Work Text:
Namjoon hadn’t been working at the restaurant that long. Give or take, it had only been three weeks. Getting used to where everything is was a bit of a challenge. Finding where the extra glasses and cutlery were was a nightmare, at least until he started to get the hang of it. Recently, he had thought he had done a good job of remembering everything he had been taught in training. So far, so good.
He was early for that shift that evening, getting swiftly changed into his waiting uniform before serving his first customers of the night. It was a nice place, homely, no snooty upper-class guests that liked to look down on him. His last job wasn’t the greatest, that was one of the reasons why he left. A better work environment was great for the soul. Or so he had been told.
Slinking into the kitchen with his pad (they were oldschool like that), he was met with the smaller of the chefs, his eyes locking onto his own. “So uh, you have one-“ His sentence was cut up abruptly when the chef took the sheet away from him before he could even pin it up. Namjoon stared for a moment and then dark eyes met his.
“I got it, you can go.” His head then turned and he was gone again.
It wasn't the first time that happened, but he didn’t question it. Chef Min was just always focused, so he was told, but a nice guy. Not that he had a proper chance to speak to him, not yet. He wasn’t always in when Namjoon was but Namjoon was intrigued by the enigmatic chef anyway.
Why, he wasn’t sure.
—
“It’s because he’s hot, right?” Hoseok snorted, elbowing him as they sat down to watch a movie that evening.
Namjoon almost choked on his water. “What? What do you mean?”
“Why you keep staring at him.”
Namjoon scoffed. “I do not stare at him, Hoseok.” He rolled his eyes rather dramatically but his roommate just laughed.
“You do, Jimin told me.”
Right, he forgot Hoseok was close to his other new work colleague. “Well he’s exaggerating because I don't even have the time to do that. I’m on my feet for hours.”
“But somehow you’re always in the kitchen, even when you don’t need to be. That’s for no reason, right?” Hoseok winked and Namjoon almost lost it, his hands ready to toss a cushion at his best friend’s head. Somehow, he resisted and just sighed.
He was already changing the subject. “How was your day anyway?”
His friend laid back on the couch with an exasperated sigh. “Boring. Never work in retail, ever.” He yawned as he draped his arm over Namjoon’s shoulder. Namjoon just smiled, adjusting his position as he sat on the floor.
“But it’s money, and we’re broke so we can’t complain.” Namjoon shrugged. To that, his friend couldn't disagree. They almost missed last month’s rent.
Hoseok sat up again, yawning ever so slightly. “Mhm but at least you have eye-candy. Yoongi is gorgeous.”
“How...” Namjoon blinked as Hoseok flashed his phone under his nose.
“Jimin used to be his roommate. They’re still good friends apparently. And he takes quite the selfie too.”
Namjoon’s eyes went over the phone screen, as he saw the chef, off duty, smiling, his pouty lips upturned into a gummy smile. Cute. “Wow,” he muttered quietly, or so he thought. Hoseok was already laughing as he put away his phone.
“I knew it! I bet you haven’t spoken to him yet.” He folded his arms against his chest.
“I have, we do all the time.” If one-sided, three word sentences counted as conversations.
In Hoseok’s world, it definitely did not. “Not work related?” He raised an eyebrow as Namjoon’s expression was enough to give it away. “You need to change that. Talk to him next time you’re at work.”
Namjoon sighed. “But I don’t think he’s on shift when I am anytime next week.” That was the thing about this schedule, it was pretty erratic.
“Then switch shifts! It’s that easy, Namjoon.” Of course his best friend had the answer to everything.
Except for what to say, because he was utterly clueless.
—
Standing there, he knew it was going to go exactly the same as it usually did. With him taking the check without much chit chat. Mainly because neither had the time to. However, tonight was a slower night, and he was just finishing up serving his last table. He watched the chef joke around with the other waiting staff, that smile he saw on Hoseok’s phone apparent. Stress-free, it suited Yoongi. He saw the figure move behind the counter and all words seemed to vanish as he stared on blankly. He half expected him to take the check and go but not this time. Instead Yoongi stood there, a faint smile still on his lips, as if he was waiting for him to say something.
“This is for table nine,” Namjoon managed to say as he pinned up the check.
