Chapter Text
Chapter 251: Background refresh.
The next weeks feel as if I am a phone with way too many apps set to background refresh. Drawing down my battery far too easily.
And not just me. Like old fashioned Christmas lights, if one of us burns out we take down the rest. Namjoon worked too late one night prepping for the small venue show he will have with the release of his solo album. When he was carried home by Quan; looking irritated to be physically hauling the largest of the men. The rest of us were drooping in place.
Good thing I have seven charging stations. A trip to sit on Jungkook’s lap, his hand snuck under my shirt at my waist filling me back to 80%. A minute of leaning against Yoongi on a dance practice break can get me through the day. The skinship between all the members increased and is no longer called out by staff. If the filming staff catch them clinging to each other. Shifting to stand closer, hands held, chins hooked over shoulders. No one speaks out as it is quite clear that these touches and moments are fueling them.
“I’m low.” The pouted beak and hushed words from Jimin has Namjoon shifting and sitting flush to his side. The Run director opened his mouth then shut it again. I can see an idea forming in his face. Then he is pulling a few of his staff aside. “What new definition of suffering is that going to bring us?” Jin wonders. Yoongi tilts his head in question, not having seen the byplay. “Director-nim, just got an idea.” Taehyung’s voice is flat. Not a hint of amusement or irritation in it. Namjoon looks over and watched the Run staff scrambling about. “They’re going to use the bond to their advantage.” Hoseok notes.
I step in close as if I’m lining up a shot. “Just so long as they do not try to use it to our detriment.” I click the shutter and step away like I had not said a word. Like I’m not a part of their bond. The staff of Run includes far too many uninformed people. “I want to use the bond as a part of this game!” The director sounds chipper as he calls the members attention back to himself. Shoulders slump as the idea of a mid shoot change sink in. They had been so close to a wrap for the day.
“We have been filming since six this morning Director-nim,” Jungkook spoke up. “I think we should finish this game as is.” His firm statement, the lack of give is a surprise to everyone. JK is the first to play along and give 1000% for BTS content and ARMY. “We can play into whatever you think up associated with our bond.” A small warning in his tone, “Assuming it is not detrimental.” The maknae finishes leaving no room for debate. “On the next filming date.”
Seeing the six other members straighten and nod in agreement the director dips a tiny bow. “Of course, of course.” He assures “We will just finish this up and you all can get on with your other activities.” A soft derisive snort from Yoongi muttering “eating and sleeping.” The grin on Taehyung’s face as he gets lined up for the next round in the game. “And maybe some cuddles.” The Director is counting down for the filming when Namjoon whispers “I call little spoon.”
‘Action’ is yelled by a PA as the whole of BTS burst into giggles for the rolling cameras.
I just keep pressing the shutter on my camera capturing the happy faces.
After the filming is over Hoseok is washing away the last of his makeup. Seokjin is a human backpack on Namjoon. As the tallest tried to rub the last of the setting gel out of his awkwardly growing out hair. “I swear I’m just going to buzz it back down.” He grouses. “You only say that cause the one reporter had that cute Sylvanian mole attached to the mic.” Yoongi says with no heat and a wide smile. “He did look just like the baby mole.” Tae has a far away look on his face. I wonder how soon a collection of tiny flocked mole toys are going to start appearing around Rkive. Jimin sliding over to whisper in Tae’s ear seals the deal in my mind.
I may need to get in on this. They make all the animals the members are associated with. I even know a fan page that makes stage outfits and videos for the tiny toy animals.
Making a note in my phone I pack up my equipment and slip from the room. The men all have another few hours of work and I have plans to make for some cuteness bombing.
“Unnie, you have that look.” Sunhi says with a giggle as she drives me home. The men are all taking a few different cars based on when they are going to break free.
We have blasted through September and the beginnings of October. I needed a plan for Jimin’s birthday. I know they have all said just being together is enough. The consistency of our schedule and our touch time has helped. All of us able to anticipate the need and avoiding any real crashes. I wanted to be sure our very own birthday fairy has a small bit of special on his day. I got a hold of his parents and Jihyun. They will be at the penthouse when we get home. Cerri and Gwyn will let have them in. The girls planning to have some balloons and such set up. My oldest more than happy to fly over to celebrate her bias. Not that she will admit to a bias.
I grin as Sunhi turns into the parking garage. “What look?” I deadpan. The security woman huffs a little then replies. “The look that says you did something that might get you in trouble.” I shrug and click the seatbelt latch. Sunhi shifting the vehicle into park. “I only made sure that Jimin has people to eat his birthday cake with.” She walks along with me to the elevator. “I know about Jimin-ssi’s parents.” She reminds me “this is something more.”
Another family chat
Me: is it all set up?
G: Jesus, worry much?
C: it is all ready
Me: I’m not worried I just want it to be..
G: no, not worried. Just a control freak
Me: me?
C: that’s not the vibe I got from their relationship
G: EWWW!!!! Cerri not you too!
G: your fan club is ruining you.
Me: HAHAHHAHA. Fan club do the TXT boys need a fan name?
C: What? No!
G: BRB
C: mom!!!! What is she going to do?
Me: not sure kiddo but it will be done out of love.
C: Fuck that! she is a menace and wants me to have a relationship!
Me: Cerri. Be honest. You already do.
C: 🥺
G: I’m back and I’m a genius
G: Wynning!!!
G: Cerridwynn..Wynning! Get it?
C: I quit!!! This family, this chat, this whole mess!
C has left chat
Me: Gwyn did you by chance add that in a text to the boys?
G: Maybeeeee?
G: I can fix it. It was just Daehyun.
C has been added to chat
G: I’m sorry I can fix it.
