Elevation [Chapter 2]

 

Chapter 2:

Jungkook's POV

The second dance lessons for the day ended, Jungkook found an empty practice room and slid down to take a seat on the floor. He pulled out his phone in excitement and searched up a video clip from a new survival program airing on MBC. It was a short clip, but his heart was pounding in anticipation because - though no one but him and his close family and friends would know - it was the first time he was appearing on television.

He pressed play on the quickly loaded video and smiled when he watched the MC announce the demo of a dance that the contestants of the television show would have to learn. The demo dance video began to play and Jungkook's smile widened seeing as he was the center of a five-man group for the demo clip. The contestants oohed and ahhed, and Jungkook felt pride and accomplishment swell in his chest. He laughed, knowing his excitement was a little silly seeing as no one really knew who he was and were actually only interested in the contestants that the demo dance would be going to but in this moment, he didn't care. He was giddy all the same.

The demo choreography was the choreography that Sam Kim had taught them and complimented him on two months ago. He assumed Sam must have kept his promise and put in a good word about him to someone because he had ended up getting selected to be a dancer for this little demo team only a couple of weeks later.

He swiped out of YouTube and sent a message to Sam Kim. 'Thanks,' he messaged. 'The choreography looks great.'

He received a reply soon after. 'You look great. Check out the comments on the YouTube clip.'

Excitedly, Jungkook goes back to the YouTube clip. He hadn't even read the comments. He hadn't expected there to be any about him. But he was wrong.

A grin grew on his face as he read some of them. 'Who's the cutie in front?' 'Is that a trainee? Wow! Look at his moves! Debut him immediately!' 'How can the dancer in front look so cute but dance so manly?' A blush spread across his cheeks as some of the comments got a little R-rated. He quickly rushed over those, but he was happy with the overall sentiment. Viewers liked him.

Another message came in on his phone. 'Oppa,' it read. 'I don't know how I'm going to stand it when you become an idol. Girls are already fawning over you when you weren't even meant to stand out. I'm jealous.'

A smirk appeared on Jungkook's face. Min Seon Woo. His girlfriend of four years.

'Facetime,' he simply messaged back.

Barely a second passed before he got notification that Seon Woo was calling him for a video chat. He answered with a smile. 

Min Seon Woo was pretty. She was pale, had thick black hair that fell in waves around her face and shoulders, and she had a face that wasn't too cute or too sexy. She was just simply pretty. Perfectly so. Jungkook had thought himself lucky when he had received her note asking him to be her boyfriend in school. And now after being accepted to the first company he had auditioned for and finding himself growing in skill and strength everyday, he was confident that he must be the luckiest man alive.

"You're jealous?" he asked when they could see each other's faces through the video screen. He softened his voice - a tone he only used for his girlfriend. "Why?" He tossed his head slightly to get the hair out of his eyes and to look more charismatic to Seon Woo.

She pouted, puffing her cheeks. Looking cute for her boyfriend. "You're too handsome," she stated. "And I barely get to see you anymore. It's only gonna get worse after you debut."

Jungkook smiled.

"What?" his girlfriend asked.

"Nothing," he answered. "It's just...You said it's only gonna get worse after I debut. Like there's no question I'm gonna debut. I like that you believe in me." Jungkook blushed slightly at his soft words. It had taken him a long time to get comfortable speaking sweetly, but he was more and more becoming better at it.

Seon Woo smiled. "Of course I believe in you, oppa. You'll debut for sure." She frowned. "I'm just sad that you'll probably forget about me."

"I won't forget about you," Jungkook assured her.

They knew it would be difficult, but Jungkook and Seon Woo had agreed to stay together even after Jungkook decided that he wanted to follow his dreams to be a star. They were sure they would find a way to make it work because what more did they need besides the feelings of enjoying knowing that they had each other?

"Arrasso," Seon Woo said with a pout. "Make sure that you don't." Her face suddenly lit up as a new thought came to her. "Hey. Have you seen any celebrities yet?"

Jungkook thought back. He usually spent most of his time in training rooms, so he didn't see much of anyone besides other trainees and instructors but he did remember the silver-haired Park Jimin he had run into in the hallway just a month after his acceptance into BigHit. "Ah, yeah," he said. "Park Jimin. I saw Park Jimin in the hallway here, and I greeted him."

The expression on Min Seon Woo's face changed instantly. Her mouth dropped open in a wide, surprised 'o' and her eyes grew to be the size of 50-won coins. "Park Jimin!" she squealed. "You saw Park Jimin?!"

Jungkook jerked back in surprise at the siren-like squeals his girlfriend was emitting. He hadn't known his comment would elicit this type of reaction.

