"Tell us about the project, V," Young K said into his standing microphone. Taehyung heard him clear through the headphones engulfing his ears.

The plush chair cushioned him well as he leaned against the table, gazing at the equipment scattered around, most attention reserved for the expensive microphones catching their voices on the broadcast.

"Well, BH4 was about diversifying the interests of the departments. So, taking the best of the three main branches, dance, music and modeling, brought myself, Seokjin, J-Hope, and Suga together." Taehyung answered routinely.

"You're all friends outside of work, aren't you?" There were people outside of the recording studio running the equipment and regulating the machines to ensure the live radio call was successful.

"They're the closest friends I have in the industry." Taehyung nodded. "I can't speak much for their own challenges with the project, but as we know, I dived into music."

"Yes, yes," Young K encouraged. "Tell me about that. Your first dip in the music industry if I'm not wrong?"

"First time. It was incredibly challenging, a good challenging. Suga and Adora were my mentors with it. Suga produced the song with my lyrics and story."

He smiled at the appreciative look on the radio host's face. "The lyrics are extremely touching. Fans have taken great comfort in them. What inspired them?"

"Ah, that's a who, not a what." The model chuckled generously for the microphone to pick up.

"As I have heard, Jeon Jungkook is his name?" Taehyung's heard jumped at the mention of the name. "The Busan Photographer has stolen our Celebrity Prince's heart."

The model shoved his hurling warmth down, steadying his appearance. "We are good friends."

"Friends?"

"Hmm."

"Alright, well your fans still wonder what your explanation for the story of two ships in the night is."

"The common 'right person, wrong time' explanation for any kind of relationship falling out." Taehyung picked his words carefully. He had to play safe cards. "During the time I wrote the lyrics, I was in the midst of that. Ships at night meet for a brief moment before the night cloaks them back into solidarity once their paths have crossed."

"So what was the cloak of night for you and Jungkook?"

"No one's flawless," Taehyung tapped fingers on his leg, pausing the dig them into his skin. "We do what we think is right, and sometimes we are wrong. It's good to be wrong, too. You learn never to make the same mistake again."

"Wow, you heard it here, even though it's hard to believe, our V isn't perfect! You said you wrote the lyrics during some conflict in the past. Where do you stand on that mindset now?"

"I think of it as the ships' second journey. But instead of crossing paths, they are set for the same destination. They won't have to leave each other's sides a second time."

"It's incredible that your first song shows such a wonderful story, V, thank you for sharing." Young K clapped his hands excitedly. "How was the recording studio and the making process? I live in a studio, but tell me how it was being the one handling the equipment."

"Like I mentioned earlier, Adora and Suga guided me through that." Taehyung felt his chest ease without guarded responses. "The project was accomplished alongside our usual work, so I had to record a lot in short amount of times. Adora helped me with good technique so I didn't strain my voice."

"Care to give us some of those vocal secrets?"

"No secrets, it's common knowledge with singers, actually." They shared a small smile. "Warming up properly, just like participating in sports, so you don't hurt your vocal chords. My voice is on the breathy side, so making sure I didn't fall flat at the low parts was important."

"What about the chorus? Those were pretty high notes?"

"Learning to use a mixed voice or head voice. It'll probably sound like gibberish. Believe me, I felt the same way, but it helps with the healthy singing and the style, too."

"Yeah, I think I'll just pretend I know what you're talking about." Young K laughed. "You can whistle well!"

"Now, that, was a secret I learned." Taehyung clasped his hands in his lap.

"Any other specific memories you have?"

"Oh, there's one. I was on my way back from a work trip in Japan when I got the demo file from Suga." The model leaned closer to the microphone when he realized he had shifted away. "Listened to it put together on the plane for the first time and it was a pretty emotional first listen."

"Good thing first class is more secluded." Young K was practiced at making personal topics lightened for the public, a good balance of digging for secrets while respecting some boundaries.

"That would have been embarrassing." Taehyung agreed, laughing along.

"Let's take a look at some fan messages, how's that?" The model wasn't against it, but he didn't have a choice. The question was just a formality, intentionally fit into the interview schedule.

The side screen lit up with selected messages. They were never randomly picked either. The staff shuffled through the thousands requested for through social media, spreading the news of the current interview a day in advance to up the listening count.

They found questions that were just like the radio host, balanced in the digging and respect, nothing throwable and rather valued.

The first one.

"Do you think you'll ever continue making songs? Or just stick to modeling?"

"I think it was an incredible experience, but with my standing schedule, making music regularly would be near impossible." He lowered his voice as though he was spilling some secret for the fans. "Maybe, though. Near impossible doesn't mean it's out of the question. Just keep an eye out."

