When in Busan...

“Is she going with this dress or that one?”

“She’s wearing her hair up! Get the pins and the hairspray!”

“I think one of the make up bags is still in the car.”

“Guys! Which gown?”

“Can’t be, I brought them all up!”

“She’s going with the white heels!”

“Well I can’t find the bag! It has to be in the car!”

“I did a check of the van before going up and it was all clear!”

“Hey guys…” you manage to finally get a word in, “it fell under the coffee table. Here’s the bag.”

“Thanks, Chris.” one of the women says as she takes the bag from you. “SEE! I told you I brought it up!”

“Just hand the bag over. Jeez.”

When Dahyun invited you to come with her to the Busan International Film Festival, it felt like an easy yes. A free vacation to Korea’s beach capital? Who on earth would say no? Only bummer is that Sullyoon was busy recording for their comeback. Still, you thought it would be nice to get some alone time with Dahyun.

Thought being the operative word.

It’s kinda funny seeing a near-six footer with his knees up on the couch. Also because it's the only way you don’t be a distraction. You do your best not to get in anyone’s way, occasionally lifting your feet on to the couch so that people can pass freely. You see Dahyun being swarmed by her make-up artists, along with her stylists showing her the different dresses that she could wear for the red carpet. After a while, and getting dangerously close to her call time, you see Dahyun and her team settle on a dress. A white wedding gown that had you seeing glimpses of a future you hope would come to fruition. 

“How do I look?” Dahyun asks as she twirls around, showing off her look.

Like I could get down on one knee and propose. 

Is what you would have said if you didn't have self control. Or didn’t care that you didn’t have the ring ready. A coin flip honestly. 

“He’s speechless.” her makeup artist chuckles.

“That works for me.” her stylist exclaims. “Come on! We have to go down now or we’re going to be late for the red carpet.” she orders as she starts collecting last minute essentials for emergencies. Her manager does the same, grabbing an extra pair of sneakers along with a coat. Dahyun gets the finishing touches of her look on, some simple jewelry along with her heels. She goes over herself in the mirror one last time before turning to you.

“You really have nothing to say?” she asks with a tilted head.

“You’re perfect Dubu. No other words needed.” you give her a hug and a quick peck on the lips. “Have fun okay? And enjoy the moment. Don’t over think.” you remind her.

“I will— well, I’ll try. It’s just, first film festival and all…”

“You’re starting again.” you tease her. “Just live in the moment, Dubu. It’s yours. Enjoy it.”

“Okay.” she gives you a meek smile.

“Hey! You two can do the lovey dovey stuff later. Let’s get moving!” Dahyun’s manager stresses. You both chuckle before sharing one last kiss. She goes with her manager through the door, giving you one last look. God she’s breathtaking.

Throughout the night, you follow Dahyun and her events through the live link that she gave you. Seeing her walk the red carpet with that beautiful white gown had your heart fluttering (just a tiny bit jealous that she was walking with Jinyoung). Overall though? You were proud of her. You were happy for her. She’s achieving a part of her dream right now, and you’re doing your best to be by her side as she does so. Because she definitely did the same for you.

The stream of the event ended, and after attending the premiere of her movie, Dahyun returned to the hotel room a few hours later. She runs into your arms, exhilaration pouring out of her because of the adrenaline rush, along with the excitement of sharing stories from the night. That is until she gets a taste of the mattress. She’s snoring in seconds. 

The second day of the festival is just as hectic for Dahyun, especially since she has a full schedule of events. Considering how tired she was the night before (and how she slept through the takeout you ordered for her), you decide to order room service breakfast for her so she could continue to get ready in the room. After sharing a few pancakes and some fruit after she wakes, she gets whisked away by her team for the first of three cycles of hair and make up along with three outfit changes. Once again, you’re left alone in the hotel room with not a lot to do. You decide to go on a jog, maybe walk around town for a bit to kill some time. You sneak in to some of her events, just staying at the back of the crowd and watching her from afar (though somehow she still manages to spot you, two years together and you still have no clue how).

