"IT'S WEIRD THAT SO MANY VERSION OF YOU EXIST IN PEOPLE'S MINDS.
SOME KNOW YOU LIKE THE SHY KID WHO DOESN'T TALK,
SOME SEE YOU AS THE ANNOYING KID WHO DOESN'T SHUT UP,
SOME SEE YOU COLD AND MEAN,
OTHERS SEE YOU AS CARING AND KIND."

"Where are we going?"

Trust issues; she had it and Seokjin was beginning to realize it. Even though he was her bias and favourite person in the whole world, she didn't seem to have an ounce of faith in him.

He released another disappointing sigh. "I told you you'll know it when we get there."

"How do I know you are not kidnapping me or taking me to somewhere bad?"

"Are you serious?"

Yoon Min continuously played with her seat belt as if it was irritating her. "Well, how do you explain this? This morning, I woke up to the sound of my doorbell and had to rush to the door. Turns out, it's Kim Seok Jin who tells me to get dressed. I ask him why but he doesn't say anything. I get dressed, follow him and see him in a car. I again ask him what's going on and he says to get inside. I get inside and-"

"Okay, okay, I get it!" He shot her a cold glare.

"I was supposed to be sleeping all day. It's my weekend. But you just-"

"I know. But can you please trust me, Yoon Min? I swear I'm not gonna harm you or whatever you're thinking."

Last night after their emotional and spiritual connection, he had feared she might feel awkward and uncomfortable around him. But that wasn't the case at all. She was completely normal, and it made him think that her being normal was actually normal.

He didn't know why he hugged her. It just occurred to him that she needed someone to hold her tightly and share the pain. He always had a hard time comforting people, he didn't know the right words at times. So he always used physical consolation such as rubbing their back, hugging and holding their hands. He found it easier than saying positive words.

Maybe that's why he acted on his instincts. Still, he wasn't sure if she was okay with his behaviour. She was very sensitive and careful with him physically. She knew she shouldn't cross any line that would take their friendship to something else. But last night, he couldn't just stand there and watch her cry. It triggered his heart badly.

And to take her on a trip was a rash decision. It felt like he was going back to his old self. The one who took quick decisions and followed his heart.

But he couldn't tell her where he was taking her. It would ruin the surprise.

She gave up arguing with him and crossed her arms with a huff. He knew she liked it when he called her by her name. Keeping his eyes on the road, he attempted to clear her worries. "I figured we should go somewhere together to cheer you up."

She looked at him again. He had a feeling her eyes filled with gratitude. She deserved it, she deserved to smile and be happy. Her raw and painful confession last night kept playing inside his head. He barely had any sleep because of that. It still gave him chills.

He then spared her a caring glance. "Get some sleep. It'll take a while to reach there."

She smiled and gave a nod. Resting her head in a comfortable position, she closed her eyes and relaxed her body. It wasn't even 5 minutes and she dozed off entirely. He took several glances at her face and chuckled silently.

Keeping his eyes on the road wasn't easy. He constantly wanted to look at her face. She looked cute and ugly at the same time. The early sun rays kissed her skin, glitters shining on her face. If he had to stare at her sleeping face forever, he wouldn't really mind.

He came back to his senses and shook his head. Mentally slapping his cheek, he told himself to concentrate on the road. After all, he needed to drive carefully so that she could have a good sleep without any disturbance.

✦✧✧ - ✧✧✦

"We're here."

When he announced their arrival, she still didn't wake up at the sound of his voice. He realized she was one of those people who slept like corpses and the thought made him chuckle.

To wake her, he gently grabbed her shoulder and shook her twice. That worked easily. She opened her eyes slowly and looked at him confusedly.

"Let's go. We're here."

Yoon Min looked like she was still dreaming. "W-where are we?"

Seokjin took off her seatbelt so that she didn't have to and replied, "My parent's house."

The car went silent for a full minute. Even the sound of her breaths couldn't be heard. Her big doe eyes stared at his eyes in shock.

She erupted in the next minute. "Are you fuc-"

"No, I'm not. Listen to me, I want you to meet my parents. You don't have to be nervous. They are really chill and cool. They already know you'll be coming so-"

"Are you mad, Jin-ssi?! And you didn't even think it was necessary to inform me? What the hell were you thinking? How am I supposed to meet them looking like this?" she pointed her finger at her raw face.

