***

Arena's knees went weak, the intensity of the performance of Stuck making her breath hitch. She felt so so proud of herself and the boys for managing the choreography and the fact that Arena herself had come up with it...she was very close to tears and actually breaking down right there on the balcony and just crying tears of happiness and all of the emotions running over her.

Kihyun had managed to find Arena's gaze among the screaming fans in front of him and had tried to keep eye contact with her as much as possible. Since he didn't need to look directly at the cameras anymore, which they had done during the pre-recording, he found that his charisma was overflowing. It was two completely different things to sing lyrics that were just lyrics or sing lyrics that you can relate to deeply and that convey your emotions.

Kihyun didn't have a bad boy attitude, but at that moment when he sang the words to Arena, he thought that maybe he should have.

Arena just stared right back at him, her fingers clenched tightly around the metal railings of the balcony. Her knuckles were white and the blood flow to her fingers was getting worse with every second she pressed them tightly together.

Kihyun's scent clung to the hoodie Arena was wearing, making her dizzy. Her hormones light up, making her eyes sparkle. She could tell from the distance between them that electricity was crackling, a thunderstorm on the way.

But this wasn't the time nor the place as they were both working. That though did not stop either of them from letting their minds wander to distances and boundaries they hadn't dared to cross before.

As Kihyun sang the last line, Arena was gasping for breath.

If he could do that to her with just his gaze and voice then Arena couldn't imagine what his body could in the heat of the moment.

She shuddered, screams and claps coming from down below. The entire place was filled with the sound of two palms meeting each other, even the managers were smiling, pleased.

Arena looked over her shoulder, her fingers stiff as she struggled to pry them off the cold metal that had turned burning hot from the heat of her body.

"Are they going to encore?" Her voice was low.

The camera director shrugged his shoulders, "I don't think so, but anything is possible." He smiled at Arena, "Good job with the choreography, it really compliments the song perfectly."

Arena chuckled, thanking the director for his kind words even as tears threatened to clog her throat from the intense pride she felt in that moment.

She pinched her ear as she turned her head back to the stage. Her heart stopped.

They were going to encore.

***

Arena entered the bathrooms, swaying on her feet as she gripped the edge of the sink. That guy would be the death of her. Arena shuddered again, turning on the tap to wash her hands with cold water. After the encore she had had to excuse herself from the balcony, making her way quickly through the corridors. If they had accidentally bumped into each other...

"Hey Arenaaaa !" The door fell shut behind Naha. She was wearing a loose black blouse that actually somehow managed to compliment her figure. She had confidence in her steps, her face was beaming. There was a tight belt around her waist with combs and brushes and a smaller can of hairspray. Naha looked like the real deal.

Meanwhile Arena...a hot mess.

"Hey," Arena dried off her hands, coming to hug Naha.

Naha pulled herself up so she was sitting on the edge of the sink, her eyes on Arena as the former reached into her pocket for her lipstick.

"I wouldn't be so enthusiastic with that lipstick if I were you. It smudges." Naha grinned at Arena's confused expression. She looked at the red lipstick held between her delicate fingers and then back at Naha's smirking face, "What?"

Naha examined her nails, "I was there, Arena. In the dressing room when they came back from stage, like 5 minutes ago?" She took a deep breath, "You really should have seen the look on Kihyun's face when he entered. There was all this charisma around him, I've never seen him so serious." Naha made sparkling motions in the air with her hands, her face was cheerful but Arena could tell from how Naha's tone dropped that she was far from cracking a joke.

"Ahh.." Arena buried her face in her hands. None of this was easy anymore. So many different disturbing factors had quietly found their way into Arena and Kihyun's..whatever it was they had. They were in love with each other, it was obvious, you could see it from the way they looked at each other and how their faces lit up every time they passed each other in the hallways. The suppressed shy smiles, the crinkling eyes, the breaths and words that were held back. Although they always tried to deny it, true love could not long be hidden.

Arena sighed looking at her feet that held her brand new red Vans kicks. When had she even bought them? Arena couldn't even remember anymore among the rush of feelings and time that had become her life.

