Work Text:
It's a chilly spring night. Sumiya tightens his coat around him to fend off the cold wind as he walks out from a restaurant. With dinner behind him, he is now on his way to the next destination: his favorite bar.
Tonight is his bi-weekly meet-up with Lars Rorschach - the CEO of Feinz Group, a titan among conglomerates and thus the biggest client of Sumiya's company. Lars is not only his most trusted partner for business-related matters but also his best friend since university days.
It all started on an early summer day during his first semester at university. Sumiya signed up for a mentorship program organized by the university to help newcomers like him settle into campus life. Each participant would be paired with a mentor - a student from the third semester onward. Sumiya thought that this was a perfect chance to get to know other students and navigate his new surroundings. So he joined without hesitation.
His eyes widened in astonishment when he found out that he was paired with Lars. Never in his life had he seen anybody that dazzling. Lars has a striking appearance, with his chiseled chin, thin lips that were always smiling, perfectly straight nose, aquamarine eyes that shine with enthusiasm and curiosity, fluffy blond hair that seems to glow in the sunlight, and a tall and masculine frame. His way of talking and carrying himself exuded the confidence of one who understands his purpose in life and how to attain it. This natural charisma drew people toward him, and Sumiya was no exception. He found himself deeply inspired by this man, yearning to emulate his self-confidence.
During the program, Sumiya made every effort to get closer to his mentor, bombarding him with questions and inviting him to study sessions or coffee outings. Lars' friends even started teasing him about his "little brother", given Sumiya's admiration for Lars and the black-haired student's small physique in comparison to his. Despite the teasing, Lars' friends all happily let the enthusiastic Sumiya into their circle and Lars himself was having fun as well as they started doting on this "little brother".
The conversations between Lars and Sumiya quickly went beyond academics to personal topics like their backgrounds, hobbies, goals and dreams for the future. Lars and Sumiya are both straightforward people and are considerate listeners so it didn't take long for them to open their hearts to each other. Sumiya confessed that he saw Lars as a role model, likening him to the sun. Lars chuckled upon hearing that and promised to guide his "little brother" while encouraging Sumiya to find his own path. He would rather see a confident Sumiya than a second Lars and he would be glad to play a part in Sumiya's growth. Since then, they had spent more time together, participating in campus activities, completing several successful projects, and most importantly, enjoying their youth. Their camaraderie was well-known, with their playful banter brightening up campus life.
And true to his word, Lars showed Sumiya the rope of socializing, teaching him to converse with ease, to observe and interpret facial expressions as well as gestures to a certain extent. For practice, they frequented parties and bars, which they deemed as the ideal settings to interact with individuals with diverse backgrounds. At first, Sumiya found himself awkwardly stumbling through conversations and struggling to keep them flowing. He could talk with Lars and his friends just fine but he couldn't quite grasp why it was so hard to connect with people outside their circle. When Lars shared his advice, Sumiya's eyes widened with realization. While it wasn't as difficult as he had imagined, he couldn't help but wish he had learned these skills sooner.
Additionally, they engaged in a "debating battle" once every week. For these “battles”, Lars would choose a topic for them to spar over. These debates didn't require hard facts, as long as Sumiya could hold his ground against Lars for a certain amount of time, it counted as his win. The first few rounds were totally Sumiya’s loss, he found himself overwhelmed and even sometimes shedded a tear or two, much to his embarrassment. Sensing Sumiya's frustration, Lars would call a timeout, offering ice cream to soothe Sumiya's nerves before providing feedback and guidance for improvement. Lars genuinely wanted to see Sumiya grow and had come to see himself as a brotherly figure for the little guy. Fortunately, Sumiya lived up to Lars’ expectation - he absorbed Lars' advice like a sponge and improved with each session.
