In the morning, near the road, Lucian was walking slowly, looking around the town which didn't have anything particularly special.
Ever since he was little, he had been taught that in moments of doubt and confusion, a good walk could clear one's head, and at least at that moment, he hoped it would be true.
He had no precise plan in mind. Early in the morning, he just grabbed his keys and left his apartment with his phone, in case a certain person called, just to try and cool off a bit.
Though that wouldn't have been possible, as it was summer and it was starting to get very hot.
"I regret going out in a long-sleeved shirt... I'm going to return all sweaty!"
As he continued walking aimlessly, he passed by a new coffee shop that had recently opened its doors. Lucian, who loved sweets, couldn't help but go take a look, and of course, while he was there, get himself a delicious dessert.
"Even if it's just a muffin or a cookie... well, if they have cheesecake and it looks appetizing, I don't think it would hurt to buy some. And if there's pudding too, I might consider taking that as well."
"...."
"No, Lucian. You must control yourself and buy only one treat. JUST ONE!"
He tried to restrain and control himself mentally as he entered the coffee shop.
Once inside, the atmosphere was pleasant. It was spacious enough to accommodate a few people, and the decor was to his liking. There were plants, seemingly real ones, in certain areas like the corners, and the furniture had a wooden finish. It was a warm and serene environment.
Once at the counter, Lucian began to see what types of desserts they had, and to his surprise, there were a lot. And of all kinds. So excited, he didn't know what to choose.
If it were up to him, he would have taken absolutely everything. After all, he had a sweet tooth.
But not only because he knew that if he did, he would definitely have stomach problems later, but also because he couldn't afford to squander money like that since he didn't have much, he decided to buy only two.
"Good morning! Please give me one of thisss...and this."
"Yes, of course! Right away."
'Should I order something to drink?'
Once seated at a table near one of the windows with his double caramel macchiato, he began to attack the lemon pie he had bought.
For Lucian, that was one of the best moments he could have in his life.
"The lemon pie is exquisite! As soon as I finish it, I'll start with the slice of chocolate cake!" And so he continued eating placidly without anyone interrupting him.
"I thank the gods for having a fast metabolism! I may be very thin, but at least I can eat this way without gaining weight. Hehehe."
While devouring the slice of cake and looking out the window, he noticed two young figures.
They looked like two teenagers heading to school. The girl was talking to her best friend, who was listening intently, and a few seconds later, both were laughing while one of them blushed.
Lucian thought that these kinds of scenarios brought back many memories, and that way, it was inevitable to think about the time when he used to calmly walk to school with his friends.
Also, when on some days he found himself walking home with a young Nathan, who still had the spirit to listen to whatever Lucian told him. And in the same way, he would laugh.
On one of those walks home, they took the opportunity to go eat something at a coffee shop near Nathan's house. Nathan had seen from afar how Lucian looked with hungry eyes at the display case with the desserts, so with a small chuckle, he suggested they go take a look.
When they entered, Nathan hurried to sit down and order some desserts for himself and Lucian, who, upon sitting down, opening the menu, and seeing the price, almost had a heart attack.
"Uhm... I think I'm fine without anything... they look a bit expensive."
"I was the one who wanted to come into the cafe, so don't worry about the price and just order whatever you want," Nathan replied confidently.
"Are you sure? If I order five different desserts, will you still pay?" A small smile formed on his face as if to joke a little. Although in reality, he wasn't lying about what he said.
"Of course. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be able to walk home and would always have to arrive by car. Though I wonder if you'll really be okay after eating all that..."
"HAHAHA, the truth is I'd be more than full, but I can always ask for takeout." His smile became sweeter and sweeter.
"So don't go back on your word! Today, you're treating!"
Nathan just stared intently at Lucian, who was in a very good mood as all his desserts arrived. With each bite, he couldn't resist describing in detail how each dessert had its special characteristic that made them unique.
And so he continued, gesturing with his hands, almost crying with happiness.
Nathan, on the other hand, who was just observing, laughed subtly while occasionally teasing.
"I hope this is a good payment, so you don't have the chance to ask me for anything else."
Lucian, who was about to put another piece of banana cake into his mouth, suddenly stopped and, a little uncomfortable, replied, "I won't ask you for anything else!"
"Good. It seems like a fair payment has been made."
Nathan's expression was neutral, and Lucian couldn't help but think that at that moment, he felt treated like a coworker. To that comment, he could only respond quietly with a "Yes, don't worry," while laughing nervously.
It was at that precise moment that Nathan's behavior towards Lucian began to change. And the reason behind it was unclear.
Even many years later, while also in a coffee shop, reflecting and recalling that moment, he still didn't understand why. Sometimes he thought that maybe Nathan had found out about his feelings a long time ago and that this was his response. That he wasn't interested in the same way.
'What if he cared for me, just not in the same way I did? There's no way he saw me with brotherly eyes, right?'
Lucian didn't finish his dessert that day.
He felt a knot in his stomach and walked back home.
Nathan's House
Nathan decided to go to work a bit later than usual that day. After all, he didn't want to have to exert himself so early in the morning. Up until that moment, he truly questioned whether he had liked his job before losing his memories. He thought perhaps he was continuing it out of obligation.
But if that were the case, shouldn't things have changed after his father's death? And why was he suddenly found unconscious near the sea one day? How exactly could he have fallen?
As he drank his coffee, he began to deduce possible scenarios. After working at the company for a few days, he had firsthand experience of the environment he was in, and with that experience, the true reason for his accident sent shivers down his spine.
"What if it was by choi— Acho!"
Before he could finish, Nathan sneezed.
'Is someone thinking of me?'