kimchi ⇸ dks.

one

do kyungsoo was always an over achiever. he topped all his classes, had an average job at the local fast food takeout to pay off tuition, and shared an apartment with his best friend. today, he was working a late shift, and the flow of people had been relatively manageable, them always asking for the daily special. he'd been working here for a couple of months, since he was good at cooking and loved serving other people. a girl, minji, was working alongside him, assisting in cleaning the tables and taking orders.

the floor was a stereotypical checkered tile, the walls painted crimson and blue, in alternating patterns. although kyungsoo was korean, he loved cooking chinese food. there was so much freedom with the spices and sauces and vegetables. even though there wasn't enough sitting space, the small restaurant received enough popularity to keep it running.

the hour and minute hands on the silver clock soon aligned themselves at 12, indicating that it was time to start packing and closing up shop.

just as he was about to switch the sign to "closed," a tall boy walked in, his elvish ears a little too big for his face. "i'd like some kimchi."

wow, so much for a hello! or a please and thank you, kyungsoo thought bitterly, still offering the boy a sweet smile. he came after closing time, too. how rude. "sorry sir, this is a chinese restaurant. we do not serve kimchi here."

he groaned, fairly irritated at the much smaller boy. "fine. i'll take some chicken chow mein."

"of course, that'll be 750 won." he said, plastering a smile onto his plump lips and punching the order into the cash register.

the brown-haired boy seemed to be in a hurry, fingering through his wallet to pull out a 1000 won bill. "here." he spoke in a clipped tone, pushing the bills into his hand. "and keep the change." kyungsoo thanked him, and was sure to finish cooking quickly, since he didn't want this kid to wait any longer.

placing the white takeout box into a plastic bag along with some packets of soy sauce and chopsticks, kyungsoo was sure to include some extra napkins and a brochure in case mr. giant elf decided to visit once more. "your order is complete," kyungsoo informed him gently, pushing the bag towards him.

the tall one peered into the bag, pulling out the takeout box decorated with intricate red dragons. "what is this?!" he exclaimed, fuming. "i ordered kimchi!"

kyungsoo took a deep breath, bracing himself for anything this rather difficult customer was going to throw his way. "sir, you had initially asked for kimchi," he coaxed, fingertips firmly pressed against the marble countertop. "but you had to switch your order because this is a chinese restaurant, and we do not serve kimchi." kyungsoo tried his best to keep his voice levelled; it was 12:30am, and he just wanted to head home and sleep next to his best friend - she would surely comfort him and listen to him rant about his long shift.

the boy stood flabbergasted for a couple moments, before yelling a "how dare you?" while wagging his long finger in front of kyungsoo's face. "i am very aware of what i ordered, and this is not it!" his eyes were wide, deep voice vibrating inside kyungsoo's ears. he took a deep breath, relaxing himself, before attempting to calm down the giant.

"sir, if you check the reciept-"

"sir, i think it's time for you to leave. take a coupon, your next meal is free. it's thirty minutes past our closing time, we would like to get home. keep eating this late, and you'll grow through the roof. tch, i bet you still get growth spurts like a boy hitting puberty."

A stunned silence ensued as kim minji stood with her arms crossed over her chest, leaning against the wall with her bright blue cap covering her messy dyed brown hair. she was tired, and she was ready to go home. it didn't help that this tall loser was practically yelling his ass off in her restaurant. as one of kyungsoo's only coworkers, she took the initiative to help him out whenever he needed it, and kyungsoo did the same for her.

today, both of them were given the same shift, since nobody else was kind enough to do so. now, at half an hour to one in the morning, minjis patience was growing thin.

she held out a small coupon to the rowdy customer, and he stepped forwards and snatched it out of her hand, storming off with a ripped bag of chinese takeout behind him.

"damn," minji said, pulling her cap off. "i wonder who pissed in his cheerios."

kyungsoo giggled quietly, muttering words of gratitude before packing up his things and slinging his dufflebag over his shoulder. "bye, minji. see you tomorrow."

the drive home went in silence, the do's knuckles white from his vice grip on the steering wheel. as he pulled in to the parking lot of the ten storey apartment building, he found his shoulders sagging, thick lips pulled into a pout. i wonder if kyungmi is still awake, he pondered, pressing in the number to his floor.

he leaned against the mirrored walls of the elevator, taking in his tired form.

kyungsoo had bags and dark circles adorning his eyes, heart-shaped lips chapped and dry. his ebony locks were no longer tame, ruffled and messy atop his head. "i'm a mess," he muttered to himself, raking his fingers through his hair. the elevator came to a stop at his floor, a quiet ding! indicating his arrival.

as he stepped into the apartment, he was surprised to find the lights on - usually kyungmi would go to bed, waiting for him to slide in next to her.

instead, he was greeted with her rather irritated figure, hands on her short-clad hips. "do kyungsoo." she spoke in an oddly calm voice, leaving kyungsoo worried as he slid off his shoes, dropping his bag to the floor.

"yes? is everything alright, kyungmi?"

she crossed her arms, eyebrow raising. "do you have any idea what time it is?"

yikes. kyungsoo knew where this was headed now. "i-it's 12:46," he whispered shamefully, eyes now leaving her brown ones and trailing along the floor.

she flicked her dark hair over her shoulder, "you're home so late! are you kidding me? i know you need the money for tuition, but just take a break goddamnit! look at yourself!" she gripped his sleeve and dragged him to the bathroom, her small, pale fingers holding onto him tightly.

he groaned, knowing what she was going to say.

"your hair looks like it hasn't been washed in days," she took his cap off, running her fingers through his hair, "your eyes have darker circles than tao's," she gently poked him under the eyes, "and you look like you could really do with some of my soup." she finished, tickling his stomach.

he nodded while smiling. "i love your soup," he commented, grinning at her. she knew him like nobody else, reading him like an open book. that's why they're best friends - they do everything together, and their level of understanding is beyond anyone else. this is what he loved about her; no matter how upset or irritated he was, he was never able to lash out at her because she knew just how to make him feel better.

he was brought out of his thoughts when a hand came to slap his butt playfully. "and stop moping." she laughed at the bright blush that covered his pasty pale cheeks, pulling him into the living room with a glint in her eye.

a/n;
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