Chapter Text
Byungchan only liked green grapes. Not the purple grapes or even a mix of them, just the green grapes. Chan wondered why his pet turtle had to be so specific with this particular fruit. And when they moved to South Korea, Chan thought Byungchan would be so distracted by the new surroundings that he wouldn’t mind the purple grapes he had bought. They were on sale! And now that Chan was living on his own, he tried to save money any way he could. But Byungchan couldn’t care less about that, he wanted his green grapes. Which is why Chan, the late evening before his first day on campus at Top Ta University, went to the store to buy green grapes for his stubbornly adamant turtle.
Chan stepped in a rain puddle as he turned the corner to stand at the intersection. Tons of people squished together as not many cared to be so close. It was different from Australia but Chan quickly grew accustomed to it and some other culture shocks even after living there for only 2 weeks.
"Please walk!"
The intercom spoke loud and clear and Chan quickly passed through the streets with his eyes focused on his destination. It was a warm day for early September, but Chan heard it got insanely cold here, so he was prepared for that day. Heavy winter coat, snug hat, isolated gloves and boots ready to go. He usually has a warm body temperature but he wasn’t about to risk being overly cold in a country he had never been to before. Today, he wore his usual, a black cut off t-shirt showing off his broad shoulders and proud muscles, black shorts reaching his knees, white and gray sneakers, and a dark blue beanie covering the top of his dyed light brown hair. And a white mask over his face.
He turned left onto another street and saw the grocery store. Stepping in he stopped and bowed to the greeter before continuing inside. Lightly jogging he found the fruit aisle and grabbed a bag of green grapes.
“5,100 won…..” he mumbled to himself.
And of course the purple grapes were 3,000 Won. Sighing he headed up to the counter to pay and then left the store.
And now, grocery shopping is officially done. I shouldn’t be back here for about ten days, he thought.
Chan had only been to this grocery store, a nearby clothing store, and the front entrance of the Top Ta just to practice the route there. The school was a short ten minute train ride and a five minute walk which Chan was happy about. His aunt and uncle really set him up with a good location to live in. However, other than those three places he didn’t explore much in the town.
The sun had finally set and now the sky was a purple and pink mixed with blue. Looking up at the sky, Chan smiled at it behind his mask.
If I rush now, I can make it back home and watch from my balcony as Byungchan eats!
Quickly Chan started to jog a bit before halting to a stop. Chan backed up and looked at the sign in chalk.
🧡❤️ NEW FLAVOR ❤️🧡
Pineapple, Mango, Strawberry, and Sprite POW!
Try our new drink today for only 4,000 Won! 💛
One sip and you’ll feel that Boom-Boom-Pow in no time!!!
“Hehehehehehehehehehehe!” Chan laughed quietly.
The reference alone made Chan really consider getting the drink.
But saving money…! He thought.
I mean yeah, but you have a student job, and it pays pretty well.
Do it do it do it do it do it!
Promising himself that this was the last time he would just spend his money before his first paycheck, Chan opened the door and was face to face with a brick wall.
“Huh?” Chan mumbled.
Looking around he saw by his feet a couple of stairs. He walked up the stairs and then came onto a second floor and the counter was way in the front.
Did I come in the wrong way? Chan thought.
Shuffling forward awkwardly Chan took in the shop; it had brick walls and tables with normal chairs but also corners of the room had comfy chairs. There was a nice bookshelf collection, windows so people could look out on the street, plants giving the room a refreshing feel, and people chatting away.
“Welcome, welcome friend!” said a young man behind the counter.
He bowed to Chan and Chan bowed back. Chan came up to the counter and gave the man an eye smile. The young man had dark blue hair that wasn't straightened all the way. He also wore a black shirt under his yellow apron and his biceps stood out. Chan saw he was taller than him. Only by a little. The man wasn’t wearing a mask so Chan saw how his cheeks got full when he smiled.
“Ah so you’ve made it! Welcome to the Back Door Smoothie Place. Authorized personnel only for the VIPs,” the young man said and winked.
“Back Door?”
“Yes, that’s our restaurant name. Are you new to the area?” he asked Chan.
Chan nodded. “Just moved here recently. I saw your sign outside and walked in. I thought I went through the wrong door.”
Chan sheepishly laughed.
