"Seokjin-ah, I don't feel so good. Maybe we should come here some other day." Sehee expressed in a weak voice, sweat dripping down her back looking at the fairly warm exterior of Seokjin's parents house.

He sighed tiredly. Seokjin had been shooting down all her protests since they got in his car. He just couldn't understand what was so terrifying about meeting his parents. He really wanted to introduce her to them and they were excited to meet her too, since he wouldn't stop talking about her.

"Choi Sehee, for the last time. They are not going eat you. My parents are very good people." His voice came out more aggravated than he intended to, making Sehee gaurd up even more. "I didn't say anything about your parents not being nice. I just said I don't feel good and now that I think about it, these clothes aren't appropriate to meet your parents either."

She started fidgeting with the black flowy, ankle length skirt she wore with the light blue shirt, seemingly irritated about her 'bad hair', which were completely fine. She looked as beautiful and perfect as ever in his eyes, but her anxiety wouldn't let her sit silent.

To put it simply, Seokjin was beyond annoyed. Of all the arguments they had had since they started dating six months ago, this would be the first time Seokjin was on the verge of losing his patience and Sehee knew it well. Somewhere in the deepest, darkest corner of her heart, she wanted him to lose it and cancel this meeting but he wasn't that dumb.

"Sehee, what are you so afraid of?" He asked finally, his face covered by his hand while the other was crossed over his chest. Sehee averted her eyes, not that Seokjin was looking at her but still.
"Nothing." She murmured almost inaudibly.

A low groan was heard from the man, before he put his hands on his waist like a scolding mother, his tone reflecting the same. "What did we decide about secrets?" He challenged in an accusing tone, making the already nervous woman gulp guiltily.

Her eyes raked over his agitated form once before gathering her courage to talk. When he had arrived to pick her up today, she had been stunned for the umpteenth time by how glorious he looked in a simple blue button down shirt, coincidentally matching hers, an off-white pair of trousers and white shoes. His brown hair which had been styled with much effort were now messy because of the amount of time he had ran his hand through those locks. Because of her.

Wrapping her arms around her dainty figure, she sighed, looking lonelier than ever. "Try to understand, Seokjin. I haven't talked to any parental figure this closely ever in the last two decades. I'm not sure how to act. What if I come out as a complete idiot? I want to impress them since they are your family but this is so much more different than meeting the rest of your friends. What if, they don't like me?"

Upon hearing this, the man's heart softened, not that he could stay hard with her for long. His eyes expressed how much he understood everything she said, he only wanted to give her back what she had lost however.

He cupped her face delicately into his hands, making her uptilted sharp eyes look into his filled with sincerity. "It's impossible to not like you, Sehee. You are such a sweet, headstrong woman. Anyone will fall in love with you if you just show those adorable dimples. And about your behaviour, you have nothing to worry about. You are so well spoken, you are only going to become dearer to them than I am."

Sehee snickered at that, hitting his chest lightly with a closed fist. "Sweet talker, aren't you?" Seokjin only grinned before suddenly picking her up in his arms, bridal style.

A quiet gasp of surprise left her mouth before chiding him. "Kim Seokjin! Put me down this instance! Someone will see!"

"If you stay silent, no one will see and if I put you down, you'll just run away." He countered slyly, looking down at her red face with a satisfied glint in his mischievous eyes.

Before she could protest anymore, Seokjin had already pressed the doorbell and had put her down, his arms still firm around her waist. "You-" she started to express her displeasure but was cut off by the door opening.

They were greeted by a middle aged woman with a huge smile on her face. On first glance anyone could tell she must've been a beauty during her twenties but that didn't mean she was any less beautiful right now. Sehee could immediately see the familiar curve of Seokjin's lips in the woman's, confirming that it was indeed Mrs Kim standing infront of her.

Behind her stood a man with salt and pepper hair that seemed to bring out his laugh lines to focus as he looked upon the couple with a restrained, yet soft smile. She could see where Seokjin got the strong set of brows from. He must be the father.

Just as Sehee could bend to do a bow, showing her respect for the older couple, she was engulfed in a pair of slender arms. Her chin came to rest on the soft lilac fabric that smelled a lot like the fabric softener her mother used to favour. The smell tickled her senses bringing a wave of nostalgia as she awkwardly put her own arms around the old lady.

Even though Sehee felt awkward with the hug, she didn't mind the warmth it brought her, making her feel as if she were back in her mother's embrace. How long had it been since she had a motherly figure in her life?

Mrs Kim pulled away, breaking the chain of thoughts in the dazed woman's mind. The older woman couldn't hide her delight at meeting the girl her dear son was so enamored with. She was just too happy.

"I can't tell you how happy we are to have you here, dear. Seokjin has told us so much about you and I really couldn't wait to see you and I must say, my son never disappoints."

