Date: ‪November 10th‬
Time: ‪11:52am‬
Location: University cafeteria
Mood: Uncommonly comfortable
<><><>

"A job?" Hyuna asked over lunch the next day.

Hyuna rarely ate at lunch time, claiming to always be nauseous. Instead she usually opted to buy Y/n's and keep her company. The shy woman would feel bad about it—if she didn't eat like a horse. And if her friend didn't insist on buying her whatever she wanted, regardless if she asked for it or not.

However, today Hyuna was chewing on some plain rice and dried laver. The sight was rare enough that Y/n had to force herself not to stare. Often she thought of asking why she was always nauseous. It definitely was not normal, though Hyuna never spoke on it and therefore Y/n did not question it. She didn't want to pry.

She was a quiet, reserved person but that meant that her thoughts were double what a normal persons were. The words that should be out were thoughts, and the thoughts that were in her head sharpened and jabbed at her subconscious. Something she had heard her whole life was that she was a 'worry wart'. It couldn't be helped that she immediately jumped to the worst possible conclusion and stuck there.

One reason being that Hyuna was always nauseous, and the most prominent in her mind was that she suffered from an eating disorder. Though in reality, she couldn't put any weight on that. There was no experience or knowledge she could refer to. But the certainties of Hyuna's character had her sweeping this idea from her mind. If there was one thing Y/n had learned about her, it was that Hyuna was confident. She didn't care what people thought of her and played by her own rules.

Or, maybe Hyuna was pregnant.

Most likely, she was thinking too much on this.

"Come work with me!" The blonde woman's face lit up at the idea. Abandoning her lunch on the table, she clasped both hands together and turned pleading eyes on her. "Velma, it'll be great!! C'mon!!!"

Hiding her smile behind one hand she asked, "where?"

"I work in a day care. I mean, it ain't the best job, and it's hard work. But the pay's decent."

That was surprising. The last place she had pictured Hyuna working was with children. Obviously there was still a lot to learn about her.

On the other hand, the idea of working with kids was strangely calming to her. Being shy and struggling to fit in her whole life, kids were different. They were innocent and impressionable, nonjudgmental and seeking acceptance. They loved with abandon and were honest to a fault. For these reasons, socializing with children had never been a problem, but a joy for her. Oddly, at times, it was as if they were on the same level.

"Imma take that doped out look on yer face to mean ya want the job?" Hyuna's smirk grew when her blush deepened.

She did. She really liked the idea. But her mind kept straying back to Jimin. It was hopeless to think he would also want to work at a daycare, and silly to assume he would follow her. Yet curiosity and an increasingly unhealthy crush led her to ask.

"Wh-what about-"

"Eh?" Hyuna strained to hear over the din of the cafeteria.

"Jimin," she spoke up while keeping her eyes on her plate. "What a-about Jimin?"

"Who?"

Her flush increased as her heart palpitated at the thought of him.

"Oh, that cute stalker?" A teasing grin was beginning to form on Hyuna's face. "Ya want em' to work there too?"

"No!" she spluttered for a moment before finding her bearings. "I-I mean I...I don't know." she ended in a low mutter and a small pout that had the other woman laughing behind her hand.

"There's prolly room for him," she replied. "People are always quitting when they get put in the toddler section." There was a gleam in her eye and an underlying meaning to her words that had Y/n worrying. "Those kids are fucking wiiild, Velma! Just last week this one had another in a chokehold-"

"O-oh my."

"And then this fat kid hit 'em in the kneecaps with a bat-"

"Uh..."

"But I got 'em settled down after while by throwing candy at em. I swear, it was fuckin' fight club in that piece for a second."

Still reeling from the violence at this so called daycare, Y/n failed to stop Hyuna.

"Yeah, so, I'll get ya' in there. Don't worry about it. I GOTCHU."

<><><>
‪November 12th‬
‪7:00pm‬

"What are you staring at?"

Unintentionally appearing as the most guilty person ever, Y/n directed her wide-eyed stare to her brother. It was family movie night and they were all squeezed onto the couch. There was no need to sit so close, piled on top of one another like a litter of cats. There were plenty of other seats. But Rosie cried when the 'dragon' Seo-Joon tried to sit in the armchair. Then seemed really upset when their mother wanted to move.

Basically, Rosie was the queen of the household and they were all wrapped around her finger. That was how they came to be squashed uncomfortably close while the toddler stretched out across their laps, her feet in her unnie's lap while her curly hair just brushed the outer edge of their step father's thigh. Y/n was actually comfortable in-between Seo-Joon and her mom. That is, until her brother took note of how often she was checking her phone and called her out on it.

