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At exactly 3 o’clock in the morning, you saw a car pull up outside your work. Glancing at your manager, you could see that she wanted about to complain about customers showing up right on closing. The two of you usually had a good laugh about it after she had turned them away. You saw Yoongi climb elegantly out of the car and walk around to the passenger side to lean against the hood of the car. “He’s here for me.” You sighed, answering your manager’s questioning gaze. “It’s about time you started dating.” She teased, eyeing Yoongi’s body appreciatively. “He’s fine.” You’d been working at the bar, doing the same shift, since you’d first moved to Seoul. Your current manager, Juhyun, had started six months before you and the two of you had built a strong friendship during your time working there. Aside from Jia’s mum, Alice, Juhyun knew the most about you and Cali’s past.

When Yoongi saw you move from behind the bar, he stepped closer to the building to open the door for you. That was when Juhyun noticed Yoongi’s face. “Oh, girl, you have a lot to share tomorrow night.” She whistled, low under her breath, as the door opened and you grabbed your coat and backpack. “It’s not like that.” You muttered as you strolled, nervously, toward your childhood love. “I’ll see you tomorrow night.” “Yeah you will.” Yoongi took your bag from you and threw it over his shoulder as you passed through the door. He ignored your protests and made his way to his car, with you following close behind. He held open your door and, despite the mood you were in, you slid into the car.

For your whole shift, you’d stewed in your own annoyance and nerves until you were just itching fight. How had you been so stupid to think that everything would be alright, that Yoongi wouldn’t show up and ruin everything? How could you just let him squeeze his way into the life you had built with Cali from rock bottom up? Why were you so nervous about spending time with the boy who had abandoned you? That thought had made you mad. The last eleven years of your life had been about Cali. You’d let yourself and everyone think that you didn’t want Cali to get hurt by dating again but, really, you were afraid of getting hurt. So, by the time you were sitting in a silent car with Yoongi - who you could tell had done some stewing of his own - the atmosphere was that of a powder keg ready to blow. You’d barely made it ten minutes away from the bar before Yoongi was pulling over and angrily parking his car. “Look, I get it.” He began, his voice low. “I get that I gave you no clue as to where I was going-” “Or that you were going at all.” You sassed back, unbuckling your seat belt and throwing open the passenger door. “Yeah or that.” Yoongi growled, unbuckling his own belt and climbing out of the car. “I get it, I fucked up but it wasn’t my choice. Do you honestly think I wanted to leave you? After everything we’d been through? After all that fighting we did to be together? You father hated m-” “Regardless of what I thought, can you blame me? I was fifteen, the boy - my best friend and the love of my life - who I’d lost my virginity to the day before suddenly up and left without so much as a warning. Not to mention, I found out I was pregnant two months later to said boy which lead to me being kicked out of home a month before I gave birth to his child. So forgive me for stewing over it for almost twelve years. She’ll be eleven on Valentine’s Day, by the way.” Yoongi’s eyes softened for a moment at the little piece of information you had given his about his daughter before the fire was once again burning. “I’m not mad at you. Well, a little for not tracking me down, but I’m mostly mad at myself and my family. I should have been there to find all these little things out for myself. What father doesn’t know his own child’s birthday until she’s almost eleven?” He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. It was then that you noticed that Yoongi was as put together has he had been this afternoon. His tie had been loosened and his jacket was wrinkled. His hair had also been mussed before he ran his fingers through it. Yoongi was nervous. You wouldn’t have been surprised if he’d contemplated not showing up at least a dozen times before he showed up. Having coffee with your ex-girlfriend was one thing, picking up your ex-girlfriend and mother of your previously unknown child from work was something completely different.

“Please get back in the car. Let’s go to my place and we can talk. I don’t want to have this conversation in the middle of the street.” “I can’t go to your place, Yoongi.” You sighed, you found him too irresistible to be alone with him. “I’m not going to touch you. I just want to talk.” He smirked slightly and your couldn’t help your stomach twisting with lust. “I figured you wouldn’t want to bring me back to your house with Cali there.” He had a point. Alice would be there looking after Cali and she wasn’t ready to deal with that conversation. Opening the door to Yoongi’s car you put one foot into the car. “No funny business.” You said lightly before lowering yourself into his car.

Yoongi’s apartment was worlds away from the small home he’d been raised in. Whatever job he had now, the near poverty he’d been raised in was a thing of the past. You couldn’t help but feel relieved that you hadn’t invited him into your modest one bedroom apartment. This was a palace compared to what you and your child called home. You stood awkwardly in the doorway as Yoongi kicked off his shoes and strode into the apartment. It wasn’t too late to run. You could call a taxi if he refused to take you home. “Cold feet?” He smirked, raising a teasing eyebrow. “No.” You replied, kicking off your shoes and stepping onto the polished floorboards of the hallway. You joined Yoongi on the couch, putting a respectful amount of distance between the two of you. “Drink?” You gave Yoongi a look that meant you were serious. “Right, straight to storytime then.” He made himself comfortable. “I think you’ll regret not getting that drink.”

