RM: Hey, you busy?

SUGA: Just writing lyrics. Might do some studying to please my dad. Usual weekend stuff. What's up?

RM: I'm gonna hang out with some rapper friends and meet some people. Wanna come check it out?

SUGA: Like some underground shit?

RM: Yeah, exactly.

SUGA: That sounds interesting. Me, you and Hoseok?

RM: Pretty much. You in?

SUGA: Hell yeah.

RM: I knew you'd be in.

SUGA: Where do I meet you?

RM: Come to the ice cream shop at 3 pm.

SUGA: Alright, see you then.

Yoongi puts his phone down, grinning as anticipation bubbles inside him. He hasn't been able to meet any rappers before. He has always wanted to since this is the career he wants, but he was worried he'd never experience the underground culture.

He jumps off of his bed, grabs his notebook, and begins flicking through it.

This particular notebook is Yoongi's prized possession. If someone was to pick it up and flick through it, they'd assume it's a bunch of scribbles. But this book is Yoongi's thoughts. Whenever he has some inspiration, he flips it open and jots it down. The book itself is just pages upon pages of scribbled sentences, not strung together in any order. But Yoongi can understand what he's written. He uses this book to compose music on his computer.

He eventually finds the page he's looking for. This particular section of the book contains some scribbles for a song Yoongi has been working on. Even though he only has 5 hours until he meets up with Namjoon, he decides to finish before he goes. They will probably freestyle, but this will get him in the right mood.

This might be the only time he experiences the underground music scene; he might as well be prepared.

He tampers with his current lyrics, taking and adding to the formula, mixing the words up and rearranging the chords. Eventually, as he looks down at his work, he begins to feel proud.

He closes his book a snap before standing up to get ready, starting to feel giddy.

. . . . .

Namjoon checks his watch, his brow furrowed as he pushes his hands deep into his pockets. Yoongi stands beside him, mimicking his movements instinctually.

Hoseok isn't that late, but they can't be late to meet the guys. It took Namjoon too long to find them.

He saw their work on SoundCloud the other night. He decided to message them and see if they can hang out and mess about with some music. They excitedly accepted, curious to see what these young students are made of.

Hoseok, Namjoon, and Yoongi decided they wanted to be a hip-hop trio when they leave school. However, Namjoon and Yoongi seem to be the only ones excited about this.

"Namjoon! Yoongi!"

Yoongi and Namjoon look up to find Hoseok sprinting towards them, huffing and sweating.

"You're late," Yoongi snaps, folding his arms.

"Sorry," Hoseok whines, "I don't even have an excuse,"

"It's fine Hoseok," Namjoon frowns at Yoongi, "You're not that late,"

Hoseok also looks to Yoongi for understanding. Yoongi is glaring at the ground, frowning deeply. After a brief moment, Yoongi sighs and smiles a little, which is as close as they will ever get to an apology. Everyone finds it hard to stay mad at Hoseok.

"Let's go," Namjoon beams, taking Hoseok's arm whilst pushing Yoongi forward.

The three of them make their way down the street, heading towards their dreams.

When they arrive, Namjoon starts to feel nervous. He can already tell these underground artists are the type that don't like idols. It's not their appearance, and Namjoon doesn't judge upon sight. But as soon as they invite them in, he hears a snippet of someone performing: "Fuck idols, want to fuck idols? Gonna fuck your idols, I'll destroy their shit"

Namjoon frowns. The beat sounds catchy, but the lyrics don't make much sense. However, it's written and sung in anger, so the emotion is there.

Namjoon doesn't have anything against idol singers, and he doesn't understand the point of rappers attacking idols simply because they are idols.

He pushes this thought aside as a man approaches him, greeting him loudly.

"Hey! RM, right? I'm Young"

"Nice to meet you," Namjoon shakes his hand.

He chuckles before turning to look at Yoongi and Hoseok, "Who are your friends?"

