Chapter 7: Kind People Bring Soup
pairing: idol!soobin × kindergarten teacher!f!reader
genre: idol romance, strangers to lovers, slow burn, toothrotting fluff (like sickly sweet), angst (barely!), secret relationship, slice of life, smut (later)
cw: idol/fan dynamic, secret dating, emotional pining, media scrutiny, jealousy, eventual mature themes/smut, emotional angst, updates warnings as needed.
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Somehow Fridays had become yours. Not in the grand, life-altering kind of way. Just quietly.
Then, before either of you seemed to notice, meeting at the little convenience store after work had slipped into routine. Banana milk waiting in Soobin's hand more often than not. Long walks that somehow always ended with one of you saying, "So... next Friday?"
Some weeks the two of you wandered the aisles of the convenience store longer than necessary. Other weeks you found yourselves trying little restaurants tucked away down side streets, lingering over dinner until one of you glanced at the time in surprise.
Some Fridays, you talked about everything. Your students. His schedules. The books you were reading. The music he was working on.
Other Fridays, you talked about nothing at all.
Those somehow ended up being your favorites.
Somewhere between shared dinners, late-night walks, and conversations that stretched far longer than either of you ever intended, phone numbers had quietly been exchanged. It had felt strangely ordinary.
"So... should I just put you in as Soobin?" you'd asked, thumb hovering over your phone.
No last name. No emojis. Just Soobin. The texts came naturally after that.
A picture from Soobin during a late-night practice.
A photo of one of your students' latest masterpiece taped proudly to the classroom wall.
A sleepy Good luck today! From you before an early morning filming schedule.
A You survived another Monday. From him after dismissal.
Nothing extraordinary. Nothing that couldn't simply be explained as two friends checking in on each other. At least that's what you continued telling yourself.
Nara, however, had stopped believing that explanation approximately two Fridays ago.
"You know," she'd said one Saturday morning over coffee, "most people don't smile at their phone like that."
"I don't smile at my phone."
"I smile at funny messages."
"Mhm." She'd taken a dramatic sip of her coffee. "And who sends these funny messages?"
You'd looked away, trying very hard to hide the smile that immediately threatened to appear. "...Soobin."
Nara had pointed at you without missing a beat. "Case closed!" You'd rolled your eyes.
"I didn't say you weren't."
"I said," she corrected, "that you're starting to like your friend."
You'd laughed her off then, just as you always did. Because what else were you supposed to do?
Yes, every Friday had become the highlight of your week.
Yes, your phone lighting up with a message from Soobin somehow never failed to brighten your day.
Yes, you found yourself smiling whenever something funny happened in class because you couldn't wait to tell him about it later.
But that didn't mean anything. Right? You admired him long before you knew him. Now, you simply considered yourself incredibly lucky to call him a friend.
Nothing more. Nothing less.
Monday morning arrived much the same as every other. The hallway buzzed with the familiar sounds of little sneakers squeaking against polished floors, teachers greeting sleepy students, and tiny voices calling cheerful good mornings to anyone willing to listen.
The moment you unlocked your classroom door, sixteen little bodies came tumbling in behind you. Well... Fourteen.
You frowned as you glanced at the attendance sheet. Two absent already.
You barely had time to set your bag down before Min-jun wandered over, rubbing at his nose with the sleeve of his tiny sweatshirt. "Good morning, Miss Honey." His voice sounded quieter than usual.
You crouched beside him. "Good morning, sweetheart." You gently brushed his bangs back from his forehead. No fever. Thankfully. "You feeling okay?"
He nodded. "My nose is just runny." As if to prove his point, he sniffled dramatically.
"I think we can handle a runny nose."
Across the room, another tiny voice called your name. "Miss Honey!" Soo-ah held up both hands. "I can't stop coughing." Almost on cue, she let out three tiny coughs into her elbow.
"Good job catching your cough." You handed her a tissue with an encouraging smile. "Let's keep doing that today, okay?"
She nodded enthusiastically.
"I don't want my friends to get sick."
"That's very thoughtful."
By the time morning circle began, the signs were impossible to ignore. Sniffles echoed around the room. Tiny coughs interrupted songs. More tissues disappeared from the box than crayons from the art table.
Mrs. Kim, the teacher from the classroom next door, peeked in while her students were at music. She took one look around before laughing. "Oh no."
"I know." You smiled knowingly. "It's started."
"The annual fall plague." You laughed. "I think we'll survive."
Mrs. Kim raised an eyebrow. "Maybe your class will." She pointed toward you. "I'm giving it until Wednesday before you're sick too."
You waved her off with a grin. "I'll be fine."
"You teachers always say that."
"I have an immune system built by five-year-olds."
