Work Text:
Today was the day. Today was the due day of the most important event of the year. Sounds like a pregnancy announcement… But to Joshua, it really was as if all his prayers had been answered and something he had been yearning for a long time would finally be born into this world. Well, yearning for only three months, actually. But to Joshua, it felt like a century.
That something?
A calendar. A calendar that his company was creating for the employees and anyone else interested, all the sales donations going to a charitable cause.
Joshua was very excited . For very specific reasons . He just couldn’t let his coworkers know of his excitement. Opposite to the wishful thinking, that proved to be a challenge, as this calendar was the only topic his coworkers talked about today.
The morning coffee:
“I'm quite intrigued to see the pictures myself. Not that I needed to pre-order or anything…” dipping his tea bag in-&-out of the mug, his co-worker Jun said, chilling by their department's kitchen counter.
“Well, it is coming out tomorrow, it will be so fun arriving in the morning to an utter chaos of everyone screaming about those pictures,” Chan added with a smirk, unwrapping his snickers bar. Joshua usually sat in the kitchen's corner in the morning, eating breakfast in peace whilst observing everyone else. Just like he was doing right now.
Thinking of what Chan had just said, Joshua’s mind was quick to add: “Technically, it's coming out at midnight…”
“Technically, it’s coming out at midnight!” Seungkwan quickly replied to Chan, almost spooking Joshua out of his seat. Was Seungkwan a mind reader?! Or was he as excited as Joshua himself… He could not tell, as Seungkwan’s face hid behind the steam of his coffee cup.
Jun snickered. “Oh, someone is keeping a check. Is it due to a special guy from the accountancy department, who took part in it?” He teased Seungkwan, who looked like he was about to throw that cup of bean juice right on Jun’s crotch.
“NoT thAT i NEeD To pRE-orDeR Or ANytHIng– Shut it, Jun!” Seungkwan looked like that one spongebob meme, speaking in a silly voice, that dialed back into the sass real quick. “You and your “little office friendship” with Xu from the graphics design team, which is orchestrating this whole ordeal, is a scam. Yall are banging, you are getting everything for free and I'm onto your asses.”
“I will neither approve or deny these accusations. Besides I get a free copy anyways, i am Mr. June… or should I say… Mr. Jun~” Jun pushed up his glasses and looked in the distance like a main protagonist.
“Ok, Switzerland, keep this neutral stance. Just know, your puns are as lame as your fake glasses-”
As Seungkwan proceeded to drag his colleague, Joshua didn’t even notice Chan sliding next to him with a whisper, “No need to wait for tomorrow's release, the chaos is already happening. Are you awaiting the drop too, Joshua?”
“Midnight’s release-” Joshua replied way too fast and his brain stopped for a moment. “No, totally not awaiting anything.”
Good save.
During the toilet break:
Joshua had never held in something whilst on the toilet so fiercely, as he did right now.
Outside of his cabin by the urinals stood his co-workers Wonwoo, the one who almost never speaks & keeps anything he learns to himself and Jeonghan, the one who always speaks & blabs anything he learns to everyone else. A dangerous combo if put together.
And Joshua was afraid they already knew too much about him.
“Did you order yours, Jeon Wonwoo?” Jeonghans voice echoed in the bathroom and the mischief he held in those words vibrated on the bathroom tiles.
“Shut it, Yoon.”
“You do know, who is in it? Starts with Min, ends with G-”
“I know perfectly well who is in it and I will remind you to be more careful, as you seem to have no remorse for your own reputation.” This was probably the most Joshua had ever heard Wonwoo speak in a single sentence. He too seemed to be affected by this subject.
A gasp. “I am loud and proud of my purchase. Cheolly will have to accept my love one way or another~”
“You are so getting fired for workplace misconduct…”
And with those last words from Wonwoo, both left the bathroom.
That was the hardest shit Joshua had ever taken.
And even by his work desk:
When Joshua thought nothing of this whole ordeal would bother him whilst he was working, his boss, the marketing team lead Choi Seungcheol, came by his desk.
