Work Text:
Jeongguk is half-asleep on his couch, Yeontan curled up on his back, when he gets the call. His phone vibrates against the glass of the coffee table, an annoying buzzing ripping him from the edges of a pleasant sleep (and a pretty good dream, if he's telling the truth). Groaning, he gropes around blindly for his phone, his fingers buzzing as soon as they graze the device. He has half a mind to chuck it across the room and let sleep take him again, especially because he hasn't had a day off in almost two months, but he accepts the call instead.
"It's up, it's up!" Hoseok practically screams on the other end of the line. And normally Jeongguk would've grumbled -- he's too tired for this shit, can't you see he's in the middle of a very productive nap -- and maybe hung up the phone, but instead he rockets off the couch and over toward his computer.
It takes every ounce of energy not to jam the power button multiple times, especially as it takes its sweet time waking up. "C'mon, cmon," Jeongguk mutters as Hoseok keeps screaming incomprehensibly into his ear.
When Jeongguk's email client opens, his heart freezes in his chest.
There, the first email in his inbox: MELODY MUSIC AWARDS 2019 NOMINEES.
"Holy shit, holy shit," Jeongguk mumbles, his fingers tapping excitedly at his keyboard as his heart rams up against his throat.
"Hold on, I'm gonna add Yoongi and Namjoon to the call," Hoseok says, and within seconds the rest of the band is on the line.
All four of them are silent, each likely as anxious as Jeongguk is.
He's afraid to open the email, his palms sweating and his heart racing as he reads the subject line over and over again.
"Okay, are you ready?" Namjoon asks.
Not really, Jeongguk thinks.
"Hell yeah," he says instead.
And with their collective breaths held, they open the email.
Jeongguk can barely contain his excitement -- and his fear, if we're being honest -- as his eyes scan through the email. The words become a meaningless blur as he absorbs them, eyes frantically searching out BTS in the mess of awards and nominees.
"Holy shit, Best Music Video," Yoongi mumbles.
"Best Rock Song, Best Hip Hop Song, Best Rock Album," Namjoon reads off, the excitement palpable in his voice.
Jeongguk can barely contain his own grin as he wipes his hands off on his sweat pants.
Behind him, Yeontan is getting comfortable on the couch again, irritation at being so rudely shoved off the most comfortable bed in the world (Jeongguk's back) forgotten.
And then Jeongguk scrolls down and sees it:
Album of the Year (BTS)
Song of the Year (BTS)
Artist of the Year (BTS)
"Artist of the year," Jeongguk whispers out, and it takes him a second to realize they all muttered it at the exact same time.
Jeongguk would laugh if he weren't so floored.
So bewildered.
So excited.
"Holy shit," Hoseok whispers, just loud enough to be audible.
And then the line goes silent. Dead silent. Enough to hear a pin drop (or Yeontan snore); enough for Jeongguk to think they've all collectively fainted.
"Holy shit!" Hoseok shouts again, and all four of them are laughing and cheering. And maybe crying a little bit, not that Jeongguk is prepared to admit that over the phone.
He's pretty sure they're gonna see him cry a lot in the next few months. Probably during practice but definitely during awards season.
(Especially if the win.)
(He hopes they win.)
"Okay, drinks tonight, the usual place," Namjoon says once they've finally calmed down.
Or calmed down as much as they can, given the news.
When they all agree to the night's celebratory plans, Jeongguk hangs up the phone and dances around the living room. His face is stretched into a wide grin, his heart beating hard enough against his chest to break through his rib cage.
On the couch, Yeontan keeps sleeping, undisturbed by Jeongguk's cheering, screaming, and crying. Unbothered by the celebratory dance he's currently doing on the coffee table.
---
Jeongguk's in the kitchen cooking dinner when the front door to the apartment opens up and Taehyung comes in.
"I'm home," Taehyung calls over the sound of Yeontan's excited barking and panting as he circle's Taehyung's legs at the speed of light.
Setting his cooking chopsticks down on the counter, Jeongguk practically sprints into the foyer so he can scoop his boyfriend up in his arms and kiss every inch of his face that he can.
