Work Text:
Jisung is twenty-two years old, in his final year at university, and broke. And like every other poor college student, he works a part-time job. A part-time job Jisung is currently considering quitting.
“What?” Jisung asks dumbly, looking at the bright yellow mascot costume laid out in front of him in the staff room. It’s a banana. An unpeeled banana with legs. And eyes. Jisung is already horrified at the implications. Next to him, Chenle is laughing so hard that he has to crouch on the floor to support himself.
“It’s yours,” Doyoung, the store manager, says. “You’re our new mascot. Surprise!”
“No,” Jisung murmurs to himself, dropping his backpack on the floor. This is his worst nightmare. The banana costume stares back at him eerily.
“Yes!”
“Jisung the banana boy,” Chenle giggles. “Oh my god, you’re going to look so stupid.”
Jisung shoves him hard and turns back at Doyoung, desperate.
“Why can’t Chenle do it?”
“Well, that was originally the plan,” Doyoung says. Chenle abruptly stops laughing. “But I could only find this one banana costume available. And Chenle is more of an orange or strawberry kind of mascot, you know? But you, Jisung. You’re definitely a banana.”
“I don’t know what that all means,” Jisung says. “But I have anxiety.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. But don’t worry! You’ll be inside the costume, no one will even see your face. All you have to do is stand outside the store and offer samples to people. You don’t even have to dance or anything. I mean, unless you want to. And if you think it’ll drive business. Then you should totally go for it.”
Jisung fidgets nervously. He inches closer to the costume and tentatively pokes it.
“You’re going to be a great banana,” Doyoung says gently. “The best banana. Fighting!”
“Fighting!” Chenle repeats, laughing again.
Jisung sighs, picking up the costume. For a second, he wishes Doyoung wasn’t grossly overpaying him and Chenle to work at his smoothie store. It would make it so much easier to actually quit.
🍌
“Free smoothie samples,” Jisung says, muffled through the layers of yellow fabric. He clears his throat and repeats himself, louder. “Free smoothie samples.”
Jisung has been outside the store for over four hours now, stuck inside the banana costume. He’s also been perpetually blushing from being perceived by dozens of passerbys. A grandma had given him the strangest side-eye during hour one of his shift that Jisung still thinks about it. One kid had even kicked him in the knees out of curiosity.
“Banana kick, banana kick!” The girl had screamed at him.
“That’s a snack,” Jisung had told her, wincing. “I’m just a banana that goes into smoothies.”
Other than that, it’s not too bad. Doyoung’s right. Despite the embarrassment of being a walking banana advertising a struggling smoothie shop, the anonymity is reassuring. And the costume is surprisingly comfortable and flexible, keeping him warm outside in the early spring chill.
Suddenly, a man runs past him and shoves him aside. Jisung’s sample tray gets knocked out of his hands and dramatically falls onto the ground. People around him gasp.
“Someone please get him!” A voice yells from behind. Jisung turns around and sees an office worker catching his breath, pointing at the running man. “He stole my bag!”
And Jisung’s not sure what comes over him. Maybe the anonymity of the banana costume makes him feel like the equivalent of a masked superhero, like Spider-Man in New York but instead it’s Soar Smoothies’ Banana Boy in Seoul. But he starts running after the man. Jisung will look back at this moment for years to come and cringe every time he thinks about how it must have looked to people, seeing a 5 '11 man in a banana costume sprint through the streets of Seoul. But in the moment, Jisung doesn’t think about anything else when he finally catches up to the robber and tackles the man to the ground. A crowd forms around them, ooh-ing and aah-ing.
“What the fuck?” The man struggles under Jisung. “Who the fuck are you?”
“I’m from Soar Smoothies,” Jisung pants, winded and out of breath. His left side is starting to seriously cramp up but he continues to hold down the man.
A few minutes later, someone else squeezes through the crowd and crouches next to him. Jisung gives a quick glance and recognizes him as the office worker from earlier. Jisung sees him snatch back the black bag from the man’s arms and stick up a middle finger.
“I called the police,” he says and oh, Jisung swears he’s heard this voice before. “You’re totally going to be under arrest. Bitch.”
Jisung awkwardly shifts and looks up, only to see a face he’s all too familiar with. Face burning and throat dry, Jisung wants to permanently melt into the ground as he finds himself being perceived by the last person he wants to see while in this costume.
“My hero,” Donghyuck suddenly says sweetly and softly, as if his middle finger still isn’t threateningly shoved into the robber’s face. “Thank you.”
Jisung croaks.
