Archive of Our Own ^beta

The sign glows neon right infront of Felix, the smell of people smoking outside the bar means that ash and smoke fills his nose, he can’t help but wrinkle his in disgust and continue staring up.

The blue sign changes from “No Easy” to “Noisy” and Felix has to admit, it’s a clever play on words, and if Felix has any words to describe this bar….

It would be noisy.

Granted, he’s never been here before but it’s hardly 10:30 at night and the bar is buzzed with students and the nightlife it exhumes.

Felix has to show has I.D to a bouncer on the door, who’s shorter than Felix but triple his width, muscles rippling and biceps he would bounce off if he so much as bumped into the guy.

He makes his way through the crowd of sweaty bodies dancing on the glowing tiles below his feet as the thrum of the music makes his entire body vibrate inside out.

He pushes himself into a gap to get to the bar, wedged shoulder to shoulder against other customers waiting to be served.

There’s three bartenders that Felix can see, all of them look completely at ease, throwing bottles around and catching them with skill, pouring shots while holding a bottle behind their back, laughing as they go, happy and carefree and…

Felix is jealous.

Jealous that people can afford to be like that in their job.

Happy, he means.

He shakes that thought out of his head and plasters on his best smile, remembering why he came here.

The half ruined ‘staff wanted’ sign that was being used as an ash tray for someone outside caught his attention on his walk home and now here he is. Taking a chance.

“What’ll it be handsome?” Felix blinks, looking up to see a man with short dark hair and feline eyes looking back at him.

“Uhhhh-“ Felix can feel his throat trembling as he speaks, he isn’t even sure the guy can hear him. He clears his throat and tries again. “Can I-“

“Don’t scare away the customers Minho!”

Felix watches as another bartender pushes the one out the way, batting his long eyelashes at Felix instead, his hair half up half down in bubblegum pink, the same coloured gloss smeared across his lips. “You’re pretty.”

“Felix.” Felix shouts this time over the music.

“Felix? I’ve never heard of that drink-“

“No! No my name is Felix!”

“Felix,” the man repeats. “I’m Hyunjin! So what can I get you?”

“A job interview, hopefully. I saw your help wanted sign out front! I was hoping- I thought I could-“

The one that Hyunjin initially pushed comes back into frame. Pouring something bright orange into a glass before passing it to the person next to Felix with a wink, well.. what Felix guesses is supposed to be a wink but he closes both eyes and squints his mouth while he does it.

“Min!” Hyunjin grabs the guy out of his awful winking agenda. “Is Y/N still looking for another person to help run the bar with us?”

The one Felix now guesses is Minho goes to open his mouth, but before he can do that, someone else comes into frame.

“You ever worked a bar before?”

Felix meets the eyes of the person who just asked this question. A woman, probably around his age, beautiful hair cascading over her shoulders, strong bone structure and plump lips, smoked eyes lined with heavy makeup to intensify those big eyes Felix is looking right into.

He feels his throat dry. “Uhhhh-“

You scoff a little, shaking your head. “You a quick learner?”

“I can try?” Felix queries back.

“Are you clumsy? Because Hyunjin drops enough glasses for all of us-“

“Hey!” Hyunjin whines. “I’ve only broken three!”

“And that’s just tonight,”
Minho joins in, all the while still serving customers as he goes.

Hyunjin huffs but puts on a killer smile and gets back to leaning over his side of the bar to talk to someone, no doubt taking their order.

“He’s pretty,” He notes someone at the end of the bar say. “He’d get a lot of tips.”

Felix doesn’t know if that’s a compliment or not but he’s been called pretty twice in the last five minutes and he’s sure he hasn’t got concealer on his freckles, worn away with the gruelling day and the clothes he’s wearing need a good wash but by the time Felix gets back to his crummy apartment, laundry is the last thing on his mind because he’s usually dead on his feet and half way to dreamland.

“He would.” Felix watches as the woman agrees. “Can you flirt? Are you single?”

Felix heads spins with the questions and he doesn’t know if he’s being mocked or being asked genuinely.

He has a habit of trusting the wrong people, with them then using his vulnerability and innocence against him.

“You need to appear available,” you finally tell the platinum blonde boy with the doe eyes and bitten lips. “You never have to act on anything with the customers, but light flirting and appearing single gives us a certain image. This bar is- it’s not for you to bring yourself girlfriend or boyfriend or whatever, the last time that happened…”

“I said I was sorry!” Hyunjin once again yells over the thrum of bass blasting the bar. Vibrating the glasses on the counter and making Felix’s ears throb.

“Shouldn’t the manager be telling me all this?” Felix now blurts. “Hyunjin mentioned someone called Y/N? Can I- I don’t mean to be rude but I don’t want my time wasted, if I could just speak to the manager and ask him myself-“

“Of course.” You interrupt, Hyunjin and Minho already laughing, this poor guy is about to have his ass handed to him by you, not only for insinuating that the manager of this place must be a male, but because you ARE the manager and you were being genuine with asking all of these questions. “Follow me and I’ll take you to their office.”

Felix follows diligently, he still feels bad for not being able to chat away with you and the other two bartenders but he is desperate for a job with more flexible hours and hopefully tips alongside minimum wage.

“Channie!”

“Everything alright?” Felix registers another man, dressed all in black just like the security guard in the door, a walkie talkie clasped to his belt buckle and a frown on his face.

“Yeah, this guy here’s looking for a job and wants to speak to the manager, so I’m taking him to Y/N’s office.” You send him a beaming smile, one chan knows all too well.

Chan bites back a smile. “Of course.” Before turning to the blonde guy behind you. “Good luck mate!”

And before Felix can catch the twinge of Australian that just came from his lips as he spoke Korean, he’s following you again.

“Here!”

Felix’s eyes widen in surprise as you don’t even knock on the door, and instead pull a key from your pocket and unlock the door yourself before swinging it open, “Come on in!”

Felix steps inside, and you dart for the office chair behind a desk. “Take a seat Felix, wasn’t it? I’m Y/N. Owner of No Easy.”

Felix’s cheeks flame in guilt. “I am so-“

“Sorry? I guessed.”

“I really didn’t mean any disrespect-“ Felix pleads, slumping himself in the chair opposite your desk. “I just- I really want a job here…”

“Why? You’ve never been here before. I work every night, I’d remember you if I saw you.”

‘Why?’ Felix wants to ask. What’s so memorable about him? “I’m going to sound even worse if I answer honestly…”

You wait, you don’t react, you merely fold your hands together in your lap and wait.

“I want to work here so I can quit my other job. I’m working a really shitty office nine to five but I just enrolled in a teaching program in hopes of opening my own daycare, so I need to quit to study and get my qualification so that I’m able to do so… so I just- I wanted something that would keep me afloat. Not too long in hours and…”

“The shifts are from eight until close at two.”

Felix blinks. If he finishes at two in the morning, by the time he gets home and collapses into his bed it’ll be around two forty and that’s after a quick shower, his first online class doesn’t start until eleven so that would give him a solid seven hours sleep before he has to think about waking up and having breakfast before it starts.

“You could potentially work up to four six-hour shifts a week at standard wage plus tips, if a customer says they’ll buy you a drink to match theirs, you take 5,000 won from their change and put it in the tip jar. Tips are split at the end of every night no matter what with whoever you’re working with.”

Felix nods slowly, unable to fathom what’s happening but also hanging from every word. You have that aura about you, Felix isn’t sure how he had the sheer confidence or audacity to interrupt you back when you were talking to him at the bar.

“I wasn’t joking about the whole being single or flirting thing either. This isn’t your average bar, it’s rowdy and loud and some guests can get a little carried away. Fighting is completely off limits, I have security guards for a reason and it’s their job to handle that situation, but if you tip a drink over their head they get the memo.”

Felix’s mouth needs to be picked up from the floor. “You tip drinks on their head?”

“Would you rather I be sexually assaulted?”

“No- God no I just-“

“We don’t use formalities here, everyone bleeds the same, dies the same. There’s no need for all that here.”

Now that was insanely different. Since Felix loved to Korea all that’s been drilled into him is respect, boundaries, formalities.

“Respect goes both ways. You got to be able to give as good as you get with the customers, though if the way you acted earlier is any indication…”

“I’m so sorry I-“

“I’ll give you a trial run, how does that sound? Thursdays are our quietest days. Come in an hour before shift starts to meet the team and get acquainted with the stock behind the bar and we’ll see how you do. I’ll pay you for the trial regardless of what happens.”

Felix is nodding his head frantically, grateful for the opportunity. “Thank-you so much.”

“This bar is all I have. I mean it when I say don’t bring your relationships to it. It causes problems, and as for fights… you’ll see what I mean I’m sure, but just- I don’t care how long you’ve worked here or how much I like you as a person, I will fire you. Hyunjin only managed to escape such a situation because his ex was a toxic asshole and the trash got taken out from it.”

