Bonding Desire

“I feel like that was excepted much better than we thought it would be.”
“None of the fans seemed to be that bothered by it.” All of the articles that were circulating the media were about our relationship, that was no surprise. What surprised us was the lack of negativity. None of the fans started a riot. No one accused us of having a scandal. Everything was full of support and understanding. It was suspicious, but we didn’t want any negativity, so we just accepted it.
“So, we’re dating now?”
“I don’t think so.”
“What?” He sat up in bed so fast at my response. “What do you mean we’re not dating?”
“I never said I was ready for a relationship Jungkook. I just moved here less than a month ago. I still haven’t adapted to the lifestyle here.” His gaze shifted to his lap as his shoulders slumped slightly.
“That would’ve been nice to know before we announced to the public that we were in a relationship,” he mumbled.
“Yah, I didn’t say we never would be in one. I just need a little time to adjust. It’s pretty hard to hide how much I like you, so don’t get all depressed thinking I’m not interested.” He looked at me with slight curiousness before laying back down, and turning onto his side to face me.
“How much do you like me?”
“Jungkook, that’s not really important right now,” I tried to reason. I was not about to answer that question right now.
“But how do I know if I really have a chance if I don’t know how much you like me?”
“I guess you’ll just have to live,” I shot back, rolling on my side to face him
“What will the media say? ‘Jungkook’s newly announced girlfriend becomes the reason for his sudden downfall into depression’ is what I think would be the headline.”
“You’re being a drama queen.”
“I thought you didn’t like drama queens?”
“Aish! I liked you before I even knew you were a drama queen! If I had known how annoying you were in real life, you never would’ve been given the honor of being my ultimate bias!” I snapped my hand to my mouth, and my eyes widened.
“And the truth finally comes out. I was your ultimate bias this whole time, wasn’t I?” he teased. I huffed, rolling around so that my back was to him to avoid boosting his ego with my red cheeks. “It’s nothing to be ashamed of. I’m a lot of people’s ultimate bias.”
“I swear you have an ego the size of an elephant,” I mumbled. My heart began to ache. I cried out at the sudden pain, clenching my chest as if it would help relieve it. Words began to float through my mind.
‘10’
‘Always’
‘Sight’
‘Connection’
“Cathleen?!” Jungkook tore the covers off the bed to avoid getting tangled in them. The pain immediately began to ease after he pulled me into his arms. I clung on to him even after the pain subsided. “What happened? All I felt was a dull ache in my heart, but you were crying out in pain.”
“The bond. It’s angry,” I mumbled.
“What do you mean angry? How can a bond get angry?”
“Our distance has been shortened to 10 feet and we have to always be in each other’s sight. That’s what happened just then. I turned away from you, and it didn’t like that.” I sighed. This bond wasn’t going to let me have things my way. “Ask me.”
“Ask you what?” I pulled the necklace out from under my sweatshirt, and showed him the ring. Realization lit up in his eyes, and he cleared his throat. “Cathleen, I think we really connect and have a special bond together, and I wanted to know if I could have the honor of being your boyfriend?” I laughed at his cheesiness with the bond joke. “I guess I’ll take that as a yes?” I nodded. “Now that wasn’t quite how I pictured asking you out in my mind, but I’ll take what I can get.”
“I guess I’ll just have to adjust quicker than I wanted to.”
“Not necessarily. I’m a major part of your life anyways since you’re our personal manager. I’m here to help you and be by your side.”
“You’re being too mushy, stop it.”
“I thought maybe the bond would like it.”
“It wants us to be together, not puke.”
“Point taken.”

