~Yumi~

The house was cold when I got there, telling me that no one is at home. It made me wonder if I should have agreed to spend the night at Miyoung's place. Although we barely knew each other, I was somewhat glad that it was her who I bumped into and not the other girls. It felt nicer to be comforted by Miyoung than the others. I wonder if that's because I don't know her that well.

Legs drawn up to my chest, I lowered my head onto my knees, ignoring the sound of distant thundering as the rain pelted against my windows.

Sitting like this on the ground, I let myself remember my conversation with Seokjin earlier. I feel as though I'm the one who gets worked up all the time... like he just has on me like a puppet on a string. It made me wonder how long this will go on. How long is my heart going to make me suffer like this?

Being alone like this made me realised the importance of keeping my walls up. I built walls solely to protect myself from others. I thought that they would be enough but it turns out that these walls were not able to protect me. So, in the end, I had to learn how to fight. To defend myself. And to only rely on myself. That was how I survived.

Then he came into my life.

"The walls weren't strong enough," I whispered, miserably to myself, "That's how you got in."

~Seokjin~

It was too much. What he said and how much he'd hurt Yumi. He didn't like hurting her like he did because it hurt him too. He was sick of being the one who's the reason behind his parents' suffering. However, he knows that that's not the only case. He was also the one causing so much pain to Yumi too. The hurt in her eyes had been haunting him since he left.

Seokjin glanced up and sighed. Looks like it's going to pour soon. Really badly too.

"I have to go," Seokjin said, ignoring the members' eyes on him. "I'm not feeling too well."

As he left, he didn't see just how relieved the others looked when they saw their eldest hyung leaving, knowing that he's going to his wife.

"Yumi-ah," Seokjin said, knocking on her door. He'd spent the last ten minutes sitting in his car, trying to figure out how to approach this. He was the one at fault... though he can't help but blame it on Yumi too. If Yumi does hold the key to her father's secrets then Seokjin will be able to save them all.

No reply.

"I know you're awake," Seokjin said. He slid down, his back against the door to Yumi's room, muttering, "Stop being so stubborn."

Again, nothing.

Seokjin closed his eyes, "Don't tell me you've fainted."

When it was still quiet, Seokjin just sighed, dropping his head, "Why do you kids always lock yourself in your room like this?"

The anger he felt was no longer there. It could be because he knew how vulnerable Yumi is to the storm... or it could just because Seokjin's head is a little clearer now. Either way, he wants her to open her damn door.

If they were still the people they were after marriage, Seokjin would just break into her room without her permission but... that was different now.

When there was a flash of lightning followed by loud thundering, Seokjin heard Yumi made a noise inside her room.

Well, that's good. She didn't faint or something.

"It's okay to be afraid of the rain," Seokjin said, loudly. Sensing that Yumi must be confused, he continued on, "I know you're afraid of it, Shortcake."

~Yumi~

He knows? How?

"We need to sort this out or at least have a truce," Seokjin said, voice muffled by the loud thundering and rain. "The members aren't home tonight. They won't come until late."

I frowned. Then why was he... No. He didn't come home because of me, right? Wait, if he did then it's because he's worried I'll go through their things. It's not because he—

"Maybe I am a little worried," Seokjin said, clearing his throat. "Just a little."

I stared at my door, heart breaking all over again. It was like we never even fought before though I know that's probably because a part of me might have forgiven him for not trusting me before.

"I mean, I wouldn't want to come home and see that you've fainted."

I felt a wry smile curled my lips. I winced when lightning strikes and the loud thundering that followed. I hugged myself, glancing out my windows. It's not going to stop any time, is it?

"I'm worried but it doesn't mean that I care about you," Seokjin said, bringing my attention back to the door. "So, I'll sit out here. Is this enough to get rid of this awkwardness between us?"

I scoffed.

"Right," Seokjin said. "I'll go to the shops and get you something. You wanted those vanilla ice cream cups, right? That's so weird but I'll go get them for you. Wait for me."

My eyes widened. He's planning on walking out with this kind of weather?

I lunged towards the door, grabbing the door knob and opened the door, only to see Seokjin standing there in front of me.

I blinked up at him, blood rushing to my ears as I looked at him. I was afraid he'll yell at me like before but that dispersed when I saw his lips twitched at my confusion and then he reached out, grabbing onto my arm.

"Let's go," he said. Without waiting for my response, he just dragged me out of there and I was too confused to do anything. That was until I saw that we were nearing his room. Seokjin stopped outside his room, hand on the door knob. Without looking at me, he said, quietly, "Come in."

