Chapter Text
Chapter I: Answer
20271110
21:07
“Bangtan bangtan!” Namjoon shouted as he raised a shot glass of soju in the air.
And instinctively, six voices followed after the leader, just as they used to since they all started their dream to dominate the world, fourteen years ago. “Bang Bangtan!!!”
They clinked their glasses, marking the start of a celebration for their long overdue reunion as a seven-piece group of friends, one that precedes the inescapable chaos of a make-shift, alcohol-filled bachelor party for the phenomenal union of their two members.
“Aaaaaah. I can’t believe they have soju here in LA. It tastes just like the ones in Korea.” Seokjin mused as he relished the alcohol somewhat nostalgically.
“Of course they would taste the same, Hyung. They’re imported from Korea, so it had to taste authentic. Try reading the label sometimes.” The rest, except the slightly offended oldest, laughed at Yoongi’s sheepish yet sassy response as he took another shot straight from his own bottle.
“Yah, I knew that!”
“Right, of course you do, Hyung.” Hoseok taunted, still laughing.
“Ah, pabo yah Sekjinnie hyung,” teased Jimin.
Kim Seokjin was already red in the face when he started his protest, nagging the hell out of the boys like he always did in defense of himself whilst trying to wrestle even a tinge of respect out of his insubordinating dongsaengs. This, however, only prompted the younger ones to laugh and make fun of him even more. Namjoon was prohibited to join in the fun however, as mandated by his boyfriend-obligation, and could only participate by soothing Seokjin into calming down. Although, Namjoon does always fail miserably to hide his own amusement because of Jin’s unwitting absurdity and the group's convincing clownery.
Half an hour went by with just the group alternating between drinking soju and badgering their oldest Hyung, while Seokjin alternated from downing the same soju but in bigger doses the next time he does and blurting his signature ludicrous rebuttals which had never obviously helped his case.
Once tired of verbally harassing Seokjin, the group went on to play some ridiculously cliche drinking games like Never-Have-I-Ever and all those sorts, unraveling secrets from long gone years of being apart from each other—some bitter, some sweet, but most of which, unbeknownst innocent Taehyung could have only hoped he could unlearn about some of the couples in the group. Most of which are the disgusting sexual things the members have DONE with their partners in the time of their begrudging independence. Let us just say, Namjoon and Jin got the most side-eyes from Taehyung when it came to such topics.
“Ah, I can’t believe how wild you all have become after all these years. Even during your time in the military, you guys did not pass the chance to be gross,” Jungkook protested against his Hyungs.
“Yah, like you and Jimin are so innocent. We all know what you’ve been doing behind closed doors since you two got together.” Hoseok immediately pounced at the maknae for feigning innocence.
Taehyung agreed theatrically while Yoongi just nodded silently, as the older spawn of Daegu took more shots of soju, none the wiser of the mess that would later ensue once he had a little too much.
“Not as gross as all of you,” Jimin said matter-of-factly. He continued with a sarcastic “Exhibit A...” gesture, pointing specifically at Namjoon and Seokjin who are now groping each other and in almost every moment they see fit, without regard to the other members.
Namjin got wind of Jimin and the other people staring and immediately composed themselves. The unapologetic look on Jin’s face and Namjoon’s subtle facepalm ended that short but hilarious stint.
“But seriously, Hyungs. I have missed drinking with all of you. How long has it been again?” Jungkook asked his former members, suddenly turning the mood into a more sullen yet nostalgic reminiscence.
“Seven years.” Taehyung answered quickly, stealing a swift glance at the person sitting in front of him.
Hoseok looked up, barely catching Taehyung’s gaze as the younger turned to look away. “Seven long, fucking years.” He repeated, turning the heart-shaped smile painted across his angelic face into a wry one.
They were all transported back to seven years ago, the day they all shared the same menu: some bottles of soju and a poetic cup of instant ramen for each pair of hands.
It was also the day they decided to put an end to the band that brought them all together.
Nothing went wrong—well at least at face value of their professional careers—in fact, everything was perfect. Which was why the whole universe was shocked to its core when BTS, the biggest boyband in the world, announced their disbandment. Their reason? Well, they had no particular reason, really.
