Lifetime

Gouda Vibes

I drifted in and out of a half sleep on the couch in Seokjin's bedroom, peeking over the back every time I opened my eyes to make sure he was okay. He stayed in the same position, his breathing so light I had to put effort into listening every time I checked.

Sunlight filled the room the following morning, coaxing me awake when I couldn't fight against brightness. I stretched my neck from the discomfort of lying against the arm of the chair before peeking behind me to Seokjin's bed, both sides perfectly made as the one had been the day prior.

I'd kicked my socks off during sleep, my feet padding against the shiny floor to tap at the bathroom door and out of the bedroom once I realized it was empty. The faintest smell lingered in the air the closer I got to the front of the hallway, turning to see Seokjin with a spatula in his hand and laying an egg over a single slice of plated toast.

"What are you doing? You should be in bed." I scolded while he ignored me, carrying the saucer in one hand and using the other to pull a barstool from under the island.

"It's only an egg and toast. It took like five minutes." He set the plate in front of a seat while taking the one next to it. "Plus, I'm feeling better today."

I held out the toast for him to take a bite before eating, lecturing him between chewing and swiping away the crumbs that fell onto my sweatshirt. "Fine, but you still need to rest today."

"Yes ma'am," there was a drawl to his voice as he leaned into the elbow he set on the counter so that he was closer to me, "I already took more medicine just in case, but it'll make me really drowsy." He added as evidence that he would be okay.

I nodded, finishing the last bite. "Okay, do you need me to do anything for you? Dad keeps reminding me that I forgot to bring some of his soup for you."

"Go home, I'll probably sleep all day. You can bring some of the soup when you come back for dinner."

"Seokjin." I cut him off, growing impatient to the way he minimized how sick he'd been only hours ago.

He stood, pressing his hands onto the countertop so that he still leaned to my level. "Seline." He drew out my name at the end. He would come to say my name this way every time he wanted me to soften toward him. It worked every time. "I'm going to sleep all day. I'll even rest for an extra day before having you come back for dinner so that you'll feel better."

"I can stay." I pressed as he moved closer to the door that led into the garage, returning with a keyring that hung from his index finger, a jumble of keys clinging against each other.

"Take the car." He switched to hold out a single key fob to me, letting the others dangle by his wrist. "You can drop off your dad at the airport, come back for dinner with soup and a packed bag."

I followed up quickly. "A packed bag?"

He nodded, reaching forward to put the keys in my hand.

"Okay, but I'm not taking your car." I protested.

He stepped in the way of me placing the keys on the countertop, covering my hand with his and so close that he felt intoxicating. "Everything here is yours. Take the car, Seline." He said and repeated my name in that same way, so that I softened toward him a second time.

I made sure he was comfortable in bed, watching his eyelids get droopier the longer I stalled and at some point he realized I wouldn't leave until he was asleep. He pretended to be, but I still didn't leave until I felt his hand go slack from where it rested in mine.

Seokjin surely didn't realize that I didn't have vast experience with driving when he offered me his car. I'd been living in cities where I walked or used public transportation for most of my adult life, and on trips someone else typically volunteered to drive.