Beautiful Stranger (Oneshot)
Title: Beautiful Stranger (Oneshot)
Author: seoulkokoro
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Dooseob, side!Kiwoon
Summary: Doojoon doesn’t know what happened.
A/N: Oh, God the ending sucks. I’m so sorry about that. This story doesn’t go anywhere, and I really would like to do a sequel considering this could be counted as a cliffhanger. It really could. It’s not good enough to be a oneshot but I really don’t wanna get into chaptered stuff when I already have 10rtl going on. SO, I assume a sequel will be coming. I wrote this because there’s a lack of Dooseob lately and I’ve never written about them despite my love for them…;_; ANYWAY, I hope to explain more in the sequel. This is more like an introduction chapter, really. >.>; Sorry for my fail and/or grammar mistakes. D: (and P.S. the title is from SNSD’s new Japanese album. :D if anyone cares. xD)
Doojoon doesn’t know what happened.
He doesn’t know what happened that night.
He doesn’t know why or how it happened. He’s not sure why he even agreed to go with Kikwang and Dongwoon. He isn’t sure why he was free on that particular night, and he isn’t sure why the other two wanted to go to a café of all places. A little, cozy coffee shop located in the part of town Doojoon certainly isn’t familiar. A part of town that isn’t crowded with the bustle of people going to work, that isn’t filled with cars and buildings and loud honks everywhere you turn.
He isn’t familiar with it, but he’d like to be.
He isn’t sure why even agreed to go with the pair. They always go on dates, and it didn’t strike Doojoon as normal for him to just tag along. He felt like the third wheel, and he was just a tad uncomfortable being around the other two lovebirds. They were always flirting and whispering and touching each other when it wasn’t necessary, and Doojoon hated it.
He doesn’t know why, but he hates it.
He’s happy for them, of course he is, but when they start smiling and blushing like idiots, he just feels bad. He feels a little bit angry, a little bit sad. A little bit of every negative emotion, but he doesn’t know why.
He doesn’t know why he feels that way. And he’d like to keep it that way.
He doesn’t care.
Doojoon isn’t curious as to why these inexpressible feelings overcome him when he sees the couple, because he doesn’t care. He just brushes it off and focuses his mind on something else. Something like the documents he was supposed to sort or the food he forgot to buy.
He distracts himself, and he’s not sure why.
It started off with Kikwang calling him, saying they needed to catch up. He agreed, even if Dongwoon was coming. He was friends with both of them, fairly close friends to say the least, and he didn’t want to reject them despite the awkward situations he might find himself in. He just agreed. He didn’t have anything else to do tonight anyway.
Except sort documents and visit the market. But those things could wait.
Doojoon needed a break anyway.
He pulled on his winter coat, one he bought about a week ago. The weather was cold, even if it wasn’t technically winter yet. Doojoon didn’t go by specifics though. He just thought if it was snowing it was winter and if it was hot it was summer. Simple as that.
Doojoon certainly didn’t go by specifics, because that was just harder.
He didn’t need to, because he didn’t care.
He walked down the sidewalk, ignoring the icy flakes of precipitation that were now fluttering down from above. He ignored the chilly air and ignored the way the tip of his nose gradually became colder. He ignored the way he nuzzled farther into his scarf, and ignored the fact that the coffee shop wasn’t very close to his house.
Damn Kikwang.
He made it there, finally, and sighed in relief when he felt the warmth of the café. He stepped in, letting the heat hit him. He glanced around, and spotted Kikwang and Dongwoon sitting at a table, beckoning him to come over. Doojoon obliged, trying not to look reluctant as he approached the couple. He sat down beside Kikwang, giving a quick smile to Dongwoon who smiled and nodded in return. Doojoon pulled his scarf off.
“Did you guys wait long?”
“No,” Kikwang answered. “We just got here, actually.”
Doojoon didn’t miss the glance Kikwang threw Dongwoon. He didn’t miss the way Kikwang slowly turned to the younger boy, raising his eyebrows in a manner Doojoon didn’t understand. Doojoon would question it, he’d ask them about it, but he then he voted against it. It was probably just them being lovey-dovey or something. And Doojoon really wanted to avoid conversations focused on that.
Doojoon’s thoughts were cut when a petite male hovered over their table, a small pad and pen at hand. He smiled warmly at the three of them, activating his pen with a light click.
“Hello,” the boy said, mostly to Dongwoon then to all of them. “How’ve you been Dongwoon-ah?”
Dongwoon smiled up at the other, nodding as an answer. Doojoon stared, furrowing his brows. Dongwoon laughed a bit when he saw Doojoon’s confused expression.
