His mother peered over his shoulder and shot me a nasty glare. I couldn't help but wince at that.

Jimin seemed stunned at my presence and I felt the urge to profusely apologize and run off.

"How dare you eavesdro-"

"Mother, I kindly ask you to shut up before I say something I'll regret. You don't have a say in my life choices and you've gone too far. Don't speak to me until you realize that you should respect my decisions. If anything, I suggest that you and father leave early. Isn't there a better high-class business gathering that you can kiss up to disgusting people like you at rather than spread your nasty presence around here?"

With a gasp, she retaliated, "Do you understand everything I've done for you? Park Jimin, that is no way to speak to me."

Jimin closed his eyes and took a deep inhale before turning. I couldn't see the look on his face, but I saw his mother's face morph into something akin to fear.

"And you had no right to speak of y/n or any of my soulmates like they were disposable objects. Too long have I had to deal with your controlling hand, but now I've reached my limit. I've silently listened to your judgements against all my soulmates just so I don't ruin any relations between you and them, but the fact that you can't appreciate any of them, even our last one, shows that you are a discriminating and narcissistic bitch."

Her face was left stunned, but I couldn't even let out a gasp before Jimin turned to me, grabbed my hand, and dragged me away. He held a fast pace and I struggled to catch up as he tugged me forward.

There was a moment that I saw a flash of his expression and that's why I wanted to gasp.

His eyes held a deeply rooted hatred and fury that had to have been built up over time. His mouth was turned in a slight snarl as his teeth clenched tightly. The veins on his neck strained as his expression held stern.

It was a sight I never wanted to see. It was an expression I never wanted directed at me. It was a look that I never wished to look into again.

He didn't slow his pace even as we saw the others all gathered in the hallway and looked to have been in a rush. They froze upon our arrival, but Jimin pulled me past them and into the room we were in. He went straight towards the empty couch and took a seat before dragging me with him and seating me on his lap. The bags of marshmallows fell out of my hands and crumpled upon the floor. I jolted forwards as his arms encircled my back and tugged me down towards his chest. He burrowed his face into my hair as he let out shuddering breaths.

I could only face his white dress shirt and heard the sounds of light footsteps trickle in a few moments later. I shut my eyes as I slowly brought my hands up from my lap to lay on the sides of his waist lightly.

The others stayed silent as they took seats around the two of us, as indicated by the dips in the couch when they sat. I thought about her words and internally curled into myself.

It stung a lot. Reminds me of when the boys got angry, except she jabbed at my status and personality. Not for my actions.

She insisted on finding a new partner for Jimin just because I wasn't enough.

My insecurities rose up as I recounted all my actions and words around her from these brief two days. It hasn't even been long and she already disapproves of me. I really shouldn't let her words get to me, but they rang so fresh in my mind and forced it to submit to its darker thoughts.

"Stop it. Please stop thinking."

Jimin's voice was gravelly and low, but easily caught my attention. My breath hitched as he finally seemed to collect himself and ease his hold. Fluttering my eyes open, I instantly catch sight of Jungkook, Taehyung, and Hoseok's worried expressions from one end of the couch. The others must be on the other side.

Tilting my head up, Jimin held the most forlorn and shame-filled expression as he gazed right at me.

"Don't let her words get to you. You shouldn't have heard any of that. You shouldn't have had to. I'm so sorry."

Jimin grabbed one of my hands and brought it up to his lips as he kissed my knuckles and muttered 'I'm sorry' several times. His breath caressed my hands and his sorrow emanated from within.

I couldn't take anymore of such a pitiful sight as I forcefully removed my hand. He winced at my gesture but I soothed away the look of pain by pressing my hand against his cheek and forcing him to calm down.

"You're not at fault. I don't blame you at all. Not one bit."

"No. It is. I should've spoken with her and tried to make her understand that she doesn't know you well enough to have an opinion. The way she spoke of you was as though you were only meant to create a baby for us rather than be our soulmate. She totally objectified you and I can't believe her nerves. I should've shut the door all the way and shielded you from her appalling thoughts."

"There was no way you could have known I would've been there. If not me, anybody else could've. Her words are not something you can control but you defended us well. How could there be anything to blame when you did nothing wrong, Jiminie?"

"No, you don't understand. I've put up with her for so long and haven't done much! I take her words and defend you guys, but I never fully took action to make her understand that what she's saying and thinking is unacceptable."

