⋆ ☄︎. · ̊ * 🔭
chapter forty-three

"Okay, so, I've gathered some ideas for the storyline of our created universe..."

Namjoon starts rambling right after, but Yona's ears seem to be deaf to the outer world.

Instead, she sits on her chair and has her eyes focused on nothing in particular. Her mind is simply filled with a never-ending train of thoughts and a heart as confused as it could ever be.

Secretly, Hoseok nudges the other two rappers, motioning over to Yona, who's oblivious and deep in thought, and he pouts slightly in concern.

"Ahri, your shirt is on fire," says Yoongi to catch her attention, but to no avail.

The three of them glance in between each other, trying to understand the situation and why she isn't acting like her sassy and joyful self. Telepathically, they try to communicate, but that doesn't really seem to work.

"Is everything all right?" Namjoon asks carefully while laying a small hand on her shoulder, pulling her out of her own galaxy.

Smiling weakly, Ahri replies, "Yeah. Why wouldn't it be?"

"You've been incredibly quiet for around three days now," remarks Yoongi with a nod. "And, honestly, it's scaring me."

"I think she's planning murder," Hoseok secretly whispers into Yoongi's ear, but it doesn't go unnoticed by Ahri, who stares at him with a deadly expression now.

Yona sighs deeply. "It's nothing, really." She looks down while picking on her clothing lazily. "I'm just... tired."

"Well, then you've been tired for over three days, which is not possible, and I'm the one saying that." Yoongi gazes at her with a knowing look - eyebrows raised, lips pursed, blinking in awareness.

She pauses. Ahri is unable to say anything. With a gulp, she mumbles, "Let's just talk about this whole storyline, since the album is finished, anyway."

Each of them explain their own versions and opinions of the so-called storyline they've created. Yet the boys do notice how Yona is not as focused as usual, but they try to brush if off for now to not make her uncomfortable.

"I wrote down that I'm the friend of all seven of you," starts Yona, reading it out loud from her papers in a mumbled voice. "I died when I was fairly young, of still unknown reasons, and all of you witnessed it but act oblivious to it - as if it never happened. And that's exactly why all of you see my 'ghost' everywhere you go. It's like I'm still there, when i'm reality, I'm not."

In much approval, Namjoon nods. "That's good. In the music video of I Need U, all of us will see you but just in different places, am I right?"

"Yes," is all Ahri says, sighing.

"But what about Jin hyung's character?" asks Yoongi now, glancing around. "The intention of his character is to keep everyone safe, but what about Ahri's character, then? Will he try to save her as well, or...?"

Pensively, Hoseok hums. "I think it'd be interesting if it's simply impossible for him to save Ahri. I mean, it's hard in the storyline to save all of us, but she'd be the hardest, simply impossible because she's already dead."

"What could your cause of death be, though?" questions Namjoon, massaging his throbbing head to get any ideas. "Would you like an element like Yoongi hyung and Jimin or something else?"

"Hm..." Yona tries to come up with various causes and ideas, but fails to do so. Her head is too filled with something completely different and off-topic, which is the reason of her being anything but concentrated.

With a frustrated and quick sigh, she mutters aside, "I don't know."

"Yona, you can go home if you're not comfortable or too tired," states Yoongi, concerned.

"I'm not tired!" exclaims Ahri defensively, catching them off-guard because of the raise of her tone.

She notices her sudden outburst herself, and her eyes widen. "Sorry. I-I'll just—" Ahri shakes her head, then mumbles while taking her things with her, "I need some time alone."

With that, she wanders out. "Be home before 8:00 pm!" yells Hoseok after her. He adds in a fearful voice, "Or Seokjin hyung will kill us..."

Her weary feet drag her out of the company and right into another one. "Why even have a house when all I do is hang around SM, anyway..." she mutters to herself in annoyance.

Nevertheless, Yona continues on walking toward her usual place to practice. But not until she's suddenly dragged into another room by her arm.

"You guys need to stop doing that!" says Ahri as her eyes land on the familiar boys, referring to them always pulling her arm.

They simply chuckle in embarrassment. "Sorry," mumbles Johnny with a shy laugh, scratching the back of his head.

Ten smiles without any shame, taking her arm and dragging her away to sit down next to them. "You have to watch this!"

"Hi, Yona," exclaims Yuta. He waves a small hand and smiles at her. She returns it almost immediately, greeting the others right after.

Yet her eyebrows furrow as she doesn't recognize her friend in between all of them. The boys notice it, and Mark states, "Jaehyun hyung is buying us food with another member."

