⇻ convenience store

@◦ e. hyeokjin ᶜᵃᵖᵘᶜᶜᶦⁿᶦ Changbin had been out late at the gym, so when he came into the convenience store, he knew exactly what he was coming in for, a bottle of water, and something quick to snack on, on his way home for the night. The male was exhausted from all the schedules in the day that happened until this point, and knew by the time he got home he wouldn't want to sit up much to fix him something to eat. So when he got to the counter to check out, the male had completely forgotten that some people in the public had recognized him, so when the cashier had asked to take a picture with him, the male was taken aback a bit.

The thing that shocked him even more was the response from the male in front of him, having called him a . Changbin couldn't help but let out a small surprised chuckle. Why would someone say something so random about him. "I'm not-" His voice raised in confusion, as he eyed the other as much as he could, before looking at the clerk, having not felt like any photos at the moment, and apologized and explained that maybe next time he would. "What makes you think I'm a ?" Changbin asked, genuinely curious, trying to figure out why the face in front of him looked a bit familiar.

@◦ s. changbin ᵈᵒᵒᵈˡᵉᵇᶦⁿ Hyeokjin trudged into the convenience store, accompanied by the usual jingle as the door opened. The employee called out a 'welcome' but it was far too late and Hyeokjin was far too tired to respond. He bowed, well, nodded, a hand covering his face as he yawned. There were a few other people in the store but he didn't get a look at them as he wandered into the row where the instant noodles were stocked. He stopped in front of the shelf, shoved his hands into his sweatpants, and just... stared at rows of options, far, far too many options. Without noticing, several minutes had already passed with him staring at instant noodles like some malfunctioning robot. It was the jingle of the door that snapped him out of his stupor. Feeling embarrassed, he grabbed a random cup and then walked to the back and picked a bottle of pear juice out of the fridge. Armed with his chosen sustenance, he went to check out and dropped the two items on the counter. "Yeah, give me a bag.", he muttered to the clerk. The guy hadn't even asked him anything yet, but Hyeokjin didn't notice that part.

He felt someone step closer to check out. The clerk looked at them, but Hyeokjin was busy unlocking his phone so he could pay. "Oh! You're the mayor's son, right?", he heard the clerk the person ask excitedly. "Do you mind if we take a picture?" Hyeokjin snarled in annoyance. "I'm trying to check out here.", he said and glared at the clerk. While the clerk stood there flustered, Hyeokjin turned his head to the guy beside him. His eyes narrowed. He did look familiar. Hyeokjin had no idea who the mayor's son was, so why would he look familiar?

"ing hell." Yep. That had got to be 'doodle'. Hyeokjin smirked and looked back at the clerk. "I'm paying with my phone. Don't take a pic with that guy. He's a ." He held out his phone, laughing on the inside, and beeped it on the NFC thing when it was ready. "Thanks." Hyeokjin was reaching for the bag with his food and ready to walk out. He wasn't expecting 'doodle' to recognise him as he had temporarily dyed his hair blue [he's dressed like in the pic on his profile, the one where he has blue hair]. Ah he couldn't wait to get into the app and about this. Hm, what would he write? Something like... 'Hey, I heard you're a . Why is some random clerk warning people about you? Did something naught?'... Hm. He'd come up with something better. All these thoughts ran through his head, and his fingertips had yet to wrap around the handles of the plastic bag.

It is the type of coldness that reaches into the man’s bones, as if his heart were a door left wide open to the icy wind, slamming only to open again. The only thing to do is keep moving, keep heading toward his destination and the steady warmth of the hearth. The night sky is a rolling blanket of clouds the colour of wet ash. March always seemed to be the harshest month of the year. How December could not hold a candle to the bitter cold that was strictly designated for the month of March. The way he slipped in and out of the convenience store with a steamed, pizza bun in one hand and his vape being clenched in the other. The way he absentmindedly ate the bun, his eyes staring up at the sky before they closed to enjoy the cold air hitting his face.

@◦ l. taemin ᶜᵃˡᶦᶜᵒ * His face scrunches up lightly at the others comment and he nods his head
of course of course.
I was just kidding with you as well.
* He lets out a forced chuckle*
So, I think you got this one wrong..

@◦ s. changbin ᵈᵒᵒᵈˡᵉᵇᶦⁿ * his hand grabbed a cup of instant ramen and soon heard a voice. His head looking to the left of him and there he saw you *
I actually had no idea who you were, me guessing C was a shot in the dark actually.
* those words followed by a laugh and a bright smile *
I’ve always been a good guesser though so

@◦ l. taemin ᶜᵃˡᶦᶜᵒ Reads the message before rolling my eyes and walking inside the store.

