When the leaves fall in straight lines and the water is as a mirror, we simply say there is no weather. It is perfect for anything, unless kite flying is your thing. There are no clouds, no temperature extremes, just gentle sunshine for the people to bask in.

You sat there stunned, still processing the newfound information in your brain which decided to stop functioning at that same moment.

Yoongi and Jungkook stared at you, afraid of your reaction. Upon noticing no words escaping your mouth, Yoongi turned to look at Jungkook, bobbing his head, silently asking the younger if he knew what was going on. The younger blinked his eyes comically before he shook his head in refusal.

The older nudged him with a nod of his head to initiate a conversation. Jungkook's eyes widened as he shook his head furiously. The older scowled and turned his head towards your still form. Gulping, he brought a hand forward and poked your shoulder lightly.

No response.

His brows furrowed. Clearing his throat, he croaked out in a small voice. "A-Aera...?" Still no movement. Concerned, he yelled. "Aera!"
You immediately snapped out of your trance, eyes darting towards your brother. "Y-Yeah! What happened, are you okay??" His eyes softened.

"I am, are you?" You sighed and started to fidget with your fingers situated on your lap. You didn't know what to do or what to think. But you surely did feel hurt.

"So you're saying me that you used to be a street racer and are now a professional Formula 1 racer named AG-D, alongside Kook," The aforementioned perked up at the mention of his name but sulked when you didn't spare him a single glance.

"And now you're in danger because during your time as a street racer, you filed a report against someone who commited a crime and got them caught. Therefore, they are after you." You nodded as if talking to yourself.

Yoongi gulped. You weren't looking at him nor did you answer his previous question. Your gaze unfocused. "Yeah." He sighed. Closing your eyes, you turned towards him before grabbing his semi warm hands into your warm ones.

"Yoongi. I'm not mad at you for being a racer. I-I'm just hurt that you hid stuff from me." You took a shaky breath in before continuing, "Yes, I would've been against the idea of you becoming an illegal racer but why didn't you think of announcing to me when you became an official racer?" You looked up at your silent brother who was carefully listening to every word leaving your mouth. Jungkook, who was quietly standing behind you detected the tense atmosphere. So he decided to give you two privacy before turning around and wordlessly walking out of the room; making sure to tactiturnly close the door after he left.

At your question, he licked his lips and exhaled a wavering breath. "I...I tried to inform you, trust me I did but-but I didn't know how to. As you said you would've been against the idea of me as a illegal street racer so I hid it from you."

"Yeah but as I said, you could've informed me after you became an official racer. Why hide that too?" Your questioned, your tone turning into a desperate one as you wanted to get all answers.

"Wouldn't you have felt more hurt thinking I told you about Formula 1 but not the latter? That I secretly attended midnight street races without you knowing?" You looked down at that. Yeah what he said was indeed true. You would've felt more hurt if Yoongi had thought you to not be worthy enough of knowing about his illegal activities. You would've felt offended if he had told you about the good stuff and kept the bitter truth hidden just because you were against it.

"Yeah I would've felt upset. But now I'm more hurt that you didn't notify me about both and-"

"I know." He cut you off. "I know you feel more upset that I didn't edify you about either. I pondered that you wouldn't be ready to hear me out but later I realised I am the one who wasn't ready to share my secret with you, the secret I hid for more than two years." His voice turned into a soft whisper by the end. You gazed up and sighed.

"It's okay Yoongs. I understand how difficult it must've been for you to keep everything bottled up but I wish you could've unravelled this secret before all of this took place and not now because you're forced to." You stood up, straightening the creases formed on the blanket where you were seated.

"W-Where are you going?" Yoongi nervously asked. He was scared. Scared that you won't forgive him and won't talk to him anymore. He can't afford to lose you. Not when all odds were against him. Not when his past was haunting him again.

Your eyes softened when you noticed the genuine fear swirling in his orbs. You gave him a small smile. "Hey. I'm not going anywhere. I won't leave you, I don't have anyone else beside you." When seeing his tensed form relax, you continued. "I just need some time to gather my thoughts. To accept whatever this is. I'll be in the garden located outside the hospital. Call me if you need anything." He nodded in understanding and you bent down to softly peck his forehead before leaving.

Yoongi slumped furthur into the bed after you closed the door. He was relieved that you didn't push him away but he still felt dejected. Angry at himself for making you go through this. He could only hope for things to get back to how they were. The normal and happy days.

✡ ✡ ✡ ✦ ✡ ✡ ✡

Carefully closing the door behind you with a soft thud, you started to walk away but halted when you spotted Jungkook leaning against a wall, busy on his phone. You thought to just walk away but felt a bad when you remembered you hadn't spoke to him properly when all he did was comfort and support you. Strolling towards him, you released a breath. "Hey."

His head instantly snapped up, eyes wide like a deer caught in headlights. You bit your lip in order to refrain yourself from chortling at his surprised expression. "Aera." He whispered before immediately sliding his phone in his pocket and grabbing your dainty hands into his big ones. "Are you okay?"

