Five Star Michelin | Lee Taeyong x reader

Five Star Michelin

The sizzle of something frying reached your ears, a pleasant sound, something you took solace in. The buzz of the electrical chimney, the cutting sounds, everything about being in the kitchen seemed welcoming. It was a relief to stand in it, cook in it, and know that you wouldn't have to stop doing so anytime soon.

Mark and Donghyuck walked up, giving you the orders and walking back out. The smell of bacon that Jaehyun was frying for the Spaghetti Carbonara brought a smile to your face.

It had gotten better ever since Taeyong's little announcement, Weishen was back, Tahmina had even apologized to you, and made sure to compliment the tart, saying she looked forward to having it once more.

But you never added it to the menu.

It didn't feel right for some reason, you couldn't find any joy in making it anymore. It had been tainted for you, and so you kept it away. It would forever live in your journal and that was about it.

Holding a whisk that had peaks of the meringue mixture at the ends, placing it down and putting the tray of freshly piped meringues into the oven.

"Are the biscottis done?"

"A minute more and they'll be good", Jaehyun said, looking into the oven, "Johnny's almost done with the strawberry reduction though."

Nodding you decided to start with the plating, using a spoon to swirl some melted chocolate on the base of the plate, dusting cocoa powder over the top. Once the biscottis were out, you would make a sort of cream cake, using the excess of the meringue mixture to join two of the biscottis together, and then garnish it with the strawberry reduction and a few meringues.

"Y/n", Mark's voice called out, "Come with me, will you?"

You nodded, walking out of the kitchen to face Mark, "hmm?"

He didn't respond, which you thought was odd, but instead walked back into the restaurant. You furrowed your eyebrows and followed him in. Surely he had heard you?

He lead you to the back, before bowing and leaving. Confused you looked at the table ahead, mystification taking over.

The table was unoccupied.

Clicking your tongue, less than amused, you inspected the table, before looking to the table beside it. That was empty too.

Looking to your right, you were met with a figure standing there, leaning against the wall, hands in pockets. Your eyes widened as you recognized the person who stood in front of you in the dim lighting of Weishen.

"Taeyong", you breathed out, fingers digging into your palms as his name left your lips. He smiled, "Hey."

Confusion. You still felt confusion when you saw him. You searched your mind for something to grasp upon, but you couldn't. You hated it, you hated it, but god, no matter how much you tried, you could not hate him.

"Have you called me for salt?", you asked, earning an amused smile from him, who scoffed, shaking his head and averting his eyes, breaking the intense stare the two of you had going.

"No,", he chuckled, "I came to talk."

You hummed, teeth sinking into your lower lip as you pulled the seat of the table out, sitting in it, folding your arms, "Speak then."

He sat opposite you, and you marvelled at how different everything was. The first time you met was in this exact same situation, in your restaurant, in the same place he had humiliated you, and had basically been a jerk. Now he was sitting across you, a mollified expression on his face, and this time you hadn't kicked him out yet.

"I assume you saw", he said, fingers drumming nervously on the table. You sighed, nodding, "I have, but I don't understand why."

"You know why", he countered. You cleared your throat, refusing to look at him as you loosened the hold you had on your arms, letting them fall to your sides, before through one through your hair.

"Why are you here?"

A silence fell over the two of you. The silence didn't mean anything, it was just there, breaking up the tension in the air, giving you room to breathe.

"Do you hate me?", he asked, and you nearly burst into laughter. How were you supposed to answer the very question you had been asking yourself?

"No", you muttered, "No I don't hate you."

Silence.

"Do you-", he stopped for a moment, clearing his throat, "Do you like me?"

Oh.

Oh god.

That was it.

How many sad parallels would the two of you have? Was it going to be like this all the time?

You chuckled, nodding, "Unfortunately."

"I can't promise no cameras", he said, "I can't promise I won't irritate the fuck out of you", his voice grew softer with every word, "But I like you too."

The two of you sat there, in silence. He took your hand and intertwined his fingers with yours and left it there. You didn't say anything else and neither did he, instead you let the unspoken words work for themselves. Maybe you didn't trust him completely, but maybe he could prove himself. Maybe. Until then, you'd just have to hope.

Taeyong realized he may never get the Five Michelin Stars he had always dreamed of, but he was okay with that. Because now, he had you.

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fin.