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A dazed Jung Hoseok sauntered into the store for the second time that day with irregular steps. His eyes remained fixed in a dream-like trance on the black leather wallet in his hand as his feet wandered to the counter where Yoongi stood, watching the man who, once again, ignored his greeting. Hoseok wasn't sure why he was at Wonhae Manhi Candy. If it weren't habit for him to come here, he probably wouldn't have left his house, not that he remembers leaving in the first place. Once his stomach made contact with the counter's edge, the man slid his wallet towards the cashier, stopped, turned around and planted his butt on the cold tiles.

Min Yoongi stared at the wallet for a moment and picked it up before he walked out from behind his post and eyed the man on the floor of the store. "Uh, are you okay, sir?" Unsurprisingly, the customer didn't acknowledge the employee, so he was forced to crouch down and place his hand on one of Hoseok's outstretched legs. Surprisingly, Hoseok didn't react, but Yoongi repeated his question anyway. This time, Hoseok shrugged without so much as glancing Yoongi's way. The employee frowned.

Hoseok wore a sleeveless black shirt with long, baggy khaki shorts. The candy shop is always chilly so that the chocolate doesn't melt, yet Hoseok was sweating like a hog. His jet black hair was clinging to his damp forehead. He was pale and clammy, yet his cheeks were a blotchy pink. The first thing to cross Yoongi's mind is is he sick? Instinctively, Yoongi shoved Hoseok's wallet in his own pocket so that he could press the back of his hand on the man's forehead. "You're burning up," the employee said, moving his hand to press against each of the male's hot cheeks. "You need to go home." As he was about to retract his hand, Hoseok quickly gripped Yoongi's thin wrist. It was then that Yoongi realized what he had done. He hardly knows this man, yet here he was getting all touchy feely as if they were lifelong pals. "Uh...'m sorry."

The customer didn't release his hold, but instead redirected his gaze to the kind employee. "Y-yuh... Yuh c-care... Um, thanks, b-b-bu's 'kay." Hoseok's eyes seemed distant and... empty. So empty. "J-j-jus' too... too m-much..." Yoongi furrowed his brows in confusion, but Hoseok didn't elaborate. Instead, he started mumbling to himself. "I... I d-dunn-n... dunno... but-but e-he's ni-nice..." Jung Hoseok stopped mumbling for a moment to squint at the name-tag on Yoongi's red apron. "M-Min Y-Yoo, hm, Yoongi's 'k-kay... No, sh-shu-shuddup!"

Yoongi blushed due to the fact that this regular customer is sitting in front of him talking about him and saying good things, sort of. Sure the mental man was talking to himself, but it's still somewhat flattering. Yoongi noticed another customer enter and tried to stand up, but Hoseok's grip tightened. "Welcome to Wonhae Manhi Candy where the employee is sweeter than the sweets! I'll be here if you need help with anything!" The customer said a small 'Alright' in acknowledgement. Yoongi turned his attention toward the mumbling man on the floor once again.

With the hand that was still resting on Hoseok's leg, Yoongi gave his lower thigh a small squeeze. Hoseok snapped his head in Yoongi's direction, wondering when Yoongi's hand got there. "Sir, you can't stay here," Yoongi whispered. "You need to get up." Hoseok shook his head. "I have other customers. Please." Hoseok frowned.

"'M, uh, sh-sho t-t-t--ah, shhhuddup—" Yoongi flinched at Hoseok's volume. "'M tired. Yoong-gi, pl-l-lease. 'M s-so ti-tired." Hoseok's movements were slow motion as he simultaneously leaned forward to rest his wet forehead on Yoongi's forearm as he pulled on his wrist.

As he heard the customer's footsteps growing near, panic settled in Yoongi. "Sir, please. Here, you can sit behind my counter. Just get out of sight and let me go." Hoseok was about to protest and give the excuse that he's tired again when Yoongi cut him off and firmly told him to crawl. To Yoongi's relief, Hoseok crawled. Unfortunately, Hoseok's movements were way too sluggish for him. Yoongi groaned and grabbed Hoseok under the armpits, then proceeded to literally drag the grown man behind the checkout counter.

Quickly, Yoongi stood up straight and smiled at the approaching woman. "Ah, we have a special on American candy. Buy one get one free." The woman, who obviously didn't get the pun placed in the offer, excitedly sprinted off to get a second Nerds rope. Right as she returned with the free candy, Yoongi felt arms wrap around his thigh. Hoseok was literally snuggling with Yoongi's leg. What on Earth...

Yoongi chose to ignore the odd behavior and focus on his job. While he scanned the barcodes, he decided to explain the pun. "America is the land of the free, you see. That's why we have a buy one get one special. It's kind of a nerd-y," he paused momentarily for emphasis, "pun, I know."

"Oh, well isn't that clever," she said with a smile as she swiped her credit card. "You can trash the receipt. Thank you." She rushed out of the shop, and Yoongi was thankful for her speed.

