VI. V IS VERY VERY EXTRAORDINARY

username1: bts are getting old man they don't make songs like they used to
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      username2: ikr the fame probably got to their heads and that's why they don't work like they used to
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      username3: tbh i can think of a ton of kpop groups more worthy of the hype
username4: unpopular opinion: v from bts is actually not a good singer he's just famous because of his visuals
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      username5: THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYINGGGG
username6: bts will still be popular because of their growing fanbase and that won't change even though they're not that good and honestly one of the uncoordinated groups out there
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      username7: straight up facts my guy

Taehyung kissed his teeth, scrolling more on Twitter and bouncing his leg. Deciding that reading the tweets were doing nothing for him, he put his phone down and tried to get back to writing a song. He tried to focus, but there was this nagging feeling in the back of his head that showcased each of those hateful comments. His hand was itching to pick up his phone and read some more but he knew that doing so will make him fall further down the pit he was trying to crawl out of.

Many idols usually make private accounts to know what their fandoms are talking about. They know about the memes, the fanfiction, the creative edits, the ships, everything. Including the hate comments.

"What's the point of all this?" Taehyung muttered to himself, turning away from his phone.

As much as possible, he tried to ignore those types of comments. It's been like that since their debut, but there were times when he couldn't help himself but try to see himself from the others' point of view. Comments from his fans meant a lot to him, but comments from haters held him by the throat with furious blazing eyes that said, this is the judgment you deserve.

He sighed, putting down his pen and standing up. Looking at the time on his phone, he pursed his lips. There was still more than an hour left until practice. It was a wonder how time moved slower whenever he was doused in heavy rainfalls of gray.

Leaving the lounge, he set his way to the studio to practice. His steps were heavy, weighed down by the burden. Was he holding the group back? Was his hard work not good enough?

Along the way, as he was about to pass by the Instructors' Lounge, the door swung open.

Walking out of the room was Ahn Gyeoul, clad in a size larger beige button-up shirt with the first two buttons undone tucked in a pair of black trousers. A simple outfit, but it was enough to make Taehyung's brain lose all function, causing him to stumble in his step.

Gyeoul picked her head up at the sound of someone's shoes squeaking against the tiles along the further part of the highway. The idol watched as her eyes found him, her stature instantly brightening up at the sight of him. He bit the inside of his cheek, trying to fight off a goofy smile as he made his way to her.

"Good morning, Taehyung," she greeted, "Have you seen the weather outside? It's perfect."

She looked down, laughing slightly as she saw that his shoelaces were untied. When he made it in front of her, she gestured her head to it. No wonder he stumbled. Taehyung looked down at his shoes and then back at Gyeoul, his eyes turning soft. He shrugged, as if to say, I couldn't be bothered.

The dancer shook her head at him and crouched down, ignoring his protests and tying his laces for him. Taehyung bit his lips, looking away and placing a hand over his left collarbone, subtly feeling his heartbeat. Gyeoul's eyes smiled back at him as she stood back up.

"I'm — I'm surprised you didn't ignore me this time." He gulped and cleared his throat, meeting her eyes. "You look beautiful today." Gyeoul was about to respond but he quickly added, "Not like you don't look beautiful any other day. Is there an occasion?"

"I was at a meeting with the boss. The company extended my contract because they wanted me to choreograph for TXT. I'm not sure what comes after that, but they're looking to hire me to be an unofficial performance director until the end of the year."

"That means I'll get to see you more often."

She playfully glared at him, "You say that like it's a bad thing." She put her hands inside her trouser pockets and started to walk alongside him. Her steps were slow, matching his pace so they could walk beside each other.

"It's never a bad thing. I like having you around."

Putting aside the unexpected comment, the dancer noticed something in the tone of his voice. It clarified her senses in a way. She could observe how his eyes were red-rimmed, how his hair was disheveled, and how his shoulders sagged as if he was carrying the weight of the world. Gyeoul pursed her lips, a part of her wanting to ask what made her new friend be in such a state but knowing better than to pry.

"Are you okay?"

Taehyung's heart fluttered slightly at her concern, "Of course I'm okay, I'm perfectly fine."

