Encore

16. Hard Work

One and a half months has passed since the MAPS photoshoot.

After the photoshoot, Jaebeom has decided to ensure that Jackson is taken care of.

Of course, talking to Mark and BamBam wasn't the only reason. Jaebeom was also concerned.

Seeing Jackson eating less while overworking was painful to watch. Visiting Jackson in the hospital with an IV drip attached to him made his heart throb.

However, Jaebeom knew that he wouldn't be able to stop Jackson from overworking.

Jackson being so driven to work hard is because he believes that he should work hard whilst he still could.

Jaebeom realised that while he was researching, stumbling upon an interview Jackson did with Elle Singapore.

"Working as a solo artiste and at the same time managing the company, touching every step of every process is not as easy. It was really tough and there are a lot of times that I would mentally and physically break down. I went through that and depression.

Everything is on your back.
Communication is important and, systems. I would say that the hardest thing about building a company or even building a team, is the system. I believe it takes years. Because at the end of the day, not everyone in the company including myself is a robot, and everyone has different feelings, different standards, just different worlds. You have to put it in one channel and it's a difficult job.
And as a solo artiste, from the beginning to the end of one piece a body of work it's all about me. Sometimes it's challenging but I always have the vision of just trying to beat the previous me. Every time, every release."

When Jackson was asked about his ultimate goal for his solo career, he replied:
"I want to create something that surprises people. I want to create something that's different. I really want to share the vision of what I believed as a child. To know yourself and make your own history. There are a lot of people who might not be as confident or even scared of the risk that they're going to take towards what they want. I hope one day I can share my story to let more and more people know that if you really love something, you should really go ahead and do it.

Therefore, if he couldn't stop Jackson, Jaebeom decided that he would at least support him and make the process less taxing for Jackson.

Jaebeom became determined to take care of Jackson. Being in the same house as Jackson made it easy for him to do so anyways.

For example, doing the little things.

Like making a cup of green tea for Jackson when Jackson was in his studio working overnight.

Sometimes Jackson would come back in the early hours of the morning. After carrying him from the couch to Jackson's room, Jaebeom would change Jackson into comfy pyjammas so that he won't feel stiff when he wakes up.

During those moments, Jaebeom would shut his eyes tightly. His touches never lingering.

Though when he had to open his eyes to help Jackson wear the clothes properly, he would always feel his throat going dry.

You can't blame the poor guy. Ever since he saw those pictures, he wondered how it would be like if he were to see them in person.

The first time Jaebeom helped Jackson change, there was a lot of stammering and blushing between the two the next morning. But eventually, as time passed, Jackson grew comfortable with Jaebeom, enough to trust him.

Sometimes, Jaebeom would be tired and just bring Jackson to his room which was closer to the stairs.

After changing Jackson, he would tuck Jackson in bed before flopping onto the bed.