Ｓｅｏｒｉ

"Yeonjun, can you help me confirm the new foundation line release dates?"   

He exited his office, fixed his hair quickly, and leaned over my desk to glance at my laptop screen. 

"I think these are good, but we might want to keep a day in between, just so it doesn't happen all at once, you know?"

I hummed. "It's lunch, what will you eat?" He asked me. 

"I'm fine with bibimbap."

"And you, Sunoo?"

"Bibimbap sounds good," he looked up from his computer screen. 

"Loosen up, Sunoo. You're looking overworked these days," I stated leaning back in my chair, and putting a foot on my table. 

Yeonjun had gone to buy the food. Sunoo chuckled, "Nothing will separate me from my work," he paused, "Except maybe... death." 

I stifled a laugh. 

(Sunoo was originally Taehyun lol, hence the death meme)

__________

Soobin picked me up from work. 

"Are we going anywhere?"

"Nothing special, just the mall."

"Nice," I stated then fastened my seatbelt.

As we strolled through the mall, a dizzying array of stores and displays filled our vision. While I was lost in the allure of a mannequin dressed in a flowing gown, Soobin's hand found mine.

 A pang of envy shot through me. I longed to wear such beautiful clothes without fear of judgment. My body, marked by bruises, was a constant reminder of my hidden pain.

Disheartened, I lowered my gaze. The once vibrant mall now felt cold and empty. Soobin noticed my shift in mood and, without a word, removed his jacket and draped it over my shoulders. A warm smile spread across my face as I thanked him with a silent gesture.

His arm wrapped around my waist, sending shivers down my spine. We continued our walk, and Soobin abruptly stopped, his eyes wide with excitement.

"Oh, look at this!" he exclaimed, pointing towards a shop window. Two mannequins were dressed in identical outfits.

I rolled my eyes. "Really?" I muttered, eyeing the bright orange skirt. Soobin, oblivious to my sarcasm, grinned. "I bet they have better colours inside," he said, pulling me into the store.

After browsing through the racks, we settled on a versatile outfit: a white shirt and a pair of sky-blue high-waisted pants, along with a matching skirt.

"I love it," I murmured, reaching for my wallet. Soobin, however, was quicker. "My treat," he insisted, kissing the top of my head.

"But—" I protested, pouting slightly.

He chuckled. "It's okay. Now, are you hungry?"

"Starving," I admitted.

As we made our way to a nearby restaurant, a sharp pain seized my lower abdomen. I doubled over, a low groan escaping my lips.

Ｓｏｏｂｉｎ

The soft glow of the mall's lights cast a warm, comforting hue over Seori's pale face. Her usually vibrant eyes were now dull, a stark contrast to her usual sparkling self. She clutched her stomach, her breath shallow.

"Seori-ah," I whispered, concern etched on my face. "What's wrong?"

She hesitated, her cheeks turning a deep shade of crimson. "I...I think I got my period," she mumbled, her voice barely audible.

A wave of empathy washed over me. I'd never seen her like this before, I quickly assessed the situation. We were in the middle of a bustling mall, far from our car.

"Don't worry," I reassured her, taking her hand. "We'll figure this out."

I rushed to the nearest store and bought her some necessary supplies. The saleswomen were awkward with me buying the "ladies" supplies, but I got through it.  As I returned, I found her sitting on a nearby bench, her head bowed.

"Here," I said, handing her the bag. "Let's go, I'll drive you home."

I kept the shopping bags in the boot of the car and drove us to Seori's home. As soon as we entered, Miso-unnie got ready to leave. 

I checked up on Ahyeon while Seori lay on the sofa then served the food quickly. 

Seori only had two spoonfuls of food when she went to throw up. I felt bad for her. I held her hair back and helped her to her bed. 

"I feel like I'm about to faint. I can't see anything even with my eyes open."

"Just hang on," I rushed to the kitchen and came back with a glass of water and painkillers.

The room was quiet, save for the gentle ticking of the clock. I sat beside her, my hand resting lightly on hers. "Feeling any better?" I asked, his voice soft. She nodded, a faint smile playing on her lips.

The tension in her shoulders had eased, and her breathing was steady. I gently adjusted the blanket, making sure she was warm and comfortable.

"I'm okay now," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Thanks for staying with me." I squeezed her hand, my eyes filled with warmth. "Always."

I put a hot pack on her stomach and checked if she had a fever. Thankfully, she had a normal temperature. 

I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. I should have been more prepared, and more considerate. But I was also grateful for the opportunity to care for her.

I stroked her hair gently. "Rest, Seori-ah," I whispered.

She closed her eyes, a sigh of relief escaping her lips. I knew she was exhausted, both physically and emotionally.

I held her hand until she fell asleep, her breathing steady and calm. As I watched her, a sense of peace washed over me. I was glad to be there for her, to comfort her in her time of need.

My mind raced back to the earlier incident. She'd been so distressed, her eyes filled with fear and confusion. I'd never seen her like that before. It had taken me a while to calm her down, to reassure her that everything was alright.

I knew I couldn't fix everything, but I could be there for her. I could offer a shoulder to cry on, a listening ear, and a comforting presence. I was grateful that she trusted me enough to share her feelings with me.

As I sat there, watching her sleep, I realized how much she meant to him. I loved her more than words could express, and I would do anything to protect her and make her happy. I vowed to be there for her, always, no matter what.

A/n : lol sorry for the late update