Work Text:
The look Jeonghan gave Wonwoo was borderline murderous.
“What did you say?” Jeonghan asked sharply.
Despite Wonwoo’s internal voice reminding him that whenever Jeonghan spoke this way it was ultimately a trap, he felt himself fall right into Jeonghan’s evil little hands.
“I said I know a good place to eat,” Wonwoo confessed, as if knowing restaurants were akin to murder.
At that, Soonyoung also turned to give Wonwoo a piercing stare. Wonwoo tried his best not to cower underneath the combined stares of Soonyoung and Jeonghan. He was allowed to know about restaurants!
“You never have a suggestion,” Junhui pointed out uselessly. “What makes this one special?”
“I just like the food there,” Wonwoo shrugged, turning away from his prying friends.
Jeonghan narrowed his eyes but didn’t press for answers. Wonwoo knew he’d be paying for it later, but he knew when to accept a peace offering from Yoon Jeonghan.
“Fine. What’s it called?”
“Diamond Life.”
“Pfft, is this a restaurant or a club?” Soonyoung snorted, but he allowed Wonwoo to type the address into the car’s GPS and started driving. He made it about two streets before pausing. “Wait, are you sure this is the right address?”
“Of course.”
“Why the hell do you know about a restaurant on the edge of Seoul?” Soonyoung asked. “You never leave the city!”
“I’m allowed to know things!” Wonwoo protested hotly. “I’m not a complete hermit!”
“Yes you are,” Jeonghan and Junhui chorused from the backseat.
Wonwoo pouted and crossed his arms, falling back into the seat as Soonyoung sped down the streets as fast as the law allowed. He debated on texting Jihoon, complaining that Soonyoung was tormenting him, but Jihoon always sided with Soonyoung. Even when he didn’t, he did. Boyfriend privileges or something.
Actually, now that Wonwoo was thinking about it, it was probably a good thing Jihoon wasn’t here (some meeting or other that he couldn’t bail on). There were few things that united him and Soonyoung as much as teasing their friends.
More than that, Jihoon had a way of prying back Wonwoo’s defenses until he found himself confessing everything. If Jihoon were here, Wonwoo wouldn’t be able to hold back from telling them about Mingyu.
Wonwoo stumbled upon Diamond Life on accident. He’d been dozing on the train, exhausted after almost ten straight days of overtime, and missed his stop. And the next three stops after. By the time Wonwoo realized it, it was late in the evening and he was starving. Toting his work bag, Wonwoo wandered the darkened streets. He’d never been in this area before. It was quiet compared to the unending nightlife he was used to, and Wonwoo found himself enjoying the peace.
Still, the Seoul outskirts were still Seoul and the nightlife was still present, even as muted as it was, and Wonwoo found a neat little restaurant that didn’t look too busy.
The inside was a mix of modern and traditional, sleek lines and old artwork. There were only a dozen tables, a few of them already taken up by late-night workers enjoying a drink. They nodded at Wonwoo as he entered and Wonwoo nodded back.
The back of the restaurant had a large window, showing off the kitchen. Wonwoo took a moment to stare at the chef. He was facing away from the window, but Wonwoo noticed his broad shoulders, the ease in which he stir-fried something. Then the chef turned around and Wonwoo, in his sleep-deprived state, gasped.
The chef was handsome. The kind of handsome that was meant to be plastered on billboards. He smiled and Wonwoo melted. The chef turned, saying something to someone, but Wonwoo was gone.
Another worker came through the backdoor, making a beeline for Wonwoo. Wonwoo forced himself to stop drooling over the chef, clutching his bag and bowing as the worker came close, holding a plastic menu in hand. He was shorter than Wonwoo, with bleached hair and the roundest cheeks ever. He smiled and Wonwoo couldn’t help but smile back.
“Just one?”
“Please.”
The worker led Wonwoo to a table near the back, right next to the kitchen window with a perfect view of the handsome chef. Wonwoo stumbled into the chair but luckily no one noticed. He stared down at the menu. The food here was cozy comfort food, jjigaes and noodles, a homemade kimchi and various jeon, and Wonwoo’s stomach grumbled.
“So, I’ve never seen you here before,” the same worker from before said as he brought Wonwoo’s water, banchan, and silverware.
“Do you know all your customers?” Wonwoo asked.
