“When are we going home? I can’t do this anymore, we’ve been practicing since 8am. It’s not like the tour starts tomorrow” Yoongi muttered from the back of the room where he was lying on the floor, panting.
Hoseok looked at him through the mirror and smiled. That hyung would live in his bed if he could, but even being the biggest slug there was, he always tried his best and gave his all, just like everyone else.
Looking around the room he could see the faces of the six people he spent the most time with. The people that knew him best and became family. The ones that fought for and believed in the same things he did. The ones that he admired the most. Those thoughts could only fill him with extreme gratitude and some much-needed reassurance after such a long, challenging day. He was sure they could do anything they set their minds to as long as they stuck together and worked hard.
“When are we going home? I can’t do this anymore, we’ve been practicing since 8am. It’s not like the tour starts tomorrow” Yoongi muttered from the back of the room where he was lying on the floor, panting.
Hoseok looked at him through the mirror and smiled. That hyung would live in his bed if he could, but even being the biggest slug there was, he always tried his best and gave his all, just like everyone else.
Looking around the room he could see the faces of the six people he spent the most time with. The people that knew him best and became family. The ones that fought for and believed in the same things he did. The ones that he admired the most. Those thoughts could only fill him with extreme gratitude and some much-needed reassurance after such a long, challenging day. He was sure they could do anything they set their minds to as long as they stuck together and worked hard.
Jimin was of course at his side still practicing in front of the mirror for whatever reason, since he had been the first to learn the choreography the day before. Jin was going over some moves with the dance teacher. Namjoon was working on some lyrics on a chair next to Tae, who was on his phone probably playing a game. Finally, the maknae, Jungkook, was doing push-ups. How he still had energy to do that at 11pm was beyond Hoseok, but nothing he wasn’t used to since the kid did over 200 push-ups every day. And then, there was Min Yoongi lying on the floor like he was about to die. Another smile played on his lips. These people were home. This felt right, and their hard work would soon pay off. Practicing one more time would always be worth it. Tiredness, sore muscles, lack of sleep and everything in between would never stop them from walking that extra mile because they wanted a tour they could be proud of. And more importantly they wanted a tour that could beat their fans’ expectations.
The manager’s voice snapped Hoseok out of his thoughts.
“Don’t forget to pick up the boxes of last month’s fan mail before you leave. You won’t have any time to spare while you’re on tour, starting the end of August.” Manager Kim reminded them.
There was some silent whining but one by one, they went to the office room to get their share. They loved how their fans gave them everything they asked for and more, with so little in return. Getting a glimpse into their lives, worries and dreams through those letters was a way to give back, even if it was nothing more than a few droplets compared to the ocean of support they gave them. Suffice to say, they were happy to do it. Thankful, even.
Later that night and after getting some well-deserved dinner at the dorm, they all went to their separate rooms to shower and sleep. The next day was only a few hours away and their tired bodies craved for some rest just as much as their minds craved for some peace and quiet.
Suga was the first one to excuse himself from the table followed by Jin an Namjoon. Seemed like the hyungs had gone over their limits today and were extremely exhausted. Jungkook and Hoseok didn’t take long to do the same, leaving Jimin and Tae who were getting some of the fanmail to read in bed before sleeping.
“The more I hear you practicing singularity, the better it sounds Taehyungie. Seriously, the performance is going to be amazing and armys are definitely going to be surprised by it.” Jimin told Tae as they walked down the hall with their arms full of envelopes. “I’m not confident in it yet… I feel like I’m lacking, but my condition wasn’t good today. I had a sore throat so maybe tomorrow it’ll be better” replied Tae half embarrassed at the compliments.
“I thought we weren’t getting any more gifts from fans, but it seems like you got a package with your letters, isn’t that weird?” asked Jimin, curious.
“I’ve been ordering a lot online. I actually think these are the new neck ties I ordered the other week. Manager-hyung must have put them here with my mail” Tae replied nonchalantly as they got to their respective rooms.
“You’re right. That’s probably it.” Jimin blurted out in between yawns.
They both said their goodnights and entered their rooms.
Sitting on his bed, he looked at the boring pile of envelopes. They had been a useful distraction, because what really spiked his interest was the package. He’d spotted it right away when the manager told them about the fan mail. Usually, the packages they used to receive were decorated like Christmas trees, in and out. Not this one, its simplicity won him over. No sender’s address. Just his name and nothing else. Carefully, he opened it.
His whole body tensed when he saw the perfume bottle inside. His heart was raging inside his ribcage. He hated it. It disgusted him how easy he still gave in. In a furious impulse he threw the box across the room.
He hadn’t worn that perfume in over 2 years. He refused to use it ever again. Just thinking of the fragrance awakened unwanted memories. He couldn’t bear it.
He grabbed a black cap and a mask and desperately left the dorm. His breathing hitched when he was finally outside. Almost as if he had been holding it in since opening the box. By the time he got back, it was past 5am. He stashed the perfume inside his closet. Only then, when exhaustion beat his ability to think, did he let himself fall asleep.
* Namjoon and Hoseok’s loud voices managed to steal Jimin’s attention for a fleeting moment.
