“So, I heard you and Jongin are best friends now.” Sehun is looking at his screen as he talks, hours later after nearly getting fired during the very heated talk he had with Junmyeon in the latter’s office as soon as he arrived.
“What are you talking about?” Kyungsoo sighs, stapling another pile of sheets together.
Sometimes he regrets agreeing to share the same work space with Sehun at the office, especially when Sehun is having his moody days and is giving him an attitude for seemingly no reason.
“Junmyeon said he caught you two in the coffee room earlier.” His best friend looks up from his screen, lifting one accusing eyebrow.
Kyungsoo scoffs, shaking his head and pressing the stapler with more force than necessary. “We were just grabbing a coffee.”
“Yeah, okay.” Sehun rolls his eyes and Kyungsoo tightens his grip on the stapler so he doesn’t throw it at Sehun’s head.
As if on cue, Jongin walks out of his office, his eyes trained on the paper he’s holding in his hands. Several heads snap up at his appearance, stopping whatever they were doing in order to stare at Jongin walking through the office.
Sehun squints his eyes and observes the man until he’s out of sight. Kyungsoo just sighs at his behavior, like he’s expecting Jongin to pull out a knife and attack him any moment. Sehun stares at the space where Jongin disappeared around the corner for a while before he suddenly freezes and turns to look at Kyungsoo with wide eyes.
“I just had the best idea.”
“No.”
“Soo!” Sehun looks determined as he gets up from his seat to walk over to where Kyungsoo is sitting and trying to work. “I know how we can save the orphanage.”
“No-” Kyungsoo stops, only belatedly making sense of Sehun’s words. He slowly looks up and gives Sehun a dubious look. “We’re not kidnapping the Kims.”
“What?” Sehun looks disturbed for a moment. “What is wrong with you?”
Kyungsoo shrugs and presses the stapler down for the last pile of sheets.
“I’m thinking about Jongin.” Sehun mumbles quietly, leaning closer.
“Good for you.” Kyungsoo huffs. “So is everyone else.”
“Will you shut up for a second?!” His best friend hisses before rolling his eyes and leaning even closer, like he’s about to tell him a huge secret. “Look, since you and Jongin are best friends now, for which, fuck you-“
“Not best friends.”
“Whatever. Seriously though. You need to become friends with him.”
“No.”
“Kyungsoo! He’s our only option at this point! If you manage to be friends with him, you can tell him about the orphanage and he will convince his parents to break the deal.”
They look at each other quietly for a couple of seconds while Kyungsoo toys with the idea.
He doesn’t like it.
“No.”
“Why not?!” Sehun groans and closes his eyes in frustration. “Give me one good reason why you think it’s not a good idea!”
“I’m not going to use anyone like that.” Kyungsoo frowns at him. “Also, did you forget that I can’t really talk to people? Let alone make them want to be my friend.”
“Okay, first of all, we’re talking about a Kim here, okay? Do you seriously think he’d think twice about using someone if it was for his own benefit?” Sehun raises his eyebrows at him. “His parents are buying an orphanage! They are well aware that those kids are going to be practically homeless because of them and they don’t give a single fuck! Why should you care about that prick’s feelings?”
Kyungsoo takes a deep breath and reaches for his water bottle, taking a big gulp. “I’m still not going to do it. We’ll find another way.”
“No we won’t. This is as good as it’s going to get.” Sehun takes the bottle away from him. “You know the 20th anniversary celebration on Friday? The Dinner? That’s our chance. We always go out for drinks after dinners like that. I’ll get Chanyeol to make sure that Jongin comes too. That’s your chance to talk to him.”
“I’m going home after the dinner though.”
“No, you’re not! Hey, don’t even think about that! You’ll have a couple of drinks, you’ll loosen up and then you’re going to fucking talk to Jongin and make him fall in love with you.”
“Are you an idiot?” Kyungsoo’s head snaps up at Sehun’s words. “Forget it, why am I even talking to you?” He gets up and grabs the documents to hand them over to Jongdae.
Sehun follows him and Kyungsoo clenches the documents harder in frustration. “Okay, maybe the falling in love part was a bit exaggerated but, come on Kyungsoo, you have to admit that it’s a good idea. At least give it a try! Hey, come on, stop.” Sehun holds his arm and stops him from walking. His face softens into something more serious. “You don’t have enough money to help them forever, Kyungsoo; and I’m practically broke too... I care about those kids too, okay? If you have a better idea, great, but I really doubt you have one.”
Kyungsoo glares at Sehun some more before his shoulders sag. His head’s pounding again because Sehun is an idiot but he’s also right. Kyungsoo doesn’t have another idea, in three months the orphanage will be the Kim’s property and Kyungsoo will have to watch the kids get placed in different foster homes that will treat them like property as well. It breaks his heart just imagining Naeun getting separated from Taeil, how scared she’ll be to be torn away from Seulgi and Joohyun and Soojin.