"Famous last words." Mrs. Kim laughed as she backed into the hallway.
You only shook your head before turning back toward your students.
There were books to read. Paintings to admire. Shoelaces to tie. Questions to answer. And fourteen little hearts depending on you to make Monday feel just a little brighter. If that meant using half a box of tissues before lunch.
By lunchtime, the tissue box was nearly empty. You couldn't help but laugh as you reached into the supply cabinet for another. "So much for making this one last the week."
Tiny voices filled the room as your students settled around their tables with lunchboxes and milk cartons. "Miss Honey!" You looked up just in time to catch Ji-eun waving you over with an urgent expression. "My yogurt won't open."
Another hand shot into the air.
"I don't feel very hungry."
You turned toward Hae-in, who was quietly poking at her lunch with little interest. "You don't?"
She shook her head. "My tummy feels funny." Your teacher instincts immediately kicked in. You gently pressed the back of your hand against her forehead. A little warm. Not enough to worry just yet.
"How about we eat a few bites together, okay?" She nodded.
For the next several minutes, you bounced from table to table.
Reminding everyone to chew before talking.
By the time recess rolled around, you'd forgotten entirely about Mrs. Kim's warning. The crisp autumn air felt refreshing as you stood outside watching your class race across the playground. Min-jun had somehow convinced three other boys to become dinosaurs, the four of them stomping dramatically through a pile of fallen leaves. Soo-ah was busy collecting the prettiest ones she could find, proudly declaring she was making "nature soup."
You smiled to yourself. Children really did have a way of making the simplest things magical.
"Miss Honey!" Before you could react, a pair of tiny arms wrapped tightly around your waist. You looked down to find Hae-in clinging to you with sleepy eyes. "I'm cold."
Your heart softened immediately. You rested a gentle hand against her back. "Come here." You crouched down, rubbing her arms through her little cardigan. "Still feeling yucky?"
"We'll go sit for a bit."
Another tiny cough escaped her as she buried her face against your shoulder. You didn't think twice. You simply held her a little closer as you walked her back toward the classroom. By dismissal, Hae-in's parents had come to pick her up early, thanking you repeatedly for calling.
"I think half the kindergarten hallway is coming down with something," her mother sighed apologetically.
You offered a reassuring smile. "It's that time of year." She nodded knowingly.
"I just hope you don't catch it too."
You laughed. "I'll do my best." But as you locked your classroom that afternoon and slung your tote bag over your shoulder you paused. A tiny tickle settled at the back of your throat. You cleared it once. Then again.
"Huh." It was probably nothing. After all, you'd spent the entire day talking. Probably just dry air. You shrugged it off and headed toward the parking lot, already smiling as your phone buzzed in your cardigan pocket.
Soobin: How's your Monday, Miss Honey?
Your smile appeared before you even realized it.
You: Ask me after I've gone through my second tissue box.
The typing bubble appeared almost instantly.
Soobin: ...Should I be concerned?
You laughed softly to yourself as you unlocked your car.
You: Not for me. My class has officially entered cold season.
A few seconds passed before his reply came through.
Soobin: Then make sure you're taking care of yourself too.
You stared at the message for a moment longer than necessary. Your fingers hovered over the screen.
His response was immediate.
Soobin: Someone has to remind the teacher.
A laugh escaped your lips as you shook your head.
"He's unbelievable." You slipped your phone into your pocket, completely unaware that Mrs. Kim's words— "Famous last words." —were about to prove themselves right.
Tuesday came and went in much the same way. The sniffles hadn't improved. If anything, they'd spread. Three more students were absent by the time morning attendance was finished, and those who had made it to school looked noticeably more tired than usual.
You found yourself reminding little ones to cover their coughs, passing out tissues every few minutes, and sanitizing tiny hands so often you were convinced your classroom permanently smelled like citrus.
"You know," Mrs. Kim said as the two of you crossed paths in the hallway after dismissal, "I'm starting to think those kids are plotting against us."
"I think they're just sharing." You laughed.
"That's exactly what I'm afraid of." She pointed at you. "You sound a little hoarse."
You instinctively cleared your throat. "I'm fine."
"Mhm." She smiled knowingly. "That's teacher for 'I'll admit I'm sick when I'm physically incapable of standing.'"
"I resent how accurate that is."
"I know." She patted your shoulder sympathetically before heading toward the parking lot. "Drink some tea."
Instead, you found yourself curled up on the couch later that evening, laptop balanced across your knees as you finished grading simple writing worksheets while a familiar notification lit up your phone.
Soobin: I survived dance practice.
You: Congratulations. Was it touch and go?
Three dots appeared almost immediately.
Soobin: Beomgyu nearly convinced everyone that banana milk should count as a post-workout recovery drink.
