strawberry shortcake romance
⋆˚𝜗𝜚˚⋆ Juhoon x bakery owner!reader
⋆˚𝜗𝜚˚⋆ summary : you meet a mysterious boy who only orders two things a slice of strawberry shortcake and whatever you decide is your favorite for the day. for weeks he comes in and sits in the same spot, talking to you for a bit before leaving. except he suddenly doesn't show up for a week, leaving you guessing to where he had gone. you'd never expected him to come in on a random night when you're closing shop, surprising you with the best "welcome back" gift of your life.
⋆˚𝜗𝜚˚⋆ content : tooth rotting fluff, kissing, Stella is her own warning
⋆˚𝜗𝜚˚⋆ author’s note : can ppl tell I was listening to peak illit while writing this?
Being the owner's daughter of a bakery in one of the most busiest and populous regions of South Korea as a foreigner had its pros and cons. At first you recognized all of the benefits-lots of generous tippers who'd recognized your business online, frequent regulars who'd become friends along the way, as well as an overall comforting community. You created a beautiful safe haven with your own hands. Literally.
You adored making sweets-even more the days you've made better and moods you've lifted with them! Well everyone knew a yummy chocolate chip cookie made everything better. It was truly a dream. Most of the time.
With a pretty popular and booming company, unfortunately, crummy clients were...inevitable. Bad reviews would be left, food would be thrown away or spit out-and hey, you didn't have to be everyone's cup of tea, but it still undeniably hurt that one could treat something you made with so much love with so much hate.
Within your mix of customers and all of the newfound connections you'd made through your business, there was one that you thought about just a bit more than the others, one who walked around rent-free in your mind.
The first time he came in, you were working the register, dressed in a pretty gingham patterned apron and matching headband. It was just another day, sun filtering in through the large bakery windows, casting glowy shadows over everyone that occupied it. It was beautiful, and you couldn't be happier.
"Hello! Welcome, what could I get for you?" Your smile was as warm as the tone of your voice, your eyes crinkling at the ends as you looked up at him. You weren't just some establishment owner-you truly loved your job.
"Hello." He replied. His voice was monotone and smooth like french hot chocolate melting onto your tongue. It was the first of many things about him that encaptivated you. His dark hair framed his face perfectly, slightly covering his eyes. A tiny detail that reminded you of the macarons you baked. Was this man simply a pretty little mix of the things you made, or a treat all on his own?
"One strawberry shortcake slice, please."
"Ah, right." You nodded your head, face warming beneath his gaze. Could he tell what you were just thinking? That he was something edible. You registered the item in before looking back up at him. Come to think of it, he was unusually close.
"Of course, anything else?"
"Hm." He hummed, thumb to his lip as he scanned the menu.
"And whatever you'd say is your favorite."
"My favorite?" You repeated, your eyes finally locking into his.
"Correct."
Your smile widened ever so slightly, eyes shining beneath the lights. "Of course, I'll get it to you quickly! That'll be-"
Before you could finish your sentence he was already walking away, making his way over to a tiny 2-seater table in the corner of the bakery.
"Huh."
For a moment you were left dumbfounded, blankly blinking at him until another customer walked into line. You were forced to avert your attention, gaze focusing on the kid now in front of you.
"Hi, sorry. What could I get for you today?"
"A chocolate cake slice, please!" She smiled, a lollipop in between her lips.
"Got it!" You eagerly registered in her order, surprised when she suddenly spoke again.
"Ma'am..is this yours?"
"Hm?"
She held up a $100 dollar bill, crisp with zero creases. "Oh-no, I don't think." You stammered, slowly looking back at the man in the corner-just for a second. Was that why he didn't pay? Well—he did, but it was absolutely too much. He probably didn't have change, and expected to receive the rest when he got his food. Yep! That's it!
"It-it is, actually! Sorry." You politely accepted the bill, shoving it into your pocket to make sure you didn't forget.
"Awh man, thought I got lucky." The girl sighed, eliciting a smile from you.
"Hehe, maybe next time..but for now it'll be seven dollars and fifty cents, hon."
"Darn it."
She handed you exact change, grumbling just a bit beneath her breath as she plopped down at a different table. Kids will be kids you suppose…
"Here you go, sir." You carefully set down two plates in front of him. One was syrupy sweet with strawberries and cake and the other was beignets. He gracefully accepted the sweets, resting one hand on top of his knees while the other reached for a fork.
