Chapter Text
Chapter 1: Back & Ready To Kick Ass
Tuesday September 21st | (Y/n)
The day had finally come. After 18 long ass months, you were finally going back to work. You’d been through a lot ever since the COVID shutdown in March of 2020, but so had the rest of the world.
You’d made your career in theater. Specifically, stage operations and stage management. So your industry had been one of the hardest and longest hit during the pandemic. When everything shut down in March, it had sucked, but at least everyone in the whole world was also out of a job and at home in quarantine. But as things started to open back up again amid the pandemic, your industry had stayed eerily quiet, until finally the theater was one of the only remaining job markets still closed.
You’d done your best to stay afloat, working odd jobs and hating every minute of it, until last month when your old boss had reached out and offered you a job: The Watchtower Theatre was finally reopening! You’d been driving when you read the email (Yes, you knew you shouldn’t’ve been checking your email in the car, whatever) and had burst into tears immediately and had to pull the car over. You couldn’t believe it was finally happening. You were going back to the theater!
It was Tuesday morning and you’d just made the all too familiar drive downtown to the theater parking garage for the first time in almost two years. Before the pandemic you’d worked here for a little over 3 months, straight after graduating college you started your dream job. Well, almost dream job. You’d gone to school for music, became heavily involved in opera, and then became the Stage Manager for your opera department for 3 years. Then you’d graduated (after 6 total years in school), gotten a job at the Watchtower, and started your real adult life finally at age 24. At least, until COVID hit and everything went to shit.
BUT you weren’t going to dwell on that, because you were coming out of the elevator and were almost to the stage door, and it was time to get your head back in the game. You came up to the door, then realized that you’d turned in your badge back when the theatre closed so you had no way to get into the building. You pulled your phone out of your pocket and texted your boss, Derek, hoping he was around to let you inside.
You only stood there a moment before he came bursting through the door with his usual manic energy. “Hey (Y/n), it’s good to see you!” He smiled and held the door open for you. Derek was a tall, skinny guy in his early forties, already balding on the top of his blonde head. He was a great boss, and always treated you and the other crew members well. He was full of sarcasm and loved to curse, as did most of the staff in theater.
You followed him into the building and down to the crew room in the basement, one floor below the green room and his office, and two floors below the main stage.
“You’re the first one here so you get first pick on lockers. Go ahead and pick one and write your name down on the roster above the desk. I’ll be up in my office until call time and I’ll send the others down when they get here.” And with that Derek was gone. He’d always been like this, doing a million things at once. Either hyper and all over the place, or stressed and rubbing his face. Those were the two moods of your boss.
You let out a breath as you took in the crew room, slightly rearranged from the last time you’d been here. The lockers were on the right when you walked in, filing cabinets on the left, and on the far wall were two new couches and a desk with the old office computer. Derek’s office was back up on the ground floor, across from the green room (used for actors and crew to hang out in during shows) and next to the backstage kitchen. You saw the roster he’d mentioned, taped to the wall above the computer monitor. You walked over and saw what lockers were available and wrote your name next to an empty one on the bottom row, before going over and putting your bag and jacket inside, taking the locker key off the corresponding hook.
You looked at your phone as you made your way over to the couch. Ah, still fifteen minutes early. You were always on the early side for work, but today it was definitely more so, because of your excitement/nervousness about returning. You’d just sat down on one of the couches when you heard the stairwell door open down the hallway and footsteps approach. You watched the door, wondering which member of your crew was going to walk through.
A moment later, you let out an excited cry as he walked through the door. “Binnie!”
Changbin looked up from his phone at your exclamation, and a smile lit up his features. “(Y/n)!” You hopped off the couch and over to him, quickly getting pulled into his embrace.
It had been almost two years since you’d seen Seo Changbin, and he’d only gotten better looking. His hair was black and a little shaggy, but it framed his face well. You felt his back and chest muscles as you hugged, and you were awed at how much thicker he was. Good god, he must have been working out nonstop since last time I saw him… You stepped back after a moment and took him in, wide shoulder muscles and thick chest down to toned and bulging thighs. You absently gripped one of his biceps, eyes widening as you felt his firm muscles under your fingers.
“Wow…” You said under your breath, but you knew Changbin heard you by the way his ears turned red. You cleared your throat and stepped back, finally meeting his gaze. “You look amazing Changbin.”
