Chapter Text
The Finale
Minah looked up at the room number on the door. It was the same as the one in the message. She smirked. Poor Changkyun. She really had him wrapped around her finger. It had been easy of course. The fool was so broken that all she had done was present herself as the one thing that could fix him and he had been drawn to her like a moth to a candle.
She perked up her breasts. Without knowing it she had gone from hating him to finding him attractive. He wasn’t well built but there was something about his strong face and his sad eyes. She wasn’t sure when it had started but she had found her heart beating when he looked at her with such need for affection. Found herself preening when he called her Noona. He would be hers in every way and she had planned to do so that night but Changkyun had wanted to meet her before the show. She should have yelled at him for not being wholly focused on the show but his attention was on her and that was all that mattered. It had been easy to sneak in, the enforced security was all focused around the studio where they were carefully letting in spectators and keeping out those without tickets.
Opening the door the scene before her was like something out of a romantic movie. The gym was dark except for one single spotlight focused on a table for two. A single red rose sat in the middle. She strode towards it, heels echoing of the waxed wood.
“Changkyun?” She called out but got no response.
A folded piece of paper lay under the rose. Heart fluttering she went to grab it but withdrew her hand with a sudden yelp of pain. The rose still had it’s thorns on. She would have to scold him for hurting her. Moving the flower aside she grabbed the paper and hastily unfolded it.
‘Tonight is a new beginning for us. Sit down and enjoy the show.’
She carefully sat. Where was Changkyun?
Another light went on, it was a large screen. Shuffling a little in her chair she frowned as the screen came to life. Changkyun face came into view and as he did so her heart skipped.
“Hello Minha. I think you have met your match.”
He was in the locked room. The room with all the things she had taken from Changkyun. The one with the footage she had collected. The room she knew would be considered wrong if it was to be discovered.
The onscreen Changkyun smiled. There was a hard glint in his eye. A cruel glint. One that shouldn’t have been there.
“You have dedicated so much time and energy into trying to ruin me. You almost had me. You almost destroyed me! But here is the thing Minha. You went after the wrong guy.”
Between two fingers, he held up his hoodie that had gone missing all those months ago.
“You know saesang fans are frowned upon but this….this is fucking creepy and I am pretty sure also illegal. But stealing from me isn’t the only crime you have committed. Let’s take a quick look what else you are involved in, shall we?”
The scene changed to a image of the gate around the studio. The timer in the corner slowly ticked down the seconds. Suddenly a figure appeared from under the opening under the fence. The light bounced off the camera around the figure’s neck. A few seconds ticked by and the figured moved making one rookie mistake. It looked up. The scene froze.
Even in the fuzzy pixels it was clear the figure was Minha. Her heart was beating at the sight. She thought she had been careful.
“Tut tut breaking and entering.What will the world think when they find out you were the one who broke into the studio and leaked the nudes of me. Especially when I do a V-Live and make an emotional comment on how violated I felt having my fucking naked body plastered all over the internet. You worked so hard on getting me fans and they will be the ones to crucify you. And rightfully so but alas lets move on shall we?”
The scene changed and Minha’s breath stopped. It was her living room. He had bugged her house. Jumping to her feet she stopped her foot with a huff. Where was the fucker?
“An eye for an eye Minha or rather a hidden camera for a hidden camera. I have to admit you are quite the little criminal. I wonder how your bosses will feel when she finds out you have been stealing makeup from them and reselling it online. And calling yourself a legitimate seller is I’m pretty sure fraud.”
The scene showed her bringing home the stolen goods, taking pictures of them and putting them up on the internet. Changkyun even had edited in a link to her website. The little asshole had really done his research.
The scene changed to another day and she was lounging on her couch, smoke rising above her from the joint in her hand.
“Oooh yikes weed. In Korea? You do know how illegal that is right? That’s jail time surely!”
“Changkyun come out you coward!” She screamed. She was terrified. With the video it would be her demise not just as a celebrity and manager but would land her in jail. If Changkyun had these clips then he surely knew about her other activities too.
“Where the fuck are you? Changkyun?”
“I’m right here.”
Minha jumped at the voice came behind her. Clutching her heart she backed into the table. The rapper was standing right behind her, a cruel look on his face. She had never seem him like that before. It was at that moment she realized she had been playing a losing game with him.
“What the hell are you playing at? I own you!” Her voice shook as she yelled at him yet he didn’t flinch and that scared her even more.
“You own nothing Minha. You are nothing but a little brat who is playing a dangerous game. One where you chose the wrong opponent. Everything I have in that video could ruin you and the stuff that I left out would be enough to put the final nail in your coffin. I was originally going to play this during my rap but I like to think of myself as a nice person. So, I am giving you a chance.”
He paused and took a step forward. She cowered further from him, never had he given off such stone cold hatred. She was scared of him.
“You will leave Seoul and you will leave this world behind you. No more stealing, no more threats nor blackmailing. You will leave myself and any other idol alone. You will stop the harassment and stalkerish behaviour. Go get some help! Talk to someone because it is clear you are not in the right mindset. I am giving you an out here. I suggest you take it!”
She stared at him and then back at the screen behind her. He could ruin her but she was Kim Minha she was not going to back down with a fight. She would just have to find something to threaten him with. She stood up straight.
He must have seen the look in her eyes for he sighed and shook his head like he was actually sad she wasn’t running away.
He held something up to his mouth.
“Okay take her away please.”
He stepped aside just as the lights in the gym came on blinding her. Raising a hand to shield her from the lights she saw a string of guards come into the room.
“These men will escort you to the police officers helping to keep the peace outside.”
Changkyun handed a usb over to the older guard, “All the evidence is on here.”
