Archive of Our Own

Still, Phainon fights back a yawn as he glances at the numbers on the cash register next to him. It’s almost midnight.. There hadn’t been anyone coming by after about half-past ten, with Phainon on cashier duty and Ken sorting out some inventory matters in the back. 

It’s when the bright lights and rows of food, and necessities are starting to blend together (maybe Phainon’s eyes were just about to shut), that the bell at the entrance starts chiming -

Phainon holds in a garbled snort of surprise, whoops, and automatically greets the new customer with a pleasant, “Welcome — “

Oh. Oh shit, he’s kinda hot??

The customer, wearing a regular black suit with white collared shirt and a tie, barely looks in Phainon’s direction as he gives him a small, tired smile of acknowledgement. 

He looks exhausted but even then - 

His slightly pale complexion did little to detract from handsome, chiselled features and a tall, lithe frame. The man quickly disappears behind a row of snacks before Phainon could get a better look - is he a regular? I’ve never seen him in the day before - though his blond hair still peeked out from over the shelves - 

Phainon blinks a couple of times - get a grip, man- trying to calm his basal instincts when Ken suddenly pokes his head out from the door leading to the back of the store -

“Phainon, who was that? Was it Mr. Khaslana?”

More blinks. “Who - “

A deep, almost smooth rumble echoes from between the shelves, “Yes, it’s me, Ken.”

“Ah, yes, I’ll grab your usual, sir!”

The customer - Mr. Khaslana, presumably - raises his arm to give a two-finger wave. “Thanks, Ken.”

Phainon is still left blinking bemusedly at the counter, turns his head slightly to the back door, hoping Ken would reappear to explain what was going on.

“You’re the new guy, huh? Phainon, was it?”

Phainon almost shrieks. When did he get here??Phainon snaps his head back, letting his mouth gape open and close a couple times, before he just points to his name tag and goes, “Oh! Yes. That’s me. Right. I am. Phainon.” God, take me now, that was terrible - 

Golden eyes curve upwards as they soften just a little, accompanied by a small, faint smile, “Khaslana, as you may have heard.” 

(This close, Khaslana just seemed very, very tired.)

“Don’t worry, Ken’s just grabbing me a beer and some late-night snacks, nothing suspicious.”

Phainon chuckles (doesn’t see how it makes Khaslana’s smile stretch just that little wider), and immediately eases into Staff Mode -

“Our snacks are great, but I love our rice balls! The egg fried rice ones are my favourite! Though, maybe something saltier and simpler pairs better with alcohol…” Phainon starts tapping a finger against his chin, already running through a list in his mind of what other customers have bought for beer parties and the like, to pick out something to recommend -  

Khaslana’s smile grows a little lopsided. Cute. “Is that so? What else do you like?”

Sky blue eyes widen in excitement, the two flyaway hairs atop Phainon’s head almost bouncing from sheer enthusiasm, “I know our fried chicken is good, but I’m honestly more of a salads guy - “ a dramatic sigh, “I think it’s almost criminal that we don’t sell those as much as we should, I really like the basic one with simple dressing. I grew up on a farm, so trust me when I say, I know fresh veggies when I taste them!”

Even through obvious exhaustion (likely a long day at work, Phainon surmises), Khaslana still manages to laugh a little at Phainon’s declarations - that’s great, he looks better when he’s laughing - “I’ll be sure to remember that.”

It’s then that Ken pops back out with a sizable bag filled with some cans and packages for Khaslana. They exchange some quick pleasantries before -

Ken clasps his hands together, and gives a quick nod as he says, “See you tomorrow, Mr. Khaslana.”

The blond is almost at the exit, one hand grasping the bag of food and drinks, tilts his head back to give a nod of his own towards Ken but then - gold meet blue and Phainon doesn’t even realise he’s holding his breath when Khaslana says, “See you tomorrow, Phainon.”

