BTOB, "It's Okay",  [Album] (2015)

Nari awoke to the blinding sunlight of mid-morning. Her mind instinctively cringed over her inactivity at this hour; she couldn't stand being idle. Yet here she was, body contorted with pain as soon as she tried to sit up. Panic overwhelmed her at the sight of restraints around her wrists, her ankles free. But to no avail could she free herself.

She'd been captured, taken in by the enemy.

A prisoner to toy with no doubt.

Staring around the room however, only added to Nari’s confusion. The walls were of the familiar light paneling she'd been surrounded by for the past week. The bed was comforting and warm as opposed to 'normal' prisoner conditions – at least, what she’d assume other captives were forced to sleep on. There was even a drip besides her bed, but no needle I her arm at the moment. She wore a plain black t-shirt and shorts as opposed to the clothes she last wore. Not that she remembered what at all had happened when she was last awake. It was as if she was hungover – but way worse.

What day is it even?

It was when her eyes found that dreaded photo besides the bed that Nari realised where she was;

"Unnie..."

The sound of footsteps outside awoke Nari's senses. She pretended to be asleep.

Male, tall, drags his feet across the floor. Lack of sleep possibly? Whistling suggests distraction. Carrying a tray judging by the rustling metal.

When the sound of breathing reached Nari's ears and tingled on her skin, she became immobile. The person leaned over her, the feel of hands on her restrained wrists unnerving. As soon as the clink of the metal latch sounded, and her hands were free however - Nari didn't hesitate to wrap her arm around the guy's neck, locking him in an iron death-grip.

She yelped out in pain for just a moment, her ribs harshly protesting against the exertion, but she preceded to cut off the guy’s oxygen as he squirmed under her arms. He was young-looking despite his height, but apparently had no real idea of coordination as Nari effortlessly turned his face purple.

“Who are you?!” Nari demanded as the guy flailed his arms around manically. His legs began to give way on him as he slid onto the floor, so Nari let go of him for just a moment. Relief steadily began to flood her ribs as she eased her grip.

As he scampered around, re-gaining his breath, Nari slammed her hand on the tray, pain overwhelming and exhaustion hitting her. She cringed in pain, knocking the metal tray onto the floor in a loud commotion – but she was able to grab onto a syringe.

“Do- Don’t make me ask- again!” Nari panted as she backed up onto the bed, trying to appear threatening with the syringe in her hand.

The boy breathed quickly, holding his hand to his reddening neck, “I’m with Bobby!”

“Liar!”

“It’s the truth!” The boy pleaded with her, “You were shot at the warehouse last week, I’ve been taking care of you ever since!”

Nari eyed the boy suspiciously, “What’s your name?”

“Chanwoo,”

Nari lowered the syringe, slowly, “Where is everyone else?”

“Red Velvet have gone to your Family building to cover up your disappearance,” Chanwoo explained calmly, slowly rising as the colour came back to his face, “The boys went to get fried chicken.”

“Typical,” Nari scoffed, “What’s with this?” Nari nodded to her restrained hand, but groaned as pain immediately flooded her body.

“You had a seizure at one point. Not to mention you woke up several times and hit Hanbin-Hyung in the eye twice,”

Nari couldn’t help but laugh at her unconscious antics, but immediately yelped in pain. Even laughing was a pleasure she couldn’t afford right now.

Chanwoo ran to her side, “Careful, your body’s still not processing the shock from the wounds,”

He reached out for her shoulders, but Nari’s slapped his hands away, leaning against the headboard herself, “You don’t say. How many times did I get shot?”

“Well,” Chanwoo explained as he untied her last restraint, “Let’s say those guys emptied an entire gun magazine on you.”

“Why am I not surprised?” Nari scoffed, “This is my hiding place, isn’t it?”

Chanwoo nodded, eyes lowering to the ground. Nari closed her eyes for a moment

Nari couldn’t help but feel slightly reminded of the situation she was in three years ago; the top of that mountain, her own blood splattered in the snow, and a bullet stuck in her chest, a wound that continued to haunt her to this day. She shivered at the memory. Some things would just never fade. All Nari wanted to do was sleep the pain away, but she was too hyped to do so. She figured talking to Chanwoo could calm her slightly.

“How old are you?”

“Too young to be in this mess,” Chanwoo chuckled as he picked up the tray items from the floor. Nari liked his humour already, “I was born in ninety-eight.”

For some reason, Nari felt a protective instinct over the young boy, even if he probably towered over her with his height. He reminded her of her younger days in the Crime World, eager to make an impact but fearful of the consequences. But Nari never had a team to rely on, and he did. He didn’t need protecting as long as he had them.

“I guess that makes me Noona,” Nari joked light-heartedly, making Chanwoo laugh, “But no.” she returned to seriousness, “We’re not at that level.”

“I didn’t think so,” Chanwoo sighed, “I guess we’re on the same side for now then, huh?”

Nari nodded shortly. She didn’t like being out of the loop on what was going on, but she daren’t ask Chanwoo either – she feared what had transgressed in her week of unconsciousness. What new enemies emerged, which allies died, who was fighting who – Nari didn’t want to know, but again, it ignorance wasn’t a luxury she could afford.

“I guess,” Chanwoo sighed as he looked to the door longingly, “You’d better ask the Hyungs when they get here.”

“Why can’t you just tell me?”

“Because, they’ll be in a better mood to talk through things when they’re eating.”

And Chanwoo wasn’t wrong either. The boys stormed into the room next door, all screaming and shouting as the delicious smell of fried chicken wafted into the room. Nari’s stomach rumbled. Chanwoo smirked at her, sending her a knowing look.