He smiled and his blush deepened, a hand going to rub the back of his neck. You could tell he liked the compliment. “So do you, (Y/n).”
Now this made you shake your head. “Oh, no. I’m still…well I’m the same old (Y/n).”
Changbin’s brow furrowed as he looked down at you. “Hey, seriously, you’re the same as in just as sexy as two years ago.”
Now it was your turn to blush. But it wasn’t just from the compliment. Two years ago, during your first show working together, things between you and Changbin had gotten, well…heated. When you joined The Watchtower after graduation, Changbin had already been there for a few months. The two of you had been assigned to crew in the smaller basement stage of the Watchtower’s two stages and had hit it off immediately. Changbin was hilarious and flirty and you matched his personality perfectly so you were of course very attracted to him. So at the opening night party for the show, you’d both gotten a little tipsy and ended up sleeping together. Then, for the next three months, you were basically friends with benefits. But after the shutdown and following self quarantine, the both of you had stopped talking. You weren’t even sure if he’d be returning to the theater this season, but you were surprisingly happy to see him back. Actually, you were ecstatic. You’d regretted the way things had fallen off between you. Besides the amazing sex, Changbin had been a great friend.
Now as you looked at each other, it was a bit awkward. The kind of awkward where you still remembered how the other looked naked…
“(Y/n)?” Changbin repeated. You suddenly realized he’d been saying something.
“Hmm?” You finally replied.
“I just asked how you’ve been?” He repeated while gesturing for you to sit back down on the couch.
“Oh, you know, angry, sad, depressed. At least until last month when I got the email from Derek that we were opening back up.” You sat back down where you’d been earlier, Changbin picking a spot next to you, a respectable amount of space left between. “You?”
He shrugged, leaning back in his seat, his legs spread wide. “Pretty much the same.”
You couldn’t help but stare at his thighs. They were so big, his otherwise loose fitting black jeans were pulled tight across the width of his quads. This new Changbin…was so out of your league. When you’d said you were the same old (Y/n), you’d lied. You’d actually gained weight since you’d last seen Binnie. And a pants size.
You’d always been bigger, a plus sized woman, and you’d had your ups and downs about accepting yourself like a lot of people. But when you’d been with Changbin you were at your healthiest. Reasonably active, eating relatively well. But like most people the past 18 months your mental and physical health had taken a hit, and now you were back up about 20 pounds (making this the heaviest you’d ever been) and you were not-active, and eating like shit. At least until you’d heard about coming back to work. Admittedly, you’d been eating much better the past few weeks, but you were still dealing with the aftereffects of being very unhealthy for almost 2 years. Mainly being a size or two bigger and getting winded was easier then before. Your job as stage crew was a labor intensive one, and while you still had your same muscle mass, there was a bit more fat on top of it. You weren’t looking forward to the fatigue you knew the next few weeks would bring as you got back into the normal work routine. But you were ready to get back to work, and if that meant busting your ass to get back into shape to be on stage crew, you were willing to do it.
“You really do look good, (Y/n). I like what you’ve done to your hair.” Changbin brought you back to the moment with his compliment, and you decided to accept without any protest. You’d recently cut and highlighted your hair, and you were surprised and pleased to see he’d noticed.
“Thanks.” You blushed a little, looking away from him. You weren’t sure what else to say.
It was quiet for a few minutes, both of you going to looking at your phones to try to ease the awkwardness. After what felt like forever, but in reality was only about five minutes, sounds of new footsteps echoed down the hallway towards the crew room.
The next man who rounded the corner was welcomed enthusiastically by Binnie himself. “Ayy, Bang Chan!!!” He got up and greeted him with a hug while you remained seated.
You remembered Bang Chan, or Christopher, from his Australian accent, and from the second show you did at Watchtower right before the shutdown. You weren’t very close with him, but you knew him to be friendly and a hard worker. However, it seemed him and Changbin had grown closer, probably during the pandemic, based off the way they were hugging and smiling at each other.
“(Y/n) you remember Chan?” Changbin asked you as he turned and made his way back to his seat, Chan stopping to put his things away in a locker.
“Yeah, you ran automation on that last show right?” You addressed him and he nodded, closing his locker and coming to sit at the rolling chair at the desk next to you.
“Yeah that was me. I didn’t see you much during the last show, though.” Chan said, tilting his head slightly as he spoke.
