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2020. kth - 23. jjk - 18.

It was once again night time, Taehyung found himself wandering the streets after leaving Seokjin's cafe. 

The brunette had decided not to say anything about meeting Jeongguk, knowing it was going to upset his friend. He understands why Seokjin is apprehensive about the younger—getting robbed with weapons is a traumatising experience—but how could he be so sure that it was Jeongguk?

That's why Taehyung had decided to see for himself, if all these rumours about the ravenette were true. He was going to build his own opinion, not just listen to gossip. 

Taehyung was passing by some sketchy alleyways, being more cautious since a few nights ago where he was nearly mugged. 

But he stopped in his tracks when he recognised a voice—and a blinding lip piercing. 

The dots started to form thin lines that all came together in Taehyung's mind. That guy, that guy was—is—Jeongguk.

"Got my stash?" Another voice rasps out. It belongs to an older man, his eyes were frantic and a beard was growing on his chin. He was clad in ragged clothing and was packing a little weight. By the way he was moving around, it was quite clear to Taehyung what he was.

A druggie. An addict.

"Got the money?" Jeongguk stuck out his hand. The older man gruffed and dug around in his jacket pocket before pulling out a wad of cash. He slapped it into Jeongguk's hand, the younger then handing over a small zipped-up plastic bag after counting the money to make sure it was the right amount. The contents resembled the white powder of heroin.

Taehyung's brows scrunched up when realisation dawned upon him what Jeongguk was doing. The older man grabbed the bag and sped away, pulling down his hat to cover his identity. 

Jeongguk hid the money away, then pulled his hood over his head as he started walking out the alley. 

Only to stop when he spots the figure in his way.

"Really, Jeongguk? You're dealing drugs?" Taehyung clenched his fists at his sides as he gritted out the words. He can't believe the person he had cared for and treated like his little brother had resorted to such things. "I can't believe you."

Jeongguk seemed a little shocked to come across the older here, his eyes widened for a split second before his expression returns back stoic. 

"What's your problem?" He calmly says, hands tucked into the front pocket of his hoodie. His stance was casual, he almost looked annoyed to be talking with the older. "Were you following me?"

Taehyung scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest before looking back at the younger. 

"My problem?" He cocked an eyebrow up, after jabbing a finger into his own chest. "My problem is that you're involved in illegal activities. Making profit off of people's misery." Taehyung explains, the distaste of the words feel bitter on his tongue, and he almost grimaces when he realises that the person before him was the same boy who he used to read bedtime stories to. 

"Why are you doing this? I don't understand, this isn't like you. The Jeongguk I know would never—"

Taehyung visibly saw how Jeongguk's expression hardened as his jaw clenched. The younger's eyes darkened while listening to the brunette, before cutting him off.

"I'm not fucking thirteen anymore." He grits out, seething through his teeth. Taehyung was a little taken aback by the outburst, and he shut right up. "It's been five fucking years. You really think you can come back here and try and tell me what to do, like when we were younger?" Jeongguk took small steps towards the older, his intimidating aura looming over Taehyung, causing him to feel a shiver run down his spine.

"Just stay the fuck away from me. You didn't care these past five years, so just continue doing that, eh?" Jeongguk spat the last few words before stopping right in front of the brunette. Eyes digging into each other for a good few seconds before the younger suddenly walked off.

Leaving Taehyung standing by the street, his heart aching in his chest.

The boy he had cared for, the boy he was responsible for, the boy whom he treated like his little brother—he let that boy down.

Taehyung had let Jeongguk down. He failed him. Jeongguk was Taehyung's responsibility and he failed him.

So it was his responsibility to fix this. 

⛓️ ⛓️ ⛓️

Seokjin invited Taehyung out to a club to meet up with some other old school friends. The brunette was excited because it had been a while since he's seen everyone, he only really kept in contact with Seokjin and two others. Everyone else got too busy doing their own thing. 

Taehyung was dressed in his particular style, black slacks and a floral dress shirt, looking a little fancy but he manages to pull it off in a casual way. 

