Another Ally

The air on the balcony was cool, and the sky was cloudy with a few stars peeking. The streaming lights dimly lit the balcony making a cozy atmosphere. Music could be heard below from the party. A slight breeze blew causing Seo-yeon to shiver.

"Why would you come out here when you're wearing that?" he said gesturing at her outfit.

"I just wanted to get some fresh air for a little bit," she said as she approached him. He sat up straighter as she rounded the couch. She didn't sit next to him as he thought she was going to. Instead she sat on the small patio swing adjacent to his seat.

He awkwardly tossed her his coat while avoiding looking at her. She quietly thanked him and wrapped it around her shoulders. She mentally thanked herself for going with a long dress rather than a short one.

"So what scared you out of the party?" He finally asked.

"I didn't get scared..." Seo-yeon's cheeks turned a dark shade of pink. She didn't want to admit that she made a mad dash as soon as people began to whisper about her. She knew that she was indeed scared in that moment, and had seeked shelter. Somewhere to avoid questioning eyes, even if temporarily.

"Then what happened?" Yoongi snorted in disbelief.

She sighed in frustration. She hoped to escape and here she was still having to answer to a topic she hoped to delay. She looked up at Yoongi who was sitting with his elbows on his legs and his hands supporting his head. He looked genuinely interested.

"How do you deal with everyone staring at you? The whispers and speculation."

Yoongi sat back in his seat. His brows knitted in deep thought. He wanted to give her question as much thought as possible.

"Well, honestly, it still unnerves me," they stared at each other. Each sharing the moment of anxiety, "I wish I was like the others sometimes, and able to freely join the crowd. I still get overwhelmed when so many people stare and invade my space. Why do you think I'm up here?"

Seo-yeon gently smiled. It felt great to have someone to open up to. A friend that understood where she was coming from. Shared the same views.

Yoongi sat forward again and asked, "So what caused all the stares and whispers?"

"First Jungkook and his 'Yun Yun,'" she laughingly sighed, "He did not hesitate to openly greet me."

"Sounds like him. He's affectionate to those close to him," Yoongi grinned fondly thinking of his younger friend, "So? That can't be it. It's obvious to anyone who is watching that he loves you as a brother would his older sister."

"Uh, well, I was speaking with Mr. Lee, from our PR department," she looked away from him, "He kept offering to get me a drink."

"And?" Yoongi asked when she hesitated. She wasn't sure how describe the tension between the two men. She also didn't know what Yoongi would think of the situation.

"I said no, and when he was about to offer again... Jin intervened."

Neither spoke. The music below continued to play, and they felt the bass. Seo fiddled with her fingers as she waited for some sort of reaction from Yoongi. He stared blankly at the sky. She wasn't sure if he was still paying attention.

"Uh...Yoongi?"

"What did Jin-hyung do?"

"He told him I said no. And then the exchanged greetings. Mr. Lee asked if I was his 'sister' too," she bit her lip remembering the stares that ensued after the event.

"Given the situation, Jin handled it as best he could."

"Given the situation?"

Yoongi laughed at her flabbergasted stare. She thought the whole thing was handled awful. She wished that it had never happened so that she and Jin didn't have to worry about any future questions.

"Seo. I don't know the details of what happened between you two, but I do know that Jin has strong feelings for you. I've been friends with him for years, and this is the first time I've heard of him expressing any sign of jealousy, at least in an open setting."

"He wasn't jealous," she quickly disagreed, "He just assisted getting me out of having to drink."

Yoongi sighed at her denial, "Fine. I'll drop it."

The door swung open, causing them to freeze. Both relaxed when Taehyung walked towards them. He paused for a second when he spotted Seo-yeon. He knew Yoongi would be hiding on the balcony, but didn't expect to see Seo with him. 'Ha! Yoongi and Yun Yun as I suspected. I told Jimin that I was right.'

"Hyung! We need to meet real quick. There's advertisers here."

Yoongi frowned but stood up. Seo-yeon stood up and hastily gave him back the coat. Taehyung's grin grew wider at the exchange. 'How sweet, hyung. You gave her your coat. Such a gentleman.'

"We better head back," Yoongi said to Tae, then faced Seo, "Wait fifteen minutes before going back if you wish to avoid anymore stares."

"See you down stairs, Yun Yun." Seo watched as both left the balcony.