Fate part 2

Chapter 209

Namjoon's P.O.V.
It totally skipped my mind! "MINA!"

She RAN out of her bathroom.
"What, what, WHAT?!"
The panic was evident on my face.
"Who died? Why are you so panicked? Did they hate the final version of the song? You never say my full name."

"No! No. Staff loves it."
Did I yell that loudly?
"Sorry, Beautiful. I'm just..."
Dépassé? That's what she'd call it.
"Did you know the AMAs were in 3 days?"

A strong nod. "Yep."

"Of course you did.. Of course I'm the forgetful one!"
Everything is written on my calendar. I don't understand how I didn't recall this plan in my schedule! It's MAJOR, and not just for my band.

"Easy there, smarty pants."
She stopped me, hand on my chest.
"No need to pace around. It's a recorded performance. You're not flying anywhere. You know you've won artist of the year and best kpop group. What about it? You'll film your thanks tomorrow and-"

I think I looked like she did when stressed: a deer in headlights.
"The performance. The costumes. The set. My dance partner-"

Why were her lips on mine a better answer than anything that would come out of her mouth?
"You know all of this. It's your last title track. It's in colourful suits. We have film at 4pm. We're filming in a theater, don't ask me which. Your dance partner is me. They figured it'd give better pictures and more to talk about on social media as people watch."

I.. Did know all of this. The meeting about it skipped my mind. December came by so fast.. Would time go as quickly afterwards? Make it stop. If she can't stay, she leaves in May. I realized they can cancel that visa at the very last minute. Did she know? Time may be running out. "That makes sense, but I'm happy to dance with you. You make me less nervous."

Min smiled, holding the towel covering her tighter.
"I'm glad about that, because everything is clearer when you're around."

Everything? Like EVERYTHING? Seeing my face, she nodded.
"You can hear? Really? It's good? It's GOOD?"
I couldn't help, but kiss her ear over and over again.

Her laugh was everything to me. A silly, wiper blade wiping against the windshield, type of laugh that would turn silent when things were hilarious. Contagious her voice was, really.
"Put me down! Joonie, I can't breathe!"
I... Got carried away.
"Y-Yeah! I miss your usual tone of voice."

I had always been told it was difficult to understand me in my comfortable tone, I always propped it up to be understood. She never asked me to speak in a higher tone. Funny enough, hers would drop when tired, when the facade faded.
I get why she loves mine. I adore hers.
"It'll reach your ear quite a lot this next month."
My forehead rested on her shoulder. "I'm exhausted~"

Her hand on my back made me want her nails delicately scratching my skin, the coolness of them on my bare back, the warmth of her chest against mine..
"So exhausted that you're.. falling asleep on me, huh?"

Was I? Please, stay like this.
"Your skin is warm, soft and smells like vanilla.. How could I not?"

A sweet sigh met my ear as her arm rested on my back, her other hand moving up into my hair.
"Yong-ah.." Dragon.
I LOVED that nickname. Min rarely used it. Only when.. She knew I'd need it.
"What's on your mind that you're so bothered? You can tell me."

I spent weeks working on this album for Bangtan, on mine, on Jimin's, on Jin's.. I'm drained mentally. I've barely seen her. She's been doing it all and she doesn't complain. Would she, if given the chance? Would the first thing she says be that she'd want to spend more time with me? She wasn't supposed to be working this much this season.
"Don't go to the loft, please.."
Don't be a baby. She has a business to run. It's her job, her stable income.
"..If you can afford it."

Did Min just chuckle?
"I suppose I can spare a day."
Really? She would?
"I have a lot of stock ready for sale. I don't need to work on that right now. I'd rather be here with you."
Her fingers in my hair felt so nice.. I could fall asleep.

Mina's P.O.V.
Everyone deserved a break, him first. I'd never seen him so anxious and bothered. If we're as alike as people enjoy pointing out, he had to be told this..
"Thank you."
His embrace tightened.
"Thanks for putting all that time, energy and effort into your music for us to sing to it, dance to it.. To share your experiences and thoughts."
I caressed the back of his head.
"We might not say it often, but we appreciate it.. Very much."

I had seen tears from him, but the sobbing was something else.
".. I'm so tired.."

"I know, Joonie. I know.."
He had deadlines to meet. Help with it wasn't something I could offer, but making sure he had more than coffee and instant ramyeon to carry him through the day, that I could do. I didn't just pack him lunch because I like it.
"We see how much you put into work and how dedicated you are. That's why, for the next few weeks, you can watch things go by. Enjoy the calm before the storm of the comeback."
He felt so warm to the touch..

"..Fuck the award shows.. I don't want to go.."
Joon, you don't mean that. I know you'd rather have Bangtan here in the apartment having fun, than being in a suit watching people get trophies.

"You don't have to."
I pulled his face away from my nape to meet my gaze.
"No one is forcing you. You know damn well that your band won't force you. You're their leader. They listen to you. The band's pulse.. is you. The group went on hiatus because you said it was too much. If you don't say it, they'll worry until you finally say something because you don't like being read like an open book."
I couldn't brush tears off his cheeks, they were soaked.
"The guys can hold themselves as soloists now. You don't need to stand behind them."
They're all behind you, no matter what you do.
"If you do decide to go to the award shows you don't have to be at.. I'll stand by you. I'll be in front of you if that's what you need."

Finally, there was a quick and soft smile.
".. I'll.. I'll take you up on that. Thank you.."

I flashed him my best grin given the circumstances, light and kind.
"I'm here for you, no matter what."

His forehead pressed against mine.
"..Can you be there for me on the couch?.. I'm feeling lightheaded.."

We shared a short giggle.
"Sure thing.."
We sat down, his head on my shoulder. After a few minutes like this, rubbing his back, in silence, I kissed the top of his head.
"Can I go to the medicine cabinet to get what I need to take care of you?"
My partner may be feverish from exhaustion, but I wasn't going to risk it being anything else.

What he said sounded so unlike him and yet, so fitting.
"A glass of whiskey would do the trick too."

To ease his mind, clearly. A familiar feeling, trust me. I stood up.
"Compromise with me? You take medicine now, and if the fever's gone in four hours.. We can think about that glass of whiskey."

"..It's that bad?"
Yes. He put his wrist on his forehead.
"I didn't notice.. I'm sorry."

"How could you notice?"
My lips pressed against his forehead.
"Worrying about everyone else, you forget yourself. Let the other overworked gifted kid in our couple handle it."

"Thank you."

"Don't mention it."
We shared a kiss.
"I'll be right back, Joonie."
I was still in my towel, dear Lord.