For the first time in almost a month, Nari woke up with a sick feeling in her stomach. She groaned and rushed out of bed, stumbling through the darkness, and managed to make it to the bathroom before it was too late. The girl sighed. This was starting to get old.

She slowly made her way back to bed and found Namjoon sitting up, sleepily rubbing his eyes. "Hey," He greeted her softly, "You okay?"

"Yeah." Nari answered quietly, "I'm just tired of it, you know?"

The boy tenderly kissed her head, "I know, darling. I know."

"Sorry for waking you up," She apologized and leaned into his frame, "You can go back to sleep if you want to. I'll be fine."

"It's okay, don't apologize. I was going to get up early anyway, " Namjoon assured her, "Do you want to watch the sunrise with me, Nari? It's almost 6:30. We're just in time."

Nari nodded and stood up, remembering his words from the night before about the little house in the countryside,  "Yes. I would love to."

"Good. Grab your shoes, let's go."

The two rode the elevator down to the lobby in comfortable silence. Nari held Namjoon's hand and looked up at him as he hummed softly to himself. His bleached hair was messy and she could still see traces of his eyeliner from the night before, but the girl didn't mind. He was comfortable and she was too.

Crisp New York air filled her lungs when they stepped outside and she took a deep breath to take it all in. Even thought the sun had just barely risen in the horizon, the city was still so full of life. Taxis raced down the streets, billboards shone brightly, businessmen in suits whizzed by them talking on the phone in a language that Nari could barely understand, and there were more people walking dogs that she could count. Seoul was just as busy, but somehow this felt different.

Finally feeling safe, she let go of the boy's hand. He smiled and kept a watchful eye on the girl as they maneuvered the city sidewalk. She wondered if Iris was looking at the same sunrise as they were. Probably not, they liked to sleep in, but it made her feel just a little happier knowing that there was still a possibility. As her thoughts absorbed her, the girl's stride fell a bit behind Namjoon's.

"Hey there little lady," A strange voice called out, startling Nari as she tried to pinpoint where it originated. A strange, disheveled man appeared by her side and whistled as he placed a blackened hand on her shoulder, "You're a little young to be in New York City by yourself, dontcha think?"

"Hey shitbag! She's with me!" Namjoon snarled with more viciousness that she had ever heard from his usual kind and gentle voice as he grabbed Nari's hand before she could respond, "Leave her the fuck alone before I call the god damn cops!" He pulled her forward with a protective tug and stormed away with the girl in tow.

"What a pedo. People like that make me fucking sick," He mumbled angrily to himself and then turned to Nari with all hints of malice gone from his tone, but not releasing his grip for a second, "Are you okay, my darling?"

She nodded and took a shaky breath, "I'm fine. It's just, I didn't know you were that scary."

"I try not to get that way," Namjoon replied, "But when it comes to protecting the people I love, I fight back. That guy was a creep and if I could I would have beaten the living shit out of him right there and then." He managed a short laugh, "Sorry, I know I'm being hypocritical since I'm always the one scolding the other boys for swearing. Forgive me, Nari."

"No, it's okay," His companion answered and winced as she felt the dirt beneath her skin rise to the surface once again, "I guess I should be used to it. You know, considering what happened in the past and all."

Namjoon stopped and firmly placed his hands on the girl's shoulders, looking her straight in the eye, "Don't ever say that. This isn't something that you just need to sit there and deal with, it shouldn't be happening at all in the first place. What happened to you wasn't your fault and this isn't either. You know what, as soon as we get back to Korea, I'm going to make Jimin teach you taekwando." He pulled Nari into a hug, "I promise I will never let anyone do bad things to you ever again. You deserve respect, and if you have no choice but to fight for it in this world, then I will be there right alongside you."

"Thank you, Namjoon," Nari whispered and hugged him back tightly before letting go, "You're a good person."

The boy smiled and kissed the top of her head, "It's common sense, my Nari, and don't let anyone tell you different." A bright flash of metal from across the street caught his eye, "Hey, a playground. Perfect."

They crossed the busy road hand in hand. Nari's eyes lit up as soon as she saw the swingset and she eagerly pulled the boy along with her. He laughed and sat down on the plastic seat as he gripped the chains, "I think I'm a little big for this, darling."

"No you're not!" Nari insisted, already gleefully swinging back and forth, "Just keep trying!"

Namjoon chuckled and followed her lead, "Alright, but only for you."

The girl felt breathless as she swung higher and higher, feeling as if she was one with the wind and sky. As she caught sight of the trees at the other end of the park, it occurred to her just how much time had passed.

