Work Text:
PROLOUGE: IN THE MIND
Seokjin sat comfortably in his seat at the brightly illuminated mirror, hastily touching up his make up for the final scene he would star in.
Hoisting the tights up his legs that has slipped down ever so slightly. It was minor, but he could feel it under the his costume.
Tragedies and the macabre, he had decided - was the genre for him and it held characters that were so interesting to him. They're so expansive, it proved to him there was a constant challenge for his skills. He looked his reflection over, adjusting his puffy white shirt, the top three buttons undone. It showed his glistening with sweat chest, which he dabbed at gently with a tissue.
He didn't do up the buttons.
Patting on some powder, to fend off any future beads of sweat that he know will shine through.
The chorography was intense.
Projecting his voice, was intense. It gave him a thrill that he'd gotten from nothing else, but nonetheless.
-
He becomes quieter about it, not really talking bout it to them and discussing his interest in playing certain parts, anything really that would build his credibility and expand his acting portfolio.
He takes a leap and studies it in college, keeping the local theatre club part of his lifestyle. Seokjin had become so encompassed in himself and his own company, it now feels like a secret.
The happiness it brings him, is a secret.
There's no way around it, really. It's something he has to keep to himself.
And now, has been a long time.
He has no best friend, nor any type of significant other. He'd looked, he's pondered out loud to the universe if he'd find someone in the same field. A fellow creative to share this experience with.
In the same self doubting crisis he was going through. It must happen, right? To everyone?
He's seen it happen to others, so it must be, something tangible.
His good friends, Jimin and Taehyung have each other.
They are happy to tell everyone they meet that they're soulmates and are that couple who is one way or another in each others arms at all times.
Seokjin sometimes wondered if he had a soulmate.
Was it a person?
Was it acting? Was his passion for acting, his soulmate?
He finds himself doubting he's deserving of anyone caring for him, the way Jimin and Taehyung care about each other.
To him, they're the epitome of soulmates.
Partners.
A loved one.
All he had was the boards, a red curtain and stage lights. And at times he felt like they were losing faith in him.
He was only getting older, and if he was faltering now before he could even make it, could he even make it?
Make it big, having his name in lights?
People being vocally proud of his work?
Recognizing his efforts?
Part I: The Fascination
The tip of his sword was centimeters away from his opponents neck, and he heaved one final breath. Adrenaline shot through his body and his pulse was visible through the skin on his neck.
He'd had enough. He bared his teeth as he shouted; booming his words across the hall to his opponent, "You will unmask yourself!"
His hand did not quiver, and his opponent had accepted that he'd lost. Defeat was visible in both his face and his posture.
Until.
He slammed back, having Seokjin pivot and hop back three meters, having to deflect the desperate blows, not losing his focus.
To push back and relent.
He screamed at him, voice filling the hall. His hits were relentless, seemingly beating his opponent back. Narrowing the distance once again. And he tipped the end of his sword to his face, guiding to the man in front of him onto his knees.
Begging for his life.
His tone was harrowing.
"UNMASK YOURSELF-"
His opponent with a snap of the wrist uncoiling his mask, was instantly revealed. The heavy cover that had hidden his identity, landed onto the boards with a ringing.
Ringing.
All had recognized him, and were shocked to see it was his own brother.
It was at this betraying sight that had Seokjin's hand on the hilt of his sword almost quivered, but he persevered.
His face twisted from steel to hurt, outraged.
Confused. Angry.
Frustrated.
Conflicted, so heavily so.
"How could you, my own brother? My blood? It was you, who had plotted all along to have me dead?"
The brother lowered his head, before tipping it back, laughing maniacally, teeth on show as he jested.
A sinister flicker in his eyes; one that had never shone from his innocently doe eyed brother, illuminated him, his truth and it latched onto him, hooking him into place.
He remained where he knelt.
"Oh, but of course! I cannot have you secretly wed my lover, for I deserve her more than you, you're the exiled one! The one who shouldn't be breathing!"
His brother only really held disdain for him. His expression vicious, almost bearing teeth as he berated his brother.
He just lost someone who he'd considered his only friend.
It hurt his heart, and he didn't care to hide it, eyes forlorn and large with tears.
The audience gasped again, many clutching their pearls and raising hands to their mouths, the unravelling of his fiancé's affair coming to light.
All they could do was watch.
Orchestral music was at it's peak, the music rising.
He was emotional, shedding tears without moving an inch, keeping his eyes on his enemy. Still panting.
He shouted for the guards, who immediately separated the two.
And the lights dimmed, went out as the maroon curtain fell, the orchestra settling down to silence.
They left the audience stunned, applauding and whistling, crying out with joy and enthusiasm for the performance they just witnessed.
