Glow

The First Introductions

The clamor to introduce me to everyone else's families starts even before the vid-call with Taehyung's.

With his birthday vid-call to his parents planned, and him letting the group know he would be introducing me to his parents then, a game of rock-paper-scissors was played by the other six, argued over, and later abandoned for the plan to introduce me according to birthday order. 

That meant that Seokjin protested loudly until he decided that the phrase "save the best for last" fit this plan perfectly. The eye rolls caused a metaphorical minor earthquake in the dorm.

****

'Mom, Dad, I want you to meet my soulbonded, Y/N.' Taehyung introduces me over the vid-call. 

I bow low, not daring to look to see their faces. The rapid Korean exchange between them and their son has me anxious, so I keep my full bowed position until Taehyung pulls on my arm, indicating that I need to stand again.

'Hallo!' His dad smiles encouragingly at me when I glance at the screen. His mom is reaching for her glasses when I look over, so I'm not sure what she thinks of me.

I feel awkward. I'm sure I look awkward as Taehyung rubs my back comfortingly, his dad nods  and encourages Taehyung to look after me (I can get that much from the bits of Korean I am understanding).

I apologize for not being good at Korean yet, but offer to answer any questions via email or text if they want to write me. Taehyung translates, telling them about my teaching them English and them in turn tutoring me in their mother language. He suggests that the emails would be a good way to continue my education, which has his mom and dad light up smiling and agree to send me emails, asking about me and how everyone is doing.

****

When I can't think of anything to say I say my thanks and goodbyes so that they can talk to their son more, softly closing the studio door on my way out so that I don't interrupt their conversation.

Stepping out into the hallway has me pausing to take a shaky breath before collapsing to the floor, back sliding down the wall, eyes closed.

The running steps approaching has me looking up to see Jimin sliding into a sitting position next to me, his hip bumping into mine as he slows and almost perfectly stops next to me. His arm going around my shoulders I guess should be expected, it who he is after all, but the shock of sudden human touch, of comfort, has my eyes welling up with tears.

He pulls my head onto his shoulder with the hand from the arm wrapped around me, and I accept the moment to settle my stomach, dampening his shirt just a bit.

****

'They loved you!' Taehyung insists, getting a deadpan stare from me in reply. 'Well, they liked your humbleness and honesty. They will come to love you as they get to know you better!' He insists, making me just nod tiredly, exhausted by the thought of having to do this six more times.

Thankfully the guys are not lining up to quickly call back their families to schedule my introduction to each of them within the next week.

Actually, with Hoseok's and Yoongi's birthdays being next they've let me know that they want to introduce their parents to me on their birthday vid-calls as well, so I have at least a month in between the next two introductions.

With the next birthdays happening in fall after theirs' the rest have talked about just doing one a month. Honestly I think it was pushed because Seokjin didn't want to wait almost a whole year to finally get the option to introduce me. None of the guys blamed him for that, and even Jimin was looking antsily at the calendar, so I think he was feeling the same.