Chapter Text
People hustled through the busy streets of Seoul. Businessmen and students rushing back and fro towards their destination. It was the same as it was everyday. In a shopping area, store owners were busy opening up. Customers were piling up in stores that were opened earlier, some waiting for it to open.
"There, all set!" Seokjin, a well-known florist, put down the vase with flowers that he had spent time arranging. At its center, seven pristine white lilies were surrounded by yellow daffodils . He placed it on display, moving to another porcelain vase filled with hyacinths. After he was done, he headed towards the door and flipped the sign from 'Close' to 'Open'.
Kim Seokjin is famous for his kind attitude and a smile that warms the people's heart . The moment the store was up and running, everyone wanted to know, or even just get a glance on the owner who was rumoured to be as beautiful as a rare flower that bloomed alone in a garden. Many had tried to charm him; yet no one seemed to capture his attention which was always fully devoted to the flowers he takes care of.
He lived his life simply . He always bought what he only needed and rarely grabbed at some his humanly wants. And if he did, it would be in a surprisingly small quantity. He was never a selfish person, a few of his close friends and co-workers at the shop can confirm that.
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"Okay, next!" Namjoon barked. He just wanted this day to end already. His day started terribly, horribly if he wants to be realistic, from his coffee mixer malfunctioning when he plugged it to one of the customers, you know, one of the annoyingly stubborn and picky and demanding lot, requesting a unique design from him, and him only. "Namjoon-oppa, you can relax a bit. There are no customers at the moment," a colleague replied, looking up from her piercing job for just a second, and then returning to fit a ring through soft cartilage. Namjoon sighed in relief as he retreated to his office, his personal space within the parlor which his colleagues have dubbed ‘the Legman’s mancave’, for a little break.
Kim Namjoon is famous for his tattoo designs. Many praised him for his skills and encouraged him to open up a shop. After years of persistence from his friends and fellow designers, he finally opened what he didn't know at the time, a business that would boom over the years. Having a brilliant creative mind, he can come up with designs that are very clean and expressive. He has a great passion and reputation for creating tattoos that tell a person's purest feelings, to the dot.
Many would perceive him as a careful man who’d handle everything around him with the same gentleness that he gave the inking gun and are always shocked if they heard the truth, which is the fact that Namjoon is the human incarnation of destruction. Namjoon could destroy the most robust of things with the slightest touch. Well, it’s an exaggeration, but he really is reckless and clumsy, then some.
‘Lilies of the Ocean’ was merely 10 minute walk from Human Canvas, but neither Namjoon nor Seokjin knew each other. But hey, it’s a small world. They were gonna meet one way or another .
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"Joon-ah," Hoseok whined to Namjoon. They had gathered on the reception counter of the parlor, talking about small stuff. Hoseok had plans to take Yoonsuk, his girlfriend of two years, on a date tomorrow, which, thankfully, was his day-off. He wanted to do something special for their second anniversary, but he did not know what to do. He sought his friends’ help, which was inclusive of Namjoon and his probable [hopefully] brother-in-law and fellow colleague, Yoongi. "What should I do to make noona happy?" He turned to Yoongi who was calmly sipping his coffee. "Yoongi-hyung, what does Yoonsuk-noona want?"
"You have been dating my sister for two years and still don't know what she likes?" Yoongi looked at him, perplexed, his eyes squinted. "I swear if you're even gonna fall a millimetre short--"
"No, nothing like that. I just want to do something special for her,” Hoseok said, visibly blushing as he continued his plights. “Something I have never done." His gaze found purchase at the shiny mahogany counter, his cheeks blooming to a rosy red. Sensing his sincerity, Yoongi calmed down and continued to down his drink.
"Calm down," Namjoon sighed, a little bit stressed with all the fuss. He stood up from where he was sitting and patted Hoseok's shoulder, "I think it's best if you buy her flowers and take her out to eat at a restaurant." This scenario has happened a few times in the past. Namjoon always helps them; whether it was Yoongi with Jimin or Hoseok with Yoonsuk. He may not look like it, but he has dated a few and some for formalities.