“Hey, guys! Just reminding, that you still can pre-order the calendar if you haven’t. The charity, for which all the sales will go to, was decided by CEO’s Chae & Lee to be “Reproduction of wild frog endangered species”. Gotta save those frogs!” He spoke, putting hands on Joshua’s and Soonyoungs, the opposite side deskmates, desks.
“Don’t have to tell me twice, boss. Probably was the first one to order lot’s of calendars to put them on our bedroom wall, in our hallway and under the Christmas tree as Jihoon’s present. Oh, the look on his face will be priceless once he returns from his work trip and sees that beauty all over our apartment. After all, i am Mr. January~” Soonyoung chirped, a cheeky smile plastered on his face. He probably was already picturing his husband's face and the aftermath of it all.
“That will either end in a divorce or you will be asked to put on that sexy snowman costume again.” A wild Jeonghan appeared, sliding his hand around Seongcheol’s bicep and grinning, “Boss, i want you to know, that every month next year for me will be august.”
Seongcheol removed Jeonghans hand. “Yoon, I've told you many times. Stop with this promiscuity and inappropriate behaviour at the workplace.”
“Fine. But when we step out of this building after 5pm, your ass is mine, Cheol.”
“I’m trying to work here…” Joshua huffed out, feeling like his soul was about to be exposed under Jeonghan’s scrutinous eyes that were now glaring at him.
“I’m sure there are many things you need to work out, Joshua~” Jeonghan winked and, slapping his boss's butt, headed back to his desk…
By now, you might ask, what is all this excitement over a calendar? (Or you already figured it out by Jeonghans intense simping for Seungcheol.)
You see, it becomes more than a calendar, when for a small sum of money, you can freely gawk at the hottest coworkers your company has.
The CEO’s Lee Hoseok and Chae Hyungwon thought it would be fitting to exploit some volunteering employees for a charity by making a “Sexy calendar”, where for each month there would be one hot guy, dressed according to the theme of that month.
If Joshua had to guess, he would guess CEO Chae, the perv he is, just wanted to see his husband, CEO Lee, topless on the cover of it.
And, to even the CEO’s surprise, many were up to free that nipple for a good cause.
Now, not everyone was popular just for their ‘hot bod’. Sure, someone like Mingyu from HR was built with the right amount of meat in each of his pecs and was told by the CEO’s themselves he has no choice but to take part in it. And the man being a humanification of a golden retriever was glad to immediately take his shirt off.
But, for example, Vernon from accounting was very popular within the ladies of the company (and Boo Seungkwan) for his charming, actor-like face and agreed to pose only if he could wear a cool leather jacket and even cooler sunglasses.
Although Joshua’s team leader Choi Seungcheol said that it took a while convincing him to partake in the project, Joshua deep down knows Choi was one of the first ones to agree to pose all hot for a hot summer month. Eating cherries topless or something along the lines of Jeonghan’s many blabbers. The marketing team overall was quite popular for good looking guys, as Jun and Soonyoung also participated in the event.
But what do hot guys in a calendar have to do with Joshua and Joshua’s extreme excitement?
A sudden laugh that entered their office space from the kitchen made Joshua’s eyes revert from his flustered team lead to the man, who owned that bright and beautiful laughter. And the daily dose of butterflies-in-stomach made their way right to Joshua’s heart strings. And to his cheeks, having trouble hiding their rosy tint.
You see, there was one more guy from the marketing team participating in the project.
His name was Lee Seokmin.
A man, who joined the company only last year, but with his light humor and nice personality became everyone's favourite colleague. A man who could find a positive note in every situation and would be the first one to join a group activity. A man, who rolled up his sleeves way too many times, exposing biteable arms. A man who’s kind heart was displayed in his kind smile, that lit up a room and made Joshua’s little, poor heart cry each God-damn time- OH, Joshua should not use the Lord's name like that… you see what Lee Seokmin did to him?!
Joshua had the hardest of a crush on Seokmin and only harder than his crush… was how hard Seokmins nose and eyes were right now, as they were staring back at Joshua.
Joshua just couldn’t keep it in his pants- wait no, ON his pants, that is. Keep his stupid, love struck stare on his pants, desk, anywhere else, than gawking at the most handsome man ever like a deer caught in headlights.
Oh, now why Seokmin is coming towards him?!
