Ambivalence

Facade

in some ways, it's better that the group has gone through this.

the members, the seven of you, the brothers that you've made along the way -

they all teach you different things as you go, as you grow up together.

jaebum has taught you what it's really like to be a leader, what it's like to be stressed out beyond relief but still being able to have fun and be courageous regardless. you've found that even in the darkest of times, jaebum is one of the few people that can pull you out of it, can see right through you even if nothing is seemingly wrong; even if nothing that the others do or say can help your spirit.

bambam and yugyeom have taught you what it's like to be young and reckless, to be bubbly and bright no matter what the occasion. they've taught you that smiles can mean the world to anyone, that hard work pays off in many ways, and that showing affection does not mean showing weakness. they're like younger brothers that you have never had, and even in the darkest of times, they are one of the only people that can get you to genuinely smile when you are down.

(yugyeom has also taught you what it's like to be a brat, and is a prime example on how not to treat your elders - but it's all in fondness, so you let it slip. for now, anyway).

both jinyoung and youngjae have taught you that being loud does not mean being heard. they've taught you that regardless of what you think about yourself, or about how others see you, you are you, and that is the most important, priceless thing that you can be.

and mark is -

well, mark has taught you everything that all of the other members have taught you combined, and much more. maybe in different ways, maybe in a different light, but regardless, he's taught you the most out of all of the boys.

mark's taught you what it's like to be genuinely, infatuatedly in love; what it's like to be cuddled around someone in the cold, feeling their heart beat against yours, the protective hold they have around you to be blissful and frightening at the same time. he's taught you that sometimes love means war, and that sometimes silence is the best solution. he's taught you that relying on someone does not mean giving up your life for them, he's taught you that you're not alone in this world, he's taught you -

(they've all taught you that life doesn't work out the way that you plan it to sometimes, and that friends are a home away from home that you need to keep close to you. after all, if you don't do something to save yourself, then who will?)

these six people, these six that used to be strangers a few years ago, are now the world to you.

and even with all of the bullshit that's been thrown your direction lately -

you wouldn't have it any other way.
~

four, three, two, one...

you step out onto the stage, hearing chants of the crowd, can feel the adrenaline bursting off of you, can feel the light hearted feeling run through your body as you guide your way along with the others down the stage -

you're at home here.

on this stage, it doesn't matter who you are. it doesn't matter what you've been through.

it only matters where you are now, and that you've achieved your dream.

you've made it.

you've made it.

~

the title track 'i like you' starts up in the background of the stage, and as the crowd gets louder and louder as the music goes on, your body picks up on the cheorgraphy as if it's a second nature to you -