Meori Apeuda

Chapter 45

“Guys, 10 minutes, hurry up!” Hyun-Ki called, trying to gather the members for departure.

Then he turned to Yong, both talking in low voices and the head of security nodded a few times. Taehyung, the man who would stay with me also joined them, his massive arms crossed before his chest.

I turned my head and hid my face at Chan's shoulder. We sat on the couch, he had placed me on his lap once more and had wrapped his arms around me tightly. He turned his head and kissed my temple.

None of us had said anything for the last thirty minutes. But both of us seemed to crave as much body contact as possible right now.

Hyun-Ki and three of the security men had left last night at around 10pm, but one had stayed behind to crash on the couch. Nobody wanted to be surprised in their sleep. Tough nobody, not even me thought that Brent would be stupid enough to break into a house with 10 people in it.

While some of the members had stayed up, talking with Baekhyun, the man who had stayed behind to protect us, Chan and I went to bed early. I felt completely exhausted, mentally and physically.

We had held each other close, exchanging kisses and Chan tried to cheer me up with stories from his trainee days. It kinda worked. But I still couldn’t shake off my anxiety enough to fall asleep, even though my eyes were burning. 

He then started to sing a quiet lullaby for me, to calm me down. The melody, the rumbling of his low voice in his chest, his hand stroking my hair finally had done the trick and I fell asleep in his arms.

“Are you ready?” I winced when Hyun-Ki’s voice ripped me from my memories. I felt Chan shaking his head, but then he kissed my neck and we stood up. The manager's eyes were troubled when he looked at the leader and patted his shoulder.

“Hey, everything’s gonna be alright…you’ll see!” When Chan didn’t answer he looked at me and I swallowed hard, then put the best smile I could manage onto my face. “He’s right, love. I won’t be alone and you guys will be gone only for a few hours. Just make sure you’ll stay safe, promise?”

Chan didn’t say anything, just laid an arm around my shoulders, pulled me closer and pressed a kiss onto my forehead. “Promise me the same?” he whispered and I nodded encouragingly.

He wouldn’t be able to concentrate on anything if he’d continue worrying like this. I boxed his shoulder lightly. “Of course. Now cheer up Bang, you’re acting like you are standing at my grave!”

“Not funny…” He growled but I only shrugged. “You’re just lacking the right kind of humour.” I teased and stuck out my tongue at him, which finally made him smirk a little.

Footsteps sounded behind us and when I turned I saw the rest of the members arriving. “Finally!” I sighed dramatically and rolled my eyes in exaggeration. Then I pointed accusingly at Chan. “Could you PLEASE tell him that I’m a big girl and can stay alone at home for a few hours already?”

Felix giggled and laid an arm around my shoulders. “He’ll be busy enough watching over the rest of his kids, don’t you worry.” he bantered good-naturedly and winked at me. “What? Why? I’d never do anything, wouldn’t I? I’m an angel! Right Chan-hyung?” Han crowed happily from the back of the group and Hyunjin loudly encouraged him, Changbin joined them with a loud “Yoooooh!” from the back. 

Chan pinched the bridge of his nose and Hyun-Ki patted his shoulder grinning. “Before you ask, No - you can’t give them back.”

I.N. and Lee Know also started teasing Chan, until Seungmin interrupted them: “You have to speak more slowly, he’s an old man after all…” - “Oi!”