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"What do you think of the place? Not too shabby, huh?" Taehyung asked, scanning the bar with a satisfied grin.

Jungkook rolled his eyes playfully. "Yeah, yeah, you've got a good eye for these things."

The Hive greeted them with the pulsing beat of indie rock and the warm amber glow of Edison bulbs hanging overhead. The place hummed with chatter and laughter, a haven for the city's chic and fancy.

They settled into the seats of sleek vintage furniture by a graffiti-adorned wall. Whiskey in hand, Jungkook pulled out his phone, and Taehyung whipped out a small notebook.

"Alright, let's see who's the man tonight," Taehyung teased, flipping through the pages.

Jungkook chuckled, pushing his bangs away from his eyes. With a clink of their glasses, they began tallying up the numbers they'd collected.

"Let's see what you've got, Tae," Jungkook said, leaning over to peek at his friend's list.

Taehyung flashed a smug grin as he counted aloud, "Six numbers, my man. Looks like I've outdone myself tonight."

Jungkook looked at his own list of seven numbers. Stealing a quick glance at his friend, he discreetly erased the last two.

Gotta help my boy back into the game.

He felt Taehyung needed this win tonight.

Besides, I've got my own fun lined up.

"How many have you got?" Tashyung grabbed JK's phone. "Five? No way, did I just win a game of charm against the notorious playboy Jeon Jungkook?"

"Seems like it," Jungkook replied casually, patting his friend's shoulder. "Don't let it go into your head."

Taehyung nudged him playfully. "I know you're just humoring me, but tonight's my night and I'm basking in it."

Jungkook raised his glass in a mock toast. "To the master of numbers. Next time, though, I'll bring my A-game, and you won't know what hit you."

Taehyung clinked his glass against Jungkook's. "Looking forward to it, big boy."

They both laughed.

"Speaking of which, I promised to buy those girls from the subway a round. Mind if I invite them?" Jungkook asked.

"Since when do you ask?" Taehyung smirked.

Jungkook chuckled and swiftly tapped out a message to Melanie, the taller redhead.

"Hey Melanie! Had fun earlier. Join us at The Hive? 🍻"

He dropped a pin of the bar's location and put his phone away.

Beside him, Taehyung was doing a ridiculous shimmy in his chair.

"Is that supposed to be a victory dance? You look like a chicken trying to fly."

Taehyung shot him a grin. "Says the guy who just got his ass handed to him. Admit it, I'm superior."

"Superior?" Jungkook scoffed. "You tripped over your own feet trying to talk to that last girl outside the bar."

"Details, details," Taehyung waved a hand dismissively. "All that matters is I have one more number than you. Who's the king now?"

"You're the king, you're the boss... of awkward pick-up lines," Jungkook snickered. "You asked that girl if she was a magician because whenever you looked at her, everyone else disappeared."

"Hey, that's a classic," Taehyung defended, chuckling. "And it worked, didn't it?"

"Only because she felt bad for you," Jungkook shot back, grinning.

As Taehyung signaled a waitress, Jungkook's attention was drawn to infectious laughter nearby. He turned to catch sight of a brunette.

Damn.

Her nose scrunched up in the cutest way as she laughed. It was... endearing. Different. His gaze traced her, taking in the genuine joy on her face. She wasn't just laughing; she was glowing, and it was magnetic.

Why am I staring? She's just another girl, right?

But there was something about her that made his usual nonchalance falter. She seemed genuinely happy, not just smiling because she had to. Her eyes were full of life, and those dimples... they made her look even more adorable.

Fuck, she's cute.

His eyes lingered on her laugh lines, his brow furrowing. He poked the inside of his cheek with his tongue and huffed.

Why the hell am I like this?

"Yo, Earth to JK!" Taehyung's voice snapped him back to reality. "Oh, I know that look! Who are you ogling now?"

"No one," Jungkook lied, his tone casual as he sipped his whiskey, though he felt a slight warmth creeping up his neck.

Taehyung followed his gaze, smirking when he saw the woman. "Ah, caught you. You're finally off your game, huh?"

"Shut up," Jungkook muttered, though he couldn't help but smile. "She's just... interesting."

Taehyung chuckled, raising his glass. "To interesting women, then. Maybe she'll be the one to finally knock you off your high horse."

Jungkook clinked glasses with him, a smirk playing on his lips. "Please, I'm absolutely unknockable."

As he took a sip, his eyes drifted back to the brunette in the corner. His typical bravado felt oddly misplaced.

"Hey there, stranger. Mind if we crash your party?" A voice called. He turned around to find Melanie, grinning cheekily. She was tall, with fiery red hair cascading over her shoulders and a confident sparkle in her eyes.

"Not at all," Jungkook replied smoothly, standing up to greet them. "I'm JK, and this," he gestured to Taehyung, "is my partner in crime, Tae."

Melanie raised an eyebrow playfully. "Partner in crime, huh? Does that mean you two are up to no good tonight?"

Jungkook flashed his trademark smile. "Not just tonight. But enough about us, tell me about yourselves."

