*today is rain heavily. ezekiel walking down the street in the heavy rain and suddenly he saw a food stand that sell octopus, without thinking twice, he apporach the stand and start order 2 big octopus with BBQ sauce. while he waiting, suddenly a blonde man bump on him and make ezekiel almost fall, before ezekiel reach the floor, the man quickly grab him and stare at him*

Ezekiel: Let me go.

Ryan: *laughs* No, not until I say so. By the way, my name’s Ryan. What about you?

Ezekiel: That’s none of your damn business.

Ryan: Grumpy, huh?

*Ezekiel rolls his eyes and steps back*

*Ryan steps closer, offering his hand Let’s be friends.*

*Ezekiel hesitates, then shakes his hand without thinking*

Ryan: So… what’s your name?

Ezekiel: Ezekiel.

Ryan: Nice to meet you, Ezekiel. You’re… quite handsome.

Ezekiel: *shocked* WHAT DO YOU MEAN?! Of course I am! At least I’m not gay.

Ryan: *blushing, stammering* W-what do you mean? I’m not gay!

Ezekiel: iscoffs* Now back off. I want to pay for my octopus.

Ryan: Mind if I pay it for you?

Ezekiel: No.

*Ryan quickly transfers the payment before Ezekiel can stop him*

Ezekiel: WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY PAYING FOR ME?!

Ryan: *grins* So what are you gonna do, handsome?\~

Ezekiel: *disgusted, takes the octopus from the seller* Thanks.

Ryan: *grabs his arm before he leaves* Can I have your number, pleaaase?

*Ezekiel sighs heavily, then reluctantly gives his number*

TIME SKIP

*after a months of chatting, ryan and ezekiel became closer and ryan seem like he likes ezekiel but he doesn’t want to confess it yet because he know ezekiel is staight, meanwhile, ezekiel just think that ryan only his best friend. one day, when ezekiel do his job as a barista, he saw ryan come in to the bar, ryan feel his heart beating so fast when he saw ezekiel. ezekiel look at him and smile

Ezekiel: *smile as welcoming* welcome to mercy bar, can i help you?

*ryan just smiling there*

Ezekiel: *sighs and rubs his forehead*

Ryan, this is a bar, not some dating app. Stop fooling around and order.

Ryan: *leans on the counter, smirking*

Then I’ll order a latte… made with extra love from you.

Ezekiel: *deadpans while making the drink*

You’re unbelievable.

Ryan: *rests his chin on his hand, watching Ezekiel* And yet, you still talk to me every day.

Ezekiel: *pauses, glancing at him for a second before quickly looking away* That’s because you’re annoying if I don’t.

Ryan: *grins wider* So I’m special enough to be annoying? I’ll take that as progress.

Ezekiel: *places the latte in front of him with a sharp clink* Here. Drink it. And don’t say anything stupid again.

Ryan: *takes a sip, eyes softening* It’s sweet… just like you.

Ezekiel: *almost drops the tray he’s holding* RYAN!!

*Some of the other customers turn their heads. Ezekiel’s face turns slightly red, and he quickly hides behind the counter. Ryan just laughs softly, looking at him like he’s the only person in the room.*

Ezekiel: *flustered, hiding behind the counter* Stop saying things like that!

Ryan: *pretends to sip his latte innocently* What? I’m just being honest.

Ezekiel: *grumbles while cleaning a glass* You’re impossible.

Ryan: *smirking* And yet, here you are, still talking to me.

Ezekiel: *points the rag at him* Only because you refuse to leave me alone.

Ryan: *leans closer across the counter* Maybe I like it here. Maybe I like… you.

Ezekiel: *slams the rag down* RYAN! Stop embarrassing me in front of customers!

*Several people chuckle quietly at the scene. Ezekiel’s ears burn red as he turns away, muttering under his breath.*

Ryan: *pretends to be hurt, clutching his chest dramatically* Ow… straight to the heart. You wound me, Ezekiel.

Ezekiel: *rolls his eyes* Good. Maybe you’ll finally shut up.

Ryan: *grins* Never.

*Ezekiel hands him a napkin to wipe his mouth. Ryan takes it, but instead of using it, he sticks it on Ezekiel’s head like a hat. Ezekiel freezes, then rips it off, glaring at him.*

Ezekiel: *growls* You’re such a child!

Ryan: *laughs* A child who makes you laugh, sometimes. Don’t deny it.

Ezekiel: *sputters* I—! I don’t laugh at you!

Ryan: *teasing* Really? Then what about last week when I slipped on the wet floor and you almost choked trying to hold it in?

Ezekiel: *face turning pink* T-that wasn’t funny!

Ryan: *smiles warmly* You smiled though. And that’s enough for me.

*For a brief moment, Ezekiel pauses, his eyes flickering with something softer, but he quickly looks away, busying himself with wiping the counter again.*

Ezekiel: *muttering*Just drink your latte and leave already.

