Fight for You | JJK

10

The clanking of pans and the delicious aroma of stew penetrating the walls wake Jungkook up. He quickly cleans up and walks towards the kitchen, ready to provide help if needed.

"I'm sorry, darling, did I wake you?" Mrs. Hwang, with her gentle and motherly smile, greets him.

"Oh, no you didn't. It was the delicious scent of whatever it is you're cooking," he grins.

"Ah, well I'm glad then. Spicy beef and vegetable stew - ___'s favorite."

Jungkook spots more pots and pans on the stove, rice cooking, side dishes already spread out on the dining table, and rice cakes ready for plating.

"Do you need any help? Although I can only make instant ramen but I learn fast," he offers, scratching the back of his neck.

The woman giggles. "I'm alright, darling. Please, you're a guest here. You can just call Mr. Sim. I think he's doing his exercise by the pool."

Jungkook smiles and does as instructed, joining the older man with some mid-morning stretching, enjoying the post-rain scent in the garden. Both of them go back inside after a while, and it's right then when you come running down the stairs, excitedly running towards Mrs. Hwang and engulfing her in a hug from behind.

"I could smell it from upstairs and it smells delicious! I can't wait," you squeal.

"Oh, sweetie. Happy birthday," she turns around to hug you, something that you return so tenderly. You kiss her on the forehead and engage in a fit of laughter as you try to steal some rice cakes.

Jungkook's seen you plenty of times with your parents and you're never this affectionate, this comfortable, this happy. They've also never looked at you with stars in their eyes and bright smiles the way Mrs. Hwang is right now.

"Oh, by the way. Jungkook carried you all the way home last night because someone was too drunk to walk on her own," she says, flicking your forehead. "He looked so tired so I asked him to stay the night."

"Wha— what? He's here? Right now?" You stammer, horrified.

"I can leave if you want," Jungkook says, prompting you to turn to him like you're a deer caught in headlights.

"No, you can stay!" You shout. "I just need to uh—" You turn, ready to run up the stairs to change, but Mrs. Hwang pulls you and orders you to set the table instead. You sigh and follow her order, now unable to look Jungkook in the eyes.

He takes in your form clad in pajama shorts and an oversized Little Mermaid cotton shirt that's seen better days, your hair messily tied in a bun and your bare, morning face a rare sight for him. He sees you look frazzled, constantly fixing your hair and covering your face when he looks your way.

"Hey," Jungkook walks towards you. "I really can leave if it makes you uncomfortable."

"It's not that," you scrunch your eyebrows. "I just... Don't look my best in the morning."

Jungkook cocks an eyebrow. "You were passed-out drunk in my arms last night, ___, snoring as you slept."

This causes you to further widen your eyes then cover your face again. Soft curses escape your lips and you want the ground to swallow you whole.

"It wasn't that loud. And at least you're standing on your own two feet right now."

You pout at him. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be so irresponsible."

"It was your party, it's okay," he comforts, choosing not to mention the other things from last night. "Happy birthday, by the way."

You feel your cheeks warm and you wish that there's no physical manifestation of it, as you look back at Jungkook in black pajama pants and a white sweatshirt that you know is Mr. Sim's.

"Thank you, Jeon," you mutter, your signature flirty smile now replaced with a shy one.

**

You do get to change to less embarrassing clothes after setting up the table, now dressed in denim shorts and a blush sweatshirt. You're seated in between Yoongi and Hoseok at the dining table who both arrived not long ago, apologetic about missing your party but you assure them for the hundredth time that it's okay, as it was one that your mother insisted you throw.

"I thought you planned the party," Jungkook says from across from you. "You looked really excited about it."

"I'm good at looking excited about a lot of things," you shrug. "Mother wanted me to have one because she thinks it makes me relevant. But whatever, I'm here with the only people I really need," you smile, leaning into Hoseok for a hug while you hold Yoongi's hand, who lets you, even if his face still doesn't seem that amused.

It's not an answer Jungkook was expecting but he shouldn't be surprised anymore by this point. He's stood in enough dinners with your parents to get a gauge of how they are when it comes to you.

There's distance and lack of affection; it's not so much resentment but the kind of detachment that was intentional and in some ways, perhaps permanent. The fact that you're not celebrating it with them is telling, given that they're still abroad for a work trip.

You don't seem to mind, though, as you enjoy laughing with your friends, your caretaker, and your chauffeur. It's an odd bunch but he can't help but think that this is your family, minus him of course.

He feels like he's intruding, like he shouldn't be here. And that's exactly why right after the meal, he helps clean up then quickly excuses himself to leave.