lost then found
daejae | pg-13 | 4k | do you want to be with somebody like me? | written for round 3 of thebrowniebunch fic exchange.
Daehyun wakes up to cold of the rusty metal stall wall pressed against his cheek, the taste of bile at the back of his throat and limbs heavy. His head is spinning, the beginnings of a bump at the back of his head, no doubt from when he was fucked repeatedly into the stall. He doesn't remember much of it, just a faceless man with big hands and a rough voice. The one or two or eight drinks he had downed earlier catch up to him as well. His legs feel weak and shaky, so Daehyun braces a hand around the rim of the dirty toilet seat and one against the stall wall to push himself to his feet.
The bartender catches his eye on his way out of the restroom, frowning as Daehyun limps past. He dismissively waves him off, catching the grimace etched on Yongguk’s face out of the corner of his eye. It’s nothing personal against Yongguk, and in fact, Daehyun values their unusual friendship quite a bit. But Yongguk sometimes just cares too much. Since the first day Daehyun had stumbled into the club. That’s Yongguk’s problem. He cares too much about nobodies like Daehyun.
Seoul has just transitioned into the warming air and sticky humidity of spring, a heavy veil of fog covering the city. Daehyun's worn-out leather shoes squelch against the damp pavement and he runs a tired hand through his hair. He’s passing by the strip mall a few meters from his house when he catches a boy leaning against the brick wall of the convenience store, face shrouded by his hood and a cigarette between his short fingers. He exhales, tapping the cigarette a few times, letting the bright orange embers fall to the ground.
Daehyun stops walking; seeing the way the smoke swirls into the crisp air in front of the boy has him itching to have a smoke now. “Hey, can I bum a cigarette?” Daehyun slips his hands into the pocket of his jeans casually, leaning his back against the brick building. The boy pushes off the wall wordlessly, reaching into his back pocket and shakes out a cigarette from the carton. Daehyun nods in thanks and plucks the cigarette from the carton. “Do you have a light too?”
“No, I just magically light these up.” His voice is a little lower, a little rougher than Daehyun’s but there’s just the slightest tone of amusement laced into the words that Daehyun isn’t entirely offended by the remark. The street lamp sheds light onto the boy’s face, the lower half at least, and his mouth is upturned into a small smirk as he fishes out the lighter from the pocket of his jacket. “Here.” He takes a step closer to Daehyun, holding up the flame for him.
Daehyun exhales smoke from his nostrils before muttering a small thank you. “Just had sex?” The boy chuckles at him, resuming his position against the wall.
Daehyun splutters at the remark. “Excuse me?”
“Just wondering? The hair, the slight limp, the cum stain on your pants.” He shrugs. Daehyun’s eyebrows knit together as he inspects his pants, and sure enough, there is a small stain to the right of his zipper.
“Very observant.” The boy shrugs nonchalantly. “And you? Are you one of those guys that preys on the low self esteem and easily influenced?” The boy turns to face Daehyun and the street lamp illuminates the bottom half of his face. He has nice lips, Daehyun notes. He takes a long drag of his cigarette at the question and exhales slowly. The smoke dissipates to show an self-assured grin on the boy’s face, and he chuckles before shaking his head.
“Oh, no. I don’t date. I’m just good with details.” He shrugs once more and brings up his free hand to pull his hood down. He’s pretty. That’s all Daehyun thinks at first.
His small but thick hands run through dark brown hair, brushing it out of his eyes. Daehyun licks his lips. “Who said anything about dating?” The other boy eyes him once over and chuckles.
“You look like one of those commitment-phobic douche bags.” Daehyun frowns deeply, but the boy seems to catch on, lifting his hands in weak surrender. “I’m just joking.” He laughs. “However, judging by your reaction…” He trails off, cocking one eyebrow up mockingly.
Daehyun snorts. “Alright, fine. I may or may not be a douche bag.”
He doesn’t say anything after that, just grins and takes in one more inhale before stubbing his cigarette out with the toe of his boot and walking away as if he hadn’t just questioned Daehyun over his sex life and called him a douche bag. Daehyun doesn’t know what to make of that, and stubs out his cigarette a few minutes later and heads home to have a late frozen dinner in front of his tv.
The sky is a weak and gloomy shade of gray the next morning and Daehyun’s coffee tastes bitter with the absence of half and half. He makes a mental note to pick some up after work.
Daehyun’s job is unremarkable and boring, at best. He works for a food logistics company, driving trucks of produce to the supermarkets and a few restaurants a couple of times a week and unloading them. It’s mindless work, but it leaves him free in the evening and with enough money to buy food and pay for his Netflix subscription so it’s good enough.
Jongup is already seated in the truck and tapping his fingers absentmindedly against the steering wheel when Daehyun slides in. The slam of the door closing seems to jolt Jongup out of his little trance and he grins at Daehyun. “Good morning, hyung.”
“Morning Jongup.”
“We all good to go?” Daehyun nods.
Since Jongup is the designated driver, he insists that he should be the one to choose what music they listen to. It’s always the same choice. Chris Brown. Daehyun doesn’t even blink an eye when Jongup raises the volume as one of his favorite songs starts up. But it’s alright, Daehyun isn’t too picky about music and it’s always funny to see Jongup make a fool of himself at red lights. (He likes to break out into little dance moves when the truck is stopped. It’s incredibly embarrassing, but it keeps Daehyun’s mornings entertaining.)