“Joshua!” He cheerfully said and Joshua anticipated to explain, that he wasn’t staring at him or his nose in any shape or form. But wasn’t able to process that thought, when Seokmin put some papers on his desk. “Added small adjustments, but overall- really good material. Your presentation tomorrow will be a hit, I can feel it.”
“Oh.. thank you, Seokmin.”
Joshua took the papers and a slight blush of embarrassment hit his cheeks. Right. Seokmin is his editor. Joshua really forgets it every time he gets lost in the thoughts about the other’s charm.
And his God-damn arms- FORGIVE ME, CHRIST!
Seokmin leaned down on Joshua’s table, a small grin still on his face. “Tomorrow the pictures will come out. Me and Chan decided to check them out over breakfast. Care to join us?”
“Only if you are as handsome as you are saying you will be,” Joshua replied, much calmer than his brain was screaming this sentence out.
He and Seokmin were actually good work pals and got along just nicely. They make silly, but kind remarks in their convos and always were ready to help each other out. Only when this stupid crush had started to bloom in Joshua’s chest, Joshua started to act like a fool. He was thankful Seokmin had yet to notice.
“All right. I’ll take you up on your words, just you wait~” Seokmin said and winked, before going back to his desk.
Why… just why… Seokmin, the things you are doing to poor little Joshua’s heart. And that heart was already on the brink of jumping out of Joshua, learning there would be whipped cream involved in Seokmin’s photo.
Or, more precisely, white whipped cream moustache, staring back at Joshua.. with whipped cream on Seokmins chin… and on chest, little “hair” swirls made out of the cream.
Joshua’s mouth was on the floor.
It was precisely 00:01, when the digital version of the calendar pictures finally downloaded from Joshua’s e-mail. That minute seemed like eternity. Yes, he ordered both a physical copy AND digital photos of the calendar. As a loyal Seokmin simp, he needed to see the picture ASAP. But he could not let anyone know, going as far as to make a brand new e-mail address and using his grandmother's bank card for the purchase.
Oh, sweet tapdancing Christ… he really was on Jeonghan's level, wasn’t he. This is not what they taught him in Sunday school (this is exactly what they taught him in Sunday school).
But now looking back at him was the gorgeous Mr.December. The beautiful Lee Seokmin with his whipped cream moustache, his red velvet hat and pants, that were held up by suspenders, that strapped nicely over his bronze, topless chest.
With one hand he was pulling a sleigh, which had many gift boxes stacked on top of one another. Whilst his other hand held… a box of chocolate and roses?! Well, if this Santas mission was to seduce, count Joshua seduced, charmed and undressed, waiting for him under his Christmas tree.
Joshua’s cheeks had blushed deep and he felt like giggling at how handsome the, undoubtedly, love of his life looked. He still needed to prepare for tomorrow morning's meeting, making the last bits of his powerpoint presentation. However, he couldn’t resist clicking back on the image tab every 10 seconds, taking more glances at the handsome, whipped-stache Claus.
He could whip Joshua too, if he wanted. Just gaying.
However, sleep land soon called Joshua and he closed his laptop, before he started snoozing on top of it. Luckily for him, his dreams were made of a certain Santa Claus and the jingle of the Santa’s Christmas bells.
~~~
“Morning! We are already waiting for you-” Seungkwan probably had never seen his ever so punctual co-worker so out of place, Joshua rushing into the office at the last moment. “Slept in? Should I make you a cup of coffee?”
“Morning. I literally woke up, pressed the alarm and then proceeded to go back to sleep. I am not myself today.” Joshua replied, dropping his coat on his desk and rushing with his pc and presentation papers to the meeting room. Nevertheless, even in the rush he gave a small polite smile to Seungkwan. “I’ll get some coffee afterwards, thank you though.”
As Joshua got into the meeting room, he exhaled seeing everyone happily chatting amongst themselves, so he relaxed a bit and apologised for the delay, “So sorry everyone, i’ll get the presentation started right away.”
“No worries, Joshua. Everyone is discussing other things anyways…” Seungcheol replied and Joshua mentally sneered, knowing the heated topic of the calendar was on everyone's agenda today. He plugged the presentation screens HDMI cord in the laptop and opened it, quickly proceeding to fix the papers on the clipboard Seokmin had given him yesterday.
