flipped

twenty-six.

스물여섯

     "the boss loves this one. i do too," taehyung appreciates, smiles widely. his large hands are cupped around the coffee mug as he admires the look on jimin as the boy stares at the printed version of his translation.

     it has always been the best part. seeing your work turn into something beautiful and there's nothing more beautiful than books themselves. "this was pretty cliché but i loved how the book turned out to be," jimin smiles widely. he's happy, delighted and taehyung loves this part. that's the reason he is always the one to give jimin the printed copy of his translated work.

     "oh, i almost forgot. we've got a new manager. he just got transferred here and we're having a welcome kinda party for him. don't miss out okay? i'll pick you up at 8." taehyung taps his wrist watch as he says so.

     "today?"

     "yeah. is there a problem?" taehyung frowns, looks at jimin's uneasy expressions.

     "i uh― had plans. i'll cancel them," jimin nods, lips pressed into a forced smile.

     "bring the plan along," taehyung suggests, slightly confused and curious. "who's the plan though?"

     jimin looks away, then back at him. "jungkook."

     "you're seeing him and you haven't even told me, you bitch," taehyung pouts, acts hurt. he is a little hurt, though for other reasons.

     "i'm not seeing him. it's just.. he has been very friendly," he pauses, thinks, speaks, "more than friendly, actually. it feels unreal. he's so... good looking."

     "i admit he is but so are you. don't degrade yourself." taehyung lifts his hand to keep it on jimin's, assuring him. "don't you remember the amount of boys and girls that had crush on you in your dance studio? i do 'cause i was sooo jealous." he laughs but jimin doesn't. he would never laugh on anything related to it. "i'm sorry," taehyung says as he realizes.

     "it's okay," jimin says although his actions vary, he slips his hand out of taehyung's and keeps it on his own lap.

     taehyung sighs. he hates how he always ruins the good times he has with jimin. he hates himself. looking at his clock, he says, "gotta go, do arrangements for the party. i'll see you at the office auditorium. and um― i don't think i need to pick you up, do i?" he asks.

     jimin shakes his head and says, "i'll be there."

     taehyung nods and walks out, hears the ding as he opens the door. he looks from the glass and hates how jimin has his head on the table and his shoulders shake.

     and taehyung was the best person who'd know that jimin's shoulders shook when he laughed―

     ―or cried.

❝the past hurts❞