Archive of Our Own

"You know I don't drink coffee!"

"The world doesn't revolve around you, hyung." 

Despite his response, Jeongguk holds open the heavy door politely to let Taehyung enter first. Almost instantly, the smell of freshly made coffee and pastries hit them like a wave. The shop is rather small, but it's very busy. Conversations mix with each other; voices overlapping and twirling, and meet the two at the door as well. 

Pressing himself flat against the thick wood, Jeongguk shields his stomach cautiously with a smile. He knows Taehyung all too well.

As Taehyung passes, like clockwork, he jabs his elbow in Jeongguk's direction.

"Yes it does," Taehyung mumbles as he steps inside. Without much effort, Jeongguk blocks Taehyung's hit and giggles. He follows Taehyung closely as they both scan the crowded shop for a place to sit. 

The two of them have never been here before, but one of Jeongguk's friends told him about it a couple days ago and Jeongguk's been itching to check it out. And Taehyung, typically his willing accomplice, came along with only minimal complaints. But Taehyung's biggest concern was not finding anything he'd like here, considering he doesn't particularly love the taste of coffee. But Jeongguk assured they'd have other options. 

Taehyung's eyes dart wall to wall across the shop. He's met with varying shades of brown and other earth tones. The vibe inside looks like something out of a movie, and Taehyung's pointer finger is twitching at the want to grab his camera and take some shots. It's slung over his shoulder, but he doesn't reach for it. Finding a place for him and Jeongguk to sit currently outweighs his want to take a polaroid.  

To their left is a large counter with rolls and bagels and muffins placed perfectly on a shiny silver tray. In front of each one, on tiny white labels, sits the price handwritten in black marker. Everything seems to be handwritten, Taehyung notices. Four large chalkboards adorn the wall behind the counter. In pinks and lime greens and yellows, the items available and their prices are displayed. 

Double espressos, and caramel mocha-somethings, and cappuccinos. Taehyung has no idea what any of those things mean. 

"What are you gonna get?" Jeongguk asks Taehyung, nudging his shoulder. They're in line now it seems; Taehyung guesses if they don't find a place to sit they'll just leave. The place is a little too hipster for Taehyung's liking anyway. 

Shaking his head, Taehyung fights back a nervous type of laugh. His eyes speed-read through the colored chalk menu again, but he doesn't find anything that catches his eye. 

Only half-joking he replies, "Um...water." 

Jeongguk glares at him with a look of disgust. His eyebrows angle inward and the sides of his mouth hook upward like they're being pulled by an invisible string. 

"Hyung," Jeongguk says like he's disappointed. "That's lame." 

"I don't like anything else here, Jeonggukie," Taehyung tells him, gesturing toward the menu. 

The line starts moving again. Taehyung and Jeongguk take a few steps forward. They're up next; behind a woman with flowy black hair. She seems to know exactly what she wants. Taehyung listens to her spit off an order that's terrifyingly specific. Three shots of this, a spritz of that, double something-or-other, and light ice. Taehyung's head hurts a little just listening to it. But the barista behind the counter taps away on his screen with ease and doesn't even bat an eyelash at the woman's intricate request. 

Taehyung doesn't know why his heart is beating so fast when it's his and Jeongguk's turn to order, but he can hear it pounding in his ears and he hates it. He's just ordering a drink, he's not performing surgery. But Taehyung doesn't like feeling unprepared, and that's exactly how he feels right now. It's his turn to speak but he has no idea what to say. Maybe his best bet is just to not get anything. 

"Can I get a large iced Americano," Jeongguk orders simply. He looks over at the display to his right and adds as he points, "And a blueberry muffin." 

Behind the counter, the barista hums in acknowledgment as he taps on his screen. When he's finished, his eyes settle on Taehyung and he asks, "And for you?"

For the first time, Taehyung's eyes rip away from the menu and settle on the person behind the counter. If Taehyung wasn't so flustered in the desperate attempt to order something less lame than water, the first thing he would've noticed is that the barista is cute. Really cute, actually. But instead Taehyung's brain sends out panic signals throughout his body and he doesn't take in much besides the impatient sigh from the person behind them. 

"Um," he says plainly and looks over at Jeongguk for help. 

Shaking his head, Jeongguk asks, "You guys serve hot chocolate, right? He doesn't like coffee." 

The barista smiles softly. "A coffee hater in a coffee shop?" Then, playfully, "I should kick you out." 

Taehyung's always been good at talking to people, so he's quick to speak. With an equal amount of lightheartedness, Taehyung tells him defensively, "I was dragged here against my will."

