"If I die, I assure you I am definitely going to resurrect just to take you with m— For fuck's sake Min Yoongi, could you please slow down!"

"Since when did people slow down when they're intentionally trying to get away?"

Despite Jiwon sitting sideways behind Yoongi with eyes completely shut, she could vividly imagine the smug look on his face. She sucked a deep breath in and shook her head to get rid of the strands of hair stuck to her face, as the wind brushed and tousled her hair.

She secured her grip, hands clasped together so tight around his waist, as if his torso were her lifeline. Also muttering a silent prayer while she was at it.

In Jiwon's perspective, Yoongi was racing with death. And perhaps she was fine with it. He could pursue the afterlife for all she cared.

But not when he was taking her with him.

Or maybe that was actually fine with her, the split-second thought passed her mind.

Each pedal sent ticklish sensations down her gut, her sense of touch barely there as if she'd slip out of her seat and fall into the abyss anytime now. By the time that Yoongi slowed down, Jiwon could hardly move her legs that had stiffened in her position.

He turned left at the corner and halted in front of a convenience store. Immediately, Jiwon sprung out of her seat, palm resting on her chest, and breathed heavily.

"Have you never tried to ride a bike?"

"I have. Once," Jiwon struggled in between breaths. "I fell right after the first pedal."

"Sounds tragic." Yoongi snickered.

"Very." Jiwon rolled her eyes heavenward. She stretched her arms and kicked on her toes, releasing the tension on her muscle and nerves. "And thanks to you, I don't think I'm ever going to try again. Whoever told you it's fine to ride a bike at that speed can have a word or two with me."

"That's not even too fast," Yoongi told her and got off the bike. He kicked the side stand and walked towards Jiwon, observing her face brazenly with an almost pitiful expression.

"What?" Jiwon asked rather impatiently. His grimace wasn't helping her decipher if he were being sarcastic with the sympathy.

Yoongi slid his cap over her head and tapped on her shoulder. "Wait here."

Jiwon's brows furrowed for a moment before she blinked in confusion. Then, she lifted her head whilst she held on the peak of the cap, eyes trailing Yoongi's figure disappear into the convenience store.

The words behind his gesture could only be her imagination, but she certainly believed it ought to be some sort of comfort, enough to trigger ardor within her.

As her shoulders heaved, the pattern of her heartbeat gradually shifted, contractions no longer from the adrenaline of the bike ride. And Jiwon could recognize it. That same wave of vulnerability tugging at her chest, a whirlwind in her lungs.

"Stop it," she muttered to herself, shaking her head and took tranquilizing breaths.

Yoongi returned minutes later to Jiwon who was then already sitting on the curb. He joined her and offered a water bottle, eyes fixated in front of him, and she took it without saying a word.

"We used to ride bikes a lot when I was younger. Almost everyone in my neighborhood knew how to ride a bike. I'm surprised you didn't."

"We," Jiwon spoke up, as if her voice had just arrived from a far away place. "So, I'm assuming you actually have friends?" A light chuckle left her mouth. "I met Jimin already. Is he one of them?"

He nodded and mentioned another male which was younger than both him and Jimin. He told her that every summer during his high school, the Mins would visit their hometown. He and his friends often bet on whoever would reach the store downhill.

Jiwon listened, noticing how the corners of his lips curved up the slightest, a certain glow filled his eyes as he recalled an event his life. As trivial as it might be, there was something in the way he talked, narrating ever so causally, that had drawn her to his story.

"Ahh, I haven't seen that kid for a while, I wonder what he's up to now," Yoongi said and turned sideways, eyes meeting hers.

"Well... wow," she breathed out, probably for the lack of words to express a decent reaction. "I never thought you actually had a better childhood. And I thought all you did was work."

"Maybe because it's where my focus is at now." He shrugged. "What about you?"

Jiwon held the water bottle in between her palms, wrapping her fingers around it. "There's really nothing to talk about. I mean, I don't even have friends to begin with."

"What about before?"

