[DC05] Clear Incentives
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Kangteuk
Genre: AU!Romance
Theme: Files, Phrase to include: "unapproachable"
Summary: The more he distanced himself, the more the other stepped in. No matter the rejection, he simply wouldn't have it.
-
He raised the file to eye level, squinting his eyes.
"Avoiding glasses because it makes you feel you older. While the reasoning makes sense, the way you're staring it at within inches of your face makes you even look older."
Leeteuk narrowed his eyes, clenching his jaw as he turned around. The neighboring attorney smiled at his discontent expression. Leeteuk then noticed the marks on his neck.
"You're dating someone new, I see."
Kangin sighed in melancholy to that statement. "Well, you rejected me once again last night, and I was lonely."
Leeteuk lowered the file in his hand. "So lonely that you throw yourself at someone every night."
"That is where you're wrong." Kangin stated, Leeteuk arched an eyebrow. "It's every other night."
Leeteuk bit his cheek, deciding not to start another argument and walked away. He wished he could avoid the man, but it was impossible in their setting. Including where he had to oversee the details in and out of the office for the law firm.
He wished he was in court more than not, but the office setting suited him just fine. Where negotiations and compromises were made often, between angry clients, and sometimes his own staff.
"Look at it this way, if we managed to close the account by tonight, that rids our hands of a very stubborn old client." Kangin stated later that night as he sat on the chair before the desk.
"And then?" Leeteuk asked, standing nearby.
"Well, with all that free time, you can find date me. Considering your excuse of being constantly busy is out the window." Kangin mused.
Leeteuk arched an eyebrow. He never understood the other's interactions towards him.
"I am ten years your senior."
"Yes."
"Then as a younger man, shouldn't you be aware of the respect and courtesy given to me?"
"I have been. I've been respectful of your way of life and given courtesy to only ask you out in your office."
Leeteuk exhaled, "I don't date womanizers or known flirts."
Kangin stood up from his seat. "Why not?"
"Simple. You know to manipulate, date around while lying through your lips with ease. It's not someone I can settle with."
Kangin smiled at his cold tone. "Don't reprimand someone who knows how to have a good time. And while I may know how to flirt with ease, it doesn't mean I don't know a good person when I see one. And for you,"
He lightly tapped his cheek.
"I'd throw away that lifestyle in a heartbeat."
Leeteuk was simply, less than impressed. He slapped the files to Kangin's chest. "Get to work on these files."
-
The man had to be after a promotion, that was his first thought.
But when the man declined it time after time, Leeteuk heard that his answer was, "I enjoy where I am right now. I'm happy."
That simple answer left Leeteuk even more confused. He had even witnessed Kangin's interactions with the others in his level, and they were all professional and short.
Leeteuk was the exception, for whatever reason he wasn't sure.
Kangin turned around, noticed the man staring and then brightly waved his hand. Leeteuk blinked, curtly bowed his head and continued his way.
Kangin sighed when he spoke with his colleague who handed him another folder. "Why not discuss it with Leeteuk?"
The co-worker gave him a look of disbelief, he knew Leeteuk's reputation preceded him, and most in the office were too intimidated to face the man and avoided him if possible.
"He never even smiles, I bet he never had in his life." The intern exaggerated.
"I don't think that's it, Leeteuk just probably never had anything to smile about." The intern scoffed, stunned.
"How are you on a first name basis with him?" The intern asked curiously, Kangin smiled wistfully.
"It's one-sided."
The man was unapproachable in every aspect. Kangin knew that, but wasn't put off in the slightest.
-
Leeteuk was finished with the mediation, making small talk with the attorney left behind.
"Ten million it takes to make those sisters off each other's back, it's ridiculous." Hankyung uttered, Leeteuk agreed.
"There's been worst arguments, at least it wasn't that case where they argued over land territory."
"What's so frustrating about that?"
"Because it was for an online game." Kangin finished before Leeteuk could answer, smirking in his direction. "I thought you would have snapped at them for wasting your time."
"They paid, I provided the services. That was all."
