take a chance with me {jk fanfic)
pairing : idoljungkookxreader
word count : 7k+
genre : Romance | Angst | Slow Burn | Friends to Lovers | Second Chance | Right person, Wrong timing.
synopsis: Finally in Seoul, a reconciliation. After two years apart, Y/N returns to Seoul to attend Jungkook’s first comeback concert following his military service. What begins as a simple visit soon turns into an unexpected reconnection, as old familiarity quietly resurfaces despite the time and distance between them. From arrival to backstage moments, every encounter feels like stepping back into something unfinished—where, somehow, things still feel the same.
prolog
note. i squealed while writing this. im just so glad bts is back <3
Chapter 1 : The Comeback
You’re in your seat, the soft hum of the plane filling the quiet around you.
Just a few minutes before landing in Seoul.
Hands gripping the handrest before you know it.
It’s been two years.
Two years of distance. Of silence. Of pretending that what you left behind didn’t matter as much as it did.
And now—
you’re going back.
To the same streets. The same memories.
To him.
Your phone rests in your hand, screen still dark.
You wonder if he’s in rehearsals like he said.
If he’s thinking about this too.
The plane begins its descent, a gentle shift that pulls you back into the moment.
You straighten slightly in your seat, fingers tightening just a little.
After getting off the plane, you send a picture of you waiting i the immigration line.
yn : made it safely
You stare at it for a moment, thumb hovering like you’re expecting something right away.
Nothing.
Of course.
He’s probably busy.
Rehearsal. Staff. Schedules.
You exhale softly, locking your phone.
Focus.
Just get through this first.
—
“Next.”
You step forward, handing over your passport.
A few questions. A stamp.
Done.
You move along with the crowd again, grabbing your luggage, pushing through the sliding doors—
And just like that—
Seoul.
For real this time.
Your phone buzzes.
You freeze for half a second before checking it.
jk: you landed?
You blink.
A small scoff leaves you.
You type back—
yn: no i sent that for fun
Typing bubble appears instantly.
jk: very funny
Another message comes right after—
jk: where are you now
You glance around, adjusting your grip on your suitcase.
yn: just got out, where’s your manager?
He doesn't reply.
You frown slightly, staring at the screen for a second longer.
Weird.
You slip your phone back into your pocket and start walking toward the exit, following the crowd pushing through the sliding doors.
The noise hits first.
Voices. Cars. Movement.
Then—
something else catches your eye.
A small crowd gathered near the barrier.
Phones out. Whispering. Pointing.
You slow down.
Maybe his manager might be one of them. You started reading the paper they brought, searching for your name.
And then—
you see him.
Standing just behind the barrier.
Cap low. Mask on. Dressed simply—but still unmistakably him.
Jeon Jungkook.
Your steps falter.
Because in his hands—
is his iPad.
And on it—
your face.
A screenshot.
Messy hair. Bare face. Half-awake.
From your late-night call.
And right under it, in bold—
“WELCOME BACK Y/N”
You freeze.
Completely.
For a second, nothing moves.
Not the people around you.
Not the noise.
Not even your breath.
Because this—
this is so him.
So stupid. So unnecessary.
So—
Jungkook.
Your phone buzzes. You don’t even need to check.
But you do.
jk: found you
You look up. He’s already looking at you.
“Are you serious…” you mutter under your breath, half in disbelief, half trying not to laugh.
You walk toward him.
Slow at first.
Then a little faster.
Until you’re standing just a few steps away from the barrier.
Close enough now.
Close enough to see him properly.
Close enough to feel him.
He lowers the iPad.
Pulls his mask down slightly.
“…hey.”
Your breath catches.
“…hi.”
A pause.
A quiet one.
Then—
you shake your head, a small laugh escaping.
“Really? That picture?”
His lips twitch.
He shrugs, completely unbothered.
“I thought it was cute.”
Your heart does something stupid at that.
You roll your eyes quickly, looking away.
“You’re so annoying.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
A beat.
Then—
“I missed you.” he says
A pause settles between you.
Heavy. Familiar.
Then—
he steps forward.
Slow. Careful.
Like he’s giving you time to pull away if you want to.
You don’t.
And that’s all it takes.
So he leans in—
and pulls you into a quick hug.
Almost awkward.
Like neither of you knows how long is too long.
His hand rests lightly against your back for just a second—
then he lets go.
Just like that.
You swallow.
“…I missed you too.”
You pull away first, taking a small step back like you need the space.
“Didn’t you say your manager was picking me up?” you ask, crossing your arms lightly. “Weren’t you supposed to have rehearsal?”
He shrugs, like it’s nothing.
“Yeah. Changed my mind last minute.”
A beat.
“Rehearsal can wait.”
You blink at him.
“You skipped rehearsal… for this?”
He tilts his head slightly.
“For you.”
It lands too easily.
Too directly.
You look away almost immediately, pretending to fix your grip on your suitcase.
“That’s irresponsible,” you mutter.
“Probably.”
“But your concert is today?”
