Thread by @aireyagua3

Namjoon has finally decided on his experiment for psychology class. He sits in a cafe hoping students respond to his social media announcement: Need someone to talk to? I'll listen. Meet me for coffee.

Multiple students appear, and it goes smoothly, until Jin appears.

#Namjinau

Namjoon enters the college Corner Cafe immediately after the OPEN sign is flipped. With his cell phone in his pocket, a brand new notebook in his left arm, and a couple pens in his right hand, he pulls out a chair from a table in a cozy, semi-private corner of the dining area.

He loves this cafe, not only for its convenience, but the tables are made of quality maple wood. Something about maple has always spoken to him, and the more comfortable he is, the easier it will be for others to open up to him. That is, after all, the reason he’s in this cafe.

He has to complete and present a study on one of the four major Jungian Archetypes: the persona. After much debate with himself on how to study the human persona, he thought of turning to the students of the university.

College is perhaps the best time in a person’s life to experiment and learn more about oneself, all while trying to learn complex concepts and fit in with a completely new crowd. Everyone on campus must have some kind of “mask” covering their true selves.

Hopefully, this experiment will reveal a few of those masks, and possibly even help someone feel better in the process.

To reach the most students at once, Namjoon posted a notice on the school’s social media platform: Need someone to talk to? I’ll listen. Meet me for coffee. I’ll be at the Corner Cafe from open to close this Saturday. Look for my sign.

After setting down his things and propping up his promised sign that reads, “Talk to me,” Namjoon quickly orders a Chai latte at the counter.

Arriving back at the table, he finds a boy standing idly near it with his hands in the pockets of ripped jeans.

/This must be my first customer./

Before sitting down, Namjoon catches the boy’s attention and waves for him to sit across from him.

The boy hesitates for a moment. “Did you post that message about talking to someone?”

Namjoon nods his head as he sits down in his chair, adjusting it closer to the table. He opens his notebook and writes, “Subject 1,” before looking back up to the boy with an inviting smile. He’s quite surprised at how sudden someone responded to his message.

He doesn’t feel as mentally prepared as he thought he was.

Finally sitting across from Namjoon, the boy runs his hand through his hair and smiles, cheekbones prominent, “I thought it might’ve been spam.” A nervous giggle escapes. “So how does this work?”

Namjoon simply stares patiently at the boy, not wanting to prompt anything for fear of ruining the study.

“Ok…Well…” The boy glances around the room, up at the ceiling, then back to Namjoon.

“I guess I didn’t really have anything planned to talk about. I was more curious than in need.” The boy lets out another nervous giggle as he crosses his legs.

“Hmm...If you’re truly only gonna listen, I guess I should at least introduce myself. My name is Jimin. It’s nice to meet you.”

Namjoon quietly bows his head.

“I’m surprised I haven’t seen you on campus before, actually. I know pretty much everyone here. Not that I really try to...people tend to crowd around me, which is kinda annoying. It can be quite exhausting to constantly be in people’s sight...But don’t get me wrong, +

...I don’t mind them liking me. I wish everyone could, but nobody truly knows me here. I hate how they assume I’m dumb because I’m popular. I was actually top of my high school class before coming here. Can you believe that?” Jimin expectantly looks at Namjoon.

Namjoon looks Jimin over quickly, and silently nods his head. He sees the shock appear in Jimin’s face.

“Really?" A raised brow. "You’re just being nice.”

Shaking his head, Namjoon takes a sip of his tea.

“That’s nice to know someone believes in my brains, at least. Thanks.”

A sudden chime plays from Jimin’s pocket, making both jump at the interruption. Jimin pulls his phone from his pocket while rolling his eyes. “Sorry.”

Namjoon shakes his head as cue to check the message.

Glancing back up from his phone, Jimin sucks his teeth, “Damn...another annoyance of popularity, no time to yourself. I have to go to an event. Thanks for listening, though. This was somewhat refreshing.”

Jimin grabs one of the extra pens on the table and gestures for Namjoon’s notebook.

Namjoon tears a page from it and pushes it in front of Jimin, and watches him write his phone number and name on it. “Let me know how this goes, I’d love to return the favor sometime.”

Jimin hands the pen to Namjoon with a wink and walks out of the cafe.

/That was interesting./

He moves his pen to his notebook and writes next to /Subject 1/, “Jimin: Effects of popularity.”

