Junhyuk stood at the counter of the café. He had come in with a craving for something sweet but when he went inside, thinking there will be simple pastries, he ended up in the center of the most complicated café he’s ever seen. Gluten-free, Kosher, Wheat Grass, Soy, Organic, what was all of this? Can he just get a regular doughnut?

“Sir, are you ready to order?” Junhyuk felt like this was a life or death situation.

“Uhm…doughnut?”

“Oh, sure! Which kind? We have gluten-free doughnuts, doughnuts made from wheat grass, kosher doughnuts~” The cashier continued to list different kinds of doughtnuts but none were specific kinds of flavors…or none that Junhyuk recognized.

“Chocolate?” That word itself launched the cashier to explain a whole new set of doughnuts and Junhyuk began to wonder what world he walked himself in to. Maybe he should’ve gone to Saitama, Japan instead of Washington D.C. He at least knew some Japanese and has been there before.

“Uh…”

“He’ll have a mango smoothie.” Junhyuk when a girl appeared basically out of thin air. Where the hell did she come from?

“Excuse me?” The cashier wondered. The girl turned to Junhyuk with a smile.

“You like mangos, right?” Junhyuk was shocked to hear Korean come from the girl who obviously wasn’t Asian. He merely nodded his head, prompting the girl to add two more smoothies to the order and then paying. When Junhyuk saw her handing a credit card over, he quickly intercepted.

“No, no, no! It’s okay, let me pay! A lady shouldn’t pay.” The girl cocked an eyebrow.

“Uhhhhh….okay. I mean, you don’t have to pay for me.” She kept the credit card out.

“No, it’s okay! Let me, please. Think of it as a thank you for helping me.” Junhyuk quickly got his wallet out and handed the cashier his own credit card. The girl put her credit card away and moved off to the side with Junhyuk, taking the buzzer from the cashier.

“If you don’t mind me asking but how did you know that I was Korean?” Junhyuk asked as the two found an empty table.

“I heard you muttering to yourself over the menu when we were in line. I was able to recognize some words.” The girl then bowed a little to Junhyuk. “I’m Rani, by the way.” Junhyuk grinned before sticking his hand out for Rani to shake.

“I’m Choi Junhyuk but you can call me oppa.” Junhyuk winked, only to blush after he realized how cheesy he was being.

“What year were you born?” Rani asked. Junhyuk grinned. “1992.” He proudly stated.

Rani smirked before saying what year she was born. “1991. That makes me noona.” Junhyuk’s jaw dropped.

“What?! No way you’re older than me! You look so young.” Junhyuk exclaimed.

“Yah! You’re making it sound like I’m 20 years older than you instead of a year!” Rani lightly smacked Junhyuk’s arm, causing Junhyuk to pout and rub the spot.

“Ah, why did you hit me, noona?” Junhyuk whined.

“Don’t be such a baby.” Rani laughed just as their buzzer went off. The two got up and went to the pick up counter, trading the buzzer for their smoothies.

“When it comes to this café, I don’t even bother with the food. It’s all too complicated like, pastries aren’t supposed to be healthy! But they’re smoothies are pretty good, especially the mango smoothie.” Rani explained as the two walked out of the café.

“How did you find out about the café?” Junhyuk wondered, taking a sip of his smoothie only to widen his eyes at the taste. It was good.

“One of my best friends and housemate found it. She ended up just as confused as you when they were explaining the different paistries and she speaks English. She showed up back at our job with smoothies from the café and burgers from McDonald’s.” Rani couldn’t help but chuckle as she remembered how her friend explained the story to her. It was even more funny when her friend explained it because she got so animated and would change her voice for different people. Her hands moved more as she got excited or worked up over a retelling.

“Really? She sounds funny.” Junhyuk grinned. Rani nodded her head.

“She is. I mean, not as funny as me but I guess she’s okay.” Rani joked, earning a laugh from Junhyuk. “But yeah, we always go for the smoothies since the food is a little too much for us even though our boss always tells us to eat healthy.”

“Why is it your boss’ concern?” Junhyuk wondered.

“Our job keeps us on our feet and we need to be active and in shape if we want to be safe. We understand where he’s coming from but that doesn’t stop us from eating burgers and pizza.” Rani caused Junhyuk to laugh again.

“Well, those are pretty good.” Junhyuk admitted. The two continued to talk, Rani forgetting that she had a second smoothie.

“Why did you come and visit Washington D.C., of all places in the U.S.?” Rani wondered.

“I’ve never been here before. I thought it would be nice to see but I forgot how bad my English is.” Junhyuk sheepishly said.

