sakimashita

Marigold ii

"Like those dead leaves there that have fallen and are flying
My love is collapsing without strength
Your heart is only going further away, I can't grab you
I can't grab you anymore.."

BTS - Dead Leaves

(Marigold - Cruelty, Grief, Jealousy)

While the rising of the Daegu coupling* happens, Jin and Jimin release a cover of Run by Amber and Yoongi is asked to produce a cover featuring Taehyung. He'd really like to produce a whole song for Taehyung but he isn't given much time. So, he lets Taehyung choose the song and just composes rap for his half of the song and tinkers around till his rap meshes with the original version of Troye Sivan's Heaven . The cover is received with a lot of love. ARMY wants to see more of their duet performances. They are excited to see their Duet Acts live.

Only Yoongi knows the awkward silences in the studio when he arranged the song and composed his half and tried to direct Taehyung through the recording. He is the only one who knows how Taehyung's personal manager lurks in the corridor, keeping an eye on them. Had he thought Yoongi would jump on Taehyung or had he thought they'd get into a rowing match?

Yoongi and Taehyung end up performing in the KBC Song Festival with a new rendition of Please, Don't by K. Will giving a tribute to the singer. Of course, the irony of performing that song in the crowd is not lost to him. He wonders if the taller idol is choosing these songs just to mess with him. He can't even straight up ask because Taehyung won't answer he knows. The singer is the epitome of professionalism, smiling politely when required, nodding where required and giving his feedback if he feels necessary. When they weren't interacting during the practice, Taehyung sits in a corner playing on his tab and Yoongi fiddles with his phone. His eyes will always end up gazing at the singer. He will sigh and glance away. He can't blame Taehyung for not beginning any conversation. It isn't like he has uttered any word if it isn't for work. Most of the practice, however, thankfully, is done separately and he is used to the usual drill of practice. But when on stage as per the customary rules the performers have to look at each other, Yoongi's heart stops.

I'm standing here paralysed

Wanna keep standing in the scent left in the car

It is his thoughts Taehyung is singing, holding his eyes.

And, I don't want to wake up from the dream

Taehyung's high notes give him goosebumps. The singer looks away, towards the set audience.

Please don't do this, please

Maybe the glistening eyes of the singer are just the studio lights and his wishful thinking.

***

A year passes like that before anything more significant happens. Jin and Jimin always seemed surprised how Yoongi of all people had the best rapport with the Daegu singer. Yoongi doesn't know how to explain to them that they are just two professional idols working side by side. Not anything more.