This time when Ivy went to watch the boys she couldn't even hear anything other than the boys on stage. She was always captivated by them but this was really the first time that they had looked so mature and their words were almost sad if she was being honest. She knew the lyrics but they had always upset her. She couldn't help but wonder where they had come from, the real idea of the lyrics just felt toxic to her. Were they talking about the fame? The industry? The money? Someone they knew? She didn't know but it was sad to her that they felt that strongly to put it in a song.

There was no denying that the performance was breath taking though. They moved so well and with such determination that she felt like they were treating it like their debut stage all over again. As if they were still trying to prove themselves. In a sense they were. They had fought so hard to get to where they were and they were fighting to make even more of a name for themselves. Ivy had watched them go from being a band that barely anyone had ever heard of to a bit of a household name, even in the states. She was beyond proud of how far they had come and that she could say that she had supported them from the beginning.

Ivy snapped out of her own thoughts when Yoongi's second rap came, she couldn't help it considering that he looked right at her as he delivered his lines with a slight smirk. She had to admit that even though she wasn't a fan of the toxicity in the song, it was a bit y when he rapped them for her. He even went so far as to his lips at her which caused her to tense up and blush profusely. She had definitely not been expecting that.

It was over far too quickly for Ivy's liking but this time instead of going back to the greenroom with her, the boys were going to film a couple things to act as introductions to other bands. She was told that it wouldn't take that long but if Ivy knew anything about the boys then she knew that they were going to be a while. Yeah, they were professional but only Tae was really an actor and while some of the other guys had some acting chops she knew that they had a hard time with lines they didn't write. Honestly, she wasn't sure what to do with the ample time she knew she was going to have.

The Coordi Noona's were all working at getting everything ready for their departure and Ivy didn't want to be in the way again so she went back to her old reliable, the couch. She sat down and brought out her phone for the first time that day. She had a lot of messages. She hadn't even realized that it went off if she was honest. Looking at them it seemed to be mostly from Mark and Angie though there were a few from Jongkook too.

It had felt like a whole lifetime ago that she had gone out with Jongkook. The bar and dinner date seemed like a distant memory, not something that had just happened a week ago. She went to answer him first and was happy to find that he was asking her out again. She smiled a bit at her phone and quickly replied. Ivy honestly couldn't wait to see him again. She loved getting to spend time with the boys but she never really got much alone time with Yoongi, whereas she would almost always have alone time with Jongkook. She was really looking forward to a little bit more chill time with Jongkook honestly.

Ivy moved on to Angie's text who simply asked how the show was going and for Ivy to sneak her some pics of the boys. Mark though had demanded a phone call as soon as she could manage it. Apparently he had something really big to talk to her about and it couldn't wait. He didn't elaborate at all and to be honest it set her anxiety off. What could possibly be that important?

“Why didn't you call me earlier?”Mark said gruffly when Ivy finally called.

“Because I've been in a greenroom all day for BTS's comeback stage. I didn't have my ringer on so I didn't know my phone went off in my purse,”Ivy answered flatly.

“Whatever. Have you seen the episode yet?” Mark asked quickly getting to his point.

“No I haven't. I've been a bit preoccupied and honestly forgot about it,”Ivy was a bit disappointed in herself. She had promised JiHyo she would watch it, which reminded her that she should probably talk to JiHyo too.

“You need to watch it as soon as you get back to your hotel. You need to see it but promise me something first,”Mark paused waiting for Ivy's response.

“Okay, what do I need to promise you?” Ivy was really confused. What was so important about the episode?

“Watch the episode before you check any of the comments. Even the comments on your YouTube okay? I'll tell you that some of them aren't that great but if you watch the episode they won't be that bad. I just don't want you to get hurt okay?” Mark's tone was really serious and it scared her. 

“What the hell are people saying that you're worried about me? Did Yoongi's fans come for me? Jongkook's? How bad is it Mark?” Ivy could almost feel the tears coming. She knew that there were going to be hate comments. She was used to that idea but she had never had someone call specifically because of them, especially not a fellow YouTuber. It just kind of came with the territory and they had to learn how to have thick skin. This was terrifying though.

