Autor: Florenceisnottrash
Genre: Idol!au - Teasing - Romance - One shot
Summary: Your daily radio broadcast takes an unexpected turn when a mysterious caller asks for advice concerning insurmountable love issues on your love-counselling show “Call it love”.
« I swear to God James if you continue making these weird ass faces I’ll have the giggles on air! » I say whipping away a tear from the corner of my eye.
« What are you even talking about it’ my natural facial expression you demon! » He says placing a hand to his heart faking shock.
« Prepare to be on air in 30! »
«James… This is bad… I really can’t stop! »
Looking back, I don’t think I’ve ever laughed this hard. James, the radio technician, wasn’t even trying to be funny. I’ve been so incredibly exhausted these past days. The simple sight of his chubby and childlike face made my brain switch from « Ready to work » to « asdfghjkl» in a matter of seconds. I can even see him mouth « I think I broke her for good » through the window between the technician’s room and the radio station.
I breath in and out as I hear the last call from the producer.
One last panicked giggle.
He raises his index in the air.
« Hey everyone! Welcome back to your favourite show «Call it love»! Once again, I’m Y/N, your host for the night! »
I absolutely love my job. I enjoy working with the staff which are literally the sweetest people to work with. Since the show is aired during the night at 2:30 am, James, Ashley, Jae Yeong and myself are quite similar people who shares a lot in common. The chemistry between us is no joke, and boost significantly when there’s beer around.
I was scouted by Jae Yeong during the last semester of University in Yonsei. I had an internship in his radio station and decided to keep me when it ended. At first the opportunity didn’t appeal to me at all. My internship had nothing to do with this kind of radio show. I did reviews on the latest international news, especially concerning North American politics.
But here I am. Hosting a radio show where I give love advice to complete strangers who think calling a radio at 2:30 am will definitely help them get their ex back. Actually, we get more drunk callers then actual people who need advice.
« How can I get your voice to wake me up every morning, baby? »
« Yes, I’d like to order a pizza and your personal phone number »
I’ve heard and seen everything during the year and a half I’ve been doing this show. Why is it still going on anyway? Well, people find the most entertainment in listening to people various love struggles and drunk dudes talking shit.
Anyway, the job pays ok, I enjoy going to work and I don’t have to worry about traffic and I can appreciate a cup of fresh air during night. Very convenient! Still, it’s a shame that I’m a night-owl. I struggle meeting with friends and having a social life in general, let alone anything love related. « Call it love » is enough to make me want to stay away from love let me tell you.
« Let’s start by updating you all about Lily, the woman who called last week about her boyfriend non-stop complaints, shaming her for spending too much time with her friends and going for drink every Friday night. Well folks, she called yesterday thanking us for the advice and to tell the big news! She dumped him! Congratulations Lily, we wish you well in your non-chained up life! »
I take a quick glance toward the window even though I know quite well what look would be on the producer’s face. What can I say, they hired me because they knew I’ve never been the type to bit my tongue to hold back.
« Ok now that we got good news we can proceed to answer tonight’s first caller! » I raise my thumb in the air and wait for the staff to connect me with the first caller.
« Hi! You’re on air on « Call it love » tell me your name! »
There’s a brief pause before the caller finally answers.
«… Hi, I’m Sophie. » Her voice is low and filled with distinct exhaustion.
« Hey Sophie! Glad you called! Can you tell us what’s keeping you awake at 3 in the morning? »
« You see…» Her voice is almost a whisper.
« I’m hiding in the bathroom right now and my boyfriend is sleeping 2 rooms away. I’ve been trying to stay awake just to get a hold of the line…»
« I was curious but now that you mention you were hiding you got my full attention Sophie, go on! »
I glance at the staff again. They’re frenetically playing with the different gear and buttons I know nothing about but James takes a few seconds to mime that everything is doing great and that this call will definitely be a good one. I focus again on Sophie’s case. Because yes, they’re my cases and I’m a «love investigator» not to quote James.
« I’ve been going out with my boyfriend for almost a year now and everything is doing fine, we just moved in together and our chemistry has been even greater since we started living together… »
« Looks like you’re living the dream. I don’t see what’s wrong? » I tilt my head and I squint my eyes wondering what crunchy plot twist awaits us.