“Hyung, let me introduce you…” Dongwoon said, gesturing to the waiter. “This is my hyung, Yoseob. He’s a waiter here.”
Doojoon’s eyes widened a little. “He’s older than you?”
Yoseob raised an eyebrow, a small, knowing smirk forming on his thin lips. “Don’t look so surprised.”
Doojoon’s eyes traveled upward, to the face of the said boy. He examined him, finally getting a good look. His hair was an obnoxious blond color, which Doojoon wasn’t very used to seeing. His eyes were big, yet a tiny bit narrowed, and his lips were still wearing that smirk. He wore a plain white button up shirt with black slacks and an apron.
“Well?” Yoseob said, snapping the older from his thoughts. “Are you gonna just gawk at me or are you gonna order?”
Doojoon tried to force the warmth in his cheeks down. He snapped his gaze from the blonde and looked at the table randomly.
“Just coffee.”
“That’s it? Just coffee?” Yoseob made sure, though his smug face was clearly showing he was just being annoying.
Doojoon nodded slowly, not taking his eyes off the table. Yoseob snickered lightly. “Dongwoon and Kikwang, I’ll get you the usual.” He then spun around and returned to the counter.
Dongwoon muffled a laugh, and Kikwang bit back a smile. Doojoon glared at the both of them. “And just what is so funny…?” he said through gritted teeth.
Kikwang shook his head, letting out a small giggle. “Oh, nothing at all…” he said, obviously lying.
Doojoon rolled his eyes, then folded his arms, being the immature adult he is. He looked away from the pair of trembling guys who were struggling to keep their composure. Doojoon frowned, narrowing his eyes.
“I was just spaced out, that’s all…” he grumbled more to himself then the others.
Yoseob returned much too quickly, setting down the mug of coffee on the table in front of Doojoon. Doojoon looked at the drink, then glanced up at the waiter briefly.
“Thanks,” he mumbled into the rim of his coffee.
Yoseob did that smirk again. “No problem.”
With that he left, and Doojoon let out a sigh unintentionally. He watched as Kikwang and Dongwoon simply chatted, not really paying any mind to anything else. Doojoon just drank his coffee in silence.
After a few minutes of mindless talking, Dongwoon abruptly grinned at Doojoon.
“So what did you think of Yoseob-hyung?”
Doojoon blinked, nearly spurting out his coffee. “…What?” he asked, making sure he heard right.
Dongwoon frowned, looking innocent with his big eyes and pouted lips. “…What did you think of him?” he asked again.
Doojoon paused, glancing over at the blond boy who was preparing a drink behind the counter. His eyes darted back to Dongwoon and he shrugged.
“I dunno…he’s nice I guess.”
Dongwoon kept smiling. “That’s all he is?”
Doojoon cocked an eyebrow.
“Judging by how you just checked him out when he was right in front of you, you seem pretty interested, am I right?”
Doojoon’s eyes widened. He opened his mouth but no words came out. Kikwang snickered.
“Doojoon, we have to tell you something,” Dongwoon said suddenly. “We invited you here because-well because we wanted you to meet Yoseob.”
Doojoon’s mouth gaped. “You what?”
Dongwoon’s normal expression didn’t change. “I told Yoseob about you, and I thought you guys would make a perfect match. I didn’t mention that part to hyung though, of course.”
Doojoon could only stare. “Why on earth would you think that?”
Kikwang suddenly scoffed. “Oh, come on, Doojoon it’s obvious! Here you are, a completely stressed human being who can’t seem to loosen up no matter where you are, and there Yoseob is, a carefree waiter at a coffee shop! Yoseob could totally help you calm down and relieve your stress! And he’s small and cute! You have to admit that much!”
Doojoon watched Kikwang as he threw his hands around, gesturing every word he punctuated. He swallowed the hard knot that formed in his throat. “You’re insane. Both of you are.”
Dongwoon rolled his eyes. “No, hyung. You’re the insane one.”
Kikwang picked up his drink, suddenly standing up. “C’mon, Dongwoon, we’re leaving,” he said, gathering up his coat. Dongwoon followed his example. Doojoon darted his eyes between the two.
“Wait-wait, what? Where-where are you going anyway?” Doojoon said, searching for words.
Kikwang turned to him after putting on his coat. “Home. Have fun.”
Before Doojoon could get another word in, Kikwang and Dongwoon were already out the door, leaving him alone. Doojoon sighed, massaging the bridge of his nose. He then let his head fall onto the table, his eyes shutting in tension.
He didn’t think he’d fall asleep.
Poke, poke.
Doojoon shut his eyes tighter, a bothersome feeling washing over his ribcage.
