Park Soomi

"Well, you were right. Look what arrived today." I stopped in the middle of the staircase, Hoseok's voice traveling up the steps and reaching my ears. Peeking my head around the corner, I saw him conversing with Yoongi, handing him some papers. "We didn't find any fingerprints or footage of him from the security cameras."

Oh. They're talking about that day.

It had already been a few days since then, and I wasn't sure what the worst part of it was: Taehyung suddenly leaving, or the cryptic messages left by some stalker.

Well, one's annoying me more than the other, that's for sure.

"What about the background check on Kim Taehyung?"

Wait, a background check?

"He's a successful CEO, so he's got the money and power, but I didn't find anything suspicious. He doesn't have any relations with Prosecutor Park either."

"Guess he's not our guy," Yoongi said.

The anger already bubbling within me reached its boiling point as I revealed my presence to the two.

"Well, I already told you that, didn't I?"

They both turned to me, blindsided.

"How much did you hear?"

"Enough to know you got a background check on my boyfriend despite me telling you it wasn't necessary," I snapped. Hoseok slowly sidestepped away as I glared at Yoongi.

"It's just standard procedure. Besides, we found nothing suspicious. Turns out he really is just a douche—"

"What happened to holding your tongue?" His lips sealed shut from my outburst.

"Sorry, I'm working on it."

"Maybe you have to work harder."

"Damn, girl. You're grouchy today," Hoseok commented. I squinted my eyes over at him, seeing him snacking on a box of pepero.

They were the last ones of my favorite flavor: white chocolate.

As if this day couldn't have gotten any worse.

"Is it that time of the month?" He continued pushing my buttons.

"Uh, no? Maybe it has to do with the fact that strange men are living in my house now! One of them keeps bitching 'bout my boyfriend, and the other steals my food!"

"Relax." Hoseok laughed. "It hasn't been long. You'll have plenty of time to get used to us, baby girl." He smirked with a pepero stick in his hand.

"I don't know if our food supply will survive long enough," I jested, snatching the stick from him. He kept staring with that devilish smile. "Or if I will..."

"Well, I have a feeling we'll be here for a while. There isn't a shortage of enemies when it comes to your dad. Also, I've met the guy, and let's just say I wouldn't be surprised if he made an enemy out of random people on the street."

I guess that's one thing we could agree on.

"Are you sure there's nothing else bothering you?" Yoongi questioned.

Yeah. Taehyung.

"Trust me. It's just you. Who in the world would be happy about this arrangement?"

Just as I said this, the front door opened to a flood of laughter, Jimin and Jungkook happily in conversation.

"Where were you two?" I asked.

"Jiminie and I were out on a jog."

"Jiminie? Since when were you two so close?"

"Jungkook is actually the coolest guy ever," Jimin marveled, "but what did I tell you about calling me Jiminie? It's hyung to you."

"Okay then, shorty hyung."

"Oh. It's. So. On." Jimin pulled Jungkook into a headlock, giving him a noogie.

"Hey, quit it! You know I could easily put you in a headlock."

"Sure, but see, you do that, and you're fired."

They continued in this position, laughing while trudging up the stairs.

We all stared in silent confusion, still processing the scene we had just witnessed.

"Ummm, don't know what that was, but I'm gonna head out. You know, maybe cross out some prospective suspects from that list." Hoseok broke the silence.

No, but the pepero.

"Wait!"

"Yes, sweetheart?"

"Oh, cut it with the nicknames." I cringed. "Can I have the rest of the pepero? They're my favorite."

"Anything for you," he complied, "sweetheart."

I wasn't sure if he was just trying to annoy me at this point. How is Jimin so okay with all of this? He and Jungkook are getting along so well.

"Is there anywhere you need to go too?" Yoongi asked, interrupting my thoughts.

To see Taehyung.

"No, I need to get some work done. I'll just be in my home studio."

"Are you working on a song?" His voice brightened and his face lit up at the mention of my work.

"Yeah, but you're not coming in with me. No one ever comes into my studio."

"But, you said that I could watch...?"

"I never thought we were gonna see each other outside the café! Besides, you said you were a barista and wanted to be a music producer. Guess we all lie sometimes."

Before he had the chance to say another word, I slammed the door shut and heaved a frustrated sigh, my mind still clouded with so many aggravating thoughts. All for one person.

Ugh. Freaking Taehyung.

* * *

Min Yoongi

"Soomi?" I pressed my ear against the door but could only make out a few notes played on a keyboard.

It was late at night, and Soomi hadn't left the room other than occasional trips to the kitchen and bathroom. It was getting worried, especially after receiving those new photos and threats this morning.

Do you really think a few bodyguards scare me? You and everyone you love aren't safe.

I grimaced as I recalled the message before knocking once more.

"Are you okay?" Still nothing. "Okay, I'm coming in."

I carefully opened the door. Soomi sat at the keyboard, her head drooping as if she were asleep, but her fingers still moving along the keys.

I gently shook her shoulder. She instantaneously jolted up at my touch.

"Yoongi? Why'd you come in here?" she asked with a tiny yawn. She seemed to have calmed down in her now sleepy state.

"It's getting late. You should sleep."

"No, I need to work," she whined with half-lidded eyes.

"As surprisingly talented as you are at playing piano in your sleep, I think you should get some rest."

"Did you really think it was good?" she asked. I hummed in response. "I've been trying to get the melody right for forever."

"Play it again," I requested. Soomi played the tune previously muffled by the door. I listened with my eyes closed in concentration. "It's pretty good, but what if, on the second repetition of the measure, you go up a third on the note? Give it some variation."

She seemed to ponder over my suggestion thoughtfully.

"May I? I brought my hands up, hovering over the keys. She seemed unsure at first but eventually gave me a nod.

I played the same melody, only instead with my modification.

"That's actually perfect," she marveled. We made eye contact as I gave her a tiny smile.

"I know I wasn't very truthful when we first met, but what I said about music? None of that was a lie."

"Oh...I'm sorry about before. I was angry at someone- something else and I just took it out on you."

"It's okay," I quickly reassured, my head too preoccupied with my eagerness to glide my fingers along the keys. I played the piece Soomi had written, feeling my smile grow by the second.

My hands came to a halt when I felt a weight on my shoulder. I glanced over, surprised to see Soomi fast asleep.

"I told you to go to bed," I whispered while adjusting my position. I gently lifted her up, trying my best not to make noise as I headed to her room.

"That was the first time," she mumbled, eyes still shut.

"First time?"

"First time I've seen you smile since the café."

I didn't know how to respond. Although, it didn't seem like she was looking for one as she snuggled closer into my chest.

Why am I still smiling?

As I got her into bed, I couldn't ignore this feeling manifesting within me. It was like butterflies in my stomach, fluttering around a blooming bud of joy and excitement.

At first, the feeling felt foreign, but then it began to welcome me with a warm hug.

There's only one thing that could be, right?

The music.

I found myself back in front of that keyboard, like a moth drawn to a flame. I contemplated whether I should even be here, knowing Soomi may not like it.

But old dreams and passions had already been ignited, and I couldn't fight the urge to grab a pen and paper.

——
{a/n}

Not the best chapter but it was a bit more lighthearted, so hope you all enjoyed! 💜