Supernova

Spark

I pulled my hat lower, glancing up briefly to wave at the fans behind the security barricade, before following my manager into the VIP entrance of the airport, bodyguards flanking me as usual. They whisked us through immigration and security, taking us straight through to the VIP lounge to wait to wait for the vans to transport us to the aircraft. 

I had managed to avoid Kao all morning, choosing to have breakfast in my room, sharing Juni's van to the airport and making damn well sure that I was always with one of the others, participating in their conversations. I hadn't even glanced in his direction, out of fear that I'd catch his eye. The longer I delayed this confrontation, the better prepared I'd be. 

"The vans are ready." My manager tapped me on the shoulder, handing me my passport and boarding pass. I stood up, glancing down at my pass as I did. 

"You'll be sitting next to Kao, by the way." My manager said casually. 

My stomach dropped.

"He asked specifically to be seated with you. Something about needing to take care of the maknae." He grinned. "That's a leader, for you."

Shit. 

I thought fast as I sat in the van, with Alex and Marcus bantering next to me. 

"Who are you sitting next to, hyung?" I asked Alex.

"Juni. I need a bit of space from this idiot." He said, jerking his head at Marcus, who tried to swat him as the car started to move. 

"Yeah, we'll see what you say after an hour of hearing Juni hyung's snoring." Marcus said, leaning back against his neck pillow. "I'm glad I've got Kiha next to me."

The car came to a stop on the tarmac near the plane and I stepped out, grabbing my bag, lingering to wait for the twins and walking with them to meet the rest of the group, gathered by the stairs.

"All good, J?" Jii asked me, a friendly smile on his face as we climbed the stairs together. I nodded, letting him precede me onto the plane. Glancing into the cabin, I could see Kao up front, setting his bag down on his seat.

"Shall we play games, hyung?" I said, turning to look at Jii, who was taking his backpack off. Jii looked mildly surprised.

"Ok, what do you want? You never volunteer to play games with me." He asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Best of five. If I beat you, I want dinner for a week." I said, knowing full well he could never resist a challenge.

"And if I beat you?" He leaned against the seat and looked at me.

"I make you breakfast for a week."

He grinned.

"Deal. I like my eggs sunny side up, by the way."

I grinned back as I chucked my bag down on the seat next to him, unzipping my hoodie.

"And I like meat, hyung. So make sure you're carrying your platinum card."

He ruffled my hair and took the seat next to me, immediately locating the inflight games section on the console and scrolling to the game I knew he loved. 

I removed my cap and hoodie, hanging them up in the small cupboard provided and bending to place my bag inside. As I straightened, I glanced up.

And met Kao's narrowed gaze.

I looked away, taking out my earphones and waving at Alex across the aisle before I sat down, my heart thudding a little, an uneasy feeling in my stomach.

I knew it was cowardly, but I just didn't want to have this conversation right now, not when there was nowhere to go. I was tired, edgy for a variety of other reasons, and I didn't want to inadvertently say something that would be irretrievable.