Chapter Text
The restaurant was bursting at the seams. College kids, old men watching the big game, and you. Well, more accurately, you and your closest group of friends. All it took was one smiley face in the group chat to show the group that they had something to celebrate. They know that you have been working yourself to the brink of exhaustion over the past several months and your hard work has finally paid off today.
Two hours later, drinks are flowing, cheeks are rosy, and the table is filled with raucous laughter. The cardigan that you had worn throughout the day has now been removed, leaving you in just your blouse and skirt. Food is delivered to the table and the conversation is constantly flowing. Your face feels warm and you can’t tell if it’s from the alcohol or all of the compliments that your friends are sending your way tonight.
Nobody wants to leave but it is getting late. One by one, your friends begin to bid you farewell with hugs, wishes of congratulations, and smiles. Soon, you and the shoulder you are leaning on are the only ones left. The shifting of your support as he pays the final bill recaptures your attention from the tipsy daydreams with which it had been preoccupied.
“Let me walk you home,” you can feel the sound vibrations traveling through his body to your ears.
“I’m fine, Jin.”
“Y/N, it would ruin my gentlemanly reputation if I let a beautiful, smart, and inebriated young lady like yourself walk the streets of this city at night.” He gently pushes you away from his shoulder so he could look you in the eyes. His hand over his heart is a sign that playful Jin is coming out; the look in his eyes can only be described as determined.
Offended, you push him lightly on the shoulder but your balance is thrown off more than his. “ ’m not drunk!”
“Right,” you hear him quietly chuckle.
“I only live…”
“Nope,’ he puts his finger up to silence you, “I’m taking you home. And don’t you ‘only live’ me. I know you live fifteen minutes away and are too stingy to spend the money on a cab.” Removing your cardigan from the back of your chair, he places it over one of his arms before extending the other for you to grasp onto. “Please?”
That is how you find yourself walking down the dimly lit street with your best friend at your side. The faint moonlight from between the thick cloud cover and the lights from the businesses and townhomes you pass are the only light sources for your trip. The cool night air has helped your mind sober up a little bit, allowing you and Jin to have a fairly deep discussion about your work and what your next step is.
You are startled when you feel wetness hit your cheek. Bringing your hand up to wipe it away, you can’t help but question why you are crying. Then you feel another drop.
Another.
And another.
Suddenly, the clouds unleash. Rain comes down in torrents. You hear Jin shriek in surprise and feel him pulling you along as he takes off at a sprint. You feel your clothes being soaked through. Water is started to weigh down your shoes. The rain is hitting you so hard that it stings. That is, until Jin tugs you under a convenience store’s awning and out of the deluge of water.
You both burst into laughter the moment your wide eyes meet. Leaning on each other to keep your balance, you must laugh for minutes. Jin feels you shiver.
“I’d offer you your sweater back, but…” he makes a production of twisting your cardigan and raises an eyebrow as a stream of water comes from it.
The cashier must think to two of you are insane with how maniacally you laugh after that.
Just as suddenly as it began, the rain ceases.
Peeking out from under the awning, Jin sees that the thicker clouds seem to be moving away.
“Let’s get you home.” He smiles as he nods his head to the side.
You love the time right after it rains. The smell in the air, the stillness, and the sound of water dripping from trees and other surfaces relax you. You can’t help but grin; Jin taking a moment to splash in a particularly tempting puddle only widens it.
You nearly jump out of your skin when you hear a car horn and loud harsh voice yelling “Look at those sexy legs!”
Your arms automatically come up to shield as much of your body as you look around with wide-eyes to see a gruff man with the sleaziest sneer you’ve ever seen. You jump again, less obviously this time, when you hear Jin respond.
“Thank you!” he shouts back. You see him pull the waist of his soaked jeans up slightly, running his fingers through his drenched hair to expose his forehead, and he strikes a pose with his hip cocked out and one of his legs extended in front of him with his toe pointed toward the ground. He has even thrown your cardigan over his shoulder like you have seen men do in movies with leather jackets. “I’ve been hitting leg day hard! Glad someone appreciates my hard work! My legs have felt like jelly more days than I care to admit.”
The man’s eyes bulge as he watches Jin turn around in a seductive manner and sticks his rear out even further. “I’ve been doing a ton of squats too! They’re killer. Does my butt look...”
He doesn’t get to finish as the man quickly peels out while rolling up his window.
You can just stare at Jin--stunned.
“Shame. He didn’t get to tell me how amazing my butt looks in these wet jeans. I mean…come on!” Jin has turned to you to show off his backside.
When he gets no response, his eyes soften and he comes closer.
“Earth to Y/N.” He waves his hand in front of your face as he sees you still staring at the same spot you were before he moved. Once you break out of your trance and make eye contact, he asks, “You okay?”
Your arms move from around your core to pressing into your thighs as you bend over. You are suddenly laughing so hard that no noise is coming out and you can’t breathe. All that Jin hears between gasps for air are “thank you”, “leg day”, and “butt”. He grins and rubs your back waiting for you to compose yourself. Once you are able to stand upright again, he gently leads you the remaining few blocks to your home.
Stopping as you reach your front door, you turn to Jin.
“Thank you...for what you said back there to that man.” You are sincere in your thanks but can’t seem to look Jin in the eye.
You see his lips form into a smirk. “I’m just glad someone appreciates the time and dedication I put into being Mr. Worldwide Handsome. It is a huge responsibility.” He winks.
Jin must see your sheepishness and uncertainty because he engulfs you in an all-encompassing hug.
“You’re welcome,” he whispers into your still-damp hair and feels you relax into his hold. He hugs you a bit tighter before letting go, handing your cardigan to you, and stepping back slightly. “Go on then. Go warm up and get some sleep.”
Nodding, you turn to unlock your door. Before stepping through the threshold, you look over your shoulder with a playful smile.
“I think your gentlemanly reputation is at an all-time high tonight. Thanks for walking me home, Jin.”
He beams at you.
You can hear Jin’s windshield wiper laughter even after locking your door.