Their first stop is at a small deli shop to unload three crates of boxed pre-shredded lettuce, three five-gallon cans of pre-cut pickles, and two crates of fresh tomatoes.
Their second stop is a modest sized grocery store, just big enough to hold all the essentials and then some, but not yet a grand-scale supermarket. Daehyun groans as he reviews his inventory sheet, reading down all the items that need to be unloaded. He’s going to smell like cucumbers by the end of this.
Jongup wheels the truck behind the building near the loading dock. There’s always an employee back there to greet him, but this time it comes as a surprise to Daehyun. But it’s more because of who this employee is.
The first thing that tumbles out of his mouth when he steps down off the truck is, “You?” The boy he met outside the club last night stares back at him. There’s a flicker of recognition in the employee’s eyes and he smiles.
“Yes, me. And you?”
“Yes, me.” Daehyun repeats. Jongup, who had walked up a few seconds earlier, shifts his eyes between the two looking thoroughly confused.
“Um? Should we get the stuff out or…?” Jongup asks.
“Yes, let’s,” the boy answered, still looking at Daehyun as he spoke. Jongup grunts out an okay, and pulls Daehyun back towards the truck by the arm. Daehyun comes easily, but still chances one look back.
Jongup is grinning suspiciously at him. He doesn’t like it.
“What?” he asks exasperatedly, after seeing the same suspicious grin on Jongup’s face for the fifth time. Jongup shrugged, ducking his head a few seconds later behind the tomato crates to hide a laugh. “Seriously, what?”
Jongup just shakes his head, “It’s nothing, nothing.” Daehyun eyes him pointedly, but decides to drop it and just ease the tomatoes onto the porters trolley.
“You can check tomatoes off your list.” Daehyun pants out. He had dropped off the crates in their designated spots and rolls his shoulders a few times. Tomatoes can be surprisingly heavy, especially when you have to push multiple crates of them up a long uphill ramp. Honestly, this store’s ramp is too long. Daehyun should make an official complaint one day.
“Tired already? We still have cucumbers, zucchini and romaine lettuce.” His smile is mocking but still playful and Daehyun rolls his eyes.
“No.” But he contradicts this a few seconds later when he shouts out to Jongup to bring up the cucumbers by himself. He doesn’t feel too bad about it because Jongup is like 80% muscle anyway, so it’s no big deal for him. He waits for Jongup to give him a thumbs-up before turning back to the boy. “I think after you called me a douche, I deserve to know your name.”
“Youngjae. And yours?”
“Daehyun.”
They make one more delivery after Youngjae’s store (a small bakery to drop off some fruits) and a strike a deal with Mrs. Kim for a strawberry topped cheesecake the next time they come around. “So what’s up with the all the ogling?” Jongup asks out of nowhere, catching Daehyun off guard as he settled in his seat and pulls on his car belt.
Daehyun blinks for a few seconds trying to make sense of Jongup's question and twists his mouth into one of disgust. "Ugh, Mrs. Kim? You're so gross, she's older than my mother. I just like her cheesecake what is wrong with you?"
Jongup pinches the bridge of his nose exasperatedly. "No, hyung, I meant the guy at the grocers. Remember, you made me bring up the boxes by myself. So you could, flirt,” Jongup says, putting extra emphasis on “flirt” and batting his eyelashes innocently. Daehyun isn’t sure what kind of face he’s making, but it’s making Jongup laugh now, and he still doesn’t even know how to respond to that. He settles with a petulant “shut up.”
“I’m not saying anything.” Jongup says, momentarily taking his hands off the wheel. He grips the steering wheel again and shoots Daehyun a very pointed and suggestive look.
“Okay first of all, I don’t flirt.” Jongup raises his eyebrows disbelievingly. “I don’t! … Well, I don’t unless I want to fuck them.” At that statement, Jongup’s eyebrows nearly touch his hairline. Daehyun makes an impatient sound, sucking on his teeth and crossing his arms. “I didn’t fuck him.”
“I never say you did, hyung.” He giggles at Daehyun’s annoyance.
“Nor will I.”
“Are you sure about that, hyu~ng?” Daehyun could never hit Jongup not matter how annoying he is, and Jongup knows this and takes full advantage. Little shit.
“Yes.” Daehyun says finally and is relieved when one of Jongup’s favorite songs plays, easily distracting him from this topic. Daehyun isn’t really mad at Jongup, but just a little pressed. These kinds of things don’t happen to him anymore.
“He made fun of me,” Daehyun lets slip when they reach the warehouse. Jongup purses his lips bemusedly. “He called me a commitment-phobic douche bag.”
Jongup opens his mouth as if to say something then closes it again, scratching his head. “Oh… So. You hate him?”
Daehyun thinks about this a little. He wasn’t offended then, and still isn’t now. It’s just. Unusual. Besides Jongup, Yongguk and his family people don’t act like that around him. It starts with a free drink or a roaming hand and ends with Daehyun unzipping his pants, as crude as it sounds. “No,” he answers finally.
