Chapter Text
He didn’t think about leaving the country, not until he came across an advertisement promoting a dance competition in which the winner would get their own show in which they could show their dance style, create own choreographies and so on. And Yugyeom has never been one to let chances pass—especially not chances as major as this one.
And honestly, he would’ve felt bad if it wasn’t for this occasion, if it wasn’t regarding his future and his passion and something he could make his parents proud with, even with making his hobby his job. In his eyes that was the most important thing in life, doing things that you enjoy only.
He wouldn’t let anyone take this opportunity to fulfill his dream in any way, he was way too caught up with dancing since a young age already.
So, there he sat, on the plane on his way to California. If Yugyeom would’ve known better, he probably wouldn’t have gone there in first place, but he didn’t know better, and he didn’t know his English wasn’t even good enough to compare to any other person attending this competition.
But he had to win, he had to make his mother proud, so he didn’t think about any difficulties and stayed optimistic (which, he never thought was a problem, or wrong in any case, but perhaps it’s even acceptable to sometimes have your doubts and not take risks.)
Whatever was on his mind the second the plane was in the air didn’t matter anymore, there was no return anymore, there was no way or reason to back out anymore.
The plane ride was long, so Yugyeom decided to instead of sleeping watch videos of his own choreographies, learn some more English, watch videos of other people’s choreographies and ways of dancing to compare their styles, and he even had to admit that he grew slightly nervous and his doubts rose with every video he watched.
“What if I’m not good enough, what if I’ll come back, return to Korea, with nothing to give to my mom? The only person who has given up her life to make mine better. I have to win this.” and if anyone thought Yugyeom was insane for thinking this, Yugyeom wouldn’t consider denying it for even a split second.
Something Yugyeom didn’t know was, that instead of going through this path on his own, his best friend was waiting for him at the airport in California, he took a plane earlier than Yugyeom and Yugyeom was so surprised and happy, he even let a few tears slip.
Jackson gave Yugyeom a kiss on his cheek, which caused the younger boy to scrunch up his face in disgust— he wasn’t actually disgusted, he just didn’t want anyone to see them like this— and offered him his hand.
The taller boy might have said no if he wasn’t actually head over heels in love with his best friend, so he took it and a small smile started to form on his face.
“How was the flight?” Jackson asked and gently stroked his thumb over Yugyeom’s hands which made the younger nervous and the butterflies in his stomach couldn’t be tamed at this point.
He started stuttering but faked a smile– which Jackson noticed it was fake and frowned. Jackson stood still, with Yugyeoms hand in his own and looked him straight in the eyes “can I ask you something?”