Work Text:
It's during Baekjin's lunch break when he arrives at the bakery for the very first time.
The sky is clear and bright. The breeze outside is cool, but not chilly. Simply cold enough to hint at the approaching winter. Baekjin doesn't eat lunch despite sending his employees out to do so.
A batch of cupcakes came out a little wrong, and sure, they don't look any different from the outside, and most people probably won't even be able to tell the difference in taste, but Baekjin can. He knows, and he can't sell them.
Baekjin puts the new batch into the oven and barely hears the bell over the entrance ring over the gentle music playing in the kitchen. Baekjin is quick to wipe his hands and rush out of the kitchen.
"Welcome to the Flour Jar, how can I help you?" The practised sentence falls out of his lips easily, and the man standing in front of him gives him a wide eyed look.
The man looks confused, but it's not the kind of confusion that Baekjin is used to seeing on people's faces when they're trying to decide what they should choose to eat. He looks like he was dropped here from another world, and doesn't have a single clue what to do.
"Can I… can I help with something?" Baekjin hesitantly asks.
The man lets out a deep, shuddering breath and nods slowly. "Do you–do you have tofu? Or–or something like that?"
"Tofu?" Baekjin's eyes widen slightly in surprise. It's not every day someone asks for something made of tofu in a bakery. Maybe he's vegan. "Yes, we–we have tofu chiffon cake. Would you like that?"
The man nods, "Yes, please."
"Alright. Would you like it here, or should I pack it for you?" he asks.
The man thinks it over, but eventually says, "I'll take it here."
"Please, take a seat. I'll bring you a slice right away," Baekjin says and gets to work.
While he's cutting a slice and plating it, he notices that despite the rest of the bakery being empty, the man sits at the very corner, hidden away from the entrance. Baekjin takes the pastry to himself and places it on the table.
"Hope you enjoy yourself," he says before walking away and making his way to the counter again.
Baekjin doesn't mean to look, but there is a clear view of the man's back from the counter, and he can't help that his eyes find their way to the man over and over again. he tries to distract himself with wiping the counter, fixing plates that do not need to be fixed, and checking on the cupcakes even though he knows they're no where near being done.
But his gaze yet finds its way to the man.
But who can really blame him when the man looks so… intriguing?
He looks unkept, but also as if he has tried very hard to fix himself; he had a backpack on him that looked filled to the brim. He holds it close as if it contains his whole life. His clothes are shabby but clean, and he holds himself in a way that looks like he's still trying to learn how to act like a human being.
Everything about him makes Baekjin curious.
Every little mannerism of his makes Baekjin want to know more about him. His grip on the fork is tight, and he eats without even letting the taste settle on his tongue, never chewing and only swallowing the cake.
It's like he doesn't want to risk anyone taking his food away from him. Baekjin knows what it's like to eat like that. It's only one of the many habits that he developed while growing up in the orphanage. It's also something Baekjin had to work hard to get rid of.
He wonders if the man grew up like that, too, and never managed to get over the habit.
When the man gets up, Baekjin quickly looks away, scrambling around to look busy doing literally anything else but staring at him.
"It was really good, thank you," the man says, placing the plate on the counter.
"Oh, you didn't have to bring this here," Baekjin blurts out. The man instantly looks embarrassed, and Baekjin wants to dig a hole and die there. "I mean–it's my job to take care of things like this."
"Sorry," he mutters, averting his eyes, and making Baekjin feel worse.
"No, no, it's completely fine," Baekjin mutters. "I'll ring up your bill. It's 4,500 won."
The man mumbles something under his breath that Baekjin doesn't quite catch, but he doesn't ask the man to repeat himself. It probably wasn't for him to hear. He pulls out a few crumpled notes from his trouser pocket and carefully straightens them.
Before he's even done counting, Baekjin can tell that it's not enough money. The empty look on the man's face disappears, and instead, he looks completely distraught.
"I–I'm sorry," he stammers. "I don't…"
"It's okay," Baekjin reassures him. "Consider it on the house."
"No, I can't—" the man shakes his head, but Baekjin can't accept the money from the man when this is all he has left on his person. "You should keep this. I'll pay you back the rest as soon as possible."
The man places the money on the counter, but Baekjin catches his hand before he can pull away. He returns the money and says, "Pay me the full thing later, then."
"But… that's not right," the man mutters.
Baekjin huffs, "Consider it a special offer since you're a first time customer. And it's good for my business, too, since it guarantees that you're going to return. You will return, right?"
The man nods vigorously, "Yes, of course."
Baekjin shoots him a gentle smile, simply because it looks like the man might need one. "Then you can pay for the cake at a later date."
The man swallows harshly and bows deeply. "Thank you," he whispers before taking his leave.
Baekjin watches him go silently, and even after he can no longer see the person, his eyes stay stuck in that direction. Sure, it's possible that the man might never return, but Baekjin doesn't care. He believes he did the right thing, and he has a feeling that the man will return.
Baekjin sees the man walk past the bakery several times after that, but not a single time does he enter. He doesn't even look towards the bakery. Instead, he looks like he's trying his best not to look.
But that's what makes Baekjin pay attention more intensely every time.
The first time Baekjin sees him walk by, it's early in the morning. He has just opened the shop and is setting up the pastries and bread on display.
His eyes are burning slightly from sleepiness, and he feels annoyed at the fact that he hasn't yet had his morning coffee. He sighs and looks out of the window, and right at that moment, sees the man walking past the shop.
His pace is languid, and there's still the same melancholic and hollow look on his face. He's wearing the same clothes, still, but his backpack is absent. Baekjin has an indescribable urge to run out and catch up to the man, to talk to him, invite him inside, but he resists.
Because that'd be insane.
So he simply stares as the man walks away.
The next time Baekjin sees the man is a few days later, and this time he's walking in the opposite direction.
His clothes are different this time, but still dark, and a little too warm for the weather. The black windbreaker and black combat boots really do look uncomfortable.
The look on his face is the same, though.
The same sadness, the same hollowness, the same melancholy.
