It was another friday night and Minseok was once again devoid of energy to go to work. Every week was the same old dreadful story of Luhan tormenting him and he was a hundred percent sure that tonight wouldn’t be too different. Although he hadn’t seen the guy throughout most of the week (he thanked god for that every single day) he knew that he was bound to be dining at the restaurant tonight. He was there every single friday night, loud, obnoxious and filled with innuendos and ual harassment. Minseok couldn’t help but wonder if there was any kind of truth in the words that Luhan told him. For example when he said that he looked handsome, or that time when he said his looked great in skinny jeans. Were those just words, or was there a hidden meaning behind them? He shook his head trying to get these thoughts out of his mind.

“Come on Minseok. Don’t even go there. Don’t fall for the ” he muttered to himself right before he entered the restaurant. He was determined to stay indifferent and/or annoyed towards Luhan instead of growing fond of him. He was attractive but that was all he was going to admit at this point.

“Minseok there you are. We’ve been waiting for you!” He heard when he entered the establishment. Sehun and Chanyeol were sitting at the bar having a glass of water, which in itself was strange because normally the restaurant would have a customer or two in it when he arrived for his shift. Right now it was empty.

“Hi guys. Sorry I’ve kept you waiting, but what’s the rush? The place is empty.” He questioned. The other two shared a look of confusion.

“Haven’t you heard the biggest news item of the week?” Chanyeol asked him. Minseok shrugged and told them that he didn’t pay attention to gossip or had the time and money to afford a paper every morning.

“So you really don’t know what happened to Luhan?” Sehun tried to confirm. The youngest immediately had his attention at the mention of the bane of his existence. But did he want to know? He hated gossip and those who took part in it. It’s shallow and to wish something bad on someone, or think of rumors or just generally bask in the light of someone’s misery was wrong in his eyes. However, this concerned Luhan and he couldn’t help but to feel a little bit curious.

“Wh-what happened to Luhan? Nothing bad I hope” Minseok inquired. Chanyeol and Sehun were in a state of shock, repeating over and over again that Minseok really didn’t know what happened. A lot of ‘Why’s’ and ‘How could that be’s’ were thrown around. Minseok had to stop them and inquire again what happened to Luhan.

“His parents fully cut him off. When the semester ends he even has to pay for school himself. He’s trying to find a job but since he hardly has any experience or skills it’s hard for him to find something” Chanyeol started. ‘Poor Luhan’ he thought when he heard the news.

“Yeah, and even his friends have now left him. Only that nice handsome guy is still by his side, but the rest of the people who once were trying to get with him have ditched him too. He’s become a pariah. Mostly due to everyone he has bullied, harassed or was mean towards. A lot of people, especially at uni, hate him and treat him like he’s a nobody now” Sehun added proudly.

“Gosh that’s really sad to have happened to him. I have to admit it’s good that he’s going to learn how to take responsibility and he’ll mature a lot with this but to lose all your friends, and have people hate you is harsh.” He said. Sehun and Chanyeol just snorted so he gave both of them a slap to the head.

“Yah, this really isn’t funny! Would you like it when you have everything and then lose it?” He asked his younger colleagues angrily. Both of them muttered a quick no. At that moment a group of girls came into the restaurant.

“Go to work you two! Quickly!” Minseok said sternly. Both boys scrambled over to the table arguing who was to take their order and wait on them.  

Minseok had to sit down and process what he had just heard. It was a big deal to him that the most annoying person he’d come across had now lost everything he had grown accustomed to. Minseok thought that he must be going through a difficult time now, and wondered if it was worth it to help him. He had the needed experience in having to find a job, or working in general since nothing ever came easy to him. Perhaps he would be able to steer Luhan in the right way and perhaps the man would change for the better if influenced well. It came as a surprise to him that there were no hard feeling to the way Luhan had been treating him all this time. Sure he didn’t like it and a part of him was still a bit afraid of what the elder might do if he saw him again, but Minseok had to follow what he thought was right. His mother always told him to be helpful, and see the best in people, so that was what he was going to do now.

Just when he was about to go to clean after the two troublemakers, who were now fighting over who got to poor the ladies’ drinks, they heard the bell of the door going off signalling someone entered. Minseok looked over to the door ready to happily greet their new customer when he saw that it was Luhan standing there. He was alone and he looked uncertain and vulnerable.  

“Hey” Luhan said softly, eyes cast down. He almost looked as if he were hiding. He wasn’t the confident, happy  and somewhat cocky person that he used to be. Right now he looked small, shy and cautious. Considering the circumstances Minseok thought it fit him but on the other hand he felt sad to see him like this. It wasn’t right to him. No one should feel like this.

“Hello Luhan. How are you?” Minseok asked. He politely offered the younger a seat at the bar and poured him a cup of coffee. It was the least he could do. He put the steaming hot cup of black liquid in front of him. Luhan finally looked up and gestured that he didn’t want the coffee.

