Chanyeol heard the chimes ring. It indicates another customer entered the coffee shop.

 

He's busy at the the machine, preparing the orders when a familiar voice called his name.

 

"Hello." A sweet voice greeted making him smile instantly.

 

He turned around and tapped his co-worker.

"I'll take his order. Good day, Baekhyun! Same order?"

 

Baekhyun just smiled - that one smile he does that makes Chanyeol's knees, weak every damn time.

"One cup of Capuccino, extra milk foam with a dash of cocoa powder?"

"You do know me well, Chan. Yes. That one."

Chanyeol just nodded and punched in his order.

"Yes, I will be there."

"Hmm?" Baekhyun asked, sounding confused.

 

Chanyeol looked up and narrowed his eyes.

 

"I will sit with you. Over there? That's where you plan to sit, right?" He pointed at the corner where a table for two is perfectly situated.

"Uhh... Yeah..." 

 

Baekhyun goes to this coffee shop every single day and orders the exact same coffee. It's no brainer how Chanyeol knows his order.

 

"Hey. I'll just sit with Baekhyun." Chanyeol told his co-barista and assumed his position at the line.

 

He went outside the counter, removed his apron and brought Baekhyun's order and his own morning coffee.

 

"Hey, beautiful. It's always great to have coffee with you."

 

Baekhyun was startled when Chanyeol placed the tray on their table. He was staring outside, admiring how the sunlight danced with the swaying of the trees.

 

It's such a fine day to be alive.

 

"It's so nice outside."

"I know. You love the weather today."

 

Chanyeol sat across him and stared at him.

 

"You want to stay here until afternoon?"

 

Baekhyun nodded and sighed. He removed the scarf around his neck, making some marks visible. 

 

It made Chanyeol choke on his coffee and cleared his throat immediately.

 

"What?"

"Oh, nothing. I- I just love your scarf."

"Thank you. I love the design, too."

 

Chanyeol smiled, feeling satisfied.

 

He gave that scarf.

 

"I never want this day to end, too." Chanyeol leaned back on his chair and sighed.

 

Baekhyun chuckled and sipped from his coffee cup and moaned.

 

"You make the best coffee."

"Really? Isn't it a bit bitter today?"

 

He pursed his lips and nodded shyly.

 

"How was sleep last night?"

"Hmm..."

"Comfy?"

"Yes..."

"And? Tell me."

"How about you?"

"The best sleep."

"You always say that."

"Because it's true."

 

Baekhyun took another sip, covering half of his face with the cup. He sneakily eyed Chanyeol who's already looking at him.

 

"My shirt... It's wrinkled."

 

Baekhyun nodded and reached out to straighten the collar.

 

"Do you want the apple pie or banana loaf to go with your coffee?"

"I don't know. What do you think?"

"Hmm... Wait a sec."

 

Chanyeol stood up and went to the counter to get something for Baekhyun.

 

He owns the coffee shop so he practically gets to do whatever he wants.

 

"Here. Warm and soft, just like how you want it."

 

He placed a white chocolate-frosted donut beside Baekhyun's coffee cup.

 

"Thank you, Chan."

 

Chanyeol returned to this seat and leaned half of his body towards the table.

 

"You want to have lunch here or?"

"I'm still thinking about it."

"Ahh. Figures."

 

He leaned back and sipped from his Iced Americano.

 

"You can eat. I'm not hungry."

"Here. Have the other half. I'm on a diet."

"You're not even gaining anything. Cmon, eat everything."

 

Chanyeol sliced the donuts in pieces because Baekhyun loves to eat it that way. 

 

"You always remember, huh."

"My mind works wonders. You know that."

"I sometimes forget about it. But yes, your mind... Hey! You promise not to do it all the time."

 

Chanyeol snorted and shrugged his shoulders.

 

~ five years ago ~

 

"I know you like me."

"Don't be too sure. Confidence isn't always the key."

 

Baekhyun adjusted his eyeglasses as he focused back to his book.

 

Finals is fast approaching and he's kind of cramming for it.

 

"You think about me whenever you're daydreaming. Hehe."

 

*Not all the time* Baekhyun thought. He didn't even look at Chanyeol who's staring at him for the past ten minutes.