"What's the date today?" Arena looked up at Naha who had hopped off the edge and was in front of the mirror, fixing her bangs.

"It's the 30th, why?"

"December?"

"December, yes."

"Almost New Years...? Did we even celebrate Christmas?"

Naha chuckled, "Yeah, we did. Don't you remember? We even called our parents on Skype." Naha undid the buckle of her stylist belt, placing it next to her and begun to fix up her makeup, a hint of a smile on her lips when she reapplied her blush and lip gloss.

"So anyway, back to where we were, I think you guys should just.., " as Naha turned her smile died, falling to the ground and breaking into pieces like a precious piece of china that had been dropped accidentally. The look on Arena's face brought sudden worry into her world, her friend's look of confusion and mental struggle.

"Arena, you really can't remember?" Naha touched her friend's shoulder slightly. Arena shook her head under the touch. Had time just..gone by? Without her noticing? Had it really been a month already when it seemed like so much longer.

"It's gonna be the new year soon, yeah? 2016 will be our bitch. Don't worry, this happens to everyone, just look at the stress you've been under..I'm surprised you haven't been admitted to a hospital yet." Naha hugged Arena.

"How can next year be our bitch if.." Arena's voice threatened to crack as she decided it was best not to say anything. Saying out loud really confirmed everything.

"Shhhh, that has nothing to do with it. You and me? We'll be okay."

Arena's head hung low, her waterproof mascara doing it's job properly and staying in place even as the tears wanted to gather between her long dark lashes. She wouldn't let herself cry.

"Noowwwwww about that lipstick....and that smell. God, what is that?" Naha pulled away, her nostrils wide as in breathing in the scent of the universe. Arena looked down at her sweater. "Ah this, this is Kihyun's cologne. He gave me the hoodie after he had spritzed it with it." Naha shook her head, her lips pursed. They were both silent for a while, both looking like quilty children.

A heavy sigh followed. "Let's just fix you up, kay?"

"I think it's the fact that we've been up since 4 a.m." smiled Arena slowly as Naha's confident hands swept over her face and hair, fixing loose strands and adding highlighter.

They walked out 10 minutes later, both shining.

"No seriously! They made us get out in the first place because they were supposed to change clothes," laughed Naha, her hand looped through Arena's and her belt tangling from between her fingers on her other hand. Arena looked at her friend with admiration, how much happier she seemed here than she had back America. But at the same time Arena tried to not topple over from laughing.

"Ahhh, I bet you've seen him without his shirt," joked Naha.

Arena stopped and pursed her lips.

Naha turned around, "Wait what."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," said Arena quickly, taking Naha's elbow and leading her forward towards the dressing room. "Why didn't you tell meeeeee," whined Naha, chuckles in her throat. "There was nothing to tell!" Arena continued pushing her friend forward as Naha tried to stop the movement by dragging her feet

"What are you two laughing about?"

Arena and Naha froze at the familiar voice, their heads turning back to look at the intruder who had interrupted their English conversation with the Korean language.

The girls gulped, seeing Wonho lean against against the wall behind them, his face like a sculpture with an unreadable expression. His light blond hair was slightly damp against his forehead as it clung to it, his stage outfit long gone and replaced by a pair of dark jeans with their newest Monsta X hoodie, with his own name.

"Oh you know, we were just," Naha cleared her throat, looking meaningfully at Arena. "..Talking about girl stuff..?" answered Arena hesitantly, turning her head toward Naha who nodded. It gave Arena the courage to continue, "Yup, that's exactly what we were talking about." She smiled, slightly nervous.

"Oh yeah?" Kihyun's voice sounded from opposite Wonho, leaving the girls standing exactly between the two. As Kihyun passed around them he let his free hand glide over Arena's hip, leaving a trail of shivers in his wake. His hoodie was back on as well, his face full of mystery. His hair was styled up, leaving his forehead bare. All Naha's magic as she had known Arena enjoyed the sight of Kihyun with this hairstyle.

