Nina POV

It was beginning to get late, so Lay and I decided that it was time we went home. We walked along, holding hands. It felt so natural and right. It made me sad to think that this will probably be the only time we can be so open with our relationship for a long time. I sighed and Lay looked at me,

“What is it?” I looked up at him and smiled sadly,

“I don’t know… It’s just- It made me sad that we can’t normally do this, you know? I mean, this feels so right! I want to be able to do this all the time. But we can’t…” I trailed off and he smiled at me sadly,

“I know. I want that too.” It was silent for a moment, “One day. One day soon, we’ll be able to do this. We’ll be able to walk around, holding hands, no matter where we are.” I looked back at him,

“Yi Xing,”

“I am legally able to be in a relationship now. I love you and I want everyone to know about us. I get jealous whenever I see couples out in public doing things: doing all of the things that I wish we could do.”

“What are you suggesting?”

“I want to announce it! I want people to know about us. Not yet, it’s still too soon, but soon. I want to tell people soon.” He stared ahead with a determined look in his eyes. I admired his courage and confidence, I just hope that when the time comes, it all goes the way we want it.

~~~

It was a couple of days before the concert now and everyone’s stress levels were high. I even noticed that Lay’s normally laid back demenor was replaced with a more on edge, jumpy Lay. Although, it probably didn’t help that my brother would be arriving in LA today…

And then there wasw Stephanie and Kris. I didn’t totally understand what had happened and neither of them would tell me everything. I was kinda worried, as was Ava and Lay. Both Stephanie and Kris were super moody and they glared at eachother constantly. I just don’t even know anymore.

I went to the airport to go pick up my brother early in the morning. The girls were still sleeping and refused to get up so freakishly early. Lay wanted to come with me, but his hopes were quickly crushed by the fact that their performance was so close and it would look rather suspicious for one EXO member to go to the airport with me; to both their managers and any possible fans that might see.

It just wasn’t logical.

I stood there in the huge lobby waiting. I really needed to get back so that I could be there for EXO or whoever else needed me, so I was a little impatient today. Everyone’s stressed attitudes were beginning to rub off on me and I was feeling rushed. Finally I heard his voice boom towards me,

“Nina!” I looked up and saw him coming towards me casually. First thing I noticed was that he was now cast-less. I smiled as he approached and ran up to hug him,

“Julian!” He laughed and hugged me back. “I see you were able to get your cast off! Good!” He nodded as I examined his newly freed arm.

“Yeah, it feels so much better without it.”

“I bet.” He looked around,

“So, where’s this boyfriend of yours? Did he not come with you? Tsk, tsk. I expected him to be here to greet me. It’s only polite…” He began mumbling and I rolled my eyes.

“Hey. He is two days away from one of the biggest days in his career. Be nice. Everyone is a little on edge, so please try to save some of your interrogation for AFTER the concert is over with.” He sighed and rolled his eyes,

“You’re no fun.”

“I try.” I smirked. He smiled and ruffled my hair. I rolled my eyes again and grabbed his hand, “Come on! We’ve gotta go! I need to get back to work! I’m pretty busy now.” He laughed and trailed along behind me as I lead the way to the car.

We arrived at the hotel and I settled Julian into the extra bed we had in our hotel room. SM was paying for this. I don’t even want to know what these rooms cost. He protested, saying that he wanted to go and meet people, but I forced him to go to bed; I saw him falling asleep in the car. Let’s just say that he didn’t put up much of a fight after the initial mentioning of sleep.

I went back out to find EXO and see if there was anything that I could do to assist them or anyone else. There were many event rooms in the hotel and SM had rented them out so that they wouldn’t have very far to go to get from practice to bed. It was mostly a security issue since there were tons of fans swarming around the hotel 24/7.

I entered the room in which all of EXO was practicing. They had all just sat down for a quick break and I came over and helped them fetch water and towels so that they could sit and rest properly.

“Nina! Is your brother here?” Chen asked. I nodded,

“Yeah. He’s upstairs sleeping in our hotel room. He wanted to come down now, but I made him sleep.” A couple of them giggled at this and I smiled. I guess our relationship was kinda funny.

“Hear that, Lay? You’re off the hook for now!” Kris slapped Lay’s arm as he and Lay sent him a sour look.

“Haha, so funny. I repeat: Wait untill you get a girlfriend. Beware. I shall have no mercy.” I laughed at their little interaction. Lay had nothing to be afraid of. My brother was harmless. Sure, he was a bit taller that him and bigger I suppose… But he just talks tough. Once you get to know him you see that inside he is simply a puppy: totally loyal, loving, and hyper. That may be why all of the extremely hyper members always cling to me. They feel a kinship with me through my brother.

That must be it.

-.-