“...exactly things like that.”
Seungcheol stated and only then the sudden quietness that had taken over his colleagues, settled upon Joshua's ears. Raising his eyes, Joshua was met with wide stares and few even wider grins all looking at the screen. Sitting at the other end of the large table was Seokmin, eyebrows slightly raised and a small smile quirking up his lip. Joshua’s breath hitched and he looked at the large display screen…
Which was largely displaying the opened image tab of the sexy Seokmin with his whipped cream moustache.
“Oh GOD, oh no-” It was like Joshua had seen a ghost, as he loudly screamed and in a heartbeat closed down all the internet tabs. Which only made the pink in his cheeks turn into an alarming shade of red, realising everyone was seeing his background… His background also being still the same picture of Seokmin.
Just a silly midnight idea. Oh, midnight Joshua, you will get strangled by the current Joshua.
“No, no, nO, NO!” Joshua muttered, frustrated at how slowly the Powerpoint was loading and how intensely Santa Seokmin was staring at him. Joshua could not look up to see the real Seokmins eyes, he didn’t even dare to imagine what his colleague thought of him now.
Finally the presentation opened and Joshua wasted no time to let it play, at last raising his flushed face. Just for a quick moment his eyes met Seokmin's, but Joshua zoned out of them real quick, hoping to disappear forever… Well, after this presentation was done.
His voice cracked multiple times and each time he picked his eyes up and saw any of his colleagues faces looking at him, Joshua inwardly set himself on fire. Somehow he got through the presentation, disclosing all the points to his best abilities in this current breakdown worthy state.
“So, any questions?” Ending his whole speech, Joshua asked and looked at his still colleagues, no one making any sound. Well, except for lovely Seokmin, who raised his hand, that little, quirky smile still masking his lips.
“WELL! If there aren’t any questions-” He pulled the cord out and shut his laptop with a loud thud, already stacking the clipboard on top of it, “My part is done then and I will send you all the further points through Teams.”
Choosing to ignore Seokmin all at once, Joshua swooped everything up in his arms and was out the meeting room's door. In a quick step passing all the desks, he murmured a “ I’ll have my coffee and lunch earlier ” to Seungkwan, who probably was trying to jump on Joshua with a bunch of questions Joshua was not ready to answer. He walked right into the elevator and pressed the first floor button, turning around only the moment the doors began to close.
But even through that small gap, his eyes still met with Seokmin’s ones on the other side.
Joshua had not thought it through, when the chilly December air hit his jacket-less arms, so he just ran into the Italian restaurant across the street and plopped down the nearest chair by the window. As he dropped his PC and clipboard on the chair next to him, thus he dropped his head on the table's marbled surface.
What. Did. Just. HAPPEN?!?!?!?!?
How did he not only expose his mega bombastic crush to the crush itself, but also his whole ass work department. And in the showcase of a sexy picture, that Joshua made the LAPTOPS BACKGROUND?! THE LAPTOP HE WAS ALSO USING FOR WORK!! What was he even thinking yesterday…
Well, his lovestruck heart would’ve revealed itself one way or another, Joshua just wished it wasn’t through such a public exhibition of sinful thirsting.
Well, what now? Ignoring the teasing that will definitely follow Joshua wherever he goes now, it will surely be so awkward between him and Seokmin. Doesn’t matter if they decided to speak on it or not, the air will be so heavy, that Joshua will choke out. And the only thing Joshua wants to be choked out by are those nicely sculpted arms, Seokmin’s shirt sometimes being too tight to even go over those toned biceps- OK, JOSHUA, YOU ARE STILL SIMPING EVEN AFTER ALL THAT JUST HAPPENED?!
Leaving his work would be stupid, Joshua really likes his job, but this whole thing really takes the cake in his notebook of utter failures and maybe it would be for the best to just have a disgrace filled leave… that, or just never going back today, telling no one nothing and taking the first flight to Antarctica and sitting on an iceberg with only him, himself and I.
“Hello, what can I get you today?” The waitress's voice abruptly pulled Josh out of his monologue and he slowly peeled himself off the table's surface.