Kyungsoo won’t even be able to visit them anymore.
“Why don’t you do it?” Kyungsoo asks tiredly.
“Hell, no.” Sehun snorts. “I hate that guy too much to even try and smile in his direction.”
Kyungsoo sighs then, thinking it all through, over and over when suddenly Jongin walks past them again. He watches Jongin’s back, watches the way Yerim from Human Resources blushes when he passes her desk and thinks that this idea is just destined to not work out.
How is someone like Kyungsoo even supposed to approach someone like Jongin who doesn’t even give pretty girls like Yerim the light of the day?
“So, are you going to do it?”
But this isn’t about him. It’s about those innocent children who have already been through way too much and they simply don’t deserve a fate like this.
“I’ll... I will try.” He groans after saying it out loud, ignoring the way Sehun fist pumps the air. “But I’m not going to make a fool out of myself, okay?”
“Yeah, okay, that’s all I wanted to hear. I’m going to help and I’m pretty sure Baekhyun will be ecstatic to help us too.” Sehun throws an arm around Kyungsoo’s shoulder as he guides them towards Jongdae’s office. “He always has amazing ideas.”
“Please don’t get Baekhyun involved.” He mumbles miserably.
Sehun just laughs and Kyungsoo already feels sick, wondering what he just got himself into.
Sehun never listens to Kyungsoo.
Because he does get Baekhyun involved.
And Kyungsoo just knows he should’ve stood his ground and said no.
“Alright look. I’ve already talked to Chanyeol. Apparently Miyoung and Amber already reserved a VIP area at this new club-“
“What club?” Sehun asks. “The new one?”
Baekhyun gives him a smug smirk.
Sehun and him high five each other and Kyungsoo just wants to leave.
“Anyway, as I was saying; Chanyeol’s going to make sure to drag Jongin along. Once we’re there, Sehun and I are going to drive everyone away that might catch Jongin’s attention so Kyungsoo won’t have any competition.”
Kyungsoo sighs and pushes his cold coffee away. They’re sitting at the café at the building next to their office and all Kyungsoo wants to do is go back to his apartment and sleep and pretend that none of this is happening.
“I don’t think I’m up for it anymore.” He mutters.
“But why?” Baekhyun whines. “I’ve planned this through so well...”
He looks genuinely hurt and Kyungsoo can’t help feeling bad all of a sudden. He knows he shouldn’t fall for it, Baekhyun’s really good at convincing people hence why he’s the one who does all the talking during meetings when it’s about getting something from other companies. “It’s not your plan. I just can’t do it. I barely know what to talk about with you guys, how... how am I supposed to make someone like Jongin want to spend time with me?”
“I’ve already considered that too. Since both of you are so quiet and awkward-“ Baekhyun laughs nervously when Kyungsoo glares at him. “I mean... shy. Whatever, that’ll give you something to bond over. I’ve read somewhere that introverted people feel scared when they’re around someone who’s loud and obnoxious.”
“Like you?” Kyungsoo asks flatly and Sehun bursts out laughing while Baekhyun just looks offended.
“I’ll ignore that.” Baekhyun huffs. “Look, the only thing you have to do is play along. I’ll make sure he comes and talks to you first since you’re so fucking scared of starting a conversation.”
“I don’t get it. Why are you helping me? I thought you wanted to... get into Jongin’s pants. Why aren’t you using the dinner to try and talk to him instead?”
Baekhyun shrugs, chuckling. “I guess I’m not that into running circles around someone just to get their attention for more than a second. There’s plenty people out there that would give anything to date someone like me.”
“You’re just sour because he’s not interested and that’s bruising your ego.” Sehun snorts.
“I don’t fucking care, okay? It’s his loss. I’m going on a date with Taeyeon next week anyway so screw Kim Jongin, honestly.” Baekhyun takes a deep breath and pushes his chair back. “Are we done here?”
Kyungsoo stands up and grabs his jacket, not really getting why he agreed to all of this.
He never thought being desperate would make him agree to one of Baekhyun’s stupid plans.
“You’re not going to back out, right?” Baekhyun frowns at Kyungsoo and the latter shakes his head when Sehun gives him an expectant look. “Great! Oh, I’ll have to check your outfit before the dinner since you don’t have any sense of fashion. No offense.”
“None taken.” Kyungsoo huffs, shrugging his coat on. “But that won’t be necessary. I’m not trying to impress him.”
“Uhm... Yes, you do? We’re talking about Kim Jongin. That guy isn’t friends with just anyone.”
“He’s friends with Chanyeol.” Kyungsoo frowns.
Sehun sighs and Baekhyun shakes his head at him. “What did Chanyeol ever do to you?”
“Nothing. I’m just saying, he drinks water from the tap like a dog...” Kyungsoo shrugs when his friends give him a judging look.
