Another day was done, in which Yoongi had survived. Holding hands with his girl on their way to his motorcycle. Yoongi placed the helmet on her and was asking where she wanted to eat to celebrate.

"I don't know if I deserve to celebrate. . ." Kate leaned against him, letting him wrap his arm around her.

"What's wrong? You did great on that stage. A lot of us cheered."

Kate rubbed both sides of her temples, "Maybe. . , I'm crazy, but. . I saw my brother. How happy my parents were, they praised him for it. But somehow, I didn't feel the same. ."

"I know what you mean," Kate didn't expect such a response from him. One would think he'd do the usual reply, which was to comfort her. Instead, he laid out on his family history background. "My parents don't really think of me as their son. I think they do, but not the same way as your parents treat you."

"Is that why you didn't want to introduce me to them?"

Yoongi was beyond surprised at how vulnerable and open he felt tonight. Maybe it was the moment. Maybe it was Kate. Or maybe he just felt like it. Someone new to share his insecurities with. Someone he could fully trust, at least. He nodded with a little bit of hesitation, "Jin. . is actually my half-brother. My Dad slept with his Mom and that affected my Mom gravely. Though, she didn't divorce him for it, I know she wants to. Just. . the thought of not having Dad would be terrible for her. He's all she has."

"But she still has you." Kate's voice tuned down; became all soft and melancholic, trying to relate and be more soothing to his comfort.

"She's so controlling of everything I do. Both her and Dad. They didn't let me pursue music, they wanted me to take Liberal Arts, instead. In the end, I signed up for undecided. It was better since it included a lot of major subjects." Yoongi had himself rolling up his sleeves, playing with his motor keys; his other hand occupied, strumming Kate's fingers. "So I wasn't lying when I told you, you were the first person to find out I'm AD."

"You mean, not even Jisoo?" Not that she was insecure or jealous about it; nothing wrong with being curious. When he shook his head, she felt really happy. Having this guy trust her so much. Opening up to her more. Being a great support. Kate held his face, gently turning it towards her direction. There it was; his eyes darting on hers. "I'm glad you told me." She pulls him into a great big hug, his arms snaking around her waist to pull her close. "I didn't know you've been keeping this much in. It must've taken a lot of courage from you to tell me that."

"I love you. I trust in you." Yoongi kisses her on the nose.

"I love you," Kate echoed. "My parents haven't talked to me as much ever since the day of our loss. My Dad does, but Mom. . . I understand her pain. She's blaming herself for it, even though I've told her countless of times it wasn't. We can't help it."

🎧

Yoongi decided to visit the hospital for his Dad. He felt guilty, despite being cast aside as always by the older. He closed the door and walked up to his side table to place the flowers in the vase. And then he found himself staring helplessly at his Father.

Mr. Min was the kind of man who never let his family down, moreso with himself. Always strong and confident, never the type to be "weak" like he labels Yoongi. But seeing him now, in this state, it changed it all. He had been in hiding and his strength gave up on him, collapsing and breaking down in front of his family; how ironic.

"This is your fault," Yoongi monologued, taking out his pack of cigarettes. "If you didn't cheat on Mom, if you had just been supportive or me, if you— if you actually took the time to get to know your own son. . maybe things would've been different." He couldn't stand it; the smell of his Father drinking booze and smoking— he stayed strong despite being so exposed to it every single day of his life. Yoongi gave in himself and succumbed to temptation and puffed himself.

"I’m going to show you . . . that you have been wrong about me." Yoongi vowed in front of his unconscious Father. "I'm gonna show you I can be successful. I will."

[ posted OCTOBER 23 2018 ]