He continues to write notes on Jimin’s personality and how much he shared with him. He’s surprised at how quickly Jimin started to speak his mind without any prompt or feedback. He didn’t think it would be so easy a task for a stranger to do in front of him.

/This might be easier than I thought./

"Excuse me. May I sit with you?"

The voice startles Namjoon. "Yes, please." He motions towards the chair in front of him, and glances around the half-empty cafe, confirming this may be his next subject. He quickly sifts to a new page.

~*~to be continued~*~
#SocialExperiment
#namjinau

Writing /Subject 2/ on the blank page of his notebook, Namjoon berates himself internally for speaking. Remaining mute for his first subject worked wonderfully. He'll have to be more careful. He looks up to analyze the person who joined him.

The guy sitting across from him now is wearing glasses, and a mask covers his nose and mouth; a hot coffee is in his right hand. He looks put together for an early morning. Namjoon watches as the guy moves his coffee cup to his mouth, only to be blocked by his mask.

They both chuckle lightly at the clumsy mistake as the guy moves his mask down to below his chin.

After sipping the coffee, he smiles, "Sorry, this caffeine is needed. I'm still waking up, apparently."

Namjoon is surprised the guy is even wearing a mask. He doesn't seem sick, +

...the air quality isn't too bad around here, and his smile is out of the heavens. There can't possibly be anything concerning a person with such a smile.

Namjoon only realizes the guy is fidgeting with the coffee cup when he hears him clear his throat.

"Talk to you, huh?"

Nodding his head, Namjoon points to his sign with a smirk.

A silence envelopes them as they sit facing each other. Occasionally, they look around the cafe, sip their drinks. Clearly, there is something on this guy's mind. He wouldn't have come if there wasn't.

/He's not comfy./

Namjoon tries to think of a way to help the guy open up a bit. He must speak, it seems. It looks like his approach to each case for this study will have to be different, which makes sense. All humans are unique not only in DNA, but their personalities, too.

"My name is Namjoon."

The guy grasps Namjoon's offered hand for a handshake. "I'm Hoseok." His shoulders seem to have relaxed.

/That helped a bit./

"So what brings you here, Hoseok?" Namjoon probes with smile.

"I'm not really sure, actually..." Hoseok glances out the window, watches people pass by.

"I guess...I needed someone to talk to who wasn't a friend. They tend to overreact about things." He shrugs his shoulders and returns his focus to Namjoon. "Or a shrink. They'll just try to push prescriptions."

"Well, I'm definitely no doctor, but I'll listen."

"Thanks."

Hoseok beams for a moment.

/He must brighten every room he enters with that smile./ Namjoon imagines.

But the smile disappears as quickly as it appeared when Hoseok looks down at the table, sighing, "I hate my smile."

/Oh./

Namjoon must have looked puzzled because Hoseok continues, "Actually, I don't really hate my smile itself. I used to, but then I had braces, and now I love it. But I hate how much I smile; how I'm everyone's sunshine, regardless of how I'm feeling."

There's pain in his eyes.

"It's just hard sometimes to always be the 'happy' one. It's impossible to be happy 24/7. But I don't wanna be a burden on anyone, either, so I just bear it, fake it when I'm not in a good mood." Hoseok pulls on his mask. "That's why I wear this. So I don't have to force a smile"

Heart breaking for the guy, Namjoon can't stay quiet. "It sounds like you really care about those around you."

"Yeah. Too much sometimes."

"Don't forget to care for yourself, though. If your friends truly care for you the same way, they'd support you when you need a break."

"I guess so..." Hoseok looks into Namjoon's eyes. "Thanks." His smile returns. "I'll keep that in mind."

Hoseok glances at his watch. "I should get going, though. I've talked enough."

Namjoon pulls out his phone as Hoseok stands up to leave. "Would you like to keep in touch?"

Hoseok looks a little surprised, but pleased. "Sure. That'd be nice."

Pocketing his phone again after Hoseok put in his number, Namjoon offers another handshake. "It was great meeting you, Hoseok. You take care of yourself, okay?"

"Of course." Hoseok leaves with his mask off.

Namjoon waits for Hoseok to be outside of the cafe before returning to his chair. He writes "Hoseok: Masking emotions" next to /Subject 2/ in his notebook, and continues jotting down his thoughts on their interaction.

Putting his pen down, he leans back in his chair and waits.

