Work Text:
Hyunjin loves his routine. He is the type of person who likes to plan everything in advance and stick to his schedule. His Google calendar is the worst nightmare of most of the population. Every day is almost the same. He wakes up at around 8 am, takes a quick breakfast, and goes to the gym for his daily workout. Taking care of his body is part of his contract, the one he signed three years ago with the biggest model agency in Seoul. Thanks to it, he learned to like exercising, eating healthy food, and avoiding drinking too much, especially before big shootings for luxury brands.
After his workout, he always goes to the same coffee shop on his way home. It’s a little space, not that crowded because a Starbucks is one block away, attracting a lot more people. Hyunjin likes the atmosphere of this coffee shop, the cozy ambiance, the paintings on the walls, and little inspirational quotes written on blackboards next to the counter. And because he is a regular here, he quickly became a recognized face among the employees, some of them even prepare his drink in advance because they know at what time he comes.
The blonde man really liked this coffee shop and the people working there. He always took time to discuss a bit with them, exchange banalities, and share with them funny stories about his work. His particular job and way of life always made people curious, and it was not like he was bragging. It was quite the opposite, to be honest, he loved narrating funny moments that happened to him, for example, this one time he had to shoot in a fountain and just fell in the water because he was dancing ridiculously and was not paying attention to his surroundings. His stories never involved staff or other models in a bad way, he respected everyone working with him too much for that.
However, a new employee arrived and tarnished this beautiful routine Hyunijin had. It was a little detail, almost everybody would just ignore it and go on with their life without even noticing it. But Hyunjin was attached to details. The new worker was a small man, with black hair, an incredibly muscular body, and a smile that could drive you insane. Honestly, Hyunjin had a bit of a crush on him when he noticed him the first days. He even tried to befriend the guy but it was impossible, he only managed to learn his name -Seo Changbin-. Every time the blonde tried to make a joke or ask casualties, he got a little “hmm” as a response. Frustrating.
But the most frustrating thing about this Changbin guy was that he seemed to be incapable of writing Hyunjin’s name right. Every day the black-haired man was working and serving the model, everything and nothing was written on the cup. Sometimes it was “Hyungjin”, “YunKjin” or even “Sojin”, other times he just doodled a figure or an animal. At first, Hyunjin took the time to point out the mistakes to the barista who just laughed a bit about it and excused himself, saying he was very sorry and won’t make the error again. He continued. It’s been two months. The blonde stopped trying to explain his name to Changbin and just took his cup every day without even reading what was written on it anymore.
Today was his last day in Seoul before a three-week shooting that will be taking place in New York. His flight was the next day at six am and he still needed to pack and take his dog to his best friend’s house, who will take care of it while he is away. This morning, he woke up earlier, took his breakfast earlier, and went to the gym earlier. It was 9 am when he entered the coffee shop that just opened. The room was empty, people only begin to come into the shop at around 11 am, mornings were very slow. Hyunjin sighed when he saw the only barista behind the counter and came in front of the checkout, ready to order.
Changbin looked at him, smiled. And just went back to drying the cups he had in front of him. Hyunjin looked around him as if another employee was going to arrive and take his order as if the black-haired was not the only person here with him. He mindlessly began to tap his fingers on the counter, creating a rhythm, showing his exasperation. Changbin did not move.
“Are you going to take my order? “
"Of course, I’ll be here shortly.”
Hyunjin sighed once again and took his phone out, scrolling on it while waiting. His manager was sending him reminder texts. No, he won’t forget his toothbrush, yes he packed several pairs of shoes. Well, he thinks so… He is not that sure. But he doesn’t really like to be babied so he just ignores the messages and opens Instagram. Time seemed to pass quickly because the second he looked up from his phone, a cup was on the counter and Changbin was behind the cash register. As always, he picks the cup without even looking at what the barista had written on it and takes his wallet out.
“It will be 13,000 won, please.”
