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kiwisol · 2 years

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valentine motel - njm

pairing: na jaemin x gn!reader themes: co-workers au, acquaintances to friends to *gasp* (sorta) lovers summary: the night shift at the valentine motel usually meant convenience store food, a cute coworker, or emboldened feelings—so what happens when you score all three? wc: 8.2k warnings: mentions of smoking, swearing, mentions of alcohol, brief mentions of infidelity, drinking, kissing

TWELVE FIFTEEN A.M.

You walked carefully towards the motel, its light taupe exterior a stark contrast to the dingy buildings that surrounded it on the lonely backstreet. A thick layer of snow and ice covered the sidewalk, your boots offering no friction against the slick ground.

The banisters of the second floor were dusted in white that glimmered beneath the streetlights, with occupied rooms at the front of the motel glowing orange. A neon sign the color of a lemon hung on the front window, ‘vacancy’ flashing in attempts to lure people in like moths to a flame.

Sitting in the patio chair below the sign was Seoyun, a relatively new hire. Despite the freezing air that nipped at any exposed piece of skin you had to offer, she sat comfortably, taking long drags of her cigarette. Fiery-red hair peeked from beneath her beanie, the hue not too far off from the flush of color that kissed her pointed nose and high cheeks.

She blew a puff of smoke from her lips, curling them into a smile at the sight of you. “How’re you?”

“I’m okay, Seo,” you replied. “You?”

“A little cold, but alright.”

“You can just smoke inside, you know? It already stinks in there,” you said with a grimace, “you won’t make it any worse.”

“Jaemin told me to go outside, said it was a fire hazard,” she mumbled, flicking the cigarette to drop the ashes that had collected at the end. “S’alright, I needed fresh air anyways.”

“He’s inside already?” You peeked over the sign, just barely seeing the top of his head.

She nodded. “He got here thirty minutes ago, checked in two couples already I think.”

You hummed, sticking your hands into the pockets of your jacket. “Are you still gonna be around?”

“Mhm, doin’ overtime. I’m gonna be cleaning the rooms.” She paused to drop the cigarette and crush it in the snow beneath her thick platforms. “Let’s hope I don’t find anythin’ too gross. People become… weird at this time of night.”

A puff of condensation accompanied the laugh that escaped your lips. “That’s why no one wants to work Valentine’s Day,” you said with a lift of your brows. “I’ll see you later then, wish me luck.”

Seoyun saluted you, a goofy grin on her face as you pushed the door open. The stench of powdery perfume and cigarette smoke rushed at you, the scent long ingrained into the beige carpet of the motel. The velvet, burnt orange swivel chairs and glass coffee tables that composed the waiting area were outdated to say the least, but Mr. Choi liked to say it added to the so-called “charm” of the motel.

Jaemin sat behind the reception desk a few feet away, his ink-colored hair split down the middle, tousled strands adorning his forehead as he focused on the old desktop in front of him. His fingers clacked away at the keys, eyebrows furrowed in concentration.

“Hey,” you greeted him. “Sorry I’m late.”

He looked up, a warm smile on his face. “No worries. I clocked you in when I got here, by the way.”

You blinked in surprise. “Oh, uh, thank you.”

He nodded and scooted over as you made your way behind the desk, settling into the worn out office chair beside him.

An awkward silence hung in the air as he continued typing. You weren’t best friends, but your relationship was amicable enough; he’d greet you with a smile on the rare days you worked together, or he’d offer you the first stick of a newly opened pack of watermelon gum.

You rolled your lips as you thought of what to say. “Um, Seoyun said two couples checked in?”

“Yeah, kinda. One couple and one guy, he said his girl would come in later.” He shrugged.

“Hmm, not the weirdest thing I’ve heard,” you mumbled, unzipping your jacket. “Were there any reservations?”

“One or two,” he said. “I’m thinking we’re gonna get a lot of last minute couples.”

“Or hookups,” you added. “I think Seo will keep herself busy with the hourly rooms.”

A silence fell between you–albeit comfortable this time–the clicking of his keys and incessant humming of a nearby vending machine that was nearly empty were the only noises in the empty lobby.

You could hear the creaky elevator descending, the resounding ding filtering through the air as it reached the first level. A couple peeked their heads out, bodies moving languidly as they stepped out.

Their hair was disheveled, eyes bloodshot and low. The stench of weed followed them as they came up towards where the two of you sat, the lanky guy placing the key on the counter softly.

“Um, thank you. Here’s the key,” he mumbled awkwardly, pushing it toward you.

Jaemin eyed him and grabbed it by the heart-shaped plastic keychain, dropping it next to his keyboard. “Enjoy the rest of your night.”

As they walked out, Seoyun came in, eyes trailing down their bodies suspiciously. She made her way to you and leaned onto her forearms, turning to Jaemin with a pointed expression.

“Talk about a fire hazard, amirite?”

“You’re an employee, Seoyun,” Jaemin groaned. “Don’t even try it.”

Exasperated, she threw her hands up. “I won’t be one if they burn the damn hotel down!”

He crossed his arms, eyes narrowing in a cat-like manner. “And you would’ve done the same thing if I let you keep putting cigarettes out on the carpet.”

Seoyun flipped him off as she walked backward towards the front door, her pink, perfectly manicured nail a funny contrast to the crude gesture.

