ACATALEPSY I BTS AU

CHAPTER 10 - Shades of affection

You were hustling hard behind the counter when Jin approached you. 

"Yo, what's good? You tired?" 

"I'm fine," you answered with a small smile, trying to shake off the fatigue. 

Jin turned to leave, heading toward his office, but midway, a sudden thought hit him. 

*Wait, I should tell her...* He spun around, spotting you deep in conversation with a customer, holding a tiny newborn baby in your arms. His mind immediately drifted into a wild daydream. He imagined you suddenly confessing your undying love for him. The two of you would dash out of the café, hand in hand, only to stop under a cherry blossom tree where you'd share a passionate kiss while holding your newborn love child. 

"Uh, boss? Jin you good?" You waved a hand in front of his dazed face. Jin snapped out of his little fantasy, puffing awkwardly.

"Oh, yeah, yeah, I'm fine. What were you saying?" he asked, nervously running a hand through his hair. 

"I was saying I don't need the extra work hours anymore. I hope it's cool if I go back to my regular schedule?" 

Jin blinked, taken aback for a moment but quickly collected himself. In a calm, almost too casual tone, he responded, "You know what? That's fine. Actually, I was planning on bumping your salary anyway. You've been killing it lately." 

"But no, Jin... you don't have to do that," you protested, trying your best to contain the grin threatening to split your face. 

"You deserve it. Don't make it a big deal." 

"Thank you so much!" you practically squealed, doing a little happy hop before grabbing his hand and giving it a light squeeze. 

"Don't call me 'sir,' though. That makes me feel ancient," Jin teased, blushing at the unexpected touch. 

"Okay, Jin," you corrected with a blush of your own. "Great, but hey, I've got a personal favor to ask..."

 **Meanwhile, at a store...** 

Jimin had been standing in front of a shelf for 15 minutes, his brain about to short-circuit over one thing: color. 

*What's her favorite color?* 

The shelf was filled with endless shades and patterns, but nothing felt right. He wasn't about to buy something basic. He needed it to be perfect. Determined to figure it out, he wandered off to find an employee for advice. After some searching, he finally found someone who wasn't too busy. 

"Which one do you think would appeal to an intelligent woman who's into art?" 

The older clerk smiled knowingly. "Is this for your girlfriend?"

Jimin blushed. *I wish it were that simple...* 

**Back at the café...**

"I didn't quite get that. You want me to help you pick out a gift for your mom?" you asked, eyebrows raised in confusion. 

"Exactly! Her birthday's next week, and I'm clueless about what to get her."

You could tell from a mile that this was just an excuse to spend time with you outside of work. Jin's mom had celebrated her birthday weeks ago and he told you about it but forgot.