Going Solo

Chapter 1

"Are you sure about this, Hoseok-ah?" Bang Si-hyuk asked and the dancer nodded in determination.

"I've been thinking about this for a while, PD-nim," he said sternly, "I feel like it's time for me to stop hiding behind the others."

"Will you be okay on your own?"

"Yes," he said, with no hesitation.

"What about the others? They'll be-"

"Fine," he interrupted, "Sorry, but they don't need me. They're completely fine on their own. Besides, Jimin can take the lead," he said and the other man sighed in response.

"Alright," he said, "I'll contact the producers and we'll discuss a time to announce it." Hoseok nodded in response but both men were completely unaware of the two figures who were stood outside, completely stunned by the conversation they just heard.

"Are you sure the others will be okay?"

"I don't have to be there," Hoseok said nonchalantly, "Really, they won't need me."

"Well, alright. If it's really what you want."

"It is."

The two men on the other side of the door took a step back and sent each other a look before they ran back the way they came.

"Alright then! You better make up for lost practice time, okay?"

"I promise," the dancer said as he bowed in thanks. "Thank you so much, PD-nim."

"I figure it's about time we showed off more of your dancing skills," he said with a grin. "It'll be a good experience for you too."

"I'll do my best."

"I'll ask Seongdeuk to alter the choreography a bit so it doesn't look strange when you're not there." After a dozen thank you's, Hoseok was allowed to return to practice, though oblivious to the chaos that was about to ensue.

Meanwhile, Taehyung and Jungkook came bursting through the practice room door, panting heavily, distressed looks across their faces. The rest of the members, who were in the middle of stretching, stared at them with confused expressions.

"Should you really be playing around before we start practice?" Namjoon asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Hoseok hyung just asked Bang PD-nim if he could go solo!" Jungkook said and a wave of silence filled the room. The other members stared at him like he just came from another planet.

"Yah, what are you talking about?" Suga said, slightly irritated.

"When we went to get hyung, someone told us he was with PD-nim," Taehyung said, visibly upset, "We were outside and Hoseokie-hyung kept telling him how we didn't need him and he'd be fine on his own."

"Are you being serious right now?" Namjoon asked, obviously reluctant to believe such a thing.

"We both heard it! He even said Jimin-hyung could take the lead," Jungkook said with his head bowed down.

"What are you guys talking about?" Jimin said in confusion. "Hobi-hyung wouldn't just leave us like that."

"Are you guys sure about this?" Seokjin asked, concern etched on his face.

"Yes," they said in unison.

"If this is some kind of hidden camera-" Yoongi started but Jungkook sighed in frustration.

"Why would I lie about something like that?!" he said angrily and looked up. After he noticed the shocked expressions on the other members' faces, he muttered an apology.

"I don't want hyung to go," Taehyung said, a desperate look in his eyes.

"Taehyung, we don't even-" Namjoon started but was interrupted when the door opened to find the subject of their discussion walk in, a smile on his face. The two youngest practically sprinted to the corner of the room in a desperate attempt to hide their obvious distress.

"Is it a good idea to be playing around when we're about to practice?" he said before he stared at himself in the mirror and proceeded to drop his bag on the side of the room.

"I heard you were talking to Bang PD-nim," Yoongi said casually and the others went stiff. "What for?"

"Nothing important," Hoseok responded with a shrug before he picked up his phone and decided to focus on it while they waited for their teacher to arrive. It took all of Hoseok's willpower not to share the good news with the rest of his members but figured it would make for a nice surprise when Big Hit would announce it.

It was suddenly very difficult to concentrate during dance practice.

"What's wrong with you guys today?" Seongdeuk asked. "You're completely out of focus," he said as he stood in front of Jungkook and Taehyung, eyebrows furrowed.

"I don't think I got enough sleep," Taehyung said weakly and Hoseok stared at them in question. He offered for them to take a quick break but the maknaes said they'd be fine.

"Hoseok, I might switch your position with Jimin," he said casually and Hoseok took a few steps back and gestured for Jimin to move forward.

"Wait why?" Namjoon asked and the choreographer sent Hoseok a questioning look.

"Because he won't be-"

"as good looking as Jimin is in the front," Hoseok interrupted with a grin and the other man just stared at him in confusion. Hoseok shook his head at Seongdeuk, unaware of how much the other members were suddenly paying very close attention to him.The rest of the practice went along without qualms and before they knew it, practice was over. Everyone gathered their things as they slowly made their way out of the room.

"You guys go ahead," Hoseok said nonchalantly as he stayed behind to talk to their teacher. The others thought nothing of it or rather, they were too tired to even think about it. However, if they said the thought didn't cross their minds later that night and caused them to stay awake, they'd be lying.

***

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