Jaemin turned to you, a thin smile stretching his lips. “Don’t you just… love her?”

ONE TWENTY-SEVEN A.M.

The minutes passed by slowly, small ticking noises coming from the mini clock that rested on the counter. People had made their way inside, either to warm up in the swivel chairs or check in for a quick hour, but the lobby was desolate now.

“I wonder when that girl’s gonna come in,” Jaemin asked, pen tapping against his lips.

You peered up from your book to look at him. “Who?”

“The one who’s supposed to meet the guy that checked in alone,” he explained. “It’s been almost two hours.”

“Cold feet?” you wondered aloud, pushing your chair back to stretch your legs. “That’d suck.”

“I’d hate to be him,” he mumbled, crossing his arms. “Hey, maybe that’s her.” Jaemin jutted his chin forward, pointing towards the door.

The bells above the door frame jingled, a gust of cold wind accompanying the redhead that walked inside. She tugged her jacket tighter around her, the wide-eyed expression on her face making her look out of place. An expensive-looking peach dress clung to her body, the necklace that adorned her neck glittering even under the shoddy fluorescent lights.

She looked around the entrance, long lashes touching her eyebrows with every movement of her doe eyes. Sweet perfume filtered through the air when she stepped towards the front desk, glossy lips pursed together.

“I’m meeting someone,” she said quietly. “The room should be under Jeong.”

Jaemin typed into the computer, sighing quietly as he waited for it to load. “It says room 200, would you like a key?”

She shook her head. “I’ll just call him.”

He gave her a tight-lipped smile. “Sure, you can go up the elevator over there or through the stairs outside.”

Muttering a mousy thank you, she made her way to the elevator, eyes focused on the floor. Once she was out of earshot, Jaemin turned to you.

“Why are they so weird at this time of night?”

You closed your book, setting it down. “People come here to… live a different life,” you began slowly. “Did you notice the ring on her finger?”

He shook his head wordlessly.

“I get here on the last train coming into the city, after that, there’s no way in or out unless you have a car. They have day lives, but once they get here, it’s another world.” You shrugged. “Magic of the backstreets, I suppose.”

He turned his chair towards you, an intrigued look on his face. “Have you like, met people like that?”

You nodded. “There’s this guy, Mr. Lee, who rides the same train as me. He’ll spend an hour in the bar across the street, check in, and a few minutes later a woman—who definitely isn’t his wife, by the way—will ask for his room number,” you explain. “He’s loaded, big time, but he picks this place ‘cause no one from his circle will find him here.”

“And if they do,” he trailed off, eyebrows raised in surprise.

“They have a secret too,” you finish. “As soon as six a.m. hits, he’s out of here and on the first train back out to the country.”

“Nothing that interesting ever happens in the day shifts,” he mumbles.

“I think it’s better off that way.”

“But I wonder what it’s like,” he pondered aloud, “being able to live two lives.”

You watched him carefully. “Maybe you’ll find out.”

“Okay, so, how’d you end up working here?”

Your feet, along with Jaemin’s, were kicked up on the reception desk, the book you’d gotten halfway through splayed out on your stomach.

“Well,” you sighed, “I needed money. No one else was hiring, so I came in here on a whim. This place has a talent for attracting the desperate.”

“Funny, me too,” he observed. “No one seems to come here voluntarily.”

“Believe me, if I had found another place, you woulda never seen me here.”

“Amen,” Jaemin mumbled. A quick moment of silence passed before he spoke, “Maybe we’ll move onto those fancier hotels out on the main street one day.”

“Mm, it’s not so bad sometimes. There’s nice people once in a while, and good restaurants.”

“Yeah? Which is your favorite?”

“Well, it’s more like a bar, but they have the best wings, Jaemin,” you nearly groaned. “Maybe I’ll show you later.”

“What time do they close?”

“Six a.m. sharp,” you grinned. “Magic number.”

Jaemin paused to look at his watch, eyes widening. “It’s not even two yet?”

Placing a hand on his shoulder, you squeezed it tightly. “We’re in for a long night.”

He leaned his head back onto the chair, eyes focused on the eggshell-colored ceiling. “Does time always go this slow when you work?”

“Eh, you get used to it. If we’re lucky, something exciting will happen.”

Jaemin turned to look at you. “And if nothing happens?”

The hum of the vending machines seemed to have grown louder while Jaemin waited for your response. You tapped your nails against the wooden desk, mind as empty as the lobby was at that moment.

“Well… it’s best not to think of that.”

TWO FOURTEEN A.M.

“Do you wanna play a game?”

You put your pencil down, waiting for Jaemin to continue.

“Let’s make fake lives for them,” he said, motioning towards the people who lounged in the waiting area. “Maybe it’ll help pass the time.

Flashy pieces of clothing caught your eye as you looked out towards the lobby, bright colors and gems glittering beneath the dim lights. It was cold out, but it didn’t stop the girls from wearing dresses so short a father would have a heart attack–although you too were guilty of abandoning warm clothing for the sake of a cute outfit in the past.

“You go first, Jaemin.”

He took a moment to think, lips quirked to the side in thought. You followed his eyes to a girl who sat on the lap of a man, fingers tucking a piece of platinum hair behind her ear coyly.

“She’s an undercover cop,” he said after a moment, “and the guy she’s with is on the run. He knows who she is, but he stays.”