"BTS wanted to explore their individual growth and personal fulfillment." This was their publicist's default answer, yet it did not really mean anything but a scapegoat. This made even their most loyal ARMYs condemn the group for leaving them at the height of their careers without a real explanation.
Vaguely though as BTS recalls, everything went so big, so fast since their fourth year as a seven-piece, and the following few years became a whole different kind of a monstrous whirlwind. They did love the fandom and the success they had received because of their support for their music, but they also felt that that love became too big even for all seven of them to handle—bigger than the ones they often gave themselves enough of.
You know what they say, “Too much love can kill you.” And, it was that same “love” that killed BTS.
Soon, it felt like their career had developed its own cognition by itself—its own persona. It felt like they were not the ones handling the reins anymore, and the pressure of this growing unfamiliarity took its toll on them.
“It has only been seven years since we disbanded? Wow, jinja? It felt like it’s been an eternity.” Jimin exclaimed, breaking everyone’s longing memory that was about to dampen the festive mood.
“We should thank our soon to be wedded members then for hosting this reunion!" His tone was now joking rather than bitter, and this made everyone laugh despite their collectively morose feeling, close to that of regret...of how they have fallen out of love from something that used to be their passion—singing, dancing, and a little bit of acting—of being an Idol.
"If not for the engaged, who knows when we will all get together to have a drink again? Maybe seven years more into the future when Jungkook finally decides to propose to me?”
Jungkook was taken aback. “Yah! You should propose if you wanted to get married already, why are you waiting for me to do it, Jiminie?” The maknae protested angrily yet in a somewhat childlike whine, as if on cue, salvaging the evening from bitter nostalgia with his unparalleled charm.
“I was just kidding, Honey. We will get there soon, won’t we?” Jimin said, winking slyly at his partner. “Anyway, we are here to celebrate the coming together of our two best friends. Let’s pick up the mood a bit, shall we?”
Jimin offered another toast, and again, the six other members followed suit.
“Cheers to your last night as eligible gay bachelors—our lovely couple of the night!”
***
22:55
As the pathetic excuse for a bachelor party went on, more stories were shared with hopes to bring back the lost times they spent separated from each other. Such stories involved coping with their post-idol life that both made their experience a blessing and a curse. Removing your idol identity does not necessarily remove your popularity all at once. Of course, BTS still got recognized wherever they went, and it sent them both hate and love coming their way from the people whom they have inspired, angered, disappointed...one after the other, one way or another.
Their popularity slowly died down once they entered their military service, however. As the eldest, Seokjin went first and enlisted in the Air Force, a week after he turned 28. Namjoon, being love sick and all for the kind of love he never knew existed back then, broke his promise with his chingu Hoseok to go into the military together by the year they both turn 28 themselves. Namjoon went into the Air Force two months after Seokjin did. So, Hoseok went together with Yoongi in the Navy, instead. Meanwhile, Taehyung and Jimin enlisted in the Marine Corps by 2023, while Jungkook went to the Army a year after, getting recently discharged in December last year.
The mandatory service seemed like it had this spell in itself that rids you of whatever identity you have outside camp. As they got discharged one by one, they felt like everyone had finally lost interest in who they are….were: just the biggest boyband the world has ever known. They watched on as new idols rose and dominated the industry that once kissed their feet. It had found its new victim, dressed as faux-kings, who in reality were servants of the never-ending prying eyes and hollow love of the public.
Such prying eyes that made them self-conscious of what they have to do every time they were in front of the camera or in front of normal people.
Such hollow love that everyone expected for them to reciprocate with the same passion, which they could not even give themselves or their own loved ones.
Merged together, these made them even more self-conscious of who they love or to whom they show their affection to. One wrong move, one obvious side glance to the person their heart truly desires, and it would have ended their career right there and then.
The seven members had to be careful not to be discovered. Afterall, their deviant sexualities would never be fully accepted by the general public in South Korea. They would have been the subject of a witch hunt, led by those who refuse to accept the colors of the spectrum and can only see in black and white.
