Chapter Text
It’s not every day that you get this kind of opportunity, Bin had realized. Working at one of the biggest gaming firms in the industry – even as an intern for now – was an incredible opportunity. His studies had paid off apparently, and as his mother kissed his cheek and his dad patted his back that morning he realized that maybe it was also a very big stroke of luck. He didn’t mind, and neither would he complain, because he would just take this and run with it.
The nine to five job seemed so daunting when he was eighteen, but now he was twenty two and could barely hold in his excitement as the large building casted a shadow over him. The glass outer frame was sleek and sophisticated, as was the interior design once Bin entered. He palmed his ID for a moment before scanning it, the green light and soft bell lighting his heart up. The stairs up to the secretary’s desk was getting closer with each step and his heart was already racing before he could get the words out.
He was lucky that the secretary recognized the nervousness and pulled out a pre-marked map of the building with all the important rooms he would need, including his own office space highlighted. He was thankful for that, especially since he had already felt his anxiety heighten at the sheer number of floors in the building. He made his way into the elevator smoothly enough…that was until the door was stopped by a hand and he had to quickly press the button to open it up. A man stepped in and smiled, giving a quick thank you and reaching over to press the floor button, but stopping when realizing they needed to go to the same place anyway.
“Ah…good.” The man glanced at Bin’s ID and Bin felt his back straighten up. “You’re new here, right? Bin…Moon Bin?”
“Yes! I’m an intern here, staring today.”
“It’s nice to meet you, my name is Lee Dongmin.” A hand was put out and Bin took it carefully, finally giving him a moment to take the man in fully. He had on a white dress shirt tucked into black slacks, a navy tie, and chic glasses resting on his nose. His hair was parted down the middle and Bin could have sworn his eyes were made of stardust because they had a certain sparkle that couldn’t just be from lighting. “Such a strong grip, Mr. Moon.”
He loosened the handshake and drew his hand back with an embarrassed laugh, the doors opening and Dongmin gesturing for him to go in. A step in and the atmosphere was already changed from the entrance, people running around frantically and papers flying by faster than Bin could read them. Dongmin, however, looked so at peace Bin wondered if he was a robot. He also quickly wondered what position he was in for everyone to give him such quick ninety-degree bows as he walked down the hall, but he supposed by how fast they were walking he didn’t have time to ask.
Bin looked down as his map and around at the room names as he walked down, finally seeing the number twenty-seven and slowing down a bit. Dongmin noticed and slowed too, peering into the room and saying good morning. Everyone turned and bowed again (what was that about, Bin wondered) and he turned to smile at Bin before walking off. He’d find out more about the mysterious man later, he supposed.
“Moon Bin, is it? Come here, I’ll show you to your desk.” A man that was significantly shorter than him with blonde hair tousled, round specs, and rolled up sleeves grinned at him, a lopsided smile lifting some weights off of his shoulders. “You can bring in little knick-knacks and whatever to personalize your desk, but truth be told we aren’t often sitting around here.”
A gesture towards a large table in the center of the room showed papers scattered around and a few people talking as they circled things in red and drew lines around. “We generally do things there, but you don’t have to worry too much. You’ll mostly be running papers and easy jobs like that. But!” He wagged a finger after logging him in and jotting his password down on a sticky note. “Don’t get comfortable with that, because you’ll become part of the team a lot quicker than you might expect.”
Bin just nodded, another soft grin and pat on the back making him smile back. “We have a meeting at one pm today, so just relax until then, alright?”
“Oh, um, and what’s your name?”
“Jinwoo! Park Jinwoo. You’re gonna do great, kiddo.”
***
Bin tried his best to listen to Mr. Park and relax, but the excitement only allowed him to sit in his seat for exactly eleven minutes before he jumped up to explore. He knew he most likely only had this chance to look around before his work began so he started with the nearest coffee room and decided to go from there. Maybe it was obvious that the room would be equipped with not one, not two, but three espresso machines. Not to mention the two other regular coffee machines with cups already letting it run, and the plate of Starbucks pastries. Breakfast wouldn’t have to be skipped anymore, noted.
The next few rooms were the “prototype museums” as they were called, where things such as original sketches and figurines of characters from successful games were put on display. Of course, Bin already knew all of the backstory, he was more into ASTRO games than anyone else at his school and was entirely loyal to brand. There was just something so captivating about the stories that were woven here that he couldn’t find the same satisfaction anywhere else.
Bin made his way around the thirty-third floor now, where all the designers stayed, and peered into different rooms with nothing but awe and admiration. Maybe one day he could find himself at this floor too.
Before he knew it, it was already eleven am and he made his way back to his desk silently, trying his best not to disturb Jinwoo and the others. After about fifteen minutes, Jinwoo called a break for lunch and gestured for Bin to come with him. He got up quickly and followed behind him like a duckling.
“How are you liking it so far?”
“It’s huge. There are really so many rooms, it seems easy to get lost…”
“Well, that’s what the help robots are for.” Jinwoo waited until Bin’s mouth fell agape to laugh and shake his head. “It’s a joke, Bin.”
They made their way down to the first floor again for the company’s cafeteria, Bin taking the same lunch combo as Jinwoo and walking with him to a table that he found one familiar face at, the Lee Dongmin from before. Jinwoo sat down and patted the seat next to him, directly across from Dongmin, and Bin sat down hesitantly.
“Min, babe, how’s it going?” Dongmin gave Jinwoo a warm smile and shrugged a bit.
“Hello, Mr. Moon.”
“Oh, have you two already been introduced?” Jinwoo gasped and gave Bin a thumbs up. “Meeting the CEO of the company on the first day, you’re making an impression, Mr. Moon!"