✞

Under his palm had his heart hit a race, although he may had seem stable on the outside when he was making his request - the hues on his cheeks spoke otherwise. Faron at least didn’t think it was anything casual to begin with, he was all heart in it and so enough a hand lifted to gently cup over his in a light weighted hover. Bursting into a small snort from the extra detail he threw in there, earning him an equally passing, playful glance in return. Though his sudden take for the payment made him do a partial double take - caught aside by it but far from able to do anything about it afterall. Especially when he urged him along, he was in a blur and unseeing.

“Cute pink straws–” Faron mused on the spot, while it was a passing thought while he was following Woochi along in his kiting - he had his full attention though when he made his suggesting rounds, looking up at him better with a small hum. But diverting his gaze to follow his off from the potential ones here, in turn for the sofa. Though he was pondering it by the looks of it, in reality he had his choice in mind as soon as he set sights on it before Woochi’s words made his gaze return to him in a small squint. Though instead of letting him make the move on to the sofa, Faron shifted his steps and leaned towards the sofa to direct them. “No, unless you need space, the sofa looks nice and cozy,” A chuckle sounded out.

      Rather than reassuring him, he shot Faron a sly look before he went ahead and occupied a seat on the couch.

      “Maybe I do,” he teased. As he leaned back against the peach colored cushioning, he let Faron’s coat gently slide down his shoulders and caught it before it slipped off the edge of the seat. Almost expertly, he flipped it inside out to avoid creasing and folded it in half in a few trained moves. For the time being, he placed it aside and turned his attention towards the distant counter. The waiter still hadn’t finished up arranging the tray, but that was to be expected - Woochi ordered enough for a whole table.

The small shifting brushes of hip only made him be careful incase he bumped him, but as contradictory as keeping joined at the hip literally - he was living for it no doubt while his date was comfortable with it. The waft difference hit him like a brick, contrasting the cold with the comfort of the new found environment - the pleasant aroma, it wasn’t one he was used to but at least it was better than the faintness of smoke on his well being he tried reducing. It would be better masked at least… Though, his words made him crane his head and dispose of that worry by a shooting smile in his direction. “It does smell nice in here, it smells nicer than most bakeries,” Although Woochi was quite literally stuck kiting him, since his date looked lost in the sauce from his daze - looking around at everything, he was wary to stay close and not to hinder him too much. When it came down to the displays, his attention averted quick when things came to a slow - visibly awed by the small things.

Faron leaned in more to overlook the display and what they had on it for show - although he only seen a few of many, the postman was no doubt invested in the alluring sights of all the baked goods and their kitty visages. They were cute, down to the dopiest ones one the racks for him to eye, it had him giggling to himself vaguely.

“Man, I’m surprised they don’t got cats running around in here too, they look so cute.” But before he was able to go on about more, the sudden pick up that Woochi had for them made him pause, doing a small double take. Blinking a few times, he was processing all that he just ordered, on his behalf and the eyes on him made his hazel gaze shift, peeking at him - though the surprise turned into a toothed smile. How could he not, despite if looks could kill, merged into a puppy. But his question made him raise a freehand to scratch his cheek.

“Going to see all the desserts, but that’s understandable… though the dopey one looks cute, and yummy. Maybe I’ll take the dopey one then if you don’t. Oh, also–” He leaned more towards the midsection of their space. “Can we have little heart straws for the pink lemonade?”

      Excited to see him show interest, Woochi chuckled and leaned his head against Faron's shoulder, placing his free hand on his chest. Through that gesture, he emphasized the fact that they were on a date and not just a casual outing.

      "And make them pink, if you please," he added, stealing a playful glance at Faron.

      "Coming right up," said the clerk after she finished calculating the price of their order.

      Before Faron even caught a glimpse of the figure, Woochi had already swiped his card over the sensor and paid for everything.

      "Let's go get seated," he said to Faron and urged him away from the counter with a gentle pat on the small of his back. He walked on ahead, navigating the space between the tables in search of the perfect spot where they could be alone. It just so happened that the seats facing opposite to the entrance weren't occupied, but he waited for his input first before he went ahead and picked those ones.

