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A war against pirates in revenge for the woman he had lost, a supposedly romantic love confession to her, while his nation was suffering famine. That was the reason for the newly recruited city guards and strict rules. Both that had been greatly affecting you and your income. You were working as a weaver in a small fabric shop, so the new curfew and controls at the entrances were damaging the business. Not to mention the higher criminal rate, you once fled your home country due to war and were a so called war orphan, so even the thought of another battlefield was frightening for you.

As usual you stood up before the sunrise, fixing your brownish linen working uniform and tying your hair in a crown braided updo as you always did. Leaving your small rented room and made your daily way to work.

Working in a rural city was unspectacular, everyday the same people only for rare occasions did someone visit, but recently the city had been bustling. As it did today, your shop had two new customers that had the owner celebrating a new mass order. Which meant overtime working to ensure a fast delivery and the possibility of gaining a regular.

Your hands were marred with blisters due to the fast paced weaving work, your goal was to finish at least the first order by the next day. So you were here past midnight sewing in lose strands, cleaning up the white fabric.

Tired you must had made it home as you found yourself back on your regular way to work, slendering through the thick fog that had set overnight. That was when you first recognized the familiar face, of the one that you consistently dreamed of, the boy that saved your life and helped you to cross the border back then. You always wondered whether he made it himself, as the crossfire was started to prevent refugees from leaving which caused you to get separated. Guilt spread in your gut as you remembered how much easier he would have had it if not for you, it was your fault he fell behind as he pushed you to the other side of the closing gates while he remained inside the tumult of the city.

Hastily you hid behind a corner not ready yet to meet him, while secretly watching him loading the finished fabric onto his cart. He wore an armor so you assumed he was one of the freshly recruited. His body stature got a lot bigger over the years, he was more muscular than most of the other guards, the boyish features he once had gone. You wondered whether he would recall who you were, a little part of you hoped he would as he was your secret childhood crush and the one who helped you to keep going, to not waste his sacrifice.

It was when he went on that you dared enter the shop and started working. You had to weave the second order by tomorrow and with your still hurting blisters you knew this day would be strenuous. The atmosphere between workers were tense as everyone was beyond tired. This time as well you had continued until dawn broke in, groaning could be heard inside the small stuffy room.

Finally exiting the shop, you decided to take the longer route back as your feet felt numb from sitting so long and that was when you saw him again, as he was guarding one of the entrances to your district. Stiff in his armor he stood and was on the look out for suspicious visitors. Your heart pounded as if you just ran, studying every feature of him and once again you felt butterflies in your stomach. Like a coward however you turned and choose a different route which took you longer than intended. A long forgotten girlish giggle left your lips as you finally laid on your bed and embroidered a pattern of different flowers onto a white cloth, sewing it together to a fragrance pouch.

Staying awake until late at night you didn't regret, your pouch was finished as you left your home once again. This time you went a different path to work and prayed he wasn't there yet. And to your luck he wasn't, so you put the sachet on the small stool that was behind him the night before together with a small note to cheer him up. But not before checking the contents again, the lavender bud, chamomile flower and cornflower mix was fresh and the ink on the note not smuged.

The days went by fast as you pondered at what to gift him next, you had multiple ideas and were excited to get home. Sadly you couldn't experience his reaction first hand as you were too scared to get caught, but just the imagination had you giggling.

And that was what had you busy for weeks, every morning you left him a small gift on his watch-post consisting of oat biscuits, white bread that you had saved up for, crocheted figures, a knitted scarf and so on. The best part was, seeing him wearing your knitted or crocheted crafts and his smile getting bigger and bigger.

There was even a rumor going around that he was searching for a specific woman and the desire to just reveal yourself had you messing up at work, your fantasy and day dreams were running haywire. It wasn't until you found a rose and a fragnance sachet with a clumsily embroidered rose pattern on your seat that you were feeling sheepish and part terrified at him knowing the identity of his secret admirer.