She releases a sigh of relief - satisfied that she won't see him to prevent any acts of embarrassment.

"Watch this!" Ten laughs evilly while shoving his phone in front of Ahri, pointing at the screen.

And she does so; her eyes focused on the yet black screen. "Aw, is that Mini-Jaehyun?" exclaims Yona, cooing lovingly.

"Stop babying him. This is funny and not cute!" says Yuta, suddenly being beside her, while he looks at the screen as well.

Turning silent, Ahri continuously gawks at the video. "Is he seriously having a conversation with himself...?"

Firmly, Yuta lays his hand on her mouth to finally shut her up. "Nara, my cousin, kisses me. I smell at her," Jaehyun's old-self says in the video.

Ahri has been laughing her heart out for many minutes straight. "I can't follow the storyline!" She yells in between her waves of laughter, hitting everyone around her to compose herself in the process.

The video ends, but all of them are still laughing. "Man, this always makes me laugh," Ten says in satisfaction, wiping away his tears of joy dramatically.

Suddenly, the door opens, with Jaehyun and an unfamiliar, rather handsome, face standing there. Jaehyun has an irritated expression on his face while he looks at his members - knowing too well what they've done.

"I told you to not show it to her!" yells Jaehyun, running toward his members in rage.

While he fights with them, Yona takes her chance and tries to sneak out without any of them noticing it.

"And where do you think you're going?" Jaehyun's husky voice drawls out, stopping her by captivating her wrists in his warm hands. The mere touch causes Yona to hiccup, making him frown. "You're just as guilty as them."

Then, he smiles. Ahri gulps as she stares at him, not being able to say anything. It seems like he has forgotten about the events that have occurred only about a week ago.

"What's wrong...?" he asks after a while. Slivers of concern build up on his face as he notices her completely flushed face. Laying his hand on her forehead, he attempts to check her temperature. "Are you sick? Did you get sick? But you weren't sick when we met—"

He rambles and rambles, but Yona's ears are deaf to it - rather staring at him with her widely brimmed eyes.

"You're suffocating her," says an unfamiliar voice, cutting Jaehyun off and pulling Yona out of her own universe.

As her eyes land on him, he smiles lovingly. "Hello. I'm Taeyong. I'm going to be in the same group as these chaotic people."

Taeyong looks at the other boys in a judgmental manner, but they simply shrug. "He didn't lie," is all Mark says.

"Hello, Taeyong." Yona smiles back at him. She immediately backs away from Jaehyun's warm touch to cool herself down. "I'm Yves from BTS. But you can just call me Ahri."

"Or Yona," adds Yuta from the back as a fact. Johnny says while shrugging, "Maybe even Nana." Mark looks at Johnny in perplexity. "But what about our Nana?" The boys soon on have a discussion on their own.

Realization hits Ahri, and she exclaims in admiration, "You're TY-Track! You were in Red Velvet's music-video!"

"Booming system. Uh-huh. TY-Track, TY-Track—" Ahri starts rapping enthusiastically, the boys from the back soon joining her.

"That's me..." mutters Taeyong, smiling through the pain.

Jaehyun changes the subject, asking Yona while shoving her shoulder playfully. "Why were you ignoring me? You lose against me once and decide to never contact me again, or what?"

"Um..." Ahri tries to come up with an excuse. Her cheeks are heated up again, avoiding his burning gaze. "I was, um... I was... fishing with my hyungs! Yeah, that's what I've been doing..."

All of them blink dumbly and stare at her. "You remind me of the Three Little Pigs of Shrek," says Ten randomly.

"Nah, she reminds me more of Princess Fiona," disagrees Johnny, analyzing her entire figure.

"And Jaehyun is her Shrek?" Ten adds quietly, laughing while judging a giggling Johnny.

Before she could embarrass herself even more, Yona bids farewells and exits their practice room. "I just need to stay away from boys for a while, or else I'll really collapse out of—"

There he is - laughing along with his members while going toward her direction. He doesn't see her, but she does see him, and it causes her to sigh in frustration.

"The world keeps on saying, 'Fuck Ahri lives,' and I'm not here for it..." she mutters aside, pulling her hood over her head to go unnoticed by him.

Quickly, Ahri strides forward while keeping her head low. His eyes find her figure, and he frowns in order to recognize her already familiar self.

Only for a split second, she looks up, but regrets it immediately. He's already staring at her. Ahri's heart picks up a beat and quickens the more she gazes at his striking features.

"Hello—" he exclaims with a joyed smile while waving his hand cutely, but Ahri is already running away.

━━✦

"What's for lunch?" Taehyung asks casually while walking into the kitchen, examining Yona's cooking skills.