Instead of replying, you simply looked at him and waited for him to give you his excuses so you could leave. “My father was never good with money. You saw that he could never keep a job. He was lazy and unprofessional and always jumping into one get-rich-quick scheme after another. He made a deal with one too many loan sharks and we had to go into hiding. We spent most of later part of my teens on the move. Eventually, my mother couldn’t take it anymore and she left him. The two of us stayed in Seoul while he moved on.” Unable to sit still, Yoongi picked himself up off the couch and moved into the kitchen of your dreams to get himself a beer. You sat patiently, trying to take in everything he was saying. “She filed for divorce on my eighteenth birthday and that was how the gang my father was doing business with caught up with us. My mother and I were essentially taken hostage as a way to draw my father out of hiding. We were treated well - my mother ended up falling in love with the boss and he with her. My father was found dead three months after I turned twenty. Eventually, my mother married the boss and I was named his heir. They’re very happily, semi-retired in Jeju while I run the ‘family business’. Jungkook is one of the men in my inner circle. Since he’s determined to live on campus, despite being significantly older than most of the other students who deem it a necessary experience to live in tiny, shared apartments, I’m forced to visit him if I want to socialise. That’s why I was on campus today. We’d planned to ‘catch up’ over coffee when a call for a meeting with my stepfather came through. We’re just normal people, Y/N.”

You couldn’t help but feel slightly hysterical, sitting there as Yoongi told you a ridiculous story. Unable to take it anymore, you burst into nervous laughter. “Alright, Yoongi.” You got up, wiping your eyes that were teary from laughing so hard. “Seriously, if weren’t actually interested in having a relationship with Cali, you could have just said. I wouldn’t have held it against you.” Your face dropped as Yoongi stared intensely into your eyes. “Y-you’re serious? Yoongi! Y-you can’t expect me to want you around my child when you live that kind of life. How can you expect that of me?” “Please, Y/N. I promise work is work and my private life is my private life. Cali doesn’t even have to know what I do.” Yoongi looked defeated. “Except she will, Yoongi. She will because she’s alert, clever and inquisitive. She’s not a baby anymore. She’s a ten year old girl who has her own mind and drive. How could I consider myself to be a good mother if I expose her to that kind of life.” “I was honest with you, can’t you give me that? Why don’t you get to know me again, spend time with me.” He pleaded, you’d never seen Yoongi this desperate. It made your heart ache. “You’ll see that I’m good at separating my work and my personal lives. Cali doesn’t have to have anything to do with me until you’re comfortable that my career won’t put her in any danger. I really want to get to know her, Y/N.” “I don’t know, Yoongi.” You sighed, pacing back and forth around his living room. “I just don’t know. It was hard. You leaving messed me up. I haven’t dated since you, it was too hard to trust anyone. How could I bring another man into my life with I had Cali to worry about? Every decision I’ve had to make over the last eleven years - “ “Almost twelve.” Yoongi joked but his smile faded when he saw your serious look. “Sorry.” “Every decision I’ve had to make, I’ve had to consider the outcomes for two people - not just myself.”

You hated seeing Yoongi like this, even after everything you had been put through. “I’m not saying no, Yoongi.” You sighed, looking him in the eye. He perked up a little. “I just need time.” “I understand, Y/N.” “Maybe, we could keep in touch via the phone and progress from there?”  “I’d like that.”

He had you home by four. Alice had questioned you when you finally showed up, but you explained that you’d had to stay back for work. You weren’t 100% sure that she believed you but she let it go this time. As soon as she’d left, you went to stand in the doorway of your daughter’s room and watched her sleep. You had to be crazy to consider letting Yoongi back into your lives. It wasn’t like Cali would be able to take him along to parent career day. ‘This is my dad, he’s basically a mob boss.’ You rolled your eyes and moved to the small living area. You made quick work to pull out the futon and stripped down to your underwear. It seemed so far away, but you couldn’t help but dream of the day when you were stable in a real career and could afford a nicer apartment with two bedrooms. You climbed into your bed and placed your phone on charge. You’d think about everything when you weren’t so tired. As you were getting comfortable on the hard mattress, you heard your phone buzz from the arm of the futon.

[04:34] Unknown Number: So, if you haven’t dated since me, does that mean you’ve only slept with me? ;) - Y

You couldn’t help but laugh at Yoongi’s one track mind. You’d thought he seemed so mature and grown up now, yet here he was channelling his fifteen year old self. Despite your concerns, you quickly saved his number.

[04:37] You: I have to get up in a couple of hours, Yoongi. I can’t do any serious thinking if I’m tired. Go to bed.

