“Are you sure it’s ok if I come with you? I’m not a dancer, are you sure they won’t mind?” Kalila Morgan asked as she entered the building after her friend and dancer Kim Nari.

“Yeah, no big deal, I already got permission, it’s my birthday, so they were cool with it,” Nari said, as she leads her down the hall, waving and bowing at people as they passed.

Kalila bowed as well, following her along cautiously. She really wasn’t sure why she was there, Nari had told her she wanted her to come with her to work for her birthday, that her co-workers were throwing her a party and she wanted her to come. Kalila had told her that she really couldn’t go, not with her Mom’s current condition, but in true Nari fashion, she wasn’t hearing it and demanded she come.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to go, she did, but with her Mom’s poor health as of late, she really didn’t want to be away from her for too long. Kalila’s Mother had always been sick, since as far back as she could remember. They moved around a lot as a military family and then her Dad passed away and it became just them and they settled here, the last place her father had been stationed, Seoul, South Korea. They’d been here for about six years now, unable to go back home to America since her Mom wasn’t well enough to travel. She was in desperate need of heart surgery and the waiting was long and nerve-racking.

It’d been difficult for Kalila to make friends, having moved around most of her life, her skills with relating to others was seriously stunted and she had a hard time trusting people, they were always leaving or she was moving to another state, another country. They always promised they’d keep in touch, but they never did, she quick learned not to take people at their word. It was lonely, but part of her would rather be lonely than to be disappointed by those who really didn’t care.

She wanted to say she felt that Nari cared about her, had her best interests at heart, but she didn’t feel it. Nari was extremely self-centered and really only cared about herself, and if Kalila could afford to stop hanging out with her, she would. Despite all her hang ups, she liked having a friend, someone she could talk to. Since she didn’t really have friends, she was alone a lot, even though she took care of her Mom, who happened to be the best Mom ever.

Her and her Mom were a team and got along well. For a long time, her Mom was her best friend, but as her health deteriorated, it became harder and harder for her Mom to keep up and do all the things with Kalila she used to. It pained her as her Mom used to be so active and lively and to see her go downhill broke her heart. She was in a constant state of worry, often calling several times a day when she was a way to make sure she was alright. For her part, her Mom often apologized, telling her she didn’t need to worry about her so much and to go out and live her life, but Kalila couldn’t see how she could leave her Mom behind, the one person who loved and took care of her unconditionally, the one who gave her life. No, her Mom never turned her back on her and she wouldn’t turn her back on her Mom.

All that being said, it didn’t leave much time for a social life let alone a love life. She’d dated a bit here and there, but with her extreme introverted personality and quiet disposition, she was often shunned for being cold and unfeeling, no one really knowing the anguish and pain she felt inside, no one really bothering to find out, most certainly not a boyfriend. It was hard for her to share, hard for her to express herself, let alone open up about her private life.

Kalila kept everything inside, didn’t talk much about her situation with her Mom or her financial concerns to anyone. They struggled and she worked a lot to support her and her Mom, but it was never enough. The surgery her Mom needed hung on her shoulders as they couldn’t afford it, she tried, tried hard, but there never seemed to be enough money. Kalila scrimped and saved, but something always came up and she had to go into the surgery money and…it never ended. She couldn’t help to feel her Mom’s suffering was her fault, because she couldn’t do enough.

She pulled out her phone to check the time, she’d call her Mom in another half hour.

“Will you stop looking at your phone and c’mon!” Nari sighed, pushing the door open and stepping inside the giant dance studio.

Kalila quickly slipped her phone into her purse and hurried in after her.

“Happy Birthday!” everyone yelled.

Kalila blinked, looking at everyone clapping and smiling at Nari, who took all the attention in hungerly.

“Thanks guys!” Nari smiled, hugging her fellow dancers.

Kalila hung back, feeling out of place and awkward. Suddenly one of the guys who were gathered around her, caught her eye and tilted his head to the side as he watched her. He reached out, tapping Nari and then pointed at her.

Nari turned her head to look at her, motioning for her to talk, “This is my friend Kalila,” she said absently out loud before turning back to everyone, leaving her quickly forgotten.

Kalila shook her head in annoyance just as the guy looked at her again and made his way over to her. She straightened up, feeling hesitant and nervous as he smiled broadly at her.

“Hi, I’m Jimin,” the young guy said softly, his smile warm enough to melt butter.

She instantly felt at ease, some of the tension starting to fade a bit.

“We’re having a party for Nari, c’mon and join us and you can meet the rest of the guys.”

Kalila nodded and followed behind him, that tension growing again. When Nari had told her she was a dancer for the mega famous group BTS, she’d been surprised and lost. She’d never had the time to focus much on popular music, from home or from Korea. She knew BTS was popular, but she didn’t know the extent until she looked them up. They were a rags to riches story as they’d say in America and the fact that her friend danced for them, was pretty big. She talked about them a lot, but most of it went over Kalila’s head, it was a whole other world, a whole other life she knew nothing about, didn’t think much about it. Nari had tried several times to get her to come with her, but she always turned her down, which Nari didn’t like. Kalila was sure it wasn’t that she wanted her to come because she wanted her to meet the group and her fellow dancers as it was she wanted to brag and show her the stark differences in their social status.

It was never said, but Kalila could feel that Nari felt she was better than her, smarter, richer, prettier and Kalila didn’t really care as that kind of thing didn’t bother her, but it did tend to irritate her to some extent. After all this time, she’d learned to live with it and adjust.

“Hey guys, this is Kalila, Nari’s friend,” Jimin said, making his way over to the table.

She recognized the guys as the other members of the group and a few other people she didn’t know who she figured had to be fellow dancers. One by one, they each introduced themselves and she felt at ease, almost forgetting how famous these guys were.

“Help yourself to whatever,” the tall guy Namjoon, with the killer dimples said.

Kalila gave him a thankful and gentle smile before looking the table over.

“Might I recommend the chicken, it’s delicious, but you didn’t hear it from me.”

She looked over suddenly to see another equally tall guy standing beside her, whispering and looking around cautiously as if it were a secret and she couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Ahh much better when you laugh! No need to be uptight here, it’s a party and there’s lot of food and drinks, have fun!”

“Thanks…Jin right?”

He nodded, “That’s right!”

Reaching out to grab a plate, she grabbed a piece of chicken and set it on it, looking over at Jin who nodded in approval. After filling her plate with a few things, not wanting to go crazy since technically she was an interloper there, she looked around. Nari was talking with a group of people, there was no where to sit by her, which now made things super awkward.

