Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

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As I walked down the hallway, my heart felt heavier with each step. The buzz of the set faded into the background, replaced by the sound of my own heartbeat thundering in my ears. The confrontation had taken so much out of me; I felt like I had bared my soul, only to be met with disbelief and dismissal. The tears that had threatened to spill moments before now flowed freely, blurring my vision as I pushed open the door to the changing room.

Inside, it was quiet. The bright lights cast a sterile glow over the space, illuminating the rows of clothes hanging on racks and the scattered makeup supplies. I stumbled to the nearest mirror, my reflection a mix of pain and frustration. My eyes were red, the evidence of my tears stark against my flushed cheeks. I quickly wiped my face with the back of my hand, trying to calm myself down.

But how could I? The boys were my friends, my family in many ways, and the thought that they didn't believe me, that they couldn't see what was so painfully obvious, twisted the knife deeper in my heart. Yuna had always been charming and confident, and even if I hadn't done anything to deserve her disdain, it felt like I was fighting a losing battle. I was an outsider in my own circle, and that realization crushed me.

I took a deep breath and leaned against the sink, staring at my reflection. "Get it together, Y/N", I whispered to myself. But the words felt hollow. I was tired of pretending everything was okay, tired of wearing a mask of indifference when inside, I was screaming loudly.

The sound of the door creaking open startled me, and I turned to see Jimin stepping in. His expression was uncertain, a mixture of concern and confusion. "Y/N, can we talk?", he asked softly, the door closing behind him.

I shook my head, not trusting myself to speak without breaking down again and closed my eyes. I could feel the heat of my emotions threatening to overwhelm me. "Please, just leave me alone, oppa", I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Y/N, I know you're upset", he said, taking a cautious step closer, which I opened my eyes again and fixing my gaze intently on him: "But we really want to understand. We care about you and we love you"

The sincerity in his voice tugged at my heart, but the pain of the earlier conversation were still in my mind. "You say that, but it doesn't feel like it", I replied, my voice trembling. "You all chose Yuna. You didn't even notice I was gone until an hour later. How can you say you care when you didn't even look for me?"

When he looked at my face and noticed my tearful eyes, his gaze softened. His uncertainty was replaced by gentle compassion, leading him to move a little nearer.

"I'm so sorry", his voice filled with regret: "We didn't realize how much we were neglecting you. We thought you were okay. We thought you were just...busy or something"

"Busy?", I scoffed, bitterly, "I was standing right there, watching you all. It's like I don't even exist to you guys when she's around"

He looked taken aback, his eyes widening in realization. "Y/N, that's not true. You're one of us. You're family. We never meant to make you feel that way"

I wanted to believe him, I really did, but the ache in my heart was too fresh and too raw. "If that's true, then why didn't you notice? Why didn't you stand up for me when she was being rude?"

"Because we were caught off guard", Jimin admitted, running his hand through his hair in frustration. "We didn't see it as bullying; we saw it as a girl trying to fit in with us. We thought you could handle it"

"Handle it?", I responded with disbelief and pressed my hands against my chest to hold back the emotions, as I continue with a trembling voice: "Why would I need to 'handle' someone being rude to me? Why is it my job to fit in with her? Sometimes I really wonder why I even bother trying to explain to you or to the others how I feel"

"I know, I know", Jimin's eyes softened further and his voice rising slightly: "I'm not saying it's your job. But I think we misjudged the situation. We thought she was being friendly and we didn't see how she was treating you"

I crossed my arms, feeling the anger flare back up: "Maybe you should have paid more attention instead of just assuming everything was fine!"

Jimin took a step back, visibly hurt by my outburst. "I'm trying to understand, Y/N. We all are. Just give us a chance to make it right. Please"

The room felt heavy with unspoken words, regret, and a deep sense of betrayal. I wanted to believe him, to believe that they truly cared, but I couldn't shake the feeling of betrayal. I had shared my feelings so openly to them, and yet it felt like they had brushed them easily aside.

"You don't get it", I said, my voice lowering. "I feel like I'm losing all of you to her. You don't see how she looks at me, how she smirks when you're all around. It's like I'm a joke to her, and you're all laughing along"

His eyes softened, and his expression shifted from frustration to empathy. "We'll talk to her. We'll figure this out together. I promise"

But even as he said those words, a deep part of me was skeptical. "And what if you don't? What if you all just decide I'm being too dramatic again?"

"Then we'll keep talking until we find a solution", he insisted, stepping closer once more. "I'm not leaving you like this, Y/N. You're important to me and I don't want you to feel this way"

With that, he pulled me into a gentle hug and for a moment, I allowed myself to lean into him, to feel the comfort of his embrace. It felt good, warm and safe, but the lingering doubt still nagged at the back of my mind. Would they truly stand by me? Would they fight for our friendship against Yuna?

As I stood in the changing room, the air felt thick with tension, while Jimin's words were still in my mind.

