Stay

'That was brave of you.'

"Namjoon, last chance! Do you want to do this?" Bang PD asked for what seemed the thousandth time! Namjoon took a deep breath before looking the CEO straight in the eye.

"Yes! That last thing I want is lying about my soulmate." He said, smiling softly. "You boys are leaving for the States tomorrow, anyway. The timing couldn't be perfect! I'll notify the PR team. You best post a letter to the fans, explaining the situation."

Namjoon nodded before exiting the CEO's room. Mishil was sitting there, her eyes fixated on the floor. Her foot was bouncing against the tiled floor, creating a continuous tapping noise. "We're clear." Namjoon smiled, lending a hand to help her up.

She left a sigh of relief and slid her palm into his own. She was nervous at the same time! In 48 hours, she got cornered by the paparazzi and fans. And now she was going public with her soulmate. Who just happened to be the leader of the biggest boyband in the world. She was going to the United States for the first time in her life. Because her boyfriend and his group had a concert there.

BTS had to start the extended part of the LYS tour, and the time couldn't be much more convenient. They could drop the bomb, leave the country, and hope that when they all come back home, the after-effects would be bearable.

"Are you nervous?" He asked, climbing in the car behind her. They had their fingers intertwined, healing as they headed back to the dorms. They had roughly 4 hours before Big Hit released the official statement. After that, sheer chaos would unfold!

"I am but, it had to happen someday. So, I'm prepared." She smiled, squeezing his hand.
"Mish, listen to me carefully." Namjoon had taken the liberty to shorten his girlfriend's name and let's just, every time he addressed her that way, her stomach felt funny.

"After the news gets out, people will be cruel. They say whatever they want just because they have nothing else to do. I just wanna tell you that, do not pay heed to anything those people say. That does not change what we have. You are my soulmate and my girlfriend. I don't care what anyone says."

Namjoon's mini monologue teared Mishil up. She knew what the consequences of going public were. Her boyfriend was an international superstar and was adored by thousands of people across the globe.

Even though the soulmate bond was under no one's control but as if that would shut people's mouths up. Just because they had nothing better to do, they hurt others.

But none of that mattered. All that mattered to them was Namjoon. As long Namjoon trusted her, haters could go and find another way to entertain their twisted humour.
It was like the others in the dorm were stand-by around the door, at a ready-to-pounce the soulmates with questions.
Because that's exactly what happened. Namjoon and Mishil could barely get two steps into the dorm before getting bombarded with questions!

"How'd it go?" "Are we going to the US?" "Are you guys going public?"
"Are you in trouble? "Is everything alright?" "Did Bang PD yell at you? "Is Mishil coming with us?"

At that particular moment, the soulmates found their friends were scarier than the media!
They had successfully 'mobbed' them better than any paparazzi could. Manager Sejin had taken quite some time to calm the bunch of over-curious kids, and they finally settled down on the couch.

"Tour's still on," Namjoon announced first things first. The members seemed to care less about what happened with the tour. "Not the tour, Namjoon Hyung! Are you guys alright?" Jimin asked, curiosity clear on his face.

Mishil smiled softly before nodding her head. "We're fine, Jimin. We have a little over 3 hours before Big Hit releases the statement and Namjoon releases his letter." "The first soulmates of Bangtan?" Sora asked, her eyes wide.

Somewhere in the back of her mind, Sora always feared she and Jin would be the ones to go public first since they were the oldest and the first soulmates after JK and his soulmate.
Watching Namjoon and Mishil take the bow for them made her feel like Namjoon and Mishil were taking the pressure meant to be taken by her and Jin. She felt like she was being unfair to her soulmates.

"Noona, I know what you're thinking. And I think you guys should enjoy their ignorance for a little more. They've seen us. So, let us take the fall this time."

"But Namjoon-" "Jin Hyung, there's no getting out of this for us. We'll be fine. As long you guys are here for us, we'll be fine."

Jin and Sora smiled, very proud of them. Taking responsibility for their actions and taking one for all of them.

