"I'm still not used to being on this side of the booth." Jungkook said as he awkwardly played with the headphones Yoongi had handed him earlier. He was standing inside the recording booth alone while Jin, Namjoon, and Yoongi sat on the other side of it.

"I'm going to play you the instrumental first. The lyrics to the track are in front of you. Remember, this is just for fun so don't worry about getting the chorus perfect. Just try and follow what you can." Yoongi said while pressing a button on his producing equipment, his voice coming over the intercoms of the recording booth. "I want to see what you do with a real track."

"Super-tuna was a real track." Seokjin said, waving a spoon. "And Jungkook killed it on that one."

Yoongi snorted, then did the little fish movement with his hand that Seokjin came up with for the song he let Jungkook practice recording with earlier. Yoongi had a shit eating grin as he did it and Jin flung his head back laughing before joining in the choreography.

They'd been in Yoongi's studio for a couple hours now. Namjoon was sprawled on a swivel chair, hands behind his head as he and Yoongi swapped production notes and Jin watched from the couch. Jungkook rubbed his tattoo, wishing he had sleeves to roll up. He grabbed his nearly empty coffee instead, taking a swig. The song they'd just recorded was ridiculous, almost enough to get Jungkook's mind entirely off of his day.

Thinking back to when he had called Yoongi made his ears red. Jungkook hadn't said much, just hyung, are you free tonight?, but his voice itself had begged the words.

Yoongi hadn't asked for details. Didn't hesitate saying yes, either. He didn't push, like Jungkook knew he wouldn't, and his heart warmed the way it always did because of that. Yoongi was like a cat in that way, quiet and observant and knowing, but he was subtle.

"Call me when to come pick you up." Yoongi had replied. "You're not driving."

Jungkook had swallowed. "Thanks," he'd said, but the word didn't capture the gratitude he felt.

Yoongi wasn't a words guy, but Jungkook had half-laughed, half-cried in response. Jungkook was worried to even drive Jimin home, let alone drive to Yoongi's place after. His emotions were a storm, his mind floating. Sometimes a drive could calm him down, but he felt the way he sometimes saw Jimin lock up. His mind locked on one thought or too many thoughts and the world around him suddenly hard to interact with. Driving like that wasn't a great idea, and Yoongi knew that without having to even see him. Jungkook decided then and there that he forgave him for sharing what he had with Hoseok.

Jungkook was embarrassed thinking about how his voice had sounded on that call now that he'd calmed down. He sounded like he was on his knees, crying in Yoongi's lap. He thought himself better than that, stronger too, but in that moment he'd been at a complete loss. His lips had burned, his body genuinely shaking. The world had tilted so astronomically that Jungkook thought he'd fallen through a black hole into some alternate universe. So, when Jimin had left that theater, when that door echoed shut and all sound died with it, Jungkook had called Yoongi and begged for help.

Yoongi had been waiting in front of Jungkook's apartment with an iced americano and an order of chipotle in the back seat of his car. The bag of food was large and when Jungkook had taken the coffee, raising his brow at it, Yoongi told him Seokjin and Namjoon were going to join them at the studio. Jungkook had nodded, because he missed his friends and wanted to see them too. Maybe talking about his feelings would honestly help. Maybe he didn't mind a night with his hyungs. Maybe this time, he didn't want to deal with his mess alone.

Half empty chipotle bowls were now on the table behind the production booth. Seokjin sat cross legged in a hoodie on the couch next to it, his bowl still in his lap. When Namjoon and Seokjin had joined, they'd given Jungkook a hug and the boys went straight into talking music. Namjoon showed Jungkook some of his songs that needed adlibs and backing vocals and the four of them started to work from there. It was nice, actually, to hang out and workshop together. Namjoon and Yoongi were so passionate about music production that it was infectious to share the space with them. The creative energy built in the room and helped Jungkook feel like he was helping create something instead of destroying it for once.

The more he sang in the booth, the better he felt. They'd started with a song off Namjoon's album that needed something in the background. Jungkook's backing vocals blended with Namjoon's song so well. Even Jungkook blushed listening to the sections they worked on. He sounded good, his lighter tone complemented Namjoon's soft, monotoned, rap-style really interestingly and gave the song a richer color.

Maybe Yoongi had a point about this whole music thing.

