Requested by GeetRVR

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This was the last award show Bangtan would be attending with manager Sejin, as he had been preparing them for weeks for his departure. He was moving, and the boys were devastated but they tried to make the most of their last event together. They had a circular booth together next to many other idols, and the award show was covering a large range of topics. Top producers, top singers, top group, etc. Bangtan had already pulled all five of the awards they were nominated for and Sejin couldn't stop expressing how proud he was to have been their manager for all these years. He kept reminding them how much they deserved all these awards. Everyone thought the show was over, when an announcement started that beginning this year, there was a new category being presented.

Best group leader.

The members all turned to Namjoon, as they were all taken by surprise. None of them expected a category like that to show up. Namjoon put his hands up in surrender, "Don't look at me. As far as I know I was never nominated for anything like that," Namjoon didn't expect to win. The group knew about all their nominations before the award show started. They all started looking to the leaders of other groups wondering who would get it.

"The award for best leader in the KPOP industry goes to...

BTS LEADER KIM NAMJOON!"

Everyone started cheering, even the members. However Namjoon was still off in his own world looking around at other groups wondering who would have won.

"Hyung!" Jungkook went over to Namjoon and gave him a playful smack on his back, "Go up there! You won!"

"ME?!" Namjoon looked around confused, and the camera panned in to him looking lost, everyone started laughing. He stumbled his way to the stage, followed by all his members and Sejin who wanted to accompany him. He got up on stage and didn't have any kind of speech prepared as he truly never saw something like this coming. He thanked ARMY and his members, and his manager, for all of their support and was extremely honored by the award. He'd always questioned if he was a good leader or not and moments like this reminded him he was doing a pretty good job at it.

After the ceremony, they went back and celebrated with ARMY's by doing a VLIVE and thanking their fans. Once that was over, the mood mellowed out as the members realized it was almost time to say goodbye to Sejin. The night was full of tears after that and before Sejin left he reminded them that their new manager would be great, that they as a band will continue to be great, and that Namjoon was the greatest leader he'd ever met.

The next morning the members were already hard at work back at the HYBE building, trying to suppress the sadness of already missing Sejin. They knew there was nothing they could do about it. He reminded them he'd still be rooting for them from where he was, and it made them want to work a million times harder to keep making him proud. They were gathered around a conference table waiting to meet this new manager they were told they were getting. A tall, broad man walked in. He had a buzzcut and a goatee.

"Hello," he bowed and the members did the same, "I'm Mr. Loui. It's very nice to meet you boys." The members told him it was nice to meet him too. Once they made their formal introductions, the atmosphere took on a much more relaxed tone. They all ate lunch together in the conference room and Loui asked them a lot of questions to try and figure out how to work best with the members. They all seemed to enjoy their time together and the members were happy that the new manager seemed to be someone they instantly got along with. They were hesitant at first, as they didn't have the best experience with managers. When they had first debuted Sejin wasn't their first manager, it had been some cranky older guy who got fired after a video of him hitting both Jungkook and Taehyung backstage circulated the internet. Sejin came in after that, and the rest had been history until today. After lunch, Loui let them know he had some managerial things he needed to get in order and that he'd see them later. The members departed to the dance studio to get some extra practice in, and then they separated into their private studios to work on music.

Namjoon was sitting in his studio, staring at the award he had won. He really in a million years never expected something like that. A knock on his door woke him up from his day dreaming.

"Come in," He shouted. Manager Loui walked in with a big smile on his face. "Do you have a minute?" he asked. Namjoon nodded his head and gestured for his new manager to take a seat on the couch in his studio so they could talk. "So," Loui began, "I know having a new manager is a big change, and it can be overwhelming. Especially for this group. However, I see a lot of potential with BTS, but there is one more thing that needs to be changed before I move this group forward."

"Okay?" Namjoon asked confused.

"You can't be their leader anymore Namjoon, I want you out."

Namjoon sat there frozen for a moment. He knew this had to be some kind of joke. He literally just won an award for being the best leader in the KPOP industry. Why on earth would he be taken from that position? BTS was his group.