🍌
Jisung isn’t sure if Donghyuck remembers who he is, but Jisung definitely remembers Donghyuck, given that he’s totally had a crush on him for the past two years. He first met Donghyuck in his second year in university, at a party hosted by several different departments. Donghyuck had been in his final year at the time, popular and loved by seniors and juniors alike. Smart, funny, handsome, and already locked in with a full-time job offer after graduation. Everyone knew - still knows - Donghyuck.
Jisung had been shoved between two older students, who were forcing shots on him and taking advantage of Jisung’s ability to say no. And like a knight in shining armor, Donghyuck had seen them and swooped in naturally, plucking the shot glass out of Jisung’s hand before downing it in one go.
“I think this kid’s done,” Donghyuck had said, kind but with a hint of warning. “C’mon, let’s go play pool.”
Ever since that moment, Jisung had been starstruck. In love. Too shy and anxious to do anything else other than bow and murmur quiet hello’s whenever Donghyuck and his group of senior friends walked past him on campus. Even after Donghyuck graduated, Jisung didn’t have the courage to do anything else but watch every single Instagram story and like every post.
🍌
After the police arrive, Donghyuck walks Jisung back to the store. They stand in front of the entrance, a few steps away from the mess of smoothie samples on the ground. Jisung resolutely ignores Chenle’s gawking from behind the counter.
“Thank you so much, seriously,” Donghyuck says, clutching his work bag tightly. “I was out for lunch and this dude just grabbed it from my chair and booked it. It has my work laptop and documents and everything, so you really saved me today.”
Jisung can’t get himself to speak so he just wildly gestures what he hopes Donghyuck will totally interpret as “No problem! This isn’t Park Jisung, by the way, from the mathematics department.”
“I really owe you,” Donghyuck continues, peering up at Jisung. “I’d love to treat you to a meal or something. I feel like that’s the least I can do.”
Jisung shakes his head furiously and makes a big X with his arms. Donghyuck pouts cutely. Jisung carefully stores that image into the deepest parts of his Mind before internally freaking out.
“Can I at least get your number so I can contact you? I’m Lee Donghyuck.”
Jisung shakes his head again.
“Are you just extremely selfless or just shy?”
Jisung fidgets awkwardly.
“Can I at least get your name?”
Jisung shakes his head. Donghyuck sighs.
“Okay, I’ll leave you alone for now. Thank you again.”
He watches Donghyuck walk away before stepping back into the store. Chenle slowly claps. Jisung groans and collapses on the floor.
🍌
Donghyuck comes back the next day. And the day after that. And even the week after. Some days he brings along his co-workers, but most days he comes by himself. It’s always the same: Donghyuck buys a smoothie and then tries to strike up a conversation with Jisung.
“I like this smoothie,” Donghyuck tells Jisung. They’re standing outside together, Jisung awkwardly handing out smoothie samples and pretending like his heart isn’t beating out of his chest at the close proximity. Donghyuck slurps on his strawberry-banana smoothie. “Free smoothie samples!”
“Free smoothie samples,” Jisung mumbles. Donghyuck giggles.
“Are you ever going to talk to me properly?” Donghyuck asks. “I just want to be friends. You can keep your costume on, if that's making you nervous.”
Flustered, Jisung garbles unintelligently and they both leave it at that.
A week later, Donghyuck stops by the store, uncharacteristically in low spirits.
“Work is just a lot right now,” Donghyuck says, fidgeting with his smoothie straw. Kiwi today. He looks visibly tired and almost disheveled. Jisung’s never seen Donghyuck like this ever in the years he’s watched him. It seems unnatural, against the way the world is supposed to work. “It’s my first job ever out of college, so I’m still adjusting. I guess.”
A deep sigh and another sip of his smoothie. Jisung clenches his sample tray. He feels uneasy seeing Donghyuck so down and feels the urge to fix it immediately.
“I’m Jisung,” he mumbles. Donghyuck blinks up at him.
“Jisung,” Donghyuck repeats slowly, perking up. A small smile finally forms on his face and Jisung strangely feels victorious. “Hi Jisung.”
“Hi Donghyuck.”
🍌
They talk more now, whenever Donghyuck stops by the store. Jisung likes it whenever he visits, because Donghyuck treats him so warmly and makes him laugh so much in his costume that he looks silly. Jisung likes Donghyuck. He really does. He likes Donghyuck so much that he doesn’t even mind wearing the stupid mascot costume anymore, because at least it means he can see Donghyuck again.
“Are you ever going to show me what you look like?” Donghyuck asks. “Why does Chenle get to see your real face all the time, and I don’t?”
“He’s nothing much honestly,” Chenle calls from the counter. “I’m much better looking. Donghyuck, am I your type? I’m totally single.”
Jisung whips around and glares at Chenle.
