Tease

"Yah! Park Jae! Get your flat ass down here!" I yelled cradling Eurim's small body against my chest, dropping messy kisses against her plush baby cheeks.

I ignored the grittiness and the way my eyes stung every time I shut them. They're probably really red, maybe even as red as mom's when she comes back from a night out, completely hammered.

I stayed up most of the night before, anxiety biting into my brain. I was moving into the dorm today and the thought of what could happen to these kids with me gone honestly scared the shit outta me. What are they going to eat? Will they sleep on time? Will they wake up on time? What if Jae gets a girl pregnant?

Jae's heavy stomps brought me out of my fit of worrying. Blinking hard I smiled at Jae's grouchy face, which consisted of an exaggerated pout, scrunched up nose, and a prominent wrinkle between his thick eyebrows. I chuckled at his expression warmth swelling up inside my body, an imperceptible smile permanently staining my face.

"Do you have to go? I can't be mean to anyone else. Chul throws shoes at me, Jisoo just cries, and Soobin always says she'd tell my girlfriend how mean I am." I stuck my tongue out at him and his implication the that the only reason he didn't want me to leave was that he wanted someone to be mean to. Jae was taking the fact that I was leaving the hardest, from being extra touchy-feely to glaring at me every time I didn't pay attention to him.

"Whatever, you big baby. Go help Chul put my stuff in the moving van," I rolled my eyes at nudged my head in the direction of the moving van my new company sent. Jae fake gagged, a habit he developed from me, and sauntered over to boxes Chul's skinny frame was trying to move. He lifted them up with ease, and as if bragging pretended to be lifting them like they were weights.

Chul promptly smacked him with his shoe, another habit that was picked up from me. I was really going to miss them. I was going to miss the constant ruckus, the habits each of their own personalities bore, the curve of their lips and eyes when they smiled. The colors around me started to smear together, my breaths hitching slightly. I tilted my head back a painful lump forming in my throat from trying to keep my tears at bay, eventually failing.

"No cry." Eurim's chubby fingers brushed against my wet cheeks, her tiny mouth puckered into a frown. She poked at my eye, drawing a wince from me, followed by a laugh. She giggled at my own watery laugh, her big eyes curving downwards and her lips exposing the emptiness where her front tooth should be.

I set her down when she began squirming, she stayed still for too long a time and the ball of energy couldn't take that. She charged forward, almost banging against the wall, but Jisoo deftly picked her up with a small tittering laugh.

"Noona! I did it," Chul called, dusting off his shoulders like he was some male lead in a drama.

"What do you mean you did it. You lifted like the smallest box with those spaghetti arms of yours!" Jae laughed, playfully smacking the back of Chul's head.

Chul gave a dramatic gasp, eyelashes fluttering rapidly in horror.

"Noona, did you see that! Jae just hit me. Well, I am absolutely appalled by this disrespect," the hypocrite announced as if he hadn't done the same thing just moments before.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Just get your gay ass over here, I wanna talk to you guys." I rolled my eyes, ignoring my whitened knuckles and the apprehension engulfing me.

I stared at them, pinpricks of tears dotting across my vision.

"So, I have to leave soon," I started, trying to keep my voice calm and even.

"Eurim, you probably have no idea what going on, but I hope you don't forget me." I smiled at our youngest, who was just happily waddling into walls.

"Hana sweetheart, listen to your Unnis and Oppas, even though they're really stupid," I leaned in for a discreet whisper, "I'm just kidding, they should be listening to you because you're so much more responsible." I winked before straightening.

"Jisoo, I love you, you beautiful piece of shit. Just, live a little while I'm gone, okay, I give you permission to be almost as stupid as Jae." I disregarded Jae's indignant 'hey!' and continued speaking.

"Chul, you abusive child. Keep being your beautiful manipulative self, but if I find out you stole any of my hoodies, I'll cut you." I was still salty that my luggage couldn't fit all my hoodies, so I had to leave a few of them behind, and Chul always just happens to end up with all our stuff in his possession.