"Okay, sir, you have to go home," Yoongi said to the man. Yoongi knows Hoseok's weird, but this is just too weird. "Sir?" He's asleep. Yoongi sighed. Today was his half day and the next employee will be in to take his shift any minute now, so Yoongi decided to be productive by counting the cash in the register to make sure everything is there.

"Hey! Sorry I'm late," a brown haired individual announced loudly, making sure that his presence was known, always. Thankfully, his booming voice stirred Hoseok from his sleep.

"You're always late," Yoongi muttered as the young boy made his way to the back of the shop to put his apron on. At the same time, Hoseok used Yoongi's body to pull himself to his feet.

"I-I gotta guh, um, go..." Hoseok frowned as he thought about where it is that he's supposed to be going. "Y-yeah." Both men had completely forgotten about the fact that Hoseok's wallet was in Yoongi's back pocket. Yoongi watched as the taller male stumbled out of the store, bumping into every object on his way out without so much as a second glance at the totally bewildered cashier.

Hoseok held his head as he hobbled down the sidewalk. He can't think right for the life of him. The irritable Voice started to scold him for his weird behavior in the shop and for not listening. Hoseok told him to shut up, but the Voice wouldn't listen. Jimin used to get onto him for being weird... Jimin. Jimin. Jimin. Jimin. Hoseok tried so desperately to not think about Jimin, but once again, his beloved boyfriend managed to slip into his thoughts.

Oh Hoseok-ah, my poor baby. I told you to take more, The Woman's Voice said, pitying the man. Hoseok stopped dead in his tracks, suddenly feeling dizzy. He stumbled towards a telephone pole and leaned against the cold metal. "I-I know," Hoseok muttered. "S-s-sorry." It's okay, sweetheart. Let's go home and swallow some more, yeah? Finish what we started.

Hoseok nodded in agreement, but made no effort to move. He's just so, so tired, but he doesn't know why. What? No! The irritable voice cut in. No! He'll die if he takes more!

"Tha-that's the-the, mm, puh-point," Hoseok retorted.

See? My boy understands, she said.

No, Hoseok. Don't think like that.

"I, um, d-do what I w-want."

No, he snapped. Jung Hoseok, you better listen to me like the good boy you are.

Ignore him, Hoseok-ah, The Woman said sweetly. You know you want to die. Hoseok whimpered and hugged the pole tightly, closing his eyes.

Shut up, Woman! Hoseok, you know damn well what happens when you don't listen to me. Hoseok clung to it tighter.

Don't be mean. You're upsetting my sweet boy. Hoseok-ah, sweetheart, you know Jimin probably wants this for you, too, she reasoned.

"N-no, no... L-leave my-my Jimin-ah out-outta thi-is."

He hasn't seen you in over a year, she pointed out. He obviously doesn't care about you. Hoseok shushed her, but she ignored him. Just go home and down your pills. Down two bottles. He's better off without you. It'll make him happy. The Woman was playing dirty. She knows exactly how to get to Hoseok. Jimin is his ultimate weakness.

It was tempting. Hoseok wanted to give in so badly, but the irritable Voice growled Hoseok's name in a threatening tone and it scared him, but The Woman was relentless. You want him to be happy, don't you?

"N-no—No, uh I-I mean y-yes... Uh..." Hoseok scrunched his nose. He was starting to get a headache. "I... I dunno." Hoseok, who had raised his voice, was gaining a lot of attention from passerbys.

Whatever, The Woman snapped. I knew you didn't really love that idiot. I don't blame you. He's a worthless coward—

Hoseok lost it. "Juss-juss shut the fuck up!" Hoseok let go of the pole to clamp his hands over his ears. "Juss, hng, juss sh-shtop! Shtop t-talkin'!" At this point, everyone within earshot had stopped to stare at the crazy man. The Voices began to argue with one another and Hoseok's ears started ringing. He didn't even notice that tears were streaming down his face. "Shut up!" Hoseok dropped to his knees, wincing at the impact. "Ow," he whined. The Voices started yelling, and Hoseok was losing his grip on consciousness. "H-h-help me," he sobbed. "Help."

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Yoongi stopped counting his steps when he heard someone screaming bloody murder. Flashbacks of the incident he tries so hard to forget came rushing to the forefront of his mind. Without second thought, he sprinted to where the pained scream was coming from. Yoongi, not caring about how dirty the ground might be, instantly knelt beside the disturbed man. He recognized the outfit and quickly wrapped his arms around his strangest customer's rocking body. "Sir."

Hoseok didn't hear Yoongi, for his sobs were amplified by his covered ears. Hoseok yelled, voice cracking, "O-off! Get-get off! Don' t-t-touch me!" Yoongi was about to let Hoseok go, but, despite how much he was protesting, Hoseok leaned into the figure that was holding him. Hoseok had no idea who it was, but at this point, he didn't care. The Voices were overwhelming. He just wanted them to stop.

"Mmm-make 'em- 'em... shh," he whimpered into the stranger's chest. "Please..." And then he passed out.