"Ooo, a sneaky response. We might get more of V's incredible voice one day! How exciting." The host clicked to the next question. "Now, this is a good one."

"What is it?" Taehyung's brow shot up as he gazed at the screen scanning over the message.

Tell us about Jungkook! The whole world's curious about who he is. Maybe if he's comfortable sharing his voice get him on the live interview?

"It's about Jungkook." Young K explained to the interconnected radios. "This fan wants him to be introduced live!"

The nervous knot in his stomach tangled again. "Like call him? Now?"

"Only if he's comfortable, of course."

No, it really wasn't an option, either. It would be disappointing to turn the request down. He didn't know how Jungkook felt about his voice going public, but he imagined it wouldn't hurt to try.

v_95
angel emergency

v_95
you free??

jjungkookie
hey i'm listening to your interview
rn dw

jjungkookie
yoongi hyung told me about the
interview and i wanted to listen
to you talk

jjungkookie
you can call me it's okay

v_95
you can just say you're busy

v_95
you don't have to jungkook

jjungkookie
i'm going to call you if you don't call
me tae, it's seriously cool with me

v_95
okay thank you 💜

jjungkookie
🤍🤍

"You're in luck," Taehyung feigned the charming smile while he brought his phone up to microphone, the ringing amplified as he put it on speaker.

"This is history right here!" Young K exclaimed excitedly. "Jeon Jungkook is finally getting some publicity besides his social posts!"

A few heartbeats filled the silence of the studio and the call connecting to the other line.

"Hello?" Jungkook's voice cut in through the speaker, and there was some echo on his end. It was abruptly shut and Taehyung could imagine the shy smile tied along with his embarrassed voice. "Sorry, just turning the radio off. It doesn't like hearing me twice."

"Jeon Jungkook, welcome to Kiss the Radio! You were listening in already?" Young K started.

"Hello, Young K-shi!" Taehyung wanted to kiss him for sounding so relaxed and warm hearted. It made up for the unnerved state of mind overtaking him. He was surprised by how clammy his hands were in that moment, not feeling so publicly anxious in years. "I was tuning in, actually. It's a nice conversation to hear while working."

"That's great, you're very supportive of the Prince."

"Always."

Taehyung's heart stumbled in his chest.

"He's quite the friend." The model cut in. "Call him my number one supporter quite often."

"Number one?" Young K picked out. "Wow, that's a high honor, Jungkook. How does it feel?"

"I mean, it's not hard to support his hard work. Even easier to support him when you get to know him."

Taehyung was internally pleading, hoping he was right when he believed that Jungkook would be smart with his words. He trusted the younger would know that much.

"Oh? And what's he like?" Young K asked the obvious question, anyone would have, but Taehyung felt his head spin.

He didn't know if he liked the feeling or not.

Maybe what he didn't like was hearing Jungkook talk about his view of the model to all of Korea— maybe he wanted to hear it in private.

But maybe it was Jungkook's novelty in the public eye that worried Taehyung. He knew the younger was trying for him, but finding a steady foot to take off on was difficult.

Honestly, he was confused with himself.

"Kim Taehyung. He's great— you're amazing, Tae," Jungkook addressing him, reminding everyone that the model was present, was somewhat relaxing. Somewhat more personal. "You help me and I help you. In a way, I think you support me a lot more than you realize, too."

"Really? How do you do that, V?"

"My photography, my own struggles. He helps me through it. It great to have such a supportive, uh, friend like him."

The hesitation. Taehyung heard it. He could only hope people took it as a sign of nervousness rather than lying. The rumors would bury them both otherwise.

"I like appreciating talented people, and Jungkook's just that." The model acknowledged. "It's entirely valid."

"You've got an admirable friendship." Young K agreed. He noted some time on the clock, a staff hand motioning him on to stay atop of the schedule. "Well, it was great to hear from our faceless star, Jeon Jungkook. Thank you for joining us on the interview!"

"Thank you for having me!" Taehyung nodded at the ending remark and pulled the headphone off one ear to hold the phone up to it once Jungkook was off speaker.

"Thank you." He whispered, shielding his mouth to conceal the comment from the world attached to his microphone.

"See you later, hope I did okay."

"Did great, Koo."

The line went quiet and the interview airing time was nearing an end. Young K finished with a few last questions, congratulating him on the success of topping charts upon release, with a lack of prior publicity for it as well.

"Thank you for joining us on Kiss the Radio as we interviewed Korea's Celebrity Prince, V, on his musical debut with 'Sweet Night'!" The regular host of the radio show did his usual ending notes. "Thank you again to Taehyung-shi for making an appearance on set, as well."

