before you love me | jjk

chapter nineteen

━━━༻ ˚✩‧₊ march 2020₊‧✩˚༺━━━

Jungkook rushed through his work like a man on a mission. He was eager to get back to the dorms. Yes he had left, but on his way back he just couldn't rid himself of the image of Narae's hopeful eyes staring up at him. He hadn't missed the expectant tone in her voice when she had asked him if he was staying, nor did he miss the way she slightly deflated when he said he wasn't. She had looked so sad in the kitchen and it was gnawing at his soul the way she tried to cover it up with a fake smile and forced positive tone.

His mind made up, he'd decided to wrap up as early as possible to get back and spend some time with Narae so she wouldn't end her birthday alone.

With renewed energy he completed everything he had to do in record time, the assistants and managers astonished at the speed within which he was moving. Soon enough he was done, and he made his way back to the dorms, briefly stopping to purchase a few things from the supermarket.

He sent a quick message to the other members in their separate group chat and began preparing for the evening.

✩ ✩ ✩

Forty-five minutes later, he was finished and proud of what he'd managed to do in the short time. He made his way to Narae's room and knocked softly on her door.

"Narae-yah? You in there?"

"Yes, one second." She shuffled to open the door. Her eyes were rimmed red and her hair was tied up in a messy bun. She looked so tired and not her usual self, Jungkook felt his heart clench at the sight, but he was hoping that what he had prepared could change that. "Hey Jungkook-ah, did you forget something again?"

"Not quite." Was his cryptic answer, "Follow me."

Confused, Narae obliged, following him to the living room which had been transformed. The happy birthday balloons and streamers were still up, but this time the living room floor was covered by an assortment of blankets and pillows to form a mini fort. Fairy lights had been strung all around the room casting it in a soft glow and the table that had been pushed to the side was heaping with a multitude of sweets and snacks. The large TV screen was turned on, the show it was displaying looking very familiar.

Narae was completely stunned, her brain not comprehending what was going on.

"What-what's all of this?" Narae turned to face Jungkook, the confusion clear on her face.

Jungkook was suddenly uneasy. Had he done too much? Did she hate it? He rubbed the back of his neck nervously before speaking, "You said you usually watch Death in Paradise with Asa on your birthday right? I know she's ill but I thought you might still want to watch it? We can put something else on if you want?"

"You remembered?"

"Yeah." He remembered a lot of things about her.

The simple admission pushed Narae over the edge. Whereas the night before she had only let a few tears escape in front of the boys before she composed herself, this was full on crying. She was surprised she even had any tears left, but it was just so thoughtful and overwhelming and she couldn't hold the emotions back.

"Hey hey hey, don't cry." Jungkook forgot his nerves at the sight and immediately pulled her into a hug, softly rubbing circles into her back, "Come on, you didn't really think I'd let you spend your birthday in your room all alone?"

Narae did think that actually. She was certain that it was going to be her worst birthday yet but here was Jungkook completely changing things around for her. She was so happy she couldn't speak, she didn't know how to begin to vocalize her immense gratitude.