Harry's last show in the Netherlands.
"Oh fuck." Wendy muttered as she sat up a little straighter while scrolling through her phone. She was perched backstage as Harry was in the middle of his last show before they were off again to a new city. The news of BTS and Suki arriving in California together had dropped, and her feed was inundated with speculation and opinions.
Wendy spent the next hour combing through news articles. She was deep down a rabbit hole when she felt someone put their hand on her head. They pushed it back, so she looked up at them. "Oy, Wendy."
"OH! Sorry, is it over?" She jumped down, shoving her phone in her pocket. Riggs looked her over, "Didn't you hear the fireworks? You good?"
"Riggs, we gotta move! They broke the barrier!" Someone called out as people were mobilizing quickly. Come on, Love, we need to go. I need you to ride with Harry." He grabbed her hand and pulled her over to a side-by-side Harry was being loaded into. Riggs all but tossed her in as staff was yelling instructions at each other.
"What? Wait!"
"Right behind you, Love. Go!" He yelled, and they took off. "Banger of a show, eh?" a sweaty Harry grinned as they accelerated.
"What the fuck is happening?" she asked as they whizzed down the tunnel. She turned around to see Riggs and a couple of other of his guys had climbed into a cart and started following. Just then, a horde of screaming fans ran into the tunnel where they had been and started to chase after them.
"OH, holy fuck." Wendy's eyes were huge as she looked over to Riggs, who wasn't too far back. He gave her a little wink as he tried to give her a reassuring look before turning around to look behind him.
"Did you enjoy the show?" Harry wiped his face with his sleeve as they started to distance themselves from the fans.
"Are you completely unphased by this?!" Wendy gripped the seat as they took a sharp corner. Harry reached over and held her arm so she wouldn't tumble out.
"Christ," Riggs mumbled as he watched her lean before the cart straightened out. Once everyone rounded the corner, the staff quickly pulled the security gates down. Harry and Wendy looked behind them to see them locking the gate, "See, all good." Harry smiled.
"What happened?" Wendy glanced at Riggs again before turning around.
"Part of the barrier was faulty. At least that's what it looked like from the stage. The crowd surged, and it went down. Hence, the fan tsunami back there. Don't worry, darling, it won't happen again. Riggs will see to that." They came to a stop right next to the blacked-out cars that were waiting to take them to the plane.
Harry hopped out as someone handed him a towel and his bag. Riggs pulled up next to them and jumped out as Wendy climbed out of the cart. "Come on, Love, we'll talk in the car." He put his hand on her back and guided her over, opening the door for her before she could reply. She climbed in one side as Harry climbed in the other. Riggs jumped in the passenger seat, and they were instantly off.
Harry toweled off as best he could, digging through his bag to find his jumper to slip over his stage clothes. As soon as they were clear of the stadium and well on their way, Riggs finally turned around and looked at them both. "Are we good? No one missing a finger?"
"Never better!" Harry grinned as he got situated. "The barrier gave way."
"We'll make sure that doesn't happen again...you good?" He was watching Wendy the whole time Harry was jib-jabbing.
"Yeah." She nodded.
"What were you so engrossed in at the show?" Riggs had been keeping an eye on her from afar and noticed the last hour or so she had been sucked into her phone.
"Oh. OH. Um, BTS and Suki announced they arrived in LA together. It's a thing." Harry now looked over at her as well as she said, "It's all over online."
"They announced it, or it was leaked?" Riggs asked.
"Announced. Official statement and everything. Vogue is now dropping clues she is there to meet with them. The Gala is putting out that BTS is attending. It's sort of everywhere in all capacities." She held eyes with Riggs as he nodded, then turned back around in his seat.
"Those are guys I would love to properly meet someday, and not at a party where you can't talk like at Annabel's." Harry sighed, "I was supposed to be at that Gala, but the tour dates are too tight."
"Oh...I forgot to tell you. I spoke to Mr. Su a few days ago. He said if the tour came to Korea, the guys would host you," Riggs said as he pulled out his phone and started scrolling through the news.
"STOP IT!" Harry yelled as everyone jumped.
"Jesus Christ, Harry!" Wendy whacked him as he sat there and grinned.
"We're going. That needs to happen! Wait, why were you talking to Mr. Su?" Harry glanced at Wendy, "Was he checking in to make sure you weren't being held against your will?"
"Yes, didn't you know I have him on speed dial for my health and well-being?" Wendy smirked as Riggs tried to withhold a smile, knowing that was more than a true statement. Harry's eyes got big as Riggs put him out of his misery. "We were talking security stuff, don't worry your pretty little head. But, with that conversation, an offer was extended to you. So, if you can make that schedule work..."
