[ sunflower, latte and u ] - hoehyuk (translated)

Hey grumpy Platinum Blonde Hair, is it weird that I like you?

(This lazy-ass bitch decided to translate fics instead of finishing actual school assignments. And this won't be as good as the original work, so... bare with me through this mess, lol.)

***

One step, two steps.

At 3 p.m. sharp every afternoon, after his extra class at uni, Donghyuk arrives at Gyul. Donghyuk loves Gyul, because its owner is a very gorgeous man, and because accidentally, he has been enchanted with the bright golden sunflower trellis hanging in front of the door. The two reasons are all the same, maybe more, maybe a little less, but it doesn't matter. Most importantly though, he loves the sweet aroma of coffee that is brewed only by its very owner, maybe.

He is called Junhoe - his friends who came here once called him that. Strangely, Gyul only serves iced black coffee and latte, yet its name means "mandarin". It's ridiculous, really, Donghyuk exclaimed when he first found out about the shop in a small alley. Even when he inquisitively asked Junhoe about it, he simply said it was a secret, then jokingly laughed, pinching his ear.

Donghyuk loves to gaze at the flowers, watching Junhoe preparing coffees. He loves to have his seat by the window, leisurely sipping his latte, flipping through every page of his novel. Donghyuk loves Gyul, because the place offers a true sense of serenity. Gyul has a subdued color of wood, an austere simplicity of those sunflowers, completely contrasting with the vibrant platinum blonde hue of Junhoe's hair. Donghyuk wonders if he has albinism. But Junhoe only gives him a light glare and silently snatches his half-drunk latte.

Yes, Donghyuk loves Gyul to the point where he has to drag his friends here to meet up, celebrate, and even for a yearbook photoshoot. To the point where Junhoe has to burst out laughing. Donghyuk loves to watch his messy platinum head sticking out behind the counter, when he's bending over searching for a new coffee package. Donghyuk comes here so often that Junhoe has already got used to waiting for him, chit-chatting for some time, exchanging a few jokes, listening to their mutually enjoyed pieces, before closing the place.

- Why don't you add some other drinks to the menu? Like mandarin juice or green tea. Those kinda things.

Donghyuk blurts out when Junhoe has brought out a cup of latte, as usual.

- Nope, I prefer it this way.

He answers while lazily dragging his finger along the mouse.

- Maybe that's why Gyul doesn't have that many customers.

- Yeah. I only like iced black coffee and latte. And why are you staring at me like that?

- Ah... Nothing.

Donghyuk quickly hides his face behind the pages of his novel. On his first time entering Gyul, he did find Junhoe a bit scary. With that grumpy look on his face, it seemed like he didn't want to be approached or talk to anyone at all.

The girls who come here all take a liking to Junhoe, because he's cold, yet handsome. But after months of coming to this place, he realized Junhoe wasn't stand-offish at all. Junhoe is just like that, time does help people open up. He's just a bit picky, a bit childish, a bit mean, and a bit (much) noisy. And sometimes he unconsciously furrows his brows, too, as a habit. Or maybe it's just Donghyuk who notices that.

***

One day, Donghyuk came to the shop. Junhoe was in a hurry, and told him to cover for him, as he would just be gone for a while, and off he went. Donghyuk bewilderedly walked around the shop, cleaning up here and there, and even watered the sunflowers. He'd finished two lattes, brewed three coffees for the customers, yet Junhoe still hadn't been back. Donghyuk made a call. The line was busy.