Baring it all

Seo-yeon entered the conference room in silence. Manager Sejin, the other managers, staff from PR, Bang PD, and the members of BTS sat around a large table in the middle of the large room. She stood frozen at the entrance, watching everyone loudly discussing the issue at hand. It was obvious each were trying to clean up the mess that the media was creating.

Jin glanced up, having noticed her lingering at the door. He stood abruptly, and headed towards her. She staggered back, fearing that everyone in the room would blame her for the unneeded drama. He stopped in his tracks. He could see the fear in her eyes, and it broke his heart. 'Please don't give up on us now," was all he could think. As if his plea telepathically reached her ears, she took a deep breath and took his offered hand.

They headed to the table, and took a seat next to the other members. The room came to a hushed tone. The people in the room turned their attention to the couple at the edge of the table. The PR staff and lawyers' eyes displayed looks of shock. Although Bang PD had scheduled this emergency meeting, they had assumed that the content of this gathering was damage control of another rumored dating scandal. Given this being the second time rumors of possible lovers for Jin, they brushed it off as another hearsay comment.

The sight of Jin holding Seo-yeon's hand and the look of desperation on his face, confirmed that this was not just another hoax. The men and women gathered in the room aimed their attention to Bang PD, awaiting his command. Seeing how calm he was, it was evident that he was well aware of Jin and Seo-yeon's relationship.

The room became silent as Bang PD stood. "Thank you everyone for dropping everything you were dealing with to rush here. As you know, the media has issued news regarding Jin's personal relationship," the room remained silent. Everyone acknowledged that this relationship was indeed real and began to take in the severity of the issue.

"Given Seok-jin's age, and the years he's been in this business, him entering a serious relationship is not surprising. He's no longer a child, and although there are those that feel he must remain single to hold the attention of fans, I believe that BTS can still prosper regardless of this new relationship. What I ask is for ideas of how we can strategically broach this to the public."

The room erupted into questions, and various suggestions.

"How long have they been dating?"

"Why wasn't PR, or our lawyers made award of this?"

"Who leaked the photo?"

Yoongi stood to the surprise of the other members, who had been quietly watching the scene unfolding. He nervously coughed, hating having to speak in front of everyone.

"I can answer that last question," he said to the lawyers.

"Hyung," Tae gasped, "It wasn't you, was it?"

Jimin playfully smacked Tae's arm. Yoongi frowned at them, but continued on with the information he had to share.

"I was sent an email from someone that wishes to remain an anonymous source regarding the person that leaked the pictures to the media," Yoongi glanced at Seo-yeon, "Apparently Seo's former superior, Choi Ae-Cha, was the photographer for K-Magazine that was assigned to cover our our. She happened to be in the garage the evening we returned from the beach, and captured those pictures."

"Why would she do something like this? Is she in any way connected to Jin?" one of he lawyers questioned.

"Of course not," Jungkook defensively spoke up for his hyung.

Jin patted the maknae on the shoulder, "The only interaction I've had with Ms. Choi was during the issue dedicated to our upcoming album," he squeezed Seo's hand in encouragement, "Her issue is not necessarily aimed at me."

The staff in the room turned questioning eyes to Seo-yeon, who had not spoken a word. She couldn't believe that Ae-Cha could be so spiteful. Now was the time to speak up. She couldn't just sit by and let someone harm Jin, or the other BTS members.

"On occasion she accused me of crossing the line by befriending BTS. Jin and I were not dating at this time. Yoongi is witness to this," she confidently stated.

Yoongi smiled at her for not backing down, "Yes. At the time, Ms. Choi was offended at the idea of Seo being in any sort of relationship. The source and Ms. Choi switched laptops a few weeks later, and realized that images of Hyung and Seo were saved in a dropbox sent to a news station. The dropbox was registered in Ms. Choi's name."

"How dumb can she be not to get rid of the evidence?" Tae mumbled in anger. He despised anyone that would be so cruel as to hurt his hyung and "sister."

"She obviously didn't think about signing out of her accounts, or deleting the images all together," Jimin scoffed.

"Yoongi, can you forward the information your source sent?" one of the lawyers requested, "Legally, we will contact K-Magazine and demand the immediate termination of Ms. Choi as this is breach of the contract. We cannot sue for defamation as what she sent was not false, and we are trying to use this as an opportunity to open up to others of your relationship. That will be left to the hands of PR."

"Thank you," the legal team dispersed to begin the process of contacting K-Magazine, and PR began the next step, "Jin, are you a hundred percent sure that you wish to go public with your relationship?"

The room came to a stand still. Again, everyone focused on the couple, still clasping hands. Jin looked down at Seo-yeon. He lovingly smiled at her. He knew the challenge he was about to face, but he was more than willing to face it with the support of the woman he loves, and his friends.

"Yes. I have faith in Army. I want to share the next step in my life with them. I want them to know that they are my family too, and that this does not mean I've forgotten them."

"OK," the PR spokesperson said, "We recommend postponing the next concert. We don't know how Army will react. For your safety, and the others."

"No," Seo-yeon surprised them all by strongly disagreeing, "If we do that, their fans will feel betrayed. If you truly wish to convey that they are family, and that they aren't being left behind for this new life chapter, then you need to continue as is. Gather the media for a public statement, and continue the concert. Army needs to see that Jin is sincere, and will always perform for them. I want him to continue. He loves Army, and I don't want that connection taken away."

The guys smiled among themselves at how passionate she spoke of Army. Her love for Jin was not selfish. She shared his passion for his fans. She did not plan to hinder it, nor did she want their relationship to conflict with his career.

"I strongly suggest we postpone-" the spokesperson began.

Bang PD cut in, "I agree with her. Imagine the shock Army is feeling right now. Comments are ranging from excitement for Jin to anger of him no longer being single. Regardless of the feelings, everyone is demanding a statement, and from Jin. The next concert is not for another two weeks. Let's use this time to first let Seo-yeon and Jin contact their families. I'm sure Jin's family want answers. We'll schedule a public conference. Jin, I think it's best you create your statement."

"Ok," Jin humbly agreed.

"We'll leave first. Inform me as soon as your families are made aware of what is about to happen. Seo we will keep your identity private, but you should still include your family in this matter," with this last agreement, Bang PD, and the PR staff left.

"Woah, so Yun-Yun is meeting your family?" Jungkook exclaimed.

Seo-yeon nervously licked her lips. Jin chuckled, and took her hands in both of his.

"I never imagined we'd meet each other's families in this situation," Jin apologetically said.

"Me neither," she groaned. With a set plan to meet Jin's family first, and then travel back to her small town the following day, they gathered their things, and walked out with the others. Neither letting go of the other's hand.