~~~

They continued to practice for hours as I ran around doing errands for whoever needed something. I was currenly resting along with EXO again when I heard voices approaching from down the hall. I perked up; I know those voices! I smiled as my two friends entered, followed closely by my brother,

“Nina! There you are!” He called as soon as he saw me. I smiled and waved tiredly. They all came over and stood before us. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Kris smirk as Lay sat up a little straighter. I smiled. Cute. Julian stood there staring down at all of the guys sprawled out before him,

“Which on of you is chip?”

“It’s Lay, stupid.” He smirked, and I knew that it was on purpose. Kris cracked a smile and everyone else looked confused.

“Fine. Which one of you is Lays?” he asked again.

“Lay.” I corrected.

“Whatever.”No one but Kris spoke English of the 12 members so they all just stared between us trying to figure out what was going on. Kris poked Lay in the side,

“Get up.” He whispered. Lay looked at him wide eyed for a second before composing himself and standing. He stood up straight and looked right back at my brother. I stood up too,

“Julian, this is Yi Xing. Yi Xing, this is my brother, Julian.” Lay bowed and smiled awkwardly for a moment as my brother stood there, regarding him and forming an opinion.

“Hmm,” I heard him and I rolled my eyes. He was just putting on a show. He looked back up at Lay’s face and they made eye contact. Julian smirked, “We’ll see.” Kris cracked up and I couldn’t help but crack a smile. I reached out and slapped his arm,

“Julian!” He smiled slightly and rolled his eyes,

“Hey! You said to save it for after the concert. So, I’m saving it.” I rolled my eyes.

“Fine. But at least greet him properly. You two look so awkward.” He laughed and stuck out his hand,

“Nice to meet you.” Lay looked at him and blinked before catching on,

“Nicetomeetyou.” He rushed all of his words together and my brother chuckled,

“I didn’t know he spoke English.”

“He’s learning because he wants to impress your sister.” Kris said from his seat on the couch. He smirked up at my brother as Julian raised an eyebrow,

“Really now?” He looked back at Lay and gave him a good look over again. Really? He knows he’s totally scaring him to death and I‘m preatty sure that’s his purpose for all of this. Aish. This pabo.

Eventually I finished introducing all of the other members to my brother. By that point my brother claimed starvation and Kris offered to accompany him. I quickly nipped that briliant idea in the bud,

“No. I don’t trust you with my brother yet.” I told him sternly. He laughed at me,

“What? Me? Why?” He blinked innocently at me and I rolled my eyes.

“Why don’t you all go? You haven’t eaten yet either, have you?” I asked Stephanie, and Ava. They shook their heads and so it was decided that they would all go. I noted the small frown on Kris’ face as Stephanie grabbed Julian’s arm and dragged him away from where he was standing, staring and occasionaly sending glares Yi Xing’s way.

Poor Yi Xing. I seriously need to talk to him later.

~~~

That night, Yi Xing and I were able to get away for a few minutes and I talked to him about my brother,

“Don’t worry about him. Really. He’s harmless. He’s just trying to intimidate you and annoy me. It’s a skill of his.”

“I’d say. He’s pretty good at it…” He mumbled degectedly. I smiled and took his hand,

“Just forget about it. Don’t worry about him. He said he promises he’ll be good untill after the concert. So, just focus on that and I’ll try to keep him as far away from you all untill then. Shouldn’t be too hard, he’s still jet lagged and’ll probably sleep forever tomarrow. He’s never been one for getting up early anyways.” He chuckled and nodded. “But, don’t worry. Seriously. He’ll love you. I’m sure of it. He better or else we’re gonna have a serious problem here.” Lay looked at me wide eyed and I laughed,

“No no no! My brother and I, not you and him or you and I.” He relaxed a bit and smiled slightly. I nudged his shoulder with mine, “Honestly, I think he’s pretty impressed. He’s just trying not to show it. Give it time and he’ll become more comfortable.” He sighed and nodded, leaning his head against mine. I sighed in content.

Our last bit of peace before the concert.

D-1.