By the time Lars graduated, Sumiya had truly transformed into a confident and sociable individual under Lars' wing. To celebrate his mentor's graduation, Sumiya threw a special party for him and their circle of friends. He expressed his gratitude openly that day and had a blast with everybody. However, after the party, when only the two of them remained, he couldn't hold back his tears. He truly wished for the fun-filled days to continue, but he knew it was time for Lars to embark on his business endeavors. A wave of sadness washed over Lars upon seeing Sumiya's tears. He was prepared to bid farewell to his university life, but that also meant he wouldn't be able to spend as much time with Sumiya and oversee his growth anymore. Without uttering a word, Lars gently rubbed Sumiya's trembling back, silently assuring of their enduring friendship. After a shared moment of silence, they exchanged a pinky swear, promising to stay in touch, meet regularly and support each other through thick and thin.
Several years have passed since then, and both Sumiya and Lars have flourished in their respective careers. Sumiya works for a supplier contracted with Feinz Group and is steadily advancing within his firm. He deliberately avoided applying for a position within the conglomerate for he wanted to be seen as Lars' equal. Being his subordinate or assistant doesn't quite fit the bill for Sumiya, he prefers a more balanced relationship. Besides, by working for a supplier, he still has ample opportunities to interact with Lars. They often see each other in meetings, be it online or offline and sometimes, Sumiya will visit Lars' office to personally discuss urgent matters. Most people in the building are familiar with Sumiya, and he still goes by the nickname "Lars' little brother".
As Sumiya walks, his phone vibrates in his pocket. He reaches out for it to see a message from Lars.
"Sorry, I'll be about 15 minutes late due to a sudden call. Don't wait for me outside; just head into the bar first."
Lars' occasional tardiness is understandable given his position and Sumiya appreciates how Lars always makes time for him. A smile creeps onto Sumiya's face as he notices the cute sorry sticker Lars attached, which is from a famous shoujo manga. It is a reminder of this surprising side of Lars, who, despite being the CEO of Feinz Group, has an unexpected fondness for such things. Sumiya finds that endearing, especially since they share a mutual love for manga.
The bar where they plan to meet is not far away from where he dined, just a 15-minute walk. However, he underestimated the chill in the spring air and regrets not wearing warmer clothes. Sneezing along the way, he arrives at the bar feeling cold and slightly trembling. A drink to warm himself up seems like a perfect solution, he thinks to himself.
Located on the ground floor of an old building in the historic town, the bar has a secluded feel to it. It exudes a cozy and inviting ambience, with soft lighting and jazz music playing in the background. The owner has gone for a rustic style in the interior design, using wooden furniture, leather sofas and mismatched couches. Textural fabric adds to the comfort and there’s a large stone fireplace in the middle, even though the fire is fake. The tables are spaced apart, allowing guests to converse in peace while enjoying the owner’s selection of wines or a glass of cocktail. Lars and Sumiya have tried many other bars, but they always find themselves coming back to this one.
Finding a quiet corner, Sumiya orders one of his favorite cocktails, a Swimming pool. He has a sweet tooth, so such cocktails are always his go-to in every bar. It doesn’t take long for a waiter to bring him his drink, which Sumiya eagerly gulps down, hoping it will soon warm him up. The cold turquoise liquid makes him shiver slightly as it flows down his throat. Leaning back on his couch, he admires the cocktail’s beautiful color, which reminds him of Lars' eyes, always brimming with optimism and curiosity. With his eyes closed, he waits for the alcohol to sink in and lets the turquoise color fill his mind.
"Hey, did you wait long?"
Sumiya hears an apologetic voice as a big hand gently rubs his hair. He immediately opens his eyes to see the pair of eyes he was imagining and a soft smile close to his face. Lars has sneakily approached Sumiya, crouched down to his eye level and chuckles as Sumiya takes a sudden move back in surprise.
"It's fine, I only got here a little earlier. But you sure like to startle me."
"You used to do that to me all the time, so now it's my turn. Hug?"
Lars stands up with his arms wide open, letting Sumiya embrace him in a tight hug. It's a custom in Germany that Sumiya really likes. The warmth from Lars’ body is comforting like a blanket, briefly chasing away the chill in his bones. Sumiya wishes it could last a second longer as he reluctantly releases his hold.
Lars suddenly places his hand on Sumiya’s head, giving him a puzzled look.
“Did you get taller?”