Felix gulps, seriously intimidated, yet at the same time the passion and fire behind your eyes was endearing, inspiring even. “I understand.”

…….

“So? Did you hire the pretty boy?” Minho doesn’t hesitate to ask the second Chan has hauled the last bumbling drunken fool out of the bar for the night.

“I’m giving him a trial run, he’s coming in Thursday.”

“I thought you would have kicked him to the curb.” Minho snorts, starting to help you and Hyunjin with the clean up. Something they don’t have to do at all, but they do because they’re good like that, sweet in a way only the people close to them understand. Minho more so than Hyunjin.

“Well I’m glad you’re giving him a chance!” Hyunjin beams. “We could do with some fresh meat around here!”

“Am I not good enough for you huh?!” Changbin jokes, hollering from where he’s mopping the floors, yet another task that shouldn’t be down to one of your security to handle and yet he does without even asking.

“I think he’ll surprise us.” Chan shrugs.

“Of course you would say that, Captain optimist.” You finish dividing out the tips and passing them to everyone.

You never take tips for yourself, no matter how hard you worked. They were for your staff.

These four guys and this bar were all that you had.

You couldn’t ask for anything else.

You wouldn’t want to, either. For you this was as good as it could possibly get, and you cherish it.

“Let’s hope he survives, we could use an extra body around here considering Hyunjin spends his whole shift giving ‘fuck me eyes’ to everyone.”

“Yah! Those ‘fuck me eyes’ get you good tips!” Hyunjin shouts.

“My people skills get me good tips!” Minho protests.

“You don’t have people skills, especially good ones!”

You chuckle under your breath and usher everyone out, calling it a night before Hyunjin ends up with tissues shoved down his throat, letting Changbin walk Hyunjin home as per usual while Chan declaws the human born to be a cat by driving him home.

Will Felix survive your trial run? You honestly wasn’t sure, but you saw something in him, a match waiting to be lit, just needing that ounce of movement on the rough to spark alight.

____________

The bus was late.

Of course the bus was late when Felix actually had to be somewhere on time, especially when he is needing to make a better impression on you than the first time, considering you’re giving him a chance, after all.

By the time he makes it to the bar, he’s panting. He can feel a bead of sweat roll down his neck and he’s just glad he chose to go with a deep plum coloured shirt so that you won’t to be able to see the stains.

“Right on time.” Felix jolts at the sound of a voice and turns to the the security guard he originally saw last time he came, the one that he handed his I.D over too. “I’m Changbin. Come on,” he ushers Felix who doesn’t waste another second to enter the building, Changbin locking it behind him.

“You showed up!” Hyunjin cracks into a smile once he notices Felix.

“You’re late.” Minho quirks a brow.

“I uhh- my bus was late.”

Hyunjin snorts. “You have to come up with a better excuse! Come put your things down, we have a locker room behind the bar for belongings!” Hyunjin encourages and Felix vaguely remembers seeing the lockers around by your office.

“Thank-you.” Felix says, shoving his bag into one of the lockers and pocketing the key in his denim jeans, ruffling out his hair and rolling up his sleeves, determined to get to work.

“Y/N! Felix showed up!”

“You say that like you wasn’t expecting me to!” Felix tells Minho.

“I didn’t know if you had the balls, pretty boy.” Minho shrugs. “It’s nice to see that you do!”

Felix huffs but he’s not really irritated. He nearly backed out seven separate times today and contemplated not showing just because he doesn’t want to fail tonight.

That’s about hypocritical, isn’t it?

If he never tries, then he’d never fail. It was perfect logic, until he remembered he needed enough money to eat and afford his crappy apartment and have things like hot water to be able to shower and not give him hypothermia.

“Hey,”

Felix holds a scream back in his throat and instead turns to face you.

“H-hi!” He tries instead, cursing mentally when his tongue ties.

“Minho owes me twenty thousand won because you came tonight, so thanks.”

“You realise that you’re the one that pays me right?” Minho calls out.

“Okay so I’ll minus twenty thousand won from your paycheck, would you like me to cancel all future ones too while we’re at it?” You bat your eyelashes fairly at Minho and he frowns at you like a cat that’s just been doused in water, while Hyunjin and Changbin throw their heads back in absolute laughter.

Felix doesn’t think he’s allowed to laugh at those kind of jabs yet, so he doesn’t.

“Minho and Hyunjin will get you acquainted with where we keep all the liquor so you don’t get too lost, though we don’t really have a set menu here, so if a customer asks what’s good you pour them the cheapest liquor and charge them the most for it, okay?”

Felix has no idea if you’re joking or not.

“If they buy you a drink-“

“Take five thousand won!” Felix remembers that. He wrote down everything you’d told him on the notes app on his phone the minute he got out of the bar last time when he realised that he actually was coming back.

“Exactly, but they’ll also expect you to physically drink with them,” you continue explaining.
“And drinking on the job is a no go because Minho will drink my bar dry.”

“He drinks dicks dry too!” Hyunjin calls out, and not even three second later he’s clutching his shoulder and saying “Ow!”

“Drinking dick sounds ridiculous. Suck is the better noun.” Changbin interrupts

“I don’t think ‘drink’ and ‘suck’ are nouns?”

“Jesus Christ.” You whisper before clearing your throat. “Please ignore them. Apparently I hire idiots.”

“Thanks?”

“I haven’t hired you yet.” You remind him cheekily. “If I do, then I guess you’re an idiot too! Anyway, under here look-“ you take Felix to the front of the bar, bending under it where Felix finds three bottles labelled ‘vodka’ “there’s plain water in these, line up your own shot with them, clink it against the customers glass of whatever the fuck they’ve ordered and drink. Manipulation at its finest.”

“It’s what we’re good at, especially this one!” Minho pats you on the shoulders as he says that. “She’s great at rinsing men of their money and then leaving them with blue balls.”

Felix tries to laugh at that as you roll your eyes and push Minho away.

“Y/N! Delivery just came! Oh-“ Felix watches as another guy, the one you guys passed on the way to your office the other night comes towards the combat, carrying what looks like a very heavy case of something. “Hiya mate! I’m Chan!”

“You really are Australian?!” Felix shrieks. “Oh my fucking God!”

“C’mere bro!” Chan deposits the case of beer and holds out his arm, ready to give the ‘bro’ hug to the newcomer. “Felix, right?”

Felix nods enthusiastically. “I haven’t met another Aussie since I moved here!”

“Welcome!” Chan greets as friendly as ever. “Y/N we have to keep him!”

You shake your head but you can’t avoid the smile forming on your lips. “We open in half hour, be useful and show Felix the drink lineup please?”

“She said please!” Hyunjin gasps. “Don’t be fooled Felix!”

“Escape now while you can!” Minho also tells him.

…….

Felix has under appreciated bartenders and what they actually do.

He has also massively underestimated this job.

He’s always been the other side of the bar, not able to understand the sheer amount of work it is to do what seems like the simplest of jobs.

He cannot keep up.

He cannot fucking keep up, his hands are trembling, he’s spilling various liquids everywhere, his hair is somehow sticky and he’s pretty sure the bass of whatever music is playing has seeped into his veins because he cannot block it out to hear what the customer is ordering to save his life.

Hyunjin hip bumps him out the way. “Cute isn’t he?” Hyunjin asks the customer that Felix has just failed to serve. Pouring the drink easily, steadily, all while his head is thrown back in laughter from whatever the customer has just said and sending Felix a wink as he lines up his fake shot, smoothly tipping his head back and letting the water that’s supposed to be vodka flow down his neck.

“Struggling?” Minho’s at Felix’s side next as Felix tackles popping the caps off some beer bottles. “Come here-“ Minho may aswell sigh as he swipes the bottle holder, popping off the caps easy peasy lemon fucking squeazy before taking the beers and sliding them over to the customers before taking their card to swipe the machine. “Don’t stress, if Hyunjin’s survived this long then you’ve still got a chance.”

“Hey!” Hyunjin somehow hears Minho even when Felix isn’t sure he has.

Minho pats Felix on the back, probably not intending to be as rough as he is but my God is he strong, and Felix tries not to wince at the pressure before he’s back full force in front of a barrel of customers all wanting his attention to be served.

He closes his eyes for all of two seconds, takes a steady inhale and then opens them again. Looking the first customer in the eyes and putting on the best smile he can muster right now, because even if he getting paid tonight, he certainly isn’t going to get the job. “What can I get you?”

…..

Felix stares down at the pile of cash in his hands. “Uhhhh-“

“I haven’t got your bank details yet to transfer your wages over, I normally pay weekly but since I said I’d pay you for tonight then that’s your earnings, plus tips.”

