CHAPTER 21

Namjoon and Seokjin recognise the aroma of Yoongi's broth from the hallway; a mixed of different boiled vegetables and chicken; while the rest of the boys are lost in small conversations."Took you long enough." Jungkook groans, as they sit on each side of him."Sorry, you can start eating next time." Namjoon smiles fondly.Yoongi scoffs, takes a sip of the warm soup, and mutters almost under his breath, "He's a dramas. We didn't even wait five minutes."Jungkook's and Yoongi's relationship had gradually improved, but in the midst of August the younger began to get irritable easily. It had lead to yell at Yoongi when the boy did unnecessary comments or complained for too long. Instead of staying quiet and composed, the black hair male yelled back—he won't tolerate Jungkook yelling at him—so all the improvement went to waste.Hoseok glares at Yoongi quickly. He puts the spoon in the bowl, followed by a loud giggle to ease the tension in the air. "Delicious, ain't it, JK?""Tolerable." Jungkook says reluctantly."Why don't you try to make one yourself, huh?" Yoongi spats. "Shut up and eat.""Yoongi." Jimin says sternly, clenching his jaw. "Enough! When will you two stop fighting?! If you dislike each other, pretend the other doesn't exist!"Taehyung's sip sounds louder than it should because the kitchen becomes completely quiet after Jimin's warning. No one dares to say a word—but they do share looks—keeping in mind how moody Jimin has been these past few days. Jimin takes a moment to eat, making sure no one will break the peace again, which unsuccessfully turned to an uncomfortable silence."Ahhhhh, yes! Namjoon, do you have - " A ringing phone cuts Hoseok.Lazily, Jungkook takes it out of his pocket and pauses to look at the screen. He plays with his lip piercing, rolling the tip of his tongue over it. He sighs and picks the call before the person can leave a voicemail."Mum," he leaves the room without sparing a glance at the others."Oh, I didn't know he had a mother." Hoseok whispers to himself.Seokjin hears him and chuckles. "All of us have at least a biological mother, Hobi.""Sadly." Hoseok mutters. "I meant a mother who cared for him."Yoongi hits him with his elbow, his dark eyes stabbing daggers if they could. Hoseok smiles and shakes his head, trying to erase the funny ideas living in Yoongi's head."So, Nam - ""Bathroom!" Taehyung suddenly yells, making Jimin drop his spoon in the marble with a loud pitch noise.Jimin groans and Taehyung runs away from the kitchen, as if he didn't notice the dangerous look in Jimin's eyes."What's with him?" Yoongi asks."Must be diarrhoea." Seokjin comments serious."Don't be silly," Jimin smiles for the first time in what feels like ages. "Hobi, what did you want to say?""Ah! Yes, yes. Nam, do you have plans for your birthday? You've less than two weeks left.""My birthday?" Namjoon stares at the ceiling for a moment. Honestly, he forgot about it after everything they went through in a short amount of time. "I don't know, I haven't thought about it yet.""Oh, don't you worry Namunskins!" Hoseok yells with excitement. "I already did it for you! Let me show you the list with a few ideas - you can choose the one you fancy more, if you can't think about anything else."If Namjoon can spare himself the headache of finding an idea that suited everyone, it can only be worthy."Sounds good."* * *Taehyung sticks his head in Jungkook's bedroom. The younger boy faces the other side, bouncing his feet."Thanks mum, no - no I didn't do anything special today ... Yeah, I know ... I don't care if it's my birthday mum, I don't have anything to celebrate today after - " He stops and sighs heavily. "Mum—thanks for calling, if I can I'll visit you soon ... My trip's going well, I made a lot of friends ... Yeah, we're really, really close. Almost like a family."He stays quiet for a while, Taehyung guesses the other person in the line must be talking. He didn't pretend his mother called, and since when today's his birthday? Do the others know? We haven't congratulated him ... he should be grateful he's alive, he should have a reason to celebrate it ... even if he's a nasty boy.