He receives a text that Seokjin was waiting outside, since Taehyung didn't have a car here, and he said goodbye to his parents as he made his way out.

While sliding into the passenger seat, Seokjin examined the younger's attire.

"You're probably going to get warm in there. It get's kind of stuffy." The older said. Taehyung rolled his eyes as he buckled in his seatbelt.

"Then I'll just step outside for a minute. This is better than showing up in those see-through muscle tees." Seokjin snorted at the remark, then started the engine before driving off. 

"You excited to see everyone?" The older asks. Taehyung rests in his chin in his palm as he looks out the window.

"Of course," His eyes pass by the Jeon house, seeing that all the lights were off. "As long as none of them have turned into asshole." He mutters under his breath, too lowly for Seokjin to hear him.

Taehyung rolls down the window and closes his eyes, enjoying the night breeze wafting through his hair.

⛓️ ⛓️ ⛓️

Taehyung was having a good time. After meeting everyone, they had talked over drinks and had many good laughs about their high school days. They were all a bit tipsy. Taehyung had already hit the dance floor several times. The lights were pretty blinding and the music pumped through his blood. But the warmth almost became unbearable as everyone's sweaty bodies would radiate heat. 

Taehyung was chatting with an old classmate while sipping on a glass of bourbon. But he almost choked on his drink when his eyes locked with a pair of familiar-looking ones that belonged to a certain someone who was hanging out over at the bar. 

 Jeon Jeongguk was staring straight at him. 

Taehyung was trying to pay attention to the person he was talking to, but his eyes refused to move from the younger male across the room. Even through all the flashing lights, Jeongguk's figure stood out. 

The younger was clad in black—as usual—a leather jacket pulled over a low v-neck shirt, and pair of black jeans hugged the muscular frame of his built thighs. Jeongguk's hair was parted down the middle, the sides hanging around his face. The strands were damp, slightly wet from sweat, and they curled up at the ends. His intimating gaze focused—on him.

Taehyung thickly swallowed. He couldn't believe that he was staring at the same scrawny kid from five years ago. 

Jeongguk suddenly ripped his eyes away from the older, turning to pay attention to another male who had been tapping his shoulder for about a minute. Taehyung's brows scrunched together as the two talked. He observed as the smaller male smiled seductively up at Jeongguk, then slid into the ravenette's lap.

The smaller male attacked Jeongguk with his lips, all Taehyung could see was how Jeongguk carefully held the male by his sides, kissing him back.

They were making out.

"Taehyung?" Taehyung snapped out of his daze as his classmate looked at him with a concerned expression. "Everything alright? You look a little pale."

The brunette chucked a little, raising his glass to his lips as his eyes flicker over to the pair that were still going at it.

"I'm fine." He rasped before putting the glass back down. "Sorry, you were saying?"

Taehyung couldn't help himself, he kept stealing glances back at Jeongguk and the other guy, even when they stopped. The smaller slid off the other's lap and gave him a playful wink before walking away. Jeongguk watched the guy disappear, then his eyes almost immediately darting over to where Taehyung was sitting.

The older almost jumped back, startled by Jeongguk's piercing gaze. 

Taehyung didn't know how long they spent just staring at one another, the older desperately trying to pay attention to the one who was talking to him, but failing. It was like Jeongguk's eyes had him trapped.

Suddenly, Jeongguk's fling showed up again, along with a few other guys. They all crowded around the younger, engaging in their own conversation.

But Jeongguk kept his eyes on Taehyung.

His hook-up kept trying to get his attention, his gaze flickering over at Taehyung to see what Jeongguk was constantly staring at. He rolled his eyes at the sight of Taehyung. Then grabbed a joint from one of the other guys, setting the end aflame. After taking a hit, he raised the joint to Jeongguk's lips.

The younger looked down at what was being offered to him, almost automatically his lips parted, letting the marijuana enter his lungs. 

Taehyung frowned at the sight, he observed as Jeongguk's eyes became hooded with every hit. 

He failed to notice how the smaller male was smirking, enjoying the disappointment that swam in Taehyung's chocolate orbs.

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it's not jimin lol

look at them awhhh. bromance.