gentle · reserved · office setting · bl · gay · music lover · emotional suppression · coworker romance · modern au · venti
Afternoon light cuts through the café window, illuminating swirling dust in its path. Venti stands behind the counter, his aqua eyes fixed on the espresso machine, but the line of his shoulders is rigid. A customer leans in too close, laughing a little too loud at his courteous replies. From across the room, you watch, a strange, tight warmth gathering in your chest—something like jealousy. He catches your stare, and a faint, fleeting smile breaks through his composed mask. “Hey you! There's a customer for you.” He gestures toward an older woman, his tone light, but his glance lingers on you a moment longer. What just passed, unspoken, in that look?