 

*Geez. When's he gonna leave? He's starting to creep me out.*

 

"I'll be back..."

"Okay."

"When I'm not creeping you out."

"I- I don't even-"

"I told you. I can see what's on your mind."

"Liar."

 

*He really is creepy. Go away.*

 

"Alright. Alright. I'm going now. Just for the record, I just want to start up a conversation and I'm not trying to creep you out. I was just born this way."

 

*What? Born to be cute?*

 

Chanyeol stopped in his tracks.

 

"Really? You find me cute???"

 

Baekhyun removed his glasses and slammed-close his book.

 

"Are you trying to be funny??? Because it's really creepy!"

 

People from the coffee shop turned their heads towards them two.

 

"I'm. not. being. creepy."

 

Chanyeol stormed out of him and went back to the counter to tend to some customers and to clean up. 

 

It's almost closing time and the coffee shop is slowly deserted.

 

He fixed his things and started clearing his table when Chanyeol approached him again.

 

"Last call for orders." He's not in the mood anymore.

"No, thanks. I'll go now."

"Can you wait for me? I'll walk you home."

 

*Only if you tell me what is up with the mind reading, you tall person.*

 

"And I will tell you everything about what's going on inside here." Chanyeol tapped his  own head.

 

It honestly piqued Baekhyun's interest so he stopped placing his things inside his bag and sat down.

 

*You better give me a warm donut to compensate.*

 

Chanyeol hurriedly left and in a matter of minutes, the store is already closed and they are the only two left.

 

"Donut to compensate for keeping you longer. Warm, to be exact."

"How on Earth-"

 

Chanyeol sat opposite him and tapped his fingers on the table.

 

"I told you. I can read your mind."

 

Baekhyun snorted and reached for the donut.

 

"Impossible."

"Try me."

"What's on my mind right now then?"

"You want to go home because your mdog is waiting for you. Your Welsh Corgi to be exact. But at the same time, you want to stay because the donut is giving your mouth the party it deserves."

 

Baekhyun stopped eating and gulped the donut. The little hairs on his arm stood up. 

 

Goosebumps. Really.

 

"Nah. You might've stalked my social media accounts."

"I don't do social media."

 

*You should.*

 

"Yeah, I think I should."

"Shut up."

 

Chanyeol chuckled and crossed his arms against his chest.

 

"Try me. Think about anything you want to think about and I will say it."

 

*Your dimpled-smile is cute but I like it when you grin and your eyes twitch.*

 

Chanyeol blushed and covered his face.

 

"What? You suddenly can't read my mind now? Hahaha!"

"Hmm."

 

Baekhyun rolled his eyes and continued eating the donut.

 

"Really? You like my grinny face?"

 

He grinned, showing his pearly whites.

 

"Yes... Hey. How'd you know?!" Baekhyun whispered, not looking at him.

 

"I told you." He pointed his head.

 

*Stop being cute, please.*

 

"You're cute when you're shy, Baekhyun."

"Thanks, Chanyeol."

"I don't believe you. You don't think you're cute."

"How dare you."

"I swear. The moment I told you, you're cute you immediately disagreed, on your mind."

"Wow. Is this a new business strategy? You're pretending to read my mind so you can talk to me and make me stay and order a lot from your menu?"

 

Chanyeol sighed deeply and slammed both his hands on the table making Baekhyun jumped.

 

"I am serious. I can freaking read everything you're thinking. Why won't you believe me?! You're the only person who I expect to believe me. Please."

 

He sound so frustrated and desperate.

 

"Me?! Why? And is my mind the only mind you can read?!"

 

"...no."

"Then why am I the only one being bothered here?"

"Because everyday, I notice how you've been reading all these Psychology books, and you're studying about the human brain... Perhaps, you can help me understand why... why am I like this?"

"I'm sorry but I can't help you, Chanyeol."

"Please, Baek. I hate being like this. I hate it. I don't want to read your mind... everyone's mind. Please."

 

-

That was the start of how Baekhyun helped Chanyeol understand his mind.

 

Clearly, he's different, he's "gifted". 

 

They went to different doctors and some of Baekhyun's colleagues to deeply understand his mind, his brain and whatever's going through him.

