The air is cold, just like Wonwoo remembered. His neighborhood is empty except for the occasional drunk or a car passing by for a drive. Wonwoo feels, yet again, sleepless and takes in the cold with open arms. He sees his breath every time he exhales from a sigh and the air vanishes just as it had appeared. Wonwoo suddenly doesn't feel like roaming around the block like the neighborhood cat and instead walks the main roads.

It's more open and probably more dangerous but Wonwoo is sure he wouldn't ever get into trouble.

Wonwoo walks endlessly, not really sure where exactly his feet are taking him. It's like his whole mind is off, and his feet are the only thing guiding him through the dark streets. Eventually his mind would turn back on, and he'd find himself in a strange place.

Today he found himself at Jisoo's bookshop.

To be perfectly honest, Jisoo's book shop had always felt like a second home to him. He knew Jisoo lived just above the shop, and even met Jisoo on his night time walks.

His mind had done the same thing, turned off then turned back on as soon as Wonwoo stood in front of the store. Wonwoo used to come by and sit on the front steps and some times fell asleep there. Jisoo used to find him there and offer him a cup of tea or coffee even though it was dead in the night. That's how he landed a job at the book shop and has continued to visit ever since.

Perhaps visiting tonight had been out of habit and everyone knows habits either die hard or don't die at all.

Wonwoo was just about to unlock the bookshop's door, something Jisoo has allowed him to do countless times, but Wonwoo finds him pausing from putting the key in the lock. He looks around the shopping centre, noticing how all the lights were all off, besides one.

The cafe.

Usually, Wonwoo wasn't a nosy person but he wondered why they hadn't closed yet and he suddenly wondered about the barista earlier that day. He looked at the bookshop door for a long time before putting his hands down.

He'll let his curiosity win just this once.

Wonwoo makes his way across the street and down the shopping strip until he's right in front of the cafe. The brightness almost hurts his eyes after being in the dark for so long. He squints until his eyes adjusts to the sudden amount of light coming from the cafe.

It seems the cafe stays open late because the sign says it's still open though Wonwoo is sure it's almost four am. Wonwoo peeks inside, taking note of the two people inside. One person was sitting down and the other was serving them.

Wonwoo was surprised to see that the person working, was in fact the same barista from that afternoon. He was still handsome even when Wonwoo was deprived of sleep.

There was no sign of tiredness on the barista's face and his smile was still as bright as ever. The barista offered a smile to whomever the last person in there was before beginning to clean the tables. Unfortunately, he began cleaning the windows in front and Wonwoo was standing right there.

There was a look of a surprise that crossed the barista's face as he saw Wonwoo standing there beyond the glass. They stared at each other for a long moment before Wonwoo suddenly realized that he'd been seen, staring no less. The black haired male suddenly jumped, coming into terms with the fact he was just standing there like some type of creep and he half decided to run away. He turned quickly and sped away but not without hearing the clanking of the cafe door and someone running behind him.

The sounds of someone running after him made Wonwoo want to run away more so he quickly picked up the pace. As soon as he thought he had gotten away or at least was far enough, he felt someone yank him arm.

Jeon Wonwoo was now face to face with the tall and handsome barista.

"Oh! It's you!" He exclaims before giving Wonwoo a happy grin. Wonwoo couldn't help but blink stupidly before wriggling out of his grasp.

"I..I..Uh..Yeah." Wonwoo muttered, suddenly feeling embarrassed.

"Would you like a cup of coffee or something?" The strange barista asked. "You look like you could use one."

"No, I.. I'm okay. Thanks." Wonwoo muttered awkwardly.

"No, I insist! It'll be on me." The barista said, while tugging Wonwoo toward the direction of the cafe. The raven-haired male was going to protest but just the idea of this beautiful stranger was enough for Wonwoo to obey silently.

The barista led Wonwoo into the cafe and set him down by the front window.