Poke, poke.
Doojoon’s head shot up. He looked around frantically, trying to remember where he was. He was surprised to see a boy sitting next to him.
Yoseob.
He blinked a couple times, trying to rid the sleep from his eyes. He noticed it was darker outside, black even, and the café was empty. He heard Yoseob chuckle quietly.
“If you were just going to fall asleep, I would’ve kicked you out in the first place.”
Doojoon stared. He finally regained himself after he got the much needed sleep and stood. He put his jacket on, making his way for the door. “Sorry,” he mumbled.
“Wait!”
Doojoon turned around slowly. Yoseob arose from his seat and approached the taller, looking up as he met his eyes.
“I didn’t mean to be mean,” he said, frowning.
Doojoon looked around, wondering if this was some kind of prank. He thought he heard wrong.
“Um…it’s okay,” he said, unsurely, his guard up.
The corners of Yoseob’s mouth quirked up in a slanted way, forming a mischievous smile. “I don’t think so.”
Doojoon raised an eyebrow at the shorter.
“I can’t forgive myself for acting that way. I guess I’ll have to repay you. Come back when you have time and I’ll make you coffee.”
Doojoon watched as the other walked away, reaching for his coat.
“…Wait, what?”
Yoseob smiled again, walking towards the door. “You heard me. Now get out of my café before I call the cops.”
Doojoon returned from work, heaving a sigh. He threw his jacket over the back of the couch and simply stood, staring blankly.
I could go for a coffee…
Doojoon suddenly shook his head. No, I have to stop acting this way. I thought about that little idiot all day and the last thing I want is to show up at his café like a desperate person...
He glanced at the clock on the wall. He didn’t have to start working on the computer for another two hours. He had time to kill.
Well…one drink won’t hurt. I need the caffeine to stay awake anyway.
Doojoon walked out the door, hauling his coat on.
Just a quick trip. In and out.
That’s what he continued to tell himself.
He entered the shop, glancing around to see if Kikwang and Dongwoon were there. Luckily, they were nowhere to be found. He sighed in relief. Thank God…
He walked over to the table he sat at yesterday and took his coat off, taking a seat. He watched Yoseob, waiting for him to spot him. Yoseob’s eyes darted over to Doojoon from behind the counter, and his face lit up in a weird way Doojoon couldn’t quite explain. He looked excited, but also a little impish. He had a wicked, twisted grin on his lips. He slowly made his way over, never breaking gazes with Doojoon once.
“Well, I see you’ve come back,” Yoseob said, expression unchanging.
Doojoon flinched. “Yeah.”
“Coffee?”
Doojoon nodded.
Yoseob proceeded back to the behind the counter. Doojoon watched as he waited the other tables, wearing a bright smile. His face (and hair), seemed to light up the room. He made everyone’s moods better.
He’s just generally optimistic, Doojoon thought.
Yoseob returned, and Doojoon blinked, returning to reality again. His eyes widened a bit when Yoseob sat down beside him after setting the coffee down. Doojoon watched the other gaze at him. He seemed so casual, it made Doojoon feel a little embarrassed. He distracted himself, taking a sip of his coffee.
“Good?” Yoseob asked, sounding much too informal.
Doojoon simply nodded, still drinking.
Yoseob smiled. “That’s good,” he said, resting his chin on his palm.
Doojoon just looked at him. He coughed lightly. “So, um…why are you sitting here? I mean, no offense but don’t you have tables to wait or something?”
Yoseob cracked a bigger grin. “What’s the problem? You nervous with me sitting here?”
“No,” he lied, leg bouncing a bit underneath the table.
Yoseob shrugged. “Everybody already has their meals and drinks and stuff. I’m on my break.”
Doojoon raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t that a little irresponsible?”
Yoseob smiled again. “Nope. Not if I have an excuse. If anyone asks, I don’t work here, and you’re my date.”
Doojoon coughed, nearly choking on his coffee. “Y-You’re date?” he spat.
Yoseob nodded like it was the most normal thing in the world. “Yep. You’re my boyfriend, Doojoonie.” he grinned, flipping some of the blond fringe out of his eyes.
Doojoon felt a little nervous, felt his leg bounce a little faster, felt his face get a little hotter. He didn’t have an answer, so he simply drank, finishing off his coffee. He set it down when it was emptied.
“How much is it?” Doojoon asked.
Yoseob shrugged again. “On the house.” Yoseob paused, a sly smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “For you.” he added.
Doojoon looked away. “Thanks,” he muttered, standing. “I’ll be off, then.”
Yoseob stood as Doojoon did. “Wait, where are you going?”
