She's never felt so tired in her life; not even her trainee days were like this. With the girls being at the peak of their debut, they're at yet another comeback, training hard to deliver all that they can for their Superiors. The fans would be counting on them, and this, Ava knew but she could help but let her eyes droop a little. Her breathing slowed substantially as she laid down against the practice room floors, skin glowing with sweat. She had been the last to leave, promising the girls she would return once she had the dance perfectly mastered.

She didn't make it far before her mind began to crawl and her brain fell dead; she settled on spending the night in the practice room when the second set of lights switched on suddenly, making her cringe back into her oversized sweater from the sudden brightness. She expected it to be Anna, the trustworthy leader that always put the health of her subordinates before hers, but then, as Ava realized, Anna had a date with Taeyang-sunbae today. So who in hell's name would dare ruin Ava's precious practice time --

"I figured you'd be here."

Oh.

Oh..

Ava sat up suddenly, blinking. She hadn't spoken to him since the day he indirectly declared his undying love for her. She blinked at him awkwardly, rubbing the nape of her neck as discomfort bit at her stomach. She gulped then, avoiding his eyes as she rose to her feet, wobbling. In return, he caught her before she met the floor, steadying her with his muscular arms tangled around her slim waist. "Avoiding me, now?" he teased, his famous gummy smile poking at his handsome features. He handed her a bottle of water, which she gladly accepted. 

"Thanks," she whispered.

Yongguk's eyebrows creased together, furrowing before he placed the back of his hand to her forehead. "You're getting warm," he remarked. Sighing, he slipped out of his jacket and draped it over her shoulders gently, a tender smile crawling up his lips. "What kind of idol are you?" he joked, "Catching a fever right when comebacks are just around the corner?"
"It's not like I can help it," Ava snorted, bringing down her cold walls, "I had to master the dance."

"Surely not enough to get yourself sick," he chastised.

Ava wasn't exactly sure what happened next, she knew that Yongguk had taken her into his arms, carrying her like how a man would carry his newlywed bride; his steps were slow and calming, as if he knew she was dizzy. Ava rested her head subconsciously against his chest, lulling herself to sleep with his involuntarily thrashing heartbeat. It wasn't long then, when she was in the comforts of her bed, with Yongguk's low chuckle resting just by her ear. "Lucky me," he whispered. "I'm sure I'm the only one who's been able to see the oh-so-great Ava right in the moments before bedtime?" he taunted sweetly. "Hannie called me down to fetch you from the practice room," he explained, returning her questionable gaze with his deep voice. "It seems all the girls had dates tonight.. why must you be the only lonely one?"

He brushed back strands of her hair away, his thumb lingering just atop her cheekbone. Beautiful.

She shut her eyes and felt his gaze on her as his fingers continued to graze through the silky locks of her dark hair. He's sitting beside her, allowing her to close the distance between them as she cuddles closer, kindly asking for more of his radiating warmth. As he alters his position, she grips his shirt in fear of his departure. He looks down at her in surprise.

"Stay," she whispered tiredly, rubbing her shut eyes.

"But I'm not really going anywhere.." She could almost hear the smirking eye-roll in his voice; she decided to shrug it off this time. But she forgets about it all anyways, feeling his slightly chapped lips -yet incredibly warm- lips press up against her forehead, his hands caressing her hair and cheek with so much tenderness, she could melt. 

Don't leave.

And as if in sync with her thoughts, Yongguk chuckles hoarsely, laying down beside her, despite being in jeans and in other uncomfortable attire. His next words were soft, and muffled as he buried his nose gingerly into the crevices of her neck, but they brought her instantaneous warmth, especially as he pulled her in closer to his chest.

"No worries.. I'm going to still be here right when you wake up, baby."