He adjusts his grip on your suitcase, not looking at you right away.
“Soundcheck doesn’t start until 5 p.m., stupid,” he says casually. “It’s only 12:30 right now. We’ve got time. Relax.”
You blink at him.
“…did you just call me stupid?”
He finally glances at you, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.
“Yeah.”
Before you can even react—
he reaches for your suitcase, taking it from you with ease, already turning toward the parking lot.
“Let’s go.”
You stand there for half a second, watching him walk ahead like that settles everything.
—
You kept walking to the parking lot, just to stop in front of a black sleek Bentley.
You turn back to him.
“New car? Haven’t seen this one before.”
“Yeah.”
Of course that’s all he says.
You let out a small scoff, shaking your head.
“Wow… showing off much?”
He smirks. “Of course, why else would I take this to pick you up?”
You just shook your head. “Get in first,” he says simply. “I’ll put your suitcase in.”
You narrow your eyes at him.
“So bossy.”
You huff, but move anyway, opening the passenger door again.
“Rich people behavior,” you mutter under your breath.
“I can still hear you.”
“Good.”
That earns a quiet chuckle from him as he lifts your suitcase into the trunk like it weighs nothing.
A second later, the door shuts.
He walks around, sliding back into the driver’s seat.
Not long after, the car pulls back onto the road.
For a while, neither of you says anything.
Just the quiet hum of the engine and the city passing by outside.
Then—
“Did you eat?”
You glance at him.
“…on the plane.”
“That doesn’t count.”
You let out a small huff. “It does, actually.”
He shakes his head slightly.
“We’re getting food first.”
You narrow your eyes.
“That wasn’t a suggestion, was it?”
“No.”
A small pause.
Then he glances at you briefly, one hand still on the wheel.
“What do you want to eat?”
You blink, a little caught off guard by the sudden switch.
“…you’re asking me?”
“Yeah.”
You lean back slightly, thinking.
“Hmm… I don’t know.”
“That’s not helpful.”
You scoff. “You’re the one who insisted on feeding me.”
“I think I know just the place,” he says.
Not long after, the car slows down and pulls over by the side of a small depot.
You glance outside—
and freeze.
No way.
You turn to him, eyes widening.
“Oh my god… you remember, don’t you?”
He shrugs, like it’s nothing.
“Your favorite, I guess.”
“YES,” you say immediately, already reaching for the door. “Oh my god, I missed this.”
You step out before he can say anything else, looking around like you’re seeing it for the first time again.
It hasn’t changed.
Same sign. Same smell drifting out from inside.
Same everything.
“I can’t believe you brought me here.”
He leans against the car for a second, watching you.
“I’m glad you like my pick.”
You look away quickly, trying to hide the way that affects you.
“Come on,” you say, nudging the door open. “Let’s go before I change my mind.”
He huffs a quiet laugh, pushing himself off the car.
“Yeah, yeah.”
The bell above the door rings softly as you step inside.
Nothing’s changed.
Same worn-out tables. Same menu board. Same smell that hits you instantly—warm, familiar, comforting.
“Wow…” you murmur, looking around. “This place really hasn’t changed at all.”
“Yeah… I’ve been here a few times since you left,” he says, casual.
A small pause.
“…with Mingyu. He orders the same thing.”
“Of course he does.”
A faint smile tugs at your lips. “He never had his own taste.”
“He said it was easier.”
You let out a quiet huff. “Lazy.”
“Yeah,you do too”
Jungkook lifts his hand slightly, calling out, “Sajangnim.”
The owner looks over, already recognizing him.
“Two samgyetang,” he says. “One without skin, extra broth.”
A small pause—
then he glances at you.
“Right?”
You blink.
Caught off guard.
“…I think I have a sasaeng,” you mutter, leaning back slightly.
“You’re overthinking it.”
“Am I?” you raise a brow. “Because this feels like fan behavior.”
“Then you should feel honored.”
The food arrives not long after.
Warm. Steaming. Familiar.
You both thank the owner, and just like that—
it’s easy again.
You take a bite, eyes widening slightly.
“Okay… yeah,” you nod. “Still amazing.”
“Told you.”
“You didn’t tell me, you just dragged me here.”
“Same thing.”
You roll your eyes, but you’re smiling.
Conversation flows without effort.
One thing to another.
Like it never left.
“Remember when you burned your tongue here?” he says.
You look up immediately. “Excuse me, that was not my fault.”
“You literally ate it straight out of the pot.”
“I was hungry.”
“You were impatient.”
“Same thing.”
You tilt your head slightly.
“Do you remember how we used to be like this?”
He pauses for a second.
Not long.
Just enough.
“…like what?”
You gesture lightly between the two of you.
“Just talking. Eating. Arguing over nothing.”
A soft huff leaves you.
“Like idiots.”
A faint smile tugs at his lips.
“Yeah.”
You shake your head, almost laughing to yourself.
“That’s crazy.”
“What is?”
“That it still feels the same.”
“I don't disagree.”
Your smile lingers for a second longer than it should.
