bikers & beaches | tk ✓

❧epilogue two

❧ Perfectly Real ❧

Jeongguk killed the engine, motorcycle going eerily quiet as the midday sun basked on his body, overheating him after so long, but he could hardly think about it. He ripped off his helmet and shoved the stand down, sliding off the seat all in one swift motion.

"Hey, Jeongguk, you were going too fast on those turns—"

"Scold me later!" He cut Namjoon off, who was parking his bike alongside Yoongi. The salty breeze was the freshest air for his senses, clearing his head of all nervous anticipation as his bike crunched into a steady park, leaning trustingly onto the stand.

He was rushing for the diner steps when Yoongi shouted his name.

Jeongguk groaned and spun on his heel. "What now? Was I leaving skid marks everywhere—"

"Your helmet's still in your hand, dumbass." Yoongi jerked his chin towards his arms and Jeongguk looked down to see the helmet still, in fact, in his hand.

"Shit, thanks," he fumbled out, rushing back to his bike to bury it inside the seat compartment and glaring in his friends direction, doing little to diminish Namjoon and Yoongi's amused laughs. "Shut up."

"Don't trip on the way in!" Namjoon teased as he hurried for the diner entrance. Jeongguk took the time to flip the older off before shoving his way through the door and causing the bell to ring violently.

"Woah, no need to break our front door— Jeongguk? Well, hello to you...?"

Mark. Jeongguk waved and said hello. He scoured the diner. None of the surfers were around.

"Jeongguk!"

Mr.Tuan.

The smile on his face was immediate as the elder man stepped out of the kitchen and held out his open arms. Jeongguk hugged him with a laugh. "Hey, Mr.Tuan."

"Long time no see, son." The man patted his shoulder. Much too long. Almost a year. "Can I get you anything?"

He would have said yes. After a three hour drive and dumping all their belongings in the flat, Jeongguk was starving.

But he had one thing he had to do first.

"Actually, I was wondering if you knew where Tae—"

"They're just by the shore back here," Mr.Tuan pointed past the booming dining floor. The ocean was a vibrant blue on the clear day and the high tide must have been later in the day than usual, tides coming in big.

"I'll be back in a bit." Jeongguk nodded, the grin on his face unwavering.

"Go, get out of here," Mr.Tuan laughed, nudging him away and Jeongguk jolted towards the back patio doors. He slid past customers and apologized whenever he bumped into one. The porch had a scattered occupancy and Jeongguk didn't pay much attention as he just ran down the steps and jogged through the sand to reach the tide line.

He could see surfers. They were far out, though.

Jeongguk panted, trying to catch his breath as his head spun.

He hadn't seen Taehyung in six months. He was on edge. And too excited to think about anything else. After they'd spent their winter break together, their second semesters were filled with heavy work and escaping for some break became unthinkable.

Jeongguk cupped his hands around his mouth when he caught his breath enough to muster a shout and yelled Taehyung's name.

There was no way he was going to be heard over the waves. Not at their peak of high tide.