"Hyung? Oh, hello, Rose-Noona."

At hearing someone in the apartment, Hyunjin came out of his room to see if it was Chan or Changbin who had come back home. After having a nice lie-in and whatever food they had in the kitchen for breakfast, the dancer had settled down to finish off a painting.

"Hey, Jinnie. I'm just picking up something for Chan. You've got the morning off?"

"Oh. Yeah."

Hyunjin blinked at Rose as she smiled warmly at him. It was a little jarring to see her in his home. He hadn't spent any time with Rose just the two of them before, so he felt a little awkward without anyone else around.

"What are you up to? Painting?"

"You know that I paint?"

"Of course! Your artwork is amazing. You're so talented."

"Really? Thank you, Noona."

Hyunjin was surprised. Rose was Chan's soulmate, and she was close friends with Felix, but he didn't think that she cared much about him outside of her job. However, he also wasn't blind. He had noticed how hard she worked to take care of the group. Whether it was her job or not, none of the other staff took such good care of them.

"Could I - Would you show me what you're working on?"

"Umm..."

"Sorry, you don't have to."

"No! It's okay. You can see."

Hyunjin led Rose into his room where he had his easel set up. He had a lot of his work scattered around his room, on his desk and on the walls. She pointed to one of his most recent pieces.

"Wow! Ooh, it's the beach. Is that from our trip to Jeju?"

"Yes."

"The reflection on the water is beautiful. I love your technique."

"Do you paint, Noona?"

"I did art at school. Sometimes I sketch, but generally, the only painting I do nowadays is on people's faces. You make me want to pick up a paintbrush again."

"You should! What's your favourite medium?"

"Watercolours. I love the way they can have a mind of their own. As much as you try to control it, you never quite know how it will turn out. It's freeing."

"I like watercolours too. Although, I don't think I use them how they're supposed to be used."

"There's no right or wrong in art, but I know what you mean. Me too. Who cares as long as it works for you?"

"Maybe we could paint together sometime?"

"I'd love that. I'd suggest today, but I don't want to monopolise the rest of your morning. I'll find some time in your schedule, okay?"

"Don't you have to get back to Chan-Hyung?"

"Huh? Oh, he doesn't need this until later."

"Then... you can stay if you want.

"You sure? You really want to hang out with boring, old Noona on your morning off?"

"You're not boring Noona!"

What Hyunjin really wanted to say was that he had wanted to spend more time with her for a while. He had heard much about Rose from the others, especially Felix, and he wanted to get to know her better.

"If you're sure... what shall we draw?"

They ended up drawing each other. Hyunjin gave her a sketchpad and pencil and they sat facing each other silently as they worked. Rose asked if she could put on some music and the dancer laughed when she played her Stray Kids playlist.

After an impromptu singalong session, Rose decided to make them some lunch. Hyunjin followed her out to the kitchen.

"Noona... I don't think you'll find what you need."

"I can make do with whatever you have - or not."

The fridge was basically empty and when she checked the cupboards all she found were a couple of packets of ramen. Rose turned to Hyunjin who got nervous at the expression on her face.

"We usually eat out?"

"Still, this is ridiculous."

With a sigh, Rose got out her phone.

"Are we ordering in?"

"No, I'm ordering groceries. Is the other apartment the same?"

"Umm, no. I think Felix keeps supplies. For baking."

"You can't live on brownies and cookies. No matter how good they are."

When the groceries arrived, Hyunjin watched as Rose cooked several dishes. She gave a bit of everything to him to try, as well as some for herself, made up a lunchbox and then put the rest away for the others to have later.

"Is the lunchbox for Chan-Hyung?"

"Yes. If someone doesn't bring him food, then he won't eat."

"I'm glad you're his soulmate, Noona. You're so good for him."

Rose looked over at Hyunjin when he said this, but the dancer had carried on eating his lunch without realising the weight of his words.

Do you really think so?

