Chapter Text
Hyuk is a good worker. He’s fast and reliable, and he seems to genuinely enjoy talking with customers and helping them find products. Every day, he shows up with the same bright smile, ready for work, and on the days he isn’t scheduled and Nathan is, he finds himself missing him.
That’s the other thing—over just two weeks, Hyuk and Nathan have become very close. Hyuk is incredibly easy to talk to, and even on his first day, he acted like Nathan was a friend he met many years ago. Though it took a bit longer, Nathan started to feel comfortable with Hyuk relatively quickly as well. There isn’t much time for conversation or bonding during work, but every moment they get, they spend talking together.
One of their primary topics of conversation, and what’s really tied them together, is their shared interest in music. Before Hyuk, Nathan didn’t know anyone else with a passion for music, at least in person. Once Hyuk shared more about his interests, it became easy for Nathan to discuss his. Since then, Nathan has learned that Hyuk likes K-pop as well, and that he sings and dances. Neither of them have shown their abilities to the other yet, but they continue to vaguely suggest that they do so after work one day. As soon as Nathan has the confidence, he’ll invite Hyuk over.
Talking with Hyuk has also given Nathan a greater love for music. Hyuk’s energy is contagious, and he speaks about music with a deep, fiery passion. While Nathan has always enjoyed music and K-pop and has spent many years making content online, he feels even more impassioned when talking with Hyuk. He still doesn’t understand why Hyuk is in Arkansas if he wants to be an idol, but he’s given Nathan hope that the dream he once thought was so out of reach is possible. One day, maybe he could join Hyuk as an idol and explore the world that that life would offer.
Still, Nathan hasn’t told him that he wants to be an idol too. He doesn’t want to be too ambitious. Besides, right now, he has to focus on managing a Walmart.
As grateful as he is to have Hyuk, having just one more good worker isn’t enough in a Walmart this large. They need someone else, and Nathan needs to redirect his focus back towards hiring new employees. He’s put up even more posters advertising that the store is hiring, and he’s tried talking to some customers, but his work has been unsuccessful. Maybe his experience hiring Hyuk made him too hopeful.
Due to the understaffing, Nathan is once again working at the register. He could have asked Hyuk to do it, but he feels a bit bad always subjecting him to the same task and decided to let him work out on the floor today. Also, if Nathan is at the register, he can try to convince more people to apply, and then neither he or Hyuk will have to constantly work the register.
The day has been relatively slow so far; this isn’t unusual, considering they are in a small town in the middle of Arkansas, but it does make it quite boring. Within his two weeks of working here, Hyuk seems to have noticed this as well, as he comes to the front to talk to Nathan every half hour or so. If Nathan were a better manager, he might tell him to go back to his work, but he rather enjoys the company, and he knows there isn’t anything to do that’s so urgent that he and Hyuk can’t talk for a few minutes here and there.
When Hyuk approaches for the fifth time, he has an almost pitying look on his face; is Nathan’s boredom really that obvious? “How’s it going?” Hyuk casually leans on the counter, his arm nearly brushing against Nathan’s. “Slow?”
Nathan sighs. “Pretty slow. I think I’ve seen two people since you were last up here.”
“That’s it? Any luck talking with them?”
Of course, Hyuk is aware of Nathan’s goal to hire more people as well. He was the first subject of interest, after all. “Not really. Anyone I’ve tried to talk to has either ignored the whole application thing or switched the topic.” Hyuk nods in understanding. Neither of them are too hopeful, but Hyuk understands how much this means to Nathan.
“Enough about that, though. How’s your work going?” Nathan asks. He’s been trying to look out for Hyuk and make sure he isn’t too overwhelmed or understimulated. Hyuk has a lot of energy, so Nathan has been trying to keep him occupied, but he also knows that being in a completely new environment can be difficult. Today is Hyuk’s first day on the floor on his own, and Nathan wants to be sure that it’s going well for him.
Fortunately, Hyuk nods enthusiastically, his face lighting up. “It’s good! It’s a nice change of pace, and there’s plenty to do.” Hyuk somehow has the ability to be enthused by anything; Nathan is a bit impressed.
“I’m happy to hear that. Let me know if you need anything.”
Hyuk nods. It seems like he has more to say, but he ultimately keeps his mouth closed. Hyuk is too social to stay quiet for long, and Nathan is sure he wants to strike up more conversation discussing topics beyond just work. Nathan wants that too, even if this isn’t exactly the time for it. He waits, just to see if Hyuk will initiate anything, but before he can, someone approaches the counter.
Hyuk quickly steps out of the way, greeting the customer as they begin removing items from their cart. He looks about the same age as Hyuk, certainly no older. When Hyuk speaks to him, he looks at him and nods. He then turns to Nathan, and as soon as Nathan sees his eyes, his heart stops.
The first thing he notices is that this man is beautiful. Very beautiful. The slight wave of his hair, the softness of his cheeks, and his big lips make him rather cute as well. The next thing he processes is less visible, but more of an energy radiating off of the man. Just from looking at him, Nathan feels like he must be a very kind, reliable, passionate person. He seems like the type of person you’d want to work with or a group project in school, or someone you’d ask for directions from if you were lost. It’s hard to come across genuinely kind people, and somehow, Nathan is sure this man must be one. He’s overcome with an intense feeling, one he remembers experiencing when he first met Hyuk; he needs to hire this man, and he needs to know him.