"How cold-hearted." Kangin said, then greeting Hankyung who narrowed his eyes.
"Again? Can't believe you burned yourself on the neck, you're truly a careless cook." Hankyung reprimanded.
Leeteuk blinked, looking back at the marks on Kangin's neck, the one he assumed was a love bite.
Kangin seemed flustered. "I guess I'm not a natural."
Hankyung shook his head and grabbed his briefcase, saying his goodbyes to both as the duo stood in the room alone.
Kangin sat on the table right beside Leeteuk who remained sitting, as if waiting for something. "Yes?" Leeteuk asked.
"Why do you refuse to wear glasses?"
Leeteuk narrowed his eyes, tired of that topic. "I don't like them, simple as that."
"I'd like to think you're never simple." Kangin admitted, a glint in his eyes. "I think you'd look good in them."
Leeteuk stood silent for a moment, before saying a quiet, "Thank you." It wasn't an appropriate answer, but he was too caught off-guard by the comment to give a better response.
"And then," Kangin tilted his head, holding his chin as he mused the thought. "Maybe if you wear glasses, you'd realize what a great match I am for you."
That struck a nerve. "Even if I had 20/20 vision, I'd never see that." He uttered, gathering up the documents and leaving him there.
"You shouldn't lie!" Kangin called lightheartedly after him.
Leeteuk had a normal afternoon, typing into his laptop after a video conference call. He stood up from his office desk, looking through the transparent wall, noticing Kangin talked closely with a fellow intern, offering a suggestive smile.
He stood behind him, and cleared his throat to get his attention. Kangin quickly turned around and abruptly straightened himself when the files were handed to him. "Before 3, send them out priority."
Kangin didn't seem to hear that. "It's not what you think, we were just talking. Don't be jealous."
"I'm not jealous." Leeteuk stated, his arms crossed over.
"I don't believe that... Although I'm having a good time picturing you that way," Kangin added playfully, not surveying him. Leeteuk hoped to never see that mental image.
"I don't get jealous."
"Then how else do you realize you like someone?"
"I don't know, it's never happened."
"Liar."
Leeteuk turned to walk away, and sighed as Kangin slung an arm around his shoulders.
"I wasn't flirting, I swear it."
"Since when does it matter to me?" Leeteuk pushed his arm off. "What matters is whether these files are done on time. Get to work."
Kangin pursed his lips, "Why must you always have work in mind?"
"I can't live as care-free as you can." Leeteuk countered, Kangin returned a wistful smile.
"You need to relax... and I think I can help with that."
His tone wasn't suggestive or playful, that mildly surprised Leeteuk. He wasn't sure what to think of the honest way he spoke.
-
The lights of the restaurant were dim, the music playing from the pianist in the center, each table with a candle to welcome the blissful couples.
In the bar beside it was a lone man, reading over documents as he ate his dinner. He remained expressionless when he heard someone sit beside him.
"You shouldn't eat alone."
"And when do you dictate what I can do?" Leeteuk countered, taking a bite into his meal, recognizing the voice instantly.
Kangin cringed, "It's not that you can't eat alone, you just shouldn't." He pursed his lips, "You bring take-out almost every day to work, I'm guessing they're from leftovers."
Leeteuk shifted his gaze towards the man, and paused for a moment as he surveyed his worried expression. "Do you really pay attention to every detail of myself?"
"Of course." Kangin smiled, "I found all of you fascinating, if I don't pay attention to you, then how can I call myself a respectable match for you?"
"You're simple-minded," Leeteuk concluded after a short silence, his chin on his palm. "You must be happy."
"I am," Kangin said delightfully. "But not at the place where I want to be. Or at least, most of the time."
"And where's that?"
Kangin chuckled, as if it was an obvious answer.
"With you," He replied honestly.
Leeteuk said nothing, fallen silent as Kangin sat there. The older man looked up to see the other staring earnestly and whose gaze softened.
Leeteuk looked down back, clearing his throat, needing to shift his focus elsewhere.
For the rest of the night however, he couldn't completely concentrate on work. Something he realized, was a first.