“Now what the fuck.”
Three years. In three years you have the time to memorize exactly how much your drink costs every day. You can even memorize the entirety of the menu the shop proposed. In three years, Hyunjin memorized that his iced americano costs 3,000 won precisely. Where do the 10,000 won added to it come from?
“What did you put in this cup?”
“It’s an iced americano, as usual, why?”
The tone Changbin was using was making Hyunjon go crazy. The barista was smiling like he never did before, his hands pressed on the counter, revealing how muscular his arms were under the black t-shirt he was wearing. In other circumstances, Hyunjin would be drooling at this sight. Right now he was just angry. Changbin was making fun of him, it was clear. And Hyunjin hated that. He put the cup back on the counter and crossed his arms in front of him, just like a child would do.
“Why do you want me to pay that much for a 3,000 drink?”
“Oh, so you really never read what I wrote on all these cups. What an ink waste.”
“What?”
Hyunjin was looking at Changbin with incomprehension in his look. What the fuck was he talking about? Why would he take time to look at how the barista would mangle his name every day, it’s just a waste of time. Changbin just smirked and pointed the cup with his chin, inviting Hyunjin to read it. The blonde carefully turned the cup and frowned when he read what was written on it.
Proposition of date nº12.
If you ignore it I’ll make you pay 15,000 won for the drink.
“You wanted me to pay 13,00 won, not 15,000”
“I’m a nice guy.”
Hyunjin let out a laugh and took the cup in his hand, observing the message once more.
“All this time you asked me out on the cups?”
“No, the first times I really messed up your name because I was new and your voice is very quiet. And it made you talk to me to correct me. One day I began doodling portraits of you or even song lyrics on it for you to ask me about it. I guess you never read those. After a while, I just alternated between date propositions and silly jokes.”
“I tried to talk to you at the beginning though! You ignored me.”
“I’m a shy person, and you are very intimidating Hwang Hyunjin.”
“So, you know my name.”
Changbin smirked at Hyunjin once again. The blonde man was flustered. The cute yet annoying barista had a crush on him? And he ignored all his previous propositions? At this moment, Hyunjin was relieved nobody was there, he wouldn’t have supported the looks people could have given him. He just decided to take his credit card out and gesture it in front of the barista.
“Make me pay the original price of the drink.”
“No, you haven’t responded to my proposition. 13,000 won please.”
“I am free tonight, I’m leaving for three weeks tomorrow. Where will you take me?”
It was Changbin’s turn to get all red and fix his gaze on the counter in front of him. He bites his lip, not expecting this response from the blonde boy. That was the thing, Changbin had the biggest crush on Hyunjin since the beginning. He was taking morning shifts are the coffee shop almost every day just to see the blonde. But he was a regular college student who had to manage a part-time job to pay rent and his studies. Hwang Hyunjin was the guy we see on ads all over the country and even abroad. Changbin did not lack confidence, not at all, but he knew when he had to be realistic. He stuttered some intelligible words and just closed his mouth to gather his thoughts. This was his chance. And what’s the worst thing that could happen? They could not click and Changbin just would have to begin taking night shifts, the problem would be solved instantly. The best that could happen? They’d fall in love with each other and Changbin becomes the happiest man on this earth. Yeah, it was worth taking the risk. He takes back the cup and gets a pen out of his apron, quickly writing on it, then hands it back to the blonde man.
“I have classes until 7 pm tonight, would 9 be okay with you? Text me and I’ll send you the location. Put back your card in your wallet, the drink’s on the house today.”
Hyunjin’s gaze goes from the cup to Changbin then back to the cup and to Changbin again. He needs to process everything, and it will probably take him some time. Slowly, he nods and spins to face the exit of the coffee shop, frowning to himself. Nothing seems real right now. He begins to walk about, and just before passing the door, he looks at Changbin for the last time this morning.
“I’ll make up for these eleven failed date proposition Seo Changbin, I promise.”