Waltz of the Marionettes - Brandon Fietcher

"Alright everyone! Let's go! I need the staff to do last touches on the props! Where are my ballerinas?! Hello people! Move it! The show starts in five minutes! Jimin!"

The door abruptly swung open to Jimin's dressing room, revealing one of the production crew with a head piece and a mic, "You're up, let's go!"

"I'll take care of it, you go take care of the rest."

Taemin came to view - saving Jimin the trouble, making the woman nod and walk off to bark more orders somewhere else.

He knows better than anyone to not rush Jimin before a performance. That is, if he wants him to do a good performance.

Meanwhile Jimin still remained seated in front of the dresser, bold make up and clothing attire properly on his body. He's not shaking in anxiety as most people are or even is going through some breathing exercises to stay focused.

Probably his medication are the reason for keeping him calm at the moment, or the satisfaction he feels that his body is light after throwing up a lot this morning while Taemin was still sleeping.

Probably both.

He's composed.

Focused, but calm.

Taemin turns to Jimin, closing the door behind him. He's dressed nicely in a suit, prepared to perfection to represent what he has been instructing the dancers to do for months now.

A man with power.

Seeing him brought Jimin more to ease from his bones rattling inside his body. He stands up, displaying his dark costume with tints of gold and silver accessories glittering the top. His make up is extravagant to give off this doll type of vibe, along with his smooth brunette hair brushed back and away from his face sullen.

Taemin takes a moment to look at him, unable to hide the freckles of blush cascading his cheeks and the smile that spread his lips.

It made Jimin slowly start to smile too.

"How are you feeling? Took the medication as the doctor said?"

Three days ago, Jimin passed out and was immediately taken to the emergency room - unfortunately. Thankfully he didn't pass out because of something so deadly, he was just exhausted. It also relates to the issues with his eyes - not like it's something he can control.

However when he woke up, in a hospital room, he went through a heap of panic attack and a mental break down so badly that they had to sedate him. So the doctor who was looking after him informed Taemin and Jihyo that they did some adjustments to his medications, along with his eye drops from here on out.

When Jimin woke up, he was still at the hospital room, but Dr. Kang Yeosang - his therapist - was there beside him. It did make him feel a little off edge to see him there, but that didn't take off the scare that he's in the hospital.

Dr. Yeosang was gentle with him. He assured him he was okay and he was safe, and explained what had happened. Jimin couldn't focus as much as he wanted to, so Yeosang guided him out of the hospital since he was already discharge and Taemin signed the papers. When they touched out, Jimin was finally able to breathe properly and that's when Yeosang told Jimin what the doctor has told him to do; instructing that Jimin should rest and not be doing any intense activities, only to rest his body.

It was a shock to him, and to be fair Jimin would do anything else, but that.

Taemin doesn't know about it, no doubt he probably would not let Jimin perform if he did.

Jimin can handle it.

It's just a performance.

So that's why he's here, not so nervous or in complete focus because he might have taken more of his anxiety medication than he should've and double the drops in his eyes to not risk the blur again.

Nothing is standing in the way of this performance.

Nothing.

"Wow.... You look really beautiful," Taemin murmurs, approaching him and places his hands on his shoulders, "Are you ready? Show starts soon?"

For a moment Jimin remains silent, gazing between Taemin's eyes and feeling this ambitious boiling up in his body. He's not going to let him down. Taemin has been so passionate about this ballet for months, taking hours of the day as he instructs over everyone to a perfect performance.

And Jimin is about to make that play come to life.

Smoothly, Jimin steps closer and wraps his arms around Taemin's neck, pulling him close in a tight hug.

It didn't take long before Taemin relaxes and wraps his arms around his waist, exhaling heavily. They didn't really say anything to each other, but this was enough to feel the energy that Jimin wants him to feel.

That he can do this.

All he needs is to feel that support too.

"PARK JIMIN! YOU'RE ON IN TWO!"

The two quickly pull away from the shout outside the door, now looking at each other with a sheepish smile but Taemin clasps his cheeks with his warm hands, "You got this. Go out there and show the world your wings."

Jimin stares shifts to a longing gaze but squeezes his own hands tightly together, only giving him a nod in return and walks out of the dressing room.

It's time for the show.

Everything from there felt like it was moving in slow motion. Dancers moving all over the place either already dressed with make up or still rushing to get ready. Production crew are moving hastily around and Jimin can hear the music the closer he walks to where the stage is.

Eyes follow him, taken back yet staring in awe as the dancer grows in his full form to perform. Some of these dancers are rookies, others have been with him since he's been in this program, but that doesn't mean the inspiration fluttering their eyes to the sight of him will ever fade away so easily.

