Heartbeat // JK

35 (A)- The Concert

The applause faded slow, like dust catching light.

Then—

"All right, gentlemen!" a crew voice called out — half-laugh, half-command.

"VIP doors in twenty. If we don't reset now, we're toast."

Taehyung groaned.

"Let me have my emotional moment, please."

"You can cry in the dressing room," Hobi said, already backing toward the stairs.

"We've got thirty minutes and two outfits to survive."

Namjoon clapped his hands once, sharp.

"Come on."

And just like that — the moment ended.

A stagehand passed by, adjusting his headset. He glanced at me once, then gave a small nod.

"Hell of a voice," he said, not stopping.

I barely had time to murmur a thank-you before he disappeared behind a rolling case.

Jungkook still hadn't looked away from me.

But the call came again — this time closer.

"JK. Now."

He finally turned, exhaled, then reached for my hand. His palm was warm and still just a little damp.

"Walk with me?"

I nodded.

We headed down together — backstage, into the soft hum of machines and voices and wardrobe chatter — until the dressing hallway came into view.

The boys split off one by one, disappearing into labeled doors where stylists and techs were already waiting. Hobi shouted something about glitter in his eye. Jin groaned like he'd been betrayed by his waistband. Jimin was arguing with his dresser about sock length.

A road manager spotted me and gave a small nod.

"You can wait by the green room wall," he said.

"Stage left is off-limits once VIPs start moving."

"Got it," I said quickly.

Jungkook turned to me before stepping through his door. He still hadn't let go of my hand.

"Hey," he said.

I looked up.

He brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. His thumb lingered on my cheek for half a second longer than it needed to.

"You killed it when you sang," he whispered.

"You know that, right?"

I didn't answer.
Just stepped closer.

He kissed me once — not rushed. Not hidden. Right there in the hallway.

A second later, someone down the corridor shouted.

"Soundcheck lineup in five!"

Jungkook smiled against my mouth.

"I have to go."

"I know."

He pressed our foreheads together, breathed in.

"Be here when I'm done?"

"Always."

He pulled back, ran a hand through his hair, then turned — quick, smooth, focused — and disappeared behind the door.

And I leaned against the wall — badge cool against my chest — feeling everything shift again.

"Miss Simon?"