The words were on the tip of her tongue, but she held them back. She knew what he would say, and it wasn't that she disagreed with the reasons. Rose knew that everyone was glad that Chan had someone, mainly to look after him, but just someone outside of Stray Kids to talk to without being their leader.

And while she was happy to be that for him, the longer Rose stayed with them the more she thought about the effect she could have on their lives. Chan continued to try to convince her to let them publicly announce that he had found his soulmate. She knew he hated covering up his mark every time he was on camera or out in public.

Some days she wanted to throw all caution to the wind and take that leap with him, but then her sensible side kicked in and she continued to deny him. She told him she would think about it, that she needed more time, and that they should at least wait until after the tour. However, Rose saw how much it hurt him when fans asked him his thoughts on soulmates, and he had to try to answer without lying to them. She wasn't sure how long he would be able to continue keeping her a secret.

Rose was jerked out of her thoughts by Hyunjin's voice.

"Huh?"

"Thank you for lunch, Noona. It was delicious."

"You're welcome, and there's plenty of leftovers to keep you going for a while."

"You're the best!"

"I better get back to the company."

"I'll come with you, Noona. I've just got to get my stuff together."

"Okay. No rush."

On the way to the company, they talked about the upcoming trip to Japan for their concerts. Rose knew she was only going with them because she was Chan's soulmate as her Japanese wasn't very good. She had never been there before and was looking forward to it.

The two parted ways as Rose went to find Chan to give him his lunchbox. She went to his studio first, but he wasn't there. So, she checked the practice rooms and the gym, but he was nowhere to be found. She double-checked his schedule to confirm that he should be at the company before asking around.

When her soulmate got back, she was waiting for him in his studio. Chan jumped when he walked to see her sitting in his chair. He gave her a happy but tired smile and when to greet her but stopped at the look on her face.

"What's wrong?"

"What's wrong? Where have you been?"

"I, um, well, you know I have that sinus problem, I decided to spontaneously go and see a doctor about it and -"

"You went and had surgery without telling me!"

"It was just a minor operation..."

Rose stood up and walked towards him. Chan gulped but his soulmate just wrapped her arms around him and held him tight.

"You idiot. Do you know how worried I've been about you? Are you okay? Shouldn't you be resting? Why didn't you go home?"

"I've got Chan's room to do and then that meeting... did you pick up my flash drive?"

"Unbelievable."

She got it out of her bag and gave it to him along with the lunchbox.

"Thanks, Baby. Is this for me? Did you make this?"

"Is there someone else who forgets to eat? Yes, I cooked it. The leftovers are in your fridge since there was so much room."

"Oh, right... You didn't have to do that. Wait, why were you looking in my fridge?"

"To make lunch for Hyunjin and me."

"You had lunch with Hyunjin."

"Yes. We had a nice time together this morning. Now, stop distracting me and eat your food. Then you can tell me what the doctor said."

Once the lunchbox was empty, Chan started talking.

"You know I've had this sinus problem for ages, well, recently it's been waking me up because I can't breathe."

Rose was shocked at hearing what her soulmate had been going through.

No wonder he stays up all night if that's what happens when he sleeps.

"What?! Sorry, continue."

"I've been meaning to go to the doctor's and today I had some free time, so I went. They did a small procedure so that I can breathe easier. Hopefully, it will help, but the doctor said if it gets worse again then I might need a bigger surgery."

"Wow. Okay. Why didn't you tell me?"

"I told you, it wasn't planned -"

"No, I meant about the sleeping thing."

"I... I don't know. I guess I'm not used to having someone to tell things to. Usually, I'm the one people come to. I'm sorry."

"It's okay. Just tell me next time, okay? I can't help you if I don't know what's wrong."

"Really? But you always seem to know exactly what we need."

"Is that so?"

"Yep. I bet you know what I need right now."

"Hmm, let me think."

The pair grinned at each other as Rose leaned in for a kiss.