Work Text:
RKive’s newest idol debuts with a chart-topping hit Euphoria, already placing number one in this week’s Oricon charts, Jeongguk’s debut is set to break records this season. Jeongguk’s label mate reads off this morning’s paper.
“Hyung, you’re making it sound too much,” Jeongguk replies, looking towards Jimin. “Plus, the song just came out this morning; literally anyone can be number 1 tonight.”
Jimin tsks at Jeongguk’s direction obvious to the boy’s humbleness. “You’re just shy Guk, Namjoon hyung did not help you for nothing but to make such an amazing song,”
Sue him, Jeongguk was raised in a loving and respectable household where manners are thought and humbleness is preached. In addition, he just literally debuted less than 8 hours ago, everything is brand new. His social media is steadily increasing by the hour and he heard his song about six times already in the past 2 hours, as he is getting ready in the salon.
“You’re lucky my album is not finished yet, or else we would have to be fighting for the top spot,” Jimin chuckled.
Jeongguk shakes his head, obvious that his hyung was just joking. “Yeah right, like your 1.3 million fans would let their dear mochi ever be second place,”
Jimin chucks a crumpled napkin at the latter’s face and explained that his healthy competition with Taehyung comes from a good place. Rumors regarding them hating each other are absolute garbage because they had known each other since high school, being soulmates and all. “I don’t even get why people keep making stupid comments regarding us when they can literally see us stuck together, can they not see our Instagram feed?”
Hearing Taehyung’s name brings a stupid smile to Jeongguk’s face, his ears blushing and his cheeks dashing with shades of pink. It was not a secret in his RKive family that he has a small crush on the actor/idol. No one needs to know that 4 out of his 8 songs in his album was inspired by the elder.
Caught up in his head, he did not hear Jimin calling his name.
“Sorry hyung, say that again,” The younger said.
Jimin rolled his eyes having to repeat his story again, “As I was saying, there’s a rumour, actually it’s not even a rumour, he told me himself. Tae said that he is having his own comeback tomorrow, but no one knows about it yet for obvious reasons.”
Jeongguk probably pulled a muscle or few with how fast he whipped his head towards the other. Eyes bulging out and mouth agape no words coming out.
“I- I can’t compete with him, he’s like the epitome of what a celebrity is. If you think you’re fans are dedicated, you haven’t seen his, and I am one of them,” the younger rambles.
“Okay first of all, it’s not a competition, I hate it when people assume everything has to be a popularity thing, yeah he’s been in the industry for a while, then it means you can learn from him and he can teach you a thing or two,” Jimin declares, “Also, this also means that you can finally meet and talk to him, like you always been dreaming of.”
To say that Jeongguk wasn’t beet red before, well now he is. Before he can even comprehend what his hyung has said, his manager has called for them that it is time for the pair to head to the recording.
--
Performing for the first time ever was a mix of emotions for Jeongguk. He has been training for this moment since he was 14, all his dedication and hard work finally being paid off and he could not be happier.
It was nearing the end of the program, all artist huddled together to congratulate this week’s winner. Before their closing remarks the MC cheered “And tomorrow, live on stage, Taehyung will be performing his latest single Singularity!” The whole room roared with cheer, everyone pulsing with excitement, including Jeongguk because the person he’s been looking up to (besides Namjoon hyung, sorry hyung) is finally going to be close to him.
After the show, Jeongguk looks at various comments online regarding his performance, looking for any issues that he can correct for tomorrow’s stage.
[+5333] His debut stage was perfect, Gukkie jjang!!
[+3400] fuck does he eat CDs for breakfast, lunch, and dinner???? His live with his dancing is too out of this world
[+2364] Gukkie-ah I know you’re nervous about your debut stage so don’t worry too much about the camera!!
[+1113] YOU ARE MY EUPHORIA!!!!!
Scrolling down the page, Jeongguk looks at the comments people has said to him, be it a positive one or a negative one. His reasoning being that he has to get used to seeing things like this and that the more he exposes himself into these situations the more thicker skinned he’ll be. Nearing the end of the comments, two catches his eyes.