The ‘yet’ in your sentence goes over Felix’s head, his just taking in the abundance of won that’s been piled into his hand.

“Our best night is usually a Friday for tips, but I guess having a new face helped bump it up tonight.” Hyunjin giggles excitedly. His own pile of tips happily being squashed into the pocket of the miniskirt he’s been wearing all night. How he even manages to cram the bills in there Felix has no idea, but his long legs look even longer in the fishnets he’s sporting underneath and Felix doesn’t doubt that Hyunjin’s outfit also helped play a roll in all the tips everybody got tonight.

“Where’s your tips?” The question is out of Felix’s mouth the second he registers you with not even a singular note in your hand.

“I don’t take tips,” You explain simply. “It’s my bar, my job. You guys are the ones who deserve-“

“But it’s your job like it’s ours, right? More so! Considering it’s your bar and all, you probably- well you do put in a lot of effort clearly, you should be rewarded like us for your efforts?” Felix winces. “Not that I put in as much as the others did, and I know I won’t be coming back but-“

“You didn’t like it?” Hyunjin full on pouts, his plush bottom lip jutting out as his arms cross over his chest like a stubborn teenager.

“No!” Felix panics. “I mean yes! Yes I liked it, I don’t exactly know HOW to do the job so… I mean I was terrible tonight, I’m not expecting to actually…”

“Felix.”

Felix visibly gulps and turns to you, he doesn’t know why he feels so small under your gaze, you’re shorter than him!

It’s your eyes.

Their piercing.

Captivating.

Felix blinks in quick succession. What the fuck? Where did that thought come from?

“Come back tomorrow, can you make it around midday?”

Felix frowns at this. “Midday?”

“Are you free then?”

“Yeah?”

“Chan will be here, he’ll let you in.”

“I don’t understand…”

“Well, it’ll be empty, other than me and Chan here, unless Minho and Hyunjin decide to come and scrounge me for food.”

“You say ‘scrounge’ like you don’t actively order us lunch when we hang out here!” Hyunjin complains.

“Why aren’t I invited to the lunch hangout?!” Changbin whines.

“Can we get chicken?” Minho asks as if he’s actually asking and not telling you that he’s getting chicken whether you agree or not.

“Oh my God,” you whisper under your breath. Chan stifles a laugh from beside of you and you carry on the conversation as Changbin, Hyunjin and Minho all discuss the apparent lunch plans you’ve just set yourself up to pay for as if this is a cafe and not a fucking bar.

“Felix,” you try again. “Come back at midday, I’ll order everyone lunch-“

“Chicken!” Minho pipes in.

“I want pasta too!” Changbin declares.

“Can we get dessert? My sweet tooth is insane lately!”

“You don’t have sweet tooth, you drink cum like it’s a milkshake.”

“How would you know?!”

You cannot take it anymore. “All of you get the fuck out before I actually lose the will to live, hang myself from the lights and then leave you all jobless!”

Hyunjin allows Changbin to throw an arm over him and begin leading him out as Minho also follows along with Chan.

“Right,” you finally have a shot of getting your thoughts in order. “Felix!” You try AGAIN.

He’s still looking at you, wide innocent eyes like saucers, a faint blush on his cheeks and sweat rolling down his neck from the work of the night.

God he really is pretty.

It’s terribly distracting.

“Come back tomorrow for lunch, I’ll set you up on payroll and then I’ll teach you some core drinks mixtures and how to use all the equipment.” You explain. “I threw you into the deep end tonight to see how you would survive.”

“And I drowned.”

“Eh,” you shrug. “If that was the case I wouldn’t be giving you the job, now would I?”

Felix’s mind shortcuts. “What?”

“Did you not listen to a word I just said?” You huff. “You got the job. You didn’t give up, you have guts. As shallow as it is you really are a fresh face, and your smile didn’t falter once tonight when talking or serving customers even when you were struggling. I was expecting you to throw in the towel pretty early on if I’m honest.”

Felix isn’t going to pretend like that doesn’t sting, but he also understands that you essentially are running a business, and taking him on and doing all this extra work for him isn’t really in your best interests when you can hire someone with previous bar work experience.

“So what do you say? Don’t want to be the newest bartender of No Easy?”

And then you’re stiff as a board, because there’s arms around you and you’re being pulled flush against his chest and he smells like sweat but there’s an underlying of cinnamon along with general musk, not to mention the strong essence of liquor that comes with spilling drinks all night.

“Thank-you thank-you thank-you!” Felix looks back at you, a hop in his step and hope in his eyes and holy shit he just hugged you and he’s not absolutely mortified. Idiot. Idiot. Idiot. “Sorry! Sorry I got excited and-“ and Felix is not making out like he just popped a boner or something and he’s going to be the one banging himself from the lights if he keeps it up.
The embarrassment, not the boner! Because there is NO boner! “I’ll see you tomorrow! I won’t be late this time!”

“Whatever you say sunshine.”

Felix’s mouth parts slightly at the nickname. “Sunshine?”

“That’s what I’m calling you from now on.”

“They say nicknames make you attached though right? Like if you feed a stray cat or something and then name it, you’ll get attached and then want to take it home and-“

“Are you suggesting you’re a stray and I should take you home?” You raise your eyebrow as you ask the question, and Felix’s throat dries as you tilt your head to look him up and down.

Do NOT get a boner.

Do NOT get a boner.

Do NOT get a boner.

This is his new boss.

His BRAND NEW boss who has probably only hired him because she feels bad and because he’s pathetic and in desperate need of a job.

His brand new boss with sultry eyes and confidence that has him shaking in his boots.

“G-goodnight Y/N!”

Your laughter is the last thing Felix hears as he legs it out of the bar.

Heart racing.

Money filling out his pockets.

Boner filling out his pants.

____________

“Not late today!” Minho quips the second Felix steps foot into the bar, Chan behind him after letting him in.

“Just in time! Food should be here soon!” Hyunjin claims from where he’s draped over Changbin on a barstool.

“Good afternoon, sunshine!”

Felix’s eyes go straight over to you and he tries to reciprocate the smile you give him.

You look much softer like this, in the daylight, without the heavy makeup that you put on for work, and your hair tied up messily, your clothes long and oversized, you look comfortable.

Granted you look comfortable when you’re behind the bar serving people all night too, but it’s nice to see you as an ‘everyday’ person and not just Felix’s insanely hot boss.

“Sunshine?” Chan wonders.

“My nickname for him.”

“How come he gets a cute pet name and we don’t?!” Hyunjin instantly flails all dramatic off Changbin at the devastating news.

“You don’t want a cute pet name Jinnie, you have a kink for being degraded.”

“Ugh so true you know me so well.” Hyunjin wipes a fake tear from his eye as you roll yours.

Nobody comments on Changbin processing this information and the knowing looks from Chan and Minho, they’re definitely saving the teasing for later.

“So?” You prompt Felix. “Ready to learn?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be.” Felix rubs his hands together in anticipation.

“I’ve already told you,” Minho now joins in. “If Hyunjin has made it this far, then you’ll be fine.”

“Is THAT the kind of degrading you like?!” Changbin gapes, Hyunjin giggles and you just hope you get to start training your new bartender before the bar actually fucking opens at this rate.

___________

“You’re getting the hang of it!” Hyunjin tells Felix as he’s done serving yet another customer.

“I think so?” Felix doesn’t want to get his hopes up too fast too soon, but it’s been a solid four weeks since he was hired and he’s starting to really enjoy it.

The hip hop music has grown on him and he’s learned to tune it out, even when he is enjoying it. He’s even become accustomed to a couple of the regulars that pop in for one or two drinks on a week day after a long shift, and even-though the bar seems to constantly be alive with a flow of people, he’s managing to keep up much more efficiently now.

Customers have started stealing your nickname as ‘sunshine’ for him too, but it doesn’t make him feel all tingly and warm like when you say it.

That’s another issue for a whole other day though, he just needs to continue working hard here, keeping up with Minho, Hyunjin is a different ball game, but he’s adjusting to their jokes and jabs and doesn’t feel insecure about throwing his own back to them anymore.

Chan normally shoots him a thumbs up from where he’s watching everyone between the bar and dance floor for anything suspicious or uncalled for, and Felix has seen him dodge a fist or two so far and break a couple up from almost fucking on one of the booths just off the back of the dance floor too.

Changbin tends to stay on the doors, checking I.D’s and being all buff when some kids try to get in with fakes or sneak their way in with stupid ideas that would never work.

And then there’s you, managing it all and being more than just the owner holed up in their office not giving a fuck as long as money gets made, oh no you’re smack dab in the middle of it all, mainly restocking the bar or serving customers like Felix, Hyunjin and Minho, but sometimes you take yourself to the dance floor and dance with the regulars, or hang around with Chan to talk about who knows what.