* * *"My love, does this list look like a few ideas to you?" Namjoon raises his eyebrows, putting the paper down. "You didn't need to come up with so many birthday ideas, I'm sure it took you a long time—thank you."Hoseok shakes his head and bites his tongue. "Believe me, it didn't." He sits on his lap with his arms around his neck. "But Namunskins, I want you to have the best birthday party ever. So, tell me, which one do you fancy more?"Namjoon caresses his chin, scanning the list for a second time. "The pool and jacuzzi indoor party sounds hot. We don't have to hide ourselves from Jungkook anymore, right? We haven't been half naked all together for so long ... we could have our second round of fun later, I don't think Jungkook would mind."Hoseok laughs and Namjoon holds him by his waist to prevent him falling off his lap, while the other keeps clapping energetically."WOW, DO YOU WANT TO HAVE AN ORGY WITH JK?! I DIDN'T SEE THAT COMING!""I didn't say -""Who wants to have an orgy with the kid?" Yoongi asks with a poker face, followed by Jimin and Taehyung."Nam -" Namjoon covers Hoseok's mouth, while the other keeps laughing."What is he talking about?" Taehyung keeps his arms against his chest, a small pout making an appearance."Hoseok's nonsense, loves. We're just planning my birthday party."Hoseok removes Namjoon's hand from his face. "He chose one of the hottest ideas. A night indoor party with pool, jacuzzi, music and lots of alcohol. Who wants to make out with me in the duble jacuzzi?"Yoongi smirks. "Babe, why are you always horny? Anyway, why the fuck you know there's a double jacuzzi?""Oh, please. Did you think I put all these creative ideas without doing a background research? Nam, you can look out for places yourself and choose your favourite. Chill out, if you can't make up your mind you can always consider my option."Namjoon kisses several times his cheek. "Just show me your option Hoba.""Talking about birthdays, I eavesdropped Jungkook before - ""You did what, Taetae?" Jimin raises his voice, his hands to his hips. "You should respect his privacy."Namjoon and Hoseok pull away from their kiss. They look between the two soulmates. Taehyung stays quiet, staring at Jimin with disappointment. You never used to yell at me, now you can't stop doing it because of him."Yeah, Tae? What's on your mind?" Namjoon encourages him.Taehyung swallows. " I think I understand why you found him more annoying these days -""You don't find him more annoying?"Taehyung rolls his eyes. "I always do. Turns out today's his birthday, almost over."Jimin inhales and exhales heavily. "Look, Taetae, if that's another one of your lies to piss him off -""It's not! And I never lie!" Taehyung defends himself. "Go, go ask him if you don't believe me! You'll see I told the truth." He sticks his tongue out and disappear from the room without closing the door.* * *Jimin thinks over and over again about Taehyung's confession. If that's true, it means they were born the same day -Jimin freezes on his way to the bathroom, Jungkook coming from the other side of the hallway. He blinks at him, while a small smile appears on Jungkook's face. Jimin knows that Taehyung refuses Jungkook, but he also knows he barely lies. It won't hurt to try, right? I would rather congratulate him even if it's a lie, than to be true and stay quiet.Jimin walks closer to him. "Jungkook ... Happy birthday."Jungkook's doe eyes widen and hesitates a few times before speaking. "How - how do you know it's my birthday? Do you perhaps -""No, no, of course not. Taehyung did.""What do you mean?""He heard you talking with your mother over the phone. You should have told us ... we all could find a reason to celebrate the September 1st."Jungkook shakes his head. "No, I don't have anything to celebrate in September 1st. The past can't be changed, but we still own the present and can change the future. Thank you for congratulating me, it means a lot, more if it's you.""Oh—wait, why me? I didn't do anything special." Jimin plays with his fingers, struggling to keep eye contact with him."No one likes me more than you in this house. Hoseok's cool, too.""Yeah, he also thinks you're cool.""Jimin, do you have any specific reason to dislike September 1st? You said we all could, does that mean you could?""Um - well - I don't want to talk about it. As you said, the past can't be changed." His vision becomes blurry and he blinks the tears away.Jimin has never talked about his incident with anyone. He never could explain what happened to him when he was a kid, at least not the whole story. He could never talk about the boy he lost, the friend he lost."I ... I just lost someone important years ago ... in September 1st." Jimin chuckles to himself, a few tears streaming down his face. "Today he turns," he pauses. "Twenty four years old. I wish I could hug him, listen to his voice again, saw his cute smile—oh, he had the cutest smile in - oh, sorry. I - I