"Well... when I was little—" Jiwon shut her mouth, blinking with contemplation. Yoongi didn't seem to notice the sudden pause, so she nonchalantly cleared her throat. "When the Kims... took me in," she corrected herself. "I know you're aware I'm adopted...?"

Yoongi gave her a single nod. She nodded to herself as well.

Even if the Kims kept their family matters to themselves, distinguished people associated with them still knew of their family background. And despite the news of the Kims adopting a very blessed four year old girl from an orphanage — being a huge deal roughly twenty years ago— had subsided now, it was indubitable that knowledge about it still circulated in whispers.

"I was home schooled until high school. When I got enrolled into an actual school, it didn't change things for me. I had to live up to the expectations of people I knew, and even those I didn't. I had extra lessons waiting for me at home every day. My weekends were always scheduled ahead. I didn't really had the time to make friends."

The corners of her mouth lifted, but her eyes reflected otherwise. The words that left her mouth were true, but she knew there was more to that truth which she never got to say out loud.

She drew her knees close to her chest and turned to Yoongi, who was currently staring at nowhere in particular, but she could tell he was listening. So, she continued, this time in a lighter tone.

"But when I was little, Taehyung and his brother Namjoon would always go to the house. You might know Namjoon, I guess?"

"Kim Namjoon, the intellect."

"Yeah, that's him," Jiwon confirmed. "They're the only playmates I had, and I'd often cry because Namjoon would pretend that he'd murder my doll, then Seokjin would scold him, being the responsible older brother he is. Taehyung always had trouble picking sides."

A carefree laugh escaped her lips. "Now that I think about it, it's really funny."

The atmosphere grew silent, yet the simplicity of someone's presence was far more understanding and consoling than forced words.

Yoongi stood up and dusted on his jeans. He removed the side stand of the bike and looked over his shoulders. "Are you okay now?"

"I think so?" She accepted Yoongi's hand and he pulled her up.

Although reluctant, Jiwon had no choice but to get on the bike again. But this did not happen until Yoongi assured he wouldn't put her life into prejudice and she'd still witness the sunrise.

He kept his words.

Well... at least he did so for the first few minutes because later on, Jiwon had her arms wrapped around his waist for support, pulses awakened at full alert again.

Damn you, Min Yoongi.

"So why are your parents insistent about you getting married?" Yoongi casually asked.

"Would it be too offensive if I tell you it's for business relations?" she joked. "Though I figured you already know how the system works. What about yours?"

"My parents are just worried they might not see their grandchild before they die," he replied, a hint of unwillingness lingered on his voice.

"Do you like kids?"

"I don't know. I never had one."

Jiwon rolled her eyes, her insides deflated with his dry humor. "You know what I mean."

"My answer stands still."

"What about that kid in the restaurant?"

"Tolerable."

"Really? You actually seemed like you enjoyed his presence," she teased.

"Hey, could you hold a little tighter?" Yoongi said, ignoring her.

Before Jiwon could do as told, her face bumped against the back of Yoongi as her grip on him tightened. She heard a chuckle, causing her to frown.

"You definitely did that on purpose!" accused Jiwon.

"I'm not saying I didn't."

But here was the comprehension that sunk in as she pressed her cheek into his shirt. As bizarre as it could be at this situation, where all the wires in her system were heightened, she still felt safe with him. And much more of a paradox as it may appear, the foreign feeling of such safety that embraced her, sparked trepidation at the same time.

Jiwon questioned herself how this man, whom she could barely read, could twist her emotions so effortlessly. And he wasn't even trying. She was sure of it.

The next hump that sent them wobbling failed to tick her off this time, for she was still absorbed in her own thoughts.

Her reaction might had come across late to Yoongi, but the words slipped out of her mouth just right after she had reached a realization — one she wasn't quite pleased about.

"Damn you, Min Yoongi."

— ✿ —
❝Happy Mother's Day to all the lovely mothers out there! Please shower them with lots of love and kisses cause they deserve soooo much for everything that they've done ♡❞