"I love him!" she continued. "Can you get his autograph for me?"

Jungkook smiled, thinking her reaction was cute. "Yah," he said. "You love him? What about me?"

"Yah," she teased back. "My heart is big enough for two. You have to share with Jimin oppa. I've liked him since pre-debut. We go back."

Jungkook put on a frown. "Tch," he said. "I'm not getting his autograph for you."

"Please, oppa!" Seon Woo begged. "Please, please, please. My birthday's coming up!"

They haggled back and forth like that for a few more minutes until someone came to claim the dance practice room. Jungkook hurriedly rushed his girlfriend off the phone and vacated the area. He hadn't given in to his girlfriend's requests to her face, but he knew he was going to try to figure out a way to get Park Jimin's autograph for her birthday. Deep down, she probably knew it too. He always did what she wanted. He wondered, though, how he could make it happen. He hadn't so much as even glimpsed the star since that day in the hallway, and that had been two months ago.

That thought became less of a deterrent to him, however, when he realized there was another way. This was Park Jimin's agency. If he couldn't reach Park Jimin, he could definitely find a member of his staff and maybe get some pre-signed merch. It wouldn't be as personal as Park Jimin signing upon request, but his girlfriend didn't have to know how he acquired the sign. As long as he got it.

Satisfied with his plan, he headed off to his scheduled voice lessons.

Jimin's POV

Jimin was ecstatic. His album was finally coming along. He and Yoongi had managed to reach some sort of compromise in regards to what they wanted the new album to showcase. Jimin had 100% control of the lyrics, but he was allowing Yoongi to bring forth an R&B sound that he hadn't originally been intending. But the more they worked on the project, the more he liked the direction it was going. He was currently working on what was turning out to be his favorite song, but both he and Yoongi agreed that it needed a vocal killing part towards the end.

Jimin's voice was smooth and high, but sometimes he had trouble belting with his chest voice. And that's what this song needed. 

And that is what led him to making a call in to have an impromptu voice lesson. He figured if he got taught the basics of what he needed to do to healthily produce the wanted sound today, he'd be able to practice and have it perfected by the time of his comeback.

As his van pulled up to the back of the BigHit building - so as not to run into the gathered fans outside, he took a quick drink of water and then hopped down to make his way inside. Stylists, bodyguards, and his manager surrounded him but he had gotten used to all of this a while ago so it was easy to kind of ignore them as they fussed around him.

He wore a beanie, pulled down so that his silver bang halfway covered his eyes. And he wore a mask to cover the rest of his face. The rest of his body was adorned with a plain black and white Louis Vuitton track suit and sneakers.

He had just come from a radio appearance, and he would be headed to film a soda CF after this. He was sure that would take at least six hours. That's why he was grateful that his favorite voice teacher had managed to squeeze him in at this hour. Because no other time worked for him. Not that he had expected to get rejected though. Ever since his rise in fame, Jimin had become the prodigal son of BigHit Entertainment and everyone tended to bend over backwards for him. Jimin didn't mind.

He made his way inside the back doors of BigHit and immediately took his mask and beanie off. He ran his hand through his hair, leaving it becomingly mussed.

As he made his way towards the room that the voice teacher had told him to meet him in, he heard voices inside.

"We have to reschedule for today," the voice instructor was saying. "I'm sorry. Go home and come back tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" The next voice was familiar to Jimin, but he didn't quite recognize it. He pushed the slightly ajar door open a little farther to see who was speaking. Those wide eyes and that tiny mouth that seemed to be in a perpetual 'o' of surprise. It was the kid who had greeted him late. Jungkook, he said his name was. Jimin wasn't always able to be in the know of what was happening amongst his juniors since he was always pretty busy, but he knew that this Jungkook kid was pretty popular amongst both trainers and staff. He heard his name around. Apparently he was pretty talented.

"Is there a problem?" the voice instructor asked.

"A-aniyo," Jungkook said. "I'll just skip this voice lesson. We can wait until our next scheduled one; we don't have to make this one up."

"Who says?" the voice instructor asked. "Why are you telling me how to schedule the voice lessons? Who's the instructor here?"

Jimin hesitated on opening the door wider. He knew he should just go inside, that he was eavesdropping, but he was curious about how this conversation was going. He waved his entourage away because they were simply standing there quietly and looking at him questioningly, wondering if he still needed them. When he indicated that he didn't, they left, continuing on their way down the hallway. Jimin leaned against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest, and peeked back into the room. Jungkook was now standing with his hands clasped in front of him and his head down. 'He's always getting scolded when I see him,' Jimin thought. A slight smirk grew on his face.