"Oh, it's going to fucking work. I'll call the company, and we'll get on the calendar." He grinned.
"You are such a bloody whore." Wendy shook her head as he leaned back and got comfortable, "Only when I need to be darling. Look. You're friends with the top of the top. I can't just call them up and say, hey, wanna go for drinks?"
"You don't think?" she smirked. "I don't know. Doesn't seem hard anymore. That's what Gaga did with me, and now look, you're traveling the world with me. Lucky twit." Wendy grinned as Harry's face morphed into shock. "I'm traveling with you?! Bloody wan..."
"Language." Riggs tried not to laugh from the front seat. Harry's face tried to stay mad, but his grin broke though. "OK then. I challenge you to call someone and ask them to go for drinks. You know what, I'll pick the person!" He pulled out his phone and searched through his list of names.
"That won't work!" she laughed. "No one knows who I am! You can't call someone I don't know! They'll think I'm a stalker!"
"OH nooo! It's so bloody easy! You just call and say, hey, wanna go for drinks? Doesn't seem so hard to me. Who shall it be?" Harry scrolled through his long list of names, looking for the perfect person.
"No drinks," Riggs said. "Dinner, but no drinks. Lunch would be better unless it's a girl, then dinner is fine."
"Riggs! You're going along with this!" He turned in his seat, smiled, then shrugged, "Might be fun."
"OH. Okay then. So, HOW do you two suggest I plan a date with this person? I'm never in one spot for more than a few days. How does next Friday sound? Oh no, sorry, I'm flying off to Australia...but I'll be back in your general area in the spring?!" They watched Riggs grab Harry's phone and start to scroll through names. "It's not a date, it's lunch," he smiled.
"We'll make it work." Harry grinned as he sat back, enjoying watching her squirm. "Just because you're traveling with me doesn't mean you can't leave and come back? You aren't bound to a contract, if you need to go, go. I'm going to need photo proof though that you held your end of the deal."
"What deal?!" She laughed. "No one is going to take my call! No one knows me! I'm not going to embarrass myself by begging to have dinner with someone to prove you wrong. I don't need to prove you wrong anyway because I'm right."
"She had a point," Riggs added from the front seat as he scrolled the names. "Most of these people wouldn't do it without some sort of introduction...and the rest I wouldn't allow."
Harry looked offended and scoffed, "Are you going to let him not 'allow' you to meet someone? Allow being the offending word here in this day and age. And who the hell would be on that list?!"
Riggs turned and showed him the contact information for a music producer he had worked with on his last album. "Oh." Harry nodded, "Fair point. I wouldn't allow that either. Total prick. Ok. I'm going to keep my eyes open, and we'll find the perfect person to ask. Don't you worry, darling." Harry grinned as he took his phone back from Riggs. Wendy rolled her eyes in protest as they whizzed down the highway.
It wasn't long before everyone was loaded on the plane, and they were taking off to the next stop on the tour. Wendy was sitting near the window as Riggs sat down next to her. "I know you want to kick my ass for agreeing with Harry, and we can have that conversation, but I have questions for you first. You ok? Kind of crazy ending to the show and all."
"Yeah, no kidding. I think I was more shocked Harry was so nonchalant about a swarm of fans trying to hunt him down." She reached over and ran her fingers through his.
"Well. He's done this a long time. He knows when to panic. He trusts his people." Riggs was glad she didn't seem too bothered about the entire ordeal. "So, tell me about your friends. What's going on?"
"They're your friends too." Wendy smiled as he shrugged a little, "Technically, by default, but fine, I'll take it. They're a solid bunch. Now, show me what's going on." Wendy took out her phone, and they read through the news about the two groups. "Have you spoken to her yet?" Riggs asked as they kept scrolling.
"No. This feels intense. Is it intense?" Wendy spoke quietly to keep their conversation between them. It wasn't only Harry and them on the plane. His staff flew with them.
"Those guys have a lot of protective fans. That's why they have the security they have. Suki has her crazy bunch as well. It's to be expected to a point. Look at Goldy Locks back there." He motioned toward Harry. "He gets photographed with someone, and the rumor mill shoots into overdrive. Real or not."
"I'm going to tell him you said that." She smirked.
"Go ahead. He knows I call him that, he won't care." Riggs laughed a little. "You should call her though, check in when we land. We have four nights in Athens then we are off to Australia for a few weeks." He looked over at her, then pulled her over for a quick kiss on the head. "There's going to be some dust, but it will settle. It always does."