It makes something like a million butterflies sprout into existence inside Phainon’s gut - flustered, he defaults back to service-mode once again, bowing as he rambles out, “Thank you! Please come again!!”

(Khaslana’s already gone by the time he straightens back up.)

Phainon doesn’t even have time to wallow in whether he’d overshared (come on too strongly perhaps), as Ken chuckles a little at his uh, enthused goodbye - 

“Sorry I didn’t explain beforehand - that’s Mr. Khaslana. He’s a managing director in the parent company of our chain of convenience stores. He lives nearby, so he always makes a trip here to pick up some things before he goes home. Also to check up on the place, he’s very hands-on. Good man. He always works until really late though.”

“That’s not very healthy..” Phainon mutters out, bites his tongue (figuratively) to stop himself from asking if Khaslana is single or the like -

Ken shrugs. “I’ve never asked him directly of course but between you and me, I think it’s because he’s living all alone out here. I haven’t heard him ever mention family or a spouse, but it’s none of my business anyway of course.”

Phainon just nods, internally stopping himself from giving an actual fist pump - Huzzah! You really are the best, Ken. 

“Hey, Ken, what did you need me back here for - whoa!”

Phainon takes the two strides necessary to reach out and help Ken as he struggles with a big box full of rice balls, the contents almost spilling over onto the floor - 

Ken rarely over-orders when we need to replenish stock - and why are all of them egg fried rice flavoured -

“T-thanks, Phainon,” Ken shifts his weight and footing, and scrambles to place some of the ones in immediate danger of falling onto the packing table - “I checked my order quantity with headquarters, but they insisted the correct amount of rice balls was sent over.” 

Ken shakes his head as he shrugs, “I’m sure we’re not going to move this much product before we have to take them off again. You like this flavour, right? Please help to bring some - uh, a lot - home! It’ll be a waste otherwise - “

Phainon beams - must be my lucky day - “Gladly! Thanks, Ken!”

“Welcome — ah! Why are there more orders for the basic salad as well??”

Two weeks since their first meeting, Phainon tracks realises Khaslana really does come in almost every night, just around midnight, to grab some stuff home, and to check on the sales and management of the store -

Tonight’s the first time Phainon is working alone, with Ken out on sick leave. He was supposed to close up earlier but -

- fidgets with the loop of the bag handle - an insulated lunch bag Phainon had brought from home - that he’d placed under the counter when he’d started his shift - 

- blows out a puff of air as he sighs softly - why isn’t Mr. Khaslana here yet - 

Right on cue, the chime at the entrance starts playing and -

“Mr. Khaslana!” Phainon instantly bolts upright, relief washing over his features -

Khaslana already looks puzzled, golden eyes widening even more when he spots - “Phainon? Why are you still here? I thought Ken called in sick today, the store’s supposed to be closed already - “

Phainon pays Khaslana’s words no heed (not deliberately!) as he rounds the counter, lunch bag in hand, comes to a stop right in front of the blond - 

“Mr. Khaslana - “

Again, Khaslana’s surprise gives way to the same small soft lopsided grin (that Phainon hasn’t realised seems to be reserved only for him) -

“You can call me Khas, Phainon.”

“Oh! That’s - “ a dusting of red, a sheepish laugh - “Um, okay, Khas - “

(Khaslana thinks he could melt.)

“T-this - “ Phainon holds out the lunch bag, averts his eyes - to the cans of chips on discount that suddenly look very appealing (anything that doesn’t involve meeting Khaslana’s eyes of molten gold), “This is for you - 

“I don’t know what you eat for your other meals, but I only see you grabbing snacks whenever you stop by, so - so… I thought you might… like this… I-I made extra when I was prepping my own food!”