The man graciously took it and Changkyun turned to Minha who was struggling against her two burly captors.
“I have to thank you in helping with your own demise. See had you not leaked my nude photograph the producers of the show would never have allowed me to do this. Not to mentioned they preferred this method to me calling the cops on my own. This causes a little less trouble for them. So goodbye Minha and I hope to never see you again.”
—————-
Changkyun watched as the guards dragged her away screaming and struggling against their hold. He shook his head. Hopefully in jail she would get the help she clearly needed.
When he had last spoken to his lawyer the man had said that with a good enough case built against her she would go away for quite a while. He felt sad for her. He may have despised her but she would miss out on so much while she rotted away in a jail cell.
He looked at his watched and cursed. The show would be starting soon and he needed to make sure everyone was here. Chasing Minha out of his mind he hurried to the stage.
—————
“Fucking LEE JOON!?!” Hissed Minhyuk to Kihyun. The main singer just continued to stare as the actor and previous MBLAQ member walked towards the car. Hosoek glared at his two members hoping to quieten them. It was rude to stare like like and sometimes Minhyuk forgot how loud he was.
Hoseok had to wonder how the hell Changkyun knew the man or why he wanted him to be picked up. Hoseok, Minhyuk and Kihyun had headed to pick up Changkyun’s surprise guest while the rest of the team had headed to the studios to save them a good set of seats.
The older man smiled making both Minhyuk and Kihyun sighed like fan girls. Hoseok bowed respectively as he held the door open for Joon.
“Joon sunbaenim I am Hosoek from Monsta x. This is…”
“Kihyun and Minhyuk-ah. Nice to meet you. I looked you guys up after Changkyun came to visit me. I like your music. You have a long career ahead of you!”
Hoseok closed the door and climbed into the driver’s seat. He made sure even one was strapped in before they pulled away from the curb.
“If I may, why did Changkyun visit you? I mean I didn’t think you know each other.”
Joon turned to look out the window. There seemed to be a droop in his shoulders.
“Changkyun helped me to realize some things. He is giving me a second chance with the man I love.”
Hosoek glanced over at Joon.
“Man?” Asked Kihyun softly. Joon just nodded but said nothing more. They didn’t push him.
The rest of the car ride was quiet but Hosoek could sense the excitement coming off his team mates. He felt it too, how could he not. He couldn’t wait to see Changkyun in the flesh again. He had barely been able to sleep the night before thinking about the younger boy and the fact they could possibly have a future together. He couldn’t wait to learn more about the boy. What was his favourite colour? Who was his favourite actor? Where had he grow up?
All though of their further left his head when he saw the bright lights from the studio and the large crowd of people gathered outside. More than a few held up signs with the name I.M on it. Joon whistled between his teeth.
“Seems we are not the only ones here to watch your boy perform.”
They turned into the back of the studio, the idol’s entrance and gladly handed over their passes to the guards. The man looked down at the passes.
“Monster X huh?”
“It’s Monst-A X and yeah.”
The man nodded and handed them back the passes.
“Well your makane is definitely an…interesting fellow. Welcome to United 100.”
The group all shared a look before the man waved them through.
“What the heck did he mean by that?” Asked Kihyun from the back as he pushed Minhyuk back into the seat.
“I didn’t like his tone. No one talks about my Kyunnie like that.” Whispered the blond.
Finally they parked the car without anymore incidents. Climbing out they greeted the few other idols they recognized. Jessie and his team were there, most likely to cheer on Changkyun. Hosoek gave the boy a wave and received one in return.
There was hushed whispers as Joon walked with them. To have someone so senior and popular walking with a group that most people had written off as flops was questionable. Hoseok held his head up though. This was going to be a new start for the whole group and he wasn’t going to let the gossip mongers get him down.
The auditorium was packed almost every seat was taken, up front a massive stage rose before them. Just behind the standing fans were the VIP seats. Jooheon had recruited Shownu to help hold the massive banner much to everyones amusement. Hyungwon waved them over.
“Hi Hyungs, you made it…wow your Lee Joon! I mean it is nice to meet you!” He bowed low and Joon just nodded.
Hyungwon recovered and motioned to two people sitting beside him who had stood.
“Hyungs this is Dongwon and Grace. Changkyun’s parents.”
Hosoek heart froze. He was meeting his crush’s parents for the first time and he was sure they were going to hate him. There was no way the maknae hadn’t told his parents about what had gone down between him and the others.
Changkyun’s father held out a hand. He was short but still very handsome. The resemblance to Changkyun was uncanny. He didn’t seem all that pleased to see them and Hoseok got the feeling that Mr. Im was very protective of his son. He wouldn’t forgiven them any time soon.
Changkyun’s mother on the other hand pulled Hosoek into a crushing hug before doing the same to Minhyuk and Kihyun.
“Thank you for finally accepting and supporting my boy. He really is amazing and that isn’t even my motherly bias talking. Thank you for coming out and supporting him today. He gets so nervous for these kinds of things.”
Hosoek smiled and thanked her for raising such an amazing young man. He assured her he would make sure Changkyun was happy. Behind him Minhyuk whispered something rather rude about how he would make the boy happy. Thankfully Kihyun wrapped a hand around the happy virus’ mouth.
They took their seats, Hoseok taking the one next to Changkyun’s parents.
“Oh man I am so late. I am sorry.”
The group looked up just as Bang Mir appeared beside them. He was smiling at the others but it fell away at the sight of Joon.
“Jo..Joon?”
Hosoek looked between the two of them as time seemed to have frozen. He knew the two of them were bandmates and Mir was Changkyun’s friend. Then it suddenly made sense to him. This was the man Joon was in love with. Of course the maknae would be helping his friend with his love life.
