Chapter Text
“You cannot be serious.”
“I am dead serious.” Johnny said, pushing the costume towards Jaehyun. “Just put it on.”
“In this weather?” Jaehyun made a face. “In 30-degree weather in the summer?”
“It’s the easiest money you can make!” Johnny said. “20 bucks an hour to be in this suit and standing out on the street waving to kids, what more can you ask for?”
“When I said I was willing to do anything to help you with your new store,” Jaehyun massaged his temples. “I meant filing paperwork or packing boxes or moving props, not dressing up in an inflatable panda costume.”
“It’s a pink bear, not a panda.” Johnny wagged his fingers. The bear was more than 6 feet tall when blown up, had short stubby arms and a blue T-shirt that spelled “Memories by Suh”, which was the name of Johnny’s brand-new photo studio. He was also supposed to carry an inflatable camera and put on prop sunglasses or whatever to entice people to come into the store, or potentially terrify the whole neighbourhood. It was aptly named ‘Picture Bear’.
“Come on it’s cute.” Johnny said. “It’s easy work and you need the money anyways while you are in between jobs.”
“Yeah.” Jaehyun sighed. He was recently laid off at his old company when it went bankrupt and he was still looking for new work. His severance pay was enough to sustain him for a couple of months, but at least dressing up like a bear would put a couple of hundred more in his pocket and give him an excuse to get out of the house and stop moping about his future.
“Shall we try it out?” Johnny grinned, holding up the suit in anticipation.
“You’re enjoying this aren’t you?”
“You’re going to look adorable, come on.”
The suit was easy to slip into, but it did take an extra 45 minutes to actually blow up the suit and make it stand tall. Jaehyun could only see out of the mesh of the bear’s smile and he had to use strings to maneuver the bear’s thick arms. All things considered, it wasn’t that bad, but it was super cumbersome.
“WOAH!!!” Jaehyun fell face first on the floor while attempting to walk and he practically bounced inside his suit and he could hear a loud hissing from the air inlet. “HELP I’M DEFLATING!!!”
“Looks like we’re going to need some practice.” Johnny sighed. “Let’s do it again.”
***********************
“You look perfect!” Johnny gushed as he took out his camera to take photos of Picture Bear at the sidewalk, holding a “Come In” sign and a cute bowler hat. “Look at you, you’re adorable!!”
“I’m also hot.” Jaehyun complained. “It’s like an oven in this suit.”
“I’ll pass you a mini fan you can use later.” Johnny said. “Now remember to dance, you’re supposed to be cute! And no talking, you’re going to terrify the kids.”
Jaehyun simply sighed. This was going to be a very long day.
Right there in the sun, Jaehyun was expected to dance and entice customers. He was fine at first and he did manage to draw in a crowd. Kids loved taking pictures with him and little girls in general liked hugging him, but then the heat intensified under the midday sun and Jaehyun was struggling to keep up. One little boy punched the bear’s stomach and Jaehyun felt it. “Ow!” he mumbled. “Meanie.”
Then late afternoon rolled by and it became quiet. Jaehyun just stood there, quietly panting in the suit. He had taken a break for lunch and snuck in bottles of water into the suit and tissues, but he was a very sweaty man and pretty soon the suit began to stink. Jaehyun learned then and there that people in mascot costumes who do this for a living were not paid enough.
In the midst of this exhaustion, Jaehyun spotted him. The most beautiful human being he had ever seen in his life. He was coming out of one of the buildings and was dressed in a plain collared polo shirt and jeans. He walked over to the bus stop next to Jaehyun to wait for the bus. He had jet black hair, a long slim face, almond eyes and a bunny like nose. His Adam’s apple was protruding over the expanse of his long, elegant neck and he used his beautiful long fingers to tuck his hair behind his ears. Jaehyun didn’t think love at first sight was possible, until him.
Jaehyun watched as the beautiful male plugged in his AirPods to listen to music while waiting for the bus. As he was fumbling in his bag for them, a card slipped out and fell behind him. Jaehyun tried to get his attention but he was too absorbed in his phone to see him.
Jaehyun teetered over in the clunky suit, waving his right paw but it didn’t work. He ended up going closer and closer and tapping him on the shoulder.
“AHHHH!!!” The pretty man screamed and slapped Jaehyun’s bear face in response. “Oh my gosh you scared me!!”