Taehyung's laughing, his smile splitting his cheeks as he wraps his arms and legs around Jeongguk and squeezes him close. "I missed you too," Taehyung says between laughs and kiss after kiss after kiss.
But Jeongguk doens't stop, grinning and laughing as he eases Taehyung against the front door (careful of the stupidly expensive violin still hanging off his back) and slots their lips together.
Taehyung's still laughing as he kisses Jeongguk back, legs and arms wrapped tightly around him. And Jeongguk feels like his heart is going to explode in his chest at how happy he is; about how much he loves Taehyung.
"I take it you're happy about the nominations?" Taehyung teases when they finally part for air, his voice dropping to a whisper as he cards his fingers through Jeongguk's hair.
"Artist of the Year," Jeongguk whispers against Taehyung's lips.
Taehyung pulls back from the kiss, his eyes wide, his lips parted in shock and admiration.
"Oh my god, Gukkie," he whispers, before the kissing resumes, each one made even sweeter by laughter and unadulterated happiness.
Jeongguk is so happy their band has made it this far; that they've accomplished so much.
But he's even happier that he can share this moment -- this victory, regardless of the end result -- with Taehyung.
But they longer they kiss, the longer Jeongguk knows what he has to do.
Setting Taehyung back down on the ground, Jeongguk wets his lips and presses a final kiss on the corner of Taehyung's lips before letting him finally toe off his shoes and pet Yeontan and set his violin somewhere safe.
"So," Taehyung starts, looking over at Jeongguk with a mysterious smile as he heads further into the apartment.
"So," Jeongguk repeats, following Taehyung into the kitchen, where dinner is almost finished over the stove.
Laughing, Taehyung takes Jeongguk's hands before pulling him in close. "What are we betting on this time?" he asks, his eyes twinkling mischievously; his lips quirking up an in excited smile.
And there it is, the moment Jeongguk's been waiting for since he got off the phone with his band mates -- since he first read their name under the header ARTIST OF THE YEAR.
His heart is pounding rapidly against his chest, squeezing uncomfortably and happily and a little nervously.
Jeongguk takes a deep breath, wets his lips, and smiles.
"If we win Artist of the Year," Jeongguk starts, his fingers lacing with Taehyung's, "we get married."
Taehyung's eyes widen, his hands squeezing Jeongguk's. And for a split second, Jeongguk is worried that he might have gone too far.
They've been betting on BTS' victories for years, using it as way to celebrate the band's achievements while advancing their relationship.
But marriage isn't the same as going on a first date or getting a job.
It's forever.
(A forever Jeongguk would kill to spend with Taehyung.)
But rather than pull away -- rather than laugh Jeongguk's but off -- Taehyung's lips split into the widest smile Jeongguk's ever seen and he feels himself immediately relax.
"Okay," Taehyung says with a laugh. "Let's get married."
---
Taehyung and Jeongguk met on a cloudy day in early January.
BTS was barely just getting started, a little more than an idea cooked up in an apartment living room and a little less than getting any kind of regular gig. But it was all the four of them -- Namjoon, Yoongi, Hoseok, and Jeongguk -- worked on and thought about, between part-time jobs and school and real-life worries.
They spent every waking hour -- every free minute -- holed up in their cramped apartment writing music and recording tracks and practicing.
Because they were determined to succeed. To make their dreams a reality.
They sold their first album on the streets and at the night clubs where they were "lucky" to play.
And when they weren't writing or practicing or earning money to pay the rent, they were busking. For the practice and the chance to gain new fans and, let's be real, money to afford food.
That day, Jeongguk was playing at their usual street corner alone, a guitar on his lap as he sang covers of his favorite songs. He was crooning into the mic, his eyes closed as his body swayed with the music and his fingers strummed at the strings of his old, worn guitar.
And he was having fun.
He always had fun when he sang.
He still remembers the moment he opened his eyes and saw Taehyung for the first time. How Taehyung was standing there, entranced, his lips parted and eyes wide.
He remembers the worn violin case hanging off Taehyung's shoulder; how Taehyung's eyes were boring into Jeongguk's with an intensity that took his breath away.
Jeongguk had to close his eyes again, just to keep himself from blushing or choking around the next notes of the song.