"I'll be right back," He said, adding a quick wink. Wonwoo could feel a blush rushing to his cheeks so he quickly looked away so the barista wouldn't see. Then he heard the barista walk away and disappear behind the coffee machines to work on whatever he planned on giving Wonwoo. Wonwoo took that chance to watch the stranger's back and the way he moved so gracefully.

The raven-haired male found himself staring far too long and jumping when surprise when the other customer (whom he's forgotten) got up to leave.

"See you later, Mingyu." He called out, tossing a few dollars on the table. Mingyu, Wonwoo assumed, turned and offered a smile and a wave goodbye. The other stranger nodded and waved back then turned to leave but not without giving a lingering gaze.

Wonwoo raised a brow as he left and watched as he headed down the street, disappearing somewhere into the darkness.

"Here you go." Mingyu said as he offered Wonwoo a mug.

"W-What is it?" Wonwoo asked eyeing the drink curiously."

"Hot chocolate. It's pretty cold outside and you look like you've been out and about for awhile."

Wonwoo wasn't sure how he figured it out but he didn't say anything back.

"Your nose and ears are red." Mingyu added, grinning at the other. Wonwoo's hands immediatly went to his ears and nose to cover them from being seen. He looked at his reflection in the window in front of him and they were in fact, red.

"Oh.. I.. Didn't realize." Wonwoo mumbled, embarrassed once again.

"Drink up, then." Mingyu said, pointing at the awaiting mug. Wonwoo didn't want to seem rude so he quickly took hold of the cup and brought it to his lips. He resisted the urge to hiss at the sudden hotness and took a long sip. After gulping, Wonwoo set the cup down slowly. Mingyu looked at him, expectedly, as if waiting for Wonwoo's thoughts.

"It's, um, sweet." Wonwoo simply said. Mingyu nodded, as if he knew.

"And?"

Wonwoo blinked. "It's good."

"Why do I feel as if you're lying?"

Wonwoo panicked and quickly shook his head.

"No! No, I-I meant it's great! Fantastic, awesome, it's... Perfect." He finished before he could begin rambling. Mingyu laughs, cutely into his hand before grinning at Wonwoo.

"Then I'm glad then."

Silence developes between them and it's kind of awkward yet comfortable.

It's odd, Wonwoo thinks as he shifts his fingers around the cup of warm chocolate. The barista lets out a sigh of content as he looks at something beyond the coffee shop window. Wonwoo doesn't know what he's looking at but he doesn't want to make it look like he wants to know so forces his eyes to look at the drink in front of him.

"The night is pretty," Mingyu says quietly. Wonwoo almost jumps at his voice.

"I..Uh.. I guess." Wonwoo stammers. He's suddenly a nervous wreck and he isn't sure of what to say or do whenever Mingyu speaks to him. The tall barista simply smiles in his direction.

"You don't seem like you talk much," Mingyu says. Wonwoo eyes widen, in surprise.

"I.. Just.. Don't know what to say." Wonwoo says truthfully. Mingyu seems to find that funny and chuckles to himself. Wonwoo can feel his face flushing in embarrassment as he fiddles his thumbs anxiously. The very thought of speaking kind of scares him and he fears he'll say something incredibly stupid.

Mingyu seems unfazed by the following silence, and instead looks up at the clock quickly.

"Am.. Am I bothering you?" Wonwoo asked quietly. Mingyu shakes his head politely.

"It's pretty late, and I was wondering why you were just hanging out and about. Don't you need to sleep?" Mingyu asked, as he looked at Wonwoo.

Wonwoo shook his head and held his cup tighter. "I don't... really sleep much."

A certain look crosses Mingyu's face before he turns away to glance outside once again.

"How about you?" Wonwoo quickly asks. "You're up pretty late."

Mingyu chuckles.

"I don't sleep much either."

There's a click in Wonwoo's brain that he can't quite explain but he suddenly smiles to himself as he looks back at the dark liquid in his mug. He takes a sip and lets out a little sigh. He feels warm and not as awkward anymore.