"Yeah, I know. It's different to watch the dust storm when it's about people you know." She sighed and then changed the topic, "Now. We need to talk about this date you are trying to send me on."
He grinned, "It's not a date."
Back in Los Angeles.
The news had been released that BTS and Suki were traveling together and had arrived in Los Angeles. Some of the boys' schedules had been announced, but nothing solid on what Suki had planned. As usual, they stayed off their phones and the internet to not get sucked into the drama the media would drum up. It was something they told her long ago she needed to do for her mental health. They had learned that lesson the hard way when they were younger. Pak promised her if it was something she needed to know, he would tell her himself, which worked well so far.
She plopped herself on the couch next to Yoongi as Jungkook and Tae sat intertwined on the other couch. The television was on a movie that no one was watching. "Who are you texting?" Yoon smiled as she cozied up next to him.
"Gaga. I wanted to message her before she reads it in the media. How rude would that be." She smiled as he kissed her temple, and she set her phone down next to her.
"Maybe she'll want to take you out for dirty nachos," Tae murmured, half asleep under Jungkook's arm.
"I want dirty nachos." Kook moaned, "Those sound disgustingly good."
"What makes them dirty? Maybe we can order some." Yoon asked as he wrapped his arm around her, rubbing her shoulder with his thumb.
She shook her head, "They are best eaten in a bar after hours of drinking. They don't travel well, Yoon."
"You travel well though, and based on what Joon has shared, you are exceptionally dirty," he whispered in her ear. Just then, her phone rang. As she reached for it he put his hand over hers. "Let me. I'll decide if it's someone you need to talk to right now," he said softly. Now that the word was out, they wanted to make sure the drama didn't seep in more than necessary.
She handed him the phone without looking at who was calling. Tae and Kook both cracked an eye and glanced over from the couch as Yoon smiled, "Are you available for Gaga, honey?"
"Thank you, Yoon." She kissed him on the cheek, took the phone, and got up to wander somewhere quiet to take the call.
"Smart," Tae said as he got comfortable again.
"She doesn't need the extra shit." Yoongi watched her head out onto the balcony to talk but left the French doors cracked open a little. "I hope this week goes smoothly for her and everyone else." Yoongi got comfortable so he could watch her from where he sat.
"Hello?"
"Well, look who decided to make it to LA finally, it's about time." Gaga was more than excited to get a text from Suki. She had been hoping she would reach out when she came to town.
Ami laughed, "Sorry, it took a little longer than I thought. Bad traffic and all, are you in town?"
"I am actually. You caught me in a perfect window. Are you traveling alone, or are Jae and Wendy with you? I'm wondering so I know what to plan for us."
"Only Jae. No Wendy this time. What do you have in mind? I'm not going to lie, things are going to be tight on my end." Ami curled up in the corner of the patio couch.
"Tight timewise, or security-wise? I saw how they watched over you all in London." Gaga smiled. She was impressed by how everyone had handled the situation back at Annabel's with that guy who tried to impose. Her guys would have tossed him against the wall, causing more of a scene. She appreciated their stealth.
"Both, actually. You're going to hear about it sooner than later, but I'm traveling with the BTS boys. Officially, this time. So, there might be a little more drama around me being here. Their fans can be pretty intense."
"Mmm. Gotcha. So, let's make it easy. Do you and Jae want to come over for lunch this week?"
"To your house?"
"Sure. It makes it so much easier to talk rather than go out in public. Let me know what days you have, and we'll make it work." The two talked a while longer while Hobi, Jimin, and Jin joined the other three in the living room.
"Joon still sleeping?" Jin flopped down on the couch next to Yoongi.
"Haven't seen him for a few hours. I think she did a number on him. I wouldn't mind her doing a number on me." Yoongi smirked. "How was your honeymoon, speaking of doing numbers on people."
"Amazing. Wonderful. Honestly, I wish we could have stayed longer." he sighed. "Not buying it, by the way, she nixed it." He grinned. "Good place to visit, but I suppose it's a little more out of the way of our normal routes."
Jimin jumped in, "We need an island. Seriously. It was so nice to not worry about running into anyone else. Pak was super relaxed, which was rare to see. Minimal work for Choi and Quon. Ami was naked most of the time. It was perfect."
"Oh yes, I heard about your naked rules. Good rules, by the way." Jin smirked.
"Wait. What naked rules?" Jungkook said wide-eyed as everyone looked over to Jimin and Jin.
