#when you realize a bit too late that you've eaten way less the day prior than you're supposed to

[sharlmbracta]

fell out of orbit and suffering

[minghaoss-archive]

ukiyo- taeyong(M)

summary : your desperate need to pay off your rent is aided when you come across a job you've no skill for unless.. the assistant chef is willing to step in and help you. With a twisting romance packed with this help that is.

warnings : smut, depiction of physical intimacy.

"So you've never worked in a bakery before?" You shake your head a frantic no in response-you really needed the pay to stay in your rented place which you'd been putting off paying for for months now. "I really need this job, I'll wait the tables if necessary but I really need the job, please-" you try to insist but the man before you(that you learnt was the head chef) looked less than convinced.

"Okay but you have to show me you have the minimal skill to take this job, at least." He gulps as if what he was going to say next would be hard for you to swallow. "I want you to make a gingerbread house in the next," his eyes dart off to his golden hand watch as he estimates a time for you to finish your task, however what delays his answer is the little sound of the kitchen door clanking open, the man's stiff features loosen at whatever the hell just enters the room.

"Taeyong." He beams, making you turn your head back to look at a man with broad shoulders, pitch black hair and an incredibly angular jaw. He ties his apron behind his back deftly, nodding at his boss as he shoots a short glance at you, "Anyways as I was saying, you get to work now, you have around an hour and a half, I really do want to keep you, miss, given your diligence but I cannot afford this bakery its reputation at the expense of keeping you- however since you were so persistent in wanting the job- I hope you don't disappoint me in doing something as basic as the gingerbread house." You grin back at the man as he stands up, "Thank you so much." Relief washes over you like a shower would rinse out your worries at the end of a tiring day.

Albeit, this relief was very short lived because there was one teensy problem-okay, one major, big ass problem-the fact that you didn't know how to make a fucking gingerbread house at all.

"You look like you've seen a ghost." A snort greets you when you reach the kitchen counter, you try not to lose your temper over the fact that the boy had the most smug look on his face, like it's the best shot he's had at someone since elementary school. "Well I'm looking at you, aren't I?" You retort, watching him jut his lip out and frown back at you unconsciously. Way to make a first impression.

"I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. I don't know what I'm doing. I shouldn't have taken it out on you." Taeyong, you recall his name, smiles at this, "I know." He says, "I can tell from the way you're creaming the butter but not putting the cinnamon in the dough mix first," you close your eyes at the correction, you really really needed this job. How the fuck were you going to get through this if you didn't know the basics of a gingerbread house?

"It's okay, don't freak out, I'll help you." He continues before you can answer, "you'll help me?" This question has Taeyong rolling his eyes and fixing his black beret on top of his head. "I thought pointing out that you didn't put the cinnamon slip was a hint, dummie."

Your cheeks flush a cherry red at the obvious implication, Taeyong watches you from the corner of his eye. "Okay so, here's how it's going to be." You nod at his directions , "I'm going to instruct you and you're going to do this, okay? Oh and taste everything. I mean it."

Little by little, from the tips Taeyong gives you, you put together the desired house you're supposed to put up, only a 15 minutes away from your end time.

"Choose a chocolate for your window lining, hurry, white or dark or milk." You tap your chin in rumination, "White?"

"No, choose a mixture of liquefied milk chocolate and white because he'll be able to tell I helped if you use white." He says.

Stubbornly, you throw your hands up in response. "Why'd you ask me if you were going to choose?" You pout unconsciously, Taeyong coughs to cover up the chuckle he cracks, his teeth clambers down on his lip furiously as he bites back a grin.

"No reason." You shake your head, piping down the finishing bits of your house, and soon the timer by your counter rings, marking the entrance of your to-be employer. The steel door to the kitchen makes the stupid clanking noise again, and the lanky head chef scrutinizes your work bit by bit, shooting a glance in Taeyong's way-who by the way, sits on the counter opposite to you- his legs dangling whilst he pretends to look through his phone.

"Okay, presentation wise, it is unexpectedly pleasing but let's put it to taste," he says curling a teaspoon at the down slopes of of the roof and sticking it into his mouth. The man chews with his finger pointed at the ceiling like he was conducting an orchestra, he nods. His furrowed brows decline into their boring slump. His downsloped lips turn up, the senile man beams down at you.

"The taste is consistent-not too chewy or cakey-I'm actually very impressed. I don't see why you shouldn't be hired but you come in from tomorrow, sharp at 7." You suppress a squeal, keeping your grin to a minimum, "Thank you, sir."

The man nods at you, "Taeyong, assist the lady with an apron and her designated attire. I have to run out for the day." He nods again which elicits a semi bow from Taeyong.