“Well, that’s good. I’m sorry for teasing you earlier, but it was nice to see you talking to someone else. You usually seem so lonely, hyung.”
Daehyun checks the time on his phone, 1:47 am. Where did the time ago? His head hurts, like there’s a thousand little people in his head hammering the inside. Yongguk is too nice, even if he looks like kind of scary; he hadn’t charged Daehyun for the drinks that weren’t already bought for him. Not that Daehyun minds, in fact, he takes advantage of that wholeheartedly. But it’s just easier to blame Yongguk.
There’s a diner about two blocks from his flat, open all night, and god knows he could do with a cup of coffee. A bell jingles above the door, as he walks in. It’s quiet but not as empty as he expected. Two men sit in the corner booth, eating doughnuts and talking animatedly, and another sits at the bar with a cup of coffee and newspaper in front of him. The waiter has his back to Daehyun, looking like he’s preparing another cup of coffee.
Daehyun slides onto a bar stool, and diverts his attention towards the two men in the corner, watching as one of the men start swaying side to side, dancing to some song that only he can hear, while the other one giggles ceaselessly.
“Are you stalking me?” Daehyun snaps his attention to the front, and there he is.
“No way,” Daehyun groans. How can he possibly keep running into Youngjae? The world is small, but it’s not that small. “I should ask you the same question.”
“Nuh-uh. I’ve always been there first and then you show up. First, by the strip mall, then at the store” Daehyun grunts. Youngjae laughs and pulls the pen out from behind his ear and grabs his orderpad. “What can I get you?”
“Two- No, four pancakes. And some coffee.”
“We only have dark and decaf right now, which would you like?” Daehyun chooses the former and Youngjae nods, scratching the pen on the paper until ink flows. He turns his back to Daehyun and peeks into the kitchen window. “Hey, Himchan, get off your phone. Order!” he calls out, and waves the ticket until a guy with jet-black hair grabs it.
When Youngjae sets the cup of steaming coffee in front of Daehyun, he takes a large a swig, instantly regretting it when it burns his tongue and down his throat. And it’s bitter as hell. “I was just going to say, careful it’s hot, and ask you if you wanted any creamers or sugar but I’m guessing you don’t?”
Daehyun groans and fans his mouth. “Why didn’t you say it quicker?” Youngjae shrugs.
“So, what brings you here? Are you part of the munchies crowd, or the insomniacs? Or do you just really really want pancakes at two am?”
“Why do you ask me so many questions? But to answer your question, probably the last one. And you? What are you doing here?”
As soon as the words tumble out of his mouth, Daehyun winces, realizing how stupid he probably sounds. Correction, how stupid he does sound. Youngjae looks at him like an like he’s an idiot, which he probably- no, is.
“Um, I work here?” Youngjae smirks while Daehyun fumbles over his words.
“No, I mean- Like. Nevermind.” Daehyun grumbles and sinks his head into his hands and hopes that his cheeks aren’t pink from embarrassment. Himchan rings the call bell and places the plate of pancakes on the window counter.
Youngjae sets the plate down in front of Daehyun. “Yeah, I have two jobs. Need to pay for my wifi connection and my tuition. Necessities, you see.” He finally lifts his head up, the smell of the pancakes are too tempting.
“Oh that’s rough. So you work there then come here at night?”
“Kind of.” Youngjae leans against the counter, scrunching his nose when Daehyun soaks his pancakes in syrup. “I have a few hours in between where I play League of Legends or watch dramas.”
“Nerd,” Daehyun taunts through a mouthful of food.
“Fatass,” Youngjae bites back.
Daehyun gasps, food still in his mouth. “You’re so rude!” The other doesn’t look the slightest bit offended. He opens his mouth to say something but Daehyun cuts him off. “I know, I know. You were kidding.”
Youngjae is impressed by the answer. “Yes, exactly. You’re starting to get it now.” Daehyun pouts indignantly and shoves more food between his lips.
He ends up asking for another plate of pancakes which Youngjae doesn’t fail to tease him for. Daehyun throws him shady looks every few minutes while he eats which Youngjae mirrors back at him; sometimes Youngjae just scrunches his face up into some ridiculous face that makes Daehyun laugh, and more when his face shifts back to his previous stoic expression.
“So tell me something,” Daehyun starts, pausing to sip on his coffee. “Why don’t you date?”
“Why don’t you?”
“Come on, I asked you first,” Daehyun whines. Youngjae purses his lips into a thin line at his childishness, but gives in when Daehyun pouts cutely.
“Fine, fine. Stop doing that.” He inhales deeply, “I used to really like this boy and he liked me too and I used to think we would be together forever but I hurt him… I don't really want to talk about it.” Youngjae looks down, finding his thumbnail of sudden interest. “So, yeah. I just don’t want to make anyone else sad, I think.” He looks up. “And you?”
Daehyun clears his throat. “The opposite. I really liked this boy, maybe even loved him? But he was just taking me for a ride. I don’t really trust people anymore, don't want to be hurt like that again.”
“So you sleep around?”
“I guess. I get what I want and I don’t have to worry about anyone staying or going.” Youngjae nods his head silently in understanding.
An awkward silence falls between them. Youngjae wipes down the counter and refills Daehyun’s coffee mug while Daehyun uses his fork to spread the leftover syrup around the plate.
