"Taehyung!"

Said boy's eyes widen, his feet instinctively freezing in place. When the person calls again, and he picks out Jungkook's voice, a completely different instinct takes over and he takes off running, camera in his hands and all.

His backpack jostles against his back, and he feels like an absolute lunatic, but he can't stop himself from running away. He can only think about dodging Jungkook and his conversation, even though his heart desperately wants to have that interaction. His brain has other plans for him, willing his feet to go faster when he hears Jungkook catching up.

Stray kids around the area turn to watch, most of them amused while some sit in confusion, probably wondering why they bothered showing up today just for two weirdos to be frantically sprinting past them.

Taehyung yelps when he trips over his own feet, his brain trying to make him run faster than he can. Being so close behind, Jungkook trips over him, rolling on the ground a few times before sitting up with a grunt. Taehyung is unaffected by the crash, determined to get up and keep running, but Jungkook must see the crazed look in his eye because he quickly comes over, grabbing Taehyung's wrist just as he gets to his feet.

"You literally made me run you down," Jungkook grumbles, seeming slightly annoyed as he uses his t-shirt to wipe sweat off his lip, albeit his other hand stays tight on Taehyung's wrist. It doesn't hurt, of course, but Taehyung feels like it's burning.

"Shit," Jungkook sighs, grabbing Taehyung's camera from his hands. 

Taehyung looks down at the cracked lense, some of the panels broken off and scattered on the ground. His eyes well with tears. His camera is his prized possession. The only thing capable of taking his mind off his anxiety.

  "I'm sorry. I mean, it's partially your fault but..." He's trying to tease, Taehyung knows that. It doesn't help as a sniffle escapes him. Jungkook's eyes widen. "Oh, hey, no, don't cry, okay? I-I can buy you a new one. J-just don't do that."

 Taehyung tugs his hand away and Jungkook let's him, a churning in his gut knowing he won't try to run again. He tries to look at Taehyung's face, but the older boy has his forearm raised to his eyes, his camera against his chest.

Now Jungkook feels like a shitty person for chasing after him despite Taehyung not wanting to talk in person.

"I'm sorry," he repeats in a softer tone. His jaw is clenched as he contemplates what to do, watching the boy in front of him.

"It's o-okay," Taehyung murmurs, sniffing as he lowers his arm. "Y-you're right. It's m-my fault."

"I'll get you a new one," Jungkook promises.

Taehyung shakes his head. "N-no, it's okay."

"Now you really don't want to talk to me, huh?" Jungkook mutters, rubbing the back of his neck.

Taehyung shakes his head again, but doesn't say anything, leaving Jungkook to decipher if he really doesn't want to talk or if he just can't say what's on his mind.

Taehyung slings his backpack around to his torso, fumbling around with one of the zippers with his free hand. He reaches in and pulls out a USB, his shaking hand reaching out to pass it to Jungkook.

Jungkook takes it, swallowing. He didn't need a hard copy--the link worked perfectly fine.

Taehyung musters a smile, albeit his eyes have yet to look up to Jungkook's face, then he turns to walk off quickly.

And though he shouldn't, he grabs Taehyung's wrist, the elder flinching. Instantly retracting, he apologizes and says, "You should, um... You should let me buy you a coffee... Or lunch. Or something... To make up for it."

Jungkook watches Taehyung's shoulders hunch. He holds his breath, as if this boy's answer will determine if he lives or dies--at least for the next twenty-four hours, anyways. 

"I, um, m-maybe another t-time," Taehyung all but whispers, making Jungkook strain just to hear before he pulls away, quickly walking off.

Jungkook stands there a moment or two, disappointment like he's never felt before swelling in his chest.