"This is Min Yoongi," Namjoon indicates to his right, "He goes by SUGA,"

Young nods appreciatively at Yoongi. It seems he also senses Yoongi's 'rap persona' just like Namjoon did when he first heard him rap.

"And this is Jung Hoseok," Namjoon hesitates.

"I go by J-hope," Hoseok supplies, surprising everyone in the room.

"J-Hope?" Young roars with laughter, "What kind of name is that?"

"I want to bring hope," Hoseok shrugs, not phased by his teasing. He never is.

"Fair enough," Young shrugs, turning back to Namjoon with a wicked gleam in his eye, "So, you ready to battle?"

"Battle?" Yoongi asks.

"Yeah, I invited RM to join us for a rap battle. I wanted to hear what he has to say,"

Yoongi looks quizzingly at Namjoon, insisting he explains.

"We gotta prove we're worthy," Namjoon supplies, giving Yoongi a look that plainly says that they will be leaving there victorious. Yoongi smirks knowingly, glancing back at Young with a little swagger in his posture.

"Alright, sounds interesting,"

Young smirks knowingly at Yoongi, but with a little tension. He must sense Yoongi isn't someone to mess with. Namjoon has never been able to figure out what startles people about Yoongi. Maybe it's his tone of voice versus his petite build, or maybe it has something to do with his eyes. All he knows is that no one messes with Yoongi and survives with anything more than their dignity. But they try, they always try.

"Alright, let's get in the studio," Young leads them to the door he just left. He swings it open and gestures for them to enter.

They enter the room, followed by Young and a couple of other rappers with tattoos peeking out of their shirts. The room isn't very large, but not too small. It would be about 5m by 6m with a couch, a desk, and some chairs. It's not the best area for a battle, but Namjoon knows Yoongi will take it in his stride.

Young stands by the desk, a few of his friends taking the chairs. Namjoon, Yoongi and Hoseok stand by the couch, leaning against the armrests.

Young claps his hands loudly.

"Let's begin,"

He nods for Namjoon to go first. Namjoon stands, feeling a little nervous yet ready to prove himself.

He nods to Hoseok, who starts beatboxing immediately.

He clears his throat and begins.

"I'm a rap wiper, a complete psycho, if I'm a dicer, then I have all the dice
Cypher, if you're nice, I'm nicer
If you're Pride, then I'm a Chrysler, that means I'm priceless
Who are you to judge my rap? Rapper?
This is One Piece, I'm a Whitebeard, you just have long beards like catfish, bucket
Hehe haha, honk honk, 300 per hour
I'm going through the process of working hard
I won't discriminate but catch them all, tombstone, knock knock knock out
Fire in the hole beat BING BING POW POW, you'll cry and look for your dad
My voice constricts the voices of the plain rappers at all times, like the PC cafe closing

As Namjoon gets into it, following the beat perfectly, he feels his nerves slipping away.

This is a kingdom, I'm a king, you're dumb
I'll chew you and swallow, you're bubblegum
On top of the running man is the flying man
On top of the flying man is the one who rides him
That's me, beat, a worse guy than Rain
Like rags, I just hang it up, after I play with it, I rip up your eardrums, boom boom boom
This is the curse of my dawn, a nightmare, a riot, serial murder, theft, doom doom doom
You're like a KakaoTalk with no friends, no reason to look
Did you already wet your pants? Sorry, there's no bathroom
I'm commanding you, let go of the mic and get up
Just do the "chun" because you have no "shil"
I'll push you out because I really don't like you
I'm good at sewing, putting it into practice
I'm growling right now, you're in a bit of danger
Just do the "yeon," like I said, you have no "shil"
Rise and rise to the sky but get ripped, fuck it, I've forgotten you
My voice, my hegemony, I made it from one to ten
I put the whole world on my tongue
I play with big boys, I ain't spittin low shit
On the CD or the TV, you can see me, envy me, it's a pity, gee gee
Beat I'mma monster I rap with a prospect, yeah I rap with a mindset I'm a suspect
Sucka where yo rhymes at where you lines at? I'm da king, I'm the god so where ma emperors at?
I parachute on my Neverland, I'mma Peter Pan, so this will never end
You know when I ride on my G5 you sit first class and satisfy and I keep giggling
Keep gigglin, keep jigglin, bring yo booking mic beat, wanna have a go?
Hyung's who are sick with pride and strange beliefs get lost after 8 measures
You old caterpillars, I'll give you this beat, give it a try
Hey, start talking when you can start rapping
There should be a law restricting you from rapping"