The bashful yet eager, anticipatory tremble in Phainon’s lips, stretched into a tight, nervous smile; eyes cast to the side, lashes meeting rapidly as he blinked, mirroring his likely racing thoughts; yet Phainon’s arms remained outstretched, steady with determination and vigour - 

Khaslana thinks it’s all beyond cute - and for it to be all for him - 

Khaslana has enough practise in boardroom meetings and employee evaluations to squash down whatever instincts were screaming at him to sort of, kind of, make him his, to put it crudely -

Instead just smiles almost too serenely as he clears his throat a little, gratefully accepting the lunch bag of food with both hands - 

“Thank you, Phainon. It’s very thoughtful of you, I really appreciate it.” 

(Oh, what wouldn’t Khaslana do - to ensure that Phainon kept on smiling the way he was right now.)

The incessant clatter of keystrokes and sounds of workers shuffling to their next meetings are mostly kept to a minimum thanks to Khaslana having his own office in Janus Corp. It wasn’t ideal that the front was made entirely of glass - gives Khaslana the feeling he’s something put on display, rather than for the stated purpose of literally overseeing subordinates - 

Still, it was preferable not having anyone looking over his shoulder, gives a few clicks on the inventory and order spreadsheet open on his screen -

I wonder if that’s enough extra for Phainon to bring home - 

“Mr. Khaslana?”

Shit - he was too focused on sending over more stock for Phainon’s favourite food and snacks in the convenience store - didn’t even realise Tribios’ personal assistant was standing at the door to his office - 

“Yes?”

“Ms. Tribios would like to see you.”

“Khaslana, you’re here~ “

A congenial smile - Tribios was his mentor, after all - as Khaslana shuts the door behind him, “Ms. Tribios.”

With her distinctive long, bright red hair and deep blue eyes, Tribios stood out even in an office that was easily quadruple the size of Khaslana’s -

“I know you’re a busy person, Khaslana - “ they both share a knowing, wry laugh at Tribios’ words, “so let’s cut to the chase -

“What’s this I hear about a special request not to put our upcoming super popular, super hyped, super anticipated collaboration at the one convenience store outlet that happens to be near your place?”

Khaslana’s smile grows thin. He couldn’t outright lie to Tribios (it wouldn’t work anyway) - 

“Ah, you got me… I just - “ tries to put on his best innocent puppy impression (thinks only Phainon could pull it off) - “Would like to preserve some peace and quiet around my area.”

(He knows she sees right through him. But - )

Tribios doesn’t say anything for one beat, then two - finally, she gives a small huff, relaxes back into her chair as she closes her eyes in (some) resignation, “I see. Fine, I’ll acquiesce to your request. It’s nice to see you prioritise your own wishes for once - “

Khaslana gives a slight sigh of relief, “Thank you - “

“But - you know I can’t just let it slide without any reciprocal gesture.” Tribios opens her eyes, and the tilt in her smile is almost mischievous, “One percent off your bonus. Is that okay?”

Khaslana knows that one percent is basically nothing (thinks of snow white hair, sky blue eyes and that smile - ) 

Even if Tribios had said a hundred percent - 

“It’s worth it.”

“Hey, Ken, how come we didn’t put up anything for the new collaboration? I saw it at our other shops, like the one near the train station - “

Ken turns to Phainon with a perplexed look, arms full of boxes he was ready to put into the back, “I don’t know either. We didn’t receive any promotional materials nor instructions for it…“ Ken’s thoughts and words trail off together with him as the back door shuts behind him -

Just as the tell-tale chime starts up - 

Khas!

Khaslana steps through the convenience store doors - and immediately sees Phainon positively beaming at him radiating sunshine even in the middle of the night -

If Phainon had a dog tail, he’d be wagging it - 

“Khas, you’re here! Oh, I have a question!”

(In that moment, Khaslana discovers what that term meant - )

- tempers down any feelings of cuteness aggression, as he steps in front of the counter where Phainon was - 

“What is it, Phainon?”

Phainon leans closer - not good for Khaslana’s heart, but very pleasing for his basal instincts - whispering almost conspiratorially -  

“I was just asking Ken why our store didn’t get anything for the hot new collaboration. Is it because our sales are bad or something?”