Even though feeling it wasn’t as difficult, it only made him squeeze a little tighter with only comfort in mind, but of course he had say in if he wanted to part from him. Instead, basking in the new found warmth and comfort that differed heavily from the many sources. No doubt he was comfortable from the lack tension, even under the wandering palms made his frame slump a little bit, though not enough to dead weight him of course but just to weigh what little space of assertion he had. Though when the air of closure had parted, lazy eyes opened up to eye him - albeit he was far from charismatic if he was any cozier. His features flinched into a chuckle, shaking his head in the denial but dead stopping under his words of promise.

“I’m not lying- though I think I’d rather freeze now, knowing I’m going to be taken care of by someone special, like you-” He was tittering to himself now, although easy to kite when he released him properly - yet contrasting the hold was his arm that was half clinging in the same position. Be it, he was the one being guided, Faron nodded his head. “We shall continue in the comforts of the kitty space,” Though he wasn’t short handed of going for the door now, digits of his other clutching onto the fabric they could.

      He took Faron’s reciprocation as an excuse to get closer to him, so close in fact that their hips were touching as they walked. Under his lead, they went in through the doorway and ventured inside. They traded the harsh weather for the cozy interior of the café that was every bit as they had imagined. The atmosphere indoors was cozy and the warmth that enveloped them carried a sweet aroma within it, of icing and fresh baked goods.

      “It smells great,” he noticed, glancing towards him for approval.

      Before they searched for a seat, Woochi lead the two of them through the maze of tables and chairs towards the glass display to their left. Various types of desserts were being added to the already plentiful collection by the staff just as they had approached it. They had everything he had hoped for and more - every cake he laid eyes on was in the shape of a cat, some more elaborate than others, though they all looked just as tasty as the next. Woochi’s expression brimmed with delight as he started to order for the two of them; he was glowing.

As observant as he was he hadn’t missed it, but that made him lay off for now and not prod him - though he was eyeing him for any small signs, where if there was, he would pursue. Although, he wouldn’t as of the moment from the nature of their time together and he knew that he probably wouldn’t be let in instantly. Though when his gaze moved, Faron’s wasn’t far to follow his to see what he had spotted - none other than their desired spot that looked pleasant to the eyes. Although he hadn’t heard the words prior, despite if he had or not, he’d only do his best…

Though when the warming embrace loosened, his attention was pulled to see what he was doing where it was completely obvious… Yet he wasn’t going to get upset about it, he bore a smile regardless, though thankfully he caught his movement out the corner of his peripheral - or he’d have crashed into him. He stopped on the tips of his toes with a pause. Blinking at him, eyes held question but no words. When he was greeted with the embrace, his frame bore no tension but instead, with the hints of partial surprise in his eyes while he was trying to fine a vice. Faron didn’t slack on it and rather, arms moved in contrast to scoop up around his frame while his heart was practically thumping in his chest - it would’ve been easy to feel from the gapless closure. Features flinched sheepishly from the warmth ghosting his neck, but a wobbled smile followed from the ticklishness. Arms squeezed around him comfortably with a small sigh.

“Warmer than the coat…” He chuckled, leaning his head more towards his own.

      The pace of his breath picked up when Faron returned the hug. Clearly, he wasn’t used to being held, but since he initiated it, it was something he wanted to experience. Although this was their very first date, he felt strangely at ease around him, enough to trust him with something as intimate as that. His arms tightened around him with a gentle squeeze that lingered for a while longer while his hands wandered across his back under the guise of warming it up. Eventually, he leaned away and stood there, gazing at him in silence. His eyes were both soft with his characteristic gentleness and skittish from his conflicting desires that not even he understood.

      “You’re just being nice,” he chuckled, tilting his head at him with a smile. “You’ve been freezing all along, haven’t you? I should have returned this... If you catch a cold, I’ll nurse you back to health.” Promising so, he winked at him.

      As he turned away from him, he slipped one of his arms free, but his other remained wrapped comfortably around his back. With an inviting gesture of his hand, he jutted his chin towards the entrance to the café.

As long as it wasn’t a negative response, he took as much as he was allowed to see from that angle, but of course if it were much he’d refrain. But he had his contrasting smile all the same, even if he were to miss the small details in his well being - he’d soon come to know the nature of it through his words. He was easy to kite, following him closely while listening to his words that sounded much too from experience, than just a mere thought on the spot - it warded his smile a bit with a small tilt in his head. Enough that they faded his expression entirely but not in the sense he ruined the mood with his talk, but more he was in thought of them despite the small deadpan present. Faron shook his head, much in disregard to his apology, he had no need.

