╺ diner.

@★ mark t。 guess that comes with the territory of being viewed as a foreigner and all
/hears you just fine, not needing to ask you to repeat yourself as i'm used to the quieter side of things sometimes, especially considering i'm a bit of a loner at times
/glances back at you when i swear i feel your eyes on me, tilting my head for a moment but deciding not to mention a thing, just settling in and having you sit opposite me as well
got it
/relays yours and my order to the waitress, giving her a big smile as well before she heads off with a spring in her step, myself perhaps being a bit of a lone wolf at times but no less charming
so tell me a little more about yourself
or ask me anything. whatever makes you more comfortable
/offers as i lean back, my hands in my pockets and my trusty guitar beside me, eyes on yours as i wait to be told or asked something, figuring its gonna be a little awkward at first but nothing terrible

@★ jaebum i。 /tilts my head slightly, it rests on the window pane and i stare out into the passing streets, letting it all become just a blur, i wonder why you know these things about, how you know so much more about me, than i could ever know about you before today, i glance at you warily before nodding/
i moved here last year...so i've had time to get better. but i still sometimes feel like a new kid
/my voice is soft, something just above a whisper, and if you hadn't been paying attention all of my words could've been eaten up by the sound of the bus, i hope i don't have to repeat myself, it happens often but it is no less annoying than the last time/
/blinks a few times when you get up, we've reached our stop and i'm quick to follow you, not wanting to be left behind in unknown territory, grabbing my board i follow you off the bus into the quaint diner, i peer around, dark curious eyes drinking in the interior along with everyone in it, including you, your back, wide enough that even the guitar strapped to it seems small, i lag back for a second to admire it before i fall back into step and sit down across from you, looking at the menu with avid curiosity, and when the waitress comes by i glance at you for a moment before, biting my lip and staying quiet, still unsure/
...kimchi fries? /mumbles out loud, presses my lips together for a second before saying/ i like fries...i'd like to try them- and a shake too /looks up at you, biting my lip a little nervously but there this quick quip to the corner of my mouth before i look back down again at the menu/

@★ mark t。 right, right. the transfer student. from... la was it? your korean is pretty good, did you just move here or have you been in korea for a while?
/asks as i sit beside you on the bus, resting my guitar between my legs and looking at you curiously, letting you watch out the window as you don't seem keen on looking at me much
must be hard being a transfer student huh?
/muses more to myself as i look back down the bus aisle, feeling the vehicle begin to move again and i decide i won't look at you too much, wanting you to be comfortable
/sure enough it doesn't take long before our stop comes up, getting off after thanking the driver, slinging my guitar over my back again and heading to the diner with you
after you
/murmurs as i hold open the diner door, following you inside before i hold up two fingers to the waiting staff, letting them take us to a table for two as gestured
/places my bag and guitar beside me, sitting opposite you and barely glancing over the menu, knowing very well what i'd like to eat so i wait, wait for you to decide before i think of ordering
the shakes are pretty good here
and the burgers too- but would definitely say the kimchi fries are best here. what kind of food do you like?

@★ taehyung k。 "kids." you're starting to sound like my dad, i think i really should call you father. I've had white wine though - it wasn't bad. /with a tiny lopsided smile, i mumble a soft 'thanks' before settling into the passenger seat, fingers moving on its own accord to buckle the seatbelt. / once noticing your presence besides me, i rest my head against the seat to face you with a stoic gaze. are you paying? because. . . i didn't bring cash.

@✩ seolhyun k。 Ah, you kids dont have taste for liquor. Wine isn't -- as strong, I believe. White wine and a well done stake is -- heaven to be quite honest. /I muse followed by a chuckle as I press the 'unlock' button on my keys before continuing to lead the way towards the flashing headlights of my car. I'm kind of in the mood for a milkshake too, actually. /I add on, opening the passenger's door for you.

@★ taehyung k。 /my fingers curl and uncurl into a loose fist with my wrist within your hold, i aimlessly trail after you, tugging onto the edge of my coat as the night breeze blows against my exposed midriff.
super, and it's reaching that point where some are getting a little edgy so. . . /my eyes flutter across the expanse of the outside, taking wild assumptions as to which car belonged to yours. i don't really drink wine and quite honestly, I'm really craving some vanilla shake. and fries.

@✩ seolhyun k。 /Mindlessly I toss and catch my car keeps in my hand, making sure to not toss them far too high as I lead the way out to the front door; long fingers gently wrapped around one of your wrists to avoid losing you in the crowd.
Getting really stuffy inside, ain't it? Anyways, are you sure you're up for burgers and milkshakes? If there was a better place where they have wine I would sure as hell chosen that, to be honest.

