♬ Baby, you don't know what it's like
To love somebody ♬

- "To Love Somebody," Bee Gees

"I'm really sorry, Vivianne. I don't think I could go with you today," Jeongguk said the moment they went out of the matinee. Taehyung, Jimin, and others were left inside so they could talk further about Taehyung leaving the acting crew. Vivianne sighed deeply but then she smiled at Jeongguk.

"It's okay! I understand you. Of course, that's how friends should work. Taehyung need you to be with him since something bad happened to him. You need to comfort him and listen to his ranting. Someday, I'll be doing that to you and you'll do the same. I'm still not giving up on pursuing you to be my friend! Let's meet each other, okay?" Vivianne said sweetly to him.

She carried her bag near her head to probably look for something. When she finally found it, she extended her hand so it would reach Jeongguk. "That's our home's telephone number and address. Contact me or write letters if you are free. I am always available. Let's see each other again, alright?" Vivianne said.

Jeongguk smiled at her. "Of course! Don't w-worry! I'm t-treating you as one of my friends now," he said. Why is he stuttering so much infront a woman? Vivianne's eyes started sparkling like stars had birthed on them. She wore a mile wide smile and unconsciously hugged Jeongguk.

"Really? I'm so glad I have someone I could call my friend now!" She was genuinely joyous over Jeongguk's statement. Honestly, she's so pure that Jeongguk feels he's melting because of her. The hug seemed like it lasted forever when Vivianne pulled from it.

"Thank you, Jeongguk. But I have to go now. I'll see you around! Go and take care of Monsieur Taehyung," she said and waves her hand at Jeongguk before hurriedly running away. Jeongguk can't help to smile at her as he watched her disappear in the roads of France.

"Hey," Taehyung whispered the moment he saw Jeongguk outside. He even stared at the direction where Jeongguk was staring. When the younger faced him, his eyes shifted from light to worried. "Where are you looking at?"

"Nothing. It's just Vivianne. She already left. How about you? What happened in there? Are you really leaving the matinee? Are you alright?" Jeongguk asked him. Taehyung smiled and ruffled Jeongguk's hair. He properly carried the bag he was holding.

He was surprised when suddenly, the younger hugged him tight. He held his small waist tight too, leaving no space in between them. Taehyung let out his tears as he hugged Jeongguk under the streetlight. He was obviously not okay. Not when he just left something he had always loved doing.

"I-I don't wanna talk about it, Gguk. Let's just go somewhere else. Let's distract ourselves, alright? Let's also eat. I'm hungry," Taehyung whispered before they both let go of the hug. Jeongguk chuckled as he wiped the little tears escaping his eyes.

"We're having a moment of sobbing and you'll say you're hungry?" Jeongguk said as he laughed. He wanted so bad to stop the tears from rolling down but he can't. Taehyung held his cheeks and wiped the tears using his thumb.

"Don't cry, beautiful. I said I am alright. It'll be fine," Taehyung was assuring him. Jeongguk nodded and can't help to hug Taehyung once again. They just pulled up when someone came out of the matinee.

"Ahem!" Jimin tried to get their attention. They both stared at him, surprised, they thought they were seen by someone else. "Don't be lovey dovey on the roads. You know how people are," Jimin warned them. They both nodded at the same time like they planned to respond like that together.

"Where are you guys heading to?" Jimin asked them again.

"Taehyung said he wanted to eat. Would you like to come out with us?" Jeongguk said, gaining his composure once again and fixed his jacket as the coldness of the night started creeping on his skin. Taehyung hung his arm on Jeongguk's shoulder as they waited for the other to respond.

"You guys should go alone. I am not thirdwheeling you. Enjoy the night. Forget about your problems for a while. I'll head back home," Jimin said to them as he shook his head. He chuckled a little as he put his hands on his pockets.

"Are you sure?" Taehyung asked him. Jimin nodded immediately at that, not really wanting to disturb the two from their about-to-happen date.