"Is this some kind of prank?" Namjoon asked.

"You're not a good leader, Namjoon. I saw your speech yesterday too, and it sucked."

"I won that award. How can you say I'm a bad leader?"

"Award shows are rigged. The votes are fake. It was a new category, I'm sure they just threw names in a hat and picked a winner. I did my research on this group before coming here. I know you're not as good as people think you are."

Namjoon was feeling extremely defensive at this point. He was never one to boast or brag, but he also knew Loui was wrong about him. He'd been leading this group for over 10 years and although he never wanted to credit himself, he knew the hard work he put in everyday to make sure he kept his members in line to keep up their image. " I don't understand why you think I'm a bad leader. I do a lot for this band, I take the lead overseas when we need to speak English, I make sure everyone behaves in public. What am I doing that's bad?"

"I've watched enough interviews of this group to know you can't control your members 90% of the time. You're always breaking shit. You come off as rude. I've read the comments about you Namjoon, and they're right. You're not fit for this position and it should go to someone older and more experienced."

"More experienced?! I've been leading this group before it even officially started!" Namjoon yelled. He didn't mean to be disrespectful but he was panicking. He couldn't imagine handing off his entire career, and his members, to the hands of a stranger. The first time they were put under the authority of a stranger his two maknae's had gotten hurt. And now Namjoon wasn't liking this Loui guy all that much anymore either.

"I have big plans for this group, Namjoon. I can take them to a whole new level of success, but I can't do that with you. I know from experience that people like you don't belong in this kind of role. You're out." Namjoon continued to fight with his manager but the more he tried the more Loui shot him down and continued to convince him why it's best he leaves.

I have to think of what's best for this group. And it's best if I leave.

"You have one week, and don't say anything about it either. I don't want them fighting me on this. It's best you just disappear. Got it?" Loui spat as he stood up to leave Namjoon's studio. Namjoon looked up at him with a face drenched in tears, "Got it."

Namjoon sat back in his chair, took his award, and threw it against the wall. It didn't break, but it left a dent in the wood. He had no idea what to do. In a week he wouldn't have his job anymore, and he was just supposed to leave his members behind forever? Would he even have a chance to say goodbye? He let his tears fall. He looked around his studio as his mind instantly flooded with memories. He stared at the stuffed penguin Jungkook had bought him in Hawaii. He looked at some of the collectable dolls Jin had got him for his birthday one year.

All these memories for nothing.

After the nostalgic thoughts made him too upset, his mind switched gears into the anxious thoughts instead. Would BTS quickly replace him? Would they even miss him? What if their new leader doesn't have the same patience he had? The group needs someone with a lot of patience. He instantly thought of Jungkook and Taehyung, they need someone with a lot of patience. His biggest fear stemmed from the past memories, worrying about a new leader coming in who didn't have enough patience and tried to use corporal punishment on them like that manager who hit the two youngest all those years ago had done. Namjoon didn't trust anybody to lead this group but himself. But that didn't matter anymore, he had to leave. His thoughts were broken when Hobi texted everyone that they had to go back to the dance studio to redo some parts of the choreography. Everyone met back up, and Namjoon tried to hide the hole in his heart. Seeing his members did nothing but make him sad.

I only have one week left with them.

He tried to suck back in the tears he could feel forming behind his eyes. He couldn't focus on dance practice. Hobi kept pulling him aside asking him what was wrong, as he needed more effort.

"I just miss Sejin," Namjoon told his dance leader. Hobi patted him on the back, "I know, Joonie. We all do. But the better we practice the prouder he'll be , right?!" Hobi said happily. Namjoon nodded and got back to practice. After their schedules everyone headed back to the dorm. For some reason everyone seemed absolutely wild that night compared to other nights. The entire maknae line would not, no matter how much Jin jokingly scolded, stop running and shouting around the house. Hobi was playing Jenga by himself but purposely kept knocking the tower over for absolutely no reason. Yoongi was sitting on the couch playing a loud game on his phone. Namjoon wondered if everyone had eaten drugs or something, he knew they didn't, usually the couple days after award shows had them all full of energy, especially if they won. Namjoon retreated to his room and cried, he couldn't stop thinking about how badly he was going to miss this crazy family, and how scared he was of someone else taking his place. He'd be forgotten eventually. He told himself that the week was going to go by quickly and he shouldn't waste time. He needed to spend his last week spending as much time as possible with everyone. He ran back out of his room and plopped down on the couch next to Yoongi, leaning over and resting his head on his hyungs shoulder.

