Chapter Text
-X- Prologue -X-
He left her on Saturday, March 1st, 2014. One week before her 18th birthday.
He didn't want to leave, but staying would do them both more harm than good. They couldn't bear to see each other suffer any longer. It was no one's fault. It was just life. He didn't want to leave her alone. She didn't want to be alone.
Silver tears streaming down her face, she promised that she would always love him. He promised the same, but she knew.
She just knew.
When she went back home, alone, she glanced at the clock. It was 11:11pm.
So she decided to make her birthday wish early, and she wished that one day, he would come back to her.
She wished, with all her heart, that he would never forget her.
-x- Chapter 1: Trigger -x-
Miso massaged his furry spine against the leg of his owner's work desk, enticing his human to scratch his backside. Sora's fingers found their way to meet his arched back, eyes never leaving her work for a second.
"Hey Miso," Sora cooed, attention straying from her digital painting. She finished another stroke on her graphics tablet before the second nudge to her leg lifted her focus more. She chuckled at her little trouble-maker, giving in to his seductive dance to pick him up onto her lap. She used her left hand to scratch the soft neck side of her fat, orange feline.
Bzzt. A desktop notification popped up for Kakao Talk just a second after her phone vibrated.
[13:07] Sunny: 'WHERE ARE YOU CAN I CALL'
Sora sighed softly. Guess it was time for a break from working anyway. To ignore Hyeson when she messaged in all caps was not a good idea... and she wanted to call? Her bestie meant business.
Miso's purring crescendoed to a low rumble as Sora typed that she was home. Her phone buzzed seconds later. "Hel—"
"NAM. SO. RA," Hyeson blurted each syllable emphatically. "Hold onto your damn pants!"
She quipped, "Not wearing any right now."
"Then hold on to your panties!" Sora smirked, knowing that Hyeson was rolling her eyes at the other end. She placed the phone on speaker and lifted Miso off onto the ground. "I just heard from Minjae-sunbaenim. We're shooting for— GUESS WHO WE'RE SHOOTING FOR!?"
"Who?"
"YOU HAVE TO GUESS, SOSO!" Sora cracked a smile, taking a second a comply to the pointless request.
"BTS."
"BANG. TAN. SON OF A GUN."
"I'm pretty sure that's not what the 'S' stands for."
"Nam Sora, oh my god, girl can you please just—" Sora couldn't help but grin bemusedly at her best friend's antics, especially when Hyeson said that last part in English.
The two girls seemed to share a predestined path in becoming friends. Their two Korean mothers had met and instantly clicked when picking up Sora and Hyeson from their pre-school daycare in Canada. Despite going to different schools, they remained good friends throughout their teenage years, and when Hyeson decided to move to Korea for work, Sora had also decided to go back to Korea to spend some time with her dad and study at Yonsei.
Hyeson was a photographer's assistant for High Cut Magazine, and Sora was hired shortly after by her referral to work as a makeup assistant. In her two years, Hyeson had definitely seen more celebrities and even good-looking idol groups than the Average Joe. To think that she would somehow still manage to get star-struck was just a testament to how big of a fan she was for these boys. Sora was too, but she just chose to express her appreciation for the talented boys in less… squeaky and talkative ways.
"I'm just kidding! I already knew, but I wasn't scheduled." Sora craned her neck back, stretching her back as the past few hours of facing a laptop hadn't warranted a whole lot of activity. She shook her glossy black hair out from her messy bun and ran a hand through her bangs. "I wasn't gonna ask Park-PD to schedule me just because I really wanna meet them. We both know he hates that."
"BUT EVERYTHING'S CHANGED," Hyeson blurted, and Sora knew there was a long-winded monologue coming. "Schedule says they're here in three weeks, so like a week before you're gone? Dude, they're brand ambassadors for Puma so it was written as PUMA BTS on the schedule, so I just thought it was 'Behind the scenes' or something BUT none of that matters because we're going to meet BTS!"
"Wait, what?" Sora squinted her eyes. Why was her friend was so bad at not beating around the bush? "What do you mean we? I'm not schedu-"
"So apparently," Hyeson twittered, "Minjae-sunbaenim personally asked Park-PD if she could work with you on this one, plus Park-PD actually knows someone on BigHit's management team, and he heard something like some of their coordis are sick. They were gonna ask you to take the shift, but I said I'd ask for them."
