Chapter Text
Friday night at Serenade Cafe is always the busiest, its open mic night being the biggest draw in addition to the music themed coffee and tea drinks. There’s only one local band on tonight’s lineup, a group who practices instrumental covers of popular 90s and early 2000s hits for fun. It's niche, and from what you’ve heard they seem to have a cult following who have taken to sending song requests on their Instagram. The seats nearest the small stage are already filling up while locals who are enjoying a post-dinner coffee and dessert lounge in the back tables and couches.
“Namjoon. Joon. JOON!”
Your boss blinks, finally whipping his head away from the musicians setting up on stage and toward you. “Uh, yeah?”
“Where’s your head at?” You laugh. “A large Duet on ice.”
Namjoon nods, making his hands busy at the espresso machine. “Large D. I got it.”
“Please stop abbreviating the drinks,” you whine, withholding your laughter.
Namjoon just smiles, the dimples in his cheeks deepening. It’s hard to believe that Namjoon is part owner of Serenade Cafe since he seems to prefer being a barista. Sometimes people mistake you for being the boss instead of him. Even after working with him for the past two years, not once did he exhibit the type of cold, standoffish behavior that you’ve experienced with your previous bosses. In fact, working for Namjoon is like working with a friend.
“Argh, why am I always here when the hoppers need to be filled?” Jin groans while he walks past you carrying two large bags of espresso beans.
“The hoppers always need to be filled, we work at a cafe,” you tease. “Why can’t you lift weights like Namjoon and Kook?”
“Hey, ____, switch me, I’ll work the till and you fill?”
“Nope,” you reply. “Next customer?”
“Namjooooonnn,” Jin pouts, sidling up next to him. “Where’s Jungkook, is he working tonight? He’s got the muscles, he should just be our official hopper filler. The girls love ogling him while he fills the hopper. I look the most handsome making drinks or working the till.”
“He’s on his way. Fill the hopper, Jin. How hard is it to pour beans?” Namjoon finishes off the duet, a large iced milk tea with a shot of espresso and places it on the counter. “Large iced Duet!”
“That kid just gets to waltz in whenever he wants…” Jin grumbles.
“You really are too easy on Jungkook,” you add.
Namjoon shrugs. “He’s like my little brother.”
“And what am I?!? Huh?” Jin shouts over the din of beans being poured.
“What’s the next drink, ____?” Namjoon asks, completely ignoring Jin.
“Hot green tea,” you reply, while watching your last customer in line walking off to secure a seat after paying. “No worries, I got this.”
🍃
Namjoon’s got a strict rule that no coffee can be made or ordered while the artists are performing, so it gives you and the other baristas a much needed break to enjoy the live music. You and Jin stay behind the coffee bar while Namjoon sits at the bar counter, engrossed in the show. At the front door, Jungkook enters, throwing his apron on and settles beside an annoyed Jin.
“Sorry I’m late,” Jungkook whispers. “What’d I miss?”
“You’re on cleaning duty tonight!” Jin angrily whispers back. “I want to see my gorgeous face reflected on the counter!”
The crowd applauds after the song finishes, and the main guitarist takes the mic off the stand.
“Thank you so much everyone for coming out,” the guitarist’s deep mellow voice fills the cafe. “Before we go into our last song, I just want to take a moment to introduce ourselves again. I’m Yoongi on guitar. We’ve got Jimin on bass. Hope back there on the drums, and Taehyung on the synth. We’re the ‘90s Kids.’” He sighs, almost as if he’s embarrassed. “I know, it’s a cheesy name.”
The room claps and cheers good naturedly.
“We want to thank Serenade Cafe for letting us take over the open mic night,” Yoongi continues, nodding over at the coffee bar. “Thanks Namjoon.”
The crowd looks over at him and claps, and Namjoon waves shyly. You know he doesn’t really like the attention, but you’re proud of what he has accomplished, taking over a struggling cafe with his father and turning it into a thriving business that’s a cornerstone of the community.
“For our last song, we’re trying something a little different tonight,” Yoongi says. “But we’re going to need a little help. Namjoon?”
Namjoon takes a deep breath and wipes his hands on his apron. He unties it, leaving it on the stool. You, Jin, and Jungkook share a look.
“What’s going on?” Jungkook asks.
You don’t answer, you’re just as bewildered by his actions as they are. You knew something was kind of off with him today, and now you know it’s because of what’s about to happen next.
“Wait…Is he…Going on stage?” Jin’s jaw drops.
“I have to record this,” Jungkook says to himself, pulling out his phone.
