later in the evening when jimin arrived with his beloved wife and four-year-old son, he was delighted for sure, seeing aera waiting for him by the door dressed in a simple peach colored, a-line dress, like the one the brothers remembered very well from her childhood that she loved and would whine to wear it 24/7.

jimin hugged her tightly and so did his family, especially the little boy who almost cried when jungkook wanted to take him from aera, saying that she might get tired of carrying him for too long as his little body had gained enough weight to make the girl take breaks from holding him continuously.

after the reunion in the foyer itself, came the tough and important part where aera lead them inside, finally taking her queue to introduce kevin to her eldest brother. it was fine at first. jimin seemed to meet him, even shook his hand and almost gave him a hug, claiming that it was really sweet of aera to bring a friend home.

that was until aera dropped the bomb.

"he's your what?" jimin repeats, "boyfriend— as in you're dating him?"

aera presses her lips together into a hesitant, tight smile, nodding, "i'm dating him. yes,"

haewon coughs a little, gulping down the tea slowly. jimin, on the other hand stares at aera as if waiting for her to laugh and tell him she wasn't serious. oh, for god's love she was. jimin takes a deep breath, turning to jungkook, who forces out a nod halfheartedly, confirming the elder's fears with his own unsure thoughts playing a tug inside.

"so, uhm," aera clears her throat after the dreaded silence and gives a smile to her boyfriend, "i'll go see if the dinner's ready yet, while you guys talk. c'mon, kev," she says quickly and grabs the boy's hand, hurrying to the kitchen.

"dammit, aera! your brothers are scaring the crap out of me!" kevin whisper yells, "i feel like it's a trap. you dated me to take a revenge for me bothering you in the beginning of the your semester," he fake cries, "i'm sorry girl. you don't have to—"

"yeah, go on," aera rolls her eyes, crossing her arms on her chest, standing in front of kevin, "what? why'd you stop? go on and continue freaking out! i told you a hundred time that you're fine and they'll like you— but, no! you're not listening!" she takes a deep breath to calm herself down, massaging her temples, "okay, fine, you stop freaking out and i—"

"stop freaking out? are you serious right now?! did you not see how they were legit glaring at me?! i fucking feel like a helpless prey thrown in a den of two hungry lions! and these lions are going to—"

aera shakes her head, grabbing the collar of his shirt and presses herself closer to him. her lips attach to his without any further ado and hand caresses his hair gently, "relax," she hushes out between the kiss and kevin sighs softly, placing his hands on her waist.

"sorry," he says, breaking the kiss for a short second before going in for another one.

"what the fuck?!" jungkook's voice makes aera spring apart from kevin, who looks too shocked to even move a muscle. "okay, here's rule number one, no making out in this household!"

"we were not—"

"shut up, i just saw it, god!" jungkook makes a puking face and aera shakes her head.

"it's fine, kev. he's just kidding," she forces a smile, gesturing for kevin to sit down for dinner as jimin amd haewon join them too.

"so..." jimin starts, "would you like to tell something more about you both? like how started dating an all? and maybe a little about how you didn't feel the need to tell anyone, aera?"

"oppa, it's not like that," aera says, "he asked me to be his girlfriend last month, and i just thought it would be better if i tell you guys in person. it's a big deal for me to start dating and also for you guys because... well, you're my family, and you should know the guy i'm seeing,"

jimin nods briefly, glancing at kevin, "do you speak?"

"oppa!" aera catches the sarcasm in his tone and eyes him not to be that rude, "i'm sorry, kev, he's just kidding. they're being really funny... today..."

"yeah, just kidding," jimin scoffs lightly and haewon gives him a look this time.

"don't mind him, please. he's just tired from work," she tries to cover up for the husband and smiles, "so, kevin, how long have you known each other?"

kevin looks over to aera as haewon asked that in korean, "oh unnie, he speaks and understands english. that's why we've been talking in english," aera says, "but no worries, i'll translate for him. good thing you can understand him,"

"oh, yeah, thank you," haewon nods.

aera looks at her boyfriend, "she's asking how long we've known each other,"

"a year? eleven months right?" kevin smiles and aera nods subtly, "you joined the uni around fall, so yeah,"

"oh that's nice, so you were friends before this?"