You scoop another spoonful, trying to act normal.
“…you’re still annoying, by the way,” you say casually, blowing on the soup before taking a bite.
Before you can say anything else—
he suddenly brings the spoon to your mouth.
You blink—
caught off guard—
but still take the bite.
“Hey—”
“Eat first,” he says, cutting you off casually. “Don’t talk while chewing. Rude.”
You stare at him, still chewing, eyes narrowing slightly.
Did he just—
You quickly swallow.
“Did you just feed me and call me rude?”
He shrugs, completely unfazed.
“You were talking with your mouth full.”
“I wasn’t even—”
“You were.”
You roll your eyes, but there’s no bite to it.
—
After eating, the two of you head straight to the hotel.
The lobby is quiet—clean, polished, a little too formal compared to where you just were.
You step up to the front desk to check in, Jungkook standing beside you, one hand still casually holding your suitcase.
While you’re giving your details—
he leans slightly on the counter.
“I’m in room 1507,” he says, glancing at you. “If you need anything.”
You blink, turning to him.
“…you’re staying here too?”
“Yeah.”
A small shrug.
“It’s convenient, you know.”
Of course it is.
You nod slowly. “Right.”
He walks you to your room, setting your suitcase down once you’re inside.
“Here,” he says, adjusting the handle slightly.
“Thanks.”
A small pause.
Neither of you moves right away.
Then—
he checks the time on his phone.
“…I should go.”
You nod.
“Yeah. Your soundcheck, right?”
“Yeah. It’s starting soon.”
Another pause.
Short.
But it lingers.
“I’ll see you there,” he adds.
You lean lightly against the door, arms crossing without thinking.
“Try not to skip that too.”
A faint smirk appears.
“No promises.”
You roll your eyes.
“Go.”
He huffs a quiet laugh, stepping back toward the door.
“Rest a bit.”
You nod.
“I will.”
He hesitates for just a second—
like he wants to say something else.
But doesn’t.
“…see you,” he says instead.
“See you.”
And just like that—
he’s gone.
The door clicks shut.
Silence fills the room almost instantly.
You stand there for a moment longer than you should.
Then exhale softly, turning back inside.
—
You’re in front of the mirror, fixing your hair for the third time.
It’s just soundcheck.
Not even the concert.
And yet—
you’re overthinking everything.
You grab your phone.
A message from Mingyu.
mg: where are you
mg: i’m already close
You quickly type back—
yn: be there in 5
You grab your bag, take one last glance at yourself—
then leave.
By the time you arrive, the place is already buzzing.
Staff. Equipment. Movement everywhere.
You step out, scanning the area—
and spot him almost immediately.
Mingyu.
Leaning casually near the entrance.
Like he’s been there for a while.
Of course he has.
The moment he sees you—
he straightens.
Then walks over.
“Finally,” he says, stopping right in front of you. “I’ve been waiting like half an hour.”
You blink. “Half an hour?”
“At least.”
You scoff lightly. “There was traffic.”
“There’s always traffic.”
“Exactly.”
You roll your eyes. “You act like you didn’t miss me.”
“I did, before you left me here alone for 30 minutes” he says immediately.
No hesitation.
That catches you off guard for half a second.
Then—
he steps closer.
And pulls you into a hug.
Longer than Jungkook’s.
Warmer.
Less careful.
“Welcome back you idiot.”
He pulls you back.
“You look tired,” Mingyu says, tilting his head slightly as he studies your face.
“I just landed a few hours ago,” you reply, adjusting the strap of your bag. “What did you expect?”
“A little less dead inside.”
You scoff. “Thanks.”
He grins, clearly satisfied with himself, then gestures toward the entrance behind him.
“Come on. They’re about to start running the first set.”
You follow him inside.
The stage area is already alive—staff moving cables, dancers stretching, monitors flashing through test visuals. The kind of organized chaos that somehow only makes sense to the people inside it.
And then—
you feel it before you see it.
A shift.
Your eyes scan instinctively.
And there he is.
Jungkook.
On stage now, mic in hand, talking to a staff member. Cap still low, hair slightly damp like he’s already been here longer than he said he would be.
Of course he’s here early.
Of course he ignored rest.
Soundcheck starts.
Music echoes through the venue, bouncing off empty seats.
You sit off to the side with Mingyu, staff occasionally passing by, everyone focused on final adjustments.
Mingyu leans back in his chair, stretching his legs out.
“You want some snacks?”
“Nah, I'm good.”
On stage, Jungkook finishes a run-through and steps back from the mic. Staff immediately move in, adjusting cables, talking into headsets, checking levels.
He lifts his bottle, takes a quick sip of water—
then looks up.
His eyes flick across the venue.
Casual. Almost careless.
Until they land on you.
Just for a second.
Long enough that you notice.
Short enough that no one else does.
He smiles, but doesn’t react.
Then turns back to the staff like nothing happened.
A moment later, the music kicks in again.
This time, he moves with it.
Not full performance mode yet—still soundcheck—but Jungkook slips into it effortlessly anyway.