"Soobin, you dumb hoe, keep thinking you are as beautiful as the sun, your level self-confidence is an astonishing thing. Just remember if I find out that you got a boyfriend before telling me, I'll steal your scraps of clothing and sell them."

Jae was already a crying mess when I got to him, his sobs making fresh tears blur over my vision.

"Stop crying, you baby, you're gonna make me cry," I said my voice thick and cracking at the end.

"I'm really gonna miss your dumb face," I whined, heavy tears pouring down my face, my arms clasped around him, his warmth seeping into my bones.

"Okay," I pushed him back and wiped my eyes, slipping on my award-winning smile.

"I have to go now, oh and Jae, use protection," I gave knowing look, breaking it only to laugh at his horrified expression.

"Bye Unni! We'll miss you!"

I tried not to regret anything, this was for all of our futures.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

The floors were shinier than my future.

My sneakers squeaked obnoxiously against the smooth floor that resembles spilled milk, sleek and clean, almost untouched. A winding staircase spiraled upwards dizzyingly imposing, I had to rear my head completely back to catch a glimpse of where it was leading. The house's silence pressed against my ears painstakingly obvious, the only sounds my breathing and my steps resonating through the dorm.

I wasn't used to it. The quiet, I mean. I liked the constant chaos, the preoccupation it demanded of me, now in this cold silent house, the only thing to keep me distracted was the beating of my own heart and the floods of thoughts swirling inside my head. I didn't like it.

I didn't like it at all.

A low groan drew from my lips as I remembered that this dead air would be my life until I no longer had this job. I dropped my head back letting air press against my exposed throat, my eyes fluttering shut. I was exhausted, I honestly didn't want to even stand anymore, I wanted to collapse on the ground from my lack of drive.

Suddenly, I heard a loud slam, follows by loud stomps and laughter. Goosebumps rose on my skin from the sudden shift of atmosphere, life filling the empty house with light.

"Yah! Jungkookie, help with the bags!" I heard an annoyed yell, melodious hints of laughter hidden beneath it. A smile spread across my face unbeknownst to me, my mood suddenly lifted.

"Never hyung!" A familiar velvety voice called, loud footsteps slamming against the floor. I could almost feel the floor vibrate from the sheer force of them.

A black blur appeared before my eyes, colliding into me before I could even process what the heck was going on. The wind was stolen from my lungs as my back and head slammed back on the pearly white floor, heat emanating from the firm mass pressed against me.

I untangled my lashes as my eyes had shut from the anticipation of the drop. His lips were set directly in my line of sight, his breath fluttering against my skin. He had pretty lips, soft and pink, his bottom lip slightly fuller than the top one. I dragged my eyes away from his lips to his eyes.

"Is this gonna be our thing now? I wouldn't mind, to be honest," I smirked slipping a hand underneath my throbbing head. Jeon Jungkook was only inches above me, one hand beside either side of my head. I waited for him to roll off me and get all cute and flustered, but he just stayed in place, staring at me like I was some mythical creature that fascinated him.

His pretty lips parted slightly as if he was going to say something. I tensed in awareness of his next words, but none came. I shifted awkwardly, but then covered it up with some stolen confidence that I really can't afford.

"Um... are you gonna get off me? Wait, is this a reenactment of our first meeting and you're just waiting to kiss me again." I puckered my lips dramatically, referring to the 'kiss' we shared, which basically was me accidentally giving his mouth a high-five with my own when I plowed him over a week before.

I'm romantic.

His eyes widened at my puckered lips, his face contorting into a disgusted expression, shooting off me as fast as lightning. Well, there goes my self-confidence. I laughed clumsily, pushing myself up and leaning back on my palms.

"Sorry," he said, nodding his head in the form of a bow.