-
The next afternoon he entered his office to see a boxed lunch on his desk. There, read a note,
"Homemade and fresh. Hope you enjoy. Any and all criticisms and comments to the chef shall be given at his personal number, any time preferably at night."
Kangin typed into the computer when he heard a soft thud, looking up to see the boxed lunch on his desk. Leeteuk had his arms crossed and averted his eyes, something the other had never done.
"Thank you," He said quietly, and walked out of the office.
Kangin chuckled when he realized the box was entirely empty.
-
Months passed since that fateful afternoon, and much had changed.
Kangin felt papers dropped harshly onto his lap, followed by another smack across the back of his head.
"If you stopped flirting, then maybe you'd be done on time." A stern voice said.
Well, maybe not all had changed.
Kangin looked behind him and smiled at the scowling Leeteuk. Before he could retort, Leeteuk walked off before he could say a word.
Later that afternoon Kangin appeared in his office, partly to deliver, but Leeteuk remained cold the entire time, colder if possible.
"I wasn't flirting." Kangin stated honestly after a long silence, "Besides, I thought you said it didn't matter to you. Why are you upset?"
"Because now it does matter to me." Leeteuk emphasized.
Kangin smiled as he gave a quick peck on the lips, but the man was unfazed. He chuckled, knowing the real reason Leeteuk was upset.
He picked up the file from the desk, smiling as he waved it over his head and walked out of the office. Leeteuk thinned his lips and turned away.
"Ah," Leeteuk looked from the corner of his eye as Kangin stood in the doorway. "I like your glasses. I told you it would good on you."
With that he left, and Leeteuk stood there for a brief minute before adjusting the frames.
A small smile traced his lips.
- ❄ Challenge 4 ❄ | ❄ Challenge 6 ❄ -
Translations
Read in Vietnamese. Translated by leegemchan@wp.
A/N: For those wondering how someone gets burned in the neck by cooking. Let me say... from personal experience. Do NOT wave a hot oiled covered spatula mindlessly!
Pairing: Kangteuk
Genre: AU!Romance
Theme: Files, Phrase to include: "unapproachable"
Summary: The more he distanced himself, the more the other stepped in. No matter the rejection, he simply wouldn't have it.
-
He raised the file to eye level, squinting his eyes.
"Avoiding glasses because it makes you feel you older. While the reasoning makes sense, the way you're staring it at within inches of your face makes you even look older."
Leeteuk narrowed his eyes, clenching his jaw as he turned around. The neighboring attorney smiled at his discontent expression. Leeteuk then noticed the marks on his neck.
"You're dating someone new, I see."
Kangin sighed in melancholy to that statement. "Well, you rejected me once again last night, and I was lonely."
Leeteuk lowered the file in his hand. "So lonely that you throw yourself at someone every night."
"That is where you're wrong." Kangin stated, Leeteuk arched an eyebrow. "It's every other night."
Leeteuk bit his cheek, deciding not to start another argument and walked away. He wished he could avoid the man, but it was impossible in their setting. Including where he had to oversee the details in and out of the office for the law firm.
He wished he was in court more than not, but the office setting suited him just fine. Where negotiations and compromises were made often, between angry clients, and sometimes his own staff.
"Look at it this way, if we managed to close the account by tonight, that rids our hands of a very stubborn old client." Kangin stated later that night as he sat on the chair before the desk.
"And then?" Leeteuk asked, standing nearby.
"Well, with all that free time, you can find date me. Considering your excuse of being constantly busy is out the window." Kangin mused.
Leeteuk arched an eyebrow. He never understood the other's interactions towards him.
"I am ten years your senior."
"Yes."
"Then as a younger man, shouldn't you be aware of the respect and courtesy given to me?"
"I have been. I've been respectful of your way of life and given courtesy to only ask you out in your office."
Leeteuk exhaled, "I don't date womanizers or known flirts."
Kangin stood up from his seat. "Why not?"
"Simple. You know to manipulate, date around while lying through your lips with ease. It's not someone I can settle with."