@★ jungkook j。 "nah. not all of 'em." yugyeom takes a spoon, and dunks it into his drink, swirling around the vanilla, until it mixes with the soda in a frothy, milky kind of toffee color. it looks gross, tastes amazing. "woah," yugyeom lets out a low whistle, and stares up at him, "a little old, yeah. you'd have to order parts for that, unless you went to some vintage kind of place that specialized in that stuff." that's going to be hard to keep up, but it's doable. just had to know the right stuff. yugyeom wags his finger towards him, "you gotta show me it sometime, yeah? maybe later this week, or something like that. i'm kinda busy towards the end of the week, but it isn't anything big." just cleaning, and making sure homework's done.

@★ henrik h。 I am indeed but i ain't hopeless romantic like i don't even know how that feels. I never dated anyone before because i am too distracted by school work aha. Aah i see but it's what you wanna do right? /looks at you with a curious smile of mines. Aha how do you know? Have you worn a crop top before? I was joking anyways but if we ever go to a beach one day, you'll see how good my body is. /finger guns and winks at you before i take a big bite of the burger.

@★ yugyeom k。 "it's not that bad. aren't all junkyards like that?" jungkook questioned with a chuckle, looking over his shoulder as his stomach slightly grumbles. "yeah, my cousin wondered why i would even pick that kind of car but it's a beaut. the most beautiful car i've ever seen, really. but um, it's a '57. so, old might be a bit of an understatement." one of his hands rubs at the nape of a neck with a soft laugh, his free hand twirling the straw to shake up his shake a little bit. "i must've gone on a good day. i would only go once every two months or something like that."

@★ jungkook j。 "oh, ew, that one." he shudders at the thought, remembering when he had to venture out there to get a new computer for his truck, because the one he usually goes to didn't have one. he swears, if he didn't get his tetanus shot, he would've caught some kind of bacteria from that. he waits for the woman to walk away, before fixing his stare on jungkook, his brows raised. "you said your car was older? like, how old? 'cause the older the car, the harder it'll be to find the parts. you must've got pretty lucky, finding a frame and all that jazz for something 'old'." he's thinking, like, maybe '90's, and if he knew what kind of car jungkook had .. damn. he'd be over the moon. but that's for another day .

@★ yugyeom k。 "no, it was -- it's not too far from here, i think, a little west of the city?" it definitely wasn't bougie. it was exactly what a junkyard would look like, full of mud. "that'd be great, really. my cousin's kind of sick of coming all the way from the other side of the city. and considering my car is a little bit older, it's probably about time to learn about it." the volume of his voice lowers when the lady returns, and again he's looking at yugyeom. his voice is stuck in his throat when he smiles, catching the light sink of a dimple apparent on his cheek and jungkook somewhat feels honored. he wondered if he was the only one to really see him like this. he doesn't notice the lady turning to him for his order, lips parted against the straw -- until he blinks out of it and realizes that he was staring. hopefully, the other didn't catch it. he orders a double cheeseburger, only with the cheese and ketchup, before handing her his menu with another 'thank you'

@★ jia m。 Oh you’re a loving person? A hopeless romantic in a shell of a tough girl, nice image concept /raises both eyebrows, making the famous not-bad grimace and takes another fry
Drugs, alcohol, and rock’n’roll baby! /laughs once I explain my troubled life in a short label/ well yeah, anything you can think of I do. Be it good or bad
Oh those thingies are hot, once a girl can wear it. I mean it’s awesome if you can wear it with those tall jeans or high jeans or what you call it, but can you wear them with low waist jeans? Wear it old school? /gives you the expression of a tricky question before your question sets me off guard
Wow, don’t quote me on that, but I would love to see... however I’m a bad man so I will refuse

@★ henrik h。 Aha I never seen my heart as well but it has a lot of love to give to people who deserves it-idek if I am making sense. I mean I am lowkey a troublemaker like a rebel. Why you're troubled? /I gasp in awe as I see our orders being placed on the table before i thanked the waiter. It's good we got something in common, Henrik. Uh huh they are and I like wearing them especially when it's summer because it's ing hot. /I roll my eyes by the season as I chew on a curly fry that was dipped with ketchup. I really do have a good body, wanna see? /playfully teases you as I wriggle my eyebrows.

@★ jungkook j。 "yeah? what car was it? the yard on the edge of the city, right?" because there are a few, but that one's the nicest. concrete floors, no mud, portables for the bathroom, but hey, at least they actually had bathrooms opposed to .. the other yards. yugyeom pulls his float towards him, and stabs a straw through, immediately sipping, tasting the vanilla. such a good taste. "i can teach y'a little bit about your car, if you want. you know, simple that'll save you lots of money when you need it. changing brakes, changing your oil, little routine check up's and stuff." it's how he's kept his truck looking so good, and running so good, after this long. after a moment, he waves over the old lady, and asks for a small order of pecan waffles. his smile is gentle when he speaks to her, like he's a little kid again - or at least a kid his actual age. instead of with that jaded look in his eyes, and that rugged look across his features. he looks boyish, and sweet, and vulnerable. even if he doesn't feel it, his guards are down.

