HABAEK POV:

I glance in the rear-view mirror, seeing (Y/N) curled up as she sleeps, face pinched with discomfort even as she slumbers on. I share an anxious glance with Mi-sun and she just shakes her head in a silent gesture.

"I can't tell if she's having a nightmare. But you know how hard it is for her to drop off to sleep in the days after doing our service." She says in a quiet hushed voice, and the two of us continue that last stretch of the journey in silence, both lost in thoughts and worries as well as being unwilling to disturb her rest.

But it still bothers me when we come to a stop and I realise that we'll have to wake her, but even so I get out of the car to lift her up, to try and get her in before she begins to stir.

I shift her carefully into my arms, gently manoeuvring her sleeping state slowly so I can lift her out of the car. She luckily stays asleep, arms winding around me tighter in sleep as she moves slightly but doesn't awaken. But it's only when I'm in the process of approaching the front door, that painful sifting for the key which we collected on the way- that rifling through my pocket that makes her mumble and stir- head rising from where it was resting against my shoulder.

"Oppa..." she slurs drowsily.

"Shh...you can go back to sleep sweetheart." I rush to soothe, but she's already lifted her head up fully, drowsy eyes taking in the sight of our surroundings.

"We're here. Let me help too." She says, tapping at my shoulders to let her down even if I want nothing more than to just wrap her up and keep her close. Seeing her tired and drowsy is one of the most endearing, softest sights ever and I want to keep it that way a while longer.

"You can rest, me and Mi-sun will handle it." I offer but she shakes her head, eyes becoming more and more alert.

"I'll help. And then we can go explore." She says and slowly I lower her legs, hands sliding away from under them as I help steady her. It takes her a few moments to blink dazedly and for the sleep to truly leave her eyes and then she's helping me and Mi-sun take our belongings in- slowly unpacking our lives once again.

A few hours later, the house is beginning to look like ours- belongings scattered across the living room, suitcases still in the centre and sofas spread across with our bright collection of cushions and throws, small touches that we add that slowly makes it look like home.

And frankly- taking in the sight of the spacious house, far away from even a glimpse of the ocean's blue waters- with it'd wide garden space and living quarters; I smile at it. This could be home. For a long time for us.

And when I see Mi-sun smiling at the sight of (Y/N) curiously opening doors and her excited smile when she goes around the room straightening the things and adding more ornaments- I know that she's thinking the same. That for (Y/N)- it might be one of the best homes yet.

(Y/N) POV:

Once the living room has been set up, our collection of cutlery, utensils and crockery filling up the kitchen cupboards and suitcases lugged to our rooms. It's time to explore, to get out there and see what Seoul has to offer, besides the very gratifying respite it gives from the Ocean.

The moment we leave the car, I tug the two of them excitedly from where they follow and match my quick steps, bag slung over my shoulder and banging slightly against my hip as we walk. There's so much to do. Moving houses means we need to do a big food shop, as well as explore the nearby vicinity.

The stretch of Seoul we're living in I learn is a bustling hive of activity, streets filled with shops ranging from clothes, to shoes, jewellery and then ones with cute knick-knacks, stationery, books, and cafes. People bustle about, each going about their life- people in business wear, students, couples and then I find my feet halting at the sight of parents with their children- both pained and comforted by the sight.

Even if Habaek oppa and Mi-sun unnie have undoubtedly raised me, been those supportive caring figures- they can't fill that role of parents, they can't be those figures because the memory of my own live inside my mind and their own in theirs too.

Habaek oppa comes and puts a comforting hand on my shoulder and I let him draw me away, let him distract me when he gently nudges me towards the store brimming with cute stationary and art supplies. I supress a squeal when I see that the store is fairly filled- not wanting to risk anything and just silently wonder and marvel over the supplies, fingers trailing over scrapbooks and notebooks wistfully.

And then those same books are plucked from the shelf and added to the ever-growing basket- Mi-sun unnie and Habaek oppa smiling indulgently at me, silently fulfilling those wishes without me asking. 

And when we leave with two bags laden with supplies, there's a grin stretching across my face as the two of them shake their head exasperatedly not at mee but towards themselves, for easily giving in as always and spoiling me beyond measure.

But because of that trip alone I allow myself to be eagerly ushered towards shops of their preferences- where the two of them take painstaking care in picking out additional furnishings for our home, adding in items that they think I'll like to as I trail after them. And finally, it's time to pile those bags into the car and drive to the large supermarket.