I rummaged through my clothes, fingers brushing against the soft fabric as I pulled on a comfortable oversized hoodie that felt like a shield against the outside world. I slid my phone into my pocket and took a deep breath before i turned around. Just as I was about to leave the changing room, I heard a soft knock at the door.

"Y/N?", It was Jeongguks voice, gentle and hesitant: "Are you ready? Our driver is here"

I paused for a moment, composing myself before I opened the door slowly and finding Jeongguk standing there with his hands tucked into the pockets of his jeans. He looked at me with those big, expressive eyes of his, and I couldn't help but notice the slight frown on his face.

As we walked down the corridor together, the weight of silence pressed down on us. Nobody spoke a single word. I reached into my pocket and slowly pulled out my headphones, feeling the familiar smooth plastic against my fingertips.

Without thinking too much, I gently untangled the cords, trying to free them from the knots that had formed during my restless moments in the changing room. The soft click of the connectors and the twisting of the wires were soothing in a small, trivial way. It was a tiny act of control amid the chaos of my mind-an attempt to create some order when everything else felt so uncertain.

I slid the headphones over my ears, pressing them gently into place. The world around me seemed to quiet as I pressed the button to silence the surrounding noise, drowning out the unspoken words and the lingering doubts. Now, all I could hear was the faint, rhythmic beat of my favorite song.

We reached the waiting area where the car was parked, and I spotted our driver, who was standing in front of a big black SUV. The driver opened the door for us, and I slid into the backseat, feeling the warmth of the car envelop me. Jeongguk settled in next to me, while the rest of the boys were already seated in front of me, their expressions a mix of worry and sadness.

The drive began in a heavy silence, the only sounds being the low hum of the engine and the soft music playing through my earbuds. I kept my gaze fixed out the window, watching the scenery blur past as we made our way through the familiar streets.

As the car made a turn, the gentle hum of conversation from the boys became a soft undertone, a distant murmur that felt both comforting and isolating. I could sense the tension in the air, the unspoken questions hanging between us like a thick fog. So I pulled my hoodie closer around me, seeking solace in its fabric and cranked up the volume, hoping it would drown out the thoughts spiraling in my mind.

"Do you think we should talk to her now?", Jin asked softly, glancing back at the seat where I sat, my headphones muffling most of the world outside. His voice was gentle, but there was a hint of concern beneath it. He reached up and lightly scrubbed his eyebrows, a nervous habit whenever he was unsure or worried.

Hoseok felt the tension as well, leaning forward slightly. "Mhm, maybe we should give her some space. She might need time to process everything". Jungkook nodded in agreement, his brows furrowed thoughtfully.

"But what if she thinks we don't care?", Taehyung asked softly, his voice tinged with worry. As he spoke, he absentmindedly played with the edge of his white armband, the one she had made for him, his fingers tracing the fabric nervously. The armband was a simple gesture, but to him, it was a symbol of their bond-something she had crafted with her own hands, a small token of her affection and support. He looked down at it, twisting it slightly between his fingers, then glanced back to the others: "We need to show her that we're here for her"

"Yeah, but she was really upset", Jimin nodded quietly, his jaw clenched. "We can't just expect her to forgive everything overnight. She's hurt, and honestly, I don't blame her"

"Guys, we can't just ignore this and let Yuna drive a wedge between us", Yoongi said, his voice firm and commanding: "Jeongguk, take out her earbuds. Let's see if she's willing to talk"

Just as I was bracing myself for whatever was coming next, I felt Jeongguk shift beside me. Without warning, he reached over and gently pulled the earbuds from my ears, the soft music cutting off abruptly.

"Hey!", I snapped, startled by the sudden action and turned to him, before I grabbed the earbuds from him away: "What was that for?"

"We need to talk to you properly about what happened", Jeongguk said, his tone earnest but laced with a hint of hesitation: "Because we can't fix this if you're not listening"

I clenched my fists, trying to stay calm, but my heart was pounding wildly with excitement and pain. The tears still burning on my face threatened to come again, but I pressed my lips together to keep them from spilling out.

"I don't want to talk about it anymore", I finally said, with a voice that was barely more than a whisper, yet sounded firm and determined: "Not if you're just going to dismiss my feelings again. You all did that before and...I cant take that anymore"

"Y/N, that's not our intention", Jimins eyes softened as he reached out toward me again, his voice gentle but earnest: "We're not trying to dismiss you. We want to listen and understand, truly"

"Then why didn't you stand up for me?", I shot back, my voice cracking with emotion, while I slowly sat up straight and turned myself slightly towards them, giving them a clearer view of my trembling face: "Why did you let Yuna treat me like that? You just sat there and let it happen"

My eyes shimmered with unshed tears, but I refused to let them fall again. I wanted them to see how much their silence and neglect hurt. Namjoon's jaw tightened, and he looked away for a moment before speaking softly. "Because we didn't see it for what it was. We were blind, and I hate that we let it get this far"

Hoseok nodded in agreement, leaning back slightly: "We thought she was just being playful, not realizing how it was affecting you. But we're sorry for not noticing sooner. We should have seen how much you were hurting"

"I just don't understand how you could miss it", I said quietly, my voice trembling as I looked down to my hands. "It was so obvious to me"

The silence lingered for a moment, heavy with unspoken apology and regret. I could feel the weight of their gaze on me, each of them processing my words and the pain behind them.