Baekjin wants to ask what has him looking so miserable, but asking that to a person who is nothing but a stranger is beyond nuts, and Baekjin has enough common sense to understand that.
But still, as he watches the man disappear from the line of his sight, Baekjin feels something inside his chest tighten.
Baekjin ignores the feeling and gets back to work. He needs to earn money, after all; otherwise, he'll really start regretting not taking the money from the man that day.
The third time, Baekjin is only able to catch a glimpse of the man.
It's peak rush hour, which means the shop is packed, and Baekjin has to pay his full attention to the orders and ensure that everything functions perfectly. Even a second of distraction can lead to complete chaos.
He is serving a customer their pastries when he feels a sudden urge to look towards the shop's windows, and sure enough, the man is there, walking in his usual slow pace. But before Baekjin can even get a proper look at the man, he hears, "Mr. Na, can you help out here, please!" and he is forced to look away.
Baekjin doesn't see the man for quite a while after that.
Every day, he finds himself glancing in the mirror, hoping to catch a glimpse of the tired gait and mournful face, but every day, Baekjin is disappointed.
Baekjin doesn't know or understand why he's feeling like this over that man. Why a stranger is having such an effect on his mood, and as of now, he doesn't want to think too deeply about it. What good would that bring anyway?
He's being too nosy. He and that man have no connection, and Baekjin really should stop thinking about him so much and should swallow down all his curiosities regarding that man's life. It's none of his business.
If he thinks about this from an outsider's point of view, there's not a single moment of doubt in his mind that they would call him insane. Hell, even Seongje would laugh and call him an obsessed freak, and that is the most important reason why he has to get over his fixation.
That man doesn't matter. Baekjin has his own life and—
Oh, there he is!
He runs past the shop too fast for Baekjin to get a proper look, but he's sure it's that man. He wonders what dragged the man out of his dazed misery and made him move so rapidly. Baekjin wants to know.
He wants to know what makes the man look so sad, what makes him happy, what makes him run, what he likes to eat, what is name is, what kind of person he is, who he is. Baekjin wants to know everything about the man.
It's just simple human curiosity, though. Nothing more than that. There is no deeper meaning to it either. Really, there isn't.
Baekjin can't stop thinking about the man.
He thinks about him the whole day. While working, while eating, while he's at home resting, while he's going to sleep. He dreams about the man, and even wakes up thinking about him.
That is… probably not normal, but Baekjin is going to ignore that, too.
When the rainfall starts, Baekjin stops seeing the man as often. Sometimes, he sees men with their faces covered by an umbrella walking by, but none of them is ever him. Each time, some man in dark, casual clothes passes by, Baekjin finds himself looking over, only to be let down.
"Are you waiting for someone, Mr. Na?" Seojun, one of his employees, asks. "You've been constantly looking out of the window for days."
"What? Oh," Baekjin looks away from the window and blinks at Seojun. "No, it's nothing. Go back to work. Why are you here?"
"I was just checking on you," Seojun says innocently.
"More like slacking off," Baekjin glares. "Go back to work."
"Yes, boss," Seojun sulks and sullenly walks back into the kitchen.
Baekjin goes back to looking out of the window. Thunder crackles in sky, and Baekjin jumps a little. He doesn't even know why it's raining this hard at this time of the year. He sighs and frowns. Not only is the rain preventing him from seeing the man, sales are also low because of it.
That's why Baekjin despises the rain.
He almost gives up on seeing the man when the universe takes mercy on his poor — and pathetic — self, and makes the man appear. His gait is slow once again, even though it's raining like mad, and he's getting completely soaked.
Baekjin's feet move before his mind can catch up with what's happening. He grabs his umbrella and runs out after the man, barely opening it.
"Hey, wait!" Baekjin yells and runs after the man, water splashing under his feet with each hurried step.
The man looks around for a bit before turning around, and by that time, Baekjin is already coming to a stop in front of him. Baekjin heaves slightly as he puts the umbrella over the man, protecting him from the rain even though he's soaked to the bone.
"Take this," he says, pushing the handle towards the man.
The man looks flustered, and after all these times of watching him, this is the first time Baekjin has seen him show that much emotion on his face. "Oh, I don't–it's fine. I'm already all wet, and—"
"Take it," Baekjin insists. "How will I get my money back if you die from pneumonia? So you'd better take care of your health. Don't get soaked in the rain, and wear warmer clothes."
The man looks confused from being scolded, and also a little like a kicked puppy. It's stupidly endearing. A grown man should not look cute. The man tries to refuse and return the umbrella again, but Baekjin doesn't listen to any of that.
He steps back, and the rain starts falling on him now, wetting him. "See you later," he says before running back to the shop.
When he enters the shop, his clothes are already drenched.
"Mr. Na, where did you go in this rain? Why are you drenched?" Seolah despairs. "You're going to get sick. You need to get changed, hurry!"
"I'll be fine," Baekjin dismisses her.
Baekjin is not fine. He has a fever.
He has to stay at home for two whole weeks because of that, which means two whole weeks of not seeing a single glimpse of the man. It's the worst two weeks of his life. He's bedridden, and weak, and yearning—No!
Not yearning. Of course, not.
He is interested.
He is intrigued.
He is fascinated.
The day he returns to work, all he wants to do is catch a glimpse of the man. Baekjin can barely focus on work with how often he keeps glancing out of the window. It's dark outside, and almost time to close the shop when the man appears once more.
But this time, the man doesn't walk by. Instead, he steps inside the shop, surprising Baekjin.
"Welcome to… Flour Jar," he says on instinct, but the words still coming out are stilled with shock. "I um, hello."
"Hi," the man hesitantly says, and steps closer to the counter. "I–I came around a few days ago, too, but you weren't there."
"I was sick," Baekjin replies. "So I had to take a break. Is something the matter?"
"No, no. i just wanted to—" the man takes out a few crumpled bills from his trouser pockets, and places them on the counter. "Your money. And the umbrella, too," he adds, placing the umbrella on the counter.
