Chapter Text
Following Taeil to college had been a complete coincidence. Well, that’s what Doyoung had told him anyways.
In reality, Doyoung had zero clue what he wanted to do with himself. All that he knew for sure was that he had missed his best friend for the past two years. So, when he received his acceptance letter from the university Taeil was attending, it was a no-brainer where he chose to go. His excuse being that it was the best college that he had gotten into, and the fact Taeil was there didn’t have anything to do with it. But only half of that was true.
Taeil practically begged him to get an apartment together, as he was very tired of living in a cramped dorm with strangers for the past two years. Doyoung reluctantly agreed, but deep down he couldn’t have been more excited.
And that excitement only grew the day they moved in, but hell if Doyoung was going to let it show.
The apartment wasn’t anything that spectacular, it was what two college kids could afford. But it was big enough for them. Taeil had started his own business last year fixing laptops and such, so he got the bigger room, as his business was doing quite well. Doyoung, on the other hand, was still living off his parent’s dime, so he was just thankful to be not in a dorm.
By the hour mark of them unpacking, Doyoung had made up a "house rules" list, without even consulting Taeil, unsurprisingly. He simply walked into his new room and handed him the paper. Doyoung watched Taeil’s face droop, a pout forming at his lips.
"No food in the living room? Not even movie snacks?"
Taeil’s whining always annoyed Doyoung because he knew he would give in every time.
Doyoung huffed and left the older’s room, but not before mumbling, "Movie night might be an exception, I’ll think about it."
***
Taeil had promised to take Doyoung around the campus after they got settled in that day. And by "settled in" Taeil meant whenever he got bored with unpacking. They decided to take a break only a few hours into unpacking, neither really enjoying the task.
"Okay first! To Aroma Mocha!" Taeil opened their apartment door dramatically, obviously excited about the excursion. Doyoung rolled his eyes.
He had no idea what that meant, or where Taeil was taking him, but he was tired from unloading boxes, so he didn’t have the energy to ask. Instead, he followed Taeil out of the door, simply happy to be away from the mess that was currently residing in their home.
Turns out it was a coffee shop, which he totally should have put together by the name. But to his own defense, moving does a number on your brain functioning’s ability.
"You do realize I don’t really drink coffee right…" Doyoung said before they walked in already slightly annoyed Taeil had forgotten. It wasn’t like they had been apart for that long.
"Yeah, but you haven’t had Aroma Mocha’s coffee!" Taeil responded pushing the younger into the café.
"It really sounds like you’re trying hard to advertise for the place," he scoffed rolling his eyes.
Ignoring Doyoung’s comment Taeil continued, "Plus I have someone to introduce to you!"
And that caught his attention.
Doyoung followed Taeil up to the counter, "This is Jungwoo! He runs the place."
"Wow, you actually made a friend while I was gone?" Doyoung said before even glancing Jungwoo’s way.
Doyoung was purposely taking a dig at Taeil and his antisocial nature, but he was genuinely surprised.
"Yeah! Taeil and I became close because he’s my favorite regular!" Jungwoo responded, completely unfazed by Doyoung’s comment.
Doyoung finally looked over at Jungwoo. How in the world was this boy just smiling innocently at him? Usually when Doyoung picked on Taeil in public people either laughed or took it the wrong way. But it really didn’t even phase him.
Jungwoo seemed to have a really quiet nature about him, not only shown through the way he spoke. Even in how he held himself like even he thought he was dainty. And that was saying something seeing as he probably was a good foot taller than Taeil. But he had very soft features despite this fact, only further adding to Doyoung’s first impression.
"Hi, I’m Doyoung, Taeil’s best friend." Doyoung purposely made a point of stating his friend status with Taeil, feeling slightly threatened. Something about this Jungwoo guy didn’t sit right with him, it was like he was too pretty, too nice.
"I know! I’ve heard a lot about you! I’m so happy you decided to go to the same university as Taeil! He was so excited when you told him!" A bright smile showed across Jungwoo’s face, clearly ecstatic to be finally meeting Doyoung.
Doyoung was slowly understanding why Taeil was friends with Jungwoo. He was the complete opposite of himself, way too nice and very oblivious. Much like Taeil himself… It made sense why they got along. Also, only Taeil would make friends with his local barista, instead of someone he actually went to school with.
Taeil bought Doyoung a coffee, unfortunately. And yes, he could admit that it was better than he expected. But that didn’t mean he liked it.
After that Taeil took him around the campus as he promised. Bidding Jungwoo a goodbye, with the prospect of seeing him again, which in all honestly Doyoung was a bit apprehensive about doing.