He starts singing through the run, checking vocals, running lines with the band. But it doesn’t stay strictly professional for long.
A small dance step here.
A teasing glance toward the crew there.
A soft laugh when someone signals him to repeat a part.
And scattered across the seats—
a handful of VIP fans who won soundcheck access.
phones up, reacting in hushed excitement every time he slips into that playful energy.
The band adjusts behind him, and then—
Jimin walks out first.
Casual, hair slightly messy like he just rolled in from the side room, waving lightly at the staff before taking position.
Taehyung follows not long after, stretching his shoulders as he steps onto stage, greeting the crew with that relaxed grin of his.
The rest of the band settles in quickly after that, the atmosphere shifting slightly—more full, more alive.
Jungkook notices them arriving, nodding mid-song without breaking rhythm.
Then he finishes a line, steps back from the mic—
and immediately reaches for Jimin.
Pulling him in close by the sleeve.
Jimin leans in, laughing already like he knows it’s something unnecessary.
Jungkook says something under his breath, quick and low, barely audible over the stage noise.
Jimin’s expression changes just slightly.
He follows Jungkook’s line of sight.
For half a second, his eyes drift across the venue.
Then—
very casually—
he lifts a hand in a small wave.
Not exaggerated. Not pointed.
Like he’s greeting the general audience.
For a second, you don’t even move—just watching, trying to convince yourself it’s nothing more than what it looks like.
Behind you, the VIP fans react immediately, thinking it’s for them, some of them waving back shyly, phones lifting a little higher.
And then—
Mingyu notices too.
“…he’s waving,” he says lightly, like it’s obvious.
You don’t answer.
But Mingyu lifts his hand anyway, half-teasing.
Waving back toward the stage.
“Hi,” Jimin calls out under his breath, amused.
A couple of staff nearby glance over, but don’t say anything—used to this kind of energy already.
On stage, Jimin is still laughing quietly beside Jungkook, like nothing in particular just happened.
Jimin.
At least, him you actually know.
Out of all of the members, he’s the only one you’ve properly met before.
Back when everything wasn’t split by schedules and enlistment and timing.
The rest of the members—you’ve never really been introduced to in person. Not because of distance alone, but because everything happened around the same time: schedules overlapping, enlistment timing, everyone moving in different directions before there was ever a proper “hello.”
So most of what you know about them…
comes from Jungkook.
Random stories he used to tell you.
Half complaints, half jokes, sometimes exaggerated just to make you laugh.
But Jimin was different.
He enlisted at the same time as Jungkook, which somehow made things overlap again—brief dinners, casual hangout.
Not as close as you and Jungkook or Mingyu.
Just… present enough to not feel like a stranger.
—
Soundcheck eventually winds down.
The music fades out in pieces—drums first, then guitars, then Jungkook’s voice lingering for a second longer before the mic goes quiet.
Before you can respond, staff starts guiding everyone out.
“VIP soundcheck guests this way please.”
The crowd begins to move, a soft wave of excited chatter following the direction of the ushers.
You stand up slowly and follow along with Mingyu and the rest, being led through a separate corridor before finally arriving at a designated VIP seating area.
It’s quieter here. More organized. Clearly reserved.
Each seat already has something placed neatly on it.
Small souvenir bags. Personalized notes. Carefully arranged like it was planned down to the detail.
You pause when you reach your seat.
Your name is printed clearly on a small card sitting on top of the package.
You sit down, a little slower now, and start opening it.
Inside—
a towel and a jacket.
Simple, clean design.
Keep Swimming printed across it.
You blink at it for a second longer than necessary.
Then you reach for the small box beside it.
Inside is a bracelet.
Arirang-style design.
A subtle metallic finish.
And on it—
“JK” engraved neatly.
You exhale softly, almost instinctively looking down at it.
Then you glance sideways.
Mingyu is already opening his own package.
Same jacket.
No bracelet.
You look back at your own.
There’s a second small note tucked inside.
You unfold it carefully.
“like my little surprise? :)”
A faint smile slips out before you can stop it.
“…seriously,” you murmur under your breath.
You shake your head slightly, still holding the note.
But you’re smiling anyway.
Just a little.
Not long after, the atmosphere shifts.
The lights in the venue dim slowly, like the entire stadium is taking a breath at the same time.
A low fog begins to roll across the stage floor, thick and glowing under the faint lights.
The sound system hums—
then hits.
A deep bassline starts pulsing through the speakers.
“Hooligan” plays in the background, distorted and heavy, building tension in the air.
The crowd reacts instantly.
A wave of screams rises, louder than anything before.
Red lights flood the stage.
Everything turns sharp. Intense. Almost cinematic.
You straighten slightly in your seat without realizing it.
Mingyu glances at the stage, expression shifting into focus.
And then—
the first silhouette appears through the fog.
J-Hope.
The crowd erupts again.
He steps forward with absolute confidence, already in performance mode, the opening energy exploding the moment he moves.
The beat drops harder.
