Embracing You (VERHAN)

Food and Good Company

We all entered the hall where the event was. All the carats cheered a lot and were really hyped up. Seeing them so happy made me feel so energetic. We took our seats as the management started the event. And not so surprisingly I was sitting between Vernon and Hoshi which could be an coincidence also, but the way others were smiling and some of them even smirked too, I would like to think otherwise.

The event commenced and we started talking with carats while others patiently waited. Carats had brought different gifts for us and it felt so good talking to them. The event was going pretty smooth but then a gnawy feeling sat in my stomach. I felt like someone was constantly keeping a watch over me. We, as Idols, are used to be in the limelight all the time. And now too carats were shooting us. But this felt weird. I tried shaking it off and focused on what was more important.

The next segment started where we had to answer the questions asked by carats. The questions were already sent to the management, some of them being randomly selected. All of the questions were pretty normal and fun as they always are. Vernon's question was too but the answer wasn't.

His question was : Which member do you think has been acting really cute lately ?

He looked around and then his eyes stopped at me, a faint smile lurking on his lips. "Ah I think, Jeonghan hyung. He has been always pretty but lately I think, he is being cute. All the members would agree too" he said and glanced over others for the confirmation.

I got shy hearing this but rest of the members supported him, some of them being a bit too loud about it. To viewers it must have looked normal but I knew it meant more. The way he looked fondly after answering, his eyes focused on me only, I felt like it was just us there. Something in his gaze always holds me in the moment, making everything else fade away.

After this, we wore the costumes and accessories fans had brought and posed for photos. Overall it was a fun time and I enjoyed a lot.

SOME DAYS LATER :

I had washed up and was lying on my bed scrolling through social media, partially to know what was being said about us and partially just to pass my time. I wasn't sleepy yet. There were a lot of edits as usual on Instagram with a lot of fun ideas. I came across a video compilation of Vernon and I.

It was a cute video capturing moments where we were either laughing about something or just holding each other's hand. A small creeper up on my face as if my friends were teasing me. I clicked on the comments and expected there were a lot of cute ones. Some said we looked good together while some said it was a new dynamic but definitely equally loved. But then a mean comment caught my eye.

It said that we didn't look good together as much as Vernon and Seungkwan did. I scoffed at the comment, only if they knew. But even then it stung like a dart. We are public personalities. Being judged under no matter what circumstances, and we know how to deal with them. But that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt. I checked the other related posts and found out there were actually people who didn't like seeing us together.

Most of them were stating that Seungkwan and Vernon looked better, the person in the first post being the constant among them. I was dismayed seeing the hate. I get that fans ship their Idols all the time and these things should not affect us. But I was surprised someone could be negative about this. I flipped the phone on the bed, having decided that I had enough of social media for the day.

I lay there staring at the ceiling, thinking nothing in particular. I wanted to talk to Vernon about this but wouldn't it seem as too dramatic ? It's too trivial to pay attention, I know that. But I need something to calm my nerves. Something to hold onto. How stupid these feelings are right ?

My doorbell rang and I flinched at the sudden noise. I sat up groaning, a big sigh leaving my lips as if weight rested on my lips. I rolled my eyes in annoyance before getting up. I was cursing whoever this person was as I opened the door.

Vernon was standing there with a lopsided smile, looking as gorgeous as ever but holding 1 polythene bags in his hands. "Vernon ? What are you doing here ?" I asked him surprised as he came inside. "To have some good food with you hyung" he said as if it was the most obvious thing, lifting the bags and raising his eyebrows.

"But why didn't you tell me ?" I asked standing against the kitchen counter as he placed the food in the dishes. "To surprise you hyung of course" he said chuckling as he walked to the couch in the hall. I couldn't stop my thoughts drifting towards the imagination of living with him as a couple. We settled ourselves on the sofa, fried chicken and drinks on the table. The sight in front of me was calming.

We started having the food as it dawned upon me. Isn't it magical how someone's mere presence can make everything feel just right ? Having food with Vernon, while a comfortable silence hugged the environment, I could feel my senses calming. This is what I needed right now, him and food I guess. "So tell me hyung" he said as I was busy having chicken.

"Hm ? What ?" I asked him looking up. "Is something wrong ?" He shot the question looking straight in my eyes. How does he know ? "Wrong ? Nothing. Nothing is wrong" I stuttered. Yes I wanted to talk to him but no, that would be too stupid. And how the hell does he even know that I am bothered about something.

"Hyung you look a bit tensed. And you didn't look that excited either. So I know there is something wrong. Tell me" does he know mind reading ? "Woah, when did you become so attentive nonie ?" I cooed at him, hoping to divert the conversation. "Since I started falling for you I guess" he answered with a smirk which was too hot for no reason.

What ? Since when he became so flirty ? "What happened to you ? When did you become such a romantic need nonie ?" I asked laughing nervously.  "Hyungg tell me what is it" he said urging on every word, keeping his drink aside. "Well........I saw something on social media and...." I answered figuring he wouldn't let me off the hook easily.

"And ?" He said looking at me expectantly. It felt a bit embarrassing to say out loud so I handed him my phone showing that video. A smile appeared on his face as he watched it. "I don't get it. What is wrong with this ?" He asked me, his eyebrows furrowed together. "Check the comments" I said in a small voice, denying to look anywhere but at him.

"Is it because of these comments ?" He said a moment later, showing me those mean comments. I nodded. "Hyung you know better to not let these things to you. They don't matter" he said moving a little closer. "I know but it is still disturbing. Comparing me and even being so mean, I can't get these out of my mind. I didn't expect someone would bring these things up" I admitted sheepishly. "Hyung, look at me" he said now holding both my hands in his.

I looked up to find his big brown eyes set at me, a fond love filled gaze hovering over my face. "What matters is that we are happy. I don't care what they say. And I am not levaing you no matter what others think okay ?" A grin broke out on my face before I even realized it. He smiled before pulling me in for a hug.

"Hyung, I am here okay. You don't need to pay attention to them" he said, his deep voice making my heart beat fast. "Thank you nonie" I said as I broke the hug, squeezing his hand firmly, trying to tell him that this assurance meant world to me. We finished our food and drank to our heart's content. My stomach was full and so was my heart.

With love and warmth, content screaming in my heart. I looked up to find him a bit sleepy, his eyes heavy and his face was red. I was tired too and no doubt, negative thoughts can definitely make you feel sich physically. "Let's sleep hm ?" I asked him. He nodded with a smile and we headed to the bedroom. It was late and him going back when being drunk wasn't a safe option.

I gave him my clothes to change into something comfortable and when he came out of the bathroom a moment later, I couldn't deny that my clothes suited him the best. We got into bed, cuddling this time without any hesitation. I had gotten used to his warmth already, even craving it when most of the time I still slept alone.