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The song on the radio on his way to the BigHit building was catchy and the melody sweet. The track was obviously meant to be played in a club with pounding bass, but despite that, Namjoon found himself tapping the beat out on the steering wheel. The lyrics were a little shaky, only the rap really working out to his standard, but some allowances had to be made, nobody could be perfect. Also, Namjoon’s lyrics standards were ridiculously high, even he realized that.
He grimaced at the bridge trying to get across a metaphor of eternal love being stable like a cable. He could have done so much better. But he had to admit, the rest of the song was exceptional. He always had problems choosing the right background beat and often ended up with something far too aggressive or melancholic, neither very good fit for a title track of young idol groups.
He made a mental note of this group’s name and the song and focused back on driving.
Finally, safe in the BigHit’s parking lot, he pulled out his phone and started to look up the composer and producer of the song.
The guy was strong in all the places Namjoon’s own craft sometimes fell short and a collaboration would be exactly what could bring both of them to a higher level.
Title song: Scaredy cat, the group’s name: LED lights. Namjoon chuckled. Ok. It was at least original, if nothing else. Main producer: Suga.
Namjoon clicked out of the site, closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths. That Min Yoongi again. Why? Why does he have to be everywhere? Isn’t it enough he’s ridiculously good looking, rude and one of the most talented composers of their generation? And also, the only person in the entire industry who Namjoon refuses to collaborate with? Of course.
The lyrics apparently were worked on by Yoongi too, but the main lyricist was somebody called TotalDestruction, and Namjoon snorted. He must be young to choose a name like that. He will regret that. There’s a reason Namjoon changed his name from Rap Monster to RM the moment he had gotten the opportunity.
His phone lit up again to remind him of his impending meeting and Namjoon sighed. He hoped this was going to go well, he had a lot riding on this.
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The room was fuller than Namjoon expected. He thought this would be just a preliminary meeting over prices and timetables, but the members of one of his favourite bands to produce for were all sitting around the long table, looking tired but excited.
As he entered the room (making sure to close the door behind himself softly, so the glass wouldn’t crack like last time), Hoseok was already getting up to greet him.
"Hi! Long time no see!”
Namjoon grinned and embraced his hyung by the door, quickly followed by Jimin, Taehyung, Jungkook and lastly Jin, who squeezed him extra hard and didn’t let go until Namjoon wheezed.
Bang PD, the head of the management company and overseeing producer smiled indulgently and waited, until the members all greeted their friend, who produced most of the songs from their first full album, and then cleared his throat.
“Hello, Namjoon. It’s been a while.”
Namjoon smiled and quickly went to shake the head-producer’s hand. “PD-nim. I’m glad to see you well and prospering.”
The PD laughed and tapped his considerable stomach. “Oh, the boys have been doing very well indeed. And I’m hoping to continue that trend with your songs. If you would be so kind as to sit down, so we can start?”
The moment everyone found their places, the PD cleared his throat again. “I must congratulate you, your lyrics are stunning as always.”
Namjoon smiled and nodded graciously.
“The solo for Jimin is perfect as it is, we’re thinking of making an MV to go with it, nothing major. But that will definitely be on the list of wanted tracks this time.” Next to Namjoon, Jimin grinned and grabbed his hand giddily. Namjoon on the other hand tensed.
“I’m glad to hear that, PD-nim. What about the rest though? I send you enough for two albums, I’m sure there are other songs you would want.”
Bang sighed. “I do want almost all of the lyrics, Namjoon. As I said, they are exquisite. But Min Yoongi also send us quite a few tracks to choose from, and I must say his beats are a step up from yours.”
Namjoon let go of Jimin’s hand to grip the table hard. Across from him, Taehyung send him a pleading look.
“Min Yoongi’s lyrics are fast and far too reliable on tempo change while forgetting the message. I thought this group was about more than just head-banger tunes.”
Jin send him a look asking to calm down. Namjoon ignored him. Bang stayed deadly calm though.
“You are absolutely right, of course. That’s why I have a proposition for both of you. Collaborate on this album. Maybe on the whole new trilogy. Take a look at Suga’s melodies to see if you can think of better lyrics, or at least polish the existing ones. Aznd maybe try to work with him, if he can help you with the songs you already sent?”
Namjoon forcefully stood up, the chair flying from behind him. “I’m sorry, PD-nim. I don’t think I can do that.”
Bang blinked at him a few times, before smiling slyly. “Think about it for a bit and let me know your final decision in a week. I’m sure, once the tempers cool down, you will do what’s best. Think about the money all of us could make off of that union.”
