Chapter Text
A winter morning, brought two lonely, broken souls together. Park Jimin had been working tirelessly, dealing with his unhappy customers who complained about the bad wilted flowers and left him frustrated. Kim Seokjin was just fired from his third job that week. He needed money and he knew nothing other than making the best coffee in his hometown.
The season was harsh this time. It was snowing heavily and blocked the roads which was why the government announced a one day lockdown so that the situation could be controlled. Jimin was thankful because he would finally get to rest after a tiring month and his extra work he did on weekends, while on the other hand, Seokjin had no other choice but to stay home, starving. It has been hard for him since he dropped out of college due to extreme anxiety and change in personality. He's struggling to strive hard but he did not give up. He keeps looking for jobs, gets accepted, works and gets fired for his timid behavior that is unpleasant to customers.
"Literally, fuck them." Seokjin says to himself, laying on the couch. "Why do I even need to please them? Do they come for coffee or-" He cuts himself off and smacks his head. "Ah, you're the problem Seokjin, no one else. Nothing else. Maybe they don't understand why someone who seems good looking, is so pathetic in real life. Haha, who are you kidding Seokjin-ah it's you It always has been." And the boy started sobbing. "I'm so hungry~" He tried to speak and fell asleep a few minutes later.
"Jimin, there's someone outside waiting, look." The orange haired boy turns and sees a tall figure standing in front of his shop. He squints his eyes and passes his incomplete piece of arrangement to his friend as he went out of the shop and stood beside the tall boy.
"May I help you, yong man?" Asked Jimin, looking upwards towards the sky as the boy beside him did the same. Jimin noticed how the unknown guy has hollow cheeks and thin figure, as if he had been starving.
"Foo- uh, I heard you were looking for someone who can set up a vendor and make coffee outside your shop?" The hoarse, dry voice took Jimin by surprise and he focused his attention onto the boy beside him.
"Ah, yes, I am looking for someone like that." Jimin started.
"I can do it, please take me in, I make very good coffee.." Jimin's eyes widened hearing the broken request from the boy.
"I- um, sir, I will have to-"
"Oh I'm so sorry, must've slipped my mind, here, my work portfolio, I've worked in the top cafes of Busan." Jimin nodded, taking the file and going through it. He noticed something was very common in all them. He was fired, the boy but the reason wasn't stated clearly. Jimin was lost in his thoughts, what if this guy wasn't as good as he says and what must he have done to be fired from all those places? He decided to ask the guy who had his hands behind his back, spine straight and eyes down.
He looks like he has good manners, though. Jimin thought.
"May I ask you something, Mr... Ah, yes, Mr. Seokjin? If, perhaps you don't mind?" Jimin said in a polite manner. Seokjin nodded. "Yes, sure. Please, go ahead."
"Come inside, Seokjin-ssi." As Jimin said, Seokjin followed him inside the shop.
"Mr. Park, your shop is really beautiful, sweet and spacious.." Jimin smiled and nodded, satisfied.
Jimin recalled the time when he had nothing to start from. Two dollars in his pocket and he walked to Seoul for three days to get to work at the best flower selling shop there. he had those two dollars for food. His boss was a very kind man and brought Jimin left overs from his hose so that Jimin could work well or else the boy would've starved to death. Three years of hard work and training, Jimin finally had the money to set up his own flower shop. The best flowers in Busan in just a few years. Jimin believed in the power of hard work and never giving up which was why he was here, today. A 26 year old who ran the most beautiful shop in Busan. Of course, Jimin never forgot about his old boss and made sure to send him 30% of his monthly income for him and his children. The old man was a father figure to him which Jimin, in real life never had. An orphan he was the poor boy, yet, he was enough of a hard worker to be known by his and his name name only.
"Seokjin-ssi, I noticed the common thing about your work places, you were fired from them but there's no reason. This question may seem blunt and invasive but I can't just hire anyone, right?" Jimin tried to be as polite as possible. He noticed the guy in question seem uncomfortable but he ignored it.
"Sir, actually, I-I have severe anxiety and minor depression, I cannot.. I cannot interact with a lot of people unless absolutely necessary.." Jimin hummed after Seokjin stopped.
"Isn't your work important though?" Seokjin looked up, eyes wide at the sudden claim. He knew he should have put some reason for being fired he knew he should have done something about it. His head was hanging low as he nodded. "I, I am sorry Seokjin-ssi, I shouldn't have said this if it made you uncomfortable."
"No, Mr. Park, you are actually right.. And I am working on myself for that. I'd understand if you can't hire me because I can't talk with the customers with a smile on my face, start up a conversation with them so if you'd give me a few months, I'll do everything I can to be able to get out of this phase." Seokjin said with a tight lipped smile.
"Seokjin-ssi, I-" Seokjin nodded and turned away, walking to move out. "Seokjin-ssi, listen please. I really didn't mean to. I am really sorry. It is just that I have trust issues and as I am a man who built this whole on my own, I want the best for this place and the people who come here. Please don't get me the wrong way, it's just me being protective about my work."
"I truly understand that Mr. Park and I am very inspired by you. Thank you for giving me a chance. I will take my leave." This time, his smile was more genuine.
But Park Jimin had truly fucked up.