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liaspenandpaper · 23 days ago

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The Dame for the Gentlemen in Distress

Your life begins to spiral down when you decided to accept the hands of your childhood friend-turned pirate who invited you to be part of his crew while the said crew set the town in fire.

You haven't seen Seonghwa in years after him leaving their village with the hope of being a marine. Even if you were opposed to it, you thought that you have no rights to stop your friend from achieving his dream.

TW: This story contains themes of abuse (physical, emotional, and sexual), graphic violence, threats of harm, trauma, exploitation, and bullying. Reader discretion is advised.

This is purely fiction and no means represents Ateez’s members in real life.

Lia's Note: English is not my first language, so this might contain grammatical errors. Please bare with me. Love lots.

In front of you is the biggest ship you had ever laced your eyes upon. The ship has this ominous presence that makes a normal person like you, uneasy.

ATEEZ

Your eyes widened from the recognition of the name. Ateez is the new yet most fearful pirate crew that sails in the vast ocean. You couldn't believe that Seonghwa would become part of this deadly crew and just forget his dreams of being a general.

As you stepped your foot on the deck, you contemplate if you would just jump off from the ship, the moment you saw the rest of the crew members. They were all bloody, you’re not sure if those bloods were theirs or not (you’re pretty sure it's not).

"Now, what do we have here? I guess you've picked some stray, my dear," a short man whose hair was split into two shades, the other part black and the other white said with scrutinizing eyes in your direction. You found the nickname a bit amusing, but shrugged your curiosity away, since it not your place to pry.

"She's the one I've been telling you about, Joong. She's Y/N, my friend," you looked at Seonghwa as he introduced you with so much excitement to his crew hoping they would greet you warmly, but as you looked backed at them, they only stared at you with contempt, which is unfortunately haven't noticed by Seonghwa. You immediately knew that your presence is not welcome.

"Joong, I asked of you. She has nowhere to go. I just can't leave her alone. I beg you to let her come with us," Seonghwa held the man whom he called "Joong". You can see the shift of his expression as he is now looking at Seonghwa. Joong's expression now held some fondness to it, so different from the way he looked at you.

"Of course, my dear. Your little friend can stay, but I expect her to not just become a mouth to be fed," he answered and emphasized the last part of his words.

"She can stay as long as she's not useless or I'll kill her and feed her to the sharks."

You gulped as you interpret his words. He must be the captain, you concluded, because as all of them are scary and intimidating, this little guy exceeds a more authoritative vibes than the others.

"Thank you, Captain!" Seonghwa looked at your direction with so much joy, you reluctantly offered a smile as you saw the other's sour mood.

Damn this will be difficult. You thought.

🥀

"Hey, you clean the dishes,"

You sighed. It's been a week since you boarded Twilight, Ateez's ship, and you never stop regretting coming along with Seonghwa.

It's been a week and the rest of the crew never treated you like a human being, rather a monkey whom they can just order around. You don’t have any complaints on helping around the ship, instead you like it. You don’t want to become a burden to the crew, but them treating you like equal would be very much appreciated.

"Are you even listening to me?" Wooyoung snapped his fingers at your face and it seemed to do the job as you muttered an apology and started to clean the hell of a mess in the kitchen.

"Tsk. Can't even do her job right," you heard Wooyoung said, and it made your heart sank a little bit.

You believed that you haven’t been a freeloader in the ship, you followed every task they've assigned to you. You wiped every grime on the areas of the ship that has accumulated for years that Seonghwa could not clean because of the hectic schedule he has. You cooked them meals and put all your knowledge when you were working as a cook to a pub since you were twelve. However, those weren't appreciated by the crew except Seonghwa of course. They always have a say, they didn't do it or say anything in front of Seonghwa, but they do it behind his back. You’re just glad you have the patience and mindset of your father, because your nature to say anything without thinking placed you to difficult situations before and you don’t want that to happen right now, so you try your best to shut your mouth.

As you were now washing the dirty dishes someone entered the kitchen. You checked who it was and it was Hongjoong.

"Making yourself quite useful, huh?" Hongjoong gave you a smirk, a smirk so belittling it triggers the sleeping irritation inside you. Among the crew members, you find Hongjoong the most insufferable. As you learned all of their names, associate them by their hair colors, you also learn that Hongjoong loves Seonghwa, not just a friend but more beyond that and is not shy of displaying his jealousy after you and Seonghwa interacted. Not just Hongjoong actually, but the entire crew is jealous every time Seonghwa talks to you.

It's not that uncommon to have multiple partners, but it shocked you a little that Seonghwa has seven lovers. All of them so possessive they could bite your head off of if they want.

You didn't reply to Hongjoong, since you don’t know what to say. He approached you in the sink and leaned on the counter, staring at you menacingly.

"I swear if you’re doing this or anything to seduce, my Seonghwa, I will not hesitate to throw you off from this ship," His voice quiet but it didn't fail to make you shiver. What he said is absurd and nonsense, but you were afraid that if he became blinded by jealousy, he will really do it with no hesitation.

"I am not interested in Seonghwa, Captain. He is my friend whom helped me find a place to belong to. I owe him my life, so I am doing my best to not be a burden to his crew and it didn’t even graze my mind to seduce him, that would be weird," you calmly said, proud of yourself of not sounding too scared of him.

"Besides, Seonghwa is too in love to all of you to bat eye to another person. He already has 7 lovers that he could pin on, so why get jealous?" as much as you don’t want to ran your mouth carelessly, unfortunately your mouth was faster than your brain this time.

Hongjoong’s expression grimaced and you knew you’re screwed. Hongjoong stepped closer to you, so dangerously close and grabbed your arm tightly. You’re pretty sure it will leave an awful bruise later.

"You're a clueless little mouse, aren't you? Don't speak to me like you are a part of the crew, and remember your place. Better keep your distance to Seonghwa or I'll kill you," he lets go of you and left the kitchen, banging the door behind him.

"Possessive freaks," You muttered under her breath as she continued her task.