“Don’t say those things in front of Jongin, okay? He might get the notion that you’re an asshole.”
Kyungsoo stares at Baekhyun and the latter shrugs his shoulders innocently. “Just saying, my dear friend.”
He hates dinner parties.
Kyungsoo doesn’t like any form of social events but he especially dislikes nights like these. Nights where people from his work place are involved because suddenly, everyone is dropping formalities and getting drunk and embarrassing themselves, only to walk around with their heads lowered in shame at the office for the following couple of days.
Not that Kyungsoo has done anything like that but people like Baekhyun and Jongdae or even Sehun could write an entire book about it.
Their last dinner party had been the Christmas dinner a year ago. Kyungsoo went home after the dinner was over but, of course, most of the employees went to a bar or club afterwards. From what Kyungsoo heard, it ended up being a complete disaster.
Sehun actually shed some tears after telling him that he tried to make advances on Junmyeon. He was clinging to him so much people had to pull him off the man. Those two couldn’t stand each other at work before that and now it’s just that more awkward. He remembers Sehun hiding for an entire month every time he would spot Junmyeon somewhere around the office, until the CFO pulled Sehun aside and told him to quit being a baby about the situation, that he was ready to forget it if Sehun was and well, that was it.
They’re currently sitting at the table in the middle of the restaurant, listening to several executive employees talk about their path to success over the past twenty years.
Kyungsoo claps whenever it’s expected and nods his head along politely, despite not really listening to the words that were leaving anyone’s mouth.
The CEO’s and personal assistants as well as the shareholders all sit on one side of the table while the general employees are seated on the other side as if to remind everyone where their place in the world is.
Baekhyun whispers into his ear to look to his right and when Kyungsoo does he spots Jongin entering the restaurant. He is followed by several other people who Kyungsoo recognizes to be his family.
He’s confused at first until he remembers that Jongin’s father is Taemin’s uncle and thus his deceased father’s brother so it’s only logical for them to be also present tonight.
Kyungsoo has seen Jongin’s parents before but now it’s different. Now it makes the fine hairs at his nape stand up when Jongin’s father smiles at the waitress that offers to take their coats.
“They look like they’re using dollar bills to shower.” Sehun scoffs while eyeing the pearls on Jongin’s mother’s ears, or the diamond pendant on her chest. They’re a stunning family, there’s no other way to describe it. Looking at Jongin’s parents, it’s very clear where the boy got those great genes from. “I hate him.”
“Calm down.” Kyungsoo sighs and tries to be subtle about the way he watches them approach the table. How everyone instantly stands up to bow, almost like they’re a royal family.
Jongin looks uncomfortable and Kyungsoo wonders if he’s just trying to come across as humble or if the boy just really doesn’t like the treatment.
Kyungsoo sure as hell wouldn’t appreciate being treated like that.
They sit down next to Taemin who stands up to hug his uncle tightly, smiling brightly at Jongin’s beautiful mother and ruffling Jongin’s hair like he’s his little brother.
It’s just so odd, how they seem to be unapproachable for people like Kyungsoo while they seem to be like any other normal family when they’re around each other.
Kyungsoo doesn’t realize he’s staring until Jongin has sat down and his eyes flicker up to focus on Kyungsoo right away, their gazes locking. Jongin presses his lips together, nodding his head in a silent greeting and Kyungsoo almost chokes on his breath upon getting caught. He nods hastily his head before furiously staring down at his lap.
What the hell is he even doing?
“Smooth.” Sehun chuckles next to him and Kyungsoo grumbles a curse under his breath which only makes his friend laugh harder.
“You need to smile a bit more.” Baekhyun mutters from beside him when everyone has settled down and is busy chatting with their seat neighbor while waiting for the food to arrive. “You’re scaring people off with your frown.”
“Good.”
Baekhyun rolls his eyes and scans him from head to toe. “You look really good, you know.“ Baekhyun reaches a hand to move a stray strand of hair on Kyungsoo’s head. He fixed Kyungsoo’s hair too and Kyungsoo’s pretty sure that not even a freaking hurricane could destroy his hairstyle with how much unfamiliar hair products Baekhyun used on him.
“Thanks.“ Kyungsoo mutters, reaching for his glass of water just as his eyes catch Jongin’s from across the table. The boy is listening to something Taemin is whispering into his ear but his eyes are focused on Kyungsoo, flickering over his hair and features like he’s scanning him. Kyungsoo gives him a confused look and averts his eyes. He suddenly can’t help but wonder if Jongin knows about his plan, if Chanyeol told him about it.
He ignores the way Baekhyun snickers behind his hand, obviously having seen the weird scene.
The rest of the dinner goes by rather sluggishly. The food’s great but it feels like everyone’s waiting for it to be over so they can go get drunk or just go home and sleep (which would be Kyungsoo if he didn’t have a task to take care of tonight). It’s stressing him way too much. He doesn’t do things like this a lot, can’t even remember the last time he went to a bar let alone a club.