Metal clangs against porcelain as Daehyun drops his fork disinterestedly. “So…” The other looks at him, waiting for him to continue. “Does this mean you’re a virgin?”
Youngjae rolls his eyes, clucking his tongue. “Unbelievable. But no, I’m not.”
“Well, maybe we can...” Daehyun waggles his eyebrows.
Youngjae hits him on the shoulder with his rag, but he’s giggling. “Oh get stuffed.”
“Why are you smiley this morning, it’s kind of creeping me out,” Jongup says bluntly the following morning.
“No reason. Just had a nice night, that’s all.” He smiles down at Jongup and he only looks more grossed out.
“Ew, I don’t want to hear about that.” Daehyun slaps him lightly on the shoulder.
“No, it wasn’t like that… It was like what you said. I’m too lonely, I need to talk to people too, right?”
Daehyun starts stopping by the diner more often after that night. He likes the comfortable quiet and the steaming mug of coffee between his hands. It’s a nice change from loud music, flashing lights and cocktails. He also likes talking to Youngjae, trying to outwit Youngjae (which he rarely ever does), and listening to Youngjae. Is this what it’s like to have a friend?
Do friends make your skin tingle though? Daehyun swears he can feel a little spark every time Youngjae passes him a cup of coffee or a plate of food, dragging his fingers against his own accidentally. At least, Daehyun reasons that it’s accidental.
He even finds himself skipping the whole get-drunk-get-fucked part and just heads straight there. It’s probably a little more fattening this way (Himchan makes the best pancakes) but at least, Daehyun doesn’t feel pressurized to try or pretend. He can just, be.
Daehyun is confused why he’s heading towards the grocery store at this time. He left work an hour or so ago, the last stop being a supermarket. It would have been so easy to slip inside after the deliveries are unloaded and pick up a bottle of gatorade. Which brings up the second question. Why does he even want gatorade? He doesn’t understand this sudden urge. Nor does he understand why he passed by a gas station convenience store and a local market instead of quickly dropping in. Instead, he finds himself heading towards Youngjae’s store.
He almost lets himself believe that he’s here to see Youngjae again, but quickly sets that aside as ridiculous. They see each other almost every other day as it. Daehyun isn’t the type to have “crushes” either. That’s definitely not the reason he’s here either.
This is all too confusing and Daehyun’s stomach feels weird, almost fluttery. He tries to push all these thoughts aside as he walks through the sliding doors. He keeps a lookout for Youngjae, hoping to avoid him and any possible situation that could occur as a result and make him feel more… fluttery.
Daehyun manages to pick up a bottle and walk back to the check-out lanes in one Youngjae-less piece. He even checks who’s at the register before getting in line. There’s some kid here, very tall with a baby face. His nametag says Junhong and he greets Daehyun politely. “Did you find everything alright today sir?”
“Yes,” Daehyun answers. He’s too busy trying to pry his wallet out of his tight jeans that he doesn’t notice the frown on Junhong’s face.
“Wait, there’s something wrong with the register. It keeps freezing lately, sorry, one moment.” He picks up a phone on the side of the register, quietly asking for some assistance in lane 4.
When Daehyun looks up, he sees exactly what he was trying so hard to. “Shit, not you again.” Youngjae looks mildly offended, but mostly amused, while poor Junhong just looks baffled.
Youngjae raises an eyebrow. “You’ve never been this unhappy to see me before.” He scans his ID card, and clicks a few buttons. Daehyun isn’t really paying attention; his mind is fixed on something else.
“Do you want to hang out?” He asks suddenly. Both Youngjae and Junhong turn to look at him.
“But we already do?”
“I mean like besides the diner. Maybe we can go to a movie or something?”
The amused look on Youngjae is no longer there and he looks almost nervous. It’s not a look Daehyun would associate with Youngjae, it doesn’t suit him. “But I don’t date. And neither do you.” He chances a glance at Junhong, who is still staring back and forth between them.
Daehyun impatiently clears his throat, looking pointedly at Junhong; he gets the hint and quickly leaves. “Who said anything about dating?”
Oddly enough, Youngjae frowns. “Oh, so as friends?”
“I never said that.”
“So…?” Youngjae looks cute when he’s confused, Daehyun thinks.
“You know, just two people, doing things together. Not dating though, of course. We can be a club. It’ll just be two of us though. Club meetings start after your shift ends and end before mine starts. You can teach me how to play your Legions of Legends game, or whatever it’s called-”
“It’s League of Legends.”
“Yes, yes. That. And we can eat out-” (“Do you only ever think about food?” Youngjae mutters.) “-and maybe make out, and cuddle if you’re into that.”
“You sound really stupid right now.” Youngjae’s voice sounds serious but he he’s smiling and his ears are pink.
“When does your shift end?”
“Four.” Daehyun feels bold. He leans over the conveyer belt and presses a kiss to Youngjae’s cheek. If Youngjae’s ears were pink earlier, they’re red now, like the rest of his face.
“Daehyun!” he hisses, but he doesn’t look mad.
