Chapter Text
"9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1!!!" Joshua counted down with Jeonghan waiting for the newest music video from his favorite singer. The premier ended and the soft beats started. Completely forgetting his best friend beside him, he immersed himself in the music video, the song and the voice of his favorite artist, Lee Dokyeom who just came back with his newest song 'Cheers to Youth.'
Lee Dokyeom was a sensation who came from the blues. He had made his debut in the year 2020, which was when Joshua was about to write his major exams and make his schooling decisions. He was so torn on what to and feeling like such a disappointment for his choices and preference in acting instead of medicine like the smarter students he saw around.
Feeling he couldn't take care of his mother, feeling homesick from leaving his mother and feeling unaccepted in Korea, feeling like a terrible person and just feeling inadequate overall. His friendship with Jeonghan was keeping him floating but he didn't want to suffocate him with his problems so while he was happy around him, going home made him completely miserable.
Unfortunately, it became too much. He was tired of life and living and he felt that if he wasn't around, everyone in his life would be much happier. So he went to a huge bridge and looked out at the city for his final moments. However while he was there, he heard a song from the car that just parked by the side of the road and the lyrics spoke to his soul and soothed the ache.
Crying while feeling simultaneously guilty and apologetic, he stepped away from the ledge and headed back to his dorms.
Researching the lyrics, he found out it was by someone named Lee Dokyeom and it was their debut song and was not even up to twenty four hours old. It was named Gonna be fine. Joshua felt healed listening to the song and he replayed it a lot because the voice was soothing. The music video had been a story about a beautiful friendship lost to suicide and at first Joshua had thought the boy in the music video was the Dokyeom and he was very thankful for his debut, becoming a loyal fan.
He decided he needed help so he signed for therapy and even told his best friend about his mental health issues. Jeonghan had supported him completely and even felt a bit guilty for not noticing. He made him promise that if the stress of exams and schooling threatened to overwhelm him, he would join him and quit. Joshua was so grateful for him and that assurance helped reduce a lot of his nerves.
However he survived and even got into the same university with Jeonghan although he was studying acting in the university's art program and he was doing so well he was already getting major roles in university coupled with brand sponsors and a growing fanbase, deciding to use his Korean name for his popularity.
He was in a good place my all ramifications.
However Lee Dokyeom had a dedicated space in his heart.
Unfortunately he had no idea what his saviour even looked like because on the boy's next comeback, Spell, the person in the music video was a famous model acting out a story.
It didn't take long for the company to announce that Lee Dokyeom's entire concept rested on his voice and nobody was to know what he looked like. He self produced and self composed all the songs but did not show his face.
Instead for the music videos, the company used different actors, dancers, models and even other artists if it was they were featured and they did their concerts more like a raave with a DJ remixing all the songs and everyone dancing.
While it was fun, Joshua couldn't help himself secretly wishing he could see the face of the person he basically owed his life.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
"So what do you think?" Jihoon, Seokmin's producer said to him over the phone call. Seokmin listened to the sample he was sent for a while before sighing. "You know I'll like anything you send me Ji, plus it's not like we're in any major rush, Cheers to Youth just came out yesterday." Seokmin said, laying his head on his arms.
"Yeah, I cannot believe we were able to attain another Perfect All Kill with that song. It feels like we're achieving so much." Jihoon stated calmly obviously treading carefully. He knew his achievements were a sore spot for the hidden singer.
"Is it really my achievement if the only reason most people even listen to the music is because of the other famous pretty people who are in it." Seokmin whined which made Jihoon roll his eyes.
"I find that really hard to believe because most of your audios have way more views that your music videos." Jihoon commended snidely but didn't say anything else because the singer would not believe him. "Let's continue our work. Listen again and give me an analysis." Jihoon said, replaying the song from the beginning.
Lee Seokmin was the real voice behind Lee Dokyeom. He always had known he wanted to be an idol and he was fortunate to get into a company after auditioning at age 7. He trained while going to school and was in line for debuting with a boy group the company had prepared when he was seventeen. Unfortunately it all went to the ground and he was the only one left in the company where stayed for a year and a few months.
One day the board of directors called him into the meeting room.
There, they told him they would need him to get series of plastic surgery so that they could debut him as a soloist which he vehemently refused. They argued for a while but it ended when he was given an ultimatum.
