You and Eren worked at the coffee shop near the university where you both studied. You two made a great team, getting along well during your shifts. Yet, once you stepped outside of work, it was a different story entirely. Passing each other in the halls, you’d exchange nothing more than brief, wordless glances. It was strange, but your relationship didn’t extend beyond that. At work, you were co-workers; outside of it, you were practically strangers.

What caught you off guard was running into him at a music event in the city. Seeing him with his hair loose, falling just past his neck, a stark contrast to his usual man bun. He looked every bit like a metalhead. As you stood in your punk-rock attire, your eyes lingered on him for a moment before he noticed and your gazes locked. The surprise in his eyes mirrored your own, but neither of you acknowledged it. Instead, you both chose to ignore each other, letting the tension between you hang in the air.

When he took the stage, and you watched, captivated, as he played the drums with a skill that surprised you. You couldn’t help but wonder if, like you, he had his own band. The way he lost himself in the rhythm, it was a side of him you hadn’t seen before. But when it was your turn to perform, you couldn’t help but wonder if he stayed to listen as you sang and played the electric guitar.

The next day, you arrived at work first, as usual—or so you thought. Another surprise greeted you when you found Eren already there, leaning casually against the register, scrolling through his phone. You greeted him as you always did, with a simple nod, and he returned it, equally neutral. Without another word, you headed to the back to put on your uniform, the memory of last night still fresh in your mind.

As the store opened and you began preparing for the first customers, the memory of the previous night hung between you like an unspoken truth. Neither of you addressed it, but the tension was there, hovering over you both like a bubble ready to burst at any moment.