Lights flash in rhythm—red, white, then black.
And one by one—
the rest of the members emerge.
First Taehyung, stepping out through the smoke like it parts just for him, voice joining in smoothly as he hits his line without breaking stride.
Then Jimin, moving into formation with effortless precision, already in sync with the rhythm, voice light but controlled.
The crowd roars louder, recognizing every entrance, every silhouette.
Jungkook appears last.
Of course he does.
He doesn’t rush it.
Just walks through the fog like it’s nothing, eyes forward, mic already in hand.
Then—
the moment his line hits—
everything locks into place.
All of them together now.
Voices layering over the heavy beat, harmonizing, trading lines seamlessly like they’ve done this a thousand times before.
The stage lights shift again—brighter now, more dynamic, moving with the rhythm of the song.
You can feel the energy change in your chest.
From buildup—
to full impact.
By the time they move into the next songs, the stadium has fully exploded.
The energy doesn’t drop for a second.
Each track hits harder than the last—lights shifting, beats pulsing, the crowd screaming every lyric like they’ve been holding it in for years.
And somewhere between it all—
you stop just watching.
You’re in it.
At some point, you’re standing with Mingyu without even realizing it, both of you moving with the rhythm, jumping slightly when the beat drops, cheering louder as familiar songs come on.
Mingyu leans closer just to be heard over the noise.
“This is insane,” he shouts, grinning.
“I know.”
You continue to shout and jump with Mingyu, getting pulled deeper into the energy of the stadium.
Every drop, every chorus—you’re screaming along without even thinking anymore.
At some point, your voice starts to give out.
On stage, the members move like a unit—switching formations, trading lines, feeding off the crowd’s energy effortlessly.
Jungkook hits a high-energy section, and the stadium responds instantly, a wave of sound crashing forward.
You don’t even notice how much time passes.
Song after song.
Moment after moment.
And then—
the music starts to slow.
Not abruptly.
But noticeably.
The lights shift softer.
Warmer.
The screens dim into a calmer glow.
The crowd starts to realize it too.
One by one, the members begin their ending speeches.
You catch your breath slightly, slowly lowering your arm for the first time in a while.
Taehyung speaks first—soft, smiling, drawing cheers and laughter from the audience.
Jimin follows after, a little more emotional, thanking the fans with that familiar warmth.
J-Hope is next, energetic even in his closing words, still making people laugh through the exhaustion.
And then—
it’s quieter.
A small pause.
The kind that makes the entire stadium feel like it’s holding its breath.
Mingyu leans slightly closer to you.
“…it’s his turn,” he says.
You swallow slightly without realizing it.
On stage, Jungkook steps forward.
The lights settle on him.
Not bright.
Not overwhelming.
Just focused.
He stands there for a moment before speaking, letting the noise calm down naturally.
Then he smiles a little.
And he begins his speech.
Jungkook stands there for a moment, letting the noise settle.
The stadium slowly quiets—still buzzing, still emotional, but listening.
He adjusts the mic slightly.
Then exhales.
A small smile appears, not the playful one from earlier, but something softer.
More grounded.
“Today…” he starts, voice steady, carrying through the entire venue, “was really loud.”
A few laughs ripple through the crowd.
He nods slightly, like he agrees with them.
“It always is when we’re here together.”
He pauses, eyes scanning the sea of lights.
“But… every time, it still feels the same.”
Another pause.
Longer this time.
“I think…” he continues slowly, “we’ve been doing this for a long time now. But somehow, when I stand here and see all of you… it still feels like the first time.”
The crowd reacts softly—cheers, a few shouts, ARMY Bombs waving gently in the dark.
He lowers his gaze for a second, then looks back up.
“There were times we were tired. Times we were away. Times we weren’t sure when we could stand here again like this.”
His voice softens slightly.
“But you waited.”
A beat.
“And we came back.”
Silence falls over the stadium in a different way now—heavy, emotional.
He lets that sink in.
Then a faint smile returns.
“I saw you all today,” he adds, a little lighter again, “jumping like crazy, screaming like you still have energy even when your voice is gone.”
A few louder cheers break through that.
His eyes flick across the crowd again.
Then—
for just a second—
toward your side of the venue.
It’s quick.
Almost nothing.
But it lingers in the air anyway.
“I hope…” he continues, voice quieter now, “you remember today like we do.”
A small breath.
“And I hope… we can keep meeting like this for a long, long time.”
He bows his head slightly.
Not deep.
Just sincere.
Then he looks back up, smile faint but real.
“Thank you.”
The stadium erupts immediately.
Cheers crash over each other, ARMY Bombs shaking like waves across a glowing sea. The sound is so loud it feels like it presses against your chest.
Jungkook stays still for a moment, just watching it all—taking it in.
Then he steps back slightly, giving a small nod to the crowd, like he doesn’t know how else to hold everything he just received.
The rest of the members start to move in again, joining him on stage for the final moment.
Jimin appears beside him first, nudging him lightly like don’t get too emotional now, making Jungkook let out a small laugh.