Shrugging, the barista responds, "It's not the worst place to be. Unless it's the afternoon rush, then it's hell. College kids take their caffeine seriously." 

It makes Taehyung smile. His eyes drift downward until it reaches the barista's name tag. Jimin. 

"But yes," Jimin follows up with quickly. He leans against the counter and fixes his gaze on Taehyung. "We make hot chocolate, too. What size?"

Taehyung doesn't know why he looks over at Jeongguk again, but he does. There's something about the way Jimin is looking at him that's making him forget his words. And Jeongguk, who's clearly caught off guard and unprepared to select a cup size for Taehyung says with a wild gesture of his hands, "Fuckin'... medium, dude, I don't know."

This time Jimin laughs for real. He doubles over the counter and hides his face in his hands. Just slightly, his cheeks begin to rose over and his laugh transitions into soft squeaks every once in a while. Taehyung's heart wrenches. He has no idea what's happening, but he thinks he could watch Jimin laugh forever. 

"Fuckin' medium, okay," Jimin says when he finally collects himself. There's still a bright smile on his face when he taps his screen to designate the choice in size. Then, like he can't help himself, Jimin asks Taehyung as he's still giggling, "You want fuckin' whipped cream, too?"  

Taehyung's collected his voice again. He's smiling as well when he responds, "Yeah, I like whipped cream. You can put a lot on it." 

Jimin bites his bottom lip as he adds to Taehyung's order on his screen. Calmer now, Jimin reads off just to confirm, "Okay so, one iced Americano. Large. With a muffin. And one medium hot chocolate. Extra cream. Good?"

Both Taehyung and Jeongguk nod. "Perfect," Taehyung tells him. 

Jimin asks for their names, but Jeongguk offers to pay so he only gives his. Taehyung doesn't think he's imagining things when he swears Jimin looks over at him with a bit of disappointment in his eyes like he wishes he knew Taehyung's name too. And honestly, Taehyung wishes he'd given it. The two of them step to the side, situate themselves at the lowered part of the counter to receive their drinks, and wait. 

Taehyung keeps his eyes down, but he feels Jeongguk staring at him. 

Looking up, Taehyung says, "What?"

Jeongguk smiles as he gestures toward Jimin with his head, "He's cute, huh?"

Taehyung's a great actor, but he's never good at hiding his feelings when it comes to things like this. So he says back unconvincingly, "Didn't really notice." 

There's a sound that escapes Jeongguk's mouth. One that tells Taehyung that he absolutely doesn't believe him, but their chat is cut short by Jimin calling Jeongguk's name. 

He hands Jeongguk his drink, and then Taehyung his. It might've been accidental, but Jimin's fingers brush over Taehyung's in the exchange. And an electric type of tingling sensation shoots up Taehyung's arms and he swears if he's blushing right now he's going to punch himself in the face. 

"Enjoy your drink," Jimin says as he departs. He smiles at Taehyung again.

And Taehyung, master of flirting and inventor of basic conversation, responds back, "Thanks, you too!" 

Almost instantly, Taehyung freezes and squeezes his eyes shut. Thanks, you too? Jimin doesn't have a drink. What a stupid thing to say, Taehyung thinks to himself.

Sympathetically, Jeongguk places his hand on Taehyung's shoulder and escorts him toward the door. They pass three empty tables as they walk, but Jeongguk thinks it's better for everyone if they just go. He can only witness a car crash in slow-motion for so long.

Jimin giggles as they walk away. He seems to think Taehyung is adorable, but Taehyung's looking for the nearest wall to ram his head into. 

✣

"Dude," Jeongguk says once they've stepped back outside. 

Taehyung pulls at the front of his hair and groans. 

"Shut up," Taehyung tells him. He attempts to break from Jeongguk and walks a little faster, but Jeongguk catches up quickly. Taehyung doesn't have the energy to run.

Jeongguk laughs. He smacks Taehyung's arm and says, "Dude." 

"Shut up." 

Taking a sip of his coffee, Jeongguk teases, "Thought you didn't think he was cute." 

Taehyung makes a whining sound. He looks at Jeongguk and says, "We can never come here again." 

Jeongguk laughs so hard he almost spits his coffee all over the sidewalk. 

✣

It's only a couple days later when Taehyung finds himself between classes and back at the coffee shop. His body moves on autopilot because his brain tells him to go literally anywhere else the entire walk over. But before he knows it, he's sat at a table near the window, and on the complete opposite end of where Jimin is. 

He's working the tables today, as Taehyung’s  luck would have it. He bounces from table to table, taking orders and delivering drinks with snacks.