A lovely, pink colour blossomed on Sehee's face at Mrs Kim's words. Unable to come up with a suitable reply, she just bowed to the elderly couple while Seokjin whined like a baby.

"See, I told you they'd be all over you, forgetting there son has come to meet them after months." Mrs Kim immediately cooed at her youngest son who was currently pouting, making Sehee put a hand over her mouth, lest she burst out laughing at such an endearing moment.

In the ruckus of the parents consoling the son and showering his girlfriend with compliments, they moved inside the house filled with glimpses of the Kims' lives in form of photos, trophies and medals. Sehee even forgot her nervousness as the elderly couple doted over her as if she was their own daughter.

Not for a moment did she feel left out as they ate lunch like a happy family with Mr and Mrs Kim sharing anecdotes of Seokjin's childhood, making the man groan as each embarrassing tale was revealed infront of his beloved.

At the end of the day, as the couple hugged Sehee goodbye, she left with her eyes moist. After a long time she had felt at home. She had received the love that was just the same kind of unconditional love her parents had given her while they were alive.

They had lost their lives saving her. No matter the cause and everything that came with it, they were still her parents and she missed them dearly. But the day spent with the Kims had made her realise, she now had another home. Mrs Kim had assured her as much that if she ever needed motherly guidance, she shouldn't hesitate from contacting her and Sehee was sure, she'd try to strengthen their relationship.

She never realised how much she needed soft words of a mother and the stern guidance of a father till she got it today. She never realised how much she craved it. She had completely forgotten about it in the race to survive.

Later that night, Sehee listened to the strong, steady beat of her boyfriend's heart as they lay together in the bed, not sleepy yet but not really awake either. Except Sehee was wide awake, with a smile playing on her lips and her fingertips drawing lazy circles on his warm skin.

"Thank you." Her voice was low but clear enough to pierce the tranquility. It made Seokjin shift in the bed, the silky sheets falling away a little from his torso as he leaned on his elbow, his hand supporting his head.

"What for?" He asked, his eyes taking in her radiant face and the dimples that popped out with her lazy smile. Though he forced himself to keep his focus on her face, he couldn't help but glance down at her graceful neck, now a little red due to the attention he had paid a few minutes ago. He followed the red trail over the delicate, flushed skin over her chest, vanishing in the valley between her breasts, half covered beneath the sheets but still tantalizing enough for him.

Sehee caught upto the change in atmosphere as his eyes drank her in but decided to talk before he silenced her with his passionate kisses again.
"For everything."

Her voice brought his eyes back to hers as she continued to talk. "Thank you for coming to my restaurant and coming back again the next day and the day after. For having that dinner with me and the romantic stargazing date. Thank you for making me smile and lending your shoulder when I was too tired to keep my head high. Thank you for always being there when I needed that massage, wiping away my tears and being so patient with me because I know I can be a little too strong headed sometimes." The couple shared a good natured laugh remembering how almost every one of their arguments started because of her and ended with him apologizing.

"Thank you for always being the bigger person out of the two of us and keeping everything stuck together with glue. Thank you for loving me so much and making me a part of your family, making me feel cherished and quite honestly as if I'm a queen."

"Is this where you propose to me saying you want to Mrs Worldwide Handsome?" He piqued sarcastically, earning a light slap against his chest.

"Sorry to break your bubble, Mr Worldwide Handsome but no. This is where I tell you that not only do I love you to moon and back but I am also grateful for everything you've done for me."

Seokjin always knew that Sehee loved him but he never expected her to break down all the moments they had shared like this and notice his little gestures for her. He didn't know how to react but he bent down nonetheless, catching her lips in a heated kiss, trying to tell her how much her words meant for him, how much her presence in his life mattered. He couldn't say it out loud because if he did, he'd break down and Sehee knew it too well. That's why she held him tightly as they embraced each other as closely as physically possible.

Later that night, as they layed down exhausted in each other's arms again, Seokjin gathered his courage and spoke up the words he wanted her to listen.

"Thank you for accepting me as I am, Sehee. Thank you for believing in me and trusting me. We've come a long way, overcome a lot of obstacles and I can't promise you that life will be easy but don't lose hope in us. I can only promise you that, I'll keep on loving you, keep on supporting you and look out for you. And thank you for letting me in your restaurant, After Hours."

With a lethargic smile, Sehee gave into the exhaustion of the day, knowing that no matter what, atleast she'd have a man like Seokjin to lean on. And she would never, ever back away from asking for help because asking for it is not a weakness and as long as they stay together, they are strong.

Maybe it wasn't their happily ever after yet but atleast they were at peace and together.

~~~~
A/N:

If this isn't my favourite chapter ಥ‿ಥ

I can't believe this is the end but remember, The End doesn't mean there can't be a New Beginning.

Thank you so so much for reading 😊💜💜