And at the end of the night, you hand Felix and the others their wad of tips, send them home safely with a satisfied smile on your face before it all repeats the next day.

Granted Felix only has three shifts a week, but it’s enough, hell it’s more than his 9-5 was earning him, and he’s on top of his studies and online work too! He can honestly say that the last month has been more beneficial to Felix than his last two years since moving to Seoul.

….

“Oi Felix!” Chan catches him right as he’s packing up his locker at the end of another shift. Two am came around with the hustle and bustle of the nightlife, and Felix is bone deep exhausted and his bed is like a siren song right now. “Did Y/N tell you about Saturday?”

“I was about to-“ you appear out of fucking nowhere and if Felix wasn’t so tired he would have jumped a mile and probably jammed his fingers in his locker door. “The bar’s closed. I’ll still pay you your normal salary though okay?”

“Oh?” You’ve been open every single day since Felix has first came. “Is everything okay?”

“Every six weeks or so we make Y/N close the bar to give her a break. We order a fuck tonne of food at whoever’s choice it is to choose the restaurant and then we just hang out.” Chan says, putting a hand on your shoulder and squeezing. “Otherwise Y/N here would never take a day off.”

“I have all day,”

“You work all day too, booking alcohol deliveries, doing the payroll books…”

“It’s my job, Chan.”

“And you’ll burn yourself out, Y/N.” Chan’s eyes narrow in on yours, and Felix gets the feeling that the pair of you have had many conversations like this. “Anyway! If you’re free-“

“I’m sure Felix would like to spend a paid Saturday that he doesn’t have to work elsewhere-“

“I’d love to come!” Felix manages to get some enthusiasm in his voice and tries to open his sleepy eyes as wide as he can. “If that’s okay?”

“You’re part of the No Easy family now mate! Of course it’s okay!”

But Felix wasn’t asking Chan, he was asking you.

“You must be crazy to spend your free time with us willingly.” Is what you manage to say, because OF COURSE it’s okay that Felix wants to join you, it’s not like you planned to vent to your staff and closest friends on Saturday that you’re a terrible boss for being insanely attracted to your newest recruit and you think you might need Minho to smash an empty bottle on your head in the hope it refunctions because it’s highly inappropriate and not to mention against your own damn rules of this place.

“Maybe,” Felix shrugs. “But I have a feeling you like crazy.” And Felix MUST be fucking crazy if the gasp Chan lets out at his response is anything to go by.

His exhausted brain to mouth filter is nonexistent and he’s sure he will regret saying that the second he’s out of this bar, but he doesn’t regret the way your eyes widen, ever so slightly as if you’ve been completely caught off guard.

Felix likes that. The way he’s managed to finally turn the tables for once.

“Get out of here,” you scold but it’s not with an ounce of bitterness on your tongue but you can feel the heat rising to your cheeks already and you cannot let him see how affected you are by something you’ve probably interpreted the wrong way.

“Night Y/N!” Chan chuckles, steering Felix away. “I have a feeling Saturdays going to be fun!”

You have a feeling Saturday is going to be torture.

_____________

“What the fuck?” You croak as you open your front door to Hyunjin’s bright smile staring back at you.

“Good morning to you too, boss! Happy Saturday. You look like shit!” Hyunjin steps through the threshold of your apartment and you go through the five stages of grief while considering how to get away with murder. “Heard your sunshine is coming to family dinner tonight! I’m here as a friend and a stylist and-“

“A pain in my fucking ass?”

“I didn’t know you liked anal!” Hyunjin gasps.

You smack him In the arm and he giggles like the maniac he is.

“I don’t need a stylist, and Felix isn’t ‘my’ sunshine.”

You can’t contain the sun, its warmth spreads across the horizon and illuminates everything in its path, the glow infectious.

“You want him to be though!”

“Hyunjin.” You warn.

Hyunjin pouts but steers you over to your dining table while he sets his ‘bags of supplies’ down. “I think you guys have chemistry, for the record.”

“We should. We work together. Just like how you and I have chemistry, same with Minho and Changbin and Chan-“

“Stop being difficult!” Hyunjin holds your chin steady as he sweeps a shimmer across your cheeks before telling you to close your eyes so he can put the eyeliner on you. “I just think you guys could-“

“No relationships in the workplace, it’s pretty much my only rule! I can’t- I can’t do it Jinnie okay? If anything were to happen… Felix fits right in with us all. It’s rare to find that, he brings in good money and he livens up the crowd on the nights he works. I- I like him.”
Hyunjin gasps but you ignore it in favour of continuing. “Not like that!” Though it’s kind of like that. There’s no denying Felix’s charm, or the way his timbre voice makes you feel soothed, or the way his smile makes it easy for yours to form on your face. “And even if it was… which it isn’t!” Yet It sort of is. “It wouldn’t work, we’re too different, besides, I’m his boss and I would never go against my own bar rules.”

“So break the rules!”

“I’ll break your neck if you carry on, can we stop talking about this?”

You’re grateful you’re unable to say anything else as Hyunjin smears something sticky across your lips, you imagine he’s gone for colours that you would never choose for yourself, warm tones, a rose perhaps.

“Fine,” Hyunjin gives in just for a minute. “Now! What hidden gems do you have in your wardrobe?”

……..

“Felix! Come here bro!” Chan calls Felix over the second he steps foot into the restaurant, chan had text him the address, because that’s something Felix can do now, text people. His colleagues, his… friends? He has numbers in his phone other than his landlord and professor and he even receives messages from the guys! Cat memes from Minho, his daily horoscope from Hyunjin, talk about how much they miss Vegemite from Chan and then gym invites from Changbin that Felix politely declines.

Felix makes his way over and greets his… yes, his friends! Not just colleagues, he decides there and then as Chan pulls him into a ‘bro’ hug and he’s clamped on the shoulder by both Changbin and Minho. They’re his friends too.

“Where’s-“

“Hyunjin was playing dress up, the last I heard.” Changbin says. “Y/N’s his latest victim.”

“You say ‘victim’ like you didn’t love when Hyunjin sat in your lap and practised contouring on your face for like three hours that one time-“

Changbin jabs at Chan with his chopsticks and the four men end up laughing right as the door to the bbq joint opens again, making them all look up.

Felix gasps. Audibly gasps.

“Felix,” Minho whispers, leaning over to him. “I don’t want to alarm you, but you’re drooling.”

Felix clamps his mouth shut so fast that his teeth clack and he wince’s from it. Making the other three snicker.

“What’re you all laughing at, hmmm?” Hyunjin waggles his fingers as he takes a seat.

“Probably me.” You deadpan as you take the last seat, between Minho and Felix. “I look like I should be auditioning as Glenda the good witch or something.”

“I think it suits you.” And Felix says it before he can process it. “I mean-iI mean your normal like it fine anyway! More than fine, fine was the wrong choice of word, I meant- I just meant that this suits you too, you know? You look uhh, fine yeah. Yeah you’re fine.”

“Say ‘fine’ again?” Chan coo’s, unable to help himself from teasing the freckled blonde.

“I need a fucking drink.” You ignore Felix’s ramble and Hyunjin’s blatant smug stare to order the table a solid few bottles of wine. “And thanks sunshine, you look fine too.” You try to jest, in hopes you both can overcome feeling as uncomfortable as you currently do. “Now, down to the real question-“

“Your body count?” Minho chimes in. “I think it’s pretty low but Hyunjin reckons it’s way up there-“

“As if anyone is beating Hyunjin.” You retaliate. “And the question I was talking about was how much meat we’re ordering.”

“Whore,” Hyunjin muses.

“Takes one to know one!”

“I knew we were best friends for a reason!”

“Hyunjin sweetie, I tolerate you.” Your voice is screwed up small sugary as you tell him this, but you send him a wink to let him know it’s all jokes, which he knows anyway.

“You know just how to work my degrading kink don’t you? Ugh if only I liked women!” Hyunjin clutches at his chest as if he’s just lost something so valuable and the whole table erupts into laughter. “And regards to the meat… it depends, are you paying?” Hyunjin flutters his eyelashes at you.

“You make out like I’m your sugar…”

“Mommy?”

“Ew!”

“Well I’ve lost my appetite.”

“I’m quitting. Y/N I’m quitting!”

Felix watches the chaos un fold, proud to be part of it. Proud to be a part of something that seems so simple on the outside looking in, a bunch of rowdy ‘friends’ just hanging out, but Felix knows there’s more to it than that.

Felix knows that you offer to buy every meal for them because Hyunjin’s struggling to make ends meet much like Felix is, except where Felix is trying to study education, Hyunjin spends every penny he owns joining art class after art class in hopes one day it’s his name exhibiting a gallery. He has a vast collection of canvases in a storage unit you bought him because he has nowhere else to put them, making them go to waste. He once told Felix the story of how you bought him his first set of watercolours not long after he confided in you about feeling silly for wanting to learn such a hobby, and how you didn’t hesitate to call him an artist, and by the intricate design he’s put on your face, Felix has no doubts.