“I wish, but nope. If I were as tall as you, all the ladies would swoon for me instead.” Sumiya shakes his head and grins. “It’s not me that got taller, the secret lies deep below.”
Lars follows his gaze and immediately catches his drift.
“That’s a neat pair of shoes, and I like the design. Hey, we should go shopping together again sometime.”
Lars admires Sumiya’s shoes before plopping down the seat opposite Sumiya. A waiter swiftly brings him a glass of Pinot Noir red wine as he has ordered beforehand. They raise a toast and take a good sip before moving to the main topics.
"Are you feeling alright?" Lars asks, concern evident in his voice. Despite the dim lighting in the bar, he had a good look at Sumiya just now, and the tiredness is clearly noticeable through his pale face with dark circles under his eyes. The black-haired guy tends to overwork himself, Lars knows that well.
"Not too good I guess. I’ve just taken up a new project, quite an interesting one actually. But there’s opposition from a certain higher-up against my proposal. It has turned into quite a headache right now. And since I have to spend more time on that project, my daily work is piling up, as well as my overtime. But it’s nothing you haven’t heard of." Sumiya heaves a heavy sigh and takes a big gulp from his cocktail. Lars can tell there’s more bothering him, but now isn't the right timing to delve into it.
"And how is work on your side?"
"Same old same old. Lots of business trips, luckily only in Europe this week. Right, here's a little something for you, open your hands."
Lars searches his pocket before pulling out a batch of stamps. Sumiya's eyes light up like those of a child upon seeing them. He collects stamps, and Lars has been dutifully bringing him stamps from all over the world. Without his blonde friend, his collection could never be as big and diverse as it is now. He carefully puts the stamps away in his bag before thanking Lars with a big smile.
They proceed to talk about Lars’ travels and his encounter with interesting individuals as well as new discoveries, to which Sumiya listens attentively, sometimes dropping in questions and comments. The topic smoothly switches to Sumiya's challenge at work after that, and Lars, as usual, offers Sumiya his valuable advice, for which Sumiya is really grateful. Their conversation then drifts to their hobbies as they discuss the recent manga updates, laugh over Sumiya’s recent losses in billiards against Lars and admire Lars’ new attempt in painting, etc. It’s as if they have reverted back to two carefree students amidst the banter. Their bond is still as strong as ever for both have done their best to uphold the promise since that day. “Bro for life” They joke, but deep down, they both cherish their friendship.
In the merry atmosphere, they raise their glasses many times in a toast to their friendship. However, after the fourth cocktail, Sumiya’s demeanor gradually becomes melancholic. Lars recognizes the change and waits patiently for his friend to open up. Sumiya has always been a cheery and open person, but he has this habit of hiding his weakness and his worry, even to his closest friends. Luckily, Lars knows how to read his subtle signals of distress and will lend an ear whenever his friend is ready to confide.
“Lars, I really envy your confidence and your enthusiasm for work and life itself. To me, it seems like you have figured out your purpose in life and you are doing well in achieving it ever since the first day we met.” Sumiya hangs his head, his voice heavy with self-doubt. “But for me, it’s different. I don’t know what I’m striving for and why I’m even doing it. My life seems to serve no purpose. I give everything my all, but I never feel good enough for anything. I’m not even sure I can ever be. Your guidance might be wasted on me; I just can’t shake the thought…”
He feels guilty for burdening his friend with his insecurities, but the words spill out like a dam-breach flood. These thoughts have plagued his mind for a long time, forcing him to bury himself in work to escape them. Yet, whenever he’s home alone, they consume him mercilessly. He’s never wanted to show this ugly side of himself to anybody, but in the face of Lars' genuine concern and under the influence of alcohol, he finds himself confessing, desperate for some sort of relief.
Lars can discern the cause of Sumiya’s insecurity. The ambitious Sumiya always sets high standards for himself and looks up to successful individuals, forgetting that everybody has their own path and success takes time. Thus he deems himself as worthless when comparing his progress to theirs. Lars has noticed this tendency and gently reminded Sumiya of his own worth on numerous occasions, but it appears that the self-doubt is now more deep-rooted as work is wearing him out… It pains Lars to see his friend in this state. He takes a moment to collect his thoughts before placing his hand on Sumiya's shoulder.
