"J-Jeongguk?"

It's been forever since he's heard himself say the name out loud.

"Taehyung, is that really you?" the boy's eyes sparkle once their stares meet, quickly scanning the other's frame from head to toes.

It's Jeongguk.

His face comes from the shadows, familiar features suspended between grief and joy. Seconds pass, Taehyung's brain taking him in, struggling to comprehend that he isn't one of the pictures he keeps in his phone, that he is real.

His brain can't formulate a sentence, at least not one based in any language, and if he doesn't touch him soon his atoms will tear themselves apart.

He is here, right here. He is the closest he's been in so many years yet they're still miles apart.

This day, this breezy day, he lets his voice soak in, the way Jeongguk's eyes meet his and don't turn away. He almost drowns in his smile.

Though his voice is the same, Taehyung would have denied it's really the boy. His heart aches with the realisation of Jeongguk's voice seeming so unfamiliar after he used to listen to it for days and nights.

He can't even breath properly because of the sight of Jeongguk just an inch from him. He is really standing here, right in front of him.

He looks so different.

The bucket hat on his head covers his hair but even from what Taehyung's able to see, he can tell how much his hair has grown and that he hasn't cut it in a good while. Taehyung can't help but admire this new look on him.

So different.

He wonders if he has also grown as much as the younger has.

He has the same deep brown eyes and tanned skin. Unlike his hair and features, which got a little more defined and make him look older, his eyes haven't changed a bit. They are still the most beautiful eyes Taehyung's ever seen.

They spend a long time just staring at each other, not wanting to believe they're meeting after so long.

"I knew we'd bump into each other sooner or later," Jeongguk says with a dimpled smile and Taehyung still can't quite catch the fact that this is really Jeongguk standing in front of him.

"I didn't."

"You don't seem too happy to see me though," Jeongguk says with a bitter smile and Taehyung immediately wants to slap himself for making him think that.

"No, I'm not- I mean...I am happy to see you. I am just...caught off guard, I guess," Taehyung shutters nervously.

"It's okay, it's really strange for me to see you too. It's been so long," he smiles sweetly, making the other blush like a teenager.

"Yes, it really has."

"How are you doing, hyung? You seem much higher than I remember. And thiner..." he says as he studies Taehyung's features again, seeing the way his thighs got noticeably slimmer and legs seem much longer than before.

"Your hair also looks different," he says with a focused look and Taehyung can feel his insides tense as he sees his hand approaching, silently, he touches his messy hair. He wishes he'd washed it today, he wishes he'd put on the make-up he'd been saving in case he returns. But Jeongguk doesn't seem to mind the tired eyes.

"It's the modelling career, you know," Taehyung shutters, trying to smile but it seems more comical than sincere.

"Oh, I have seen your photoshoots. You really were born to do that," Jeongguk shows him a proud smile, excitedly talking about Taehyung's successful career while the older is just standing there, still completely out of reality.

"Thank you," the older smiles shyly, hiding his blushing cheeks behind his scarf.

"So, how did you end up here, in Paris?" Jeongguk asks, putting hands into the pockets of his black jacket.

"Uhm, I just wanted to try something new, I guess. And also, my family lives here."

"Oh, grandma Eun, I remember. What a coincidence we met so far away from home," he smiles warmly.

Just when Taehyung's about to say something, his phone rings and Jeongguk watches him pull it out of his pocket as he bites his lip, a habit he often does when he's nervous.

"Sorry," he mutters before picking up but Jeongguk only brushes it off with a sweet smile.

"Uhm, Jungho?" he awkwardly speaks into the speaker.

"I took your what? Oh, crap, I am so sorry. Yes, I can hand it to you tomorrow. Sure, bye."

"Everything okay?" the younger questions with a concerned expression once the call ends.

"Yeah, he just needed something," Taehyung speaks before thinking, locking his phone and putting it back into his pocket. He doesn't notice the slight change in Jeongguk's expression.

"I will have to get going, sorry," Tae says in a quiet voice, still feeling extremely vulnerable in this situation.

He doesn't take a step away from Jeongguk.

"It's okay," Jeongguk smiles. "It was really nice to see you."

"You too," Taehyung mutters but doesn't move an inch from him.

It's so hard to leave now when he has no idea when he'll see him again. Will it be tomorrow or in a year or five? None of them can tell.

"See you around, Tae," Jeongguk waves and gives him the warmest smile he's seen in years and he swears his heart felt it all.

_______

The night seemed to be the longest in his whole life.

His mind kept replaying the events of the day before, a bright bunny smile coming back to his mind again and again.

Is Jeongguk still awake? He is literally in the same city. Is he thinking about Taehyung just as much as he's thinking of him?

He doesn't know.

So that's why Jimin suggested him to go to Paris. He knew they would meet even in this huge city. They always find each other again even if they don't try to.

Taehyung's phone buzzes on the nightstand.

It's Jeongguk.

He doesn't fall asleep till the rest of the night.