(But part of him was afraid that, the moment he opened his eyes again, Taehyung would be gone.)
When the song ended, the crowd cleared, a few leaving money in Jeongguk's guitar case or purchasing one of the CDs he had on hand. He interacted with each and every one of them, from simple thanks or full-on conversations about the band and the kind of music they played.
Long after everyone left, Taehyung was still there, his hand gripping the strap of his violin case like a lifeline.
"You have a really beautiful voice," Taehyung said after dropping a handful of bills into Jeongguk's case.
Jeongguk blushed. "Thanks," he said, wetting his lips and gripping his guitar nervously. "Do you play violin?"
Taehyung looked over at his violin before smiling. "Oh, yeah," he said. "I'm attending the national conservatory."
That fancy-ass music school that Jeongguk could've never gotten into with his electric guitar and rock vocals? Impressive.
Jeongguk voiced as much and Taehyung laughed.
"I'm Kim Taehyung."
"Jeon Jeongguk."
Taehyung bought an album and slipped it into his violin case. And when he asked Jeongguk what his busking schedule was, Jeongguk told him, hoping Taehyung meant it when he said he was planning on coming back to listen to perform again.
When they parted ways, Jeongguk regretted not asking Taehyung for his phone number.
The next week, Taehyung came as promised. And after the crowd dissipated, the two of them played together, the acoustic of Jeongguk's guitar meshing so beautifully with the deep vibration of Taehyung's violin.
That time, Jeongguk left with the promise of another jam session, as well as a phone number.
---
The Melody Music Awards come faster than Jeongguk would like.
Between working on their next album and practicing for all of their performances, it feels like they barely have enough time to think about the award show, let alone worry about winning.
Somehow, they make it happen.
(Though it takes an entire team of makeup artists to hide the bags under their eyes and the exhaustion wrought in their features.)
They're crammed into the back of their record label's nicest SUV as they drive toward the venue. Excitement and anxiety are high as Namjoon walks them through the program, prepping their interview questions and acceptance speeches.
Taehyung is seated next to Jeongguk, dressed to kill in a suit sharp enough to cut someone. Their fingers are laced together, Taehyung squeezing Jeongguk's hand reassuringly every few minutes.
In the last five years they've been together, Taehyung has attended almost all of Jeongguk's concerts, performances, and awards shows. And Jeongguk has done the same for him. They've watched each other win awards, perform in front of presidents and world leaders, speak at the UN, speak on TV, tour the world. They've been at each other's sides through the lowest lows of their individual careers as well as the highest highs.
But this is the first time they'll be on the red carpet together.
They've been dating for five years, give or take a few weeks. But no one aside from their close friends know.
At first it was a matter of privacy; that they didn't want to deal with the paparazzi and the constant invasion of privacy. That they were still figuring out who they were as a couple without having the rest of the world watching them too.
But, over time, their relationship status has been wrapped up in political movements and fear of retaliation. "The world isn't ready for a gay rockstar," one of Jeongguk's first managers told him, years ago after they'd first gotten signed; after Jeongguk was first thinking about coming out.
Jeongguk thinks that's a load of shit. And, this year, he's tired of hiding.
He wants the entire world to know he's dating Kim Taehyung, classical prodigy and world-famous violinist. Accomplished composer and amazing musician and perfect boyfriend.
(And he knows Taehyung feels the same way about him.)
So when they step out of the car and onto the red carpet -- when they stand side-by-side and smile at the cameras -- Jeongguk feels like a weight's been lifted off his shoulders.
Like he can take on the world.
Like Artist of the Year is nothing compared to being with the man standing next to him.
(To the real possibility of marrying him.)
The smile he wears is so wide and genuine; so blissfully and incandescently happy. And if the press notice -- if they keep asking why Kim Taehyung, the "second coming of Beethoven" is at a modern music award show -- then whatever.
Let them notice.
---
The first time Jeongguk saw Taehyung perform was at his music conservatory's year-end performance.
A week before Kim Taehyung was set to graduate and enter the world of music outside of his conservatory's walls.
Anyone else might have been nervous, but Taehyung was excited to leave school; to join a real orchestra. And he had offers upon offers upon offers from orchestras all over the world.
