Work Text:
Since launching their winter drinks menu, Apple Blossom Cafe is the busiest it's ever been.
Every day for the past couple of weeks, Wonjin and his friend/business partner Hyeongjun have been run off their feet. Most of the time, Wonjin barely has a spare second to breathe before Hyeongjun is sending another drink order across to him.
Wonjin wouldn't dare to complain, though. Being busy is what the dream was when they opened a couple of months ago, after all of the hard work he and Hyeongjun put in. Wonjin loves his work, so it makes him happy that so many people seem to appreciate it too.
Wonjin's back is completely turned, focused on steaming some milk to the exact right temperature when the door jingles, signifying that someone has walked in.
Hyeongjun is busy serving other customers, so that makes it Wonjin's job to greet whoever has just walked in.
"Hi, welcome to—" Wonjin peers over his shoulder as he switches off the steam wand, putting the milk to one side. He's taken aback by the familiar face he sees. "Oh! It's you again."
Jungmo laughs awkwardly. "Do you mean that in a bad way?"
"No!" Wonjin says, chuckling. "It's nice to see you."
"You too. I wasn't planning on coming in today, but I was passing by and it's cold out, so… thought it'd be nice to come in and warm up a little after all."
"For sure. You know you're always welcome in." Wonjin gestures to his work space, where the jug of milk he just steamed to perfection is at risk of cooling off. "I'm busy right now, but I'll come and talk in a minute. Hyeongjun can take your order for now."
"Ah, of course. I didn't mean to interrupt you." Jungmo offers up a gentle smile. "I'll see you in a minute."
"See you soon," Wonjin says, returning to his work. He tries to not let Jungmo's arrival distract him much, refocusing on the drink he's making.
He doesn't really understand why, but Wonjin tends to find himself wanting to come across as cooler and more collected when Jungmo comes in.
He shakes off his thoughts and pours the steamed milk into the cup of espresso that was put aside. As usual, he tops it off with his most intricate latte art.
"Regular latte!" Wonjin calls out, sliding it across the order counter, flashing a charming smile to the customer who came to retrieve it. "Thanks so much. See you later."
Not even a moment later, Wonjin feels a tap on his shoulder. Hyeongjun passes an order ticket to him.
"Just so you know, this one's Jungmo's," he says, going immediately back to his own work. Wonjin takes a look at the ticket.
A large gingerbread latte, one of the festive specials, in a to-go cup.
Every time he's been in the cafe since they started serving it, Jungmo has ordered something different from the festive menu. He claimed it's his way of 'gradually getting in the holiday spirit via his taste-buds', a sentence that Wonjin found ridiculous yet kind of endearing.
With this gingerbread latte, Jungmo has officially ordered every single festive drink.
Wonjin makes a latte like normal, the only difference at this stage being the spices mixed into the espresso before the milk goes in.
Wonjin is already delicate and exact with his work, but he does find himself taking the slightest bit of extra care when it comes to Jungmo's drinks.
The drink is topped with some whipped cream and a sprinkle of some crushed up gingerbread cookie. It's not exactly the kind of drink you can really put a lid on so Wonjin doesn't try, just bringing it over to the counter as it is.
"One gingerbread latte!" he calls out like normal, even though he knows exactly who this drink is for.
Jungmo looks up from his phone, smiling brightly at Wonjin when they make eye contact. "Looks amazing," Jungmo says, taking the cup into his hands. "Nice and warm, too."
"You'd better drink it quick. The second you take it outside, it'll go cold."
"I will do. Thanks, Wonjin."
"Not a problem. It's my job, after all," Wonjin quips.
"True." Jungmo laughs. "But I appreciate how you always take time to chat to me. Both of you."
Wonjin shrugs his shoulders. "All part of the customer service experience."
"And here I thought I was just your favourite."
"Hm," Wonjin bites his bottom lip to hold back a grin, "You're up there, I suppose."
"Hey, I'll take that."
From behind Wonjin, Hyeongjun clears his throat.
"What is it, Jjun?" Wonjin asks, whipping his head around.
Hyeongjun smiles meekly. "I didn't want to interrupt your conversation but, Wonjin, we're basically full and another customer could walk in at any time so I really need your help cleaning that table over there."
Wonjin looks, and sees a table with an empty cup and a couple of used-up sugar sachets sitting on it. "Ah, right, sure. Sorry, Jungmo, but—"
"Don't worry. I should get going anyway." Jungmo starts to step away from the counter. "Thanks again, guys. Good to see you!"
"You too!" Wonjin calls back. "See you again soon?"
