Neighborly [Seo Changbin + FemReader] || Slow Updates, Still Writing

[5.3] Y/N

I opened the apartment door to hear the television turned up and some noisy music coming out of it. I called out Yu-Jin's name as I slipped off my work shoes, but I didn't get a response. Stepping into view of where he was sitting in the living room, jaw agape and eyes glued to the tv, I waved to try to catch his attention.

His eyes were wide with surprise as his head jerked toward me, and he shouted with a fierce point toward the tv, "Mom! It's Mr. Seo and the group he's in! Look!"

My entire body turned to face the tv and look at what he was pointing at. There, on the screen, were 8 guys who looked to all be in their 20s, performing in a music video. My eye was immediately drawn to Seo Changbin on the screen. I followed his dance moves and antics with interest until he opened his mouth and began to sing and rap. A small gasp left my lips as butterflies took flight in my torso. He was good, like really good. I was mesmerized for the rest of the video by him and what I could register of the other members.

"So? What'd you think?" Yu-Jin hopped up to stand on the couch cushion and stare in my face expectantly when he paused the video at the end.

"Whoa..." I exhaled in astonishment. "That was really him?"

Yu-Jin nodded excitedly. "Yes! And the group he's in is called Stray Kids and their music is crazy."

Then I remembered what Changbin had said outside about his group of friends being chaotic, and I laughed under my breath. "Chaotic indeed."

"What?" Yu-Jin asked, confused.

I shook my head with a smile. "Speaking of Mr. Seo... I ran into him outside and he asked if we wanted to go hang out somewhere for a little while."

Yu-Jin jumped down, his dark and tousled hair bouncing on top his head for a second, reminding me of how untamed it was when he was a toddler. I reached up and smoothed it down as he eagerly questioned me. "Like where? Does he want to go somewhere specific? Can I ask him about his group and about rapping and about—"

The hand that I had on his hair quickly covered his mouth to stop his rambling. I rolled my eyes and laughed at him. "No! You cannot ask him a million questions about his job. Let's be respectful even though you're excited about it."

His bottom lip poked out in an exaggerated pout so I pinched his cheek, gaining a loud, "Aaaooow! Eomma!"

"What do you think?" I asked him. "Do you think you can handle hanging out with Mr. Seo in public now that you know what he does for work?"

Without hesitation, Yu-Jin nodded genuinely. Then his gaze turned mischievous. "And you, Mom? Do you think that you can handle hanging out with Mr. Seo in public now that you know what he does for work?"

I couldn't help but blush a little at my son's assumptions, so I gathered him quickly into a tight, squeezing hug. "If you don't like it, I'll tell him that we can't, and we can just hang out here together, just you and me." I squeezed harder, which made him squeal like a stuck pig and make a fuss trying to get out of my motherly embrace.

He pushed far enough away from me to struggle saying, "But, I like Mr. Seo! And you do too!"

My stomach twisted, and I loosened my grip on him. Yu-Jin's arms wrapped around my waist, hugging me back. I took the opportunity to be honest with him. "I do, as a friend." That I've kissed... "We're still pretty much strangers. We really don't know each other at all... But I would like for that to happen, for us all to get to know each other. Is that okay? Are you comfortable with that?"

Yu-Jin's big, anime eyes beamed up at me. "Yes!"

I chewed on my lip for a moment, taking note of the brightness and excitement in his young face, and a sharp twang of apprehension speared through my chest. "Jinnie... Please, try not to jump to any conclusions with Mr. Seo. You know how much I love you and would do anything for you. And that includes the people I allow into our life. Do you understand?"

A swift seriousness enveloped his expression, killing me a little inside, and he nodded slowly that he understood. "I know, Mom."

I hugged him to me, this huge blessing wrapped in little boy. His precious arms squeezed me back. Moments like these, where we were safe in our little world and taking care of each other, would always be the images I kept in my heart to remain motivated to give him everything I could that he deserves. No one and no thing would get in the way of that. Especially his father or any other man who can't see Yu-Jin's pricelessness.

"So, are we going to go see Mr. Seo?" He asked.

I hugged him tighter, making him groan. "Just one more minute."

He fought against me with a laugh. "Come on, Mom!!"

I finally gave up with a loud sigh. "Fine, fine." Then, I went to get my phone from my bag to text Seo Changbin.

Yu-Jin said yes to hanging out. Give me five minutes to change out of my work clothes and we can meet you downstairs.

His reply came almost instantly, as if he was waiting by the phone. Great! See you downstairs in ten.

A cocktail of emotions swam through me at once—intrigue, nerves, curiosity, fear, excitement, and doubt—as I stared at his response. I took a deep breath to swallow it all down, and made my way to my room to change clothes like I said I would.

"We're meeting him downstairs in ten minutes!" I yelled out to Yu-Jin, smiling at his squealing response. "