Seeing the two of them become childlike innocence bustle about the supermarket- piling food in and excitedly chattering quietly amongst themselves, communicating silently that only centuries of living together can make possible.

"(Y/N), be a dear and grab some snacks please. You know Habaek gets fussy when he doesn't have snacks lying around. And some of those sweets I like too please." She says, gently nudging me towards a different direction whilst they go choose the ingredients to stock the empty cupboards and fridge with. I can already see the mountain of food and necessities piling higher and higher in the now two shopping trolleys. One benefit of being alive for centuries is having worked enough jobs to have a sizable amount waiting in our bank accounts. But that doesn't mean we squander it away meaninglessly, time loses meaning, so does the value of money eventually- but that doesn't mean we should live wastefully, just comfortably.

I separate from the two, realising too late as I head into the snacks aisles that I should've grabbed something to put all of the food into. We're shopping for at least a month's worth- because I'm not alone in feeling slightly on-edge and uncomfortable in busy, always populated places, so we shop in mass.

But juggling a pile of snacks is harder than I think and just as I'm about to leave I notice that Mi-sun unnie's sweets sit there mockingly on the top shelf- I dither between leaving or just going through the hassle.

And as I stretch upwards, tiptoeing to reach the bag, whilst juggling with the pile of snacks in my arms, fingers straining but not quite reaching and huff annoyed. I try again, straining myself up, fingers irritatingly scrabbling for purchase and not finding any and just then my balance teeters off and I find myself failing to find my footing again and as my body tilts back- my eyes squeeze shut, body tensing to fall back onto the hard tiling and for my body to become battered.

But the fall never comes because just as my back arches as I fall, a solid hand presses against the base of my back- the sound of something dropping onto the ground and a muttered flurry of words and another hand comes to help straighten me back up, snacks lying on the ground around me. When I feel my feet solidly plant onto the ground, balance restored I slowly and tentatively crack my eyes open- already ready to prepare myself for gawking eyes and barely repressed laughter.

But when my eyes blink open, one after the other- slowly opening fully I realise that I can't see anyone, instead my eyes are greeted with the sight of a pink jumper- a baby pink shade that is soft on my eyes. And ever so hesitantly I look up and freeze.

Trailing up a pink jumper clad torso is a pair of broad, firm shoulders leading up to strong neck on which rests one of the most ethereal faces I've ever seen. Thick pink lips to a well-defined nose and evenly spaced soft brown eyes which look at me with concern, brows furrowed as they questioningly peer at me, forehead framed by soft black strands of hair.

I can feel my cheeks heat in mortification and shyness- both associated with the stranger. The one who's clearly stopped my fall because his hands are still around me- gentle and strong, and his close proximity only sends me into a flustered state- trying to think how to get out of this.

"Are you okay?" he asks, voice smooth and soft- quiet enough not to rouse attention from curious shoppers.

It takes a few beats for me to realise he's talking to me and my mouth drops open but no sound comes out.

And then I nod. Slowly and jerkily at first and then quicker- rushing to assure the kind man that I am in fact fine.

But then my eyes are no longer able to maintain eye contact with him and they slide back down to my feet- eyes focusing on the flower embroidery on them. And then they waver off them and onto the pile of snacks littering the ground and I feel my cheeks flame further.

I hunch down quickly, hands quickly picking up the pile of snacks I've spilled across the floor, trying to fill my arms with them again and rush away to hide behind Mi-sun unnie and Habaek oppa's backs and never stepping out from again.

But long slender fingers join mine as two hands deftly and quickly pick out certain snacks from the pile, plucking them out to fill a discarded basket. So that's what the sound had been. And when they're done those hands reach out to help grab the snacks off the floor, helping me clear it up quicker than I would've taken alone.

I straighten up with red cheeks and jerk my head into an awkward show of gratitude, dipping slightly before straightening. 

"So where to? Do you want me to get you a basket or you here with someone?" that same smooth deep voice asks.

I struggle to think of how to answer the helpful stranger. And so do what I always do when I'm in such situations. Stay silent.

"You're a silent one aren't you? Shy? Cat got your tongue?" he asks, voice a mixture of bemusement and intrigue.

I stare helplessly at my snacks, wishing for the ground to open and swallow me up or for Mi-sun unnie and Habaek oppa to start fretting and rush to find me.