don't know why - you probably don't even care -"Jungkook eyes get wet, but he can keep the tears to himself. For his and Jimin's sake, he has to keep himself together, even if his heart sinks at the bottom of his chest."Do you miss him?"Jimin nods. "Every day for eighteen years.""I know I'm not not him, and it probably doesn't even compare, but can I give you the hug for him? I'm sure, wherever he is, he's wishing the same. To hug you."Jimin covers his face with his hands and breaks out sobbing. Jungkook takes it as a yes and slowly pulls him against his chest. Jimin closes his eyes, for a moment he imagines he's hugging his little boy instead. He hugs him back, his arms near his waist. Jungkook closes his eyes, tightening the hug, perfectly aware he won't find another reason to have him this close in a while.He remembers. He remembers me. He remembers my birthday. You'll remember me one day, Jimin-ssi. Would you believe me if I confessed why am I here? Would you believe me if I tell you I'm your friend, I'm the boy?Jungkook keeps repeating it inside his head, as if Jimin could read his thoughts, have some type of telepathy where they connect through a language they can only understand.Did I grow up as much as mum says? Did I change a lot since the last time we saw each other? Jimin was eight, my big boy was just eight years old."You finished?" Yoongi asks grumpily. "Someone in this house needs to use the fucking bathroom. Do you mind making a scene in another part of the house?"Jungkook clenches his jaw, staring back into Suga's cold eyes. You'll regret this, idiot. He pulls away and Jimin dries off his tears."Feeling better?" Jungkook lowers his head to make eye contact with him.Jimin nods. "Thanks -""What's going on? Bae, are you crying? What the fuck happened?"Jimin turns around and glares at Yoongi, realising what he said a moment ago. "What's your problem now? Do you think I'm going to date him because we shared a hug? We can't even do that? Stop your jealousy, it's nonsense.""Bae, I didn't -""I don't care, don't even think to come to my room tonight. Stop mistreating Jungkook, he hasn't done anything to you! Why can't you give him an opportunity?!""Jimin, maybe you should -" Jungkook tries to resonate with him.He agrees with everything Jimin says, but he knows every time Jimin defends him and gets annoyed with his boyfriends, the boys hate him a bit more—which makes the overall situation worse."No. Until you don't respect him, forget I exist. I hate how you keep your eyes on him - on me -" Jimin gasps. "You control me! You don't trust me, you don't let me free. I spent weeks thinking I would hurt your feelings if I showed a little bit of empathy to him, but I'm done with your jealous game! If you keep hating him for nothing, forget about me!""Bae, hold on. You know I don't - "Jimin passes him and gets away from his grip when Yoongi tries to stop him. Jimin locks himself in his bedroom.Yoongi turns around slowly, his black eyes dangerously finding Jungkook's. He walks creepily slowly towards him. Jungkook takes a step away, too tired and conflicted to argue with him. They've been over this so many times and they never reach a conclusion."What the fuck do you think you've done right now?" He spits out with venom, but Jungkook doesn't miss the glint of pain in it."What have I done? What have you done." He exhales heavily and places his hands on his chest. "I shouldn't say it, but for what I love most, Suga, I promise the least I want to do is harm him. Yeah, he can be cute and all, but I'm not attracted to him, I don't want to date him. Just, please, stop hurting him in hopes you'll hurt me. I don't care what you think of me, but every time you make a scene the only one getting hurt is Jimin, not me. So, forget about me and go beg in front of his door until he lets you in. You need to be there with him more than you need to be here arguing with me."Yoongi clenches his fists, his blood boiling. He uses his breath to keep himself from punch him in the face."Go away." He points in the opposite direction of Jimin's room.Instead of walking away, Jungkook locks himself in his room, a few doors away from Jimin's. He just wants this day to be over. His birthdays have been miserable since Bang PD took Jimin away from him.He throws himself carelessly on the king size bed and his back collides with something crunchy. He sits on the bed and grabs the pack of biscuits along with a small note:No one should spend their birthday alone.Enjoy it. Don't need to buy me more.

PS: I still hate you.