Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Always Live In A Bright Dream

You check your outfit one more time in the mirror. Shirt tied securely? Check. Zipper zipped? Check. Shoes tied and insoles comfy? Check. Makeup on point? Check. Hair secure so you can jump around and have a great time? Check. Your bag is already repacked from the night before. “This is going to be so much fun! I’m in the pit with my friends. Nothing will go wrong,” you whisper to yourself as you feel something tug in your chest. You rub your hand against the spot as the feeling has been getting more and more intense as the days have gone on. “KATIE! LETS GO. I SWEAR IF YOU MAKE US LATE,” you hear your friends yell! You take one more glance, unsure of why you feel so anxious. You know you hate big crowds but you couldn’t pass up the opportunity to buy pit tickets to see Stray Kids for day 2! 

You and your group are standing in line for those who got VIP/Soundcheck tickets. You look at Kat and say, “I’m so nervous..” You must’ve said it loud enough for Dee and Mel to hear you because they turn to you too and immediately start giving you encouraging words. Taylor is oblivious to any of this as she yaps to someone she met in line earlier who yaps and has the same bias as her. The 4 of you take a second from your conversation to listen and laugh at what Taylor and her new friend are talking about. When you finally get back to your own conversation Mel looks at you and pointedly says to you “you have no reason to be nervous, we’re here.” So you finally spill to them about the anxiety you’ve been feeling. 

====Past POV====

It hasn’t been long since you bought your tickets to the stop close to you when you get a notification saying they’re dropping another date for your location. “Holy shit,” you whisper to yourself. This is your chance to get the tickets you actually wanted the first time around and this time you have your friends to help make sure you get the right ones. You’re bubbling over with excitement. There’s just something about being close to them that you can’t shake. You truly feel a pull coming from the middle of your chest. 

You text your friends to make sure you’re on the same page about what tickets you’re getting. You get a unanimous vote of where you’re going to try for. 

That night you lay down and have a dream for the first time in a long time.

You’re standing at the barricade, chin in your hand just admiring the guys as they goof around during soundcheck. You lock eyes with him. Neither of you can look away. Nothing can break the trance you’re both in, not your friends saying your name, not even the other members trying to pull him back to the top of the stage to finish soundcheck. He starts walking back to the group without turning his back to you. He raises his hands to his lips and smiles behind it. He breaks eye contact first, but you notice he only does so in order to whisper something to one of the security guards. Next thing you know the same man is approaching you. 

“Hi! Can you please come with me?”

You wake up and feel so empty. The dream was so real. You could feel the base of the music coming through the speakers, the way his eyes bore into yours, you could even feel your friends tugging at your arms. The day moves so slowly because you’re anxious to tell your friends about the dream you had. 5 finally rolls around and you don’t even make it out to your car when you ring them. The phone only rings once before they answer.

A round of hellos come through and you can’t contain your excitement at seeing them after a long day at work.

“You guys! I really need to tell you about the dream I had last night. I can’t seem to shake the feeling of what happened in it,” the urgency in your voice must’ve caught their attention because they all perk up and get quiet.

“Oh! Did you finally dream of me?” Our maknae says in her joking tone! Always the menace; she gets the group riled back up which starts Taylor on a tangent of what happened to her that day. Finally Mel speaks up and says, “Katie was trying to say something!” We all break out laughing as we notice that she’s muted Taylor. “Anyways…” you continue on with telling them about the dream and when you get to the end, “so yeah. I need to get those barricade tickets. I need my ‘y/n moment’ with him.” Kat’s the one who reassures you by saying, “oh don’t worry! We will get you your moment and I will get mine!” The laughter finally dies down and the topic moves on. You lay back in bed and listen to them yap and can only think of two things, how lucky you are to have found them and him.

====Present POV====

“Do you remember the dream I told you guys about when we were planning on getting these tickets? The one about the pulling feeling in my chest,” the words have a slight tremble as they come out. The nods you get from them indicates for you to continue your thought. “Well, the dream has been recurring and just gets more intense the more it happens. It’s honestly giving me some serious anxiety. Just the thought of possibly being so close to him has me shaking.” 

As the line continues to advance you know they aren’t ignoring you. You’re all just trying to make sure that you get to the spots you really want. The barricade! 

Finally through the door, you’re bringing up the rear to make sure that your group is all there. You count to yourself. 1, 2, 3, 4… “Where the hell is the 5th?” 

Mel, who insisted on walking close to you and holding your hand to not get separated turns to you, “You’re so pabo! You’re the 5th one.” She shakes her head and the smile you love to see on her face shines through brighter than the sun shining down on you. The smile falters for just a second when she squeezes your hand. “Hey.. are you sure you’re okay? You’re shaking like a chihuahua.” 

“It’s the dream, the tug, everything. I have never felt this in my entire life. It almost feels like something huge is about to happen and not a single thing is in my control. What should I do?”

Taylor chimes in, you almost forgot she was even here. “Maybe you should listen to it?” We all whip our heads in her direction.

“Where the hell did that advice come from?” Mel is the one to ask knowing that Taylor sometimes has a hard time taking her own advice.

Shrugging, she just says, “Dreams mean something. Why not listen to it? You say that it feels real and that no matter how hard you try to forget it you can’t, so just listen.”

Kat’s jaw is pretty much on the floor. Mel can’t seem to stop staring at Taylor. Dee’s eyes are just bouncing between all of us. Me though? I’m nodding. How can I not? Taylor just made the most straight forward point. You believe in dreams and the Invisible String Theory so why are you trying to deny this in anyway?

“Fine,” you throw your hands up. “If somehow this dream becomes reality and I am taken to South Korea, I will pay for tickets, a place to stay and all the food and drinks you want twice a year!” The stunned silence from everyone is broken by cheers.

It’s Dee who surprises you though by throwing her arms around you. “Unnie for the win!” She turns to the others, “So, what’s the plan to get Katie picked by her man today? I want to go to South Korea and make music with Stray Kids so bad!” The laughter that erupted from the statement is cut off by an announcement coming through the speakers. 

“Arlington, are you ready for Stray Kids soundcheck to begin?” The cheers are electrifying! You’re so ready for this! The voice comes back on, “Before we get started, a couple things. First, we know we can’t take your phones, but we do ask that videos and pictures taken are either limited or shared after the concert has concluded. Second, please enjoy, but keep your safety, the safety of those around you and the safety of the artist in mind or we will have to stop. Thank you. Now, help us welcome to the stage, Stray Kids!”

As the men step out on the stage in their street clothes you can’t help but admire them. They’re waving and talking so casually through their microphones that you instantly feel connected to each of them in some way. There’s one that no matter how hard you try to tear your eyes away just keeps your attention. 

“Katie, look! It’s your man!” Kat laughs as he gets closer to your group, dragging along his other half. 

When you turn back towards the stage the man of your dreams, literally, is striding right up to your group. Mic in hand, other half towed behind him, looking directly at you. This isn’t exactly like your dream, but it’s so fucking close you just might burst into tears. You prop your elbow on the barricade and put your chin in your hand, the motion feeling very second nature. All you can do is stare at him, admire him

“The atmosphere of soundcheck is going to be hard to match.” you think to yourself. Then without thinking you put your hand to your chest, rubbing a small circle against your skin.

“Hey, you okay?” Kat has always been so observant it shouldn’t surprise you that she’s the one who immediately clocked the gesture. 

“Oh, yeah! I was just thinking how this is going to be hard to top. The interactions they’re having, the way they seem so happy to just be running around without worrying too much about getting to a certain spot..” you trail off just a bit, but she brings you back when she points this out loud. “Umm, I don’t think you understand. This is so much fun, but remember how it felt last night to be there with everyone and all the confetti? I think what you’re thinking of is how he’s looking at you.”

“Yeah! I swear he hasn’t taken his eyes off of you as soon as he spotted you. Granted, he may be trying to figure out how you got your hair so pink!” Dee sure does know how to humble you and make you laugh at the same time. 

“Oh, so it’s just my hair? Not my bright red top, or maybe you’re bright red top,” you joke pointing to her hair that she dyed red. You know he’s worn both colors, in fact that’s what first drew you to Stray Kids, the fun hair colors and their amazing songs. You nor Dee can hold in the laugh at the comment.

You just continue to stare at the stage thinking about how crazy it would be for your dream to come true. There’s nothing you’ve wanted more in your life than to get to experience this whole crew in their element. I mean damn, at one point you told your group that you wanted to nest in their brains just to see the wheels turning and watch the words just float around. Everything they do has absolutely amazed you! 

“Does anyone have a marker? I forgot mine.” They all look at you like you have 3 heads, but they all start digging into their bags. It’s Taylor actually who comes up with the sharpie the 5 of you have been passing around for the past week. 

When she hands it to you they all stare at you with eyes wide. You write on your picket, ‘Come with me, let’s escape now.’ “This should really get his attention now,” the smile of triumph spreads wide across your face as you hold it up. You don’t have to hold it high since you’re standing so close. Everyone was right, he hasn’t stopped staring at you so he spots your sign. The motion he makes has you so weak in the knees that you almost drop to them right there.

You can tell he’s been taking notes on how he should interact with the crowd when he drops off the stage and strides right over to you. In the cutest broken English you’ve ever heard, “I didn’t see you last night, where were you?” You feel your body reel back, holding onto the barricade to keep yourself upright, and you can feel Mel to the side of you helping you with a hand on your back. 

“Oh, umm, section J.” You’re hoping he can understand what you’re saying, and he must because he nods and says, “No girl with this much energy should be anywhere but in the pit for our shows. Next time, “ he gestures to your marker and starts writing on your picket like you did not too long ago, “text this number and we’ll upgrade your seats. You and your friends.” He winks and starts backing up to hop back on the stage. 

“Oh my god, what the fuck just happened?” Mel is literally screaming it, but all you can hear is the blood rushing in your ears and all you can see is his smile as he wrote down what you assume is a number that is to an assistant in the company.

The tears you’ve been holding back are finally spilling over. This has been the opportunity of a lifetime and he came straight to you! Have you been manifesting this interaction since you found Stray Kids? Yes, yes you have. Did you think you would ever get this chance? Hell no! There are Stays out there that have never been able to see them in concert, yet here you are, standing at the barricade, your bias picking you out from everyone else to talk to, how is this your life?

“You gonna text it?” Mel asks with so much enthusiasm that you don’t hesitate to pull out your phone. 

Me: Hi! I’m the girl from soundcheck, with pink hair. I didn’t give you my name, it's Katie! I got this number from a member and told me to text it next time I was coming, but I doubt I’ll be coming to any more stops unless they tour in Texas again. Anyways, now that I’ve rambled..I didn’t want his request to text this number to go unanswered. Tell him thank you for the opportunity. 

You show the group after you’ve hit send and Dee looks at you and says, “You should’ve said, ‘But I’ll stay for a little bit after the concert if he still has pent up energy.’” 

I swat at her arm and laugh so loud that you catch all the members' attention, making them laugh too. His eyes lock on you again. This back and forth has you literally trembling in the Texas heat. 

This makes you think of the girl who barked at them and you laugh even louder. 

“That group,” you look up to see the members pointing at you and your group, “what are you laughing so hard about? We want to know so we can laugh too!” 

“THE GIRL THAT BARKED AT YOU!”

“KIM SEUNGMIN, BARK AT ME PLEASE!”

“WERE LAUGHING AT DEE!”

The way we all yell something different has you all laughing even harder, the guys too! You know the tear streaks from crying earlier and from laughing so hard are very evident at this point. Apparently so evident that they put you on the big screen. Everybody in the crowd is laughing, the guys all bring the mics up to their mouths but it’s him that says something. 

“Hey! Let’s not laugh, she’s clearly experiencing a lot of emotion and that’s okay!”

The whole group strides up to you and when they squat down one of them says, “What’s your name, pink hair?”

Pointing to your chest, eyes widen to the size of saucers, mouth open. “Yes, you. What’s your name?” 

“Oh, my name is Katie.” 

“Hi Katie, it’s nice to meet you. Would you like to introduce us to your friends?” All heads turn towards your friends and they all start turning red as Dee’s hair!

“Sure,” you start naming off your friends, “in order. I’m Katie, the oldest.” You point to yourself. Then turn around and point at Kat, “This is Kat, she’s our logical one!” Getting to Mel you point to her and see that she now has tears. Grabbing her by her arm you tell them, “This, this is Mel. She’s my middle child and also one half of the menaceracha in my group. With that being said, this is Dee. The other menace! “ Finally you turn towards Taylor who you know is waiting so impatiently that she talks for herself “I’m Taylor! Oh my gosh..” She starts rambling again and when no one can get her to stop Mel finally puts her hand over Taylor’s mouth and tells them, “I’m sorry, we’ve been working on her oversharing for a long time!” Without hesitating Taylor licks Mel’s hand, making Mel grimace and wipe her hand on Taylor’s shirt.

All the guys chuckle at this and one speaks up saying, “I don’t think we’ve had this much excitement at a soundcheck for any tour!”

Standing back up, all the guys, except him, start backing up to finish soundcheck. They’ve already gone over their typical runtime so they’re all rushing back up the stage and through the speakers you hear, “Stay, we love you! We can’t wait for the show to start. Please make sure you use the restroom, drink plenty of water, and have fun getting to hang out with the people around you! See you in a bit!” They all wave as they start exiting the stage to get dressed, but you see one lone figure stalking in the wings. He literally can’t look away from you. You bring your hand up to your chest to rub, but when you look back at him you notice he is doing the same gesture. 

“What the fuck?” You whisper. 

“What do you mean?” Mel asks you before following your line of sight to see him still standing there. “Woah, it’s like there’s something there that’s keeping him from walking too far away from you.”

“I know, and I don’t know how I feel about it. My gut is telling me it’s something, but everything I’ve read about him makes my mind say that he’s just looking for someone for the night.” You don’t want to get in deep with an idol, but this just feels different. It feels like you’ve known him for so many lifetimes and that you’re meant to be with him. The feeling is eating at you. This time when you turn to look where he was standing you notice he’s gone.

“Well, I guess he doesn’t feel it as much as I thought..”

=========HIS POV===============

As he gets backstage he’s immediately bombarded with questions. The most asked questions being, “Is she the girl? The one in all your dreams? Did you feel the pull you’ve been talking about?”

It took everything in him to walk away from her, even though he knows she’s going to be in the crowd tonight. The feeling of gravity pulling them together was so obvious that even the guys stopped him a couple times during soundcheck if he needed a minute to collect himself. The constant use of the word ‘no’ would start to sour his mood, but then her smile, her laugh would bring back the same happy feelings he gets when he does his hobbies.

Pulling out his phone he checked it, not surprised to see a message from her, like he knew he would.

“Wow, she’s already such a good girl for me and she doesn’t even know it yet.” The smirk on his face is so obvious, but he can’t hide it. Katie texted him, she didn’t even know the number he gave her was his personal number. She text it though, and he’s fucking ecstatic!

Walking back to a private room he sits down and stares at her text unsure of what exactly to text her back. He knows he wants to, otherwise he wouldn’t have given her his personal number. He wanted her so bad, and not just for tonight, for as long as she’d stay with him. He can’t deny the feelings he’s having over this whole situation. From the dreams to now, seeing her in real life. 

“God, she’s so much more beautiful than my dreams could even make of her.” He says to himself, covering his eyes and laying his back on the arm of the couch. He starts reminiscing on when he found her.

====HIS PAST POV====

“I hate international tours, especially the American leg. Can’t we just skip it once?” He asks the group as a whole, but the unanimous bickering towards him solidifies what he already knew. There was no skipping the American leg of the tour.

“Listen, you know, you all know, that our international Stays are some of the best ones we have. There is no way the company would let us skip it just because one of us doesn’t enjoy it. Don’t you guys want to see our names on the billboards, eat all the greasy food, forget about our diets for just a little bit, and maybe find us a beautiful American girl to be with for the night?” 

He’s taken back at the last comment that was made. They know how he’s been feeling. They know how ever since the dates for the American tour have been announced he has been feeling this sensation in his chest. He’s completely unsure of what it is, but it’s something about America that’s doing it to him. 

“It isn’t that, but you all know how I’ve been feeling and I’m just worried I’m going to get some girl wrapped up in me and have to come home. This feeling in my chest has been acting up like crazy and I don’t want to give me or some girl the wrong idea. With that being said, I don’t think I will be participating in the “finding a girl” activity. Thank you.” He leaves it at that and stands up to leave.

“Wait.. I’m sorry, I know what you’ve been feeling and I shouldn’t have said that. I promise we won’t let you do something stupid, but we have to do this leg. We always have an American leg and they would be disappointed if this is the one time we don’t do it.”

He sighs and places his head on the door, hand already on the knob ready to turn it and walk out. “Fine, but please just let me do what I need to do, okay? I know that I’ll know her once I see her. My dreams have never steered me wrong before.” 

All he gets is a nod before he opens the door and shuts it behind him. Standing there for a second he tries to decide what to do next. He knows there’s a million things he should be doing. Dance practice, an impromptu voice lesson, sit in on one of the recording sessions he said he would try to be at this week, the list goes on. However, right now all he wants to do is go home and dream of her again. Dream of her curves, of her smile, her laugh. 

That’s exactly what he decided to do. He starts walking home, but not before he pulls up her instagram. 

“Why do I do this to myself?” It’s all he can think as he scrolls to the one she posted last night, using his song. 

“Fuck, she’s perfect,” a hand snakes around his shoulder. “Damn dude, who is that?” His roommate asks while snatching the phone from his hands. “Katie, I like her name! Oh, and she’s a Stay. WOAH! Did you see that she biases you?”

“Yes, I see that. Why do you always sneak up on me like that? One day I’m going to be doing something you won’t want to see.” He laughs and shoves at his friend.

“Like what, hm? We’ve spent almost 10 years together. I’ve seen my fair share of shit from each of you that I can say I never wanted to see..” the shutter runs from his friend's head all the way to his toes.

“I’m going home, what are you doing today?” He asks him so that maybe he’ll get the hint that he needs some time to himself. “Oh, I’m heading up to the recording studio. Say, aren’t you supposed- you know what, nevermind. Enjoy the peace and quiet at home. Oh, by the way, there’s leftovers from my lunch in the fridge. Don’t touch them!”

