Chapter Text
Myung-gi is vaguely aware of the fact that his 30th birthday is tomorrow. He’s not particularly excited, though, with the teasing that Su-bong is putting him through.
“You know,” the purple haired man grins, leaning into Myung-gi’s personal space, “being a virgin at 30 turns you into a wizard.”
“Shut up,” he grumbles, typing away on his keyboard.
They both work at an office job — Myung-gi isn’t really close with any of his coworkers, aside from Su-bong.
He does have friends, though, like Hyun-ju and Ki-yong.
Two friends — that’s fine for your 30s, surely.
“I’m telling you,” Su-bong continues, “you’ll be flying on a magic broom tomorrow.”
“That’s a witch.”
“Whatever, man,” he rolls his eyes, “don’t come crying to me when you’re totally powerful and scared of yourself!”
“I’m going to-”
Su-bong perks up when a few coworkers waltz by.
“Yo, senoritas!” He purrs, “and Dae-ho!”
Dae-ho, arguably the most popular and sought after employee in the building, is with Mi-na, Jun-hee, and Se-mi. He flashes Su-bong a smile, while Mi-na and Se-mi roll their eyes.
Jun-hee, however, offers Myung-gi a smile and wave.
Myung-gi waves back awkwardly before nudging Su-bong’s foot — a warning for him to settle down and do his work before their boss, Gi-hun, comes to the office.
His routine is the same the following day. Wake up early, take a shower, get dressed in the stupid suit he has to wear, grab his briefcase, and get an energy drink for the workday.
He hands the drink and money over to the cashier, and their hands brush.
( This guy gets the same energy drink every damn day. Shouldn’t he switch it up? )
“I’m sorry?”
The cashier lifts her head with a smile. “I didn’t say anything.”
“I heard you-”
“Maybe you heard the radio?”
Myung-gi sighs — perhaps, he’s just going a bit crazy right now.
Or, even worse, Su-bong was right — Su-bong should never be right, though.
He cracks the can open as he exits the small building, taking a sip and scrunching his nose at the flavor. It’s what he’s used to, but the cold and bitter taste always gets him first in the morning.
Myung-gi makes his way to the office, idly rocking on his feet when he greets the elevator. A few — well, a lot, really — people from different floors gather as well, and a few from his own section are recognizable for him as well.
Most notably, Kang Dae-ho.
Myung-gi has always acknowledged how handsome Dae-ho is. He figures it’s from a point of jealousy; he’s so good with the women in the staff, and playful with the men.
He has to practically tear his eyes away from the man when the elevator door opens.
Everyone, in tandem, walks into the elevator. It’s obviously crowded, and it just so happens that Dae-ho is pushed and shoved until he’s pressed flush against Myung-gi.
( -smells good- )
Ah. Dae-ho seems to have a small crush on one of the girls in the elevator. Myung-gi glances around, trying to pinpoint who it could be.
He wonders if it’s Mi-na. She’s beautiful, for sure, and very friendly. She has pink acrylic nails and her hair is always tied up — she also puts in the effort to do her makeup each day for work.
She does smell overwhelmingly of vanilla, too, so it makes sense that Dae-ho would be thinking that.
( -so fucking cute, goodness- )
Myung-gi glances back to Dae-ho, who looks awkward as he’s pressed against the other man. Still, he offers Myung-gi a smile when he notices his gaze.
( Shit, he’s looking at me. )
Myung-gi quickly looks away. It’s apparent that he made Dae-ho uncomfortable with his stare. That’s fine, he can be nosey while looking at others.
( His hair is so messy, it’s hot… fuck, I- )
Nope. No, this is not happening.
Dae-ho is talking about a man.
Myung-gi never considered the possibility that Dae-ho could be gay. It makes sense, though — women drape themselves all over him every damn day and he still isn’t married at 37.
( Myung-gi is so small compared to me… it riles me up- )
Oh, God.
Not only is Dae-ho gay, but Myung-gi is his crush.