"Okay, Mr. Perfectly Fine. Where are you headed?"

He smiled slightly, also putting his hand in his pockets. "Dance studio. You?"

"Jaehui-sunbaenim's charger broke so he's sending me to buy a new one at a convenience store," Gyeoul told him, scrunching her nose in annoyance. "One of the great, great benefits of being the youngest."

The idol chuckled but remained quiet. Gyeoul glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, wondering what was on his mind. She looked ahead, shifting sideways so their elbows would brush every so often as they walked. Taehyung turned his head, looking at her in surprise for initiating contact. Nonetheless, he returned the gesture, stepping a bit closer to her.

When she expected him to part from her when they passed the hallway where the dance studios were, he didn't. Instead, he kept walking and didn't answer the confused expression on her face. He only raised his eyebrows at her goofily, in all Kim Taehyung fashion. Gyeoul didn't question his actions and kept walking, content to at least have an excuse to be with him for a little longer.

As they made it near the lobby's doors, he swiftly took her hand and twirled her around. "I bid you farewell, my fair lady," Taehyung grinned, raising her hand slightly.

Gyeoul chuckled and shifted their hands so she was holding his wrist. "Thank you for your gracious escort, peasant. See you later" She then planted his palm across his face and walked away, waving at him when she got to the door.

She greeted the security as they opened the door for her. Almost immediately did she feel the contrast between the air conditioning and the warm July breeze.

"Another trip to the convenience store, Instructor Ahn?" the guard teased.

"I aim to empty their shelves for as long as I'm here," she grinned, bowing at him before walking away.

Unlike that day when she went to buy socks, she didn't have the time to leisurely walk and look around the place. The streets and sidewalks matched her pace. Everybody was walking around, especially around restaurants, because it was already lunch break.

Brisk-walking, she got to the convenience store in no time. With a small greeting to the cashier, she went straight to the chargers and took a purple one since its the color that consumed every nook of her mind ever since she started working in the company.

She was about to pay but she paused.

Taehyung. His somber brown eyes suddenly flashed in her mind. A sigh fell past her lips as she recalled the image. She didn't think he was as okay as he said was. She backtracked and went for two boxes of Pepero and a pack of roasted seaweed.

"Oh, is that you, captain?" It's been years since she last heard that voice. Gyeoul turned around and saw her former co-captain's older sister when she was still in university. "Gyeoul! I had a feeling it was you when I entered here."

"Songhwa-eonnie, it's been so long since I last saw you," Gyeoul replied, smiling softly as Songhwa embraced her in a small hug. It was not in her nature to be a hugger so she just patted the older woman's back in return. "How are you and Songyi?"

"Well, if you've texted us every once in a while, you would have known," Songhwa said, making a 'tsk' sound. "We're doing pretty good. I actually got a job in BigHit as a makeup artist last week! Can you believe that? Songyi is a frequent backup dancer there and he referred me! I start today!"

"That's great! Congratulations!" she smiled. Gyeoul gave the charger and the snacks to the cashier. "And Songyi works there too?"

"Yeah! But not lately though since there are no big performances yet, but I heard he's coming back for something BTS and BigHit have planned!"

"Look at you two conquering the world," she said, paying the cashier and taking the plastic bag. Her insides churned in guilt because she couldn't hold a proper conversation with one of her old friends, but she had somewhere to be. "I look forward to seeing you and Songyi around the building. Let's catch up next time. See you later."

Then she was off, leaving Songhwa to process her words. Gyeoul was already out of the door. The makeup artist opened the door, sticking her body halfway out the large glass door as she called out for the dancer.

"You work there too! You cheeky bitch, why didn't you tell me!"

Passerbys glared at her.

"Love you!" Gyeoul yelled back, making a heart over her head and accidentally hitting her head with the plastic back in the process.

With that, she turned away and walked back to the building.

❆

How long was he there standing in front of the mirror? Taehyung had no idea. All concepts of time dissipated the moment he stood there in the middle of the room, harshly criticizing every little thing he did in all his years of being an artist.

The last thing he remembered was walking Gyeoul to the lobby and going to the dance studio.