A second message followed.
Soobin: I lost that argument.
You shook your head, still smiling as you typed.
A picture came through a moment later. Sure enough, there it was. A bottle of banana milk sitting proudly on the practice room floor. You couldn't help but laugh.
You: You really have a one-track mind.
Soobin: You knew that already.
Without thinking, you snapped a quick picture of your own.
A crayon drawing taped to your refrigerator.
It showed a bright orange cat with six legs and the words:
You: Today's masterpiece.
His reply came almost instantly.
Soobin: ...I love that it has six legs.
You: Apparently that's how fast cats run.
Soobin: Please tell your students they're very talented.
You: I'll make sure they know tomorrow.
You set your phone down, still smiling to yourself.
A moment later you let out a coughing fit.
You frowned. Your throat scratched uncomfortably. You reached for your water bottle, taking a long sip. Probably from talking all day. Again. Nothing to worry about.
By Wednesday morning, convincing yourself became a little harder. You lingered in front of the bathroom mirror a second longer than usual. Your eyes looked a little tired. Your voice sounded just a little rough. You cleared your throat. Then shrugged.
Teachers didn't have time to get sick. Not in the middle of the week. Not when lesson plans had already been made. Not when twenty tiny hands depended on you.
You grabbed your bag and headed for the door. Completely unaware that your body had already made up its mind.
By Thursday afternoon, even you had stopped pretending. Your voice had dropped nearly an octave. Every few minutes, another cough escaped no matter how hard you tried to suppress it, and the dull ache behind your eyes had settled in sometime before lunch.
"Miss Honey?" You looked up from helping Ji-eun sound out a word. "Why do you sound funny?"
A few of the other children immediately looked over.
"My mommy sounds like that when she's sick."
You laughed, though it came out rougher than intended. "I've just been talking a lot this week my friends, nothing to worry about." Min-jun, who had been quietly coloring at his table, looked up. His brows pinched together ever so slightly.
"You should drink warm tea."
The simple sincerity in his voice made your heart melt.
"I think that's a very good idea."
He gave a small, satisfied nod before returning to his drawing.
By dismissal, you were running almost entirely on muscle memory. You waved goodbye to the last student, leaned against your classroom door, and closed your eyes for just a second.
You cracked one eye open.
Mrs. Kim stood in the hallway, arms folded.
"...You have such a way with words."
"I'm serious." She walked over, pressing the back of her hand lightly against your forehead. "You've got a fever."
"I do not." You argued. She simply stared at you. "...Maybe a little one."
"You are literally warm."
"I've been chasing kindergarteners all day."
"Y/N." Her voice softened. "Go home."
"I have tomorrow." You sighed.
"So I have to be here tomorrow."
Mrs. Kim blinked and then pointed toward the door. "Go."
"And if you wake up feeling worse tomorrow?"
"I'll..." You hesitated. "...Make the responsible decision."
"You promise?" She narrowed her eyes.
By the time you made it home, every part of you ached. You barely managed to kick your shoes off before collapsing onto the couch.
"You look terrible." Nara didn't even glance up from the book she was reading.
"Wow." You frowned. "Everyone's being so supportive today."
"I'm serious." She finally looked over. One glance was all it took. "You're sick."
"I might have a tiny fever."
"You have kindergarten plague."
"I don't have kindergarten plague." You groaned dramatically.
"You literally hugged tiny germ factories all week."
"They're biological weapons."
Despite yourself, you laughed. Immediately followed by another cough. Nara gave you a look that said exactly.
You sighed dramatically before reaching for the thermometer tucked into the kitchen drawer. A few seconds later, it beeped. You looked down. 100.8°F.
Nara reached over, plucked it from your hand, and nodded once.
"You have kindergarten plague."
"I hate that you're right."
"I know." She disappeared into the kitchen, returning a moment later with a mug of tea and a bottle of medicine. "Drink."
You accepted both with a grateful smile.
"Thank you my bestest friend in the whole wide world."
She softened. "I know tomorrow's Friday." Your smile faltered. "So I also know you're about to tell me you'll feel better after one night's sleep."
You opened your mouth. Then closed it again. Because that had been exactly what you were about to say.
Nara smiled knowingly. "I've lived with you long enough." You looked down at the steaming mug in your hands. Maybe one good night's sleep really would fix everything. It had to. Tomorrow was Friday.
Friday morning arrived with the shrill sound of your alarm. You reached blindly across the nightstand, silencing it before burying your face back into your pillow. Everything hurt. Your head throbbed. Your throat felt like sandpaper. Even your eyelids somehow felt heavy.
You let out a small groan before forcing yourself upright. "...No." The single word came out little more than a raspy whisper. Maybe it was just because you'd been asleep. Maybe your voice would come back after some water.
