Edited
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A gentle hand caresses my cheek, and I slowly stir awake, a heaviness in my body and mind that makes it hard to open my eyes right away.

I grunt a little as lips press against my forehead, one peck after the next, it's easy to tell that the attack won't end until I wake up. I try to move away from it, but hands keep my face still and I can only endure this invasion of kisses as I lay on the bed.

My face feels so puffy, my eyes swollen and my throat sore. At first, I can't recall why, the previous night a blur of emotions and images. And then I remember why. The night that took our parents, Jungkook's arms as he hugged me strongly, the pain that made me cry until I fell asleep.

It was real... not just a nightmare. It was really real.

I slowly open my eyes, tears already running free down my cheeks and over the hands carefully holding them.

Jungkook gazes at me with heartbreak in his deep frown, thumbs on a hunt to catch all of the them as his eyes glisten with sadness. He could barely sleep last night. Hugging me was all he could do to avoid sobbing into the darkness of his and Namjoon's bedroom.

"My sweet bubs, Namjoon tried his best to make us breakfast this morning. Why don't you eat with us while it's still warm? I'd really like to see you eat something, even if it's hard" he asks softly, his fingers always cradling my face in his warmth as he attempts a small smile.

If Namjoon tried to cook when he sucks at it... then I'm going to make sure he didn't do it for nothing. I sniffle before nodding my head at my twin, and he helps me up into a seated position. It feels like all my muscles have worked out for hours yesterday, my entire body hurts.

"It's not poisonous, right?" I can't help but ask, and to that, Jungkook lets out a small chuckle, another kiss to my head before he starts combing my hair with his fingers.

"It's not poisonous, I promise. I tested everything before coming to get you. It's a little burnt on the sides, but it tastes like love, a whole lot of love" he answers warmly, and I hum with another nod of the head, that does sound like Namjoon's cooking.

He slowly pulls me out of their bed until I make it to my feet, then guides me out of the room to join Namjoon in the kitchen. That's when I accidentally trip on the pyjama pants he made me wear for the night, his arms holding me still as my toes slide on the soft fabric.

The pants are so long that we had to roll up the legs last night, but they must have gotten undone while I slept. Jungkook notices too and sighs before making me sit on the edge of the bed again so he can fix that for me. He knees in front of me, fingers moving with practice ease as he makes sure they won't drop again. No one's getting hurt this morning, not on his watch.

I observe silently as he carefully rolls the fabric, this time going as far as to make a knot to stretch the fabric tight. He stands back up once done, hands reaching out to lift me up so we can join Namjoon in the dining room, where he can be seen setting the table with filled plates of food.

Upon seeing me in Jungkook's oversized clothes, eyes and nose red with my lips a little pouty, the man can't help himself when he puts the utensils aside to come hug me tightly, a hug my brother joins with a contented sigh.

My heart feels just as empty and lacking as before I went to sleep, it feels like I lost half of my soul last night. The only reason why I still have the other half is because Jungkook is with me.

"Hey there pumpkin" Namjoon murmurs softly. He sounds tired too, and it hits me then that maybe I am the only one who managed to sleep despite everything. I don't remember falling asleep, I was gone as soon as my head touched the pillow.

"Hey Namjoon" I murmur back with a weak smile, I'm glad that he's here with us. Jungkook and I would've been very alone and lonely otherwise. Family was not entirely taken from us. It holds strong, despite being smaller.

"I know it's not the best breakfast you'll ever eat, but I did my best. Come sit with us" he beckons me to the table with a gentle hand to my back, and I let myself be led before taking a seat at my usual place where awaits food that has a little more burnt bits than what should be considered healthy.

I have to admit that I'm not hungry at all this morning. It might be that I even feel a little bit sick but... how could I refuse Namjoon's food? He tried his best for Jungkook and I, and I would hate for him to think that I'm refusing the gesture just because the colour is slightly terrifying.

