catch cold
text me whenever you want or need, baekhyun. goodnight
/nods to you with a faint smile before i'm heading off and leaving watery footprints behind me, disappearing among the shadows almost as if you've spent the entire evening with a phantom rather than a real person

@ΝΓΤ ⁴ taekwoon ah, you're one of those people who finds comfort in your own company then?
see, i could never do that, i don't handle loneliness well
/laughs softly when you explain that the claim about me being in a relationship just came from a gut feeling.
dude, your radar must be insane, i wouldn't be able to tell unless it would have been obvious
/but perhaps it was obvious, people in love tended to show it in the simplest of ways, it doesn’t take long for me to notice that speaking about things like love and relationships seems to be another thing that makes you go silent, and i hum softly.
a lot of people are like that, you know, sleeping around or whatever, that's fine
not that you needed to hear me say it, i just don't want to seem judgy just because i've been with the same guy for two years
you should have seen me freshman year— then again, probably not
/as on cue i glance towards the clock on the wall as well, nodding my head slightly as i reach for the gloves and slips them on.
thank you— i should probably stock up on proper outerwear at some point
/sets my feet down and gets up, tossing the bag over my shoulder and pulls the hood back up to cover my head, shuffling along behind you.
/directs a quick smile towards the barista as well, then chuckles at your remark.
chanyeol wouldn’t come after you, he’s just glad that something coaxed me to leave the room
fresh air and, you know, yada yada
/by the time we make it outside the downpour is already in full motion, making me put some serious effort into trying to stay somewhat covered by roofs or whatnot as we make our way back through the city.
hey, do you want to put a deadline on the project?
oh— and since it’s your first commission, i’ll do it for free, alright? don’t worry about it

@ΔΧΛ ³ baekhyun i guess i understand. actually i don't. i'm one of those people that feels that finds comfort in being alone or with a very select few amount of people
on a base level i can kind of understand though. humans are pack animals by nature, right?
/tries to remember if that's what was said in the show i was watching once, or was it something i hear on the radio? either way i can't remember it properly
/shrugs it off before i drum my fingers lightly against my cheek this time, tilting my head as i look at you with a small smile, nodding after a moment as you explain about the tree and i
/an amused smile tugs at the corners of my lips when you look so surprised about me guessing about you and your boyfriend, laughing under my breath
i have the uncanny ability for guessing correctly, mostly, when someone is in a relationship
/i know it comes from having loved and lost a lot more than just the end of a relationship, making me fall silent for a moment before i'm clearing my throat
good to know my radar still works
i'm sure he probably thinks the same, don't you think? him wondering why you put up with him?
/raises an eyebrow before i pause when you ask about me seeing someone, my head shaking softly from one side to the other as i speak quietly
no... haven't dated someone since i started here. is another thing entirely, but to be in a relationship with someone again?
...no thank you
/the thought makes me even shudder somewhat before i hear the rain falling even harder against the window, my eyes glancing at the clock on the wall
i better get you back before someone thinks i've used you for some cult thing
don't ask-
/shakes my head before i let us enjoy the fire a little bit longer before getting up and tugging on my jacket, motioning for you to wear my gloves again
shall we?
/asks as i head towards the door, thanking the barista on the way out, frowning at the rain and sighing under my breath as i do so
we're going to be soaked by the time we get back
don't catch a cold because of me. i wouldn't want chanyeol coming after me because of it