Seokjin had then thrown his demo for Jungkook to sing the entirety of for fun - but the song was wild. When Jin had first played it, Jungkook had lost his mind laughing. Namjoon grinned ear to ear while Yoongi just stared at Seokjin in awe. The song...it was ridiculous. The lyrics were about becoming a super-tuna. The whole song was just fish puns. Seokjin laughed with them, slapping his knee so hard that Namjoon had to put his hand over it so Seokjin didn't accidentally bruise himself.

Normally, Jungkook would have protested recording anything at all, but the adlibs had no pressure or focus on him, and Super Tuna was so out-there that he could just have fun with it. Seokjin looked so proud when Jungkook had started doing the little fish hand-movements. Yoongi and Namjoon had lost their minds laughing watching it - even Jungkook struggled to sing with a straight face.

None of the men had brought up Jimin yet, which was a wonder since Jungkook could see it on Jin's face that he was itching to when he first walked in. Namjoon had just asked if he was alright, which Jungkook had replied yes, he was, and Yoongi had clapped Jungkook on the back and pushed him behind the booth. He didn't even give Jungkook the option to say no to recording backup vocals. But he got the message right away that this was Yoongi's way of checking in on him, otherwise he would have offered to watch the NBA.

"Standing Next To You?" Jungkook said, raising a brow as he read the lyric sheet Yoongi had handed him. "I don't know if I'm up for a ballad right now, Yoongi." Jungkook said, adjusting his headphones again. They'd wrapped up super-tuna and Jungkook had thought they'd end the night there, but Yoongi had handed him a new lyric sheet instead.

"It's not a ballad." Yoongi explained. "I want you to record this as a demo since I already have you here. The lyrics are in front of you, just have fun trying to fit them into the backtrack and experiment with it. Here, listen to the instrumental. I think you're going to love it." Yoongi said with a grin. Namjoon looked over at him and smiled, pushing his feet too far out of his chair. The swivel chair caved, shooting behind him and Jungkook watched his friend fall to the floor. Seokjin gaped and Yoongi kicked Namjoon before clicking something on his production equipment and the instrument to the song flooded the studio.

Jungkook was in love. Instantly, in love. The track? Hello? Not what he expected, at all. It was golden and moody and bright at the same time. It was pure pop but done in an artsy way that involved lots of electric guitar, drums, and percussion. The beat sounded sexy and new and Jungkook was consumed by it. There were some back vocals already incorporated, the way a rap-track tended to, and he could see the entire song unfold in his mind.

Yoongi laughed at how wide Jungkook was grinning. Jungkook's dark eyes were shining, his shoulders swaying as he stepped to the beat, crossing his ankle and turning before he bopped his head to it. The song came to an end and Jungkook yelled in the booth in excitement.

"You like it?" Yoongi said,

"It's insane, Yoongi. Very Justin Seagull."

"You mean Justin Bieber?" Namjoon asked, getting back into his chair from the floor.

"What if that's my stage name. Release a song under Justin Seagull." Jungkook joked, itching to listen to the instrumental again. He wanted to get his hands on every part of it. "Get Justin Bieber as a feature."

"If it gets you to release a song, I'd even release it under any Super Tuna." Yoongi replied and Jungkook laughed.

"Careful what you wish for, I just might." Jungkook snorted. "So, you said just play around with fitting the lyrics in?"

"Yea, you can change them however you like. It's still in a really experimental spot."

"Shouldn't the artist it belongs to do that? I don't think they'll like me messing with their lyrics."

"It's not that deep." Yoongi said, "I'm going to play the track again so you can get another feel for it."

Jungkook read the lyrics again, humming this time with the track. The gears in his mind turning as he felt through where to place them. The song was blooming in front of him, it was like he could visually see where the lyrics should fit in the color of the music. He was dancing in the booth and his friends were egging him on as he started to sing the lyrics:

Wait do that again. Go further with it this time.

Holy shit, no way you just hit that note?

You eat Grammys for breakfast, right?

Jungkook was grinning, going harder each time they recorded. The song was starting to really grow and he loved being a part of it. The vocals sounded like a release, the little booth a safe haven from the world. He couldn't remember the last time he had this much fun.

Jungkook use the back of your throat when you do that part. Namjoon added during one of the recordings.