Sighing she looked around, noticing a guy sitting by himself off to the side. She watched as one of the group members, she wasn’t sure of his name…Taejeong, Tae…Taehyung, that was it, Taehyung! She watched as Taehyung, also known as V, made his way over to the guy. He said something to him, reaching a hand out and motioning with his for him to join them, but the guy who had silver hair that she had not been introduced to when introductions had been made, shook his head, motioning for Taehyung to leave.

Taehyung frowned, but left the guy and headed back over to the group of people. Kalila looked back over at the guy who looked perfectly content to be sitting by himself, continued to eat, not bothered that he was alone. She felt drawn to him for some reason and started towards him.

“Don’t do that.”

Kalila turned to see Nari beside her, shaking her head in warning.

“Don’t mess with Suga, you’ll be sorry.”

“Huh? Why?”

“He’s a drag, seriously. He’s aloof and cold and, I personally don’t care for him. I mean, I try to be nice to him, but he ignores me, me of all people! I’m one of the dancers, he should be nice to me, should be willing to work with me, but he’s always blowing me off and I can’t stand it,” Nari said coldly, glaring at the man, something flickering in her eyes.

She looked at her and raised an eyebrow, all that meant was that Nari had come on to him and he’d turned her down, flat. Nari lived for the attention and the adoration and when someone didn’t give it to her, it was their fault, not hers according to her and instantly went on her list.

Kalila looked back over at him, even more intrigued than before to know him, anyone who could resist Nari was someone she wanted to get to know better. It wasn’t so much that Kalila was jealous, she was that, probably always would be in some ways when it came to Nari. No, it was more than that, it was interesting to see Nari, on those rare occasions, not always get what she wanted like she was used to, and not always have the upper hand and the advantage, it leveled the ground for the two of them in those rare times.

“C’mon, over here,” Nari said, pulling her with her to the rest of the guys.

Which meant if she couldn’t talk to him and get along with him, neither could Kalila. She looked over just as the guy lifted his eyes suddenly, his gaze finding hers and holding and she stared at him, a flicker of something shone in his gaze and was quickly gone just as Nari pulled her to sit beside her and a few of the dancers moved, cutting off her view of him.

~~~

Two Weeks Later

“I don’t see why you want me to come again, your birthday was a few weeks ago, and I’ll just be in the way of the practice,” Kalila said, as she followed Nari back into the building again, her lunch bag in her hand.

“You won’t be in the way if you don’t get in the way, it’s not like you’re gonna go out in the middle of the dancefloor or anything. And anyway, Jin and Jimin have been asking for you,” Nari grinned, opening the door to the dance studio.

“They have not,” Kalila frowned.

“Hey there you are!”

She looked over as Jin smiled brightly at her, making his way over, Jimin coming up behind him.

“Hey Kalila ssi,” Jimin smiled as well, “Did you come to hang out with us again?”

“Yes she did, she’ll be staying for dinner as well,” Nari said, setting her bag down and moving to the center of the dancefloor to warm up with the others.

Kalila winced, looking over at them, giving them both a strained smile, “I don’t mean to interrupt your practice or anything…”

Jin waved her off, “Interrupt? No, we have visitors over all the time, it’s no problem. It’s good to see you again, whatcha got in that bag?”

“Oh, this is just my lunch, I got out of work early today and so I didn’t get to eat yet.”

“We have food coming, feel free to have some with us,” Jimin smiled.

“Uh, this will be fine, thank you though.”

Jin leaned in and whispered, “There’s gonna be some delicious pork belly and kimbap, but don’t let on I told you, you should really have some.”

Kalila chuckled and shook her head, “I’ll keep that in mind and I’ll keep your secret too.”

Jin gave her a thumbs up and then followed Jimin to the center of the room, starting to warm up. She watched as five other guys made their way over, all warming up as well. She saw the guy from before, Suga in the center as well, talking with the other guy, Jungkook if she remembered right.

After asking one of the women who did their styling if there was refrigerator she could store her lunch, she sat down off to the side in the corner out of the way of everyone and after a couple hours, she was promptly forgotten by Nari, who never once came over to talk to her, not even during breaks.

She’d seen the other women giving her looks and whispering about her, she made out bits and pieces, that she was a snob for not coming over and talking to them. She didn’t know anyone besides Nari and the guys and she didn’t even know them well. She wasn’t comfortable going over and talking to a bunch of people she didn’t know. Kalila wasn’t trying to be anti-social, she was just cautious.

A couple hours later and everyone stopped for dinner that had arrived a few minutes earlier. She got up and got her bag out of the refrigerator made her way over to the tables they had set up, everyone was fixing plates and talking and eating. She looked over to see Nari sitting with a couple of the guys and some of the dancers and started over, when someone caught her eye and she looked over to see Suga sitting off to the side alone again. She couldn’t help but be drawn to him, didn’t like to see him alone for some reason. She’d just spent the better part of the evening in the corner alone while no one would come talk to her that wasn’t busy practicing.

Turning she started towards him, she heard Nari call out to her, but pretended she didn’t as she stopped by the empty chair next to him.

Kalila cleared , suddenly overcome with nerves, “D-do you mind if I sit here?”

The young man shook his head ‘no’ and she carefully sat, setting her lunch bag on her lap and pulling out the simple sandwich, small carton of juice and a bar of candy out and flattening the bag on her lap. This was her off week for pay and funds were low and what little she had she had put away in the surgery fund, so she had to bring her lunch with her for work. She ate quietly, feeling more comfortable around this stranger than she had in the corner around a bunch of other strangers.

“Oh, Yoongi hyung, I don’t think you’ve met Kalila.”

She lifted her head to see J-Hope coming over, his plate in his hand as he sat on the floor in front of them. She blinked, Yoongi? Kalila lifted her head and looked over at Suga who looked at J-Hope and then looked at her.

“Kalila this is Yoongi hyung, otherwise known as Suga, hyung she’s Nari’s friend and now our friend,” J-Hope smiled as he shoved some rice in his mouth.

Yoongi gave a small nod of his head before going back to his food.

“Hyung is a man of less words,” J-Hope grinned, taking a sip of his drink.

Just then the other five guys came over to sit and eat with them, leaving an annoyed Nari behind. They all chatted and got to know each other better before they had to head back to practice again. She looked over at Yoongi who gave her another slight bow of his head before making his way out to the middle of the dancefloor again, talking and laughing with the others. Nari caught her eye and gave her a look of “what the hell was that?”

Kalila chuckled and made her way back into the corner and watched the rest of the practice.

~~~

A few days later Kalila sat with Nari at a food stall, eating tteokbokki and having soju while her friend grilled her on what’d happened.