Whatever the members felt for each other, however strong the attraction may be, they learned to disregard them merely as brotherly love.
Real feelings would come out though, however they hide it. Hell, look at them now, celebrating the eve before two of them tie the knot in the city where their most awkward rookie selves first hustled their way to learn “the true manly man’s game” of hip-hop. And as if by chance, it was a city located in the same state where same-sex marriage was first legally allowed in the United States.
The union tomorrow is significant for the seven members because it is not only a celebration of love but more importantly, a celebration of independence from the demons who once held them back to enjoy real love in their youth.
***
Taehyung had too much to drink and a lot to think about, especially with Hoseok taking half the space inside his brain right now. But alas, the night went on. More stories were shared with the members…and even more alcohol.
“Hey, guys, come to think of it. We are back in LA where we shot our most awkward reality series ever.” Jimin exclaimed all of a sudden.
“Shut up, Jimin. You come here in LA to celebrate love and independence yet you dare bring up the most gruelling thing that has ever happened to us as an idol?” Taehyung said, taunting Jimin. “Are you missing your first love again, that one guy back in AHL? Uhm, what’s his name?”
“Yah, I didn’t like Tony that way!”
“Yes, Tony was his name. He was definitely your first love, Jimin.” Taehyung continued to the annoyance of his friend.
“I’m embarrassed to admit this because it means I came second to him, but he kinda was your first love, Jiminie.” Jungkook said without hesitation, “And, it’s kinda unfair too, since you’re like my first love.”
Jimin got flustered with Jungkook’s sudden declaration.
“Yah, Jungkook-ah. Did you drink too much? Why are you so honest all of a sudden?” Hoseok said which made Taehyung giggle.
“I’m not drunk. I just love Jimin so much, but it seems like he's in love with somebody else.” Yes, Jungkook was at his second level of drunkenness where he becomes too honest for his own good. But, he could still probably walk straight if he had to.
Meanwhile, Seokjin was at the fifth level of his drunk scale where he becomes too touchy for everyone’s own sake. Luckily, Namjoon was the one seated beside him, so he got all the menacing touch the oldest hyung was most famous for, and of course, he did not even bat an eye.
“No, but seriously, Jimin. Hoseok is right, we're here in one of the best cities in the world, and you're thinking about hustle life?” Namjoon asked, perplexed as Jin’s hand made its way inside his shirt. “When I’m in LA, I think about all the shit interviews we did every time we do our promos in America. That was one hell of a pain for me.”
“Sorry, Hyung. Being fluent in English had its rewards and costs.” Taehyung said sincerely.
Hoseok nodded at Taehyung’s remark. “We are eternally grateful for your English skills, my chingu. You carried our team in all those years.”
“Appreciate it, Namjoonie-hyung.” Jimin said, agreeing to both Hoseok and Taehyung’s admiration.
“Speaking of interviews, let’s talk about Hoseok-hyung now.” Taehyung finally found the courage to start a conversation with the person sitting in front of him.
Hoseok met Taehyung’s playful eyes, “Yah, Taehyung. What about me?”
“You would always go crazy during our US interviews! Like, I know you were pretty extra already back in Korea, but I thought you would tone it down when we were in the US. But you know, I still had to hold my breath every time you’d speak because you would be extra crazy every time they’d asked you something.” Taehyung said, laughing at the memory of every interview Hoseok did in the US.
“Am I joke to you, Taehyungie?" Hoseok said, faking a hurt expression. "Are you saying that I embarrass you and the group?”
“Ah, Hyung. That’s not what Taehyung was saying, but that’s exactly what he means.” Jungkook butted in, adding salt to his fake wounds.
“Everyone thought you were going to be this cool Jay person when we were in the US, but you still turned out to be that extra crazy j-hope in the end.” Taehyung said, still laughing.
Hoseok’s face turned lighter and simply laughed at his dongsaeng’s remark. “I know, I know. I’m the sunshine of the group, of course I always had to bring in the energy you all so clearly lack.”
“We’re not lacking, Hying, you’re just too extra in comparison. Right, everyone?" Taehyung said matter-of-factly, which made the rest of them agree and laugh at the person of interest.