Namjoon, you can't say that.

You all need to wash your brains. Jungkook do it again. Back of the throat on that part. Yes! Just like that! Fuck kid, you're insane.

Justin Seagull, everyone. Seokjin announced, taking a bow and Jungkook cracked up watching him.

Again, go even further. Try to punch the air with your finger going into that note so the sound is even clearer. Yoongi advised on one of the takes.

You're an actual prodigy. Autograph now or later? Sign my ass??

That one broke everyone and Jungkook saw Namjoon throw a couch pillow at Seokjin for it who dodged just in time. An hour past in a blur and the song had hundreds of portions recorded. Jungkook was smiling when he took the headphones off, Yoongi calling it from the other side of the booth. He joined his friends and Namjoon clapped him on the back before Jungkook sat down on the couch. Seokjin gave him one side-wise look of concern, before catching Namjoon's eyes and pursing his lips.

"I loved it. Who's the song going to?" Jungkook asked, ignoring the exchanged look.

"No one yet. It's just a demo to sell it." Yoongi shrugged. Jungkook felt a violent rush of jealousy roil in his chest.

"Can I - do you think I could keep it?" He asked.

Yoongi's smile grew slowly. "Yes."

"You hear that?" Seokjin said, kicking Namjoon's leg. "Look at Yoongi, man's practically swinging his feet."

"Fuck off." Yoongi said, but the smile stayed. Jungkook laughed. He looked at his phone, surprised to see it wasn't that late.

"It's only midnight if we want to swing by Hoseok's?" He offered. His friends all blinked, but Jungkook knew they'd canceled for him.

Yoongi pulled out his phone, checking his messages. "He texted that they moved on from drag race and are now just drinking." He answered. "I wouldn't say no to a beer."

"You sure?" Namjoon asked Jungkook.

"Honestly, yea." Jungkook said and Seokjin smiled at him. "I feel up for it."

"I'll drive." Namjoon said. "So you three can drink. I got to head to the studio in the morning so I don't mind."

"Shotgun." Seokjin said, jumping to his feet as Yoongi saved Jungkook's vocals and then started to shut his equipment off.

"Nope, Jungkook gets shotgun. I want to swap notes on the song more." Namjoon said, cleaning up the empty Chipotle bowls.

Jin did an almost perfect frown, pouting, and Namjoon laughed fondly at it. He moved as if to kiss Seokjin on the forehead for being adorable and then stopped as he remembered where he was. Yoongi flicked his brows at Jungkook as if to ask if he caught that and Jungkook rolled his eyes which made Yoongi laugh. Jin just blushed before they left and filtered into Namjoon's car.

* * *

"You want to talk about it? Whatever's on your mind?" Namjoon said after they'd driven for a little while. Yoongi and Seokjin where in the middle of a conversation in the back seat, their voices a hum against the rnb Namjoon had on aux. Jungkook didn't fail to catch how that conversation got a little quieter after Namjoon spoke.

"I'm good, Namjoon." He said, meaning it.

"Sure, sure. Expect that you're not." Namjoon replied, switching lanes to get off the highway. "Did Madison contact you? I swear to god it's on sight with that girl if I see her. Jin filled me in."

"It's not her." Jungkook said, Seokjin and Yoongi were now quiet in the back seat. A part of him wanted to deflect, but Namjoon was throwing him a bone opening up with Madison instead of Jimin. "It's just been a lot," he answered. "I'm thinking of quitting the club I work at, actually. I've been there for a while now and Ajax is still the only one who lets me within a foot of the DJ booth. I'm barely getting scheduled too, but if I quit then I don't know what to do instead. I want to move out of my apartment too or buy new furniture but can't tell which of those two things would be cheaper. So that's been a big stress. I just feel like I can't grab hold of anything, you know. Like everything I touch keeps slipping through my fingers. My job, my place, everything."

"Everything." Namjoon repeats, nodding in thought. "Like Jimin."

Jungkook nodded. "Yea, like Jimin. I want to make things less weird between us and stay friends but I think it's too much. Like, what's better? Bring strangers or being - this." He said, waving his hands and accidently hitting the dashboard of Namjoon's car.

"What's 'this?'"