The older man stood and offered the seat beside him. Mir hesitated but moved towards the spot.
“Why are you here?” His voice was soft.
“I called off the wedding! Changkyun reminded me what is truly important to me.”
“Idiot.” Mir affectionately whispered. Who it was aimed at was anybodies guess but Mir took his seat beside Joon. As the night would progress Hosoek would see the small smiles of affection they gave each other. He hoped he would one day be able to do that with Changkyun. The music rumbled to a start. It was time.
——————
Zee sat on the couch head hung low to try calm himself before the show. Beside him the others were warming their vocals or stretching but he couldn’t even bring himself to open his mouth in fear of throwing up.
Beside him, his friend and fellow rapper Yeongmin was going over his rap for the show. The boy seemed so determined. He was definitely making the final lineup. Zee got to his feet he needed some peace and quiet. Yet his feet ended up taking him to the side stage. He had spotted Changkyun peeked out the curtains. The older rapper often did so before a show to see many people were in the crowd. Yet today he had a feeling the other boy was looking for someone specific.
“Hey Hyung whatcha doing?”
The older boy turned slightly to face him and there were tears in his eyes. Zee’s heart jumped. He knew enough about Changkyun to worry about him. Rushing over to his hyung he wrapped his arms around him. Changkyun smiled and hugged him back. That was when Zee realized the tears were happy tears.
“Hyung?” He asked softly.
Changkyun moved slightly out the way and pointed to the crowd. Looking out where he was pointing Zee couldn’t help but feel a sweep of affection. For there in a line were the members of Monsta x each dressed in matching t-shirts while two of them held up a huge banner in support of Changkyun. He knew the group had gone through some ups and downs but to see them so happily supporting their maknae made him feel both happy and yet a little jealous. At this point he doubted he would ever have a group as supportive as Changkyun’s.
He looked over at Changkyun he wanted to thank the other for everything he had done. Not only had he accepted Zee without any resistance but he had spent so much time tutoring him and making sure Zee was always in the limelight. He knew it was stupid but he felt as if Changkyun had purposely tried to make Zee look better than him. He had given up lines so Yeongmin and Zee had more. He would always push the boy in front of the cameras so he got the limelight.
The older rapper gave an affectionate huff muttered under his breath and pulled Zee away from the curtains.
“Alright kiddo. Time to get this show on the road.”
————-
Lights
Camera
Action
The remaining 20 boys bowed to the crowd who went wild at the sight of them. Changkyun held the microphone to his mouth. He and Young Dolla would talk for the most part that night and if things went according to Changkyun’s plan then Young Dolla would have to get used to doing the talking for his group. It was a leader’s job after all.
“I want to firstly thank everyone who has come out here to support us today as well as everyone who will be voting for those who remain.” He looked over towards his group and smiled as they shook the banner. He had made the right choice.
“Here is how tonight’s show will work. We will show you our individual talents and then we will, as a team, show you the song we have prepared for you. So please show us love and we will return it tenfold. Thank you.” As Young Dolla signed off they bowed and left the stage.
The show would show a short clip of each contestant. It would show their trainee days or life outside the show as well as how they had grown in the show. Then the contestant would do a short piece to showcase their talents. Changkyun had planned something special for his video. The showrunners had agreed to let him show a video of his own choosing but they would probably be rather unhappy with what he had chosen. That was their problem.
Yoshin was up first and Changkyun gave him a big hug as they called the dancer’s name.
“Kill it out there man. You are so talented that you will just blow them away.”
That gained a small smile. Changkyun and the others had spent the whole of the previous night convincing the boy he had to keep his ballet moves in his piece. Even though the guard was no longer around to harass him, his words were still strong in Yoshin’s mind. A few of the boys joined him in the wings as they watched Yoshin performance. Changkyun was rather happy to see Monsta x also cheering for his friend.
The applause was deafening but Yoshin’s huge grin was louder. Once offstage he threw his spindly arms around his friends, to excited to say anything other than high pitched squeaks.
Young Dolla went after two other dancers, his vocals blowing the audience right out their seats. Yeongmin was after him.
Changkyun hadn’t focused that much on the other rapper lately as he had been so focused on his revenge plot as well as getting Zee into the limelight. He felt bad about that but Yeongmin clearly no longer needed his help. The boy’s fast rap had certainly improved and from the way the audience were cheering along, his stage presence had improved tenfold.
Finally it was Changkyun’s turn. Grabbing the microphone from the sound clerk he sauntered onto stage the overwhelming cheers on the crowd louder than anything he had every heard before. Squinting against the bright lights, he caught the faces of his parents looking up at him with such beaming pride. He was reminded of all the times they had watched him before. During his public appearances with Nu’bility, the finale of No.Mercy and during their first appearance of Monsta x. A lump appeared in his throat and he had to blink away the tears as his eyes roamed over the others.
Jooheon was on his chair shaking his banner, mouth open as he yelled Changkyun’s name. The maknae couldn’t help the dorky smile that adorned his face. Shownu, a little less boisterous than the main rapper, pumped his fist in the air as he shook the banner too. Minhyuk and Kihyun seemed to be doing some chant as they held a Monsta X scarf above their heads. Changkyun had done a double take at Hyungwon. The tall vocal had somehow managed to sneak his phone into the venue and was filming away. He looked like the proud mother from Mean Girls and the thought left Changkyun giggling.
Finally he dragged his eyes over to the final member. The one who made his hear flutter. Hoseok.
The second eldest was looking right at him, his face was filled with so much emotion. Their eyes met and time stopped completely. The world around them faded. It was just like all the soppy romances he had watched with his mom as a kid. It wasn’t quite love at first sight but it gave Changkyun the hope he needed.