"Pleasure's all mine, Young K-shi." Taehyung hummed, smiling into his voice for the listening ears. "Thank you to everyone for supporting the song and BH4."

"Break!"

Taehyung leaned back in his seat and pulled the headphones off his ear, fixing his hair to some state his hands had memorized.

He stood to shake the host's hand, staff members shuffling in to tidy up the studio for the rest of the day where Young K would do the usual solo talks.

"It's a dream come true getting to speak with you, V." The man's grasp was firm, respectfully pulling away as they both took their leave from the studio. The waiting room was hardly occupied, allowing Taehyung to spot his manager quickly.

"I've never imagined doing an audible interview. I'm used to having face be the main show." Taehyung joked, placing a swift grateful hand on the man's shoulder. "Thank you for the kind hospitality here. I believe I've to head out now."

"That is correct." His manager slipped in with perfect time. Young K bowed to them both and big his farewells, leaving the two to wait for his stylist and security to show.

"How was it?" He asked.

"You're asking how you did?" His manager also took note of his odd behavior. "You're nervous?"

"I've never done an interview on music before. Never had to rely just on my voice for the show, so, yeah—" he spoke lowly, making sure to smile at any passing employees of the famous radio station. "—I'm nervous."

"You're a damn natural, Taehyung. Born to be seen, and now heard." His manager had his nose buried in an email. "Jungkook's appearance was unexpected."

"Tell me about it." The model hid his shudder with a quick shrug and roll of his neck. "My hands were sweating."

"Your hands haven't sweat in forever, oh goodness." His stylist was suddenly at his side, picking at a fluff clinging to his shirt sleeve. "Didn't realize your man had such an effect on you, dear."

"Can we keep it for the car ride back?" His manager scolded, eyes glancing around cautiously. The radio station director met them for a few minutes, leading them to the door and helping them find their car.

Fans were lining the streets outside the private, fenced lot, screaming with signs and raised phones. Taehyung posed his gorgeous smile, waving at them before sliding into the backseat of the company car.

His security took the driver's seat, his manager in the passenger one while he and his stylist sat idle in the back.

"You were seriously sweating with him live on call?" His stylist pried curiously, poking his wrinkled pants as a silent request to straighten them

"It's not because of him exactly." He mumbled. "Just his own privacy depletes with more recognizable features made public."

"I know that's not the only reason, Taehyung." His stylist was too smart for her own good. "You have to remember Jungkook's not him."

"I don't want the public to rip apart this relationship, too, Noona." His voice was awfully weak, the stark contrast to the last image fans had seen of him just outside the vehicle startling.

"Oh, dear." She sighed, reaching a dainty hand to brush comfortingly over his shoulder. "Don't blame Bogum's effect on the public."

"They definitely worsened it, though. Shot the severity of the lies through the roof."

"You said it on the interview." His manager looked back for a second, indulging in the conversation. "We do what we think is right, and sometimes it's wrong. Being wrong is good, too, we learn not to make those mistake again. That applies to the fans as well. They took what they got, pray it was one sided and terribly twisted, but the truth came to light, regardless."

"The public knows just how different you and Jungkook are, and they know how much you've matured." His stylist's empathy was glowing. "They won't make the mistake of tearing you apart again without factual reason."

"You know there'll always be some bad, Taehyung." His manager finished, letting Taehyung breathe steadily after the drowning doubts. "Just start learning to appreciate the majority that is good. Don't be so scared and appreciate the time you do have with Jungkook."

"Is that really you Manager-nim?" He chuckled softly at the annoyed stream of curses under the middle aged man's breath. "And I'm still trying. The most frustrating part is that it's so hard not to think about the past."

"No one has ever told you to forget about it."

"What? That's all I've been taught to do." Taehyung argued. "Things keep going, things never end, so don't hold onto the past. Even in our world, new lines become old fashioned within weeks. Nothing sticks around."

"I saw you message Jungkook that you likely wouldn't change what happened, especially if it all led you to him and made you who you are today." His stylist reminded.

"Just because I don't want to change it doesn't mean I want to think about it all the time."

"Kim Taehyung, dwelling isn't the same as learning." His manager let out another frustrated huff. "One cowers in the past, the other uses it for growth."

"So, don't forget it... but don't let it what? Terrorize my present?"

"Exactly." His stylist hummed. "We've been in this business much longer than you, dear. We've seen this happen to many more than you, too. Albeit, yours is among the worst, but you've just got to let those you trust in. They're like an oasis in the dessert."

Rare, but vital to make it out alive.

Trust was hard in a fabulous world built on lies and manipulation. The public had given him a second chance, he had to do the same for them.

—

just wanted to do an fm radio
call-in type of interview but eh
kinda filler-y?? maybe??

thank you for reading!! ily guys💙