Staring out over the river, Jungkook took a moment to compose himself. 

He was protected from the rain by the bridge that ran overhead, rattling ever so often as a heavy load trundled over it. He was huddled up, knees to his chest with a dark hoodie keeping him warm. As per usual, his hood was up in a feeble bid to disguise himself.

He checked his phone: 10:52. Hana was late. She wasn't coming, he told himself. Stupid, stupid boy.

He sighed wistfully, taking in the scenery that was illuminated by street lamps, building up the courage to leave. Bamseom, the small island that neatly resided in the river, was lush and green. The birds that called it home were lucky, Jungkook thought. They would spend their days flying from tree to tree without a single care. It must have been a simple life. Beyond the island, he could see the skyscrapers of the financial district.

That's where he had told Jin he was going; to 'scope the district out'. Thanks to Saffy pulling some strings, they'd landed themselves invites to the city's largest Charity Gala tomorrow night. It was no secret that 32b had been making waves in Hae Pa circles. He and Taehyung had become quite the duo, bringing in more money than they'd ever seen before. Hoseok was light on his feet and had mastered the art of distraction, making him one of the mob's top tails. It was also widely known that Jin could have been sitting comfortably at Saffy's level. His choice to lead 32b was exactly that: his choice.

"Fuck it," Jungkook exhaled, getting to his feet. There was no point in wasting his time if Hana wasn't going to show. It had been a dumb idea. His hands brushed down the underside of his jeans, and he rolled his broad shoulders back, regaining his typical assertive posture.

"Leaving so soon?"

Jungkook didn't turn to face the delicate voice that sent a shiver down his spine. "You're late."

He sounded impatient, annoyed, but if Hana could have seen his face, she would have been blinded by his smile.

She walked to his side and admired the view he had been taking in, not looking directly at him. She was dressed to match, a pair of black tights covering her legs while a thick hoodie acted as her dress. Beat up Chelsea boots had kept her feet dry as she splashed through the puddles to get there in time.

"I'm a busy lady, Jungkook, had some business to tend to," she lied. She had just fallen asleep, her come-down hitting her like a train of bricks after her meeting earlier that day.

He let out a small laugh and shook his head. She was paper-thin, and it was visible. He looked down and took in her features that were poking out from the cover of her hood. Her lips were pouty, a thin veil of balm, keeping them protected from the weather. Her nose was rosy red, and strands of hair that had been framing her face were now wet, stuck to her cheeks endearingly.

She had wrapped her arms around herself to preserve body heat. Instinctively, Jungkook pulled her closer to him, encasing her in his arms. There was no protest, no pushback from Hana, just acceptance. Despite the nervousness they had both felt anticipating their rendezvous, that all seemed to obliterate the second he gently rubbed her back. Her arms snaked around his waist tightly.

The world around them melted away. The rain no longer bothered them, the bridge ceased to rattle, and the fumes that had been lacing their noses were replaced with that of fresh laundry. "I'm sorry I was late," she spoke quietly, muffled by his chest. She felt his diaphragm stutter as he laughed again.

"I didn't think you'd come," he admitted.

"I didn't think I should," she reciprocated his vulnerability. Jungkook squeezed her just a little bit tighter. They both knew it was a dumb idea. He wanted to make it worth it. He didn't want her to regret it.

He broke from the hug steadily and guided her to sit with him. He huddled up just as he had before and she followed suit. They had an unusual knack for being in sync with each other's movements. Anyone else and Hana would have found it strange, but not with him.

It was as though every past lover, every crush before him had simply never existed. Her hobbies, her work, her daily routine were all interrupted with thoughts of him. It drove her insane whenever she was apart from him. Yet now, sitting with him under a polluted city skyline, she felt like she was breathing in pure air fresh from the artic.

He took her hand from her knee and put it on his own, interlacing his fingers with hers. "Two weeks," his voice was shaky as he gripped her hand tighter. "Jin's given me two weeks to figure this mess out."

Hana took in his words but remained silent.

"I don't know what to do," Jungkook confessed.

Self-sabotage was one of Hana's finest traits. She was so scared of getting hurt by someone else that she frankly didn't let them. She ruined everything before she gave anyone else the chance to do it for her.

Taking back her hand from his, she hugged her legs into her chest. "I've got a new job, and I don't think you'll like it."

There was a pause as Jungkook's jaw tensed, heart heavy.

"Same kind of job as you were on the night we met?" He knew what Dal Pa did; seduce, sedate, steal. He knew that she was responsible for the first step. He saw her nod slowly from the corner of his eye.

"Fucks sake," he got to his feet and moved to crouch by the water. Hana wanted to follow him, to comfort him, but she knew she shouldn't. He was agitated, and she could see it in the way that his shoulders were moving as he regulated his breathing. "When do you start?"

"Tomorrow night."

Jungkook hit the water with an open fist and stood as it splashed at his feet. He pushed his hood down and ran his stressed hand through his hair, gripping it tightly. He wanted to scream with fury. He had gotten used to the idea of having two weeks with her. All of that potential had been stolen from him.

Hana watched as he let his emotions get the better of him. He hurt outwardly, letting his aggression unfurl, whereas she hurt inwardly, shutting off her feelings.

Gingerly, she joined him by the river's edge.

The skyline in front of them was full of melancholic hope, bright lights and big dreams. Jungkook would have given anything to have been an office worker at this point. Life must have been so simple for people who worked 9-5 jobs and went home to their wives and kids. He envied it so severely.

She leant her head on his arm, and he moved to draw her closer, draping his arm securely around her shoulder. "If we've only got one night left, I wanna spend it with you," he declared softly. "I want to do everything we'll never get the chance to do again."

"Shall we elope?" she joked. He laughed at the suggestion, but dear God, did the idea of running away with her sound tempting. "Although I don't think Yoongi would say yes to giving you my hand in marriage."

"I don't think Tae would agree to be my best man either," He spoke lightheartedly, slipping back into the familiar ease he felt with her.

He let his body move with autonomy as he pressed a kiss into the fabric of her hoodie. She turned slightly, making eye contact with him for the first time that evening. She had missed those eyes and the way they drank her in. She was almost positive that he looked at her the exact she had always dreamt about being looked at. It was getting harder to tell dreams from reality when it came to him.

His forehead came to rest on hers, and she could have sworn she could hear her heart beating in her chest. It's not like she hadn't been this close to him before, but never sober, never with a mind this clear. Their noses began to nuzzle, and they both knew what was coming next, but the anticipation was overwhelming.

He parted her lips softly with his own and pressed down into them.

Hana tasted like October, like a warm spiced drink in autumn showers and the promise of rebirth with every fallen leaf. He couldn't bear to separate himself from her so pushed down deeper into the kiss, one hand on the small of her back, the other on her cheek.

She pulled him closer, hands draping around his neck, her feet raised to the very tips of her toes. His tongue languidly drew circles with her own, desperate to be close to her.

He had one night, one measly night, to experience a love he knew would last a lifetime.

"Let's get out of here," he whispered tenderly into her lips.

And so they did.