"she's asking if we were friends before we started dating,"

"oh, yes, we were. aera was the pretty, new freshie in college," he grins at her and aera laughs at that.

"and you thought courting me will be fun yeah?"

"definitely worth the struggle,"

jungkook clears his throat and jimin rakes his hand through his hair for the hundredth time. so aera stops with the private conversation and translates the answer for haewon. jimin asks this time, straight in english to kevin, "what does she mean to you— my sister?"

"wow," aera whispers to herself.

"she's important to me," kevin replies in a soft tone of voice as he spares a brief glance at aera, "she's a fun company, a great competitor, raises my spirits when i'm down, and most of all she's my best friend before anything else,"

"aw thank you," aera smiles sweetly at him.

"always," kevin smiles back fondly.

"and you aera, do you like him as much as he seems to like you?" jimin asks.

"yes, of course. i loooove him— i mean, i... yeah, we really like each other," she clears her throat, looking down with her cheeks burning and quickly looks over yo the maid, eyeing her to serve the food as soon as possible.

"love him?" jungkook cocks an eyebrow at the sister before glaring at the boy, "there's really something about you, huh? now i'm interested in listening to this whole story from the beginning,"

"uhm, okay," kevin nods, internally happy by aera's previous words, "why don't you aera, explain it in your language for mrs haewon to understand?"

"she can understand what we're saying, so don't worry bout that," jimin says, "you're going to start speaking for now. we wanna hear it from you, right kook?"

"yes," jungkook lets out firmly, "if you manage to impress us with this one chance we give you, i promise boy, you can take her out tomorrow have fun, go clubbing or whatever. no problem from my side,"

"fuck—" aera chokes, "really?"

"yeah, so he better not mess up,"

"dude, you gotta nail it," aera looks at kevin, "you mess this up and i'll personally move you to the room next to jungkook,"

"good job," jungkook nods.

kevin nods slowly, taking a deep breath to prepare himself for the ordeal and starts, "so, as i said it was around late fall when aera joined the campus. she was new and one of my friends saw her in the hallway, looking kinda lost. then she walked in on us in the boys' gym and that's how we met for the first time,"

jungkook clicks his tongue, shaking his head as he glances at his sister, "you walk in on people a lot,"

"i— be quiet and just listen to him!" aera retorts, blushing like she would transform into a tomato and jungkook sniggers.

kevin carries on with his story, how then aera practically roasted him by saying that her brothers have better abs, making jungkook burst out laughing and give aera a high-five, while jimin just sighs softly. from there kevin and aera noticed how jungkook's interest gradually grew in kevin's story and he was actually enjoying it, laughing at any funny incident like the one time in the college when aera was having cramps and she sat down in the side of the hallway, refusing to walk, due to which kevin had to carry her to the medical room. or that day in the party thrown by one of their friends when she thought booze meant something non-alcoholic and chugged down a few shots, then arguing people that she wasn't drunk and she just had some juice which is normal.

"so, after hanging out for a couple months and getting to know each other— i knew i started liking her. we had kissed once, completely accidental, but after that i just... knew that i wanted her in my life. so then, yeah i asked her to ditch her friends that night, last month, and asked her if she wanted to be my girlfriend," kevin shrugs his shoulders with a smile, "she said yes, fortunately, now we're together,"

"correction," aera says, "i didn't say yes right away,"

"oh yeah, she liked me back but kept me waiting for almost a week because she said it was fun to see me all restless for her answer," he sighs and aera laughs at him.

"it was fun," she admits, "but i knew you'd wait,"

"of course, i would. there are many other guys who'd be in line after me to date you,"

"no," aera laughs, smacking his arm and kevin pulls back.

"no, for real. you're the crush of half the boys in college, some girls too,"

"as if you're not,"

"obviously, two hot people dating," kevin whispers in a low voice as he throws his arm around her and aera suppresses her laugh, nodding her head knowingly.

"you won't flirt in my face," jungkook says, making a grossed out face, "this is rule number two,"

"okay fine," aera gives him a bitter smile, "although i've seen you do a lot of stuff and heard about it even, but yeah, i won't even talk to my boyfriend in front of you,"

"ri," jimin says, making her quiet down and he glances at kevin, "i don't know what to say honestly, but i hope you won't hurt aera. you both are adults and know what's good for you, i don't have to tell you all that, so i really won't. i'll try to trust you with my sister, kevin. i want the best for her, i want to see her happy, and it's pretty obvious you make her happy,"

aera smiles at eldest brother, standing up from her seat and goes near him, giving jimin a tight hug right there, "thank you, thank you thank you soooo much, oppa! i love youuuu!" she squeals, kissing his cheek a few times, "you're the best! i knew you'd understand!"

