Chapter Text
Chapter 20: Auditions
The days following the trial were busy as the boys spent most of their time at the dance studio either practicing their dance or working on their song in Jungkook’s room. With Wooyoung’s help Yoongi and Namjoon were able to get their recording equipment back from their old company. They set up half the equipment at the studio and the other half at their apartment. At the moment all seven of them were in the private room. Taehyung was laying on the floor near a wall by the couch with a comic book in hand. Jimin and Jungkook were on the couch going over a notebook with music notes and lyrics. Hoseok, and Yoongi were at the desk making adjustments on the computer. Jin and Namjoon were down in the cafeteria getting them all lunch.
“You should show these to him,” whispered Jimin.
Jungkook scratched the back of his head. “I don’t know,” he replied. “I don’t really think these ones are any good.”
“But they are good,” said Jimin. He snatched the notebook out of Jungkook’s hand and walked over to the desk. Jungkook sprang up off the couch to go after him but didn’t get very far as Taehyung grabbed his leg causing him to almost fall. “Hyung, look at this.” He handed the notebook to Yoongi.
Yoongi took the book from him and started skimming through the pages. “These are Jungkook’s?” he asked and looked up at said boy who blushed.
“Yep,” said Jimin with a proud smile on his face.
Yoongi looked back down at the book, flipping slowly through the papers. “These are good,” he said. “I really like this one but it looks unfinished.” He held open the book and turned it so that Jungkook could see.
“I… I started writing that before my mom died,” said Jungkook as he sat on the couch. “She died a couple days after I started writing it. Just… never had the motivation to finish it.”
Yoongi turned the book back around and looked down at the lyrics. “It’s got potential,” he said. “Hmmmm…” He reached across the desk to grab his own notebook. He flipped to an empty page and began writing. Hoseok leaned over his shoulder to watch.
Jimin grinned and walked back over to the couch, plopping himself next to Jungkook, looking quite pleased with himself.
Just then the door opened. Namjoon and Jin were back with food which they set on the low coffee table. Taehyung sat up and scooted closer to the table.
“So guys I need to tell you something,” said Namjoon, grabbing everyone’s attention.
“No!” said Jin as he held up a finger. “After lunch.”
“Jin…”
“No Joon, after lunch.” Jin gave his soulmate a stern look.
Namjoon sighed. “Fine,” he said and moved over to the desk to claim his chair. Yoongi gave him a questioning look and Namjoon just shook his head. No one said anything as they ate, it was a little awkward as everyone kept looking between Jin and Namjoon. Finally when all their plates were empty and in the trash Namjoon looked at them.
“So I got some good news and some bad news,” said Namjoon.
“Best start with the bad news,” said Yoongi. “Get that over with first.”
Namjoon nodded. “Wel the bad news is that the audition has been postponed,” he said. Everyone looked at him in surprise and shock.
“What?” said Yoongi, not believing his ears.
“The auditions have been postponed,” Namjoon repeated. “I got the phone call while we were downstairs. That’s the bad news. The good news is they are still going to have the auditions in about three more weeks. Apparently the venue the auditions were supposed to be in had… Well one of their gas lines for their heating system broke and started a fire. No one was hurt thankfully but they have to find a new venue for the auditions and they said it could take up to three weeks. This gives us extra time to prepare for the auditions.” A pillow went flying through the air and hit Namjoon in the face.
“Don’t scare us like that hyung!” cried Jimin as he glared.
“Perhaps we should have started with the good news,” said Jin. Namjoon sighed and tossed the pillow back onto the couch.
“They’ll let us know when and where right?” asked Hoseok.
Namjoon nodded. “Yes,” he said. “Everyone who has signed up for the auditions will be notified of the changes.”
“Honestly I’m a bit relieved,” said Hoseok. “We still haven’t gotten the choreo down pat yet so this gives us more time to practice.”
“More time for Jungkook to heal too,” said Taehyung. “He has a check up with the doctor tomorrow.” Jungkook groaned, leaned back into the couch, and wrinkled his nose. The others chuckled at him.
The rest of the afternoon was spent just hanging out and relaxing. Now that they had a longer deadline they were able to take it a bit easy.
The next day Jungkook found himself sitting in the front seat of Mrs Park’s car as she drove him to his appointment. Jimin and Taehyung were sitting in the back seat and the only reason all three weren’t sitting together was because there was no third seat belt in the back and Mrs Park refused to let them share a seat belt. For once Jungkook wasn’t nervous or worried, he was familiar with Dr Jung and he liked his doctor.
