𝙂𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙮𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙎𝙝𝙞𝙛𝙩 || 𝙏𝙖𝙚𝙠𝙤𝙤𝙠

after hours

"Oh..I-I'm sorry to hear that."

The soft pitter-patter of rain overhead and the buzzing of the station lights is oddly comforting to Jeongguk. Though, Taehyung's voice is as welcome as ever. 

"Don't be. I don't know even know how I feel about it," Jeongguk says, drumming his fingers on the car they're leant against. 

"What do you mean?," asks Taehyung.

"I mean..I've liked Jimin for a long time. Knowing that he has a boyfriend is bound to make me feel heartbroken or something like that. But, honestly, I don't feel anything of the sort," he confesses, voice and words now more poised than before. 

"And why do you think that?," Taehyung asks, not prying, just characteristically inquisitive.

"Well, when you're infatuated with someone, you want them to be happy right? Their happiness is your happiness. Seeing Jimin happy with someone, even if it isn't me, makes me feel happy, too. So what's there to be sad about?" Jeongguk shrugs, glancing at Taehyung. 

Taehyung hums with a nod, looking ahead at the falling rain. "You're right, Guk. But, it's still hard to just let someone go like that." 

The way Taehyung says it makes it sound a little too personal than just an impassive comment. Jeongguk wants to know more, dig deeper, but he figures there are many nights ahead of them for him to do that.

"It is. But, I'll be okay, hyung." He huffs out a little laugh. "Besides, I've dealt with stuff a lot worse than lost loves."

Taehyung lets out a low chuckle, a sound Jeongguk has grown to find comfort in. "I'm sure you have." He throws an arm around Jeongguk's shoulder and pushes himself off the car. "Come on, Gukkie, you deserve a drink."

Jeongguk laughs, throwing his own around the older as they head to the convenience store. "You're ridiculous, hyung." 

Taehyung gasps, putting a hand over his heart. "You come into my store, I give you free drinks and literal therapy sessions, only for this?," he sighs, withdrawing his arm from around the younger. "I'm hurt, Guk," he states with a huff and crosses his arms.

Jeongguk shakes his head with a grin. "Okay, okay, I get it," he says.

Taehyung looks at him with a playful glare. "No more free drinks for you, mister."

Jeongguk's eyes widen and he tugs on the older's arm with the best pout he can muster. "Aw c'mon, hyung. I'm sorry."

Taehyung shakes his head, though Jeongguk can see he's trying his hardest to not crack a smile. "Sorry won't cut it, bunny boy."

Jeongguk sighs, clinging to the older's arm. "Bu I really am sorry, hyung. I didn't mean it. You're not ridiculous. You're like- the best hyung ever and you're very very handsome and funny and I'm really grateful for you, and I really like spending time with you and-"

Taehyung cuts him off with a laugh, ruffling up his hair. "Okay, I'll let you off this time. But next time, I won't be so merciful."

Jeongguk grins, heart light and chest warm as he quickly hugs the older. "Sure you won't, hyung!," he says and runs off to the drinks aisle, missing Taehyung's implicitly fond smile.

The beverage of choice for the night turns out to be flavored milk, the ones kindergarteners would find packed in their lunchboxes. Both are on their second carton now, strawberry for Taehyung and banana for Jeongguk. It's almost 2 a.m now. The rain stopped a while ago and the station is completely deserted save for the two boys. Hoseok didn't show up today.

"So, hyung. Is there anyone special in your life? A girlfriend or boyfriend?," Jeongguk asks, curious, as he happily sips his drink. 

Taehyung shakes his head with a little smile. "I don't think so, no," he answers. 

Jeongguk's head snaps towards Taehyung with wide eyes. 

Taehyung laughs softly. "Why're you so surprised?"

"Because you're- well, you're you," Jeongguk answers, gesturing with his milk carton in the general direction of the elder.

Taehyung smiles at him before looking away. "I'm flattered, Guk. But, I don't think there's a point in being with someone unless you're not absolutely sure you're gonna be with them for life. I mean- you're just setting yourself up for being heartbroken, aren't you?"

Jeongguk scratches at his cheek with his free hand. "I guess you're right. But how do you know if someone's the right person?"

"I haven't found them yet, so I don't know. If I were to guess, then I think you'd just know by looking at them or something like that," Taehyung says, shrugging his shoulders. 

"So, like love at first sight?," Jeongguk asks, looking at the other quizzically. 

Taehyung glances at him with, a gleam in his eyes Jeongguk can't pinpoint. "Something like that, yeah."

"Well, what if they don't feel the same?," Jeongguk asks. 

Taehyung sighs exaggeratedly with a roll of his eyes. "Jeez, Gukkie, so many questions," he slurs, wrapping his arm around the younger in a kind of a side hug.

Jeongguk, not minding the skinship, leans against Taehyung comfortably. Though he can feel his cheeks heating up anyway. "What? I'm just curious about you and your opinions," he huffs. 

Taehyung smirks at him at that. "Curious, huh?"

Now Jeongguk is sure his ears are red too. "You're terrible, hyung," he mutters. 

In an instant Taehyung's warmth disappears from his side and so does his banana milk from his hand. "Hyung, what the hell?," he whines, reaching for his beloved milk.

Taehyung grins smugly, stepping away from him. "Told you I wouldn't be so merciful next time," he sing-songs, calmly walking back inside the store. 

Jeongguk sighs, but a smile still stretches across his lips as he quickly follows after the older. 

-

well that got long 😅 

the next chapter will be the epilogue <33