TAEKOOK | HOPE

• 12 hiatus

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The hiatus is Namjoon's idea.

In retrospect, it makes sense. He's always been their leader, and a good leader recognizes when his men need to be pushed and, perhaps more importantly, when they can't be pushed any farther.

By 2022, they're reaching their limit.

It's been nine years since their debut, and Jeongguk still can't believe the things they've achieved, the journey they've been on together. There have been intense highs and equally intense lows, but the bond the seven of them have formed is something Jeongguk knows they'll carry with them for the rest of their lives. He feels eternally grateful for the experience he's gotten to have as a part of this group.

He's also fucking exhausted.

All of them are - physically, emotionally, creatively. They've been working non stop for over a decade, and even though they still have a deep love for music and performing, they're burned out. The burden of fame is draining, especially for Yoongi and Jimin. He knows Namjoon has been struggling with writing, and that Seokjin, now 30 (they've taken to referring to him as grandpa), is aching for companionship, maybe even a family. Even Hoseok, their resident ray of sunshine, isn't his usual and vibrant self. And Taehyung, well - he doesn't confide as much in Jeongguk anymore, but that doesn't mean Jeongguk can't tell that he's struggling as well.

So when Namjoon brings it up, it feels like they all breathe a collective sigh of relief.

"I only have one stipulation," Namjoon says, looking around at all of them, scattered once again in the seating area of a hotel suite. His hair is bleached blonde again, and partially shaved. Jeongguk thinks their hair probably needs this break more than they do. "Whatever we decide, we decide unanimously. Nothing is more important than the seven of us, than this family. Protecting that is my number one priority."

From his spot on the couch across the room, Jeongguk watches him admiringly. It's been over ten years since he was recruited, and not once has he regretted choosing Namjoon.

The seven of them talk late into the night, Jeongguk slumping deeper against Yoongi's side as they weigh their options and the pros and cons of each. Eventually, it becomes clear that the only thing really holding them back is their fear of losing each other, of leading separate lives after operating as a unit for so long.

"This is permanent," Yoongi says firmly. "Band or no, we're permanent."

Jeongguk can't help it - his gaze flicks to Taehyung, swallowed up in an oversized hoodie in an armchair next to Namjoon. He's not looking back, so Jeongguk allows himself a moment to stare, drink in the slope of his nose, the furrow in his brow that means he's deep in thought. His heart stutters in his chest when he thinks about what a break could mean for them. It's a possibility that he's kept locked away in the back of his mind for years now, scarcely allowing himself to hope. But now -

By the end of the night, they vote unanimously in favor of going on a hiatus. Seven trembling hands rise into the air when Namjoon says quietly, "All in favor taking a break?", and Jeongguk knows he's not the only one with tears in his eyes. He also knows he's not the only one who feels relieved.

Telling the fans is the hardest part. After weeks of planning and negotiations with Bighit, they hold a press conference, and the days leading up to it are spent agonizing over what to say. ARMY has been with them from the beginning, supporting them even before they made it big, and none of them can fully shake their guilt at saying goodbye, even if it's only temporary. But they also want to be their best selves for their fans, and it's pretty clear they aren't able to do that anymore.

The press conference itself is somewhat surreal. Jeongguk sits in between Jimin and Seokjin, listening to Namjoon's voice break as he delivers the words they've heard him rehearse countless times over the past week.

"After 10 years together, after world tours, after a Grammy - we need to take a break," he says. "We need to rest, we need to refuel. We need some time to change and grow on our own."

Under the table, Jimin nudges his foot, a small gesture of reassurance. Jeongguk glances over to give him a fond smile and sees Taehyung on Jimin's other side, staring out into the sea of journalists and photographers with a serious expression on his face. He's still so beautiful, so impossibly stunning, and sometimes Jeongguk thinks he made the whole thing up, can't imagine why a creature like that would have spared a second glance at someone like him.

"ARMY," Namjoon is saying, and Jeongguk can see there are tears in his eyes when he finally drags his gaze away from Taehyung. "We can never thank you enough for what you've done for us. We are eternally grateful that we've gotten to go on this remarkable journey with you, and I promise you, this isn't the end for us. You haven't seen the last of BTS."

He sits back in his chair, wiping at his eyes, and the room erupts with journalists trying to get a question in.

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