He laughs, knowing he won’t want whatever bland food his roommate made in order to bulk up some before the concert. As he continues walking and looking at her pictures he gets more and more anxious to go home and sleep in hopes that it’ll bring him a dream of her.

Once he opens the door he kicks off his shoes and decides to walk in without putting his slippers on and heads straight to his room. Flopping down onto his back with the phone in one hand and the remote to the surround sound in the other. He hits the power button and the softest music starts playing. 

The next song is one he can only describe as “her song”. It’s always the one that’s playing the nights he has dreams of her. He starts humming along and gets so entranced that he can’t help but to start singing. “ How can we rewrite the stars. Say that the world could be ours, tonight.” 

He finally starts to doze off, her most recent picture pulled up on instagram, and her song playing. He has the best dream of her he’s ever had.

“You guys,” he bumps the one closest to him who gets the other members attention, “it’s her! The girl, I never thought I’d see her in real life. What should I do?” His dream girl, right there, at the barricade. 

The expressions on their faces are ones he’s never seen, absolute bewilderment. They’ve never seen him look so unnerved by a girl. 

“Do you want to try to connect with her? We can make whatever happen. Just say the word.” 

All he can do is nod as the announcement for soundcheck starts to ring through the arena. The nerves in his stomach twist even further knowing that by the end of this soundcheck, the girl he’s been dreaming about is going to have his phone number. Even if she doesn’t know it will be his.

He doesn’t even get to the good part, the part where he actually gets to hear her voice. The phone blaring jarred him out of one of the best naps he’s ever had and one of the only dreams that has gotten him this close to hearing what his brain would make her sound like. Finally looking down at the phone, he groans seeing the name on the screen, “What the hell do you want?” 

“Don’t get an attitude with me. You’re the one who promised us you’d be here for a recording session, but you’re nowhere to be seen.” He rolls his eyes so far back in his head that he’s pretty sure he sees his own brain.

Huffing out the next words, “Since you woke me up from my dream I guess I’ll come in. What are you wanting me to listen to?”

“We need to finish Walkin On Water. So, actually I’m glad you’re coming in, because we added a lyric for you.” The snicker on the other end of the phone makes him regret every decision he’s made the last 2 weeks. He will never agree to this again.

=======HIS PRESENT POV========

Raising his phone back up and uncovering his eyes he finally starts to type out what he wants to say.

Him: Hi Katie! I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong impression. This is my personal number. Umm, I don’t want you to be uncomfortable. Please let me know if this is too weird or too much, I don’t typically do anything like this, but the guys told me I should go for it, so here I am.😅

He cannot believe he actually sent it. He didn’t even give himself the chance to hesitate before hitting send because he knew if he did he would’ve never sent it. Once it is delivered he walks back into the main room where all the guys are. 

“How’s it going guys?” They all turn to him and smirk. 

“Where did you disappear to?” One of them asks. He doesn’t even get the chance to answer when they part to show the monitor that they were all looking at. He steps forward to see that she’s front and center. He wants to reach through the screen and run his fingers through her hair so badly! She really would match his vibe with the bright hair and fun clothes. 

He just stands there staring at her on the monitor that is typically used to keep an eye on the entire crowd. He wonders to himself who paid the camera crew to focus solely on her. He never wants to look away but he knows that his time to watch is coming to an end.

“Hey man, it’s your turn in the chair. They need to get you ready and then you can come right back to your girl.” Groaning and silently wishing to himself that could make the monitor mobile he moves over to the room that has the vanities set up. 

Smiling at the makeup artist he sends up a wish to whoever will listen that the artist will be quick and he can go back to the monitor.

Minutes later he’s standing back at the monitor, but she isn’t there anymore. 

“Where did she go?” He asks out loud to whoever will answer. “Chill, her friends are saving her a spot in the front, she probably went to the bathroom or to get water for everybody since it’s so hot out today.” Taking a deep breath he nods and walks away to start stretching with the rest of the group. 

As the pre-show ritual comes to end he steals one more glance at the screen and sees you. His nerves are at ease, but he calls out to the rest of the guys saying, “Hey, I need to do one more thing before we head on stage.” Holding up a finger and running back into the main room he checks his phone and sure enough there’s a text from her, delivered 20 minutes ago. He counts back, that’s when she disappeared from the screen, where did she go?

Katie: Oh, wow! I was not expecting this to be your personal number. It’s not uncomfortable at all! I won’t take up too much of your time with this text if you’re reading it before you go on. Good luck, I can’t wait to see you again! 

He lights up at the text. Running back to the rest of them his smile is still plastered on his face.

“Let’s fucking go!” He screams! He’s so pumped and her text only made him that much more ready to get back on the stage. He wants to show off for her and her alone. That thought makes him do a double take, that feeling never crossing his mind until today. What is she doing to him? The spot in his chest once again tightening like it’s being pulled from the middle out to something.. Or someone. 

The guys are finally standing on the stage, waiting for the curtain to drop. He presses his hand to his chest one last time, unsure if it’s from the pre-show nerves or from her, but either way he’s ready. He’s always ready.

The concert is going off without a hitch when he locks eyes with her and the cameras catch it. Him on one screen, her on the other. The pull is so magnetic that he can’t stop himself from jumping off the stage to come sing and stand next to her. When she doesn’t immediately try to touch him he grabs her hand and holds it. Her eyes never stray from his and he squeezes her hand as the lyrics come out easily. “The time we spent will be remembered forever, ever.” 

He knows his chances of getting to be so close to her are coming to an end so he decides to do something he’s never done during a concert. He leans in and whispers to her, “If I ask security to come get you at the end of the concert will you meet me in the back? Your friends can come too.”

Looking at her with a plea in his eyes, he lets out the biggest breath he’s ever held as she nods her head and bites her lip. God, he hopes he can convey to her how much he doesn’t want her to be just a one night stand. He knows he can’t just dump on her how he feels a pull to her from where his heart is sitting in his chest. 

As the final song comes to an end he locks eyes with you one last time and bites his lip. His face must be conveying the perfect look because her smile can be seen across the stadium, even before she’s put on the big screen again.

He leans over to whisper to one of the guys about how beautiful she is when he realizes he’s the only one on stage still, just staring at her on the screen. Staring at her covering her shy smile and giggling. 

Suddenly he hears his name being called.

“Hyunjin, let’s go!” 

Turning to walk backstage, Hyunjin takes one more look at Katie and rubs his hand on his chest. Just as he notices that she does the same. 

He can’t wait to see her again already. Time needs to speed up and slow down at the same time.

Chapter Text

Mini playlist:

It’s You - Sam Kim ft. ZICO

Before the lights even start to fade a security guard has walked up to you and your friends.

“Katie, right?” He asks. You nod your head because all the words in your brain have melted from the second Hyunjin whispered in your ear.

Dee pipes up so fast that your head whips around when she says, “THAT’S HER! AND WE’RE WITH HER!” The enthusiasm is so thick from your group that the adrenaline is coursing through you.

The security guard moves the flimsy barricade over and everybody walks through before he says loudly to the girls behind you, “This is not an open invitation. Please step back behind the barricade.” This causes a frenzy of complaints from the people behind you. 

“Why do they get to go?”

“What makes them so special?”

“I want to fuck them too.”

“She’s not even that cute!”

You can’t help but to turn back around and gawk at them. Your jaw is unhinged at the comments they’ve made. “Girl, don’t be jealous.. He probably doesn’t even actually want me.” It’s the only thing you can think to say to get them to shut up. When in your head you know, you just do, that Hyunjin definitely wants you in some way, shape or form. You felt the pull, you felt it tugging so hard from the moment he asked where you were at the previous show.

Their eyes all go wide when they realize what you’ve said, but you just turn around and finally catch up with your group as another security guard brings up the rear.

Once the five of you get back to where the guys are Hyunjin walks right up to you and doesn’t hesitate to grab your hand and hold onto it. Just standing there, you’re staring at each other. The feeling of the pull makes you take a step even closer to him. Your chest is almost brushing now. The breath you take is the deepest  one you’ve taken since the week started. It fills you up in a way you’ve never experienced and you bask in the feeling for a minute. 

“Hi,” Hyunjin says, smiling down at you. 

You can’t stop yourself when you raise up on your tiptoes and brush your lips so softly across his cheek. The sigh that comes from him is all the confirmation you need to know that what you did was the right move. 

“I am having a really hard time believing this is real,” you’re whispering since the two of you are standing so close now. The clearing of a throat is the only thing that gets your attention. Both of your heads whip around trying to figure out who interrupted your moment. 

“Do the two of you need a room?” You narrow your eyes at Dee and her question. Turning away from Hyunjin, you point at her.

“Listen here, Linda.. Don’t even get me started. Do I need to out you right now to which of them you want to fuck? Hmm?” You purse your lips and see her nod her head yes. She’s been wanting to get with her bias for a long time. “You know what, fuck you. I’m never bringing it up now. He can figure it out for himself.” Dee pouts and there’s groans throughout the room. The guys must’ve all been hoping it was them. You roll your eyes so hard. 

“Anyways,” Chan starts, “we don’t have the venue all night so we need to talk about a couple things before anyone gets too attached to anyone or if we even decide for anyone to come back with us.” 

All ears in the room perk up. There are rules? You knew about an NDA, but there’s more? You look at Chan as you feel the body heat from Hyunjin at your back. It’s almost like he can’t stand to be away from you for even a second. 

Chan motions to the couches, plenty of space for you to sit and when you go to sit by your girls you feel a hand snag your waist.

“Sweet girl, where do you think you’re going?” Hyunjin pulls you down onto his lap and you let out a gasp, both at the nickname and the forwardness he’s showing considering the two of you literally just met. He wraps both arms around your waist and nuzzles your hair. 

“Woah, easy there. I think we need to hear what Chan has to say before you really do get attached.” You scoot off his lap but not before he huffs. You sneak a look at him and smile. “I don’t think any rules or whatever he has is going to change a single thing I feel about you.” 

“When you two are finished we will get started,” Chan says and you shrink down some into the spot you’re sitting. The two of you smiling at him, but also feeling like you just got in major trouble with the principle. “The ‘rules’, as Katie called them, are very simple. Whatever happens will stay between you and that person or persons, we will walk out of here separately but a car will bring you to the back entrance of the hotel, if anything is found out to be leaked by the 5 of you, our lawyers will reach out and you will face legal action, and last but not least you must sign these papers and give verbal consent to everything that is done before we can move forward. Do we all understand and are we all on the same page?” 

When everybody nods Chan just raises his eyebrows and without another word a unanimous ‘yes’ rings out across the room. The first person to be handed the paperwork to sign is you. 

“Excuse you? Why are you handing me this first?” The look on your face is very accusing, but honestly you’re offended.

“You are getting the first one to be handed this for a few different reasons. The main one is Hyunjin is very much already attached to you and we aren’t sure why yet, but I think I know what’s going on so I need to know this,” Chan motions between the two of you, “is still going to happen before I give it to your friends. If you read this and decide you don’t want anything between the two of you then we won’t even ask your friends.”

The way all of your friends gasp and are obviously upset makes you a little anxious. You’ve never been the reason for someone not getting what they wanted out of life so why is it on you now? Is there something going on with Hyunjin that would make this not a good idea? You decide to at least take the paper and really read it.

The pressure you feel as your eyes scan the paper makes you read a little faster, understanding most of it as it is straightforward. They must have had to do it this way because they’ve had women that don’t actually understand what’s being said so they’ve had the lawyers dumb it down. 

“This is straightforward enough, but my question is, what if I don’t want to sign this but I still want to be with Hyunjin?” You know you’re going to sign it because at the end of the day you would do anything to explore the pull you feel toward Hyunjin. I mean, the two of you have basically been eye-fucking each other since he spotted you at soundcheck. 

The couch shifts just enough beside you for you to know that Hyunjin has tensed. He’s never really had anyone question the NDA or him really. Chan runs his hand down his face and looks directly at Hyunjin. “Do you want to take her to the other room for a minute while we hand out the other NDAs and explain everything to them?” 

Hyunjin stands without another word and holds out his hand which you take and he leads you down the hall but not before you hear a voice you know well enough from interviews and the “Felix effect” say, “Hi! I’m Felix, what’s your name?”

A door to your right, about halfway down the hall is propped open for what you’re assuming is the guys to come in and change before they leave the venue. There’s clothing racks alongside one wall, a table with an assortment of snacks on the other and directly in front of you is a wall full of mirrors. Your reflection leaves nothing to the imagination. The flush on your face is so red, your clothes accentuate your curves perfectly, and your hair has seen better days. When you look behind you though you can see the want in Hyunjin’s eyes. You attempt to turn around to talk to him but instead he spins you back around to look in the mirror.

“Look at you, sweet girl. You’re absolutely beautiful.” He’s running his hands down your arms and he’s looking over your head into the mirror, locking onto the goosebumps he’s causing with his touch. “I would love to kiss your cheek the way you did to me earlier. I really shouldn’t even have you in here without you signing that paper. Is there something wrong?” He’s talking to you in a way that makes you feel so secure in answering and he won’t get upset. The soothing tone has you closing your eyes and letting that pull between the two of you drag you back into his embrace.

“There’s nothing wrong with the NDA. I was just giving him a hard time. I’m sorry, we can go back in there so you aren’t tempted to do something that might get you in trouble.” Using all your strength to try to push off of him you notice you can’t. Instead you just open your eyes to him staring at you in the mirror still. “Hyunjin…” cut off by him spinning you in his arms he says, “Call me literally anything else. Everyone calls me by my name, but you’re special and I want you to call me whatever feels comfortable. Right now though, what I need from you is for you to turn around and take a good look at us in the mirror.” You do as you’re told and turn back to the mirrors, taking a really close look. 

Scanning from the top to the bottom and feeling so much. He stands just tall enough that if you want to wear heels you can and you absolutely love that. His buzz cut in contrast with your long hair makes him that much sexier. Although the nose ring he has in is a fake you can’t help but wonder what he’d look like with a jewel constantly there. His lips are wet from where he just swiped his tongue across them. So plump, it’s the only thing you can think of when you look at them, and maybe how much you’d love to shove your tongue between them. Finally letting the thought go you look up to his eyes as they stare into your soul. 

“Katie, I need to know what you’re thinking because I feel like you’re rejecting me and I don’t think I can handle that. Not right now.” His mouth is hovering so closely to your ear as he’s whispering. The tone is so serious and you finally find the words you want to use.

Covering his hands with yours across your chest you open your mouth, “Oh Dumpling, it’s not that I wasn’t going to sign it, because I was. There’s always been something about you that I’ve felt, even just through the screen on my computer. I want to explore it and nothing is going to stop that. Not unless you just want this to be for one night, then I’ll accept it and try to move on.”

He finally lowers his mouth to brush across your cheek the same exact way you did earlier. “Oh sweet girl, this is not a one night thing.” He takes a step forward causing you to be pinned between him and the vanity. His hands have dropped down to the top of it on either side of yours. His voice dropping to an octave you’ve never heard him use, “There’s something about you,” he breaks the eye contact to drop his head onto your shoulder and shakes his head. 

He doesn’t get to finish your sentence before you turn back around to him and cup his cheek with both hands and raise his head. “Dumpling, look at me.” It’s evident that neither of you want to wait for the NDA to press your lips together, but he must know better because in the split second of hesitation is enough for someone to come bang on the door.

=====GIRLS GROUPS POV=====

“Now, here are these,” Chan starts handing out NDAs to each of the girls. “They all say the same thing so would you like me to read it to you or would you be more comfortable reading it on your own?” He’s waving another copy in the air. All of the girls just stare at him for a second.

“Would you actually give us all just a minute?” It’s Kat who speaks up. Chan, not hesitating, looks at the guys and motions with his head for guys to follow him. They all get up quickly, not wanting the girls to take too much longer because the crew is going to make them leave soon.

In the main room the four girls sit around and they all start reading the paper given to them. After about 10 minutes Kat speaks up, “I don’t think you can get more straightforward than this. For an NDA it’s super short but it covers all the bases. I wonder what Katie saw on this that made her ask that?” 

“I don’t know, but I’m signing it no matter if she does or not,” Dee, always the menace, will not take no for an answer. Mel doesn’t hesitate yelling out her agreement, “Yeah, I’m not sorry. I will be signing this. Someone find me a pen right now!” 

Taylor throughout this whole thing has been suspiciously quiet and the other 3 finally look over at her. She’s clearly starstruck and is practically vibrating in her seat. “Taylor, you good?” Dee asks. All they get is her turning her head in slow motion and smiling at you like a crazy person. “That’s a yes from her,” Dee laughs out loud. 

Mel, Dee, and Taylor all turn to Kat with puppy pouts on their faces. “Kaaaaaaaaaat,” Mel starts pulling her arm, “ can we please just sign this? I’m sure she would understand.” After sitting with the thought Kat finally caves. As much as she wants to know what’s going through Katie’s head right now and what made her question the NDA, she also knows that she doesn’t really want to pass up any opportunity to just sit and talk to these guys. 

“Fine, if any of us can find a pen we will all sign them, but we stick together and we don’t do anything stupid!” Jumping from the couch they all go in search of a pen. They’re digging through a side table when a chuckle scares the shit out of them from across the room.

“Looking for this?” Seungmin is leaning against the door frame that leads to the hallway where the guys disappeared not too long ago. He’s waving a pen in his hand and has a giant smirk on his face. When he finally strides across the room he stops right in front of Dee. He looks down at her, “Hi, I’m-” “Oh, I know exactly who you are,” Dee doesn’t even let him finish his sentence and right then he knows who Katie was talking about earlier when she said she would tell them who she wanted. Seungmin isn’t deterred in any way, in fact he’s so intrigued he eyes her up and down several times.

“You’re Dee, right? She rattled your names off so quickly at soundcheck I want to make sure I’m talking to the right person.” Although he knows without a doubt which of them he’s talking to, he wants them to squirm and think that he really doesn’t know. Dee flutters her eyelashes at him and smiles. “That’s me,” winking at him, she also eyes him up and down several times.

