In Front Of You - Jikook

-twenty-nine-

The droplets fall down gently on the window of the lonesome photographer who's feeling the same as the weather. Despite being on task, the scattered photos on his blankets and the mellow sounds drowned by his thoughts felt lazy and empty to him. He grew up in silence, but why does it seem to make him lonely now?

The lifeless orbs scanned the photos, taking their stories as he reminisces the hearty smiles and laughs behind every memory. Jungkook's used to looking at pictures, however, this batch was something he hasn't looked at in a while. They were natural, candids, and just simple shots of family and friends in his hometown. They've always been positive, reminding him of the happiness he once possessed and loved. They were his happy drug in times that he felt a bit under the weather. Memories drown him from the suffocating thought of someone that seems so distant, so...far away.

He doesn't even realize as a blanket draped over his shoulders, the warmth enveloping him silently. Taehyung sat in front of him gingerly, not exactly knowing what to do but it's clear how vulnerable Jungkook is at the moment. He's aware of the reason for this sudden gloominess, but despite his competitiveness overwhelming him, he knows his limit now. Human nature makes people uncomfortable with quietness, forcing them to speak up, however, the model couldn't find the right words. It feels like he's walking on thin ice being around the younger until:

"I didn't have real friends when I left home." Soft nostalgia laces his whisper, it sounded neither upsetting or cheerful, just a mindless thought. The older looks at him, studying what's behind the lenses of his eyes.

"I didn't really need them. I left to follow my passion, to explore so much more than just my small town and take those new things everywhere I go. My parents never approved of it at first, seeing their oldest son leave for something that's..." Jungkook struggles to find the word for it as his eyebrows furrowed, lost as he says something he never told anyone before.

"Unreasonable? Not ideal? An unstable job?" The other finished, his gaze leaving the smaller male and he stares at the rain. "Yeah." Jungkook agreed, finally looking at Taehyung now, still holding on to that picture.

The model sat there for a bit, staring intently at the water drops, casting shadows on his face and Jungkook watching those shadows move. Taehyung looked down to the photos, scanning them like the younger did, noticing the distinguishing youth Jungkook presented in those photos.

"When was the last time you saw them?" Picking up a cute picture of the photographer as a toddler, he chuckled by the sight of his rosy cheeks and his horribly adorable costume. Jungkook, of course, snatched the photo back in embarrassment and blushed brightly, almost mirroring the picture in hand, "Don't look at that one!". "You're cuter in that photo, I probably like younger Kookie more than you." He teased him, making the other pout.

He's at least happier now. I miss his smile. Taehyung thought as Jungkook blushes, even more, hiding his hands between his legs. Jungkook whined and roll his eyes "Stop hyung!", the burst of laughter erupts from the older one. The atmosphere is lighter now, drizzle starts to dawn upon them and the slight rays blinding Jungkook a bit. Yet, as the skies clear up, the golden hair's boy looks unfazed, a grin plastered on his face as he fished for his car keys in the back pocket of his jeans. They feel like friends rather than employer and employee.

"Let's take you home."

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Locking the front door, the coldness of the night hit the barista suddenly. He shivered as he starts walking down his street, his work clothes definitely not helping with the temperature. After a few slow steps, he paused, the illuminance of his phone shines on his face as he looks at his calls.

5 missed calls. 7 unread messages from Baby Kookie~

It could be that he's been too harsh after not talking to the other for a while, but it did hurt when he didn't even remember at all after the time apart. But alas, Jimin couldn't help himself anymore, it was painful for him too when he avoided Jungkook. So with the turn of his body and a few building steps towards his house, a growing smile brightened his face as he excitedly started to run.

Timing is everything, however. Just as he was around the corner, he watches as a black car pulls up in front of the house. He'd still carry on but the sight of Jungkook giggling genuinely as Taehyung open the door for him made him stop dead in his tracks. Jimin made sure he wasn't seen by the two but tuned in just in case.

"Oh, my mum absolutely loved you! My brother hasn't looked that happy since I left, and that's all because of you!" The younger laughed at the memory of Taehyung bonding with his family. Taehyung rolled his eyes and joined in the laughter "He poured his milk on me, it was adorable. Though it is starting to get cold in the front." Pulling out the white shirt underneath the unfitting puffer jacket, an obvious pink stain made the other laugh harder.

"Hey hey, stop that." The older male teased, "You're lucky I didn't do the same to you, which reminds me, I never knew you liked Banana milk?" "Liked? It's my favourite childhood drink, I love it." Jungkook mused, "Always brings back good memories of home." The air came from humorous to joyous nostalgia. The older smiled kindly, no fakeness, no "idol-look" eyes, and said, "I think your dad forgave you for leaving home." Jungkook nodded as he looked down to his fingers "He was grateful you took me back home, even for a visit."

"Anytime you want to go home, just tell me. The 3-hour drive there is worth it."

They had a moment of comfortable silence, Taehyung took off the borrowed jacket and draped it on Jungkook's shoulders. Letting out a sigh, Jungkook smiled back and accepted the heat.

"I'll make sure to give this back to my father." Not saying anything more, the model pulled him into an embrace filled with sweetness and understanding. Jungkook really saw a different side of Taehyung today, the side you only see behind the cameras, without the staff and the

paparazzi. The side that you'd be lucky enough to appreciate if he lets you see it. Taehyung's loving nature and compassion shone when they were alone together and around the people Jungkook cared for. This was the real him that probably felt lost after all those years of faking it in front of everyone.

They pulled away from each other, but the older had to place a small kiss on top of Jungkook's forehead. Nonetheless, this was their farewell. He let the younger pass him and entered his home safely. Jimin watched as everything unfolded. It didn't hurt him because it was Taehyung, it killed him because everything looked so real.

When he thought that the other was about to leave as well, a side glance at him surprised the barista. The model waited until he fully turned around and walked towards the other. "Isn't it rude to eavesdrop on someone else's conversation?' Taehyung asked, a hint of suspicion was there but no mockery. The other's eyes harden, annoyance emitting his expression "I was only passing by." Taehyung's lips curl slightly, "So you didn't hear anything we said?". Jimin didn't seem the type to turn down a fight as he replied "Nothing important, but enough to know you and what you want."

Instead of fighting, even more, Taehyung's gaze softened. He stared at the other, trying to read him as much as possible but one of Jimin's gifts was the art of a stone-cold face when needed. So the other just leaned down and whispered something that sent shivers down Jimin's spine. His chest tightened as his heart skipped a beat by the statement. He looked at the other as he gave him a saddened look, walking away like leaving his own heart behind. The car door closed and he watched him drove away before he fully processed what Taehyung said.

"I know that you love him, but I'm falling for him too. As much as I want him, I don't want it to reach to the point that he has to choose."