『18』goatstarer → symphonies
I'm A Genie For Your Wish
Big Bang, G-Dragon/TOP
Creak. Creak.
The offending chair draws unwanted attention to its occupant. Guiltily he tries to stop his nervous twitching, but to avail.
He gulps as the High Judge sends a sharp glare his direction. The case does not appear to be going his way.
Slumping down in the creaky old chair he breathes a heavy sigh and wishes fervently for a ruling in his favor.
***
“Um, hyung. What exactly are you doing?”
Jiyong, kneeling in the middle of his bedroom while staring transfixed at Gaho, does not respond. The staring match between dog and owner continues as Seungri weighs his next move.
“Hyung. Are you okay? I thought - it’s just I was walking by and I heard -” Seungri stops himself, debating on whether to finish his line of thought. Jiyong, for his part, continues to stare at Gaho.
It is Gaho who ends the staring match. Turning away from his owner he pads his way over to Seungri, begging for love. Seungri, reaching down to pet Gaho, watches as Jiyong slowly stands. It is apparent that his presence is just being noted by Jiyong’s sharp, “Can I help you with something?”
“Oh, no. I was just checking on you.” Seungri’s fidgeting increases as Jiyong sends a withering look his way.
“I don’t need checking up on magnae,” turning his back to Seungri, Jiyong works his way over to his room’s computer desk.
Seungri stands rooted to his spot in the doorway, unable to speak. Worried for his sanity and that of his hyung’s, he mentally considers the consequences of bringing up exactly what made him stop in Jiyong’s doorway. After a few false starts, Seungri decides to leave, especially since it’s apparent that Jiyong has forgotten about both Seungri and Gaho as he turns on his laptop.
Gaho whines at Seungri’s feet; Seungri scoops him up and turns to exit the room. He pauses just outside the door, turning to send one last worried glance his hyung's way.
He watches as Jiyong picks up his phone, urgently whispering when it’s answered, “Hey, I think Seungri suspects something.”
Outside the door Seungri narrows his eyes and wonders what plot his members have left him out of now.
***
He is five the first time it happens. Shopping with his mother is always a scary thing. Crowds of people uncaring if little boys lose sight of their mothers fill the streets and marketplaces. Clutching his mother’s hand, desperate to not be separated, Jiyong is terrified when his grip is lost by the push of the crowd. His cry of Umma falls flat as the panic builds in him. Closing his eyes he wishes for his mother, to be holding her hand, to never lose her again. When he opens his eyes again the scent of coffee and vinegar lingers in the air and his mother is there in front of him, taking his hand.
He is eight the second time it happens. Fooling around after school with the neighborhood kids should be the perfect place for Jiyong to shine, to be the star he wants to be. Instead he hangs in the back, too shy to draw attention to himself. It is a chilly February day when he finally lets his frustration at himself get the better of him. Walking determinedly into a cluster of school kids, he mutters to himself, “I wish I was the one they all wanted to be. I want to be the star they all admire.”
He doesn’t put much thought into it after that when people flock to him, drawn by some unknown force. Jiyong goes with the flow and starts dreaming of taking over Korea.
The third time it happens, it is deliberate. Determined to be more than just ordinary, Jiyong thinks back over his short life. He remembers losing his mother, remembers being shy, remembers becoming the star of the playground. More than anything, he wishes to be special, powerful, more than just a human boy.
He doesn’t need to think about it when the offer is extended. It is his wish after all.
***
Seungri isn’t always the smartest person, but he is aware enough to realize when something is amiss. Convinced the rest of Big Bang is either leaving him out of something or that they have gone crazy on him, he resorts to spying and stalking his hyungs. His efforts turn up little, which is how he ends up standing at the end of Youngbae’s bed.
“Hyung. Hyung,” Seungri gently shakes the lump underneath the mass of blankets. “Hyung, wake up. I really need to talk to you.” No response appears to be forthcoming so he resorts to crawling into bed with Youngbae.
Snuggling close to older boy Seungri whispers urgently into the boy’s ear. He lets his fingers stray to Youngbae’s side tickling him as an added measure. A sharp slap to his wrist is his sign that his efforts are working. “Are you awake now hyung?”