Doojoon cocked an eyebrow at the shorter, putting his jacket on. “I have work to do, kid.”
Yoseob unintentionally pouted his lips. “I’m not a kid.”
Doojoon couldn’t hold back his grin. “You look like one.”
Yoseob’s pout morphed into a scowl and he folded his arms over his chest, looking away. “We’re over Doojoon. I’m breaking up with you.”
Doojoon tried not to laugh. He pet the other’s head, ruffling his hair gently. “Okay then. We’re over. I’m not coming back here, you realize that, right?”
Yoseob’s eyes darted up to the taller and he frowned.
Doojoon grinned. “Kidding.”
And he left without anymore words. Doojoon walked home, an unconscious smile lingering on his lips. Yoseob worked the rest of the day, his mood a bit brighter than usual.
“Kikwang-hyung! I can’t believe it worked! Our little Doojoonie is finally growing up…”
“Yah, shut up, will you? I’m older than you anyway.”
Kikwang smiled, leaning into Dongwoon from where he was seated on the couch beside him. “Doojoon, just admit it. You can’t stop thinking about cute, little Yoseob.”
Doojoon stared at the ground. “I have to pee.”
Kikwang snickered. “Excuses, excuses…” he muttered mockingly.
Doojoon stood from the recliner, going to the bathroom even if he really didn’t need to. When washing his hands he looked up, his eyes meeting with his reflection. He cocked his head to the side a bit, studying the different angles of his face. He then sighed, drying his hands.
I’m not near as attractive as him.
…Why’s he so damn cute?
Doojoon left the bathroom, another sigh heaving from him. He grabbed a random drink from the fridge, returning to his seat in the recliner. He raised an eyebrow when he saw Kikwang and Dongwoon grinning.
“…What?”
“See ya,” they answered in unison.
Doojoon watched them stand and gather their jackets, stepping towards the door. Doojoon’s eyebrows furrowed as they made their way to leave. Kikwang turned back before leaving-still grinning.
“Yoseob will be here in five. You might wanna clean up a bit.”
Before Doojoon could answer, before he could even think, Kikwang shut the door, leaving him dumbfounded. He stared at the door for a while, trying to comprehend what was going on. Kikwang apparently invited Yoseob over-supposedly while he was in the bathroom-and now he’s on his way here. But then Kikwang and Dongwoon ditched.
Doojoon closed his gaping mouth.
Bastards.
Even if Doojoon was angry, he still listened to Kikwang’s suggestion, and started cleaning. He tidied up the living room which was scattered with trash he had been too lazy to throw away earlier.
And just on time, there was a knock on the door.
Five minutes after Kikwang left.
Doojoon cleared his throat before answering the door. He expected Yoseob, of course he did.
What he didn’t expect was him looking like this.
Seeing Yoseob in regular clothes, seeing him like this, it made Doojoon’s brain a bit confused. Seeing him in torn up jeans that were decorated with random splats of paint. Seeing him in an oversized hoodie, making him look even younger than usual. Seeing him with his hair styled a little bit different, a little bit spiked with gel, looking a little more casual.
Doojoon certainly wasn’t used to this.
Yoseob’s lips curved into a smile. “Evening, Doojoonie.”
Doojoon swallowed, searching for words-which was quite difficult after witnessing such a sight. “…Hey.”
Yoseob took a hesitant step inside. “Mind if I come in?”
Doojoon suddenly outstretched his arm in front of Yoseob, blocking his way any further. Yoseob’s eyes darted up to the taller, and he cocked an eyebrow curiously. Doojoon stumbled in his mind for an excuse for his actions.
“Um, actually…”
“What?” Yoseob urged.
“Um…no one else is here, so…”
Yoseob stared at him a brief moment, then peeked his head inside the apartment, looking around. “You’re right,” he said. “Where’s Dongwoon-ah?”
“He left with Kikwang.”
“Why?”
“I-I don’t know…they just left randomly. They didn’t even tell me you were coming.”
Yoseob stared at him, and then a smirk slipped onto his lips. “Oh, they left us alone, huh?”
Doojoon blinked. “…Yeah.”
Yoseob walked in, acting much too casual for a first-time visit. “Well, I’m already here. Might as well relax, right?” he asked, more to himself then Doojoon. He plopped down on the couch and made himself comfortable. Doojoon followed, sitting beside him hesitantly, making sure to sit as far away from the blond boy as possible.
“You’re acting a bit too familiar with this place, you know that?”
Yoseob turned his head, looking at the older male. He smiled. “I know. But I feel like I can be myself here. You don’t mind, do you?”
Doojoon smiled a bit. “That depends. How exactly do you act most of the time?”