🌈to be continued🌈
#SocialExperiment
#namjinau

This is the moment where Namjoon thinks he may have made a mistake about his choice of content for his project. It's been almost two hours since Hoseok left, and not a single customer walking into the cafe has even looked at his sign, let alone sit with him. He can't fail this.

Of course, the caffeine from his second tea isn't helping his nerves at this point. To keep his anxiety away, he's been continuing some personal poems in the back of his notebook. He loves to write the time away. It's his form of emotional release. The pages are his therapist.

He feels like he's breathing new life into the trees that were killed when he writes his inner thoughts and observations on paper. A huge reason he prefers it over typing on computers.

Completely engrossed in his current poem, he doesn't notice someone silently join his table.

Namjoon only looks up due to the gutteral sound of this person clearing their throat; it's so low and quiet, like that of a cat's purr, that he would've missed it had the cafe's music not been silent for a moment between songs. He quickly flips his notebook to another blank page.

Slightly embarrassed, Namjoon shyly smiles. He doesn't know how long the person was sitting there, possibly reading his scratches. He rubs the back of his head. "I didn't hear you come over. Hello."

No response, except for a small nod. Their eyes are hidden under a bucket hat.

Namjoon begins to think that maybe this person isn't here to talk to him. Staring at his notebook, he is tempted to finish writing the last idea for his poem before it completely leaves him.

Finally, the person lifts their hat a bit, revealing eyes with deep bags under them.

Namjoon tries his best not to jump at the sight.

/This guy needs some sleep, like yesterday./

"So do I get coffee out of this, or...?"

Completely taken back by the question, Namjoon scoffs a chuckle. "I'm a student, just like you. There's no way I'd afford everyone's coffee."

"Damn."

Namjoon shrugs, "Sorry."

"It's fine. I'm just running on fumes right now. I've been pulling all-nighters this week."

"I see."

"I don't really have anything to talk about. Is it okay if I just sit here for a moment? I could use a break."

"Umm...sure..." He's not sure.

Not really expecting someone to come and NOT talk, Namjoon hopes that it doesn't deter others from coming. But maybe this is what the guy needs to feel better. Not everyone can voice their concerns easily, at least not upon first meeting a stranger. Silence can be comforting too.

As the guy begins playing with his own cell phone, Namjoon finally writes /Subject 3/ in his notebook.

Suddenly, he hears a soft snore. Looking up, all he sees is the guy hunched over on top of his crossed arms with the bucket hat covering his face.

The guy's cell phone is still clutched loosely in one hand.

/Poor thing./ Namjoon's surprised the guy even made it to the cafe in that state. He considers moving to another table, but doesn't want to wake the guy with any sudden movements or knocks on the table.

^to be continued^
(a slight break, but will be back on today)
#SocialExperiment
#namjinau

Returning to his notebook, Namjoon makes note of his subject's pale appearance.

/He must not get out much./

Namjoon soon realizes he never caught his name, but quickly comes up with a nickname, writing "Workaholic" next to /Subject 3/.

/I'll ask for his name when he wakes up./

Namjoon feels a slight tap on his shoulder, which startles him. He looks over to find a student sipping on an iced coffee, eyes wide.

"I'm sorry," the boy whispers, "I didn't mean to scare you, but I didn't wanna wake him up either."

Namjoon nods his head in understanding.

"Are you still available to talk?"

"Y-yeah..." Namjoon tries to make more room on the table by moving some of his things out of the way.

"Can we talk over there?" He is pointing at an adjacent table.

"Of course." Namjoon leaves his sign and sleeping subject to join the boy.

+++to be continued+++
#SocialExperiment
#namjinau

"My name is Taehyung," the boy says once he and Namjoon are settled at the new table.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Namjoon."

They don't shake hands, but bow their heads.

Taehyung adjusts himself in his chair a little more, sipping his iced coffee.

/He seems nervous./

"I'm offering to listen, but you're not forced to talk." Namjoon thumbs to the napping cat at the other table. "Just don't pass out like that guy."

This forces a chuckle out of Taehyung.

But suddenly, he worries that Taehyung might think he was what caused the guy to sleep.

"Don't worry, though, I'm not a hypnotist or anything. That guy just hasn't slept all week."

"Poor thing."

Namjoon writes /Subject 4: Taehyung/ on a new page of his notebook. Focusing back at Taehyung, he anticipates for him to start, but finds him staring at the guy sleeping.

"So what brought you here?"

Taehyung straightens as he focuses on Namjoon again, taking one more sip of his coffee. "Well, intrigue, first of all. But I've been looking for a non-judgmental support group, but have yet to find one."

