____
the door swings open making Yoongi and Soojin break apart in a flash.
"press interview in 10" not having a clue in the world, Manager Choi nods his head towards Soojin as two staff members come in and she turns back to Yoongi who looks between her and the middle aged manager.
"um i have to get changed" she says apologetically. but Yoongi just pats her arm "the world can have you now" he almost whispers so no one hears but her "i'll have you all to myself later" he gives her a mischievous smirk and she subtly pushes him away holding back a smile.
"Thank you Mr Min...for your support...always" she awkwardly almost shouts the words.
"of course, we are so glad you're a part of our family" Yoongi says laughing before leaving the room as he shakes his head.
"what family?" manager Choi asks dumbfoundedly.
•••
it's way passed working hours, almost everyone is back at their homes, dorms, or some are probably even asleep by now, but as usual, down in the practice room, Soojin is still hard at work. perfectly syncing every move with every beat.
For the past few days, the media's had its eyes fixed on her, article after article, interview after interview and shoot after shoot. she knows now that the success comes with the the magnifying glass of a world ready to tear you open and fix you up to their own desires.
The thoughts don't keep her from stopping her movements, but the sudden pause on the music makes her suddenly turn around just to see Yoongi standing by the amplifier.
"why did you do that?" She asks chest heaving, as glistening sweat runs from her jaw down her neck and chest.
"cause i've been calling you for the past 20 minutes" Yoongi looks at her expectantly as she walks towards him, handing her the phone, after unplugging it from the amplifire.
"well there's no cell service down here" she rubs the back of her neck wincing while gesturing around the room.
"you should go home" he says with a straight face.
"but i'm still not done" she replies before trying to plug her phone back in.
"but as your boss, i think you are." He raises an eyebrow and she squints.
"there is no need to overwork yourself Soojin, your mental and physical health is more important than you perfecting a performance" He says snatching the phone back.
"fine, i'll be up in a few" She sighs as she goes to grab her stuff from the corner.
"actually i'm not coming, but Mark's gonna take you" Yoongi says walking towards the door.
"that's hypocritical of you sir" Soojin looks at him in disbelief raising her brows.
despite finding her sass a bit amusing, Yoongi rolls his eyes as he holds the door open
"i'll leave after you. there are paparazzi everywhere now, I don't think it's a good idea for us to come and go together"
She feels a bit sad at that, but doesn't say anything else. she knows he's right and it's better for them not to.
"at least give me 10 to take a shower first" she asks slinging her bag over her shoulder
"sure" Yoongi says as they both leave the room.
after she's done, as they walk the corridors and go down in the elevator neither one says a word until they reach the deserted parking lot where, Mark, the familiar gaurd stands next to the SUV almost the same height as the vehicle. just as she's about to get in Yoongi grabs her by the arm and pulls her back. She jolts at the sudden touch.
He reaches out and slowly brings up the hood of her sweater over her wet hair. it's become quite a havit for him.
"lay low please" he says before taking a few steps back and letting her get in the car.
•••
a semi long drive later, they arrive at the community gates. as the gaurd checks in with the security Soojin looks around but doesn't see anyone paparazzi or anyone at all for that matter.
by Yoongi's request the gaurd escorts her up to the apartment door, but just when she tries to type in the password the door goes back a little revealing that it was open.
Soojin takes a step back, and turns toward the tall man next to her.
as if it's a habit she lowers her voice to a whisper and says to him "it was open".
the gaurd immediately steps in and opens the door.
"please stay out here until I check every room"
he walks in before reaching for something behind him. She stands in the corner looking around the halls nervously.
There could be a million reasons why that door is open, but only one can shake her up like that.
She quickly takes her phone out of her pocket and dials Yoongi's number. it's his house after all. he's gotta know.
after a couple beeps he picks up.
"hello?"
"the door is open" she hurriedly says "it was open when we got here"
silence falls over the line before Yoongi speaks up again.
"is Mark with you?"
"he's checking the house" she bites the side of her thumb anxiously.
