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Soul bounds is nothing without trust and unconditional care.
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"Baby. Can I meet my friends tomorrow evening?" Jungkook adorably asks with his chin on the dainty curve of her shoulders, occasionally biting her a bit playfully.
She only hums in agreement as she busily slits designs on the surface of a freshly kneaded dough. She had seen this type of baking where the bread came with flowery designs once baked and she had been trying to copy it.
"I will be meeting friends." He repeats. His hands on her hips are now around her belly, squeezing the healthy pouch created with her filled stomach. They just had their dinner and with her appetite, it doesn't surprise her that fats have been accumulating on her body. She's not conscious of it though as her seven would want to squish her more just like what Jungkook is doing to her. Her seven loves her more with her healthy glowing jiggle.
She hums again with a mumbled, "Yes you will." Her focus is still on the intricacy of the design she is creating on the dough.
"Can you go with me?" She hears him mumble and easily she nods, not even thinking much what he just asked. Not after she flinches, almost slitting a huge cut on the dough, ruining her design with Jungkook's loud "Yes."
"Jungkook?" She exasperatedly warns. She almost cuts her fingers too with his reaction. Then the reason of his outburst sticks. She tilts her head, trying hard to back track on what he had been saying.
"You already said yes. So, I will be introducing you to my friends as my soulmate." He toothily grins.
She wants to argue that she didn't mean it like that but how can she if he looks so adorable with his crinkling doe eyes and puffed happy cheeks? She can only whine his name as a protest as she puts down the blade to safety.
This won't be easy.
"You allowed Jin-hyung to introduce you to Martinie hyung and his band. You also met Jiminie-hyungs friends ... Why can't you meet mine?" He frowns with her obvious dislike.
True. Jimin had been persistent to introduce her to his trusted friends. She was so nervous about it, thinking that they wouldn't like her. But she thought wrong. Jimin's friends are so different to what she expected. They are adorable intellectuals. They are so accomplished on their own chosen fields. No one would believe that they are friends with a very known celebrity. Well... Knowing Jimin's history, being so studios and a straight A class president since elementary, if he didn't find a family in Bangtan and pursued his gift in dancing, he surely be the same too. Perhaps an engineer just like his friends, or a teacher, or a policeman who he said he wanted to be. They were all accepting and had teased her for Jimin's possessive tendencies.
She sighs. It's not that she doesn't want to meet Jungkook's friends. But unlike Jimin's who are regular Korean citizens, Jungkook's are all celebrities. It's understandable with how young he had been in the profession. It's bound that he can only find relevance with those with the same experience.
"Baby." Jungkook's eyes flutters adorably, making her almost melt and heed to what he wants.
"It will be difficult." She mutters.
"I will be with you. Besides, they are good friends." He reasons.
"They are celebrities Kookie -oppa." She tries to be sound.
"They would know how to keep secrets. They have their soulmates too. They would understand." He replies.
"I am just ordinary." She can't say anything else but that.
"No. You're not. You are special. You are our only soulmate. You are not ordinary at all." He beams.
She sighs. What more to say? Jungkook is so adamant to introduce her. Well... What keeps her from allowing him? Everyone knows the face of the only soulmate of BTS. Everyone knows about her. Perhaps, it's time to slowly incorporate herself to their world. It's not to be public as them, but to fully grasp what and who they are outside their home.
**********
She was able to meet with Jungkook's friends which started awkward but surprisingly morphed to something quite memorable. To keep her from being left out, Jungkook had asked his friends to bring their soulmates too, who were all understanding and adorable. Coincidently, all of them are younger than her. So, for the first time, she had felt being a proper unnie with them. They were meeker than her, more afraid to be introduced to the others than her. After all, they had been all kept secret unlike her whose face has been known already. She felt quite comfortable with them. Maybe because she has seven and they had helped her build her confidence, while the girls have only their celebrity soulmates and as what she had known, most of them are living separately due to idol dormitory rules. They were mostly only permitted to date under the watchful eyes of their managers. Sometimes, they find it hard to date at all. Good thing Bighit doesn't have that unjust rules. She couldn't help but feel sorry for them. Jungkook's friends in the other hand are so welcoming. It's telling how much they show to the public with their behavior. They are much chill and of course, much loving to their soulmates.
One meeting led to another. Taehyung asked her to meet his Wooga squad, then Namjoon with his hyung friends. She couldn't help but feel that her seven are easing her way to be with other people, mostly to those whom they trust.
And every suspicion is proven correct when Hoseok asked her to be with them on the awards night. It is one of the most prestigious award ceremonies in which her seven is expected to bag all the major prizes. Hoseok himself had multiple nominations with his solo album.
Mindlessly, she agreed, thinking that she would be only there at the back stage. With so much surprise, she was dolled up and now she is seated on the limousine with them.
