Being in the queue to clear customs and then having to wait to collect your luggage was an excruciatingly horrible experience for you. You constantly felt like the ground was going to swallow you up but somehow, you found the will to keep yourself going. You were currently sitting on a bench, in the arrival hall of the airport, waiting for Kibum to come back. He had gone off in search of water the moment he had set you down on the bench and made you promise not to go anywhere. It wasn’t like you were in any condition to run off, but you decided against any smart comments. Even though you felt crappy, you would only feel even worse if you snapped at the person who was kind enough to stay with you. You lowered your head and rested your head in your hands, which were perched on your thighs.

“Here. Drink this. You’ll feel better in no time.” You looked up and saw a bottle of isotonic drink right in your face. You mumbled your thanks and took it before struggling to open the bottle. He sighed and grabbed the bottle from your hands, twisting the cap open easily and handing it back to you. You downed a mouthful or two and waited for a few minutes before repeating the process. You remembered your doctor telling you that gulping down huge amounts of liquid at one time would only succeed in making you feel bloated instead of rehydrating you.

After watching you for about 30 minutes, he finally spoke again. “You look much better now. Your colour is coming back. Do you feel better? Do you want to go to a hospital?”

You shook you head and even waved your hands in front of you. “No no. I don’t need the hospital. I’m feeling much better already.” He narrowed his eyes and looked at you suspiciously. He reminded you of Soojin when he did that. “Thank you for staying with me and helping me even after what happened in the plane. You remind me of my best friend.” You smiled at the mention of Soojin.

“Well, we are friends, aren’t we?” He asked.

“I guess, we could be.” You said hesitantly, wondering where he was going with this.

“Then you don’t have to thank me. I just did what any friend would do. But don’t you think that after all this,-” He gestured with his hands. “that you owe me an explanation of some sort?”

“What?” Your eyes widened.

“You don’t actually expect me to believe that you got so dehydrated just from the flight alone right? I was seating right beside you the entire time and I saw you drinking water during your meals. I mean, even if you didn’t drink enough, you wouldn’t be so dehydrated until the extent of getting dizzy spells.” You cursed the fact that he was so observant and sharp. “I’m not a doctor but I’m not stupid either, -------.” He said and looked at you pointedly. “Will you tell me? Or are you going to shut me out again?”

A mental debate had sparked off in your head. Part of you wanted to trust him, to tell him everything, but the other part of you wanted nothing to do with him. You looked at him and saw nothing but genuine concern in his eyes. In that instant, you decided that you would trust him.

You sighed and he took it as a sign that you didn’t want to talk so he just gathered his things and stood up, preparing to leave. You reached out and grasped his wrist, making him turn and look at you with surprise. You tugged his wrist gently. He took the hint and quickly sat down beside you again.

“Honestly, I don’t know where to start.” You fiddled with your fingers in your lap.

“Start from the beginning then. If you’re worried about the time, I have all day.” He said kindly.

“Just don’t think badly of my after I tell you. Ok?”

“I won’t.” He promised.

You went on to tell him about everything that had happened to you. It was just like the time you had to tell your mom but this time, you left out Junhyung’s name. He was an idol after all and Kibum was going to be one too. You didn’t want Kibum to feel awkward if they ever met, it would just be really unfair to the both of them. After all, regardless of whether Junhyung was a good friend or not, he was still undeniably talented at what he did.

When you were done, Kibum had a very hard look in his eyes and his fists were clenched tightly on his lap. You felt slightly afraid seeing him like that. “Did you friend’s boyfriend, Seyong is it?” You nodded. “Did he manage to punch the guy for you?” He questioned.

“No. I asked him not to. I don’t want him to get into trouble because of me.” You answered truthfully.

“Can’t you tell me who the guy is?” He suddenly took your hands in his and pleaded.

You shook your head firmly and pressed your lips into a thin line. “I absolutely will not.”

