Chapter Text
"Ok, the picture looks good," one of the managers says, after she checks the pictures that she took in her phone, or the company's phone to be exact. She smiles in satisfaction at it. "I think we'll post it tonight."
Jeno sees one by one of his fellow members standing up after their crouching position for the picture. Chenle, Jisung, Jaemin, Renjun and Haechan... They all look tired as hell, but still seem excited and satisfied from the energy of today's concert. They did great enough. And tomorrow is the last day.
"Ah... I'm starving and in mood for eating samgyeopsal now," Haechan looks at Karina and Winter. "Hey, you guys in?"
Winter laughs nervously. "Do i want my pictures eating samgyeopsal with you guys all over Naver with hate comments and death wish from your fans tomorrow morning?" She pretends to think deeply. "Um thanks, but no thanks."
Haechan chuckles in reply and shrugs, leaving the room. Probably to remove his make up and change into more comfortable clothes. Renjun and Jisung wave to both of Karina and Winter, and leave too.
"Our backstage picture together will break the internet enough for tonight," Chenle comments. "Too bad Ningning and Giselle didn't come..." he looks sad.
"Yeah, something came up for Ningning and Giselle is still recovering," Karina replies softly. She looks beautiful in her all black outfit and minimal make up face. Jeno can't stop looking at her. "Too bad. Giselle was the one excited for your Seoul concert. We couldn't come last time."
"It's ok," Mark says. "Her health is number one priority. I hope she will get better soon." He grabs Chenle's shoulder and pulls him. "Come on, we should change too." Chenle tries to shrug his leader's hand off, but Mark insists and Chenle only takes a deep breath, resigned, and follows him.
"I'm so thirsty," Winter looks at Karina. "Let's go grab some drink first before we go back to dorm..."
At this moment Jeno makes some quick pleading glances at Jaemin and the pink-haired guy nods, got the signal loud and clear right away.
"I have some cold mineral water bottles in my change room," Jaemin says quickly to Winter. "And my manager bought a couple of Ice Americano too. They are in my fridge. Do you want it?"
"Oh," Winter's eyes light up like a kid on Christmas day. "That would be great!! Thanks!!" she follows Jaemin out of the room and turns to Karina for a second, "I'll be back later ok!!"
"Wait.... i'll go with you..." She starts to walk after Winter, but Jeno moves fast and grabs her wrist gently.
"Can we...talk first?" Jeno hopes he'll sound calm in her ears, unlike the desperation he has been feeling these few months.
Karina turns to look at him. Soft eyes slowly turn wider, her lips fall open. "Talk about what?"
Worried that she will run out of the room because of panic, Jeno lets go of her wrist slowly. He looks around the room. No staff, no other members, just the two of them. But still, someone might come in here again later.
"Not here," He whispers. "Will you come with me to my change room?"
She frowns at him. "Just us?"
He puts his hands into his pockets nervously. "Yeah. I won't do anything bad...i promise i just want to talk." He licks his lower lip. "Do you trust me, Katarina?"
Karina sighs when he calls her by her baptist name. "Of course i trust you." She says finally. "But let me find Winter first. I'll tell her to wait..."
"You don't have to worry about Winter. Jaemin will take care of her and take her home, i mean... with our manager's car."
Karina nods. "Fine."
"Fine?" He repeats.
"Yep, just go to your change room first. I'll follow later. It will be better if we go separately, right?"
Jeno wants to say no because who cares, who fucking cares if people here see them together... and go to his private changing room, just the two of them? Well, it does sound bad, but at this point he doesn't care, he just wants to...
"Well?" Karina asks, her lips pursed. She looks serious and firm, and unwilling to accept other answers than yes. Jeno will have to go by her rules. He'll trust Karina to agreeably come to the promised location or...run back to her dorm as fast as lightning.
He runs his fingers through his blonde hair. "Yes...Okay. I'll go first." He walks to the door and turns to her. "I'll wait for you."
She shrugs casually. "Ok."
With her vague answer, he leaves the room , his heart on his sleeve.
***
to be continued...