Deal With The Pain | Namgi

Chapter 23

Namjoon POV

"Perfect, I think you'll do just fine with handling the register, Joon." Yoongi mumbles softly later that morning. He'd all but kicked the other three out, telling them that they had the day off paid, something that certainly shocked me though I didn't say anything, knowing I certainly have no place for it. To say I'm terrified being in here alone with Yoongi would be an understatement, afraid that I'll end up messing something up and making a fool of myself or pissing him off instead of helping him like I'm hoping to.

I can't say I'm not exciting being in here alone with him at the same time, it's been so fucking long since we've gotten to actually spend time together the two of us, his attention almost entirely on me. I know better than to try anything though, can see how much yesterday has messed with his head even if he tries to play it off that he's fine, can see how much he's struggling right now, and I know it's not the right time. I have the ability to help him though, something I'm hoping will give us the chance to get closer at the same time, and it's an opportunity I'm not willing to pass on.

"Is that all you're going to want me doing, Yoon? Is there anything else that you want me to learn?" I ask quietly, glancing up at him from the register that's sat on the counter between us. There's a curious hue to his tired eyes as he looks up at me, head tilting sweetly to the side.

"Do you wanna learn more, Joon? I don't wanna overwhelm you with a bunch of responsibilities. You're volunteering to work some of our busiest hours, you're gonna be overwhelmed enough just trying to ring up the orders." Yoongi questions uncertainly. I take a deep breath at what he's saying, worried that I'm going to severely underperform and end up letting him down considering I've never done anything at all like this, but also not wanting to be complete deadweight for him either.

"I'm happy to learn as much as you're willing to teach me, Yoon. I want to be as helpful and useful to you as possible." I breathe out, tugging a small smile onto my face for him. He doesn't seem to feel much better though, running a hand through his already messy hair as he nods.

"Alright. It's nearly lunch time, so why don't you go take a break, yeah? In the meantime, I'll write up some cheat sheets for you. You'll have a set for the register so that you have an easier time ringing people up, and then I'll write out a few recipes for you to try your hand at this afternoon." Yoongi suggests, trying so hard to be positive. I feel horrible that he's suffering this way, wish there were something I'd be able to do to help but not knowing what more there is for me to be able to do.

We're interrupted by the door to the shop opening, both of us turning our attention to the two who walk through the door, and I'm surprised to find Yoongi's brother and father entering. I can see the shock on Yoongi's face as well, telling me that this certainly hadn't been a planned visit by any means as Geumjae quickly crosses the floor to wrap Yoongi up into a hug. I smile softly at the sight, glad to find that the two of them are still as close as I recall them to be.

The lack of his little sister and mother draws confusion from me, but I don't comment on it, knowing it's most certainly not the time. Yoongi's already breaking down in his brother's arms, their father soon walking over and wrapping both boys into his embrace as well, and I decide perhaps maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to take that lunch break that Yoongi had suggested. I've got the feeling he could use some time alone with them, so I do my best to sneak out of the shop unnoticed, opting to see if I can find anything that I could bring back as lunch for the three of them as well as something for myself.

Even if Yoongi and I haven't had the ability to catch up much in the last week or so now, just from observing him at the shop, I can tell he hasn't changed much from when we were younger. He never was much for public affection or tons of attention, he always seemed to get suffocated from it pretty easily. He also hated being late though, despises it with every fiber of his being, takes accountability very seriously, something that has been so incredibly apparent this last week with him rushing back from class a couple of times. Never once has he held it against anyone else though, standards he's always held solely for himself. Always too kind and caring for his own good.

I bite my lip as I continue to wander around, hoping that I can find something that the three of them would enjoy, something not overly extravagant but not just some quick fast food either. I doubt Yoongi will have any sort of appetite at any point today, which means the closer I can get to finding something I'm confident he actually likes, the higher chance I have at him actually eating it.

I soon find a small hole in the wall business though, something that looks like it's relatively quick, not necessarily a sit down restaurant, but it looks cozy and has Yoongi's vibes written all over it. I suck in a deep breath at the sight, deciding to give it a try and see what kind of food they've actually got, hopeful that this will be where I'm getting lunch for the four of us.