Young and his thugs stare at him for a moment. They seem to be taken aback – no – completely bewildered. They weren't expecting him to be this good.

"That was..." Young clears his throat, "Have you done this before?"

"Only in front of my friends here," Namjoon snickers, "Was it that good?"

"I mean..." Young shrugs, "I guess,"

The men around him clap, nodding appreciatively. Namjoon bows a little, starting to feel proud.

Yoongi is going to blow him away.

"Alright," Young frowns, "Your turn Vanilla"

One of Young's friends steps forward. Another guy gives him a beat and he begins.

He isn't bad. Namjoon can tell he has been rapping for a long time. However, his rhymes are weak and don't have much power. As far as Namjoon can tell, he raps with no emotion.

When he finishes, the 3 boys clap respectfully.

"Alright, your turn J-Hope," Young sneers.

Hoseok stands, looking extremely nervous. Namjoon knows Hoseok didn't plan much for this, so it'll be short. But, then again, Hoseok didn't want to come in the first place.

Namjoon lays the beat down for him, and he starts.

"One-eight one-three three-eight ddaeng
U wrong me right look carefully ddaeng
Ring the school bell brr brr ddaeng
This life is all wrong for you, ddaeng
One-eight one-three three-eight ddaeng
U wrong me right look carefully ddaeng
Hold up for a second and freeze ddaeng
This life is all wrong for you, ddaeng"

Hoseok cheers as he finishes, motioning for Yoongi to stand and rap. Young and his friends laugh at Hoseok's rap but don't comment on it. Considering he didn't have long to prepare anything, he did really well.

"That was really wholesome, J-Hope," Young chuckles, "Alright,"

Young steps forward as the same guy as before begins beatboxing again.

Young seems to have a very unique style to his rapping. Namjoon enjoys how he raps, but not his words. They seem very amateur and unprofessional to him.

This isn't a battle, this is Child's play, Namjoon sighs to himself as Young finishes his rap.

"Let's see what you got, Suga," Young grins as if he set the bar high.

Yoongi stands, looking smug and proud. Young's smile slips from his face and his friends look like they regret making fun of Hoseok.

This is going to be interesting. Namjoon smirks.

Hoseok gives him a beat, and he begins.

A to the G to the U to STD

I'm D boy because I'm from D

I'm the crazy guy, the lunatic on the beat

Sending listeners to Hong Kong with my rap my tongue technology

I'm the guy who shoves his junior or senior who copies from copiers

Doesn't matter if I'm nasty or if I'm a wack or fack, I'm the guy that will carve history on the ground

Always getting more light among other hopeless rappers

The racquet caused by the jealous hyungs who are scared I'd take away their source of income with my fame

hey ho I don't give a shit when you're busy being a moron

I will simply bury you alive in the grave you dug out yourself

hey ho you can't handle me

You wasted rappers should be grateful that I'm a student.

I'm sorry I mean it I'm sorry

I'm sorry for taking away your source of income, boy

I'm sorry I reject fury

Your mom's going to be sad when you lose your only asset, health

I'm sorry, you should change your job

Your ability to make yourself look like a moron is extraordinary so change your job, boy

I'm sorry I mean it I'm sorry

I'm sorry that your rapper sucks compared to me

Namjoon and Hoseok clap along with the others. Young's friends look pleased and ready to mingle and work with them, but Young looks angry.

"That was pretty aggressive," Young scoffs, "Are you saying I'm a bad rapper?"

Yoongi smirks.

