Chapter Text
Johnny heaved a huge sigh as he finished reading over the last folder on his desk, putting his signature down on the corner. He checked the inbox of his email for any articles or pieces that needed his urgent attention once again before getting up from his seat after what felt like hours. It was already dark out and the office was practically empty except for a few who were doing overtime and his secretary. Taeyong was a blessing in disguise and one of the very few people he found solace in. He rolled up his sleeves taking a look at his watch and instantly cursing at himself as he hurriedly made his way to the elevator saying a quick goodbye to Taeyong on the way.
He had promised Kun he would meet him and Yuta today. Johnny was always busy with either work, household chores or taking care of his kids. He rarely had enough time for himself, Kun and Yuta being his closest friends they were understandably concerned about him reaching burnout in his early thirties. Johnny dropped his kids off at his moms house on the day before for the weekend. Even though he had to work the weekends he agreed to spend time with his best friends, relaxing and having fun amongst themselves.
He was only about an hour late but he knew he had a huge lecture coming his way. He entered the dimly lit bar that used to be one of their usual hang out spots in their roaring twenties. The unfamiliarity of the place was astonishing, the place looked much different than what he remembered that being said he hadn't come to this place in over 4 years. He found Kun sitting at a table, while Yuta was near the bar hitting on a woman he most probably didn't even know the name of.
"You're late" Kun said taking a sip from the bottle of beer in his hand.
"I know, I'm sorry. I just got held up at work." Johnny said taking a seat beside Kun.
"I'm just worried about you" Kun said massaging the back of Johnny's neck. It was evident just how tired he was with the way he leaned in to the touch, letting himself relax for the first time that day.
"I'm going to get myself a drink" Kun nodded as Johnny made his way towards the bar, his eyes briefly landing on Yuta who threw him a wink before leaving the place with the girl beside him. He was glad at least his friends were living their lives to the fullest. He loved his life, he loved his job and he loved his kids, it's just that sometimes he wishes his youth wasn't cut short.
"What can I get you?" someone says from his right making him look towards the person that had voiced it.
"Scotch on the rocks" Johnny said admiring the soft yet sharp features on the shorter male.
"Classy" the brunette said grabbing a bottle from the counter pouring some into a scotch glass.
"I'm ten by the way." He added sliding the drink towards him.
"As in.."
"The number, yeah." Ten answered quite used to the common question.
"I'm Johnny" Johnny took a sip of the drink in his hand as he watched a small smile appear on ten's lips.
"Wait let me guess Canadian, no wait American" Ten said in perfect English as he turned his attention towards Johnny.
"That is correct." Johnny said seeing the smile on ten's face grow having guessed right.
"Where are you from?" Johnny asks downing the rest of the drink in the glass before sliding it back to ten to refill.
"Thailand" Ten said giving him his drink.
"What brought you to Korea?" Johnny asks his friends long forgotten. It had been a while since he had spoken in his native language, with an adult that is.
"Studies. I'm a third year law student, I just work here part time to... sustain I guess" Ten says catering to some of the other customers while simultaneously talking to Johnny.
"What about you?" Ten asked clearing up the spills of drinks on the counter.
"I'm an editor at Avant Garde-korea." Johnny said finishing his second drink starting to feel the effect of it. He wasn't used to drinking alcohol as much as he used to be.
"They must really overwork you huh?" Ten said eyeing the empty glass of scotch that he had chugged in one go.
Johnny was suddenly reminded of his friends, he looked back to see Kun no longer sitting by the table and Yuta was nowhere to be seen either. He looked back at the smiling face of Ten, he couldn't tell if it was just the intoxication but he could swear Ten was one of the most beautiful people he'd met.
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Johnny opened his eyes to see ten's face only a few inches away from his own smiling down at him as he shook his shoulders. Johnny squeezed his eyes and brought a hand up to his eyes to cover them when ten moved away from his line of sight letting the rays of sun hit Johnny's face directly. His head felt like it was about to split open because of the immense thumping in it.
"Sorry, I didn't want to wake you up but I actually have to leave right now." Ten said looking at Johnny sympathetically.
"What.... Where am I?" Johnny asked rubbing the side of his head trying to take in the small and semi-tidy studio apartment.
"You kind of got really drunk last night and I didn't want to leave you there alone so I brought you to my house. I live just a couple of blocks away from the bar." Ten said grabbing a bottle of water, handing it to Johnny.
"I'm sorry for all of this" Johnny apologized as he took a sip of the water, feeling some of the dryness in his mouth disappear.
"No, really it's okay" ten said picking up his back pack from the floor.
"Who has classes on a Sunday?" Johnny asked looking at a completely dressed Ten.
"Well it's not a class, I have a moot" Ten said looking over at the confused expression on Johnny's face before adding "A debate" Johnny nodded taking another swig of the bottle feeling a little less light headed.
"I need to leave, but feel free to stay as long as you want"
"You're just going to let a stranger stay in your house?" Johnny asked perplexed as to why Ten was being this sweet to him.
"Well you don't seem threatening and I'm pretty sure a man with a BMW isn't going to rob a broke bartender." Ten exclaimed throwing Johnny his car keys that were on the living room table.
"Um.. thank you, Ten" Johnny said squeezing his eyes shut as another wave of pain shot through his head.
"You're welcome, Johnny"
"Just tell my next door neighbor to lock my door when you leave. He has a spare key." Ten added making his way out of the apartment, waving at Johnny as he closed the door behind him.
Johnny fell back on the skewed mattress letting his eyes close for a brief moment, ignoring the ringing of his phone in his pocket.
◌
It was already dark outside when Ten stepped into his apartment. He switched on the lights absentmindedly as he went over to his fridge to grab a beverage. He took out a can of coke drink taking a swig of it when his eyes landed on the notepad stuck to his fridge which he had bought to keep track of the groceries he needed. He took the piece of paper in his hand looking at the impeccable writing with which a simple Thank you and a phone number was scribbled onto the pink note.