Namjoon just about held in a scoff. Both him and the PD knew he was in a position, where he didn’t have to think about profit if he didn’t want to. And he definitely didn’t want to in this case. Unfortunately, he couldn’t say that plainly in front of the PD.
“I’m sorry, PD-nim. That collaboration will only end in disaster and tears. I will be happy to negotiate the lyrics without the music, but I am not working with Min Yoongi.”
Bang smiled indulgently. “Let’s meet in a week nonetheless. And I implore you to think very carefully again about your final decision. If you don’t change your mind, we shall negotiate again.”
Namjoon pursed his lips, but nodded and after a brief nod at the BTS members left the room.
Like hell he will change his mind.
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“And what are you doing here? Somebody asked to write a boring lovelorn ballad? That’s the only stuff you’re good at, right?”
Namjoon closed his eyes, took a deep breath and counted to ten in his head. Nope, still not helping.
“Unlike somebody, I can actually appreciate the work that comes with a good melody and thoughtful text. Enjoy your fifteen minutes of fame summer hit, since you seem to treasure that over a long-term success.”
A derisive snort came instead of an answer. Namjoon finally turned towards his opponent. Min Yoongi looked terribly attractive when he was smirking. He looked terribly attractive when he wasn’t smirking too, but Namjoon was too proud to ever admit that out loud.
He straightened his shoulders and raised his head high, so that he towered over the other. Yoongi recently changed his hair colour to a light violet and it made his skin glow. Namjoon gritted his teeth.
“Let me guess. Bang invited you to see if you can top my hit with BTS. As if. Not Today is too successful for that.”
“Oh yeah, and I’m sure you would definitely get to that level of fame on your own if I didn’t write Run and I Need You for the boys. Absolutely.”
Yoongi smirked. “Sure, I would. Fire and Dope are mine anyway.”
“Yes, and Spring Day is more of a long-term success from the You Never Walk Alone album and that’s mine too. We’re even. Stop trying to one-up me.”
“Oh, right. As if a nerdy good boy giraffe like you could ever stand on the same ground as me.”
“Yeah, I don’t need to. You’re so short I sometimes wonder how you reach the mixing table, not to mention make a decent track. Oh, wait. You can’t.”
Something dangerous entered Yoongi’s eyes, and for a moment there Namjoon wondered if he went too far. And then Yoongi smirked again. Yeah, Namjoon hated that guy. Or at least felt highly irritated by him whenever they met.
“Well, since you’re leaving and I still haven’t gotten a message about my title track being denied, height has nothing to with this. Just talent. Or lack of there-of.”
Namjoon snorted and rolled his eyes. “Just wait and see. Oh, and by the way, when Bang tells you his proposition, know that my answer is a big resounding no. Have a nice day.”
And with that and a distinct sense of satisfaction, Namjoon started his journey back towards his car.
As he turned around a corner, he noticed Yoongi staring at his back. At his lower back. The redness in his cheeks didn’t leave until he stopped in front of a light several minutes later.
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An e-mail from Bang’s official BigHit account has appeared the next day containing a link and access to a private site with a series of Suga’s tracks. Namjoon has resisted the whole day before caving under the curiosity. He couldn’t help himself.
The first few tracks were clearly b-sides, good to listen to casually, but not enough to stand on their own. But a few gems have sparked up. Most of them had finished lyrics to accompany them. Namjoon scoffed. While they weren’t absolutely unsalvageable, a lot of them lacked a certain poetry Namjoon liked in the music he was both listening to and composing.
The fact he immediately felt inspired enough by the melody to pen his own version of the lyrics will stay unmentioned for all eternity.
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The eldest two members of the BTS group were caring and sweet and liked to invite Namjoon for a night out whenever they all happened to stay in Seoul. Hoseok really liked the dance club scene, dragging Jin and Namjoon there every time they got together.
Namjoon hadn’t really been into that since he left the underground at eighteen and tried his luck as a trainee in BigHit (and ending up as one of their main composers), but he was usually outvoted by his two companions. Jin wasn’t that much better of a dancer than Namjoon (or at least he wasn’t when Namjoon decided to stop being a trainee and started producing – after all, Jin had plenty of practice while Namjoon stayed fit thanks to extensive use of Pilates and as little dancing as possible), but liked how his boyfriend spoiled him during the dinner before said club and then ended up sitting by the bar with a brightly-coloured cocktail and admiring Hoseok’s physique, so he didn’t consider the time in the clubs as wasted.
