Work Text:
"I am in crisis," Seungkwan declares as soon as he comes to a stop by Wonwoo's cubicle.
Wonwoo hums in response, saving his work and double checking the SharePoint that his changes have reflected. Seungkwan is often in crisis and there's a new guy on the team who hasn't learned not to overwrite people's work yet so Wonwoo's being extra vigilant. He sees his name in the "Modified by" column. Perfect.
"Hyung," Seungkwan says. He sounds genuinely pitiful and when Wonwoo glances at him, his hoobae looks distressed. Seungkwan is prone to exaggeration especially over the trials and tribulations of his work as a brand manager and the state of his love life but Wonwoo doesn't often see him this way. There are dark circles around his eyes and his hair could use a good wash. It's a far cry from his usually neat and put together look.
"What's wrong, Kwan-ah?" Wonwoo asks, turning his full attention to Seungkwan.
"The client saw an error in the final ad copy after we sent them to all the printers and digital teams. We spent all night correcting it," Seungkwan sniffs. "I haven't had the time to go home and freshen up. I haven't had coffee and worst of all, Hansol saw me this morning and said hi. I look terrible!!"
Seungkwan says the last part with a tiny wail and throws himself dramatically on the seat beside Wonwoo's. Wonwoo doesn't feel like it's the right time to point out that the seat in question is Hansol's and that Hansol is just out handling a ticket for Jeonghan, who never comes down to IT if he can help it. Hansol could be back at any minute and Seungkwan still does look worse for wear. Wonwoo does breathe a sigh of relief though. He had feared the worst.
"Kwan-ah, you know Hansol thinks you're attractive no matter what," Wonwoo says, soothing.
"We haven't even been dating 100 days!" Seungkwan cries out. "I have to have my best foot forward. It's too soon for him to see me like this! He'll realize I'm a mess!"
Wonwoo pats Seungkwan's shoulder awkwardly, trying to comfort him. He's never been the best at this kind of thing but Seungkwan comes to him in these trying times so he must be doing something right.
They sit in silence for a moment before an idea comes to mind. It's a self-serving one but what Seungkwan doesn't know won't hurt him. In fact, it might be better if Seungkwan didn't know that Wonwoo has ulterior motives for what he says next.
"I can't do anything about your hair but I can treat your for coffee," Wonwoo suggests. "It might help you feel better."
"I have to go back to the war room," Seungkwan shakes his head. His face scrunches up in disgust. "Aish, we have a date tonight and I'll be a greaseball!"
"I'll get you coffee from Darl+ing," Wonwoo offers. Seungkwan would drink Mega or Compose swill willingly but Darl+ing has actual good coffee, or so Wonwoo is told. "I could use some coffee too."
That makes Seungkwan pause and Wonwoo realizes he's made a mistake. Seungkwan peers at him, doubtful. "You don't drink coffee. You live off sad energy drinks and ramyeon."
"I just feel like having coffee," Wonwoo says, very unconvincingly. He doesn't want to explain anything about this change in behavior to anyone yet, least of all Seungkwan who means well but will absolutely tell Soonyoung, who will then tell all their friends. Wonwoo is not ready for that. "They have good beans," he adds, parroting what Seungyoun has told him about the coffee shop.
"I'm going to get to the bottom of this, hyung," Seungkwan says, pointing a finger at Wonwoo. At the very least he looks like he's gotten over his crisis in favor of finding out Wonwoo's secrets. A small win even if it's at Wonwoo's expense.
"There's nothing to get to the bottom of," Wonwoo counters, standing up, grabbing his wallet and heading for the elevators before he can be interrogated any further.
"I'm going to find out what it is eventually," Seungkwan calls out. Wonwoo ignores him and when the elevator doors open to reveal Hansol inside, he claps Hansol on the back and sends a shit eating grin over to Seungkwan who looks like he's seen a ghost.
He'll probably have to make it up to Seungkwan by treating him to more coffee but it's worth it for the time being.
*
What Seungkwan is right about is that Wonwoo really doesn't drink coffee. He orders meal kits and ensures he has a vegetable every day to keep himself from dying of malnutrition but if given the choice, he really would live off energy drinks and ramyeon most of the time.
But all that's changed now.