"We'll go ahead now, Jimin. You sure you don't want to go with us?" Jeongguk asked again.

"You guys are annoying! Start moving now or I'll change my mind!" Jimin pushed them and shooed them away. The youngers just laughed at him and they started going on opposite direction.

"Please be home safe," Jeongguk said to him and Jimin once again nodded. He waved his hand a little and watched as Jimin walked away.

Taehyung opened the door of his car to the passenger seat and waited for Jeongguk to come inside. He closed the door as Jeongguk wore his seatbelt. He went to the back of the car to place his huge bag, that contains his essentials and his costumes, inside the trunk. He headed to the driver's seat and started the engine when everything is all set. They exited in the parking lot and talked on their way to somewhere.

"Where do you wanna eat?" Taehyung asked him. Jeongguk stared at him with his eyes feeling a little sleepy. "Do you want to eat a meal or just pass by a coffee shop and eat bread instead?" The older inquired.

"The latter," Jeongguk answered as he shivered. He let his hand submerge in his jacket's sleeves.

"Are you cold?" Taehyung asked, adjusting the air condition for the atmosphere to be warm. The younger nodded at him. "Give me your hand," Taehyung said and Jeongguk stared at him to ask why but then he just followed what the older wanted him to do.

Taehyung held Jeongguk's small hand and reached it to his mouth so he could start blowing it. Jeongguk was flushed as Taehyung did that and felt the warmth of the older's breath. Taehyung stopped doing it for a while, holding his hand a little longer, his other hand on the steering wheel. He didn't let go until they reached their destination.

They stopped infront a coffee shop and parked the car. Taehyung looked on his way when Jeongguk started whispering something. "Tae... I think they're closing already," he said. Taehyung looked through the window pane and saw that they are now placing the chairs upside down above the table, a sign that the shop is about to close.

"Let's go ahead anyways. They might have something left for us," Taehyung answered.

The small bells that were hung in the doorway started dinging when they entered. Taehyung was still holding Jeongguk's hand as they approached the counter table. An old woman started walking their way curious to why there were still customers this late. "Bonsoir, Ma'am. I apologize for walking inside your café this late when you're about to close. But do you still have something for us? We will buy anything you could offer us," Taehyung tried to sound as polite as possible.

The old woman stared at the window where everything was being processed. "Could you please rustle up two cups of cappucino for these two handsome lads here," The old lady by the counter said to someone and then looked at the boys' way and smiled. Taehyung and Jeongguk smiled back as they were able to get something even though the store is nearly closing. "Handle over the cinnamons that I packed," she added.

"But mom—" His son stopped when the older talked. "Shush, Migo. Are you not ashamed by our late night customers? Please show some respect. They're being respectful to us too, even apologize when they're just here to buy what we could offer," said the old lady. Migo, the boy at the back of the counter didn't speak any longer and then followed her mother's command.

"May I ask why are you kids still outside? It's nearly 10 am already," The old woman asked as she walked out of the counter and guided them to an available table. Jeongguk scratched the back of his head and stared at Taehyung.

"I work at the matinee and we just finished our last show for today. We had a meeting after that that's why when we came out of the theater, it was already late. Thank you so much, Ma'am, for your kindness," Taehyung replied to her in behalf of Jeongguk. The old woman then looked like he just recalled something.

"That explains why your face is familiar. I read something about famous matinee actors in the city in a newspaper this morning. I saw you in one of those featured pictures," The old woman said. Taehyung chuckled a little at her.

"Yes, I supposed that was me. But I quitted today because my father told me to," Taehyung started the conversation. The old lady seemed intrigued and is friendly. Her face looked saddened as she heard Taehyung's story.

"That's unfortunate, my dear. I just wish that fathers would learn to let their child do the things they love doing. Reminds me a lot about what happened to me years ago," The old woman started. "My father was against the idea of me pursuing singing as my career. He wanted for me to take medicine and become a doctor. I went against him that's why I went away with my husband," The old woman continued.

