Archive of Our Own

In the eyes of others, Jungmo could be many things when it came to Wonjin.

To Hyeongjun it was pathetic (lie, the truth is he was a bit envious of Wonjin), Jungmo was always behind his boss doing this and that in order to impress him.

For Woobin it was hopeful, my goodness, just imagining someone doing that for him made his heart pound, who wouldn't want to be loved in the same way?

For Minhee, it was so tiring, when would either of them confess and stop all this back-and-forth?

For Seongmin, well, he didn't really care, the only thing he longed for was for his favorite idol to update soon .

And they could all tell the perception they had about the confusing? relationship that existed between Koo Jungmo (the CEO's secretary) and Ham Wonjin (the CEO)?

But one thing was for sure, no one could doubt it no matter how much Wonjin tried to hide it, although the truth was that he knew it from the first time they met.

He knew that the man with the pearly smile, the nice dimples, and the slightly mistied tie would be someone significant in his life.

And so it was, Jungmo flooded Wonjin's atmosphere with tranquility and joy. Even in the most tense or stressful moments, Secretary Koo would always be there for Wonjin, supporting him and offering him a cup of chocolate.

How could Wonjin not love a person like Jungmo?, he though.

Yes, he was a bit inexperienced and there were things he still didn't understand perfectly, even their first approach wasn't the 'right' one (as Jungmo ended up spilling a cup of coffee on Wonjin's perfect white shirt) but it was a meaningful beginning, something that only the two of them would share in the future.

Wonjin can't really remember the exact moment he discovered it, but, one thing he knew for sure was all the feelings his heart experienced in the presence of his secretary.

Jungmo always took care of Wonjin as best he could (maybe it was because at the end of the day he was still his hyung), he even remembers the time he called Jungmo at three in the morning to sing him a song because he had a nightmare and couldn't sleep.

Wonjin showed his most vulnerable parts to Jungmo and Jungmo never made fun of him, nor did he say forced words, he simply let Wonjin be himself.

Jungmo was the first to fall in love, but he wasn't shy at all, no, for him it was all or nothing. So he didn't disguise in the least how much he liked Wonjin.

Always defending him against the leaders of the department heads when they had their casual outings as friends.

Taeyoung could swear that hanging out with those two was like watching a drama, full of pure flirting and clichés, but he couldn't complain, that was much better than putting up with Hyeongjun in the office (an opinion that young Song also shared).

And on one of those many outings, Allen and Serim (like the responsible hyungs they were) decided they'd had enough, they couldn't take any more of whatever this was all about.

So after having a time filled with games, alcohol and a delicious meal, they decided it was time to leave Wonjin and Jungmo alone.

Maybe, just maybe the atmosphere would make Wonjin stop being such a coward and finally admit that Jungmo didn't just like him, he went way beyond that.

It was amazing for Serim to hear every word that came out of his friend's mouth when he talked about Jungmo, really, Wonjin became so soft and corny when he talked about his secretary.

Wonjin was fascinated, enchanted, spellbound and anything else that could describe that Jungmo was everything he wanted, that he was the man of his dreams and who knows what else that Serim couldn't remember.

Serim wanted to vomit, Wonjin's living crying while describing that he wanted to kiss Jungmo all over his face and then sleep hugging him, god, it was worse than any of the dramas Allen used to tell him about, in response he would just tell him to just go and confess his feelings, it wasn't that hard!

But what Wonjin had as a born leader, he didn't have for talking about his feelings. And that is something that Serim knew perfectly well because even being almost lifelong friends, there were things that Wonjin preferred to keep to himself, so that's why it was hard for him to say what he felt, and more so when it came to things related to love. In fact, in his whole life he had never had a boyfriend, and only a couple of love interests that never progressed further because he was too focused on his studies.

And the fact that his crush was Jungmo made everything much more complicated.

That man who always greeted him with a heart post-it stuck on his computer telling him how handsome he looked today, from Monday to Sunday he would never miss one of those notes, and, Wonjin didn't know how to live without them anymore, his mornings wouldn't be the same if Jungmo wasn't there, and he wanted to have him otherwise, but for that he had to be honest and he didn't feel ready, not yet.

Which Serim doesn't really care about, so he decides to do him a favor.

And this was the perfect time, there was no turning back.

This is how he created a small kakao group to explain his plan to the others except for Wonjin and Jungmo.

Me : "Guys, we need to get going and let these two talk about whatever they need to talk about."

Len ^^ : "I agree with Selm, I already want them to make it official!

Maknae: "Yes, let's go, in half an hour Chaewon is going to do a live and I don't want to miss it".

Younie : "I've already seen Hyeongjun for a long time, I think I'll have nightmares, I want to leave".

Jjun : "Same here Taeyoung ♡"

Mini : "Aish, now I have to deal with these two too, whatever!"

Bin: "Let's go one at a time so it doesn't look suspicious."