Hobi turned around and started laughing at them while Yoongi gave him a silent look before speaking, "Do you...need something?" Yoongi wasn't physically affectionate by any means. And it wasn't like Namjoon to lean on him literally ever.

"No, I don't need anything hyung."

Yoongi shrugged his shoulders and went back to playing his game on his phone. Hobi took this as an opportunity to also join in on the cuddling and jumped on the couch next Namjoon and wrapped his arms around him. None of them said anything. Jin walked by looking at them and chuckled, "You know I've learned a long time ago to just not question anything that happens between us anymore." He continued to the kitchen to cook.

"Hyung?" Namjoon tilted his head to look up towards Yoongi.

"Hmm?" The older didn't take his eyes off his phone.

"I love you," Namjoon felt his bottom lip quiver. Yoongi gave Namjoon a playfully disgusted look, he very much loved Namjoon too but hated being put in these awkward situations.

"AWWWWWW!" Yelled Hobi, "Namjoonie is in a sentimental mood!" Hobi was right, the leader was.

"I love you too, Hobi hyung," Namjoon turned and hugged Hobi. Hobi put his hand to Namjoon's forehead,  "Are you sick or dying? You're usually not like this," Hobi chuckled.

Something like that.

"I just wanted to make sure you know I love you."

Yoongi and Hobi gave eachother a concerned look, but didn't say anything else about it. The members expressed their love for eachother all the time, but usually not while they were all just chilling at home on the couch. Jin finished cooking and everyone gathered around the kitchen table. Namjoon wasn't all that hungry. He kept thinking about how he was going to miss Jin's cooking. It's basically all he'd eaten for dinner for ten years now. The members could tell their leader was somber but he kept telling them it was just because he missed Sejin. They all understood. The next few days at work had only gotten worse for Namjoon. He didn't care to put any effort into dance practice and Hobi was getting frustrated. Manager Loui would come in to talk with the group and the man wouldn't even bother looking at Namjoon while he talked. It was like he was already gone. On the bright side, Loui seemed to really like the rest of the members. And if he didn't, he was good at hiding it. Loui seemed to take a really quick liking to Hobi especially, constantly complimenting his dance skills and how great of a dance leader he was. He also really had his eyes on Jungkook, always talking about how Jungkook had a ton of potential to "be the greatest." Which was somewhat concerning, Namjoon didn't want to leave and find out later Loui had overworked everyone to death. He seemed to have all these big great plans for everyone.

At some point Loui had said something to Taehyung that the younger didn't agree with, and the argument got a little bit heated. Usually Namjoon would step in during situations like that to calm everyone down, but he kept back, wanting to see if Taehyung could handle the situation himself. And he did. Taehyung was actually able to de-escalate the situation using techniques Namjoon had taught him. Loui and Taehyung were able to come up with a compromise that left both of them happy.

At the dorm that night, Namjoon found himself desperate to talk to Taehyung and Jungkook. He pulled them into their room asking to talk to them for a little bit. He was extremely anxious and heartbroken knowing he was leaving those two behind. The youngest ones always held such a special place in his heart.

"Sit, both of you," Namjoon gestured for them to sit on the bed. He grabbed Jungkook's computer chair and rolled himself in front of them.

"What's up, hyungie?" Jungkook asked. Namjoon reached out and grabbed one of Jungkook's hands and one of Taehyung's hands.

" You know how much I love you guys, right?" Namjoon started. The two maknae's both looked at eachother then back at Namjoon, "Yeah," they replied in unison.

Namjoon got a little choked up, "I mean I really do love and care about you two, please know that."