That they experienced.
But behind the curtain, the cast shared hugs, pats on the back and Seokjin dabbed the sweat from his brow, hastily checking in the mirror that all was right with his costume. And they all lined up as rehearsed, the curtains opening once again as they walked out to the stage in a row.
The crowd remained stood and before Seokjin took his bow, he looked for any familiar faces in the crowd.
He knew to not look for his parents, but it couldn't be helped.
'Just smile. Let it show.'
The catharsis that acting brought him was indescribable. It brought him so much happiness.
There was no one, cheering his name.
The lights were strong in his eyes, but it was too pure to be stinging. He looked to the back of the hall, adrenaline still flooding his body, from head to toe.
And there wasn't a single familiar face there either.
He hid the tears behind his eyes, lowering his head and smiling for the crowd. For those who had appreciated his acting.
His stage brother, could see his friends in the crowd, scrunching his nose at him as he always did.
Seokjin liked to watch this small exchange, as the friend in the busy audience would smile brightly back up to his co star, his mouth a lovely little heart shape. Slight tear stains could be seen at the apples of his cheeks. Yet he was still smiling at the young man next to him. It was clear he was at the least, an admirer.
But it reminded him that although he had arms around him, he was alone.
He had to be proud of himself. He wanted to feel euphoric in completing the show, and part of him did - but there was something stopping him from immersing himself in this feeling.
The cheering was so loud, bouncing off the walls and the ceiling, circling around them all.
Yet his own voice, was timid.
"Why, do I not mean anything to-"
He cut himself off from mumbling, wanting to keep up appearances with his fellow cast members. He physically bit the inside of his bottom lip to secure that nothing else would come from him, until he looked down to his costars, most a bit shorter than him.
They waved to their friends, their fans as well. It was a recurring thing, and it had been this way for years. He was used to seeing it.
Seokjin was crestfallen he had no friends to wave to. He wasn't a particularly shy person, but he wasn't the obnoxious kid in drama classes either. He swept his dark fringe from his eyes, all of them standing back up from their deep bow to the audience, waving their final goodbye and walked with the need to reach his dressing room and have some privacy. He checked his phone, wondering if there'd be anything from.
Well.
Anyone.
On the rare occasion his parents feigned any interest of hearing when he was performing, or where, or somehow able to extend and invitation to them, they would often dismiss it.
Because it wasn't extra law classes, they weren't impressed.
They'd married for money and Seokjin himself learned of this the older he became, things making between his parents a lot more sense. The thing that he witnessed at home when he was young, knowing that the nanny that was assigned to him wasn't really his older sister, even though it was easier for him to process her supervision of him and, her company in his life so frequently.
He wondered how she was doing now. Even after a show, he wondered if he'd ever see her.
He recalled their interactions, and she would listen to him talk. He could be honest about the smallest of things. He learned that through these interactions with her on a daily basis, anything he said to her, wouldn't leave the room. But he was never able to build this rust with his parents, for they simply showed no interest.
As he grew taller, more perceptive on the atmosphere he'd walk into when coming back from school, the constant tension was suffocating. He'd done his best to engage with either one of them.
They would only talk about their own successes, and limit what they'd share by directing the subject of his choices pertaining to his education, something that they knew the answer to already.
Seokjin looked at these two adults for what they were. He did his best to love them.
But they were passionless. They had nothing of their own that thrilled them, together or separately.
And Seokjin, could just not keep himself away from these boards.
How he loved to tread them. And they loved him.
However, there was a weight in his mind.
And his heart.
His friends knew of his acting and performances, but didn't come to see him.
Until.
The show that was the last showing of this particular play, was tomorrow night. And he had no idea that there would be two members in the audience that he'd recognize, that would make him smile.
...That they would be there from that moment onwards.
Part II: How They Met
Seokjin packed his bag for class, unable to stop thinking about his rehearsals after classes were over.
Putting his blazer on and buttoning up, he headed out for college.
Living at home while studying, wasn't exactly easy. He was born into a middle class family, his parents both lawyers and highly educated.
His siblings were the same, studying abroad and felt like strangers to him on the infrequent occasion they spoke. He barely saw them when he was a young boy, the youngest of of the two a decade and a half older than him. He'd spent for time with the nanny that had been "assigned" to him more than his siblings that he was related to by blood.
They both bore strong resemblances to their parents, both of them bearing that natural dullness to them. No desire to speak their mind and be their own person. They were content in living in their parent's shadows.
Seokjin found it rather sad, and a meek life to lead. He was happier to never weigh himself down like that.
But back to his own, run of the mill day at school.