Another rose and a cute sunflower brooch had been put on your seat the next day and the teasing of your coworkers had you furiously blushing the whole time. You didn't dare to put another gift on his stool, too scared he would wait for you to catch you redhanded and so his little gifts sweetened your mornings while you listened to the new rumors going around of a cute romance story happening in a rural city. Smiling shyly since you knew who the story was about.

Wrapped up in your daydreaming and bubbly time you were shocked about the uproar caused by the latest news article. Witchery happened at the capital, a blacksmith had been imprisoned and a high noble woman had been captured as he was caught in the act of seducing one of his victims. That smith supposedly delivered weapons enhanced with his witchery to pirates and sold love potions to them to help them seduce innocent noble women. He was accused of supporting the incident with the kings beloved.

The nation was terrified of a witchery happening right at the heart of the capital, thus new laws had to be implemented and an alliance with a neighboring country had to be created to support the troops in their fight against pirates that were superior due to their with witchcraft enhanced weapons.

However this wasn't the worst part, women were to be collected in exchange for foreign troops. Your city wasn't spared of this, the baron had to select at least ten young women or pay a hefty fine.

That was why you heard the screams of familys this morning, knights were dragging a woman in a carriage and were scouting the city in search for women that were pretty enough to be sent off.

Even at your workplace gossip was spread, it was said that the pirates corpse hadn't been found yet and that the smith was to be hanged as soon as possible, the victims were locked up at the palace since the possible punishments were yet to be determined. Some speculated that they were to be pardoned and added to the kings harem. But that wasn't your business as a lowly commoner.

You were happy to finally be on your way home, when you heard the neighboring old madam that often gave you freshly picked apples on your way to work."That woman! There! She is beautiful take her, my daughter is nothing compared to her," she screamed and pointed at you. The knights studied you and nodded to each other, marched closer to you as one grabbed your arm pulling you forward to get a better look.

Without further hesitation they violently pushed you to the carriage and that was when you saw him for the first time directly, it seemed as if he ran towards you with a sword in his hand as he heard your struggle against the knights two sizes bigger than you. But he wasn't fast enough to stop them, you were roughly thrown into the carriage, where you immediatly crawled to the window and saw him one last time.

These golden walls of your castle did nothing to brighten the mood, what a dreary dinner. You couldn't be more glad when you father set down his cutlery signaling everyone that the dinner was now over and you were to return to your chambers. Attended by a few maids you made your way to the most desolate part of the castle, as a less important member of your family you got the room farthest away from the entrance. It wasn't that bad for you however, as a lady-in-waiting you were in this castle just once a month. And just once a month you could go out when the sun has set, on the familiar route you now took for about two years.

So you bathed in the finest scents and laid down on your bed, waiting until the noises in the castle dimmed down. It felt as if time had slowed down, you had a hard time containing yourself, who would have thought waiting to be this torturous. But finally as you couldn't hear anyone you stood up, put on your most beautiful but still modest dress and threw a long dark coat on which covered most of you. Slowly you crept out the entrance and slid by the nightwatch, disappearing into one of the many allyways.

You reminisced about the first time you went this way, your mothers old ring in your hand, looking for a craftsman to repair the last reminder of your dead mother. The ring wasn't worth much so hiring a famous craftshop was out of question, the desperation to find someone that didn't try to swindle you out of your gold you remembered so well. Step for step you were taken back to when you were near tears as you went deeper into the city losing your way back. Getting closer to your destination, you couldn't help but smile.

Finally you found your way to the blacksmith that you had met back then, his worried look as he saw you wandering about in tears still fresh in your mind as if it was yesterday. How much you thanked him for helping you, everytime you sneaked out and gave him small trinkets as a thank you. Trinkets that he kept stored safely on his shelf next to his bed, so that it was the first thing he saw in the mornings he longed for you.

Pushing open the door you were met with the smell of bread mixed with steel and the sight of your most beloved, his big stature hastily moving around giving the room its finishing touch. It was a small wooden house connected to his workplace the smithy, as usual every corner was tidy, very different from when you first came here that fateful night.