C: No you can’t. Cause it's not broken.
C: just a bit scary
Me: why scary?
C: they are saying stuff. I’ll tell you later.
The last text chimed as Sunhi and I exit the elevator and she scans into the penthouse. Cerri is sitting on the armchair she prefers, her head buried in her phone. The room is decorated with streamers and balloons. Gwyn is hurtling down the stairs, with a bag in her hands. “I got some of those confetti poppers!” She chucks the bag on the sofa. On her way to hug me. Wrapped in her arms the soft murmur of “my mom” making me melt for this person I made. “How was your flight?” She is back in motion. “Good, Hi Sunhi!” A wave as she scoops back up the bag and starts to unpack it onto the coffee table.
I look around expecting the senior Park’s and Jihyun. Cerri breaks from her phone. “The squishy squad ran to a convenience store. Something about a specific kind of chip?” Her dry delivery adding to my amusement at the remaining ¾ of Jimin’s family being labeled as squishy. Their genetics do lend themselves to cheeks worthy of the moniker. Sunhi has brought the bag along from the car of what I need to dress up the cheesecake. She went straight to the kitchen to set it down.
Thank all the known stars, Seokjin was willing to get up early with me this morning. I do not do cheesecake. Seokjin however pulled up his ‘hyung will do it’ pants and walked me through it. I’m damn proud of what we made. Now I just need to zuzsh it up with some fruit. And a picture of Jimin printed on a little standee.
Is it the same picture that once graced a RUN BTS punishment shirt? Maybe…
could this lead to me being in the trouble Sunhi is asking about? Maybe…
could this play out in my favor? Also Maybe.
Hopefully. There is something very Right with Jimin trouble.
Scenery
Vante: Are we clear to land?
Angel: Negative…
Angel: runway pattern is full
Vante: roger tower, we will circle and try again.
Shit! I need the others to all get home ASAP. And I need the Parks back here from their adventure in snack hunting. Tae can only dawdle so long before Jimin will be on to him.
Awake Tonight
Beauty: The natives are getting restless.
BBBabe: I have Hobi and Yoongi with me we are in the car, see you in 5 minutes
Beauty: Thanks I’ll find Joon and JK
Three down, now to get Jungkook to shove Namjoon in a car. His solo dropping in three days has the unflappable man a flappy mess.
The door chime stopped me from my next text. Sunhi opened the door to a trio of grinning chubby cheeks. “Myeoneuli!” Jimin’s mom calls as she slips out of her shoes on her way to hug me. I feel a blush working into my own cheeks. Being called daughter in law gets me every time. “Noona, did you get the message?” Jihyun is taking his time removing his own shoes. His father as well a happy laugh as he is sniffed by Cap who felt the need to greet the Park’s. “Capybara, you already met them.” Cerri called her dog over.
I was seconds from greeting the Park men when my phone went of in the text alert tone for Jungkook.
Euphoric
Kookie monster: ‼️🚨🚨‼️
Kookie monster: 🐥🏃🏼🏢
Kookie monster: 🚴🏼♂️&🥊🚗💨
I glance at the message and blert out “Shit, they are on the way!” I rush to the kitchen to get the cake decorating done. Cerri and Gwyn scramble around dimming lights. “Who is on the way?” Jimin’s dad sounds more amused than alarmed. “Jungkook said Jimin is rushing home and he and Namjoon are in the car.” I quickly open the packages of sliced fruit, very pleased with myself. For once I did not let my lifetime of tight budgeting convince me I can just cut the fruit myself. I bought precut. Fancy and delicate. Nicer than I would have done.
Jihyun reached over and pilfered a wafer thin slice of pear. “Yes, Taehyung hyung was going to message you.” The words spoken around his ill gotten treat. I paused and look at the young man. “I guess Jimin was not going to wait. Tae was supposed to keep him occupied.” I vacillate. Fruit or phone? The sound of the door unlocking broke my stagnation. “Handsome, can you either check on and ETA from Tae or finish making this look pretty?” I called him out as he had on just slides and was free of his shoes first. Jihyun was reaching again and without a thought I smacked his hand.
I froze.
He froze.
The girls froze.
His parents eyes went wide.
Then they, along with Jin, Hobi and Yoongi, all burst in to laughter. “Jihyun-ah you behave. Jen-ah is not going to let you get away with the shit your hyungs do.” Yoongi’s admonishment wheezed out between breathy laughs. Seokjin attempts to wag a finger as well, but Hoseok has draped himself on the oldest. Taking the sting from his words Yoongi hands Jihyun a fat piece of pineapple. He hip bumping me away from the dessert preparation. At a loss for how to address my ‘mom’ moment with a man who is in fact basically my brother in law. In front of his parents. I shrug and offer his dad a bite of fruit as well.
I mean he was eyeing the raspberry pretty hard.
I might have had time to text Taehyung to see how close they are. If the doors did not fly open again. Jungkook and a frazzled Namjoon rocketing in. “They are right behind us. I pushed the door close button.” Jungkook mimes the frantic pressing of an elevator button. “Right in their faces.” He has a look of elation and bratty joy in his eyes. “He really did.” Joon looks more distracted than anything.
“Kook drove like a madman, actually passing Tae on the road.” the distraction bleeds away. And his dimples appear. “I think I saw Jimin’s arms flaying as we passed.” The deep soft laugh that rumbles up from his chest is good to hear. Some of the stress of his self imposed pressure loosened. The album is going to be a success. I have hear parts of it. Seen the videos being filmed. The prep for Rolling Hall is nearly in place. I am happy to see in this moment the naughty joy of teasing his soulmate has is attention.
I was going to ask something. Who knows what when Gwyn shrieked “elevator!” And madness took over.