𝗿𝘂𝗻, 𝗯𝘂𝗻𝗻𝘆, 𝗿𝘂𝗻. . . txt added member ✔

𝟯.𝟭 the finale

❝ RUN, BUNNY, RUN... 𓏴 ♢

ᶻ 𝘇 𐰁 . . . 𝗜 𝗠𝗔𝗬 fail but i will never give up ❜ ⸝⸝

⊹ . ◌ ༚ ˳ 🕳️⠀﹒⠀ ꙳ .

🖇·˚ ≋♡

- 2020 ,September 18th

The past few years had unfolded surprisingly smoothly for Mercy. Transitioning from a trainee to a K-pop idol had presented its challenges, but the preparation had been thorough. Comments, the usual and not-so-pleasant ones, persisted, particularly when it was revealed that she was Jungkook's sister. Many accused her of securing her spot in the group solely because of her relation rather than any inherent talent. To some extent, Mercy acknowledged the truth in those remarks, but dwelling on the past served no purpose. She was in the group now, and that's where she intended to stay.

Today marked a special occasion, and Mercy couldn't contain her excitement. It was the first time in months that she would see Heeseung, not just on a screen. Despite growing closer, or perhaps more affectionate, after their moment by the lake, physical distance weighed heavily on her heart. The ache of missing him was palpable, and she hated it—hated the feeling, hated how much she missed him.

Their connection had deepened after that lakeside encounter, manifesting in more affectionate moments, most of which unfolded in the privacy of their dorms. It didn't take long for the rest of Mercy's members to catch on to the nature of their relationship. They seemed inseparable, spending nearly every waking moment together—glued to each other, almost literally. And yes, there was that one time it became literal, courtesy of Beomgyu's mischievous plan.

Beomgyu, in a fit of creativity, had concocted the idea to test if Mercy and Heeseung would notice if they were actually glued together. Armed with the strongest yet remotely safe glue he could find, he executed his plan, attaching their hands while they slept. To his surprise, they not only noticed but were far from pleased about it.

Now, fast forward to the present — Mercy and Heeseung hadn't seen each other in months. He had embarked on a survival show, possibly I-LAND, a move that both thrilled and terrified Mercy. Survival shows offered exposure, and even if Heeseung didn't debut, the fame gained could ease his transition into becoming a full-fledged idol. The anticipation of their reunion buzzed in the air, a mix of excitement, nervousness, and the longing that had settled in Mercy's heart during their time apart.

From what Mercy had seen and heard, Heeseung's journey on the survival show indicated a promising outcome. His talent shone through, and having witnessed the show, she marveled at his growth and skill. Yet, even before I-LAND, Heeseung had displayed an impressive level of talent. Mercy couldn't help but swell with pride for him.

'Nervous?' Jungkook's voice broke through her thoughts. Right, today marked the finalization of I-LAND, with both TXT and BTS present. The stakes were high, and if Heeseung didn't make it into the group, Mercy could feel the anger simmering within her. Maybe not literally burning the place down, but there would certainly be justified frustration.

'Of course,' Mercy breathed out, nerves dancing beneath her skin. If she had the habit of chewing on her lip, she might have gnawed through her entire chin by now.

'Come on,' Jungkook urged, pulling her with him. 'It's time to go.'

And indeed, it was time.

Seated between Beomgyu and Yeonjun, Mercy found herself bouncing her leg up and down, a subconscious habit brought on by a mix of restlessness, nervousness, and anxiety. It was a whirlwind of emotions, each vying for dominance within her, creating a palpable tension in the air.

There he was, as impeccable as ever. A bit fatigued, the weariness etched across his face, but such was the reality of their lives — a constant struggle that he willingly embraced, knowing it wouldn't relent until retirement.

He was fully aware of the challenges he signed up for, yet he maintained a composed demeanor. Mercy had to bite her inner cheek to restrain the smile threatening to break through. Simultaneously, she pinched her palm to stave off any tears that threatened to well up. Composure was key; this was a live event, and any lapse could have consequences. Showing emotion or favoritism toward any candidate might sway public opinion, spark unwarranted rumors—especially those notorious shipping rumors. Mercy and Stray Kids' Han looked at each other! They must be married with twenty children! (It was a ludicrous exaggeration, but not one that was too far off).

She held her breath, suspended in a moment that felt like an eternity. It was as if she were underwater, afraid that inhaling would shatter her world and cause her to break apart.

'The first member to debut is...'

The pause stretched, and a desperate thought crossed Mercy's mind—should she storm up to the stage and snatch the result papers from the host, Min Namkoong's hands, to confirm the outcome herself?

'Lee Heeseung.'

A surge of emotions threatened to burst forth. It was a struggle to contain the smile that tugged at the corners of her lips. She instinctively looked down at her feet, attempting to mask her elation. Despite her efforts, a small smirk betrayed her composure. The urge to pinch her palm intensified, a questionable coping mechanism she had adopted in moments like these. Mercy was running out of ideas on how to maintain her cool facade. In that critical instant, Yeonjun's hand found its way onto hers.

'If you're going to pinch something, pinch me,' he whispered, the words too soft for anyone else to catch.

Her eyes flickered to him, caught between the desire to retort and the inclination to yank her hand away. She was adamant about not hurting him. Was he mad? But she chose to hold back, not wanting to escalate the situation. His audacious move to hold her hand was already drawing attention, and she didn't want to exacerbate it further.