Ryan: *finishes his cup in one gulp, setting it down proudly* Done. But I’ll be back tomorrow.

Ezekiel: *glares at him, exasperated* Don’t you have a life?

Ryan: *grins while standing up* Yeah. You’re part of it.

Ezekiel: *speechless, hiding his face with the rag again* …Idiot.

*Ryan chuckles softly, heading for the door. Just before leaving, he glances back at Ezekiel, who’s pretending to be busy behind the counter. His smile lingers, gentle this time.*

Ryan: *to himself as he walks out* One day, Ezekiel… you’ll realize you don’t hate me as much as you think.

*The bar quiets down after Ryan leaves. Ezekiel finally lowers the rag, his cheeks still slightly red. He exhales, shaking his head with a small, reluctant smile before returning to his work.*

⸻

[End of Chapter 1]

It had been two weeks since Ryan last came to the bar.

For the first few days, Ezekiel didn’t think much of it. He told himself Ryan was probably busy or finally realized how annoying he was being.

But as the days turned into a week, and then two, Ezekiel started noticing something odd. The bar felt… quieter.

Too quiet.

He caught himself glancing at the door more often than he wanted to admit, half-expecting that familiar grin and ridiculous flirting. But it never came.

One evening, while cleaning the counter, Ezekiel sighed heavily.

Ezekiel: muttering “Finally some peace… so why does it feel so weird?”

Co-worker (Mira): teasing, leaning over the counter “You’re missing your boyfriend, huh?”

Ezekiel: choking on air “HE’S NOT MY BOYFRIEND!”

Mira: laughing “Uh-huh. Sure. You just miss the guy who flirts with you every day and calls you handsome.”

Ezekiel: grumbling “I don’t miss him! He’s just… annoying. And now the bar feels too quiet, that’s all.”

Mira: smirks “Whatever helps you sleep at night.”

Ezekiel rolls his eyes and focuses back on his work, though her words stick in his mind.

⸻

Later that night, after closing, Ezekiel walks home through the chilly evening air. Rain starts to drizzle again just like the first day they met.

He pulls his jacket tighter, mumbling to himself.

Ezekiel: “Why am I even thinking about that idiot…”

Then, suddenly

Voice from behind: “Miss me?”

Ezekiel freezes.

He slowly turns around… and there he is — Ryan, standing under an umbrella, looking smug as ever.

Ezekiel: blinking in disbelief “RYAN?! Where the hell have you been?!”

Ryan: grins sheepishly “You noticed I was gone?”

Ezekiel: crosses his arms “No! I just—… the bar was quiet, that’s all!”

Ryan: steps closer, smiling softly “I had to go back home for a bit. Family stuff. Didn’t mean to disappear on you.”

Ezekiel: frowns, trying to hide his relief “You could’ve texted, idiot. I thought—” pauses, realizing what he’s saying “I thought you finally left me alone.”

Ryan: teasing “Aww, were you worried?”

Ezekiel: blushing “N-no! I don’t care what happens to you!”

Ryan: laughing “Sure you don’t.”

Ryan holds the umbrella over both of them, his shoulder brushing against Ezekiel’s. The warmth between them feels… different this time.

Ezekiel: quietly “…You’re still annoying.”

Ryan: smiles gently “And you’re still cute when you’re mad.”

Ezekiel huffs, but doesn’t move away.

⸻

The next day, Ryan shows up at the bar again, this time with a small paper bag.

Ezekiel: suspiciously “What’s that?”

Ryan: “Peace offering. Your favorite — octopus with BBQ sauce.”

Ezekiel blinks, surprised he remembered.

Ezekiel: “You… remembered that?”

Ryan: grins “Of course. It’s the first thing you ever yelled at me about.”

Ezekiel takes the bag reluctantly, trying to hide the small smile creeping on his lips.

Ezekiel: muttering “Thanks… I guess.”

Ryan: leans on the counter “So, do I get a smile as a thank you?”

Ezekiel: glares “You already got one. Don’t push it.”

Ryan laughs, and Ezekiel shakes his head, fighting the warmth in his chest.

⸻

As the evening goes on, they fall back into their usual banter Ryan teasing, Ezekiel pretending to be annoyed.

But as Ryan gets up to leave, he pauses, looking more serious than usual.

Ryan: “Hey, Ezekiel…”

Ezekiel: “What?”

Ryan: hesitates “I… missed you.”

Ezekiel’s breath catches for a second. Ryan smiles softly before turning to leave.

Ezekiel: quietly, to himself “…Idiot.”

But this time, he can’t stop the small, genuine smile that forms on his lips.

⸻

[End of Chapter 2]

The days after Ryan’s return slipped back into a strange new “normal.”

