Work Text:
Kim Dokja stood listlessly, leaning against a makeshift counter. On the counter lied a cash register and a small A4 board describing the prices of his store’s plants. For context, he was currently running a plant store, a shop which had been passed down to him by a distant uncle.
He rested his chin in his palm, elbow finding its place on the countertop. He watched as people rushed by, high school girls chattering away, adults on their lunch break, aunties giggling as they gossiped with each other at a nearby cafe.
The only good part about this job was that he got to stay in the air conditioned area, unlike those pitiful folks outside.
He let out a yawn, as the store’s familiar bell chimed, signalling that someone had entered. He instantly fixed his posture, back straight as he focused his eyes on the man who had come in.
It was hard to describe the man’s features as anything other than perfect. A chiseled jawline, raven black hair, and piercing eyes. A single drop of sweat appeared on his forehead, which he quickly wiped away with his hand, oddly calloused. His plain black shirt stuck against his body, its ends tucked into his dark blue jeans.
The patron’s eyes roamed around the store, taking in the various flowers, before they stopped on a pot with a singular orchid. It was placed right behind Kim Dokja.
“I’ll take those.”
The man said, pointing to the orchid. He raised an eyebrow when Kim Dokja failed to reply.
“Ah- yes, of course.”
Kim Dokja hurriedly turned around to take the plant, hiding his flushed face at the same time. The customer had a nice voice.
He placed the pot on the counter, before pulling out a plastic bag from below the table.
“So you’ll have to water the orchid about twice a week, considering the humid weather nowadays.”
Kim Dokja said, his somewhat brilliant salesperson smile on his face.
“Ah.. well, sometimes I have to go on business trips, and won’t be able to water it. Do you have something which doesn’t need as much care?”
Kim Dokja hesitated, before leaving the counter to grab a spider plant from his left.
“These only need to be watered once a month. Is that better?”
“Sometimes I’m gone longer, though.”
Kim Dokja frowned at his words. If you were rarely home, why bother getting a plant, something which needed attention.
“Never mind, I’ll just get the orchids.”
The man said, when Kim Dokja didn’t respond for the second time in the past five minutes.
“W-wait a second. If you’re gonna be gone so long, the orchid will surely shrivel.”
“I don’t think what happens to the plant after you sell it to me really matters.”
Kim Dokja’s eyebrows arched downwards at his words. He did not just say that.
“I think it does matter if you’re admitting to killing the plant.”
“Just sell me the damn plant.”
The man pinched the bridge of his nose, releasing a frustrated sigh. Kim Dokja took serious offence at this. It only made him not want to sell the orchid any more.
Just as the plant store owner was about to yell some choice words, the door leading to the back of the store opened. A lady, who had a resting bitch face on, piped up.
“Now, what seems to be the problem, dear customer?”
She asked, her voice flat, as she stared daggers at Kim Dokja.
“I’d like to buy this orchid.”
“Your total is nine dollars.”
She promptly replied, reaching her hand out to claim the money from the tall man. The furious look on the man’s face diminished ever so slightly, as he handed over the cash, before taking the plant, placed in the plastic bag which had been discarded on the table by the woman. The man proceeded to turn on his heel and leave the store, running his hand through his hair as he opened the door.
“Hey, squid. Can you please not flirt with customers?”
Han Sooyoung, the woman mentioned before, said.
“What- did you not see his expression? How the hell is that flirting!”
Kim Dokja sputtered, a bewildered look planted on his face.
“I was watching you through the security cameras. Weren’t you guys having like eye sex or something? He looked smitten.”
“…seriously? You think he liked me?”
Kim Dokja asked, after he seriously considered her words. Han Sooyoung responded with a nod, pulling out a lemon lollipop from her pocket, offering it to Dokja, who declined it.
“Watch the store for me.”
He said, before rushing out of the store. Han Sooyoung snickered at the reaction, nodding despite knowing Kim Dokja hadn’t seen her answer, not that he would take no as a response.
——
Kim Dokja scanned the crowds desperately, searching for that man with the godlike look, who he had pissed off. He rushed through the crowds, muttering “sorry” here and there, to whoever he had accidentally brushed against.
Soon enough, he reached the carpark, the end of the area. His chest rose and fell, as he panted. Perhaps he had missed his chance and wouldn’t meet the man again.
