Work Text:
Midday sun filters through the cafe windows, glinting off the chrome of the counter and the gold plant pots dotted around the space. Dark wood decorates the floor leading into white walls, leaving an airy impression. Taehyung feels a bit like a storm cloud trying to suck the positivity from those around him, dark circles under his eyes and a wide yawn threatening to take over his face.
It’s a Wednesday. A Wednesday of a rubbish week with Taehyung dragging his feet, tired and waiting for the weekend. Too many customers yelling about things out of his control, complaints to be fielded, stock to go out and go missing. Taehyung rubs his eyes, moving ahead one in the queue. The bell on the cafe door dings behind him as someone new comes in, queueing up after Taehyung.
Specials for the week are plastered on boards standing on the cafe counter. Taehyung was already planning on picking up a pastry as a treat to make it through the rest of the day, and then Thursday and Friday. He skims the offers, pausing when a pink and red tinged poster catches his attention.
Half Price For Couples!
Get 50% off when ordering with your loved one, this week only!
Applies to ALL food and drinks except those already in offers.
Half price is a really good deal. There’s still two weeks until payday, and even though Taehyung is sitting comfortably for the month... half price is a really good deal. But Taehyung is here on his own, with no one to come back with. This feels discriminatory against sad singles that have no time to find someone. Taehyung huffs, looking to the side, catching the view of the person behind him out of the corner of his eye.
They’re looking the other way, unaware of Taehyung’s curious gaze. Very cute, fluffy black hair falling over his face, big eyes and a lip piercing. Taehyung doesn’t really have a type, but this guy could be it. His tired brain starts whirring, coming up with a plan. Unfortunately, tired brain doesn’t necessarily equal a good plan.
Taehyung reaches back, grabbing the man’s hand and winding it in his own. He ignores the startled cry and drags him closer.
“We’re a couple now. I want that discount.”
“E-excuse me?”
“Shh. What’s your name? Do you want to go with fake names or real ones?”
He turns his head, smiling. This guy really is attractive, Taehyung got lucky that he came in next. Not that it would matter, anyone can pretend for a few minutes for a whole fifty percent off, but what a jackpot for Taehyung to hit.
“I don’t know you!”
“That’s a terrible way to act with your boyfriend. They’ll never believe us if you say that. I’m Taehyung, by the way. Real name.”
The guy roughly shakes their hands, trying to pull away. Taehyung keeps a hold on, stepping forward in the queue. They’re getting closer, he needs this guy to stop playing around.
“I’m not giving you my name, let go of my hand!”
“Quieter, please, they’ll hear you. And then we won’t get the discount.”
The man looks hurriedly between Taehyung and the sign. The bell rings behind them, signalling someone else coming in. “You have to be joking. Just buy your food and stuff, don’t get me involved. Can I have my hand back, please?”
“Oh, you’re right. Holding your elbow could work too. Can I get a name please?” He lets go, wrapping a hand around the guy’s elbow before he can escape. “That’s a really good discount! Just be my boyfriend.” The guy huffs, staring at the hand. “If you want it back we can hold hands again.”
“No, I- I don’t want that. Ff... my name is Jungkook. Will you leave me alone once we’ve ordered?”
Finally. Taehyung gives him a sleepy grin. Wow, he is just so pretty, maybe Taehyung could ask him out for real after this. They shuffle forward, one more person till they’re at the front.
“Perfect. See, the allure of a good discount. Come on, you’ve got to be a good boyfriend to me.”
“I don’t know anything about you.”
“Well, that’s because you’re a bad boyfriend! You’re meant to ask me questions.” Taehyung looks Jungkook over properly. An oversized hoodie that goes down halfway over his hands, Taehyung hadn’t realised how much he had been fighting fabric just to grab his fingers. Big clompy boots, everything swamping him. Taehyung smiles, more earnest this time.
“I don’t know what to ask.” Jungkook finally looks at Taehyung’s face. Dark furrowed brows, confusion writ over them. “This is a very unusual situation for me. Do you do this often?”