He’d stop by the bar almost every evening sitting at his usual seat near the counter, grinning like always, teasing Ezekiel about his serious face and bad attitude.

Ezekiel would roll his eyes, pretend to be annoyed, and scold him for talking too much while working.

But deep down, every time Ryan walked through that door, something warm flickered in his chest a comfort he didn’t want to admit.

And when Ryan didn’t show up, the bar felt just a little emptier.

⸻

One evening, the bar was more crowded than usual loud music, chatter, the clink of glasses.

Ezekiel was behind the counter, wiping down mugs when the bell above the door chimed.

He didn’t need to look up. He already knew.

Ezekiel: muttering under his breath “Here comes the troublemaker…”

Sure enough, Ryan slid into his usual seat, flashing that familiar grin.

Ryan: “Evening, handsome.”

Ezekiel: deadpan “Evening, annoyance.”

Ryan: chuckles “You missed me. Admit it.”

Ezekiel: “I didn’t. Now, what do you want to order before I kick you out?”

Ryan: “Your heart.”

Ezekiel: glares “Try again.”

Ryan: laughing “Alright, alright. A latte, extra love, please.”

Ezekiel shook his head, fighting the smile tugging at his lips as he started making the drink.

Everything felt normal again until she walked in.

⸻

A young woman with long black hair and a bright smile approached the bar.

She glanced around, then spotted the only empty seat right next to Ryan.

Woman: “Excuse me, is this seat taken?”

Ryan: smiling politely “Not at all.”

She sat down, brushing rain from her jacket, and Ryan, being naturally friendly, struck up a conversation.

Soon, the two were laughing.

Ezekiel froze mid-swipe of the counter.

He told himself it didn’t matter.

That Ryan could talk to whoever he wanted.

But for some reason, his chest tightened.

He glanced over again Ryan leaning close, saying something that made her giggle.

Ezekiel scowled.

Mira: passing by with a tray, whispering “Uh-oh. Someone looks jealous.”

Ezekiel: snapping “I’m not jealous.”

Mira: “You’re staring holes into their heads.”

Ezekiel: “I’m just… making sure he’s not bothering the customers.”

Mira: smirking “Right. Sure.”

Ezekiel looked away, cheeks warm, trying to focus on his work.

But he couldn’t help glancing back again… and again.

⸻

A while later, Ryan stood to pay for both drinks including hers.

The woman thanked him and left.

Ryan came up to the counter, humming softly.

Ezekiel crossed his arms.

Ezekiel: “So. You’re paying for strangers now?”

Ryan: blinking “Huh? Oh, her? She dropped her wallet. Thought I’d help out.”

Ezekiel: grumbles “You didn’t have to.”

Ryan: smirking “Why? You jealous?”

Ezekiel: flustered “W-what?! No! Why would I be jealous?!”

Ryan: “Because I wasn’t flirting with you for once.”

Ezekiel: glaring, face red “You’re insufferable.”

Ryan: leans closer over the counter “But you missed it, didn’t you?”

Ezekiel: “No!” pauses “…maybe.”

Ryan laughed, and for a moment, Ezekiel looked away hiding the faint smile forming on his lips.

⸻

Later that night, after closing, Ezekiel sat alone at the counter.

The bar was quiet now, lights dim, air cool.

He stared at the empty seat Ryan always sat in.

Ezekiel (thinking):

“Why does it bother me…

seeing him talk to someone else?

It shouldn’t matter. He’s just a friend.

Just… a friend.”

But deep down, a small voice whispered something he didn’t want to hear.

“You like him.”

Ezekiel rubbed his forehead, groaning softly.

Ezekiel: “No. No, no, no. I do not like that idiot.”

Outside, rain began to fall again — softly at first, then harder, tapping against the windows.

Ezekiel sighed.

Ezekiel: quietly “Why does he have to make everything so complicated…?”

⸻

The next evening, Ryan came back, grinning as usual.

Ryan: “Evening, handsome. Miss me?”

Ezekiel: sighs, pretending to be annoyed “You’re late.”

Ryan: “Wow, you were waiting for me.”

Ezekiel: face heating up “I was not!”

Ryan: smiling warmly “Sure you weren’t.”

As Ezekiel turned to make his usual latte, Ryan watched him quietly less teasing this time, more thoughtful.

And for just a moment, Ezekiel caught his reflection in the mirror behind the bar saw Ryan’s eyes on him, soft and gentle.

His heart skipped.

He quickly looked away.

⸻

That night, he couldn’t sleep.

No matter how hard he tried, his mind kept replaying Ryan’s words.

His smile.

His laugh.

The way his eyes softened when he said Ezekiel’s name.

Ezekiel buried his face in the pillow and groaned.

Ezekiel: “…Stupid Ryan.”

But deep down, he knew —

it wasn’t annoyance anymore.

It was something else.

Something he wasn’t ready to name.

⸻

[End of Chapter 3]