He just feels they’re too old for that stuff but obviously his friends disagree.
“Where are you going?” Sehun asks when he pushes his chair back.
“Restroom. You want to come with me?” He asks sarcastically but Sehun actually starts to push his chair back. “I was joking.”
Sehun sits back down. “Oh. Well... sorry, it’s hard to tell with you having the same expression all the time.” Sehun grins up at him innocently and swears under his breath when Kyungsoo pinches his arm where no one can see.
On his way back from the restroom Kyungsoo manages to draw a lot of unwanted attention to himself.
He’s fixing his tie just as a waitress walks out of the kitchen and Kyungsoo sees her shoes but he doesn’t have enough time to step aside. She suddenly turns around, a huge tray full of delicate wine glasses balanced on her palm.
The sound of the glasses shattering on the floor makes everyone in the restaurant jump and stop whatever they were doing. Every head turns in their direction while Kyungsoo and the waitress are looking at the mess with wide eyes.
“I- I’m so sorry!” Kyungsoo rushes out and he kneels down to... he doesn’t even know what the hell he’s trying to do. It’s not like he has something to clean it all up. He feels everyone’s eyes on him and he’s already sweating through his shirt and this is exactly why he avoids nights like these.
Everyone’s already standing, gathered around the tables, waiting for the wine to be served and Kyungsoo is standing in the middle of it all, making a fool of himself as per usual.
The waitress assures him that it’s fine until Kyungsoo finally gives up and walks back to his friends with burning cheeks, cursing himself for being such a klutz.
“Way to go, Soo.” Jongdae cackles. “You sure know how to draw attention to yourself, huh?”
“Stop it.” Miyoung - Jongdae’s co-worker in their department - hisses at him. “You okay, Kyungsoo?”
He nods quietly and before he has time to collect his thoughts or will himself to stop from blushing like a little kid, someone taps him on the shoulder. He turns his head to find Taemin standing there.
“Are you guys enjoying the night?” He asks the other employees and they all enthusiastically nod their heads like they’re telling someone that their food is great when it really makes them want to barf, just to spare their feelings. “Good. Kyungsoo, do you have a minute?”
Kyungsoo bites his tongue, expecting his boss to pull him aside and scold him for embarrassing him in front of all those important people. “Of course.”
“I want to introduce you to someone.” Taemin explains quietly as he guides Kyungsoo away from the table. Kyungsoo is confused to say the least. There’s no reason for Taemin to want to introduce him to anyone. Kyungsoo is probably one of the most insignificant employees at their company. “You were lucky, huh?”
“What?”
“I mean wine stains are pretty much impossible to get out.” Taemin chuckles and points at Kyungsoo’s white shirt, obviously referencing to Kyungsoo’s embarrassing encounter from before.
“Right.” Kyungsoo laughs nervously. He really wants to slam his head into a wall.
He realizes where he’s being lead when he sees Jongin standing at the table Taemin is guiding him towards. He’s with his parents, a glass of wine in his hands and Kyungsoo feels his own hands begin to sweat for some reason.
They turn their heads when Taemin and him arrive at the table and Kyungsoo tries not flinch when Jongin’s parents give him a not so subtle once over. He suddenly feels like there was a dress code and he ended up dressing up inappropriately.
His eyes flicker up to meet Jongin’s and it’s ridiculous because he doesn’t know the boy all that well but Jongin’s faint smile makes him feel a little less tense.
“This is Do Kyungsoo.” Taemin introduces him. “He’s been working for us for two years now. Kyungsoo, this is my uncle Kim Youngho, you surely know about him.”
“Of course.” Kyungsoo quickly bows. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“The pleasure’s all mine.” Kim Youngho answers with a polite smile and Kyungsoo can’t help but feel like he’s wasting the man’s time. Kyungsoo tries to see if the man recognizes him which is stupid, of course he wouldn’t. They’ve never met before but Kyungsoo desperately wants the man to know that he’s currently causing him and his loved ones a lot of sorrow.
That the orphanage means the world to him and he’s stepping on it like it’s nothing but a piece of dirty gum underneath the soles of his expensive Italian dress shoes.
“Uncle, you know the deal with Madrid around last year’s September?” Taemin asks and the man nods his head without a beat.
“Of course I do. The deal was a great success for both our companies.” He affirms. Kyungsoo’s heart is beating a little too fast in his chest. He looks at Jongin only to find the boy still staring at him. He gulps nervously and Jongin smiles again, almost like he knows how Kyungsoo’s feeling.
“Well, we owe it all to this man right here.” Taemin clasps his shoulder again and Kyungsoo watches the surprise take over their faces. “Kyungsoo was in contact with them for a couple of months before he managed to convince them to agree to the deal. He’s a huge support to the company.”