She looked to the boy beside her, whose legs were in fact a little too long for the swings. He didn't seem to mind though. The bright smile on Namjoon's face was her favorite kind, the kind where his eyes almost closed and his dimples shone.

"You okay?" He asked, noticing that Nari had stopped swinging.

The girl allowed her feet to touch the ground and bring the rest of her body to a stop, "Uh huh. I was just remembering the orphanage, that's all."

"You know, I was thinking the same thing," Namjoon replied, "I can't believe it's been over a year already. It doesn't feel like that long, but at the same time, it's like I've known you for forever."

Nari nodded, knowing exactly what he meant. In her mind, the days she spent at the orphanage were long behind her, nothing but a fleeting memory that would soon be forgotten. But at the same time, the boys still felt so new. She was constantly learning new things about them, becoming closer, and earning their love.

"Time kinda sucks." She finally said, prompting a chuckle from her companion.

"I can't argue with you on that," Namjoon agreed and stood up from the swing, holding out his hand for her to take, "You ready to head back, darling?"

The girl smiled as she took his hand, "You don't have to hold my hand still. I'm 12. I can walk on my own."

"Please let me have this, just for today," He said and intertwined their fingers tightly, "Besides, if anyone says weird stuff to you this time, I don't think I'll be able to hold back. Just trust me when I say that you don't want to see that."

Nari said nothing and let him hold her hand securely. She thought about what Jimin said a few days ago, about Namjoon being extra protective over her. If what he said earlier was him holding back, she didn't even want to begin to imagine the uncensored version. The girl didn't mind though. His love kept her safe.

When they crossed the street, Nari noticed a small stand selling flowers. Large pink ones with little red dots caught her eye and she earnestly tugged on Namjoon's fingers, "Look. Lily flowers."

"Those are pretty," The boy agreed, "They're called stargazer lillies." He picked up a small bouquet and handed it to the girl, "We'll get some for the hotel room."

She eagerly buried her face in the flowers, inhaling their sweet scent, only to sneeze almost immediately after. Namjoon held back a laugh even though he thought it was adorable, "Careful, darling. They'll tickle your nose." He teased.

As he let go of her hand in order to pay, there was something else that drew her attention. A few meters away, an older homeless woman leaned against a building. Her clothes were worn to rags and she shivered in the brisk morning air. Nari couldn't help but feel pity. Even though her life had changed for the better, she never stopped thinking about the people who were still suffering.

Nikki's words from the day before rang through her head, "Punk is about loving yourself and being kind to others, that's all".

Feeling a burst of courage, she slipped away from the flower stand with her bouquet and stood in front of the woman, holding out a single lily. "Here," Nari said shyly, "For you."

The woman smiled and gently took the flower from her nimble fingers, "Thank you. What's your name, little one?"

"Nari."

"Nari," She repeated, "That's a beautiful name."

"Nari! What are you doing?!" Namjoon whispered fiercely, appearing beside them and grabbing her hand protectively, "We're leaving. Now."

The older woman looked up at him, "You, sir, are you her father?"

He paused for a second, unsure of how exactly to answer, "Yes. I am."

"Your daughter is very kind," She said, "Treasure her. God gave your child a heart of gold."

"Thank you," Namjoon mumbled and pulled the girl along, "Come on, darling. We need to go."

Nari managed a goodbye nod before allowing herself to be dragged away. She shot a guilty glance at the older boy, who shook his head disapprovingly.

"You can't scare me like that," Namjoon sternly scolded her, "Nari, that was very dangerous. Don't do it again."

"I won't," She apologized softly, "I'm really sorry, Namjoon."

He sighed, "It's alright, I forgive you. I know that you only did it out of the kindness of your heart and I guess I shouldn't be punishing you for that." The boy held her hand tighter, "And besides, if you give all your flowers away then you won't have any for yourself."

"That's okay," Nari answered cheerfully, "If they make other people happy, then I don't mind if there's none left for me in the end."

Namjoon replied as they approached the entrance to the hotel, "You don't need to be so selfless, darling. It's okay to have things for yourself, you know?" He finally allowed the girl's hand to release from his, "But if you're going to give them all away, can you save just one for me? Please?"

"Yes." She replied immediately and searched through the small bouquet while they waited for the elevator, "Here," Nari held out a flower picked from the middle of the bunch, "You get the brightest of them all."

"Thank you very much," Namjoon tenderly took her gift, "You are the most beautiful flower I've ever seen, my sweet lily. I am so lucky to be in your bloom."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

i wrote like half of this chapter at 2 am tbh we vibing. also shoutout to kim namjoon, #1 woman respecter. he drinks his respect women juice.