Chapter Text
☆★☆
Jungkook glances up at the sound of tinkling bells, a familiar tuft of orange hair making it’s way into the cafe.
“Give me some sugar, Suga! I’ve finally found love!” The tuft calls out as he pulls the smaller boy into an embrace. Yoongi mutters something about a stupid nickname as he brushes the younger boy off of him.
“What happened to ‘love is a lie’ and ‘I don’t believe in love’?” Jungkook’s boss, Hoseok, asks. He glances up from the espresso machine that he’s cleaning, raising an eyebrow at the boy. Taehyung, who’s now made his way to the counter, shoots him a look and turns to Jungkook.
“So?” he raises a brow, “Are you going to ask?” As Jungkook opens his mouth to speak the older boy waves a hand at him and launches into the story anyways.
This time it’s about his coworker, his oh so magical coworker with beautiful eyes and a beautiful nose and beautiful lips and it’s just so fucking beautiful. His coworker who, incidentally, is more of his boss than anything. Taehyung works as an intern and has a habit of bringing in whoever had the misfortune of getting him in their department at the time. Jungkook rolls his eyes a little.
He’s known Taehyung for a few years now and has grown used to this. Once a week Taehyung would come into the cafe with a new story about some new boy. This one is different though, he would always say. This one is finally the one. His soulmate. Out of habit Jungkook glances down at his own arms, hardly listening to the boy’s tale of love. There’s a familiar outline of a treble clef etched into his left wrist. “There he is, there he is!” Taehyung says, grabbing Jungkook’s arm in excitement.
“And there’s his friends.” Hoseok says smugly as he passes behind Jungkook. Taehyung’s face falls and Yoongi’s eyes light up mischievously.
“You didn’t tell him it was a date, did you?” He asks, grinning.
“Of course he didn’t, otherwise the poor boy wouldn’t have shown up.” Hoseok says without even looking up from his cleaning. Yoongi laughs and Jungkook shushes both of them, taking pity on the poor boy. The kid probably thought he was asking him on a date and it probably came out as being more friendly than anything. Taehyung, as much as he tried, is never quite as smooth as he wanted to be.
“Hello! Welcome to Hobi’s!” Jungkook calls out the usual greeting, smiling as the trio walks in. Leading the way is a cute black haired boy, presumably Taehyung’s would-be date. Behind him are a redhead and a taller man with snowy white hair that’s just a little bit overgrown. He brushes his hair away from his eyes, catching Jungkook’s gaze in the process. His smile catches Jungkook off guard, and he can feel butterflies growing in his chest as he scrambles to return it.
“Jimin! You came!” Taehyung calls out, waving to the first boy as if his life depended on it. Jimin flushes a little but smiles regardless, and the redhead smiles and whispers something in the blond’s ear. The blond laughs a little and Jungkook finds himself subtly trying to check their wrists, crinkling his nose with displeasure when he can’t get a good look at either.
“Hello!” The blond says warmly, a soft smile lighting his features. Jungkook feels his breath catch in his throat as the blond places his hands on the counter, leaning forward to read the menu. On his left wrist is the outline of a bass clef and the other is blank. “Can I get a white mocha and a black coffee?”
“Yeah! Yeah.” Jungkook says, shaking his head a little to bring himself back to reality.
“I got it.” Yoongi says quietly from beside him, already writing out the orders on the cups. Jungkook swears he can see a faint smile on the boy’s lips. “Can I get a name?”
“Namjoon.” The blond says, reaching for his wallet. He hands some cash over to Jungkook with another smile, “Keep the change.” Jungkook rolls his tongue between his teeth as Namjoon walks away, and Yoongi clicks his tongue, still smiling. Jungkook glances over at where Namjoon is now sitting, right up against the big bay window at the front of the store. He’s grinning and explaining something to his redhead friend who is sifting through piles of paperwork. Jungkook allows himself a simple smile before looking away.
“Here.” Yoongi says, placing a tray with two cups of coffee in front of him. “For your sweetheart.” He says with a smirk before returning to his cleaning. Jungkook rolls his eyes and takes a quiet breath. He has to get his shit together.
☆★☆
Namjoon sits down across from Jin near the front of the coffee shop with a loud sigh. His friend is busy laying out their work files, not even bothering to look up. Namjoon takes off his jacket and pulls out his phone, glancing through some old messages.
“Okay, so we need to file copyright for these, check these for copyright issues, and also these.” He looks up, having spread out the work into three manageable piles. “Thank you for buying coffee by the way.”