“No.”
They lie in silence; Seungri waiting not so patiently for Youngbae to wake up and help him, and Youngbae mentally willing the younger boy to leave. The magnae knows he has won when Youngbae, with a long suffering sigh, turns around to face him.
“Hi, hyung!”
“Magnae. What is so important that you had to wake me up?”
“Have you noticed anything weird about Jiyong hyung?” A blink is his only response. ‘Well, more weird than normal?”
Seungri stares expectantly at his hyung; he thinks Youngbae might be counting but isn’t positive. Youngbae’s response is slow in coming. “I’ll indulge you this time. Why is Jiyong being weird?”
“I caught him talking to Gaho!”
Youngbae lets out a sigh before responding, “He always talks to his dog. That’s not strange. Now leave me alone so I can go back to sleep.”
“Wait hyung, no,” Seungri grabs onto Youngbae’s shoulders to keep him from turning back over. “He was talking in Korean.”
Removing the hands on his shoulders Youngbae responds with a heavy sigh. “What other language would you expect him to talk in? Japanese?”
“You don’t understand. Gaho was the one talking in Korean. Like a human.”
This time Youngbae counts out loud. He gets to a hundred before he even attempts to respond. Speaking slowly, as if talking to a child, he says “Seungri. Dogs cannot speak like humans.”
"I know that hyung. That’s why…” his speech is cut short by Youngbae’s hand's sudden appearance over his mouth.
“Seungri. Jiyong is not crazy. If you think Gaho can talk then perhaps you need to re-evaluate yourself first. Now, I’m going back to sleep. Either go away or be quiet." Youngbae turns back around, leaving Seungri even more frustrated than before.
However, sensing another interruption would not be welcomed, Seungri slowly curls up and closes his eyes. He figures a few more hours of sleep would do him good.
***
Jiyong adapts to his new environment and position readily enough.
Enthralled, he inhales the knowledge imparted to him in his various lessons. He assimilates quickly and easily into the academy, endearing trainees and teachers alike to him. Naturally talented, he rises through the ranks quickly and proves his worth to the community numerous times.
He is fifteen when he tries to wish it all away. The glamour of it all no longer mesmerizes him and sometimes the need and want is too overwhelming for him to handle.
***
Frustrated with his unsuccessful attempts to discover what Jiyong is hiding from him, Seungri gives up spying. He figures eventually he’ll be able to weasel the information out of one of the other members.
It is not until Daesung’s accident that he stumbles onto another piece to the puzzle.
The entire apartment is oddly still in the days following Daesung’s hospitalization. Seungri tries to blend into the walls and the furniture so not as to disturb the quiet. It is during a quiet raid to the kitchen that he once again finds himself drawn to the events occurring in Jiyong’s room.
Food forgotten on the counter, Seungri slowly creeps over to the door, making sure to keep himself as hidden as possible.
Inside. Seunghyun sits at the desk as Jiyong paces around the room.
“I’m just frustrated that I can’t do anything.” Pulling at his hair, Jiyong stops pacing and stares out the window. “What’s the point of being me if I am helpless when it matters the most?”
Seungri holds his breath. Seunghyun sighs but offers no words of comfort to Jiyong.
The quietness of the last few days seems to deepen as Jiyong’s words seep into Seungri’s mind. Seungri feels helpless. He slowly edges away from the door; he glances back briefly and catches Seunghyun embracing Jiyong. Just before he moves completely away he hears Seunghyun whisper, “You know I would wish for it to never have happened if I could.”
***
Jiyong accidentally outs himself to Seunghyun shortly after the older boy joins YG as a trainee. Jiyong is slightly embarrassed to be caught studying but he has exams to take and just can’t afford to slack. Seunghyun takes it all in stride, assumes it is just part of the image that Jiyong is carefully cultivating for himself. Jiyong extracts a promise from Seunghyun to keep the whole thing a secret with a promise to make sure the older boy has a ‘badass image’ when he finally debuts.