Quickly shutting the screen off, she shoved it back into her hoodie's pocket. "Nothing." she whispered in reply, focusing all attention back to the television where Frozen 2 was playing. Thankfully her favorite character, Sven was on the screen.

"Liar." Seo-Joon muttered, crossing his arms and nudging her side with his elbow.

Most of the time he was her protective oppa. But sometimes he was her irritating older brother. Usually she'd let this go but today she jabbed him back with her own elbow. He'd been watching her like a hawk lately and it was getting to be annoying.

All she was doing was checking her phone obsessively for anything from Jimin. Because of Seo-Joon she had to change the lock screen photo in order to preserve Jimin's life. Sometimes she would go back to look at it in it's new and safe location, the photos folder. This was in-between checking for any missed texts or calls. And yet nothing. The only person that was keeping consistent contact with her was Hyuna. How had the older woman gotten her number? By guilting it out of her and pretending she would cry if she didn't get what she wanted. Unfair how she played on her weakness like that.

Seo-Joon's elbow jabbed at her ribs and huffing, she responded by slipping her right arm underneath the left one to pinch the sensitive skin above his elbow. His mouth opened in pain but no sound escaped. A vibration across her tummy had her letting go instantly and pulling her phone out.

All anticipation and excitement vanished when she saw it was only Hyuna again, the banner across the screen reading 'BFF', followed by the sparkle emoji. Now that she thought of it, she wondered what Jimin set as his name. She hadn't looked. Only waited impatiently for him to reach out first.

With Seo-Joon practically breathing down her neck, she opened the text to respond. Despite wishing she was speaking to someone else, Y/n wasn't going to hold Hyuna at fault for it. She did like her. A lot. And was grateful, if still a bit wary when it came to opening up.

BFF ✨ : velma im board
BFF✨: *bored
BFF✨: shit forget i corrected that i dont wanna be like Namjoon
BFF✨: hes my worst enemy
BFF✨: you know in dragon age how Fenris hates Anders cause he's a mage and Anders hates Fenris cause Anders is a little bitch and is offended by everything?
BFF✨: thats me and namjoon, except theres no dragons i just hate him cuz its fun

Velma: What are you talking about?

BFF✨: im bored.
BFF✨: NO
BFF✨: im *board
BFF✨: show this to that nerd next time you see him

Velma: Ok.

BFF✨: help me im board

Velma: You want me to get you a saw?

BFF✨: harhar very funny

"Who's that?" Seo-Joon whispered, invading her space and privacy as usual.

"My friend." she sighed, pointedly showing him the name.

Their mother decided to join in on the conversation by leaning over and eyeing the messages still displayed on the phone.

"Oh honey, no," she said, concerned. "Her grammar is nonexistent. Here," she held a hand out expectantly. "Let mom talk to her about it."

"What-" before she knew it her mom had snatched the phone and busy typing away. Dread settled in her stomach. She could imagine what her mother was saying but there was no telling how Hyuna would react. That woman had a temper she could turn on and off like a light switch.

When her phone was safely back in her hands she scanned the increasingly ridiculous messages sent back and forth.

Velma: Hello, this is Y/n's mom. You can call me Hang-Na cause I'm hip and down with the times!

BFF✨: Yo mom velma
BFF✨: waz good?

Velma: There are a lot of good things dear, and one of them is not your grammar.

BFF✨: u sure u aint Namjoon's mom?

Velma: Who, may I ask, is Namjoon?
Velma: DOES MY DAUGHTER HAVE A BOYFRIEND?????

BFF✨: nah Namjoon already trapped some other poor girl
BFF✨: hes our classmate

Velma: Thank you for that information. Now let's talk about your grammar, sweetheart.
Velma: Actually, have you ever heard about our lord and savior, Jesus Christ? I'm part of the Mormon church and would like to invite you to a service.

"Mom!" Y/n gasped.

"Oh hush, have some popcorn. You need to be strong for when the rapture occurs."

Trying not to choke on the kernels being forcefully shoved into her mouth, Y/n read on as Seo-Joon shook with laughter next to her.

BFF✨: no thanks, I'm catholic
BFF✨: I'm a Christian. But not a very good one.

Velma: Oh? Me too!
Velma: And look at that, the Holy Spirit has touched your brain to improve on that grammar.

BFF✨: no offense but can I have Y/n back

Velma: of course! But you need to come over for supper on the 16th

BFF✨: ok I have to ask my dad first

Sighing heavily, Y/n's gaze shifted to her mother while wondering why she had to be so embarrassing. Was this something that all parents collectively decided on or was it just hers? Because her mom never behaved like that. This was clearly an act. For the most part.

