Chapter Text
Late into a chilly night, a small diner stays open, accompanying one worker during a shift. The building was cozy and warm; soft lights coming from the ceiling, illuminating the metal counter. The walls were painted a creamy white, whilst the floors were wooden. A plethora of decoratives around inviting the eye, mainly plants and vases; the colour scheme seemed more of a café than a diner. But it was comfortable, and people seemed to like coming there just to sit quietly by themselves.
But at this moment, there were no customers. It was nearing 2 am, so busy isn't a word you’d use to describe the atmosphere at this time, as anyone could imagine. It was quiet and barren, and the air was cool.
Jimin groaned, hoping that his shift would end soon, but glancing over at the koala shaped clock on the wall, he still had a little over an hour to go. He huffed, leaning most of his weight on the heavy metal counter; rubbing the back of his neck. Jimin leaned his head down to toy with a salt container to keep himself awake. Rolling it back and forth through his hands; hearing the soft hum of it across the counter top.
“Why the heck do we close so late? What’s the point when nobody comes in here at this time anyway?” he thought.
Jimin started to feel lethargic, the fatigue was getting to him. He usually does morning-afternoon shifts, but he’s only here because Taehyung had ‘important business’ to take care of. Saying ‘no’ wasn’t really an option because Taehyung didn’t even ask; just declared it as if they had already talked about it prior, and ran out of the door without another word.
Namjoon, on the other hand, had to leave early too because he was going out of town for the weekend, so Jimin was stuck here to lock up. And above all, he couldn’t say no to Namjoon…
Jimin put the salt to the side and slumped down on the cold metal counter, listening to the soft ticking of the clock and the sound of the fridges behind him. He began to drift off, legs feeling weak. Although he was already laying his entire torso and arms on the counter, he fought with his eyes to stay open. But the soft white noise that emanated from his surroundings made it effortless to fall asleep. Finally, Jimin closed his eyes and even started to drool. Very unsanitary. He stayed like this for what felt like 5 years and 10 seconds simultaneously.
Suddenly the front door seemed to yell at Jimin, the bell jingle was louder than it’s ever been. Panicked, he bolted up, looking around towards the door, still with sleepy eyes.
Someone walks in wearing full black; black hoodie, black pants, black shoes. Even a black mask and sunglasses covering their face. So it was as if they were a big shadow walking towards the counter. Who in their right mind wears sunglasses when it's pitch black outside though..?
‘Hi welcome to Fresh Diner!” Jimin voiced, trying to make it seem as though he wasn’t halfway asleep, drooling on the counter.
Jimin went to the register to get the order ready. A bit surprised that someone managed to waltz in so late, and not feel ashamed. Whoever this person is- They better make it quick. Jimin’s patience was wearing very low after having his nap interrupted.
“Hey- yeah I’ll take 3 special glazed donuts,” The figure whispered, just enough for it to be heard. ‘Guess whispering is better at this hour.
Jimin seemed to find that voice a bit familiar, but between how sleepy he was, and how ready he was to go home, it didn’t register like it should have.
“Yup’ you’re lucky. These are our last ones we have for tonight,” Jimin exclaimed. He pulled them out of the fridge behind him and put it on the counter softly.
“That’ll be $7.23” Jimin pressed some buttons on the register before looking up at the individual. Something about him felt familiar, he just really wasn’t awake enough to figure it out. Maybe he has seen him before..? Jimin looked back down, to preserve just enough brain power to get through the night.
“Thanks..You can keep the change-” The person said quickly before lowering his black mask onto his chin. He went to the other side of the counter to get some napkins and utensils, putting them in a bag with his pastries.
Jimin grasped the money, ever so softly, looking at it to see that it’s $10. This guy is practically just throwing away almost 3 dollars? Jimin could really use that...He couldn’t ever afford to just give money away like that. He put the money into the register, printing out a receipt for the customer.
“Excuse me, would you like your rece-” Just then Jimin stopped speaking. He saw the person getting his things together before turning to him.
“I hope you have a good night,” The individual spoke softly, but these words seemed to linger with Jimin for a bit longer than normal.
Was this… Who he thought it was? No, it’s not...right? He has to be dreaming. It has to be his drowsiness clouding his judgement. He had to ask though, just to be sure. He had a gut feeling since the guy walked in, so he had to see it through.
Jimin’s heartbeat accelerated, not exactly knowing what to say. He felt as if he had started sweating, but that was just the chills going down his spine. He went around the counter, walking slowly after the customer before he could even get halfway across the diner. This moment appeared to be going in slow motion, but it was far from that in reality. Jimin finally mustered up the courage to speak, hopefully his voice isn't as shaken up as he seems.
“Uh-Uhm… Are.. Are you..Jungkook? The singer..?”
Jimin anticipated the answer as if it would change his life. Whether he was right or wrong, he would likely cry himself to sleep tonight. He played with his fingers as he waited for the other’s answer. His heart was about to jump out of his chest, he could even hear it inside his head. He let out a shaky breath, feeling his stomach drop to the ground. Suddenly he was wishing he never asked in the first place.