"Food," mutters Ahri.

Taehyung frowns. "No, I mean, what are you having?"

"An unwanted conversation." Ahri confidently takes her cooked meal and sits down on a stool.

"Hyung, she's doing it again!" yells Taehyung, stomping his feet.

Meanwhile, the other members enter the kitchen to eat their meals as well. They observe the situation for a few moments, sigh, and move on - already used to their childish bickering.

She is seated down on her usual place, which is actually right beside Taehyung. Yet as the boy is about to sit down next to her, Hoseok is quick to stop him; taking a seat there himself.

Taehyung halts for a moment. "That's my seat, hyung," he states in a calm voice.

"I-I know," mumbles Hoseok in slight fear. The rapper does not dare to look at either Taehyung or Ahri. Instead, he stares at the wall in front of him with a stiffened figure.

Eyebrows furrowing, Taehyung asks in a dumbfounded tone, "Can I sit there, then?"

"Oh, why would you want that?" Ahri chimes in. Her elbow is placed on the table, body turned toward his direction for a half, and she gazes at him with raised eyebrows and a tilted head.

"I mean, from now on, you could just sit next to Kyungmi." With her hand, she lightly points at the other girl, who stays quiet. "Considering that you were really close to her and all."

His eyes darken. "Oh, maybe I'll do that," says Taehyung. He adds while sitting down next to Kyungmi, "I don't like to sit next to people who don't trust me, anyway."

"And I don't like to sit next to people that switch lanes like switching shirts, anyway!" she counters with a fiery stare, jerking her head forward.

"Oh, come on!" Taehyung remarks, his voice annoyed and raised. "That was years ago—"

"People tend to repeat their so-called mistakes when they take the other one's love for granted!" Ahri continues, eyes ripped open in anger.

"You should specifically not talk about repeating mistakes, when all you do is—"

The whole group is silent by now, watching and listening to their childish fight. The only sound, other than Taehyung and Ahri bickering, is Jimin sipping on his delicious tea.

"Fine!"

"Very fine!"

"Super fine!"

"Extremely fine!" remarks Ahri, propping her hands up on the table while staring at him.

"Tremendously fine!" Taehyung does the same - his arms positioned on the wooden board.

Seokjin stops them before they could continue, stating in between clenched teeth, "It would be extremely fine if you two would stop fighting like five-year-olds in front of our guest."

"Whatever," replies Ahri, rolling her eyes while standing up. As the others keep on questioning where she is going, she yells on her way outside, "To sleep."

"It's 5:00 pm!" states Hoseok.

"Time is an illusion."

━━✦

"We searched deeper into the storyline and have more ideas to add," says Si-Hyuk, talking enthusiastically.

He starts to explain his ideas, but Yona is, once again, zoned out. Yoongi scoffs and kicks her from under the table, causing her to hiss in pain, staring at him deadly right after.

"For you, Ahri." Si-Hyuk's eyes are fixed on her now, sighing because of her so-not concentrated self. "You committed suicide by jumping off a rooftop, and all of your members saw it. As you once mentioned, they act like it never happened right after, since they hallucinate about you all the time as well. Plus, Jeongguk commits suicide as well because he couldn't save Ahri. Jin still has in thought that he's able to save her, when in reality, he can't."

"What's her cause of death, though?" Namjoon questions eagerly, frustration evident in his voice. "We've thought about it a lot but can't think of anything that'd suit her."

Their manager thinks for a while, humming. Then, he asks around, "Each of you, describe Yona in three words."

"The stars above," says Hoseok immediately, smiling. Yona is caught off-guard because of that, staring at him with widely brimmed eyes. He explains as everyone looks at him in a questionary manner, "She shines brightly, even if there are many reasons that keep her down or de-motivated."

Yoongi thinks for a while, tilting his head to the side while humming thoughtfully. "Annoying little brat."

Ahri aims for his leg to kick, but he dodges it. He adds after a laugh, "Whom I learned to find quite decent. She's like a fire that can be lit immediately, but is most likely to burn down itself before anyone else."

"I love the attention I'm getting," mumbles Ahri with a proud and joyed smile. She repositions herself on the stool, gazing at Jimin, since it's his turn, lovingly.

"I'd describe her as..." Jimin examines her in all seriousness, but then starts laughing as she pulls funny-looking faces. "My best friend. She's always there for me, but it also makes me feel sad because I was never able to be there for her like the others. Other than that, she reminds me of a light that doesn't truly know how to turn on itself."