Velma: Sorry. My mom stole my phone

BFF✨: thank god ur back
BFF✨: ur mom is quite the character
BFF✨: but at least im not board anymore
BFF✨: do u want me to come for dinner or should i come up with an excuse

Velma: ...thank you for being considerate towards me

BFF✨: u don't have to thank me for being normal lol

Velma: I want you to come to dinner

BFF✨: k, i'll look and see if i got any plans that day

As she was typing out a reply, the phone buzzed again and a notification at the top of the screen read: New message from: Your Jimin 💛

In an instant the phone was in her lap, having slipped through her fingers. For a large number of reasons. There was no denying the happy skip in her heart. In her possession was a grand total of six contacts. Mom, dad, Seo-Joon, her boss, Hyuna and Jimin. But none of them had a heart next to their name. And a yellow heart at that.

Your Jimin. Your? Her Jimin? Y/n's Jimin?

She gulped.

Hastily shutting the screen off she stuffed it into her pocket again before anyone saw it. 'Your Jimin' would be all the ammunition Seo-Joon would need to destroy him. And she preferred that her crush not be harmed in any way.

Making it through the rest of the movie without looking at her texts again was pure torture. Rosie's look of amazement and the way her mom speared her fingers through her hair when she rested her head on her shoulder made the experience slightly more enjoyable, but her mind was constantly on the messages waiting to be read.

In one corner of her mind she judged herself for such behavior. But then there was that other voice that sounded exactly Hyuna that told it to shut up and let her enjoy life for once. If this is what you could call enjoying.

When the movie was over she stood up calmly. Cool and calm as a cucumber. Calm as a mill pond. As calm and collected as Mount Vesuvius, in the year 79 AD right before it destroyed Pompeii. Or something.

Saying goodnight to everyone while a very real yawn came out, she waved goodbye and C A L M L Y walked to her room. She closed the door.

Then ripped the phone out of her hoodie like a maniac, willing to tear the fabric to pieces if it got in her way.

Like she was dying of thirst and this was the last bottle of water on earth, she speed tapped through to get to her messages to find out what Jimin had sent.

Your Jimin💛: Hey

That...was it? Suddenly an hour of her life felt wasted.

But more importantly, what should she say back? Would saying hi be too lame? She scoffed. If being lame in front of him was what she worried about, then that ship had already sailed. Wait. What name had she programmed herself under in his phone? She froze. It was definitely too impersonal.

Coworker: Hey

Hey was probably less loser-ish than hi, she decided. Feeling relieved now that she knew what he sent and had replied, she decided to get ready for bed. It took her so long to respond that he probably wouldn't be answering back tonight.

Your Jimin💛: what are you doing?

Getting ready for bed...at 8pm on a Saturday night. That, she knew, was definitely not what she wanted to admit. Not because she was embarrassed by it. But because if she did, he might stop texting.

Coworker: watching YouTube. You?

Her insides twisted at the white lie.

Your Jimin💛: same actually. I like watching animal videos when I feel down
Your Jimin💛: have you been looking into jobs?

Short answer was no. Hyuna had offered one and was looking into it for her. Other than that she hadn't remembered to. Her boss really had given her a nice final check so that she wasn't overtly worried about it at the moment. An excuse to see Jimin again seemed important though.

Coworker: there's one. It's in a daycare

He was going to hate this, she knew it. It took patient and special people to deal with kids all day. Childcare was not work for everyone. Personally she loved the idea. But... it wasn't too late to back out. Maybe she should aim for a job that Jimin would like as well.

Your Jimin💛: really? Is there more than one spot open?

Coworker: Dont know, but I already asked someone to look into it for me

"Crap!" she gasped, wide eyed at what she had thoughtlessly replied.

It implied everything she wanted to keep hidden and closed up. Now he knew. Now he would see it for how it was! He would leave and not look back! This was it! The end of everything!

Your Jimin💛: cool
Your Jimin💛: let me know first thing when you hear back.
Your Jimin💛: but...I miss seeing you. It seems like forever since we last saw each other.

It had been forever. It had only been a day, but it felt longer. Actually it hadn't even been a full day, but who was counting? Actually, she was counting. It had been a little over twenty three hours at this point. Too long!

Coworker: yeah

That one word had taken a lot to get out but she knew more was needed. There was a precipice she had approached and she needed to jump to get to the other side of whatever laid beyond. Four more words for him to know that he wasn't alone in this. He needed some insight on how she was feeling so that he wouldn't give up on her. Scary was the word she used for it, but maybe overdramatic was more accurate a description.

