커피 (Coffee)

[krdzr]

Pair: Khunyoung

Genre: Angst, Romance, and some Fluff

Rating: PG-13

Length: One-shot

Summary: Bitter bitter plain black coffee (Lame, i know)



The same doorbell jingled as I open the same door. The smell of coffee and pastries invade my senses when I walked in. Nothing really changed.

From the across the cash register, the same barista bowed. “Good afternoon, sir.”

I smiled and bowed back. “Good afternoon, Chansung-ssi.”

He smiled back then raised the most familiar looking mug. “Coffee?”

I had to chuckle and just nodded. It’s always been like this.

“You want me to add milk for a change?”

I just shook my head. “I like my coffee black.”

“Suit yourself, sir.”

As always, I sit on my usual seat and get my favorite book from my bag that I always seem to have.

“My favorite book” I thought “Since when?” as I flipped through some pages.

Excuse me?

“Huh?” I looked up, thinking that I heard a familiar voice. Then the aroma of my café Americano filled my nostrils.

“I said excuse me, sir. Here’s your coffee.”

For some reason, I just had to smile. “Thank you.”

Then I opened my book and memories started to flashback in my head.

“Excuse me?”

A bit startled, I peeked from the book I was reading. “Huh?”

Pink lips curled up and I found myself mesmerized. No man should have lips like those.

“Uhmm… hello?”

I instinctively shook my head a little and habitually scratched the back of my head. “Sorry,” I said. “I was engrossed with this.” You were saying?”

“Oh… Err… Uhm…” You scratched the back of your head for some reason “ Would you mind if I sit with you?”

Unconsciously, I looked around the shop. There were just a few people inside but this man wanted to share a table with me.

I looked straight into chocolate orbs and nodded my head. Earning a shy smile from a mesmerizing stranger.

I focused my attention back to the book I was reading but once in a while I’ll peek at the stranger that just had to sit in front of me. It was weird but I just couldn’t help myself.

“Café Americano for two.”

I raised my head a little confused. “But, I didn’t-“

“Thank you.”

I turned my head and you taking the two mugs from the barista.

In embarrassment, I tried to go back to reading. Mumbling to myself about how stupid I must have looked and how embarrassing that was.

“Here.”

I placed my book down and looked straight into chocolate orbs.

“Here.” You insisted.

I took the mug from your hands with a smile creeping on my face.

“Thank you.” Unconsciously, I took a sip and I cringed at the bitterness that lingered on my tongue. “Milk…”

You raised your brows and titled your head. I felt blood rushing to my face so I immediately pointed at my mug. “Milk. I like my coffee with milk.”

You smiled and took a sip from yours. “You should try it black once in a while. The bitterness wears off and you eventually taste the real essence of the coffee.”

For some reason, my head responded by nodding and the next thing I know I’m enjoying talking to you and my first cup of black coffee.

I took a sip from my mug only to be surprised that it was already empty. For some reason, I halfheartedly smiled.

I placed my book on the table and went to the barista.

“Another cup, please.”

Chansung just smiled and took my mug from me.

“I’ll just serve it. I just need to fix a few things. Now, go back and continue the book you’re reading.

On my way back, I noticed a familiar looking painting that wasn’t there the last time I was here.

“Coffee painting.” I thought. It still amazes me how anyone could make something like that out of coffee.

I sat back on my seat and opened my book again. But my attention kept on going back to that painting. I can’t help but think that I’ve seen it somewhere else.

Yeah, I paint.

“Here’s your coffee, sir.”

My eyes were still glued on that painting. “Ne, where’d you get that painting?”

“I’m not sure.” He responded. “It was just given to us.”

“Oh… Who? Do you know who painted it?”

He thought for a while and remembered. “Yeah but I can’t remember his name though. He used to come here a lot. He was an art student at a nearby university.”

I looked intently on the painting and realized why it seemed so familiar.

“So do you like them?”

I was taken back by the beautiful images around me. “You made all this?”

“Yeah, I paint. Obviously.”

I went to one of the slightly bigger ones that was composed of different shades of rich brown and a familiar scent filled my senses.

“Coffee?”

You nodded and smiled. “Yeah, I like painting with coffee.”

“These are amazing.” I then said out loud.

“So, I’m assuming that you like them then?”

I turned to look at you and shook my head. “Nope.”

Your face immediately changed from arrogance to surprise. “What?!”

I let my tongue out to mock you. “Nope, don’t like them at all.” Then I smiled with my teeth showing.

“Why you…”

Then you made a dash towards me and I immediately squealed like a little kid and ran away. Laughing the entire time.

Cups fell, coffee spilled and laughter filled the apartment.

“You can’t get me, idiot.” I then said. But the next thing I know, you launched at me and we both fell on your carpeted floor.

We kept on laughing until our eyes met. I was suddenly taken back by the look you gave me.

The next thing I knew, I was out of breath, my lips felt swollen and your hand was inside my shirt.

“You were saying? Hmmm?” You then said.

I smiled and shook my head. “I don’t like them.”

You pouted like a little boy deprived of ice cream by his parents and I had the urge to just smile and pinch your cheeks.

“I love them, silly.”

The redness on your cheek became a shade darker making me feel all mushy inside. You suddenly rested your head on my chest as if you were listening to my heartbeat.

After a while, you stood up then helped me up. Smiling the entire time.