Her gaze diverts to the youngest, whose cheeks are tinted a light peach. He's hesitant - not too sure if he should be completely honest. But after a few moments of Yona gazing at him with a reassuring smile, he states, "My other half. I think that we got closer with time, and I'm hoping for more moments of us alone, since I think that there's more to discover within our friendship."

"This is sweet and all, but I don't think you guys understand what three words mean—"

"Hush, let the kids be open about their feelings, Namjoon," intervenes Seokjin. His eyes are set upon his members with a soft and proud smile, chin softly resting on his hand.

Next turn is Taehyung's, who looks rather jittery. "A starry night," mutters Taehyung in a quiet voice, gaze set downward. "Who can be really annoying and bratty, but still manages to be loved by everyone."

"True," says Seokjin in some kind of sarcastic way, nodding curtly. "I think that she's precious to every group member in a different way, considering how diverse everyone's opinion is on her, and how she has a 'variety' of relationship with everybody from us."

"I expected lovely words on how amazing I am, Seokjin hyungie, but I still approve," Ahri ironically remarks, a high-and-mighty expression lacing her face.

"He could never talk about his pride on you with you being in presence," whispers Hoseok, attempting to secretly talk to his female member. "I mean, all he does is speak about you to people who did not even ask." He then turns to an irritated Seokjin, whose cheeks are red, with his hands held upward in innocence. "No offense, hyung."

Namjoon sighs, causing the attention to be on him. "An astonishing Lamprocapnos."

"A what?" All of them, even Yona, exclaim in confusion, their heads whipping forward.

"The flower. It's also 'called bleeding heart.' Seriously, you guys need to educate yourself." Namjoon shakes his head in disappointment. "I think that the flower is really beautiful and resembles our member a lot. It stands for compassion and unconditional love for everything in creation - a connection that goes beyond life and death."

Transfixed, Yona stares at him. Her eyes are tearing up at this point, dramatically wiping them away. Adoration is all she's feeling. "I didn't give you my daily dosis of love, did I—?" She immediately stands up and makes her way to the leader.

"You already did, stop." Namjoon holds his hands in defence, eyes wide. "You hugged me three times today, take a break."

Si-Hyuk has a loving smile on his face as he watches the teenagers. He clears his throat, indicating that he needs to continue his business. "This should be enough. Thank you guys. You are dismissed." They all stand up and bow, going out right after. "Yona, please stay here for a while."

And she does so - sitting back down in front of him while her eyes hold oblivion and curiosity. She awaits his words patiently.

"How have you been doing these past few weeks?" He asks in utter genuineness, a light smile on his face.

To say that Yona's caught off-guard is an understatement. She stares at her manager as if he's turned insane. "Uh..." She clears her throat. "I'm doing good... Why?"

"I've noticed you smiling way more than the years before." His eyes examine her carefully. "I remember the first weeks, or even months, with you. You've changed a lot, positively of course, and I'm really proud of you."

Sudden warmth spreads through her chest. It's unexplainable how Yona's feeling, because she hasn't met these emotions in quite a while. The words "I'm proud of you," were simply so foreign to her. Other than the members, no one has ever said that to her in years.

"Really?" exclaims Yona, smilling like a child who just got gifted some candy.

Nodding, he continues, "Really. I'm aware that this life is different than what you've been used to, and that you were - and still are - incredibly young and innocent to this side of the world. I'll be trying my best to work things out with you, so that you can always feel happiness and joy in my company. Keeping things professional is really important—"

Ironically, Yona stands up and hugs him tightly. Tears are in the corners of her eyes, as she whispers, "Thank you. It feels good to hear those things."

"I'll try my best as well," she promises. Pulling away, Yona bows politely and takes a few steps back. "I can be quite hard to deal with..." The brown-haired girl scratches the back of her neck. "And I'm so thankful that you chose to keep me in your company, instead of kicking me out, considering that you were given a lot of reasons as to why."

"I will make you more proud." Hastily, she wipes away the stray tear on her cheek. The smile is still on her face. "I promise."

━━✦

"I have an idea..." Ahri mumbles deeply in thought, finger on her chin.

"Thanks for the warning, bye—"

But she is swift to pull Hoseok back down on the chair by his arm. "No! It's a good one, I swear!

"Yona, I love you more than I love myself, but every single one of your ideas just brings trouble," Hoseok tries to reason, desperation evident in his voice.

"Name one!" Her eyes are squinted, scoffing.

"When you left Jeongguk alone in a grocery store in LA to 'prank' him, when you burned down Yoongi's pillow to teach him a 'lesson'... Oh, and that one time you convinced me to wear crocks with socks because it was a 'trend' in Germany. When, obviously, it wasn't, and you just did that to embarrass me in public because I ate your strawberry-chocolate-marshmallow yogurt—"

Annoyed, she cuts him off, "I said one."

