You throw your blanket back and head to the bathroom to hop into the shower. Before you even get the shampoo into your hair, the shower curtain pulls back, and Namjoon peeks in with a mischievous grin on his face. His dimples are so cute when he does that.

"Mind if I join you," he says while wiggling his eyebrows?

You've never shared a shower before, and it's tempting, but you are a tad sore from last night.

"You're probably sore, aren't you? It's ok, we don't have to have sex. It would save us both some time, as well as hot water, though."

He shoots you a reassuring smile, all mischief gone. You can't help but smile back, so you motion for him to come on in. How can you say no to that?

He gets in, still smiling, and goes for the shampoo, putting a dab of it into his hand. He lathers it up and motions for you to turn around. You comply, and he begins to massage the shampoo into your long hair while singing horribly.

"Your hair is so beautiful, you know that, Y/N?"

You smile at him over your shoulder with a bit of playful cockiness.

"I do specialize in hair for a living, you know."

He laughs, continues singing off-key, and helps you under the spray to rinse your hair. After he repeats the process with the conditioner, you return the favor for him without the singing. He reaches for the body wash and begins to lather you from your neck down, admiring every part of you. You notice he's at full attention and reach for it, soreness forgotten.

He closes his eyes at the feel of your hand wrapped around his girth. You stroke him carefully, hoping you're doing it right, and bring yourself closer to him. He opens his eyes and looks down at you, the hunger returning into his eyes.

"I don't want to hurt you, Y/N."

"I don't care. I want you, Joonie."

You wrap your free arm around his neck, and he wraps one of your legs around him, backing you gently against the tiled wall. You line him up to your swollen entrance, and he slides right in. You both sigh with a feeling of completion. You are no longer two separate people but one loving entity.

"I swear I could live right here, inside of you, Y/N. Being with you is like coming home after a long tour."

You don't know what to say, but you feel emotions swell and tears forming in your eyes. You bite your lip to keep from expressing the connection you feel so strongly with him. It's too soon, and you couldn't handle Namjoon rejecting you now.

You both reach your climax at the same time, with him whispering something to you in Korean. You have no idea what he's just said, and you don't care. Whatever it is, it feels right. Your legs start to give out, so he holds you close to keep you from falling. You can't remove the smile from your face and never want to forget this moment.

By now, the water is cold, and you start to shiver. Still supporting you, he turns off the water, reaches out for the towel, and begins to gently dry you off. How did you get this lucky? Was it really yesterday that you were in tears because everything was so wrong?

As you're both getting dressed, you look at the time and start to panic. Oh no! Your bus is going to be here in 20 minutes, and you haven't even had your coffee, let alone put on makeup and brushed your hair.

"What's the matter? What's the rush?"

"My bus is going to be here in 20 minutes, and I can't be late again."

He gives a soft chuckle, and you look at him incredulously.

"Are you laughing at me? This is serious," you say as you grab your brush and attack your hair with it. He takes the brush from you and gently starts to run it through the length of your hair for you.

"You do realize I have the car waiting for us outside, right? We're both going to the same place. There's no need to take the bus."

Why didn't you think of that?

********

A couple of months go by, and things are going great. Photoshoots are looking good, and the press is going crazy over their hair. This, of course, bodes well for you. In fact, you even have an interview with Hair Magazine about your technique. *SQUEE!!*

Of course, Katy was the first person you called about the interview. Naturally, she wants to do your makeup for the shoot. Saline seemed a bit disappointed, but she understands. In fact, she's met Katy and has her portfolio with resume on file for when someone on the team can't make it.

You contemplate setting her and Hobi up on a double date with you and Joonie. He is her bias, and their energy together would be like a tsunami of love and sunshine. Though Hobi's English has gotten very good, Katy can also use her Japanese speaking skills to communicate with them.

Your mother is still bothering you about Brett, of course. She keeps insisting you meet him for dinner or lunch to "talk things over." Gina has said his name so many times now that it no longer sends you in a panic just to hear it, so that's a plus. So far, you've been able to politely end the call when she brings it up, but you don't know how much longer you'll get lucky with that.

You and Joonie are great, too. He's so attentive, kind, and a master in the bedroom. The conversations you two have together challenge you, which is a good feeling. Most men in higher social circles don't take a woman of intelligence seriously. It's refreshing to have a man who embraces your brain along with your tits.

He stays over a few times a week, too. He can't always spend time with you with his schedule, but that's usually when you and Katy catch up anyway. You've stayed over at his place with the guys a couple of times, too. You're surprised you haven't chewed a hole into Joonie's pillows, trying to stay quiet for the sake of his roommates.

Right now, you're both on your way to work together after another great night. He's got his earbuds in with his notepad on his lap. Again. He must be working on new music.

Not wanting to interrupt his genius mode, you go over the day's schedule on your phone. Looks like there isn't anything for work today except inventory and future planning for the arrival of a couple other groups under Hybe Labels. You may be able to start sketching out this new technique you've been working on in your head. If you can get that and the actual application of it down in time, you may be able to have your own booth at the next big expo. Maybe Humberto will join you in it, too?