“First club meeting at four pm, okay? Please don’t be late.”
a/n: hello! i'm sorry if this wasn't what you had in mind for this prompt and it kind of fell apart towards the end but i hope you like it all the same ; ; (this prompt actually gave me a very good idea for markjin 8))
Daehyun wakes up to cold of the rusty metal stall wall pressed against his cheek, the taste of bile at the back of his throat and limbs heavy. His head is spinning, the beginnings of a bump at the back of his head, no doubt from when he was fucked repeatedly into the stall. He doesn't remember much of it, just a faceless man with big hands and a rough voice. The one or two or eight drinks he had downed earlier catch up to him as well. His legs feel weak and shaky, so Daehyun braces a hand around the rim of the dirty toilet seat and one against the stall wall to push himself to his feet.
The bartender catches his eye on his way out of the restroom, frowning as Daehyun limps past. He dismissively waves him off, catching the grimace etched on Yongguk’s face out of the corner of his eye. It’s nothing personal against Yongguk, and in fact, Daehyun values their unusual friendship quite a bit. But Yongguk sometimes just cares too much. Since the first day Daehyun had stumbled into the club. That’s Yongguk’s problem. He cares too much about nobodies like Daehyun.
Seoul has just transitioned into the warming air and sticky humidity of spring, a heavy veil of fog covering the city. Daehyun's worn-out leather shoes squelch against the damp pavement and he runs a tired hand through his hair. He’s passing by the strip mall a few meters from his house when he catches a boy leaning against the brick wall of the convenience store, face shrouded by his hood and a cigarette between his short fingers. He exhales, tapping the cigarette a few times, letting the bright orange embers fall to the ground.
Daehyun stops walking; seeing the way the smoke swirls into the crisp air in front of the boy has him itching to have a smoke now. “Hey, can I bum a cigarette?” Daehyun slips his hands into the pocket of his jeans casually, leaning his back against the brick building. The boy pushes off the wall wordlessly, reaching into his back pocket and shakes out a cigarette from the carton. Daehyun nods in thanks and plucks the cigarette from the carton. “Do you have a light too?”
“No, I just magically light these up.” His voice is a little lower, a little rougher than Daehyun’s but there’s just the slightest tone of amusement laced into the words that Daehyun isn’t entirely offended by the remark. The street lamp sheds light onto the boy’s face, the lower half at least, and his mouth is upturned into a small smirk as he fishes out the lighter from the pocket of his jacket. “Here.” He takes a step closer to Daehyun, holding up the flame for him.
Daehyun exhales smoke from his nostrils before muttering a small thank you. “Just had sex?” The boy chuckles at him, resuming his position against the wall.
Daehyun splutters at the remark. “Excuse me?”
“Just wondering? The hair, the slight limp, the cum stain on your pants.” He shrugs. Daehyun’s eyebrows knit together as he inspects his pants, and sure enough, there is a small stain to the right of his zipper.
“Very observant.” The boy shrugs nonchalantly. “And you? Are you one of those guys that preys on the low self esteem and easily influenced?” The boy turns to face Daehyun and the street lamp illuminates the bottom half of his face. He has nice lips, Daehyun notes. He takes a long drag of his cigarette at the question and exhales slowly. The smoke dissipates to show an self-assured grin on the boy’s face, and he chuckles before shaking his head.
“Oh, no. I don’t date. I’m just good with details.” He shrugs once more and brings up his free hand to pull his hood down. He’s pretty. That’s all Daehyun thinks at first.
His small but thick hands run through dark brown hair, brushing it out of his eyes. Daehyun licks his lips. “Who said anything about dating?” The other boy eyes him once over and chuckles.
“You look like one of those commitment-phobic douche bags.” Daehyun frowns deeply, but the boy seems to catch on, lifting his hands in weak surrender. “I’m just joking.” He laughs. “However, judging by your reaction…” He trails off, cocking one eyebrow up mockingly.
Daehyun snorts. “Alright, fine. I may or may not be a douche bag.”
He doesn’t say anything after that, just grins and takes in one more inhale before stubbing his cigarette out with the toe of his boot and walking away as if he hadn’t just questioned Daehyun over his sex life and called him a douche bag. Daehyun doesn’t know what to make of that, and stubs out his cigarette a few minutes later and heads home to have a late frozen dinner in front of his tv.
The sky is a weak and gloomy shade of gray the next morning and Daehyun’s coffee tastes bitter with the absence of half and half. He makes a mental note to pick some up after work.
Daehyun’s job is unremarkable and boring, at best. He works for a food logistics company, driving trucks of produce to the supermarkets and a few restaurants a couple of times a week and unloading them. It’s mindless work, but it leaves him free in the evening and with enough money to buy food and pay for his Netflix subscription so it’s good enough.
Jongup is already seated in the truck and tapping his fingers absentmindedly against the steering wheel when Daehyun slides in. The slam of the door closing seems to jolt Jongup out of his little trance and he grins at Daehyun. “Good morning, hyung.”
“Morning Jongup.”
“We all good to go?” Daehyun nods.
Since Jongup is the designated driver, he insists that he should be the one to choose what music they listen to. It’s always the same choice. Chris Brown. Daehyun doesn’t even blink an eye when Jongup raises the volume as one of his favorite songs starts up. But it’s alright, Daehyun isn’t too picky about music and it’s always funny to see Jongup make a fool of himself at red lights. (He likes to break out into little dance moves when the truck is stopped. It’s incredibly embarrassing, but it keeps Daehyun’s mornings entertaining.)