They sit down at their usual seats as well, and after thanking Namjoon for the food, I take a small bite of what appears non-threatening. I chew under his rapt attention, then swallow, and while the taste is a little burnt and bland, Jungkook was right, it tastes like love.

And that is priceless. No restaurant could've given us that kind of taste except for him.

"It tastes weird, Namjoon" I can't resist the small tease that leaves my lips, to which the giant man pouts in response while Jungkook smiles softly as he takes a bite of his own.

"Would you rather have cereals? I can make you a bowl of cereal" he offers nonetheless with concern, but I shake my head and take another bite of the food he poured his soul into for our sake.

"No, it makes my heart feel better, I don't mind the taste" I assure him, happy as I notice the light pink that coats his cheeks at the praise. Jungkook reaches out to squeeze his hand, it's always so easy to make Namjoon blush. He doesn't look like it, but he can be quite shy sometimes.

Breakfast continues like this, with a quiet ambiance surrounding us as we finish eating our portion, but by the end I'm done emptying the plate, realization that I might have eaten too much soon rises to the surface with a gurgling from my stomach and a discomfort in my throat, the feeling that I will be sick getting stronger with each seconds.

I inhale and exhale deeply many times in an attempt to keep myself from vomiting everything I ate on their floor, and ultimately come to the conclusion that I'm going to have to leave.

I slowly stand from the table, gather all my dishes, then move them to the sink as they do the same with theirs. How long do I have before it's too late? I would have loved to help with cleaning everything, but I fear I would only add more to the lot at this point.

"Guys, I'm going to go and take a shower at home, okay? I'll be back later" I let them know as I move to the entrance to wear my shoes, and Jungkook's head pokes in from the kitchen with a worried frown. If he could have his way, I would be locked in here with the two of them all week.

"Are you sure? You can shower here and wear my clothes, bubs, I got your hair products and your favorite skincare set for when you want to wash up here" he tries to convince me, but the last thing I want is to have Namjoon hear me throw up the breakfast he made with so much care, so I shake my head and smile.

"I won't be gone for long, Jungkook, I just need a little moment to myself" I tell him softly. He purses his lips before nodding his head.

"Alright... but come back soon, okay? Don't stay alone for too long, please".

I agree with his simple request, then make my way outside and to the door right besides theirs, key taken to unlock my door before I drop everything to the ground to rush to the bathroom. My throat squeezes uncomfortably while I kneel in front of the toilet, and I whimper slightly.

When the bile rises, there's no keeping it in as my body tiredly flushes out the unwanted content of my stomach. I already didn't have much strength to begin with, but this is sapping all that I had left right out of me.

I cough and gasp as I flush the toilet, but I can't even reach the sink to wash my mouth that another wave crashes over me, and I bend over the seat a second time, stomach emptying itself violently while I silently cry. I hate being sick alone, this is the worst.

It keeps going like that a few more times before my body decides to give me a short break, one that I spend gurgling water to remove the horrid taste in my mouth. Is it safe to lie down on the couch or will I only end up throwing on the floor while running back to the bathroom?

'Is she sick? That sounded like throwing up... baby? Are you alright?' I suddenly hear in my head, a reminder of something else I had forgotten about last night. My soulmates.

Just when I think that it's safe to talk, I'm forced to give up when the toilet becomes once more my destination. There's not even anything coming out anymore, it just hurts now.

'Oh dear... that sounds painful, sweetheart, we're right here with you. You'll get through this' a different voice speaks this time. 'Is your brother with you? Do you have someone by your side, sweetie?'

I sit on the floor of the bathroom, back against the sink cabinet with a wet towel over my skin. It takes me a moment before I dare speak, my stomach in turmoil, I feel like if I move too much, I'll end up throwing up again.

"I... I knew I'd be sick so I left alone. We live right next to each other, I said I'd go take a shower" I answer weakly as I wash the sweat off my skin with the towel. "I didn't want Namjoon to hear me when he worked so hard on our breakfast".

