An inner battle commenced in my head.

I get it. Perhaps Taehyung and I just hadn't met halfway. I had good intentions, and he didn't know about that. Then, there was his important meeting, and maybe he was stressed out, causing his words to come out that way.

But here's the thing. My anger still hadn't subsided. Only a little, but not so. And I knew myself better that it would be best that our paths do not cross until I had cooled down enough to take it all with more understanding.

Which then led me and Aeri back at my old apartment building. The guard and the receptionist still were the same people, with some new faces around. The motif remained to be champagne gold and white, with touches of dark gray.

The elevator door flew open and I stepped out, a pang of nostalgia coming my way. I had resided here for more than two years already, and even if I had only been away for a couple of months, it felt like it had been so long.

I punched in my door's pin code and only a single step to my unit, the all too familiar scent and atmosphere greeted me. Well, it's kind of great to be back.

My small living room was different than the usual setting. It did have a couch, yet mine didn't have a table in the middle but a wide cotton carpet cushion instead. I had it all arranged so that the carpet was entrapped with makeshift barricades in the form of the couch and pillows on the sides to prevent Aeri from wandering out of it.

I sat crossed legged on the carpet with Aeri freely crawling around. Luckily, I didn't take these things to Taehyung's apartment. At least we had something to use.

Aeri suddenly laid flat on her back, and I carefully lifted her head, placing a pillow beneath. Finding it comfortable, I also took one and situated myself beside her.

"Did you miss it here, Aeri?" I stared at the beige painted ceiling, smiling to myself. "It's been a while right?"

Aeri made minimal movements beside me, and I shifted my body sideways to take a peek at her. A yawn escaped her mouth and I touched the tip of her nose lightly.

"Sleep tight, little Aeri," I whispered before her eyes completely shut. "We'll go home later."

~*~

A thump on the door slipped my consciousness back, and it took me a while for my surroundings to sink in.

Ugh, I fell asleep and now it's dark outside already.

Well, initially, I had thought of just sleeping here, but Aeri didn't have enough baby supplies in my unit anymore, and I shouldn't allow my trivial self-interest to affect Aeri's comfort negatively. So I decided against it.

However, I didn't expect that I'd fall asleep and wake up at this time.

Then came another thud on the door.

Right, there's someone outside.

I groaned as I sat up straight and took my phone out. Carefully, I meandered towards the light switch and flicked it open.

Oh my gosh! Wait— Aeri! I mentally scolded myself for being so disoriented.

Almost tripping over in panic and the fact that I still hadn't adjusted to the brightness, I grabbed the nearest blanket and placed it on Aeri's eyes to prevent the light from irritating her.

"Kyungmin-ah, I know you're in there," called the muffled voice, and without a doubt it was Taehyung.

Still feeling groggy, I dragged my feet towards the door, pushing back the hair on my face.

"Look, I treasure Aeri so much, and...you—"

I twisted the knob and the door flew open revealing Taehyung.

"—What happened to you?"

"I woke up like this," I deadpanned, my voice hoarse from sleeping as I stepped back allowing him to enter.

Continuously squinting my eyes to adjust my vision, I leaned on the closed door behind me, watching Taehyung's broad back.

Taehyung stood still for a moment before he turned to me and asked, "Were you actually trying to run away from home?"

I waved my hand in the air. "No, no, it's not like that." Though at first, yes.

"Really?" he raised a brow up in suspicion, narrowing his eyes at me.

I scurried on my feet and went past him. "Aeri doesn't have enough supplies here. I hope that answers your question."

Besides, I felt better now; nothing against him anymore regarding the phone call earlier. It was just me basically being me. What? It wasn't only him who could be childish anyway.

"I didn't mean what I said, I was just so pissed with the guy I was talking with. It's wrong that I lashed it out on you. Kyungmin, I'm sorry..."

"Mhmmm..." I sat back on the carpet and spared him a glance as I hugged my legs, leaning my head sideways. Then I turned away and reached for Aeri whilst still in the same position.

"I brought cupcakes. I thought I'd be able to see you both at an earlier hour. Let's just order dinner or go home first before we do."

"Bribery doesn't work on me," I simply muttered.

"Uh...no," he grumbled. "I didn't mean it like that. I really bought them for the two of you."

A small smile crept up to my mouth and I made sure he didn't see that.

There were shuffling noises and the sound of plastic ruffling. It was too late for me to notice that Taehyung was already sitting down on the carpet as well, and he might or might not have caught the grin on my lips.

"You're being a child, I really thought you're still mad." He scoffed.

"Well, I could be mad if you want me to," I pressed, lifting my head.

"You're really weird every time you just woke up," he claimed. "Either really nice or really indifferent. But both weird."

"I'd like to think you influenced me a lot, thank you," I retorted.

"I'm sorry," blurted Taehyung with sincerity.

I twitched my lips upwards, eyes landing on my palms. Slowly nodding, I said, "I apologize as well."

"So we're okay?" asked Taehyung like an innocent five year old.

I bent my head with a smirk spreading on my face. "Of course we're okay, you brought food!"

That, then, earned me a flick on the forehead and icing on my nose, making me gasp in horror. Remembering Aeri was beside me, I had to calculate my movements as to not squish her.

And as if it were all planned by Taehyung, the snap of a camera followed.

"I knew you were messing with me," he huffed, followed by a snicker as he looked at his phone.

"Yah! I was mad at first, okay?"

"Aish, doesn't matter now. I'm setting this as my wallpaper."

Was it just me or were we really not making any sense at all?

I rolled my eyes in defeat.

Just perfect.