"DRY YOUR TEARS, DARLING.
THERE'S SOMEONE OUT THERE WHO WILL LIGHT UP THOSE EYES
AND FALL IN LOVE WITH THE WAY THEY SPARKLE."

The room was filled with an easy, relaxed atmosphere as the BTS members gathered around Yoon Min's bed, comfortably settled in chairs. The mood had shifted from playful teasing to deep conversations, allowing them to get to know her.

Seokjin stood in the corner of the room, his arms crossed over his chest as he quietly observed the conversation unfolding. He did not want to intrude on the space Yoon Min had created with his members. He only wished she felt safe enough to trust him again.

"So, what are your favourite BTS songs?" Namjoon asked at one point.

Yoon Min smiled. "Please don't me ask that. I have a complete list of them."

The leader chuckled before asking, "Okay...which songs helped you during tough times?"

Her smile softened as she thought for a moment. "There's actually a lot, but if I had to pick a few then Paradise, Love Myself, The Truth Untold, No More Dream, Whalien 52, 134340, Permission to-" She chuckled softly. "Look at me making a list..."

The members chuckled with her. Jimin interrupted, "Whalien 52, huh? That's an interesting one."

She nodded her head. "I loved the concept of being the world's loneliest whale. Like the whale, I was never quite heard or understood throughout my childhood."

"It was written as a metaphor for our career and the loneliness that comes with it, as well as the anxiety of venturing into the unknown," Namjoon explained. "It's not popular like Paradise, which is a good one."

"Yes, the lyrics comforted me. That it is all right to live in the moment, and there is no need to overwork yourself even if you don't have something you wish to achieve."

"I think the song referred to the pressure of facing our society's expectations. We live our life trying to achieve these "borrowed" dreams and then these become a burden to us, as they aren't what we really want in life," Namjoon explained again, impressing everyone in the room.

"I've seen so many fans share how The Truth Untold is their comfort song," Jungkook added.

Yoon Min replied, "It's true. And your fan songs are the best!! Magic Shop, We are Bulletproof: Eternal, You Never Walk Alone, Mikrokosmos...those are a big comfort. It's not just the words, but the feelings behind the song." She looked down at her hands. "It's funny, really. I've never even met you guys before today, except at the last fan-sign event, but somehow, you've always felt closer to me than the people I used to see every day. Like if I ever needed a home, a safe place, I could always find it in your music."

The members listened intently, some nodding as they understood the emotion in her words.

"I think a lot of people feel that way when they listen to our songs," Namjoon said after. "We're all in this together, and we want our music to remind people that they're never truly alone, even when it feels like they are."

Seokjin's smile grew a little wider at her words. He couldn't help but feel touched by how much BTS's music had affected Yoon Min's life, and it reminded him of the impact their work had on so many people.

"Also...I used to listen to Jin-ssi's songs a lot when I was at my lowest," she continued with her face reddening. "I used to repeat his lyrics in my head, and I used to imagine his voice talking to me, telling me it's alright, that everything would be fine soon and I needed to get a hold on myself."

His heart swelled, and though he didn't move from his spot, their eyes met across the room. A long, silent moment passed between them- a shared understanding and affection. The connection between them had shifted just a little, like a crack in the wall.

The members just threw each other naughty looks and suppressed their teasings.

Yoon Min looked away quickly, her face redder and cleared her throat. Then began the animated recounting of her fangirling adventures; it was like a burst of sunshine in the room. Her excitement, peppered with dramatic reenactments and playful exaggerations, had the members in stitches. They couldn't help but swoon over her infectious enthusiasm, their laughter echoing warmly through the space. She mentioned how taking off their shirts in their solo eras was a cultural reset, making the members try to deny it shyly.

But when she spoke about her favourite BTS moments, each memory she shared felt like a treasure, her admiration shining through every word. The members sat quietly, their gazes warm and affectionate, deeply moved by the sincerity of her love for them. She shared how incredibly heartbreaking the MAMA 2018 speech was about their almost disbandment, how every episode of Run BTS and BTS in The Soop were free therapy sessions and how powerful their performances were in every show and concert.

The members also shared some behind-the-scenes stories, recounted their best moments and cleared up some misconceptions about the fandom. They were really spoiling her with too many TMIs.