“No no I didn’t mean to scare you!” Jaehyun bounced in agony, his voice coming out of the bear in soft muffles. He pointed to the ground and the man looked down. “Oh gosh my ID!” he picked it up swiftly. “Oh dear if I lost this I wouldn’t be able to come into work.” He turned to Jaehyun. “I am so sorry I hit you.”
“It’s okay,” Jaehyun tried to talk, but then he remembered Johnny’s orders. He froze in his steps as the pretty man hugged him tightly. Jaehyun couldn’t even breathe as his heart pounded in his ears. “Thank you Picture Bear, thank you so much.”
“You must be sweating inside this suit.” The man said. “Here,” he dug around in his bag. “Have some tissues.” He stuffed it into the bear’s shirt.
Jaehyun jumped up and down to respond to him.
“Thank you Picture Bear!” he hugged him one more time, his arms wrapped around the large bear’s neck as he tried to squeeze it. The bus arrived and the pretty man waved at him before he got on. Jaehyun waved back slowly, watching him ride off home.
Luckily he caught a tiny glimpse of the name on the ID when he picked it up. The beautiful man’s name is Kim Doyoung.
***********************
“You did good for your first day.” Johnny bought over a beer for Jaehyun as they settled down for dinner at a nearby restaurant called Shalala Meals. “It wasn’t so bad, was it?”
“Yeah.” Jaehyun answered absentmindedly, scrolling away on his phone.
“What are you looking at?” Johnny peeked over the phone and Jaehyun pulled his phone back.
“Excuse me!” Jaehyun made a face. “Can’t a man have some privacy?”
“You asked me to check your flat ass for a pimple when we were in college. We have no privacy.” Johnny sneered at him. “Gimme that phone.”
“Fine fine,” Jaehyun sighed and handed it over. “Do you know him?”
“Kim Doyoung?” Johnny squinted at the phone. “Vocal and music teacher at New Wave Music School.”
“This is from the school’s website.” Jaehyun said. “I tried to find him on dating apps and I couldn’t find any. I can’t find anyone with a similar name on Instagram either.”
“Who is this person? Why are you stalking a music teacher?”
Jaehyun told him the story of how he met Kim Doyoung and how he stuffed tissues in his bear costume and hugged him twice. “He was just so sweet and kind and beautiful.” Jaehyun went on and on. “Just my luck. I meet the love of my life while I’m stuck in a bear suit.”
“Slow your roll Picture Bear, you don’t even know if he is single or not.” Johnny rolled his eyes.
“I didn’t see a ring.”
“Doesn’t mean he’s single.” Johnny pointed out. “You just met him, take it easy.”
“You’re right.” Jaehyun sighed. “He’s probably just being nice.”
“Hi guys,” the restaurant owner with beautiful pink hair and a baby blue apron appeared with their stews. “Kimchi for Jaehyun and Soybean for Johnny.” He served them carefully. “And a special spring onion jeon.”
“Oh but we didn’t order this Taeyong.” Johnny said.
“Don’t worry.” Taeyong smiled sweetly. “It’s on the house.”
“Thank you.” Jaehyun nodded and started attacking his stew with gusto.
“Enjoy.” Taeyong bowed politely and walked away. Johnny watched as Taeyong went back into the kitchen and sighed.
“Could you just ask him out and not stare at him every single time we come here like a hawk?” Jaehyun asked as he slipped a piece of kimchi in his mouth. “No offense, it’s getting pathetic.”
“This coming from the man who met the love of his life in a giant pink bear costume.” Johnny glared at him. “Two can play at the pathetic game.”
“Yeah and right now, you’re winning.” Jaehyun chuckled and dodged a chopstick slap from Johnny.
The next day, Jaehyun was back in the godforsaken suit and the temperature was still scorching hot. Johnny’s business was beginning to pick up speed and Jaehyun found himself dancing more than the day before. Lots of people were asking to take pictures with him and thankfully he didn’t need to show his face because he was sweating bullets inside that costume.
Then, again later in the evening, he saw him again. Kim Doyoung.
“Oh hi Picture Bear!” Doyoung smiled when he saw the bear and waved. “It’s nice to see you again!”
Jaehyun couldn’t talk so he just waved happily and Doyoung hugged him again. “Oh you’re so soft and cuddly!” he cooed. “I really need that after such a hard day. Teaching kids is wonderful, but so exhausting.”