She said the next part in a whisper, and Sora wondered bemusedly when her friend ever found time to breathe. "Total side note: between you and me, I'm pretty sure he's really sad about you leaving. The rumours about you being their favourite are totally true."
"Yeah, I know. He offered to be my reference right away, and that means so much," Sora sighed, feeling the ache coming from the guilt she had for quitting. Being a make-up artist for High Cut came with many perks, like meeting celebrities and learning about what it was like to be on a set or a shoot. Her ambitious nature led her to be versatile enough to help out in many areas, and she didn't need to be outright praised to know that they valued her, through their actions like scheduling her first after Minjae, the Head Stylist, for a big shoot like this.
"So you're down, right?"
"Of course!" she laughed, already jittery with anticipation. Bangtan Sonyeondan was one of the only groups she really listened to, not including when she used to be super into Super Junior and Big Bang. She was briefly into other groups as well, as most teenagers, and it was obvious that there were definitely much more loyal and hardcore fans than her… but she wasn't going to pass this up. "Wait, so how did you get the shift—"
"I promised Kenta to buy him lunch for a week if he makes up some excuse and ask that I replace him." Sora burst out laughing. Hyeson grumbled, "I know, totally sketch, and Park-PD was totally judging me but whatever because it freakin' worked!."
Sora chuckled, "You're the worst."
Ignoring her, Hyeson squeaked, "We're going to shoot BTS!"
"You know, I'm pretty sure they're bulletproof. HA! Get it?"
Her friend sighed, but she could hear the smile on the other end. "You're the worst."
-X-
There were definitely a few too many female employees on set that day.
"There is an obscene amount of lust in the air right now," Sora grumbled, triggering Hyeson to laugh. She held the ladder for Hyeson while she fixed the lighting stands and mounts. One of the new set guys ran past and Hyeson shouted after him for something, while Sora noticed Producer Park Byungsoo walk in. They made eye contact and she gave him a reverent nod as he strolled over. "Good morning, Park-PD!"
"Good morning, team," he addressed professionally, only to follow with a humourous, "At this rate, aren't all your periods going to sync together or something?"
Sora smirked at their Producer-nim who shared the same cynical humour as them. Although they were a close team, Sora and Hyeson were mostly respectful when talking to their superior, as Korean custom. Still, their year together and mutual respect had solidified their chemistry much better than regular sunbaes and hoobaes in the workplace, and they openly joked about most topics. Park-PD had also spent a few years abroad.
Sora jested, "Who knows? I'm surprised that you know about the female menstruation ways, Park-PD."
"There was once when my lovely wife was going through her… time of the month, that she started crying out of nowhere," he muttered, face scrunched in painful memory, "because she realized baby carrots weren't actually young carrots."
The girls shared a laugh as he exhaled sympathetically, lifting his black ball cap to scratch his greying hair, the same shade as his groomed goatee. Not many Korean men had facial hair, but he managed to pull it off in a very Robert Downey, Jr. way. "It's hard being a woman."
Hyeson came down from the stepping ladder and Sora began to help her fold it up. Hyeson asked, "When are they arriving, Park-PD?"
"Probably in about 15. I think they were stuck in traffic. Sora, you helped assign their outfits, right?"
"Yes!" Sora grinned, practically glowing with pride. He nodded, catching his Head Stylist walk out from the wardrobe room, and the two made their way towards each other. Sora quickly helped Hyeson lift the ladder to the side before also scurrying to Minjae-sunbaenim for orders. She stifled a laugh when she heard Park-PD continue to grumble something about 'fangirls' and 'hormones' as she approached.
"Everything is prepped, Minjae-sunbaenim," she reported dutifully. Her Head Stylist smiled approvingly.
"I know, I just finished taking a look around. Make sure you stand your ground today." Sora blushed, knowing she was alluding to letting the other girls help out with the day's shoot. It wasn't a common occurrence. Usually, only a handful would come out to just take a peek in the studio when a major star or attractive group came in, but it spoke waves to Bangtan Sonyeondan's rising popularity that even people who were accustomed to the presence of celebrities and idols would want to sneak a glimpse at the boy group.
