Chapter Text
Working in the food industry is actually quite fun. The early morning rush makes Chenle’s cafe shift exciting, he wears an easy smile to show customers as they bark out their God-awful long coffee order. It’s so fun when they tell Chenle that he made their drink wrong when he simply jots down the order and he has to hold back by saying he wasn’t the one who made it.
It makes his day even more when said customer splashes their drink all over Chenle screaming about how, “This is made with two-percent milk and I don’t have my Lactaid, I’m already late to work, where is your manager?”. Luckily no one else in line gives a fuck because they're either anxiously waiting for themselves to order next or their eyes are glued to their phone. What happened to humans with empathy?
His coworkers can’t even help as they run around behind him rushing out orders. A sick part of him wishes for any other coworker - anyone else but him to have gotten the first complaint of the day, it’s their fault anyways, he thinks to himself.
With all of the patience in the world, Chenle takes a shuddering deep breath through gritted teeth and explains that he’ll be right out with his manager in just a moment. He wipes a hand down his caramel and vanilla syrup soaked face as the remaining liquid droplets fling to the ground. He cringes when he notices that the syrups are already drying on his face and swears he can already feel pimples forming. Guess I’ll have to pull out a good sheet mask later tonight. His apron is practically dripping out a path from the register by the time he reaches his manager’s door.
Letting out an angry sigh, he doesn’t even bother greeting his lovely manager, already starting, “Renjun. I’m genuinely fucking quitting this time- what the fuck don’t laugh at me?” He splutters, his hands curling up into fists as he watches Renjun sit on his office-desk-chair-throne just laughing at him.
Chenle is actually considering beating up one of his closest friends-slash-manager right now. His face screws up all funny when Renjun seemingly can’t help himself as he brings up a hand to cover an obvious smile.
“No, okay, seriously Jun, this isn’t funny. I haven’t even been on the clock for more than three hours, it’s not even noon,” Renjun keeps on giggling, “Y’know what. Please just go out there and deal with this, please I’m actually going to explode.” Chenle whines, letting out another sigh for the nth time. He rubs at his forehead and plops down in a chair opposite Renjun.
Finally, Renjun speaks, with a teasing smile on his face, “It really does suck that you always get the worst customers out of the entire crew. But okay, okay, I’ll go fix this,” Renjun lifts himself off from his chair, stacking a bunch of papers together as he slinks away from his desk and walks towards the door, “Just wait here for a bit, honey.” Chenle just sticks his tongue out at him and flips him off as he watches Renjun leave. He just knows he’s going to have a fat ass headache for the rest of his shift.
Chenle looks down at himself and sees the stains forming on his apron. He would consider himself lucky that all isn’t ruined since his shirt was mostly protected. But the pants… That nasty customer really did a number on those, the denim is still wet and there are tear-drop like stains splattered all over. Eh, whatever, it’ll come out in the wash. I don't care anyways… Wait.
Chenle stills, his day can’t get any worse. Yesterday was his wash day, and today is an odd day of the week meaning.. Fuck. Today is Jisung's laundry day. He must’ve grabbed Jisung’s jeans from the dryer when he left in a rush. Woke up late, angry customer spills drink all over the place, and now he’s freaking out about fucking up Jisung’s pants. He needs to go home immediately.
This was his third strike. If anything else happens with his luck today, he needs to find the nearest field and search for a four-leaf clover until his vision blurs. More importantly, he needs to wash these jeans soon before the stain gets any worse. At best, his best friend-roommate would be super upset, at worst he doesn’t talk to Chenle for x amount of time. That simply cannot happen. Plus, tonight is the finale to that one romcom drama they’ve been watching together. Stained jeans cannot ruin a cheesy drama and coziness with his beloved best friend.
The last time Jisung didn’t talk to Chenle lasted two whole days. Chenle decided to hang out with their mutual friend Jaemin after his shift and forgot to text an update to Jisung that he wouldn’t be home in time to watch their show. It was supposed to be a quick boba run but then Jaemin confided how he’s been fooling around with Jeno and then Chenle needed all of the information right then and there. One thing led to another and then Jaemin started talking about how he finally might escape the friendzone with the lack of physical barriers between him and Jeno.