Kangin smiled at his cold tone. "Don't reprimand someone who knows how to have a good time. And while I may know how to flirt with ease, it doesn't mean I don't know a good person when I see one. And for you,"
He lightly tapped his cheek.
"I'd throw away that lifestyle in a heartbeat."
Leeteuk was simply, less than impressed. He slapped the files to Kangin's chest. "Get to work on these files."
-
The man had to be after a promotion, that was his first thought.
But when the man declined it time after time, Leeteuk heard that his answer was, "I enjoy where I am right now. I'm happy."
That simple answer left Leeteuk even more confused. He had even witnessed Kangin's interactions with the others in his level, and they were all professional and short.
Leeteuk was the exception, for whatever reason he wasn't sure.
Kangin turned around, noticed the man staring and then brightly waved his hand. Leeteuk blinked, curtly bowed his head and continued his way.
Kangin sighed when he spoke with his colleague who handed him another folder. "Why not discuss it with Leeteuk?"
The co-worker gave him a look of disbelief, he knew Leeteuk's reputation preceded him, and most in the office were too intimidated to face the man and avoided him if possible.
"He never even smiles, I bet he never had in his life." The intern exaggerated.
"I don't think that's it, Leeteuk just probably never had anything to smile about." The intern scoffed, stunned.
"How are you on a first name basis with him?" The intern asked curiously, Kangin smiled wistfully.
"It's one-sided."
The man was unapproachable in every aspect. Kangin knew that, but wasn't put off in the slightest.
-
Leeteuk was finished with the mediation, making small talk with the attorney left behind.
"Ten million it takes to make those sisters off each other's back, it's ridiculous." Hankyung uttered, Leeteuk agreed.
"There's been worst arguments, at least it wasn't that case where they argued over land territory."
"What's so frustrating about that?"
"Because it was for an online game." Kangin finished before Leeteuk could answer, smirking in his direction. "I thought you would have snapped at them for wasting your time."
"They paid, I provided the services. That was all."
"How cold-hearted." Kangin said, then greeting Hankyung who narrowed his eyes.
"Again? Can't believe you burned yourself on the neck, you're truly a careless cook." Hankyung reprimanded.
Leeteuk blinked, looking back at the marks on Kangin's neck, the one he assumed was a love bite.
Kangin seemed flustered. "I guess I'm not a natural."
Hankyung shook his head and grabbed his briefcase, saying his goodbyes to both as the duo stood in the room alone.
Kangin sat on the table right beside Leeteuk who remained sitting, as if waiting for something. "Yes?" Leeteuk asked.
"Why do you refuse to wear glasses?"
Leeteuk narrowed his eyes, tired of that topic. "I don't like them, simple as that."
"I'd like to think you're never simple." Kangin admitted, a glint in his eyes. "I think you'd look good in them."
Leeteuk stood silent for a moment, before saying a quiet, "Thank you." It wasn't an appropriate answer, but he was too caught off-guard by the comment to give a better response.
"And then," Kangin tilted his head, holding his chin as he mused the thought. "Maybe if you wear glasses, you'd realize what a great match I am for you."
That struck a nerve. "Even if I had 20/20 vision, I'd never see that." He uttered, gathering up the documents and leaving him there.
"You shouldn't lie!" Kangin called lightheartedly after him.
Leeteuk had a normal afternoon, typing into his laptop after a video conference call. He stood up from his office desk, looking through the transparent wall, noticing Kangin talked closely with a fellow intern, offering a suggestive smile.
He stood behind him, and cleared his throat to get his attention. Kangin quickly turned around and abruptly straightened himself when the files were handed to him. "Before 3, send them out priority."
Kangin didn't seem to hear that. "It's not what you think, we were just talking. Don't be jealous."
"I'm not jealous." Leeteuk stated, his arms crossed over.
"I don't believe that... Although I'm having a good time picturing you that way," Kangin added playfully, not surveying him. Leeteuk hoped to never see that mental image.
"I don't get jealous."
"Then how else do you realize you like someone?"
