I nodded and reluctantly let go of her hands. I backed out of the room, closing the door behind me, and turning to rest my back  against the wall. I leaned my head back, closing my eyes, wondering what the hell I was doing. I wasn't sure why I'd asked her to stay thru the winter. It would have been just as easy to send her wherever she wanted to go now as it will be once spring gets here.

~♡~

You looked at yourself in the mirror, surprised at how pale you looked. You still felt weak, but not as weak as you had when you'd first woken up from the fever. You literally had been unable to move, and it scared you, because you felt so vulnerable.

But you had quickly realized that you had nothing to be scared of. Tae was not going to hurt you. You were sure of that now. The fact that he had worried about you, sat with you the whole time you'd been sick, had certainly made you realize that he had no ill intentions towards you. But there was something else about him that just made you feel...comfortable.

It was strange, really, when you thought about it. It had only been a few days that you'd been here, but you were already feeling less afraid. You knew you still needed time, because sometimes when you closed your eyes, you ended up right back there, in that tiny apartment that you were rarely allowed to leave, having your every move controlled. You weren't allowed to show emotions, or make your own decisions. You were to speak when spoken to, and keep your thoughts and opinions to yourself.

Tae had said he knew what it was like, to be treated badly. You couldn't imagine anyone treating him badly. He was such a caring, considerate person. He didn't deserve to be treated the way he'd spoken of. It made your heart ache just imagining it. But it also made you realize why he understood you, and seemed to know what to say or do to help.

You wanted to know more about him, but you were afraid to ask. Maybe, if you told him more about yourself, he would open up to you. But you didn't know if you could. 

You were curious though, why he'd moved from South Korea to the United States. What would make him go so far away, and leave his friends and family? Why was he here alone? Had he been married? Did he have kids, that maybe an ex-wife had custody of? Why didn't he go to work every day, and how was he buying things, taking care of his animals? He'd just come home with clothes for you, and then ordered you more things.

You were becoming so curious about this man.

There was a knock on the door.

"Y/n, are you okay?"

You were getting so carried away with your thoughts that you had forgotten he was waiting outside the door in case you needed help.

"Uh, yeah, I'm fine. Just gimme a few seconds."

You emptied your bladder, and only struggled a little to stand, pulling your pants up and flushing the toilet. You washed your hands, drying them on the towel beside the sink, and slowly made your way to the door.

You opened it, and he turned to look at you, reaching for your arm to help you back to your room.

"You seem to be feeling a little better. You'll be back to yourself in no time."

"I do feel better. I'm still feeling a little weak, but I'm sure if I rest for a bit longer, I'll be well enough to help with the horses later."

"Well, I don't know about all that. I think you should take the rest of today to relax, and get your strength back."

You pouted, and he smiled. You knew he was right. You got back to your room, and he helped you sit in the chair.

"How bout I make you some toast, and I can bring you a cup of tea, or a sprite if you'd like."

You nodded. "I am kind of hungry, so yeah, I guess I should eat something. I think I'd like to try some sprite though. I've had enough of the warm broth, I'd like something cold  to drink."

"Okay. I'll go get that for you. Just relax. If you still feel okay in a little while, I'll help you downstairs. But no horses. You're not leaving the house today." He cocked one eyebrow at  you, and you let out a breath, not sure whether to feel annoyed or grateful.

"Fine."

He gave you a quick nod, and left the room.   

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤

I shook my head as I made my way down the stairs, realizing that she may actually be just as stubborn as I was. I laughed as I reached the kitchen, grabbing the loaf of bread and sticking two pieces in the toaster. I took a can of sprite from the fridge, and got a straw from the drawer, setting them on the counter while I waited for the toast to finish.

As I stood there, I was pretty sure I heard Gucci meow, but I wasn't sure where it was coming from. I listened, and heard it again, sounding like it was coming from the laundry room. I cautiously took a few steps, trying to listen, but what I heard couldn't be Gucci. It was too soft, and tiny. I stepped into the laundry room, and there in a basket of towels I hadn't washed yet, was Gucci, and two tiny little kittens.

I stood there in shock for a minute, looking at the two wet little creatures nursing from her while she licked them to clean and dry them. They were squeaking in contentment as they filled their bellies. I stepped closer, squatting down to look at them better, and Gucci meowed at me, and started purring.

"Well this is a surprise." I stroked her head, understanding now why she hadn't been following me around, or sticking to Y/n. She was searching for a place to give birth. "I've gotta say, you're becoming pretty good at surprises. First, you lead me to Y/n, and now, you give me two more critters to take care of. You can stop with the surprises any time now though."

I stopped petting her, and she went back to licking her babies. I heard the toaster pop, and got up to go wash my hands, and grab a plate to put the toast on, putting a little butter on. I grabbed the sprite and straw in one hand, and the plate in the other hand, and took them upstairs to Y/n.

"Thank you," she said as I set everything down next to her.   

She picked up a piece of toast, taking a small bite, as I opened the can of soda, dropping the straw in.

"Make sure you eat slowly, and chew it up well, so you don't get a stomach ache."

She put the piece of toast down, and took the soda, taking a sip, then setting the can down.

"Tae, can I ask you something?"

"Sure." I looked at her, waiting for her question, glad that she finally seemed to be comfortable with me.

She opened her mouth like she was going to say something, but hesitated, then took a breath before speaking.

"Why did you move from South Korea to the Unites States, to Michigan?"

Now it was my turn to hesitate. I looked away, focusing on the floor for a minute, trying to decide how much I wanted to tell her. It was clear that she had no idea who I was, or had been. But I wasn't sure I was ready to share that information just yet. Not because I didn't trust her, I had no reason not to. I wasn't exactly sure why I had come here of all places. And I wasn't sure If I came here to escape the sympathy I got due to the fact that BTS was no more, or if it was because I wanted to get away from all the drama Sunhae was creating. Or both...

"You said...earlier, that you knew what it was like to be treated like you didn't matter...that, we weren't that different. Did you come here...to get away from the person who was treating you badly?"

I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath to calm myself. I had said that, and honestly, I had hoped she wouldn't bring it up. I said it to try and make her feel better. It was true, but it wasn't something I wanted to relive. Not now, not ever. 

But you said it to help her, to show her she wasn't alone. You had to know she might ask you about it.

I opened my eyes, and looked at her. She was looking at her hands in her lap, an apologetic look on her face.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked you that." She said quietly.

"No, it's okay. Don't be sorry." I  sat on the edge of the bed, and leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees, lacing my fingers together.

"I did come here to get away from...an unpleasant situation. I had already ended the relationship, months before. But she continued to try and make my life miserable. I decided it would be easier to just leave, and go someplace where no one knew me."

"But why so far away, why not just go to a different city or town, so that you weren't so far from everyone you love?"

I couldn't explain, couldn't tell her that I was known everywhere in Korea, and that there was even a chance I could be recognized here.

"It was just easier. She probably would have found me if I'd stayed in Korea, and continued her sick games. She's probably still looking for me. But she won't find me here, unless she's stalking my friends, and they inadvertently give something away."