Starting Over •JJK• ✔️

Two

I stepped aside so Jungkook could enter and propped the door so the rest of the guys could let themselves in. I turned around to see two arms wide open and waiting for a hug. He never said hello or goodbye without giving a hug first.

"Bring it in." He flashed a wide smile. "I haven't seen you in a few days and I need some Maddie hugs."

I stepped over to him and his arms encircled my shoulders with a gentle squeeze. I returned the hug with my arms around his waist and my head on his chest, the soft scent of his cologne filling my nose. He gives the best hugs, allowing them to linger a few seconds longer than what most people would deem as necessary. His hugs really are like a warm blanket.

JK and I became fast friends when we first met. He knew how nervous I was about moving so far away and he wanted to try and make me feel at home. He even helped me unpack. As we worked on setting up my apartment, we talked about anything and everything. We realized that we have a lot in common, including our love of horror movies and thrill parks. And when we learned that my birthday was the day before his, I'll never forget the huge grin on his face when he said that we were "absolutely destined" to know each other.

It was then that I felt at home.

I stepped back to look up at him and he held the yellow flower out towards me with a gentle smile. "Just a little something to say thank you for dinner."

I grinned as I took it from him. "Aww, you didn't have to do that. But thank you." I moved towards the kitchen to put the flower in some water. JK took a seat on one of the stools at the high counter as I set the flower by the window. I checked the boiling pasta, glancing over my shoulder at him as I stirred it. "How was your day?"

"Good. Busy." He crossed his arms and leaned against the counter. "Can I help you with anything over there?"

I shook my head as I turned all of the burners off and moved to drain the pasta in the sink. "No, I've got it. You just hang out and relax."

I started hearing voices coming down the hall and it wasn't long before Jin and Jimin walked through the door. I gave them a smile as they gathered around me to inspect the food. Jimin rested his chin on my shoulder as I started mixing some sauce with the spaghetti. I glanced over to see his eyes wide with glee, and his voice was low when he spoke. "That looks amazing. I can't wait."

Jimin moved away just in time for me to see movement out of the corner of my eye. I smacked at Jin's hand as he reached for a piece of bread. "No." I pointed a finger up at him and playfully tapped the tip of his nose. "Don't you dare."

Jin pouted and slumped his broad shoulders. "But I'm hungry." He was all huffy and whiney.

I mimicked his actions, adding a few extra heavy highs. "But it's almost ready." My voice was as whiney as his.

He playfully stuck his tongue out at me before leaving the kitchen to join the other two. I started pulling dishes and silverware out from the cabinets and drawers, and I could hear voices speaking quietly to each other. I quickly glanced up to see that they'd moved from the counter over to the living room. Jin was on his phone while JK and Jimin talked.

Dinner was pretty much ready. Now we just had to wait for the others to arrive. I'm willing to bet that Jin was texting them to hurry up. You don't come between that man and his food.

I looked down when I saw a little brown furball round the corner. I immediately crouched down with my arms out, super excited to see my next guest. "Tan Tan! Hi, baby!" He ran over to me and I scooped him up, seeing Tae when I stood up straight again.

"He got so excited when I told him he was coming to see you." Tae set down two bottles of wine and hooked an arm around me for a side hug. "It smells amazing in here." I watched as he turned to go get a better look at everything on the stove. His back was to me as he lifted the lid to the sauce pot, and he lightly nodded his head. "Meatballs. Hell yes."

Yeontan licked at my chin as I scratched behind his ears. I didn't give Tae the choice when I said I wanted joint custody of this sweet little dog, regardless of the fact that we weren't a couple. He would stay with me when the boys would be working late or if they had to go out of town for a few days. It would get pretty lonely and quiet without them around, so I always enjoyed having Yeontan here to keep me company. He even had a basket of toys over in the corner of the living room.

I set him down so he could run and play, and I looked over at the four men who were sitting on my couch. They were still talking quietly amongst themselves and I chuckled when Jimin threw his head back and let out a belly laugh.

This would be one of the moments in time that I knew I would always remember, a moment that I was sure to click off in my head like a photograph. These men in front of me are members of the biggest group on the planet yet they'd be the last people to say so. They've worked so hard to get to where they are now and are some of the most humble human beings that I've ever known.

I never in my wildest dreams thought that working one concert just over a year ago would bring me here. I still often wonder when I'm going to wake up and realize that it's all a crazy dream. I have no idea what I did to deserve the amazing life that I'm living.

Maybe JK was right. I was absolutely destined to be here.