Jimin sat back and got comfortable, then started telling them about their rules for being naked as much as possible. On the beach, in the water, around the bungalow. If they weren't with people, they were naked. Everyone was shocked to hear Jin and Ami skinny-dipped on their honeymoon with the others so close by.
"Weren't you worried about Quon or Pak to come scrolling around the corner?" Hobi asked, baffled, how they got away with it or that Ami agreed to it at all.
"Oh, I gave them a heads up. They kept their distance." Jin grinned. "No one was scarred by our nudity. I'm not the one who is going to win that prize."
"I need to plan my honeymoon." Tae lamented, rubbing his face with his hands.
"Yes, you do." Jin and Jimin grinned at him as they all kept talking.
***
Ami's phone had been buzzing off and on for the last couple of hours. She had turned her phone over officially to Yoongi for monitoring. She let most of the calls go to voicemail to deal with later, except when Wendy called. They watched her trot off to the bedroom as she answered.
"Hey Wendy..." Ami started to say before she was cut off.
"Hey, yourself. You holding up ok?"
Ami paused, "Holding up?"
"Yeah, I mean, people online are losing their shit because you guys are traveling together. Traveling! Nothing else! The amount of nonsense people spew is insane. We made it to Athens by the way." Wendy and Riggs had arrived at the hotel and were getting settled in.
Ami wandered to her bedroom and shut the door. "Is it that bad? I've stayed off the internet most of the day," she said a little more quietly.
"It's not terrible, I guess. I've never personally known anyone in the papers like that. Riggs said it would die down soon. It's maddening how crazy people are being. I mean, come on, it's not like you're having a baby and don't know who the father is."
"Right. Right. That would be crazy." Ami sighed as she squeezed her eyes shut, grabbing the bridge of her nose. "So, how is Athens? Is the trip going okay?" She slowly paced around the room as Wendy recapped the show. Ami was half listening, then stopped in her tracks and focused on Wendy's great escape from the stadium.
"Holy shit. That's wild. Harry was unbothered?"
"Completely. Apparently, he has a line for when he freaks out, and that's not it." Wendy tossed herself back on the bed as Riggs glanced at her while unpacking his bag.
"What about your Viking? Was he bothered?"
"Totally. Not a happy Viking." Wendy looked over as she teased. Riggs smirked as he finished unpacking. "So, we're here for a few days, then off to Australia. What about you? How is LA? OH! Did you call Gaga yet? You better say yes." Wendy rolled to her side and got comfortable as Ami started telling her about her week. The Vogue shoot in a couple of days, lunch with Gaga and hopefully meeting up with a couple of other people if there was time.
"What about the Gala? Are you going with the guys?"
"No, I don't have a plan to. That's their deal on this trip. I'm here with them but laying low. No need to feed more drama to the masses." She looked up as she heard a knock on her door. Namjoon peaked in and whispered, "Pak wants you to go across the hall when you are done. No rush." She smiled and blew him a kiss as he winked and closed the door again.
For the rest of the conversation, Ami asked about her trip and travel plans. Wendy talked while her mind was wondering what was being said about her and the boys. As the two finally hung up, Ami promised Wendy to say hi to Gaga for her.
When she finally walked out of the bedroom, she was surprised to see Pak and Su both there. They had all been quietly talking as they waited for her. "Oh hey, I thought we were meeting across the hall." Ami shoved her phone in her pocket as Pak stood up, and Su stayed sitting. "We are. I thought you might want an escort. The halls are a labyrinth here." Pak cheesed as she glanced at Su, "Are you staying here?"
"I am. The boys and I are going to chat about the Gala while you girls talk about your plans, sound good?"
"Yeah, that works." She started to head to the door as Namjoon got up. "Hey, did you have a good chat?" He asked as he took her hand and walked her to where Pak was waiting by the door.
"I did. Is everything ok? Are you really just talking about the Gala?" Ami asked quietly as they made it to the door. Namjoon leaned down and kissed her gently, sensing her nerves. "We are. Dove, everything is fine." He gave her a long, strong hug, feeling her body relax as she took a breath. Before he let her go, he pulled her phone back out of her pocket, "I'll hold this for you." he said quietly, then nodded to Pak.
Quon was across the hall, waiting for them to open the door. As soon as Pak did, Quon opened his door wide and stepped out into the hall, making sure it was clear. Namjoon put Ami's hand in Pak's as Quon gave them both a nod. He quickly walked Ami across the hallway as Quon followed, closing the door behind them.
"Wow," Ami said wide-eyed as Pak turned and smiled. "Did you think we were going to let you wander across the hall all willy-nilly? You know us better than that. How's Wendy?"