Taehyung chose the Seoul Philharmonic.
(Jeongguk knew it was selfish, but he felt relieved that Taehyung wasn't planning on leaving the country anytime soon. Even though he knew it was probably better for his career.)
Jeongguk had heard Taehyung play plenty of times: in the school practice rooms (where Taehyung snuck Jeongguk in after most of the students had gone home for the day), at his usual corner while he was busking, in BTS' living room. And he knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that Taehyung was not only an amazing musician, but that he was one of the best.
But he'd never heard Taehyung play with an orchestra.
Never knew what he sounded like sitting in first chair, his violin poised on his shoulder, the rest of the orchestra behind him.
To say it blew Jeongguk away would be an understatement.
Jeongguk never had anything against classical music -- in fact, he listened to it every so often (kind of) -- but he preferred rock and pop and hip hop; preferred the heavy beats and pop melodies to the emotional swell of an orchestra or the classics like Mozart and Beethoven.
Kim Taehyung gave him a new appreciation for what a full orchestra could do. How it made goosebumps raise on his arms; how it made his heart stutter with the raw emotion he could feel without the power of lyrics.
In that moment, Jeongguk knew that Taehyung was going to go far in his career.
That he was going to make it to the top. If not higher.
And that he was definitely, positively, without a doubt in love.
Jeongguk and Taehyung had only known each other for a few months. Just long enough to get to know each other. To establish a friendship. To form a crush.
But seeing Taehyung in his element -- confident and beautiful and poised -- made those feelings multiply times infinity. To the point where Jeongguk knew that he'd probably never again feel this way about another person.
Not that he wanted to.
After the concert, Jeongguk gave Taehyung the biggest bouquet he could afford (a pretty small one, unfortunately) and congratulated him. And Namjoon, Yoongi, and Hoseok gushed with Taehyung and his friends (Seokjin and Jimin, who played piano and flute respectively).
The seven of them went out for BBQ that night and Jeongguk felt warm and happy and right where he needed to be.
A month later, after Taehyung graduated and started playing with the Seoul Philharmonic, BTS booked a gig at a local concert venue. It was going to be a small concert but it was a concert. Not a gig at a bar, not them eking out a spot on the streets so they could play to passerby's and shoppers and commuters.
A real concert.
When Jeongguk invited Taehyung to come see them perform, Taehyung didn't even hesitate before answering yes.
The concert was amazing and raw and everything the four of them could've ever wanted.
And the hug Jeongguk got from Taehyung after it was over was even better.
---
"So, do you anticipate taking home the grand prize tonight?" the interviewer asks, his smile every bit as fake and annoying as ever. "Artist of the Year is a huge achievement, of course. Especially for such a small band."
Jeongguk swallows a snort. Small band? They've worked so hard to get where they are right now. Just because they don't have the monetary backing of a large label doesn't mean they're any less good at what they do.
But he doesn't say that. (As much as he wants to.)
"Does anyone?" Namjoon answers into the microphone, his laugh quiet and reserved. But Jeongguk can read between the lines: what kind of question is this? Ask us about our music. "Every single artist who's up for the grand prize deserves it. We'll be happy regardless of who wins. And, honestly, we're just so happy to be nominated."
Well said.
The other interviewer clears her throat and smiles. "So, after tonight, what's next for BTS?"
"Sleep," Yoongi says to the laughter of everyone around them, the band included.
Namjoon laughs too. "We're already working on our next album," he says. "We're excited to show the world what we've been working on."
Just when they think they're in the clear -- when they hope the interview's about to wrap up so they can move on to the next band, one of the interviewers speaks up.
"So what's Kim Taehyung doing here with one of the world's most popular rock bands?" he asks.
Jeongguk laughs, wetting his lips nervously, before taking the microphone from Namjoon. "I guess you'll just have to wait and see," he says, before waving at Taehyung who's standing off camera and smiling proudly.
When the interview wraps up, Jeongguk rushes to Taehyung's side so he can slip his arm under his. And if a few photographers notice and snap a photo, he doesn't care. Not when Taehyung is warm and supportive and so gorgeous at his side.
