hongjoong brewed himself a shot of espresso as morning rush began to die down. if monday morning was hard for the typical nine to five employee, it was even harder for someone working as a barista.

"oh my god i can finally talk about my night out last saturday to hongjoong," wooyoung said as he ran over to the older, tickling his side as he spoke. hongjoong flicked him off and shook his head at the boy, laughing at wooyoung's clingy personality.

"woo, i don't think hongjoong wants to hear the details," yeosang sighed as he shook his head, knowing he was about to hear the same story wooyoung told him three times the past weekend.

"anyways, i met this guy at the spot and oh my god was he hot! he had dark, voluminous hair and the sexist body oh myyyy," wooyoung dragged on as he looked into the sky with doe eyes.

"get to the point, horndog," yeosang rolled his eyes.

"okay rude. anyways, i went back to his apartment and we had the literal best sex i've ever had in my entire life. ugh like i just want to fuck him again," wooyoung said a little too loud.

"well i'm happy for you, wooyoung. what was his name?" hongjoong asked, curious to know a little more detail.

hongjoong did not have much human interaction beyond his coworkers. with no family or childhood friends in new york, most of his days passed in quiet solitude. in fact, he almost preferred it that way.

being alone meant less complication, less drama. it gave him space to breathe, to exist without the pressure of expectations. he had grown used to keeping people at a distance, holding them just far enough away that they were unable to see the parts of him he tried to hide.

it was not that he did not want human connection, but deep down, he knew he was not able love the way others would need him to. something inside him always held back.

his past had left scars that ran deeper than most realized, ghosts of old pain that still lingered in the corners of his mind. no matter how much time passed, those wounds never seemed to fully heal.

so he stayed on the sidelines, quietly observing the world move around him. it felt safer that way.

but, he really appreciated wooyoung and yeosang's company. he appreciated that they, at least, seemed to care about him.

"his name was yeonjun. i got his number too, he told me to call if i ever wanted to hookup again. i probably will sometime soon because oh my! his dick was literally so big and girthy ugh i need it again," wooyoung exclaimed, once again, a little too loud. but unlike earlier, a customer had appeared by the register.

"oh girl, he definitely heard you," yeosang said as he laughed, walking over to the register to take the man's order.

"oops," wooyoung said apologetically, hongjoong laughing in response before returning to his post.

——

as his lunch hour neared, seonghwa thought he deserved a sweet treat. specifically, one from the bakery next door to his apartment.

he logged off for his break, taking the elevator down to the bakery. he walked inside and was delighted to see the cute dark haired man behind the counter, making what seemed to be a cappuccino.

seonghwa did not have a plan of action, but was hoping to speak to the barista. at least, he wanted to learn his name.

"next," the cashier called out and seonghwa stepped up to the register.

"um, can i please have a shot of espresso and a chocolate cupcake?" seonghwa asked as he pulled out his phone.

"no problem, your total is nine dollars and eighty four cents," the cashier stated after typing in seonghwa's order.

seonghwa tapped his phone to pay, reading the boy's name tag to thank him, "thank you, yeosang."

"no problem. have a great day! you can wait over here," yeosang motioned to the left where the pickup area was after handing a receipt to seonghwa.

seonghwa waited impatiently as he watched the dark hair man make his espresso shot. he could tell the man was tired, just as he was the week earlier. seonghwa wondered how early he had to wake up in order to make it to his shift. if he was local or had to travel far, how long it took him to get ready before the start of his shift.

the man's tiny hands made the drink with ease, as if he had been doing it his whole life. he was in a similar outfit as the week prior, wearing light wash jeans with a cream colored long sleeve. this time, he wore a hat. it made seonghwa wonder if he ran out of time to shower in the morning, or if maybe it was for style.

"order number fifty one."

seonghwa looked down at his receipt and noticed the man was talking to him. he quickly walked over and grabbed the espresso from his hands, making sure to look at his name tag.

"thank you, um... hongjoong," he said with a smile.

hongjoong barely smiled back, quickly returning to his post to brew the next order.

as seonghwa was about to leave, he realized he never got his cupcake. he quickly turned around, asking hongjoong, "i'm sorry, i was supposed to get a chocolate cupcake."

"wooyoung, grab a chocolate cupcake and bring it to the customer over here!" hongjoong called to his coworker, not giving seonghwa a second glance.

wooyoung quickly apologized and handed seonghwa his cupcake. seonghwa was a little saddened that hongjoong did not give him the cupcake, but realized he was probably very busy.

he turned and stepped out of the shop, his thoughts lingering on the mysterious boy behind the counter, hongjoong. curiosity tugged at him with every step, a quiet question echoing in his mind.

who was he, really?

a little late to update today since i didn't have work ayeeeeeee😛

what does everyone do for work/school? i work in legal marketing!

i hope everyone has a great day!!!

-vic