Their first stop is at a small deli shop to unload three crates of boxed pre-shredded lettuce, three five-gallon cans of pre-cut pickles, and two crates of fresh tomatoes.
Their second stop is a modest sized grocery store, just big enough to hold all the essentials and then some, but not yet a grand-scale supermarket. Daehyun groans as he reviews his inventory sheet, reading down all the items that need to be unloaded. He’s going to smell like cucumbers by the end of this.
Jongup wheels the truck behind the building near the loading dock. There’s always an employee back there to greet him, but this time it comes as a surprise to Daehyun. But it’s more because of who this employee is.
The first thing that tumbles out of his mouth when he steps down off the truck is, “You?” The boy he met outside the club last night stares back at him. There’s a flicker of recognition in the employee’s eyes and he smiles.
“Yes, me. And you?”
“Yes, me.” Daehyun repeats. Jongup, who had walked up a few seconds earlier, shifts his eyes between the two looking thoroughly confused.
“Um? Should we get the stuff out or…?” Jongup asks.
“Yes, let’s,” the boy answered, still looking at Daehyun as he spoke. Jongup grunts out an okay, and pulls Daehyun back towards the truck by the arm. Daehyun comes easily, but still chances one look back.
Jongup is grinning suspiciously at him. He doesn’t like it.
“What?” he asks exasperatedly, after seeing the same suspicious grin on Jongup’s face for the fifth time. Jongup shrugged, ducking his head a few seconds later behind the tomato crates to hide a laugh. “Seriously, what?”
Jongup just shakes his head, “It’s nothing, nothing.” Daehyun eyes him pointedly, but decides to drop it and just ease the tomatoes onto the porters trolley.
“You can check tomatoes off your list.” Daehyun pants out. He had dropped off the crates in their designated spots and rolls his shoulders a few times. Tomatoes can be surprisingly heavy, especially when you have to push multiple crates of them up a long uphill ramp. Honestly, this store’s ramp is too long. Daehyun should make an official complaint one day.
“Tired already? We still have cucumbers, zucchini and romaine lettuce.” His smile is mocking but still playful and Daehyun rolls his eyes.
“No.” But he contradicts this a few seconds later when he shouts out to Jongup to bring up the cucumbers by himself. He doesn’t feel too bad about it because Jongup is like 80% muscle anyway, so it’s no big deal for him. He waits for Jongup to give him a thumbs-up before turning back to the boy. “I think after you called me a douche, I deserve to know your name.”
“Youngjae. And yours?”
“Daehyun.”
They make one more delivery after Youngjae’s store (a small bakery to drop off some fruits) and a strike a deal with Mrs. Kim for a strawberry topped cheesecake the next time they come around. “So what’s up with the all the ogling?” Jongup asks out of nowhere, catching Daehyun off guard as he settled in his seat and pulls on his car belt.
Daehyun blinks for a few seconds trying to make sense of Jongup's question and twists his mouth into one of disgust. "Ugh, Mrs. Kim? You're so gross, she's older than my mother. I just like her cheesecake what is wrong with you?"
Jongup pinches the bridge of his nose exasperatedly. "No, hyung, I meant the guy at the grocers. Remember, you made me bring up the boxes by myself. So you could, flirt,” Jongup says, putting extra emphasis on “flirt” and batting his eyelashes innocently. Daehyun isn’t sure what kind of face he’s making, but it’s making Jongup laugh now, and he still doesn’t even know how to respond to that. He settles with a petulant “shut up.”
“I’m not saying anything.” Jongup says, momentarily taking his hands off the wheel. He grips the steering wheel again and shoots Daehyun a very pointed and suggestive look.
“Okay first of all, I don’t flirt.” Jongup raises his eyebrows disbelievingly. “I don’t! … Well, I don’t unless I want to fuck them.” At that statement, Jongup’s eyebrows nearly touch his hairline. Daehyun makes an impatient sound, sucking on his teeth and crossing his arms. “I didn’t fuck him.”
“I never say you did, hyung.” He giggles at Daehyun’s annoyance.
“Nor will I.”
“Are you sure about that, hyu~ng?” Daehyun could never hit Jongup not matter how annoying he is, and Jongup knows this and takes full advantage. Little shit.
“Yes.” Daehyun says finally and is relieved when one of Jongup’s favorite songs plays, easily distracting him from this topic. Daehyun isn’t really mad at Jongup, but just a little pressed. These kinds of things don’t happen to him anymore.
“He made fun of me,” Daehyun lets slip when they reach the warehouse. Jongup purses his lips bemusedly. “He called me a commitment-phobic douche bag.”
Jongup opens his mouth as if to say something then closes it again, scratching his head. “Oh… So. You hate him?”
Daehyun thinks about this a little. He wasn’t offended then, and still isn’t now. It’s just. Unusual. Besides Jongup, Yongguk and his family people don’t act like that around him. It starts with a free drink or a roaming hand and ends with Daehyun unzipping his pants, as crude as it sounds. “No,” he answers finally.
“Well, that’s good. I’m sorry for teasing you earlier, but it was nice to see you talking to someone else. You usually seem so lonely, hyung.”