He either got the surgery and debuted as a soloist under their company, or he would be kicked out and made to pay all his trainee debt which considering how many years he had spent as a trainee and how middle class his family was would run them into debt. He was given twenty four hours to think about it and had already resigned his fate to get the surgery when the Concept Producer came up with the hidden singer concept.
Apparently she felt bad because her sister died during a plastic surgery procedure she did not want in the first place but had been coerced to get. Seokmin was so glad to have another option that he agreed and signed the contract.
That was five years prior with him debuting about fourteen months after and all things considered Lee Dokyeom was a successful musician. He was well known, except nobody knew him. He was well liked. except he didn't even get to go to variety shows so people could see his personality. His fan calls were all strictly audio based and nobody knew what he looked like.
On the second year anniversary of Lee Dokyeom he had actually talked to his production team saying it would cause more traction if he was revealed then so he could continue his career as normal and get to use the other classes he got during his trainee days but he was rudely rejected.
"Do you think your voice is what we sell here? Please everyone should do their parts. And if you weren't monstrous looking maybe we would have chosen you. You're lucky you can sing but if the fans you have now get a look at your face do you think they will remain?"
Those words hurt him badly and since then he gave up. His contract was for five years and it was coming to and end. He didn't plan to resign the contract.
He had enough money saved to continue living with a normal job. At least that was one good thing his life had given him as his contract was sixty percent to him and forty to his company and they were selling well.
"Well I think we've gotten everything. I'll keep working on it and I'll send it to your company sound engineer so recording can start a bit, let's see if we like the direction since we decided to do a full album this time. To celebrate your fifth year anniversary in some months time." Jihoon concluded the audio meeting because he also was contracted not to know his face.
"I'll talk to you later Jihoon."
When the call ended, Seokmin decided to go out on a stroll. Due to the nature of his contract he had no one to talk to except his family as he was not allowed places where he could make friends and it was a rather depressing existence.
He grabbed a couple of bucks and decided to head out for coffee.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
"We've had a lot of bad ideas but this one tops the gun." Seungkwan whined as he held the leash of Latte, Soonyoung's dog. Apparently his dance classes were going to be so late he asked Seungkwan to take his dog out for a walk.
Joshua was holding the leash of Kkuma, Seungcheol's pet as he was at a soccer camp for a weekend and the dog did not like Jeonghan so she was living with Joshua. They were going on a stroll with a whining Jeonghan who was complaining about missing his crush and scolding the dog for not allowing them live together.
"If you liked me Cheol would have picked me and he would be calling me to check up on your furry ass." Jeonghan pouted as they strolled to the coffee shop to get some drinks.
"Come on Jeonghan, just get the coffee and we'll wait for you outside since pets are not allowed." Seungkwan scolded, obviously very upset that he was being made to leave his room when he was not going to classes.
Jeonghan walked inside and the two waited outside for him.
"So are you going to tell me which patient of yours gets you so anxious to never miss a class? We're in third year and this is the most serious I've ever seen you be doc." Joshua teased and Seungkwan rolled his eyes. "I'm a physiotherapist, and leave me alone I don't like any patient of mine." Seungkwan said but his face was so red it was almost turning purple so Joshua decided to let him be.
Joshua was too busy teasing Seungkwan that he didn't notice the shop door open and someone bumped into him.
"I am so sorry." The voice said and Joshua raised his head and locked eyes with prettiest pair of eyes he had ever seen but he couldn't really focus on that as the cold feeling seeped into his skin.
"Ow what the fuck?" He complained.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
"I am so sorry." Seokmin repeated for the fifth time in the bathroom as Joshua took off his shirt and was left wearing just his white undershirt. He had felt so guilty he had offered to help him clean out the sweater in the bathroom.
The boy whose beauty had been so surprising Seokmin had tripped and caused the entire mess in the first place didn't say anything and was just staring at his sweatshirt that was being washed in the bathroom with some hand soap.
"I am so sorry, I really should have been watching were I was going. How can I make it up to you?" Seokmin apologized and Joshua finally looked at the reason he was in the bathroom with a plain white shirt on. Pretty privilege was definitely a thing because while he usually hated inconveniences and would usually just faux politeness and get out of the situation, he found himself not wanting to leave. Besides the boy sounded really familiar.