“So, what’d you all talk about?” She pressed.

Kalila shrugged, “Not much, we just got to know each other better. They seem really nice.”

“Yeah sure, but what’d they say about me?”

Kalila looked up at her, “You?”

“Yeah, you talked about me didn’t you? I mean, I introduced you to them,” she stated firmly, taking a drink of soju.

“No, actually we didn’t, we just…”

“What about Suga?”

“What about him?”

“Did he mention me at all?”

“No, why would he?”

Nari sighed in frustration, “I don’t get what his problem is, see, I told you, he’s mean.”

“Just because he’s not talking about you, doesn’t mean he’s mean,” Kalila reasoned.

“Whose side are you on here?” Nari frowned.

“I didn’t know there were sides. We were just talking about random Nari, please,” she sighed in frustration.

Nari leaned back in her chair, contrite, “I know that, I was just saying…”

Kalila had had enough for the night, she stood.

“Where are you going?”

“Home, I’m tired I have to work in a few hours.”

“You’re coming with me on Friday right? We have another practice,” Nari said suddenly.

Kalila looked at her, “Why? Why are you doing this? There is no reason for me to keep coming, what are you getting out of this?”

“Who said I’m getting something out of you coming with me?”

“Cause you typically don’t do something else there’s something in it for you,” Kalila stated.

Nari giggled, “That’s true. I dunno, a lot of my dancer friends said I’m not too generous and only think of myself, so I figured if I brought you along, it’d make me look better, you know, taking someone less fortunate than me and bringing them into my life and letting them live a little of what I’ve got.”

She rolled her eyes, of course, “I’m going home.”

“See you Friday!”

~~~

Kalila didn’t know how she let herself be talked into this again, but here she was, sitting in the corner again at yet another dance practice. As per usual now, Nari pretty much ignored her aside from when she wanted to come off as generous and kind to her fellow dancers, otherwise she left her alone for the most part.

Once again dinner rolled around, there was more catered food and again she saw Yoongi sitting off to the side by himself, she found it odd that he did that and wondered if it was like this all the time or just when she was there, maybe he didn’t want to interact with her, not that she said much. The rest of the members of the group got to know her fairly well, she looked forward to seeing them, but Yoongi was different and she could relate to that. This was only her third time here and yet she found herself still drawn to the man.

She grabbed her lunch from the fridge again and made her way over to him, once again an empty chair was next to him.

“Can I sit here?” She asked again.

Yoongi looked up at her for a moment before nodding and she sat, once again unloading her bag. She looked over at him, realizing now her initial thought would be stupid considering their food was always either catered or brought in, but there was no way she could eat two so…

“I uhh…made too much, would you like one?” Kalila offered, holding out the peanut butter and jelly sandwich she prepared for him.

It’d been a whim, but she couldn’t stop herself as she made her lunch the night before. She couldn’t stop thinking about him and for some reason, felt compelled to make him a sandwich, it never occurred to her that of course he would already have something, and she’d expected him to turn it down, but it didn’t stop her from doing it regardless.

Yoongi stopped eating and looked over at the sandwich and then up at her before shaking his head ‘no’.

“O-ok,” she said softly, feeling stupid for even asking, why would he want her lame sandwich when he has better food in front of him.

Kalila put the leftover sandwich in the bag and then finished the rest of hers along with her juice box. Once dinner was over, he stood up, giving her a small bow before heading back to the dancefloor and she sighed. She wished she had the courage to talk to him, but it felt like it was enough, sitting and eating with him when no one else would, it was enough for her, enough that she wasn’t eating alone.

~~~

Over the course of the next several weeks, she went with Nari to her practices, each time she would sit with Yoongi. Sometimes one or two of the members would join them, sometimes not, Nari never came over, but would always complain to her about how he wouldn’t speak to her and keep asking her why she would sit with him and not with her. She continued to bring her lunch, deciding to try to make some Korean dishes instead, something that she may have a better chance of sharing with him at some point.

Last night, she made japchae, she followed the recipe down to the tiniest detail and had tried it, it was ok, but something was missing, but she didn’t know what. She brought an extra serving, hoping that this time he would at least taste it.

So, there she was, in the corner, waiting for dinner so she could try to see if he would taste it this time. She’d heard he was really good at cooking, as was Jin, so the thought of him trying her food was intimidating, but she didn’t want to give up. Jin had already tried a few of her dishes and had said they were good, but also gave her tips on how to improve them.

An hour later, they finally took their break to eat and she grabbed her bag and slowly made her way over to Yoongi, to her surprise, he pushed the chair closer to her and she blinked, slowly sitting next to him. She unloaded her container with the japchae and another with pickled radishes and then hesitantly, she took out the second container, looking down at it and then up at Yoongi. Suddenly he looked up at her and she looked down quickly, clearing as she held the container out to him.

“I…I made too much japchae and so…I thought maybe you’d like…to try it?”

He stopped eating and reached out suddenly, taking the container from her.

“Thanks,” he said softly, starting to lift the lid.

Kalila’s eyes widened and she watched as he mixed it with his chopsticks and started eating. She looked away quickly, not wanting to be caught staring, but the whole time as she ate, she wondered what he thought. A few minutes later, he put the lid back on the container and handed it back to her. She looked up at him as he started gathering his empty cups and plates before standing.

“It needs more salt and more sesame oil, it’s a bit bland,” was all he said before walking off.

She blinked, watching him walk away before a huge smile spread over her face.

Three weeks later she was back, this time with some bulgolgi, she brought extra for him to try and as she followed Nari in, she waved at the guys and some of the other dancers who had finally started to warm up to her a bit. Kalila watched as everyone chatted a bit and she put her stuff in the fridge as she usually did and went to sit in the corner, when someone grabbed her wrist, she looked over to see Yoongi and her eyes widened.

“Yah, why are you always in the corner? C’mon,” he said, tugging her behind him out and off to the side. “You can sit here while we practice, alright? You don’t have to hide,” he said softly before releasing her wrist and making his way to the dancefloor with the members and dancers.

Kalila watched him in awe, and he stared at her expectantly. She hesitated a moment before slowly sitting where she was, and Yoongi nodded before joining the others. It was a completely different view up close like this and she could feel stares from some of the women stylists who didn’t like her from the moment she’d started coming, it was because of them she kept her distance. She looked over at Nari who was watching her, or more like glaring at her, her gaze heading over to Yoongi who was talking to Namjoon. Kalila sighed and settled in to watch.

About two hours later, she pulled her phone out, standing and making her way into the corner as she called her Mom. Ten minutes later, she hung up, sighing heavily. Her Mom sounded tired, dragged out, she knew she was getting worse, she could hear it in her voice. Kalila had been pulling double shifts at both of her jobs, so it didn’t leave her as much time as she used to.

