YOUR ♥ GOES DUJUN DUJUN

Soyeon rose a brow at the elder male. Now if it had been him worrying about her the whole time, clearly it seemed like he was neglecting his own well being a lot more than she was at danger to do so here. “Oppa! How can you forget to eat! How can you not feel like eating that’s-” Exhaling a sigh, the thought simply sounded ridiculous to her. “You just never had real great food cooked for you! I bet you’re not that great of a cook, are ya?” Cocky brow raised at him, there was a teasing grin on her lips before she kicked her legs into gear, starting to walk away from the cafe.

“The only thing that can really make me lose my appetite is bad food.” Really though, with the way she grew up, her standards were already pretty low. Even though she was becoming a picky eater now that she could afford it.

An eye on the stalls herself, Soyeon slowly walked alongside Doojoon, humming out a thoughtful breath. “Basically. I’ve been meaning to tie up loose ends here and there. I want to… patch up certain aspects.. lay a bit lower and focus a bit more on school.” Cringing at the idea, she had to remind herself it was all for a good cause, to become a better her. No matter if she’d lose some of her “coolness” in the process.

“I was busy with work, sometimes when the cafe is packed I don’t even have time to feel hungry and when I’m lazy I tend to sleep it off until I really can’t take it and go make something for myself,” he huffed and puffed his cheeks at her, “I am a decent cook, excuse me. Just I’m lazy.” He shook his head as he walked, pocketing his hands as he walked. Feeling a sense of relief that she was eating and didn’t lose he appetite often, he felt a sense of calmness in him. That’s one thing less he needed to worry about at least. Not that it was a burden, but Doojoon usually, worried about everything.

How he could get so worked up and confused about the whole low-fat, no fat, sugar-free matter was adorable. It took all of her will power to reduce her loud laugh to a mere amused grin, fondly looking at her oppa as his brows furrowed together in that cute manner every time he was troubled and facing a crisis about the tiniest details of every day life.

He was really too sweet for her.

Well low-fat is still better than normal milk. That contains both fat and sugar but I don’t have to tell that to a barista.” Finally allowing herself to laugh, Soyeon only rolled her eyes as he proceeded to nag at her anyway. She only got stuck in her behavior towards the end of his speech, taking a moment or two on how to react. “That’s really a waste of energy, Oppa~ I’m fine! Maybe I should get out of your life then so you can invest that energy in other, more useful things.” She chuckled and really it’s meant as a pure joke but deep down she’s still curious and somewhat scared of how he’ll react to that.

Even if he was way older than she was, Doojoon’s heart was pretty much that of the same age as her. He still played his games, on free days he’d spend way too much on the crane game to get plushes, the world was big and unexplored and Doojoon found a lot of the tiny details, troublesome, stupid or plain old amusing.  He shrugged at that and chuckled, “Well, when I make your coffee next time I’ll be sure to put in low-fat milk, I won’t forget,” he chuckled a bit. 

if there was anything that brightened a day for ten, it was a hot drink. rain or shine he’d always have some hot drink in his hand. there was something comforting about a hot chocolate, or chai latte, or mocha cupped between his hands as he wandered through the streets of seoul. it helped him fall back into his own little world, words fitting together in his head as he blocked out the noise around him by the music playing through his earbuds. he moved through the streets like a shadow, never attracting attention, and often hiding beneath the hood of one of his favourite hoodies. so finding someone who made mouthwatering, tummy warming drinks really was something worth giving back for. 

“yeah, y’know, aesthetically pleasing. bet you’ve got all the girls coming in here asking you out and such. but thank you, i think my favourite part of my days is the coffees you make.” overall he’s pretty pleased with the more than comfortable reaction he’s receiving from the barista. it might’ve been terribly awkward had he been freaked out by the compliment. he hesitates, however, at the offer of a drink on him, but is soon swayed, and finds himself sighing and giving in with an “oh, alright then, i really shouldn’t let you, but i guess since it’s the christmas season, and i have spent almost all my money on presents.” still, he shakes his head, not too pleased with himself for giving in - but he’d agreed now, and couldn’t really take it back. 