“Very romantic, Jaemin.” You smirked. “Ya’ like Lifetime movies?”

“Haha, very funny.” He rolled his eyes. “Your turn.”

You purse your lips, zeroing in on a man who was sweet talking a woman that leaned against a wall. “That guy’s secretly a spy, and he’s investigating the motel.”

“What for?”

“Mr. Choi is actually running a huge drug enterprise from the basement—think Breaking Bad but with a rich old guy instead of a bald-headed chem teacher.” You paused. “And without the RV, too.”

“And the cancer,” Jaemin added nonchalantly.

A titter left your lips at his casual tone, and you covered your mouth to muffle the laughs that threatened to slip out.

“I’m serious!” He laughed. “Gotta make sure you leave that part out, it’s a distinct difference.”

You shook your head at him, leaning back into your chair. The bells above the entrance chimed, a familiar face coming into view. “Hey, I’ve got another one.”

Jaemin waited for you to continue, his eyes moving between you and the man.

“That guy’s a doctor, married too.” You sighed disapprovingly, shoving your hands into the pockets of your jacket. “He comes here to meet his forbidden lover—Romeo and Juliet type couple, y’know?”

“Now who’s making a Lifetime movie?” he teased.

“Oh please, your ass would still watch it.”

The man neared the front desk as you finished speaking, a warm smile on his face while he undid his scarf. “Hello. Usual room, please.”

“Hi, Mr. Lee!” You returned his smile, spinning in your chair to lift the key off the board behind you. Grabbing it by the heart-shaped keychain, you held it out for him. “Let us know if you need anything else.”

Jaemin stared while the older man took the key from you, waving goodbye as he made his way towards the elevator.

“You are such a cheater,” he complained. “You already knew him.”

“What, we have rules now?”

“Well… we might!” He crossed his arms. “The whole point is to do it to people you don’t know.”

“Sometimes it’s fun to twist what you know.”

“You think so?”

“The usual gets boring.” You shrugged your jacket off, letting it bunch around your waist. “Doesn’t hurt to have a little fun with it.”

“So go ahead,” he replied, pressing his cheek into his palm.

“What?”

“Have a little fun.”

There was a glint in his eye as he watched you; curiosity, and something else you couldn’t quite put your finger on.

“We—you have amnesia.”

“Oh really?” He raised his eyebrows in faux surprise.

“Yep, we were actually best friends,” you continued, waving your hand nonchalantly. “We traveled the world, but then our plane crashed.”

“Our plane? I can fly a plane?”

You waved him off. “No, I can. You’re not exactly competent in the sky department.”

Jaemin laughed at that. You had an unspoken way of making him feel comfortable, the feeling spreading through his body like vines on a brick wall—spiraling up his legs and curling around his neck until all he felt was the warmth you carried.

“But yeah, you can’t remember me at all, it’s kinda sad.”

He spoke before he could process what he was thinking. “I don’t think I’d be able to forget you.”

You stared at him with widened eyes, words unable to cut through the silent air as you noticed the way his tongue poked out to wet his lips. He looked pretty beneath the fluorescent lights, a hard feat to accomplish given how bad they made everything look—well, everything except him.

He scooted closer to you, a coy smile on his face as he took in your flustered expression.

“W-Well, amnesia is a funny thing,” you managed to say, swallowing harshly. “You can’t pick and choose what to remember.”

Jaemin focused on you, the corners of his eyes crinkled. “You’re too b—”

“Hey guys—oh, am I interrupting something?”

You jump apart, semi-thankful for Seoyun’s silent appearance. Clearing your throat awkwardly, you turn to scribble something incoherent on the yellow notepad that laid below you on the desk.

“No, not at all, Cheeto puff,” Jaemin mutters. “Did you need something?”

The redhead rolled her eyes at him, arms crossed in annoyance. “You literally said you liked it last week.”

“It’s annoying now,” he deadpanned, “hurts my eyes too. Now hurry up, what happened?”

“Well, I was gonna ask if you guys wanted me to cover for you,” she sneered, “but you can stay, Jaemin. Deal with the nasty couples.”

Jaemin’s demeanor changed at the sound of a break. He fixed his posture to sit upright and curled his hands together as if ready to plead to the savior known as Seoyun, eyes blown wide like a child’s. “Please Seoyun—love your hair by the way—save us from this filth!”

“Refer to this dump as ‘this filth’ again and I’ll tell Mr. Choi to dock your pay,” she grumbled, walking around the desk to shove Jaemin’s shoulder. “Now get the hell outta my chair.”

THREE TWENTY A.M.

Jaemin’s hand wrapped around your wrist as you crossed the street, his steps small and rigid to avoid slipping on the black ice that covered the asphalt.

“Watch your step,” you warned. “If you bust your shit I’m going down with you.”

He nodded and followed you cautiously, eyes focused on the ground to follow the prints your boots left on the ground. You stopped abruptly, causing his chest to bump into your shoulder.

Spreading your arms out, you presented the run down building to him. “Ta-da, here we are.”

Jaemin gave it a once over, planting his hands on his hips. “This is… this is the bar?”

“Mhm.” You pulled the wooden door open, conversations and top hits from four decades ago filtering into the frigid night air.

