Chapter Text
The office was still quiet when Matthew stepped into the break room. Always an introvert, he liked these moments when the space was still empty. He had been getting better at small talk with coworkers, but making his coffee alone was still more comforting. The machine buzzed quietly as he worked, until the breakroom door swung open behind him.
“Morning,” Matthew mumbled, not even turning.
“Wow,” came a familiar voice, closer than expected. “Not even a glance for your biggest fan?”
Matthew blinked and looked up, Jiwoong was suddenly beside him, reaching for a clean mug from the upper shelf, and their arms almost brushed. Jiwoong leaned casually against the counter. He wore a grey sweater over his button-up shirt today, sleeves pushed up to the elbows, and he smelled like citrus cologne and laundry soap. Matthew shouldn’t notice that. But he did.
“Didn’t realize it was you,” he said, clearing his throat.
Jiwoong playfully clutched his chest, pretending to be wounded. “Cold as usual”.
“You’re being dramatic,” Matthew muttered, but the corners of his mouth betrayed him. He tried not to smile, failed, and let out a quiet laugh. He thought about how Jiwoong always made those kinds of silly jokes, and even though he was quite used to Jiwoong’s flirty personality, the small charm of it still gave him butterflies.
Jiwoong glanced at the mug in Matthew’s hand. “Do you want sugar for that?” Matthew hesitated but Jiwoong was already opening the sugar jar.
“I-I guess, sure” he said, flustered by the sudden proximity, by how casual Jiwoong sounded. His thoughts scattered, he was so busy watching Jiwoong’s face, the way his eyes sparkled, that he barely registered the question before agreeing.
Jiwoong noded, satisfied and added one spoonful. Then another. Then one more. He stirred it in gently. “There you go.”
Matthew took the cup, his fingers brushing Jiwoong’s. “Thanks.”
If he hadn’t walked away so fast, he might have seen the smile on Jiwoong’s face.
He went straight to his desk, trying to make peace with the overly sweet coffee sitting beside him. Jiwoong had added sugar even though he knew Matthew always drank it black. They’d had coffee together before—more than once. He definitely knew.
Was he doing this just to get on his nerves?
Matthew shook his head, forcing his thoughts back to work. He opened his inbox and found the latest memo from HR:
Subject: Reminder – Vacation Bonus Days
Hello everyone!
Just a friendly reminder that this is the last week to request your extra vacation days under the partnership benefit plan. In alignment with the company’s values on work-life balance and employee wellbeing, partners in romantic relationships are eligible for an additional ten (10) days of paid vacation annually.
Applies to in-house couples who have submitted Form 12B and demonstrated ongoing cohabitation or consistent relationship dynamics.
Forms must be submitted by Friday at 5PM. Don't miss out on those bonus days off!
– HR Team
He blinked. Ten bonus vacation days for couples?
"What the fuck," Matthew muttered.
Jiwoong glanced over from the printer, still holding a stack of freshly printed pages.
“What?”
Matthew turned his monitor slightly, pointing. Jiwoong walked over and leaned a little on Matthew’s desk, squinting at the screen.
“Oh,” he said, voice already amused. “The couple’s bonus thing?”
“You knew?”
“I mean… yeah,” Jiwoong said. “That’s why Ha-na and her girlfriend went to Jeju last month. It was basically a free trip.”
Matthew stared in disbelief. “You’re telling me we get paid vacation if we’re in a relationship?”
Jiwoong grinned. “Why so interested? Got someone to register?”
Matthew didn’t look up, fingers hovering uselessly over the keyboard. “Yeah, right.”
A pause. Jiwoong was still watching him, that half-smile of his curling slightly. “Honestly,” he continued, “it’s a stupid policy. Rewards couples for being… functional.”
“I don’t think the bar is that high,” Matthew muttered.
Jiwoong hummed. “Still. Seems unfair. Like, what about the rest of us? The lonely, tragically single employees who also work hard and deserve vacations?”
“You’re not exactly tragic,” Matthew said before he could stop himself.
Jiwoong smirked. “No? Good to know.” He leaned in a little, tone lighter. “Anyway, not like HR actually checks this stuff. You could probably just write down someone’s name and they'd never know.”
Matthew stared at him. “…Seriously?”
“I mean,” Jiwoong said with a shrug, “if someone wanted those extra days, and happened to know someone equally underappreciated by the system…” He let the sentence hang. Then, he casually added, “They could help each other out.”
Matthew blinked, caught off guard. “Help each other… how?”
Jiwoong looked up, deadpan. “You know how, Matthew. Boyfriends. For administrative purposes.”
Matthew let out a sound that might’ve been a laugh, or a cough, trying to pass as one. Either way, it was embarrassingly loud.
“Wait,” he said, too late. “Is that a joke?”
Jiwoong just shrugged. “I mean… unless you were joking.”
There was a pause. Jiwoong’s gaze didn’t waver. That half-smile of his still curled at the edges, quiet and unreadable.
