Author's POV: 

You opened your mouth but closed it, not knowing how to answer. Right, it was your birthday but you forgot, completely. All the panic of the presentation, Taehyung, the cafe and all the chitchat, you completely forgot. You weren't one to forget this day but today probably was an exception.
You side-glanced at Taehyung who seemed to be very- expressionless? You didn't know how to put his expression in words. He looked confused, shocked as if he messed up something really hard, he had a tint of regret on his face that you couldn't figure out. 

"Ah I- I was packed with today... I think I- f-forgot.." You gulped as Jimin gasped saying, "Hey! We didn't even know... that's so-"
"Sorry... gosh! I had no idea-" Jungkook spoke, pouting. They both genuinely looked sad.
"Won't you celebrate?!" Jungkook added as you said, "I did cut a cake last night at home..." 
"Still, we're friends! Ah... Happy birthday, girl! It's so weird.. we didn't even know but seriously, happy birthday!!" Jimin wished as you smiled slightly and looked at Jungkook who cheered, "Happy birthday!! You should try not to forget! It's the day to celebrate!"

"Tae?" Jungkook asked, in a low voice, confused. Jimin looked at him as well as Taehyung was thinking about something deeply. He looked at them, who were confused and looked at you who stared at him, quietly. He tried to read your face but sighed. 
"I..." He was trying to say something but he felt his throat getting dry. He licked his lips and turned to you saying, "You should've told me earlier..." 
"I.. forgot, sorry." You said, looking at him. He smiled and pinched your cheeks and said, "Hey, happy birthday. I definitely didn't want to be that dumbhead who didn't know when your birthday was but... seems like I have no choice but to wish you like this. I'm sorry for not knowing... Happy birthday!" 

You smiled seeing the corners of his eyes crinkle as his lips curved upward forming a huge happy smile. A sense of joy rushed through you as you looked at him, admiring his beautiful smile. 
"Hey, you both, stay here," Jimin said and dragged Jungkook with him towards the restroom in the cafe as you frowned. Taehyung eyed their backs before turning to you, seeing you look in their direction confused. He cupped your cheeks, making you face him and said, "You should really have told me earlier." 
You just blinked at him, gulping. You were tingling inside, your entire body was itching in a strange, light yet good way. His touch made you feel weird inside, it felt so euphoric and warm.
"I'm..." You gulped trying to speak once he let go of you. You just looked down as he said, "But... it's okay. At least I know now, that I'll make sure to celebrate with you every year, on time, without forgetting. I promise."

You smiled a little, looking at him. 
"Every year?" You asked as he said, "Of course! Every year... I don't think I can let such an awesome friend like you go..." 
You gulped and looked down, at the sugary drink you were having. You sipped the drink, gulping. A few minutes passed by as you both continued chatting. 
"What did you do yesterday?" He asked as you looked at him a little confused but understanding what he was talking about. You just let out a silent 'Oh'. 

"Mom made a cake for me... we cut it." 
"Your dad?" He asked, not knowing if he should have but he really... wanted to know.
"Umm, him too. He wished me too. We don't have the best relationship but he gave me a gift. Well, I think it's because... he's a dad? He gifted me a mobile." 
"Mobile? I'm also getting one next week." 
"Oh... wow!"
"We can exchange numbers... and talk!"
"We can?"
"Of course! That's the main reason for a mobile." 

You nodded and looked down, at the sugary drink before saying, "Then... it'd be nice."
"Guess we can talk every time I miss you so I don't have to think of you looking at that teddy be-" He blurted out to himself but you heard it, looking at him a little flustered, a deep red shade flushed on your cheeks. He looked at you wide-eyed immediately shutting his mouth and spoke, "Hey... I-"

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY Y/N!!!" 

