Jungkook rolls his eyes. 

"Don't be like that. I don't fall for strangers. She's... attractive, okay?" Jungkook says, holding his hands out as if that makes his point correct. 

The younger girl snorts, not buying a single second of that. "Yeah right. You were staring at the wall for five minutes repeating 'Amira' like a mantra. I think you're in love." 

"Yuri," he sharply says, making it sound more like a warning. "I have training in four different martial arts, don't make me-" 

"Kick your ass. It'd be a miracle if we could go a day without you bringing that up," she replies dismissively, coming over and taking his plate away from him.

"I can wash my own dishes y'know." 

"Not well. Even when you put them in the dishwasher they somehow end up still dirty," she says, shooting him a teasing grin before heading over to the kitchen sink. 

Jungkook huffs and watches in dismay, making sure to be alert in case something happens. What could possibly happen? Oh yeah, she could trip and fall, she could accidentally drop the plate, walk into something sharp, drop the plate then trip and fall onto the shattered pieces of it. The possibilities are endless.

"I'm not gonna die in the ten seconds it takes me to put your plate in the dishwasher," she says, sensing his thoughts even with her back turned. 

He mumbles a curse, making sure he says it low enough that she can't hear it. "You never know with you. You literally dislocated your shoulder running into a wall." 

"Okay I thought my toast was burning. Priorities." 

"I hate that I can't disagree," he mutters, running a hand through his black locks. 

His tattoos are on perfect display thanks to his white t-shirt. Normally he has to hide them; it's looked down upon to have them showing in professional environments. Although times have changed, it's often looked down upon to have tattoos showing in public in general, not only in formal settings. Does Jungkook care? Well... yeah, okay, a little. But he tries not to. What's the point of having tattoos if no one ever sees them?

His phone rings, bringing him out of his thoughts. He jumps, whipping the thing out and answering without even looking at the contact. "Amira?" he asks. 

"Sorry to disappoint," his boss's voice replies, "but we got a problem." Jungkook almost groans. Not at the problem part, at the fact it's not Amira he's talking to right now. Beautiful Amira with her long locks and curious eyes. 

"How big and how can I help?" he asks instead of grumbling a stream of curses.

"We need someone to come work the nightshift tonight. June called off."

Fucking June always calls off, but normally Jin is the one who fills in for him. Jin always takes the bullet for Jungkook, insisting that he's the oldest so he should do the hardest work. Jungkook appreciates it. 

"Is Jin alright?" Jungkook's quick to ask. 

"He's okay, sick though. Sick as can be. His girlfriend called and told me he's been passed out all day. I think he has the flu." 

"Poor guy," Jungkook says. "I'll stop by after my shift to drop off some food. What time do you need me in at?" 

"6 o'clock sharp. That okay?"

"Sure, I'll be there."

Jungkook can practically feel his boss nod. "Thanks Kook. See you then." 

Jungkook gulps. "Wait, do you know who's on the waitstaff tonight?" 

There's a pause. "No clue, why?" his boss asks. 

"Just wondering, it's been a while since I've worked night. Wanted to know if I knew anyone." 

His boss hums in understanding. "I'm sure you'll find out soon enough. Have a good afternoon, Mr. Jeon." 

"You too, sir. Thank you."

When he hangs up, Yuri bursts out laughing. "You're fucking insane!" she says with a cackle. "You're such a simp!" 

"Who taught you that word?" 

"Google," she replies, sticking her tongue out. 

"Haha, very funny. Don't curse, you're too young." 

"I'm seventeen." 

"Too young," he repeats. "Now shoo, I need to sit by my phone for the rest of the day." 

She snorts. "You're in love, big bro. Don't do anything I wouldn't do." 

"That's supposed to be my line," he says. She simply gives him a mischievous look before walking away. Jungkook shakes his head with a soft smile. 

