The city buzzed with life as I walked alongside Seokjin, the early evening air crisp against my skin. My mind was still reeling from the revelations of the day, and I couldn’t help but feel a mix of confusion and anticipation. The weight of the day's revelations felt heavier with each step. I had discovered that the friends I had grown close to—Namjoon, Jungkook, Yoongi, Hoseok, Taehyung, Jimin, and Seokjin—were not just ordinary people but members of the globally renowned boyband BTS. The hurt and confusion I felt were compounded by the secrecy that surrounded their true identities.

We headed towards an apartment building that I recognized as one of the places they often mentioned.

“Where are we going?” I asked, glancing at Seokjin.

“To meet the others,” he replied. “They want to explain everything to you and apologize for the secrecy.”

Seokjin led me into the building, his presence offering a small sense of comfort amidst my turmoil. The sleek, modern décor of the lobby did little to soothe the storm raging inside me. As we made our way to the apartment, I couldn’t help but wonder how the others would explain their actions and what the truth would mean for our relationships.

The door to the apartment swung open, revealing a cozy, stylish living space filled with warm lighting and modern furnishings. The seven of them were already gathered in the living room, their faces reflecting a mix of guilt and apprehension. The sight of them, so familiar yet now shadowed by the secret they had kept, made my heart ache.

Hi, Ava,” Namjoon said, stepping forward with a gentle but sorrowful expression. “Thanks for coming.”

I managed a tight smile.

“I didn’t have much choice. I needed answers.” I said as I sat down close to Soekjin, so far he was the only one who had been honest with me.

Yoongi, who had always been more reserved, looked particularly troubled.

“We’re sorry, Ava. We should have told you the truth sooner. We didn’t mean to hurt you.” He said as he sat down next to me

“Yeah,” Hoseok chimed in, his usually vibrant demeanor subdued.

“We wanted to be honest with you, but we also wanted to make sure you knew us as people first, not just as celebrities.” he continued as he took a seat on the coffee table opposite me.

I crossed my arms, feeling the sting of betrayal. “But why the secrecy? Why not just be honest from the start?”

Taehyung, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke.

“It’s not that we didn’t want to tell you. We just wanted to build a real connection with you before revealing everything. We were afraid that if you knew right away, it might make things awkward or overwhelming.” He said as he hugged the golden Maknae who looked like he was in the verge of tears.

Jimin, usually the most cheerful of the group, looked at me with a blend of regret and earnestness.

“We wanted to be sure you felt comfortable with us first. We were trying to protect our friendship from the complications that fame can bring.” he said

"But yet no friendship can truly be formed if there are lies or secrets" I said softly making him sigh but nod

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions inside me.

“It’s a lot to process. I thought I was building genuine relationships with you all, and now it feels like I was kept in the dark.” I explained as I gently picked up the glass of water. I felt a headache brewing and this wasn't even us halfway through the problems.

Seokjin walked over to a nearby table and picked up a leather-bound book.

“Ava, there’s something else we need to explain. Something important that goes beyond just keeping secrets.” He said

"I'm sure you have already googled what Soulmates are and you might have already linked a few things together"  He continued as he opened the book to reveal a series of intricate symbols and designs.

“These are the symbols that represent our connection to you. Each of us has a version of these tattoos on our bodies.”  he said as he pointed  different tattos.

Namjoon stepped closer, his expression serious.

“We are your soulmates, Ava. Our bond with you is more than just friendship. It’s a deep, mystical connection that transcends the ordinary.” he said as gently placed his hand over mine

Jungkook nodded, his usually bright demeanor tempered with sincerity.

“We didn’t want to reveal this until we felt that our relationship was strong enough. We wanted you to know us as people first, not just as part of a famous group with a hidden mystical bond.” he said as he walked a bit closer to us

"Each of us carries a tattoo that symbolizes our connection to you. It’s a mark of our commitment and our desire to protect and support you.” added Yoongi as he looked at me with sincere eyes.

“We were afraid that revealing this too soon might make you feel overwhelmed or even scared. We wanted to make sure that you understood who we are and what we mean to each other before introducing this part of our lives.”  said Hobi, as he gently closed the book.

"So you all have these tattoos, and it’s all about this soulmate connection?” I asked as I wrapped my tiny brain around all this.

“Yes,” Taehyung confirmed. “It’s a bond that links us to you in a profound way. We didn’t want to complicate things by introducing this element too early.”

I looked around at the seven of them, their faces reflecting a mix of vulnerability and hope. Despite the hurt and confusion I felt, their sincerity was evident.

“I understand why you might have wanted to wait, but it’s still a lot to take in. I thought I knew you all, and now there’s this whole new layer to our relationship.” I said softly as I fiddled with the skin on my fingers, a habit I had whenever I felt nervous.

Jimin reached out, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder.

“We didn’t mean to deceive you, Ava. We were trying to protect our bond and make sure it was built on genuine trust. We care about you deeply, and we wanted to make sure you felt the same way about us.” he said

Seokjin nodded in agreement.

“We’re committed to making this work, Ava. We want to support you, and we hope you can understand why we kept this from you. Our intention was never to hurt you but to ensure that our relationship was built on a solid foundation.” he said as he gently placed a hand in mine to stop me from fiddling with the skin and peeling it.

I took a deep breath, feeling a mixture of relief and exhaustion.

“Thank you for being honest with me now. It’s a lot to process, but I appreciate that you’re willing to talk about it.” I said as I rubbed my head

Hoseok smiled, though his expression remained serious.

“Take all the time you need, Ava. We’re here for you, and we’re ready to answer any questions you have.” he replied

As the evening wore on, we talked about the complexities of our connection, the meanings behind the tattoos, and the reasons for their secrecy. It was a long and emotionally charged conversation, but it was also a step towards understanding and healing.

By the end of the night, I felt a sense of resolution. The journey ahead would be challenging, but I knew that the bond I shared with Namjoon, Jungkook, Yoongi, Hoseok, Taehyung, Jimin, and Seokjin was real and meaningful. Despite the hurt and the secrecy, our connections were genuine.

As I said my goodbyes and left their apartment, I felt a glimmer of hope. The road to acceptance and understanding would be long, but I was willing to take that journey. With time, I hoped we could find a way to embrace the truth of our connection and build a future together.