Jeongguk wants to kiss Taehyung in front of the whole world. But he doesn't.
Instead, they take their seat and hold hands where no one can see them.
When BTS takes home Music Video of the Year, Jeongguk hugs Taehyung tight once they return to their seats, the trophy heavy in their hands.
The cameras flash around them, but Jeongguk doesn't care.
Especially when Kim Taehyung, the love of his life, is at his side.
---
Jeongguk remembers the day they checked the Melody Music Award nominees only to see that BTS was listed for the very first time.
Best New Artist.
Hoseok spent three hours screaming into his pillow while Yoongi stared blankly at their living room wall. Namjoon went live to thank their fans for all of their support and talk about the production of their newest album.
Jeongguk cried. Not that he'd admit that out loud.
Jeongguk remembers that they had a lot on their plate that night -- mixing songs and recording music and meetings with their record label -- but it was all a wash. Because they couldn't keep the smiles from their faces; couldn't stop the vibrations of their hearts and the buzzing in their ears and the euphoric happiness.
They live-streamed with their fans for three hours that night, switching between excited screaming and genuine discussion.
They tweeted about a thousand times each, thanking their fans and posting selcas.
That night, Jeongguk and Taehyung met up for dinner after Taehyung finished up with practice. Sitting across from each other at their favorite BBQ place, Taehyung reached across the table to grab Jeongguk's hand and lace their fingers together.
Jeongguk's heart stopped when Taehyung squeezed his hand.
"Best New Artist," Taehyung said with a grin. "That's amazing!"
Jeongguk wetted his lips and squeezed Taehyung's hand shyly. Inside his chest, his heart was beating fast enough to pump fuel up into a jet. "I know. I still can't believe it."
"I can. You guys are amazing," Taehyung said, his smile soft and excited and warm.
They resumed eating, though Jeongguk's stomach was tight with excitement and anticipation and it got increasingly harder to swallow mouthfuls of meat and rice.
He'd been thinking a lot lately. About him and Taehyung. About how they'd been flirting for so long -- dancing around each other.
About how in love with Taehyung he was.
About how much he wanted to finally take their relationship to the next level.
But he was nervous. Nervous it would ruin what they had (which was amazing).
Nervous that Taehyung would say no.
"So, I was thinking--" Jeongguk started, his fingers tugging at the napkin on the table.
Taehyung tilted his head to the side, his eyes wide and curious. "Yeah?"
Jeongguk took a deep breath before exhaling slowly.
Be cool.
Just ask.
"If we win -- if we win Best New Artist, let's go on a date," Jeongguk said.
And when Taehyung's eyes widened and his lips parted in shock, Jeongguk's heart stopped in his chest.
"What?"
Jeongguk felt his nerves start to crumble a little bit, but he pushed forward anyway.
"If we win, you and I go on a date. Together."
Taehyung was silent for a while, his eyes on Jeongguk as he fiddled with his chopsticks.
Between them, the meat they had added to the grill was starting to burn.
"Okay," Taehyung said, his lips finally starting to pull into a grin.
And Jeongguk wasn't sure if he was hallucinating or if he'd heard incorrectly.
"Yeah?" Jeongguk asked, smiling back.
"Yeah," Taehyung said, his grin splitting his face in half as he reached over to take Jeongguk's hand in his again.
"Jeon Jeongguk, you better win."
Of course, they won. Best New Artist: BTS.
The following weekend, Jeongguk and Taehyung went on their first date. They laughed and smiled and held hands the entire night.
And when they got back to Taehyung's apartment, they shared their first kiss too.
The first of many to come.
---
Jeongguk is more nervous about the last few awards than he was of their performance. In fact, the performance (and Taehyung holding his hand) is one of the few things keeping him from panicking through that entire evening.
When BTS gets up on stage, it's to the screams of thousands of fans sitting in the audience.
Jeongguk remembers a time when their award performances like this came with very little fanfare; when they had to practically beg people to come to their concerts.
Now they're selling out stadiums and touring the world.
Sometimes, Jeongguk can't believe his life; can't believe that four boys who had formed a band in in the living room of a cramped one bedroom apartment were performing for hundreds of thousands of people.
It's a dream come true.
