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While the toddlers were having their nap with their ‘Papa', who eventually fell asleep with them, Nara and Taeyong went to arrange the triplets' clothes from the duffle bag.
“Nara.. Can we talk for awhile?” Taeyong asked when the two were putting Jeno's clothes last. “About the kiss we had a few days ago.” Nara immediately stopped arranging and turned to him.
“Taeyong...” She softly called and he came toward her to hold her hands after he went to close the door. “I... I just don’t know...” The leader just sighed as he caressed the back of her hands before he planted a kiss on her left. “I’m not ready for a relationship.”
“I know... I know...” He whispered as he quickly cupped her face as he caressed her cheeks. “I know you’re not ready for a relationship. I’m not asking you out right now, ok?” He softly said to her and she nodded. Nara caressed the back of his hands as she gave him a small smile. Just then, Nara immediately leaned back when Taeyong came close and was trying to give her a peck, surprising the leader with her reaction.
“I’m sorry, Taeyong. I can’t right now. I can’t kiss you.” She slowly removed his hands from her face while her eyes started to get teary. “I have to go now.” Nara made her way to open the door and speed walked to the living room before softly waking Changkyun up. “Please send me home.” Her voice was soft and shaky when he finally woke up and shot up when he saw her tear up.
“Are you ok?” He asked and cupped one side of her face as he caressed it and stared into her eyes. Nara shook her head before a tear slowly sneaked out. “Hey... hey... You’re going to be ok. Don’t cry.” He slowly pulled her into his embrace as he shushed her since the triplets were still sleeping. “Let’s wash our faces first, grab your stuff and go, ok?” Nara nodded before pulling away.
After that was done, Changkyun went to tell Taeyong that they were leaving while Nara gave the still sleeping triplets a kiss on their foreheads. After what happened in Jeno’s room, Nara avoided Taeyong by going to the bathroom with Changkyun and stayed in the living room to wait for him since the rapper asked her to wash up first. Nara then left a note for the triplets and she informed Johnny and Kun about it.
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“Nana... Are you really ok?” Changkyun asked as he was driving. The female had been quiet ever since they left and hardly said a word. He looked at the road before turning to her and reached out to intertwine his right to her left before turning back to the road. The gesture was normal for the two of them after getting close with each other, but never went above that. “Please tell me... Just to get your mind off of it. Come on...” Even with a little encouragement from him, it still wasn’t enough for her to speak up and shake her head.
So, instead of sending her home, Changkyun made a turn to his studio. Nara didn’t think much about it since she knew he would manage to make her tell him when the two of them were alone. Before arriving at the studio, the rapper went to buy some hot chocolate for her and coffee for him, along with a few pastries for them.
“Nana...” He softly called her after they settled in at the studio as Nara was staring down at her beverage and pastry blankly, sitting on the couch. The rapper who was sitting on his desk chair across from her, concerned about her sudden change in mood over something he was clueless of. “Nathalie... I’m not going to force you to tell me...” He slowly got off his chair and sat next to her before she suddenly broke down. Changkyun immediately pulled her into his embrace after putting her beverage on the table as he calmed her down. “But you can't keep anything to yourself like this. You need to put yourself first before anyone. Your mental and physical health are very important. You can’t keep yourself distance to the people who care for you. Ok?”
“#@£&+&@...” She mumbled against his chest as she continued to cry. Changkyun didn’t ask her about what she said as he continued to comfort her. “Why am I so difficult after what happened between me and Mark? I’m never so fragile like this.” She pulled away after a minute and vented in frustration while the guy just listened. “I’m so tired of crying so much.”
“Nara... You’re not fragile. You’re a strong woman who is very independent, talented, beautiful, caring, loving, gentle and smart. You’re one of a kind, Nara.” He cupped her face as he spoke the words to her. “You’re still recovering from the break-up and it’s not making you fragile but stronger. Remember that.” She nodded as she cried before he pulled her into his chest again. “You’re doing fine, princess.” She nodded again as she slowly hugged him back.
“Can we work on a song I wrote a couple of days ago?” She lifted her head up to rest her chin on his chest and looked up at him with a mix of anticipation and vulnerability. Changkyun looked down at her before she pulled away and retrieved a small notebook from her bag. “I just want closure about my relationship with Mark.” She passed the book to him, allowing him to read the raw emotions penned on its pages.
“So, is this going to be your fifth and final song for this album, or do you still want to add another track?” He joked with the second part, eliciting a giggle from her as she shook her head. “I’ll collaborate on the melody with the others, and we’ll record it soon.” She nodded, appreciating his support, as he reached to gently wipe away the tear stains on her cheeks before placing a tender kiss on her forehead. “You're an amazing woman, and never forget that, okay?” She nodded and laid her head back on his chest as they shared another embrace.
A few minutes later, Nara drifted into a peaceful slumber in the rapper's embrace, finding respite after a busy morning at the hospital. Meanwhile, Changkyun revisited the lyrics, contemplating the emotions woven into the words. As Nara peacefully slept, Changkyun immersed himself in the lyrical tapestry, each word resonating with the depth of her experiences. The rhythmic cadence of his thoughts synchronized with the quiet hum of the studio, providing a contemplative backdrop to the creative process. As he continued to read, a subtle smile played on Changkyun’s lips, recognizing the power of music to translate emotions into a universal language. The room became a sanctuary, where the fusion of words and melody held the promise of catharsis and healing.
“You’re going to be an amazing singer, Nara.” He said to her sleeping self and placed a kiss on her head. He then placed the book on a table next to the couch before eventually joining her to Dreamland, leaning his head on hers.
Meanwhile, Taeyong blamed himself for making Nara uncomfortable with his action and regretted it when she left with Changkyun. When they left, he saw the note she left for the triplets as she knew they would turn back to their adult self after their nap, before reading it.
-To my babies, Mama had something come up and had to leave with Papa before you guys woke up. I’m so sorry and don’t worry, I’ll be sure to be with you tomorrow for your schedule, ok? XOXO Mama-
‘You shouldn't have done that, Lee Taeyong.’ He smacked his forehead as he sighed and unconsciously crumbled up the note before throwing it into the rubbish can.
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