@★ yugyeom k。 his gaze breaks from the male across from him when the drinks are placed in front of him, and jungkook thanks her quietly whilst sliding his shake in front of him, and yugyeom's weird looking rootbeer float in front of him. he's still listening while he finishes off the cherries first, setting the stems off to the side upon a napkin. his chin is now propped onto his palm, fingers tapping against his cheek. 'and then, some changed,' he wondered what it was, wondered what his story was and how things had changed. but he wouldn't pry into what wasn't his business. instead, his lips graze over the straw and his eyes are set on the male, fingertips caressing the cool glass. jungkook was the same, in a way. he loved baseball, but he didn't think that it would transfer over to college. he wasn't even interested in college, he didn't even know what he wanted to do with his life. "i like looking at cars, but i don't really - i don't know how to work them, in any kind of way. i actually picked up my car from the junkyard. my cousin fixed it up and i may have helped a little but - i don't remember much." somewhat of a chuckle escapes from his lips as he sips from his drink, a quiet hum of satisfaction releasing from his lips at the taste.

@★ jia m。 I don’t know, I’ve never seen my heart, but that’s my definition of the imaginary thing that connects with love, I guess
A troubled girl? You don’t seem like one, but who am I to judge? /chuckles a little shrugging, taking my elbows off of the table as the waiter brings us our orders/ thanks mate
/takes one of the fries and sticks it between my teeth
So do I Ji, you’re cool! Oh crop tops! Those are the half shirts? /gestures a line somewhere around my ribs to show if I was right
Yeah, if you work out or have a good body, I can’t really object to that

@★ jungkook j。 a brotherly sense of bonding. a brotherhood. sounds like a ty fraternity, but without the girls, the parties, the drinks, and lots of hard work. which leads to the 'ty' portion of it. but he sounds like he likes it, seems like he does from the way the school news anchor's boast about the sports, and the great jeon jungkook! he should feel some kind of honor, but .. he just likes sitting by him, enjoying this really normal guy that's pretty down to earth in what he's spoken of in this small amount of time. yugyeom his lips, and presses his elbows to the table, "i used to go to the junkyard a lot with my dad. he told me that if anything, i could always be a mechanic. i'm good with my hands, but have no drive for things like ... math, reading, college. the normal ." his gaze drifts off, not even registering when the old lady comes by and leaves their drinks there, telling them to let her know when they're ready to order. "and then, some changed, and i couldn't do much with anyone anymore. so i started learning about cars, trucks, the parts, how they tick, how to change what. every weekend, i go to the junkyard, sometimes, i don't even buy anything. i just .. tinker. and help out." because there's a lot of people that need help there, not knowing how to pull off something as simple as a window regulator, or a door panel. "what about you? you like cars?"

@★ yugyeom k。 "it's a strange mixture," the male ponders, fidgeting lightly. the tips of his fingers unconsciously bounce up and down upon the menu, knee bouncing up and down. "baseball?" he repeats, blinking forward while biting upon the inside of his lower lip gently. "honestly, i don't really remember." right, due to his many concussions - let's just say that his memory wasn't the best. "i think it's that -- it was a distraction? a place to go when i needed to get away, and i think being able to be with a team and create at least some kind of.. brotherhood? sounded better than facing my problems, i guess. so then it just kind of became my thing, i guess." he was rambling, jesus. he's now looking at yugyeom, observing him freely with a few blinks inbetween. "you're into cars, right? what got you into that?"

@★ jungkook j。 "rootbeer floats taste like ... rootbeer, but a little milky, because of the ice cream they put in it. i mean, i guess you can do it with anything, ice cream and soda, but it tastes best with rootbeer." he's tried dr. pepper with ice cream before. it didn't taste horrible, but it was an experience. yugyeom props his jaw on his hand, looking to jungkook; he's already picked what he's going to eat, so now he's just .. admiring. he doesn't let his gaze waver too far, he mostly goes around jungkook's head, and watches him through his peripheral. "what got you into baseball?" he asks, suddenly. he always wonders how people have the drive for certain things. he's never had something where he wants to invest in it. it must be a nice feeling. consistency. a hobby.

@★ henrik h。 Awe why is your heart broken or mushy and red like a tomato? /looks at you with a little frown of mines. /blinks ever so softly at you as i continue to listen to your words. I can understand that tbh because I am lowkey a troubled girl, it's okay hm? That is very good and I hope we can become closer friends throughout the future. I can see why you like those because it's awesome asf! Aaah I like crop tops because i like to show my beautiful tummy. /lightly pats my tummy as i nod.