You swung your legs over the edge of the bed. The room immediately tilted. You squeezed your eyes shut. "...Definitely not." A knock sounded against your bedroom door.
"You alive?" Nara called.
"Barely." You rasped out through a hoarse voice. The door creaked open just enough for her to peek inside. One look at you was all it took.
"You look like you've been hit by a bus."
"You've literally never looked worse."
You let out a laugh that quickly dissolved into a coughing fit. Nara was at your side before it finished, handing you the glass of water she'd apparently anticipated you'd need.
"I think..." You took a sip. "...I just need a shower."
She blinked. Then laughed. "You are adorable."
"You think a shower is going to cure whatever kindergarten super-virus those kids gave you."
You sighed dramatically. "But it's Friday."
The disappointment in your own voice surprised even you. Not because you were missing another Friday after work. Because you were missing your Friday. The one you'd quietly started looking forward to all week. The one that had become your favorite part of the week without you ever meaning for it to.
Nara reached over, pressing the back of her hand gently against your forehead. "You've still got a fever."
"You can also stay in bed."
You looked toward your phone resting on the nightstand. Your principal. You needed to call your principal. You reached for it, your movements sluggish as you sent a quick message explaining you had woken up sick and wouldn't be able to come in. The reply came only a few minutes later.
Principal Lee: Don't worry about today. We'll find coverage. Feel better soon.
Relief washed over you. One less thing to worry about.
Nara gently took the phone from your hands.
"Medicine." You obeyed without protest. A first. She raised an eyebrow. "You really do feel awful."
Once the medicine was down, she pulled the blankets back over your shoulders. "Now." She pointed toward the pillow. "Sleep."
"I don't think I'll actually—" You yawned before you could finish the sentence. Nara smiled victoriously.
You rolled your eyes, too tired to argue. Within minutes, the medicine and exhaustion pulled you back under. Your phone remained tucked beneath the edge of your pillow. Silent. One unread conversation sitting near the top of your screen.
No message letting him know you wouldn't be there that evening.
For the first Friday since your little tradition began. You forgot.
Friday had been busy. Recording for a new song in the morning. A magazine shoot in the afternoon. Dance practice squeezed somewhere in between.
By the time the staff finally called it a day, the sun had already begun to dip below the Seoul skyline. Normally, after a schedule like that, all Soobin could think about was getting back to the dorm.
Today he found himself checking the time. 6:42 p.m. A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"Someone's in a hurry." Beomgyu's voice pulled him from his thoughts. Soobin looked up as the younger member slung his backpack over one shoulder.
"You've checked your phone like..." He pretended to count. "Twenty times."
"You absolutely have." Kai looked up from tying his shoes. "I personally think it was closer to fifteen."
Yeonjun smirked. "So..." He folded his arms. "Big plans tonight?"
Soobin shrugged, trying—and failing—to look casual. "I'm meeting someone." Four pairs of eyes immediately landed on him.
"...Someone?" Taehyun repeated.
"A friend?!" Beomgyu gasped dramatically.
"A friend." Soobin confirmed, trying to get them off his back. "It is possible to have friends."
"You all are unbelievable." Soobin rolled his eyes.
"So who is this mysterious friend?" Yeonjun asked. "The teacher?"
The room fell suspiciously quiet. Soobin looked at him.
Yeonjun blinked. "I guessed."
Kai's eyes widened. "You guessed right?"
"Oh my god, it's actually the teacher." Beomgyu let out the loudest gasp yet. "So that's why you've been disappearing every Friday."
"We're just friends." Five seconds of silence. Then—
"Mhm." Five voices answered in perfect unison.
"I knew I shouldn't have said anything." Soobin sighed.
"You really shouldn't have," Taehyun agreed.
"Have fun with your totally platonic teacher friend." Beomgyu threw an arm around his shoulders.
Beomgyu smiled. "Whatever helps you sleep at night." Before another word could be said, Soobin slipped out of the practice room amid a chorus of teasing laughter.
The familiar convenience store came into view just as the sky shifted into shades of orange and lavender. Almost instinctively, he reached for the refrigerator. One banana milk. One strawberry milk. His lips curved into a dimpled smile. She always said she preferred something sweet.
The cashier greeted him with a familiar smile.
Soobin nodded. A few minutes later, he stepped outside. The evening air was cooler than it had been the week before. He settled onto the bench beside the storefront, setting the drinks between them. One for him. One for her.
7:13. She usually arrived a few minutes early. He glanced up every time someone rounded the corner. Not her.
7:24. Maybe she'd gotten held up at school. It happens sometimes. She always apologized, even when he insisted she didn't have to.
7:30. His smile had faded.
