When his serene face appeared on the screen, it felt like weights were pulled off your shoulder. His eyes lit up as you just looked at him in awe. The pull was undeniable as your arms started to feel a slight discomfort. But you don't want to dwell on it too much. You always feel like that when you talk to Jimin, a natural response to your affection for each other.

"Chimmy—" you breathlessly uttered.

The smile on his face could look more ethereal than the northern lights. His grin was more dazzling than any  lights. His smile was so warm, it just lit you up inside and made you forget all the stress in your life.He looked so different with his darker hair that was now raven black.

Jimin's eyes widen. "Oh my word, ruby red! Baby, you looked stunning in those blonde locks. Red, I'm going to fly back home to protect you from other overeager guys. You're too hot to handle. I don't want any idol boys to notice you."

You blushed as his open admiration of your new look, "Desperate times needed desperate measures. It keeps me a bit safe out of the eagle eyes.Your dark hair is just ace!You look so handsome, and I miss you also, baby."

Jimin smirks. "Thank you. I miss you too, my girl; I can't wait for us to be together."

You grinned. "So how was your Colbert show? Could you answer all those questions?"

Jiminn chuckled as he removed a stray strand from his forehead. "Gosh, we barely survive. But it was so fun; our performance was like a celebration tribute to the Beatles as they appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show in the 60s. We had been dressed in black and white.
But when we went back to the hotel, Namjoon and Yoongi were giving me strange looks. I'm sure they are so suspicious of my new happy demeanour.But the maknaes know about you."

He smirked.

You rolled your eyes. "I'm sure you're the one that exposes us by being too happy-chappy."

Jimin burst out laughing. "I'm not going to lie, baby, but it's true. I'm going to tell the hyungs also, just so they can know. It's too heavy to bear this secret."

He was seated in a charter plane.

You smiled softly. "Baby, are you sure about us..."

Jimin smiles, "Ruby red, I'm dead sure. I think we're going to be soulmates. Did you receive your soulmark yet?"

He looks so hopeful.

You chuckled, "I'm going to keep it a secret till you arrive back in Seoul."

Jimin pouted his lips as he whined through the screen, "You're no fun... I'm dying here, Rubyred. Don't you feel sorry for me...what if I make mistakes while performing?

You giggle, your warm brown eyes shining. "My Chimmy will never make mistakes on stage. He is the most focused professional ever...and you'll survive."

Jimin just clicked his tongue like a cute boy. "You're cruel...okay, just tell me then...did you receive a late whisperer mark like me?"

You nodded but gestured a zipper sign over your mouth. Jimin just gave you a pointed look of disappointment.

Jimin with pouted lips, "At least tell me where the area of the mark is. I'll tell you where mine is situated."

You giggle again. "No, don't; I'm showing you when we both meet. That will be the time we'll decide if we want to still date each other IF the soulmarks don't match...and call it quits."

Jimin inhaled deeply. "I don't care if it doesn't match... I'll still choose you, Ruby. I love you only. Luckily, Tarnished – late whisperers only get the blue string. We can still choose and love another."

You stare with so much affection at your boyfriend. He was so determined to love and stay with you, but deep down you know that if he bonds with another girl. She wouldn't let Jimin free. She will fight for her soulmate, and the more time they spend together, the more their blue string bond will pull them into affection.

Blue-string soulmates who try to chase new partners but avoid each other for months can weaken the bond, but Jimin’s different. He’s coveted. His true mate will kick up a fuss... drag the public in, pull his family and management into it. It’ll be a mess you can’t fight. The system’s stacked. You’ll lose.

You don’t want to dampen his joy, though. So you tell yourself to love him while it lasts, to take little fragments of this for when it falls apart. You’ll always love him, but you’re not going to make things hard for him—he’s suffered enough.

You smile, your heart suddenly racing just looking at him. “You know my heart will always pick you.”

Jimin grins. “And mine only beats for you, darling. When I get back I’ll arrange a meet-up, and you’ll be with me. We’re on our way to New Jersey now. I’m sitting at the back of the charter so prying eyes can't only sneak a look over my shoulder.”

You laugh. “Sneaky… Lucky it’s early morning for you there. Enjoy the shows, be good, and no flirting with other redheads, yeah?”

Jimin chuckles. “As if...they’re not even that pretty. How come there are so many redheads everywhere? Like fate’s testing me.”

You smirk. “You told people you like redhead Sheilas, and now the Chimmy-stans want you to notice them too. Be gracious.”

He rolls his eyes and chuckles. “It’s weird. Did you know red dye sold out when our dating scandal hit and the Esquire article came out? You’ve got selling power, Rubyred. I think platinum blondes will sell out next—”

You shake your head and laugh at the absurdity. You’re not really a celeb; you just tasted fame years ago as a teen...but now you’re thrown back into the spotlight, maybe to stay because of Jimin.

You study his ethereal face, the glow on his skin, and the way his eyes glitter and give you tingles. He’s a proper beauty, with sparkling eyes that brought tingles through your whole body.

"So what’s your week like?” you ask.

Jimin gets serious. “Pretty hectic. Loads of rehearsals—we’ll be on The Voice, do a radio with Ryan Seacrest, the iHeart show, and a couple of other performances, then back to Seoul for the Muster: the Magic Shop fan meet. Ruby, can you and Melissa come? I miss you. I’ll sort tickets for you and some friends. They’re not released to the general public yet, but I can arrange it.”