"Hey! Ami! You must come in here!" They heard Jae call out.
"I'll fill you in later." She said quickly before she trotted off to see what Jae was up to.
Quon sat down with Choi on the couches as Pak grabbed a drink and joined them, "Su needs some time to talk to the guys. When the girls are done, we'll go over the plans for the week."
"Has she been online yet?" Choi asked quietly.
"No. The guys have been running interference. She's going to find out soon, though." Pak sighed. "I hope it doesn't stress her out too much."
"What the hell..." Ami stopped at the door of the room to find Jae flipping through racks of clothes. They were lining the walls and down the middle of the room. "Most of this was sent over by the company for the guys, so everything times seven," Jae called out before pulling dresses off the rack and holding them up for her to see. "But a lot of these are from Jimin and Hobi." Jae giggled as she put them back, and Ami started looking through it all.
"Good lord, we decided to come a few days ago. How did they get these all ordered and delivered so quickly." Ami started to flip through dresses, skirts, shirts, jeans, and shorts. Everything had high-end labels on them, from fancy to low-key. "Ohh...damn.'' She walked over to the corner of the room where there were easily twenty shoe boxes each waiting for them.
"We're going to need a cargo plane to get all this home!" She started peeking in the boxes of shoes, then turned to Jae and smiled, "Well, this is fun. I'm not going to lie." Jae giggled as she flipped through the racks. "Pak said anything we don't like to set aside, and they'll have it returned." As they continued to look through clothes, Jae automatically pulled out things she knew 'Suki' would wear in public.
"So, have you seen any news today?" Ami asked as she tried on shoes.
"Nope. I slept, then molded myself to the couch and enjoyed the silence. It's crazy that sometimes your vacations need vacations. I know this week is going to be interesting—fun, I hope. Kai's been on his phone texting with Su and the team, though." Jae glanced over at Ami, "Why? Have you?"
"No. Yoongi and Joon commandeered my phone. Which I was okay with until I spoke to Wendy. The news of me traveling with the boys is a thing." She set a pair of shoes off to the side and tried on another pair.
"Of course it is. The most popular, sexy, super group on the planet finally lets the world know they have a friend, who is a girl AND happens to be a super private mystery singer. The craziness of it all." She rolled her eyes, then thought for a moment, "What do you mean by 'thing'? What does that mean?" Jae kept rustling through the clothes.
"I don't know, but it's enough of a thing Wendy said, and I quote, It's maddening how crazy people are being. It's not like you're having a baby and don't know who the father is. Or something like that." Ami didn't look over at Jae but heard the clothes stop rustling.
Jae glanced over at her friend, mouth open and staring. "Ami. She doesn't know. If she knew about you all, I'm sure that isn't the comment she would have made."
"I know," Ami said a little more quietly. She knew she was right, but it still didn't mean it tugged at her heart with a little worry. "I know people are going to say shit. I've seen what they say about the guys for years. I know the fact I'm traveling with them the fans are going to drag me and them through it, whatever."
"Then what is it?"
Ami sighed, "I hope I can tell her someday about all of us. That's all. It's so nice to have this kind of openness." She pointed between herself and Jae. "It's really nice, and if she thinks it's weird I could be pregnant and not know who the father is..."
"It is!" Jae laughed, "Outside this group, it is! This isn't some alternate reality where everyone has multiple partners!" Ami stifled a laugh as she let out a heavy sigh. "You're right. I'll stop overthinking."
Jae watched her friend as she continued to try on shoes. "It will happen. We need some more girlie time with the guys around so she can see they are madly in love with you, and there's no other way. Because honestly, there is no other way." She said matter of factly. "You're wrong about one thing, though."
"I am?" Ami looked over at her, confused.
"Why are YOU traveling with them? Why aren't THEY traveling with YOU." Jae smirked. "It's all perspective, babe. This was your gig first. They wanted to tag along. They're traveling with you." Ami smiled a little, thinking over what she was saying.
"Jae. I honestly couldn't do any of this without you, you know that right?"
"Oh. I know." Jae replied in her sing-song tone. "We need each other." Ami smiled as she tried on another pair of shoes. "So, are you nervous at all about this week? Being in 'public' again like we are?"
"Honestly? I'm trying not to think about it. If I think about it too much, I will." She pulled out a gray off-the-shoulder top and held it up, "You're wearing this. What about you?"