“Yah, Tae-tae. But admit it, you liked that about me!” Hoseok blurted innocently.
This took Taehyung aback, and he was suddenly at a loss for words. He met Hoseok’s zealously wrinkled eyes, debating whether he should vocalize the response inside his mind: Yes, Hoseokie-hyung. I liked that about you. Hoseok noticed the uneasiness in Taehyung’s eyes which made his heart-shaped smile purse into a soft line.
Unaware of the tension, Jimin rebutted at Hoseok’s remark, “Nobody liked that about you, Hyung!”
“Yah, Jimin-ah. Don’t be like that. That was Hoseok’s charm as the sunshine, being extra and all that. I, for one, find comfort in it, and I appreciate all the help I got from him back then for breaking the ice during interviews. We all love you for it, Hoseok-ah, my friend.” Namjoon clapped Hoseok’s back and tried to get a high five from him but to no avail. The sunshine was still busy having an awkward staring contest with Taehyung.
Before anyone could notice the uneasiness between the two, the ensemble was suddenly startled by a loud thump on the floor which sounded like a falling body and a broken bottle. To their surprise, they saw Yoongi already passed out on the floor while still holding his fifth bottle of soju.
“Yoongi-ah!”
“Hyung!!”
While everyone rushed to his aid, Hoseok and Jimin just laughed at the poor boy.
“Oh dear, our silent but deadly Min Yoongi.” Hoseok said in an amused tone.
“He still does that? Silently drinking more bottles than us and not so silently passing out like a sedated tiger?” Jimin asked, giggling and recalling all the times he drank with his hyung during their idol days.
“Yes, yes he does. His notorious final level of drunkenness had reached its fruition." Hoseok replied with the same amusement as before.
As if on cue, Seokjin passed out, as well, falling from his chair as he exploded in vomit, which splattered practically everywhere. This time, Hoseok and Jimin rushed to their hyung’s aid, concerned, and it was Namjoon’s time to laugh at the half-dead person in their midst.
“Ah. He is still the messy, low tolerance hyung that we know.” Jungkook said, sobering up now as he looked fondly over his favorite rival hyung while he assisted their other passed out member.
“You don’t wanna know how hard it is for me every time he passes out messily like that.” Namjoon said after laughing, now suddenly in dread of Seokjin’s bad tolerance for alcohol. “He is literally like a kid.” He continued, motioning to stand up from where he was helping Yoongi to go to Jin.
Before he was able to reach his full height, however, Jimin rushed over to Yoongi’s side leaving Hoseok alone with the messy Seokjin and murmured something on Namjoon’s ear, which made him stay where he was. Jimin gestured for Taehyung to move away from Jungkook and go over to where Seokjin was heavily wasted at.
Jimin called over to Hoseok cheekily. “You and Taehyung take care of that messy blob for now, Hyung!” He winked and before Hoseok knew it, Namjoon and Jungkook were already carrying Yoongi away from them as Jimin acted to contribute in supporting the two.
“Yah, Jimin-ah! Where are you taking him? Where are you going?” Hoseok shouted over Jin’s body, which he is currently failing in supporting. Jimin did not respond as they completely disappeared into the front building of the hotel they were staying at for the two-day vacation wedding.
Taehyung and Hoseok were left alone with their half-dead, half-vomit-covered hyung.
“Yah, what did Jimin say that made Namjoon assist another person rather than helping his own boyfriend, and also, for you to exchange places with him?” Hoseok asked, perplexed.
“Something along the lines of: Namjoon-hyung, it’s almost midnight, and it’s bad luck for the groom to see his passed out wife, I mean, husband-to-be at his wedding day. Also Taehyung-ah, I don’t want to be covered with vomit, please exchange places with me. You still owe me one for the dumpling incident. That sort of thing.” He told Hoseok without blithe, as he stooped down to assist with the problem at hand.
“Damn, that sneaky little child. First of all, the dumpling incident was both your fault.” Hoseok said chuckling at the memory of it. “And seriously? Namjoon fell for that bullshit superstition?” He said, clicking his tongue.