Your eyes widen. “Wow. Look after your health, okay? Don’t overdo it. Melissa said Seoul tickets were pre-booked by an ARMY fansite and sold in minutes. I’m not sure if she managed Busan. I’ll check and tell you...lucky she’s a registered ARMY, so fingers crossed.”

Jimin smiles. “I know how crazy it is getting BTS tickets. Global fandom ... they sell out in seconds.”

You nod. “Yeah. My friends cry when they miss out. I’ll check with Melissa. Janice might visit Seoul if Melissa can get Magic Shop tickets. Just hope we don’t have intern duties that week. Heard my mentor mention a weekend team building for interns. We’ll sort dates. I miss you too, baby.”

He looks a bit sad. “Right, you’re still interning and on contract. Fingers crossed you’re free that week.”

You grin. “Work’s thrilling, actually. I’m on a game not released yet... it’s so cool.”

Jimin sits up, excited for you. “No way. You get paid to play games? Why didn’t I pick that job? Tae and Kook would fight over you.”

You giggle. “My day’s been intense. I work on Netmarble’s older hits... a new update for Seven Knights 2. Have you lads played it? Netmarble’s Korean.”

He furrows his brow, then lights up. “Oh my gosh, yes! Our Ceo is affiliated Netmarble. CEO. Who knows a surprise collab and promo are in talks.”

Your eyes widen. “Seriously? You with Netmarble? That’s so cool.”

He grins. “I think he's family with that CEO.   I’m not an avid gamer, more of a spectator. Hobi, Namjoon and I aren’t that into games, but Tae, Kookie and Jin are heavy players. Suga hyung prefers strategy stuff...he says other games are noisy and give him anxiety.”

You arch a brow. “So the maknaes and fake maknae love games… interesting.”

Jimin gives you a deadpan look. “Don’t get ideas... you’re mine.”

You laugh. “Oh gosh, you’re so jealous.”

He scrunches up his face. “So what if I am? Jungkook and Tae will want your full attention. They’ll bribe you for cheat codes and secret overrides.”

You smirk. “If I meet your group, which I don’t want to right now ... I’ll play while sitting on your lap. How’s that?”

He flirts. “Do you think you’ll still be playing then?”

You shrug and smile. “Back to the save conversation. Apparently the new update’s got a glitch in the turn-based battles. If a character uses a chain skill just as an enemy activates a counter, it triggers an infinite loop and freezes the client.”

Jimin’s eyes go wide, impressed. “Woah, that sounds tricky. Did you find the glitch?”

You’re hyped. “Yeah ... I’ve been on it today and a bit before I called. I panicked at first and thought I’d broken the game.” You laugh nervously. “Also, some interns are ARMY, and a few programmers looked suspiciously at me. Maybe I’m paranoid.”

His voice softens. “Rubyred… Stay confident. Deny it if you must. You’re brilliant, and I trust you. When you stress, think about my love for you. You’ve got my heart, baby, always.”

Your heart flutters at his sincerity. What a pure soul! “Thanks, darling. I needed that. I love you too.”

He smiles. “I know. Looks like we’re about to land. I’ll text you again soon.”

You nod. “Just send me a good night; your day sounds nuts. We’ll talk later. Love you.”

“Bye, baby.” He winks and kisses the screen. You laugh and kiss back.

The iPad goes dark.

You log into your gaming app and dive back into fixes ...the mentor wants progress updates tomorrow for the report. You will get all those bugs and glitches in the game.

By 9pm Melissa and Taemin get back. You’re watching a K-drama, snug under your duvet, Korean snacks scattered on the bedside table. You hear them but give them time to say goodbye... faint giggles, then the front door clicks shut.

You lie there, waiting for Melissa to spill. Not long after, she strolls in, hair a bit messy, lips not so glossy and swollen.

You purse your lips, trying not to grin. She flops onto the bed besides you, toffee-brown skin flushed, onyx eyes sparkling.

“So?” you say, smug. “Had a good time?”

Melissa bites her lip,“You can tell?”

You nod. “You’re glowing. Did Taemin make a move?”

She breathes out. “It was awesome. We watched Avengers: Endgame. Don’t ask me the ending ...we were in the corner… otherwise engaged in a bit of lip service.” She giggles at your stunned face.

You frown. “Melissa… first date.”

She looks shocked. “Why surprised? I’m still innocent compared to 'someone' who had 'sheet dancing' in week one.” She jabs you.

“Oh, crikey! you twit!” You throw a caramel peanut at her. Melissa laughs, messy and bright. You slam your laptop shut, leap on her, grab a pillow and start whacking her.

She fights back with another pillow. Soon you’re both in a full-on pillow fight, squealing and laughing, the whole room a mess ...perfect, unexpected bonding time.

Jimins Pov.

BTS arrived at the Metlife stadium before the Show. The energy before the show was palpable.

The group was ready to dominate the stage once again.

A/n: Jimin and Red had their bonding time.

Thank you so much for the reads, your votes and the comments. I love it when you get engaged with the story. Don't forget to vote if you like the chapter.

1. Do you think Jimin and Ruby's love could be tested?

2. Who was best during during the pillow fight?

3. Do you think Taemin is just a fling for Melissa?

4. What's your take on thr chapter?

5. What was your favourite scene?

6. Do you think Melissa would get the fanmeet tickets on her own?

7. Must Jimin tell the Hyungs about dating Rubyred for real?

A little eye candy🔥🔥