Comfort

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ir-f0x3eF0k

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You were sitting in front of Family Mart with your head lowered. You heard the sound of a motorcycle and your head shot up.

The tall, slender body fluidly got up and he pulled the helmet off his blonde head. His eyes frantically scanned the area until they stopped on you. His expression softened at the sight of you.

Your bottom lip trembled as tears welled up in your eyes. Before your tears could blur your vision, you got up and ran towards him.

Zico caught you in his arms and embraced you tightly. You hugged his waist and cried into his black hoodie. “She did it again. She made me look like the bad one. Now the other oppas hate me. I don’t know what to do. I-I-“

Zico tightened his hold around you and gently stroked your head, “Shh, baby. It’s okay. I’m here now. Everything will be fine.”

You buried your face into his sweater *I hope so. You’re the only one by my side now.*

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You and Zico arrived at his apartment. He pressed in the code and the door clicked open. You warily stood back, wondering if you should intrude or not. Zico waved you in, “Come on in.” You bit your lip and stepped inside. You heard laughter and chatter inside and froze.

“Relax. It’s the boys.” Zico gave you a smile, “Hey, I’m back.”

“You brought sister-in-law?” U-Kwon asked as he furiously jabbed the game controller with his tongue sticking out from the corner of his mouth.

“Right here.” Zico jabbed a thumb at you, “Say hi, guys.”

“Hi.” Block B responded like robots. He rolled his eyes. “I’ll go get you a drink, babe. Wait here.”

You felt awkward and out-of-place. It was your first time at Zico’s home and it was filled with rowdy boys, pizza boxes, and cans of beer and soda. “Here.” He held out a can of Tropica. “Thanks.” You opened it and took a sip of the grape-flavored drink. “Make yourself at home.” Zico smiled.

*Home.* The thought made your stomach churn. *Will Jiyeon still be there? Traitors. They’re caring for her, not me.*

“Come and sit. You must be tired from all the drama.” Zico took your hand and led you to the futon near the balcony. “Yah, get off.” He kicked P.O. and Taeil off. They grumbled and sat on the ground.

“It’s okay. They can sit here-“

“Nah, it’s fine. They don’t mind sitting on the ground, do they?” Zico gave them a fierce look.

“Nope.” “It’s no problem.” They never wanted to be on his bad side.

You looked at Zico who innocently smiled, “See?” Still unsure, you glanced down at the boys. “Come, sit.” Zico pulled you down next to him and wrapped an arm around you. You leaned your head against his shoulder and he stroked your hair. “Poor baby. You’ve gone through so much today.” It felt nice to snuggle up to someone who actually cared about you.

“Yo.” Kyung sank onto futon next to you, breaking the peaceful, contemplative mood. Zico gave him an irritated look. Kyung ignored him, “I heard what happened today to you.” You glumly looked at the ground. He patted your shoulder, “Heads up. Bitches will be bitches.”

You chuckled, despite the situation, “Is that Block B’s motto? Zico oppa told me that, too.” You smiled at him. Zico smiled back and twirled a lock of your hair around his finger.

Kyung shrugged, “It’s true. If you want, U-Kwon, B-Bomb, Jaehyo, and I can go smack the bitch on Monday after school.” Your eyes widened, “You would really do that?” You stared at Zico. He shrugged, “Your call, babe.” You frantically shook your head, “No thanks!”

Kyung laughed, “She actually believed us!” He held out a hand and Zico slapped him a hi-five. Kyung went back to the boys and Zico smirked, “How bad do you think we are?” You pouted, “He seemed serious!” Zico laughed and lightly ruffled your head. You slapped his hand away, annoyed that he would laugh in this situation.

“Zico, come play! Losers buy pizza!”

“You’re on.” He got up and went to the TV.

You sighed and lay horizontally across the futon. You hugged a pillow to your chest and shut your eyes. The shocked, distrustful expressions of B.A.P. replayed in your mind over and over again. Every time you saw their faces, another wound would open up in your heart. * I hate it that she made us like this.* You thought of Daehyun and your body tensed. *I hate her being anywhere near him.*

You felt weight press onto the futon, “Yeojin?” You opened your eyes to see Zico. He tenderly stroked your bangs away from your forehead, “You tired? You want to go rest in my room?” You shook your head, “I was just closing my eyes…”

Zico studied your face, “Hmm…something told me you weren’t just ‘closing your eyes.’” He leaned over so that the upper half of his body was hovering over yours. Zico stroked your cheek and the back of his fingers rested on your lips, “What’s on your mind?”

“Nothing…” You said but he raised one eyebrow and you admitted, “A lot of things.”

“But mostly?”

“Mostly about my oppas. Gosh, you should have seen their expressions.” You sighed hurtfully, “It’s like they never knew me at all.” “Jiyeon really fucked with their minds, huh?” Zico stroked his thumb over your eyebrows. “It was terrible.” You muttered. “They were all disappointed in me, I could tell. Especially Daehyun oppa…” You shut your eyes in pain.

Zico stopped stroking your face and stared at you. *That’s the second time she brought him up. Does he impact her so much?* Zico sat up, “I have something to ask you.”

You opened your eyes, “What?”

“What’s your relationship with Daehyun?” Zico questioned.

You sat up and gave him a puzzled look, “What do you mean?”

“I mean exactly what I said.” His face was serious, “What is Jung Daehyun to you?”

You were stunned by the question. No one had ever asked you such a question before and you didn’t know what to say. After a pause you spoke, “Well…we grew up together in the orphanage. I guess you can say we’re really close friends…almost like family.”

“That’s it?” Zico searched your eyes. You nodded slowly, “Yeah…why?”

Zico relaxed, “Nothing. I just wanted to made sure you were my girlfriend.”

Your expression softened, “I am. You asked me out, didn’t you? Or were you not serious…?”

Zico gave you a small smile and put his hand on top of yours, “I did ask you out and I was very serious.”

“Zico! You owe me pizza!” U-Kwon hollered.

Zico rolled his eyes, “Pig.” He got up and headed to the kitchen to call the pizza man. You checked your phone. There were 34 missed phonecalls, 22 text messages, and 17 voicemails. Most of them were from Yongguk and Himchan. You realized Daehyun hadn’t called you and grew even more depressed. Suddenly staying here seemed so wrong. *I should go home, no matter how much I don’t want to.*

You put your backpack on and headed to the door.

Zico came out of the kitchen, “You leaving?” You nodded and put on your sneakers, “I should. Oppas are worried about me.” “You don’t have to go. You can sleep here.” Zico offered. You shook your head, “I can’t. Oppas will call the cops on you and I don’t want you to get in trouble.”

Zico muttered something about ‘control freaks’. “Let me take you home.” He took his keys but you stopped him.

“I want to go alone.”

“But-“

“Please. I want some time to think.” You pleaded.

Zico finally gave in, “Araso but let me know when you’re home.”

You nodded and squeezed his arm, “Thank you, oppa. I’m glad I have you to rely on.”

Zico smiled back, “Of course.” He kissed your forehead, “Don’t think of anything and just sleep.”

You nodded, said goodbye to the others, and left.