Seunghyun for the most part forgets about the whole ordeal - until Hyunseung and Little Seunghyun are cut from Big Bang. His casual “I wish Little Seunghyun didn’t have to leave the group,” was said off-handedly right before the cut members performed together one last time.
After it’s officially announced that Seungri is back in the group, Jiyong pulls Seunghyun aside and proclaims, “Well, I hope you're happy because you can’t change your mind now.”
***
Seungri doesn’t forget about the secret his members are hiding from him; he just lets the issue slide for a while. Between all the comebacks, debuts, TV dramas and traveling back and forth to Japan, Seungri just doesn’t have the energy to expend on being a spy. And as far he can tell Gaho no longer talks in Korean, and Jiyong simply just doesn’t have the time to be up to something.
When the images from the Vogue photo shoot start appearing all over the Internet, Seungri catches Jiyong and Seunghyun huddled together having secret meetings every chance they get. He bides his time, knowing that it’s only a matter of time before a good spying opportunity presents itself.
He doesn’t have to wait that long. As has become the standard, Seungri finds himself pressed closely against Jiyong’s closed bedroom door. He can only make out snippets of the conversation going on inside. Something about giving himself away, council not happy, and maybe having to go to court. More confused than ever Seungri fails to notice the door being roughly opened.
“Magnae! What are you doing?”
“Why are you going to court?” he blurts out before his mind has a chance to censor his mouth.
Nervous laughter erupts from the two older boys. “You’re not in trouble are you? Because I check the gossip sites everyday and I haven’t seen any negative reports. And I am in the same group so really if something is…” Seungri’s rant is unceremoniously cut short by Jiyong slapping his over mouth.
“Seungri, nothing is going on.” Seungri attempts to remove Jiyong’s hand, determined to figure everything out. Seunghyun steps in, separating the two and gently chastising the youngest. "Seungri, you shouldn’t be spying on your hyungs. Now run along and be a good magnae by getting your hyungs some water.”
“Fine. But don’t think I’m letting this go. I’ll figure out your secret, just you wait and see.” With that Seungri spins around, stomping off towards his room.
Jiyong doesn’t bother to be subtle when he turns to Seunghyun and says loudly enough for the magnae to hear, “So, you still happy you wished for Seungri to stay in Big Bang?” Laughter is the only response.
Seungri shuts his door and decides to hate his hyungs for the rest of the day.
***
Creak. Creak.
The creaky old chair keeps announcing his nervousness to the courtroom. Stilling his leg, he resorts to biting his nails as he waits impatiently for the judge to read the verdict.
“Would the defendant please stand?”
Jiyong slowly rises up from his chair, keeping his head down.
“The High Court has reached a final verdict. In the case of Kwon Jiyong, Genie #284678 vs. The Genie Council we hereby find the defendant not guilty.”
Collapsing back into the chair, Jiyong sighs in relief. The judge’s voice cuts through the noise of the court packing up. “Kwon Jiyong, I would advise you to refrain from a repeat performance. While the court is wiling to overlook the photo shoot in question, we will be unable to allow further public announcements of your genie status.”
Before he can speak his lawyer is assuring the judge that this was an isolated case, and that Jiyong is fully aware of the punishment for revealing the existence of genies.
***
It’s well past midnight on a chilly December night when Seunghyun and Jiyong brave the cold to share a smoke on the balcony.
“So, you get to keep on being a genie, huh?”
“Yeah. Don’t really know what made them change their mind.” They smoke in peace, reflecting on the events of the past few days and months of their lives.
Jiyong is putting out his cigarette and poised to go back inside when Seunghyun voices, “I’m glad.” He glances quickly in Jiyong’s direction before continuing, “That you’re still a genie. Hate to lose my unlimited supply of wishes.”
Jiyong allows a snort to escape, “Like you need any more excuses to be lazy.”
Seunghyun can’t help but shrug in agreement. Slinging an arm around Jiyong's shoulders he starts to lead them inside. “You know, you make a pretty hot genie.” Glancing at their youngest, who is staring at them from the couch inside he adds, “Besides, it’s fun messing with Seungri’s head.”
Laughing the two of the walk past a confused but determined looking Seungri.