“Yeah, if you were at the automation desk then you definitely wouldn’t have seen much of me. I was mainly in the voms and stage left for that show.”
“Ah, that would definitely explain it.” He nodded, leaning back in the desk chair, clearly comfortable in this room and atmosphere. He and Changbin continued to chat as you sat quietly, lost in thought about the man in the desk chair across from you.
Christopher was a well built man with an aura of kindness and knowledge about him. You’d always found him attractive, from what you’d seen of him around work. He usually kept his dark brown hair short, but you could see he’d also let it grow out more during quarantine, and you noticed for the first time that it was curly. Both him and Changbin (along with yourself) were in your typical black crew clothes, black jeans and black t-shirts, which to your good fortune were short sleeved and showed off their arms, toned from labor and you were sure, many trips to the gym. Maybe Chan was the one to thank for Changbin’s bulk up…
Your thoughts were interrupted by yet another arrival to the room, but this time the young man was more hesitant. He stopped in the doorway. “Hi, uh…is this the crew room?”
“Sure is.” Chan answered, giving the new member a smile. “Are you our fourth?”
The young man nodded and stepped inside, hiking his bag up a little higher up his shoulder. “Uh, I’m Ji— I mean, Han. Everyone calls me Han.”
“Sup, Han.” Changbin saluted him from the couch.
“Hi, I’m (Y/n), and this is Christopher—”
“Call me Chan.” Chan interjected.
“—and Changbin.” You said, pointing everyone out for him. “Is this your first show at The Watchtower?”
Han nodded, stepping further into the room to shake Chan’s outstretched hand. “Yeah. My first show after graduation, actually…”
“Oh wow, so you’re a baby huh?” You teased, making Changbin and Chan chuckle.
“Just ignore her.” Changbin said, pushing you playfully on the shoulder and almost knocking you over.
“Well, welcome aboard The Watchtower Stage Crew.” Chan added, gesturing for Han to have a seat on the other open couch across from you. He did so, setting his backpack on the ground.
You noticed his bag and remembered about the lockers. “Oh you guys, Derek said to pick a locker and then write your name on the roster above the computer.” You pointed it out to everyone, and they all nodded and went about it. Chan had already chosen a locker so he wrote his name down, and Changbin and Han got up to claim theirs as well.
After all that was done, it must’ve been time to start, because Derek finally reappeared, followed by your other supervisor, Rick. Rick was pretty much the opposite of Derek in all aspects, aside from also balding at a young age. Rick was short and stout, where Derek was tall and lanky. He was in his mid 30s as far you knew. He was a great supervisor, pretty laid back and cool.
“Good morning everyone!” Derek said with enthusiasm. “I see you’ve all met our newest crew member, Han. Han, this is Rick, our Assistant Supervisor for Stage Operations.” They waved at each other and Derek continued on. “So, our plan for today is pretty straight forward. We’re going to be setting up backstage and buttoning up a few things around the theatre before tech starts on Friday, nothing too crazy. Everyone make sure you’re clocked in, and then we’ll head upstairs.”
And with that, you were back to work. Everyone followed Derek and Rick down the hall to the elevator, and you all went up two floors to the backstage area. The minute you walked out of the elevator into the all too familiar backstage of the theater, you let out a small sigh. Wow. What an amazing feeling.
Chan seemed to notice your smile and leaned over to say quietly. “Feels good to be back, huh?”
You looked up at him and smiled. “Like you wouldn’t believe.” You shared a small moment together, both taking in the familiar sights and smells. Black walls, black floors, black curtains, fresh paint and saw dust wafting through the air.
“Alright, let’s meet onstage and go over my list of to-dos.” Derek said, walking up the small ramp to enter the stage and stand in the center, everyone gathering in a circle around him. “Okay, here’s what I have for the next three days until Actors arrive on Friday. ‘Sweep, mop, set up dressing booths, prop tables, clip lights, rearrange ladders and road boxes in the crossover, install the front of house bridges, remove seat covers’…That’s probably good for now, there’s more but let’s just see what we can get through today.” He paused, looking up from his list at all the crew members. “Okay, Rick and Changbin start with sweeping and moping. (Y/n) and Han, go down to basement storage and bring up prop tables and clip lights and see if you can find an extra vacuum. (Y/n) I think they’re in the extra storage area in the stairwell, you know the one?” You nodded and Derek continued. “Great. Chan you’re with me, we’re gonna look at the automation setup for this show.”
