October 26, 2019

If there was one thing, I knew it was that tests are infuriating and draining. I had just finished one my midterms and against my better judgement, I was discussing the answers with one of my classmates as I walked out of the building. There wasn't anything more frustrating than changing one answer last minute just to find out you had it right before. Parting our separate ways, I began my way journey to the dorm. The sun was already going down and my bed was waiting for me after I barely slept the night before trying to cram last minute material. Other students around me resembled my state of mind as nobody was lingering in the halls. It had been a hell week, but it was over for now and we could go back to procrastinating till the last minute.

I stopped by a bench to fish out my phone and listen to some music on the way to drone out the silence around me. Flinging my backpack over my shoulder I pressed the side button to turn it on. It wasn't necessary to turn them off during the test, but it's a precaution I took because I was so paranoid sometimes even if I checked it over 20 times before. A few seconds after the apple appeared on the screen several notifications chimed in, some were Instagram and twitter notifications, others text messages from my group chat with the girls and in the most recents dating to 10 minutes ago texts from Jimin and 5 missed calls. Before I could call him back a picture of him drunk appeared on my screen announcing he was calling me again. I picked it up quickly curious about the calls knowing they had a concert tonight.

"Hello? Jimin?" I rapidly answered.

"Oh, Nari thank god you picked up," Jimin exclaimed releasing a sigh. I heard him tell people on his side of the line that I had finally answered.

"Is everything alright?" I asked dubiously.

"No-Yes-No, kinda, it's Taehyung," he blurted out worry clear in his voice causing me to become worried myself.

"What is it? You're making me nervous," I urged him to talk. Scenarios crossed through my head of things that could have happened to him. Was there an accident? Is he sick? Was he in the hospital?

"He's not okay Nari, mentally, that is. He's hit a block and says he's not going up on stage," Jimin explained.

"Oh no, when did this happen?" I questioned him thinking that he probably called me to help Taehyung.

It was no secret that ever since Taehyung and I had that talk months ago, about him feeling doubt about going on stage, he calls me to give him a little pep talk and reassure him. I enjoyed helping him in any way I could, so I was happy he trusted me with it. One time I asked what he did before I was around, and he'd tell me he'd try dealing with it on his own but that also he didn't have as many doubts before. It's been on more recent times that his insecurities have become not common but more frequent.

"Today! It was very unexpected," Jimin said telling me of what had happened around half an hour ago.

"What can I do? I can call him and try to help him," I offered not knowing what else I could do.

"I don't think that'll work can you come over?" he asked in a begging tone. 

"Of course. Where are you guys?"

"We're at the stadium the concert is in an hour we can push it an hour at most before we go up on stage."

"Wow, okay, um, I'll make my way there now," I told him speeding up my steps to the main road to find a taxi. I didn't expect him to tell me to come to the stadium. Last time I had been backstage was on the Muster where Taehyung and I were just friends. It wasn't the fact that I was going backstage that made me nervous it was that it was the first time I would be seeing his managers and staff since we started dating. Would anything change?

"I'll let the staff know to let you through," Jimin stated waiting for my response.

"Okay, bye," I muttered.

In record time I called over a cab and gave them the address. The man probably thought I was a fan that was late to the concert venue. Only half of that was true. My heart raced as we hit traffic I needed to get to where Taehyung was, he was probably feeling horrible. He should've called me earlier when he had a chance. My knee bounced the closer as we got closer to the stadium I had no idea in what condition Taehyung would be in, but I hoped with all my heart he was hanging on in there. The area surrounding the stadium had a lot of traffic so I paid the taxi driver and sped walked to the back of the stadium where Jimin told me there would be another entrance. Inconspicuously I found the door and without drawing attention to myself, I knocked on it. Jungkook opened the door and pulled me in before anyone noticed it was him by the door.

He led me down the maze of hallways, he was on his stage outfit with his hair and makeup recently done. He looked back at me and saw my expression causing him to soften.

"Sorry for the rush," Jungkook said softly, "But V Hyung needs you."

"It's okay," I murmured before promising I would try my best. 

Jimin was waiting for me in front of the room Taehyung was in. Once he saw me, he jogged up to me and gave me a hug.