It’d been almost a month since she last came, Nari kept pressuring her to come, but she had to decline and make money for her Mom. She was exhausted and it was a good thing she didn’t drive or else an accident would be inevitable today. Kalila knew she shouldn’t have come today, she should be home in bed sleeping, she had a full day of work tomorrow, but she wanted to see the guys, wanted to see him in particular.

They never really spoke much, just ate together, but she grew more and more comfortable around him each time they were with each other and there seemed to be an unsaid understanding. Whenever she would come, she’d sit next to him, she got the feeling he expected it and she no longer asked, but he always moved his chair over a bit when she arrived. Kalila desperately wanted to ask him for his number, but had been afraid he’d turn her down, he seemed so serious, so closed off. She didn’t know if them eating together over the course of several weeks qualified her as a friend of his. Tonight, what’d just happened, had been a first. He’d never pulled her from the corner to be front and center like this, did that mean something?

As the practice wore on, she felt herself getting sleepy and started nodding off, she couldn’t leave though, they hadn’t eaten yet. She let out a breath and suddenly there was a shadow over her and a bottle of water was set down in front of her and she looked up to see Yoongi walking away from her. She smiled a bit, reaching out to take the frosty bottle of water, opening it and taking a sip.

They finally broke for dinner and she hurried to get her bag and headed over, her eyes widening when she saw Yoongi moving a small table over, setting his stuff down on it and then setting another chair next to his. He looked up and saw her and motioned with his head for her to come over.

“You’re gonna sit with me, right?” He said.

Nodding, she hurried over, sitting in the chair and he followed. She put the bag up and started unloading the containers, sliding a large sized one over to him. “I made some bulgolgi and I brought you some.”

Yoongi took the container and stood, heading over to the microwave and warming it up before coming back and sitting. He pulled a bag from out of nowhere and set it in her lap, “For you, I made it.”

She blinked, looking in the bag, there were several containers. She looked as Yoongi took her portion of bulgolgi along with his, going to warm it up. Kalila started taking the containers out, setting them down on the table before setting the bag down. Yoongi came back, opening the containers.

“What about your…”

“You eat that, I’ll eat this,” he said before walking off towards the table to get something.

Kalila looked down at the containers, there were all kinds of foods, she was trying to decipher what he’d made as he came back, setting two bowls of rice down in front of them.

“It’s kimchi fried rice, pork cutlet and some kimbap,” Yoongi said as he sat, putting two bottles of Coke down for them as well. “Sit, eat,” he stated.

Slowly she sat, looking over at him, “You’re not gonna have any of this?”

He looked up at her, raising an eyebrow, “I told you, I made it for you.”

“All of this just for me?”

“Ne,” was all he said as he started eating the bulgolgi she’d made.

She stilled, now feeling anxious, it was all he was eating, what if it was bad?

“Don’t!” She yelled suddenly.

“Too late,” Yoongi said, shoving some in his mouth along with some rice.

Kalila gasped, watching him in fear. He chewed slowly and lifted his head to look at her, nodding a bit.

“It’s good,” he said, reaching out to grab more before motioning to someone.

Jin came over, “Wae? Oh, hi Kalila ssi,” he smiled.

She swallowed hard and gave him a weak smile.

Yoongi held out one of the containers to him, “Try that.”

“Ooo where’d you get that from?” Jin asked, as he grabbed some and shoved it in his mouth, his eyes lit up, “Mmmm, masissneun!”

Yoongi nodded, “Mmm hmm, Lila made it.”

Kalila looked over at him, Lila?

“You’ve improved, this is really good!” He smiled, looking off, a faraway look in his eyes suddenly, “It reminds me of a farm, with cows grazing in the pasture during sunset in the middle of spring, well done!” Jin said, as he reached into the other container and took more.

Kalila blinked, frowning in confusion, what?

“Yah, it’s mine, no more,” Yoongi said, pulling the containers close to him.

Jin looked at Yoongi and then at Kalila and smiled, “Uh huh, ok,” he chuckled as he walked off.

A few minutes later, one by one, each of the members came by to try some of the bulgolgi until Yoongi set the containers on his lap, giving warning looks to anyone who tried to come back for seconds. She was in awe as she watched him horde the food to himself, but she knew the feeling, his food was amazing, the cutlet was crisp and juicy, the fried rice spicy and flavorful and the kimbaps were cool and refreshing.

“This is really good Lila, Jin ssi was right, you’ve definitely gotten better,” Yoongi said, shoving some rice in his mouth.

“Lila?” She blurted out.

“Mmm, that’s what I’m calling you from now on, my nickname for you, don’t let any of the other guys call you that,” he stated, looking up at her and giving her a pointed look before putting more bulgolgi in his mouth along with some kimchi he swiped from the table.

Kalila felt giddy laughter bubble up, no one had given her a nickname before.

“Why are you always bringing your lunch? You could just have what we get here,” Yoongi said suddenly.

“Huh? Oh, well it’s just cheaper and I’m trying to learn how to cook more to save money, besides, that food is for you and your dancers, I don’t feel right eating it,” she shrugged, not used to him speaking to her like this.

“Mmm, I see. You haven’t been by in a few weeks,” he said suddenly.

She stopped, her chopsticks still in , she didn’t think he’d even realize.

“Yeah, been working a lot.”

Yoongi looked up at her, “You look exhausted,” he said softly.

“Mmm, working double shifts, this is the first time I had an evening off in a few weeks so…I didn’t think anyone would notice if I didn’t come by.”

“I noticed,” Yoongi said, putting more kimchi in his mouth as he watched her carefully as if trying to figure something out.

Kalila didn’t know what to say, but continued to eat quietly, she could feel his gaze on her, and she tried hard not to squirm.

“Let me see your phone,” Yoongi said suddenly.

“Huh?” She said, full of rice.

“Your phone...ppali,” he pressed, holding his hand out.

She dug through her purse and got her phone out, unlocked it and then handed it to him. He took it and started messing with it, after a few minutes, he handed it back to her and then picked up his as it started to vibrate, typing something in it before setting it back down and starting to eat again.

“Will you be coming by next week?” He asked suddenly.

“Uhh, well if Nari invites me then…”

“I’m inviting you, so you can come by, right?” Yoongi cut her off suddenly.

Kalila she looked over at him, “S-sure.”