“Yeah! No problem.” Namjoon says, glancing back over at the counter. The coffee boy is staring off into the distance, a goofy smile on his face. Jin pushes his pile towards him,
“This one is yours, this one is mine, and this one is for Jimin once he decides he’s done flirting with the intern.” Jin snorts a little, looking over at the younger boy who is busy laughing at whatever Taehyung is acting out so dramatically.
“I told him it was a date.” Namjoon says, sounding vaguely irritated. Jin rolls his eyes.
“So cynical. Anyways, he wanted back up. Oh! Thank you.” Jin says to the coffee boy as he puts their drinks on the table in front of them. “Are you one of Taehyung’s friends?” Jin asks, always the mother.
“Y-Yeah! Yeah. We went to school together.” He stutters a little, but he smiles through it regardless. He crinkles up his nose a little and Namjoon holds back a groan. God damnit kid. “Can I get you anything else?” he glances back between the two of them.
“I think we have everything, thank you!” Jin says politely, Namjoon giving a little nod in agreement. The poor coffee boy bows a little before turning and scampering off back behind the counter, his cheeks are a beautifully bright shade of red. Jin stares after him for a moment and turns back to Namjoon, looking thoughtful. Namjoon raises an eyebrow, almost as if to challenge the older boy. “He’s cute.” Jin says, carefully. Namjoon nods slightly in agreement, glancing out the window as he does. “He’s really cute actually.” Jin’s pushing it.
“Your point?” Namjoon knows he’s being a little shit, but he really doesn’t feel like playing along today.
“You should go for it.” Jin says, sifting through his own stack of papers. Namjoon snorts, glancing back over at the coffee boy. It’s not that the kid isn’t cute. Namjoon would tap that in a heartbeat. But not in front of Jin. He shakes his head a little and lets his eyes wander out the window. Jin can say that it’s fine as much as he wants, but he knows better. It’s not fine, for either of them. “Um…” Jin says softly, staring at the coffee cup he had picked up. “This one is yours.” He says with a slight smile. He places the cup down to turn it around and Namjoon rolls his eyes a little bit. There it is, right on the side of the cup in immaculate handwriting.
I get off at six -Jungkook
☆★☆
Jungkook is sitting behind the counter, tossing a ball up in the air and catching it repeatedly. The shop is almost completely empty aside from a few girls from the local school, and he has to do something to keep himself awake. The rhythmic motion is doing just the trick. Up and down and up and down. Yoongi is busy counting up the cash register and Hoseok is getting ready to head out for the night. And up and down.
“Make sure you kids actually lock up this time, okay?” Hoseok says, shaking his hair out of his eyes with a smile. And up and down. He slips his jacket over his shoulders, giving the store a once over. And up and down. He really is a good boss at the end of the day. And up and down. “Hello! Welcome to Hobi’s!” He calls out when he the bells ring out above the door, turning to face the new customers. And up and down. “Oh!” Hoseok says, a big toothy smile taking over his expression, waving as Namjoon and his friend stroll casually into the cafe. And down and out.
Jungkook jumps up to his feet as the ball hits the floor and all eyes are on him. A silence falls over all of them and Jungkook can feel his face flushing. Jesus christ someone just kill him now. The silence might have gone on for ever were it not for one specific baritone chuckle. Namjoon covers his mouth, his shoulders shaking violently as he tries to hold in his laughter. Jungkook smiles, rolling his bottom lip between his teeth as he goes to pick up the ball. That laugh could kill a man. The others are shaken from their reverie, now looking anywhere other than Jungkook.
“Don’t destroy his innocence too fast!” Hoseok calls out as he waltzes out of the store, getting a laugh out of Yoongi. Namjoon’s friend only shakes his head, his eyes wandering to the pastry case.
“What can I get you guys?” Jungkook asks, leaning against the counter in a way that hopefully makes him seem much more casual than he feels.
“Are you off yet?” Namjoon asks, tugging a little on his beanie. Cutie. Jungkook turns and glances up at the clock on the wall behind him. Six o’clock. Huh.
“Yeah! Actually I just got off, but I have time to make you something,” He smiles up at the blond, who is now looking very perplexed. Namjoon tilts his head to the side slightly, as if he doesn’t quite understand something and isn’t sure if he should say anything or not. Yoongi, subtle as ever, is looking on with a big shit eating grin. There’s a beat of silence.
“Oh.” Jungkook says almost involuntarily. “God damnit Yoongi” he mutters at the little shit standing behind the espresso machines.
“Just go!” The brunet says in response. “Be free! Don’t let your dreams be dreams!” And what the hell. Maybe Yoongi is right.