Jimin and all of his coworkers are dressed the same― a white button-up shirt, black slacks, and a black apron around their waist― but Taehyung thinks Jimin looks especially cute in his uniform. Taehyung isn't sure if Jimin genuinely enjoys his work, or he's simply very good at faking it, but there always seems to be a smile on his face as he works. It's inviting. Taehyung bets Jimin gets a lot of tips. 

Trying to appear less creepy, Taehyung pulls his textbook and notebook out of his bag, and sets it on the small round table. He has a class in about an hour, so he thinks it doesn't hurt to look over the notes from last week. And it gives himself something to look at other than Jimin. 

In the back of Taehyung's mind, he tells himself he needs to prepare. The shop isn't big, so Jimin seems to be the only worker that's taking orders from the tables and booths. Eventually, Jimin is going to come over to take Taehyung's order and he needs to be less embarrassing this time. Taehyung thinks maybe he came back here to redeem himself. He's not usually as tonguetied as he was the last time here was here. Something inside of him needs to prove to Jimin that he's not a complete loser. 

It takes a little over fifteen minutes because the place always seems to be busy, but Jimin finally arrives at Taehyung's table. 

"How're you today? My name is Jimin. What can I get for you?" he greets, but Taehyung knows it's scripted.

There's a smile tugging gently at the corners of his mouth when he lifts his head to look at Jimin properly. He's standing patiently, notepad in hand, as he waits for Taehyung to speak. 

Taehyung isn't sure if Jimin remembers him. He must see a lot of people every day and it'd be impossible to recall them all, but Taehyung's hoping he's made some sort of impression in Jimin's memory from last time. 

So Taehyung asks lightly, "Not working the register today?"

Jimin's eyes have been on his notepad the entire time, so he looks up with a faint hint of confusion. He gazes at Taehyung for the longest three seconds of Taehyung's life with unfamiliarity, but then he blinks and there's a tint of sparkle in his pupil. 

Snapping his finger as if a lightbulb has just switched on in his head, Jimin then points at him and says, "Fuckin' medium, extra cream! Hey!" 

Taehyung laughs because that's the way he's remembered in Jimin's head. He should feel some type of way about it, but he's just relieved Jimin remembers him. Nodding, Taehyung replies, "Yeah, hey." 

Shifting his weight from one leg to the other, Jimin asks, "So what's a coffee hater doing in a coffee shop two times in one week?"

"The coffee shop makes good hot chocolate," Taehyung tells him, scratching a bit nervously at the side of his head. Whenever he and Jimin make eye contact, Taehyung looks away. He can't help it. Looking at Jimin is like looking directly at the sun. He's too bright, too powerful, too pretty. 

Shrugging, Jimin says, "It's my specialty." 

Tapping his pen against his notebook, Taehyung requests, "Well then can I have another one of your specialty, please?"

Without writing it down, Jimin nods. He raises an eyebrow and asks, "Extra cream?"

Smiling, Taehyung confirms, "Extra cream." 

✣

Jimin and Taehyung don't speak much for the rest of Taehyung's visit. They're polite. Taehyung thanks Jimin twice for the hot chocolate, and Jimin tells him it's no problem at all. He gives Taehyung extra napkins as well and a coaster to place his drink on. 

He places Taehyung's bill upsidedown on the table. Just like last time, Jimin tells Taehyung, "Enjoy your drink." 

But Taehyung is thinking a little more clearly this time around. He responds, "I'm sure I will." 

Taehyung sips his drink slowly; splitting his time between flipping through his notes and stealing glances at Jimin as he works. The alarm on Taehyung's phone reminds him it's time for class. Reluctantly, he packs his things and prepares to leave. 

When Taehyung flips over his check, the numbers are crossed out and there's a note at the bottom. 

nice seeing you again. this one's on me!
come back soon :)
- jimin

Taehyung's heart is doing that thing again. That thing where it beats so loud he can't hear anything else. But this time it feels good. His blood is flowing through his body at top speed, but it feels like an adrenaline rush. It feels like the best natural high he's never had. He folds the paper and puts in his pocket. 

As he leaves, he looks over his shoulder to find Jimin. He's behind the counter now fixing someone else's drink. But he looks up as Taehyung opens the door to leave. 

Lifting his hot chocolate a bit, Taehyung mouths a thank you in his direction. Jimin spares a quick nod and then winks at him before returning to his work. 

 ✣

Schoolwork swarms the rest of Taehyung's week and he's not able to make it back to Jimin's shop until the weekend. It's particularly chilly outside this morning and he tries to convince himself that's the only reason he's walking ten blocks to get a cup of hot chocolate.

