“Oh my god! Did you hear? Big Kidz is coming to our school to perform with our Rapline trio for the upcoming school festival!”

“Of course I did! I followed their twitter, instagram and subscribed to their youtube channel. Gosh, I love that band! I heard their live performances are awesome.”

The whole school was abuzz at the recent news - the school’s annual festival would be hosting Big Kidz as one of the performers to wrap up the night, collaborating with the school’s own rapper trio, Yoongi, Namjoon and Hoseok. Moreover, it seemed to be an original song too! The band’s covers on youtube have amassed a great following over time and everyone knew them. Nobody really knew who the members were or where they come from however.

Jimin, with his thick glasses and obnoxious bowl cut, hears the clamour of excitement echo through the corridors on his way to class and can’t help but smile. Little do they know.

“Ready to shut those s up?” Yoongi whispers into his ear beside him. The question causes him to giggle, head tilting to regard his smirking boyfriend.

“You bet, hyung.” He had overheard the group of girls that had publicly humiliated him previously gushing excitedly over their band and their ‘y lead singer’. He couldn’t wait to wipe the smiles off their faces. Call him petty, but they deserve it after putting him through all that. His boyfriend agrees.

They had agreed to perform two songs - one of them being Yoongi’s unreleased song, Mic Drop. Jimin took one look at the lyrics and couldn’t help but burst out in a fit of breathless giggles. The song was so apt! It was a diss track with a heavy beat and catchy rhythm, further accentuated with their live band concept; each rapper had their verse while Jimin sung the chorus and bridge. They had the performance meticulously planned out. Big Kidz would take the stage first with Jimin on the piano and the rest of the band on acoustic instruments before Yoongi and rest joins them on stage for what they liked to call ‘The Big Reveal’.

Let’s just say, Jimin’s identity wouldn’t be much of a secret anymore after that.

Jimin was prepared for it. I knew the price of fame and putting himself out there publicly was daunting. However, he wouldn’t be alone. He loves music and would want nothing else than to be able to perform his whole life. Upon Yoongi’s urging, he had a lengthy talk with his parents. They were skeptical and totally against it at first, but Jimin had managed to get them to agree to go to one of their gigs, and they did. Thoroughly blown away by their son’s talent and powerful performance, they now readily supported him and, by now, had already watched all their youtube videos, shared them with their friends and even helped fund the band with new equipment. Jimin couldn’t be happier. He didn’t need to put up a front any longer and he felt the most relaxed he’d ever been in his life. Everything was falling into place, a big part of it thanks to his supportive and downright loving boyfriend, Yoongi.

They’ve only been together for a little longer than a month yet Jimin was irrevocably in love with the elder and he could feel his adoration being returned in the little things his boyfriend does. He doesn’t get treated like air or get insulted or bullied any longer with Yoongi and his friends by his side all the time. Yoongi never fails to make him feel loved, important and protected. Jimin really can’t ask for anything more. He’s happy, so so happy.

The day of the mini concert arrives in the blink of an eye. It’s an hour before the start of the concert and their supposed to be the closing act. It’s still quite a while away but he feels nervous and jittery. Sure, he performed a lot in front of a huge crowd but this time would be different. He wouldn’t be going up as Chim from Big Kidz but as Jimin. Plain, old Jimin. Yoongi’s and his friends coaxing throughout the day did help ease his anxiety but only a little.

He’s pacing around backstage in his uniform, almost in a full-on panic when Jimin feels a gentle but firm tug on his wrist and before he knows it, he’s being pressed against a pile of boxes and props, obscuring him from view. A set of familiar lips are pressed against his in a chaste kiss before the person pulls away. He comes face to face with the love of his life and instantly relaxes.

“Hyung, you almost gave me a heart-attack!” Jimin pouts as he lightly slaps Yoongi’s chest, earning a snicker from his boyfriend.

“Sorry, baby. You just looked so cute frowning all anxious that I couldn’t resist.” Yoongi draws near, leaning his forehead on Jimin’s as their breathes mingle. “Let me ease some of it, mm?” Jimin closes his eyes in anticipation of what’s to come and before long feels the searing heat of his lover’s lips against his own once more with even more fervor than the last as their mouths move hungrily against each other. Yoongi nibbles lightly on his bottom lip, coaxing a quiet moan. He takes advantage of Jimin’s parted lips to stick his tongue in, exploring the walls of Jimin’s cavern with practised ease while Jimin throws his arms around the senior’s neck to pull him closer, hands moving up to bury and tangle themselves in Yoongi’s hair. They continue making out passionately, all of Jimin’s previous worries drowned out by the burning warmth in his stomach and the pleasant shiver trailing down his spine. God, he loves Yoongi so much. They pull away to catch their breath and only then does he register the naughty hand on his and his boyfriend’s undeniably messy hair. They break into a fit of giggles, Jimin resting his head on Yoongi’s shoulder as the elder hugs him tightly.

