Chapter Text
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“Hyung, we have cinnamon, right?”
Minhyun looks up from unproductively watching a pot of water still a minute away from boiling. “Heh?”
Jihoon is rifling through some cabinets in the kitchen, huffing just a little. It’s not a strange question but coming from him, it kind of is. Minhyun can’t really explain why. Honestly, it’s a little odd for Jihoon to be asking for something from him in the first place, though not unprecedented. It’s just the pair of them in the kitchen, and the only other members at the dorm right now are Sungwoon, Woojin, and Guanlin, all probably asleep or getting there.
“Cinnamon. A stick or just powdered, I’m not picky.” Jihoon mutters, standing on his tiptoes to rifle through one of the higher cabinets.
“Uh… why?” Minhyun asks. He’s still pretty thrown by this. It’s nearing 1 am and Jihoon needs cinnamon. Well, it’s nearing 1 am and Minhyun needs to eat ramen and then go the fuck to bed.
Jihoon ignores him, huffing as he comes up empty. “No cinnamon, but… ah! Nutmeg! That’ll do.”
He plucks the spice out of the cupboard with a little laugh of success before dropping back to his flat feet. As Jihoon turns on his heel, he gives Minhyun an ambiguous little smile that causes him to furrow his brows in return. To be honest, he sometimes sees a hint of Minki in Jihoon’s impishness, enough for Minhyun to let him get away with some things he shouldn’t during their rare one-on-ones.
Jihoon is about to leave the kitchen, the nutmeg held before him with two hands, before he stops short and turns to face Minhyun. He shoots him a winning smile and bows just a little. “Oh, and thank you for buying rosemary for me during your shopping date with Jaehwan-hyung. I really appreciate it.”
Bewildered, Minhyun gapes slightly. “Of course… Is there, uh, anything else you want me to—” tell Jisung who will tell the managers who might eventually “—get for you?”
This puts Jihoon on his guard for a moment but eventually he blushes and looks down at his feet. “Well, actually... Cinnamon, I suppose. And whole black peppercorns if possible, please. Thanks hyung.”
Those are just spices. So is nutmeg. There’s nothing wrong with or weird about spices, even if Minhyun doesn’t understand the context here. He thinks it might have something to do with… Wait, what? Minhyun lost his focus for a moment. Then again, Jihoon did ask for cinnamon and peppercorns. With a raised eyebrow, Minhyun starts thinking where, when, and how to secure these ingredients—honestly if he wants to get to know Jihoon, he should start with being nice, right? “I’m sure I can figure that out.”
The water has reached boiling point.
Minhyun must look both worried and confused because Jihoon bites his lip and plays with a small stone pendant hanging on a thin chain around his neck. “You don’t have to worry too much, okay? We’ll be protected here. Goodnight hyung, I hope your face doesn’t swell in the morning.”
Jihoon departs with a cheeky little wave, and Minhyun is a little too mad at him bringing that shit up to overthink peppercorns and protection. There’s nothing suspicious, Minhyun of all people would be able to sniff that out. Maybe Jihoon just likes the smell.
After shaking his head of some unformed thought, he finally turns to the boiling water to prepare his ramen.
(Unknown to both, Woojin has paused while brushing his teeth in the bathroom to be able to eavesdrop on the kitchen conversation. Jihoon doesn’t even like cinnamon, though? Woojin is pretty sure Jihoon doesn’t like cinnamon. And who needs peppercorns, ever?
Woojin can’t be the only one noticing this weird shit. He continues brushing his teeth, catching a reflection of the colored blur of Jihoon in the mirror when he darts past the bathroom to get to their room. With his suspicious nutmeg and without Minhyun’s suspicion. Okay, then.)
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CLXXXVII: An Enchantment to Bring Harmony and Peace in a Space
Full Moon zenith: 1:34am kst
Jihoon scribbles in his Book of Shadows. He taps his pen on the paper, next to the title of his 187th spell. Even the timing is auspicious, pairing up with the raw power of the full moon. He continues.