Jungmo chuckles, scrunching his nose up. "Definitely!"
Once Jungmo is out of the door, Wonjin looks back in Hyeongjun's direction. Hyeongjun is staring at him, one eyebrow raised.
"Yes, I know, I'm getting the table right now."
Hyeongjun scoffs. "Forget about the table for a second."
"What?" Wonjin squirms under Hyeongjun's heavy gaze. "Then, why are you looking at me like that?"
Hyeongjun's expression can only be described as baffled. "Are you serious?"
"Yes? No? I don't know!" Wonjin shrugs. "I have no idea what you're trying to say."
"Oh, holy shit." Hyeongjun grabs both of Wonjin shoulders. If the place wasn't full of customers, Wonjin wouldn't have been surprised if Hyeongjun had started physically shaking him. "He likes you, idiot!"
"Who, Jungmo?" Wonjin rolls his eyes, laughing to himself. "No, come on. Of course he doesn't. Good joke, though."
"Wow. You two are truly a match made in heaven because you're both as stupid as each other!" Hyeongjun closes his eyes and takes a breath. "Do you seriously believe that he actually cares that much about our festive menu? He comes in all of the time because he wants to see you but he's too pathetic to ever do anything but order coffee!"
"Okay, calling him pathetic is harsh, but…" Wonjin swallows thickly. He had never considered this possibility, but he can't say he hates it. "Do… do you really think so?"
"Have you never gotten that impression?"
"Well… no. But, just, I…" Wonjin stumbles over his words. "I mean… He's from a rich family, he has a good job, and me… I'm just a barista!"
"Hey! You are the co-owner of a successful, up-and-coming local business!" Hyeongjun interjects, a finger in the air. "But, why would it matter anyway?"
Wonjin's gaze drops to the ground. "It doesn't, I suppose."
"Exactly!" Hyeongjun snaps. "Listen, the important thing is, do you like him?"
"He's okay, I suppose," Wonjin mumbles, not wanting to admit that he actually really does like Jungmo. Like, embarrassingly so.
"Oh, yeah. You want him bad," Hyeongjun says bluntly. He sees right through Wonjin, clearly. "Well, don't worry, because I can help you!"
Wonjin scoffs. "Help? What makes you think I need your help?"
"It took you until just now to realise that he has feelings for you. Trust me, you need all the help you can get." Hyeongjun pats Wonjin on the arm.
"Excuse me—"
"Lucky for you, I have a plan!" Hyeongjun smiles, clapping his hands together. "We just have to wait for the next time Jungmo comes in."
"Why does this scare me…?" Wonjin asks, knowing he probably won't get an answer.
"Don't worry about it. Everything has been thought through." Hyeongjun crosses his arms. "Now, the table?"
All Wonjin can do is shake his head. He can't believe this is his life.
The next day, the cafe is quieter but customers have still been coming and going fairly consistently.
Presently, most of the tables are empty, save for a few people doing work or chatting with a friend.
At this point, it's a bit later in the day than when Jungmo usually comes in, so Wonjin is losing hope of seeing him. Maybe, though, that's preferable—because the longer he stays away, he can stay safe from whatever Hyeongjun's plan is.
Even Wonjin himself has no idea what his best friend has in store. He's tried asking, but the only answer he got was telling him not to worry. Which, of course, worries him more.
The door rings as it opens. Wonjin has to dampen down his excitement when he sees that it's Jungmo walking in. His excitement then turns to fear when he realises Jungmo will soon be subject to whatever has been brewing in Hyeongjun's mind.
"Hey, you," Wonjin says as soon as Jungmo is in front of him. "I thought we weren't seeing you today."
"Yeah, sorry, I got caught up with work." Jungmo sheepishly scratches the back of his neck. "I thought it'd be a shame for me to lose my streak, though, so I made sure I left myself some time to come in. Seeing you is often the best part of my day."
"That's sweet of you to say." Wonjin, as much as he wouldn't dare to admit it, feels his heart jump. Since his conversation with Hyeongjun yesterday, he can't help but think about his interactions with Jungmo differently. "Well, what can we do for you today?"
"I don’t think there's anything left on the festive menu that I haven't tried so… I guess I'll just start repeating my orders?" Jungmo taps a finger on his chin, "I think, today, I'll go for the—"
"Oh, actually!" Hyeongjun buts in, sliding his way into the situation seamlessly. "Wonjin, didn't you have an idea for Jungmo?"
"Did I?"
"Yeah!" Hyeongjun stares straight into Wonjin's eyes, smiling widely and batting his eyelashes. "You said you wanted to make something specially for him, something that isn't on the menu. Something completely new! Right?"
