The week passed by slowly for Yoongi. He was so excited to start his new job that everything seemed to move painfully slow.

He enjoyed getting to teach Junho some tips and tricks, however. The boy had never been a server before, and that had surprised Yoongi. The restaurant was a bit upper scale, and Yoongi had figured they'd want someone with experience. But he thought it nice that his boss had taken a chance on Junho. He was a nice kid.

"Ugh!" Junho cried as the empty tray fell from his hands again.

"It's okay," Yoongi assured him. "You'll get it, I promise."

"I can't even get it right when it's empty," Junho lamented. "How will I ever be able to actually carry plates and drinks on it?!"

"It'll come in good time, with experience," Yoongi assured him. "It took me what seemed like forever to get it, too. You just gotta keep practicing."

"But what if I don't get it before you leave?"

"On the dinner shift, they'll likely have someone else run the food for you until you get the hang of it," Yoongi explained. "Dinner is the real rush hour here. They'll probably just have you practice during the lunch shift, as it won't be as hectic."

Junho sighed. "Well, that makes me feel a little bit better."

Yoongi smiled kindly at him. "C'mon," he said, grabbing the tray and placing some plates of food on it. "I'll help you take this one out."

"Thanks," Junho said gratefully.

Yoongi nodded. "It's no problem." He then helped Junho steady the tray on his shoulder. They began to walk and Yoongi could see Junho's legs shaking. "It's okay," he assured. "Just take it slow." Junho nodded and Yoongi smiled. "I'll be here to catch it if need be, okay?" Junho nodded again.

He almost made it. But just as he was about to approach the table, Junho's grip slipped. Just as he'd promised, Yoongi caught the tray, helping Junho hoist it back onto his shoulder. "Do you remember who ordered what?" he asked quietly.

"I think so," Junho replied just as quietly.

"Okay, go for it!"

Yoongi stood slightly behind Junho as he began passing out the plates. The distraction almost caused him to slip again, but Yoongi steadied the tray. As soon as the food had all been passed out, Yoongi smiled at the table.

"Is there anything else Junho or I can get you for now?"

Everyone at the table shook their heads. "Okay," Yoongi continued. "We'll be back to check on you soon."

And they both headed back to the kitchen to try the next tray of plates.

"You're doing so well with Junho," Jimin told Yoongi later, after Junho had left for the evening. "He seems to be doing pretty well."

"He is, but I wish he'd realize that. He's still self-conscious and nervous."

"Well, we'll help him, too, when you're gone," Jimin promised.

Yoongi nodded. "I'm glad. He's a good kid. I want him to succeed here."

Jimin smiled. "So," he said, changing the subject. "How's Namjoon?"

Yoongi furrowed his brow. "Um, I dunno."

"You haven't talked to him?" Jimin asked with surprise.

"I mean, he texted me the other day to make sure I'd made it home safely and was doing okay after the bar. But no, I haven't talked to him since then."

"Why not?!" Jimin demanded. "Hasn't Tae told you to contact him?"

Yoongi narrowed his eyes. "Are you and Tae talking about this behind my back?"

"What?" Jimin asked with fake surprise. "No! Not at all."

Yoongi kept his eyes narrowed. "You're a bad liar, Park Jimin."

Jimin laughed. "Why don't you want to contact him?"

"It's not that I don't want to," Yoongi insisted. "It's just that I haven't had a reason to."

"Who says you need a reason?" Jimin asked. "You like the guy. See what he's up to."

"I swear to god, if any of you say I like him again, I'll – "

"I meant as a friend," Jimin interrupted. "Seriously," he continued as Yoongi looked at him disbelievingly. "If you interpreted that differently, then that's your problem."

Yoongi rolled his eyes. "Whatever."

He walked away from Jimin, but, as soon as Jimin disappeared into the dining room to check on his tables, Yoongi pulled his phone out of his pocket.

Yoongi Hey.

A few moments later, he got a reply.

Namjoon Hi! How are you?

Yoongi Doing well. What about you?

Namjoon Can't complain. Hey, I've been meaning to contact you. Mr. Seong told me you're starting next week. He wants me to show you around and help you get acclimated!

Yoongi breathed a sigh of relief. He felt better knowing someone would be there to help show him the ropes. He was even more glad that it would be Namjoon.

Yoongi That's great. I'm excited to start.

Namjoon A bit nervous, though?

Yoongi How'd you know?

Namjoon It's in the tone of your reply.

Yoongi stared at his phone.

Yoongi You can detect tone through text message?

Across town, Namjoon blushed slightly. He didn't know why or how, but he felt like he already knew Yoongi well enough to know some of what he was thinking. "I can't tell him that, though," he muttered to himself. "He'll think I'm crazy."

Namjoon Your punctuation, I mean. You say you're excited, but your periods suggest otherwise.

Namjoon chewed on his thumbnail as he watched the three little dots appear then disappear repeatedly. Yoongi wasn't sure what to say, and Namjoon suddenly felt stupid.