“Yah!” He called out through the open door, “You better bring me some of that chicken before I get angry!”

“Get it yourself!” one of them shouted back.

“Yeah!” Jinhwan’s voice called back, “Hyerin-ah will go through it all if you don’t come quickly!”

“Yah!” 

Nari’s eyes lit up at the sound of Hyerin’s voice. The crazy girl had quickly become one of Nari’s favourite companions in their short friendship, and she couldn’t deny the comfort in hearing her voice.

Then she realised – Bobby would be there too. Flashes of the other night came back to her, images of Bobby carrying her out of the warehouse, berating her for her stubbornness, and even protecting her from gunfire. She shivered at the thought of coming face to face with him – she wasn’t in the mood to be complained at by a mere Rookie.

“I’m the one looking after the Secret Weapon here!” Chanwoo shouted back, “Really, I shout be getting first call on which piece I get!”

“Oh stop complaining already, I’m bringing it through!” A boy Nari didn’t recognise came through the door, eyes shining with hunger as he looked down and carried a box of fried chicken. The loud rumbling of Nari’s stomach caused him to look up.

Nari exchanged an awkward look with the boy; he had blond hair, plump lips and was pretty tall, but he radiated attitude. Nari nodded awkwardly at him.

“Chicken?” He asked, apparently not feeling awkwardness in the slightest.

Nari sighed, “I thought you’d never ask,”

“Someone bring in plates!” Chanwoo shouted back out into the kitchen. Nari guessed him ordering his Hyungs around was the norm for the iKON boys.

“You must be the famous Song Nari,” the blond boy bowed briefly before taking a seat in the room, “I’m Junhoe, beware my brutal honesty.”

“Have you met Hyerin-sshi?” Nari raised an eyebrow, the words ‘brutal honesty’ immediately bringing the crazy friend to mind.

Junhoe chuckled, “Believe me I have, but I think Jinhwan’s a bigger fan than I am.”

“What?”

But Nari’s question was interrupted by the entrance of two other boys, one cute and wide-eyed, the other strong and intelligent. Nari didn’t recognise them either.

“She’s awake then?” the cute-looking one asked the others.

“No, she’s just a ghost who replaced her when we went to get chicken,” Junhoe rolled his eyes, “Pabo.”

Nari couldn’t help but laugh slightly at his sassy remark, but pain immediately spread up her side as soon as she did.

“Yunhyeong,” Chanwoo ordered as he moved to the metal tray on the bedside table, “Get Nari-sshi some water, please.”

The cuter-looking boy, Yunhyeong, left to fulfill Chanwoo’s request. The other boy handed Junhoe the plates and cutlery, before returning to stand on the other edge of the room, looking tense as he picked at his chicken quietly.

“Why the long face Donghyuk?” Junhoe teased as he bit into his chicken, passing the box to Chanwoo.

“This is the first time I’ve seen Song Nari in person.” Donghyuk shrugged, dark eyes boring into Nari, “It’s weird, she’s real.”

Nari couldn’t help but blush ever so slightly at his remark. She’d heard it plenty of times since meeting the boys, but she didn’t realise that she could command such a presence. She quietly took the plate of chicken that Donghyuk held out for her – but she’d suddenly lost her appetite.

“Here,” Yunhyeong came back and handed the bottle of water to Chanwoo, “The others are setting up the table, don’t eat just yet.”

“Of course, because the boys suddenly love to cook,” Junhoe rolled his eyes as he scoffed down chicken without a care.

“Take this,” Chanwoo held out a palm of a few pills to Nari, handing her some water with the other, “Painkillers will do the trick.”

Nari smiled and examined the drugs – old suspicions would never fade.

“They won’t kill you,” Chanwoo chuckled as he set out plates for him and Nari.

“Unless you get addicted, that is,” Junhoe chuckled with his mouth full of chicken.

Nari smirked after she downed the pills, “There are far worse addictions people can have.”

“Guys, I don’t think Hyerin’s gonna’ be too happy that you’re eating al- You’re awake,” Jinhwan smiled warmly at Nari, bowing politely. Nari tried to return his politeness, but the painkillers hadn’t kicked in just yet.

“I’m glad to see you’re okay,” Jinhwan stood by the door awkwardly, “The others were worried sick about you-“

“Yah! Stop eating we’ve already prepared the table!” B.I. stormed into the room, making a beeline to Donghyuk and snatching his chicken from his hands, “Do you want Hyerin-sshi to start screaming at us again?”

“Hyung,” Chanwoo called out.

“What?!” B.I. demanded, fear tinging his voice before he turned around and exchanged a look with Nari, mouth full with chicken. She smiled awkwardly, chicken between her teeth, before quickly swallowing and greeting B.I.

“Guys!” B.I. called out into the kitchen, the authoritative, tone of leadership evident in his voice.

Nari’s stomach dropped at the sight of Bobby and Hyerin, more so when Bobby’s eyes met her own. She opened to say something to him, but Hyerin cut her short with a death-grip hug and squeal.

“You’re alive!”

“Ribs- RIBS!” Nari croaked as she tried to push the crazy girl off of her.

“Yah!” Junhoe complained as Yunhyeong had to drag her off of Nari, “She’s still hurt y’know?”

“Sorry,” Hyerin quickly bowed, her face alight with happiness – until she saw the chicken on her plate. The boys all groaned and began to filter out, one by one as Hyerin scolded everyone for not eating together, be