"You don't have to keep apologizing, it was also partly my fault. I should not have been standing so close to the door. I am about to ask something really weird but do I know you? You sound really familiar." Joshua asked and the boy smiled and shook his head. He figured but couldn't shake off the sense that he knew him. Maybe he'd overheard him talking. Wanting to see if the boy blushed easily he continued.
"You're right we haven't met because I don't think I would have forgotten a face like yours." he teased and was rewarded with a shy smile and an eyeroll that seemed fond. He was easy to read.
"Does that line usually work?" Seokmin asked, wrapping his arms protectively around his torso. The guy didn't seem like a playboy but he definitely wasn't very honest if he couldn't choose a pickup line more suitable for their situation.
Or maybe he was getting ahead of himself and he had meant that he was so ugly he would not forget his face if he tried. That part seemed more plausible than the pretty boy with doe eyes flirting with him.
The bathroom door opened and Seungkwan peeked in. "You okay? I went to get a new shirt from the shop close by." A shirt was thrown at him and he smiled in thanks.
"since you have a shirt now I'll launder this one for you and give it back to you. What do you think?" Seokmin suggested with a beaming smile, looking relieved.
"How will you be able to give it to me? You don't even know my name." Joshua teased and he felt Seungkwan's judging glare more than he saw it. "I'm Lee Seokmin. What's your name?"
"Hong Jisoo." Seungkwan's eyebrows disappeared behind his hairline but luckily he didn't mention anything. "Nice to meet you Jisoo." He handed Joshua his phone and they both exchanged numbers. "I'll text you to pick up your dress when I have had it cleaned. See you then."
Before Joshua could protest, he left the bathroom stall with the coffee stained shirt in his arms.
"So...." Seungkwan started "Don't even." Joshua retorted which earned him a snort of laughter from the shorter male.
They both walked outside to meet Jeonghan smirking playfully, in his way that meant trouble for whoever was on the receiving end of it.
"I saw a hottie walking past with your shirt. I leave for our coffee and you give me a brother in law." Seungkwan is laughing as they head back with the dogs. "He's exactly your type. Did you get his number?"
"Leave me the hell alone Hannie." Joshua walked ahead of his two laughing friends, trying his best to not remember sparkling brown eyes and a kind smile.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
"It's not that funny." Seokmin whined while he could hear Jihoon laughing hysterically at him.
While Jihoon wasn't allowed to see his face, Seokmin had no friends apart from the producer.
Due to the nature of his training he hadn't attended school and he wasn't even allowed to talk to other artists from his company as part of his contract.
Jihoon and he had met on the job, but to Seokmin he was his best friend and he loved him.
Most of the time.
"This is the worse day of my life and you're laughing." Seokmin whined, falling on his bed. ''The prettiest boy in the world and I spill coffee all over his shirt and sure he was nice about it and I got his number like I wanted but not like this because now he'll know me as a klutz and I'll be in the friendzone forever and he's so pretty and kind and I think he flirted with me but I can't tell because who would want me and_"
"Hey, what did we say about bad words?"
"Don't use them on myself." Seokmin whined in reply. "Good. Anyways you have his number. Chat him up."
"But I don't have his shirt neat yet. What if he gets mad I'm using it but not for what I said I would."
"Trust me. If he didn't want you to have the number he would have said so. Just text him. I know you're worried about the company and everything but Seokmin, I know you do not plan to resign your contract and_"
"How could you tell?" Seokmin asked, surprised and Jihoon laughed a sad one.
"You're my friend even though we haven't met. I know you. I have worked with you since your debut when we were both kids and you felt even younger with how joyful and happy about music you were. I've seen the company make you lose your spark. This is the most like you I've heard you be for the past three years and if this mystery boy is bringing it back then I'll say it's worth it. What do you have to lose really?"
"You're right Hoonie."
"Absolutely not that nickname sucks. Don't do it."
"Worth a shot. I'll text him." Seokmin agreed. "Nice, you do that."
"And Jihoon? Once my contract ends, you're the first person I want to see."
"I can't wait to see you too Seokmin. I know you'll be as beautiful outside as you already are inside."
When the call ended, he picked up his phone.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
Jisoo?
Hello Seokmin