“Sounds good boss.” Chan said, unfolding his arms from across his chest.
“Okay, break!” Derek said, and everyone started to go off to complete their tasks.
Han turned to you as everyone walked away, and you gave him a small smile. “Back to the elevator we go.”
“Cool.” He nodded and followed your lead, both of you going back to the elevator you’d come from. You stepped in with Han close behind, and you pressed the “B” for basement.
“Have you had a tour of the building at all?” You asked Han as you felt the elevator start to descend. He had black hair that was very thick and straight, and it parted in the middle so he could see. His eyes were big and a little shiny, with excitement but also, you thought, nerves.
“Nope. This is my first time in the building.” He said, taking a step closer to the door as the elevator stopped at your floor.
“Okay cool, then I’ll give you a little tour as we round up all our supplies.” The doors opened and you stepped through, Han right behind you. “So this is the basement. Our crew room is down here, as you know, along with a storage room, another kitchen, restrooms…uh, the Wardrobe department has some rooms down here…oh and our house keeping staff’s offices are down here too.” You pointed out everything as you walked down the hall before stopping outside two double doors. “This is our basement storage.”
You pulled open the door for Han and you both stepped in, the motion-censored light clicking on. “Wow, there is a lot of stuff in here.”
You looked around at the room filled with chairs, prop boxes, cables, wires, storage shelves, stacks of tables, and god knows what else. “Yep. It’s kind of a catch-all for our department.”
Han looked around for a moment before spotting some tables leaning against a far wall. “Are those the prop tables?”
“Oh yeah. We need four…oh here’s the cart.” You spotted a rolling cart and moved a few boxes off so you could stack the tables on. Han went to the wall and started stacking tables on the cart.
You went for a table after him and were in the process of lifting it up when he called over, looking concerned. “Hey, you need help with that?”
You turned your head, easily lifting the six-foot folding table and walking over to the cart, his expression changing from concern to surprise. “Nope, I got it.”
“Wow, you’re stronger than I thought…” He said it offhandedly, but he realized after it might have offended you, and he quickly apologized. “Sorry, I didn’t mean, uh—“
“Oh no offense taken.” You laughed it off and reassured him. “We all have to be able to lift at least fifty pounds to be on crew.”
“Oh yeah, I remember reading that in my contract…”
You both loaded the rest of the tables onto the cart before pausing to look at your handiwork. “Okay now we need clip lights…”
You and Han turned to the shelves and started looking through bins until eventually Han found the right one. He put it on the cart, then you held the door as he pushed the cart into the hallway. You caught yourself starring at Han as he went past, and you shook your head. What is with these guys and their arm muscles…is it a new requirement for our crew members to have tiny waists, thick thighs, and bulging biceps? I’m gonna have to watch myself around them…
Han got the cart into the hallway and you shut the door to the storage room. “Okay, let's just leave this here while we go get the other vacuum.”
Han nodded and followed you down the hall again. “So…you know your way around here pretty well. How long have you been working at The Watchtower?”
“Oh, well, before the pandemic I worked two shows here right out of college.” You opened the door to the stairwell and held it for Han.
“You graduated then… twenty nineteen?” He asked as he let the door shut behind you.
You walked past the stairs to another door on the opposite side before replying. “Yep. Graduated in August and started here in September.”
“Oh okay, so you’re not much older than me. Good, I was worried I’d be the odd one out.”
“Well, actually, I’m probably older than you think. I was in school for a while. I turn twenty-seven next month.” You said as you went into the storage closet, looking around for a vacuum.
“Oh, wow, I thought…” Han was surprised by your age. “You look like you’re my age.”
“What age is that?” You asked, moving a few boxes and finally seeing the handle of the vacuum.
“I just turned twenty one last week.” He admitted, taking the vacuum you’d managed to free from the back corner of the closet.
“Aw, you really are a baby!” You chuckled as he blushed slightly, following you out of the closet and back out of the stairwell into the hallway. “Actually, in terms of our department, I’m the third oldest…”
“Older than Chan and Changbin too?” Han was definitely surprised by that.
“Yep.” You replied. “You’re closest to Changbin, he’s twenty two. I think Chan is….uh, maybe twenty four?” Han seemed to be contemplating this as you made your way back to the cart and put the vacuum on with the other items. “Let’s head back upstairs.”