“Really?” The look on Kim Youngho’s face suddenly changes and the man looks impressed. “That is very impressive Mr. Do.”
Kyungsoo wants to laugh. Is it really this easy to gain respect from people like them?
“I just did my job, Sir.” Kyungsoo clears his throat nervously when he notices all of them smiling at him approvingly.
He really just wants to go back to the others.
“And you did it exceptionally well. My brother was trying to do business with our colleagues from Madrid for a long while before we lost him.” Kyungsoo looks down at his feet for a moment, not really knowing what to say when he sees a flicker of sadness in the man’s eyes. “I’m hoping to hear more of you in the future, Mr. Do.” Jongin’s father suddenly reaches his hand out and Kyungsoo is taken aback for a moment.
He doesn’t want to shake that man’s hand.
He wants him to drop the deal and apologize for even considering taking away those children’s home.
But he grips the hand being offered to him, shaking it once with a tight grip. “I will do my best.”
“Alright then. Enjoy the rest of your night, Kyungsoo.” Taemin smiles at him and so do Jongin’s parents before they turn around to greet other people that were standing behind them like they were waiting for their turn to talk to them.
Kyungsoo takes a deep breath and notices that Jongin is still standing there.
That he’s still staring at Kyungsoo.
“There’s something on my face again, isn’t there?” He asks flatly, bringing his hand up to rub away whatever it is.
Jongin looks confused for a moment but then he chuckles, shaking his head. “No, no you’re fine.”
Kyungsoo nods and takes in Jongin’s appearance; from the way his hair is slicked back so effortlessly, how the suit is hugging him in all the right places. It almost seems like Jongin was born to live a life like this, like anything else wouldn’t do him justice.
“I was right, you know.” Jongin suddenly says and Kyungsoo realizes he’s been standing there without saying a word which probably wouldn’t be considered normal.
“Right about what?” His eyes move around uneasily, spotting all the employees that are staring at him with confusion. Why did Do Kyungsoo out of all people got introduced to the Kim’s and is now talking to Jongin?
That’s probably what’s running through their minds.
“You’re really clumsy.”
Kyungsoo frowns up at him, feeling his nape prickle again with embarrassment. “I never said I wasn’t.”
But Jongin shakes his head and he leans a little closer, putting the glass of wine down on the table between them. “I’m sorry. It wasn’t that bad, really.”
“Yes, it was.” Kyungsoo snorts.
“Honestly, it could’ve happened to anyone.”
“Wouldn’t have happened to you, though.” Kyungsoo mumbles.
“I once spilled red wine on one of my dad’s potential business partners’ white shirt.” He says and he looks down at his wrist watch, not meeting Kyungsoo’s eyes anymore. It’s now that Kyungsoo remembers that Jongin - according to the boy himself - isn’t really comfortable with talking to people either.
“What happened then?” He asks. He catches Sehun’s and Baekhyun’s eyes from across the room. Baekhyun looks ecstatic, giving him thumbs up, while Sehun looks at Jongin with distrust on his face.
A group of interns are staring at them as well, whispering, definitely giggling about how ridiculous Kyungsoo must look standing beside Kim Jongin. One of the male interns cocks his head to the side and licks his lips suggestively, a sly smirk spreading on his face and Kyungsoo’s eyes widen. He knows the action was directed at Jongin who just taps his fingers against his glass and turns his eyes back to Kyungsoo.
Kyungsoo can’t really believe that people have the nerve to do things like that.
“He left without signing the contract.” Jongin says and it takes Kyungsoo a second to remember what they were talking about. “And my dad took my gameboy away from me for an entire week.”
Kyungsoo laughs without really meaning to and it makes Jongin give him a strange look.
Before Kyungsoo can read too much into it though Chanyeol appears behind Jongin, throwing his arms around the boy and hugging him his chest tightly.
“Hey Kyungsoo!” Chanyeol greets him loudly. Kyungsoo greets him back with furrowed eyebrows, wondering if Chanyeol might’ve already had too much wine.
Jongin grunts when Chanyeol squeezes him tighter. “My parents are watching.” He mutters which makes the other man finally let go of him.
True enough, Kyungsoo finds that Jongin’s mother is watching their table like a hawk. Kyungsoo honestly doesn’t know who he finds more intimidating, Jongin’s powerful father or his mother that could definitely make anyone feel like a rat with just her gaze.
“We’re about to leave for the club so I’d say you guys go and grab your coats.” Chanyeol winks at Kyungsoo.
“I can’t, I have to drive my parents home.” Jongin says and Kyungsoo feels panic rise his in his chest. This is probably the only time he can actually try and get to know the boy because on Monday there won’t be any liquid courage in his system that’ll help him get the words out that he usually swallows down.
Time’s running out too. He needs Jongin’s help as soon as possible or else they’re going to start assigning the kids to different families and Kyungsoo just can’t let that happen.