Yoongi Ah, I see.

Namjoon groaned. He'd been hoping for a better reaction. Now Yoongi probably indeed thought he was crazy. He quickly tried to recover.

Namjoon Anyway, it's okay to be nervous, but you don't need to be. I'll take good care of you.

Again, the three dots appeared then disappeared multiple times. Namjoon reread his message and facepalmed. He'd meant that the company would take good care of Yoongi.

Then, why hadn't he said that?

Yoongi Thanks. I'm glad to have a friend that'll help me out.

Namjoon felt a pang of...something...in his chest as he read the word "friend". He frowned.

Namjoon I'll help however I can.

Yoongi stared at his phone for a couple of minutes. Should he respond to that? It didn't really need a response, as he'd already thanked Namjoon for his promise to help him. But should he be the one to end the conversation? Would Namjoon be offended if he did?

"Hey, Yoongs, Junho is looking for you."

Yoongi looked up at Jungkook. "Okay, thanks for letting me know. Do you know where he is?"

"Last time I saw him, he was by the plating station."

Yoongi nodded as he put his phone away and hurried to find Junho.

-

"So, tomorrow's my last day," Yoongi told Junho. "You think you've got the hang of things?"

Junho looked like he was about to throw up. "Uh, y-yeah. I guess so."

Yoongi smiled at him kindly. "You're better at this than you think you are," he assured him. "You're going to do great."

"I don't know..."

"Seriously, let Jimin and Jungkook help you, okay? You seem nervous around them, but there's no need to be. They're good friends of mine, and I promise they're good guys. Lean on them, okay?"

Junho nodded. "I will."

"Okay, let's get this show on the road," Yoongi said, letting Junho take the lead toward their first table. "Oh, Junho!" Yoongi stopped him just as they were about to enter the dining room. "Speak up, okay? I know you're nervous and a bit shy, but fake that confidence until you make it, okay?"

Junho nodded. He then exited the doors with his head held high, and Yoongi grinned. He knew Junho would be okay.

"So, you're going out with Tae tonight, hm?" Jimin asked Yoongi later as they were taking a break.

"Um, yeah, how'd you know?"

"Oh, uh...I just assumed you might. You know, 'cause you guys are best friends and – "

"You're still talking to him?" Yoongi asked. "It better not have anything to do with Namjoon."

"N-No," Jimin replied awkwardly. "I mean, yes, I'm talking to him. But we never talk about Namjoon. Like, ever."

Yoongi narrowed his eyes. "Again, you're a bad liar."

Jimin shook his head. "Scout's honor," he said, drawing an X on his chest over his heart with his finger. Yoongi rolled his eyes.

"You wanna come with?" Yoongi asked. Jimin perked up a bit.

"Sure!"

"Do you know what Jungkook is up to tonight? Maybe he can come, too."

"I think he has plans with family tonight. It's a bummer cause he'd probably bring Hoseok with him if he could come."

Yoongi's eyebrows rose. "Hoseok?"

"Oh, uh...yeah. Jungkook and Hoseok have been talking and – "

"Are you all conspiring against Namjoon and me?"

Jimin laughed a nervous laugh. "No," he said in a tone that suggested the answer was actually yes. Yoongi sighed.

"I can't believe you guys dragged Hoseok into this. You're putting ideas in his head."

"Actually, we're not," Jimin said. "He came to the same conclusion of his own volition."

"And what conclusion is that?"

"That you and Namjoon like each other," Jimin finally admitted.

"I don't like him like that!"

"Yeah, Namjoon says the same thing to Hoseok. But we all know both of you are lying to yourselves."

Yoongi grunted in frustration. "This is getting out of hand."

Jimin smiled. "It's okay, Yoongs. We're all here to help you. And Hoseok has let Namjoon know we're all here for him, too."

"Hoseok what?!" Yoongi screeched. "You all are saying these same things to Namjoon?! Oh my god, he probably thinks I like him, since all my friends are talking about it!"

"Would that be such a bad thing?"

"What?" Yoongi demanded.

"If he thought you liked him," Jimin said as though it should have been obvious.

"Um, yes!" Yoongi exclaimed.

"Because you don't," Jimin said disbelievingly.

"Exactly!"

"Uh huh. Well, do you think Namjoon likes you?"

"Of course not," Yoongi said indignantly.

"Well, if you're not getting the wrong idea, he's probably not either."

Yoongi let out a long sigh. "You guys are still embarrassing. I can't believe you've all done this."

Jimin shrugged. "We're just doing what good friends do."

Yoongi snorted as he rolled his eyes. "Oh yeah, definitely."

Jimin chuckled. "So, where are we going tonight?"

Yoongi glared at him. "I have half a mind to uninvite you now."

"But you won't," Jimin said assuredly. "And you don't have to tell me; I'll just ask Tae."

Yoongi huffed, but said nothing further. Jimin laughed again. "Calm down, Yoongs. We're gonna have a great time tonight!"

Yoongi rolled his eyes. "Sure."