"I'm sorry," Jungkook responded. "I just thought it would be better for both of us. You wouldn't have to come in on your day off, and I could go home like I planned."

"Ahh," the voice instructor said. "That's what this is about. You had been planning to visit home. Where do you live?"

"Busan," Jungkook answered.

"Busan," the voice instructor repeated. "Tch. That's a train ride. It's not like you live in America. You can visit home at any time. Do you think you're the only one that misses home? Or is it that you think you're so good that you don't need voice lessons?"

"Aniyo," Jungkook said, continuing to keep his head lowered. "I'm sorry."

"Be here tomorrow for the voice lesson," the instructor said again, not letting up.

Jungkook hesitated, but then bowed and agreed. "Yes, hyungnim."

"You're dismissed," the instructor finished.

Jungkook turned to leave the room. The show over, Jimin pushed the door open wider and the two people inside finally saw that he was there. "Hyung," he said to the voice instructor. "When did you get so strict?"

Jungkook's eyes grew to the size of quarters again and a smile stretched across the instructor's face, all traces of the stern mood he had previously been in gone. "Park Jimin!" he greeted, coming forward to give Jimin a hug.

"Lee Minki!" Jimin greeted, equally excited. They embraced and exchanged greetings. Jimin noticed Jungkook out of the side of his eye, awkwardly standing in the room due to the doorway being currently blocked. He stepped away from Minki and wrapped an arm around Jungkook's shoulders. He felt the younger man tense. "I heard a bit of what just happened. Just give us both a voice lesson at the same time," Jimin said. "I don't want to take anyone else's slot."

"A-aniyo," Jungkook said hurriedly, stepping away from Jimin's embrace and bowing respectfully. "It's okay. I don't mind."

Jimin smiled. The young man was more muscular than him (he was glad he wore insoles inside his shoes today; it made them the same height), but he had the cutest face. And he seemed to be on the shy side, which made him even more endearing. "Well, I do," Jimin answered. "And I'll treat you after this."

Minki, even though he originally protested because they both had "different things to work on", gave in to Jimin, deciding to give them a voice lesson at the same time.

That's what led to Jimin leaning against the piano and watching as Jungkook struggled to make sounds come out of his throat. The harder Jungkook struggled, the more Jimin smiled. Because he knew that the reason the other man was struggling was solely because he was in the room.

"Relax," Minki instructed. "These notes are easy for you. What's the matter?"

"Sorry, hyung," Jungkook replied with a short glance toward Jimin.

"Remember. Breathe. Support your vocals with your diaphragm. Jimin, go put your hand on his stomach and make sure he's breathing," Minki prompted.

Jungkook's eyes got wider still. Jimin didn't know they could grow to be that big. He held back a sudden laugh. 'Why is he so cute?' he wondered. The younger man's shyness awoke Jimin's flirtatious nature. He walked forward and placed himself slightly behind and to the left of Jungkook, wrapping his arm around him to place his right hand on his abdomen. As expected, he felt Jungkook's whole body tense. With his left hand hanging casually by his side, he leaned in to speak softly next to Jungkook's ear. "Nice abs," he teased, feeling the definition of them beneath the young man's shirt.

"All right," the instructor said, not noticing the tension emanating from one of his singers. "Jungkook, just sing as you usually do and Jimin, give his stomach a push every time you feel him not breathing properly."

"Got it," Jimin stated. He stole a glance at Jungkook's side profile. The kid was frozen. And for some reason he was getting immense pleasure out of it. He went ahead and pushed Jungkook's stomach lightly because he was pretty sure he hadn't felt a breath ever since the moment he had come over. "You know," he said into Jungkook's ear. "Most doctors agree that if you don't breathe you die." He tapped Jungkook's stomach. "Come on."

It took a moment, but Jungkook's taut stomach finally pulled in, indicating that he had released a breath. Jimin then felt his stomach come out as he drew in a breath. Then the series repeated.

"Good job," Jimin whispered with a smile.

He had previously been in a rush, but at the moment, Jimin couldn't remember what he had been in a rush for. He was enjoying the time making this kid squirm. He slid his right hand from Jungkook's stomach and moved it to his back so that he could step around and get a clearer view of Jungkook's face. He stood beside Jungkook and placed his left hand on Jungkook's stomach so that he could keep up the task he was assigned while watching the young man's face at the same time. Jungkook glanced nervously in his direction and shifted as if he wanted to step away but kept standing where he was. Jimin smiled.

Minki started playing the accompaniment of the song Jungkook was practicing on the piano, and Jungkook began to sing. Like the other times, his voice was shaky and thin. He wasn't singing confidently. Minki stopped playing abruptly. "Jungkook," he said simply, his voice a warning. The instructor was getting frustrated. Minki opened his mouth to start scolding Jungkook for the second time that day but Jimin called his name and shook his head, telling him not to.