They’d known each other for over a year now—close to a year and a half, actually. Long enough for habits to form. For shared lunch breaks and inside jokes. For Matthew to realize, belatedly, that he still had Jiwoong’s scarf from last winter tucked away in his closet. He’d never returned it. Jiwoong had never asked.
Jiwoong tapped his pen against his lips, like this wasn’t the most insane idea Matthew has ever heard.
“You’re serious,” Matthew said.
“I’m just saying,” Jiwoong added, tucking the pen behind his ear, “if someone wrote your name down, I doubt anyone would question it.”
And just like that, he wandered back toward his desk, still holding the stack of printed pages—like nothing had happened at all.
Matthew watched him go, still reeling.
Then, slowly, he stood up too.
“Hey—”
Jiwoong turned just in time to be grabbed by the wrist.
“Oh,” Jiwoong said, blinking. “Okay, bold choice. Not mad about it.”
Matthew pulled him into the office supply closet and shut the door behind them with a soft click.
“Genuinely curious what’s happening right now” Jiwoong said.
“You’re serious?”
“About the policy loophole?” Jiwoong leaned casually back against a shelf of toner cartridges. “Yeah.”
“That would be fraud.”
“So is telling us we’re getting Christmas bonuses and then giving us branded travel mugs,” Jiwoong replied smoothly. “I sleep just fine.”
“You’re...” Matthew sputtered. “You’re actually suggesting we fake a relationship?”
“I mean, yeah. Unless you have a real secret boyfriend hiding in the breakroom.”
Jiwoong was so calmed that Matthew couldn't believe he was talking seriously.
“This is insane.”
Jiwoong smiled faintly. “Just think about it. Ten extra vacation days. Low effort. Minimal paperwork. And honestly?” He shrugged. “You’re one of the few people I actually like in this office,”
“That is... not okay” Matthew said, crossing his arms.
“You don’t have to decide now,” Jiwoong added, brushing past him to reach for the door. “I’ll let you process. Let me know if you want to be committed by... Friday.”
Then he slipped out.
Matthew stood alone in the office supply closet, he reached for his phone and typed quickly.
Matthew [09:12]
emergency meeting. my place. 19:30.
bring beer. or vodka. maybe both.
Hanbin [09:13]
uhhh should I also bring candles and a priest?
Matthew [09:13]
no one died
Hanbin [09:14]
cool. so it’s emotional damage.
Matthew [09:14]
just come prepared
Hanbin [09:15]
i’m charging consulting fees.
──★ ˙ ̟🐇 ★ ݁──
Matthew handed Hanbin a beer and flopped onto the couch. “I need you to tell me I’m not insane,” he said.
Hanbin raised an eyebrow, already suspicious. “I can’t promise that.”
Matthew ran a hand over his face. “Something… weird happened at work.” Hanbin waited, silent, which was worse than sarcasm. Matthew continued, “So. Hypothetically. If someone said something like, ‘we could pretend to be dating for administrative reasons,’ would that be… a weird thing to say?”
“Administrative… reasons?”
“For bonus vacation days,” Matthew added, voice low. “There’s a policy.”
A pause. “Oh my god,” Hanbin said slowly. “Did someone ask you to fake-date them for paid time off?”
“I don’t know if it was asking,” Matthew mumbled.
“Is he hot?”
Matthew blinked, caught completely off guard. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“It helps me visualize the scenario.” Hanbin said lightly, as if that explained everything.
Matthew looked away. “…He’s fine.”
“Okay so he’s definitely hot.’”
Matthew kicked the leg of the coffee table lightly. “It doesn’t matter. It wasn’t a real offer.”
Hanbin took a sip of his drink, studying him. “Why do you think that?.”
Matthew didn’t answer right away. Then, quietly, “He was just… so casual about it. Like it wasn’t a big deal.”
“And is it?”
“I don’t know!” Matthew pressed a hand to the side of his face. “I’ve never even thought about... this kind of thing with him. I mean. Maybe once. But not seriously. And now it’s just… there.”
Hanbin nodded slowly, then offered a chip. “Sounds like someone made you an offer you didn’t know you wanted.”
Matthew hesitated. “You think I want it?”
“I think it got under your skin.”
Matthew looked down at his beer. “I didn’t say yes.”
“You didn’t say no either.”
Matthew sighed. “It’s just… I mean, yeah, he’s handsome, and he’s nice, and kind. But he’s like that with everyone at the office, you know? Still, sometimes there are these moments that feel… too intimate.”
Hanbin tilted his head. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”
Matthew took a breath. “Not really. It’s not one thing. Just… small stuff. Like sometimes he brings me cookies without asking, or pays for my lunch out of nowhere. There was this one time he stayed late to help me finish a report. Another time he gave me his scarf when I forgot mine.”
He looked down at the bottle in his hands, thumbs fidgeting at the label.
“But none of it ever gets acknowledged. We don’t talk about it. He just… does those things. And he’s always messing with me, teasing. Flirty. But he’s like that with everyone. He’s always surrounded by people and…”
Hanbin blinked once, then leaned forward, smug but gentle. “Oh my god. You like him.”