Taehyung follows, stretching his arms around both of them briefly, still smiling as he waves to the crowd.
J-Hope steps in last, already hyping the audience one more time even at the end, getting another round of screams.
They line up together.
The lighting softens again—warmer now, golden, almost like a goodbye instead of a performance.
Jungkook glances sideways at them, then back at the crowd.
And for a moment, everything slows.
He lifts his mic again.
“One more time,” he says softly, smiling now.
The crowd reacts instantly.
Louder. Emotional. Not ready for it to end yet.
The intro of the final song begins.
And the entire stadium shifts into that last wave of energy—no longer explosive, but full. Connected. Like everyone is holding on to the moment a little tighter.
You feel it too.
Even your tired voice can’t stop you from cheering again, ARMY Bomb lifting instinctively in your hand.
Mingyu beside you is still smiling, shaking his head like he can’t believe the atmosphere.
“Let’s get out of here before it gets too crowded,” he says, leaning closer so you can hear him over the final chorus building on stage.
You blink, still half caught in the moment.
“Where we goin’?”
He shrugs like it’s obvious, already standing and motioning for you to follow.
“Uhm, backstage?”
You hesitate for half a second—your eyes instinctively flicking back to the stage.
Jungkook is mid-song now, fully in the final stretch, voice carrying across the stadium like it doesn’t want to let go yet.
Mingyu notices your pause.
“Don’t worry,” he says, softer this time. “You’ve seen enough from here.”
A beat.
Then he nudges your arm lightly. “Come on.”
Then you turn away.
“…okay,” you say quietly.
And you follow Mingyu out, the sound of the final chorus still chasing you down the aisle as you leave.
Backstage is quieter, but still buzzing with post-show chaos—staff moving around, monitors still playing faint audio of the ending song, people hugging, catching their breath.
You step in behind Mingyu.
On the sofa, Namjoon is already there, leaning back with his head resting against the cushion, one arm draped over the back like he’s trying to recover his entire soul at once. Taehyung is beside him, lying half across the sofa with his arm over his eyes, looking completely drained but still somehow smiling to himself.
The moment Mingyu sees them, he lifts his hand slightly.
“Hyung,” he greets casually.
Namjoon tilts his head up first, eyes half-lidded, then gives a small nod of acknowledgment.
“Ah… Mingyu,” he replies, voice low and tired but warm.
Taehyung lowers his arm just enough to peek at you both, then lets out a soft, amused sound.
“You survived the crowd?” he mutters.
Mingyu scoffs lightly. “Barely.”
You give a small bow of greeting, a little more reserved, still taking in the space.
Namjoon’s eyes shift to you then—more attentive now.
“Oh,” he says gently, like he’s just placing you. “You’re here too.”
There’s a brief pause.
Taehyung squints slightly, then sits up a little more, recognition flickering in his expression.
“Ah… Jungkook’s friend,” he says casually, like he’s recalling something from memory rather than meeting you for the first time properly.
Mingyu glances at you for a second, then back at them.
“Yeah, she’s been dragged around all day,” he says, half joking.
Namjoon lets out a small laugh through his breath, shaking his head.
“Sounds like him,” he murmurs.
You give a small polite smile and step a little forward.
“Hi, I’m Y/N,” you say simply.
There’s a brief pause.
Not awkward—just the kind where people are quickly placing you in their heads, connecting dots, figuring out context without needing it explained.
Namjoon nods first, gentle.
“Nice to meet you,” he says. “We’ve heard about you.”
Mingyu leans slightly toward you, lowering his voice so only you can hear over the backstage noise.
“Im going to the toilet, wait here.”
You glance at him. “Okay.”
He nods once and starts stepping away.
You turn back toward the sofa area where Namjoon and Taehyung are still sitting. The atmosphere is calm now—post-concert fatigue settling in, voices softer, movements slower.
Namjoon leans his head back against the sofa, exhaling deeply.
Taehyung stretches his arms a little, then looks at you.
“You came with Mingyu?” he asks casually.
“Yeah,” you reply. “We’ve been together most of the day.”
He nods like that makes sense.
“Busy night,” Namjoon adds quietly.
You give a small smile. “Yeah… it was insane.”
A beat passes.
“You guys did great,” you add sincerely.
Taehyung glances at you, then smiles faintly, eyes soft with exhaustion.
“Thanks,” he says simply.
Namjoon gives a small nod too. “Glad you enjoyed it.”
Taehyung asks it casually, like it’s just part of conversation—no pressure, just curiosity.
“So, how did you know JK?”
You adjust your stance slightly, thinking.
“…we met a while ago,” you say carefully. “Through a mutual circle.”
Taehyung nods slowly, like he’s processing that.
“A mutual circle, you mean—” he starts.
“Mingyu.” you reply
“You know…” he starts casually, “Jungkook wouldn’t stop talking about his friend coming over.”
That makes you pause.
Namjoon opens his eyes a little, glancing between the two of you now.
Taehyung continues, tone light, but observant.