"Ah," Baekjin smiles. "Thank you." He takes the money and puts it in the cash drawer, and sets the umbrella aside.
"No, thank you… for–for the cake that day, and letting me pay this late, and–and also the umbrella," the man tells him. "I don't know how to repay you."
"You just did," Baekjin chuckles. "You have nothing else to pay for. And if you're that grateful, maybe you could tell me your name in return for the help."
"Oh… I–I'm Park Humin," the man introduces.
"Park Humin," he mutters under his breath, tasting the name on his tongue. "My name is Na Baekjin. It's nice to meet you."
"It's nice to meet you, too," the man tells him. "Thank you, once again. For your help and your concern, I've started dressing in warmer clothes now."
Baekjin's eyes dip down. And true enough, the man — Humin — is wearing a thick hoodie with a heavy jacket. Even his trousers look made of warm material. A warm and pleasant feeling curls around Baekjin's heart, and his lips curl up slightly.
"If you wore those thin clothes in this chilly weather, you'd end up in the hospital," Baekjin says, shaking his head lightly. "I'm glad you're taking better care of yourself."
A somewhat ironic smile makes its way to Humin's face, and before Baekjin can wonder about the meaning behind it, he says, "Don't worry, I'm pretty tough."
"Sure, if you say so," Baekjin hums, and pushes down the urge to pry deeper. "Can I get you something today? Another slice of cake."
Humin thinks it over, conflicting emotions playing over his face. But then he nods, and Baekjin relaxes. "I'll take a chocolate cake."
Baekjin nods. "A vegan chocolate cake, right?"
"No, just… a regular one," Humin replies, looking confused, and now Baekjin is confused, too.
"I'm–you had a tofu cake the other day, so…" Baekjin trails off, and realisation sets on Humin's face.
"That day… I had some stuff going on. I'm not vegan," Humin tells him. "I'll take a regular chocolate cake."
Alright, why don't you sit down somewhere, and I'll bring you the cake."
Humin sits in the same corner table again, even though he doesn't look as subdued as he did that day. Baekjin checks the fridge and sees that there's only one slice of cake left, after all. Suddenly, he feels extremely glad that Humin isn't actually vegan because then he'd have to turn the man away without anything.
"Here," Baekjin places the plate in front of Humin. "Hope you enjoy yourself," he says before slowly stepping away. He carefully cleans the place up and gets it mostly ready to close.
"Are you closing?" Humin asks as he once again brings the plate to the counter. Suppressing the smile that threatens to force its way into his face, Baekjin nods.
"It's late," he says.
A guilty expression falls on Humin's face. "Sorry about that. I shouldn't have stayed so late."
"Don't worry about it," Baekjin says, and instead asks, "How was the cake? Did you like it? Was it to your taste?"
"Yeah, I liked it more than the tofu cake," Humin admits, but then quickly adds, "Not that the tofu one was bad! That was good, too."
Baekjin has to bite the inside of his lip to stop himself from smiling again. God, he's acting like such an idiot. "It's okay, I don't mind. People usually do like chocolate cakes more than tofu ones."
"I liked them both," Humin insists, and Baekjin can't hold back the soft laugh that escapes him.
"Thank you," he says. "Want me to ring up your total?"
"Yeah, I can pay up front this time," Humin says. "Since I got a job."
"Congratulations," Baekjin says sincerely. "Do you like it? Having fun?"
"It's–it's nothing grand. It's a moving company," Humin tells him. "But I guess I'm putting my strength to good use, which is nice, I suppose." That makes Baekjin look up, and subconsciously, his eyes rake over Humin's body, and makes him wonder about the muscles he might be hiding under the clothes.
"Do you like it? Working here? Is it fun?" Humin asks, breaking him out of his trance.
He simply stares at Humin for a moment before his brain finally catches up with the question, and he replies, "Oh, yeah! I do, I really do. This place means… everything to me," his voice softens towards the end.
When Baekjin focuses on Humin again, he finds the man looking at him with gentle and bright eyes. "Must be nice to have something like that," he mumbles, quiet enough that Baekjin almost doesn't hear him.
Baekjin wants to reassure him that he'll find something like that, too. Wants to tell him not to sound so dejected, but he knows he'll be overstepping his boundaries with that. After all, this is only their third meeting, and they're nothing but strangers.
"Your total is 5,000 won," he says instead, swallowing back all his emotions and feelings.
"Here," Humin hands the money to him, and their hands brush briefly as Baekjin takes the money.
"See you… again?" Baekjin hesitantly says while Humin is about to leave, but his hesitance isn't mirrored in Humin.
"Of course, I will," he easily replies. "Where else will I get cakes this good?"
The smile that split on Baekjin's face could never be stopped, no matter how much he tried. "I'll look forward to it."
Fortunately, it's not the last time they see each other.
Baekjin was worried Humin would forget all about the shop, and Baekjin now that he's done paying his debt, but instead, now it feels like the wall that was between them has broken down. Humin now waves at him from outside the window when their eyes meet, and every other week, he even comes inside and buys something.
Baekjin always gives him a little extra – a bigger slice of cake, extra pieces of macaroons, a bigger pudding, larger breads. Humin has yet to catch on, and Baekjin would like to keep it like that.
"Hello," Humin says as he enters the shop.
The weather's gotten quite chilly now, and Baekjin shivers as cold air sneaks into the shop when Humin pushes the door open.
"Welcome to Flour Jar, what can I get you?" Baekjin says as usual, and Humin shoots him a small smile.
"Do you have custard pies? I've been craving one for a while," Humin says.
"I do," Baekjin replies. "Do you wanna have it here or to-go?"
"To-go, please," Humin says as he usually does nowadays. He's probably always tired from work, considering how late he comes to the bakery, and that's why he never stays to eat here. But Baekjin still misses glancing at Humin's back while he sits on the corner table.
Baekjin packs a large slice of pie and hands it over to Humin, who takes it in one hand and places the money on the counter with the other one.