You blinked when he squeezed your hands. "Yeah I am okay, why do you look as if you saw a ghost?" He straightened his posture and cleared his throat. "I-I thought you are mad at me because I hid the truth from you." His mouth formed into a small pout as he gazed below. You squeezed his hands back before pulling your lips up in a sweet smile. He was honestly so adorable you thought your heart might explode. You giggled, "No, I'm not mad. It was not your place to reveal the truth." Jungkook felt a weight being lifted off his shoulders after hearing your words.

"Thankyou. I'm glad." He gave you a genuine bunny smile and you again felt your heart skip a beat but presented your gummy smile to him nevertheless. He then left your hands and you couldn't help but crave for his warmth some more. "Eh so, where are you going?" He scratched the back of his neck.

"Oh I'm going to the garden outside the hospital to clear my mind and perhaps to get some fresh air." He nodded. An awkward silence filled your surroundings as you shifted your weight from one foot to another. Meanwhile he glanced here and there, trying to come up with something to communicate. "I'll-I'll get going then..." You pointed towards the exit and mentally cursed yourself for stuttering.

Upon recieving no response, you started to walk away. Jungkook bit his lip while looking at your retreating form. Mustering up some courage, he shouted. "Aera!" You quickly turned on your heel to confusedly look at him. "Yeah?"

"Would you mind if I tag along with you?" He expectedly awaited your answer. You smiled at him before nodding your head in approval. The corner of his lips tugged up in a smile too before he lightly jogged your way and you both started to walk side by side. You rubbed your palms when you stepped outside the hospital and the cool breeze hit your form. Jungkook noticed as you hopelessly tried to create friction between your hands to receive heat. "Are you cold?"

You whirled your head his way and smiled, embarrased. "Ah y-yeah. Only my hands are cold." He now noticed the outfit you adorned; black jeans and a simple grey hoodie with no pockets. He shook his head at your clumsy antics before intertwining your hand with his and placing them both in the pocket of his bomber jacket. Your eyes widened as you felt your cheeks tint pink at his gesture. "Take care of yourself more Aera or you might catch a cold."

You felt your heart rapidly thud against your ribs at his deep voice and caring nature. You gulped, nodding and mumbling a small sorry to which he only smiled. Reaching the garden which was filled with only a few people, you sucked in a deep breath and instantly sustained your insides relaxing. You noticed Jungkook doing the same from your peripheral vision. You turned towards him but then shook your head, deciding against it.

"What is it?" You rose your brows and cluelessly hummed at Jungkook. He sighed before twirling his orbs your way. "I saw you looking at me as if you wanted to say something. What is it?" He asked. You let out an ah and looked at your feet. "It's just that...do you know the person who is trying to inflict pain on Yoongi?" Jungkook's form visibly tensed which unluckily went unnoticed by you though he was grateful you didn't detect his unusual demeanour.

He licked his lower lip before voicing out. "Ah no, I don't know who it is. I just know that he used to be one of hyung's friends and that's...that's it yeah." He curbed and calmed his tense form. You bobbed your head and asked one last question. "Do you think Yoongs will tell us who he is? I mean who the culprit is?" Jungkook pondered upon your question for a while and spoke.

"I don't really know Aera, I've never tried asking him. Besides, I don't think so we're gonna recognise who that person is and no one is sure that the person hyung is talking about is actually the one behind all of this. We have absolute zero evidence leading us towards him." You shook your head in comprehension and felt tears gathering in the corner of your eyes. What Jungkook said made complete sense. We cannot simply emplace blame on someone just because they had bad blood with your brother.

On perceiving tears forming in your waterline, he cupped your cheeks. "Hey, what's wrong?" He questioned, worry lacing his tone. You bit your lip to stop yourself from bursting into waterworks. "I- just- I feel overwhelmed I guess. Yeah." Jungkook wasted no time in pulling you into his arms as the first sob broke out. Your head was placed in the crook of his neck. Inhaling his musky scent, you instantly felt yourself melt. He softly caressed your hair as you had your hands flatly placed on his firm chest.

"Let it all out, baby." He softly whispered as you started sobbing in his chest. Small sniffs reaching his ears as he lightly swayed you both. "Don't worry about dampening my brand new jacket yeah?" He said in a playful tone, trying to lighten up the gloomy mood after a while when he detected your sniffles reduced. Giggling, you lightly hit his chest in return. You snuggled more into the warmth oozing from him, breathing in more of his citrus mixed with a tinge of vanilla scent when he had pulled you impossibly closer and tightened his arms around your form.

In that moment, you wished to stay like this in his arms, forever. Feeling protected and safe. Forgetting all about the hurdles waiting for you to be addressed. Never wanting this little bubble of pure happiness to be broken or disrupted in any way.

-×-

A/N: To the most precious and adorable baby bear with the most contagious smile; happiest 25th birthday, Tae darling! 💜

I absolutely loved his vlive as well as the NYEL2021 was amazing too, adore the performances those seven angels did! ✨

happy new year, 2021. <3