"Are you alright?" Hoseok's smile is blinding. He had asked the same a million times already. Maybe he had expected her to back out. Actually, she contemplated as the make-up artist put some false lashes to enhance her eyes. She berated her decision when Yoongi told her that she is beautiful, that she can be an idol if she wants to. She almost said no when Taehyung asks her to walk with them to the red carpet and sit with them on their assigned table. But she didn't. Yoongi smiles proudly to her as she gulps down her nervousness.
"Ready?" Jimin asks worriedly. "We will be together."
She nods at that.
The car halts and the door open. The screams that didn't register to her brain with much nervousness hushes down when her seven didn't continue their steps to the red carpeted stairs.
There are murmurs as her soulmates make a line in both of the car door's opening. It was too quiet when Daun sees Hoseok's palms open upon her. She looks up to his eyes and see the promise of her security and care, which she wholeheartedly trusts.
"Hobi-opa." She almost chokes with the wild beating of her heart.
"I love you." He mumbles so lovingly.
The three words are not simple confession. It's a way of telling her that there is nothing in this world could hurt her anymore. The world is nothing compared her. No one can touch her. No one can love her as much as they do.
With that, she reaches out and hold his hand as she finally steps the same floor with them, this time with the sparkles of glamour, under the scrutiny of the flashing cameras and criticizing eyes. But nothing could do her harm, just like they promised. And so, she beams into a beautiful dimpled gummy smile.
Her light yellow off-shoulder dress shines bright like the sun. The upper hugs her perfectly and then silkily flows to her ankle with a slit just slightly above her thighs. It's modest but elegant. The gem stones on the cloth and on her high heels glitter under the light and the cameras' quick succeeding flushes. People screams for her existence. Not with the obvious golden Tiger Lillies inked on her arm and her left collarbone that are obvious for everyone to see. However, her thoughts only scream lovingly for them. Not with how she fits just perfectly with their yellow-ish attire. Namjoon with his turtle neck. Jin with a yellow coat and a white turtle neck underneath, just like Hoseok. Yoongi with his glittering yellow jumper, making him look cozy. Jimin and Taehyung with a suit. The former in lighter shade, while the latter in a classic checkered pattern and in a more golden hue. Jungkook is in turtle neck as well, the same with Namjoon, but with a dark ink accent along the entire one arm, which he purposely rolls just to proudly match his soul sign with hers.
She can't help but appreciate how beautiful they are, almost making her forget how the eight of them are amidst the crowd, with celebrity or regular people alike.
"You are doing great, Kitten." Yoongi whispers on her ears, making her skin rosily glow.
"You are a natural, Sweet." Hoseok whispers at her other side. Gently tagging her with her hands on his arms.
Oh, how to tell them that she's going to faint? She wills herself to be stronger. To show the world what they are to each other.
She then sweetly smiles.
**********
"Is this really my voice?" Daun gasps in surprise.
She hears him chuckle.
"How did you do this, Yoonie -oppa?" She asks. She can't still fathom how can Yoongi create such beautiful song.
The man laughs while nodding while his attention is on the road.
She pleasantly hums with the song with the lyrics of their love using the metaphors of rainbows on the blue sky and warm rain on the stormy cold day.
It's not the first time that she hears the song. Maybe, it's her thousand times already. When finally, he finished it, he gathered everyone and let them listen to the audio. It is a love confession hushed into a smooth lullaby. Daun's voice is soft in the chorus while Yoongi's rap is a hushed gentle. Everyone got carried away with the emotion that all of them got teary-eyed. She never knew that her voice could sound like that. It is delicate with Yoongi's soothing piano and her violin. It earned Yoongi a very tight hug and a very passionate kiss in front of the others.
"I told you. You have a beautiful voice." He hums as he looks at her for a second and back to the road.
She blushes and mutters a thank you. She melts with how Yoongi replies with a searching hand to her lap and swiftly entangles his fingers with hers.
"You are so sweet." She seductively whispers, slightly blowing against his ears.
"Behave. I am driving." He grins as he wipes his lower lip with his tongue. His hands squeezing on hers.
She giggles and playfully zips her mouth and ask the most essential question. "By the way, where are we going?"
"You'll see." He hums while he lifts his hand to kiss hers.
It's just the two of them. The others are in a different schedule. It's a first time to be freely out and about without the worry of paparazzi since the awards nights. Yes, nights. They asked her to be with her on January and on another more private setting which she all agreed. Ever since people have started to warm with her. ARMYs are more liking her, making her question their eyesight with how much they complement her beauty. Now, she is much thankful that she braved it all, allowing her to experience how is it to be on the spotlight. It was not that horrifying at all. Not with the seven of them around. But still, she would still choose not to attend anything anymore if she is allowed to choose to.