Han nodded, pushing the cart as you headed back to the elevator. As you waited for the elevator to come to the basement, Han broke the silence. “So (Y/n), got any tips for me? Since this is my first professional gig…”
“Sure!” You smiled at him and nodded. “Let me think…” The elevator doors opened and you stepped inside, holding them open for Han and the cart. “Uh, how far away do you live? What’s your commute to work?”
He thought for a second, leaning against the elevator wall. “This morning it took maybe…twenty minutes? But there was no traffic.”
“Okay tip number one: Always have at least at twenty minute cushion for call times. The traffic downtown is usually pretty bad, and even on days where there shouldn’t be any, it seems there’s always some kind of wreck on the freeway blocking all the lanes.” You said, watching Han’s brow furrow slightly.
“Wow, okay…Yeah I don’t want to be late.” He nodded.
“Yeah. I mean, Rick and Derek are actually pretty chill about that kind of stuff, like five minutes here or there is no big deal to them, but it really bothers me when I’m late.” You paused as the elevator arrived back on the backstage floor, the doors opening again. “Like, I live about half an hour from here with no traffic, but with traffic sometimes it takes me almost an hour to get to work.”
“Oh, gross.” Had commented, shaking his head. “That sucks.”
“Yeah it does. But hey, pre-pandemic I actually lived a whole hour away from work. I moved closer last summer, so it doesn’t even bother me.” You shrugged and Han nodded, the both of you coming around the corner from the elevator and to the backstage left corner, where you found Changbin starting to set up a quick change booth.
“Oh good you’re back. Han, can you go grab a six foot ladder from the crossover?” Changbin asked, pulling heavy steel rods off a cart and starting to assemble the posts for the booth. You took particular notice of his muscles flexing as he did so.
“Oh sure. Uh…” Han looked to you for help before whispering, “Where is the crossover?”
You chuckled and motioned for him to follow you. You walked a few feet towards the back wall of the stage, stopping at the edge and pointing out a hallway to Han. “This is the crossover, it connects stage right to stage left so you can cross during shows without being seen. We also use it for storage.”
Han nodded and looked around the rather wide hallway, noting the ladders and road boxes located against the walls. “Thanks (Y/n), I’ll get the ladder.”
He was off down the hallway and you went back to Changbin, coming up behind him and grabbing the other end of a pole he was trying to attach a curtain to. “Oh hey.” He pushed the curtain onto the rod and slid the fabric along until it got to your end. “How’s the new guy? He seems pretty green.”
“Changbin, it’s his first professional show, of course he’s green.” He shrugged and you continued. “He seems cool. Eager to learn. He thought I was his age, haha.”
“Oh? Well, you can’t blame the kid. You look straight out of college yourself.” He said it offhand, but you blushed at the comment. Changbin was certainly being more complimentary than usual. He’s been sweet all morning…
Han came back around the corner with the ladder, and Changbin went back to directing him around. The three of you worked together to get the booth set up, adding the prop table, along with a few chairs inside. Next it was time to add clip lights, so while Han went to go grab zip ties, you headed up the ladder with Changbin standing under you holding it steady. You were about halfway up when your foot slipped slightly, causing you to let out a little ‘eep’ that immediately drew Changbin’s attention. Just as you were wobbling and felt like you might fall, you felt two strong, firm hands hold you steady.
“You okay?” Changbin asked, his hands gripping you tightly.
“Um….yeah.” You were grateful for his quick reflexes, but you had just realized where exactly he had grabbed you. “Uh, Binnie?”
“Yeah?” He replied casually, still holding his position.
“You can take your hands off my ass now…” You looked over your shoulder in his direction but avoided eye contact, feeling your face start to flush.
“Shit!” He immediately let go of you, a look of shock and embarrassment on his face as well. “I’m sorry, you started falling and I just…it was instinct.”
“No, you’re good. Uh, thanks.” You turned back around and carefully made your way back up the ladder this time.
Luckily for both you and Changbin, Han chose that moment to return, and you all went back to work. When you were done with stage left, you went to stage right and mirrored your set up on that side as well.
Throughout the morning, you and Changbin both noticed that Han was a little clueless, but also willing to ask questions, so all in all he was getting along well. After you finished with those tasks, the three of you headed over to the automation table where Rick, Derek, and Chan were all bent over a few computer screens.
Derek noticed the three of you arrive, and stepped away from the table to check in. “All done with those tasks?”