"And I said what I said, sorry," counters Hoseok, shrugging unapologetically. He sighs while observing her puppy-dog eyes. "What is it this time? And I won't steal a baby's candy again."

"No, no, no. It's not that." She gets excited as he agrees. "Look, what if we both—"

"Good morning, kids!" A bright smile is on Si-Hyuk's face as he enters the office.

They all bow. "I'm seeing this man too much this week, I swear..." she mutters under her breath, making Jeongguk giggle and Seokjin hit her side.

The group speaks with their CEO in excitement, meanwhile Ahri remains silent most of the time because of her overfilled mind. She sneezes a few times, making Yoongi hand her over a few tissues without looking her way.

"I'm going to dye my hair." Those words are dropped abruptly and with much confidence.

Si-Hyuk stops speaking to the boys and turns his attention to her. "You'll be filming your music video tomorrow. It doesn't fit with your schedule."

"If you won't let me dye my hair, I'll do it myself."

"Ahri, you can't do that—"

Yona raises her eyebrows in a knowing manner, simply blinking.

He sighs.

"Okay," Si-Hyuk gives in with a sigh. "We'll dye your hair tomorrow morning, so be here before everyone else is. Which color do you prefer?"

She smiles in satisfaction.

━━✦

"What kind of role are you playing in the music-video?" asks one of the staff members as the camera is focused on her.

Yona's newly dyed grayish-blue hair bobs up and down because of her excited jumps. "I'm playing a girl who died when she was a young teenager. She wanted to be as free as the stars and jumped down of this rooftop." Her hands motion to the roof that they're currently on and back down at the streets underneath.

Then, the staff fixes her hair and makeup whilst Ahri is sitting on the edge of the rooftop. After they're finished, the camera whips in her direction and takes shots of her looking down at the streets with a thoughtful expression.

"Try to frown a little," the director orders in a quiet voice. Yona obeys.

"Spread your arms like wings now..." His voice becomes lighter - more focused on the acting by now.

Yona stands up from her spot and pulls her arms up higher, closing her eyes while inhaling the sweet scent of nature.

"Now, open your eyes very slowly and look up at the sky with a sad face."

Seokjin's lips part ajar. "Woah, our Yona is doing pretty well!" He laughs lightly while looking into the camera that is filming him. "She always stresses how bad she is at acting, but then does this without any flaws. Yonnie is our star in disguise, indeed."

Just as he finishes his statement, Yona is done filming the scene and makes her way toward her elder. She nudges his shoulder playfully. "Stop embarrassing me, hyung."

"I'm not embarrassing you!" His tone goes a few octaves higher, dramatically offended on how she could say such a thing. "I'm simply praising you. It's what hyungs do, you wouldn't understand."

"Yeah, because I'm not old," Ahri counters jokingly, earning a deathly glare from Seokjin's side.

Dramatically, he scoffs and complains, "Hey, you're learning that from Jeongguk, aren't you? I'm trying to raise you right, but those maknaes keep on getting on my way!"

"They were telling Yona to just leave the dishes since I wouldn't say something against her anyway!" He's speaking to the camera again, an unbelievable expression playing on his striking features. "As if she'll get a pass for being the youngest!"

"No, that's not it. I'm getting a pass because you love me the most." Ahri winks knowingly, nudging his side while laughing. "Besides, I told Taehyung to tell you that Jimin hyung told me how Jeongguk told him that none of us should do the dishes, so that Namjoon hyung would get mad at Hoseok hyung for telling Yoongi hyung—"

A big sneeze makes Ahri cut herself off. The cameraman is startled, just as everyone else there is, because of that obnoxiously loud noise.

"Are you sick?" Seokjin questions in concern, laying his hand on her shoulder. A staff member comes by quickly and wraps a blanket around Yona's form. "It's because of that skirt. Why couldn't they just put you in some jeans? It's so cold outside, it's clears that you'll get sick by that..."

"I'm fine, hyung." She smiles, sniffling. "It's probably just my allergies..."

Still, the worried frown doesn't leave Seokjin's face. He pulls the blanket tighter and rolls her up like sushi. "Make sure to only unwrap this when you're shooting. If I see you without this blanket, I won't buy your yogurt."

At that, Ahri gasps. "You cannot not buy my strawberry-chocolate-marshmallow yogurt!" She sulkily adds, pouting, "Hoseok hyung and Namjoon hyung always eat them away, anyway..."