“I can’t afford it, but thank you.” The younger said and pushed the cup in Minseok’s direction. He pushed it right back and said this one was on the house and Luhan eagerly took a sip. He saw him visibly relax when the coffee slowly disappeared. The air around them was still tense and Minseok was highly anticipating the reason why Luhan was here.

“So…” he started. “I heard what happened to you. I am sorry you’re going through a difficult time.”

Luhan perked up and looked at him with wide eyes, and a hint of disbelief flickered in his sparkly brown eyes. “W-wait.. You’re… you’re sorry?” He asked.

“Yeah I am. It must be tough for you” Minseok answered.

“I thought you might be happy considering how I’ve treated you” Luhan muttered loud enough for Minseok to hear him. Once again he looked like a deflated balloon.

“Just because I think you’ve been acting like a doesn’t mean I wish bad things to happen to you. It’s always possible that you acted the way you did due to personal problems or insecurities. I wouldn’t know about that. So no, I am not happy and neither will I celebrate your misery. It would only make me a bad person if I did.” Minseok said. He really thought that Luhan didn’t deserve all of this. No one did, but he could understand why Luhan would think that way. Everyone else around him, or that knew him was celebrating this news. Even Sehun and Chanyeol had laughed at it and they only knew Luhan from the occasions he visited the establishment.

“ Well you’re not completely wrong. I am terribly sorry for hurting you the way I did and no word would even be able to excuse my behaviour. Although I... “ Luhan hesitated. He was biting his bottom lip, looking unsure whether to continue or not.

“You don’t have to tell me if you’re not ready for it. I understand” Minseok assured him. It was already a big deal for them to be talking normally and he didn’t want to pressure Luhan in saying something he wasn’t ready for. They weren’t particularly friendly so he understood why the younger would have trouble with expressing emotions, or honesty towards someone he hardly knew.

“Thank you. Anyway… I came here hoping to run into you. I know that we aren’t exactly friends, and that I am in no position of asking things of you but.. Well… I was hoping if you’d be willing to help me with getting a job. Or to just sit down with me once a week and talk about how you’re doing this all. I realise I’ve been incredibly spoiled and if I am completely honest you’re the only one I know who works this hard” Luhan told him.

He was surprisingly honoured with what he just heard. In a way Luhan admired him and was now asking to learn from him. It was also a relief to him that Luhan seemed to know that what he did was wrong, that he was spoiled and that he has been treating Minseok rather unfairly. It made him happy that even the most arrogant and spoiled kid in school recognized how hard he was working, and how hard he fought for all the things he possessed right now. Life wasn’t a joke and you had to be strong to handle every hardship that may come at you. For Luhan this was (probably) the first hardship he’s ever faced and seeing the boy in front of him, looking lost and hopeless made his heart ache a little. He hadn’t realised that he had zoned out before he caught Luhan grabbing his jacket with a sad expression.

“I am sorry if I have bothered you. I understand that you’re not willing to help me and that’s okay. I thought I’d take a shot at it anyhow. Once again I am terribly sorry that I have caused you pain all this time. I hope that perhaps one day you’d be able to forgive me. Have a good day Seokkie.” Luhan said with a small but proud smile. Minseok stopped him before he was able to leave the restaurant.

“No wait Luhan, I’ll be happy to sit down with you and talk. I mean I know we’re not friends but, who knows, we might turn out like that, right?” Minseok smiled seeing Luhan’s face light up. The younger walked back to the counter and wrote something on a small piece of paper.

“This is my number. Just text me when you’re off work okay? So we could talk more? If you want that is. It’s all up to you since I wouldn’t want to force you into something that might make you comfortable. If it does, no hard feelings. I have to run now. See ya Seokkie~” Luhan exclaimed happily before he quickly ran out of the door. Minseok could see a faint skip in his step and smiled to himself.

It was a great feeling to help someone like Luhan out. It was an amazing feeling to see the guy smile, and to see the sparkle in his eye become more prominent. ‘God he’s handsome’ Minseok thought before he leaned his head onto the bar, staring dreamily towards the door. Sehun came over and snapped him out of the daze he currently found himself in.

“Uuuuh, earth to Minseok? Luhan has been long gone so can you wipe the drool off your face so you can wait on table three?” Sehun asked whilst smirking.

His hands instantly flew to his mouth but he felt nothing wet there. He slapped a laughing Sehun on the back before he rushed to table three with red stained cheeks. No way that he had just been caught dreaming about Luhan. What the hell was he even doing thinking about the guy? Just because he lowkey forgave him, and decided to help him didn’t mean he had the right to develop a crush on him. ‘No he’s just handsome nothing more. Aish min you’re going crazy’  he thought to himself.

*****

After Minseok finished work and endured more teasing of his colleagues he decided to send Luhan a text. He had been thinking about the younger’s proposition and he thought that it was an extremely nice gesture to give him control over the situation. That he could access whether he would be alright with the contact and that Luhan would understand if the outcome of that was negative. That showed him that Luhan had changed a little bit already. Before he had never been considerate about anyone, except maybe his friends. Besides Minseok could always back out if Luhan started acting up again. All he had to do was not getting too attached, and that meant trying to keep his thoughts in check. That meant no more thinking he’s handsome, no more thinking about the cute smile, nor his sparkly eyes. Those three were forbidden territory.