“Got it.” Yoongi nodded as he looked at it for a moment, then his eyes darted back to Namjoon. “You good today?” His hand was resting on his hip.
“Uh... I guess? I dunno.” Fuck, he stil didn’t know what to say.
“Better than usual. Probably because it’s quiet? And you’re getting used to the place now, yeah?”
Namjoon nodded. “I think so? I’m not getting as lost as I was when I first started.” The understatement of the century.
“It’s Namjoon right?” Yoongi tilted his head slightly.
He nodded, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah, that’s right. Did Jimin tell you?”
“It’s on the rota.” Yoongi snorted as Namjoon’s cheeks flushed red. Of course it was. So far, he was not planning to relay how that went to Hoseok. “And you should probably go check on your table?”
Oh shit. Just how long has he stood there looking like a fool? “Uh yeah, sorry. I’m distracting you.”
“I can talk and work at the same time.” Yoongi smiled.
Namjoon hadn’t even noticed that the chef was already at the stove, working away on the order.
Damn, he had it bad.
—
The rest of the shift went better than usual, time just flew by. It being fairly quiet did help a lot, that and he had someone to talk to. It was mostly just casual small talk, but it wasn’t as awkward as he thought it would be. Maybe Hoseok was right, it was that easy.
Checking the schedule again the next day, he sighed. Yoongi wasn’t on until evening and Namjoon was working the lunch shift. Which he didn’t mind, as it was quieter, but he did want an excuse to speak to him again. Stepping out of his friend’s car and getting ready to enter the building, Namjoon noticed a familiar figure park not too far from where he was. He stood there for a moment, deciding that seizing the day was a good thing.
“Hey!” He waved as Yoongi exited his car, with Namjoon already cursing himself for sounding so casual. They had only spoken properly once. The chef waved back with a slight smile, just stopping in front.
“You’re early,” Yoongi stated, but he still had a light smile, hands shoved in jean pockets.
It took Namjoon a moment to respond , he didn't want to embarrass himself. “I could say the same for you, but isn’t your shift not till seven?” he asked, not accusingly, just curious. Unless he was here for lunch or something else. That was entirely plausible too.
“Jae needed to go somewhere so we switched shifts.” Yoongi shrugged, just that nonchalantly as they walked towards the door. Namjoon held it open, letting Yoongi walk inside first.
It made sense, so he didn’t probe the matter further. “Right. So you’re stuck with me again, I’m sorry,” he apologised, half serious as they walked towards the changing room.
Yoongi just laughed. “Oh come on Namjoon, you’re not that bad. At least you show up.”
Namjoon scoffed. “And that’s it? That’s all I’m good for?” he teased, breaking into a grin.
“Nah, you’re good at waiting tables and you’re not that bad.” He shrugged again, setting down his bag.
Namjoon looked at him for a moment, as he started to grab his apron out of his bag. “And that’s supposed to mean?” He raised an eyebrow, watching as Yoongi sat down on the bench.
“Whatever you want it to mean.”
“Umm...okay….” He stared at him for a moment as Yoongi just laughed again.
“I’m just teasing. Get changed, we’re gonna be late.”
—
At the end of his shift, he stood outside waiting for his friend when he felt someone touch his shoulder. Averting his gaze, he just smiled.
“You don’t drive, do you?” Yoongi tilted his head, arms crossed against his chest. Namjoon shook his head in response as the chef’s gaze turned toward to his car. “I can drop you off?”
“Oh you don’t need to, my roommate won’t be long,” he assured, but Yoongi shook his head.
“It’s freezing, let me drive you. I'm a great driver, actually.” He grinned, his face lighting up. He smiled a few times in his presence, but this was cuter than usual. Brighter, his eyes sparkling. Namjoon couldn’t say no to him now.
He sighed, rubbing the back of his head. “Alright, I guess there’s no harm in it.” And there wasn’t. Yoongi was a good person, so Jimin had told him. Plus, he already got that from the very brief conversations they had. Still enough to know he was trustworthy. He’d just have to explain it all back to Hoseok later.
Yoongi smiled in response and wandered over to his car, guestering for him to hurry up. He laughed and practically ran toward the car.
Yeah, it wasn’t a bad day at all.