He unlocked his phone. No messages. No missed calls. Nothing.
A tiny crease formed between his brows. That wasn't like her. Not even a little.
The strawberry milk was beginning to sweat against the cool evening air. He looked down at it. Then back toward the sidewalk. Still nothing. A knot settled quietly in his stomach. It wasn't disappointment.
Because over the past several weeks, he'd learned something about Y/N. If she said she'd be somewhere she was. Always.
His thumb hovered over your contact. Y/N. He hesitated.
Would calling be too much?
Maybe she'd simply forgotten.
Maybe she'd lost track of time.
No. She wouldn't. Not without saying something.
His eyes drifted to the apartment address tucked inside your contact information. You'd laughed when you'd exchanged numbers. "Just in case of an emergency." He'd saved it without thinking much of it.
Now it suddenly didn't feel like such a small detail. He stood. The untouched strawberry milk still rested in his hand. "I just want to make sure she's okay.” The words were quiet. Almost like he was trying to convince himself.
Then, without another thought he started walking.
By the time Soobin reached your apartment building, the sun had long since disappeared. The lobby was quiet, save for the soft hum of the overhead lights. He paused just inside the entrance. This was probably a bad idea.
What if you were simply asleep?
What if you'd forgotten your phone?
What if showing up unannounced crossed a line?
But then he remembered the empty bench outside the convenience store. The untouched strawberry milk still sitting in his hand. The fact that you were never someone who simply didn't show up. Something was wrong. And that was enough.
A few minutes later, he stood outside your apartment door. He hesitated. Then knocked. Once. Twice. The sound of footsteps approached from inside. The door opened.
And Nara froze. Not because she didn't know who was standing in front of her. She knew exactly who he was. She'd spent years alongside her best friend watching performances, saving photos, streaming songs, and listening to Y/N talk about him with the kind of admiration reserved for someone who felt larger than life.
She knew Choi Soobin. She just never expected to open her apartment door and find him standing there.
Soobin immediately looked apologetic. "I'm sorry for coming by unexpectedly." Nara blinked. Then looked past him. Then back at him.
A small smile tugged at his lips.
The realization settled. Not a fan visit. Not an idol interaction. Not some impossible scenario they had joked about for years. He was here because he was worried about her.
Nara slowly opened the door wider. "Come in."
"Thank you." Soobin bowed slightly.
She stepped aside, still processing. "I have to admit..." He looked up. "I've imagined meeting you a lot of times."
His eyes widened slightly. "Oh."
"But never like this." A quiet laugh escaped him. Nara glanced toward the hallway. "She's been asleep most of the day."
His expression softened immediately.
"She didn't tell me she was sick."
"That sounds like her." Nara sighed. "She probably thought she'd be fine by Friday."
A tiny smile appeared on Soobin's face.
"She did say her class was getting sick."
"Yeah." Nara crossed her arms. "She has a habit of thinking she has to take care of everyone else before herself."
He nodded. Quietly. Because somehow, he already knew that.
"She was worried about missing today." Nara looked at him. "You waited for her."
It wasn't a question. Soobin hesitated. Then nodded.
"I thought something might have happened."
The teasing expression Nara usually wore softened. Because that answer told her everything. Not she didn't show up. Not she forgot. Something might have happened. She smiled faintly. "Okay."
"Okay?" Soobin tilted his head.
"Go see her." Nara gestured down the hallway.
"Please." She waved him off. "I need to see the look on her face when she wakes up and realizes Choi Soobin is standing in her bedroom."
A small laugh escaped him.
As Soobin walked down the hallway, Nara watched him go. Then she quietly whispered to herself. "...Seven years of screaming over this man and somehow she's the one he shows up for." She shook her head. "Unbelievable." Then, after a beat— "Still God's favorite soldier."
The room was quiet. Much quieter than Soobin expected. After Nara had quietly explained that you had been asleep most of the day, he had imagined finding you resting comfortably. He hadn't imagined the way his heart would ache a little at the sight of you.
You were curled beneath the blankets, hair scattered messily across the pillow, your face slightly flushed from the fever. Nothing like the person he'd grown used to seeing every Friday. The one who walked into the convenience store with a bright smile. The one who laughed so easily when he teased her. The one who talked about her students with so much warmth that he couldn't help but smile along. This was just Y/N.
Just you. And he thought this version was just as wonderful.
Quietly, he stepped closer and placed the bag of drinks on the nightstand. The strawberry milk he'd bought for you sat untouched. A small reminder of a Friday that hadn't gone the way either of you expected.
"You should've told me you weren't feeling well," he whispered. Not accusing. Just worried. You shifted slightly in your sleep, brows pulling together as a strand of hair fell across your face. Without thinking, Soobin reached out. His fingers gently brushed the loose strand away, tucking it carefully behind your ear.