You stay rooted to your position until the tick tock of your employer's shoes don't reach your ears anymore, "I might as well wear this apron on my own apron," Taeyong snorts, walking over to you with a bag he pulls out from under the employee's only cabinet. "Here," his eyes dart over your face, his brow raised at the unreadable expression you wear- are you really not happy with the job? Did he make a fool out of himself in trying to help you?- thud

Taeyong almost jumps at the way you leap towards him as you wrap him into a tight hug, he freezes into the touch, his body malfunctioning at the feeling of your warmth- "Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you," you mumble whilst he awkwardly pats your head, suffering from an inability to stop himself from smiling, he too starts to realize that there was heat rising to his face. Was he blushing? Jesus Christ. "Okay, okay, get off now,"

You grin back at him as you pull away, Taeyong tries his best not to meet your eyes, hoping that the furious blush would just go away.

"Taeyong?" His name sounds foreign when you say it, he thinks, has anyone ever said his name like that?

"Yeah?" His gaze looks past you whilst he wipes his hands on his apron. "Why did you help me?" Taeyong shifts from one foot to another, looking at the white tiled floor in deep thought, he gulps,

"Because I'm inherently nice?" His lie doesn't go unnoticed but you don't push it, not that you can, because Taeyong diverts the subject of your conversation at the speed of light. "You will come early or stay back late so I can teach you, otherwise you'll screw up big time, okay?" He prescribes his advice to you with a friendly smile, pressing his index finger to your forehead and taking a step back while he does it.

"What are you doing?" Your laugh resonates in the vacant kitchen, "Making sure you don't jump me like a raccoon again, you wild animal." he grins eliciting a groan from you whilst you try to smack his hand away.

....

You take your bitter coffee in a flask and make your way sluggishly to your workplace, an hour early- as Taeyong suggested when you started working there prior 6 month from now.

Your journey at the bakery was bittersweet, bitter because you had to work long hours, sweet because your co workers weren't actually that bad.

Moreover, you'd grown a keen interest towards Taeyong(and from your deductions, so did he- or so you were told by your colleagues).

There was apparently a tangible tension in the air when you two were there, you weren't sure which part of bossing you around was a romance novel build up but you'd not have the courage to find out either because well, you were a wimp and you feared that admitting to such an interest would ruin your friendship with him. A friendship which was pleasant, comfortable and rare. A friendship which prevailed your pursuit of approaching him with a romantic interest in mind.

You smile at the reminiscence of a day you got Taeyong to be happy with the outcome you had with baking Indian style sweets. You recall spotting the grown man snacking on one of the white rolled rasgullas whilst making them, you knew Taeyong had a liking for sweets but catching him red handed had a thrill to it.

His cheeks puffed up as he chewed on the delight but when he realized that you were looking back at him, the man looked at you with widened eyes, his half eaten meal made him look like a pufferfish, as he stared back at you in horror. You reached out and wiped the corner of Taeyong's mouth. His body remained, still frozen in place, "You got a little something there,thief,"

You remember Taeyong sheepishly smiling at you after, rubbing the nape of his reddened neck. The day, now, a hazy memory at the back of your head, you don't recall much, except that you were happy that day and you were happy because of Taeyong.

Perhaps it's a little ironic how the human memory functions, you only remember stuff you'd rather forget, because see you spent days thinking about how his lip felt under your fingers and from the way he flushed at the touch. You'd presumed it had a lasting impact on him too.

But there was a slim chance that he thought of you in any other way other than just a friend, right? You shake your head at your own contemplation, rejecting the thoughts of Taeyong's smile from creeping into your head.

You place your flask down on one of the counters, attempting to take your jacket off when one of your co-workers, Johnny approaches you, wiping his flour covered palm to his forehead. "I could really have a sip," he laughs, eyeing your bottle playfully. You nod offering him the flask.

" You've got a little stuff on your forehead too," You giggle and Johnny furiously wipes his forehead again, rather getting more flour smeared on the skin than before, “Well, that didn’t help.” You point your phone’s front camera at him.

"You know what let me just wash up and come back," he says,

"but Johnny," the tall man leans back midway from his venture to the washroom. "Where is Taeyong?" "Probably in the staff room, he was showing one of the new female staffs around," you frown at your colleage's back.

Your mind races to presume what Taeyong may have been doing, was this how he treated everyone when they joined? He'd never told you why he helped you in the first place. Was she prettier? Will Taeyong not spend much time with you as much as he used to? - "Hey," your gaze halts over Taeyong's familiar features and the new staff by him, who by the way, makes you feel like an insecure puddle because of the way she twists her shiny hair and giggles at the slightest remark Taeyong makes.

"This is uh our new staff, she could learn a thing or two from us," you open your mouth to say something but close it in second thought. You resort to offering your hand in exchange of a swallowed remark, rendering the stranger a tight lipped smile. "Nice to meet you." The stranger reciprocates your warm greeting, eyes darting off to Taeyong, who takes your flask from the counter, and eyes it suspiciously.

"I have to go to the pantry," she says to you but her gaze remains fixated on the raven haired boy, you grit your teeth,the petulant child in you brimming with envy.

