Master's ( Jungkook / BTS )

Episode II: Kim Seokjin

~•~•~•~•~•~

After dinner, Jungkook dismissed me and I took it upon myself to sneak out. It wasn't hard to do; most of the other servants were left to clean up or wash the dishes and Jungkook locked himself up in his study.
It was past midnight, I caught the last bus of the night in a rush to get home. The air was chilling at this time of night and there was no sound to be heard. I pulled my coat closer to my chest as I ran down the street.
My apartment building came into view and I quickly dashed up the creaky metal stairs up to the second floor of the building. Out of breath, I made it to my front door and fumbled to get my keys out of my bag. The keys fell onto the cold concrete, creating a loud echo through the hall. I bent down to pick up my keys and heard the door open. I looked up to face Kim Seokjin.
"Oppa," I said, still trying to catch my breath. "I'm sorry. It's late and you're probably exhausted from work."
He placed his hand on top of my head and ruffled my hair. "Did you run here? You know you shouldn't over exhorting yourself, Li-ah" He placed his hands on both of my shoulders.
I crinkled my nose. "Aish, I told you not to call me that, I'm not a kid anymore!"
He chuckled. "Shh, you'll wake up the neighbors," He hushed. "Plus, after all I do for you, I think I can at least call you Li-ah."
"How's halmeoni?" I worried.
"Just as chatty as ever."
"And Namseon, how is he?"
"I put him to bed hours ago."
"Thank you," I closed my eyes. "Thank you for picking him up at such short notice."
"Anything for my little sister," he ruffled my hair again.
"Aish, stop that," I hit his hand, "I'm not your sister."
"I know, but you just remind me so much of my younger sister."
"The makeup artist?" I asked. How could I remind him of her, she had an IQ of a rock.
"Maybe you're not as annoying as her, but still."
I pulled out a chair and put my head down on the dining table. I took a deep breath and sighed.
"Oppa?"
"Hmm?"
"Oppa," I said again, but this time it came out more as a whine. I spread my arms out for him. "I need a hug."
Jin took a seat next to me and wrapped his arms around me. "See, you're so smart but you act like a little kid. Sometimes, I forget you're old enough to drink. You haven't been drinking with other people have you?" He pet my head.
"Oppa, you're still my only drinking buddy, so don't get jealous and do anything irrational, alright?"
My head was still pressed against his chest as he softly chuckled. "You know, Professor is still keeping you a spot on the team," he changed the topic.
"You know I can't come back, I have a new job."
"Li-ah, the team hasn't been the same since you left, we miss you. I miss you. Ever since you took that payed internship two years ago, I've barely gotten to see you. I understand that you need the money, but I talked with Professor and he said he'd be willing to pay you more than what you're getting now and he'll work around your schedule so you can pick up Namseon from school. Li-ah, think about your health." The shadows that casted across his face from the moonlight made his expression even more so serious.
"Oppa, that's not the issue anymore. I made a promise to someone, an unbreakable one. You have to respect that, Professor too. And I'm fine, I really am."
"You work too hard, Li-ah," he sighed
"It's the only way to make life work," I sighed too. I checked the digital clock on the kitchen counter. "It's getting late, you should go home and get some sleep. Professor will be angry if you show up late again."
"He'll understand. I am his favorite student after all," he goofed.
"Go," I waved him goodbye.
"Okay, you go to bed too. Call me if you ever need anything, okay?"
I nodded and continued to wave. I waited for the door to shut completely before getting up to check on Namseon.
On my way there I checked on Halmeoni. She was asleep in the living room, on her small quilted mattress and next to her was her collection of colorful yarns and a pair crocheting needles. I picked up the yarns and needles and put them away for her so she could wake up to a clean room.
I carefully opened the door to Namseon's closet sized bedroom. I quietly entered and sat down next to his bed. I caressed his small face and traced my fingers over his delicate nose.
Like me, he was an orphan. Both his parents died when he was young in a fatal house fire and as my cousin he had spent the night over at my place to spend time with Halmeoni and me. What we all didn't realize till after the damage was done, was that the reason his parents never showed up to pick him up that night was because they couldn't. He had no other family and so Halmeoni took him in, but she being the age that she was can't move around like she used to so it was all up to be to raise him. That was five years ago and now I see Namseon more as a little brother than a cousin. Over the years, I've gotten to see him grow into the bright nine year old that he is today. Everything I do, is for him.
"Goodnight, my love."

~•~•~•~•~•~
A/N:
Halmeoni: Korean for Grandma
Thanks for reading :)
-Lena