“I’m just confused… and now this thing about the vacation days... he told me no one actually checks the paperwork and that it’d be beneficial for both of us. But it’s weird, right?”
Hanbin stayed quiet for a moment, thoughtful. “Do you want me to be real or romantic?”
Matthew frowned. “…Real?”
“Okay. Then… it could be nothing. Honestly. He might just be nice and flirty without meaning much by it. If it’s true no one checks the documents, maybe he just wants someone to sign the form and occasionally call each other pet names in the office. It could be totally practical. Maybe he’s in it for the free gym membership.”
“Yeah. Totally,” Matthew nodded, still sounding unconvinced.
“Just play this thing to your favor and make strict rules on how you’re gonna go about it.”
“What kind of rules?” Matthew panicked, he hadn’t thought of anything other than he would be spending extra time with Jiwoong.
Hanbin tilted his head. “No kissing, for example. Only show affecction when you’re in front of people, stuff like that.” He made a pause. His finger landed lightly on Matthew’s cheek. “But… I also think you’re kind of dumb if you think someone would flirt with that face just because.”
“Don’t say stuff like that.” Matthew looked at Hanbin in disbelief.
“I’m just being honest,” Hanbin return his attention to his phone, typed up a message to someone and hit send. “You’re handsome and also you’ve got that sad poet thing going for you. People eat that up.”
“I’m not... okay, whatever. That’s not the point.”
“So what is the point?” Hanbin finally looked up, his tone gentler now. “Because, from what you’ve told me, it sounds like this guy is putting something on the table. Maybe you should figure out why it’s making you spiral this much.”
Matthew stayed quiet, biting the inside of his cheek.
“What now, Matt?” Hanbin sighed.
Matthew hesitated, then shook his head. “I just don’t want to be the idiot who misreads things.”
“Then don’t read anything at all,” Hanbin shrugged. “Just take the deal if you want to. Call him darling once during office hours, get free time off, enjoy the gym membership. It’s just paperwork. But maybe…”
“Stop,” Matthew said quickly.
Hanbin smirked. “I said I wasn’t going to be romantic.”
──★ ˙ ̟🐇 ★ ݁──
Friday morning the break room was already filled with soft morning light when Matthew walked in. He leaned against the counter, sipping his black coffee as if it could steady him. He hated how nervous he felt.
The door swung open behind him.
Jiwoong stepped in, eyebrows lifting in surprise. “Oh,” he said, breaking into a grin. “You were waiting for me?”
Matthew didn’t answer. He just motioned with his head. “Close the door. Sit down.”
Jiwoong’s smile deepened, clearly amused. “Bossy. I like it.”
Matthew rolled his eyes but didn’t take the bait. He waited until Jiwoong pulled out one of the stools and perched on it, arms resting on the table. Only then did he speak.
“Do you really think anyone would believe we’re dating?”
There was a brief silence before Jiwoong replied. “I'm sure".
Matthew nodded slowly. “We need a story. How we met, how long we’ve been together, stuff like that.”
Jiwoong leaned forward, clearly delighted. “Well, to make it easier for us both to lie, we could just say as it is, just twist the truth a little bit. I liked you from the first day I saw you in the elevator. Then I realized you were coming to my floor, and they introduced you as the new data analyst. You smiled at me and—”
“Stop,” Matthew cut in. “Too cheesy. No one’s going to buy that.”
Jiwoong gave him a mock-wounded look, but something about it was sharper than usual. “Wow. Ouch. Any romantic would believe that story. And if you’d let me finish, I was going to say, you smiled, and I chased you until you fell for my charms.”
Matthew narrowed his eyes. “Which charms?”
Jiwoong just smiled, tilted, slow, a little too confident. Then, casually, he stood up from the stool where he’d been lounging, and stepped closer. Matthew straightened, pressing back against the counter as Jiwoong took another step, he leaned in just enough to make it annoying, a flicker of amusement in his gaze. “Do you want a list?” he said, voice low.
Matthew’s brain short-circuited for a second. “What are you…”
The door of the break room opened.
“Oh, you two again,” said a dry voice.
Matthew gave him a tiny, exasperated smack on the arm and a pointed look that clearly said not here. Jiwoong chuckled but obediently stepped back.
They both turned and gave a polite bow. The HR manager barely looked up from her phone. She crossed the break room, opened the fridge, pulled out a small yogurt. Then, finally, she glanced at them.
“Don’t forget to submit Form 12B for the couple’s benefits,” she said over her shoulder, “Deadline is today”.
As the door closed behind her, Jiwoong turned to Matthew with a smug smile. “See? We don’t even have to try.”
Matthew was still frozen, face slightly red. He opened his mouth to respond, then closed it again.
“I’ll go print the paperwork,” Jiwoong added, already heading for the door. “Don’t miss me too much, love.”
Matthew groaned, mostly into his coffee.
