Work Text:
to say that jaehyuk is royally pissed is an understatement. the sole reason for this is the long ass line of customers in his favorite coffee shop, well not really his favorite but the one where he regularly buys his coffee because of its cheap price. the line was due to a sale and the shop was offering a free bagel.
jaehyuk's morning doesn't start until he's had his coffee. he did not have any other choice but to buy from the cafe across the street because he'd rather spend a few more bucks than wait for his hair to turn gray while standing in that line. jaehyuk entered delight cafe and was welcomed with a serene atmosphere and chill music playing on the speakers. there were a few customers but rather empty compared to the other one. he went straight to the counter and noticed that no one was manning it. he looks up at the menu and internally recites a few curses in his head because of the prices displayed. a few cups of coffee in this cafe would last him a week if he'd spend it on the cafe from across. he was startled when someone suddenly emerged from the counter. and boy was he even more startled when the said someone was actually a prince from a royal family - kidding, he wasn't. jaehyuk just haven't had his morning coffee yet. but he is indeed handsome.
"oh, sorry about that. good morning, sir! may i take your order?" the man said while dusting off his apron. jaehyuk could barely understand what the man is saying because he's busy drooling over him because man, how is it legal to have a face like that? handsome is an understatement. gorgeous, he is gorgeous. he has a fair skin, his eyes are bright it reminds jaehyuk of sunlights. his nose is small and sharp and beautiful - if that's even possible. and his lips, his damn lips. jaehyuk wonders if it would taste as sweet as the cakes displayed in the store.
"sir, excuse me? are you okay? can you zone out somewhere else, because you're staring straight to my face and it's getting uncomfortable." jaehyuk was sent back to reality when the barista waves his hand infront of his face. he wasn't even able to process the snarky remarks that had just been said.
"oh, sorry about that. you know, morning zoning and all." jaehyuk said with an awkward laugh in between. dang, that was embarrassing and awkward. he mentally slapped himself for that.
"can i have a double shot mocha latte with whipcream, please."
"double shot mocha latte with whipcream. may i have your name, sir?" the barista said as he punched jaehyuk's order.
"it's jaehyuk."
after paying for his order, he proceeded to one of the tables by the window and looked at the cafe from across. the line is still long and if jaehyuk chose to get in that line, he would probably be passed out now due to lack of caffeine - again, just exaggerating things because he haven't had his morning coffee yet.
jaehyuk took his ipad out to check his schedule for today. he's got a lot of work because his boss moved the deadline for his proposals by the end of the week. jaehyuk works in advertising and has a very strict boss who also happens to be his friend ㅡ jihoon. the said boss may be his playful and cheeky friend but he takes work very seriously. he is frantic about the proposals because they got a big time client this time and they have no room for mistakes.
the coaster vibrated signalling that his order is ready. he got up from his seat and went straight to the counter.
"here's your order sir. thank you and come again." jaehyuk took the cup from the barista's hand. and boy he swears he felt his fingers lowkey brushed against the barista's. jaehyuk felt his cheeks turn red at the interaction. he didn't even look at the barista's face and went straight to the door. we get it, jaehyuk. you're a panic gay.
he took a sip from his cup but he noticed one thing ㅡ his name is spelled wrong. the cup says jeyook (제육). his face automatically fell into an annoyed look. this is where he believes that nobody is indeed perfect. the prince-like barista is incapable of spelling his name right but does that bother him? no? well yes, maybe. but will he come again tomorrow to get his coffee from this overly expensive cafe where a very gorgeous barista works? definitely yes.
he just realized that he forgot to take a look at the barista's name tag. he made a mental note to do that first thing tomorrow.
ㅡ
the next morning, jaehyuk woke up late and he blames it on his brother junghwan for keeping him late at night to help with his homeworks. jaehyuk's life isn't his alone, he wakes up every morning with a mission of fulfilling his role as a brother and a parent to junghwan. sure, it gets frustrating sometimes but he never complained. junghwan is a very adorable child and jaehyuk does his best to be a parent to him since he never got to meet their real parents before they passed away.
the street is much busier today and everyone seems to be in a hurry. but if jaehyuk believes in one thing, it would be it's better to be late with a cup of coffee in your hand than to be just simply late at all. it doesn't make sense at all but he's late already so he might as well get his coffee first.
unlike yesterday, jaehyuk went straight to delight cafe and notice that there were a few more customers than yesterday. fortunately, there was no line in the counter. all of today's misfortunes have slipped off jaehyuk's mind when he was welcomed by the same gorgeous barista from yesterday. he's wearing a cap today which jaehyuk thinks is a uniform and he noticed one more thing ㅡ the guy has an earring on his left ear. damn! handsome barista has piercings? could he get even hotter? he remembered the note he made yesterday and took a quick glance at the barista's nametag ㅡ asahi. quite a unique name. it's the first time he encountered a three-syllable name in this country.