Daehyun checks the time on his phone, 1:47 am. Where did the time ago? His head hurts, like there’s a thousand little people in his head hammering the inside. Yongguk is too nice, even if he looks like kind of scary; he hadn’t charged Daehyun for the drinks that weren’t already bought for him. Not that Daehyun minds, in fact, he takes advantage of that wholeheartedly. But it’s just easier to blame Yongguk.
There’s a diner about two blocks from his flat, open all night, and god knows he could do with a cup of coffee. A bell jingles above the door, as he walks in. It’s quiet but not as empty as he expected. Two men sit in the corner booth, eating doughnuts and talking animatedly, and another sits at the bar with a cup of coffee and newspaper in front of him. The waiter has his back to Daehyun, looking like he’s preparing another cup of coffee.
Daehyun slides onto a bar stool, and diverts his attention towards the two men in the corner, watching as one of the men start swaying side to side, dancing to some song that only he can hear, while the other one giggles ceaselessly.
“Are you stalking me?” Daehyun snaps his attention to the front, and there he is.
“No way,” Daehyun groans. How can he possibly keep running into Youngjae? The world is small, but it’s not that small. “I should ask you the same question.”
“Nuh-uh. I’ve always been there first and then you show up. First, by the strip mall, then at the store” Daehyun grunts. Youngjae laughs and pulls the pen out from behind his ear and grabs his orderpad. “What can I get you?”
“Two- No, four pancakes. And some coffee.”
“We only have dark and decaf right now, which would you like?” Daehyun chooses the former and Youngjae nods, scratching the pen on the paper until ink flows. He turns his back to Daehyun and peeks into the kitchen window. “Hey, Himchan, get off your phone. Order!” he calls out, and waves the ticket until a guy with jet-black hair grabs it.
When Youngjae sets the cup of steaming coffee in front of Daehyun, he takes a large a swig, instantly regretting it when it burns his tongue and down his throat. And it’s bitter as hell. “I was just going to say, careful it’s hot, and ask you if you wanted any creamers or sugar but I’m guessing you don’t?”
Daehyun groans and fans his mouth. “Why didn’t you say it quicker?” Youngjae shrugs.
“So, what brings you here? Are you part of the munchies crowd, or the insomniacs? Or do you just really really want pancakes at two am?”
“Why do you ask me so many questions? But to answer your question, probably the last one. And you? What are you doing here?”
As soon as the words tumble out of his mouth, Daehyun winces, realizing how stupid he probably sounds. Correction, how stupid he does sound. Youngjae looks at him like an like he’s an idiot, which he probably- no, is.
“Um, I work here?” Youngjae smirks while Daehyun fumbles over his words.
“No, I mean- Like. Nevermind.” Daehyun grumbles and sinks his head into his hands and hopes that his cheeks aren’t pink from embarrassment. Himchan rings the call bell and places the plate of pancakes on the window counter.
Youngjae sets the plate down in front of Daehyun. “Yeah, I have two jobs. Need to pay for my wifi connection and my tuition. Necessities, you see.” He finally lifts his head up, the smell of the pancakes are too tempting.
“Oh that’s rough. So you work there then come here at night?”
“Kind of.” Youngjae leans against the counter, scrunching his nose when Daehyun soaks his pancakes in syrup. “I have a few hours in between where I play League of Legends or watch dramas.”
“Nerd,” Daehyun taunts through a mouthful of food.
“Fatass,” Youngjae bites back.
Daehyun gasps, food still in his mouth. “You’re so rude!” The other doesn’t look the slightest bit offended. He opens his mouth to say something but Daehyun cuts him off. “I know, I know. You were kidding.”
Youngjae is impressed by the answer. “Yes, exactly. You’re starting to get it now.” Daehyun pouts indignantly and shoves more food between his lips.
He ends up asking for another plate of pancakes which Youngjae doesn’t fail to tease him for. Daehyun throws him shady looks every few minutes while he eats which Youngjae mirrors back at him; sometimes Youngjae just scrunches his face up into some ridiculous face that makes Daehyun laugh, and more when his face shifts back to his previous stoic expression.
“So tell me something,” Daehyun starts, pausing to sip on his coffee. “Why don’t you date?”
“Why don’t you?”
“Come on, I asked you first,” Daehyun whines. Youngjae purses his lips into a thin line at his childishness, but gives in when Daehyun pouts cutely.
“Fine, fine. Stop doing that.” He inhales deeply, “I used to really like this boy and he liked me too and I used to think we would be together forever but I hurt him… I don't really want to talk about it.” Youngjae looks down, finding his thumbnail of sudden interest. “So, yeah. I just don’t want to make anyone else sad, I think.” He looks up. “And you?”
Daehyun clears his throat. “The opposite. I really liked this boy, maybe even loved him? But he was just taking me for a ride. I don’t really trust people anymore, don't want to be hurt like that again.”
“So you sleep around?”
“I guess. I get what I want and I don’t have to worry about anyone staying or going.” Youngjae nods his head silently in understanding.
An awkward silence falls between them. Youngjae wipes down the counter and refills Daehyun’s coffee mug while Daehyun uses his fork to spread the leftover syrup around the plate.