“Ok then,” he nodded.

~~~

The Following Week

Yoongi looked at the door each time it opened, waiting for her to arrive, but it was close to the start of practice and still no sign of her. To that, Nari hadn’t arrived yet, so there was still time, but he was getting worried, he had that feeling he often got when something was going to happen.

Pushing the nagging feeling away, he sighed and sat on the floor, looking at his phone. He pulled up their thread of txt messages, he’d texted her last night confirming she would be here today and she’d said yes. Yoongi hadn’t told her he’d put his number in her phone, but he’d done it that one day, he didn’t want to have all the stupid formalities of asking for her number and all that, so he’d just done it. When he texted her, he could tell her surprise and he kind of liked having that advantage over her for that moment. Honestly, he kinda of liked her.

The past several weeks getting to know her and have her sit with him during dinner, had been a surprise, a pleasant surprise. Granted, he’d been rather aloof and cold to her in the beginning, knowing she was friends with Nari did no earn her any bonus points and so he’d been extremely skeptical of her, just as he was with anyone new he met, but even more so with her. It wasn’t until she asked to sit with him while he ate alone, making sure to keep his distance from Nari after their last conversation, did he give her any consideration that she may be worth knowing.

The members all knew to leave him alone when he got like that, but she didn’t know him and she’d come over and asked to sit with him. She didn’t try to engage him in conversation, just ate quietly, and her presence had been annoying initially, but somehow also welcomed by him grudgingly.

Once she figured out he’d put his number in his phone and that it was really him, she’d been open to talking to him. They didn’t text often, and she never started, it was always him reaching out to her, which annoyed and pleased him at the same time. He didn’t want a woman who would be clingy and suffocating, but he also wanted her to show some interest. While Yoongi was never the type to beg, he found himself thinking about her often, wondering what she was doing and how she was.

Last week when she was there, she looked different, off. There was something going on, but he didn’t know what. She’d looked ragged, extremely lethargic and there was something on her mind, he could tell. He’d noticed that early on, even though they mostly just ate together, there was an underlining tension, stress about her, she always seemed alert, always checking her phone, walking off to make a call here and there and after, her stress level always seemed higher.

The prior week, after she made her call, he could detect a faint sheen of tears in her eyes and then she’d practically fallen asleep sitting up, nothing new to him or anyone here, that was their life typically, which meant deep and utter exhaustion. While he knew why they were, the fact that she was, worried and bothered him. It wasn’t as if there were anything he could do, but the bottle of water had been something, anything to make him feel like he was helping her with the mysterious stressor in her life.

The door opened again and in walked Nari, smiling at everyone, the door closed after her, she was alone. Where was Lilia? Yoongi pulled up his messaging app and then opened the thread.

Lilia? Nari just got here, where are you?

Lila? Hey answer me

Are you coming?

Panic took him and he stood, walking over to where Nari was setting her bag down and talking to the other dancers.

“Hey, where’s Lila?’ Yoongi said suddenly, interrupting her conversation.

She looked over at him and smiled sweetly, “Hi Suga.”

“Where is she?”

Nari shrugged, “I dunno, but hey, it’s nice to have talking to me again.”

“What do you mean you don’t know? She usually comes with you, you drive her here with you right?”

“Yeah, and?”

“Well, where is she then?”

“I told you I don’t know, I went to pick her up, she never came out so…”

Yoongi blinked, “And you didn’t even bother asking her what was wrong?”

“Why would I? We’re friends, but I don’t keep track of her life, she works and takes care of her Mom, I don’t really…”

“Wait, what? Her Mom? What about her Mom?”

Nari tilted her head to the side, “You don’t know? Well I’m not gonna tell you.”

“Yah, Nari…”

She smiled suddenly, “I’ll tell you if you agree to go out on a date with me, c’mon Yoongi oppa, I just want…”

“What about her Mom?” Yoongi said quietly, trying hard to keep his temper in check.

“Nu uh, not until you agree to…”

“Yah! What about her Mom, tell me now,” he demanded coldly, his voice raising from its typical even tone.

Nari looked at him and then sighed, agitation growing on her face, “Her Mom is sick ok? She’s got some kinda heart issue or whatever, needs surgery or something.”

Yoongi felt his heart drop, “And?”

Nari rolled her eyes, “And…what?”

He continued to stare expectantly at her, and she sighed heavily.

“She texted me a little while ago and said she had to rush her Mom to emergency, something happening with her heart and that’s all I know.”

He felt his anger rise, “And you come here while she’s at the hospital with her Mom? You let her deal with it herself?”

“So?! What do you want me to do? Hold her hand, work for her? I have my own problems ok? She’s handling it, she works to make money, so she’ll just have the surgery earlier than expected, no big deal. I can’t be concerned about her right now anyway.”

“But you can ask me out for a date again?”

Nari shrugged, “This is a problem for me, getting you to go out with me is a problem I’m trying to solve, why not let me off the hook huh? C’mon, I’ll make it worth your while,” she smiled, running her hand up his arm.

Yoongi flinched, reaching out to push her hand off his arm, “What hospital?”

Nari put her hands on her hips, anger flaring in her eyes, “I don’t know,” she stated stubbornly.

“What hospital?!” Yoongi yelled finally, frustrated and fed up with her games, causing Nari to flinch, her eyes widening.

The studio went quiet and Namjoon made his way over.

“Yoongi hyung? What’s going on?” He looked over at Nari and frowned, “Nari ssi, what’s happening?”

“I don’t…”

“You brought her here, used her to try to make you look better in my eyes, used her and now when she needs you, you’re too self-absorbed to help her out? This is the exact reason I want nothing to do with you, you’re selfish and a narcissist, that is why I ignore you,” he said coldly.

“Opp…”

“I am not going to ask you again, what hospital is she at?” He asked with deadly calm, his eyes boring into hers with barely repressed rage.

Tears welled up in her eyes and she crossed her arms over her chest, looking off and Yoongi clenched his fists and Namjoon put a calming hand to his shoulder lightly before looking over at Nari.

“Answer now Nari ssi,” Namjoon said coolly.

She looked at Namjoon, pleading with her eyes for him to understand and he shook his head, “Answer.”

“Asan Medical Center,” she spat coldly, looking at Yoongi.

Then he was moving, making his way over to get his coat and his bag and the other bag.

“Hyung, you want me to come with you?” Jimin said, appearing at his side suddenly, worry on his face.

“Ani Jimin, I’ll go,” Jin said suddenly.

Yoongi shook his head, “Ani, I will go alone, you guys stay and practice, I’ll be back when I can,” he said as he went to explain to their choreographer and then to J-Hope and the rest of the members before hurrying out the door.

