Work Text:
The familiar chime of the café's bell was a soothing sound for Kim Dokja's tired ears. The dinging bounced around in his head, clearing the rest of the sleepy haze from his brain and making him feel more awake already. The warm atmosphere and smell of fresh coffee and baked goods did well to remove the lingering chill of the snowy outdoors.
He stepped up to the short line of early commuters and glanced at the menu and decorations lining the back counter. Dokja blinked in confusion when he saw his friend Han Sooyoung standing to the side restocking the front display with various pastry. He looked to see who was at the register, and his heart did a flip.
The new employee was gorgeous. He had a calm, serious expression that lent itself well to his beautiful, sharp features, and he took orders with the sort of professional ease that Dokja wished he could emulate. His steady hands moved swiftly about the cash register, as if he'd had several lifetimes of experience working this type of job. Maybe he did, Dokja thought absentmindedly. The guy did look like a vampire of sorts, with the kind of handsome glamour he'd only ever read about in fantasy novels. Dokja was smitten instantly, and he knew he'd have to bug Sooyoung later for more about him. The new barista radiated feelings of protection that made the air buzz with a sort of positive energy, and Dokja could see as well as feel the content relaxation that warmed the morning customers, friendly smiles being shared as strangers went about starting their day.
The line moved swiftly along, and Dokja realized he would soon be called upon. He nervously thumbed at the hem of his jacket, maintaining all his composure despite the puffballs filling his chest. And then he made eye contact with the barista.
"Next." His tone was silky smooth and commanding, urging Dokja forward as he swallowed his nerves.
“Good morning, welcome to Cool Beans Room, what can I get for you?" Dokja resisted the urge to laugh at the café name coming from such a straight-laced appearing guy, instead clearing his throat.
"I'll get a Matcha latte and chocolate waffle, please." He silently congratulated himself on being able to talk normally.
"Is that for here or to go?" Dokja gestured to his usual spot near the window. "For here," he replied, the barista nodding in response.
Dokja paid, avoiding eye contact with the barista in the process, and went to sit at his table. He pulled a book out of his bag before setting it by his feet, opening it up to the page for today.
“You’re early. Any reason for that?” Sooyoung stood over his table, holding his order.
“Is it a crime to want to see you?” Dokja said jokingly, fluttering his eyelashes in a faux flirty way.
Sooyoung rolled her eyes and set his stuff on the table, sitting across from him. Dokja raised an eyebrow as he went to take a sip of his drink. “Aren’t you working?”
Sooyoung raised an eyebrow back at him. “Didn’t you say you wanted to see me?” Dokja snorted, almost choking on the latte. “Things are slow this time, anyway,” she said vaguely.
Dokja furrowed his brow, glancing briefly to the counter where customers disproved her point. He set down his drink with a gentle clink, leaning forward to listen.
Sooyoung sighed, tapping her fingers on the table. "Work, y'know. And I don't mean this place," she huffed, gesturing around.
Dokja nodded. Sooyoung had wished for a long time to be a writer, but in her pursuit she'd landed herself in an awful contract to a man asking too much for any human. She was a pretty good writer, although Dokja wouldn't admit to her that he likes her stories, but the amount of work her boss expected from her made Dokja shudder.
Sooyoung sat up more, a mischievous smirk crossing her face. "What about you, though?" Dokja frowned in confusion
"Don't think I didn't see the way you were looking at my newbie."
Dokja choked for real this time, Sooyoung shooting him an extremely unimpressed look as he coughed. "I don't know what you mean," he spluttered, attempting to regain composure.
"Oh, come on, even I know that guy's a looker," she jabbed a thumb in the direction of the barista, Dokja pointedly not looking over. "If you want his number you have to ask yourself, I ain't playing wingman for ya."
Dokja picked at his waffle, ignoring her words. "When'd you hire him?"
"A week ago, but you've been too busy to stop by, eh?" She leaned back in the seat, folding her arms over her chest as she scrutinized him. "Have you even slept between all that work?"
"I haven't been working that hard!" Dokja huffed in defense. She raised an eyebrow at his work book, and Dokja bit his tongue as he closed it with a sharp clap, shoving it back into his bag.
"If you don't get proper rest-"
"I know, I know, I won't have perfect health and I'll get sick," Dokja rolled his eyes.
