It's you

Plan

“Table for three, please.”

Jungkook informs the waiter who bows in acknowledgement. As the waiter escorts them into the restaurant, he peeks behind and finds his companions in silence. Namjoon is grinning brightly, excited for this unplanned reunion while Taehyung stays a far distance behind, appearing indifferent and uncomfortabe. As soon as the lads reach their table and have their seats, they begin occupying themselves with the menu books.

After ordering their lunch, Taehyung plays with his phone and the other two exchange glances. Jungkook pokes his tongue inside his cheeks as he witnesses the atmosphere unfold in a rather painful way. With a soft sigh, he decides he should be responsible to break the ice between them.

“Namjoon Hyung-nim,” Jungkook faces him as a respectful gesture. “When did you return from Los Angeles?”

Namjoon smiles. “Last week, actually.”
Taehyung flicks his eyes up at the older one, showing disbelief.

“What brings you back here? Was it an emergency?” Jungkook perseveres to keep the conversation running.

“Now you mention it, I am working on a new album. One of the producers proposes that we have a Korean MV for a change. So I returned to survey and make a reccomendation.”

“Jinja?! That is amazing!”

“Ne, Jungkook. Of course, Seoul is my first choice since it is my home. And here I thought I will be welcomed but it seems someone is still living in the past,” Namjoon narrows his stare at the indifferent one across him. “If only he learns to grow up.”

Jungkook gulps, sliding a glance at Taehyung. “You are always welcomed here, Namjoon Hyung-nim. I'm sure Madam Kim likes a visit from you.”

“That's pointless,” Taehyung huffs suddenly. “Considering they are already planning to ruin my lunch today.”

“Aigoo, Tae! We didn't talk for years!” Namjoon states seriously.

Taehyung is still fixated in his phone. “How the hell do you know I'm here?”

“Because, Little Tae, we had our last fight here and this is the only place I'm chancing to meet you. It was supposed to be a surprise!”

“Yah, I am surprised. Now can you leave?”

“Taehyung!”

“Calm down, Hyung-nim!” Jungkook stands alittle with two hands up, hoping the tall man to step back. “Taehyung-nim is just tired after a series of morning meetings. Forgive his rudeness-“

“Yah, Taehyung!” Namjoon kicks under the table, trying to piss Taehyung. “Look up when someone's talking to you! Are you forgetting how to respect your hyung? Is this the kind of attitude you want to show to your older brother?”

Taehyung finally lifts his eyes off the phone and glares at Namjoon a heated one. Jungkook swallows, anticipating a violent storm coming to the restaurant.

“Don't talk so casual of him with me.”

Unaffected, Namjoon leans forward and smirks. “Why not? Are you still mad at me because I refused to help you find him?”

“Good that you didn't leave your brain back at LA.”

“You really love to pick a fight with me.”

“I just don't deal with selfish people.”

“You generally label anyone who doesn't help you as selfish. Stop being childish, aigoo.”

“What's childish is you listening to my Eomma than me. Why? You can't refuse a mother but you can refuse a brother.”

Namjoon blows a sigh and looks at Jungkook who is tensed, sitting at the edge of the seat. He was not there to witness when the two cousins had their fight. It was ugly in matter of fact. There were a few punches thrown and bruises gained. They were young and hot tempered and simply stubborn. Unfortunately neither of them change. Both have their own stand that would not back down no matter what.

Being the older one, with intention to mend the broken bond, Namjoon returns his eyes back at Taehyung. Everytime he spends a moment looking at Taehyung, he remembers the little boy who always clung on him without reason. They were close since the older brother disappeared. As the young boy was still naive and in belief his hyung would return, he looked up at Namjoon as a replacement. Namjoon was the happiest kid that time, having Taehyung who never left his side.

Things went downhill when Taehyung grew up learning his hyung was lost and never searched.

Taehyung was only seven when he started to plot a plan to find his brother. His mother was angry learning about it and she sent him away in a boarding school hoping that if he stayed away from home, he would forget about his brother. What actually happened was the direct opposite.

Sending him away gave him more freedom to learn more ways to find his brother. That was also where he met Jungkook and dragged the latter into his journey. When Taehyung returned during Christmas, the Kim family had a reunion dinner at this same restaurant.

Namjoon remembered Taehyung pulling him away from the table and explained his plan to run away from school and search his hyung. Namjoon was twelve years old and he was old enough to know that it was the most dangerous plan an eight year old Taehyung could come up with. Namjoon strongly disagreed and refused to spill any facts about the brother as promised with his own parents. They broke into a fight as a result.

Who would have thought that the small fluffball would grow up to be a threatening powerful teenager?

“Listen, Tae,” Namjoon attempts to grin. “I really don't want us to continue like this. I want us to be brothers like we used to. Won't you let it go and start anew with me?”

Taehyung looks away from Namjoon. “That's impossible.”

“Do you even trust me anymore?”

The word trust somehow triggers Taehyung, a short stretch in his eyes is seen. It reminds him of his conversation with Jin.

After he lectured Jin about trust, he realises he is not keeping to his own words. In all honesty, Taehyung never fond of the rift between him and Namjoon. He would never deny Namjoon as his hyung.

But Namjoon's rejection still hurts him until today.

But if he still cherishes his memories with Namjoon, he has to give in.

Taehyung exhaled a long sigh. “What kind of place are you planning to shoot a video, Kim Namjoon-nim?”

Jungkook bats his eyes, slightly shocked at the sudden change of topic. Namjoon is alittle annoyed with Taehyung's way of addressing him now but he chooses to remain calm.

“Probably somewhere that people knows it's Korea at first glance,” Namjoon replies coldly before taking a sip of water. “Where would you recommended?”

The conversation between Taehyung and Namjoon takes a purpose and it soon turns into a respectful formal discussion. Jungkook is quite glad at how Taehyung decidedly put aside his emotions and gave his time of day to his hyung. This is one of the reasons why Jungkook respects Taehyung. He could be the most unreasonable childish kid or the kindest and responsible adult despite his age. 

Nonetheless, even though Taehyung gave in, there is no slight hint of tenderness or warmth between them. If anyone looks over at their table, they would consider them as a dutiful agent with his client.

Jungkook reluctantly grins most of the time, just thankful they do not choose to fight like before.

Their food arrives and they eat peacefully. As soon as they are done, Taehyung and Jungkook decide to leave. Taehyung stands up and faces Namjoon who is seated and wiping his mouth.

“Kim Namjoon-nim, we will take our leave. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact my assistant,” Taehyung briefly explains and offers his hand. “Have a nice day in Seoul.”

“Tae,” Namjoon returns to his brotherly voice. “Will you come if I invite you for lunch?”

Taehyung smirks. “Contact my assistant. Let's go, Kookie.”

The young CEO swiftly walks away without another glance at Namjoon. Jungkook is hesitant, barely deciding to follow behind Taehyung or say his farewell to Namjoon. He eventually bows to Namjoon and dashes to walk behind Taehyung.

As they leave the restaurant floor, Namjoon sits quietly and soon releases a sigh of nothing but hurt.

“Aigoo that kid,” Namjoon unleashes his distaste of Taehyung by hammering a fist on the table. “I would have punched him if it's not for my reputation. Damn it!”