Right when he's about to leave, Baekjin stops him and says, "I–um, you said you worked for a moving company, right?" Humin looks a little confused, but nods. "I'm… moving to a new place, and my friend was supposed to help, but he suddenly got caught up in some work, so…"
Realisation colours Humin's face. He walks towards the counter again and takes out a card to hand it over to Baekjin. "This is the company's number. If you ask for me… if you want to, of course! But I mean, then they'll assign me to your place."
"Ah, thank you," Baekjin says, holding the card up.
After Humin leaves, the first thing Baekjin does is take his phone out.
Seongje
you don't need to help me move
wtf why?
no way you can do it alone
i cleared my fucking schedule for you
too bad
someone else is helping me
you don't know other people
i do now so find something
else to do with your dayi hope your month goes terribly
Baekjin holds himself back till noon to call the moving company and hire them. He doesn't bother pretending that he's not eager to hire them, and as Humin said, Baekjin mentions his name and specifically requests him.
The moves arrive two days later as scheduled, and while Humin isn't the only one there, he's definitely one of them.
His gloomy look disappears immediately as his eyes meet Baekjin's, and Baekjin feels his heart skip a treacherous beat.
"You already packed everything," Humin says to him as the other movers go into the flat and only the two of them are left standing outside. "There's not much for us to do."
"I already had everything packed," Baekjin explains. "I just need help with the furniture and the boxes."
They don't get to talk as much as Baekjin hoped for during the move, but he supposes that's to be expected. Humin is working, after all, and Baekjin doesn't wish to bother him during that. But he can look, can he not?
The rippling muscles and the shirt straining over them. Baekjin has never felt more gay in his life, not even while literally having sex with men. He knows he's being creepy, staring like this, but he can't stop. He barely stops himself from drooling like a degenerate.
It's pathetic.
He's pathetic.
It takes longer than Baekjin expected it to, considering he doesn't even have that much stuff, not that he minds.
"Would you like to check if everything is in place?" one of the movers asks.
"No, it's fine. I was here the whole time anyway," Baekjin says. Humin stands at the very back, glancing at him occasionally but never really looking him in the eye, and certainly not approaching him.
When he leaves, he does so without looking at Baekjin or even saying a single word to Baekjin even once. An ache settles inside Baekjin that he doesn't know how to deal with. They talked just fine mere moments ago, so what happened now?
Did he somehow offend Humin?
Or… did he notice Baekjin staring?
Oh, that's the worst.
That's the absolute worst thing that could happen to Baekjin. Because this means that he creeped Humin out with all his salivating, and now the other man will never visit his shop again, which means Baekjin will never ever see him again.
Baekjin will never see Humin ever again.
Baekjin sees Humin again the next day.
"I'm glad I took my chances. Thought the shop would be closed today since you just moved," he says as soon as he enters the shop.
Baekjin blinks at him a few times, completely caught off guard. "I, um–you're back?"
"Why wouldn't I be?" Humin asks, tilting his head to one side like a confused puppy.
Baekjin chews on his bottom lip before letting it go and answering, "Well, you left without saying anything yesterday, so I figured I upset you somehow."
Humin's eyes widen, and he shakes his head furiously. "It's not like that. You didn't upset me. Not at all. I just… other people would know that we know each other ."
Baekjin frowns. "What's wrong with that? Do you–do you not want to be seen with me?"
But Humin shakes his head again. "No, you don't want to be seen with me."
"What? When did I—"
"You did nothing wrong. Please, trust me about this," Humin says, interrupting him. "It's just–you just don't, okay? It's better for you if people never know that someone like you even talks to someone like me."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Baekjin asks, more intensely than he meant to.
Humin's brows pinch, and he sighs, "It's–there just is something like that. I don't–I don't want to talk about that, but it's better if you don't acknowledge that you know me in front of other people."
"I'm not going to do that," Baekjin says, voice firm and intense. "I'm not going to push you to explain your reason if you don't want to, but I'm also not going to avoid you when I have no reason to."
Humin opens his mouth to argue, but then closes it with a sigh. "You're stubborn," he states.
"I am," Baekjin shrugs. "Now tell me, what would you like today? The chocolate tart came out really good. You want that?"
Humin looks like he wants to protest. His forehead creases, and he presses his lips in a tight line, but Baekjin is ready to argue, too, if he needs to. Humin must sense that because his shoulders slump in defeat, and he gives up.
"I'll take the tart," he sighs, and Baekjin smiles, wide and toothy.
If Baekjin didn't turn around to pack the tart for Humin, he'd notice the dreamy and dazed look taking over Humin's face at the sight of Baekjin's dimples popping.
Humin doesn't bring the conversation or the topic up ever again, and Baekjin is happy to put it behind them.
"So, who was the person who helped you move?" Seongje asks when he finally visits Baekjin in his new place. "Who's this new friend you made?"
"None of your business," Baekjin grumbles. He doesn't want to tell Seongje about Humin. Not when he knows that he will just make fun of Baekjin.
Seongje sighs, and there is a mocking tilt in his voice when he says, "You and I both know you'll tell me eventually. So there's no point in dragging the topic. Out with it already."
Baekjin scowls, glaring at Seongje so sharply that if looks could kill, Seongje would be six feet under. It's the kind of glare that would have anyone else running, but Seongje isn't just anyone. They've been friends since high school, and there hasn't been a single day when Seongje was bothered in the least about the nasty looks Baekjin occasionally throws his way.
"Is it that hard to believe that I made a friend?" Baekjin clicks his tongue.
"Yes," Seongje deadpans. "The last time you made a friend was in high school, and he's sitting across from you. So… as your one and only friend, I need to know who caught your attention so much that you let them help you move."
"It's just someone I met in the shop," Baekjin replies, defeated.
"Right. You let someone you met in the shop get this close to you. I'm supposed to believe that?" Seongje lets out a sharp scoff, and Baekjin scowls again.
"Can't you just take my word for it?" Baekjin frowns.
"No," Seongje responds immediately. "How long have you known this person?"