He raised the mike to his lips as he bowed.
“Hello my name is I.M. I am Monsta x’s maknae and rapper.”
The crowd went wild.
“Since joining this show I have been a bit of an odd one out so why change that now. Most of you already know my story so I want to share different story. A story many of you share. One about love, a love that is looked down on and frowned upon. This video was made by a friend of mine who came out last year as was promptly through out of her home and lost her family and friends. Enjoy!”
He stepped away and let the video play as the video played. K.Will’s Please Don’t began to play. It was fitting to the video and had always been one of his favourite songs and he would sing it all the time. The single spotlight went onto him as he began to sing in his low, raspy voice. He was no singer but a week of lessons with the vocal coach had allowed him to sing the high notes with little difficulty.
He sang his heart out imagining he was alone in his room and not in front of a huge crowd. He threw all the emotion he could into the song. Remembering the first boy he’d had a fallen in love with. Remembering his first kiss with Jessie and his first kiss with Hoseok.
Behind him the video played showing to separate people as they tried to live in a world that hated them. He had reached out to the video maker after seeing the post on her instagram. They had meet years ago when he had first moved to Gwangju and they connected over their shared lack of heterosexuality.
In the video the girl falls in love with her best friend who finds out and tells everyone. The boy is sporty and messy but in the afternoons he escapes into his art. The part of him that is real. As Changkyun sang out the last note the spotlight went off him and focused on the video.
“We are here.” Said the girl as she climbs into a car with another woman.
“We are not wrong.” Said the man as he held the hand of another paint splattered man.
The screen went black and Changkyun spoke this time, “Love is love and it will always win. Love is not wrong when two consenting people fall in love.”
He made sure to focus on Mir and Joon who had both teared up at the video.
“Fight for love! Fight for each other! Fight so that one day love will no longer be punished.”
Even with the lights burning down on him, he saw Joon turn slightly to as he slipped his hand into Mir’s hand. He bowed again to signal the end of his piece and for the most part the crowd went wild. The noise mostly coming from Monsta x. He gave them a small wave before he hurried off stage. Regardless of the outcome of his little stunt at least his older friend would be happy and maybe he would help other LBGTQ fans listening to him that night.
As he walked back into the waiting room he was cornered by the head producer. The man was stuttering and red in the face.
“Whaa…You… what?”
Changkyun smiled sheepishly. So he may have left out what the video actually contained.
“This show is already rated +16 so what if I showed some people holding hands.”
The man exploded.
“It wasn’t people holding hands it was filth how dare you…”
The man was cut off as Changkyun got into his face.
“Filth? Is that what you think filth is? Two people of the same sex who love each other? Not rapists? Not men who beat their wives to death?”
He got right up in the man’s face, a slight thought of wonderment in where this confidence was coming from.
“If I were you I would rethink the definition of filth before I dig around and find some ‘filth’ you have been hiding away.”
Judging by the way the man’s eyes widened he definitely had some Skeltons in the closet. Maybe Changkyun had a future in being a private investigator if the idol business didn’t work out.
The producer seemed to want to argue some more but the next contestant was already up on stage and the man was needed up front. The man just glared at him before walking away.
Next thing Changkyun knew he was been tackled by a small group of guys. Zee was patting him on the back while Yoshin was jumping up and down like an excited puppy.
“Hyung you are truly the coolest person ever.” Yeongmin said with absolute awe in his voice. Young Dolla nodded in agreement. Changkyun just shrugged but by evidence of his grin he was rather proud of himself.
“Okay but seriously hyung you are a wild one. What else do you have planned?” Yeongmin’s questioning look made the other rapper looking away. He had one last thing planned. One last shock. But first they needed to complete the final group song.
“Zee! You are up next.”
The small group of friends sobered at the mention of the last rapper. The boy had paled at his name. Straightening his shirt he moved towards the stage but Changkyun stopped him.
“Prove to them that you rightfully belong up there! We all believe in you!”
The rest of the boys happily agreed, patting him on the back and wishing him well.
He gave a shy smile snd as he walked onto stage there seemed to be a little more bounce to his step.
They watched his performance from backstage and Changkyun couldn’t help but feel like a proud momma bear. He searched the faces of Yoshin, Yeongmin and Young Dolla. He had such pride in far they had all come. A part of him wished maybe things had been different for he would have loved to have these boys as his group but as his eyes drifted to Monsta x he knew he had made the right choice.
“Thank you for allowing me to be on this stage it is my life’s dream. And thank you to my fellow contestants. You all welcomed me so warmly and have really helped me to grow.”
Zee looked to the wings where all his friends were. Changkyun gave him the thumbs up.
————————-
“He used to pretend to be a squirrel. This one time he climbed the tree in the backyard to grab some nuts and got stuck. Dongwan had to get a ladder and go and rescue him.” Grace Im laughed as she retold the story of her son’s childhood escapades. Minhyuk and Jooheon were hooked on her every word and burst out laughing at the story. Hosoek giggled but he couldn’t find himself to immersed in it. He was listening to some of the fans talk about who they would vote for.
He watched as giggling girls huddled around the booklet with the names and descriptions on the contestants.
“I’m voting for Zee. He is sooo cute.”
“Heck no. I.M is the boss. He deserves the title of number one. He has been through this twice now, his nudes were leaked AND he produces all their music.”
“Yeah but he has a group. And they clearly want him back”
“Your Changkyun just keeps on giving with those surprises, huh?”
Hosoek jumped as the deep voice behind him. He turned to see Joon smiling at him. He seemed lighter somehow, a glint back in his eye.
“He isn’t mine… I mean he is our maknae so I guess.”
He stopped. Why was he denying it? He smiled and drove his hands into his pockets.