“Sumiya, please look me in the eyes.”
Lars urges, his voice is serious. He’s making sure to maintain eye contact to convey his messages in full. As their eyes lock, he can better sense the growing distress inside Sumiya.
“Sumiya, do you think I trust you?”
“I- I suppose yes?” The question catches Sumiya off guard and he stutters slightly.
“And why do you think I trust you?” Lars presses on, his eyes unwavering.
“...Because we have known each other since university and are working together?” Sumiya answers with uncertainty.
“You don’t think that’s all there is to my trust, do you?”
Sumiya averts his eyes at the question, feeling somewhat like a child caught in the wrong.
“Regarding work, nepotism won’t bring any benefits for the Feinz Group, so that’s something I, as a CEO, would never do. It would be utmost irresponsible of me to do such.”
“I choose to work with you not just because we are friends, but because I know how competent you are. Your hard-working nature and attention to detail make it extremely easy for me to rely on you, both professionally and personally. And to be fair, you did fight for that position, else I wouldn't have appointed you to handle orders from Feinz Group.”
“Moreover, you have great potential, I’ve seen your growth firsthand since our university days. Nobody would believe me if I told them the confident Sumiya used to stumble during debates with me several years ago.” Lars chuckles, reminiscing, while Sumiya takes a sip of his cocktail to hide his embarrassment.
“Compare yourself to the person you were yesterday to see how much you’ve grown. Set small goals on the way to your bigger goals. That’s a good place to start, we can even talk this over together. Now, about the purpose of life…” Lars pauses, resting his chin on his hand, waiting for Sumiya to meet his gaze.
“Everyone’s journey to finding their purpose in life is unique. Your purpose could reveal itself anywhere - during a leisurely vacation, a chance encounter, or even in your hobbies. It doesn’t necessarily have to be confined to your career alone. Keeping an open mind to all possibilities may be the key to discovering your calling.”
“However, that’s still up to chance. Some may realize their purpose early on, while others may only stumble upon it later in life, or perhaps not at all. As I’ve always said about chance: Just do your best and the opportunities will present themselves. And from what I’ve seen, you are going down the right path.“
“But please don’t let the pursuit of your purpose in life take over your entire life. While it’s admirable that you are pursuing the answer with all your might, it shouldn’t come at the expense of your well-being. Maintaining work-life balance is just as important as the quest itself.”
“Besides, there’s so much more to life beyond work, and it’s equally important to enjoy those moments, regardless of whether you’ve found your purpose. That's something I can certainly show you. Let’s see…” Lars opens the calendar app on his phone, revealing a packed schedule with appointments. He rearranges some meetings to free up a slot.
“If I remember correctly, you’re planning a 4-day leave next month, and you’ve asked for my recommendation. How about we spend those days together on a private island in the Indian Ocean? Consider it a personal coaching session with Coach Lars.” Lars winks playfully.
Sumiya sits in silence all the while, absorbing Lars’ words and reflecting on his own thoughts. Has he allowed the search for his life’s purpose to consume him entirely and lost sight of the joy in life? How could he forget to explore other possibilities beside work? Since when has he become a lame working adult? Is he setting the bar too high for himself? These questions make him laugh hysterically at himself. It’s as if Lars can see right through him, addressing his inner turmoils with accuracy. Though his self-doubt hasn’t truly been dispelled, Sumiya feels a glimmer of hope through Lars’ insight. Without hesitation, he agrees to Lars' proposal, anticipating an unforgettable adventure with his friend.
As Sumiya reaches for more wine to lift his spirits, Lars intervenes with a gentle but firm hand.
“You are downing those cocktails too quickly. I’d hate for you to wake up with a hangover tomorrow so let’s call it a night. Besides, those bags under your eyes are telling me you need some rest more than alcohol.”
Lars reminds Sumiya about his exhaustion, which brings a slight blush to Sumiya’s cheeks..
“Aw, come on… I was just getting into the mood. But I guess I can't hide anything from your eagle eyes.”