“Don’t have to apologize, it’s okay. But I understand what you’re saying,” Although he had yet to experience it personally, but he knew such things differed between just a friend or two, over affection to this level. He made no assumptions though, he had no interest in doing so. “That being said though, I hope things will only be pleasant for us and will remain that way, I think it would be nice to make those memories and enjoy them every time we can and won’t be a memory of hurt.” Faron leaned more against his side, shifting in his tone. 

“Of course that’s if you’ll let me rewrite those memories with something that’ll make you happy, and without hurt and only something to enjoy.”

      Woochi’s shoulders tensed up while Faron spoke his mind. His words sent him spiraling deep in thought, clear as day that they were prodding at some unresolved issues that he couldn’t or didn’t want to get off his chest. The polite smile on his face could only hide so much, after all.

      “I’m trying to let you,” he murmured, his voice faint and not meant for Faron’s ears. The poor man had a lot of walls to scale before he got him to lower his defenses and this was only the beginning. 

      With a flinch, he averted his distant gaze from him and set his sights on the buildings to their left. He seemed disorientated until he spotted it - the pastel pink colored banner with the silhouette of a cat curled around a steaming cup of coffee, marking the entrance to their destination. 

His words made his head turn to face him now, although it was a hint of fear almost, that he was on such thin ice of almost messing up the date for one thing. But it was only true to his words, nervous but of course he didn’t want the date to end so soon… Though abolished worries came in and instant from him closeness, it would’ve made him melty to say the least if he didn’t need to stand, but it seemed he took it both ways when his frame leaned into his weight. Short lived, a partial snuggle where he could’ve got it, but he spared no words just yet to enjoy it while it lasted.

Though when he moved, Faron was still half recovering, as much as he could’ve been eyeing the environment like his date was, he was eyeing him specifically instead. As bold as it might’ve been to do, while he was distracted, Faron was careful with himself while he footed his way close to his side more before leaning in to leave a quick peck on his cheek. Brief and quick, should he accidently crash them but he popped in with words right after.

“Nothing negative to say here about them, but I’ve never seen or heard about one of those either… I’ve only been to one café before, but nothing outside of that. I’m curious though, it sounds like it’ll be cozy. But you’re lead here, maybe I’ve somehow missed it but I’ll keep it in mind when we find it, so we can go again sometime.” Though he was to jump there’d be a second time, it didn’t cross him how that sounded at first.

      The sudden softness that brushed against his cheek made his footsteps stutter. His pace slowed down for a few seconds while the warmth left behind by Faron’s kiss seeped into his skin, tainting his cheek a deep pink hue. Wide-eyed but determined to keep his gaze straight ahead, he reached out for the ghosting, ticklish feeling on his cheek and touched it with his fingertips. He smiled, partially hiding his expression behind his palm.

      “There are many places I’ve never gone to on my own,” he confessed, glancing at him through the corner of his eye. Although the curving of his lips conveyed delight, the look in his eyes was all but happy. His gaze was distant and melancholic, but struggling to maintain a sliver of hope. After a short pause, he spoke again, but not before turning to head the correct way, tugging Faron along with him. “However, making memories with another can be as painful as it is pleasant. When all is said and done, you can never revisit an old memory without their presence still lingering. Slowly, you become unable to enjoy simple things that would have otherwise made you happy because they remind you of the people that hurt you.”

      As abruptly as he started, he stopped and covered his lips with his fingers, physically pressing them shut. He clearly felt embarrassed for going on a tangent just then.

It seemed like he was about to go for it, but when he caught wind of the disagreement, he was glad he hadn’t budged just yet and tilted his head like a confused dog. For a moment he hadn’t considered the difference in their well beings, if that was the problem of course before he could say anything, a small glint of surprise flitted his eyes when he took it in for initiative. It was a startle since Faron’s head was a bit scattered, but it wouldn’t take rocket science to see what he was doing - enough it elicited a chuckle from him with upturned brows. It surely felt better than the cold air that spilled through the fabric, and his own well being lost more tension and relaxed.

Though he had no space to process it when the warm weight of his head graced his shoulder - the sudden movement made his loss of words become permanent only by the small air of laughter that followed it, moving along with him now. He was listening though while he was briefly eyeing around their environment to see if he had a possible idea where they were going - yet his words made a heavy blanket of confusion wash over his features from the nature of it… until it was revealed him to him, making him blink a few times, given he thought it was something extremely serious.

