Yet another productive day at work. Jin was beat and feeling up to taking a hot, bubble bath once he got home. He didn't have any special occasion; he just wanted to feel pampered for a little while.

Once again, he said his goodbyes to his acquaintances on the way out of the building. As soon as he stepped out, he heard the distant cries of a dog down the street. At first, he thought nothing of it and continued towards his car. He was incredibly mistaken to have dismissed the dog.

???: Ssem! Watch out!

But it was too late. The world spun in Jin's vision. He only realized that he had gotten run over head-on by a guy screaming at the top of his lungs on his bicycle when he hit the asphalt. That's one way to start off the evening.

Disoriented, Jin got up and winced from the places where he ached. He would definitely have bruises after this. A ways away on the bike lane, he spotted a small, Pomeranian dog barking and growling at the bicyclist.

Bicyclist: Ah, screw you! Stupid mutt... Should've ran you over!

With a huff, the Pomeranian trotted off to go wreak havoc elsewhere.

Then, in a panic, the bicyclist crawled over to Jin and bowed, placing his head against the ground.

Bicyclist: Oh my god, I am so, so sorry! I didn't mean to run into you, it was an accident! A-Are you okay?!

Jin: Yeah, I'm fine. Just a few bruises, thankfully.

Bicyclist: You're not going to sue me, are you? Oh, please, ssem, not again!

Jin: No, I'm not going to sue-wait, again?

Bicyclist: Uh, forget that! Thank you very much. As I said before, I'm really, really sorry.

Steadily, Jin stood up straight and pulled a smile.

Jin: Are you okay?

Bicyclist: Me? Oh yeah, I'm great!

That was, in fact, a lie.

As soon as the bicyclist tried to stand up, his legs immediately buckled and he went falling. Luckily, Jin caught him in time and propped the young man up against his car.

Jin: What's wrong?

Bicyclist: Nothing! Just shaky legs, hehe.

Again, he tried to walk, but winced in pain the second he stepped forward. Jin took note of how he wasn't putting pressure on his foot. Carefully, he picked up the bicyclist's pant sleeve to check his ankle. Sure enough, the skin was beginning to take on a splotchy, red look to it. Gently, Jin pressed his fingers against the young man's ankle, and he winced out loud.

Bicyclist: Agh, damn, that hurts!

Jin: Your ankle looks sprained. You must have twisted it in the fall.

Bicyclist: What? Noooo. I'm sure it's just a minor cramp.

Jin: Your minor cramp is already starting to swell.

Bicyclist: What?!

Jin put the pant sleeve down and stood up to face the young man.

Jin: It's not looking too good. We need to get you medical attention.

Bicyclist: N-No, I'm fine! I just, you know, need to go home and rest it off. I'll be fine in the morning, hehe.

Jin: Look, you ran into me and got injured for it, so now you're my responsibility.

Bicyclist: I've barely met you, ssem.

Jin: Don't call me that. At least, say seonsangnim.

Bicyclist: But ssem is easier.

Jin: I don't like hearing it. Plus, it makes me feel old coming from someone like you. I bet I'm not that much older than you.

Bicyclist: Really? You seem like it.

A frown met Jin's features, while the bicyclist managed a small smirk.

Jin: You're coming to the hospital with me.

Bicyclist: I'm. Fine.

Jin: Come with me, or I actually will sue you for damaging my car.

Bicyclist: Damaging your car?

Jin: Yeah, you scratched it.

Bicyclist: Where? I don't see anything.

Against Jin's better judgement, he pulled out his keys and quickly scratched the surface of his car.

Jin: Right there. See?

Bicyclist: Not fair! That was you!

Jin: Says who?

Bicyclist: I just saw you scratch your own car!

Jin: Really? Just you? Is there a second pair of eyes to confirm that?

Bicyclist: Okay, fine, harabeoji, I'll go with you.

Jin: Hara-you take that back!

Bicyclist: Harabeoji.

Jin: Stop.

Bicyclist: Hara-

Jin: No-!

Bicyclist: -bbbbbbeoji.

Jin: Just get in the car!

Scowling, Jin unlocked his vehicle and opened the backdoor for the bicyclist. Eyeing the older man in front of him, the bicyclist carefully crawled onto the backseat. After Jin closed the door, he opened the trunk and hauled the bicycle inside.

A few moments later, Jin was driving towards the nearest hospital while the bicyclist rested in the back, making sure not to bump his ankle into anything. On the way over, Jin decided to ask some questions.

Jin: So what happened?

Bicyclist: Huh?

Jin: How did you crash into me? I see you bike past every day. What went wrong?

Bicyclist: Oh, um, it...so there was this pothole, right? And, I guess it was slowly forming, so then today was the day I went over it, and that's how I crashed.

After thinking about it for a moment, Jin came up with the real answer.

Jin: It was the dog, wasn't it?

Bicyclist: Dog? Haha, wh-what dog?

Jin: That little dog that was barking at you.

Bicyclist: I don't know what you're talking about.

