"I still feel like a horrible caregiver for doing what I did." I said as we headed home.

"You are a wonderful caregiver. I really couldn't ask for anyone better. You can't let this one thing that happened effect you like this. I promise, I am so happy with you, Noona. You have no idea how happy you make me." he said, patting my arm.

"I know you say that, but I had never heard you cry like that before. It made me feel awful." I said, trying not to get choked up again.

"I am ok, I swear. Let me give you an idea of what it was like for me before you came into my life. I would spend my days trying to keep myself busy and occupied with things so that I wouldn't slip into headspace. I would wind up stressing myself out so much trying to stay out of headspace that the struggle would only get worse. I was unhappy most of the time, and not to mention extremely lonely. I would spend long weekends with either Yoongi and Jimin, Hoseok and Taehyung, or Namjoon and Jin, just so I could have company, and just so I could go into headspace. Those were my happy moments, but even then I wasn't entirely happy. I got to see the interaction between them and it made me upset that I was still all alone. I still had no one to love me like they are loved and care for me like they are cared for. When I met you, I was just happy that you were going to be my noona, and you were so kind to me to begin with. I am usually hesitant around strangers because I have no idea how they will react to me when I am in headspace. But when you comforted me that first day and showed me that you cared about me, you made me so very happy. Then when you said you wanted to by my caregiver, I thought it was too good to be true. And since then, you have made me so happy, I can't even begin to describe it. So please, don't feel bad over one bad moment we had." he said, rubbing my arm softly the whole time. Hearing him say all those things did ease the pain I felt, but I knew it would take me a while to forgive myself for doing what I did.

"Jungkook, since we are talking serious things, I want to take this opportunity to tell you that you aren't the only one who is very happy by this arrangement. I know you don't a whole lot about my situation before we met, but I was very lonely too. The highlights of my weeks were when I would visit Namjoon and Jin. My mother died when I was very young and my father died in my senior year of high school. Since then, I have been completely alone, except for my friendship with Namjoon and Jin. When I saw how sad you were when all three other littles were with their caregivers, I knew you had to have been lonely. When I saw how quickly you accepted comfort from me, even though you didn't know me, I knew how badly you must have needed someone, apparently more than I needed someone. But I am so glad that I get to be with you and take care of you." I said quietly.

"Noona, can we go on our date tonight?" he asked, as we pulled into the driveway.

"I would love that." I smiled, turning off the car and looking over at him. He leaned over the center console and kissed the corner of my mouth.

*****

"So how did you meet Taehyung, Jin and Jimin?" I asked, taking a sip of the wine as they served us dessert.

"I've known Taehyung, Jimin and Jin for years. I joined a support group for littles who had no caregiver. We all became great friends, and then Jin met Namjoon. They were in a relationship for a short time when Hosoek was introduced to us. He initially wanted to take on Tae and I both, but I could see the spark between them so I didn't want to interfere. Then last but not least of course is Yoongi. He met Jimin and it was all over from there." he explained.

"I'm glad you have had such great friends. I just hate I didn't meet you all sooner, you especially." I said, feeling myself flush at admitting it. He gave me the biggest smile, as he reached across the table and grabbed my hand.

"Me too. I feel lucky to have met you, because you are very special." he said, his eyes squinting with his smile.

"So are you." I replied, feeling my heart start beating hard and my stomach flutter.

"So, this is gonna sound kinda strange, but...would you like to officially become my girlfriend?" he asked, biting his lip and sending those butterflies fluttering.

"I would love that. Only...." I said, trailing off and trying to figure out how best to word it.

"Only what?" he asked, his face now filled with worry.

"I am afraid it may mess things up. Like, what if you decide that you don't want me as a girlfriend and we break up. Won't that mess up things as me being your caregiver? Or would you just not want to be with me all together?" I asked, feeling sick to my stomach even saything those things. In the short time I had known him, he had become so important to me.

"Why are you even worrying about that? I don't see that happening. But for some strange and odd reason we decided it didn't work, we would just talk it out. I don't want you to do something you are uncomfortable with, but I really don't worry about it not working out between us." he replied, tracing circles in my skin with his fingers, leaving fire in their wake.

"I want to, Jungkook. I would love to be your girlfriend." I smiled as he broke out in a face splitting grin.

"Just when I thought you couldn't make me happier." he said, bringing my hand up to his face and kissing it softly.

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