“I don’t really see how this is going to work,” Yoongi speculated. “How are we supposed to do anything if they can’t be farther than 10 feet apart.”
“We’ll have to modify the choreography so that Jungkook remains on one side of the stage the whole time. Cathleen will have to stand right at the edge just to make sure they don’t go past 10 feet,” Namjoon concluded.
“And how long is this bond going to be mad?”
“Heck if I know. We weren’t even doing anything when it happened.” An assistant walked into the practice room, and handed Namjoon a packet of papers. He shuffled through them, his face paling significantly at one particular paper.
“What’s wrong Namjoon?”
“The stage measurements for the show this weekend.” We were all ears. “The stage itself is 45 feet long. It’s going to be really close, but if Cathleen stands right at the edge of the wing, it should be ok. We’re really going to have to modify our formations.”

The day of the performance was here, and we were all nervous. This was our first time having to deal with the bond limitations in a performance environment, and everyone was on edge. PD-nim made extra sure that my name was on every list, and that everyone knew I was allowed to be anywhere the boys were. We rehearsed the new situation ahead of time, and it all worked out. With Namjoon’s careful calculations, Jungkook would remain within 9 feet of where I would stand for the entire performance.
“We’ve rehearsed this multiple times. Don’t think about what could happen if we mess up. Just focus on the choreography and the changes.”
They prepared to go on stage after Namjoon’s pep talk. I stood with them in the wings, ready to watch their performance. Jungkook squeezed my hand for reassurance.
“It will all be ok. No fainting tonight,” he winked before exiting the wing, and taking his place on the stage.
Their performance had just started when I felt a tap on my shoulder.
“I’m sorry ma’am, but you can’t be here. This is for staff only.”
“I’m their manager,” I said, quickly flashing my badge, before turning back around to watch the performance.
“Look, I know BTS is really popular, but you really can’t be here. The manager excuse is a bit overused don’t you think?”
“Excuse me?” I turned around to look at the employee.
“If you don’t leave right now, I will have to call security.”
“What do you mean call security? I have the authority to be here, I’m their manager!”
“Ma’am please stay calm. I am only conducting proper protocol.”
“Protocol my ass. I’m not moving from this spot.” He sighed before turning around and walking away. These people were so touchy, I swear. I turned back around to continue watching. Seconds later, a beefy hand grasped my shoulder and pulled me slightly backwards.
“Ma’am I’ve been ordered to escort you out the building. Please follow without resistance. It will make both of our lives easier.”
“Cancel that order. I can’t move from this spot. I have the authority to be here. I’m their manager.” He looked over at a couple of bodyguards standing nearby and nodded. They grasped my wrists and I was pushed away from the stage. “Stop! You can’t!” Jungkook!” My efforts to escape were useless as I blacked out.

Seokjin

Silence. The entire venue was in complete silence after what had just occurred. From the corner of my eye, I saw Cathleen being taken away, but it was too late. Before we knew it, Jungkook was on the floor. No one seemed to know how to react. PD-nim’s voice could be heard backstage yelling orders to get us off stage. The stage lights were turned off, putting us in a complete black-out. Flashlights were being shone to safely guide us of the stage.
“Get them to the break room.” PD-nim ordered. I began searching for Cathleen, and spotted the body guards not far from the stage. They had immediately released her when she fainted, not knowing what to do. We approached them, demanding they move aside.
“I was given orders to kick her out. She was in an area she was not authorized to be in, claiming to be your manager.”
“She is our manager, and what you just did has really caused some chaos. So if you wouldn’t mind handing her over,” I hissed.
“You two go back,” Namjoon ordered. “Who gave you that order.,” Namjoon began to question as we followed the group into the break room with Cathleen on Hoseok’s back.
PD-nim was in an outrage.
“We don’t know who gave the order yet, but Namjoon is questioning the security guard who was given the order. We’ll know when he gets back,” I explained as Hoseok carried Cathleen over to the area Jungkook had been laid. PD-nim left the room to find Namjoon.
“How are we going to explain this?” Jimin moaned. “It’s easy to explain to the fans since they only witnessed Jungkook fainting, but the staff working backstage saw both of them faint at the same time.”
“We’ll just have to label it as a coincidence. They were both feeling sick, and happened to pass out.”
PD-nim came into the room, Namjoon right behind him.
“Everything has been taken care of. The staff member was fired for giving an unauthorized order, and it has been announced that the two were feeling ill all day today and that the heat of the lights must have triggered them to both pass out. The fans have been notified that Jungkook had been feeling ill, but insisted on performing tonight, causing him to become overworked and pass out.”
“Now we just wait for them to wake up,” Hoseok sighed.