As the conversation shifted to childhood memories, the members began to open up about their upbringings. Namjoon shared stories of growing up in a modest home with parents who initially hesitated to support his dreams but later became his strongest allies. Yoongi, with a soft, reflective tone, spoke about the struggles his family faced due to poverty and the sacrifices he made so he could pursue music.

The room grew quieter as the members took turns sharing snippets of their past, from Taehyung's loving grandmother to Jungkook's teenage years away from home. Each story carried warmth, hardships, and a sense of resilience.

Yoon Min listened intently. But the smile lasted long only until Hoseok's question towards her. "I heard your childhood was similar. Want to talk about it?

When the focus turned to her, she became ashamed for some reason. She hesitated, her fingers tracing invisible patterns on the blanket. "Oh, it was nothing compared to yours. Everyone's family is like m-mine."

But Seokjin, standing near the corner, frowned slightly. "Yoon Min, that's not true." His voice tinged with concern. "Your family was different. You don't have to downplay it."

He realized she lied to them because their stories of struggle made her rethink her own and made her wonder if she should even complain about her family because somehow she believed her pain was nothing compared to her idols.

Her eyes darted to him, then back to the others, who now watched her with quiet curiosity and empathy. Encouraged by their understanding expressions, she exhaled deeply and started to tell them everything. How she grew up in a very difficult household, how her mother had severe anger issues and was narcissistic, and how her father was stubborn. She told them she was terrified of coming home most days, how she and her sister would get beaten up for the smallest reasons, and how she had to watch her mother torture and belittle her father every day. She left out many details but she mentioned her reason for running away from the house due to the sudden arranged marriage.

The room was thick with silence. It was Namjoon who leaned forward first, his voice filled with admiration. "Yoon Min, that must've taken so much courage. You made the right choice."

Yoongi nodded, his gaze warm and unwavering. "To have gone through all that and still carry such kindness- it's remarkable. People in your shoes are supposed to be suffering from PTSD."

Jimin gave her a soft smile. "I did not know about your trauma. But I want to let you know you are one of the strongest people I've come across in my entire life. I am proud of you."

Even Jungkook chimed in. "If I were in your place, I don't know if I could take that decision. I don't know if I could endure all that harsh treatment and still manage to be so...nice."

Yoon Min blinked rapidly, tears pricking her eyes at their heartfelt words. The sincerity in their voices wrapped around her like a comforting blanket. She had never been consoled like this before- not with so much love and understanding.

She glanced down at her hands, her voice trembling as she confessed. "But still...what I did- it wasn't right. Leaving them like that, running away...they're my family. My parents raised me no matter how bad they were and it was my responsibility to take care of them. Instead, I left them to save myself. And the worst part is... sometimes, I miss them. I miss my family, even after everything they did to me. What kind of person does that make me?"

Her words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of guilt and self-doubt. She felt the familiar sting of shame, as though she had betrayed some unspoken code.

Seokjin moved from his spot and made his way towards her. This was a familiar topic- he had seen her go through a complete breakdown talking about this. He wanted to pull her in his arms and hug her tightly.

But before he could reach her bed, Taehyung, who had been quietly watching her, spoke up in his deep voice. "Yoon Min, you're not a bad person for wanting to save yourself. You're not wrong for missing your family, either. It just shows how big your heart is. After everything you've been through, you still have the strength to love and forgive. That doesn't make you weak; not at all."

He continued, "You were put in an impossible situation, and you made the only choice you could. Choosing yourself wasn't selfish- it was brave. You fought for your right to be happy, to be safe after years of sabotaging yourself. You don't owe forgiveness or loyalty to people who hurt you, but if you feel it, that's okay too. It's your choice. And if you ever feel guilty, just know this: we see you for who you are, and we think you're a wonderful person who deserves nothing but love."

The sincerity in his words made Seokjin emotional as well. He was surprised to see his younger brother had it in him. The other members nodded in agreement, some of them smiling faintly at Taehyung in pride.

Yoon Min struggled to smile. "Thank you. I've always felt you were like my distant cousin, Taehyung-ssi."

It made him chuckle. "Well...there's no doubt we are both good-looking, right?"

This time, she smiled shyly and her gaze flickered to Seokjin, who stood closer to her now. Their eyes met, and the unspoken gratitude in her expression caused his chest to tighten. He gave her a smile in return. Maybe talking to her would be easier after all this.

