Chapter Text
Loud cheering and applause is heard through the concert hall after the unexpected performance of a freestyle rap. Seo Changbin had started as a singer in America, but he loved rap, and he was damn good at it. Despite this, his songs didn't have many rap parts as he was still not fully confident in his ability to rap in English. This only made his fans, named Seolars, to treasure every time they heard the singer rap. Of course, he knew this and tried to surprise his fans at every opportunity.
"Thank you Seolars! I'm very happy you liked that. I promise I'll do more in the future!" He said in a playful voice. "CHANGBIN YOU'RE SO CUTE" he saw a large banner in the crowd say, he smiled happily. He still couldn't believe his success. After all these years, 5 to be exact, he still felt lucky.
"Okay, okay, settle down everyone" he said chuckling cause of the commotion being made for him. " I want to get a little serious now" Everyone suddenly became quiet, curious to what he was about to say. "Firstly, i want to thank you again from the bottom of my heart, I know I've said it time and time again, but I wouldn't be here without your support. So thank you for finding me and showing me your love. I love you Seolars. YOU made me stay."
Loud cheers and applause could be heard once again, this time the atmosphere a little more emotional than before.
"So... Unfortunately it's that time again" he could hear everyones complaints at the announcement of the shows end, "i know, I'm sad too. Everytime i have to leave you guys i get sad. But, i always look forward to our next time together. And most importantly! Did you have fun?" A loud assortment of "YES" could be heard throughout the concert hall. "That's good, as long as i made you happy, I'm happy" he said smiling.
"For this encore i have prepared something special. This last song is going to be a little different as I'm going to sing in Korean. Im going to cover a song called Pray by a Korean group called BtoB. You can search now the lyrics if you want cause this song has a meaning I want to dedicate to someone. The track is arranged by me and i have changed some of the lyrics, so if you did search up the song keep this in mind. I hope you enjoy this."
Suddenly the lights dimmed, what remained was only a spotlight on the singer. A lone note ringed through the hall four times.
'I'll be your man 다신 너를 놓지 않을게...'
------------------- 9 years before ---------------------
"Hyunjinnie? Are you asleep?" Changbin said quietly.
"Hm? Not yet." Hyunjin replied.
"I think i know what i want to do"
"Oh really? Let's hear it" Hyunjin said intrigued.
"I want to become a singer."
"Good" he said smiling.
"Good? Why is that good?"
"Cause you have a pretty voice."
"You think so?"
"Yes, I think it's amazing, you just never let me hear you sing." He said with a pout.
"Okay then I'll sing to you more."
"You better!"
"How about you?"
"I don't know... There's nothing I'm really good at, I don't do sports or anything. Gosh what should I do?"
"Hyunjin-ah, don't worry about it, you have a lot of time to think 'kay? If you need anything you can ask me".
"Thanks baby. I'll think about it. I love you"
"I love you too my Jinnie"
"We should sleep now. If mom comes there's no way you're sleeping over next week"
And with a kiss goodnight, they fell asleep.
'Always on my mind, always always on mind
You're always on my mind
24/7, 365
Promise to be by your side
Swear to god I'll risk my life
Promise you that I'm a better man
Won't ever let you go, no, not again'
-----------------------------7 years before-------------------------------
"Hyung! Hyung! You're finally here!"
"I'm here bab- Hyunjin, did you get the new game?"
"Yes hyung, let's go play in my room."
They excitedly hurry to the youngers room closing the door behind.
"What's up baby? What's got you so excited? I could practically hear your happiness from the other end of our call!"
"Look!"
"...JYPE? Wait... You got into JYP Entertainment? You didn't even tell me you auditioned!"
" 'Cause i didn't! They just gave this to me on the street when i was shopping with my mom!"
"What? That's crazy! Just like that?"
"I'll probably have to audition. Come with me! You should try too! As a singer. If we both pass we can be together."
"Okay, i guess we can try. But, Is this what you want to do?"
"I think so, i mean i have been thinking about it and i think i could do it. I can at least try. And dancing seems fun. Also, me having this card, is like fate isn't it?"
"Well you are gorgeous, i think they took too long finding you to be honest. And i could see you as a dancer".
" Stop... You're making me blush!"
" I'm just telling the truth. You are the most beautiful person i have ever seen in my 17 years of living. I love you"
"I love you more!" He said giggling
" Yah, trying to one-up me? Come here you!"
"You can't catch me!"
" You want to bet on that?". He said, stumbling to get up so he could chase the the younger in the small bedroom. Eventually he caught his hand, knocking both of the them on the small bed with the younger one on top of him.