Yoseob smiled back. “You’d love to know, wouldn’t you?”
His smile.
Doojoon moved a little closer.
…Too bright.
“Stop turning the question on me,” he leaned in, a dangerously close distance from Yoseob’s face.
Yoseob didn’t look very phased, as he only sneered lightly in return. “Well, you’re the one not giving answers…”
Doojoon brought a hand up, gently tugging at the other’s hair. “On the contrary,” he said, now a breathy voice escaping his lips.
Yoseob opened his mouth to speak, but a certain someone’s ringtone started going off, interrupting whatever words that were going to leave his lips. Doojoon moved away from the younger quickly, reaching towards his phone which was placed on the coffee table. He internally scolded himself for feeling his cheeks heat up a bit. He irritably hit the talk button, bringing the phone up to his ear.
“What?” he said into the phone, obviously ticked off.
“Whoa, why so pissed off?” Kikwang’s voice could be heard through the other end of the call.
“You kind of interrupted something…”
Kikwang’s smile could be heard. “Ohh, something with you and Yoseob right?”
Doojoon shot a glance at Yoseob, then looked away when he saw the other smiling at him. “…Yeah.”
Kikwang snickered through the phone. “Well, I was going to say that Dongwoon left his phone there and we were going to come back to get it, but since you’re having so much fun I think we’ll just stay out of it.”
Doojoon flinched. He didn’t really want to be left awkwardly alone with Yoseob. “Th-That’s okay. You can stop by anyway.”
“You sure?” Kikwang said mockingly.
Doojoon swallowed, narrowing his eyes in frustration. “…Yes. Right now, Kikwang.”
The other laughed before hanging up. Doojoon hung up with a sigh, then looked over at Yoseob. Yoseob was staring at him expectantly.
“Uh, Dongwoon left his phone here so they’re dropping by to pick it up,” he answered the unspoken question.
Yoseob simply nodded. “Leave it to Dongwoon-ah to forget something important somewhere…”
Doojoon forced a small laugh. “…Yeah.”
Silence.
Doojoon didn’t like silence. He only liked it when he was working, and right now, that was not the case.
“Um…” both boys said in unison.
They stared at each other, wide-eyed, waiting to see who would speak first. Yoseob suddenly bit his lip and a small muffled giggle escaped his lips. Doojoon’s eyes crinkled up into crescents and at the same time, they started laughing like idiots. They found it hysterical, how awkward the situation was.
Doojoon wiped his eye. “Man, we’re stupid…”
Yoseob nodded, still giggling. “We are,” he agreed.
Doojoon smiled at the other, who returned it. “Doojoonie, I’m going to go.”
Doojoon quickly frowned. “…Why?”
Yoseob stood, walking over to the door. “I actually canceled my plans I had tonight just to come here. Just to see you, Doojoon. You had better feel special.”
Doojoon only smiled, but inside he was about to explode. Yoseob canceled his plans for him? He couldn’t believe it. Maybe Yoseob liked him after all…
“Anyway, I don’t wanna bother you anymore so…” Yoseob brought a hand up to wave.
Doojoon grabbed the other’s wrist.
Yoseob stared.
It was silent, and Yoseob gently shook his hand, trying to break away from the grip on his wrist. “Uh, Doojoonie?” he looked at the other confused.
Doojoon tightened his grip, and took a step closer. He released Yoseob’s wrist, and ruffled the other’s hair lightly. He grinned, apparently satisfied. He then took a step back.
“Come by sometime to help me with work,” Doojoon said casually, still smiling.
Yoseob paused, and Doojoon didn’t miss the redness crawling across his flawless skin. Yoseob coughed lightly, avoiding Doojoon’s eyes.
“I will. And you come by sometime so I can make you coffee.”
Doojoon nodded. “Sounds fair.”
Yoseob looked up at the other before turning to leave. He looked back at the grinning male, and couldn’t hold his smile back. Doojoon acts pretty immature for his age, he thought.
“See ya, Doojoonie.”
Doojoon waved. “See ya.”
Yoseob left, and Doojoon sighed happily, closing his eyes in relief. After a few seconds, there was a knock on the door. Doojoon opened it to see Kikwang and Dongwoon.
Kikwang looked puzzled. “I just saw Yoseob leaving. Why was he leaving? You didn’t kick him out did you? I thought you liked him!”
Doojoon simply smiled. “Something came up. He had to leave.”
Dongwoon then sighed. “Man, you guys are impossible. Can’t you manage to be alone for more than one minute? Maybe getting you two together is going to be harder than I thought…”
Doojoon grinned. “I doubt it.”