This Damn Love

Part-27: Chatter box

Jin's gloomy mood seems to hang like a heavy cloud in the cafe, casting a shadow over his interactions with his co-workers. This mood is particularly noticeable to Hoseok, who has been watching Jin with concern since they have arrived. The silent aggressiveness that Jin exudes was palpable, almost tangible in the way he moves around the cafe passing the orders of the customer.

Hoseok, in particular, picks up on this nuance, sensing a tension in Jin that hasn't been present before as contrasting his usual vibrant self.

"Jin, what happened?" Hoseok asks, gaining attention of both Jin who is typing away orders in his notepad and also Jimin who is just scrolling through his phone while leaning against the billing platform.

Jin shakes his head and continues to swing around the cafe, as if trying to keep himself busy.

"Hyung, how happened to him today? He wasn't behaving like this tomorrow," Jimin asks with concern while the siblings watch Jin from a corner.

"I don't know, Jimin," Hoseok sighs, running a hand through his hair. "Though it's been a week he's acting silent, today seems it has reached the peak."

Just then, a loud voice shattered the tense silence. The cafe door swung open, welcoming a familiar face along with two others. It was Jungkook, his usual loud and energetic self, followed by the ever-stoic Yoongi and the ever-so-slightly-less-chaotic Taehyung.

Jin instantly looked around for the source of the voice, and his eyes instantly lit up at the sight of the holy Trinity inside the cafe. He hurriedly finished noting the order of the customer he was dealing with before practically sprinting his way to where Jungkook, Yoongi, and Taehyung were seated.

"Finally you showed yourself after what - a week after my arrival? Good God, you are fucking unbelievable, Tae!" Jimin jumped in before Jin could catch up to them, making him halt in his place.

Initially, those eyes searching for Jin had now shifted their attention to the short guy in front of him. Taehyung replied frustratingly, "I hate dramatic people. Get out of my face, Jimin."

Jimin gasped comically and acted to faint on Taehyung's shoulder, making them both chuckle.

Discovering their playful interaction, Jin bit his lips and turned around to leave. The lack of attention from a certain someone was painful to him, and he felt even more terrible now. But instead of letting the disappointment ruin his mood, he squared his shoulders and walked back towards the trio, ready to take their orders.

A small voice in his head, however, couldn't help but question why he is even feeling this way. Why does Taehyung's absence bother him so much?

Yoongi and Jungkook orders their usual. While ignoring Taehyung, Jin proceeds to leave but halts in his place hearing his name being called.

"Jin!"

Jin turns around.

"One chocolate latte without sugar."

Jin raises his eyebrows.

In his knowledge, Taehyung is not fond of coffees or lattes in particular.

"Why?" He asks, not wanting to stack more questions inside his little brain.

"Cause I like it sour." Taehyung replies with a hint of confusion to Jin's question.

"You can't even process regular latte and now going with unsweetened one? Are you serious?" Jimin laughs out loud, hitting him in his thighs, now settling himself in the empty chair beside Taehyung.

But as if the time has stopped for the other two causing Jin to stare Taehyung with a questionable gaze only to get a endearing gaze from Taehyung in return.