Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

In-ho POV

In-ho got into the long black Cadillac, fastening his seatbelt as he entered the passenger seat. Beside him was his best friend and personal driver, Han Byeong-cheol (who people called Salesman because he was hot enough to be a salesperson on advertisements, which he was half the time), who he was paying a shit ton of money to be driving him around.

"A failure once more?" Salesman asked with a loud chuckle. "Stick to owning the club. They're doing absolutely shit right now." He added, smirking.

The hyung grunted, hitting his side. "Let me live, dongsaeng." In-ho said, taking a sip of coffee he'd had for hours, but had not finished it. Apparently, it's to savor the taste, despite the fact he ordered decaf. The drive to his private luxurious penthouse, which was in a rich dong, called Changdong. On the way there, they passed through a dong of poverty and crime, Ssangmun-dong.

But, In-ho was starving, and he saw a new chicken restaurant open on the outskirts of Ssangmun-dong, closer to the penthouse. In-ho's eyes lit up with glee. "Namdongsaeng, pull over." He ordered, already unbuckling his seatbelt. Since Inho's his boss, Byeong-cheol Salesman had to. He pulled over next to the sidewalk, parallel parking with ease. "What for?" Salesman asked, raising an eyebrow and unlocking the doors manually with the press of a button. He straightened his dark grey necktie, adjusting it to be at the right angle.

"Look to your right. New restaurant." In-ho said with a giddy smile. He rushed out of the 1960 Cadillac Coupe DeVille, bringing his disgusting, decaffeinated coffee with him. Salesman sighed, opening his own door and locking the car before he opened the door to the diner of commoners, In-ho entering gladly. The place looked worn down with dents in the walls, wallpaper scraped off of some areas, yet In-ho still appreciated the new experience. In-ho rung the bell on the countertop of the ordering station. No kiosk? Peasantry! At least, that's what the salesman thought. In-ho felt like a kid, sneaking out of the house to buy chicken nuggets at a poor restaurant at 11 p.m. "SORRY!" A desperate voice shouted from behind the counter, rushing into the room from the kitchen behind the three men.

"Welcome to Seong's Fried Chicken! I'm Seong Gi-hun, owner, manager, worker, and cashier! What would you guys like today?" The kind Seoulite asked with a nervous smile. Byeong-cheol Salesman sighed. In-ho grinned back. "Thank you, sir, and I'd like a..." He said before looking up at the man in front of him. He gulped. The built biceps below his broad shoulders, the dimple dents beloe his smile. In-ho struggled to speak. The salesman chuckled nervously.

"While he's having trouble deciding his order, I'll just have the andong jjimdak." Salesman said, holding back his rant about how disgusting and unsanitary the restaurant was. His mouth opened to speak when In-ho interrupted.