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll have my chauffeur drive them home.” Chanyeol says, smiling at Kyungsoo like he can read his mind.
Jongin looks like he’s about to protest but Chanyeol doesn’t let him. “Come on man, it’s Friday night! Don’t leave me hanging here.” His eyes move around between Jongin and Kyungsoo. “Kyungsoo here is coming too, right?”
They’re both looking at Kyungsoo now and something about Jongin’s gaze makes him feel a little uneasy. “Yes.” He doesn’t get why Chanyeol felt the need to point that out or how it would convince Jongin.
“Are we ready to go?” The rest of his friends are suddenly gathered around the table. Sehun slings an arm around Kyungsoo’s shoulder while smiling at Jongin a little too brightly to be considered genuine. Jongin only furrows his eyebrows at Sehun which makes his friend hold him a little tighter.
Kyungsoo has to try really hard to refrain himself from rolling his eyes.
“Our Jonginnie is being a little stubborn again.” Chanyeol says which makes said boy shoot him a glare.
Baekhyun suddenly walks forward and grabs Jongin’s arm and starts dragging him away. “We’re all going to bond tonight and have lots of fun.”
“Wait.“ Jongin shakes Baekhyun off and starts straightening his suit. "I can’t just leave without saying goodbye.“ He eyes the crowd of businessmen chatting around in the room.
“You’re not seriously going to-“ Baekhyun huffs when Jongin starts walking through the crowd, putting on a polite smile as he starts squeezing everyone’s hands.
“This might take a while.“ Chanyeol chuckles, clearly amused.
“Fucking hell. Let’s go.“ Baekhyun grips Kyungsoo’s arm to guide him towards the exit of the restaurant.
While Jongin is busy fulfilling his role as Kim Youngho’s son inside, Kyungsoo and a bunch of others from the office are waiting outside in the cold for the cabs to arrive.
“He’s too fucking perfect.” Baekhyun sighs, a little cloud puffing out of his mouth from the cold around them.
“Who?”
“Who could I possibly mean?” Baekhyun rolls his eyes and nods his head towards the restaurant. “Kim fucking Jongin.”
“I thought you were after Taeyeon now.” Kyungsoo hums and Baekhyun shakes his head.
“Don’t get me wrong, I am.” He shrugs. “That fucker just makes it hard to hate him.”
“Don’t tell me you’re in love with him.”
“Hell no. He’s too difficult, honestly. I want something easy.”
Kyungsoo looks at him accusingly. “Are you seriously calling Taeyeon easy?”
Baekhyun snorts and shakes his head and it’s probably the first time Kyungsoo has ever seen Baekhyun so serious.
“I meant someone easy to love.”
Jongin joins them just as Baekhyun finishes speaking, making the girls fix their hair and bat their eyelashes at him while he looks nothing but tired. Kyungsoo just watches it happen like it’s a movie but it’s not.
It’s real and it’s absurd.
They spread out into the cabs after that and for some reason, Baekhyun’s words don’t leave his mind for the entire ride.
The club is bursting at the seams when they arrive.
It’s to be expected though, since it’s a Friday night and the club only opened its doors a week ago.
Amber apparently has a few connections which is why she managed to book VIP booths for them as well as get them on the guest list. Kyungsoo feels bad when they walk inside because there’s a ridiculously long line in front of the door with girls in short dresses trembling from the cold and the guys giving them dirty looks as they pass them.
What surprises him the most though is the few persons who - while waiting in line - take out their phones to snap pictures of Jongin, cat call and reach out to touch him like he’s a celebrity.
Chanyeol stands close to Jongin’s back and shields him from the view, preventing people from taking pictures of his face.
Kyungsoo suddenly doesn’t feel good about this entire plan.
How is this fair to Jongin? It’s not like he has ever done anything to deserve being used like this.
It’s his parents that Kyungsoo wants to give a piece of his mind.
“Hey, stop that.” Sehun whispers into his ear once they’re inside, waiting for Amber to handle the guards in front of the VIP area.
“What?”
“Stop thinking.” Sehun says. “You’re worrying again. There’s nothing to worry about tonight.”
Kyungsoo sighs and follows his friends into the booths that are booked for them. Sehun purposefully tugs him into the one where Chanyeol sits down with Jongin, earning dirty looks from their female colleagues who obviously wanted to use their chance tonight to get closer to Jongin as well.
Only they definitely have less innocent goals in mind.
Then again, would Kyungsoo’s motives be considered innocent too if not compared to the ones of those women?
Probably not.
“Alright, let’s order some shots!” Baekhyun is quick to exclaim once he spots the worried lines on Kyungsoo’s forehead. “First round’s on me.”
Kyungsoo can handle his alcohol well, so the first few rounds of drinks don’t get to him.
He just watches the night progress and it makes him feel sick for whole other reasons than the gin tonic he’s currently sipping on.