The bar was warm as you stepped in, the scent of tobacco and vanilla scented air freshener floating throughout the air as you made your way to a booth. Picture frames hung on the exposed brick walls, smiling faces of bartenders and regular customers behind the glass and cheap wooden borders. The stools at the bar were occupied by couples and a select few regulars you recognized, brown beer bottles dripping with perspiration in their hands.

You slid into the faux leather booth, the synthetic material cracked and pieces ripped off to expose a pale yellow foam below the surface. Different hues of markers colored the table, an assortment of names and dates scribbled or scratched onto the surface.

“I kinda… like it here,” Jaemin said quietly.

“Me too.” You smiled warmly at him, sliding off the sleeves of your coat and letting it fall onto the seat.

His eyes traveled around the room, eyes glinting beneath the dim lights that hung from the ceiling. They cast shadows on everything below them, the shape of Jaemin’s eyelashes and disheveled strands of hair painted onto the tops of his cheeks.

Jaemin’s gaze shifted downward, the tip of his finger running across the names written in Sharpie. “Have you drawn on the tables?”

“I wrote my name…. here.” You pointed to the corner of the table, a small heart beside it. “Wanna write yours?”

He nodded and you stuck your hand into the pocket of your jacket, pulling out a black marker.

“Do you always keep a marker with you?”

You shrugged. “Never know when you’ll need it.”

Handing it to him, you watched as Jaemin uncapped it and wrote his name carefully beneath yours, finishing it off with a disproportionate (but still cute) heart.

“Just had to copy me, hm?”

Jaemin smiled. “Not copy, I wanted us to match.”

Oh. He wanted you two to match.

The jukebox in the corner still played music as he doodled flowers and smileys in whatever empty space the table had to offer. You couldn’t help the smile that made its way onto your face, the furrow of his brow and the way his tongue poked more endearing than he probably intended it to be.

“Having fun?” you asked.

Jaemin nodded, a ghost of a smile on his face as he capped the marker and slid it over to you.

“Do you want something to drink?”

“Whatever you’re having,” he replied. “I’ll go order if you want.”

You paused to think. “Okay, hm… Shirley Temple on the rocks, please.”

He laughed but stood up and made his way to the counter anyway, catching the attention of Jihu. You watched their brief exchange, eyes traveling down the expanse of Jaemin’s back and noticing how nicely his checkered cardigan fit him as he leaned forward onto the glossy wood. When Jihu left he turned his head toward you, a pleased look on his face when he caught you staring. Heat rushed up your neck and cheeks as you put your hand up, waving at him awkwardly.

Jaemin made his way over with the glasses in his hand, bright red liquid sloshing in the cup as he sat down. He slid yours across the table, an extra maraschino cherry on the surface.

“She said you usually ask for it with two cherries,” he explained, putting the thin black straw between his lips to take a drink. “Do you know everyone who works here?”

“More or less.” You took the stem of a cherry and lifted it, the almost overly-sweet taste coating your tongue the moment your teeth broke through the soft skin. “I think we keep the info we know about each other to a minimum; it’s mostly stuff about work.”

“To maintain secrecy?” Jaemin followed your lead and bit into the cherry, dropping it back in the glass as a grimace washed over his face. “Shit, that’s sweet.”

“It’s an acquired taste.” You reached over and pinched the stem between your fingers, popping the cherry off with your teeth.

Jaemin watched you wordlessly, eyes flicking between your lips and the stem held between the pads of your forefinger and thumb. He let out an awkward cough when you quirked an eyebrow at him, lifting the cold glass and bringing it to his lips.

“So, to maintain secrecy?” he asked again, swallowing thickly.

Swirling your thin straw around, the ice cubes in your cup clinked as they hit the glass.

“Mm, I wouldn’t say to maintain secrecy,” you began, “we don’t have much to hide. I think it’s just… one of those unspoken rules. Keep work separate from your life.”

Jaemin nodded. “Do you enjoy being here?”

“The little things make it feel worth it sometimes.” Your eyes held a twinkle as you spoke, a kind smile curling onto your lips as you looked at Jaemin. “I’ve met some pretty okay people.”

He returned the smile, albeit a shyer version of it. “Yeah, some people are sweet.”

You raised your eyebrows, bringing the glass up to your lips to hide the expression that spread onto your face.

Silence spread through the air, Jaemin’s fingers tapping on the table in sync with a slow song that played from the old jukebox. Your drink was beginning to taste watered-down, the once red hue faded to a soft peach color towards the top.

“Wanna get something to eat?”

Jaemin nodded, tracing the rim of his cup with his pointer finger, the dainty rings he wore glinting beneath the overhead light. “I’m down for whatever.”

FOUR TEN A.M.

The crunch of fresh snow beneath your shoes and occasional sniffles filled the silence between you and Jaemin, his arm brushing against yours occasionally while you walked. A bright neon sign in the window of the convenience store dimly lit the dark street, its dull reflection on the slush-filled sidewalk. Jaemin put his hand out to push the heavy door open, a set of bells jingling above you as you stepped in.

The convenience store was empty at this time, the strong smell of lemon-scented floor cleaner heavy in the air. Slush that clung to the soles of your shoes made every step you took obnoxiously loud, the squeak ringing throughout the whole store.

“What do you feel like havin’?”