🥀

You heeded Hongjoong's warning-slash-threat. You kept your distance to Seonghwa, muttering an excuse every time he speaks to you. Of course, your friend wasn't an idiot. Seonghwa is not oblivious to his crewmate’s behavior towards his friend. He often scolds them every time they treated you badly, but one thing Seonghwa doesn't know, is that the more he scolded them, the brewing hatred towards her keeps boiling near its highest point.

It was a month later when they finally can't handle their jealousy anymore. They collectively didn't know why they just can't ignore you. It's not like you were seducing Seonghwa as what they have been saying, it just that your presence was an abnormality, now they don't know how to act normally.

They're not sure if it was amusement that they've been feeling from the start, masking it with jealousy to hide the fascination to finally meet their lover's friend that he told them about. They knew you are important to Seonghwa, that even after all these years he held you dear in his heart. But they can't help to act harshly towards you, seeing Seonghwa's eyes lit every time you’re around and they were threatened of you.

Questions that they can't answer starts to float around their head and it hunts them, the uncertainty of what the future holds hunts them. However, their not-so-ill feelings towards you might compromise your safety.

“Hongjoong, it’s dangerous to let her come with us! She doesn’t even know how t—” Seonghwa couldn’t finish his words as he was anxiously pacing around Hongjoong’s quarter.

“Then she should start to learn how to, right? It’s not that some of us trained to fight either, we learned as we fight,” it was Yunho.

“You don’t understand, I’m not saying she couldn’t f——” Seonghwa was cut off again when Wooyoung interrupted.

“What do we don’t understand, hyung? If you want her to stay with us then she should also fight right? We only have each other, she can at least learn how to defend herself, since I won’t,” Wooyoung bitterly said.

You are just listening from the corner of the room, and you can’t help yourself, but to say something, “I can go,” you interrupted, you can’t let the crew fight over trivial things, so you decided to intervene a little.

“I can fight. I can defend myself. Let me go with you,” you firmly said to them, with your resolve and determination not once wavered. Seonghwa sighed in defeat, thinking his crewmates will regret letting you go with them.

“That’s the spirit! Who knows if you proved yourself enough, I could consider you as a crew of Ateez?” you knew Hongjoong isn’t being sincere, but you can’t just pass this opportunity to prove yourself more. That you deserve to be a part of Ateez.

🥀

Jongho handed you a sword, and you gladly received it.

“Thank you, Jongho.”

He didn’t reply, as you expected, but the lack of words from the guy didn’t affect your mood at all. Jongho wasn’t a talker, as you’ve observed. He prefers to listen and only engage to more important discussion, never much on casual banters.

You continued to stare at the weapon on your hand. The sword was well kept, and you’re thankful that it is a sword that fits you like a glove. Just the right size and weight for you.

Their mission was to infiltrate a banquet held by a corrupt lord of an island, who’s abusing his power and authority to rule over the indigenous and original settlers of the island. And you learned again that Ateez’s nature is to steal from those who steal.

For the government and for the normal folks, Ateez’s means of doing things are considered immoral, illegal, and wrong at every angle, but to those people whom they’ve helped, they are seen as heroes, a light who brings hope.

“Y/N you don’t have to do this,” Seonghwa hasn’t stopped pleading you to change your mind, but his pleading only went to deaf ears.

“I’m not the same fifteen-year-old girl you knew, Seonghwa. I too have shared fair number of moments where I have to defend myself, if I couldn’t, I would never be here in front of you,” you said firmly. It is indeed true, from the years when Seonghwa was absent from your life, things went haywire, and it forced you to do things in order to survive. There were no gray areas, it’s either kill or to be killed, what you mean is that you could either be sold off to men and be their sex slaves or kill those men.

“I don’t mean that, you know? I know you can fight, Y/N. I would even bet my life you can take me on a fight and win fairly. It is not you I’m worried at, you know what I mean right?”

The both of you shared a knowing look. Shaking your head, you told him, “Don’t worry, Hwa. I won’t let loose,” you promised.

Oh, boy you speak too soon.

🥀

“SOMEBODY STOP HER!” Mingi shouted as he fights someone. His pleas fell into deaf ears as you continued to bash the head of the guy who’s groping a young girl earlier. He is the last guy you’ve beaten up, so you make sure you did a number on him.

When the nine of you arrived in the banquet, it was full of old men and young children. The scene that you’ve arrived with was so disgusting it almost made you throw up all of the food you ate earlier.

These men were feasting to these children, making them sit in their laps, touching their bodies, kissing them in areas that old men shouldn’t lay their hands on. Pictures flashed in your minds, the scenes where you rescued young children from the hands of those rich filthy bastards whose past time are getting off watching children get mauled by other men. It made you sick to the stomach, seeing the traumatized faces of those children that mirrors the looks on the children here on the island.

The disgust suddenly turns into anger and the moment your hand touches your sword, you let your instinct took over your body until you were snapped from your trance when you hear voices calling out your name.

“FUCK! SHE’S FUCKING INSANE! Y/N! DON’T CRUSH HIS HEAD!” Hongjoong yelled in a distance, then you see yourself straddling a bloody man with a bloodied wine bottle in your hand. You weren’t satisfied enough since the man is still conscious, you’ve done this a lot to know when he’s dying, but he’s far from it, so you continued pounding the bottle to his head.

“JONGHO, RESTRAIN HER!” Jongho kicked the man he was fighting and ran towards you. You felt him pry you away from the poor guy you’ve fixated on.

“Y/N that’s enough, you’ll end up killing him.”

You straightened yourself and glanced around. Everything’s a mess, but the man’s face below you is messier. “Crap, are we not supposed to kill any?” you asked Jongho with genuine concern, “I didn’t kill any, right?” you added. Of course, you knew you didn’t, you just asked for courtesy.

Jongho sighed before answering, “Yes, we’re not supposed to kill anyone, Y/N, and fortunately you didn’t kill anyone from your savagery earlier,” he handed you a cloth that seemed to be a handkerchief.

You hesitantly accepted it, but nevertheless you used it to wiped your face as per Jongho pointed out, “You look like you’ve been in a blood rain, wipe your face, can you?” he said. You smiled from the gesture and realized that this has been the longest he’s spoken to you.