"No judgment here. Support for what exactly?"

"Sexuality. It's hard to find anyone willing to talk about it around here. It's so taboo, as if we're still children living with conservative parents."

"I see." Namjoon understands. He has trouble talking about sex himself. He still grows red in the cheeks thinking about it.

"And you would think that with all the presentations in the dorms about safe sex there'd be someone to talk to about how to find out and understand your own sexuality. But nope, they just say 'hey, if you're gonna do it, great, just use condoms,' and then they've done their job."

"What about counselors?"

Taehyung scoffs while rolling his eyes. "Please. They're the worst. If you tell them you're having feelings for the same sex, all they say is that it's a phase, it'll pass, or they'll send you to 'special' therapy where they try to scare you straight."

"I'm so sorry." Namjoon feels like he's part of the problem, considering he's studying in that field. "It really shouldn't be that way."

"Don't be. It's all older generations stuck in that mindset of everyone belonging in one of only two boxes."

"I'll work hard to change that."

"You're so sweet, but you can't teach an old dog new tricks."

"No, I'd like to make the NEXT generation of doctors different. People should have more trustworthy support during their most confusing times in life.

Taehyung's eyes widen. "I didn't realize you were of that field."

"Not quite yet. I'm still studying."

"I'm sorry if I offended you."

"Oh no, not at all, Taehyung. Let me be that change for you. I'll be happy to listen to you more." Namjoon encourages him with a smile. "And I won't send you away with condoms. You can get those at 7-11."

The two burst into laughter, and Namjoon, for once, feels optimistic for his future work.

Their laughter is cut short at the sound of a low growl coming from the other table. They both look over to see the guy waking up, drool connecting his mouth to his hand as he straightens.

The guy wipes his arm across his mouth, and then rubs his eyes.

/We woke him up./

"How long have I been out?" He whispers.

"Not long enough. You're like a living ghost." Taehyung giggles.

The guy darts his eyes at Taehyung. "Who are YOU?"

"Taehyung. What about YOU, kitten?"

"Excuse me? My name is Yoongi, not kitten."

"Okay, Yoongles." Taehyung winks at Yoongi, which causes a slight chuckle to escape Namjoon.

"We'll have to continue our talk another time." Taehyung stands to grab a pen from the stash that Namjoon left on Yoongi's table.

Leaning over his table, Taehyung jots his phone number onto Namjoon's notebook, and smiles. "Call me when you're available again."

"Of course."

Yoongi's mouth is hanging, eyes fixated on Taehyung. Namjoon can't tell if it's shock or admiration in Yoongi's eyes. Possibly both.

Taehyung steps near Yoongi and pats him on the shoulder. "Get some sleep, Yoonkitten."

Yoongi stands quickly, almost knocking the chair down, and follows Taehyung, shouting, "You get back here!"

Namjoon catches a smile on Yoongi's face as he catches up to Taehyung outside.

/That kid's got game AND balls./ Namjoon smiles to himself.

He writes "Yoongi" next to /Subject 3: Workaholic/, and then "Sexuality" next to Taehyung's name before noting their interaction.

Until now, Namjoon never thought that one's sex life could be a whole different persona.

He's actually a little surprised at what he's learned so far through this experiment. Who knew he'd meet such interesting people? It's shocking enough that they even showed up from his discreet message online.

/The internet is a powerful thing./

His stomach suddenly growls.

Checking his watch, Namjoon realizes it's past lunch time. He waits in line to order a sandwich. From behind, the guy in front of him looks super fit, but when they stand near each other in the order pick-up waiting area, the guy's face is like a baby's.

/He must be a freshman./

Namjoon has been wanting to start working out himself. Maybe this kid will be able to give him some tips.

"Hey, do you go to the campus gym?"

The kid is surprised at the abrupt question, and hesitates. "Uh...yeah. Every day, if I have time. Otherwise, I workout in my dorm."

"Cool. You got any pointers?"

"Sure...I just started with," the kid lists with his fingers, "20 squats, 20 push ups, 20 jump squats, 20 shoulder weight exercises, 10 plank shoulder taps, 20 mountain climbers, 15 burpees, 20 crunches, 20 leg raises and 20 supermans. Then repeat."

Namjoon's mind begins to blank as he tries to remember all exercises. "Woah, woah, woah. I'm gonna have to write this down."

Chuckling, the kid follows him back to his table and sits.