—
“I still can’t believe you stood me up yesterday,” Hoseok teased as he launched a pillow at his friend’s head. Narrowly missing it, he tossed it back at his roommate who caught it. He always had quick reflexes, much unlike himself.
Namjoon scoffed. “I didn’t ‘stand you up’, he offered me a ride and I even messaged you.” He rolled his eyes, laughing.
“But still! I can't believe you have a new boyfriend while I’m still single.” Hoseok pouted as Namjoon took another cushion and launched it at his head. It missed. Figured.
“Oh shut up, we barely know each other.” He sighed as his friend prodded his elbow.
“You need to change that. Ask him out.”
That was easier said than done.
Namjoon frowned. “I wouldn't even know where to start. Besides, what if he doesn’t like me?”
“First off, you’re wrong, who doesn't like you?” Hoseok leaned over him to grab the bowl of popcorn on the table. “Second, you need to stop doubting yourself. You’ll never know if you don’t try.” He shrugged, popping a few pieces into his mouth.
Leaning over and a handful for himself, he nodded. He was right. “Okay, so if I did ask him out, when do I do it?” An honest question.
Hoseok shrugged. “Dunno, but do it soon. Like tomorrow?”
He shook his head. “I’m not working tomorrow. Or until Friday.”
“Switch shifts?” he suggested.
“I can’t do that again, I’ve barely worked there long enough.”
Hoseok shook his head then showed him his phone. “Too late, I already asked Jimin for you.” He grinned and honestly, he wanted to throw another cushion his way. Maybe it would land this time. Instead he just glared at him as Hoseok wrapped his arms around him. “You love me really!”
“You test me sometimes, Hobi.”
—
He yawned, rubbing his eyes. It was a late shift but he told himself that it would be worth it. Going into the kitchen, he could see how busy Yoongi was. Too busy for chitchat as he just simply grunted as he took the checks. So much for being proactive. No that it mattered much, he didn’t think he would have the courage to ask him out anyway. Instead, he focused on his work.
Which dragged on and on, and on his last round the kitchen, he almost bumped into another waiter. “Shit, sorry. You okay? ” He mumbled in response as the other waiter nodded and went back to his table. Namjoon looked up at that moment, as he thought he heard a familiar deep laughter. And a smile. He swore he saw it, but Yoongi had already disappeared out of sight.
As the night wore on, his feet ached and he couldn’t wait to just get home. He had already forgotten about his mission, it left his mind hours again. Instead, he was leaning against the wall outside the restaurant, his bag by his feet. He felt his eyelids droop open for just a brief second when a stern hand shook his shoulder.
“Hey, you can’t sleep out here.” The voice was softer and quieter than usual but hecknew who it was. His eyes snapped open as he clamped his gaze on Yoongi’s face.
“I wasn’t.” He yawned, rubbing his eyes again.
Yoongi chuckled, moving so that he was standing next to him. “I didn’t even know you were working tonight.”
“I wasn’t but I can’t work tomorrow because of… uh a dentist's appointment.” Not the best of excuses, but Yoongi didn’t question it, he was already walking towards his car.
“You coming?”
He didn’t protest this time, instead he slumped into the backseat, trying to stay awake.
Which lasted all of five minutes as he found himself being shaken awake again. “We’re here.”
“Oh, right.” He felt that familiar surge of embarrassment running through his veins as he grabbed his things and got out of the car.
He was about to turn towards his apartment block but noticed Yoongi was still stood there. “Thanks, again. Really.”
“Don’t mention it, get some rest, yeah?” He smiled as Namjoon nodded.
“Right… see you Friday?”
He shook his head. “I'm not on.”
Odd… he swore he saw his name on the rota. Unless he read it wrong. That wouldn’t be the first time. “Right, sorry. I’ll see you next week?”
Yoongi nodded. “Night, Namjoon.” He smiled again as he headed back toward his car.
Hands already pulled open the door to the apartment block when it dawned on him. “Fuck...” He sighed, as he looked back. He was gone already. “Next time….” He told himself. Next time for sure.
—
Friday seemed to drag on longer than it had done on Wednesday. It was a less of a busy night, but that made it worse. Standing by the back, Jimin nudged his shoulder.
