"What's up with Taehyung?" Jungkook asks as he and Hoseok walk down the sidewalk in front of the outlet the next day.

They invited Taehyung but he said he was busy and he'd see them later that night.

"I wish I could tell you but it's complicated." Hoseok says. "He's got a lot going on."

"He seems like a nice guy." Jungkook says.

"He is once you get to know him." Hoseok says.

"I'll take your word for it." Jungkook says as they approach the smoothie shop their meeting Namjoon and Jin at.

When they walk in they find Namjoon sitting alone.

"Where's your right hand?" Hoseok asks.

"What took you so long!" Namjoon asks jumping up from his seat.

"What?" Hoseok asks.

"Taehyung's in jail." Namjoon says.

"What?!" Hoseok exclaims.

"Jin's already at the police station-"

"Why are you here?" Hoseok asks already rushing out of the place.

"Jin told me to wait here for you. He didn't want you to panic and then to meet him at the station." Namjoon says following quickly after him, Jungkook not far behind them.

"What'd he do?" Hoseok asks.

"I don't know. Jin said he'd take care of it." Namjoon says.

"Jin can't fix everything Joon." Hoseok says.

"Well he's still trying." Namjoon says defensively. 

"Did he call his dad?" Hoseok asks.

"No. He called me." Namjoon says.

"Good." Hoseok says.

"Good? What do you mean good? Shouldn't he call his dad? I mean, it's his dad." Jungkook says sounding panicked as they rush to the police station.

"His dad's kind of an asshole, so no." Namjoon says.

The younger nods as if he's noting the fact.

They get there after a long five minutes of practically running there.

Jin leans on the front desk talking to the officer.

"I can't release him to you, your not a relative." The officer says looking exhausted.

"Thanks for repeating yourself but I heard you the first hundred times." Jin says. "It's just a warning. I'm sure he's learned his lesson."

"Vandalism is a crime, I should charge him regardless of if he's underage." The officer says.

Jin groans in frustration turning to his friends.

Namjoon walks up to the desk. "Um. I'm here for Kim Taehyung."

"And you are?" The officer asks.

"His dad." Namjoon says.

Jin, Hoseok, and even Jungkook groan at Namjoon.

"What?" Namjoon says turning to them.

"What exactly did he do again?" Hoseok asks.

"Vandalised state property." The officer says.

"He's just a stupid kid why can't you just let him go." Hoseok asks.

"I'll release him to a parent or caregiver." The officer says looking back down at his newspaper.

"How do you know we're not his caregivers?" Hoseok asks.

"I know a crew of scraggly high schoolers when I see one." He replies.

"His dad isn't coming anytime soon." Hoseok says.

"Then he'll do the whole 48hours." The officer says.

"This is ridiculous." Hoseok sighs.

"That it is." The officer agrees.

Hoseok rolls his eyes in annoyance before turning to his friends.

"What are we gonna do? Just let him stay for two days?" Hoseok asks.

"I don't see another option at this point." Jin says.

The bell on the door sounds and the three turn to see an unfamiliar face.

The unknown blonde walks past them up to the desk.

"I'm here for Kim Taehyung." He says.

"You know these fools?" The officer asks pointing to the teens.

The boy turns to them and shakes his head. "Can't say I do."

"And your relationship with Kim Taehyung is?" The officer asks.

"He lives with me." The blonde says.

"Your name?" The officer asks starting to fill out the paperwork.

"Park Jimin."

The four friends stand silently and watch as the stranger, now named Park Jimin, easily gets the officer to release Taehyung to him after their efforts.

"How old are you?"

"23."

Hoseok's eyes widen.

Was this the college guy?

"I.D?"

Jungkook taps Hoseok's shoulder. "Who the hell is he?" He says quietly.

"I don't know." Hoseok whispers back shrugging.

"Wait here. I'll go get him." The officer stands heading to the back.

The four friends all take a step closer to 'Jimin'.

Hoseok takes in his full image. And he's definitely a college student.

"Who are you?" Namjoon asks.

"Park Jimin." He says turning to the group. "And you are?"

"Kim Namjoon." Namjoon answers.

Jimin holds out his hand and Namjoon takes it.

"Kim Seokjin." Jin says stepping up and holding his hand out to Jimin.

Jimin takes it after releasing Namjoon's. "And you guys are Taehyung's friends?"

"Yeah. High school friends." Jungkook says.

"That's nice." Jimin says turning away from the group and leaning against the desk.

The four continue to stare Jimin down until the officer reappears with Taehyung.

"Kim Taehyung." Jin says approaching the boy ready to scold him.

"Damn it Namjoon. You told Jin?" Taehyung says.

"Yah. I'm still you're Hyung you brat." Namjoon says. "And how was I supposed to not tell him?"

"You're free to go. Next time. You'll face charges." The officer says glad to finally have the group out of his hair.

Taehyung rolls his eyes.

"Tae." Jimin says finally getting the boy's attention.

"Jimin? What are you doing here?" Taehyung asks.

"I came to get you, and take you home." Jimin winks standing up straight.