The gesture was small. Almost instinctive. His hand lingered for only a second before he pulled back, a quiet smile appearing on his face.
Even sick and exhausted you still looked like the same person who made his Fridays feel lighter. The same person who remembered to ask how his day was. The same person who cared so deeply about everyone around her that she forgot to take care of herself.
"Honey..." The nickname slipped out softly. A fondness he didn't bother hiding when you weren't awake to hear it. "You really do make it hard not to worry about you." A few moments passed before he pulled the chair closer to the bed and sat down. Just for a little while. Just until he knew you were okay.
The first thing you noticed was the sound. Not a voice. Not a phone notification. Just the quiet rustle of movement somewhere nearby.
For a moment, you stayed asleep, wrapped in the heavy fog that came with being sick. Your body felt like it weighed a hundred pounds, and even opening your eyes seemed like an impossible task. You frowned slightly.
Had you fallen asleep on the couch? No. The bed beneath you was too familiar.
Then you heard it. A soft voice. "Y/N?" Your eyes opened immediately. Slowly. Confused. Because there was absolutely no reason, no possible explanation, for Choi Soobin to be sitting beside your bed.
You blinked. Once. Twice. Maybe your fever was worse than you thought. "...Soobin?"
The way his shoulders relaxed was immediate. Like he'd been holding his breath waiting for that one word. "There you are."
Your brain struggled to catch up. "What..." Your voice cracked. You winced at how awful you sounded. "When did you get here?"
He smiled softly. "About ten minutes ago."
Your eyebrows pulled together. "Ten minutes?" Then realization hit. You pushed yourself up slightly, immediately regretting it when your head spun. "Wait." Your eyes widened. "Friday."
"Oh my god." Panic replaced the exhaustion almost instantly. "I forgot." You reached for your phone, searching beneath the blanket. "I forgot to text you."
"No, I did. I was supposed to tell you I couldn't come and I completely forgot because I fell asleep and—" Your words dissolved into another cough.
Immediately, Soobin reached for the glass of water sitting on your nightstand. "Here." You accepted it, taking a few small sips while trying to calm down the ache in your chest.
The answer came so quickly it surprised you.
"I wasn't upset." You looked at him. "I was worried." The room went quiet. Not uncomfortable. Just different. Because those two words carried so much more weight than you expected.
"I didn't mean to worry you." You stared down at the glass in your hands.
"I know." His voice was gentle. "That's exactly why I was worried." Your eyes lifted. He gave a small smile. "You always tell me when something changes. Even small things."
You didn't know what to say to that. Because he was right. Somewhere along the way, he had started noticing. The little things. Your routines. Your habits. The way you apologized even when you didn't need to. The way you took care of everyone before yourself.
"You really came all the way here?"
A small laugh escaped him.
"I know." The simplicity of his answer made your heart stutter. He didn't say it like it was an obligation. Or a responsibility. He said it like there was nowhere else he would rather be.
You looked away, suddenly very aware of the fact that you were sitting in bed wearing an oversized sweatshirt, your hair was probably a mess, and you had not exactly been feeling like the best version of yourself.
"I probably look terrible."
The words slipped out before you could stop them.
Soobin looked genuinely confused.
"I mean..." You gestured vaguely at yourself. "I'm sick."
He smiled. A real one. The kind that made his dimples appear. "You're still you."
Your cheeks warmed despite the fever. "That's not exactly an answer."
"It is." He adjusted the blanket slightly, making sure it was covering your shoulders. "You don't have to look perfect around me." The words were simple. But they settled somewhere deeper than you expected.
Because for years, you had seen him under bright lights. Perfect outfits. Perfect performances. A version of him the world was allowed to see. But sitting here in your bedroom. With your messy hair and your cold medicine and your embarrassing amount of tissues beside the bed...
He didn't seem to see anything that needed fixing. He just saw you.
"So..." You glanced toward the door. "How did you even get in?"
A laugh escaped him. "Nara."
That was all he needed to confirm. He smiled. "She's very funny."
"She is going to be unbearable." You covered your face with your hands.
"She already was." Despite everything, you laughed. A real laugh. Which immediately turned into another cough. Soobin's expression shifted back into concern.
"Okay." He stood. "Water."
"You're drinking more water."
You stared at him. Then narrowed your eyes. "Are you scolding me?"
You couldn't help but smile. The person who had spent years making you smile from a stage was now standing in your bedroom, reminding you to take care of yourself. And for the first time you weren't wondering what it would feel like to know him. You already did.
Nara had always been dramatic.
It was one of the things you loved most about her. But watching her walk around your apartment like she was hosting a five-star recovery facility while Soobin sat beside your bed was a completely different experience.