"Um, what's your name?" The barista asked. Wonwoo looked at him confused before suddenly realizing he had never introduced himself.

"Oh! It's Wonwoo! Jeon Wonwoo. My name is..." Wonwoo quietly came to a stop before he could ramble on more.

"Jeon Wonwoo.. I'm Kim Mingyu."

Chills ran up Wonwoo's spine as he heard his name rolling off Mingyu's tongue. He shivered and quickly took a sip from his mug, hoping the chills would go away.

"I'll try to remember," Mingyu mumbled, though Wonwoo wasn't sure whether or not he had heard right.

"Well.. Um.. how is the... the hot chocolate?" Mingyu stammered, looking at the mug. Wonwoo furrowed his eyebrows in confusion because he was sure they already went over the drink but he still nodded.

"It's really good." He said.

"A-And how about the brownie I gave you earlier?"

Wonwoo blushed at the mention of the pastry. "Oh, I-I really liked it!"

Mingyu smiled happily. "Good, I'm glad you did."

Wonwoo smiled back at Mingyu before returning his gaze back to the mug in his hand. He brings the cup to his lips, drinking the warm chocolately goodness.

"How.. How about the guy you came in with? Your boyfriend, perhaps?" Mingyu asked, unsurely. Wonwoo almost spat out his drink. Mingyu jumped in surprise and quickly took out a napkin from the pocket of his apron.

"Sorry! Did I surprise you?" Mingyu asked, offering to wipe up the mess but Wonwoo shook his head and dabbed at the hot chocolate leaking out of his mouth. He quickly swallowed and cleaned his mouth, almost embarrassed.

"Oh my god, no," Wonwoo sputtered, laughing. "Jisoo and I are just friends. I work with him at the book store."

Mingyu's face lights up as he grins, suddenly very happy.

"Oh I see! He seems pretty nice." Mingyu said nodding to himself.

Wonwoo agreed by nodding before going back to his drink. It remained that way for awhile longer, and soon, Wonwoo found himself drinking until the very lost drop. He wasn't sure how long he had stayed there with Mingyu, but the other didn't seem to mind his company or his silence.

At a quarter to five, Wonwoo had felt drowsiness enveloping underneath his eyelids. He could see Mingyu rubbing his eyes yet staring out the window and forcing himself to stay awake. Wonwoo didn't know what to say but he could hear some movement above the cafe.

"Oh.. Seokmin is getting up.." Mingyu mumbled as he yawned. Wonwoo yawned right after the barista, and made a move to get up.

"I..I should probably go.." Wonwoo mumbled, though kind of groggy with sleep. Mingyu offered a smile.

"Of course. You should get some rest."

"You too." Wonwoo said back with a smile. Mingyu only smiled, though he looked a bit sad, but Wonwoo didn't know exactly why. Wonwoo stood to get up even though his legs felt like lead, and Mingyu took hold of the empty cup.

"Um, thanks for the hot chocolate. I appreciate it." Wonwoo said awkwardly. Mingyu simply nodded as he looked down at the mug in his hands. He looked as if he wanted to say something so Wonwoo waited.

The barista stood without a word, and set the mug on the counter.

"I..Um. Enjoyed your company." Mingyu said, quietly. Wonwoo eyes widened, surprised by the confession. He blushed and shifted awkwardly as he inched toward the door.

"I did too." He said softly. "Good bye, Mingyu."

Jeon Wonwoo watched as some type of expression passed across Mingyu's face but he couldn't quite figure it out. The barista seemed to have inner conflict in his thoughts before he looked up and gave Wonwoo one final smile.

"Goodbye, Wonwoo."

~~~

A/N

Okay, well everything is progressing rather slower (and its probably boring right? lol)  than I had planned, but the real plot is in the next chapter, I assure you.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter and I'll see you in the next one! Please leave a comment and sub, if you liked everything so far?

xxx