“Nope! First time. But I’m tired and having a shit week and I want the discount.” Taehyung looks forward. It looks like the person is paying, meaning they’re about to be up. His hands itch to wrap around the chocolate-y pastry in the cabinet, mouth watering at the thought.
“Oh... sorry, then. At least you’re halfway through.”
“Yeah... what do you do?”
“I’m a student. Final year. Wanted to grab a coffee to keep studying, and also because I hate studying and this was an excuse to leave.” Taehyung drags them to the counter when the people leave with their drinks. The barista gives them a look, glancing at Taehyung’s hand around Jungkook’s elbow.
“Good afternoon. What can we get for you?”
“I’ll get a medium hot chocolate and one of the brioche doughnuts, and...” Taehyung trails off, glancing at Jungkook expectantly. The way he chews his lip piercing, watching Taehyung rattle off his order before glancing forward.
“I’ll get a sticky bun with caramel, and also a medium latte please. Um, we’re... together? Does that mean we can get the discount?” He’s soft-spoken when he’s not yelling at Taehyung. It’s a nice voice. The barista nods, entering everything into the register.
“Yes, that’s fine. I’ll put that through.”
“Thanks. Uh... I’ll pay.” Jungkook pulls his wallet out of his back pocket, shimmying a bit to grab it from an awkward angle with Taehyung still attached to his arm. Taehyung frowns, opening his mouth to object. “My treat... babe.”
“Oh, but -”
“How sweet! Okay, that’ll be 23,000 won,” the barista says with a smile. Jungkook taps his card, shooting Taehyung a furtive look. He chews his lip again, and Taehyung inexplicably wants to bite it.
“Thanks.” There’s the whirr of drinks being made, the two of them stepping to the side to wait as someone else gets served. Taehyung leans in closer, lips almost against Jungkook’s ear.
“What the hell was that, fake boyfriend?”
“You just looked like you needed something to cheer you up, especially if you... well, lost your mind enough to grab a stranger as a fake date. Besides, with the discount it’s the amount I was expecting to spend anyway.” Jungkook smiles softly, catching the light in his eyes. They twinkle, his eyes crinkling up with his lips.
Taehyung might be a little in love, actually. Shame it’s a fake relationship.
“Oh. Well... thank you.”
“It’s okay. I hope it helps.” Their drinks come in ceramic mugs. Neither of them specified that they were to-go. It’s fine, Taehyung has time to sit in for his lunch. He assumes Jungkook will grab his and go sit far away, the plates with the pastries placed next to their mugs, all ready to be consumed.
Jungkook picks up both drinks. “Where do you want to sit?”
At first, the words swim through Taehyung’s ears like he’s been dunked underwater. Sloshing about and trying to wiggle his way to the surface. He blinks, open mouthed at Jungkook. Jungkook tilts his head with a smile, letting his hair fall across his eyes.
“... by the window?”
“Sure. Just bring the plates over.” Jungkook wanders off, drinks in hand. Taehyung frowns, following after. None of this makes sense. He grabbed a stranger for a discount, now the stranger is meant to avoid Taehyung entirely and maybe the coffee place as a whole. Instead, Jungkook is carrying their drinks over to a table bathed in sunlight, sitting at one end of it.
Taehyung brings the pastries over, sitting down opposite. “What are you doing.”
“Huh? Oh, did you... did you not want to sit with me? Sorry, I thought I should - you know, as a fake boyfriend...” Jungkook trails off, looking nervous. Taehyung can see how his hands wrap together, eyes darting away.
“No! I mean, no that’s not it. I don’t understand why you still want to sit with me. I basically harassed you for a cheap drink.”
Jungkook shrugs, taking a slow sip of his drink. “It was an interesting start to my lunch. Plus you said you were having a shit week. I thought you might like some company.” Jungkook picks up his pastry, giving it a sniff. His eyebrows draw in before he takes a huge bite. Taehyung takes a small sip of his drink.
“Oh. You’re telling me that people don’t usually grab you to be their fake boyfriend? A shame, you’ve got the look for it.”