FORM 12B — COUPLES BENEFIT APPLICATION (for registered employee partners)
1. Applicant Information (1)
- Full Name: Kim Ji Woong – Project Manager, Sustainability Division
- Employee ID Number: 10072307
- Date of Birth: 14/07/1998
2. Applicant Information (2)
- Full Name: Seok Matthew – Data Analyst, Environmental Data and Impact Team
- Employee ID Number: 10072303
- Date of Birth: 28/04/2002
3. Relationship Details
- Duration of Relationship (months/years): 04 months
- How did you meet? (Brief description): We first met in the elevator on Matthew’s first day at the company. We happened to be going to the same floor, and later that morning we were introduced as new team members during orientation. We started talking more over shared projects. Things progressed naturally from there.
4. Relationship and Work
- Do you both work in the same department? ☐ Yes ■ No
- Do you consider that your personal relationship helps maintain a healthy work-life balance? ■ Yes ☐ No
- Do you believe that your personal relationship positively or negatively affects your work performance or team dynamics? Please explain: We believe our relationship has had a positive impact on both our wellbeing and our performance. We maintain professional boundaries during office hours, but knowing we have mutual support outside of work contributes to reduced stress and better communication. Our colleagues remain comfortable and collaborative around us.
5. Additional Information
- Reason for applying for Couples Benefit: We are applying to access the available joint benefits, including extended leave, shared healthcare considerations, and wellness program access.
──★ ˙ ̟🐇 ★ ݁──
It had been a week since the email from HR had landed in their inboxes:
Form 12B received. Approved.
Attached were two digital gym passes and a painfully cheerful “Congratulations!” banner that Matthew had immediately deleted.
He hadn’t expected it to be so… easy.
It was nearly noon when he stepped out onto the office terrace, clutching a coke can between his hands. The air was cooler than last week, autumn, unmistakably. For once, no one was smoking. He thought he had the place to himself, until Hana, a coworker, leaned over the railing and turned toward him with a grin.
“Matthew! So this is where you hide.”
He blinked. “I’m not hiding,” he mumbled.
“Mhm,” she said, sipping her coffee from a paper cup . “Must be exhausting, keeping secrets.”
He tilted his head, confused.
She winked. “You and Jiwoong. Can’t believe you didn’t tell anyone. Sneaky.”
Matthew’s stomach did a slow turn “Oh.”
“He’s so cute,” Jiun, another coworker, teased as she stepped onto the terrace, cigarette in hand. “Seriously, we had no idea. Everyone on Jiwoong’s team is so curious about you two.”
Matthew laughed awkwardly. “Really?”
“Of course!” Jiun said, a little too enthusiastically. “Jiwoong already told us he liked someone from the Data team, but I can't believe he actually made you his boyfriend so fast!”
Matthew blinked. “Wait, what?”
Hana didn’t seem to notice his confusion. “How long have you two been together?”
“Uh… four months,” he said automatically.
“Aww. That’s so cute. So, what’s he like outside of work?”
Matthew stared. “Um.”
“Like, does he cook? What does he usually order when you go out? He looks like a hotpot person, right?”
“Maybe?” he said, voice rising a little too high.
She laughed. “You don’t know?”
“I-I mean, he likes a lot of things…”
Behind them, a low voice cut in. “Hana, stop tormenting him.”
They both turned. Jiwoong was leaning against the doorway, arms crossed, expression amused.
“Jiwoong,” Hana said brightly. “You didn’t tell me your boyfriend was this easy to fluster.”
“I figured you’d find out on your own,” he said, pushing off the frame and walking toward them. “Don’t bully him too much. He’s still adjusting to fame.”
Matthew groaned. “I’m fine…”
Hana held up her hands. “Okay, okay. I’ll leave you two alone.” She gave Jiwoong a look. “Take care of him. He’s too shy.”
Once she and Jiun were gone, Jiwoong bumped his shoulder gently against Matthew’s. “Don’t let her get to you. She means well. I just… don’t usually let people at work know too much about my personal life.”
Matthew gave him a look. “Then how did they find out?”
Jiwoong laughed. “You really don’t notice anything, huh? They posted it on the office bulletin board.”
Matthew’s eyes widened. “They did what?”
Jiwoong grinned, eyes twinkling. “Hope you don’t mind, love”
Matthew groaned but didn’t argue. They stood in comfortable silence for a while, Matthew sipping his coke. Then he asked, “Do you like hotpot?”
Jiwoong blinked. “Not really… Not a big fan, why?”
Matthew ignored the question. “Do you like cooking?”
Jiwoong nodded. “I do. A lot of people hate cooking after a long day, but I actually like it. Helps me switch out of office mode. Like… ‘Okay, I’m home now.’ You know?”
“Hm…”
Jiwoong tilted his head. “What’s with all the questions?”
Matthew shrugged. “Hana and Jiun asked a bunch of stuff, and I… didn’t know what to say.”
Jiwoong paused, and then smiled slowly. “Well then,” he said, voice soft and just a little flirty, “I guess we’ll have to spend more time outside the office. We should hang out.” Matthew looked up at him with a confused expression. “I mean, it shouldn’t be noticeable that we aren’t actually dating.”