He writes down what he can remember, asking the kid for the ones he can't.

"How many reps?"

"As many you can within an hour. You can start with thirty minutes, though, if you'd like. Whatever works for you, really."

"Thanks, man. I'll try it out. It seems to be working for you pretty well."

"No problem. It's tough at first, but you look like you can handle it."

"Pshh," Namjoon scoffs. "I'm not as coordinated as I seem."

They both laugh as they begin eating their food. Soon, an awkwardness settles in Namjoon's stomach because the kid is still hanging around. But with the last bite of food, the kid finally points to Namjoon's sign.

With food still in his mouth, the kid breaks the silence, "I actually came here to talk to you, it seems."

"Oh!" Namjoon laughs nervously. "What a coincidence." Slightly embarrassed, he decides to write "Subject 5" on the same page of his notebook as his new workout regimen.

"I'm Jungkook," the kid smiles.

"Namjoon. Nice to meet you."

"Likewise." Jungkook begins fixing his own bangs after he bows his head towards Namjoon. "I'm glad you seem older, because if you were younger than me, I wouldn't ask for advice on this at all."

Slightly offended at hearing he looks older, Namjoon forces an encouraging sound in his throat to get Jungkook to continue.

"I've never told anyone this before, so it's hard to say."

Namjoon's curiousity is now piqued at what concern would cause this kid to blush so bashfully.

Jungkook takes a deep breath before continuing. "I know more guys are doing it now, but I still feel self-conscious about it, especially with how I look. Heck, you even approached me because of my muscles." He chuckles.

Namjoon has no idea where this kid is going with this.

"You probably can't really tell that I actually did it today, too." Another nervous chuckle with rosy cheeks.

Namjoon raises his eyebrows anticipating clarification to emerge from the kid's long pause.

"See? You can't. I'm wearing make-up. Of course, it's only a natural style."

"Ah..." Namjoon is relieved and finally notices the slight shading on Jungkook's eyelids. "You're right. I wouldn't've known had you not said anything. But why are you so self-conscious about it?"

"I just love make-up. I really want to be able to play around with it more."

"Why can't you?"

"I don't wanna be looked at as less masculine. I think that's kinda why I try to stay in shape, honestly. But I'm happiest when I'm learning and practicing new tips and tricks from YouTube make-up tutorials."

Namjoon can tell Jungkook really enjoys make-up.

Jungkook seems more excited talking about make-up than when they were talking about exercising.

"I think you should just do what you love; whatever makes you happy. Who cares what others think? You have the right to love yourself the way you want. You're the one in the mirror."

Namjoon almost falls out of his chair from the impact of the sudden embrace from Jungkook. The kid's grip is firm and lasts for what seems like a minute.

Letting go, Jungkook finally says, "Thank you, Namjoon. I really needed to hear that. You're a cool guy. Can we be friends?"

Unable to stifle his chuckle, Namjoon nods his head and slightly shrugs. "I don't see why not..."

"Awesome! Let's exchange numbers!" Jungkook pulls out his phone.

Namjoon follows suit, and they add each other to the contact list of their phones.

"Maybe next time we hang out I can practice make-up on YOUR face."

Jungkook's smile is so wide, his whole face scrunches. There's no way Namjoon can say no to a kid as excited as this.

"I dunno about next time, but some day...maybe." Namjoon smiles.

"Well, I'll call you."

They wave goodbye to each other as Jungkook leaves the cafe.

Returning his focus to his notebook, Namjoon writes "Jungkook: Society's imposed gender roles" next to /Subject 5/, and as with all his other subjects, writes his thoughts of the kid's concern in relation to a persona.

As he finishes his last thought on paper, his phone chimes. Assuming it's his mom, he quickly checks the text message.

'Can I text you, too? 😅'

It's Jungkook.

/He's adorable, but what have I done?/ For the first time in his life, Namjoon feels he's from an older generation.

He's not used to having someone text so soon. He knows the kid means well, though, so he responds quickly.

'Of course you can. Just don't get upset if I don't answer immediately all the time. I have a lot of school work.'

A response chimes not even a minute later:

'Ok! 😆'

/This kid's gonna be the death of me./

Namjoon's thoughts abruptly focus on his bubbling stomach.

/But not before coffee is./

He didn't plan for a restroom break during this project, unfortunately. He always forgets how coffee affects his stomach, and he hates public toilets.

