Love is Sweet (Ryeowook/Sungmin, PG)
Title: Love is Sweet
Author: yintian
Recipient: glitterburn
Characters/Pairings: Sungmin/Ryeowook
Rating: PG
Genre(s): Fluff, romance
Warnings: None
Author's Note: Thank you tees2mai for the beta! Title from but not related to the SJM song.
Ryeowook wasn't a big fan of bakeries, too many years of honing his own cooking skills making him quite the picky eater. Still, his girlfriend had demanded "proper baking, with frosting and sparkles and maybe a cherry on top, nothing homemade," so he had no choice but to stop by the bakery near his house, a small shop that nonetheless always seemed to be bustling with customers. "And don't be cheap, okay?" she had demanded as they parted, so, with a doubtful glance at the prices he could see from the window, Ryeowook shook his head and walked inside, bells on the door tinkling cheerfully behind him.
The sound was soon lost among the clutter inside, as several customers (mostly female, Ryeowook noted) idly chatted while browsing. Not particularly interested in them nor the food displayed, he moved over to the front counter, where the cakes were displayed.
“Just put that over there,” a voice interrupted his thoughts, and he looked up to see who was addressing him. It was the cashier, but she was talking to someone else entirely, as a boy in an apron and mittens carried out a newly finished cake. He nodded quietly, placing the cake in the display before rushing back to the kitchen, not once glancing in Ryeowook’s direction.
“I’ll take that one,” he decided, hoping his girlfriend liked pink food.
--
Sungmin sighed, pulling off the mittens as the clock finally struck eight, shrugging his shoulders a bit to loosen them. He had chosen to be a baker of his own accord, but at the time it hadn’t quite occurred to him how many hours he’d be spending bending over cakes and ovens each day. He’d gotten over the details, the teasing, and everything, but the sheer work tired him.
Still, it was his job, and it probably would be for another few decades, so he didn’t complain.
--
A few weeks later found Ryeowook back at the same bakery, glancing inside from the window. He didn’t particularly like the food there (he remembered pretending to enjoy it for his girlfriend’s sake, but the cake itself had been rather bland), but it was close to home and he didn’t feel like making food, for once.
Making a decision, Ryeowook walked in, glad to find that the late hour meant that the shop was relatively empty. Looking around, he stopped in surprise to find the baker from his last visit behind the cash register, looking slightly out of place with the apron still around his neck.
“Hello,” Ryeowook greeted, and at the curious glance from the other (was it weird to remember their previous encounter?), explained, “Ah, I bought the cake you made last time.”
“Oh,” the other responded, stare turning into a smile, “How was it?”
“Good,” Ryeowook replied hastily, and mentally hoped the other wouldn’t notice. “My girlfriend really liked it,” he added, a truth with his half-lie.
“I’m glad,” the other’s smile widened, becoming less uncertain as he pointed out yet another pastry, “you should try this one, it’s really good!”
Although a bit surprised at the change, Ryeowook smiled too, “It certainly looks good. Do you have any other suggestions?”
It seemed he’d broken a dam or something, as the boy continued to talk, conversation between the two flowing smoothly. Ryeowook ended up spending quite a bit more than he had intended buying pastries, and talked with the other until almost closing.
“I’m Sungmin, by the way,” the other said as Ryeowook left at the end of the day.
“Ryeowook,” he introduced himself, calling over a shoulder as he walked out.
--
Sungmin found himself acting as a stand-in cashier more often, as the regular one switched, filling in the breaks between old cashiers and new. Not that he complained much, he found the job was more than tolerable when he had a frequent visitor.
Ryeowook, he decided, must have quite the metabolism if he bought that many sweets from their bakery and remained so skinny. Sungmin told him so and Ryeowook merely laughed it off with a “You’re quite skinny, too!” Still, Sungmin pouted and demanded that Ryeowook eat more, an argument (that wasn’t quite an argument) which somehow ended in Sungmin inviting him out for dinner.
“I’m not that fond of restaurants,” Ryeowook had explained, and Sungmin could almost feel his heart drop, but for the next words, “but you could come over to my house and we could cook?”
“Sure!” Sungmin had responded immediately, voice cheerful albeit slightly shaky from the worry of Ryeowook nearly rejecting him (not that it would have meant much, right?). “Although, don’t you live with your girlfriend?”
“She moved out,” Ryeowook said dismissively, and Sungmin took that as a sign to not ask. Ryeowook was still smiling anyways, and that was all that mattered.
“Okay, I have free time tonight if that’s fine with you.”