[04:39] Min Yoongi:

Right. Of course. Going to bed.

Rolling your eyes, you decided against replying and placed your phone back onto the arm of the futon, only to have it buzz again. “Yoongi.” You growled, reaching for the offending piece of technology.

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“Oppa…” You whined, reaching for the glass of soju that your older brother was holding out of your way. “You know you’re not technically 19 until midnight, Y/N.” Jin teased, downing the clear liquid in one shot. “You should be lucky that Jiwoo’s letting you inside her club when you’re still 18.” Namjoon teased, ruffling your hair. Your brother and his friends always made you feel like such a little baby. You gaze flickered to Jungkook who stood off to the side, slowly sipping his own drink. He’d been old enough to drink for a handful of months now but wasn’t a big drinker. He’d really only agreed to go out with you all because you wanted so badly to join in with your older brother and his friends. You’d always thought they were so cool. “One little drink, please Oppa?” You pleaded, your face contorting into the face that you knew always worked on your brother. In Jin’s defence, he tried really hard to say no to you. “One drink, Y/N.” He sighed, reaching for the bottle of soju and pouring you half a glass. “Oppa.” Your pout morphed into a grin as he sighed and topped up the glass. You reached for the glass and politely downed the drink, wincing slightly as the strange taste coated your tongue and throat. Your face turned pink as you willed yourself not to cough and splutter at the taste. The boys cracked up laughing, even the unusually somber Jungkook couldn’t help but grin at your reaction.

As Jin moved out of the room to make last minute arrangements, Namjoon topped up your glass with a wink. “Tell Hyung and I’ll deny everything.” He chuckled. When you downed the second shot, he filled it up again. “One more and that’s it until midnight. It’s no fun to go clubbing sober.” Nodding, you downed your third drink of the evening before holding your hand out once more. “Have you guys all got a jacket?” You could hear Jin coming back into the living room where you all stood. Your eyes widened as you quickly downed the shot and placed the glass on the coffee table. You brothers friends all rolled their eyes and told Jin that they did. “Every time.” Taehyung groaned. You giggled, the four drinks you’d had in a short space of time making your head a little woozy. Jin passed you a jacket, a bulky leather thing that did nothing for the cute - and slightly mature - outfit that you’d picked out. Of course, that was what Jin wanted.

However, you couldn’t bring yourself to argue as you pulled on the jacket. If you zipped it up, you probably wouldn’t be able to see the hemline of your dress. “Can we go yet?” You asked, feeling impatient as you gripped Namjoon’s arm and leaned on him. Your eyes met Jungkook’s for a second, something flashing behind his eyes that made you let go of Namjoon’s arm and straighten up.

You’d always had a thing for your brother’s youngest friend but even though only five months separated the two of you. Even though you were so close in age, Jungkook had always been out of range. He hung out with the older boys, ran in the same “cool” circles that your brother ran in. You were just a kid. You were hoping that tonight would change that. Tonight your brother, and his friends - especially Jungkook - would see you as the adult woman you were.

The club was just starting to fill up as you all arrived. Jimin had told you that things really didn’t pick up until 1 or 2 in the morning. As it had only just gone 11:30, you figured there wouldn’t be many people there, but you were wrong. If this wasn’t a full house, you really couldn’t imagine what it would look like in a couple of hours. Your brother put a protective arm around you as your group was let through the ropes and allowed straight into the club. The loud music hit you as though you’d walked into a wall. You paused for a moment, trying to take everything in. It was a sensory overload. Your brother’s firm hand in the middle of your back guided you towards a table that had been reserved for you all to celebrate your birthday. You allowed your brother to help you into your seat as you stared around the room in awe. It took you a second to realise you were being spoken to. “Hmm?” You murmured before your eyes snapped to meet with Jungkook’s. “Do you want a coke or something?” He muttered just loud enough to be heard over the music. “Oh yeah, thanks.” You smiled, getting up as he did. “I’ll come with you, you won’t be able to carry everything about, right?” Jungkook shrugged but didn’t stop you from following him.

The two of you made your way to the bar. Jungkook leaned effortlessly on the bar and tried to signal a bartender. When no one came, he turned to you and muttered a quick ‘wait here.’ before heading down to the other end of the bar. You stood awkwardly and watched him retreat, quickly being swallowed by the crowd. Turning around to look over at the table, you saw the other boys all preoccupied with something or another. You clicked your tongue against the back of your teeth and rolled your eyes. So much for keeping his eyes on you the whole time. “You with them, sweetheart?” A smooth voice pulled you from your thoughts. You looked up to see two handsome men staring back at you. For a moment, you were stunned by their beauty. “You’re cute.” The other grinned, causing a blush to spread across your face, neck, and chest. “T-thanks.” You smiled, running your fingers through the ends of your hair nervously. “So are you with those guys?” Asked the first guy, you nodded, glancing nervously over at the guys before turning back to face the two handsome strangers. “My brother and his friends.” You told them, smiling sweetly. “It’s my birthday.”

