t.k.o

“i don’t have you on the payroll as a bodyguard– whatever will i do to make it up to you when you get me out of this?” jangbyul replied, resting her head on his shoulder and taking a deep breath. she trusted blair with her life– she had since the moment she met him and he’d gone out of his way to make sure hyoe was safe on the playground. she forced a smile, looking up at him, and to be frank, the fact that he was so composed made her feel a little better. she was sure he was just putting on a front to play along with this charade, but it reassured her. “i’m glad hyoe is with her father today, at least. a small blessing.”

“now, now....i just said time and place,” he said, laughing despite himself. “maybe lets keep your porno fantasies for when we get home.” he was glad she was breathing and making jokes, though. it meant she wasn’t in crisis mode yet. the calmer she was, the easier his job was. he let out a grumble. “that man is lucky hyoe isn’t with us today. i’d rip him apart the moment i noticed something off,” he assured her darkly. it wasn’t something they’d talked about, but he saw hyoe as his daughter at this point. no sasaeng was laying a finger on her.

“you’re a good dude, blair. they’re lucky to have you looking out for them.”

“well, that’s kind of you to say. they don’t always ask lucky,” he joked with a laugh-- traxx were going to give him grey hairs someday. every time he got assigned to them, he felt like he was going to war.

she didn’t regret going on idol project, nor did she regret her career choice. she loved what she did, and it had given her more credibility. but it had really brought the weirdos out– if she could have taken the good without the weird fans, she would have. when blair mentioned the fan in question, she felt her heart drop into her stomach. imagine if he wasn’t there– it almost made her sick.

“you’re hot when you’re focused,” she quipped, trying to cover up how nervous she was getting (though she was sure he’d notice anyway– she’d gone quite pale). a shaky hand reached for his. “what do you need me to do?”

he didn’t like seeing the woman he loved so panicked. he could tell-- she was shaky and pale. the fact that any random person was doing this to her kind of made his blood boil. he was just so happy that he was there; he didn’t even want to think about what could have happened if this guy had been around while she was out and about on her own. jangbyul was a tough egg and could handle herself, but he was trained for this. 

“time and place, love. i’m sure that can wait,” he answered, chuckling and taking her hand firmly. “keep walking with me. make sure to smile. keep talking like nothing is wrong. we’re going to pick up the pace a little bit and take a lest direct path, and see if he still follows.”

“i can imagine. i work with idols too, in a much different way and… well, i’ve gotten a taste of what those fans could be like. you’ve got a big job on your shoulders.”

“it’s a big job, but i love it,” blair admitted. “i’m good at it, and the idols i work with (for the most part) are fun people to hang around. and keeping people safe feels good.”

“sweetheart, i’m going to need you to listen to me very carefully, okay?” he muttered under his breath, eyes looking around the shopping mall. “the person who asked you for an autograph at lunch? the one that freaked you out a little? they’ve been following us for the past few hours and taking pictures.” @jangbyulrv​

“wait, i know you’re joking but…..that’s kind of really funny,” jeni answered with a snort. “presenters are almost always women. and with you being as big as you are? interviewing someone like emi? that’s just classic comedy right there.”

“well, my hands are tied with spotlight. it’s a big job and i take it seriously. but if that ever slows down, i’ll give you a call. because i agree-- that sounds fun,” he chuckled.

“yeah, okay. that’s totally valid– health is way more important than a silly wrestling show. you just have the look man. i couldn’t help but envision it,” she snorted

“maybe someday my answer could change. who knows-- maybe you could use a big burly presenter. but right now.... i’m fairly content with where i am. and what little brains i have left, i’d like to preserve.”

“yes, well, you may not be a dancer, but you’re an athlete. you still have some inside knowledge of what’s necessary. that doesn’t surprise me,” she retorted, rolling her eyes. “or are you just talking out your ass trying to compliment me?”

“oh? i didn’t know you were a closet wrestling fan, blair. i’m honored to have earned your patronage,” jeni answered with a little laugh. “it was my time to go. just like it was time to join mpwa when i did. have you ever considered wrestling? you’re built like a tank– you’d be such a dominant monster heel.”

“please-- was i not the one geeking out about your stardom days a few months ago? i’d hardly call that the closet,” blair pointed out with a laugh. “i’ve had a few more head injuries than i could handle as it is-- i think it’s out of the question for me. one bad bump, and i’m screwed.”

“they’re pigs. and probably worried about what they’d do without you– you hold the whole company together,” she told him with an eyeroll, wrapping her arms around his neck from where she was perched on the countertop. “yeah, i’m sure that’s part of it. i think it was only supposed to be a pre-release for her main title too. but voguing is no fucking joke. it looks easy but it absolutely isn’t”

“spotlight makes you take your vacation time? what’s the point of that? shouldn’t it be used when you actually want to vacation?” jangbyul scoffed, turning on the coffee machine and then lifting herself so she was sitting on the counter. really, was there any other way for her to be even close to his eye level? “i’m free both. but friday i’m still going to be doing stages with yein, so sunday might be better, because i’ll be pretty sore on saturday,” she said thoughtfully. “stay tonight is fun, but it’s exhausting. yein was such a jackass choreographing that one– she’s out to get me.”

“nah, that’s sweet, not presumptuous,” jangbyul assured him with a grin. “you know me pretty well– you know there’s not a lot i’m against. i trust you. i’m sure whatever you’ll come up with will be great.”

“i was really lucky– before i moved out to japan, one of my friends made my gear for me, and he gave me a discount. otherwise i don’t know what i would have done. i didn’t have enough money for good gear otherwise.”

“polyester looks great with lace, blair. i’m sure you’d be a real trendsetter.”

“next time i buy clothes somewhere else, i’ll save all the extra fabric for you to add to your clothes. then it’ll even out,” pansy teased