sgeniuslab:

he cringes inwardly at how she picks on that one thing yoongi regrets saying and hoped she’d somehow let go, and from the very first word that leaves her lips, he prepares an entire litany of apologies and explanations inside of his head, ready to be thrown out and hopefully drown the point of the conversation under the mass of words. but then she surprises him, acting all cool and approachable and understanding and absolutely fine with the subject, and once again it occurs to yoongi that even though this is the krystal of f(x), they’re not that far apart anymore. that he’s no longer that shy kid from a small company group that’s struggling to meet ends and stands on the verge of disbandment – that they’re nearly equals, able to stand side to side, head to head, without one crawling at the other’s feet.

such a strange thought – yet not unwelcome one, not at all. yoongi rather likes these small flashes of sense of pride and accomplishment, even if they’re short, sparse and still feel like a dream.

“i wouldn’t play games like that with a sunbae, now would i?” he says, allowing himself those delicate teasing notes that slip in between the syllables, a small smile – none of those blinding, goofy gummy ones that are rather natural to yoongi himself and to people around him, but would probably just scare her away – curling his lips. if they’re about to spend quite a bit time together, which seems like a very tangible idea, judging by her reaction, he figures it’s only natural for them to get a bit more comfortable with each other, a tiny bit more friendly than just strictly courteous and professional.

“we’ll just have to do it… smart. you can’t come back with a fully produced track, because then they’ll question who saw it and where it was made, and that would only put you – and myself – into trouble,” he starts reasoning eventually, things that would otherwise stay in his head but they’re too important to not have krystal hear them too. if they were to do this –this being something not entirely legal, as far as their contracts go – they had to have a plan and agree on it. “it has to be… good but not too good, i suppose? look home-made. something like a well crafted concept, rather than a final product.”

it’s in this moment that he realizes how thrilling this whole thing is. like something that happens in a movie, and boy, what a good entertainment-focused piece of fiction this story would make. if only they could speak up about it, yoongi has a feeling it’d become a big hit. even bigger if this plan they craft here ends up being actually successful.

“it’s okay, we got this. we can work on the basic sound together, i’ll mix something in of my own and we’ll layer some test vocals – recorded by yours truly, of course – on top of it. how are your schedules these next few days, krystal-ssi? think you can sneak your way in here for a few hours a day, or do we have to work around something?” he has this habit of spinning left and right in his chair, a small movement here and a little movement there, (whenever it’s time to buy a new studio chair, he always makes sure it spins smoothly and swiftly, with as little force needed as possible), but the moment he voices his question, he stops and looks at her pointedly, in a way that just screams business.

but then – then the moment passes, and he lets out a small half-laugh, one hand rubbing the side of his neck in a somewhat uneasy gesture. “i know this is basically a very stressful situation for you here, but can i just say that i’m pretty damn excited? i’ve never even really dreamed about having someone like you in my studio. my life has been taking such interesting turns recently.”

she can’t help but take note of his expression as she speaks― eyes on her, the absentminded slight nods everyone was guilty of when paying close attention to someone’s words― and that, oddly enough, is what brings the situation into sharp focus. her companion wasn’t just letting her talk to appease her, he was actually listening.

it almost took her aback, the revelation that her opinion held weight here. oftentimes, she forgot just who she was… or rather, what her image, what her status was, that despite their lack of activity, her group remained one of the highest-selling of female groups in korea― not that she checked, or anything. though it wouldn’t be well known to anyone else, she was quite used to her thoughts falling by the wayside. the youngest, just a little fourteen year old kid at debut, ‘babyjung’ had stuck, and as a grown woman, it was apparent within her company that the maknae was still taken to be just a child, forever the youngest. oh, soojungie, adults are talking. it’s lovely that you want to help but you just don’t have the brains, child.

how tables have turned, hm?

the thought brings a smile to her face in tandem with his, offering a playful shrug. “how should i know? maybe you would love to mess with a sunbae, i’ve met plenty of people like that,” she laughs. “but i wouldn’t mind if you did. it’s different where i’m from, you know. california― well, in the states― years of experience isn’t synonymous with how much respect you draw. even after years of living here i’m still getting used to the whole, ‘more time doing the same work makes one of us wiser,’ and the lot. just―” she waves her hand with a good-natured smile. “what i’m saying is that i think of us as total equals, here. you’re welcome to mess with me.”

listening to his careful logic, she had to agree… too much work could not be done, not without exclusive permission. it would certainly land them both in hot water, and the last thing krys wanted to do was be the reason an artist she respected so greatly got into trouble. “i hear you. good… but not so good that we draw questions.” something about this felt so absolutely illegal― probably because it was― but almost in the sense of some wild ocean’s eleven kind of heist, or a mission to replace a valuable painting with an exact replica, leaving security none the wiser.

“i know i have the time,” she says hurriedly, almost too excited. “i have filming for just a few hours early in the morning, and that’s it i think… my next etude event isn’t for a few weeks, i moved that other shoot, so… yeah, i’m free. my schedule’s getting too bare, without any promotions.”

it’s his compliment that ultimately almost takes the smile off her face, if only because it takes her by surprise. “someone like me?” krys regrets her incredulous tone the second it escapes her, but she recovers quickly. “what i mean to say is, thank you. that’s… really kind of you. it’s kind of nice to know i’m worth getting excited about.” that brings out her laugh in earnest, covering her mouth with one hand out of habit. “i’m excited too, for sure. i love bts― i mean, i’m a big fan. and i’ve always thought that your work in particular stood out, and so i’ve admired you very much if i’m being honest.” oh my god krys, shut up.

“well here’s another exciting turn to add to the list. i might have to do some serious ninja shit to get here, but i’ll manage. i got as many days as it takes to fix this mess. and i’ll be forever in your debt. so as soon as you want to start, i’m down to make this mission officially a go.”