Yoongi hands the mic to Namjoon when he steps onto the stage. He clears his throat and mumbles a hello into the mic that you can barely make out. You and your fellow baristas are holding your breath along with the crowd. Namjoon lets out a shaky breath, and then looks over at Yoongi and nods. Yoongi starts strumming, and then the rest of the band begins to play. It’s a cover of a cover and a song you know very well.
“We passed upon the stair
We spoke of was and when
Although I wasn't there
He said I was his friend,” Namjoon’s low, breathy voice fills the room.
Jin turns to you. “Did you know he was going to do this?”
“Of course not, why would I?” You exclaim.
“He tells you everything!”
“Not this,” you reply softly, your eyes on the stage. You put your finger to your lips to shush Jin from any further questions.
“Who knows?
Not me
We never lost control
You're face to face
With the man who sold the world,” Namjoon croons into the microphone.
The applause and cheers is deafening after the cover song ends. The whole cafe, including you and your fellow baristas, are abuzz at seeing the quiet mannered cafe owner show a different side of himself. The band quickly thanks the crowd again and shakes hands with Namjoon while you, Jin, and Jungkook get busy cleaning up while the crowd filters out. After the band packs up and says goodbye, you and the others finally have the cafe to yourselves to bombard Namjoon with questions.
“Are you in their band now?” Jungkook asks with wide eyes. “Are you a 90s Kid?”
“I’m a 90s kid, but I’m not in their band,” Namjoon laughs, patting Jungkook on the back. “I saw you recording–can you send it to me?”
“Only if you let me post this on YouTube,” Jungkook answers, taking out his phone again.
“How did this even happen?” Jin asks.
Namjoon sighs. "They saw me sing…At another cafe mic night."
"What?!?!" All of you yell.
"YOU do a mic night!" Jin screeches, waving at the stage. "Why are you cheating on your own cafe?!"
"I thought it might be weird to sing here since I'm part owner. Those guys were performing after me and recognized me," he laughs. "They really wanted me to sing for them and said they'll never stop bothering me until I give in."
"Is that why they booked the whole night?" Jungkook looks up from his phone.
"Yeah, they were absolutely relentless, even asking some of our usual acts not to sign up for tonight."
“How long have you been performing? Do you even play instruments?” Jin starts to grill him.
“For a couple months now. And I thought you knew that I could play the guitar and piano,” he pouts.
“Even I know that,” you chime in.
“How could you keep this from us?!” Jungkook adds.
“I didn’t know how to bring it up. I just had to do it, you know? Anyway,” Namjoon waves his hands, ready for the onslaught. “Have at me. Get all your questions and jokes and teasing out now while I'm still in a good mood.”
"Why would we make fun of you? You're amazing, Joon!" You exclaim. The others nod in agreement.
“Thanks, ____. That means a lot to me,” he says, his eyes on you. “Come on, let’s close up quickly so you all can go home. I can answer any other questions in the meantime.”
After locking up, Jin gives Jungkook a ride back to his apartment near the university, and Namjoon walks you to your car. Whenever you work a closing shift, Namjoon always makes sure to park next to you so you never leave work alone. It’s this kind of thoughtfulness that always makes you feel safe working at the cafe.
“So…did I do your favorite song justice?” He asks when you reach your car.
“I don’t think I’ll ever get your version out of my head now!” You beam. “I never thought I’d ever hear that live. And from you. What’s gotten into you?”
Namjoon shrugs, his hands in his pockets. “Ah…I guess I just felt like I needed to put myself out there and take a risk before….Taking an even bigger risk. I just needed to know that I could do it.”
You furrow your brow, trying to follow his vague explanation. “Are…Are you opening up another Serenade Cafe? Are you guys expanding?”
Namjoon laughs, shaking his head. “No, no, that’s not it at all. This wasn’t some PR stunt–”
“‘Cuz you totally could,” you boast. “Joon, the cafe is doing so well. You saw how packed it was tonight.”
Namjoon looks you straight in the eyes. “This isn’t about business.”
You wait, hoping he’ll explain more. He opens his mouth as if to continue, and then stops himself.
“It’s late,” he says, backing away from you. “Get home safe. Goodnight, ____.”
“Thanks, you too,” you reply, slightly disappointed by his abrupt goodbye. “Goodnight, Namjoon.”
You get in your car and drive off, noticing in the rear view mirror that he’s still standing where you left him. If he’s being vague now, it must be for a good reason. Whatever the “risk” is, you know he will share it with you in his own time.
🍃🍃🍃