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Yeosang originally moved to Namhae to get away from the hustle and bustle city life brought him. He was tired of his parents breathing down his neck every second trying to control his life and just wanted peace for himself. He never had plans of meeting anyone for the first few months and he definitely wasn’t looking to date anybody at the moment. Yet here he was sitting in the back of his local cafe waiting for the mysterious man who’d piqued his interest to show up.
He gazed out the window admiring the view he would have never been able to see in Seoul. The sidewalks were covered in leaves colored deep shades of orange, red, and yellow. Mom and pop shops lined the streets selling goods one could only find in the countryside, the locals mingling merrily with shop owners as they purchased various produce and homemade preserves.
The familiar chime of the shop’s bell caught Yeosang’s attention and in walked the man he so desperately wanted to know. He caught a glimpse of the slight flush on the man’s cheeks, the grey hoodie and jacket he wore barely enough to fight off the chilly air outside. Yeosang peered towards the counter, observing the man as he ordered his usual drink and pastry.
The stranger looked his way, causing Yeosang to quickly avert his eyes. ‘Shit what do I do now,’ he mentally cursed himself feeling slightly embarrassed at being caught eyeballing a man he didn’t even know. He pretended to busy himself with the decor on the table, feeling the man’s eyes bore holes into his head. If he played it cool the man would just ignore him like everyone else - at least that’s what Yeosang hoped.
Heavy boots clunked against the hardwood floors, each step inching closer and closer to where Yeosang sat tucked away in the corner before stopping right in front of his table.
‘This can’t be happening right now.’ Yeosang kept his head down, unwilling to look up and confirm what he already knew to be true.
“What’s your name?” The smooth voice spoke up, breaking the silence between them. Yeosang's head craned up, immediately locking eyes with the stranger. This was the first time he had seen him so close and to say he was breathtaking was an understatement. From his deep brown eyes that were piercing yet oddly welcoming, to his slightly plump lips, and his sharp jaw line that fit him perfectly despite his soft features.
“Who me?” Yeosang blinked, barely registering what was being said to him. The man nodded expectantly waiting for his response.
“I’m Yeosang.” He smiled a little too wide in an attempt to hide his embarrassment, if his cheeks weren’t flushed before they definitely were now.
“I’m San. Choi San.” He extended his hand flashing what Yeosang thought was the most beautiful smile in the world, San's dimple prominent and on display. Yeosang returned the gesture shyly, shaking his hand. If you told him a week ago he would be talking to the very man he’d daydreamed about - on more than one occasion - he’d probably laugh in your face.
“May I sit with you?”
Yeosang nodded his brain barely catching up with what was happening. San placed his coffee and what Yeosang recognized as a strawberry cake in between them before taking a seat across from him.
San took a sip of his coffee, studying Yeosang features intently. “I’ve never seen you around here before.”
“Uhh- I just moved here about a month ago.” Yeosang fiddled with his fingers, suddenly feeling a bit intimidated by San’s presence. He had plans to follow his normal routine of quietly observing San from afar, not to actually have a real conversation with him.
“So what brought you to Namhae?” San asked. “If you don’t mind me asking, of course,” he quickly added, not wanting Yeosang to feel uncomfortable by his sudden questioning.
“I just wanted a change of scenery. The city was stuffy to say the least.”
“Well you came to the right place and met the right person. I like to consider myself what people would call an ambassador of some sort.” San jokingly puffed out his chest resembling a superhero before breaking out into a fit of laughter.
Yeosang raised an eyebrow laughing at San’s comical act. It would be Yeosang’s luck to obsess over a guy like San; a guy that was humble and kind - from what he observed, but also knows when to brag about himself, and could joke with him - not to mention who was hot.
“Is this going to be a thing of 21 questions or something?” Yeosang jested. Despite feeling like he might pass out any second just by being in close proximity to his crush, he wasn’t gonna pass on this chance to at least get to know San even if it didn’t lead to anything.
“Only if you want it to be,” San joked back, smiling playfully at Yeosang. He held out a fork, gesturing to the strawberry cake that sat untouched between them. Yeosang gratefully took the fork waiting for San to take the first bite before he dug in.
“Well if that’s the case what made you approach me?” He observed how San sat back leisurely chewing on his piece of cake, contemplating his words. Yeosang dug in, humming in delight, savoring the way the cream and strawberry combined to make the perfect balance of sweet and tart on his tongue. He understood why San ordered the dessert every time he came to the cafe.
“Well besides the fact that I caught you staring at me.” Yeosang nearly choked on his food, caught completely off guard by San’s words. “You looked interesting and I was curious.” San finished, popping a plump strawberry in his mouth in an attempt to hide the grin itching to show.
Yeosang gulped down his tea attempting to quickly compose himself. He felt the heat traveling up his neck to the tips of his ears knowing by now he was as red as the strawberries they were eating.
“UHHHH,” He squeaked, unsure of how to even respond. There was no way he could deny it because then it’d be a lie but Yeosang refused to admit anything. ‘Would that make me look like a creep? Did he just come over to make fun of me or–’
“Could I show you around some time?” Yeosang’s racing thoughts were cut off, San’s once cheeky tone now serious.
“Huh?” Yeosang questioned, taken aback by the sudden question.
“Well I was thinking about what you said and the best way to know the beauty of Namhae is to actually see all it has to offer.”
Yeosang contemplated for a second weighing the pros and cons of accepting such an offer. To him this could open doors he wasn’t ready for but it could also be the start of something amazing. He could hear the sincerity in San’s voice and a part of him wanted to take that leap.
“I would love that actually.”
They naturally fell into a conversation soaking in whatever information the other was willing to give. For Yeosang time seemed to slow down, he didn’t realize how late it had gotten until the barista apologetically informed them that the cafe would be closing soon. The sun that once shone brightly above the town was slowly descending behind clouds signaling that nightfall was near.
Yeosang stood in front of the shop, the crisp breeze a pleasant contrast to the warmth he’d felt in the cafe. Yeosang didn’t want to leave, he wanted to keep talking to San for as long as possible. It had been a long time since he’d had a genuine conversation with someone that actually listened and cared to know him.
“Can I have your number?” San asked sheepishly, hands rubbing together nervously unsure of if he was taking things too far.
“Only if we can go on a real date next time,” Yeosang declared, shooting his shot, all of his nerves suddenly vanishing.
“That can be arranged, "San replied, eyes softening at the not so subtle smile that tugged at Yeosang’s lips.
Yeosang handed San his phone, putting his own details in the other’s phone making sure to save his number under a special name, handing San his phone back when he finished. They lingered in place for a moment neither wanting to be the one to cut their time short.
“Text me when you make it home, yeah?” San spoke up not wanting to leave but also not wanting Yeosang to go home when it was pitch black outside.
“Okay. I’ll see you soon San,” Yeosang waved, with that they parted ways, warmth bubbling up in Yeosang’s stomach at the thought of what had just happened, already looking forward to the next time he’d get to see San.
San stood in place watching until Yeosang’s figure disappeared, before heading to his own home, thoughts of Yeosang running wildly through his mind.