Only to be met with no other than the face of Seokmin, sitting oppositely to him and neatly checking the menu.
“Yeah, we will share umm.. a piccha. You don’t have pepperoni, right?” Rubbing his chin in almost a theatrical manner, Seokmin asked the waitress.
“We have either salami or a ham one!”
Seokmin mulled over her answer, looking at Joshua. “I guess salami would be perfect then, what do you think, dear?”
There was no thought in Joshua's head whatsoever, as the man kept gawking at Seokmin like a deer caught in the headlights. Seokmin smiled and looked back at the waitress. “We will have the salami one then. He wanted to drink some coffee, he likes it with milk. I will have some sparkling water, please.”
“Oh, and~” Just as the waitress had taken the menus and was about to step away, Seokmin called after her, “Can we get some of your homemade ice cream too afterwards? I wanna treat my date to it.”
With those last words, Seokmins gentle eyes found their way back to Joshua's ones, who still could not comprehend what in the world and heaven was going on or how this man appeared in front of him. Joshua was so lost in his own mental train crash, that he had missed the door opening or the chair opposite to him slide- Wait, did Seokmin just say date?!
Neither of them said anything for a solid moment, that soft smile of Seokmins not disappearing for even a second. The latter saw the lonely hands of Joshua’s on the table and reached out for one, gently taking it in his own.
“Oh, your hands are cold, Joshua,” Seokmin stated, taking the whole hand between his two palms to warm it up, “We need to get you some tea later.”
Still not getting anything from the frozen Joshua, Seokmin removed his hands, “Sorry, I might have made it awkward…”
“No, no, that’s not it- And how can this be called “awkward” after.. after that whole… oh my God-” Like a deflating balloon, a hefty, kept in breath escaped Joshua and from a frozen statue, he melted into a puddle, warm cheeks inflaming upon his face. And yet, he did not expect Seokmin to once again grab not only his one hand, but both of them.
Joshua looked down at them. “Seokmin, I can’t express how deeply apologetic I am-”
“Then don’t. Nothing to apologise for~” The other replied nonchalantly, like Joshua's whole fat crush on him WASN’T just exposed to the whole office.
Joshua was baffled to bits and could not decipher what Seokmin was thinking right now. “Seokmin… What are you doing here? Why did you follow me?”
“Well…” Seokmin started, holding the hands tighter and smiling even deeper into his cheeks. “When a man named Joshua expresses his interest in me and then goes running off, my sole duty becomes to go after him. So I could catch him and tell, that I am head over heels smitten for him and he should not run away.”
“You are WHAT?!”
“Your drinks~” The waitress placed their drinks down, Seokmin giving a small ‘thank you’ and releasing his hold of Joshua’s hands to push around the drinks on the table… all so casually LIKE HE DIDN’T JUST PROFESS HIS OWN FEELINGS TO JOSHUA?!
Yet those hands quickly found their way back to Joshua’s and Seokmin deeply looked into his eyes.
“My dear Joshua. You don’t know it, but everytime you smile, I feel like a flower blossoms in my heart and all I want to do is pluck it and put it behind your ear, next to your pretty, kind eyes. Which are as kind as you yourself are and as pretty as your… everything, gosh, you are so gorgeous~ I hope you know it, cause I have wanted to tell you that everyday since the last Christmas ball we had in the office…” That ‘just a chill guy’ demeanor seemed to be crumbling, as a blush entered Seokmin’s cheeks and his eyes dropped on their hands at the last sentence, now fumbling with Joshua’s fingers.
“That’s when I fell for you. How you participated in all games with such glee, how you gave everyone cookies you baked yourself and just.. you were so gorgeous next to Christmas lights. I thought it would be just a one time passing thought, but everyday I fell deeper, it was hard to play it cool…”
“You like me…” Joshua’s mouth fell open and his cheeks turned to red, realising the whole premises for this confession. “And I am in love with you, but the way you find that out is through knowledge that I drooled over you in a sexy Santa Claus suit!”
“Hey, hey! I take it as a huge bonus and a self esteem boost- Oh… Joshy… You are in love with me?”
