Chapter Text
The thing about growing up, Matthew realised, is that nobody really wants to. The heart wrenching coming-of-age stories that you see in theatres and on TVs are mostly half truths written to deceive the hearts of naive teenagers. Reality, for better or worse, had more paperwork and regular expenses.
The alley lights flickered, as a young man huddled in the corner crouched over his phone. Cheeks puffed up as he scrolled through his bank statement, his natural youth and vibrance contrasted starkly against the urban grime that surrounded him.
“Ah… the vocal lessons are really expensive this month.” He complained, taking another bite out of a cold steamed bun. It was his first real meal of the day, finished after just two bites in the middle of the night.
He had been just 18 when he came to this lonely city to become a trainee, and only 20 when he first moved out of the company dorms and started living alone. Though it was difficult persevering, Matthew was thankful to have good health and a sturdy body.
“Really can’t ask mom to send me any more money… alright, let’s ask Hanbin-hyung first if he knows anyone who needs help with a job…” Wiping his lips on the back of his hand, his thumbs skittered across his cracked cellphone screen to write a quick message. Another expense to be added to the list of things he needs done.
“Hey, Part-timer! Do you mind coming back from your break? Sorry, but it’s getting really busy inside.”
The door beside him swung open sending a chilling wind towards his face. Snapping back like a meerkat, Matthew flashed his co-worker a smile and nod.
“Yes! I’ll be right there!” Pushing up through the soles of his feet, Matthew quickly hit send before slipping the phone into his chest pocket. Even if it was difficult, there was still plenty of work to be done. Rolling up his sleeves, Matthew quickly straightened out his outfit before heading back inside to his job. The rush of warmth pricked against his body.
“Ah, you’re back already Matthew-ssi? Help me deliver this to one of the VIP tables then. Afterwards we could use your help on the floor.” A female coworker instructed, passing him a cart full of fresh dishes. Nodding his head, Matthew smiled politely and turned heel towards the private rooms.
Matthew had a lot of jobs to support himself; some more permanent than the others. On Monday he’d head to a convenience store after a long day of classes, on Tuesday through Thursday he worked at a cafe during the daytime, and Friday and Saturday he’d typically spend training. But when he needed extra money he’d work here: at a high end restaurant in the heart of Seoul.
It was a nearly miraculous job that he had gotten on the recommendation of another trainee. The hours were flexible and most of the work was clean. Though there were the odd sleazy customers here and there, and the shifts could go a little long, the management was always kind and understanding. Most of all, the work paid incredibly well.
“Please excuse me for coming in~” Matthew rang out politely, pushing the metal cart into a dimly lit room. Seated at a large lacquer table, a few customers nodded in acknowledgement of him as he began serving their food.
VIP rooms were more often than not rented out by celebrities or company big shots, so as a courtesy the staff at the restaurant typically tried to keep their necks close to the ground. Matthew however, had unfortunately always been a little bit of a snoop. Noticing one of the customer’s legs shaking under the table, he glanced up to see if something was wrong. As the food started touching the table, the customer’s eyes flashed a slightly hollow expression as if he were feeling nauseous.
Frowning slightly, Matthew furrowed his brows together. The customer looked like one of the youngest people at the table. It must have been difficult for him to say anything if he was feeling under the weather. Quickly excusing himself after serving the food, Matthew made a beeline towards the main dining area to pick up a few tables.
Half an hour later, the restaurant finally quieted down and Matthew took a quick break to run over to the convenience store down the street. Accompanied only by his shadow, he quickly brought a familiar label of stomach medication before dashing back into his workplace. Like a charming baby fox, he peeked his head back towards the private tables, taking extra precaution not to get caught. The customer he was looking for was nowhere to be seen however, so he traced familiar steps down the hallway towards the washrooms.
Seeing a familiar set of legs as he neared them, Matthew’s lips curled into a smile. “Excuse me!” He called out, picking his legs up to catch up to the stranger. The customer turned to look at him and was exceptionally quiet.
Now seeing him under the bright fluorescents, Matthew’s jaw almost dropped. The man, though pale and with dark circles, had the sort of face that could make both men and women insane. It was all sharp angles and long lashes. He must’ve been a celebrity —either an actor or a model , but as an avid consumer of anime and video games, Matthew was embarrassed to say that he didn’t recognize him.
Stopping just an arm’s length away from the customer, Matthew pushed the sealed box of stomach medication towards him with gusto. “I’m sorry for being nosy, but it seemed like you were troubled earlier so I thought you should have these!”
The stranger stared at him silently.
“Oh! Don’t worry, the medicine is properly sealed so there wasn’t any tampering! I know it’s probably strange receiving this from a stranger.” Matthew simply didn’t like seeing someone distressed over food. “Anyways, I promise that the medicine is really effective! It’s the one I use, and I can eat more than five bowls of rice in one sitting!”