Jin: You got chased by a tiny dog, of all things, and crashed into me.

Bicyclist: I have no idea what you're going on about. There wasn't a dog. Maybe you're starting to go senile, harabeoji.

Jin: I am not a grandpa, stop it!

It seemed like the hospital couldn't show up soon enough. Once they parked, Jin helped the bicyclist out of the car. Even up to this point, he still insisted on walking himself.

Jin: Fine, you want to walk? Go ahead. I'll see you at the entrance.

Bicyclist: Haha, no problem, harabeoji. Just you wait and see.

With a huff, Jin started making his way to the hospital entrance. Not even ten seconds later, he heard the bicyclist behind him topple over onto the ground and groan. Seokjin turned around to find exactly what he thought he would see.

Jin: Still don't need help?

Bicyclist: I can hop!

Jin: Alright, whatever you say.

Out of the corner of his eye, he watched the bicyclist cling onto another car beside him to pull himself up, but ended up setting off the alarm. Startled, he pushed himself away, then proceeded to hit his head on Jin's car. The bicyclist lay on the ground, clutching his head, muttering curses under his breath. Never has Jin seen anything more pathetic before.

Finally relenting his stubbornness, he walked over to the young man and crouched next to him.

Jin: You're just going to worsen your injuries, you idiot. Here.

Before the bicyclist could protest, Jin hauled him up onto his back. The bicyclist was a little taken aback by how easily this guy could carry him. Left with no choice but to be carried, the bicyclist gave up fighting and relaxed on Jin's back.

When Jin made it to the entrance, the bicyclist snickered.

Bicyclist: Wow, harabeoji, didn't know you had this in you.

Jin: I swear, after this, I'll sprain your other ankle too...

The bicyclist was brought in to get checked. There was a waiting period, in which Jin greatly anticipated to be taunted again (spoiler: he was). Eventually, the bicyclist was escorted to a bed and saw a doctor.

Doctor: Well, your ankle is sprained alright.

Bicyclist: Aw man...

Doctor: For the new few weeks, you shouldn't be on it whatsoever. You'll need to ice it for a while here to reduce the swelling as much as you can. Apply the RICE method for the first few days and then try not to mess with it after that. I'm prescribing you some pain medication and anti-inflammatories.

Bicyclist: Um, seonsangnim...?

Doctor: My charts say your pharmaceutical account is under your parents' name. I'll give them a call to let them know of the situation.

Bicyclist: No, please-.

In his attempt to jerk forward, he accidentally strained his ankle. Hissing, he set his leg back in place and slumped against his bed.

Doctor: Relax for now. I'll be right back.

Once the doctor left, the bicyclist stifled a wry chuckle.

Bicyclist: My mom is going to kill me...

Jin: Unless you end up killing yourself first. You keep moving like that, you'll worsen your ankle. You're way too stubborn for your own good.

Bicyclist: Oh, I would've been fine!

With a frown, Jin tapped on the young man's ankle and watched him wince.

Bicyclist: You can't do that...!

Jin: Just did.

Bicyclist: Ugh, this day officially sucks ass.

Jin: Aren't you vulgar.

Bicyclist: I'm stressed, okay? First, I find out my grade in English has gone down, then I drop my earphones in a stupid puddle of water-they're ruined, by the way-and now this? Argh, how am I going to get to my college classes now...? How am I even getting home...?!

Jin: You're in college?

Bicyclist: Yes. And I have a part-time job on the weekends. I ride my bike to and from. Well, used to.

Jin: Just give yourself a few weeks, like the doctor said. As long as you listen to him, you'll be better in no time.

Bicyclist: Now you comfort me?

Jin: I don't have to. I didn't even have to bring you here in the first place.

Bicyclist: Then why did you?

Jin: Because no one else would have.

Bicyclist: Ha, how do you know? What if my friends or family could've taken me?

Jin: You're obviously not on good terms with your parents, judging by your comment from earlier. And I bet you're so insistent on being okay that everyone just agrees with you and they never help you, when in reality you do need help but don't want to admit it out of some kind of embarrassment and self-destructive pride.

The bicyclist sat there, gaping at Jin, taken aback by his sudden analysis. He was even more shocked by Jin's pleasant smile.

Jin: But what do I know? I'm just a senile, old grandpa.

After that, they didn't talk for a while. Jin sat in a chair, playing with his phone, while the bicyclist sat in thought. Soon enough, he couldn't take the silence anymore.

Bicyclist: I'm sorry.

Jin looked up from his phone, confused.

Jin: For what?

Bicyclist: You're right. I...I didn't want to admit I was hurt because I thought I'd look stupid. And...I shouldn't have called you harabeoji. I didn't mean it since the beginning. I just...I don't know, I thought if I was rude, you would leave me alone.

Jin: Well, fortunately, you thought wrong.

The young man managed a smile.

Bicyclist: I'm Jungkook, by the way. Jeon Jungkook.

Jin: Kim Seokjin. It's nice to meet you, Jungkook-ssi.

They shook hands, and the tension and frustration between them faded away in that instant.