“Sure,” Ryeowook nodded and it was decided. Sungmin tried not to be too eager, but couldn’t quite keep from glancing at the clock the rest of the day.
--
Guessing at Sungmin’s favorite foods from the other’s bakery suggestions, Ryeowook picked out an armful of groceries before stopping by Sungmin’s in the evening.
“Hello,” he greeted as Sungmin slipped out of his apron and into casual clothes, and they chatted idly while walking back.
“How do you cook these, anyways?” Sungmin asked, picking up assorted vegetables when they had arrived at Ryeowook’s house and dropped off the groceries on the table.
Ryeowook laughed in disbelief, “I thought you were good with food?”
“Nope,” Sungmin admitted, looking aside slightly, “only baking.”
Hoping he hadn’t hit a nerve, Ryeowook quickly moved on, “I can cook for you today, then!” he decided, “Make yourself at home, it’ll be ready in a bit.”
“Okay,” Sungmin agreed, smile returning.
--
This, Sungmin decided, was unhealthy. This being his inability to feel bad about Ryeowook’s breakup, this being his expectant wait for the near-daily visits, this being, well, a lot of things. The entirety of his problems could probably be summed up in one word, but that one word was something Sungmin did not want to be thinking about.
But it was fine, Sungmin was a friendly person, and if he happened to flush at contact with Ryeowook, it was only because he liked skinship.
--
Sungmin deserved better than to simply be a rebound, Ryeowook thought, and although he meant replacing his loneliness with a best friend he would be lying if he said he didn’t consider the possibility of anything else. But just as Ryeowook had decided to distance himself, Sungmin became even more friendly, enthusiastic and smiling and cheerful as he clung to Ryeowook.
--
Just as bakery visits had grown in number, so too had home ones, Sungmin dropping by Ryeowook’s house whenever their schedules allowed, watching him cook and occasionally picking up techniques.
“I can help with that,” Sungmin had said on one of his visits, leaning against Ryeowook and slinging a hand casually over Ryeowook’s shoulder as he held Ryeowook’s hand around the pan handle with the other.
“No, I’m good!” Ryeowook had practically squeaked, nearly dropping the pan in his haste to escape from Sungmin’s touch.
“Sorry,” Sungmin had said, eyes wide as he too backed away. The rest of the dinner passed in relative silence, Sungmin awkwardly excusing himself early halfway through.
--
“…sorry,” Ryeowook practiced, quietly, as he walked to the bakery, first signs of snow on the streets. A week had passed without visits from either for the last week, and Ryeowook decided it was probably his fault.
Glancing up at the door as he arrived, though, he was disappointed to find a sign cheerfully stating, “CLOSED FOR HOLIDAYS!” on the door. Weren’t bakeries supposed to be most active during the holidays, anyways? Ryeowook frowned, but the door did not miraculously open.
“Hey,” someone said, and Ryeowook jumped, turning and simultaneously taking a step back at the familiar voice, noting the way Sungmin’s smile wavered a bit as the other noticed.
“Hi,” he said, feeling as if he had been caught red-handed at something, “What’re you doing here?”
“I should be asking you that,” Sungmin laughed. “I forgot something, that’s all.”
“Oh,” Ryeowook said, trailing behind Sungmin as he unlocked the door and walked in.
“Sorry about last time, by the way,” Sungmin was saying, looking around behind the counter as Ryeowook followed him, “I didn’t mean anything by it, but I understand if you’re uncomfortable and…”
But Ryeowook wasn’t paying attention, mind a blank of ‘that’s not what I meant and shouldn’t I be apologizing and’ and then that cut off, too. So he settled for avoiding words, reaching out and encircling Sungmin’s waist with his arms, a hug.
“I’m sorry,” he said tentatively, noting that the other was still frozen in place, and, knowing what the other was still doubting, pressed his lips against the back of Sungmin’s neck, murmuring a “don’t worry about it.”
“Oh,” was Sungmin’s response, and Ryeowook pulled partially away, loosening his grip and uncertain how to interpret that.
“Oh?” he prompted, uncertain how to respond, and finally Sungmin turned around and caught him in a hug, all in one motion.
“Oh,” Sungmin confirmed.
--
Although on break for the holidays, Sungmin found himself baking on his own time for the first time in - he didn’t even remember how long. With Ryeowook there, laughing and blowing flour onto him and starting food fights with not-yet-baked food, Sungmin found that he was far from tired of baking. After all, with Ryeowook beside him for the new year, how could he complain?
This entry was originally posted at http://sujuexchange.dreamwidth.org/11019.html?mode=reply. Please comment there using OpenID (i.e., your LJ account's URL).