Jaehyun bounced in response to signal ‘yes’.
“How was your day Picture Bear? Did it go well for you?”
Jaehyun bounced again.
“Awww so good to hear!” Doyoung clapped his hands happily. “Keep up the good work, you bring so much joy to the neighbourhood.”
Jaehyun could feel his face heat up from the compliment. Doyoung hugged him one more time and Jaehyun tried to wrap his arms around to hug back but it didn’t quite work out.
“My bus is here.” Doyoung said. “I’ll see you tomorrow Picture Bear! Nice talking to you!”
“Good bye my angel.” Jaehyun mumbled to himself and waved at Doyoung. He felt butterflies in his stomach, bells ringing in his head and his heart flip flopping like a dead fish as he bounced in his suit, hip hopping back to his place before unceremoniously flopping down on his face and he could feel the suit deflating again.
“Not again.” Johnny sighed as he tried to help Jaehyun up again. “What happened this time?”
“He said,” Jaehyun finally poked his head out of the suit and he inhaled deeply, letting the fresh air fill his lungs. “He said ‘I’ll see you again tomorrow’.”
“Who?”
“Doyoung.” Jaehyun smiled. “My angel.”
***********************
Jaehyun looked at his phone and saw the notification for his email inbox. He quickly tucked it away. He didn't need to look at it. He knew it was another rejection email.
It's been about two weeks since he started working part time for Johnny and he has since applied to every single available company he could find, but he either couldn't get them to reply him or they just rejected him. Johnny, sensing Jaehyun was getting more depressed at home, let Jaehyun come over to the shop earlier to help him set up. Jaehyun was grateful for it, but he knows he can only hold out for so long doing part time work. This whole experience cast a shadowy cloud of doubt over him. Was this what he really wanted? To wear suits and study shoes and spend all day in a cubicle climbing the rat race? He thought it was what he wanted, but he ended up losing it anyways. Was this truly what he was meant for?
"Okay the boxes go there." Johnny pointed to a corner do the store room. "Thanks man." he gave Jaehyun a fist bump.
"No problem." Jaehyun wiped the sweat off his brow as he placed the heavy boxes down.
"Ready for another day in the suit?" Johnny asked. "You're getting better at it now, you're like the main attraction of high street."
"Yeah well the suit is not too bad, as long as the kids don't start kicking me." Jaehyun chuckled. "One kid tries to kick me in the ass yesterday, I swear I almost pushed him into oncoming traffic."
Jaehyun was half lying. The only real reason the suit was bearable was because of Doyoung.
"Hi Picture Bear!" Doyoung waved again at 5pm, just like he did so every day for the past two weeks. "I have a snack for you today, it's a cookie."
Jaehyun smiled and moved his hands forward trying to clap it.
"I hope you like it, I made it myself." Doyoung put the little paper bag in his shirt, patting the bear lightly. "I made it for the kids and they liked it, I hope you do too."
Jaehyun could have just died on the spot. As if Doyoung couldn't be any sweeter. Yesterday he bought a bottle of water and the day before he bought a piece of chocolate for him. Jaehyun bounced on the spot to signal his joy.
"I feel like the best part of my day is finishing work to see you." Doyoung laughed. "You're so cute, Picture Bear and you're so responsive to me."
Jaehyun bounced again. He wanted to say, the best part of my day is seeing you too.
"How was your day? Did yours go well?"
Jaehyun bounced again.
"That's good." Doyoung looked down. "I had a rough day at work today."
Jaehyun tapped his arm comfortingly.
"I have this student, his name is Wonbin. Lovely child and so talented, but he comes from a broken home. Today, he told me he saw his father beating his mother." Doyoung's voice cracked at the end. "And I just, I was so angry and so heartbroken for him that I found it difficult to continue the class knowing he was going home to a monster."
"Oh Picture Bear, what do you think I should do?" Doyoung turned to him. "Should I just stay out of it?"
Jaehyun didn't move at first. He thought about it, and then he moved his body.
"Maybe I should talk to the principal, and see if we can help." Doyoung nodded. "I can't just abandon him can I?"
Jaehyun shook again.
"Yeah, maybe that's what I'll do." Doyoung said. "He's a good boy and he deserves better."
