Weeks passed like this, each day dragging Jin further into a spiral of unease. One afternoon, Jin sat behind the counter, his hands neatly folded,Namjoon wasn't there yet. Jin had just finished organizing the café for the evening crowd when a cheerful voice broke through his thoughts.lighting up his face. Jin instantly smiled back.
"Hey, Taehyung. How are you?" Jin asked, his voice softer than it had been all week.
"I'm alright," Taehyung replied, then leaned in slightly. "But I need your help with something."
Jin raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? What is it?"
Taehyung's grin widened as his eyes sparkled with excitement. "Jaybum's birthday is coming up, and I thought... maybe you could make the cakes and desserts for his party? You know how much he loves your baking."
Jin frowned, his expression stern. "No, I won't."
Taehyung's smile faltered, his excitement dimming in an instant. He straightened, clearly caught off guard. "Oh... okay, hyung. I guess I'll-"
"Unless," Jin interrupted, a teasing glint in his eye, "you eat my freshly baked cake right now. Then I might consider it."
Taehyung's face lit up again as he broke into laughter, his giggles infectious. "Alright, alright! You win, hyung. Where's this cake, then?"
Jin wiped his hands on his apron as he leaned against the counter. "So, where's Jaybum today? He's usually glued to you."
Taehyung chuckled lightly, taking another bite of the freshly baked cake. "He's with Mr. Jeon. I just wrapped up my work and thought I'd stop by here before heading home."
Jin nodded, watching as Taehyung savored the cake. Though their friendship was still relatively new, Taehyung had become a regular at the café over the past few weeks.
Jin enjoyed his company-it was uncomplicated and calm, unlike the whirlwind presence of... others.
"And you? How've you been holding up?" Taehyung asked casually, glancing at Jin with curiosity.
"Busy days at the café. Nothing new," Jin replied, brushing off the question.
Taehyung hummed thoughtfully, resting his chin on his palm.
"Must be nice, keeping busy. Distracts you from... other things, right?"
Jin narrowed his eyes slightly, sensing the undertone in Taehyung's words. "Other things?"
Taehyung shrugged, his expression casual but his tone deliberate. "You know. Things like... old connections, unresolved feelings, or people who refuse to let go."
Jin's hands stilled, his gaze briefly flickering toward Taehyung. "What are you getting at?"
"Nothing, really," Taehyung said, his lips curling into a faint smile. "Just that it must be hard to focus when someone like Namjoon-hyung keeps lingering around. He has this... presence, doesn't he?"
Jin's jaw tightened at the mention of Namjoon. He looked away, pretending to focus on cleaning the counter.
"I don't know what you're talking about," he muttered, his voice clipped.
Taehyung tilted his head, a knowing glint in his eyes. "Oh, come on, hyung. Everyone can see how Namjoon's been coming here every evening. Sitting quietly, waiting for... something-or should I say, *someone*?"
Jin's grip on the cloth in his hand tightened. "He's wasting his time," he said sharply, his voice carrying more frustration than he intended.
"Is he?" Taehyung mused, leaning back in his chair. "He doesn't seem like the type to waste time.
In fact, I'd say he's pretty determined. Persistent, even."
Taehyung sighed, setting his fork down as he looked at Jin thoughtfully. "Hyung, I know it's not my place to meddle in your business, and I won't pretend to understand everything you've been through, but..." He hesitated, searching for the right words. "But don't hold yourself-or your heart-back."
"Stop pretending like you don't love him..." Taehyung added
Jin's hands stilled on the counter, his eyes fixed on a spot in front of him, refusing to meet Taehyung's gaze.
Taehyung continued, his voice softer now. "Because love... love only happens once. If you keep running from it, you might never get another chance."
The words hung in the air like a weight, pressing on Jin's chest. He didn't respond, his thoughts a whirlwind he couldn't untangle.
Taehyung stood from his seat, giving Jin one last glance. "I'll send you the details for the cake and desserts, hyung," he said gently before making his way to the door not before paying .
Jin stayed frozen, his eyes glued to the counter in front of him, lost in his thoughts. The bell chimed softly as Taehyung exited, leaving behind a silence that felt heavier than any conversation.
Jin exhaled shakily, his mind replaying Taehyung's words as if they refused to leave him alone.
Love only happens once. But what if that love was too painful to hold on to?
On the other hand,
Over the past few weeks, the dynamics in the Jeon mansion had shifted noticeably. Taehyung and Jungkook found themselves growing closer, much to their own surprise.
Jaybum, however, was the one most delighted by this change. The little boy was practically glued to Taehyung's side every waking moment, following him everywhere like a loyal puppy.
The constant bickering between Jungkook and Taehyung had simmered down, though their childish arguments still broke out occasionally. Those moments were usually resolved by Jaybum, who would cross his arms and pout dramatically until the two adults stopped and apologized-though sometimes the apologies came with quiet laughter behind his back.
Despite Jungkook's long-standing mistrust of vampires, his perspective was beginning to shift. Taehyung had proven himself over and over, and Jungkook couldn't deny the growing trust he felt toward him.
In fact, there were times Jungkook caught himself relying on Taehyung in ways he hadn't allowed himself to rely on anyone in years. It was a strange feeling, but not an unwelcome one .