“Superstitions are superstitions, Hyung. And besides, aren't you the superstitious one?" Taehyung said with a wry smirk as he removed some of the vomit still stuck on Seokjin’s face.
Hoseok contemplated for a bit and eventually sighed, defeated, before motioning to help the unconscious hyung up on his feet. “Oh well, let us get this man to his room, then.”
***
23:34
The hotel where they were staying was so expansive, it looked like a huge compound with multiple buildings, strategically (but not really strategically) located away from each other. Unfortunately, Seokjin’s room was located at the far side of another building.
It was vacation season in LA, so they had a hard time selecting rooms near each other, let alone the ones located at the same building. Thanks for nothing to the couple who decided to do this impulsive eloping plan.
The group was drinking at an open veranda near the main recreation building of the hotel and just beside the outdoor swimming pool fashioned like a mini beach within the hotel compound. Yoongi’s building was just near the area, but Seokjin’s, on the other hand, was a bit of a long stretch away. That sly Jiminie, Hoseok and Taehyung thought as they tread the road towards building number infinity.
Taehyung was carrying the sleeping Seokjin in a piggyback as Hoseok walked beside them. No one has said a word since they left the veranda, and they were already halfway to the building (and mind you, halfway was still a long way). There was this teeny tiny bit of awkwardness in the air between Hoseok and Taehyung...and their half-dead hyung. Yeah, just a little bit of awkwardness, that is, considering this was their first time being alone together again after a long, long time.
Too long that only in their imagination would this moment have been possible...if not for their hyung’s alcohol intolerance.
Finally, given his unwitting nature of not making it through a moment without noise around him, Hoseok tried to break the ever-so-painful silence enveloping their very existence during that fated instance.
“Yah, Taehyung-ah. You know you can pass Jin to me any time, right? We have been walking for a while now, silently like a funeral march, at that. You must be tired.”
Taehyung let out a short chuckle at the thought of that. “You? Carrying Jin-hyung? I doubt that you could even make it through five seconds with him on your back.”
“Yah, I made it through the military, too. I can carry him like a real man.”
“Really? But, you are too small for him, Hyung. You definitely couldn’t possibly handle his weight. He wasn’t dubbed Eat Jin for nothing.”
Hoseok should have been offended, but he knew the younger was right. Seokjin was indeed too heavy for him, and given their size difference, Hoseok giving Jin a piggyback ride would just end up with the both of them crashing on the floor in a split second.
“Besides, I am already messy enough from the vomit dripping down from this hyung. At least one of us should stay clean.” He taunted. “Plus, I still remember how you used to love making me do all the dirty work for you, Hyung. Just like old times...you still hate getting your hands messy, right, Hoseokie-hyung?” Taehyung beamed at Hoseok with a reminiscent smile.
Hoseok smiled back. “Yeah, you’re right. Being gross just doesn’t suit me at all. Meanwhile, you rock the smelly, messy look, as always. Carrying a man-child over your back makes you look even cooler, as well. I highly approve of it.”
They both laughed at Hoseok’s remark, finally breaking the wall of ice between them.
Suddenly, the walk back to Seokjin’s room no longer seemed awkward and distant at all.
***
20110903
“So, this is Bang Sihyuk’s new recruit?” Hoseok asked Namjoon excitedly as he glossed over the messy looking kid that came home with him.
The new kid did not look that bad. In fact, he could go second as the most handsome tenant of the Bangtan dormitory, the hopeful dancer thought (third, if Seokjin was already living with them at that time). The #1 most handsome would be himself, Hoseok, of course. Well, at least that is what he believes.
“I didn’t know Sihyuk-hyungnim did a casting call for farm boys in the countryside.” Yoongi commented with his deadpan, sarcastic tone which made both Jungkook and Hoseok snort with laughter. Taehyung did look like a farmer’s child, his denim overalls and thick, mud-filled flip-flops gave it all away. Despite his outfit and messy state, his visual still shone through, although the trainees cramped inside the dormitory would deny him the affirmation.
“Yah, Yoongi-hyung, be nice to him. He’s from Daegu, too.”
Yoongi just shrugged and continued on with whatever business he was doing.