Jiyong wishes for nothing at all.
Big Bang, G-Dragon/TOP
Creak. Creak.
The offending chair draws unwanted attention to its occupant. Guiltily he tries to stop his nervous twitching, but to avail.
He gulps as the High Judge sends a sharp glare his direction. The case does not appear to be going his way.
Slumping down in the creaky old chair he breathes a heavy sigh and wishes fervently for a ruling in his favor.
***
“Um, hyung. What exactly are you doing?”
Jiyong, kneeling in the middle of his bedroom while staring transfixed at Gaho, does not respond. The staring match between dog and owner continues as Seungri weighs his next move.
“Hyung. Are you okay? I thought - it’s just I was walking by and I heard -” Seungri stops himself, debating on whether to finish his line of thought. Jiyong, for his part, continues to stare at Gaho.
It is Gaho who ends the staring match. Turning away from his owner he pads his way over to Seungri, begging for love. Seungri, reaching down to pet Gaho, watches as Jiyong slowly stands. It is apparent that his presence is just being noted by Jiyong’s sharp, “Can I help you with something?”
“Oh, no. I was just checking on you.” Seungri’s fidgeting increases as Jiyong sends a withering look his way.
“I don’t need checking up on magnae,” turning his back to Seungri, Jiyong works his way over to his room’s computer desk.
Seungri stands rooted to his spot in the doorway, unable to speak. Worried for his sanity and that of his hyung’s, he mentally considers the consequences of bringing up exactly what made him stop in Jiyong’s doorway. After a few false starts, Seungri decides to leave, especially since it’s apparent that Jiyong has forgotten about both Seungri and Gaho as he turns on his laptop.
Gaho whines at Seungri’s feet; Seungri scoops him up and turns to exit the room. He pauses just outside the door, turning to send one last worried glance his hyung's way.
He watches as Jiyong picks up his phone, urgently whispering when it’s answered, “Hey, I think Seungri suspects something.”
Outside the door Seungri narrows his eyes and wonders what plot his members have left him out of now.
***
He is five the first time it happens. Shopping with his mother is always a scary thing. Crowds of people uncaring if little boys lose sight of their mothers fill the streets and marketplaces. Clutching his mother’s hand, desperate to not be separated, Jiyong is terrified when his grip is lost by the push of the crowd. His cry of Umma falls flat as the panic builds in him. Closing his eyes he wishes for his mother, to be holding her hand, to never lose her again. When he opens his eyes again the scent of coffee and vinegar lingers in the air and his mother is there in front of him, taking his hand.
He is eight the second time it happens. Fooling around after school with the neighborhood kids should be the perfect place for Jiyong to shine, to be the star he wants to be. Instead he hangs in the back, too shy to draw attention to himself. It is a chilly February day when he finally lets his frustration at himself get the better of him. Walking determinedly into a cluster of school kids, he mutters to himself, “I wish I was the one they all wanted to be. I want to be the star they all admire.”
He doesn’t put much thought into it after that when people flock to him, drawn by some unknown force. Jiyong goes with the flow and starts dreaming of taking over Korea.
The third time it happens, it is deliberate. Determined to be more than just ordinary, Jiyong thinks back over his short life. He remembers losing his mother, remembers being shy, remembers becoming the star of the playground. More than anything, he wishes to be special, powerful, more than just a human boy.
He doesn’t need to think about it when the offer is extended. It is his wish after all.
***
Seungri isn’t always the smartest person, but he is aware enough to realize when something is amiss. Convinced the rest of Big Bang is either leaving him out of something or that they have gone crazy on him, he resorts to spying and stalking his hyungs. His efforts turn up little, which is how he ends up standing at the end of Youngbae’s bed.
“Hyung. Hyung,” Seungri gently shakes the lump underneath the mass of blankets. “Hyung, wake up. I really need to talk to you.” No response appears to be forthcoming so he resorts to crawling into bed with Youngbae.
Snuggling close to older boy Seungri whispers urgently into the boy’s ear. He lets his fingers stray to Youngbae’s side tickling him as an added measure. A sharp slap to his wrist is his sign that his efforts are working. “Are you awake now hyung?”