Coworker: I miss you too

<><><>

Bonus scene

Your Jimin💛: Hey

Jimin waited. Then waited. Propped on his elbows while laying face down on his bed, he fiddled with his phone.

Checking for any missed phone calls. Looking at the photos Jin had sent before setting his background to one of his favorite cat, Chim Chim. Scrolling through social media. And every three seconds during all of this, going back to check and see if Y/n had replied.

Finally after ten long, torturous minutes, he dropped the mobile and wailed into his pillow. He knew he should have come up with some bogus reason he had to stay with her again. Forget what his wolf said. Y/n needed space but he needed Y/n! She should drop that act already and-

It's not an act, you oaf.

He knew that! But for once he would like to commiserate in his own head and create 50 thousand problems that weren't based in reality.

Forcing himself out of bed, he went to shower. Y/n needed time and space. She sure loved her space, he thought bitterly. When she was finally his, he was going to wrap her up in a cocoon of affection that she wouldn't want to leave. Space? Who needed space when they had Park Jimin?

I would like some. But unfortunately...

Scrubbing his skin until it held a light pink hue, he took longer than was deemed normal. Once finished, he checked his phone again to nothing. The entire time brushing his teeth he didn't take his eyes off it once. Needing something more to pass the time, he shaved.

When his teeth and body and bedroom were all clean he climbed into bed, feeling defeated. Most likely she was busy or sleeping or didn't want to talk. He must have done something wrong again and his wolf had to be incorrect when he insisted they were fine. Eventually he tossed the phone aside and lay down to watch whatever overrated drama Netflix had to offer.

The moment after giving up, a text alert from his phone cut into the quietness of the room. Like a normal person, he dived for device, falling off the bed in the process.

A sharp pain in his still healing arm went ignored as he unlocked the phone as fast as he could.

Coworker: Hey

Coworker. Was it her way of drawing a line? A subtle hint to let him know that this was how far their relationship really went? That wouldn't do. If she was drawing a line then he would defend with the biggest eraser anyone's ever seen.

As confident as he was on that issue, how he should respond was giving him anxiety. Should he say hi again? Ask what's up? What's she's wearing? What type of engagement ring she liked the most?

Why is that an option....

Your Jimin💛: what are you doing?

Safe. He should play it safe.

Coworker: watching YouTube. You?

Stupid Netflix! He could have been watching YouTube at the same time as his mate. Unsubscribing from the streaming service was now up for debate.

Your Jimin💛: same actually. I like watching animal videos when I feel down

At least it wasn't a total lie. And maybe it would start a conversation. Then a thought struck him. Coworker. A simple hey. Maybe she didn't want to start a conversation. Was he annoying her for trying to start one up? He didn't want to mess up again so quickly followed up with something less personal to get to the point.

Your Jimin💛: have you been looking into jobs?

But on second thought, what if she wanted to have a conversation and he cut her off by getting straight to the point first? What if he just messed everything up all over again and gave her the impression that he didn't want to talk?!?

Coworker: there's one. It's in a daycare

A daycare. Honestly she could have told him that she was working on Mars and he would have followed her. But children somewhat scared him. They were small and fragile and he had no idea what to do with them. Namjoon's mate had a younger cousin and that kid sort of put him off. Hopefully they weren't all like that. Besides, this wasn't set in concrete. There was no telling if either of them would get the job.

Your Jimin💛: really? Is there more than one spot open?

Chewing his lip in worry, he didn't have to wait long for a reply, though it felt like he did.

Coworker: Dont know, but I already asked someone to look into it for me

She asked. She asked. She already asked? Inquired for a job for where she could work alongside him? He stared in stunned silence at the screen. All this time he had held onto the idea that she was putting up with him. Not that she was receptive to any of his advances. Yes he had suggested that they get another job together and she had agreed, but he hadn't for a second thought that she was being anything other than polite. This almost made him think...

Amazing, I didn't think you were capable.

As excited as he was, he had to keep his cool when speaking to her. The time to fanboy was not now.

Your Jimin💛: cool
Your Jimin💛: let me know first thing when you hear back.
Your Jimin💛: but...I miss seeing you. It seems like forever since we last saw each other.

"Shit!" he cursed, realizing he had gone too far.

Internally his wolf covered his head. This was it! All his good work, down the drain. Now she knew that inside he hadn't changed, he was still a crazily obsessed simp and was totally whipped for her. Their relationship was ruined!

Coworker: yeah
Coworker: I miss you too

He could have sworn the whole world froze. Out of all the happiness those four words brought him, there was one thought in particular that popped into his head and refused to budge.

Did Y/n like him?

—
Edited 7/26/22