On the flight home, Alex stared out the window replaying the Christmas dinner in her head. They really had felt like a family last night. She thought about Yoongi and that kiss. He finally did it! She squeezed her eyes closed and giggled to herself inside. Alex had barely slept the night before, he was all she could think about. She looked down at the bracelet he had given her. It was one of the best gifts she had ever gotten, and the fact that it had come from him, a KPop Idol so far above her, made it all the more special.

When her flight landed, she headed to the baggage claim for her suitcase, then exited to the pick up dock. Her mom was there waiting for her already. She threw her bag in the back seat and hopped in the front. "Alright, let's go!"

On the drive home her mom filled her in on family gossip, and asked her a million questions about everything she had been doing. Alex gave her a few details but wanted to wait till her grandmother could hear all about it as well.

When they got home Alex put her stuff in one of the guest rooms and set up her computer so it was ready to go when she needed to work. She made a cup of coffee and took it out on the back deck that overlooked the farm. This was her favorite place. No matter where she went in life, this is where she would always call home. Her mom and grandma joined her and they spent the entire afternoon talking about all of the adventures she had been on so far.

"Oh I wish you guys could meet them. They really are so nice and down to earth. It is so fun watching them together, it's like they were never apart during their solo stuff. They have this unique family dynamic to where you almost feel like you are intruding at times when they are together, but they've been so awesome with me, and Ji-Hoon."

Her grandmother set her coffee cup down, "Well I'm glad you are having fun. You make sure you are careful out there though, this world is a mess these days." Alex rolled her eyes as she looked at her mom. Her grandmother, who everyone called Nene or Neens for short, was always worrying.

"Yes, Neens, I say my prayers and rarely go out alone. Ji-Hoon or the guys are always with me. You have nothing to worry about."

Her grandma sat back in her chair and huffed as she folded her hands on her lap. "Fine, don't listen to me, I'm just warning you to be careful. Especially around that Yoongi fellow." She squinted her eyes at Alex then leaned forward, "So, tell me about him, what's he like?"

Alex laughed into her coffee cup, she knew the guys would get a kick out of Neens calling him "that Yoongi fellow". "Well, he's quiet and introverted at first. He observes people and takes it all in before he lets you in. Once he's comfortable, he has a way of cracking jokes that will fly over your head if you don't catch them in time. He has this ginormous soft spot for the other members, and he is extremely caring and sweet when he lets himself be. He's always busy with his music, which means no communication during those times. When he drinks, it's the funniest thing to watch him let go, the guys always give him crap about it."

"And how does he treat you?" Neens gave her a pointed look.

"That has been an interesting process so far, please hold." Alex got up to grab a bottle of Soju from the fridge on the deck. She grabbed a few shot glasses and passed around drinks to her grandmother and mom. "You'll want a drink for this." She filled them in on everything that had happened between her and Yoongi from the first day she saw him at the elevator.

"He acted very cordial with me, I mean, I was just another staff member at that point. As time when on, he started this confusing series of flirtations. I never knew if he was flirting or poking fun at me. Probably both, knowing him. Half the time I was frustrated, I never knew what to expect from him. One minute he was sweet, then I wouldn't hear form him for days. The guys had caught on by then, and they are all for me and Yoongi apparently. They keep encouraging me to get to know him and be patient with him. To be honest, I still don't see how he likes me, but he must, at least that's what I got from the kiss we had last night."

Alex's mom and Neens both sat up in their seats, "He kissed you?! OMG!" Alex's mom poured herself another shot.

Alex was laughing at their reactions, "Yes, we had a Christmas party last night, the guys all helped make an amazing dinner, then we played games and music, passed out presents. It was perfect. After they all left, Yoongi was playing the piano, and one thing lead to another, and ......" She left the rest to their imaginations.

"Oh my goodness!" Neens sat back in her chair and fanned herself, "I may be old, but I still like a good love story."

"There has been no talk of love! We aren't even an official couple." Alex drew her eyebrows down in an irritated expression. "The man drives me crazy, I never know what he's thinking, or if he'll even make a move. I just hang on for the ride to see what he'll do."

Her mom shook her head, "Men."

"Exactly." Alex nodded her head in agreement. She looked down at her phone to see what time it was. It would be around 6am in South Korea right now. Yoongi and the rest of the guys would all be asleep. She opened her group chat and sent them a message.

Good morning gentlemen!

I have arrived safely, don't miss me too much!

She put her phone back down and listened while her mom and grandma talked. She had only been gone for a day, but she was already missing Yoongi. After their kiss, she felt another string connect between the two of them. Every moment they shared so far was making a new connection that she knew she had to move slowly with. She was falling for him deeper and deeper and she knew there was no stopping it. Yoongi was tearing down her walls, and she wasn't going to try and stop it anymore. She was going to let the cards fall as they may. Just then her phone vibrated.

I'm glad you got there safe

You're up already?

I haven't been to sleep yet, been in the studio

Go to bed, text me after you've slept for at least 8 hours

K 😏

Did you open that second present I gave you?

I will when I get home

"Who was that?" Her mom had poured another round of shots.

"Yoongi."

"At this hour? Oh, he's got it bad for you." Neens sat back and smirked.

"Ha! He hasn't been to bed yet, he's been in the studio all this time, when he gets like that he'll stay till he crashes."

________

A little later after Yoongi arrived home, he went into the living room to search out the gift bag that had the other present from Alex in it. He spotted it on the piano and walked over to look inside. It was a slim case, almost like the one her bracelet had been in. He unwrapped it and opened it to find a pen inside. There was a slip of paper that read "Play Me". It was a recording pen. He never had one before and found himself feeling like the cool kid in school with the newest school supplies. He smiled as he walked over to sit down on the couch. He turned the pen on and pushed play. He could hear Alex's voice.

"Earth to Yoongi. Hey there handsome! If you're hiding away in your studio remember to eat something, and don't forget to sleep now and then. Plan fun stuff with the guys, and enjoy your free time. Don't be a recluse. Think of me from time to time. I'll be back soon. This is Lex, over and out."

He leaned back on the couch and played it two more times. He missed her already. She had turned him into a pile of mush. He was almost disgusted with himself. He was Yoongi after all, the independent grumpy grandpa. When did he become like this? He knew when, it was the day he watched Lex walk off that elevator at HYBE. His life had never been the same since. He tried fighting it, but it was no use. He was falling in love with Alexis Lynn. Everything seemed to be changing, but it didn't bother him. It was changing for the better. He woke up happier knowing he would see her, he had more motivation to be in the studio making music, and the lyrics he normally struggled to find flowed onto paper faster than he could think of them. Yes, Lex had completely infiltrated every part of him, and he wasn't fighting it. He was ready to move forward and make her his. He just had to figure out a way to show her she was what he wanted. He had three weeks to come up with a plan. Until then he would need to occupy himself so she didn't fill his thoughts, or he might fly over to the U.S. to get her.