“Yeah Changkyun is definitely something else. I’m going to have to reevaluate my beliefs about him. And maybe keep his mind active. From all the things we have learnt about him lately he is pretty deviant when he wants to be.”
Joon snorted, “Yeah he practically threatened me the first time we met. Told me to pull my head out my ass and realize I would never be happy without Mir. Said Mir and I were been idiots for giving up true love. I wasn’t sure whether to punch him or thank him.”
Joon looked over to were Mir was chatting with Shownu and Mr. Im. His face softened.
“But he was right. Mir is the only one who makes me happy and I would never love any one the way I love him. And I will fight, for people like us. Like Changkyun and you.”
He said the last sentence softly, in almost a questioning way. Hoseok smiled back. Joon slapped him on the back and walked away to rejoin Mir. Hoseok was about to follow when Hyungwon waled over to him confusion etched on his face.
“Changkyun wants to see you!”
Taken aback he asked how the tall vocal could possibly know that.
“He texted me. Said to meet him backstage. The door next to the men’s washroom is unlocked and will lead you to him. He also commended me on bringing a banned filming device into the show and said I could come in handy one day. Not going to lie, that scares me.”
They exchanged a set of worried looks. They really had a lot to learn about Changkyun. Before Hyungwon could say anymore Hoseok had already walked off towards the backstage. Carefully he passed by the few men going back and forth to the bathroom. He waited until the coast was clear before pushing open the door. Sure enough it swung open to reveal the darkened backstage.
“Changkyun?”
He carefully walked forward looking left and right. He jumped as the maknae emerged from the shadows. The boy smiled as he clutched his heart.
“Jeesh Kyunnie if you are going to be jumping out of shadows remind me to get you a bell.”
Changkyun smirked and sauntered over to Hosoek. The vocalist swallowed. The rapper looked so good. There was a slight sweat sheen across him, he was in the outfit for his next set and the heavy eyeliner under his fiery eyes made him look fierce.
“Hello Hyung!”
“Hiya.” Hosoek managed to squeak out as Changkyun stood before him. His heart was beating so hard it was threatening to beat out of his chest. He was so close he could just reach out and touch him. But Changkyun beat him to the punch.
The maknae grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled Hsoeok into a blistering kiss. The vocalist was shocked for but a second before his eyes fluttered closed and he leaned into the kiss. It was like fire and ice all at once. Wrapping his hand around Changkyun’s waist he pulled the boy closer as the other hand cupped his cheek. Changkyun broke the kiss but his forehead rested against the others.
“I hadn’t exactly planned o doing this but seeing you again, I just couldn’t stay away from you anymore…”
“I think I love you.” Hoseok blurted out. Shocked Changkyun took a step back and Hosoek’s heart fell. Oh god he had just messed it all up. It was far to soon to even think like this but it had just come out.
“I mean…”
Changkyun smiled and put a finger to the other’s lips in an attempt to quieten him.
“That’s okay hyung. But let’s maybe go on a few dates first. Spend some actual time together when I’m not cheating on someone and you aren’t being blackmailed.”
Hoseok blushed and looked down at his feet.
“I’m sorry we did what we did. I didn’t want the video going out and… wait what about Minha? We need to deal with her.”
The smile that Changkyun gave sent shivers down Hoseok’s spine and not in a good way.
“Don’t worry hyung. Minha wont be a problem anymore.”
Unsure what the younger boy meant he went to ask when the announcers loud voice came over the speaker to tell everyone to return to their seats for the final half of the show.
Changkyun placed a careful kiss on his lips but Hosoek pulled him back into a hug. He nuzzled his head against Changkyun’s well-made hair.
“I’ll see you after the show hyung. Oh and can you give this to Shownu please?”
He handed over an envelope and before he could answer, like the whirlwind he was, Changkyun was gone. Hoseok brought his fingers to his lips, just to make sure he hadn’t dreamed all that. Shaking his head he hurried back to the others. The crowds were pouring back to their seats.
“There you are. Where did you go?” Asked Kihyun worriedly as he sat down.
He opened his mouth but Hyungwon shook his head and mouthed a reminder that Changkyun’s parents were right next to him. Yeah probably not a good idea to say he had just been making out with their son.
“Mmm had to go to the bathroom all this excitement has made my stomach turn.”
Kihyun gave him a worrying look but it was Minhyuk’s devious face that worked him.
“The bathroom? That’s odd, your lips are all swollen and you have this far way look. If I was a betting man, and I am, I would say you were making out someone. Perhaps a someone called Changk-urghh.”
Hyungwon elbowed him in the stomach.
“Dick!” Minhyuk mumbled under his breath but Hosoek quietly thanked his best friend. He would really have to buy him something nice. Realizing the envelope was still in his hand he gave it to Shownu.
The leader frowned but opened it anyway. The further he read the more his eyebrows rose into his forehead. Finally he crumpled the paper and shoved it into his pocket as he stood.
“Where are you going?” Kihyun hissed.
Shownu stumbled over his words, “I, um, I have um, something I have to do. I’ll see you guys at the end of the show.”
“What?” Hosoek asked as the leader pushed passed but he was gone. What was Changkyun up to now?
“Ladies and Gentlemen welcome back to the last half of the show.” Came Key’s voice.
“Before the vote commences the contestants have one last song to show you. This one was a group effort with each contestant working on a piece of the song, choreography and everything else that makes up a good show. So United 100 fans enjoy the last song of the contestants.”
The curtains swept out of the way and the swell of the music began. Blue and red strobe lights flickered across the faces of the contestants in a wave like formation.
“We are the last standing. One and together. Stronger we will standing, never will we fall.” Comes Zee’s voice. The crowd went wild. Changkyun stepped forward.
