taehyung has had a target painted on his back for the longest time. he’s lost count of the amount of people that probably want him dead, or to suffer for reasons lost to him now. in hindsight, taehyung probably should not have made those enemies, but he was just trying to survive, and that’s how he made his living.
there is also a lot of suspicion and controversy about his magic shows, he knows. there’s always someone trying to expose him of something. for so many things. there are the people that try to expose his magic as fake, and those that believe he is a mutant. there is very little proof for either assumption, so taehyung’s show goes on.
his past and present had to cross somewhere, though.
“ladies and gentleman! thank you all for coming tonight, we have a new act in store today, so please be anticipated for the very end of the performance,” taehyung speaks into his headset, arms spread out as he stands on the stage and looks out to his crowd. something he will never get over is the familiar faces he sees at every event, kids and even some adults that just can’t get enough of his act. there’s one kid in particular that always reminds him of himself when he was younger, eyes wide and the biggest of smiles on his face as he watches.
it’s a nice feeling, to be loved for this. he sure doesn’t deserve it.
the curtains close for a few minutes for them to set up and tae offers his assistant a quick look before glancing at the floor as he fixes his bright red bowtie. “you’re lucky i let you come today, jaehwan, especially after i found you snooping around in my home. don’t mess this up,” he murmurs, not sparing jaehwan another look before he pats the taller’s ass in an attempt to soften his words, if only slightly. after, he heads out onto the stage to start the show.
it goes well, tricks starting out easy before increasing in difficulty, as well as glamour. it’s a steady build up until the end, and his own final trick he’s been working on. he’s anxious, but he knows the risks, and he believes the reward definitely outweighs the risks. he’s also too much of a perfectionist to perform this new ability without knowing that he isn’t going to risk exposing himself.
and then finally, the final act draws near. he hasn’t even told jaehwan what he’s going to do. it’s a shame jaehwan isn’t even going to see it.
“the moment you’ve all been waiting for is finally here. our final act will amaze you, as it will be something you have never seen before. i can assure you, there are no tricks here, just magic.” as the stage darkens, lights on him, taehyung closes his eyes to mentally prepare himself with a deep inhale, but his exhale never comes.
as his eyes closed, he had not realized the man standing in the middle of the crowd, raising a gun and firing. taehyung doesn’t even get the chance to react, collapsing to the ground as his fancy white button up blossoms in dark red at his shoulder, pooling around him as he goes into shock, the cries of his fans deaf to his ears. he can only hear the pounding of his own heart, eyes wide as he stares across the stage, eyes locking with jaehwan’s, a hand extending outwards towards him desperately.
somehow, he managed to convince himself that this would never happen to him, that no one would ever be able to take him down from his pedestal.
if he actually manages to survive this, then everything would change.