“Something spicy, I think. I’m feeling sleepy.” Jaemin walked along the aisle, his fingertip hitting the top of each instant noodle cup until he stopped at one he liked. “These okay?”

You nodded and grabbed two cups, dropping them in the green basket that hung on the crook of your elbow. “What about snacks?”

“Want something crunchy,” he trailed off, making his way to a different aisle, “or soft?”

“We can do both.” You shrugged as you walked behind him. “They have these little donuts here that you can put in the microwave in the back, they’re really good warmed up.”

Jaemin bent over to look on the lower shelves, the plastic wrapping of the individual donuts crinkling beneath his fingers when he reached to grab them. “I’ll get a few, we’ll see if Seoyun’s hungry.”

Despite the freezing weather outside, his fingers were warm when they brushed past your hand as he dropped the donuts inside the basket. It wasn’t intentional, but it was enough to make you shy away and stare at the various items higher up on the shelves instead of him.

“Do you wanna eat here?”

Peering outside of the aisle and towards the windows at the front, you took note of the snowfall that seemed to be increasing.

“Let’s take it to go,” you said, “I don’t want us to get caught in the snow.”

He nodded, his hand softly pulling on the basket to lead you down the aisle. Both of your steps were quiet now, the only noise heard in the store was soft music coming from the front and the humming of a slushy machine near the small seating area.

The girl who sat at the front flicked through a textbook, a tray of half-eaten gimbap and bottle of sparkling water beside her. She looked up and gave you a polite smile, shutting the book softly when you began to take the things out of the basket and placed them on the glass counter.

You rocked on your heels as she scanned the items, looking over the gums and candy bars below the glass. “Can I also get a pack of watermelon gum?”

She nodded, slipping her hand below the counter and taking a pack out to scan it. The black plastic bag crinkled loudly each time she dropped an item in it, her hand pulling the handles upwards to straighten them out.

The brunette asked how you’d like to pay and Jaemin answered before you even had time to process her question, his hand already reaching over to give her slightly crumpled bills he’d pulled from his jacket.

“Keep the change.”

She smiled and held the bag out to you, the cash register closing with a click. “Thank you, have a goodnight.”

You left with polite nods, the bag hitting against the side of your leg with every step you took. Jaemin pushed the door open and held it for you, the bells above it ringing again as it closed behind him.

“I’m paying for the snacks next time,” you said after a few seconds of silence.

“There’ll be a next time?”

A smile tugged at his lips as you turned your head to look at him, the warm glow of the street lamps above you casting shadows on his pretty face.

“Well, if they put us together again.” Your words came out rushed, almost defensive, and you cringed at the way they sounded.

Jaemin let out a soft hum in agreement, a silence swallowing the two of you once again.

Sticking your hand in the bag, your fingers wiggled past the noodle cups and donuts before latching onto the square packaging of the gum.

You pulled it out and held it in his direction, the sweet artificial smell penetrating the night air even through the plastic wrapping. “I added it for you, even though you paid.”

He let out a small laugh, taking it graciously from your hand. “Thanks. You even got my favorite flavor.”

Shrugging, you stuck your hands into the pockets of your coat. “I remembered you always had a pack of it.”

The plastic crinkled loudly as he unwrapped it, crumpled it into a ball, and stuck it in his pocket. His fingers lifted the flap, pulling an aluminum-wrapped stick out. Jaemin held it out in your direction, quietly offering it. He had the habit of always offering the first stick to you.

“I’d take it, but my hands are freezing,” you mumbled, moving your hands around inside your pockets.

Jaemin stopped walking and you followed, watching as he unwrapped it until only the corner his thumb held it from was covered. He held it out close to your mouth, watching carefully as you decided whether or not to take it.

You leaned forward, taking the stick of gum between your lips and chewing it as he let it go, the sweet flavor exploding onto your tastebuds.

A small smile pulled at his lips, specks of snow stuck onto his dark hair like a crown of wintery fluff. “Good?”

You nodded, pursing your lips and blowing a bubble, letting it pop loudly. “Very.”

FIVE FIFTEEN A.M.

Jaemin poured the hot water into your noodles, the warmth hitting your hands through the paper cup. You mumbled a thank you, lowering the lid and smoothing it over with your fingers.

“I got us Coke from the vending machine too.” Jaemin settled into his seat, opening one of the sodas and sliding it to you.

“You’ve bought a lot of stuff tonight, Na. I’m starting to think you want me to be indebted to you.”

“Not exactly,” he said with a laugh. “You can get me a drink next time to make up for it.”

“Is that your plan? Rack up my debt just so I can buy you drinks?” you asked teasingly.

A subtle smirk pulled at his lips. “Well it wouldn’t be the worst plan in the world, would it?”

Smiling at him, you brought the can up to your lips and took a sip of the sugary soda. You peeled the lid of your noodles back, sticking the plastic fork Jaemin had given you from the break room into them. Steam snaked out as you swirled the utensil in the broth, bringing up a bunch of noodles and stuffing them into your mouth.

The two of you ate quietly, clangs of aluminum cans on the wooden desk and quiet slurps filling the silence. You reached the bottom of your cup quickly, lifting the rim to your lips and tipping your head back to down whatever was left at the bottom.

At this point of your shift, people would come in and out of the lobby, taking quick breaks from the cold air to lounge in the velvet chairs. Soft strokes of daylight were beginning to paint themselves against the night sky, the color similar to the dresses a few of the girls wore.