“I’ll be back in a sec.” He says before shooting Yoongi a look and dashing off to the back room. The little shit had written a note on Namjoon’s coffee this morning. Jesus Christ it had better not have been anything embarrassing… though knowing Yoongi it probably was. He returns back to the front with his jacket, shaking out his hair as he walks. Namjoon, who’s saying something to Yoongi, pauses for a second to glance his way. His eyes are warm despite the bags under his eyes, illuminated by the faint smile on his lips. It’s only for a second though before the blond is looking away, back to his friend.
“Jin! Will you be okay here?” Jin doesn’t even look up, completely enraptured by the little cakes and pastries.
“Yeah! Yeah, I’m just gonna get some work done.” Namjoon smiles, shaking his head a little.
“Alright, I’ll see you later man.” He says, nodding at Yoongi before turning and walking straight out of the store, ruffling an unresponsive Jin’s hair as he passes. Jungkook shuffles quietly after him, suddenly regretting his impulsive moment of bravery.
☆★☆
Namjoon walks down the street with a sense of purpose in his stride, pulling up his scarf against the fall breeze. The little brunet trails just steps behind him, keeping his head down and shoulders tense. The kid looks like he’s being dragged at gunpoint, jesus christ. Namjoon groans a little and puts his arm around the boy’s shoulders. Jungkook flinches a little, surprised by the sudden contact.
“What? Are you scared I’m going to murder you?” Namjoon smirks a little, earning a dirty look from Jungkook. “I’m not going to hurt you.” He says, mostly as a joke. Poor kid needs to lighten up a little. “I mean unless you want me too.” He chuckles a little to himself. Jungkook grumbles something, pulling away from the older boy’s arm. “Okay, princess.” Namjoon throws his arms up in mock surrender.
Jungkook stops with a huff. Namjoon continues forward a few paces before turning back to look at him, suddenly aware of just how empty the street was. There’s a moment where neither one of them says anything, both trying to gauge the others reactions. The tension mixes with the cool air, creating a thick haze over both of them. Namjoon rolls his eyes a little.
“C’mon, don’t get your tiara in a twist.” He says over his shoulder, continuing his previous path. “Let’s go to my place, it’s freezing.” He checks and the boy hasn’t moved an inch. He’s still standing there, in the middle of the empty sidewalk. God damnit. “Are you coming?” He asks, trying to make his tone just a little softer. No response. “Do you want me to carry you?” Fuck that, there’s no holding back at this point. Jungkook is staring at the ground, his hands clench into fists. There’s another beat of silence.
“You don’t have to be such an asshole.” Jungkook growls indignantly. Namjoon laughs. It’s the first thing the kid has really said to him. Jungkook looks up, glaring at him. “Why are you such a dick?”
“I don’t know.” Namjoon says with a smile and an exaggerated shrug as if to add to his point. “Do you wanna go to my place?” Jungkook rolls his eyes.
“Just don’t call me princess,” he says, finally walking again.
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Namjoon wraps an arm around the boy’s shoulders. “Your highness.”
“Fuck off.”
☆★☆
Jin is sitting alone in the cafe, staring down at the ominous workload still left in front of him. He pushes his glasses up on his nose, giving thanks that this place has good cakes. He takes a deep breath, finally taking a break to look around him. It must have been a while since Namjoon had left with Jungkook since all the other patrons had left. He glances behind the counter where the lone employee is sitting on a stool, his feet up on the counter, arms crossed, and chin tucked into his chest. Is he asleep?? Jin briefly debates waking him up. His beanie is pushing his hair down into his eyes, and Jin smiles a little to himself. The guy is cute. Just then the boys phone goes off in his pocket, jerking him awake. Jin stifles a chuckle, ducking his head back down into his work.
“Hey! Yeah. Yeah sorry about that, I guess I got distracted. No. I’ll close up soon, okay? Sorry. I’ll see you tomorrow Hoseok.” The boy adjusts his beanie, hanging up the phone. He blinks a few times as if trying to wake himself up and Jin starts to gather up all of his papers. He clears his throat loudly, drawing the boys attention.
“Sorry to bother you, I was just wondering when you close?” The boy chuckles.
“Actually about two hours ago.” He says as he begins going through the motions of closing. Jin looks down at his phone in disbelief. How the hell is it midnight?
“I’m so sorry oh my god I’m so sorry I had no idea please let me help you close up.” He found himself almost yelling as he starts straightening up the chairs as best as he can. His face is a bright red and he tries to calm himself. God the kid must think he’s a dick.
“It’s not a big deal. You had work and I had a nap.” The boy says with a shrug as he lazily wipes down the various machinery behind the counter.
“Please?” Jin asks, verging on desperate. “Let me help?” The boy pauses, looking at him quizzically for just a moment before shrugging and tossing him a wash cloth.
