It was their last chance to spend time at the beach before returning home tomorrow. This time Rose had come suitably dressed for any surprise trips into the water. She has always preferred the Korean style swimsuits to the tiny bikinis the girls back home preferred. While the price she was wearing today looked rather modest from the front it was practically backless. Either way, it was by far the most revealing thing she had worn in front of her soulmate and she was a little nervous.

However, she had nothing to worry about. As soon as Rose removed her cover-up, Chan froze where he was and just stared. While he had secretly been hoping to see her in a more western-style bikini, when he saw her now the last thing he felt was disappointment. He had guessed that his soulmate had a nice body as she always more fitted clothing and he had felt it when they hugged, but he was a little surprised at how toned she was. She obviously exercise and the idea of them working out together crossed his mind.

"Chan, can you get my back? I can't reach."

The leader's focus was pulled back and it took his brain a moment to process the suncream that Rose was holding out. Apparently, he took too long because Jisung, who was setting up beside them, answered instead.

"I can help, Noona!"

Rose was about to hand Jisung the suncream when it was snatched out of her hands.

"I got this, Sung, thanks."

Jisung held up his hands in surrender as he backed away, but muttered under his breath just loud enough for them to hear.

"Didn't look like you had it..."

Rose sat down on her towel and Chan sat behind her. After he had applied the suncream, he leaned over her shoulder and whispered in her ear.

"I like your swimsuit."

"Really?"

"Yes. You look gorgeous."

"Thank y-you. Chan!"

Rose stuttered over her words when Chan began kissing her neck and shoulder.

"What?"

"Y-you, you can't do, uh, that here!"

"Why? Nobody's watching. The boys are busy playing."

"It's a public beach! Someone could see you."

"I don't see anyone. Besides this is a quiet spot. It's why we came here."

Chan had done his best to distract her, but eventually, she moved out of his reach and turned towards him.

"All it takes is one photo. I don't want you to get wrapped up in a scandal. It will hurt the group."

"Fine."

Rose's heart clenched uncomfortably as her soulmate stood up.

"Chan..."

"No, I get it. You're right. I'm going for a swim."

She gulped her took off his t-shirt right in front of her, leaving him just in his swim trunks. Now it was her turn to stare as the perfect specimen of a man that was her soulmate jogged down to the water. Part of her wanted to run after him, jump on his back and give him everything he wanted. She was so close to doing it too, but she hadn't watched him from afar these past years just to mess everything up now.

Rose held her book open in front of her but barely read a word. Instead, she watched her soulmate have fun with the others. She smiles when he smiles, laughed when he laughed and dropped her eyes downward whenever his abs flashed above the water. When he came running out of the water towards her, she quickly turned her attention to the book.

Chan grabbed his towel from beside her and dried himself off a bit before handing it around his neck.

"Rose? Could you take a picture for me, please?"

"Yeah. Of course."

As he posed with the sea in the background, still shirtless but with the towel around his neck covering most of his chest, she inwardly shouted at him to take the towel off. Chan took back his phone and looked over the photos.

"I'm thinking of posting this on bubble for STAY. Do you think it's too much?"

"I - I think the more important question is are you happy with that being out in the universe? We both know STAY would go crazy over it."

"Hmm... Do I look good?"

"What?"

"If I'm going to post a shirtless photo I need to make sure it's a good one. Do I look good?"

Chan stepped closer to her until they were almost nose to nose. He stared into her eyes making her flustered.

"I, er, yes. You look hot, I mean, good. You look good."

"I look hot?"

The cocky look on his face and tone of his voice helped Rose get back into control. She reached her hands up and tugged on the towel he was still wearing around his neck.

"Yep. Although... I'd prefer you without the towel."

Chan raised his eyebrows before breaking out into a grin. Suddenly a spray of water cooled them down. With surprisingly quick reflexes, Chan took the towel and held it up to protect Rose. Then he took advantage of the situation to steal a kiss. Rose's hand was still resting on his bare chest when he pulled away.

When they got back to their rooms that night, Chan invited her in for a drink.

"Only if you mean that literally."

"Literally? What do you - Oh. Perhaps we should talk?"

Chan held his door open for her and she nodded before walking in. Rose sat down in one of the chairs while he got them both a drink. Neither one knew how to start the conversation, so she just started talking.

"So, I've heard your song Drive, and despite your claims that it's actually about driving... I'm guessing that you have at least some experience?"

"Would it bother you if I did?"

"Not if it doesn't bother you that I'm not completely innocent either."

As Chan stared at her, Rose wasn't sure what he was thinking.

"When?"

"A long time ago. I... I regret it."

"You do? What happened?"

"You - are you sure you want to know?"

Chan took one of her hands in his.

"Only if you want to tell me."

"You remember how I told how I was teased at school?"

"I think bullied would be more accurate."

"Well, after I learnt how to do my makeup I got a rather different reaction, especially from guys."

Rose felt Chan's grip on her hand tighten.

"Go on."

"I'd never had attention like that before. I was niave. All he wanted was another notch on his belt. He didn't - he never cared about me."

"I'm sorry that happened to you. You didn't deserve it."

"It was a long time ago, but I'm not ready for things to move that fast with us yet."

"Of course. You set the pace. Whatever you're comfortable with."

Rose smiled at Chan and leaned forward to give him a sweet kiss.

"Thank you."

They were on the plane back to Seoul and when Rose walked past Felix's seat she noticed that the boy looked worried.

"Felix? You okay, Hun?"

"I'm fine, Noona. Just a bit anxious about landing."

"Landing?"

Rose didn't know that Felix was an anxious flyer so she looked at Jeongin who was sitting next to him.

"He's worried about the crowds, Noona. Felix-Hyung fell over last time."

Her heart clenched that something that shouldn't even be thought about caused Idols to get anxious. Rose also felt guilt that she could walk through a crowd without worrying.

"You'll be okay, Lixie. I'll make sure of it."

"Thanks, Noona."

Rose went back to her seat next to Chan.

"What's the plan for when we land?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"For getting through the crowds, do you have a plan or something in place? Felix is a little on edge."

"It's something I worry about too, but I worry about them. I wish there was something more I could do, but security has to be planned in advance. It's too late to change anything. Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to him, to any of them."

"I know you won't, but you can't control everything. Next time you fly you won't be subjected to fighting your way through a crowd, but for now, every little helps."

"What are you going to do?"

"Anything. Everything I can to help you all happy and safe."

Chan blinked after her as she left her seat again, wondering exactly what she meant.

Rose crouched down by Changbin's seat and smiled sweetly at him.

"Yes, Rosie-Noona?

"Binnie, my strong, handsome bodyguard who's not afraid of anything..."

Changbin sniffed, acting snobby with his chin held high.

"Go on."

"When you exit the airport and the crowds descend, can you make sure Felix is by your side and just... Hold onto him? Look after him for me?"

The rapper's face softened.

"Of course, Noona. You don't even need to ask."

She gave his arm a squeeze before standing back up to return to her seat.

"Thanks, Changbin. You're the best."

Rose waited in the car anxiously for the boys to make it out of the airport. She didn't let out a sigh of relief until she had checked that each of them were okay. It was until a bit later that she saw the videos of what had been watching for the boys at the airport and she confronted Chan.

"What is this? You didn't tell me it was that bad!"

"I didn't think it was... Nothing bad happened."

"But why were you by yourself? Something could have happened to you!"

"I wanted the kids to be safe. I was fine by myself."

Rose sighed and her fighting spirit disippated.

"I'm going to spend my whole life worrying about you, aren't I?"

Chan smiled at her.

"Your whole life? I hope so."