“You’re crazy, I like it,” he said to you before walking towards the others. You feel the pride swelling in your heart. Hearing Jongho somewhat acknowledging you was very rewarding, so you ran and catch up to him as you two reached where the rest of the crew was.

“Y/N! What did I say about losing control? I knew bringing you here was a terrible idea,” The joy you felt earlier suddenly switched. Seonghwa’s look of disappointment to you reminded you of the past where he is always scolding you from being too much.

“Yeah, and thanks to her we almost compromised our mission,” San said in a huff, and you see him rolling his eyes to you. Guilt starts to eat you as you see their annoyed and disappointed faces, except Jongho who said, “Guys, she didn’t compromise the mission, if not for her we wouldn’t subjugated Lord Kwon,” he pointed out the man whom you left just earlier.

“She single-handedly fought with Kwon’s guard, she deserved to be praised, is she not?” Jongho added.

Ateez’s dynamic never seems to amaze you, as you see how Jongho’s words affect the others. He may be the youngest in Ateez, but his words still held authority. All of them values each other’s opinion and that is one of their traits that you admire and one of the reasons you learned to respect them. Yes, Hongjoong is their captain, but the rest have their rights to voice their suggestions and concern.

“Seonghwa, I think you might have forgotten to mention that our little mouse here is a trained fighter, and not just your damsel in distress,”

“She wasn’t trained, Joong, she has to, or she would have ended up like the children we’re rescuing from, years ago.”

#liaspenandpaper #ateez x reader #ateez fic #ateez fanfiction #ateez imagines #atees scenario #ateez

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techytin · 1 year ago

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🍂 Coffee shop fiasco

🔑 ONE-SHOT! (1) - Hongjoong

PAIRING: Workaholic Hongjoong x Afab! Reader

GENRE: Romance (Fluff)

WARNINGS: Cursing, Suggestive Jokes, Mention of alcohol.

WORD COUNT: 7K+

�� English isn’t my first language, so I apologize for any mistakes.

Autumn slowly took over Seoul as It painted the city with all sort of vibrant colours. The trees that once wore a lively green now presented a dazzling array of reds, yellows, and oranges. The newly found atmosphere truly turned the streets into a cosy wonderland. Say goodbye to your favourite summer outfits and start dressing more toasty! A soft breeze is sure to follow your every step, and what is better than a hot beverage to battle the upcoming cold?

As much as I love the beautiful scenery, the cold does always seem to bite me in the worst ways. Luckily, the winter collections were in sale during the summer, giving me the perfect excuse to go shopping for toasty and cosy new clothing items for this autumn and winter!

As I made my way towards my workplace down the street, I gently adjust the folds of my new shawl. The fabric was so soft and warm, it kept my shoulders and face just the right temperature. A tender smile graced my lips. My body and mind relaxed. I felt confident, as if today was going to be easier than usual.

A contented sigh escaped my lips as I stepped into the cosy haven of the coffee shop, a place familiar and dear to my heart—“Rise & Shine,” the finest coffee haven on this block. This shop had such a lovely ambiance to it, you just felt like you had to sit down and relax. The soft smell of coffee and pastries accompanied by the sound of vintage oldies softly playing in the background had a special place in my heart.

"Good morning, Y/N," Seonghwa's warm voice greeted me as I entered the space, his attention momentarily diverted from tidying the tables, a towel casually draped over his shoulder. Our gazes met, for just a split second. "Morning, Hwa," I replied, a soft smile gracing my lips, a silent acknowledgment of the comfort found in our shared routine.

I headed to the bar and punched in to start my shift. Grabbing my assigned apron, tying it securely behind me. I cracked my knuckles and began my usual opening tasks, getting things ready for the day ahead.

A few hours passed, and the shop was rather empty. Don’t get me wrong, I was incredibly happy It wasn’t super busy. Who would want to work that hard? I get paid minimum wage… No, thank you.

While I carefully tidied up the bar, Seonghwa came closer, his expression adorned with a mischievous yet charming smile. "Y/N~," he called out softly, his tone laced with a hint of guilt. "Table six wants a cappuccino and a pastry. Anything would do, according to him. Would you pretty please handle that for me?" His voice carried a playful whine, accompanied by an earnest gaze framed by puppy-like eyes and a pronounced pout gracing his lips.

"Seonghwa, this is the third time you've asked me to do your order. Is everything alright?" I ask sincerely as I made my way to the coffee machine to prepare the requested cappuccino for table six.

"Honestly? Not really," Seonghwa admitted, a hint of vulnerability colouring his voice. Leaning against the bar, he wore a sad smile while sharing his struggles. "I'm having a rough day. I can feel a cold coming on, that irritating scratch in the back of my throat will not leave me alone." he confessed, his expression a mix of discomfort and resignation.

"Ah, that's rough," I sympathized, offering a gentle, understanding smile as I turned towards the pastry counter. Bending down, I retrieved a delectable chocolate-filled croissant, my voice slightly muffled by the action. "If you're feeling under the weather tomorrow, do let me know, alright?" I suggested, hoping to alleviate his worries.

Seonghwa emitted a soft chuckle. "I'll keep that in mind.”

"Perfect. I'll handle table six, no need to fret," I assured him, tenderly patting his back as I straightened up. Placing the chocolate-covered croissant on a dainty plate, I carefully transferred it to a tray, positioning it beside the freshly brewed cappuccino. Each movement carried a sense of care and consideration, a gesture intended to comfort not just our customers, but also my co-worker behind the bar.

Carefully, I balance the tray in my hands as I approached table six. A young man, seemingly in his mid-twenties, sat there typing away on his laptop. His tired appearance was very clear. Beneath his eyes, slight eyebags were present. They were slightly red and puffy, as were his lips... Almost as if he had cried. But I knew better than to question strangers by their appearance. Maybe he just had a bad day?

"Here's your order, sir," I murmured softly, my voice almost a whisper, almost as if I felt the need to not disturb him further. His deep, dark brown eyes met mine as I carefully positioned the tray on his table. "Thank you," he replied. A subtle smile graced his lips, causing his glasses to shift slightly upward. My heart skipped a beat at the small gesture.