“I love you, baby.”

“Me too, hyung. I love you.”

“Ready to make them eat their ?”

“Absolutely.”

The concert is in full swing an hour later. Starting with a performance by the school band and orchestra, followed by the dance team, choir and a few amateur group performances. The Rap Line, of course, also performs one of their cyphers, being the most popular musicians in the school. Hyped by his lover’s group performance, Jimin almost forgets the fact that it’s showtime.

The MC comes back on stage to introduce them and the crowd around him starts screaming, practically going crazy with excitement.

The pre-recorded instrumental track starts playing, a simple melody on the piano and the crowd dies down in anticipation; the stage is still dark and empty. After a short moment, Jungkook, Taehyung and Jin walk out and settle with their respective instruments. Taehyung and Jungkook were also in their school uniforms as well, which thoroughly surprises the people gathered.

“Aren’t those two from our school? The ones who always hang with the nerd?”

“Yeah, I recognise him, he’s from my class and always sticks to that Jimin kid like glue. What the hell are they doing up on stage? Where’s Big Kidz?”

Jimin, being at the front of the mosh pit as planned huffs a laugh and jumps over the barrier smoothly, much to the confusion of the students around him and gets up on stage. The security knows not to stop him, they had run the plan through with them prior.

Once he’s on stage, half the crowd starts booing loudly upon recognising who it was. He can hear the murmuring and taunts above the starting track and despite his earlier nervousness, he’s grinning. He locks eyes with his band members on stage to see that they’re returning the same -eating smirk. Jimin, ignoring the clammer, makes his way over to the piano and sits. He scans the crowd and spots the group of girls, Yoongi’s ex-fangirls, at the front towards the left side of the stage, glaring daggers at him while booing with their thumbs facing down. He flips them off with a bright smile before placing his fingers on the piano keys. He can practically hear Yoongi snickering backstage at the uproar.

Jimin leans into the mic that’s propped up by a mic stand and does their usual introduction, effectively shutting up the crowd. “Hi, we’re Big Kidz and this is our latest song, Stigma.” He inwardly laughs at the collective gasps that echo through the venue and he can feel satisfaction and pride b in his chest.

The delicate sound of the piano makes the crowd quieten down, he can hear people shushing those who start booing harshly as he continues the delicate dance of his fingers over the keys. About midway through his piano solo, the beat of percussions joins him followed by the clear sound of the bass and acoustic guitar.

Sumgyeowasseo

I tell you something

Geujeo mudeodugien

Ijen beotil suga eopsneun geol

Wae geuttaen mal mot haessneunji

Eochapi apawaseo

Jeongmal beotil suga eopseul geol

( I’ve been hiding it

I tell you something

Just to leave it buried

Now I can’t endure it anymore

Why couldn’t I say it then

I have been hurting anyway

Really, I won’t be able to endure it)

Jimin closes his eyes as he sways to the melody, coaxing the song out of the instrument he’s come to love over the years like it was his child. He feels relaxed, totally immersed in his music, forgetting his surroundings as he sings in earnest passion. The lyrics flowing past his lips naturally. It was a song that resonated with him, the hardships he had faced in his life prior to meeting Yoongi. It’s amazing how just one person could bring such positive changes to his life. Things will be better now.

The song comes to an end after Jimin belts out the impossible high note, unbeknownst to the people in a breath at the display. The venue is pin drop silent for a fleeting moment before the crowd erupts into loud cheers and screams.

A heavy beat comes on the moment Jin switches to his electric guitar and Taehyung lets it rip on his base. He sees Yoongi making his way up on stage followed by Namjoon and Hoseok who both flash him a thumbs up. Yoongi sweeps him into a tight embrace, lips crashing into his in a quick kiss which they both end up giggling into. He vaguely registers the multiple wolf whistles they get and a light flush makes its way up his neck to his cheeks.

The beat builds up and the crowds start jumping just as Hoseok begins his verse.

