Blue Skies

21

Jimin brushes his hair from his eyes, glancing at the small storefront. It's small, dark, with tiny white lettering in the window. Records, Cassettes, and More.

The store is empty as he pushes the door open, eyes scanning for the reason he was here, and there's no one in sight, just the records lining the walls and a turntable behind the counter playing Living on a Prayer softly.

Jimin pulls out his phone, then decided to wait, walking around the boxes and boxes of records lining the walls, smiling a bit at songs and albums he recognizes. He reaches the small box labeled S through T and thumbs through the albums, pulling out a 33, his finger tracing the protective sleeve. The Script.

A door in the back of the store squeaks as it's pushed open, and Jimin turns, his eyes meeting the familiar dark irises, a smile pulling at his lips. "Hey, Yoongi."

The older blinks at him, lips parted slightly in confusion, stumbling over the words. "What're - you - what're you doing here?"

Jimin holds up the 33, grinning a bit. "I needed a record. I always think of my boyfriend when I hear the songs on this album, and everything sounds better on vinyl."

Yoongi flushes, nodding, and he walks up to Jimin to slip the record from his fingers, making his way to the register. Jimin follows, smiling at the redness in Yoongi's cheeks. "I also brought you some food. I accidentally cooked an extra portion for you." He flashes a playful grin, offering a lunch box to the older, and Yoongi turns even more crimson, accepting it, setting the bag behind the register.

"Thanks," he says softly, and Jimin nods, giving him a smile.

"Of course, baby." He watches the older examine the album he had chosen for a price tag. "I like your uniform."

Yoongi glanced at his black pants and black shirt, unsure, and Jimin grins slightly. "You look cute. All monochrome and matchy."

The older can't help a tiny smile. "I wear this every day."

"See? That's why I love it." Jimin grins, wrinkling his nose slightly at the older. "How's your shift been, babe?"

"Okay." Yoongi coughs slightly, brushing his hair out of his eyes as his cheeks tint red again. "Not a lot of customers."

"That's too bad." Jimin leans on the counter, watching as Yoongi opens a grocery bag. "Should we - "

The bell on the shop door jingles, and Yoongi glances at the man who walks inside, his voice quiet. "How can I help you?"

The guy doesn't glance at Jimin, pushing past him to the counter. "I ordered a cassette last week. You said it would be in today."

Yoongi nods, and his teeth capture his lip momentarily before he forces himself to speak again. "Name?"

"It's for Kurt. Kurt Kelly."

Yoongi types in the computer system, then bites his lip, staring at the screen for a moment, his voice quiet. "It won't be in until next week."

"You told me it would be in today," the guy glares at Yoongi like it's his fault, and Jimin glances between them, not liking this.

"The truck was delayed," Yoongi says softly. "I can't - "

"I just want my cassette. Is this a money thing?"

"I can't make the truck go faster," Yoongi says, and the guy stares down at him. "If you come back another time - "

"Listen," he's not being outright hostile, but almost patronizing, speaking slowly, over-enunciating his words. "I want you to go in the back room and get me that cassette, you hear me? Because I was promised it today, and - "