“You’re kind of smart” Matthew said, frowning slightly as he tried to hide a smile.
“I did not get into Environmental Engineering with bad grades “ Jiwoong chuckled as Matthew rolled his eyes in a joking manner. “But thank you.”
Eventually, they both drifted back inside, Jiwoong first, Matthew trailing behind, trying to shake the feeling that something had just shifted.
Back at his desk, Matthew settled into his chair, across the room, Jiwoong had returned to his own seat, already deep in a call with someone from another team. He was frowning slightly at his screen, one hand running absently through his hair, the other jotting something in his notebook. Matthew glanced away, then looked again. Did Jiwoong always do that when thinking?
Suddenly, Jiwoong ended the call and looked up, catching Matthew’s gaze. He smiled and pointed at his screen. Matthew’s confusion only grew when the familiar sound of the corporate chat pinged in his earbud.
Jiwoong’s message popped up:
Jiwoong K.: Dinner on Friday? My friend just opened a sushi place. Thought it might be a good excuse to go out.
Matthew bit his lip, trying not to grin.
Matthew S.: Friday it’s fine. I’m free after 6.
Jiwoong didn’t answer right away, but Matthew watched his shoulders shake slightly with silent laughter from across the office. A second later, another message appeared:
Jiwoong K.: Then let’s meet at 8 pm.
Jiwoong K.: It’s a date.
Matthew blinked at the screen, caught off guard. His train of thought was interrupted by a soft tap on his shoulder.
“Hey, Matt, I need that summary from last week,” a coworker said, peering over his shoulder.
Matthew jumped slightly, realizing he’d been staring at the chat longer than he should have. From across the office, he heard Jiwoong’s quiet chuckle over the phone, and a blush crept up his neck.
──★ ˙ ̟🐇 ★ ݁──
Friday arrived sooner than he expected. They had agreed to meet at the sushi place, and Matthew had taken the chance to go home first, peel off his suit and tie, and change into something more casual. He stood in front of the mirror, holding up a couple of shirts and frowning. Too formal? Too sloppy?
His phone rang on the dresser. Hanbin.
Matthew hesitated for a second, balancing the sweater in one hand and tugging at the hem nervously. “Hey..”
“Matt! Are you free for bubble tea later?”
“I actually have plans… Jiwoong invited me out on a date, sort of, not a date, but dinner… so a date, but a fake date-”
“Please stop rumbling” Hanbin laughed on the other end. “Ignoring the fact that I’m deeply wounded because you didn’t tell me about this date… I have two thing to say. First, you’re an idiot. Second, wear the grey sweater”
Matthew rolled his eyes “Why? I mean… about the sweater”.
“Because you look cute in it. He’ll like it.”
Matthew groaned. “I don’t care about looking cute for Jiwoong.”
“Whatever,” Hanbin said dramatically. “I expect a full report after this… got it?”
Matthew laughed, shaking his head. “Got it, but don’t expect too much.”
“Yes, yes…” Hanbin paused, then added softly, “and Matt… just try to have fun. Don’t overthink it.”
Matthew hung up, rolling his eyes, muttering under his breath.
Matthew smiled when he saw Jiwoong standing by the entrance of the restaurant, just as they had discussed.
“You’ve been waiting long?” Matthew asked quietly. “Sorry I’m late.” He adjusted the edges of his grey sweater. Jiwoong smiled at him, and something about it stirred inside Matthew.
“It’s fine. I just got here,” Jiwoong replied.
They entered the restaurant, and a waitress guided them to a small table in a corner of the place. Jiwoong asked if it was alright for him to order for them since he already knew the restaurant well, and Matthew agreed, admitting he knew nothing about sushi.
For a brief moment, Matthew let himself wonder what life would be like if this were truly a date with Jiwoong—if they were actually together.
Jiwoong interrupted his thoughts. “I hope you like what I ordered”.
A few minutes later, a set of drinks arrived, followed soon after by two trays of beautifully plated slices of sashimi, rolls stacked with bright toppings and tiny curls of wasabi and ginger on the side.
Matthew picked up his chopsticks and took some pieces to his plate. He stared at the pieces for a moment… and then quietly, carefully, began separating the fish from the rice.
Jiwoong, meanwhile, was mid-story, phone already in hand. “I really wanted to show you my two babies” he said, grinning. Matthew gave him a strange look.
“These are my cats,” Jiwoong clarified, swiping through a burst of blurry photos. “That’s Nongshim, he’s the orange one. And that’s Jin, the black one. She judges everyone and only listens to me.”
“They look adorable” Matthew said. "But, it isnt weird to name your cat after a person?”
"Oh, no, it is not Jin like a person. It is Jin like Jin ramen."
Matthew took a moment to process the information, then laughed genuinely. “Wait, now I get it, Nongshim and Jin. I can't believe that you named your cats after noodle brands."
“Technically,” Jiwoong said, “the brands named themselves after my cats. They just didn’t know it yet.”
“That’s actually cute”. Matthew admitted.
Jiwoong smiled at him, making Matthew smile in return.
