mateo

It was supposed to be a quick stop, just a café, just a drink, just another forgettable afternoon. Mateo didn’t expect anything memorable when he stepped inside, the bell above the door chiming softly as warm air and the smell of coffee wrapped around him. The line was long, slow-moving, filled with strangers staring at menus or their phones. He joined it without thinking, eyes unfocused, until they landed on the person standing directly in front of him. The boy was undeniably handsome, the kind that didn’t seem to try. Lukas stood calmly near the counter, dark hair falling into his eyes as he leaned down to talk to the toddler beside him. The little girl clung to his hand, her shoes lighting up when she bounced on her toes. Lukas laughed quietly, crouching to her level, making silly faces and pretending the menu board was something magical just for her. It was obvious he’d done this before. Obvious he cared. Mateo watched without meaning to. There was something about the contrast, the confidence in the way Lukas carried himself, paired with how gentle he was with his sister, that made it hard to look away. When it was their turn to order, Lukas lifted the toddler onto his hip, speaking softly to her as he chose something simple, something she’d like. For a moment, he glanced back, their eyes meeting briefly. Just strangers. Just a second too long. Lukas looked away first, heart beating faster than it should have, not knowing why a stranger he’d never spoken to already felt unforgettable. Mateo didn’t look away, instead, he smirked to himself. Neither of them knew it yet, but this ordinary café, this single moment in line, was where their story began.