~~~

Kalila sat in the padded chair, waiting. It’d been two hours since they brought her Mom in for emergency heart surgery and she’d been sitting there the whole time by herself. What was she going to do? Her Mom was her world, she couldn’t be here without her, she wasn’t prepared for life without her Mom.

She slumped back, wishing she knew what was going on, wishing she had answers, wishing she wasn’t so scared. Sighing, she fought against the hunger, she hadn’t eaten anything all day. After getting off work, she went home and was preparing dinner to bring tonight, but then her Mom had started complaining of chest pains and then she had to call, Nari texted her telling her she was waiting for her, but she’d barely had time to tell her what was going on as they were wheeling her Mom in at that time and Nari never responded after that and she turned her phone off after, knowing no one would be calling her. She’d been up for thirteen hours straight, she was tired, hungry and her nerves were frayed.

Kalila knew she should go out to try to get something to eat, but everything was closed this late aside from convenience stores and she didn’t want to leave in case someone told her something. She could barely focus and yet she couldn’t stop thinking of her Mom. She wiped at her eyes, sitting up and slumping forward again, burying her head in her hands, six hours, they told her it would take six hours, what was she going to do?

Stilling, she felt another presence and opened her eyes to see feet in front of her. Slowly she lifted her head, her eyes widening.

“Y-Yoongi,” she whispered.

Standing before her, bags in hand, was Min Yoongi, looking down at her in worry and concern.

“Yah, why didn’t you reply to my texts? Why didn’t you tell me what was going on?”

She stared at him, what was he doing there? How did he even know?

Shaking his head, he set one of the bags on the table, starting to unload it, setting various containers down before setting the bag down on the floor and the bag he had slung over his shoulder, he set on the couch before he sat next to her, pulling the table up close.

“I know you’re starving, so we’re gonna eat,” he explained.

He grabbed a package of chopsticks, opening it, breaking them apart and then handing them to her. She stared at them then back up at him, she couldn’t understand why he was there. Yoongi started taking the lids off the containers and a huge tray of lettuce leaves, pushing them close to her.

“Eat,” he stated.

Taking a shaky breath, she went to stand to sit across from him, when he reached out, taking her wrist and preventing her from moving.

“Just stay there, you don’t have to move,” he said quietly.

She sat back down, feeling slightly dazed and they ate quietly. Kalila was starving and it felt good to eat, but as she continued to eat, her appetite that seemed so expansive, ended up not being so much and while she tried to enjoy it, her mind was racing, she couldn’t really focus, even on food.

After a few minutes, they both finished and she tried to help him clean up, but he wouldn’t allow for it. He came back a short time later after throwing some things out and sat down next to her. There was silence for a few minutes before he started speaking.

“What is your Mom having done exactly?”

“Bypass surgery,” she said quietly.

“How long is the procedure?”

“Six hours.”

“And how long has it been?”

“Two.”

“You’re all by yourself? There’s no one that can help you?”

Kalila let out a breath, hanging her head, “No.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Yoongi asked again softly.

She shook her head, “I’m not…I don’t do that very well, I don’t share.”

“I understand that, I do, I’m the same. Something like this though, you shouldn’t do it alone, this is too much.”

“I’ve been doing it this way for the last six years, even before my Dad died, it’s always been me and Mom, I know no other way.”

Yoongi sighed, “What about Nari?”

Kalila shrugged, “She knew, she’s known for a while, but I’ve learned not to expect anything from her. Her needs and desires are completely selfish, that’s how she is. I don’t want her to come here out of obligation, but because she wants to be, which she obviously doesn’t, I’m better off without her and alone.”

She buried her face in her hands, anxiety taking her over as she felt closing. She could feel the comforting heat from his body, just his calming presence and her body felt the tension reach it’s boiling point, the fact that someone was there and seemed to actually care and was asking and suddenly everything just started spilling from her lips.

“I don’t know what to do Yoongi, it’s so much, too much. How am I going to do this? I don’t know what I’m doing, I don’t know the first thing about taking care of someone after major heart surgery. I can’t afford to take time off work and I can’t afford to have someone come in and take care of her, I can’t even afford this surgery. I’ve been saving up, but it’s not enough, not nearly enough, I can’t work enough, there’s not enough hours in the day and I’m s-so tired…Yoongi, what am I going to d-do?” she whimpered, her body starting to shake with unreleased emotion. “I d-don’t know how to help her, she’s my Mom, I want to take care of her and I’m not doing such a g-good job of it, after all she’s done for me. I don’t know…w-what t-to do…what if…what if she doesn’t s-survive? I d-don’t, I don’t know how to be without her,” she cried, burying her face in her hands, the weight of everything finally weighing her down.

She felt an arm around her shoulders pull her back and she fell back to the couch as warmth surrounded her.

“Shhh, it’s going to be ok, you’re not alone anymore ok? We’ll take care of it together ok? Aish, I’m sorry you’ve had to deal with it alone all this time,” Yoongi whispered softly, pressing her head to his shoulder gently.

Kalila started crying in front of who was still for the most part, a stranger. It felt good to not be alone and even if it didn’t mean beyond right now, this moment, she wasn’t alone right now and that’s what mattered. Reaching out, needing that physical touch, she slid her arm around his shoulder, burying her face in his neck as she cried harder, the fear and anxiety pouring from her. She barely felt herself being pulled against a warm body and arms wrap around her waist, holding her gently.

“It’s gonna be ok jagi, I’m here with you now.”

~~~

“Morgan Kalila ssi? Kalila ssi?”

She heard a soft voice and someone gently shaking her. Slowly she opened her eyes to see the apologetic eyes of a woman looking back at her warmly. She immediately became alert or tried to at least.

“Y-yes? I’m sorry, my Mom, how is my Mom?” She said frantically, rubbing at her eyes.

The woman smiled, “The surgery is over, everything went well, she’s in post op right now, you’ll be able to visit her soon.”

It felt like the weight of the world had been lifted, her eyes welling up fast and spilling over.

“R-really?”

The woman’s smile grew warmer in understanding, “Ne.”

“Oh, thank you, thank you so much,” she said softly.

“We’ll let you know when you can go in and see her,” the woman nodded, patting her arm gently before walking off.

Kalila watched her walk away and the tears streamed steadily down her cheeks. She looked around and saw she’d fallen asleep, Yoongi’s arm protectively around her, her head on his shoulder this whole time. Feeling embarrassed and even a bit weak from the warmth and comfort of his touch, she carefully sat up, trying not to wake him.

She reached out, grabbing a napkin from the table where they’d left them from the night before and wiped at her eyes. Kalila didn’t know why she felt like crying, it’d been good news, but she couldn’t help but want to cry. Her Mom was going to be ok, it was going to be a long road ahead, but she was ok. It gave her the drive to work harder, she’d find a way to take care of her and to work at the same time, she’d figure out something.

Her Mom was ok.

Tears flowed heavier and she covered with her hands to try to muffle the sobs. Suddenly there was warmth again, blessed warmth as she was drawn into arms and held tightly.

“She’s gonna be ok,” she whispered, holding him tightly. “Thank you for…being here.”