“Wipe down the tables and the chairs.” Jin lets out a sigh of relief. It’s bad enough that he made him stay open late, the least he can do is help wipe down a few things. They work in silence, both casually cleaning some things around the store. Jin keeps an eye on the boy as he works, barely bothering to hide the fact he was doing it. The kids cute. His every action gives off an aura of apathy, but every action is precise and purposeful.
“I’m Jin by the way.” He doesn’t know what prompted him to break the comfortable silence, but he did it. His words hang thick in the air as the boy takes his time responding. A moment of panic washes over Jin before the other finally looks up with a bright smile.
“Min Yoongi.” The boy’s grin is infectious and Jin finds himself momentarily mesmerized. His eyes dart down to Yoongi’s wrists, only to find them covered with thick, long sleeves. “That should be it for cleaning. Hey, thanks by the way!” He somehow grins even wider. Jin bites his lip a little, allowing himself a small smile.
“Do you wanna go do something?” Jin asks, the words leaving his mouth before he can stop them. He feels Yoongi’s gaze on his wrists and he stares pointedly down at the ground. Fuck. He should’ve pulled his sleeves down. Suddenly the tattoos on his wrists feel heavy, like they’re weighing him down.
“It’s midnight…” The boy says carefully, and Jin spares a glance up. Not the response he was expecting. “I get off earlier tomorrow. Stop by then! In the meantime…” he makes a shooing motion, still grinning. Jin jumps a little before obeying.
“Right! Right. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He turns, heading for the door before the boy can change his mind.
“You better!” Yoongi calls out the door after him.
☆★☆
Jungkook looks around the apartment he had found himself in. Namjoon had gone to the bathroom so he takes the moment to finally look around. The apartment itself is very neat and styled, especially the kitchen. Naturally there’s pictures of both Namjoon and Jin together across the fridge and the mantle. It’s giving off a dating vibe. When Jungkook had asked Namjoon had just said something sarcastic and he had decided it was probably best to let it go. Still weird though. Namjoon enters the room again with his lazy stride, speak of the devil. They had ordered pizza once they figured out that neither of them really knew how to cook and Namjoon now had to maneuver through the plates and cups littering the floor. He was so close when one small brush against the coffee table sends two cups and a set of coasters flying. Jungkook lets out a laugh and Namjoon looks up at him with a pout.
“God of Destruction, ey?” He says, ignoring Namjoon’s pathetic looks.
“That was one time!” Namjoon laughs a little, his dimples shining through.
“What a dumbass” Jungkook mutters, getting up to grab the paper towels for probably the fifth time that night. Boy’s a disaster.
“Hey! Be respectful to your hyung! I am older than you you know.” Namjoon says with mock sincerity. Jungkook rolls his eyes.
“Make me.” Jungkook says, shoving the towels towards him. Namjoon pauses for a moment, his lips curling into a smirk. The air in the room is suddenly filled with an unfamiliar tension and Jungkook feels his breath hitch in his throat. Fuck. Suddenly Namjoon is so much closer, one hand moving to the boys hip and the other to his chin, tilting his head up. Namjoon bites his bottom lip, looking the younger boy in the eye.
“You know that I can.” He mumbles, his voice has suddenly turned into a low growl and Jungkook’s legs feel like they might give out. Namjoon grins a little and all the younger boy can do is stand perfectly still, eyes wide like a deer in the headlights. Then the blond is leaning in, first planting a kiss on the younger one’s cheek, then his jaw, and his neck, working his way down. Jungkook doesn’t even allow himself to breathe. The fuck is he supposed to be doing right now? It’s when Namjoon’s lips begin to trace up to his own that his limbs seem to work again.
With a start he’s pushing Namjoon away, moving back a few steps himself from the force of it. Namjoon backs off immediately, almost knocking into the coffee table again in the process. There’s a beat of silence where Jungkook can only hear panting that he vaguely registers as his own. Namjoon’s eyes are on him, filled only with concern and a small shred of guilt.
“Are you okay?” Namjoon asks, maintaining his distance from the boy. Jungkook nods slowly, still a little shell shocked. “Was that your first…?” His words hang in the air, like a dense fog rolling through and obscuring everything else from view. “Shit kid, I’m sorry.” Suddenly Jungkook’s body is filled with anxiety. Okay. Delightful. It’s all hunky dory. His legs are moving and he’s walking to the door. No worries. It’s a-okay. Everything’s completely fine. His arms are moving and he’s opening the door. Okay. Okay. Okay. The door is open and there’s Jin. Fuck. It’s fine. So fine. Jin’s saying something. Cool. Coolio. Cool cool cool. Now Namjoon is saying something. Fantastic. Wonderful. Beautiful. Jungkook’s legs are carrying him past Jin and out the door. Amazing.