The last few days before he left on tour, Namjoon asked Em to stay with him. He wanted to introduce her to his housekeeper, who was coming the day he was to leave for the airport. Usually, the housekeeper comes once a week to clean the apartment—except when he is on tour. When on tour, she only comes once a month. The rest of the time, his sister comes daily to check on his crab family, so she is there to let the housekeeper in. He has tried other exotic pet sitters but was never happy with the care of his little crabs. 

Once you arrived at his apartment, he showed you around in more detail and told you where everything was for the little crabs and all the supplies needed for the habitats. He was confident you would take great care of them and their homes. He let you know that Kooki wasn't feeling well. He has been less active and hasn't been tapping on the glass, and he is worried.

As he showed you around, he pointed out the hidden cameras in the apartment.

"I usually only have them on when I'm away on tour. But if you feel more comfortable with them off, I can make sure they are off before I leave." But you both forget, and he already had them programmed to turn on the day he leaves.

"You mean people will be watching me?" you grab his arm, scared you will have no privacy. He pats your hand and reassures you.

"No, it records, but there isn't anyone actively sitting at a monitor watching. So don't worry about peeking toms. None of our security does that anyway." 

He pulls you close for a hug. "Don't worry, no one will spy on you, but if anything happens while I am gone, you have video backup."

 He notices the worry in your eyes. "Sweetheart, I didn't say that to make you worry; I just wanted you to know that if needed, it is there for you. Come on, I will show you where the controls are."

Later that evening, he called for food delivery. He wanted to avoid serving you a microwaved dinner on the first night together at his place.

After showing you where to find anything you might need in his apartment and reviewing the list of contacts, you help him finish packing when dinner arrives. Full from eating, you snuggle on the couch to watch a movie before going to bed. He's been very quiet, and you know he loves a good rom-com.

 When the movie ends, you ask him concerned, "Baby, are you okay?"

"I'm feeling guilty leaving Kooki when he's sick. But I have to go on this tour. I have no way out of it." His worry and guilt are making his brows burrow and his eyes misty.

"If I have any concerns about Kooki or the other's health, I can call Dr. Sung. You already gave me her number and made sure she has mine."

He pushes his hand through his hair, "I've been so worried about them the last several months. It seems several of them have taken ill with the same thing, but Dr. Sung and I can't figure out what is going on. It seems to be a pattern of their being ill, but I can't seem to work it out."

"You'll figure it out. I know you will." You try to reassure him and lessen his worry.

"The others have never gotten this sick. They always rallied when the vet treated them. The strange thing is that when I'm not on tour or away for an extended time, they never get sick. At first, I thought it was the pet sitters since it seemed one would get sick only when I was gone. That is why Ki helped find another pet sitter service."

You hear him sniffle and turn him toward you, wiping the tears brimming in his eyes. "Please don't cry, baby. I promise I will take extra special care of him while you're away." You don't know it, but you just made a promise you won't be able to keep.

"Come on, sweetheart. You have to leave for the airport at 4 AM, so hurry up, take your shower, and come to bed." You softly pull him in the direction of the bedroom.

Holding his hand, he follows you but before going to take a shower, he kisses you.

You smile mischievously at him, "Hurry baby, I'll be waiting."

While waiting for him, you decide to keep a strict eye on what the crabs do and eat while caring for them. You also need to look for any patterns when they seem ill. You hope it isn't something in the habitat itself that is causing them to become sick. Your mind is spinning with many ideas of what might be making them sick when you hear the bathroom door open.

Namjoon comes out of the bathroom, ready for bed, and the thought of all else fades as he snuggles into bed next to you.

The night ended in a sweet romantic encounter followed by the most reviving sleep either had in a very long time.

Before the sun shone the following morning and after another session of lovemaking, he slipped out of bed with a frown of worry on his face to check on Kooki. If it hadn't been for you keeping his mind and body occupied last night, he wouldn't have been able to sleep worrying about him.

After getting dressed to leave for the airport, he goes to the habitat room to check on his crab family, especially Kooki, when he hears your soft footsteps come from behind, and he leans gently back as you wrap your arms around him.

"How is he?"

"The rest have come out to eat, but he's still tucked up in his little pineapple house. I put a small container of water and food right at the entrance, hoping he will at least come out that far."

"Baby, I'm sad Kooki is sick. Is there anything you want me to do extra for him while you're gone?"

"There is very little we can do but wait. Please call me every day and let me know how he's doing. The special food the vet gave me should help him feel better in a few days."

You're glad for any reason to call Namjoon, but you wish it weren't because one of his little pet family members is ill. It makes you sad.

"I will call you every day with any news. Now, don't worry, like the others, he will spring back and be back to boxing his image in the glass again." You smile reassuringly up at him.

With a slight smile, just enough to show the hint of a dimple, he says, "I'm so glad you're mine." Then the dimple is gone because the smile has left his face. "I'm going to miss you so much, baby." He pulls you tightly in his arms, not wanting to leave without you.

"I'll miss you more." You tiptoe up and kiss his face. "Call me after you land, okay?"

He grabs his carry-on bags, and with a final kiss, he says, "I will," and closes the door behind him.