***
Doyoung quickly found out that Taeil spent a lot of time at Aroma Mocha. Like, an unhealthy amount of time.
"You’re going to have a heart attack from all the caffeine," Doyoung commented one Saturday afternoon before Taeil left, knowing exactly where he was headed.
"You know they have other things there, like teas and smoothies? I’m not drinking coffee all that much more than a normal college student."
Doyoung hadn’t been back to Aroma Mocha since Taeil had brought him there the first day they moved in. Deciding he was content with being unsure about Taeil’s new friend forever.
"Why do you spend so much time there anyway? Do you have a crush on Jungwoo or something?" Doyoung added snickering.
"He’s just my friend you weirdo." Taeil chucked a pair of shoes at him, "I know you’re just going to sit around the apartment all day, come and hang out with me for a while. I’ll show you why I like it so much."
Doyoung huffed. This wasn’t what he had planned for his lazy Saturday. Frankly, this wasn’t what he had planned to do ever again.
When Taeil successfully dragged him to the café, after about 20 minutes of whining, Doyoung was surprised to see someone who wasn’t Jungwoo behind the counter.
"Hey Jaemin!"
Huh, Taeil knew him too? Surprising.
"What will it be today Taeil?!" the smiley barista boy responded. "Oh! Who’s your friend?"
"This is Doyoung! We’ve known each other for ages, but now he’s my roommate since he started at the university!"
Taeil and the boy, presumably Jaemin, chatted on for a while before they actually ordered and found a place to sit. Doyoung standing awkwardly to the side feeling left out of the conversation, dreading his decision to let Taeil win and bring him there.
"I mean I was surprised when you introduced me to one friend, but you have more?" Doyoung said after they had sat down, only slightly joking.
"Yeah! Well, I guess I’m kind of friends with everyone who works here because I come a lot. But really just Jungwoo. All the other guys are just part time high schoolers."
"Ahhh."
Doyoung was still confused as to why Taeil liked it here so much, but he could see it was like a small safe haven for him. Doyoung had been worried about Taeil when he said he wanted to go to a college that was hours away from their hometown. For as long as he could remember it had just been Doyoung and Taeil. Taeil being too shy and Doyoung finding it hard to make friends because of his slightly strong personality. So, he was genuinely happy that Taeil had made some friends, even if he wasn’t particularly fond of them.
Things had been busy for them the past two years, so they hadn’t been able to talk much being so far away from each other, plus Taeil wasn’t one for deep conversations either. The past few years Doyoung was kind of kept in the dark on what had been going on in Taeil’s life, having to settle for their phone conversations where Taeil insisted he was having a fine time and that he was very happy. But being able to see it with his own eyes really reassured him.
But at the same time, he felt a little left behind. He had been feeling this way ever since Taeil left for college, but he thought he was over it. He thought coming here wouldn’t make him feel like that ever again. Why was he all of a sudden worried?
"What’s wrong?"
Taeil’s words snapped Doyoung out of his thoughts.
"Nothing, what do you mean?" Taeil fiddled with his smoothie, trying to make it seem like he was fine, even though it probably looked like the complete opposite.
"You’re never quiet unless something is bothering you, so what is it?" Of course, as always, Taeil saw straight through his lies.
He honestly looked genuinely concerned, but Doyoung had never brought it up before how could he now?
"I’m just nervous about class starting Monday that’s all!" That wasn’t a complete lie at least…
"Don’t worry! You’ll get used to things within a week! Plus, you’ve got me!" Taeil responded, completely unaware of the fact that it was exactly what Doyoung needed to hear.
***
Strangely enough, Doyoung’s visits at Aroma Mocha increased. It started as Taeil dragging him there, claiming he needed to get out of the apartment more often. But after a while, he just started following Taeil. It became a habit for them to visit on the weekends and hang out or catch up on some homework before the week started.
But then Doyoung found himself going there on his own.
Taeil mentioned once that the place probably had some magical spell on it, bringing people back over and over. At the time he just laughed at him, but now he was starting to think that he might be right.
It was getting to the point that even before he walked in the door, they were making his drink, which was a strawberry smoothie, of course.
"I cannot believe I’m spending all my money here, I hate coffee!"
"Yeah but you never order coffee!" Jungwoo handed him his drink before he was even able to pay, "This one is on me today."
"You’re too nice Jungwoo… Your customers are going to take advantage of you. Aka me. You shouldn’t have given me a free drink, now I’ll expect one every day."
"But you’re not a customer."