Sora mentally prepared herself. It would speak to their own professionalism if they couldn't keep spectators under control. "I understand, sunbaenim!"
"I don't want to fire anyone today." Park-PD gave Sora an expectant glance, which she knew was hinting at the fact that they were already losing her. She smiled back at him apologetically.
"They're 2 minutes out!" Someone called out. Park-PD and Minjae nodded to each other before separating ways, Park-PD to check with the photographer one last time, and Minjae to give the spectating girls a strong, knowing look.
"Soso!" Hyeson called out in a harsh whisper, sending her good friend a wink. Sora flashed her a cheeky grin and disappeared into the dressing room.
Waiting next to a chair, Sora willed herself not to fidget with her fingers. The buzz in the air was just so unexpected and new. She and Hyeson hadn't been on set when they came the year before, and it was uncommon to see this kind of popularity come from a boy group that wasn't from the big 3: SM, YG and JYP. Bangtan Sonyeondan's popularity was really on the rise.
Sora steadied herself, thinking, 'They're just boys: very attractive, very talented, very popular boys…
...What a triple threat.'
They could hear the hushed whispers and a few disoriented 'otoke!'s. She waited patiently, knowing the drill as her and the other stylist noonas exchanged smiles. They would greet the Producer, Photographer, and other crew before heading in to get changed and ready.
Eventually, the soft baritone and tenor voices grew closer. The door opened, and Sora caught a flash of golden brown hair before dipping into a ninety-degree bow, watching as 7 pairs of shoes walked in. They greeted her and the crew politely, piling into the room as Minjae shut the door behind them and started guiding them to their main stylists.
"…and Jungkook, you're with Sora."
"Nice to meet you," the youngest member greeted awkwardly, bowing as she did the same.
The boys got fitted into their clothes while Sora and the other stylists got the makeup and such ready. Jungkook appeared momentarily after his hyungs in his outfit for their full group picture. Sora nodded approvingly: Jungkook was definitely a visual for the group, growing into puberty quite fine. She was reminded of the memes online, with puberty hitting him like a truck. He didn't seem to take note of her sneaky smile as he laughed with his members, half of which had the same oversized, super long sleeves as him — Taehyung, Seokjin, and Hoseok. Jimin and Namjoon tugged at his over-sized sleeves while he made his way to his seat.
"Are they supposed to be like this?" he asked, mostly to himself rather than Sora. He took a seat facing the mirror and Sora surveyed the makeup that was already done on him, thinking about what to touch up. She whipped out a pointed brush to touch up some minor blemishes peeking through his skin. She noticed the brown shadow liner on his eyelids fading a bit and decided to touch that up next. While she worked silently, the boys made banter across the room, but she paid little attention to it.
"Look up for me, please?" she instructed politely. He complied, expression neutral. Something someone said made Jungkook smile, so she paused momentarily for his eyes to relax again. This happened several times again before she was done, and she leaned away to find a lip colour.
"Ahh, hyung, stop making me laugh while someone's working on my eyes!!" he shouted over to the group. Sora smiled politely, leaning back in to survey his lips closely. They were just a bit dry.
"Would you like some water?"
"Uh, s-sorry?" he stuttered, never meeting her eyes.
She picked up the bottle from the table and handed it to him. "Water?"
"Uh, y-yeah, sure…" He thanked her quietly, taking a few quick sips before holding it obediently on his lap.
Gently lifting his chin up to face her more, his eyes would always look far off to avoid making things awkward, which she wouldn't admit but secretly made her grateful. She was still a young woman, after all, not immune to the magnetic attraction of a cute guy not matter how hard she tried.
The boys had already gotten most of their makeup done at a salon, but they just had to be touch upped a bit to fit the youthful concept of the shoot. She popped some more pink on his lips. He had decent fullness in his lower lip, and with the pointy cupids bow of his upper lips, he really did have a cuteness to his image. From his previous smile, she knew his upper lip disappeared when he smiled, so after she added the pigment there, she blurred the edges. With a quick shine added to his lower lip, she nodded approvingly.