Jungkook pauses. Taehyung takes a bite of his pastry, smiling at the way it flakes in his mouth. It’s exactly what he needed, delicious and sweet, something that makes the rest of the day easier and perks him up. Taehyung’s eyes flutter closed while he savours the bite. When he opens them, Jungkook is watching him.
“What do you mean, the look?”
“You know, the look.” Taehyung waves another hand, hoping that crumbs aren’t falling from his lips while he talks. “Very handsome, very cute, it all works together. People must want to pet your hair.” Jungkook opens his mouth as if to refute it. “Plus! Then you went and brought our drinks over! All the mums must love you.”
“None of that makes any sense. Why would that make me good fake boyfriend material?”
“You’re just lovely. Here you are, sitting with a stranger who told you they were having a bad week. Everyone would want you as a fake boyfriend.” He really did find a good one. If only he could have such luck when he’s at the club or something. Taehyung takes another sip of hot chocolate, letting the warmth rush down his throat, the rich cocoa goodness.
“What about as a real boyfriend?”
“Ah, I don’t know you well enough for that. This could all be a front, maybe you’re secretly a murderer waiting for someone to grab you as a fake boyfriend as the perfect opportunity to strike. Maybe you’re some witch waiting to bewitch me and use me as a distraction to overthrow some nebulous monarchy.” Taehyung shoves more pastry in his mouth. “But from what I see so far you’d probably be a good real boyfriend.”
“Oh.” Jungkook was right about one thing at least: Taehyung is feeling a lot better about his day. He’s still tired, still dreading going back, but his mood has brightened up. He smiles, sipping his drink. “Um, thanks. I’m not a murderer or a witch. Are you?”
“Huh?”
“You might be projecting. Maybe you’re the murderer or the witch, or both, and are trying to throw off suspicion by accusing me.”
Taehyung looks up, temporarily startled. Most people don’t immediately go along with him. Except for Jimin, but Jimin is the best exception.
“Wha- hey! You can’t try to turn it around on me! That’s exactly what a witch would do, or worse.”
“How do I prove my innocence, then?”
Taehyung hums, taking a long drink. “Difficult question. Can you prove it?”
Jungkook huffs. “You’re not telling me how to, so how can I? Maybe this is how you lure me away. All my studies forgotten in the pursuit of proving I’m not a witch.” There’s a soft twinkle in his eye that Taehyung somehow knows means he’s not really upset.
“You’re right. It’s all my trap to lure you into my stew.” Taehyung waggles his brows, finishing off the pastry. The clock on the left wall shows that it’s getting close to when he needs to get back to work, only a few hours left until the end of his workday. “Sorry, thank you for the drink, I should probably get going. Have to get back to work. Good luck with your studying, and thank you for being my lovely fake boyfriend. I’ll allow you to escape my stew for today.”
He downs the last of his drink, standing up. Jungkook’s eyes follow him, somehow bigger in his face than Taehyung has seen them yet. “Oh... oh, okay. Um, could I... can I get your number?”
“You... you want it?”
“Well, yeah. I mean, there’s always another discount, right?” Jungkook smiles, making his lip piercing catch the light. “Could be fun.”
Taehyung pulls out his phone with a grin. Maybe he does have good luck in the times that he actually needs it. “Exactly. A fake boyfriend is handy to have during any occasion.”
Jungkook takes Taehyung’s phone, keying his number in. Saves his name under “buy one get one boyfriend” with a heart. Taehyung giggles, texting him so he can save Taehyung’s number too. “As long as you promise not to put me in a stew.”
“As long as you don’t use me as a distraction during your rebellion.”
Time keeps ticking by. Taehyung needs to be heading back now in order to make it in time. He doesn’t want to go just yet.
“I won’t. Can, um,” Jungkook pauses, looking down. There’s still some latte left in his cup. If he tries, Taehyung can pretend that the coffee he can smell is there and not all around them. “Are you free on Sunday?”
“I think so.”
“Great. Maybe we could go bargain hunting then?”
Taehyung grins. “Text me?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay... okay. I should go. I’ll, uh, I’ll see you.” He walks out, waving back at Jungkook through the glass. The day feels so much sunnier on his face and shoulders, the week easier with such excellent plans ahead.