“Well because of that, you got to meet me.” Rani smirked. Junhyuk smiled, showing of his perfectly straight, shining white teeth.

“That’s true!” Rani was about to make a smart remark when her phone began to ring. She recognized the personalized ringtone that she had for her housemate so she took her sweet time to answer it.

“Yes, Angie?”

“What’s taking so long?! I have a fever and the only prescription is a mango smoothie.” It was times like these that made Rani question why her and Angie were even friends.

“You did not just…”

“Eonni! I’m so thirsty! I knew I should’ve gone with you.” Rani rolled her eyes, Junhyuk laughing but wondering who it was on the phone.

“I’ll be there soon you big baby.” Rani promised, hanging up before Angie could whine some more. “I’m sorry but apparently I have a child to tend to.” Junhyuk laughed some more.

“It’s okay, I have children too.” Junhyuk chuckled.

“How long are you going to be here for?” Rani asked as the two walked to Rani’s car. Junhyuk insisted on walking her.

“A few weeks.” Junhyuk answered.

“Let me give you my number, in case you need help getting around.” Junhyuk handed over his phone, glad he didn’t have to ask for her number since he’d probably screw up trying to do it. They exchanged numbers and Junhyuk thanked Rani for her help before she drove off. She had offered to give him a ride to where ever he was staying but Junhyuk declined.

A week went by and the entire week, Rani and Junhyuk were texting each other non-stop. She’d tell him about different tourist attractions and other places that only locals really knew about. Sometimes Rani would accompany Junhyuk—he begged her constantly—but because of work, she’d have to decline occasionally. But when she didn’t go with him, Junhyuk was texting her, keeping her posted on what he was doing along with sending selfies of him eating something or posing next to something. In the selfies that Junhyuk had a free hand, he always held up a peace sign and Rani picked up on the fact that it was his go to pose. He’d also stick his tongue out in some pictures, showing off how long it was.

“If I can’t text during work, neither can you.” Angie sassed when she saw Rani texting as they waited for a meeting to start.

“Shut up, I can do what I want.” Rani stated.

“Why?” Angie pouted. Rani looked up only to smirk.

“Because I’m older.” It immediately caused Angie to begin whining about how unfair that was but Rani has learned how to tune her out.

“Is there any other place you recommend?” Junhyuk asked as he and Rani talked on the phone one day.

“Uh…” Junhyuk heard Rani call out to Angie—he found out quickly that Angie was Rani’s infamous housemate—to ask her for any place to visit. Angie’s answered sounded muffled on Junhyuk’s end so he didn’t know what she said.

“How do you feel about clubbing?” Rani asked.

“I like to go to a club every now and then.” Junhyuk admitted.

“Well, this Saturday, Angie and I don’t have to work so we’re going with some friends to a club. If you want, you can come.” Junhyuk grinned.

“Sounds fun. I’d love to go.” Rani couldn’t help but grin either.

“Cool beans. I can pick you up on our way to the club.” Rani offered. Junhyuk agreed and the two continued to plan it out. When they hung up, Rani couldn’t help but feel a little giddy about seeing Junhyuk again while Junhyuk was in the same situation.

Saturday soon arrived and Rani was rushing Angie.

“Why are you rushing me?! We have enough time and I am not about to look ratchet! My eyes need to be on fleek.” Angie exclaimed as she did her eyeliner. It was the last thing she needed to do but she always took her time so the wings were perfect.

“Angie, I will hit you. Hurry the up.” Rani threatened.

“Excuse me for being a perfectionist!” Angie yelled from her room since Rani was downstairs.

Angie was soon finished and the two were heading to Angie’s car. Rani had a jeep and Rani learned that her jeep wasn’t great to use when they go clubbing after Angie complained about her hair messing up. Rani decided that using Angie’s car would keep her from hearing Angie complain. They used Rani’s jeep majority of the time when they went somewhere together so Rani didn’t complain about it.

“This is such a soccer mom car, I swear.” Rani muttered as she got in the passenger seat, Angie getting behind the wheel.

“I don’t hear you complaining when we use it for a stakeout.” Angie’s car was a Subaru Outback wagon and while it was a recent model, Rani still made jokes about the vehicle.

Angie had Rani put in Junhyuk’s hotel into the gps because Angie was prone to get lost and Rani didn’t want to arrive late. When they got to the hotel, Rani called Junhyuk and he was soon down in the lobby within ten minutes. Rani formally introduced Junhyuk and Angie since they knew of each other but didn’t know each other. When Angie spoke in fluent Korean, Junhyuk wasn’t as surprised since Rani had explained a while back that them knowing multiple languages helped them with their job.

“Let’s go baby, turn it up tonight! Woo!” Angie cheered when she started the car.

