The tinkling sound of the familiar tune of 'Jingle Bells' rang throughout the air which signaled the clock striking twelve. I almost scrambled out of my seat in happiness for my freedom but contained myself as I politely faced the group of ladies before me.

The three females across from me were still engaged in discussion as Jimin's mother held up a finger signaling to give them a minute.

I wanted to return the sign but with a different finger and meaning.

"Y/n. Hey, I'm sorry we left you out a bit when we started talking about recipes."

I glanced over as Dawon gave me an apologetic smile as Seokjin's grandmother leaned forward and had a frown.

"Yes, I am so sorry, dear. It's just that once I get talking about a recipe, you can't simply stop the slew of words! We recently created three more recipes within the last couple months and have been slightly altering the ingredients in hopes to make it better. Trial and error is always a great way to learn and improve!"

I nodded and grinned in understanding of Seokjin's grandmother's enthusiasm. She seemed just as passionate as her grandson in the art of cooking and it made me happy to see such a similarity.

"It's completely fine! I understand the need to discuss a good topic when the opportunity comes up. You wouldn't imagine how many times Seokjin has raved over how to cook the perfect steak or when Namjoon goes on about the theory of evolution."

Both females chuckle in agreement before Seokjin's grandmother slows her chuckles and inquires, "You call them by their first names?"

I immediately tensed a bit as I nervously nodded.

"I never really used honorifics with them and they much preferred to be called by their names. It was a simple agreement."

"I see, that's understandable. Also, there is no need to be so wary of your actions around us, dear. I understand how terrifying it might be to meet us all together, but I assure you that everyone appreciates your presence and has looked forward to meeting you."

A faint blush appears as I glance away from her sweet and grandmotherly smile. She was exuding such a kind and safe aura that I felt the need to treat her with utmost respect and never upset her.

"I understand that. It's going to take me some time before I can loosen up, but you guys have already made me feel better. Thank you for that."

Dawon grinned as she patted my back lightly. The gesture was small but made me feel happy and accepted, especially when it came from Hoseok's older sister.

"Oh, the time passes by so fast! Why don't we all congregate into the dining room for a brief lunch?" Namjoon's mother stood up and lightly brushed down her outfit before gesturing towards the doors.

"Sounds lovely."

Everyone soon stood up and we began to exit. I watched as the three mothers walked out together while Dawon helped ease Seokjin's grandmother up. I slightly bit my lip in contemplation of whether I should catch up to the ladies or help the two next to me, however it was already too late as the three stepped out.

I let out a low sigh as I immediately helped ease Seokjin's grandmother up and assisted in steadying her footing.

"Thank you so much, dears. Those three always walk off without a pause. No decency whatsoever."

I let out a small smile as I followed behind the two that led the way since I had no sense of direction. Seokjin's grandmother continued to go off on a tangent regarding respect and proper etiquette before slowing down her words and taking a deep breath.

Now composed, she turned to me and shot a kind grin.

"I apologize for that. You better stop me whenever I go off like that. Quite hard to reel me back in!"

I let out a soft chuckle before responding, "Seokjin often goes on during his spiels or lectures too. We often don't interrupt because it's usually amusing and interesting to see how long he can talk in one breath."

"That boy definitely learned a lot of his charms from me. Do tell me, does he still blow kisses dramatically?"

"All the time!"

She let out a boisterous laugh as she clapped her hands in delight.

"I remember always blowing kisses like that whenever he'd leave. I still do sometimes. He always used to groan in embarrassment, especially when there were other individuals in the room, and when he finally confronted me about the reasoning... well can you guess what I said?"

"Because you like to embarrass him?"

"That's partially the intention, but the real reason is because it only takes a small action to show one's love even from afar. You can waste your breath yelling 'I love you' from a distance or you can say that through a gesture that can be sent without any obstructions, unless sight counts."

I looked over at her with a wide-eyed look as she flashed a smug one back. Dawon giggled behind her hand at this exchange.

"After he understood that, he began to return the kisses and by now it must be second-nature."

"Ah, I see. He does seem very fond of doing that."

My mind flashes to the time I was studying after classes had all ended and we were all chilling in our normal spots. The others seemed busy with either their phones, studying, or each other, but I briefly glanced up to shake the cramp in my hand. As soon as I felt the pressure relieve, I saw Jin whip his head up from his phone and catch my eye. It was an awkward moment of staring before he suddenly lifted his hand and blew a kiss with emphasis.

I was taken aback but he grinned before looking back down and acting as if what he did never happened and was a casual occurrence.

This was only a couple of days after finding out about being soulmates so what kind of message was that?