"What's this about, hyung? Is something wrong?" Taehyung asked, pouting at the leader. He was concerned for his hyung. He'd been acting strange the past couple days and always seemed sad or talked about how much he loved everyone. He loved Namjoon too, but it was still weird behavior.

" I just need to reiterate to you guys how important it is to make good, mature, decisions."

Jungkook looked at Taehyung and Taehyung spoke up, "Is this cause of me? Am I in trouble? I didn't mean to fight earlier but manager Loui made me mad."

"You're not in trouble. I know he made you mad. And you handled it well, for the most part. But he's new, and you know how I feel when new people are in charge of us. Especially you two. I need you two to promise me you'll behave. For everybody. Hyung loves you too much and needs to know you two will be okay."

"Um, hyung?"  It was Jungkook's turn to speak, "Is this about that time Taehyungie and I got in trouble by our old manager? That was a long time ago, hyungie. Of course we're okay. Why this talk, though? Did something happen? Did manager Loui say something we should be concerned about?" Jungkook gulped, he had made himself nervous.

"No, he didn't say anything. I just need to know you two will be good, for anyone who has authority over you, whether it be manager or leader, promise me you'll listen to them."

"Leader? Hyung incase you forgot , you're our leader. And the best leader! You're not going somewhere are you? 'Cause you really don't need to worry so much. You're at work with us everyday. Nothing bad can happen with you around," Jungkook really knew how to pull at Namjoon's heart strings. Namjoon started crying and pulled both of them into a tight hug, "I'm not going anywhere." He hated lying, but he couldn't tell them. Hugging them made his heart break a million times over knowing one day soon, he'd probably never get to hug any of them ever again. Jimin barged in the room to tell them dinner was ready, "What's wrong Joonie-hyung?" He saw the tears running down Namjoon's face. Namjoon walked over to Jimin and hugged him too, telling him he loved him, before walking past his third maknae and out of the room. The three youngest looked at eachother confused, Jungkook shrugged, "I think he's just worried about having a new manager. I don't see the problem though, the guy is nice."

"Hyung's been weird all week," Taehyung added.

"Maybe he's pregnant," Jimin added. The three of them burst into laughter that could be heard throughout the house. Namjoon heard the laughter and wanted to cry even more. I'm going to miss them so much.

During dinner Namjoon started bringing up old memories with the group and they became engulfed in those conversations for hours. At some point he had started rubbing Jimin's back. Jimin was confused but didn't complain, back rubs always felt nice. Although Namjoon usually wasn't the one to give them. He started telling Jimin about his favorite memories with him, before going around the table and doing it with everybody. He also told Jin how grateful he was for his cooking and how delicious his meals had always been. It took everything in him not to break down right there and then at the table. Nobody knew it but Namjoon was required to leave, by tomorrow.

Tomorrow came too quickly. Namjoon had stayed up all night crying in his bed. The last night he'd ever sleep in it. This was the last day he'd ever see his members. He didn't have too much time to sulk as the group had to get going to the studio. The members were acting normally like it was any other day. Dance practice came and went and everyone was back in their studios.

Loui came into Namjoon's studio to find him almost done packing up his stuff, " It's time to go, Namjoon. I have someone driving you home so you can pack your stuff up there too."

" I know. I know. Can I please say goodbye to them?" Namjoon was getting choked up.

"You can see them for a moment, but don't tell them you're leaving. And make it quick."

Namjoon ran out of his studio and made his way to the others. Every single member was confused as to why their leader ran into their studios, pulled them up from their chairs, and hugged them tightly as if there was no tomorrow. He let out a million "I love you's" to everyone before running out to the next member. When he had seen everyone, Loui helped him carry his stuff to the car and before he knew it he was off. He got back to the dorm and quickly packed his things, he wanted to be gone before they got back. It was hard enough seeing them for the last time already, he couldn't sit around and go through it all over again. He found a paper and pen and wrote the last thing he'd ever get to say to them as their leader,

'Dear Bangtan,

I am not writing this letter willingly. I do not want to leave. But I have to leave. I've realized this group needs a better leader. A better leader than me. Please don't think this is your fault, I can promise you it's not. Its my own. This group has so much potential and I've done nothing but hold you back.