Metal clangs against porcelain as Daehyun drops his fork disinterestedly. “So…” The other looks at him, waiting for him to continue. “Does this mean you’re a virgin?”
Youngjae rolls his eyes, clucking his tongue. “Unbelievable. But no, I’m not.”
“Well, maybe we can...” Daehyun waggles his eyebrows.
Youngjae hits him on the shoulder with his rag, but he’s giggling. “Oh get stuffed.”
“Why are you smiley this morning, it’s kind of creeping me out,” Jongup says bluntly the following morning.
“No reason. Just had a nice night, that’s all.” He smiles down at Jongup and he only looks more grossed out.
“Ew, I don’t want to hear about that.” Daehyun slaps him lightly on the shoulder.
“No, it wasn’t like that… It was like what you said. I’m too lonely, I need to talk to people too, right?”
Daehyun starts stopping by the diner more often after that night. He likes the comfortable quiet and the steaming mug of coffee between his hands. It’s a nice change from loud music, flashing lights and cocktails. He also likes talking to Youngjae, trying to outwit Youngjae (which he rarely ever does), and listening to Youngjae. Is this what it’s like to have a friend?
Do friends make your skin tingle though? Daehyun swears he can feel a little spark every time Youngjae passes him a cup of coffee or a plate of food, dragging his fingers against his own accidentally. At least, Daehyun reasons that it’s accidental.
He even finds himself skipping the whole get-drunk-get-fucked part and just heads straight there. It’s probably a little more fattening this way (Himchan makes the best pancakes) but at least, Daehyun doesn’t feel pressurized to try or pretend. He can just, be.
Daehyun is confused why he’s heading towards the grocery store at this time. He left work an hour or so ago, the last stop being a supermarket. It would have been so easy to slip inside after the deliveries are unloaded and pick up a bottle of gatorade. Which brings up the second question. Why does he even want gatorade? He doesn’t understand this sudden urge. Nor does he understand why he passed by a gas station convenience store and a local market instead of quickly dropping in. Instead, he finds himself heading towards Youngjae’s store.
He almost lets himself believe that he’s here to see Youngjae again, but quickly sets that aside as ridiculous. They see each other almost every other day as it. Daehyun isn’t the type to have “crushes” either. That’s definitely not the reason he’s here either.
This is all too confusing and Daehyun’s stomach feels weird, almost fluttery. He tries to push all these thoughts aside as he walks through the sliding doors. He keeps a lookout for Youngjae, hoping to avoid him and any possible situation that could occur as a result and make him feel more… fluttery.
Daehyun manages to pick up a bottle and walk back to the check-out lanes in one Youngjae-less piece. He even checks who’s at the register before getting in line. There’s some kid here, very tall with a baby face. His nametag says Junhong and he greets Daehyun politely. “Did you find everything alright today sir?”
“Yes,” Daehyun answers. He’s too busy trying to pry his wallet out of his tight jeans that he doesn’t notice the frown on Junhong’s face.
“Wait, there’s something wrong with the register. It keeps freezing lately, sorry, one moment.” He picks up a phone on the side of the register, quietly asking for some assistance in lane 4.
When Daehyun looks up, he sees exactly what he was trying so hard to. “Shit, not you again.” Youngjae looks mildly offended, but mostly amused, while poor Junhong just looks baffled.
Youngjae raises an eyebrow. “You’ve never been this unhappy to see me before.” He scans his ID card, and clicks a few buttons. Daehyun isn’t really paying attention; his mind is fixed on something else.
“Do you want to hang out?” He asks suddenly. Both Youngjae and Junhong turn to look at him.
“But we already do?”
“I mean like besides the diner. Maybe we can go to a movie or something?”
The amused look on Youngjae is no longer there and he looks almost nervous. It’s not a look Daehyun would associate with Youngjae, it doesn’t suit him. “But I don’t date. And neither do you.” He chances a glance at Junhong, who is still staring back and forth between them.
Daehyun impatiently clears his throat, looking pointedly at Junhong; he gets the hint and quickly leaves. “Who said anything about dating?”
Oddly enough, Youngjae frowns. “Oh, so as friends?”
“I never said that.”
“So…?” Youngjae looks cute when he’s confused, Daehyun thinks.
“You know, just two people, doing things together. Not dating though, of course. We can be a club. It’ll just be two of us though. Club meetings start after your shift ends and end before mine starts. You can teach me how to play your Legions of Legends game, or whatever it’s called-”
“It’s League of Legends.”
“Yes, yes. That. And we can eat out-” (“Do you only ever think about food?” Youngjae mutters.) “-and maybe make out, and cuddle if you’re into that.”
“You sound really stupid right now.” Youngjae’s voice sounds serious but he he’s smiling and his ears are pink.
“When does your shift end?”
“Four.” Daehyun feels bold. He leans over the conveyer belt and presses a kiss to Youngjae’s cheek. If Youngjae’s ears were pink earlier, they’re red now, like the rest of his face.
“Daehyun!” he hisses, but he doesn’t look mad.
“First club meeting at four pm, okay? Please don’t be late.”
a/n: hello! i'm sorry if this wasn't what you had in mind for this prompt and it kind of fell apart towards the end but i hope you like it all the same ; ; (this prompt actually gave me a very good idea for markjin 8))