caught in your fish tank

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Jaebum's nervous. Like palms sweaty, heart thumping, lip biting nervous. It's simply because Seulgi's father scares the shit out of him, and he's worried about the dinner not going well because of it. He managed to get out of work early, so he went and picked up some flowers so he doesn't show up empty handed.

He rings the doorbell and waits patiently, but hoping that Seulgi opens the door. He doesn't get lucky, and instead is met with Eric wearing his police uniform. "G-good evening." Jaebum stutters and he hates himself for it.

"Jaebum."

"Hi Jaebum!" Hyemi, Seulgi's mother calls out from somewhere in the house as Eric moves aside to allow his entry.

"Pardon the intrusion..." Jaebum tries to recall all the manners his mother and grandmother instilled into him, removing his shoes and offering the flowers to Hyemi when she comes over to greet him.

"These are beautiful, thank you! I will put it as a centerpiece for dinner." Jaebum loves Seulgi's mother, she's nice, sweet and always happy to see him...unlike her father, who glares so hard Jaebum's surprised he hasn't been burned yet.

"JB! Long time no see!" Sunmi greets, walking down the steps. Jaebum's happy to see her, he likes Sunmi, and she'll save him from her father. "Seulgi will be down in a second."

"Have a seat." Eric instructs and Jaebum quickly takes a seat. "Seulgi tells me that you've been busy with work."

"Yes, sir."

"Where?"

"At a mom and pop diner." Jaebum explains, "I'm a server, sometimes delivery boy, sometimes line cook, I'm saving up for university."

"Tuition?"

"I have a scholarship for tuition fees." Jaebum admits, "It's more for room and board. I didn't want my mom to pay for it all by herself."

"What do you plan on studying?"

"Music."

"Music..."

"Yes, sir. I want to produce, compose, and write."

"And that's a career for you?"

"Yes, sir." Jaebum sits up a bit straighter. He hates having to defend his degree choice to others. It's his life, he can do as he pleases. If his mother isn't pressuring him to be a doctor, or lawyer, then why should anyone else? He tries to change the subject to keep his cool, "How's university for you, Sunmi?"

"Great! I'm studying journalism but minoring in women's studies. My goal in life is to have my own talk show."

"That's awesome." Jaebum compliments, it's also very Sunmi. It's amazing how different but alike Sunmi and Seulgi are. Sunmi's very independent, knows what she wants and how to get it. Seulgi, although independent, barely knows what she wants to eat for lunch yet alone what she wants to do for the rest of her life. They're both free-spirited in their own ways, creative and have their father wrapped around their fingers. Maybe that's what having only girls does to you? Seulgi comes down the stairs then, walking over and taking a seat next to Jaebum.

"Hey, how was work?" She asks.

"It was fine."

"Is he giving you a hard time?" Seulgi wonders, looking over at her father who just shrugs his shoulders.

"I'm on my best behavior." Eric promises.

"Dinner's ready!" Hyemi calls out, and they all leave the living room to wash up and sit in the dining room.