"I don't know, it's never happened."
"Liar."
Leeteuk turned to walk away, and sighed as Kangin slung an arm around his shoulders.
"I wasn't flirting, I swear it."
"Since when does it matter to me?" Leeteuk pushed his arm off. "What matters is whether these files are done on time. Get to work."
Kangin pursed his lips, "Why must you always have work in mind?"
"I can't live as care-free as you can." Leeteuk countered, Kangin returned a wistful smile.
"You need to relax... and I think I can help with that."
His tone wasn't suggestive or playful, that mildly surprised Leeteuk. He wasn't sure what to think of the honest way he spoke.
-
The lights of the restaurant were dim, the music playing from the pianist in the center, each table with a candle to welcome the blissful couples.
In the bar beside it was a lone man, reading over documents as he ate his dinner. He remained expressionless when he heard someone sit beside him.
"You shouldn't eat alone."
"And when do you dictate what I can do?" Leeteuk countered, taking a bite into his meal, recognizing the voice instantly.
Kangin cringed, "It's not that you can't eat alone, you just shouldn't." He pursed his lips, "You bring take-out almost every day to work, I'm guessing they're from leftovers."
Leeteuk shifted his gaze towards the man, and paused for a moment as he surveyed his worried expression. "Do you really pay attention to every detail of myself?"
"Of course." Kangin smiled, "I found all of you fascinating, if I don't pay attention to you, then how can I call myself a respectable match for you?"
"You're simple-minded," Leeteuk concluded after a short silence, his chin on his palm. "You must be happy."
"I am," Kangin said delightfully. "But not at the place where I want to be. Or at least, most of the time."
"And where's that?"
Kangin chuckled, as if it was an obvious answer.
"With you," He replied honestly.
Leeteuk said nothing, fallen silent as Kangin sat there. The older man looked up to see the other staring earnestly and whose gaze softened.
Leeteuk looked down back, clearing his throat, needing to shift his focus elsewhere.
For the rest of the night however, he couldn't completely concentrate on work. Something he realized, was a first.
-
The next afternoon he entered his office to see a boxed lunch on his desk. There, read a note,
"Homemade and fresh. Hope you enjoy. Any and all criticisms and comments to the chef shall be given at his personal number, any time preferably at night."
Kangin typed into the computer when he heard a soft thud, looking up to see the boxed lunch on his desk. Leeteuk had his arms crossed and averted his eyes, something the other had never done.
"Thank you," He said quietly, and walked out of the office.
Kangin chuckled when he realized the box was entirely empty.
-
Months passed since that fateful afternoon, and much had changed.
Kangin felt papers dropped harshly onto his lap, followed by another smack across the back of his head.
"If you stopped flirting, then maybe you'd be done on time." A stern voice said.
Well, maybe not all had changed.
Kangin looked behind him and smiled at the scowling Leeteuk. Before he could retort, Leeteuk walked off before he could say a word.
Later that afternoon Kangin appeared in his office, partly to deliver, but Leeteuk remained cold the entire time, colder if possible.
"I wasn't flirting." Kangin stated honestly after a long silence, "Besides, I thought you said it didn't matter to you. Why are you upset?"
"Because now it does matter to me." Leeteuk emphasized.
Kangin smiled as he gave a quick peck on the lips, but the man was unfazed. He chuckled, knowing the real reason Leeteuk was upset.
He picked up the file from the desk, smiling as he waved it over his head and walked out of the office. Leeteuk thinned his lips and turned away.
"Ah," Leeteuk looked from the corner of his eye as Kangin stood in the doorway. "I like your glasses. I told you it would good on you."
With that he left, and Leeteuk stood there for a brief minute before adjusting the frames.
A small smile traced his lips.
- ❄ Challenge 4 ❄ | ❄ Challenge 6 ❄ -
Translations
Read in Vietnamese. Translated by leegemchan@wp.
A/N: For those wondering how someone gets burned in the neck by cooking. Let me say... from personal experience. Do NOT wave a hot oiled covered spatula mindlessly!