'Oh baby' the first voice murmurs softly, 'I'm sure that Namjoon would rather know that you're sick so he can take care of you. Your brother would prefer that as well, wouldn't he? You shouldn't isolate yourself when you're sick, that only makes things worse. Can you send them a message for us?' it chides softly, and while I would be tempted to listen to the request... I can't.

"I didn't bring my phone with me" I mumble before closing my eyes when another wave of nausea rises again. Deep breaths, and it goes back down.

'We could write them a message ourselves if you're comfortable with that. Do you remember their phone numbers? We'll let them know that you're sick and to come see you, what do you think?'

I shake my head as I gather all my strength to get some water at the sink before sitting down again with a sigh.

"I'll be better soon, I swear. I don't want them to worry about me being sick all day when we're already at our limit. Jungkook shouldn't have to look over me on top of having to process his grief. I know he'll push it to the back of his mind so he can take care of mine instead, and I don't want that for him".

It's silent for a long moment, and when I focus on the bond connecting us, I get to feel the rush of emotions that swirl within my two soulmates before one of them speaks up again.

'Then that leaves us with only one other option. We'll come to you ourselves. We're not going to let our soulmate stay alone when they're sick, that's not how we do things. I don't care how far away you are, we'll reach your side as soon as we can'.

I purse my lips in a small pout as I wipe my neck and forehead with the towel still in my hand. "You don't have to go through all this trouble just for me... I'll be fine after a little rest".

'That's not an option, baby. Yoongi and I are ready to leave as soon as you tell us where to go. We already got the essentials in our luggage, all we need left is a destination'.

My soul can't resist swooning at the insistance of my soulmates. They already made their luggage? Did they prepare while I was sleeping, after our first conversation as a soul bond? How long have they waited for me? If my twenty-five years felt like forever, what was it like for them?

"Then... do you know of Emberdrift?" I ask softly, a name that has them both gasping, it seems they do know of this town after all.

'Are you seriously asking us if we know of the legendary town? THE Emberdrift? The town that's permanently stuck in Autumn with its red leaves? The town that's nicknamed The Town of Fire because the colours never fade?'

When I make a small hum to confirm their words, my soulmate, whose name I have yet to hear, lets out a light huff of disbelief. 'Well I'll be. Yoongi hasn't stopped talking about this town for the longest time now. He really wanted to go, but we always figured we'd rather go with our last soulmate by our side. To think that we could have met you already, if only we'd gone anyway...'

Yoongi grumbles unhappily under his breath and I feel a light smile form onto my face. 'I knew I should've insisted... but either way, what's done is part of the past, let's not dwell on it. I'll give a call to have our private jet ready, I'm not wasting time on a commercial flight. We're saving every minutes we can get. I'll be right back, sweetheart'.

I freeze at the words uttered as he leaves the bond call. Excuse me, what? Every trace of sickness I could still feel vanishes under the shock that hearing 'private jet' has brought me. They can't be serious, right?

'Well, he really didn't think about easing that one in, did he?' the remaining voice says with a sigh.

'Actually, chances are that you have heard quite a few of Yoongi's songs, baby. Let's see... that one might give you an idea of our wealth, it was quite the hit when it came out, do you maybe know That That by Psy? Yoongi produced it and even appeared in the music video, the old man tricked him into singing as well as dancing. It was quite funny to watch happen'.

No. No no no, it can't be.

"Suga? Don't tell me I'm Suga's soulmate or I might just pass out" I blurt out, but the soft chuckle only confirms that I am indeed and that's... holy shit, I need a moment.

'Is the cat out of the bag already? You could've waited for me before telling our soulmate, Seokjin' Yoongi says as he comes back into the bond call, and I bring a hand over my mouth, how did I not recognize his voice?

The husky tone, the rasp, the lull, those are all the things that I love about his voice. My eyes widen as another thought comes to the front of my mind, horror and shame clashing within me as I realize.