I couldn't help but get lost in his eyes, holding my gaze longer than I intended. A flush of embarrassment coloured my cheeks as I realized I might have been staring a bit too intently. Swiftly breaking the eye contact, I coughed lightly, hoping to alleviate the awkwardness that had settled in the air.

Managing a timid smile, I spoke up, "If there's anything else you need, my colleague and I will be over at the bar." I tried to sound composed, despite the lingering awkwardness from my inadvertent staring. I shifted slightly, attempting to regain my composure as I awaited his response, hoping to smooth over the momentary discomfort.

The man gave me a nod in response before going back to typing on his laptop. Quickly, I made my way back to behind the bar. Once behind the bar, a large amount of air left my lungs with a complimentary hand on my chest.

“What was that all about? You into sleep-deprived blondies?” Seonghwa laughed silently before shoving my arm playfully. "What? No," I replied with a scowl, "He just has pretty glasses.” Rolling my eyes at his teasing, I returned my focus to the task at hand, but his laughter lingered in the air, making my cheeks flush.

As more time drifted by, I found myself nearing the end of my shift. The intriguing man with the tired eyes and pretty glasses was still here, completely absorbed in his tasks. But that wasn't odd at all. It seemed like a routine—people dropping in every day to finish whatever they had to do. As a matter of fact, tonight, the mysterious glasses man wasn't even the only one typing away on his laptop.

As the final moments of my shift approached, I neatly folded my apron and set it aside. The mysterious man signalled Seonghwa for the bill. With a nod, Seonghwa called out, "Y/N! Table Six, the bill, please!" A reluctant groan slipped past my lips as I headed towards the register. I swiftly printed the bill and carried it over to his table, my steps feeling slightly heavier than usual.

"Here you are, sir," I offered, extending the bill, which he accepted with a gentle grace. "Here, keep the change as a tip," he insisted, passing me the money, a generous act that conjured a genuine smile upon my lips. "Oh, thank you. That's incredibly kind of you," I expressed my gratitude warmly. “It is no big deal. Now, I really must get going. Goodnight.” As he stood up to leave, I made my way back to the bar to finally officially end my shift.

"You know, I'm certain you did that on purpose," I accused Seonghwa, my gaze stern yet filled with playfulness. He chuckled sweetly in response. "What? You liked his glasses, didn't you?" Seonghwa teased, struggling to contain his laughter as he noticed my annoyed expression. Causing a heavy sigh to escape my lips. "You're an asshole. I'll see you tomorrow, unless you're too sick. Take care, Hwa!" I giggled as I made my way to the coffee shop's exit, our banter leaving a lingering smile on my face.

The chill of the autumn evening brushed against my cheeks, prompting me to swiftly wrap a shawl around my shoulders, seeking warmth against the cool breeze. Thankfully, my home was a mere five-minute stroll away, and the path home promised a serene and beautiful walk.

Under the morning sky, I strolled down the familiar street, heading towards the cosy café filled with the inviting scent of coffee and the soft old vintage tunes. Yet, today was different. There was something else on my mind—a lingering thought about the mysterious man from yesterday.

Would he happen to be there again today?

As I walked, I couldn't help but wonder, my mind was filled with anticipation and a hint of excitement. My routine felt a tad more thrilling, tinged with the possibility of crossing paths with the intriguing stranger once more.

I couldn't believe how much space he was taking up inside my head. I mean, seriously, I didn't even have a clue what his name was. But those gorgeous blond locks and those deep, soulful brown eyes? They managed to hijack my thoughts last night, keeping me wide awake for longer than I wanted.

I pushed the thought aside as I stepped into "Rise & Shine," immediately met by a familiar face—Seonghwa. "I'm not sick!" He blurted out before I even reached the counter. "I freaked out, thinking I'd have to blow my only sick days on a stupid cold. Morning, by the way." His grin lit up the room as he wrapped me in a swift hug. I chuckled and returned the embrace, feeling a warmth spreading through me at his contagious happiness.

"Thank goodness you're not sick. I'd hate to grind through the shift solo," I remarked, securing my apron around my waist.

"I know, I'm irreplaceable," Seonghwa said, a playful smirk on his lips. "Kidding, kidding. But let's face it, I'd miss dealing with your whiny ass." His teasing tone carried a hint of affection, sparking a playful banter between us as we readied ourselves for the day ahead.

A few hours into our shift, Seonghwa approached me, leaning against the bar. He had just finished tidying some tables. "Lost in thought, huh?" His sudden question caught me off guard. Was I that noticeably distracted? I mentally scolded myself. "No, not really." I replied, attempting to sound casual, all while scrubbing the counter with more vigor than necessary.

"Come on now," Seonghwa nudged, his eyes holding a knowing glint. "We've been best friends for three years. I can always tell when something's bothering you, Y/N." He was right. There was no need to keep this dumb thought hidden. The man wasn’t even here, so what harm could it do?

"Okay, fine. It's about that guy from yesterday," I admitted with a sigh, meeting Seonghwa's gaze. It was unusual for me to discuss customers, especially if I found them intriguing. Normally, the only time a customer came up in conversation was if they were rude or caused some sort of trouble. But this situation felt different, and it intrigued my coworker enough to prompt his attention.

"You mean the one with the ‘cute’ glasses?" Seonghwa arched an eyebrow, fully invested in what I had to say now. He had his arms prompted up on the counter as he looked at me with a slight smirk on his face.

"Yeah… It’s just his looks and the way he spoke... so gentle. Kept me up longer than I care to admit," I confessed, feeling a hint of embarrassment tingeing my cheeks.

Seonghwa's reaction was unexpected; he let out a small gasp before bursting into laughter. "I totally get it! The guy did have a certain appeal, even with that, how should I put it... sleep-deprived look. Seriously, that guy needs some shut-eye," Seonghwa chuckled, his laughter filling the air around us. I couldn't help but shake my head at his response, his light-heartedness bringing a smile to my face.