Sumiya admits with a chuckle, rubbing his tired eyes. Lars is right; he does need more rest. Perhaps tonight, the negative thoughts will loosen their grip, letting him drift into a peaceful slumber.
“I’ll take that as a compliment, though I’m just looking out for my ‘little brother’.” Lars says with a warm smile before his expression turns serious. “But there’s something important that I need you to promise me.”
Sumiya nods cautiously. “I’ll do my best.”
“If you ever find yourself going through something like this again, promise me you’ll tell me. I'm always on your side and it hurts to see you struggle alone.”
Sumiya can feel Lars’ sincerity as he gazes into his friend’s aquamarine eyes. Despite his reluctance to trouble Lars with his insecurities, he knows he can’t refuse this request. After a moment of hesitation, he nods in agreement.
“Pinky swear?” Lars extends his pinky, ready to seal the promise.
“...Pinky swear.” Sumiya confirms, feeling a sense of relief as their pinkies intertwine…
“So, we have a deal. Thank you for signing the contract.” Lars says with a playful grin, lightening the mood with his humor.
As they prepare to leave, Lars shoots Sumiya a concerned look.
“How are you planning to get home tonight?” he asks.
“By tram and bus, as usual. Can't exactly drive after a few drinks, can I?” Sumiya replies with a casual shrug, but Lars’ expression remains serious.
“Then don't tell me that's the only coat you brought with you today?” Lars raises an eyebrow as he gestures towards Sumiya’s attire.
Sumiya glances down at himself and curses inwardly. He’d forgotten to remove his trench coat upon entering the bar. So now Lars can see his full attire-a black turtleneck sweater, a beige blazer, all covered by the thin black trench coat. Clearly not enough to fend himself against the chilly wind on an early spring night. Sumiya doesn’t want to make Lars worry but he can't come up with a convincing excuse. He feels like a child caught red-handed and can only remain silent.
"You sure know how to make me worry, Sumiya.” Lars says with a chuckle. “I'll get you home today, Mr. Bond won’t mind a little detour. Can't have my trusted partner catch a cold." Lars winks mischievously.
"Hm… put this on for now." Lars takes off his oversized scarf and gently wraps it around Sumiya’s shoulders, enveloping him in its warmth. The familiar scent of Lars brings Sumiya a sense of comfort, his eyes half-closed and his body relaxed almost immediately.
"Guess I have to stay healthy for business sake." Sumiya says with a heartfelt smile. "Thanks for always looking out for me, Lars!"
An idea suddenly pops up in his mind.
“You know what, can I crash at your place tonight? A change of scenery might just be what I need right now.”
“Of course! You are always welcome at my place. And Tinnie will be thrilled to see you.” Lars replies with a grin.
“Oh Tinnie, I miss him! How big is he now?” Sumiya asks eagerly.
“He must be asking the same question about you.” Lars jokes as he pulls out his phone to show Sumiya recent photos of Tinnie.
They chat a little bit more before leaving the bar. Sumiya insists on paying the bill as a token of gratitude for the enlightening conversation and for letting him stay over, which Lars readily accepts. Mr. Bond awaits them at a parking garage a little further away since there were no available parking spots downtown. Thanks to Lars’ scarf, Sumiya doesn’t feel as cold as before but he still sneezes a couple of times. Lars grows a bit concerned and wraps his arm around Sumiya’s shoulder, drawing him closer for warmth.
Sumiya’s face feels warm, whether from the alcohol, the excitement of staying over at Lars’ house, or the warmth from his friend. Despite his excitement, he soon dozes off once the car starts moving. It's a skill of his, being able to fall asleep anywhere as long as there’s motion.
Lars lets Sumiya rest his head on his shoulder as he focuses on sorting through a pile of documents. He needs to finish some work ahead of schedule if he wants to make that vacation with Sumiya happen. Both of them are looking forward to it, and as Sumiya dozes off, he starts to dream of azure waters and Lars’ flamingo shirt.
In his sleep, Sumiya mumbles something, which brings a smile to Lars’ lips upon hearing it.
“Lars’ the best.”