Ah. So this is the plan.
…This is the plan? To tell the truth, Wonjin has no clue where this is going. But, so far, it doesn't sound that dangerous.
"Oh… yeah, right!" Wonjin says, just going along blindly. "Um, what do you say? Wanna try it?"
"It'll be on the house, of course!" Hyeongjun adds, sweetening the deal.
Jungmo blinks. He seems taken aback, but not in a bad way. "Uh— alright, as long as you're sure, I'll definitely try it!"
"Great! I'll get on with it then." Wonjin bluffs, even though he currently doesn't know what he'll be making. "Um, do you wanna take a seat? I'll… bring it over to you."
"Alright, thanks. I'm looking forward to it."
Jungmo leaves to sit at an empty table. Once he's out of earshot, Wonjin looks to Hyeongjun, crossing his arms. "So, what exactly is the idea here?"
"Okay, well, let's put it this way." Hyeongjun hums, pausing to select his next words carefully. "You're going to make the worst drink you can possibly imagine."
"…Seriously? Your plan is to poison him?" Wonjin exclaims under his breath.
"It's not poison! Don't say that, for god's sake!" Hyeongjun frantically waves his hands around, yelling back with the same tone. "The idea is… you make him an awful coffee on purpose. We watch his reaction. If he pretends like it's good… then that is proof of how much he likes you!"
"Could I not just… ask if he likes me?"
Hyeongjun frowns. "Oh, come on, where the hell is the fun in that?"
"God, whatever, fine. I'll do it!" Wonjin says, exasperated. At this point, he just wants to get the stupidity over with and get Hyeongjun off his back.
"Great! Remember, it has to be disgusting. Don't wimp out and make him something that tastes good."
Wonjin raises an eyebrow at how excited Hyeongjun seems to be about this. He forces a smile. "You're the boss."
Wonjin starts by brewing the espresso like normal. This will probably be the only part of the drink which is normal.
He decides the best way to make a drink purposefully disgusting is by pumping it full of conflicting flavours, so his plan is to add a splash of every single syrup they have in stock right now. Vanilla, caramel, hazelnut, you name it. They're in there.
Honestly, he has to hold back a gag at the thought of drinking this himself. He can't believe he is even actually doing this, but Hyeongjun has a way of getting to you. Either by scaring you, or wearing you down enough to make you go along with him.
With his concoction on stand-by, Wonjin fills a glass with some ice and a generous amount of milk. Then, before he can talk himself out of it, he adds the coffee in last.
Even the sickly-sweet, incredibly confusing smell of this "drink" should be enough to tell any sane person that it'd be better for your happiness, your taste-buds and your general health if you don’t drink it. Still, he takes it in hand, drops in a straw and starts to carry it over to where Jungmo is sitting.
"Hey, uh, here. I hope this is okay for you." Wonjin places the glass down on the table, smiling softly.
Jungmo looks at the drink, wide-eyed. "Wow, thank you."
"And I hope you don't instantly hate me after you taste it," Wonjin says, coughing right afterwards.
"What was that?"
"Nothing! Um, just, let me know what you think."
Wonjin watches hopelessly as Jungmo takes his first sip. He peeps over his shoulder. Hyeongjun, watching from behind the counter, gives him a thumbs up. He groans.
It takes a moment for Jungmo to react, smacking his lips together to figure out what he's tasting. His eyebrows furrow together as he (badly) disguises a grimace.
"So, h—how is it?" Wonjin asks, partially hiding behind his hands.
"Interesting," Jungmo croaks out, covering his mouth for a split second and clearing his throat. "It's not bad, especially since you made it for me, but it's… a lot. I think it's maybe an acquired taste."
"Oh, come on!" Hyeongjun shouts, catching the attention of everyone currently in the cafe.
Wonjin and Jungmo both jump.
"Hyeongjun?" Jungmo says quietly, almost sounding fearful.
Hyeongjun comes stomping over the table. He gestures to the drink. "Of course this is bad! He made it bad on purpose!"
Jungmo's attention then moves back to Wonjin. "…Is that true?"
"Okay, listen, let me explain." Wonjin points accusingly at his coworker. "He had this dumb idea to make you a bad drink on purpose."
"Oh, sure, blame everything on me!" Hyeongjun complains. He gets ignored.
"Look. I'm sorry. I know it's stupid, and I feel stupid for letting him convince me, but…" Wonjin sighs. Jungmo's gaze is searing into him like burning hot wax. "Hyeongjun thinks… you have feelings for me."