“Huh, where have I heard that before?” Junhyuk wondered to himself.

The night went by without any issue and Junhyuk had enjoyed himself with Rani, Angie, and their friends. The rest of his time in Washington D.C., Junhyuk spent with both Rani and Angie when they weren’t working. The three would make plans and go hang out somewhere, building a friendship amongst the three but only Junhyuk and Rani communicated basically 24/7 on the phone. By the time Junhyuk had to leave he saw Rani as a very close friend and Angie as a little sister. The two saw him off at the airport the day he went back to South Korea and Junhyuk promised to keep in touch.

“So how’s work been?” Junhyuk asked as he and Rani Skyped.

“Okay. Angie has been in and out of the hospital though.” Rani rolled her eyes at the mention.

“What?! What happened?!” Junhyuk exclaimed. He still hasn’t gotten used to the fact that Angie was very accident proned but he gave Rani plenty of props for handling it. If it had been any of his “children” Junhyuk would be running around like a chicken without it’s head. Rani was definitely more calmer of the two and Junhyuk appreciated that.

“Well, we found out that she’s allergic to pineapple and had to take her when started closing up; she dropped a gun on her foot, nearly breaking her foot while almost shooting someone elses; she got a concussion at a fair; burned her hand with coffee; injured her shoulder when someone hit her with a door. It’s just been a very unlucky month for that child. I’m still surprised our boss let’s her do field work.” Junhyuk laughed at this. He was always questioning how Angie was capable of getting a job in law enforcement. If he had been her dad, he would’ve probably kept her in a bubble or pushed her to a more safer job choice.

“And you, what’s been up with you?” Rani asked. It’s been months since Junhyuk has been in Washington D.C. and the two tried to Skype at least once a week.

“Well, my car got stolen and when they got it back, it had been involved in an ugly crash so it’s getting fixed as we speak. I’m stuck using the bus or a taxi for a while. My mom tried setting me up on a date too.”

“Oh? And how did that go?” Rani wondered.

Junhyuk was silent for a moment, fighting with himself. Over the time that they’ve been talking, Junhyuk had began developing feelings for Rani. It had specifically started when he was still in Washington D.C. but he waved it off as admiration from how they had met yet as the time went, Junhyuk’s feelings grew. He hadn’t said anything though since he didn’t want to possibly ruin their friendship. His friends had though when he made them help him look for a good Christmas/birthday present for Rani since both events were very close to each other. Junhyuk had also gotten something for Angie in hopes of keeping his friends from teasing him too much but they had noticed how much effort Junhyuk had put in finding Rani’s gift.

“It went…okay?” Rani chuckled and shook her head.

“It doesn’t sound like it did.” Rani smirked.

“I mean, it was hard for me since I kind of like someone else.” Junhyuk sheepishly admitted.

“Really now! Are you going to tell me?” Rani wondered with a cocked eyebrow, playful grin on her face.

“Ay, noona! You don’t want to know.” Junhyuk hoped that Rani didn’t notice his blush but she noticed.

“You’re blushing now I really want to know.” Rani laughed. Junhyuk was quiet for a moment deciding that it was now or never.

“You.” Junhyuk said, stopping Rani’s laughs.

“What?” Junhyuk cursed himself in his head before speaking again.

“You. I really like you. I’ve liked you since we first met and it’s just grown ever since. I really, really like you, noona. You don’t have to say anything now but if you don’t like me back then that’s fine but I hope we can continue to be friends. I understand though if you don’t want to but I hope you do since you’re a really cool person and super pretty too and you’re just so amazing and awesome but please think about it and-“ Rani cut off Junhyuk’s rant and that’s when Junhyuk noticed she was blushing and it surprised him since she has said many times that she doesn’t blush. It had caused him to begin to do anything he could to make her blush since he wanted to prove her wrong.

“I like you too, Junhyuk.” Rani admitted. Junhyuk had smiled the biggest smile Rani had ever seen.

“Really, noona? You’re not just saying that?” Junhyuk reminded Rani of a kid on Christmas.

“Yeah, I really like you.” Rani smiled.

“I ing knew you two liked each other! I ing knew it!”

“Angie, I swear to God!” Junhyuk laughed, smiling at Rani.

“It’s okay, my love. She’s just jealous.”

A/N Did anyone catch my SNL reference from the Blue Oyster Cult skit with Will Ferrell? Yes...no? XD Anyways, Ann1914 made this cover and it is absolutely gorgeous! I set it as my lockscreen, I love it so much. Ann, thank you so much--I know I thanked you already but lemme do it again--for this amazing cover, I absolutely love it! Also, happy belated birthday, Rani!