"We tried talking to him, but he won't budge," Jimin stated, "In the end, I don't care if he doesn't perform tonight, but please bring back the Taehyung we all know and love."

Geez, no pressure at all. I have him a nod and handed him my bag before opening the door and stepping in with a gulp. In the corner of the room sat Taehyung head in between his knees, he looked to be asleep.

"Go away," he muttered, not bothering to look up.

"Tae, it's me," I responded, walking closer to him and crouching down to his level.

"Nari, what are you doing here?" he asked, surprised to see me.

"Jimin called," I stated with a tight lipped smile.

"Oh."

"What's wrong Tae? What are you feeling?" I asked him while sitting beside him and grabbing his hand that had been clenched into a fist.

"A lot of things. I'm scared I won't be good enough to give a perfect show," he whispered, his eyes on the other side of the room.

"What else?" I urged him to tell me, lacing our fingers together.

"My confidence is just not there Nari, I could barely do anything right this morning I don't want to disappoint the fans," he admitted, turning to look at me. His eyes and the tip of his nose were red probably from all the crying he did.

"That's okay, that's valid," I assured him bringing my other hand up to cup his cheek, "But I think that if you don't go on stage a lot more fans will be disappointed and worried about you."

"I hadn't thought about that," he gasped, eyes wide.

"Let's be honest fans love all of you even when you make small mistakes, they laugh along with you and when you can't sing, they sing for you," Softly I caressed his cheek with my thumb making him lean into my hand, "All they want is for you to be there, but most importantly they want you to be happy."

"If you don't want to perform that's fine too, we all need days to heal, but do you want to miss this moment?" I questioned him to find out what he really wants.

"I want to perform, but I don't trust myself to be able to do it," he sadly spoke, lowering his head yet his hand clutched mine tighter than before as if looking for strength.

"Then trust me Taehyung, trust me when I say the fans will fall in love all over again with BTS, that the fans will love the show, trust me when I say the fans will not care for those things you call mistakes, trust me when I say you'll do a fantastic job. Trust me," I told him with much more emotion in my voice than I intended to. I hated seeing him doubt himself like this it made me sad. 

"Let me give you all the trust and confidence you need," I finished saying, searching for his eyes. 

"Will you stay?" he whispered as his eyes met mine.

"If that's what you want me to do then yes," I gave him an encouraging smile which made him give me a small one.

"Okay, I'll try," he nodded, standing up from the floor.

"Great," I exclaimed, getting up too, and dusting my pants.

"Thank you my little flower," Taehyung said, turning to me and pulling me into a hug.

"You're very welcome," I whispered into his neck.

Pulling away Taehyung held me close still leaning his forehead against mine, "What would I do without you?" he asked.

He didn't wait for an answer as he crashed his lips on mine. His movements were slow and tender it wasn't fiery passion what we felt but gratitude and understanding. His hands pulled me close again trying to tell me he never wanted to let me go and I held him just as tightly as an answer. He took his time to show me how he felt and how grateful he was before hesitantly pulling away.

There was not much time left before the concert started making Taehyung and I rush through the halls. We entered a room full of chairs and mirrors where Taehyung sat, and his stylist got to finishing up his hair. Jimin stood beside me and gave me a thankful smile. Nobody said anything but sent Taehyung encouraging looks and nods, happy to see him back. I saw Jungkook go to him and tease him by grabbing the skin under his jaw making Taehyung playfully scoff.

Soon enough, they went on stage and gave it their all performing to their hearts content. Taehyung was doing great his dance moves were on point and his singing was better than ever. Every so often Taehyung sent looks my way and he would shoot me a dazzling grin making me swoon. Knowing nobody could see me, I would send him flying kisses making him giggle. We all stumble in life and sometimes we pick ourselves up and keep going, but other times we need someone to help us up and make us strong again. I didn't mind being that person for Taehyung and I would be there anytime he needs me. Things were looking up and I was sure everything would be fine.

A/N:

Yay she got there on time!

This chapter is important.

I have had this planned for a while!

As always, please, remember to vote, comment, and share with a friend.

-Nikki Marie 💜