Jungkook twirled the ring on his finger, standing patiently as a stage tech ran a wire down his back. A hands free mic was set around his head as digital earbuds were hung over his shoulders. A makeup artist patted more concealer beneath his eyes and a hairstylist arranged his locks one final time.

It was five minutes until showtime.

Last week was a blur, the long hours spent at Big Hit blending together. Costume fittings, sound checks, and dress rehearsals cut late into his nights, sometimes not returning home until early in the morning. Despite the stress of it all, it excited him.

This was what he was meant to do.

Amid the buzz and craziness of the backstage environment, he knew this was where he belonged.

And then the craziness faded into the distance as Taehyung joined him, their shoulders softly touching.

"How are you feeling?" The elder asked, looking breathtaking in a tailored suit. He wore a black choker around his neck and oozed both elegance and sex appeal.

Jungkook shook his head, clearing the images of Taehyung wearing nothing but that choker. “I feel oddly calm,” he responded at last, observing the large audience. The venue was capable of holding ten thousand.

It was sold out.

"It's because you're such a natural," Taehyung noted, his eyes falling to Jungkook's hand. "And because you have a good luck charm."

The younger smiled down at his hand, to where he was fiddling with his ring. After Taehyung came back from his press tour - and after they had their fun in the bathroom - the elder gifted Jungkook with the beautifully crafted piece of jewelry.

Taehyung had purchased matching rings, which were slender white gold bands engraved with a popular jeweler's name. They were meant as a symbol of his love for the younger; that no matter where they were, they’d always be part of a matching set.

They’d always belong together.

Jungkook loved the item, though he loved the symbolism even more.

"You're my good luck charm, Tae."

Taehyung pivoted to face him, carefully pulling the ring off of his own finger. “Then take an extra part of me, too.”

The ring was slid right on top of Jungkook’s.

The younger desperately wanted to embrace Taehyung, but there were too many people around. Namjoon was just a few feet away, his hands placed reassuringly on Yeonjun’s shoulders. Yoongi was positioned similarly with Jimin.

Taehyung traced where Jungkook was looking, saw how his producers were interacting with their mentees, and firmly placed his palms on Jungkook’s shoulders. To anyone scanning over them, it would look harmless enough.

Except, if one was to look closely, they'd see how Taehyung's thumbs caressed the skin at the base of Jungkook's neck.

“Whatever happens out there, remember I will always be here for you. I am your number one fan and I love you more than anything,” the elder whispered, his eyes twinkling with pride. “Never forget that.”

Jungkook smiled at him, his heart beating surely in his chest. "As if I could ever forget. You make me so happy, Tae. You've shown me how love can conquer anything. You've shown me how loved I am."

"And I'll continue to show you that every day."

The younger extended his hands to Taehyung. "Take my hands now."

The elder accepted after quickly scanning their surroundings.

"You are the cause of my euphoria, Kim Taehyung. I want you to always remember that."

They let their eyes convey the things they weren't able to say out loud. Endless volumes of love and trust and joy were passed between them.

With a quick squeeze of their hands, they let go as the lights on the stage darkened. Namjoon and Yoongi hurriedly ushered Yeonjun and Jimin closer to the pair for a quick pep talk.

"Alright guys, this is it. You're going to crush it," Namjoon told them confidently.

Yoongi nodded his head in agreement. "Just breathe and have fun. Don't overthink anything."

Taehyung was about to add a small bit of his own advice when a new voice broke the moment.

"Can we get a quick word from the mentees?"

Taehyung turned around at the familiar tone. It was Joowon, the douchebag interviewer.

Yoongi scowled at the man and Namjoon sighed, but both gave an affirmative nod. Taehyung rolled his eyes as his two producers pulled him to the side, letting Joowon ask the three boys a couple of questions.

“Who invited him?” Taehyung asked, shooting daggers into the back of the older man’s skull. "I thought he got fired."