Eyes glancing around the unfamiliar building searching for you

‘I dont know who you think I am but I think you’re wrong.’ He says approaching

@◦ s. changbin ᵈᵒᵒᵈˡᵉᵇᶦⁿ * finds himself inside the store, browsing through the snacks before he got a message. His eyebrow raising slightly before chuckling.*

Message to @doodlebin from @calico

I’m inside mister hitman

@◦ l. taemin ᶜᵃˡᶦᶜᵒ Pulling into the parking lot of the convenience store, Changbin looked around before sending a swift message to the other user.

[message to @calico from @doodlebin]

I’m here.
Where are you?
Standing me up?

@◦ n. jaemin ʲᵃᵉᵐᵐᶦⁿ_ᵒᵘᵗ The nonchalant nature is probably what sets her off, the clench of her cheeks and jawline, the way her eyes glared straight ahead and she scoffs out under her breath. "Right, why did I expect someone who keeps blowing me off and all, to remember how I look, I guess that's expected too, huh?"

Scoffing out softly, Xiao is frustrated already as it is, pissy about work things in addition to having this flakey individual always bailing on her and blanking her which has her fuming a little too much. The dingy lights around her drag her attention over to scope out the area he works in since she assumed so due to him packing the shelves and all. "So you work here?" She finally calmed down to ask cautiously, her eyes raking around the area and back over to the calm and collected male with an appreciative gaze only for a moment because of his hard work. "You must be tired huh? I guess I shouldn't be a and just ask if that is the sole reason you canceled on me for?"

@◦ c. xiao ˣᶦˣᶦ jaemin was way too invested in making the shelves look all neat and pretty. the ajumma who ran the store loved it every time he did that. so much that she’d let him bring home some snacks whenever he felt like it, and she would even let him choose the good ones too; the simple perks of working in a convenience store. who would pass on a classic lotte choco pie? no one that he’d trust that was for sure.

he was lost in his own little world with music loud filling his head when he felt a gentle tap on his shoulder, effectively yanking him back to reality. jaemin took one of his earphones out, letting it dangle by the wires and turned to meet eyes with a fair lady who looked like she might be around his age. “hm?” was his unconcerned response, under the impression that she probably needed help searching for a particular item. it didn’t hit him at first. the latter looked familiar, yet not familiar enough for him to make the connection. jaemin felt like he’d seen her somewhere, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it. “you need help?” his tone was hospitable – it was by default at this point – but he averted his gaze to focus back on the shelves as he continued refilling the remaining empty space with more packets of dry noodles.

@◦ n. jaemin ʲᵃᵉᵐᵐᶦⁿ_ᵒᵘᵗ °Sometimes when you get disappointed, it makes you stronger.°

Xiao wasn't expecting the male to bail on her for the umpteenth time! But then again, what was she even expecting at this point? The person that she knows as Jaemmin_out owed her nothing at this point and he can do as he pleases. What if the male in question was just a catfish or scammer? Preying on the innocence that's Xiao being a foreigner in the new country and all? But nah! How can it be? He wouldn't scam her just to simply blank her on multiple times they were supposed to meet up. Shaking her head, the petite girl walks over to one of the 24-hour convenience stores just close by to her living quarters, deciding it'll be wise to call it a Ramen and chill night instead of whatever the mysterious male would've eaten with her if they did go out.

Slender legs take her up the threshold and she's glancing around when she spots no one at the register. "Hm, they could be robbed blind and not realize," shaking her head once, the girl walks in further and that's when she spots a male restocking one of the unhinged shelves in one of the shop's lanes. She's about to call out to the individual, only to belatedly notice the headphones attached to his ears and she walks over instead, not seeing the face of the person too well before giving a little tap on his shoulder. "Excuse me?"

《Her look: https://64.media.tumblr.com/b535feda697261aefc52740f2939fc32/54f5a5e12f4dbd96-17/s400x600/674948e1bd5c93f1426845a88840d6058ea5e959.jpg》

@◦ c. xiao ˣᶦˣᶦ it was probably quarter to midnight. jaemin wasn’t the best at keeping track of time because his days never failed to fly by. his days were almost the same every day – work, family, sleep, work, family, sleep. if he was lucky during one of his rare days off, he could manage to find the time and hang out with a couple of friends. for the most part, however, his days blurred into one. and jaemin was okay with that... for now; it kept the family fed. the sight of sealed boxes stacked on the pallet had him heaving a heavy sigh. he had a little less than two hours left of his shift to smash through the remaining pile. who needs to lift weights in the gym when one could be lifting boxes full of noodles? on the bright side, he had his trusty earphones to drown out the repetitive supermarket jingles that had been on replay ever since he started working there, saving the last bit of his sanity. so, there he was, stocking up instant ramen – one dusty shelf at a time.