“Yes, booths and tables are all set up.” You answered, giving him a thumbs up as well. “Oh and I found that vacuum.”
Just then Rick and Chan pushed back from the table as well, and came over to join all of you. “We’re good, too, Derek.” Rick said, adjusting his black cap as he spoke. “All the cues have been programmed in.”
“Good good, let’s see, what time is it…” Derek pulled his phone out of his back pocket to check the time, and seemed to remember something as well. “Oh, (Y/n), Chan, you two still need to get your badges and talk to HR about your rehire paperwork.”
You raised an eyebrow at this, looking over to Chan, who seemed unaware as well. “What does HR need to talk to us about?” You asked, crossing your arms over your chest absently.
Derek shrugged and just said, “All I know is I got an email saying to send y’all up to the eighteenth floor at noon today.”
You uncrossed your arms and let out a little sigh, finally just shrugging and looking over at Chan. “Okay, better head up I guess.”
Chan nodded and the two of you broke apart from the rest of the group, heading off towards the elevators again. Derek called after you, “If you’re done before one o’clock, come back down. If not, lunch is from one to two. Don’t forget to clock out!”
Chan waved over his shoulder, calling back a “Will do.” To Derek as the two of you rounded the corner to the elevators and stepped inside. You looked over your shoulder at the group of them onstage, and noticed Changbin was watching you with kind of an intense expression. Before you could wave, Chan hit the up button, and the elevator doors shut in front of you. You hit the ‘18’ before Chan had a chance, and you both simultaneously leaned against opposite walls as you started your ascent. You made eye contact and he gave you a soft grin, bringing out his dimples, which you subconsciously returned. “So…how’ve you been?”
“Oh, you know…” You kind of trailed off with a sigh.
“Huh, yeah, tell me about it.” He shook his head, obviously thinking back over his own quarantine. “Glad to be back though?”
“Oh, hell yeah. I haven’t felt this…I don’t know, normal? Happy? In a long time.” You shrugged, noticing Chan’s small nod of sympathy.
“Normal…well, new normal maybe.” You both chuckled, and the atmosphere got a little less awkward. “What did you do during our eighteen month break?”
You frowned, thinking about it. “Oh, I had a bunch of random really shitty and underpaying jobs. Did some grocery delivery, applied for a bunch of jobs that never got back to me, was a secretary for a while…I hated all of it.” Chan listened quietly, nodding along. “What about you?”
“Uh, well after we were laid off, I was on unemployment for a little while, but then I needed more money, so I started a job at a gym by my apartment once they were starting to reopen. And I knew Changbin needed a job too, so that’s how he got his position there.”
“Oh you worked with Binnie at a gym?” Well that definitely explains all the muscles.
“He didn’t tell you? I just figured, since you guys were close…” His brow furrowed.
“Yeah well…after the pandemic hit and we all lost our jobs, I didn’t really keep in contact with anyone. I didn’t see Changbin at all after we closed. Not until today…” You let out a sigh and crossed your arms, pushing off the wall as the elevator dinged, signaling you were on the 18th floor. “I was kinda in a bad place.”
Chan came to stand next to you by the doors, and patted your shoulder gently as they opened. “I think a lot of us were. It’s okay, I wouldn’t worry about it too much, Changbin never stopped talking about you. I had no idea you guys weren’t still seeing each other.”
Just then the doors opened and Chan stepped through, leaving you behind with a red face and open mouth. “Wait, he said we were dating?!” You followed him out quickly, and you were in such a rush that you almost smacked into him when he stopped outside a reception desk just off the hall from the elevators.
“Hi, we’re here to get our badges, and I believe sign some more paperwork.” Chan said, giving you a sideways glance as you tried to contain yourself.
He thinks Changbin and I were together? Well…were we? You had always been under the impression that you and Binnie were just friends. Friends who had a lot of sex. But still, only friends. You didn’t have romantic feelings for Changbin, and you’d assumed he knew this…but maybe not. But wait, why does it bother me so much that Chan thinks we were together? Why do I care if Chan thinks I’m in a relationship…
Your thoughts were interrupted by the woman behind the reception desk, asking for both of your ID’s. You complied, pulling your wallet out of your pocket and handing it over the desk, alongside Chan’s. “Great, now if each of you will step over here to get your picture taken for your badge.”
“Oh no, I didn’t know we had to take pictures today! I look like crap right now…” You sighed, rubbing your forehead in dismay.
