The first time that Jungkook visited the club Wild Stars with Taehyung, he had assumed it was a place Taehyung frequented and his hunch was proven right on a chilly Friday evening as he sat side by side with Taehyung in the same boisterous place once again. Loud, upbeat music blared through the mingling smell of sweat and alcohol in the air. The brunette bartender served Taehyung with a glass of wine. He was relieved that the bartender was different from the one who served him last time and kept trying to make a move on him. Unlike that woman, this one had a well-composed and professional demeanor and seemed to be in her early thirties.

"That's your third glass, you'll be wasted by the time we find someone worth mugging," remarked Jungkook, a wry smile playing on his lips as he balanced his own glass on his right lap. Meanwhile, Taehyung was already greedily gulping down the wine as if he had been parched for days. He released a heavy sigh before pausing to respond to Jungkook.

"We aren't here to steal today, and I'm only slightly tipsy,"

"Your cheeks are all flushed. You're drunk." Jungkook insisted, pointing at his rosy cheeks with his free hand.

"Well, at least I'm not a scaredy-cat like you who has been nursing his first glass just because he's too scared to get drunk," Said Taehyung teasingly.

"Who said I'm scared to get drunk?" Jungkook frowned.

"I just did,"

"Fuck you," Jungkook snapped, raising his glass and angrily sipping on his tequila.

"My apologies but I'm not gay," Taehyung scrunched up his nose at him, giving him a bored look before turning his head away and finishing his drink. Jungkook felt his cheeks flush in embarrassment.

"You're unbelievable, AND unbearable!" He huffed, earning a satisfied grin from Taehyung.

"Yet you're still hanging out with me."

"Not by choice. I have no friends," Jungkook said, his voice low and bitter as he finished his drink, the glass clinking softly against the bar as he put it down. He turned his body away from Taehyung so that it was directly facing the bar. He stared ahead, his gaze fixed on the rows of bottles lined up like sentinels behind the counter.

"But you do have a friend,"

"Who?" Jungkook mused.

"Me," Said Taehyung casually. Jungkook blinked for a moment, his gaze instantly shifting to Taehyung who was smirking at him. Jungkook noticed how his eyes were glazed over and he looked faded out. He figured Taehyung was drunk out of his mind and that's why he was saying things he didn't actually mean. Although, the thought of it made Jungkook feel a little happy inside as if he was a little kid at the playground who just made his very first friend in life.

But then he saw Taehyung call out to the bartender and order another drink, his speech sloppy and abstruse, and he knew that someone like Taehyung would never consider him a true friend and that this was all a result of the acme of intoxication.

"You? My friend?" Did you really just say that or are my ears ringing?" He questioned, scoffing, a tad bit curious for Taehyung's response.

"Your ears are ringing." Taehyung joked, grinning, and Jungkook let out a bitter chuckle. Of course, that's his response. Jerk. Jungkook thought.

"Wow, you're an asshole even when you're drunk,"

Taehyung rolled his eyes at Jungkook's remark but said nothing, seeming indifferent. But he was always like that, Jungkook thought, he always seemed indifferent to everything and everyone around him. He was the type of person who wouldn't give a damn if the world ended tomorrow. But Jungkook thought they weren't too different after all, for he also didn't care if the world ended.

"I'm not drunk." Taehyung refuted his statement after such a long pause that Jungkook had already zoned out. His posture straightened, his body jolting up in surprise at the sound of his voice. Then he watched as Taehyung finished yet another glass of wine in one big gulp, though some of the wine slipped out the corners of his mouth and trailed down to sides of his chin. It was dripping down to his clothes but he didn't seem to notice it. He's definitely drunk, Jungkook thought.

As Jungkook was forming thoughts about telling Taehyung to stop drinking more, he proceeded to order another drink. Jungkook quickly jumped in and stopped him, protesting that Taehyung was already drunk which he denied again, leading to the two of them bickering with each other.

"So you want the drinks or not?" The bartender asked stiffly, her annoyed eyes boring through the boys.

"Yes please, and make it two glasses of wine, not one," Taehyung nodded at her, putting a hand over Jungkook's mouth forcedly, muffling whatever words he was trying to say. Once the bartender went away to get the drinks, Taehyung finally retreated his hand, earning an angry shove from Jungkook. He wobbled on top of his barstool, barely managing to balance his weary body.

"Taehyung, get a grip. You're drunk enough, do you want to pass out right here?!" Jungkook reprimanded.

"You're just scared to get drunk," Taehyung giggled, his head falling back as if he had landed the greatest joke ever. He laughed and laughed with great abandon, making Jungkook angrier with every passing second.

"I am not! I'm only saying this because we have to walk back home if you remember. There's no Lamborghini waiting for us outside." Jungkook reminded the defiant boy but it didn't work.

"Look at this loser guys, Jungkook's scared to get drunk! Jungkook's scared to get drunk!" Taehyung chanted childishly. The blush on Jungkook's face deepened in abrasion. He rushed to cover Taehyung's mouth but failed as Taehyung turned his head away and continued chanting nonsense.

"Shut up, you're being too loud." Jungkook muttered, trying to quiet Taehyung down but he kept avoiding his hand and pushing it away. The push and shove ended up making Taehyung slip and fall off of the barstool, dragging Jungkook with him. Jungkook let out a painful groan as the stool toppled over and they both landed on the floor. Taehyung stupidly laughed even louder, causing a few people to turn and see who was making such a racket.

"Uh, here's your drinks, and don't break the stools, thanks," The bartender's monotonous voice made Jungkook straighten up quickly.

"S-Sorry." He apologized, avoiding eye contact and fidgeting in embarrassment as she placed their glasses on the bar. Jungkook could feel people staring at them.

"Jungkook's scared to get drunk! Hey lady, did you know Jungkook's scared to get drunk even though he's 20?!" Taehyung continued as he got up lazily, smiling at the bartender who was looking down at him with an unimpressed look on her stern features.

"Oh, would you shut it already, you dumb shit!" Jungkook shoved Taehyung back in anger, his elbow hitting the turned over stool beside him. He let out a yelp of pain before zooming forward and grabbing Jungkook's shirt in his fist.

"That hurt, bastard. I'm gonna punch your face in if you push me one more time—"

"Also, please don't fight inside the club or we'll be forced to kick you out according to the policy." The bartender intervened, giving the boys a bored look.

"You heard her." Jungkook glared at Taehyung who clicked his tongue and looked away, letting go of his shirt. As the bartender walked away, Jungkook stood up and fixed the stool. Then he turned around to look at Taehyung who was still sitting on the floor.

"Get up, what are you waiting for?" Jungkook noticed that Taehyung's blazer had slipped off of his left shoulder so he leaned in to fix it and forced Taehyung up. "Come on."

"I challenge you to a drinking contest with me." Taehyung stated when they were both back in their seats, making Jungkook scowl.

"What? Did you even hear all that I said until now?"

"Your words fell on deaf ears." He grinned.

"You know what? Fine, let's do it," Jungkook sighed, seemingly pissed off at Taehyung's behaviour. "I'll make you eat all your words."

•
•
•

That's what Jungkook had said but soon after chugging down three more drinks, Jungkook's determination had already faded similar to Taehyung's amusement. It was always known to Jungkook that he was bad at holding his alcohol and he'd agreed to Taehyung's reckless challenge only out of annoyance but he was regretting it now as the acid reflux hit the back of his throat stronger than ever.

He was practically green in the face as Taehyung lead him out of the club through the backdoor, stumbling on his own drunken feet. His shoulder knocked against the doorframe on their way out and he hissed in pain.

"I'm gonna throw up," Jungkook choked out, hurrying over to a trashcan and leaning in, his hand moving up and placing itself on the wall to support his worn out body.

"Hehe, I'm gonna record you throwing up," Taehyung chuckled as he stuffed his hand into the breast pocket of his blazer and pulled out his phone. He typed in his password wrong two times before finally getting it right.

"Don't you da-" Jungkook tried to speak but the bile rose in his throat quickly and he threw up in the trashcan, his body shaking from the cold and the lack of energy in him. After he was done, he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and cast a weak glance at Taehyung, expecting him to have the camera in his face but to his relief, he was busy vomiting in the other trashcan. Jungkook silently laughed and leaned against the wall. His back coming in contact with the cold wall sent a shiver down his body and he felt like he could puke all over again.

"You okay?" Taehyung asked as he came over, wiping his mouth, and leaned against the wall next to Jungkook. He responded with a light hum.

"Fuck, I really hate throwing up." Jungkook grumbled breathlessly, as he looked up at the cloudy evening sky above them and felt another shiver run down his body. It was so cold. He felt like he was going to get sick and he was ready to blame it all on Taehyung.

Without him noticing, Taehyung had lit a cigarette beside him and as he exhaled the acrid smoke out, it hit Jungkook's nostrils, creating a burning sensation and making him cough out. He turned his head to glance at Taehyung who was sky-watching, puffing away peacefully. Jungkook coughed again as the inhaled smoke made the back of his throat sting, and he realized that staying by Taehyung's side was basically a slow ticket to lung cancer. He was sure passive smoking was going to cause his death.

"So I win?"

~~~

"Any plans about going back to college yet, kid?"

Eunha attempted to offer Yoongi a polite smile, but it only came across as awkward as she stood rigidly beside his co-worker outside the bookstore. Jimin, who was preoccupied with locking up, turned around, annoyance etched on his face. Yoongi noticed him glare but ignored it.

"You're not blowing money on useless things, right? You should be collecting your paychecks as funds for college," Yoongi remarked, leaning against his car casually with one hand resting on its roof. He had come to pick Jimin up so they could head home together. Though Eunha felt a bit like she was being reprimanded, she appreciated Yoongi's direct words anyway.

"What's your problem, seriously? Leave her alone." Jimin interjected, turning around fully after he was done locking up the store. The leaf-green scarf wrapped snugly around his neck came up to his face, nearly obscuring his mouth, and he tugged at it to pull it down, releasing an exasperated sigh.

"Why are you butting in sounding all pressed?" Yoongi shot back.

"Why do you think so? You've been on her case ever since she's met you. Are you planning to adopt her or something? Stop acting like her dad when you're clearly not. It's irritating, you know," Jimin argued as his scarf fluffed up again, moving up to cover his mouth and he yanked it down harshly while adjusting the bag around his shoulder.

"What? Is that how you're gonna talk to me now? You rude ungrateful—"

"It's quite alright!" Eunha interrupted with a somewhat forced laugh, rubbing the nape of her neck. "I know he's only saying all that out of concern for me and I appreciate it, really. I don't mind it, Jimin,"

"See? She doesn't mind it." Yoongi gave his brother a cocky look, crossing his arms over his chest in a I'm-right-and-you're-wrong way.

"Still doesn't change the fact that you're nosy and you make people uncomfortable." Jimin rolled his eyes. "Eunha's just too nice." He tugged at his scarf again, and noticing it, Eunha reached out to fold it inward so it wouldn't cover his mouth again. "See, she's so nice." He added, and Eunha mirrored his smile.

"Quit flirting and get in the car," Yoongi sighed.

"Ew, what? Never say that again. Eunha and I are like family," Jimin clarified as he stepped down and headed towards the car. Yoongi glared at him, looking offended by the statement.

"Family, my ass. I'm your actual family,"

"Hey, don't say that, that's cold. And I'd rather have her as my sibling than you," Jimin retorted as he opened the backseat door of the car. Then he turned his head to make an ugly face at Yoongi who in return grabbed his shoulder and pushed him inside.

"Talk about being ungrateful. You're the epitome of ungratefulness," Yoongi clicked his tongue, shaking his head in disappointment as Jimin stuck out his tongue at him as if he were a child.

"Whatever, you suck,"

"You're such a baby." Eunha heard Yoongi say before he shut the door on Jimin's face. She tried not to laugh at the amusing dynamic between them but her lips stretched into a grin unknowingly.

"You too, come on. I'll drive you home," Yoongi told Eunha as he turned around to face her.

"Oh, no it's alright. I have to run some errands on my way back so I'll go by myself. Thank you so much." Eunha declined his kind offer, not wanting to inconvenience him. She figured he had a busy schedule and didn't want to be a hindrance in his routine, especially since he was a police officer.

"Alright, stay safe then, kid,"

"You too." Eunha simpered.

"See you tomorrow, Eunha!" Jimin waved, his voice sounding muffled and distant through the closed window of the car.

"See you!" She waved back, watching as Yoongi got in the driver's seat and started up the engine.

After saying their final goodbyes for the day, Yoongi and Jimin drove off, leaving Eunha to walk back home. As she strolled, she couldn't help but think about how much the playful banter between Yoongi and Jimin reminded her of Taehyung and Jungkook. She decided to stop by the mart to pick up some ingredients for the dinner she planned to make that night. Seaweed soup. Taehyung liked Seaweed soup.

_________________

A/N: I love how many comments there are on my book, I love to read all of them :)
Thanks to each one of you guys who read my book <3
Love you! Take care everyone.

EDIT: haha I spoke too soon, no one reads it anymore. 💀