[+30] Can you guys imagine Taehyung and Jeongguk interacting T______T fuck
[+15] Euphoria is like the opposite of Singularity, imagine the collab stages, is it too early to be shipping #taekook
Putting his phone down, Jeongguk looks up to the ceiling. Never in his lifetime would he think that people would put them to interact let alone to collaborate. The elder was such an inspiration, someone who is so high that the younger cannot imagine being friends or colleagues with Taehyung.
Speaking of Taehyung, Jeongguk still has to listen to his new album.
--
Sitting in the same salon as yesterday, Jeongguk is watching Taehyung’s music video before Jimin interrupted him, again.
“So, I heard this thing from Seungri hyung that people in the cafeteria during recording put their numbers in sandwiches hoping for the other to notice it,” The elder piqued, “That’s how I gave Yoongi hyung my number.”
Jeongguk shakes his head, listening to his hyung’s ridiculousness. “Okay first of all, that’s unhygienic and dangerous, what if they swallow the paper instead! Also, we already knew Yoongi hyung likes you.”
“Its paper, it’ll melt,” Jimin argued, “besides the point, what if later, you try slipping your number in one of the sandwiches to give to Taehyung, and as your senior, I will gladly deliver the food to him.”
The younger idol massages his temples, already tuning out what his hyung is saying. First, he disagrees with the idea because he believes that food should not be toyed with. Another teaching he grew up with, therefore; food should always be appreciated and eaten. Second, how does Jimin know that Taehyung would even want his number or let alone talk with him.
“No, I don’t need that! If I want to talk to him, I’ll do it myself,” The younger huffs, already leaving the chair getting ready to go to recording.
--
Entering his dressing room, his manager debriefed him with the interview questions the MCs are planning to ask him later. He also mentioned that Taehyung would be together with him on the welcome stage because both of them are promoting new songs.
The questions were basic, what is euphoria about, your message to the fans, his inspiration for his album, and how do you feel promoting together with Taehyung. The first two were easy to answer and really, he would just love to thank every single one of his fans because without them he would not be standing here. However; the question regarding the inspiration and Taehyung well, it coincides with each other.
With the 10 minutes cue mark was shouted, Jeongguk gets ready to answer the questions live.
--
“We have the two most awaited idols debuting and performing their comeback on our stage today, before we listen to their live show, we would love to ask Taehyung and Jeongguk a few question!” The MC exclaims passing the microphone towards Taehyung. “Taehyung, can you please explain to us what Singularity means.”
Taehyung answers the question fluidly. Jeongguk stood beside the idol, nodding and listening intently to his answers. The younger was so awestruck that he almost missed the MCs’ last question for Taehyung.
“As a senior in the music industry, what is a piece of advice you would like to give to Jeongguk.” The MC asked.
Jeongguk saw Taehyung think for a second, a small fond smile forming before answering. Instead of facing the MC or the camera, the elder faced him instead.
“You should enjoy every moment you have to the fullest, the feeling you have the first time you stepped on stage, you should always hold on to that. Also always don’t forget to keep smiling, I like seeing you smile,” Taehyung said tapping Jeongguk on his chin. “Also, I would love to collaborate and work with you soon!”
If the red blinking dot on the camera were not an indication of the filming happening, Jeongguk would have dropped on the floor with so much emotion going through him. After Taehyung removed his hand on his face, the younger kept bowing and saying thank you. Taehyung passes the mic back to the MC while they prepared to ask Jeongguk his round of questions.
Similar to the questions that his manager gave him, Jeongguk answers the questions regarding the fans similarly as he practiced. However, when the question regarding his inspiration for this album and his feelings promoting at the same time as Taehyung, the latter had to think deep.
“My inspiration for the album was pretty much everything I can see, think, feel, and even smell. In addition, as for being able to promote at the same time as Taehyung sunbaenim, it is an honour really. I looked up to him during my trainee days and seeing him right beside me right now, it is a dream come true.” Jeongguk laughs looking at Taehyung.
With the MCs’ closing remarks, the filming has ended. Before Jeongguk can even bow and thank Taehyung beside him, he can already see the elder being called by his team. The remaining people on stage bowed towards each other leaving the stage.
