Fight Me (BTS Taehyung)

Chapter 12

"Ji- Jihye!" my mother was shocked as she saw me standing in the doorstep with my crutches.

She immediately ran to my side and helped me walking to the living room.

"What happened? Did anyone- Was it your father?" she asked concerned as both of us sat down.

My gaze became stern as soon as she mentioned him, "Eomma, what's wrong with you? I already told you about the accident on the phone last night. Don't you remember?"

"You said you fell but you didn't tell me it was that serious! Did you see a doctor? What did they say?"

"My friend's friend who owns the inn we stayed at last night brought us to the hospital this morning. The doctor said it's fractured."

My mother nudged my arm, "Aye, why are you so clumsy? Good thing you didn't hurt anyone else."

"Eomma" my voice became as stern as my gaze, "What did you say earlier? How did you know my father was back in town?"

"So you heard, too?" she sighed, "Jihye, listen carefully. I don't want you to go out alone or when it's dark anymore. And I want you to text me everywhere you go. This is serious."

"I know it's serious. That's why-" I stopped and breathed a sigh, "that's why I asked Joohyuk to show me how to defend myself and fight."

She was silent for a moment. After taking a deep breath she finally spoke "Please don't tell me that was the reason you had so many bruises over the past months" her voice quavered.

"I'm not the little 10 year old girl who didn't know how to protect herself anymore. I'm grown up now."

She embraced me tightly as a single tear rolled down her cheek, "I'm sorry" she breathed heavily, "I'm sorry I was unable to protect you from your father back then. I'm so sorry."

"Yaah eomma, don't cry. You're an adult, you shouldn't cry" I said as I started tearing up as well.

She carresed my cheek while still holding me in her arms, "I want you to know how proud I always was and am of you. Despite all of the beatings of your father, you happened to become such a diligent, beautiful and intelligent young woman. Thank you for being my daughter, Seung Jihye."

I smiled as I looked up to her, "Thank you for being my mother."

-

Sunday, afternoon

"And how long do you have to wear that plaster?" Joohyuk pointed at my right leg as he pushed me on the swing at the playground.

"Six to seven weeks."

He sighed, "Why are you so clumsy anyways?"

"Do you want me to apologize for being the way I am or something?"

"Good thing Taehyung was strong enough to carry your fat ass."

"Yaah Nam Joohyuk" I yelled, "One leg is enough to kick your butt. I'd be careful in your stead."

"Yeah sure" he laughed at me as he sat down on the swing next to mine.

"How was your weekend?"

"Oh! I didn't tell you, right?" he turned his head to face me, "I met the most beautiful girl on earth yesterday."

"Wait, what?" my eyes widened as I stopped swingging with my left foot, "You, Nam Joohyuk, found someone else besides yourself beautiful?"

He smiled proudly to himself.

"Who's she? What's her name? Do you have a picture? How did you meet her?"

"Her name is Park Yeji and she has the face of an angel" he swooned over her.

"Is she from our school?"

"No, she goes to a private school like her brother."

"Her brother?"

"Yeah, she's the sister of my friend Park Jimin. I had borrowed his mp3 player and when I rang the door bell to give it back to him, his sister opened the door."

"Did you talk to her or did you just stare at her like a creep?"

"I asked if her brother was home and she replied with a 'yes'. It was the most beautiful word I heard in my life" he grinned from ear to ear.

"Woaaah Joohyuk! When's the wedding?" I laughed.

"Probably in spring. Maybe April or May when it's warm but not hot enough to make you sweat."

"That's all nice and everything but please be careful. You only saw her face, you don't know anything about her personality. You as my dear friend, you only deserve the best."

"I know, that's why I got you as my sister" he winked.

After finishing our little playground meeting Joohyuk decided to walk me home.

"I have a question" I said as I took another step while trying not to stumble with my crutches.

"Go on."

"What do you think about Taehyung?"

"I only talked a few times to him but Jimin told me a little about him. And judging from everything you told me about him so far, he seems to be a really nice person. Not everyone would travel that far only to show you some stars." he slightly smirked, "Why?"

"I feel like he has a really good heart and I kinda start trusting him. I just don't want to place my trust in a wrong person. And your opinion is very important to me, that's why."

"Aye, you're as careful as ever" he laughed, "but I think he's trustworthy. Look at everything he has done for you so far."

"You know what?" I stopped mid-way and turned to Joohyuk.

"Hm?"

"We took a little break for that cooking-in-return-for-training-thingy because of my injury. But I didn't get to thank him properly for the trip yet. I'm going to call my mother and ask if I can spend the rest of the afternoon at my friend's house. If she says yes, I'm going to cook a meal for Taehyung he won't forget."

After calling my mother and then confirming Taehyung was home, Joohyuk walked me to his house and left afterwards.

"What did I do to deserve this present?" Taehyung asked happily as he led me to the kitchen.

"I just wanted to say thank you for our little trip" I said as I leaned against the kitchen counter, "Taking me to such a far place and and caring that much for me- that's something one doesn't do for just anyone."

"Because you're not just anyone" he said reflexively as he grinned.

"What am I then?"