Her Astronaut

✯40✯

Nervous energy was coursing through Nova's body. 

So much had transpired in a short amount of time that it had not fully sunken in where she now was. The past almost two months had been a uniquely interesting journey with many ups and downs. It was a culmination of everything she had gone through and overcome that brought her to where she was now. However, walking through the hallways of the illustrious HYBE building, Nova was more than just metaphorically shaking in her boots.

Thankfully the soft hand laced with hers was the grounding force she needed.

"You okay Noona?" Jimin asked as they walked down the long corridor towards the elevators. His soft crescent moon smile helped to break the tension and nervous energy.

"I am. I think," she replied while taking a large exhale.

"You'll be fine sweetie," Gavin said as he gently rubbed her back, "You have me, Roddy, and now Jimin. Remember I had to talk him down from flying out to see you not once but twice?"

"Gavin-ssi is correct Noona," Jimin said as he continued to hold tightly onto Nova's hand. "Hyung was a mess and was ready to drop it all to be there for you multiple times. He is going to be thrilled to finally see you, and blown away that you were able to surprise him."

"I sure hope so," she said quietly, her nerves amping up once again.

The day Jin returned to Korea, Nova's last bit of emotional strength vanished. 

Knowing she could no longer lie to herself and made the phone call that changed her life for the better. After two months of intensive therapy with Gavin and regular sessions with Dr. Choi, Nova was ready to face the world again. 

Her first step - fly to Korea to see Jin. Although she had other things planned for this open-ended adventure, her main priority was her idol boyfriend. After two multi-week visits to the States and a failed D.C. rendevouz, she felt it was her time to make the long journey.

With the exception of her travel companions Gavin and Rodrigo, Soo-Young and now Jimin were the only ones that knew Nova was currently in Korea. 

She had wanted to come visit for many years, but the opportunity never arose while Jenn was still alive. After the elder's death and the continuing COVID restrictions, this lifelong dream journey lost its priority. It wasn't until Jin came into her life that she began to consider it once again. Between work responsibilities and taking the time to heal her trauma, Nova wasn't sure if she could make it work anytime soon.

Then she got sick with COVID.

Nova had been in a fragile mental health state ever since Jenn had passed away. Meeting and falling for Kim Seokjin had been a breath of fresh air that not only distracted her from the pain but gave her something to look forward to. When her friendship with Elle began to sour, she had Seokjin to ground her - even when she had friend-zoned him.

Everything came crashing down during her blowup with Elle and the discovery of Seokjin's impending enlistment. The thought that someone she cared deeply for would be abandoning her once again shook Nova to her core. Thanks to those that rallied around her, she managed to get through the final week of BTS' mini Vegas residency relatively unscathed. 

Only to fall apart the moment Jin got on the plane to return home to South Korea.

Gavin offering to take Nova on as a client was the only reason she was able to take that step to heal so easily. There were so many intricate elements to her mental health, not just past trauma but her neurodivergence as well. By going with someone who knew her and her history, she cut out a long chunk of time that would have been originally used to research a provider. Instead, she was able to jump right in. Barely an hour after her initial call for help, they were already deep into their first session... on her kitchen floor.