"Did you save some for me?" Johnny shouts over the counter,breaking you from your train of thoughts, referring to the coffee, you presume. He stands up from his position, looking at you from between the steel shelves across.

"Ye-" Taeyong uncaps the flask and chugs it down. His face scrunches up in disgust once the bitter liquid slides down his throat. "Jesus fucking Christ." He shrugs, nose crinkling as he noticeably cringes. Taeyong hates unsweetened things, coffee being one of which. "Oh, God. Sorry, Johnny, I was just so thirsty." The taller male rolls his eyes at the assistant chef's transparent dramatics, getting back to his pastry batter instead.

You shake your head, maybe telling Taeyong about your feelings wasn't a bad idea.

You look for the perfect time, deciding to pick the late slot in your daily apprenticeship.

The clock strikes midnight, leaving you two alone in the kitchen. You watch Taeyong roll the dorayaki dough, as you are going to be working with Japanese sweets. You're immersed in the way his broad shoulders shifts with each press or push. "Taeyong?" You sit atop one of the stools at the counters. He hums in response, urging you to continue.

"Do you think the new girl's cute?" He turns his head and looks at you with one of his brows raised, "Why would you ask me such a weird question?"

You roll your eyes, throwing your head back briefly. Getting an answer out of Taeyong is quite nearly impossible sometimes. "Yes or no."

He stops, "I think so? Yeah." You stand up, catching his attention. "Is that why you helped her?" Taeyong turns to you fully now, one of his jests sitting at the tip of his tongue. "Why? You jealous?"

He expects you to laugh, or cuss at him like you always do but you don't. Your face is his interrogation ground, his pitch black orbs flit across your face in a failed attempt to map out your thoughts.

Apprehension holds him tight as he uncaps his water bottle, sipping it slowly to swallow down the lump in his throat. "Yes." Taeyong coughs with his palm patting at his chest.

You near him with narrowed eyes, until his back's pressed up against the steel counter, his palms support him as he pushes his head back. Your hands are only a few inches away from his. "One more question." His eyes widens at the proximity. "Why did you help me?"

When he doesn't answer as fast as you'd like, you push his buttons further. "You're not gonna tell me. Huh." You tap your chin falsely, "Maybe, I should tell Johnny to pick me up and buy me a meal, I'm so hungry-"

"I like you. I thought you were cute. I liked you when I first saw you so..I wanted to help you." Your brows shoot upwards, satisfied with his answer, you push yourself away. "Good." Taeyong lets a long held breath go. "I'd kiss you by now, if you weren't such a wimp."

"We..need anko." He says, a bright red blush biting at his cheeks at your comment. His mind is wound up on how warm, delicate you are.

"I'll get it." You say, biting back a giggle and jogging out of the place.

Contemplation is a stupid concept, Taeyong thinks. Screwing up his dough for the umpteenth time. Japanese sweets are all about consistency and undivided attention-none of the luxuries that Taeyong could afford at the moment.

He was so distracted. Firstly, because you made him ridiculously admit that he had a big fat crush on you. He clicks his tongue at the reminder, never mind that.

Secondly, it was raining cats and dogs and there was no sign of you. He shifts from foot to foot, letting his ruminations take the best of him. Should he go out and check? You didn't even take your phone. He makes a mental note to scold you for your callousness.

However, to put an end to his worries, the silver door is pushed open with an acrid clank. He watches you grumble under your breath, you set the brown packet of anko on the counter and continue to peel the wet jacket off of your face whilst it seems to stick to you like second skin.

Taeyong steals a towel from the napkin holders and begins to wipe at your wet head. He listens intently to your muffled complaints, only to chuckle when you pause to catch your breath during your lengthy vent.

When he pulls the towel from your face, he's introduced to a pouty you, "It's all your fault." He laughs at the accusation, pointing at himself playfully. "Huh. You're right. Next time I'll ask the rain to pour a little late." He groans when you slap his arm in response.

"Besides, you ambushed me. You deserve it." His towel covered palms wipe softly at your face. The fabric rubs at the corner of your mouth. It's as if the pair of you are transfixed in the moment, stuck in a time lapse. The universe stops existing around you for a second. Taeyong looks at the color of your lips, soft, they seem. He could kiss you right now. He really could.

"Taeyong?"

He hums, gaze still fixated on your lips. "Kiss me." There's a sudden mischievous glint in Taeyong's eyes as he drapes the towel over your face. You groan, pulling it away. "You're such a fucking child." You're barely functioning as the warmth of his digits cradle your jaw. "A child! What kind of a child.." you can feel his cool breath bite at your skin, warmth radiates off of his lithe body. "would do this?"

Kissing Taeyong is unlike any other experience, it makes your toes curl and stomach erupts with butterflies. He kisses you slowly, his hands skimming your skin like he wants all of it for himself. It's you who deepens the kiss, eliciting a groan from him in response. His fingers travel down to your bum, and he pushes you up on the counter. "Your clothes are..wet." he says, digits pulling at your buttons.