"He was cute, and surprisingly kind. Even left a tip. Hard not to think about him. I guess I sort of hoped he'd come back," I admitted, a slight shrug accompanying my words. Seonghwa nodded in understanding.

"The evening rush is coming up. Who knows, maybe he'll show up again?" Seonghwa tried to lift my spirits, offering a gentle pat on my head. His attempt to lift my mood was appreciated.

"I hope you're right," I murmured quietly, my thoughts lingering on the possibility before refocusing on the tasks at hand.

As the evening rush surged in, a wave of late-night workers, young adults, and teens flooded into the café. It was a bustling night, each order stacking upon the other, demanding my undivided attention. The atmosphere buzzed with energy, my mind was too preoccupied with the mounting orders to even ponder if the mysterious man had made a return.

"Three lattes for table twelve? Ugh, I'm beat. Why couldn't Yunho have been called in to lend a hand?" Seonghwa complained, swiftly getting to work on the lattes.

"Mingi's on shift at the other location tonight. And I tried reaching Felix, no luck," I replied with a slight pout, noticing the disappointment etching on Seonghwa's face.

"Don't stress, we've got this," I reassured him, playfully nudging his shoulder before hurrying off to attend to the order placed by table two. Working in tandem, we manoeuvred through the busy café, determined to tackle the mountain of orders with teamwork.

I returned to the bar, ready to tackle the next set of orders, when I found Seonghwa sporting a mischievous grin. "Y/N~ I've got a special request for you. And before you say anything! I’ll take care of your order. Could you do this one for Kim Hongjoong?" His smirk widened, clearly revealing in the baffled look on my face.

"Uh, okay," I replied, arching an eyebrow in curiosity as I glanced over the order slip he passed me. It was an iced Americano. Nothing too complex. Swiftly, I prepared the drink, effortlessly crafting it to perfection before making my way to the designated table. Table six, situated right by the window.

There he was, yet again. My eyes slightly widened at the sight of those blond locks and those beautiful eyes. He was focussed on his laptop, much like the day before. A rush of emotions stirred within me, causing my heart to skip a beat and a faint blush to grace my cheeks. It was confusing. Why did I feel this nervous around him? After all, he was just another customer.

Gathering my nerves, I approached his table with a deep breath. "Your order, sir," I delivered with what I hoped was a cool and collected tone. His eyes met mine, and that familiar small smile adorned his face, making my heart flutter. He was seriously good-looking.

"Thanks," he replied, his voice warm and friendly. Despite my attempt to play it cool, I couldn't help but grin back before hastily stepping away, hoping he didn't catch the small dust of pink that painted my cheeks.

"You! you, oh my god!" I exclaimed, pointing at Seonghwa before playfully hitting his arm. His laughter filled the air. "Ouch, Y/N!" he protested, catching my arms and holding my gaze. "How about a thank you? Now you know his name, at least," Seonghwa said, a hint of amusement fading as he noticed my puzzled expression.

"Take this order for Kim Hongjoong?" he repeated the words from earlier, a smirk tugging at his lips. "You're a bit slow on the uptake, Y/N," he teased, chuckling at the way my eyes widened in surprise.

"Kim Hongjoong... That's his name? Oh, Seonghwa, you're a lifesaver!" I exclaimed, brimming with excitement, and pulled him into a grateful hug. His smile beamed with pride as I thanked him.

"I know, I'm amazing," Seonghwa joked with a playful grin. "But hey, let's focus and finish up these orders before our shift ends, or we'll be stuck doing overtime." He gently disengaged from the hug, flashing one last reassuring smile before turning back to his tasks.

He was right, as always. My fleeting moment of happiness was swiftly overshadowed by the overwhelming pile of work that awaited us. "I swear, I hate this job," I groaned, feeling the weight of the tasks ahead as I grabbed hold of a coffee glass.

"Excuse me?" A drowsy voice called out from behind me, pulling my attention. I spun around to meet the source of the voice, only to find myself face to face with the man I now recognized as Kim Hongjoong. My heart skipped a beat, prompting me to hastily tidy my apron and smooth down my hair before offering him a welcoming smile. "Hi, how can I assist you?" I greeted him nervously, my smile betraying the subtle flutter in my chest as he looked at me with curiosity in his eyes.

"Um, could I get another iced Americano?" His voice sounded slightly unsure, and it echoed with a hint of nervousness. His uncertainty reflected in my own nerves. Did I have something on my face? Was my hair dishevelled? I fought off the panic rising within me, offering a kind smile in response. "Absolutely, not a problem at all. I'll bring it to your table."

"Oh, no, it's fine. I can wait here. You seem quite busy already, and I don't want to add to your workload. I'm already here anyway," he quickly replied, wanting to spare me the trouble of walking over to serve him. His consideration only added to the flurry of emotions swirling within me.

"That's really kind of you," I remarked, a genuine smile lighting up my face as I reached for a glass to prepare his iced Americano. Catching his gaze, I noticed his returning smile, soft and gentle, causing a warmth to spread through me. His simple gesture made my cheeks flush with a soft hue.

"Here's your coffee," I said, passing him the freshly prepared drink. As our fingers briefly brushed against each other, a surge of warmth ignited within me, sending a subtle yet undeniable spark. Could it be possible? Was I actually starting to feel something for this stranger?

"Thank you so much. I desperately need this caffeine to stay awake," he chuckled, his laughter so endearing it effortlessly brought a smile to my lips.

"You seem like a hard worker" he nodded towards me. "Thank you, I do my best," I replied. "Oh, by the way, I never caught your name," he said, his lips curled in a gentle, constant smile as he looked at me.

"I'm L/N Y/N, but feel free to just call me Y/N," I replied, feeling a rush of happiness. Him starting a conversation and asking about my name made me feel like I was in some sort of movie.

"A pleasure to meet you. My name is Kim Hongjoong," he introduced himself with a warm smile. Although I already knew his name, I played along.

"You can just call me Hongjoong," he added, offering his hand for a handshake. I gently accepted, feeling the softness of his touch and the carefulness in his handshake, which sent a pleasant shiver down my spine.