His classes came and went, with the regular sighting of two boys holding hands around the corridors of the school. They caught his eye all the time, but he never spoke to them. And they didn't speak to him.
Or notice him at all, as he comes to soon find out.
He left his seat in his last class, making his way between students flowing through the exits to the school gates, and he took a left.
He saw the pair almost skipping, twirling each other and giggling loudly.
Seokjin recalled a time that the teachers had scolded them both for inappropriate behaviour.
But that didn't stop them, flinging each other around a whole corridor's width and always catching each other.
Giggling at a volume no one else asked for.
It made Seokjin sigh just thinking about it, hoping to walk past them as quick as he could. He cringed internally at the recollection of him giving his best "excuse me-" while putting the palms of his hands out, expecting the both of them to be bouncing off him as if he was a buffer on some kind of funfair ride.
But, they ended up making contact with him.
And they weren't quiet about it, much to Seokjin' chagrin.
"Oop- Sorry!" Jimin smiled at him, head over his shoulder as his hands were still intertwined with Taehyung's, the taller boy pulling him back swiftly.
The teachers, had given up.
It was quite clear to everyone, that they were very appreciative of their company.
Teachers had also noticed that their grades were more consistent in the times that they weren't separated from each other. When they had parted, high scores were dropping to low and risking levels of suspension; never finding out if it was due to the two of them taking a rebellious stand, or truly due to the separation that had such a drastic affect in their academic performance.
So, it was begrudgingly allowed.
Taehyung had looked over Jimin's shoulder, locking eyes with the taller boy. Seokjin just stood still, his hands still out. Wondering when they'd leave.
They had both recognised Seokjin from their classes, only knowing of him as a young man of mystery.
Taehyung's jaw lowered, Seokjin seeing him take in his own facial features, looking to his hands. And of course, looking back to Jimin, jaw still on the floor.
And of course, the whispering started.
Right in front of him.
"He's so cute, isn't he?"
Seokjin asked himself why he was tolerating this.
"Yes, and he's taller than me-"
Jimin had hushed his voice, excited to be meeting someone new. Someone else that was cute.
"Most people are taller than you Jiminie-"
He shook his hair through his fingers playfully,
"Hee hee, I know-"
They cooed and giggled into each others faces, as they do. Seokjin cringing on the inside, hoping to just, get past them.
But he had no choice.
They whipped around to both face him now, their arms spreading wide.
'Oh no-'
"We are SO SORRY-"
They had gotten a hold of him. Literally.
Firm hands gripped him in many places. Seokjin found himself encompassed by two people who had bore a strength that their looks very well disguised.
He was unsure of how to get out of this. He'd have to just roll with it now. He felt almost fixated with their world, getting his real first glimpse into what they're really like, as people.
"Yeah, really didn't mean to do that to you-"
He'd been looking Taehyung over unintentionally, wondering when they'd let go of him. Wondering if they ever got dizzy. Or if they had indeed, conditioned each other over time to no longer live on the axis that's defined by the laws of physics? Seokjin wouldn't be at all shocked if he saw the pair walking up the walls.
Hand in hand, somehow getting to their next class in that direction.
'One day, probably soon-'
"Are you okay? You've gone so quiet-" Jimin pouted up at him, eyes wide and dark, Seokjin unable to break away from them. He was compelled to keep looking.
He had barely heard him speak, if it wasn't for Taehyung's stare and the subtle licking of his lips that had him temporarily distracted, he wouldn't have noticed at all.
"Seokjin, we said sorry so that means you can't be mad anymore, thank you-"
Seokjin was laughing at how much he'd been wanting to leave and never interact with them, but as he was admitting to himself that there was something about the two of them that was so, heartwarming.
They were wholesome and Seokjin had always noticed that. But conversing with them in this way, deepened his perception of them both.
Seokjin knew Jimin was right. He wasn't mad anymore and in fact, kind really wanted to not be let go of.
They were not ones for letting go, but their evenings went separate ways, in Seokjin's eyes.
But Jimin and Taehyung were there for him.
The boys lets go of his arms, and the parted ways in silence.
Seokjin walked the length of the corridor and exited the building, brushing the large oak door with his fingers as he left.
"What is it he does after class?"
Jimin shrugged at him, tapping his foot on the floor. "I dunno, do you?"
Taehyung shook his head. Squished his own cheeks, eyes on the back of Seokjin's head. "No, I have no idea. Why don't we find out?"
They looked to each other.
Grinning, "Let's follow him!"
They always had time for adventure in their evening schedule and lived as if tomorrow didn't exist. They had no idea where they were going, but they didn't mind.
"Maybe he's going to work-"
Eye roll.
He had to think seriously.
"Well where would he work?"
They had no idea what he did outside of school.
