⁰³ ᴄᴀғᴇ

@sunggyu k. ᵒ "In this together?" Even though Sunggyu had pulled away and settled back in his seat, Hyunwoo was a little dazed, staring at his hand where the omega had touched him, his skin warm from the weight of his intriguing new acquaintance's fingers, their conversation still swirling around in his head. The server inadvertently interrupted this soft interlude, and Hyunwoo couldn't stop his chin from lifting, his eyes boring into the poor waiter, his look accusatory, though the man had done nothing to earn such displeasure, simply performing his job by bringing them their order with speedy efficiency. Taking a deep breath, trying to calm himself, Hyunwoo managed to give the interloper a tight smile as he placed the ice cream in front of them, watching his back with relief as he hurried away, knowing in his heart that he had no legitimate reason to be upset with him. sighing softly, a sheepish look settling on his face, Hyunwoo stared at his uneaten ice cream, chuckling at Sunggyu's shy words. "Yeah, I'd kinda forgotten about the ice cream too - and that drink we keep talking about suddenly seems more important to me now." Picking up his spoon, Hyunwoo began to play with the sweet treat, taking a small bite of the creamy richness, the ice cream immediately melting on his tongue, though he hardly tasted it because he was too preoccupied, stealing glances at his companion as they ate. "Sunggyu, do you think - " Hyunwoo was surprised how firm his voice sounded. "Do you think you could come back to my place? We could have a drink and talk some more." Looking at his newfound friend across the table, Hyunwoo's eyes pleaded with him. "I feel like something important has happened today, and I'm not ready to be separated from you yet."

@hyunwoo s. ᵃ *the words were like something out of a cheesy romance novel and Sunggyu, even though he wasn't usually captivated by the flowery drivel that plagued the pages, felt naively giddy at the thought of a future they might share together. He envisioned long walks beneath the boughs of the forest, holding hands as sunlight streamed through the canopy above. Water kissing their feet as they stood on the shore of the ocean, their pockets laden with colorful shells to add to a growing collection... For the last few years, the jaded omega couldn't have cared less about what was written in the stars for him. As far as he was concerned, there was nothing the universe held for him that shone as brightly as that little sun that abruptly burned out from his life before its time.Yet now, though it was an affront to /his/ memory to even entertain the thought, he felt, perhaps, that he could look up at the sky once more and not feel he was alone in that vast, inescapable blackness. Holding your hands in his, he could remember the beauty that the heavens held and felt like starlight was spreading through his fingertips, creeping over his skin* I like to think so. Because we're in this together, aren't we? *it was a barely hidden acknowledgement that whatever this was between them was mutual. Before he could dwell on it, he noticed movement out of the corner of his eye and glanced up to find their server waiting on them, color painting his cheeks as he realized how they must look. Giving your hands a soft squeeze, he offered you a fond smile before reluctantly easing back to his side of the table so that the bowls of ice cream could be placed in between them. The truth was that he'd very nearly forgotten the reason they'd come here in the first place, more than content to only spend time with you* I almost forgot about the ice cream. *chuckles bashfully*

@sunggyu k. ᵒ *my lips turned up in an equally mischievous smile, i nod my head firmly, my eyes twinkling with good humor* when it comes to you, i do feel like i'm a prophet, sunggyu because i don't have any doubt that you'll be part of my future *while my words are teasing, it's only to hide the conviction i really am feeling about us, not wanting to spook you when someone of such a short acquaintance is convinced that they'll become integral to your life. for years, i'd been keeping my emotions in check, never allowing myself to become attached to anyone, suffering through each rut, focusing all my strength and energy on my job. i'd grown tired of the lifestyle upon me as an alpha in our community, not wanting to be someone who always took what i wanted without regard to the consequences of my actions. a small part of me still hoped to find someone special, but as each year passed and i watched others pair off with their partners, i began to wonder if i was destined to be alone. lost in my reverie, i glance over at you when you suddenly place your hands over mine, blinking a few times, reality hitting me hard as my eyes study your face, my mind struggling to come to grips with the idea that i may be staring at my one true mate. when you touch me, the same tingling sensation begins to spread through my hands, then up my arms, heating my skin, but i don't pull away, my fingers growing still, the napkin i'd been fumbling with beyond redemption* i'd never thought of it that way *my face relaxes as it dawns on me that the feelings that have been churning inside me may not be entirely one-sided. my lips, i murmur earnestly* i guess if we're both getting something out of it, then we're both the lucky ones, don't you think? *before i can say more, the server reappears, hovering self-consciously next to our table, our ice cream on a tray, the emotions sparking between us giving him pause since they're obvious even to a bystander like him*