Hoseok's eyes lit up for a moment at Namjoon's idea but quickly converted back to its previous state, "But I don't know what flowers to get her." Namjoon pondered a bit, "There's a flower shop just 2 shops away from us. If you want, you can ask a work--"
"Yo Jay, someone’s here for an appointment.” Hoseok flinched up, looking at the clock that adorned the wall behind the counter. “Crap, it’s 11 AM already? Sorry Joon. Can you go there for me, pretty please?" Hoseok ran out of the room and approached the awaiting costumer. “Drinks on me the next time we go out, promise.”
Sighing, Namjoon stood up and told Yoongi to watch over the shop until he got back. He put on his jacket before exiting the parlor. The moment he opened the door, he had to squint as it was very bright outside with the sun’s warmth easily penetrating his light blue button-down. He stepped out on the street and started to walk towards the flower shop.
He walked slow and admired the scenery. Scenery being bustling pedestrians and cars, speeding their way through the city. Soon, the sign 'Lilies of the Ocean' was in his line of sight. The chimes signalled his entrance as he opened the door. He peeked his head in and surveyed the area before fully opening the door and entering. He looked for an employee when he recognized someone familiar.
"Hyung? What are you doing here?" Jimin greeted Namjoon cheerfully. "I'm looking for flowers in place of Hoseok since he is quite busy right now." The latter responded, walking towards Jimin, "I was about to ask you the same thing." Jimin was caught off-guard with his hyung's question but chuckled a moment after, not missing a beat. "I just dropped by. The owner is a friend of mine. You mentioned that you were looking for flowers, right?" He flashed a reassuring smile at Namjoon, "I'll go get him for you," with that he left Namjoon alone to look around at the flowers that decorated the whole shop, eyeing the lilies in adoration.
"What can I do for you?" Namjoon's sight transferred from the lilies he was looking at to someone's warm brown eyes. He stared back for a little longer until he was brought back to reality by Jimin's voice, "Namjoon-hyung," waving a hand in front of him, "are you okay?"
"Ye-yeah... I'm okay," he responded while shaking his head to clear his head. "Then I'll be going now," Jimin hesitantly left the pair in the shop, "Bye Jin-hyung, Namjoon-hyung." He waved to the pair and left when he that they waved back at him.
"So... Is there anything I can do for you?" The florist, Namjoon assumes that he is the owner, restated his question after a good minute of silence. "Oh, sorry. Umm... I'm looking for flowers that my friend's girlfriend would like," feeling embarrassed, Namjoon twiddled his fingers.
"What kind of flowers does she like?” the owner, Jin, as Namjoon vaguely remembered, said as he moved towards the array of roses that were lined up, "perhaps she would like this," he picked a cream-coloured rose and held in front of the artist. "Roses are always romantic. Would this do?"
"If it would not be too much to ask, I would she like if it was something unique," he replied, "something that would fit her personality."
"Sure. Can you describe her?" Jin returned the rose back to its container, waiting for Namjoon to speak.
"Well, she's the serious type and fierce, but she has a caring side. She dotes a lot on his little brother." Namjoon had known Yoonsuk ever since he and Yoongi decided to open up the shop. At first she would seem unapproachable but she would warm up if knew her long enough.
"From what I hear, she's quite an amazing woman. I would like to meet her
someday," Jin then proceeded to the far back of the shop, "I would like to recommend these." He showed Namjoon the bouquet, five fully bloomed, light pink camellias surrounded by white orchids. The latter nodded his head, approving of the arrangement in front of him. "Can I order this for tomorrow? I will pay for now. I will send my friend to fetch it."
"Sure," Jin prepared the receipt, "that would be 15000 won." Namjoon handed the money to him. He resorted to nervously twiddling his thumbs while Jin rifled through the coins in the money drawer. Handing the change back, their hands bumped into each other, sending a confusing flutter in Namjoon’s chest.
The change slipped out of Jin's hand, "S-sorry," he said, moving away from the counter and crouched down, helping Namjoon who was already picking up the change. "It's okay really," the latter said, picking up the last one and accepting the ones that had been picked up by Jin. There was electricity as they touched hands, a sharp current which made Namjoon flinch. Might’ve been just static or some other strange confusing phenomena.
"I-I... would you--"
"Jin-hyung!" A voice resonated from the back, gaining the attention of the two. The boy stopped in his tracks when he noticed the awkward atmosphere that had settled between them. "Ah! I'm sorry, have I interrupted something?" He pointed his hand to the back room, "I could leave and wait if so."