“Hey, shh, you look beautiful.” Chan said, bumping his shoulder into yours playfully, giving you a smile when you met his gaze. You noticed for the first time just how beautiful he was with those perfect dimples, perfectly placed on both cheeks with the right one just a little deeper. His face lit up when he smiled, and his large nose became more prominent, but it fit his face well. Wow….he’s actually very handsome…
“Okay Christopher, we’ll do your picture first, if you’ll just stand there.” The receptionist motioned for him to stand in front of a small webcam, and he smiled as she took his picture. “Great, now (Y/n), if you’ll do the same.” You obliged, standing up straight and trying to suck in your stomach, hoping to not look like a total wreck for your new badge picture. When you were done, the receptionist printed off the badges right there, then handed them both over to you.
You looked down at the little picture in the center of the small card. “Ugh…” To be honest, it wasn’t horrible…but you could definitely have taken a better picture had you known about it beforehand.
You and Chan both hooked your badges on your belts before following the receptionist down the hall to a small conference room. As it turned out, all HR needed was to update you on their new 401k policy, and to have you both sign a little paperwork. When you and Chan were done, you made your way back to the elevators, hitting the button for the basement without thinking. “Wait, what time is it?”
He looked at his watch. “Just after twelve forty-five.”
“Oh, I guess we should go back to the stage to see if they need any help before lunch.”
“Or…” Chan said, catching your hand before you could press the button for the backstage floor. “We could sneak out a little early and go grab lunch.”
You were a little surprised by this, since you saw Chan as a pretty honest and straightforward person. You wouldn’t expect him to cut out fifteen minutes early. Now, Changbin? 100%. Maybe he’d rubbed off on Chan a little after all… “But…well…”
“Oh come on, Derek was already not expecting to see us until after lunch, or he wouldn’t have told us to just clock out.” Chan gave you another dazzling-dimple-smile and you caved.
“Well, alright…” He finally released your hand and your skin felt tingly where he’d easily enclosed his fingers around your wrist.
“Amazing! I know just where to go today.” He said, nodding and standing confidently against the wall. “My treat.”
You nodded and swallowed, your throat suddenly dry. His treat? Is this…No, we’re just colleagues going out to lunch…right?
You followed Chris off the elevator at the bottom floor, butterflies starting to flutter around in your stomach.
* * * * *
“Wait, so you’re the oldest of five?” Chan asked, his eyebrows raised in awe. “And your youngest sister is only one?!”
You laughed, nodding. “Yes, but technically my little brother and sister are only half siblings. My parents had me and my other two sisters all two years apart, then they divorced when I was in second grade. My dad remarried, and he and my stepmom had my brother when I was sixteen, and then last year my stepmom had my youngest sister. So, I’m twenty five years older than her.”
“Sheesh, you could be her mom.” Chan shook his head in disbelief as you sipped your drink.
“Yeah, I like to joke with my Dad and say that I don’t need to have kids, cause he’s having them for me.” You both let out hearty laughs at that.
You and Chan had left the theater and walked a few blocks to a sushi place called Sapporo that was in the downtown park area. They had a happy hour lunch special on weekdays, which included discounted sushi, bento boxes, and beer. No wonder Chan liked this place. You’d been there about 45 minutes already, and it was time to start wrapping it up to head back to work. The waiter was headed over with the check as Chan finished the last of his soda (He’d opted not to drink, but you had enjoyed a light Japanese beer with your meal).
When your waiter stopped at the end of the table to set down the check, your hand was on the table, and he happened to glance at your nails. “Wow, I really like your nail color.” He said with a smile. “Oh and look, they match your glasses!”
You smiled at the compliment, thanking him. “Haha, thanks, I did that on purpose.”
Chan looked across the table from your hands to your glasses’ frames. “Wow, I didn’t even notice!” Then he did something that made your heart flutter. He held his hand up to cover his mouth from you and leaned over towards the waiter to fake whisper. “Hey man, cut it out, you’re gonna get me in trouble.” Then, he fucking WINKED at you.
Chan and the waiter had a good laugh at that, but you were too busy trying to calm your flushed face at his joke. He’s teasing me and the waiter like we’re a couple…why is he being so flirty? Is this just how he acts, or…
“So that makes you twenty-six now?” Chan asked as the waiter finally set the check down in front of him and left.
