.The rain had stopped two days ago, leaving the city washed clean. The morning sun filtered through pale clouds, catching the roofs and the glass of tall buildings, making everything shine softly. Wen Yu arrived early at the café that Thursday — earlier than usual. He told himself it was because he needed to help set up, but deep down, he knew it was because Li Zhi might come.
He spent longer than usual arranging the flowers near the window, making sure every book on the display was straight, every teacup spotless. His coworkers teased him for humming while he worked, but he only smiled faintly and didn't reply. He didn't know how to explain that his chest felt lighter, that just thinking about Li Zhi made the corners of his lips want to lift.
At exactly six, the door chime rang.
Wen Yu looked up — and there he was. Li Zhi, wearing his dark coat again, the one that always carried a faint scent of cedar and rain. His hair was slightly messy from the wind, and there was that familiar calmness in his eyes, though they softened the moment they met Wen Yu's gaze.
"You're early today," Li Zhi said as he walked to the counter.
Wen Yu pretended to be busy with the register, trying to hide the smile tugging at his lips. "Maybe I just wanted to see if you'd come."
Li Zhi chuckled quietly, and the sound sent a flutter through Wen Yu's chest. "You knew I would."
The café was quiet that evening, filled only with the soft music playing in the background and the faint rustle of pages. Wen Yu brought over Li Zhi's usual jasmine tea — with an extra small cookie on the saucer.
"I didn't order that," Li Zhi said, raising an eyebrow.
"I know," Wen Yu replied, looking down shyly. "I just thought… you might like something sweet."
Li Zhi smiled. "I already do."
Wen Yu blinked up at him, confused for half a second — then realized what he meant. His face turned red, and he muttered, "You shouldn't say things like that."
"Why not?" Li Zhi's voice was low, teasing but warm. "It's true."
For a while, they sat together, the air between them easy but full of quiet tension — that kind of warmth that made both their hearts ache a little. They talked about small things: a new book Wen Yu was reading, the music Li Zhi liked when he worked, a cat that often waited by the café door for food. Every little topic became something gentle and comforting, something theirs.
When the café emptied out later that night, Wen Yu was cleaning tables when Li Zhi stood up and said, "Let me help."
"You don't have to," Wen Yu said quickly.
"I want to," Li Zhi replied. "It's nice to stay here a little longer."
They worked side by side in comfortable silence. Wen Yu could feel Li Zhi's presence behind him — steady, grounding. Sometimes, their hands brushed when reaching for the same cloth or cup, and every time, Wen Yu's heart skipped painfully fast.
When the clock struck nine, Wen Yu finally turned off the lights, leaving only the warm glow from the street lamps outside. The whole café looked golden, sleepy, and soft.
Li Zhi stood near the door, watching Wen Yu lock up. The night breeze slipped through the small cracks, cool against their skin.
"Do you want me to walk you home?" Li Zhi asked quietly.
Wen Yu hesitated. "It's out of your way."
Li Zhi's smile was faint. "I don't mind."
They walked through the quiet streets side by side. Cars passed slowly, their lights reflecting off puddles that hadn't yet dried. Wen Yu kept glancing at Li Zhi from the corner of his eye — the way the streetlights touched his profile, the calm curve of his mouth, the quiet strength in his stride.
Halfway to Wen Yu's building, Li Zhi stopped. "You know," he said softly, "you make the world feel a little slower."
Wen Yu looked up at him, puzzled. "Slower?"
Li Zhi nodded, eyes gentle. "When I'm with you, everything else fades. It's quiet. It's… peaceful."
Wen Yu's chest felt tight again, but in the best way. "You make me feel that way too," he whispered.
Li Zhi smiled then, slow and sincere. Without thinking too much, he reached out and brushed a strand of hair from Wen Yu's forehead. His fingers lingered — just a second longer than necessary.
The night held its breath.
Wen Yu didn't move away. His cheeks were warm, his eyes shining faintly from the lamplight. "Li Zhi…" he whispered.
Li Zhi's thumb traced the edge of his jaw, gentle as the wind. "You don't know what you're doing to me," he murmured.
Wen Yu's heart raced, his pulse loud in his ears. "Then tell me," he said softly, not daring to breathe.
Li Zhi leaned in — just a little closer, enough for their breaths to mix. But instead of a kiss, he simply rested his forehead against Wen Yu's. The quietest, most tender touch.
For a long moment, neither spoke. Just the sound of their breathing, steady and shared.
Finally, Li Zhi whispered, "This… feels like something I've been waiting for."
Wen Yu closed his eyes, his lips curving into a small smile. "Me too."
They stood like that for what felt like forever — until a gust of wind made them both laugh softly and step apart. Li Zhi walked him the rest of the way, waited until Wen Yu reached his door, and said, "Next time, don't wait for me. I'll come find you."
Wen Yu looked at him, smiling through the warmth blooming in his chest. "Then I'll make tea for two."
That night, as Wen Yu lay in bed, he could still feel the echo of Li Zhi's warmth on his skin — the soft press of his forehead, the sound of his voice in the quiet street. And for the first time in a long time, he fell asleep smiling.