Jongin is shaking off people left and right.
He watches the boy shake his head at them in clear rejection, how he gets interrupted whenever he tries to talk to his friends. Sees him smile politely despite the obvious annoyance on his face but they keep coming back, keep touching him, leaning in to whisper in his ear and when one woman even goes as far as kissing his neck while Jongin is having a talk with Chanyeol Kyungsoo grips the glass so tight he fears it might just shatter.
“Kyungsoo.” Baekhyun mumbles into his ear. “Chanyeol’s sending Jongin to grab some drinks. Follow him and talk to him before those leeches are on him again.”
Kyungsoo sees Jongin gently pry a girl’s fingers off his arm and stand up from the booth with a dull feeling in his chest. “Go!” Sehun mouths urgently from where he’s sitting next to Junmyeon, their thighs dangerously close to the other’s.
He gulps down the rest of the gin in one go for good measure and gets up to make his way through the crowd, trying not to lose Jongin’s back from his sight.
“Wait... was that Kim Jongin?” He hears a girl ask her friend as he passes them.
“Hell yeah.” Another guy mumbles, eyeing Jongin up and down like a starving man.
Kyungsoo just walks faster and tries not to listen.
This night wasn’t supposed to go like this.
He was supposed to try and have a conversation with Jongin, not feel bad for the boy. Not feel anger bloom in his chest about how Jongin is being treated.
Jongin reaches the bar before him and Kyungsoo watches him order drinks before he takes a calming breath and steps up beside him. Jongin completely ignores him and keeps his eyes on the bottles of expensive alcohol displayed on the racks behind the bar.
Kyungsoo clears his throat to get Jongin’s attention and the latter closes his eyes in what seems to be frustration.
“Look, I’m not looking for a one night stand or whatever the fuck-“ Jongin turns to look at Kyungsoo and his eyes widen upon seeing whom he’s talking to. “Shit, sorry I thought-” The boy sighs and rubs at his forehead. “Sorry. I thought you were someone else.”
“It’s okay.” Kyungsoo reassures him.
Jongin gives him a tight smile and turns to pay for the drinks that have arrived.
“Jongin.” He says and the boy looks him in the eyes and Kyungsoo feels weird, never having said his name directly like this before. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah... Why wouldn’t I be?” Jongin tilts his head and slides a drink into Kyungsoo’s direction. Kyungsoo shakes his head in rejection but Jongin insists that he bought them for their booth anyways. “They’re on me, no worries.”
It’s silent between them for a moment. Well, as silent as it can get with the heavy bass blasting around them and people shouting over the music to talk to each other. “Is it... Is it always like this when you go out?”
Jongin studies Kyungsoo’s face but different to his mother he doesn’t do it like he’s trying to measure Kyungsoo’s worth by inspecting his appearance.
He looks like he’s taking Kyungsoo’s features in with no agenda and Kyungsoo takes a sip from his bitter drink to focus on something else. “Like what?” Jongin is leaning closer so they don’t have to shout and Kyungsoo is suddenly hit by a whiff of his cologne, fresh like mint.
“I mean... I know it’s none of my business but those people, they’re all over you.”
Jongin looks thoughtful for a moment before he nods in understanding and swirls his drink around in the glass. Some of the dark strands of his hair are falling into his forehead and the tie around his neck is hanging a little loose too, his sleeves rolled up to reveal his toned forearms. “It’s like this most of the time, yeah.”
“Really?” Kyungsoo furrows his eyebrows, not really able to imagine Jongin getting groped like this whenever he goes out with his friends.
He’s sure that there are a lot of young people out there who would gladly switch places with Jongin. Getting so much attention from beautiful women and men surely is what most people’s dreams are made of but Jongin doesn’t look like he wants the attention at all. Kyungsoo isn’t sure if any of this can be considered okay, no matter how you look at it.
If Jongin was a female, security wouldn’t hesitate to throw them out too, right?
“The perks of being a famous CEO’s son, right?” Jongin snorts softly and takes a gulp of his drink. The boy takes in Kyungsoo’s concerned face and shrugs. “It’s okay. You get used to it after a while.”
“You shouldn’t have to.” Kyungsoo frowns at him and Jongin stares into his eyes and then smiles, the corners of his dark eyes crinkling for a moment.
“I thought you didn’t want me to talk to you.” Jongin suddenly says and it takes Kyungsoo a moment too long to understand what he’s referring to.
“I didn’t say that.” Kyungsoo shrugs. “I just said I’m boring.”
Jongin hums. “I don’t find you boring.”
“You don’t know me, that’s why.”
“Then tell me about yourself.”
Kyungsoo huffs, shrugging his shoulders. “There’s not much to tell. I’m not just saying that, I’m actually just really boring.”
“Why don’t you let me be the judge of that?“ When Kyungsoo looks up Jongin is smiling again and it’s nice to see, way better than the frown from before when he was hassled by all those people. “What’s your favorite color?”