"I- I'll just have the... the wings." In-ho said with a nervous smile. Gi-hun nodded, writing down on his notepad. He gestured for the two overly handsome young men to take a seat. He then walked back into the kitchen.

~~~~~

Gi-hun POV

I'm sorry, what the fuck was that?! Two very tall, very handsome, beautiful men walked into my store. MY store that I (as in myself, me) opened a couple of months ago that barely gets any customers. MY store that has wallpaper scraping off every day. And the man that looked at me. The man carrying a cup of coffee in his right hand, blushing when he looked at me, the very cute, very hot man... entered my shop?

Anyway, I began to marinate vegetables and chicken while frying some already-breaded, tender, juicy wings that my mom always made for me. I had always appreciated the wings that we'd have once a year (since we're poor and live in a crime-infested Ssangmun-dong). Before she died and all, I'd always suck up to her. When she told me about her diabetes issues, she taught me how to make them before she couldn't live to see the light of the kitchen anymore. It's... it's sad, but now, I use her recipe to serve (often) very grateful customers! Once I finished marinating the jjimdak and frying the breaded wings, I put them in two bowls and served them on the fanciest platter for the very young, cute, handsome man that I've ever laid my eyes on. Oh, and the other businessman, too. I placed the platter down on the table, smiling as the built hunk looked up at me.

"Thank you, sir." He said with an appreciative smile, taking a bite of the wings and his eyes widening. The other businessman took some chopsticks and stabbed a piece of chicken, taking a bite. He gagged, grabbing a leftover water bottle he had. "This... this the most disgusting dish I've had in my life! I'd rather-" The salesman ranted as the other businessman slapped him firmly. "Don't talk like that to the other people, Byeong-cheol! Go back in the car if you're not gonna eat your food." The man ordered firmly, protecting me. I smiled.

"Ah, Gi-hun-ah, don't listen to him. He doesn't like middle-classmen. It's actually really good chicken wings, probably better than the wings my butlers and different restaurants in my area make." The brown-haired stud said with a nice, suave tone.

"T- thank you..." I said with a blush, my feet moving around quietly with excitement. He blushed as well. "You're very nice, sir, and I... I never got your name?" I asked suggestively. I scolded myself mentally. Rich, attractive men don't look for a guy like me. It's like trying to pair up a homelessman with... with Lee Byung-hun! That's how hot he is. The man chuckled once more, handing him a card from his blazer's chest pocket. I looked at it.

HWANG IN-HO

Owner of FC Seoul

Businessman

Number - ********

My jaw dropped. He gave me his number!

"If you wanna come over, talk, and have fun, really, you're always welcome to give me a call!" In-ho said, taking the leftover dishes. "I have to go right now, but I'll eat these at my apartment! See ya, Gi-hun!" He added with a jolly smile. My mind rambled as he... he remembered my name.

"U- uhh... see you too, Mr. Hwang!" I exclaimed. He left the building. I slapped myself in the face, kicking the wall. Another dent. Shit.

I met the love of my life, he gave me his cell, his full name, his occupation, an invitation to text, and I call him "Mister".

I'm fucked.

Chapter Text

In-ho POV

I'm a nervous wreck. I just saw the HOTTEST man of my life at a local, poverty-stricken Ssangmun-dong chicken restaurant. Can I take him in? Should I take him in? Can we call now? Oh dear God, save me. He's probably thinking of me as a... a... a friend. I can't deal with this shit. While I'm panicking, Salesman laughs and points forward, a BYC billboard with him on it. I gag since it's an underwear advertisement and he's shirtless. What kind of ad is that? Just show the product, but not on my best friend since high school! Anyways, and just to clarify, I'm 32. Gi-hun-ah looks 20 with how amazingly HOT he is. Is the AC not working here?

"Gagging? I'm famous, motherfucker. I'm the hottest guy in South Korea." Salesman says cockily. I scoff. Gi-hun's kind smile and his broad shoulders corrupt my brain. 

"What? Do you think YOU can do better?" He asked, his head tilting with a confident smirk. The namdongsaeng pulls over, connecting his phone to the radio and playing some music. 

Strategy by TWICE. Byeong-cheol starts mouthing the lyrics, and I slowly reach for my phone, making sure the flash mode is off and I start recording. He begins to drive once more, continuing to dance, make gestures, and sing AWFULLY. I finish my recording, put my phone away, and take out the leftover fragile plates filled with delicious, juicy chicken wings.

"Can't believe you didn't even like the jjimdak." I said with a scoff, taking a bite of his wings. He laughed.

"They tasted like commoner food." Salesman told me, the song switching already. More girl K-pop group music. I began to laugh.

"What's with you and that peasant's fried chicken restaurant anyway?" He asked me. His eyes widened. Everything clicked. The way my breath hitched at the sight of him, how protective I was, how kind I was...

"Oh! Oh! Oh, my days! A commoner?!" Salesman exclaimed, laughing. He then changed the song to clown music. He continued to laugh, even as we reached the penthouse. In the lobby, laughter. In the elevator, laughter. When I'm changing, I can hear his annoying, cartoon-like laughter from across the penthouse. As I got out of my changing room, I slammed the door, his eyes darting to me in my pajamas, my face irritated. 

"CAN YOU SHUT THE FUCK UP FOR ONCE, BYEONG-CHEOL?! I have a minor crush and that's it! That's all! So what? I don't have a crush on my best friend's brother, do I?" I snapped. Salesman chuckled.

"I really got the aggressive side out of you." He added, a silly grin still spread across his face. "I mean, Jun-ho made me his ho, if you get what I'm sayiiiin'." Salesman added, saying the last word in a sing-songy tone as he nudged me. I groaned.

"Stop talking about your guys' overly romantic and sexually graphic dates! Gosh!" I exclaimed, covering my face in embarrassment. He laughed. I walked to my room, jumping onto my bed. I checked my email... A message.

---

PERSONALLY FROM OUR OWNER!

(SGH) Seong Gi-hun, 5:49 p.m.

Hey, In-ho! I was wondering if you wanna head over to the coffee shop in Jongno tomorrow. You don't have to say yes, I'm just asking.

-gi hun <3

---

Oh.

My.

Days.

Oh my days, oh my days, oh my days!

He texted me! With a heart!

I quickly sent out a response, my fingers slick with sweat, messing up each word.

---

Response

(H) Hwang In-ho, 8:31 p.m.

I'm free then. I can pick you up at 11:00 sharp. Can't be too long, though. I'm excited to see you!

Sincerely yours,

Hwang In-ho (FC SEOUL OFFICIAL)

---