@hyunwoo s. ᵃ *feels his heart stagger against his chest when you lean closer across the table, seeming to playfully mirror his own actions in a way that made Sunggyu let out a huff of amused laughter that was perhaps a desperate attempt to keep from blurting out how taken he was by the cuteness* Ah, so you're a prophet now. I'm flattered you see me in your future. *he countered with a mischievous smile, once more lingering in the ambiguity of humor. At least for a moment. It amazed him how quickly you saw through his charade of cleverly made excuses to steal more of these moments together and were unashamed to lay your true intentions bare, something he hadn't found the nerve to do himself. He still didn't know the extent of these... feelings you'd sparked within him, but it was comforting to know that he might not be the only one treading water in the tumultuous sea of emotions he suddenly found himself capsized within. Goddess, could he possibly be any more smitten with you? Following your gaze down to where your hands fiddled with the unfortunate napkin, he found himself smiling fondly at the display of vulnerability after revealing such an unadulterated version of yourself. Clearly he wasn't the only one who was out of his element. That courage was not something Sunggyu took for granted and, for you, he wanted to be brave enough to cast aside his fears of letting someone in, to open up to you in return. Reaching across the table, he gently rested his hands over yours to still them in their nervous plight to obliterate the serviette, not expecting the sudden heat that crept up along his neck at the contact* Hyunwoo, I don't mind. Besides, wouldn't you have to be the only one getting something out of this to be considered selfish? Maybe... I'm the lucky one because you want to spend time with me.

@sunggyu k. ᵒ *even as you hide your mouth behind your fingers, i can see the amusement in your eyes, and i find myself leaning over the table, mirroring your actions, resting an elbow on the smooth wooden surface, my chin coming to rest in the palm of my hand, my smile unencumbered as i gaze at you unreservedly* i feel like i can suddenly see into the future, sunggyu, and i know you and i will be spending time together - in fact, i'm counting on it *nodding when you mention our walk, i notice a subtle shift in your demeanor, a hint of sadness settling on your features, but it disappears so quickly that i question whether i actually saw any change at all. tipping my head to one side, i chuckle, hoping to bolster your spirit, fully aware that the omegas of our community are in heat, but, gentleman that i am, i want to help you feel better without drawing attention to the reason you're suffering - because in all honestly, i want to spend time with you, regardless of whether you're in heat or not* you like to take walks? well, you don't have to go alone from now on *chuckling, my eyes shine with a contentment i haven't felt in a long time* your thoughts may be more interesting, but from now on, this watchman will keep you company. staying in shape, practicing for our trip are all good excuses, but to be honest with you, i'd be happy for the companionship, sunggyu *taking a deep breath, i glance down at my own hands slowly tearing up a paper napkin, my smile softening, my eyes becoming more like those of a lonely pup* i guess i'm selfish, and i want to monopolize whatever time you're willing to give me

@hyunwoo s. ᵃ *the conflicting torrent of emotions still raged inside him, but watching you take your seat across from him with that adorably genuine smile gracing your features, he couldn't help pushing the concern over the meaning behind the feelings to the back of his mind. Right now, it didn't matter why it was, just that it was real and this was perhaps the most content he had ever felt in another's presence for years. He never expected to feel so relieved when you reassured him of the fact that you intended to spend more time with him, didn't realize just how much he had been hoping for that. Propping his elbow against the tabletop, he gently rested his chin on his hand, hiding the happy quirk to his pink lips behind his fingers. Yet there was no way to conceal the mirthful way his eyes crinkled to match yours* Oh? You're sure about that? *he quipped teasingly and quirked a challenging brow, only to have his expression soften, betraying the true feelings he hid beneath the humor* I'm looking forward to it, too. A walk would be nice, actually. I like taking them, but usually it's just my thoughts keeping me company. *feels his mood unwillingly shift, like a darkness creeping in, but quickly shakes it off, his gaze flickering down to where you patted your stomach* Well, we can't have you getting out of shape now, can we? I might have to walk with you more to make sure of that. Besides, if we're ever going to make it to the ocean, I figure I'll have to work my way up to that, huh? It has to be far.

@sunggyu k. ᵒ *when you hesitate to take your seat after i pull it out for you, i stare unabashedly, wondering if your reluctance is related to my own struggle to understand the emotions that are stirring inside me. holding the back of your chair, my long fingers grasping the wood harder than they need to, my knuckles turning white, i know i shouldn't be affected so strongly by someone who is still, for all intents and purposes, a stranger to me. while my mind tells me that one conversation about the beauty of the ocean is not the basis of a strong relationship, my heart doesn't seem to care. once you settle yourself, looking up at me, our eyes meeting, i can't help but smile at your teasing comment, the length of our acquaintance of no concern. as i slip into my own chair, i decide that i'm going to enjoy our time together and not daydream too much about the future. if nothing else, i know that i haven't felt this strongly about someone before, and as i flash one of my best smiles, my eyes disappearing into soft crescent shapes, i assure you, my voice low* let's start with ice cream and work our way up to a drink *nodding i glance around, looking for a server* i already know we'll be spending a lot of time together, sunggyu - and i'm looking forward to those drinks *when the server appears, hovering over our table, i order two dishes of chocolate chip ice cream, turning my attention back to you when he scurries away* you'll take a walk with me, won't you, once we finish our ice cream? *patting my stomach, i chuckle* i have to keep in shape to be a watchman, you know

