Detecting Falsehood

I step out of the shower, wrapping a towel around my body and shivering as the warm water left on my body begins to feel like ice. I find myself trying desperately to get dry as soon as possible, an experience I'm more than used to at this point. My still-dripping hair is my next focus, and then I can start to get dressed in warm spare clothes given to me by Jungkook's grandfather.

I step out of the bathroom dressed in an oversized shirt and too-big trousers, only to find that a small belt has been placed on the floor by the door, a clear offering to make sure that those same trousers don't fall down.

I smile to myself at the casual kindness of Jungkook's maternal relations, deciding that it's not a bad thing to take advantage of the safety and just relax for a while. Enjoy the idea of having things actually provided sometimes when I need them, rather than held tantalisingly just out of reach.

For a few minutes, I just stand there, breathing, allowing myself the chance to truly do nothing for a while (which is a rare happening at the moment. Things are too stressful. It's unnecessary). And then I run a hand through my damp hair and find myself walking towards the source of the smell of hot food, my stomach growling slightly. The door is slightly open, so I push on it, smiling at the view I'm greeted with.

Jungkook is already clean and dressed, face mask completely off for a change, standing in the kitchen diner with his grandparents talking about something, seemingly totally calm. It's another change from what I'm used to, but I don't really mind that much. It's nice to see the happier side of him every once in a while.

There are four plates with food piled on them, slightly chipped at the edges, sitting on the tiny dining table, chairs from various rooms dragged into this room so that everyone can sit down and eat together. It doesn't look messy, though, somehow. It feels right.

The meal itself is clearly freshly made, steam still rising from the top, barely visible. It's a simple dinner, traditionally Korean and traditionally filling. The table is set with cutlery and chopsticks so that we have a choice of which to use, and glasses filled with clean water sit on slightly faded counters.

This is what life is about. Not the crazy adventure, not the mad danger of the past few months, not the weird world that seems to knock on my door and drag me into trouble. This quiet family atmosphere is where people can really belong.

Where I can be myself for a while. An experience which has been rare over the last few months.

"Ah, Taehyung! I've cooked up something nice and simple for you, I know it's nothing fancy but I don't have that much in the fridge because there's only two of us, I hope-"
"Thank you," I say simply, smiling gratefully at her. "I do appreciate it. Looking after us both. Giving us food. Letting us stay here for a few days."

Jungkook smiles properly over at me, his slightly oversized bunny teeth showing due to the strength of the expression. "I mean, we were about to keel over, so realistically if we couldn't come here, we'd be kinda screwed. Just saying."

I nod in agreement, allowing myself to sit down as the family approaches the table. "This smells divine," I comment quietly, looking at the plate in front of me with a hungry expression on my face.
"Well don't just stare at it," his grandmother says suddenly, her tone almost military like. "It's not going to be any help if you just inhale it, is it? Both of you need some good feeding. So go on, eat!"

Jungkook shrugs, hooking a hand underneath his chair and moving himself slightly closer to the table, before leaning forward and beginning to shovel food into his mouth at an alarming speed, causing his grandmother to let out a scandalised gasp. He slows down a moment later, looking a little sheepish.