Chapter 17 - 자다 (JA-DA)[Sleep]

For nearly two full weeks I was hit by promotions, stages, awards, and proposes from other idols for collabs. I was so overworked I couldn't even go to my down for days on end. So this is what it's like to debut. The only sleep I got was in car rides, before a performance, and after a meal; those lasted only for fifteen minutes at best. I got so worried that I looked up how long a person could go without sleep. Which ended up being eleven days without a nap so I guess I could last for at least two weeks. After my last performance before getting a break, all I wanted to do was sleep. It was around one, right after the noon performance and I swayed back and forth while going to my dorm. I removed every single piece of body and face makeup at my dressing room a while back, and I was wearing a short black skirt, a blue crop top, black wedges, and black thigh socks since they were easy to take off and change during performances. I fiddled with my keys before opening up my front door. I immediately threw my bag on the kitchen counter, taking off my shoes and kicked them to the side so they were somewhat organized. My puppies ran up to me, I was glad my manager came by and took care of them while I was out performing. I filled up their bowls after they were finished pouncing on me and went to my couch. Accepting the plushness and the sudden feeling of relief that went through my spine. This might be the first time in two weeks that I actually laid down. I closed my eyes and got some shut eye, falling into a deep sleep.

Yoongi P.O.V

I knocked on Roxi's door. It was around two in the afternoon and I just finished up working in my studio, although I still brought my laptop incase I had a sudden stroke of genius, as usual. That and I brought some cake to greet her when she opened up if she were under a lot of stress. After a minute or two I noticed she wasn't coming to open it up I decided to try the door knob. I twisted it, raising my eyebrow when I realized it was unlocked.

'Does she want someone to break in or something?'

I pushed it open, knowing the other times I tried opening her door it was locked and her manager finally told me she was coming back to her dorm today when I ran into her this morning. That explained why I never saw her around these past couple of weeks. The lights were off and the only illumination came from the three unblinded windows behind her couch. Her puppies noticed my presence and looked at me, I'm pretty sure they were used to me by now since they weren't running up to me whenever I came. My eyes scanned the room, landing on a laying form on the couch. My laptop and cake was placed on the counter next to Roxi's backpack and I watched her from the kitchen counter, my back leaning against one of her chairs. She looked exhausted. If the bags under her eyes didn't give anyone the jist of what she felt, then her stiff limbs would probably show that. I sighed, seeing she was sleeping in my spot.

'Dammit.'

I walk over to her quietly, slipping one arm under the back of her knees. Both of her arms slung around my neck, catching me off guard as I used everything I had to keep from losing my balance and throwing her onto the coffee table. My legs straightened and I carried her with my arm as my free one pushed open her bedroom door.

'I'm glad I brought the cake, she's so light.'

Her room was fairly neat, her dogs following me from behind as I silently swore at them to help me. I placed Roxi on the top of her bunk after pulling the covers back. My hands softly fluffed up her pillow and I tucked her in, hoping my movements wouldn't wake her up. She groaned in her sleep, grabbing my left hand and she just held it.

"Don't leave."she whispered, still between the world of reality and dreams.

I smiled and tucked her arm into the blanket to keep her warm."I won't, promise."

That was enough to make her smile and release my hand. The warmth left my fingertips as I stuffed my hands in my pockets, making sure she was comfortable before leaving the room and closing the bedroom door behind me. I sat on the couch, looking to my right to see the dog with a red collar look at me with its head tilted.

"What?"I grunt, realizing how much Roxi rubbed off on me."Don't look at me like that."

'Great now I'm as crazy as her.'

The dog ran across the room to the kitchen and I rubbed my temples. The thought of Roxi being overworked kept prodding the back of my mind. I know what it's like, hell, I've felt it every other week. But since she rose to stardom this quick, with this sudden lack of sleep and a performance every day worried me. Even Bangtan could not function without at least an hour of sleep. I sighed and laid down on the couch, my hands under my head as a makeshift pillow as I felt the lingering warmth of Roxi's body on the cushions.

'Being worried is a pain in the ass.'

~Time Skip~

I woke up to the sound of a creaking bed and the jingle of collars. My left eye opened to see Roxi shuffling out of her room, rubbing her eyes tiredly as she looked over to me and smiled; still unaware I was awake. It must have only been an hour since I fell asleep, since there was still white light coming from the windows. Roxi walked back into her room and I closed my eye, exhaling through my nose. The sound of soft fabric rustling and footsteps got closer and closer to me. A thick blanket was thrown over me and my neck was lifted up to allow a pillow to be placed under it. Roxi took my arms and tucked them under the blanket, I grunt not feeling any different under the covers than I did against the cold air. Her movements froze for a second when she heard me.

'Why did she wake up so soon?'

I wrapped an arm around her waist pulling her into the blanket with my eyes still shut. A squeak left her lips when I pulled her against my chest and placed my chin on her head so her face was nuzzled into the crook of her neck. I opened my eyes and looked at her own, her blushing face making me smirk as I pulled her to the side so she was straddling me from above.

"Why are you up? You still need sleep."I order, scolding her as her red face was placed on my chest."Honestly, you need to sleep whenever you can."

"I'm going to have a break for three days before going to an awards show...so I thought I'd have enough time for sleep...and I was wondering how I ended up in bed."she mumbles, looking at me with knowing eyes."Thank you."

"You were just in my spot on the couch don't look into it."I say, chuckling when she rolled her eyes with a small 'sure'."Is that the attitude you give to someone who brought you a cake?"

Her head shot up and the sparkle in her eyes was bright enough for me to lose my sight."A cake?"

"Yeah, but you have to sleep for a bit until you can have it."I say, her pout showing when she slammed her head back on my chest.

"Fine."

After a few minutes, the rise and fall of Roxi's chest began to slow but her eyes wouldn't shut."Anytime now Roxi."

"I can't really sleep after I wake up."she chuckled sheepishly.

I shake my head and laugh softly, the rough vibrations from my chest making her laugh as well. All of a sudden her eye contact broke from mine and her face turned a bright tint of crimson once more. My eyebrows furrow when I notice her change of composure.

"Is something wrong?"I ask, seeing her eyes waver from mine to the couch cushion.

"...Your hand."she whispers, blushing even more.

I didn't understand what she meant. Roxi's hand on my chest was removed and I felt it on my own hand that was pretty high on on her thigh. A redder blush covered her cheeks and she led my limb back to her waist, making me realize I had my hand under her skirt this whole time. If my blush were more prominent I was pretty sure it would show by now.

"Sorry."I say, using my other hand to tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear."Hey if you ever feel uncomfortable with my hugging just say so."

"Don't you mean cuddling?"she giggles, her blush fading while I facepalmed with my free hand.

"I don't even know the word."I say with my obvious gummy-smile.

"I like your 'hugging'."she says, emphasizing the word 'hugging'."It's relaxing."

"I'll make sure to do it more often then."I smirk, holding her closer if that was even possible.

A new form of warmth filled my chest as I felt her laugh. It couldn't be any better than the feeling of her body flush against mine, the blanket cocoon that held us together, and the feeling of closeness. I just couldn't explain it into words.

"Can we have cake now?"she asks.

I shake my head and sit up, holding her up with me."Sure."