Chapter Text
Filming for their latest MV has wrapped up for the day and the boys are exhausted but satisfied. Namjoon and Hoseok are speaking in lowered voices, discussing the rap lines for the new album as Yoongi slips an earphone into his left ear and nods along, lips curving into a half-smile, watching as Taehyung bounces cheerfully alongside Jungkook who is chatting excitedly with Jimin and Jin as they all file out of the studio.
The boys change out of their video costumes quickly and their manager pops over to give them the green light for the day. Ruffling his golden locks, Taehyung grins and proposes a short walk around the neighbouring park to wind down before dinner.
Jimin and the maknae agree readily although the rappers need more convincing but are eventually persuaded by the puppy dog eyes of the vocalists.
Face masks are donned and different shades of sunglasses are produced as the members of BTS shrug on thicker sweaters in an attempt to shadow their idol identities.
The autumn weather greets their every breath as they languidly make their way across the street, a light breeze tousling their tresses as sounds of their deep laughter and conversation fill the frigid air.
The park is expansive and quiet and their voices die down as they wander, appreciating the gentle rustling of the trees and chirps of the birds peeking from the branches. Few civilians are still drifting in the area but as they round the corner into a connected meadow, the boys freeze in their tracks.
A sweet, lilting voice caresses their eardrums, soft but strong, “…But it’s my fate, it’s my fate…Still, I want to struggle and fight…”
Jin blinks in surprise as the boys tilt their head. “Is that …” Jimin begins but Taehyung is already grinning, “That’s Jin’s solo song!”
A faint blush dusts the light-haired idol’s cheeks as he smiles at the ground, nodding. They have heard an abundance of beautiful voices throughout their career, but something about the way “Awake” is sung catches their heart mid-beat and stuns it into a sprint.
The members of BTS move closer towards the source and discover the owner is hidden behind a massive oak tree, surrounded with five others who are watching in rapture. A stone hedge carts off to the left of the area and Namjoon motions for the boys to duck around the meadow and rest there.
Jungkook hops on the ledge and sits, legs crossing as he listens. Jin, Taehyung and Jimin rest on the bench situated beside the stone monument while the three resident rappers lean against the ledge and cross their arms, Yoongi having paused his music player and is now frowning thoughtfully.
“Yah! You should’ve tried out for The Voice!” A higher-pitched voice comes from the reddish-blonde at the corner of the circle – all five seem to be around their age – as the song ends and the boys perk up at the strangely melodic sound of laughter bubbling from the performer.
The tree branches obscure their view of the singer but they cannot bring themselves to even attempt to appear as if they are not completely eavesdropping.
“No way,” the peal of bells fades and amusement replaces the tone. “I’d fall flat on my face in nervousness and I’d rather not lose my dignity on public television any more than I do in front of you losers,” the feminine voice teases.
The laughter this time is mixed as deeper tones wrap around lighter ones but one says, “Losers as we are, I must admit – you really could have had a career as a vocal artist. Your singing is amazing.”
A hint of pride and embarrassment tinges the voice as it replies modestly, “Aw, thanks Rhys. I did consider it for a while but after everything that happened,” a hand appears from the edge of the tree and is waved in a dismissal gesture, “I like singing occasionally, though. I rock at karaoke if you guys ever want to challenge me.”
“Yah,” Taehyung slides over to Namjoon and whispers, “What are they saying?”
The silver-haired rapper blinks and remembers the remaining members are not nearly as proficient in English as he is. “They’re talking about how she could’ve been a singer but something happened and she decided not to pursue it,” he murmurs as the boys lean in for the translation.
“Why BTS though?” The boys whip their attention back to the scene as they notice the mention of their band name.
“Music has the ability to move people. Touch them in a way nothing else can. BTS did that for me. Their songs resonated with me. They gave me hope and taught me to be brave. To love as if every day is my last, and to try and live without regrets,” the voice admits softly.
The others are nodding in agreement and smiling and the boys are stunned. They have heard this from multiple fans in the past and have been the purpose of their albums but hearing it in such a manner seems almost criminally intimate in the way they are intruding.
“Who’s your bias then?” A wicked smile graces the girl farthest to the left.
“I love all of them,” the voice protests but all five are shaking their heads wryly.
“That’s cheating,” a masculine voice teases but vision is obscured once again by the trees as an audible sigh passes through the air.
Unbeknownst to them, all seven members of BTS are smiling absentmindedly – even Yoongi, who is normally stoic regardless of the situation – as they continue listening, Namjoon inclining his head slightly as he whispers quick translations.