Felix knows that Minho’s an underground boxer and you give him every Tuesday and Wednesday off because Tuesdays are ‘fight night’ and when he used to come in for shift on Wednesdays he was run down, exhausted and beat. Now you spend your Tuesdays locking up the bar an hour earlier and making the drive to Minho’s apartment to patch him up and run him an ice bath after every fight, supporting him through win or loss every week.

Felix knows that Changbin struggled to get someone to hire him after he got a criminal record for beating up some guy after he caught him stealing from someone one night while walking home, the police not believing his story even with the evidence given based solely off Changbin’s appearance and brute strength, but you saw the soft goo that Seo Changbin is underneath the muscles and hired him as security for the bar to put his strength to use, making his strength a strength rather than a reason to give him an injustice.

Felix knows that Chan ‘secretly’ mixes all the music that you play in the club, the name CB97 for the producer was a dead giveaway in Felix’s opinion, but it’s a chance for Chan to get his stuff out there, ranging from r&&b to hip hop to drum and bass. You’re always getting the crowd of your customers pumped up to the music, dancing with them, bopping along to the music, learning every word to every beat and song to support Chan as best you can, even giving him the push to post his stuff online.

Felix knows that you didn’t have to hire him, he was uncoordinated and a little foolish and Yet you gave him a chance, let him explain himself and continued to train him when he had free chance so that Felix could learn and grow and come to be pretty good, though obviously it hasn’t been that long and he still has a lot to learn.

Felix knows that you’re kind, incredibly so. Loyal, clearly. Humble, hard working…

Felix knows that you’re not actually going to the restroom when you slip away too, he’s watching you, not in a creepy way, but in a way where his eyes just navigate towards you and he can’t help but follow your lead, much like when he sneaks glances at you in your element of work. Felix watches as you pull out a card and pay for the entire meal before coming back to your seat and pretending like you didn’t as everyone gets out their own money to pay.

“We were only joking-“

“You know you don’t have to pay every time, right?”

“We’re the ones meant to be getting YOU out of the house for a break-“

“Shut up.” You say but it’s so fond.

So damn fond.

Felix cannot wait to be teacher, to teach little minds and watch them grow, the flurry of learning and laughter soon to fill his own classroom as grubby hands reach out for him and he’s called “Mister Lee!” By high pitched voices. But for now? For now he can’t really imagine being anywhere else. Not when he’s only just getting started with you all.

…..

“If I thought you guys were bad when working. You’re a whole other level like this.” Felix jokes as he’s bombarded with questions once the group makes it back to Chan’s apartment, having been the one closer to the restaurant, and the promise of Mario kart and free beer meant Felix wasn’t going to turn it down, along with the rest of you all.

“Bad?!” Hyunjin shrieks.

“In the best way!” Felix exclaims.

“Bad in the best way… that is new!” Hyunjin says happily, curled up on a loveseat in Changbin’s arms as Changbin tries to focus on a round of rainbow road against Minho, but Felix can see his physical pain from having his hands on the controller and not Hyunjin.

Hyunjin knows it too, in fact Felix would bet money that he’s living his best life off the knowledge.

“So when are you going to make a move on Y/N?”

Felix dribbles some beer from his lips and chokes on the rest of it as he sharply inhales, making it slide down his throat. “What?”

“We have eyes. You know?”

“Says the one edging changbin right now.” Minho snorts, not taking his eyes from the television.

“Yah!” Changbin shouts, and Hyunjin shuffles in his lap just to prove a point… or edge him further.

“I’m uh-“ Felix looks at the beer in his hand before deciding against drinking any more and putting the drink down.

“Relax, she’s literally passed out in my bed, she’ll sleep all night now, hopefully. Give her a night away from working at least.” Chan offers a smile and Felix doesn’t mean to bristle at the thought of you in another guys bed, especially when the man is Chan. CHAN. Felix doesn’t even need to give an explanation, just… CHAN.

“I’m not.” Felix decides. “I can’t-“

“And here I thought you had balls.” Minho says as he tosses the controller aside, bored of winning so easily due to Changbin being so distracted.

“It’s inappropriate.”

“Y/N said the same thing!” Hyunjin sighs. “Ridiculous.”

Felix doesn’t understand. “Y/N said that?”

“We have eyes.” Is all Hyunjin says.

“I’d like to keep my job and not humiliate myself.”

“You humiliate yourself regardless.” Minho teases.

Felix cant help himself but to pout a little childishly but everyone drops the conversation. Feeling a tad pitiful at seeing Felix without his usual smile etched onto his face.

“I’m glad you came tonight.” Chan tells Felix as he gets ready to head home.

“I really enjoyed tonight. Thanks for inviting me.” Felix genuinely means that too.

“You have to come every time! It’s tradition!”

Felix easily nods in agreement, and peeps just around the corner of Chan’s hallway. You’re flat out asleep in his bed, makeup removed and in a baggy hoodie that clearly belongs to the broad shouldered Australian stood in-front of him. “She really doesn’t rest much?”

Chan softly smiles at Felix. “Not as much as she should.” And Felix can honestly say that he believes Chan wholeheartedly. “But I’m hoping she’ll ease up soon, we just got to get her out more, you know?”

“Sure yeah.” Felix says, and it’s only when he lays in his bed that night that he thinks over Chan’s words.

Would it be weird to invite his boss to get coffee? Or to bring her lunch before his lectures start? Or even pop by the bar early to help with restock?

The thoughts swim through Felix’s brain until he’s pulled under by sleep.

And when Felix wakes up, flushed and drowsy and recollecting the dream he just had where you were in his bed in his hoodie… he knows he’s absolutely fucked.

____________

“What the fuck?” You blurt as you come to the door of the bar, key in hand and ready to open up and get prepped for the night, to find Felix stood outside, two cupped drinks in hand and that saccharine smile on his face that would make anybody else look utterly wrong, like it’s all false and a complete act. Almost psychotic. But not on Felix, never on Felix.

“My lecture got cancelled, wondered if you wanted a spare pair of hands?” It’s a lie. Felix is screen recording his lecture on his phone and will duck away with the lie of a bathroom break in about an hour to stop it once it ends, but that doesn’t matter right now.

“Yours seem to be full.”

“Ah,” Felix steps into the building and you lock the door behind you both, a precision, just because it’s early afternoon doesn’t mean customers won’t try slipping their way in early. “I picked us up a drink. I didn’t know if you were a coffee drinker, but it’s way too bitter for me so I got peach iced tea! So I got you the same. I hope that’s okay?”

“I’m allergic to peach.”

Felix face crumbles and you can’t help but let a laugh fall from your lips as you swipe a cup. “I’m joking, sunshine.” You bring the drink to your lips and Felix follows the movement of you pulling back and catching a drop of the peach syrup on your lips by running your tongue across it.

Felix doesn’t mention that he has previously taken a sip from that one, and the one in his left hand was yours and now you’ve shared an indirect kiss. He just frowns at you and acts all offended and homes into the glee that rolls from your lips as he takes all of two seconds to join you in laughter.

“There’s a drink delivery scheduled soon out back, if you really want to help-“

“I do.” Felix nods. “I really do. And I uhh-“ he unzips his backpack and pulls out two sandwiches, a little squished, strawberry and cream and it’s overloaded in sugar. “Thought we could have something to eat too? Lunch?”

“Lunch?” You repeat. “Sunshine that’s dessert.”

“Dessert is an acceptable lunch!”

You don’t argue, and you find the sandwich so sweet you’re worried it’ll rot your teeth.

That could just be Felix’s presence though. Or the way his eyes crinkle up and his mouth smears with the fluffy white cream as he shoots you a pleased smile as you bite your own sandwich for lunch… dessert.

And if Felix starts turning up on Mondays, with dessert for lunch ranging from pastries to his home made brownies, peach iced tea in hand and that damned smile, the two of you working cohesively to stock the bar, clean up a little, but mainly just… enjoy each others company? Get to know each other more?

Felix talks about the differences between Korea and Australia and you try out your best Australian accent that ends up with Felix absolutely howling in laughter, doubled over and clutching at his stomach. You tell Felix about how further education wasn’t in the cards for you, you wanted to be your own boss, wanted to stop being spoken down too, never have to owe anyone money apart from yourself, took a short business class and then a loan for this place and you’ve never looked back.

You talk about silly stories, what trouble felix and his sisters got caught up in when they were young kids and you share clips of your own past, drunken karaoke nights with Minho and the time you walked into a lamppost and then apologised to it after Changbin had dragged you to the gym until you were so tired you got to the point of apologising to inanimate objects, and Felix tells you he’s glad he turns down Changbin’s requests.

