Chapter Text
Valentine's Day. A day that most businesses covet due to the sheer amount of business they often receive, both from couples and from singles either enjoying their single life or moping. One of those businesses happens to be The Dream, the bar owned by Soobin's father, where he is currently finishing up his shift.
Soobin's busy wiping down the counter when he notices two guys making eyes at each other across the room. Holding back a grin, Soobin approaches the closest guy, pointing out his interest while fixing him another drink. "Going to just stare all night, or are you going to make a move?"
"What?! No!" The guy shakes his head erratically. "He's so completely out of my league."
He follows the guy's gaze to his crush once more before sighing. "I hate to break it to you, but that guy's not only in your league, he's in your division and on your team."
"I just…" The guy sighs, looking down at the counter. "It's been a while. I don't want to mess this up."
Soobin leans over, resting his forearms on the bar. "You're cute, that guys into you, and it's Valentine's Day." The guy looks up at him. "I promise you, the only way you can mess this up is by continuing to sit there not seizing your moment."
The guy bites his lip, obviously thinking over Soobin's words. Eventually, he nods. "You're right. Time to man up." He downs the rest of his drink before standing up and making his way over to his crush., who immediately smiles at him.
"Glad to see you finally summoned up the courage."
"Some rewards are worth the risk."
Soobin smiles at the couple before returning to his work. But before he can go back to cleaning, he notices a man dressed in a suit staring at him. The guy has a mischievous smile on his face as he looks Soobin over. Soobin clears his throat and walks down the bar to the male. "Can I help you?"
"Forgive me, I'm just admiring…" He gives Soobin another once over. "Your work. You've really got a way with people, don't you?"
"I do what I can." Soobin shrugs, glancing around for any sign of someone that might be with the stranger. "No date tonight?"
The man shakes his head. "Never on Valentine's. It's the one day I'm always working."
"You get paid on Valentine's Day…" He gestured to the glass in front of the man. "To drink?"
A chuckle comes out of the man. "I'm a senior matchmaker at BigHit Matchmaking Services."
Soobin raises an eyebrow. "Those still exist? I mean, my grandmother once told me about her grandmother using a matchmaker."
"Dating is a full-time job." The man stated seriously. "And many people are fed up with horrible blind dates and cold algorithms."
"Does it work?"
The man shrugs. "I get at least one wedding invitation every week from satisfied clients."
Soobin gave a small hum in interest. "And what's this mysterious job you're on?"
"Charming Bartender," Soobin chuckles as the male gestures out to a couple sitting at a table, "meet my clients."
The girl and guy aren't talking to each other, the girl frowning while the guy's arms are crossed over his chest. "You seriously won't let me post this pic I took of us?" The woman eventually asks.
"It's Valentine's Day." The man states. "Everyone's gonna assume we're together, but this is barely a first date."
The woman's frown deepens. "Yeah, I get it I just…I was having fun."
Soobin hums, turning back to the man in front of him. "Doesn't really feel like love is in the air. You sure you're a senior matchmaker?"
"It may seem callous for me to be hanging back over here…" The man looks back over at his clients. "But in romance, timing is everything."
"And here I was thinking romance is a genuine connection between two people." Soobin muses.
The man chuckles. "I'm afraid you've been sorely misinformed." He turns back to Soobin. "Love is a genuine connection. That's out of anyone's hands. Romance, however…" He shrugs. "That's my expertise."
"Is it?" Soobin tilts his head before pointing over the man's shoulder. "Because it looks like your clients are leaving."
The man turns to see that, sure enough, the couple is standing up from their table. "And that's my cue. When I signal you, bring over your best cocktail."
"I'm guessing it'll be for you." Soobin teases. "To drown your sorrows with because you 'let things stew'."
"I see the claws are out." The man winks at Soobin. "Watch and learn, Bartender." Soobin watches him make his way over to the couple with a smile. "Yeeun, Youngjin, don't leave yet. You head out that door over some silly argument, and you're walking out on the potential love of your lives."
"Love of my life?" Youngjin scoffs quietly. "It's just a date."
The man clears his throat. "Youngjin, you didn't hire me because you wanted to find the like of your life, did you?"
"No, I guess not…"
Yeeun steps forward. "I'm not sure we're actually that compatible. It's important to me that I be able to share my life with my followers."
"And share you should." The man nods in agreement. "But I want to focus on what really matters. And that's what you said earlier, Yeeun. You said that you were having fun."
"I was." Yeeun smiles. "He made me laugh harder than I've laughed in…forever."
The man subtly nods to Soobin, and he hurries over with the mojito he had made while watching the interaction. "And Youngjin, do me a favor. Tell me what you really feel about Yeeun."
Youngjin's eyes widen. "Really? Like…right now? In front of her?"
"Yes, right now." The man then gestures to Soobin. "This lovely bartender even brought you a little liquid courage."
Soobin holds out the drink while Youngjin shakes his head. "I don't think so. It just doesn't seem like a good-"
"If I could just step in here…" Soobin speaks up, cutting Youngjin off and causing the stranger's eyes to widen in surprise. "You should do this. You should open up and be honest with Yeeun."
