Wonshik thinks he's stupid. "You kind of have to be," Sanghyuk comments, taking a long, sage sip of his iced tea like it's a double shot of espresso. "I can't believe you're corny enough to fall for a barista, hyung," "He just happens to be one," is Wonshik's (weak) retort. He's picking at the sides of what's left of his macadamia-and-something muffin, the top of which he'd bulldozed through before deciding he should cut down on the sugar and so had left the bottom part intact and untouched, and wondering how this ever happened. Sure, Hongbin is attractive right off the bat but did Wonshik really have to start feeling things for somebody who's hardly said more than "I'm sorry, did you say you wanted cinnamon on your hot chocolate?" to him? There's always Taekwoon, the guy who lived down the hall who looked a million bucks in soccer shorts and most certainly double that in nothing, and Jaehwan, the captain of their college acapella group, so come on. At least Taekwoon, who sometimes looks at Wonshik like he wants dearly to strangle him, is ever-present in their dorm's rec room whenever Wonshik's writing raps and tries to help, even if Taekwoon's brand of "help" involves shaking his head vigorously at ninety percent of the things Wonshik writes while he's downing an entire box of goldfish crackers (the nods are worth it though, when they're achieved). And Jaehwan, Jaehwan has perfect teeth and Wonshik has had experience with how they felt against his skin. So it's not like Wonshik doesn't have options, but he's thought about this over and over, and he's pretty damn sure he likes and wants Hongbin a whole lot. "If he was a hooker I'd still fall for him," "Wouldn't that just be ideal?" Sanghyuk is two years younger than Wonshik but acts like they're on par with life experience. "Then you can actually pay him to look at you instead of doing this awful thing called pining, pathetically, over your third cup of coffee. You like coffee, I know, but now youlike coffee," Sanghyuk pauses for effect, having stressed his words like Wonshik's got a debilitating addiction to Hongbin caffeine and nothing will save him because he's so far in. "Come on, go talk to him. I bet he'd just love it if you asked for his number. Probably gets that all the time, actually. Real typical story, leaving numbers on napkins," "What Drew Barrymore rom-com crap have you been watching? And you say you're grown up. Pft," "Hey," Sanghyuk puts both hands up as if in surrender. "I'm trying to be encouraging here. If having a crush makes you this terse, I take it back. Please don't ask for his number. You might end up choking me to death when you come back from your first date and he let you kiss him at the doorstep," Kissing Hongbin at the doorstep. Wonshik can't keep the image from entering his mind, flitting across his vision like it's happening right there in front of his eyes. "So are you going to ask, or am I going to sit here and watch you pretend you aren't making bedroom eyes at him every three seconds?" "I'll do it," Wonshik declares. Sanghyuk looks genuinely surprised. "Really? Because you're looking pretty pale right now," "If you're trying to be encouraging, now would be a great time," Sanghyuk smirks and Wonshik wants to shove his palm on his friend's face and smear it off. "Go on then," Sanghyuk prompts. "He's not doing anything except refilling the sugar pots at the tables. Now's your chance, you wait till he gets to us," And that's exactly what Hongbin's doing, he's got a fancy paper bag filled to the brim with sugar in one hand, moving from table to table and checking the equally fancy pots of sugar at each table. Wonshik thinks he's perfect, but it isn't like Hongbin moves with the ethereal grace that Taekwoon has, or the infectious affability Jaehwan possesses in everything he does. He moves... normally, kind of nervous, Wonshik's noticed, his smile never quite reaching out as far as it could really go, his shoulders never quite relaxed. It's normal, Wonshik supposes: he's working, he isn't here to kick back. He's being professional. Still, Wonshik has seen those dimples more than enough times to guess what Hongbin looks like when he's unwound, but it'd be another thing to actually see it and Wonshik wants to. "Hey, hey he's coming," Sanghyuk kicks Wonshik unnecessarily under the table and empties two overloaded spoonfuls of sugar into Wonshik's iced coffee. Wonshik can't even watch Hongbin coming, and did he really have to ask in front of Sanghyuk? Couldn't he corner Hongbin after a shift or something? In a back alley? While he was walking home?  Whoa there, boy. Calm down. "Sorry," Hongbin's saying and Wonshik nods and clears his throat, leaning away so Hongbin can reach over for their sugar pot. He grabs at his coffee, remembering the sugar Sanghyuk had added and quickly puts it back. His heart is slamming against his ribcage and Wonshik catches Sanghyuk leering at him from between Hongbin's arms, half hurrying him, half laughing at him silently for not speaking up yet. Wonshik's throat is dry, like what happens when he dares to eat the cafeteria's ultra-decadent nachos before he tries to rap, and his voice comes out hoarse with a measly 'hey', a pitiful sound but it catches Hongbin's attention and when Hongbin looks at him Wonshik knows there's nowhere to go. Hongbin doesn't ask for elaboration, just looks at Wonshik expectantly. Wonshik realizes 'hey' leaves Hongbin at an awkward sort of position, like he's unsure whether Wonshik is addressing him or the idiot Wonshik had come with, so he's making eye contact and he notices for surprisingly the first time that Hongbin has his eyes lined very subtly in black, and there's a faint smudge of tangerine eyeshadow on his lids. Something to prove he hasn't been entirely obsessed, but now he has to say something. "Um," Wonshik bides for time. He's clearing his throat and Sanghyuk is making a face that suggests he's dying from second-hand embarrassment, and Hongbin's done with topping their sugar pot off so he's just there with the bag of sugar and a spoon. He's not smiling but he doesn't look bothered that Wonshik is taking his time, which only relieves Wonshik somewhat. "I just... do you think I could, um, instead of sugar, I mean--," Sanghyuk's staring at him now, brows furrowed, 'what the fuck are you saying' but it's too late to go back and start the sentence again. "-- what's good? I mean syrup-wise. I should try something new but I never got around to asking properly because 'surprise me' is kind of lame and I didn't want you to feel pressured, like--," And now Hongbin's smiling and he's even laughing a little, but still his eyes don't really crinkle as much as Wonshik had seen them do once when one of Hongbin's co-workers had joked about something. He nods, rolling the top of the sugar bag over, closing it. Wonshik wonders how old he is, takes in how fair Hongbin's skin is and how nice his hair looks. Details, details. Everything about Hongbin is perfect, to make up a perfect being. And Wonshik's heart is still doing the "I'm trying to break out of your chest!" thing when Hongbin answers, Wonshik hanging on to his every word like Hongbin is about to reveal where Wonshik can get free pizza at any given time that he craves it. "I always go with caramel," Hongbin answers and Wonshik feels an odd mixture of embarrassment and satisfaction at the sound of Hongbin's voice. It's still soft, restrained and reserved but Wonshik notes that Hongbin doesn't talk to him like he's a customer, more an acquaintance, like he's speaking to a friend's friend he recognized at a random party somewhere. "But I feel like it might be a bit heady for someone like you, so maybe mint? You look like a mint person," It takes Wonshik longer than a while to piece together a reply, so all he does is nod in compensation for his weird silence. Hongbin cracks another smile, ducks his head in a polite nod and he's gone again, back to his place behind the counter. Wonshik feels light-headed. Doesn't know what to feel, so he's sitting there, vanquished. "Really?" Sanghyuk starts, still in disbelief. "Really, he was right here," "Oh God, shut it. Please. I tried, I-- let's go, Hakyeon's waiting for us at the gym,"  "You're so stupid," Sanghyuk hisses, clearly saving the most of his commentary for when they're not still in Hongbin's vicinity. He's red in the face and Wonshik isn't sure why but when he's gathering his things, he's laughing and snorting at the same time. Wonshik wants to hit him but Hongbin doesn't look like a fan of violence, and Wonshik doesn't want Hongbin to think he's really close with Sanghyuk or anything. So he's sauntering out with his bag over a shoulder and his iced coffee in the other, willing himself not to look at Hongbin at all because that's just weird, opting for having his gaze lowered to the carpeted floor like the Da Vinci Code is hidden in there somewhere. "You look like a mint person". 