"I think I'll just make your jaw contour stronger and then let them style your hair," she said, mostly to herself than him. Guess they were both guilty of being awkward about each other's presence.
When she was done, she sheathed her brushes and called the hair stylist over. The hair stylist received the eye-contact message well, before nudging her head towards Hoseok. More than familiar with the silent ways the crew communicated with each other, Sora glided over, mentally mapping what the completed outfit was supposed to look like.
"I'm just going to fix your outfit really quick," she blurted, before realizing she maybe should have introduced herself. But Hoseok didn't seem to mind. She bent down to pull his socks over his joggers while he stayed compliantly still, probably also noting that they hadn't really introduced themselves.
"… stylish, hyung." When she stood back up, she hardly caught the last words of Park Jimin's remark, who had appeared suddenly next to Hoseok.
"Socks over joggers feels so weird," Hoseok shivered, beaming from ear to ear.
"One of Jimin-ssi's outfit is the same," she chimed, not too playful with her tone just in case they got the wrong idea. Hoseok laughed as Jimin faked an expression of disappointment. "Think about it like extra insulation for your ankles."
"Sooo, you're the only one your age helping us," Hoseok continued the conversation casually. "With the way your sunbae was ushering the girls to get out, I was surprised to see you in here at all!"
At this, she raised a brow. He was observant and making conversation. The no-eye-contact treatment from Jungkook was the treatment her female crew members usually got from boy groups.
She didn't notice when a few of his members watched the two of them from their vanity mirrors, and Jimin remained close to his side. Thinking back to earlier, she vaguely remembered Hoseok talking to the noona that was doing his makeup and figured he really was just as sociable as they said.
"I guess I got lucky," she replied good-naturedly. After a brief inner struggle of whether or not to allow herself to be witty, one side eventually came out victorious. 'I'm probably never gonna see them again, anyway!' She added, "There may or may not have been a betting pool…"
"Woww, a betting pool just for us! How flattering!" Hoseok continued to play along, looking at Jimin to invite him into the conversation, but the younger boy simply smiled. She fixed Hoseok's hair in the meantime, the pull of the conversation still comfortable, before giving Jimin a brief once-over to make sure everything was up to standard with him, too. He seemed to become more uncomfortable under her gaze, shifting on his feet. Hoseok continued, "So you won, right? What did you bet?"
She could understand why they called him 'J-Hope'. His energy and friendliness were contagious. He made a show of opening his eyes wide in anticipation. "Family heirloom? Or maybe… "
"Worse," she grasped her heart in dramatically feigned sorrow. "My favourite EXO album!"
Hoseok guffawed while Jimin cracked an eye-disappearing smile. Sora breathed out. Thank goodness they appreciated the joke, because they definitely could have taken offence! But from the way Hoseok looked to his members to invite them in on the joke and how they smirked knowingly back, she breathed a sigh of relief that they had a good sense of humor. She hadn't even realized that they were listening in. Just for good measure though, she added while fixing Jimin's leather overalls, "I am totally kidding, by the way. There was no such thing."
"I thought so!" Hoseok scoffed. "What kind of girl gives up her EXO album?"
At this, it was Sora's turn to laugh, eyes disappearing into pretty crescents.
"Nam Sora, how long?"
Without needing to look up at her superior's voice at the doorway, Sora answered obediently, "10 minutes, sunbaenim!"
She patted Jimin's shoulders for good measure, out of habit, to signify she was done fixing him. She went to the colleague in charge of Yoongi's hair, and helped with placing the wavy locks in strategic placement, according to the image they'd drafted for him. The other boys took a few pictures together and fooled around, and in another 5 minutes, they'd managed to get Yoongi out of his seat and ready to go.
"We're good," Sora said to Minjae, as the boys piled out, and Minjae nodded, analyzing the boys' complete first round of looks.
Sora caught Hyeson's gaze across the set, tight-lipped and eyes glittering as she helped position the boys into their designated formation. Crossing her arms over her chest and watching silently, Sora regarded the boys' interactions. A smile slowly warmed her face as they endearingly manhandled each other, no awkwardness or tension in the air. It didn't seem like there was awkwardness among the members, surprisingly. It didn't take a genius who followed with the K-Pop world to know that many groups were put together by a Producer, and therefore may not naturally get along…. But she didn't observe any of that initially with Bangtan. She'd have to look harder.