“You’re cute, but not my type unfortunately,” Donghyuck laughs. His gaze lingers on Jisung’s face and for a moment, Jisung feels like Donghyuck can see him right through the costume. His face flushes. “I like people who are tall.”
“Boooooo,” Chenle yells.
“And brave,” Donghyuck adds, smiling up at Jisung.
“Uhh,” Jisung says, stuttering, and Donghyuck laughs again.
“Anyways,” Donghyuck continues casually. “I’m going on a blind date tomorrow. Maybe he'll be my type?”
“Oooooh,” Chenle says. He side-eyes Jisung, who’s suddenly frozen in place.
Blind date. Jisung feels mildly nauseous. Donghyuck on a blind date?
“Why?” Jisung blurts out.
“A co-worker wanted to set me up with his friend. Some dude named Jaemin or Jaeman, I don’t know.” Donghyuck blinks at him, leaning closer into Jisung’s space. “Should I not go?”
“I-” Jisung starts. His heart twists. “I don’t know.”
Silence. Donghyuck sighs.
“I’m going to head out now,” Donghyuck says, getting up. He stares down at Jisung for a moment. “The restaurant is actually kinda near here, that new Italian restaurant. At 1PM. Maybe I’ll stop by here after the date.”
After he leaves, Chenle smacks Jisung in the head.
“You’re the dumbest person I know,” he says.
Jisung takes off his costume head, frowning. “Donghyuck’s going on a blind date. And at an Italian restaurant, of all places. He doesn’t even like Italian food.”
“I know, I heard. I was literally here. I also heard him tell you the exact time and place of this date.”
“I don’t know what to do,” Jisung says helplessly. “I show up, then what? What if he doesn’t like who I am behind this costume?”
“You’re still the same person,” Chenle says, smacking him in the head again. “Don’t be stupid and go get him.”
🍌
It’s 1:27PM the next day and Jisung is an anxious mess.
“What’s wrong with you?” Doyoung asks. “You keep moving around. Do you have to go to the bathroom?”
Jisung groans and crouches on the ground, head in hands. He can’t even pretend to care about his job right now, his mind totally preoccupied with the thoughts of Donghyuck on a blind date. Talking to another man. He thinks about Donghyuck laughing at someone else’s jokes, jokes that are probably much funnier than Jisung’s. He wonders how tall his date is. Taller than Jisung? Jisung stretches at his costume in mental agony.
“Oh my god, just go Jisung,” Chenle says, smacking the counter. “Go get your man!”
And Jisung goes. He runs, actually, and it feels just like the first time he finally met Donghyuck again all those weeks ago. Before he knows it, he’s in front of the restaurant and through the windows, he can see Donghyuck sitting across from a well-styled man. High off adrenaline and love, Jisung makes his way inside the restaurant, ignoring the flustered hostess, until he’s standing directly in front of Donghyuck’s table.
“Donghyuck,” Jisung pants. “Hey.”
“Jisung,” Donghyuck says back, eyes wide but smile wider. “Hi.”
“Hello?” Jaemin-Jaeman asks. “Are you a banana?”
Jisung ignores him.
“Donghyuck, I like you. Like, really like you. You make me laugh and I’m happy every time you visit me at the store. I’d chase after hundreds of robbers for you. In this costume and all.”
“Took you long enough,” Donghyuck says, standing up. “I like you too, silly. I was waiting for you this whole time.”
“Wait, what?” Jaemin-Jaeman looks confused.
Jisung takes a deep breath and takes off the top of his costume. Fresh air hits him like a truck and he awkwardly pushes back his sweaty hair. Everyone around them goes silent, including Donghyuck, and Jisung suddenly feels extremely self-conscious. Then, Donghyuck pushes back his chair and hugs him tightly, face shoved into the material of Jisung’s costume. Jisung automatically hugs him back tightly. Someone in the kitchen claps slowly.
“This is me,” Jisung says awkwardly. “I like you.”
“Handsome,” Donghyuck murmurs. “I knew it. You’re cute both inside and out. Now will you finally give me your phone number?”
“Yeah,” Jisung breathes out, laughing. “Will you go out with me then?”
Donghyuck answers him with a kiss, and it's kinda gross because Jisung’s so sweaty and Donghyuck’s mouth tastes a bit like vongole pasta and diet coke, but it’s perfect nonetheless. Everything Jisung could ask for.
Donghyuck pulls back first before peppering Jisung’s face with more kisses. Jisung feels like his face’s about to explode but he grips Donghyuck’s waist tightly, determined.
“Do you want to get out of here?” Jisung asks softly. “We can go back to Soar Smoothies and force Chenle to make you a free smoothie.”
“There’s nothing I’d want more.”