Sooyoung snorted. "Nah, I was gonna say you'd have an uglier mug than ya do now," she cackled. Dokja shook his head, eating his waffle.
She stood up, patting him on the head. "He's a quiet one, so good luck getting a number from him."
Things are going to get interesting.
⩶
The next day was snowier than the last, the cold chill settling quicker into Dokja's scrawny body as he hurried from the station to the café. Just as he expected, the weather had kept away most of the crowd, leaving only tired college students and rushing business people getting their morning coffees.
And also as he expected, the treat of a barista was at the counter again. Dokja looked over to his friend, who winked at him as she handed out an order. He stepped up to the counter, putting on his best smile.
"Hello again!" The barista looked him up and down, recognizing him from the day before.
"Good morning, is it the same order?" Dokja's heart fluttered knowing that he remembered it.
"Just the drink today. To go this time," he nodded, the man putting in his order, and Dokja handed out the cash he had ready.
Dokja stood to the side as his drink was being made, ignoring Sooyoung smirking at him from where she tended other orders. Tapping his fingers on the counter, he took a shot at small talk.
"Say, I've never seen you around before. Did you move here?"
"A week ago," He grumbled. The short answer left Dokja feeling disappointed, but there was nothing else he could do as he was handed his drink.
The next few days went by similarly. Dokja would go to the café and get his usual order, attempting small talk on the days that the barista was there. Whenever he wasn't working, Sooyoung was there to tease him.
And then Dokja found himself dragging his tired body to the station. It was Thursday now, and he was just getting home after an unusually busy day where the only thing that got him through was the kindness of his coworker Yoo Sangah. She was a sweet woman, always nice to everyone and Dokja was no different, but despite that he just wanted to go back to his apartment without having to talk to anyone.
As he boarded the crowded train, Dokja found a corner seat and plopped himself in it, settling his bag into his lap. Looking down at the floor, he ran over what he had to do in the next day and before he knew it, he had nodded off.
Dokja woke to the train car being empty, save for the person who had woken him. Blinking as his senses slowly made their way back, he looked up to the person, waking fully when he realized who it was.
"Oh, you aren't dead." The handsome man looked him up and down. "You didn't miss your station, did you?"
Dokja looked to the location sign worriedly, sighing in relief when it showed that he didn't.
"Ah, no, I'm after the next," Dokja yawned, noticing that the man had sat in the open space across from him. "Thanks for waking me."
He simply nodded, and Dokja stood to stretch his aching legs. Turning to put his bag on the overhang, he spoke up.
"My name's Dokja, I'm not sure I've ever caught yours."
"Yoo Joonghyuk." That was a nice name.
As Dokja turned back around, intending to say something about meeting him for real, the train jostled and he flew forward. Joonghyuk's strong arms caught him before he could find himself falling into an awkward predicament, and he laughed nervously as he moved back when the train stopped.
Diing Doong. "Attention passengers, there has been an unforeseen malfunction with the engine. Please sit by while we fix the issue."
A moment of silence passed, and Dokja risked to break it.
"Man, this seems like the plot of a webnovel," he chuckled, thinking that Sooyoung may have written a story that started with a train stopping.
Joonghyuk made a sound that was almost a laugh, but more of a huff. Dokja couldn't get a read on the guy, but he had a feeling that he wasn't as annoyed with him as he seemed.
After a moment longer, Joonghyuk was the one to speak up. "You.. How long have you lived here?"
Dokja hummed. "About a year by now. I met Sooyoung online and she helped me get out of a bad situation."
Joonghyuk nodded. It seemed he wasn't much of the curious type, as he didn't prod Dokja further.
"Do you have any hobbies?" Dokja nudged for more info on the guy.
"Baking and cooking, I guess." He shrugged. "I play video games on the side."
"Oh, yeah?" Dokja leaned forward, gaining interest. "I work for a game company!"
"Which one?"
Dokja hung his head, a little ashamed.
Joonghyuk snorted. "Minosoft, huh? Those games suck."
Dokja laughed. "Tell me about it. I'm not high enough in status for them to listen to my criticisms- and I have a lot."
"I don't blame you."
⩶
Dokja had managed to hold a conversation with Joonghyuk for two hours, in which he had learned the man was a pro gamer- much different from "playing video games on the side", thank you very much!- had a younger sister, worked out regularly- no wonder his arms are so sexy- and, alongside being a self-proclaimed excellent cook, he enjoyed the same Murim dumplings that were Dokja's favorite.