Yeah nuga nae sujeo deoreopdae

I don’t care maikeu jabeum

Geumsujeo yeoreot pae

Beoreokhae jal mot igeun geosdeul

Seutekki yeoreo gae

Geodeuphaeseo ssibeojulge seutaui jeonyeoge

He slings an arm around Taehyung, watching the rappers do his thing as they both bob to the beat as his best friend strums his bass in practised motions. He owes Taehyung so much; he was the reason Jimin started music, fell in love with it and got the chance to perform, eventually leading him to meet Yoongi. Taehyung practically gave him everything and he loves his best friend even more for it.

Mic Mic Bungee

Mic mic bungee

Bright light jeonjin

Manghal geo gatassgessjiman I’m fine sorry

Mianhae Billboard

Mianhae worldwide

Adeuri neom jalnagaseo mianhae eomma

He makes his way over to Yoongi who catches his gaze instantly and he can’t help but swoon at the intensity of his boyfriend’s rap. What did he do to deserve a man like him, Jimin wonders. He feels like the luckiest person alive. He takes a deep breath, preparing himself for the chorus, glancing at all the people who helped him get here, who gave him their unconditional support and made it possible for him to get this far. He takes in their joyous faces, a warm feeling bubbling in the pit of his stomach, his heart soaring as he turns to face the crowd.

Daesinhaejwo niga moshan hyodo

Uri konseoteu jeoldae eopseo podo

I do it I do it neon maseopsneun rattattui

Hok baega apeudamyeon gosohae

Sue it

The crowd who had, moments before, jeered at him and called him names were now jumping and screaming his name. He feels a swell of pride and exhilaration, parting his lips to begin.

This was his moment.

Jimin hops off the stage, preening at the continuous shouts for an encore. He has Yoongi’s arm resting snugly around his waist in an instant, wide smiles plastered on all their faces. He’d never get used to this overwhelming feeling of pure ecstasy.

“Holy that was wicked!” Hoseok screeches, still high off the performance.

Namjoon chuckles, his signature dimples on display. “Who knew we’d make such a good team, right babe?” He swoops in to peck Jin on the lips, much to the astonishment of the rest.

“What the ? Since when?!” Taehyung and Jungkook shout in unison, watching Namjoon snake an arm around Jin’s shoulders, pulling the elder in with an eyebrow wiggle.

They break up their bickering as soon as they see someone approaching. The man is a little stout with a relatively big nose, droopy eyes and an amiable expression. Seeing him dressed in an impeccable suit, the group straighten themselves up bowing slightly when the man stops in front of them.

“Hi, can we help you, sir?” Namjoon speaks up.

“Yes, yes you can actually.” The man smiles, seemingly friendly. “I’m Bang Sihyuk, the CEO and main producer at Big Hit Entertainment. Your performance was stunning; way beyond anything a rookie could produce. Especially the song, which I suppose is an original composition?”

Jimin nudges Yoongi and the elder looks adorably bashful, hand coming up to scratch at his neck, as he replies, “Uh, yeah. I wrote that song.”

The middle aged man practically beams. “Amazing! Really amazing. You have great talent, young man.” He glances around at the group before extending an arm forward, business card in hand. “I’d like to invite the seven of you to sign with my company, if that’s ok.”

There was a short pause before Hoseok first starts screaming and the whole thing goes to . Taehyung is sobbing against Jungkook who simply stands there with wide eyes; Jin is jumping up and down next to Namjoon who seems to be doing a variation of dance and Jimin, Jimin simply giggles and hugs the love of his life. Seems like Yoongi is the only one with any semblance of normalcy as he steps forward to take the offered card, Bowing in thanks to the man and promising to get back to him after a little discussion.

As soon as the man leaves, not without letting out a little chuckle, Yoongi turns to Jimin with the biggest gummy smile he has ever seen his boyfriend sport and they kiss. Nothing racy, just a simple press of the lips and yet everything feels like it's falling perfectly into place.

It’s a new beginning.

And their journey’s just getting started.

5 years later

The deafening roar of the crowd as they bow fills Jimin’s chest with pride. No matter how many times he hears it, it still brings tears to his eyes.

Finally, they’d made it.

A full concert, sold out shows and the thousands of people before him rising from their seats in a standing ovation. Even as he descends the steps leading to their dressing room backstage, he can hear the thunderous applause and the screams of their fans; fans of the international Kpop sensation - BTS. The single group of seven who have basically conquered the music scene since their debut, winning multiple international awards and daesangs, dubbed the leaders of a new era for kpop. That was them.

A familiar pale arm settles on his waist and he can’t stop the huge grin that stretches his still chubby cheeks, he shifts his gaze to his then boyfriend now husband, Yoongi, and a strange feeling of deja vu overcomes him.

“Yoongi…”

“Hm?”

“You know.”

“I know.”