August 2018, South Korea, After the second concert in Seoul
*
The rest of the month flew by and before they knew, the first concerts of the tour were up. It
all went by like a blur. Sizzling adrenaline and breathless, passionate dedication wrapped in
what was an unforgettable, dazzling opening of the tour.
They were now heading to the parking lot of the arena to get a well-deserved dinner in a
nearby barbecue place. Taehyung’s phone buzzed in his right pocket. He halted for a second
to get it as the other members continued ahead giggling and chatting with each other.
Tae’s expression darkened as he scrolled down the messages.
↓
↓
His vexed look soon morphed into a callous mist of tedium and apathy. But that only lasted
a second. When the manager motioned him to get into one of the cars, his warm smile and
kind expression were honed to perfection.
Jungkook was almost asleep on the backseat when Tae got in. Namjoon followed him, sitting
by his side. Jimin, Hoseok, Jin and Yoongi had already left in another car. The ride to the
restaurant was pleasantly quiet, harmonized with Jungkook’s slow breathing in the
background.
Namjoon and Tae left the car as soon as they arrived, but since Jungkook was still asleep,
dad Namjoon went back to the car to get him.
“Jungkook, wake up. We’re already here.” Jungkook reluctantly opened his eyes and very
slowly, unbearably almost, started making his way out. While waiting, Namjoon noticed a
phone, forgotten in the other seats. His first instinct was to check his jacket, only to confirm
that his phone was still there. It was Tae’s, he concluded.
“This is exactly why he’s always losing his phone. I don’t even know how many times he’s
changed it in the last 6 months.” Namjoon ranted as he grabbed the phone. “He forg-”
His thoughts vanished like paper sheets after a gush of wind when the screen lighted up. He didn’t mean to read the messages, but they just kept appearing before his eyes. He was too
shocked to look away.
↓
“Mmmm?” Jungkook mumbled, still having a hard time being awake. Namjoon cleared his
throat in a desperate attempt to put his thoughts in order.
“Oh nothing, Tae forgot his phone…Let’s go eat, okay?”
He didn’t know what to think. Everything had gone to shit after that day, almost two years
ago. There were times where even Namjoon began questioning if he still knew the person
before him. His lifelong friend, his brother. He couldn’t even imagine what Tae had been
through, so, even if most of the times he disapproved of his decisions, he understood
Taehyung’s need to dare life and get lost in that ashen edge between right and wrong. The
late-night escapades? He knew about them. The gambling, smoking and back to back drunk
parties? It hadn’t taken him too long to figure them out. He worried but Taehyung had
promised him he had everything under control. He had asked for space and trust and Namjoon
conceded. But lately he had seemed so much better, almost like his old self. So, this, whatever
it was, was unreasonably impossible.
He couldn’t eat much, debating the best way to approach the subject with Tae.
Once they go to the dorm, Namjoon waited for everyone to get to their rooms before heading
to Tae’s.
His door was wide open, and Taehyung was stretched out on the sofa, wearing nothing more
than his boxers, his laptop resting on his bare thighs.
“Oh, hey hyung.” He greeted as Namjoon walked in, closing the door behind him.
“Hey Tae…You forgot your phone in the car.”
Taehyung’s boxy smile made an appearance. “I did, huh? That does sound like me. Thanks
for bringing it hyung.” He said while sitting up. His smile faded when he noticed Namjoon’s
concerned look.
“Did something happen?”
“I didn’t mean to, but I ended up reading some messages you received…”
Fuck.
He sighed visibly saddened. “I know you’re worried, but those messages are not meant for
me. I’ve been getting them all day and, at first, I was too stunned to do anything but I’m
going to text them back and tell them they have the wrong person.”
“Are you sure? What if some fan got ahold of your number?”
“No, it can’t be that. The managers wouldn’t let that happen, they’re always so careful about
that.”
“We’ve never had any problems with that, so you’re probably right. But still, Taehyung,
maybe we should go and ask them to look into it.” Why the fuck did I waste my time with such an ignorant nobody? He thought, disgusted. She
had already tested his patience with her constant whining, forcing him to change his phone
number every few months. He was so frustrated he couldn’t even keep up with the stupid
excuses he made up for the members and managers. And now, this? He was boiling in anger.