That and the fact that the hot chocolate there is the best he's ever had. It seems homemade and there's always a hint of cinnamon in it. The whipped cream tends to melt and then blends in with the liquid; adding a lingering taste to it toward the end. It's almost as addicting as Jimin's smile. 

It's early, so there aren't too many people in the shop right now. It's the quietest Taehyung's ever experienced it, and it's nice this way. The other two times it's been hectic. It was loud and rushed and a bit chaotic. But right now, it feels exactly like a slow Sunday morning. 

Taehyung plans on taking some pictures once he leaves here. The leaves are changing to fall colors and the light outside is just right. There's a park a couple blocks away from the coffee shop that he thinks will be more than fruitful for him today. There's bound to be a plethora of things for him to capture. He loves shooting nature. 

This time, Taehyung sits up front. There's a bar-like area that's attached to the ordering counter. Stools with small wooden backs line the counter with menus as placemats for each spot. There's only one other person in the area. An older gentleman with his cell phone in his hand and his attention focused on his screen. Taehyung sits two chairs away from him, which just so happens to be two chairs closer to where Jimin's standing. 

"Do you ever get a day off?" Taehyung questions from the other side of the counter with a smile. Jimin is preoccupied with adjusting the muffins display since someone just bought one. It's impressive how neat he and his coworkers keep the place. Nothing ever seems off; everything is always in the exact place it should be. 

Jimin's eyes dart upward and then smile along with his mouth when he says, "Oh, hey, look who it is!" Then, with a dramatic change in his expression, "And no, I basically live here." 

Taehyung smiles as he fumbles with his camera. His nails scratch gently at the top of it when he says back, "You deserve a day off." 

Shrugging, Jimin says, "I'm off on Tuesdays and Saturdays, actually. So I was off yesterday. It just doesn't feel like I felt at all." 

Intrigued by the number of hours Jimin seems to work, Taehyung asks, "Do you go to school?"

The question makes Jimin laugh. He waves his hand and says, "I guess. I take a couple of classes online but I haven't even like...picked a major yet. Right now they're just general education classes and one on music history." 

Taehyung's eyes perk up. "You like music?"

Suddenly Taehyung wants to know everything there is to know about Jimin, but he hopes he isn't coming off as weird by asking all of these questions. Jimin's nice, he always has a smile on his face, but Taehyung still can't tell if it's a put-on or not.

Either way, Jimin answers, "Well I love to dance so it kinda goes hand in hand. I like learning about where certain types of music originate from so I can appreciate the style better."

Before Taehyung can think of a response, Jimin points to Taehyung's camera and questions, "You're a photographer?" 

Smiling, Taehyung says sheepishly, "I'm trying to be. It's my major." 

Taehyung thinks he should elaborate, but he can't think of anything else to say. He worries that Jimin's going to think he's boring, but again, all his brain is shooting out is panic signals. Stumbling over his words he says, "Let me know if you ever need your picture taken." 

Jimin's counting the money in his register but stops short at Taehyung's proposition. He looks up in a way Taehyung is unfamiliar with and says with a smile, "Not much of a model, but I'm sure you're great." 

The first thought in Taehyung's head is that Jimin's a liar. He's beautiful and would make a perfect model; Taehyung would happily take shots of him any time he asked. But Taehyung doesn't say that, of course. Because that's coming on way too strong and he's not that type of person. He doesn't have that much nerve. And even if he did, he's not sure if Jimin's into him at all.

So instead, Taehyung responds only to the second half of Jimin's sentence and says softly, "Thanks." 

When Jimin seems to be satisfied with the amount in his drawer, he asks Taehyung, "You want your usual?"

His usual. Taehyung's becoming a regular already. 

But Taehyung just smiles at Jimin and tells him, "Yeah, that'd be great."

✣

"I don't even know your name," Jimin says to Taehyung a couple days later.

It's Wednesday, Taehyung made sure to skip coming here on Tuesday. There's no point if Jimin isn't working. 

Taehyung is sitting at a table toward the middle of the shop but he doesn't have much time. His next class is in half an hour and it takes about fifteen minutes to walk back to campus. He doesn't care, though. He needed to stop by first and grab a cup of hot chocolate. (And maybe see Jimin for a little while.)

Taking the cup from Jimin, he says, "I'm Taehyung." 

"Taehyung," Jimin repeats. He squints in Taehyung's direction for a moment and then nods. Again, Jimin says, "Taehyung." 

His name sounds different on Jimin's tongue.

A good type of different. Special. Golden. Like it was made just for him to say. 

Taehyung wants him to say it again and again and again.

