A Birthday gift for @popgoesthek :) Thank you for cotinuing to read my works and I hope you like this! <3

"I'm sorry."

You sighed against the receiver, eyes surveying the room which you just finished decorating for a small dinner party. Small being, only two people were supposedly to attend.

"The shoot's been extended for another few hours." Taehyung explained. "I'm sorry, jagiya."

Make that one, you thought sadly as you stared at the cake sitting prettily on the dining table; your name written in pink icing.

It was your birthday today and you had been looking forward to this night for weeks. Your boyfriend was Kim Taehyung, a.k.a. V of BTS, a popular idol group, and one of Korea’s rising actors. With his status, you barely see him and he had promised that on this day, he would make time. He would come home and celebrate with you.

It was already ridiculous that you were also the one who set this whole thing up... But to end up being stood up (again) by the one person you invited was downright pathetic.

"Oh—uh... Can't really do anything about that, right?" You said but there was an obvious sadness and a hint of sarcasm tainted in your tone.

"I'll try to get there as fast—"

"Don't even bother, Tae." You said tiredly, having lost the energy to get angry or let him finish knowing it only ends up the same. You were upset, but getting angry was something you proved to be useless when the situation happens more often than not. "Just do your job."

"Y/N—" you hung up before he could finish, clenching your fists as you slammed the phone down on the table and willed your tears not to fall.

That is if there were any tears left in your system.

~~~

The night air was cold the moment you stepped out of your apartment building. It was half past ten in the evening and you knew better than to go out at this hour but you figured it was better than being holed up in your apartment with untouched birthday food.

You sighed as you made to cross the street, but before you could take a step forward, you heard your name being called. Turning, you saw a familiar face and immediately smiled.

"What are you doing out at this hour?"

"Si Jin." You smiled as you greeted your college classmate—now collegue in the company you're currently working for. Si Jin was a good friend and you've met back in your freshman year in the university when the two of you shared the same Physics class together. You were pretty close and it was only recently (a couple of years prior) that an awkward air settled between the two of you.

However at this moment as you stared into his doe eyes and charming smile, you couldn't help but think that this man was close to being more than just a friend...

If it weren't for a certain Kim Taehyung came along before anything could progress.

Si Jin stopped in front of you before reaching inside his coat and retrieving a brown paper bag. He handed it to you and said, "It's not much but, Happy Birthday."

Your mouth opened slightly at the gesture as you took his gift, then looked up at him with an expression mixed with surprise and gratitude. "Thanks. But you didn't have to get me anything. I didn't even think you'd remember..."

"I don't forget easily." He said simply and something in the way he said it made you blush.

You opened the bag and your smile grew wider, seeing three DVD copies of movies you have been dying to see but work had you too busy to even watch them.

"Oh wow, how did you—"

"I...I was walking pass your cubicle the other day and—" he rubbed his nape shyly, looking almost embarrassed. "You had stickies on your computer with a list of films. I figured you wanted to watch them..."

Somehow his words made you frown. Maybe because in your head, you were the only one who knew that the list wasn't just about films you wanted to watch...

They were the films Taehyung had missed; movies you planned to watch with him but ended being cancelled at the last minute due to his busy schedules.

“Hey... I'm sorry did I—" Si Jin stepped forward and held your elbow lightly. The concern etched on his features made you tear up and soon you were looking up at the sky to hold them back and chuckling it off.

"Sorry. I'm fine. It's just...this is really nice." You sniffed as you gave him a smile. "Thank you, Si Jin."

Si Jin smiled but it was clear on his face that he was in doubt. There were a few moments of silence but it wasn't awkward but comfortable.

Just like it used to be.

"Where are you off to?" He asked.

"Where were you off to?" You asked back and Si Jin chuckled, and you couldn't help but think how familiar all this is.

"Some things just don't change." He snickered. "You always did answer questions with questions."

You crossed your arms with a smile, "I was just going to walk around."

"Alone?" He looked appalled.

"Is it a crime?"

"No...no..it's just, it's your birthday. Aren't you celebrating with—" he paused as if looking for the right word for it. “Family? Your friends?" He said finally.

“My family’s abroad and… well, there’s been a—" you bit your lip, not bothering to let your disappointment show. "Change of plans."

By the way Si Jin nodded, he seemed to understand and you were thankful that he didn't ask more questions. He knew Taehyung; knew of him being an idol and now an actor.

So instead he asked, "I was going to the cafe. Maybe you wanna come with? I'll treat you coffee."

You looked at him and thought about the offer. But the answer was almost too easy, considering how your boyfriend had cancelled on you yet again and it's almost like your relationship was a series of text messages and apologies.

Tonight, on the last few hours of your birthday, you wanted to forget and have fun. Not fun in a way that you wanted to flirt with your almost boyfriend from college but fun as in hang out with a friend who was at least willing to cheer you up with a cup of coffee on what’s supposed to be that one special day of the year for you.

"Will you throw in a cookie?" You asked and Si Jin smiled as he waved his arm in a flourish, gesturing for you to walk ahead before the two of you fell into step with each other.

"Anything for the birthday girl."

~~~

Si Jin took your mind off your depression over your boyfriend. At least for a little while. He was a naturally charming and funny guy, so his jokes made you cackle all night; the two of you talking about college memories and even about the weird things that happened in the office. You worked at separate departments—separate buildings even but the same company nonetheless.

At around midnight, Si Jin walked you back to your unit, your face still slightly red from laughing. Once you reached the front entrance, you said, "Thanks for tonight. I had a lot of fun."

Si Jin smiled but you saw a slight flicker in his expression—one that looked almost worried.

"What?"

"I hope Taehyung doesn’t—" he started and you immediately stopped him. by raising a hand.

"I'm not putting malice into this if that's what your thinking." You teased and Si Jin smiled, shaking his head slightly.

"No no, of course not. I just, I didn't want to get in between the two of you."

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