What’s that supposed to mean? Doyoung gave him a weird look, clearly confused.
"You’re my friend dummy!"
He was half expecting him to add something about only being friends because he knew Taeil, but Jungwoo didn’t.
"Oh." Why was he blushing ?!
Over the past few months, Doyoung had warmed up to Jungwoo, as well as the other boys working there a bit. While he wasn’t at the café as often as Taeil, he was there enough to get to know them all a little better.
"But if you need a job to help pay for these smoothies, I could use some help! Plus, free drinks!" Jungwoo said excitedly.
"I think I spend enough time here already," Doyoung deadpanned.
"That’s fine too! We have a job posting board by the door too if you haven’t already checked that out!"
Apparently, Jungwoo was immune to Doyoung’s jabs, it always seemed like they went right over his head. His pure innocence was confusing, and Doyoung hardly believed that was all there was to him, but he was so dedicated to it. For some reason, however, he came to find it just as amusing as Taeil getting all worked up.
"Oh okay, I’ll check it out."
Truthfully Doyoung wasn’t serious about getting a job, his parents wanting him to focus on school his first year. But looking couldn’t hurt right?
Unfortunately, it did.
***
"I really like it Woo, and Taeil says I should go for it… but I’m worried. I need a second opinion!"
Doyoung had dragged Jungwoo aside one evening surprisingly looking for some advice. When he first met him, Doyoung was certain he would never see this day with his own two eyes. But he was desperate.
It had gotten slow enough in the café for Jungwoo to take a break, but that didn’t stop him from continuously looking over Doyoung’s shoulder to make sure the newly hired barista, Jisung, was doing okay on his own. Safe to say he wasn’t…
Because of this, Jungwoo had completely missed what Doyoung had said.
"Jungwoo! You’re closing in an hour, and there is literally no one in this place. He’s fine!"
Jungwoo focused back on Doyoung, "I’m sorry! I just honestly think I would feel better with no one behind the counter." Jungwoo chuckled before getting up to walk over to Jisung.
Doyoung had known Jungwoo for about three months now, and he was certain he had never heard him joke around before, so he was definitely taken aback. He wasn’t sure if he would be more surprised if he had been kidding or serious, as Doyoung was sure Jungwoo had never said something remotely offensive in his life. He was even more surprised when he looked over and saw Jungwoo telling Jisung to just go home for the night.
Doyoung gave Jungwoo a confused look, he honestly didn’t think he had been serious. Even more surprising was when Jungwoo walked over and turned the sign around and locked the door.
"There we go! Now we can talk with no distractions."
"Wow, closed the whole place down for me! Aren’t I special?" Doyoung said in his typical sarcastic tone.
"You are! You’re important, and I want to make sure I give you my full attention!"
Jungwoo always said things like this, like he wasn’t afraid of sharing exactly how he felt about people. Even if it was a little too mushy for most people. And he always said it in a way like it was just common sense to him like it was something you naturally would say all the time.
It was really different from how Doyoung usually spoke to his friends, as he was one to easily pick on others. Never expressing his feelings through words, but rather actions. So, when Jungwoo would say things like that it usually made him very flustered. He thought he would get used to it after a while, but honestly, he wasn’t sure if that was ever going to happen at this point.
Averting his eyes to try to hide a blush only worked so many times.
"Anyways… So, I really like working at the theater, I mean it makes sense I did plays here and there in high school, so that’s why I thought working there would be fun. But I think I like it a bit too much. A lot of the people who work there are Theater Art’s majors, and maybe that’s what I want to do too…"
"I think you should definitely try it out at the very least! Take a class or two next semester and see how you like them, then decide!"
Doyoung nodded, "Yeah that’s probably the best idea. I guess what I’m really worried about is what my parents will think. I don’t think they will be too happy with anything other than a medical, law, or business degree," he scoffed.
Jungwoo grabbed his arm across the table, "And that’s a bridge we can cross when you’ve officially decided! For now, you need to be sure, and then we can go from there!"
"We ?" Doyoung asked, genuinely confused. The question came out sounding a little too aggressive, and for a moment, forgetting to whom he was speaking, he worried he had hurt his feelings.
But it was Jungwoo sitting across from him. "Yeah! Of course, I know you have Taeil backing you up, but I’ll be here for you too! We care about you Doie, and we will help you every step of the way if you want!"
Oh.
Doyoung gave Jungwoo an awkward smile, feeling overwhelmed from his kind words.
Maybe he was unsure of how to accept this much raw support in his life, but maybe it was exactly what he had been needing.