In Front Of You - Jikook

-twenty-eight-

The photographer's phone buzzed below him, making him flinch. The two awkwardly disperse from the situation as Jungkook answered the phone without even looking at the caller.

"Hello-"

"Jungkookie."

Air hitched up his throat by the sudden sternness from his boss. It's been a while since they had a proper conversation outside of work, not that Jungkook minded but he noticed the distant feeling Taehyung was giving. He glanced at Jimin, who was still in the same position but their eyes connected, he answered as he stared down at the other.

"Yes, Taehyung-hyung?", Jimin's eyebrows arched up but didn't give off any more expression. They never broke the eye contact, not like Jimin's intense stare let him do so.

"We have a small party with the company next week, be there to take some photos and so I can introduce you to other possible clients for you. You definitely deserve the recognition since you did so well with my season's shooting" His smirk was evident from his voice, the usual egotistical tone lingering despite being miles away from each other.

"That would be good hyung, when is it?" Breaking away from the area, Jungkook got out of the blanket fort, leaving the older to just sigh and listen. Jimin knew that work was one of Jungkook's main passions, but beneath the supportiveness he's given the younger male, he's worried that Jungkook might put work before him. Not like he shouldn't, he's always thought, yet why did he hope for a difference?

The brunette's shuffles could be distinctly heard, the murmur of his voice wasn't a bother to Jimin, maybe just the person on the other line but he'd rather just listen, anyway. "When is it?" Looking for sticky notes, Jungkook placed the phone down and put it on speaker. Taehyung started firing the details, no trace of flirting. "Thank God" Jimin breathed out, sitting up to hear better.

"It'll be on the 13th of October, formal attire is a requirement. I'll get the tux and secure a ride to and from the venue. You must be ready at 7:00 sharp so we can arrive there on time for the paparazzi to focus on us for a while. You understand the importance of this event, right?"

His rapid writing was messy, but he mindlessly wrote everything down, pasting the note on the box on the calendar for Oct 13, completely ignoring the small cake sticker on it; "Yes sir, I'll be there.". "Good, I'll see you on Monday."

The silver strands fall down over Jimin's eyes as he placed his head on his folded knees, sighing between them as this bleak feeling in his heart sent a chill to his spine. He gave the other the benefit of the doubt, that there could be a chance he'll remember or soon cancel. He waited, and he waited, but all he could hear was the shuffling of the photographer here and there, back in his own track. His head sinks further as the feeling worsens, he tried convincing himself not to get upset, after all Jungkook doesn't have to remember it. However, even he can't mask the feeling of hurt that the precious one unintentionally inflicted.

He really forgotten that day is my birthday.

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"It shouldn't be a big deal right? I mean, we didn't even have plans that day, so he is free to work." Jimin tried to hide his sulking as he wiped the mug before pressing the caffeine. "You told him that October 13 is your birthday, didn't you?" Hoseok muttered as he passed the silver-haired barista while giving the bright customer service smile to his own customers. The two worked tirelessly, matching each other's routine well and balancing the amount of work. Customers lined up and go quickly, the buzz of the cafe was more than what they're used to but they appreciate the boost of recognition Heavenly Cream gained over the past few months.

The younger barista was good at faking his emotions, especially after years of training how to handle emotions towards customers in the business. However, he couldn't help the irritation building up as he waited the table next to the laughing bunny's and the golden model, hearing the two have the time of their lives as they discuss "business". Rolling his eyes, he ran his fingers through his silver streaks, the glare intimidating that when he had to look directly at the next person in line, they nervously gulped in fear.

"I mentioned it once because he kept asking me when it was and now he forgot?" Annoyance laced his tone, he wasn't even trying to hide his feelings anymore. Every chance he gets to have Jungkook and Taehyung in his line of view, he coldly shoots daggers through his eyes, wishing they were real as they hit Taehyung's back in his imagination. Hoseok sighed, shaking his head and replied teasingly "You know how Jungkook is, you tell him once and it's not a likely chance for him to remember. You're just upset now because even if Jungkook remembers your birthday, he chose to spend the night with Mr. Cocky right there instead of you."

"Well, what if that's exactly the reason, huh? It's not like I can do anything about it." He accidentally placed the plate down the counter harshly, causing a loud noise. "Excuse me." The customer says and Jimin snapped out of it, giving her an apologetic smile and serving her offer politely. His response caught Hoseok off guard, he's never seen Jimin lose his cool before. Unable to comfort him, he just patted the other in the back and carried on his work silently.

Little does the grumpy barista know that the photographer has been giving him several glances since the start of the morning. He's noticed something different with the way Jimin worked. Clueless of what exactly is happening, he couldn't help but wonder why Jimin hasn't talked to him about it.

"You know, I've tried counting how many times you've looked at him since we got here and I gave up on 30. The more you do it, the more jealous I'll get~" Taehyung leaned forward to whisper to him, which got him to jump back in surprise by the sudden enclose of space. The cute stuttering of the younger is acting up when the model startled him "I'm sorry hyung, I'm just worried about Jimin-hyung.", he looks down and fiddled with the hem of his shirt.

As much as the sight melted Taehyung's cold heart, the reason behind it didn't, "He could just still be sick, don't worry Kookie.". The flirtation was overbearing when he said that but Jungkook brushed it off, still playing with the cloth as he steals glances of the barista. Rolling his eyes, the gorgeous model hated that he wasn't the centre of his photographer's attention, "He's fine, just leave it be."

"He's just never shut me out before. He'd tell me when something's wrong but it's different this time. Did I do something wrong?" Whispering down to himself, he didn't bother looking up as thoughts overwhelm him, trying to figure out what was wrong. Being in too deep in his mind, he didn't even realize that the one thing he's thinking of passed by and heard what he said, only producing more ache in his heart that he could ever imagine.