"don't thank me. i'm happy if you're happy," jimin smiles, patting her head.

"i am happy. but i'll be happier if jungkookie says he likes kev," aera says.

jungkook sighs deeply, glancing at sister and then at her boyfriend, "you better not hurt my sister. i haven't shown you the boxing yet,"

"never, sir! i won't hurt aera, ever. you can trust me with that,"

"i want to," jungkook nods briefly and turns to one of the staff, "get a champagne for everyone," the lady nods, while aera jumps in excitement, hugging jungkook too thankfully.

"i'm happy for you," haewon says in their native language as aera hugs her next, "and i must say you have a nice taste in men,"

"so do you," aera replies and jimin looks impressed at that.

"all the girls probably have a good taste in men that's why kook is still single," aera mutters, getting a laugh from jimin and haewon covers her mouth while jungkook gives a straight face to her.

"y'know what? i suddenly changed my mind, you're not dating anyo—"

"i was just kidding, oh my god!" aera exasperates, turning to kevin and holds his hand, "we're gonna go out tomorrow, that's all!"

"what?" kevin blinks and the girl realises she's been speaking korean since she spoke to haewon a few seconds ago.

"she said she's breaking up you," jungkook says in english, "and you might have to leave alone,"

"what?! no! ri, why are you saying that, baby? i love you, don't—"

"he's just messing with you," aera sighs, while jungkook laughs, "i said we'll go out tomorrow and have fun,"

"oh... yeah, sure," kevin breathes out in relief.

"don't trust jungkook if he ever translates some absurd things to you okay?"

"uhm yeah, i'll pay attention to that,"

the maid returns with a bottle of champagne and wine glasses placed on the table. jungkook pops open the drink, pouring it for everyone and raises a toast, "i never thought i would do this, but here we go," he raises up his glass towards the center of the table, "for riri and her boyfriend,"

"cheers,"

"cheers!" aera beams out, clinking her glass with everyone before downing the drink at once just like jimin.

"damn, where did you learn that from?"

"i've been living with pros, what are you talking about?" she smirks, pointing at jimin who looks a bit embarrassed at the thought of his little sister learning how to drink from him.

"and yoongi hyung, of course," jungkook mentions.

"yes," aera nods, "kev, likes to drink too. not too much but he has a good tolerance,"

"that's nice, maybe we can have a drink sometimes?" jungkook asks, glancing the elder brother who nods as well.

"sure," kevin smiles.

as they eat dinner, aera frequently checks her phone, texting urgently which kevin notices and leans closer, "you good?"

"yeah, just letting my friends know i'm here,"

"oh jake and clay?" jungkook finishes up his drink, wiping his hands in the napkins as he's done eating. aera nods and he hums, "i saw clay the other day, he was asking about you, and told me how you barely ever text them now,"

"yeah, that... i didn't get much time. first the time difference, and then also i've been pretty busy the last few months. actually i volunteered in assisting some criminology majors for a while and that was the worst decision ever! like those seniors would just sit like kings and make us do all their work! it took me more than two weeks to get their shit back into their asses—"

"what's up with your language?" jimin interrupts with a frown, "is that how you talk to or about anyone?"

"they were stupid people, oppa,"

"doesn't matter, aera. what have i told you about cursing?" aera stares at him quietly, making the brother sigh, "no cursing, kiddo,"

"fuck, i've never seen her like that," kevin whispers, and turns to jungkook when he hears a chuckle, "is she always like this?"

"she listens to us," jungkook smiles as aera nods at jimin's words, letting him know that she won't curse now, completely missing out the fact that she's an adult now. 

"wow," kevin smiles, fascinated with the power the brothers have over aera, "y'know she's like a free tiger in the uni. she would fight anyone and punch them in the face if they piss her off,"

"tell me about it," jungkook lets out an airy chuckle, "she's always been a tough girl— literally,"

"yeah, i'm so scared to fight with her because i knew she kicks pretty hard. one of my friends got it in the beginning when we didn't know each other,"

"must've been funny for you?"

