Summary:This isn’t a song Jaebeom usually writes, but you love it anyway.
Word Count: 198
“Babe, can you come here to listen to my song? I want to know your opinion before I send it to a producer,” Jaebeom calls from another room, and you sigh, making your way around the kitchen table.
“Jae, you know my taste isn’t quite like yours. I don’t think I would give very good advice. For the kind of song you’re writing, I mean.” Jaebeom looks at you as you round the corner but says nothing, instead just hitting the space bar of his laptop.
There’s no sound for a while, but then you can hear a faint voice. Your voice. You scrunch up your nose. “Jae-” Jaebeom hushes you, and you sigh, sitting on the edge of his chair as you listen.
It’s just you talking, laughing, joking around. How did he even get this footage? Before you can look at him questioningly, though, the audio stops and Jaebeom is off his chair, kneeling on the floor.
He has a box in his hand. “(Y/N), the love of my life-” he has barely started his sentence and you’re already crying. You let him finish his speech, and yet, you already have an answer in your head.
Summary: You definitely weren’t expected to end up debating the ethics of lemon pie, but you aren’t going to complain if it means you get to spend time with a cute barista.
@cheriebeom Hello! I am your secret santa. Writing with bad grammar was very painful to my soul, but it was necessary to hide my identity ;) I hope you enjoy this story.
And I would like to apologise for using @aglassofpinkchampagne as a spy—I didn’t want the story to be any later than it was so as well as my anons I used her to sneak some info out of you. I know that’s not really how secret santa works but let us pretend this once :) She also made the banner for this fic.
“Good morning!” You smile at the barista who greeted you. He’s handsome, you’ll admit, with his sharp features and eyes. A grey beanie sits atop his head, pushing back his raven locks. “What can I get you?”
At his question, your eyes slide up to the menu again. “Can I get an iced matcha with whipped cream?” The barista nods, inputting your order into the system as you slide your card in the slot to pay.
“A good choice, although not one I see this early in the morning usually,” he makes small talk. Usually, you dislike it, but somehow it feels natural with him.
“Not one I would usually make either, but I’ve been really into matcha lately.” There’s no one waiting behind you so you don’t really feel bad about continuing the conversation. The bari– Jaebeom, on his nametag, nods. “Matcha is delicious, although I am more of a coffee guy.”
“Sounds like you got a fitting job then,” you joke, pleased to see a wide grin split Jaebeom’s face.
“Believe it or not, I actually hate this job,” he laughs. “Sure I like coffee, but far too many people complain about the weirdest things. Here’s your drink.” As he slides your cup towards you, you thank him.
“I understand, I work in customer service as well, although not in food service for a while. Have a good day!” He nods in acknowledgement of your words and you make your way to a quiet table in the corner.
You came to the cafe to prepare for your finals and finish up a few projects, but you find that after barely two hours you’ve found yourself daydreaming about that barista. You blame the time of the day. If you came to the cafe in the evening, you would have had too much on your mind to care about how cute the barista is.
Yes, you are brilliant at focusing on one thing at a time.
You don’t really know how long you have been staring at your PDF with glossed over eyes, but when someone stands at your table and puts a plate down, you blink for the first time in a while and your eyes burn. You look up and to your right to see Jaebeom standing by your table, apron and all.
Jaebeom smiles down at you, eyes more gentle than before. “Lost in thought?” You can only nod, surprised at the “visit”. “I brought you a plate.”
You snort, looking at the plain, white, empty plate. “Thanks, but what is it for? I didn’t order anything.”
“I know. So what would you like to eat?” Jaebeom’s smile is lopsided and adorable. “I recommend the lemon pie.”
“I hate lemon pie. It’s a fucking disgrace.” You can’t help but laugh at how defeated Jaebeom looks.
“Please tell me you at least like mint choco?” You decide to refrain from hurting his feelings by saying that you have no strong opinion on it, and instead just nod.
“But seriously,” you quickly add, “I don’t need anything.”
Jaebeom snorts, an eyebrow (pierced, your heart screams) raised. “It has been three hours since you came in, and for the past hour, you have just been staring into space.”
Your mouth opens and closes, not unlike a very confused fish. He had been keeping an eye on you? “I–” You don’t even know what to say. Jaebeom laughs again.
“Tell you what,” Jaebeom starts, “I’ll surprise you with a dessert—not lemon pie, I promise—and if you don’t like it, I’ll pay for it.”
“Sure, sounds fair!” You feel like this might turn into a bad idea, but you never know, and you’re willing to take a chance with this cutie. Plus, there’s a chance for a free dessert! Jaebeom winks and turns and leaves to grab your surprise dessert. As you wait, you can’t help but let a smile creep up on your face. It definitely isn’t the usual start to your day, but you aren’t complaining. Jaebeom is cute.
When he returns, the dessert he chose is hidden in a bowl and a spatula covering it. “Close your eyes,” Jaebeom orders and you comply. You can hear clattering and your curiosity grows. “You can look now!”
The dessert in front of you looks absolutely divine. You can’t tell if it’s apple cobbler or apple cake, but you want to dig in immediately. A fork is procured by Jaebeom and you take it gratefully. “Thanks.” You remember your manners before you dig in. It’s a good thing that you did too, since as soon as the food enters your mouth you almost cry from how heavenly it tastes and all thoughts fly out of your head.