Not a half hour later, they halt for a second to a huge opening gate and then get inside to a property with a beautiful mansion. The infrastructure is so grand that she can't help but look at it in awe.
Immediately, Daun notices a woman wearing a rather casual work attire, standing by the huge double door. The lady beams excitedly as she bows as Yoongi steps near with her on his arms.
Silently, Daun follows along as she casually looks around the house while the woman explains every nook of the place. Yoongi would ask questions which the woman would gladly entertain.
"What do you think, Love?" Yoongi asks her in an endearment he uses whenever they are in public. After all, "Kitten" is quite unorthodox or rather kinky.
"This is wonderful, Yoonie." Daun honestly says. Whoever owns the house surely knows how to incorporate Korean architecture and designs. Though it's old, leaning over the European style, everything is seamless.
"Do you think it would fit us?" Yoongi's eyes are hot on hers, fully focused on her next words.
She gasps with his meaning. "Us? Here? This is so grand." She admits that she had been brought up within a mansion as grand as this. But she didn't consider it as home. Rather, it was like a prison, empty and cold with only the maids as her friends. In fact, this reminds her of that mansion. Can they make this as their home?
"Us. Together. What do you think about making this as our home?" Yoongi seriously asks.
She can feel her tears threatening to well. Before they can flow, she sniffs them all. "Yoonie... I really don't know what to say." Yes, they have been practically living together ever since last year. Ever since she had awoken from almost breaking their bond. She had been held with them with the fear of ultimately ripping their souls out. She had been feeling at home of course, but sometimes, whenever she was left alone with her own thoughts, she couldn't help think that the penthouse was only temporary. Now, with a house in mind... with a careful consideration of her own opinion, she feels much more needed. She feels that everything is becoming permanent.
But how to say that she doesn't quite like the feel of the house. Yes, it's beautiful. But it's quite haunting? She can't grasp the exact words.
"Don't you like it?" Yoongi's brows crease in worry. "We can search for another one then." He calmly says, patting her back, wordlessly telling her that's it's okay not to like it.
"Yoonie." She wants to tell him that whatever they decide, it's okay for her.
"Sir?" The woman asks in surprise. Perhaps, already so convinced that the man would readily buy the property.
"You see. My beloved soulmate has to sign the deed with me. You also need her approval, much more than mine." He firmly says.
"Yoonie... I." Daun want to tell him to quit glaring with the woman.
"Don't worry, Kitten." He whispers endearingly on her ears. "I have another property in mind." He says as he politely bids the woman goodbye while she awkwardly just nods with a flushed face.
Her heart is conflicted. Yoongi with his personality, surely had considered the house. Among her soulmates, he is the only one that is meticulous in terms of furniture and housing. He studies everything even from the minute details. So, refusing the first house is quite disappointing. Is Yoongi disappointed with her? Perhaps, she doesn't know yet what to choose.
"Let us see this other one okay, before you castigate yourself much more." Once again Yoongi sneaks his hands unto her fidgeting hands and curls his fingers to hers. "Just relax. I too don't feel okay with the vibes of that house. I should have researched the previous owners." He mutters.
She silently nods.
"Don't be too hard to yourself. Think this as finding our home. We should love the house first before anything else."
"Loving home." She can't help but mutter it and taste the sweetness of the word on her lips. They had mentioned wanting to have bigger one for all of them, but she never thought much of it. She never thought that it would come to this... not this soon. After all, anywhere they are is her home.
Daun blushes as Yoongi chuckles, obviously amused with her thoughts.
And Yoongi is right. There is nothing more than be in love with the house itself. The moment she sees the second house from a far, her heart won't stop palpitating from excitement. It's like it's calling for her, beckoning for her to come and spend at least her lifetime.
"You like it that much?" Yoongi chuckles.
"It's on top of a hill? With a very wide yard? In Seoul? H-how?" She exclaims.
Seoul is so cramped with too many buildings. Each square meter is so expensive that landowners would make sure to profit with the most of it. However, this property is so beautiful. The previous owners seemed so rich, not caring to profit on the rest of the land. They only think of peacefulness minus the sceneries of the metropolitan.
"We are at the boundary of Seoul actually. We are a bit away from the hustle and bustle of the city." Yoongi says.
"What will you do if I agreed on the previous mansion Yoonie?" She can't quite comprehend what will she do, knowing a perfect house as this exists.
His shoulders shake. "Perfect?" His brow raises in question. "Relax first. You haven't seen what's inside yet." Yoongi says.
Her love for the house grows as they finally stop at the entrance. It has a huge one panel heavy door with a modern electronic lock. It looks so modern, perhaps the previous owner had done a lot of revisions recently. It's a wonder why they are selling this on the market.