“I am what I am man Got no mercy ,got no regrets. The best inside. The one you love without knowing.”
Changkyun moved out of the way to make room for Yeongmin as the choreography took off. Hoseok watched with a huge smile on his face. Changkyun and Young Dolla were accredited for the lyrics. It was catching and yet meaningful. His maknae was good.
The song came to an end and Hosoek jumped to his feet. Mrs. Im holding onto his arm as she cried tears of joy. The curtains closed on the boys. But it wasn’t over not yet.
Once the cheers had subsided the remaining contestants returned to the stage. Gone were their smiles and in place was nervous, fake smiles.
CL, dressed in a sparkly jumpsuit, walked onto the stage escorted by an equally dapper looking Key. They stopped and smiled at the crowd.
“Now you have seen what the contestants can offer it is time to vote. Under each of your chairs is a device used for voting. You must pick nine names off the ballot for those your want to see in final lineup…oh umm.”
Key stopped as Changkyun cleared his throat beside him. The rapper climbed off the podium and held out his hand for the mike.
“What are you doing?” Key whispered to him but Changkyun didn’t answer back as he took the mike from his hands. Monsta x exchanged looks of confusion. Only Mir seemed unruffled by it all, for he had a soft smile on his face as he looked up at his young friend.
Changkyun looked out over the crowd. He seemed nervous.
“When I first entered this show I was in a dark place. I entered with the full intention of leaving my current group. Yet in the past few weeks I have gone through literal life changing moments and I have learned so much. I learned about friendship.”
He looked back at the other boys on the podium and gave them a smile.
“I have learned about love.” His eyes found Hosoek’s and the vocalist couldn’t help but blush at that.
“But most of all I learned about myself. I gained a kind of confidence I never had before and it is with that confidence that I stand up here today. You see the past few weeks I have worked with each of the boys here. I have worked along side them and know how amazingly talented they are. The thing is I have a group, a group who want to grow with me and who I want to grow with. And if I take a spot in Unit 9 then I will taking away a spot from one of the amazing young men who stand behind me today. They deserve to show the world what they are truly made of. Which is why, as of now I am officially pulling my name from the ballot.”
The uproar was insane. Hosoek’s mouth dropped open as Changkyun bowed issuing a thank you though the noise. He handed the mike back to a shocked Key as he turned back to his shocked friends.
“That crazy sonovabitch he actually did it.” Said Mir under his breath as he just shook his head in amusement.
“You knew about this?” Asked Joon who seemed just as shocked at the unexpected news.
Mir nodded. “Yeah he called me last night to ask how I dropped out of the show without any legal issues. The little shit could have done it at any point of the night but I have come to learn that he had a flare for the dramatic.”
Up on stage Zee clung to Changkyun.
“Hyung what?”
Changkyun grabbed his hand and Yeongmin who looked like he was on the verge of tears.
“Listen I have watched you two grow into the amazing rappers you are right now. Yeongmin-ah you weren’t really a rapper when you started and now you are better than me. Zee the sky is the limit for you man. Make me proud, both of you. Okay?”
He smiled at them, eyes glinting naughtily as he walked away. As soon as he was offstage and the noise was behind him he bent over and let out a giggle.
He had won. He had rid himself of Minha and her influence. Monsta x as a commodity would do well and as a group there would be some hurdles but nothing they couldn’t work through. As for Unit 9 Zee and Yeongmin were the best choice for rappers, Yoshin would be the top dog in terms of dance and Young Dolla was clearly the best vocalist. And if his little messages on the fan pages had done anything then his influence on who would win the final lineup was complete. He wondered off to the changing rooms with a naughty grin on his face.
Shownu was standing there with all of Changkyun’s bags. The leader shook his head.
“You are…How long have you been planning on doing this?”
Sheepishly Changkyun grinned. “To be honest I only truly decided this like two days ago so… anywhooo thanks for grabbing my stuff for me. I can’t wait to get home tonight and I don’t really want to stick around to get bombarded with questions.”
Shownu looked equal parts amazed and pissed.
“I don’t know whether to be mad at you for all the scheming you did, happy that you want to come home so badly or scared that you managed to get away will all of this.”
Changkyun just innocently fluttered his eyelashes and Shownu stepped forward and awkwardly ruffled his hair.
“Let’s get you bags packed into the van you little scheming brat. And don’t think we aren’t going to have a talk about this”
“Sure hyung” Changkyun said a little too sweetly for the leader’s liking.
He followed Shownu to the van thankful the group had brought two cars. Truth was now the excitement was wearing off he was exhausted. He would have to deal with the fallout but that would have to wait. He still have one last smaller surprise up his sleeve.
Shownu had agreed to get the items he needed while he snuck back into the studio. Keeping his head down he snuck back into the dark auditorium where the final line-up were been announced.
Four boys were already chosen. Young Dolla being one of them, the boy was grinning from ear to ear but there were tears in his eyes. His win came at the other's expense.
“The fifth member of Unit 9 is…”
The drum rolled, the tension in the air could be cut with a knife.
“Yoshin.”
The gangly dancer almost fell over in shock. Changkyun gave a squeak of happiness but quickly cleared his throat in case he draw any attention to himself. Yoshin practically tripped to the front. How could such a graceful dancer be such a terrible walker?
The applause died down as the other finalists welcomed Yoshin.
“The sixth member of Unit 9 is…”
CL slowly opened the envelope. Changkyun’s eyes fluttered down the back of Hosoek’s head. The older male was intently watching the show but Changkyun couldn’t help but smile as the vocalist clung to his mother.
“Byunghee!”
The crowd cheered as a tall, handsome boy stepped forward. Changkyun didn’t known him very well but he was very talented and while shy was very nice. He was a good addition to the group.