“Feelin’ tired?”

You turned towards Jaemin and gave him a soft smile. “A little. You?”

His chin rested on his palm, a sleepiness coating his eyes. “Very. I remember why I never work this shift.”

“C’mon,” you drawled out, “I thought you’d wanna work with me again. What about our drinks?”

Jaemin paused for a second and leaned back into his seat. “If it’s you asking, I guess it can be arranged.”

“Why me?”

“Well, without incriminating myself, you make it… enjoyable, I guess.” He let out a dramatic sigh, shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly.

“You guess, huh? And don’t be shy, incriminate yourself a bit,” you teased, poking his side with your elbow.

Jaemin shook his head with a grin and stood up, putting your cup beneath his and tossing them into the small trash bin near the back wall. He sat back down, softly scooting his chair closer to yours. He hoped you wouldn’t notice, but another part of him (perhaps the more sleep deprived part) sort of hoped you’d move your chair too.

You watched him from your peripheral, teeth biting into your bottom lip to fight a smile that threatened to appear. The soft material of his cardigan brushed against you for a moment as he began to type on the rickety keyboard, his eyes focused on the dim screen ahead of him.

Making a miniscule scooch to the left, your arm pressed against his as you continued doing whatever tasks were left. Jaemin nudged you softly, the corners of his lips quirked up with a smile. He scribbled something onto the notepad in front of him and slid it to you, then continued typing.

You peered down at it, laughing at the greeting and smiley face he’d scrawled onto the lined yellow paper. “Hello to you too, Jaemin.”

“You doin’ anything after your shift?”

“I’ve started craving french toast, so maybe I’ll go eat,” you said. “Or just go home and sleep, honestly. What about you?”

“I’m suddenly… maybe… very hungry,” he replied, momentarily looking your way, “so maybe I’ll go eat too. Or sleep.”

Staring at him in surprise, you couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled from your lips. “Do you always get this bold at this time of night, Na?”

Jaemin just shrugged, the same smile from earlier back on his face.

The more couples that checked out for the night, the sleepier you felt.

“I wish that was me.” You groaned softly, fingers pinching the bridge of your nose while you squeezed your eyes shut.

“What, leaving?”

“Mhm. Aren’t you sleepy?”

“A little bit,” Jaemin mumbled. “Lean on me.”

You opened your eyes, the lights from the lounge ahead seemingly brighter than they were earlier. “What?”

“You’re sleepy, so lean on me,” he replied nonchalantly. “I’ve got a soft sweater on.”

Peering at him, you realized he hadn’t even looked over from the monitor; it created a dull, white glow on his face, and his eyes were lower than usual, but they still shined like rhinestones on the clubgoers’ dresses.

Hesitantly, you rested your temple on his shoulder, the fuzz of his cardigan poking softly against your skin. You waited for a reaction from him, your body tense and eyes skimming the entire room.

“Relax, will you?” he murmured softly.

You let out a small puff of air and dropped your shoulders, letting them press into his arm. Jaemin hummed contently, and you were scared he’d be able to hear how hard your heart was thumping at the close proximity between you.

After a few minutes spent with droopy eyes and the clicking of keys almost lulling you to sleep, a cold gust of air filtered through the room and woke you up. You looked across the room, Seoyun’s bright head of hair coming into view as she all but skipped in your direction.

Much to Jaemin’s dismay, you lifted your head from his shoulder, stifling a yawn as you waved at Seoyun.

“Hello, cuddle bugs,” she greeted with a grin, “I’ve come to save you.”

You looked at her quizzically before jumping in your seat as she smacked a heart-shaped key on the desk, a satisfied smile stretching her pink lips wide.

“What the hell, Seo!” Jaemin exclaimed.

“Sorry, didn’t realize it’d be that loud,” she said sheepishly. “But, anyways, I’ve got the key to room 214 if you guys wanna take it. I was in there for like, an hour just watching TV.”

Jaemin picked the key up and looked back up at her. “When the hell did you get this?”

“Swiped it while I was sweet talkin’ you,” Seoyun sighed. “You’re a very distracted young man, y’know.”

He rolled his eyes but didn’t reply, putting the key back down on the wood.

“Mm, I don’t know Seo… we’ve got less than an hour left, and who’ll take the keys?” you asked.

“I will, scouts honor!” she replied quickly, saluting you and the raven-haired boy next to you. “You guys need a break, and I’ve ran out of rooms to clean.”

“I’m pretty sure you haven’t,” Jaemin grumbled, but he took the key into the palm of his hand nonetheless and turned to you. “What do you think, hm?”

“I’m game if you are, but—hey, you better get all the keys Seoyun!”

She nodded and went around the desk, giving you a quick kiss goodbye on the cheek and telling Jaemin to hurry up.

“We left some of those donuts you can warm up below the desk, Seo,” Jaemin said, pulling his puffer on. “Probably enough to hold you off ‘til the end of our shift.”

Seoyun winked at him and waved, shoving his shoulder. “Thanks pretty boy, and enjoy your stay in one of our best rooms.”

He grumbled something incoherent at her while you pulled your coat on, waiting for him to walk around the desk.

Looking over at him, you noted his open jacket. “Zip up, Jaem. It’s still cold out.”