“He kept saying someone was coming. Didn’t say much, just—” he shrugs slightly, “kept bringing it up.”
You blink once.
“He did?” you ask quietly.
Taehyung nods.
“Yeah. More than once.”
A short silence settles.
Not heavy.
Just… thoughtful.
Namjoon hums faintly, like it adds up to something in his head.
Taehyung looks at you again, this time with a faint, knowing smile.
“So I guess that’s you.”
A sudden shift in the air.
The backstage door swings open.
Jungkook walks in.
Still in his stage outfit, slightly damp hair, mic pack half unclipped like he just got off being pulled from somewhere mid-conversation. His eyes scan the room quickly—then land on Namjoon and Taehyung on the sofa.
“Hyung,” he calls out casually. “What is it?”
Taehyung immediately smirks a little, leaning back like he’s enjoying the timing.
“Nothing,” he replies.
Namjoon glances at Jungkook, then briefly at you, before sitting up slightly.
“Just talking,” he adds calmly.
Jungkook hums like he doesn’t fully believe that, but doesn’t push it.
Then his gaze shifts.
And lands on you.
“…hey,” he says.
But before anything else can continue—
you step forward slightly, remembering.
“Oh—wait.”
You turn toward the side where your bag is placed earlier, quickly reaching inside.
“I almost forgot.”
You pull something out.
A small bundle of flowers.
Neatly wrapped, simple but thoughtful—one for each member.
The room shifts subtly.
Taehyung raises his eyebrows slightly, immediately interested. Namjoon straightens a little more, now fully paying attention.
Jungkook’s eyes flick down to what you’re holding.
You clear your throat lightly.
“Before I left, I went out for a bit,” you explain. “I got these.”
You step forward and hand them out one by one.
“Just… for today.”
Taehyung takes his first, smiling immediately.
“Oh,” he says softly. “That’s nice.”
Namjoon follows, nodding in appreciation. “Thank you.”
Then—
you turn slightly toward Jungkook last.
He’s still watching you.
Not the flowers first.
You.
Jungkook takes them, fingers brushing yours for a brief second, then he just looks at you.
Like everything else in the room fades for half a beat.
“…welcome back, kook,” you say softly.
Jungkook blinks once, like he’s not used to hearing that name from you again in this space, like it pulls something familiar forward.
Then the corner of his lips lifts. Smiling widely. Showing his bunny teeth.
But he doesn’t get to stay in that moment long.
The backstage door opens again.
This time, it’s louder—more energy spilling in.
Jimin comes in first.
The moment he spots you, his face lights up immediately.
“Oh—Y/N!”
No hesitation.
He walks straight over and pulls you into a warm hug, like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Tight, familiar, no awkward distance at all.
“Youre back!,” he says into the hug, laughing softly.
You exhale, smiling a little as you return it. “Hi, Jimin.”
He finally lets go—but stays close, still smiling like he’s genuinely happy to see you.
Behind him, the rest of the members start filing in.
Jin first, looking around with that calm, slightly amused expression of his.
“Ah, so you’re the guest everyone was talking about,” he says lightly when his eyes land on you.
You give a small bow. “Hi, I’m Y/N.”
“Nice to meet you,” Jin replies with a nod.
J-Hope comes in next, instantly brighter energy even after the concert, already smiling wide.
“Hey hey!” he greets, waving before pointing at you. “So you’re the friend!”
Yoongi follows more quietly, hands in his pockets, observing for a second before giving a small nod of acknowledgment.
You straighten slightly and introduce yourself again, a bit more formal now.
“Hi, I’m Y/N.”
One by one, you offer the flowers.
Jin takes his first, looking at it like it’s more meaningful than he expected. “Oh, this is nice.”
“Thank you,” J-Hope says immediately, already smiling at it like it made his night better.
Yoongi accepts his with a simple, “Thanks,” but his expression softens slightly anyway.
Taehyung watches from the side, amused, while Namjoon quietly observes the whole exchange like he’s putting the scene together in his head.
“Congrats on your comeback,” you say, offering a small smile as you hand over the last of the flowers.
There’s a brief pause as a few of them look at you—warm, appreciative, slightly amused at how formal you’re trying to be in a room that’s clearly not formal at all.
J-Hope is the first to react.
“Thanksss, and thank you for coming!” he says brightly, taking the flowers with both hands like he means it.
Jin smiles lightly. “You watched the whole thing?”
“Yeah,” you nod. “It was amazing.”
Yoongi gives a small, almost shy nod of acknowledgment. “Glad you liked it.”
Jimin is still standing close by, leaning slightly toward you with an easy grin.
“You survived the crowd, right?” he asks.
You let out a small laugh. “Barely.”
That gets a few quiet chuckles around the group.
Namjoon glances between everyone, then back at you. “You picked a good night to come back.”
You smile politely, adjusting your grip on your bag strap.
“Yeah… I guess I did.”
“Oh, and is anyone hungry?”
The room shifts slightly at your voice.
You bend down and lift a box from the table nearby—the one you had quietly placed earlier without much attention.