"When are the great-grandbabies due?"

I snapped out of the memory and stumbled a bit but regained my footing soon after. Seokjin's grandmother shot me a coy look as Dawon let out a chuckle.

"E-excuse me?"

"I said when am I going to get to hold a baby! It's been so long since Seokjin was a child and I need to see another one before I die!"

"I don't think we are planning to have a baby soon."

"Waiting until life settles huh? Well, I'll have you know that my husband and I had Seokjin's mother early and she had that boy early as well! You know what that means?"

"That I should wait a bit."

"No! I'm saying that you better get working on it because my husband and I don't have forever!"

I was at a loss for words because I didn't expect her to be so forward.

"Now, now, grandma. You know as much as I do that during these times, kids are definitely something that should be planned carefully. Y/n also has a say over when she thinks she'll be ready and it's a discussion for her and the boys to have themselves. You had grandpa as your soulmate but she has seven men as hers. Imagine the stress of handling a relationship like that!"

Dawon's gentle voice of reasoning eased Seokjin's grandmother's tension as well as my own. She was definitely a mediator like her brother and once she flashed the familiar heart-shaped grin, I couldn't help but return it in gratitude.

"Alright, I see your point. Sorry to get so eager, but I got so excited to hear that you were their soulmate. You are still young, dear, so you have some time before anything like that happens. I suppose I'm willing to hold off a few years just to see another generation of our family."

I simply responded with a nervous chuckle before quieting down. A content silence buzzed through the air as we made the short distance towards the dining room.

❀♡❀

As soon as we entered, my eyes bulged at the amount of food on the table for a 'brief lunch'. Everyone was gathered there and chatting amongst themselves. All the boys shot me looks of relief and wonder. I just stuck my tongue out at them jokingly before helping to guide Seokjin's grandmother to her seat with Dawon.

"Thank you both. Such angels you are." She affectionately pat each of our cheeks as we smiled and moved to our own seats. Dawon was sitting a bit a ways from where I was situated, between Jimin and Jungkook.

We shared a friendly grin from where we sat before it was announced to start eating. Jimin had reached for my hand slightly from on top of the table and lightly wrapped our pinkies together. Jungkook had placed a gentle hand on my thigh and rubbed soothing circles on my knee caps.

I felt happy to be next to them again but a feeling of discomfort rose as I glanced over and caught the slightest sour look on Jimin's mother's face as she whispered something to her husband.

I looked away when I noticed him turn to look at me too and instead tried to keep my expression neutral.

You know that gut feeling you have when you know someone doesn't like you?

Yeah, but this feels worse since she is Jimin's mother. I feel bad.

I started to slowly edge my hand away from his until his hand engulfed my own. I turned back to see Jimin shooting me a slightly concerned expression.

Leaning close, he muttered, "What's the matter?"

I simply shook my head as I didn't want to voice out my unnecessary concerns. He looked at me for a few seconds longer before replying, "Are you tired? Did someone say something to you?"

Shaking my head again, he let out a low sigh before briefly glancing around the table. Wondering why, that question was answered when he suddenly leaned close and placed a tiny peck on my temple. It was small and brief, but it filled me with a sense of reassurance.

"Let's all snuggle after this. I'm thinking we steal some cookies from the kitchen without the parents knowing while we all congregate in one room. Make some hot chocolate with tiny marshmallows as we stream Christmas movies? How does that sound? No worries, no stress, just us."

I let out a small smile as the idea sounded wonderful.

With a nod, I replied, "Yes, please."

Jimin returned the smile as he said, "There's your sweet voice. I was worried I was never going to hear it again. Had a theory that maybe, just maybe, the ladies made you sell your voice to a sea witch for beauty... but then I had to scratch that idea because you are already blindingly beautiful."

I let out a bashful laugh as I bumped his shoulder lightly.

"Stop teasing, you flirt. Eat your food."

Turning back to take a bite, I noticed him continue to watch me for a couple seconds longer before turning and focusing on his food as well. I couldn't hide the small grin that appeared on my face at his attention and concern. He knew I felt uneasy and the fact that he noticed made me feel elated.

❀♡❀

"Want a candy cane?"

I turned to look up and found Taehyung leaning over me with a candy cane held in front of his face. He suddenly leaned down further until we were inches apart. He held the treat an equidistant between us as he grinned brightly while teetering a bit.

"Don't lean too far forward!"

"I won't fall."

"You're going to lose your balance and you might hurt yourself. Back u-"

He leaned forward and pressed his lips to mine from upside down. It was an uncomfortable angle to clash, but as soon as he leaned back he presented a dazzling grin. I was left with a stunned expression at his move.

