𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬

•Chapter 16•

Y/n moved cautiously toward the door, her steps hesitant, she tripped upon her own feet that sent her tumbling forward. She closed her eyes, bracing for the impact, but instead, she felt strong arms wrap around her, breaking her fall. Startled, she opened her eyes to see Yoongi, his expression filled with concern.

"Are you okay?" Yoongi's voice carried a note of worry, but Y/n was too shocked to respond. She simply stared at him for a moment before heaving a sigh of relief.

Without waiting for her answer, Yoongi gently lifted her into his arms, cradling her securely. Y/n's heart raced, and she stammered, "Wh-what are you doing?"

"Shh," he whispered soothingly. "I can see you're tired. Just rest for a bit." Y/n nodded, her confusion giving way to a sense of comfort in Yoongi's presence.

As he carried her, they continued down the path, the world around them growing dimmer as Y/n closed her eyes, her trust in Yoongi allowing her to finally relax and drift into a peaceful slumber.

It had been days since Y/n found herself confined to the hospital room.The passing days felt like fleeting seconds, and the sterile environment of the hospital became a monotonous backdrop to her life. She had grown accustomed to the beeping monitors and the routine check-ups.

Now, on the journey back home with them, her stepbrothers, Y/n couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in her mind. She glanced at each of them from the seat, her thoughts swirling. Their behavior towards had taken a sudden and unexpected turn during her hospital stay. Their had become her unwavering support, a pillar of strength, and an attentive caretaker.

Y/n longed for a peaceful life, away from the complexities that seemed to have enveloped her family, especially her stepbrothers. Yet, in this very moment, escape felt impossible as she found herself sandwiched between the twins, Taehyung and Jimin. They had taken to playing with her hair, their fingers weaving through her locks, a comforting distraction from the chaos around her.

Amidst the twins antics, Y/n's thoughts were jolted by sudden screams. She turned her attention toward Jin and Hoseok, who were now jumping in their seats, their faces contorted in terror as they watched a ghostly apparition on the television screen. Y/n couldn't help but stifle a silent giggle at their exaggerated reactions. She had seen this movie countless times before, and the predictable scares no longer held any thrill for her.

Restless and bored, Y/n's attention drifted away from the movie. She absently gazed around the dimly lit room, her eyes falling on the other stepbrothers, each reacting differently to the horror unfolding on the screen. Namjoon was analyzing it with a critical eye, Jimin had his hands covering his face, Jungkook who seemed to be way excited and Yoongi entirely uninterested.

As the minutes dragged on, Y/n's drowsiness crept up on her unnoticed. The droning sound of the television and the comforting warmth of the room lulled her into a state of drowsy relaxation. Unbeknownst to her, she had gradually shifted and ended up resting her head on someone's shoulder.

In the midst of this chaotic and mundane night, Y/n's accidental nap brought a moment of tranquility, and she dreamt of a world far removed from the complexities of her life, if only for a little while.

Jimin had always harbored a deep affection for Y/n, seeing her as a little sister, though he had been reluctant to admit it. The fear of suffering and complicating their relationship had kept him from acknowledging the bond they shared. However, in that quiet moment, as he watched Y/n sleep with a sense of tranquility on her face, something within him shifted.

A genuine smile tugged at the corners of Jimin's lips as he couldn't help but admit, even if just to himself, that Y/n was his sister in every sense that mattered. He vowed never to let her leave him or their family.

Lost in his thoughts, Jimin was suddenly brought back to reality by the weight on his shoulder. He looked down to find Y/n peacefully asleep, her head resting on him. His heart swelled with affection, and without hesitation, he wrapped his arms around her in a protective embrace, silently promising to always be there for her.

As he held his sister close, he couldn't ignore the intense stares from his other stepbrothers, their expressions tinged with jealousy. Jimin met their looks with a sly smile, enjoying the playful rivalry. With a nonchalant shrug, he carefully lifted Y/n in his arms, cradling her in like a little baby. With a final glance at his now baffled brothers, he carried her to her room and gently laid her down on her bed, ensuring her comfort.

Returning to the movie room, Jimin settled back in his seat, his heart warmed by the newfound bond he had acknowledged with Y/n. He was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, knowing that they were now truly family in every sense of the word.

As Jimin returned to the movie room, he found his brothers eyeing him with curiosity and perhaps a hint of annoyance.

Namjoon was the first to speak up "Jimin, what's going on? You seemed unusually affectionate with Y/n."

Jimin chuckled, enjoying their puzzled expressions "It's simple. Y/n's my sister, and I've finally admitted it to myself. I'm not going to let her go anywhere."

Jin chimed in, still trying to understand the situation "But why the sudden change, Jimin? You've been so distant all this time."

Jimin's expression softened as he considered their question "I guess I was afraid of complicating things. But after seeing her sleep so peacefully and realizing how much she means to me, I can't keep denying our bond."

Hoseok gave Jimin an approving nod "Well, I'm glad you've come around, Jimin."

Jimin smiled at Hoseok's words, feeling a warmth in his heart "Thanks and don't worry, I'll make sure to protect and annoy her like a true brother should."

The room filled with laughter as the tension from earlier dissipated, leaving behind a newfound sense of unity among the brothers. They turned their attention back to the movie, but this time, the atmosphere was lighter, and the bond between them felt stronger than ever.

The next morning, Y/n insisted on going to school despite her recent illness. Her determination was admirable, but her stepbrothers knew she wasn't fully recovered. Jin, tried to reason with her "Y/n, are you sure you're up for school? You're still not well and as well you are running a fever."

Y/n, feeling a bit stubborn, brushed off his concern "I can't afford to miss any more classes. I'll be fine."

Y/n's condition seem to worsened. Her fever spiked, and she could barely concentrate. Everyone did, noticed her pale complexion and the sheen of sweat on her forehead.

"Y/n, maybe you should stay home and rest. You don't look well."

Y/n, now frustrated and feeling unwell, snapped at Jimin. "I said I'm fine! Just leave me alone."

Namjoon, who had been watching the situation unfold, decided to intervene. "Y/n, we're just worried about you. There's no need to be so stubborn."

His words only fueled Y/n's irritation, and she lashed out in frustration. "I don't need you guys to worry about me! I can take care of myself."

But as she stood up to leave the through the main door, her legs wobbled, and she nearly fell. Jungkook, quick to react, caught her before she hit the ground. "Y/n, you can't even stand properly. You're not going anywhere."

Y/n's eyes welled up with tears, a mixture of frustration and pain. She didn't want to admit defeat, but her body was clearly telling her she needed rest.

Eventually, her stepbrothers convinced her to go back home, and she begrudgingly agreed. As they left the school, she couldn't help but feel guilty for hurting them with her stubbornness. Deep down, she knew they only wanted what was best for her, even if it meant missing a day of school.

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