“Pretty much. We’re tucked away enough that, if you don’t know where we are, you don’t find us, but we like that. We want to feel like home, not a restaurant. I’m Seungkwan, by the way.”
“Wonwoo. Do you have any recommendations?”
Seungkwan lit up, leaning over the table and regaling Wonwoo with every dish. The menu was a collection of family recipes from the employees, something to really cement the idea that Diamond Life was a home away from home.
In the end, Wonwoo got the kimchi fried rice and spicy fried chicken. Seungkwan simply yelled the order through the window, where the chef confirmed it. Wonwoo expected Seungkwan to leave, to do whatever job he needed, but instead he stayed by Wonwoo.
Seungkwan was animated as he talked, and he reminded Wonwoo of a cartoon. He explained how Diamond Life was a desperate venture by the owner, Choi Seungcheol. Seungcheol had started up several businesses, all successful, but not long lasting. He needed something stable, something consistent. His friend, Kim Mingyu, suggested a restaurant.
Mingyu was the handsome chef, the true brain behind Diamond Life. The menu, the décor, all of it came from Mingyu.
“It’s nice,” Wonwoo said, tucking into his food.
Seungkwan turned to the window. “Did you hear that, hyung? He likes it!”
Mingyu poked his head out the window, smiling brightly at Wonwoo.
“I’m glad you like it!” he said. His voice seemed to match him perfectly, warm and soft with a little lisp. “It means a lot.”
“Yeah, yeah, like you don’t get compliments every day,” Seungkwan rolled his eyes.
“It’s still nice to hear!”
Wonwoo chuckled as the two bickered like siblings, which only ended when Mingyu threw a piece of grilled onion at Seungkwan’s face.
Soonyoung slowed down as they came closer to the restaurant and Wonwoo felt a familiar flicker of nervousness in his gut. He’d been coming to Diamond Life for several months now, usually once or twice a week when his schedule allowed for it, and he was always greeted with the same warmness as his first visit.
Slowly, like the phasing of the moon, Wonwoo couldn’t help but grow feelings for Mingyu. At first, Mingyu was just the handsome chef, someone who teased Seungkwan and Hansol (Seungkwan’s boyfriend and busboy) in equal measure. But now he was Mingyu, the handsome chef who made sure Wonwoo had extra of his favorite banchan, who always had a warm smile whenever Wonwoo came in, who would talk with Wonwoo whenever he had a spare moment.
Having a crush on Mingyu wasn’t a problem. It was fun, heart-fluttering and easy. Flirting with Mingyu through the kitchen window became second nature and Wonwoo lived for Mingyu’s smiles and his laughter, for hearing him rattle off stories in his sweet voice.
Having his friends discover his crush on Mingyu, however, was Wonwoo’s worst nightmare.
“Dude, how did you find this place?” Soonyoung asked, looking up at the wooden sign.
“I, uh, fell asleep on the train and missed my stop. Ended up here to eat.”
“And how long ago was that?” Jeonghan asked with a knowing look in his eye.
Wonwoo mumbled something as he exited the car, but Junhui caught him before Wonwoo could escape into the building.
“Sorry, what was that?” Junhui turned Wonwoo around.
“I said… it was… a few months ago…”
“Uh huh, and how often have you come by since then?” Jeonghan pressed.
Wonwoo blushed and tore his arm free from Junhui, storming into the restaurant.
As always, Seungkwan was waiting for him. He brightened up seeing Wonwoo and then, when his three friends trailed in behind, seemed to brighten even more.
“Hyung! And you brought friends!” Seungkwan said cheerfully.
“Unfortunately,” Wonwoo grumbled. “Seungkwan, this is Soonyoung, Junhui, and Jeonghan.”
“Hi, Seungkwan, was it?” Jeonghan pushed his way to the front. “You look like someone who knows things. What brings Wonwoo back here?”
Seungkwan glanced at Wonwoo, his eyes glittering with mischief. Wonwoo had a hunch he would grow to regret introducing Seungkwan and Jeonghan.
“Have you met Mingyu?” Seungkwan said with a wicked grin. “He’s our chef.”
Seungkwan gestured towards the open kitchen where, as always, Mingyu was working. Wonwoo tried his best to keep from staring, but how could he? How could he keep from staring when Mingyu had his sleeves rolled up (how was it possible to roll up short sleeves?) showing off his impressive biceps as he carried a heavy pan over to the sink. How could he look away when Mingyu had his hair down, framing his face perfectly.