“I bought chicken.”
A beat.
Then J-Hope reacts first.
“Chicken?!” he immediately lights up, stepping closer. “You’re a lifesaver.”
Jin leans in too, peeking at the box with approval. “After a concert? Perfect timing.”
Jimin laughs softly, already looking curious. “You really came prepared.”
You shrug a little. “I wasn’t sure if you guys would eat after.”
Yoongi glances at the box, then gives a small nod. “We will.”
That alone is enough confirmation.
Suddenly, the tired backstage atmosphere shifts again—just a little. Less quiet, more alive.
J-Hope is already helping open it. Jin is checking what kind it is. Jimin is hovering nearby like he’s deciding which piece to steal first.
Namjoon lets out a small breath of a laugh, shaking his head.
“You didn’t have to do all this,” he says.
“It’s fine,” you reply simply. “I was already getting it anyway.”
From the side, Jungkook finally moves closer.
Before he can say anything, you cut in first—casual, like it’s obvious.
“I know you’re always hungry after concerts.”
Jimin’s mouth twitches like he’s trying not to smile. J-Hope lets out a soft “ohhh?” under his breath, amused. Jin glances between you and Jungkook with quiet interest.
Jungkook stops for a second.
Then his expression softens.
“…yeah,” he admits, a little laugh slipping out. “I am.”
“It’s not hard to remember,” you say. “You complain about it a lot.”
That gets a few laughs around the room.
Jungkook huffs a small laugh too, shaking his head, but he’s still smiling.
“Okay,” he says, accepting it. “Fair.”
The backstage door swings open again—this time more abruptly.
Mingyu bursts in.
“Wow,I got left out for food? I was only in the bathroom for a bit!” he blurts out, eyes scanning the room.
A few heads turn immediately.
J-Hope laughs first. Jin looks amused, already entertained. Jimin covers a smile with his hand. Yoongi glances over briefly, completely unbothered.
You turn toward him right away. “You were gone like five minutes.”
“Exactly!” Mingyu points at you like that proves his case. “That’s enough time for betrayal.”
You roll your eyes. “There’s food, relax.”
His expression softens instantly at that, then he steps closer, finally noticing the chicken box in the center.
“Oh,” he says, mood shifting immediately. “Okay, we’re good then.”
He leans in and grabs a piece like he hasn’t eaten in hours.
From the side, the members watch the interaction with quiet amusement.
Taehyung smiles faintly. Jin shakes his head like this is the most normal backstage chaos. J-Hope is already hyping up how good the food is again.
—
You step out with the group, the air outside the venue cooler, the noise of the city slowly replacing the chaos from inside.
Jungkook is already by the van when you get there.
He glances over once.
Then nods slightly.
You hesitate for a second, then walk toward him anyway.
Mingyu, on the other hand—
is still outside.
He watches the van pull away for a second, hands in his pockets, expression unreadable for a moment longer than usual.
Then he exhales lightly, like he’s shaking something off.
“See you tomorrow,” he says casually to the direction you just left in, even though you’re already gone.
Without making it a big thing, you end up getting into the same van Jungkook’s taking back.
Inside, it’s quiet.
The kind of quiet that feels heavier after a loud night.
Jungkook sits across from you, leaning back against the seat, cap slightly lowered again, exhaustion finally catching up to him.
He doesn’t talk right away.
Neither do you.
Outside the window, Seoul moves past in blurred lights.
After a while, he glances at you.
“…tired?” he asks quietly.
“A little,” you admit.
He hums softly, then looks away again.
No pressure. No rush. Just shared silence.
At some point, his breathing changes.
Quieter. Deeper.
You glance over.
His head has tilted slightly against the seat, cap still low, lips parted just a little as he falls into sleep without really meaning to.
Completely exhausted now that everything has finally ended.
When the van slows near your drop-off point, it becomes obvious you’re close.
You adjust your bag, getting ready to leave.
Jungkook straightens slightly.
Not saying much—just watching.
Jungkook walks with you down the quiet hotel hallway.
The carpet muffles every step, the lighting soft and dim after such a loud night. Neither of you really speaks much—just the steady sound of walking and the faint hum of the building.
When you reach your door, you stop.
Jungkook does too.
He glances at the number, then at you.
“This one?” he asks again, just to be sure.
You nod. “Yeah.”
He steps closer, tapping the key card lightly against the lock. The light turns green.
Click.
Unlocked.
You pause, holding your bag a little tighter.
“Thanks,” you say softly.
Jungkook nods once, then shifts his weight slightly, like he’s about to leave—but doesn’t immediately.
There’s a small pause.
Then he looks at you.
“…thank you, Y/N,” he says quietly.
You blink slightly. “For what?”
A faint, tired smile forms on his lips.
“For coming today.”
Not loud. Not dramatic.
Just honest.
He nods once more, then steps back a little.
“Rest okay?” he adds.
And this time, he turns fully and walks down the hallway, hands in his pockets, disappearing into the soft hotel light.
prolog | next chapter