"Everyone has their opinions. Hers aren't exactly unjustifie-"

"Don't say that! She barely knows you and has no right to have said anything! Aren't you offended or angry?"

I pause for a moment before my eyes downcast and my hold on his cheek grows limp. He immediately caught onto the shift in mood, but I spoke first.

"If that's what she truly thinks of me then I must've done something to make her think that way."

"Don't you dare believe her. Don't! How could anything she said be true when she doesn't even know you! She doesn't and that means nothing she said should be taken seriously!"

"Jimin..."

"No! Are you going to look at me and tell me you weren't made for me? For us? That you aren't suitable to be by our side? Huh?"

"No, but listen-"

"Where is the y/n that held her ground when those false rumors spread? How could you get defeated by a statement! She doesn't know what she's talking about and you shouldn't even waste a thought on it."

He forced me to hold his stare as my lip slightly wobbled. I could feel the pool of tears begin and I tried my best to hold them in, but couldn't.

"I can't help it! It's your mother Jimin! It hurts and I can't help but slightly believe her words. I just can't help it, okay!"

His eyes immediately softened before he instantly brought a hand up to gently ease my head forward into his chest. His hand stayed in my hair to gently brush my locks as the other caressed my back in soothing circular motions.

The water works were released as I just leaned into his shirt and created a wet patch on it. He didn't seem to care and I only took a moment to fret over this before simply ignoring my actions and continuing to hug him tighter.

We sat in silence for a couple moments as I cried and tried to catch my breath from its sped up pace. The others' presence was acknowledged by the slight shuffles and the feeling of confusion and worry thrumming through the bond, but Jimin simply shook his head from above me.

"Please don't believe her. I can't force you to forget what she said, but I can damn well try. Her selection of voiced out thoughts don't matter. Please, don't take such words and give them more meaning than they actually have. You're crying because of something else, not her words. Right, princess?"

I paused for a moment and felt a light flutter in my chest at the new nickname before fully slumping against him in defeat.

"Can I blame my period?"

"Are you actually on your period?"

I hesitantly shook my head, but I didn't want to admit just how affected I was. I don't really know why I felt so devastated by her off-handed comment, but I just was.

"Uh, no. But that's a reason, right?"

"Yes, of course. Our girl is crying because of her period. It's our duty to make her as comfortable as possible. I'm so sorry to cause you to tear up due to the monthly rain of blood."

Almost laughing, I stayed quiet as Jimin continued to softly calm me down by lightly running his hand through my hair. Sighing after the tears finally stopped, I slowly tried to back-up, however Jimin held me firmly against him.

"I-I think I'm okay."

"Take all the time you need."

"I should be the one consoling you after what she told you. I'm being so dramatic, sorry."

"You're not. It's okay. Please, if anything you were the one she targeted most."

I tried to retaliate, but he kept shushing me and saying that I have every right to be hurt and should use him for comfort. I huffed in defeat after he shushed me again and scratched my scalp in a manner that caused me to want to melt in his hold.

Silence reigned throughout the room once again, but this time I gathered my thoughts and really held a grip on the situation. I eased myself up after reassuring him, and he finally allowed me to face him and the others.

I winced at the direct shine of the lights on my puffy eyes, but focused in on Jimin who's eyes held a slightly red rim and clear sheen.

I felt guilty and was about to fret over his condition, until he smiled at me and said, "You still look so pretty after crying. Just how amazing can you possibly get."

That cut off my worries immediately and replaced them with a more intensely noticeable fluttery feeling.

"You can't just say that."

"And why not? It's the truth, boo-bear."

Letting out a teary giggle, he eased a hand up to wipe my eyes and fondly gazed at me. His shirt caught my eye and the prominently dampened patch reminded me of my recent episode.

"Sorry for your shirt."

He glanced down at it before looking back up and shrugging.

"It's fine. Could be a stylish trend that Dawon-noona might like." I rolled my eyes as he raised an eyebrow teasingly. I observed him as he settled onto a slightly tinier smile than he normally would show. It looked like the kind of smile you'd put on show for someone to reassure that you were fine... even though you might not be.

"Are you really okay?"

"Of course. It's you that I need to make sure is okay."

"You should care for yourself too, Jimin. You were more impacted."

"I'm fine. Please. I'm feeling just fine."

His smile slightly cracked as his eyes dimmed for a moment as he looked down to the ground before looking back at me and forcing his eyes to tilt up. I held back my questions as I noticed the others still watching us in concern.