Okay, Wonwoo clearly needed to get his head on straight. If he was close to spouting poetry about Mingyu’s fucking bangs, then he was seconds away from embarrassing himself in front of everyone.
“Is that okay, Wonwoo?”
“What?” Wonwoo forced himself to look away from Mingyu and the sheen of sweat dripping down the side of his face. He forced himself to focus on Jeonghan and Seungkwan, standing too close together with matching smiles. “Sorry, what were you saying?”
“Seungkwannie here was offering us your usual table,” Jeonghan said. “If that’s okay with you?”
Was the room spinning? Wonwoo couldn’t tell. His brain was hopping from Mingyu’s voice teasing Hansol by the sink, to Jeonghan calling Seungkwan Seungkwannie, then back to Mingyu, who caught sight of Wonwoo through the window and offered a blinding smile.
“I think it’s okay,” Junhui piped up when Wonwoo didn’t say anything.
Before Wonwoo could protest, Seungkwan gestured them to follow him towards Wonwoo’s usual table. Right beside the kitchen window.
Wonwoo stiffly sat down in the chair next to Soonyoung, thinking he’d be safe from Jeonghan’s meddling, only for Jeonghan to sit across from him. It was a little late for lunch, which left the restaurant mostly empty and allowed Seungkwan to hover by their table to talk.
He and Jeonghan were becoming fast friends, gossiping together about everything. Wonwoo could barely keep up. He heard bits and pieces of their conversation: Jeonghan explaining the weird drama between Joshua and Seokmin, Seungkwan talking about Seungcheol’s latest date disaster, Jeonghan’s own dating disasters, Seungkwan and Hansol fighting over adopting a cat or a dog.
Luckily for Wonwoo, Soonyoung tapped his elbow, distracting him Jeonghan and Seungkwan.
“What’s good here?”
“Uh, everything.”
Soonyoung poked him harder. “I doubt he can hear you, you don’t have to pretend.”
“I – I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Soonyoung leaned closer, dropping his voice to a whisper. “The chef? Mingyu? I saw you practically drooling over him.”
“Shut up.”
“It’s okay, he stares back at you too.”
Wonwoo shot his head up towards the window. He had a clear view of Mingyu plating up an impressive bowl of noodles, his brow furrowed in concentration. As if he knew, he glanced up and met Wonwoo’s gaze. Mingyu gave Wonwoo a wide and beautiful smile and Wonwoo blushed, looking back down at the table.
Somehow, Junhui got everyone settled down enough to order their food, which Seungkwan shouted through the window to Mingyu, before grabbing a chair and sitting at their table. Jeonghan looked delighted.
“Hyung!” Mingyu shouted loud enough to be heard over the clatter of dishes. “Seungkwan isn’t working!”
“I am networking,” Seungkwan replied scathingly.
Seungcheol came around the corner where, Wonwoo had learned, the back office and entrance to the kitchen were located. He looked impressive, a plain black polo emphasizing the breadth of his chest and biceps, and walked straight for their table.
It suddenly occurred to Wonwoo that Choi Seungcheol, with his puppy-dog eyes and reliable shoulders, was exactly Yoon Jeonghan’s type.
“Seungkwannie, you know I don’t mind you talking with customers, but this is a little much, don’t you think?”
“Hyung, these are Wonwoo’s friends,” Seungkwan said. “Soonyoung and Junhui and – ”
Jeonghan suddenly stood up, turning his full attention to Seungcheol. “I’m Jeonghan,” he said.
Somehow just saying his own name sounded seductive, and Wonwoo rolled his eyes. Yet somehow, it worked on Seungcheol (it worked on everyone).
“Seungcheol. This is my restaurant.”
“Is it really?” Jeonghan grabbed Seungcheol’s arm, batting his eyelashes. “I can’t believe Wonwoo’s been coming here for so long without us. He never mentioned the great view that came with the food.”
Wonwoo glanced over at Soonyoung and Junhui, both of them looking as shocked as Wonwoo felt. They’d all seen Jeonghan put on the charm to flirt, but never this brazenly. Flirting for Jeonghan was an art, something to be done delicate and precise.
“Well, I hope to see you around more,” Seungcheol purred and Jeonghan giggled.