The man stopped in his tracks, cutting his head to the side before smirking. He turned around, his shoes squeaking softly on the floor. Lifting his sunglasses off his face and folding them up, he kept them neatly in his hands. He hesitated to speak, softly tapping the shades in one hand before replying.
“And if I am?”
He audibly smirked, pulling his head up and raising his eyebrows sharply. His expression showed no resolve, it only poured confidence; and for Jimin, he felt as though his knees would buckle and he might pass out. Oh no, he would pass out. But the only thing stopping him from doing that is the sheer embarrassment he’d face when he woke up.
Jimin was starstruck and completely speechless. He opened his mouth, but couldn’t muster up a single word. But at this moment, he sensed himself melting. His entire body was hot like it was in flames. It shouldn’t be normal to let someone you don’t even really know have this affect on you, should it? But whatever it was, Jimin was soaking in it. Bathing in it . He never wanted this moment to end. All he could do is stare at the man in front of him, taking him all in; because who knows if he would ever have this chance again. In this instant you could probably see how beet red his face was, and how his eyes sparkled at the sight of the other.
The individual chuckled, lowering his head and smiling to the ground. He kicked his boots softly, putting his hands into his pockets. The man lifted his head again, raising his eyebrows and looking around the diner, he huffed.
Jimin realized he was waiting for him to speak, probably to make this situation less awkward.
“Oh..Oh.. Sorry- Sorry.. I’m just a really big fan of yours.” Jimin chuckled. “ I bought all your mixtapes and I’ve even been to some of your concerts! Granted they were from the back so there’s no way you’d recognize me but-” Jimin stops himself from speaking more. He was excited, but Jungkook probably gets a lot of this from other people. If he was going to say anything, it had better be…. Unique! Yeah... interesting . So that the thought of Jimin would linger in Jungkook’s mind. Just imagining that has Jimin’s heart running laps.
Jungkook shifts his weight so that he is standing parallel to Jimin, He smiles softly, his cocky attitude seems a bit dissolved after receiving compliments. It seems like he can’t really keep up the act if he is showered like that, he just unknowingly shows his gratitude with his face.
“Well, thank you. I really appreciate that. It’s not often I get to meet fans like this.”
Jackpot. ‘It’s not often he gets to meet fans like this?’ Jimin is definitely going to be a core memory for sure. Or at least... that’s what he’d love to assume. Jimin tries to give himself a quick pep talk before he says anything, but Jungkook beats him to that.
“You must be new here, usually there’s another guy taking my order.”
Jungkook’s voice sounded low but smooth; he seemed wide awake, yet drifting off to sleep at the same time.
“Oh! No, I’ve..I've been working here for years. I usually work during the day, I’m just covering for my friend right now...”
Jimin slows down his sentence to fully process what Jungkook just said. Usually another guy? At this hour? Does he come here to this diner normally at this time ? And Taehyung never says anything?? Granted, Taehyung doesn’t really listen to Jungkook’s music, so it would make sense that he wouldn’t recognize him. But how long has Jungkook been eating here? Has he sat down in any of these chairs before? Has he touched the counter and Jimin just wiped it off in the morning?
Wait…
This seems a bit… Obsessive..? This seems totally obsessive! Snap out of it, Park Jimin. So what if Jungkook has eaten here before? But.. What if he continues to eat here again?
“Ohh, I see. Well, that’s why I’ve never seen you,” Jungkook voiced. He looked over at the counter, seeing his receipt. He must have forgotten to ask for it this time, or maybe the waiter was going to give it to him but he didn't hear?
“I would like my receipt though-”
“Oh! Yeah, yeah of course, let me get it for you.” Jimin walked over to the counter a little bit too quickly and grabbed the receipt. He saw his phone on the counter too, and began to think. ‘Should I ask for a picture? No, of course not, he gets that a lot. But nobody would believe me- Who cares if they believe me? But he does come here a lot..’
“Uh..Hello..? Are you okay? You’ve been standing there for a while-”
Dammit Jimin. Keep it together.
“Yeah! Sorry, just… Thinking,” Jimin smiled sweetly as he walked over to give Jungkook his receipt.
Jungkook took it and put it into his bag, nodding and walking towards the door. He opened it, but stopped before walking out; and turned to Jimin.
“It was nice meeting you- Uhm..”
“Jimin! My name.. is Jimin.”
“Jimin. Okay see you around-”
Jungkook walked out of the diner door, leaving the bell to jingle for the last time that night. Jimin watched Jungkook fade toward the darkness, only hearing a motorcycle drive off into the distance. He felt overwhelmed, so much that he lost his balance and held onto a chair to aid his slow descent to the ground. He looked down to the wooden floor, holding onto his chest as if his heart needed some extra support from outside his body.
‘See me around?’
Yeah, Jimin sure hopes so.