The other three have been standing in the corner watching with their jaws basically on the floor. They know Dee enjoys flirting and when she does it everybody gets butterflies, but Seungmin seems immune to it. 

“How is he not a puddle on the floor?” Mel asks and all Kat and Taylor can do is continue staring, entranced. “She’s met her match.” The way it’s mumbled means it barely meets Dee and Seungmin’s ears, but  they don’t pay the comment any mind. 

Without even turning back to the other three Seungmin asks, “Alright, you guys have been in here for quite a while. Is there anything we can help answer?” Dee shakes her head and gestures to the pen, “We were actually just looking for one of those.”

Seungmin cocks his eyebrow at her, “You’re looking for this? Not your friend? What would she say if she saw the four of you searching for a pen to sign this without talking to her first, hmm?”

None of them have the chance to answer that question before the other guys walk back into the room.

“Where are Hyunjin and Katie?” Lee Know turns to check the entirety of the room. Ever the mom of the group; everybody cowers a little at the tone and refuses to meet his eye. “I guess I’ll have to go back there and get them myself because they’ve been gone way too long.”

=====GUYS GROUP POV=====

After Chan handed out the NDAs and the guys were asked for some time, they walked back into the room that was previously crowded with massage tables.

“Wow, they cleared this out fast,” Felix observes, stating the very obvious. “I wonder how much longer we can be here? Do you think the crew will kick us out before they sign the paper?” He’s clearly a little concerned as no one has ever questioned the NDA the way Katie did, nor has anyone asked for time to talk to the rest of the group. Granted, they’ve never had a group like this, they’ve always each picked one from the crowd. They would do anything for Hyunjin though, especially Felix and Changbin.

“WAH! The masseuse is already gone? Why did we come in here if I couldn’t get a massage?” Changbin whines. He always needs a good rub down after a show. He thinks to himself that if this girl is the one Hyunjin couldn’t shut up about then maybe he could spare him for the night and talk one of Katie’s friends into giving him a massage.

“Bin, chill. If I have to, I will call the hotel masseuse first thing in the morning and get you a private massage in the room.” Chan groans. “For now I want to talk to the 6 of you about this since it’s a little unusual. The first thing I want to point out is that we will not pressure them into signing this, no matter what Katie decides. Do we understand?” Everybody nods their heads. “Good, I’m glad we're on the same page. Next thing is, depending on how things go down between those two, we will support Hyunjin however he needs it. There’s something about this girl and we can all see it, but I’ve literally never seen a girl do this to him.”

Jeongin and Jisung both let out a noise that is similar to a whimper. Lee Know puts a hand on Jisung’s shoulder while Jeongin retreats to the corner. “I don’t think we have anything to worry about, I think she’s smart to ask that question. He seems really drawn to her, and vice versa. I will say though, I am a little concerned they’ve been gone for so long and no one has heard from them or checked on them.” Lee Know, ever the observant says and looks at Chan with a knowing glint in his eye. “What? What do you think they’re doing?” Jisung asks him. 

“I bet they’re fucking,” Seungmin says and with horrified expressions everybody watches him grab a pen and walk back into the main room where the girls were left.

“Jeongin, you okay?” Felix asks and puts his hand on Jeongin’s shoulder. “I’m okay, just concerned. Hyunjin hasn’t quite been himself since he asked if we could skip the American part of the tour and now she’s asking questions after he made such a big gesture. I just don’t want him to get hurt.” 

Felix sighs and puts his head on Jeongin’s back, “I know Innie, but he really seems like he needs her. He’s never been this way about a girl..” he trails off not sure what to say to get him to turn around. 

===Seungmi===

He’s walking back down the hall when he hears muffled words coming from the dressing room. He presses his ear up to the door and hears Hyunjin say, “Look at you sweet girl.”

Seungmin mumbles to himself, “Fucking horndog,” and walks away. Taking a deep breath he twirls the pen between his fingers. “I guess I’ll just go in here and do it myself.” 

Seungmin walks into the room and watches as the girls dig through every surface they can get their hands on to find a pen. He watches them for another minute or so and finally says, “Looking for this?”

===Other Guys POV===

“Where the fuck did Seungmin go? Oh my god, we lost the dog,” Lee Know rolls his eyes so hard he can literally see Jisung standing behind him. 

“That’s okay, we need to get back in there anyway. The venue is going to make us pay extra if we don’t get out of here soon.” Chan turns Jeongin around and directs him out of the door, Lee Know and Jisung bringing up the rear, arm in arm.

===Lee Know===

“I guess I’ll have to go back there and get them myself because they’ve been gone way too long.” Lee Know turns his back to the room and begins walking back down the hall to where he heard the murmurs come from. There is no hesitation when Lee Know raises his fist and bangs on the door.

“We don’t have all night, what is going on in there?” He very patiently waits, but only because he really doesn’t need another Stay to feel like he’s a cold asshole that couldn’t give two shits. The shuffling around in the room paired with the amount of time they’re taking is concerning to Lee Know. He can feel his pulse kicking up, and as he puts his hand on the doorknob it swings open, almost jerking his hand with it. “What took you two so long?” He’s not even looking at Hyunjin, his suspicion is all directed at Katie.

She cowers back just a little bit and a blush rises to her cheeks. “Umm, well-” Hyunjin clears his throat and finishes her sentence, “We were talking and trying to come to an agreement so her and the others could sign the NDAs and we could get out of here, just like Chan suggested.”

“Hmm… likely.” Lee Know doesn’t wait a second more before he turns and starts walking back to the rest of the group. Chan spots him first and sends him a questioning look which he just answers by reclining his head backwards toward the two trailing him. 

====ALL POV====

They’re finally all standing in the same room after being dispersed for what felt like forever.

Katie nudges Dee and asks, “So, what did I miss?” Without a single word Dee lifts up the paper and you can see her name scrawled on the bottom of the page. “You guys signed without me?!” The screech makes every head snap to attention. 

“We sure did, now sign yours because I have some business to handle!” Dee exclaims. You look at the rest of your girls and can see that they all have papers in their hands with blue ink on the bottom. 

“Fine, someone find me the pen.” Seungmin steps forward and holds out the same pen the other girls signed with and says, “Good to see you’re not going to break his fragile heart.” The scowl you give him almost makes you feel bad, but nobody else was in the room to hear the conversation between the two of you. Until you and Hyunjin decide to take this any further you owe nobody, except each other a word of explanation, not even your girls. You firmly believe they’ll understand considering they know how you’ve been feeling.

As you’re signing you can feel all the eyes in the room on you, but there’s one feeling you hone in on. Hyunjin. You can feel so much in his stare without even looking at him. As the last flourish of the pen scratches across the page your girls let out a literal cheer and jump up and down. They all hug each other, but your eyes are solely on Hyunjin and neither of you waste one more second as you stride across the room.

Wrapping your arms around his waist, he throws his arms around your neck and buries his nose in your hair. All of the negative tension you caused with your question leeches from the room and the mood instantly lightens.

“I hate to break up the happiness, but we really need to get going. The venue will charge us for going over and we still have to exit separately.” You know Chan isn’t one to beat around the bush about anything, but you wish more than anything that he would give you just 2 more seconds to relish in the feeling of the invisible string between you and Hyunjin not being pulled so tight for once. 

The feeling must be mutual or he can already read your mind because Hyunjin lifts your head with his hands and says, “Don’t worry sweet girl, I’ll be waiting right at the door for you. I don’t want to be away from you longer than I have to be.” The tears at his admission are out of your water line before you can try to stop them. “Oh no, don’t cry. If I have it my way you’ll never be without me again. I don’t like the way my chest feels so heavy without you.” 

“Hyunjin, now.” Lee Know yells from the doorway. Hyunjin kisses your forehead and reluctantly lets go to walk away, but not without stealing every glance he possibly can.

“Oh, this is it.. This is so it.” You whisper to yourself before turning to your girl.

====GIRLS GROUP POV=====

As you catch the last glimpse of Hyunjin walking down the hallway you turn to your girls.

Taylor is on you in no time at all and is screaming so loud you know everybody in the building can hear her. “Taylor, damn..” Mel snaps and smacks at Taylor’s arm. 

“What? I know you saw the way they were all eyeballing us! I can’t wait to get my hands on Jeongin. I know he hates physical touch but I’ll change that.” Her smile and attitude towards the maknae makes you all laugh.

Once it settles down you look at Kat, “Hey, I think I might’ve heard Changbin complaining about not being able to get a massage tonight after the concert. Maybe you could do him a solid?” You wink at her and she gawks. “You heard what they were saying while Hyunjin was basically trying to seduce you before even signing the NDA?” Mel questions you. Of course she is because why would your attention be on anything other than him after all the things you’ve said?

“It isn’t that I had a choice. In fact, I’m surprised you guys couldn’t hear him. He was whining about it pretty loudly.” You laugh. Just then a text comes through and you see it’s a picture of Hyunjin. “Oooh, what does it say?” Kat asks.

Turning your phone to them, they see the picture and all melt a little on the spot. “The first of many pictures, how cute!” The blush is rising so quickly and you feel your cheeks heat for what you can only assume is the 100th time today. “He said we should be able to head towards the back and that there is a car waiting for us.” Looking around you see the last security guard standing there, but this isn’t just any security guard. This guy has been with the group since debut, he’s Chan’s personal guy. “You guys, they must be serious about us, look.” You nod and the other girls look, finally noticing who is standing there. “Wow, Katie, what did you put in the water to make sure we got such special treatment?” Dee jokes. You just shrug and start walking down the hallway. 

Once you’re out the door and in the car the five of you finally sit and look at each other and sigh. “I cannot believe we’re here. How did we get here?” The car pulls away from the curb and you’re off to the hotel where you’re so sure your life is about to be changed forever. 

===GUYS GROUP POV====

Once they’re piled into the car Felix looks at Hyunjin and finally asks, “So, is this it? Is she..” The sentence never gets finished because the smile that has graced Hyunjin’s face says it all. 

Changbin leans up to the front seat and taps Hyunjin’s shoulder, “I’m happy for you man if she’s it, but don’t you think you should make sure before you jump in with both feet?” Hyunjin brings his hand to his chest, but it makes Changbin flinch. “Hey man- “ Turning to the back fully now Hyunjin says to him and Seungmin, whose tendency to not speak is starting to freak everyone out, “I’m trusting the feeling in my chest, the one I’ve been feeling for months now. There’s nothing you guys can do to stop me.” 

Meanwhile in the other car the mom and dad of the group were having an even more heated argument about the situation.

“I just don’t think he’s-” Lee Know is trying his best to make an argument for why this is a bad idea, but when Jisung puts his hand on his leg he stops. “Baby, I think you should listen to what Chan has to say about this. He clearly knows what’s been going on with Hyunjin and we’ve trusted him this long and he’s gotten us this far.” With a small nod Lee Know backs down, but he keeps his thoughts in the back of his mind. 

“Channie, can you give us anything to put him at ease?” Jisung asks, looking at Chan with the boba eyes he usually saves for when he wants something from Lee Know. “I can tell you a broad explanation, but if you want details you’ll have to ask him. Or maybe even her. I’m sure the feelings between them are mutual considering she signed the NDA.” He leans back and puts his arm on the seat behind Jeongin before saying, “I will tell you though that there was a reason he was nervous to do the American leg and I think it had everything to do with her and the possibility of rejection.” 

Just as he finishes his sentence, Jeongin lays his head on Chan’s shoulder and a soft snore comes from him. Chan rubs his head like he always does, he takes advantage of when Jeongin sleeps because it’s the only time he allows physical touch. “Innie, we're going to be pulling up to the hotel any minute, you should probably keep your eyes open.” A groan from the maknae makes everyone laugh. He always gets so tired after the concerts and they should’ve known tonight would have been no different. 

“Hyung, I’m so tired. Can’t you just carry me this once?” He whines out and snuggles into Chan’s side. How can Chan deny him when he’s like this? He wants to be grown up so badly, but he will always be the baby and Chan will always take care of him.

Lee Know and Jisung have turned back around and are quietly talking about the day like they haven’t been together all day when they finally pull up to the hotel. Getting out first, Lee Know extends his hand to help Jisung out and leans the seat forward so Chan and Jeongin can also get out. Just then the car carrying the other four pulls up. Felix exits first then Hyunjin. Both smiling and laughing and the reason is clear once Changbin and Seungmin get out of the back.

“Let go of me, I didn’t mean what I said!” Seungmin yells, making it clear that he said something off the wall to make Changbin manhandle him. “You totally meant to say it and I am not going to listen to your lies. My aegyo is adorable and everybody loves it. Now say it! Say, ‘Bin, your aegyo is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen and I will never lie again.’ DO IT!” 

Hyunjin may be laughing, but he’s covering his ears from Changbin’s screaming. “Alright, that’s enough. Seungmin at least apologize so we can go inside without making too much noise. Most of us might still be running off the high, but our baby bread here is falling asleep on his feet.” Chan motions to the body he’s holding up. 

“I will not be apologizing to him! Now let’s go in and enjoy a night with some beautiful girls and do something fun!” Seungmin doesn’t bat an eye as he walks past everybody and opens the door to the back entrance to the hotel. “Are you guys all going up to the rooms?” Hyunjin asks, kind of hoping they all say yes, but Felix shakes his head. “No way, we stick to the buddy system like always!” A shiver runs through him at the memory of the last time they split up and a crazed fan almost hurt Jisung. “I would never forgive myself if one of them leaked something on their way over and there was a crowd behind them ready to bombard us.” 

The rest of the group has walked away and is now at the elevator. Felix waits for the doors opening to speak and when he does he still says it in a whisper, “Hyunjin, I’m so happy for you. Can I ask you a question though?” Without a single hesitation Hyunjin turns to him and says, “If you’re questioning me and her then-” “LET ME ASK MY QUESTION!” Felix whisper yells. Hyunjin can’t help the way his eyes widen at Felix’s voice. “I’m sorry Lix. I’ll answer whatever question you have, you know that. I’m just tired of my choices being questioned tonight.” Putting his hand on Hyunjin’s arm, Felix rubs it to show that he didn’t mean to yell at him.

 “I’m sorry too Jin. I shouldn’t have snapped at you, and I’m not questioning you on this because well..” His eyes are downcast and the hand still on Hyunjin’s arm clamps down tight. “I’ve been feeling something lately and I don’t know what it is. I just want to know if you can tell me what you’re feeling so I can, I don’t know, compare? I guess that's the only word that comes to mind.”

“Compare what Felix? Because I honestly had to do a lot of research to even kind of figure out what this feeling was.” Hyunjin isn’t usually one to gatekeep his feelings, but this one he had to figure out on his own. This is Felix though, his best friend, his platonic soulmate, the one guy on this earth that he’s looked at and loved more than anything from the second he laid eyes on him.

The sadness in Felix's eyes isn’t helping the situation any. His resolve collapses when Felix turns away trying to wipe his eyes without Hyunjin noticing. “Fine, fine Felix. Tell me what you’re feeling and I’ll tell you if it’s similar..” He runs his hand down his face when he sees that Felix is smiling through his crocodile tears.

“Okay! So…”

====KATIE POV====

The car has finally pulled up to the hotel and like a clown car everybody gets out. Thankfully Taylor and her chatterbox self sat up front and talked the driver’s ear off. 

You all laugh when your feet hit the pavement and see that Taylor is still talking. “Oh my gosh… We are never going to get in here if she doesn’t stop talking.” Mel has been jumping up and down in her seat the whole 20 minutes from the venue to the hotel. You don’t even care that Taylor is still talking. You turn and walk towards the door. “Katie, wait for me at least!” Kat yells running up to you. “Kat, I need you to be the responsible one for the night, please. I need to explore whatever this is exactly between us before they go to the next location. Can you do that for me?” You wrap your arms around her when you see the tears welling in her eyes. “Wow, passing the torch, huh?” Laughing, you pull away from her and hold her at arms length, “Just for tonight, but know that I trust all of you to take care of each other if need be.”

Mel and Dee are clearly still struggling with Taylor when you turn back to walk to the door once again. The shadow in the door isn’t just one, but two. You wonder who it could be that stayed behind with him. The shadow is hard to decipher as they’re standing so close. You grab the handle to the door and pull it, surprised when it opens without needing a card. “Oh, wow, I really thought I was going to look like a giant pabo trying to open this door.” You say, laughing to yourself a little bit.

“Well sweet girl, you aren’t a pabo for trying to open the door, but someone might think you’re one because you’re talking to yourself.” Hyunjin is standing there in front of you, you didn’t even hear him move. 

“Oh Dumpling, you’ll have to get used to that. I talk to myself a lot.” Your chest bumping when you take a big breath and let it out. 

“So, what’s next?”

Chapter Text

Mini playlist:

I’m Right Here - Dee

Connected (Bang Chan) - SKZ-REPLY

“What’s next is whatever you want.” Hyunjin’s voice is so seductive as it reaches your ears. “We can mingle for a little bit with everybody, we can go straight to mine and Felix’s room or we can leave. It’s all up to you.” You can tell which option he wants you to say, but you also know that he’s being honest when he says that it’s up to you.

You bite your bottom lip, contemplating what you want to do when you feel his hand reach up and slowly pry it from between your teeth. “Don’t tear up those pretty lips before I get the chance to. The decision is all yours so please don’t think I’ll be upset either way. I think talking to everybody would help break the ice for them.” Hyunjin could feel it too then. The way you could both feel the way the group was with the situation spoke volumes.

“I think sitting in with them for just a little bit would help too. My girls have big personalities and I don’t want anyone to get freaked out.” Just as you say that they bust through the door. All giggling and falling over each other. “Kat, what happened to you being responsible tonight?” You laugh and slide under Taylor who has clearly been belly laughing so hard she can’t stay on her own feet.

Kat just glares at you but you don’t take it personally. You know she isn’t doing it in a way that’s mean or that she’s actually mad at you so you just smile at her across Taylor. “I love you.” Making a kissy face at her. 

The protests ring out from the others, including Hyunjin and Felix.

“Excuse me?”

“Where the hell is mine?”

“Woah, are you…?”

“Sweet girl, you better save those!”

