"You're soaked," Jay breathed, making Y/N smile a little and shake her head. She reached out and gently wiped away the tears that lingered on his cheeks.
"I don't mind. I could stand in the rain for hours if it meant being here for you." The two were back home and Jay was embarrassed by his breakdown earlier. He looked down at his feet before Y/N's hand cupped his chin, gently lifting his face until their eyes met. "Do you feel better?"
"Yes, thanks to you." He nodded, his gaze holding onto hers. "I just... I didn't want you to see me like that. So devastated and... pathetic."
Y/N's expression softened as she continued to hold his gaze, her thumb brushing gently against his cheek. "Jay, there's nothing 'pathetic' about being vulnerable or feeling overwhelmed. If you think you're pathetic, then what about me? I came to Busan to end my life."
He swallowed a lump at her words, her honesty washing away the embarrassment he had been holding onto. "Y/N..."
"But then I met you and everything changed." She smiled softly, her thumb still caressing his cheek. "You made me realize that maybe, just maybe, there's a reason to keep fighting, to keep hoping." His heart felt like it was expanding when she tilted her head to get a better look at him. She was everything he never knew he needed, everything he had been searching for without even realizing it.
He reached for her hand, his fingers interlocking with hers as if they were meant to fit together. "How do you manage to look beautiful even in the midst of a storm?"
She chuckled, a warm and genuine sound that he could listen to for hours. "That's cliché. I think it's the rain."
He shook his head, a tender smile gracing his lips. "I guess it's you." He meant every word, every syllable that passed his lips. Her cheeks turned a rosy hue as she looked away, trying not to let her bashfulness take over. "You should take a shower. I'll make you some tea to warm you up."
"Thank you." She nodded and with a soft squeeze of his hand, she reluctantly let go.
"It's the least I can do for the woman that would stand hours in the rain for me." He gave her a playful wink and she chuckled, making her way to the bathroom.
The water from the shower cascaded down, wrapping her in warmth as she let herself be lost in her thoughts. Meanwhile, Jay moved around the kitchen, carefully making her tea. The scent of the tea and the fresh rain-kissed air made him take a deep breath and relax. A few minutes later she stepped from the bathroom, her damp hair tousled and a hint of a smile on her lips, he was waiting for her, a mug of tea in his hand. Their eyes met, and without a word, he held out the mug to her. "Tea for the soul."
She smiled before she sneezed. "This is exactly what I need."
But Jay frowned, concern etched on his face. "You caught a cold, didn't you?" He held out a tissue from a nearby box and handed it to her.
"A small one, I think." She smiled, dabbing at her nose. "It's nothing."
"Sit down. I'll bring the hairdryer to help you dry your hair." She complied, settling onto the couch as he disappeared for a moment and returned with a soft blanket and a hairdryer. She wrapped the blanket around herself, the warmth comforting against the lingering chill, and Jay carefully began to dry her hair.
"You didn't have to go to all this-" She sneezed, her voice turning slightly nasal, "—trouble."
"You're definitely catching a cold." His fingers went through her hair gently as he continued to dry it. "And no, this isn't trouble. I want to take care of you."
"I appreciate it." Her voice was barely audible over the pit-patter of the rain outside. Once her hair was mostly dry, he set the hairdryer aside and settled beside her on the couch while she wrapped the blanket tighter around herself. But then he cupped her face and made her look at him.
"You look tired. Your eyes seem a bit glassy," His thumb brushed lightly against her cheek. "You shouldn't come to the bar tonight. Just rest and stay warm."
"No, it's okay, I'll just rest for a little and go with you. I'm fine." She shook her head, trying to tough it out. "It's just a cold. I can still work."
"Y/N, you're not fine and I don't want you to push yourself too hard. I know you're dedicated, but going out tonight won't do you any favors. You need to take care of yourself first." Jay wasn't easily swayed, his concern for her well-being clear in his expression and tone. "You'll have some rest and I'll come back before you even know it, okay? We can watch a movie or something, just relax and recover."
Nodding, she leaned back against the couch, exhaustion seeping in. She couldn't remember when she closed her eyes or when Jay left for work, all she knew was that the sound of the rain gradually lulled her into a peaceful slumber.
When she finally woke, the room was dimly lit, the rain still tapping gently against the windows. She shifted, wondering how the guys were doing in the bar. She was feeling much better so she stood up and decided to go see Grandma downstairs. They didn't get to see her earlier but she needed to see her and help her with anything if she could.
As she made her way to the door, her steps were a bit unsteady. The short nap had indeed helped alleviate some of her exhaustion, yet she still felt a lingering weakness. When she reached Grandma's house, she knocked softly and stepped inside, wondering if she was asleep or pottering around the house.
But when she found her lying unconscious on the ground, her whole body going limp, her heart dropped. She rushed to her side, crouching down before she gently shook her and called her name in a desperate attempt to rouse her. "Grandma! Grandma, can you hear me?" There was no response, and her heart raced as panic threatened to consume her.
She didn't have a phone to call Jay or call for help. It was close to midnight and she was running across the street, trying to find anyone who could help her. A woman was walking down the street and she ran to her, quickly explaining the situation before they called for help.
"She'll be fine." The woman reassured her and was nice enough to stay with Y/N and Grandma until the wailing of sirens cut through the night, signaling the arrival of the paramedics. They watched them take her, their questions almost a blur to Y/N.
Everything was spinning around her and the world felt surreal as she stood in the hospital waiting area. But she clung to the hope that everything would be okay. That Jay's parents' death anniversary wouldn't be scarred by another tragic event.
