Work Text:
He made it.
He was sitting on the comfortable sofa everyone wants to sit on.
He was in third place.
Seok matthew made it.
When he was first announced as a debut member he cried. He walked forward to the mc and gave his speech. He thanked everyone who ever helped him. His mom, his sister, his roommates. And he cried more. When he was allowed to go up the stairs to his seat he felt like he was going to collapse any second.
The view from above was beautiful. The ocean of lights was something he'd always seen at concerts he's been to, but never imagined that he'd ever get one. He could hear fans screaming and trying to get his attention. He waved back a bit but he still needed time to process what was happening.
Time was going very fast. Under the stairs leading up to the top 9 seats stood Hanbin with Zhanghao to his left. He could tell they were very nervous. Their debut was confirmed so he was happy for them.
That happiness didn't last very long. He should be happy. He knows he should. But after the top two go up to their seats and everyone hugs them, the realization hit him. And it hit hard.
The MC, Hwang Minhyun was now announcing the last member to debut. He looked around at the people who were already called. Jiwoong, Gyuvin, Taerae, Gunwook, Ricky, Hanbin, Zhanghao. And him, matthew. He was on good terms with all of these people. He liked them a lot and didn't mind making his debut with them.
But someone was missing. He looked down at the stage where the remaining ten trainees stood. Yoo Seungeon, Lee Hoetaek, Na Kamden, Jay, Lee Jeonghyeon, Kum Junhyeon, Park Hanbin, Han Yujin, Yoon Jongwoo. And Keita.
Keita who chose him as the first member to join his team in the first mission. Keita who comforted him when he didn't get the parts he wanted. Keita who always helped him when he didn't understand things in korean. Keita who helped him regain his confidence when he was being hated by everyone on the internet. Keita, his best friend.
The audience was shouting someone's name.
"Han yujin! Han yujin!"
There's no way Keita would make it.
"The last member to debut as a member of ZEROBASEONE is.... Han yujin!"
Matthew watched as Yujin dropped to his knees. The person next to Yujin hugged him. That person was Keita. Fuck. Keita did the same thing to him. He's always very supportive of his younger friends. Even in these situations. Even when he just lost a great opportunity of achieving his dream. Keita was the first person to hug him too.
Matthew didn't know what to do. He put on a happy expression and stood with the others as they cheered for their last and youngest member.
But deep inside his heart ached for his friend. He knows how much Keita sacrificed to be here and how much he lost just now. They had promised eachother to debut together. And that promise had been shattered to pieces.
The broadcast ended shortly after. They were allowed to go down and say goodbye to the eliminated trainees now. There were many people he had to hug and say goodbye to before he finally got to Keita.
He looked in his eyes and they immediately hugged. He could tell that Keita was crying in silence. He could tell how much he was hurt by this. He could tell so many thing about how his friend was feeling but none of it can change the harsh truth. The truth that they weren't going to make their debut together.
"I'm so sorry hyung. I'm so sorry"
Keita pulled away from the hug for a second and smiled at him. Tears were running down his face and his eyes were red. Matthew smiled back. He wanted to cry too, but how can he cry now when his friend needed his support.
They hugged again. And again. And again. Until matthew had to be dragged away by a staff member who shoved a camera in his face and told him to get some footage for ZEROBASEONE's debut reality show.
"hyung this isn't the last time we talk right?"
"of course not. I have your number, I'll make sure to text you a lot" Keita continued "and if I'm lucky we'll even meet at music shows"