"No," Jin, somewhat relieved by stopped the boy. "It's okay," he turned away from Namjoon to face the lad who looked like he was in hurry, "Do you need something?"
"Jimin-hyung asked me to come over to the university right away," Jungkook replied. "He says that he had something to suggest for my performance." He bowed slightly to the man behind Jin, who bowed to him in return. "I was wondering if it's okay if I cut my shift for today?" He reluctantly asked the elder, "I promise I will make up to it on the next shift."
Calming the younger one, "No, no, you don't need to. There is not much costumers at this time of the day," Jin glanced backed at Namjoon, "except for him."
Jungkook's face lit up, "Thanks hyung, then I will keep my things. You don't need to show me out," dashing towards the back.
Jin turned his attention back towards Namjoon, "What were you saying?" He was twiddling with his fingers, turning shy when he saw that the latter was in the same predicament as him.
"Nothing," Namjoon bowed again before leaving. Stopping at the door, "I guess I'll see you around." Jin waved back, "I hope we will."
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"Jiminie-hyung?" Jungkook knocked on the door of the locker room. Jimin was not in the main studio so Jungkook assumed that he might be holing up in the locker room- which conviently doubled as a dressing room- doing god-knows-what. After a few tries, he decided to just go in. "Hyung, are you there?" Slowly opening the door, he did not expect to see a person changing in the middle of the room the instant the door was fully opened. He gulped as he saw the sweat glaze the man's broad shoulders.
The man was quite tall and had a well-built body. He couldn't help but stare at the person right in front of him. He seemed to notice Jungkook by the door, waving at him. "You must be Jungkook. Jimin told me how good you are at dancing," he said, slinging the damp shirt over his shoulders. "The name's Taehyung by the way," he held out his hand for Jungkook to take.
He shyly placed his hand on top of Taehyung's while the other grasp it and shook it excitedly. "Nice to finally have met you Kookie." Seeing him up close, Jungkook felt his cheeks burn up.
'Gosh, I just met him today but I already think that I have a crush on him.' He thought, trying to smile naturally, trying to distract himself with the polished floor .
"Tae-- oh! I see you have met him. I was planning to introduce him once you got here."
Hearing Jimin's voice, Jungkook felt the burden off his shoulders and he let out a sigh. The atmosphere somehow relaxed with Jimin by his side. "I guess you know each other's name but let me introduce you. This is Jeon Jungkook. A graduating student here in BigHit University, majoring in dance," Jimin pointed his hand to the younger and pointed the other afterwards, "This is Kim Taehyung, an aspiring rookie actor from Bangtan Films. Have you heard about 'Hwarang'?"
"Yes, I have. It was the talk of my class the moment it was aired," Jungkook's eyes widened as he heard the information. "Really hyung?" He gawked at Taehyung.
"Yes."
Taehyung scratched his neck, "No, I'm not that good at acting yet." Jimin hit him in the back, "Are you kidding me? The majority was drawn by your acting," he casually slung his arm around Taehyung's shoulders, "Anyways, Taehyung here helps me with the choreography in his free time and he's here to help you with your upcoming performance." Jimin clapped his hands together, "Well then, let's start," he looked at Taehyung, "well... after you change.
Taehyung looked down at himself, which Jungkook’s gaze also followed, and lowly chuckled. “Well, I guess you’re right. Should I kick both of you out or you two are gonna leave like good citizens?” Jimin laughed as he wrapped his arm around Jungkook’s arm leading him away from the locker room.
"Kookie," Jimin confronted the younger when Taehyung left for the lockers, "is everything okay? Your face is kinda red." Jungkook face turns redder at the realization that he had been staring at Tae's back ever since he left. He crossed his hands and shaking his head from left to right, "N-no. There's nothing wrong." He hid his face behind his hands.
By this gesture, Jimin knew what was going on, "Kookie, could it be that you have a crush on Taehyung?" He said in a teasing voice, his hand covering his mouth as if it was a scandal. Jungkook crouched down, hiding his face with his arms, unable to take the embarrassment. "Stop it Jimin- hyung."
"Aigoo, our Jungkookie is crushing," he crooned, staring at the young boy with fondness in his eyes.
“Hyung!” Jungkook whined, pouting.