But this is an emergency. He has no choice but to use the single restroom available here. He feels sorry for those that need to use it after him as he quickly enters the room, locks the door and does his business.

However, in his hurry, he forgot to check for toilet paper.

As a man, it's not a force of habit to make sure there's something to wipe with.

Namjoon is officially trapped, in complete crisis mode. He has a few options: use his undershirt or underwear, call for help, or hope for someone to knock on the door.

Embarrassment is imminent.

If he uses his clothing, he'll have to toss it, making the restroom smell even worse, and he'll feel more exposed, whether it's with his nipples or netherregions.

Checking his pockets, he doesn't find his phone. He got up in such a hurry, he must have he left it on the table.

The only call he could make is by shouting. But what if nobody is near enough to hear him?

Namjoon's legs are starting to go numb when he hears a life-saving knock on the door. He's so relieved that he almost forgets to answer. "Someone's in here, but do you mind getting paper?"

He doesn't hear a response, and begins to worry if the person even heard his request.

A few minutes pass before he hears another knock followed by a voice, "hey, I got you some paper, but you have to unlock the door."

Namjoon sighs in relief while reaching to unlock the door.

He grabs the roll of toilet paper from the hand peeking through the small opening of the doorway. "Thanks so much, man. I owe you."

Finally cleaned up and exiting the restroom, Namjoon is greeted by the man who saved him. "Sorry for the smell."

"It /is/ a shitroom." He shrugs.

"True." Namjoon chuckles lightly, still embarrassed from his debacle.

The man enters the restroom before Namjoon could offer to purchase a drink as thanks for saving him.

Hesitating at the door, he thinks about waiting for the man to exit, but realizes how creepy that might be.

Instead, he decides to return to his table, and keep an eye out for the man to walk past him. Luckily, there isn't anyone waiting for him at the table as his next subject yet. He shouldn't miss the man with nothing distracting him.

It's not long until the man exits the restroom.

Angling his chair in a way so that it's not obvious that he's waiting for the man, Namjoon sees the man's silhouette appear in his peripheral view. As the man nears the table, Namjoon stands up to get his attention. "Excuse me, sir?" He waves to the man, flashing his dimples.

"Hmm...?" The man hesitates, but pauses in his tracks to look at Namjoon.

"I-I wanted to..." He's having trouble remembering what he planned on saying. When they first spoke, he didn't dare look into the man's face out of sheer embarrassment, but he wasn't expecting such beauty.

"You okay? Do you need some medicine?"

Finally snapping out of his daze, Namjoon nervously giggles. "No. I'm fine now. I just wanted to thank you for saving me from such an embarrassing situation. What do you drink? My treat."

"Oh..." The man laughs softly. "It's no big deal."

"But it was to me. I was trapped. Really, I insist."

The man thinks for a bit before shrugging. "I guess I'll take a chocolate chip mocha."

"Great! You wait here."

From the line, he watches the man awkwardly look around where he's standing and eventually sit down at his table.

Namjoon doesn't know why he asked the guy to wait there. It's not like they're going to be best buds after this. He doesn't have to sit with him to finish his coffee just because he bought it for him.

/Stupid, Namjoon. Stupid!/

He's just going from one embarrassment to another.

Namjoon hands the coffee to the man as he joins him back at the table.

"Thanks...you /really/ didn't need to do this, though."

"It's fine. Please. Enjoy."

"Thanks." The man lifts up Namjoon's sign. "So what's this about?" He asks, one eyebrow raised and a straw in his mouth.

"Oh that?" Namjoon chuckles nervously. "It's for a school project. A kind of social experiment."

"Oh."

/Why isn't he leaving?/

It's not that he wants the man to leave, Namjoon's enjoying looking at him, but he's not someone who saw his post. There's really no reason to stay.

"Have a lot of people stopped by to talk already?"

"A good handful have. It's been a productive day so far. I think I have enough to put something together for a good grade already."

"Mind if I'm your next customer?"

"Umm...I guess...You really wanna talk to me longer?"

"Yeah, I'd like to, if you don't mind it. I don't really have anywhere to be right now. Plus, you're actually the first to make me laugh in a while."

"I'm not always as entertaining."

This forces a chuckle out of the man. "You don't always get trapped in public restrooms?"

"No. I don't." Namjoon crosses his arms, but eventually joins in laughter, despite every effort not to at the teasing comment.

He soon straightens and picks up his pen again, preparing to write in his notebook while looking up at the man. "So what's my next customer's name?"