He eye rolled again, smirking.
"Mmm. Bakery, bookstore. Convenience store. What to college guys do?"
Indeed, that is something that's always got a different answer, depending on who's being asked.
And who's being asked by who.
"Well, what kind of outfit would he look good in?"
Taehyung lowered his voice as they watched him walk to the far end of the path, noses brushing the bark of a tree.
"I get the feeling Jimin, that he'd look good in any outfit. But we must be stealthy."
"Yeah." They both whispered and from this moment, they were solidly committed to this new direction of the night.
They wanted to know more. Their brief encounter with him only hooked their own desires to know everything about him.
The two slipped into the shadows of the long path that bore itself empty once onto the main road, missing a bus that would get them - one the same bus as Seokjin - by seconds. They turned their heads down, so as to not been by him.
Their new friend.
"Was he on there?"
Jimin nodded, "I'm sure of it. But where does that even go?"
Taehyung frowned, lazily chewing on bottom lip as he read the dusty bus schedule, stray moths making their departure from the weather worn structure that towered the two.
"It goes to a town that no one lives in... And nowhere for a cute boy to work in..."
He tapped the tips of his fingers across his mouth, Jimin's hands and chin resting on his shoulders.
Also reading.
"And the next one is the last one... For the night?"
They were always ones for adventures together. The anticipation to get to their destination was amplified, given that they didn't know where their friend would be getting off, and of course in that time, where he'd be going since.
Luckily, the last bus arrives, the driver not charging any fare. It seems he wants to go home. They both thanked him, being careful where they placed themselves as all the seats were worn, holes in and maybe some more moths, but the grossness that was here - and now they were driving at a speed far too fast for them to jump from, even in a scarce attempt to escape. A temporary solution to this was the two of them holding hands, looking up at the ceiling and hoping that the driver would continue down the long, darkening country lanes.
They had a Seokjin to find, and the gaps between lamp posts were becoming wider and wider, the fields expanding between them.
But they couldn't stop glancing out the window, despite their view being a blur of field and the night sky.
The windows were staring to mist up.
The bus motioned slightly to the left, turning and gradually slowing down. They'd come into the entrance to a small town, driving past a church and a post office. Both buildings showed only signs of decay, no indication of life or light inside them, signs rusted and worn away. Chains had broken links, the caring of this town seemingly coming to a halt, a long time ago.
Only shadows presented the closest semblance to a person, though no one was to be seen. And neither of them had the bravery to look for them, the grips on each other tight and firm.
There was one bus stop that waited for the drivers attention, the bench remaining empty. The lamp post looked to be lit by a candle, though there was no flicker. And it resembled more of a large stick and a ball of glass with a small door and latch the size of a fist, for a small candle - though there was no flicker, no smooth movement in the candlelight as one may expect. It was clear, there was no wiring either.
It was as if time had stopped here, unfortunately; at a time very late into the night. It was instinctively, unsettling.
They'd have to make a choice soon.
They looked to the few buildings between dense tree lines. "Think he'd be in here?"
Jimin shook his head, not wanting to leave the bus now. Their foreheads almost pressed to the window, they looked for Seokjin, looking for anything that looked like Seokjin would touch.
"Would he work in the post office that has no lights on, through the night?"
"Perhaps not."
Jimin was feeling nervous.
"Is he an alterboy in the night?"
Jimin pondered for a moment, imagining him wearing holy robes and holding a long candle. As he recalls alterboys doing, anyway. "Hopefully not."
They listened. There was no sound for anyone living here to make. They held their breath listening, using their peripheral vision to try and catch any movement in this seemingly empty village.
Nothing.
All things considered, the bus turned once again and the driver accelerated, departing through the large wooden arch from this spooky village, the impenetrable rolling mist closing the exit behind them.
They remained, exhaling as they were driven back to the rest of society, where most would consider it safe.
From here on the street widened, they were on a highway for a brief moment before coming to an area that was more modern, well lit and the buildings were decently maintained. Street vendors could be seen. Selling food, handing out various flyers.
Live music was playing.
There was a small theatre, a large sign with the title of the show, the ticket prices and the remaining dates.
"Oooh, look at those lights Jimin-"
Jimin gasped, looking at the names on the sign next to the lights that framed the theatre.
"Taehyung look, his names there!! Kim, Kim SEOKJIN - see it?"
Jimin's giving his best effort to point, but he's just jamming his finger against the window. They grab the rail over the top of the seats, reach for the bell and yell politely at the driver who just want to get home, to stop the bus. They hadn't ever taken this route into the town they'd only been to a few times, and the Kim SEOKJIN clue was the only clue as to where their new friend may be.
They were so close. They could almost taste victory.
