The seventh day came as effortlessly as the ones before it, the golden sunlight pouring over the quaint town as if it had been painted by Jungkook himself. He stepped into Blossom Brew at his usual time, the doorbell chiming softly above him. The now-familiar warmth of the café greeted him, along with the scent of freshly brewed coffee and sweet pastries.

But what truly welcomed him was Taehyung, who looked up from the counter and beamed, his angelic smile as radiant as ever. "Good morning, Jungkook!"

Jungkook felt his heart skip a beat, though his expression remained impassive. "Morning," he replied, his deep voice resonating softly.

He made his way to his usual seat by the window, but instead of pulling out his notebook immediately, he leaned back in his chair, watching Taehyung work. The younger man moved around the counter with a grace that seemed almost rehearsed, his soft hums blending with the jazz music playing in the background.

For a week now, Jungkook had been coming to this café, silently observing, sketching, and, to his own surprise, growing more captivated by the barista with each passing day. He had kept his distance, content to remain a regular. But today, something stirred within him.

He wanted more than to simply watch.

When Taehyung brought over his caramel macchiato, unprompted, as it had become Jungkook's signature order, the artist decided it was time.

"Do you always smile this much?" Jungkook asked suddenly, his deep voice cutting through the quiet atmosphere.

Taehyung blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "Huh?"

"You're always smiling," Jungkook clarified, his intense gaze locked on Taehyung. "Even when no one's around. Why?"

Taehyung's cheeks flushed slightly, the pink tint highlighting the natural warmth of his skin. "Oh, well... I guess I just like making people feel welcome," he said with a shy laugh, scratching the back of his neck. "It's kind of a habit."

Jungkook leaned forward slightly, resting his chin on his hand. "And what if you're the one who needs welcoming?"

Taehyung tilted his head, his large, doe-like eyes filled with curiosity. "I don't think I've ever thought about it like that."

"Maybe you should," Jungkook said, his voice low and deliberate.

The weight of Jungkook's words hung in the air, and Taehyung shifted uncomfortably under the intensity of his gaze. He wasn't used to customers engaging him in conversations like this, let alone with such an enigmatic air.

"Well," Taehyung said after a moment, his smile returning. "I think being happy makes others happy, so that's enough for me."

Jungkook smirked, leaning back in his chair. "That's a simple way to look at life."

"Isn't simple good sometimes?" Taehyung countered, his tone lighthearted.

"Not always."

Taehyung didn't quite know how to respond to that, so he chuckled nervously and excused himself to tend to another customer. Jungkook watched him go, his lips curving into a faint smile.

This shy yet genuine side of Taehyung was more intriguing than he had anticipated. There was something refreshing about his innocence, his unfiltered sincerity. Jungkook wasn't used to people like Taehyung, people who weren't trying to gain something from him, who weren't calculating or manipulative.

Yet Jungkook himself couldn't entirely claim the same innocence.

The café had emptied out by late afternoon, leaving only a few customers scattered across the tables. Jungkook remained at his usual spot, his cup long empty but his attention firmly fixed on Taehyung.

As Taehyung wiped down the counter, Jungkook called out to him. "Taehyung."

The barista looked up, surprised by the sudden use of his name. "Yes?"

"Do you always work alone here?"

Taehyung nodded, setting aside the rag. "Most of the time. It's a small place, so I can handle it on my own."

"That sounds exhausting."

"It's not so bad," Taehyung said with a small shrug. "I like what I do, so it doesn't feel like work."

Jungkook raised an eyebrow. "That's a rare mindset."

Taehyung smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Well, I'm a rare person."

Jungkook chuckled softly, surprising himself with how easily the sound escaped him. "That you are."

Taehyung's cheeks turned pink again, and he busied himself with stacking plates to hide his flustered expression. Jungkook's straightforwardness was unusual almost disarming and Taehyung didn't quite know how to respond to it.

As Taehyung returned to the counter, Jungkook stood from his seat and approached him. The sudden proximity made Taehyung glance up nervously, his fingers fiddling with the edge of his apron.

"Do you ever take a break?" Jungkook asked, his voice soft but firm.

Taehyung blinked. "Uh, not really. There's always something to do."

"Then take one now," Jungkook said, his tone leaving little room for argument.

Taehyung hesitated, unsure if Jungkook was joking. "But--"

"Sit," Jungkook insisted, pulling out one of the chairs at a nearby table.

Taehyung glanced around the empty café before reluctantly sitting down, his posture stiff. Jungkook sat across from him, his dark eyes studying the barista intently.

"You don't look like someone who gets much rest," Jungkook remarked.

Taehyung laughed awkwardly. "I guess I don't. Running a café isn't exactly a relaxing job."

"Then why do it?"

Taehyung paused, his expression softening. "Because it makes me happy. I like creating a space where people can feel comfortable, where they can take a break from their busy lives."

Jungkook tilted his head, intrigued. "And what about you? Who creates that space for you?"

Taehyung looked down at his hands, his lips pressing into a thin line. "I don't know. I guess I never really thought about it. I've always been more focused on others."

Jungkook leaned forward, his voice lowering. "Maybe it's time someone focused on you."

Taehyung's eyes widened slightly, his heart skipping a beat at Jungkook's words. There was something in the way the artist spoke, something that made Taehyung feel seen in a way he hadn't before.

But before he could respond, the doorbell chimed, signaling the arrival of a new customer. Taehyung quickly stood, mumbling an excuse as he returned to the counter.

Jungkook watched him go, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips. He wasn't entirely sure what he was doing, but he knew one thing for certain, Kim Taehyung was unlike anyone he had ever met, and Jungkook wasn't about to let him slip away.

As Taehyung busied himself with the new customer, Jungkook returned to his seat, his notebook open on the table. He began to sketch once more, his hand moving with purpose as he captured Taehyung's essence on the page.

For the first time in years, Jeon Jungkook felt inspired, not by a grand landscape or a fleeting emotion, but by a single person.

And he wasn't going to stop until he understood why.

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