"I'll let you get back to work. Thanks again for the coffee," he said graciously before making his way back to his table, leaving me with a lingering sense of joy from our brief interaction.

"Okay, what was that?" Seonghwa questioned from behind me. I could almost feel the mischievous grin on his face as I turned around to face him.

"Nothing special," I nonchalantly brushed it off, trying to downplay it. However, the warm flush on my face betrayed my true feelings. Without thinking, I instinctively hid my face in my hands, attempting to shield my embarrassment.

Seonghwa chuckled softly at my attempt to hide the evident blush on my face as he leaned against the bar. "You sure about that? Looked like more than just 'nothing special' to me."

I sighed, letting my hands fall back to my sides. "It wasn’t something ‘special’ It just left me a bit flustered because he’s cute Hwa. But, it doesn’t matter, he’s just a customer."

Seonghwa raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk dancing on his lips. A look I know all too well."Just a customer? That's not what I’m seeing here. The way he looked at you and that whole handshaking thing—come on, Y/N, don’t be like that!"

Rolling my eyes, I leaned against the counter right next to him. "It's not like that. We had a little chat. That's all."

Seonghwa leaned in, his tone teasing. "Uh-huh, just a little chat that left you blushing like a schoolgirl. Classic sign of something more, if you ask me."

I nudged him playfully. "You're reading too much into it. Besides, he's probably not even interested.” I said while turning away from him to try and continue on with the last few orders.

Seonghwa grinned mischievously. "Well, there's one way to find out. Why don't you slip him your number with his next coffee? You know, just in case he needs any more 'caffeine to stay awake.'"

I hastily turned back around to give his arm a playful slap, my cheeks flared a rosy pink as an undeniable smile crept on my lips. "Seonghwa! You're unbelievable. I'm not just going to give a customer my number."

He laughed at my sudden display before shooting me a small wink. "Who said anything about giving? Slip it in with his receipt, make it a little mysterious. Trust me, it works like a charm."

“Yea right, maybe in one of those movies or K-drama’s you watch.” I laughed with a smirk on my lips. If he got to tease me, so did I. He looked at me with a small pout. “Y/N, just give it a try. How will you ever get prince charming if you don’t take your first step?”

I sighed, contemplating the idea. "I don't know about that, Hwa. It feels a bit too forward."

Seonghwa gave my hair a small ruffle before returning to his work. "Well, you'll never know if you don't try. Life's too short for missed opportunities, Y/N."

As I pondered Seonghwa's suggestion, my gaze involuntarily drifted back to Hongjoong's table. He was immersed in his work, unaware of our conversation. The thought of taking a chance and leaving a note lingered in my mind, adding an unexpected twist to an otherwise ordinary day at the coffee shop.

There was just a pang of regret in my heart. Why did I have to turn down Seonghwa’s advice? The missed opportunity to just get a little bit closer to mysterious glasses man slipped through my fingers like sand.

By now days, no weeks? Two whole months had passed, and Hongjoong had returned every single day. He became a constant presence in the coffee shop, engrossed in his laptop, as he quickly became a pleasant part of my daily routine.

Seonghwa, being my best friend of course, did some digging for me and found out about Hongjoong's workplace—a high-ranking office. It all made sense now. His perpetual dedication to work had a foundation in a position of apparent importance, a fact that intrigued me. Seonghwa insisted that Hongjoong held a significant role in his company. “I swear, He must be some high rank there if he has that much work.” Were his exact words.

Despite my missed opportunities, I still managed to have a few interactions with Hongjoong. Usually just casual exchanges. Our conversations, while enjoyable, still made me year for more than casual. I wanted to get to know him. His mysterious self just made me so… Drawn to him.

"Evening, Hongjoong!" Seonghwa's familiar voice rang out from behind the bar, drawing my attention in his direction. A gentle smile graced my lips as my eyes locked with Hongjoong's, those captivating deep pools that had captured my heart.

I greeted him with a small wave, and he gave me a smile and a wave of his own. "The usual?" I asked as he approached the bar. "Yeah, you always know just what I need, Y/N," he chuckled, a warmth lingering in his laughter as he headed toward his regular spot at table six, like clockwork, just like every other day.

The evening shifts had become my haven, and the reason why, wasn't much of a mystery. The soft music of oldies whispered through the building, creating a comforting melody that made me feel at peace as I prepared Hongjoong’s favourite iced Americano. Tonight, the coffee shop wore a quiet ambiance, with only a few scattered customers, but that didn’t bother me at all.

Completing his drink, I carried the cold cup to his usual table. As I handed it over, our eyes met, and he expressed his gratitude with a warm smile. I mirrored the sentiment with a smile of my own.

"Busy as ever, Hongjoong?" I found myself asking, an inexplicable urge to talk to him. It wasn't every day that I felt this confident, but having known him for a while now, I dared to strike a conversation.

He shook his head, a hint of weariness in his eyes. "I actually worked ahead a few days back, so I'm working on extra tasks for the future." His response caught me off guard for a brief moment, my eyes widening in surprise, before I quickly composed myself. Hongjoong, noticing the change in my expression, wore a concerned look.

"Work ahead? Seriously, do you ever take a break?" I added a teasing tone to my words, hoping to lighten the mood, but Hongjoong simply shook his head, his expression carrying a weight of solemn determination.

"I can't afford to rest. I'd rather stay ahead of the game, even if it means diving into work I haven't received yet,"

His words lingered in the air, leaving me both speechless and impressed, and I took a moment to formulate a response. "That's admirable. But really... When was the last time you had some time for yourself?"

Hongjoong paused, contemplating his answer. "Honestly, I don't exactly remember when I last took a day to myself." A small chuckle escaped my lips. "Come on, man. You're already ahead. Why not take a day off?"

He pondered on my question for a moment. "What could I even do?" His response left me slightly puzzled. Was he serious? "Well, you could go get dinner or go out, maybe catch a movie?" I suggested a few options, and he looked at me with curiosity, nodding to indicate he was listening.