As much as Doojoon has his own share of big dreams, he had also fallen in love with his current occupation and current job. It wasn’t like his dream at all, it wasn’t about music and it was far from the very attention he had been wanting to achieve should he finally be able to step out on that stage and face a huge number of fans. This was different. It was more, subtle, in a sense. He had “fans”, but it wasn’t on a big scale and yes, he had the attention from the girls but this job gave him a sense of acknowledgement. A positive feeling. A comfort. Sure he wasn’t living his dream yet, but he was doing something good with his life and that made him a little bit more passionate about making coffee.

It was words like his regulars have muttered that left him inspired and relieved. It lifted his spirits, to know that his coffee made someone feel good, it was a job well done. “Ah...well I can’t say no, I bet you’ve noticed since you come here all the time but I try not to pay much attention to that.” He was not ready for something serious, besides, maybe he already had someone in mind but it was almost impossible.

Finally, she got Battlenet to load up, the initial program always seeming to take longer than it should, but once she was in-game, she was fine.  Clicking on the Overwatch icon, she waited for the game to pop up and messaged him back while she did so. 

eunjiganksu: Wow, you’re that desperate to know all of my hidden secrets, huh? eunjiganksu: Eh, they give donations, so I don’t care that much.  It’d be different if they were right in front of me or something, you know?  eunjiganksu: I’m in!  That didn’t take that long, shh.  I’m already joining in with you. 

mushroomdj: yessssssss. i am. mushroomdj: that doesn't make any difference... >> <mushroomdj is typing......>

He moved to check if she did join and when he sees her name in the list he grinned and moved to respond again,

mushroomdj: I see youuuu. mushroomdj: wanna go voice chat?

The smile on his face left her feeling somewhat shy. People rarely looked at her like this but whenever they did she always got the feeling as if she’d done something particularly girly. Very like her true nature deep down actually. Her guards went right up again after that if even only halfway. She was still in the mindset to change for the better after all and become less distrusting and less biting towards people who actually stuck around with her.

“Alright cool! Then we get chicken and ddeok at the street stalls around here while we head there?” Making sure she had gotten the plan right, there was an excited smile back on her lips all over, fingers curling around the strap of her bag securely.

She wasn’t allowed to carry around heavy things yet but at least the basics where fine and had to be with her. Wallet, phone and lady items in case of an unexpected emergency. Making her way out of the cafe slow but steady, she didn’t really spare his co-workers a glance as he bid them goodbye, too shy and awkward to do so. Instead she waited outside, looking up at him as he uttered his words of endless worry to her. “I never lost my appetite silly. I’m a Japanese native. Eating is part of my culture, silly.”

“Yep,” he nodded, “That’s our amazing food plan for today. We’re going to get so stuffed,” there was an obvious excitement in his tone, rubbing his belly as he spoke and hearing that groaning pangs of hunger. “Ah I’m hungry. I think I forgot to eat today,” he tried to recall. The cafe was especially busy and the only break he took was the one with her and he didn’t even snack. His mind was elsewhere, most of his braincells spent worrying for her, the other making sure he doesn’t make up when he makes coffee.

Her remark got him laughing a bit and he nodded, “You never really know, I love eating but there are days when I don’t really feel like it. So it could happen to you, especially when you’re in pain.” His hands stuffed into his pockets, he walked at a slow and careful pace. Not wanting to speed up and get her tired or be too slow that he’d die of hunger. 

The smile on his face left her feeling somewhat shy. People rarely looked at her like this but whenever they did she always got the feeling as if she’d done something particularly girly. Very like her true nature deep down actually. Her guards went right up again after that if even only halfway. She was still in the mindset to change for the better after all and become less distrusting and less biting towards people who actually stuck around with her.

“Alright cool! Then we get chicken and ddeok at the street stalls around here while we head there?” Making sure she had gotten the plan right, there was an excited smile back on her lips all over, fingers curling around the strap of her bag securely.

She wasn’t allowed to carry around heavy things yet but at least the basics where fine and had to be with her. Wallet, phone and lady items in case of an unexpected emergency. Making her way out of the cafe slow but steady, she didn’t really spare his co-workers a glance as he bid them goodbye, too shy and awkward to do so. Instead she waited outside, looking up at him as he uttered his words of endless worry to her. “I never lost my appetite silly. I’m a Japanese native. Eating is part of my culture, silly.”

