Make Me STAY

DIVINE

Rose was walking through the halls of JYP on her way to Chan's studio. 

The leader was always working or thinking about work. He didn't seem to be able to relax. As his soulmate, she had done her best to support him. With her around, he worried less about the kids, trusting her to look after the other members of Stray Kids. 

However, that didn't stop him from feeling like he had to be the strong one and carry all the weight of their lifestyle on his shoulders. Meanwhile, Rose did her best to relieve him of as much stress as possible, both as his manager and his soulmate. But that was difficult when he wasn't always willing to accept help. Some days, the most she could do was bring him food and remind him of the time.

As she entered the studio, she stood by the door for a while to study her soulmate. It was always inspiring to watch him work. Seeing him in his element, so passionate and focused, was attractive. But she could see the almost constant shadows under his eyes from lack of sleep and near constant screen use.

At this point, Rose didn't think Chan would ever change his work habits. However, she had developed some techniques to help manage them.

Walking over to his desk, her soulmate noticed her and took off his headphones. Rose held up the bag in her hand.

"Eat with me?"

Chan glanced back at his screen to check the time. When he looked back up at her, she could see the hesitation on his face.

Rose pouted and used the puppy eyes she had learnt from Felix.

"Please? I miss you, Channie."

She watched as her soulmate's eyes widened and his face softened, and she knew she had him.

"Of course. How could I deny my Rose such a simple request?"

Rose felt a little guilty, realising she had used Chan's worries of not spending enough time with her against him, but her soulmate's health and well-being came first.

Chan moved to the sofa, and Rose sat beside him before taking out the food she had brought. They ate in silence for a few minutes. She wanted to make sure he ate enough before she distracted him with conversation.

"I got a call from the SRO."

"Soulmate registration office? Why?"

"I'm not sure. The doctor wants to see me. Something about his research. I booked the appointment for next week."

Chan frowned.

"I'll go with you."

"You can't. I checked your schedule, and there was no time. Same for the others."

"You couldn't cancel something?"

"Chan, it's fine. I'll be okay. They said it's nothing to worry about."

"Alright, but you'll tell me everything afterwards?"

"Don't I always?"

Rose smiled at Chan, remembering her debrief after her first date with Minho, yet her soulmate's face had darkened. The mood had changed, and she wondered what had caused it.

"Don't think I haven't noticed."

"What?"

"You've been different with the kids, less... They love always having you there, helping them, having someone to rely on. I don't want to have to beat Felix up because you've taken his words to heart."

Her soulmate knew her too well by this point that nothing escaped his notice. As much as she had tried to act as normally as possible, after being accused of meddling, she paused before taking any action.