SOUL BONDS ( Under revision )

Chapter 18

The roar of the crowd was deafening, thousands of voices rising together in perfect rhythm as the stage slowly lifted from beneath them. When it snapped into place, the sudden jolt made everyone bounce slightly, but no one faltered. Bright lights flooded the stadium, momentarily blinding, and as her eyes adjusted, she took in the endless sea of glowing light sticks stretching across the darkness like stars. The energy was overwhelming, alive, and she couldn't stop the small gasp that escaped her lips. Beside her, Jin noticed immediately, bringing a hand to his mouth to stifle a laugh. "First time nerves?" he teased quietly. She shot him a quick look, cheeks warming, but before she could respond, the chants began.

"KIM NAMJOON! KIM SEOKJIN! MIN YOONGI! JUNG HOSEOK! PARK JIMIN! KIM TAEHYUNG! JEON JUNGKOOK! BTS!"

Each name echoed like thunder, shaking the stadium with love and devotion. The members stood taller, their faces lighting up as they soaked it all in. Jimin felt it deep in his chest, like fire igniting in his veins. He had missed this—missed them. A soft smile tugged at his lips as he looked out at the crowd, their energy wrapping around him like a familiar embrace. "ARMYYYYYYYYYYY!" Namjoon shouted into the mic, and the response was instant, explosive. Jimin chuckled under his breath, shaking his head. "They never change," he murmured. "Would you want them to?" Taehyung asked with a grin. Jimin shook his head. "Never." Taehyung stepped forward then, raising his mic with excitement. "ARE YOU READYYYYYYYYYYY?!" The stadium erupted again, lights flashing wildly as the crowd screamed back.

They quickly took their positions, the atmosphere tightening with anticipation. Before the music began, Jimin's gaze instinctively shifted until he found her. She stood slightly behind them, trying to steady her breathing, her hands trembling faintly at her sides. Their eyes met, and he gave her a small, reassuring smile. She returned it with a nod. I'm okay. The lights cut out suddenly, plunging everything into darkness. Silence fell for a brief moment before the first beat dropped, snapping everything back to life. Jungkook's voice rang out clearly as the choreography began, every movement sharp and perfectly synchronized. Jimin let himself fall into the rhythm, his body moving on instinct—until something shifted.

A misstep. A crack.

Pain shot through his leg, white-hot and unbearable, and the world seemed to slow as his body gave out beneath him. A cry of agony tore from his throat as he collapsed onto the stage. For a moment, he couldn't breathe, couldn't feel anything but the overwhelming pain consuming him. Then voices broke through the haze. "Jimin!" "What happened?!" "Stop the music!" Everything blurred—lights, faces, movement—until Namjoon was suddenly beside him, panic etched across his features. "Jimin, look at me. Can you move?" he asked urgently. Jimin tried, but nothing happened. "My leg..." he gasped, his voice trembling. Namjoon's expression darkened instantly. "It's broken," he muttered. "No, no," Jin said quickly, already crouching down. "We're getting you backstage." "The performance—" Jimin tried to protest, wincing as another wave of pain hit. "Forget the performance," Yoongi said firmly. "You're hurt." Jungkook hovered anxiously. "Hyung... does it hurt a lot?" Jimin let out a shaky laugh despite everything. "What do you think?" Hoseok placed a steadying hand on his shoulder. "We've got you. Just hold on." Carefully, Jin and Namjoon lifted him, but Jimin cried out again, gripping tightly as they rushed him offstage.

Outside the room, she paced anxiously, her thoughts spiraling as his scream replayed over and over in her mind. The moment the doctor stepped out, she rushed forward. "Oh my God, is he okay?" she asked, her voice trembling. The doctor nodded reassuringly. "He's stable. His leg is broken, but it's not life-threatening." Relief washed over her, though it was quickly followed by lingering fear. "It could have been much worse if he had landed differently," the doctor added. Her stomach twisted at the thought. "You can see him now," he said gently. She didn't hesitate, rushing in with the others.

Jimin lay on the bed, his leg secured in a brace, his expression tired but calm. When he saw them, a small smile formed on his lips. "You all look like someone died," he joked weakly. "Don't joke like that," Taehyung muttered, clearly shaken. "You scared us," Jungkook added softly. Jimin's smile softened. "Sorry." A brief silence passed before he spoke again. "You guys know you have to go back out there, right?" Everyone froze. "Jimin—" Namjoon started. "No," Jimin interrupted firmly. "The show can't stop because of me." Hoseok frowned. "But your part... no one knows it completely." "Exactly," Jin added. "We can't just replace you like that." Jimin's gaze shifted to her. "Actually... you can."

Her breath caught instantly. "No," she whispered, shaking her head. "I can't." "You can," he said gently. "You know everything—every move, every lyric." "Kitten," he called softly when she didn't respond. She squeezed her eyes shut, her heart racing. "Please don't," she murmured. "Kitten," he repeated. Slowly, she looked up, meeting the eyes of all seven men watching her. "Come here," Jimin said, holding out his hand. Hesitantly, she walked over and sat beside him, avoiding eye contact. He gently tilted her chin up. "Look at me." She finally did, and without another word, he leaned in, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to her lips. Everything else faded in that moment. When he pulled away, she let out a shaky breath. "Thank you," she whispered. "You're welcome, baby," he replied before his expression turned serious. "Princess, I need you to do this."

"I can't," she said again, panic creeping into her voice. "You can," Yoongi said calmly. "You've practiced with us enough." "You literally correct us sometimes," Taehyung added with a small smile. "It's not the same," she argued. "It is," Namjoon said gently. "You're ready." Hoseok rubbed small circles on her back. "We'll be right there with you." Jungkook grinned. "And you can sing—you sound amazing." "Yah! Watch your language," Jin snapped when Jungkook added a curse, earning a small laugh from everyone and easing the tension just a bit. She looked back at Jimin, still unsure. "Good luck kiss?" she asked quietly. He didn't hesitate, pulling her closer and crashing his lips against hers in a deeper, more intense kiss this time. When he pulled away, she was left breathless, slightly dazed. "Go," he murmured softly. Yoongi gently took her hand. "Come on, princess. It's time."

Back on stage, the crowd was still roaring, completely unaware of what had just happened. They slipped quietly into position, the noise washing over them. Her heart pounded as she took her place, now standing where Jimin should have been. Doubt crept in, whispering fears of judgment and failure, but she forced herself to breathe. The beat dropped once more, the lights snapping back on as the performance resumed. This time, when the moment came, she stepped forward—no longer hiding behind them, but standing beside them.