"I missed you", he said as he set the table decorated with candles and roses, trying his hardest to not look at you so you didn't see how upset he was. But you saw it immediately and knew of the reason, it was a discussion you often had.

Tentatively you went in for a hug, but as you noticed he moved away you stopped midway. A dejected sigh told you how depressed he was, the distance taking a toll on him. Your position as a lady-in-waiting had you busy and though his pleas were tempting you knew of what would happen once you gave in.

An awkward silence had you fiddling around with your hands, not quite sure what to do to make him look at you. "I missed you as well, how I longed for you to hold me in your arms," you tried, hugging his arm. Having said that you didn't expect him to get angry. Tearing away his arm and taking the pot away from the fire, putting it down on the kitchen counter next to the table not caring for the loud noise.

He was now facing you and looking for something to say, albeit everything he wanted to say was already said. But nonetheless he spoke:"then live with me and marry me."

But you couldn't knowing your family won't let you leave in peace, not when they needed you to marry the fiance they choose for you. They would make him out to be a criminal and that you didn't want to do to him. So you sat down on one of the chairs and argued:" we can't, you know of my family." But hearing his quiet sob, you didn't have the strenght to continue your argument. He always felt guilty for not having the social class to proudly and rightfully propse to you, to court you and receive acknowledgement from your parents. Ashamed of not being able to provide the wealth you were used to and no matter how many times you reassured him it fell on deaf ears.

So you caved in, too tired to fight against both of your wishes:"but we have to leave here in order to marry." There it was his smile, the very one you fell for at first sight. He crashed into you, hugging you as tight as he could, whispering his sweet love proclamations in your ear when suddenly the door was kicked open.

Knights and the city guards ripped you two apart. You recognized these knights as the ones of your castle.

"A smith doing witchery, seducing noble women," the guard huffed outraged.

Everything from here on felt as if experienced through a tunnel vision to you. A buzzing sound over the many voices was the only thing you could perceive as the knights dragged you towards your family's castle.

"As I do you, so come with me, my dear lady. I know you dream of escaping your golden cage my little swan and I long for our marriage and future children," he promised as he stood at the marble railing of your balcony, the sunset highlighting his elegant silhouette, his black hair slicked back accenting his prominent jawline. His clothes were black as not to be caught but for you his appearance shined as if he wore the most exquisite silk. The noble men you knew were nothing in comparison to him and his beautiful eyes.

You wished you could just flee, but the foresight of the consequences were too much and gruesome for a tender lady like you. Hesitation on your face, too scared to tip into unknown waters even with the strongest swordsman you could have. So you tried to reason with him:"You would be made a criminal for abducting me, my family will chase you to the ends of the world."

A chuckle left his lips:"I am a criminal worth thousands of gold coins, who doesn't try to sell me out, if my bounty increases for abducting a diamond shouldn't I be proud of it."

Insanity has fallen upon you to even consider it, the outside world that you only knew of in stories. How could you a woman as fragile as if made out of glass survive, you would just be a burden for him. It was times like this where you forgot who he was, an infamous pirate since birth and the right hand of the most feared captain. In your small world you just couldn't wrap your head around it, how strong your lover truly was.

Sighing you said:"I'm scared."

His gentle all knowing smile told you, he knew what held you back and he understood as he always did without hearing from you. It left you puzzled how he always knew what your mind had spun up. However you could see his wounded pride behind his smile, how could you doubt his ability to provide for you, his most treasued possesion.

Ashamed of your doubts you cast your eyes down, softly whispering:"I will follow you." You remembered the first time you met him, he was fighting amidst the uproar in the city and protected you from rebels. Desperatly you searched for him to return the favor, how shocked you were to find out who he was and though you should have feared him you fell in love.

A breath of relief left his lips as he beamed at you:" Take my hand my love."

