Winter’s Serenade

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The café was warm, its interior glowing with a soft amber hue that contrasted sharply with the icy chill outside. Taehyung pulled his scarf tighter around his neck as he stepped inside, shaking snowflakes from his hair. He didn't come here often, but tonight the quiet hum of conversation and the scent of freshly brewed coffee seemed inviting.

As he ordered a simple Americano, his eyes wandered around the room. The patrons were a mix of couples sharing whispered conversations and individuals tucked into corners, immersed in books or laptops. Taehyung found a seat by the window, drawn to the view of snowflakes dancing under the glow of the streetlamp.

He had just taken his first sip of coffee when the door chimed, signaling a new arrival. A young man entered, cheeks flushed from the cold and a camera slung casually over his shoulder. He scanned the room briefly before his gaze landed on Taehyung. There was something magnetic about his presence—youthful energy tempered with quiet confidence.

The man ordered quickly and settled at a nearby table. Taehyung noticed how he positioned the camera carefully, almost reverently, on the table before taking out a notebook. He tried not to stare, but when the man caught his eye, he offered a small smile that Taehyung found himself returning instinctively.

Moments later, the man approached him, holding a steaming cup of tea. "Mind if I join you? The other seats are taken." His voice was smooth, his tone polite yet warm. Taehyung hesitated, caught off guard, but then gestured to the seat across from him.

"I'm Jeon Jungkook," the man said as he sat down, placing his notebook and camera beside him. "I couldn't help but notice you were watching the snow too. It's mesmerizing, isn't it?"

Taehyung nodded, his lips curving into a faint smile. "It always feels... calming. Like time slows down."

Jungkook grinned. "Exactly. It's like the world's giving us a chance to breathe."

They spoke hesitantly at first, their conversation a series of tentative questions and careful answers. But as the minutes passed, a surprising ease settled between them, as if the snow outside had created a space just for the two of them.

☼ Continuation...✫