Wonwoo narrowed his eyes. Was Seungcheol flexing underneath Jeonghan’s hand?
“Oh, my god,” Soonyoung said under his breath. “I can’t eat if they’re gonna be like that.”
“I never thought I’d see the day Jeonghan found his match,” Junhui whispered.
Jeonghan spared a glare for them before turning his full attention back to Seungcheol. “Seungcheol, right? Maybe you and I can eat at a different table? If this is your restaurant then maybe you can recommend me something.”
“It would be my pleasure.”
Seungcheol took Jeonghan by the arm and led him back around the corner. Jeonghan turned around and stuck his tongue out at Wonwoo before disappearing from sight.
“What the fuck just happened,” Seungkwan gasped.
“I guess their dating problems are over,” Junhui shrugged.
“I have never seen him like that,” Seungkwan said. He stood up and leaned over the kitchen window. “Gyu, have you seen Cheollie act like that before?”
“Nope!” Mingyu called out. “Come get the banchan for Wonwoo and his friends!”
Seungkwan groaned and made a big show of walking around to the kitchen, muttering under his breath the whole time. Unfortunately, without Seungkwan and Jeonghan here to chat, all Junhui and Soonyoung’s attention was back on Wonwoo.
Wonwoo fiddled with his chopsticks, hoping if he didn’t make eye-contact then they wouldn’t talk to him. Like he was some prey animal in the sights of a hungry predator. He probably shouldn’t say that out loud or else Soonyoung would start his ‘I’m a tiger’ campaign and they just got him to stop putting up hand claws in every group photo.
“Dude, you have to ask Mingyu out after we eat,” Soonyoung hissed under his breath. “If you would look up every once in a while, then you’d see how often he stares back at you!”
Against his better judgement, Wonwoo gave a furtive glance towards the kitchen window. He could barely see Mingyu, talking to Seungkwan and assembling a tray full of banchan dishes. But as he watched, Mingyu kept glancing over his shoulder to look at Wonwoo, a fond smile on his face each time.
Junhui leaned across the table, a coy smile on his face.
“So are we talking about Mingyu?” he said.
“Shut up!” Wonwoo whispered.
“Why? It’s obvious he likes you too.”
Wonwoo groaned and pressed his forehead against the table. Maybe this was all a bad dream. Maybe Wonwoo would open his eyes and he’d actually still be at work, sitting at his desk instead of having his life systematically dismantled by his closest friends.
“Seungkwan, you know Mingyu, does he like Wonwoo?”
Wonwoo threw his head back so fast he got lightheaded. Seungkwan had come back to their table and set the banchan on the table, holding the tray under his arm. Junhui and Soonyoung looked up at him eagerly, evil smiles on their faces. Next time they played Kart Rider, Wonwoo wouldn’t go easy on them.
“Oh, absolutely,” Seungkwan said with a serious nod. “He’s been working on altering some recipes to take out the seafood so Wonwoo can eat it.”
Of course, Wonwoo knew this. He had wanted to try everything on the menu but hesitated at the jjamppong. A little seafood was okay, but to eat a whole bowl of it made Wonwoo’s stomach turn. The next time he came to Diamond Life, Mingyu had made an alternate version of jjamppong. The same broth, same noodles, but the seafood was cut through with other cuts of meat.
“Really?” Junhui gave Wonwoo a knowing look. “But aren’t these like, traditional family recipes?”
“Eh, our grandparents won’t mind if it helps Mingyu get a boyfriend,” Seungkwan shrugged. “By the way, Wonwoo, Mingyu has extra kongnamul and myulchi when you want it.”
“Oh, he has extra?” Soonyoung said. “He just happens to have extra of Wonwoo’s favorite banchan?”
“Every time he comes in,” Seungkwan said proudly. He leaned forward, glancing up at the window where Mingyu was distracted. “Just between us, Hansollie and I have been nagging Mingyu to ask Wonwoo out for months. We can’t go on with these puppy dog eyes.”
Junhui glanced around the nearly empty restaurant. A mischievous glint started to grow in his eyes and Wonwoo felt a sinking suspicion in his gut that whatever Junhui was about to say was going to ruin the rest of his lunch.
“Seungkwan, is there another chef who can cook? Or is it just Mingyu back there?”
“No, he has Kihyun some days, but right now it’s just Mingyu and his apprentice, Woobin.”