Jungkook sighed. "It's - We're in a weird spot. Which I knew was going to happen when he came back but still, I didn't think it would be this confusing. Jimin's going through a lot right now, which at least I can actually see this time, so I understand him and feel for him, but he's also been...flirting. As a way to cope with it, maybe? Or because its awkward between us and he doesn't know what to do? Like, is it a choice between flirt through the awkwardness or ice me out completely? Because every time I've seen him since last year has been one or the other. And hyung, I understand, or I'm trying to, but it's starting to get hard to stay on top of."

"Flirting?" Namjoon asked, frowning.

"Once was when he was drunk last weekend and we were outside and then today he .... I don't know. I think he's just working through a lot and is confused and I'm not exactly helping." Jungkook said. "But I don't know what to do. I feel like I'm losing it."

Namjoon nodded thoughtfully. "That's a lot on your plate, Jungkook-ah." He said, pulling up to Hoseok's apartment. He parked, shifting the gear in his car before looking at Jungkook. "Maybe take a step back and realize that you're doing the best you can with everything you've been through this year and with the pressure on you. Your career, your friendships, your living situation, it's a lot. I think all things considered you're handling it really well. Operating under so much pressure from so many different angles will take its toll. Things are bound to unravel in a messy or less than ideal way, but isn't that okay? You're young, Jungkook. You're still a kid, which is good. It's a good and normal thing. And sometimes it's also a beautiful thing to stumble and have things explode as you do. To mess up. Not that you did mess up, but I mean taking the wrong step forward is still movement, you know? It's still worth something. I think, from an outside perspective at least, you're doing alright. I'm proud of you for singing today. I'm proud of you regardless. You're our brother."

"Fuck, Hyung." Jungkook said, laughing as he realized he'd started crying. He pushed the tears back with his palm. "Where'd you come from with all these bangers today."

Seokjin reached for Jungkook's shoulder from behind the car seat and squeezed it causing Jungkook to cry a little harder. He tried to laugh it off, but he couldn't help it. The tears just kept flowing.

"Is that how you've been feeling Jungkook?" Seokjin asked, his face crestfallen. "I'm sorry we've all put you under so much pressure."

"What? No, it's okay." Jungkook said and that made Seokjin start to cry too. Which then made Jungkook laugh because Seokjin always cried when he cried.

"It's not." Yoongi said. "Okay, I mean. We could have been better this year helping you handle all of this. I'm sorry."

Jungkook laughed again, now getting seriously uncomfortable because his big-bad-brothers were being sappy with him. "Um. So we going in or staying in the car all night? Yoongi you need that beer, right?" Jungkook sniffled and Seokjin took his hoodie off so Jungkook could use it to wipe his tears. Namjoon looked at Seokjin with a what-the-fuck expression because Seokjin was now shirtless with his washboard abs blinding the car. Seokjin just stuck his chin out like he was saying well-my-son-is-crying-what-was-I-supposed-to-do-not give-him-something-to-wipe-his-tears-with?. To which Namjoon's jaw dropped as if to say I-mean-it's-not-the-route-I-would-have-taken.

Yoongi waved his hand between Seokjin and Namjoon's stare off. Jungkook used Seokjin's sleeve to fix his face then handed it back with a weak thanks. The three of them looked at Jungkook then and Jungkook gave them a smile.

"Thanks for today, you guys." He said. "And for what you said."

Namjoon nodded then turned to leave the car and instantly hit the window with his face. He cursed and a spell was broken in the car, the sappy air transformed with laughter and shouts at how the hell Namjoon didn't realize his door was closed. The four of them were still laughing as they climbed the steps to Hoseok's apartment, and Jungkook felt lighter than he had all year. Even when the person who opened the door was none-other than Park Jimin.

_________

A/N: 

Quick turn-around for this chapter, huh? I just couldn't stop thinking about them last night and then needed to procrastinate (of course) and now here we are. I hope you enjoyed <3. I wanted to write more of the group dynamics and just sit in their friendships a bit. I love clumsy Namjoon. That man is such a dichotomy of ridiculous and insightful.

When I was drafting this, I had the dialogue in my head but didn't have time to flesh it out because I was writing between study breaks, so some reactions were represented by an emoji. The notes knocked me out when I went back in to finish it, so I thought I'd share:

- Violette