before you love me | jjk

chapter forty-two

━━━༻ ˚✩‧₊ november 2020₊‧✩˚༺━━━

The atmosphere was tense inside the dorm as Jimin, Namjoon, Jungkook and Taehyung sat on the couch, eyes trained on the TV. It was Grammy nomination night and they were waiting to see if they had received any. The others were sleeping whilst Narae was back at her company to record her own reaction, similar to what BTS was doing.

Jungkook and Namjoon were rocking back and forth in their seats as they waited to see if they would hear their names being called, whilst Taehyung sat to the side unmoving.

"... Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. And the nominees are..."

"Pop Duo/Group! That's our category." Namjoon said, clutching Jungkook's and Jimin's legs for support. Jungkook had his hands held to his face in the prayer position as he stared unblinking at the screen.

"Un Día (One Day) by J Balvin, Dua Lipa, Bad Bunny and Tainy. Intentions by Justin Bieb—"

Jimin and Namjoon were up shouting before their names were said, reading the words "Dynamite – BTS" on the screen as the host stumbled over her words.

Jungkook clapped loudly before covering his mouth in shock. He couldn't believe it. His heart was racing a mile a minute, but they'd done it. They'd been nominated for a Grammy.

"Wait, be quiet! We have to see if Narae got any nominations, I know her label submitted one of her songs she released earlier in the eligible submission period and Dangerous Woman too." Jungkook hushed them, pausing his inner jubilance to hear the rest of the nominations in the Pop category.

It wasn't long before they heard her name.

"And in the category for Best Pop Solo Performance... RÆ with Dangerous Woman!"

The boys erupted into cheers again as they heard her name, all of them immensely proud of her achievement, and still high off the buzz from their own nomination.

After celebrating, processing the nomination and calling their parents, they all gradually dispersed to their various places; Jimin and Taehyung heading to their rooms whilst Namjoon left the dorm, presumably to meet up with Kamaiyah. The staff all packed up their equipment as well, bidding Jungkook goodbye as he stayed in the living room waiting for Narae's return.

Forty minutes later, Narae's hands were shaking as she unlocked the door to the dorm. As soon as got it open, she hurried to the living room, catching sight of a figure getting up from the couch at her entrance.

"Jungkook." Was all she managed to say before he was colliding with her and scooping her up in his arms, twirling her around as her joyous laughter rang out.

"We did it! We were nominated!" He exclaimed as he placed her back on solid ground.

"I know! I saw. I'm so proud of you baby." Narae cupped his face and used her thumb to rub at the tears that slid from his eyes. She stood on her tiptoes to kiss his forehead, both cheeks, then one last one tenderly on his lips, "You did it Koo."

He rested his forehead against hers, exhaling slowly as he stared into her eyes, watching as tears pooled in her eyes as well. He copied her earlier actions, wiping away her tears, kissing her forehead, cheeks and lips before wrapping her in a tight hug that communicated way more than words ever could.

It was so surreal. Jungkook wasn't sure if he was dreaming or whether this was actually his reality. Grammy-nominated. Shaking himself out of his thoughts, he made sure to congratulate Narae as well.