"good morning, sir! may i take your order?" the barista asahi doesn't smile and jaehyuk thinks he must be annoyed of him because of yesterday.
jaehyuk said his order and stayed in front of the counter because he cannot afford to wait a few minutes because he is very late already. jihoon would shower him with curses as soon as he step into the office. his order didn't take long and he managed not to blush when getting his cup from the barista's hand.
his mind keeps telling him that he's late to work and he's dead if he doesn't get to office in ten minutes so he didn't have time to spoil himself with staring at asahi's face. he went out and took a cab immediately. he looked at the cup in his hand and saw the name written on it ㅡ jaeyoo (재유) and unlike his reaction yesterday, this time jaehyuk flashed a smile.
he got to the office in no time and was welcomed by a raging little panda boss jihoon (seriously, he looks like a cute panda when he's not in his moody boss pants).
"good mor-" his morning greeting was interrupted by jihoon.
"don't you dare greet me a good morning, yoon jaehyuk. you are thirty minutes late for god's sake! that's theft don't you think? we are only few weeks away from the presentation day. are you slacking because you know you'll get away easily because i've known you since you were in your diapers?" alright, jihoon has to take his chill pill.
"hey, didn't i just pass you the proposal yesterday and didn't you say it was perfect and does not need any alterations and revisions?" jaehyuk said as he side-eyed his other office mate hyunsuk who's currently having a battle with the copier.
"right. i'm sorry. my mind is all over the place because of the presentation." jihoon took a big sigh and slightly loosened up his tie which is kinda hot if you ask me jaehyuk.
"look, i know this is a big project and the pressure weighs heavy on your shoulder but you gotta take it lightly, hyung. everything is almost done already. we're gonna do great. and of course you are too." sometimes, what people need is affirmation. to let them know that they're doing just fine and they don't need to pressure themselves into being perfect all the time. jihoon hyung is one of those people so jaehyuk has to remind him from time to time.
"thanks, jaehyuk. let's eat pork belly later with junghwan and jeongwoo."
"call. but you're paying."
jihoon's head tilted in curiosity. he noticed the name written in jaehyuk's cup.
"how could people even mispell your name? that's like the fifth most common name in the country." jihoon snorted.
jaehyuk scoffed. "coming from someone named jihoon? there's literally three jihoons in this building. also, right? it's so cute right? the way he mispelled my name. even his handwriting is cute! and he has ear piercings too! that's like the hottest shit in the planet." he said and dreamily smiled.
"okay, you gotta tell me who this unlucky bastard is later. for now, stop vomitting cringey words and get to work already." jihoon said and immediately rescued hyunsuk from his biggest opponent ㅡ the copier.
--
a month has passed and jaehyuk has become a regular customer at delight cafe. it has become his routine to start his day with his expensive coffee which the taste justifies it's price in all fairness. some days, asahi mans the counter and there are days when his shift is taken by another barista named mashiho.
despite his undeniably fat crush on asahi the barista, he hasn't made any move yet to woo the said boy.
"dude, i'm telling you, there's no way he's not into you. you'd be stupid not to think so. i bet he's just waiting for your slow ass to ask him out!" said his friend jihoon.
jaehyuk isn't stupid. of course he thinks asahi might be into him but he has been busy the past few weeks and he's actually enjoying their little charade. it's already been a month and jaehyuk has seen every way of getting his name misspelled - jeyoo, jeyook, jihyeok, jehyuk, and even jaehyun.
it's fine, i can be anyone he wants me to be. although i would prefer it if i become his instead.
it's saturday morning and jaehyuk's schedule is free from any work related stuff. their presentation has gone well and their big client was beyond satisfied with their plans and strategies. he, along with his office mates who worked for the said project, was given a week off as a reward. more than anyone, jaehyuk deserves this break, he has worked his ass off day and night and even brought work at home.
unlike any other day, jaehyuk is wearing casual clothes today - black jeans, a white hoodie and a denim jacket over it. he entered the cafe and was surprised to see asahi on the counter. usually, on saturdays, mashiho is in-charged of the counter so he figured that saturdays are asahi's day off.
"good morning, sir! may i take your order?" asahi said and jaehyuk didn't miss how the barista's eyes quickly scan his body - his clothes.
"yes, the usual please. double shot-"
"double shot mocha latte with whipcream, yes i got it sir." asahi said as he flashed a cute smile. a smile!! asahi smiled! at him!
jaehyuk could buy all the coffees in the menu if that means he would see asahi's smile everyday. asahi is pretty and he got a pretty smile too. his eyes sparkle when he does, it reminds jaehyuk of moonlight.
still with a hint of shock on his face, jaehyuk gave his card to the barista and waited for his order. not long after, asahi came back with jaehyuk's order in his hand.
asahi is still smiling as he placed the cup on top of the counter. as jaehyuk was about to get the cup, he noticed something. unlike any other day, his name isn't misspelled ㅡ actually there's no name written on the cup but instead there is a series of number.
010-9472-*** no way. no fucking way did asahi give his number to jaehyuk.
"i ran out of ways of misspelling your name so i gave my number instead. i don't know if you're too densed or just plain stupid, but if you still aren't aware of it, i kinda like you and you can call me on that number. i am free tomorrow and i don't drink coffee." shock. shock is an understatement. jaehyuk is flabbergasted. he is unable to process what asahi just said. he cannot believe this is happening. asahi ㅡ the gorgeous barista guy from an overly expensive cafe who he's been pining after for a month already, is actually asking him out!