'It’s a New Orlean’s recipe. Tiana made them in ‘Princess and the frog’. Also, have your change-"
"I didn't require change."
"Huh..?" You went silent, watching him munch on the cake as a bit of frosting decorated the corner of his lip.
"Consider it gratuity for excellent customer service..and" he took a moment to swallow, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "delicious desserts."
You smiled softly, a sudden bashful feeling overwhelming you. "Do you mean it?"
"Of course, compliments are earned and you deserve it."
"Thank you."
"Hm." He replied, taking a second to observe the croissant you'd also set down." "This is your favorite.?"
"It is."
A moment of silence passed before he went back to the cake, popping a strawberry into his mouth.
"Thank you."
"No problem." Your voice wavered for a second, a bit of confusion fogging your brain. You took his quiet eating as the cue to leave, walking back behind the register to get back to work-yet you could barely focus. Curse him and his stupidly charming face and compliments.
You'd talk to him more next time. And you did.
He'd come in almost everyday around the same time, sit in the same spot, and order the same thing-except he'd always ask for what you were in the mood for, taking home an extra dessert with him every time.
You had not the slightest clue who the other pastry was for or why he had such a routine visit, but you weren't complaining...you were just curious. Not jealous. Not jealous at all. Maybe you'd ask if the dessert was for someone at home.
It's bold, but maybe it'll spark something? You couldn't deny the effect he had on you, but it was a bit embarrassing. How easily a simple regular could get you weak in the knees.
Unusually, there wasn't a next time. There wasn't a next time for a few weeks, actually and you were just a bit worried.
Almost a month and he'd never missed a day. Never. Your employees even began to call him "Strawberry guy", the tall, handsome, quiet boy that spoke to nobody but you and ordered nothing but a singular slice of strawberry shortcake and whatever you wanted.
"He'll be back. In fact I bet he's having withdrawal symptoms right now." Your best friend Stella spoke, trailing behind you as you delivered treats around the bakery.
"He probably got tired of my boring suggestions." You sighed heavily-almost comically as you placed a plate down onto a table. "Enjoy, sir.”
"You're hopeless! You don't have romance! He's simply so deeply infatuated he can't even face you! He's afraid once he does he'll immediately propose!"
"Oh god, you're the worst person to confide in.."
She stopped in front of you, dropping to her knees and grabbing one of your legs-just to prove her point.
"Marry me! Marry me, you beautiful bakeress! Take me as your doting wife! I won't live if you won't take me! I'll simply die"
You froze up almost instantly, eyes of the customers glued to you-and your best friend who apparently had no shame and loved to make fun of your love life.
"Folks are watching...stop humiliating yourself." You whispered through clenched teeth, wiggling your leg away before she even had a chance to speak.
"Fine..." she groaned, dusting off her pants as she got up before chasing you back to the register.
"You're simply..a small thinker."
You rolled your eyes, resting your cheek in your palm. "You simply read too much fanfiction."
"Low blow." She replied, clutching her heart in faux pain.
"Super low..."
"Ha-ha." You deadpanned, bonking her head with your free hand.
"Owch! Hey, I need compensation for that! You knocked some of my brain cells out!"
"Really? I thought you got all of them out when you started begging me to marry you."
"Eh, that did minimum damage." She sighed, rubbing her head where you'd lightly hit her. "Can I get a little cake for my troubles?"
You look to the side as if you were thinking, eyes slowly wandering back over to her. "Come during closing and I'll see what I can do."
"I'll be there."
Night time comes along sooner than expected, the entire bakery clean and ready for tomorrow. Stars were twinkling, shining a small light through the glass windows, creating a beautiful picture.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Moka!"
"See you!"
The last employee was on their way and all that was left was you, the treats on display, and lovely silence. It was nice to be alone sometimes, but most of the time when you were alone you started to think..and the only thing you could think of was him. Was he really gone forever now? People move to different places all the time..perhaps he's sick? Maybe..maybe he's found another bakery.
The chime of the door pulls you from your thoughts, and you quickly look up. "Moka.."
"Hello."
It's him, dressed in a simple white shirt and jeans-his posture the same as ever...Maybe you were imagining him. It was late after all...perhaps you were hallucinating from lack of rest. Strawberry guy ?
He walked closer, standing just the same way he had in front of you so many days ago.