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the faint hum of the restaurant around them, before Matthew shifted slightly.
"So… I was thinking, we’ve got our backstory, but we should probably set some ground rules.”
Jiwoong cleared his throat. “Rules?" he seemed to think about for a moment before talking again. "Yes, we probably do. What do you have in mind?”
“Let’s keep it simple,” Matthew began. “Affectionate touches and nicknames only when we’re around other people.” Matthew though that was going to be hard, considering how touchy Jiwoong already was and how many nicknames he used but Jiwoong nodded anyway, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “No kissing,” Matthew added, not looking up, idly playing with the food on his plate.
“Those are stricted rules... ” Jiwoong muttered, he was halfway through a bite when he noticed something in Matthew's plate. “Hey,” he said lightly, “you’re not trying the salmon?”
Matthew paused mid-chew. “Uh… I’m good.”
“Wait, have you only eaten rice?”
Matthew froze. “It’s good rice.”
There was a beat. Jiwoong looked at him, then down at the untouched sashimi, then back at him again. “Matthew... You don't like sushi, right?”
“I like some sushi,” Matthew said quickly. “Just. Not the… raw stuff.”
Jiwoong let out a quiet breath that might’ve been a laugh. “Matthew. That’s most of sushi.”
Matthew looked mortified. “I didn’t want to be difficult.”
“You’re not difficult,” Jiwoong said. He leaned back slightly, amused but not unkind. “You let me drag you to a sushi place, watched me order enough raw fish for three people, and then just ate rice?”
“I thought maybe you wouldn’t notice.” Matthew looked down at his rice. “Don’t mock me.”
Jiwoong laughed, full-out this time. “I’m not, Matthew. This was supposed to be a chance for us to get to know each other. Both ways. Imagine someone at the office asks me what you like and I go, ‘Oh, we had a lovely sushi date,’ except you don’t eat sushi. What am I supposed to say?”
Matthew raised an eyebrow. “Who would even ask you about me?”
Jiwoong gave him a look. “What do you mean by that?”
“I’m just saying…”
“I’ll have you know,” Jiwoong interrupted, “that you’re kinda popular in the office. People are going to absolutely ask.”
“If it helps,” Matthew added, lips twitching, “I can tell people your cats are adorable.”
Jiwoong looked at him, narrowed his eyes… and sighed like a man carrying the weight of the world. “Okay, fine. You’re forgiven.”
He pushed aside the last of his sushi roll and leaned back. “Alright. I’m giving you one chance to redeem yourself.”
Matthew raised an eyebrow. “One chance?”
“You get to pick dessert.” Jiwoong pointed a chopstick at him in mock warning. “But it has to be something you truly like.”
Matthew considered that for a moment, then let out a quiet sigh. “Fine. Since you’re taking this so seriously.”
“Of course I am,” Jiwoong grinned. “It’s about you”.
After dinner, they stepped out into the narrow street, lit by orange lamps and neon shopfronts, the city buzzing gently around them. Jiwoong had his hands in his coat pockets, one brow raised.
“Is it much farther?”
Matthew pointed ahead. “Nope. Just there.”
A small cart stood at the corner, lit by a warm bulb, its glass case filled with glossy, candied fruit on sticks, red, green and pink, all glistening under the light.
Jiwoong blinked. “Tanghulu?”
Matthew was already stepping closer, exchanging a few words with the vendor and paying before Jiwoong could say anything. When he turned back, he held out one of the sticks. Jiwoong took it—and let his fingers linger, closing around Matthew’s hand for just a second longer than necessary before letting go.
They moved away from the cart, the sugar cracking loudly between their teeth as they bit into the fruit. A low wall nearby offered an easy place to lean.
Jiwoong glanced sideways at him, his expression softening just a little. “I used to eat this all the time after school,” he said quietly. “It feels really nostalgic.”
Matthew nodded. “Same for me. My mom used to make it sometimes, when I was little. We were living in Canada then.”
“That’s cute,” Jiwoong said. “You must’ve been the envy of your class, bringing this kind of thing for lunch.”
Matthew laughed under his breath. “Not exactly. They made fun of me, actually. Not because of the tanghulu, just... kids being idiots, I guess.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine,” Matthew said softly. “I still like it. It reminds me of her.”
A silence settled between them. It wasn’t uncomfortable, the way it usually is when two people don’t know each other well, but strangely familiar. Standing next to Matthew, Jiwoong felt at ease.
After a while, Matthew spoke again. “I’m really sorry about the sushi thing.”
Jiwoong’s face broke into a smile, sugar glittering faintly on his lower lip. “You don’t have to apologize,” he said gently. I liked tonight.”
They stood there a moment longer, comfortable and quiet in the cool evening air. Then Jiwoong straightened a little, pulling his phone from his pocket.
“We should take a picture.”
Matthew blinked. “What?”
“For my instagram,” Jiwoong said, already switching to the front-facing camera. “People should think we’re cute and happy*.*”
Matthew looked vaguely alarmed. “Wait, like, your actual instagram?”