When Darl+ing had opened down the road from their office building a few a few months back, Wonwoo hadn't paid much attention to it. He'd only accompanied Soonyoung because he needed to stretch his legs and Soonyoung had promised to treat him to salt bread. What he hadn't expected was a cute barista with an even cuter mole on his nose who greeted everyone with warmth and put a sweet note in Wonwoo's cup to cheer him on. He can't put his finger on why he'd been so thoroughly charmed by him, but he was. He hadn't even minded when Soonyoung had sheepishly admitted that he'd left his wallet at the office.
Wonwoo's been coming back every day ever since.
Since that first visit, Wonwoo has come to learn that the cute barista's name is Mingyu and that he's been working part time at the cafe while he gets his modeling career off the ground. He puts hearts and notes in Wonwoo's cup and always wishes him a great day. It makes Wonwoo's heart flutter in a way that he's embarrassed to ever admit, especially when he knows that Mingyu is this sweet to everyone and that he's just doing his job. Left to his own devices, he'd never strike up a conversation. It's only due to Mingyu's friendly nature that Wonwoo has even managed to get to know more about Mingyu and how Mingyu has come to learn more about Wonwoo in return.
He can't help the way that seeing Mingyu for his lunch time coffee is the highlight of his day nor can he help that he's willing to give up his beloved Monster for a double shot Americano that Mingyu makes for him or that when he's feeling particularly adventurous, he lets Mingyu convince him to have the cafe's signature Perilla Seed Cream Latte. It's decaf.
Wonwoo knows he's in trouble since he doesn't even betray Mingyu by grabbing a Monster to get a caffeine kick on such days.
He also can't help the way he feels himself perk up when Mingyu greets him as he enters the cafe. There aren't too many people in today so Wonwoo can head straight toward the counter where Mingyu is standing.
"Hi, Wonwoo hyung!" Mingyu greets, beaming at him. It's like stepping into a ray of sunshine.
"Hi, Mingyu," Wonwoo replies. They look at each other for a long moment before Mingyu speaks again, startling Wonwoo from his blatant ogling at Mingyu's cute face.
"What can I get you today, hyung?"
"Two iced americanos, please," Wonwoo answers, pulling out his phone to scan his payment.
Wonwoo would like to believe he isn't prone to overthinking but Mingyu's smile seems to dim and Wonwoo's hopeless heart wants to believe that it's because Mingyu is disappointed by the implication of Wonwoo ordering two americanos. He rushes to explain, grateful that no one else is around to witness how bad he has it. "My hoobae is in crisis. The boy he's dating saw him with greasy hair this morning and he's upset about it."
Mingyu's expression smoothens. Is he relieved to know that Wonwoo isn't getting an Americano for someone special? He hopes so. "Oh, that's definitely a crisis. I'd hate it if the boy I liked saw me like that."
Wonwoo nods. "I'm providing moral support."
"You're a good sunbae, hyung," Mingyu says. Wonwoo does his best not to preen. He's ridiculous enough as it is.
It doesn't take long for Mingyu to prepare his and Seungkwan's drinks. Wonwoo steps up to the counter as soon as he sees Mingyu pour espresso into the cups but he's surprised when Mingyu doesn't hand him the drink carrier with his coffee.
"Give me one minute, hyung!" Mingyu says, wiping his hands with a towel and disappearing into the staff room.
He comes back barely a minute later with a small paper bag that he brings along with him as he hands Wonwoo his order. Wonwoo inspects the contents of the bag. There's a hair dryer, an unopened pack of reusable cotton pads and a small bottle of clear liquid inside.
Mingyu speaks before Wonwoo can ask about it. "Micellar water will help your hoobae clear up the grease in his hair, hyung. He should use the cotton pad to rub it on his scalp and he can borrow my hair dryer."
"Mingyu, this is too kind of you," Wonwoo says. "Seungkwan will really appreciate this."
"It's nothing, hyung!" Mingyu says. He scratches the back of his head. "I'll need my hair dryer back though," he adds sheepishly. Maybe a little hopefully too?
Wonwoo sees the opening for what it is. It's the perfect opportunity to see Mingyu again.
"I'll give it back to you as soon as possible," Wonwoo promises.
"No rush, hyung! I have another one at home. This is a spare," Mingyu answers quickly. "I wouldn't want you to go out of your way."
