expired || k.sj x chubby reader [embrace yourself]

epilogue

🥀

Jin saved me. He helped me. He cared for me. He supported me. He remained by my side. He endured my mood swings. He never left. He meant the world to me.

I loved him; I knew it. But trusting someone and committing fully to him scared the hell out of me. What if he turned like Jaehyun in a few years? How would I cope with a second treason? It would most likely kill me.

I was confused, everything seemed so complicated where in fact, I only had to make a choice between confessing, or hiding my feelings to protect my heart.

"You're unusually quiet today!"

The rate of my heartbeat increased following Jin's words as stress and shyness took over me. I could feel my cheeks burning right under his nose, making a fool out of me. Still, he was waiting for an answer.

"Sorry, I'm just thinking of something I could buy..." I lied

Jin nodded anyway. "How about a cardigan? That's cool."

I frowned. "My father doesn't wear cardigans! He's more of a suit person, and shirt. He likes shirts!"

For the first time in two years, my father was coming to visit me in Seoul. Since he knew everything about my relationship with Jaehyun, I wasn't scared to meet him anymore. On the contrary, seeing him might be one of the best thing that could happen. I wouldn't mind seeing a familiar face.

I'd decided to spend my Wednesday morning at the mall, in search of some decent presents. Jin offered to come with me, convinced that no one would recognize him under three layers of clothes. He was right though.

"The red one is better." the singer took a closer look at the cloth "Pure silk, classy."

I rolled my eyes, amused that Jin might think my dad would care about the shirt's fabric. Though my father wouldn't particularly like it, I thought it would look fine on Jin.

"You should buy it." I said while caressing the silky cloth "It looks like it might suit you!"

Eventually, Jin bought the shirt.

~ ♡ ~

"I'm glad you're eating well!" exclaimed my father as he patted my back "I was scared you'd starve yourself over a heartbreak."

I shot him a glare, earning nothing but an amused laugh. My home felt a lot warmer with my father being around. I almost forgot how it felt like to live with someone else, especially a talkative person. In some ways, dad reminded me of Jin. And it made me realize how I missed him ever since he went abroad for a world tour. He wouldn't be back before two months. Fortunately, my father would stick around for a few weeks. Not to mention I had Hoseok by my side as well.

"Aren't we going to talk about it?"

Surprised by Dad's question, I paused. He stared at me for a few seconds before snapping his fingers right under my nose, forcing me to react.

"Let's do it." I confidently said, "I'll put the table, then we'll talk about it during dinner."

And that is exactly what happened. Thankfully, he didn't spend an hour telling me how he never trusted Jaehyun. He showed support and love, which I appreciated.

"But you're still young (Y/n), you can find someone worthy enough."

I smiled, feeling lucky to have such a loving father. Although we didn't meet often, we still had each other's back.

"Do I need someone though?"

He chuckled. "Look at me! I'm an oldie who can't even spend a day without crying his deceased wife." his amused expression made me tear up "I miss you and I miss her, but I'm stuck in the past. Because of that, I am lonely. I don't like it, but I just live with it. I'm old anyway, so it won't last long."

"Dad!" I exclaimed, not liking how he'd bring up death so easily

He shrugged. "I'm right though! As for you, you still have a long way to go. You can meet another man, someone who will love you and treat you like the angel you are."

At this point, it was hard for me not to break down in tears. I cleared my throat as if it could throw away my emotions, but I still couldn't speak.

"And I know it will be hard to trust someone else, but you'll feel it eventually. You'll meet that one guy and tell yourself, 'he's the one'!"

Unsurprisingly, the face of Jin kept appearing in my mind.

That night, my father fell asleep right after dinner. Lying on the couch watching some random show, I couldn't stop thinking of our conversation. He was right, I couldn't keep on rejecting people. One of them might be the one for me, hopefully Jin.

Suddenly, a large amount of courage took over me as I grabbed my phone and searched for Jin's number. Because I could chicken out any time, I wasted no time and called him.

It took him less than ten seconds to pick up the call, and realization hit me hard. His husky, tired voice erupted from the phone. I cleared my throat and made some small talk to me make sure I wasn't bothering him.

"It's three in the morning here, you're kind of ruining my sleep."

I pursed my lips, regretting my impulsivity. "Sorry Jin, get-"

"Tell me (Y/n), I'm awake now."

I paused, thinking of a way to say it.

"You remember the Halloween party I hosted last year?" he hummed as an answer "That night, you told me you had feelings for me..."

I waited for him to speak, but he remained silent. I sighed.

"Do you still feel the same way?"

"No." I didn't know what to say. There was a short silence during which I tried hard not to cry, but then he added "It's even worse. I love you."

I cried anyway.

Jin began to panic, but I assured him I was alright. "It's just that—I'm happy Jin. I am so happy!"

"Talk to me (y/n), what is going on?"

"I just know that I love you too, and I feel that I can trust you!"

🥀