Jiwoong laughed. “Yes, Matthew. Almost the whole office follows me. It’d be weird if I didn’t post anything after our very romantic sushi night.”
“Why does the whole office follow you?”
Jiwoong shrugged, clearly unbothered. “I told you, I’m very likable.”
He stepped in closer, angling the phone and leaning toward Matthew without hesitation. “Come on,” he said softly. “Smile a little. Like you actually had a good time with me.”
Matthew hesitated for a second before he smiled, because he really had enyojed himself.
Being with Jiwoong was easy, and fun, and… warm.
The kind of warm that made him want to do it again.
──★ ˙ ̟🐇 ★ ݁──
The Monday after their dinner, Matthew confirmed that, indeed, everyone in the office was following Jiwoong on Instagram. There was no other explanation for why, the moment he walked through the door, he’d been bombarded with questions and comments about the dessert photo. The attention made him self-conscious until, out of sheer saturation, the topic began to fizzle out.
In truth, aside from the curious glances and the occasional comment, things hadn’t changed much. Jiwoong was a little more attentive now, waiting for him by the elevator, texting him photos of his cats over the weekend, but not enough for Matthew to feel that anything had really shifted. He was confused. Had he been expecting something different? That thought lingered at the back of his mind as he stared at his monitor, cursor blinking over the last unfinished paragraph. He was trying to finish a report when someone interrupted him.
“Matthew,” Minji’s voice cut through his thoughts, “this is Park Gunwook, our new intern.”
The guy standing in front of him was taller than Matthew had expected, with an easy smile and a handshake that was firm but not overbearing. He had his jacket slung half over one arm, like he’d rushed in to avoid being late.
“Nice to meet you,” Gunwook said. “I think I’ll be helping out with your team.”
“Oh… Of course, I’m Seok Matthew. Welcome.”
Minji explained that, since Gunwook was new to the team and still getting up to speed, Matthew, being the more experienced, would tutor him for a few weeks until Gunwook caught the rhythm of the office. Matthew was okay with that; he felt a little proud to be seen as experienced enough to tutor.
Gunwook took the empty desk next to Matthew, set up his computer, and immediately asked about the current project.
From the first morning, Gunwook was charming: quick to smile at small jokes, ready with polite laughter, and genuinely curious when Matthew explained parts of the dataset. He listened in a way that made Matthew’s explanations feel more interesting than they were, tilting his head, asking small follow-ups, laughing at the right moments. The effect was flattering and, after a day or two, quietly disorienting; Matthew found himself more aware of where Gunwook sat, and of the warmth in that attention.
A couple of days later, Matthew was working at his computer with Gunwook when Jiwoong appeared.
“Hey,” Jiwoong said casually, but there was something sharp underneath it. His eyes flicked briefly between them before settling on Matthew. “Do you wanna have lunch together, love?”
“Oh.” Matthew blinked, startled by the nickname, it had been a few days since Jiwoong had called him that. He glanced at Gunwook. “We still have to wrapp this up…”
“I can wait,” Jiwoong said, already pulling out the chair next to Matthew and sitting far too close for it to be casual. “Unless I’m interrupting something.”
Gunwook blinked, then smiled politely. “No, not at all.”
Jiwoong leaned back in the chair, one elbow hooked lazily over the armrest. “So,” he said, “how’s the intern life treating you?”
Gunwook hesitated. “It’s fine. Learning a lot from Matthew sunbae.”
“Glad to hear it. Matthew’s a good teacher.” Jiwoong leaned back slightly, his arm stretching across the back of Matthew’s chair. After a beat, his hand slid down in an easy motion to rest over Matthew’s shoulders, warm and unhurried.
Gunwook’s gaze flicked to the gesture, and he let out a low chuckle, more amused than anything. “Right.”
Matthew suddenly felt nervous; there was a strange tension in the air. He gently removed Jiwoong’s arm from his shoulders, and as he stood up, so did Gunwook.
“I think I’ll have lunch alone,” Matthew said, the words coming out faster than he intended. He grabbed his phone and left quickly, leaving the other two behind.
“See you, Gunwook,” Jiwoong smiled with a false friendliness.
Matthew spent the rest of the afternoon working quietly, keeping his mind on the report. But the conversation at the desk lingered in his thoughts, tugging at the edges of his focus.
Later, as the workday came to a close, Matthew gathered his things and stepped outside the office. Rain was falling steadily. He paused under the overhang by the entrance, waiting for the worst to pass before heading to the subway. Muttering under his breath, he cursed himself for always forgetting his umbrella.
Jiwoong appeared behind him.
“Not heading home yet?” he asked.
Matthew shrugged. “Forgot my umbrella.”
“I’ll give you a ride.” Jiwoong said, not waiting for an answer before turning back inside toward the parking garage.
Matthew glanced up at the sky, heavy with dark clouds. The rain wasn’t letting up anytime soon. He muttered again under his breath, then followed Jiwoong silently through the lobby and down the stairs to the parking garage.