“They're mostly unfounded. Seems like a lot of fangirls being upset about someone being close to their bias or whatever, but you need to watch the episode. They edited it really well to not put you or the guys in a bad light. I'm honestly impressed with it but you can't read the comments without watching it. I think the comments are a bit worse than normal,” Mark's concern was evident and Ivy really did appreciate it. 

“Okay Mark I will. Thanks for warning me though. I was going to check my YouTube today too, but I'll watch the episode first I promise. Oh the guys are coming back. I'll talk to you later Mark,” Mark said his goodbyes and Ivy hung up. She couldn't help but still be concerned. She knew that the episode had aired but she'd been so busy she couldn't even really check her YouTube, only logging on to post a few vlogs before moving on to her business trying to land the Running Man position.

“What's wrong Jagi?” Yoongi asked as he noticed the concerned look on Ivy's face.

“It's nothing. Mark just told me to check out the Running Man episode. Apparently there are some pretty bad comments for me. It's okay though. I'm kind of used to it at this point,” Ivy said, forcing a smile.

“You shouldn't have to worry about that Jagi. If it's too much tell me,” Yoongi said pulling her off the couch and into a tight hug.

“I will Yoongi-ah. It's really okay though. I'm kind of used to getting some hate comments honestly,” Ivy chuckled a bit leaning back to look at him. “Worse comes to worst I'll just have to film a video telling everyone to calm down and it's not as bad as they think. To be honest I've been thinking of doing it anyways. A lot of Suga Stans keep coming for me.”

“I'm sorry my fans are mean to you. You don't deserve it,” Yoongi hugged Ivy tightly again. “You're perfect.”

“No I'm not but that's okay and I accepted that a long time ago. How many takes did it take you guys to get it right by the way?” Ivy asked with a smug smirk.

“Too damn many. I hate doing these things,” Yoongi sighed exasperatedly. “I just want a nap now. Maybe some food.”

“Don't worry we'll both be reborn as stones in our next life so we won't have to move,” Ivy said with a laugh.

“Then we better be stones that are right next to each other because I would have to move if we weren't,” Yoongi's statement made Ivy cringe.

“You're so cheesy Hyung,” Tae said as he smiled at the two. His box smile was so wide and cute that Ivy couldn't help but chuckle.

“Apparently not too cheesy if you're smiling like that,” Ivy said before going over to pinch his cheeks.

“Because you're cute together Noona. You make him cheesy. Johahae,” Tae said as he continued to smile at her.

“He's right Noona. You've made him soft. It's kind of nice to see,” Namjoon said as he came over to join them for the first time all day.

“I'm sure he's still just as sassy as before when I'm not around,” Ivy said with an eye roll.

“Aniyo. He's actually been like this most of the time. It's kind of nice, he doesn't act like my brightness annoys him anymore,” Hoseok said with a bright smile.

“Well I don't know how anyone could be annoyed by you Sunshine,” Ivy replied.

“You don't have to live with him,” Yoongi mumbled.

“Min Yoongi! Don't you dare be mean to my Sunshine! I will hurt you!” Ivy yelled with a side eyed glare.

“It's true though,” Yoongi mumbled and backed down a bit.

“It's okay Hobi you can be a ball of sunshine all you want. I won't let him be mean to you,” Ivy said moving to hug the member who was putting on a show of fake tears and thanking her. Suddenly Jungkook interrupted them all coming to stand in the middle of the group.

“Let's play rock paper scissors to see who gets to sit next to Noona on the way back!” All the guys except for Yoongi all cheered in agreement before they started playing.

Yoongi had won, along with Jungkook who got to sit on the window side of Ivy. Yoongi wasn't too happy about that, especially when the bunny fell asleep and laid his head onto Ivy's shoulder. He was even more irritated when Jungkook grabbed her hand and Ivy held it back. He knew that Ivy had no interest in him but he also knew that Jungkook had probably only done it to make him mad.

Ivy didn't mind though. She was happy that Jungkook was getting closer to her. She had really been afraid that he was going to be scared of her for a long time but her fears were finally alleviated. If he was comfortable enough to fall asleep on her shoulder and hold her hand then he would be okay around her. It made her happy that her “child” had finally accepted her love.