Baekjin is reluctant to reply. "A–a month."
"A month," Seongje repeats. "Right. So I'm guessing that he's hot."
"Uhh…"
"I got my answer," he interrupts Baekjin.
"It's not like that!" Baekjin insists. "We're just friends! He works in a moving company and helped me out. This is literally his job."
"You actually expect me to believe that? Do you believe that?" Seongje asks, shaking his head. "You have a gay little crush on the guy. Just admit it."
"Do you have to say it like that?!" Baekjin snaps and throws a pillow at Seongje, who catches it effortlessly and hugs it close. The sight pisses Baekjin off. "We're friends! That's it."
"Yeah, whatever. Just because you're lying to me and hiding your gay feelings doesn't mean they don't exist," Seongje shrugs.
Baekjin rubs his face furiously with both hands. "Can you stop saying gay?"
"Why? Are you feeling homophobic?" Seongje asks like the douchebag he is.
"No, I'm feeling Seongjephobic. Can you die already?" Baekjin mutters under his breath, just loud enough for Seongje to hear.
"No can do," Seongje quips. "I'm hungry. Let's order something."
Baekjin falls back into the sofa with an annoyed groan.
Ever since Baekjin told Seongje about Humin, he's been acting strange, and Geum Seongje acting weirder than usual is the furthest thing from okay. But whenever Baekjin asks him about it, he just brushes the topic off, leaving Baekjin with no answers at all.
Baekjin tries to ignore him and his strangeness after he doesn't get a straight answer for the fifth time in a row, but it's a little hard to do that when Seongje is nowadays always at the shop.
"Don't you have work?" Baekjin asks as he narrows his eyes at Seongje, who's sitting on one of the tables, typing away on his laptop.
"I work from home today, Baekjin," Seongje says, not looking up from the screen.
"Then work from home," Baekjin grumbles. "Why are you here?"
"I like it here. Great ambience," Seongje tells him, and all Baekjin can do is grit his teeth and hold back on the curses. At least, he's buying things from him and not being a complete waste of space.
He stays until it's almost time for closing, and that's also when Humin arrives.
Baekjin is unable to control his facial expressions in the face of Humin, who arrives with a small smile, and excitement lighting up his eyes.
"Welcome to Flour Jar. How can I help you?" Baekjin says, a smile playing on his face.
"I'll take a slice of apple pie today," Humin says.
"Hi," Seongje says, walking up to the counter and leaning against it. Humin's face stutters and goes blank, and Baekjin tenses. "I'm Seongje. I've heard a lot about you from Baekjin."
The tension on Humin's face decreases, and he blinks slowly, assessing Seongje. "Hello?" Humin tentatively says. "I–are you—?"
"I'm his friend," Seongje says before Humin can even finish his sentence. "You're the one who helped him move to his new place, right? I'm so grateful, really."
Seongje's tone drips with amusement, but Humin doesn't seem to catch it.
"It was nothing," he mumbles. "It's just—it's my job."
"Baekjin wouldn't let you in his place unless he trusted you," Seongje says. "And he doesn't trust people easily."
"Seongje," Baekjin snaps. "Weren't you leaving?"
"Oh, was I? Guess I was," he grins, and Baekjin curses his high school self for befriending the devil reincarnate. What the hell was he thinking?
Seongje doesn't linger, probably because he already did what he wanted to do. He picks his back up and leaves the shop, all while looking incredibly smug.
Asshole.
"Your friend's funny," Humin says after Seongje leaves, and this is probably the kindest thing anyone has ever said about him.
"Sure, let's go with that," Baekjin says as he hands over the packed box of pie to Humin.
"You sound so fond of him," Humin smiles.
Baekjin opens his mouth to deny it, but then sighs. "He's annoying, but… he's all I have. And yeah, I am fond of him. Unfortunately."
Humin doesn't linger after. His phone goes off with several notifications, and he hurries out of the shop after saying a quick goodbye.
Baekjin doesn't see Humin for a while after that, and he isn't even being dramatic. Two whole weeks pass, and there is no sign of Humin anywhere.
"It's all your fault!" Baekjin accuses the next time Seongje of visits his flat.
Seongje looks at him quizzically. "Sure, but what exactly?"
"Humin! He hasn't been visiting since you came down to the shop last time. It's all your fault. You must've cursed us somehow. Maybe you freaked him out. I hate you so much."
"Baekjin," Seongje starts as he sits on the other end of the sofa, keeping a fair amount of distance between them. He pauses to huff out a laugh before continuing, "I've known you for more than ten years now, and you're a… moderately reasonable person."
"Moderately?!"
"So I'm sure deep, deep down, you know that you're being absolutely ridiculous."
Baekjin huffs. Seongje might be right, but Baekjin isn't admitting to that. No way. Seongje's ego is already big enough.
"That doesn't change that he hasn't visited since that day," Baekjin sulks, and Seongje rolls his eyes.
"He could be busy," Seongje suggests. "I'm sure he has stuff to do other than visiting a bakery every day—" Baekjin stares at Seongje, betrayed. "—which in hindsight, is totally the wrong thing to day. Fuck me."
"Get out of my house," Baekjin deadpans.
"I think we should both get out of the house, actually," Seongje says. "You need to touch grass, and isn't it concerning that I'm the one saying that?"
"It is concerning, yes," Baekjin nods.
"So… let's go out," Seongje suggests.
"I'm not going to some loud, disgusting club, Baekjin states. "I refuse to step a single foot in places you frequent."
Seongje rolls his eyes. "You won't be able to get into the places I frequent anyway."
"I highly doubt you visit any decent places even with your extravagant lawyer ceremony," Baekjin scoffs.
"Wouldn't you like to know, weather boy?" Seongje smirks, and Baekjin scowls at him.
"What the fuck did you just say to me?" Baekjin snaps.
"Shut up," Seongje bites. "And tell me. Pubs are cool, right? Or does his highness not approve of that?"
Baekjin stops, considering it before nodding. "Yeah, a pub sounds nice. Is it decent?"
