"hongjoong, can i ask why i'm here on my day off?" wooyoung whined as he wrapped his body in an apron, annoyed that he had to cover someone's tuesday morning shift.

"seungmin called out sick and you know how bad we need backup," hongjoong said as he finished up a latte, handing it over to the paying customer with half a smile.

"i had way too much vodka last night to be here right now," wooyoung rolled his eyes.

"i had just about the same amount of vodka and i'm here right now, stop complaining you baby. and anyways, hongjoong told you last night while we were out that you had to come in. you could've stopped drinking if you didn't want to be hungover," yeosang retorted as a customer came up to the register.

"i had a very fine man buying me drinks last night, and i will never pass up on a free drink in new york. work or not the next day," wooyoung replied sassily, the early morning banter helping hongjoong feel better about himself.

he had a rough night prior, the kind that left him feeling hollow the next morning, like he had not truly slept at all. his mind had been running in endless circles, tangled up in memories he could not seem to quiet. thoughts of the past, of things he could not change, weighed heavy on him. most of all, he had been thinking about his mother. he missed her more than he could put into words, the ache of her absence settling deep in his chest like it always did when the nights got too quiet.

then, inevitably, his thoughts turned to his father. the colder memories, the ones he tried not to look at too closely. there were shadows in those recollections, sharp edges he learned to live around. it was not just the pain of the past that kept him up, it was the echo of it, still lingering in his chest.

his coworkers were helping him get out of that state and live in the present, which he was grateful for in the moment.

"i was not impressed with his brother, i will say. trying way too hard to flirt with me. i think he goes to nyu," yeosang replied.

"ugh! nyu rich boys," wooyoung rolled his eyes, "he was hot though."

"hey, someone finally wanted me. you're not allowed to call him hot. let me have my moment!" yeosang laughed and wooyoung hit him lightly.

"hongjoong, can you pleaseeee come out with us soon? i want to set you up on a date!" wooyoung dragged out, begging his older coworker.

"wooyoung, i told you i'll think about it," hongjoong responded matter-of-fact.

"you always say that. at this point, i'm going to set you up with someone who comes in this bakery," wooyoung huffed.

but wooyoung's eyes lit up as he saw the man who bought him drinks the night before reach the cash register.

"oh, hi san!" wooyoung said, blinking rapidly as he slipped into his usual flirty expression, all charm and mischief.

"hey wooyoung," san replied with a wink. wooyoung winked back, walking away as to not seem desperate. though, he definitely put some pep in his step when he did so, hoping his back side would shake a bit as he walked away.

seonghwa stood beside as san ordered a bagel with cream cheese. seonghwa ordered an iced americano, knowing hongjoong would be the one to make his drink.

"damn san, wooyoung seems to want you," seonghwa said as the boys waited for their order.

"i know, right! i feel like we actually hit it off last night," san cheered, putting a smile on seonghwa's face.

"order eighty three," hongjoong called out.

"that's mine. thank you, hongjoong," seonghwa said as he grabbed the drink from hongjoong's hand, putting on his kindest and most charming smile. hongjoong handed him his drink, barely giving him any attention before returning to work.

"ugh, i feel like he doesn't even notice me," seonghwa grunted.

"here you go, san. extra cream cheese, just for you," wooyoung said with a wink as he handed over the bagel. "and if you're lucky, that might not be the only kind of cream you get from me."

san's eyes widened at the bold comment, completely caught off guard, while seonghwa had to bite his lip to keep from laughing.

without saying a word, the two friends turned and left the shop, san still stunned into silence by the worker's shameless remark.

"wooyoung, have you no shame?" yeosang laughed after hearing his friend's comment.

"what? i was just being honest," wooyoung shrugged. "and you sir! what the fuck was that?" wooyoung looked at hongjoong with his hands on his hip.

"what was what?" hongjoong asked innocently.

"um, my fine man's friend was clearly flirting with you! did you not notice that smile?" wooyoung asked angrily.

"not really, to be honest. i wasn't paying much attention," hongjoong replied honestly.

"well maybe pay a little more attention next time, like what the fuck! he was hot too! if i didn't want to fuck his friend, i'd take him from you," wooyoung rolled his eyes again. "if he comes back in here again, i better see you flirt back. he even called you by your name, that shows a man cares!"

"you know i'm not typically on wooyoung's side, but he's got you on this one. it wouldn't hurt to just talk," yeosang chimed in, wooyoung mouthing a dramatic 'thank you' in response.

hongjoong simply shrugged. even if the man was flirting with him, there was not much he could do with it. no reason to lean into it, no space in his life for something like that.

love was not something he wanted. not now, not like this. he knew himself too well, knew the mess he carried around like a second skin. whatever version of him existed in this moment was not ready to care for someone else, not in the way they deserved. he could barely carry his own weight most days, dragging someone else into that would only feel cruel. so even if someone looked at him with interest, with softness, all he could do was look away.

ok we're finally picking up guys... you know i love a slow burn ;).

-vic