He heard me throw up. Suga heard me throw up in his head, my throwing up resonated in his head-

It's like my life comes to a standstill, every other possible concerns I could possibly have had today giving place to this horrifying thing I have done to my idol, the producer, songwriter and rapper, Suga, a genius mind behind so many great songs.

Mom, dad, what kind of strings did you pull from up there? You knew that I'm a big fan of his! I call this attempted murder!

I both want to laugh and cry from this thought of mine, if only they knew... mom would go crazy for me, she who used to listen to his songs with me all the time when Jungkook and I were still living with them.

"Can I crawl into a hole and hide forever? I can't believe the things I let you hear... damn it" I whine while throwing myself to the cold floor to hide my head under my arms, this is the worst.

'Our soulmate appears to be a fan, Yoongi. I can understand how you feel, baby, it is quite the shock, isn't it?' Seokjin muses with a sweet voice, while Yoongi hums in acknowledgement.

Unable to face this new reality that offers itself to me, I remain exactly where I lay, for I am mortified. "You have no idea... mom and I followed him from when he was still known as Gloss. We would listen to his songs so many times, that Jungkook would eventually complain and beg us to stop".

The admission is spoken shyly, and shock wraps around my heart from their side of the bond. Yoongi didn't see that one coming at all. Not many know of his previous alias, so to hear that his new soulmate is a long term fan? This is very precious to him.

'I... it's an honour to have been part of your journey for so long, sweetheart, really... it makes me feel better about not finding you sooner. I guess I could keep you company in some ways, even if I wasn't there myself' the man muses softly, he sounds moved by what he just learned, that it wasn't just me but my mom as well.

The wave of nausea that was threatening to come back dims away and I sigh in relief before standing up to my feet, slowly at first, just to test how much it is that I can do before reaching a limit again.

"Yeah... your songs gave me a lot of great memories to cherish with my mother. I should thank you for them, truly. Okay... I don't think I'll be sick again, thank goodness. Did you manage to have your... uh, your private jet ready? Will you be able to come here? How long before you're here?"

Seokjin and Yoongi both hum softly, a smile on their lips. 'One hour and a half at most. Why don't you take a shower and rest in the meantime? We'll be by your side in the blink of an eye. Also, it just occurred to me that we don't know your name. You already know Yoongi, and I'm Seokjin. You are?'

"Oh, right. Y/N, Jeon Y/N, sorry for not telling you sooner. Between all the crying and then getting sick in your ears, there wasn't really much time for introductions on my part" I let out bitterly, is that really the first image I gave of myself to my soulmates?

'Y/N... what a beautiful name. And please, sweetheart, don't be so hard on yourself, you're having a hard time and we're not ones to judge. Processing grief is no easy matter' Yoongi speaks softly, and though his assurance feels nice to hear, it's easier said than done.

"I'll try... honestly, at this point, I just hope to not make a bigger fool of myself once I see you two. Seokjin, you're not another celebrity I should know of, right?" I ask, mind already anticipating the worst, and at the silence that welcomes my question, sheepish hesitation filling my soul, I lean against the wall in despair, oh no.

'Well... I'm not as known as Yoongi is, obviously, but I am quite renowned in my line of work. I work with a lot of popular actors, great artists from a few industries as well as models from big agencies. People seek out my experience often and it's not rare that I'm hired for private luxury photoshoots. I'm a professional photographer from the magazine publisher HYBE, you might have heard of it?'

"If I've heard of- you know what? You've revealed enough. I'll take a shower and calm down before your arrival. Have a safe trip, please. I've had enough of one accident happening" I murmur tiredly, a hand rubbing my temple.

'Take it easy, Y/N, we're humans before all, your soulmates, that's all that matters, okay? Take a good shower and try to drink some water, we'll bring you something to eat once we land. Don't worry about anything and rest, okay?'

I nod my head and decide to just go with the flow for now, it's not like I can do much else.