But if there was something that was still present in Wonjin even in the moments where they go out to eat together as friends and not as coworkers, it was the fact that he did not tolerate them using their phones while eating, so he just gave a judging look to Seongmin and in fact was about to snatch his phone, but, the youngest didn't even let him talk as he quickly grabbed his things and left saying that his parents were waiting for him at home (something that wasn't totally untrue as he was still a college student so he was still living with them), to which Wonjin just told him to be careful and so they all said goodbye to him.

Then, Hyeongjun remembered that he had to arrive a little earlier than usual at the office the next morning to finish some paperwork, so he couldn't stay any longer, and Taeyoung had offered to accompany him home since they didn't live that far from each other.

Minhee only laughed at his excuse, apparently Jungmo and Wonjin weren't the only ones who didn't want to accept his feelings.

The remaining members still continued to sing a couple of songs until it was midnight, and Minhee didn't really have much resistance to alcohol so he was already asleep in the corner of the karaoke room, so Woobin like the good hyung that he was decided to take him home and make sure he arrived safely.

Now only Serim, Allen, Wonjin and Jungmo were left.

The four decided to close the night on a high note by doing a little duet competition, Serim and Jungmo were one couple and Wonjin and Allen were the other.

They performed song after song and Wonjin was really surprised, since during the whole night he didn't have the chance to see Jungmo in detail and now he can say with total certainty that if he wasn't his assistant, without any problem he would be a member of some boy band (and he would obviously be their number one fan), when the performance ended Wonjin was brought to reality thanks to the shooting of the others.

"That was magnificent, but I won't let them win!" Allen stood up from his seat to go for his microphone but could no longer keep his balance, so before anything else could happen Serim held him up as he took the microphone from him and led him back to his seat.

"I think that was enough for both of us, don't you think?" Serim went in search of his coats as Allen let out little hiccups and snuggled into Wonjin's shoulder.

"The night is young Serim-ah!" he kept scolding like a little boy, he really didn't want to leave.

"But you are no longer Lenie, hyungs like us must take care of their sleeping hours" He was saying it so seriously that Allen decided to trust him so he listened to him and took off Wonjin's shoulder to now leave with Serim.

Serim said goodbye to both of them and winked at Wonjin, which seemed too strange to the younger man, but he decided to ignore it because the image of Allen with a tie tied on his forehead while Serim was holding his hand so he wouldn't fall down was more interesting.

When the door of the karaoke room closed, alarm bells started ringing in Wonjin's head, because he was alone with Jungmo, of course, it was nothing new since usually who he shared most of his day with was Jungmo since this was his assistant, but here there is a very different context.

Although now he decides to switch roles and be the one to take the first step, he could not stand another second without telling Jungmo how he felt about him.

"Jungmo hyung" Wonjin called as he stood up from the furniture where they were sitting and walk straight to the screen of the karaoke room. He adjusted his suit and tried to fix his hair a little, he had to look good in Jungmo's eyes.

"Yes Wonjin-nim?" Jungmo was still sitting and there was something in the tone of his voice that made Wonjin even more impatient.

"Can I sing one last song, please?, after this we can go, but please stay just a little longer" He clasped his hands together in supplication, he knew Jungmo had a sleep schedule that he shouldn't exceed but if he didn't do it today he hardly thinks he would have the courage another day.

"Sure, that's fine" He just smiled at him as he settled back on the furniture.

"Perfect" Wonjin wasted no time so he went straight to find the song he wanted.

And when he found it, there was no turning back, it was now or never, he had already clicked on the player and the first notes were already starting to play.

Nerves invaded him of course, because it was the first time that someone (besides Serim) would see the most unexpected facet that Wonjin possessed, his facet of being in love, and not just any person, but the person for whom he felt what he felt.

"Fell in love
Salmyeosi nuneul gama tteooreumyeon
I fell in love
Han sungando nochil suga eomneun geol"

He could no longer beat around the bush, he was in love, he accepts it and revealed it, Jungmo only listens to him attentively while his right hand is resting on his cheek.

"Binnadeon uril
Yeongwonhi namgyeo dul geoya."
That's how he felt with the presence of Jungmo, that secretary who brightened his mornings just like the sun.

"Nan ireoke
Ajik sarangeul jal molla.""
Yes, maybe Wonjin didn't know exactly what love was like, but he was sure that's what he felt for Jungmo, even if it was his first time falling in love he knew that's how he must feel, maybe it's like a feeling.

"Sarangeun wollae ireoke apeun geongayo.
Wollae geureon geolkkayo""
His voice becomes a little sadder and Jungmo notices it, then, Is that why Wonjin had never told him how he felt, why he was afraid of being hurt?, Jungmo doesn't know, so he decides to stand up from his seat and head towards Wonjin.

Wonjin gets nervous as the track continues and Jungmo gets closer and closer to him, no longer even paying attention to the part of the song he is supposed to be singing.

Jungmo just hums the melody since he didn't exactly know the words to the song but he remembered a part since it was a song that Seongmin used to listen to quite often.

As Jungmo sings a lot of memories replay in his mind, all those special moments he has shared with Wonjin.
And yes, maybe at first his boss could be too harsh or a bit frustrating, but, little by little he became softer, more open to talk about his concerns, and Jungmo believed that Wonjin all he needed was to be told that everything would be okay, that he was doing a good job. Jungmo had a loving nature, always letting others know that they are valuable and loved, but, with Wonjin maybe it was a little different, he was more dedicated and when he least realized it he was already daydreaming about him.

