Echoes of Solitude ~ | °Taekook° |
| ɪɴᴛʀᴏ ~ ⁰¹ |
Kim Taehyung pulled the strap of his worn-out backpack higher on his shoulder, his soft brown eyes distant as though they were caught somewhere far beyond the bustling college courtyard. At nineteen, he had already grown accustomed to silence—the kind that clung like a shadow, the kind that made him invisible to most. Orphaned since birth, he had only ever known the quiet company of Yeontan, the little dog who seemed to understand him better than any human ever tried to ~
Clumsy, untidy, and awkward—those were the labels others tossed at him carelessly. They saw the surface, never the story beneath it. None of them knew how he drowned his loneliness in colors and melodies. With every stroke of a paintbrush, with every lyric scribbled into a battered notebook, and with every trembling note he sang, Taehyung found the pieces of himself that the world had long ignored. Without that escape, he feared the darkness inside him would have swallowed him whole ~
But now, there was a chance—a small spark of hope. The upcoming audition for BTS, the most popular band in the country, could change everything. Maybe, just maybe, within their warmth he could find the family he had been yearning for his entire life ~
BTS, however, saw things differently ~
𝙺𝚒𝚖 𝙽𝚊𝚖𝚓𝚘𝚘𝚗 ~
Another member?
Namjoon’s voice was firm, carrying the finality of a leader who didn’t want to be questioned. The seven of them sat together in their practice room, the air thick with unspoken agreement. They didn’t need anyone else. They never had. From high school days filled with sweat, music, and reckless dreams, they had built a bond strong enough to rival blood. Now, at twenty-two, they were at the top, untouchable and united ~
They were known to the world as cold, arrogant, and untouchable. Yet behind closed doors, their arrogance was only a shield for the family they had made of each other. Namjoon and Jin shared quiet, knowing glances that spoke louder than words. Jimin leaned comfortably against Yoongi, their connection steady and unshakable. Hoseok laughed easily only when Jackson was around, their energies entwined ~
And then there was Jungkook, the youngest, whose gaze often drifted toward Mia, the shining star of another band, carrying a secret crush no one dared tease him about. They were complete—seven souls bound by music, history, and loyalty. The thought of an eighth member felt like an intrusion, a fracture waiting to happen ~
Yet fate, as it always does, had other plans ~
Mia smirked as she scrolled through her phone.
At twenty, she was part of a girl group that barely made the charts. Fame had always been a
dream, but dreams were harder to reach than she had thought. Still, there were other ways to
climb the ladder ~
She wasn’t shy about it—Mia wanted money, fame, and a life of glittering lights. And what
faster way to get it than by dating one of the world’s most popular idols? BTS wasn’t just a
group; they were living legends ~
𝚂𝚘𝚗𝚐 𝙼𝚒𝚊 ~
They’re rich, good-looking, and adored, If I can
win the heart of even one of them, everything I’ve ever wanted could finally be mine.
She told herself, lips curving into a smile. Her eyes lingered a little longer on Jungkook’s face ~
𝘽𝘼𝘽𝙔 𝙏𝘼𝙉𝙉𝙔 ~
𝙄 𝙃𝙊𝙋𝙀 𝙔𝙊𝙐 𝘼𝙇𝙇 𝙇𝙄𝙆𝙀 𝙄𝙏 ~
| ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴏʀɴɪɴɢ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀᴜᴅɪᴛɪᴏɴ ~ ⁰² |
It was eight in the morning ~
In a cramped, cluttered room, chaos reigned. Clothes hung precariously from the back of a chair, crumpled papers were scattered across the floor, and a pair of slippers had been flung in opposite directions—one in the north, the other in the south. Canvases leaned against the wall, some finished, others left incomplete. Tubes of paint, palettes, and brushes were spread carelessly across the desk, smears of color marking the surfaces like forgotten memories ~
And in the middle of this disorder lay a boy, sleeping soundly with dried tears staining his cheeks. The room was a mess, but it was his world. A tiny kitchen and a single bathroom were attached, cramped but functional ~
Suddenly, the silence broke. A small dog leapt onto the bed, licking the tear stains from the boy’s face and barking insistently ~
𝘽𝘼𝘽𝙔 𝙏𝘼𝙉𝙉𝙔 ~
Woof, woof, woof!