Jaehyun bounced in his spot. The bus arrived and Doyoung gave him one final hug. "Thank you Picture Bear." Doyoung smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow."
Jaehyun waved Doyoung off and found a corner to carefully get out of his suit. He picked up the cookie and sat on the floor protected by the suit, chewing the cookie happily. And yes, it was delicious.
The next day, Jaehyun prepared a little post it note where he wrote THANK YOU FOR THE COOKIE, IT WAS DELICIOUS 😋. He waited for Doyoung to appear again and this time, he bounced harder and waved to get his attention.
"What's this?" Doyoung walked over and picked up the note Jaehyun asked Johnny to stick on his shirt. Doyoung smiled warmly and hugged Jaehyun again. "So glad you liked it Picture Bear! I will definitely make some more for you next time."
“I talked to my principal and we agreed that we must do something about Wonbin.” Doyoung said. “He called social services to check on them and, in the meantime, Wonbin is staying with his aunt. That means he had to miss class but it’s okay, I’d rather Wonbin be safe.”
Jaehyun patted Doyoung’s arm and waved his right arm. They have developed some sort of code along the way since Jaehyun was not allowed to talk. Bounce meant yes, a pat and a wave meant good job, body shake meant no and two left arm waves meant good luck.
“Thank you.” Doyoung looked down shyly. “I wouldn’t have had the confidence to do it if you didn’t reassure me Picture Bear.”
Yes you can, you would have done it even without me.
Doyoung leaned forward to hug Jaehyun. “I know you can’t talk,” he said. “But I really appreciate everything you have done for me.”
Jaehyun waved Doyoung goodbye again and his heart did a strange flip floppy thing. Then his belly was filled with warmth and Jaehyun felt happiness like he had never felt before.
This continued for two more weeks. Doyoung would come by Monday to Friday to say hello to Picture Bear and talk to him like he was a real living person (he was, Jaehyun was inside). He would tell him all about how his day went, what he plans to do and bring him little gifts and snacks to help Jaehyun tide by the heat. At some point, Jaehyun was okay with the fact that he didn’t need to talk, because he realized what Doyoung needed more was someone to listen. He was just adorable and precious, the way his lips formed an automatic pout every time he talked about something that bothered him and how his eyes rolled around when he talked about his boss or how he smiled when his colleague Ten told him something funny. He had a very expressive face and hands, probably from the fact that he was a teacher and was used to making these big gestures.
“So Ten was like ‘I told him to do that, but I didn’t tell him to do that specifically’, and he…” Doyoung was telling Jaehyun a story one evening, his hands moving all over the place. Jaehyun felt like a little kid listening to his teacher tell him a story, but to be honest Doyoung could sing the alphabet and Jaehyun would feel like he was listening to Tony Bennet.
Then one day, Doyoung was late. Jaehyun waited at 5pm and there was no sign of Doyoung. 6pm, and Doyoung still did not appear. 7pm came and this was normally the time Jaehyun would be off work. Jaehyun checked his watch and looked at the bus station. There was still no sign of Doyoung.
Maybe he didn’t come to work. Maybe he was off doing something else. Jaehyun’s stomach grumbled loudly. He was starving after a hard day’s work. It would be pointless to continue waiting for Doyoung this late into the night and he decided to take off the suit.
“What’s wrong?” Johnny asked, helping him deflate the suit. “Did your friend not show up?”
“Yeah.” Jaehyun mumbled. “I waited but he didn’t come.”
“Awww.” Johnny patted his back. “Perhaps he’s busy.”
Jaehyun nodded. He told himself Doyoung was just a happy routine, and that he didn’t owe him anything by showing up, but still, he couldn’t avoid the sinking feeling in his stomach. Doyoung was the one thing he looked forward to the most at the end of the day, and not having it was a disappointment.
Jaehyun stepped outside the shop to help Johnny toss some trash when he saw Doyoung walking towards the bus station, shoulders slumped. Jaehyun dropped the trash and ran back in. “Quick!!” he dragged Johnny’s arm. “Get me back in the suit now!”
“Have you lost it???” Johnny yelled at him like he was nuts, but he helped him anyways. “We just got you out and now you’re going back in?!!”
“Just hurry!!!” Jaehyun urged. “I have to go before Doyoung is gone!!”