@hyunwoo s. ᵃ *glancing pointedly down at his feet, Sunggyu tried his best to collect himself, taking a deep, calming breath in a hopeless attempt to quell the fluttering feeling in the center of his chest. This was not something he was supposed to be feeling and he knew it wasn't simply because his heat was upon him either. He'd felt it when they'd spoken about the ocean, when he'd not only felt excited about seeing it firsthand but rather seeing it with you. If he hadn't felt it before, he wouldn't have been able to explain the surreal connection he felt. It defied logic and sense, to feel so close to someone without technically knowing them... No. He had to get ahold of himself. Letting his mind wander to something he'd long ago written off was not going to do him any good. Still, even as he mentally attempted to steel himself, he glanced up to see you pull out the chair for him and felt the shoddily built walls begin to crumble again. Though he opened his mouth to protest, he couldn't find his words and hesitated a moment before settling down in the chair, helping you to scoot it closer to the table* Thanks... *tilts his head to give you a small smile and finally manages to regain some semblance of control in the form of playful wit* Well, it's not the drink we agreed to, but I think I'll settle for it.

@sunggyu k. ᵒ ((no problem! i've been looking at layouts

*rubbing the hand which had touched you up and down my lower arm as we walk across the cafe toward our table, i wonder if you're feeling anything, but i know i won't ask you. in my youth, having been involved with a number of others, i had never allowed emotions to become attached. as i grew older, and hopefully wiser, i avoided these fleeting connections, telling myself that i didn't need any trouble in my life. what i tried to hide, even from myself, was the desire, buried deep inside me, to find my true mate. glancing over at you, i knew something was happening, something i'd never experienced before* here - let me get that *as we approach the table, i hurry my steps, holding your chair out for you, waiting for you to sit before i take a seat too*

@hyunwoo s. ᵃ ((sorry it took a sec! had to shop for and cook dinner))

*for Sunggyu, his heat was such a subtle shift in emotions that he already regularly felt that he didn't always notice it creeping up on him, especially if it hit early. Irritation, depression, and aches... He felt those all the time. Not to mention this time of the month was always accompanied by some unpleasant memories. Still, he appreciated you for trying to lift him up before he could be swallowed by the rising tide of sadness that unfortunately accompanied his cycle. Feeling your touch, Sunggyu's found his gaze drawn to your hand on his arm rather than the table that you'd pointed out, only to catch himself when that connection was abruptly cut off. Feeling heat rise into his cheeks because of his slip, he gave a quick nod* Yeah... Yeah, that'd be the best. *makes his way toward the table*

@sunggyu k. ᵒ *swallowing hard, i wonder as i open the door of the cafe if taking you to such a public place is wise since it's clear to me that your heat has come early. glancing around as we enter, i'm relieved that the place isn't very crowded, most being wiser and remaining at home. returning my gaze to you, without thinking i grasp your arm, pointing out a secluded table near the far wall, a spot that will give us a modicum of privacy, my voice a little raspy as i drop my hand, a little jolt racing up my arm as i curse myself inwardly, knowing my touch might only make matters worse for you* let's sit over there, sunggyu - it'll be easier to talk, don't you think?

@minki c. ᵇ I look down to your hands that is cupping my colder one, wondering if you notice that my hands are freezing. Either way, I found that very endearing. "That was a long one to describe," I look to you and gave you very subtle smile, "but I think I got it." I then take you to the cafe, taking you inside the warmer room with me and pick a seat in the very corner of the room.

@mingyu k. ᵃ thankful you noticed your long stride gave me slight difficulties keeping up, I trail a bit more comfortably along with you, and i couldn't help but notice how cool your skin was, so in an attempt to possibly warm it, I each over with my other hand and hesitantly claps it around yours for additional warmth than just my one hand.
Ahh... It's the typical 'feeling depressed. Nobody wants me. Just wanna cry all day everyday while stuffing my face with unhealthy junk to try and take my mind off the dark emotions and thoughts swirling around in my head'...

@minki c. ᵇ I walk forward without looking back at you until you finally speak up, I notice my longer legs of course will make you struggle to keep up with me and I laugh at my own insensitivity. I stop for a while and continue to walk with more relaxed steps, I hold your hand to warm my cold one, my hands are ice cold now and you give me some relief, "what exactly is your symptoms? You feel sad?" I look over to you as we walk.

card