They were proud of Namjoon for wanting to show off his soulmate/girlfriend to the world. They were proud of Mishil for stepping ahead of her fears and actually establishing the fact that Kim Namjoon was her man.

Talk about character development. There you have it. Everyone else in the room held similar expressions.

"Does that mean that Mishil is coming to the tour with us?" Soo-Ah looked like she was clinging to hope, as she asked. "She was coming either way! We don't need Namjoon to get sick again and definitely not her." It was Sejin who answered this time, to get attacked by screaming and cheering maknae line.

"Jin Hyung!!!" Jimin yelled, still clinging onto Sejin like a koala. "Can we have a barbeque party tonight?" Puppy dog eyes from everyone came like an automated response, begging Jin to accept the request. "If that's what you guys want." The answer was met with cheers loud enough to rattle the windows of the dorms!

"What are you up to?" Mishil asked, softly entering the room. Namjoon was hunched over his notebook in the Mon studio.

"Just the letter..." Namjoon sighed, putting his pen down. "Should I leave?" She had started to leave but had to stop as a hand clamped over her wrist and pulled her back.

Before she could protest, she was sitting on his lap. "Stay..." Namjoon said, burying his face in her hair. 

"Are you scared, Joon?" She asked, trying her hardest to ignore the rising heat on her cheeks. "For myself? Not much. But for you? Yes! Very much." He sighed, smelling her hair. 

"Because I've been through this. I know I can handle it. But what if they end up hurting you? That's the last thing I want." He confessed, tightening his hands around her waist. "You don't mind, do you, Mish?" Now, that made Mishil laugh.

"If I did, would I still be here?" She leaned her head back to rest against his head. "You worry too much, Joon. I don't like that. Relax! I know it's a huge step for us. But if the world must know that I am your soulmate, then they will. What they think, might momentarily affect me but as long you are here, I can handle it." She kissed his cheek softly and they just sat there. Sharing their body heat, foreheads together and hands clasped. Enjoying the calm before the storm.

"Any minute now," Yoongi announced, looking at his watch. All of them were barbequing on the roof, lively chatter all over the place. They were all smiles and chatter until Yoongi spoke.

Suddenly, all of the chaos died down. Everyone held onto the person next to them, just trying to calm their nerves. Mishil stood still, trying her hardest to maintain an optimistic mindset. Her heart was banging against her chest, making her breath come out in short pants.

She was beyond nervous! Beside her, Soo-Ah noticed and gently grabbed her hand in hers. At this particular moment, Mishil could use every bit of encouragement he could give. Her entire life was about to change in less than a minute.

Namjoon was holding onto Jimin's hand for dear life! His grip was tighter enough to be painful but, Jimin was too nervous to even pay heed to it.

"Hyung,Noona, it's out," Jungkook announced, one hand intertwined with Mirae while the other held the phone. It was like the entire terrace collectively sucked in a breath, too scared to ask Jungkook to continue. Jungkook too felt the same as he couldn't continue and Taehyung had to.

"The initial comments are mixed. Thankfully, the majority of them are positive." The second Taehyung finished a huge sigh of relief ran through the room!

The girls gathered around Mishil, encouraging her. The boys took turns patting Namjoon's shoulder and cheered him on.

Manager Sejin entered the terrace amidst all of this and cleared his throat, making all attention turn to him. "Namjoon-ah, for now, it's all under control. The initial comments are mixed but we are optimistic. So congratulations!" Namjoon and Mishil smiled and nodded.

"But there's something that the PR team suggests you both do." Sejin sighed before continuing. "Tomorrow, at the airport, it's better if you and Mishil make an appearance."

The colour drained off Mishil's after she registered what Sejin had said. Their soulmate status just went public and now they wanted them to make a joint public appearance? At the airport?

'Hyung, I'm sorry but we can't do that." Everyone turned their heads to look at Namjoon. His voice was a dead giveaway that he was angry! "I know it's a lot to ask for but it will really have a really positive impact on your bond."