'And if you really don't feel too good in the meantime, don't try to be strong all by yourself, go see your brother, am I clear?'

"Very clear... he's probably going to come by and check on me soon anyway. Most likely with my phone in hand before scolding me for not having it with me at all time" I grumble the end, he really can be insufferable sometimes, can't he?

'Good, then write down our numbers somewhere and text us your address when you get it back. I doubt we'll be able to talk through the bond once we gain in altitude, but we'll have signal for our devices so we're sure to at least have that means of communication' Yoongi requests, and I make a small sound before stumbling out of the bathroom to search for a pen and a paper.

I write both numbers under each name, the sight of that on paper almost unreal. There's a moment of silence that feels heavy, the knowledge that we won't be able to communicate using the bond for more than an hour very soon leaving an eerie feeling between us.

'Well... the jet is ready so we'll get going, sweetheart. Also... I know this isn't a day for celebrating but... I still wanted to wish you a happy birthday. It's the day when our youngest soulmate was born as well as the day that finally brought us together after all. I feel like at least that should be recognized' he adds with hesitance, his rasp soft to the ear.

'You're the physical proof of what your parents worked so hard to achieve, baby, never forget that' Seokjin continues with a similar tone of softness. 'While they may be gone, you're still here to continue what they started, aren't you? Both you and your brother, you were loved so dearly. Your parents would want you to always remember that, I'm sure of it'.

I feel tears burn at my eyes, and wipe them quickly before letting out a trembling breath that makes my chin quiver.

"They came here to see Jungkook and I. They wanted to celebrate this day with us, yet look where that brought them? What if... what if the same happens to you?" I ask anxiously, a wave of fear hitting me almost instantly at the thought, what if the same happens to them?

I hadn't even considered the possibility, but it's true. They're going to take a plane and then a car, just like mom and dad, what if they get in an accident too? What if it's fate playing a game with me? What if it tries to take everyone from me?

"M-maybe you shouldn't- I can come to you instead? I'll come, okay? Don't take the plane, stay where you are, c-cancel it, I'll come instead" the words fly out of my mouth before I can stop them, my breathing quickening with the image of my parents' bloodied bodies. When one of them switches to Yoongi, I close my eyes and shake my head, no, no no no-

'Y/N, baby, listen to me. We're going to be safe, baby, we've done this many times, okay? We're going to be safe, nothing bad will happen, I promise. Fate did not unite us only to separate us again' Seokjin says quickly, his voice confident and authoritative.

It barely covers the growing ringing of my ears, though, and I can't respond as my surroundings begin to blur. I can't breathe, I don't want to lose more people dear to me, not again-

'She's having a panic attack. Listen to me, Y/N, you listen to my voice and you take deep breaths, that's what you're going to do okay, sweetheart?' Yoongi speaks firmly, and I nod my head before sitting down on the floor, back against the wall, it's okay, they're okay.

I expect Yoongi to say words, to talk to me, but when instead he begins to hum a melody, one that I don't recognize, I focus on the sound of his voice like oxygen matters to a fire, all of my being hanging onto every thrum of his voice while their soothing energy works to calm my heart.

Yoongi's voice works wonders to steady my growing anxiety, as he's always been able to do with his music, and I keep breathing in and out deeply like he asked of me. Seokjin takes that moment to speak again, when he feels that my mind has gotten some clarity back.

'Fate is all about uniting soulmates together, so every risks of danger will be very far from us as we make our way to you. We'll reach your door without a single problem occurring, and then we're going to give you a much needed hug, alright? It will happen, no accidents in the process, just a whole lot of warmth and hugs' he says with assurance, and I wipe my face as I let his words slowly convince me.

"You promise?"

'We promise'.

I close my eyes and nod my head, my cramped muscles relaxing only to leave behind a dull pain, can I even stand up at this point? I would stay on the floor all day if it wasn't so cold and uncomfortable.