“Well, We’d better buy you a drink then.” The second guy turned to the bar and quickly signalled a bartender. You couldn’t help but bitterly think how easily it was for him to flag someone down - unlike Jungkook who was still missing. “Thanks,” Your attention was pulled away from the second guy by the first, leaning in and resting his hand on your arm. “I’m Sanghoon and my friend is Youngjin.” You turned to look back at Youngjin - who was ordering your drink - only to have Sanghoon take your chin and draw your attention back to him, leaning in close. The heat once again returned to your face, his eyes drawing you in. You blinked a couple of time, swaying on the spot before stepping back. “I should get back to my brother.” You breathed, beginning to feel uncomfortable. “What’s the rush, you haven’t even had a drink yet?” Youngjin was back and a cool glass was quickly in your hand. “Gin and tonic, I think you’ll like it.”

With both sets of eyes on you, you couldn’t help but bring the glass up to your lips and take a long drink. You felt nervous. Where the hell was Jungkook? “Hey babe, thanks for waiting.” You almost breathed a sigh of relief when you felt Jungkook return, finally. You were almost too distracted to notice how low Jungkook’s hand was on your back. It was almost, possessive. “Jungkook.” You breathed, leaning into his touch. “Thank you for the drink. I really need to head back.” The hand pressed tightly to the small of your back was making you feel dizzy as you reached to give the drink back to them. “It’s fine,” Sanghoon smiled, though it looked a little forced as he eyed off Jungkook. “Keep it, as a happy birthday wish from us.” You looked nervously to Jungkook who shrugged. “Well, thank you then.” You smiled, still feeling off about it. “Have a lovely night.” “Oh, I’m sure we will.” Youngjin replied.

Jungkook guided you, stiffly away from the two men, one hand still on the small of your back while the other balanced a tray with everyone’s drinks. When you got back to the table, it was easy for the boys to tell that something had gone wrong. “Why didn’t you stay put like I told you?” Jungkook demanded, his hand finally leaving your back. “Well, if you didn’t notice, I didn’t move an inch. They approached me, Jungkook.” You argued back, feeling fired up but not quite there at the same time. Assuming it was just the heat of the rapidly filling club, you took a long drink from your glass to cool you down. “What is going on?” Jin demanded, glancing between the two of you. “You sister was being totally oblivious letting two creeps chat her up at the bar. They bought her that drink.” Jungkook fumed, getting more angry by the second. “What?” Jin balked, his gaze turning to you now. You flushed angrily. “So I think what we need to take away from this, Jeon Jungkook,” You seethed, pointing a finger against his chest angrily as you swayed slightly. When had the room started to spin? “Is that, next time, you’ll make a move on me instead of waiting until someone else shows a scrap of interest so you can act all jealous and macho. Green is a very unflattering colour on you.”

You downed the rest of your drink quickly and set it down quite hard on the table, all eyes on you as if you’d just grown a second head. “I’m going to get some air.” You snapped. “It’s stuffy in here.” You stormed away, pretending not to hear them calling for you as you made your way out onto the street. Ignoring the people waiting to get into the club, you stumbled down the street, your head killing you as everything got foggier and foggier. Ducking into a nearby alleyway, you doubled over, feeling as if you needed to be sick but nothing would come. “Well, well,” A familiar voice pulled you into a standing position. Where had you heard that voice? “Hi there, sweetheart.”

Everything went black.

Jungkook sat, fuming as his friends gave him the third degree, nursing his beer. He hadn’t expected you to blow up at him like that. Hell, he didn’t even know why he’d reacted to badly. All he knew was that he’d appeared from ordering everyone’s drinks to see you being hit on by two very attractive men. He’d felt inferior to them but he’d long decided that he would push all feelings he might have had for you away as you were one of his closest friend’s little sisters. It wouldn’t have been right to make a move when you had such a strong relationship with your brother. However, all thoughts of that had been pushed aside when he’d seen you there. One of the guys had his hand on your chin as he leaned in closer and closer. It was enough to have him seeing red. “Shouldn’t you go out there, Jin?” Jimin asked, looking at Jungkook nervously. “She’s been gone for a long time, what if she’s being sick? She had a lot to dri-” He stopped when Namjoon gave him a look. “I was aware that she’d had one shot of soju before we left, Namjoon,” Jin glared, a dark aura pulsing from him. Jin was a huge softy unless it had to do with his sister and her wellbeing. “Along with whatever those men bought her - which I’m still not happy about, Jungkook. Just how many drinks did my sweet, baby sister have when my back was turned?” Namjoon swallowed, looking down and muttering the answer? “How many, you’ll have to speak up - it’s loud in here.” Namjoon held up three fingers. “So, and please correct me if I’m wrong, my sister - who, until half an hour ago, was still a minor - had four shots of soju in rapid succession and an unidentified alcoholic drink, also quite quickly, in the space of say, forty minutes?” He pushed up from the chair, unsure if he would hit the next person who spoke, or if he should check on you first, when the music came to a deafening halt. “Sorry to interrupt.” Came a voice through the speakers, sounding like they were just trying to hold things together. “But there’s been… is anyone… God, this is a cliche - is there a doctor in the house?”