Soobin quietly smiled from his place on the chair over the familiar banter that he shares with his own friends. You noticed. Of course you noticed. Because apparently, being sick did not stop your brain from noticing every tiny expression he made.
Nara caught the look on your face. She didn't say anything. She just smiled to herself. Which somehow felt worse.
"I'm fine," you insisted. Both of them looked at you at the same time. You frowned. "What?"
Soobin tilted his head. "You have a fever."
Nara nodded. "You have been asleep for almost an entire day."
"You both are being dramatic." Not liking how the pair had turned to gang up together on you.
"You're literally wearing three blankets," Nara pointed out.
You looked down. "...I'm cold."
You opened your mouth to argue, but another cough interrupted you. Immediately, Soobin reached for the water beside you. The movement was so natural. So automatic. You stared at him for a second before accepting the glass.
Nara watched the interaction silently. Too silently. You knew that look. You had known that look for years. The look that meant she had thoughts. Many thoughts. She looked between you and Soobin. Then smiled while placing a hand over her heart. "Do you know how long I've waited for this?"
"Nara!" Your eyes widened.
"What?" She gestured vaguely between the two of you. "Not this specifically." A pause. "Okay, maybe a little this specifically."
You buried your face into your blanket. "Oh my god." Soobin laughed. A real laugh. And somehow that made you smile despite yourself. You knew the sound. You knew the smile. But hearing it fill your apartment, seeing it happen because of something happening in your own life… It felt strangely surreal.
"So," Nara said, breaking the moment. She turned toward Soobin. "How long are you staying?"
You immediately looked at her. "Nara." You muttered firmly through gritted teeth.
"What?" She shrugged. "I'm just asking."
Soobin glanced at the time. "I should probably let her rest." A small wave of disappointment hit you before you could stop it. It was quick. Almost unnoticeable. Almost. But as always, Soobin noticed. His eyes flickered back toward you. "I can stay a little longer."
Your heart did something embarrassing. "I mean..." You looked away. "You don't have to."
"I know." Again. That simple answer. "I want to." The room went quiet.
Nara suddenly became very interested in the tea she was stirring. You pretended not to notice the way she was hiding a smile. Soobin leaned back in his chair. "Besides..." A small smile appeared. "I still need to talk to your students."
You blinked. "My students?"
"Yes." He nodded seriously.
You stared at him. "Why?"
"Because apparently they are responsible for this."
"They're five." A laugh escaped you.
"I know." He looked completely serious. "But they gave their teacher a cold."
"You are not actually going to scold five-year-olds."
You laughed again. This time, the sound came easier. And maybe that was the point. Maybe it wasn't just that Soobin came because he was worried. Maybe it was that he knew exactly how to make you feel like yourself again. Even when you felt anything but.
Nara watched the two of you for a moment before quietly standing.
"I'm going to make soup."
"I know." She grabbed her phone and headed toward the kitchen. "But unlike some people..." She glanced pointedly at Soobin. "I actually understand that sick people need food."
You laughed as Soobin teasingly rolled his eyes at your best friend. And as she disappeared, leaving the two of you alone again, the apartment suddenly felt quieter. You looked down at the blanket pulled over your lap. "I'm sorry." The words came out quietly.
Soobin immediately looked over. "For what?"
You hesitated. "For today."
His eyebrows pulled together slightly.
"I already told you, you don't have to apologize."
"I know, but..." You sighed. "I know you have a busy schedule. You probably had a long day, and then you went all the way to the convenience store and waited because you thought I was coming."
The guilt was still there. A heavy feeling you couldn't shake. Soobin was quiet for a moment. Then he spoke.
"Y/N." You looked up. "I wasn't upset that you didn't come." His voice was gentle. "I was worried because you didn't come." The distinction made your chest tighten.
"I didn't want you to think I forgot about you."
A small smile appeared on his face.
"No." A pause. "I know you."
The words were simple. But they stayed with you. Because somehow, in just a few weeks, he had learned things about you that people took years to notice. He knew you always showed up. He knew you always apologized. He knew you would rather push yourself too far than disappoint someone else.
"You always take care of everyone around you." His eyes softened. "Your students. Your friends. Everyone.” You looked down.
"So..." He tilted his head slightly. "Maybe someone should take care of you sometimes too."
Your heart skipped. It was such a small sentence. Something that shouldn't have affected you as much as it did. But you couldn't remember the last time someone had said something like that. Not because they needed something from you. Not because they expected anything in return. Just because they cared.
Before you could respond, Soobin glanced toward the nightstand. The small bag sitting there caught his attention.
"Oh." He reached for it. "I almost forgot." He pulled out a bottle.