The familiar pop, snap and beep sounds on set drowned out the majority of the girls in the background. Minjae had shooed away all but a few, and Sora shot them an apologetic look as they coerced her closer with puppy dog eyes. She uncrossed her arms, peeling her eyes away to keep herself occupied elsewhere, suddenly feeling guilty that she was allowed to be in their presence.
Besides, there was no point in looking harder. What would she even be able to conclude about any of them in just one day?
-X-
"Oh yeah, this one's a lot better. Let me adjust your laces," Sora crouched down to tie Jungkook's white shoes to perfection. His next shot was with Jimin, who appeared in his Puma outfit looking fine as hell - or, uh, very handsome.
"Over the joggers, please!" she reminded, but the look on his face told her that she should've employed better descriptive skills. "Here, I'll help you."
"Ah, it's fine, I got—… it…" But since she was already crouched from adjusting Jungkook's laces, she waddled to Jimin's feet and beat him to it, but not before he had already crouched down, so they were squatted directly in front of each other. She smiled at his thoughtfulness, but reached over and beat him to it. He stayed squatted with her, which she assumed was because he felt awkward to stand back up after coming down… or something like that.
It took a bit of fiddling because his joggers were a thicker material than Hoseok's, but she managed to get them to sit in a way where you could see the logo. "Please stand for me?"
He complied, standing up slowly so she could look at the height and continue adjusting.
"Good… Good." She gave him a once over and subconsciously repeated herself under her breath. She beamed, approving of the way they both looked. "You both look like Yin and Yang. Get out there and kill it!"
She put her hand out for a high-five, but before Jimin could snap out from whatever daze he was in and meet her hand, Taehyung high-fived her first and blew past them. She blinked.
"Tae!" Jimin called out, and then gave her a high-five as well before chasing after his friend.
"Sorry, he's a little weird," Namjoon supplied, talking to Sora. She laughed, shrugging it off. "I'm Namjoon, or Rap Monster. It's nice to meet you."
"Nam Sora, nice to meet you as well." They both bowed, and everyone moved outside to the shoot. Jungkook and Jimin were next, and the photographer started giving instructions.
"Alright, that's a wrap on the second group shots!" Park-PD ordered after a little over an hour. The boys got up from the bench prop and moved off the set, gathering around the monitor again to look at the shots. They laughed and watched their shots closely while the photographer and Hyeson helped to flip through the images. Sora glanced around, seeing Park-PD was speaking to another gentleman with glasses. Catching her eye, he gestured her over. She blinked, before timidly tapping BTS' Leader, Namjoon, on the shoulder and offering him water. When she was done, she hurried over to her Producer.
"Sejin, this is Nam Sora. Sora, meet Kim Sejin, Bangtan Sonyeondan's main manager."
"It is a pleasure to meet you." They greeted each other politely.
Sejin gave her a once over. She couldn't help but blush mildly at the attention. Ironic, because she had held herself so composed in the presence of those attractive boys, and yet under the scrutinizing gaze of a superior, she was the picture of humbleness.
He had an incredibly broad frame, with a height that made even Park-PD's lean, 180cm stature look small. "You look young. Have you finished high school?"
Sora looked to Park-PD for general reassurance before answering. He nodded to ease her. "Yes, I went to a University in Seoul. I just decided to take the next year or so off."
Kim Sejin nodded, looking back at Park Byungsoo to share a gaze that Sora couldn't read. He asked a few more questions, pertaining to where her accent was from (Canada), where she was currently staying (Seoul), where she was studying before (Yonsei University), what she was studying (International Business), what technical or management skills she had (she had a decently vast knowledge-base on backstage or set management, and was particularly good at designing and makeup) and why she was taking the year off.
Sora paused before giving that last answer. She didn't want to reveal too much, but also didn't want to be untruthful. "… I wanted to… just spend some time away from academics to pursue other career options, and honestly, to do something new and really exciting. I'm a bit of a…workaholic, especially with school." She glanced at Park-PD, who smirked in agreement.