Up on stage Zee’s smile was heavily interwoven with panic and Changkyun wished he was up there reminding him everything would be okay.
“The seventh member is…is our first rapper, Yeongmin.”
The boy’s face widened in surprise as fans in the audience jumped to their feet. He pointed at his own chest as if not believing they had actually called his name. Changkyun didn’t care if any one saw him now as he clapped loudly for his friend. Now they just needed to call Zee’s name and all would be right in the world.
The eighth member was announced and while Changkyun liked the boy he couldn’t help but worry that with only one spot left, Zee could be left out. From the way the rapper was staring at the floor, hands nervously playing with the hem of his shirt, he didn’t believe he would be chosen.
“And for the final member of Unit 9…who we will announce after this short commercial break.”
The collective groan from the audience thankful covered up the set of curses Changkyun threw at the producers. Up on stage he could see how close Zee was to tears but Yeongmin had spun around to face the other rapper and pointed at him in a kind of you and me forever gesture. That left Changkyun grinning. After what felt like an eternity the warning light came back on, the show would be restarting.
Key greeted back the viewers and then like any good show did some special thanks and other mindless chatter to keep a hold of the tension before the last member was announced.
“Now for the moment you have all been waiting for. The ninth and final member of Unit 9 is…”
The music intensified, almost with a heartbeat like sound. Changkyun bit his lip. Had he done enough?
“The final member of Unit 9 is ZEE!!!!!!”
Changkyun jumped in shocked happiness and he laughed with absolute joy. Onstage Yeongmin had jumped off his podium to run to a shellshocked Zee. The boys embraced while fans cheered for the new unit. The contestants who didn’t make it clapped for the winners, they were happy for those that made it even if they hadn’t.
“Hell Yeah!” Changkyun yelled, his voice lost amongst the other sounds and cheers. His friends had made it. Zee had made it. The boy wouldn’t have to come back to Canada and he could stuff his victory in his unsupportive father’s face. Hell if Zee didn’t do it Changkyun would do it for him.
He sobered up as he noticed the crowds leaving. He needed to get back to the dorms before the others and help set up. Running out into the cooling fall air he managed to flag down a taxi.
“Good night?” Asked the driver as they sped towards the dorm.
Changkyun smiled, “The best!”
He arrived just in time as Shownu was putting out the plates. They managed to set out all the food and drinks when the door flew open.
“Changkyun Daniel Im.”yelled his mother as she marched over to him. His full name in English, that was never a good sign.
“Mom now lets not..”
“What the heck was that all about? Is this the decision you called me crying about the other day?
“Pfft I wouldn’t say I was cry…”
“And what is this I hear about you threatening the CEO? And apparently the producer of the show? Oh yeah he wanted to personally talk to me about my son’s behaviour after the show. What other affairs are you meddling in, Im Changkyun? I thought we left this kind of behaviour in high school.”
“Mom. Can. We. Talk. About. This. Later?” He pleaded. She huffed but relented, thankfully. He cleared his throat as he looked towards the rest of the crowd.
“Anyway as a fitting end to this whole affair I figured we should have some pizza, some drinks and just have a good time to celebrate a new beginning.”
His mother huffed but pulled her son into a hug and like that the tense atmosphere dispersed. Jooheon flung himself at Changkyun.
“Oh my god, dude. You are THE coolest person I know.”
He laughed and hugged each of the other members. Despite all the up and downs they had gone through being with them again felt right.
They ate and drank well into the night.
“To new beginnings.” He toasted as they all held their glasses high.
His parents had bid the boys goodnight sometime around 11 while Mir and Joon had left sometime after. Mir had pulled him aside as they were leaving and pulled Changkyun into a tight hug.
“I can’t even begin to thank you for doing all this. Having Joon back in my life…”
He looked over at the other boy who was comparing muscle size with Shownu and Hoseok.. Mir squeezed Changkyun’ shoulder, his face turned serious.
“I’m glad you chose to try work things out with them. Just remember what I said, don’t let the past get in the way of the future. You are going to be a big star kid I can feel it.”
“Mir-ah let’s go home.”
Changkyun waved goodbye as the couple climbed into the taxi. He wondered what would be next for them. He watched their headlights disappear into the night from the balcony. His hyungs still partying inside, he made a phone call he had been dreading.
“Hi Jessie.”
The voice on the other side sighed but it was not one of anger but more of relief.
“Hi Kyun. Pretty crazy stunt you pulled on the episode tonight. You are truly an enigma.”
The rapper laughed. He leaned against the bannister.
“I am sorry Jessie. For everything I said and did. I truly did love you.”
Jessie sighed again but this time it was sad, “I know Kyun and I loved you too. I’m not going to lie I still am heart broken but things will mend. It will just take time.”
Changkyun nodded despite no-one seeing.
“We will always be friends though and hey who knows what the future will bring.”
He laughed at that as he looked back inside the dorm room where Hosoek was attempting to beat Jooheon on how many marshmallows he could fit in his mouth.
“By the way did you see who made the final cut? You kinda left before!” Asked Jessie.
“Yeah I snook back in. I had to make sure the people I chose made it and they did.”
“You speak as if you engineered the results!”
Changkyun smirked as he inspected his cuticles.
“Maybe I did. Maybe I didn’t! Either way the right people are in that group and we are in the groups that need us.
“You are an odd one Changkyun.”
A knock came at the window and he turned to see Kihyun motioning for him to come back in. Already the main vocal was clucking around him like a mother hen, apparently standing outside without a coat on would guarantee he catch a cold.
“Ah I had better go Kihyun is already pestering me.”
“Alright, goodbye Changkyun!”