You sweep broken glass when it slips from Felix’s finger tips with just an eye roll and Felix’s apologies that you quickly shush him from, even dropping a glass right next to his to emphasise that it’s no big deal. You even both lounge around in your office now and again, if Felix has another lecture cancelled int he week or just wahts to ‘get out for some fresh air’ until his once a week dessert stop turns into twice a week and then three times a week and then Felix is brining his laptop to work away on assignments or whatnot while you get organised with your own set of paperwork from the bar, the pair of you working silently but together, within proximity of one another, no longer needing to be alone.

You find yourself seeking out his company even during his shifts in the week. Laughing and joking with ease as if you’ve been like this your entire lives and not just a few months.

“They’re like a married couple.” Hyunjin tells one of your customers one night, making sure but you and Felix are in earshot to hear it.

“As if I could be tamed by marriage.” You joke back, keeping up your facade and image that you have for this place.

“Happy wife happy life.” Felix throws a wink over his shoulder and your persona falters for a second, only a second but he catches it on your face and holds onto it like a lifeline.

You bump your shoulder against Felix’s and giggle when he spills liquid all over his fingers as he pours a drink.

“What was that for?” Felix whines.

“Happy wife happy life.” Is what you respond with.

______________

“You can’t honestly tell me that there’s nothing going on between you and Felix!” Hyunjin exasperates, you’ve barely opened your front door and yet Hyunjin may aswell be invading every inch of your senses, from his sickly sweet vanilla perfume to the neon pink on his eyelids.

“It’s like ten in the morning Hyunjin!”

“It’s five o’clock somewhere! We’re going for bottomless brunch with Minho and then meeting up with the others later! it’s annual get Y/N out of the house day! Chop chop! Go wash your face, Mama’s got work to do!”

“Please don’t ever call yourself mama again Hyunjin or I’ll have to drink bleach instead of Prosecco today.”

“Now you know how I felt when you called yourself ‘mommy’.” Hyunjin shudders at the memory.

Touché.

“Just shove some makeup on my face and get me to brunch already,” you sigh as if you don’t respect and appreciate them doing this for you every once in a while.

Hyunjin is bursting at the seems at your will to allow him to play dress up, as if you’d ever deny him.

“I want us to be wasted by noon!” And when Hyunjin puts his thoughts out there into the universe, you know it’s bound to become reality.

…..

You know you’re starting to get drunk when you’re actually laughing at Hyunjin and Minho’s jokes.

You know you’re actually drunk when you can’t hold your thoughts back any longer. “I really like Felix and I feel like I’m going to die if I don’t kiss him soon. Is that normal? It doesn’t feel normal.”

This isn’t even your bar, you’re customers here and Hyunjin’s smashing drinks, the pure shock from your confession having him dropping the one in his hand to shatter to the floor. “Oh my God…”

“Y/N,” Minho looks at you carefully, too carefully. Minho is normally sharp eyes and sharp tongue, but the fuzziness he’s showing you has you on guard as you can be with the level of alcohol in your system.

“Don’t- don’t pity me,” you manage as you hiccup. “I just- I just-“

“You could tell him?!” Hyunjin exasperates. “For the love of all things holy and yes that includes my ass, you could just tell him-“

“No relationships in work.” You remember. “S’like one of my only rules!”

“Y/N…” how Minho can sound so sober and rational right now is beyond you. “Don’t you think you could break your own rules? Just this once?”

“Too risky… what if it doesn’t work out? What if it impacts his job and then my job and then-“

“Changbin and I are together.” Hyunjin blurts.

Hold on, what?

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you!” Hyunjin continues to blabber, and you vaguely register the tears welling up in his eyes. “But we both love the job so much and- and we can’t afford to lose our jobs, you know? And we really tried Y/N. We really tried to be professional about it and remain just colleagues and- and you can fire me, you can fire me but please, please don’t fire Changbin and-“

“Hyunjin-“ you try to intervene.

“He’s worked so hard Y/N. He loves that bar, he loves that you gave him a chance when he first started, he appreciates you so much. We! We all appreciate you so much and I’m so sorry I betrayed you and I know I’m clumsy and I know I’m a pain but-“

You rush around the booth, stepping on the glass that nobody has cleaned up yet, ignoring the fact that it’s gone through your boot and into your foot and enveloping Hyunjin into a bone crushing hug. “It’s okay Jinnie,” you soothe him with your slurred voice. “I’m happy for you both.”

“What am I going to do with the pair of you?” Minho asks out-loud as he watches you and Hyunjin messily embrace.

“Get me to a hospital, preferably,” you manage to say. “There’s a shard of glass in my foot.”

…..

“You three go for one brunch without us, one! And you end up in the hospital!” Chan tuts as he helps settle you onto your own settee while Minho gets to work on putting a cushion on your coffee table for you to elevate your bandaged foot.

Changbin holds a still very drunk Hyunjin as he sways back and forth, perfectly content in his arms and you watch the whole scene with loving eyes at the pair of them.

How could your silly selfish rules ever attempt to come between them? A pang of guilt hits you at the thought. “I’m sorry you felt like you couldn’t tell me.” You say into the room, but your eyes are locked on both Hyunjin and Changbin. “I truly am happy for the pair of you.”

Hyunjin cries all over again, making Minho groan and Changbin somehow tangled up in his boyfriend’s limbs as he makes eye contact with you before bowing. Full on bowing. The level of respect that man had for you was truly humbling.

The respect they all had for you.

“Ummm, hi?”

You startle, hearing Felix’s voice, because even after your confession to Minho and Hyunjin earlier, the weight still bares heavy on your shoulders, your feelings eating away at you.

“I told him to come here,” chan explains before you even get to ask. “Got to have the whole gang here on the limited days you allow yourself freedom.”

“And look where it gets me!” You gesture to your foot and Felix is instantly at your side, checking the damage.

“Hyunjin dropped a glass.” Is pretty much the only explanation Minho needs to give.

“I was in a state of shock!” Hyunjin half wails half laughs. “Y/N just broke the news that-“ and honestly you’re grateful that even a drunk Hyunjin is able to realise what he’s about to say.

“This is what I get for being dragged out of my house for a bottomless brunch.” You sigh. Throwing your head back.

Nobody comments on the ‘news’ you apparently broke to Hyunjin.

“Are you okay?” Felix asks, taking the seat beside you, your thighs touch even as he twists his body to face you, and the heat radiating through both sets of your trousers should set them on fire and yet they don’t.

“I’m fine sunshine, don’t think that this gets you out of bringing me dessert on Monday.”

Your eyes feel heavy, and some part of you recognises that you do feel a lot better now that Felix is here, and nobody dares to say anything as your head leans onto his shoulder.

You fully expect Felix to tense, to push you off, to do something, anything- and he does.

He does do something.

He moves his arm over your shoulder and pulls you in closer, and you inhale the smell of his natural musk along with the faint outlines of cinnamon you’ve come to love so much and you pretend just for a moment that the two of you can have this.

“Nothing would stop me from bringing you your dessert for lunch.”

And you honestly believe him.

Felix’s heart thrums in his chest and he’s scared it’ll wake you with how loud it is as you peacefully sleep onto his shoulder, head lolled completely and arms lax in your lap as you sleep.

“-Lix?”

“Huh?” Felix looks around the room, and his cheeks instantly heat up as he realises he was too busy staring at you to pay attention.

Chan just gives a knowing smile. “I can wake her? Take her to her room? She’s probably going to wake up with a stiff neck like that-“

“No!” Felix wince’s at how old he is but you don’t flinch. “No, no it’s fine. Give her a little longer, she needs to sleep off the pain and meds the hospital gave her right?”

“She was pretty drunk, there wasn’t much they could give her, so I’m sure she’ll be a right bitch when she wakes up and I do NOT want to be there when that happens!” Minho decides. “So we should all just leave and let Felix look after her.”

“But-“

The glare Minho gives Chan makes the older man back off, Minho’s eyes giving a ‘read the room’ look as much as it’s within Chan’s natural instincts to want to help you.

“Oooo good idea!” Hyunjin also jumps to his feet. “Let’s go Binnie!”

Chan doesn’t hesitate behind for too long, especially when Minho has a grip on him. He tells Felix to text any of them if he needs them and remember to not let you put pressure on your foot, and Felix listens patiently eventhough he knows all this and then finally… finally it’s just the two of you, and Felix thinks he can let himself enjoy this, the way you’re slightly curled into him.

He pretends that for a moment you leaned on him because you wanted too and not just from pain and exhaustion.

He pretends that just for a moment that the two of you can have this.

……

You wake up from your hair being played with and the soft hum of a deep voice as fingertips run through your locks.