"Actually, I have my day off in two days. I was planning on grabbing dinner somewhere, but I haven't found someone to accompany me yet. No worries, though; the main thing is, you should take some time for yourself. It's important," I shared, watching Hongjoong nod once again.

"Well, I suppose I can look into taking a day off," he mused, a smile forming on his lips. I returned his smile before turning my attention back to my work.

The remainder of my shift went peacefully, passing by quicker than anticipated. As the end drew near, I noticed Hongjoong rising from his seat, gathering his belongings, likely heading to the bar to settle the bill.

"Hey, Y/N. Could I get the bill and a pen, please?" His voice caught my attention. "Sure, one second," I replied, drying my hands before tearing my gaze away from the unwashed glasses. Was I going crazy or did Hongjoong look, nervous? The thought stayed in my head as I approached the register to input his bill.

I handed him the bill and a pen, and he silently thanked me. Observing as he jotted something down on a small note, I assumed it was just a reminder for a task he intended to work on later. However, my surprise grew as he handed me the money, along with the mysterious note.

Confusion painted my face, but before I could voice my confusion, he bid us goodbye and exited the building, leaving me to unravel the mysteries concealed within that note. The lingering question of what could be written on that piece of paper danced in my mind, a subtle thought that lingered even after he disappeared from view.

I could feel Seonghwa’s growing presence behind me as I unfolded the note. “I took your advice, and planned a day off. You mentioned earlier that you had your day off in two days and that you lacked someone to accompany you to dinner. I figured I would take this opportunity to ask if I could accompany you? Just in case of yes, here’s my number.”

I read out loud, a growing smile playing on my lips. "Oh my god..." I muttered, utterly speechless as I revisited the message, reading it again and again. "Did he just ask you out?" Seonghwa inquired curiously, grabbing the note from my hands to read it himself.

I spun around in an attempt to retrieve the note, but Seonghwa only laughed, holding it higher and making me grow more annoyed. "Hwa, please! Give that back."

"Fine, fine. Here you go." He handed me the note, followed by a playful pat on the head. "Don't want to keep Prince Charming waiting now, do we?" His teasing voice caused my cheeks to flare, and a small huff escaped my lips.

Yet, any lingering annoyance dissolved as I reread the note for what felt like the hundredth time. He had actually given me his number!

For the rest of my shift, a small, content smile adorned my face as the thought of going out with Hongjoong occupied the forefront of my mind. The anticipation and excitement lingered, making me feel content and happy for the remaining hours of my day.

Once nestled in the cosy embrace of my home, I sank into the sofa, the note clutched in one hand and my phone in the other. With a sense of excitement, I scanned the words again, feeling like a teenager in love with their crush. As I entered his number, I changed the contact name to his, savouring the small moment of victory.

Now, faced with the task of responding, a nervous energy settled in. Why had I suddenly become so jittery? He had asked me out; the least I could do was send the first text. Inflating my cheeks with air, I hovered my finger over the text and call buttons beneath his contact.

Should I call him? Would he even be awake at this hour? It's only eight PM; he should be, right? Thoughts and insecurities waltzed in my head, and with a deep breath, I pressed the call button before chickening out.

My phone rang, each ring feeling like an eternity until a warm voice answered, "Hello, Kim Hongjoong speaking. How can I help you?" The politeness in his tone elicited a small, involuntary chuckle from me. "Hey, Hongjoong. It's Y/N," I began, settling into the cosy position in my favourite spot on my sofa, drawing my legs to my chest. "Oh, Y/N! Good evening," he responded, and the slight sound of excitement in his voice sent a delightful shiver through my stomach.

"I called about your note." "Ah, yes. About that. I completely understand if you don't want to," he expressed, a subtle insecurity seeping into his words. "No! Wait, no, not that. I would love to go out with you." I said quickly before he could feel like I did not want to go out with him.

A sigh of relief and a soft laugh echoed on the other end of the phone, and the warmth of his response wrapped around me like a comfortable blanket. "I'm glad. What restaurant did you have in mind?" His question, laced with anticipation, stirred a slight flush in my cheeks. His genuine eagerness to make plans mirrored my own excitement, prompting a soft giggle to escape from me.

"Do you know that cute Italian place near our café?" I asked, curiosity lacing my words. "Ah, yes, I do. Yunho, one of my friends, recently went there with his girlfriend. He went hours on about how delicious the food was." As he spoke, I could hear the faint sounds of him jotting things down, our conversation taking on a more casual and comfortable tone. He shared details of his friend's experience and the amount of dishes they had ordered. Our conversation soon turned into us talking about our favourite foods and what we would love to try in the future.

After about ten delightful minutes, he coughed slightly. "My, we really got off track," he chuckled, and I joined in. "I suppose... I didn't mind, though. You're very interesting, Kim Hongjoong." He released a breathy laugh. "Thank you. You're very interesting yourself. I have a feeling going out with you will be quite an adventure." His words left me blushing. God, he knows just what to say.

"Send me your address; I'll pick you up that day around six?" I hummed in agreement before responding, "That would be lovely. I can't wait." "Me neither. I'll see you then." After bidding our farewells, the moment he hung up, I grabbed the nearest pillow and let out a joyful scream. Making a mental note to share every detail with Seonghwa once I calmed down, I couldn't help but bask in the excitement of the upcoming date.

The much-anticipated day of the date had finally arrived, and I found myself pacing around my house in a frenzy, frantically searching for the perfect outfit, experimenting with various hairstyles and makeup looks. I was practically a ball of stress. Seonghwa, who joined me on FaceTime, couldn't help but laugh at my suffering as I showcased numerous outfit choices.

"Y/N, calm down. He literally met you in your work attire. Any one of those outfits will blow him away. I'm sure of it," Seonghwa reassured me, his words acting as a soothing balm to my nerves. I nodded appreciatively. "Thanks, Hwa. But seriously now. Black or white?" Seonghwa snickered and pointed at the black dress. I hurried into my bathroom, leaving Seonghwa on FaceTime in my room.