"Right." Taehyung says. "I'll just say bye to my friends."

"I'll wait outside." Jimin says before smiling at the officer. "Thanks again and I apologise."

The officer waves barely paying them any mind anymore.

"Taehyung what the hell did you do!" Jin whisper-shouts after they've stepped far away from the officer's desk.

"I didn't do anything!" Taehyung responds.

"Yeah. That explains why we're picking you up from jail!" Jin says.

"Calm down baby, let him explain." Namjoon says pulling Jin away from Tae. "Explain."

"I wasn't spray painting the bridge Suho was, I just so happen to be there when he did." Taehyung says.

"And where's Suho now?" Jin asks.

"His mom came and got him." Taehyung shrugs.

"I've already told you what's gonna happen if you start mixing yourself in with the wrong crowd Tae~" Namjoon starts.

"I'm not mixing myself in, Suho was taking me home when he stopped under the bridge." Taehyung says.

"Why were you even with him?" Hoseok asks.

"Because I wanted to be." Taehyung says getting frustrated at all the questions.

"And you're not mixing yourself in with the wrong crowd?" Jin asks.

"Look. It's not any of your damn business who I hang around." Taehyung finally says.

"It is my business! Who do you call when you get yourself into shit you don't know how to get out of? Me!" Jin says.

"You told me to call you!" Taehyung says.

"Can we all just relax a little." Jungkook speaks up when they start to get looks from the officer.

"Don't worry about it Hyung. I won't call you anymore. I'll handle my own shit, by myself." Taehyung says starting to leave.

"You know I'm not saying anything to hurt you Taehyung, I just want what's best for you." Jin says.

"I gotta go." Taehyung says walking out of the station, the room becoming quiet.

Jungkook looks at Hoseok who is looking at Namjoon who is looking at Jin who is watching Taehyung walk out.

Jungkook felt slightly out of place in the group of close friends.

"I can't worry myself like this. I'm going home." Jin says.

"Do you want me to~" Namjoon starts.

"No. I wanna be alone." Jin says walking away as well.

Namjoon throws his hand up in defeat as he turns to Hoseok and Jungkook.

"I'm going home too." Hoseok says walking out.

Namjoon and Jungkook look at each other.

"Want some ice cream?" Namjoon asks.

"Aren't you supposed to go after Jin or something?" Jungkook asks.

"I don't think so. Come on." Namjoon says throwing his arm over Jungkook's shoulder and leaving the station.

"Aish. Kids these days." The officer mumbles shaking his head.

--

"You lied to me." Jimin says as they walk down the sidewalk.

"You never asked, you just assumed." Taehyung says shoving his hands in his pockets.

"I did, the first time." Jimin says. "I asked if you were underage and you said no."

"Why does it matter?" Taehyung asks.

"I guess it doesn't, since you're with someone new now." Jimin says eyeing his marked neck before walking ahead of him towards his car.

"No. It's not like that." Taehyung says grabbing Jimin by the wrist.

   "What is it then?" Jimin asks trying to snatch his arm away.

   "It's nothing baby." Taehyung says pulling Jimin closer.

   "Stop Tae." Jimin says pushing him away.

   "Jimin-"

   "This. It's over Tae. Do you understand?" Jimin says.

   "Why?" Taehyung asks.

   "How old are you?" Jimin asks.

Taehyung sighs. "Seventeen."

   "Seventeen?" Jimin asks shocked.

   "Why are you overreacting? It's not that big a big deal." Taehyung says.

   "Not that big a-" Jimin sputters. "You're a kid!"

   "I'm not-"

   "I'm about to graduate Tae! If someone finds out about this it could fuck up my scholarship!" Jimin says.

   "Who said anyone had to know?" Taehyung asks.

   "It's wrong Taehyung. Seventeen? What grade are you in?" Jimin asks.

   "I'm a Junior." Taehyung says.

   "Oh my god. You're a Junior in high school and I'm a Senior in college, doesn't that sound wrong to you?" Jimin asks.

   "No, it doesn't. I don't think it matters." Taehyung says.

  "It does. It's wrong." Jimin says.

Taehyung sighs looking down in defeat.

   "I'm sorry Taehyung. I'm really sorry but I. I can't. We just can't." Jimin says in a softer voice.

   "It didn't matter before why does it matter now?" Taehyung asks.

   "I didn't know before." Jimin says. "Had I known this wouldn't of even started."

Taehyung stays silent not having anything to say.

   "You're in high school Tae. You shouldn't be running around a college campus at two in the morning on week nights." Jimin says.

   "I do that because I want to." Taehyung says.

   "You should be focused on school and your future. Not me." Jimin says.

Taehyung breaks eye contact with him but still doesn't speak.

   "I really do care about you Tae. Too much for this to continue." Jimin says. "But I'm always here for you if you need anything though, just call me. Okay?"

   "Alright." Taehyung says.

   "I'm sorry." Jimin mumbles again before turning to get in his car.

Taehyung turns and heads in the other direction, not wanting to see him leave.

Taehyung still couldn't fathom how he managed to fuck absolutely everything up in his life.

---