“Sounded sinister for a moment, but I haven’t been around too many cats. Aside from the ones I’d see when I’d walk my routes- stop and pet them type of thing… I think they’re pretty sweet. Why, what’s up?” He asked out of the blue, though only linking that to mere assumption that it may had been a deeper question from the nature he felt previously from it.

      Unbeknownst to Faron, however he answered that question would be either a deal sealer or a deal breaker. Woochi watched him, waiting to see if he would stumble over his words in his attempt to say something neutral. His eyes narrowed with interest and so did his smile, pulling off a smug look for a moment.

      “If you had said anything negative, that would have concluded our date. I’m taking you to a cat-themed café, after all,” he chuckled, pressing his chest up against him. Whether that was to impose himself onto Faron or to simply flirt with him, that was for his partner to guess.

Of course if he didn’t want it, he’d probably insist since it was cold for even someone like him to be without it, but he’d be a lot more happier if his date wasn’t taking the brunt of it either. But he didn’t mind it with what sheepish state was already taking hold of him and keeping him warm by this point, and when he was allowed to, he was careful himself and making sure it wouldn’t fall off until he had it settled himself.

“I wasn’t thinking it was going to be this cold either honestly, it’s okay, no need to apologize but I hope it helps out a bit for you.” He locked his hands together in a small steepling rub, albeit the adoring shimmer in his eyes could’ve made Faron more softer than previously, he’d have given him other layers if he was able to - though to break him out of that awing pause was his voice, making Faron nod almost instantly. “Oh sure, you can choose it if you’d like. Where is it you’d like to go?” Faron leaned in a bit, though he was still a bit stiff, it was all a mannerism of self that he wasn’t aware of. “Think there’s space? We can on the way there-” A toothy smile graced his features.

      He made a playful gesture of opening up the coat to let him in, but after he seized him up with his gaze, he shook his head.

      "I'm afraid it won't work," he said, delivering the bad news with a smirk. "But I know something that might."

      One sudden step brought him closer to Faron. His hands that still gripped onto the lapels made a move around his arm, enveloping it in the warmth of his own arms. With a squeeze, he locked them around it and pulled it to his chest. It was a loose embrace, one that didn't look too awkward despite the slight height difference between them. His frame swayed slightly to the side so he could lean his head against his shoulder. Before Faron could even adjust to that display of assertiveness, Woochi started walking in his desired direction and urged him out of his spot along with him.

It was almost a natural thing the moment he was called out on it, not that he was at a distance on purpose - he just got here and he wanted less not to leave any  bad impression. Equally he froze up like he thought he did something wrong, but it became apparent when he removed his hand from the small grip he had. Although his hand was left hovering now with a bit of worry in his own gaze, at least when it returned to his own - it eased off when there was no readable trace of discomfort. But he was broken from the little pause trance from the chuckle that came out from his words, letting his arm flop back down to his side.

“Well, I’ll take it as that then,” His head craned up better, from the latter perk in his shoulders. But he seemed to be pulling off what he intended, albeit if Faron realized it - truly would he had thought something was on his face but instead were eyes fixed on his visage as a whole. Down to the glasses that came off as  a cute piece to him. They budged though and his eyes closed briefly, swaying in place a bit with a small smile that curved to an almost confident manner. Despite it, far from cool though. “I look forward to my wondering premonition then if it’s too early for now.”

At least though, he wasn’t slow on seeing the smaller things - yet he was still thinking about the latter since he didn’t want his date hauling the weight. For the most part, Faron long realized and was already stripping himself of his coat, clumsy as is - he flipped it over and open as an offering to him. “C-cold-?” Surely enough the attire difference was at hand.

      When he caught glimpse of what Faron was doing, he experienced a funny feeling in the pit of his stomach. All of a sudden, he forgot all about the wind that chilled him to the bone. Some strange warmth welled up inside him and tingled throughout his body down to his fingertips, leaving a dash of pink on his cheeks that contrasted heavily with the light color of his complexion. Tense and momentarily frozen in place, he squeezed onto his own arms and nodded in assent.