And that's how Dokja found himself, two days later, outside a nice apartment complex, waiting to be buzzed in. It didn't take long for Joonghyuk to come and get him, greeting him rather curtly. Dokja found it a charming quality, though.
Joonghyuk's apartment was just as Dokja expected; neat, clean and beautiful, just like the man who lived there. And it wasn't a sterile sort of cleanliness, the kind online influencers promote having. No, Joonghyuk's house felt cozy and lived in. Some of the pillows on the couch were mismatched, moved around and with a ruffled up blanket as if someone had stayed over. Judging by a toy sitting on the coffee table, it must have been his little sister- Yoo Mia was her name, and you could tell the two were related based on the pictures that were framed around the apartment.
After being showed around the apartment, Joonghyuk sat Dokja in the kitchen as he began preparing food. Dokja started on some things for his work while Joonghyuk was cooking, occasionally stealing glances at the handsome man; the way his strong hand gripped a knife, the expert way he shaped the dumplings, gently placing them in his steamer.
Before he knew it, Joonghyuk was done, presenting him with a plate of beautifully made dumplings, and the smell. Dokja may as well have died and gone to heaven, the smell of those dumplings were enough to make his mouth water. As Dokja moved over to get a closer look, Joonghyuk picked up a particularly good looking dumpling, raising the chopsticks to Dokja. He blinked, glancing from the dumpling to Joonghyuk, who gave him an expectant look.
Dokja opened his mouth, Joonghyuk guiding the dumpling to it. His face felt hot and he found himself unable to look away from Joonghyuk, who held his gaze intensely. He bit into the dumpling, bursting with flavor that coated his tongue and made him melt, humming happily.
"Damn, you were right! This is delicious!" Dokja practically moaned at the good food.
The way Joonghyuk grinned at the praise would've made Dokja's heart flip, but Joonghyuk shoved the rest of the dumpling into his mouth, effectively stopping him from anything as he struggled to not choke.
Dokja grabbed a plate, placing a few dumplings on it. As good as they were, he felt bad to take too many more. As if reading him like an open book, Joonghyuk nudged him.
"You can take as many as you'd like."
He turned to face Joonghyuk for confirmation, but paused when he realized how close they were. Joonghyuk seemed to notice the distance as well, his eyes glancing down Dokja's face. His gaze lingered when Dokja moistened his lips, going back up to meet his eyes. His heart pounded as Joonghyuk slowly leaned closer, giving him plenty of time to move. He stayed, though, excitement and nervousness mixing in his stomach and fizzing up, making him feel like a bubble in a glass of soda.
Joonghyuk's lips were big and soft, pressing oh so gently to his own. They maintained eye contact, Joonghyuk's sharp eyes making him feel weak. He pulled away, Dokja setting down the plate and having to turn around to lean against the counter.
"That was.." Dokja was at a loss for words. He could feel the heat in his face burning hotter than he'd ever felt it before, attempting to clear his throat. "I.."
The taller man grinned. "You liked it." He nodded wordlessly, unsure if it could really be put that simple.
He leaned in again, and Dokja closed his eyes this time. He relished in the feeling of the kiss, pressing into it eagerly. Joonghyuk pushed against him, his back pressing a little uncomfortably into the counter's edge. But Dokja didn't care about that, the hot kiss taking all his attention.
Joonghyuk pulled away only slightly, surprising Dokja when he bit his lower lip to elicit a gasp. Joonghyuk's tongue was thick and warm as it plunged into Dokja's mouth, making the smaller man wobble as he gripped the other's arms in an attempt to steady himself.
A moan slipped from Dokja as his tongue was pressed down, Joonghyuk's strong hands finding their way to his waist. Dokja never thought he would ever have a first kiss, let alone one that felt as intensely passionate as this. Joonghyuk was amazing, the kiss displaying a stark contrast in experience between the two.
As he started running out of breath, the kiss became more sloppy and he could feel saliva drip down his chin. Tightening his grip on Joonghyuk's arms, they pulled away and he gasped for air.
Joonghyuk licked his lips in a way that had tingles running through Dokja's body, newfound desire shooting sparks through his bloodstream.
"The dumplings taste great," Joonghyuk grinned. "But you taste better."