Evenstar

44. Plans for the Future

Taehyung knocked on Jimin's hotel room, trying to see if he was still awake. The second night of their Berlin concert had ended and they would be heading for London tomorrow evening. There was enough time to rest and sleep and he wanted to see how Jimin was doing.

Jimin opened the door. He was barefoot, hair tousled, wearing a loose shirt and shorts. Taehyung followed him into the room and they both plopped down on his huge bed.

"Are you okay, Jimin-ah?"

"Yes," Jimin replied as he stared at the ceiling. "Four more and we can go home. I miss my bed."

"You know, I didn't think we'd make it but we're doing alright. I think ARMY will still be with us, with Bulletproof."

Jimin looked at him and smiled, "I think so, too. I mean, they're older now. They look so committed. We'll probably find out by next year if they'll still be around."

"Did you see their faces tonight? I always feel that there's something magical when we're together." It was hard to explain how tight the bond was between them and ARMY.

"I also feel that. I don't feel that in concerts of other artists." Jimin acknowledged the fact that ARMY would always be part of their lives. They were really a family now. "Taehyung-ah, what are your plans after this tour?"

Taehyung lay his head on a pillow and stared at the ceiling, too. He had so many life-changing plans that he didn't know where to begin. "I want to ask Dae Eun to marry me, and if she says yes we'll get married."

"Really? This year?" Jimin sat up and looked at his friend.

Taehyung nodded. "I wish I had done it earlier."

"Oh man, it's really happening." Jimin felt they were finally moving on with their lives. Something that was impossible before, like having a relationship, was now possible. He wished he could find the one for him, too. "Aren't you nervous?"

"I am, but I'm more scared of losing Dae Eun. Jimin-ah, I never thought loving someone could be like this. I want to hear her voice everyday. Being apart this long really hurts."

"You are in love. I wish I had that. Where do you plan to propose?"

"In Paris, I don't know where yet. I'll ask my friends when we get there. I need to buy a ring, but maybe we'll buy it together so that she can choose what she likes."

"Isn't it more romantic to place it on her finger when you propose?"

"Well, yes." Taehyung thought that maybe he should get the ring beforehand after all, but he didn't know when to squeeze in the time. Dae Eun would be coming to the second night of their concert and he had a photo shoot with French Vogue a few days after.

Jimin reached out and clasped his hand. "I'm very happy for you, my friend. You deserve this."

"You'll find someone, too. Then our children will be friends, closer than family."

They both laughed at the thought of little Taehyungs and Jimins running around together.

"I'd love to see that happen," Jimin said. "When will you tell the others?"

"Later, maybe if she accepts."

"She'll accept, Taetae. Who would say no to you?"

"Ah, I can't assume that. The life we live is enough to turn away anyone."

"That's true. If I were a girl I'd reject any BTS member even if he proposed to me. It's just not worth it." Jimin thought of the lack of privacy, the loss of any chance of a normal life.

"I waited so I could give her this chance to think about it."

"And if she doesn't want this life?"

Taehyung didn't have an answer. His mind could only see a dark shadow. He couldn't see a future without Dae Eun in it.

Jimin looked at his friend and saw the familiar blank expression. He held his hand again and hoped that Dae Eun would say yes.

*****

"What's going on, Eun-ah?" Chung-Hee noted the dark shadows under Dae Eun's eyes and her pale complexion. "Are you ill?"

"No, Appa. I just haven't been able to sleep well lately."

They were walking hand-in-hand to their old cottage at the clearing. Chung-Hee wanted to see it with his daughter before the workers tore it down.

"Don't do this to yourself, Eun-ah. You'll see each other soon. He'll get scared when he sees that face of yours. He might run away."

Dae Eun laughed and tickled her father's side. "Don't say that, Appa!"

"Well, look at you. I'll ask Nana to take you to a spa or something."

"No, Appa. Harabeoji and I are practicing for the summit. He's very nervous about his demo. He's afraid he might prick the wrong nerve on the Frenchman he'll be working with."

"He'll do well, Eun-ah. Kyubok has been doing this since he was 10 years old. He's been trained well."

"I know. But there will be a crowd and he's suffering from stage fright."

The cottage appeared as they reached the top of the stone steps.

"This is it. They'll start tomorrow." Chung-Hee tried to stifle the sadness he had carried with him since his wife died. He wanted to be free of the pain and regret he always felt when he saw this house. He wanted to finally forgive himself.

Dae Eun hugged her dad from behind as they looked at their old home, filled with the happy and painful memories of her mom. She didn't really want their home to be torn down, but if it would help her father heal she was going to give him her full support. Her brothers had agreed, too.

"Dae Eun, I'll build you a house here after."

"What? I don't need a house, Appa. I'm okay at jobumo's."

"I built your brothers their houses, too. It's time I built one for you, and for that boyfriend of yours."

Dae Eun turned to face her appa. "Appa... I don't even know what Taehyung's plans are."

"I do," Chung-Hee said as he placed his arm on his daughter's shoulder. "I'm assuming, of course, that you like this guy. It's okay though, even if you decide he's not the one. This is not about him."

"Of course I love him, Appa." Dae Eun was so touched with her father's gesture that she hugged him tight and started crying on his shoulder.

"Oh, Eun-ah, stop. You'll look worse, and your face might not get back to normal. You'll definitely lose him then."

Dae Eun couldn't stop. She didn't know how to process everything that was happening to her anymore, the good and the bad together.

"Stop. Baby, are you sure you're alright?" Chung-Hee had never seen Dae Eun like this.

"Yes, Appa. I just miss him so much."

"Tomorrow the architect is coming so I want you to meet him and give your ideas. He'll draw the plans. It'll get your mind of this waiting time."

Dae Eun nodded and kissed her appa's cheek. Yes, it would definitely get her mind off her bashers. She was looking forward to picturing her future home with Taehyung. She wanted to design their rooms, the places where they would feel comfortable and safe. She finally smiled.

"Thank you, Appa. I love you so much."

"I love you too, Eun-ah." Chung-Hee wiped his daughter's tears away and took a final look at their old cottage. He thought about his wife and asked for forgiveness for tearing down their home to build a new one for their daughter and the man she loved. He hoped he was doing the right thing and that Dae Eun would find happiness with Taehyung forever.