      “My apologies... My choice of outfit was clearly uninspired,” he admitted. Although he didn’t feel good about leaving Faron to freeze in his stead, he accepted his gesture and turned around to have him drape the coat over his shoulders. As soon as Faron’s lingering body warmth weighted his body down like a comfortable blanket, he sunk beneath the collar and tugged its lapels closed, holding onto them in fear that it might slip off his frame. 

      He turned back around and graced him with a thankful smile, doe eyes glistening behind the lenses. He could hardly believe that he was being treated like a person with a pulse for once.

He teased and made vague, friendly fun of his smaller post pal about being date nervous - but now it was about to come around and bite him back on the ass. Faron was feeling it now and it was settling in like a brush of heat. Gracing his cheeks the moment he was called out on the spot, down to the audibly pleasant chuckle and the voice that was about to knock the rest of him down. Yet his returning compliment made his shoulders perk with a small airy chuckle.

“Make it sound like I can hand compliments out left and right, that isn’t the case and only true… b-but it’s not too much, I’m glad you like it–” One thing was for certain, he was caught off guard the moment he made a grab for the locks of his hair - eyes took a sharp dart to peek at his hand to see what he was doing, but it became painfully obvious. It smacked him over the head like a brick when he dropped those words on him, his face wasn’t even good at hiding it when his cheeks had a small flare of red, “No, n-not at all,” Faron chimed in, although so had his frame that swayed a step forward, be it a bit sudden and abruptly close - when his reflex thought kicked in though, a hand made a gentle grasp for the one that taken interest in his hair. Just incase he’d moved too suddenly, he wouldn’t want to bump him but it didn’t interfere with it’s interest. “Or should I be? Is… is that a foreshadowing?” A small puff of air came out in a titter.

      His breath hitched when Faron bridged the gap between them. Seeing how nervous he was acting, he didn’t expect him to take the initiative, but he was proven wrong. Immediately, he paused his fidgeting and his gaze darted towards their hands. Out of instinct, he gently pulled his hand away - their touch might have been brief but the warm look in his eyes showed that he enjoyed it. Secretly, he hoped Faron would grab hold of it again at some point.

      “If you want it to be,” he chuckled, returning the flirtatious remark. Though as he said so, he realized that he had been staring intently at his mouth and the way his lips quivered every other stammered word. He caught himself in time and pretended to adjust his glasses in an attempt to distract Faron from what he thought was an inappropriate gesture. “It’s too early to tell, though,” he murmured and averted his gaze. Something was obviously eating away at him, but he was good at hiding it.

It was safe to say that Faron was in the same state, although he had the support of his two little buddies in the matter, they weren’t with him on his route that left him there on his own. He wasn’t good with the sense of time, but all he was able to do was watch his phone time, and for once instead he tried with what he had in his clothes he had in his wardrobe. Although he was cold to say the least, but he either brought his latter coat or something that didn’t make him look like a drug dealer - and the ultimate settle was an open black peacoat that he has laying around, slung around his shoulders over a grey long sleeve. As casual as it got were the dark jeans and mere pair of black high top sneakers.

He was slumped in his idle spot, almost blissfully unaware at the moment, but the second he heard his voice - his head snapped upright in his direction, eyes alert while stuffing his phone away. The one thing that hadn’t changed was his state of hair, that was never going to be helped but at least he had something- or someone better pleasant to stare at. Other than his phone reflection, but he returned the small wave with a gesture of hand that rang a little nervous.

“Hello. It’s nice t-o, meet you too finally…” Although his ogling might’ve not been hard to miss, it came in genuine words when he had enough time to eye him head to toe. “You look very lovely,” 

      Faced with Faron’s nervousness, Woochi felt as though he was in complete control. That was the most powerful he had felt in a long time. Realizing that he was being fawned over, he responded to his compliment with a flirtatious chuckle and scrutinized him from head to toe. Everything from his physique down to his choice of attire seemed to please him. He could tell some effort went into that.

      “We’ve barely locked eyes and I’ve already earned your praise. You’re an easy man to please,” he teased.  “Far be it from me to judge a book by its cover, but if I had to-- I would say that, so far, I like what I see.”

      Out of habit, as he often did when something or someone piqued his curiosity, he reached for the ends of his long hair and started playing with them, twisting and twirling them around his fingertips. Silence took over for a moment while he gathered his thoughts, but he soon took in a soft breath and spoke up.