"Same. Everyone is doing everything they can, and me rocking in the corner isn't going to help. Staying inside forever isn't a thing, so pushing through is the only option. What I really want is to punch someone in the face." Ami said plainly as Jae giggled, "I'll help you do it. Kai said there is a private gym on site. We should probably go before we head out into the world this week."
"Agreed." She smiled as she pushed a box of shoes to the side and tried on the next pair.
***
Su was across the hall, filling them in on the online conversations happening. "So. It's pretty much as expected. Everyone is excited you're in town. They're excited she's in town. Rampant speculation if she is going to show up at the Gala with you or at all. Word is the hotel you usually stay at is already seeing paparazzi and fans showing up outside. Nothing is currently leaking for this place as of now, so that's good." Su watched them all take the news in stride. "Has she been online at all?"
"No." Namjoon set her phone down on the table in front of them. "She knows when this kind of news hits we stay off for a while until it dies down."
"Good." Su nodded. "I personally don't care about what the media says but worry more if it's going to pull people out of the woodwork. So that's where my energy lies."
"Still no leads on who's behind Paris or New York, huh?" Hobi asked as they all watched as frustrated Su shook his head no.
"You need to know, though, that the rumblings of one of you hooking up with her are now officially fueled. Based on experience, we knew that was going to happen, though."
"What are the top three rumors?" Jungkook inquired. They all wanted to know.
Su sat back and thought for a moment. Of course they would ask that question, it's something they use to discuss. In their early days as a group, they wanted to know more in-depth about what was being said about them. They cared about everything their fans would say. Su would run down the top three things that were 'trending' until he realized it wasn't healthy for them to fixate like that. He put his foot down, and they had been better for it.
"We need to know, Su. We have interviews this week. We can't be blindsided," Namjoon said, wanting to know but not wanting to because he knew they all would be mad.
"Listen. We can have that conversation, but Pak isn't. It's all bullshit, and it's changing every moment."
"It's ok. We need to know." Yoongi shifted as they all waited. Su took a moment and then filled them in.
"Ok. One. She's dating one of you. Jungkook, you seem to be the favorite of the hour. Two, she has dated more than one person in the group, and a riff is forming because of it." He watched them all shake their heads in disgust but let him continue. "Three, you are all attending the Gala together. That's going to be where she announces who she's officially dating." He sat back and watched them all quietly react in the ways he expected.
Yoongi was looking off in the distance, stoic but pissed. Namjoon shook his head in disapproval, clenching his jaw. Jin had his arms crossed while Jimin held his head back, staring at the ceiling. Tae and Jungkook were staring at each other from across the couch, having an entire conversation with their eyes. While Hobi was staring right at Su with a look that would melt steel. Anyone else would be uncomfortable with Hobi's stare, but not Su.
"Listen. I know this stuff is going to bother you, but you've been through it before."
"We haven't been through it being married, though. That's what's different." Tae said quickly. "We knew this was going to happen, but it still sucks."
Su gave them an understanding look and sighed, "I know. I do. But you know how this feels. She doesn't, and I know we all worry about her dealing with the pressure these days. She has all of you who can help if anything comes up for her. Pak is going to give the girls a glossed-over version for now until things die down to a murmur. Vogue is in two days, you guys have interviews and usual schmoozy things planned. The Gala isn't until Friday, and then we'll head back home. I know you are feeling it all in here," he pointed to his chest. "But we all know that stuff is bullshit and needs to run its course. I want this week to go smoothly from a non-psychopath perspective. If we can get through the week without someone jumping out of the woodwork, then we can start rebuilding that trust."
"The trust with who?" Jungkook looked confused.
"The trust the girls feel in themselves. With all of this, I'm guessing Taehyung and Hoseok feel it, too." The group looked over at the two called out, nodding a little in agreement. The only way to rebuild that foundation is to continuously have things go as right as possible. There's going to be times they go sideways, but I hope we can get enough good things under our belt so it's not a total breakdown."
Su looked at all the guys as they sat quietly, thinking about what he was saying. He needed them to change their mindset. "Or. We do this trip as a one-and-done."
"What do you mean?" Jin frowned, confused.
"I mean, we know what they are going to say if you continue doing 'official' trips together or even casual stuff. If it's too much to deal with, we'll go back to the way it was." He sat back and watched them all now contemplate that option.
"How would we even do that?" Jimin asked as Su shrugged. "Limited joint engagements. No traveling together, and only seen at official events."
"No," Namjoon said firmly. We're not going back. We aren't ashamed of her. We aren't going to stop talking or looking at each other out in public anymore."
