Finish Line

"You live so far from the company. Why did you work so late? It's not safe to be out here, Yun-Yun."

Seo had been listening to Taehyung's chatter with the patience of an older sibling. He asked her various questions about herself from her childhood to her last photo session she did just for fun. His interest in her grew with each answer she gave. He fired questions so fast that she had trouble keeping up, but enjoyed the fact that he talked about himself as well. It was as Jin had said, Tae had indeed "adopted" her as his new older sister. She shyly smiled to herself wondering what she ever did to earn this new friendship.

Realizing that he had stopped talking, she straightened her posture. He glanced at her expecting some sort of response to his last comment. His concern for her safety was written all over his face.

"It's too expensive to live in the city, and a friend's family was willing to let me stay at an apartment for a cheap price."

"I can understand that, but it's still not a good idea to work so late," Taehyung lightly chided.

Nodding in agreement, Seo explained herself. "I normally don't stay this late, but we're on a deadline. And if you want me to attend that party, I need to have all my work done by Friday evening."

Tae perked up at the mention of Saturday's party.

"You're really going to go?"

Seo-yeon grinned at how easy it was to have him forget that he was supposed to be lecturing her. His enthusiasm was contagious, and she felt herself becoming giddy. She hadn't spent much thought on the party with how busy she'd been. It felt good having someone to talk about it with.

"Yes, I am going. I think you and Jungkook would be severely offended if I didn't show."

"Not offended, but very disappointed," he clarified, "I have to admit. I started talking to you because I was nosy and wanted to see how you knew Yoongi."

She simply laughed having already suspected that was his original motive. He wasn't the malicious type, so she figured it stemmed from curiosity in the beginning. Being honest with her was all that mattered to her.

"And now?" she inquired.

"Now I can see why both Jin and Yoongi befriended you." Tae smiled broadly. He didn't know if there was more to Seo and his hyung's relationship, but at this point he just wanted to support her as a brother would.

"We're here." Seo-yeon pointed to her apartment so he could pull over. Tae pulled over to the curb, giving her enough footing to get out of his truck safely.

"Thank you for the ride, Taehyung."

"It was not problem," he waved off her thanks, "Sorry, if I talked too much."

"You didn't. I better get going. See you Saturday."

She hopped out of the truck and waved as he drove away. Hugging her coat tighter to herself, she happily skipped up to her apartment.

***Friday afternoon***

All staff at K-Magazine scurried up and down the building, attempting to finalize the next month's issue. Memos, emails, and quick meetings kept all employees busy the whole morning. Seo-yeon was granted two interns to assist with uploads, editing and touch ups. They were eager to complete any task given, and readily accomplished any errand she requested. With their help, Seo-yeon was able to be half-way finished with her part of the magazine. The other half would require overtime, or working Saturday morning. Not wanting to spend her morning working, she decided on working late again. She still needed to find an outfit for the party, and something told her that required all her attention.

"Alright, you two. Go have lunch. I'm sorry it's a late one." Seo-yeon had lost track of the time and realized they had worked past lunch. Her ambition to finish early caused her to focus on everything but the time. The interns smiled, having enjoyed working on the project, and left for lunch.

Seo-yeon fought temptation to skip lunch and continue working. Eun-ha walked in as if knowing she was about to skip out on her break. Totting a drink and a sandwich from a local shop, she flopped onto the couch and called Seo over.

"Jin-Ae hinted that you were still working. I should've known you were over working yourself." Eun-ha jokingly crossed her arms and frowned.

"I didn't even realize Jin-Ae peeked in on me," Seo-yeon said before digging into the lunch her friend brought her.

"I know you tend to pour yourself into your work, but what's with the rush?"

"I need to go buy something to wear for the party Saturday. Plus, Ae-cha has been on me about finishing this before 'attending any party.'"

Eun-ha sighed in annoyance at the mention of the other photographer. Ae-cha had a reputation for being catty and her dislike for Seo had been evident since the day Jin-Ae began giving her more responsibilities.

"What's her problem now?"

"About that..."

