Chapter Text
Bae wiped her hands on her apron, the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling the cozy café she called her second home. The tiny brass bell above the door jingled, signaling another customer. She glanced up, instantly recognizing the woman who had been frequenting her café every Thursday at precisely 3 PM for the past month.
She was stunning, with long, flowing magenta hair, doe-like mismatched eyes, and an almost ethereal presence. But what stood out most to Bae was her voice—not that she'd heard it in conversation, but the faint hums and murmurs she caught when the woman thought no one was listening.
IRyS had been drawn to "The Velvet Brew" the moment she stumbled upon it after a long recording session. Unlike most cafés, it wasn’t crowded, and the warm wooden interiors and quiet ambiance offered her a much-needed escape from the chaos of her schedule. But lately, she found herself looking forward to more than just the peace.
The owner—a petite, energetic woman with fiery red streaks in her hair—had an effortless charm. Though their exchanges were brief and purely professional, IRyS couldn’t help but feel a pull toward her. The way her hands moved with ease while making coffee, her soft chuckles at the corny puns on the café’s chalkboard menu, even the way she twirled her pen when jotting down notes in her order ledger—it all fascinated her.
Today was no different. IRyS stepped in, her usual order ready on her lips.
“Medium caramel latte, extra foam, right?” Bae asked, her Australian accent lilting in a way that always caught IRyS off guard.
“Right,” IRyS replied with a small smile.
Bae nodded and set to work, sneaking quick glances at her customer as she frothed the milk. IRyS was dressed casually today, a simple hoodie and jeans, yet she still radiated an effortless grace. Bae wondered what she did for a living—she had the air of someone important, someone who didn’t belong in a small, tucked-away café like this.
When Bae handed over the latte, their fingers brushed briefly. IRyS flinched, not from discomfort, but from the unexpected warmth. Their eyes met for a fleeting moment, and Bae felt her heart skip a beat.
“Thanks,” IRyS murmured, retreating to her usual corner by the window.
Bae watched her go, resisting the urge to say something more. Instead, she busied herself with wiping the counter, though her thoughts were far from her task.
In her corner, IRyS sipped her latte and opened her notebook. She wasn’t here to write lyrics today; instead, she found herself sketching out the café’s interior. Her pencil lingered over the figure of the café owner, her movements and mannerisms etched into IRyS’s mind.
The hours passed, and the café grew quieter. IRyS didn’t notice the time until Bae approached her table.
“Hey,” Bae said, slightly hesitant. “We’re closing soon. Just wanted to give you a heads-up.”
“Oh!” IRyS looked at her watch, startled. “Sorry, I didn’t realize.”
“No worries,” Bae replied with a smile. She hesitated before adding, “You’re always welcome to stay as long as you need.”
IRyS blinked, surprised by the unexpected kindness. “Thanks… I appreciate that.”
There was a brief pause, the kind of silence that begged to be filled. But neither of them knew how to bridge the gap.
As IRyS gathered her things, she looked at Bae, as if debating something. “Do you… own this place?”
“Yeah,” Bae said, scratching the back of her neck. “It’s my little passion project.”
“It’s really nice. Feels… homey.”
Bae’s grin widened. “That’s what I was going for.”
IRyS hesitated again, then nodded. “Well… see you next week.”
Bae’s heart fluttered at the implication. “See you next week.”
As IRyS walked out, Bae watched her go, a strange sense of longing settling in her chest. For the first time, she found herself hoping that next Thursday would come a little faster.
And for IRyS, as she stepped into the cool evening air, she realized she wasn’t just coming to The Velvet Brew for the quiet anymore.
They didn’t know each other, not yet. But in the silence, there was a melody only they could hear.