~~~

“I’m doing ok Mom, really,” Kalila smiled softly at her Mom.

Didn’t matter she was in a hospital bed, she still worried about her, even after having major surgery.

“Are you eating and sleeping? Stop working so much ok?” Her Mom said weakly.

“Mom, don’t worry about me, we need to get you better.”

Her Mom waved her off, “It’s always about me, let’s talk about you. Have you had lunch yet?”

“No not yet.”

Just then there was a knock on the door, and it opened and in walked one of the orderly’s with lunch for her Mom. He set the tray down for her and then left.

“Want some?” Her Mom smirked.

“As tempting as it is, I’ll pass thanks,” Kalila chuckled, looking at her Mom lovingly.

It’d been close, but the Dr told her he expected her to make a full recovery, it’ll take time, but with patience and care, she would be ok, may even be able to do some of the things she used to. Kalila hadn’t seen Yoongi since that night as he was busy with practice and work, but they texted a lot and he checked in on her several times a day, always asking about her Mom and how she was doing.

She hadn’t heard from Nari since the night everything happened and while she wasn’t surprised, she was disappointed. Yoongi, the one who was busier than both of them combined, still found time to check in with her and keep in touch, she found it pretty amazing. To that, the rest of the members had contacted her to see how her and her Mom were after Yoongi got the ok to give her number to them, she’d been overwhelmed with the well wishes and support. Kalila really no longer felt alone.

“Why don’t you go get something to eat?” Her Mom asked, lifting the lid and seeing some questionable something on her plate, frowning.

“No, I think I’ll just watch you enjoy your lunch Mom of mine,” Kalila smirked evilly.

Her Mom gave her a look and sighed, picking up the fork and carefully scooping some up and putting it in , sighing.

Just then, there was another knock at the door and they both waited for the person to enter, but they never did. Kalila shrugged, figuring the person left, when there was another knock and then another.

“Are you expecting anyone?” Kalila asked her Mom.

Her Mom shook her head, “No, no one. A few of my friends came by earlier, but no one else.”

There was another knock and Kalila stood heading to the door, opening it, her eyes widening.

“Yoongi!”

He looked slightly embarrassed, “I hope I’m not interrupting anything, I shouldn’t have kept knocking, I just realized you may be busy with your Mom and…” he said softly, rubbing at the back of his neck.

“No, not at all! It’s good to see you,” Kalila smiled warmly, her heart pounding wildly.

“I won’t keep you, I just stopped by to give you this cause I know you probably won’t eat and it’s lunch time,” Yoongi said suddenly, holding up a bag.

“What’s this?”

“Lunch, just some stuff Jin and I threw together for you,” Yoongi shrugged.

“You brought me lunch again? You didn’t have to do that Yoongi,” she said softly, looking up at him, smiling thankfully.

“It’s not a big deal.”

“It is, thank you, you literally don’t have time for this,” she frowned.

He shrugged again.

“Honey? Who is it?” Her Mom asked softly.

Kalila looked at Yoongi and grinned, “Come in, meet my Mom.”

His eyes widened and he looked away shyly, “Well uh…”

“C’mon, she’d love to meet you, we’re friends right?”

Yoongi looked up at her, staring at her for a moment before nodding, “Ne.”

“Ok then,” she took the bag from him with one hand and then took his hand with the other, pulling him into the room.

They made their way over to the bed, her Mom looking at Yoongi in curiosity.

“Mom, this is Min Yoongi, Yoongi, this is my Mom.”

“Ohh Yoongi, my daughter has talked a lot about you, it’s nice to finally meet you,” Her Mom smiled.

Yoongi bowed ninety degrees, “Hello, nice to meet you.”

“I want to thank you for all you’ve done for my daughter, I really appreciate it. She’s alone a lot and I can’t do things with her like I used to. It’s nice to know she’s got good friends around her,” her Mom smiled.

Yoongi smiled softly, “I don’t mind at all, nothing to thank me for.”

“Look Mom, Yoongi brought lunch so I can eat with you.”

“Ohh that’s very kind of you. Why don’t you eat with us?” Her Mom suggested suddenly, her face lighting up.

Kalila looked over at Yoongi and smiled encouragingly, “We’d love it if you joined us Yoongi.”

“I don’t want to interrupt.”

“Not at all, pull up a chair, two of us should be able to eat well at least,” Her Mom sighed.

After they finished, it was decided to let her Mom rest, much to the dismay of her Mom, who while looked tired, still wanted to talk.

“C’mon Mom, I’ll visit again later ok? You need to rest.”

“I hate this, I hate being bound to this bed.”

“I know, but the sooner you rest, the sooner you can get out,” Kalila said quietly.

Her Mom sighed and nodded before looking over at Yoongi, “Thanks again and thanks for bringing lunch for my daughter. Tell your friend the food was delicious, you two should consider opening a restaurant.”

Yoongi chuckled and bowed, “Thank you.”

Her Mom looked between the two and smiled contently, “You two would make a cute couple.”

Kalila’s eyes widned, “Mom!”

Yoongi cleared his throat, smirking.

“What? I was just saying; you look good together.”

“Ok Mom, we’re leaving now,” Kalila said, grabbing her purse off the chair.

“Are you single Yoongi?” Her Mom asked, looking over at him, grinning broadly.

“Ne.”

“Now’s your chance Kalila! Didn’t you tell me you thought he was cute?”

Her eyes almost fell out her head, the heat rising on her cheeks as she gave her Mom a quick kiss on the cheek before she hurried for the door, Yoongi following slowly behind, “Ok we’re really going Mom, I’ll be back later.”

“Nice to meet you Yoongi,” her Mom said softly.

Yoongi bowed again, “Likewise.”

They stepped out the room and shut the door behind them and she looked around uncomfortably, but she could feel his eyes on her.

“Th-thanks for coming by and for meeting my Mom Yoongi, it means a lot,” Kalila said softly, looking up him finally, to find him watching her closely.

“You don’t need to thank me Lila, we’re…friends, right?”