Upon arrival Mrs Park pulled up to the clinic and let the boys out. “I have to run to the store for some supplies,” she said. “I should be back in about an hour. Doctors offices are never one time. If I’m not back by the time you're done there is a small cafe down the street. Just text me and let me know.”
“We will,” replied Jimin as they got out of the car.
“Love you boys,” said Mrs Park. The boys smiled and responded with their own I love you’s before they walked into the clinic.
They walked up to the receptionist desk to get checked in then took seats in the waiting room. They sat quietly talking amongst themselves for about ten minutes before a nurse came out to get him. Their first stop was at a scale to get Jungkook weighed and his height checked, then they were led into a room. Jungkook sat up on the bed while Taehyung and Jimin took the two chairs.
“Alright,” said the nurse as she pulled up his file on the computer. “So Dr Jung wants to get some xrays of your chest but first please give me your full name and date of birth.”
Jungkook cleared his throat. “Jeon Jungkook, 97/09/01.”
The nurse nodded. “Good,” she said. “Next of kin are Kim Taehyung and Park Jimin, yes?”
Jungkook nodded and pointed to his soulmates. “Yes ma’am.” Jimin and Taehyung smiled at the nurse who giggled.
“Alright,” she said. “Now I need to take your blood pressure, then we will take you over to x-ray.” She grabbed her stethoscope and the blood pressure cuff. She put it on one of his arms and took it. Once done she put it away then led Jungkook out of the room. Jimin and Taehyung had to stay behind in the room.
The nurse led Jungkook down two hallways to the x-ray room. “Okay,” she said, “we’re going to need you to take off your necklace and your belt. Any other jewelry can stay on. You can set your things here.” She pointed to a chair near the door. Jungkook nodded and took his necklace and belt off, setting them on the table. The x-ray took all of ten minutes before Jungkook was led back into the room with Jimin and Taehyung.
“Dr Jung should be with you in a few minutes after reviewing the x-rays.” The nurse smiled at them then left the room.
Fifteen minutes go by before Dr Jung finally entered the room. “Sorry about the wait,” he said as he smiled at the boys. “Good to see you all again. I have to say Jungkook, you look a lot better from the last time I saw you. How are you feeling?”
Jungkook smiled at Dr Jung. “Doing better,” he said. “It doesn’t hurt to breathe anymore.”
“That’s good,” said Dr Jung. “Your x-rays show that your ribs are almost completely healed. The fractures must have been older than I thought or you have superhuman healing.” The doctor chuckled.
“Maybe I’m superman,” said Jungkook with a small laugh. Jimin and Taehyung chuckled as well.
“Not Ironman?” asked Taehyung amused.
Jungkook looks at him indignantly. “Iron man doesn’t have superhuman healing.”
Dr Jung laughed more. “Alright can I have you lay down so that I can check your surgery incisions?” Jungkook nodded and laid back onto the bed. Dr Jung carefully lifted Jungkook’s shirt up so that he could take a look. “Those look very good.” He put Jungkook’s shirt back down and helped him sit up.
“We’ve been making sure he takes it easy,” said Jimin. “We also make sure he doesn’t dance too much.” Jungkook pouted at him.
Dr Jung nodded and sat down at the computer. “He should be fine to dance now,” he said. “I still want him to take it easy and not be doing any back flips or anything like that. How is the anxiety medication working?”
“It works pretty good,” said Jimin. “He has less panic attacks everyday and he only had to take it once yesterday so that was good.”
“Alright,” said Dr Jung as he typed into the computer. They spent another fifteen minute go over Jungkook’s file before they were released.
Mrs Park was waiting for them when they exited the clinic. The four of them went out for lunch before heading home.
For the next three weeks it was the same routine, recording studio in the mornings and dance practice in the afternoons. In the evenings the boys helped out in the Parks restaurant, alternating days and shifts. They took a weekend off to go and visit Jungkook’s grandparents who smothered the boys with food and affection. It was a comfortable routine and before they knew it, it was the day before the auditions. Jungkook’s aunt came to visit them and take all the boys shopping for new clothes to wear on stage.
“Nervous?” asked Sooyoung as she walked beside Jungkook looking at shirts.
Jungkoook shrugged as he browsed the shirts. “A little,” he said. “Things have been getting better for the hyungs. Wooyoung was able to charge their old agencey with theft. According to Namjoon-hyung that has put the old company in not so good standings with other companies meaning our names aren’t getting dragged through the mud. The fans are great too, they help a lot. Hoseok-hyung has been posting videos of us dancing, not our audition piece, and we’ve been getting a lot of good feedback and support.”
“I’m glad things are looking up for you,” replied Sooyoung as she petted his hair. “Your mother would be so proud of you.”
