Makeup

2.

When we pulled back, I felt my cheeks getting warm, but upon taking a glance at Namjoon, I let out a hearty laugh. His cheeks and the tip of his nose were an adorable, deep pink, and he seemed as embarrassed as he was after our first kiss. One would never know by his tough appearance that he's really an oversized softy. But shhh, don't tell anyone.

Putting me down gently, he commented, "It's been so long. Aish, I was trying to surprise you, too! And we didn't even get to greet each other properly."

"Ah, well, I got a bit carried away, you see-- Wait, what's this?" I pointed to the black bag sitting on the ground.

"Hmm? Oh, right! I almost forgot. I brought some clothes you left at my place since I figured you'd probably be having trouble picking out an outfit--" He stopped since I seemed a lot more engrossed in the royal purple top and elegant mid-length skirt I found in the bag than in what he was saying.

"You're a genius, you know that?" I exclaimed as I wrapped him in a hug. Frowning, I pulled back and looked up at him. "You got skinner. That's why you should stay with me more, at least I make sure to feed you," I said, shaking my head. "Go grab some snacks in the cupboard while I change," I instructed Namjoon before hurrying to my room.

I barely put on my top before he poked his head into my room.

"Yah!" I exclaimed, quickly pulling the bottom of the blouse over my exposed belly button. "Did you lose your decency in the dorm?"

He shrugged. "I mean, Hoseok and Jungkook walk around shirtless most of the time so, that's nothing," motioning to my arms protectively covering my torso. He laughed his hearty laugh and reassured me, "I'm just teasing, you know that," but his expression changed when he saw what was on my desk. Picking up a palette of eyeshadow, he shot a glance at me and demanded, "What do you think you're doing?"

Biting my lip, I replied, "I'm trying to do what normal girls do and look pretty okay? Now shoo while I get that on my eyelids."

He didn't budge. "Since when did you start putting on makeup? Didn't you say that gunk clogged up your pores and made your face feel gross? And if you're doing it for me.... Well, don't," he insisted, tucking the makeup items safely in a drawer.

"I'm not doing it for you, babo, I'm doing it for myself!" I pouted.

"Please. You honestly have no reason to be covering up anything on that gorgeous face of yours. Also," he lowered his voice, "I don't need the guys to be checking you out more than they need to."

I raised up an eyebrow in amusement. The very idea the other members might be interested in me was more flattering than unnerving, and Namjoon's protectiveness made me positively melt on the inside. Letting out a melodramatic sigh, I acquiesced. "Fine. But just this one time."

With a satisfied smile on his face, Namjoon pecked the tip of my nose, saying, "I don't think I've told you this before, but your smile makes your features more beautiful than any powder could." 

I hastily placed my palms on my reddening cheeks and said, "If you keep saying things like this my face will become a tomato. Oh! We should get going soon. The leader shouldn't be late to his own party, you know." At this, he grinned sheepishly, threw his am around my shoulder, and we headed towards the car, our sides pressing against each other. Due to my insistence, he let me drive to their practice space. Every time I would glance over at the side mirror, I caught him hurriedly averting his gaze from me. Honestly, I would have done the same if I didn't have to make sure we arrived in one piece. I missed the reassurance of him being next to me, and all I wanted to do was stare into his soulful ebony eyes and soak in every inch of his comforting presence.