"Well, I'm Melanie," the redhead introduced herself with a bold grin. "And this is Sandra."

Sandra, a petite girl with a laid-back vibe and a subtle smirk, gave a casual wave as she slid into a chair. "Melanie here once arm-wrestled a pro wrestler and lived to tell the tale."

Melanie shot Sandra a mock glare. "You promised you'd never tell anyone!"

Jungkook chuckled. "Impressive. I might need to watch my back around you, Melanie."

The redhead moved closer, her eyes sparkling. "Oh, you have no idea."

These girls aren't shy.

Taehyung, leaning back with a grin, chimed in. "So, Melanie and Sandra, if you had to describe your ideal Saturday night in three words, what would they be?"

Sandra shrugged casually, her voice smooth and unhurried. "Fun, spontaneous, and unforgettable."

Taehyung nodded thoughtfully. "Sounds like tonight might tick all those boxes."

Melanie shot Jungkook a playful look. "Really?"

Jungkook smirked, a naughty flicker in his eye. "I always aim for memorable."

Their banter with Melanie continued. Jungkook was amused by the contrast in the redhead's forwardness and Sandra's laid-back attitude.

As Jungkook drained the last of his drink, warmth spread through him. He set the glass down and pushed back from the table 

"Be right back," he winked at Melanie and weaved through the crowd toward the bar.

And there she was. That cute brunette from earlier. Stopping beside her, Jungkook placed his order and stole a glance at her. She didn't pay him the slightest attention. She was a good five inches shorter than him.

Cute.

The scent of her shampoo sneaked up on Jungkook, a mix of cherry and vanilla, and made his head spin slightly. Or maybe it was all the whiskey he'd had.

Definitely the alcohol.

Something twitched. In his pants or in his chest - he couldn't tell. She grabbed her beers and Jungkook moved to follow her when the bartender's shout halted him.

"Your whiskey, man."

Momentarily distracted, he turned to the bar to grab his drink, a big round ice cube bouncing in the amber colored liquor. Jungkook faced the crowd, swiping his gaze from a face to the top of someone's head and onto another face. Until his eyes found her, back at the corner table, laughing and scrunching her nose again. With some guy.

She's taken?

Disappointment sucker punched him.

Of course she is. How in the world could someone like her be single?

Jungkook turned back to the bar. A slow drop of condensation rolled down the glass and onto the coaster. His drink was sweating, just like him. Someone pushed Jungkook as they jostled for the bartender's attention. The song blared from the speakers, vaguely familiar.

Why am I so bummed she's with someone? She's just a stranger.

An arm snaked around his torso, a soft pair of tits pressing against his back. Jungkook turned his head and sure enough it was Melanie.

"Hey hot stuff, what's taking so long?" she pouted.

He shrugged his shoulders, a lazy grin forming on his lips. "Just getting another round and enjoying myself."

Melanie moved her mouth closer to his ear. "How about you take me to your place and I'll help you enjoy yourself even more?"

She cocked an eyebrow, and Jungkook smirked, glancing down at his wrist. "Just give me a minute." He checked the time. It was just past 10.

"Nice watch!" Melanie remarked.

"Thanks," Jungkook replied, his touch lingering on the rim.

It was my father's.

The thought brought a brief, solemn warmth to his chest.

Jungkook downed his drink in one big gulp, the ice clinking against the glass. He signaled for the check with a quick flick of his tattooed hand, the bartender nodding in response.

Melanie gave him a teasing peck on the cheek before sauntering back to their table. Jungkook watched her go, his mind briefly drifting to memories of his father. He shook off the sentimentality and followed Melanie, glancing at Taehyung. "We're leaving."

"Have fun!" Sandra's giggles were drowned out by the noise of The Hive.

It took them half an hour to reach Jungkook's apartment. Melanie glued her mouth to his skin and Jungkook was certain he was going to be sporting hickeys like a necklace tomorrow.

He tried to pry her away from his neck as he fumbled with the keys, only for Melanie to assault his mouth, entirely blocking his view.

Damn, this girl's eager.

He started regretting not flirting with Sandra instead.

Well, too late now.

Using his fingers to locate the key hole he finally managed to open the front door and they practically fell inside.

Melanie had to break the kiss to steady herself. "Nice place," she mumbled, quickly disposing of her jacket.

"You haven't even looked," he remarked with a chuckle.

"You're here. That's all I need to know," she grinned at him. "Though you're wearing too much clothes."

She yanked his shirt off so hard he was sure he heard a couple buttons pop off. Running her hands over his chest, Melanie pushed Jungkook back into the living room and onto his large couch.

He landed softly on the cushions, amusement playing on his lips. "Can I get you anything to drink?"

Lowering herself to her knees in front of him, Melanie grinned devilishly. "Don't bother, I'll get it myself."

She reached for the zipper of his jeans, and Jungkook leaned back, closing his eyes.

This is gonna be a wild night.

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A/n
Hey delulu babes!
How you doing?
💜💜💜

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