« Here’s the issue. It began about one month after we shared our apartment. We were having our « sexy time» and I started noticing something different about him…»
I sit closer to the edge of my chair with an open mouth.
« I noticed he started spending more time playing with my foot. »
« Like we would be making out and you know, warming up and right as it becomes intense he starts liking my foot and touching them like there’s no tomorrow! I don’t «hate it», but what made him change so dramatically? He would never do that in the first months. I just really don’t know how to react. »
I sit back in my chair and giggle before leaning back in to start my monologue.
« This is my first case of foot fetish on my show, congrats! »
« Foot fetish? » Sophie sounds so lost it made me giggle again.
« You heard it well Sophie, it seems that your boyfriend has a foot fetish. Trust me, it’s not abnormal! Everyone has fetishes and we don’t kink shame on this show. The proof that he’s only starting now to show it more obviously when having sex with you is surely because he’s feeling comfortable, loved and appreciated enough to be himself in front of you. And you mentioned that you were not hating it, just surprised and unsettled by the act, right? If you’re willing to go all in with your boyfriend and experience a new sex life inclusive of your kinks, you’ll see a side of each other you never knew about before. It’ll most likely bring you two closer together. Give it a shot and don’t overthink it too much! »
« I guess trying won’t hurt anyone… Thanks a lot for the advice, everything is much clearer now! »
« Have a great night Sophie and keep us updated via our private inbox! »
My producer gives the sign telling me the call has ended and I should announce the upcoming commercial break.
“Ok now we’ll be going into a short break before taking further calls! We’ll be back shortly so stay tuned for more love counselling on « Call it love » !
As a commercial airs in my headphones, I lean back and reminisce about the conversation I had with Sophie. She’s willing to go out of her confort zone in order to keep her cherished relationship going. I find it remarkable. Even though I don’t have time nor the interest for a relationship, calls like these makes me miss the joy of being around someone whom you’re willing to do everything for. Caring for someone is something I deeply miss sometimes at 3 am in the small recording studio downtown Seoul.
The producer’s eager tapping on the glass brings me back to reality and made me focus on work. The last commercial about some sort of deadly energy drink comes to end and there’s my cue to take another call.
« Tonight is a gorgeous night out in Seoul, perfect for reflecting about your love live around a drink listening to the radio. We’re now going to take another call, our second of the night and meanwhile, pick up your phone too and «Call it love»! You might be the next one on air! »
I glance over the team with my eyebrows raised and forced smile, genuinely proud of my shitty pun. The disappointed-dad-looks on the staff face give me the notice to take another call and shut my mouth.
«Ok now here’s the next caller! What’s your name? »
«I can’t tell you, I’d much rather keep my identity secret for now. »
«Then let us call you… Let’s see, we had a “Caller A” yesterday. How about “Caller B”? »
He chuckles cutely before saying he doesn’t mind at all and that it isn’t the first time he winds up with weird nicknames. I was taken aback by his cute ways. His English sounds impeccable, and his voice was soothing, clear and smooth in the ears. The kind of voice I would listen to while going back from work on the radio announcing a piece of an artist I never heard of and probably never will. Adding to the lack of information, everything about him makes me the more curious I’ve ever been about a caller from «Call it love». I really can’t wait to hear his story.
«So, Caller B! Tell us a bit about what’s bothering you tonight. Forbidden love? Unrequited love?»
«To be honest, my concerns are a bit different than anything you’ve probably heard on the show. » His chuckles softly resonate through the phone, blessing my headphones. I say “his” because chuckles on this show usually come with a bunch of choked laughters from the back of the line from people making their friends call here because he lost some sort of bet. Strangely enough, the line is quiet except for the velvety sound of his voice.
« You see… my problem is about what I can’t do more than what I should do. »
I squint my eyes while asking him to explain what he means by that.
« In short, because of work I can’t date. Yes, I do have a busy schedule and little time for myself but it isn’t about time, the company I work for strictly prohibits dating and not only between the staff, but with anyone. At first, my job kept me busy most of the day and during my occasional breaks I would choose sleep over anything else so the idea of dating wasn’t even slightly on my mind. But now that I made a name for myself and have a sufficient amount of time to consider having a relationship I find it hard to believe that my employer would deprive me from dating?