Cathleen

I woke up to a headache and an outraged Jungkook.
“He had no right to take her away!”
“We know Jungkook, it’s already been taken care of,” Jin tried to console the maknae.
“I’m going to kill him!”
“No you’re not you crazy Kookie. Can’t have you going to jail and leaving Cathleen all alone.”
“Actually, go ahead and let him. I’ll finally be free.”
“Cathleen!” Jungkook rushed to the couch to help me sit up.
“Wait, what happened to your wrist?” The sleeve of my black shirt had bunched up slightly, revealing my bruised wrist.
“It’s fine I promise. They probably didn’t mean to use so much force.” This only fueled Jungkook’s anger. I placed my palms against him, and intertwined our fingers. I felt his anger diminish significantly. “Everything has been solved. There’s no reason to get all worked up and possibly cause even more harm,” I soothed.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Jungkook calm down that quickly,” Jimin smirked.
“Must be the bond thing,” Hoseok replied with slight awe.
“Well our performance definitely ended with a bang,” Taehyung joked, lightening the mood.
“We should probably get ready to go back on stage for the announcement of the winner. Seeing how worked up Jungkook was earlier, he seems perfectly fit to join us.”
“What about Cathleen?”
“It would probably be easier for her to join us as well. We’ll just say she’s there to monitor Jungkook’s health.”
“I look like a hot mess,” I whined.
“Nothing our hair and makeup team can’t take care of,” Seokjin smirked.

A few months later

“Cathleen? Are you ready?” I heard Jungkook call from the other side of the door. I had been ready for the past 10 minutes, but I was too nervous to come out. I had never worn such a bold look in my entire life. I remembered Seokjin’s pathetic reasoning when he first showed me the dress.
“Our concept is fire, so it only makes sense that you look hot at the gala.”
The dress hugged my curves, and the mesh bodice revealed everything except what mattered, which was covered by scattered studs and rhinestones. The black and red heels on my feet were the only familiar part of the outfit. I wore heels everyday I could, tall and short, so the 5 inch weapons were a walk in the park for me.
“Finally,” Jungkook grumped as I opened the door. Feelings of complete shock and lust flowed through my body.
“Jeon Jungkook, control yourself,” I teased. He mumbled an apology, not taking his eyes off of me. I rolled my eyes before grabbing his hand, and pulling him to the living room where everyone was waiting. The other members were in shock and awe, but I snapped them out of it by threatening to leave them all behind and go to the gala by myself. Jungkook was not pleased with that one.