"Where did you go with your husband, Ma'am?" Jeongguk inquired this time, joining the conversation.

"Well, we went to Italy, to my husband's family's homeland. At first, they didn't accept me, but eventually, they treated me like their own. They even let me go to school once again. Along the way, I joined small singing competitions until this manager found me. They made my dreams come true. I performed in theaters too. Somehow, I lived a happy life. Until I retired singing and decided to start this business. Now my son is here to help me." When the old woman mentioned that, her son started placing the cups and a plate of cinnamons on the table as he arrived.

"Mom, you're not embarassing me to them, are you?" Migo asked his mother. She chuckled a little.

"Silly boy, of course not!" The old woman said and faced the two again. Taehyung and Jeongguk chuckled a little and they ate what was served to them.

"Excuse us if we start eating. We didn't have anything for dinner. Jeongguk here decided we'll just have coffee," Taehyung pointed on Jeongguk using his thumb as he took a bite of his cinnamon bread. Jeongguk just smiled a little at that.

"Is he your boyfriend?" Migo asked first when he went near them again after placing the tray in the counter. Jeongguk almost choked when he was drinking his coffee. "Easy, boy. I'm just asking. Don't be nervous," Migo added and chuckled a little. The old lady stared at the both of them after hearing her son's question.

"I don't know," Taehyung replied. "I haven't asked him yet," he added. Jeongguk felt like blushing because of that.

"Oh boy," Migo replied and chuckled. Suddenly, the bells started dinging again, signaling there is someone coming inside the café again.

"Bonsoir, Ma'am," A guy said and went near them. Migo stood and walked towards him. "You're a little late today, Jacob," Migo said. The guy hugged Migo as he kissed him in the cheek. Jeongguk and Taehyung looked at each other after witnessing that.

"It's because I had to take care of something. Are you ready to go?" Jacob said next. It felt awkward watching them talk that's why Jeongguk and Taehyung just started eating quickly. Migo stared at them with a teasing smile. "I see. You have late night customers. Do you know them, Ma'am?"

"No. I happen to find them friendly to talk with that's why we're getting along well," The old lady replied. Jeongguk and Taehyung smiled awkwardly at them. "Why don't you answer him already and be his boyfriend? He's just waiting. When he couldn't take his eyes off of you any longer, that means he's deeply in love with you. He's handsome too so do not let him bite off," she whispered and Jeongguk started chuckling a little. He hid away his shied face, unable to respond to that.

"Oh, they're couples? Interesting," Jacob said and then went near their table. "I am Jacob. He's my boyfriend too," he introduced as he directed his hand to Migo. The other embarassingly slapped his lover's shoulder. "What? Are you going to deny it infront of them?"

"Did I say I would?" Migo replied with a huff.

"Don't mind them. They bicker a lot but they love each other so much—" "Mom, stop embarassing me!" Migo said and she just laughed it off.

"I am Taehyung. He's Jeongguk," Taehyung introduced too. "I think we're making you guys wait. We're done eating too so I think we have to pay for our food and go now and stop inconveniencing you," Taehyung stood along with Jeongguk. He's about to get his wallet from his pocket when the old lady held his arm.

"Do not worry, child. It's in the house. Anyways, I had fun talking and reminiscing with you guys so do not worry about us staying," The old woman said.

"We will surely come back here. Thank you, Ma'am, for being kind to us," Jeongguk replied and bowed his head a little. They all bid their goodbyes and thanked each other once again before going. Taehyung and Jeongguk felt like their hearts were full, not only because they were allowed to dine even if the owners were about to go...

... but also, for once in their life, they felt like their love wasn't any different to what people used to see. A breath of relief that same-sex relationship isn't that really a big deal, only to those people who are so dumb to even understand what does it mean to be in love with someone.

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happy pride month, darlings! ten chapters left before epilogue. ♡