"I agree. It's been almost three years. It's been long enough." Yoongi spoke up. They were done hiding their friendship. That time was over. Su had a little smile on his face as they each went around the room and voiced the same feelings. This is what he needed from them. This is what she would need, them to band together as a force. Not letting the outside opinions and voices take up residence in their minds.
"Good. Now, with that being said, we aren't going to worry about the top three rumors moving forward anymore." He looked at Jungkook and nodded in agreement. "Like I told you years ago, giving energy to rumor and gossip we know is wrong is not worth your time and energy. It changes nothing except creating doubt. You wouldn't be anywhere close to where you are if you kept doing that. You're all above that. Yes?"
"Yes." they all said in response as they felt a sense of strength growing between them again. An impenetrable wall they would place her in the middle of to protect her at all costs.
"Good. Now, let's talk about the week's plans."
***
After thirty minutes of talking, going through clothes, and making a pile of decisions, the two joined Pak, Choi, and Quon again.
"Find some goodies in there?" Quon smiled as both girls sat down to join them all.
"Oh yes. Above and beyond, as usual. We are set for the next month at least." Ami sighed, "So. What's going on in the world? How insane is it? What do I need to know?"
Pak shrugged, "No worse than usual. You know there are always those fans who are delusional enough to think your boys belong to them. No one is good enough in their eyes. It's something we are watching, but we always watch that stuff."
"Are they calling for my head or something? Wendy seemed to think it was unhinged out there." Ami crossed her arms as she looked at all three men.
"It's always unhinged, but it's not at a change of plan level," Choi added. "The only big difference is Suki's name is wrapped up with theirs, which is to be expected. You're traveling with them officially this time."
"No. No." Jae interrupted, "They are here with her." Everyone looked over to Jae, confused for a moment. "They are here with her," she said again. "She was invited over for Vogue. They changed their plans to come along...they are here with her. That's the narrative." Ami smiled as Jae held her ground.
"Ok." Pak smiled. "You're right. I agree with you." They noticed Ami unphased by what Jae was saying which meant the girls already had a conversation. "What other questions do you have? Then we'll talk about the plan for the week."
The two sat for a moment longer, "So. It's the usual speculation bullshit I used to see when I worked with you for the boys then?"
Everyone looked at Pak as he nodded. "I promise. Regular bullshit. No one is calling for your...their heads." He caught himself as Jae nodded in approval of his word change. "In order of excitement," he held his hand up high over his head, "Holy shit, BTS is in town. Holy shit, Suki is here too. Oh my god, they are traveling together...insert fan screaming here." They smiled as he incrementally lowered his hand with each level. "Mass speculation of if you are showing up at the Gala because there is NO official news put out on that topic. Subset," He moved his hand to the side a little, "If you do go, will you walk with the boys? What are you wearing? Have you signed with Dior?"
"I'm not planning on going." she smiled as he continued.
"Sweet mother of tacos, are they forming a supergroup together? General absolute fucking nonsense." he swirled his hand lower to the bottom of the 'chart'. "And finally, are you all here to collab with the great Katy Perry."
"What?!" Both girls laughed.
"Oh, and you shaved your head," Quon added as both girls giggled in absolute disbelief.
"Right." Pak grinned, "I lied about Katy Perry, but the head-shaving rumor is true."
"It is not!" Jae about died as Ami yelled, "Why!!"
"Who knows?" Quon shrugged his shoulders as they watched them get back control of themselves.
Pak leaned forward, putting his elbows on his knees as he said a little more calmly, "Ami. Besides the usual crap, there is nothing we are worried about from a security perspective. Ok?"
"Ok. Thank you."
After a while, the two groups rejoined, and the rest of the day was quiet and calm. Ami felt better after talking with Jae and her guys while the boys all felt more unified after they met with Su. Jae lounged on the couch with Ami over in the guy's room while Su and Pak had a private conversation, comparing notes from the two meetings.
"How did it go?" Su asked as Pak followed him into his suite. The two sat back in overstuffed chairs. They were tired, having not had a chance to rest since they landed in LA.
"Pretty well I think. The girls seemed in a better mood after we talked. Ami was concerned about what was being said about the guys, not so much about her. She chatted with Wendy earlier and Wendy filled her in a little." Su sighed as he listened to Pak. He shared what Jae said about the perspective of the guys traveling with her, not the other way around, which he really liked.
"Sounds like you three were able to get them to a pretty solid place easily. The guys were a little more of a challenge, rightfully so, but they pulled themselves together. It's probably good they aren't doing anything in the public eye together this week so they can all get their footing."