@★ jia m。 Because it’s red and mushy, and I imagine a broken heart as a squeezed out tomato /shrugs a little at my imaginary explanation
Bad boy? If you call it that, then yes. I’d call it a troubled kid, but whatever you say
Hmm well, you’re getting to know me bit by bit
Hoodies and jeans, definitely, what’s yours?

@★ henrik h。 Why a tomato out of everything i-Oh you must be a "bad boy" then? /i end up chuckling as i look at you with curiosity. You're right, i may not know you but i would love to know you if you tell me about yourself. /i smile at you widely as i nod while my hand was laid on my cheek that was being supported by my arm and elbow on the table. Well i like your opinion okay? Awe i am sorry to hear your tummy does that to the most delicious fruit out of all fruits tbh. What is your favorite clothing you like to wear?

@★ yugyeom k。 "i don't think i'd have the guts to do it anyway," the male murmurs, stealing a glimpse at yugyeom. though he quickly adverts his gaze back to the menu as he catches yugyeom looking to him. one of his hands presses against his neck, lightly rubbing the area as he blinks towards the different foods listed. he's curious why they know him so well, but he bites back the question. 'next time,' he recalls hearing from him, corners of his lips twitching slightly. "chocolate shake, please -- and can i get an extra cherry on that? ,,,,or two - please." he smiles up towards the woman, soon looking ahead before leaning back against the cushiony booth. "what do rootbear floats like?" he questions curiously, lips pursed.

@★ jungkook j。 "to each their own." he loves bacon so much, and has half the mind to ask jungkook how that beautiful piece of crunchy meat was ruined for him, but he bites his tongue. for once. yugyeom stares at the menu, thumbing over the plastic that covers the paper, his lips scrunching at one side, and his 'hm' accompanied by a shrug of his shoulders. "you see, i'd say yes," it wouldn't be the first time that he did it, "but they know me too well here." coming here almost every other day, leaning on the bar just to talk to the old lady and the greasy cook in the back, because they're a lot more home-y than his own home. "next time, we go somewhere no one knows us, then we can do the dine and dash." yugyeom snickers, in all seriousness, as he peeks over the menu to look at jungkook. the woman walks back over, notepad out, and yugyeom orders a rootbeer float, with two scoops of vanilla.

@★ jia m。 Yeah you can, once you destroy your emotions, you’ll stick with a tomato...
They ‘wish’ I would do what they tell me, but I don’t, I never did and I won’t start either... /laughs a bit sarcastically as you mention me doing something good/ You don’t know me Ji... I’m not the best person nor a good one
I didn’t want to advise you! Oh my, it was just my opinion! /speaks quickly feeling a bit bad
Bananas are cool, I like them but they make my stomach feel heavy...

@★ henrik h。 /i listens to your words as i smile at you in amusement before i end up chuckling. Aha i didn't know you can have a tomato as a heart. Aah so they making you do things you don't wanna do right? I hope whatever you doing is good, Henrik. Awe thank you for the advice and listening, i appreciate it. /shows you a finger heart of mines with a big grin upon my lips. i listen to your answer as i end up chuckling by your reaction. Aha that is good to know. My favorite is bananas but i like other fav fruits as well.

@★ jia m。 Don’t worry about it, I have a rotten tomato instead of a heart so it’s not really easy to hurt my feelings /chuckles resting my chin on a closed fist/ wow, way to go making my tomato skip a beat
I did... practically everything they told me not to. You know, when your parents want you to be nice to Aunty Margaret, but you really hate her garlic breath and stinky fish armpit stench /gives you a graphic example, even though I wonder if you would understand that
Ah, so they expect you to do more than you actually do. I wouldn’t worry about that too much, after all, you must know what you are capable of so if you think you’ve given it your best, the they tell shouldnt make you feel unworthy or whatever
Bless them!
Fruit? Aint that a bit personal question? You’re attacking my private life, Ji! /puts a hand on my chest sassily, faking a gasp/ kidding, I’d say any that is sweet... I can’t do sour how about yours?

@★ henrik h。 Oh i did? I am sorry, henrik. To make you happy, i really like talking to you this far like i really mean that. /smiles at you with warmth as i nod. tilts my head a little to the side as i listen to your words. Not the best offspring? What did you do? You seem like a good person that doesn't have any problems with your parents. I mean i don't even know why they act so mean to me like whatever i did something good, it was never good enough for them but at least i have my other family who appreciates and cherishes me. Toxins i-Sem i don't like greasy bacon. So what's your favorite fruit?

@★ jia m。 Yeah, now you dropped my confidence to point zero /takes a deep dramatic inhale, holding back a simple smile
Not really, I don’t know. I’m not the best offspring they could wish for you know, so I don’t blame them
I guess you are right, but why dont your parents appreciate you? You look like a good child
/scratches my head a little as you mention my order
I’m a growing boy, you know, I need my toxins! And yeah i love bacon, crispy but not too greasy