lamb skewers

SEVEN.

         THE NEXT TIME YOONGI AWOKE, it was by the sound of the restaurant doors being pushed open. He jolted from his current spot, pen still in hand, calculator on the other, and his drool seeping drastically out of his mouth. "You slept in here? Again?" He could only hear that question through muffled tones, as he questioned his surroundings. He was still in his restaurant, in his same clothes, and his same unwashed body since yesterday. A small thought arose, as he thought about how worried Seokjin might've been since his absence last night. He checked his phone, yet no messages or missed calls were placed. Seokjin must've been out again, he mused to himself, before noticing that a big blanket has been wrapped around him all along. This took Yoongi by surprise a little, before he slowly got out of his chair, and beside Hoseok, who just got in early. "Hey, did you put this blanket over me?"

Hoseok waited for the water to boil. Yoongi thought that he was going to make themselves a cup of coffee before they had to ready the store for breakfast hours. After putting the creamer and the suger, the other responded, "No? I left early, remember?" He began to stir the liquid onto the instant coffee, scooping up a humble amount to see whether he put too much, nor too little. One nod, a small hesitation, then another nod before Hoseok finally gave Yoongi his cup of coffee. Dazed and confused, the owner accepted it with furrowed brows. "It couldn't be Namjoon...he had a date with his girlfriend last night."

The orange-haired friend of his began choking on his coffee, wheezing out a cough before giggling uncontrollably. Yoongi never knew why Hoseok started acting up whenever he mentioned Namjoon and his date. Was it that funny to imagine him actually having a relationship out there? Nonetheless, that didn't matter. He wondered who put the blanket around him. He also wondered why it was such a big deal for him, when he should be just wondering if the money he was counting in that cashier hadn't been stolen by the mysterious man who put the blanket around him --

"THE MONEY!" Hurriedly setting his cup down, Yoongi frantically rummaged for his pockets, and yanking the register open. Thankfully, tons of the won they earned were still in place, and nothing was missing. Yoongi let out a sigh of relief, locking the register once more as Hoseok emerged with his cup, face etched with concern. "Hyung, I really think you need to rest." 

The younger settled him down, gently taking the blanket off of the stressed Yoongi as he cleaned his little mess up. "C'mon, take a day off. You've been around here for almost a week, and I think it's time you take a small break from running this place. Get yourself a manager, and go out for a good time. Hm, for instance," Hoseok grabbed his shoulders and pulled him back to meet his eyes, "that second date with Jeongguk?"

"Agh, I already told you that I won't go for another date--" Yoongi was interrupted by Hoseok's stern voice. "Yet, you still owe him an apology. Running away from a mistake won't get you anywhere, you know?" Yoongi didn't respond after, his eyes averted elsewhere and lips formed into a small pout. He hated to admit it, but he was right. "Will he even accept another date when it's obvious that I've done something terrible to him?"

Hoseok released a sigh, shrugging his shoulders while he began wiping the tables and sweeping the floors. Yoongi urged to switch the air conditioner on, since it was only seven in the morning and the two were already sweating horribly. "It wouldn't hurt to ask, you know? Jeongguk had his eyes on you yesterday while you were busy doing work. I could tell he wasn't able to focus that much with his little friend when all he could ever look at was you. Take the hint, Yoongi! He's whipped for you!"

The older flinched at his happy tone, at some point watching as Hoseok accidentally from the floor he just mopped. He laughed it off, grasping onto the handle of the mop and huffed. "I honestly expected this from you. Your first love? A piano? No wonder you could be this dense!" This left Yoongi stuttering in embarrassment, gathering his supplies and shoving them all in his bag. "Oh, I'm sorry I'm this dense! You, how do -- how do you know about these things? You haven't dated anyone!"

"I was the one dating Namjoon yesterday, silly--"

He heard Hoseok slap a hand over his mouth, eyes wide with shock and realization. Yoongi did the same gesture, only his mouth was agape and his hand was pointed at him. He suddenly didn't care if his coffee got cold, neither did Hoseok care if he was making his entire spot wet from the mop, he just sprouted a big relevance. "You -- You dated Namjoon -- no wonder you left earlier! You're whipped for Kim Namjoon, holy fuck!"

"Shut up, he might be here any second!" Hoseok hissed, jumping up and down in frustration at what he just said. He ran his hand through his hair, then went over to shake Yoongi's shoulders. "Listen, don't tell him that you've discovered our relationship--"

"Relationship?! You guys are together?!"

"Yoongi, this isn't making things any better!"

"Why didn't you tell me you two were dating?!"

"Because!" Hoseok exclaimed, still holding his shoulders, "Because..." His voice lowered to a small tone, leaving the older now confused. Hoseok looked up at Yoongi, then released his grip from his shoulders. "Bah, just because! Listen, hyung, just trust me on this. Jeongguk might be free today, so seek him out in the restaurant today, and take him out again. Whether this is a date or not, at least you get to apologize." He looked at the clock, shocked at how much time has passed by. "Opening hours are almost open. Go on, hyung. Go home and don't come here looking like an ass!" He rushed for Yoongi's supplies, rushed him out the door, smacked his ass playfully, and chimed, "Good luck!" before closing the door.

Yoongi blinked once, then twice, before scowling on the way back to his apartment. This better be better than before, he thought to himself, before he was welcome by Seokjin who had just gotten home as well. The oldest blinked at Yoongi, before asking, "Did you sleep in the restaurant again?"

Ignoring his roommate's question, he sauntered past him and dropped his bag on the table. "I'm borrowing your blazer, hyung."

As if used to this, Seokjin took his time with unstrapping his accessories from last night's event and responded, "Sure. What for, though?"

Yoongi emerged from the bathroom, releasing the toothbrush from his teeth and stared at Seokjin with a deadpan expression. "I have a date." He went in afterwards, as Seokjin only stood still with his expression taken aback.

"Now that is something I don't see everyday!"