【 Jungkook 】

The sound of a bell could be heard ringing softly as you and Taehyung entered the convenience store together, making your way over to the alcoholic beverages section together before picking out a favorite cider each, and after paying for the chosen drinks the both of you headed outside, taking your seats at one of the few tables outside of the store

All though it was nighttime, the air wasn't all too cold yet and instead felt rather refreshing— especially after having escaped that somewhat suffocating event hall.

There had been a comfortable silence surrounding you both ever since you had left the event, however, as the fizzling sound of you both simultaneously opening your cider cans was heard, warm laughter erupted shortly after, entirely breaking the previous silence between you

And those laughs only seemed to grow warmer and brighter as you looked at each other, clinking your cider cans together whilst leaning back in your seats, finally being able to properly relax from the chaos earlier on

Jungkook: Oh dear, today really had some unexpected absurd twists huh?

Taehyung: It sure did, the end was especially like an emotional roller coaster. Some reporters really just don't know their place, or manners for that matter.

Another breathy giggle left your lips as you shook your head, uttering out a soft ''Clearly'' whilst taking a refreshing sip out of your drink, a very faint blush now creeping onto your cheeks from secondhand embarrassment as you shrugged

Jungkook: Yeah well I wasn't really expecting to have to answer questions about my dating life and especially not sex life in front of everyone today, felt rather humiliating but what can you do?

Taehyung let out a frustrated sigh whilst rolling his eyes, clearly displeased by what had happened as he sipped his drink

Taehyung: I'm sorry I didn't step up to help you earlier Jungkook-sshi, I just didn't want to interrupt what was supposed to be your chance interacting with the public about such a big achievement, so I kept on hesitating...

You widened your eyes slightly as you didn't expect to hear such a kindhearted apology– heck he had nothing to apologize for, yet here he was selflessly doing exactly that, and needless to say, he sure was an admirable man for doing that.

A playful grin now began to spread on your lips as you briefly leaned across the table to pat his shoulder reassuringly, fighting the urge to laugh at his confused reaction whilst you spoke up lightheartedly, hoping to reassure him that his worries were far from the truth

Jungkook: Wow look at you being a cool and admirable alumnus!— Look Taehyung-sshi, while I truly appreciate your selfless and kind apology, you really have nothing to apologize for, and I'm incredibly grateful that you stepped up the way you did back there

This now earned a warm chuckle out of him as he shook his head, clearly seeming to feel more at ease with his actions as he hummed softly, which felt like the perfect time to make light of the situation, as you let your tone shift to a far more playful one in the hopes of cheering him up even more

Jungkook: Besides, since you did nothing wrong earlier, any apology from you right now would sound more like you are apologizing for my lack of love life, so promise to save those apologies now or I'll feel more embarrassed, yeah?

Another warm and deep-toned chuckle left his lips as he rolled his eyes at you, mumbling out a soft ''I can assure you, I am not'' which only earned yet another joyful giggle out of you, feeling happy that the two of you could joke about the situation rather than simmer in the so-called embarrassing aspect of it

Taehyung: I just didn't want to overstep any boundaries but if you're sure it's okay then— hold on? Did you just say alumnus?

His eyes now widened in utter shock, as your words only now really seemed to fully process for him, and you also couldn't help but mimic his surprised expression as you came to realize it had never actually been brought up or discussed up until now.

Jungkook: Oh! Yeah, sorry I forgot to mention this, didn't I? When you came to me for the job interview, I happened to see it on your CV

You calmly sipped your drink as you thought about it for a moment, before flashing him a soft smile as you tilted your head whilst looking up at him

Jungkook: You're a graduate from class of 20xx if my memory serves me right, meaning you're actually my sunbae by 2 years!

A soft and acknowledging ''Ooh...'' left his lips, as his shocked expression now began to fade back to his calm one, a soft smile now painting his lips as he gulped down the last bits of his drinks before nodding

Taehyung: The world sure is small, isn't it Jungkook-sshi?

Jungkook: You don't say, so now while we're on the topic of it, can I call you sunbae-nim from now on?

He somewhat seemed to freeze up for a few seconds, as he blinked dumbfoundedly before clearing his throat, a very faint pink now spreading on his cheeks whilst he cleared his throat, uttering out a ''S-sure, but sunbae will do just fine Jungkook-sshi''

When the two of you locked eyes again, another set of combined giggles almost instantly seemed to erupt between you both, as either of you really thought you'd be ever drinking together with any alumni again

Taehyung: Damn it's been a while since I've been called that

You widened your eyes as another breathy giggle escaped your lips, also finishing up the last bits of your drink before replying

Jungkook: For real? You seem like you'd be one of the popular sunbaes at the class reunions, so I figured you'd hear it often!

Taehyung playfully snapped a finger gun in your direction as he chuckled lowly

Taehyung: Ah well that would be it, I don't attend class reunions

Jungkook: Oh I really didn't expect that, haven't you even attended once?— Not that I have much to say, I happen to not join them either if I'm honest...

A calm hum left his lips as he shrugged, flashing you a soft smile as he looked into your eyes

Taehyung: I did attend once, but that's it. Guess you could say class reunions just weren't my thing?

You nodded in agreement as you held your empty cider can in hand, studying its pretty packaging as you hummed

Jungkook: Yeah, I only had my hyungs back in Uni, and I see them every day at work and in my free time, so I just never really saw the need to go there just to sit through a couple of hours' worth of drinking far too much for my own liking. I'm quite a people pleaser, so refusing drinks from classmates and sunbaes isn't necessarily my forte?

This earned another warm chuckle out of Taehyung as he nodded understandingly, and after chatting for a little while more, the both of you finally got up from your seats, as the previously filled cans were now empty and neither of you had any plans on drinking anymore either, making it a perfect time to call it a night

Though as you said your goodbyes and got ready to part ways— you unexpectedly began walking in the same direction, earning a couple of playful remarks from the both of you joked it clearly wasn't time to say goodbye just yet

So you kept on walking, waiting for one another to eventually take a different turn at some point, but when you both came to a halt outside of your own apartment complex, a confused giggle left your lips as you looked up at him

Jungkook: Well, this is my stop so thanks for walking me home sunbae?

Taehyung only frowned in confusion as he eyed the apartment complex before also letting out an equally surprised chuckle

Taehyung: Funnily enough, I was just about to say the same thing. You live here too?

Upon further investigation, the two of you couldn't help but laugh in utter disbelief as it not only turned out you lived in the same building, you even lived on the same floor— as neighbors.

Jungkook: I can't believe we didn't notice this sooner, what are the odds!

And as the two of you now had made it up to your respective apartment doors whilst he briefly filled you in on how he had moved here a couple of months ago, he bit back another chuckle as he reached out his hand to shake your own

Taehyung: Well, it's a pleasure to finally meet you, neighbor.

Jungkook: Likewise, neighbor.

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