Namjoon

I drop Ash off at her therapists, smiling as she gives me a kiss on the cheek, before walking in. It's been a couple of days since Henry was caught and the party at the dorm. Ash has been going to therapy, to try and help her with the memories of her kidnapping. So far, it seems to be helping her and she seems a lot brighter, but there are still times where I catch her staring off into space, a mixture of emotions on her face. It's like she's having a battle with herself and when I try and use our soulmate bond to figure out her emotion, all I get is a sad feeling of disappointment. Whether it's with herself or someone else, I don't know.

I make my way down the street, keeping my head low. Miraculously, there haven't been any released pictures of Ash and I on the bridge, but I have a feeling they'll come soon enough.

I stop outside a shopping centre, remembering that Seokjin asked me to pick up some groceries for the dorm, whilst I was out. I head inside and walk around the vast white complex, looking for any signs of a food hall or supermarket. I finally spot one and walk over, pulling the list that Seokjin gave me, out of my pocket and running an eye down it.

After what seems hours of shopping, I reach the counter and pay for the copious amounts of food I've picked up. I groan when I see how many bags I'm going to have to carry.

I quickly get out my phone, calling Jungkook, who I know is chilling back at the dorm with the rest of the Maknae Line.

"Hey Hyung." He answers.

"There's too many bags to carry. Can you, Tae and Jiminie come and help me out?"

"Sure Hyung. Where are you?"

I tell him my address and he hangs up. Somehow I manage to haul all of the bags outside and find a bench near the supermarket, sitting there and waiting for the Maknae Line to show up.

As I'm sitting, I look around at my surroundings. Families and friends pass by, chatting and laughing with each other. I hope that one day, Ash and I'll be like one of those families, just going about their daily content lives.

The Maknae Line walk into view, none of them looking particularly conspicuous in their choice of fashion. Jimin's in his usual I've just come off a runway look and Taehyung is dressed in the normal chique expensive style. Jungkook just looks like he's going to a very laid back funeral, in all black jeans and a sweatshirt.

Although they're all masked and capped up, people are staring at them, some of them whispering. Maybe asking them to come help me wasn't such a good idea.

Jimin spots me first and walks over, the other two following close behind.

"That's a lot of bags Hyung." Taehyung comments and I roll my eyes.

"Well, you're the ones who eat the most. Besides, since we have another person staying with us now, we might as well stock up." I reply back.

Jungkook snorts. "You know this is only going to take us a week or two to eat, right?"

"Next time, you guys can go grocery shopping." I say, but then instantly rethink my statement, "Actually, forget I said that. You three going grocery shopping alone is a recipe for disaster."

I can almost feel Jungkook grinning under his mask, no doubt remembering the last time we entrusted the Maknae Line to go get food. They came back with a few bottles of soda and an insane amount of miniature plushies.

"Wait, Hyung, Noona's going to carry on staying with us? Have you asked Bang PD?" Jimin says suddenly and I shake my head.

"Have you asked her?" Taehyung asks.

I sigh. "No, I haven't, but after what happened, I don't really feel comfortable about her living away from me. I don't think she'll disagree when I ask her, but I will ask her, just in case."

"Alright then Hyung. Shall we get these bags back to the dorm?" Jimin says.

"You guys go ahead," I reply, as something in a shop window catches my eye, "I'll be by the car in about ten minutes or so."

The Maknae Line turn to where I'm looking and laugh slightly.

"Trying to be romantic Hyung?" Jungkook teases and I pout under my mask.

"I'm already romantic, thank you very much."

I walk past the three of them, making my way to the shop. Once I reach the door, I open it and walk inside, rows of cased jewellery lining the walls. I skim my finger across the glass tops, searching for something simplistic and pretty, nothing too expensive or flashy either. My eyes land on a beautiful silver necklace, with a single leaf pendant. Glancing at the price, I feel a smile rise to my lips and call one of the shop assistants over.

Around ten minutes later, I'm clambering into the car, the three youngest all trying to peek into the bag. I strap myself in and shut the door, the car kicking into motion, as Jungkook drives us back to the dorm.

We don't usually drive around Seoul, normally taking the company cars that Big Hit sends to our dorm, or walking, but we do have a garage with a couple of cars back at the dorm. They're there just in case one of wants to take a trip to the suburbs by ourselves, or a go on a day out on our free days.

"What did you get her Hyung?" Jungkook asks from the driver's seat.

"You'll see."

***

After having picked Ash up from therapy, I realized that I left my notebook back at the company the day before. Ash opts to come with me, walking all the way to the Big Hit building, which thankfully isn't far. Once we reach my studio, I usher Ash in, shutting the door behind us.

"You know, in all this time," Ash says, looking around at the décor of the room, "I think this is the first time I've been to your studio."

"Really? I'm sure you've been here before."

She laughs, sitting herself down on my sofa. She's looking extra pretty today, her golden hair shining slightly in the lights. There's a freeness to her expression, which just makes her more beautiful. Looking at her now, without anyone else around, I can imagine her as my girlfriend, just coming in to check on how I'm doing at work. Then it strikes me.

