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Seokjin's not one to give in easily whenever people asked for a favour, much so from a stranger. But as he roamed aimlessly around the grocery store and someone then out of nowhere tap him on the shoulder, him turning around and was welcomed by a (cute) shy and apologetic smile as the man asked Seokjin to hold hands because he just saw his ex walked in with a new partner, Seokjin didn't know what possess him to say yes and gave in to the ridiculous favour.
The man was a bit taller than him, a little tanned skin and he was dressed in a denim overalls over a yellow shirt and black canvas shoes. It instantly reminded him of Minions, and another time he would feel embarassed secondhandedly over such outfit but weirdly enough he found it cute instead. Or maybe the fact that the man looked good in the outfit made him nod in approval at his choice (or maybe it had to do with the dimple smile, he wasn't sure with himself)
But the fact that he suggested that they pretended to shop to seem believable surprised him even more than he would like to admit. He needed to do his weekly shopping anyway, he reasoned with himself. When he suggested that they used trolley the man asked to use the basket instead so they could hold hands. Seokjin rolled his eyes at the absurdity of his request but pulled the man's hand anyway.
It felt very domestic and a little intimate, the way their actions just seemed natural, silly as it sound.
"So what's the big deal with the ex?" Seokjin asked, taking a bunch of different bottles of sauce and putting them into the basket. He turned to look at the man as he continued to ask, "You still like him so you're trying to make him jealous?"
"Er- kind of. It's.. complicated," replied the man awkwardly.
"I don't do complicated," Seokjin remarked. "It's over when it's over. Why bother going back to each other when it's going to end the same way anyway, you know?"
"Yeah," replied the man in a mumble, not exactly looking at Seokjin in the eye.
They moved to a different aisle as Seokjin looked for a familiar shampoo brand. His eyes scanned the many products on display but his focus was quickly broken before he could find what he was looking for. "Hey, your hand's a bit clammy," he pointed out but there was no malice in his voice.
The man's eyes widened at that, face reddening. "Eh." He was quick to pull his hand off of Seokjin's hold, wiping it on his overalls as he uttered an apology.
"You look nervous," Seokjin commented, brow quirking up questioningly as if he'd just noticed the state the man was in. He took hold of the man's hand once again. "You shouldn't look like you're seconds away from pissing your pants if you're trying to show your ex how great of a boyfriend you have."
The man flashed him a small smile then and Seokjin had to stop himself from poking that small cute dimple. "Okay," the man said, squeezing his hand as if to assure him.
They continued to walk around aimlessly, and Seokjin would be lying if he said he didn't enjoy the feeling of a hand holding his own. But then, somehow, after stealing glances a few times, Seokjin took note on how the man didn't even pay much attention to their surroundings, eyes instead focusing on their intertwined hands as they walked around the aisles.
Realisation hit him then, finally noticing that there was no couple in sight and there was in fact no ex-boyfriend who he wanted to impress (or to make jealous). There was no reason for them to be holding hands, or talking to each other even. As if they were a couple who went to do their weekly shopping for their shared house.
Or maybe Seokjin shouldn't read too much comic books or watch too many dramas because there was just no way. Nevertheless, he stopped on his track and the man did the same, looking at Seokjin questioningly. He wasn't one to beat around the bush if he said so himself.
"There's no ex boyfriend isn't it?" he asked curtly. The man's eyes widened at being caught red-handed and he looked almost funny but Seokjin wasn't laughing at the least bit. "Are you trying to impress me with your flirting skills? Because you're doing a bad job at it."
The man was caught off guard yet again with how blunt Seokjin was. "You're kind of.. intimidating," he stammered.
Seokjin was incredulous, crossing his hands over his chest defensively. "Me? Intimidating? Excuse you, I'm fabulous and full of love! I don't intimidate people."
"You look good in pink," the stranger complimented with a boyish smile (and there was that dimple again) but Seokjin could almost see the sweat that was starting to form on his temple.
Seokjin snorted. "Well, thank you. I know I look good so that kind of pick up line won't work on me."
The man frowned. "That was a sincere compliment, honest!"
Seokjin giggled then. "Gee! Loosen up will you? It's not like I'm going to eat you or anything." He then smirked, teasing. "Or do you actually want me to-"
"Oh no-"
The man looked at him in horror and he looked genuinely scared that Seokjin felt sorry for him for a second. The latter couldn't help but laugh at the sight though.
"It was a joke! A joke! I was kidding!" he explained in between his fit of laughter. He had to clear his throat to stop himself from laughing. "So what's your name, silly boy?" he asked after his laughing fit ceased.
His cheeks was tinged pink as the stranger introduced himself with: "Kim Namjoon."
"Well, Namjoon," Seokjin pronounced and he liked the way the name rolled out of his lips so easily. "I'll tell you my name if you carry this to the counter to make up for your bad flirting skills," he finished, holding up the basket as he did so to make his point.
Namjoon agreed easily and Seokjin quickly learned that the man was a clumsy tall bean, bumping into things as he strode towards the counter while carrying Seokjin's heavy basket.
They didn't hold hands anymore and honestly speaking his hands felt a little empty so Seokjin took his phone out of his jeans' pocket and clutched it throughout their walk to the check-out counter.
Namjoon had the decency to help put the groceries in the box, probably afraid Seokjin might tell him off if he wasn't.
They walked out the grocery store together, Seokjin holding the box of groceries even when Namjoon insisted on helping. He did thank the latter after they finished checking out everything, whispering his name right in Namjoon's ear as if it's their little secret.
"In a way, thanks for accompanying me with my grocery shopping," said Seokjin appreciatively.
"Yeah..em." Namjoon scratched his head nervously as he continued, "Can I buy you a drink sometime? Or pizza? I like pizza."
"You mean like a date?" he asked, and Seokjin didn't even realise he was smiling.
"Well...yeah. If you'd like," Namjoon replied, grinning awkwardly as he waited for the response.
"If you could come up with a pick up line that would sweep me off my feet then pizza it is," Seokjin remarked with a shrug.
Namjoon's forehead creased with worry. "Oh," was all he said.
"I'm kidding, Joon! I'm kidding!" Seokjin was quick to correct himself. And he didn't even realise he had called the other man as such. Namjoon looked relieved then and Seokjin's lips curled up in a smile. "Pizza date it is."