"Mingyu," Wonwoo says solemnly. "You're doing my friend a favor. It's least I can do to give it back to you right away."
Mingyu bites the inside of his cheek, thinking and holding back a smile. "I'm closing the cafe tonight, if that works."
"I'll be here."
*
Seungkwan squeezes Wonwoo tightly when he presents the coffee and the paper bag to him with an explanation of what he's supposed to do.
"Hyung, I have to buy him something! He saved my relationship!" Seungkwan exclaims as he starts rubbing the soaked cotton sheet on his scalp.
"Hansol wouldn't break up with you just because of your hair, Kwan-ah," Wonwoo points out.
"I know he won't but I still want to look good for him," Seungkwan answers. "And don't think I haven't noticed that the barista lent you his hairdryer. What's up with that, hyung?"
"Mingyu's a nice guy," Wonwoo defends. "He heard you needed help and he provided a solution."
"Oh, so his name is Mingyu," Seungkwan says, nodding and very clearly filing that information away. Sometimes Wonwoo forgets that Seungkwan and Jeonghan had been roommates for some time and that they both have that same razor sharp perception. "And you told him about my predicament."
Wonwoo curses himself internally. He hadn't meant to reveal that. "It was small talk."
"You don't like talking to strangers," Seungkwan points out. "You'd rather sit in awkward silence than make conversation."
"He takes my coffee order," Wonwoo tries.
"And we circle back to you not even really liking coffee, hyung!" Seungkwan says. He turns off the hair dryer and takes a moment to study himself in the mirror. He does look much fresher than earlier this morning. "Wah, he really knows what he's talking about. I look great."
"He's a part time model," Wonwoo says and then immediately regrets it when Seungkwan whirls around and looks him straight in the eye, suspicion written all over his face.
"You know what he does part-time."
"It's come up in conversation," Wonwoo answers lamely. He knows that this is a lost cause.
"You have a crush on your barista who's a model." A beat. "I'm telling Jeonghan hyung."
Wonwoo closes his eyes. He is never going to hear the end of this but there's no point in denying it. "Please don't."
"You're taking us there tomorrow so we can meet him."
"I will not."
"You will."
He probably will.
*
The sun has already set by the time Wonwoo leaves work. He's not fond of training the newbies in their department but he knows that the only way to make sure they work well in the future is to focus on them now and head off any bad habits at the pass. At least Chan seems so show potential though he might be better off in another department in the long run. Soonyoung would probably love to have him.
He makes it back to Darl+ing just a little bit before the cut off for the last order so he's already mentally going through the menu for what he's going to have so he can linger a little longer at the cafe. He might even have a slice of their lemon pound cake as a treat.
There's loud music coming from the store as he approaches and he can see Mingyu through the glass window of the store. The grin forms on his face unbidden and he increases his stride so he can get to the cafe faster.
He is not prepared for the sight that greets him when he goes through the door.
Mingyu is dancing in the middle of the room. He's facing away from he door and all Wonwoo can see is his back as he sways his hips. Mingyu raises an arm and bends his knees to move his hips in a U shape before popping his hips left and right and wrapping his arms around his body in a series of poses.
Put your body on my body, won't you come and make your move?
The lyrics and the visuals make Wonwoo flush. He stands there unable to move. He is mesmerized.
Mingyu keeps dancing, unaware of Wonwoo's presence. He moves so fluidly and gracefully and Wonwoo has to wonder why Mingyu isn't an idol. He's such a good dancer.
The chorus ends and Mingyu finishes his dance with tiny hops like he's trying to twerk. His last hop has him face to face with Wonwoo and he freezes like a deer caught in headlights. His shoulders hunch up to his ears but not before Wonwoo catches a glimpse of pink at the tips. He bows low and picks up the mop that was lying on the ground.
Wonwoo has to clap. He cannot not clap. Mingyu is so cute. Mingyu is so cute. It's unbearable. Wonwoo wants to shower him with applause and praise just to see if the pink tinge on his ears again, to see if he gets this shy all the time. Mingyu is adorable and Wonwoo wants nothing more than to bite.
"I'm so sorry," Mingyu says, not making eye contact.
"Don't be," Wonwoo hurries to reassure him. "You were having fun."