Jin took a slow breath, then reached out and gently placed his hand on my knee. "Y/N", he said gently, his voice a soothing balm. "We truly didn't mean to hurt you. We love you, and we want to make things right. We'll talk to Yuna, I promise. We'll make sure she understands that what she did was not okay"

"But what if she doesn't change?", I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, while I lift my head to look in his eyes.

"Then we'll deal with it together", Hoseok assured me, his gaze steady and full of conviction: "We won't let her or anyone else make you feel like you're less than you are. You're family to us, Y/N. That means we're going to stand by you, no matter what"

The sincerity in their voices began to chip away at the wall I had built around my heart. I looked at each of them, seeing the genuine remorse and care in their expressions. So I nodded slowly, feeling a small but significant weight lift from my shoulders: "Okay. But you have to promise me that you'll really talk to her. Not just a passing comment, but a real conversation about how she treats me"

"Absolutely", Namjoon nodded emphatically. "We'll make it clear that her behavior is unacceptable. You deserve to be treated with respect, and we'll ensure she knows that"

"We're also so sorry for making you feel otherwise. From now on, we're going to make sure you know how much you mean to us", Jimin eyes softened, the regret and determination shining throw.

As I looked around the car, I saw the boys nodding in agreement, their faces a mixture of concern and resolve. In that moment, I felt a flicker of hope ignite within me, a small but bright flame that promised that maybe things could change. "Okay....thank you", I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper.

"No thank us. You belong with us, sunshine", Hoseok said, his voice brightening the mood slightly. "Always. No matter what anyone else says or does"

"Yeah. You're like our secret weapon", Taehyung chimed in, his trademark grin breaking through the tension. "Who else could handle our crazy like you do?"

The sincerity of their words mixed with Taehyung's playful attempt at humor made me smile despite the heaviness still lingering in my heart.

As we drove through the city, the scenery outside began to shift from the familiar streets to the lively buzz of downtown. Neon lights glinted off the glass buildings, and the energy of the city felt vibrant and alive, a stark contrast to the storm brewing within me.

"Where are we going?", I asked, breaking the silence that had settled once more and looked toward them.

"Just a little detour", Jin replied, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "We thought you could use some cheering up, so we're taking you to Bellissimo"

My heart lifted at the mention of the café Bellissimo, a cozy little spot that served the best pastries and coffee. It was a place I often went to unwind, a refuge from the chaos of my thoughts. "Really?", I said, feeling a warmth spread through me at the thoughtfulness of their gesture: "You didn't have to do that"

"Of course we have to do it", Yoongi said, as he leaned back in his seat. "You deserve to be spoiled a little, especially after everything"

"Plus, we all know how much you love that place", Jeongguk said.

"Yeah, and we're not leaving until we see you smile", Jimin added, his voice filled with determination: "No more sad faces, okay?"

The sincerity behind their playful words started to melt away the sadness, and I felt my lips twitch into a small smile. Just as I began to relax, I felt a warm, gentle hand slip into mine. I turned my head to find Jeongguk looking at me, his expression soft and reassuring. His grip was gentle but firm, a silent promise that he was there for me. I squeezed his hand lightly, leaning into the comfort it offered.

"Thank you for being patient with me", I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper: "I know I can be difficult sometimes"

Just as I finished my sentence, Taehyung's playful grin spread across his face as he cocked an eyebrow mischievously. "Sometimes?", said teasingly: "You're saying you're actually pretty easy to deal with most of the time?"

"Hey!", I called out, pretending to be offended. In a moment of spontaneity, I pulled out my earbuds and tossed it toward him, aiming for his shoulder. It was a half-hearted throw, that made a soft sound upon landing, but it was just enough to get a reaction.

Taehyung dramatically flinched when the earbud hit him, holding his chest like I had thrown a small bomb. "Oh no! The horror! I'm under attack!", he exclaimed, pretending to be shocked and gasping. The other boys started laughing. The serious feeling that was around us started to go away, and were replaced by the usual friendship and warmth that had always been our strength.

"See? That's the Y/N we know and love", Hoseok exclaimed enthusiastically, his eyes bright with excitement. He clapped his hands together in a joyful gesture, clearly pleased with the outcome: "We've got our stubborn, caring girl back"

I rolled my eyes but couldn't suppress a small, genuine smile. For a moment, the weight on my chest lifted just a little more. Maybe things wouldn't be perfect overnight, but having them there, made me believe that, with time, we could heal the wounds and rebuild the trust.

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