He was about to inch closer when a thrilling sound erupted, echoing in the silent night. A loud bang that left you shocked, gaping at his shoulder. Wailing as your lover fell backwards down the cliffs below.

The very same cliffs you always found astounding to look at because of their enormous height. These cliffs that hinder you from any nightescapades, their sole purpose to provide safety from thieves and your longing of freedom. They were famous for their vicious waves crashing into the black stone.

Your legs trembled at seeing your brother on the neighboring balcony of your sitting room next door on your left. The gun still in his hand was pointing at you and it seemed as if he actually wanted to pull the trigger. He didn't look at his sister, but rather a traitor and dirty whore sullying the family name.

The door was kicked open as knights flooded your room and dragged you out, though all you could think of was your now dead lover and the many times you were about to break up. He was blended by love while you saw the risk dangling above your heads and eventhough you were aware, your heart couldn't take it. If only you broke it off then, he would be alive and you would be back to your mundane life. If only you didn't hesitate and just went with him your brother would have been too late to catch you. If only you didn't find him in the first place back then.

Days passed, you missed Hongjoons birthday having sent him a small present through Wooyoung, as he already picked his before you and everyone had schedule on this day.

You phone however was vibrating nonstop.

The cute waiter called Minseok. He was a student earning some pocket money while going after his hobby of brewing coffee. The visits to the shop now being a daily routine as he was teaching you the ways.

Especially today, where you needed his consoling voice, explaining the different varieties of coffee beans distracting you from the bad night you had.

You were midsentence when he entered the small front of the cafe, taking in his handsome appearance. A mask on his face and a cap on his head, would fool fans but not you. You recognized him immediately and while you did not want to admit it, he was as handsome as he was the day you fell for him. And of course he noticed you.

"What are you doing here, you hate coffee Y/N?" he wondered.

And just as he spoke Minseok came from the backroom with the new handmixer.

"Y/N, here you go. If you don't mind we can grab a drink after my shift", he offered, not seeing Wooyoung yet.

Your eyes widened, looking at your boyfriends reaction and hoping for the best. Of course, a scrowl made it on his face and he raised one eyebrow.

"Oh, a customer! What can I get for you?" Minseok politely asked.

Wooyoung looked him up and down, ordering a coffee and a hot chocolate for his lovely girlfriend.

Your face was beet red by now, he caught you.

It was silent as Minseok got to work on his order with your help. You tried your best to put a bit of distance between the both of you, scrambling to get the work done faster.

There was no way he did not pick up one the way the both of you acted.

"Babe, I didn't know you had a new job?" he asked while taking his drink and giving you the other one.

That was when Minseok got a grasp of the situation. Slamming the door as he stormed into the backroom.

"And I did not know we broke up already, seems you found yourself another lover?" he said in a low voice, jaw clenching.

A nightmare, one of the many you had recently. Your guilty conscience was scolding you. You didn't cheat, there was no dating or anything of this sort, only him teaching you. But you could sense he hoped for more and unknowingly to him it egged your head on to raise red flags.

Just as you were about to go Wooyoung called.

"Y/n, I have a the rest of the day off. Let's grab something to eat and watch a movie", he invited you.

One sentence and you were over the moon, agreeing happily. It had been ages since the two of you met and did anything. So you rushed home, put on your best makeup and a lovely dress you knew he liked and made your way to the dorms. Heart bumping and speeding up the way it always did when you met him. Minseok long forgotten as you rushed to your love.

Just to be met with a bitter taste, worse than the strongest coffee you tasted.

They were all there, blankets laid out and cuddled together, watching the newest movie and occasionally throwing around the popcorn bag. Wooyoung greeting you from next to San, the both of them in their homewear cuddling, as he shortly signaled you to join.

What did you expect?

Nevertheless you still enjoyed the company, though short lived as you missed most of the movie and most of them were back in their rooms after, including Wooyoung.

You made your way out when Seonghwa called you in the kitchen.