Jaehyun, in his giant inflatable costume, hopped onto the streets and hopped over to Doyoung. He tapped Doyoung on the shoulder. “Picture Bear!!!” Doyoung held his hands to his chest and jumped up to hug him. “You’re here Picture Bear!!”
Yes, I’m here.
“Oh gosh were you waiting for me?”
Jaehyun paused for a bit. Eventually he bounced.
“Oh no I am so sorry to keep you waiting.” Doyoung’s eyes softened and he pouted, stroking the bear’s face gently. “Next time don’t wait for me okay? You should go home and rest.”
Jaehyun shook his body violently.
“Oh silly bear.” Doyoung chuckled, hugging it one more time. “I missed you.”
I miss you too.
“Can you sit down, will you keep me company?”
Now, sitting in a giant bear costume was something Jaehyun had never attempted before. He moved next to Doyoung and tried to sit down on the bus station bench but it didn’t work. His huge head was stuck in the roof and his legs couldn’t turn. “Oh shit.” Jaehyun cursed silently as he tried to pull the head back.
“Here let me help.” Doyoung said, grabbing an arm to pull Picture Bear free. It took a few seconds of hard pulling for Picture Bear to be free and the recoil almost made him fall backwards. “Whoa there!” Doyoung caught him. “Maybe you should just stand next to me.”
Yeah, that’s a better idea. The last thing Jaehyun wanted to do was fall down flat on his ass.
“The reason why I was late was because my student, Wonbin,” Doyoung started. “He’s moving away.”
Jaehyun turned to face Doyoung and stuck out his left arm for Doyoung to hold.
“His mom decided to divorce his father, but she’s moving away with Wonbin to protect him.” Doyoung looked down at his feet. “Wonbin didn’t want to leave, he hugged me and cried and said he wanted to run away. He said that he would be a good boy, just as long as he can stay.”
“I thought about it, you know.” Doyoung sniffled. “Wonbin is like a son to me, and I was thinking maybe I could keep him. Maybe I could adopt him and take care of him, but then I realized I couldn’t. I shouldn’t. His mom loves him, and he obviously loves her too. I can’t tear them apart. That wouldn’t be right.”
“You know,” Doyoung looked up at Picture Bear. “I love my job. Teaching children has been a joy to me, but sometimes it hurts so much. It hurts when kids like Wonbin have to be taken away or they have to be denied of certain things because either they were too poor to afford it or their parents stop them or they don’t have parents. It’s such a shame, isn’t it? Children are our future, and they have so much joy and love in them, and somehow it’s the adults who take that away from them.”
Doyoung pressed his forehead against Picture Bear’s belly. Jaehyun patted his back slowly. He closed his eyes and he could hear Doyoung’s soft breathing against Picture Bear’s skin. You are so full of love Kim Doyoung. Your students are lucky to have a teacher like you.
“I am going to miss him.” Doyoung wiped the tears from his face. “I really am.”
Jaehyun swallowed thickly. He used a paw to carefully rub Doyoung’s left cheek. He could feel Doyoung’s sadness like it was his own, and all he can do is pat him on the back.
“I’m sorry.” Doyoung rubbed his eyes. “I shouldn’t be offloading this on you.”
Jaehyun shook his body and patted him one more time.
“You know,” Doyoung smiled softly. “You have been a better company to me than most people in my life. Maybe except Ten.” He pressed his face against Picture Bear’s cheek. “Thank you.”
The bus came and Doyoung stood up to get on it. Before that, he turned to Picture Bear and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Good night Picture Bear.” Doyoung said. “I’ll see you next Monday. This time, I won’t be late.”
Jaehyun was standing in shock. He could feel his cheeks heat up. Doyoung kissed me. He actually kissed me.
“Jaehyun?” Johnny called from the shop entrance. “Come on, your dinner is getting cold. Jaehyun?”
I’ll see you next Monday. This time, I won’t be late.
Jaehyun held his hands to his chest and he fell backwards, cushioned slightly by the costume. He heard a loud hissing sound and Johnny running towards him.
“Jaehyun??” Johnny dug at the costume to get to him. “Jaehyun are you alright?”
“Fine.” Jaehyun simply smiled. “Johnny?”
“Yeah?”
“I think I’m in love.”
