On the House

Chapter Three

Namjoon Hey, I'm at work right now, trying to get some inspiration for new music. It made me think of you and how much I'd like to listen to your stuff. Do you mind if I hear it?

Yoongi stared at his phone. Was this real life? A cute, professional producer wanted to listen to his music?

'Cute? Where did that come from?'

Yoongi shook his head. His fingers hovered over the keyboard as he thought about how to respond.

He jumped as his phone buzzed again in his hand.

Namjoon You don't have to if you'd rather not. I understand how personal music can be, and you barely know me.

Namjoon But I hope we can get to know each other better soon, so that you might feel more comfortable sharing.

Yoongi No, it's okay. I can send it. Do you prefer me getting it to you digitally or physically?

Yoongi then realized that he hadn't responded to Namjoon's second message. He hurriedly typed out another message.

Yoongi And either way, I would like to get to know you better, too.

He then facepalmed. Was that too forward? He sat nervously, biting his thumbnail as he waited for a response. He was relieved when it came.

Namjoon I'd like that! Maybe we could meet up again soon. For now, though, I think if you sent your music to me digitally, that would be easier.

Yoongi Okay. What's your email address?

Namjoon quickly sent it to him, and Yoongi attached one of the songs he was most proud of to the subsequent email he was about to send. He paused, however, suddenly feeling very nervous. What if Namjoon didn't like it? Would he let Yoongi down easy or just laugh in his face?

"But what if he does like it?" Yoongi muttered to himself. "Am I about to change my life?"

At that thought, he still felt inexplicably nervous. Yoongi was a pretty solitary person. What if his music was put out there and was well received? Would he be able to handle the pressures of possibly becoming famous?

"Oh, stop it," he said out loud. "It's not that good, you idiot."

After his internal struggle, he realized there was nothing left to do other than send the song. And so eventually he did. He held his breath as he clicked the 'send' button.

He sat there for a long time in front of his computer before finally deciding that he needed to eat something. Yoongi was infamous for letting his music get in the way of taking care of himself. He often forgot to eat, didn't get enough sleep, and generally let himself go when he was working on it. Today, however, he ate some lunch as he waited to go into work. He was working the dinner shift that night.

To his dismay, he didn't hear back from Namjoon before going into work. But, he tried to reason with himself, he was sure Namjoon was busy. Maybe he hadn't even had a chance to listen to Yoongi's music yet.

"Hey, Yoongs. What's up?"

Yoongi glanced up at Jungkook as he pulled off his jacket and hung it up in the staff closet.

"Not much. Just trying to prepare myself for the rush."

"Ugh, I know, right?" Jungkook said forlornly. "I hate the dinner shift."

"Agreed," Yoongi admitted.

"So," Jungkook said, trying not to show his intense interest. "Have you heard from Namjoon?"

Yoongi rolled his eyes. Jungkook never really did have much of a poker face.

"Yeah, actually," he admitted begrudgingly. "I sent him one of my songs today."

"No way!" Jungkook exclaimed. "He loved it, right?!"

Yoongi sighed. "I haven't heard from him since I sent it."

Jungkook's smile faltered slightly. "Well, I'm sure he's just busy."

"Who's busy?"

Yoongi and Jungkook both turned to see Jimin walking up to them.

"Namjoon texted Yoongi today!" Jungkook said excitedly. Jimin grinned.

"I knew he would soon. So, what did you guys talk about?"

Yoongi sighed. "It doesn't matter. He stopped writing back, and I don't know what to say. So, I guess we're at a stalemate."

"Yoongi sent him one of his songs," Jungkook said before Yoongi could show any more nervousness or disdain for himself.

"Please tell me it was Daechwita," Jimin begged.

Yoongi couldn't help but smile a bit. "It was Daechwita."

"Yes!" Jimin cheered. "I fucking love that song! Surely Namjoon will, too."

Yoongi sighed again. "Well, he never wrote back, so who knows if he did?"

"I'm sure he was just busy," Jimin said and Jungkook gestured toward him as if to say, 'I told you so'. Yoongi shrugged.

"Don't write him off," Jimin said. "I know you'll hear back from him soon."

As if on cue, Yoongi felt his phone buzz in his pocket. Despite the fact that he was supposed to be taking over from the lunch shift waiter, he pulled it out quickly and looked at it.

Namjoon Yoongi, can we get together soon?

Yoongi's heart started beating faster. He paused, unsure of what Namjoon's intentions were. Eventually, he summoned the courage to write back.

Yoongi planned to agree, but wondered if he should ask if Namjoon liked the song. He really wanted to know, but didn't want to sound desperate. Eventually, he decided not to ask. He wasn't sure he could handle rejection right before he began working.

Yoongi Sure. When would you like to?

Namjoon As soon as possible.

Yoongi I'm working tonight, but I'm off tomorrow. Are you free?

Namjoon Yes. How about grabbing lunch?

Yoongi Sounds good.

Namjoon then replied with a time and location, and Yoongi agreed. He felt a bit sick to his stomach, however. Did Namjoon want to meet to, indeed, let him down easy?