***

"You're serious?" Hakyeon asks. Thankfully he doesn't laugh, but he's smiling widely, face crinkling like he wants to but he's holding it back for Wonshik's dignity. "You ask-- oh, Ravi. Ravi-yah," "I-- shut it," Wonshik grumbles and Hakyeon gives in to the laughs, chuckling as he rubs Wonshik's back good-naturedly. "I tried, and that's what matters. Besides, mint isn't that bad at all," "Oh? You went back?" "No," Sanghyuk cuts in, chewing on the end of his pen. "He went to the other one, you know, the one you have to walk to the other side of town and suck someone's dick to get into," "Stop it," Hakyeon gently chides. "It's normal to be like this when you have a crush! I just thought Wonshik would be um, you know, more upfront. Perhaps like when you approached Jaehwan?" "That's because Jaehwan met him halfway and they were tipsy," "... that is what happened. Hm," Hakyeon's hand leaves Wonshik's back and he moves back to his own bed, somehow finding space to sit amongst the CDs and textbooks. "What are you going to do, Ravi?" "I don't know," Wonshik grumbles. "He doesn't know," Sanghyuk chimes in simultaneously. "You should go with him someday, you'll see first-hand that he's utterly hopeless," "I'm not sure I want to see that, honestly," Hakyeon's really laughing now and Sanghyuk balls up a fist in victory, because they're both on the same side now and Wonshik's face is flaring right up. "Maybe you could dye your hair that red again?" Hakyeon, however, suggests seriously. "He would notice you right away. That is, um, unless you haven't already made an impression with your syrup question," Wonshiks reasons to himself that Hongbin would get asked that often. He bets Hongbin gets asked about foam, soy, the type of coffee beans the café used, whether the sugar they used is organic, whether he's aware of how much milk he'd put into the latte, so much that it tastes just like milk, and refunds. Hongbin's probably forgotten him by now, never mind that Wonshik's a regular, because that place got many regulars. The initial euphoria of having pulled together the guts to speak to Hongbin is wearing off to nothing with not only every remark Sanghyuk makes but every second that ticks by, and even seeing Taekwoon on his way in after a soccer practice gone late hasn't done anything for Wonshik's spirits, which feel dead flat now that he thinks about it. "Or orange," Sanghyuk has to add. "I bet he's an orange guy," "I'll ask next time," Wonshik responds, voice slightly clipped. Hakyeon notes this and exchanges a look with Sanghyuk who shrugs and keeps his eyes pointedly trained on his Nexus 10. The thing is, Wonshik isn't so much mad at them as he is miffed with himself, but he lets them think the former anyway, because Sanghyuk's kind of a little shit and deserves it. "Maybe you should let him go alone next time, Hyuk," Hakyeon's saying, and Wonshik thanks him silently for the input: there's a certain note to Hakyeon's voice, the kind Sanghyuk has never thought to overlook and disobey. The oldest of the three in Room 2:4, Hakyeon's always been the sturdy big brother figure, one both he and Sanghyuk respect to the end of the world and back, so Wonshik's thinking Sanghyuk won't tag along next time. "Fine. But you better ask!" Sanghyuk points a finger accusingly at Wonshik, smiling when he sees Wonshik biting a smile back of his own. "Don't be a loser, Shik. Pretty boys like him don't stay single forever, you know. I mean, I can totally see him with Jaehwan--," Wonshik pelts him with a pillow. He's across the room, but he's developed a good aim over the year.

***

Wonshik has been to the café enough to know when Hongbin doesn't have shifts, so the matter of picking a day that Hongbin would be there isn't hard. He's always known Wednesdays are the best choice, but he feels particularly creepy today as he pulls his earbuds out and lets them hang off his neck when he walks in, grateful for the low buzz of conversation that meant anything he bumbled over while trying to talk to Hongbin wouldn't be overheard. It's the same as always, Hongbin's working the coffee machine and Dasom's at the counter taking orders and giving smiles, something she doesn't skimp on when it's Wonshik's turn. "Just the usual for you then, is it?" she asks, already tapping something out on the touch screen monitor and Wonshik nods, attention skipping to Hongbin who's face is serious with concentration, copper-brown hair mussed. Wonshik's too far to tell if there's eyeliner this time. "But can I get syrup in it?" Wonshik almost forgets to