A Modest Proposal (Kim Namjoon/ BTS) (#SerendipityAwards)

6. Trouble

"I watch only from a distance, because the time isn't right yet."

The sunlight streamed in through the open window, a slight breeze ruffling Namjoon's hair as he attempted to rouse himself from a deep slumber. Rubbing his eyes listlessly, he stretched his toned arms as the world began to assume a greater clarity.

The rapper pushed aside the Ryan doll he had been snuggling with, extricating his limbs from where they were entangled with the bedsheets. A couple of raps on the bedroom door successfully revived his consciousness.

"Namjoonie," Hoseok's voice called out loudly, "hurry up! We're about to leave. Bang PD wants our opinions on the Love Yourself posters we're going to release."

Namjoon opened his door a fraction and peeked out, his eyes squinting at the bubbly man. "Why are you so bright this early in the morning?"

Taehyung, passing by Namjoon's door as he made his way towards the kitchen, laughed as he patted the sleepy-head. "Early? We were supposed to be at Big Hit almost half an hour ago."

Namjoon jerked at this, his head almost colliding with the door frame. "Why the hell are you waking me up just now then?"

"Relax, Monie," Jin's voiced called out from down the hallway. "We were working tirelessly late into the night so Bang PD allowed us some leeway."

"Am I the only one who slept in?" Namjoon inquired as he rinsed his face, grabbing the toothbrush lying next to the basin.

Hoseok, who had decided to wait while Namjoon freshened up, shook his head. "Rest assured, Yoongi Hyung displays absolutely no signs of detaching himself from his bed anytime soon."

The rapper resisted the urge to snort. He was perfectly aware that none of them would dare to disturb Yoongi while he was asleep. Namjoon was quite certain that even armageddon wouldn't incline Yoongi to crawl out of his sheets.

Wiping his mouth, Namjoon strode into the kitchen with Hoseok where the members, sans Yoongi, were indulging in the macaroni and cheese Seokjin had whipped up. Taehyung licked his fork with relish as Namjoon seated himself at the counter.

"So, things don't seem to be as strained between you and Hong Ji Ah," Jimin prompted as he popped a strawberry into his mouth. "On the contrary, I'd say that you seem to be absolutely unbothered."

"That's because I am," Namjoon stated without batting an eyelid. "Her presence is of no consequence whatsoever. We're both just doing our jobs."

Seokjin smirked as he handed Hoseok a mug containing piping hot coffee. "Oh? Seems like our leader has a grip on his wild emotions."

Jungkook almost chortled on his banana milk. "Wild emotions? That sounds wrong on so many levels, Jin Hyung."

Seokjin grinned eerily and Namjoon willed his expression to remain indifferent. "Say what you may, but I don't have an inkling of any emotion."

"Is that why you had a wide smile on your face when she dropped you off after getting your ankle dressed last week?"

The members turned to find a semi-naked Yoongi strolling towards the dining table. He was clad only in his boxers, dawdling in his effort to reach the chair Seokjin had pulled out for him. Last night had been extremely exhausting and Yoongi wanted nothing more than to sleep through the blazing summer day, something none of them had the luxury to do at least until the album was released.

"That was because I had the opportunity of meeting some of our fans," Namjoon replied quietly, hoping that the faint tint that had crept into his cheeks wasn't visible. "Hong Ji Ah doesn't figure into the equation at all." His ankle had healed, but the pattern Ji Ah's words had carved on his skin wasn't as easily erased. He had pondered over them countless times, twisting and turning them over in his head.