Jeongguk sings into the microphone as his fingers strum against his guitar; as Namjoom's lead guitar shreds through the music and Hoseok's bass thrums around them and Yoongi's drums keep the beat. And as Jeongguk's voice carries through the entire venue, as he jumps to the beat of the drums and grins into the microphone and struts in front of the audience, he feels his next dream weighing heavily in his pocket.
He hopes more than anything that they win Artist of the Year.
Not just because they've worked hard for it.
Not just because Namjoon and Yoongi and Hoseok deserve it.
Not just because it would be another dream come true.
But because he can't wait to marry Kim Taehyung.
He can't wait to spend the rest of their lives together.
And when he grins and laughs into the microphone, his heart buoyant in his chest, it's partially because he always has so much fun on stage. But also because he's thinking about Kim Taehyung.
About everything they've been through; about everything they'll experience together.
And as he looks out into the audience, he sees Taehyung sitting there, smiling and laughing and singing along and dancing.
And he thinks he couldn't possibly be any more in love than he is right now.
(But he knows that he'll love Taehyung more and more every day until the end of time.)
---
Taehyung and Jeongguk's relationship began on a bet. So it only made sense that it would continue on them as well.
Every year, they made a point of turning awards season into bet after bet after bet.
If we win Music Video of the Year, let's move in together.
If we win Best Rock Song, let's get a dog.
If we win, Song of the Year, let's take our first vacation together. Somewhere far away where we can make out all we want.
Sometimes they won.
Other times they didn't.
Jeongguk thinks it might be a little bit ridiculous that he repurposes their victories and achievements as a way to move forward in his relationship with Taehyung -- especially when they're fully capable of moving forward on their own -- but there's something exciting about celebrating one victory with another.
Jeongguk works hard at what he does.
But he works even harder when his relationship with Taehyung is on the line.
Taehyung inspires him. Makes him want to be a better musician, a better boyfriend, a better person.
Taehyung brings out the best in him. Jeongguk loves who he is with Taehyung -- fearless and outgoing and confident.
So he'll take advantage of that as long as he can.
---
The venue is dead silent as the hosts hold the envelope in their hands.
Artist of the Year.
The last award of the night. The biggest award of the evening.
BTS didn't take home Song or Album of the year. And with every loss, Jeongguk feels his confidence waver; begins to worry about what's going to happen at the end of the night.
But Taehyung just squeezes his hand through the entire night, their fingers laced together. And it's comforting and everything Jeongguk needs right now.
In his other hand, he's holding Hoseok's hand. They're all holding each other, trying to remain calm and look completely unaffected in the face of the cameras and the fans and the viewers at home.
But they're all collectively holding their breaths, unblinking as they watch the envelope open, the card removed, the hosts smile.
"And this year's Melody Music Award for Artist of the Year goes to..."
The entire stadium inhales.
"BTS!"
The sound of applause and cheese is deafening. Jeongguk can't even hear his own heart beat over the sounds of screaming from the fans -- from the rest of the band.
His mouth drops open, his eyes immediately watering as he squeezes Taehyung's hand tight in his own.
Next to him, Hoseok is screaming and Namjoon is standing and Yoongi is smiling.
Jeongguk must be dreaming.
This can't be real.
Through the deafening roar of the crowd, Jeongguk hears Taehyung's voice. "Go up there!" he says, pulling Jeongguk up to his feet.
Before they can make it to the stage, Jeongguk finds himself wrapped up in the tightest hug with Hoseok and Namjoon and Yoongi. His heart feels like it's going to beat out of his chest as tears slip down his cheeks, which are sore from the intensity of his smile.
They won.
They really won.
It's Namjoon who pulls himself together enough to usher the four of them up to the stage. And Jeongguk feels like he's walking on clouds as he follows after them, dabbing at his eyes with his sleeves as tears slip down his cheeks and into the collar of his suit.
He knows his nose is red. He probably looks like a mess.
But he doesn't care.
Not when his heart has never been so full. So happy.
Hoseok takes the award from the host and holds it up in the air with a triumphant cry. In the audience, their fans scream louder.
