The next day, Yoongi stood in front of the restaurant where he was meeting Namjoon, seriously considering not entering. He was so concerned that Namjoon hated his music that he was second-guessing himself in more ways than one.

Finally, he took in a deep breath and pulled the door open. His eyes immediately found Namjoon, waiting with a pensive look on his face. Yoongi hesitantly approached him.

"Hey," he managed.

Namjoon jumped slightly. "Oh, hey," he said, his expression never changing.

Yoongi nervously took a seat across from Namjoon. "So..."

"So."

Yoongi decided to get right to the point. "Look, I know my music isn't for everyone. I'll understand if you didn't like it. I won't be offended, and – "

"What are you talking about?" Namjoon interrupted.

Yoongi looked at him sheepishly. "You don't have to let me down easy. Just say it."

Namjoon's lips parted slightly as his eyebrows furrowed. "Yoongi," he said quietly. "You're brilliant."

Yoongi blinked. "What?"

"That song," Namjoon said. "Your rapping. Your flow. The beat. The production. You...you're brilliant."

Yoongi stared at Namjoon. "You can't be serious."

"But I am," Namjoon insisted. "And I played it for some of my higher ups; the producers I work with and really look up to. They want to meet you."

Yoongi took in a deep breath. "Really?"

Namjoon nodded. "Really. And they - and I - want to hear more. Can you send me more?"

"Well, yeah. Of course. But what do you want to hear? I have more rapping similar to the song I sent you. But I also have some that I sing on, too – "

"You sing?"

"Um, yeah, sometimes."

"Yoongi," Namjoon said somewhat breathlessly. "Send me everything you've got."

Yoongi's breath hitched. "Everything?"

Namjoon nodded. "Everything."

"I..." Yoongi paused. "That would be a lot. I've been fiddling around with music for a long time."

"'Fiddling around'?" Namjoon said incredulously. "You know what you're doing, Yoongi. Give yourself some credit."

"I – " Yoongi didn't know what else to say. So, he merely stopped and sat there, unsure of himself.

"Send me more of your rapping," Namjoon said. "Send me some of your singing. Send everything."

Yoongi blinked. "Y-You really want all that?"

"Yes," Namjoon said earnestly. "I think you're a great talent, Yoongi. Prove me right."

"Um," Yoongi stuttered, still unsure. "Okay."

Yoongi and Namjoon simply stared at each other for a few long moments before Namjoon finally broke the silence.

"So, tell me about yourself. I meant it when I said I'd like to get to know you better."

Yoongi sucked in a breath. "Um, well, I'm 23 and from Daegu. I came to Seoul for university and just ended up staying here afterward. W-What about you?"

Namjoon smiled. "I'm 22, from Ilsan. I attended university there, but came to Seoul for a change of pace. I got offered a job at the music company I now work for, and I couldn't pass it up."

This led Yoongi to ask a question that he'd been wanting to since he learned Namjoon was a musician as well. "Do you think I could hear some of your stuff?"

Namjoon rubbed the back of his neck. Yoongi couldn't be sure, but Namjoon seemed a bit nervous.

"Uh, sure," he finally said. "I don't play my stuff for many people outside of work, but I guess it's only fair since you sent me your stuff."

Yoongi shook his head. "You don't owe me anything," he stated. "And you don't have to let me hear it. But to work at a music company, I know you must be talented. So, I was just interested."

Namjoon smiled slightly. Not enough to show his dimples, which Yoongi found disappointing. "Okay," Namjoon finally agreed. "Just don't spread it around or anything. My company probably wouldn't appreciate that."

Yoongi nodded. "I'll keep it to myself."

"Thanks."

They continued to chat idly about music until Namjoon said he needed to get back to work. They both stood, and Namjoon promised he'd send Yoongi some of his music as soon as he got back to his company.

They both exited the restaurant, headed in separate directions, after saying goodbye. Yoongi was almost out of earshot when Namjoon turned. "Hey, Yoongi!"

Yoongi turned around, sightly startled. "Yeah?"

"Next time we get together, let's actually get to know each other. We don't always have to talk about music."

'Next time,' Yoongi thought. He was surprised Namjoon still wanted to hang out with him, knowing how awkward he was. "Sure," Yoongi replied. "I, uh, I'd like that."

Namjoon smiled. 'Ugh, dimples!' Yoongi thought.

"See ya soon."

Yoongi nodded, then turned back around. He smiled. "Next time," he whispered to himself. "Soon."

-

Yoongi sat in front of his desk, mouth hanging open. He'd just finished listening to the song Namjoon had sent to him.

"Holy shit," he muttered. "What's he talking about saying I'm brilliant? He's so much better than me."

Suddenly, his phone chimed, indicating a text message.

Namjoon So, have you listened to it?

Yoongi Just got done. Holy shit, Namjoon.

Namjoon What do you mean?

Yoongi You say I'm brilliant, but what the fuck is this, then? This is brilliant.

There was a long pause where Yoongi received no response.

'Shit... Did I cuss too much?'

Finally, Yoongi's phone chimed again.

Namjoon You flatter me.

Yoongi As I should. Holy shit.

Namjoon Haha, you're too kind.

Namjoon Imagine what we could do together.

Yoongi paused. What did that mean? He decided to be cheeky.

Yoongi Is that a job offer? Lol

Namjoon Yes, actually.

Yoongi gasped. "WHAT?!"

Yoongi What?

Namjoon My higher ups want to meet you, but I'd already played them Daechwita, as I told you. But once I played them some of your other rapping, like Agust D and Haegeum, and even some of your singing, like Seesaw and Life Goes On, they decided they want you on our team once they realized you produced those songs as well. Of course, it won't be officially official until you meet them, but we're on the track to a job offer.

Namjoon If you want it.

Yoongi sat, his mouth agape, not knowing what to say next. So, he didn't say anything. His mind needed time to process.

And so he sat, phone beside him, and stared at his screen. Was this for real? He'd just given a poor soul a drink, and now his life was about to change. He was about to get the job of his dreams. Would his music be put out there for others to hear? He'd only ever shared it with his friends. What if the general public heard it? What if they didn't like it?

Namjoon Yoongi?

The chime of his phone knocked Yoongi out of his reverie. He picked it up and shakily typed back a message.

Yoongi That's all I've ever wanted.

Across town, at his studio in his company's building, Namjoon smiled. He imagined what it would be like to work with Yoongi; to make great music together. He imagined what it would be like to have Yoongi by his side. He found that he really wanted Yoongi by his side.

Namjoon I'll keep you updated.

Yoongi sucked in a deep breath. He still couldn't believe this was real.

A few hours later, Namjoon gathered his things to head home for the day, and began heading toward the elevator.

"Joon!"

Namjoon turned around as his name was called from behind him.

"What's up, Hobi?"

"I heard a rumor," his friend, Hoseok, said.

"Oh, yeah? And what's that?"

"That you're playing recruiter."

Namjoon laughed lightly. "I'm not trying to."

"But you've been playing some guy's music for the managers and, I heard, even the CEO."

Namjoon nodded, not seeing a point in denying it. "I found this guy by chance, and he's brilliant, Hobi. We need him here."

"Can I hear his stuff?" Hoseok asked excitedly.

"Sure," Namjoon agreed. "I'll play it for you tomorrow. Right now, I'm going home to take a much needed nap."

Hoseok chuckled. "Don't fuck up your sleep schedule."

Namjoon rolled his eyes. "I won't, Hyung."

He then turned and headed out of the building. He couldn't wait to get home. He had plans to eat a quick dinner, turn on a movie, and, unlike what he'd told his friend, see if he could come up with a reason to text a certain someone again.