I listen in disbelief as Caller B shares his concerns. Everything about his story is wicked and unconceivable. I’ve never, never heard of an employer that would prohibit his employees from dating? Why would they? Dating doesn’t affects in anyway the way you work, nor your productivity, so why? I’m so confused by this call.
«My answer may seem tackless but, get the hell out of your workplace? Your condescending boss can’t control your personal life this way, this is purely idiotic. He isn’t some sort of God that has absolute authority upon you. Nobody has control over anyone life unless it’s his I reckon? »
His chuckles ring again into my ears, a melody I can surely get accustom to.
« I wish I could, but he has godlike powers actually… The reasons being I kind of sign a contract that seemed quite right some time ago but now it sounds like pure shit. I can’t go out of my house when I want, I have to ask permission before doing anything… I »
«Hold up hold up hold up, this is complete bullshit. Did you sign a contract with Satan himself? Did you sell your soul? »
He burst out laughing. I found my intervention hilarious too to be honest. I even say the staff crack a smile and my producer chocking on his coffee, I’m proud.
« Saying it like that, it’s pretty accurate! I think I did sell my soul to Satan! » He laughs again at how ridiculous his situation sounds.
« But on a serious note, what exactly is your job? »
« Yet again I must keep that part quiet, revealing my domain of work might undermine my anonymity and consequently, make me lose my job and my reputation, I can’t let that happen. »
For the first time in a while I look at the live chat that’s open in the corner of my second computer screen. We don’t use it often but some time we like to have our audience interact with the person that’s on the line, this way, I don’t have to find all the questions myself and I can let the chat be entertaining when I’m not. Some comments bring to light some aspects of the situation I let slide or simply didn’t even think about. But today, I’ve never seen the chat so damn flooded. I can barely keep up with the comments he audience are posting. « The less I know the more curious I am, please Caller B give us some info!!”, “He’s so mysterious! I want to know more”, “His company sounds like a prison to me, he has to escape”, “How about dating in secret? It’s kind of easy to hide a relationship, but I guess never being able to go out on dates during broad daylight is super lame”, “Isn’t it illegal to deprive someone from their liberty?”. However, one specific comment left me wondering about the reason he has to stay anonymous: “Is he an idol? That sounds terribly like the life of a K-pop idol, right?”. I gasped silently before turning back from the live chat to direct my attention back to Caller B.
“It seems that your story caught the attention of our listeners, how about we go on a short break and answer some of theirs questions and interrogations? What do you say Caller B?” I announced.
“I’d be glad to” The mysterious caller added.
“Alright so we’ll see you in a bit in the next segment of “Call it love!””. I exclaimed.
I double check on the dash board to make sure our mics are closed before notifying Caller B about the next part of the show.
“You can talk freely we have about 3 minutes before going back on air.”
“This show is nerve racking! It took me everything I got to call and I’m already exhausted from the stress of being on air like that.” He spoke nervously.
“Don’t think too much into it, enjoy the call and seriously, it’s basically impossible to guess your identity with that much info, trust me!” He retorted to this with a soft laugh much alike to a “Thank you for cheering me up”.
“And with the quantity of listeners active on the LiveChat, you’re basically a celebrity now! I’ve never seen anything like this before on the show, it’s thrilling, right?” I exclaimed
“What if I am already a celebrity?
Before I could add anything, the producer notifies me of the 10 seconds left to the commercial break, barely enough time for me to throw light upon the situation.
“Ok be ready we’re on air in 10. After this you must stay on the line, alright?” I say eagerly.
“Understood!” He scoffed.
It’s a thought he finds some kind of enjoyment in the way he’s got me completely off guard. And he knows well that I can’t reveal what he just said, I promised to keep his identity quiet. I’ve got information that could elevate the rakings of “Call it love”, but my professionalism prohibits me from doing so. I’ve never been more lost in this show than I am right now.
Barely able to keep track of the time passing a nearly manage to come back on air to announce what’s now happening with our caller.
“O-ok so we are back and ready to answer some of our eager listeners’ questions! Let’s start with JoonKi_00 who’s curious about what’s the field of work you are working into, without being too explicit about it?”