“No.”
They lie in silence; Seungri waiting not so patiently for Youngbae to wake up and help him, and Youngbae mentally willing the younger boy to leave. The magnae knows he has won when Youngbae, with a long suffering sigh, turns around to face him.
“Hi, hyung!”
“Magnae. What is so important that you had to wake me up?”
“Have you noticed anything weird about Jiyong hyung?” A blink is his only response. ‘Well, more weird than normal?”
Seungri stares expectantly at his hyung; he thinks Youngbae might be counting but isn’t positive. Youngbae’s response is slow in coming. “I’ll indulge you this time. Why is Jiyong being weird?”
“I caught him talking to Gaho!”
Youngbae lets out a sigh before responding, “He always talks to his dog. That’s not strange. Now leave me alone so I can go back to sleep.”
“Wait hyung, no,” Seungri grabs onto Youngbae’s shoulders to keep him from turning back over. “He was talking in Korean.”
Removing the hands on his shoulders Youngbae responds with a heavy sigh. “What other language would you expect him to talk in? Japanese?”
“You don’t understand. Gaho was the one talking in Korean. Like a human.”
This time Youngbae counts out loud. He gets to a hundred before he even attempts to respond. Speaking slowly, as if talking to a child, he says “Seungri. Dogs cannot speak like humans.”
"I know that hyung. That’s why…” his speech is cut short by Youngbae’s hand's sudden appearance over his mouth.
“Seungri. Jiyong is not crazy. If you think Gaho can talk then perhaps you need to re-evaluate yourself first. Now, I’m going back to sleep. Either go away or be quiet." Youngbae turns back around, leaving Seungri even more frustrated than before.
However, sensing another interruption would not be welcomed, Seungri slowly curls up and closes his eyes. He figures a few more hours of sleep would do him good.
***
Jiyong adapts to his new environment and position readily enough.
Enthralled, he inhales the knowledge imparted to him in his various lessons. He assimilates quickly and easily into the academy, endearing trainees and teachers alike to him. Naturally talented, he rises through the ranks quickly and proves his worth to the community numerous times.
He is fifteen when he tries to wish it all away. The glamour of it all no longer mesmerizes him and sometimes the need and want is too overwhelming for him to handle.
***
Frustrated with his unsuccessful attempts to discover what Jiyong is hiding from him, Seungri gives up spying. He figures eventually he’ll be able to weasel the information out of one of the other members.
It is not until Daesung’s accident that he stumbles onto another piece to the puzzle.
The entire apartment is oddly still in the days following Daesung’s hospitalization. Seungri tries to blend into the walls and the furniture so not as to disturb the quiet. It is during a quiet raid to the kitchen that he once again finds himself drawn to the events occurring in Jiyong’s room.
Food forgotten on the counter, Seungri slowly creeps over to the door, making sure to keep himself as hidden as possible.
Inside. Seunghyun sits at the desk as Jiyong paces around the room.
“I’m just frustrated that I can’t do anything.” Pulling at his hair, Jiyong stops pacing and stares out the window. “What’s the point of being me if I am helpless when it matters the most?”
Seungri holds his breath. Seunghyun sighs but offers no words of comfort to Jiyong.
The quietness of the last few days seems to deepen as Jiyong’s words seep into Seungri’s mind. Seungri feels helpless. He slowly edges away from the door; he glances back briefly and catches Seunghyun embracing Jiyong. Just before he moves completely away he hears Seunghyun whisper, “You know I would wish for it to never have happened if I could.”
***
Jiyong accidentally outs himself to Seunghyun shortly after the older boy joins YG as a trainee. Jiyong is slightly embarrassed to be caught studying but he has exams to take and just can’t afford to slack. Seunghyun takes it all in stride, assumes it is just part of the image that Jiyong is carefully cultivating for himself. Jiyong extracts a promise from Seunghyun to keep the whole thing a secret with a promise to make sure the older boy has a ‘badass image’ when he finally debuts.