The two stood now facing the girls, sending imitating vibes as they cocked their eyebrows and crossed their arms in sync.

"So uhm.." Arena's eyes flicked between them and the guys, unsure of what to say or do now. She was aware of Kihyun's gaze on her and felt her cheeks grow crimson with every moment he stared at her. Arena didn't dare meet his eyes alas she melted down into a puddle right then and there.

"I guess we'll just go then..?" Offered Naha and pointed her finger towards the way they were heading, searching for the seal of approval in Arena's blazing eyes. Her friend nodded and started to already turn away, unable to wait until she rounded a corner and could sink down against the wall from the round of heart attacks she had experienced in the last minutes.

"Actually." Kihyun smiled, "I'd like to borrow one of you."

Arena cringed, turning back, "Which one..?" her voice was kind of squeaky. Although she knew damn well which one. The air was dense with electricity. Arena wanted to go to him, of course she did, but after seeing him on stage she felt like Kihyun's confidence had gone up 10, if not 100 times. And he had already had lots of that before going on. If a guy had confidence like that... there was nothing he would hold back.

Kihyun tilted his head to the side, once again revealing a perfect pair of white teeth. His eyes were enticing, daring as he stared Arena down, waiting for her to snap and close the distance between them. Arena bit her lip as Naha gently nudged her toward Kihyun.

So Arena went. She strode semi-confidently to stand exactly underneath his nose to tease him. They didn't break eye contact once. Kihyun chuckled from the back of his throat before pressing his fingers to Arena's lower back, slowly leading her away.

The hallways were covered with light beige wallpaper and seemed to criss-cross all over the building with different doors leading to different rooms and offices. Arena was just about to ask where they were going before Kihyun swiftly rounded her into a corner, closing the space between them. He basically ambushed her personal space, beat it up and tossed it away before it had a chance to retaliate.

Arena swallowed.

"You felt it too, I know you did. I saw you."

"I know."

"Uh huh," teased Kihyun, lowering himself over her with both of his hands braced against the walls on either side of them, leaving Arena in his prison. His mouth reached the level of Arena's ear, stopping not far from it. Arena could feel his breath on her ear. "I think I'm going to have to spend the rest of the day and night with you." He pulled back to face her, a curtain of seriousness on his face.

"Wait, that's it?" Arena breathed, looking away.

"What?" Kihyun looked surprised before quickly morphing back into his stone bad boy expression. "What do you mean?"

Arena rolled her eyes and grabbed him by the collar, yanking him back down to the same level with her. "You make me come back here with you just so you can say a few words and walk away?" The corners of Arena's mouth curved slightly. "I mean.." said Kihyun and took her waist with both of his hands, pressing her body between him and the wall. Arena's fists clenched around the fabric of his hoodie as she closed the distance between their mouths, arching into him.

Luckily the tinted lip balm Naha had given her did not smudge at all.

***

The sky was a clear baby blue as Arena stepped outside again, the fresh air and freezing breeze making their way to her lungs through her black face mask. Arena shivered, pulling the coat more tightly around herself to keep her body warmth from slipping away. She could hear cameras clicking and girls laughing as she and everyone else walked toward their transport. Jaehyun was leaning against his car, always ready to drive and help. The corners of his mouth quirked up as soon as he saw Arena from the distance, waving his hand to catch her attention.

Arena had just spotted Jaehyun, smiling back underneath her mask, forgetting the fact that he couldn't see her lower face at all. She pulled up the black hood of her special merch hoodie, gently tucking loose strands of hair behind her ears.

"Why are you hiding? You are beautiful, let others see it." Kihyun had appeared by her side, a sensuous smile playing on his tinted lips. He tried to pull back Arena's hood which only agitated her as she grabbed his sleeve. "Don't, people are watching."

"I know," said Kihyun and pulled the hood off. Arena cringed at the sound of screaming girls. Kihyun ignored her expression, confidently lacing his fingers through Arena's.