Jungkook: Well, now that that's settled...how the hell am I going to get around?

Both of them took a few moments to think. Only one idea clung to Jin's mind, but he wasn't sure if Jungkook would like it.

Jin: I could drive you.

Jungkook looked at him as if he grew a second head.

Jungkook: You?

Jin: Yeah. I can make time in the morning to take you to your classes, then I'll pick you up when I get out of work.

Jungkook: I mean, I've barely just met you. Plus, if my parents found out a complete stranger was driving me to school, they'd never let me live it down.

Jin: Say you're taking a bus. If they ask, tell them I'm a friend from college. If that doesn't work for you, say I'm your mentor.

Jungkook: I guess, hyung.

The new honorific was something Jin preferred a lot, especially coming from Jungkook.

Jungkook: Are you really willing to spend the next few weeks driving me around every day?

Jin: I wouldn't be offering if I wasn't.

Jungkook: You could just be trying to be nice.

Jin: Aside from that, I have no problem with driving you. You're my responsibility, remember?

Jungkook: It feels strange, having a stranger take care of me.

Jin: It's no different than a doctor or a teacher. So far, I'm only offering to drive you. It's up to you to keep this partnership at that. As long as you're comfortable.

Jungkook: O-Okay, hyung. Thanks...

The doctor finally came back with a prescription for Jungkook's medicine and a list of what to do to treat his sprain. After a bit more discussion, the doctor left again to allow Jungkook further rest.

When Jungkook tried to adjust himself on the bed, the ice pack on his ankle fell and he lunged forward to grab it instinctively. Unfortunately, he moved his sprained ankle in the process and groaned. Quickly, Jin picked up the ice pack and gently placed it on Jungkook's foot again. Then he kept his hand there so it would stay in place.

Jin: Stay still from now on, dongsaeng.

Jungkook: Th-Thank you, hyung...

Even though Jin was merely holding the ice pack, Jungkook felt embarrassed. He sat there, staring at the older man's hand, watching as it flexed every time Jin readjusted his grip. And then Jungkook remembered what he had said from earlier, and realized he would just have to deal with this feeling.

Jin: You eat ice cream? Or are you a frozen yogurt kind of guy?

Jungkook was confused by the sudden, unprovoked question.

Jungkook: What? Ice cream, I guess...

Jin: Okay.

The older man said nothing after that, and Jungkook shook his head, wondering what the hell that was. This guy was weird, he thought.

Thirty minutes later, a nurse came to give Jungkook a splint and crutches, and then say he could go home. At first, it was awkward for Jungkook to walk with this new equipment, but Jin was there to help guide him out of the hospital. Little by little, they made it back to the car, where Jungkook encountered another small feat of trying to get inside the passenger's seat. He figured it out eventually.

Jin: What's your address?

Jungkook: Um...

With a placid tone of voice, Jin reassured the younger man.

Jin: I'm not going to be a stalker. We agreed on me driving you, yes?

Jungkook: Yes.

Jin: So I'll need your address. And your phone number.

Jungkook: Okay, fine.

Jungkook gave up his address and Jin was able to pull up a GPS route on his phone. But, aside from the pharmacy to pick up Jungkook's prescription, he made another stop before taking the college student home.

Jungkook noticed the ice cream shop the second they pulled into the drive-thru. For a second, he got excited, but then composed himself so he wouldn't look silly in front of Jin.

Jin: Hello, can I have one strawberry vanilla sundae? And...

He looked expectantly at Jungkook.

Jungkook: Uhhh, chocolate.

Jin: Just that?

Jungkook: ....with sprinkles.

Jin: Okay-.

Jungkook: Actually, make it coconut shavings.

Jin: Alright-.

Jungkook: You know what, change the chocolate to...no, no, keep the chocolate.

Jin: That sounds goo-.

Jungkook: Can you add strawberry slices?

Jin: YES.

The college student didn't have anything else to add after that. After they got their ice creams, Jin parked his car in the lot so they could enjoy them peacefully.

Jin: I had wanted to go home and draw myself a nice bath, but I might not have time to do that. So, why not treat myself with some ice cream?

Jungkook: Sorry for dragging you through all this.

Jin: It's alright. It was that dog's fault anyway, right?

Jungkook: Haha, yeah.

Eyeing the young man next to him, Jin pulled a comforting smile.

Jin: There's no need to worry. Focus on your classes and taking care of your ankle. This'll be over before you know it.

Jungkook: I hope so. I'm really worried about my job. If I can't walk, what good am I?

Jin: First, talk things out with your manager, then see where to go after that. But for now...ice cream time.

Jin started dancing in his seat and humming to himself as soon as he took a bite of his sundae. Surprisingly, that amused Jungkook and got him to calm down. He realized that, for someone so mature looking, childish tendencies suited Jin well.

So they sat there in the car, enjoying their ice creams in a much more content silence. Although the majority of his day wasn't so good, this little moment was already making Jungkook feel a lot better. Sometimes, ice cream and a sprained ankle could be pretty nice.