“Good morning, how are you?” Naturally, Nathan smiles at the man. He’s been smiling a lot more now that Hyuk is around. In response, the man only nods. He seems to be a bit quieter than the average customer; Nathan will have to work harder to get to know him.
“That’s nice to hear,” he says, even though the man didn’t actually confirm that he was doing well. “I’m Nathan, by the way.” He hopes that the introduction will make the conversation feel more personal, and if he really wants to convince this man to apply, it would be best to establish that type of dynamic immediately.
The man’s lips part, his expression frozen in shock, but he replies a moment later. “I’m Seok.” His voice is soft, and Nathan can’t help but think that it has a musical quality to it. Seok stares at him for another moment before handing Nathan the rest of his items.
Nathan tries to think of a smooth way to lead into a conversation, but Seok is moving so fast that he isn’t sure he’ll be able to. “Are you from around here?”
Seok continues to stare at him, silent. Nathan is sure Seok is thinking he’s some sort of stalker. He inwardly cringes and focuses too hard on the loaf of bread Seok just handed him before Seok’s sweet voice rings through the air again. “I’m not too far from here.”
Nathan nods too enthusiastically for the topic of conversation. “Do you come into town often? I’m not sure I’ve seen you around.”
Seok answers more quickly this time. “Not too often. There’s another grocery store a bit closer to me, but I thought I would come here and see a few other places too. There’s a nice café down the street, I’m sure you’ve been.”
It feels like they’re making progress. He can tell it will take a bit for Seok to open up, but once he does, Nathan is sure he’d be an interesting person to talk to, someone with so many unique experiences and ideas. If he can get him to open up even slightly right now, he’s sure they’d start to form a great bond.
But for that bond to mean anything, they need to keep talking, and that doesn’t seem like it will be happening today. Seok is already taking his card out, and Nathan has spent far too long pretending to finish scanning his items. There isn’t time for a whole spiel. “We’re hiring right now. We pay above minimum wage. The work isn’t too bad—Hyuk can tell you.” He motions towards Hyuk, who seems surprised for a moment, but quickly nods.
“Not bad at all. It’s nice here, it can be fun at times.” Seok’s expression is blank, but Nathan is grateful for the backup.
“I’m sorry, I’m already quite busy…” Seok looks away from them both, as if a lack of eye contact will make Nathan stop talking.
What Seok doesn’t know is that Nathan is quite desperate, and he’ll do whatever it takes to convince him. Perhaps Walmart has made him delusional, but the aura radiating off of Seok makes him seem like a very good worker, and Nathan can’t let him slip away. “That’s okay. Most of our workers are already part-time, and we’d be more than happy to accommodate your schedule.”
Seok starts to frown, handing Nathan his card. “No, I’m sorry…” He trails off, and Nathan thinks it should be a sign to stop asking, but he feels like he’s so close to winning him over.
“Please, we’re very short-staffed, but I promise the work environment is very friendly, and we encourage a great work-life balance.” Nathan pauses, waiting to hear Seok’s answer, but he’s met with silence.
Nathan is left with no choice but to simply process Seok’s payment and finish bagging his items. He isn’t surprised by Seok’s reaction, and wouldn’t even be disappointed if it were anyone else, but losing Seok feels like losing a precious treasure. He seems efficient, kind, and enthusiastic, even if not as energetically as Hyuk. Beyond working at Walmart, Nathan thinks he’d be a nice person to befriend too, but he guesses he’ll never know.
As he hands Seok his bags, he forces a smile. Before he can thank him, however, Seok speaks up. “Okay. How should I apply?”
Nathan thought the happiest he could feel was when he hired Hyuk, but Seok’s words are rivaling that moment. “Let me show you the online application.” Unlike Hyuk, Seok keeps his phone, but Nathan verbally navigates him to the application portal. Seok stares at it for a moment, but opens up the form before putting his phone away.
“Really, thank you. You seem like a wonderful person. I hope to hear from you again soon,” Nathan adds as Seok takes his bags. He hopes he isn’t coming on too strong, but even if he is, Seok seems like someone who can easily handle that. If they were friends, he thinks Seok might even play into it. For now, though, Seok simply nods and offers a shy smile.
“Yes, I’ll see you soon.” He heads out a moment later, likely trying to avoid anything else Nathan might say.
Hyuk quickly returns to Nathan’s side as soon as Seok leaves, his face glowing with excitement. “You did it!!” he cheers, throwing his arms over Nathan’s to embrace him in a hug. All Nathan really did was desperately beg a poor, innocent bystander to work at Walmart, but at least his mission can be appreciated by someone else now.
“Do you think he’ll apply, though?” Nathan is still hesitant—while no one has verbally agreed to apply since Hyuk, he doubts Seok was very convinced. It really is unfortunate that he couldn’t have spent more time talking with him and really trying to draw him in; Seok seemed so easy and fun to talk to.
Hyuk is much more confident than Nathan and nods happily. “I’m sure he will!”
Nathan isn’t so sure, but a week later, he’s proven wrong as he confirms Seok’s upcoming interview. Another two weeks later, Seok begins his first shift at Walmart.