Work Text:
Beomgyu was busy doing about 13 things at once. It was chaotic and he was thriving. He was cleaning the house, deep cleaning, mopping the floors and scrubbing the walls, he was making food for him and both his siblings, he was writing a paper for school, mixing a track, also for school, he was shopping, he was drawing, and he was also writing a song. He was a hurricane, unstoppable in his energy.
He had finished scrubbing the walls and floors, he looked over at the living room, the only room in the house with any carpeting and pulled out the vacuum, doing that in little segments between stirring the food on the stove. He also vacuumed the furniture, Cloudie and Mickey had been jumping on the bean bag couches a lot ever since they got them. He went back to the stove, finally pulling the pan off the stove, the stir fry ready for when the rice maker dinged. He then went to look at the paper he was doing and grinned as he looked at the requirements and double checked that he had fulfilled them all. He checked for typos and saved it, sending it in to his teacher.
He closed out of the tabs for the paper and looked at the track he was working on, popping in one earbud. He distantly heard the click of the rice maker finishing along with the melody in his ear. He hummed along to the song and recorded another layer of vocals on it, and grinned as the backing track was finished. He was almost done with it, it was for his final, and he wanted it to be perfect so he's been at it bit by bit. He had written the music ages ago, had the lyrics ready a month ago, he knew exactly how he wanted it to sound but there was something missing, he wanted to ask Taehyun, he was amazing at the technical aspect of music, but he felt it was almost cheating, Taehyun had the same final assignment, it wouldn't be fair to get his help, especially since he had spent the majority of the semester copying notes from classes he zones out in.
Regardless, he saved and double saved and triple backed up the assignment before switching to his online shopping tab. He and his brothers were working on remodeling the house, making it less empty and making it their own. The three of them were saving for decorations and furniture because Hobi had come home one day and told him and his brother that their stupid furniture that their parents had bought them was going away. Yoongi told him later that their parents dead named him and for all intents and purposes told him that they only loved him as their daughter. So Beomgyu and Jungkook helped Hobi dump the old furniture that none of them liked anyways and they started over.
The place was mostly empty now, most of their things were their parents, so ditching it all meant they had to start from scratch. Hobi had gotten deep jade green bean bag chairs that were infinitely more comfortable than their old couch, and a new TV, a considerably better one after he went in and cancelled their cable; they didn't use it anyways. Hobi had given him and Jungkook a list of streaming services that they would use and after going through it together they had come up with a bill of 53 bucks on streaming services, not including Disney+ which Hobi had decided to pay for yearly himself, and told them to split the bill. He also bought a badass entertainment center that they all loved and couldn't wait for it to arrive. It had room for them to put all the gaming shit they had away in a safe place and meant they could actually do things in the living room.
Beomgyu had been working on remodeling his own room as well, the first thing he replaced was his bed. It was tiny, the one he had for years, and he hated it. So he bought himself a queen sized bed, and all the things he needed with that and that was the only thing he could afford for a while, but he had been taking extra hours at the diner, BigHit Burgers, and he was always tipped well, so he was working on the next big thing he had to replace, which was his desk. It was bad enough that he had been working at the kitchen island for as long as they had lived here.
He was scrolling through listings online until he found one he loved. It had a large desk space, three big drawers, four smaller ones, and removable dividers, as well as a drawer that would fit a printer. It had some book cubbies as well as a roll cover, and Beomgyu grinned as he spent the money for it, it was on sale for 100 dollars so he purchased it and changed his tab to the local marketplace, excited to be able to post the listing for his own desk. He went and bought a rolling desk chair as well before switching tabs again.
He got off the bar stool and went to grab his sketchbook when Jungkook and Hobi walked in. They both smiled at him, and it was still weird, his brothers smiling at him when they walked in the door. He smiled back and nodded his head to the stove.
“Stir Fry on rice”
“Thanks Gyu. Looks like you've been busy huh?”
Beomgyu smiled wider, happy that his brothers noticed. He got up, leaving his sketchbook on the bean bag as he walked back over to his computer. His brothers were amazing with music, maybe they could help him with his final.
“Yeah, we've been moving shit so much I figured a good clean was overdue. Hey could I get your opinions on this?”
They both nodded, putting down their bags at the door and coming over to Beomgyu's station where he tugged out the earbuds and played the song. He played the alternate version, with his recording of the main vocals as well as the backing. They both listened intently, and Beomgyu was grateful that he and his brothers were getting along again, it had been years since they had been able to just exist peacefully in the same space. They both nodded when the song ended. Kook was the first to comment.
