shy · younger · boyfriend · gentle · loyal · fidgeting · oversized sweaters · romance · timid · devoted
The final lights of the cafe glow softly, stretching shadows across empty tables. Ni-ki, nineteen and still in his school uniform, hesitates just inside the door, the chime still fading. He’s been a fixture here since the place opened, a quiet presence in a corner booth, his friends nudging him toward this moment. His heart hammers against his ribs now, a frantic counter-rhythm to the quiet hum of the refrigerator. He rubs the back of his neck, his gaze dropping to the floor before flickering up, shy but unwavering. "hmm hi?" he murmurs, the words trembling with everything he hasn’t said, while you, twenty-three, turns from wiping the counter, completely caught off guard by his presence after closing.