He lets out a soft defeated sigh followed with his words tinted of faint amusement. “I’ll go safe by saying it’s in the entertainment industry.”
I wasn’t surprised du to his strange confession from before about him being supposedly well known, however, this single comment sparked a major debate in the chat. Comments were flowing again. “Is he an actor, an idol, an announcer?” I wanted the answers to these questions as much as them, but why bother when I know for a fact that he won’t say a word. I scroll down a bit to find something worth asking until I come across a comment that could interest more than one.
“Now a question from YuBinnn2, she seems curious about how come you speak english so well?”
“Actually, I grew up in America, that’s why I can speak English and Korean as well. It’s been a while since I went back to America and practiced my English, that’s why my English right now is rusty! It feels great though, to go back to my roots.”
“How lovely! We’re glad you get to experience that with us tonight! Ok so it’s that time of the night again where we have to say our last goodbye and we’ll end this episode of “Call it love” with a last message from our Live Chat and this one comes from Alexx_454 and he/she asks “I’ve been listening to your show for the past months due to my late night shifts at work and-“
At this point, a ton of messages came every second and it was beyond impossible to choose and to decide whether the message was related to the subject and interesting for the continuation of the dialogue we were having with Caller B. There was no point in spending more time than necessary finding a suitable one, I just took the first one that popped up and read it out loud without much thinking. Half-through the comment, I roll my eyes at how stupid I am.
“I’ve been listening to your show for the past months due to my late-night shifts at work and I noticed that you sound different tonight, maybe it isn’t only us viewers that are flustered by Caller B but you are as well? Y/N you can’t fool us, long-time fans! ;)”
“Wow my listeners tonight seem very passionate to say the least. Unfortunately, I haven’t been hired here to discuss my own problems with you guys… Yes this is so sad. What’s even more sad is that it’s time to thank Caller B for being here with us tonight. The show is coming to an end…” I direct my speech to the caller. “I had a blast spending the evening talking to you and the audience and I hope you feel the same too, it was genuinely a pleasure!”
“I should thank you, I guess you made me realise, even though I always knew, that I can’t live my life following one man’s order, those who truly support me will continue to do so no matter what comes up, I’m confident.”
I continue with the formalities before closing the live chat as well as ending the call. I recommend to the audience to stay tune for the next episode because I know for a fact that the one we had today will bring everybody and his cousin. And I’m not the only one who thinks like this, my producer and the staff are flooding me with compliments and praise about how well I conducted the show today. But really, I did nothing out of the ordinary, if the caller’s case wasn’t this entertaining we would’ve had a pretty ordinary evening. And I hate it when the staff praise me, they are behind 70% of the show content and it’s thanks to them it’s still running to this day. Still, I truly appreciate what this show brings me.
After all the paper work, the technical examination as well as the check-up seem to be done, I take my sweater from the locker as well as my purse and close all the lights. I’m usually the only one left after the recording of the show. I’d rather prepare my cue cards the day before to have enough time to learn them and adjust their content before the show. There’s also some sort of atmosphere in an empty recording studio that makes my brain work the extra mile and keep me focused through the work. The atmosphere turns quickly to creepy when comes the times to close all lights though.
I’m now in the lobby, glancing at the big mirror adjusting my skirt before exiting the building. Even though working for a radio show as its perks, like wearing little to no make up and having no dress code, I still like to look my best coming to work. Today I wore a jeans skirt, a cute graphic tee and chic sandals. I wore my daily make-up to make my features pop a bit more. You never know when will come a day I’ll meet with the CEO or do a special show where we’ll live stream the entirety of the show on Instagram or Facebook. And anyway, I don’t need an excuse to dress up, I just do it mainly because I don’t want to scare myself when I look at myself in this big ass mirror. I hesitate to take a selfie in the mirror and to post it on the show’s Instagram account but shook it off because it would be kind of unrelated and uninteresting. I still took a couple pictures because damn, this mirror makes me look super fine.