"And why's that?"
"Because nothing is more attractive than the naked truth." Soobin says simply.
A look of determination crosses Youngjin's face. "You're right." He accepts the drink from Soobin and takes a sip, Soobin subtly winking at the stranger as Youngjin turns to Yeeun. "You are hot. A total 10." Yeeun's cheeks turn bright red while Soobin had to hold back an eyeroll at the superficial compliment.
"Then why were you going to leave?" The matchmaker inquires.
Youngjin shrugs. "She was trying to put me in a box. I felt like she was trying to make me her boyfriend on the first date."
Yeeun steps forward, shaking her head slightly. "I'm so sorry, Youngjin. That's not what I meant at all! I'm not trying to rush things. I want to make sure we click before we even consider being boyfriend and girlfriend."
The couple shares a smile. "If you want to post a pic of us, Yeeun, go ahead." Youngjin tells her. "We're on a date. We're dating."
"That means a lot to me." Yeeun giggles. "But actually…" She sets her phone down on the table before taking Youngjin's hand in hers. "I think I'd rather just enjoy this time with you. Device free."
As the two return to their date, the man turns to Soobin. "That was impressive." He says, his tone showing how impressed he is. "You got a name?"
"Soobin." The bartender smiles. "And you are?"
"Yeonjun." He holds his hand out for Soobin to shake. "A pleasure to work with you." They walk back over to the bar counter, where one of Soobin's coworkers is already standing to take over for the next shift. "And now that we're on a first name basis, I think it's time to take this to the next level."
Soobin raises an eyebrow. "There a 'this' now?"
"There's definitely a 'this'." Yeonjun smiles at him for a few seconds before speaking again. "Go out with me. One a date. Tonight."
"Well, my shift is over…" Soobin sighs, leaning against the counter. "But this is my dad's bar. It needs all the help it can get right now." Yeonjun doesn't seem pleased with Soobin's explanation. "Besides, shouldn't you stick with your clients?"
Yeonjun smiles again as he turns towards the couple. "Something tells me they don't need me anymore." Soobin leans over to see the couple interlocked in a makeout session. "And I think my attention would be better spent on finerthings."
As Yeonjun turns back to him, a weight in his gaze that had Soobin's cheeks warming up, he can't help but nod. "Alright. Lead the way, Yeonjun."
❤️
"Let's see…" Yeonjun hums as the two walk along a trail near a park. "You're intelligent, charming, caring, attractive…"
"I sense a 'but' coming." Soobin chuckles.
Yeonjun chuckles with him, shaking his head. "Somehow you're still single. I wonder why a catch like you hasn't already found someone."
Soobin shrugs. "You're the professional. You tell me." They stop walking and Yeonjun takes a few steps back, inspecting Soobin as if he were inspecting a painting. He waggles his eyebrows playfully, causing Soobin to laugh. "Is this really necessary?"
The matchmaker shushes him, holding up a hand to stop him from talking. "Don't disturb the waves…" Soobin rolls his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest. "Yes, that's it, I've reached my conclusion." He claps his hands together. "You don't do enough things for you." Soobin tilts his head. "From the moment I walked into the bar, you moved heaven and earth to help strangers."
"Helping strangers is good for business." Soobin states. "It turns them into regulars."
Yeonjun raises an eyebrow. "You wouldn't clock when you were supposed to so you could work more hours to help your dad's bar." Soobin bites his lip. "I bet you've spent your whole life not thinking about what you want."
"Okay, that is uncomfortably accurate." Soobin states, suddenly feeling shy.
"My point is," Yeonjun steps closer, "good people like you need TLC too. And we'll start with a treat." He turns around, gesturing for Soobin to come along. "Follow me." Soobin soon found himself eating Valentine's themed ice cream shaped like a rose from a street vendor. "A rose for a rose." Yeonjun says quietly.
Soobin chuckles, trying to hide the blush on his cheeks as they make their way over to a nearby bench. "So how did you end up becoming a matchmaker?"
"My friend, actually." Yeonjun answers. "He was a hopeless romantic. Emphasis on hopeless. I kept watching him strike out. He'd pour his heart out to girls…but on the first date. Or be completely smooth and suave…but wear socks with sandals."
"Ah," Soobin hums. "So, let me guess, you found him love, and discovered your passion for putting people together?"
Yeonjun shrugs. "It was my friend's passion and his endurance in the face of heartbreak. He'd offer someone his whole heart, and when it got stomped on, he listened, he improved, and got back up to try again. I realized pursuing love is one of the bravest things you can do. All I wanted to do after helping my friend was help other people find their courage." Soobin can't help but smile at his words, becoming suddenly aware of how their legs were brushing against each other. Yeonjun also seems to notice, as he smiles and leans closer to Soobin. "Maybe if I'm lucky, I'll find some courage of my own."
"I want to feel courageous too." Soobin says quietly, making Yeonjun's eyes glint.
"I think I can make that happen." He brushes Soobin's hair out of his eyes and slowly leans in, but Soobin decides he's too slow. He quickly presses his lips against Yeonjun's, the male's lips parting almost immediately as he wraps his arms around Soobin.