The sound was sharp, insistent. If words could be heard in the barks, they would have said: Hey, buddy, wake up. It’s morning. You’re going to be late for your audition. The boy stirred, stretching his arms and letting out a long yawn. His lips curved into a weary smile ~
𝙺𝚒𝚖 𝚃𝚊𝚎𝚑𝚢𝚞𝚗𝚐 ~
Good morning, Tannie… Thank you for reminding me about the audition.
It was a smile that carried layers of emotions—joy, pain, and a hidden loneliness. The kind of smile that only appears after tears, like a rainbow following a storm ~
𝙺𝚒𝚖 𝚃𝚊𝚎𝚑𝚢𝚞𝚗𝚐 ~
**Pushed his glasses onto his face and checked the time, eyes gets widened**
𝙺𝚒𝚖 𝚃𝚊𝚎𝚑𝚢𝚞𝚗𝚐 ~
What?! It’s already eight? I have to get ready!
𝘽𝘼𝘽𝙔 𝙏𝘼𝙉𝙉𝙔 ~
Woof, woof, woof!
[ I tried to wake you, but you didn’t sleep at all last night. Now look—you’re late! ]
**Barked again, almost as if scolding him**
𝙺𝚒𝚖 𝚃𝚊𝚎𝚑𝚢𝚞𝚗𝚐 ~
**Chuckled softly, rubbing the dog’s head**
I know, Tannie… I really am late.
The bond between them was unshakable. Taehyung could almost hear Yeontan’s thoughts. They understood each other so well that they could hardly exist apart ~
𝙺𝚒𝚖 𝚃𝚊𝚎𝚑𝚢𝚞𝚗𝚐 ~
Let's get ready now.
**Hurriedly gets up**
He sprinted into the bathroom, brushed his teeth in record time, tossed food into Yeontan’s bowl, then slapped jam onto bread and devoured it between hurried breaths. Bread and jam—his usual breakfast. He didn’t have much, but what he had, he always shared generously with Yeontan. The dog never lacked for care. His audition was at nine. He didn’t have a second to waste ~
When he finally caught sight of himself in the mirror, Taehyung winced. He hadn’t showered in days. His hair stuck out in messy tufts, his body carried a faint odor, and he wore a loose T-shirt and old trousers that only emphasized his untidy appearance. Still, there was no time to change ~
𝙺𝚒𝚖 𝚃𝚊𝚎𝚑𝚢𝚞𝚗𝚐 ~
Tannie, let’s run! If we miss the bus, it’s all over!
𝘽𝘼𝘽𝙔 𝙏𝘼𝙉𝙉𝙔 ~
Woof, woof, woof!
[ I told you to eat properly! Your stamina’s getting worse. ]
**Barked, trailing behind him**
By luck alone, they managed to catch the bus. Taehyung, panting and drenched in sweat, clutched Yeontan close to his chest. People turned to look, their expressions filled with disgust. They saw a boy with uncombed hair, wrinkled clothes, and sweat patches spreading beneath his arms. To them, he was nothing but messy, smelly, and unwanted ~
𝙺𝚒𝚖 𝚃𝚊𝚎𝚑𝚢𝚞𝚗𝚐 ~
Huff… Where should I sit?
**Murmured, scanning the rows of passengers**
But as he moved toward an empty spot, the passenger there coldly placed a bag on the seat, glaring at him with clear disdain ~
𝙺𝚒𝚖 𝚃𝚊𝚎𝚑𝚢𝚞𝚗𝚐 ~
**Froze, his throat tightening**
𝙺𝚒𝚖 𝚃𝚊𝚎𝚑𝚢𝚞𝚗𝚐 ~
No problem, I’ll find another seat.
**Whispered to himself, forcing a smile that didn’t reach his eyes**
But there was no seat for him. One by one, people turned away, closing their circle, leaving him to stand alone. His heart ached, but this was not new. Being pushed aside had become routine, so much so that he had learned to smile through the cracks. With Yeontan in his arms, he endured the long journey standing, protecting the only friend who had ever loved him ~
For Taehyung, Yeontan was everything. His companion, his family, his reason to keep moving forward. And as the bus rattled down the road toward his destiny, Taehyung held him closer, silently promising that no matter what happened, he would never let him down ~
| ᴛʜᴇ ʙʟɪɴᴅ ᴀᴜᴅɪᴛɪᴏɴ ~ ⁰³ |
Taehyung hurried into the tall glass building where the auditions were being held, his heart hammering against his ribs. Sweat clung to his skin, his glasses slipped down the bridge of his nose, and his wrinkled shirt did nothing to help his already disheveled look ~
The moment he stepped inside, heads turned. Every participant seated in the hall was polished to perfection—hair neatly gelled, outfits pressed and stylish, makeup carefully applied to highlight every feature. They looked like stars already. And then there was Taehyung, with messy hair, sweat stains, and the faint smell of paint and dust clinging to him ~
The stares came sharp and merciless, eyes filled with disgust. People shifted in their seats, pulling their chairs farther away, making sure there was space between them and the untidy boy who had just walked in ~
Taehyung’s fingers twitched. He bit nervously at his nails, his gaze fixed on the floor. A microphone screeched softly, and the voice of a man filled the large room ~
𝙐𝙉𝙆𝙉𝙊𝙒𝙉 ~
Good morning to all participants. I am the manager of BTS.
