Archive of Our Own

His face automatically lit up.

For many seconds he couldn't take his eyes off the doodle, but as he felt someone's attention on him, he looked up and immediately found the culprit, half-hidden behind the counter. Upon realizing he had been spotted, the man quickly straightened up, placing his hands behind his back and, ridiculously badly, pretending off.

Jongseob chuckled at his act.

After being called to attention by a fellow waiter, Jiung eventually returned to work. Jongseob rubbed his face, trying to wipe the smile away, since at that point his cheeks probably would start to ache. It was in vain. He held the doodle with his free hand, kept securely between his fingers, feeling a warm sensation swirling pleasantly in his stomach. He couldn't help but feel a tad bit ridiculous, like a teenager in love secretly exchanging notes during class breaks. But he could also admit that it felt good to feel a little childish sometimes, having the opportunity to actually, properly and patiently experience something. It helped to receive things from someone like Choi Jiung. Silly, awkward and annoying but so, so sweet, Jiung.

He shook his head, deciding to eat soon so as not to be late for class. He opened his bag and carefully tucked the doodle inside his folder. He would keep it in a special corner of his drawer later.

Jongseob's hand hovered over it. He bit his lips, the gears on his brain working quickly.

His gaze wandered over the cafe.

Something to keep.

Perhaps a pink ribbon was a bit too much.

Jongseob stared into his bag, nervously swinging his leg under the table. As the time he waited for his order stretched on, he wondered if this was really a good idea. If he really wanted to do that and risk completely embarrassing himself and having to look for another cafe in that area. He liked that cafe.

"Did your phone break?”

The man's voice startled him, almost making him jump in his seat. His shoulders tensed up but he forced himself to calm down, zipped his bag and redirected his attention to Jiung.

“...What?”

There was amusement in the other's eyes, "It's just unusual…” he seemed to hesitate, “Well, not seeing you with your face glued to the phone."

Jongseob blinked slowly, "My phone is fine.”

“Oh,” Jiung's eyes widened slightly, "Good to know.”

He resisted the urge to roll his eyes and watched Jiung place his order. Judging by how the other was looking not discreetly at all at his coffee mug, he knew he'd get another doodle. This eased his annoyance, but unfortunately did not calm his nervousness. He no longer had time for that, however.

Jiung was about to turn away when an alarm went off Jongseob’s head.

“Wait!”

The other raised his eyebrows at him. Jongseob cringed internally. Too loud.

"Eh..." he tucked a strand of hair behind his ear. It was either done now or not. Swallowing down his hesitancy, he said, "...I really like your drawings.”

He cringed again. Why so coy.

Jiung smiled slightly, "Oh, is that so?" he said in a soft voice. Every time, his voice seemed to escalate in softness. It had to be an exceptional skill or something like that, “And I really like drawing for you.”

Yeah, Jongseob liked him. Kinda.

He smiled back, “Only for me?”

The other huffed, turning his face to the side and covering his smile.

Jiung looked back at him, "...Yeah, only for you," he wrinkled his nose, "I thought you needed something to put a smile on your face.”

“Do I look too moody for you?”

The other waved off, "No, no, no, that's not it," his lips curved into a loopside smile, "I just want you to feel lighter before following your routine. I want you to have something to keep throughout the day.”

The warmth on Jongseob's stomach threatened to erupt. Suddenly feeling dizzy, he knew he had to do what he had to do quickly before he lost his entire train of thought.

He took the thing out of his bag and turned, handing off to the other.

Jiung stared at it, confused.

“I…I don't know if you have anything to put this in, but..." Jongseob coughed, "..It's my way of rewarding you.”

Jiung's smile reached his eyes, “It's not necessary. I really don't expect anything in return.”

“I don't care,” Jongseob spoke without thinking. He realized his tone and retracted it, "What I meant to say…I want to give you this. I want to give you something to keep throughout the day too.”

The other looked at him for a moment before taking the item from his hand. Their fingers touched briefly, and he felt it was deliberate.

“So I guess I'll have to accept,” the other said with a smile.

Jiung took a good look at it, then frowned slightly.

Jongseob scratched his head, "I'm sorry. I know it's not very conventional.”

"Don't worry about it," Jiung shook his head one, two, three times.

"My friend said it could be romantic,” Jongseob mentally rolled his eyes.

“It is!” Jiung gestured, "Really, I think it is really cool,” he pressed it against his chest, “Was the pink bow your friend's idea too?”

“No, it was mine.” he answered, embarrassingly.

Jiung glanced around and leaned forward, lowering his voice, "I liked it too.”

Then he gave him a wink.

Jongseob may have actually stopped thinking after that.

“Thanks,” the man began to distance himself, without taking his eyes off him.

“Mn," was all he replied.

Jiung went to the counter. Jongseob stayed at his table with his untouched order, looking like a fool.