"so you really think it'll work this time?"
mark and jaebum were working in the kitchen, preparing small foods that the shop offered, and mixing various drinks from orders they were steadily getting. while working, mark's curiosity grew, and he decided to ask more about the situation he had helped slightly helped out with.
"i do actually," jaebum said in between the loud roars of the blender he was using "i think they are pretty compatible, and jinyoung seems to really like him already. even if they dont end up dating or whatever, i think they'll be good friends!!"
"so youre really serious about this?"
mark's eyebrow raised as he stopped stirring a drink he was finishing up and questioned his friend, turning his head to look at him.
jaebum met his eyes with a look of shock, halting his actions completely. "of course i am! i love jinyoung dont get me wrong, but that boy needs someone new in his life. he needs a new spark yknow? some different type of happiness or love. i know i act goofy and tease about it alot, but i really hope it works out some how. i am really serious about this, mark."
"sorry, sorry. i forget that you're a real human sometimes." mark genuinely apologised and put a lid on his finished drink. he started to leave as he said his next sentence, slightly teasing to lighten up the atmosphere.
"oh my god" jaebum scoffed to himself as mark left to set the drink he finished onto the ledge, indicating it was ready to be drank.
mark came back and washed his hands before starting another drink, an iced coffee this time. he decided to continue their conversation, wanting to put in his input. "but in all seriousness, i see where youre coming from. i may not be as close as you guys are, but i can see it too. he seems,,, unsatisfied and longing for something."
"yeah! exactly!" jaebum exclaims, whipping around to look mark in the eyes once more. mark flinched and chuckled a bit at his actions. jaebum turned back to what he was doing, embarassed at his sudden burst of agreement. "sorry,, i just,,i really want him to be truly happy and satisfied. he deserves it more than he thinks."
a soft smile formed on mark's face at his words as he looked at jaebum, making eye contact. his voice was quiet and reassuring, "im sure it'll go well, jaebum. and even if it doesnt, itll be okay. youre a great friend, you know that?"
jaebum gently laughed and looked down at the counter in front of him. "i hope so."
"jaebum!! how do i look??" a frantic jinyoung burst through the kitchen door, messing with his hair. jaebum and marks head snapped around to look at him with wide eyes at the loud and sudden intrusion.
"u-um you look fine??" jinyoung stared at him blankly for a second and then scoffed, letting his arms harshly fall down at his sides. mark laughed at the situation, and took both the drink he finished, and jaebum's to the counter.
"you guys have fun with that, but jinyoung, you better get back up here when youre done." mark left, the door still slowly swinging as his body passed through it.
"just fine??" after a second of silence, jinyoung faced jaebum with more questions, nervous about,, well, everything honestly.
"jinyoung, you look great ok? you always do, and youre gonna be fine ok? you can do this, deep breaths." jinyoung looked skeptical at first, but then let go of all the tension in his body with a sigh, and deeply breathed back in. jaebum patted his shoulder and smiled at him.
"youre gonna be ok. when is jackson getting here?" the still nervous, but not as frantic, boy's stomach churned as the name left his friend's lips.
"h-he's uh, he said he'd be here around five,, and its four forty now."
"ooo, are you excited??" jaebum placed his other hand on jinyoung's remaining shoulder and looked him in the eyes with a bright smile. jinyoung shuddered at the sight.
"what are you doing??"
"what do you mean?? im being supportive!" jinyoung laughed at this, appreciating jaebum's terrible effort. he knew he could do better. he has done better. literally last night he was in full on supportive mode. jaebum laughed with him and brought his anxious friend into a warm hug.
"youre gonna be ok. i know i keep saying this, but youre gonna do great."
"thank you jaebum, i mean it. i know im a lonely and bitter bitch sometimes, but i,, i really appreciate you dealing with that. with me." jaebum pulled away and stared at jinyoung with an insanely proud face.
"jinyoung that was great!! you suck at sharing your feelings in words like that holy shit im proud of you!!"
"really!?! cause i thought i was about to puke to be honest!!" both boys erupted into excited, nervous, and happy laughter all at the same time.
"but seriously, im glad our feelings are mutual because bitch, i would honestly take a bullet and so much more for your headass." jinyoung laughed again, mostly from nerves, but he really apprieciated everything jaebum does. and has done for him.
but before jinyoung could reply with an even sappier sentence, jaebum decided to take over the mood. "jinyoung, its four fifty. you can do this. now get out there, take some orders, and get some ass!"
the older turned jinyoung around to face the door leading to the register, and pushed him forward. jinyoung got flustered as the events quickly happened, but quickly composed himself. he took some more breaths and convinced himself he was ready. jinyoung walked through the door and the first thing he heard was mark sigh with relief, as he moved past him to get back in the kitchen.
jinyoung rolled his eyes and started taking the next customer's order, trying not to think about the boy he was expecting. trying not to think about what his smile looks like in real life. what his voice sounds like. if he'll like the coffee. if he'll like him. he felt stupid, thinking all these things. he had only known him for a weekend! but damn,, he was so interesting to him. jinyoung felt that they clicked very quickly and he felt,, himself around the other.
jinyoung worriedly sighed again as he realized he was in fact, not ready for whatever was going to happen. but before he could think anymore or doubt anything again, the bell went off for the entrance to the cafe, and jinyoung felt his stomach drop as he instinctively looked up and saw a familiar face.