"Ah, that was so embarrassing," Mingyu frets, clutching the mop tightly.
Wonwoo finds that he also cannot bear seeing Mingyu worrying. "You were cute, Mingyu. It's not embarrassing at all."
Mingyu perks up. "You think I'm cute?" Then his expression shifts into an adorable pout. "Ah, no I wanted you to think I was cool," he adds, more to himself than to Wonwoo.
"I think you're cool too," Wonwoo pipes up. Before he can stop himself, he goes on to say: "I think you're too cool to go out with someone like me."
That catches Mingyu's attention and now it's Wonwoo's turn to hike up his shoulders to his ears and close his eyes in embarrassment. He wants the ground to swallow him whole. He hadn't meant to admit that.
Out of nowhere, two large hands take hold of his. He startles at the touch and his eyes fly open only to find Mingyu standing right in front of him, head bent so they can look each other eye to eye. His expression is serious.
"Hyung, I'm not too cool to go out with someone like you," Mingyu squeezes his hands. "I would love to go out with you and I've been trying to find the best time to ask you out for ages."
Did Wonwoo really hear that right? Mingyu has been wanting to ask him out? "You have?" he asks, making sure.
"Yes," Mingyu says putting emphasis on the word. "I think you're so handsome and so cool, hyung."
"Really?" Wonwoo says, disbelieving. "But I wanted to take you out."
"We'll take each other out," Mingyu proposes. He scrunches his nose adorably. "On dates. Not on like, contract killings."
Wonwoo laughs. "Okay, we'll take each other out."
"On dates," Mingyu presses. The smile on his face makes his eyes crinkle. It makes him even more handsome and lovely in Wonwoo's eyes.
"On dates," Wonwoo agrees, grinning.
"Tonight? We can picnic by the Han."
"We can take my bike," Wonwoo suggests.
"You have a bike?"
"Mhm."
"You're so cool. I'm so excited."
"Me too."
They stand in the middle of the store, Wonwoo's hands in Mingyu's. Wonwoo is so giddy. Mingyu seems to be in the same state, grinning at Wonwoo and looking happily back.
"As adorable as this is, we do need to close, Mingyu-yah," a new voice says from the counter.
Both Wonwoo and Mingyu startle, jumping in the air. The voice belongs to Minghao, the other barista in Darl+ing. He specializes in tea. Wonwoo's rarely spoken to him but he's always been really nice to Wonwoo.
"I have a date tonight!" Mingyu informs him brightly.
Minghao nods, indulgent. "I heard but we still have work, Gyu-yah."
Wonwoo takes a step back, letting go of Mingyu's hands. He resists the urge to hold them again when faced with Mingyu's pout and puppy eyes. "I'll wait for you and then we can go on our date."
Mingyu nods resolutely and grips the mop tighter. "I'll be quick!"
*
The date is wonderful. Mingyu is wonderful. He has about the exact same amount of chill as Wonwoo does, which is none at all. Wonwoo wants to take him on dates every day.
They may or may not sneak a kiss or two on their first date. Wonwoo will never tell.
*
Seungkwan makes good on his threat the very next day.
"We're going to Darl+ing," Seungkwan declares as soon as he comes to a stop by Wonwoo's cubicle. Jeonghan is standing beside him, smiling genially.
"Okay," Wonwoo answers easily, ignoring the looks that Seungkwan and Jeonghan exchange.
The cafe is bustling with people but Mingyu notices them right away. He doesn't look at all like a man who spent the better part of the evening til dawn walking along the Han River. He's every bit as handsome and magnetic as they day Wonwoo first met him. Mingyu waves and blows Wonwoo a kiss that Wonwoo mimes catching and putting in his pocket. It's terribly cheesy but Mingyu likes cheesy things and Wonwoo likes Mingyu.
"Hyung, what was that?" Seungkwan asks, flabbergasted.
Beside him, Jeonghan nods knowing. "Our Wonwoo is dating the tall barista," he tells Seungkwan, smiling indulgently.
"We're going on our second date tonight," Wonwoo informs them, not taking his eyes of Mingyu, smiling. It's only been a few hours since their first date ended but Wonwoo's already looking forward to the next one.
And if he does this right, there will hopefully be many, many more to come.