Everyone waited quietly for further explanation but a man was already hurrying to the DJ’s platform to offer his services. Everyone spilled out of the club, their human nature to know all winning out over their sense of decorum. Jimin, Taehyung, Yoongi and Hoseok - feeling awkward as they sat through two of their friends being interrogated by another - took the opportunity to rush outside with everyone else. Jin glared at Namjoon and Jungkook, daring them to move from their seat. “This is why I didn’t want her coming with us.” He sighed, sitting down at the table and running a hand through his hair. “Shit just get’s messed up. I’m supposed to look after her, but it’s damn near impossible when I’ve also got to look out for all of you guys. This is a terrible place to keep an eye on you all at once.” A ringing pulled had the two boys off the hook for a second as he reached for his phone, hoping that it was you calling to say you were alright but it was Hoseok. “I’m not coming out to look at whatever mess is left behind after some brawl, Hoseok.” Jin sighed, feeling older than he was. “H-hyung.” The way that his friend’s voice cracked, had the blood draining from his body. Oh God, no. A feeling of dread settled in his stomach that he couldn’t shake. Namjoon and Jungkook stilled, their eyes never wavering from their friend’s defeated frame. “Hoseok…” “I… It’s Y/N.”

Jin jumped to his feet, his phone falling to the table as he sprinted out the door. Namjoon picked the phone up and pressed it to his ear, listening to the other end. His eyes widened as he looked to Jungkook before the two of them raced out after Jin. “It’s alright, I’m… I’m her brother.” They could hear Jin’s loud, unsettling cries over the murmurs of the crowd. Police were beginning to work on crowd control, guiding everyone back into the club so that they could begin questioning, and Jungkook could make out the faint sound of an ambulance siren. “Y/N!” Jin was yelling, pain dripping from his voice. “Y/N!” Jungkook’s feet felt like lead as he and Namjoon pushed through the retreating crowd. Namjoon said something to the police, but it sounded muffled - as if Jungkook had cotton wool stuck in his ears. Then they were on the other side of the, freshly strung up, police tape with the rest of the boys.

It took Jungkook a while to realise what he was looking at. Whatever it was, it was a mess. Jin was clinging to a pale-faced Namjoon, his voice growing hoarse from screaming and crying. Yoongi had stormed off, away from the scene, raging into the night air. Jimin stood, stunned and staring, as Hoseok tried to pull him away. Taehyung had shocked, silent tears streaming down his face as he looked away.

You lay, in the middle of the dirty alleyway, covered in blood and… other fluids that Jungkook didn’t even want to think about. Your face had already started to swell from the obviously savage beating you had endured. It was horrific, but the worst part, the part that killed Jungkook the most, was that you were completely naked. The jacket, Jin’s jacket, that you had been wearing was lying in a shredded mess less than a meter from your body. That, too, had been branded in a similar fashion to your body. It was as if whoever had done this to you, had left it as a message. ‘Mine. This girl is mine.’ It seemed to scream at him. This person had seen a man’s jacket on your feminine frame and had automatically assumed that it belonged to a lover - not a sibling - and that lover needed to pay.

Jungkook vaguely registered paramedics pushing past him to get to you, words flying around as his friends all grieved in their own way. He only caught pieces of the conversation. ‘Barely breathing… bleeding vaginally… gonna need a rape kit…’ ‘... have one?’ came the reply. Jungkook continued to stand, stoically, as he was approached by an officer. It wasn’t until the officer had physically shaken him that he’d snapped out of it. “Are you also her brother?” Jungkook took a moment to register the words. “We’re friends.” He finally admitted. “Your friend over there holding the brother said that you were all her brothers.” Jungkook scoffed. “We’re all close - if anything he’s like a brother to her, but no. We’re just friends.” The words ‘just friends’ had Jungkook breaking down finally. Why hadn’t he said anything to you sooner? The officer patted Jungkook awkwardly on the shoulder. “Uh, well, then, those two can ride in the ambulance with her to the hospital but the rest of you…” “We need to be there.” Jungkook demanded, not caring who he was addressing. “This is all my fault. I should have looked out for her better.” “We need to go to the hospital anyway - to see if we can get anything from her when she wakes up. We can fit five of you in the back of the van - if that’s what you really want to do. It’s not going to be pretty. They’re going to be using a lot of lingo that will be very confronting. Can you handle that?”