“Goodbye Jessie”
——————
“And the winners are Monsta X”
Confetti rained down on the groups at MCountdown. Monsta X had won again
“International sensations Monsta x are the first Kpop group to perform at I Heart Radio’s Jingle Ball Tour.”
He yells into the mike hoping to be heard over the fan chants and scream of delight. His members move around him. Every now and then one of them will hang off him. Minhyuk places a kiss against his shoulder. Jooheon pinches his butt. He giggles.
“Kpop group Monsta X are taking over the music industry with their fast-paced songs and amazing vocals.”
Changkyun flops onto the couch in the group’s new dorm and lets out the biggest yawn known to mankind. He was exhausted. They had just finished another world tour, multiple guest appearances and in three hours before they had performed at The Mama’s. They had won group of the year and the popularity award. Not bad for a group that had been called flops a few years before.
He closed his eyes just as a large weight covering his body. He let out an oomph as his annoying best friend licked his ear.
“Come on Kyunnie. We can sleep when we are dead. Get up your friends are going over and Kihyun is about to lose a nut because of how dirty this place is.”
Slightly opening one eye he looked around the squeaky clean room.
“Urgh let me sleep fro 10 minutes hyung. Hosoek had me up all night.”
Jooheon stopped his wandering hands and sat up so he was straddling his best friend. He kneaded Changkyun apple butt.
“Oh and what were you doing?” He said in the most innuendo dripping voice he could muster.
He bucked his friend off. As much as he wished his boyfriend had been pounding his ass the night before they had actually been up in the vocalists studio working on the duet song they had written together.
“Awww was it for your love song? Do you wanna show the world how much you love each other?”
He swatted Jooheon’s hands away as Shownu entered the room eating the largest burger he could find.
“Jooheon leave the poor, tortured maknae alone. Please!”
“Thank you hyung.” He said as Jooheon began his usual protest.
“That’s not fair. You never left me play with Kyunnie and you always take his side!”
Shownu rolled his eyes and put down his burger, “I take his side because you are usually the one annoying him and he is the better behaved kid. At least most of the time when he isn’t up to something.“
A loud screech came from the kitchen followed by Minhyuk running out of the room with a full bag of chips under his arm. He disappeared into his and Changkyun’s shared bedroom. The ever-suffering leader sighed and walked off to the kitchen to help calm the flustered Kihyun.
Brrrriiiinnnnnggg
The buzzer went and Jooheon was already up, running to the door. One of the things that had come out of the show was the lasting friendship between Changkyun, the members of Unit 9, Jessie, Joon and Mir. It had become a monthly thing for them all to meet and catch up.
“Yeongminnie!!!” Yelled Jooheon as he pulled Unit 9’s main rapper into a bear hug. They had formed quite a solid friendship since getting to know one another although Jooheon had assured Changkyun that there was only one best friend in his life and that was Monsta X’s maknae.
He got off the couch and welcome everyone. He patted Zee on the back. In the three years since United 100 the young man had really grown into himself. He had become a charismatic rapper with a huge fan following.
“Hey hyung you look terrible!” Changkyun gave him the middle finger before he ruffled the kid’s head.
“This is what winning looks like.” He said as he lead the group into the dorm. A few seconds later newly-engaged couple Joon and Mir pitched up with a cotton candy haired Jessie too.
Changkyun went off to the kitchen to get the drinks ready when he felt a presence behind him. He turned and smiled at Jessie who stood watching him in the doorway. The vocalist looked amazing as per usual.
“Congrats on winning big today. You guys deserve it after all that hard work you put into it.”
Changkyun laughed and turned back to his task.
“It so worth it to know how much the fans enjoy our music.”
Jessie smirked and moved towards Changkyun until he was leaning against the counter.
“Yeah I’m not sure it was the music they were enjoying there sir!”
Chagkyun frowned and Jessie just shook his head in amusement.
“The tittulating peek of your shoulder, the thrusting, oh and I believe at one point you were dirty danced up against Hosoek.”
Changkyun smirked. He enjoyed teasing his boyfriend on stage, it usually lead to some interesting backstage escapades.
“How is things going with you guys?” Asked Jessie. Chagkyun looked up at him. There was still a spark between there was no denying it and since Jessie had broken up with his modelling girlfriend he had been rather flirtatious.
“Its hard sometimes. We live together, we work together yet I feel like trying to find the time to spend together is getting harder. Yet I wouldn’t change it for the world. We have been together for three years and I love him.”
Jessie shook his head, “How can it three years already. I feel like it was just yesterday that we were all greeting each other at the dorm and I was like damn who is this fine piece of eye candy.”
That earned Jessie a quick slap.
“Hey babe stop beating up the guests.” Hoseok walking in wearing a very sheer top, Changkyun rolled his eyes as Jessie zeroed in on the well defined pecs.
"Well I had better take this tray of drinks to the others before Zee dares Jooheon and Yeongmin to drink out the toilet again." Changkyun shivered, no one needed a repeat of that. As soon as Jessie left the room Hosoek sauntered over to his boyfriend and pulled him into a quick kiss.
Despite the tentative friendship Jessie and Hoseok had, there would always be tension between them over Changkyun. And Hoseok, been the easily jealous person he was, liked to remind everyone exactly who the maknae belonged too.
After a little while Changkyun patted his boyfriends butt to send him off with the last tray while he grabbed the chips. He stopped at the doorway and watched as all his friends interacted. He smiled at how big his family had grown. If someone had told him three years ago that this would be his life he would have laughed them off. But no he couldn't imagine anything different. He couldn't imagine life without Monsta X.
They still had their ups and downs as is life, as is family. Yet everyday he thanked the universe for giving him another chance at happiness. Another chance, Another life.
————————-
The End