Your Eyes Tell || TAEJIN

FIRST CONVERSATION

"I was waiting for you."

Both Jin and Jimin were startled by Taehyung's sudden statement. Jin immediately looked down, assuming the barista was waiting for his brother. However, Jimin followed Taehyung's gaze and understood that the words were directed at Jin. And slowly a smile spread across Jimin's face.

Just then, Jungkook emerged from behind the counter, clearing his throat to break the awkward silence. Taehyung snapped back to reality, realizing his intense stare was making Jin uncomfortable. He composed himself and asked Jin,

"Do you need something, sir?"

However, it was Jimin who responded,

"Yes, we do need a chocolate truffle cake. But since you're closing the shop, it's okay." Jimin smirked, adding, "I think my brother can survive one day without your cake."

Taehyung was about to reply when he noticed Jin gently pressing Jimin's hand, which they were holding, and whispering,

"What are you saying, Jimin?"

The whisper was loud enough for Taehyung and Jungkook to hear, and they couldn't help but chuckle.

Jimin maintained his smirk, saying, "I'm stating facts, hyung."

Jin whispered-yelled, "Shut up, Jiminie!"

Taehyung coughed to remind the brothers of his and Jungkook's presence. Fixing his gaze on Jin, he said,

"Okay, you wait a bit, sir. I'll make a special chocolate truffle cake just for you."

With a smile, Taehyung headed to the kitchen, followed by Jungkook.

Jimin teased, "Hyung, the head barista is making a special cake just for you. Aww, how sweet!"

Jin's face grew hot, and he didn't want to think about it anymore. Instead, he asked Jimin to take him to his favorite spot in the cafe.

Jimin held Jin's hand, guiding him to the corner table. Jin had learned by now to navigate the space through touch and familiarity. As they sat down, Jimin began sharing stories about his day at college.

Soon, Taehyung arrived with their order and said, "Your order, sir. I hope you'll like it." He looked at Jin expectantly, hoping for a response.

But when he heard nothing, he decided to move out from their table giving thr brothers space. When Jin finally spoke, his voice soft, and his head remained down. "Thank you."

Taehyung understood that Jin was shy, but he was thrilled to have heard his voice.

As Taehyung was about to leave, Jimin asked, "Excuse me, sorry for this, but can we have one red velvet cake? If you have any; no need to make anything else."

Taehyung smiled and replied, "It's alright, sir. No issue. I'll ask my colleague to make one for you right away."

Taehyung headed back to the kitchen, instructing Jungkook to prepare the red velvet cake. Jungkook was excited to finally have a chance to contribute to his own favorite customer's order.

Once the cake was ready, Jungkook carried it to the table, accompanied by Taehyung. Jungkook placed the order on the table and said, smiling at Jimin,

"Hope you like it, sir." Jimin smiled back and muttered, "Thank you."

As the two friends were about to leave, Jimin stopped them.

"Hey, if you want, you two can join us."

Jin almost choked on his cake, but managed to control himself. He raised his head to scold Jimin, but Jungkook intervened,

"Yeah, why not? Taehyung, you wait; I'll bring something for us to eat."

Taehyung wanted to stop Jungkook, sensing that Jin might be uncomfortable, but it was too late. Jungkook had already headed to the kitchen, leaving Taehyung to sit opposite the two brothers.

Soon, Jungkook returned with food, and the conversation flowed, mainly between Jimin and Jungkook.

Taehyung noticed jin has not uttered a word, he just ate his cake quietly. And he noticed that something was odd with him, it was like he was finding the glass of water which was placed right before him on the table. He whispered to Jimin something, and Jimin gave him the glass of water. And Jimin even held Jin's hand so that he could feel it. Even Jungkook noticed that but didn't say anything.

Taehyung observed that Jin hadn't uttered a word, quietly savoring his cake. He noticed something peculiar about Jin's behavior, as if he was struggling to locate the glass of water right in front of him. Jin whispered to Jimin, who handed him the glass and even guided his hand to help him feel it. Jungkook also noticed this, but didn't comment.

Taehyung grew increasingly eager to engage Jin in conversation. While Jimin and Jungkook chatted about video games, Taehyung and Jin remained silent. Determined to break the ice, Taehyung took a deep breath and called out to Jin, interrupting Jimin and Jungkook's conversation.

"Jin?"

Jin slowly lifted his head, his fingers fidgeting with the hem of his hoodie. He longed to speak, especially to the head barista, but his shyness held him back. When he heard his name, he couldn't help but look up. Though he couldn't see, he sensed Taehyung's gaze on him.

Taehyung's next words made Jin's face flush. "I mean, sir, your eyes are beautiful." Taehyung expected Jin to remain silent, but instead, he replied,

"Thank you. But you can call me Jin instead of sir, if you want. " Jin's voice was barely above a whisper, and his eyes locked onto Taehyung's.

Taehyung nodded, beaming with delight. He felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity with Jin, as if they had known each other before.

Jimin cleared his throat, reminding the two that they weren't alone. Jin began to open up, speaking with Taehyung in a soft, hesitant tone. Though he looked down, Taehyung was thrilled to have finally broken through Jin's reserve.

1 hour later...

As the evening wore on, the group's conversation flowed more easily. Before long, it was 9 pm, and Jimin and Jin prepared to leave. Jungkook had stepped out to deliver pastries to a nearby orphanage, leaving Taehyung alone in the cafe.

As Jimin and Jin reached the entrance, Taehyung called out,

"Please wait a bit. I'll be right there."

He returned with a box, which Jimin correctly assumed contained two chocolate truffle cakes, set aside as a gift for Jin.

Taehyung presented the box to Jin, saying, "It's for you, hope you like it, Jin."

Jin's fingers explored the box, and he grasped it eagerly, prompting Taehyung to chuckle. "Thank you so much," Jin replied, his voice filled with gratitude.

Taehyung asked, "Umm, Jin?"

Jin responded, "Yes," his fingers tracing the box's edges.

"Will you come tomorrow?" Taehyung inquired.

Jin nodded, his face growing hot once more.

"Same time as before?" Taehyung asked. Jin nodded again, his eyes cast downward.

Taehyung was about to ask another question when Jimin's phone rang, interrupting him. Jimin glanced at the screen and exclaimed,

"Shit, hyung, we're dead!"

Jin scolded Jimin, "Language, Jiminie." Then, he asked, "Who is it?"

Jimin replied, "It's Grandpa."

Jin's expression turned fearful, and he bowed to Taehyung alongside Jimin. The brothers hastily departed, holding hands and rushing out of the cafe.

Taehyung couldn't help but laugh at their sudden exit. As he smiled to himself, he thought,

"I'll wait for you tomorrow again, Jin."