I wish I could take it easy and rest properly, but my body is very eager to make me miserable this morning. My stomach lurches, and I'm suddenly forced to crawl to the toilet once more when a wave of nausea rises anew to make me throw up again. I hate being sick so much.

'Okay, that's it, we're leaving now. We'll be there very soon, baby, I promise, so hold on for us until then, okay? We'll take care of you as soon as we reach your side' Seokjin promises with clenched teeth, urgency making him run from wherever in the world he is right now.

The only answer they get is my sick body in pain as I hunch over the toilet again, exhaustion really making itself feel heavier and heavier as I rest my head on an arm over the seat, fat and hot tears running down my cheeks.

"Bubs? Oh my gosh, have you been sick since earlier?!"

Jungkook's screech fills my home without any warning, and I open my eyes to find him rushing over to lift my body from the toilet and into his chest with terrified eyes, the coldness of my skin not so different from the floor underneath us.

I melt in his embrace and start crying harder while he hugs me tightly. Namjoon takes that time to enter and close the door of my home with a pained frown, they can both see from my unwashed state that I left earlier for this reason - I didn't want to be sick in their presence.

"I'm sorry, Namjoon, I didn't want you to see me like this. I swear it wasn't your food that made me sick" I can't help but apologize as he comes over with a gentle sigh, the towel I used earlier grabbed and rinsed before he kneels behind me to wipe my skin softly.

Reassurance from my soulmates' side of the bond merges with the reassurance of having my brother and his soulmate near again, and I hear their sigh of relief echo in my head. I'm not alone anymore.

"Pumpkin, you didn't have to hide just because you didn't want to hurt my feelings, it pains me even more to know that you were sick all alone. Why didn't you tell us that you weren't feeling well?" he chides softly, and I sniffle before taking in a deep breath to keep the need to throw up again at bay, my lungs are next in line to come out and I don't want that to happen.

"Then... I'm sorry for not telling you and for running away like that, I just... after last night... I didn't want to add to it" I mumble, to which Jungkook sighs before hugging me tighter to him, hands working to warm up my skin while Namjoon searches the cabinet to find some medication for me.

"Bubs, I know we just lost mom and dad and it's painful, it really is, but that's no reason to hurt alone in our respective corner. We need to stick together, only by doing so can we get through this ordeal healthily. I don't want you thinking like this again, never again" he demands, and I nod my head while closing my eyes as I lean on his shoulder.

"Okay... I'm sorry, I won't do it again".

Namjoon grunts as he closes the cabinet with a frown. "There's nothing that could be useful here. I'll go back home and get some medication, so bring her to the couch in the meantime, get her the bin just in case and maybe put something on the tv, I'll be back quickly" he lets out before walking out of the bathroom. Jungkook obeys him to the letter.

He lifts me off the floor and right into his arms within five seconds, and after making sure that I'm comfortable, my head carefully nestled in his neck, he takes me to the living room where all my blankets await.

"We'll take care of you, bubs, just relax while we take care of the rest" Jungkook says as he gently settles me on the couch before grabbing all my blankets so he can cover my body, attentive so that not an inch of skin is left exposed.

I make a soft noise as I end up being made into a living burrito. "I have to tell you something, Jungkook... my soulmates are on the way too. They'll be here in... two hours? Maybe less" I admit a little sheepishly, and my twin brother pauses before staring at me with round eyes.

"Here? They're coming here? Right now?"

I nod my head with pursed lips. "Yeah... I just need to send them my address, they made me write down their phone numbers earlier and- well... you actually already know one of them. Seokjin and Yoongi. Yoongi as in... Suga. They have this private jet and-".

The only thing Namjoon hears as he opens the front door again is Jungkook screaming like a lunatic, and when he too learns of the reason why, panic settles in the house.

I stare at them with a wince as Namjoon trips and falls behind the couch. What are my soulmates going to think of us once they see the mess that we are? I can only hope that they won't run away because we're most definitely going to make fools of ourselves.