"Strawberry milk?" Your eyes widened.
He nodded. "I bought it before I knew you weren't coming." You stared at it.
A small smile appeared. "I wasn't sure if you would still want it." The answer was so simple. Soobin had gone to the convenience store like he always did. Bought the drink he knew you liked. Sat there waiting. And when you weren't there he didn't get annoyed. He didn't assume the worst. He came looking.
You took the bottle from him carefully.
"It's just strawberry milk."
You looked at him. "No." Your voice softened. “It's not."
For a moment, neither of you said anything. Because you both knew it wasn't really about the drink. It was about the thought behind it. The fact that he remembered. The fact that he noticed. The fact that somewhere along the way, Fridays had stopped being something you did and became something you shared.
"You really are too kind." The words slipped out before you could stop them.
Soobin smiled softly. "I don't think I'm doing anything special." You almost laughed. Of course he didn't.
That was the thing about him. He had always been this way. Kind without needing recognition. Gentle without expecting praise. But now you were on the receiving end of it. And that felt different.
Your eyes drifted toward the collection of drawings and crafts displayed around your bedroom. The bracelet. The colorful pictures. The little handmade gifts your students had poured their tiny hearts into. The pieces of them that continue to follow you home.
Soobin followed your gaze. "They really are amazing." He let out softly, admiring the collection of love you decorated your life with.
Your expression softened. "They are."
"They put so much thought into them."
You picked up one of the drawings. "This one is from Min-jun."
Soobin immediately recognized it. "The dinosaur expert?"
You looked at him. "You remember?"
He looked almost surprised by your surprise. "Of course."
A small laugh escaped you. "He's going to be so excited when he finds out you remember."
Soobin smiled. "I'd like to meet him."
Your eyebrows lifted. "Really?"
He nodded. "Yeah." He glanced back toward the drawings. "And all of them."
A quiet warmth settled in your chest. "They would love that." Then his expression shifted slightly.
"Although..." You already knew that look. He tried to keep a serious face. "I think I still need to have that conversation with them."
A laugh escaped you before you could stop it.
"I know." His expression remained completely sincere. "But I think they need to understand the consequences."
You shook your head, smiling. "You cannot lecture kindergarteners."
"Because they're adorable."
"So is getting enough sleep."
You paused. "That doesn't even make sense."
That made you laugh even harder. The kind of laugh that made your chest ache. The kind you hadn't been able to find all day. Soobin watched you quietly. And for a moment, neither of you noticed how easy this felt. How natural. How quickly he had become someone who could turn your worst day of the week into one of the ones you wanted to remember.
The apartment felt different after he left, bidding you goodbye with promises of getting better (sooner rather than later) and the request of texts acknowledging that you’re alive. Not empty. Just quieter. The kind of quiet that followed a really good conversation.
You stood by the door for a few seconds longer than necessary, staring at the space where Soobin had disappeared down the hallway. Only when Nara cleared her throat did you realize you were still standing there.
"You know..." You turned around slowly. Her expression was already too knowing. Too familiar.
You pointed at her. "Don't."
"I didn't even say anything."
Nara smiled sweetly at you, "Am I that predictable?"
She walked past you toward the kitchen, picking up her mug of tea. For a moment, you thought she might actually let it go. You should have known better.
"I'm just saying." She took a sip, leaning against the counter. "A man who misses one Friday shared with you and walks across the city because he thinks something happened..." She paused. Her eyes flickered toward you. "That's not exactly giving 'just friends.'"
You opened your mouth immediately.
"He was being kind." You frowned. The words came out automatically. Almost like a defense. Like if you said them enough times, they would become true.
Nara looked at you. Really looked at you. "Y/N." The softness in her voice made you pause. A beat passed. "Kind people bring soup." You looked away. Another beat. "That man brought concern."
Silence. You hated that she had a point. Because kindness was something you understood. You had built your life around it. You knew what it looked like. You knew how it felt. But this felt different.
Your fingers moved absentmindedly, brushing against the spot near your ear where his hand had been earlier. A small, simple gesture. Something he probably hadn't even thought twice about. But you had.
You remembered the way he'd looked at you. Not like the person everyone else saw. Not like someone on a stage. Just you. Sick. Tired. Unprepared. And somehow still someone worth showing up for.
Nara watched the realization slowly cross your face. But she didn't say anything else. For once, she didn't need to.
You didn't answer. Because for the first time you didn't have one to offer.
Authors Note: He came to her :') As always thank you so mcuh for reading <3 I hope you enjoyed it, and I'll see you in the next chapter!!
tag list: @deliriious-minds @icouldbelove @fairfootedflekk @aribomb @chai-soobin @mo0nstardust @ayoash405