Then it got to Jaemin asking, “What about you? How close have you and Jisung gotten?”
“Huh? Me and Jisung?” Chenle asks, confusion showing, “What are you talking about? We’re already close. I wouldn’t be roommates with him if we weren’t already best friends.”
Jaemin shakes his head, “No, no, no. That’s not what I meant. Obviously I wouldn’t ask about how close you guys are as friends, we all know you’re attached at the hip,” Jaemin sips at his drink before he continues, “I mean, he’s your crush, haven’t you… you know, gotten close, close?”
Chenle’s eyes are wide as he nearly chokes on a tapioca pearl, “What are you talking about?” he nearly shrieks, “Crush on Jisung? What- What even gives you that idea?”
Jaemin just scoffs, “You didn’t even deny it,” Chenle doesn’t even have time to defend himself as Jaemin continues, “Let’s not forget the time we went on vacation with the guys and you got Jisung three of his favorite drinks but didn’t get Jeno anything.”
“...There was a sale.” Chenle tries.
“You were practically begging Jisung to play PlayStation games with you. You were even watching tutorial videos on games he already plays. And last time we hung out, you were telling me how you were going to ‘teach him how to play’. I mean, if that doesn’t show you - wanting to learn more about your crush’s interests and do it with them then..”Jaemin trails off.
“I-I just wanted to find a new hobby with Jisung, you know! Like as friends. Together. We all know how much time he spends alone in his room!” Chenle defends himself.
Jaemin just narrows his eyes at Chenle, “Yeah, and yet you blow Donghyuck off when he tries to play games with you. Plus, Jisung’s only a shut-in when you’re not asking him to hang out with you. You’re like, the only person who can get him to go out.”
“That’s not true,” Chenle mutters, “But none of this means anything! Getting him his favorite drinks, wanting to play games - this is just me being a good friend! And- and of course I like my friend, I like all of you guys!”
“Chenle..” Jaemin sighs, “Me and you know it’s not the same. Trust me, all of the guys know it’s not the same. You look at him like he’s your everything, even in most of our group pictures you’re looking at him.” As to prove his point, Jaemin taps at Chenle’s phone revealing his wallpaper, a group picture of the seven of them. Lo and behold, Chenle has a bright smile on his face, but his eyes are on Jisung.
Chenle just lets out a breath, “This doesn’t.. This doesn’t mean anything, really. Like, I said, we’re best friends. I love all of you the same, of course he’s going to be a bit more special - I mean no offense,” Jaemin just shakes his head as to say he’s not offended, “But, just friends…”
Jaemin lifts his hands in the air, surrendering, “Alright. If you say so. Just know that, if you come running back to me on this, I’m one-hundred percent going to say ‘I told you so’.”
He leans back and then jumps into talking about Jeno again, “Anyways, Jeno has been coming over more often, but these days it’s less on hookups. I mean we still sleep together but now..” Jaemin continues, but Chenle is a little dazed because now he’s thinking about if he truly does treat Jisung differently. Does he really feel some type of way about him?
“Wait, sorry Jaem, I’m gonna order Jisung’s drink before we leave. I totally forgot to tell him I’m here, shit,” Chenle curses, pulling out his phone and typing quickly ‘be home in an hour! Jaemin won’t shut up but I’m getting you boba!!’.
“It’s fine,” Jaemin smiles, “I could tell half way you weren’t really listening but we have been here for a while now.”
Chenle winces, “No, I’m really sorry, I promise I was listening but I got lost in thought.”
Jaemin continues to smile knowingly, “It’s fine, trust me. I’m just really excited about Jeno and I had to tell you. Trust me, you’ll hear more the next time we catch up and I have a feeling you’ll update me as well.”
Chenle decidedly ignores that last bit as he gathers himself. He goes around the table as Jaemin gives him a big hug.
“Ah, okay, ease up, you act like you don’t see me for months,” Chenle struggles in his hold before easing out of the hug, “You’re always so clingy.”