Namjoon laughs as he takes the mic, reaching up to wipe tears from his own eyes. "Thank you so much," he says, gripping the microphone with both hands to hide the way he's shaking. "First and foremost, we can't thank our fans enough for the continuous years of support.
"You've stuck by our sides through everything. And everything we do is for you. Thank you so much for listening to us, for supporting us, and for believing us. We would've never gotten this far without you."
Jeongguk lets out a choked sob in between his ecstatic laughter. Next to him, Yoongi is biting his lips to keep from crying.
Jeongguk takes his hand and squeezes it tight.
When he looks out into the audience, he sees Taehyung smiling and his heart squeezes in his chest.
"We'd also like to thank our record label, our managers, our producers for every hour and minute spent working with us. You've helped make our dreams possible. We couldn't have done this without you either."
Namjoon inhales a shuddering breath and laughs into the microphone.
"Everyone who's ever wanted to be an artist -- who has made any kind of art -- has wanted to change the world in one way or another. We're no different. But through this journey, we've seen that changing the world, touching those around you, is a dream within reach. And a dream that we as an industry and as a world can aspire to."
Behind Namjoon, Hoseok is still holding up the trophy, his grin wider than Jeongguk's ever seen it.
"Thank you for loving us. And thank you for helping us love ourselves."
The crowd erupts in screams. The other artists are smiling and clapping too.
"Thank you everyone!" Hoseok shouts into the microphone.
"Please continue to support us as we begin work on our new album," Yoongi adds.
Wetting his lips, Jeongguk finally reaches for the microphone. Holding it with shaking hands, he takes a deep breath before reaching up to wipe the last of his tears from his eyes and cheeks. "Thank you so much everyone," he says. His voice sounds watery and distant, different under the aria of screams and cheers. "We love you!"
The screams get even louder.
Jeongguk grins, seeking out Taehyung in the audience. When their eyes connect, his heart jumps up to pound against his throat.
"Also, I'm getting married!" he says, reaching into his pocket to hold out the ring that's been weighing heavy there all night (that's been sitting in their sock drawer for the better part of a year). "Kim Taehyung, I love you."
And Taehyung laughs and smiles so hard that Jeongguk can feel its warmth from there.
When they get back to their seats, the rest of the artists present are standing. Music pumps through the speakers as confetti falls from the ceiling like a rain shower.
Jeongguk breaks from the band to run the rest of the distance. And when he gets back to Taehyung, he can see how red his eyes and nose are, how wide his smile is, how happy he looks.
He's glowing brighter than any award ever could.
Pulling the ring out, Jeongguk drops down to one knee and opens the box, the silver ring sparkling in the stadium lights.
"Kim Taehyung," Jeongguk says, his grin wide and his voice wavering, "will you marry me?"
Taehyung starts nodding immediately, sobs escaping his lips. But he's smiling, so happy. "Yes, yes, yes," he says, dropping down to hold Jeongguk tight in his arms.
Jeongguk squeezes him back, ignoring the tears slipping down his cheeks to press kisses to Taehyung's cheeks.
Around him, their fans scream and cry; their friends laugh and cheer.
As Jeongguk slips the ring on Taehyung's finger -- as their friends hug and kiss them; as the crowd cheers and as cameras flash -- Taehyung pulls Jeongguk in to press a soft kiss on his lips.
Jeongguk savors it, just like he does all of Taehyung's kisses. But he's positive this one will be burned into his memories forever.
"You did it," Taehyung whispers, just loud enough for Jeongguk and only Jeongguk to hear.
"Yeah," Jeongguk says, so incredibly dazed and happy.
This whole evening has been unreal.
"But even if you hadn't won," Taehyung starts, pressing his nose into Jeongguk's cheek, "I still would've said yes."
Inside his chest, Jeongguk's heart stirs and his throat feels tight. He could've sworn he was all cried out, but he feels tears prickle at his eyes again.
He loves Taehyung so much.
And he gets to love Taehyung for the rest of his life.
"I'm so proud of you, Gukkie," Taehyung says.
And when they kiss again -- to the flashing of cameras and noise of the crowds and laughter from their friends -- Jeongguk knows that this moment -- this life -- is perfect.
And that it'll only keep getting better.