***********************
“Look at him.” Johnny turned to Taeyong and sighed as he leaned against their bar counter. “He told me he was in love about half an hour ago, and now he’s just laying there like he just found out the world was ending.”
“Maybe he’s just unsure how to proceed from here.” Taeyong said, pouring Johnny another glass of beer. “Is he always like this?”
“No, it’s my first time seeing him like this.” Johnny turned back to look at Jaehyun. He was lying with his left ear pressed against his outstretched arm on the table, the other hand laying limply on the table drawing circles. Taeyong’s restaurant was already closed for the night, but Johnny and Jaehyun still haven’t left. Taeyong’s puppy Ruby ran over to Jaehyun, licking his exposed ankles.
“Ruby, come here.” Taeyong said. Ruby immediately turned back to his owner and ran to his side. “Perhaps he could use another glass of beer.” Taeyong poured a glass for him.
“Jaehyun,” Johnny tapped his arm. “Come on, sit up and finish this.”
Jaehyun sat up and groaned. The corners of his lips were pointed downwards. “My life is over.”
“Now hang on a second, just a couple of minutes ago, you told me you were in love and now you’re saying your life is over. Which is which? What’s up?” Johnny asked.
“I can’t believe I am in love with someone who has never even seen me before.” Jaehyun sighed. “He only knows me as Picture Bear. He has never seen my face, or heard my voice. He doesn’t even know my name.”
“So just take it off.” Taeyong shrugged. “Or walk over to the school one day and introduce yourself.”
“What’s the point?” Jaehyun grumbled. “What am I supposed to say? Oh hi, I’m the bear that you have been talking to for a month?”
“That sounds nice.”
“It does not, it’s pathetic.” Jaehyun said. “Besides, he’s not going to like somebody like me. He’s an established teacher, I’m just a part time costume wearer with no formal job.”
“Nonsense,” Johnny shook his head. “You’re a sweet, loving person with a heart of gold. You’re romantic and passionate and you’re smart too. Don’t sell yourself short.”
“I don’t have anything to offer him.” Jaehyun said. “A man like Doyoung should be with someone strong and wise and confident.”
“So be that person.” Taeyong said. “You have been sitting here almost everyday whining about Doyoung and how he’s the man of your dreams but you don’t do anything about it. If you know what kind of person Doyoung should be with, then be that person for him.”
“You think I should?”
“Absolutely.” Johnny said. “Just talk to him. For your sake, and my sanity so that you stop whining about it, I’ll let you talk to him.”
“For real?” Jaehyun turned to Johnny. “Thank you man.”
“My pleasure.” Johnny smiled. “All that I ask is that you invite me to the wedding.”
“Oh you’re going to be my best man for sure.” Jaehyun quipped and everyone laughed. “You’re right, when I see him on Monday, I’ll talk to him.”
***********************
Come Monday and Jaehyun was a nervous wreck. He decided today was really the day he would say something to Doyoung. After weeks of pining, he would finally introduce himself to Doyoung. However, when he finally saw him, the words died on his tongue.
“Hi Picture Bear!” Doyoung waved at him. He was much chipper and happier compared to Friday and he had a glowing smile on his face. “How has your Monday been?”
Jaehyun bounced in the suit.
“I’m glad. My day has been good.” Doyoung nodded. “I had my weekend to grieve over Wonbin, but then today he wrote me a letter saying he was thankful for what I have done and that he would forever remember me. Wonbin will have a bright future no matter where he goes, and it makes me feel good to know that I had a hand in that.”
Jaehyun waved both his hands forward to simulate clapping and Doyoung laughed. “You’re so sweet Picture Bear. You’re the best.” Doyoung stroked the bear’s head. “It means a lot to me.”
Jaehyun inhaled deeply. Now was the time. He must say something. He opened his mouth to speak but then he heard a loud, barking sound.
Jaehyun turned around and Taeyong’s Yorkshire Terrier puppy Ruby was barking loudly and charging towards them. Doyoung gasped in terror and Jaehyun stood in front of him instinctively. “Hey Ruby!” he tried. “Hey boy, calm down, Ruby!!!!”
Ruby leaped and pounced on Jaehyun, toppling the mascot over and Doyoung underneath him. Jaehyun screamed as Ruby’s claws dug into the costume, ripping it open as she snarled and chewed at the bear, feeling air hiss out like a leaking balloon.
