[Bonbon Bonanza] Don't Speak, Just Stay

The bell above the shop door jingled as Ghost stepped inside. A wave of warmth washed over him, along with the rich scent of cocoa and sugar. Behind the counter, an elderly shopkeeper bun smiled at the customer knowingly.

"Back again, Yuri?" she said, wiping her hands on her baking apron.

Ghost cleared his throat sheepishly, not used to hearing his actual name. "Mm... Just hoping that I got the right ones."

The shopkeeper walked around to the back of the shop to a shelf with a small sign that said ‘Orders’ on it. She peered at a small, velvet box with a receipt taped on it and gave a satisfied nod before she carried them back over to the register to hand them off. "Those are perfect! He’ll love them."

Ghost hoped she was right. After all, he wasn’t the best at getting thoughtful gifts for others.

Ghost said goodbye to the shopkeeper before leaving the quaint little chocolate shop, shifting his weight from hoof to hoof anxiously for a moment as the cold season’s wind curled around him. The box in his hands was small, yet it carried a weight far beyond its size. He had spent an embarrassing amount of time selecting each piece online—dark chocolate truffles, caramel-filled squares, and, in the very center, raspberry-infused bonbons. A delicacy sought after by many. He knew a certain someone who loved chocolates, but this wasn’t just about giving them something they liked. It was about saying something he didn’t quite have the proper words for.

Snow had begun to fall, drifting lightly along the cobbled streets. Ghost tucked the box carefully into his coat pocket and made his way to the small café where he was to meet his date.

There he was, just as Ghost expected; sitting next to the window with his hands wrapped around a warm mug of coffee. His choice of clothing made him look snug as a bug. A long, white and fuzzy coat with a thick scarf and fashionable cossack winter hat. His expression made it seem like he had a lot on his mind as he stared out at the illuminated street.

For a second, doubt crept in. Was this a bad idea? Or was Ghost reading too much into things?

No… It was fine. It was just a gift, after all. He took a steadying breath and stepped inside.

"H-hey," Ghost quietly greeted, walking over to the table and placing the box gently on the in front of the other bun.

Bulan blinked, slightly startled, then looked down at the box. His spacey demeanor changed like a light switch. "Hey there, stranger! Long time no see, right? Glad you could make it! … What’s this?"

"Just... s-something I thought you’d like. I dunno. Seems like what everyone else does around this time…" Ghost rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly feeling awkwardness creep up his spine.

Bulan hesitated, then carefully untied the ribbon and lifted the lid. The moment the scent of chocolate reached him, a grateful smile painted his lips.

"Oh, wow, how did you know these were my favorites?" he asked. “Wait, you— I told you, didn’t I?”

Ghost pulled his scarf over his mouth shyly and nodded. "Mhm… I… remembered you going on a lot about how you liked these kinds, so…"

Last year around Matentines, on a day that was slightly warmer than this, the duo had stumbled upon the little chocolate shop together. Bulan had grabbed Ghost’s hand and pressed his face against the glass like a little kid, pointing excitedly at the different confections and rattling off about his favorites. Raspberry bonbons, he had said, were always the best because they ‘left the sweetest aftertaste in your mouth’. The only reason it stuck with Ghost was how amused he was at how someone could be so excitable over something so trivial. Bulan was always very outgoing and overbearing, but seeing him all giddy over the simple things in life left a mark on Ghost.

In the present time, Bulan picked up the largest raspberry bonbon, rolling it between his fingers. "You really didn’t have to do this. I mean, I’m not complaining, but—"

"I wanted to." Ghost interrupted.

Something flickered in Bulan’s eyes—gratitude, maybe, or something softer? For a moment, he just looked at Ghost, as if trying to read between the lines. Then, with a quiet laugh, he broke the bonbon in half and held out a piece to the shy bun.

"Share with me?" Bulan asked.

Ghost hesitated, then took it from his hand. Their fingers brushed, a fleeting touch, but enough to send warmth soaring through him.

They ate in silence, letting the chocolate melt on their tongues; the sharp tang of raspberry cutting through the sweetness. The café was quiet, save for the faint hum of conversation and the occasional clatter of cups against their accompanying saucers.

"You’ve been distant lately," Bulan said suddenly, setting his mug down.

Ghost stiffened slightly, not immediately prepared for the broken silence. "I’m sorry…"

Bulan offered a wistful smile. "It’s all good. I was starting to think you were avoiding me… Or that I did something wrong."

Ghost’s chest tightened. The truth was, he had been. Not because he wanted to, but because he didn’t know how to handle the way he felt about Bulan. Because every time he looked at him or spent time with him, he wanted to say things he wasn’t sure he had the right to say. They were just friends, after all. Best friends. And Bulan wasn’t the type to be held down in one place for too long. Ghost knew that. He knew that all too well…

"I wasn’t trying to avoid you," he said carefully. "Just... thinking a lot."

Bulan tilted his head with a naive smile. "About?"

The smaller bun swallowed, feeling the weight of the moment press down on him. He could brush it off, make a joke, change the subject. Or—

Ghost exhaled. "I just… I-I don’t know… I don’t— want to mess anything up between us."

Bulan’s expression softened, but also became confused. "Mess what up?"

"You know," Ghost vaguely between them. "This. I—" He stopped himself, rubbing his hands together as if they were sore. "I guess I’ve been afraid that if I said anything, I’d… ruin our friendship."

Bulan was silent for a moment, his gaze searching Ghost’s. Then, slowly, he reached for another chocolate—a caramel-filled square this time—and broke it in half, just like he had with the raspberry bonbon. He held a piece out to him.

"Here," he said. "Try this one."

Ghost took it, their fingers brushing again, and as they ate, Bulan gave him a small, knowing smile. It was obvious that he kind of knew what he was going to say. 

“You’re adorable, Yuri.” Bulan cooed.

There it was again. That odd feeling of hearing someone say his real name. Coming from Bulan, though, he didn’t hate it.

“You wanna watch a movie at my place tonight? I got plenty of snacks and drinks. Even your favorite marble soda,” Bulan joyfully offered.

Ghost’s expression lightened up and he finally made direct eye contact with Bulan for the first time tonight. He nodded twice and put his hands on the table. “I’d like that a lot…”

Even if his feelings weren’t completely reciprocated, perhaps this was fine as it was. Bulan was a free spirit, and Ghost didn’t feel 100% ready for something deeper, in all honesty. Their friendship was solid as an anchor. There didn’t need to be any awkwardness or hurt feelings. The chocolates spoke louder than words, after all.