Make Me STAY

I GOT IT

Jisung didn't know how, but at some point after the turbulence ended, he must have drifted off to sleep. He woke to Chan's hand on his shoulder, shaking him awake. Gathering his stuff, he followed the others off the plane. It was at this point that he always took a moment to mentally prepare himself. Airports weren't fun places for Idols. He hoped this time he would get through the crowds unscathed.

When they reached passport control, Rose came round to make sure everyone had their passports. After going through, the Idols would head straight to the cars while she and some staff gathered everyone's bags.

As Jisung watched Rose, he couldn't help but think of the plane ride. How she had held his hand. The sound of her voice. The comfort he felt by having her near. Just as she reached him, he dropped his passport, and they both crouched down to pick it up. Their hands met, and Jisung felt something he never had before. It was like a warmth that started where they touched and then spread up his arm and consumed his whole body.

Raising his head, Jisung found Rose looking back at him with wide eyes. He felt his heart race. Was this what he had been waiting for? Was this what it felt like to finally meet your soulmate? He had dreamed of it, wrote songs about it, but never had he imagined it happening like this. 

Rose opened her mouth, but before she could say a word her name was called by another member of staff. It was time for the Idols to go through. Jisung watched as she huffed and then sent him a smile.

"Later."

She was gone before he could even get his brain working enough to respond. He stood there, frozen, staring into space until Changbin pulled him along by his arm.

"Jisung! What are you doing? Let's go!"

Everything was a blur until he was in the car. His gaze followed the hand that was on his thigh to the worried eyes of Minho.

"Sungie? Are you okay?"

"What?"

Minho frowned.

"Did something happen?"

"I-I..."

The dancer's eyes narrowed.

"What did they do? Whoever it was, I'll find them and make sure they pay."

Jisung's eyes widened.

"Oh! No, Hyung. It's not that. Nothing like that. I mean, I..."

He trailed off. Should he say anything before he had spoken to Rose? Wouldn't it be unfair? What if he was wrong?

Minho's expression softened, and he tilted his head.

"You can tell me anything."

The corner of Jisung's lips curled upwards.

"I know. And it's nothing bad. I promise. I just, I can't tell you. Yet."

Minho nodded and patted the rapper's thigh before turning his head to look out the window. Jisung leaned back in his seat and took a deep, calming breath. He felt as though his heart was going to burst. His leg bounced as he realised he would have to wait to talk to Rose. His soulmate. He couldn't believe it. Despite all the discussions they'd had and the evidence that all the members would eventually bond with Rose, in the back of his mind, Jisung had doubted it would happen.

They were taken straight to the venue. This was their only chance to see the stage before performance day, so they had decided to take the opportunity despite it being immediately after landing. They looked around and discussed any changes that would need to be made to their performance to accommodate. Luckily, there weren't any major problems and only a few minor tweaks needed to be made to make the most of the stage and improve their performance.