hidden hearts » vkook (book 2)

2

"Chin up, up, up." The female was using her finger to direct Taehyung's face. He tried not to cringe at the impossibly high tone of her voice. 

When he couldn't lift his chin any higher, he batted her hand away. "I physically cannot do that, Leslie. You're going to literally snap my neck."

Leslie rolled her eyes but shook him off. "Tilt a little to the left, more, more... more."

Taehyung cut her a look. He was going to lose it. He usually wasn't this cranky in his photoshoots, especially ones with such a high profile, but after seeing Jungkook's poster earlier, it's left him in a sour mood for the past two hours.

The only thing keeping his attitude in check was the fact that this was Vogue. This was one of the biggest photoshoots of his career. Sure, he's been on billboards and commercials. He was even in Vogue once. But this was the cover story. He was going to be on the cover of Vogue.

Luckily, after a couple more clicks of the camera shutter, Leslie dropped her hands down. "Alright, I think we got it!"

Taehyung blew out a breath and pushed his hair away from his forehead. He had been twitching at the hand for the last two hours to do that. 

Two pairs of loud clapping suddenly filled the room. One was loud and slow, the other was quick and excited. 

Taehyung stood from the leather chair he was in, set the tea cup prop down on the table, and straightened the suit he was wearing. 

A little ball of sunshine came barreling towards him. Jimin's silver hair glistened in the bright lighting of the set as he threw his arms around Taehyung's middle.

"I can't believe you're going to be on the cover, Tae!" Jimin squeezed him so tight he almost lost his breath. "The cover!"

"I was on the cover of GQ two months ago and never got this treatment." Jin rolled his eyes, but his lips were turned up in a smile. "I'm proud of you, Tae."

"Thanks, guys," Taehyung grinned sheepishly and toed at the cement ground beneath their feet. Sometimes Taehyung's feelings gave him whiplash. When he's in front of a camera posing, he feels like a king, like he was born to be photographed. But the second the camera is turned off, he curls back into himself and resorts to old habits.

He's been consistently taking his meds since Yoongi helped him three years ago, though, so he's improved a lot. He hasn't had a proper panic attack since he first moved to LA two years ago and heard Jungkook on the radio.

"Come on, kid, we're celebrating you tonight." Jin threw his arm around Taehyung's shoulders and guided him to the dressing room.