“Choose one,” the strawberry-blonde from earlier insists and Jin ducks his head, hiding his shy smile, imagining the defeated smile that must grace the singer’s face.
A sigh sounds again and the boys of BTS wait impatiently.
“Truthfully, if you had asked me a year ago, I would’ve said Jin,” the voice confesses, “his ‘Awake’ solo gave me courage. I was in a really tough patch in my life and I was losing sight of my purpose. Of course, there was ‘Lost,” but ‘Awake’ is gentle, filled with melancholy but so much hope, as if acknowledging the struggle but encouraging me to move forward despite all my adversities.”
Namjoon whispers this and Jin is startled, unfamiliar warmth is spreading in his chest as the wintry breeze cools his burning cheeks. He is smiling widely now and the boys are glancing at him at the corner of their eyes with delight and pride and the vocalist is pretending not to notice their gazes but his smile is growing and he is happy. He is acknowledged.
“Jin needs to be recognized more. He’s grown a lot from when they debuted. I hope they feature him more in future songs and he releases more solos. His voice is so soothing,” the person continues. “I love his affinity to pink and his nurturing personality. I’d really love to be as proficient in cooking as he is.”
Suddenly the scene shifts and the person pushes themselves from the base of the tree to join the grassy plains where their friends are.
In impromptu unison, all seven members subtly tilt their heads in hopes of getting a better glimpse of the speaker. Slim, hourglass figure noticeable even in the thick sweater, comfortable jeans and long, chocolate-brown tresses bunched into a tight ponytail, it is clear she is a woman. She appears young, Yoongi would estimate a few years older than himself, likely around Jin’s age. She is not tall but her height accents her slender build. Her face is not visible from their location and the BTS members pause their scrutinizing as she speaks again.
“You never did like taking anyone for their looks,” the man she called Rhys says this thoughtfully and the light redhead turns to look at the woman excitedly. “What about the other members then?”
“I love them all equally,” the woman vows but her voice softens and the boys strain to hear what she says next.
“Taehyung was my secret bias for the longest time,” she admits abashedly, “I love how silly and shy he is, how he is somehow always smiling in every picture and video that exists of him. I’ve seen how tiring studio days can be, but Tae is always, always cheerful. I’ve always admired his resilience and positivity. He has a big heart, sensitive and sweet.”
The said member is practically beaming, bouncing on his heels as his eyes crinkle.
“Jimin,” she continues, “Jimin is beautiful. Not just physically. His personality is like summer rain. He’s extremely thoughtful; I’ve seen the presents he’s given to the other members throughout the years and how they fulfil their every wish. He loves his members, always thanking them, always so supportive. He’s hard-working. He’s been through a lot. I’m so glad he seems happier now.”
The ebony-haired boy looks overwhelmed but his smile is radiant.
“J-Hope,” she is tapping her knee in contemplation, “Hoseok is modest. He’s a true friend to all the members, never desiring the spotlight even though he deserves it just as much. He’s kind and enjoys teasing the other members. He keeps Rap Monster grounded.”
Hoseok grins. Nods. Keeps listening.
“Suga,” she laughs a little this time, “Yoongi seems a bit gruff but his gummy smile keeps me sane. He’s insanely passionate about his music. It is beautiful and every song he produces is a masterpiece. His lyrics kept me going for a long time.”
The platinum-blonde’s eyes gleam. He rests his hand on his knee and smiles.
“Jungkook,” she giggles, a sound like twinkling stars, “Kookie’s smile is adorable. He’s extremely hard working. Being the ‘Golden Maknae’ doesn’t come easy, after all. He’s a triple threat but he’s passionate about drawing and photography too. He has a wonderful personality.”
The bunny teeth of the maknae is more prominent than ever as his legs swing freely from the ledge.
“Rap Monster,” she says this with a wistful sigh, “Namjoon is intelligent. Very much so. He’s also thoughtful and caring. He’s deliberating a million things when producing a new song in relation to not just ARMY members but to his family and friends. He never lost his passion in spite of the excessive amount of hate he was receiving.” Her voice quiets, “Although Suga produces many of BTS’ songs, Moni has contributed just as much. He’s also underappreciated. It’s been getting better recently, but I’d imagine it’s still very difficult.”
The silver-haired rapper is smiling at the ground, examining his shoes as he listens.
The five others scattered on the field are nodding along as she speaks and peaceful silence descends for a few heartbeats before another feminine voice on the far right perks up.
“Hey Y/N,” she calls, “what time do you need to be home?”