Exiting towards his waiting room, he was greeted by Jimin, waving frantically at him. “Oh my dear Gukkie, you looked so good out there! The blush on your cheeks and red ears does wonders to your face.”
Jeongguk knows that his face was red, and he was praising the lord that he was not stuttering when he was answering the questions. Really, whom can you blame when you are right beside the person you have always looked up to, breathing the same air as him, and even being able to touch him.
“Anyways,” Jimin interrupted, “it is lunch time, and I remember telling you something regarding Taetae and your phone number.” Before Jeongguk can even argue back, Jimin is already grabbing him by the wrist going to the cafeteria where everyone is probably grabbing food.
--
The situation in the cafeteria was nothing Jeongguk could imagine it was an organized mess in short. Rows of round table across the room and it looks like each section shows your seniority or so he assumes to be. Jimin and Jeongguk walks in line for the food, the elder rattling about how his plan of slipping Jeongguk’s number in a sandwich is in full effect and foolproof.
With their trays full of food and a package of cream bread, the pair went and looked for an empty chair. Jimin reassured the younger that there was no hierarchy in where to sit, literally anyone can sit wherever they want.
“It’s more of a first come first serve type of thing.” Jimin tells, placing their food on the table.
Throughout their meal, Jeongguk hoped that the elder would have forgotten the pack of bread placed at the edge of the table. Thankfully, Jimin has not brought up anything about the idol as well. Nevertheless, all good things come to an end. At the entrance of the cafeteria, a hoard (okay maybe it was around 6 people) of people came through and in the middle of it was Taehyung.
Jimin’s face lit up, punching Jeongguk on the arm telling him that Taehyung has arrived. Sucks for Jimin but the younger has already been looking at Taehyung. The people surrounding the idol are probably his makeup stylist and manager. They picked chairs 3 tables away from where they were sitting but Jeongguk has a full view of the idol when he looks up from his meal.
With his head low, bangs covering his eyes, Jeongguk looks at Taehyung. Smiling when he sees how his team dotes on the idol.
“Anyways, I gotta go and say hi to Tae ok?” Jimin winks, “I know Tae likes his cream bread after his lunch.”
Before Jeongguk can even pull Jimin back and argue, the latter was already strutting towards Taehyung’s table.
He can see Taehyung standing up and hugging his soulmate, as Jimin likes to label them. Jimin spins the idol around and shouts how he missed him so much and that he has not been texting him that much.
Oh and the bread, bless that bread. Jimin gives it to Taehyung, Jeongguk could not hear what they were talking about but Taehyung held the bread close to him. Now, Jeongguk is wondering when Jimin slipped his number in and how. Praying that Taehyung does not accidentally eats the paper.
With no more appetite to eat, Jeongguk ends up looking at that table, subtly he assumes. He sees that Taehyung opened the pack and took out the bread. Before taking a bite, Taehyung ordered Jimin to take the first one. The latter refusing and saying that he has a gum inside his mouth.
Jeongguk can see Taehyung rolling his eyes, grabbing the nearest piece of paper he can find and handed it to the elder in order for him to spit the gum. His best friend still refusing to spit the said gum, however; Taehyung has other plans. He pulled his puppy dog eyes and pouted in front of Jimin. Jeongguk can remember Jimin saying how he cannot resist anything regarding Taehyung when he starts doing this stupid pout and puppy eyes.
Shaking his head, Jeongguk sees Jimin grabbing the gum out of his mouth to Taehyung’s waiting hand where the piece of paper was. Taking a bite of the cream bread, Jimin exaggerates his chewing, proving that he was enjoying the bread. Returning the food to Taehyung, Jimin whispered something to his ear and pointed at Jeongguk’s table. Suddenly, Taehyung was waving and smiling at Jeongguk. The younger smiles back and waits for Jimin to return.
Plopping down beside him, Jimin states “Okay, good or bad news, which one do you want first?”
“Bad?” Jeongguk replies.
Scratching the back of his neck, Jimin looks at Jeongguk and says, “Taehyung made me spit out my gum on the paper that has your number on it.”
The younger did nothing but stare at his friend, he is not sure whether to laugh or cry because he was low key hoping for Jimin to slip in his number. Definitely not expecting it to backfire.
