Deal With The Pain | Namgi

Chapter 22

"I still can't believe he would do something like this. It's so out of character for him. Jimin's never like this." Jungkook comments with a frown the next day. It's a much slower morning thankfully, and despite it only being on shift for Jungkook and I, Tae and Hobi both stopped by to hang out. Namjoon's been here since before opening, much to my own surprise, going above and beyond what's necessary in the last twenty four hours.

"He's been waiting for a right opportunity to ask me for a long time, so who knows anymore. I don't want to talk about it, honestly, anyways." I mutter bitterly, trying hard not to completely grump over the matter.

It's just not easy. After everything I've been through with Namjoon and his behavior over the years, and now with Jimin, it's kind of got my head fucked up. It's got me a bit fucked up. I'm trying hard not to push everyone away, knowing it was never any of their faults. But it's hard. It's hard feeling like I've been made for people to leave, hard to not push everyone away when it's beginning to feel like they'll leave all on their own anyways at some point.

"Yoon, what are you going to do about Jimin's hours? He's usually working some of your busiest times, even if you can handle the slower hours he usually works by yourself." Hobi pipes up in a gentle tone, capturing my attention once more. I bite my lip at the question, glancing between Jungkook and Taehyung.

"Do the two of you want the extra hours? It's not necessary if it doesn't work for either of you or if you guys don't want the hours. I can handle it regardless, but if you two want the hours, they're yours." I ask, trying not to get my hopes up to much. The way their expressions fall certainly helps the matter though.

"Hyung, I would but I have classes during most of his hours. I could probably help cover some of the slower ones, but even then his availability and mine don't coincide much aside from the hours we already overlap." Jungkook answers hesitantly. I can tell from his expression that he feels bad, that he truly wants to be here but he knows I'd eventually find out that it'd mean he misses classes and that I'd be pissed about the matter.

"I can help cover a couple of his busy hour shifts, but I'm starting tutoring this week for one of my classes and I have a study group that I'm meeting up with to help prepare for our midterms that just started last week for another of my classes. Sorry, Yoongi." Tae mumbles out before biting his lip.

Their answers have me just pursing my lips for a moment, wishing that I didn't have to know how honest their answers are. Wishing that this wasn't my case, that this wasn't my own doing. I know it is though and I know they feel bad that their availability isn't better.

"Do you think it'd be too much to teach me the ropes? I don't know what all hours you need worked but I've only got two classes that aren't online, I could probably help cover those hours for you if you'd like, Yoon." Namjoon offers lightly. His words have my head lifting up and gaze snapping over in his direction, spying the nerves that gather in his eyes but a hopeful smile displayed on his lips.

"And why in the hell would we trust you for something like that? It's probably your fault this happened anyhow!" Hobi scoffs with an incredulous glare in his eyes as he looks over at the taller male. It makes me sigh, wishing once more that this weren't truly my life.

"It's not his fault, Hobi, don't be saying such things. Jimin brought this upon himself. He and I had a conversation about everything before we got into this mess and he said some things that he shouldn't have because he thought he wouldn't have to have his word tested. Joon's been here every day whenever he's been able to for the last week now, actually ran out and got the three of us dinner last night due to the mad rush of people and stayed after to help me clean, and was even in early today before Jungkook and Tae got in.

"Yes, he made mistakes in the past, but it's the past for a reason and he's been doing what he can to make up for it. We probably would've already had the chance to catch up with each other properly and have begun to work towards mending our friendship if it weren't for Jimin this last week. He wouldn't let Joon get a word in edge wise and did what he could to literally stay between the two of us. Don't be taking things out on him now when he doesn't deserve it. He apologized, we're trying to work through things to move forward." I correct immediately, not wanting this type of energy to even get started.

"He's got a point on that one, Hobi. He did actually help us out last night by running to get dinner and Jimin really has been so focused on trying to keep the two of them from interacting that he hardly did much work this last week." Tae tacks on. It has Hobi frowning, all of us clearly stumped by where this behavior from our one friend who's decided to take a vacation has suddenly come from.

"If you don't have much homework and studying to be doing today, Joon, I could start training you today. Sundays happen to be our one slow day of the week, so it's the perfect day if you're up for it."