tae smiled at the sight in front of him. the yogurt shop, packed with people on their lunch break, craving something a bit sweeter than the usual.

he had gone here as a kid, piled his cup with fruit, lips pursed when he made it too tangy. his grandmother would only laugh, jin on one hand and him on the other. it had been a tradition whenever they needed to celebrate or mourn or just indulge, one that he carried with him well into adulthood.

neither had noticed they were still holding hands, the sniffles from jungkook dying down slowly but surely, "i didn't even know this was here..." his voice sounded gravely, like he had woke from a nap.

tae squeezed his hand, "maybe it can be your new spot! you can take your daughter here?" he wasn't sure if it was too soon to mention her but he was desperate to shine some positivity on the moment.

"that's a good idea tae. a really good idea!" his words were genuine as he untangled their fingers, his palm sliding against his jeans to wipe away the drips of sweat that had formed, "what should i get?" it was cute the way panic had taken over his expression at the thought of having to make a decision about topping and flavors.

the older chuckled, his pointer finger bopping jungkook's nose in delight, "whatever you want silly!"

that answer seemed sufficient, the younger crawling from the car and to the front door with no regard for the fact he may be recognized. those in line didn't seem to mind, paying no attention as the older trailed nervously behind jungkook. in a way, they felt entirely on their own- something he hadn't had the luxury of in a long time.

"what are these little cups?" the dark-haired boy picked up the tiniest little cup, barely enough to hold a tablespoon as he eyed it curiously.

"sample cups! to try different flavors..." tae grabbed a few, pulling the boy behind him as they searched for something to try, "what sounds good to you?"

"all of it?"

tae noted the way jungkook had a smile that resembled the sweetest little bunny, jutted teeth and pouted lips, he was an angel on earth, "well then we better get busy!" he wanted to see that smile everyday.

the two worked in unison, testing every flavor from vanilla to fig and everything in between before deciding- the choice was hard and it was clear on jungkook's face that he was thinking heavily. after what felt endless, he finally opted for a base of chocolate.

tae followed suit, selecting the same and leading him over to the toppings. the younger seemed to have forgotten about the luxury of such a concept, his eyes bigger than his stomach as he loaded his cup with every option available until he had no space left.

the older could only laugh, a bit offended by the massive pile of chocolate chips and crushed bits that had landed on top of his yogurt. it weighed in at an astronomical amount, his alone costing more than all the times tae had been here combined.

"perfect!" after paying, jungkook led them both to a table in the corner, away from the single family who had opted for the couch in the middle.

taehyung scunched his nose in distaste, "you're crazy, you know that, right?" just as he was about to place a bit of his own- fresh fruit topping his base- he was interrupted by the overly sweet and salty mixture of jungkook's.

"it's good, right?" the younger didn't even realize how intimate it was to feed another person, distracted by the fact he felt like he had known tae for far longer than a few days.

tae chewed slowly, trying to gather everything that was in his mouth, "it's not the worst thing i've eaten!" his eyes stared down at his own, wondering if jungkook wanted a bite of his. he went back to the sharing of spoons, the swapping of spit- was he thinking too hard on it? and would it really be that bad to taste the same as the inside of junkook's mouth?

he was undeniably handsome after all, looked like somebody who would be a good kisser, maybe even a good-

tae shook the thoughts from his head, picking up a bit of chocolate on strawberry and placing it at the base of jungkook's mouth, "try this!" it was a demand, one that elated jungkook who obliged quickly, making sure to gather the entire taste of the dessert.

"it's okay..." his doe eyes sparkled under the fluorescents, "mine is better!"

the two giggled like they were teens, not worn down by lost love and lost life. they were two strangers, connecting over treats that needed to be consumed quickly- no time for small talk.

jungkook finished first, scraping at the side of the cup before averting his eyes back to the man across from him, "thanks for driving me today...."

"it's kind of my job i guess..." tae felt suddenly nervous under his gaze, a bit guilty for saying such a thing when really he would have done it regardless.

"fair point..." jungkook seemed suddenly sad, the words spoke cutting deep.

it wasn't that he was naive- nope. not at all.

he understood that people worked for money and that his role in the world provided jobs but sometimes it just felt like that was all he had to offer. he was cash first, employment, and a person second. he was an obligation, a task- never a want. it felt so awful to be stuck in a spot such as that.

"should we head out?" tae noted the sudden shift in energy, the way the younger seemed to sink and stare into space.

he only nodded, grabbing both of their empty cups and dumping them in the trash bin on the way out.

"hey, are you okay?" tae watched as jungkook leaned against the passenger door, taking in a deep breath. he was trying to hold back a second round of tears, made evident by the way his shoulders were shifting left and right.

"i- i'm f- fine..." the words were a mutter, barely audible.

tae climbed into the car and propped the door open, his almond orbs fixated on the man waiting to get in, "i had fun today. maybe next time, we can get food as friends?"

the younger seemed to perk up at that, "you mean it?"

"only if you want!" his smile could light up the world.

"i know a great barbecue place..." jungkook was already plotting it in his mind; his favorite table, what he'd wear. jiwoo loved the place. maybe he could even bring her along.

it was exciting to hear the word friend- he hadn't quite remembered what it was like to have one.