THE ACE AND THE AMBER

CHAPTER 4: A KALEIDOSCOPE OF HIGHS

The lights of Madison Square Garden shimmered like distant stars, casting an ethereal glow over the arena as the final preparations for the concert unfolded.

Jimin stood backstage, the hum of excitement vibrating through the walls, yet he felt an unsettling weight pressing down on him. It was his last performance in New York, the culmination of his tour-a moment meant to be jubilant, but something gnawed at the edges of his focus.

Yoongi hovered nearby, arms crossed, his face etched with an expression that Jimin couldn't quite decipher. His presence, once comforting, now seemed to amplify Jimin's fatigue. The silence between them crackled with unspoken words.

"You shouldn't wear your hair in a fringe. It makes your face look so large and round, " Yoongi finally remarked, his tone sharp, eyes flicking up with a critical gaze. "It's just so... its not a very flattering look for you."

Jimin blinked, surprised by the triviality. "I think it looks pretty good," he replied, his voice light. "Besides, I have always told you that I feel more confident with this look. It helps me relax."

"Well, I am just saying that it makes you look stupid. You gained some weight around your face and your cheeks look bulbous," Yoongi retorted, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. "Do you really have to do it for the show?"

"Yoongi you are being really mean right now especially when you know how strict and hard the diet I have been on was." Jimin was visibly irritated by Yoongi's cruel remarks.

"Jimin, there will be articles about how ugly you looked on your show all over the news tomorrow morning. I am just trying to prevent that."

"Oh, yeah? Well thank you. But I don't I want your opinion on my looks five minutes before I get on stage. If something was wrong with how I look so bad, why didn't you talk before now?"

"Talk you say? How? When you can barely stay in one place? I can't get to you with all your crew up in your space."

"Its because they are doing their job which is getting me ready for the show. And they did a good job. Regardless of what you say."

"A good job indeed," Yoongi mattered with a hint of sarcasm. "I guess I wouldn't understand since I'm not the star here."

Jimin flinched at the bitterness in Yoongi's voice, feeling the sting of the words. "Yoongi, that's not fair."

"Fair? You mean like how invisible I become every time we come to one of these shows of yours?"

"No, I mean the way you are trying to ruin my mood right before I step on stage. You know how important this is for me, for us. I don't understand why you are being like this but I don't think I want to talk to you anymore about it. Its the last day of my tour and you choose to make it all about you."

"Everything has to be about you and your career, doesn't it, " Yoongi spat bitterly, unpleasantly surprising Jimin with the venom in his tone.

"You wanted to come with me, Yoongi. This was your decision. And everything is not about me. I don't know why you feel that way. I just wanted to have my boyfriend here with me and when you offered, I was ecstatic. I am busy, I can't be by your side all the time but I am trying."

"The only reason you want me anywhere with you is to humiliate me in front of your fancy friends. To show them what a loser I am so that you can all have a good laugh at my expense."

Jimin opened his mouth to respond, but his manager stepped in, sensing the growing tension. "Jimin, we need to touch up your makeup before show time."

With a sigh, Jimin forced a smile. "We'll talk after."

Yoongi did not make a sound or a motion to acknowledge that he even heard Jimin. His eyes remained downcast, the fire of frustration emitting waves off his body.

Jimin turned away, trying to shake off the melancholy. The weight of their conversation pressed against his heart, but he was determined not to let it affect his performance.

As he stepped onto the stage, a tidal wave of cheers and chants washed over him. "Mochis" filled the air, their voices a harmonious chorus that drowned out his doubts. The lights dimmed, and the first notes of his opening song reverberated through the arena.

Jimin moved with a fluid grace, every step, every note, a testament to his dedication and passion. His exhaustion faded away, replaced by the electrifying connection with his fans. He sang with all his heart, his voice weaving through the music, the lyrics a tapestry of emotion that resonated with everyone present.

The Mochis responded in kind, their chants growing louder with each song. They sang along, their voices blending seamlessly with his, creating a symphony of devotion. Jimin twirled and leaped, his every motion a celebration of their shared love for the music. Their cheers enveloped him, pushing him to give more, to reach higher.

The final song approached, and Jimin paused, taking a moment to gaze out at the sea of glowing lights. "Thank you, New York," he called out, his voice choked with emotion. "You've made this night unforgettable."

As the last notes faded, the applause was thunderous, a tidal wave of admiration and gratitude. Jimin stood there, basking in the glow, feeling the love of his fans envelop him like a warm embrace.

...............

Backstage, the air was thick with the aftermath of the performance. Crew members buzzed around, congratulating each other, packing up equipment, and preparing for the journey to the next destination.

Jimin, still riding the high of his performance, exchanged hugs and laughter with his team, their shared joy a balm for his earlier worries.

But as the excitement subsided, the weight of his earlier conversation with Yoongi settled back on his shoulders. He found Yoongi waiting near the exit, hands stuffed in his pockets, his expression unreadable.

"Jimin, I-" Yoongi began, but Jimin held up a hand.

"Not now, Yoongi," Jimin said, his voice unsteady but firm.

"I can't keep doing this right before I perform."

"I'm sorry," Yoongi said quickly, reaching for him. "I didn't mean to-"

"But you did," Jimin interrupted, his eyes reflecting a quiet determination. "You always do, and it's getting harder to just brush it off."

Yoongi's face fell, a hint of regret shadowing his features. "I know. I'm sorry."

"Sorry doesn't fix it, not this time, Yoongi," Jimin replied, his voice soft but resolute. "I need you to understand how much this means to me, how much I need you to be here for me, not against me. The same way I support you."

"I don't know what I was thinking. You look beautiful, Jimin, you always do regardless of what you wear. I must still be hang over."

"I really don't care, Yoongi. I don't want to talk about it or anything with you for that matter."

The ride back to the hotel was silent, the distance between them palpable despite their physical closeness. Yoongi tried several times to bridge the gap, but Jimin remained silent, lost in his thoughts.

As they reached their hotel, Jimin paused at the door, turning to face Yoongi. "I need some time to think, alone," he said quietly. "I have asked my manager to arrange another room for you. I'll see you tomorrow."

Yoongi nodded, the weight of his mistakes evident in his weary eyes. "Okay," he whispered, watching as Jimin disappeared into his room, leaving him alone with his regrets.