“His name is Kim Taehyung by the way, 95-liner, if anyone's interested with those details." Namjoon explained sarcastically, while the boy simply smiled lightly and made a shy wave with his delicate yet adult-like hand — his hand that would grow even bigger and manlier once he matures.
“SWEET!! I’m still the maknae of the group. My name is Jeon Jungkook, 97-liner. Nice to meet you, Taehyung-hyung.” Jungkook giggled with that nameplay, beaming blithely as he shook Taehyung’s hand. Again, the newcomer’s only response was a shy, little smile.
Taehyung never had a hard time making new friends. In fact, he was voted as the friendliest person at school. But today, his sociable spirit just went out of the window, and his insecurities got the better of him, seeing these amazingly talented men (whom he would eventually identify as equals and unequivocal brothers in the future).
It has always been Taehyung’s dream to be an idol, but he also knew to himself that he still lacked the skills to be a good idol. These trainees however, who he will be living with for the next few years, were amazing already. He knew because he saw them training before at the Big Hit office when the staff gave him a tour when he was first scouted a few days back.
His insecurities grew seeing their talents, yet his determination also grew with it...or bigger even, fuelled by his great desire to match their level. Because of his admiration, he was determined to train with full passion together with these amazing boys, so they can all become great idols in the future...
Taehyung never had a hard time making new friends. Today was an exception.
Hoseok, however, was already intrigued by this boy's unique, reluctant smile. It was sort of like a boxy teeth quirk that he has never seen anywhere before. Hoseok also noticed Taehyung's awkward discomfort when he scanned his troubled yet undeniably sharp face. The poor boy has never said a word since he came home, and Hoseok could only imagine how intimidated Taehyung must be by this new environment.
The intrigued hyung could somehow relate to his new dongsaeng's feeling at a certain level, too. The nostalgia was still so vivid about the insecurity he also felt when he first came to the dorm himself...which reminds him: he still has to do “that thing” to welcome this new brother.
“Oh my God. Hoseok-hyung’s going to do it again. I can’t watch this.” Jungkook said, covering his eyes but also peeking through the gap of his fingers as Hoseok did a gesture all too familiar to him. “Don’t worry, Hyung, he did this to me too when I first came here. Just...brace yourself.” He told Taehyung, much to the latter’s confusion.
Before Namjoon could even stop him, Hoseok managed to strip out of his pants. Taehyung’s eyes widened at the sight of his Spongebob-themed underwear. The sight did not last long as Hoseok threw his pants to Taehyung which hit his messy yet handsome V-shaped face.
“I am your hope, I am this dorm’s angel, I am j-hope! Welcome to Bangtan House, newbie!!”
Confused as he was with a smelly jogger pants draped from his head, Taehyung surprised everyone with his deep voice when he finally laughed hysterically at the crazy hyung standing half-naked in front of him.
Yoongi just shook his head, finally standing up from where he was laying to formally greet the new recruit. “You can call me Yoongi-hyung, and it was partially my fault why he decided to do that every time a new recruit comes in. He saw me wearing nothing but my boxers when he first came in, and he couldn’t seem to get over it.” He gave Taehyung a light pat on the back and left.
“My real name is Hoseok, and you are my dongsaeng. Nice to meet you!” The crazy hyung walked towards Taehyung, decided to give him his other welcoming gesture, but he had to stop midway his hugging scheme when he realized how dirty the farm boy was. What did this boy, Taehyung, even do before coming here? Hoseok thought before saying, “Damn, kid, you look even messier up close. Go wash up.”
“Uhm, nice to meet you, too, j-ho...uhhh, Hobie-hyung.” Taehyung finally managed to talk with a hint of Satoori in his accent.
The absurdity of Hoseok’s stunt finally made the boy break out of his shell. My job here is done, the crazy older one thought.
“Alright, let us get you all cleaned up.” Namjoon ushered Taehyung away, leading him to the bathroom after his initiation.
“Oh, Taehyungie, don’t forget to wash those pants with you!"
***
23:48
“Aaaah, finally. I thought my back was going to break.” Taehyung complained as he laid the sleeping beauty onto the queen size bed of Seokjin’s hotel room.
