Taehyung's POV

"I'm so so excited!"

Petal sang as she danced around our room. And yes, I didn't get it wrong. Our room. We shifted dorms last week and I and Soo Mi decided to room together.

I chuckled softly at her excitement, "What're you so excited about?"

She turned to me with a disbelieving expression, "Tae, you have already asked me this question 3 times today! Are you that forgetful?" I smiled sheepishly and she rolled her eyes before replying, "Haewon unnie, Suzy unnie, and Minji unnie are coming over, remember now?"

"Oh right," I rubbed my nape in embarrassment, "I forgot."

She rolled her eyes again before moving towards the door.

"I'm going downstairs. You coming?"I shook my head and she walked out of the room.

I had turned to the mirror to comb my hair when I noticed her standing at the doorway, an uncertain expression on her face. I turned back to her. "What's up?"

She smiled nervously, "C-can I get a hug first?"

I raised my eyebrow before nodding and opening my arms wide. She hugged me and I wrapped my arms around her. I buried my nose into her hair and smiled softly when she sighed into my chest.

We stayed like that for some time. That was, until-

"Are you guys- whoa what's going on here?" 

Jimin shrieked. We broke apart and I turned to him with an annoyed expression.

"Have you heard of something called 'hugging'?" He smirked a bit and I rolled my eyes as Petal giggled softly. "They're here; that's why I came here," said Jimin, and I punched the air in happiness before scooping Petal into my arms (bridal-style of course), causing her to yelp in surprise, and rushing downstairs.

The three noonas were talking to the hyungs and Jungkookie. When they noticed us coming, they smiled. Then Jungkook started laughing.

"Why are you carrying her?"

Petal smacked my arm, whispering, "Put me down, idiot." I just smirked but put her down anyways. And to answer the questioning and teasing looks from the guys, she said, "Tae's excited, that's all."

After the initial greetings and small talk, everyone divided into small groups to talk. Kook was talking non-stop about some video games, and I was bored. So, I looked over to the side the girls were sitting.

Petal was laughing at something the noonas had said. She is so beautiful, I said to myself, smiling softly. And almost as if she had sensed my gaze on her, she looked up.

As soon as she met my eyes, she looked to her side, eyes widening and teeth nibbling softly at her lips. When I looked closely, I observed, with great happiness, a beautiful blush coloring her cheeks. I smirked, but when I turned back to the rest of the guys, they were staring teasingly at me. I stuck my tongue out and they burst out laughing.

Suddenly the doorbell started ringing.

Petal went to the door and I heard her say, "Jihyun? What are you doing here?"

*****************

Jihyun was here, and I was beyond irritated when she insisted on playing truth or dare with us. She got the first chance of course, but I was surprised when she chose Petal instead of me.

She chose truth and Jihyun asked, "Is it true that your neck is extremely sensitive?" Petal nodded, looking a bit weirded out by the question. She turned to Jimin and dared him to kiss Yoongi hyung, which was quite sweet I must admit. 

The game went on like that, with Jihyun making harsh comments towards Soo Mi in between.

Suddenly Mi's phone started ringing. She stared at the phone screen, smiling wide.

"Eomma!" Oh. It was Eomma Min, Petal's mom. Petal moved towards a nearby room so that she wouldn't be a disturbance for us. The game continued but I focused on Petal's call.

It started with small talk as usual, and Mi sounded happy. I smiled; Petal is attached to her mother. After some time, she started singing 'Spring Day' for her mom, and I told everyone to shut up and listen.

"Snowflakes fall down
And get farther away little by little
I miss you (I miss you)
I miss you (I miss you)

How long do I have to wait
And how many sleepless nights do I have to spend
To see you (to see you)
To meet you (to meet you)"

My smile turned into a frown when her voice broke a bit. She hung up immediately after, telling her mom that she loved her and missed her. 

After that, I heard a sob. Then another.

It didn't take me much time to shoot up from my seat and rush to the room in which Petal was. She had her back facing me, soft sobs wracking her body.

My heart hurt. I slowly went closer and softly back hugged her. She gasped at first before turning in my arms and crying softly into my chest.

"Hey, what happened?" I softly ran my fingers through her hair as she sobbed.

"I- I miss Eomma. S-so much," she sniffled lightly.

I smiled softly. "My beautiful Petal," she stiffened, then hummed to let me know she was listening, "We all miss our parents. And I promise you, the next time we get free for a long time together, we'll go straight to Daegu and visit Eomma Min. Okay?" She nodded softly, and wiped her tears away, before smiling up at me.

Yeah, you guessed it. I prepared myself to kiss her. It seemed as if she understood too because her cheeks tinted pink again. I leaned in and was about to go in for the kiss when Jin hyung called us back.

I sat a blushing Petal down before me and back hugged her. Jihyun's face soured at this. She asked, "What happened to her?"

I smiled softly before answering, "She just misses her mother."

The next words from Jihyun's mouth were unexpected, "What? Did she die or something?"

Everyone gasped and I gritted my teeth as I felt Petal stiffen in my arms. Yoongi hyung gave her an appropriate response but I felt like there was gonna be more.

Say one more thing against her; I thought angrily; I dare you.

Soon enough, Jihyun said, a smug smirk on her lips, "Why are you hugging her like that TaeTae? I know you are a kind person, but someone as worthless and ugly as she doesn't deserve anything."

Everyone gasped again, and I stood up, fists clenching and unclenching,

"Get out."

*****************

After Jihyun and the noonas had left, I found Petal in the kitchen. She was sitting on the kitchen counter, sniffling softly.

I went to her and stood between her knees. "Petal," I said as I wiped her tears, "I know you're still upset about what she said, but- just listen to me okay?" She nodded, still not looking at me.

"Hey, eyes on me, kay?" She looked into my eyes, and I continued, "She said you're worthless and ugly. But that isn't true. No one is worthless or ugly. Everyone is beautiful in their way. And you," I cupped her cheeks, 

"You're the most beautiful person I've ever seen. You mean the world to me. So if anyone tells you anything, think about me. I love you."

Her breath hitched. I know I confessed but as she hadn't understood in that sense yet so I continued, "We all love you. Everyone has their haters, love. I'll be always with you; no matter what. That's why I'm your best friend, right?"

She chuckled softly at this and I smiled as well before I pressed my forehead against hers. It was a sign; our sign to show that we would always be there for each other, no matter what.

Both of us closed our eyes, just taking in the feeling of having each other nearby. But then I got curious. I opened my eyes, to see dark brown orbs already looking back into my own.

She nibbled her lower lip and averted her gaze when she understood I had caught her. I took great pride in the pink tint that painted her features. I kissed her nose, lips lingering for a moment, before looking at her lips.

Plump and soft. I leaned in and connected our lips softly. She kissed back almost immediately, her blush darkening. 

We were so absorbed in each other's lips that we didn't notice the numerous gasps echoing behind us.

A/N: Hope it's not too rushed. Love yourself! Borahae!