“No no no no Ruby!!” Johnny and Taeyong ran towards them and Taeyong picked up his puppy. “Bad dog!! Bad dog!!”
“Oh my goodness,” Jaehyun scrambled to push away the heavy mascot costumer and rolled to one side, frantically searching for Doyoung. “Doyoung are you okay?”
“I…” Doyoung emerged from under the suit, his hair slightly tousled and his eyes wide open in surprise. “P…Picture Bear?”
“Are you alright?” Jaehyun grabbed his arms frantically, checking him for signs of injury. “Are you hurt?”
“No no,” Doyoung’s voice became smaller. “I’m okay.”
“I am so so so sorry Doie.” Taeyong tucked the puppy under his arm. “I don’t know what came over Ruby, must have been off his medication.” He chuckled. “By the way, this is Jaehyun, Jaehyun this is Doyoung. Would you two like a drink in my restaurant? On me.”
“Oh I guess we…” Jaehyun looked around in confusion, still holding Doyoung’s hand.
“Please I insist.” Taeyong kicked the suit aside and Johnny was trying to pick it up. “It’s on the house, my apologies for the commotion. You two can go inside and order anything you want, on me.”
“O.. okay, thanks Taeyong.” Doyoung said.
“My pleasure.” Taeyong said. He waited until they went in and kissed Ruby on the head. “Good boy! You’re such a good boy and you follow orders so well, don’t you Ruby? I love you so much!”
“Wait,” Johnny stared at Taeyong with the suit slipping out of his arms. “You planned this?”
“I think we’re all getting tired of waiting for Jaehyun to make the first move.” Taeyong chuckled, nuzzling his face into Ruby’s fur. “Just doing the world a favour here.”
“You,” Johnny could only shake his head in amazement. “You are fucking amazing.”
“If I’m so amazing, why are you taking your sweet time asking me out?”
“I…” Johnny stammered. “But I…”
“Just meet me tonight at my restaurant at 8pm.” He winked.
“Yes sir.” Johnny saluted, nearly tripping over the costume.
***********************
FEW WEEKS LATER
“How do I look?” Jaehyun stepped into the store in a well fitted denim jacket, matching pants and a white shirt underneath.
“Like a wet dream.” Johnny smirked. “So, tonight is the big night huh?”
“Yes and I am this close to pissing myself.” Jaehyun closed his eyes and breathed, trying to calm his raging heartbeat. Just relax. It’s just a date. Just two guys going for a meal.
“Just relax, it’s not like Doyoung is going to eat you.” Johnny waved a hand. “Unless you’re into that.”
“This coming from the man who begged me to buy concealer when you found out you had a pimple on your face a day before your date with Taeyong.” Jaehyun scoffed at him.
“Get lost. Go be a pain in someone’s ass.” Johnny shooed him off and Jaehyun gladly took his advice and walked out of the store. He walked over to their special bus stop, the place where he first met Doyoung and he waited for him for their date. Their very first date.
“Jaehyunnie!”
“Doyoungie!” Jaehyun smiled when he saw his date.
“Thank you so much for agreeing to meet me after work.” Doyoung said. “Did you wait long?”
“Not at all.” Jaehyun smiled lovingly. Doyoung looked just adorable in his blue and white oversized dress shirt, his black pants and his cheeks slightly pink from running. “I waited a whole lifetime for you.”
“Stop it.” Doyoung’s cheeks turned even redder. “Stop being so cheesy.”
“Can’t help it.” Jaehyun giggled. “You must be hungry; I know a great place for dinner.”
“Sounds great, anything except cucumbers.”
“You don’t like them?”
Doyoung shook his head.
“Good.” Jaehyun grinned. “I love cucumbers, so I can have them all.”
Doyoung simply smiled at him. He reached for Jaehyun’s hand and leaned forward to press a chaste kiss on Jaehyun’s cheek. Jaehyun’s eyes widened in surprise and then his cheek and ears felt hot.
“What was that for?”
“Nothing.” Doyoung shook his head. “I just like you.”
Jaehyun let Doyoung cup his cheeks for a real kiss, slowly melting in his arms as Doyoung’s lips touched his. The two of them stood there for quite a while, just savouring the kiss and the warmth of each other’s bodies, so engrossed in each other that they missed the bus completely.
“Oh no!” Doyoung exclaimed when he saw the bus drive off. “We missed it!”