“Our job here is done. Come on.” Hoseok told Taehyung, gesturing for them to leave.
“Hyung, you are not serious? We can’t just leave him here, wasted. We should at least wash his face with something and change his clothes to something clean,” the younger one protested, unamused with the older’s lack of thought.
“You said it yourself, you know how I hate getting my hands dirty, and I plan on keeping myself clean until the night ends.”
“Ugh. You're unbelievable. I will do it myself then, just like I always do. Alone.”
“Goodluck. Meanwhile, I’ll just sit here on this comfortable little couch and watch you work your ass off for that irresponsible hyung.” Hoseok said sassily as he plumped down the couch like he promised.
“Fine, you do you.” Taehyung remarked, defeated.
Hoseok just shrugged as he flipped through a magazine he found...which was filled with things he did not want to see, so he tossed them as quickly as he opened them.
The younger started to do his work on Seokjin as Hoseok watched from the sideline. Taehyung did not change, Hoseok thought. He had always been that helpful little kid who was more than willing to assist his hyungs when they most needed him. Hoseok wanted to help too, but on top of being a clean freak, he had always liked teasing Taehyung and making him do all the heavy lifting even from way back, when they were still the rising idols that they were.
He watched on, fondly, as Taehyung made his finishing touches on Seokjin. And, he continued watching as his hard-working dongsaeng slumped down on the empty space beside him, exhausted after the unexpected job affair.
“I am exhausted. Thank you so much for helping me, Hyung.”
“My pleasure.” Hoseok teased which earned him an eye roll from the desolate dongsaeng.
“I am seriously in need of a four-cheese quarter pounder burger right now. Taking care of that man-child has depleted so much of my energy.”
Hoseok looked at him, puzzled. “Okay, you’re hungry. But, why tell me when you can just go buy one instead of whining there like a needy little boy.”
“The audacity! You have to buy me one, Hyung. You owe me for not even lifting a finger to help me clean after the biggest man made mess ever that is Kim Seokjin-hyung.”
“First of all, I didn’t ask you to waste your energy slaving for that irresponsible drinker. Secondly, I—"
“Ah, hyung, would you have a heart for once in your life. Your dongsaeng is starving!!” Taehyung motioned like a hungry beggar theatrically.
Hoseok thought for a moment. One way or another, he does owe Taehyung — maybe even more than a four-cheese quarter pounder to be honest. If this is going to appease his soul, then there is no harm in buying him that God-forsaken burger.
“Alright. But first…” Hoseok looked at Taehyung with a serious look on his face. Taehyung was yet again, taken aback, confused with Hoseok’s weird prying gaze as he scanned him from head to toe, like a machine from the couch they were sitting on.
Hoseok moved his face closer to Taehyung’s. His nose was only an inch away from his left cheek and the younger one can definitely feel his alcohol-infused breath touching his skin.
“B-but first what?” Taehyung said nervously, frozen on where he was seated.
Breathe in, breathe out...as if Hoseok was breathing through his entire soul, taken out of his whole being.
“But first, go wash up, Taehyung-ah. You smell like a middle aged uncle threw up all over you.”
***
20130424
“What do you think of V?”
Hoseok was startled at Bang Sihyuk’s sudden question. It was his turn to have a one on one conversation with their CEO a couple of days before their debut trailer will be released to the whole world.
“What do you mean, sir?”
“I mean, what do you think of V as a member of BTS?”
Hoseok stopped to think for a moment and answered as honestly as he could. “Well, I think he gives the group a different color and personality. He has this youthful charisma about him that fits the concept that BTS is trying to portray.”
“But what do you think of his skills? Are they enough for him to earn his place in the group? To put it bluntly, is he prepared to debut with BTS?”
Hoseok was even more startled at the construction of his question. “Earn his place? Prepared to debut? Forgive me, but I don’t think I understand the question. V has recorded with us for the album. Let alone, he has been with us through all the group practices as we anticipate our debut together as a seven member group. I don’t understand why there is a need for this question?”
Bang-pd took a deep breath before he explained the situation to Hoseok.