"What's up with the both of you?," he knowingly asked as he washed the dishes.

And you felt the disappointment of the months you had spent running up your eyes as he dried his hands the dirty kitchen long forgotten.

Now you were quietly sobbing, leaning your head on his shoulders and him gently leading you to his room. Locking the room, lucky for him Hongjoong did not join them today so he had the room for himself. You were glad he didn't ask further and just let you cry. As the oldest he did not need an explanation, knowing what was wrong the first few weeks he saw Wooyoung spending 99% of his time elsewhere and not picking up the at the start violently vibrating phone.

So you cried yourself to sleep, while he slept in his roommate's bed.

"Who is Minseok?" he sternly asked. 

You panicked, fumbling with your words while clumsily trying to explain that he was of no importance. For him it was self explanatory with your reaction. He was obviously a lover of yours. 

"I know your relationship with Wooyoung is crumbling a bit, but cheating? Are you out of your mind?," he screamed. And that's where everyone woke up. Slowly peaking into the room. Seonghwa was shouting at you and scolding you until he came. 

"Wait, Minseok? Who is Minseok?" Wooyoung said trembling and with tears in his eyes. 

You did not know what to answer.

“I was busy working and you went out having fun with another man? Did you ever love me? Why did I even date you?,” he shouted while throwing all the things you gifted him in the past at you.

Another nightmare, nothing new anymore. You woke up alone, puffy eyes from crying. Seonghwa left you a note with a glass of water on his nightstand. They had schedule in the morning, lucky for you though you know he wouldn't notice your horrible state.

While slowly adjusting to the sunlight you were startled, your phone, which was still in the bag you came with, went off. Three unread messages, all from the source of your recent dreams.

"Hope you had sweet dreams"

"Will you be there today?"

"I miss you already"

Even though you were there yesterday, he was definitely a sweetheart. So you got ready to spent your day.

You were pleasantly surprised, work was fun and you were productive today. Crying it out felt good, you were not all alone. Seonghwa knew and that alone was a relief.

And you never would have expected Wooyoung to call. He was updating you on his day while you had your break, just as he did in the past. A date, after months. He asked you if it was alright to ask you out for a date today or if you already had something planned and of course you agreed.

So you happily finished work early, cancelled plans with Minseok and dolled yourself up.

A red mini dress and high heels, your hair in a ponytail to show off your now visibly thinner shillouette. You felt uncomfortable, but it was worth it, he loved this look on you. Throwing on a leather jacket, you took a taxi to where you were supposed to meet. The new restaurant that quickly rose to fame in town, with their gourmet chef and chic design. Made for selfies and a romantic date night.

Paying the taxi you made your way into the pearl with walls decorated with dozens of roses. He was apparently waiting at the table at the rooftop. An expensive seat, fitting for the months of nothing.

Wooyoung was inspecting the menu when he noticed your appearance.

Sitting down, you were anticipating the compliments he would always give you seeing you dolled up for him.

"Hey, Y/N! Seonghwa gave me tickets and said I should invite you. He will pay," you boyfriend exclaimed.

A hit in your gut, but you noted to thank him for the tickets.

"Since Seonghwa is paying let's order Samgyeopsal, Gopchang and Sundae, oh and some beef," he suggested and instantly ordered.

You hated all of that, this whole combination of meat dishes.

"What? Why are you so quiet?", he continued.

What were you supposed to say? What would a good girlfriend say?

"Nothing, just happy to see you, you look handsome," you said.

Wooyoung was grinning at you, answering:" Of course, I am an idol."

Swallowing the sigh you continued listening to his talk about his busy idol life.

The waiter was attractive, reminding you of Minseok. If you were with him instead of your boyfriend would you be more happy?

All sorts of meat was spread across the table and without further ado Wooyoung was savoring it while you picked at the contents in your plate. He was done talking after a while and spent now more time looking at his phone instead of listening what you were saying. He did not even notice you stopping to talk and waiting for him to answer.