“How did Wednesday go?” Jimin asked, folding his hands behind his back. Namjoon didn’t really know the other staff that well yet but Jimin was an exception. He was Hoseok’s, and Yoongi's friend too.
“Um not great, I totally forgot to ask him,” he admitted as his new friend sighed.
“Hyung was right, you are useless,” he teased. “And also not that smart.”
He had already moved, but Namjoon scoffed
“How did you come to that conclusion?”
“Because you can’t see what’s in front of you.” He waved his hands in front of his eyes as Namjoon looked on, confused.
He had no idea what he was getting at. He just shook his head. “Again, you have to elaborate.”
“Why do you think Yoongi isn’t working tonight hmm?”
A question he didn’t have an answer to. “I dunno, maybe he’s busy?” He rubbed the back of his head as Jimin snorted.
“I can’t believe you’re this oblivious. You and him both. My god, do you want Hobi hyung and I to play cupid? Because we can.” He was still shaking his head, and tutting,
He stared on, trying to make sense of what was going on, and failing. “Huh?” Then it dawned on him... “Wait… he wasn’t doing the same thing I was, right?”
Jimin laughed. “Yes! Exactly! He switched shifts with Jae. And that’s why he has today off. “ He shrugged as he wandered into the kitchen, Namjoon following.
It started to make sense, sort of. “He wanted to work with me?”
Jimin sighed as he leaned against the counter. “Well, yeah. That and he was supposed to ask you out a few days ago. But that didn’t work. Then Hoseok told me you were doing it Wednesday….”
Namjoon’s eyes widened. “And you told him that?”
Jimin nudged his ribs. “No! He probably thought so too. But he’s just shy sometimes. One of you needs to say something though because you’re both useless at this, clearly.”
He couldn’t argue with that.
“You’re both working Monday so… figure it out by then!”
“I can’t believe you’re meddling in my love life and I’ve barely known you for three months.” Namjoon sighed, as he started to clear up the mess left by the other waiting staff.
“What love life?” Jimin snorted.
He was right on that one too.
—
It was now or never, but he couldn’t help but overthink as he headed into work that evening. He wasn’t supposed to be on, but he already switched with Jimin. His suggestion, but he wasn’t going to argue. He liked having someone he knew working with him, even if they didn’t have a lot of time to talk properly. Namjoon was early, but he usually was. He was already changed by the time Yoongi had walked in, who stared at him.
“You’re not on tonight?” He tilted his head, which admittedly made him look cuter than usual.
Yoongi was already setting down his bag and getting out his chef whites before Namjoon could answer. He seemed focused , another trait he found endearing about him. “I wasn’t but Jimin was busy.”
“Worst lie ever but okay.” He snorted. “Come to think of it, Jimin’s never here when you are...”
Namjoon froze, feeling the nerves trickle back into his system. “Uh… well he was on Friday.” No response, he was still dating his belongings. “And you weren’t although you were originally until you switched...”
Yoongi stopped suddenly, almost springing back up. “You know about that?”
“Blame Jimin...” He laughed nervously. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t, it's not your fault. I’ll kill him later.” He scowled, but with a pour which made him look only half serious.
“I did it too, you know,” he admitted, biting his lip. Embarrassing, but both Jimin and Hoseok were right. He needed to be honest, and maybe a bit more brave too.
Yoongi walked over to him, a half smile on his face. “Yeah? We’re both such losers.” He chuckled, shaking his head. “Can’t even ask each other out.”
“Technically the shift switching was all Hoseok’s idea so we can blame him?” He laughed.
“Let’s.” Yoongi grinned, taking his hand in his own.
“And I’m asking you out? This weekend? I know we’re both not working so….”
Yoongi smiled that bright smile again. “That sounds perfect. Unless you’re planning on switching so you can work with me tomorrow?” He teased.
“As tempting as that is, I’m sick of all shift switching. It’s giving me a headache.” He rubbed his temples as Yoongi had already disappeared back to the bench.
“A date is way better anyway.”
“And long overdue.” He smiled.
Yoongi chuckled. “Far too long overdue. Now hurry up before we both have to work and miss it.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” He grinned as Yoongi rolled his eyes.
“And I have all those cheesy lines to look forward to?”
“You better get used to it.” Namjoon laughed as Yoongi smiled again.
“Already done.”