Jin's POV

"I'll always worry about you," Clara says in a slurred tone as the medicine quickly takes effect. "Because I think I love you."

Did she mean it? Does she even remember saying it?

I need to find out. I need to know. And I need to tell her how I feel.

I can't keep going through my recovery if I don't let my true feelings out.

I'm going to figure this out.

Today.

**********

Clara's POV

"As always, we'll pick this up tomorrow," Dr. Lee says with a polite smile as the group session ends.

Jin stands and stretches, yawning dramatically and he turns to me as I stand up as well.

"Clara Bear," he says in a singsong voice as Yoongi snorts behind me.

"I'm gonna go bribe a nurse for a cigarette," Yoongi grumbles as he walks off, sending me a side glance on the way out.

I frown. "He doesn't smoke."

"I asked him if he could give us some time alone," Jin says, smiling. The smile isn't the one I came to adore.

He's still far too thin and tired-looking. I hate how broken he became in this past month.

But I know he's healing now, for real this time. No more lies. No more pretending. He's finally realizing that he is just as important as those around him.

His old smile will return. He just needs time.

"Time alone? Jin, I had no idea you were such a pervert," I laugh and he laughs with me.

My heart flutters. I missed that laugh.

"I wanted to talk to you about something," he explains as we walk down the hallway.

"Hmm?" I hum, raising my eyebrows to look at him.

"You... said something," he says in a nervous tone. "When you were in the hospital and you were out of it from the pain medication."

"Oh gosh," I groan as I mentally face palm. "Jin, I was high as a kite and whatever it was, I'm sure it was just nonsense."

He clears his throat awkwardly. "Right. Nonsense."

I frown as I stop in the hallway and grab his arm, turning him to face me. "What did I say? Was it that horrible?"

"It's nothing," he huffs out an awkward laugh. "You probably didn't mean it."

"Now I'm intrigued," I say, grinning. "You're blushing!"

He quickly turns away from me and jogs off towards the garden.

"Hey! You aren't allowed to go to the garden yet! You only have day room privileges!" I shout as I jog to catch up to him.

"I'm a sweet talker, Clara Bear. You know that," he turns to look at me over his shoulder before sending me an over exaggerated wink. "I got outside privileges early since I'm not new to this place."

"Tell me what I said, Jin," I huff out breathlessly as we walk out into the beautiful garden. It's sunny outside today and almost too warm to be wearing sweats, but I'm too busy trying to get this stubborn man in front of me to spill his guts.

"Beautiful weather," he sighs as he refuses to turn to look at me.

"Last chance, Kim Seokjin. Tell me what I told you," I say in a warning tone but he just laughs heartily.

"Nope," he says nonchalantly.

All right. Let's play dirty then.

I immediately jump onto his broad back and latch onto him for dear life.

"Whoa!" He yells out as he nearly loses his balance before stabilizing himself and grabbing onto my thighs to support me.

I scoff. "You were supposed to be scared, not fine with it."

He turns and grins at me, our faces centimeters apart. "Why would I complain about my beautiful girl wanting a piggyback ride? Adorable."

I open my mouth to throw out a sarcastic retort, but nothing comes out.

I'm too damn distracted.

His muscles. His closeness. The fact that he just called me his beautiful girl.

My heart is racing and I swallow harshly, loosening my grip on him as my resolve disappears.

I roll my eyes in annoyance in how this didn't work in my favor at all before deciding to take a different approach.

"Jin," I whisper in his ear as he walks us through the different plants and flowers while keeping a firm grip on my legs.

I feel him shiver from my breath cascading on his neck before he gulps and slowly turns to face me, his legs now still.

"Tell me," I whisper again, my eyes locked on his. "Pretty please."

He groans. "Not fair."

I grin mischievously and he slowly puts me down before turning to look at me.

"You said..." he starts.

I look at him expectantly, hoping I didn't tell him some super embarrassing childhood memory or something.

"You said you think you love me," he says quietly and my eyes widen.

"I did what?!"

He chuckles nervously before letting his eyes land on mine.

"I know. Nonsense, right?" He awkwardly laughs before rubbing the back of his neck.

I gulp and just watch the man in front of me.

"Right?" He repeats in a quieter tone.

My mouth is hanging open, but words refuse to leave it.

I thought that was a dream.

It really happened.

I really told him that.

Out loud.

To his face.

I feel my face erupt in flames.

"Now you're the one blushing," he says, smirking.

"Y-you're smirking at me right now?" I say, wanting to run and lock myself in my room for the rest of forever.

I'm desperately wishing I told him some embarrassing childhood memory.

"So?" Jin asks and my eyes snap up to his.

"Huh?"

"Do you love me?" He asks and my heart feels like it's going to give out any second now.

"I- You-"

He watches me with a soft look in his gaze and I stare at him, desperately needing to breathe properly.

"Clara Bear, please answer me."

"I- I-"

He sighs and places his hands on my cheeks, his thumbs stroking my face in small circles as he whispers softly in my ear to breathe.

I listen to him, letting his voice lull me into the calmness he's always brought out in me.

He nods slowly as my breathing finally comes easily and slowly.

"I need to know," he says softly, his breath warm against my face as he leans down and presses our foreheads together.

"I do," I whisper, barely audible. "Dumbo, of course I love you."

His eyes flutter closed as the words leave my mouth.

I gulp, terrified of his reaction. Will he run away? Is he afraid I'll leave him alone again? Does he even-

"I love you, my beautiful Clara."