You both were interrupted by 2 loud voices. Looking in front of you, you saw Jimin and Jungkook standing there with a cake in their hand. You gasped a little as they placed the cake in front of you saying, "Hey! So what if we didn't know? Birthdays are meant to be celebrated!" 
Taehyung chuckled as you looked at him, surprised. You looked at the boys in front of you who were fixing the candles on the cake. 
"Well... we don't need to talk to know what's about to happen. We've grown up together long enough to understand." Taehyung said, knowing well what you were confused with. You smiled and looked at the cake which had 'Happy Birthday Y/N' 
And below it, in small letters, 'May you and Taehyung be a couple soon. You both are cute!' 

You blushed reading it as Taehyung glared at them saying, "Do you really need to ruin a birthday cake like that?" 
He was about to throw hands thinking you became uncomfortable but instead, they all heard a chuckle.
"T-Thank you." You said, smiling widely. Your teeth were visible, your eyes twinkling in joy. The boys looked at you and smiled. Your rare happier-than-ever smile was enough to melt everyone's hearts. 

"Hey, blow on it. Make a wish!" Jungkook said as you closed your eyes, wishing for something before blowing. They all clapped and sang, "Happy Birthday to you~ Happy birthday to you~ Happy birthday dear Y/N~~ Happy birthday to you!! WOOOOO!" 

---Time skip 

"Gosh, today was fun!" Jimin said as you 4 were walking on the roads. Jungkook snorted and said, "Well, because you ate half of the cake. 
"Hey shut up! We played arcade games and also got some polaroid pictures." Jimin said. You smiled at them and looked at Taehyung who was eyeing them with a smile, a mocking one which hid affection beneath. They all were so warm, so nice.

"Mrs Kim is back, right?" Jimin asked as Taehyung nodded saying, "Otherwise that monkey would tag along." 
You chuckled, finding it really funny how he had a bickering relationship with almost everyone he knew. Taehyung smiled at you and said, "You both, leave now. Y/N's house is the other way and I'm dropping her off. See you."

"Woah... boyfriend material. I need someone to walk me home!" Jimin said as Jungkook asked, "Should I, bestie?"
"You live on the floor below my apartment." Jimin spoke, blankly staring at him who said, "That's the point."

Soon, you all parted ways as Taehyung was walking with you. It was quiet yet warm, awkward yet pleasant. You remembered your mother's words, 'But friends don't look at each other the way you both do.' 

A feeling of shyness arose in you as you smiled softly, looking down.
"You seem happy today," Taehyung spoke, with a smile. You just looked down and said, "Sort of? The day went better than what I had expected." 
Your artwork was in your hand, as you held it close, walking as he walked beside you with a soft smile. 

You were in front of your house now. He stood there with a smile and said, "Happy birthday Y/N. I know we're both 19 now, the same age... but I'll turn 20 in a month so, I'm still going to be older. And as your senior, I'm really proud of you. Your artwork... really surprised me today. And I must say, I was right all along, wasn't I? You're really one of a kind. You're the bravest, the strongest, the prettiest... I don't know but... you're really special to me. I didn't wanna say this now but... maybe because it's your birthday, I just want you to know that... I.. I really care about you. You're my best friend, Y/N. You're my best friend... and there's no doubt about that. Happy birthday, be happy okay? And... tell me your phone number soon." 

5 minutes... it took him 5 minutes to say all those. He paused, hesitated, smiled and frowned while saying it. But one thing didn't fade at all and that was his sincerity. He was sincere in every word of his. You could feel it. You smiled at him and walked toward him saying, "I didn't know I'd ever have the chance... to say this to someone but... you... you are my best friend too, Taehyung. You're n-not an ordinary friend... you're... the best one I have. T-Thank you for... today. And to Jimin and Jungkook... too." 

He smiled and pinched your cheeks making you smile wider. 
"Go in..." He said as you nodded saying, "T-Take care..." 

He nodded, as you walked towards the door. Stopping in your tracks, you turned around and waved at him once to which he waved back and entered the house, feeling the same pang, again. You hated this moment, of leaving him. But it always had to come. 

He stood outside the house for a minute, looking down with a smile as a mumble left his lips,
"I hope what I feel for you is really... friendship or I might break all the rules of my life and yours too..."