“Don’t worry Guks, I will do it again next week ok!” Jimin states.
Finishing their meal, Jeongguk looks back towards Taehyung’s table again to see the elder, and before he can turn around Taehyung looked up and smiled at him again.
-
World Wide Idol Taehyung has been sweeping the charts since his comeback last week! However, rookie idol Jeongguk is not letting his guard down. The two celebrities has been neck to neck in the charts, either backing down with their real time hit. Who will be crowned in this week’s Mucore? Stay tuned!
[+2234] hul… taehyung’s fans are really no joke, 1 week in and still on all kill for his whole album
[+2004] jeongguk’s fans fighting!! Stream euphoria!!
[+1244] Is Jeongguk the new digi monster????? Fuck, for a rookie idol his
songs are not even dropping… better watch out taetae
[+632] taekook is the ship. Hul, digimosnter and Korea’s lead singer
Jeongguk should really find a past time besides reading comments while he’s waiting for the stylist to fix his makeup. Really, he sees this as constructive criticism from the people watching him so he can improve, but he is more surprised with the amount of support he’s getting from people. Moreover, seeing his name beside Taehyung is just a plus for him, he feels as though he should not even be in the same sentence as the idol.
Back at the studio again for the second week, it still has not hit the younger that performing is something that he is doing now. Showing hundreds and thousands of people his talent and passion sends a shiver down his whole body. Finishing his rehearsals, Jeongguk heads to the café to grab a small bite.
Jiminie:
I ordered sum bread for tae today; just tell the lady that I want it to be given to him ok?
Jeongguk:
What do u mean?
r u crazy?
Jiminie:
I’ll be a bit late today so I won’t be able to come during lunch or even at all!! Yoongi needs me to backtrack some demos today so the lady knows what to do
Jeongguk:
U LITTERALLY LEFT MY NUMBER TO AN OLD LADY
WHAT IF SHE LEAKS IT???
Jiminie:
She won’t leak it, calm down.
Message me ltr oki!?
Good luck bubs!
If he did not need the elder that much in his life, Jeongguk would have probably strangled Jimin already. It amazes the younger how Jimin can even think about putting his number out in the open like this. As Jeongguk approaches the line, he saw the lady that Jimin talked before.
“Hello, just the regular meal for me please,” Jeongguk said, “Also, Jimin hyung said that the bread if for Taehyung-ssi.”
“Of course dear,” The lady replies, handing Jeongguk his tray of food and placing a packaged bread on the side with Jimin’s name on it. Grabbing a table, Jeongguk eats quickly, not wanting to make his stylist waiting for him before he has to prerecord his stage.
Once his stage was finished, Jeongguk is free to roam or wait by the sidelines to watch the other artists to rehearse. Just by his luck, the person after him was Taehyung.
“Thank you for your hard work,” Taehyung bows at the crew before he is set to start.
With a few people middling around Taehyung, doing some finishing touches, he saw one of the elder’s assistant with the packaged food from the café. She taps the singer’s shoulder and motions for him to grab it. Taehyung looks at the food with a bright smile on his face. Jeongguk thinks that he saw Jimin’s name on it. Taking the bread out, Taehyung takes a bite and hands it back to the waiting assistant.
Before Jeongguk can even follow where the assistant is going with the package, the younger gets distracted with Taehyung’s deep voice. Seeing him on tv is another thing but being so close to the idol, live, is another experience. Jeongguk feels that this is how his fans feel when they see him on stage, or so he hopes because he feels like he is drowning in a good way. The raw emotion of the song and the way Taehyung executes his moves; there was no words able to explain it.
Unfortunately, his manager pulled him back before he can even see the end of the song. Something about anther schedule. With one last glance to Taehyung, the younger follows his manager out of the room
And the bread, well it was left on the table forgotten by the assistant.
-
By midnight, Jeongguk finally lies on his bed; phone in hand with Jimin on facetime.
“I’m telling you, he did not see my number or he is not even interested,” Jeongguk whines. Seeing as there was no messages from Taehyung acknowledging that he got his number.
“You don’t know that! Maybe he fell asleep right away earlier before he can message you,” Jimin argues, “Really! He tells me things about you.”