It took you a moment to realize he picked up the conversation where you’d left off. “Yes, but my birthday is coming up soon. I’ll be twenty-seven in October.”
“Oh okay, Noona~.” His smile widened slightly, showing his dimples. “My birthday is also in October. I’ll be twenty-four this year.” He pulled out his wallet and put some cash in the check book and set it back on the edge of the table. “Ready to head back?”
“Sure.” You both started to stand and Chan let you step around the table first to head towards the door. Once you were both outside, you waited for him to meet your pace and you patted his shoulder. “Thank you for lunch, you didn’t have to treat for me.”
“Hey it’s no problem. It’s nice to spend some time with you, finally.” He smiled down at you as you walked before continuing. “I kept asking Changbin to bring you to one of our hangouts before COVID, but I think he wanted you all to himself.”
“Haha yeah…now that you mention it…” You let out a little sigh, “He really did think we were dating.”
Chan chuckled softly and was quiet for a moment before he picked up on your previous conversation. “Anyway, I may be turning twenty-four, but it certainly doesn’t feel like it.”
You immediately jumped onto that line of thought. “I know right? I feel like the last two years since COVID time has kind of… I don’t know, frozen? I also can’t believe I’m already turning twenty-seven. Feels like yesterday I was leaving school…”
“Where did you go?” He asked as you both came up to a crosswalk, pausing as the cars flew by on the one way street.
“Oh, same place as most people who work at the Watchtower, Central University Main Campus.” You looked both ways as the crosswalk sign turned white, signaling it was safe to cross. “What about you?”
“Wait, I also went there. When did you graduate?” He followed you across the street to the other sidewalk.
“I graduated in twenty-nineteen, right before starting at the Watchtower.” You explained. “But my degree wasn’t in Theatre or Stage Ops. I was a music student.”
“Oh really?” He seemed surprised by this. “Well that makes since why I didn’t see you. I was there from twenty-sixteen to twenty-eighteen on a two-year stage ops scholarship program.”
“Oh yeah, the music department and the theatre department never interacted. Our professors hated each other.” You shook your head, stepping around a sewer grate on the sidewalk. “So did you move here for school? Or with your family? You’re from Australia right?”
He nodded. “Yeah, I moved here for school from Sydney when I got the scholarship. Then when I graduated, a spot opened up at the Watchtower, and I’ve been working there ever since.”
“So your family is still in Sydney?” He nodded, his hands in his pockets. “That must be hard.”
He let out a sigh before shrugging his shoulders. “I guess. I was supposed to visit them last summer, but then COVID, so…”
You were both quiet for a moment, thinking about how much life had changed in the past two years. When you looked up again, you were only a block away from the theater. You were getting ready to cross the last street to get to your block, saw that the ‘walk’ sign was flashing, and had just stepped off the curb when several things happened at once. You heard Chan shout “WAIT!”, then at the same time heard the honking of a horn, way too close to you. Before you could be crushed by the oncoming speeding truck, you felt two very strong hands grip your upper arms and yank you back from the crosswalk. Just as your toes cleared the space in front of you, a red pickup truck flashed past, its driver shaking an angry fist at you and still laying on the horn. You couldn’t even react besides to clutch your heart and stare wide eyed.
“Oh my god, are you okay?” Chan asked, his arms still holding you tight and his face cast down on you with concern. You met his gaze, your heart beating insanely loud in your ears. “Hey, (Y/n), talk to me, are you all right?”
“Holy shit…” You looked to where you’d been standing two seconds ago and realized you were almost road kill. “Chan, you saved my life.”
He loosened his death grip on you a little, but didn’t remove you from his embrace just yet. “That truck…Jesus he just completely ran that light, you could’ve…” It seemed his adrenaline was also still pumping, and he was breathing just as hard as you. “(Y/n), are you okay?”
You finally nodded, your gaze still caught up in his. There was a specific intensity and brightness to his eyes that comes from a near death experience, and you could guess you had a similar look. “Yeah, yeah, I’m okay.”
It took another moment for him to finally release you from his grip, and you stumbled slightly as you tried to regain your balance. He smoothed out your sleeves and hair for a moment before stepping back. He let out a shaky laugh, which you returned, and then you were both laughing hysterically at the absolute insanity of it all. Finally, Chan calmed down enough to talk. “Well, shall we try to cross again?”
This time he grabbed your hand before looking both ways, then safely walked you across the street to the theater building.
_____