Namjoon on the other hand couldn’t dance to save his life, usually ended up injured while attempting it and more often than not had fallen out of the high bar chairs while trying to converse with Jin. Also, Suga’s tracks were often used by a lot of the DJs, which has served as a salt to rub in the wounds of his already injured pride.
Knowing all this, it wasn’t surprising he came dangerously close to whining, when he heard Hoseok starting to recount some really good reviews of a newly opened club quite close to the Han river.
“Come on, hyung. Can’t we at least once go to a nice bar and have a conversation without me embarrassing myself for the whole city to see?”
Hoseok was already opening his mouth to retort, when Jin affected a hurt expression so exaggerated, he could only be joking.
“I always talk with you at the clubs. Do you not like our conversations there? How can you hate your beloved hyung so much?” The fake affronted gasping and a hand over his heart to show the amount of pain he was in caused Hoseok to throw himself at his boyfriend to “comfort him”. Which meant wrapping his arms around the visual’s broad shoulders, laying kisses on his temple and maybe groping his thighs a few times. Namjoon rolled his eyes. And they were surprised he insisted on a private room whenever they went out for dinner.
“You always end up talking about how sexy Hoseok is on the dancefloor. While that statement is very much true, it seems to be a little tired by this point. Also, I can barely hear you, when we are there. Come on. Just a calm night out. One night, where I don’t end up sweating through my shirt. Just one. Please.”
The pair exchanged a significant look, that had Namjoon quickly go tense with worry. They were planning something, and that usually meant not good things for Namjoon.
“Ok, sure.” Jin smiled with something in his eyes and Namjoon gulped. “Let’s go to a bar.”
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Jin was a liar and a traitor, Namjoon decided around eleven. Where Hoseok the lightweight was already morosely staring of into space and mumbling something depressing after three shots, Namjoon and Jin had continued to drink the good stuff. Only for Namjoon to realise around midnight, that Jin didn’t seem to get drunker at all, Hoseok was sobering up already and Namjoon himself could feel the world tilting dangerously.
“Jin-hyung, you’re not drinking at all! S’not fair! I don wanna be the ‘ly one drunk.”
Hoseok giggled, which was the one sure sign he was mostly sober already. Jin chuckled and patted Namjoon’s shoulder.
“There, there. You wanted to go drinking, we’ve gone drinking. See, I’m such a good hyung!”
In his drunken state, Namjoon glared at a point somewhere behind Jin’s shoulder.
“So, my dear dongsaeng, slash producer-nim. Why don’t you want to work with Yoongi? He’s not the friendliest person, but he’s pretty cool.”
“Yeah, I like him. He likes Epik High.”
Namjoon send Hoseok a scathing look. “Everyone likes Epik High. It’s Epik High. God, I got into rapping because of Epik High in the first place.”
Jin perked up. “Yoongi said the same thing! He also started rapping because of them. See, you have that in common!”
“He’s also rude, prickly and snobby. He said my lyrics are wimpy. I hate him, no matter how attractive he is.”
Hoseok perked up next to him. “You think he’s attractive?”
“No!”
“Yes, you do.”
“No, I don’t. I just might sometimes acknowledge that his skin is really nice, his eyes have a really nice shape, his long fingers are nice and his smile is adorable.”
“And you wish he smiled at you.”
Namjoon slumped. “Ok, yes, sometimes. But that doesn’t change how rude and discourteous he is.”
“Jimin was right, the drunker you get, the more pretentious you speak.”
“Shut up. I can’t help it.” Namjoon was full on pouting now and didn’t even feel that bad about it.
“But really, would it really be that bad to work with him? I swear he’s not that bad once you get to know him. He’s been even helping me with my raps and everything.”
Namjoon frowned, suddenly feeling hurt. “I thought you didn’t want help with them, because you were too busy.”
Jin sighed and Hoseok frowned. “I never said that. Also, you’ve been helping Jungkook a lot, so I didn’t want to bother you too much."
Namjoon huffed and crossed his arms on his chest, feeling very offended. Jin and Hoseok exchanged another significant look.
“Ok, I think it’s about time to get you home.” The eldest got up and went to pay, while Hoseok started collecting their stuff. Namjoon sniffed a bit to swallow his bitter hurt, that he was pretty sure was mostly there because of his drunken state. He was going to regret this so much tomorrow.
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He was absolutely right. The headache was absolutely awful. He spent the whole day in bed, getting up only to get himself some water and painkillers and to let Rapmon out into the garden, and even that nearly killed him.