Jeongguk almost drops his phone on his face, “what do you mean he talks about me?”
“Oh fuck, Okay so maybe he think you’re cute,” The elder replies, “like who doesn’t think you’re cute but he’s just as shy as you are!”
“He’s literally KIM TAEHYUNG,” Jeongguk shouts, “HE CAN SNEEZE ON ME AND I’LL COUNT IT AS A BLESSING.”
The last thing the younger remembers before ending the call was Jimin’s laughing which caused Yoongi to shout shut up because they were being too loud.
-
Another day, another two hours on the stylist’s chair. Jeongguk is surprised the chair he declared as his does not have his butt imprint with how long he has been sitting on it for the past two weeks. In order to kill time, he scrolls through Naver to read comments or anything that catches his attention.
Kim Taehyung admits having no gender preference concerning his ideal type. “Love is love; you cannot force yourself to satisfy what society thinks of you,” When asked if he has someone in mind currently, the singer replies that “there is one, but it is just a crush, haha”
[+300] WHO COULD IT BE??
[+245] T_T their circle of friends taught them well, love yourself, and love
myself
[+103] if it’s a girl it could be jisoo but if it’s a boy, its Jeongguk kkkkkk
[-28] hul oppa cant be gay tho
Jeongguk was biting his fingers by the time he finishes reading the article. If Taehyung does have someone special then what is the point of trying to give him his number. The singers shakes his head thinking to himself that, no, he is giving his number to his idol to be friends and nothing else. He will be satisfied by just talking to the elder.
-
He has a plan in his mind, and yes it still involves the bread and possibly his number but this time Jeongguk will be the one personally giving it to him. He was already in line in the café to buy food, quickly thanking the cashier, Jeongguk heads back to the dressing room area to set his plan out.
With the bread on his right hand and a signed album on the other, Jeongguk knocks on Taehyung’s door.
“Hi Taehyung-ssi,” Jeongguk bows as the elder opens the door for him. “I still have not formally introduced myself, and I am sorry for that”
“Hi Jeongguk! Don’t worry about it!” Taehyung chimes, “I haven’t done that myself either, and please call be Taehyung or hyung.”
The elder guides the latter inside, Jeongguk clutching the goods on his arm while looking around Taehyung’s dressing room. “Please have a seat,” Taehyung suggests as he pats the space beside him.
“Oh I’m okay hyung, I have to be quick because I ran away from my stylist to greet you, so she might be looking for me soon,” Jeongguk laughs. “Also, I wanted to drop off my album for you, I cannot explain how you inspired me when I was a trainee, therefore; the songs in this album was really inspired by you.”
Taehyung takes the album from his hands and flips it open. “Thank you so much, you don’t know how much that means to me.”
“Oh and before I forget, I remember Jimin hyung telling me you like to have a cream bun before your stages so I got you one,” Jeongguk replies scratching the back of his neck. “Hopefully that is not too weird.”
“Don’t be silly Gukie! I appreciate this so much,” Taehyung exclaims, hugging the younger in thanks for his thoughtful gestures. “Oh my goodness, I did not even prepare anything.”
Jeongguk quickly dismisses the elder’s comment, “Please do not worry about it! I should get going as well; I can feel my phone vibrating in my pocket for the past two minutes.”
As the latter was about to leave Taehyung shouts, “We should eat lunch together sometime!”
Bowing goodbye to the elder, Jeongguk heads back to his room with the biggest smile on his face.
-
Really, he should have not gotten his hopes up. Why would Kim Taehyung want to text a measly rookie idol? They barely talked and the only two people they know is Jimin and Yoongi.
Jeongguk has shared what he did today to Jimin and the only thing the elder replied was to wait. However, Jeongguk was never the patient kind; he was tossing and turning all over his bed. Today was his last resort in trying to give Taehyung his number, though maybe there could have been better ways to do it; he was just too shy to ask the elder.
With one last huff at his phone, he clicked his lights off and decided to sleep. Before finding his preferred sleeping position, his phoned dinged on his bedside table.
+1-951230970901:
So about that lunch?
and the bread that you’ve been sending me :))
If Jimin were in the same room as Jeongguk, he would never let go on how much the younger squealed on his pillow.