✣

Taehyung's presence in Jimin's shop becomes frequent and consistent. He stops by on Sundays and a few times during the week.

Sometimes he stops in and he has a pile of textbooks with him, and Jimin lets Taehyung complain to him about the amount of work he has to do. Other times, Taehyung enters with nothing more than his camera and a smile. On those days, Taehyung shows Jimin the pictures he's taken recently and Jimin always makes it a point to tell Taehyung he thinks he's talented. 

It's impressive, because sometimes Taehyung doesn't see Jimin at first, but he always sees him. Taehyung doesn't have to go up to order any more, Jimin just brings it to him. And when Jimin's boss isn't working, he adds a free bagel or doughnut to Taehyung's order. 

Over the weeks that pass, the two of the retain small tidbits of information about each other. Taehyung thinks Jimin's interesting. He's smart, and he's got a great sense of humor, and there's this aura about him that makes Taehyung feel like he'll always be taken care of as long as Jimin's around. Jimin's quick-witted, a little bit sarcastic, easy-going, and helpful. Whenever he sees Taehyung struggling with his physics, he offers his assistance. Apparently, Jimin likes numbers. 

The two of them have a lot in common, Taehyung's learning. They listen to some of the same music, have read a bunch of the same comic books, and like the same foods.

But as expected, there are things about them that are opposite. Like Taehyung's addiction to soda, and Jimin's love for vegetables. Jimin says he likes to drink, but Taehyung can't stand the taste of alcohol. Taehyung's second favorite fruit is mango, but Jimin looked nauseous when Taehyung mentioned it. 

But despite their differences, Taehyung loves talking with Jimin. Even his voice is soothing. It's soft and gentle just like the rest of him. Taehyung likes to come to Jimin's shop before he has an exam. Something about Jimin's voice calms him and then he's not so anxious. 

One evening, Jimin spends his dinner break sitting opposite of Taehyung at a table toward the back of the shop. 

The two of them talk about everything and anything for thirty minutes straight. 

Jimin was just about to tell Taehyung his favorite movie when his phone began buzzing. It's his alarm to let him know his break is over. 

Reluctantly, Jimin stands up and says, "Gotta get back to work."

Nodding, Taehyung tells him, "That's okay. I should probably get back to my dorm and work on my paper." 

This time, Jimin reaches his hand out and grabs Taehyungs for a moment. It's only a second or two, but Taehyung lives in that time frame for a long time. 

"See you soon," Jimin says softly before heading toward the back. 

They both know Taehyung will be back tomorrow. 

✣

When Jimin speaks, Taehyung's mind just screams compliments at him that he's too shy to say. 

Jimin laughs, and Taehyung immediately wants to tell him he has a beautiful smile. 

Jimin fixes his hair, and Taehyung wants to tell him he always looks perfect. 

Jimin talks about dancing, and Taehyung thinks to himself that Jimin's the best dancer in all of South Korea. It doesn't matter if he hasn't seen Jimin dance yet. 

Every time Taehyung's seen Jimin, he's been in the same outfit. It's his uniform, and honestly, it's nothing special. But every day, Taehyung fights the urge to tell Jimin he looks nice. Really, really nice. White is breathtaking on him; it brings out the shade of his skin tone and compliments his dyed blond hair. 

He wants to tell Jimin his handwriting is pretty whenever he writes little notes at the bottom of Taehyung's check. Taehyung wants to compliment Jimin's hard work, and his skill, and the way he walks, and the way his hair bounces as he jumps from table to table, and the way he just...exists so gracefully. 

Taehyung thinks Jimin is wonderful. 

One day he'll say those things out loud. 

✣

"How long have you had that tattoo?" Jimin asks Taehyung one afternoon. 

Taehyung looks down at it. It sounds sort of impossible, but sometimes Taehyung forgets it's there. It's on the back of his right hand, in the space between his thumb and his pointer finger. It's a tattoo of a moon with a face and squiggly rays coming off of it. Taehyung loves all types of nature, but the solar system has always particularly interested him. He feels connected with the moon in a way that he isn't too sure about yet, but his body didn't feel complete without it permanently on him. 

"Oh," Taehyung says. His left-hand rubs over the ink. He tells Jimin, "I've had it for about a year now. I got it as a reward to myself for surviving freshman year. It reminds me to... I don't know, keep trying, I guess. That sounds over-dramatic but―"

"No," Jimin cuts him off with. He reaches out, and maybe he doesn't mean to, but he holds Taehyung's hand for a bit. Jimin's thumb rubs over Taehyung's tattoo and he tells him, "It's not over-dramatic, I think it's really... cool." 