“That's really good, Gyu, the track is great and I can tell you played all of it yourself and didn't just use the pre recorded sounds in there, there's a lot of emotion in it”
“You probably want to get more eye catching bits in there. Your voice is great, but because it's a slow song, I think you would benefit from having some other people sing parts of it. It'll make it more engaging”
“You think so? I was thinking about asking Tyun for some help but I felt bad cuz he's been helping me so much”
“Ask all the kids, they all have really good voices, ones that would mesh with yours well, and add just that little bit more to it. This is your final right?”
“Yeah. I’m a little worried if I'm being honest”
“Don't be. I know that teacher, and he's going to love this. Don't think about it too much, you've got natural talent and hard earned skill in this”
“Okay. yeah, yeah ok. Cool. anyways, dinner, I'm starving”
~
AngstTM: hey guys, are you free tomorrow?
AngelBoy: yesyes!
ChipnDale: I have a late night shift at work, but I'm free till 7
Pinky: mhm! Got my assignment done tonight!
The Brain: I was wanting to do some photography stuff later tomorrow but ye!
AngstTM: great I need your guys’ help
ChipnDale: whats up Teddy Bear?
AngelBoy: ew gay
AngstTM: I’m working on my final, and I asked my brothers and they said that it would be better with different voices. I was hoping you guys would be willing to help?
Pinky: ooooooo yes yes yes sounds fun as hell!!!
The Brain: oh yeah! Junnies right, that sounds fun!!!
ChipnDale: ...you know I think that's what my songs missing too huh. Yeah ofc, I'm excited! You haven't let me hear it yet, I can't wait!
AngelBoy: oh no you all said yes.
AngstTM: ? Do you not want to Ning?
AngelBoy: I Am Afraid
ChipnDale: ??? What do you mean Hyuka?
AngelBoy: I. Am Afraid.
Pinky: what of?
AngelBoy: fuck if I know, just. I have performance anxiety, I am simply Afraid
AngstTM: you don't have to Ning, don't feel like you have to
AngelBoy: no no, you're all doing it, and. I want. To help. Simply also Fear.png
ChipnDale: Well now I don't want to ask for the same on my song :(
AngelBoy: I can do it!!! I promise promise, I'm just a lil nervous is ok promise
AngstTM: … if you're sure Ning
AngelBoy: I am! I'm helping you guys and we’re doing it together. It'll be fine!
ChipnDale: … ok. Then I’ll bring my stuff too!
Beomgyu smiled as he shut off his phone, turning back to the lyrics, dividing up the lyrics in ways that he thought would sound best.
~
By the time that the others showed up, Beomgyu had already been up for hours. He had prepped all the recording equipment, had set up the TV and computer rig, so he had the lyrics up on the big screen, and had the track on his computer screen, the audio still going through the TV. He had the big microphone that he had for recording purposes ready, with headsets as well. He had also started on various other tasks, done a bit more shopping for his room, and started drawing, a portrait of his bird Toto who was also due for a new cage, and then he went searching for a new cage for the bird, and then he got derailed after finding and buying one, looking at toys and treats for him and suddenly it was 8 and the others were at the door. He yelped a bit in surprise and leapt to his feet running to the door to let them in.
“Hey guys come in come in, sorry I got distracted”
“Wow I knew you were renovating but it's a whole new vibe”
“Much more fitting for you guys, feels like people actually live here”
“Heh, thanks, it's a work in progress. Kook is planning to make some paintings for the living room, and Hobi wants us to have more music stuff in the living room now that there's room. Kook is getting a drumset, and me and Hobi are saving for a baby grand”
“Wow you guys are putting a lot of money into this place”
“Yeah well, it's finally starting to feel like home so I think it's worth it. Anyways, c'mon everything's all set up”
They migrate over and Yeonjun oohs and aahs at the set up, while Beomgyu sort of just brushes it off, not really enjoying it much himself. It's the best he can do. He shows them the lyrics, plays the recording he has a few times and then pulls up the doc of how he split it up. He plugs in the headset to his computer as he has and begins the track for Yeonjun, who volunteered to go first.
“This night where the stars are asleep A familiar and unfamiliar river Over the ashen grey”
Beomgyu smiles as he pauses the track, moves it forward some as well as moving the lyrics down. He can already tell it's that much better. He hits play again, swaying along with the song.