He only just managed to nod off, when the blaring sound of his nearly silent phone sent a spike of pain through his already hurting brain. He used to love that song. This is so not fair.
“Hey hyung!” Jimin’s voice in his ear was far too bright and happy for… three in the afternoon. “You already up? Can we come over? Me, Taetae and Kookie?”
Namjoon groaned. “Jiminiiieee…”
His voice must have made his stance very clear, and the phone call was very obviously on speaker, as the answer to his plight was a chorus of three laughs. Namjoon hated them so much in that moment.
He could vaguely hear Taehyung’s deep voice say something along the lines of him sounding “even worse than Yoongi-hyung”, but decided to ignore that. He’s the bigger man, after all. Also, very hungover. But mainly the first one.
“Yah, Joonie-hyung, how about you come in the evening to ours then, once you’re more fit?”
“Yeah, hyung, I need your help with a rapping part. Please, hyungie?” He could just imagine Jungkook doing that pout, that made him look like an overgrown baby. He sighed. He could never say no to those brats. Lucky he didn’t end up in the group with them, they would have him totally wrapped around their stubby little fingers.
“Yeah, sure. Just give me a few hours to get myself together. Lord knows you don’t want me to come over immediately.”
Somebody snickered loudly and the noise made Namjoon’s head throb.
“Sure, hyung. Whenever you’re ready.”
And the phone went silent. For some reason, that felt foreboding.
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Namjoon got to the BTS dorm about three hours later. The complex was relatively new and the boys moved there only recently, so Namjoon stopped just behind the front gate to admire the finished building. It looked upscale and nice. Of course, if you asked any of the members, the main plus each of them would cite, is the luxury of each having their own room AND even a guest room and a game room (much to Jungkook’s and Taehyung’s delight). But Namjoon decided, it would be a good place to live regardless. Maybe he could look into something similar for himself. Now that he has. You know. Actual money for rent.
The climb into the seventh floor finally sobered him up and he was able to ring the bell on the door with a slight smile on his face.
From then on, chaos ensued. He was immediately grabbed by five sets of hands (he would have sworn there were more than that though), almost carried through the corridor and shoved into the guest room. The echoing sound of a lock came from the door. Namjoon gulped.
The room was dark and so Namjoon found the light switch by touch and flipped it on.
A figure on the bed groaned, flipped to the other side and covered his purple hair. Namjoon blinked.
“Yoongi? What are you doing here?”
The figure groaned again and a pale face peaked out from underneath the duvet, squinting in the light. “What does it look like I’m doing. Are you blind now as well as deaf?” And he promptly covered himself up again.
Namjoon pursed his lips in annoyance. Of course, this happened. He loved the members of BTS like his own very crazy family, but they got meddly. He sat down on the chair as far away from the bed as possible and took out his phone to catch up on social media. Not much more he could do, until the members either decided to let them out, or him and Yoongi died of thirst. Or one of them killed the other. Whichever came first, really.
An hour passed like that in total tense silence, before Yoongi turned around on the bed again and glared at him from beneath the pillow. Only his eyes and nose were peaking out, along with several strands of violet hair, and if it was anybody else, Namjoon would coo at his adorableness. The murder in Yoongi’s eyes stopped him though.
“You going to just sit there?”
Namjoon blinked at him. “Shouldn’t I?”
The smaller producer sat up abruptly. “No! Your breathing is too loud! Your presence is stopping me from sleeping! Do something about it!”
Namjoon rolled his eyes. He was too hungover for this. The pain medication he took before leaving home was slowly stopping to work and he didn’t sleep nearly enough. He got up and demonstratively tried the door. Locked. As he expected. He sent a significant look Yoongi’s way and returned to his seat.
Yoongi huffed. “Then at least sit differently, or something. I can’t concentrate like this at all.”
Namjoon frowned. “How differently? This is the most comfortable position.”
The other man ran his (long) fingers through his hair in frustration. “Your thighs are bulging like this, ok? I can’t sleep with those muscles on display like that.”
Namjoon blinked confusedly and then blushed. “Wha- What do you mean?”
“Gah! I like your thighs, but I want to sleep more! Cover them with a blanket, or something!”
“Why would I cover them, it’s your problem! You’re not even looking at me!”
“But I know they’re there, uncovered and in those shorts! I know they’re there, and I can’t sleep because of that!”
“One, then a blanket won’t help, and two, it’s six o’clock in the evening! How can you still sleep?”