That was how the night went, he cut it short with an excuse and you were on your way to the alley you walked down everytime sadness was coating your mind and you were in need of someone. 

Minseok was finishing his shift and about to close the store when he saw you.

Your mind was occupied with disappointment so you did not care much for your outfit choice, so you did not expect him to question to what occasion wore this. Wondering whether today was some special event, but you only shook your head and silently went in for a hug.

He was surprised but did return it and was soon leading you into the back of the store. You hugged while you fought against your tears and he must have noticed since he was petting your back and telling you that everything is alright and if you wanted to he would listen.

But what could you say? My Boyfriend does not love me anymore and by the way I am not single?

So you did not say anything and he did not force you to waiting patiently for you to calm down. And you did, loosing the arms around him and looking him in the eyes while his lingered on your lips. 

And then it happened, a small kiss turning in a longer one, you lost yourself. You were missing the butterflies when kissing Wooyoung but this was not bad, you needed this. How long has it been since you were kissed last? Since someone touched you?

His hands were grabbing your waist but before it could turn into a full make out you pulled back.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t want to take advantage of your state, it’s just, I love you”, he confessed.

Warning sirens in your head, you should not have ignored all those red flags. So you excused yourself, saying you needed some time to rethink. Running home and sliding down the front door. How could you come back from this? This was cheating no sugarcoating it anymore. There was no way you could look Wooyoung in his face, not after today and not matter what he did, this was wrong. You never intended to take it that far with Minseok, he was just a boost to your bruised ego and comfort for your bleeding heart.

This was the last straw, you could not go on with this self destruction. So you dialed his number asking him to come over for a talk.

After nights of bad dreams you were glad to not have dreamed for once. With your again puffy eyes, you called in sick at work and waited. Pondering on whether you should confess what you did and imagining his reaction. But the more you thought the more you couldn’t do it. The shame and the argument that would follow there is just so much a heart could take. 

Wooyoung was early, he had work for the day so he said that he would come in the morning. You heard him typing in your door code and entering the apartment with a cheery hello and taking in the mood he fell silent on your serious face.

“Let’s break up”, you forced yourself to whisper.

The atmosphere was thick, gears turning in his head registering what you just told him. 

And then he started crying for the first time in front of you. “Why? What happened? Everything was great, wasn’t it? Let’s talk this out no need to break up”, he rambled. 

But you only shook your head telling him there was no hope for the both of you. You hadn’t looked up at him, he was standing just in front of you and grabbed your chin, kissing you furiously to no vail. Your now from Minseok sullied lips, shame overcame you and you pushed him away screaming at him to just leave and never come back.

He realized that he might wasn’t the only one. Even recognizing a few names on your phone, all texts and calls from way more famous men.

Maybe he was overthinking and they were just your friends, but it was hard to believe after seeing the small content on your lock screen. His confident self shattered. There was no way he would introduce you to his members, until your relationship was official.

When you came back from the restroom, he couldn’t have been more flustered, he knew he crossed a line. Lucky for him, you didn’t notice it. You switched your phone to mute and tossed it in your bag, not even noticing Minghao squirming in his seat, not even seeing how nervous he was.

Never once did it cross his mind, that he could turn you off so fast. He was sure of your attraction to him. But now he wasn’t.

The night was short lived, he was now on his own, at the mercy of his thoughts with no assurance.

Anger.

That was what he felt.

He should have seen it coming, you were beautiful, mature and a bit older than him. What made him think that you were into him like that. But again why did you flirt with him if you didn’t want him. It was not fair, how could he compete with all the others. Or rather how should he react, if he ever saw all the idols you were in contact with backstage, knowing that maybe one of them had what he hadn’t.

He tried to overcome this and ignore what he saw, meeting you like he normally did.

But then he saw you smiling at your phone.

But then he heard you excitingly talking with someone on your phone.

But then he witnessed you chatting while he was gone.

And he was reminded again.

He wanted to confront you about it, but what right did he have? You both still were nothing.

