Generations Expectation's | 8th member of BTS

58

Ae Cha's POV

"Okay, but if Jungkook sings in his sleep one more time, I swear I'm trading bunks with literally anyone." I groaned, tugging my hoodie over my head and sinking further into the tour bus couch.
"I don't sing in my sleep-" Jungkook said indignantly from across the lounge, munching on a protein bar like a bunny mid-defense. "I dream musically. That's different."

"Bro, last night you sang the entire chorus of 'Spring Day' and harmonized with the fridge hum." Taehyung added with a grin, flopping next to me and stealing my blanket without remorse. "It was hauntingly beautiful, but also creepy."

"I'd buy that on vinyl." Jin chimed in, twisting open a soda with a loud pop. "Jungkook and the Haunted Fridge. Limited edition."

The bus erupted into laughter, the kind of easy, free-flowing energy that only came after weeks of surviving on five hours of sleep, caffeine, and adrenaline.

It had been three weeks since the start of the tour, and honestly? We were killing it. Seoul was a dream. Brazil was a beautiful blur of heat, color, and rhythm that made my heart feel ten times bigger. It had been nonstop—planes, rehearsals, screaming fans, packed stadiums, and quick-change disorder—but it was the kind of exhaustion that came with pride. With purpose.
And now, we were in the thick of our American stretch, somewhere in the middle of our three-day drive from LA to Chicago. A giant chunk of highway, wind, and rest-stop snacks. The two-night run in LA had felt like something out of a movie. The fans in California brought a kind of warmth that reminded me of family—loud, loving, and a little chaotic. Even with the ghosts of my past still tied to that city, it had felt... different this time.

Healing, maybe.

No kidnappings, no panicked late-night escapes—just sold-out crowds, a rush, and the kind of bone-deep tired that came with doing something you loved.

And in two days, we'd finally get a real break. Not a media day, not a nap-between-rehearsals break. A real break. I was going home—or at least, close to it. We were stopping in Ohio, and I was going to see my aunt and cousins for the first time in what felt like forever. Just thinking about it made something warm bloom in my chest.
Not just that, but we had a whole WEEK off, and I was going to take that to my advantage. 

I bounced slightly in my seat, energy buzzing just beneath my skin. "You guys don't even understand how good my aunt's cooking is. You're gonna eat one bite and forget every meal you've ever had."
"She making kimchi stew?" Hoseok asked, peeking up from his phone with hopeful eyes.

"She's making everything." I said proudly. "She's been prepping for a week. There's going to be japchae, bulgogi, dumplings, ribs, that spicy tofu thing she makes that'll make you cry—"
"Sounds like a religious experience." Namjoon said, scribbling in one of his never-ending notebooks.

"Honestly, I might cry just from the smell." Yoongi mumbled from his corner seat, half-asleep under a hoodie and travel blanket. "Wake me when we're there."
I grinned, pulling my knees to my chest and leaning my head against the window, watching the endless road blur by outside. My body ached. My voice was a little raw. But I wouldn't trade any of it.

This—this felt like living.

Taehyung smirked from where he was sprawled across the bench seat, lazily twirling a half-empty water bottle between his fingers. "So, when exactly are we seeing Aunt Becca again?" he asked, tone light but eyes glinting with mischief. "Should I bring flowers this time, or just a toothbrush?"
My head snapped around. "Taehyung—what?!"

Jungkook choked on his drink, snorting into his sleeve. "Bro, chill."

Taehyung only shrugged, utterly unbothered. "What? I'm just saying—every time we see her, she looks better than the last. I'd be stupid not to shoot my shot."
'She's literally known you since you were a teenager." I deadpanned.