The morning sun was never welcome yet today it seemed even more bitter than usual. I opened my eyes to find only a blanket in my arms and Jiyeon nowhere in sight. Immediately my panic spiked. The both of us had fallen asleep in each other's arms on Jiyeon's couch last night and it was safe to say that was the best sleep I've ever had.
I ruffled my hair before hurriedly making my way out of the living room area, eventually finding myself behind the door of Jiyeon's bedroom. For whatever reason, even though we have been sleeping next to one another, it was always on the couch and never actually on a bed. Well, the fact that Jiyeon's bed at the moment was literally just a mattress may have been why.
It was Jiyeon's apartment after all so I figured I might as well knock. However, just as I raised my hand, I paused.
"Hey Kyung! It's been so long how are you?" My eyebrows furrowed at the mention of Kyungmin. It's not that I was jealous per se since I know the two have been friends for like, ever, but what I do know is that they're extremely close. Like staying at each other's house and pet-sit for each other type of close. Seriously, pet-sitting for someone any time longer than 2 weeks is downright devotion at that point.
There was a pause as I assumed Kyungmin was speaking. "What do you mean?"
Another pause. "What about me and Mingyu?" My ears perked up. Why were they talking about me?
"Okay hold on I'll check or...whatever."
"YOU HAVE TO BE FUCKING KIDDING ME." At her exclamation, I immediately swung open the door and saw Jiyeon standing still with her phone in her hand. Her head whipped towards mine and I saw her eyes were wide, scarily wide.
"Jiyeon. . .are you okay?" I could finally hear Kyungmin on the other line but Jiyeon didn't seem interested at all.
"I'll call you back later Kyung." Her thumb glided across the end call button and she once again turned to me.
She didn't speak a word and I grew even more worried. "Jiyeon...baby are you okay what's up please tell me." I'd never called her baby or anything before but it just flowed out so easily that I hadn't even noticed I'd said it. I only went to hold Jiyeon's shoulders and turned her face to look directly at me.
She was crying.
"Jiyeon?"
"Mingyu- I-. Damn it, I'm so sorry!" She said through her soft tears as she sat herself down on the mattress.
"You don't have to be sorry for anything Yeon what are you talking about?" I gently pulled her hands in mine as my eyebrows furrowed.
It was silent until Jiyeon sighed, "It's out Mingyu. The news about is us out...fuck! I'm so fucking sorry Mingyu." She ripped her hands from mine and buried her head in them. As long as I'd known Jiyeon she came off as someone not too emotional at all, so the fact she was crying over us...wait us?
I quickly whipped out my phone and immediately checked Instagram. And of course, as soon as I opened the app, my eyes widened with the first post. The more I scanned the caption and looked over the comments, I could understand where Jiyeon was coming from. Dispatch must have caught us talking on the balcony last night. Luckily enough, we weren't hugging or kissing so it wouldn't be too hard to say we were friends. However, that was an issue for future Mingyu.
"Yeon...please there is nothing to be sorry about." I gently placed my hands around her cheeks and brought her face to look at me before engulfing her in a hug.
She didn't say anything for a few seconds and all I could hear were her sniffles. "Mingyu, I got you into a scandal at the height of your career! If I hadn't taken up this stupid job then I never would have caused Kyungmin or you any trouble."
"Jiyeon why would you say that? You are one of the best things to come into my life and I'm sure it's the same for Kyungmin." I really didn't want to acknowledge that guy but I don't think this is the time to be holding any grudges.
"Gyu, face it. I'm just a fucking stylist! We can't even go in public together. I'm not good for your image Mingyu." My mind was spiraling.
"Jiyeon!"
"I- what?" She stopped herself almost immediately.
"You underestimate how much influence I have in not only Pledis but this industry as a whole. Dating someone as gorgeous, kind, and thoughtful as you could never tarnish my image. And quite frankly, I couldn't care less if it did. I really like you Jiyeon and if you need us to go public to prove it, then I will do just that." She stayed quiet until she moved her gaze away from mine, yet I kept mine on her.
"It's just...wouldn't it be better for you to be dating an idol instead? It'd probably be so much more reasonable for your image and you could like go out and do couple stuff all the time. You can't do that with a non-celebrity like me-"
Honestly, at this point, I wasn't exactly sure what to do to stop Jiyeon from doubting herself so I placed my lips on hers, bringing her into a kiss. Pulling away I decided to speak before she got a chance to. "I love you Jiyeon, okay!? You are so perfect and I wouldn't trade you for the world so please...stop doubting yourself." It seemed either my speech or kiss had taken her out of her trance and she shook her head as if shaking out her previous ideas. I couldn't believe that I'd just told her I loved her but the adrenaline had made me reveal my subconscious in a way unlikely. I would have loved to tell her more romantically, but this was raw, it was 100% in the moment and real.
"I...love you too." My heart calmed immediately. I was internally hoping she would say it back and not be entirely freaked out by my forwardness and to my delight, she did. I swear that I wanted to begin jumping up and down, running around HYBE to let everyone know that Jiyeon loved me back. But for the moment, I remained calm as she spoke yet again.
"I'm sorry, I don't know what got into me. I guess after what happened to Kyungmin I didn't want to do that to you...better yet Soonyoung and the entirety of Seventeen."
I sighed. I could slightly see where she was coming from although I never wanted her to feel bad about herself. Even though we'd only been dating for a hot minute, I fucking loved Jiyeon to the moon and back, these past days made me even more sure of it. I don't care if I'm moving too fast.
"Jiyeon don't be sorry. Just promise me one thing okay?" She nodded.
"Never doubt yourself alright? I know we haven't been dating for long but please trust me when I tell you I love you."
"I do trust you Mingyu...but what now?" Normally when it came to scandals we would converse with the whole group since even if one member gets caught up in something it affects us all. Although, I realized that only 4/12 of my members knew we were dating let alone found a liking to each other. To talk to them we would have to reveal our relationship first.
"Well, whenever a scandal comes up within Seventeen we always talk about it...together."
She took a deep breath.
"Alright then, let's talk with them."