Charging down to the bus doors as one, they thanked the driver as they came to a stop, their limbs scrabbling to get them out of the old timey bus doors. Grinning and holding hands, they jogged over to the theatre, setting their sights on the vendors, who may be able to tell them more. They passed the group handing out flyers, seeing it was for the show.
"We hope you enjoy the show!" They both understood the powerful glint in their eyes that matched their smiles they gave to the group, but they'll never know what they've just done.
They thank them, skipping on their way down the road in the dark, a mixture of the town's light and their innocent curiousity lighting the way.
Looking around, they saw no sight of Seokjin. Their hearts were racing erratically, but as one, with every thought the same; they saw the picture of the main cast on a poster. The same poster that's on the back of the flyers they're holding.
They gasped, giggled and jumped up and down on the spot, giddy. Pointing to his face on the billboard.
"He's there! He's on the front-"
His picture showed his dark hair that's parted almost in the middle above the center of his eye, his plump lips a divine shade of red partnered with an enticing glance to the camera, his eyes sparkling. The two young men were in a daze, finding themselves lucky to be able to see him, on a daily basis.
"He's an actor..."
Their eyes locked, magic happening in their minds.
They were blown away. Turning to each other ever so slightly, a comedic act of their own.
"He'll look good in every costume."
Turning towards the theatre front, Taehyung spots a man selling roses. He grabbed Jimin by the hand, leading their way over to him. "Come on Jiminie, we should throw him these-" Taehyung was a typical romantic, buying one for Jimin also.
"Ohh.. Thank you..." He curled his hair behind his ear, brushing against his piercings.
Jimin shuffled his left foot, asking the kind man how often he was here in front of the theatre. Showing him Seokjin's picture.
"This Kim Seokjin, is our friend! Have you seen him before?"
They both lowered their intensity for the vendor, who had been very kind and enthusiastic about the show. He nodded, looking at Seokjin's picture.
"This is our friend, is he for sure going to be in here? We want to surprise him, you see."
"Yep, he comes by most nights of the week, performing or rehearsing for a performance. Yep."
Taehyung's roses were being sorted into packaging, a single sheet of brown paper with ribbon covered the stems.
They wanted to know more. They pressed gently. "So, he's definitely here for tonight's showing? Really?"
Taehyung was handed the bouquet.
The vendor shook his head.
"Yes, really. Of course he is! His face is on the front! Now, these better all be for him - " He's wrapping Jimin's bouquet up and stuffed a few more in to fill gaps where, there hadn't really been any gaps, as he's bought some roses too. He can't wait to throw them all at him.
He's never thrown flowers quite like this at a person before. But he keeps imagining it, already bracing himself to launch them.
"Tae Tae, do you think we'll still be allowed to go in? We didn't know to book any tickets."
Taehyung shrugs down at him, "We'll need to find that out next." He could tell that wasn't the answer Jimin wanted to hear, but even so.
They're so so close now.
He pouted, looking to the roses man (as he now calls him so in his head), "Do you know if we can still...?" Jimin followed the direction of the roses mans finger, seeing a ticket booth.
In the booth, was a heart shaped mouthed boy, happy to sell tickets, by the looks of things.
Roses man shouts to them as they race to the booth, "Enjoy the show! You'll love it," he chuckles, hums to himself and greets other customers.
Jimin and Taehyung catch their breath at the booth, the young man the other side of it waiting patiently, his dimples adorable as his bowtie.
They straightened themselves up, careful not to crush the flowers.
"How can I help you both this evening?"
He hadn't seen the pair before. It made things a bit more fun.
They nodded, "Two tickets for the uh,"
Taehyung hurriedly asked Jimin for the name of the show, "I don't know, I got distracted by his face -"
Taehyung holds up the flyer to the man in the booth.
"For this show, please! It's urgent."
"Two tickets?"
He raised his eyebrows slightly, checking the inventory.
Taehyung smiled. He's now very excited to watch something in the theatre with a Jiminie peeking over his shoulder and his arms full of roses. The roses man had been, quite generous.
But he wondered what was taking so long.
"Seating capacity, you know how it is..."
Taehyung bit his lip, becoming nervous that they'd sold out.
"You know, this show's been selling out all week."
Their hearts sank, as the optimism left their new acquaintances' face. His whole demeanour shifted.
"Has it?" Taehyung shifted on his feet, unable to take the excruciating amount of time this was taking.
"Yeah, sure has."
The man in the booth nods, knowing that there's only one showing they could be possibly turning up for.
But it seems they're new to the theatre, so he keeps quiet on that. His little smile is expression enough.
He thought about the first time he snuck out of the booth to watch his own friend for the first time. He blushed, smiled a bit more and printed out their tickets.