“And do you think he can handle it if… say… Mingyu took some time off to eat?”
“I should think so.”
“Perfect! Then Soonyoungie and I will take our meals to-go and we wouldn’t want Wonwoo left here by himself.”
“I’ll make sure he isn’t alone,” Seungkwan winked and flounced back to the kitchen.
“Jun,” Wonwoo said his name slowly. “I’m going to kill you.”
“No, you won’t,” Junhui said smugly. “You are going to thank me for giving you the opportunity to talk with Mingyu. C’mon, Soonyoung.”
“But I wanted to stay here!” Soonyoung complained.
“Soons, let’s go,” Junhui said. He gave a very pointed look towards the kitchen.
“Oh,” Soonyoung said. He stood up suddenly. “Actually, yes. We should go and – meet Jihoon!”
“Oh, god,” Wonwoo groaned. “You don’t have to make up an excuse, I know why you’re leaving!”
“Have fun!” Junhui said as he and Soonyoung walked towards the foyer.
Wonwoo had about thirty seconds to question his friends before he heard a scuffle in the kitchen and a frazzled looking Mingyu was shoved out the back hallway, his apron still around his waist. His hair was held back by a tomato patterned bandana that looked surprisingly cute.
Mingyu gave Wonwoo an awkward smile and wave before walking towards the table. On this side of the wall, he looked almost shy, wringing his hands together and keeping his shoulders hunched in. He looked sweet, endearing, and Wonwoo’s chest swelled with fondness.
“Hey, hyung,” Mingyu said softly as he pulled the chair out across from Wonwoo. “Um, Seungkwan said I needed a break before dinner and that all your friends abandoned you and… well here I am.”
“Thanks, Min,” Wonwoo said. “So, you have an apprentice?”
Mingyu lit up, eagerly talking about Woobin. When the restaurant got busier, they hired Kihyun as a second chef and Woobin was Kihyun’s cousin who needed a job after finishing culinary school. One thing led to another and Mingyu decided to take Woobin on as his apprentice.
“He has a lot of natural talent, but that won’t be enough,” Mingyu said. “There are things you can only learn in a kitchen with real stakes, but he’s a quick learner. It’s nice, actually, having someone look up to you, someone who I can share my knowledge with. Feels like, I dunno, like I’m doing something with my life.”
“You helped make this restaurant though, that’s gotta count for something,” Wonwoo said.
“It does, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world, but there’s something nice about teaching, about sharing what I know.”
Wonwoo couldn’t understand. He specifically chose his career so he didn’t have to train other people. He just had to keep the computer systems and such running for his company and someone else would do the training. But he liked how Mingyu described it, that teaching was simply another way for him to share his gifts with others.
Seungkwan quietly dropped off their food, a plastic bag in his other hand that he quickly delivered to Junhui. He and Soonyoung scampered off, giving Wonwoo a thumbs up.
“But enough about me, what do you do?” Mingyu asked, digging into his food.
“Oh, I work in IT,” Wonwoo said.
“Like the ‘have you turned it off and back on again?’ guys?”
Wonwoo chuckled. “No, those days are behind me, thankfully. I help maintain servers and databases. It’s not nearly as cool as it sounds though.”
“It sounds cool to me,” Mingyu said with stars in his eyes. “I think you’re really cool, hyung.”
“You’re just saying that because you don’t know me.”
“Then let me know you.”
Wonwoo almost dropped his chopsticks.
“What?”
“I have tomorrow off,” Mingyu said. “Let me take you out somewhere.”
“Out like – ”
“Like a date.”
Wonwoo couldn’t stop the smile that spread across his face, the flip in his stomach. He reached one leg out, brushing his foot alongside Mingyu’s. Mingyu blushed, but trapped Wonwoo’s foot between his.
“I’d like that,” Wonwoo said.
Later, after Wonwoo and Mingyu finished eating, after Mingyu went back to work, Wonwoo saw Jeonghan try and sneak out of the back, looking a little more disheveled than before. His hair was coming loose from its ponytail, his shirt was crumpled and his belt missed at least 2 loops in his pants.
Wonwoo coughed loudly and Jeonghan jumped. But this was Yoon Jeonghan. He raised his head up high and stalked up to Wonwoo’s table.
“I’ll tell you if you tell me,” Jeonghan said.
“Deal.”