Seunghyun for the most part forgets about the whole ordeal - until Hyunseung and Little Seunghyun are cut from Big Bang. His casual “I wish Little Seunghyun didn’t have to leave the group,” was said off-handedly right before the cut members performed together one last time.
After it’s officially announced that Seungri is back in the group, Jiyong pulls Seunghyun aside and proclaims, “Well, I hope you're happy because you can’t change your mind now.”
***
Seungri doesn’t forget about the secret his members are hiding from him; he just lets the issue slide for a while. Between all the comebacks, debuts, TV dramas and traveling back and forth to Japan, Seungri just doesn’t have the energy to expend on being a spy. And as far he can tell Gaho no longer talks in Korean, and Jiyong simply just doesn’t have the time to be up to something.
When the images from the Vogue photo shoot start appearing all over the Internet, Seungri catches Jiyong and Seunghyun huddled together having secret meetings every chance they get. He bides his time, knowing that it’s only a matter of time before a good spying opportunity presents itself.
He doesn’t have to wait that long. As has become the standard, Seungri finds himself pressed closely against Jiyong’s closed bedroom door. He can only make out snippets of the conversation going on inside. Something about giving himself away, council not happy, and maybe having to go to court. More confused than ever Seungri fails to notice the door being roughly opened.
“Magnae! What are you doing?”
“Why are you going to court?” he blurts out before his mind has a chance to censor his mouth.
Nervous laughter erupts from the two older boys. “You’re not in trouble are you? Because I check the gossip sites everyday and I haven’t seen any negative reports. And I am in the same group so really if something is…” Seungri’s rant is unceremoniously cut short by Jiyong slapping his over mouth.
“Seungri, nothing is going on.” Seungri attempts to remove Jiyong’s hand, determined to figure everything out. Seunghyun steps in, separating the two and gently chastising the youngest. "Seungri, you shouldn’t be spying on your hyungs. Now run along and be a good magnae by getting your hyungs some water.”
“Fine. But don’t think I’m letting this go. I’ll figure out your secret, just you wait and see.” With that Seungri spins around, stomping off towards his room.
Jiyong doesn’t bother to be subtle when he turns to Seunghyun and says loudly enough for the magnae to hear, “So, you still happy you wished for Seungri to stay in Big Bang?” Laughter is the only response.
Seungri shuts his door and decides to hate his hyungs for the rest of the day.
***
Creak. Creak.
The creaky old chair keeps announcing his nervousness to the courtroom. Stilling his leg, he resorts to biting his nails as he waits impatiently for the judge to read the verdict.
“Would the defendant please stand?”
Jiyong slowly rises up from his chair, keeping his head down.
“The High Court has reached a final verdict. In the case of Kwon Jiyong, Genie #284678 vs. The Genie Council we hereby find the defendant not guilty.”
Collapsing back into the chair, Jiyong sighs in relief. The judge’s voice cuts through the noise of the court packing up. “Kwon Jiyong, I would advise you to refrain from a repeat performance. While the court is wiling to overlook the photo shoot in question, we will be unable to allow further public announcements of your genie status.”
Before he can speak his lawyer is assuring the judge that this was an isolated case, and that Jiyong is fully aware of the punishment for revealing the existence of genies.
***
It’s well past midnight on a chilly December night when Seunghyun and Jiyong brave the cold to share a smoke on the balcony.
“So, you get to keep on being a genie, huh?”
“Yeah. Don’t really know what made them change their mind.” They smoke in peace, reflecting on the events of the past few days and months of their lives.
Jiyong is putting out his cigarette and poised to go back inside when Seunghyun voices, “I’m glad.” He glances quickly in Jiyong’s direction before continuing, “That you’re still a genie. Hate to lose my unlimited supply of wishes.”
Jiyong allows a snort to escape, “Like you need any more excuses to be lazy.”
Seunghyun can’t help but shrug in agreement. Slinging an arm around Jiyong's shoulders he starts to lead them inside. “You know, you make a pretty hot genie.” Glancing at their youngest, who is staring at them from the couch inside he adds, “Besides, it’s fun messing with Seungri’s head.”
Laughing the two of the walk past a confused but determined looking Seungri.
Jiyong wishes for nothing at all.