Seconds passed, and just as Matthew was thinking he might have been too forward the stranger takes the medicine and nods his head. Matthew smiled even brighter.
“Well, make sure to take it with water! I have to get back to work now, but if you need anything else just call for a waiter! I hope your stomach feels better! If you’re hungry, the fish here is tasty and light!” Bowing politely, Matthew hurried away.
Left in the hallway, the man traced his fingers over the packaging. On the front of the package was a cute cartoon rabbit holding a spoon. The label read ‘Children’s Digestive Medicine’. Twitching the corners of his lips, Jiwoong almost smiled. A fan had certainly never given him this before.
Without pulling apart the packaging, he gently slipped the medicine into his pants pocket. The tips of his fingers that had grazed against the young restaurant employee felt a little bit hot.
That night, Jiwoong had nearly three whole bites of a fish-dish causing his assistant to panic. In his three years working for Jiwoong, he’d never seen him eat in public!
The third time that Matthew meets the customer again they’re both leaving the restaurant. Now bundled up in thick layers and sweats, he looked just like a child that was coming home from his grandma’s. Seeing the familiar stranger standing alone on the sidewalk, Matthew politely bowed in his direction.
“The fish you recommended was good.Thank you.”
Matthew smiled. “I’m glad! Was the medicine effective? Are you feeling better right now?”
The stranger didn’t respond so Matthew continued. “Regardless, it’s cold out so make sure to hurry home. The best thing to do after a good dinner is to brush your teeth and sleep.” Mid sentence his stomach started growling, causing the other party to breathe a chuckle. His ears glowed red, and Matthew’s eyes hit the ground.
“The medicine was effective, but I also didn’t have too much dinner.” The strangers voice was as charming as he was gorgeous. Low like thunder rumbling in the distance. “As payment for the medication, can I treat you to a midnight snack?”
“Midnight snack?” Matthew thought back to the convenience store down the street and felt his mouth water. Fried chicken did sound good right about now. “The medicine was just a cheap thing, but if you’re okay with that, let me show you the way.”
Crinkling his eyes, Matthew enthusiastically led the stranger down the block. Their walk was quiet, accompanied by the hum of street lights and traffic.
“Your name?” The man asked, trailing a couple steps behind him. For someone who could afford to eat at such a fancy restaurant, he seemed decently down to earth and quiet.
“Me? Seok Matthew.” He said the last part with a bit of an accent, sounding out the syllables so it’d be easier for a Korean to pronounce..
The convenience store was exceptionally quiet for this time of night, only the buzz of the refrigerators and the sound of the cash clerk’s TV greeting them as they stumbled in from the frigid sidewalk.
“You can call me… Jiwoong.” The stranger introduced, sparing his family name. Matthew didn’t really care or notice though, that was more natural for him given that he grew up overseas.
Perusing down the aisle, he picked up two bottles and casually walked over towards the hot food. “You should be older than me… so, Jiwoon-hyung?” Matthew smiled.
Jiwoong dully nodded his head. “Mm.”
Asking for a single order of fried chicken for himself, and some lighter oden for Jiwoong, Matthew comfortably let the older man pay for the snacks before taking a seat by the windows. Though he didn’t like taking favours, he understood not to ignore another man’s kindness. Besides, fried chicken was cheap enough!
“Have you ever had any of these before? For the oden, you should start with the egg! When I first came to Korea I used to eat here three meals a day!” Matthew explained with a peel of laughter.
The odd pair sat side by side as Matthew cracked open their bottles. “Cheers!”
“How long have you been in Korea for?”
“2 years now! Can you tell? How’s my Korean?”
Jiwoong seemed to almost laugh as he considered the question. “When you speak casually, you talk like a baby.”
Matthew whipped his head around, slightly aghast. “Jiwoon-hyung! That’s rude!” He smiled, pushing their elbows together as if they were already close friends. He didn’t expect the older man to be able to joke like that. It felt oddly comfortable, oddly right.
“I heard living here as a foreigner can be difficult. Is it bitter for you at all?”
Tilting his head as if thinking, Matthew took a bite of his chicken and shook his head no. “Not bitter. Even if it’s difficult, I think my life is a little bit sweet.” He paused and his eyes met with Jiwoong. “I even made a new friend tonight who’s treating me to midnight snacks and a drink!”
Smiling back, Jiwoong took a bite of his oden. Under the moonlight, the broth tasted slightly sweet.
When they finally parted ways at the earliest hours in the morning, Matthew felt happy and full. To cover training costs, he was prepared to tighten his belt and only eat the leftovers from work this week, but today he had eaten his favourite fried chicken. Looking down at his cracked cell phone once he was home, he made sure to send a quick message to the new stranger-turned-friend before heading to bed.
Seok Matthew: ‘Remember to brush your teeth and sleep early! Message me next time you’re at the restaurant and I’ll let you use my discount!’