After a few minutes, I emerged, donned in a beautiful black dress that hugged my curves just right. "Perfect! He is so going to fall to his knees for you!" Seonghwa playfully exclaimed, his words and jests working their magic to boost my confidence, making me laugh at his attempts to ease my pre-date jitters.

I settled into my desk chair, bringing my phone along to continue chatting with Seonghwa while I worked on my hair and makeup until I was satisfied. Once I completed my beauty routine, I checked the time, realizing it was only twenty minutes away from six. "Oh my god, Hwa! I'll call you after I'm back. It's almost six!"

"Yeah, yeah. If you don't end up spending the night with him, you mean," Seonghwa teased, giving me a playful smirk before laughing and hanging up. “That sneaky... teasing son of a bitch.” I sighed as I tried to shake off the thought, grabbing my handbag and stuffing it with everything I might need for the evening. The anticipation of the upcoming date filled the air, and a mix of excitement and nerves danced in my stomach as I prepared myself mentally.

A few minutes later, the sound of my doorbell echoed through the house, prompting me to hasten a final check in the mirror to ensure I looked just right. Satisfied with my appearance, I made my way to the door, anticipation fluttering in my chest, and swung it open.

There he stood, clad in beige dress trousers paired with a loosely fitted dress shirt and a stylish dark brown vest. His glasses added a touch of intellectual charm, completing the ensemble that made him look like a smart and beautiful book lover. I found myself captivated, as we just stared at each other. And for how long, I couldn't tell, caught in a moment of silent admiration.

"You look... beautiful," he chuckled, breaking the silence. "Thank you. You look very handsome yourself." I replied with a shy smile, accepting his hand as he extended it towards me. He guided me out of my home, even going the extra mile to lock the door behind us.

As we strolled towards his car, he opened the passenger door for me, allowing me to step in. "Such a gentleman," I giggled appreciatively as he closed the door and circled around to settle into the driver's seat.

"Here's my phone. I'll unlock it for you so you can play some music. GPS is already running for the restaurant," he said, handing me his phone before securing his seatbelt. I accepted the device, a bit surprised at the sudden trust vested in me with such a personal belonging. Scrolling through Spotify, I decided to press play on one of his playlists.

The drive to the restaurant unfolded with light talk about our day and other casual topics. Fortunately, the restaurant wasn't far, just a few minutes away.

As he parked, he instructed me to stay put. Retrieving his wallet, he opened the door for me once again. A flustered smile graced my cheeks as I linked my arm with his. He closed the car door and locked it before walking alongside me towards the restaurant.

Once we stepped into the restaurant, the atmosphere embraced us with undeniable romance. The soft melodies, the flicker of candlelight, and the tantalizing aroma of delectable cuisine – they weren't kidding when they said this place was perfect for lovers. Hongjoong wore a proud smirk as the server led us to a window seat, where the table was adorned with the same intimate candlelight and a breathtaking bouquet of red roses.

"Oh, Hongjoong. You shouldn't have," I awed at the flowers. Taking our seats, I delicately cradled the bouquet in my hands. The sweet fragrance of the flowers enveloped my senses as I buried my nose in one of the rose petals, closing my eyes to savour the scent. The subtle click of a camera captured the moment, prompting my eyes to shoot open.

"Sorry, I couldn't resist. You looked so beautiful," Hongjoong confessed shyly, showing me the captured image. It was undeniably beautiful. "Don't apologize. It's cute. Thank you so much for the flowers." I offered him a comforting smile, reaching across the table to gently clasp his hand.

"I figured, why not go all out? I haven't been on a date in years, and you've truly become something to look forward to in my daily routine. So, I just had to at least try and impress you," he said with newfound confidence, interlocking his fingers with mine. His words painted my cheeks with a soft, rosy hue.

"You have no clue how long I've wanted to go out with you." It was my turn to confess, causing Hongjoong's eyes to widen for a second. "Oh? Y/N… I don't bite. You should've just asked me for my number. I would have given it to you in a heartbeat." He chuckled lightly, squeezing my hand. "You have no idea…" I replied with a bright smile, the evening unfolded nicely as we shared small talk once more.

A comfortable atmosphere enveloped us as we delved into conversations spanning from childhood hobbies to our first job experiences and beyond. It felt as if I had known him for years. Eventually, the waiter arrived to take our orders, and Hongjoong, with a charming smile, inquired about my preference for wine, to which I responded with an enthusiastic "Yes, of course." So, he ordered a bottle of fine wine to complement our dinner.

As the evening unfolded, our food arrived, but our conversation continued to flow effortlessly. By the end of the night, I realized that I had reached a level of connection with Hongjoong that had taken three years to achieve with Seonghwa, in comparison to just one evening. We clicked like two perfectly matched puzzle pieces, like two peas in a pod, making this date even more enjoyable and leaving me with a sense of newfound connection and warmth.

"The stars are beautiful tonight," I smiled, leaning my head against Hongjoong's shoulder. After our dinner, we decided to take a small walk, not ready to part ways just yet. "A star can't compare to your beauty," he complimented, giving me a comfortable smile that made me laugh just slightly. "That was so cheesy!" I continued to laugh, holding onto his arm, and he looked at me with a small pout.

"I'm kidding! It was cute. Cheesy, but cute." His smile returned as he gazed into my eyes. Standing alone beneath the moonlight, we looked at each other as we had so many times before, yet this time felt different.

I noticed his eyes flicker to my lips a few times, making me mirror his actions. "Ugh, I'm sorry, but... Can I… Can I kiss you?" Hongjoong asked nervously, almost a whisper. A short silence took over us."Why didn't you ask earlier... I would have given it to you in a heartbeat," I whispered, quoting his words from just a few hours before. His smile widened as he gently brushed a few strands of my loose hair behind my ear.

His hand gently cradled my cheeks as he leaned in, bringing our foreheads together. A smile adorned his lips as our lips finally met. The kiss was a symphony of sweetness, softness, and an overwhelming sense of love. It felt as if we had poured all our emotions into that one, transformative kiss—a kiss that altered the course of our lives, forever.

From a diligent coffee enthusiast and a dedicated barista, they transformed into two souls deeply in love. A promise to love forever.

The end.

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