add. "Peppermint, please," Dasom's mouth makes an 'o',  'getting fancy are we? and she's smiling still as Wonshik pays and takes his usual seat in the centre of the room. Wednesdays are also the least busy in the afternoons. Everybody got their hump day fix in the mornings. With some library book he'd snatched hastily from Hakyeon's bed propped in front of him (Wonshik doesn't understand a thing though), Wonshik's face is burning with the mere thought of how he's going to go about asking Hongbin. He usually doubles as the barista and someone who cleans the tables up and Wonshik's chosen a time when the place isn't full at all but there's still a chance Hongbin might not even come by, a circumstance Wonshik hadn't prepared himself for. Over the week, he'd thought about it over and over until realizing that it didn't do him any good to write a speech in his head and practice it: he's always been the improvising type, which might explain some of his grades, but preparation made him nervous, so the whole Wednesday thing is the only thing he's ever planned ahead with. His heart sounds like the beat of the fast track he'd been listening to before, to get himself pumped, because Hongbin's reaching for the receipt that's got his order on it and Wonshik swears when Hongbin looks up through the glasses stacked atop the machine to look at him. Probably with amusement. The next few minutes feel like a dream and Wonshik can't feel his feet. Hongbin's so far never failed to make Wonshik feel like he wouldn't be able to walk in general, even when Hongbin didn't so much as look his way, because all Wonshik's ever needed is to see him. He looks beautiful and Wonshik finds it strange he's calling a man beautiful, but there's no other way to describe him and as smitten as Wonshik is, he's pretty sure there's no doubting this observation. Can I have your number? Are you single? When do you get off? I was wondering, if you were free after this... It's an endless stream that Wonshik can't fish something final out of, and when Hongbin's walking over with his peppermint iced coffee Wonshik's turning the page of Hakyeon's book with a shaky hand that feels like it'd fall off any moment soon, especially when Hongbin's poised to say something as he sets the drink down. "I hope you like it," he's saying, and he sounds happier than he usually does. Wonshik's trying to look up as nonchalantly as possible, like he hadn't noticed Hongbin's approach and he's smiling, as nervous as he looks, he guesses, because he can hear his own voice waver and heck. CanIhaveyournumberAreyousingleWhendoyougetoffI was wondering,ifyouwerefreeafterthiscouldItakeyoufor... "I probably will," Wonshik replies, breathless like he'd finished three laps with Hakyeon. He wonders if Hongbin is going to stay for reaction and he doesn't know whether it's good or bad if he does, but he decides it's bad because Hongbin's backing away to return to his post and Wonshik hasn't even tried to ask him a damn thing-- "Hey, um, Hongbin?" Hongbin turns around and he's wearing a look like he's wondering how Wonshik knows his name. They both know he's got his name taped to his apron, but Wonshik guesses it's still kind of weird, but he tries not to let that stop him. "I was wondering," Wonshik's blurting and he's thinking it's now or never, because fuck Sanghyuk, this is for himself too and his pride, and if he failed right now he would probably never be able to face Hongbin properly again with an order for an iced coffee with peppermint syrup. "If you weren't doing anything after, uh, this, because...," because I know you get off in an hour "... because I kind of want to take you somewhere. Anywhere. You know?" There's an awkward silence. The rest of the place is still moving around them but Wonshik can only hear blood rushing in his ears, or whatever that noise is, and he's got a shred of gratitude for the fact nobody seems to be watching them. "Sure," Hongbin finally answers. He's smiling lopsidedly, some of his teeth visible with it and there's the dimple showing on that side. Wonshik feels like goo, because when Hongbin blushes it's really obvious and Wonshik likes that a little too much, sure he's grinning too wide like the idiot he is. "My shift ends in an hour, so you can stay here, or...?" "I'll wait," Wonshik confirms, too ecstatic to feel very slightly like a stalker. Hongbin doesn't seem to mind though, smiling still like he agrees that that's the best idea. "Alright. See you later, Ravi," Hongbin's gone for ten minutes until it hits Wonshik that Hongbin had called him Ravi.

