Bo$$ - BTS FanFic *** Completed

Gratitude

Dez's palms were sweating, enclosed in Yoongi's and Namjoon's hands. They hadn't even entered the building yet, and she was a nervous wreck. Sha had wanted to have the PR team meet them at the house, had wanted to wait to face her employees until the press conference tomorrow, but had decided to put her quaking nerves aside and come to work as she normally would. She couldn't run away. She needed to face the people who were depending on her, whether they chose to continue to believe in her or not. As the group entered the building together, Dez's heart dropped to her toes.

Nearly all of her staff was gathered in the lobby of the building, even workers from production across town and members who were usually stationed in other cities and countries. She saw all of the face she recognized, some smiling brightly, some smiling sadly, but all there to face her as she wanted to face them - openly and honestly.

Once all nine of them were inside, the crowd clapped their hands in applause, making Dez's eyes flood with tears.

As the noise died down, four employees came forward. One stepped up to her, a team lead in Production named Roger, handing her four envelopes and speaking for the group

"These are our resignation letters," he said sadly, "We want to stay by your side, and we want you to know that we are not being personal in our decision." He put his hand on her shoulder in a comforting manner, "We all have families and people that need our income to get by. It's not a decision against how you live, but rather that we can't risk the instability that might come to the company."

"We understand," Namjoon stepped up, offering his hand, which Roger took to shake firmly, "If we get through this, you can reapply with us after one year. We can't promise an opening, but we will take you on as consideration, no judgement over your previous resignation."

"That is very gracious of you Mr. Kim," Roger said happily, looking back to the other three as they nodded in acceptance of the offer.

"Please accept a lay off and small severance package, for your honesty and loyalty," Namjoon went on, "It will allow you to seek unemployment while you look for new opportunities."

The four employees left quietly, shaking hands with each of the group as they went out of the building. After they were gone, a new representative, a manager from Marketing named Rhea, stepped forward to address them.

"Public Relations informed the managers of the resignations that you received already this morning," Rhea began, her tone and demeanor professional, "As of right now, the four more you have in your hand will be the last resignations you will see." She removed her glasses, eyes soft and honest as she looked to Dez, "Not every remaining employee agrees with or believes in the lifestyle you have chosen," she smiled warmly, "But no one can either deny the success the company has had working under you all as a team, and we believe in you as a group and as individuals. You have believed in us somewhere along the way, and it's only right that we give you the same loyalty and respect. I speak for everyone here, as well as everyone not here but still under your employment," Rhea's voice cracked with emotion, "We stand with you. We stand with EyeBright."

Dez was overcome with gratitude, the emotion bringing her to her knees on the floor of the lobby. Yoongi bent to help her up, but she only shook her head and turned to the crowd before her.

"You...you have no idea what this means to me," she sobbed, bringing her hands over her heart. She looked each of them in the eye before moving to the next, "Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for trusting me. Thank you for supporting me." She bent low, bowing to touch her head to the floor, "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you." After a few moments, she straightened and allowed Yoongi to help her to her feet, smiling through her tears at everyone, "I will do my best not to let you down. I will be honest when I tell the public our truth and our story, and I encourage anyone...anyone at all...with questions afterward to come to any of us."

Namjoon came forward again, his professional demeanor barely ruffled, but Dez could see the emotion in his eyes as he spoke, "If, after our conference tomorrow, you decide not to stay with EyeBright, please know that we offer the utmost understanding and harbor no harsh feelings. Those who resign privately through email or letter, we wish you all the best of luck." He smiled brightly, letting his dimples show, "Those of you who resign in person, you will receive the same offer as those who just left received."

The crowd clapped and applauded again, breaking apart to offer handshakes, back pats, and tons of words of encouragement to the group. Dez's heart felt a little lighter, even as she received some strange looks from those who came up to offer their support. They didn't have to agree with her choices to support her, and that felt nice, but it would have been even better if they had. They didn't see what she saw everyday, though...didn't feel what she felt surrounded by the amount of love she was, and so they could never understand. She hoped they all had or found love that completed them each, though. That was her wish and blessing.

Making their way upstairs, Kookie wrapped his strong arms around her in the elevator, making Yoongi chuckle. Namjoon wiped the ghost of tears from his eyes, clearing his throat and straightening himself afterward as Hobi patted his shoulder. Jimin kissed the side of Da-Won's head, followed by Jin doing the same. Dez grinned as her tear dried, feeling the love fill the elevator to its seams.

"I love you," she said to everyone at once, "I love you so much. I'm still scared, but damned if I don't love you with all of my heart."

"I love you, too" they all chorused, laughing afterward, the mood becoming light.

Their laughter continued as the doors opened to their floor, and they shared hugs and kisses before separating. Kookie followed Dez to office, a playful warning coming from Namjoon.

"We have to be extra careful for a while," he winked at them as he went to meet with the necessary teams for the conference, "So no fucking on that expensive mahogany desk, you two."

"No promises!" Kookie called back, picking Dez up and earning a squeal, "But I'll try my best!"

Da-Won watched as they laughed, going into Dez's office. "You think he'll really try?" she asked Jin, looking up at him and pecking him on the cheek.

"No more than you would if you didn't have phone meetings with your own team today," he chuckled, pecking her back.

"You ever think you wanna watch those two?" she grinned, eyes dancing, "Seems like they have a lot of fun."

Jin chucked her under the chin, "I'm good with the shows you ladies honor me with," he said deeply, his own eyes gaining a mischievous glint, "Though it's been a little while, selfish girl."

"Jin needs a threesome STAT," Da-Won pinched his chin, "Noted and logged."

They giggled and kissed once more, departing in opposite directions to prepare for the next step in the plan to reveal their love to the world.