“That’s okay,” Jaehyun pulled his face back towards him. “There will be other busses.”
“Yeah.” Doyoung wrapped his arms around Jaehyun’s waist. “We have time.”
***********************
"Okay this is the costume." Jaehyun handed Mark Lee, a bright-eyed young college student who came in asking if they needed part time help, a big box with the words "Picture Bear" written on masking tape on the front of it. "You just need to put it on, stand in front of the shop waving at customers and entice them in."
"This looks so heavy." Mark frowned slightly. "Do I get extra pay for each customer I bring in?"
"Nope."
Mark sighed. "I sure hope this is worth it. I just want to earn enough money to take Donghyuck some place nice on our dates."
"In my experience, this costume has helped me greatly with my love life." Jaehyun grinned. "Good luck with it."
Johnny watched them from his workstation a few feet away. "Feels good knowing you can shove off the work huh?"
"You hired me to get someone to be in the costume and it's done." Jaehyun grinned. After the whole Ruby eating Picture Bear fiasco, Johnny decided to take Jaehyun on as store manager, with hopes that he would one day become a partner in his booming photography business. Jaehyun was just glad that he could escape the heat of the fur covered contraption and do something else instead. He still had a lot to learn in terms of managing the shop and the business, but for the first time in a long while, he finally felt motivated and secure. Maybe the corporate ladder was not for him, but he would never know until he tried.
Jaehyun was at his desk, going through the store's appointment listing when he felt a thud on his table. "It's lunchtime." he looked up and smiled when he saw Doyoung.
"Babe," Jaehyun grinned. "You're a sight for sore eyes."
"I bought tacos." Doyoung grinned, showing off his food. "And nachos with free guacamole."
"Oh that sounds delicious." Jaehyun leaned forward to kiss Doyoung. "Thank you my love."
"Hey hey hey!" Johnny used a ruler to smack against his table. "New rule here, no public display of affection during work hours."
"And it's alright for you and Taeyong to make out in the dark room and spill the chemicals all over the floor?" Jaehyun snapped at him.
"You see, that was after work hours." Johnny made finger guns at him and Jaehyun flipped him off while laughing.
"Poor guy," Doyoung pointed at Mark inside the Picture Bear costume, waving weakly to customers. "He must be so tired."
"Yeah, it's not easy." Jaehyun nodded.
Doyoung stepped outside to give Mark a hug. He came back in and sat back down at his seat. Jaehyun smiled at him. "How does it feel?"
"It's not the same." Doyoung sighed. "I think I like my old teddy bear better."
"Who?"
"You." Doyoung smiled and walked over to Jaehyun, hugging him tightly.
Jaehyun and Doyoung had a date that night where they went to see a horror movie. Jaehyun loved it, Doyoung did not, and they proceeded to bicker about it all the way home.
"To be honest I wasn't scared." Doyoung huffed. "I was just looking for an excuse to hug you."
"You were not, you were terrified." Jaehyun scoffed at him.
"Was not!"
"You were screaming and calling for mommy!" Jaehyun teased. "I don't think I have ever seen you so scared before."
"Fine I'm going. Bye." Doyoung turned his back towards him but Jaehyun pulled him back in.
"I'm just teasing you babe." Jaehyun giggled, kissing Doyoung's cheek. "No more horror movies from now on. I promise."
Doyoung sighed and hugged him, burying his face in the crook of his shoulder. "You know, you and Picture Bear have something in common."
"We do?"
"You both are really furry." Doyoung said. "I mean in a good way, like your hairs are so soft and fine."
"Oh." Jaehyun watched as Doyoung's fingers ran up and down his arm, stroking his long arm hair and playing with the ends of it.
"Your veins are pretty big too." Doyoung said. "I'm sorry is this weird for you? It's just something I have noticed."
"No no it's fine." Jaehyun smirked. "If you uh, like hair and veins, I have more where that came from."
Doyoung looked up at Jaehyun. A sly grin stretched across his face. "Oh really?"
"Yeah." Jaehyun gripped Doyoung's waist.
"Why don't you put your money where your mouth is," Doyoung quickly unlocked his front door. "And show me?" he pulled Jaehyun inside and shoved him in the direction of his bedroom.
"Oh honey," Jaehyun took off his shirt. "I have better things to put in my mouth than that."