"Five, six, seven, and eight," HoSeok counted the steps as the group followed his lead. He was on a personal mission to make sure they kept all of their choreography sharp so they could perform at a moment's notice. That was his key to success.
NamJoon was trying his best to focus on the moves, but dancing was never his best skill. He found himself watching YoonGi, who was actually a really good dancer, though he didn't like to admit it.
"One more time from the top," HoSeok said, pressing play on the music and jumping back into his place.
They had already been rehearsing the dances for a couple of hours and NamJoon was losing steam. He hoped HoSeok would let them take a break soon, or he was going to collapse. Their day trip to the orchard was just yesterday, but it felt like days ago with how busy their schedule had been.
The music ended and NamJoon leaned over with his hands on his knees, catching his breath. He saw a hand holding a bottle of water come into view. He gratefully took it from YoonGi, who was engrossed in watching Jin try to pick up JungKook and failing miserably, but causing everyone to burst into laughter.
"Thanks," NamJoon took the bottle and drained it in seconds.
"Let's take a ten minute break," HoSeok suggested.
"How about a half hour with a snack?" TaeHyung asked from where he had collapsed on the floor.
There was a knock on the door then, and one of the assistants poked their head in. "Excuse me, NamJoon-ssi, you're needed upstairs."
"I'll be right there," he answered, putting the bottle down and following after them.
"I guess it's break time." HoSeok shrugged.
"Last one out the door buys!" JungKook called and darted out the door. TaeHyung scurried to his feet, trying to hold Jimin back by his shirt as Jin and HoSeok also made a dash for the door.
YoonGi followed the rest of the guys out of the practice room and down the stairs as NamJoon went off in the opposite direction.
The group of six went down to their favorite noodle shop where they hurriedly filled up on food so they could get back to rehearsing.
"I'll be right there," YoonGi told Jin as the group headed out of the restaurant and back towards the studio.
Jin waved in acknowledgment and followed the group back to their practice room.
"I'll take another bowl, please." YoonGi told the worker.
* * *
When NamJoon finally got back to the practice room, the group was in the middle of individual run-throughs, HoSeok giving feedback and corrections. His stomach growled as he sat on the floor next to YoonGi in front of the mirrors.
YoonGi handed a plastic bag to NamJoon who looked at him quizzically.
"What?" He looked in the bag and saw a lidded bowl of rice with beef.
YoonGi flashed him a grin and then rose to do his solo run through.
NamJoon dug into the food like he hadn't eaten in days, though it had only been about 9 hours. It was one of his favorite combinations. He watched YoonGi go through the number, his mouth hanging open between bites because of how good the other one moved.
"YoonGi's got moves!" NamJoon gave him a high five as he returned to sitting next to him. "I know you don't care for the dancing, but you look really good doing it."
YoonGi grinned in reply and stole a bite of NamJoon's meat.
"Let's do the vocal line one more time so NamJoon can finish eating, then we'll do the rapline, and move on to the next number."
"Before that, tho, I have news from management."
Everyone turned to look at NamJoon. JungKook squatted down in front of him, Jimin laying on his back and looking over his shoulder. TaeHyung was sprawled on the floor again, but sat up to pay attention to their leader. Jin and HoSeok sat down as well.
NamJoon felt the pressure of all their eyes on him and he suddenly really hated being the leader. Why he was even chosen still baffled him. Sure he had been with the company the longest, but was he really cut out for this pressure?
"So, when I went upstairs, they told me we have to put together a four song set to perform for a company event this Sunday. Full vocals and choreography. And if this goes well and the investors like what they see and hear, they will decide how much the company will invest in our next album."
"Woah," JungKook's mouth dropped.
"Haha, no pressure, right?" Jin chuckled.
"This is why we have been practicing!" HoSeok said.
"Thank goodness. Good call, Hobi," TaeHyung gave HoSeok a high five.
"But that only gives us what, two days?" Jimin looked concerned.
"Three," said YoonGi. "But we can do this. Joonie has been leading us through tougher gigs than this and we have nailed it. There's no reason we can't do the same here if we focus." And if we get a good investment, maybe my parents will let me keep going, he thought.
"Right, so let's pick our four strongest songs and start going over them for the rest of tonight. We still have to finish that demo before next week. I think it's best if starting tomorrow we work on the new song when we take breaks from rehearsing. We'll also need to do a wardrobe fitting. What else?"
The others looked from NamJoon to each other, but their leader always seemed to have everything covered.
"I'll talk to the audio engineers about our tracks and mics." YoonGi volunteered.
"I can go over cues with the stage manager." HoSeok offered.
"Thanks guys, that's perfect. I appreciate your help." NamJoon smiled at his members.
YoonGi felt that familiar warmth when he saw NamJoon's dimples. It made his face all the more cuter. Dimples should be illegal, he thought, they're too cute for their own good.
An hour later, they had not only picked their songs and their order, but done two complete run-throughs of the choreography, back to back, while singing.
NamJoon was drenched in sweat and used the tail of his black t-shirt to try and wipe his face, but it was already wet with sweat.
"Joon," YoonGi called to him as he tossed a towel.
NamJoon caught it and grinned. "Thanks!"
"I think we have the moves down, we just need to work on the transitions and any hype we want to add," HoSeok nodded approvingly. "But I think we can work on that tomorrow?"
"Yes please!" TaeHyung raised his hand.
"Seconded" JungKook and Jimin said simultaneously.
YoonGi yawned and sleepily headed for the door. "Tomorrow... 'Don't give up, you know, don't get too far away, tomorrow'."
"Hey, that's pretty good. You should make that a song!" Jin said, turning the lights off as the last members headed out and back to their flat.
YOU ARE READING
I NEED U vol. 1 and vol. 2
Fanfiction"Let me love you." "I- You- love?" YoonGi, who was so often quick with his words, was at a loss. "You know I don't say words lightly. I mean it. I don't know when it happened, but you stole my heart, YoonGi. I can't bear to think of going on wi...