Jimin seems to laugh at his word choice, but Taehyung doesn't care. He's just happy Jimin likes it. 

"Do you have any tattoos?" Taehyung asks Jimin as he begins to walk away. 

Jimin stops and shakes his head. "No, not yet," he says. Then he heads back toward the register. 

Taehyung thinks maybe Jimin should tattoo the sun on his left hand. That way, if they ever hold hands again, they'll overlap.

It'd be the prettiest eclipse Taehyung will ever see, he's sure of it. 

✣

When Taehyung stops in on a Thursday evening, he's running late for class and gets his hot chocolate to-go. It's packed inside of the shop and Taehyung feels bad that Jimin is the only one at the register taking orders. Behind him, three of his coworkers work diligently to prepare the orders he types in. But even still, Taehyung wishes one of them would jump on the other register and take orders too. 

As always, Jimin keeps a smile on his face through the lawlessness and even greets Taehyung happily when he's at the front of the line. 

"Taehyung, hey," he says. Taehyung doesn't think he's flattering himself to think Jimin's eyes sparkle a bit when he sees him. Jimin takes in a deep breath like he knows he doesn't have to be so on-edge with Taehyung ordering and follows up with, "Your usual?"

"Yeah," Taehyung tells him. "And a bagel with butter if that's not too much trouble." 

Taehyung feels awful for ordering more than the typically does but he hasn't had anything to eat all day and thinks his stomach is going to eat him alive if he doesn't get some food soon. 

But Jimin, as charming as ever, says with a smirk, "Anything for you." 

Jimin is a flirt, Taehyung's learned that the first day he met him, so he tells himself that Jimin would've said that to anyone. He can't help his mind from replaying it over and over, though. Taehyung thinks he's swooning and hates how quickly Jimin can do this to him. He's usually not as weak as this; he's usually more put-together when it comes to his crushes. But with Jimin, Taehyung swears he doesn't stand a chance. 

Taehyung knows the routine by now. He pays and then steps aside and waits for his order to be ready. 

From the side of the counter, Taehyung watches Jimin step away from the register to make Taehyung's order. Jimin gestures for one of his coworkers to take over the register and Taehyung tries not to put too much emphasis on the fact that Jimin seems to want to personally make Taehyung's drink. It only takes a few minutes, but when Jimin slips on the cardboard sleeve around the cup, he takes out his marker and begins to write on the side of it. 

Jimin has never written Taehyung's name on his cup before, so he's intrigued about what's changed. He thinks maybe Jimin's just really busy and so he's sticking to routine as much as possible to stay with the flow. With his free hand, Jimin slices one of the bagels open, then butters it and then slips it into a bag. 

Smiling, he walks Taehyung's order over to him and says, "See you later. Enjoy." 

Taehyung smiles back.

He begins to tell Jimin, "Have a good rest of your shift," but Jimin falls back into the madness before Taehyung could say it. 

A bit disappointed, Taehyung takes his drink and his bagel and heads for the door. 

✣

Halfway through his walk back to campus, Taehyung remembers the writing on his cup. 

He stops under a streetlight to see it properly. 

Written a bit sloppily in Jimin's handwriting is a note: 

taehyung, sorry i can't talk tonight
maybe you can text me later?

Under that is Jimin's phone number. 

Taehyung thinks he's dreaming so he blinks really hard just in case he wakes up. But when he looks down at his hand again, the note is still there and Jimin's number is still written under it. Quickly, like it's going to disappear, Taehyung enters Jimin's number into his phone and saves it. 

He smiles the entire walk back to campus.

✣

Jeongguk is sitting on Taehyung's bed, staring up at the ceiling, when he tells Taehyung, "If you don't ask him out, I'm gonna kick you in the balls." 

From across the room, Taehyung rests his head on his desk and sighs. 

"I don't even know if he likes me, Jeongguk." 

Jeongguk's eyes expand widely and he tells Taehyung, "You have been visiting him for over a month now, hyung. You two talk almost every day. He gave you his number yesterday and you still haven't even texted him! He wouldn't do that if he wasn't into you, too."

Taehyung runs his hands through his hair. He sighs and says, "I don't know." 

"You do know," Jeongguk says. "You're just scared." 

Maybe Jeongguk is right, but Taehyung isn't ready to admit it. His eyes refocus on the textbook under him. 

"What if he says no?" Taehyung asks after a few moments of silence. 

Sighing, because now this is just pitiful, Jeongguk tells him, "He won't say no. He gave you his number. He made the first move, hyung."

Again, Jeongguk has a point. And again, Taehyung ignores it. 

Standing up, Jeongguk says, "Gimme your phone, I'll text him." 