@ΝΓΤ ⁴ taekwoon /smiles slightly when it would seem that my guesses weren’t too far fetched, even though it doesn’t really make feel joy about being right.
the stuff about your frat— it’s pretty obvious if you pay attention, you don’t speak very fondly of them
can’t say i’m the most brotherhood kinda guy either, but i do enjoy feeling like.. you know, i belong with a crowd, in a sense?
it used to be a lot more fun, now i couldn’t really be bothered as much
/sinks my feet back down onto the floor as i lean forward a little, picking the leftover crumbs from the muffin and then quickly them from my finger, before i sit back, humming.
i guess, there’s still some stuff that’s left to figure out, like, why would it horrify me— or you, for that matter?
it’s something that you don’t enjoy talking about, i shouldn’t pester you about it, after all we just met
/sinking my hands back into the pocket of my hoodie, constantly thinking that it could be a little bit warmer, i lift my feet back up to rest onto the edge of the couch, despite catching a look of displeasure from the barista who’s wiping a table nearby.
/merely sends her a small smile before locking my eyes back on you, brows furrowing behind tousled bangs.
not really, no. i don’t find it particularly odd, it’s just something that i noticed about you
i would say that, whatever happened at that tree for it to keep having such an impact on you, it’s probably something that i wouldn’t be able to guess just randomly
/eyes widening just a bit when you mention dating, racking my brain for any hints that i might have dropped about having a boyfriend, but there is none as far as i could think of.
/sure, the oversized hoodie i’m currently wearing was definitely a stolen item, but you couldn’t have known that, most of my clothes fell into the baggy and comfortable category anyways.
how’d you figure that one out?
but yeah, you’re right. me and chanyeol have been together for.. two years in february, i’m really lucky to have him
/i smile, couldn’t ever help the soft look that took over my features whenever i spoke about chanyeol
he’s in delta as well, can’t believe he’s been dealing with my for this long though, honestly
though i am curious as to how you knew that
/i chuckle, fingers twisting together where they’re hidden away, wetting my lips
what about you, i’m guessing that you’re not really seeing someone?
at least not— you know, exclusively?

@ΔΧΛ ³ baekhyun /my mug now empty i frown at it like i so often do when i finish them, sighing under my breath before i place it carefully down on the table, nudging it atop one of the coasters whilst i'm at it
/pressing myself into the comfort of the sofa a little more i lift one of my legs to rest over the other, foot tapping in the air lightly as i smile softly to myself
/as anticipation builds for your answer i find myself drumming my fingers against my knee, briefly shrugging off your look of surprise when i admit i was a sports major first - an odd switch without context to say the least
/still listening i loll my head towards the fire, my eyes gazing at the flames once more as if i can see something more among them, eyes glazing over slightly before i part my lips ever so slightly and murmur
you're right
/slowly i shift my gaze back to your own, smiling slightly before i rest one of my arms over the top of my knee, the other lifted for my chin to lay in my palm whilst those cat-like eyes see only you for the moment
bonus points for the insight about the frat and i. not that i try and hide it, but no one has put it as eloquently as you
not even i
/smiles a little more then before i turn my head to the glass window this time, looking past the shop name painted there and out to the darkened street, rain falling against the glass and i wonder when it began
you're just missing a few links but i didn't expect you to guess them
you might be a little horrified if you did. or... i would be. at least a bit worried about your mind should you have guessed
... i'm rambling
/laughs quietly at myself, frowning for a brief moment before i'm subconsciously smoothing it out to look back at you again, shrugging my shoulders gently
i was wondering if you were thinking i was unhinged for giving a damn about a single tree so much, but then that stuff really doesn't seem to bother you
which i'm grateful for. the rumour mill was always over the top
/muses as i look down at my hands, one half of my face in a warm light from the fire, the other colder, sharper thanks to the hard light coming from the streetlight outside
oh- can i add on a piece to my guess profile on you?
i forgot to mention i think you're definitely dating. long term, definitely not just a fling kind of thing
am i right?

@ΝΓΤ ⁴ taekwoon /stops chewing on the godforsaken nail, a nervous habit as much as any, and drops my hand into my lap when you argue against my claim about college and drugs, giving a light shrug of my shoulders.
perhaps, i’m just saying that the general conception would be that everyone uses something
whether it’s something small or more hardcore stuff
/leans back and listens as you talk about majoring in sports at one point, eyebrow only arching the slightest bit with the way you’re spitting out the word pledge.
/there’s a small smile that tugs the corners of my lips upwards when you comment about missing something but figuring me out eventually.
i would hope not
/gently rotates the cup between my palms, humming softly as i give you a more calculating lookover, before i avert my eyes, opting to watch the flames dance within the fireplace.
well, rumors wouldn’t help me much because i don’t really pay attention to them, and in general i can’t really recall seeing you around much either
/drinks what’s left of my coffee, enjoying the soft comfort of being warmed up from the inside as it slides down my throat, gathering the hints that i’ve been handed so far.
so— you switched major early, either because something that happened or, of course, you just realized that it wasn’t for you. i also switched major going into my sophomore year, as it used to be music, not art.
you do musicals, and it’s would seem that you truly do enjoy it but then i wonder if your heart is really in it? sometimes it sounds like you find it bothersome
/settling the cup down onto the table i fixate my eyes back on you, a light tilt of my head, squinting.
you don’t have much left for your fraternity, which is honestly a surprise, doesn’t seem like you’re one of those strong “brotherhood” kinda guys. i’d even go as far as to say that you dislike the whole idea of even being in one, now
and— well, something happened at that tree. if you simply wanted an art piece of a tree you could have picked any other tree, but you’re very specific about it being that one tree. it probably holds certain memories for you
/leans back at last, motioning slightly with my hand
how was that?

@ΔΧΛ ³ baekhyun ...true. i forgot about that. well then i hope they just choke. no fun to be had, just good old asphyxiation
/huffs softly before i hear how i've done in our little guessing game, nodding my head now and then before i feel somewhat envious of you for having both your parents in the musical industry
/but i don't interrupt and just listen still, though i have to pipe up when you say its college so most people are taking some kind of substance
not everyone. the jocks and their steroids, sure. the stoners, a given, but there's some people here who haven't even tasted alcohol let alone gotten high off of anything
i never used to take anything since my first major was sports - shocking, a sportsman who doesn't rely on drugs, right?
but then i swapped early on, right after my pledge
/the last word is strict and bitten at the end, disliking using it for even a moment but i have nothing else to call it, its just holds a lot of bad memories for me
i suppose. i feel like there's something i might be missing with you... but i'll find out eventually. always do
/promises you with a small smile, a bit of deviousness hinted at the corners, fading when you ask me about myself and my story
hmm...
take a guess. its been a while since i had a new person's perspective of myself
/picks my coffee back up, nursing the remaining half of the hot liquid whilst i smile at you, friendly enough and open, suggesting i shan't bite your head off if you guess anything on the touchier side of things
i think the general consensus around campus for the past few years has been "avoid where possible" and that's it
only the theatre lot seem to not mind me. then you have the jocks who always spread rumours among themselves for why i swapped my majors

@ΝΓΤ ⁴ taekwoon nice, but only if i could watch it happen. isn’t that what most of those guys are already up to anyways?
/it would seem like you did that a lot, spoke of things in such a way that it would undoubtedly sound like a joke for anyone that didn’t pay close attention, when you probably meant every word that fell from your lips.
the fireplace is another nice feature indeed, perhaps i should just start going here instead.
not that going to cafes is something that i do frequently, but if i did.
/settling the now empty plate back onto the table i lean back, pulling both of my feet up onto the couch, cradling the cup between my hands while i watch you, curios.
/it’s not like i wasn’t a completely unknown person around campus, but perhaps you didn’t listen much to the talk.
hm, well— my parents are still married, yeah. mom’s teaching classical music at some fancy university and my dad’s a pianist, mostly doing musicals and performances.
as for the musicals, i guess that technically i enjoyed doing them, but i stopped because a bad case of stage fright. i loved it but it just wasn’t worth it.
/brings the cup back to my lips and takes another sip, arching a brow slightly because yeah, even the coffee did taste better here, i think and make a mental reminder to come back some other time.
/dark eyes darting back to you when you speak next, slowly lowering the cup as i the reminiscence of foam from the corners of my lips.
substance? really, we’re in college though; everyone takes something here—
/starts before i cut myself off, shaking my head slightly
i guess, not that far off then?
even though those were mostly things that i had already hinted at, no?
what about you, what’s your story?
/nodding slightly towards you before bringing a hand up towards my lips, chewing lightly on my thumbnail, now trying to advert the attention from myself

@ΔΧΛ ³ baekhyun i don't know about you, but my frat can it. a big fat one and hopefully choke whilst they're at it
/my usually high strung image is dropped in an instant as i speak like that, entirely serious but in a joking kind of manner as to not bring the mood down, pleased to see you don't care about such things as well
finally, someone who understands that the cafe on campus is awful
i agree of course. besides, this one also has the bonus feature of a working fireplace in autumn and winter
/groans as its come to me having to guess, knowing i haven't been bothered enough in a long time to figure someone out like i used to, or try at least
/takes another couple sips of my latte before i rest it atop one of my knees, thinking over the bits of information you've given me already
well your refer to your parents as a unit still so i'm assuming they're still together. which could mean loving upbringing but not necessarily since some parents should split sometimes
the performances in musicals... that could be them insisting you do so and maybe you not liking it so much. i mean you don't do them now, right?
maybe you were glad to stop
maybe i'm just pulling this entire thing out my
/chuckles under my breath, tilting my head back to look up at the ceiling as i try and think of anything else i could possibly tack on
the only other thing i have is that artists tend to turn to substances at some point in their lives
/tilts my head forward to look at you properly, looking at you as i set my still steaming cup of coffee down on the table and tilt my head at you
how off am i?

@ΝΓΤ ⁴ taekwoon a change of company you say? oh no, what will our brothers think about this?
/lifting a hand to cover my mouth with a much exaggerated gasp, as if i even cared about such things.
/let’s the hood fall from my head, lifting a hand to in a futile attempt try and rearrange the tousled locks of my hair, still very much looking like i just got dragged out of bed.
/somewhat unconsciously hums along with the soft tunes being streamed out through the speakers, slipping your gloves off and places them neatly besides me on the couch, looking up when you approach.
blueberry is just fine, thank you.
/smiles when i reach forward, delicate hands wrapping around the cup while i sit back, providing some appreciated warmth.
it’s fine, really— i spend too much time inside,
and i do appreciate that it’s less people, the coffee shop on campus is just a ing hassle, takes forever to get your order and then you get the wrong thing more often than not. bet the coffee tastes better here as well.
/placing the plate holding the muffin to rest atop my thigh, lifting the delicacy and taking a tentative bite, definitely didn’t eat anything yet today.
/eyes darting back towards you, squinting slightly, devouring the muffin in just a few more bites before i offer a reply to your question.
ah, the pained and struggling artist trope huh?
do you want me to tell you about myself— or do you want to guess, see how long it takes?
/a small smile finds its way onto my lips as i bring the cup up, blowing little puffs of air on the hot beverage before taking a small sip, not at all offended by your words
i already told you some bits and pieces. musical parents, used to do musicals when i was younger and have been drawing basically all my life.
/nods my head slightly in your direction.
so go ahead, give me your best shot.

@ΔΧΛ ³ baekhyun feel free to message me throughout it then. or just in general. i could use a change in company now and then
/nods my head when you give me your order, shuffling along the fairly short line until i'm relaying the order, waiting to one side after paying
/when they're ready i bring them over, a coffee in each hand and the plate with a muffin balanced on my arm, steady as i set them down on the table in front of you
i got blueberry. i hope you don't mind
personal preference even if i'm not the one eating it
/nods to the sweet treat as i sit down in the single armchair opposite the sofa, long legs stretching out in front of me as i sigh in delight at the warmth slowly seeping into me
sorry i made you walk a little more, this place is just much better
less people around this time too
/nods to the rest of the cafe with only a couple of other people dotted around, my long fingers wrapping around my own mug and lifting the latte to my lips, sniffing appreciatively at it whilst i sip at the contents and warm my hands
/glancing at the fire, i stare into the flames comfortably, lips parting as i speak quietly, just about heard over the quiet music playing in the background
tell me a little about yourself
artists always tend to have something tragic about them. i'm wondering if i can guess what yours is and how long it might take me
/flicks my gaze over to you then, nothing... unkind about my words, i'm just frank as ever and truthful to say the least

@ΝΓΤ ⁴ taekwoon dully noted, my dude. i already think that i have a pretty good idea of what i’m going to do with it, i could send you little updates of the process in case you would want something changed or if i spiral out of control. i do that sometimes when the muse hits me good.
/i nod my head, directing a smile in your direction.
it’s always a pleasure to meet new clients— hm?
/turning slightly towards you when you nudge my elbow, looking confused and momentarily a little bummed about having to walk even further, but quickly brushes it off.
alright, lead the way then. i trust your preferences when it comes to coffee shops.
oh, and thank you
/smiles, and picks up my steps besides you, slipping the gloves onto my considerably smaller hands.
/slips past you and into the cozy space that makes the café, immediately feeling a sense of relief as i make my way towards the couches and the designated fireplace.
a flat white for me— and a muffin of some sort? if that’s alright, doesn’t really matter the flavor.
/drops down into the couch stood closest to the fireplace, shrugging my backpack off before i lean back to make myself more comfortable on the furniture, sighing softly.
/briefly checks the time on my phone as i wait for you to come back with the drinks, instantly feeling more at ease inside

@¹ jaemin [] let’s just head straight to the dance studio~

@ΔΧΛ ¹ byeongkwan Alright then let's go /smiles as steps out from the cafe with you/

(Shall we move to the dorm then to the dance studio? Or we just move straight to the studio?)

@¹ jaemin -smiles and nods, signing for the card and taking my card back-
mmh sounds good to me~
-stands up and nods-
mmh let's go~

@ΔΧΛ ¹ byeongkwan /nods at your words/ I surely will tell you first. I don't really want to surprise you by suddenly taking your photos /hums a bit/ alright then. Just lemme know when and I will gladly treat you next time! /waits for the waiter to come back with your card before standing up/ shall we go back to your dorm now?

@¹ jaemin -smiles and nods-
mmh you're always welcome to~ just let me know beforehand so I know to expect you~
-grins and hands the waiter my card-
mmh I'm sure~ you can get it next time~

@ΔΧΛ ¹ byeongkwan /beams a bit when you allow me to take photos, smiling/ thank you! I really appreciate that /finishes my drink before looking at the waiter when he tells us the bill/ are you sure that I shouldn't pay for this one? I can always pay my meal..

@¹ jaemin -smiles and nods-
Oh of course you can!
-finishes my food and drinks and asks waiter for the check-

@ΔΧΛ ¹ byeongkwan Oh.. Right /nods in understanding/ I forgot that we need to wear suitable clothes to dance.. Yeah that sounds much better to me. Sorry I forgot about it /smiles sheepishly as I rub my nape/ oh can I try to take photos of human by looking at you dancing later on?

@¹ jaemin -smiles and hums softly-
I should go change into comfier clothes so we could go to the house after we finish eating, get ready, and then head to the dance studio~?
-finishes my food and sips on my drink-

@ΔΧΛ ¹ byeongkwan /grins and beams a bit/ I'm glad that you don't mind about it. I will surely drop by when I can later on! Or we can go after this if you feel like to /finishes my food before sipping onto my Americano/ or we can hang out around for a bit before going there?

@¹ jaemin -smies and nods-
oh of course not~ you're welcome to join me whenever you want~
-smiles and eats my food-

@ΔΧΛ ¹ byeongkwan /smiles when I heard your words/ oh! Then please don't mind me tagging along to the studio. I missed the feeling of being in a dance studio. Who knows I can watch you dance too! /continues to eat before it gets cold/

@ΣΥΤ ¹ yoongi Ⓟ *smiles and hums softly*
are you ready to order~?

@ΣΥΤ ¹ san Ⓟ Better than nothing I guess.

@ΣΥΤ ¹ yoongi Ⓟ *hums and looks throught he menu*
they have the one where they put the strawberries on top of the pancake~ Is that what you meant?
*looks over at you*

@ΣΥΤ ¹ san Ⓟ Maybe?
*continues looking through the menu*

@ΣΥΤ ¹ yoongi Ⓟ is there even such a thing~?
*looks at the menu and hums*