Taehyung had prepared couple rings for Jimin's birthday and arrived with Jimin at his favorite bar where some of his friends had already gathered and ordered soju and beer. Subconsciously, his eyes darted around the room and something dropped in his chest when Jungkook wasn't anywhere to be found. Taehyung was surprised at himself, convincing himself he was just disappointed that he didn't know anyone there besides Jimin and sat beside him as everyone cheered for the birthday boy. 

After ordering food since he didn't like alcohol, Taehyung tried to occupy himself with his surroundings before someone blocked his view. "Sorry I'm late, had to drive back home since I forgot your present," a familiar voice filled his ears before Taehyung picked up on the scent of Jungkook's cigarette.

He sat up when his eyes met the other and the other male settled across from him before Jimin grinned and took the gift. "I told you it wasn't necessary! No one listens to me anymore," Jimin pouted before clinging onto Taehyung's arm.

"Aish, don't start this again hyung. You gift me every year so shut up," Jungkook replied with a grin, glancing at Jimin's arm around Taehyung's before darting towards to meet the other male's eyes. 

"Sure. But, you probably were late to smoke a match," Jimin rolled his eyes, taking a sip of his mixture of beer and soju. 

"Shit, you caught me red-handed," Jungkook chuckled, before greeting the others.

He seemed so social and Taehyung had already grown to look up to the younger male. How did he fit right in wherever he was? How was he able to talk to people so easily? Why did he have to look so ... cool? It was unfair. Everyone around him seemed to be so perfect, and here Taehyung was threading in water unable to go forward or backward. 

The waitress delivered finger food to their table and Taehyung hesitantly reached for a chicken finger before something moved in his peripheral vision and he heard a 'click' for a camera shutter. "Sorry, I keep forgetting to ask people for permission. I always keep a camera on me when I feel inspired," Jungkook commented, turning the camera towards Taehyung as he showed the other a picture of him.

From the picture, you could tell that he was distracted since his eyes were elsewhere as he picked up a chicken finger. "It's fine, but there's nothing inspiring here," Taehyung pointed out, taking a bite of the food even though he didn't have an appetite. 

"Really? There's a lot of potential for sure," Jungkook commented without elaborating and Taehyung was left unsatisfied with his response but thought it'd be best not to ask.

"Jungkook-ah, take more pictures. You better send them to me tomorrow," Jimin grinned, enjoying himself as Taehyung tried to partake in the fun. 

"Sure, hyung. Anything for the birthday boy," he said before getting up and face the whole table. 

He urged everyone to smile and Taehyung looked at the man behind the camera instead while Jimin took his arm and wrapped it around his shoulders. Taehyung looked at the other and smiled for the camera, if he were to look back at the pictures he didn't want to seem like he didn't enjoy himself. 

After a couple more pictures, Taehyung excused himself despite Jimin's worried expression. Therefore, he stepped outside the bar to get a breath of fresh air. Why did he have to always to ruin the mood everywhere he went? More importantly, why did he put himself into such situations? This was why he hated coming out and maybe if he had some guts, he would've decline Jimin's confession that day.

"Want a light?" Jungkook asked and Taehyung jumped again before keeping his gaze cast downward.

"How do you always do that?" he asked, frowning a bit since he was usually very attentive after being abused for so long.

"Do what?" he asked with a raised eyebrow and Taehyung lifted his head to look up at the other. 

"..You just pop up, or you seem like you're materializing beside me each time we cross paths," he said, before pausing with a small smile. 

"You a ghost or something?" he asked with a chuckle, thinking of how ridiculous that sounded.

"What if I am a ghost? Would you abandon me out of fear?" Jungkook smiled, blowing out a puff of air as he felt amused at the other's change of personality.

"Abandon? As a human, I suppose it's natural for us to associate ghosts with something malicious... but, I think everyone deserves a chance. Call me crazy or whatever, I could care less," he replied, breathing in the smoke and it felt as if he'd become intoxicated from it.

"I wouldn't call you crazy, unless we become chummy. People used to mistake my sarcasm and playful nature for insolence and crass, so I've learned my lesson," he replied with a sigh.

Taehyung couldn't help but laugh at the younger's comment. "Why so serious all of a sudden? Probably had something to do with your sharp gaze, resting bitch face, and your tat," he pointed out, somehow feeling comfortable with the other for incomprehensible reasons.

"Aren't you quite the blunt one, but yes those too," Jungkook commented with a small smile, resting his head back as he took another drag.

"Oh my god, sorry I just slipped," Taehyung said, feeling a twinge of guilt as he let his mouth run.

He always promised himself to keep his thoughts to himself since he didn't want to make others upset, but he rarely talked to anyone so he felt excited that he was enjoying talking to another person. "Nah, it's fine. I've heard lots worse under different circumstances," Jungkook waved him off with grin.

Taehyung nodded and felt more at ease before looking up at the dark and welcoming sky as it was swallowing all the smoke from the tip of Jungkook's cigarette. "Why?" he asked, lifting up a hand to clutch the smoke that slipped and disappeared from his hand.

"Hm? Did you say something?" Jungkook asked, transported back from his tainted memories of his elementary school bullies that followed him all throughout high school. 

Looking at each other again, perhaps they felt drawn to the other because they recognized the look in both their eyes. The pained expression they tried so hard to hide from most people, but the same expression they spent years reflected back at them from a mirror, but never another person. Until now.

"No, it's nothing. We should.. probably head back before someone gets a wrong idea," Taehyung commented, before Jungkook paused and nodded as he crushed the nicotine stick with the heel of his boot.