Kim Dokja was about to leave, when his eyes caught another’s. Somebody in a car. Somebody he recognised. Perhaps fate was not as cruel as he thought.
“Hey- wait!”
He ran towards the car, which was starting to leave. Muttering a curse as the car had a slight impact with his body, he gave the driver of the car a sheepish grin. The car had halted to a stop, a bewildered yet furious look on the driver.
“What the fuck?”
The driver, also known as the man from earlier, rolled down his car window, staring at Kim Dokja.
“Hey, look. I’m sorry about just now, okay?”
Kim Dokja said, scratching the back of his neck, which was uncomfortably sweaty. The man raised an eyebrow, suspicious of his sudden change in tone as compared to in the shop.
“And.. uh.. could I get your number?”
Kim Dokja held up his phone, which felt unusually heavy at that moment. The man continued to stare, except that the rage had been morphed into a look of curiosity.
“You’re asking me for my number..? After just now?”
“Ah.. I completely misunderstood everything, didn’t I?”
He silently cursed Han Sooyoung for putting him into this awkward situation. The man, on the other hand, was slightly amused.
“What’s your name?”
The stranger asked, much to Kim Dokja’s surprise.
“Kim Dokja.”
“An odd name. I’m Yoo Joonghyuk.”
Yoo Joonghyuk. It was a fitting name for how he looked. Kim Dokja realised Yoo Joonghyuk had been waiting for him to say something, and promptly spoke up.
“Could I still get that number, though?”
Yoo Joonghyuk released a chuckle, one which surprised Kim Dokja. He had a nice laugh. The taller man held out his hand for Kim Dokja to pass the phone to him, to which Kim Dokja complied.
After passing the phone back, Kim Dokja exchanged a quick goodbye with him, before scurrying back to the shop. Yoo Joonghyuk watched him, an uncharacteristic smile on his face.
“Fuck you, Sooyoung. I just embarrassed myself in front of a beautiful man.”
That was the first thing Kim Dokja said upon entering the store. A cackle escaped Han Sooyoung’s lips at the remark, barely taking any offence at it.
“So did you score or not?”
“I got his number.”
Han Sooyoung’s eyes lit up, and grabbed Kim Dokja’s phone, much to his irritation. She started typing something on his phone, concealing the text from him, giggling away.
“There. I just got you a date. You really should start appreciating me more.”
The man’s eyes widened as he took back his phone. What the hell.. Han Sooyoung had asked Yoo Joonghyuk out on a date, to which the other man had agreed.
“You’re welcome.”
——
“Your total will be $12.65.”
Kim Dokja handed a bundle of roses to a customer, who was fishing out money from his wallet.
“Are they for anyone?”
Kim Dokja asked, attempting to initiate small talk while the person pulled out the change.
“Nope. I just saw someone I liked and wanted to give them a sign.”
The client gave Kim Dokja a smile, and claimed the roses from him, such that their fingers touched ever so slightly.
Then, a figure came out from the back of the store, looming behind Kim Dokja. The customer glanced at the figure, and hurriedly left the store, barely sparing a glance at the cashier.
“Joonghyuk-ah, can you stop scaring away customers?”
Kim Dokja sighed, as he turned around to face Yoo Joonghyuk. A grunt was returned as a response, before the shorter man was embraced in a hug.
“And I thought plants were needy.”
“No pda in the store, please.”
Han Sooyoung rolled her eyes, upon entering the store from her break.
“Jealous, much?”
Kim Dokja retorted, as he tried to escape Yoo Joonghyuk’s grip around his body. Not that Yoo Joonghyuk allowed him to.
“Hah. You would still be single if I hadn’t gotten you to chase after this sunfish.”
Kim Dokja flipped her off, the action being dismissed by the woman as she headed to the back of the store.
“Hey, bastard. You really should let me go now, okay?”
Yoo Joonghyuk shook his head, as he tightened his grip.
“Come on. You can hug me all you want at home. What if customers come in?”
“Let them see.”
He said, although he finally let Kim Dokja go, contradicting his words. As if god had heard him, someone had come into the store.
“Hi, welcome! Looking for anything?”
Kim Dokja asked the lady, as he eyed Yoo Joonghyuk’s grouchy face. Sighing, he grabbed the taller man’s arm, trailing his hand down towards his palm, as he intertwined their fingers. Yoo Joonghyuk’s face brightened just a tiny bit.