~~~~~

Gi-hun's POV

Shit, shit, shit, shit, did I mess up? Did I fuck it all up?

I sent In-ho, the most beautiful person alive, an e-mail, asking if he wanted to go out on a coffee date tomorrow. N- not a date! It's not a date! H- he's probably not gay anyway... But, still, it's worth a shot! I've been panicking for the last three hours since he's not...

*Ding!*

...nevermind! I check my Outlook, and there it is. A new message from Hwang In-ho. I immediately start drooling from simply thinking of him. G- Gi-hun, quit it out! You're being a creep... "I'm excited to see you!"...? He's excited to see me? He actually WANTS to look at me? I.... I'm the luckiest man alive! I mean, not after losing a couple thousand won at the horse riding track... and losing my wife... and my Ga-yeong... and the fact she left with full custody... But, we're starting a new life! A new dawn, a new day! Jesus, I sound so corny. But seriously, I WILL be going for that cookie! And I'll savor it, lick it, feel it... God, I'm disgusting. I call up Jung-bae. The line rings. It goes to voicemail. 

"Hey, this is Jung-bae! You've reached my voicemail -" His kind voice said. I sighed, about to press the end call when he says...

"Sike! You fell for it, Gi-hun-ah!" He said with a loud cackle. I start laughing, too.

"Jung-bae-ah, you won't believe this! I- I got a date!" I revealed, giggling with glee. He gasped and started giggling as well.

"Gi-hun-ah, you chick magnet! Who's the lucky girl?" Jung-bae asked with an excited and enthusiastic voice. My breath stopped. I stayed silent.

"Girl?" I said. Jung-bae then gasped louder and more audible. He started squealing.

"It's a guy?! I knew it! I knew you're attracted to men! Ever since you went to that BIGBANG concert, Daesung made you feel shit!" Jung-bae said with more excited squeals.

"T- that was when I was married ten years ago!" Gi-hun exclaimed, his face turned into an embarrassed tomato-red. Jung-bae laughed.