“Yep,” he nodded, “That’s our amazing food plan for today. We’re going to get so stuffed,” there was an obvious excitement in his tone, rubbing his belly as he spoke and hearing that groaning pangs of hunger. “Ah I’m hungry. I think I forgot to eat today,” he tried to recall. The cafe was especially busy and the only break he took was the one with her and he didn’t even snack. His mind was elsewhere, most of his braincells spent worrying for her, the other making sure he doesn’t make up when he makes coffee.

Her remark got him laughing a bit and he nodded, “You never really know, I love eating but there are days when I don’t really feel like it. So it could happen to you, especially when you’re in pain.” His hands stuffed into his pockets, he walked at a slow and careful pace. Not wanting to speed up and get her tired or be too slow that he’d die of hunger. 

When all of a sudden the tables seemed to turn, Soyeon couldn’t help but smile reassuringly. If only he knew. Trainee life was a piece of cake to what she had to endure during her childhood. She could manage a few sore muscles and a few blisters on her feet. Better than bruises and cuts and perhaps a few broken bones. “Sadly no. non-fat stuff usually contains lots of sugar, which is obviously not good as well. Don’t worry though.”

Fingers brushing through his hair again, she rose her brows. “You know I’m a great cook and a healthy person. I do sports, I eat balanced meals and I love me my americano. Quite frankly I’m a bit of an insomniac either way so I don’t mind working long hours. It’s no stretch for me at all.” Daring to look back at him, she almost wanted to plant a kiss on his forehead to calm him down. The thought itself made her internally so flustered that she instead flicked his forehead instead. “Now don’t look at me like that I’m almost legal in half a year! I can take care of myself!”

“Then why is it called non-fat?” he mumbled, his brows furrowing. He didn’t really research much about what others said about stuff written on cartons about non-fat, skim, whole, etc. He just did was he was instructed and believed that non-fat was really non-fat and so on. He know that sugar wasn’t the best for those who were on strict diet though and that just made his pondering on non-fat milk multiply. What’s the purpose of it being non-fat when it would contribute still to  weight gain and fat because of the sugar content? Of course, all this was irrelevant and that flick to his forehead had put a stop to it.

A rather adorable hum escapes her as she puckers her lips into a thoughtful expression. He did have a point regarding the bread aspect. Was she in the mood for something spicy? Or salty? Her lips pursed into a pout instead the longer she remained without an answer to her inner confusion. “I’m kind of in the mood for a bit of everything? Ddeokbokki but also chicken- and maybe some bulgogi too!” 

Eyes hopeful she looked up towards the elder male, letting a shy grin stretch over her lips. “And- and also some ramyun!” Rising to her feet carefully, she almost was too hasty in her eagerness to get moving so they could gather all the foods together. “We can eat the street food on our way to the stores and get more food there! That’d be so cool!”

Not rushing her with her thinking, he rocked onto his heel as he looked around the place before his eyes fell right back on her. The look on her face, those expressions, they were really cute and he liked seeing this side to her. She always had that tough aura and tough look, but she was pretty soft and cute too. Rarely showing it, Doojoon learned to appreciate, smiling a bit in an affectionate way as she finally came up with quite a list of food to have.

“Okay okay, so that ddeok, chicken and ramyeon and bulgogi,” though he may have wanted her to go home and rest, the fact that she was hungry and wanted to eat was also a good thing. He wasn’t going to deny her that at all. In fact he was quite hungry himself and was up for having all that. “Good plan. Come on. Let’s go grab our stash and find a good restaurant that serves good ramyeon and bulgogi.” With the plan now set, Doojoon led the way to the door and held it open for her, following afterwards and calling out to his friends still on shift and bidding them farewell. 

Had she won? Was that what was happening here? Had he finally realised that fighting with her wasn’t doing him any good? If anything, her opinion of him had soured since he spoke up. At least beforehand she had just thought he was an invasive old man; now, she was certain he was an invasive, rude old man with almost as little manners as herself (though she won’t admit that, and truthfully, to those who she feels deserve it, she is endlessly polite). She couldn’t wait to get off this bus; to get home, to get fresh air that doesn’t smell like sweat and regret, and certainly to get away from him and his hypocritical attitude (if she does say so herself). 