"so?" asahi raised his eyebrow, waiting for the customer to answer. there was a pause, jaehyuk can't make up words to come out of his mouth.
"uhm, my name is actually spelled j-a-e-h-y-u-k." holy hell! of all the possible things he could say in this situation, his stupid brain really chose this one! what in the world?
asahi let out a chuckle. holy shit! every single thing he does is hot! "you should know by now that i am fully aware of that."
"oh right. cool. yes. number. cool cool cool. dinner tomorrow?" confirmed. jaehyuk is the embodiment of awkward and a panic gay. that gained another chuckle from asahi. "alright. enjoy your day sir."
jaehyuk went home with a wide grin on his face. he just scored a date with the prettiest barista in town!
"can you please stop doing that?" junghwan, who is sitting on couch playing his switch, said in an annoyed tone.
"stop what?" jaehyuk said, still smiling while dusting off the center table.
"stop with the creepy smile! i'm so close to yeeting you out of the window. what happened? why got you so smiley and giddy and whatever state you're in right now?" the younger stopped playing and put his switch down to focus on his brother.
"nothing, i'll tell you later. but for now, help me choose an outfit. come on!" jaehyuk tugs his brother's arm.
--
sunday came and it's the day of jaehyuk's date with asahi. he arrived at the restaurant ten minutes earlier than their agreed time. he barely slept last night after his brief message exchange with asahi. jaehyuk is sporting a printed white shirt paired with fitted jeans and his favourite boots completing his outfit. he wanted to go for the simple and comfy yet screams boyfriend look which is a contrary to what junghwan told him to wear.
he sat down and looked at his watch. he's a nervous wreck, his palms are clammy and he can't stop himself from bouncing his legs out of nervousness.
jaehyuk has done several important presentations but he never got this nervous. he had been on a few dates but this one is different.
he took a sip on his water and just that moment, asahi comes in the restaurant. he's wearing a customized denim jacket with white shirt underneath paired with jeans. he looks dashing and fashionable and cute all at the same time. jaehyuk thought maybe, the gods really have their favorites and it's asahi.
"hi." asahi greeted him as he sat down infront of jaehyuk.
jaehyuk clears his throat. "hi uhm i hope you like japanese food?" he asks.
"i'm actually japanese." asahi replies with a smile. seeing asahi this close is like a dream for jaehyuk, he's even seeing him smile which is very rare to see. asahi has cute little teeth and a very pretty smile.
"really? why didn't you tell me?"
"you didn't ask." asahi shrugs.
the two of them ordered their food and started talking. they got to know a lot about each other. jaehyuk learns that asahi doesn't drink coffee but works in a cafe because of his cousin yoshinori who owns the place. he has been in korea for three years already but barely knew the country because he's busy working part time and making music. another thing he learned about the boy is that he makes music for a living. he produces and arranges music and sell them to music companies and artists. asahi is actually pretty popular too.
the night fell deeper as the two become closer with each other. when their date ended, jaehyuk offers to walk asahi home. on their way to asahi's house, jaehyuk realized one thing - he wasn't nervous at all. earlier today, he felt that he could pass out from nervousness of meeting asahi but now that he actually met him and got to know him, he felt comfortable for some reasons. he's not nervous nor self-conscious. it's like there is a familiar feeling when he's with asahi.
jaehyuk can't believe that he just spent the whole day with asahi. asahi, the one who motivates him to wake up early in the morning. the one who makes him stay in the cafe longer than he intended to just to watch him get orders and make coffee. asahi, the handsome barista who once spilled coffee on a customer and argued that it was not his fault (in his defense, the customer was rude so he saw it coming) asahi, the protagonist of his day dreams. asahi, the pretty boy who can't spell his name correctly.
"alright, this is me." asahi said when they stopped infront of an apartment complex.
"oh. alright." jaehyuk smiles. he has been all day.
"can i say something but you should promise me you're not gonna cringe or anything." asahi says as he stares right into jaehyuk's eyes.
"promise." jaehyuk folds his fingers and reach out his pinky finger infront of asahi.
asahi completes the pinky promise and mutters, "i like your smile, so much."
jaehyuk's face flushes at the interaction. his smile became wider as he felt a tingling feeling in his chest. asahi on the other hand is also blushing, he has been wanting to say those words to jaehyuk the first time they met.
"and i like you." jaehyuk did not expect those words to come out of his mouth. he may be thinking out loud again but then again, he thought that maybe it is the right moment to confess, after all, he's been pining after asahi for a month already.
asahi smiles at jaehyuk's reply. he retrieves his hand and steps nearer to jaehyuk. he places a light peck on the other's cheek as whispers a sweet good night to him. he felt so much embarrassment from what he did so he ran quickly inside the building.
jaehyuk is frozen. his mind is empty, no thoughts running, just a certain cute barista who just kissed him goodnight. he smiles at himself and dances out of glee. he got interrupted from his celebratory dance when his phone pings a notification.
from: handsome barista
stop dancing like an idiot and go home already. goodnight, jaehyuk.