They locked eyes and neither could pull away from the others intoxicating gaze. Slowly moving down, soft red lips locked onto firm pink ones, and started dancing with each other for what seemed like hours. They moved their bodies in unison to undress each other and get into a more comfortable position on the small bed breaking the kiss only when necessary.
That was the first time they slept together.
Suddenly a second spotlight started shining on someone else.
???: 'Baby i pray...'
And that's when everyone couldn't believe what they were seeing or hearing. This unknown voice started singing in the most beautiful way, hitting high notes with seamless ease while the other started rapping at an never before seen pace. Together their voices, although being so different, blended together gorgeously, making the audience emotional, some even shedding tears.
----------------------------5 years ago---------------------
"Hyun... I'm leaving" Changbin said in a monotone voice.
"Oh.. are you going on vacation? Where is your family taking you?" Hyunjin asked excited.
"No... That's not-" he was cut off.
"Ohhhhh! I know you're finally going on that camping trip up north right?"
"I'm leaving-" he was cut off again.
"Did you ask your parents-"
"I'm leaving Korea, Hyunjin." He said raising his voice a little.
"What? You're joking right? Funny joke hyung. I should steal that one."
"I'm not joking. I'm leaving Korea"
"What? Why?"
"I can't stay here"
"But why! Why are you leaving hyung!!" He said in a desperate voice
" I can't do it here Hyunjin! I failed every audition at every agency i tried! Do you know how many times i tried? Ten times and they said no. I'm tired. I don't have what it takes. I'm not like you understand? My parents are moving to America tomorrow, and I'm going with them."
"Well... what about us! I love you! Do you not love me anymore?"
"You're in a group now Hyunjin. There could never be an us now."
"But...hyun-!"
"Good luck on your debut, if you make it. Maybe you can live my dream of being on the stage for me. Goodbye Hyunjin.
Those where his last words as he walked away from his now ex-boyfriend. Hyunjin felt angry, betrayed, sad and hurt at the reaction of the older. What he couldn't see was the tears flowing and staining his face.
Somewhere in the middle of it all they changed parts, the unknown voice now rapping and Changbin singing without fault, slowly moving towards the center front of the stage, he fell on his knees as every thing else stopped playing and sung the last lyrics.
'Baby, i just pray...'
The stage faded to black.
" H.J... 미안해 "
The concert hall was dead silent.
.
..
...
People started clapping.
One
Two
Eight
More and more people started clapping, and cheering and yelling. That's when the lights turned on.
"I guess this means you enjoyed the last song for tonight. Special thanks to my good friend and talented musician... HAN ! " He said showing him off like a prized possession while the crowd was going wild after realizing who the angelic voice belonged to. " Yes indeed the one and only. So thanks again to the amazing HAN" The two Korean singers said bowing to each other " And I'll see everyone next time, make sure you get home safe and I love you. Goodbye my Seolars!! "
He exited the stage while waving to the audience, although very quickly as he was getting emotional. He didn't want his fans to see him cry. When he arrived backstage, he couldn't hold it anymore and let his feelings take over.
He thought back to being on stage a few minutes ago, he was happy his feelings reached his audience.
This was the only way it could also reach him.
A video gets uploaded on social media.
@cbstan99: Woah wait, when did this happen and why wasn't I there to witness it. Also HAN was there??? WHAT. HOW LONG DID HE RAP FOR!!????
@xseolarcbx: I think yesterday, last day of the tour. Damn i would have flown there if i knew this was gonna happen. Im crying :’( BUT YEAH THEY KILLED IT!!!
@hanni2000: ok can we talk about HAN literally slaying in that song. How did they do that. Also i didn't know they were friends!!! this was my ultimate dream tbh. We have been blessed!
@bblilybb: The performance was fantastic!!! I think he should sing and rap more often in Korean cause that was the best thing i have ever heard. but wait, what did he say at the end? I don't understand. :/
@krdwkcbluv: omg, this performance is a MASTERPIECE, did you feel the emotion from the way he sung it??? I'm studying korean and i think he said: something then I'm sorry in korean. Apologies if this is wrong .
@99linrib99: hey i am a native speaker and can confirm that's what he said. I also think he said the letters H and J like the initials of someone's name maybe? He said it in such a sad way... Maybe it's the person he dedicated the song to? Do you guys know any artist with those initials?
@thrwacc2503: I don't think so... He's never talked about someone like that.
@ikykwklk: guys make this trend we have to know what he means, someone might understand!! Please!!!!!
And just like that, the video circulated through the whole internet, eventually landing in the trending page of Twitter.
In the most unlikely place.
In the most unlikely way.
Here is where it reached him.