ACATALEPSY I BTS AU

CHAPTER 31 - Thorns among Petals

**You wake up around 9:00 AM.** 

*Someone's knocking on the door. Ugh, who could it be at this hour?* Still in your pajamas—just a spaghetti strap top and some booty shorts—your hair is a chaotic mess. As you head to the door, a flutter of anxiety stirs in your stomach. 

"Good morning, miss. I have this for you. I tried to deliver it yesterday, but you weren't home," the delivery man says, handing you a vase filled with vibrant irises. 

The sudden surprise sparks a bright smile on your face, but it's short-lived. A chill runs down your spine. 

*What does this mean?* The realization hits you hard: the stalker hasn't given up. 

*How did he know that this is my favorite color?* The beauty of the flowers clashes with the dread tightening in your chest. For a fleeting moment, you let yourself appreciate the delicate blooms, but then reality crashes in, dragging you down. 

This is a reminder that someone is out there, fixated on you, crossing boundaries that shouldn't be crossed. You force yourself to ask, "Thank you so much! But can I ask who sent this?"

"Sorry, I can't reveal that information," he replies, his voice a professional monotone. 

You give him your best puppy eyes, desperate for a connection, a clue, anything. "Please?" 

The delivery person glances at his watch, clearly anxious to leave. "I'm sorry, miss; I'm running late. Have a great day!" He hurries off. 

You let out a defeated sigh. "Ugh." As you turn back to your apartment, the weight of uncertainty feels heavier than ever. Just as you're about to close the door, a hand stops you. 

You look up, surprise melting into relief. "Hey, what brings you here?" 

**In Jimin's Apartment** 

He had just woken up, feeling relaxed yet nursing a slight headache. 

*How much did I drink last night?* The coffee machine beeped, signaling that his brew was ready. Since he didn't have to work today, he found himself pondering, "What should I do?" 

Then it struck him—"I wonder how Y/N is doing."*You occupied so much of his mind without him even realizing it. As he slipped into his "Minji" alternative identity, an unexpected image of you curled up in his arms flashed before him. 

He couldn't shake off the memory of that night, when he had stayed up watching over you while you slept. The warmth of your body so close to his felt like a soft cocoon. Your gentle breathing, your mouth slightly open, and the way your body fit perfectly against his—all of it sent shivers through him. 

The more he daydreamed about that moment, the more it twisted something deep within him. "Fuck," he cursed under his breath, feeling a familiar and unwanted stir in his body.

 He was frustrated with himself for having this reaction just from thinking about you, but what could he do? Was it even ethically right to feel this way about you? A twinge of guilt washed over him, but he couldn't deny that your mere existence ignited something primal inside him. It was as if he was a slave to this intoxicating feeling, struck by its intensity like a soft punch to the gut. 

With a sigh, he headed to the bathroom, hoping to relieve the pressure of his body's betrayal. As soon as he finished, he dashed out the door, his thoughts consumed by the idea of seeing you. 

*Too bad about that coffee he left on the table...*