Bound by touch

Unacceptable behavior and consequences

// 8 July

Meera peeked inside the makeup room where most of the BTS members were getting ready to shoot for the VCR that was going to be used in the upcoming concerts in the world tour. Most of them were in their outfit, getting their makeup done. The makeup room was full of coordis and makeup artists working on perfecting the member's looks. She spotted Taehyung who was finished getting ready and was sitting on a couch in the corner. 

Taehyung had called her to check up on her and she had told him that she was a little tired. He had immediately ordered her to come to the makeup room so they could recharge. Meera had agreed, knowing he had a busy day ahead and she needed the energy too. She entered the room hesitantly, wary of so many new faces around her. While she knew the company was efficient at keeping the members' lives private, no one was completely trustworthy in the entertainment business. Taehyung had told her too many horror stories of staff taking advantage of their position to harass the idol to completely relax in a room full of staff.

Taehyung spotted her the moment she entered the room, her presence was like a beacon. He smiled at her when she started to walk his way but the smile immediately dropped when Meera was stopped by a coordi.

The room was full of chaos and loud noises of people shouting and talking over each other so he couldn't really hear what the coordi was saying to his soulmate but judging by the way Meera's face fell, he knew it was something really rude and bad. He immediately stood up and started making his way toward them.

Meera couldn't believe how rude some people could be. She had been stopped by a mean-looking staff member who she had never seen before and was being interrogated about why she was in a VIP room. The coordi was probably new and was most probably being over-efficient in an attempt to prove herself. Meera tried telling her that she was a staff member too, part of manager team to BTS and assistant to Sejin. How else would she gain entry into the building that had top-tier security if she didn't work there? But unfortunately, she had forgotten her ID upstairs in the waiting room she usually worked and the coordi was having none of it.

"Show me your ID or get out of here. I think I should call security, they'll take care of people like you. Bloody disgusting foreigners, people like you are ruining the aesthetic of our company." Meera was stunned at the harsh words, her mind going blank. The coordi ranted on, ignoring another coordi who was trying to stop her and tell her something.

"..- Who in their right mind will hire someone this ugly, your skin tone is so..."

"Excuse me?" The coordi frowned when Kim Taehyung cut in her rant and she immediately plastered a smile to her face.

"Ahh, Taehyung-shi, what do you need? How can I help you?"

"What was going on here? What were you saying to my...."

"Ani ani, you don't need to trouble yourself. Some desperate saseang has found her way here, she's pretending to be a staff member. I'll escort her out right away, our security will take care of this."

"There's no need for that. This girl will not go anywhere because she indeed is a staff member here. She is on our team, our assistant." Taehyung was barely managing to keep a hold of his temper, his expression furious and jaw clenched.

The coordi was flustered at the dangerous glint in his tone and she immediately bowed to him.

"Ahh, aigo, I am really really sorry. I didn't know she was a staff. She can stay then. I just thought..."

"I heard exactly what you thought, there's no need for an explanation. I want you out of this room right after you apologise to Meera-shi." Taehyung spat out and the coordi looked up, her eyes wide with fear.

"But... but- I..." The coordi stuttered at the sudden turn of events, not understanding what was happening. Sejin walked up to the group, wanting to see what was going on in the middle of the room.

"Sejin hyung, this coordi-nim was being really rude and racist towards Meera. She insulted her and tried to kick her out of the room without checking anything. I want to take this up to the HR and I want her out of this room and away from us right now." Taehyung demanded firmly. Sejin was stunned for a moment, but he nodded solemnly and turned to escort the now sputtering coordi out of the room, ignoring her indignant explanations. Taehyung stopped them before they could leave.

"Apology noona, or it'll be worse for you." He said and the coordi hesitated, her pride clearly taking a hit before she bowed stiffly to Meera and mumbled out a half-hearted apology. Sejin nodded at Taehyung and followed the coordi out of the room.

Taehyun turned to Meera who stood rooted to her spot numbly, looking at her feet.

"Meera?" He moved close to her and lifted her chin gently when she didn't respond. He was heartbroken when he saw her eyes were red, rimmed with moisture which she quickly blinked away and backed out of his hold.

"I am sorry, she shouldn't have done this. I'll make sure that HR will take proper action and I promise nothing like this will ever happen again. Okay?"

Meera smiled at him at that but Taehyung knew it was forced.

"It's okay. You were too harsh on her. And she wasn't wrong. I didn't have my ID.."

"It's not about that Meera. If she wanted to check your authenticity as a staff, there's a procedure for that. There was no reason to be so rude and say such... vile and disgusting words to you. I'll.. I am not going to let her get away with it. But are you okay? I am sorry that.."

"I am okay Taehyung. It's nothing. I don't really pay attention to such stuff." Meera insisted calmly and gestured to the sofa so they could recharge. Taehyung felt like she had erected walls between them and clenched his jaw, but didn't know what to say or do anything more. It was as if she was distancing herself from him. And he didn't like it one bit.

//9 July

"Okay, let's go once more. Taehyungie, focus. You have to lift your left leg and look to the right. Come on everyone, positions... five, six, seven, eight."

Taehyung gritted his teeth as Hoseok resumed the rehearsal once again after his mistake. He had made too many mistakes that day and even though his hyung hadn't really scolded him yet, he could see it coming. He was simply slacking off and holding his brothers back even though they were being patient and kind about it. His mistakes were costing them precious time and energy and he hated himself for it.

It was only after two more rounds of practice that Hoseok gave them a breather and everyone collapsed on the floor, groaning as their strained muscles relaxed.

Taehyung walked towards the wall and slid down, motioning to the camera person to send him the clip of the practice to monitor right away.

"Everything alright? Should I ask manager-nim to send a car to bring Meera here?" Hoseok sank down beside Taehyung with a concerned expression on his face.

"No, no, it's fine. I am okay. Don't trouble her."

"Then what's going on Taehyung-ah? You are clearly not okay, you rarely make such mistakes. You seem more tired these days. You know health comes before everything right?"

"Yes, yes, I know. I am sorry for the mistakes hyung. I am just..I slept late last night and woke up early this morning for the concept meeting. That's it. I am fine. Don't worry about me."

"You sure? You know you can tell hyung if you have any problem. You know we will help you."

"Yes hyung. I know. Thank you, but I am really fine. I'll do better now."

//Author Note: I meant to upload earlier but then Yoongi came live for his birthday and my brain short-circuited. I have just come back to the land of living and attempting to get my brain to function normally. If there are any errors, please forgive me, I am still processing my existance.//