 

Naturally, they became close. 

 

Baekhyun sees to it that he gets to visit Chanyeol everyday and ask him about his observations, his daily activities. They want to keep track of his everyday routine to know when his brain is the most active.

 

They talk everyday, they tend to flirt, too. 

 

And out of all the moments they had together, one of the most memorable was the time Chanyeol confessed to him and his mind went haywire.

 

"Baek, I know that we've been talking for a while now and we spend almost everyday together and I got to know you better and..."

"And?" Baekhyun glanced at him, still holding that serious look.

 

*Oh my God... Is he gonna confess or..*

 

Chanyeol cleared his throat and moved closer to him. 

 

They are seated beside each other at the usual spot they love at the coffee shop.

 

He placed his chin on Baekhyun's shoulder and smiled.

 

*kncvsnskhwqgyqwuks*

 

Chanyeol giggled and stared at him.

 

"Baekhyun."

"Hmm."

 

Baekhyun didn't move an inch. He sat still, he kept on reading the book but his mind isn't being coherent right now.

 

"I like you..."

 

*HXBCNSNAHWYWUWI*

 

"More than a friend."

 

*HOLY . AVXBSMANAB*

 

"Hahaha! Did you just cuss?"

"I didn't."

"Stop lying, I can read you."

"I hate you."

 

Baekhyun nudged him but secretly smiled.

 

"I already have a boyfriend."

 

No denying, he was shocked by what Baekhyun said.

 

Baekhyun stopped reading and stared back at him.

 

"Well... Uhh... I didn't say I want us to be more than friends... for now... uhh..."

 

*I was just kidding, you crazy.*

 

Their faces are so close that they can feel each other's warm breaths.

 

*You can read my mind, right?*

 

Chanyeol's eyebrows furrowed and his smile is slowly growing. 

 

He nodded.

 

*Your mind amazes me more than it scares me.*

 

Chanyeol buried his head unto Baekhyun's neck and laughed.

 

"Are you sure?"

"You can read my mind if you want to."

"I can't read it if I'm not facing you."

"Really???"

"Yeah."

"So you can't read my mind now???"

 

He shook his head making Baekhyun giggle.

 

"I like you, too, Chanyeol."

"You do?"

 

Chanyeol faced him.

 

*I like you.*

 

They smiled at each other, sneakily holding each other's hands under the table. 

 

~ ~ ~

 

Baekhyun stared at Chanyeol.

 

It's already getting dark outside and they spent the whole day talking, sharing stories, eating, letting the day pass.

 

"I can't believe it's been five long years since that day."

"That day you thought I was doing a new business strategy? Hahaha!"

"Yes. I considered changing coffee shops that day. Good thing you really brew the best coffee."

"See that guy right there?" Chanyeol pointed at the man who's ordering.

"Yeah, what about him?"

"Wait."

 

He stared at the man and smiled.

 

"He's going to propose to his partner tonight."

"Tsk. Chanyeol. I told you. No mind reading when we're together."

"He's happy and he's excited to go home."

"Stop ittt."

 

Baekhyun covered Chanyeol's eyes.

 

"No, seriously. I'm happy for him. He might not say it to everyone because he's afraid they won't understand but at least someone like me is happy for him."

 

He removed his hands and looked at Chanyeol.

 

"Happy Anniversary, Chan."

 

*I want to marry you, too.*

 

"You do?"

 

Baekhyun kept on staring at him and is smiling.

 

*I do. You make me happy and you still make my heart flutter when you take my order. You know me too well more than I know myself.*

 

"That's true."

 

They stared at each other, smiling.

 

"Happy Anniversary, Baekhyun. Thank you for everything you do just to understand what goes on inside my hyperactive mind. That night I asked for your help is one of the best risks I took. This 'gift' might be a blessing and a curse, yet you remained patient in everything."

 

*Kiss me already. Please. Please. Please. Please.*

 

Chanyeol leaned closer and softly kissed him.

 

"I love you, Baek."

"I love you too, Chan."

"What do you want to do tonight? Do you want to go watch a movie?"

"I wanna go home."

"And?"

 

Baekhyun cleared his throat.

 

"Read my mind."

 

Chanyeol blushed.

 

"I'd love that, too."