kicks ✓ || namgi || k.th

021: belong

chapter 21: belong
location: rochester, new york, day 2

Turned out that Sara had taken a Greyhound bus from St. Louis, where she was visiting family, to Rochester. But she lived on the east side, and the bus had only dropped her off near the shore. So she needed a ride back to her house.

Problem was that she had ended up going back to the hotel with the boys, instead, because she and V would NOT stop talking to each other. She called her family from the room phone and informed them she was spending the night with friends. They did not seem to mind. Yoongi made up a makeshift bed on the floor, and Sara took his bed for the night. She did not feel scared, and the boys kept her safe all night.

In lieu of mispronouncing their names, Sara had given each of the boys a nickname. Taehyung was already V; Namjoon, Yoongi, and Jimin became Pinky, Minty, and Carrot Top because of their hair. Jungkook volunteered Kookie, and Hoseok volunteered Hobi, and then Taehyung slipped and mentioned how Seokjin was often called Jin by his employer. Sara still had trouble remembering who was who, but they stayed patient with her throughout the night.

"Where are you all headed next?" Sara asked as they left the hotel that next morning.

"Syracuse," Hoseok said, not missing a beat. They didn't actually know where they were headed next, but Syracuse wasn't too far away in New York State, so it was a good answer.

"Oh, perfect. How about I show you all around Rochester? You know, as a thank you. Then you all can get on your way and go to your next spot."

Taehyung let Sara have the window seat, and he sat beside her. They drove through Rochester, Sara telling Namjoon where to go and pointing out places of interest along the way.

"So that's actually a museum. We used to go in there a lot as a kid."

"That's the park where we had picnics growing up."

"Oh, yeah, that billboard is for a local amusement park. Are they open this time of year?" Hoseok objected to that, and they all laughed.

"It's so cool that you live here," Taehyung said.

Sara giggled. "I guess so." She was quiet for a little while longer.

"So, Sara," Namjoon asked, filling the silence, "we should get you back to your house now."

"Aww, can't she stay a bit longer?" Hoseok asked.

Taehyung pouted. He loved having Sara by his side, talking to her. She had interests that were so varied, it was like he could talk to her forever and he would still learn something new. "At least let her stay for dinner."

Namjoon sighed. "We can do dinner," he said, and the boys cheered.

They drove to the next sit down place they found, a sports bar and restaurant that had TVs lining the walls and plenty of casual seating. Sara got them a table for eight, and they sat down. A Yankees game was on the big screen TV. "Order whatever you want," Namjoon said when the menus came out.

"Is it okay if I order a drink?" Sara asked. "I am of age, after all."

"Of course," Namjoon said.

"Can I have one, as well?" Seokjin asked, flashing his ID.

Namjoon rolled his eyes. "Guys, we are not getting drunk again."

"But we're so close to the border that they won't check IDs," Sara whispered to Namjoon. "Certainly we can let these guys have a little bit of fun?"

"I don't really want them drinking, but if you buy a pitcher, I won't complain as long as everything goes according to plan."

Well, as one could imagine, it did not go according to plan. An hour into dinner, Seokjin was nearly asleep, Jimin was trying to get into Hoseok's lap, and Taehyung just could not stop talking to Sara. Even Jungkook was quite buzzed. When they were done eating, they went over to the bar area. Taehyung and Sara sat at the bar; Jimin sat nearby and tried to flirt with the bartender, to no avail; Jungkook sat next to Seokjin and functioned as a pillow; Hoseok bought shots for everyone and then sat by Jimin; and Yoongi sat on a nearby couch.