Keys to Happiness

17. Key

We were so busy even after our tour ended that I found it hard to find a spare moment to talk to my members about Aliah. Between performances, award shows, commercials and photo shoots, we were all tired and most of our spare time was spent in practice or at fan events. JongHyun and TaeMin were also busy with their solo projects and I didn't want to tell each member separately.

My only constant was talking to Aliah at least once a day and we had become even closer during our long discussions, learning about each other and finding what we had in common. I was getting more anxious as each day went by because Aliah and I were steadily becoming closer, but because of our numerous schedule conflicts it was almost two weeks before I was able to get all the members together at our dorm.

At the moment we were all hanging out in the living room eating jajangmyeon and sweet and sour pork since none of us had felt like cooking. The lights were turned on low to give us a theatre feel, and we were watching some boring medical drama on TV.

We had all criticized it more than a few times for its cheesy lines and I thought it would be a good time to tell them what had been keeping me awake at night. I grabbed the remote from Onew hyung; he never changed the channel but liked control of it anyway and turned down the volume. As one, the other members on the floor turned to look at me, bits of noodle and pork still hanging from their mouths.

"Yah, we were watching that!" MinHo hissed with irritation. "If you think this is a good time to show us how 'great' you would be in a drama again, just forget it."
"That's not what turned it down for, but I would be much better than this male lead," I replied haughtily. "I have to talk to you guys about something and I want your undivided attention."

"If this is about your shampoo, it was all JongHyun hyung," TaeMin quickly confessed. "I saw him using it."
"Traitor!" JongHyun yelled with a punch to TaeMin's shoulder.

"You idiots, that's not what I'm talking about! And stop using my stuff!" I screamed at JongHyun who looked down sheepishly. "What I'm trying to say is that I have a girlfriend... A serious one."

The relaxed atmosphere of a moment before slowly seemed to get sucked out of the room as the members were now looking at me with expectation. Now that they had finished playing around, I had lost some of my nerve. As usual in important situations, Onew hyung spoke up first.
"So, who is she? And how long have you known her?"
Relieved to be able to talk about something, I answered him readily.

"I met her almost two months ago in the underground shopping district. Her name is Aliah Thomas."
"Aliah... Then she's a foreigner?" MinHo asked.
"Yeah, she's from the United States but she lives here now. She's an English teacher."

"Key hyung, what does she look like? Can I see a picture?" TaeMin said with excitement.
Feeling satisfied that things were going smoothly, I brought out my phone and opened my pictures, selecting one that I had taken of Aliah on our first date. I handed it to TaeMin and his eyes went wide.
"Whoa, she's black!"
"Don't say that pabo-yah, it's African American," JongHyun corrected sharply. "Let me see too."
TaeMin handed him the phone and JongHyun spent a moment looking at her.

"She's definitely pretty Bummie and she looks nice. Does she know about what we do?" he questioned, passing the phone to MinHo and then JinKi.
"Yes, she knows we're singers. She said she was a fan actually, but it took her a while to recognize me anyways." I smiled at the memory, grateful that the bad situation had worked out so well.
"So can we meet her?" Onew hyung asked with some respect in his voice.

The question was expected but the heavy respect definitely wasn't. He was actually asking me to bring her around instead of telling me. When I had told them about girls before, it hadn't been this way.
"I didn't think that this was something that I had a choice in. I know how this could affect all of you. Of course I was going to introduce her."
"KiBum-ah, as usual you're being too dramatic. Our popularity isn't risky like it used to be, and all of us have expanded into our own careers. We have enough money and enough fame that, whether we stay in the spotlight or not, we would be comfortable for the rest of our lives. It's not a demand that we meet the one you're with; it will always just be a request to be included into your life. We all want what's best for you, not to break up your relationship," JongHyun said.

"That's right hyung. You're all getting older and I'll probably have to be a solo singer anyway," TaeMin piped up cheerfully.

"Yah, shut up!" MinHo said grabbing him in a headlock.

"Neither of them are wrong though," JinKi said thoughtfully. "We could last as long as Shinwa or g.o.d, but we already go our own ways even now. We're getting older too; it's time to think of our personal happiness."

"Yeah KiBum, we all know how you've been feeling since your grandma died. I noticed you had changed lately, but I didn't know what it was. If this girl makes you so happy, then we're here to help you no matter what." MinHo wasn't the type to be mushy, but his words made my chest clog up and my eyes burn. Aliah was like a breath of fresh air, but my members were a steady stream of support. Their encouragement meant the world to me and I couldn't think of any other people who I would want to share my happiness with more.

"You guys are the best, you know?" I said pushing back emotion.

"We know," they chorused together.

"Now turn the TV back up, the doctor looks like he's about to perform surgery," JinKi said, plainly uncaring of the brotherly love we had going on. I shook my head in amazement as they all focused back on the crappy drama and I took out my phone to send a text.

Hey Aliah, next week will be the perfect time for you to meet my members. It should be fun!"

A/N: Sorry these chapters are so short, this was my first ever fic so everything is a bit rushed. The rest of them will be longer! Also comments and stuff are welcome :)