Jungkook flicked his gaze to a very distraught looking Jin as he watched them load you into the back of the ambulance before climbing in after you. “It doesn’t matter if I can or can’t handle it. My friends will say the same. What matters is being there for our friends.” His honesty seemed to win over the police officer completely and before long, the five of them were pulling up to the hospital.

Jin sat emotionless in the hallway while Namjoon paced outside a door. Hoseok went straight to Jin, sliding his back down the wall so he could pull his friend into his side and comfort him. Yoongi was still angry, unable to be near any of them after climbing out of the police van. He stood away from the boys, brooding. Jimin surveyed his friends, unsure of what to do while Taehyung finally moved to sit with Jin and Hoseok. Jungkook watched as the officer and his partner slipped past Namjoon and into the room you were being kept in. As the door closed he heard a flat, constant beep coming from the room before more doctors and nurses rushed into the room. The boys all looked up at the sound and saw everything that was going on in the room as the door swung wide open. Jungkook had to spring forward and stop Namjoon from rushing in after everyone. The two officers stepped out and waited uncomfortably by the door, refusing to meet anyone’s eye.

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“Cali, I swear,” You groaned, rushing around the house and almost killing yourself as you tripped on some toys that your daughter had left lying around. “If you don’t get your bag and put your shoes on right now, you’re going to school in your slippers - without lunch.” Life as a single mother was always interesting, especially since your daughter had started elementary school. It was hard to believe that the tiny baby you’d had just shy of sixteen was now a ten-year-old who was her own person. “Okay, okay.” Cali grumbled as she grabbed her bag from the kitchen counter and made her way to where you stood in the entrance. She pulled her backpack on - taking her sweet time - before slipping her feet into her school shoes. Your daughter reminded you more and more of her father every day. Even after all this time, the very thought of your first love was enough to cause your heart to pang painfully.

Your traditional parents hadn’t been supportive when you’d informed them that you were pregnant and planning on keeping the baby. They’d let you stay in their house until you found a place to stay and since then you’d been on your own. You managed, however, and the two of you were much better off without your mother and father. Though it got lonely and you missed adult company, it had always been the two of you and that was something you wouldn’t change for anything.

With Cali safely dropped off at her Elementary school, you had to hurry to make it to your first class for the day. You’d decided to go back to school a year ago. Graduating high school at been hard enough with a young baby, but you had done it. Thankfully, you were blessed to have wonderful teachers who had gone above and beyond to help you out. You hadn’t even considered further education - though you had dreamed about completing your goals - until Cali’s 10th birthday. She was old enough to walk to and from school, especially when the school was only three blocks away, and you had formed an amazing support group in the city. It had been the support of Cali’s best friend’s mother who had finally given you the confidence to enroll at University.

Hurrying through the school gates, your feet guided you as if on auto-pilot toward your first class, you barely took in the other students milling around. When you’d first gone back to school, you felt so out of place. Everyone seemed so much younger than you when in reality you were only eight or nine years older than most of the other students in your classes. However, the further you got into the year, the less you worried about what other people thought. You’d almost completed your first year of university and, now, you were confident to just go through the motions to get by. With a million things on your mind, you barely noticed you were about to collide with someone until it was too late. With a crude omph, you crashed into the broad chest of another person. “Sorry,” You cringed, stepping back and reaching to grab your backpack that had slipped off your shoulder only to have a second person reach down and pick it up first. “I should have been paying attention.” You glanced at the person you’d run into first but kept the second person in your peripheral vision. You relaxed when you noticed that the first male was a familiar face. “Oh, Jungkook!” You breathed, relieved before realising that he was going the wrong way. “Class is that way?” You watched as Jungkook glanced nervously at the man who was currently holding your backpack. You looked at this person, too, sensing that something was off and your heart caught in your chest. “Yoongi.” You breathed, your hand flying to your throat. You saw the flicker of realisation cross his face, his eyes widening. Jungkook’s presence went completely forgotten as you and your ex stared into each other’s eyes. “Y/N.” His tone wasn’t that dissimilar to your own. It was as if you were staring into the eyes of a ghost from your past. “How... How are you?” “I’m fine, thanks, how are you?” The pain in your chest was almost unbearable. You and Yoongi shared the same birthday. Your mothers had struck up a friendship during birthing class and had met again when they were both in labour. He had arrived first at 7:30 in the morning and you had followed almost three hours later at 9:19 am. Despite your families being worlds apart, the two of you were as thick as thieves. It was only natural that your friendship developed into something more, culminating in the two of your losing your virginities to each other. Not long after the two of you had slept together, Yoongi and his family were gone. They’d packed up in the middle of the night and moved. Two months later, you’d discovered that you were pregnant. “Yeah… Wow…” He let out a nervous laugh and moved to hug you. Just to be near him, you accepted his hug, the two of you lingering a little longer than necessary. The sound of someone clearing their throat pulled you both out of your haze.