Did the greatest artists in history go mad when they hit a block? Did all of them claw at their own creations because they couldn't reach everybody? Did they ever want to give up and agree with the bashing critiques?

Taehyung shook his head, snapping out of those thoughts. As an advocate of the 'So What?' movement, such thoughts were the opposite of the message they wanted to portray. A sigh fell past his lips as he settled himself on the floor, laying his back down because the weight of the things in his head was getting heavy. It was as if he was trying to climb up an inclined plane doused in oil. No matter how much he got up and try again, the only result will be him slipping back down into the depths of his despair.

He closed his eyes and thought of his fans. He had to do better for them.

From outside the studio, Gyeoul looked at the door in confusion. Did he realize that he left the door ajar? She peeked inside the room, expecting him to be dancing, only to find him laying down on the floor.

Gyeoul's lips parted as she observed his state. A deep frown was etched on his face and his eyebrows were furrowed together. From the angle of his jaw to the tip of his nose to the stretch of his legs, and to the beautiful mess of his hair. He looked stressed and still managed to look like someone Michelangelo would carve marble for.

As she came into the studio, she made sure to rustle the plastic bag to alert him of her presence.

Taehyung turned to the source of the sound, a small smile spreading across his lips as he saw the dancer in full view. "I missed you, it's been so long since I last saw you."

She snorted, "Yes, those twenty-five minutes felt like forever for me too." She stepped up to him and gently placed the plastic bag on his stomach.

"What's this?" he asked her. Gyeoul didn't answer him and sat down next to him cross-legged. Taehyung lifted his head to peek inside, eyes turning soft as he saw the snacks. He looked back at Gyeoul with a pout, "You're making a habit of this and I don't know if I like it or not." The idol moved his head and rested his cheek on her knee, looking up at her. "But thank you anyway. I really appreciate it."

Gyeoul ran her fingers through his hair once as a silent 'you're welcome,' chuckling as he closed his eyes and let out an exaggerated sigh of contentment. She lightly pushed his head off her leg and stood up, walking towards the speakers despite his low whine.

Taehyung grinned at her retreating figure and went back to looking at the ceiling. In contrast to earlier, his mind was now empty, but it wasn't quiet. It was a bundle of static and grayed images of the hate comments, his mistakes, and his 'scandals' stuck to his mind, building a shrine of all the reasons he didn't feel like he was accomplishing enough.

But it all faded to white as his ears picked up on the familiar tunes blaring from the speakers. He turned his head slightly, trying to see if it was Gyeoul's doing. The corners of his lips quirked up as he observed her dancing like an elderly woman.

'L is for the way you look at me.'

Gyeoul turned around and did sloppy side steps in front of her friend.

'O is for the only one I see.'

She walked closer to him and outstretched her hand. "V is very very extraordinary," she sang in an awful opera voice, making him laugh.

The certain lyric she sang sparked a whole zoo to run rampant in his stomach. He only stared at her outstretched hand in confusion. Playfully he stuck out his thumb and index finger to show scissors. Gyeoul only slapped that hand away and urged him to take her hand.

'E is even more than anyone that you adore.'

"Can I have this dance, Kim Taehyung?"

An uncontrollable smile spread across his face in an instant, his smile finally reaching his eyes. He shook his head at her, amused but not really in the mood to move. Her eyes softened even more and she wiggled her fingers. Taehyung sighed, how can he say no when she was looking at him like that?

"As you wish," he said, taking her hand and allowing her to pull him up.

Gyeoul grinned triumphantly, twirling him around before adjusting their positions so she was behind him. She took hold of both of his wrists to control his movements since he wasn't doing any dancing, making sure to keep a distance from his behind. Taehyung laughed and just went along with it. The dancer reciprocated his laugh, satisfied to get such a reaction from him.

Everybody knew that the very way to Kim Taehyung's heart was jazz.

When the instrumental came, Taehyung took Gyeoul's hands and adjusted their positions so they were facing each other. They giggled as they met eyes.

He twirled her around and dipped her. The dancer laughed out loud as Taehyung almost let her go. She gripped his shirt until he positioned her upright, afraid that he might drop her. When he did, she slapped his shoulder lightly, making Taehyung lean into her while laughing before twirling her around again.