"I wasn't but I am now," He laughs aloud, "What sort of rapper can't walk away from a battle?"

Young grimaces, staring them down.

"Hyung," Vanilla chuckles, "He's right, calm down,"

Vanilla reaches out to place his hand on Young's shoulder, but he shakes him off. He gives Yoongi one last hateful look before storming from the room.

"Sorry about that," Vanilla flicks his hair from his face, beaming down at them, "Young is a little sensitive about his rapping,"

"It's cool," Yoongi shrugs, holding his hand out for Vanilla to shake, "I've heard your tracks. You're really good,"

"Thanks, man," Vanilla grins, taking his hand enthusiastically, "I think you could give me a run for my money though, that was amazing,"

Yoongi shrugs as Vanilla beckons them to follow him.

"I've heard RM's tracks," Vanilla chuckles, "Major daddy issues, but anyway,"

Namjoon chuckles, making Yoongi frown at him in surprise. Namjoon shrugs.

"Daddy issues?"

"Well," Namjoon sighs, "My parents want me to be something academic, like a lawyer or a doctor. You know, 'do something with my grades'"

"Yeah, I knew that," Yoongi grumbles, "I didn't know you made tracks about it. Why haven't I heard these?"

"He posted them online, we can listen to them in my studio if you'd like," Vanilla supplies, pointing to another room.

So, Namjoon and Yoongi follow Vanilla into the studio whilst Hoseok tags along quietly. He appears to be way too silent, considering his usual self.

Yoongi lags behind to talk to him.

"Hey," He smacks his back playfully, "What's up? You've never been this quiet,"

Hoseok shrugs, looking around him.

"Come on, you can tell me,"

"Well," Hoseok sighs, stopping in his tracks, "I don't think I am cut out for this rapping stuff,"

"Hey," Yoongi stands in front of him, "You're not bad Hoseok. You definitely have talent,"

"That's not what I mean," Hoseok snaps, startling Yoongi. As Hoseok's eyes look into Yoongi's he starts to feel a little unsettled. Hoseok is never mad. What could be making him feel this way?

"I don't understand,"

"I don't enjoy this," Hoseok gestures to the room, "This doesn't make me feel excited like you guys. I'm having fun, but only because I am hanging out with you two,"

"But..." Yoongi frowns, recalling the career council day, "After the career meeting you said you told Mr Choi you wanted to be a rapper,"

"I lied," Hoseok shrugs, "I told Mr Choi the truth"

"Which is?"

"That I don't have a dream," Hoseok shoves his hands deep in his pockets, looking down at the floor, "I don't have any ambition or a goal in mind. There is nothing I want to do,"

Yoongi considers this for a moment. Mainly, he is disappointed that he knew Hoseok this long but didn't know this, but he is also concerned. How can someone not have a dream?

But as Yoongi contemplates this a little more, he realises he was once clueless. He didn't know what he wanted to do with his life. And he knows exactly what pushed him in the right direction.

"It's okay Hoseok," Yoongi smiles. Hoseok looks up at him, frowning.

"Is it?" He asks, a little sarcastically.

"Of course," Yoongi pats his back again, "You just have to wait for it to jump out at you,"

Hoseok considers this. Yoongi can see a little bit of the warmth returning to his eyes.

"Really?"

"Dreams aren't like puberty, Hobi," Yoongi smirks, "You're not meant to have one at a certain age. It just... happens when you're ready,"

"But what if it's too late?"

"Just keep doing what you enjoy, and it'll show itself, okay?"

Hoseok nods, a smile crawling up his face. He beams, playfully smacking Yoongi hard on the back.

"Yah!" Yoongi groans.

"Thanks, Yoongi,"

He continues to beam as he enters the studio where Namjoon and Vanilla are waiting.

Yoongi shakes his head, his back and heart tingling.

I've got to look out for my friends too, he thinks to himself as he follows Hoseok in. 

(A/N) The lyrics used in this chapter are from BTS - Cypher Pt2, DDaeng, Agust D.