Eun-ha leaned over, ready to do battle for her friend, "Spill. What happened?"

As Seo told the events from the past two days. She watched her friend's expressions which made her want to laugh. She told her about the confrontation, Yoongi's face off with Ae-cha, her "observation" during the final shoot, and Taehyung's ride home. At the end of the play by play, Eun-ha's face was exhausted from the many emotions.

"I'm so jealous!"

Seo-yeon frowned, mostly due to astonishment. That was the last thing she expected her to feel. It was not exactly envious situations that she was going through.

"Why?" she asked incredulity.

"You have V as a little brother, dotting on your every move. Jin and Jungkook as your allies. And Yoongi is basically your white knight fighting off evil witches that dare harm you!" Eun-ha gushed in a dreamy way.

"Woah, woah, woah!" Seo sat up, waving her hands imitation of a referee trying to pause a game, "I'll admit to the first two, but Yoongi is NOT my white knight. Don't say things like that, it will cause someone to misunderstand."

"What? At first I thought that the others were off, and that he had no interest, but he came to your rescue. How romantic!"

"He's my friend. He would've done the same for ANY of his friends." Seo-yeon did not want her friendship with Yoongi to be tainted by rumors. Even if Eun-ha was her friend, she would stop her from spreading false statements even if unintentional.

"Fine, fine. I'll let it go," Eun-ha sighed. She didn't want to get on her unnie's bad side, "Let's go shopping tomorrow morning, and then go to my place. I'll do your hair, and make up."

"Thank you." Glad that the topic changed, Seo agreed to the set plans. Having made sure that Seo finished eating, Eun-ha excused herself to get back to work. Seo-yeon sat at her desk, and continued her project when an email notification came through. Reading the name of the sender, her heart leaped in joy. Coughing as if to check her behavior, she opened the message.

[Email]

Seo-yeon,

How has your day been going? Tae mentioned giving you a ride home last night. You really shouldn't go home so late. I worry about you, and it kills me that I can't do anything.

Jin

[End of email]

He said he wanted to be friends, but his words in the email said otherwise. She knew what she was about to do wasn't smart on her part, but she told herself she was just reassuring him that she was fine.

Pulling out her phone, she typed in the number he had sent her.

[Text] Seo: I just read your email. I've been very busy today, but it was productive. Tae already lectured me about safety. I appreciate your concern. I'll try not to work so late. ~Seo-yeon

She stared at her phone in disbelief that she actually sent it. Her phone beeped. Her eyes widened at the fast reply.

[Text] Jin: You finally used my number. :-) I'll forgive you for working late now that I have your number.

[Text] Seo: This is faster.

[Text] Seo: And you seemed concerned in your email

[Text] Jin: I WAS concerned.

[Text] Jin: Will you be leaving late today?

[Text] Seo: If I don't finish what needs to be done

[Text] Seo: I'll call a taxi ahead of time

[Text] Jin: *sigh* I know I can't talk you out of it.

[Text] Seo: Nope

[Text] Jin: >:-/

[Text] Seo: How has your day been?

[Text] Jin: Busy. Rehearsal, interviews, recording time...babysitting Kookie and Tae

[Text] Seo: babysitting?

[Text] Jin: It feels like that

[Text] Seo: They're so energetic

[Text] Jin: It's tiring at times.

[Text] Jin: Got to get back in the studio. I'll message you later.

[Text] Seo: ok ^-^

Seo-yeon blushed to herself. It was a short exchange of messages, but it was enough to make her feel embarrassed of the silly grin on her face. The door opened, and the two interns returned from their lunch. She quickly put her phone down, and faced her laptop. Finding more reason to attend the party, she buried herself in the project.

***Midnight***

Calling it a day, she set out to wait for her taxi. She was sleepy, but satisfied that she completed what was expected of her kept her wide awake. Dragging her feet, she approached the front of the building. She stopped in her tracks when she noticed a familiar figure leaning against a blue car. His hair was completely hidden under his cap, and his mask was too large for his face, but she knew who he was instantly.

"What are you doing here?" she gasped.

"I'm here to take you home," Jin said.