“Jaem, hm?” He repeated the nickname, testing the feel of it on his tongue. “I like that.” But really, he only liked it because you said it.

You shrugged and walked beside him, eyes wandering throughout the dimly lit lobby.

Only one couple remained amongst the velvet chairs, bodies melded together in a way that seemed impossibly close. Their soft chattering drifted through the air as you walked past them, the glass door ahead of you splotchy with snow and reflecting streetlights that were almost ready to be turned off as blue broke through the blackberry-colored sky.

Jaemin pulled the door open, holding it in place with his body as he motioned for you to go ahead. You said a soft thank you, waiting for him to join you outside before beginning to walk up the wooden stairs. The layer of snow that had piled up crunched softly below your boots, the pink handrail slick with water as your hand trailed up the metal.

You could see the warm glow of lamps behind gauzy curtains, illuminating silhouettes of people getting ready to leave their rooms and go back to their lives. The room came into view as you stepped onto the second floor, golden numbers glinting in the dim light.

“Got the key?”

Jaemin nodded and brought the key out, sticking it in the lock and turning until it clicked softly. A mixture of a scent similar to Seoyun’s perfume and her cigarettes filtered out as he pushed the door open, the soft hum of talking coming from the TV filling the silence inside. You unzipped your jacket as you walked in, shrugging it off your shoulders while examining the room.

“Kinda dark, right?” Jaemin mumbled, shutting the door behind him and switching a lamp on. A dull light flooded the room, casting shadows on the wall.

You sat on the edge of the bed, giving him a timid smile as Jaemin sat cross-legged beside you. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a plastic wrapped donut you’d gotten earlier.

Taking it out of the wrapper, he split it clean down the middle and offered a piece to you. “Want half?”

Nodding, you took it from him and took a bite; the bread was borderline stale, but still sweet, the thin layer of cheap frosting melting on your lips and tongue. You muttered a thanks while you chewed, a silence settling between the both of you.

His knee dug into the side of your thigh as he continued eating his piece, the 1980s horror film playing on the TV capturing his attention. It sounded half-interesting, but not enough to tear your eyes away from him as you ate your donut. A dumb smile played on his lips as he listened to the cheesy dialogue, the muted light of the tv dancing across his eyes with every movement of the characters on the screen.

Jaemin turned his head to you, eyebrows furrowing ever so slightly as he caught your stare. “What’s up?”

You swallowed what was left in your mouth, shaking your head quickly. “Nothing, I just um… I was gonna ask if you wanna have a drink?”

“Oh, from where?”

“The uh, the mini fridge should have some stuff,” you replied, getting off the bed to kneel in front of the small fridge situated underneath the TV stand. “We’ve got two mini vodka bottles, how’s that?”

“Is that all?” he asked quizzically.

“I think Seoyun might have drank everything else,” you admitted with a laugh. “It’s supposed to be strawberry lemonade flavored.” You handed him his and got back on the bed, adjusting yourselves to sit facing each other.

“Here’s to surviving my first Valentine’s Day,” Jaemin mumbled.

The bottles let out a soft clink as you hit them together, unscrewing the silver caps and dropping them onto the bed. He smiled and brought it to his lips, face twisting in disgust as soon as the liquor hit his tongue. You let out a laugh but soon mirrored his expression, the taste not too far off from cheap alcohol you could buy at one of the liquor stores nearby.

Letting out a disgusted groan, Jaemin dropped the small bottle on the floor. “That’s what Mr. Choi decided to stock the fridge with? Fuck, that burned.”

You wiped at your mouth with the back of your hand, swallowing thickly before replying, “I don’t think he cares what’s in there, as long as people pay for it.”

“I don’t think the people care much either,” he added. “The ones I saw leaving were in such a… rush? It was like they were leaving an office job.”

Shrugging, you fiddled with the small bottle. “People like to leave everything that’s not physical here–kinda like… a one and done situation.” You watched as his eyes became downcast, fingers focused on the rings he wore. “Hey, what’s up?”

“Can I tell you something?” Jaemin’s voice had dropped to something like a whisper, his voice just barely audible over the movie playing on the TV.

“Yeah, of course. Go ahead.”

“I don’t know if it’s the lack of sleep, or that vodka that could quite literally kill a small animal,” he began with a laugh, “but I uh, I really like you, I think.”

By now, he had looked up at you, eyes searching your face for any kind of answer he could find. The air between you felt thick, and the movie suddenly sounded a hundred times louder than before.

Then suddenly, whether it was out of disbelief or nerves, a laugh made its way out of your lips.

Jaemin groaned in embarrassment, his hands coming up to cover his face. “Don’t laugh, that makes it so much worse!”

“No! You–you just caught me off guard,” you said quickly, hands coming up to his wrists. “I just wasn’t expecting that.”

“I feel kinda dumb now,” he mumbled with a laugh.

“You’re um—it’s okay,” you replied quietly, “I think I like you too.”

He let you bring his hands down onto his lap, revealing that signature goofy smile plastered on his lips at your confession. “Do you just like me, or like like me?”

“Oh shut up, Jaemin,” you groaned. “You’re such a kid.”

Jaemin stared at you for a moment, his hand fiddling with yours mindlessly. “Y’know, you’re really pretty. I’ve thought that since I first saw you.”