Yoongi easily opens with the right password. It doesn't surprise her though as he told her that he had acquired permission from the owner himself. It's quite telling how Yoongi is close to the owner. Maybe they are also friends? She doesn't dwell that much.
"The family who owned this are already in Australia. They decided to relocate after the eldest son married his foreign soulmate. When the siblings were young, they were much music oriented so there are studios at the basement. One of the rooms upstairs can be converted to your art room, especially the one fronting the mountainside. It's much serene. That's what the son had shown me." Yoongi explains as they hand in hand walk around the place.
"It looks empty." She can't help but ask, expecting most of the pieces of furniture to be still in place, the same as the previous mansion, especially if the owners are already going abroad.
"Well... they auctioned most of them for charity. I think the rest were given to the care takers." He says a bit unsure.
"That will be good, we can fill the place with what we want." She excitedly suggests.
He pauses and looks at her. Then he smiles gummily. "Yes. We will surely do."
"There..." She faces a sunlit room. "That's perfect as a living room. Joonie's bonsais will be great with that spot." She starts to plan, giggling. In every room, she has something to say on what to do while Yoongi just endearingly listens to her every word, occasionally adding a little more to her every suggestion or telling her that it would be perfect.
"So? Do you like it here?" He asks as they are at the balcony of the said room he wants to change as her art room after peeking through every room there is.
With a beaming smile she hugs Yoongi. The guilt and disappointment that she felt a while ago had eased away. "Like? I love it!"
But she can't help but wonder. How about the other's opinions? What if they don't like it here? Will it matter?
The wind whistles as it caresses her face, blowing her the scent of early spring. Her worry grows with her growing fondness for the house. What if they think this is just too far from work?
"Actually." Yoongi starts as he brushes the whips of hair out from her face. "Only two out of seven voted for this house." He reveals.
"Oh!" She feels a pang of disappointment. "And the five? Do they want the other one? Should we get the first one?" But her heart would ache with that.
Yoongi chuckles. "Does that matter? Besides, we have a hunch that you would choose this one." He says with a swirl of truth within his orbs.
Her eyes widen then curves in elation. "Really?"
"Yes. Really." He nods.
"Then why not bring me here first?"
"Well... I want to give you options." He gummily smiles.
She laughs with her hands covering her mouth. "Sometimes... I really think you are just playing me within your palms. You and the rest."
Yoongi's brows raise at that.
"But I don't mind." She sweetly smiles. "Now... We have a home for just the eight of us." She giggles. "Thank you, Yoonie -oppa."
Can't help himself, he leans over, as if melting, and kisses her lips for a promise of forever.
"Ours... And Us... isn't that wonderful?" Yoongi playfully says in between their kisses.
"Us..." She hums against his lips. Before she could continue, she hears footsteps coming towards the room, breaking their kiss. She hears Yoongi hissing as the door opens and comes stepping inside are her six.
"Surprise!" Jimin swiftly hugs her, almost knocking her down to the floor if not with Yoongi's hold.
"W-what are you all doing here?" She mutters in confusion.
"We can't pass this moment. Not this finally having a home that are really ours to live in." Namjoon beams.
"Now pay up you losers." Jin grins as he laughs with Taehyung's pout and Jimin's piercing stare.
Jungkook toothily laughs as he coaxes others to hand him a bill. "You too hyung... pay up." He says to Yoongi, making her much more confused.
Then it clicks. "Wait. Are you betting for my choice?" She exasperates. She can't believe them really.
"It's okay, Darling. I already knew what you like." Jin just chuckles.
"What will happen if I choose the other one?" She can't help but ask.
"Then the two of them pays." Jimin adorably pouts, pointing to the eldest and the youngest of her soulmates.
"The five of you really likes the previous house better? B-but, you said the vibe didn't suit you, Yoonie!" Her eyes are wide in surprise. She now doubts on her choice. Three against five? That's quite not settling within her heart. No matter how much she likes this one better, but if five of her soulmates prefers the other one, should she choose that?
"Silly... we didn't vote for the first property." Yoongi crunches his nose.
Tilting her head, she unintelligently gasps an "Eh?".
"We vote for whatever you want to choose... just these two idiots want to prove their point that they know you so well, egging us all into a bet." Hoseok grimaces with Jungkook now practically clinging on him.
She laughs.
"No matter... don't you like it? We can transfer whenever we want." Jin beams as he steps closer to lovingly kiss the crown of her head.
"Not with the missing pieces of furniture!" Yoongi mutters, reminding her of the busy ahead.
"Well... we can start searching now?" Hoseok beams as he readily takes his phone and push for an app.
She happily nods. Her heart swells. Her soul seemingly lifts up with so much happiness.
Then the spring with happy scent of her orange blossoms permits the mansion, along with the forest, flowers, and the ocean breeze of her seven.