He mock punched his fist into the palm of his other hand and rubbed his fist menacingly. “He’s lucky that you won’t tell me his name. If not….” He didn’t even bother to finish his sentence. The smirk on his face told you enough anyway. A shiver ran down your spine.

“Remind me never to anger you.” You shuddered again.

“Oh don’t worry. I don’t hit girls.” He gave you a smile that looked so innocent, you almost believed it.

“Can you give me a hint though? Pleasepleaseplease!!” He went from innocent to adorable. You were wrong. He didn’t have a split personality. He had multiple personalities!

“Oh alright. The only thing that I will say is that he’s in the entertainment industry too.” You gave him a meaningful look, which of course, he understood.

He nodded, thinking. “Now I understand why you won’t tell me. I guess I should thank you for that. I feel like a fool now, knowing that I can’t possibly do anything for you.”

“Don’t say that. You’ve already done a lot, especially since we only met less than a day ago.” You stated and stood up. “Come on. Let’s get out of here. I’m perfectly fine now.”

“Wait. Where are you staying?”

“Umm. I’m going to stay at a backpacker’s hostel until I earn enough money and find a nice place off-campus to rent. On-campus living is covered under my scholarship but it’s definitely out of the question for me.”

“You’re going to stay at a backpacker’s hostel?! Are you being serious right now??” He asked you incredulously.

“Are you going to yell at me if I say ‘yes’?” You asked nervously.

“Goodness. You really are serious aren’t you.” He groaned. “Ok, forget it. You’re coming with me.” He suddenly stood up and grabbed your wrist, pulling you along with him.

You tugged his arm by pulling your arm back and he slowed, looking back at you. “Wait! Where are we going?”

“We’re going to my place.” He deadpanned.

Your eyes widened and you stopped dead in your tracks. “What?! Why?!”

He sighed and stopped before turning back to face you. “I know it’s a little sudden but please don’t freak out and think I’m some strange ert. I’m staying in an apartment off-campus and I have a guest room. Since you don’t have a place to stay, I just thought you could stay with me. Anyway, I don’t feel safe leaving you alone. You seem to need constant supervision. Quite frankly, from what you told me alone, I don’t know how your best friend let you leave Korea alone.”

“That’s just mean. She trusts me. That’s how.” You said, only slightly offended.

“Really now.” He cocked his head and arched an eyebrow at you. “I wonder how she would feel about what happened just now then...” He trailed off and tapped his lower lip with his index finger.

“I wasn’t planning on telling her about that.” You huffed and pouted.

He smirked, knowing that he had won. “Come on then.” He grabbed your wrist again.

“Wait!” You said again just as he was about to lead you off.

“What now?” He turned his head and looked at you with an annoyed expression.

“Erm.. You don’t happen to have anything pumpkin with you, do you? I have this sudden insatiable craving for them.” You said, sheepishly.

He looked at you with an impatient look and for a moment, you were worried that he would lose his cool and start yelling. Thankfully, he had more self-control than you thought. “And why would I have anything pumpkin in my bag? I just got off the same plane as you if you forgot.”

You pouted. “Sorry. I don’t usually blurt things out like this. I just really have to eat pumpkin.” You frowned a little when you heard yourself. Your cravings were getting weirder and weirder everytime.

Kibum sighed. “Oh alright. Let’s just go put down our stuff at the house first and then we can take care of that craving of yours. How does that sound?” He had no idea why he felt so compelled to be nice to you. Normally, he would get annoyed and tell the person to piss off, but he just couldn’t when it came to you. When it came to you, he just felt like he had to protect you.

“Sounds good! Yay!” You smiled and did a tiny fist pump. Kibum couldn’t help but laugh and shake his head at your actions.

“Ok. Quick! Let’s go!” You pushed him forward, urging him to lead the way. He laughed and reached behind to wrap his fingers around your wrist again. You followed him happily, swinging your hands back and forth. You didn’t know how or why, but you just knew that you could trust Kibum. You felt safe with him.

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LONG chapter update :)

Time for me to sleep now!