(I Swear to God) I Never Fall in Love

the first night

Taehyung let out a long, tired sigh as he leaned against the bar, hanging his head for a moment and trying to find some energy to go back inside to his terrible, terrible date. He stood straighter, raised a hand to the bartender who made his way over to him, and ran a hand through his hair.

"Shot of whiskey, thanks," he ordered.

"Jameson?"

"Yeah, that's fine," Taehyung replied. He glanced back inside, and saw the guy he was on a date with (couldn't even remember his name) looking bored and on his phone - again. He leaned back and took a selfie and Taehyung grimaced, and turned back to the bartender.

"You better make it two."

The bartender gave a nod, his face amused, and poured the shots in front of him.

"Enjoy."

Taehyung scoffed sarcastically and downed the first shot. It burned pleasantly but he still scrunched up his face. Someone approached the bar a few feet from him, Taehyung didn't pay them mind until he recognised the voice.

"Can I just get a glass of water? Thanks."

Taehyung's eyes widened and he turned to see if he was right.

"Jungkook?"

Jungkook looked back at him, just as surprised as Taehyung was.

"Taehyung? Wow. It's been a few years."

He offered a polite smile, that dropped slightly and both of them knew it was due to the reason why they hadn't seen each other in a few years.

Taehyung smiled back, easy, to let Jungkook know it wasn't a big deal.

"I think it would have been your twenty-first birthday party."

His eyes lit up a little at the mention of the party. "That was a fun night," he smiled, then he frowned. "I don't remember seeing you much though. Granted, I don't remember a hell of a lot from that night anyway."

Taehyung chuckled. "Yeah, I spent most the night in the beer garden. Jimin and I had a fight before the party."

"Ah," Jungkook replied awkwardly.

Taehyung laughed. "Jungkook, there's no need to be so awkward. Jimin and I broke up almost four years ago. I moved on so long ago, and I'm sure he did too."

Jungkook nodded, slowly. "He did... um, we're actually celebrating his engagement party upstairs."

Taehyung blinked. "Oh." A smile spread across his face. Maybe a year or two ago, that news would have hurt, but now, all he felt was content. "I'm happy for him."

He meant it.

Jungkook seemed to be able to tell he was sincere, since the expression on his face changed to something more relaxed.

"What are you doing here?" He asked, taking a sip of his water.

Taehyung glanced inside, his date was tapping his fingers on the table looking annoyed. Taehyung shrugged.

"Doesn't matter now," he answered, giving Jungkook his full attention. "Do you need to go back to the party? Or can you hang out for a while?"

Jungkook thought for a moment. "Speeches are over," he said. "Jimin and Yoongi are probably busy with family now. I can hang."

Taehyung smiled widely. He eyed Jungkook's water. "Are you drinking still, or sobering up?"

Jungkook glanced at Taehyung's second shot, waiting for him on the bar. He gave a toothy grin.