Jungkook could already feel the nerves kicking in, and he wasn't even on stage yet. This always happened to him. He knew deep down that it always would. Even though he had done a slew of concerts, he always felt on edge right before he was set to go on. As he stood changing into his clothes for the concert, he kept running everything through his head in an attempt to relax himself. The choreography. The lyrics. He found himself humming as he did up the buttons of his white shirt that had a few pink hearts scattered here and there. The pink of the hearts was the same color as his hair. The wardrobe stylists did it on purpose because they thought it would help to draw eyes to him.

As he moved to grab his pants, he paused. The pair of black dress slacks that were supposed to be there were not. Instead, he found the pair of pants that Jimin was trying to push off on all of them the day before.

Jungkook supposed he could put the pants back on that he had arrived at the venue in, but he knew that would be worse. Grumbling, he moved to slip the pants on. Surprisingly they fit him like a glove. He stared at his reflection in the mirror. He looked absolutely ridiculous now. He looked like he had come down with heart-shaped chicken pox.

A knock came at his changing room door. He heard the door creak open behind him without him giving permission followed by Taehyung's laughter filling the air. Jungkook turned to see Taehyung standing in the doorway. It was evident to Jungkook that Taehyung was trying to keep it together, but couldn't. Every time he tried, he would start snickering again and eventually break out into full on laughter.

"So you were the victim of Jimin's love pants, I see."

"I look ridiculous."

"Not gonna disagree with you there."

Jungkook sighed in defeat. There wasn't much that he could do about it now. They were going to go on stage shortly. Taehyung was trying the best he could to compose himself in seeing how upset the other was about their outfit.

"Don't worry so much. You need to smile more or you're going to crack that priceless face of yours," said Taehyung as he walked over to Jungkook, slinging an arm about his shoulder. "Besides, you look like the prince of love now."

Jungkook smirked, giving Taehyung side eye that read, 'you're kidding, right?'

Jungkook moved to follow Taehyung out of his dressing room to go gather where the other members were. Jungkook saw that as soon as Jimin saw them approach, he quickly hid behind Namjoon. Namjoon - who was busy adjusting his mic set - was momentarily confused before his gaze landed on Jungkook and everything made sense.

"I am not a human shield," informed Namjoon to the cowering Jimin behind him.

Namjoon attempted to move off to the left to stop being Jimin's hiding place. In response, Jimin gripped the back of Namjoon's shirt so that he would remain protected still, trailing behind him like his shadow. When Namjoon attempted to move off to the right, the same thing happened. Jungkook could tell that Namjoon was getting frustrated, trying to now turn around to grab Jimin by the shirt to pull him off but instead ending up spinning in a circle. Yoongi, Hoseok, and Jin watched the two circle themselves like a dog chasing its tail.

"Look at that, Jungkook. Now you're not the most ridiculous looking one anymore!" said Taehyung with a wide smile. Jungkook couldn't help but to laugh.

One of the stage hands walked over to Jungkook and Taehyung, handing them each a mic set. Jungkook reached up to put it around his ears, adjusting the mic so that it was in front of his lips. Someone else rushed over to apply a last minute makeup check to the two of them. The loud thrumming of the crowd reached the ears of all seven of them as they stood in the wings like the thrum of an active hive of bees.

Jungkook felt the nerves kicking in again. Lyrics and choreography started to replay in his mind. He tried to focus on that and on doing his best. Taehyung looked towards Jungkook after having adjusted his own mic set and could clearly see what the other was trying to keep inside.

"Kookie," said Taehyung, causing the other to look over at him. "You've got this. Besides, you never walk alone. Remember?"

Jungkook nodded his head, giving Taehyung a brief smile. He really didn't know what he'd do without him, or the rest of the guys for that matter. He couldn't picture his life without them and didn't want to.

"Stand by!" A stage hand yelled out towards the boys, standing near a black curtain. "You go on in one!"

At the command, Namjoon was finally able to get Jimin to let go of the back of his shirt. It was a wonder that the two weren't dizzy as they stood there. Jimin got a sheepish tint to his cheeks as Namjoon half glared at him before moving to stand ready to go on stage. Jimin shot a quick glance Jungkook and Taehyung's way. The glance was quick from Jimin since he was scared of Jungkook's reaction.

"Are you going to put Jimin out of his misery?" asked Taehyung as the thirty second count was given; the crowd getting several decibels higher out in the venue.

Jungkook debated it for a moment before nodding. He walked over to Jimin as the countdown continued.

"We're going to have to talk about your spending habits after this," said Jungkook close to Jimin's ear so he could hear him over the roar of the crowd.

"Does it help to say I think you look good?" asked Jimin. "Maybe you'll be a trendsetter."

'I'm going to be something alright,' thought Jungkook. 'Just maybe not that.'

"And you're on!" shouted the stage hand, pulling back the black curtain so the boys could make an unhindered rush onto the stage.

Jungkook looked into the darkness beyond the curtain. From where he stood, he could see the lights of the stage like the light at the end of a tunnel. Taking a deep breath, Jungkook ran in sync with the other six members towards that light and the joy that came with every ARMY interaction.