Sunday the group arrived back at Incheon Airport. They had chartered a private jet, so they unloaded on the tarmac. Alex had her mask on as she and Ji-Hoon exited the plain and headed to their car, while the guys split up in two other cars.

Once they were driving, Alex dropped her mask and looked over at Ji-Hoon, "Are you glad to be back home?"

Ji-Hoon nodded his head, "We've got a busy week ahead of us before we head over to the states. I'm going to see my family tonight before we get stuck in the office all week."

"Yeah, I need to go back over my notes for the interview with the BTS parents on Wednesday." Alex was still a bit nervous about meeting all of them, but after getting to know the guys she felt much more comfortable about it than she had at the beginning of the tour.

After Alex got back home, she unpacked and took a shower. Even though it was a hotel, it was the closest thing to a "home" she had since leaving the states last year. She was relaxing in bed when her phone rang. She smiled when she saw it was Yoongi.

Hi

Hi

(silence)

: OK bye

No wait!

(laughing) I wasn't hanging up, what's up?

So, when do you think I'll get to see you before you leave?

I don't know, I'll be at HYBE pretty much all week. This Wednesday is the interview with your parents.

Are you nervous still?

A little. I mean, It's like I have seven boyfriends and I'm meeting all of their parents at once.

(Silence)

Don't ever put it that way again.

(laughing) Oh come on, you're still my favorite.

Uh huh, cute. So back to us. Do you think we can do lunch one day at the office? We can meet in my studio.

Yeah, I think that could work. Just let me know what day so I can make sure my schedule is empty.

OK. I'm gonna head to bed. Night Lex.

Night Yoongi

________

"Oh for fuck's sake!" Yoongi was yelling at his phone the following afternoon.

RM's head snapped over to Yoongi when he heard him curse, "What's wrong?"

Yoongi took his phone over to RM to show him, "This! This crap again! What is wrong with people?" He pointed to his screen so RM could see the headline.

"Mystery girl exits plane with BTS as they arrive back in South Korea. An employee describes what he saw . . . ."

"Can't she catch a break?" Yoongi was pacing around the room. He knew this was just going to make her even more paranoid now. He flopped down on the couch.

"They still can't see her face, and it was from really far away." RM tried lightening the mood.

Yoongi nodded his head, "I know that. YOU know that. She won't see it that way though. She takes it upon herself to carry the burden from things like this, to keep us from getting bad publicity."

"That's not her job. She's in the media because she's doing her job. People just don't know that yet."

"I know, we just need to make it a few more weeks till the teasers are dropped, then all of this will blow over. I just need to keep her from freaking out until then." He grabbed his phone back from RM. Maybe she hadn't seen the article yet.

Hi, how ya doin?

"Damnit," Yoongi looked over at RM, "she already saw it."

Just breath, they still can't see you.

Some employee just wanted his 15 seconds of fame.

________

Wednesday came and Alex was at HYBE first thing in the morning. The parents would be there in an hour. She had dressed a bit more professional that day. She wanted to make a good impression on them, even if they didn't know her from Adam. Ji-Hoon had been setting up the camera in the room they would be using.

When he was done he came to get Alex, "You ready?"

Alex took a deep breath and let it out then nodded her head, "I'm ready."

Ji-Hoon patted her on the shoulder as she walked passed him, "You got this." He chuckled as he walked out behind her.

When she entered the interview room, she bowed and formally introduced herself. It was surreal to be in the same room with all of them. She scanned their faces and could pick out characteristics of each of the guys from their parents. It was a special moment for her to be interviewing them, the people that brought those seven men into this world that she had grown to love and care for like her own family. Ji-Hoon got behind his camera and signaled to her that he was ready.

She smiled as she looked over to the them, "Shall we begin?"

________

After the interview was over, Alex made an announcement. "As a special treat, we have set up lunch in one of the conference rooms for you and the guys." They were all surprised and happily talked amongst themselves as she guided them to the conference room.

As Alex walked in she saw that the guys had already arrived. They stood around talking but all turned as their parents began filling the room. Alex waited till all of them were in before she backed out of the doorway. Before she left, she saw Yoongi across the room shoot her a wink. She winked back at him before closing the door.

Back in the office she and Ji-Hoon shared, Alex slumped down in her chair and stared at the wall. "That was draining, but in a good way. I definitely worked myself up too much for that. It was awesome, they were awesome. I wish I had the chance to really talk to them off camera."

"I told you you would do fine. You really need to tone down the stress level. You've been way to wound up lately. Do I need to get you drunk again?"

Alex rolled her eyes at him, "No, thank you very much. I think I need as little drama as possible right now." She turned to her computer so she could start making notes on the interview. It would be edited into one of the last episodes along with the guys' interviews from the day at the beach.

Alex was tempted to text Yoongi but didn't want to bother him while his parents were there. She would have to wait till that evening after she went home.

________

Alex, you were a hit!

Our parents thought very highly of you, nice work!

Yeah, how'd you fool them, what kind of witchery did you use?

Ha Ha very funny Jin.

I'm glad they liked me, that makes me feel much better

Like you had anything to worry about, psht

Maybe one day if we ever get the chance to have them all together again we can bring you along for dinner or something.

Aw, thanks, that means a lot 😁

Alex felt a huge weight lifted off her shoulders. She knew it seemed silly to care what their parents thought, but it mattered to her. She was about to put her phone down when it vibrated.

Lunch Saturday at the studio?

Sounds like a plan!

See you then, miss you

I miss you too