Hello :3 I'm posting this back to back with the first chapter, so I'm just gonna get straight into things! (Or y'know, gay into things cause these boys are gay AF)
(..i'm not funny lmao)
Yoosung rolled over in his bed, groaning in frustration as the light pooled in through the break in the curtains. He sighed as he felt the soft footfalls of his cat nearing him, his eyes opening to meet her gaze. He gingerly lifted his hand, scratching tenderly behind her ear, smiling as she purred in content.
"Good morning, Sally."
Sally curled up on his chest, blinking lazily at him. He continued stroking down along her back, sighing as he did so.
"I met someone new at the bar last night, Sally. His name is Saeran- he works there," He smiled as Sally meowed softly in response, stretching her legs out, "I don't really know how to explain how I feel after meeting him. I feel... Strange. But I want to get to know him more. Does that make sense?"
Sally tilted her head at him, meowing once more. He sighed, sitting up in bed, laughing to himself.
"I wish you could talk back. I could use some actual thoughts, you know."
Sally rubbed her head against his knee, staring up at him endearingly. He smiled, standing up and off the bed, walking towards the kitchen.
"Alright, let's get you some food, shall we?"
The door to the shop jingled softly, causing Jaehee to turn, a smile fixed on her lips.
"Good morning- Oh, Yoosung, it's you."
Yoosung smiled, making soft strides towards the counter, waving at her.
"Hey, Jaehee. Feels like it's been a while!"
Jaehee smiled, leaning against the cash register.
"We were only closed for a week for vacation."
Yoosung sighed dramatically.
"I know, it was forever!"
Jaehee rolled her eyes softly, straightening up, smiling at the blond.
"So, the usual? Or did you need to talk about something?"
Yoosung smiled softly at her- Jaehee owned the coffee shop a block away from his apartment. They had become fairly close since he first met her years ago- she was almost like the older sister he never had, always there to give him advice and listen to him when he needed it.
"Both, actually."
Jaehee smiled, turning to the machine to start making the steamed milk for Yoosung's usual cappuccino.
"So, what's on your mind then?"
Yoosung watched her work, sighing softly.
"Is it possible for a 23-year-old to have a crush on someone?"
Jaehee raised an eyebrow at him slowly.
"Do you have a crush on someone?"
Yoosung blushed, looking away frantically.
"I-It's a hypothetical question!"
Jaehee smirked, continuing her work on the drink.
"Yes, it's possible. Feelings start as an impish attraction, most times."
Yoosung nodded, playing with the sleeves of his sweater, nursing his lower lip between his teeth.
"Does it make sense to not be sure whether that crush is romantic, or just wanting to be friends?"
Jaehee looked up for a moment, contemplating this idea before nodding slowly.
"Yes, I would say so. Sometimes when first meeting someone you don't know if you're really attracted to them, or if you would just be more compatible as friends. When I first met Mavis, I had no interest in her whatsoever- but over time I realized I had fallen in love with her. Things like that can happen, too. It isn't really linear- I think if it happens, it happens."
Yoosung nodded, though there was still a clear crease in his brow. Jaehee placed the cup before him, smiling down at him as he looked up.
"I would recommend just trying to be friends with whomever you're talking about first. Getting to know them and talking to them more will prove in time whether this attraction is platonic or romantic."
Yoosung blushed, smiling softly, giving a thankful nod, reaching for his wallet, until Jaehee stopped him with a soft slap of the hand. He blinked in confusion, rubbing the offended spot.
"It's on the house, for leaving you so lonely for a whole week."
Yoosung laughed, shaking his head, lifting the cup to his lips and taking a sip.
"Thanks, Jaehee."
Zen reached into his pocket for his ringing phone, quickly bringing it up to his ear, a smile gracing his lips.
"Yoosung! How was last night after I left?"
Yoosung chuckled into the phone softly.
"It was fine. I left after I finished that drink you got me. I was wondering if you maybe wanted to go again tonight, if you're free?"
Zen glanced over at Jumin, who was playing with Elizabeth in the corner. He sighed, nodding to himself.
"Yes, I'm free. Jumin forgot to pick up my allergy medicine, so getting out of the house is much needed tonight, what with his little fur ball."
"Her name is Eliz-"
"Yes, Yes, I know her name is Elizabeth, but you still forgot my medicine, dear."
Yoosung laughed nervously, clearing his throat.
"So, ah, I'll see you at the Palace at 7?"
"Sounds good, see you then!"
Yoosung walked through the doors, chewing his lip softly, butterflies dancing through him as he walked. Zen patted his shoulder, laughing softly at his antics.
"What's with you? You're acting like you're worried about something."
Yoosung laughed nervously, looking away, his eyes darting about the bar.
"Yeah, funny, isn't it?"
Zen blinked at him, shrugging, making his way to sit down at the bar. Yoosung followed, his heart sinking as Saeran was nowhere in sight- not that he would have known what to say even if he had been there. He slid onto the barstool next to Zen, leaning his cheek against his hand, propping his arm up on the table, a soft sigh escaping his lips.
Maybe it was best to just ignore these thoughts in his head- after all, he had only met the guy once, and extremely briefly. It was probably nothing- or so Yoosung hoped, but the nagging gloom overtaking him at his absence was saying otherwise.
"-So we had to leave practice early, it sucked, and then Jumin- Yoosung?" Zen sighed, shaking Yoosung's shoulder softly, "Yoosung!"
Yoosung gasped in surprise, his body snapping to alertness.
"Wh-What?!"
A couple people at the bar and tables nearby snickered at his volume, causing Yoosung to blush and hide his face behind his bangs, clearing his throat softly.
"Sorry, um, what were you talking about Zen?"
Zen crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow at him.
"Man, what is with you today? You're acting weird as hell."
Yoosung rubbed his neck sheepishly, glancing down at his lap.
"Sorry, Hyun, I just have a lot on my mind-"
"Thinking of me, cutie?"
Yoosung's eyes grew wide, his head slowly tilting to rise, his heart fluttering as his gaze met Saeran's intense minty eyes, just like last night. Saeran smiled, waving softly at Yoosung with his fingers.
"Hi there."
"H-h- Um- Hi to you too."
Zen narrowed his eyes at Yoosung for a moment, his gaze turning to Saeran.
"Hi, I don't believe we've met. I'm Zen."
Saeran straightened his back, blinking slowly at him, his smile still sitting upon his face.
"I've seen you on TV before- My name is Saeran. I met this one after you left last night. Saw you walk out."
Yoosung blushed as he watched Zen and Saeran shake hands, feeling Zen's gaze boring into him from the side. Saeran turned back to Yoosung quickly, flashing another small smirk.
"Well, I have to start working- but you know where to find me." He waved over his shoulder, walking to the other end of the bar, addressing some customers there and quickly pouring their drinks. Yoosung was mesmerized as he watched the muscles in his arms twitch below his skin, dancing under the ink of his half-sleeve, the way his hair looked like fire-
"Yoosung, you're staring."
Yoosung blushed again, turning away, staring down at the glass before him. Zen leaned in closer, smirking down at the blond.
"So, why didn't you mention you met someone here last night?"
Yoosung crossed his arms, glaring at his best friend.
"Zen, he works here- and we didn't really meet, he just overheard our conversation and we talked a little. That's all."
"That's all," Zen raised his eyebrows, feigning shock, "That's all? Coming from the guy who looks like a pining third grader with his first crush?"
"Zen!"
Zen smiled, patting Yoosung on the shoulder.
"I'm just teasing you. You should try talking to him- y'know, outside of the bar."
Yoosung shook his head, running a hand through his hair softly.
"You know I'm too awkward for that- besides, he's- well, he's super hot. There's no way he would be interested in me. I would rather just talk to him here when I can."
Zen glanced over at Saeran, who was laughing dryly at someone's joke, clearly putting up a front for the work ethic. He turned back to Yoosung, smiling softly at him.
"Well bro, it's up to you, but I just want you to be happy."
Yoosung smiled, swirling the remnants of his drink in his glass, "Thanks, Zen. I know."
FINALLY. I'm so sorry it's taken me so long to write this Chapter. Things have been really stressful and weird so it's been a struggle, but I finally got the resolve to finish this bit.
I will hopefully update really soon- but mental illness is a frustrating thing, so please be patient with me. I'm trying my best. Thank you!
~Pixil-8