Taylor sees it and doesn’t join the protest instead she just smacks her lips right on your cheek. “Thank you, Taylor.” You grimace and wipe your cheek on her shirt. “Anyways, I will tell you right now Felix that I am not. I love them with all my heart though. We’re a package deal which I think you’ve already figured out.” You smile at the two men standing in front of you with differing expressions on their faces. 

You can hear the groaning from the door cracked a little ways down the hallway. It's Changbin, “Hyung, I’m hungry!” Felix doesn’t miss a beat when he yells back down the hallway, “You’re always hungry!” He turns back towards us and says, “I think we should get moving. If we don’t he might throw another fit, but this one will be worse! He doesn’t play about his food!” 

The group starts walking down the hallway, but you grab Hyunjin’s hand and pull him to a stop. “Dumpling, I’m so nervous..” All that you see when he looks down at you is admiration. “What’s there to be nervous about? This is my family and your family, we’re both with our comfort people while they all get to know each other.” You dive into his chest. “You’re right. I guess after Lee Know-” “Nope, he will not have us thinking anything bad. Lee Know is always super protective of all of us and just wants to make sure we’re all doing things the correct way.” Hyunjin turns you in his arms so he’s still wrapped around you as you waddle to the room.

“Oh, the love birds finally decided to join us?” Of course it's Lee Know, but Jisung is right there with a small smack to the chest. “Minho, baby, stop it.”

The glare that passes between the two of you is so obvious that Chan stands up and claps his hands. “Anyways, let’s play an ice breaker? Anybody have any ideas or want to go first?” When no one has any ideas or volunteers to go first he sighs. “Okaaaaayyy…” He draws it out clearly out of ideas to help with whatever is going on. 

Something feels warm on your leg and when you look down you see Hyunjin’s hand. It wraps almost all the way around your thigh. You didn’t realize how big his hands actually were until right now. God, you couldn’t wait till he wrapped them around other parts of your body. 

“I think right now we should just order food and maybe mingle like we would in any other situation, hmm?” Felix asks, doing his best to put on a big smile and bring everybody to an agreement. “That’s a great idea Felix! Is everybody okay with that?” Chan asks not sure exactly what some of the other guys are thinking since they’ve been unusually quiet.

“Hannie and I are actually going to go down to the bar and order food. You guys enjoy your night.” Lee Know grabs Jisung up by his hand and drags him out of the room, but not without a protest from all the guys including Jisung himself. “But Minho! I wanted..” The sound cut off by the door closing behind them.

Jeongin stands too and looks over at Chan, “Will you order something for me and bring it to the room when it gets here? I’m exhausted and don’t have it in me to mingle tonight.” Chan nods and a small noise is heard as he turns to walk away. “Oh, is there something wrong?” 

Taylor is beet red, not realizing she let the noise escape her mouth. “Oh, yeah, umm.. I was just hoping.. You know what, it’s nothing. I’m good…” She pulls her knees up and buries her head between them. “She’ll be fine, it’s been a long day,” Mel says while rubbing a hand on her back. From across the room Felix is eyeing the two of them, not sure what to make of the feeling he’s having or who he’s having it for. 

“Let’s get this party started before everybody decides to leave…” Seungmin says while eyeing Dee, but he notices that she’s looking at Chan. He instantly deflates and loses the smile he had. 

Chan walks over to the phone to order room service and Dee just eyes his ass the whole way to the table where the phone is. You follow her stare when you see Seungmin’s smile drop and see what she’s looking at. Nudging her to get her attention she startles, “Huh? What?” You point to Seungmin who is now looking down at his shoes and wringing his hands in his lap. 

Dee just shrugs again and goes back to staring at Chan.

“Yes, we would like to order one of everything on the menu. Yes, yes I know. It’s a lot, but there’s a lot of us and we need to eat. We will pay an over charge, no problem. Thank you so much.” Chan finally walks back over to the big open area and sits on the very edge of the couch furthest from the group despite there being plenty of space with everybody.

You finally look at Hyunjin after watching everybody else in the room, concerned that something was going to go down. When you can’t stand it anymore you look at him and say, “I think I’m ready to get out of here, honestly. As much as I love them, I want to be alone with you.” 

He looks up at you and has that face, the cute shock that everybody loves. “Hell yeah, let’s go, this is getting..” Shooting to your feet you snatch his hand up. “We’re going, don’t wait up and don’t kill each other, bye!” Neither of you wait for a single word to be said as you run out the door and to the end of the hallway where his and Felix’s room is. Hyunjin puts the ‘DO NOT DISTURB’ sign out, locks the safety latch, and sends a quick text to Felix telling him he’s sorry but that he needs to find somewhere else to sleep. While he’s in the middle of doing that you send a text to your girls and say something similar. 

“Sweet girl, come here.” It’s all you need to hear before you set your phone on ‘Do Not Disturb‘ and walk to him. 

===GROUP POV===

“Umm, okay..” Changbin says out loud. “I still need a massage Chan! You promised.” Before Chan could even respond Kat speaks up just loud enough to get her point across, “I can help you with that.” He shifts his body to look at her and thinks to himself that he hasn’t had a woman’s hands on him in so long that he bets they’d feel so good. 

“You know what, go for it! Do you need me to do anything? Lay down, take my shirt off, get the lotion from my room?” He’s trying not to sound too eager in his attempt to get her hands on him. 

“If you could do all of that it would actually be best. Do you want to do that here or..?”  Kat didn’t mean for Changbin to immediately say yes but she’s secretly ecstatic he did! She’s wanted to be near him and has had a thing for him since forever. “I don’t want you to think I’m trying to do anything, but it would be a much better experience if we did it that way.” Changbin shakes his head and puts up a hand, “Kat, right? I’m sorry, I’m not the best with names.” She just nods her head not wanting to interrupt his train of thought. “Good, I would feel like a piece of crap getting your name wrong before I say this, but you signed that NDA and you’re beautiful so there is no pressure, but if something happens I’d be more than happy.” Kat just gawks at him and takes the hand he’s offered. 

 As Kat is also pulled to her feet and Changbin starts to drag her out of the room Mel shouts, “Wait, didn’t Katie say you were supposed to stay with us?” Waving a finger over her shoulder,Kat continues to walk out of the room without another word.

“I guess you’re on your own. Good thing I’m already responsible for 7 kids and I count,” Chan starts counting the people left in the room. “1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6…6 of us. Oh wow, that’s counting myself. This is going to be a piece of cake.” Dee chuckles when she hears Chan talk about cake. 

“You have a nice cake I’d like to take a bite out of.” Dee smirks at her own joke while Mel chokes and starts cackling. The whole room eventually falls into silence, but only for a minute. Finally there’s a knock at the door. “Oh, thank goodness, that’s gotta be the food. I’ll open the door. Felix, why don’t you text the other guys and let them know the food is here. Mel? Can you text Katie, I know she’s probably hungry.” He walks away, but not before a moan reaches his ears from Dee. 

“Her phone is on ‘Do Not Disturb’. I’m going to notify her anyway. Chan is right, they’re probably hungry too.” Mel, ever the one to make sure her Unnie eats, clicks the ‘notify anyway’ button and sits back. Sitting between Taylor and Dee she looks back and forth between the two and sees two very different expressions. Dee’s eyes filled with want and Taylor’s filled with unshed tears. When Mel’s phone pings and she sees that Katie and Kat have text her back that they’d both appreciate having some food brought to them she shows Dee.

“Let’s get our Unnies some food together and maybe Seungmin and Felix can help us take it down to them, hmm?” Dee nods her head and stands, ready to get close to Chan. He’s wheeling in the carts when he turns around and Dee is standing there. “Need some help with that?” She smiles and takes one of the rolling carts. “Sure! Let’s move it into the living room so we can make some plates. I know Jeongin and Changbin are starving!” 

Once they get all the carts into the living room area they all eye the spread and stomachs start to growl. “Okay, let’s be quick so we can eat too.” Seungmin says with a clipped tone as he picks up a french fry from the plate. On one cart they pile rice, potatoes, veggies, and as much protein as they can while still leaving plenty for everyone else. “This is Changbin and Kat’s plate. Who is taking this one?” Dee raises her hand and starts to push the cart out of the door hoping Chan follows her, but is surprised when she sees that Seungmin is falling in step with her. 

As the rest of the group watches the two leave the room they start making another plate. “Alright, Katie is going to say she isn’t super hungry, but I know better than that at this point so let’s put plenty on this plate.” Mel knows that you’ll eat if the food is offered so she puts some of your favorites on a plate while Chan puts a plate together for Hyunjin. Putting the finishing touches on the plates they both eye the single slice of cake. They both reach for it and look at each other and laugh, “You go ahead, I’m sure Katie will like it more than Hyunjin.” Chan says pulling his hand off the plate, but Mel just looks at him and says, “I bet they’ll share it.” She winks at Chan and puts the plate on the cart.

“Here, let me help you. I can still get the door open even if he’s told me to find somewhere else to sleep.” Felix takes the cart from Mel and they both exit the room and walk down the hall.

Chan is left with Taylor and he’s not really sure how to feel. He knows she’s the one who made the sound when Jeongin decided to leave without talking to anyone. As he’s making Jeongin’s plate he looks at Taylor and tries to think of the best way to strike up a conversation. When nothing comes to mind he plates some of the food and ever so quietly says to her, “Please feel free to start making yourself a plate. I’m going to walk right across the hall to give this to Innie.” 

She doesn’t even have the chance to answer as he walks out, leaving the door cracked just in case she needs him for some reason.

====DEE AND SEUNGMIN====

“So,” Seungmin isn’t really sure what to say to her. He thought he made his intentions clear back at the venue, but he also saw the way she was looking at Chan’s ass. 

“Yeah, so..” Dee just stares straight ahead as if she knows exactly where she’s going. The hallway is longer than she anticipated and is a little disappointed that Chan isn’t the one with her, but she’ll take all the practice she can get. Even if it’s with Seungmin. “You know, back at the venue. Your confidence was really hot.” She side eyes him and can see him blush and put his head down some.

“I couldn’t let the hottest girl in the room think I didn’t see her, now could I?” His head picks up and he meets her eyes. “Did it work?” He knows it did. The way she responded to him was so obvious even if she was eyeing Chan just a little bit ago.

Dee feels a twinge of guilt at the sight of Seungmin’s smile. He genuinely thinks that she’s walking with him to get to know him, but right now she’s doing it to polish her game so she doesn’t look like a complete fool when they get back to the room and she sees Chan. “Oh, it definitely worked. Why? You trying to get with me or something, puppy?” She smirks and flutters her lashes at him again like she did at the venue. 

Seungmin feels the air leave his lungs at her being so straightforward. “Actually, yes. That’s exactly what I’m trying to do.” He’s never felt so confident and he’s pretty sure it’s because he’s feeding off of Dee’s feelings. Even if he knows deep down that right now her feelings aren’t actually for him. He thinks to himself that he’ll get whatever he can take. “But, unless you’re-” “Oh, cute puppy, as much as I’d love to ruin you I don’t think I’m what you need right now. You need someone sweet and gentle with you and I am not that.” Dee purses her lips and pushes the cart further down the hall leaving Seungmin in the middle of the hallway, contemplating to show his true colors. 

When he thinks best of it, for now, he calls back up to her, “Oh Dee, a couple things.” She turns back around and sees him lifting his fist to knock. “The first, I’m not a cute puppy when the occasion calls for it. The second, you went too far.” She visibly tenses at both comments he makes as he hits the door with this knuckles.

“Room service, want me to fluff pillow?” Seungmin calls through the door and he can hear laughter as they get to the door. “Thank you, pup.” Changbin pats his head and takes the cart from them, closing the door behind him, but not before Kat sends a wink to Dee.

Right then, Dee figured out how much she fucked up. Chan might be who she had eyes for in the sex department, but Seungmin was a close second. What was she going to do?

Slowly but surely the two of them head back towards the door just as Chan is walking back across the hallway from his and Jeongin’s room. “Get it dropped off no issue?” As they walk through the door they can all hear sniffling and it’s enough to get Dee to stop caring about which guy she wants and immediately goes into comfort mode. “Oh Taylor, it’s going to be okay, I promise.”

====MEL AND FELIX====

Felix still isn’t sure which one of them he felt the tug for, but he knows when he looks at Mel he feels something. He starts listing off everything in his head that he sees and doesn’t want to look away from. She’s clearly got her hair dyed and he loves that about people. Dying his hair is his freedom of expression since the company is still a little on the fence about tattoos and piercings.

Scanning down from her hair he notices the color of her eyes. What he would do to have such a gorgeous color. Of course the further down he scans he notices a couple glints. One in her nose and one lip piercing. He’s always thought about getting his nose pierced for real since the company likes to put fake piercings on them. Hyunjin even told him at one point that he would look really good with it. Mel is shorter than Felix which he is grateful for because she hasn’t noticed him looking her up and down. He just knows that if the feelings he’s having are for her, he will always be happy in his life because the smiles he’s seen from her has been his favorite thing.

“Felix, why are you staring at me?” Shit, busted. He stutters over his words, trying to think of something that isn’t going to freak her out. “Well, I- you know what? Can I be honest with you?” Mel nods at him and smiles, “Please. I don’t want anyone to be anything but honest.” Letting out a breath Felix says, “Cool. Umm, when I was looking at you just now I was thinking of how beautiful you are.” His face turns red and his freckles become a stark contrast on his cheeks.

“You? You think I’m beautiful?” She stops in the hallway unsure if she’ll ever be able to move again. She never thought it would be Felix who thought she was beautiful, she always thought her and Jisung would be the two to connect. “Felix, I-” “Woah, hang on. That’s not all I need to say. I also need to tell you that I do have feelings, but I’m not exactly sure which of you it’s for. Watching Taylor pout about Innie made me upset so I want to make sure that whatever feeling that was isn’t being misread by me.” Mel just starts walking again, not saying another word until they get to the room where Katie and Hyunjin are. 

“UNNIE!” Mel bangs on the door. “STOP FUCKING AND COME GET YOUR-” She doesn’t even finish the sentence when Katie opens the door, fully clothed. “MELODY,” Katie seethes. “You’re so lucky they have the whole floor to themselves.” All Mel can do to that is laugh. She knows Katie is just embarrassed, but that’s what makes this funny and she’s sure they’ll be laughing at it tomorrow.

Hyunjin walks up behind Katie with a giant smile and sends a wink to Felix, but Mel doesn’t miss it. “I’m going to stay with Chan and Jeongin tonight if you need anything.” Just as Felix finishes his sentence Hyunjin starts pushing the door shut  with the cart of food inside and Katie sends Mel a kiss. 

Felix and Mel just stand at the door and shrug. Turning to walk back towards the living room. They both stop in their tracks at the sight in front of them. Dee is hugging Taylor while she cries while Seungmin and Chan just stand in the corner, not really sure what to do.

“Someone want to explain what happened to Taylor?” Felix asks, giving the guys a look that they rarely see.

====KAT AND CHANGBIN====

Changbin is trying his best to not pull Kat’s arm out of socket but the prospect of getting a massage from someone so beautiful isn’t something he wants to miss. Even if he knows that it isn’t going to get all the knots he has, he is still excited to have warm hands all over his back! 

“Changbin, slow down.” Kat is trying her best to keep up. He drags her into the room and rips his shirt off. Shocked, Kat goes to put her hands on his chest when he grabs her wrist. He looks at her and without missing a beat he says, “Call me Bin, please. It’s what important people call me.” Then proceeds to put her hands on his chest for her.

Neither of them waste time as he backs her into the room and their laughter grows loud. “Okay Bin, let’s go!” Kat’s smile takes up her whole face. She doesn’t think she’s smiled like this since she’s met the other girls. Just as Changbin lays down on the bed and pulls Kat down with him there’s a knock on the door. 

“Ooh, I bet that’s food. I’m starving!” Changbin whines at the top of his lungs making him and Kat both bust out laughing. They both hop off the bed and rush to the door, trying to race each other. Laughing the whole way there and the laughter only gets louder when they hear Seungmin call out, “Room service, want me to fluff pillow?” Swinging the door open finally, Changbin looks at Dee and Seungmin before saying, “Thank you, pup.” and shutting the door with the cart on the inside. Kat just looks at Changbin and starts giggling again, running a finger down his bare chest. “You didn’t put your shirt back on. I’m sure Dee won’t be able to get that image out of her mind.” 

“Alright Kitty Kat, let’s get some food in our stomachs before we get to the massages!” He wheels the cart further into the room so they can each sit on a bed and enjoy just food from the cart while they get to know each other more. For the next 20 minutes they do just that. They chow down and talk about everything from how Kat liked the concert to if they’re single or not. To both of their surprises they are both single and can’t contain the excitement. 

After the plates are cleaned up and the cart is moved away they both look at each other and a devious smile spreads across their faces. “Whoever can do the cutest aegyo gets the first massage!” Changbin challenges. “Oh, you’re so on!” 

Needless to say, Kat won, but Changbin wasn’t far behind. 

====LEE KNOW AND JISUNG====

“I just don’t know Hannie. He’s being dumb and I don’t want him to get his heartbroken by her, and I certainly don’t want them to have the same hardships we did when we told the company we were together if they decide this is a long term thing.” Jisung knew Lee Know wasn’t being rude for no reason. Laying his hand down across the table Jisung beckons Lee Know to hold it. “Baby, I know, but there’s been something up with Jin for longer than I think anyone knows. He has never asked to cancel part of the tours until this one. Let’s just give him some time to figure out what’s going on and then be there for him no matter what he picks.”

Lee Know just meets Jisungs eyes and leans across the table to press his lips to Jisung’s. Sitting back in his seat he sighs, “When did you get to be so smart, hmm?” With a shrug and a kiss to Lee Know’s knuckles they both take their time enjoying their food. 

====KATIE AND HYUNJIN====

You stand in the middle of the room just taking in the silence and feeling of each other. “I could literally live in this moment forever.” You say, finally putting sound back into the room. 

Hyunjin pulls back just enough for him to look down at you. “Oh, I have so many plans for us and they all include you being in my arms in some way. Don’t you worry!” He boops your nose and walks you into the room. “I was serious when I said that this isn’t a one night thing for me. Ever since I laid eyes on you, you’ve been all I can think about.” You can feel the sincerity radiating off of him and it makes you fall that much further. 