As I plug my earphones in my phone and make my way to the glass door, I abruptly stop, wondering why the lights outside are on. At this hour, the movement detector comes on and they only light up when there’s movement near the doors that are fortunately locked at this hour, preventing everyone from entering while still letting people exit without problem. I wouldn’t be alarmed if the building was directly facing the street, where people would pass non-stop, but since its entrance is quite far from everything, it isn’t quite normal for the lights to be on. Anyway, it’s the only exit still unlocked at this hour, meaning I have no choice but to look for myself if the individual/thing that triggered the censors is still in sight.
I gently push the door, half ready to die and half convinced it’s nothing. At first glance there seems to be no one, I quickly calm down and deduct that the censors must’ve been triggered by a stray. I then close the door behind me, looking for my earphones in the meantime.
“I hope your selfies turned out great.”
I’m now 100% ready to die. I turn my head 180 degrees to the left, searching for the man who’ll be taking my life tonight.
“I’m so sorry! So sorry! I wasn’t trying to be creepy or anything I’m sorry I made you jump!”
“Made me jump? I almost fucking died- wait a minute…”
“You can call me Johnny, it’s a lot less weird.”
Should I be questioning what the hell Caller B is doing at the radio building, or questioning why the fuck is Johnny from the k-pop group NCT is talking to me? There’s about a thousand neurons making connections as well as deconnecting trying to make some sense out of the situation.
“Well Johnny, there’s a no need to apologize it’s not like you creeped out of the bushes, clearly mentioning you were stalking me and scared the living hell out of me.” I explained sarcastically with a faint fake smile.
“I know but I didn’t want to look creepy waiting for you to come out, which took a hell of a long time by the way.”
“You know, in any other situation I would call you out for trying to make me look like the bad one for making you “wait” while you clearly are in no position to say that to me, but since a top international idol with over a million fans is saying it to me I’m slowly starting to feel bad.”
I said that half joking. I could’ve played dumb and pretend I didn’t know who he was, but working in the entertainment industry, I must at least know the name of popular idols. And to be honest, NCT’s songs are great workout songs. Who in Korea doesn’t know NCT anyway?
“So, you do know who I am.” He teases partly surprised, with a teasing smirk.
“Of course, they say about 86% of murder victims knew the accused involved in their murder.”
“Oh… hum I…”
The questioned look on his face clearly signified I went overboard with my joke about murder when it obviously isn’t the reason why he came all this way to my work place, risking being called out as a creep.
“I’m sorry hum…. Well of course I know who you are. I see your face almost every single day on billboards in the train station and you literally broadcasted in the studio next to mine last month. They insisted about learning all your member’s name including yours in case I ran across y’all in the hall ways. Demands of my big boss who’s dead scared of your big boss.”
“But we went there at like 11 in the morning and you-“
“broadcast at 3 am. Yes, bunch of weak ass weirdos”
His lips parted in the most natural way to reveal a genuine and whole- hearted smile. The peculiar and heart-stopping form of his lips made it humanly impossible to simply look away. And the way he practically closed his eyes as his amusement dispersed to the rest of his godly proportioned body made it hard for me to breath in his idol-like presence. Thank god, my defense system is so rigged that the more I’m nervous and embarrassed, the more I joke around and become self-confident. I always thought I’d never be able to align two words if I came face to face to a celebrity, turns out I’m doing alright. My mouth body and brain became three separate entities but hey, I’m not making a fool out a me for once, which is nice.
“Are you really not questioning what I’m doing at your workplace Y/N?”
Being called by my first name by a celebrity is in the top 3 of the most unpleasant yet delightful feeling I ever experienced and never thought I’d experienced. My heart is racing. From Johnny himself or the peculiar situation I’m in?
“Yeah I was just… speechless, I guess? Are you here to talk about the broadcast? I’m sorry if you want to edit some part out but it was live and live means I can’t do sh-“
He squats down a little, hands resting strongly on his black pants. I then hear him take a deep breath, and he stands back up, facing me yet again. The contrast of his black jeans and the white of his shirt, cut by the glint of his belt makes it look like I was standing in front of a giant. How can he be so long?
“I think you’re pretty cool Y/N.”
“… Pretty cool?” I took all the will power residing within me to stop myself from laughing out loud. Pretty cool? What does that even mean? Pretty cool?? “Did you…” I swallowed my giggle as best as I could in vain. “Did you really come all the way here to tell me I’m… Pretty cool?” At this point, containing my laughs were a lost battle. As I was giggling and therefore, gliding my head to the side, Johnny made his way back in front of me, taking my hand that was strolling in front of my grin into his giant palm.