As the driver approaches the building, you see a huge crowd outside of the building. Looks like ARMY has moved in on the guys. It's no secret they've been in L.A., but this crowd is much more prominent today than usual. Way more press, too. What the hell?

"We're going to have to go in through the garage again today. I'll call security to make sure there's someone there to escort you into the building safely. However, they're probably already aware," the driver says calmly.

"What's going on, Nathan? This seems like a much bigger crowd than usual. Could it be your single release tomorrow, Joonie?"

"That's the most likely scenario. Don't worry, we'll make it inside safely. I won't let anything happen to you, Y/N," he says while putting his arm around you reassuringly.

You try to relax, but you have a feeling there's more to it than that. There's something that's been going on in your peripheral, but you can't quite piece it together. There's no time to think about that now, though.

The car pulls up beside the garage's elevator door, so security can get you into the building as quickly as possible. Namjoon takes your hand and gives it one last kiss when his door is opened. Before you can get out behind him, security stops you and tells you to stay inside, so you two aren't seen together. Your anxiety climbs as he gets into the elevator with three guards. He blows you a kiss and winks at you just as the doors close. You put your fingertips to your lips and remember how he felt on yours just this morning.

Security opens the door but, only one of them gets onto the elevator with you and Nathan. This isn't the usual routine. What the hell is really going on here?

You stop on the 3rd floor and are escorted to the salon. You notice two other guards on this floor and wonder how many more there are throughout the building. You walk inside, and everyone else is waiting there. Saline has reassured everyone else that today's added security is standard, but you still have a terrible feeling. Maybe it's something else, then, that's bothering you.

An hour later, the door opens, and Namjoon walks in with 2 guards in tow. He goes right to you with a tight hug and a smile.

"It's ok. It's just the anticipation of the single release. I checked with management to see if there was anything else to it. They haven't seen anything more than typical ARMY enthusiasm on social media."

"I don't know, Joonie. Something feels off about this. I don't know what it is but, I have a bad feeling about today."

"It's no big deal, I promise. You just aren't used to this, is all." He looks to everyone else in the room and greets them as usual.

"The guys and I will be in meetings through most of the day with management, so you won't be able to have lunch together today." He looks you in the eyes with his reassuring smile, and you visibly relax. He releases you and moves to sit down in your chair.

"A little off the top, please, Miss?"

Everyone laughs and goes about their business. Namjoon's smiling as if he's proud of his little joke, and you lightly hit him on the shoulder. You both laugh while you begin taking inventory of your personal supplies. Namjoon answers his phone while he watches you appreciatively. He's only on the phone for about 5 minutes before he hangs up and stands.

"I guess the meetings are about to start, so I'd better head on up. I'll see you later, right?"

"You'd better."

You give each other your goodbye kisses and get back to work. You're the Assistant Manager, and that means you have a lot to do. Besides, you want to get this tedious part over with so you can sit down with your sketchbook. New projects are always exciting to you.

Halfway through the day, Berto decides he's bored. He stares at you, moving his head from side to side, pursing his glossed lips. Finally, he speaks.

"You know, Y/N, you could use a little color."

He stands up from his chair and walks toward you with mischief in his eyes.

"What do you think, Greg? A little pink? Purple?"

"Is that all? I think we could do an entire rainbow with all of that hair of hers."

"Oh no!! You want to play with my hair, fine. NO RAINBOWS! Don't forget, I have my interview tomorrow. I can't show up looking like a damn clown after you two have gotten ahold of it.."

"Fine, fine. I know! If you're going to have an interview because of your signature style and color..."

"This is why you're the boss, Sir," Greg pipes in with equal mischief.

"Well, that and I look great in a suit," Humberto says with a wink to his young associate, Greg.

The whole crew has joined the fun now, and you're the Barbie in the midst of it all. Not used to being the one in the chair anymore, you're a little anxious. Good thing you trust these guys implicitly now. Plus, you can still work on your sketches while they fuss over you.

Not long after, when your head is full of foil, Namjoon slips into the salon.

"What are you doing with my girl?"

"NOOO!!! Get out! She's not ready yet," Berto exclaims while flailing his arms wildly at Namjoon.

"Wait! He's busy all day, and this might be the only time I get to see him," you pout from behind Berto and Greg, who's now created a wall between you and a very confused Namjoon.

"Well, actually, I thought I'd come by and see if you'd want to come upstairs later. We decided to throw a bit of dance practice in before we leave today since we have the interview tomorrow for that Late Show."

"That sounds like fun. Let me know when."

"Will do, Baby. I've got to go."

He slides past the two men and leans down to place a sweet kiss on your forehead. He smells of men's cologne and coffee, and you want to sink into his warm, chocolate eyes. You hold yourself back, though, and return his shy smile with one of your own.

"Can't wait to see the result. Send me a picture," Joonie says while raising himself back up and winking at you.

"Will do, Baby."

He gets to the door, and the whole crew collectively shouts, "Bye, Baby!" He gets all shy, blows a kiss to the group, and heads out chuckling, red in the face. Your mood is elevated even more now that you've seen Joonie.