Jaemin winks, “You love me anyways. See you next time!”
As Jaemin laughs and walks off, Chenle heads over to the register to order Jisung’s drink.
When he gets home, drink in hand, Jisung isn’t as excited as usual to see him.
“Hey Ji, I’m really sorry I’m so late,” Chenle stumbles in, “Did you start the show without me? It’s okay if you did, I can just watch the beginning of the episode by myself and then catch up with wherever you’re at.”
He doesn’t notice Jisung awkwardly standing around the entrance watching as Chenle moves towards their kitchen. He follows Chenle slowly before speaking, “No, I didn’t start it yet, Chenle.”
It’s only then Chenle realizes his tone isn’t light and cheery. He lets his mouth drop to a sort of ‘oh’ as he places down Jisung’s drink on the counter, a weird tension fills the air, “Sorry.. Your drink… here. I thought I could make it up to you a bit with this.”
Jisung looks away from Chenle and glances at the drink instead, “Did you have a fun time with Jaemin?”
Chenle freezes, he must be really upset I’m late for our daily show, “Uh.. yeah. It was fine I guess,” cautiously, Chenle begins again, “Are you- did you have a bad day?”
Jisung meets his eyes this time, he lets out a small huff. His emotions are a bit indescribable, like he’s holding something back, but Chenle can tell he isn’t too thrilled. Instead of a response Jisung asks, “You were gone for two hours, did you have a lot to talk about with him?”
Chenle just gulps, “I mean, he was just talking about Jeno the entire time. Nothing much,” he breathes out a light, faux laugh to try and lighten the mood, “You know how head-over-heels he is for Jeno.”
“He’s always clinging around you when we all hang out though.” Jisung says, shrugging his shoulders.
Chenle just laughs, “He’s like that with everyone. Even earlier, he attacked me with his big bear hugs. I seriously thought I couldn’t breath for a second.”
Jisung just nods and smacks his lips, “Mm. It’s late, I’m going to bed.”
“O-kay?” Chenle watches as Jisung retreats to his room with his head hung a bit low. He swears he sees Jisung shake his head a little just as he disappears and gently closes the door. That was… weird. And he didn’t even grab his boba.
The next two days after that encounter, Chenle barely sees Jisung. He left his door open but all he sees is Jisung leaving or coming back from class. Even when he gets done cooking dinner, Jisung would tell Chenle he already ate or wasn’t hungry before Chenle could offer him any like he usually does. Like they usually eat dinner together. Something is seriously off.
Two days bother Chenle more than he would like it to. He loves hearing the small updates Jisung tells him, no matter how mundane. Chenle also notices a lack of notifications on his phone that normally have Instagram reels or TikToks Jisung sends him. He learns that he misses just seeing Jisung over the span of two days and the apartment seems quiet. Not in the sense that Jisung is outspoken but his presence is absent.
The apartment is their space. Filled with knicknacks they each have that blend together making a cozy and nostalgic aesthetic. From collectibles they’ve gifted to each other to random books and candles. They have pictures here and there from when they were young up until now, some of just the two, some with their group of friends. Bits and pieces of Chenle and Jisung decorate the area but nothing compares to the real and physical human Jisung the space is missing. It’s more than an apartment, it’s a home. Just like how Jisung is more than just a friend, he’s Jisung.
Chenle doesn’t even know what he could have done wrong, so he shakes off the feeling of barging into Jisung’s room and demanding an answer or apologizing for… what would he apologize for? He figures Jisung will be comfortable to come to him when he’s ready. That’s how it’s been in the past. They don’t fight much because Chenle either confronts the situation upfront or Jisung eventually caves and starts talking to Chenle again. He learns that two days is a lot. There haven't been a lot of moments when they were separated but if there was a scenario where they would be, there would be mental preparation for that. But now, there’s nothing left but confusion.
When the third day rolls around. Jisung seemingly caves. Chenle hears him open and close their front door when he walks in. Instead of going to his room, Chenle sees Jisung walk in from where he’s standing at his bed folding laundry. He turns at the same time as Jisung wrapping him in a hug.
