above you

“that’s a terrible thought– i don’t even want to think about that,” solhee admitted with a wince.

“well... i’d keep an eye out at the very least. protect yourself. because i doubt it’s as uncommon as you’d probably like to hope.”

her eyes widened in shock as the realization set in. “i….i never though of that…. unfortunately, that seems incredible likely too….”

“honestly, i wonder how many idols and staff are being blackmailed at spotlight already,” he mused aloud.

“whatever. we’re both untouchable. and it’s not like i’m like…freshly eighteen or something! we met two years ago! it’s not creepy,” she cried, rolling her eyes. hands reached for his arm, tugging on it like a whiny child who wasn’t getting their way. “i’ll convince you someday. i know you– you’re going to want your hands in spotlights pocket.”

he pulled his hand away from her, instead letting it rest firmly on her shoulder-- comforting, sure, but also commanding. “i will, and i’ll find other ways. don’t get your hopes up too high, serafina. now, what do  you want me to order in for dinner?”

“please– as if i’d put my kids at risk like that,” she scoffed, shooting him a glare before smiling. “besides. even if they were adults, i wouldn’t trust them around you. i’ve known you too long, jinyoung. i remember all your little groupies back at radioactive. no way my girls are ever seeing a boy anything like you.” she laughed again. “it’s just a fan thing. soeun has had such admiration for you for a long, long time.”

“i didn’t mean to offend-- i know how much you protect them. i just have to protect myself too,” he answered with a tiny smile. he bit back a laugh, rolling his eyes. “yeah, yeah. if i’m so terrible, how have you even been able to keep up this friendship for so long, hmm? but yes, i’ll be on your show. briefly. just for you.”

“you’re not predatory! you’re a good business man! who’s cute! and obviously i am an adult and am making my own decisions– if people are making up rumors, they’re the uninformed ones,” she whined desperately. she had it all– the career, the connections. but not a huge powerful boyfriend. she wanted a big powerful boyfriend to flaunt! it was the last piece! “they can’t end me. i’m too important to their bottom line. just like my dad is too important for their financials. isn’t life all about risk?”

“it still would affect a lot of our image and public reputation-- especially overseas,” he insisted firmly, biting back a smirk at her pouting. she was persistent to say the least. it was cute. “calculated risk. where there’s far more upside than downside. and i don’t think i see that here.”

“traxx has been around for a long time. he’s definitely resigned at least once,” solhee pointed out. “maybe it is the money…..”

“or blackmail. i wouldn’t put it past spotlight to hold their idols hostage with something over their head,” ziyuan answered

“i’m surprised he hasn’t left already,” solhee admitted. “he seems to have want to been gone forever now. i wonder what’s keeping him.”

“ a contract. or an obscene amount of money. that’s what i’m guessing,” ziyuan answered. “that’s all guys like that care about anyway.”