Chapter Text
Jungkook was on the edge of losing his mind in the midst of lunch rush on a rainy thursday. His day had started with a horrible headache and a broken coffee machine, forcing him to ingest his first dose of caffeine at the bistro. The lack of sleep wasn't helping, his muscles sore and his limbs as heavy as lead.
He wiped away the sweat on his forehead with the back of his hand and heaved a sigh. The mask covering the lower part of his face wasn't helping the heat damming up in the little room. People kept flowing through the entrance every second, bell ringing nonstop. Jungkook feared the sound might follow him into his dreams that night, burned into his eardrums like a tattoo.
"I'd like a ham sandwich and an americano, please."
"Coming right up!"
Jungkook turned on his heel and pressed the button on the coffee machine before grabbing a sandwich from the counter.
"Will that be everything?"
"Yes."
Jungkook beat the right keys on his register and finally looked up at the man. The air got stuck in his throat. He coughed.
The man was small, but exuded a strength no one else in the room was able to match. His broad shoulders stretched the fabric of his white sweater and the leather jacket slung over his arms shone in the artificial light. The mask obscured the lower part of his face, but his eyes captivated Jungkook. Slim and sharp, like the one's Jungkook attributed to his neighbour's tabby. Black hair fell over the man's eyebrows, giving him a sombre and serious appearance.
"I don't mean to rush you, but the people behind me seem to get impatient," the man rumbled.
Jungkook flinched and shook his head. Heat rose to his cheeks. How long had he stared at the man?
Too long, that's how long.
"Of course, I'm sorry."
"Don't worry," the man said, "I don't mind chatting with a cutie like you, but I don't want you to get in trouble."
Jungkook's chest expanded. A small smile graced his lips. "Thank you."
The man slid money over the counter, looking him deep into the eyes. "Keep the rest. What's your name?"
Jungkook's eyes nearly fell out of their sockets at the sight of the sum. He spluttered. "Jungkook. Jeon Jungkook."
"Alright, Jungkook. It was very nice to meet you. My name is Yoongi."
Jungkook savored the name on his tongue. "Yoongi…"
Yoongi smiled, grabbed his stuff and moved aside to let the next customer order. Immediately, Jungkook missed his calming presence. The lady who took his place was immersed in her phone and muttered her order gruffly, not once looking up. Jungkook put on his friendliest face and prayed the day may go over quickly.
Around two o'clock, the hustle died down. Fewer people entered the bistro to buy lunch. More elderly women visited to have an afternoon tea with a sweet snack. Jungkook enjoyed serving them, seeing as they were nice and patient most of the time. He wiped his hands on his apron and rolled his shoudlers. He really needed to visit the gym to get rid of the tension and muscle pain.
The tiredness from the lack of sleep was catching up to him. His eyelids grew heavier by the minute, threatening to fall shut any moment. The tips of his toes started hurting from standing all morning and he craved a break and a banana milk.
When the bell rang, Jungkook fully expected an old lady. What he got instead was a young man, around his age - without a mask. Jungkook gritted his teeth. His manager had installed a big sign outside, telling customers to only enter with a mask. This guy had to either be blind or ignorant. Since he walked just fine without any help and looked around the bistro appreciatively, it must've been option number two.
Jungkook sighed. Just what he needed today.
"A coffee," the man said.
As calmly and politely as humanely possible, Jungkook constructed an answer. "I am sorry, but I ask you to put on your mask. It is for the safety of the other customers and the workers."
The man huffed. "It's too hot to wear a mask."
"I'm sorry," Jungkook repeated, quickly running out of patience, "but it's a rule. You are required to wear a mask or I won't be able to serve you."
The man's expression darkened. "Listen here, you little shit. I'm thirsty and I want a coffee. I won't wear your shitty mask. I don't care. There's barely anyone here!"
Jungkook took a deep calming breath. He wasn't allowed to be rude, but he would need to send him outside. "Sir, I'm asking you to leave."
"No way. Give me what I ordered. And on the house, for being a little shit."
"Sir-"
The man's fist met the surface of the counter. Jungkook winced. The situation was excalating and there was nothing he could do. Sweat trickled down his neck. His fingers shook. Jungkook was by no means weak or fearful, but the man was bigger and most likely stronger. His clothes spelled trouble and Jungkook wasn't keen on starting anything with a gang member. Anxiety started bubbling in his stomach. As the man had said, there were barely any customers left. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a young girl leave the bistro, watching him with an apologetic expression.
The door fell shut behind her and the man lost his temper. He grasped the plexiglass wall and tore it down.
Alright, this was going too far and the anxiety was in full swing. The wall clattered as it fell to the floor. The man leaned over the counter and snatched Jungkook by the collar of his button-up, pulling him closer. "I'm not in the mood to play. Do you know who I am?"
"I'm sure you're going to tell me straight away."
Jungkook wanted to hit himself over the head. Why couldn't he keep his mouth shut?
The man flushed like a peony, face twisting into a grimace.
Jungkook closed his eyes, expecting a blow to his cheek.