Calmly, he replied.
“Let’s not involve them just yet. I’m going to text them. If they keep sending messages after
that, I will go to you and we’ll both go to the managers. How does that sound?”
“Seriously Tae, you really have to tell me if something is wrong.”
“I know. And I will, hyung. I promise.”
Namjoon nodded, assured.
“Okay then, I’m going to take a shower and sleep. You should too. Don’t stay up until too
late.”
“I’ll try.”
“Good night Tae.”
“Night hyung and… thank you for taking care of me.”
Namjoon smiled caringly. “No need to thank me. Sleep well Taehyung.”
After a long warm shower, Tae tried to get some sleep. But after 1 hour of revolving around
in bed unable to shut his loud mind off, he gave up. He put on the first clothes his hands could
find and left the house. He had one place in mind, his predilect underground club.
Tonight, he needed to blow off some steam or else he would go insane.
Drink in hand, he looked around eagerly. He assessed the women drinking his body with
their eyes. Too boring. His eyes stopped in one sitting by the counter. Out of place. She was wearing a tight black
dress, her long black hair loosely fell on her naked back. She was too refined to be the usual
entertainment the place offered. Her gaze kept avoiding his. He noticed how she turned down
the men hitting on her left and right.
She spiked his interest.
He had half a mind to go to her when a fight broke down a few tables from where he was.
He watched, annoyed, as one of the men kept kicking the other, already on the floor,
defenseless. Everyone had distanced themselves from them, enjoying the fight from afar.
Taehyung walked towards the man.
“Wow. Do you need some help to take care of him?”
“What did you just say?”
“He’s a tough one, everyone can see that.”
“Fuck off if you want to keep that precious face intact.”
Taehyung scoffed, amused.
“Mmm yeah, because yours can’t get any worse than that.”
The man threw a punch and Tae easily dodged it. Mad, he kept throwing punches, but Tae
simply dodged and defended them.
“Worried about getting a scratch on that face?” He mocked. “You fight like a pussy.”
Taehyung knew he was just trying to provoke him, but he couldn’t help himself. He hated
the flawless face that everyone seemed to love so much. He hated having to hold back
because the world couldn’t have that thought up masterpiece broken to pieces, just like he
was inside. Shattered.
Enraged, he fought back. He reveled in the pain that spread through this body every time a
blow hit him. He smiled, thrilled.
To his dismay it didn’t take long until security came and separated them. They too, couldn’t
have him getting hurt.
He rolled his eyes, annoyed, as the man was taken away by force.
Despite protesting all the way there, the owner escorted Tae to one of the VIP rooms to make
sure he was okay.
“For fucks sake, I told you already. I’m fine.”
“You’re bleeding.”
He could feel the throbbing cut on his lower lip, but he couldn’t care less.
“It’s nothing. Just leave. I think I pay you enough for that, don’t I?”
Unwillingly he finally left.
Taehyung could hear the loud music from downstairs. He looked around the room. A blue
velvet round sofa occupied most of it. In the center, a ring-shaped glass table reflected the
dimmed red lights that graced the black walls and ceiling. The velvet seemed purple under
the red glow. He felt someone enter the room.
Sighing, he started.
“What is it now?”
“I thought you might need a drink.”
The smooth voice he heard took him by surprise. When he turned around, his heart skipped
a beat. For a moment his eyes wronged his heart.
It was the woman from before.
He smiled at his perfect hallucination.
“Just what I needed.” He told her as he took a sip, the alcohol searing the cut alive.
As if reading him, her fingers gently grazed the contour of his lower lip.
He watched her as she held her lip between her teeth and her eyes silently undressed him.
He leaned in and he felt her breathing hitch.
Desperate, irrationally so, he wanted to give into the deception before him. Sometimes he
feared he would someday forget what she looked like, what she felt like. It killed him.
So he gave in.
Closing the distance, he kissed her. The glass fell as his arms wrapped around her body,
hastily unzipping the dress. Her tongue traced his lip before intertwining with his. The open
cut tinted the hungry kisses, leaving a metallic aftertaste.
He embraced the high, like the addict he was.
“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.
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.