Wanted ||| Ateez

17

May felt excited to make her way back to Korea and the dorm she was hoping to still call home. She did have some doubts though. She wasn't a reporter like the boys' manager thought she was. She had nothing to publish, nothing to show from her time traveling with them. Sure, she translated the shows, but there's no way they would hire her on as a full-time translator when the job probably wasn't needed most of the year.

She was lost in her thoughts as she slowly packed her suitcase. What if he turns me away? There's no way they'd let me stay at the dorms if I didn't work for them. I guess I could get an apartment close by... she didn't want to leave her new family.

She was so focused on her fears; she didn't hear her door close behind her. When she felt a presence behind her, she whirled around preparing to defend herself if needed.

Jongho was smirking, loving the fact that he had caught her off guard. When she got flustered, he narrowed his eyes and pulled her into him, claiming her mouth. He had been wanting to do this all day, and he loved how she tasted.

May melted instantly. She smiled into the kiss and placed her hands on his cheeks.

It was over all to soon. Jongho pulled away and brushed a strand of hair out of her face. "How are you doing?" He almost purred.

"I'm good. I'm excited to be going back, but... What's going to happen to me now?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well... The entire reason I came to Korea in the first place was for... You know... But that was all my cover. I don't actually have an article to publish, or anything like that. I doubt you will need me to translate for you for awhile now." May found herself staring at his chest, not wanting him to see the sad look in her eyes.

But he knew. Jongho pulled her into him and kissed the top of her forehead. He hadn't thought of that before, however, now that she brought it up, he understood why she would be worried. "We will take care of it. I promise."

May closed her eyes and nodded.

He pulled away and lifted her chin up to kiss her one more time before he helped her finish packing and carried her suitcase to the main lobby. When they got there, he gathered the group and pulled them to the side, filling them in on May's fears.

Hongjoong seemed shocked that she'd think they'd turn her away. "Don't be silly." He reached out and ruffled her hair. "We need you! We can tell the boss we decided we didn't want you to publish anything on us, but that we want to keep you on as a translator. You did such a good job for us; I doubt he'd refuse." He winked at her.

Both Wooyoung and San came up and sandwiched her between them, teasing her for her thoughts. Then they pulled her with them when the bus arrived to take them to the airport. She tried to look over her shoulder for Jongho, but the couple was too quick and got her onto the bus, making sure she sat with them.

The only time she managed to meet his eyes is when he turned to take a seat in front of her on the plane. She could read plainly in his look that she was 'in trouble' for letting the other two hang all over her. May ducked her head, trying to hide her embarrassment.

---

When they arrived at the dorms, the boys all collapsed on the couch and on top of each other, saying how good it felt to be home.

May stood off to the side, smiling at them. They want me to stay. They need me to stay.

"Why are you standing over there all by yourself?" Yunho called from the bottom of the pile.

"Yeah, get over here!" Hongjoong wormed his way out of Mingi's arms and dragged her over to join them.

She fell into Yeosang's waiting arms and she felt several more reach out to ruffle her hair and pinch her cheeks, cooing over her as she blushed. One hand sought out hers and squeezed.

Their manager walked in and started laughing at the sight. "Welcome home, Ateez. Congratulations on successfully completing your first world tour!"

The boys stood quickly, Seonghwa catching May as she was almost thrown to the floor, and they all bowed as a team. May bowed as well, chanting, "Thank you," with them.

"You boys deserve a break, so take a few days to unpack, relax, and celebrate. Alice, may I speak with you for a moment?"

"Yes, Sir." She said. She glanced at Hongjoong and he nodded, walking with her into the other room.

"Do you need something, son?" The manager asked, surprised to see the leader with her.

"Is this going to be about what happens to Alice now?" Hongjoong seemed to get taller as he kept a tone of authority. "If so, Sir, I have something I would like to say on behalf of the team."

The manager's eyes narrowed as he thought for a second, then nodded his head once.

"Sir, I would like to request that we extend a permanent contract to Alice. I think she worked very well with us during our shows, and I believe we will benefit if we had the same translator going forward. We also had a discussion as a team, and asked her not to publish anything about us, so there won't be an article coming out that we have to worry about editing. I also thought she could work to translate any talk shows, streams, or other events that we place online for our international audiences."

"You've put a lot of thought into this, haven't you?"

"Yes, Sir. She is part of our team now."

May felt her lip tremble a little at Hongjoong's words, but she kept her head high and waited for the manager to say something.

He looked at her, then smiled. "I couldn't agree with you more, Hongjoong. I will have the paperwork drawn up. I will also work to find her a suitable place to-"

"She could stay here," Hongjoong said quickly, bowing in an apology for interrupting. "She already has a room after all. And this is where we will do a lot of our filming."

"Very well. If this is what the team wants, I will support your decision." The manager bowed to them and left the dorms.

As soon as the door closed, May was surrounded by the rest of the group, who of course had been eavesdropping the entire time.

I have a home. A real home.

As they jumped up and down, she turned to find Jongho. His smile was the brightest one there, and she in turn, felt her smile brightening.