PICTURESQUE. | MYG

xi

Yoongi purchases Soomi three chocolate ice cream cones, and one birthday cake flavored cone, "for variety," in her words. The best money Yoongi's ever spent in his opinion. Once the ice cream distracted her enough to make her forget why her mother's friend is practically interrogating her, Soomi was an open book. Yoongi finds out her favorite color is turqoise, her favorite book is Goodnight, Moon, her most favorite toy is her toy kitchen. She hates hot dogs, but adores sushi. She plays soccer with a kid's league. She prefers banana milk to chocolate milk, and she thinks that jigsaw puzzles are the most entertaining thing in the world.

Yoongi is smitten. Everything about her is perfect in his eyes. She could say that, next to soccer and jigsaw puzzles, picking her nose is her favorite hobby and Yoongi would still see nothing but perfection. He can't believe she's his, descended from his own blood, a member of his own lineage. How someone like him could create someone so utterly lovely is beyond him. You're here, and you are definitely his least favorite person right now, but being with Soomi makes none of it matter in this moment. He could sit and talk to her all day, hell, all month.

Until his phone rings. Well, he had let it ring for the first four times the iPhone started vibrating in his back pocket, but by this time, the fifth, he sighs in annoyance, stands and fumbles for the buzzing device, answers and holds it to his ear. He takes a few steps away from the table, Soomi and you before speaking. "This had better be good." He snaps.

"It's not, unfortunately." Hoseok answers, patient with Yoongi's rudeness. He knows how difficult and important this is for him. "I can't keep covering for you. We have to be at the venue for the awards show in an hour and the stylists are freaking out. They're about to send someone to your studio, I told them you're working on a song and you can't stop till it's done." Yoongi's heart sinks, glancing over his shoulder to look at Soomi, who's leaning back in her seat with a contented smile, clearly very pleased with her ice cream intake. He doesn't want to leave yet. He's been gone all her life, he doesn't think he'll be able to bear it if he has to leave again. But he knows he has to.

"Shit. How much time do I have to get there?" He says softly, in defeat.

"I'd say 20. Maybe 25 if I make Jimin pretend he lost his jacket for the performance." Hoseok says, and Yoongi manages a small smile.

"Thanks, Hobi. I'll be there." He pauses. "You can meet her one day. Soomi. She's—I love her. More than anything. You'd love her, too."

"I'd love that, hyung. I'll see you." He says, and hangs up. Yoongi sighs once more and tucks his phone into his pocket again. He reapproaches the table, trying to keep his disappointment and sadness out of his voice. He knows you can tell that he's upset, and he sees your hands in your lap, itching to reach out to him and offer in a comforting touch. Caress his cheek or rub his shoulder or squeeze his hand. Like you used to. But you jerk back almost as much as Yoongi does when he sees your hand almost darting out to do just that. You control yourself, knowing that you can't do things like that anymore, and not knowing why you felt so tempted to. It's not your job to comfort him anymore, you lost that opportunity a while ago. "I have to go." Yoongi says, and the frown on Soomi's face makes him want to cry.

"Aww. Why?" She asks, pouting.

"I have work."

"Where do you work?" She asks, and Yoongi bites his lip, not sure how to go about telling his daughter who doesn't know that she's his daughter that he's an international superstar.

"I—I play instruments. And...sing and dance sometimes." He says awkwardly, and he sees a ghost of a smile on your lips.

"Really? What kind of instruments?" She asks curiously.

"Mostly piano." He answers, happy that she cares enough to want to know.

"Really? Oh my gosh, that's so cool." She exclaims, and Yoongi smiles, nodding.

"Maybe Yoongi can come over and teach you how to play." You suggest, and for the first time, Yoongi feels a burst of gratitude towards you.

"I'd love that. Would you?" He asks, and Soomi nods, little braid bouncing up and down with her enthusiasm. "Great." He says, and glances down at you. He can't make himself thank you, though he is grateful. His mouth and his brain won't betray his heart by telling you how he really feels. He's still angry with you, livid, hurt. But you're trying. And that's all you can do, and despite being hurt, Yoongi is logical and recognizes that. But he won't tell you that yet. It's all too fresh, too new, an open wound barely beginning to scab over.

"Goodbye, then. Text me your address." Is what he does say, though, and then he ruffles Soomi's hair, sweetly caresses her little chin that looks so much like yours, and leaves the ice cream shop, bell tinkling behind him.

You watch him go, guilt plaguing you constantly though he's gone, and Soomi tugs at your sleeve.

"Can we invite Yoongi to my birthday party?" She asks, excitement and a sugar high making her jump up and down. Your smile drops, the idea of Yoongi and Sejun being in the same room almost too much for you, but you pull yourself together quickly.

"I'll...I'll ask your daddy."

this is short and shitty but i wanted to update ily

also thank you so much for 3k 💜