“How’re you feeling?” The voice asks, and you have no idea how he knows you’re awake.

“Okay,” you lie, your foot is throbbing and your stomach is rumbling and your mouth is dry.

“I’ve just ordered some food, and if you sit up a little I can go grab you some painkillers and water.”

It’s like he’s read your fucking mind. “I could kiss you right now.”

And then you both freeze, because what the fuck?

You pull back and can’t bare to look at Felix.

“Y/N…”

You’re stubborn. Felix normally respects that about you, but not right now, not in this moment.

You feel a gasp leave your throat as fingers cradle your chin, twisting your face so that you lock eyes with him. “Y/N.” Felix tries again. “You can’t you can’t just say things like that to me.”

“I uhhh-“ you have never stammered in your life in here you were. “I uh, I was just kind of talking in general… not specifically to you, but to like… the walls.”

“God,” Felix breathes. “You’re driving me insane.”

Gone is the sunshine smile and doe eyes, replaced by a fierceness and glimmer of something almost feral behind his gaze, his lips subconsciously licking themselves and your eyes flicker down to capture the movement.

“Tell me not to kiss you.”

What. “What?”

“Tell me not to kiss you and I won’t, but tell me you want to kiss me as much as I want to kiss you and-“

You lurch forward, Felix stabilises you with a hand on your waist and the other around the back of your neck, and sure the position is a little awkward considering your leg is still stiff at where it’s on the coffee table prepped up between you both but it doesn’t matter, not when Felix is kissing you like it’s air for him, not when Felix is kissing you like you’re a meal and he’s famished, not when Felix is kissing you.

Kissing you.

Kissing you.

He pulls back, searching your eyes for something.

“What?” You ask, panic and fear starting to bubble up. “Do you… do you regret-“

He shuts you up with a softer kiss this time, more gentle and slow, like he has all the time in the world, like you both have all the time in the world.

“Just checking it isn’t a dream this time.”

You scoff, your cheeks deepening even redder. “Only you could get away with such a cheesy line, sunshine.”

The door interrupts you both and you vaguely become aware of the hunger gnawing at your stomach as Felix heads to the door a little breathless and not acknowledging the tent in his pants.

You’re not sure it’s the hunger gnawing at you for food anymore, but you eat it regardless, and then when Felix gets barbecue sauce on the corner of his mouth, you kiss that away too, can’t waste good food, right?

______________

“I think there needs to be a change.”

Hyunjin gasps, you watch him grip onto the countertop, eyes already wide and glassy from where tears are forming.

He thinks he’s being fired.

You don’t even blame him for that, you’re cutthroat when it comes to this job, they all know it, friendship or not.

Maybe it’s time you change that attitude of yours a little too, since the sun has started to warm you more, basking in its glow to help you nourish and thrive.

“You’re all welcome to date whoever you want, and that includes eachother.”

Hyunjin gasps again and his eyes go straight to Changbin, who has a grateful smile on his face along with a mix of shock too. Chan gives you a smile that’s all dimples, and Minho relaxes from where he was stood all business face on. “As long as it doesn’t affect the job, cause any trouble and I don’t catch you guys doing god knows what in the toilets or God forbid my office-“

Hyunjin’s arms are wrapped around you in the next second, jumping up and down as a string of ‘thankyouthankyouthankyou’ leaves his lips.

He pulls back but you’re being tugged into a different direction, hand clasping to Felix’s where they twine perfectly together.

“Does that mean we’re officially dating?”

Another fucking gasp is leaving Hyunjin’s lips but your eyes only have room for Felix in front of you, cheeky grin and hopeful eyes and-

“You’re trouble, sunshine.”

He laughs, bright and airy, shaking his head before delving down to peck at your lips.

“Yah! Channie that means there’s only us left!” Minho calls out, bursting yours and Felix’s bubble but you’re sort of thankful for it for now, for him taking the attention away from you both as you contentedly sigh, still hand in hand with Felix and turning to watch the chaos unfold. “What do you say hmmm?” Minho stalks towards Chan and Chan’s ears are scorching red, Minho makes a point of squeezing one between his fingertips and Minho chuckles with glee.

You give it a week until they are together too.

You have no doubts about it.

Chan’s been crushing on Minho for the better part of a year.

And it looks like Minho is about to be the cat who gets the cream.

……

Lunch for dessert turns into lunch for dessert dates where Felix purposely spreads whipped cream or sticky jam across his lips and then puckers up for you to kiss it all off.

The two of you work together side by side in your office now rather than just in the same room, ankles hooked under the table as you work in relative silence but still linked somehow.

Shifts at the bar turn into Felix grabbing at your waist when passing by to get a certain liquor or planting a quick kiss to your cheek.

Now when you go onto the dance floor you drag sunshine along with him, the two of you laughing and dancing away in your sea of customers, as Felix spins you around until you’re dizzy and collapsing into his chest before returning to the bar.

Changbin still walks home, but hand in hand now, and you have no doubt that Changbin stays with Hyunjin more often than not nowadays.

Chan still drives Minho home, but the blush on his cheeks when he asks Minho if he actually can drive him home is feeding Minho’s sadism in the best way. Especially when he replies. “Who’s riding who?”

And at the end of the late nights when all is said and done, Felix takes you home too, waiting for lockup and then taking you by the hand, never expecting to be invited back in, but how could you ever send him away? Especially when you wake up to his voice being three octaves lower, hair fluffy and fanning his face, tired eyes airy beaming smile.

You’d be a fool to not end up falling in love with Felix.

And you’re a lot of things, but a fool isn’t one of them.

_____________

“Baby? What’s wrong?”

You don’t even have time to think over the nickname your boyfriend just used on you as he answers the phone.

“Felix,” you’re so relieved he answered. “I know it’s your shift off, and I know you’ve been working extra hard with your online class since you’re so close to finishing the course lately but, but it’s mental here tonight- me and Jinnie and Minho can hardly keep up and-“

“I’m on my way okay?” Felix can tell by the panic in your voice that you needed him. “I won’t be long.”

“Thanks sunshine, I love you-“

And before either of you have time to register that you just said THOSE three words to him, he’s out the door and heading to No Easy, and you’re swept up in serving the rush of the night.

…….

“Take a shot with me,”

“I just did on your last one!” You laugh at the customer.

“Nah a real one! Not whatever that was that you had!” Water.

“I’m good! Thanks though-“

“Come on sweetheart,” the guy grabs your wrist. “It’s just a shot-“

“And I said no, so I suggest you let go.”

“Why?” The customers eyes roam your body briefly and you grit your teeth and attempt to look discreetly to find Chan, but it’s been absolutely wild tonight and it wouldn’t shock you if he’s breaking up yet another fight of the night. “You know I could show you hell of a time-“

“It would be hell.” You deadpan. “You’re right. Now let me go and get the fuck out of my bar.”

The man laughs, his grip tightens and then he’s tugging you so you’re fumbling, your arm and chest pulled over the bar countertop and you barely have time to stabilise yourself.

“OI!” You register Felix’s voice, but when you see his face he’s the other side of the bar, shoving at the customer who’s only now letting you go due to falling back, making you fall back yourself against the bar.

You don’t catch anything else that Felix is saying, but he’s pushing and pushing this guy and the guy is pushing back.

“Felix!” You shout his name. “Lix stop it!”

The other guy swings first, but Felix dodges it and swings right back. Blood pours from the customers nose and Felix shakes out his probably broken knuckles before launching for him again, this time a little too eager and the guy manages to catch Felix’s right eye.

“FELIX!”

Chan finally manages to pull Felix back and grab at the customer, and you take your cue to get through the crowd of people and grab at Felix, pulling him into the bar area. “What the fuck was that?!”

“What?! The guy had his hands all over you!”

“They wasn’t- he was just-“

“He had his hands over you Y/N. What was I supposed to do?!”

“I was handling it!”

“Not from where I was standing!”

“Guys!” Minho’s voice interrupts you both. “Take this elsewhere. I’m calling last round! We gotta close up before more shit goes down.”

And Minho’s right.

“Just go patch up his knuckles and put ice on his eye.”

….

The second you get into your office you lock it behind you, having grabbed an ice pack from the freezer on the way along with a medical kit.

Neither of you say a word to each other. Felix flips down on the settee and you drop to your knees in front of him as you hand him the ice with his good hand and begin disinfecting his broken one. The minute his broken skin comes in contact with the solution, he hisses.

“Sorry,” you murmur and continue being as gentle as you possibly can.

It’s only when his hand is bandaged and the ice pack as melted does he finally look at you.

“Fire me.”

“What?”

“You’re going to have to fire me.”

“Felix-“

“You can’t- you can’t expect me to watch men treat you like that, not when- not when you deserve to be fucking worshipped I can’t- I can’t let people treat the woman I love like that. You can’t ask that of me. I broke the rules. The ‘no fighting’ one. So fire me.”

