Lines of sunlight glared through the windowpanes, kissing Jiwon's consciousness to life. Her awakening started with involuntary twitches behind her lids, before she fully blinked her eyes open, vision adjusting to the brightness.

Jiwon exhaled through her nose and sat up, drawing in as much strength as she could. Her attention then landed on her left hand, finding the needle still in place. Deliberately, she plucked it out and winced at the sudden prick.

Flashes from yesterday's events flooded her mind as she neared the door — Seconds of internal chiding and then nothing. Jiwon refused to entertain them further, aware it wouldn't change anything if she were to dwell.

Breakfast held silence, not a single word spoken, and only the minute sounds of utensils clinking were heard. Jiwon would glance up from her food from time to time to look at Yoongi, who seemed mindful of her stare, but purposely avoided eye contact.

And so the first spoken words between them that morning were:

"I'll wash the dishes."

— and —

"No. Just stay still."

Jiwon had no choice but do as told, considering the soft, yet firm voice Yoongi had used. She then left the kitchen.

Footsteps padded on the apartment tiles. Jiwon tugged on Yoongi's shirt that hung a little too loose on her slim figure; Smooth cotton graced her skin, fluttering her insides at the touch. She then halted in front of a brown piano and willed herself to sit down. Without much thought, she lifted the fallboard open. Her fingers ran through the keys and played a melody on their own accord, immersing Jiwon with each note she weaved.

At one point, she repeatedly pressed the keys of a familiar tune, the weight of her fingers an oscillation of rush and calmness. A tune she so dreaded to forget.

"Scenes from Childhood."

The melody faded, and Jiwon snapped her head up.

"What?"

"Scenes from Childhood," Yoongi repeated, sliding into the space beside her. "That's what you were playing, but you missed some keys."

Yoongi brought his fingers to the keyboard and played the piece, casually throwing glances at Jiwon. The melody echoed throughout, pulsing down the depths of Jiwon's memory. Tears brimmed in her eyes. The realization dawned on her — that the last time she had heard this melody in its accuracy, the fragment of the voice she wished to hear once more, had been ages ago.

"You can sneeze on my shirt. I don't mind. Just don't return it when you do," Yoongi deadpanned and Jiwon nudged him on the ribs.

"I'm not crying," she defended, blinking upwards. "I just... I've been trying to find it. I've always played it so I don't forget. But it seems like I've been missing the actual note since then."

"Is it that important to you?"

"Very." Jiwon nodded. "Someone... special to me used that to lull me to sleep or comfort me."

Yoongi turned to her and jutted his chin at the piano keys, as if asking her to play. Giving him an unsure expression, Jiwon placed her hand atop the keys, yet before she could press on them, Yoongi's fingers found hers and positioned them on the right keys.

And so Jiwon began. From time to time, Yoongi would back her up or guide her. Each note followed by another, forming a soothing melody that reverberated way up the ceiling; a way of communication that need not require words, but connected hearts amidst their absence.

"So..." Yoongi trailed off as they finished the piece. "How are you feeling now?"

"I'm all good, better than last night," answered Jiwon.

The entirety of their morning so far had been an oscillation between speechlessness and expression, a conflict of caution before treading on unknown waters against a burst of concern all of a sudden. An oscillation that Jiwon wasn't in favor of, only made her feel something was wrong.

"I was supposed to bother you yesterday, but I met your mother instead," Jiwon said, a faint curve drawing on her lips. "We had lunch out and I was so guilty the whole time. Her happiness felt so genuine, I'm afraid when the time comes, she would really be disappointed."

"Why is my life such a big lie?" She chuckled dryly. "I wish your mother could've just hated me instead."

There was a pause.

"Is that why you were looking for me?" he probed. "Hyangmi said it seemed urgent."

"She did?"

"Said you look worried and frantic, and something else I didn't understand."

Jiwon smiled meaningfully. "You're that close now?"

He narrowed her eyes at hers. "Don't change the subject. When I checked my phone, I had a lot of missed calls from you. And when I called, you were out of reach." His gaze was now stern and serious. "So, Kim Jiwon... what's going on? Did anything happen?"

"Nothing, really." Hesitation flickered on her face, a nanosecond of a decision to filter her words. "I just... really miss some dear to me."

Yoongi nodded in understanding. "Do you wish to visit that person?"

With a rueful smile tugging on her lips, Jiwon pressed her palms on her legs and bobbed her head down. "I wish I could."

"Maybe next time," added Jiwon. "I kind of don't think I'm worthy to face this person right now."

Yoongi warily raised a brow at her direction.

Jiwon drew a ball of breath out and tilted her head back. The next thing she did took Yoongi by surprise. His body stiffened as she leaned on his shoulder, the unusual consciousness over the non-existent distance between them petrified him. Not even the way her loose hair tickled his neck permitted him to move.

"Hey Yoongi," uttered Jiwon. "I'm going to tell you something, but promise me you're not going to laugh."

"If you're about to confess your undying love for me then just—"

"You've done a lot for me already. I just want to thank you for everything."

A pregnant silence conspired between them.

A second.

And another.

And then the back of his hand against her forehead.

"You really should take care of yourself before your fever gets to your head."

Jiwon flicked his hand away and scoffed, sitting up straight. Her elbow once again hit Yoongi's torso, much harder this time.

"That's more like you." Yoongi laughed, soothing his ribs as if he were the least concerned about it. "Which reminds me..."

"What?" Jiwon hissed.

Yoongi angled his head to her direction, eyes crinkling on the sides. His face inched closer and poked through her personal space, yet Jiwon could only stay still. Was she trying to prove she wasn't intimidated at all? Or was it because she couldn't will herself to move even if she wished to do so? Jiwon, with her shaky breath, wasn't sure either.

"You're the one who didn't put the piano key cover back last time you were here." Jiwon blinked at him owlishly, as if she couldn't believe what she was hearing. Yoongi continued, "The one you stained with orange juice and hid in a cupboard."

When Jiwon refused to speak, Yoongi reached for the cover on the side.

"The housekeeper told me she found this on the cupboard and thought I purposely hid it there. No one else has been here aside from you."

In response to his accusing but certain allegation, Jiwon averted her gaze and warily turned away from Yoongi whilst sporting an innocent smile. Stealthily, she stretched the distanced between the two of them.

And just before she dashed away from him, she squealed under her breath.

"I just recovered from a fever. Please don't kill me!"

— ✿ —
❝*throws confetti whilst jumping up and down in excitement* yes, hello, it's a wild update! FINALLY. I'm so sorry for being so late, and thank you for being ever patient and kind to me. I miss being here and reading comments and interacting with all of you, honestly. I hope you're all having a great day. All the love always! ♡❞