When they reached Jiwoong’s car. Matthew hesitated a moment, then slid into the passenger seat, brushing a stray raindrop off his coat as he buckled in. Jiwoong barely glanced at him before starting the car.
"Busy day?" Jiwoong asked, voice casual, eyes fixed on the road.
"Yeah. Gunwook is still adapting to the office." Matthew shifted in his seat, warming his hands with the air vent. "He still has problems to submit the daily log."
Jiwoong hummed. A polite sound. Noncommittal.
"So I helped him with the intranet forms," Matthew continued. "And showed him where the good printer is, the one that doesn’t jam every third page."
"How kind of you," Jiwoong said smoothly.
Matthew blinked, caught off guard. "What?"
"Nothing." Jiwoong changed lanes with practiced ease. "You’re just very… attentive to him."
There was something about his tone. Something too measured. Matthew frowned. "He’s just a kid. Like, fresh out of uni."
"Hmm."
Silence settled between them for a beat too long.
"You know… he seems really sharp, actually," Matthew offered, attempting to shift the mood. "Already caught a mistake in the monthly report."
"Wow," Jiwoong said, deadpan. "Maybe you should let him take over the quarterly forecast too. Sounds like he’s got potential."
Matthew turned to look at him, eyebrows raised. "What’s wrong with you?”
Jiwoong tilted his head, eyes glinting with mischief. “Nothing’s wrong.”
“You’re acting weird.”
Jiwoong hummed thoughtfully, turning onto the main road.
A thought tangled in Matthew’s mind, but he decided to voice it anyway. “Are you… mad at me?”
Jiwoong laughed softly without looking at him. “Of course not. Why would I be mad at you, Matthew?”
Matthew blinked at the sudden use of his name.
Jiwoong finally glanced at him, one hand resting lazily on the wheel, smirk calm and infuriating. “I just think you’re forgetting your office boyfriend. Someone might start getting the wrong idea and think you’re single.”
Matthew froze. Someone who? Everyone in the office knew about them, they posted it on the office bulletin board, as Jiwoong had said. But was he talking about…
“Is this about Gunwook?” Matthew asked cautiously.
When they stopped at a red light, Jiwoong leaned a little closer. Not enough to touch, but enough to make Matthew’s skin prickle with awareness.
“Matthew, you really don’t notice when someone’s into you, do you?”
Matthew gaped at him. “He’s not into me.”
Jiwoong just raised an eyebrow. “Sure.”
Matthew looked away for a moment, jaw tightening. Jiwoong kept driving. After a few minutes, Matthew sharply turned back to him. “And honestly, why do you even care?”
“Well, darling, let me remind you we have to keep up appearances at the office. That is, if you want to keep your free gym membership. It hasn’t even been a month since we signed up, Matthew.”
“Then maybe you should start with yourself,” Matthew continued, voice quieter now. “You’re always surrounded by people. Laughing at your jokes. Finding excuses to talk to you. God, half the office has a crush on you, and you just—”
He stopped, flushed. Too much. He'd said too much.
Jiwoong’s voice softened. “Is that what this is about?”
Matthew folded his arms and stared ahead. “Forget it.”
“No,” Jiwoong said gently. “Keep going.”
Matthew didn’t.
Jiwoong looked over at him, his usual teasing tone gone. “I’m not interested in them.”
Matthew stayed silent the rest of the ride. When Jiwoong dropped him off in front of his apartment building, he just mumbled a thank you before stepping out of the car.
The question lingered in his mind all night.
Then, who are you interested in?
──★ ˙ ̟🐇 ★ ݁──
The next day at the office, Jiwoong didn’t show up in the break room in the morning as he usually did. Matthew sipped his coffee alone, a small ache of disappointment settling in. Jiwoong kept a low profile all day, scrolling through his phone quietly in meetings, skipping their usual lunchtime banter. Matthew noticed, but wasn’t sure what to make of it. It felt as if Jiwoong had pressed pause, and while it seemed strange, Matthew found himself missing the usual teasing more than he expected.
Midweek, as Matthew settled into his desk, his eyes caught something unexpected—a small, neatly wrapped cookie shaped like Pikachu sitting beside his keyboard. Attached was a tiny note in Jiwoong’s handwriting:
“Saw this and thought of you. -J”
Matthew smiled, his heart doing an awkward little flip. He pulled out his phone and typed:
Matthew: Thanks for the cookie.
Matthew: But... how did you know I liked Pokemon?
Jiwoong replied almost immediately:
Jiwoong : The sticker on your phone and the figurine on your desk.
Another message came:
Jiwoong : It's impossible to miss.
Matthew stared at the message, cheeks warming. He couldn’t help but text back,
Matthew: You were pretty quiet this week.
Matthew: Everything okay?
After a moment, Jiwoong answered:
Jiwoong : Awww. You miss me.
Matthew: 🙄
Jiwoong : Just thinking about stuff. I’m okay, darling. Thanks for asking.
Matthew tucked his phone away, glancing back at Jiwoong’s empty chair across the room. He wasn’t going to admit it out loud, but yes, he had missed him this week.