She nodded and smiled a bit, “Yes we are.”

~~~

A Month Later

“Ok Mom, I’m gonna go get the paperwork taken care of and I’ll meet you outside and I’ll get a taxi for us, ok?” Kalila said, as she started for the door.

Her Mom nodded and the nurse came in to help her get ready as Kalila left the room and headed towards the cashier to pay the bill. Sighing, she dug through her purse as she headed to the window, giving her Mom’s name to the cashier, pulling her wallet out and grabbing her only credit card and took a calming breath and handed it to the cashier.

“Ok, so…” the cashier said, looking some things over on the computer.

Kalila took a breath and blinked when the cashier shook her head, waving the card off.

“There’s no need, balance has been paid for,” she announced, printing out the paperwork.

“Huh? That can’t be,” Kalila said, frowning in confusion. “I think you have the wrong person.”

“You’re here for Morgan Cadence?”

Kalila blinked, “Yes.”

“Then it is correct, your bill has been paid in full, if you could just sign the discharge papers here please as her caretaker,” the cashier said.

Kalila took the paper, staring blankly at it, she saw the amount and that there was zero balance due.

She looked back up at the cashier, “Can I ask, who paid for it?”

The cashier looked at the screen again and then back at her, “Min Yoongi ssi.”

Tears welled up fast, spilling down her cheeks rapidly, her body starting to tremble. The cashier blinked, her features softening as she reached out and grabbed a tissue, handing it to her.

“Are you ok?”

Kalila looked up at the cashier, tears steadily streaming down her cheeks.

“Ma’am?”

Her hands shook as she signed the paperwork and handed it to her and nodded, “Yes, I’m…I’m ok.”

Turning, she headed back down the hall towards her Mom’s room. Her mind was racing, paid, it was paid in full, the surgery, the month hospital stay, it was all paid for. With shaky hands, she put the card back in her wallet, or tried to, she dropped it a few times before finally achieving her goal and then heading into her Mom’s room.

She wheeled her Mom out to the curb and fumbled with her phone, pulling up the contact information for the taxi company she frequently used.

“Kalila? Honey what’s wrong? You’re white as a sheet and you haven’t said much since you got me in the room, are you ok? I know you’re worried honey, but we’ll make it through, please don’t stress too much. I never wanted to be a burden to you…”

Kalila hurried around to the front of the wheelchair, looking at her Mom who’s eyes were now teary as well. “Listen to me Mom, you are never, NEVER a burden, do you understand? I’d do anything for you, y-you never burden me, ok?”

Her Mom smiled shakily, “But the bill..”

Kalila shook her head, “I-it’s ok Mom, we’re gonna be ok…it’s…it’s been taken care of.”

Her Mom blinked, “What do you mean?”

“Don’t worry about it now, let’s just get home and comfortable,” she whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks again.

“Kalila? Why are you crying baby?” Her Mom asked suddenly, reaching out to wipe at her cheeks, worry filling her features.

She shook her head clasping her hand in and giving it a squeeze and gently letting it go and stood, looking back on her phone to dial the taxi.

“Excuse me, Morgan Cadence?”

Kalila looked up at the person standing in front of them now.

“Yes, I’m Cadence Morgan,” Her Mom said, worry in her voice.

The man bowed, “I’m here to pick you up and take you home.”

Her Mom looked up at her and Kalila shook her head in confusion.

“We haven’t even called for a taxi yet,” Kalila frowned.

“I am not here from a taxi company, I’m here from Seoul Recuperation Services and In-Home Care, I’m in charge of taking your Mom home and helping to aid in her recuperation. I will be her personal aid for the duration,” the man bowed again.

“W-we didn’t…” Her Mom stated, worry evident in her voice, knowing neither could afford that.

“I-I didn’t, there must be some mistake,” Kalila said, “I did not request or pay for this.”

The man shook his head, “It is all taken care of, I was advised to show you this,” he said, holding out paperwork.

Kalila took the paperwork and saw her Mom’s name on top and her name listed as primary caretaker and that her Mom was to have 24 hour services to help with recovery until stated by physician no longer needed and that services had already been paid in full. She turned the page to see the person who’d paid and once again, the name Min Yoongi was listed.

She felt lightheaded as she held onto the handles of the wheelchair for support.

“Kalila? Honey is everything ok?” Her Mom asked, turning in the chair to look up at her, her eyes widening, “What’s going on? You’re gonna pass out, sit do…”

“I’m ok Mom, it’s…it’s gonna be ok. We’re ok to go with this man,” was all Kalila said.

Her Mom looked at her in worry and then over at the man who bowed and then carefully took the wheelchair from Kalila and wheeled her Mom over to a waiting van and helped her get loaded in.

~~~

That Night

She barreled her way into the room, it’d been over a month since she was last there, but nothing changed. Kalila recognized the dancers and the stylists who wanted nothing to do with her, they were all looking at her as she stood, looking around for the one person she was there to see.

Her gaze scanned the room and then stopped when she saw him in the middle of the dancefloor, talking to Jungkook. Suddenly he looked over and he saw her, and he stared at her as she made her way over briskly walking towards him. Jungkook after seeing the intensity in his eyes, took a couple steps back and she stopped in front of Yoongi, her breathing hard, her eyes welling up in tears.

Yoongi said nothing to her, just stared at her. She balled up her hand into a fist and smacked him on the chest once and then again and again.

“Just what do you think you’re doing huh? H-how? How could you do that for me? For us? What were you thinking?!” She yelled, continuing to hit him weakly.

He continued to stand there, just watching her, a soft smile on his lips, his heart in his eyes.

“How am I ever supposed to repay you? W-what am I supposed to do with this? How could you be th-this great? H-how could you…” she whimpered, as she fell against him, burying her face in his chest as she openly started sobbing, her cries ringing throughout the quiet room as everyone looked on.

Kalila wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tightly, holding onto the man who’d saved her Mom’s and in turn, saved her life as well.

“I-it’s t-too much for you…how…” she sobbed.

“I…took care of the hospital and the members took care of the in-home care, they wanted to help,” Yoongi whispered in her ear.

Slowly she pulled away, looking over at the members who were watching her, smiles on their faces and she made her way over, hugging them each tightly, thanking them profusely before making her way back over to Yoongi who looked at her, his eyes suspiciously wet. She stared at him her heart filling with love for the man who’d stayed by her in her darkest hour and who’d taken the time to make sure her and her Mom were going to be ok.

Smiling, her feet and her heart propelled her forward, taking her Mom’s advice she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his. She felt him still in shock and then suddenly his arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her body close to his as he held her tightly and the room erupted in cheers.

Carefully she pulled her lips from his, “I love you Yoongi,” she whispered.

Yoongi smiled and leaned in by her ear, “I love you too Lila,” he said, hugging her close.

Her heart felt full and finally she was no longer alone.