Jungkook smiled at her. “Thanks,” he said. “I miss her.”
Sooyoung wrapped an arm around him. “We all do,” she said. “But you know your mother, she would not want us to dwindle in the past and would want us to keep moving forward. So that’s what we are going to do.”
“Kookie! Come look at this,” Taehyung called from a couple of isles over.
Jungkook looked at Sooyoung, who nodded with a smile, before walking over to Taehyung.
The day of the audition finally arrived. They boys woke up early to get ready. The older boys came over in the morning and Mrs Park made them all a big breakfast before they left. They all piled in the van and drove to the menu. There were a lot of people when they arrived.
“Wait here while I check us in,” said Namjoon as he went up to the reception desk.
“Are we the only big group?” asked Hoseok as he looked around.
Yoongi looked around as well. “Seems like it,” he said. “10,000 won says we’re going to be performing last.”
Hoseok looked at him with narrowed eyes. “I’m not taking that bet,” he said. “You’ll most likely win.” Yoongi smirks at him.
Namjoon returned and handed out badges on lanyards to everyone. “Keep these with you,” he said. “We are in waiting room seven.” He led the boys down a series of hallways till they found their room, though they weren’t the only ones in there. They shared the room with two other groups though these groups only had three people. They all greeted each other quietly before going to opposite ends of the room.
The waiting room had mirrors and tables as well as a couple of couches on either side of the room. Jimin sat down at one of the tables in front of a mirror to fix his hair. Everyone else got themselves situated.
“So what can we expect?” said Yoongi as he looked at Namjoon.
Namjoon looked at him. “Well, solos go first then groups.”
“Let me guess, we go last,” said Yoongi.
Namjoon sighed. “Yes we go last because we are the largest group.” Yoongi looks at Hoseok with a smirk who rolls his eyes.
“So we’re going to be here for a while,” said Jin as he leaned back in his seat. Namjoon looked at him and nodded. “Well might as well settle in then.”
“We’ll be able to watch the others audition,” said Namjoon as he pointed to the T.V.
For the next two hours the boys sat around the lounge. They'd practice their choreography, sit and watch the solo auditions, and anything to take their minds off their nerves. They refrained from singing because they weren't the only ones in the room and didn't want to give too much away.
"Are we the only ones doing an original song?" mentioned Taehyung quietly to the others as he watched the other people audition to song covers.
When it came for the group auditions, they were all ushered out of their room and led down a series of halls. They were made to line up outside an auditorium to wait. By the time it came for their turn, Jungkook was bouncing on the balls of his feet, Hoseok was pacing, Jimin was biting his nails, and Taehyung was laying on the floor with his legs up on the wall. Yoongi was as cool as a cucumber as he sat crossed legged, headphones in, and eyes closed. Namjoon was leaning against the wall muttering Math equations under his breath and Jin was doing some online shopping on his phone.
A woman came out of the auditorium. "BTS?" she called softly.
The boys followed her into the room and were led onto a stage. There were at least 10 groups of judges sitting in the seats around the auditorium. The boys formed a line on the stage.
Namjoon glanced at his group with a nod then looked at the judges. "Dul, set, BANG," started Namjoon.
"TAN, annyeonghaseyo Bangtan Sonyeondan," the others chimed in with Namjoon as they all made a gun going off hand sign and bowed.
Namjoon looked back at the judges as he stood. "Hello we are BTS, my name is Kim Namjoon and I am the leader of the group." Starting from oldest to youngest the boys introduced themselves to the judges. "The song we will be performing for you today is a song of our own making. I hope you all enjoy our work." Namjoon looked at the others and gave them a signal.
Everyone but Jimin left the stage. Jimin made his way to center stage and turned his back to the judges.
The music played and Jimin took a deep breath, his body moving on autopilot as he started their song.
Jimin:
I want to breathe, I hate this night
I want to wake up, I hate this dream
locked in me, I’m dead
Don’t wanna be lonely
Just wanna be yours
Jungkook:
Why is it so dark here without you?
It’s dangerous, broken my figure
Save me, I can’t hold myself. Can’t.
Taehyung:
Listen to my heartbeat
It’s calling at you at it’s own will.
Jin:
In this black darkness
you are shining bright
Taehyung:
Give me your hand save me save me
I need your love before I fall, fall
Jin:
Give me your hand save me save me
I need your love before I fall, fall
Jungkook:
Give me your hand save me save me
Jimin:
Give me your hand save me save me
Save me, save me
Yoongi:
Tonight, moon shines more than usual.