They're watching their idol about to perform, while performing with him too.

Would leave anyone in astonishment really.

Feeling his heart gently beat in his chest, calmly and slowly, Jimin finds himself to the side of the stage, still hidden by the curtain, and stands beside Johnny - Who's dressed in a prince attire with a handsome appearance to the make up and glow of his essence.

Jimin despises the guy, but he can't deny he's one attractive person.

That doesn't forgive him for dropping him various of times.

"Try not to loosen your grip."

Jimin couldn't help himself from muttering, earning an eyebrow perked from Johnny as the music grows louder while the dancers out there perform and prepare for their entrance.

Johnny for a second looked like he wanted to say something snarky, but he ended up pursing his lips and grabs Jimin's hand instead, squeezing tightly.

"If you feel overwhelmed out there, I'll make sure to keep you steady," Jimin snaps his eyes to him, seeing Johnny only look ahead with this focus gleam in his eyes, "Ice bitch."

Overwhelmed?

Why would Jimin feel overwhelmed-

Not enough time was given for Jimin to think about it as Johnny tugs the two forward for their entrance, and that's when Jimin completely closed off of his mental connection to reality.

Now shifting to the role he's meant to play.

The puppet controlled by the handsome prince.

While learning to break free.

Lights for a moment blinded him from the audience, but his focus only remained on what he had to do. Emotions that mixed with the music coils his features, playing the doll while the other dancers portrayed either the servants or the royals to Johnny's castle.

It was during the first leap and lift, in his desperation attempt to escape the cage he was trapped in while Johnny held him back, that Jimin felt this boost of confidence in his performance.

This was probably the first time him and Johnny did a perfect timing with the leap and lift together.

He could smile if his character wasn't bleeding in sorrowful cries to his freedom slipping away his fingertips.

Before his eyes, his surroundings began to change and shift, molding into something different. He no longer was on stage or in front of an audience, he was in this makeshift cage like the one from the scene and in a dungeon while the play forms out before his eyes.

He no longer was acting the character.

He became the character.

A puppet played and held hostage by the dark prince of the royal castle. No matter how desperately Jimin tried many attempts to escape, he couldn't. The prince would always catch him.

Every single time.

That's until he found a chance open, when the key was left on the floor. He managed to reach for it and let himself free. Running until he couldn't anymore.

Outside the castle laid the woods, and Jimin in his joy danced with the flowers and trees. The wind and sky. He danced and danced. Through the sun and rain, his legs never gave out; no longer the strings holding him back anymore.

The animals welcomed him to this forest, bringing him food and prepared a feast.

It was a moment where life was perfect.

Until the prince looked for his puppet in desperation after he noticed his disappearance.

Birds spared the sky, warning Jimin of the dangers but it was already too late when the princes stormed through the trees in his horse.

The setting became darker. Leaps and twirls moved through the air, demonstrating the puppet's want of freedom and the prince's possessiveness, fighting in the perfect elegance with jumps and a duo performance of a fight for their desires.

The audience was at the edge of their seat, especially when the prince managed to grab hold of the puppet to drag him back to the castle.

And that's where Jimin understood Johnny's words.

He got too into character. Connecting it to his own personal life; being a puppet to society. Tasting freedom to only be ripped aggressively from his hands.

It was showing in his moves and his facial expressions how he began to lose himself, the struggling feeling too real as the music grows louder.

But as Johnny said, he was there to keep Jimin steady.

His touch became more gentle and he made sure the two made more eye contact whenever they were in each other's arms, using it as a form to communicate for Jimin to be grounded to his dancing.

And it helped.

It reminded him of how much of a dick Johnny is outside this show.

But now he was the prince, and Jimin was the puppet.

Colliding of two different worlds.

His movements became more powerful, swinging his body effortlessly and to his advantage of his flexibility that he used to portray the faint puppet of despair.

And it was at that moment, when Johnny lifted him in the air for the pas de deux that Jimin felt his world moving in slow motion.

His chest felt elevated of heavy emotions, limbs now light and for once the chains on his wrists were broken free.

At that moment, where the light casted over his face and everyone could see the glittering tears gliding down his cheeks with his faint smile.

Jimin felt free.

To the most perfect ballet performance he's ever done in his life.

____________________________
A/N:
This scene was definitely touching :')

I wanted to show how immersed with ballet Jimin was in, almost like a trance with this chapter.

In some way I feel like we can all understand his emotions in this moment.

Well guess who's officially back!

I've been doing so well emotionally and mentally and I'm really looking forward being back again! Yay!

I PURPLE YOU AND MISSED YOU! <33