I'll Be There

Katie laughed a little then closed her eyes as the wind blew, "What am I supposed to say, Minseok? That I think we could have something great, that it'd be different and we'd be a power couple despite the hardships we'd endure? That I'd be incredibly happy to be yours? I can't... I can't think that way, not when we're risking so much," she whispered softly.

---

He smiled, "Ah, Jongin's dogs are old - they listen to most of what we say," he said to him smiling a little, "I'd love to meet baby dogs,"

"Would you be? Forgetting Baekhyun, forgetting everything, would you think that way?" He asked her, turning to look at her.

---

"Mine are similar to babies, but they listen if they respect you. What about cats? I was thinking of getting one, you could come with me to pick them out I'm so indecisive."

"Forgetting all my concerns, yes I would - in a heart beat," she whispered softly as she chewed on her bottom lip, "I wish all I had to worry about was me and you but there is so much more there.. I just, it's almost unfair we never had a chance,"

---

Jongdae nodded a little then smiled,"I'm sure they'll love me,"

"I'm sure they will too." She smiled a little, setting her plate down. "We can walk them but you'll probably need a mask to go out," She sighed. "We can take them to a dog park or something."

---

He looked at her. "Then we go for it. It won't be easy, your relationship with him was public and t he hate you will get will be unbelievable. Not to mention the stress we on our own would deal with. But if its what you want, we will do ti."

Katie had planned on talking to Baekhyun a lot sooner but their relationship wasn't out yet so she wasn't too behind on talking with him. She knocked on his bedroom door, "Can I come in?" she asked softly through the door - not really expecting a reply. He'd been so distant lately, never texting her or even making eye contact.

She looked up as the doorbell rang, her dogs barking and running over to the door excitedly. "Hey," She said, opening the door for Jongdae and scooting them out of the way as she let him in. "Put your shoes up here, otherwise they'll get at them. Still teaching them shoes aren't toys."

---

"Sure," He said to her, texting on his phone and sighing. He kept his eyes down, more focused on his screen than her in front of him.

"I've been trying to get a hold of you, but you've been shutting me out - wanna talk about why?" she asked as she stood in the room shutting the door behind her, "I thought you wanted to be friends, that is what you said when you broke up with me," Katie said with her arms crossed over her chest.

---

He nodded,"Alright," he murmured as he put them where she'd said then smiled, "They're so cute," he said as he looked at them.

She smiled and clicked her tongue, calling them away from the door. "They're sweeties, just be careful. Loki will seem like he's going to bite you, but he only nibbles.He just likes to play. Thor on the other hand, will bite you. Especially if theres food involved." She said, pointing at the lighter colored dog.

---

"Not really," He said to her before sighing. "What's going on with you and Minseok?" He asked suddenly, pouting at her. "You guys got really close all of a sudden."

Katie nodded, "It's actually why I'm here," she said to him gently as she leaned against the wall, "We like each other, and it's not ideal. I'm your ex and he's your friend, the last thing we want to do is hurt you but he's so sweet," she murmured softly with a small smile. "I'll understand if you're angry, but you'll always be my first love,"

---

He looked at them and petted the one who nudged his hand gently, "Very cute, I've always wanted a big dog," he murmured softly.

"You can borrow them whenever you like," She smiled a little. "They love cuddles, so if you ever need them, come back."

---

"I don't want you dating him. I don't think it's fair to me or you. If I dated one of your closest friends, you would have a problem too." He said to her.

"I just want you to be happy, Baekhyun." she said to him softly as she looked at him, "If it made you happy I'd let you date who ever you wanted to," Katie didn't have much opposed to who he dated, but she made him promise a long time ago that he'd only date people who made him happy. Never for a PR stunt, never to cause a scandal - but only if he was truly happy. "I don't want you upset, this is the happiest I've been in a long time," her voice was near a whisper as she spoke.

---

He smiled,"Sounds like a good idea, the problem with being an idol is that you never rest and when you do you still feel like you should be moving - this might help with that,"

"Feel free to come back. They'll like the company, and so will I." She smiled at him.

---

He shook his head. "That's not the same. He's in my group, Katie. We work together. That would make things hard."

"Then you can tell him why I can't be with him," she said to him with tears in her eyes, "Let this be the second time you've taken something from me, this time it's on you; you broke up with me. You said it wasn't working, you said you didn't love me anymore, if thats the case why the hell does it matter who I date? Why does matter if it's him or someone else? If you have another reason then say it and stop wasting my time, tell me why it matters," she demanded to him as she felt her blood pressure rise as she got more angry.

---

He walked into the apartment, "it's homey - I like it, did you decorate it yourself?" he asked curiously.

"I did," She smiled, going to make sure Thor and Loki had water. "I'm glad you like it, I like someplace where it feels like it was made to be comfortable."

---

"I don't need you yelling at me right now, I have a performance later. You should go, Katie." He said, before turning his body away from her.

"You're such an asshole," she whispered as she stared at his back, then walked out of the room slamming the door. She rushed to the front door sliding on her shoes and grabbing her jacket as she fought back sobs that threatened to spill out of her mouth.

---

"Maybe you can convince Minseok to let me decorate our room then he likes everything to look unlived in," he snorted.

"That's no way to live," She laughed, walking into the kitchen to check on the food. "I made the cajun chili, my moms recipe for it is the best."

---

Minseok overheard footsteps and looked outside seeing Katie run out the door. "Katie?"

She felt her breath shake and she closed her eyes tightly she squeezed her hand into a fist then opened it - shaking, and she did it again but this time it was still. The fans could not see her like this, this would bring a would of questions onto the boys. The last thing she wanted was for them to be hassled. "I can't... I can't right now," she whispered looking at him with wet eyes, but she wiped them with the back of her hands cursing when she smeared her mascara.

---

"Thats exactly what I said, but he is stubborn," he snorted as he shook his head, "And that sounds delicious,"

"Well you can't go outside like that, smeared mascara and tears won't look good." He murmured, pulling her back inside. "Come on," He said, bringing her into his room. "I'll get you something to wash your face with."

---

"That's great," She smiled a little, going over to check on it. "We have a little longer before it's ready though."

She sniffled alittle and let him bring her to his room, she sat on the nearest bed then closed her eyes tightly as she fought back the tears, how was he still being so nice; he couldn't be oblivious to what had happened in there, she didn't want to give him up because her ex told her to. Katie hadn't been happy in months, and of course her happiness shouldn't stem from one person but he made her smile in a way she hadn't in a long time.

---

He nodded a little, "I'm patient enough," he admitted as he smiled a littlem "We'll have plenty of food,"

"We will, I made a lot. But I usually do because I basically live off leftovers." She smiled.

---

"I overheard what he said," He murmured, coming back with a warm wash cloth. "You okay?"