“Apple cinnamon cheesecake,” Jaebeom announces proudly. “Judging by the look on your face, you like it.”
You swear if you were in an anime, your eyes would be huge and sparkly. “I love it,” you emphasize, beaming up at him. “How much do I owe?”
Jaebeom laughs again, and you take a mental picture of the way his eyes scrunch up. “I’m glad,and there’s no need to pay,” he hums. You open your mouth to protest, but Jaebeom winks and all protests die on your tongue. Damn, he already winked before and yet you are still swooning. “I know it’s a little heavy for the morning, but it’s easily one of our best desserts…next to the lemon pie of course.”
You let your face morph into one of disgust. “Do not utter that evil dessert’s name in front of this heavenly one.” You know you sound a little silly, but it’s worth it, seeing Jaebeom’s adorable smile stay on his face.
“What is so bad about lemon pie anyway?” He sides into the seat opposite you and you try to refrain from letting your face show how pleased you are.
“Oh, my God, don’t get me started,” you roll your eyes hard enough that they could pop out of your head. “If I want toast with lemon marmalade, I can make that quick and easy. Lemon pie is just unnecessary, and much too bitter. Lemon is fine generally, but the numpty that puts it in the pie should be jailed. What even is the point of lemon pie? Who invented it? It looks amazing but it’s totally inedible. I’d much rather munch on lemon jello with ritz crackers than eat a lemon pie.”
Jaebeom laughs out loud, throwing his head back. “That was definitely an original way of describing your hatred. I, on the other hand, like lemon pie just fine. In fact, I make amazing lemon pie. I’ll have to make you some to convince you.”
You roll your eyes again. You are always serious about your lemon pie. “Sure you do. I will have to hold you to the highest standard when I judge your pies.” You don’t really know what else to say after that, but thankfully Jaebeom seems willing to keep this conversation going. You silently thank the gods that no other customer has entered the building yet.
“So, are you studying?” Jaebeom asks, nodding towards your laptop.
“Ah, unfortunately, yes,” you sigh dramatically. “As much as I wish I could just be watching cute cat videos, my finals are coming up and I have some projects to get done.”
Jaebeom hums. “That’s really neat, though. What is your field of focus?”
“Digital design,” you sigh, looking at your laptop screen. “I like it enough, but sometimes I just get so frustrated. But I’m almost finished with my degree, and I do enjoy it most of the time, so I will just stick through and see where it takes me.”
Jaebeom hums, tilting his head. “Well, that’s admirable. Digital design is super cool, lots of creativity goes into it. What made you pursue it?”
You hum, poking at your cake. “It’s basically a combination of all that I love. Art, computers, problem solving. All of that interests me. What about you?”
Jaebeom plants his elbows on the table. “Film and photography double major. A pain in the ass, but worth it.” He smiles again, still crooked. “Looks like we’re both focusing on the arts. So you’re in your last year? I graduate next year.”
“Yeah. Almost done with school.” You agree, and then the realisation hits you. “Oh, my God. I’m almost done with school.”
Jaebeom guffaws, head thrown back and teeth looking ready to pop out. “Well, good luck on your studies,” he winks, “and enjoy that cake. I need to go back to work or else my boss will kill me.”
You barely have time to nod and smile before he’s gone, back at the counter, and you have to go back to focusing on school. But, when another two hours have passed, your plates have been emptied and cleared (by a coworker, not Jaebeom you are sad to say), it is time for you to go. You cast one quick glance to the counter, but Jaebeom isn’t there, so you pack up and head out the door.
You don’t get very far, however, when you hear the door slam behind you again and footsteps run up to you. A hand on your shoulder spins you around and you come face to face with Jaebeom. “…Hi?” you stammer out.
“Canigiveyoumynumber?” Jaebeom rushes out, but he takes a deep breath and tries again. “Can I give you my number?” You gape like a fish.
“What? I mean, sure, but what?” Your speaking ability is astonishing right now, and Jaebeom smiles sheepishly.
“Yeah, sorry, it’s a little sudden. I meant to ask you before you left but I dropped a bunch of containers. I really owe my coworker the tips today.” Jaebeom laughs bashfully, rubbing the back of his neck, and you smile at his cute antics.
“Well, then, how could I let you return empty handed?” You say, pulling out your phone. “Plus, I’ll give you a chance to change my mind on lemon pie.”
Jaebeom beams, taking the phone you offered him and inputting his number. “I promise to do my best.” A pause. “I have to get back to work.” He looks so upset that you can’t help but to giggle.
“Go, go, before your coworker decides to take part of your pay too. I promise to call you.” You wave him off, smiling as he retreats, a goofy smile still on his face. Even if his lemon pie will turn out disgusting as it always is whenever you try it, you think you will still keep talking to him.
“We live in a society that likes to segregate its citizens with labels and prejudices,” the sociology professor started, making most of the students roll their eyes. “Even here, you have all sat down according to your ‘role.’” She pointed to the left. “Prey.” She pointed to the right. “Predator.” She smiled, as the students seemed to realize their own segregation. “So, I’m going to take matters in my own hands, in this classroom.” She took out a list of students, separated as predator and prey. “Since we are a sociology class, you will get to know the person I assign you to.”