Vacant room in memory
This lunatic night swallows me
Please save me tonight
Please save me tonight
Please save me tonight
In this childish craziness you can only save me tonight.
Hoseok:
I have known that you are my savior,
The part of me and only hands cover my sorrow
The best of me. I have only you
Please raise your voice to make me laugh again
Play on
Jungkook:
Listen to my heartbeat
It’s calling at you at it’s own will
Jimin:
In this black darkness
you are shining bright
Taehyung:
Give me your hand save me save me
I need your love before I fall, fall
Jin:
Give me your hand save me save me
I need your love before I fall, fall
Jungkook:
Give me your hand save me save me
Jimin:
Give me your hand save me save me
Namjoon:
Thank you for letting me be me
For helping me fly
For giving me wings
For straightening me out
For waking me from being suffocated
For waking me from a dream which was all I was living in
When I think of you the sun is shining
And throw away my sorrow
Thank you. Be ourselves
Jimin:
Give me your hand save me save me
I need your love before I fall, fall
Jungkook:
Give me your hand save me save me
I need your love before I fall, fall
They all panted as they knelt on the floor once the song. The room was silent and Namjoon chanced a glance at the judges. A lot of them had their heads bent together as they whispered to each other. The boys slowly got up off the floor and stood together.
One of the judges looks up at them and gives them a smile. “Thank you,” he said. “Someone will be in touch.”
The boys bowed and said their thank yous before they were escorted back to their room. Many of the other auditionees had left a little though a couple still lingered in the halls. When they returned to their room they all collapsed on the couches as Jin passed out water bottles. No one said anything for a while as they caught their breaths.
Namjoon finally sat up and looked at his friends. “I’d say we did pretty good,” he said. “I saw many of the judges writing and talking so fingers crossed we…”
He was interrupted by a knock on their lounge door. Namjoon got up from his seat and opened the door. At the door stood a man who was almost a head shorter than Namjoon. The man had short dark hair, glasses, a big nose, and was slightly plump. Namjoon recognized him as one of the judges in the auditorium.
“Good afternoon,” the man said and held out his hand. “Namjoon correct?”
Namjoon blinked in surprise. “Uh, yes sir,” he said and shook the man’s hand with a slight bow.
“My name is Bang Shi-hyuk though you might recognize me as…”
“Hitman Bang,” said Namjoon said in awe. He had followed Bang’s career for a while now.
Shi-hyuk chuckled. “Yes I am,” he said. “Mind if I come in and talk with you and your group?”
Namjoon jumped to open the door wider. “Of course,” he said and beckoned him into the room. “Let me introduce you to everyone.” Shi-hyuk followed Namjoon into the room and shook hands with all the members as Namjoon introduced them. Once the introductions were done Shi-hyuk took a seat in a chair while Namjoon took his seat beside Jin.
“I would first like to start off by saying I was extremely impressed with the song,” he said. “You said you all created it?”
Namjoon nodded. “Yes sir,” he said. “Jungkook wrote the lyrics, Yoongi, Hobi and I came up with the composition. Hobi, Jimin, and Jungkook came up with the choreography and of course Jin and Taehyung helped out with all of it as well."
"Well I am extremely impressed," said Shi-hyuk. "In fact I would like to offer you all a place in my company. It's a brand new company and rather small. We only have one group at the moment and an actor or two but I feel with you boys we can make both my company and your group very big. I see great potential in all of you."
Excited chatter went through the younger members and Hoseok. Yoongi put up a hand to quiet down the chatter.
“We need to be upfront with you about something,” he said. “We’re all…”
“Soulmates?” Shi-hyuk cut in. “So I’ve heard through the grapevine. It’s true that idols who have their soulmates are a turn off to most companies but I personally don’t care. To me it just makes you more unique and different from other groups.”
Taehyung perked up. “So… you don’t think us being soulmates is a problem?”
Shi-hyuk shakes his head. “I don’t,” he said, “in fact it helps because you already have chemistry. You work well together and it shows through your performance. I saw that on stage.” The boys looked at each other. “If you need some time to talk it over, that's fine.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a business card. “Here, take this and give me a call once you’ve talked it over. Even if you decide not to join my company, that's alright too.”
Shi-hyuk stood and the boys followed, bowing as they bid the man goodbye. The boys didn’t say anything as they packed their belongings and headed back to the older boys’ apartment.
Jin made dinner and they all sat around the table discussing their options. They talked well into the night and the next morning they all sat in the living room anxiously as Namjoon picked up the phone.
The phone rang a couple times before being picked up. Namjoon cleared his throat and looked at his members. “Mr Bang? We talked it over and…we’d like to join your company.”