The hall quieted instantly ~
𝙐𝙉𝙆𝙉𝙊𝙒𝙉 ~
This will be a blind audition. The judges will not see your face—they will only hear your voice, your song, your talent. Results will be announced today, one hour after the auditions end.
At those words, a fragile smile bloomed across Taehyung’s face. His appearance would not betray him here. It was his voice, his heart, that would speak for him. But the smile faded almost as quickly as it came. His eyes scanned the hall again. Every other participant sat with someone—a mother, a father, a sibling, or a friend cheering them on. Taehyung had no one. Except—
𝘽𝘼𝘽𝙔 𝙏𝘼𝙉𝙉𝙔 ~
Woof, woof, woof.
[ I’m here. I’m your family. ]
**Barked softly from his arms**
𝙺𝚒𝚖 𝚃𝚊𝚎𝚑𝚢𝚞𝚗𝚐 ~
**Chuckled quietly, patting his dog’s head**
You’re right, Tannie. You’re all I need.
The auditions began, voices drifting one after another through the curtained stage. Hours passed. Taehyung’s turn came last—because he had arrived late, his number had been placed at the very end. By the time the assistant called his name, his legs felt like jelly ~
He stepped into the audition room, Yeontan trotting beside him. The space was divided by a thick curtain, separating him from the unseen judges. He could not see them, and they could not see him. Only his voice mattered ~
𝙺𝚒𝚖 𝚃𝚊𝚎𝚑𝚢𝚞𝚗𝚐 ~
Shh ~ Be quiet for a little while.
**Whispered to Yeontan**
𝘽𝘼𝘽𝙔 𝙏𝘼𝙉𝙉𝙔 ~
Woof.
[ Good luck. ]
**Barked softly**
Taehyung gave his dog an assuring smile, then stepped forward, gripping the microphone. His hands trembled, but when he opened his mouth, the world shifted ~
He sang—his own song, his own words, carved from the loneliness of sleepless nights and the ache of a lifetime spent searching for love. His voice was deep, soulful, and raw with emotion. Each note carried weight, pulling at the heartstrings of everyone listening behind the curtain ~
By the time he reached the final verse, silence filled the air. Not a restless shuffle, not a cough, not a breath disturbed the stillness. When the last note faded, Taehyung lowered his head, chest heaving. He had given them everything ~
He stepped out of the room, his nerves rushing back at once. His knees shook, and he clutched Yeontan tighter. The wait for the results felt endless—one long hour filled with gnawing doubt and restless hope ~
𝙐𝙉𝙆𝙉𝙊𝙒𝙉 ~
**Returned to the hall, holding a file**
𝙐𝙉𝙆𝙉𝙊𝙒𝙉 ~
Good afternoon, participants.
**Began, expression gave nothing away**
𝙐𝙉𝙆𝙉𝙊𝙒𝙉 ~
We listened to many voices today. They were all good. But one song…
**Voice softened**
𝙐𝙉𝙆𝙉𝙊𝙒𝙉 ~
One song touched our hearts. It was more than beautiful singing—it was a story, an emotion, a truth.
The room thickened with suspense. Many participants already knew it wasn’t them; their songs hadn’t been original, and the rules were clear. The manager opened the file, his eyes sweeping across the hall before settling on one name ~
𝙐𝙉𝙆𝙉𝙊𝙒𝙉 ~
The new member of BTS is…
**Paused, letting the silence stretch until the tension snapped**
The world stopped for Taehyung. His breath caught, his hands froze around Yeontan. For a heartbeat, he couldn’t move. Then tears welled in his eyes, a shaky smile breaking across his face. Against every odd, every rejection, every stare of disgust—he had been chosen ~
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