"It's okay." Kihyun smiled, kissing her forehead and pulling her along, away from Jaehyun. He kept Arena behind him, shielded partly from vision. "Kihyun, Jaehyun was supposed.." muttered Arena, eyes wide as she looked back.

Kihyun glanced over his shoulder at Arena, his eyes shining, "Just trust me."

Arena pursed her lips.

They made their way over to one of the smaller buses, the ones that were typically meant for transporting idols. The rest of Monsta X was already getting inside, some still waving to fans as Kihyun held the door open for Arena.

She looked at him, pulling her mask down to under her chin. "You want me to get on this? With all of you?" Kihyun nodded. "What about Naha?"

"She's fine with Jaehyun, see?" Kihyun pointed over Arena's head to where Naha and Jaehyun were watching the exchange. Arena whipped her head back to Kihyun, scowling.

"You said you'd trust me, now get in. Please."

"I didn't say anything," muttered Arena, rolling her eyes and bracing her hand on the side of the big SUV. A hand stretched out to help her from the inside. "Careful with your step, Ms Choreographer," smiled Minhyuk as Arena gripped his hand gratefully, making it inside with ease.

Kihyun stepped in after her, Wonho and Shownu following. Arena squished between Minhyuk and Kihyun, her cheeks heating. Shownu waved a dismissive hand as he too buckled up, "It's fine, we know."

Arena glanced at Kihyun who just shrugged. "Of course you do." Kihyun just smiled brightly at her, taking her hand in his. "You guys are so cute I'm going to be sick," chimed Jooheon and got a look from Kihyun as response. Arena blushed again lightly.

The 7 guys and Arena drove the 15 minute drive to Starship in light chatter. Arena got to express her gratitude to the boys for working so hard on her choreo and their stage.

"I started off as a fan watching you all since No.Mercy so this all truly does still feel like a dream," She grinned. "A good dream then," Kihyun squeezed her hand. The two smiled at each other like they were the only ones there.

The slow stopping of the vehicle signaled they had arrived at their destination. They climbed off and made their way inside. "I need to go say hi to Mrs Park, I'll be back," Arena planted a soft kiss on Kihyun's cheek as she stepped off the elevator two floors before he did. As the doors closed behind her, the 6 remaining members all hollered, clapping Kihyun on his back and butt.

They got off on their floor, heading to the studios to pick up their stuff, before meeting up down below again with some of them like I.M and Wonho staying in the building. Kihyun tapped his foot, playing with the piece of paper between his fingers when he saw Arena approach.

"All good?"

"All good."

***

Arena's eyes widened as Kihyun pushed the metal key into a matching metal keyhole and opened the door with ease. He glanced over his shoulder at her, flashing a lazy smile as he stepped inside, Arena's bag tangling from his fingers.

Arena took careful steps forward, the laminated wooden floor creaking beneath her feet. She surveyed their room on the top floor of the 4-star hotel, her gaze landing on the king sized bed ahead. Arena bit her lip, shrugging off her coat.

"It's okay." Kihyun chuckled deeply at the sight of Arena's face, coming around her to close and lock the door behind them. It had been a surprise for Arena to hear of what Kihyun had planned, although she had had a feeling that something like this would eventually happen.

"I..um," stammered Arena as Kihyun pulled his sweatshirt over his head, revealing a thin skintight white shirt underneath that left nothing to the imagination. Kihyun smirked, taking Arena's hands and gently tugging her forward into their room.

It was a really nice hotelroom, really similar to the exact same one back in Colorado. Arena gasped softly, as the memory of that day flooded her once again. She turned to look at him, perched on the edge of the bed, and smiled.

Arena cleared her throat, "Is it okay if I go take a shower?" She pursed her lips, glancing at her bag that held her smaller sanitary bag inside of it. Kihyun smiled, "You don't have to ask." He handed her the bag as Arena retreated thankfully into the bathroom. She locked the door, breathing in deep.

Kihyun had liberally swept Arena off her feet when he had told her. They had been walking back from the Starship building when Kihyun had deadpanned: