Closer than Ever

Chapter 74 - Emotional Bomb

The rest of the afternoon passes very pleasantly, with the world's least-fair game of Marco Polo (none of the guys are willing to tag Emily, out of modesty and decency, and only Tae will tag me); a very competitive game of HORSE between Yoongi and Em; and a BTS pool tournament out in the garage. When Tae asks if I want to participate in that last event, I can't help blushing bright red, which makes him boxy smile and run his tongue out of the corner of his mouth... I silently vow to never, ever set foot in the game room while anyone else is in the house with us.

Instead, I sneak upstairs to read a little and take a nap, suddenly tired out from hostessing duties. Emily finds me, and flops down on Tae's side of the bed.

"Hey, sis," she says. "Are you introverting?"

"Yeah, just for a little while. You?"

"I was going to take a nap, but there's a Korean guy sleeping on my bed now."

I look over at her, surprised. "Oh, Yoongi? He napped there last time, too. I don't know if he realized that you're staying in there. That's why you shouldn't keep things so tidy, Emily." I laugh.

She scoffs. "You know, I still can't wrap my head around any of this. They were so, so incredible on stage last night, I mean, they didn't even seem real, they were like concert gods, you know? That guy who is sleeping on my bed right now was burning down the stage! And now we're hanging around, shooting hoops and playing in the pool, and they're all just sweet and chill and wonderful."

I chuckle. "I do know. Welcome to my life. I actually freaked out hard after the LA shows, because that was the first time I'd seen Taehyung at full 100% idol power, and I just couldn't comprehend that this insane performer, V, was also my funny, snuggly boyfriend. I mean, it was a whole thing when we got back to Seoul." I turn to look at her, and she nods. "The guys seem to really like you, though. You're so much fun that I think at least half of them have crushes on you now, Em. Plus you're so cute!!!" I pinch her cheek and she snarls at me, then turns her head to study my face.

"Which half have crushes on me?" she asks, grinning.

"Well, Jimin, obviously. He's about as subtle as a sledge hammer. But J-Hope and Jin look at you a lot, too. I've never seen Hobi act so bashful around someone, although that's normal for Jin." I laugh.

"Hmm," she says. "You know, sis, I don't think it's really because I'm fun or cute. I think they just all want what you and Taehyung have."

I stare at her. "Oh, shit," I say. "Why do I feel guilty for being so happy, all the sudden?"

"Because you're a nice person, and kind of a basket case." She laughs.

I roll my eyes. "This is why I love you. Because you're so supportive." I tickle her side and she shrieks and jumps up off the bed, laughing.

That evening, we have yet more barbequed meat for dinner, plus reheated japchae and all the side dishes. The guys finish off the ice cream and we get through quite a bit of fruit, as well, just sitting and chatting through the warm spring evening. I notice that Jin and J-Hope managed to sit on either side of Emily, although they aren't saying much to her, and Jimin is sitting across the table looking a bit peeved.

"Ah, this is so nice," Namjoon says, stretching and sighing. "It's like a little staycation in the middle of our residency!"

"In the Samag!" Tae says. "We should be filming!" He switches into his most sonorous announcer voice and says, "In... the... Desert!" We all laugh.

"Yeah, somehow I don't think the company really wants to release a series about you guys hanging out in Vegas with some American chicks, love." I smirk.