“No no, I mean, I knew it was risky to attempt calling your show and when I finally got through, I was this close to hang up.”
He lets my hand go. We’re still facing each other. The dim lighting and the serious and thoughtful look painted on his features extinguish my laughter instantly. Everything was dark expecting the two of us, standing in this twilight. He glanced at my hand before returning his gaze into my perplexed eyes. He continues.
“I’ve listened to your show for a while. I have trouble sleeping at night because of work, as fun as people think it looks, I’m struggling quite a lot finding my place in this big wheel that is K-pop. I found myself going out, aimlessly driving in order to sort things out. That’s when I found out about your show. As crazy as it sounds, the lightness and humour of it, disguised behind real concerns in the advice you give made my rides back home enjoyable.”
He looks down at his feet, giggling and smirking at how embarrassing it must sound.
“This is partly why I came here, to sort of thank you.”
As I was trying to work out a suitable response for the thoughtful and honest confession from a k-pop idol, since his monologue, he had a hard time looking at me directly, as if something had switched about me in his mind. The only thing my poorly functioning brain took away from this conversation was:
“And I also came because you looked cute in those Instagram pics. And I think you’d look even cuter with a cup a coffee in hand.”
The bombshell he dropped had my eyes on stalks. I stay silent at the absurd situation I got myself into.
“That I would pay myself… Cause I’m asking you on a date?”
I jolted back to life nodding like in disbelief. Nodding on the same beat as my heartbeat. The broad back of Johnny, standing tall before me got broader with every step he took toward me. The source of light, slowly disappearing behind his features, leaving me in the penumbra of Johnny’s figure. His presence becomes heavier, unbearable with each step. My breathing accelerates, my body naturally responding by trying desperately to run away from the person creating such an explosive response. Naturally, as if the work of the wind made me take a few steps back, slowly, unnoticeable, my back brushed the cold cement of the wall behind me. The cold touch of the material on my back makes me jolt away, my body now brushing Johnny’s, sending shivers down my spine making me lose my balance. In attempt to regain my stability, I reach lightly to Johnny’s hand, which he instantly holds, intertwining his fingers with mine, delicately touching, as if he’s holding a flower. Our breaths are slow, yet sharp, in perfect harmony. He then lets my hand go, leaving it coldly resting on my side as his brushed the length of my arm to finally take rest on my cheek, cupping it faintly as his other hand made the exact same gesture on its respective side. Focused on the gentle touch of Johnny’s hand on my skin, I barely notice his lips, getting closer, only centimeters away from mine. Realising the proximity of the both of us, I close the gap between him and I, pressing my lips onto his, connecting. My mind becomes numb due to the delightful taste of Johnny’s immaculate lips meeting mine in such a graceful way. The bitter taste of cheap coffee mixed with the sweetness of pastry had me in bliss. We were in no hurry, but our rushed kiss, insistent, could’ve hint otherwise. Brushing his way from my cheek to my waist, his fingertips left a trail of fire onto my skin, far from ready to be extinguish. Pulling me closer, still pressing needy kiss on my equally needing lips, I felt his knee coming closer to my warmth, as if he’s asking for permission to touch me any further. My instant response by spreading lightly my legs apart, revealing the space he’s obviously craving, inviting his advances, was the permission he’s been waiting for. The pressure against my core felt heavenly, accentuated by the lack of clothes in between, thanks to my wardrobe choices today. His hand still on my waist, is making its way under the thin fabric of my shirt as his lips left mine, leaving me painting softly looking desperately for the touch of his lips again. His breath trailed the side of my face, leaving a burning sensation were his lips brushed. His motion stops abruptly to my ear as he exhales sharply, making my eyes close extracting from me a velvety, nearly unheard moan.
“I decided to follow your advice Y/N. Aren’t you glad I did?”
“That’s one unravelment I will not be mentioning in tomorrow’s broadcast.” I purred into his ear.
“How about you continue with your guidance someplace else? There’s still a thing I need your help with.” He baited.
I giggle to his pseudo plead while biting his ear-lobe. “Shall we go then?”
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