(He only uses that name when he raps.)

***

An hour later, Wonshik dutifully waits outside. He knows perhaps too well that Hongbin has to do some sort of inventory when he ends his shift, an older guy Wonshik never bothered to learn the name having come in fifteen minutes before to pick up the work. Dasom has energy to match Jaehwan's and Wonshik's never seen her off the way Hongbin is now, apron and a smidgeon of stress free. He's not exactly dressed casually but he doesn't look uncomfortable beside Wonshik who's shirt has been slept it twice, the creases making that obvious enough. "Hey," Wonshik figures since he's the one who initiated he is, that he should lead the conversation. Even if it had seemed impossible before, Hongbin seems more awkward and nervous than Wonshik is and the sight makes Wonshik's toes curl in his shoes and he wants nothing more than to take Hongbin around the damn world. "I was starting to wonder whether you'd run from me," Hongbin's eyes narrow that much with his smile, walking less rigidly than he moves when he works, and his smile is the best damn thing Wonshik's ever seen, because it's all he can focus on even when they're reaching a crossing and Wonshik should probably keep an eye out for cars. "I'm not the type," Hongbin says simply. "So how are you doing?" "I'm alright," Wonshik forgets the Ravi thing for the time being. "It's not assignment time yet, and I.. well, you know I go to the college nearby," "Of course, I.. well, I overheard," Hongbin's admitting and he's blushing again. "You and that guy you always come in with, sometimes it can get a bit loud," "Sorry," Wonshik smiles, sheepish, because he knows full well how brash he's gotten with Sanghyuk in the past. "But how are you? Um, what's up?" And it's with relief that Wonshik finds he's easing into his usual breezy persona the more they talked, the tension in Hongbin's shoulders disappearing by the time Wonshik gets around to getting him dinner, talking Hongbin into trying some sort of burger that involved corn chips and jalapeños. He doesn't like it but Wonshik loves it, chuckling around the rest of the hefty, sloppy serving as Hongbin downs the rest of Wonshik's proffered water like he hasn't had water in days. "I hate jalapeños," Hongbin's saying, managing to smile attractively even if he's repulsed. "And gherkins, pickles-- you're disgusting, stop it," Hongbin's blushing, always blushing, and Wonshik feels giddy at the turnout. He quits brandishing the burger at Hongbin though, swallows like a person who a speck of decency and he leans in to speak right by Hongbin's neck: "you'd still kiss me though, right?" and Hongbin beats his personal record with the quick rush of red up his neck in .01 seconds.