"I'll hide your yogurt if you keep this blanket on," promises the eldest, laughing at her funny-looking figure, which is squished by the duvet now.

The duo leaves the rooftop and go to their other members, who are being filmed as well. As they arrive there, the staff asks, "What kind of song is I Need U?"

"I Need U is the prospect of parting," begins Hoseok, causing Jimin to agree and Yona to nod.

While the others answer, Ahri is the last one to say, "It's about being separated by someone you love, but the only one who's hurting at that is yourself. You keep on falling apart and falling deeper in love with someone who's simply hurting you."

"Yonnie is our expert at writing heartbreak songs." Jimin laughs, shoving her shoulder playfully.

"Well, what can I say..." she says in a high-and-mighty voice, folding her arms over her chest. "I'm just kidding." A small chuckle escapes her, grabbing onto Hoseok's shoulder. "My hyungs helped me a lot."

After recording a few more scenes, the group is altogether around a bonfire. "Ahri, you're sitting further away from the boys because of your role." He shows the girl her right place, which is around a meter away from the other members seats. "While the others exclaim happily, you sit there with a straight face. Your hands are on your lap and your back is straight."

Obeying, Yona sniffles her nose for the last time, before doing as he says. Her eyes are empty as they wander over the boys, who are listening to the director's orders as well.

Due to Yona's sudden sneeze, the scene has to be done again. "Are you really okay?" questions Jeongguk, his eyes holding worry. "I feel like you're getting more and more sick..."

"No." She fishes out a tissue and picks on her nose with it. "It's just because of all the dust. I'm allergic to that, remember?"

"Yeah..." mumbles Jeongguk, not believing her at all.

Fortunately, a break comes along after many hours of shooting the music-video. Yona, deeply asleep, has her head buried in her arms and rests them on the table.

"Look at how peacefully our little member is sleeping!" whispers Jimin while holding a camera and filming her.

"She may seem small, but she can take us all in a fight..." Jeongguk whispers back from beside him.

Jimin nods. "Yup."

"Someone wake her up, she needs to eat," shouts Seokjin from the distance.

Before Taehyung could volunteer, Yoongi holds him back and does it himself. He makes his way to her and is about to shake her awake, but the youngest holds him up.

An idea lights up in Jeongguk's mind. He puts a finger on his lips, motioning to everyone to be silent, while putting another blanket on top of her head.

Then, Jeongguk throws a tiny rock on her head. It doesn't hurt her, but it definitely causes the female member to jump up in surprise - only to see nothing but blackness.

"Am I in Hell?" She yells loudly, waving around with her arms in disorientation.

"No, Ahri. If you were in Hell, you'd be sitting on the throne and the devil would be packing," deadpans Yoongi while swiftly pulling the blanket away from her head.

━━✦

Unsurprisingly, Yona did really get sick. She doesn't want to admit it, though - rather hiding from the boys than actually going to a doctor.

She doesn't even know why she's got sick all of a sudden. It didn't make any sense to her. Ever since she became an Idol, she only got sick for around one or two times, considering her good immune-system.

It confuses her mind, really. She's been thinking of various reasons as to why she may be feeling ill, but nothing enters her folders of ideas.

"Are you okay?" Kyungmi asks. She tilts her head to the side while concern is glazed on her perfectly sculpted face. "You seem very ill."

Carefully, Kyungmi raises her hand to check the younger one's temperate. Yona immediately pushes her touch away, but Kyungmi's hand still gets the heat off.

"Ahri, you're burning!" exclaims Kyungmi in shock. "Go home! You're sick and keep on practicing."

"My face is only heated up due to dancing." She rolls her eyes at Kyungmi's so-called worrisome. "It's normal that bodies get hot when you move a lot. Just as it is normal to sweat during it as well—"

Kyungmi shakes her head, interfering. "I'm not stupid, Ahri. I know how Biology works."

"Yeah, because you always had straight A's in every subject, right?" counters Ahri, staring at her fiercely.

The other girl decides to stay silent on that. Instead, she takes Yona's hand in hers and drags her outside of the practice room. "Whatever you may say against it, you still need to go home and rest."

"Stop," mutters Ahri, but Kyungmi doesn't listen.

"I said stop!" She barks loudly now, harshly pulling her wrist away. "Why are you acting all caring now? You didn't seem to mind watching my world fall apart years ago, so why are you doing it now?"

Caught off-guard, Kyungmi tries to reason with the irritated girl, but Ahri doesn't listen. "No. Just stop. You never cared and you never will. Stop trying to be someone you aren't."

