Random BL One-Shots

Office Dynamics

The hum of activity greeted Seungwoo the moment he stepped into the glass tower of Elite Innovations, the company he had dreamed of working for. His heart thrummed in sync with the city's pulse, but underneath it was a gnawing sense of pressure. He had heard stories of this place—one of the most competitive tech firms in the industry, and now, he was finally here.

He adjusted his tie, palms slightly sweaty. His mind buzzed with excitement but also the creeping anxiety that came with starting fresh. This was his chance to prove himself, but one misstep, one wrong move, and all his ambition could be for nothing.

"Seungwoo, right?" The voice startled him out of his thoughts. Turning, he found a man with dark, sharp eyes and a grin that was somehow both inviting and mischievous. "Takumi. I'm in marketing, and I take it you're the new guy?"

"Yeah, that's me," Seungwoo replied, offering a tight smile, trying to keep the nerves from showing. "Thanks for the welcome."

Takumi gave him a knowing look. "You'll need it." He clapped Seungwoo on the back as they walked toward the workspace. "This place... let's just say it can chew you up and spit you out if you're not careful."

The warning made Seungwoo's stomach churn, but he nodded, nonetheless. He was no stranger to competition, but something about Takumi's tone sent a shiver down his spine.

Before he could dwell on it, Takumi gestured toward a glass-walled office at the far end of the floor. "That's Jian's office. Our illustrious boss. Word of advice: steer clear if you can. The man loves to have control over everything, and if you're on his radar, you'll be running in circles."

Seungwoo didn't need the warning. He'd heard plenty about Jian in whispers during the interview process—cutthroat, manipulative, and power-hungry. A man who thrived on breaking his subordinates' spirits just to remind them who was in charge.

Seungwoo's gaze swept across the room, trying to shake off the weight of Takumi's words. That's when he saw him. Seated quietly at a desk by the windows, head bent over his work, was Haibin. His soft brown hair fell into his eyes as he typed, and even in the fluorescent office light, there was something about him that seemed... calm, yet distant.

Their eyes met for a brief moment, and the air felt like it was pulled tight. Seungwoo quickly averted his gaze, his heart racing in a way he couldn't explain. He hadn't even spoken to the guy, but something about him made the room feel smaller, more intimate.

"That's Haibin," Takumi whispered, as if reading his thoughts. "Keeps to himself mostly. Brilliant though—probably the most capable guy in the department."

Seungwoo nodded absently, still trying to shake the strange feeling in his chest. 

'Don't get distracted', he reminded himself. He was here for one reason—to succeed.

The weeks at Elite Innovations passed in a blur of projects, meetings, and sleepless nights. Seungwoo threw himself into his work, determined to rise above the chaos. His reports were impeccable, his strategies innovative. Zhe, his mentor and a seasoned employee, took note of his hard work.

"You've got a good head on your shoulders," Zhe told him one afternoon, his voice carrying the calm authority of someone who had been through the corporate wringer. "But watch yourself. Jian's noticed you."

That comment sent a wave of unease through Seungwoo. Being on Jian's radar wasn't exactly a compliment. He glanced toward the glass-walled office, where Jian sat, his sharp gaze scanning the floor like a predator surveying his domain.

"Noticed me in a good way or a bad way?" Seungwoo asked, though he already knew the answer.

Zhe's face was unreadable. "Does it matter? He likes to twist things. Just keep your head down and focus on what you can control."