“Missed you.”
Chenle breathes a deep sigh of relief melting in Jisung's hold. His shoulders drop on their own, he's rid of all of the tenseness from the past few days before quietly saying, “I missed you too.”
So, two days apart without any mental preparation or reasoning is pretty much equal to a deep aching void filled with suffering when he didn't see Jisung. By the time he’s done reminiscing and freaking out, Renjun waltzes back into the office with a damp rag and hands it to Chenle.
“Okay you really need to clean yourself up. Especially those pants, just dab it lightly. It should be fine,” Renjun says with an air of nonchalance as he settles back into his chair, “I’ve been gone for like five minutes but you already smell like rotting milk.”
“Oh, fuck you.” Chenle rolls his eyes, dabbing at the pants and praying to all things holy that this will come out. Jisung has been pretty into fashion lately so he’s sure these are fairly new. He also really wants to make sure he won’t fuck them up because of that.
“Really? That’s how you speak to your saving grace?” Renjun says with a smirk, there’s no malice to his voice, “Basically, just settled it with a gift card and an empty promise that it won’t happen again. I mean - who do they think they are? Humans make mistakes. You’d think with the way they reacted, they never made one single mistake in their entire life.”
Chenle huffs through his nose, “Saving grace my ass. You started laughing as soon as I walked in. They should’ve made a mistake all over you instead of me then you wouldn’t be laughing at my misery.”
“Well, it’s not my fault you came in dripping like a damn espresso machine.” Renjun giggles.
“And it’s not my fault either! You need to check on the quality of your staff! I don’t know if it’s these damn new hires, but I don’t think they’re ready for morning rush yet” Chenle rolls his eyes.
Renjun continues laughing, grabbing a stack of paper and writing something down, “You know I’m just joking, love. But! Crisis averted, now things can go back to normal.”
“Yippee. And I’m still covered in milk.” Chenle says, voice flat.
As Chenle places the rag on Renjun’s desk, he watches as Renjun scribbles something down before checking something on his computer. Then, Renjun eyes Chenle quickly before scrolling on his computer.
Nervously, Renjun begins, “Uhh.. You know how you were saying I should check on my staff something something..”
Chenle can see Renjun is obviously hiding something and he has a feeling he’s not going to be happy about what he’s going to hear next, “Just say it.”
“You’re already having a shitty day the first few hours in and you know, at least you didn’t work a full shift! You didn’t even work half a shift!” Renjun says, voice taking a sweet tone as he plasters a smile on his face.
Chenle is already antsy as he impatiently asks, “Oh my God, Renjun. What? Please, just say it.”
“I accidentally scheduled you for today it’s actually supposed to be Mark working today but I don’t know where he is and I didn’t really notice until I just looked at the clock-in program so you can totally go home but you still love me as your friend and you know everyone makes mistakes right-” Renjun rushes out in one breath.
As soon as Renjun closes his eyes, preparing for verbal impact, Mark bursts through the door,
“Junnie! Sorry I’m late, there was something wrong with the bus so we had to stop and then traffic but- I’ll get to work right away, I just clocked in!” Before anyone says anything, Mark cheerily walks out and makes a beeline for his station already picking up on orders.
Chenle looks at Renjun. Renjun opens one eye and looks back at him.
“Normally I would yell at you and I am a little mad but honestly thank you.”
Now both of Renjun’s eyes are open, “Wait, what?”
Chenle takes his apron off and stands, “I really need to go home because of these pants, they cannot be fucked up.” Honestly, this might be the first stroke of luck Chenle has gotten all day. All he cares about is these damn jeans and Jisung.
“Okay, I don’t understand what pants have to do with the scheduling issue, thing, but you’re welcome and sorry I gue-”
Chenle can’t be more glad he has an opportunity to wash all this shit out and get them in a pristine state before Jisung notices. He doesn’t even let Renjun finish as he dashes out of the office, hangs up his apron, and books it towards the parking lot. He has to fix this.