Yoongi glared at him balefully from beneath the blanket. Namjoon just about caught himself before sighing. That man was unfairly cute.
“Jimin has an unfair alcohol tolerance, and Jungkook kept passing me shots with those pleading eyes. I couldn’t just say no…” The last part was mumbled bashfully. Yoongi’s pale face was stained with an obvious pink.
Namjoon chuckled. “Yeah, I had the same treatment from Jin and Hobi yesterday.” He rubbed his eyes. “Not only is Jin-hyung very good at handling his alcohol, Hobi-hyung sobers up very quickly.”
“Oh, please.” Yoongi scoffed. “Hobi maybe, but I bet you actual money Jin-hyung didn’t drink a single shot during the evening. You would notice, he gets loud. And I do mean loud.”
“Yeah, well, if you were so stupid, as to try to keep up with Jimin, when he has Taehyung there to help him hide the shots, you deserve the hangover.”
Yoongi squinted suspiciously. “What do you mean, help Jimin hide the shots. I saw him down every single one.”
It was Namjoon’s turn to scoff. “I’m sure you did.”
Yoongi sat up once again and glared fiercely. “You know, if you weren’t so damn snobby and annoying, I would even call you attractive. Especially when you make that face. Stop it.”
“Oh, I’m snobby and annoying. Sure. Remind me again, who it was who refused to say one word to me the whole day we were editing War of Hormones again? Huh? And called me a stuck-up know-it-all the moment I left the room, despite me only trying to help? You of all people-“
“Yeah, because the moment you entered the room, you were prattling on about the different great raps you’ve written, that will show everyone how to use the language right! That’s definitely the first thing I want to hear from a new collaborator, about how his raps are so much better than anyone, just because you nosed after a few people in the underground when you were fifteen.”
“I wasn’t talking about myself! I returned from Eminem’s concert the day before! What the fuck, man?”
Yoongi stopped and blinked. “What?”
Namjoon groaned. “Please, tell me we haven’t been fighting all this time because of a stupid misunderstanding. We’re fucking adults we should be above this shit.”
Yoongi blinked. “Ummm… It seems like it.”
“Great. Perfect.” Namjoon huffed, crossed his arms on his chest and then uncrossed them again. “Damn it. Then it means I can tell you, that your mixtape rocks. I listen to it, when I’m angry, it’s awesome.”
Yoongi crawled to the edge of the bed and sat there, with his feet almost dangling above the ground. “I like your mixtapes too. Especially Mono. Also, Ddaeng is a work of art.”
Namjoon grinned. “Thank you.”
Both of them turned their heads, when they heard a scuffle behind the door and hushed voices silently arguing about something. Then came an unmistakable sound of a key rattling in the lock.
“Kids.” Sighed Yoongi with a fond expression. Namjoon grinned.
“Wanna make out to freak them out?”
Yoongi licked his lips. “Hell yes.”
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Bang PD smiled pleasantly, as the members of his group entered the conference room and took their places around the table.
“Boys, very. Well. Done. I just got the songs a few hours ago, and let me tell you, if they are as successful as I think they will be, you won’t have to worry about money ever again. The title tracks alone are stellar.”
The five guys whooped and a round of high-fives was exchanged. Bang continued smiling indulgently. “As we discussed, since you were able to keep up your end of the bargain, you will get a week off in the next two months in the time of your choosing. It has to be taken before the promotion for the comeback begin, but otherwise we require only a two days’ notice. Also, yes, each of you may choose a variety show you want to participate in, but I must warn you, that is not only up to me. You will have to wait if the schedules work out for that.”
Another whooping round came from the table.
Bang hummed and turned to Hoseok. “Now. I must say, I am very curious. How did you manage to make them collaborate? I was fairly sure it was hopeless, when they both cancelled our meeting yesterday.”
The leader blinked at him innocently and then gave him his trademark heart-shaped smile. “We got them drunk and then locked them in the room until they started making out.”
Bang blinked and then hummed. “I see. Yes. Perhaps that was too much information. Well. Your solos are ready, go rehearse. Or something.”
As the group of five left the room with the suddenly very disturbed looking PD inside, Jimin elbowed Taehyung in his arm. “Should we tell him they didn’t come to the meeting, because they haven’t left Namjoon-hyung’s place for the last four days?”
Taehyung made a weird choking noise. “Of course not. They were talking about making actual cyphers with Hobi-hyung, and I don’t care what they do in the meantime, I want those more than anything.”
Jimin sighed and giggled. “Right.”