Work Text:
Jongin impatiently checks his wristwatch. It’s 15 minutes left till closing time and he’s already excited to spend his Friday Night, sipping happy-hour cocktails in his favorite bar. He mentally lists down and picks the menu as he massages his tired calves. Though he’s been working as a chandelier store clerk for a year now, standing 8 hours every day in a room full of lamps will never sound exciting.
Jongin, looks around the medium-sized store, searching for his other colleague. He wonders if they can close the shop early tonight since people rarely visit their high-end store at this hour anyway.
But just as he walks towards the back room, the front doorbell chimes, signaling the arrival of a new customer.
“Good evening, how may I assist you to—“ his words falters as he takes a good look at the man in front of him.
A familiar pair of bushy brows, fair skin, jet black hair, and plump healthy lips. Kyungsoo looks as stunning as he did back in college. Except now, he can see the fine lines on the forehead and his shabby checkered shirt has been substituted with an elegant black suit. Kyungsoo looks like he belongs in Forbes's top 100.
“Jongin?” Kyungsoo says. Half-amused, half-surprised.
The store clerk feels so small in his cheap black and white formal fit. His voice almost cranks when he nervously replies, “Hi, hyung..”
Out of 365 days in a year, why would the universe make him face his ultimate forever crush today? Jongin internally sighs. Trying hard to not show how shitty he feels right now.
The silent stretches for a couple of seconds before Kyungsoo warmly continues the conversation “How have you been? We’ve never seen each other after I graduate college.. so it’s been.. what.. 9.. 10 years? It’s been a while!” His senior chuckles.
That’s true. They never have any sort of contact ever since Kyungsoo’s graduation day. This happens to also be the night when Jongin lets out a drunken confession to his best mentor/crush in a middle of a celebration party Kyungsoo invited him to. Jongin faintly remembers people staring at him, laughing their ass off while Kyungsoo sits there looking embarrassed as hell. The skinny junior pukes out of nervousness then runs away from the crowd afterward.
He never talks to any of his college friends ever since. Never responded to any of their texts. How could he? Kyungsoo and his friends might be disgusted by Jongin. He just hope Kyungsoo forgot about the incident that night.
Jongin can’t look at Kyungsoo in the eyes. Feeling like the worst loser that ever lives on planet earth.
“Y-yeah it’s been a while..” Jongin meekly replies, “um.. I’m working here now..”
Kyungsoo seems to catch Jongin’s embarrassment so he politely nods and excitedly says, “Then that makes you the expert in the room! So tell me Jongin, which one of these lamps are the best for a dining room?”
Ah Do Kyungsoo.. considerate as always. Jongin sighs in relief.
He starts to lead Kyungsoo through the mock-up area. Jongin’s tall figure crouches a little to avoid the hanging lamps on the low ceiling as he thoroughly explains every product he recommends. Kyungsoo looks at him in awe. He genuinely compliments Jongin about his knowledge of crystals and lights.
After a while, Jongin learns that Kyungsoo’s furnishing his new apartment and wanted something nice and pretty to light up the room.
After throwing a few hesitant questions, Jongin also learns that the senior is now the owner of a rising marketing agency. Jongin hums. They both graduated from the same college with the same degree yet the outcome are different.
He starts to feel insecure. Life hasn’t been easy for him when he moves out of town to live on his own. Jongin honestly doesn’t know where it all goes wrong.. his grades were decent, he’s an organized, reliable man.. yet after he graduated, finding a job feels like an impossible mission. He tried everything to survive. And after tons of failed interviews, he applies to work in a supermarket.. then at a retail store.. and now as a high-end store clerk.
Kyungsoo shares his preference and even showed Jongin a picture of his place for reference. Jongin immediately knows what to offer to match the interior design.
“Ah you’re right.. I think this one would look amazing on top of the dining table,” Kyungsoo says as his fingers delicately touch one of the crystals.
Jongin feels his heart soar with pride. But before he can let himself drown in happiness, he reminds himself of his place.
Kyungsoo is successful now. He must’ve had everything he wants. This little encounter with Jongin means nothing to him.
“I hope your wife would like it too..” he blurts out.
Kyungsoo turns his head and raises his eyebrows at Jongin.
“W-wife.. or husband.. or partner.. um.. I hope they’ll like it too..” Jongin stammers. He starts to look away from Kyungsoo again.
“Oh..” Kyungsoo softly says, “well.. I’m still on my own.. but I know my parents will like it too if they ever decide to make a visit.” Kyungsoo smiles.
Jongin feels the embarrassment creeping up from his toes to the top of his head.
“I’m sorry hyung.. It’s.. um.. I..” Jongin blinks rapidly, until a soothing hand caresses the side of his arm
“Hey.. it’s alright. No harm done.” The elder says reassuringly. “How about you? Anyone’s picking you up after work?” He continues as he walk around the facility.
“No..” Jongin answers..
‘I’m still hung up on you..’ he says to himself.
“Still spending my Friday nights alone, unfortunately..” Jongin chuckles to lighten the mood.
Kyungsoo hums as his cheek bunches up into a small smile.
“Are you free after this?” Kyungsoo asks casually, turning his face towards Jongin.
“W-what?”
“Have dinner with me? For old-time sake?” Kyungsoo offers politely.
Jongin can melt from the confidence and kindness Kyungsoo carries. He’s always been weak for the elder’s charisma 10 years ago and it seems like nothing has changed now.
“Sure..”
“Great.. Please don’t run away from me again, this time.” the elder fondly smiles.
Jongin feels his heart skips a bit.
Kyungsoo remembers.