Whenever he thought: „Screw it, just ask her”. Your smile made his anger fade as fast as it was there and he forgot about what he wanted to confront you about. There he was again nodding and listening, responding in a gentle manner. He pushed your chair back, waiting for you to sit down and pushed the chair to the table. A perfect gentleman. Others might thought he did it to impress you, but it was just a normality for him.

He was taking you back home like a good boyfriend would, but at the end of the night all he got was a kiss on his cheek and a good night.

He was left with nothing.

He was frustrated at his inability to just come clear. He hated how he backed down so fast, he always saw himself as someone cool, but now he was everything but cool. 

You were still clueless, when you brutally ripped out his heart, while not giving him yours. Innocent to it all, as you were still single. 

A cruel flirt, that was what you were.

And still there he was, getting intoxicated by you.

" 누나 그만 좀 들이대 Noona, stop flirting with me 남자 많은 거 아는데 I Know you have lots of guys 예쁜 얼굴 또 들이대 Again, leaning in with your pretty face 왜 나 밖에 없는 척 해 Why do you act like I am the only one?”

But he would rather not talk at all than tell you what he had been up to. And dare he say, he would strangle a member if they ever let you know about his recent behavior. This embarrassment, if you ever knew, would be one he wasn't able to get over.

He'd dig a hole and hide forever.

But in all honesty who could blame him. His schedule was crazy, the timezone messed everything up and his mind was definitely not at the right place. Every text he sent, he had to wait for you to finally wake up and respond.

It was your voice message that saved him from all this.

An escape from the hectic day he had and will have.

He woke up, unlocked his phone, turned the wifi on just to see that, to his disappointment, there was still no answer from you. You were probably asleep. So he got ready for the day, while continously checking his kakaotalk. He ran down the stairs of the hotel, sprinted into the van and again he had to confirm: still no answer.

And this was how his habit kicked in early in the morning.

Or how he wished it could.

His members were way to energetic this morning, if his earphones weren't new he would think they were broken. So he hid his phone in his pocket, though not before checking his Kakaotalk chat for the last time, and tried listening to the managers orders.

An attention span of a ferret. His members will have to remind him later, he was sure.

Napping in the van was his only way of stopping himself to repeatedly check for new messages. He knew you were most probably asleep right now. He thought of calling you, but he knew not to wake you up. And so he grumply napped the whole ride.

1

2

3

The members counted down.

„I knew it, he will check his phone as soon as he wakes up, so guess who will pay for food today!”, a member cheered.

A sigh escaped his lips, at least he didn’t have to pay today.

Still nothing in response

You should be awake by now, but were probably busy getting ready for the day. Again he considered whether he should just call you. But he decided against it rather quickly. If you were too busy to at least read his text, he would just annoy you by calling. So he mindlessly followed everyone at the back. They were walking into the waiting area. Getting ready for their first rehearsal.

They had a concert tonight, thousands were waiting for this day.

Just as he put his gear around his neck, he received what he was so desperately waiting for. A response to his simple good morning text. After waiting for so long he expected a bit more, though he was not complaining. You were on your way to your appointment and wished him a good time. And that was it. That was what he was waiting for. Now he had to find time to enjoy his new found favorite thing to do.

Replaying your voice message for the xth time. And still he wasn’t sick of it, how could he when it said:„ I love you”. Though he could hear the hesitation in your voice, you sounded a bit embarrased, he was over the moon when he received the message. So over the moon that he replayed it several times through the day, everytime before going to sleep and when he woke up.

And after sneaking up on him, his members gradually found out about it, teasing him to no end. Others nodding in understanding and others just plainly poking fun at him. But if it helps, it helps.

So now he had to endure his promotion schedule, until he finally returns back to korea and back into your arms. Hoping your voice to soothe his habit into not existing. And maybe, just maybe he could convince you to record another message for him, for the near future. Of course without revealing himself and his secret habit.

ㅅㅅ

Siot writing