“I need to tell you something actually,” Hyunjin grabs both of your hands and pulls them into his lap. “I’m listening.” Just as you say the words your phone dings with a notification. “What the hell? I know I put it on ‘Do Not Disturb’.” You pick up your phone and see that it’s a text from Mel telling you they’re ordering food and once it’s there she’s going to bring you some so she knows you eat. Your stomach decides right then to growl. “Oh sweet girl, did we need to get food?” He looks so concerned that it makes you laugh and you just turn the screen to him. “Looks like someone has already thought of food. Now, what did you need to tell me?”

He gently removes your phone from your hand and holds them again. “I don’t want you to think I’m weird or anything because this was totally by coincidence, but I’ve known you for more than just these few hours. I’ve dreamt of you, I have a song for you, and there’s this feeling…” Letting go of one of your hands he puts his to his chest and you do the same. “A feeling in your chest? Like there’s something pulling you to me?” His eyes are so wide with shock that you’re sure they’re going to pop out of the socket. “How did you know?” Taking his hand from his chest he covers the hand on yours. “I’ve had the same feeling ever since I found you guys, but the feeling is so much stronger with you. Then each time you came on the screen it felt like I needed to reach through the screen and touch you in some way or I’d explode.” 

He scoots closer to you on the bed and cups your cheek. “You aren’t freaked out that I found your Instagram?” “YOU WHAT?” Just then you hear, “UNNIE!” You’re already up and moving, but her next sentence makes you jog to the door. Thankfully you get it open before she finishes her thought. While she’s thankful for the timing Mel has so she can wrap her head around what Hyunjin just said, she’s also so embarrassed by what she was yelling. “You’re so lucky they have the whole floor to themselves.” You hiss without any anger behind the words. Just then you look behind Mel and see Felix standing there and see his smile get wide as you feel Hyunjin walk up behind you.

Felix let’s Hyunjin know that he’ll be staying in Chan and Jeongin’s room for the night. Hyunjin quietly sighs to himself and drags the cart in, shutting the door right behind it. Not missing a beat, Hyunjin waves you back into the room. You sit on the edge of one of the beds while he rolls the cart in between them and sits on the other bed. “Back to the conversation. You found my Instagram?” You switch the plates knowing that the girls, well Mel because you just know Dee was distracted, put some of your favorites on it! You pick up a french fry and look back at Hyunjin waiting for what he’s going to say. “It was hard to miss such a gorgeous girl who was commenting, liking, and sharing all of my stuff.” You didn’t realize you were doing so much until he laid it out like that. “Oh, wow. Umm, well, it was the only thing I could do to ease the feeling in my chest so I did what I had to.” You shrug and start digging into your food.

“I’m really glad you did it. Had you not I don’t think I would’ve ever found you and I believe in the theories people talk about. I believe we are meant for someone out there and the feelings I already have toward you are just proof of that, Katie. I was meant to find you, and I think I’m going to find you in every lifetime.”

You stare at Hyunjin and contemplate walking over there and smashing your lips together in what you know would be the worst first kiss ever, but then both of your stomachs make an awful noise. The sound of both of your laughs in the room is music to your ears and when you finally catch your breath you start eating your food. 

====SMALL GROUP POV====

Once the 6 of them are back in the living room area and have gotten Taylor calmed back down Chan looks around the room. “I think we’re all just really hungry and probably exhausted. Let’s eat and play a quick game to get to know each other a little better.”

While making plates they play a game of truth or dare. “Who wants to go first?” Dee doesn’t hesitate to volunteer. This is one of her favorite games to play as an ice breaker. “I’ll go first!” “Seungmin? Do you want to do the honors?” Dee rolls her eyes just a little but Seungmin catches it. “Okay Dee, truth or dare?” “Dare, always dare!” The smile on Seungmin’s face is absolutely devilish. “I dare you to spend one night, the rest of the night in fact, not gawking over Chan.” He’s sure this will get her mind off of Chan. Seungmin is so tired of her constant glances, or quick touches. He initiated the interaction at the venue. He wants her and he made that as clear as he could without coming right out and saying it before she signed that stupid piece of paper.

“Oh, that’ll be easy. I can just stare at Felix then. I’ve always had a thing for freckles.” Dee smirks over at Seungmin thinking she’s won his game. “My turn,” she sings. Her voice sounded like an angel. The guys all look at her, jaw practically on the floor and eyes as wide as saucers. “What? I know you guys have heard beautiful voices all your lives, don’t act like mine is special.” Mel smacks Dee’s arm and berates her, “Maknae, shut up. Your voice is amazing! If it wasn’t you wouldn’t have a single out.”

“You what?”

“Where can I find it?”

“Who did you get to record it?”

The guys start lobbing questions at her and she answers the same way she does everyone else, “The link to my song is on my Instagram bio! If you can find it, you can listen to it. Now, who is next?” Felix raises his hand and with a mouthful announces, “I’ll go next!” “Oh perfect!” Dee strides over to Felix and stops in front of him. “Truth or Dare?” “Truth.” Dee leans down and whispers something in Felix’s ear that no one else can hear. When she pulls back Felix looks extremely upset and shakes his head. “I’m not answering that.” It’s all we get out of Felix before he shoves another bite of food in his mouth. “Mel, Truth or Dare?” He asks once he’s finally done chewing. “Dare.” She’s not one to back down from a challenge and this is no different. “I dare you to kiss the hottest person in the room.” She looks around the room and before making her choice asks, “Did you guys also sign NDAs for tonight?” All 3 of the guys nods. “Cool.” She walks right over to Dee and kisses her. Nothing crazy, but she’s always thought she was hot, talented and smart. 

“OH MY GOD!”

“Did she just..?”

“HEY! That’s my girl crush!”

“MELODY!”

“Oh, but wait. I’m not done.” She walks over to Felix and kisses him too. “Okay, I’m done now.”

“You’re done?”

“What about me?”

“I want another one!”

“I still cannot believe you kissed my girl crush!”

Mel just laughs and smirks, “Chan, Truth or Dare?” Standing with his hip against the couch, “Dare.” Putting her finger to her chin and tapping she thinks for a couple minutes about what dare she wants to give him. When she figures out what it is she puts her finger in the air. “I want you to go in the other room and make Jeongin come in here.” “Why? He’s sleeping?” Chan isn’t usually one to ask questions but when it comes to the maknae he’s always kept his well-being and wants and needs in the forefront of his mind. “Because our maknae,” she points to Taylor, “likes your maknae and she was disappointed when he went to bed.” 

Poor Taylor was finally drying her tears, but this dare and admission makes her start crying again. “Oh my gosh.. Please don’t cry anymore Taylor.” Chan is kneeling down in front of her now, pleading with her to stop crying. “Pick a different dare, Melody.” “I will if you never call me Melody again unless I’m in trouble.” She winks at Chan. “Fine, Mel, pick a different dare, right now.” 

“This isn’t even fun anymore.” Dee pouts. “I think I’m ready to go to bed. Where are we sleeping?” She motions to her, Mel and Taylor. “We can bunk up in mine and Jeongin’s room, or Binnie didn’t banish Seungmin, maybe..”

“Oh, I am not interrupting that. You didn’t see them when we took them food. I’ll just sleep on the floor.” Seungmin does not want to share a bed with anyone, let alone Chan who snores so loud he’s pretty sure he’s part dragon. “It’s fine, we can go back to the BNB.” Mel suggests, but Chan shaking his head shuts that down. “It’s way too late for the three of you to be going back there tonight. There are a couple more rooms on the floor, we can pay for the cleaning fee if you would be more comfortable there.”   

The girls are visibly grateful when their shoulders lower at the suggestion that they can stay there. “Thanks Channie!” Dee gives him a smirk and Seungmin points to her. “Ahh, you didn’t even last half an hour! Maybe we should kick you to the curb!” Putting her hands up, surrendering to the defeat of the lost dare. “ You know what? I don’t even care that I lost, it was worth it.” 

“Sleeping arrangements. You guys are more than welcome to do whatever, you all signed NDAs for the night, but I am going to bed!” Chan announces to the room before saluting them and walking to the door. “Hyung,” it’s Felix, “what do I do?” “Come out here for a second and talk to me.” 

They step out into the hallway and the door doesn’t even shut all the way before Felix starts talking, “I don’t know what to do Chan. I talked to Jin before the girls got here, but it's only gotten more confusing since then.” 

“Slow down, Lix. What do you mean? Summarize it a little more for me.” 

“Well, I told Jin about these feelings I’ve been having and he said it sounds extremely similar to what he was feeling, but then he found her, well her Instagram, and ever since the girls were introduced to us I’ve been feeling something similar. But the issue is I don’t know which one it’s for.” Felix rambled it off so fast not wanting any of the girls wanting to hear. 

“Okay, okay. Thankfully, we have sometime tomorrow before we have to start packing up to move onto the next location. Plus, I have a strong feeling that this won’t be the last time we see them.” Chan pats Felix on the back and walks to his room. 

Walking back into the living room area Felix sees Mel and Taylor sitting together which only confuses him more. He looks at Seungmin and nods to him, getting his attention, “Hey Minnie, I’m going to go to bed, are you coming?” When Seungmin stands up to walk out, Dee shoots her hand out and grabs his wrist, “You’re not going anywhere, puppy. Let’s go!” 

He pulls his hand from her grasp, “After that, no thank you.”  He follows Felix out and to one of the extra rooms.

“I guess it’s just us.” Mel says, looking at Dee and Taylor. “I wonder which room is ours?”

====KATIE AND HYUNJIN====

Hyunjin finally pushes the cart of empty plates into the hallway, all except the cake. 

“Sweet girl, do you want to share this with me? I don’t think it was intended for me, but we can share.” He lifts the plate and scoots over on the bed so you can climb in with him.

“As delicious as the cake looks, I think I’m done talking tonight.” You take the plate from him and set it on the bedside table. When you turn back to Hyunjin he’s already cupping your cheeks and before you know it his lips are on yours. 

What starts off as soft pecks soon turns into so much more. You bring your hands up to rub across his buzz cut. You’ve never felt anything quite as soft and his hair and his lips. The way he only pulls you closer makes you whine into his mouth which allows him access to slip his tongue between your teeth. Finally pulling you just a little harder to where you have to straddle him.

“You’re going to be a good girl for me, right?” He asks in the quietest whisper, but you heard so deep in your soul. “I’ll be whatever you want me to be as long as I’m with you, Dumpling.” 

Chapter Text

The sunlight streams in from the windows you didn’t close last night. You blink awake from how bright it is and when you don’t recognize the window. A bit of panic starts to set in, but you notice that the feeling in your chest is just panic, not the tug you were feeling for months. You put your hand to your chest and when you do you see it, a hand across your waist. Those hands, you would know them anywhere.

Rolling over you see him. That’s right, you all signed NDAs last night after the concert where the man of your dreams found you in the crowd. You sigh and snuggle into him and feel him tighten his grip on you.

“Good morning sweet girl. How did you sleep?” His morning voice is so husky. Reaching up, you kiss him and wrap yourself around him. “I definitely slept better next to you. Even if you are a heater. I think sleeping next to you is actually going to be my new obsession.” 

“I’m not going to be able to sleep any other way. This is probably the best I’ve slept in months. Being this close to you eases everything.” He scoots even further down into the bed and brings the sheet up and over both of your heads. Not wasting another second he rolls you onto your back and kisses your swollen lips. 

You let all of your senses take over and can feel everything. From the way his breath ghosts over your lips when he pulls away, the way his hand skims down your side, the way his cock is straining against his boxers, and the way his legs are snaking their way between yours. 

“Hyunjin..” You whisper his name like it's a prayer and he hasn’t even actually touched you yet, but everything has led you to this moment. 

“Sweet girl, I don’t think I can wait anymore. I need you so bad.” He’s trying to be patient with you, but you can feel his resolve cracking just as yours breaks. Grabbing onto his hands you finally guide them under the hem of your shirt and he whispers a ‘thank god’ into your neck. 

As he kisses up and down your neck he starts lifting your shirt, only taking his lips off of you to pull your shirt over your head. Looking down at your naked torso his eyes glint. “Wow, you’re more perfect than I could’ve imagined. Can I?” You just nod. “Oh, no. We use words around here so be a good girl for me and tell me it’s okay.” 

“It’s more than okay. Please, touch me.” He doesn’t have to be told twice as he palms one of your breasts and thumbs your nipple making it harden. His lips trail from your neck to your collarbone where he draws the skin in between his lips, sucking on it just enough that he knows will leave a bruise. “Sweet girl, let me know if I need to stop at any point, yeah?” “Yes.” It’s all you get out before he bites the spot he just had in his mouth. 

“Fuck.” Your hips buck into his, making you both moan at the friction. He continues his trail when he’s satisfied that the mark he made on your skin will be there for a few days. His tongue darts out from between his lips and laps at the nipple he made hard earlier, sending a jolt down to your clit. “If you don’t touch me I will cum just from that.”

“Good thing we have plenty of time this morning to explore. How many orgasms do you think I can get out of you?” The look he’s giving you from under his lashes is almost enough to make you explode right then. Without hesitating you reach down and yank his shirt over his head. You need skin to skin contact and nothing is going to stop you from getting it. 

“One, if you’re lucky.” You challenge. You’ve had so few encounters where you actually orgasm that you weren’t fully aware that you could have more than one, even if you have read about women having so many that they pass out. 

He lets out one single laugh and says, “One? Really?” He goes back to kissing his way down to the waist the boxers you borrowed from him last night. “Yes, just one.” You know for a fact that he’s going to get more than one from you just from the way you’re feeling the sensation coiling in your stomach already. He peers up at you and hooks a single finger into the boxers and rubs it back and forth. “I bet I get at least 3. The first will be from my tongue,” he licks just below your belly button, “the second and third though? Those will be on my cock and like the good girl you are you’ll give them to me, hmm?” 

The gasp you let out is the only response you have to him raising up on his knees, grabbing the waistband of the boxers and pulling them off of you. His eyes are the only thing you can focus on now. You can’t even give him a snarky reply because all the words have left your brain as you stare at him staring at you. You’ve never had anyone look at you the way he’s looking at you right now. Like he’s picturing every single way he’s going to love you and your body.

Finally coming back to yourself, you sit up and bring your hands up to finally get his attention back to your eyes. “Hey, we can’t do anything with your boxers still on my Prince. Let's get you naked, hmm?” He kisses you and shakes his head. “Nope, the first orgasm is for you.” He doesn’t give you the chance to answer as he slides down the bed and props your legs on his shoulders. “Be a good girl and keep them open for me. Talk me through what you like.” 

He’s kissing your thighs, making his way to where you need him most, but after a beat too long of silence from you he looks up. When he notices that your laid back covering your face he moves your hands, “Talk to me, tell me what’s going on.” “I just- ugh, it’s so embarrassing.” You lay back and close your eyes. “There’s literally nothing to be embarrassed about. We’re going to have to learn what each other likes and this is the start so talk to me, please.” 

You absolutely cannot deny him. “I’ve never cum from that…” You screw your eyes shut from the admission. The silence is so loud that you uncover your hands and see that he’s smiling down at you. He leans forward and kisses your forehead before saying, “This is going to be fun.” You can hear the smile in his voice.

Settling back down between your thighs, Hyunjin kisses your lower stomach, your thighs, anywhere he can reach. Lowering so far down that all you can see is his eyes he lets out a breath that hits your clit and sends sparks all the way up your spine. “Oh my god..” Your breathing is shallow already. “We’re just getting started, sweet girl.” 

Dipping his head, he flattens his tongue and licks all the way up and sucks your clit between his lips. The moan you let out echoes off the walls of the hotel room. You’ve never had someone make you feel this and he’s had his mouth on you for a handful of seconds. “Hyunjin, oh my god. I-” You put your hand down on the back of his head to keep him right where he is. He pulls back for just a second to say, “Yes, talk to me. Tell me what you need, what you want.” 

You don’t actually use words, you just slot your fingers through his where they’re gripping your thighs. “Just keep going. Don’t stop.” He does exactly as he’s asked and goes back to your clit but not before he moves his other hand up your body to roll your nipple between his fingers. 

“Hyunjin, oh my god, I’m going to cum. Please don’t stop. Oh my god, oh my god, OH MY GOD!”  You bow your back off the bed because of how hard you cum. He’s absolutely magic with his tongue, and while you knew that, getting to experience it is something out of this world. 

He lets you come down from your orgasm and uses your thigh to clean his face while he kisses you. “You were such a good girl for me, cuming on my tongue. You’re so damn wet, but are you ready for me?”

 “I’m so fucking ready I don’t think I can take it anymore. Please, I need you in me, right now.” You start pawing at his boxers and finally get them pulled down. His cock springs free and hits you between the legs, smacking your sensitive clit. You whimper and he just laughs at you before saying, “You better hold on, because I’ll only be gentle through the first one. After that, I’m not holding back.” You swallow down his words and your nervousness all in one and say, “I can handle it.” 

As you let out the breath you were holding after the sentence he pushes in, not taking his eyes from you. “Keep being my good girl and tell me how you’re feeling.” The sheets must’ve fallen from his back and you notice how much he’s glowing. He’s clearly been holding back and you don’t want him to anymore. Not even through the first orgasm. “I don’t want you to hold back. I need you the same way you clearly need me. I am not fragile, fuck me.” 

Looking at you, he smirks and leans down, “If you’re sure.” “I’m beyond sure, no more exploring. We will have plenty of time for that later.” 

No more hesitation passes between the two of them. He pushes the rest of the way in and doesn’t give you time to adjust before he pulls back out. The only reprieve you get from the sting of his size is the way he kisses you and whispers in your ear, “Look at you. Look at how perfectly you’ve stretched for me, sweet girl.” Moaning is the only answer you can give him.

“I’m going to have to paint this. I never want to forget a single moment of the first time I was inside of you.” He caresses your cheek as one single tear runs down. You don’t even feel the orgasm hit you, but when it does the only thing you can think to do is sit forward and latch onto his collarbone, in the exact same spot he left a bruise just a bit ago.