With the biggest, cutest eyes, full of unguarded trust and fondness, Seokmin looked at Joshua and it was Joshua’s turn to play with Seokmins hands.
“Yes. I’m in love with you, Seokmin.” Joshua started, probably dumb (not in Seokmin’s eyes though) smile growing on his face. “I’ve been for a really long time. It did not take a miracle for me to crush on the new, cute, energetic colleague. And it definitely didn’t take much more to fall deeper for that bright smile of that energetic colleague, for his charming looks and his even more “prince charming” ways of always helping me out, whether that be in the editorial work or just plainly drying the mugs i was washing in the office kitchen, without even asking.”
“You are so lovable and funny, and smart, and look really good in office shirt, please don’t stop wearing them- okay, that might have been weird-” Joshua rambled, just for Seokmin to laugh and interrupt him with a ‘ I will literally wear it always, if it means I would see that cute smile of yours ’.
“So, offering you every bit of my heart and my hands, that you are already so gently holding, I just- I want to ask you on a date.” Taking a deep breath, Joshua looked at Seokmin with a shy and flustered, yet nevertheless hope filled eyes.
Seokmin let out a cheeky giggle and dreamily looked around. “I thought we already are on a date~”
“You thought what?!” Joshua exclaimed. Though the thought of it being a date made his beating heart soar in a thrill, he wanted their first true date to be romantic and without the embarrassing images of his colleagues' shocked faces fresh in his memory.
“No, no, not in these work clothes and not during work hours, especially after the whole theatre I pulled up there. A proper date… I want to ask you on a proper date, Seokmin.”
“Hmm, since you seem to fancy that Santa Claus attire so much, any clothes may be arranged~” With a cheeky grin, Seokmin sneered, but that sneer quickly evaporated into a giggle as he pressed Joshua’s hands to his mouth, kissing his knuckles. “I would love to go on a date with you, Joshy. In fact, I was planning to ask you the same thing in a day or two anyways. I was seeing how Chan giddy’s up to you in the mornings and started to suspect he might have a slight sympathy towards you and would ask you to the Christmas ball, so i had to get to you before he did…”
“Chan?! He’s like my son…” Whilst 50 percent of Joshua was surprised by what Seokmin had just revealed, the other 50 percent was turned on from just hearing how Seokmin was ready to claim him before someone else did. And claim Joshua he will.
But any ungodly thoughts were quickly dismissed into the fractions of Seokmin’s mushy smile and absolutely adorable eye crinkles, as Seokmin grinned, “No, Joshua… he’s OUR son.”
And both Joshua and Seokmin laughed, their pizza arriving in a perfect moment, as finally the fear and embarrassment had seeped out of Joshua, leaving only a feeling of hunger and a huge pile of butterflies over a flowering meadow heart. Seokmin likes him as much as he likes Seokmin, and Joshua had no words to describe his happiness right now.
Even with lunch break being over, they couldn’t find themselves leaving the restaurant, as they could finally talk about everything out in the open without Joshua’s need to hide his obvious crush. Heck, Seokmin even spoon fed him the ice cream and Joshua was ready to marry him (but only after that first proper date).
When they finally left the restaurant, the cold air hit Joshua through the thin material of his office shirt. Though not even a second later a warm arm looped around his shoulders, Seokmin covering both of them in his coat. If it meant to have Seokmin around him like this, maybe Joshua should forget his jacket more often.
When they got back to the office with Seokmins' arm still wrapped around him, Joshua could not hide the utter glee he was feeling, even with coworkers' eyes on them both. Seungkwan threw him an encouraging smile, though Joshua knew that tomorrow's breakfast will end up being an interrogation, getting asked the full extent of tea by him and Jeonghan.
Seokmin giving Joshua a cheek kiss, before he let Josh return to his table was the cherry on top of all the whipped cream Joshua could mentally taste.
Yes, he is still talking about the God-damn cream moustache.
And what Joshua prays for on those Sunday mornings, thus he receives. Because after the before mentioned office Christmas party, in which Joshua and Seokmin could not be separated, they both went back to Seokmin’s place, where Seokmin showed more places whipped cream can be put on….
As in, he put whipped cream moustache also on Joshua.
~The end~