@◦ l. chittaphon ᵗᵉⁿ.⁹⁶ it was a fight for taeyang not to get lost in his own thoughts while beside the other man. the things he would find there are too complex compared to the cartoonishly bright packages meant to entice from their shelves. the last place he was publicly beside anyone else? the slightly tinny sound of music being piped in to cover the low hum of the fluorescent lighting above and the coolers around them was a far cry from it. but this was naturally different, wasn't it?

"not a fan of the ice prince aesthetic? though i guess i have a little too much melanin for that look, even in winter." he laughed and gestured at his face with his free hand, wrist bent, the back of his hand following the slant of his jaw to his chin. "what do you think? oh the coffee - it doesn't quite have the same effect on me. half the time i can't even rely on it to perk me up in the morning. i'm almost immune. not that i wouldn't spend a little more time out." the other's smile held his gaze for a moment, his own expression relaxed to a half-smile that presses into his cheeks at either corner. he didn't expect ten to look at him the way he did, and perhaps it's what left him quiet as he followed, save for that smile while he moved down the aisles with a hand in the shorter man's hold. "it almost sounds like you're trying to fatten me up." he joked, his brows rising when he questioned a little more intently. his own gaze drifts back to the shelves and he nods, knowing that anything beyond his usual diet fare purchases was unlikely to catch his interest enough to make him commit to the purchase. "i think it would be nice to share, if you don't mind? that way you can get what you like and not worry about it being too much? and that way we can see if they still have cake, too." the cold that seemed to slowly drain from the tips of his fingers into ten's came with a pang of guilt, but he said nothing of it as he followed the other's lead, hands swinging a little, until he leaned in, shoulder at shoulder. "you're not too cold are you?"

@◦ y. taeyang ˢᵘⁿᵗᵃⁿᶻ .

In that kind of convenience store, in that warm ambiance, anyone could feel that there were good things within. How the warmth from the heating instantly seemed to melt any chill Chittaphon has formally felt on his skin, however, he knew that he would end up still soaking in the bath when he got home from the chill that lingered deep in his bones. But the moment his eyes seemed to scan over the area around him, he felt almost like he had entered into another world. Of course, Chittaphon had been inside convenience stores before. However, when he would make his way into one, it was usually to get a refill on his vape cartridge and maybe a simple bottle of green tea. He never found himself sitting inside one and eating the food there, not because he thought he was too good for cheap meals like the ones found in this store, but because he never had someone to go with him.

The thought of his stylists always wanting to go to any high-end restaurant with the man, but on his relaxation days, he found himself usually at home with his cat Leon. The occasional delivery of fried chicken or pizza was the only form of socialising he got on those days and they were in fact the days he dreaded. He adored spending time with his cat and even being on the phone with some of his friends, but most either lived too far or they were working themselves. This was something that also drove Chittaphon to accept the offer of his client downloading a new dating app on his phone. And that in itself seemed to be something the Thai man has not regretted since because now he was here about to enjoy whatever food they both would decide on.

That being said, Chittaphon was pulled back into reality by the sound of his match's voice. The laughter that seemed to tickle his throat had him smiling softly to himself before speaking to the man. “ good for the pores? But what would I do if you froze? Admire your pores? I’m more grateful that I was able to see your smiling face…” The shorter man then hummed as he contemplated his decision on what he would want. And then the list began to pool into his mind like a flood and that was something he figured would happen with all the options he was given and the opportunity to actually sit down and enjoy whatever decisions he made. “Coffee? Won’t that keep you wide awake? I thought you said you didn’t want to stay out all night with me. Change of heart?” The man teased with a smile as he tapped his lips with his index finger and finally nodded. “So coffee, and sweet potatoes… oh!” His eyes brightened as he moved his hand off the arm that was linked with the other man’s and moved it to hold his hand. The way Chittaphon felt the chill from the man’s skin had him softly squeezing his hand as he guided him toward the ramen and microwavable rice section. “I’ve always wanted to try the different instant ramen here, and I’m thinking I can add some rice in once the noodles are gone… would you want some ramen too? We could get something sweet too for dessert… I wonder what sweets they have here… I remember seeing cake here once but that was over a month ago..” the man used his free hand to grab a container of Nongshim Chapagetti and a container of microwaveable rice. Chittaphon already seemed to smile ear to ear as he looked at the man beside him. “ Having a hard time deciding Taeyang? We can always share if you’re not that hungry.” His words wrapped in both warmth and enthusiasm as he slightly swung their interlocking hands, feeling the warmth of his digits and palm stealing some of the chill from the taller man’s.