Taehyung moves like lightning to push his phone into his back pocket. He sits back down, securing his phone under him. He says, "No way." 

Rolling his eyes, Jeongguk walks backward back toward Taehyungs bed as he tells him, "So you're just gonna keep going to the coffee shop three times a week for the rest of your life?"

"It's gotten me this far," Taehyung responds as he shrugs. 

Jeongguk throws a pillow at Taehyung's face, but he ducks out of the way. 

✣

Taehyung stays up half the night working up the nerve, but it's after two in the morning when he decides for sure he's going to ask Jimin out when he visits his coffee shop later.

And whatever happens, happens.

(But Taehyung hopes with all his heart Jimin says yes.) 

✣

It's Friday evening and it seems most people in town have other things to do and other places to be than Jimin's job. There's a decent size crowd by the time Taehyung arrives, but it's nothing like it was the last time he was here. His heart tells him to go sit at the bar area of the shop, but his brain keeps chickening out. So he sits at a table by himself near the windows. 

He's here empty-handed, which is unusual. Typically he comes with his things for school, or his camera at least, but he doesn't have any of that. All Taehyung has is his phone, his wallet, and the ounce of courage he's desperately trying to hold on to. 

At first, Taehyung doesn't spot Jimin and he starts to wonder if today is a rare Friday that Jimin has off. But after only a few minutes, Taehyung sees him coming out of the back. He immediately goes to the machines and begins working on an order that pops up on the screen. From across the shop, Taehyung watches him work. 

Over twenty minutes pass and Taehyung spends the majority of it watching Jimin. The shop isn't painfully busy, but customers come up to the counter regularly enough for Jimin to occupied the entire time. There's a thought in Taehyung head for him to go up close so that Jimin will notice him, but he keeps losing his nerve. 

For what must only be a few minutes, Taehyung's attention shifts to his phone. Jeongguk is texting him, asking him how it's going. And Taehyung is trying to think of the right way to explain that he's been here for thirty minutes but he hasn't said one word to Jimin yet. 

Just as Taehyung begins to type back, a familiar voice says, "Sorry I took so long." 

Immediately following, a cup of hot chocolate with extra whipped cream is placed on the table in front of Taehyung. And a chocolate glazed doughnut.

Taehyung is a bit stunned. He knows there's a confused expression on his face as he drops his phone in his lap and says, "What? I didn't even know you knew I was here." 

Jimin drops his head a bit shyly, the first time Taehyung's ever seen him look bashful. 

"I always notice you," Jimin says softly, keeping his eyes angled downward toward the hardwood floor. Then, like if he keeps talking it'll cover up his first sentence, Jimin adds, "We have someone new starting tonight so I was helping them learn the machines. I'm sort of like the manager when the actual manager isn't here so... I like to train new employees. It's hard at first. Like, knowing how to make each thing on the menu. I remember when I first started, I―"

"Jimin," Taehyung calls, trying to get him to slow down. He's smiling as he reaches out and grabs Jimin's wrist to get his attention. 

He watches Jimin swallow slowly before he says, "Yeah?"

Softening his expression, Taehyung says, "Thanks." 

Jimin's hand adjusts so that it is on top of Taehyung's now. He tells him, "Any time." 

Taehyung's heart is starting to do that thing, so he slowly takes his hand back and comments, "It's quieter in here tonight than last night. Glad you don't have to work so hard." 

Shrugging, Jimin says, "I don't mind either way. When it's really busy, my shift goes by quickly. So it's not so bad." 

"What about when it's slow?" Taehyung asks, picking up his drink and taking a sip. 

Jimin pokes out his bottom lip as he thinks. He says, "Well when it's slow... I get to talk to you." He seems to make it a point to look Taehyung in his eyes when he adds, "And that's not so bad either." 

Taehyung couldn't keep himself from smiling if he tried, so he doesn't even attempt. 

He takes another sip of his drink simply because he's getting nervous now. After he swallows and the warmness of the drink begins to soothe him, Taehyung tells Jimin, "I like talking to you, too." 

Gesturing toward the chair across the table from him, Taehyung tells Jimin to sit down. He knows Jimin can't stay long. The shop isn't hectically busy, but it's not exactly slow either. They're going to need his help soon. But Jimin sits down anyway. Even if it's just for a minute. 

"Sorry I didn't text you last night," Taehyung starts with. Jimin's eyes look down again. He moves one of his shoulders slightly as if to tell Taehyung it's alright.

Taehyung says, "I meant to but..." His voice trails off as he tries to think of an excuse. But Taehyung's never been a good liar so he settles for the truth, "I didn't know what to say."