But neither of the two happen and as the silence stretches out between us, I find the air becoming thick with a sense of awkwardness.

"Hey...it's okay if you don't like speaking. I shouldn't have pushed you to. Just lead the way then." He says, gentle voice stirring me out of my self-misery.

And I gratefully seize that opportunity and nod painfully shy, turning on my feet to go ambling across aisles- eyes silently searching for a familiar duo.

And when my eyes alight on the two of them bickering playfully, silently glaring as they gesture towards which fruits it is they should buy. My feet speed up in my haste to get to them, already feeling overwhelmed with having been in the stranger's presence for so long and having flustered myself for far too long.

They don't notice me until I'm right in front of them, the kind stranger trailing after me with his own arms full of the snacks I'd dropped. They turn to me, mouths opening to ask who's right but fall silent when said stranger steps up close to me from behind- close enough that I can feel his body heat, far enough it to be respectful.

They look at me questioningly but all I can do is shrug my shoulders noncommittally- the universal gesture of 'what can you do?'. I deposit the piles of snacks into the trolley, arms finally free from lugging them around.

I know I could speak, but there's always that strong chance that my ability will seep through and end up doing more damage than good- so I stay silent, for the betterment of everyone involved.

And then the stranger leans over to deposit the snacks he'd been carrying; on the top I realise is the packet of sweets I'd been struggling to get- sitting there innocently on the other packets. As if it hadn't been the cause of all this fuss.

Habaek oppa reaches out and draws me against his side, tucking me under a protective broad arm- relaxing once I'm there, tension bleeding out.

Mi-sun unnie parts her mouth, voice soft and free from the thick influence of our shared ability.

"Thank you for helping her." she says.

"You're welcome. I'm glad I managed to get there in time." he says before turning to focus on me. I stiffen under the intense look, even though it's nothing but warm and gentle.

"It was nice meeting you..." he tails off realising that even after this disastrous meeting, he doesn't know my name. Can't know it.

But undeterred he speaks anyways.

"I'm Kim Seokjin, I hope we can meet again silent stranger." He says, smile curving his lips upwards.

And I find myself smiling shyly back, ducking my eyes away when his smile widens on noticing it.

Despite all odds, the disaster today had been, for an instant I think...it wouldn't be too bad if we do meet again Kim Seokjin- supermarket saviour, my mind says to me.

And with a wave he disappears, baby pink jumper melting into the crowd, disappearing from sight.

But with his leaving, that knot around my chest eases slightly- that I hadn't slipped up and lost control. That he walked away unscathed.

JIN POV:

It's amusing I'll admit. Seeing the girl carefully navigate the snacks aisle, adding packet on top of packet to the already sizable pile growing in her arms. It had been the methodical almost robotic way of choosing snacks that had drawn my eyes at first and then what had held them to her was the way she unsteadily walked around- struggling to see past the pile. But when I'd seen her struggle to balance the pile in her arms as well as fail to reach the packet of sweets sitting just beyond her reach- I felt bad so headed over to help her.

But then almost as if in slow-motion I saw when she tiptoed even further, saw that moment when the pile of snacks began to wobble and come crashing down, feet losing their balance and her falling backwards, back arching as she went tumbling. And it's with a thudding heart and rushing feet that I move forward, the basket falling out of my lax fingers as I rush to stabilise her, fearing the painful crash she'd make with the hard floor. And for a moment I think I'm too late, I can't help her but my hand manages to splay across the base of her back, supporting her- I can feel the muscles shift under my touch, tightly coiled and then my other hand rushes to stabilise her, drawing her back to her feet, to steady footing even as the other had grasped onto the space between her shoulders, holding her close in a position that's far too intimate in proximity. A quick glance over her head reveals a few smiles on people's faces and open blatant staring at what looks at to be a very suggestive pose.

I can feel the tip of my ears flame but I return my eyes to her face and watch as one after the other she carefully and hesitantly cracks her eyes open, revealing wide expressive bright eyes that fill with confusion and then trepidation as they trail up to my own. It feels oddly entrancing the way her eyes graze over me, almost as if she's observing me, taking in details and when her head tilts up- I bite back a gasp at the sheer extent of her natural beauty.