Jimin focused back in on Jungkook. "Am I making you uncomfortable?" he asked, his voice soft.

He was surprised when Jungkook answered him honestly. "Yes," the younger man said, once again glancing at the older man before glancing away quickly.

A short laugh escaped Jimin's lips; he pulled his hand up to cover his mouth, surprised that the sound just came out. But the kid's honesty regardless of his shyness made him even more enjoyable. "So I found your weakness," Jimin continued with a smirk. When he noticed Jungkook glance at him questioningly, he answered the look. "I've heard so many things about you. All of them good. I was starting to think there was nothing you were weak in. But your own nature is getting in your way. How are you going to be a star for millions of people if you can't overcome your own self right now? In front of two people? In this room?"

Jungkook turned to him and they finally met eyes for more than two seconds. Jimin was slightly taken aback. For once, the younger man wasn't wearing the scared bunny expression. Instead, there was a measure of determination and intensity in the younger man's gaze. An intensity that surprised Jimin by causing his gut to jolt. After a few seconds' stare, he found himself being the one to look away. But he saw the movement of Jungkook's nod. First to him and then to Minki, letting him know he was ready.

Jimin placed his hand back on Jungkook's stomach and the song began again.

Unlike last time, Jungkook's voice was steady. He was still singing at a slightly low volume but soon, his volume began to rise as he got more into the song. His eyes fell closed, and his smooth voice rang out in an emotional peal. Jimin's lips slowly grew into an upturned smile. So this was why he was being called the "Golden Trainee". He mouthed a 'wow' over to Minki, who nodded with a satisfied expression on his face.

Jungkook's voice was different than Jimin's. His lower register vibrated in a becoming timbre. Jimin had the strange sensation of being sucked in by it to the point that he began to lean forward slightly, wanting to dive into the notes that were coming out of Jungkook's mouth. He didn't even realize that his own mouth was opening until his own voice emanated and harmonized with the beautiful notes already in the room. Singing in a higher register, his notes layered the simple song Jungkook was practicing with and brought it to new heights. And for the first time, he saw Jungkook smile. They finished singing the song together and Jimin was...disappointed. He had just been getting into it.

"Want to sing another one?" Minki asked, seeming to sense the unspoken desire in the room.

"Yes!" Jungkook answered first. Eagerly. "If it's okay with you, hyung," he said quickly, looking at Jimin. Jimin nodded.

And just like that what started out as a voice lesson became almost an hour of Jimin and Jungkook having an impromptu jam session. Since becoming a celebrity, Jimin barely had fun singing anymore. But this was fun! It was no longer training, and it wasn't rehearsal. It was just the pure enjoyment of singing. 

Jungkook seemed to be enjoying it as well. He and Jimin were currently facing each other and belting out a two-man harmonized version of 2AM's This Song. Some of Jungkook's shyness seemed to have dissolved in the hour that they had spent together. When they finished the song, they were both flushed with happiness and breathing heavily from their hour-long two-man concert. Jimin went forward and tousled Jungkook's hair before turning to check the time on his phone. His happiness turned into surprise. "Oh," he said. "An hour's up already?" He glanced at Minki, who was swiping out of something on his phone, which was aimed in Jimin and Jungkook's direction. "Were you recording us?" Jimin asked.

"Yes," Minki said with a smirk.

Jimin narrowed his eyes. "Don't do anything weird with that footage, hyung," he joked with a playful smirk.

"I just thought it'd be good to keep for a record of Jungkook's progress," he said. "Hey, speaking of...Sorry we didn't get to the new song you wanted to practice. I just got caught up."

"It's okay," Jimin said, gathering his phone. "We all did." He looked at Jungkook who was still standing in the room. "Sorry," Jimin said, going towards him. "I said I would treat you, but I have to make it a rain check. I have a schedule after this. But enjoy your trip home tomorrow, okay? The voice lesson you scheduled for him for tomorrow is called off, right?" he asked Minki, confirming.

"Yes," Minki said. Minki pulled a bag over his shoulder, closed the piano, and began to walk toward the exit. "No lesson tomorrow. Get some rest. And Jimin? Don't work so hard. I'll see you guys later."

"Bye, Minki," Jimin said.

"Bye." Jungkook bowed.

"I'm going to head out too," Jimin said with a charismatic tilt of his head. "I'll see you around." He started toward the door, but Jungkook's voice stopped him.

"W-wait. H-hyung."

Jimin turned back around. Jungkook hesitated for a bit, looking for the words, before speaking. "Can I get an autograph?"