Their conversation lasted for several hours until evening arrived with no warning. As the warm conversation began to quiet down, Seokjin checked the clock and cleared his throat gently. "Alright, guys, it's time to go. Yoon Min needs her rest. Let's not wear her out."

All of them whined. How did they become best friends in a few hours? A ripple of reluctant nods followed as the members stood up, gathering their things. Yoon Min also stepped down from her bed, watching the members with an odd expression. It seemed like she wanted to tell them to stay but was aware it was not possible. Her eyes gave away the truth of her heart aching in the best way at that moment.

Before leaving, each of the members took a moment to give Yoon Min some parting words.

Namjoon's deep voice was filled with quiet encouragement.
"One day, it just clicks. You realize what's important and what isn't. You learn to care less about what other people think about you and more about what you think of yourself. You realize how far you've come income, you remember when you thought things were such a mess that you'd never truly recover. And then you smile. You smile because you're proud of yourself and the person you've fought to become."

Hoseok chimed in, wrapping an arm around the leader's neck. "Exactly. So dear Yoon Min, please remember to smile. Every day, as many times as you can. Every time you smile, your heart will send me a message that you're being happy. When I learn that, I'll also smile and be happy."

She grinned, but her mouth trembled, and her eyes turned glossy.

Yoongi, standing a little to the side, added, "The past beats inside you like a second heart. But let the past stay in the past. That's what I learned. Never let your past define your future. And have hope that the future is gonna be okay."

Jimin offered his serene smile. "I wish peace upon your brave heart, for all the ache it endured. Peace be upon your beautiful soul, for all the hardships it passed. I wish you all the happiness in the world, Yoon Min. Never apologize for choosing yourself."

Then came Jungkook. "I think you always loved too hard and put others before your own emotions," he paused. "I hope for our sake, you accept and forgive yourself now. It's okay; I had a hard time loving myself too. But I have come to that point now and I want you to do the same."

"After all..." Taehyung sneaked up from behind the youngest. "We are all just temporary beings living on a small planet in an infinite universe. Yet we can make a significant impact on those around us. If you happily just be yourself, you may make us happy as well."

Yoon Min blinked back tears as their words sunk in, her chest tight with emotion. When she finally found her voice, it trembled. "I-I don't even know where to start. You've given me so much, and I don't just mean today. Your music, your words, your stories- they've been my sanctuary for so long. And now, meeting you...hearing all this...it feels like an impossible dream."

She paused, a shaky breath escaping. "You've made me realize that at the end of the day, I'm a good person. I'm not perfect in any way, but my intentions are good, my heart is pure, and I love hard everything I've got and be, cause of those things, I'm worth it. You've made me the luckiest ARMY in the world today; luckier than those who have gone to your concerts, or held your hands and hugged you at fan-sign events-"

The members didn't mean to find her jealousy funny but in an emotional moment such as this, they couldn't help it.

She glanced at each of them, overwhelmed by their kindness and support. "You guys are the rare few individuals in my life who have listened without judgement, spoken without prejudice, helped me without entitlement, understood without pretension and loved me without conditions. Thank you for being my light when everything else felt dark. Thank you for saving me in every way a girl can be saved. Thank you for being here, for talking to me, for just everything."

The room was quiet for a moment, the weight of her words settling over them all. Then tears came in sprouts as she sobbed and bowed to them in the highest form of showing respect. In response, the members scolded her to stand up.

"Don't cry, or I'll start crying too!" Jungkook whined, which earned soft laughter from the group, breaking the tension.

Yoon Min laughed through her tears, the bittersweetness of the moment lingering. The members waved goodbye and showed all kinds of hearts their bodies could form physically, from fingers hearts to large conjoined hearts and made her own heart fuller than it had been in years. They were all out of her room in the next minute, taking their warmth and energy away with them, leaving nothing but specks of memories.

Seokjin lingered by the door, casting one last look back at her. Their eyes connected in a silent exchange of emotions, his gaze locking hers for a brief moment. He wished for her to manage well on her own and not become too emotional after the goodbye. Although he didn't want to leave her alone, he also wanted to provide her privacy.

"I-I'll just go with them..." He muttered before taking one step outside the door.

"Jin-ssi?" Yoon Min called him suddenly and he turned around, his heart in his throat.

"Will you stay...please?"

☆THE FAULT IN OUR STARS☆

THANK YOU FOR READING
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