GUARDED REGRETS |YOONKOOK|

9Days

the streets of seoul were bustling with crowds of lively people, gathering and cheering for the festival of chuseok. personally, yoongi wasn't a fan. it wasn't that he didn't want to celebrate, no, there were just too many, way too many people.
in fact, he was on his way to leave now, pushing passed people, muttering quiet 'excuse me''s and whatnot as he did.
during his struggle, he just happened to spot something clattering to the floor, likely from someone's pocket.

don't do it yoongi.
doesn't your bed sound more inviting?

god, it did. but his conscience, it wouldn't let him leave, if this belonging were to get in the wrong hands, he wouldn't know but, the thought of it.
he sighed, picking it up. it was a wallet, so it must contain an i.d., and so it did!
he glanced at it, reading over the name for only a second before he was on his way to chase down its owner.

there he was, again, pushing through crowds of people, bumping into strangers, it made his stomach turn slightly, the way he tried his hardest not to make eye contact with anyone.
a chorus of cheers rise all around him, it made him flinch, he didn't know what could warrant such a sudden uproar, but he didn't care, he just wanted to find this-.. this damn,
he looks at the name again,

Jeon Jeongguk.

he (shamefully, i might add) got onto his tip-toes to peer over the groups of people in front of him. and over the heads of strangers, he could see, just barely, a young man frantically patting around his pockets.
his target. his ticket out of here.

"scuse me, sorry, can i just-"

pushing himself between a multitude of shoulders, he felt a hand brush against his own and nearly shivered, he wanted to leave, he wanted to leave, he really wanted to Leave.
he made it to an opening, squeezing through a gap between the barricade that separated the crowd from the road.

he was in the road.

he could feel stares on him already, it made his skin burn hot like fire. he rushed passed the performers in the street, maneuvering in the biggest opening he could get through.
"sorrysorrysorry,"
he said through gritted teeth, heart racing, he wanted to die. he felt like he could just die right there.
he barely made it alive to the other side of the street, and he couldn't stop fidgeting, he could feel strangers eyes burning into his skin.
nevermind that, he raced over to him, jeongguk at last.

"j-...g-guk."
yoongi tries, out of breath. he was bent over, one hand on his knee while the other held out his wallet.
"this is yours.."
he swallows thickly.
"your wallet, y-you dropped it."

a gasp could be heard, and he took it with a relieving sigh.
"oh, thank god!"

"I'm the one that got it for you,"
yoongi says, a bit curt. all of that embarrassment, that trouble.
he didn't have to do it but, still.

"yes, thank you! i appreciate it, i was so hungry."

yoongi, at last looked up to see that he was waiting in a line, a line for a stand, a buyer walking away, lamb skewer in hand.

all that embarrassment, all that trouble, for food?! i suppose it's not a complete waste, he was only a collage student after all, judging by his i.d.

yoongi stood up straight, taking in a deep breath, then heaving out a heavy sigh.
at least he could leave now.

"you're welcome. enjoy the, um. this."
he gestures the festival, cheering on around them, then waves dismissively at the boy as he turns to leave.

"wait! i wanna thank you,"
jeongguk tries.

"you already did."
yoongi protests.

to yoongi's dismay, this boy, jeongguk, eventually catches up to him. he's holding two lamb skewers, one in each hand.

yoongi didn't look at him, he kept walking, keeping his gaze ahead of him.
jeongguk held the skewer out in front of him, waving it in front of his face.

"heyyy! why are you ignoring me? take it!"
jeongguk practically whined.
he stopped in his tracks as yoongi took a sharp turn down an opposing street, away from the festival.

"w-where are you going?"
jeongguk calls out, a hint of disappointment in his tone that had yoongi stop to a halt. he turned around, questioning stare on jeongguk.

"home. there's too many people here."

"it's.. a festival."
jeongguk pointed out, obviously.

"mhm. and the one i came with left, so."

yoongi shrugs it off, he says this like its nothing. like its not a weight on his shoulders. like there's not a sting in his heart as he utters the words.
no, he doesn't care.

"oh.. I'm sorry. well, stay with me then!"

yoongi shakes his head, turning on his heel and walking off again.

"at least take this with you?"
jeongguk practically begged at this point, holding the lamb skewer out to him with a sullen look marring his features.

yoongi caved, walked back and took it from him. looking into his eyes, he took a bite from it, chewing it slowly, then nodding.

"thank you, gguk."

jeongguk beams.
"oh, a nickname! wait, how do you know my name?"

yoongi pointed at his pocket.
"your i.d. and i was too lazy to say your whole name."

yoongi didn't want to admit it, but this food was what he needed. he didn't realize how hungry he was until then.

"then what's yours?"
jeongguk asks in curiosity.

his back was facing him again, as he walked away.

"yoongi."

he replies simply, then waves the half-eaten lamb skewer in the air like a wand, turning his head and raising his voice as he said,

"thank you for the snack, gguk."