“I’m not going to fire you,”

“Y/N. I can’t-“

“Felix,” you climb onto the settee beside him and twist your body, smoothing some hair from his face and cradling his cheeks down to his jaw. “I broke my own rules the minute I hired you.”

“What do you mean?”

“I- I really liked you, I was attracted to you at first and then I- God Lix you and your damn smile and dessert for lunch and you just…”

“You told me you loved me on the phone earlier.” Felix points out.

“And you just called me the woman you love.” You point out to him aswell.

“I’m sorry I yelled at you baby. I have no doubt that you can handle anything and anyone that comes your way, but when I saw the way he was gripping you-“ Felix turns your arm over in his hold, faint fingertip bruises already starting to form there and you watch as Felix grinds his teeth together in frustration and closes his eyes to compose himself. “I just couldn’t take it anymore.”

“I’m sorry I shouted too,” you sigh, your free hand still caressing his face. “I know it’s unprofessional of me and I shouldn’t have reacted like that when you were just trying to protect me and…”

“And what? Hmmm?”

“It’s really hard to not be turned on when you were so fucking hot.”

Felix blanches. “What?”

“You went all protective boyfriend mode on him and I just- I mean I was mortified because it’s in my workplace and you’re employed here and it’s not exactly a good look for the bar…”

“Baby I’m sorry-“

“But it’s also my boyfriend just looking out for me, not letting another guy touch me like that I- it’s making me a little insane to think about to be honest.”

“Fuck.”

‘Fuck’ is correct.

Felix surges forward, black eye and broke knuckles aside, but you meet him halfway and climb right into his lap, straddling him as you both moan into the kiss when you roll your hips against the bulge that’s already grown underneath you.

“We really shouldn’t be doing this here.” You pant but don’t stop moving, a slow delicious grind against him as your head falls into the crook of his neck, Felix throwing his head back in the pleasure just from a bit of dry humping.

“Just fire me until I devour you, and then hire me again.”

You sit up and gawk at your boyfriend. You always knew he had guys, knew it from the first day he walked into the bar looking for a job. You knew it when he didn’t runaway from you when he realised his initial mistake and then again when he persisted on learning the job itself. “Jesus fucking Christ.” You tug at his shirt frantically as Felix grabs your own by the hem on your stomach and pulls it over your head, your mouths meeting hurriedly and messily as you leave open mouthed patches with your lips over his shoulders, across his collarbones and eventually slide off his lap and onto the floor between his spread legs.

“Oh my God.” Just the sight of you on your knees informs of him like this has Felix drooling.

You yank his trousers and boxers down in one go and instantly lick a stripe from base to tip before suckling on the head of his cock, thick in your mouth, salty and heavy.

A whine leaves Felix’s lips and he bucks into your mouth, making you gag until you relax your jaw and hollow your cheeks, able to take more of him and swallow down.

“Baby fuck-“ Felix’s voice sounds hoarse and you moan around his cock, sending vibrations through his entire body and making him shudder.

“Baby- baby fuck baby I’m going to-“

You double your efforts and suck hard, he pants out as his load shoots down your throat and only once you’ve got every drop do you come back up for air.

You don’t get a second. Felix hauls you up and bends you over the front of your desk, lifting your skirt up over your waist and pulling your lacy underwear down.

“You’re dripping.” He comments as you feel his tongue run through your folds, and you grip at your desk as your knuckles turn stark white from the pleasure as your legs spread wider on instinct and Felix’s tongue rolls around your clit and you feel a finger press into you, making you clench, sucking his finger right in.

He pumps his finger in and out at the same time he nibbles, licks and sucks at your clit that’s swelling and sensitive and aching.

One finger turns to two, then three and then-

“Lix, Lix I’m gonna-“

“What are you waiting for?” Felix wonders. “Cum baby.”

And cum you do.

When Felix gently pries his fingers out of you, stands up and turns you around on your shaky legs, lifting you so you sit on top of your desk, his lips and chin are drenched in your juices, and his erection is back to staring at you.

“Felix,” you plea. “Please-“

“Yeah?”

You nod rapidly and grab at whatever flesh of his you can reach first until he’s as close as he can be, lining himself up and pushing into the heat of you.

“Fuck.”

“Fuck.”

The pair of you look at each other for a brief second, before Felix pushes in until you’re hipbone to hipbone and your mouths are melded together back where they belong.

He doesn’t fuck you rough, but his thrusts have meaning, pointedly hard but not fast, each one making a gasp or moan call from your lips as you taste yourself on Felix’s tongue as he never falters from his thrusts. His thumb finds your clit again and you squirm against the pressure.

“Lix-“

“I know baby,” he quickens his pace and continues as your lips attach themselves to his neck, even lightly biting down as you clench around him, your pleasure on the cusp of release.

The noise Felix makes when he buries himself inside you has you almost breaking the skin on his junction of neck and shoulder, guttural and loud and you can feel your body convulse with pleasure around him as the two of you reach your peak.

“I love you.” Felix cleans you up carefully and diligently, even with his broken knuckles and swollen eye.

You’ve never seen a more beautiful man in your life.

“I love you too sunshine.”

____________

“I can’t believe you fired him!”

“Hyunjin I didn’t fire him!” You agonise after repeating yourself for the umpteenth time. “Felix has finally qualified to be an educator and he’s looking for a job in his own field now!”

Felix laughs, pulling a whiney Hyunjin into a hug. “I’m still coming to all our ‘get Y/N out of the bar hangouts’ Hyunjin, you’ll see me plenty.”

“Of course we will! You live together now.” Minho sends you and Felix both a shit eating grin.

“You’d think that would stop them from defiling every surface of the bar…” Chan grumbles.

“It’s not every surface, it’s my office!” You say back.

“Don’t act like we’re any better Channie!” Minho drops himself into Chan’s lap and watches as his lovers face heats up.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” You cock an eyebrow.

“Nothing boss!” Minho continues his sadistic smile. “Nothing at all!”

“Anyway, I’ll be firing almost all of you soon enough…”

The room goes completely silent, and Felix takes your hand and gives you a reassuring squeeze, knowing exactly where you were going with this.

“Since, you know… I sent some of Chan’s mixtapes out to a few company’s and I had a letter this week asking to set up a meeting for him, something about a record deal and a producing gig-“

“Shut up?!” Minho squawks. Looking between you and his boyfriend.

“Really?” Chan asks, vulnerable and in disbelief.

You reach around for the letter and pass it over to him. “Really Channie.”

Before anyone gets to say anything else, you carry on.

“And Minho’s going to have his own boxing gym to run, you know the one that’s been shut down around the block from the bar? Someone anonymously bought it and left it in his name…” you toss Minho a pair of keys and he catches it on reflex. “Guess that makes you the owner now or something.”

Minho stares at the keys, blinking rapidly at them as if they aren’t even there.

“And Hyunjin! I’m sorry sweetheart but I don’t have the wages to hire one of the most sought out artists in Seoul, turns out you have a website someone’s been selling your pieces from that storage unit online and you’ve racked up enough to open your own art studio and have an upcoming gallery to prepare for…”

“Y/N you didn’t…” Hyunjin’s bottom lip is already wobbling.

“I did.”

“And Changbin-“

“No, no whatever it is I want- I want to stay with you at the bar. Please Y/N I- I couldn’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be.”

“Good! Because not only am I making you a co-owner so that I can take some much needed weight off my shoulders, I’m leaving you in charge of hiring our new bartenders. I found a list of people that have been convicted wrongly like you Bin, thought we could give them a chance too, you know? What do you think?”

All of them burst into ugly sobs. Throwing themselves on top of you until you’re almost squeezed to death.

It’s the least you could do for them, for all of them. They’ve stuck by you thick and thin. You couldn’t wish for anything better and it would be an honour for you to watch them thrive where they really belong.

“And as for you sunshine…”

Felix frowns. He’s been in on your little plan for months now, but clearly you have something else up your sleeve.

“There’s a daycare looking for new management to take over it, I believe it’s called ‘Sunshine’s centre.’ And I’m pretty sure I know someone called sunshine…”

“Baby-“ Felix’s voice trembles as tears streak his cheeks. “You-“

“You, Felix, deserve it. And the children do too. They deserve to have you as their carer for the day, they deserve the love and attention and care they will get from you.”

Felix kisses you, passionate and long and hard. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too.” And you really do. “Now! I’m paying for one final meal because you’re all finally going to be rich and stop scrounging from me, so what are we having?”

“How about dessert for lunch?” Felix asks the group.

“Nothing beats dessert for lunch.” You agree instantly.

But the sweetest thing you’ve ever tasted today isn’t the pastries, but the smiles on everyone’s faces.

Fin ❤️