"Yeah, it's fucking decent," Seongje huffs.
Baekjin doesn't really have any reasons to decline Seongje's suggestion, and that's how they end up in the pub that Seongje apparently is a regular in. And it really is decent. More than decent, actually, with its dim lights, tasteful music playing at a reasonable volume, and appealing menu.
Seongje immediately makes his way to the bar and starts flirting with one of the bartenders, and Baekjin is fully ready for him to get dragged away by the security and to pretend that he doesn't know Seongje, but to his surprise, the bartender ignores every other customer and gives Seongje his whole attention.
Huh.
Baekjin leaves Seongje to have his fun and stays on the other side of the bar to order his own drink. He doesn't stay at the bar, though. After getting his drink, Baekjin walks around, taking his place in. It really is nice, full but not crowded, and yeah, maybe Seongje was right. Maybe he just needed some fresh air.
"Baekjin?" he hears a painfully familiar voice coming from behind him.
He turns around, and he really is there: Humin.
"Oh," he breathes out.
"Hi," Humin smiles, and takes a step closer to him. "I didn't expect to see you here."
"Me neither," Baekjin mumbles, and is unable to bring himself to return the smile. "It's been a while."
Humin's smile turns sheepish, and he averts his eyes. "Yeah, it has. Sorry, I was… I got stuck in some work. I had some problems with my old place, and had to move urgently, so…"
"You don't have to explain anything or apologise," Baekjin reassures him. Sure, he missed Humin and wanted to see him, but Humin doesn't have to bear with that. They're Baekjin's personal feelings, after all.
"I missed you—" What? "—your pastries."
Oh.
"I–yeah, you should… visit again when you can," Baekjin says after clearing his throat. "Or–or do you live someplace else now? The shop is between your work and your old place, right?"
"It–it is," Humin admits. "And I do live someplace else now."
Baekjin's face falls.
"Does that mean I won't see you any more?" he asks, but Humin immediately shakes his head.
"That won't happen. I'll still visit, I promise," Humin assures.
"Even if you have to take the long way home?" Baekjin questions.
"Even then," Humin nods, expression sincere.
Baekjin sighs in relief. He smiles as he asks, "Because you'd miss my pastries?" It's a playful question, nothing he means for Humin to take seriously, but Humin's expression remains open and sincere.
"Yes," he replies. "But–but you, too. I'd miss you, too."
Baekjin's breath hitches. His eyes widen slightly, and his jaw drops. He didn't expect Humin to say that. Panic flashes over Humin's face, but before he can take his words back, Baekjin blurts out, "Me too!" and freezes. They both do, actually. He licks his chapped lips and takes a deep breath. "I–I would miss you, too."
They both stand there staring at each other like a pair of idiots for long three seconds before Baekjin breaks eye contact and turns his face away to take a large sip of his drink. Humin, on the other hand, fake coughs into his hand and finds great interest in his shoes.
An uncomfortably heavy silence falls over them, and Humin is the one who breaks it. "Um, are you–what brings you here?"
"Oh, uh, you remember my friend you met the other day? Seongje? He brought me," Baekjin replies. "He's by the bar. What about you?"
"My friend works here, so I came to see him," Humin tells him. "I'm living with him until I find a place." Baekjin looks around awkwardly, not knowing what to say, and Humin saves him one more time. "How's the shop going?"
"Good," Baekjin nods. "I tried making macaroons last week, and had some regulars taste them, and they seemed to like it, so I'm thinking about adding them to the menu."
"Ah, I missed out," Humin mutters, pouting, and Baekjin chuckles.
"I'll make them again," he says. "What flavour do you like?"
"I'm not picky about food," Humin replies. "I like anything that tastes good."
"The exact opposite of me," Baekjin muses. "I'm very picky. Which is not ideal when you grow up in an orphanage."
"You can be as picky as you want now," Humin shrugs, and Baekjin is glad not to receive any needless sympathies or pity.
"That's why I started baking, you know. There's a lot of food I can't eat, but that's not the case with baked goods." Baekjin doesn't know why he's sharing all this about himself, but Humin makes him feel comfortable enough to talk about even the most private topics. "I like all baked goods, so at first, I learnt to make them for myself, but I liked it when others liked what I baked, and here we are, I guess."
"How old were you? When you started baking?" Humin looks genuinely curious and not at all bored by Baekjin talking about himself.
So he replies, "Fifteen."
"So young," Humin snickers. "Cute."
Baekjin flushes.
"It was a little disastrous in the beginning," Baekjin admits. "I almost gave up, but the director of the orphanage encouraged me to keep trying. I'm thankful to her."
Baekjin thinks back to the memory fondly. He owes so much to her. The life that he has now — his happy, mundane life — it's all due to her. He should visit her soon. It's been a while.
"It's really nice," Humin states, voice fond and soft.
Baekjin startles out of his thoughts. "What is?"
"How happy you sound when you talk about baking and your shop," Humin replies. "It's like baking is a part of your soul."
At that, Baekjin smiles so wide his cheeks dimple. "No one ever explained it this way, but… you're right. It is a part of my soul, and I do love it very much. The shop symbolises all my hardships and how far I have come in love. It means a lot to me."
And there's that look again. The deep, mournful sadness that Humin looks like he tries to hide but still pours out of him. Baekjin wants to comfort him, but he has never been good at things like that.
But still, he tries—
"If you have something like that," he starts reluctantly, but then stops. Baekjin doesn't know if it's the right thing to say. He doesn't want to offend Humin.
But before he can continue, Humin says, "I do, but it's not something I can achieve any more."
Baekjin wants to push. He wants to know more, know why Humin can't achieve that, why he always looks so sad, but he doesn't. Because it's not his place.
Instead of that, he says, "Then I hope, one day you find something else that you love. Something you can achieve."
Humin smiles, still sad. "Yeah, I hope so, too."
Baekjin shifts the topic after that to something lighter. He shares stories about his work, listens attentively as Humin talks about his own work. Humin talks about his friends a lot, which tells Baekjin that he must love them a lot.