“Hyung, weren’t you saying that we had somewhere to be?” Jungkook grinned, looking between the two of you, incredibly amused. As if a switch had been flicked, Yoongi’s personality changed. Gone was the young man you had grown up with and in his place was a domineering, chic adult. The change in him shot right through you, causing a long forgotten feeling to awaken in your lower belly. “Aren’t you staying for class, Jungkook?” You asked, turning your attention completely to the younger man for your sanity alone. He looked nervously at Yoongi before shaking his head. “I have somewhere to be, could I borrow your notes later? You have my number, yeah?” Nodding, an easy smile spread across your face. Jungkook was the next oldest in your class. At 23, he had a good four years on most of the other freshmen. Despite the four-year age gap between the two of you, you’d struck up a fast friendship and were as close as two university friends could be. Nodding, you tried to remember what your schedule was like. “I have about an hour free before tomorrow’s class - will you be back then?” You asked, still trying to ignore Yoongi but feeling his heated gaze on you. “We could get coffee? I can hang back after class because I have to get Cali to dance lessons.” “Cali?” Yoongi spoke up before Jungkook could get a word in. Your heart lept up into your throat, why had you mentioned her? Yoongi had no idea about her. Before you could think something up, Jungkook was speaking. “Cail is Y/N’s daughter.” They two of you had done a group project together, back in your first semester, and you had shared that information while trying to co-ordinate your schedules. Jungkook and Cali had never met, thankfully. You were quite protective of her - not that you thought Jungkook was a bad person. There was no hiding who her father was, however, and now you knew that Jungkook knew Yoongi. That would have opened up a whole can of worms that you were not prepared for.

A mixture of emotions crossed Yoongi’s face before you couldn’t take the guilt anymore and averted your gaze. “You have a daughter?” He asked, if you didn’t know better you would have thought he sounded hurt. “A lot happens in eleven years, Yoongi.” You murmured, your voice just loud enough to be heard over the general noise of campus life. God, it had almost been twelve years since he’d left. “Apparently.” He growled. “You don’t wear a ring.” “No, her father left before I even knew I was pregnant.” You gathered your courage and locked eyes with him. Was that… It was almost as if he was gloating. “I’m not married.” “Hyung, we really have to go.” Your gaze left Yoongi’s once more. The look in Jungkook’s eyes said that he knew. You sent a silent plea his way, praying that he wouldn’t tell Yoongi. “We’ll do coffee before class tomorrow - let’s meet at The Hub at 12?” “Sounds good, I should probably get to class as well.” You turned and reached for your backpack but Yoongi held it just out of your reach. “Have dinner with me tonight.” It wasn’t a question. “I have work.” You deadpanned, holding your hand out for your bag. He didn’t hand it over. “When do you finish class and start work?”

You didn’t want to answer. Yoongi had a way of figuring things out. He’d pry his way into your secrets and you weren’t sure that you wanted him to know about Cali. He’d left without a trace, too soon after giving yourself to him. You were hurt and that hurt made you slightly irrational. You and Cali had a nice life together and what if he tried to ruin it? What if he didn’t want anything to do with her? Just the thought of Yoongi not wanting to know the perfect child the two of you had created together was more painful than him leaving you all those years ago. “Y/N,” He pleaded as he stepped closer and handed you your bag. His hand wrapped around your wrist before you could pull away. “Please?” “If you’re back here by 4 o’clock, you can walk with me to my job.” You sighed, pulling your hand away. “I start work at 5, so we can grab a coffee on the way.” He gave you a small smile, his hand squeezing your wrist gently before he let it go. “I’ll see you at 4.” You watched the two of them walk away, Jungkook animated as he walked beside a stoic Yoongi.

It was hard to focus throughout your classes that day. Monday’s were your busiest day with classes from 9-4, followed by work from five until three in the morning. Normally, your last class being let out fifteen minutes early would have been a reason to celebrate but today it just filled you with dread. You took your time gathering up your things to delay the inevitable. Yoongi was waiting for you as you exited the building. He was early. You slowed as you neared him and he easily fell into step beside you. “How have you been, Y/N?” He asked after a while, his voice soft. “Has it really been eleven years?” “Almost twelve.” You stated, your gaze on your feet. “I’ve been alright. We manage.” “You have a daughter.” “I do, she’s the best thing I’ve ever done and the greatest person I’ve ever had the privilege to meet.” You smiled, your demeanor softening at the mere mention of Cali. “When did you… How…” You could see that he was trying to be sensitive with his inquiry. You steered him towards your favourite cafe and made your way to the counter. You needed a cup of tea to keep your nerves calm and your hands busy if you were going to have this conversation. You and Cali often came here on days when you were around to pick her up from school, it was close enough to your home, work, and both of your schools and the staff were lovely. As the two of you made your way to the front counter, you heard a familiar voice call out and the blood drained from your face. “Mum!” Stopping dead in your tracks, you looked around for the familiar face, only to see Cali bounding over followed by her best friend, Jia. Jia’s mother was sitting behind them at a table. As Cali came into Yoongi’s view, it was as if time was moving slower. You turned to look at his face, trying to think of a way to distract him but it was too late. You saw the look of realization cross his face. “I can explain.” You said weakly. Cali skidded over to you and hugged you tightly, not even registering that Yoongi was there. “I thought you had work tonight?” She asked, her words going a mile a minute. “We got let out an hour early because there was a fire at school, so Jia’s mum brought us here!” “A fire?!” You gasped, looking across at Jia’s mother who shrugged and gave you a look that promised to fill you in. “Are you alright? I do have work, but I ran into an old… friend on the way to work and we were going to get a coffee to drink on the way.” Cali nodded and looked around to see what friend you could possibly have other than the ones she didn’t already know.