Minseok took his phone, and the slip of paper out of his pocket and sent a quick text to Luhan.

To Luhan:

I’ve been thinking about your offer and I am still willing to sit down and talk, as long as I am treated with kindness and respect I am in - Minseok

Satisfied with his message he pressed send and furthered his way home, enjoying the brisk air. It was slightly cold but he still enjoyed it. The air felt fresh to him and he took a deep breath when he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket.

From Luhan:

Tomorrow at noon at the campus cafe work for you? :D Lu

Minseok smiled at the cute little smiley at the end of the text. He also thought it was endearing that Luhan had signed with ‘Lu’  instead of his full name like he did. Perhaps he had been a bit too formal with it all. It wasn’t like they were strangers. They had known each other for about a year now even though they weren’t on good terms. Minseok decided that noon worked perfectly for him and quickly sent something back before the younger went to bed and wouldn’t be able to see it anymore. It was late after all and not everyone was an evening person like himself.

To Luhan:

That works perfectly. See you then - Seokkie

He smiled at himself. A wave of happiness came over him when he looked at the text full of happy faces that he got back from Luhan. It truly was a great feeling to do this for someone else. Minseok only hoped that his act of kindness wouldn’t bite him in the anytime soon.

*****

It was 11.45am and Minseok was already sitting at the cafe with a steaming cup of americano and a red velvet cupcake. Since he has always been very punctual he was always the first one to arrive whenever he had a meeting. He didn’t like it when people stood him up at appointments so he wouldn’t want to return the favour. Every minute he’d look at his phone to see whether it was noon yet, and after that his eyes would glance over to the door. He was eagerly anticipating Luhan’s arrival. Curiosity taking over the thought of being careful. He wondered what it was that Luhan wanted to know, or what were the things that he needed advice on. Perhaps on how to built a resume, or how to sell yourself when applying for a job, or how to present oneself at a job interview. And maybe they had to start at the very beginning, where to apply for jobs. Since Luhan had no previous experience on the matter Minseok was prepared for pretty much anything.

Minseok looked at his phone and saw that it was 12.01pm. ‘Hmm punctuality would also be one of the things we need to work on’ he thought when there was still no sign of Luhan. But since this was also a means of getting closer to each other and perhaps built a friendship he was willing to let it slide.

At 12.05 Luhan finally entered the cafe and Minseok had just ordered a second cup of coffee. The younger was slightly out of breath and bowed profusely when he arrived at their table.

“I am so sorry for being late but my mum insisted on knowing where I was off to and why I needed a small amount of money” Luhan said. Minseok just shook his head.

“I could’ve bought you a cup of coffee. Asking your mum for money isn’t really how you develop independence.” Minseok said disapprovingly. Wasn’t all of this because he had to learn how to be mature, and to work for what he wanted?

“I suppose, but she gave me money anyway!” Luhan exclaimed excitedly. Waving a few green paper bills in front of his face. He ran over to the counter and bought himself an iced americano.

Minseok had never seen him so happy buying something, or spending money. Normally he didn’t care how much he spend or what he decided to buy with it. He had been really careless, but now he wasn’t like that anymore. Minseok saw the younger eyeing the money and the pastries display, most likely pondering whether to get a little snack for himself but opting not to. Minseok smiled to himself. ‘Looks like he’s really getting the hang of it’ he thought before Luhan sat down across from him.

“And i’ve got enough money left to buy myself, and you a cup of coffee later on” the younger said. He was beaming in his seat, a big smile on his face. Minseok saw his eyes contained that sparkle again. The one that was always present whenever Luhan was at his happiest.

“Or you buy yourself a cup of coffee later on and save the rest for when you need it the most.” Minseok said sternly, trying to teach Luhan the importance of saving money.

“That would be smarter yeah. See I am already learning. Thank you Seokkie~” Luhan spoke excitedly and with a childlike charm. Minseok thought it was a cute action and smiled a little smile as well. Feeling completely at ease he fully relaxed into his seat, hands warming themselves on the hot coffee mug. Right now, and not taking any negativity into consideration, Minseok truly felt like this could be the start of something good.

*****

A/N: Good evening/morning/night/afternoon (whenever you're reading this). Another update from me *claps hands like a seal*. This time in Minseok's POV again.

I am overwhelmed by all the support I am getting from all of you guys. Already 51 subscribers , WOW! In my wildest dreams I wouldn't have thought that I would ever get this many on a fic that I wrote. However, thank you all so very much for the love. It truly makes it so much easier to keep on writing this, and providing you with quality updates.

What do you guys think? Is minseok being stupid for letting his guard down all the time? and what about Luhan huh? Would he be able to change for the better.

Please be patient and wait for the next update to find out.

I love you all <3