"You know, when I said to socialize earlier, I didn't quite mean to socialize my intern."

Yoongi jumped as Taehyung suddenly appeared beside him. The younger had his hands hanging loosely at his sides, devoid of drink and food. His expression was open, waiting for his friend's response.

"So you saw that?" Yoongi asked, running a hand through his hair.

"Never knew Jungkook was so forward," Taehyung reflected, keeping his gaze on the elder. "He practically leapt on you."

A nervous chuckle escaped from Yoongi's throat. "Don't worry, that won't be happening again anytime soon."

Taehyung arched one of his perfectly groomed brows. "No?"

The elder shook his head, turning away from Taehyung to get a reprieve from the younger's intense stare.

"How'd you meet anyway?"

"At your party," Yoongi explained, picking up on a curious note to the younger's voice. "Kind of just ran into each other."

Literally.

Taehyung's expression remained neutral. "How come my parties create relationships for everyone but myself?"

"Are you looking for a relationship?" The elder questioned, figuring this was his chance to do some fishing for Jungkook.

"I don't know," the younger exhaled deeply, his hands moving to plunge into his pockets. "Sometimes I think it'd be nice to have someone. To share my life with another person."

Before Yoongi could do some more interrogating, a patron called out Taehyung's name. His friend ran off to speak to the potential customer, leaving the elder to himself.

Yoongi wandered the gallery alone, idly taking in the paintings. They were pretty, but he didn't know enough about artwork to critique them. He also didn't have Jungkook by his side to explain the use of colors and objects and what it all meant; his fake boyfriend was locked in conversation with a fellow intern and couldn't escape.

He turned a corner into a smaller room and came face to face with Jimin.

"Oh," he let out, eyes instantly locking on his ex. "Hi."

Jimin's eyes were wide and vulnerable and he turned away too soon. He sped out of the room, not bothering to greet Yoongi.

"Hey, Jimin, wait!" Yoongi called after him, picking up his pace to catch up with the boy.

They ended up outside the gallery, the evening air cool and crisp.

"Jimin!"

The younger rounded on Yoongi. "I get you're in a new relationship, Yoongi, truly I do. But did you have to make out with the guy like that?"

"You broke up with me, Jimin, not the other way around," Yoongi defended. "If anyone should be upset here, it should be me."

Jimin narrowed his eyes at the elder. "How can you seriously believe that crap? I'm hurting, too."

A bark of a laugh escaped from Yoongi. "You're hurting? You ignored all of my calls and texts. You shut me out of your life completely, Jimin. You broke up with me and I don't even get why."

"I don't want to do this now, Yoongi."

"If not now, then when?" The elder asked, his hands balling into fists. "You didn't give me a good explanation three months ago and my guess is that I'll never get one."

He wasn't sure if it was the lighting, but Jimin's eyes appeared to be watering. "You know why we broke up."

"No. I really don't and you owe me answers."

"I don't owe you anything, especially not when you have another dude's tongue down your throat."

Yoongi just stood there, unsure of what to say. He was unsure of what exactly to feel, too. A mixture of sadness and despair and confusion swelled within his chest, each battling to take precedence.

"I still love you, Jimin," he said at last. "I still love you and I miss you so fucking much."

Jimin took a step back from him.

"Please don't leave me again," Yoongi breathed, his voice raw and broken.

But the younger didn't hear his pain; Jimin ran off and left Yoongi standing alone outside of the gallery.

He wanted to lash out. He wanted to do something stupid and reckless to blur out the empty feeling in his chest. The need to feel nothing overcame him.

Yoongi marched back into the gallery, ordering a drink he knew would get the job done. Then he ordered another.

By the time his limbs felt light and his ears were slightly buzzing, he was sitting on a bench in an empty display room. The blank, white wall appeared to be the most beautiful picture he'd ever seen. It reflected exactly how he felt and Yoongi teared up at the emotions it stirred in him.

He felt a presence join him on the bench, but he was too caught up in staring at the wall to turn his head.

"I think it's time to go home, Yoongi," Jungkook murmured soothingly. "You're crying and staring off into space."

"I'm not staring off into space. I'm looking at the wall," Yoongi defended, words running together. "Two completely different things."

Jungkook stood up and pulled Yoongi to his feet. The elder stumbled, falling into his chest.

"I do believe this is how we first met," Yoongi giggled, a sound he could never remember making before.

The younger sighed. "You're wasted, man. Here."

Jungkook turned away from Yoongi and bent down. "Jump on my back."

Historically, Yoongi would do no such thing. But in his current state, he ambled up to his fake boyfriend and jumped on his back.

"This is the only time I'll ever ride you," he informed the younger.

Jungkook made a startled noise, straightening up and proceeding to walk them out. He readjusted Yoongi, hoisting the elder up and gripping his thighs.

"What's going on here?" A new voice interrupted their escape.

"Hey, Tae . . . Taehyung," Jungkook stuttered out, trying to stand as tall as possible to meet his boss's gaze. "My friend here needs some help getting home."

"I'm not riding him, TaeTae," Yoongi drunkenly said, bringing his arms to wrap around the boy's neck.

"Do you know where he lives?" Taehyung asked Jungkook, arms crossed over his chest as he took in the pair.

Jungkook shook his head. "No. I was hoping he'd be able to instruct me on how to get there."

Taehyung pressed his lips together. "He's practically passed out on your shoulder."

It was true, Yoongi had his chin resting on Jungkook's shoulder, his eyes fluttering open and closed.

"Huh, you're right. Well, I guess I could take him to my place," Jungkook offered, belatedly realizing how that must have sounded to his boss. "I mean, just as friends, of course, I'm not -"

"Chill, Jungkook," Taehyung laughed. "I'm not judging. But don't you live kind of far away from here?"

"Kind of," Jungkook answered, readjusting Yoongi's weight on his back yet again.

"You can't walk home like that, you'll never make it."

"I'm stronger than I look, Taehyung," Jungkook challenged, a confident grin adding color to his tone.

Taehyung raised his eyebrows. "Good to know. But here," he fished for something in his pocket. "Why don't you bring him to my office and help him sober up. Once this event wraps, I'll come check on you guys."

He pressed a key into Jungkook's hands before walking away.

"You were flirting with your boss," Yoongi mumbled into his ear.

Jungkook groaned as he lifted Yoongi higher onto his back. His hands were getting tired. "Was not."

Yoongi dug his fingers into the younger's shoulder so he wouldn't fall off. "Was too. And he saw you suck my face off, you know."

A groan sounded below him. "Great."

The elder planned on saying more, but passed out before reaching Taehyung's office.

The darkness never felt so nice.

▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎

》 V A L E N W R I T I N G 《

There was a wide mix of emotions in this chapter, holy moly!