Evenstar

35. Birthday Live

Taehyung held her hand as they walked the hallway of his apartment, at the end of which was where his parents would be. Dae Eun had been very nervous but when she finally met them, they greeted her warmly and made her feel comfortable. Taehyung had a striking resemblance to his appa, and she could tell that he must have been a heartthrob in his younger years. They had a similar fashion style, with Taehyung's appa being more classic and elegant. His eomma was petite and beautiful, with a pixie haircut that made her look young and cute. Despite her welcoming exterior though, Dae Eun could see in his eomma's smile a tinge of sadness, and she understood how she must be feeling. She felt the same way when each of her brothers had introduced their girlfriend to the family. She was happy they found love but she also felt an inexplicable sadness. She was afraid she would lose them. It turned out to be an unfounded fear, for they were now closer than ever, and she considered her sisters-in-law as two of her dearest friends. She didn't know how but she wanted to have the chance to assure Taehyung's mom that everything would be okay.

They spent the evening getting to know each other, and Dae Eun could feel how much love her oppa's parents shared and how much they loved him. Taehyung was funny around his parents, and still very much a child, the way she was with her appa.

They had a most delicious dinner, prepared by Taehyung's mom. Dae Eun realized that, although she considered herself a good cook, she may not be able to match Taehyung-eomma's cooking. The only thing that was not homemade was the birthday cake, which was a large round chocolate flavor covered with his favorite strawberries. It was sent over by JKL, their company.

When they were finished, Dae Eun offered to wash the dishes with Taehyung but his parents would have none of it. They were shooed away to have some private time to themselves. Taehyung took her to his studio and let her listen to the music he was working on. She found his singing voice so soothing and calming, she was certain his next album would be a hit.

"How do you feel about my parents, Eun-ah?" he asked as they sat together on a small leather couch beside his recording equipment.

Dae Eun thought carefully before answering because she vowed to always be honest with him. "I can feel their sadness, Oppa, athough they're happy, too. You've never introduced anyone to them?"

Taehyung shook his head in answer and took both her hands in his.

"I understand what they feel. Only time will really tell if you'll be in good hands." She touched his cheek, knowing how precious he was to his parents. She didn't want to give assurances based only on her feelings. For if love were only based on what she felt, she could tell him right now that what she felt for him was so overwhelming inside her that she believed it could conquer anything. But who knew what lay ahead? She would need to prove that love everyday, and not with words alone.

"Why are you so grown-up, Kwan Dae Eun?" He leaned on the back rest and moved her so she could relax and lean her head on his shoulder.

"I guess it comes with going through so many things." Dae Eun felt him kiss her head. "Love is proven with decisions we make everyday. I want to have those days with you."

He held her closer and wished for the same. "I want to prove it to you everyday, too."

"But you have, Oppa." Dae Eun thought about him sacrificing sleep to make it to her birthday, acting as her delivery boy and selling their farm produce to his friends. And so many small things that would probably be unnoticeable to normal people. "Maybe we just didn't realize it then." She knew now that they must have felt this way very early on.