"Mhmm…" Kim Sejin nodded thoughtfully. "I've heard good things about you from Park-sunbae. He says you're a very capable worker, looking for a job with more hours and more of a challenge. I can pass a good word along to our management team if you'd like a spot on board with us."
Sora froze, letting the words sink in. When Hyeson had said before that Park-PD knew someone on the team… the person he knew was BTS's main manager? On top of that, what was this about putting a good word in for her? Reading her expression expertly, Sejin elaborated, "The turnover for our stylists is pretty high. I'm sure we can work something out for you if you'd like to work with us, even if it's only for a year. If you're interested, you can send your CV and cover letter to my email, and I'll pass it on."
"Th-thank you," Sora stammered, bowing at the waist as he handed her a business card. "Thank you very much for your support, Kim Manager."
"Don't thank me," he redirected courteously, looking at Producer Park Byungsoo. Sora's blush deepened, at a loss for words.
Working for BigHit Entertainment? Her? What?! 'Well— let's not get ahead of ourselves', she thought, 'because it's not like I've landed myself the job yet.'
She tiptoed over to Hyeson, who was also looking at the boys' pictures and having some sort of conversation with Hoseok. With a gentle tug on the sleeve and an urgent look, they moved a few meters back for Sora to share the news…
"WHAT?!" Sora clamped a hand over her best friend's mouth. Minjae quirked an eyebrow at her, and she smiled back sheepishly. They were lucky it was break time! "Mmm—fmm-mmph!"
Sora bit her lip. "What happened to not overreacting?"
"You— I—" Hyeson stammered, eyes glowing like a kid on Christmas Day. "You're kidding, oh my god, that is crazy!"
"I haven't even gotten the job yet," Sora whispered harshly, a rosy blush adorning her pale cheeks once again. It showed how genuinely flustered she was. "I totally should've waited to tell you."
"Shut the front door," Hyeson snapped in English, glowering. "You don't need to tell me everything, Nam Sora, but you need to tell me if you get to work with Bangtan Sonyeondan, oh my god—"
"SSSH! Wait, Hyeson, just think about the problems." Hyeson pressed her lips tightly together, all too aware Sora's situation. "Like, yes I want more hours, but I wanted flexible hours, and—… and I don't think I can handle their crazy schedule? Like what if they go on tour, to a-another country? What happens then? Do I go with them? Or—"
"Don't say another word," Hyeson made the gesture of zipping her lips. Sora froze. "We're going to talk about this later, and I swear when we do, the only problem you're going to be thinking about is how to keep your hands to yourself around those boys!"
Speechless, Sora shook her head to rid herself of unwholesome thoughts, the heat rising quickly to her cheeks. 'Oh god. Don't think about Jimin's abs, please have mercy.
... Too late.'
Hyeson snorted. "Told ya so!"
-X- Chapter 1: Bonus End Scene-X-
"What do you think they were talking about?"
Back at the dorm, Taehyung blinked innocently, thinking back to the two secretive girls — who, frankly, weren't all that secretive at all. He'd heard enough to be intrigued, and while the boys were looking at their shots, he'd noticed Sora speaking to their Sejin for a considerable amount of time, and then bowing reverently, noticeably flustered. "Maybe he called her pretty or something?"
"As if!" Hoseok laughed, stretching out on the couch. "She is, but as if our Manager-hyung would say that."
"Who's pretty?" Yoongi raised a brow, not even looking up from his phone. "You guys talking about the young coordi?"
"Nam Sora-ssi!"
"Nam Sora-ssi? How do you know her name, Hobi?" Namjoon slung his arm around Hoseok's shoulder, sitting down next to him while Jimin, Yoongi and Jungkook came out from changing in their rooms to join their hyungs. Namjoon said lowly, still playful. "Can't stay away from girls, eh?"
"I was just being friendly!" he denied, laughing nervously.
"What was all that about?" Seokjin inquired, his eyes narrowed suspiciously at his members' sudden heightened nosiness. "Were you guys hitting on her?"
"As if we're allowed," Jimin stated obviously, while Jungkook's made a noncommittal noise.
Taehyung shrugged, yawning. "Whatever. Probably won't see her again, anyway!"
End of Chapter 1.