"Don't worry so much. I won't fall. See? And even if I do, you could say I would've fallen for you."

Rolling my eyes, I grab his cheeks and pull him towards me just to kiss him again. He let out a content hum as I caressed his cheek. It lasted only a couple seconds before Taehyung leaned back and quickly straightened himself up.

Turning to look at him, he was stretching his back and rotating his hips as he let out a huff.

"Sorry, my back was killing me!"

"Way to ruin the mood, old man."

"You try leaning down and kissing me for longer than a minute and see how your back responds." I giggled as he took a seat behind me on the carpeted floor.

"Ah man! Did we run out of marshmallows?" I turned and saw Jungkook pouting as he shook the empty bag from where he was seated.

"Guess we did." Yoongi shrugged nonchalantly as he turned back to focus on the movie playing.

"I'll go get some more. I need to stretch a bit anyway." I began to stand as Taehyung whined about me leaving just when he got to hold me. I smirked as I leaned down and pressed a kiss just as he did before. My hair curtained over us and blocked out our surroundings. He wasn't prepared for the sudden peck but I pulled away before he could get the chance to hold me back.

Skipping towards the door, I take a last glance at everyone around the room. I slightly frowned once I realized Jimin wasn't here and didn't notice when he left. Perhaps I could find him on the way.

❀♡❀

Walking through the halls was a bit intimidating as I tried to find familiar objects or areas that would lead me to the kitchen. It didn't take me as long to find it this time and I happily greeted some of the cooks and maids inside.

I felt awkward as they immediately straightened up at my arrival and politely inquired about my presence. Telling them about my goal of the marshmallow bags, it didn't take long before two were presented to me. Thanking them profusely, I politely bowed before exiting.

Glancing at the large bags, two of these seemed really excessive but I didn't want to decline. The soft white pillows of sugar had me eagerly entertained as I squeezed some of them on the way. Opening a bag and snacking on some, I decided to take my time and look at more of my surroundings.

Lots of the paintings that lined the walls were of beautiful sceneries and I took several pauses to admire them. The lights that lit up the hallway had intricate designs that could be easily overlooked unless taken the time to really look closely at. Vases held fresh flowers in them that brought a vibrant and spring like atmosphere even though it was the midst of winter. I wondered where they received their plants from to get such healthy and aesthetic flower arrangements.

I slowed my steps as I neared a slightly open door and heard voices in it. I bit my lip and tried to see how I could walk by without capturing any of the occupants' attention, but I froze when I faintly heard my name.

Glancing both ways down the halls to find it empty, I tiptoed closer and tried to see if I could glance into the room, however I couldn't see anything but a simple wall with a bookshelf.

"She's not quite what I was expecting. I thought you'd have someone more powerful- like Kim Namjoon or Kim Taehyung, but she doesn't appear to have much of a social standing, Jimin."

"Mother, please. I don't need or want to hear any of this. Your opinion is quite invalidating. She is perfect the way she is."

"Perfect? But how about that girl, Lee Yeri? You both are great childhood friends and you know her soulmate would be nothing compared to you. She is of a much higher social standing and her family is of the highest esteem. Jimin, listen to me-"

"No! Don't touch me! How dare you bring up another person? We've discussed this once before and I thought I made myself clear. I don't want anybody else and I will not betray my soulmates like that! We are soulmates for heaven's sake! You can't change that!"

"I can't change that but I'm just trying to suggest what's best for you."

"Best for me? You can't possibly know what's best for me if you're trying to break my happiness!"

"It's not happiness! You have to share this girl with six other males! You need a suitable partner at your side and she simply isn't it! Her demeanor is not fit for the business world and her personality just doesn't cut it. I was lenient with those males because a few came from successful backgrounds, but if this is the girl you are expected to produce the heir to Park enterprise with, then I'd rather you dump them all at once and be with someone who is more fit to be by your side!"

Silence rang through the air, but a ringing buzzed through my ears. I felt a bit nauseous and it felt like the air got knocked out of me. Her words were like daggers and each point she made stabbed me. I could only feel waves of shame and humiliation as she voiced out her thoughts.

It was immense and I knew the others could feel it as soon as I saw Jimin slam the door open and look straight at me with a wide-eyed expression.

❀♡❀

A/N: Oh my god. It's happening. We hit 970K views and that's a really big number 👀

Question Time! What's the most useless talent you have?

Not to brag or anything, but I know how to fold a dollar bill into a ring. Reel in your amazement, it's really not much.