"One slice of strawberry shortcake...and an almond croissant, please."
"I." Well, he's definitely real, but why is he here so late? After so long? ..Was this a prank? "Yes, of course. One moment, sir." You replied, auto-piloting your response as you tried to process the situation.
Without another word he went back to sit down in the exact same chair. All you could think of as you grabbed a slice from the display was all the questions he had yet to answer, and all of the things he could possibly say.
You let out a soft sigh, grabbing a few extra strawberries for a better presentation, maybe it'd sweeten him up too…
With careful steps you walked over to him, gently placing the plates down before sitting down in the chair across from him.
And for the first time-he ate the croissant first.
"Would it be odd to say I missed this taste?" He murmured, taking small bites of the fluffy pastry, his facial expression the same as always. Blank yet somehow slightly fond.
"I guess not. You're bound to miss something when you're away from it for a bit."
A pause.
"Speaking of, where have you been anyway?"
"Were you looking out for me?”
You raised an eyebrow. Answering your question with another one? This is your chance, just speak. Easy and slow.
"Family? Or maybe a girlfriend?"
"No. Just me."
"l meant if you had one."
"I do not."
A sound of what could've only been relief left you, a soft sigh escaping your lips. Would he take offense?
Quite the opposite.
The corner of his lips curved ever so slightly, his eyes glued to your face as you tried to hide your embarrassment.
"I just thought you must've..you probably brought those extra desserts to your...someone."
"You’d be dead wrong. They're for me."
"Noted" You quickly replied, thank God you can’t blush anyway.
A longer moment of quiet passed before he set down the bready treat, picking up a fork to bite into the cake before suddenly stopping.
"There's a few more strawberries than usual."
"We’ll take it as a welcome back gift free of charge." You joked, finally beginning to ease back into your usual self.
"You're extremely kind and trusting. Why?"
Your eyebrows rose a bit at the unexpected question, your lips parting ever so slightly.
"You never know what's going on in someone's life. I think it's always better to be kind, it's an even greater feeling to know you'd brighten someone's day."
"I see." He mumbled, before finally taking a bike into the cake, savoring the sweet syrup on his tongue.
"I guess you won't be frequenting as much then?"
"You’d be incorrect, again."
"Really?" You try to hide your excitement, but you can't physically find it in yourself.
"Of course. Perhaps then I could find an opportunity to repay you for those strawberries.
"Ah-I told you, they're free of charge." You chuckled, getting up from the chair to collect his empty beignets plate as you noticed it was getting particularly late.
But he stopped you, lithe fingers wrapping around your wrist to keep you from the plate. His hand was cold, but extremely soft. You'd only dreamed of him holding your hand. Not exactly in this situation, but you'd take what you could get.
"I wasn't speaking of money."
"You weren't?"
"Could I tell you what I would like to give you?"
You lean down a few inches, nodding your head as he tilted his own so his lips were just a centimeter away from your ear.
"A kiss."
You almost immediately turned your head, but before you could even utter your exclamation his mouth was over yours, overwhelming your senses until all you could think of was his warm and utterly smooth lips against yours.
He was careful in everything he did. From how he ate to how he held you now, his grip on your wrist loosening as you leaned into him, seeking more of his touch. You gratefully took all that he gave you, not once pulling away.
His tongue eventually grazed your lower lip, and all you could internally say was..
"Holy shit! I knew it!"
You squealed into his mouth before pulling away, watching your best friend stand at the front door-absolutely gobsmacked. How did you not hear the door!? She's probably here for her cake freeloader.
"You again.." You whispered under your breath, still holding his hand, still squeezing his palm. "And I thought I was the only one who could kiss you" She sighed, the most devilish smile adorning her lips.
You look back at him, his eyes staring blankly at your friend.
"You and your lying ass.”
"Fine! You should've just broken up with me instead of cheating on me like this!" She paused, staring right back at Juhoon.
"And I want my cake!!" With a dramatic exit, she left the building. Probably just to wait in her car for you to deliver her slice.
"She is not my girlfriend, I'm not even a lesbian.” You raised up your hands almost innocently.
"It's quite alright. I could tell she was lying."
"Oh well.”
He's still squeezing your fingers, rubbing his thumb against the back of your palm like it's muscle memory, and for a moment you feel completely at peace.
"If you don't mind..! I haven't finished repaying my debt."