With that, Ahri turns around and takes swift steps away from Kyungmi and deeper into the company.

There is a fire burning in Ahri. She groans just to breathe and she is limp from her hollow stare to her skinny legs. Her breath quivers in short, quick gasps every time she inhales, her lungs having no choice but to painfully and rigidly take in the chilled air around her.

All she wants is to be left alone by everyone. Yet a pair of eyes watches her in concern, blinking innocently while trying to come up with a way to help her. He nibbles on his bottom lip nervously.

Much to her dismay and surprise, the same arms that once held her catch her shaking figure. She looks up at him, and her breath is caught in her throat.

Now, Yona's face is beet red and her skin glistens in a way that has him worried. It seems like her fever got even worse as soon as she set her eyes on his golden features.

"I-I apologize if I'm disturbing, but is everything okay with you?" His breathing hastens as he examines her beautiful structures, gulping. "I don't know if you know me, but I work here and my name is Kim J—"

Yona suddenly takes on a pale look, as if she's been painted with white-wash - even her lips are barely there. Then with one step backwards, to release herself from his burning touch, she crumples like a puppet suddenly released of their strings.

"Yona!" A familiar voice screams from the distance in utter worrisome.

━━✦

The egg yolk sun pours through the window and awaits entrance into Yona's eyes. Sight still in the clutches of the day's glue, she hesitantly rubs the dreams away. Thoughts of the visions in sleep come and go in waves, clinging on to the very last memory of the day but with little success.

As soon as they notice that she's awake, they stand up rush toward her. "Are you feeling better?" asks Namjoon, eyes widened.

"What?" Ahri questions back dumbly, staring at him as if he's crazy. "Bro, where am I?"

"You're in the hospital," says Hoseok, pouting. "You fainted—"

"Because you were ill and refused to go to the hospital." At Seokjin's sharp voice, Ahri stills and slowly moves her gaze toward him.

She smiles nervously, opening her mouth in attempt to save herself. "Don't even," he mutters before she could start. "We'll talk about this later. But are you feeling better now?" He lays his hand on her forehead.

"I'm good, really." A small smile is painted on her face. "I'm sorry for worrying you guys. We're about to have a comeback, and I'm here wasting our time by being in the hospital. Let's just go back to the company real quick and practice—"

Before she could sit up, Yoongi places his two fingers on her forehead and pushes her back down. "You better not."

"You'll stay in the hospital for tonight, at very least," says Jimin. "Don't fight against it, or I'll expose you."

"Try me. I don't have any secrets," she deadpans, squinting her eyes meanly at him.

Jimin challenges her by his gaze, a knowing glint in his eyes. Ahri gets it immediately, and her cheeks heat up again. "I take it back..." she mumbles, looking down with a pout.

After they talk for a while, Namjoon announces, "I'm so sorry, Yona, I'd love to stay, but the older ones have to leave now for practice and the music-video. The maknae-line will take care of you in the evening, and then we'll switch up again."

"It's fine, hyung." She smiles sweetly, waving a reassuring hand. "Don't worry. Do your best, and I'll get healthy just by that."

They bid farewells, leaving Yona alone with the other younger members. "Where's Kyungmi?" she asks after a while in uncertainty.

"At home," answers Taehyung. "She said that you probably don't want to see her and decided to stay home."

"Oh..."

Jeongguk frowns. "Why? Did something happen?"

"I think I was too mean to her," mumbles Ahri. She shakes her head. "I'm such a dumb-ass sometimes..."

"Sometimes," Jimin mocks her, snorting.

Deciding to ignore him, Yona rather focuses on what has happened after she fainted. "Who brought me here...?"

"J—"

Warm eyes cast on Yona and even warmer hands are worriedly placed on her face. The sudden contact causes her eyes to widen, looking at the familiar boy in coyness. "Your face is on fire! I told you that you were sick —"

"Sorry for being so late..." says Dongmin to the others, while Jaehyun is still examining Yona's transfixed figure. "It took us a while to get out of our companies."

Her members wave it off and greet Yona's two friends with smiles. They decide to leave the three alone and go to the cafeteria instead.

"You got yourself sick again, huh?" mutters Dongmin while taking a seat in front of her, nudging her shoulder.

"Don't ask..." Ahri hides herself behind her hands.

Jaehyun is still busy on checking up on her. "Is the bed okay, or would you like more blankets? Wait, no... You have a fever, right? Then you should be in a room with a colder temperature... What about your appetite? Are you hungry? Should I bring you something? Do you want something to drink? Water? Ice-tea? Coffee? Tea? Ice-cream—?"