"Yeah this is uh, surprising to me, at least - that tonight isn't sold out... Yet. D'you want to be sat together?"
"Of course!" They both chimed to him, Jimin's giggles softening the atmosphere.
"D'you guys need any food or anything? 'Cos all that's sorted out further inside." They shook their heads. The only thing they needed were those tickets so they could see what their friend's up to.
Taehyung wanted to cry. "Just, the tickets please."
Jimin needed to ask him something. "What time does the show start?"
The bow tie in the ticket booth was very calm.
"Oh, about fifteen minutes."
They both looked at him desperately, eyes filled with panic and urgency. They'd come too far to be stopped now.
They completely missed the young man handing them their tickets through the little gap. It was only when he smiled, they noticed.
As they smiled at him, he kept their gaze while turning a small sign that was stuck to the screen.
"~SOLD OUT!~"
"Enjoy the show, you two."
Ah, the memories came rushing back to him as he took a seat in his booth, soon locking it up quietly and becoming a member of the audience himself.
Part III: When The Curtain Fell
They did their best to navigate the layout of the lobby, and doing their best to piece together the time they had left to be able to find their seats.
"Should we go see him backstage?"
"No no, we'll probably annoy him-" Taehyung wanted to cuddle him as they stood in the doorway, but their arms were too full. "Can I just-"
Jimin knew, immediately leaning onto his tiptoes to kiss him.
"Thank you."
Jimin nodded, happy to be of service. They had their tickets in their hands, and they were both nervous to go in.
"Do we... Go in now?"
They both paused, staring at the doorway. And in typical fashion, both deciding to go though it at the same time, although for a while - they get to walk through a doorway most suitable for the widths of at least eight people, so they had no trouble walking in sync together. They weren't getting squished in doorframes like they were used to on a day to day basis.
Taking their seats, they soon wondered if Seokjin would mind them being there.
It's not like he'd asked them. Or even told them about it.
It was then, row by row, the lights shut out. They both gasped, as it really was beginning to happen.
Clunk Clunk Clunk Clunk Clunk Clunk Clunk.
It was jarring, but excitement.
Sharp, crisp lighting fell onto the stage floor, red curtains lifting up.
For the next hour of their lives, they were blown away.
Seokjin, could sing.
He could act.
He could wear any type of attire and make it work. Even when his character went looking for his exiled brother who he need to wear disguises to get to.
He made everything look good.
Each time he gave dialogue, Jimin wanted to applaud and throw his bouquet at him.
But it wasn't the right time yet.
The first act was over, and the interlude began.
The two discussed leaving some roses in his dressing room. Or dressing area. They had to have a peek, to know how to give him the roses. Should they be seen with them in the audience?
Had he seen them both already and they just hadn't picked up on it yet?
They had no idea.
Taehyung caught a glance of where young bow tie man had walked from.
It sure wasn't his booth.
He'd glanced to the bunches of roses and back to Taehyung, tilting his head to a very small, tucked away door. He left the two in silence, the penny soon dropping that if they wanted to leave them back there for him, that was the way to go.
"Or should we throw them at him once the show's over? He might be in there now."
They just couldn't decide.
"Wait." Jimin had a lovely brainwave.
"How about, after the second interlude, or during, rather - we leave these on his make up desk, just the one bouquet,"
Taehyung was nodding, liking this.
"And then when they all finish and then come back out in a line holding hands like they do in the tv shows, we throw this set of flowers at him, then?"
"Oh... Yes."
Taehyung liked that very much. He also wondered how it would be to maintain these flowers they'd bought once they're given to Seokjin. He looked to their outfits, both of them blending in well, in dark suits.
They enjoyed looking good, no matter what style they were going for.
A couple walking past them offered to take their picture, which they happily accepted.
They got a few pictures, one of them both smiling and one of Taehyung kissing his cheek.
"Oh my god, oh my god Taehyung-"
"What what?" Taehyung slid his phone in his pocket before checking the pictures.
"We could get his autograph!" Taehyung's heart eyes matched Jimin's, their overwhelming energy flowing through them both.
"Yaaaaaaaay-"
But they remembered where they were, composing themselves once more.
Walking back down the aisles to their seats, the lights dimmed again.
- (repeat first bit ^)
The second act was just as gripping, the rollercoaster of Seokjin's character was more than they ever could have imagined.
They were truly dazzled by his talent. If you'd've told them that they're in the West End, they'd believe you with no second thought to it.
The time came for the second act to come to an end, the second interlude starting. They didn't have long, and they'd have to be quick. They went striaght for the hidden door, finding that the corridor was immeasurably narrow, clearly meant for staff only. They were worried that they were in the walls, but they'd share this conversation at a later time. It was very dark, with only a pinprick of light for them to follow.