'Two in love can make it. Take my heart and please don't break it. Love was made for me and you.'

In the hallway, a thirty-one-year-old performance director was running frantically.

Jaehui has been waiting for his junior in the lounge for the past half hour and he's worried sick since she should have been back by now. He tried to call her but then he realized that his phone was dead. Worry filled his senses as he wondered where their maknae would be.

His running ceased to a stop as he passed by a studio with two people and a love song playing from the speaker.

Slowly, he backtracked and peeked inside the room, feeling utter relief as he saw the youngest performance director and one of the company's idols giggling and dancing like...

His mouth slowly formed an 'o' as he observed the two, smiling before leaving them to their little world with one thought running in his head.

There may be something there that wasn't there before.

Their high-pitched giggles died down as the song finished. Only then did they realize their proximity. His chin was propped up on her shoulder and their arms were wrapped around each other and they swayed side to side like they were trying to catch their balance.

Taehyung detached one of his arms from her frame and lightly flicked her forehead. "Thank you."

Acting as if it hurt, Gyeoul untangled one of her arms and placed a hand over her forehead, "I'll never do this again if that's how you'll always thank me." She returned the favor by also flicking his forehead, making him laugh.

'When I fall in love it will be forever.'

Suddenly, it felt like the world stopped as those lyrics resonated throughout the room. Gyeoul's eyes widened as the slow song started to play. Taehyung pursed his lips, now feeling conscious of their close position. She fully pulled away from the idol and started to make her way to the speakers. He cleared his throat, stepping away from her and scratching the back of his neck. 

"Sorry, I'll change the song—"

"No." He was quick to protest, stuffing his hands in his pockets. His eyes smiled at her. "I like this song."

She stopped walking and faced him. A meter's distance between the two of them. His eyes bore into her, making her look away and pretend to look around the studio. She stole a glance in his direction and he was still staring at her.

"I—" she cleared her throat, daring to meet his eyes for a moment. "I know we're not quite there yet but if you need someone to talk to or someone to listen, I'm here." With a final smile in his direction, she walked off to get her phone.

A silver lining. That was what she was. He didn't know what he did to deserve such a good friend.

"Gyeoul," he called. She turned around with expectant eyes.

'And the moment I can feel that you feel that way too is when I fall in love with you.'

"Thank you again."

She smiled and took her phone from the speakers, disconnecting the song before making her way to the plastic bag and taking the charger.

❆

What a chaotic wedding day.

Gyeoul and Taehyung's parents watched as the two seven-year-olds danced carelessly in the middle of the dance floor among the elderly couples. Their teacher was a mutual friend of their parents and was invited to the ceremony. Taehyung's mother weaved through the other guests over to Mihyang, giving her a flute of champagne.

'Love is all that I can give to you. Love is more than just a game for two.'

Chuwon was filming the whole thing with an amused expression.

"Gyeoul and Taehyung are so adorable, I just want to squish them," the boy's mother cooed.

Mihyang nodded in agreement, "Not to be a delusional type of mom, but..." she trailed off, her attention going back to the children twirling each other.

"Those two will fall in love," Taehyung's mother finished with a dreamy sigh.

Those two were trying not to strangle each other.

"Pengweng! How can I be the prince if you won't let me lead?" Taehyung pouted, stomping his foot. 

The little girl whined, "What kind of prince steps on his princess every second? My aunt is going to scold me if I turn up to practice with broken toes."

"I get the steps now!" Taehyung insisted, taking her small hands into his and giving her his famous pleading face.

Gyeoul sighed and begrudgingly put her hand back on his shoulder and hand. Her irritable state diminished as her best friend made a funny face as she faced him.

Taehyung twirled her around and dipped her.

It would have been cute if the boy didn't accidentally drop her and managed to drag himself along with her.

A chorus of winces resonated throughout the venue coming from the other guests but died out once they heard a bunch of bubbly giggles from the pair.

NOTE

it's so hard to make hate comments for bts when they're some of the most lovable people on the planet. honestly don't understand why people hate on them.

songs mentioned in this chapter — l-o-v-e by nat king cole | when i fall in love by nat king cole