To Jin hyung- Please keep cooking dinner every night. I need to know you're all still eating healthy.

To Yoongi-hyung- You're going to be the best producer in the world one day, I know it.

To Hobi-hyung- The best dance leader I've ever met. I'm sorry I failed you.

To Jiminie- Remember Norway? Memories to keep for a lifetime. Please look out for Taehyung and Jungkook.

To Taehyungie and Jungkook-ah - If I find gray hairs early it's because of you two. If there's anything in this life I have taught you, I just want you to remember the most important thing..be good, please.

I'm sorry I'm saying goodbye in this letter. Doing it in person would have been too painful. Please know I am leaving you all with all the love I've ever had to give.

-Kim Namjoon. '

He sat there and re-read the letter over and over a million times, crying.

Back in their studios everyone was still confused about Namjoon's weird behavior, but figured they'd ask him about it after work. Yoongi was the only one having trouble moving past it. He was sitting at his desk in silence when he heard voices outside his studio. He recognized one of them as manager Loui's but wasn't sure about the other persons voice. He decided to eavesdrop.

"Yeah he's gone," Loui told his friend.

"Who?"

"Namjoon, I made him leave."

Yoongi tensed up, made him leave? He pressed his ear to his studio door and continued to listen.

"Why did you make him leave?"

"Because he's a shitty leader and I needed him out, so I convinced him to go. I told him a week ago he had until today so he's home now packing his shit and leaving."

"Do the others know?"

"No. I told him not to worry them. Told him to just disappear. So he should be gone by the time they get home."

Manager Loui and his friend vanished down the hallway and everything went silent. Yoongi instantly sprung to his feet. NAMJOON, NO! He raced down to their car and started speeding home, trying to call his leader over and over but he wouldn't pick up. When he got back to the dorm he ran inside and into Namjoon's room, all his stuff was gone. He saw the note that was left and cried reading it. He ran outside to see Namjoon had just walked out the front door. He chased after him and grabbed his wrist, " STOP!" he screamed to his leader. "What the hell do you think you're doing?! You can't leave!" Yoongi yelled.

"Dont, hyung. The decision has already been made. You guys are better off without me. It's best I go," Namjoon replied, tears filling his eyes. Yoongi took Namjoon's wrist and dragged him back inside the house. Pushing his leader to sit down onto the couch.

"Why the hell do you think we'd be better off without you?! Is that why you've been so weird this week? Namjoon I overheard Loui at the studio. He convinced you of this, and he's wrong. You're not leaving."

"I don't have a choice, hyung." Namjoon started to hyperventilate into his hands, "He told me to leave."

"And why the hell would you listen?"

"Because he was right. He explained to me why I'm a bad leader and he was right."

"Bad leader? You just won best leader in the entire industry and you're going to let one man we just met convince you otherwise? You're our leader Namjoon. We can't have a different one. And you're our best friend. If you're out," Yoongi crossed his arms, "Then so am I."

"Don't do that, Yoongi-ah. The group needs you," Namjoon couldn't believe Yoongi would ever say something so bizarre.

"They need you too, and you're not going anywhere. Fuck Loui and fuck whatever the hell he has to say," Yoongi grabbed Namjoon, and the note, and dragged him to the car.

"Where are we going?" Namjoon asked.

"Back to work so I can give this Loui guy a piece of my mind. Bad leader my ass, more like bad manager. This is why we have trust issues with new people," Yoongi sighed. They really didn't have the best luck. They got back to the HYBE building and Namjoon was hesitant to get out of the car but Yoongi somehow still managed to drag him inside. Yoongi texted everyone to meet in the dance studio and when they did he took the note Namjoon had written and read it. Namjoon felt his face go red as he cried, he was embarrassed.

"Hyung, you were going to just leave us?" Jungkook was also crying.

"He wasn't," Yoongi started, "Loui forced him to leave and told him not to tell us."

Jin walked up to Namjoon and gripped his shoulders, "Why on earth would he do that? And why would you agree?"