He took a swift glance around the arena. Yoongi was half-sitting, half-lying on a bunch of
chairs, probably half-asleep. Taehyung was stretched out on the floor, waving a paper plane
around without a care in the world. His cue sheet was nowhere to be seen, Jimin noticed.
Maybe it had flown away? If he weren’t so tired he would’ve burst in laughter at his silly
joke. Instead he simply smiled at Tae’s quaint nature. Jungkook was munching on something
while directing Seokjin that struggled to improve his dancing in between laughs. And finally,
the grown-ups, Namjoon and Hoseok, kept on talking, eagerly sorting out the last details for
the upcoming concerts.
Sitting on the floor, Jimin went back to his phone, scrolling through it absent mindedly. After
a long day of countless rehearsals and rushed meals he was more than happy to welcome a
break, no matter how short. It was past midnight and all he wanted was a warm shower and
a few hours of precious sleep.
He hadn’t been able to sleep well for the past week. As the days passed, and the countdown
for the Europe leg of the tour intensified, so did the bubbly excitement and inevitable anxiety.
Their latest album Love Yourself: Tear was doing so well, and their ever-growing army was
expecting them more than ever. Everything had to be perfect. So he spent day in, day out
practicing nonstop because for him, his perfect always seemed lacking. God knows why.
Thankfully it wasn’t too long until they heard back from Namjoon.
“Guys, we’ve worked hard today! Let’s have a good night’s sleep and enjoy tomorrow to the
fullest!!”
Delighted, Jimin jumped to his feet. Everybody made their way out of the practice room,
buzzing with content. Except for Yoongi. He slowly slid from the chairs and lazily followed
behind them, yawning at each step.
When they got the hotel, it was past 1am. They all said their goodnights and wandered off to
their rooms.
“I’m going to take a shower.” Hoseok told Jimin as they got to their shared room.
“Uhum…” Jimin mumbled, after crashing on his bed, ready to sleep forever.
“Oh don’t even think about going to sleep without taking a shower Jimin!” Hoseok warned
him. “How can you be there with those sweaty clothes on? Come on, get up!”
Grudgingly, Jimin slowly got off the bed. Satisfied, Hoseok headed to the bathroom.
To his surprise Jimin was still half-conscious when he stepped into the room again. He had
to suppress a giggle as a zombie-like Jimin wandered off to the bathroom, stripping his
clothes as he went.
Still smiling, Hoseok went to pick his phone charger. His phone, however, was nowhere to
be seen. After 5 minutes of going through his baggage, he finally remembered he had left it
with Taehyung at practice.
“How stupid!” He whined, while face-palming himself.
Hoping Tae would still be up, he quickly made his way out. Taehyung’s room was the farthest
one, right by the end of the hall.
He was about to knock when he heard a pained groan coming from inside the room.
“Tae, is everything okay??”
Dread took over him for an instant as flashes of old memories crossed his mind. He didn’t
want to relive them. After a few seconds of worrying silence, Tae replied.
“Uh, yes I slipped in the bathroom. Just give me one second, hyung.”
“But are you hurt??”
An embarrassed Taehyung met his eyes as the door opened.
“No it was nothing.” He reassured him with an apologetic smile. “Maybe one or two bruises
tomorrow but other than that okay.”
Hoseok sighed relieved.
“You scared the shit out of me. How the hell did you slip?”
Tae pursed his lips together.
“I ran to the bathroom…when I noticed the rug there, umm, too late? You can imagine the
rest, hyung.”
Hoseok shook his head. He didn’t know whether to scold him or laugh at him.
“Just be more careful Tae, okay?” His friend nodded enthusiastically. “By the way, you
almost made me forget but the whole reason I came here was my phone. Do you still have
it?”
“I gave it to Jimin when we left the arena. He didn’t tell you?”
Hoseok closed his eyes exasperated.
“He was sleepwalking all the way here so no. Let me go back before he passes out! Night
Tae!!”
“Of course. Good night hyung!!” Taehyung said as Hoseok ran down the corridor.
When the door closed behind him, Taehyung’s face contorted in pain. He found comfort in
the darkness that engulfed his room. He quietly took off his pants and shirt before sitting by
the edge of the bed. He didn’t need to look to know it was bleeding again. He felt the warm
fluid oozing out and dripping down his left thigh. Anger and frustration consumed him. This
had gone too far.
He laid back in bed and closed his eyes.
It had been too long since he had seen anything other than endless darkness after shutting his
eyes. That night, he saw something different. A flower. Just one, blooming in the dark.
“Make me stop.” He whispered. ________________
So. The beauty of not having a bias is that every comeback I have a different bias lmfao 😂 So for this comeback I was pretty sure it would be V (after singularity), then I thought it would be Jimin or Jk because… ABS! (and pretty much everything else 😂) HOWEVER! OUT OF NOWHERE! Came beautiful sun kissed, soft english speaking in your ear, intellectual, tall and handsome Kim Namjoon and fucked me up so I’m here to declare that as of now (cause it’ll probably change again loool) Joonie is THE SHIT.