A/N: So I may not have mentioned, I have written two branches of the story. Since my indecisive ass couldn't decide between angst and Saeran, I have decided to go with both. If you guys want Saeran's story, read those labelled Saeran, if you want Zen, then read the ones with 'Zen' in the title :) I hope that helps ^^
She drops on the sofa and the only acknowledgement Saeran gives her is a quick glance before he turns back to the tv in front of them.
The both of them sit there comfortably, watching whatever was on the tv just for a moment.
He doesn't ask her and just lets her sit there, thoughts wandering.
Had she made the right decision?
She turns to Saeran. "I confessed to Zen."
That gets Saeran's attention. His brows furrow into a frown. "What did he say?"
"He said I was too much of a younger sister to see me differently."
There's a pause before Saeran speaks up again. "You okay?"
"I don't know," she answers him honestly. "But right now I just want to binge on ice cream and chips."
"Sounds like something Saeyoung's self-help books would say."
She rolls her eyes. "You mean 'A Woman's Road to Healing Heartbreak'?"
He nods and she lets out a little laugh despite herself.
"You look strangely nonchalant for someone who just got rejected." Saeran comments lightly, his eyes straying towards hers for a quick moment before he turns back towards the television.
"I sorta expected something like this when he tried to introduce me to his friend."
She shrugs. "I just hope that if I told him, I'd be able to get over him, move on and then hopefully fall for someone who'd actually love me back next time.
"Don't do that." He's curt and to the point. "Stop trying to pretend you're okay in order to spare my feelings."
"I don't know what you want me to do, Saeran." She shifts, that tiny action has her back to him. "I want you to let me in because you trust me, not because of some twisted belief that you have to return the favor just because I blabbed all about my feelings for Zen."
There's a moment of silence before he grabs her by the shoulders lightly and turns her around.
"MC…" She sees the way he tenses up and she knows it's not the time to be pushing him for anything. "It might not be much but you have me."
She gives him a small, reassuring smile before she turns around and heads back to the kitchen, giving the both of them the space they need to cool down and think things through.
That's the last Saeran asks of things and she's genuinely grateful.
He doesn't comment on how she studiously avoids Zen either.
It works for a mere two weeks before the entire RFA meets up for their monthly dinners, all expense paid for in Jumin's insistence.
She goes with Saeyoung and Saeran on either sides of her.
When she hesitates in front of the door, where she knew all the rest of RFA members were, both Choi brothers turn to stare at her.
"I need a moment," she says in explanation.
"Is it because of Zen?" Saeyoung asks, an eyebrow lifted slightly.
She whips her head in Saeyoung's direction. "How'd you know?"
Saeyoung huffs and gives her an unamused look. "Really? We've been friends for how long?"
"Too long," she answers with a joking smile on her face. "To be wondering why you're suddenly so serious."
Saeyoung mockingly pouts at her. "I can be serious."
Saeran's snort has the both of the them hiding smiles.
"Alright, alright." Saeyoung gives her a small pat on the head. "I know something happened between you and Zen but if you won't tell your oppa, I know you're a strong and capable woman."
She feels Saeran's bigger hand wrap around her's. The tiny squeeze he gives her is the encouragement she needs before she faces ahead again and heads towards the door, where Zen was.
Jaehee is the first one to greet them, a small smile on her face. "Welcome."
"Jaehee!" She greets her friend. "You look really pretty in that dress."
"Do I?" Jaehee's hands flit to the bottom of her skirt. "Mr. Han gave it to me last week."
Saeran and Saeyoung slip away, but not without Saeran giving her another reassuring squeeze. She gives him a small smile which he returns with a twitch of his lips. It's Saeran's version of a smile in front of so many people so she takes what she can get.
It's reassuring to know that there was somebody, or in her case, two somebodies, who would willingly throw down anyone who hurt her in anyway. Part of her feels like she can breathe despite the anchor weighing her down, Zen.
"You don't have to call him Mr. Han right now, we're on break." She wriggles her eyebrows at her friend on purpose. "But he gave it to you, huh?"
Jaehee rolls her eyes. "Please, MC."
As innocently as she can, she blinks at Jaehee, purposefully pretending to dense. "Yes, Jaehee?"
Jaehee giggles. "You know what I mean."
"Do I now?" Grinning, she links an arm through Jaehee's and they make their way towards where the others are at.
Yoosung greets her with a wide smile. "MC!"
"Yoosungie," she calls out and gives the blonde boy a pat on the head, which she knows he finds irritating. "How's your last year of university?"
Yoosung ducks away from her. "I feel like crying everyday but at least my mom is proud."
"I'm proud of you too."
With a groan, Yoosung says, "You say it as if you're ages older than I am."
Saeyoung jumps into the conversation, quite literally. "Are you teasing my baby boy?"
Yoosung nods along the red head's words eagerly until the words register. "Hey! I'm not a baby boy, especially not your's."
Seven gasps dramatically and lifts a hand to his mouth. "Did I call you a baby boy? I meant baby. Sorry, sorry."
"That's even worse!" Yoosung cries.
She shakes her head and leaves Jaehee to deal with the pair while she makes her way to Saeran and Jumin.
Like habit, her hand naturally slides to Saeran's am. However, this time she doesn't know if she's giving comfort or the one receiving it. "Hey, guys."
"MC," Jumin says with a small nod of his head. "I was just telling Saeran about a potential guest."
She smiles. "Already? The last party just ended a while ago."
Jumin nods somberly. "Said guest is a cat director, he makes films of cats and I was hoping you'd be interested."
"I'll keep that in mind but you can take a rest at times, Jumin," she suggests. "You're not a robot, you need to rest."
"I do rest." Jumin frowns.
"I know, I know." She cuts off her friend before he can continue. "Sleeping at a set time does not necessarily mean resting, I meant relaxing."
Saeran laughs, a tad bit too sarcastically in her opinion. "Like you do that yourself."
"I do." She wants to stomp her foot childishly but she refrains from doing it to prevent future teasing. "I read book, I watch movies, I hang out with friends."
Saeran raises an eyebrow. "And how much time a week do you spend time doing that?"
"Enough," she replies with a pout.
"How many hours exactly?" Saeran easily ignores the pout, having lived with it for more than half a year. "Actually, 'how many minutes?' would be the better question."
"You only talk this much when you want to prove a point." Grumbling she turns to Jumin. "As I was saying, before Saeran decided to rudely interrupt me, try to relax, Jumin, it's good for you."
"I shall try to listen to that suggestion but for the time being, I shall contact the head chief since everyone has arrived." Jumin pulls his phone from his breast pocket as he gives the both of the a nod. "Excuse me."
"Sorry I'm late, everybody! The director wouldn't let us off because someone kept mucking up the lines."
Her eyes snap towards the door at those words.
Zen was here.