CHAPTER 62

Two weeks have passed since Yoongi and Namjoon stayed up all night; they spent a few more nights tracking their movements, but Yoongi couldn't get closer without getting noticed; Seokjin contacted the mayor pretending to be a potential purchaser to get the maps of the factory. It worked, but it's a long process; the house has become quiet as Taehyung and Jungkook stopped fighting and began spending more time with each other, all because of Jimin. Nevertheless, Jungkook has spent a lot of time locked in the room missing Tiger. He hasn't come back in two weeks, and Jungkook doesn't know how much time he can last without seeing him, speaking to him, kissing him, laughing with him. He just wants to hold him. Taehyung's face suppresses back the pain, until he wants to stare at the black galaxy of his eyes and can't—Jungkook misses Tiger all over again.

The cold sea breeze invades Seokjin's nostrils. He raises his head higher, his eyes closed, while the rays of sunshine warm his face and specially his cheeks. He holds Hoseok's hand inside his coat's pocket, the other stays silent next to him.

"Seokie, will you let us buy you the cake? We can make it, too."

Seokjin shakes his head and turns to look at him. "I can bake it myself, baby."

Hoseok groans, a pout making its way to his face. "But Seokie, it's your birthday! You deserve the best cake, the best present, the best day, the best everything. I won't let you do anything on your birthday apart from having fun."

"Seokie, we talked about this." Seokjin sighs, moving his fingertips on the sand with his other hand. "We've got a lot of things going on right now. We should focus on our plan, and then celebrate my birthday when everything's over."

Hoseok never understood how can Seokjin not see how special he is. Hoseok wished multiple times Seokjin could see himself through his eyes, perhaps he would pamper himself a bit more, a bit more often.

"Would you think the same, if it was my birthday?"

Seokjin's eyes widen. "Seokie, it's no the same!"

"Of course it is! You just don't want to see it. You deserve a perfect birthday just like the rest of us. We celebrated Namjoon's birthday and we can also celebrate yours. Trust me," he smirks, "tomorrow you'll thank me."

Seokjin pulls slightly away, his eyebrows frowned. "Seokie, what do you've in mind?"

Hoseok smirks and lays his head on his shoulder, singing, "Surprise."

* * *

The living room's a mess: balloons laying in almost every corner of the living room, wrapping paper spread messily on the table, Seokjin's presents occupying both sofas, Namjoon trying to have a proper conversation with a man on the phone between Jimin's constant yells as he tries to organise Taehyung's and Jungkook's tasks–if you ask the blondie, they're doing a terrible job.

"Jungkook, pass me the other letter. Taehyung, have you finished inflating the next?" he doesn't turn around and his boyfriend hums.

Jimin extends his hand and Jungkook hands him the next letter, followed by a loud groan. "Kookie, it's 'Happy Birthday', not 'Happy Birtdhay'. Don't you know how to speak English?"

Jungkook only rolls his eyes. He shares a quick look with Taehyung, the other shrugs apologetically.

"You know what," Jimin takes a deep breath, "go find more balloons."

"More? But Chimmy—"

"I said go and find more balloons." Jimin says reluctantly.

Taehyung and Jungkook don't protest and go upstairs, but Taehyung doesn't miss the teasing smirk on Yoongi's face while he finished wrapping his own gift.

"Wow, so he does know how to boss around. Why does he take it so seriously? It's just a birthday party, as if he were Hobi."

Taehyung giggles at the younger's comment. "Seokjinnie's special."

Jungkook follows him into their room and Taehyung opens the cabinet in hopes to find more balloons. He doesn't spot them in the first try, he's convinced they used them all already.

Jungkook lays on the wall, his arms crossed. "What do you mean?"

"He doesn't value his birthday as much as we do. He always tries his best to make us feel special in our birthdays, but when his turn comes he just shrugs it off. He always finds an excuse for not celebrating it as he deserves, but maybe we're the problem . . . we've always been in trouble around his birthday."

"How come he does that?"

"No one knows—not even Namjoonie."

Jungkook nods, even if Taehyung can't see him.

"That's why Jimin's so excruciating today?"

Taehyung laughs and closes the door of the wardrobe, the last bag of balloons in hand.

"Yes, but I promise tomorrow he'll come back to normal."

Jungkook lets out a sigh of relief. "I would rather surrender myself to Mimi than spend another day with Mr. Boss Park Jimin."

Taehyung tries to hold his laugh, but fails and hits him with the small package full of colourful balloons.

Their laughs die down and they remain staring at each other. The silence becomes more awkward as the seconds pass by, taking over them.

Odd—both of them alone in a room, laughing instead of fighting. Nevertheless, Taehyung recognises the look in Jungkook's eyes and it's not meant for him.

Jungkook plays with his hands and lowers his head. Should he ask? Will it be too obvious?

"Jungkook," Taehyung finally calls him.

The boy raises his head. "Yeah?"

"You miss him." he states, leaning on the wall next to him. "Me too."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

Taehyung smiles, but it doesn't reach his eyes. "I sense him more when he takes over. He has taken over a lot these days."

"Yep . . . we hang out and stuff."

Taehyung turns to him. "Stuff?"

"Um, we talk, we open up to each other—he's like my best friend."

"So what about my Chimmy? Weren't you two supposed to be besties?"

Even if Taehyung doesn't roll his eyes, Jungkook notices the sarcasm in his voice—the remaining tiny jealousy, the one that never seems to fade away.

"He's your best friend and boyfriend, isn't he?"

"Yes."

"Is he doing okay?"

"Jimin?"

"Tiger. If you sense him . . . do you know if he's doing okay?"

Taehyung bites his lower lip, observing Jungkook for a few more seconds. "He's fine."

Jungkook nods, not looking away from Taehyung's eyes. Does he miss me too? Can't he just take over like he did last time? Isn't he thinking of me right now? Doesn't he sense me?

"Jungkook . . . Jiminie will kill us if we don't come back."

Jungkook nods, walking away first.

Taehyung didn't miss the longing look in Jungkook's eyes. For a moment, he hopes he could bring Tiger, just for Jungkook, just for seeing Jungkook smile—wait, since when do I care? It's not my problem. Must be Tiger.

They come back to the living room at the same time Namjoon hangs up the phone.

"Loves, the boat's booked but we've to buy the fishing equipment at their nearby local." Namjoon explains, shoving his phone in his pocket.

"It's okay—oh, guys, finally! Come here, I still need your help."

Taehyung raises the bag of balloons helplessly, with a pout on his face. "But what about this?"

"Namjoon can do it."

"Huh? Mini—"

Jimin stares at him. "Do you have anything more important to do right now?"

Namjoon sighs and walks to Taehyung. "Bubs, I'll do it."

Taehyung kisses his cheek and Namjoon embraces his waist, resting his chin on Taehyung's shoulder for a moment.

"Uh—hello? You guys, we haven't finished yet. If Seokjin comes through that door before we finish I'm going to kill you."

Jungkook laughs, walking towards him. "Jimin-ssi, Hobi's with him and they won't come back in another three hours. Can you just, you know, chill out?"

Jimin raises an eyebrow at him and Jungkook grabs the next letter without muttering another word.

Namjoon, Taehyung, and Yoongi fail to hold on their laugher—but Jimin doesn't protest.