I shifted my weight from one foot to the other, my eyes constantly on Jungkook, waiting for him to come back with our drinks. I was praying that no one would come up and talk to me while I was alone, but my attire made me stand out like a lone black sheep in a field of white ones. I picked at the black chiffon of my dress, pretending to rid it of an invisible dust bunny.
“Gotta hate those invisible dust bunnies, huh?” I didn’t recognize his voice at first, but when I turned around, I quickly identified the stranger as Seokmin from Seventeen. I was still in a daze from the red carpet photo ops and interviews we had just come from that I didn’t really comprehend what he had said to me. Even with me staring blankly at him, he continued to carry on with the conversation.
“Jungkook is one heck of a lucky guy. I’m probably not the first to say it, but you look stunning tonight.” We had met each other during a couple of events that both groups were performing at. He had such a contagious smile, he made every awkward situation go away, and never failed to make me laugh.
“I’m so sorry. I got held up because some CEO wanted to talk to me, but I’m coming back. You doing ok?”
“Kookie, you’re less than 10 feet away from me. I’m fine. Seokmin has come to keep me company while I wait for you.” I felt a small wave of jealousy. “He’s just a friend Jungkook.”
“I didn’t say anything.” He tried so hard to act indifferent.
“I can feel your jealousy. You know, the whole bond thing?”
“Cathleen, are you ok? You looked a bit spaced out there.”
“Ah, I’m sorry. Sometimes I just space out, but I’m fine,” I assured, throwing him a smile.
“Well there’s your man, and there’s all 12 of mine, so I guess I’ll see you later.” I waved goodbye just as Jungkook came back with the drinks.
“See, I told you nothing would happen. Besides, he’s not the one I have to stay within 10 feet of, nor can I communicate with him telepathically.”
“I'm still keeping my eyes on him.”
“I just feel like everyone is staring at us.”
“More like staring at you,” he teased. “But if you don’t like all the attention on you, I can gladly put the attention on both of us,” he smirked, snaking his arm around my waist and pulling me closer, so that my face was inches from his.
“Your ego is already the size of the world. You don’t need anymore attention,” I said, lightly pushing his forehead away with my pointer finger.
“Jungkook!” We both turned to see a group of five or six girls quickly walking towards us. I immediately recognized who they were. THE group. A private Jungkook fan base only for female idols. There were usually more of them, but who knows where the others were. I could feel the jealousy begin to boil, causing Jungkook to raise an eyebrow at me.
“If it weren’t for this stupid bond, I wouldn’t have to stand here and witness this,” I grumbled.
“Now who’s the jealous one?”
“I have a perfectly valid reason to be! My boyfriend has a group dedicated solely to him, that’s filled with female idol admirers who jump at him whenever they get the chance. Tell me I don’t have a reason to be jealous.”
“Well this conversation right now is a pretty good example as to why you shouldn’t be jealous.” I looked at him in confusion, but he just tapped his head. Oh right. The whole ‘we can speak telepathically with each other and not anyone else’ reason.
“Throwing my own words right back at me. You sly fox, Jeon Jungkook.”
“I have my moments,” he bragged. To be polite, he greeted each of the ladies, but quickly made up an excuse to get away, for my sake.
The whole night went along in a similar manner. I met many people who I had always dreamed of meeting when I was just a fan girl in the States, received many compliments, and even won an item from the silent auction.
“You look exhausted.”
“I’m about to pass out,” I mumbled.
“I’ll talk to Namjoon and see if we can leave early.” I threw him a smile of gratitude. I wanted nothing more than to change into my warm pajamas, get all of this makeup off of my face, and cuddle up with Jungkook in bed with a good book that I would probably end up not reading and immediately falling asleep instead.
My prayers were answered, and Namjoon decided it would be best to head home early. Most of the reporters had left after all of the attendees made their red carpet appearance, but a few remained in hopes of getting a couple more personal interviews from idols who drank a little more than they probably should have. They were quietly chatting amongst themselves, but one of them jumped up immediately when he saw us walking out.
“Please take some time to answer my one question, and then I’ll leave you to go home.”
“I’m really sorry sir, but BTS has been ordered not to have anymore interviews tonight.”
“Well my question isn’t really for BTS, but their personal manager as she is so appropriately named.”
“She’s not answering your-” Jungkook began as he took a step towards the man, but Namjoon stopped him.
“One question, but she has the right to refuse to answer.” The man nodded in agreement before turning to face me. Jungkook backed down reluctantly, fuming behind me.
“How are you related to Kang Dae-won?” The name sounded so familiar, but I couldn’t put my tongue on it.
“Jagi, you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.” I ignored him, racking my brain for any clue as to who that name belonged to. Then I remembered. I felt the color drain from my face, and I clung to Jungkook as my knees gave out. Kang Dae-won. The most wanted mass murderer in South Korea. My father.

Notes

Yay for 2 updates in 1 week! I'm so happy to read all of the comments you guys are leaving me! They really keep me going!