"Got to go. I'm getting my money tonight at the horses!" Jung-bae said, ending the call quickly. Gi-hun collapsed onto his bed and fell asleep. He had a big day tomorrow.

~~~~~

In-ho POV

I went downstairs to my lonely dinner table, a plate of Korean style pizza on my left, a glass of wine on my right, and a big platter with a pot full of fire chicken noodles in front of me. I grabbed my chopsticks, taking a bite of the noodles. It's still not spicy. I have a high spice tolerance, due to the fact I've attended some of FC Seoul's foreign matches, like in Catalonia where he had La Bomba, Paris where he had Steak au Poivre, and New York where he had an extra spicy chili dog. But something was off.

"Gasteau!" I called out, a plump, shadowy figure emerging from the kitchen. Out came my French cook, who makes all my meals. 

"Oui, monsieur, je m'excuse pour être en retard!" (Yes, sir, I apologize for being late!) Gasteau exclaimed, stumbling all the way to my seat.

"C'est très bien, bien mieux que d'habitude. Quelles épices avez-vous ajoutées?" (It's very good, much better than usual. What spices have you added?) I asked in a curious tone, kissing both of the man's cheeks in French custom. I smiled.

"Eh, juste l'épice de Laxmi et wasabi." (Well, just the Laxmi spices and wasabi.) He replied nonchalantly.

"Ah, très bien, très bien, mon ami!" (Ah, very well, very well, my friend!) I told him, patting his back. I gestured that he could go now, and he bowed, stumbling away. 

I continued to demolish my final dinner before I'd be getting ready to sleep, licking some sauce off of my lips before I went to my next course ; pizza. It wasn't ordinary pizza. It had some bulgogi inside the crust, which wasn't bad. I took a large bite, admiring the stringy cheese attaching from my lip to the slice of pizza. I love today. I met the love of my life (probably not mutual pining), I had this amazing dinner, and I got a video of Byeong-cheol dancing to TWICE. I check my gallery, favorite the video, put it in a special folder, post it on all platforms, then I went back to eating. The internet exploded. In-ho's personal assistant and Changdong's brand representative of BaekYang Corporation... danced to TWICE? Some viewers laughed at him, some viewers criticized him, some even danced with him. 

---

FC서울 @FCSEOUL • Just now

Our co-owner 🫶

@HanByeongCheolOfficial

[sent attachment]

---

~~~~~

Salesman / Byeong-cheol POV

I see In-ho eating in the dining room, and I begin to head over to the upper area, where my bedroom is. I have to deal with ALL the paperwork for FC Seoul, which isn't bad, because that makes me assistant manager of the city's football soccer, whatever team. Then, I see it. As a notification. In-ho made a post on the official team's Twitter account... of me dancing in the car three hours earlier. I put down my phone and start laughing. That motherfucker doesn't know how much blackmail I have. Not serious blackmail, but blackmail to put me on level terms. I logged into the account and found the video of the time I forced In-ho to wear bunny ears and do aegyo, then posted it.

---

FC서울 @FCSEOUL • Just now

Owner by day, oppa by night.

That's @HwangUpInThatHo for you.

[sent attachment]

---

I'm too good! I'm just too fucking good, I thought. In-ho fires back immediately. A video of me back in college, doing a TikTok video with an "alpha wolf" sound.

---

FC서울 @FCSEOUL • Just now

Alpha in both BYC and TikTok 🐺

@HanByeongCheolOfficial

#BYEONGCHEOL-BACKINTIME

[sent attachment]

---

The feud won't stop. At least, it won't stop until I win. A video from an entire decade ago. In-ho was 32, and 22 back then. I'm the same age, but a few months later. Anyway, the video showed him, shirtless with marker on his chest saying in Hangul ; 씨발 나 바드, meaning FUCK ME HARD.

---

FC서울 @FCSEOUL • Just now

@HwangUpInThatHo likes it rough, just like last game where @ulsanFC got 3 red cards, yet @JesseLingard came out on top!

#HwangIsHo

[sent attachment]

---

Jesse Lingard @Jesse Lingard • Just Now

Dunno why, but the owners are feuding by sending videos of each other in the past. Very embarrassing lolz Loving this.

#HwangIsHo #BYEONGCHEOL-BACKINTIME

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He's SOOOO firing me.