She's just like him.

~~~

Fuck nightshift.

Saturday's you got switched to nightshift due to short staff. Here you are, preparing to head inside the building with Jimin and Tae right behind you. 

"Do you think hottie's working today?" Jimin asks. 

"Now I know you two think I'm in love with him, but believe it or not, I didn't memorize his schedule," you reply, opening the doors. 

Tae snorts. "I'm a little surprised to be honest. Seems like a Y/- I mean Amira thing to do." 

"You've known me less than a week." 

"One day is long enough to know Miss Winters," Jimin teases.

With a playful eyeroll, you saunter inside, glancing around the vicinity. Glass chandeliers, dark color scheme, private booths, candles on each table. It's all so elegant. Meanwhile you, Jimin, and Tae are waltzing in like the three musketeers. No idea where to go, no idea what to do.

"Say, how the hell did we get this job?" you ask. 

"Namjoon set it up. We have partners in the program, this restaurant is one of many," Jimin explains. Then, he nudges you. "See why we couldn't go farming?" 

"Ha," you reply, going fully inside. 

The three of you make it to the hallway leading to the kitchen. It's an employees-only hallway where some machines are for orders. There's two other waitresses there, the two seeming relieved when they see the three of you. 

"You're here right before rush, perfect," one of them says, almost bowing to you to show her thanks. You awkwardly smile back. Yeah, you're not exactly used to Korean customs and culture. Because of your past, you know the language, but knowing the language and knowing the culture are two completely different things.

"Let's get started," you say. 

The five of you rush into action, dashing around the dining hall and taking orders, helping each other (teasing too), being productive, never missing a single item. Well, you almost miss some things, then Tae the waiter reminds you and you get them. Man, you wish you can take these two with you everywhere. They'd be amazing as journalists with all the observing they do. They're literally trained to analyze every single detail. You like to think your skills are good from your training, but theirs? You can only imagine.

As the night drags on, you find yourself getting more and more tired. Soon enough, it reaches two hours into your shift, meaning it's time for your two minute break. 

"I'll be back in a minute," you say. 

Jimin glances at you, then motions to Tae. "You two always take breaks together. Go ahead," he says. Tae nods and follows you into the break room. However, what you weren't expecting was to see the man you've grown to admire standing there as if waiting for you.

Jungkook goes still. "Amira and, uh...?" 

"Hans," Tae replies. "Nice to formally meet you." 

"Nice to meet you too. I was just leaving, sorry for intruding." 

"Nonsense," you say. "Stay another minute. You have a co-worker right?" Jungkook nods. "I'm sure he can handle it for one more minute." Okay, so you want an excuse to talk to Jungkook more. Does that make you a villain? Probably. He's hot though. Who can blame you?

"For starters, what the hell are you doing on nightshift? Aren't you the one who teased me by saying we work all the days together?" you ask with a charming smile. Tae guides you over to the couch to sit while Jungkook fumbles over his words. 

"I got called in. I didn't know you were working today. How long have you been here?" Jungkook asks, sitting on the chair across from the two of you. 

"Two hours. I've been running around. Where have you been?"

Jungkook shrugs. "Mostly near the entrance, I didn't look around for anyone else. If I knew you were here, I would've went right for you." 

"Flirting in front of me? You have some balls," Tae says. 

"That I do, especially when someone so gorgeous is only a few feet away from me," Jungkook replies, motioning to you. 

"I'm your senior," Tae sternly reminds him, "speak to me like one." 

For a split moment, Jungkook looks conflicted. Then, he does a small bow even while sitting. "My apologies, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

You glare at Tae, but he doesn't give in to your stares. "For a young man raised in South Korea, you don't know much about respect," Tae says, leaning back in his seat. 

"Or maybe I'm smart enough to know when someone deserves it or not," Jungkook whispers back. Okay, that's enough.

You abruptly stand, dusting your uniform off. "If you two are going to have a metaphorical dick measuring contest, I'm leaving. See you later, I'd prefer to talk to Jae. Or anyone else at this point." 

Jungkook and Tae watch you go, stunned. Meanwhile, you don't cast them a second glance. If they're going to be assholes, you'll treat them like they are. So, you disappear from the break room and burst into the area with all the machines, which happens to be where your current favorite bodyguard is.

Jimin's quick to come over, furrowing his brows. "Did something happen? Where's Hans?" he asks. Gosh, so caring. It honestly makes your heart feel happier knowing that there's someone out there that cares this much. It's like Jimin restored your faith in the world. 

"Jungkook and Hans are having a metaphorical dick measuring contest. Not my scene." 

Jimin pauses. "Wait, who's winning?"

You whack his chest, him giggling and letting his squeaky noises come out. You roll your eyes and walk away, Jimin following. 

"Woah, wait, I was kidding. I don't need to know. You okay?" he asks. 

"I'm peachy. Living the dream. Having a blast." 

He gently grabs your shoulder, the two of you slowing until you come to a complete stop. When you do, you notice that the hallway's empty. The other two waitresses are probably in the dining room doing their rounds and covering for you since you're supposed to be on break. Jimin takes advantage of this, stepping in front of you and staring into your eyes. Again, so caring. You've never met someone as caring as him.

"Talk to me, L/n," he whispers, "what's going on?" 

"I'll never adjust," you admit. "I'll never adjust to this whole new world, new life. I thought that after doing the right thing and getting myself out of that disgusting family, I'd feel like I did a good thing. Instead, I feel... different. Not myself." You dryly laugh. "And that's the problem. I don't even know who I was to begin with."

Jimin hangs his head and drops his tone low. "I understand. More than you realize, I understand." 

"How?" you ask. 

He peeks around, shaking his head. "Not here, but soon. I'll tell you, I promise. For now, please know that I understand. You're not alone, and you never will be." 

You gaze up at him, but the moment is ruined by the break room door snapping open. Tae and Jungkook come bumbling out.

"So, who won?" Jimin asks right away. 

Jungkook proudly points to himself. "I'm bigger." 

"We're the same," Tae mumbles. 

"Wait, I thought it was metaphorical?" Jimin slowly asks. Then, he grunts. "Wait, you know what? I don't want to know. Come on Amira, let's go." 

You turn to go with Jimin, but Jungkook's voice calls out to you. "Why haven't you called me?" he asks. 

You peep over your shoulder at him. "Haven't you ever heard the expression, Mr. Jeon?" He raises a brow. You smirk. "Good things come to those who wait." 

And without another word, you walk off with Jimin.