Golden eyes immediately shoot wide open, Khaslana even drawing back to gesture with an outstretched hand, “No, no, not at all. It’s just - “ Khaslana sighs, shoulders slumping a little - “I’ll admit it’s because I personally requested it. Selfish, I know, but I didn’t want people finding out about my usual spot and crowding it — “

(I want to keep you all to myself — )

“I don’t know if you need to hear it, but - “ takes the chance to clasp his hand onto Phainon’s shoulder (a flicker in bright blue eyes, Phainon’s cheeks staining pink) - 

“You’re doing a great job, Phainon.”

Phainon had been in the back printing out some labels when he'd heard the familiar chime echoing through the store, telling him Khaslana was here, almost like clockwork (perhaps better) - quickly sets aside any materials before stepping out into the main area -

- moves through several rows before spotting a familiar tousle of blond hair -

“Oh, there you are, Khas- “

And Phainon's brain promptly short circuits.

Khaslana was stooping slightly, examining boxes of curry roux - but he was dressed up in distinctly not standard office worker wear - 

A loose, slightly sheer, white, blouse-like top with thin, silvery chains dangling from lightweight loops around his neck and wrists, paired with tight black pants, a punk-like belt and dark boots (so many chains - not just on his boots, but even his metallic ear cuff had one connecting the two spiked parts - )

It takes every shred of self control within Phainon not to jump him implode - 

“C-can I - “ take you home right now!!! “- h-help you with a-anything?”

For how dressed up Khaslana is looking - oh dear lord, why’s the neckline so goddamn low - he’s surprisingly casual and way too focused on selecting which brand of curry roux he seems to want to purchase - 

“Oh, I just wanted to have some curry rice over the weekend. I really like the one you made yesterday. I don’t know which brand of roux is good though,” Khaslana mentions almost without any other care in the world, seemingly oblivious to Phainon’s inner struggle - 

(Of course, of course Khaslana could’ve gone home to change first - 

But the whole point was to let Phainon see.)

After an agonising amount of time, Khaslana finally chooses a spicier variety of curry roux, an amused almost-smirk on his lips when Phainon gets distracted from punching in the price of his purchase for the fifth time -

“…You’ve been staring.”

Phainon visibly gulps - “Y-you look great, Khas, really great - “

Khaslana’s smirk loses some of its sharpness - “Thank you, that… that makes me glad.“

“Is it- ah, for any special occasion?” Or special someone - God, please say no, please say no, please no -

“Oh! No, nothing like that. My stylist friend in the company sometimes drags me into test shoots for the outfits he plans to use. Uh, it’s a separate arm of operations then what I’m usually in charge of, which is the convenient stores and sales side of things - “

“Friend? Not… just a colleague?”

The sudden change in Phainon’s mannerisms - tightened jaw, tension in his shoulders, the sharpening of his features, of warm sky blue suddenly taking on an icy hue - doesn’t go unnoticed by Khaslana - sends an involuntary chill down his spine - 

Is he… jealous??

Maybe it’s a little mean of him but - “Yes, my friend, Mydei. Maybe it’s clearer if I show you what he usually does - “ 

Khaslana quickly whips his mobile phone out of his pocket, scrolls to some photos of Mydei on set directing models and outfit changes and -

(Well, maybe Khaslana didn’t have to pick the one where Mydei’s walking around basically half-naked with just a leather jacket hanging off one shoulder, but - )

When Khaslana flicks his gaze back to Phainon, the look in the latter’s eyes can only be described as smouldering. 

“You what, Khas?”

Khaslana chooses to ignore the maybe-slightly-panicked undertone in Mydei’s voice as he sets his mobile phone to the side on his kitchen countertop, every unamused tick in Mydei’s expression being broadcasted clearly through their video call - 

“I showed him your picture. Why?” 

- continues nonchalantly chopping vegetables for his curry -

“That’s it. I’m dead. You can add the roux cubes to the water now.”