"It's got to be a lot of mixed feelings. I mean, this is what they and we've been protecting for years. Just acknowledging they even know each other, as easy as it should be, isn't." Pak rubbed his face and then settled into the seat more. "It's going to be fine. We'll get through the week and go back home. Ami and Jae are going to Gaga's house for lunch the day after the photo shoot. I can't say how happy I am Gaga offered to host."
"Yeah. Taehyung is mad they're busy so he can't tag along." Su smiled, "Is there anything else she wants to do this week?"
Pak thought for a moment, "Maybe. Jae told me Ed Sheeran wants her to sing a song with him. He's in town playing at Sofi." Su looked over at him, a little more concerned about how that would work. "He wants her to sing at the show?"
"No. I think he just wants to meet up, record, and mess around from what I've been told."
"Oh, that would be good for her." Su took a deep breath as he finally let his body relax a little bit more. I think I need to sleep for a few minutes." He crossed his arms, then leaned back and relaxed into the chair. Pak's eyes were already closed, and both men crashed out hard.
Mexico City, Mexico
Jackson Wang's Tour arrived that evening, getting settled in for a few days of shows. Kija was online, and it wasn't hard to miss the news that BTS and Suki had arrived in LA. He fired off a text to Jang in Korea.
Hey. Did you see the news? They are in LA, and I'm down in Mexico City. I can get to LA if you need me to.
Kija's phone instantly rang, "Jang. Did you see..."
"Are you a complete fucking idiot? Why the hell are you texting me this? You understand you are leaving a paper trail, right?" Jang growled into the phone. "Stop texting me. Call me when you return to Korea, and we'll meet, like I said! Until then, don't do anything. I don't care if they stroll right in front of you. NOTHING. Do you hear me?! We are doing it MY way now!" Jang hung up on Kija, missing the days when you could slam the phone down on someone. Angrily pushing the End Call button didn't have the same oomph.
Meanwhile, Kija stood speechless, listening to silence on the end of his phone. "What the hell?"
***
As expected, by the end of the second day of being in town, the manic rumors started to die out. The focus became more realistic with talk about BTS appearing at the Gala. It helped it was confirmed Suki was there to meet with Vogue, it gave fans a direction to focus their energy.
The company put out a statement nonchalantly admitting the two groups were friends and had been for a long time. It made sense they would be traveling together. While they never made it a practice to comment on their talents' personal lives, they acknowledged it in a way without it feeling like a giant 'CALM THE FUCK DOWN PEOPLE' slap to fans. Everyone was glad to see it seemed to help.
***
It was the morning of day three, and Kook felt Ami roll over and snuggle into his body. He put his arms around her, pulling her closer. "Morning, baby. How did you sleep?"
"Hard." She tried to stretch but Kook restricted her until she wiggled enough that he loosened up. "I'm sore from my workout yesterday, but god, it felt good." Su and Pak had taken the girls to the gym and let them do whatever they needed, they had full reign of the space.
"Good. I'm glad. It means you worked hard." He sighed as he ran his hands over her body. "Tae is up, and everyone is starting to get ready. We have our first round of media nonsense today. Are you excited for your Vogue shoot?"
Ami opened her eyes, blinking with the morning light coming in as she thought. "I am. I'm ready. Seems a little crazy. Too bad you can't come along." She ran her hand over his waist and around his back.
"Mm. Want me to see if we can arrange it?"
"No. You can't. I already checked with Pak. Your adoring fans need you." she gave him a sleepy smile as he wrinkled his nose. "Fine." He stared at her face as he examined every part of it. He had it memorized by heart but still loved staring at her. "Baby. We need to get up. I'm not going to be responsible for the makeup department having to cover all the hickeys I'm going to leave on your body."
She giggled and started to roll away as he slowly swung his legs over the side of the bed. He sat up and took a deep breath as she looked back at him, grabbing her robe. She watched as he stood up, the muscles in his back moving as he twisted and stretched. "God, you're fucking hot." She grinned as he turned and smiled back. "You better scoot out of here or else. Three... two..."
Ami ran for the bedroom door, laughing as she flung it up and almost crashed into Hobi. "What are we doing?" he smiled as she laughed and trotted to the kitchen. Just then, Kook walked out as he was putting a t-shirt on over his head. "She's preserving her skin from marks before her photoshoot." Kook grinned.
"Ohh. God."
"When we get back to Korea! Promise!" she called out as she grabbed a plate of food Jin had ordered from room service.
"We're going to hold you to that," Hobi licked his lips as he and Kook exchanged knowing looks. "We're going to need minders for sure."