And now here are the two of them singing side by side making their little confession, saying the words they had not yet dared to say out loud, it was all so special that Jungmo wished the song would last a little longer.

"The stars are shining in my heart
The stars are shining in my heart
Oh baby, stars fall on my heart"

Wonjin was also inexperienced just like Jungmo when he first joined the company, and, just like him, he would take it upon himself to discover and learn, to find out what love felt like and learn to love Jungmo the same way his hyung did with him.

"Sarangeun wollae ireoke apeun geongayo.
Wollae geureon geolkkayo"
When they are one step away from their foreheads touching and the song ends, Jungmo decides to hug Wonjiny gently caresses his back giving him comfort.

"Jungmo hyung" Wonjin hides on Jungmo's shoulder while Jungmo hugs him around the waist, no, he doesn't have the courage to look him straight in the eyes and utter 'those words'.

"Yes Wonjin-nim?" he keeps smiling, sure, it wasn't the first time they hugged, but this hug is different, it's more intimate, it makes Jungmo's heart nervous, thousands of scenarios are spinning in his head at Wonjin's words, he doesn't know what to expect.

"I like you, I like you very much Mogu" Wonjin says shyly , almost in a whisper but loud enough for Jungmo to hear.

"I like you too Wonjinie" Saying it feels so freeing, even if he always showed it the truth is he had never confessed as such because he honestly didn't think he had a chance, but now hearing that their feelings are mutual he feels at peace, just how love is supposed to feel.

It may be risky, but, if Jungmo had always been, why not try it?, Wonjin separates a little to face him, he observes him for a brief moment and raises his arm a little to caress his cheek and pulls him closer, Wonjin gives a little kiss on the cheek near his lips but still does not manage to touch them.

"I, sorry Jungmo, I should have asked permission first" Wonjin breaks away, he is so embarrassed that even his glasses look fogged up.

" I was actually looking forward to this moment, can I get one more?" Jungmo is condicious so now he points to his lips while giving him the softest look he can, although in Wonjin's words that look rather than making him want to kiss him made him want to take him to the bathroom because he looked constipated.

"Only if you can you catch me" With his typical mocking laugh wonjin released his hand to run out of the karaoke room, leaving Jungmo with a confused face and a bill to pay.

"Aish with this babo, I always have to take care of him" Jungmo says pretending to be angry as he picks up his coats and pays the bill, god, next time he would have to give the others a limit because they looked like a whole kindergarten with so much food they ordered, but well, today he had lost the game deciding who had to pay and there was his punishment.

When he finally leaves the karaoke bar, he sees Wonjin waiting for him sitting on one of the park benches.

"It's too cold " Wonjin hugs his arms as he puppeteered, what took Jungmo so long?

" It's winter, it's obvious it does!" Jungmo hits him with his jacket and scolds him and then helps him put on his coat.

"Ouch, it's already too late!" Wonjin looks at his hand watch and it was about two in the morning, it would soon start snowing!.

"Yes, I have to go home" Even though he doesn't want the night to end the truth is that he is already sleepy, and as much as his heart is jumping with happiness, his brain is asking him to take a break for today, in the morning he could continue with his schoolgirl crush romance.

Wonjin mulls it over, he doesn't want to it seems like he's in a hurry but he thinks it would be a good start, he hesitates a bit at first but ends up cheering up. "Jungmo hyung?"
Do you want to sleep with me today?"

And he hasn't even finished speaking when Jungmo looks at him with surprise while covering his mouth with one hand and his face blushes.

"I don't mean it that way!" Wonjin hastens to say , god Jungmo was a bad thinker. "just, well, So that you don't have to walk so late on the street, in the morning I can drive you to your apartment, I promise not to scold you for being late." Wonjin holds out his hand for them to walk together to the parking lot.

"I think that would be fine with me" Jungmo accepts it and they set off on their way.

Wonjin feels like his heart is going to burst, seeing Jungmo in front of him, with his cheeks flushed due to the soju, with that beautiful smile, and knowing that only he could see this side of him, that he was the one who provoked that smile in Jungmo was just like a dream, only this was the reality.

(...)

The next morning as promised he takes Jungmo to his apartment and they have breakfast together before going to work, they might be a little late but Wonjin couldn't complain when the sight of a freshly woken up Jungmo with his tousled hair and chubby cheeks was the first thing he saw in the day.

After Jungmo is finally ready they drive around the city a bit until they arrive at his company's building, do their usual check up and take the elevator to their workplace.

Although as Jungmo didn't get any more kisses during the previous night, he brings his hand towards Wonjin's so that he can brush his pinky with his and hook it until they slowly hold hands.

And when they finally reach the fifth floor and the elevator opens before them what greets him is a small scream.

This was a happy Serim knowing that he would no longer have to listen to Wonjin's disgustingly cheesy whining, his plan had worked.