Author: yintian
Recipient: glitterburn
Characters/Pairings: Sungmin/Ryeowook
Rating: PG
Genre(s): Fluff, romance
Warnings: None
Author's Note: Thank you tees2mai for the beta! Title from but not related to the SJM song.
Ryeowook wasn't a big fan of bakeries, too many years of honing his own cooking skills making him quite the picky eater. Still, his girlfriend had demanded "proper baking, with frosting and sparkles and maybe a cherry on top, nothing homemade," so he had no choice but to stop by the bakery near his house, a small shop that nonetheless always seemed to be bustling with customers. "And don't be cheap, okay?" she had demanded as they parted, so, with a doubtful glance at the prices he could see from the window, Ryeowook shook his head and walked inside, bells on the door tinkling cheerfully behind him.
The sound was soon lost among the clutter inside, as several customers (mostly female, Ryeowook noted) idly chatted while browsing. Not particularly interested in them nor the food displayed, he moved over to the front counter, where the cakes were displayed.
“Just put that over there,” a voice interrupted his thoughts, and he looked up to see who was addressing him. It was the cashier, but she was talking to someone else entirely, as a boy in an apron and mittens carried out a newly finished cake. He nodded quietly, placing the cake in the display before rushing back to the kitchen, not once glancing in Ryeowook’s direction.
“I’ll take that one,” he decided, hoping his girlfriend liked pink food.
--
Sungmin sighed, pulling off the mittens as the clock finally struck eight, shrugging his shoulders a bit to loosen them. He had chosen to be a baker of his own accord, but at the time it hadn’t quite occurred to him how many hours he’d be spending bending over cakes and ovens each day. He’d gotten over the details, the teasing, and everything, but the sheer work tired him.
Still, it was his job, and it probably would be for another few decades, so he didn’t complain.
--
A few weeks later found Ryeowook back at the same bakery, glancing inside from the window. He didn’t particularly like the food there (he remembered pretending to enjoy it for his girlfriend’s sake, but the cake itself had been rather bland), but it was close to home and he didn’t feel like making food, for once.
Making a decision, Ryeowook walked in, glad to find that the late hour meant that the shop was relatively empty. Looking around, he stopped in surprise to find the baker from his last visit behind the cash register, looking slightly out of place with the apron still around his neck.
“Hello,” Ryeowook greeted, and at the curious glance from the other (was it weird to remember their previous encounter?), explained, “Ah, I bought the cake you made last time.”
“Oh,” the other responded, stare turning into a smile, “How was it?”
“Good,” Ryeowook replied hastily, and mentally hoped the other wouldn’t notice. “My girlfriend really liked it,” he added, a truth with his half-lie.
“I’m glad,” the other’s smile widened, becoming less uncertain as he pointed out yet another pastry, “you should try this one, it’s really good!”
Although a bit surprised at the change, Ryeowook smiled too, “It certainly looks good. Do you have any other suggestions?”
It seemed he’d broken a dam or something, as the boy continued to talk, conversation between the two flowing smoothly. Ryeowook ended up spending quite a bit more than he had intended buying pastries, and talked with the other until almost closing.
“I’m Sungmin, by the way,” the other said as Ryeowook left at the end of the day.
“Ryeowook,” he introduced himself, calling over a shoulder as he walked out.
--
Sungmin found himself acting as a stand-in cashier more often, as the regular one switched, filling in the breaks between old cashiers and new. Not that he complained much, he found the job was more than tolerable when he had a frequent visitor.
Ryeowook, he decided, must have quite the metabolism if he bought that many sweets from their bakery and remained so skinny. Sungmin told him so and Ryeowook merely laughed it off with a “You’re quite skinny, too!” Still, Sungmin pouted and demanded that Ryeowook eat more, an argument (that wasn’t quite an argument) which somehow ended in Sungmin inviting him out for dinner.
“I’m not that fond of restaurants,” Ryeowook had explained, and Sungmin could almost feel his heart drop, but for the next words, “but you could come over to my house and we could cook?”
“Sure!” Sungmin had responded immediately, voice cheerful albeit slightly shaky from the worry of Ryeowook nearly rejecting him (not that it would have meant much, right?). “Although, don’t you live with your girlfriend?”
“She moved out,” Ryeowook said dismissively, and Sungmin took that as a sign to not ask. Ryeowook was still smiling anyways, and that was all that mattered.
“Okay, I have free time tonight if that’s fine with you.”
“Sure,” Ryeowook nodded and it was decided. Sungmin tried not to be too eager, but couldn’t quite keep from glancing at the clock the rest of the day.