“The Back Door is always the right door!” the man said, continuing with his speal.
“The owner of the place wanted something trendy and new to stand out from the other smoothie and snack shops. So he found this place, got it renovated, and made it seem you enter from the back door - like you have private access. Place got big and has stayed ever sense,” the worker explained.
“It definitely stands out,” Chan replied.
The man nodded and smiled again. “Now what can I get you today?”
“Oh! Right, the, um, the Pineapple, Mango, Strawberry, and Sprite POW please,” Chan said.
Changbin took off a piece of paper and wrote it down. “For here or to go?”
“To here -- I mean, to go!” Chan said.
The young man smirked a bit at Chan's fumble while writing it down. “To go it is. Can I have a name?”
Why do I have to fumble my words when ordering???
He pushed back his small embarrassment from rising to his ears. “Bang Chan.”
“Alright Bang Chan, it will be ready in a few minutes,” said the worker.
“Thanks...uh….”
The worker wore his apron but no name. Chan wanted to ask but then didn’t as maybe the dude didn’t want people to know his name. It’s hard to read people when you first meet them.
“Thank you very much,” Chan said instead.
The worker bowed and Chan went over to the side of the counter as another worker made his smoothie. Suddenly, a warm golden light floated in the store. The chatter died down and even the workers paused. The feeling felt like the sun's rays hitting the skin just right. Chan followed the warm light until he saw where it came from and frowned.
Oh. This again.
“Everyone...we have a new soulmate! We’re complete!” a boy said.
Automatically, adding to Chan’s sinking feeling in his stomach, each person in the room clapped for the group. There were five of them, really tall boys and a boy in the middle blushing with a huge grin on his face. The golden ray beamed from them as they were circled by red ribbon thread all tying together into one bow.
“Bang Chan!” the worker called out.
Chan turned and bowed to the worker and took his smoothie. He quickly walked past the boys trying to tune their happy smiles and cheers out of his mind. But trying doesn’t always mean succeeding.
“Beomgyu, you’re ours now. Forever,” he heard one of the boys quietly say to him.
Chan didn’t have to look back to know Beomgyu was happy to hear that. Didn’t have to look back to see them hugging the newest soulmate, holding hands, nuzzling and keeping him close refusing to let him go. The golden sun ray’s warmth let him know. And it felt like hot ice.
The outside air hit him like a wash of relief. Chan glanced back at the shop before heading down his path to go home. The sky was now just dark, getting ready for the night. And all Chan wanted to do is get home to his turtle and wipe his mind of the ray.
It’s inevitable that he has to constantly see that. People flaunting their red threads for everyone to see in celebration but to Chan it's a harsh reminder of the impossible. The golden ray feeling like sunshine to some but to him just a heavy weight he cannot bear to feel. And the smiles….
Chan roughly shook out his head and started to walk even faster. He came across his apartment building and dashed to the elevator to go to the 3rd floor. Chan put the key in the lock, opened the door, and shut it with force as he leaned against it taking deep breaths with his eyes closed. After a moment, Chan leaned off the door and went into his bedroom where Byungchan was waiting. The turtle slowly crossed his big tank walking away from the little pool to his sun lamp.
“Byungchan, I’m home!” Chan said.
The turtle, of course, didn’t respond but Chan liked to pretend it did.
“Hello Channie!” Chan said, voicing for the turtle. “Do you have my grapes? My mouth is parched from a long day taking steps.”
“Yes, yes. Here you go my king.”
Chan reached inside the tank and brought Byungchan onto his soft towel. He went into his shell for a bit but then popped his head out when he saw the grape.
“Go on, little one,” Chan whispered.
Taking his mighty fine time, Byungchan gobbled down one bite of the grape and smacked his lips. Chan cooed at him and stroked his shell.
“Tasty. Thank you Channie.”
“You’re welcome.”
Chan yawned while holding the grape and looked around the bedroom. It was a smallish bedroom but enough for one person. Chan really was happy with the place. The kitchen had a good oven, no dishwasher but who wants to pay extra in the water bill? The living room already had a couch and a small table. And there was a great view of his neighborhood. This would be his little home for his first year at school and it would do fine. Chan wished he could have a roommate or two or three or five or more but it was for the best if he lived alone. No need to connect with people more than the surface. It’s better for everyone if Chan stayed to himself.