31 august 2016, 2300 hrs kst

in less than thirty minutes, the trio had already reached their venue. their car slowly turned into the jumpy road which pointed 'way in' and jungkook's eyes immediately darted around to take in the silence of his surroundings.

much to his dismay, the once busy gas station back in his memory has now transformed into a very much rundown station. most of the facilities which were formerly there were now gone and glancing up to look at the clock which sat just above the mini counter in front of him, it seemed as though that was the only thing working.

"officer jeon, someone's coming our way,"

jungkook snapped out from his thoughts when he heard that. looking up, he let out a gasp when he saw the familiar tall and lean figure ambling towards their car. gradually, his steps drew closer and closer and eventually, the figure stopped right next to him, before bending down to give a knock on the window at jungkook's side of the car.

"officer jeon?", whispered officer wang as he slouched onto the steering wheel, turning his head around to stare at jungkook.

in the meantime, the little boy who was quietly seated at the backseat all along, also shifted his buttocks out a little to pay attention to the commotion. his eyes shifted uneasily at the male who was standing outside but nevertheless, it was a second later when jungkook gave the cue.

"roll down the windshield,"

officer wang stiffened up in his seat but giving a shrug soon after, he pressed firmly onto the switch next to his door.

"hey, how much petrol would you --"
"long time no see, namjoon hyung,"

the figure outside the car stood riveted to the ground. although he had been told that jungkook would eventually show up here, he still couldn't deny the fact that his heart was churning when he finally saw him after so long. for a few seconds, namjoon just stood there, staring blankly at jungkook and when he finally got back his senses and took out the lollipop from his mouth, all he said to jungkook was,

"get out,"

with that, he trudged wearily to his counter while jungkook removed his seatbelt instantly. reaching for the doorknob, he was about to get out from the car when officer wang stopped him.

"you sure about this?"

jungkook turned around to face him.

"don't worry, i know him. he's my hyung, a close hyung", replied jungkook and then, gesturing for the little boy to get out from the car too, he held onto his small hand as he led the way.

"now you, get going,"

jungkook signaled for officer wang to head back to his station and giving in to him, officer wang eventually reversed his car doubtfully. he did check his rear mirror for the duo for a few times and eventually dropping his worry, he drove his car out of sight. and now, standing in the middle of station, there left jungkook and the little boy.

"it's gone", jungkook sighed sadly when he noticed that the in-n-out burger which they have once shared their happy times at has been torn down.

"i know right. it used to sit just right here,"

from behind them, namjoon appeared again and added on to his words. raising his arms up, he handed the little boy as well as jungkook with cups of hot chocolate before he told them to wait a little while more.

"hyung,"
"wassup?"
"where is dahae-ssi?"

namjoon's eyes widened a little at her name but shoving the lollipop back into his mouth, he decided to remain quiet.

silence means consent, jungkook knew about this phrase. thus, after taking a sip off from his hot chocolate, he said to namjoon solemnly,

"hyung, i really don't want to arrest you. so please, say to me that you're not involved in this --"
"but i am,"

namjoon declared boldly and as he hear the sound of an engine revving up from a far, he looked at jungkook and said to him too,

"and it's not just me,"

flicking his head towards the front, jungkook followed his gaze and incoming, a beam of light almost blinded the trio's eyes as the truck slowly showed up and halted right next to them. it took a while for jungkook's eyes to get adjusted to the light but when he finally saw the driver who stuck his head out from the car, his mouth gaped open.

"i sure hope that i'm not late", then said the eldest of the group -- kim seokjin.

"i'm here to pick you guys up,"