"It's okay, I did the same thing anyway." We fell into an agonizing silence, staring in each other's direction, but never quite at each other.

"What are you doing here?" He questioned, trying to ease the tension.

"I'm moving in today. You're officially my boss now."

He blinked slowly, trying to process this new information.

"Is- is this how you treat all of your bosses?"

"Only the cute ones," I say without thinking, rubbing my aching head. My breath stilled in my lungs when I realize what I was saying and who I was talking to, also what consisted of the conversation altogether.

"Oh god! I'm so sorry, I don't know why I said that!" I exclaimed, hands flying erratically, as it would explain my words to him faster.

"So, you don't think I'm cute?" He lifted an eyebrow.

"No, no, no I think you're very cute, I just shouldn't be talking like that to my boss!"

"Why not?" He took two steps closer to me, bending down so our faces were mere inches apart.

"B-because it's inappropriate."

"And it's not inappropriate to propose an offer to kiss your boss? Although, it's even more inappropriate to take back an offer." He took half a step forward, our noses almost brushing.

Who was this man? My first impression of Jungkook was that he was soft and innocent, someone who was easily flustered. This man was bold and arrogant, beautiful in a way a lion was, pleasant to watch from afar but dangerous up close.

I gulped audibly, looking up to meet his eyes, only to find the mischief, that was hidden before, on full display.

"You're teasing me," I said, a surprised look uprooting on my face. He smiled backing away from me.

"You teased me first."

I lifted my eyebrows.

"Touché." I laughed softly, running my fingers through my hair.

"Jungkook-ah, you're in trouble!" Someone yelled, broad shoulders barreling into the room.

Jin's playful face quickly shifted into a charming one when he noticed me.

"Ah, Aemin-ssi, hello. Did you just arrive?" He said, his plump lips turning up into a smile.

"Hello, Mr. Jin. Yes, I did just arrive, this place is beautiful," I conversed politely, bowing down with a smile.

He made a sound from the back of his throat and shook his head.

"Wow, so polite! I bet you'd help with groceries," he said shooting an annoyed look in Jungkook's direction while the younger just smiled smugly.

"Thank you?" I asked more than said, my eyes darting between them.

"Jungkook, go help her with the boxes," Jin said with a smile. Jungkook rolled his eyes but went into the direction of the boxes anyway. Eyes widening, I watched as he lifted the three boxes that took me half an hour to move, with ease and started walking up the stairs.

He came back down faster than I expected.

"I'm going out," Jungkook announced, grabbing a jacket and strolled toward the door. I follow behind, pretty sure that's what I'm supposed to do for this job.

"Where?" I asked.

"To eat," he answered shortly, scratching the back of his head and avoiding eye contact. He was awful at lying.

"Good, I'm hungry too." I slipped on a pair of shoes and followed him out the door.

After a bit of walking I found my self at the same dance studio I saw Jungkook exit out of when we first met.

"Out to eat, huh," I stated smugly, proud that I caught his lie.

"Shut up."

I followed him inside, chuckling at his cute pout.

Sharp screams pierced the air, making Jungkook abruptly stop, the muscles in his back tensing. He turned around in a smooth motion, a large hand wrapping around my wrist and he dragged me behind him. The screams were getting louder as we bolted, my unathletic body running as fast as it allowed. He made a sharp turn, almost making me fall, but he held me up. There was a door at the end of the hallway, Jungkook's eye caught it and threw us both into it. Darkness enveloped us as we crouched into the room, the only sounds our heavy breathing.

"What was that?" I panted after a few minutes of silence.

"Saesang fans, they found out where I practiced," I heard a soft thunk as he banged his head on the wall behind him.

"They should be gone by now, right?" I pressed my ear against the door and sighed in relief when all I heard was silence. I twisted the doorknob but it wouldn't budge.

"Uh, Jungkook?" I called, the only response I get is a hum.

"I think we're stuck."

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A/N

That's all I have to say.