“I was hoping an hour from now. I need to finish up some documents before tomorrow’s meeting. Why?” her voice is once again amused.
“I’m in the mood for some BTS,” her friend laughs. The four others are grinning and agreeing and the strawberry-blonde pulls the girl from her seat and claps excitedly. “Two more and you’re free to go!”
The woman laughs but acquiesces.
Soon, the meadow falls silent again and the mysterious and compelling tones of Jimin’s “Lie” solo drifts towards the boys and they all close their eyes and listen.
The last few notes of V’s “Stigma” rings in wisps in the cold air, the evening having announced itself with cooler temperatures and the multicolour sunset casting a pinked glow to the park.
Sighs echo around the meadow and the boys of BTS are shaken from their stupor as parting hugs and words are exchanged between the six they have been watching.
Jungkook yawns as he hops down from the ledge and everyone is cracking their knuckles, stiff and shaking off the frost that has crept into their bones the past hour and half.
By the time the boys have brushed off the cobwebs from their inactivity, the oak tree is deserted and the air is heavy with disappointment.
Jin tips his head to the darkened sky and wonders if they will ever meet her again, the mysterious lady who have enraptured all seven of them.
Taehyung is jumping in place to keep warm but his face is filled with his boxy smile. Jimin is hiding his own in his scarf as he stuffs his fingers in his jacket.
Hoseok and Yoongi glance at one another and the former grins, tapping the latter on the elbow knowingly. Yoongi only spares him an eye roll but he is smiling too.
They can’t seem to stop smiling.
Namjoon signals them to start heading back but is interrupted by a soft yelp and a loud crash.
It is you.
A skateboard skitters across the pavement as a thin trail of blood trickles down your forehead. You blink in confusion, touching your wound gingerly.
Wincing, you manage a small grimace at your panicked attacker. Quite frankly, your vision is blurred from the impact and all you see are arms flailing and blubbered apologies.
Nothing registers and you are still blinking rapidly when a gentle hand grasps your left and helps you stand.
Steadying (and admittedly leaning for support) against your Good Samaritan, you wave away the stammered condolences from the poor boy and he scampers off.
“Here,” a deep, unnervingly familiar voice sounds close to you as you glance to the side, furiously blinking away the spots clouding your vision.
You stare at him stupidly for a solid minute, at the dimple and crescent eyes when he smiles, before noticing the handkerchief he is offering you.
Dimly, you wonder who actually carries around handkerchiefs in this era but are not surprised it is him.
Rap Monster. He tentatively reaches up to brush away the strands of hair that obscure his vision and examine your wound.
“It is not bad,” he tells you, “just need a band-aid.”
A smile bursts from your lips and you nod. “Thank you,” you say softly. Multiple footsteps approach and you are stable enough to turn around slowly.
A muted gasp escapes your throat and there the remaining six men you have dreamed about meeting since you have discovered them stand before you. They are looking at you like they are the ones stunned and that makes you giggle lightly.
Taehyung mouths something and Jimin tries to copy. A small laugh bubbles from you and you shake your head slowly.
“It’s okay,” you say quietly, secretly relishing in the way the eyes of all seven grow wider almost comically, “I understand Korean.”
“Yah, thank goodness,” Jungkook is the first to speak, grinning. Taehyung steps forward and shyly offers you a band-aid. Smiling gratefully, you accept, dabbing your wound with the handkerchief and pasting on the bandage carefully.
“Thank you,” you say warmly. He graces you with his brilliant boxy smile. You would never admit this to anyone, but you are desperately dying on the inside, happy to have finally met the people whose songs have touched your soul.
“Ah!” You remember the time, checking your watch and wincing.
“I’m so sorry,” you send them an apologetic smile, “I really have to get back to work. I need to prepare my pre-trial documents before tomorrow.”
The boys all have similar expressions of disappointment again and you find yourself aching, caught between not wanting to leave and knowing you have to.
As you hurry away, you turn around and catch sight of Jin watching you from the back timidly. You give him a glowing smile.
And then you’re gone.
You are beautiful. This rings in the heads of every single BTS member as they trek home.
A heart-shaped face framed with chocolate-coloured tresses and bright, twinkling coffee-coloured orbs, you are pretty. They have seen pretty. They have lived beside pretty. Walked beside it. Grown up with it.
But there is something more to you, a spark in your personality, in the way your eyes sparkle with intelligence and understanding. The way you seem so much stronger, older than you are, but somehow still retaining your childish curiosity and innocence.
You are an enigma and you are a warrior.
You see them as they are.
Human. People. Boys.
They want to know you, too.
They want to see you, too.