And there they were. He did indeed have his own little make up and costume area, designated to him.
To them both, novices of the theatre world, guessed that it meant a lot if you have your own area to get ready in.
"So he must be reaaaallly loved, right? I wonder if his parents are here?"
Taehyung glanced over Seokjin's things, wondering where his parents were in the audience. "I don't even know what they look like. Do you think we'll pass by them and not even know it?"
Jim in happily set down his bouquet on Seokjin's table, with a small note.
"TALENTED & BEAUTIFUL!
JIMINIE & TAETAE <3 "
"Is that okay?"
It made Taehyung laugh, "Well, you've done it now. Yeah, there's no mistaking where these came from. Anyway, we should hurry back!"
Jimin agreed, happy that they got the best seats, in their opinion.
Soon enough, they touch their seats, and the final act begins.
The two were gripped, not wanting the show to end. They watched the madness unfold, and they were powerless.
The tip of his sword was centimeters away from his opponents neck, and he heaved one final breath. Adrenaline shot through his body and his pulse was visible through the skin on his neck.
He'd had enough. He bared his teeth as he shouted; booming his words across the hall to his opponent, "You will unmask yourself!"
This made Jimin jump. despite already being on the edge of his seat.
His hand did not quiver, and his opponent had accepted that he'd lost. Defeat was visible in both his face and his posture.
Until.
He slammed back, having Seokjin pivot and hop back three meters, having to deflect the desperate blows, not losing his focus.
To push back and relent.
They both gasped, how it quickly changed. It really looked like Seokjin's character, the prince, had things under control.
He screamed at him, voice filling the hall. His hits were relentless, seemingly beating his opponent back. Narrowing the distance once again. And he tipped the end of his sword to his face, guiding to the man in front of him onto his knees.
Begging for his life.
His tone was harrowing.
"UNMASK YOURSELF-"
Jimin and Tehyung felt the pain in his voie like a wrench tightening their hearts.
His opponent with a snap of the wrist uncoiling his mask, was instantly revealed. The heavy cover that had hidden his identity, landed onto the boards with a ringing.
Ringing. It rang in everyone's ears.
All had recognized him, and were shocked to see it was his own brother.
It was at this betraying sight that had Seokjin's hand on the hilt of his sword almost quivered, but he persevered.
His face twisted from steel to hurt, outraged.
Confused. Angry.
Frustrated.
Conflicted, so heavily so.
Jimin and Tehyung were just as shocked, jaws hitting the floor and Jimin, who had gotten incredibly invested, nearly cried for the prince.
"How could you, my own brother? My blood? It was you, who had plotted all along to have me dead?"
They both patted at their eyes.
The brother lowered his head, before tipping it back, laughing maniacally, teeth on show as he jested.
A sinister flicker in his eyes; one that had never shone from his innocently doe eyed brother, illuminated him, his truth and it latched onto him, hooking him into place.
He remained where he knelt.
They looked to him with bated breath.
"Oh, but of course! I cannot have you secretly wed my lover, for I deserve her more than you, you're the exiled one! The one who shouldn't be breathing!"
His brother only really held disdain for him. His expression vicious, almost bearing teeth as he berated his brother.
The prince, just lost someone who he'd considered his only friend.
It hurt his heart, and he didn't care to hide it, eyes forlorn and large with tears.
Jimin and Taehyung gasped again, both of them clutching their pearls and raising hands to their mouths, the unravelling of his fiancé's affair coming to light.
All they could do was watch. They both had chills from head to toe, unable to look away.
Orchestral music was at it's peak, the music rising.
He was emotional, shedding tears without moving an inch, keeping his eyes on his enemy. Still panting.
He shouted for the guards, who immediately separated the two. Seokjin did something he'd never done before. He glanced to the crowd from the corner of his eye.
He felt as if, he was being watched... By someone familiar to him. He'd never felt this before. A blooming feeling inside of him exuded through his breathing, rushing though his blood and his vitality, spiked.
And the lights dimmed, went out as the maroon curtain fell, the orchestra settling down to silence.
The final act was over.
"Should I have thrown the flowers?"
Taehyung stammered, amazed and at a loss for words. "I don't think so. It's okay."
It left the pair stunned, applauding and whistling, crying out with joy and enthusiasm for the performance they just witnessed, along with the rest of the audience cheering.
That they experienced.
But behind the curtain, the cast shared hugs, pats on the back and Seokjin dabbed the sweat from his brow, hastily checking in the mirror that all was right with his costume. A large bundle of roses were on his table, and the rush came flooding back t him. He blushed, excited and moreso, curious.