It's not that Baekjin doesn't… appreciate… Seongje's presence in his life, but their friendship is clearly very different from the one Humin has with his friends. It's still nice to hear him talk about them, and even as Humin looks vaguely scandalised about him and Seongje, he never interrupts Baekjin when he's talking.
At one point, Baekjin feels his phone vibrate in his pocket.
"Just a second," he mutters as he takes his phone out and finds texts from Seongje.
Seongje
i'm leaving
have fun with your boy
not my boy
have fun too
i will
with MY boy
fuck you
"My friend left," Baekjin says.
"Do you have to leave, too?" Humin asks him, but Baekjin shakes his head.
"No, I can stay," he replies. He should leave. He has to open the shop early in the morning, after all, but he doesn't want to leave Humin's company just yet.
Especially not when Humin smiles, brighter than he ever has. "How about leaving the pub then? There's a park nearby. We could go there."
Baekjin nods without any hesitation. "Yeah, that sounds good, but I thought you would wanna see your friend off. Would it be okay for you to leave?"
"Yeah, his shift was over a while back. He probably left," Humin says. "I'll still text him, though. He won't mind."
The park Humin takes him to is mostly empty, which makes sense considering how late it is, but it's also peaceful. There is a gentle breeze blowing that makes them both shiver, but Baekjin's coat protects him from the cold well enough.
"Let's sit on a bench," Humin suggests and find a bench right under a street lamp to sit on. "It's so nice here," the other man muses, and Baekjin hums in agreement.
"It is nice. I really like the winter," Baekjin says. "What about you? What's your favourite season? Summer?"
"Yes! How did you know?" Humin asks quizzically.
Baekjin huffs out a laugh, "I could just tell."
Humin shrugs, "I like going to beaches. My friends and I used to go to the beach on every summer vacation. Though it's a bit harder to find time for that now, that's why it's even more precious."
"It's been a while since I've been to the beach," Baekjin mutters. "I like the ocean a lot, too. As long as there aren't many people around. The problem is that beaches are always filled with people. Even in winter. And even at night."
"Hmm, I know some beaches that are usually empty," Humin tells him.
Feeling strangely brave, Baekjin quips, "Then maybe you can take me to one of them one day."
Humin's face whips towards him, shock written all over it, and even as regret starts seeping into Baekjin's mind, he doesn't take the words back. Humin opens his mouth, but before he can say anything, Baekjin feels a tingly, cold sensation on his nose.
"Oh, it's snowing," Humin mumbles.
Baekjin looks up, and another snowflake lands on his forehead. A breathless laughter escapes him, and he opens his palm to catch some of the snowflakes, and soon enough, tiny snowflakes start falling on his gloved hand.
"So pretty," Baekjin mumbles.
"Yeah, really pretty," Humin agrees.
Eventually, it gets late enough that Baekjin has to leave. He looks at Humin regretfully before saying, "I–I should go home now. I need to open the shop in the morning."
"O–Oh, yeah, I should go, too. I also have work," Humin mutters.
They walk out of the park together, both their steps slow and languid, trying to delay the inevitable as long as they can.
"See you tomorrow," Humin tells him once they're out of the park, and Baekjin smiles.
"I'll have your macaroons ready," he says, and Humin happily nods.
At least, Baekjin has something to look forward to tomorrow, because the last two weeks have been extremely gloomy.
Despite sleeping late, Baekjin wakes up before the alarm the next day and is much more cheerful than he's even been at six in the morning as he gets ready for work. He happily walks through the snow covered pavement to reach the bakery and sighs pleasantly as he enters.
He keeps humming under his breath as he starts prepping for the day, and his employees keep glancing at him in concern, but Baekjin ignores them all. He's not going to let anything ruin his mood today.
As always, Humin arrives late enough that Baekjin is the only one left in the bakery. Which is nice, honestly. He doesn't want anyone else to see how embarrassingly smitten he is.
"Welcome to Flour Jar. How can I help you?" he says as usual, and Humin grins, brighter than ever.
"I missed hearing that," he mutters, and Baekjin's heart skips a traitorous beat.
"Here are the macaroons," Baekjin says as he places a large box on the counter. "It's on the house."
"You don't need to do that," Humin says to him, but Baekjin stands his ground.
"It's a gift," he insists, but Humin still looks hesitant, so Baekjin has to resort to good old guilt tripping. "Do you not want them? I worked hard on them."
Humin's eyes widen. "It's not like that. I do want them. I just–you didn't have to make so many of them."
"I wanted you to try all the flavours," Baekjin says with a smile, and Humin sighs quietly.
"I don't… know how to repay that—"
"Just thank me."
Humin blinks at him several times before chuckling. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," Baekjin smiles wider, but when Humin is about to leave, he reaches over the counter and grabs his jacket, stopping him in his steps.
Humin turns back, looking at him with confused eyes, and Baekjin snatches his hand back.
"I…" he pauses, nervousness making it difficult for words to come out as he wants them. His throat closes, and his chest tightens as he looks at Humin and hopes that this doesn't ruin everything. "Are you free… this weekend?"
"I am," Humin replies after thinking the question over.
Baekjin takes a deep breath and blurts out, "Would you like to go to dinner with me?"
Humin looks stricken at being asked this. "Like–like a date? Or, um—"
"Like a date," Baekjin clarifies, voice steadier than his emotions right now.
Humin seems to short-circuit the moment the words are out of Baekjin's mouth, and he really doesn't know how to feel about that. Should he be flattered? Worried? But before he can get a single word out, Humin is out of there. Like he was never there.
Guess that answers Baekjin's question.
It's fine, really. He's a grown adult and can handle a rejection. It's no big deal. He just needs time to process his feelings, and he'll be fine, like none of this even happened. Sure, it's a little humiliating, but Baekjin can deal with that.
"So you're telling me—" Seongje starts. "—the moment you asked him out, he ran away. Like literally, just… ran? Without giving an answer, or even bothering to say anything at all?"
