Chapter Text
You see him across the room.
He’s here with his band, to receive their diplomatic passports that come with the Special Presidential Envoy appointment from President Moon Jae-In, along with a formal invitation to join him at the 76th United Nations General Assembly.
Those eyes, you think to yourself. You would know those eyes anywhere.
You’ve thought about them over the years, how they bore into you intently when you met in Malta 3 years ago. His hair colour has changed, from red to platinum grey but his eyes haven’t changed. Not really. Maybe a little wistful, but otherwise with the same sparkle in them.
It had been a whirlwind three days, but the feelings forged (at least on your side) had stayed with you all this time. You didn’t know then why he had to leave so suddenly but later, through a friend who was ARMY, you found out his grandmother had passed away.
Your eyes meet as the master of ceremonies announces T-5 minutes before the President enters the room.
There is a flicker of recognition in his eyes. A furrowed brow.
Almost as if he was struggling to recall some deeply buried memory. A wry smile washes over his face (even though part of his face is hidden by the black mask he’s wearing, you can tell from the crinkles in the corners of his eyes). He remembers.
Those eyes.
Of course you knew he was going to be there on the day. It was all anybody could talk about for weeks. And as you were in charge of the special team for President Moon Jae-In’s visit to New York for the UNGA, you knew this day would happen.
When you would meet again.
You turn your gaze away to your clipboard, determined to be the professional that you are. T-4 minutes before President Moon arrives.
This is no time to act all dizzy and flushed like the schoolgirl you’ve felt when you’re around him when there’s serious business about to happen.
This is history-making stuff. It’s not every day a pop band and its 7 members become appointed Special Presidential Envoy for Future Generations and Culture in South Korea. It’s only because it’s them, and deservedly so.
Yoongi tries to catch your eye again, and you’re thankful for the mask that covers half your face. A half-smile plays on your lips, knowing he remembers you.
How, you can’t figure out. It’s not as if you’re a pop star in your own right, with SNS channels that track your every move and activity. How could he possibly remember you when he can’t even see your whole face?
***
(Yoongi’s POV)
Those eyes.
He’s seen them before. Somewhere. But where?
He furrows his brow a little, determined not to be distracted on such a momentous occasion. No time for distractions when he’s about to be appointed Special Presidential Envoy for Future Generations and Culture by the President of South Korea, along with his 6 members. His brothers-in-arms.
A memory flashes through his mind.
Malta.
A late summer evening in Valletta.
How could he forget? It’s a bittersweet memory.
A wry smile crosses his face. He’s thankful for the mask that covers half his face, for fear it might expose his thoughts.
***
T-3 minutes to showtime.
President Moon Jae-In’s advisors start to enter the banquet hall, and you know this is the cue for his bodyguards to sweep the room.
You’ve worked on the itinerary for weeks now - down to the smallest detail - what colour tie the President will be wearing. It’s purple, of course, in a nod to the significance it holds to the band.
“Borahae” or “I purple you” - the band’s informal tagline to their fans, means “I will love you and trust you for a long time to come”. It won’t go unnoticed by ARMY and they’ll appreciate that.
Murmurs start to fill the room. What was a comfortable silence suddenly thickening with anticipation. Yoongi starts to fidget in his seat, moving his silver-grey fringe absently from his forehead. A slight pang goes through your heart. You recognise this seemingly insignificant movement as a sign of nervousness. He told you as much 3 years ago when you met him for a sunset drink at a small bar in Valletta.
You sigh inwardly. No time for reminiscing now.
You smooth down your mulberry-coloured silk dress and move towards the podium. The master of ceremonies has your script in hand and wants to check the names and pronunciations are correct before the event.
T-2 minutes.
The press corps are starting to get their cameras ready, and you hear the polite clapping as the President starts to walk down the long corridor from his office in the Blue House. It takes about a minute for him to arrive and he’s directed to the band who are awaiting him, left of stage. They bow deeply in turns and fist bump the President as a sign of respect (since no handshakes are allowed due to Covid restrictions) before the ceremony begins.
It’s showtime.
***
(Yoongi’s POV)
Those eyes.
He’d recognise them anywhere. And surprisingly he recognises them here, of all places, in Cheong Wa Dae.
What has happened in those 3 years since he met you, that has brought you here?
He laughs to himself, for you could be asking yourself the same question about him. Who would have foreseen his band receiving a diplomatic appointment all those years ago?
He tries to meet your eyes again, but you look towards your clipboard and walk over to the MC.
Perhaps you don’t recognise me, Yoongi thinks. After all, it’s been so long.
He makes a mental note to speak with you after his appointment and the formal press requirements are over.
***
The ceremony goes off without a hitch.
You can’t help but feel a deep sense of pride for all the members of the band as they bow to receive their letter of appointment, fountain pen and diplomatic passport from the President. Knowing their history and how far they’ve come, their hard work, passion for their craft and perseverance has brought them all the rewards and more.
South Korea’s pride. The nation’s darlings.
The crowd of reporters and Blue House staff erupt in cheers and laughter as J-Hope gives the President two thumbs up. You look over at Yoongi, and for the first time today, you see a genuine smile reach his eyes. His eyes meet yours again, this time a warmth radiating from them.
No, you think to yourself, he hasn’t forgotten. A light blush colours your cheeks. Thank goodness for this dratted mask.
President Moon and the band walk out together to the Chunchugwan building (the Spring and Autumn Pavilion) for a sit-down 8-course lunch after the individual and group press photographs. You chuckle to yourself as you think of President Moon as the unofficial 8th member of the band. It seems ridiculous to imagine this man doing hip thrusts on stage with the 7 members.
You follow closely behind, knowing the programme for the day is coming to an end. Lunch will be served shortly and after some unofficial speeches from dignitaries and CEO Bang Si-hyuk from HYBE, the event will come to a natural close.
You wonder if you’ll get a chance to speak to Yoongi at all today. You’ve thought about it for weeks, about what you might say - but you also know today is such a high profile day, it’s unlikely you’ll get a private moment together.
No matter, there’s still New York, you think to yourself.
***