I hesitated but he pulled me into his room anyways. I saw how dark his room was and was amazed at how sound proof it was. This can't be...

"I'm not having sex with you," I blurted. I don't know why I said that but that's probably because of that girl talk we had the other week. Some things Jiyeon, Seyeon and Minseo confessed that had my cheeks burning.

Seokjin's head jerked back and then his eyes narrowed, "What?"

My cheeks heated. "I'm—not."

Seokjin let go of my arm, "That's not my intention, Shortcake. Let's switch rooms for tonight. You can't hear anything in my room so you'll be okay here."

"Huh?"

Seokjin didn't repeat it but he didn't need to because we both know I heard it. However, I should have let him leave like he intended but I couldn't. Because I was weak.

I grabbed onto his sleeve before dropping it immediately after remembering how he shoved my hands away from him.

"Stay," I mumbled as I got into his bed and pulled his covers over me. His scent filled me, making me want to sink into his bed even more. "I can use the company."

With my back towards him, I felt him hesitate before he got into bed as well. Seokjin surprised me when he turned me around and pulled me against his chest.

"What are you doing?" I whispered, trying to wriggle out of his hold.

"Making sure you don't escape."

I opened my mouth to say something but he cut me off, in a soft voice, saying, "I'm sorry for this afternoon."

I tensed immediately.

Seokjin rested his chin on my shoulder, pulling me against him even more. "I...I met your father today."

I softened. "Yeah."

"I need him off my family's back, Shortcake."

I nodded. This was something I knew.

"He has something on you?" I guessed, quietly.

"And he has something on you too," Seokjin said in a quiet voice. When I stilled at that, Seokjin shook me lightly. "I need to know what that is, Yumi."

"No you don't," I said in a small voice. "You don't need to know. That's my business."

"So there is something."

God, there was that anger in his tone again but this time, it was controlled anger. Was he trying to get information out of me? If that's the case then I can't say any more or else... I may never be able to see my mother.

"I—can't," I forced out, tears stinging my eyes. "Don't make me. Please."

I could feel him fighting himself but he reluctantly agreed by just sighing. His grip on me tightened before they loosened. I felt him move my hair away before there was a soft pressure on my neck.

I closed my eyes at the warm sensation.

"I'm sorry for yelling at you earlier too," he murmured. "When it comes to the people I care about... I just can't—"

"I understand," I said. And I do. I don't have people I want to protect... not until I stepped into Seokjin's world. That's changed now. "That's why you protect them and don't worry about me. I'll take care of myself."

"And why is that?" he murmured.

In a soft whisper, I said, "Because I got nothing to lose."

***

We fell into silence after that. When I was sure that he's asleep, that's when I snuggled against him, welcoming his warmth. No, just someone's warmth in general. The last person who held me like this was my mother before she passed away.

I curled my hands into his shirt, burying my face into his chest, inhaling his scent. Why does being so close to him makes me this emotional? No, I know why. It's because I craved it. A part of me knew that the only warmth I can ever feel is from Seokjin. I knew that the minute I met him. He was supposed to be it.

But you are not mine to keep, I thought to myself. This time, I'll fight with you. That way, it won't hurt either of us when this thing between us ends.

~Namjoon~

"So much for being sick," Yoongi murmured as he peered over Namjoon's body.

Before them was Seokjin and Yumi who had passed out. It was the first time they saw the two together like this. It made Namjoon realised once more just how far the two have come. They could barely stand each other... though Namjoon suspected that Seokjin may have had a special place in Yumi's heart ever since they got married.

"Come on," Namjoon said, ushering the others who were curious and wide awake now that they saw Seokjin and Yumi sleeping together.

"Picture," Taehyung whispered, holding up his phone.

"Send them to the group chat," Hoseok whispered back.

After a few clicks, the others left the room.

~Seokjin~

Sometime during the night, he woke up and saw that Yumi was right up close to him. A smile curled his lips at the sight of her sleeping face.

"You're so beautiful, it's not fair at all," he murmured, brushing her hair away from her face. Then he pulled Yumi against him, wrapping his arms around her. Dipping his head down, he buried his face in her hair, inhaling her vanilla-scented hair. She fits him. It was like she was made for him. They fit well together.

It'll be hard for them from now on but Seokjin's going to have to work harder to gain Yumi's trust. He needed to know what she's hiding... and why she is protecting her father.

"But for now," he murmured, dropping a kiss to her forehead. "let's focus on the good."