Namjoon completely broke down, "I'm a bad leader." Everyone surrounded and hugged him and reassured him he was the best leader they'd ever had. They didn't understand why he'd ever believe otherwise. Yoongi was absolultey livid and texted Loui to also meet in the dance studio. When he came in, he was met with very angry and hurt eyes and was also confused to see Namjoon back.

"We know what you tried to do," Yoongi spat crossing his arms.

"It's for your own good," Loui spat back.

"You have absolutely no reason to tell him to go. You're a stupid liar, and your words don't mean shit," Yoongi yelled.

"Watch your mouth, Yoongi, " Loui stepped closer to the rapper.

Yoongi kept going, " You have no authority to make him leave. You're the one who should leave. I don't want you as our manager anymore." Everyone watched Yoongi fight with Loui, they all knew Yoongi was brave, but damn. They didn't know he was that brave.

"No authority to make him leave? I'm the manager, and I have all the authority to make him leave. I gave him his reasons as to why he needed to go. You have absolutely no good reason for me to step down as your manager. I am in charge of this group now, whether you like it or not."

Namjoon was too in shock to say anything. He himself could not believe his hyung was defending him so much. He looked over and saw Taehyung and Jungkook whispering to eachother, wondering what the hell kind of scheme they'd be coming up with at a time like this. He saw Jungkook take out his cell phone, and saw Taehyung walk up to Loui.

Oh, no.

Namjoon tried to grab Taehyung's arm, "Don't," he whispered sternly.

"It's okay hyung. We won't let him win this one," Taehyung smiled. Taehyung walked up and stood in front of Yoongi.

"Fuck you Loui," Taehyung said extremely casually.

Everyone stared in silence. What the hell is Taehyung doing?

"Excuse me?" Loui said, stepping right up to Taehyung and looking down at him. Namjoon spoke up again, "Taehyung stop it, now."

"Be quiet, hyung. You're really going to let an asshat like this tell you what to do? We're not his group, we're your group," Taehyung crossed his arms and looked back at his manager, "You're nothing but a bad manager. And we don't work with bad managers."

The rest of the group caught on to what Taehyung and Jungkook had planned, and they didn't want to see it happen, but they knew why their maknae's were doing it. Because any of them would do anything for their leader.

Loui grabbed Taehyung by the arm and Namjoon ran over and tried to make Loui let go, "Sorry, manager Loui, he's just tired. Taehyung I said stop it." Taehyung pushed Namjoon away from him, "Hyungie is the best leader ever and even won that award fair and square! It's not his fault you don't know what winning an award is like just because you suck at everything you've ever tried to do!" Screamed Taehyung. Within an instant Taehyung felt a sting across his cheek and he had fallen backwards onto the floor. Loui went to smack him again but Namjoon jumped in the way and blocked it, getting smacked himself.

"I got it!" Screamed Jungkook.

Loui backed up and froze, "Got what?" He screamed.

"A video," Jungkook smiled.

"A video of what?" Loui started making his way towards Jungkook.

"A video that will make you not our manager anymore!" Jungkook yelled. Loui started chasing Jungkook as the maknae uploaded the video from his phone. The audio was silent so all the video showed was Taehyung getting smacked and then Namjoon protecting him and getting smacked himself.

Everyone protected Jungkook from Loui and Yoongi called security, the man was quickly taken away, and quickly fired. The video spread like wildfire across the internet with the biggest headlines being how Namjoon was once again, the best leader ever.

Everyone constantly hugged their leader and reminded him how they simply could not be a band without him. He was extremely grateful of the outcome, but also scolded Jungkook and Taehyung for pulling a stunt like that. It pained him every time he saw the fingerprints on Taehyung's cheek, but he always said he was fine. Things went back to normal pretty quickly. The members even teased Namjoon about the letter he wrote and decided to keep it. They didn't have a manager for now but none of them really cared. All they cared about was that they had all seven of them together.

Namjoon may have been their leader for over 10 years already, but he felt like his days as the best leader were just getting started.

[The End]