"okay stay with him, i'm on my way." Yoongi says in a calm tone before hanging up.
She slowly steps inside the apartment and looks around but doesn't move further. just then Mark comes out of one of the rooms.
"it's all clear" he nods his head but she doesn't seem convinced. "it's all safe Ms Lee, i promise and i'll stay with you until Mr Min arrives" he smiles a bit before walking away for another check.
•••
Yoongi opens the apartment door to find Soojin and Mark sitting in silence on opposite sides in the living room.
at the sight of him she looks up and he gets up his seat.
"Was anyone inside?" he immediately asks Mark to which he simply replies "no sir"
"okay" Yoongi drops his keys on the table before looking between the two "i might have left the door open, i was in a rush" he says with a slightly guilty impression.
Soojin sighs and looks away.
"sir that is careless behavior. you should absolutely know better." Mark seriously implies with a strict tone.
Yoongi looks to the floor a bit embarrassed but doesn't show it on his expression. he follows Soojin with his eyes as she gets up and goes to her room without a word.
"i'll stay downstairs for the night if that's okay with you sir?" the gaurd asks before heading towards the door.
"it's alright. thank you. and please check with security and ask them to give us some footage just to make sure no one came in" He asks and Mark nods before leaving the apartment.
Taking his jacket off he walks over to the tray of bottles and pours himself a drink before turning around to go check on Soojin.
a light knock on the door gets her attention as she stands by the window looking over the gardens all around the building.
Yoongi stands in the doorframe drink in hand.
"are you okay?" he asks before walking in.
"no" she says quietly which makes the weight of her answer feel even heavier. and the fact that she didn't dodge around the question worries him more that she is really not okay.
he puts his drink on the bedside table and walks up to her. but she never takes her eyes off the view.
"when i was 6, i had a cat" she abruptly starts talking catching Yoongi's attention "well it was a stray, it had wandered in our yard and it was wounded. once my mom found out she took care of him, and asked me to put food out for him everday. so i set a few bites of my lunch aside for him everyday, and well he became a regular." she smiles sadly leaning against the glass.
"i grew close to him, i did my homework with him, played with him, some nights i even snuck him in the house, cause it was really cold outside." she huffs a short laugh and Yoongi melts at the sight.
"but then one day, it didn't come back. i kept waiting as weeks went by, but nothing. my mom assured me he must've gone to another city, to help another lonely girl" she rolls her eyes and glances at Yoongi's soft eyes.
"and then we moved. we moved quite a lot. and every house, every yard, every apartment building, i would set aside his food out the door, in hopes he'll find his way back to me...but he never did." she rubs her temple before continuing.
"you chase your purest dreams for so long and never reach them, just so you come to your senses and find your worst nightmares catch up to you" she hugs herself tighter, fingers digging in her arms.
Yoongi stands there speechless. for a moment he really doesn't know what to say or do. but he knows the best thing to do is to listen and that's all that she needs.
"i knew becoming an idol was gonna put me on his map, but i never thought so soon. i thought i could have more time to enjoy my life" she says the last sentence with a heartbreaking crack in her voice and her eyes well up with tears.
deep down feeling a guilt eat at him piece by piece, Yoongi can't take the sight in front of him anymore. he gently cups her cheeks, taking her face in both hands and bringing her close.
"listen to me. you are Lee Soo Jin" he slowly spells her name looking directly into her tearful eyes.
"is that supposed to make me feel better?" she let's out a confused laugh.
"yes" he says lower, bringing her face closer.
"how??" she shakes her head.
"i'm gonna keep syaing it, until it sinks in, and you understand the gravity behind it" as the words leaves his mouth, the tears leave her eyes rolling down her cheek.
"ahhh! Soojin. you're making me go soft" Yoongi grunts in humor to lighten the mood as he brings her face to his chest and she lets herself go for a minute. engulfed in the safety of his presence.
in attempt to push the repeating question written in bold italic words flashing in his mind away, he closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. but the question remains;
"did i put her on his map?"
and Yoongi can't help but blame himself for whatever may come their way from now on.
___