The rest of the day was uneventful for you. While Dahyun attends the Marie Claire awards dinner, you spend your night waiting in the room for her after a quick walk to a nearby fast food joint. You finish your food while watching Kingdom for the fourth time (it’s compelling, don’t blame yourself), and just as the clock is about to hit midnight that’s when you hear the door’s lock click.

You stand up to meet Dahyun in the entry way. She walks in slowly. Almost solemnly. In her hand is an award. You don’t get to read the inscription immediately though, as she immediately rushes towards you for a hug. Naturally, your arms wrap around her in reply. Though you're not without your questions.

“Hey.” you whisper to her.

“Hey.” she whispers in reply.

“You won an award?” you ask.

“Yeah… Yeah.” she says as she suddenly remembers what the weight in her hands is. “Rising Star.”

“That’s great.” you reply, “I got you some takeout just in case you were hungry.”

“Thanks.” she says as she finally relents from the hug. “Though I don’t think I can eat right now.”

She gives you a meek smile before she continues walking. She sets down the award on the coffee table before she continues on. 

Dahyun walks out onto the balcony to get some fresh air. From her actions, you can tell that something’s bothering her, and the least you can do is be there for her. You slowly walk up behind and hug her waist. You start kissing her exposed shoulder before you bury your head into the crook of her neck. She reaches up for your face and gives you a peck on the cheek before she goes to look at the view again.

“Are you alright, dub? You look like you have a lot on your mind.” you ask.

“Yeah… It’s just… a bit overwhelming."

“How so?”

“All of it. It all still feels… surreal. I just started acting but I’m already attending a film festival. Hell, I even won an award. I still can’t believe it's happening. I can’t help but feel like I’m in over my head.” you hear her voice quiver. It’s one of the rare moments where her idol persona is unable to hold back her true feelings. “Seeing all the candybongs in the crowd was amazing. I really felt the fans’ support. But, it made me feel that all this: the two film roles, the festival, the award, that all of it was only handed to me because I’m an idol. It felt like… like I didn’t earn it.”

Dahyun’s confession sits between you as she continues to gaze out into the sea. You could tell that she was uncomfortable carrying those thoughts on her own throughout the past two days. It was taking their toll on her. You know you have to do something. Something that could take a bit of the weight off of her shoulders. 

“It’s normal, Dahyun. But you shouldn’t feel that way.” You hug her tighter, hoping the pressure matches the reassurance that you want to give her. “I’ve seen you work your ass off for this. You managed to add acting lessons in your already hectic schedule of being an idol. In between rehearsals, recording sessions, music show performances, even world tours. You put your mind and heart to it. You entered the industry with the utmost respect and reverence. There are tons of actors who started out as idols. Some decided to coast on their fame alone. You’re choosing not to. You decided to keep on studying, keep on training, keep on developing.”

“Did your fame as an idol help? Sure.” you argue as you spin her around, hands tightly gripping her exposed shoulders to let her know you’re sincere, “But, it was your hard work that got critics, directors and other actors to acknowledge you. It was your respect for the industry that earned, not just that award, but their respect as well. Okay?”

A tear falls down Dahyun’s cheek as she goes in to hug you tight. You give her one in reply, holding her close to let her know she’s all right. She looks up at you, all teary eyed but wearing a soft smile.

“When did you get so good at comforting people?” she asks jokingly.

“You and Yoona comforted me so much that I picked up a few things. Also the therapy sessions, not completely useless.” you both laugh over the last joke before she reaches up and plants a quick kiss on your lips. 

When Dahyun pulls back, you see her demeanor change in real time. The soft smile fades into something more serious. You’re worried that she might be getting in her own head again when she pulls you down for a deeper kiss. Her lips wrestle yours for control. Her tongue breaches into your mouth to clash against yours. In pulling you down towards her, she unknowingly starts moving back towards the balcony railings. Your hands act quickly, holding on to the cold metal before her exposed back makes contact. Her hands migrate from the back of your neck to your cheeks, holding your face as she continues to lap at you. 

“You know, Minju’s just a few rooms away.” Dahyun says when she pulls away wearing a cheeky grin on her face. “If you want, I can call little Min-Min over so we can have even more fun.”