"Seokjin. But you can call me Seokjin." He winks with a smile.

"I see..." Namjoon doesn't hide his smile as he writes "Subject 6. Seokjin a.k.a. Seokjin" on a blank page.

"You already sound like a therapist. Is that what you're studying?"

"Psychology, actually."

"There's a difference?"

"Of course. I haven't exactly decided what I wanna be specifically yet. All I know is I wanna help people."

/Wait a minute. Why am I the one talking here?/

"Enough about me, though. Is something on your mind?"

Seokjin's smile slowly fades away.

Namjoon's heart sinks as Seokjin gazes out the window, staring off into space. His change of character is completely unexpected.

"I...My..." Seokjin begins, but finishes his coffee instead. There are tears forming in the corners of his eyes, fighting to run free down his face.

Hopping over to the counter for a bit, Namjoon returns with a handful of napkins that he places in front of Seokjin.

A short glance into Namjoon's eyes forces Seokjin's tears to finally break free and is followed by a low scoff. "Thanks. Now you're the one saving me with paper."

"We'll be even if you buy me a drink." Namjoon winks, trying to cheer him up. He still doesn't know exactly what's wrong, but wants Seokjin to know he's willing to listen.

Seokjin laughs through the napkin before blowing his nose a bit. "I'm sorry. I'm a mess right now."

"No, you're fine. We're all human, and we all have feelings. Like a tunnel, sometimes you gotta go through the tough ones to get to the other side."

Seokjin's eyes lock with Namjoon's. "You're really smart. You know that?"

Namjoon's heart jumps at the sudden compliment.

(trigger warning, maybe?)

"Nah...I still have lots to learn."

"Don't we all?..."

"Yeah. That's life. It's one huge lesson."

"Indeed..." Seokjin takes a deep breath. "Well, what I was trying to say before my breakdown was that my pet died. And he was my only friend, really. +

...I don't really have anyone to talk to. So it's kind of fortuitous that I met you here today; that you're asking strangers to talk to you; that I helped you before you helped me." He smiles through glossy eyes.

At a loss for words, Namjoon grabs Seokjin's hands on the table.

He stares into Seokjin's eyes. "You can talk to me anytime, Seokjin. I'm here for you."

The two sit there in silence for a bit. Namjoon unconsciously rubs his thumbs along the backs of Seokjin's hands. He only realizes what he's doing when he feels Seokjin's thumbs do the same.

Namjoon panics at this realization, and shyly pulls his hands from Seokjin's. He rubs his forehead. "I'm sorry. I sh-"

"It helped." Seokjin interrupts. "No need to apologize." He smiles. "You're comfy...like we've known each other for a while. Only, I don't know your name."

"I didn't realize I never told you. I'm Namjoon."

Seokjin offers his right hand. "Nice to meet you, Namjoon."

Namjoon hesitates, but grasps Seokjin's hand. "Likewise." A smile spreads widely across his face, cheeks flushing at the sound of such a pretty voice saying his name.

"Did you really mean it, though?"

"Mean what?" Namjoon forgot where he was for a moment.

"That you're here for me?"

Namjoon could get lost in those pleading eyes. "Of course!" He quickly covers his mouth after shouting louder than he intended.

Seokjin's laugh blares louder.

It's loud, but infectious, and endearing. Namjoon can't avoid embarrassment from other customers' stares anymore, so he gives in and joins him in laughter. It's not like he's purposefully making Seokjin laugh, anyway. It seems whatever he does is funny to the man.

"Hey, we should probably get out of here." Seokjin is now wiping his tears from laughing so hard.

"Yeah, I've been here long enough, anyway. I could use some sunlight."

"Wanna go for a sidewalk hike?"

/This man is perfect./

"Sure. Just one sec." Namjoon moves to his notebook.

Under Seokjin's name Namjoon writes "Lonely." He'll write more notes on his last subject later. He begins closing his notebook while Seokjin stands up to toss his trash away. But before closing it, he decides to cross out "Lonely" and instead write "Fate" next to Seokjin's name.

"You think you'll pass the class?" Seokjin asks on their way out.

"I'm not too worried about the project or class anymore. I think I should actually get all those I met together sometime. They're all so different, but such good people. They'd probably help each other thrive."

~<~>~The end.~<~>~

This turned out longer than I expected, but thank you so much for reading and liking! <3

#SocialExperiment
#namjinau

Let me know what you thought! :)
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