He glances at her, and she’d be stupid not to notice, thus she rolls her eyes and leans her head against the bus window (she can wash her hair when she gets home, after all). Staring out, watching the scenery zoom by, gives her hope that her stop isn’t too far away. It reminds her that every second she spends here, tolerating his company, is an extra second closer to being free of it. Not long now. Probably. 

It wasn’t a matter of winning, for him, just that she was pretty much a good waste of time but in a sense a good time spent for being stuck in traffic. It was much more productive than just groaning to himself. Honestly, he felt a bit better (sadly at her expense). That eye roll though, she definitely wasn’t the kind and polite girl. A kid, a brat, maybe. The definition of youth nowadays wherein they were much more vocal and expressive, regardless of the lack of respect.

Soyeon only looked at him: his sweet smile, his tired sigh and the conflicted gaze he directed to the cashier.  Had it really distressed him this much to not hear about her? The underground rapper almost couldn’t believe it. With her eyes averting to her phone, she attempted to not let the guilt show on her face, at a loss on how to deal with this sort of situation.

She merely nodded as he requested her to call for when she did need anything but Soyeon knew she wouldn’t bother him. No matter how he said she wasn’t being a bother to him, the need to still request as little as possible was persistent. Instead she busied herself with her phone while sipping on her americano, allowing her to keep her hunger at bay and tame.

Only when he approached her by the end of his shift did she look up again, standing with slow movements to not end up injuring herself again. “Sure! Take out sounds good. I’m kinda hungry.”

“Alright. Here? Or do you want something that’s not bread?” He chuckled a bit, as he fastened his backpack, tilting his head a bit. He wasn’t sure if the stuff left available at the cafe was anything good. There were some small food stands outside and not far, maybe she wanted to eat there before heading on back home. Though he didn’t really want her to be /that/ hungry.

for a second he wonders if it’s just too odd to have gotten a barista he doesn’t know personally a christmas gift, but then he realises that worrying isn’t his thing, and that unconventional is his middle name (he’s really glad it isn’t actually that as his names already far too long). but he finds himself somewhat surprised at the barista’s own surprise. surely he knew he was ten’s favourite - why else would he always request that he make his drink if there’s two people behind the counter. 

“of course you are, i’m surprised you didn’t already know that. you make my order the best! plus you’re cute as hell!” he jokes with an obvious lack of eight to his add-on. the soft laugh he accompanies it with, hopefully, solidifies that he’s joking - he doesn’t want the guy to think he’s a creep and spit in his coffee after that. 

“oh gosh no you don’t have to! really! i don’t need anything in return, you deserve the present, i haven’t done anything to deserve a free coffee.” as much as he’d love a free drink, he knows he can’t expect anything in return from the unexpected present he’s offered. that doesn’t, however, mean he’s leaving without a drink, just means he’ll pay. “surely you can’t be allowed to just give away drinks, anyway. i wouldn’t want you getting in trouble or anything.”

It wasn’t really something he looked into when he was requested to make the coffee, and often times he still didn’t think that he was that good. Often, he had just ignored such because most often, it was the girls that requested him to make the coffee so he was still surprised when this guy suddenly said that he was his favorite. It felt good, the recognition. That part wherein you find your job fulfilling, in this case for Doojoon, it was being able to make coffee that satisfied customers enough to keep coming back.

The innocence in his nature to not know the strain of a trainee working basically 24/7 made her lowkey glad that he hadn’t been accepted into a company just yet. Even if Doojoon was 6 years older than her, due to the different ways they grew up, she felt as if they were more level headed than she was with the guys her age at times. “They do it for the energy boost. Energy drinks contain sugar and rarely anyone likes americanos due to the bitter taste. So taking energy pills is the easiest way to keep yourself on going without breaking your diet.”

Wondering how he’d react to these news she halted her actions for a second, curious to see his face but decided to discard it and go back to running her fingers through his hair instead. “The life of a trainee is busy. You’re basically working 24/7.”

Hearing the reason behind caffeine pills made him scrunch up his face. Diet? The only reason why was because of diet and not liking americanos? It made him sad. It would be possible to get the same buzz as a caffeine pill if people weren’t so, concerned about their weight but he knew that that wasn’t really something he could tell people to stop doing. Especially, when those people might just as well be working in an industry that required looking like a walking stick or something.