“What??” Khaslana frowns a little, throws the cubes of curry roux and vegetables into his pot of boiling water with a little too much force - “What are you talking about, Mydeimos? Phainon’s a nice guy - “ 

“Those carrot chunks are too big, they won’t cook evenly. Cut them smaller, at an angle next time. You’re too distracted by the puppy face - the guy’s got a sleeper build under that store uniform - “

Khaslana again wilfully ignores Mydei’s perfectionist tsk of annoyance at his subpar knife work. (His thoughts have already started to wander - Mydei was the fittest guy Khaslana knew, if he said so then Phainon must really - )

“It’s boiling, Khas. Lower the fire, keep it simmering. If I end up being murdered in my sleep, I’m coming back to haunt you.”

(The heated look - of jealousy - broad shoulders and perhaps sculpted abs - contrast to Phainon’s usual demeanour of sunshine and puppies - oh, Khaslana would have to end the call very soon - )

A wry smile - 

“Wouldn’t have it any other way, Mydei.”

Phainon arrives at the store early after the weekend. He knows his mood hasn’t really improved since seeing what could possibly be the most in-shape dude he’s ever witnessed on Khaslana’s phone, so he hopes throwing himself into his usual work would at least keep his mind off of things -

That is, until the very subject of his angst appears at the door.

Oh my God. How - why here, why now - 

“Welcome,” Phainon greets - Mydei, was it? - the new customer stiffly, almost begrudgingly, from his position behind the counter and cash register.

Mydei gives Phainon a nod of acknowledgement, a pair of pink lens sunglasses resting atop his blond hair, sunset highlights tied up in a loose bun with a single braid down one side. The man is dressed simply in a fitting black t-shirt and ripped jeans that show off his toned, sculpted physique, and bright red tattoos snaking along his arms and torso -

He looks even more stylish and intimidating up close than in his pictures. 

Despite the sheer aura surrounding him, Phainon doesn’t even have time to deliberate on what Mydei was doing here when the latter just quickly grabs a drink off a nearby shelf, places it on the counter and - 

“Look, man, Khaslana and I aren’t dating anymore, so it’s all good, okay.”

Phainon frowns, “What - what do you mean anymore — “

Mydei snaps his fingers in front of Phainon’s face, his expression stern and serious. “Focus. I said, not dating. He’s all yours, all right?”

Wha — “W-why are you telling me this?”

“Don’t want to get killed in my sleep.”

“I-I wouldn’t - “

Mydei resists the urge to scrub his hand down his face. (The wet puppy had basically just admitted to thinking it at the very least - ) 

“Of course,” Mydei deadpans. With his goal accomplished, Mydei picks up his bottled drink (already scanned and paid for in the midst of their conversation), giving it a little shake towards Phainon as he starts towards the exit, heavy boots clinking rhythmically with each step - “Thanks, man.”

Phainon’s still frowning, lost in his thoughts, automatically responding with a “Thank you, please come again - “

Wait -

What did he mean by ‘he’s all yours’? 

“…Mydei came by.”

It’s later that night when Khaslana appears in the store, as always - tilts his head to the side a little as he regards Phainon, Phainon who’s standing next to him, a storm brewing between his brows and swirling in sky blue eyes - “Oh. Did he… mention anything?”

“He said you guys aren’t dating anymore... and -

“That.. you’re all.. mine?” 

Hope and despair are two sides of the same coin - 

Khaslana hums a little in acknowledgment, almost feels something like purring in satisfaction at how Phainon’s eyes widen that little bit, turning hopeful with just a small, little gesture from Khaslana - “Well... “

The dam’s already been broken - 

“He isn’t wrong.”

Oh, that’s wonderful to hear - “I need to take you home right now.”

And Khaslana laughs, bumps his shoulder into Phainon’s - “Did you get your speech and thought bubbles mixed up?”

- leans in even more, voice dipping low and - “Anyway, the answer —

“Is yes, please.”