“Black.”
Jongin frowns at him. “No, it’s not.“
“Why?”
“Because black is boring-” Jongin stops mid-sentence once he realizes what he just said. “Sorry, I didn’t mean that-“
“It’s okay. I told you I’m boring, didn’t I?” Kyungsoo snorts and Jongin gives him a timid smile and maybe talking to him isn’t so bad after all.
After that, things start blurring together.
Jongin keeps asking him questions which Kyungsoo always has a short and plain answer to and it’s funny to see him get frustrated over it. They order more drinks and Kyungsoo finds out that Jongin speaks four languages and is friends with about every famous idol in South Korea.
Kyungsoo doesn’t believe him so Jongin shows him selfies he took with them and Kyungsoo remarks that it almost looks like Jongin’s the celebrity instead and the idols are the fans that were trying to get a picture with him.
He tells him about all the places he has been to and that he fell in love with Iceland the most. The way Jongin describes it he makes it seem like a place where fairies and elves would live if they would truly exist. Kyungsoo in return is really vague with his answers because he simply doesn’t have amazing stories to tell but also because it’s hard to talk about his life without giving away anything about his past. Jongin thankfully doesn’t push him when he refuses to answer.
He loses track of how long they talk but Kyungsoo doesn’t mind because talking to Jongin kind of feels effortless. Jongin talks when he notices that Kyungsoo is being too silent and listens to the few words Kyungsoo is willing to speak out loud like it’s the most interesting thing in the world even if it’s just him telling how Sehun and him picked up an ugly couch from a flea market for his apartment and how he couldn’t get the smell of weed out of the fabric for months after.
Jongin laughs at that. He laughs a lot and Kyungsoo doesn’t know if it’s because they’re not at work or if it’s the alcohol but Jongin almost seems like a completely different person, not as tense and controlled. His posture is relaxed, his smile easy going and Kyungsoo somewhat wishes Jongin would always be like this because it would make it a lot easier to get closer to him.
As time goes by, Jongin steps closer, until their arms are almost pressed together with how they’re leaning against the bar, legs tired and minds fuzzy from the alcohol.
“You’re not boring, Kyungsoo.” Jongin mumbles, words slurring together. “You’re kind of cool.”
Kyungsoo shakes his head and weakly lifts it to stare at the watch on Jongin’s wrist. His mind is reeling but he can make out that it’s almost three in the morning. He turns to look at the booth they were sitting at and sees Baekhyun and Chanyeol still chatting with each other like there’s no tomorrow, Miyoung pressed into Chanyeol’s side where she’s almost falling asleep.
Sehun is kissing Junmyeon’s neck-
He quickly turns his head around, shakes it once to get rid of the image. Oh god.
“You’re...” He starts and feels a burp coming and doesn’t even bother to hold it back in his drunk state. He covers his mouth and laughs. “Sorry.”
Jongin chuckles, his gaze on Kyungsoo amused and soft. He leans closer until their thighs are touching and Kyungsoo thinks he should step away but Jongin feels warm against him and he doesn’t know why he should mind the proximity. “You’re not how I expected you to be.” Kyungsoo blurts out.
“Ah.” Jongin nods his head. “Wait, let me guess. You thought I was arrogant. An asshole. A spoiled brat. A player. What else...”
“No.” Kyungsoo shakes his head. “I never thought that. I just... don’t know. I thought you were really self-centered. Like your family.” It slips out, just like that, and even in their drunken state Jongin freezes next to him and so does Kyungsoo but he doesn’t realize just how important it was what he just said.
“My family?” Jongin gives him a confused look. “What’s with them?”
Kyungsoo shrugs. It’s why he’s talking to Jongin in the first place, right? He would have to ask him sooner or later so he’d rather do it now that he doesn’t have a filter over his mouth before sober Kyungsoo chickens out completely. “They’re taking away something that’s really important to me.”
“What?” Jongin suddenly sounds really serious and really sober.
“Don’t you know about it?” Kyungsoo looks up at Jongin and thinks that Jongin’s face is way too close. “The orphanage. They bought it. Now the kids don’t have a place to stay anymore.”
Jongin furrows his eyebrows and stares at the counter for a few seconds. “What orphanage?”
But Kyungsoo doesn’t get to answer because suddenly Sehun is standing behind them, gripping Kyungsoo’s arm urgently. “We need to leave. Right fucking now!”
Kyungsoo stumbles back and Jongin reaches a hand out to steady him, suddenly a lot closer than before. “What orphanage, Kyungsoo?”
“Ask him again on Monday!” Sehun grunts and starts tugging Kyungsoo away.
“Wait- what’s going on?” Kyungsoo asks while they’re making their way through the crowd.
Sehun whines pathetically when they’re waiting for their coats at the cloakroom.
“I have to find a new job.”
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