"How... How did you know I was there? You slammed that door open even though I said nothing."

Jimin lightly bit his lip in contemplation before commenting, "Well, I felt a faint surge of panic and concern from the others. Actually, I thought maybe one of them was outside the door... but the fact that you were the one who had to hear all of that makes it so much worse. I'm sorry."

"Please stop apologizing. It hurts to hear you apologize for something you didn't do."

Jimin was about to say something but shut his mouth when I glared at him.

Looking over to the others, I saw them all leaning close but not enough to invade our space. They set a good distance for us to finish whatever was needed, but their eyes swarmed with distress.

"You guys must be confused."

"Actually, I'm Seokjin."

It's like the tension eased just a bit as everyone groaned at Jin's 'clever' response. Jin sported a tiny yet relieved smile as he gazed upon Jimin and I.

"You just had to take the opportunity, didn't you." Jungkook looked disappointed as Jin shrugged.

"Of course I did. Now tell me what's wrong before I fight Jimin's mother."

My eyes widened as Jin's gaze turned deadly and his tone went flat with a slight hint of annoyance. I looked over at Jimin because I really wasn't sure if I should say anything, however Jimin let out a resigned sigh. His face hardened in thought, but I grew concerned when I felt light tremors release from his hands that loosened their grip around me.

"It's the holiday season guys. I really don't want to spoil this cheery mood when most of us haven't seen our relatives in awhile. This is an especially good time for y/n to meet everyone so I really don't want to tarnish the vibes. Let's all just move past this and say that I had an argument with my mother."

"That didn't sound like any plain argument if y/n's feelings were hurt. From what I gathered, your mother said something negative about y/n and that situation involves all of us."

"Joonie, it's fine. I'll have a chat with my mother about this at a later time and make sure I tend to y/n. Please-"

"Stop defending your mother. I know she's manipulative and controlling over you. Over the years, she always had something nasty to off-handedly point out about everyone and is very passive aggressive. This isn't just for y/n, but this is for you and us too. If your mother has been saying something to you, then you need to trust and tell us."

Jimin bit back his words and his mouth puckered in distaste. It's as though something held him back. I watched as Jimin's face went through several phases of ambivalence and uncertainty.

"Jimin?"

"I'm sorry. I can't."

Jimin looked down as his jaw clenched tightly. His hands tightened their grip as his hair covered his eyes. I wanted to comfort him, but I felt like I shouldn't touch him at the same time.

"What can't you do?"

"I can't tell you. I know how she is and I know you all understand as well, but I just can't say anything!"

"Why not, Jimin?"

Jimin let out a breath before he suddenly looked up at me then glanced at the others. His eyes held a silent plea of desperation that we couldn't seem to understand how to answer to. Suddenly, I felt Jimin beginning to lift me off his lap and I scrambled off to give him space.

Standing and looking straight ahead, he muttered, "I just, really can't say. Please don't talk to me for a bit."

He trudged towards the exit as both Hoseok and Taehyung tried to call him back. The door shut with a slam and left us all in a stunned silence.

❀♡❀

A/N: The next time I update, this book will be over 1 million views...

I am utterly astonished. I've seen that view count rise constantly, but it feels surreal in a way. When I first started, I never once envisioned to have my own story reach it to the levels of the 500K reads (As I'm sure I've mentioned countless times, especially in this amount of time). Not once have I imagined to have so many people comment their support and enjoyment of my story or connect with me when I ask my questions. I never imagined getting this far at all.

I wrote with the idea that I would create a story that I wish was true and I'm sure many others would enjoy. It was for fun and I just wanted to put it out for those who wish to view and enjoy a moment of imagination.

Now that I'm about to reach 1 million views, though this may seem exaggerated in my awe, but I'm simply shook.

So thanks to all of you for making this happen. You can't control whether you view a chapter like your votes or comments, but it's the fact that you decided to give my story a chance and stuck with me that makes me happy.

This author note seems too sentimental for me, but wow. Most of you may not read this and skip over this, but if you've gotten this far, thank you. Even if you're a silent reader, you reached chapter 83 and that means you have to be invested enough, right? To all current and future readers who may stumble across this story, I will remember this platform as a boost to my spirit and a way to let me express myself (even though it's through the boys that we all know and love).

I know I rarely reply to comments, like at all, but I want you to know that I try to read every one of them and I truly appreciate each one. Thank you.

Question Time! Tell me something that makes you happy?

It can be an idea, a thing, or a person.