@◦ l. chittaphon ᵗᵉⁿ.⁹⁶ he doesn't expect the arm that hooks around his, doesn't expect to be up close and personal so fast when he's barely had a chance to greet his match, and he certainly doesn't expect to be wheeled inside the convenience store in step beside the man. but truth be told, beside the first blast of cold air from the vent overhead meant to keep out whatever insect would brave the weather, taeyang is thankful to be on the other side of the automatic doors. the space is familiar, not his stomping ground per se, but the number of nights he's left a photographer and said to hell with consequence just to pick up a discounted meal from this particular store is high enough. beside him, however, is a man who certainly doesn't look like he belongs here. it's just a friendly meet up. he reminds himself of that as he rakes the fingers of his free hand through his hair and shoots a glance across. their arms are still linked, and he doesn't make a single attempt to change that. "i could have weathered it a little longer, i promise. besides, the cold is good for the pores." it's an attempt at humor, his face still bearing a remnant of that grin on first meeting while he places the tips of his fingers against the plastic handle. it's poor insulation against the warming box, but the heat feels good to his cold fingers if a little more extreme than what suffuses him from the side with the man standing beside him, their arms still looped together. "i'm thinking we need sweet potatoes, and maybe hot coffee rather than cold drinks in this weather. the 'cappuccino' machine here is decent... as long as you're not counting your calories." his brows rise toward his hairline, his gaze rounded along with the widening of his eyes. it's almost doe like the way he looks at the man beside him, his cheeks and nose slightly reddened by the cold even in his naturally sunkissed complexion, while his dark orbs ask for confirmation - or rejection. "what are you thinking of having?"

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@◦ l. chittaphon ᵗᵉⁿ.⁹⁶ in the wait, taeyang hadn't really moved from his spot even as the intended fifteen minutes passed. sure, he could have ventured past the automatic sliding doors of the convenience store, perused its shelves, and warmed himself there, but for risk of missing the man he was meant to meet, he remained outside beneath a pitch black sky. if not for the absurd shape of his puffer jacket he would have looked much like an extension of the nightsky, black from head to toe save for the white of his sweater. the cold drove him to progressively zip his puffer jacket further closed, concealing more fashionable attire underneath. the only real change in his posture was that he crossed his ankles, two long, thin legs becoming a single irregular shape beneath the blend of fluorescent tube lighting beneath the store awning and the waxy yellow halogen of older streetlamps. when he heard the tapping of footsteps, seemingly a bit hurried, he lifted his head, glancing in that direction. that must be him, right? he tilted his head as if trying to see a face he hadn't properly glimpsed through a display photo, but in hearing his own username announced in questioning tone, he broke into a grin. that single expression overtook the rather dour angles of his face when he stood still, pearly white teeth more on display than his eyes which crinkled up at the corners. "please, call me taeyang. ah-" he cut himself off, shook his head, his own dark hair teasing a little closer to his jawline and the collar of his puffer than in photos. "don't worry about that, ten. no harm, no foul. let's get inside though? i'm not built for the cold."

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@◦ l. chittaphon ᵗᵉⁿ.⁹⁶ mid-february and it's still too cold out for taeyang. he's early, as promised, phone in one hand, his tall, slim figure made bulkier by the black puffer hanging open on his figure over a black blazer and cropped white sweater underneath that. if not for a few colorful swatched stained to the back of a large hand, or hair a little too long to have been cut recently, he might look very out of place, too put together, against the bright-white lighting of the convenience store windows behind him. he half expects a notification buzz from the app, the only reason he keeps his phone cradled in his large palm and tapered fingers, eyes on it while he rakes his other hand through the front of his hair, but he directs his gaze toward the sidewalk when he hears the titter of passersby at the other side of the street. he twists his lips and tucks his phone, and both hands, into the security of his pockets. there's a hint of fidgetiness that makes him rock onto the balls of his feet, despite the stiff soles of aging loafers, and sink back against the bright yellow railing that separates the outdoor seating from the sidewalk as he murmurs to himself, "he'll be here."