“A little song left on this island Don't forget, forever”
And again he cuts the music, utterly grateful that Yeonjun was delivering the lines just as he had imagined. It's incredible really, he wonders if Jimin had an influence on his singing. Skipping it again he plays it.
“I'm tired of those eyes, still But you can't fall asleep, you can't fall”
The last bit he has Yeonjun do is a backing vocal, one that he never could get to sound right himself, so he had him sing a little ‘I miss you’ repeated a few times to add to the ending. He then turned to Tyun and gestured at the hook up.
“You want to get his vocals out of the way too since he's there?”
Tyun smiles, moving next to Beomgyu and pulling up his own stuff. He plays it twice for them to hear it well and then moves to where he wants Yeonjun to record.
“Cast aside your worries Love is like a scratch-off lottery If you feel it'll go well, scratch it first If you want it to work out, just scratch it first Just push ahead like a man”
Beomgyu giggles at Yeonjun's rapping, he doesn't seem like the type to be so good at it, but he subverts expectations all the time. His rapping flows well.
“Hey hey, whatcha doin' boy make the phone call already”
Beomgyu is already loving the pieced together song from Taehyun, it fits him well as a person and as a musician. He can't wait to hear the whole song put together.
“If you don't like that, then how about this? Be charmer at Noraebang ‘Don't wanna be away from you, can I be your pet? By your side for 24 hours straight”
Beomgyu had heard other bits and pieces from Taehyun's songs, and he recognizes some of the lyrics as references to his other songs, it makes him smile as he watches Taehyun move through.
“Endless fight, devil angel This endless and hopeless march Tell me how can I make it stop Spinning round and round and round and round and round and round”
Beomgyu thought the song was cute, showcasing dichotomy and specifically Taehyun's, and it really feels like a pouring out of his soul in a catchy fast paced song.
“I need your answer now You got it you got it, aye your highness”
And Taehyun did that change fast, it was from the same verse, but his skill with the programs was remarkable. Taehyun pulled off the headphones after that, grinning his bright smile and nods.
“Ok that's it!”
“Really? Aww that was so much fun! You guys should let me help you more!!!”
“Well if you're offering, then I’ll gladly take your help!”
~
The rest of the recording goes off without a hitch. Hyuka got over the stage fright as soon as he stood up to record, and they were all stunned by his voice. The group of them just chilled out afterwards, Beomgyu making them all lunch with leftovers, and then they just sort of relaxed. Or rather Soobin, Yeonjun, and Hyuka relaxed, Tyun and Beomgyu were fussing with their songs, trying to put it together right and line it up. They both had a bit of trouble fixing their own vocal lines to be cut up correctly but eventually they were both finished. They both heaved out a loud sigh as they moved to stand up.
“Oh oh are they finished??? Can we listen please!!!!”
“Sure”
Beomgyu played the song, affectionately titled Magic Island, and let the others listen to it all put together. Yeonjun was practically vibrating at the speed of sound, Taehyun and Soobin were grinning, Hyuka was anxiously chewing on the strings of his hoodie. Beomgyu looked over at Hyuka and tried to find out what was wrong.
“Are you sure I added anything to it? Wouldn't it be better if one of the others did the parts you gave me?”
Oh it's that. Ok, he can deal with that.
“Ning, your voice is amazing, you add so much to it. You don't give yourself enough credit for how good your voice is”
“My voice is nothing special, really, I think it’d sound better without me”
“Ning if you don't want me to keep your voice, if it makes you uncomfortable that's fine, I can deal with that, but I really don't think it could be better”
Nings eyes widen and he shakes his head, hes ok with it he just, wouldn't it be better if-
“Ning your voice is amazing, we’re lucky to have your vocals on our tracks"
“O-oh. if, you're sure, then, uh, I guess”
~
“You know I wrote it for you right?”
The 5 of them were walking to the cafe Hyuka leading the way, proclaiming that Wes would be meeting them there. Beomgyu was trailing behind, holding Taehyun's hand, swinging it idly.
“What?”
“The song, Magic Island, I wrote it for you”
Taehyun smiled shyly, turning away from Beomgyu's eyes, instead staring at their intertwined hands, squeezing slightly. He then looked back at him, stars in his eyes.
“Well at least you can’t call me sappy for doing the same thing”
Gyu grinned back. He leaned over and placed a kiss on Tyun’s temple before focusing back on the walk ahead.