Yoongi stilled. Nari had spoken. Or had he just imagined it? Still, he had the impression something important had just been communicated.
He could feel her hand on his shoulder. Her touch was wreaking havoc with his nervous system. He was having trouble breathing now. And he would have sworn that a whole line of fires had sprouted up under her fingertips.
He turned towards her.
“Yoongi,” she whispered. “I am so sorry I ever doubted you. You have been the soul of kindness to me from the very first night we met. I – I judged you based on my prior experience of boys, and the way they used me. Even my own appa is hoping to use me to his advantage. Though, he wouldn’t force me to marry someone I couldn’t stand.
“Still, I…I have never before met a man like you. Tender, and sweet, and always putting me first. I mean, you barely know me! Why would you be so sweet to me? I still can’t figure it out.” Twin valleys had sprouted between her eyebrows as she narrowed her eyes at him.
He sat up and wiped his nose on his shirtsleeve. He stared at her.
“How is it that you have no idea of your true worth? The first night I met you I couldn’t take my eyes off of you. Not just because you’re cute, but because of your concern for me. I was a stranger. But you didn’t want me to get soaked.
“You offered me the services of a friend. Your company on my walk home. Your umbrella. Who does that?
“You think I’m extraordinary. But I think the same thing of you. You’re sweet. And funny. And smart. All the things I’ve been looking for in a girl.”
She stared up at him with wide eyes. She had no idea what to say. “No one has ever said those things to me. And meant them,” she finished.
She glanced away.
He reached out then and captured a lock of her dark hair between his thumb and fingers. He dragged it back behind her ear. She shivered. Then his thumb began to trace circles on her cheek. He was driving her mad. Did he have any idea?
His eyes seemed to be tracing her ear. He wasn’t looking directly at her. And he seemed to be humming. She furrowed her brow again.
“Yoongi. I love your music. It matches your sweet soul. I want to hear more of it. I want you to play for me. Will you play for me?”
His thumb stilled on her cheek. He had never played for anyone. His music teacher didn’t count. Practicing other people’s songs along with scales was not truly playing. When Yoongi really played the piano, the melodies flowed from his heart into his fingertips.
All the music locked up in Yoongi’s soul had stayed a secret for many years. Now this beautiful woman was asking him to make himself vulnerable to her. But he wasn’t sure it was a leap he was willing to make just yet. It meant that much to him. Just considering playing for anyone made him feel exceptionally defenseless.
“What do I get in return?” he whispered.
“What?” Confused, she frowned at him.
“Playing for someone is like baring my soul to them. I’ve never done that for anyone.”
“Ahhh. I understand.”
He could hear the disappointment in her voice. She looked completely dejected. She climbed out of her bed. He glanced up at her.
“Where are you going?”
She shrugged. “I get the feeling that I’m bugging you. Pushing too hard for things you don’t want to give anyone. So I’m going to give you some space.” She turned away then, trying so hard to hold back the tears that were threatening to spill down her cheeks.
Why did she care so much about him? And about his beautiful music?
He reached out and wrapped his strong, slender fingers around her wrist and tugged her closer.
“You’re making a habit of that,” she murmured in surprise.
He kept tugging. She gazed at him quizzically.
“What do you want, Yoongi?” she finally whispered.
“You,” he murmured. His eyes held hers.
She swallowed. “Okay.”
“Okay?” He quirked a dark eyebrow. “What does that mean?”
“I don’t know. What did you mean?”
“I pick you, Nari. Will you – will you let me be your boyfriend?”
Her heart was racing now. Threatening to jump out of her chest and land in his lap. She couldn’t speak anymore, so she nodded her head. And a great, big smile split Yoongi’s face in half.
That’s when he reached for her.