When Cali turned and smiled at Yoongi, you could see the pain flicker across his face before he smiled warmly. They really did look so similar. “Hi Cali,” He smiled, holding his hand out to her. “My name’s Yoongi, your mum and I grew up together.” You watched as your daughter reached out and shook her father’s hand. “Hi.” She said softly before turning back to you. Your daughter wasn’t a silly child. You could tell that she knew who Yoongi was. It wasn’t often that you met a stranger who had your face. She was also incredibly sensible and knew that you would explain yourself later on. “Well, it was lovely to meet you, Mr… Um, Yoongi. Hopefully, we’ll meet again.” “Perhaps the three of us could have dinner if that was something your mum wanted?” “That would be lovely.”

You both made it out of the cafe without any other issues. It wasn’t until you were sitting in a park opposite your workplace that you finally spoke. “You left before I knew about Cali.” You whispered, watching a young family play on the grass. “I didn’t have any way to contact you, but I should have tried harder. You have to understand, I was so hurt when you left. I was fifteen and the only boy I’d loved, the boy who had just taken my virginity, had disappeared. You’ve got to think how that would seem to a kid.” “Dad got into some trouble with the mafia,” Yoongi said finally. “We had to leave but they caught up with us eventually. I didn’t want to leave you, Y/N. I’m not mad at you for not telling me about Cali. I’m upset that I wasn’t there for you. Your parents…” “They kicked me out just before she was born.” You admitted. “They let me stay until I had a job and a place lined up but then I was out. It’s not easy to find a job when you’re a heavily pregnant teenager. Do you remember the corner store down the road? The elderly couple that ran it gave me a job working the shift after school and let me stay in their spare room.” Yoongi listened intently to your story, his gaze on you the whole time. “I finished high school, lived there for a couple years until they both passed away. Their son wasn’t as accommodating and I was out. I didn’t have anything else for me there so I moved to Seoul.” “And you never dated?” “I didn’t have the time, I used to work three jobs before I started studying again, and Cali always came first. I didn’t want to start seeing someone, only for Cali to get attached and for them to leave.” “Three jobs, shit, Y/N,” Yoongi ran his hand over his face, looking older than his 27 years. “I should have been there.” “You couldn’t have known, Yoongi. It’s fine, I’ve made peace with it all.”

You drank your coffee in silence, waiting for the time when you would both have to go your separate ways. “I was serious before.” He admitted, breaking the silence. “I’d like to have dinner with you and Cali - if that’s alright with you.” “I’m… I’m not sure, Yoongi.” You sighed. “I meant what I said about no dating. It’s too hard when you have someone else to worry about.” “Then don’t think of it as dating. Think of it as Cali’s dad wanting to spend time and get to know his daughter. I assumed you’d be more comfortable with that situation if you were there.” He chuckled and ran his fingers through his hair before rubbing the back of his neck. “Hell, I’d be more comfortable if you were there.” You weren’t sure how you felt about letting Yoongi back into your lives. You knew his father had been a very suspect character, but it seemed too easy an excuse. Surely, he could have let you know something was going on. He could have let you know anything that would have helped you get in touch with him. “I… I don’t know, Yoongi. Being a parent is like nothing you’ve ever done. You can’t just disappear when things get too hard. That girl loves harder than anyone I know, if she got attached and then you…” “I’m not fifteen anymore, Y/N.” Yoongi growled, offense written across his face. “I just want to get to know my kid. I want to learn that she loves harder or that she hates broccoli - everything - by myself. My life isn’t easy. It’s dark and messy and there’s not a lot of happiness in it, being with you and Cali could be that happiness.” “See, it’s statements like that that don’t help your case in being allowed near my kid, Min Yoongi.” You deadpanned. Just what the hell kind of life did your childhood love live. “Relax, I know how to keep my personal life and my work life separate.” “I need to know this kind of stuff if you’re going to come near Cali. What do you do for work?”