I haven't asked her to be my girlfriend. Or taken her on a date.

I snap myself out of my daze, looking away from my soulmate.

There's plenty of time to do those things later.

I move over to my desk, spotting my notebook in amongst the pieces of scrunched up paper littered across my work surface. I turn my head back to Ash, who is admiring a piece of art on the wall behind the sofa.

"Do you want to hear one of the songs I've been working on recently?" I say and she spins back around, nodding her head eagerly.

I turn on my desktop, searching through my files and opening my most recent project. The familiar melody of a song which I've titled "Lights", plays through my speakers. My voice comes in immediately, the Japanese lyrics overlapping the tune. Ash listens quietly, her eyes closed. Somehow, she's even more stunning like this: concentrated and peaceful.

When it reaches the chorus, the bright melody picks up, my strained voice not doing it justice.

"-When I close my eyes, in the darkness, your light, woah. Lights the way for me, we can walk forward without fear, you & I, woah. You're my light, you're my light, always shine into my heart-"

The song plays until the end of the first chorus and I press the pause button. Ash opens her eyes, a smile on her pink lips.

"So what did you think?"

"It's beautiful Joon. When you get to performing this, you're going to make lots of ARMY's cry. How did you come up with such beautiful lyrics?" She asks and I blush, looking away.

"I wrote it with someone in mind." I say.

"Who? The other members?"

I laugh at her obliviousness, scratching the back of my neck nervously.

"Y-You, actually."

I avoid her gaze as I say these words, but a few seconds later I see her move out of the corner of my eye. She walks towards me, stopping right in front of me. Rising onto her tiptoes, she cups my face with her hands and kisses me softly.

I melt into her gentle yet passionate touch, my eyes slipping closed, feeling the emotions roaring through her more keenly. She pulls away after a few seconds, pressing a small peck to my lips and then looking up at me.

"I love the lyrics. They're beautiful."

Gazing down at her, I know that this is the right time to ask her about staying at the dorm. My courage is fuelled by the loving look in her aqua eyes.

Come on Namjoon. Do it now before you loose the courage.

"C-Can I ask you a question?"

She nods her head.

"I-I know that you're already staying at the dorm, but I wanted to ask whether you w-would consider staying there, instead of searching for another apartment...... t-that's only if you don't mind staying there with the other members. A-And me, of course," I start to panic when I don't see any change in her expression, her face telling me nothing, "What am I saying, o-obviously I'm going to be there or I wouldn't be asking-"

"Joonie, you're rambling." Ash cuts me off softly.

I sigh, running a hand through my hair.

"L-Look, what I was trying to say was........ I-I'd like it if you decided to carry on staying with me. Because I'm an Idol, it would be very hard to meet up with you if we were living in different places. Y-You're not saying anything....." I trail off, unsure of what Ash is thinking.

Then a big smile lights up her features, her eyes shining with happiness.

"Joon, I had no intention of leaving the dorm after what happened with Henry, unless Bang PD asked me to. I guessed that you wanted me to stay and after the incident, I figured you'd be extra worried about me. Not having me around is going to make your stress and anxiety levels increase. Besides, I like staying with you and the other members. It's a lot more comforting and fun to have other people around, instead of living on your own."

"So......... That's a yes?"

"Yes, Joonie!" Ash laughs, "Of course it's a yes."

I smile, relaxing now that I know she's going to stay with me. I wrap my arms around her, pulling her closer to me and hugging her gently. Ash leans her head against my chest, a content smile on her face.

"Joon?" She asks, after a few minutes of us just standing there, hugging, "Why were you so nervous about asking me? Surely you knew that I was going to say yes."

I nod my head. "I had a feeling that you were going to say yes, but I didn't want to come off possessive or commanding when I asked you. I didn't want you to feel like I was controlling you."

Ash moves her head back and looks up at me, her eyebrows creased in concern.

"I'd never think of you like that Joon. You're too kind hearted and selfless."

"I'm not that selfless..." I mutter under my breath, but she manages to catch my words.

"Hey, that's not true. You're one of the most selfless people I know. You always give up time for the members if they have problems, or even if they don't. You hang out and keep the Maknae Line company, when the rest of the Hyung Line are doing other things. You're constantly looking out for everyone else, whilst on stage, or at the airport, or even just going to a restaurant. You are selfless, Kim Namjoon, so don't deny it."

I chuckle at her last words and at the pout that appears on her lips.

"I think it's probably the rest of the members looking out for me at the airport." I comment and she laughs, evidently remembering my inability to keep hold of my passport.

"Alright, that one was a bad example, but the rest of them are true. Since I've become your soulmate, I've been glad to see that you're taking time out for yourself too, resting when you need to and not pushing yourself to the brink."

I pull her back into a hug, resting my head on top of hers.

"You are one wise person Ash."

"I am, aren't I?" She says back, causing me to laugh, "I love you."

"I know," I whisper back, "I love you too."

---------------------------

Hoseok killed me. I am now officially deceased.

QOTD: Favourite BTS MMA Performance?

Mine is MMA 2019, but 2020 is a close second.

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