Later. || Jikook

36. Thirty Six

"Hey there" he said behind the younger boy.

"Hi Chim" Tae simply replied and made some space for Jimin to sit by him.

"I've just seen you Friday but it looks like a lot happened since" Jimin said, gesturing towards the yellow-ish hint of a bruise on his face.

"I'm sure dad filled you in"

"Why don't you tell me how it happened?" Jimin tried, putting his elbow on the counter and giving him his undivided attention.

"It's okay Jimin I'm doing fine don't worry about it" Tae trying to dismiss the conversation, turning away and reorganizing the cigarette packs.

"I know that's not true. Listen, I haven't been a good friend lately I admit it but please, let me do something for you" Jimin replied, refusing to let it go.

Taehyung scoffed with a slight shake of his head. He looked down to the packet of cigarettes in his hand.

"This was Jungkook's go-to brand" he chose to say.

Jimin looked at the box and remembered the few times Jeon had stepped into the store to buy it. The few times he felt most excited about working in this place were when he saw the silver mustang park in front of it.

"Don't switch topi-"

"Now he doesn't smoke anymore" Taehyung interrupted, frustration present in his voice.

"What does this have to do with you?" Jimin asked, confused at the sudden turn of the conversation.

"Do you know how many times I tried getting him to stop smoking? He would always laugh and ruffle my hair like I was a kid who didn't know what I was talking about" Taehyung started "He never lets me have a serious conversation with him, never lets me help with anything that matters... Being 4 years apart has made Jungkook think that I'll always be the baby cousin who knows nothing, except we're not 10 and 6 anymore, I'm 17 and able to discuss real things"

Tae complained, setting the cigarette pack where it belongs and taking his seat back at the counter. He rested his elbows on the surface, crossed his arms, and looked down as he thought about what's on his mind.

"Did you try to talk to him about this?" Jimin asked, knowing the answer, and Tae scoffed.

"It turns out, he doesn't listen to the things I say. Not like he listens to you" He replied, finally looking at Jimin in the eyes and registering the confusion in them.

"Me?"

"You said have a lollipop instead. You only had to say that for him to follow your advice and cut down the darts" Tae replied.

"I don't understand" he really didn't. Why did Tae sound like he was upset about that, wasn't it a good thing?

"Think about it. You tell him to pick up the phone, he does. You tell him to come to a party, he shows up. I bet you asked him to come for Easter too, that's why he did" Taehyung sighed.

"I didn't, he wanted to come on his own"

"You're not seeing the big picture Chim. I don't wanna have to ask you to tell him something, for him to finally listen. I just want my cousin back, the one who spent time with me and talked to me" he muttered, sounding quite defeated.

What a turn of events. If Jimin didn't know Tae was so attached to his cousin, he would've dismissed that comment as a simple reaction of Tae's longing for him.

"Are you... jealous? Of me?" He cautiously asked, not wanting to hit a nerve but doing exactly that.

"I don't know Jimin, am I? I don't wanna blame you for shit, but ever since you came he's less and less available for us" Tae rolled his eyes.