"Yeah," Baekjin mumbles, and shoves another spoonful of the ice cream he should not be eating when the country is half covered in snow, and it's cold enough to freeze fire, but he doesn't care. He deserves a little treat.
"You should kill him the next time you see him," Seongje says, dead serious.
"I wish I could see him again," Baekjin says miserably. "But he's not. He's avoiding me."
"Remember when we were in uni, and you broke up with a guy because he was five minutes late to a date once," Seongje reminds him.
"What does this have to do with anything?" Baekjin frowns while Seongje looks increasingly more agitated as the conversation goes on.
"You cannot be serious right now," he mutters under his breath. "Jesus Christ, okay, if I can find out what his deal is, will you stop being… like this?"
"What? How are you gonna find out?" Baekjin asks.
"Remember the bartender from the pub I left with? Apparently, they're friends," Seongje says to him.
"You're hooking up with Humin's friend?" he exclaims.
"No, I'm dating his friend," Seongje reveals, just like that. What the fuck.
"When did that happen?" Baekjin demands to know.
Seongje shrugs. "It's recent. I was about to tell you, but I held back because… you look like this right now. Thought it wasn't the right time."
"So why did you say now? It's still not the right time," Baekjin grumbles.
"I ran out of sympathy," Seongje deadpans. "So, tell me. You want me to find out, or do you want to wallow in your misery like a sad, pathetic sack of… patheticness."
"Shut the fuck up!" Baekjin snaps, but then adds, more subdued, "Yeah, find out."
Despite Baekjin's heartbreak, the world keeps moving, and Baekjin has to go to work. He has already missed for a whole week when he was being sad and miserable with his ice-cream, and he can't let his employees handle the bakery all on their own for longer.
He should give them a bonus this month.
When Humin returns once again, it's much earlier than Baekjin expected. Guess Seongje did his work effectively. He's not surprised in the least when the man enters the shop in the late hours, looking much like a kicked puppy.
"You have a terrible habit of disappearing on me," Baekjin says, voice so quiet it can barely be heard even in the silence of the empty bakery.
Humin shrinks under his gaze. "Sorry," he mumbles.
Baekjin hums under his breath and crosses his arms over his chest. It's more of a defensive stance than anything else. "Are you not going to explain anything?" he sighs. "Look, I'm sorry about asking you out all of a sudden. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable, but running out on me like that and—"
"It was not… you didn't make me uncomfortable," Humin cuts him off. "I was surprised, but not upset. It wasn't like that."
"Then what is it?" Baekjin stresses.
"I just… you shouldn't. Ask me out," Humin says, looking incredibly frustrated.
"This is a strange way to reject someone," Baekjin tells Humin, still confused by the whole conversation.
Humin shakes his head. "I'm not rejecting you." He hesitates before taking a few steps closer to the counter. "Do you remember… the day I came here for the first time? I asked for something made from tofu. Why do you think I did that?"
"You… like… tofu? No?" Baekjin's face scrunches in bemusement. Sure, not everyone comes and asks for stuff made of tofu, but Baekjin never thought that deeply about it.
"I got out of jail that day," Humin confesses, and Baekjin's eyes widen. "I'm an ex-convict." Before Baekjin can even find any words to say to Humin, he continues. "It was… it was an accident — not that it makes it any better — but I never… I never meant for something like that to happen. My dad… he and I–we got into a fight, and I pushed him, and the next thing I knew, he was dead. I–you shouldn't like someone like me. You can do much better."
"Is that why you can't do what you like anymore?" Baekjin isn't sure why he asks this of all the things he could ask, but Humin's heartbroken face keeps flashing in his head.
Humin sounds surprised to hear that, but still replies, though a little tentative, "Yes, I–I was in the basketball team. I was in uni on a sports scholarship."
Baekjin's heart aches for him. "I'm sorry."
Humin sighs, "Why are you sorry?"
"I don't know," he shrugs. "I just am."
Humin subs his face furiously and frowns, looking agitated. "See, this is why. That's why I'm saying that you shouldn't—not me, okay? You can have someone so much better. You're–Baekjin, you're great, and you should be with someone great. Instead of… me. I have a–a stained past, and no future ahead of me. I'm sorry for running like that, but—"
And Baekjin really has had enough of this.
He reaches over the counter and fists Humin's jacket to drag him closer and slams their lips together. The kiss is the farthest thing from perfect. They're both too startled, too uncoordinated, and Baekjin doesn't even let it linger long enough for them to find their rhythm.
"Do you like me?" he asks, breathless.
"Isn't that obvious?' Humin retorts, just as out of breath.
"Then cut the crap about your stained past of whatever. I don't care about that," Baekjin bites. "And why wouldn't you have a future. You're alive, aren't you? We could have a future together."
"Why would you–with someone like me?" Humin asks.
"Because I like you," The words spill out from Baekjin easily. "Every day I wait for you to come, and the days you do are my best days. I miss you all the time, every second. I like your smile, and your voice, and your face, and your eyes. I like everything about you. I like you."
Humin's pupils tremble, and his jaw clenches. "What if you regret it later?"
"I won't," Baekjin promises.
Humin swallows and takes a step back, and despite really not wanting to, Baekjin lets him go. "Come to this side," he says, and Baekjin walks around the counter to stand in front of Humin.
There's a second of pause before Humin reaches out and places his hands on Baekjin's waist, making his breath hitch. Humin pulls him closer, finger digging slightly into his flesh, and—
Oh.
Baekjin is going to die.
The kiss this time is slower, gentler. They take their time exploring and learning from each other. Even when they break apart, they stay close enough that when Humin talks, his lips graze Baekjin's, "Is the offer for dinner still valid?"
Baekjin breaks out in a smile so wide, his whole face hurts. "Of course, it is."
"I won't make you regret it," Humin says, and Baekjin wraps his arms around his shoulder, one hand sliding into his hair.
"I know you won't," Baekjin whispers, words filled with trust and certainty, before slotting their lips once more.
Snow covers the world outside, but inside, their hearts are warm.