𝓛𝓸𝓿𝓮 𝓶𝓮 𝓪𝓰𝓪𝓲𝓷

Love and Loyalty (M)

Later in the evening, Jimin and Jungkook join the others for supper. They sit at a square wooden table in the corner of the eating zone.

Various strings of warm, multicolored lights hang across the high ceiling, setting a holiday-like mood.

Jungkook originally thinks the room is packed with noises in the morning, but in the evening, the room becomes even more energetic.

Despite not liking the noises, right now, he could care less about it as he hurriedly eats to quench his hunger, savoring the bowl of nourishment on his table.

Occasionally, somebody would come over and present themselves. He can't comprehend why the people here are so excited to meet him. A guess is maybe they don't see outsiders often.

Jimin sympathizes with Jungkook who feels awkward with continuous individuals welcoming him and putting their hands on his shoulders. Most are elders, so Jimin can't do much to help the younger person.

After a while, once Granny Yang notices it, she comes and sits with them, berating those who ramble too long at her two boys.

As the night darkens, people begin to leave, and the lights become more luminous.

Grandpa Yang, who's already half drunk, shouts from his table, "Jimin-ah, do you want to drink with grandpa?!" His drinking buddies have left, and he now sits alone at his table.

"I rather not," Jimin declines. "Grandpa, you should take care of your health."

"What about your friend?! Jungkook, right? - Jungkook-ah, come over here and drink with me!" Grandpa Yang cues the young man with his hand.

"Jimin-ah's not a good drinker. Let's see if you can do better!"

"Do you want to drink?" Jimin asks Jungkook with his dazzling eyes, sparkling, reflecting the lights above.

"It's been a while since I last drank." Jungkook scratches his neck in a nonchalant manner, but Jimin knows.

"Then go, but don't drink a lot. Just a little is enough."

Jungkook nods obediently before he walks over to Grandpa Yang's table.

He bows and holds out his hand for a handshake, to which Grandpa Yang stares back confusedly but eventually returns the handshake.

Meanwhile, Granny Yang stays with Jimin. "Look at that old man. There he goes again. He really doesn't know his age," the elderly lady complains, shaking her head at her husband, who now is lavishly pouring drinks.

Cut to an hour later...

"You're much better than you look! I like you. Here, here, drink some more!" Grandpa Yang continues to pour glasses after glasses. His whole face has turned red from the alcohol and his excitement cannot be hidden.

Jungkook has offered to pour the drinks, but the old man won't let go of the bottle, eagerly insisting that he wants to take care of him.

"Seeing how good you drink, you must drink often with your father?" the old man asks.

Jungkook smiles faintly, staring contentedly at the elderly man.

"I didn't have the chance to drink with him. My father passed away years ago," he says, then gulps down a mouthful.

"Ahh . . ." the elderly man sighs. He deviates his gaze down, and with a half-laugh, half-sigh, says, "Well, I have a son, but he lives in the city and never visits. I don't even know if I'm still his father."

A huge smile then spreads across the old man's face with his eyes crinkling. His shaky finger points at the young man up and down. "But you drink very well, I see you that must've played around a lot!"