"Hyung no! You don't understand, it's too dangerous! Mishil-" "I'll do it." She spoke up.

Namjoon whipped his head in her direction. She was standing in between Sora and Soo-Ah, fiddling with her fingers. "Are you sure?" Sejin asked, quite surprised.

"If that's what helps us our public image, then I'll do it." The entire time she spoke, Namjoon's eyes never left her figure. As if he was searching for confirmation. Sejin looked at Namjoon for a final answer, which he expected to be negative but stunning him and everyone else; he nodded his head.

"Okay then." Sejin exited the terrace; not really sure how to react to the news. He walked in here, almost sure that he would have to go back to the PR team with a no. Now that he had a yes with him, he didn't know what to feel.

"Are you sure you're up for it, Mishil?" Hoseok was the first to speak, staring at the younger girl. Mishil nodded, her lips pursed together. "You heard manager Sejin. The more positive impact we can have, the better for all of us. So yes! I will do it."

She was thinking about BTS, the boys, and her soulmate more than she was thinking about herself. And that alone was enough to make everyone applaud the girl internally!

"Yah you all!" Jin started loudly; "Let's think about all of this after dinner. The meat's gotten cold and I'm very hungry! Let's eat." "I'll help!!" Sora said, rushing forward to set the table. "Me too!" Soo-Ah followed close. "Me three!" Mi Eun too followed like an obedient baby duckling.

Soon they sat for dinner and Namjoon slyly took his seat beside his soulmate. They all laughed, chatted, and ate happily. The tension was evident in the air but everyone was blissfully ignorant of it.

"Oh wait!" Soo-Ah suddenly looked up from her plate. "Mishil, what are you gonna wear to the airport tomorrow?"  Everyone froze mid-chew. Now, that was a big question.

Since it was her first public appearance as Namjoon's soulmate, she needed to make a good first impression.  "I don't know," Mishil breathed out, setting her chopsticks down. "What am I gonna wear!? I don't have any airport fashion-worthy clothes! Oh my God! What am I gonna do?"

"HELLO! THERE IS A STYLIST HERE!" Jimin loudly announced, cutting Mishil's mini freak-out short. Thank Bang PD he did! "Thank you, baby." Mi-Eun nodded, before grabbing Mishil's shoulder. "Girl, don't worry. I got it all planned. I am gonna dress you both so well that people left and right will be losing their minds on how cute you both look. Chill!"

"And if you must know, she dressed Jiminie Hyung and Hoseokie Hyung on a daily basis, so you can trust her." Jungkook passed Mishil a bunny grin, in an attempt to calm the older woman down.  Over the course of time, Jungkook opened up to Mishil more and more. His respect for her grew as he watched her stick to her true self and Namjoon despite the hurdle life threw her way.

"You got nothing to worry about when I'm here, Eunnie!" Mi Eun offered a bright smile to Mishil, which finally seemed to calm the older woman down. No one could really blame her for being at the edge of her nerves! She'd just gone public about being the soulmate of an international superstar.  Cut the lady some slack!!

As she picked up her chopsticks again, she felt Namjoon lacing his fingers with hers, under the table; making the girl stop whatever she was doing. She turned to face him, her cheeks faint red; only to be met with her boyfriend's dimpled grin. The one that said; 'I'm proud of you.'

She softly returned that smile, fully ready to face the world head-on! Kim Namjoon was her man and she was gonna leave no opportunity to show it to the world.

Offffffffff!! So much writing!!

AND THEY WENT PUBLIC!! AND THEY'RE GONNA FACE THE WORLD TOGETHER!

Anyway, yet another chapter for you all. And I can't say I'm entirely happy with it but it's here.

Do tell me what you thought of this chapter. 

Also, I don't wanna say this but we're inching close to the end of Bonded. 

Highest 15 more chapters! And the next update will be made after I change the cover and banner of the book.

We're overdue for a change.

Anyway, that's it for this update. 

Votes and comments are forever appreciated.

❤️

Stay Safe. Stay happy.

Love 

Fay