"Don't even think about it," a familiar voice interrupted. Jungkook blinked his eyes open and saw Yoongi approaching. He carried himself confidently, shoulders squared and lips pursed. "He asked you nicely to put on a mask or to leave. And that's what you'll do right now."
"Do you know who I a-"
"I do, in fact, know who you are," Yoongi said. "Kim Changho." The man paled, his grip on Jungkook's collar loosening. "I hope you know who I am, though."
Chango swallowed and shook his head jerkily. He'd let go of Jungkook completely, both hands hanging at his sides. Jungkook breathed in deeply and relaxed. Even though Yoongi looked as if he was about to murder someone, Jungkook felt oddly calm. It was as if he instinctively knew he had nothing to fear from him.
"My name is Min Yoongi. Does that ring a bell?"
If Changho had been pale before, he was as white as a sheet now. His bottom lip quivered. "I-I-I'm sorry!"
"I bet you are. Now, are you going to leave?"
"Of course!" Changho nodded, his hair bobbing up and down with the movement as if it had a life of its own. "I'll leave right away! Please forgive me!" His voice had rosen an octave or two, sounding downright terrified. Jungkook couldn't help but snort. Changho sent him a dirty look before he turned and left the bistro in a hurry.
The click of the door was Jungkook's cue to sigh and lean against the counter. "Jesus," he muttered.
"Are you alright?" Yoongi's voice had softened, taking on a caring edge. Jungkook pratically melted. How could a man go from murderous to worried in the span of a few seconds?
"Yes. Thank you so much."
"No problem at all. I couldn't watch any longer. I'm glad I was here to help."
Jungkook nodded. The last bit of adrenaline ebbed away, leaving his body and movements languid and sluggish. He lifted his head and looked to where Yoongi had sat, empty cup and plate still lying on the table.
"You've been here two hours?"
"Of course," Yoongi said. "I wanted to ask you out on a date after your shift, after all."
Jungkook froze. "A-A date?"
"Do you not want to?" He sounded almost disappointed, not trying too hard to hide it.
"No!" Jungkook blurted. "I want to!"
Yoongi chuckled and Jungkook blushed. "That's good to hear. When are you closing up?"
Jungkook glanced at the clock on the opposite wall. His hands were clammy and cold, nerves getting the best of him. A date? With Yoongi? Was he dreaming? "My shift ends in three hours…"
"I'll wait then."
"But-"
"Can I get another americano?"
Jungkook opened and closed his mouth like a fish on land. "Yes, of course, but…"
"But what?" Yoongi raised his eyebrows.
"You're really going to wait three hours?"
"Yes. I need to be here if another asshole turns up, no? Besides, I don't mind waiting if the view is as appealing as here."
Oh, and if that didn't make Jungkook's heart beat faster. Butterflies buzzed in his stomach at the warm expression on Yoongi's face.
"I-I see," Jungkook stammered. "In that case, an americano is coming right up."
Jungkook's shift couldn't end fast enough. His nerves were eating him alive. Whenever possible, Jungkook stole quick glances in Yoongi's direction. Most of the time, he found the man staring at him, prompting him to avert his eyes at the speed of light.
The hours seemed to drag on for days, going by much slower than they normally would. Jungkook cursed whichever deity was in charge of human's sense of time.
When five o'clock finally struck, he wiggled out of his apron and hung it in the staff room. Just then, Taehyung entered the back door, whistling a song that would surely be stuck in Jungkook's ears for eternity.
"Yo," Taehyung greeted.
"Hi," Jungkook squeaked.
Taehyung looked him up and down, frowning. He licked his lips. And came to the conclusion, "You have a date."
"How did you know?!"
"You look like an overly ripe tomato. You're not fooling anyone."
"I do not look like a tomato."
"Okay," Taehyung amended, "an attractive tomato. Go get your man, I'll be working my ass off meanwhile."
"Don't whine, I've been working all day."
Taehyung stuck out his tongue and shooed him out of the staff room.
When Jungkook stumbled back into the bistro, Yoongi waited by the door, same leather jacket slung over his arm. The mask had been pulled down to reveal the man's entire face. And what a beautiful face it was. Smooth and defined. And the lips... red and soft looking.
Jungkook bit his lips. He rushed to Yoongi's side, praying his hair didn't look too messy. His heart was in his throat.
"Ready?" Yoongi asked.
Jungkook could only nod, not trusting his voice to be stable. Yoongi opened the door and let Jungkook through before following him. The sky had taken on a warm tint, sun slowly sinking on the horizon. Jungkook shivered. The air had gotten colder, fall fast approaching.
Yoongi reached up, draping his jacket over Jungkook's shoulders. There he went again, blushing like a school girl. Despite Yoongi being shorter, his build was broader, the jacket covering Jungkook just right. He pulled it tighter against his chest.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. Come on, I parked my car over there."
The car, as Jungkook realized, was more expensive than anything he ever dreamed to possess. It was sleek and black and shiny - how was he even allowed to sit on the soft leather seats with his old jeans?
And more importantly, what was Yoongi's deal?
First the way he chased that man away, and now this?
When Yoongi started the car, diamond ring shining on his finger, sweater riding up to reveal the tattoo curling around his wrist, Jungkook realized; he might have bitten off more than he could chew.