Wide expressive eyes, full cheeks dusted with a rosy blush, high cheekbones, and full lips. All in all it gives her an effect of being both innocent and teasing- a mixture of the two that toes a very dangerous line. I find myself staring, incessantly so, and when she peers up at me, I feel my ears burn hotter and I let my hands drop away to my side.

"Are you okay?" I ask, concerned for this silent ethereal statue.

Silence. 

And then an incredibly endearing slow nod that quickens as she silently assures me that she is in fact fine. And those wide eyes slide away from mine, my own already following where they focus onto the ground resolutely and then she suddenly shifts, lowering herself to pick up the snacks surrounding us both.

I quickly get to plucking the ones that had fallen out of my basket and putting them back in, and then going to help her. I can already see her arms full and wonder how she'd managed to hold onto them all- there's still a large chunk of them on the floor- I scoop them up and rise to stand again. I didn't spot a basket or trolley with her as she'd ambled slowly down the aisle.

She dips her head in gratitude.

"So where to? Do you want me to get you a basket or you here with someone?" I ask, trying to prompt her into answering- thinking it's better if I just help her.

Silence. Again.

"You're a silent one aren't you? Shy? Cat got your tongue?" I say, slightly bemused by her and part intrigued by the silent girl who's captivated my attention for far longer than I should admit.

She looks down, unable to meet my eyes.

When the silence stretches out, bordering on painful- I feel guilty. Maybe she doesn't like speaking, maybe she's shy and I'm pushing her to speak when clearly she's uncomfortable with the idea.

"Hey...it's okay if you don't like speaking. I shouldn't have pushed you to. Just lead the way then." I say, trying to convey how apologetic I am, looking guiltily at her bent head.

She nods and turns, her footsteps quicker than the slow pace she'd been using earlier and flurries away. I keep pace with her, watching the way her head turns to examine each aisle searching for someone.

And then I can see it in the way her posture changes- straightening up and becoming relieved as she scuttles forward, a clear spring in her step. And comes to a stop to where two people are bickering over fruits that they both wave around. It brings an automatic smile to my face at the familiar sight- usually it's me and Kookie doing that. And with a guilty start I realise that the others are in the car waiting and Yoongi and Hobi are somewhere in the store right now- I can't believe I forgot.

But the two of them pause comically and then freeze- suddenly noting me standing behind her. She shrugs before bending to put the snacks into an already mostly filled trolley and when she straightens I do the same, leaning over her slightly. And when I do, I feel an inexplicable urge to turn to her- the thought vanishing as soon as it comes.

But the male leans over to tug her towards himself, tucking her close towards him in an openly protective gesture- that just ever so slightly irks me, but I push away that feeling, as the other woman thanks me in a voice that's smooth and soft. It makes me wonder how hers would sound- my eyes automatically trailing back to her.

"It was nice meeting you..." I trail off, not knowing the name of the silent girl, but yearning to know.

So I fill the silence instead.

"I'm Kim Seokjin. I hope we can meet again silent stranger." I say, words genuine. Because something about her is oddly intriguing and entrancing- and yet she hasn't even said a word to me.

And when Hobi pounces on me later, mere seconds after Yoongi takes the basket, complaining that they couldn't find me and they want to go home, I follow them to the till. And when we walk out, see the three of them silently pack away their shopping- and wonder what is it about her that marks her as different? Makes her someone I want to meet again?

Only time will tell.

(AHH! ENDED UP BEING LONGER THAN I'D EXPECTED BUT THERE IT IS! THE FIRST ENCOUNTER! AND WITH JINNIE TOO! I WONDER WHY HE'S SO ENTRANCED, WHY HE FINDS HER BEAUTIFUL- HINT HINT, GOT TO DO WITH HER ROLE AS A SIREN ONLY PARTLY THOUGH! LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS AND GEAR UP! JUST A NOTE- THERE'S SOMETHING IMPORTANT ABOUT WHY SHE DOESN'T SPEAK, IT'S IMPORTANT TO THE PLOT AND IT'LL BE REVEALED LATER! HOW DID YOU FIND IT? LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS! SEE YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE!)

QUESTION...ONE THING YOU NEED IN YOUR FRIDGE ALL THE TIME? CAN'T DO WITHOUT IT?

Mine is...milk. There has to be milk. For tea, on it's own, for baking- whatever, we can never have a fridge without milk for long at all.

Borahae! 💜💜💜

PurpleQueenie <3