“Oh fuck, sweet girl. You’re being so good. That’s number 2, can you give me another one?” He doesn’t stop his thrust, the pace he set was so slow, but the way he hit every spot that needed attention. “I want to give you as many as you want from me,” You say once you come down enough to catch your breath for the second time this morning. “Good, because I want one more from you this morning.” 

Just then, his pace picks up and it becomes brutal. Not even asking, he flips you onto your stomach and runs his finger down your spine while fucking you to the point of you seeing stars. You feel like he’s going to rip you apart, but you don’t give a single fuck. 

“Please, please don’t stop. God, I am begging you.” He grabs your hips and lifts you up so your ass is in the air. “You want me to fuck you like a princess then maybe you should keep calling me your prince.” He lands a smack on your ass and keeps pounding into you from behind. “Come on Princess, say it.” “Oh fuck, Hyunjin, you’re perfect, My Prince.” You can hear behind you that he’s licked his fingers and then he’s reaching around you to rub them on your clit. “Good girl, now cum for me.” Just as you do he pulls out and cums all over your back, not taking his fingers off your clit as he helps you through your last orgasm of the morning. The feeling of his fingers running from you neck to the base of your spine, very clearly running his finger through his own release. “I need a picture of this, don’t move.” 

He hops off the bed and snatches his phone off the bedside table. You hear the click of the camera and finally turn around. “If that’s the picture you get, I need one of us in the shower. Right now.” With a smirk and a tug of your hand he pulls you into the bathroom and turns the shower on, keeping it warm without being too hot. “You did so good, sweet girl. I can’t wait to have more moments like that with you.” The post-orgasm haze must’ve been so strong that you didn’t hear what he said, but you heard the click of the camera again. 

“Let’s get cleaned up and get some breakfast and coffee before we meet everyone else.” You spend the next 30 minutes standing in the shower while Hyunjin washes you from head to toe. When you finally get out there’s food and so many different options of coffee that you think you might have another orgasm. 

“This looks so good, Dumpling.” You sit on the other bed and eat off the plates and take sips of each other’s coffees, just enjoying the quiet of the morning before the chaos. 

“I could do this forever.” 

===KAT AND CHANGBIN===

Changbin tries to roll over but only gets to his back when he gets stuck by a weight holding it down. When he turns back over he sees the most beautiful head of curls and decides to press a kiss to the back of her head. He remembers everything about last night. The way Kat clearly beat him with her adorable aegyo, the massage she gave him which got so many knots he just might have to hire her, how he didn’t even get to give her a massage because she couldn’t keep her hands to herself but he didn’t mind at all!

“Mmm, goodmorning Binnie.” Kat’s morning voice is so thickly sweet that he won’t need the boost of sugar he usually craves to get his morning started. “Morning Kitty Kat, how’d you sleep?” He really hopes she slept well since they are going back to their BNB today. He would hate for this perfect girl to go home and be more tired than when he got his hands on her. “I slept perfectly. I don’t think I’ve ever had anyone cuddle me the way you did. Thank you.” The smile he can see in the mirror is all he needs to know she’s being serious.

“The shower is calling my name though. I didn’t braid my hair and my curls are crying.” She tries her best to untangle from Changbin and the sheets just to be pulled back into bed. “Five more minutes, please. I’d do anything for them.” How could Kat say no to that? This man is asking for 5 more minutes of her time and not to do anything crazy, just to cuddle with her. When she lays back her head doesn’t meet the pillow. Instead it meets his chest and his arms give her the softest squeeze. Her head swims just a little with what a whirlwind last night was and how she’s going to have to go back to her real life on Monday. She’s absolutely dreading it already. What she would give to be able to move and be near him and open up her own bakery. It’s always been her hearts desire.

“Kitty Kat, I can hear the wheels turning in your head. Is everything okay?” Changbin rolls her to her back so he can see her and the sight is the most beautiful and heart wrenching at the same time. The way her hair has fanned out against the pillow has him wishing he would’ve wrapped it around his fist last night, the way the light catches her eyes and makes them lighten like the sunlight is captured in them, the way the sheets fall over her curves like they’re begging her to stay in bed too. What’s he going to do when she’s not his anymore? It was only for one night, was this what Hyunjin was talking about when he said he felt a pull?

With a pout Kat looks at Changbin and whispers as she rubs their noses together, “Our five minutes are up, Bin. We should get moving.” She very reluctantly gets out of bed this time, not giving him a chance to pull her back down. When they get in the bathroom Changbin reaches into the shower and turns the knob to get the water warm. He didn’t want to ask her like this, but he knows their time is ticking so he runs his hand through his hand and sighs, both of which Kat’s attention. She cocks her head to the side, not prepared for what he says next.

“I don’t think I can just tell you goodbye. I need - “ Kat’s lips are on his before he can finish the sentence. When she finally pulls away she meets his eyes and says the words he never thought he’d hear from her, “Then it won’t be goodbye. It probably won’t be what we want right now, but it’s what I want too. I have dreams too big for where I’m at, and one of them was finding my forever person.” 

With that, they both step into the shower and take their time. Not wanting to rush, even if they get in trouble for taking too long. Once they’re done they both step out of the shower and get dressed, Kat revels in the fact that she’s going to walk around smelling like Changbin. 

“Come on Kitty Kat, let’s go to the living room so we can get some food for you. I’m sure you’re starving.” 

===JEONGIN AND CHAN AND TAYLOR===

Sitting up, Jeongin stretches his arms up and looks at the clock. It’s showing 9:45. “Wow, I slept way later than I thought I would.” He looks over at the bed next to his and sees a lump of blankets. He assumes its gotta be Chan by the way he can hear the snoring. Throwing a pillow it bounces off the top of the blankets and he hears a “Ugh…” come from under all of it.

“What are you doing here? I figured you’d be in one of the other rooms either recording or with one of the girls.” Chan just sits up, hair wild with curls and face a little puffy from what little sleep he did get. “Oh, I couldn’t go in the other rooms because they’re all occupied now and I didn’t think it would be appropriate to be with any of them.” 

“Hyung! It was partly your idea to get pretty girls into our rooms, was it not?” When Chan just nods, Jeongin just sighs. “You really need to get laid…” and gets up to walk to the bathroom. Chan doesn’t wait another second before running his hands through his hair and pulling his clothes on. He walks into the hallway and bumps into Taylor.

“Woah, where are you going?” Chan asks noticing she’s walking in the direction of the exit. “I’m leaving. I am ready to go back to the BNB and just be.” Chan puts his arm around Taylor’s shoulder and starts guiding her back to the living room area. 

“We’re at least going to get something in your stomach before you decide to run away.” He looks down at her and really looks. The dark circles aren’t hard to miss. He’s had them practically his whole life. “Did you get any sleep last night?” She just stares down at the floor and he runs his hand down his face. “Aish. Well, why don’t I kick Jeongin out of the room and make him go get you a plate of food for when you wake up?” 

“Nope, I just want to go back to the BNB.” Her hands are so limp at her sides and the tiredness is obvious on her face. She doesn’t resist Chan maneuvering her back down the hallway, but she is beyond grateful when they don’t go back to his room and instead go to the living room.

===LEE KNOW AND JISUNG===

Waking up like they always do, in each other's arms with the most perfect view of whatever city they’re in, Lee Know kisses Jisung’s temple. “Goodmorning, My Love.” Jisung, ever the heavy sleeper obviously doesn’t hear him but he still snuggles deeper into his arms. 

“Another day, another set of women to try to get rid of..” Lee Know seems really agitated by this particular group and he can’t put his finger on the reason why. While he sits in bed waiting for Jisung to finally come to he orders their breakfast, takes a quick shower and starts packing up. 

“Baby, what are you doing?” Jisung’s voice is so thick that its got a weird accent to it in the mornings. “I’m packing, it’s what I do every morning after the shows so you can get as much sleep as you need. What’s wrong?” Jisung gets out of bed and crawls to Lee Know. “You’re mumbling to yourself about ‘girls, stupid men, thinking with their dicks’ so, tell me what is going on. I want to know.” 

Throwing the shirt he was trying to fold into the suitcase, he looks at Jisung. “I still don’t know how I feel about how any of the guys are acting. They’ve never seemed this.” Lee Know pauses thinking of the word. “Enthralled? I guess, by any girl, like they are right now with them. Not just Hyunjin either, all of them.” 

“Baby, come here.” Opening up his arms, Lee Know dives into them. “I know this probably feels like a lot all at once, but I trust them to pick who they want. Just like we picked each other. Do you remember it?”

Lee Know just sits there, embraced by the man he’s loved since before they debuted. He remembers everything.. From Jisung holding his hand when he was asked to rap, the elimination and Jisung being the first to hug him, how no matter how many people say Lee Know is mean Jisung is there to remind him that only those who truly know and love him see who he really is. Maybe he should give all of them a chance to find what he has in Jisung.

“Hyunjin confided in Chan one night when he thought I was sleeping about how he feels something in his chest. He put into words the thing I felt for you. The way I knew I needed you from the second I laid eyes on you. It’s why he wanted to cancel or not come to the American stops. He didn’t want to get his feelings mixed up somehow, but I think this is it for him.” Jisung has always had a way with words. It’s exactly the reason he has the position as part of 3racha. 

Lee Know turns back to packing and says more to himself but still loud enough for Jisung to hear, “I’ll try. I really will.” He knows he’s met his match in Katie. He could see it just from the look she shot him last night and honestly, he hopes he’s right. He needs a verbal sparring partner.

===FELIX AND SEUNGMIN===

Waking up the next morning by themselves was not what either of them had in mind, but Felix knows now that he needs to find Mel. After he separated himself from Taylor last night he realized that he was just feeding from her emotions to the point that he got everything so confused.  

Felix washes his face and when he walks back into the room he looks at Seungmin, still sleeping. He huffs and walks over to the bed. Shaking Seungmin he says, “Hey, are you going to get up and come get breakfast? You know they’ve ordered a whole platter again. Don’t let it go to waste.” Seungmin just swats at Felix’s hand and rolls away from him. After standing there for a few more seconds Felix decides it isn’t worth the argument with him. Last night wasn’t fun for him after he got rejected and he certainly isn’t going to piss Seungmin off anymore than he already is. 

Shutting the door quietly behind him he runs right into Chan. “Woah! Sorry Chan, I didn't mean to bump into you.” Chan just laughs and looks at Felix, “It’s all good. Hey, after our conversation last night did you,” Chan just kind of gives a hand motion that Felix assumes means ‘did you hook up with one of the girls’. “Oh, no. I didn’t. I’m glad I decided to go to bed because I needed the sleep. It really helped to turn my brain off and let my heart do the feeling.” Felix doesn’t even realize that he does it, but he puts his hand to his chest and imagines the way Mel looked at him last night, the way she kissed him. 

“I know who it is that I’m feeling this way for. And I have a lot of apologizing to do…” Felix finally just walks off without saying anything else leaving Chan standing there wondering what exactly he meant but decides to shrug and walk away for once. He has a conversation he has to have anyway.

Seungmin, however, couldn’t go back to sleep after Felix shook him awake so decides to just sit in bed and scroll through his phone. He’s really grateful that the only interaction people pinpointed were the ones between Hyunjin and Katie. The last thing he wants or needs is someone assuming he slept with one of them since Dee rejected him. 

When he hears the beep of the key card he drops his phone to the bed and closes his eyes, pretending to be asleep. If it’s Felix he’ll call him out on not actually being asleep, but the others don’t know how he woke up this morning so he’s hoping they just walk away when they see his eyes are closed. The next thing he hears is shocking. A small huff, a cup being placed on the bedside table and then what sounds like a piece of paper. 

Once the person shuffles out of the room and Seungmin can focus on all his senses he realizes it was Dee. Why was she in his room? How was she in his room? Regardless he looks at what she left. A coffee, bless that woman. And a note? He picks it up and reads it,

“Seungmin,

I ran into Felix in the hallway and he said you were sleeping when I asked about you so I borrowed the keycard. I hope this is okay. I wanted to apologize for last night. I hope this coffee helps just a bit. I’d love to tell you how sorry I am to your face when you wake up.

-Dee”

Oh, she wants to apologize. He’s never had someone apologize for wanting any of the other members. He sits for another few minutes, finally picking up and sipping on the coffee, before he gets up and takes a quick shower. Now he’s eager to see her again and figure out what kind of apology she’ll have for him.

===DEE, MEL AND TAYLOR===

Dee wakes up and notices that Taylor’s gone. “Where the hell did she go? I swear to everything if she went back to the BNB by herself!” Without much thought of how she looks Dee steps out into the hall and hears Taylor’s voice. It’s not just Taylor though, she’s talking to Chan. Following the voices she walks into the living room and sees the two of them sitting on one of the couches. His arm around her and her sitting there, stiff as a board. Dee clears her throat and they both startle. “Taylor, is everything okay?” When Taylor meets Dee’s eyes she nods. “Yeah, Chan was just telling me about Jeongin and why he gets that way sometimes. No big deal.” Dee walks over to her and says, “If you’re sure everything is okay, I’m going to head back to the room and start working on packing up the few things we have.” Kissing Taylor’s forehead she gets up and walks back into the hallway, bumping right into Felix.

“Oh, Felix, hey. Is Seungmin awake? I need to talk to him.” Dee’s nervous as hell to hear what he’s going to say.

“He was kind of moving around, but he probably went back to sleep. I can let you in to see if he’s up.” Felix is so trusting that for a second Dee’s not sure if she should take him up on that offer. After not much contemplation she puts up a finger, “Give me 30 seconds!”

Before he can answer Dee walks away. As promised, 30 or so seconds later she reappears with a coffee and a piece of paper. “What’s that?” He asks and all she does is wave it so he can’t read it. “It’s a small olive branch, the best I could scrounge up in such a short time.” Felix just inclines his head and waves her to follow him. She almost spills the coffee from skipping so much. 

Letting herself into the room, she’s a little disappointed to see that he is in fact asleep. She lets out a small breath and puts the coffee down followed by the piece of paper she brought in case he was in fact still asleep. She turns her back and starts walking out of the room, the guilt eating at her. She finally makes it back into the living room area to be greeted by a much larger crowd. Kat and Changbin have finally emerged from their room, Lee Know and Jisung are in there just trying to whisper to themselves as they eat, Jeongin must’ve finally gotten up because here he sits closer to Taylor than anyone has ever seen him to someone else, and Felix who looks like he’s ready to jump ship for some reason. When he spots you walk into the room he jumps to his feet. 

“Mel?” Its all he says to you. “Probably still in our room since she isn’t in here.” When she starts passing him he reaches out and grabs her arm, “Can I borrow your room key?” 

Dee doesn’t even think twice about saying yes after the favor Felix just did for her. “Thank you, fuck.. Thank you so much!” 

Mel is stirring in her room when the door swings open, “Dee? Taylor?” She pulls the sheet up to her chin to try her best to cover up when no one answers. Finally a figure walks around corner and she can’t hide the shock that crosses her face. “FELIX!”

“Mel, I need to talk to you before you go in there with everyone.” Mel sits up and nods her head, letting him know she’s listening. “I really need to explain myself. Last night was a lot and I’ve never had to deal with so many unknown emotions after a show. Seeing Taylor crying last night confused the feelings I have running through my head and my heart.”

All Mel is good for right now is gawking. She cannot believe someone is spilling their guts to her like this. “I-” Felix puts his hand over her mouth and continues. “ I’m not done. I talked to Jin before you guys got here last night because I’ve been feeling some kind of way coming to America and really started feeling something when he found her and the rest of you at soundcheck yesterday.”

He takes a much needed breath and keeps talking, “ The way I went about everything last night wasn’t fair to either of you and I should’ve gone to bed long before I did since I was confused and I’m so sorry for that. Can you forgive me?”

Nodding her head, jaw unhinged Mel just stares. She heard every word he said, but still can’t seem to process that he said it to her. “I am sorry too Felix. You have every right to pick whoever you want, but I will say, I hope it's me. You’ve been the sunshine to my life for so long and the way my chest pulls towards you it's crazy. I hope that doesn’t sound creepy. Shit, I’m sorry.” She covers her face and starts lightly crying.

“Sunflower, look at me. You have nothing to be sorry about. I feel it too.” He wraps his arms around you and pulls you into his lap letting you finish the crying session he can tell you needed. “It was you, all I could picture was your smile. I was just being stupid and letting the wrong emotions take over.” He lifts her head from his chest, wipes her tears, and moves her hair from her face. “Can I kiss you, please?” Mel nods but Felix just looks at her and says, “Words, Flower, I need you to say it.” “Yes, please kiss me.” Mel grabs his shirts and pulls him down as she meets him halfway. 

Finally breaking the kiss Felix looks at her and says, “Even though I’d rather sit here and talk to you and get to know you more, I think they’re waiting for us.” With a groan, they stand up from the bed and make their way to the door, but not without sharing a peck here and there, trying to make up for lost time.

===GROUP POV===

Looking around, Chan counts to himself and announces, “We are still missing Hyunjin and Seungmin. Somebody go get them, please. We all need to make sure we talk before we all go our separate ways.” Dee stands up and volunteers to go get Seungmin, but the sound of door hitting the wall stops her dead in her tracks. Seungmin walks into the room with an expression that only the guys can read. It’s one none of them really care to be on the receiving end of. “Dee, what is this? We need to talk, but not right now.” That’s all he says before he sits down and the room descends into silence. 

Not another word is mumbled as Chan walks out of the room and down to the end of the hall where Hyunjin and Katie are. He knocks lightly and calls out, “Come on you two, we need to all have a conversation before we leave. We don’t have long.” He’s walking away when he hears the door open and the two of them emerge giggling and kissing. “Gross, let’s go.” 

When the three of them walk into the living room they see that all hell has broken loose. Kat and Changbin are ripping Seungmin a new asshole. Mel, Taylor and Felix are sitting together watching them ping pong insults. Dee is on the verge of tears. Jeongin is literally just sitting there looking at his nails. Lee Know and Jisung are in the middle of the chaos trying to be the reasonable ones. “What the fuck happened?” Chan yells, not sure who to even ask first. Lee Know speaks up though and explains the best he can, “Well, Seungmin…” “Actually, you know what, I don't even care what happened! What I’m most concerned about is the fact that we can’t let this effect the next stop. Now we all need to chill out and screw our heads back on.” Everybody takes a deep breath and looks to Chan for guidance, even Hyunjin and Katie who just stepped into the room. 