Myung-gi’s never considered his own sexuality before. He’s never kissed anybody — never held hands, and obviously, he’s never had sex. He blames the fact that he’s just never met the right woman, but…
Maybe there’s more to uncover?
He doesn’t want to think about it, though. Thankfully, the elevator dings on their floor, and he rushes out and to the office.
Su-bong greets him with a blueberry bagel at his desk. “Happy birthday, my boy!”
Myung-gi nods and thanks him.
“What’s wrong, man? Was I right?”
“No,” he huffs too quickly, “no, Su-bong, I am not a wizard.”
“…but?”
“Nothing! I just - I had a bad morning, I guess. Wrong side of the bed, or whatever they say.”
“I see,” he nods thoughtfully. “Well, it doesn’t matter! You’ll be in a better mood with me here to help you.”
“I’m helping you, Su-bong,” he reminds him in a flat tone.
“Oh, yeah! I forgot that I asked you to stay late… my bad.”
“It’s fine,” he assures him, taking a bite of the bagel. “This is good.”
“Got it from Nam-gyu’s bakery.”
“No wonder it’s good,” Myung-gi chuckles, “I bet Min-su made it.”
Work goes by as normal, and Myung-gi nearly forgets about the fact that he can hear thoughts, and that his very attractive and popular coworker likes him.
It’s just Myung-gi in the office by 9 PM, as far as he knows. He continues to type away at the computer, allowing muscle memory to take over at this point.
That’s when he hears something that startles him.
“Hey, Myung-gi!”
Myung-gi nearly falls out of his seat, glancing over to recognize Dae-ho’s kind and gentle smile.
“Happy birthday, by the way.”
As he catches his breath from the jumpscare, Dae-ho rolls a chair over to sit down next to Myung-gi.
“30 now, right?”
“Uh-” Myung-gi nods clumsily, “yeah - yeah.”
Dae-ho rolls his chair closer to both the desk and Myung-gi. “Staying late to help Su-bong?”
He nods again, more firm this time.
“He messed up some things, so…”
“Want me to help?”
“No, no-” Myung-gi chuckles, “it’s fine, I don’t want to keep you. I’m sure I can handle it on my own.”
“I want to help, Myung-gi,” he nudges him, “c’mon, we can make it fun.”
Myung-gi isn’t sure if he wants to know what that means.
Still, he allows Dae-ho to join him, and it does, in fact, go quicker than it would’ve with just Myung-gi working on it.
Dae-ho’s shoulder touches Myung-gi’s own, and that’s when the latter is reminded of his… issue.
( The mole on his neck — I want to pepper it in kisses, and then maybe trail down and- )
Myung-gi is aware of the small mole on his neck. He never thought of it as seductive, but clearly it does something for Dae-ho. He tries his best to push away his ability to read the man’s mind so they can finish this up.
Maybe it’s just a nightmare. Maybe when Myung-gi goes home and his head hits his pillow, the next day will be better.
The duo head outside once the work is done. Myung-gi, foolish enough to never check the weather, shivers as he makes his way to a subway.
“The subways are closed,” Dae-ho warns softly as he exits the building, “come here.”
Myung-gi turns his head and notices that Dae-ho’s holding a cute scarf.
“Wear this — you’re freezing, I can tell.”
“I’m fine,” he assures him with a faux smile. It doesn’t work, though, because his teeth chatter.
Dae-ho sighs, taking a few steps closer to Myung-gi and beginning to take matters into his own hands.
He wraps the scarf around Myung-gi’s neck while the other man listens to his thoughts.
( I’d love to see him in more of my clothes, they’d swallow him whole. )
“How far do you live?”
Myung-gi frowns, “about 30 minutes away.”
“…how about,” Dae-ho begins, “you stay at my place tonight? I can drive us there.”
“I - I don’t want to be a burden-”
“You’re the furthest thing from a burden, Myung-gi.”
They bicker about it for a few more minutes before Myung-gi ultimately agrees.