"Calm down first."

"I didn't even wear the right outfit. My eyebags are visible, my cheeks are puffy, my hair is a mess. I can't even speak Korean fluently! Oh God, I can't meet them like this! I-I need to-"

"Calm down, Yoon Min," He grabbed her hands unintentionally. "You look nice and you'll be great. I promise they won't judge you."

"You don't understand, Jin-ssi! They are your parents. I can't meet them right now, I need time, like a week? I need to practice what to say to them, how to impress them, I need to go through a full makeover, have hidden talents, and most importantly, I don't understand why you want me to meet your parents."

She caught him off-guard with the last sentence. But he had an answer ready. "I will tell you that later. Can we first get out of the car, please?"

A whining cry left her mouth as she covered her face with her palms. Honestly, he did expect she would react dramatically so he wasn't surprised.

He took off his own seatbelt and stepped out of the car. Moving towards her side of the door, he opened it and waited for her to step out too. With a few inaudible prayers, she got out and stood before him with pleading eyes.

"Jin-ssi, please don't do this. I'm not ready."

Closing the car door, he looked straight into her eyes. "You'll be fine. I promise."

She still wanted to argue but he cut off the chance by taking her hand and started to drag her with him.

The apartment was in Hannam Hill, one of the richest places in Korea. This apartment used to belong to him but then he gifted it to his parents. He wanted them to stay somewhere nice. He always valued and respected his parents even when he was on top of the world. Without them, he would be nothing.

As they stood in front of the doorstep, he heard rapid breathing from the girl beside him and it made him concerned.

"Don't be so nervous."

If he assumed that was a good support, he was wrong. She shot him a death glare and complained. "Nervous? I'm dying here and you-"

She didn't get to finish her sentence as he deliberately pushed the doorbell in order to cut her off. That worked since she paused and inhaled a huge amount of air.

The door was answered by a middle-aged woman who looked more beautiful than her age. He started to recognize the wrinkles, the hair and the eyes. She was in her casual attire but somehow she still rocked the look. As soon as she looked at her son, her mouth broke into a smile as she held out her arms for him.

"Seokjin-ah," the sweet voice reminded him of the first time he heard it. He was a baby and the only sound he could make sense of was his mother's voice. The person he never forgot though he was apart from for a long time and the first ever woman he fell in love with.

With a little smile, he immediately went for the hug, suddenly craving the warmth and scent of the woman who gave him birth, who took care of him, who loved him unconditionally. He hugged her tightly and didn't let go anytime soon.

His mother was already sobbing. She wasn't exactly an old emotional woman, but seeing her son ended up bringing tears to her eyes. She patted his back like she always did. For a moment, it was only their reunion that started music in the air and made the world float slower.

"My dear little boy...you've come home."

Mrs. Kim wiped her eyes and took his face in her hands. Taking a good look at him, she commented, "I missed you so much. Why didn't you come soon?"

"I'm sorry for being late. I'm here now," Seokjin smiled.

Suddenly remembering his sole purpose for visiting, he stepped back from her arms and turned towards Yoon Min. She was still holding her breath and trembling. He glanced back at his mother who didn't seem to acknowledge her presence yet.

"Eomma, this is the girl I told you on the phone."

She finally looked at her and received a 90° bow from the girl who recited, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Kim."

When she stood straightening her back and was going to recite more official lines, his mother didn't give her that chance.

"You're Song Yoon Min, right? Aigoo-" Mrs Kim surprised her by wrapping her arms around her. Yoon Min was almost frozen and flabbergasted by the proximity. The sight made Seokjin smile in amusement.

She muttered softly, "Thank you so much for befriending my son. I was so relieved to hear you are there for him and that you take such good care of him. Really thank you."

Yoon Min looked like she had forgotten what she wanted to say. Her lips were slightly parted and her fingers clenched instead of hugging the elderly woman back. It was quite clear she was taken aback by the warm welcome.

Mrs. Kim withdrew her arms only after half a minute. She flashed a sweet smile at them.

"Both of you come inside. We all have been waiting for you."

She glanced at him again but he slid his hand around her sweaty one and let them hang in the air. Giving her a full reassuring look, he stepped inside his parent's house with the girl who just wanted to run away.

☆THE FAULT IN OUR STARS☆

THANK YOU FOR READING
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