“Actually, I need to tell everybody something,” Hyunjin speaks up and breaks the awkward tension. He looks over to Katie and pulls out his phone. “What is this?” She asks. “A plane ticket, it takes you to our next location,” he swipes on his screen and more tickets pop up, “and this is a backstage pass and tickets to the next concert.” She looks up to him with tears in her eyes. “I can’t leave here without you. It hasn’t been long enough. Please say you’ll come with me.” 

Everyone is stunned back into silence. None of them have ever done anything so risky and bold. Anytime a fan follows them from stop to stop it either starts a dating rumor or makes the fan out to be crazy, granted the majority of them have been. The air feels like it's been sucked out of the room waiting for Katie to answer him. The group can’t see the entire interaction though and are missing the looks of adoration passing between the two of them and the smiling at each other. She doesn’t even answer him as he scoops her up in his arms. 

“Oh thank fuck! That was so fucking scary. I didn’t know what you were going to say and I really didn’t want you to shatter my heart into pieces.” He whispers into her ear. “I would follow you to the ends of the earth, Dumpling. Don’t ever doubt that.” She kisses him so hard he’s leaning back to keep the two of you balanced. 

Changbin and Kat look over at each other and without a second thought he pulls out his phone and calls to Hyunjin, “Hey man, send the details so I can get my Kitty Kat here on the same flight! I will not be responsible for separating them!” As Hyunjin walks over Chris does too, pulling out his phone and counting. They need five tickets altogether, he knows that won’t be easy. He gets over to the other two guys and is shaking his head, “I don’t think four tickets on the same flight as Katie’s is going to be possible. Hyunjin, why don’t you cancel that ticket and we will just have them fly with us. You all seem very serious about them and if you are sure about them I want to do what we can to keep them safe.” 

All they can do is nod at Chan as he excuses himself to step out of the room and make a phone call.

“I guess you’re all coming with us, if you want.” Changbin announces to the rest of the girls. Squeals sound out around the room and the girls group hug in the middle of the room. Hyunjin and Changbin clapping each other on the back, Felix walking over to join them, Jeongin still just sitting there absolutely unbothered by what’s going on, Lee Know and Jisung are just standing there both shocked by what just happened, but Seungmin? Seungmin stalks over to Dee and grabs her by her hand and drags her away from the group hug.

“You can either apologize to me right now, or you can forget your little ‘fanfic, y/n moment’ right now. You pick.”

Chapter Text

Mini playlist: I Like Me Better - Lauv

“You can either apologize to me, or you can forget your little ‘fanfic, y/n moment’ right now. You pick.” Dee’s taken back by Seungmin’s forwardness. She’s never had someone other than Katie speak to her like that. She cowers, but only for a second. Standing up to her full height and walking to him she doesn’t hesitate to put her chest to his. “I don’t recall anyone asking your opinion on whether or not I am coming, Puppy.” Seungmin resents the nickname unless someone who actually knows him says it, and while he wants to change that about him and Dee he’s not sure if she really does. He leans in and whispers, “If you’re going to call me that you better be on your knees when you do it.” Dee pulls back and the embarrassment is written all over her face. He decides that now is the time to pull her from the living room and into the bedroom he slept in last night. “Now, are we going to have issues or are we going to apologize to each other? Because frankly, I love the chase, but right now I think we need to come to an understanding.” Seungmin’s face is so stoic that Dee isn’t sure how serious he is, but he hopes that he means it. She loves the chase too. “Oh Puppy, I’ll eat you for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Don’t tempt me.” He reaches around her and grabs the back of her neck, pulling her in and brushing their noses together. “Listen here, little songbird, I will be your worst nightmare until you decide to be mine.” They’re interrupted before Seungmin can press his lips to Dee’s when Chan walks in, “What the fuck dude? We are supposed to be all in the living room. Get back in there!” Chan stands at the door and waits for them to walk past him, not wanting to risk anyone leaving again before they can have the conversation that he’s been told by management to have. Walking into the room all eyes fall on the three of them. All slightly flushed and having been gone longer than anyone truly noticed until now they throw looks at each other. “Nothing happened,” Dee announces to the group. Chan just shakes his head as Dee and Seungmin take a seat by each other. “Now, let’s have this conversation. We really don't have a lot of time and we need to make sure everyone understands what’s happening. Are we ready?” Chan claps and rubs his hands together waiting for some kind response. A round of yes and nods filter around the room. “Great. The first thing is, management has been informed about the girls and the NDAs so we are in the clear there. I did have to inform them about them coming with us so we have to sign an extended one, all 13 of us.” Chan hears a groan and looks at Lee Know. “Do you have something you want to say?” He raises his eyebrow when he locks eyes with him. “Actually, yes I do.” Lee Know stands up like he’s about to make a speech and the tension only thickens. “Jisungie and I have no reason to sign this ‘extended NDA’ so why are we included in this? We’ve been in this relationship for 7 years now.” Chan puts up a single finger, “I’m going to stop you right there. This NDA has nothing to do with your relationship with each other. It has everything to do with the relationship we could all possibly have with them.” “And if I don’t plan on having a relationship of any kind with a single one of them? What are we going to do then?” Lee Know is at the point where he’s ready to walk if Chan keeps pushing this. “Lee Know, I think you really should give them a chance. Hyunjin didn’t just pick Katie out of the crowd. He’s had feelings he didn’t know how to communicate for a long time. She just happened to be at the concert and he finally found her. Don’t act like you and Jisung didn’t have the same feelings when you got eliminated and couldn’t be near each other for a few days.” When Chan brings up the elimination just like Jisung did Lee Know stops what he thought he wanted to say next before it can leave his mouth. Instead he thinks for a minute. He remembers everything again, all the feelings, all the ache, all the longing. “You know what, fine. I will do this for Hyunjin. Even though he’s a pain in my ass sometimes, he’s always been supportive of me. But I am warning you,” He looks at Katie now, “if you even think of breaking his heart I will make sure you can never have a normal day for the rest of your life.” “Oh Lee Know, if I break his heart I’ll be miserable for the rest of my life, but if you threaten me again, I will send you dog shit everyday so your cats won’t come near you.” You smirk and lean back. Hyunjin sitting beside you looking like a proud boyfriend and puts his hand on your leg. “Damn dude, I think my girl here is your match. Good luck.” “Anyways!” Chan says pushing Lee Know lightly to have him sit back down. “We have an hour before we need to be walking out of here and getting on a plane. Do you think you can handle our crazy schedule?” Katie speaks up, “I know I can for another week, but then I’m going to have to go home.” She can feel Hyunjin’s hand on her thigh tighten. All she can do to try to reassure him is rub her thumb across the back of his hand. All the girls agree that after the week they’re going to have to go back to their regular lives. They know that a whole week is going to be pushing it as it is. Already being gone for the week is putting a strain on all of their responsibilities. All of them are going to have to call their jobs and call out for the week and they’re not sure how that’s going to fly. Luckily, they all brought their computers in case there was an emergency so they have that going for them. “God, I cannot wait to get away from this job. I hate it so much.” Kat leans back into Changbin’s arms. He presses a kiss to her hair and wants to tell her to just stay, never go home, sell everything, quit. He doesn’t though, he would never pressure someone to let go of what gives them the freedom to do what they want. “The next thing is, they aren’t happy with the girls flying with us because the press is going to be in our faces from the second we get off the plane, but I told them there was no other way so we need to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.” Chan is visibly stressed about that part considering they’ve effectively avoided every dating rumor except for Lee Know and Jisung. “So, here’s what we can do. One option is to let the girls exit first or vice versa which is going to put a little bit of a strain on our timeline, but we can make it work. There’s a way around that. The second option is for all of us to get off the plane together and those of us in pairs will have to answer the questions in an interview that management sets up as soon as possible. Which option would you guys rather do?” Hyunjin doesn’t even have to think about which option he wants to do. He will do whatever he has to to keep Katie by his side, but he doesn’t say anything because everyone can see that from the way they’ve been. He looks to Changbin and Felix to figure out where their heads are at. It’s really up to the two of them considering this was not what they were expecting their lives to be like. “Do we all have to sit in and answer questions about the girls?” It’s Seungmin who asks and to no surprise Jeongin is nodding his head. “When the eight of us are together, we live and when we fall apart, we die.” Chan reminds them of the promise they’ve made. “We either do it all as one, or we don’t do it at all. The one you are going to have to convince is Hyunjin. He’s been looking for Katie everywhere and I don’t think he’s going to be keeping her hidden for very long considering everything he’s doing right now. People are going to start asking who she is and who she always has with her.” Nods and groans make their way around the room once again. They’re all beyond aware of this. Before anyone can even say anything more Katie says, “We get off the plane separately.” She finally looks Chan in the eye, “You and the guys can get off first. When everything seems to have calmed down I will call an Uber and have them come get us.” Everyone’s slack jawed that she has just suggested this. “What do you mean, Katie? Do you not want -” Hyunjin is at a loss for words so he just rubs his hand on her thigh. “Dumpling, it isn’t that. It’s a lot of other things. We all have lives here in the states and until all of them are ready for us to be part of the equation in some way, we need to respect that. I will not ruin what you guys have worked so hard for.” This comment doesn’t go unnoticed, especially by Lee Know who was so sure they would jump at the opportunity to be connected to idols like them. “With that decision made, we all need to start packing up. Now, I know you guys don’t have any of your things, but I also noticed that your BNB isn’t far from here, so you can either go get your things quickly or you can call someone else to pack it up for you and one of our members will stay behind to get it.” Chan doesn’t even get the option fully out before Mel has her phone pulled out and is texting one of the girls that was staying in the BNB with them to pack up their things. Even going as far as to telling her that it doesn’t matter if the stuff is all mixed up or missing. She’s just ready to board that plane and spend more time with Felix. “That’s done, what’s next?” Mel claps her hands together, very satisfied with herself. Felix looks over at her and wraps his arm around her shoulders and pulls her down to kiss her cheek, “I can’t wait to spend time with you, my Sunflower! Let’s go so I can start packing.” He grabs her hand and waits for her to stand to lead her out of the room. “With that being said, we should all get to packing. Be back here in 30 minutes! No funny business!” Chan points to the rest of the group and gives them the look, showing how serious he is, but everyone snickers and he shakes his head. “Come on sweet girl. There’s some stuff we need to talk about and I really need to pack.” Hyunjin holds a hand out to you and pulls you into his arms, kissing you before turning to walk out the door. With that the rest of the group dispersed to start packing up.

===CHAN AND JEONGIN===

“Hey, so you feeling rested then, Innie?” Chan calls to him from the bathroom where he’s packing up all of his stuff. “Yeah, I really needed that sleep. That show felt like something else, but I can’t put my finger on what it was.” Jeongin says back to him, causing Chan to peek his head out of the bathroom. “You did seem more tired than usual. Is there something you aren’t telling me?” The sound of worry is so evident that Jeongin throws his shirt in his suitcase and screws his eyes shut. “I don’t know. All the others keep talking about this feeling, and I know, I know, that I’m young and it will come, but I want that so bad.” Jeongin has always had a harder time since he came into stardom so young. He was always worried all anyone would see when they looked at him was his fame and his money. Jeongin isn’t one to accept hugs, but instantly melts into Chan’s embrace. “Hyung, what do I do? My chest is so tight and I need some help.” Jeongin is almost in tears over this and Chan knows there’s more going on than what he’s saying, but he isn't going to pry right now. “Let’s get packed up and we can talk on the plane, yeah?” With a nod of his head Jeongin turns back to his pile of clothes.

===DEE AND TAYLOR===

They walk back into the room they slept in last night and look around. They don’t have much to get. Just their bags from last night and Mel’s since she walked off with Felix. “Dee, what am I going to do?” Taylor’s back is to Dee when she asks, but her voice is so shaky. “I feel like I’m going to mess everything up. I don’t want anyone to feel like they have to take care of me or anything.” When Taylor doesn’t turn around Dee walks up to her. “You won’t, I promise. We have made these decisions together and I don’t think that’s about to change. So, let’s put a smile on that pretty face, get the bags and get back out there. Maybe Seungmin and Jeongin will have a change of heart?” Dee’s hopeful after her and Seungmin’s interaction that she’s not far off. They do exactly that. Grabbing all three bags and walk out the door. Not wasting any time, they head back to where they were told to be. Sitting on the couch, they pull out their phones. Dee gets on TikTok and starts scrolling. Her notifications finally load and pop up at the bottom. She gasp looking at the number. “HOLY SHIT! 500+?! What the hell?” All the messages are finally loading, all of them saying things like, “You got to talk to Stray Kids? Oh my gosh, they noticed you!” And so much else! She’s sitting on the edge of the couch, ready to jump up and down. “What the hell are you going on about?” Taylor asks as she’s also scrolling on her phone. “OH MY GOD! I’ve got a shit ton more followers. What is going on?” She’s still scrolling when Chan and Jeongin walk into the room. “Have you checked your social media?” Taylor asks them. “First rule of the morning following a concert, never check your phone. Let it die down and then check it. It’ll be overwhelming, but it’ll help. I swear.” Jeongin walks over to Taylor and takes her phone from her hand. Towering over her he looks down and just stares for a second. Completely consumed by the doe eyed look he’s getting from her. “I don’t think we actually got to meet yesterday. Remind me of your name?” Jeongin sticks his hand out for Taylor to take. “It’s Taylor. Holy shit..” “Holy shit is right, what are these?” He lifts their hands up, “Tiny hand..” They both break into the loudest laughing fit that it can be heard all the way down the hall. “Well, it is nice to finally get to talk to you. In fact, do you maybe want to sit next to me?” He’s so embarrassed by the way it comes out, but he couldn’t give two shits if he tried. Something about her is screaming to him that he needs to be close to her, right now.

===SEUNGMIN===

Making his way back into the room he has to tune out Changbin and Kat laughing and giggling to themselves. “Are you two going to be like this whole time?” He’s not even fully paying attention to what they’re doing but they’re clearly not paying attention. “Gross.” He throws everything in the suitcase he has and latches it. “I’m going back into the living room. Bye.” Seungmin wheels his suitcase into the living room and puts it by the door where he sees that Chan and Jeongin have also put theirs. When he looks up Dee is standing there, not too far from him. “Hey, would you want to sit by me on the plane?” She’s so straightforward that he nods. “Yeah, sure. I have a feeling we need to actually talk anyway.” They both take a deep breath and walk over to the couch. Sitting down by Taylor, Dee grabs her hand and holds it. “I have a feeling this is going to be a lot better than we both expected.” Dee whispers into Taylor’s ear and looks from one of the guys to the other.

===MEL AND FELIX===

“I know Chan said we only have 30 minutes, but a lot can happen in that amount of time.” Mel tries to run her hands up Felix’s shirt, but he stops her hands from roaming. “Oh, Sunflower, we really don’t have time for any of that. Besides..” he nods his head over to the other side of the room where Katie and Hyunjin are packing his suitcase too. “We have plenty of time. You all said a week. So, let’s just slow down.” He’s trying to be sweet while also being firm in the fact that he wants to really make a connection with Mel. He takes her hands in his and walks her to the bed, sitting her down. “You just sit there and be pretty while I pack, okay? It won’t take me long. I promise.” Mel scoots the rest of the way up the bed and sits in the middle of it and just watches as Felix effortlessly moves around the room grabbing all of his things. She catches Katie’s eye, giving her a smile. “Unnie?” “What’s up?” Katie asks without too much thought. “Do you think you’re going to stay more than a week?” When Katie only looks at her she knows. She knows that if Hyunjin offers her the world she won’t hesitate to take it and do her best to give him the same. Mel looks at Felix just as he laughs at something Hyunjin has said to him and she knows too. She would do the same to see him smile like that everyday. Felix’s voice finally breaks through her haze of daydreaming. “Alright, I’m all done. Are you ready?” His suitcase is off the bed and he’s waiting so patiently. The way the sun is catching him makes his freckles shine across his cheeks. Mel walks right up to him, kissing him. “Lets go, Sunshine.” They wave to Katie and Hyunjin as they walk out the door and down the hallway to the living room. “I don’t think a week is going to be enough.” Felix says, following it up with a kiss to her hair, “But if a week is what I get for now, then we’ll make the best of it.” They walk in and Felix puts his bag by the others while Mel walks over to an empty spot on the couch. Smiling at the other girls, she just knows that this is only the start.

===LEE KNOW AND JISUNG===

“Alright baby, talk to me. What was that about? I thought you..” Jisung doesn’t want to assume that Lee Know agreed to anything because he knows that’ll just make the situation worse. “I thought I had made up my mind too, to give them a chance, but I’m still just so worried. They’re all acting like this is some k-drama and that everything is going to be easy. When this,” he motions between them, “was the hardest thing to keep a secret and I regret it so much.” Jisung stands there, just staring at him. He knows exactly what he means. Keeping their relationship from the public was next to impossible. There are so many clips of them almost kissing, all the hugs, and let’s not even mention the transitions from one solo to the next. People have been in their business from the jump. Jisung exhales, cards his fingers through his own hair and opens his mouth to say something, but the smirk of Lee Know’s face stops him. “What are you smiling about?” Lee Know just lifts his head and laughs. “This girl said she’d send me dog shit so the cats won’t come near me… What did we get ourselves into?” Jisung finally gets it and laughs. His rich laugh makes Lee Know melt. “My love, I’m so glad I already packed everything.” Jisung’s boba eyes meet his, “Everything?” “Well, the lube is right.. Here.” Lee Know pulls it out from the top of the suitcase. He left it for easy access, another reason he likes to pack before breakfast. Just in case they want to have a quickie before they have to get moving again. “You really are the best!” Jisung steps to Lee Know and kisses him, trailing open mouth kisses all the way down to his collarbone. “I will never get enough of you, My Love.” Lee Know says through his moan. “Good, because I’m not going anywhere baby, ever.”