After the infamous interview, the TV network that employed Joowon terminated him for disrespectful behavior towards guests.

“He was fired. But one of those sleazy tabloids picked him up,” Yoongi said darkly, keeping close tabs on Joowon as he leaned into Jimin to better hear an answer.

Namjoon attempted to appease them by adding, “Don’t worry, he only gets one more minute.”

Sure enough, an announcer started speaking, introducing the program and the first number. The three mentees ran to their places on the dark stage, leaving the interviewer huffing as he walked away.

Taehyung clasped his hands behind his back, knuckles turning white. A twinge of nerves made his limbs shaky, made his breathing a little shallow. He was more anxious for Jungkook than he ever had been for his own performances. The younger’s dreams were now his own, and more than anything, he wanted them all to come true.

The stage erupted into light and movement as the opening chords blared through the venue, a loud frenzy ensuing from the audience.

It was showtime.

Time escaped Taehyung as he watched with rapture as the first several performances flew by. The two opening group routines were a hit with the audience, amping them up more for what was to come. Each mentee then performed a cover of a song, all which were well received by the crowd.

After the third group performance, it was time for each mentee’s original song. Jungkook was up first, taking the stage in a white ensemble that made him look ethereal. Taehyung couldn’t keep his eyes off the boy as he started singing, his voice strong and clear.

Taehyung was eager all day to hear this song, especially since Jungkook was so adamant about keeping it a secret. Despite constant pestering and trick questions, the younger never revealed what the song was about. So now, listening and watching intently as Jungkook performed, Taehyung was speechless.

The piece was deeply personal, with dreamlike lyrics as Jungkook sung about being inconceivably happy. His voice was rich with a hopeful and uplifting quality, resulting in a smile breaking out across Taehyung's face. But as Jungkook reached the pre-chorus, the elder's lips fell open in shock.

"Take my hands now

You are the cause of my euphoria."

The song was for him. It was about him.

Taehyung felt a burning in the back of his throat as he listened to the rest of Jungkook's song. It was such a contrast from the initial song the younger worked on all those weeks back, before he knew Taehyung was V.

Those first lyrics had been rooted in the past, full of pain over something that was never his fault. Full of longing for someone he thought he had killed.

But now, these lyrics were the complete opposite. They reflected the utter joy the two boys had experienced since the truth all came out. It was a promise of a better future, one they were well on their way towards making.

Before he knew it, the song had ended and the crowd erupted into a roar of screams and applause.

Jungkook ran off the stage and right into Taehyung's arms. They hugged tightly, safe in their own little world.

"Did you like my gift, Tae?"

Taehyung smiled into his neck and nodded his head. "Thank you."

Jimin and Yeonjun performed their originals, though the secret couple had trouble focusing. They only had thoughts for each other and what their lives were going to look like after tonight.

The final group routine went off without a hitch and then everyone - from the audience to the backstage crew- went wild with excitement. The three mentees took their turns bowing on stage, soaking up their moments in the spotlight.

And it came to no one's surprise when an official representative of Big Hit came on stage and offered each boy a contract. Each would become performers in their own right under the company's name.

Interviewers rushed the stage after the show officially concluded, trying to be the first with exclusive comments from the boys. It was an absolute zoo out there and Taehyung sat back contentedly watching it all.

He was so happy for Jungkook.

An hour later and the younger snuck off stage, searching blindly for Taehyung amongst the crew. A familiar blue mop of hair was spotted in the corner and Jungkook rushed over. Wordlessly, he took the elder's hand and dragged him to a less crowded area.

"I'm so proud of you, Kookie," Taehyung beamed at him. "You deserve all of this and more."

Jungkook placed his hands on Taehyung's face and swiftly kissed him on the mouth. "It hasn't hit me yet. I . . . I can't believe it."

"It will sink in soon, baby," the elder replied knowingly. "But for now, let's celebrate. Because when you wake up tomorrow, everyone is going to know your name."

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》 V A L E N W R I T I N G 《