“I think you're letting the lack of sleep talk for you, Jaemin.” You felt heat crawl up your neck, words coming out sheepishly as he laughed at your expression.

“Mm, I don’t think so,” he teased, squeezing your hand softly.

Looking behind him, the time on the digital clock read six o’clock, signaling the end of your shift. “I think it’s time to go.”

“You gonna leave me at the motel?” he asked with a smile.

“No, dummy, we’ll leave together.”

Jaemin nodded and stood, offering his hand to you. “C’mon, I’ll walk you to the train.”

SIX TWENTY-TWO A.M.

The sun was still hidden by the time you could see the train station in the distance. A livid hue washed the sky, the bluish tint coating everything around you as you watched the orange street lights flicker off above you.

Despite people locking the front doors of their businesses or walking the same direction as you, the streets were quiet, a cloud of drowsiness drifting between everyone you saw. Every now and then you’d hear a small chatter of conversation, whether it was directed to a person or someone on the phone.

Jaemin hadn’t let go of your hand since you returned the key to an accomplished looking Seoyun, her cheeky stare causing a wave of embarrassment to rush over your body. He claimed it was so you wouldn’t lose your balance and slip with all the black ice and snow, but you knew better than to believe anything that came from him and his defensive mouth.

When you arrived at the station you dropped Jaemin’s hand to push the door, standing against it to hold it open. “Ladies first, Jaem.”

“Mm, you’re so polite,” he snorted. “I’ll tap for you.”

You walked to the turnstiles with him, smiling as he pressed his card against the scanner for you. “Seems like you enjoy payin’ for stuff.”

“Just a little treat,” he replied, tapping his card on the scanner beside you. The turnstiles clicked as you walked through them, the metal heavy against your abdomen.

You made your way to the escalator, getting on a step above Jaemin and turning to face him. “Your cheeks are red.”

“It’s cold out, and you’re cute.”

“Oh, am I making you blush?”

“You just have that kinda hold on me,” he said, voice dripping in an over exaggerated sweetness.

You groaned and turned around, crossing your arms as you tried to fight a smile. Jaemin laughed softly, moving up a step to stand beside you. His hand held onto the crook of your elbow as you got off the elevator, your walk slowing to a stop as you got to the two staircases that led to separate platforms.

“I’m going South,” you said. “Guess this is where we separate?”

“Mhm, I’m heading North.” Jaemin’s hand moved down to hold yours, his fingertips cool against your skin.

“Do you think the magic’s wearing off yet?” you asked teasingly.

He shook his head, the hold he had on your hand loosening until only your fingers remained intertwined. “I don’t think it’ll be wearing off anytime soon.” His lips parted then met again, as if hesitating to speak.

“What were you gonna say?”

After a moment, he squeezed your fingers. “I just wanted to ask if I could kiss you,” he murmured, swinging your hand back and forth.

You nodded before you could speak, breath caught in your throat as he moved closer to you. The distance between your bodies closed, his hand holding onto your waist as a nervous smile pulled at his lips.

Exhaling shakily, you could hear the rumble of a train in the distance, but it seemed to die out as soon as Jaemin’s lips met yours. They were cold, but soft, the taste of the vodka you’d drank earlier lingering on them strong enough to make you think back to his confession. You could taste a subtle sweetness—likely from the donut you shared—the flavor making you deepen the kiss with a small tilt of your head.

Jaemin’s hand tightened around the material of your jacket, bringing you into his body in a way that made your stomach flip and a wave of heat flush your body. He pulled away after a moment, a pink tint covering his lips as a grin pulled the corners of his mouth up.

“I um, I think your train is coming,” you said sheepishly.

“I think so too,” he replied, letting his hand drop to his side. “I’ll see you next week, maybe?”

You nodded, pulling your bottom lip between your teeth. “Mhm, for sure.”

He gave you one last smile, backing away slowly and lifting his hand to give you a small wave.

You watched as he went up the stairs, a grin breaking onto your face as soon as he disappeared. Making your way up the stairs, you brought your hand up to your chest. The rapid beating of your heart caused a nervous laugh to emit from your mouth, the feeling similar to that of a schoolgirl seeing her crush in the halls.

A harsh wind whipped at your face once you made it onto a platform, momentarily snapping you back into reality, but not enough for the goofy smile to dissipate from your face. You met Jaemin’s eyes from across the tracks, exchanging a brief, shy wave as his train rushed to a stop and blocked him from your view.

A warm feeling swam in your stomach as you watched him through the windows, a dazed smile on his face as he found a seat. Maybe it was the side effects of late hours that slowly creeped up on you, or the "magic" you had told Jaemin about earlier, but the moments before you got out into the cold air seemed… hazy. Hazy in the way where it felt like you’d just woken up from a dream, his touches so far away and the taste of him fleeting, but still alive enough to keep you wrapped up in a warmth only he could give you.

You supposed that was his charm as much as it was the Valentine Motel’s.

a/n: surprise mothafuckas ! ignore the fact that this fic is set in FEBRUARY, please! good god i truly didnt think it'd take this long to pump it out, but alas, here we are! as always, thank you so much for taking the time to read this fic !!! huge thank you to the lovely beta readers i've had along the way <3 all feedback is always appreciated, whether it be in the replies, rbs, or tags!

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