--
Guessing at Sungmin’s favorite foods from the other’s bakery suggestions, Ryeowook picked out an armful of groceries before stopping by Sungmin’s in the evening.
“Hello,” he greeted as Sungmin slipped out of his apron and into casual clothes, and they chatted idly while walking back.
“How do you cook these, anyways?” Sungmin asked, picking up assorted vegetables when they had arrived at Ryeowook’s house and dropped off the groceries on the table.
Ryeowook laughed in disbelief, “I thought you were good with food?”
“Nope,” Sungmin admitted, looking aside slightly, “only baking.”
Hoping he hadn’t hit a nerve, Ryeowook quickly moved on, “I can cook for you today, then!” he decided, “Make yourself at home, it’ll be ready in a bit.”
“Okay,” Sungmin agreed, smile returning.
--
This, Sungmin decided, was unhealthy. This being his inability to feel bad about Ryeowook’s breakup, this being his expectant wait for the near-daily visits, this being, well, a lot of things. The entirety of his problems could probably be summed up in one word, but that one word was something Sungmin did not want to be thinking about.
But it was fine, Sungmin was a friendly person, and if he happened to flush at contact with Ryeowook, it was only because he liked skinship.
--
Sungmin deserved better than to simply be a rebound, Ryeowook thought, and although he meant replacing his loneliness with a best friend he would be lying if he said he didn’t consider the possibility of anything else. But just as Ryeowook had decided to distance himself, Sungmin became even more friendly, enthusiastic and smiling and cheerful as he clung to Ryeowook.
--
Just as bakery visits had grown in number, so too had home ones, Sungmin dropping by Ryeowook’s house whenever their schedules allowed, watching him cook and occasionally picking up techniques.
“I can help with that,” Sungmin had said on one of his visits, leaning against Ryeowook and slinging a hand casually over Ryeowook’s shoulder as he held Ryeowook’s hand around the pan handle with the other.
“No, I’m good!” Ryeowook had practically squeaked, nearly dropping the pan in his haste to escape from Sungmin’s touch.
“Sorry,” Sungmin had said, eyes wide as he too backed away. The rest of the dinner passed in relative silence, Sungmin awkwardly excusing himself early halfway through.
--
“…sorry,” Ryeowook practiced, quietly, as he walked to the bakery, first signs of snow on the streets. A week had passed without visits from either for the last week, and Ryeowook decided it was probably his fault.
Glancing up at the door as he arrived, though, he was disappointed to find a sign cheerfully stating, “CLOSED FOR HOLIDAYS!” on the door. Weren’t bakeries supposed to be most active during the holidays, anyways? Ryeowook frowned, but the door did not miraculously open.
“Hey,” someone said, and Ryeowook jumped, turning and simultaneously taking a step back at the familiar voice, noting the way Sungmin’s smile wavered a bit as the other noticed.
“Hi,” he said, feeling as if he had been caught red-handed at something, “What’re you doing here?”
“I should be asking you that,” Sungmin laughed. “I forgot something, that’s all.”
“Oh,” Ryeowook said, trailing behind Sungmin as he unlocked the door and walked in.
“Sorry about last time, by the way,” Sungmin was saying, looking around behind the counter as Ryeowook followed him, “I didn’t mean anything by it, but I understand if you’re uncomfortable and…”
But Ryeowook wasn’t paying attention, mind a blank of ‘that’s not what I meant and shouldn’t I be apologizing and’ and then that cut off, too. So he settled for avoiding words, reaching out and encircling Sungmin’s waist with his arms, a hug.
“I’m sorry,” he said tentatively, noting that the other was still frozen in place, and, knowing what the other was still doubting, pressed his lips against the back of Sungmin’s neck, murmuring a “don’t worry about it.”
“Oh,” was Sungmin’s response, and Ryeowook pulled partially away, loosening his grip and uncertain how to interpret that.
“Oh?” he prompted, uncertain how to respond, and finally Sungmin turned around and caught him in a hug, all in one motion.
“Oh,” Sungmin confirmed.
--
Although on break for the holidays, Sungmin found himself baking on his own time for the first time in - he didn’t even remember how long. With Ryeowook there, laughing and blowing flour onto him and starting food fights with not-yet-baked food, Sungmin found that he was far from tired of baking. After all, with Ryeowook beside him for the new year, how could he complain?
This entry was originally posted at http://sujuexchange.dreamwidth.org/11019.html?mode=reply. Please comment there using OpenID (i.e., your LJ account's URL).