"Jaehyun, for the love of God, shut up." Dongmin rolls his eyes.

Knowingly, Dongmin analyzes his old friend with ease - finding and understand her deeply buried feelings immediately.

"Why did you get sick all of a sudden?" Jaehyun asks, laying his hand on her forehead while being only a few inches away from her face. "Did something happen?"

Gulping, Yona moves her gaze away from him. "Uh..." She clears her throat. "I was... stressed. Yeah."

"Stressed, yeah." Dongmin hums sarcastically, smirking.

She only glances. She glances at Jaehyun and finds herself heating up again. His eyes are already trained on her.

He has eyes as open and honest as any child, a warmth and safety. In that moment, Yona finds her home, her place to find company when the cold winds blew.

━━✦ :･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧

( BONUS SCENE ! )

"I love sleepovers," says Yona, smiling while looking at her younger members.

Taehyung's eyebrows scrunch together. "This isn't a sleepover, you're in the hospital."

"Then why do I have this nightgown on?" She asks, eyebrows raising in a challenging way.

"That's a hospital gown," remarks Jeongguk, confused with her.

Ignoring that, she shoots out, "Truth or dare?"

All of them glance in between each other.

"Dare."

( EXTRAS ! )

방탄소년단 @/BTS_twt
I put my bangs aside for today!!
Don't get used to my brown hair, though. 😋

💬 32,982 🔃 42,800 ♥️ 148,282

@/yvesforpresident What does this mean?? Are you thinking of dyeing your hair? But you look so cute and innocent with that hair!
@/cookiekook New hair isn't going to change your shitty personality
@/LOVEYVES ^ and your comment isn't gonna make you feel better about yourself yet here we are.

-

BigHit Entertainment @/BigHitEnt
[ 기사 ] #방탄소년단 'Yves' Shots Of I Need U M/V'

💬 328 🔃 3,123 ♥️ 43,929

@/brownbear Our porcelain doll is back at it again...
@/LOVEYVES I COULDNT WATCH THE MV YET BUT HOMEGIRL DYED HER HAIR A GREYISH BLUE?!?? I STUDY FOR ONCE AND MISS OUT ON SM JWIXKWMD
@/kyungsoodeservestheworld her skirt matches the roof lol

- - -

( INCORRECT QUOTES ! )

jimin: adding 'uwu' at the end of your sentences make the sentence harmless and cute
hoseok: really? uwu
jungkook: that's great uwu
ahri: i'll murder you all in your in sleep uwu
jungkook: please don't uwu
ahri: no promises uwu

interviewer: how do you feel about children?
ahri: i mean they're okay, if i saw one i probably wouldn't throw a rock at it
interviewer: why would you throw a rock at a child?
ahri: i just said i wouldn't

hoseok: i just ate ahri's strawberry-chocolate-marshmallow yogurt. how long do you think i have to live?
yoongi: 10
hoseok: 10 what?
yoongi: 9

ahri: i asked god to remove all the negative people in my life
ahri: i almost died

jungkook, flexing his muscles: i put the bi in bicep
ahri, passing by: you also put the bi in bitch
jungkook:
jungkook: who told you to put the bi in bitter?
ahri: oH and bi the way, that's none of your fucking business

eunwoo: *walks into room*
ahri, internally: there he is. my favorite person has arrived. he is the most beautiful man alive and i'd pick all the stars out of the sky for him. i must greet him in a manner that shows how much i adore and appreciate him.
ahri: what the fuck do you want?

ahri: you had a crush on me? that's so embarrassing
jaehyun: we're married??
ahri: still

[ at a movie theater ]
ahri: how would you like your popcorn, sir? sweet or salty?
taehyung, making heart eyes at jungkook: i want them like him
jungkook: awww
ahri: we don't sell ugly popcorn, next?

namjoon: alright, say sorry on the count of three
namjoon: one, two, three
ahri:
taehyung;
namjoon: now i'm just disappointed in the both of you

taehyung: as your best friend—
ahri: jimin is my best friend.
taehyung:
taehyung: AS YOUR BEST FRIEND—

( INFORMATION ! )

• this is the behind the scenes video that i focused on while writing that one part about filming the mv!! i could obviously not write about everything, but still tried to include as much as possible and created some myself!

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

• you also may be confused as to why taehyung and ahri are still acting normal to each other. they're friends. best friends. been for years. and friends fight lol. but they also make up without even saying anything, or that's at least how it goes with my best friend lol. plus they're both childishly bickering instead of taking things serious. considering that she's allowed to meet eunwoo, she doesn't really care about what he's said. more things will be explained furthermore though.