===KAT AND CHANGBIN===

“Kitty Kat, can you hand me that?” Changbin is pointing to something over in the corner when she notices it’s her underwear from last night. She runs over not wanting Seungmin to see them. “Holy shit, how did those get way over there?” She snatches the bright red underwear off the lamp and tries to shove them in her pocket, but Changbin snags them and puts them in his pocket. “Binnie, what are you doing?” Kat is literally screeching and laughing so loud that Seungmin can barely be heard saying ‘gross’ and walking out. “I’ve been trying to figure out for years the best way to get him to leave me alone. I guess a pair of underwear will do it!” The laugh that comes from Changbin vibrates through the whole room. While he’s walking into the bathroom Kat just stands there and goes through her life in her mind. She doesn’t want to go back. She doesn’t care much about her job and at the end of her life she doesn’t want to make the mistake of letting go of what she could have with him. She’s always felt a pull, a draw, a need, to be in a different country and have her own bakery. Now she’s wondering if this feeling wasn’t just the need to escape, but the need to be near him. “The last thing. Hey, are you okay, Kitty Kat?” He asks when he notices her far off look. He sets the bathroom bag in the suitcase and walks over to her. One hand goes to her hair, tucking it behind her ear and the other grabs her waist, pulling her closer. “Let’s get to where we're going and we will have our own space and more time. We can talk then, hmm? With a nod against his chest, a kiss to the arm, and a sigh they both turn to walk out the door. Walking into the living room they see that once again Katie and Hyunjin are the last pair. “Dude, do you think they’re fucking again?” Dee can’t help saying out loud and makes one half of the group cringe and the other half break out into laughter. “I’m not sure what they’re doing but they have about 10 minutes so why don’t we let them have it.” Jisung suggests after looking down at his watch. The room moves to a quiet murmur waiting for the last two to finally make their way to the living room.

===KATIE AND HYUNJIN===

The door doesn’t even shut all the way after Mel and Felix leave before Hyunjin is pressed against her back, his hands wrapped in her hair and his lips on her neck. “Fuck Lovey. Couldn’t wait 2 minutes to make sure they were actually gone?” Katie’s head falls back against his shoulder to give him better access. Right now she’s beyond grateful they decided to pack up what they could before they met in the living room the first time. They both knew they were going to need a quickie before they got on the plane and had to keep their hands mostly to themselves. “Sweet girl, I’m going to bend you over now. If I need to stop, let me know.” He presses his body against yours, bending you over the bed. “Please Dumpling, I need you.” Hyunjin slowly slides the shorts he lent you down your legs, leaving you still in your shirt and slightly restrained at your ankles. Kissing his way back up your thighs he brings his hand up and rubs your clit then sticks a single finger in you. “You’re always so ready for me like a good girl. You know what good girls get?” You’ve never had someone talk to you like this so you go with the flow. “They get fucked..” You’re panting so hard that it's bouncing off the walls and echoing in your ears. “Yes, my good girl, they get fucked.” He lands a single smack to your ass that causes you to rise up on your toes seeking out the sensation again. “Oh, are you a pain slut?” The smirk is so clearly evident in his voice and the way he’s caressing the spot he just spanked. “We’re going to have so much fun, but right now we don’t have time. So, be the best girl and take my cock again.” All you can do is whimper and stand on your tiptoes even more as a silent plea that he understands. Lining himself up, he slowly presses into you and the only thing you can hear is the blood rushing to your ears and the hiss he lets out. “Fuck, you’re doing so good, my sweet girl.” He kisses your temple as he pulls out most of the way, “Are you ready?” You nod, but Hyunjin just smacks the other cheek, “Good girls use their words.” He reaches down, grabbing you by the cheeks, squeezing them to the point his fingers are digging in, and turns your head so you’re looking at him. “Do you understand?” “Ye- yes, please.” That’s all the confirmation he needs as he releases your cheeks and grabs your hips, finally setting a pace that is going to push both of you over the edge a lot quicker than you really want, but he’s right, you don’t have a lot of time. “Talk to me, good girl. Tell me how you want it. I can feel you clenching around me already.” You press your face into the mattress, “Harder.” He can barely hear you so he grabs you by your hair and lifts your head up. “Say it again, please, but louder. I want them to hear how good I’m fucking you all the way down the hallway.” “Fuck, harder. I want it harder.” The way you’re panting you’re really not sure if he understands but he leans down to whisper, “Your wish is my command.” The pace picks up and before you know it you're being flung over the edge and your orgasm hits you so hard your knees give out, “Don’t worry, my sweet girl, I’ve got you.” At some point he pulled out, flipped you over, and lifted your shirt to bunch it around your neck, finishing all over your stomach and up your chest. “Look at you, so pretty and painted with my cum. I will never take this for granted.” You sit up and grab him by the back of his neck and pull him to you, crashing your lips together. “I cannot wait for the day I see the paintings I’ve inspired.” The two of you don’t move, staying in those positions for a few seconds, foreheads pressed against each other, panting. “I know neither of us wants to move, but we’ve got a plane to catch, sweet girl. Let’s get cleaned up and head out.” A quick shower later and the two of you still make it down the hallway and into the living room with 2 minutes to spare.

===GROUP POV===

“Nice of you to finally show up.” “They were fucking!” “Cutting it close, huh?” “This is so unfair.” The last two to show up are standing there, still very clearly in their post-orgasm haze. “Listen here, we - “ “We don’t have time for this. I just got a text that there isn’t a single person out there. If we want the girls to be able to come with us, we need to move now.” Chan is already moving to the door, “LET’S GO PEOPLE!” He claps his hands together, and waves his hand. Filing out of the room like a line of ducklings they make their way out to the cars. Lee Know, Jisung, Chan, Seungmin and Dee all pile into one car. Taylor, Jeongin, Kat and Changbin climb into the second car. Leaving the third open for Katie, Hyunjin, Mel and Felix. Once in the cars, everyone sits back and just enjoys the quiet that being somewhat separated gives them. Hyunjin leans over and presses a soft kiss to Katie’s shoulder and whispers so Felix and Mel can’t hear him, “Why don’t you just stay with me?” She doesn’t even answer before they pull up to the airport. It takes what seems like forever to get through all the checks and get boarded on the plane, but they finally make it and Chan starts counting. “13. Thank god, we’re all here.” Katie is walking towards the back on the plane to grab a bottle of water when she stops, “You know Channie, we’re all grown ups. We can take care of ourselves.” He looks down at you and can’t stop himself from getting teary-eyed, “I know, but they are my family and now, so are you and your girls. You might be their Unnie, but you're with Hyunjin and therefore I see you as family and under my care.” Katie just reaches down and grabs his hand. “Yes, I am with Hyunjin, but me and my girls take care of each other. We are family, and since I’m with Hyunjin, you guys are my family too.” She leans in and kisses his cheek before finally walking away. Chan has never had anyone do something, declare something, so boldly to him in his whole life. The way his chest seizes up makes him put a hand against it to make sure he isn’t crazy. “You better not be hitting on my girl, Christopher.” Hyunjin comes from nowhere, scaring the shit out of him. “Hyunjin, what the fuck dude?” Hyunjin just smiles and walks away. He watches the two of them interacting and knows what he feels isn’t what Hyunjin feels for her. His person is out there somewhere, he just knows it. Finally turning back around he assesses the rest of the pairings on the plane. Kat and Changbin are scrolling through recipes and looking at desserts he wants to help her bake. Mel and Felix are snuggled up, sharing a set of headphones no doubt listening to something Felix picked out. Dee and Seungmin are bickering back and forth again, but what about, he isn’t sure and he doesn’t want to figure it out. Taylor and Jeongin are laughing and comparing their experiences being the maknae of their groups. Lee Know and Jisung are sitting up eating rice and noodles while they talk, letting out the occasional laugh. Chan just plops back into his seat and enjoys the quiet the girls have brought to his life when all of a sudden the plane bursts into song, but not just any song. One of them has decided to play I Like Me Better by Lauv. No doubt trying to prove a point, but to who? The song finally ends and Felix plugs his headphones back in after being called out for being the culprit that played it outloud. The plane descends into quiet murmurs, taps on keyboards, the sudden burst of beats coming through headphones, and dings from whichever one of them didn’t silence their phone.

===TAYLOR AND JEONGIN===

“Thank you for sitting with me. I feel really bad about last night, but there was just a weight that was on my chest and going to bed sounded like the best option.” Jeongin can’t meet Taylor’s eyes because now being this close his feelings are going haywire. He wants to be close to her, but he also wants to not get too attached. Something though keeps him planted right there in the seat next to her. Almost like a rope has tied him to the chair and is keeping him there with her. “Oh, no. Don’t feel bad. I really needed the sleep too.” Also looking away from the person sitting next to her Taylor lets her mouth say the words before she thinks better of it, “I’m so excited though! You’re my bias and yeah.” She just looks down at her hands as she wrings them. Jeongin wants so badly to reach over and hold one, just to get her to calm down, but the skinship barrier is firmly in place today knowing that he’s going to be touched at some point by all the members tonight. Instead he just sighs and leans back against the headrest. “You know I always thought it would be weird having someone so close to me that biases me, but I think you’re pretty cool. Well, and- and you’re pretty. More than, actually.” He rubs his hands across his face. When he feels tiny hands grabbing his wrist he tenses. “I don’t do skinship.” Jeongin says without pulling away. Something feels extremely right with her hands on him. “Jeongin, thank you.” It’s all she says before letting go of his wrists and turning back towards the front of the plane. Still looking at her he just nods and does the same. They sit in the most interesting silence either of them has ever experienced. While it’s comfortable, it’s also tense with unspoken words that both are too nervous to say right now.

===MEL AND FELIX===

He can’t stop looking over at her with each new song that comes through the ear piece. Watching the way her eyes light up and her smile gets bigger makes Felix want to keep playing music, but he also wants to hear her voice. The song finally comes to a close and Felix takes the headphone out of her ear, “Can we actually talk for a little bit?” She nods and sits back in her seat. “Yes, Lix, we can talk. What do you want to talk about?” When he doesn’t say anything right away Mel looks over at him and catches him just watching her. “What?” Mel’s laugh finally pulls him out of the daze he was in. “Oh! Nothing, I was just trying to memorize you.” He puts his hand out on the armrest next to him. “Lix, you don’t have to do that.” Reaching up he cups her cheek with both hands and stares into her eyes. “I know, but even if we exchange numbers, pictures aren’t the same as seeing you in person and right now I can’t ask you to drop your life and sit around waiting for me. I have such a busy schedule that it wouldn’t be fair to you.” Mel is just shaking her head with tears welling in her eyes. “My Sunflower, please don’t cry. I didn’t mean to make you upset.” Grabbing his wrists she just finally tells him, “You’re right, and I’m not saying I would drop my life, but I’m also not saying that I wouldn’t love to stay with you. Maybe someday, in the future, we can make this official. For now though, I just want to be with you.” “This week is going to go by way too fast.” Felix leans into her and presses his lips to hers. Mel leans her head on Felix’s shoulder and just soaks in the time they have before they have to separate to get off the plane. “Thank you for coming into my life, Sunflower.” Mel sits there, quietly letting the tears fall down her cheeks.

===KAT AND CHANGBIN===

Changbin exclaims when he sees a dessert he’s been really eager to try. “Ooh, what about this one?” Showing Kat his phone she squints a little to see what it is since the picture is so distorted. Finally scrolling down a little she sees that it's chocolate chip scones. “A scone? Really Bin?” “They’re always so dry and they never have enough… What did you call them? Inclusions?” Kat just nods her head and scrolls further down the page to look at the recipe. Laughing out loud, Kat just looks at him, “Oh Bin, mine would be so much better than these. Once I figure out where my life is taking me I’ll make you some.” Rubbing his hands together and licking his lips, he leans in and kisses her. “I cannot wait for that day. I hope it’s soon!” Pulling back she tells him, “As soon as you want them Bin. You name it.” They go back to scrolling and pointing out things they could make together, Changbin pointing to mostly desserts and Kat pointing to savory dishes she knows that he can’t make, but would be willing to try to do for her. “Binnie?” “Yes, Kitty Kat?” “What if this isn’t forever?” Her face has dropped from her usual smile to show her vulnerabilities. “We’re not going to think like that. I know a week isn’t a lot, but we’re going to make the most of it and when you’re ready to move and if you want to make this work, we will do whatever we have to. I promise.” Kissing her forehead, he leans back letting his mind work. He could suggest she move to South Korea and open the bakery of her dreams, but Kat doesn’t seem like the one to accept a handout like that, but he will get her closer to him however he has to.

===DEE AND SEUNGMIN===

They’ve been bickering back and forth since they got on the plane and at this point they aren’t sure what it was about anymore so they sit there in silence. “Dee, I-” Seungmin just stops when Dee turns her head. “What Seungmin?” She’s careful not to call him puppy. “You’re fucking breathtaking.” The flush that creeps up her cheeks can’t be hidden so she covers her face with her hands. “Hey, look at me, Little Songbird.” He puts his finger under her chin and raises her to meet her eyes. “I think we got off on the most unsteady foot.” Dee just nods. Sighing, Seungmin turns his whole body in his seat and puts the armrest up. He puts his hands in his lap and looks at her, really looks. He can see the way her eyes sparkle and the way she clearly tries to hide the way she feels. “Please don’t hide from me. I want to know you.” When Dee doesn’t say anything he continues with the thought he’s had since he found the note, “I shouldn’t have been so rude to you last night. I am so sorry for that. Is there any way you can forgive me?” He finally reaches across the seats and turns her by her shoulders to face him. “Talk to me, right now Songbird. Tell me what you want.” “I want you.” Dee smacks her hand over her mouth. She never meant to be so honest with him, yet here she is. “Fuck, I don’t know why I said that.” Seungmin just smirks, “Don’t worry, I want you too. Now can we stop with this game and get to the actual fun stuff?” Dee just smiles at him and finally lets go of the anxiety she was feeling that kept her from letting him in. Seungmin on the other hand pulls her in and presses their foreheads together, “I’m going to kiss you now, okay?” “Please, puppy.”

===LEE KNOW AND JISUNG===

Jisung lets out a moan that makes Lee Know look over, “What was that about? My hands aren’t even near you!” “Have you tried these noodles? They’re delicious. Here baby, take a bite.” Jisung snags some between his chopsticks and puts the bowl under Lee Know’s chin so none of the broth drops into his lap. These are the same noodles they eat all the time, but for some reason, there’s always something about eating on the plane that makes everything taste just a little different. He didn’t even notice Jisung putting the other end of the noodles in his mouth until he feels that he can’t slurp anymore into his mouth. Looking up to see what happened and seeing Jisung on the other end he puts his hand to the back of his head and moves him closer as they both nibble on the noodle between them. Their lips meeting in the middle for a peck, Lee Know leans back, “Very Lady and the Tramp of you. I like it, but not the way I love you. Come here.” Jisung moves the armrest and climbs into Lee Know’s lap. “Baby.” “What is it, Jisungie?” Jisung looks up at him, “I’m just so glad you’re mine is all. You’re perfect.” “I don’t know how you can say that when I am messing up, that,” he waves around him, indicating the relationships that could be a total disaster, but could also be them finding their soulmates. “Oh baby, no matter what you say or do, if they’re meant to be they’ll figure it out and so will you. The same way they did for us and how we found our way back to each other every time.” Lee Know knows that Jisung has to be a genius, but there are days where the words that come from him must be something he heard in one of the animes or k-dramas that he watches. Lee Know doesn’t know what to say so he just melts into the seat, hugging Jisung to him while rubbing his back. “I love you, Jisung.” “I love you too, Minho.”

===KATIE AND HYUNJIN===

Leaning against Hyunjin, Katie starts kissing up his arm. “Yes.” It’s the only word she says and Hyunjin sits up, “Yes? Yes, you'll stay with me?” She turns her head to look at him. “I can’t think of anywhere that makes sense for me to be.” Sitting them up, Hyunjin turns her around and sits her in his lap, straddling him. “Ever since the beginning I have craved nothing more than this. Exactly this.” Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, his smile is so big it takes up his whole face and his eyes are pretty much shut. “I never thought I’d come first to someone. Especially someone who I feel so much for.” Hyunjin can’t help but rub his hands up and down her thighs. “Promise me you won’t go anywhere. That this, what you’re promising me right now, is for the long haul. Because if it is, I will do everything to make you happy, everything to move you to me, whatever needs to happen, I will do it. You just name it.” She puts her hand to his mouth, “We need to get through this week and then I will have to go home and try to sell all my things..” Katie trails off, this is all extremely overwhelming. “Oh sweet girl, don’t do that. I can see you stressing. Let’s start with this, why don’t you call your job on Monday and instead of taking off another week, you let them know that you’re not coming back?” Letting out a breath Katie nods. She can do that, even if she’s terrified to do it, but this is Hyunjin. She wants to be with him more than anything. “Fuck, I’m scared, but I’m so excited too.” “Me too sweet girl, me too.”

===CHAN===

As he’s watching over everybody he wonders when it really will be his turn. He wants what everyone has now seemed to find even if they don’t know exactly what they’ve found. Chan knows his day will come, but when? His life has been so consumed by work that he barely has time to do the social media thing, he definitely isn’t going to do the dating app thing, and he really wants to find it organically. What’s wrong with him? When he hears someone plop down in the seat beside him, he looks over to see that it’s Katie again. “I guess I’m really part of the family now.” She just smiles at him. His eyes must be the size of saucers because she laughs. It’s honestly one of the most amazing sounds to hit his ears, he just might have to record it and use it one day he thinks. “What’s that look? You of all people knew what Hyunjin was going through, I was going through it here, too.” Why does he feel a twinge of jealousy of a man he considers his brother? He finally just puts a smile on his face, “I’m so happy to hear that, Katie. It’ll be so nice to have a different perspective on things.” He’s wishing like hell that he had a different perspective right now because he’s not sure what’s going on. The seatbelt light comes on then indicating their descent. “I can’t wait for a new adventure and to get to be with Hyunjin forever. Thank you, Channie. Without you and Stray Kids, we probably would’ve never found each other.” He just nods as she gets up to sit back down and buckle her seatbelt, placing a kiss on Hyunjin’s lips. Why does he feel like this? What is this? “Oh fuck..”