Jungmo straightens out his spine. "Oh."
"So, he said… he said, if I made you something gross and you still said that you liked it, then… then that would prove it? You really must like me?"
"I see." Jungmo shuffles around in his chair. "You know, you could've just spoken to me about this."
"That was what I said!" Wonjin laughs, but he doesn't even really know what's funny right now. "But Hyeongjun thinks everything needs to be a scheme."
"Not true! I just thought I'd sprinkle some excitement into your lives, instead of the two of you just dancing around your feelings for each other all the time." Hyeongjun puts a hand in the air, deciding this is the time to take his leave again. "Sorry for being creative! But, you can't deny it worked."
Wonjin shakes his head. "I'm so sorry about him."
"It's okay. I know him. He has a way of convincing you, for sure."
"Exactly!"
"So, um…" Jungmo pushes the coffee glass as far away as it'll go without falling off the table, pulling out the chair next to him and inviting Wonjin to sit. "You know I have feelings for you, then?"
"I mean," Wonjin begins, sitting down carefully. "I kind of didn't realise until Hyeongjun pointed it out. I just thought you were a good friend, and you liked my coffee."
"Oh, don't get me wrong. I do like your coffee." Jungmo looks at the now abandoned, bad-on-purpose drink. "Well, most of the time. But, seeing you is the main reason I usually come in."
"If I'm being honest, I did think your whole thing with the festive menu was strange, but I didn't think there could've been anything else to it." Wonjin chuckles, rolling his eyes. "I don't know, I never considered the idea of you liking someone like me."
"Someone like you?" Jungmo scoffs in disbelief. "You mean someone friendly, warm, funny… handsome?"
"Okay, fine, I get the idea. Stop, or you'll make me blush," Wonjin teases, hitting Jungmo on the arm.
"Ouch! That hurts, you know," Jungmo exclaims, but weirdly, Wonjin doesn't think he's ever seen him look happier.
"Sorry! I forget you're made of glass. I'll be more gentle," Wonjin jokes further, relishing in the way Jungmo is starting to fluster.
"Listen, I don't wanna be presumptuous but…" Jungmo breathes in heavily. "You… like me too, right? That's what's happening right now?"
"Yes, idiot. I like you," Wonjin nudges Jungmo again, softer this time. "Is that alright?"
"More than alright."
The door bell jingles. This is the one time Wonjin isn't happy to see a customer walk in. He slowly moves to get up. "I should… get back to work."
"Sure. Don't worry about it." Jungmo stands up too, readjusting his coat. "To be honest, I don't really have any time to spare today but I decided I didn't care. And now, I am really glad I decided to come."
"You loser," Wonjin says, so quietly that only Jungmo can hear.
"Um, will I see you tomorrow?"
"Of course you will." Wonjin picks up the nearly full glass that's still sitting on the table. "And I'll make you something good tomorrow, I promise."
"Actually!" Hyeongjun starts, now inserting himself into the narrative again. "Tomorrow we're closed, because you two are going on a date!"
"We are?" Wonjin and Jungmo both ask, pretty much in unison.
Hyeongjun nods slowly. "Yes, you are."
"I mean… I'm down for that if you are?" Wonjin offers, mumbling slightly because he feels inexplicably embarrassed to be asking.
"Of course I am!" Jungmo says, voice enthusiastic. He catches himself and tries again. "I mean… yeah. That'd be cool, I guess."
Wonjin tuts. "Alright, get out of here before I change my mind."
Weirdly, Jungmo always looks happiest when Wonjin is ribbing him. He beams brightly. "Alright. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Meet me outside here?" Wonjin asks, fiddling with the fabric of his apron.
"You got it." The corners of Jungmo's lips curl up impossibly further. "Bye, Wonjin."
"Bye." Wonjin doesn't move from where he stands until Jungmo is completely gone, closing his eyes for a moment and sighing. Hyeongjun is waving an order ticket as him as soon as he's looking. "Can you not give me a second first?"
"I gave you more than a second. I gave you a boyfriend!"
"Fine." Wonjin snatches the ticket from him and goes back to his work zone. "Thanks, by the way."
"Don't mention it," Hyeongjun says proudly.
"So, is it up to me to help you with Minhee next?"
Hyeongjun shushes profusely. "Don't mention that! Stay out of my life!"
Wonjin laughs as Hyeongjun moves away from him, his cheeks now burning.
He ends up being glad of that, though, because at the thought of going on a date with Jungmo tomorrow, his own face starts to redden.
He hates to admit it, but he's grateful for Hyeongjun's stupid idea.