Friendships Desires and Secrets

Dark Liason

Alex snapped her book shut as the 787 Dreamliners tires screeched down onto the asphalt. That sudden feeling of deceleration made her very happy that the seat belts were sturdy. Namjoon carried an air of excitement as the plane slowed and finally came to a halt at the terminal. He was up and unbuckled before she could pull her backpack out from under the seat in front of her and stow her book. Interesting little vampire novel set in 1600s Korea. He got their carry ons down and pulled the handles up on both.
Alex cracked a sideways grin. Namjoon's perfect derriere was eye level, and it took all she had not to bite it playfully. She slung her pack over her shoulders, tightening the straps around her ribs before clicking the latch closed. She would be happy to be off the plane. After almost 20 hours in the air, she was ready for a shower, bed, Korean coffee, and real kimchi.
Alex hung back as they approached the baggage claim. She had her 2 bags, and he had one and a larger bag he had checked that was mostly souvenirs, and he made his way to the carousel to look for it. He pulled it off and turned to look for Alex. She shot him a nervous look, and when he returned it with a confused one of his own, she nodded at the gathering crowd of fans that lined up on either side of the walkway. He followed her nod and then walked to her.
"BigHit already made the announcement of our engagement. I should have told you that there would be a crowd. It's for both of us, baby." He tried to cajoil her. She could feel that not everyone in the crowd was extatic about the situation.
"Joonah, I'm scared." She grasped his hand. "Maybe we shouldn't go out together?"
He lifted her down-cast face and kissed her gently. "Together. And tomorrow and tomorrow no matter what."
She nodded and started to ask him a question, but Namjoon was already sending a text message, and 30 seconds later, they were escorted by four security agents and two team members who took 3 of the bags. Namjoon smiled warmly and took her hand. They walked together through the cacophony of shouts, screams, flashing cameras, and angry scorn from the throng. He led her into the open door of the blacked out SUV, and they were both seated and moving very quickly after.
"See, baby. Just have to take a deep breath and go. It was scary to us at first, too, but you sort of ignore some and acknowledge some."
She had kept her eyes on the door, but she thought she'd seen him waving to the crowd. She wondered if she would ever become used to this.
The SUV made two stops, dropping off the team members, then the security before finally arriving at 91 Hannam Dong. Alex was happy and somewhat relieved to be home.
Home.
What exactly did that look like?
The city bustled around them. Busses stopped and were rapidly gone, replaced by the next bus on the route. Expert efficiency. There was a heavy smell of frying chicken and ripening fruit from the fruit stand beside the bus stops. The little gas station across the street with the butterfly logo, made her smile. And all around them, people carried on with life. They ran here and there, some of them shifting their eyes for a moment of curiosity to the westerner who felt so at home among them.
The top floor of the 105 building sported a gorgeous view of Tower North, and in the gathering dark, it was beginning to sparkle.
Alex stood on the balcony with her arms wrapped tightly around her, her long nightgown billowed softly, she let her mind swim through all the mixed emotions that swirled inside her. She and Namjoon had spoken briefly about wedding dates and guests during their flight, but nothing was set. They had discussed Tara and Yoongi. Alex had received a text while in Honolulu from Amy that simply read, 'they are going ahead with surgery.' When nothing else came through, Joon had sent a text to Yoongi after they landed in Incheon. He had yet to receive a reply.
She was so drained that the emotions just ran rampant. Nothing would settle or compartmentalize. Her body was weary, and her eyes were heavy and sandy feeling. Her legs wanted to jerk like she was falling asleep standing up even though she wasn't.
"KKKKKKKsht." She heard from behind her. "Baby, you are so tired that you are swaying." He spoke as he approached and stooping down, he scooped her into his arms, carrying her to the bed that he had already turned down.
The room was set to a very cool temperature, and the sheets chilled her exhausted body, but she stretched out anyway as Namjoon slipped in behind her. He rubbed his eyes, they were feeling the same as hers, and tossing his glasses on the bed-side table, he wrapped one muscular arm around her. He pulled her against him and relaxed.
Namjoons phone buzzed softly, making him groan. With the timing, it had to be Yoongi.
(Y) out. Not at hp. Haven't heard anything. Talk tomorrow
(N) Ok
"Yoongi doesn't know anything yet." Namjoon said softly. He kissed Alex's shoulder and put his phone back.
Alex had started to breathe deeply. Namjoon heard it change as he stared out the window at the sparkling city. His mind was very awake and focused on a pondering that he couldn't shake.
Yoongi wasn't at the hospital. Yoongi wasn't with his fiance but "out". What the fuck did that mean, out? Out at home? Out at a bar? Out of town?
Namjoon shifted slowly and picked up his phone again. He texted Jimin.
(N) You know where Yoongi hyung is?
The reply came too quickly
(J) Yup. ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
(N) Are you drunk?
(J) a little ㅠ
(J) a lot ㅠㅠㅠ
(N) Ok so where is he?
(J) who?
(N) shibal! Yoongi!
(J) o. ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ.
(J) here
(N) here where?
(J)....ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
(J) behind me