No one ever cared in the years that he'd tried, so hard to share his passion with someone. A small note was attached to them.
He picked it up, reading it.
"Is this a joke?"
They've only just met him. Why would they care about it now? He hadn't even mentioned it to them. Ever. He didn't have time to go over what had happened earlier that day, but he knew he'd made no mention of it.
Even so, he couldn't help but smile. He smelled the roses, grinning. It was his first bouquet.
"I can't believe this."
Feeling the ends of his hair dripping, he patted at his sweaty hair with a towel hastily.
He remembered their wholesomeness and how it had made him feel in the corridor. The same two people, were willing to show their support for him.
It really is the thought that counts.
And they all lined up as for the last time, the curtains opening once again as they walked out to the stage in a row.
He couldn't believe it was the at showing of this performance. He wondered if he was imagining it, but he knew he'd picked up on something in the audience.
'What if it was them?'
The crowd remained stood and before Seokjin took his bow, he looked for any familiar faces in the crowd.
He knew to not look for his parents, but it couldn't be helped.
He then looked for Jimin and or Taehyung.
'Just smile. Let it show.'
The catharsis that acting brought him was indescribable. It brought him so much happiness.
He could hear someone, cheering his name.
"Kim SEOKJIN!
Kim SEOKJIN!"
He wasn't imaging it.
The lights were strong in his eyes, but it stop him from looking or the source of the sound he could hear. He looked to the back of the hall, adrenaline still flooding his body, from head to toe.
He knew they would be here somewhere.
And there they were. Waving, beaming, smiling and yelling his name.
For the first time, his hand left his so stars shoulders.
And he waved back. He did his best to hide the tears behind his eyes, no longer lowering his head and smiling for the crowd. He smiled for those who had appreciated his acting.
Seokjin didn't watch this small exchange, as he had ones of his own to be a part of. Jimin and Taehyung, had something in their hands. He could just about make out what those things were, they maybe's being changed to yes's very quickly, Seokjin becoming ankle deep on the stage with roses.
It reminded him that although he didn't have arms around him, he wasn't alone.
He was proud of himself. He felt euphoric in completing the show, and there was no longer something stopping him from immersing himself in this feeling.
The cheering for him was so loud, bouncing off the walls and the ceiling, circling around them all.
They really had a decent set of lungs on them both.
Yet his own voice, was timid. "Do I, really mean something to these two?"
He cut himself off from mumbling, wanting to retain the joy to express later on, for now - enjoying this moment with his fellow cast members and his two, admirers. He physically bit the inside of his bottom lip to secure that nothing else would come from him, until he looked down to his costars, most a bit shorter than him.
They both stared up at him, finally getting some words from him.
"Thank you!" Seokjin started to pick up the roses and his feet, and Jimin managed to wiggle his way to the front, being able to place a rose at Seokjin's feet, well, near his hand when stood on his tip toes.
"For you, Seokjinnie! You're so amazing you made me cry-"
Taehyung had been in tow, sprinkling more roses for him on the stage. Seokjin wondered if he' borrowed a magician's hat.
"You're really very talented, I can't believe this is the last night! Can we get it on DVD?"
Seokjin hadn't even thought of that.
Given that he was so close to them, picking up his flowers he was now being handed by Jimin, he reached out to Jimin's hand to touch it. Seokjin's eyes prickled, large tears falling.
"You're both the first to do this, thank you."
They were stunned, to say the least. This would open up another conversation for another time, but it was now cleared up for them.
His parents weren't here.
Just the two of them.
Seokjin swept his dark fringe from his eyes, all of them standing back up from their deep bow to the audience, doing his best to wave his final goodbye with a bundle of roses in his arms, waking with the urgency to reach his dressing room and have some privacy.
The two young men crept through the narrow passage, when Jimin and Taehyung spotted another familiar face, little heart shaped mouth man, very close with one of Seokjin's co stars, the two heading past a "AREA CLOSED" sign with linked fingers.
They said nothing.
Carrying on their own way through a busy area, they knocked on Seokjin's dressing area.
He was partway through removing his make up, relaxing his muscles and just breathing. But they found him staring at the flowers.
They rushed to him quietly, with urgency. They both knew what they wanted to do, easing their hands on his shoulders.
He was welcoming of it, glancing at their reflection in the mirror, seeing them either side of him.
They praised him, giving him light kisses on the cheeks and ruffling his hair.
He laughed, cheeks going pink and weary sighs coming from him. He was too tired to talk, but made sure they knew he was okay with the attention.
"We're so proud of you."
Words he never thought he'd hear were uttered to him.
He made himself a deal.
There and then.
He wasn't going home alone that night.