When the van finally pulled up to the hotel Ivy gently shook Jungkook to wake him up to say goodbye. He hugged her before she got out of the van and Yoongi followed. The manager had told him that he could walk her to her room since they didn't have anything else scheduled for the day. Yoongi was definitely prepared to take advantage of the opportunity and made quick work of getting Ivy inside and into the elevator so they could be alone for a minute. He held her hand for the entire trip up to her room and when the elevator opened he leaned in to place a kiss on her cheek. When the two moved to get out of the elevator though they saw the elevator across the hall open.

Jongkook was staring at them. More specifically their hands. He looked a bit hurt to Ivy but he didn't hesitate to make his own way out of the elevator to stand face to face with Yoongi. The two stared at each other with harsh eyes for a moment and it made Ivy uncomfortable. She knew that they both knew she was going on dates with both of them but she felt guilty. She knew that neither of them was really used to that kind of dating and the encounter was just awkward.

“What are you doing here Hyung? It's my day to spend with Noona,” Yoongi said with a bit of steel in his voice.

“I dropped by to surprise her. I figured you'd have to abandon her for a schedule,” Jongkook said with a bit of a smug smirk.

“M Countdown was our only schedule today actually. We're pretty booked for the next few weeks but don't worry. I'll never abandon Ivy like that. If I invite her out it's for the whole day not just a part of it,” Yoongi replied.

“Then why are you back at the hotel now? You weren't thinking of doing anything inappropriate were you?” Jongkook's retaliations were making Ivy feel worse and her face cringe.

“Of course not I'm a perfect gentleman to the woman I like. What about you Hyung? Should you really be coming to surprise a woman at her hotel room without letting her know?” Yoongi smirked a bit having caught Jongkook off guard.

“Stop it! Both of you!” Ivy yelled when it became too much. “Look I know you're both having a hard time with this and I'm sorry. I really am but there's a lot going on and I can't make a choice yet. Just give me a bit more time. I need to adjust and get to know the both of you better. I know it sounds like an excuse and I really am sorry for that but I really just need time. Please don't fight with each other. I'm the reason it's like this not you two.”

The two stood there staring blankly at Ivy. They hadn't expected the outburst or that she would back away from them with such a hurt look on her face. They didn't think that they were being to hard on each other, they really did understand, they just had a hard time not saying something to each other.

“I have to get settled in this job and figure out how I feel. I have to have some time okay? I am so sorry for all of this I just.... I don't have any idea what to do. This is happening so quick and I don't want to hurt either of you. Can you both just give me some time without these stupid little fights when you see each other?” Ivy felt a lump forming in though she refused to allow tears to come. She didn't deserve to be sad about the situation. She was the one hurting them after all.

“Okay,” Both Jongkook and Yoongi replied at the same time with mirrored sad faces. Ivy nodded and walked towards her room without looking at the two before going in.

“She's really upset about this isn't she?” Jongkook asked no one in particular.

“I think she's worried that we weren't aware of what her deciding entailed,” Yoongi replied. “I'm not fond of you dating her but if it helps her figure out what she really wants and makes her happy then I'm okay.”

“Well then, it seems like we agree on something. Let's leave her be for today. I think it'll stress her out if we go try to comfort her,” Yoongi nodded at Jongkook's suggestion and they both reentered the elevator. “So how was your comeback stage?”

“It went well,” Yoongi replied with a smile of gratitude at the older idol. “There was this rookie idol that made eyes at Ivy though.”

The rest of the elevator ride the two discussed their mutual hatred of the kid. At least they both agreed on that too. Only they could compete for Ivy's heart. No one else was allowed. Ivy on the other hand immediately went to take a shower to try to decompress from the encounter in the hall. She couldn't help but let her guilty tears fall then.

She really needed to choose.

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A/N Hey guys! I'm so sorry that this is taking me so long to update but I haven't really had the mental bandwidth to write. I got tickets to see Stray Kids and BTS in May so I've been hustling trying to make sure that I have the cash I need for those and this has honestly fallen by the wayside for lack of inspiration but I finally found some drive and at least got a bit more done. I'm not entirely sure how much longer this is going to be honestly but I know that I've almost scrapped all of my original plans because I think I wanted to do too much with a small plot. I don't want to keep dragging it out and hopefully you'll still like the way this turns out. I already have a couple chapters that I wrote almost a year ago for an epilogue so I promise I'm going to finish this because those ideas are too good to go to waste if I do say so myself lol. As Always Thank You for Reading! Kamsamnida!