"very," kevin sniggers.

"kevin," jungkook looks at the boy, "you really do like aera, right? i mean, i hope you're not just playing around,"

"no, sir. i like your sister— i love her, in fact,"

"good," the brother nods, "i've seen her since the day she was born and so i know every bit of my aera, through and through. when she loves someone, she'll give it her all to keep them happy and makes sure they feel wanted and loved. she might even hide her own struggles... pain in that. me and jimin raised her like a princess, kevin, we were always there when she needed us, she's cried in our arms, laughed with us and literally grew up in front of our eyes thinking that this world is a beautiful place because we showed her the beautiful. now that you're dating our sister, make sure you treat her like a princess. don't let her feel alone, okay? and please don't be mad if she's stubborn sometimes, she's just a kid,"

kevin smiles at the brother nodding his head, "i'll love her with all my heart. thank you for giving me a chance,"

"of course, now you've gotta deal with her two best friends,"

"what?"

"yeah, jake and clay," jungkook chuckles before standing up with the elder brother and haewon.

"get some rest, kevin. i'm sure you must be jet lagged from the flight,"

"uh yeah, thank you for the dinner. it was amazing,"

"yep, way better than what we eat in sydney," aera says, letting out a yawn, "are you guys leaving now? where's jiwon? i forgot to ask, he seemed to be excited to see me earlier,"

"he's watching something in the tv," jimin says.

"he didn't even eat, oppa,"

"he ate before coming here. so i don't he'll eat anymore. anyway, i guess we should get going now—"

"or maybe you can stay here tonight? i still need to catch up with jiwon and make sure he likes kevin," aera declares, getting laughs and chuckles from the rest.

"it's raining outside, sir," one of the staff says (in korean) probably on hearing their conversation. aera doesn't wait for kevin to ask and translates right away.

"well, that's even better," she grins, "you're staying!"

"we have a car, aera. we can still go," jimin chuckles.

"no, you can't. you lost your keys,"

"i have the keys wi— you took the keys? when?" jimin gasps, checking his pockets.

"you're supposed to be a lawyer not a thief, aera," jungkook laughs.

"he kept them on the table," aera winks at the elders, "anyway, that doesn't matter. the thing is that you're staying! and jiwon will stay with me!" she announces, going to the living room and chuckles as the boy holds out his arms for her.

"that reminds me of," jimin says, "uh where's kevin staying?"

"in my room," aera grins, getting wide eyes from jimin.

"let me talk to you for a second, aera, c'mere," he clears his throat and aera laughs.

"just kidding, oppa. he's taken the guest room,"

jimin sighs at that, "still, c'mere for a second," aera nods, letting go of jiwon and follows jimin and haewon to the side while jungkook and kevin head upstairs. "so you said you started dating a month ago?"

"yeah,"

he nods, glancing at haewon who smiles softly at aera, "look, aera, you have a boyfriend and he loves you, it's all good. but y'know, you need to be mindful about some things, okay? you're an adult now and i'm sure you already know about safe sexual practices, but still,"

"yeah," aera nods, "unprotected sex is bad, got it," she gives a thumbs up.

"exactly," haewon says, "and if there's anything you're not comfortable with or if you face a problem you can always come up to us, you know that right?"

"yes, thank you, unnie. good night oppa, good night unnie, see you tomorrow," she smiles at the elders before waving at haewon and jimin, heading upstairs to find jiwon, "ji! come, you'll sleep with me!"

"i really hope kevin is good guy," jimin mumbles, "i can't see her hurt, haewon-ah. my ri's too precious for that,"

"don't worry too much, they'll be fine," haewon assures.

__________

a/n- ik it's not really much of anyone's business but just feel like telling you because i feel happy today✨ (like actually cheerful after many days) and i took a bunch of pictures after getting ready to go out in the evening 😌🤝✨ and damn! i personally think the pictures were good. i looked pretty 😍✨(it was a good day, otherwise my pictures suck 😓)

what makes you happy? you can share anything that just effortlessly makes you happy, i'd love to know 😌🥂✨

and vote nd comment and do everything you want if like this chapter lmao 😭👍

also i tried drawing...
just very randomly... 👉👈

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