I looked at my shirt and it had coffee stains all over it. I took a part of it and sniffed it.

“Eww. I smell like you now.”

You turned back with an irritated look on your face and glared at me. But that just earned me more kisses, red marks all over my body, and an entire day smiling with you in the comforts of the bed in your room.

I felt a smile grace my lips as I took another sip of my coffee. I can still remember the feeling of your lips on mine that day. The taste of the sweetest sun kissed strawberries lingering in my mouth and the warmth that I felt the entire time.

I took another sip but then nothing warm touched my lips.

“Chansung-ssi.” I called.

The said barista walked towards me. “Done?”

“No,” I answered. “Another cup please.”

He eyed me for a while but went back to give me another cup of coffee. He came back in a few minutes and handed me my mug.

I took it and bowed not bothering to smile as I blew on my coffee and took a sip. I almost spat it out because of the heat but I couldn’t. I didn’t want that warmth to leave me. So, I kept on blowing and sipping it like a junkie on crack and heroine.

With one last gulp, I finished another cup of coffee, the warmth still tingling on my lips.

I looked at mug and suddenly felt my heart sunk.

“It’s empty,” I thought “Empty like my heart.”

“Sir, wake up. It’s already closing time.”

I peeked through one eye then drowsily raised my head up. I looked at my watch past two in the morning displayed there.

“Sorry.” I managed to say as I wiped my mouth. “Sorry.”

I fixed my stuff and left the coffee shop. Saying sorry to Chansung again and again for taking his time before I came out.

I decided to walk home for some reason. Not really sure why but I did.

I passed by a few people and closed stores. I took a right turn at the convenience store and was about to go straight ahead but I saw someone too familiar on the other side of the road.

I was supposed to cross but the traffic light turned green and cars started to pass by in front of me.

By the time the light turned red and I managed to cross the street, you weren’t there.

“His apartment.” I thought. “It’s just near.” Then I started running.

I took a few turns and bumped a few people. I was just a few blocks away.

Upon reaching the building next to your apartment complex I suddenly stopped.

There, just in front of your building, you were ravishing another man. Your hands snaking up his shirt while his hands raked on your hair, moans and groans coming out of your mouths as you kissed each other torridly.

I took a step back and accidentally fell down, making my bag thud on the ground with me.

You turned and look at me, shock evident in your eyes but maybe that’s just me hoping that they did, I couldn’t be sure because my eyes were hazy from the tears.

I sat slumped on my usual seat with a fresh cup of coffee in hand as I felt my heart breaking all over again.

I looked at the contents of my mug and both my brows furrowed. I used to drink my coffee with milk. I used to love it that way. But then you came and just had to show me the real essence of coffee and just drinking it black and how the bitterness would subside once I got a hang of it.

“Will I get a hang of this then?” I thought to myself.

I distracted myself and looked at the open book in front of me and realized something. I haven’t been reading it, Just flipping through the pages as I drank myself some coffee to consume some time. Just flipping through it with my eyes practically closed the entire time.

I felt hot tears rolling down my cheeks. How long has it been? How long have I been doing this? How long have I been killing time in this coffee shop just to see you?

“I need another cup.” I said to myself as I hurriedly stood up from my seat, hitting the table and sending my things on the ground.

In a blink of an eye, my entire world stopped again, it was like the day outside your apartment. My knees felt so weak that they buckled, making me fall on the ground.

My mug, the mug that you first handed me, the mug that you given me, is broken to pieces on the floor. I stared at it, sadness and horror evident in my eyes. “Am I like that? Am I broken?”

Then I felt someone tugging on my arm.

“Sir, move aside. I’ll just give you another batch. I need to clean it up.”

Slowly, I stood up. My eyes still glued on the broken pieces of my mug.

“No… No need. I’ll just leave. I’ll still pay for it. I’ll just leave it here.”

I picked my unread book that got soaked with coffee and left my payment on my table.

I need to get away.

I need to stop.

I exited the coffee shop and inhaled the air around me. I hurriedly looked for a trashcan and threw my soggy book away.

I smiled after that, the aroma of coffee and pastries slowly fading.

Slowly, I walked quite in a hurry to go home. I was about to take a right turn when I accidentally collided with someone, making me fall and hit the ground.

“Crap.”

“Sorry.”

That voice.

I looked up and, once again, mesmerizing chocolate orbs captured me, while auburn tresses swayed along with the breeze, enveloping me with the smell of faint coffee and sun kissed strawberries. Nichkhun.

You held your hand out but I stood up on my own, looking at my side to avert my eyes from yours. I brushed away the dirt that clung on my clothes.

“Sorry Woo.” Your words filled with sorrow and guilt.

I looked down and felt my tears welling up but I fought them from falling. I raised my head and instead of being glum and mad, I smiled just like I used to.

“Wanna have a smoothie with me? I know a nice store a few blocks from here.”

You looked confused but smiled afterwards, nodding as a response to my question. Then you held your hand out.

I smiled back. “No more black coffee.” Then intertwined my fingers with yours.

It’s stupid. I know.

I’m crazy. I know.

But you can’t blame me. I’m in love with this man walking side by side with me.

+FIN+

a/n:  I want to point out (to lessen confusion...btw sorry about that).

Italicized parts are flashbacks.

It’s in Wooyoungie’s POV.

Nichkhun’s the painter and the one who cheats.

Thank you.