“You know the state of the company. We’re not as big as the other ones out there. We’re giving all our resources to you, for your debut. We are just making sure that every member is entirely ready before that happens, and we go all in. We can’t take any chances. You understand, right?”
“So, are you telling me that you’re thinking of cutting him off the team? He was never a secret member like you made us all believe him to be, is he? He had always been on probation for you, isn’t he?” This time, Hoseok was already standing from his seat, perplexed at the gravity of the situation.
“J-hope, calm down for a second. We were just trying to make sure if Taehyung fits the group, and we’re doing this for the sake of everybody. This is why I am having a conversation with all of the members since we value your inputs, as well.”
“Well, take this as my input. Everyone in Bangtan is equally as important as anyone in the group. Even Taehyung, although his skills might still be lacking for you now, all I can see is that he has the perfect personality and all the ammunition anyone needs to be a successful idol.” Hoseok responded line by line, living no space to breathe, as if there was no tomorrow...as if his life depended on it. “Please appreciate all seven of us without leaving anyone behind.”
“Okay, okay. No need to be hostile, Hoseok-ssi.” Bang-pd said, chuckling as he gave him a wry yet somewhat reassuring smile. “I understand what you’re feeling, and I will highly take that into consideration. You can leave now.”
Hoseok realized how he might have overreacted, and given his hopeful nature, he apologized immediately to the CEO before closing the door behind him as he left the studio. Bang Sihyuk was not shocked at Hoseok’s reaction though. He kind of expected it since he was not the only one who had that kind of reaction when the other members were asked the same question. But surely, Hoseok had the most solid and strongest emotion compared to all of them. He expected Jimin to have that level of reaction, but all the younger kid did was cry during their one on one. His sentiment was quite the same though.
The thought of the strong, bullet-proof bond that the group had developed through their short but meaningful years of training together as seven members made the producer smile.
Maybe...just maybe...this will be the secret to their success in the future.
Together, as a seven-member Bangtan Sonyeondan.
***
Hoseok was anxiously waiting outside the Big Hit office when Taehyung walked right out with his hands inside his pockets. He was surprised to see Hoseok there considering it was already late at night, and he had no business in Big Hit anymore at that time.
“Ah hyung, what are you still doing here?”
“Nothing, I just came here to see if anybody else is around to share what I bought in the convenience store nearby.” Hoseok opened the bag of delight and showed them to Taehyung. “Want some ice cream?”
The younger kid was already happy to see Hoseok, but he was even more ecstatic to discover that the ice cream he bought was his favorite flavor. What a coincidence, right?
Hoseok was trying to figure out the emotion on Taehyung’s face, sensing whether or not Bang-pdnim gave him a bad news or whatever. But ultimately, all he saw was the delighted sparkle on the younger one’s cat-like eyes as he savored the treat Hoseok specifically bought for him.
“So, how was the one on one talk with the boss?” Hoseok started to pry nervously, as they walked side by side towards their dormitory.
“It's a’ight," was all Taehyung could manage to say as he was still distracted with the treat that was sending sweet touches on his taste buds.
“Bang-pdnim didn’t tell you anything interesting?” Hoseok tried once again.
“Not really.”
“So, no good news?” A bit more inquisition, Hoseok refuses to give up.
“Nuh-uh…oh! Except our debut trailer is dropping soon, about a month or so.”
“But, that’s no news, Taehyungie. It was already scheduled since last year...”
Taehyung just giggled.
“But uhm, perhaps....No bad news either, I hope?” He watched more intensely as Taehyung savored the treat. He had always loved this concept, Taehyung stuffing himself with anything just so he can maintain his cute baby belly. Despite his growing height, he still looks like an innocent little kid when he is eating something. Makes Hoseok compelled to protect this child at all costs.
“Nothing. Well, none that I know of, at least.” Taehyung beamed once more, still with that cheeky, boxy smile that he usually sports.
“Good, good. That’s good.” Hoseok smiled, noticing a stray drop of melted ice cream on Taehyung’s jaw, which made him mindlessly wipe the stain off the boy’s caramel face.
“Nothing is good.”