Laughing, Jimin says, "Hello would've been okay. It's what most people start with."

Rolling his eyes, Taehyung says back, "I know, but―"

He doesn't know what else to say. There isn't much else to it. The fact is that he chickened out. And just like the first day, Jimin smiles at him like he thinks he's adorable. Taehyung presses his face into his hand and says, "I'm sorry." 

"Don't be, it's okay," Jimin tells him quickly. "To tell you the truth, I was nervous about the thought of you texting me, too."

Somehow, that makes Taehyung feel better. 

There's silence then, but they look into each other's eyes and it feels like they're talking with their minds. Jimin looks at him differently than anyone else ever has, and Taehyung swears he could never hide anything from him even if he tried.

He's only met Jimin a little over a month ago, but in a way, he feels like he's known Jimin his entire life. It's like he knows exactly what he's thinking without Taehyung even having to say it. 

So when Jimin starts with, "I don't work tomorrow..." Taehyung knows exactly where Jimin is going with it and thanks the universe Jimin has more nerve than he does. 

Going slow, Taehyung nods and says, "Yeah, it's Saturday." 

Jimin smiles and drops his head. Taehyung watches him push his hair back. Jimin does that a lot. A nervous habit, maybe. But Taehyung thinks it's cute. 

When he looks up again, Jimin asks, "You don't take weekend classes, do you?"

Taehyung's face twists. "God, no." 

Fighting back a smile, Jimin adds gently, trying so hard to get to his point, "So you're free tomorrow?"

Honestly, Taehyung knew exactly where Jimin was going with this but he's still caught off guard and his heart still skips one or two beats. If he were drinking his hot chocolate he would've choked on it, but instead, he chokes on his breath. 

"What?" Taehyung asks with disbelief lacing his tone. But then, because he doesn't want to seem uninterested, "I-I'm free, yeah. Yeah, no I don't... have class. I'm... free," Taehyung stumbles out. There he goes, tonguetied again. 

But like always, Jimin seems to think he's cute. 

Scratching at the side of his head, Jimin says slowly, "I was thinking maybe... you could take me to the park with you? You always show me such pretty pictures you took there. I'd love to go with you. If that's okay." 

Of course, it's okay. It's more than okay. It's perfect. It's ideal. It's―

"I'd love that," Taehyung says. He lets out a deep breath. Jimin did all the work, but Taehyung feels like there's a weight that's just been lifted off his shoulders. 

It seems Jimin isn't done. He says to Taehyung, "You said you like to go in the morning because the lighting is better so maybe when we're done... we can get lunch?"

Taehyung doesn't know if he's allowed to yet, but he wants to kiss Jimin so bad. So, so bad because he doesn't think he would've actually worked up the nerve to ask Jimin out despite it being the only thing occupying his thoughts since the first day he met him. He wants to kiss him as a thank you. And also because his lips look really, really inviting. 

If not now, then maybe tomorrow. Because they have a date tomorrow. How fucking cool is that?

"Yes, yes, yes," Taehyung says a bit dramatically for comedic effect. "Yes to everything."

From behind the counter, one of Jimin's coworkers calls his name. There's a line that's beginning to expand toward the middle of the shop. The two of them hadn't noticed the rush of people that walked in since they've been talking. Jimin waves his hand at them, letting them know he'll be over soon. 

"We can meet here around eleven if you want," Taehyung says, finally offering his two cents to the plan now that it's nearly solidified. He's so excited he feels giddy; his foot taps anxiously on the ground. 

Standing up now, because he really has to go, Jimin says, "Sounds great. So it's a date?"

And Taehyung, biting his lower lip happily and nodding, responds back, "It's definitely a date." 

✣

Their date is scheduled for eleven in the morning, but they're both eager so they're there at ten-thirty.

But they don't waste any time. Jimin looks even cuter in his normal clothes than he does in his uniform, and Taehyung didn't even think that was possible. He's only in a black hoodie and black ripped skinny jeans, but Taehyung wants to put him on the cover of a fashion magazine. 

They walk hand in hand to the park, and when they get there, Taehyung lets Jimin use his camera to take pictures too. Jimin claims he's not much into photography, but he finds beautiful angles naturally and Taehyung thinks his shots are brilliant. 

Jimin walks a few paces ahead of Taehyung as they stroll through the park. The leaves on the trees are beginning to change color, the sun is hitting the lake just right, and the birds are sitting extremely picturesque on every bench and branch. But the only thing Taehyung can manage to focus his camera on is Jimin. 

He claimed he's not much of a model, but Taehyung's positive Jimin's the best muse he's ever had.