Seriously, I have to put together a protection sachet specifically for our Emperor. He’s been helping me the most with supplies and things, and just him being Hwang Minhyun is enough to warrant a little extra love. He looks after us, so we have to do the same. I hope he can come through on the cinnamon and peppercorns though, otherwise I’ll have to make a different sachet and I really like the one I had in mind.
Jihoon knows that requesting things from Minhyun is just sending a message up the leadership and management grapevine, but luckily that vine starts with Yoon Jisung, quick witted and formidable enough to turn that request into a demand. It didn’t take long for Jihoon to realize that Minhyun has a touch more influence with Jisung than the rest of them, except for maybe Daniel.
It took him a bit longer to realize that Minhyun actually does have a weakness for cute things. If Jihoon’s analysis of Minhyun’s growing legion of devoted dongsaengs is correct, Minhyun drifts toward either cute and spicy or diamond-in-the-rough potential. It’s a little too late for the later but Jihoon can do cute and spicy in his sleep.
So, he just asks Minhyun (with assurance and sweetness) who mentions to Jisung (offhandedly) who whines until (hopefully) cinnamon and black peppercorns shows up on the manager’s grocery list.
He turns back to his Book of Shadows.
The scariest test has been taken, the final boss defeated before proving once and for all that my obsidian befuddlement charm works even on the mentally strongest of us (refer to CLXXXIII: A Charming of an Object to Confuse and Distract upon Activation).
The mentally strongest being a tie between Minhyun and Jisung. Still, someone with as much discerning perception as Minhyun was affected as wholeheartedly as the others. To be honest, I almost feel bad. Minhyun’s mind is quick and his ability to analyse and act on the information he’s been given is unparalleled in this house. But the spell doesn’t let him REMEMBER that information as I give it, so that big brain of his can’t process it in the first place. I did have to finesse that a bit—I still needed him to remember to get me peppercorns and cinnamon, but not think too much about it.
Ahhhhhh, I could write a chapter complimenting Minhyun, all the members for that matter, but this book is not the diary of Park Jihoon. Ahem. On with the spell.
I made the choice to not cast this enchantment right when we moved in. I’m proud of that decision because even though we’ve been living here for some time, using the power of tonight’s true full moon will cast something deep and lingering into the mix. I pulled the moon tarot in the present position this morning. I’ve been waiting for this day but I never expected being able to double up on lunar power. I’m casting this spell on the roof, in the full moonlight so bright it casts sharp shadows. I’m ready to fucking rock.
Basically, this will be the strongest harmony and balance home blessing I’ve ever conceived, and it has to be tonight. You’re welcome, all of us. I can keep this up for 18 months. Maybe. I’ve never had the greenest thumb though.
Anyway, without further ado...
Charming a Space To Make Sure We Don’t Murder Each Other:
You will use,
- Potted flowers (Gatton Sunray Orchids, thanks mom!)
- Rosemary (arigatou Minhyun-sama!)
- Thyme (thanks, friendly grandma at the market)
CinnamonSubstitute Nutmeg (it’s homier anyway)
Cast the circle with the potted flowers within it. Sprinkle rosemary, thyme and nutmeg on the soil of the flowers you enchant. The harmony should last for as long as the charmed flowers are blooming. Enter: Orchids, existing in almost perpetual bloom. Does this count as a magic hack?
Recite the blessing:
Balance and harmony,
Peacefulness and ease,
By the Power of Three
All Turbulence cease.
Visualize peace, balance, harmony. Like those lazy, happy times in the van where no one says it but we’re all proud of each other. Think about helping Guanlin with Korean and how deeply everyone appreciates Jisung. Think about Woojin, and those times you don’t need words to communicate and conspire. Peace, balance, harmony. Maybe some fun.
Open the circle, place the flower in the center of the area where you wish to bring balance and sanctuary.
Jihoon pauses in his scribbles at this. That will be tricky, because dead center is technically the spiral staircase, and honestly if he wants to keep this plant alive it has to be in a secure, centerish position that is somehow unthreatened by eleven human males doing their day-to-day activities. Ah, got it. He continues to write.
Put orchids in the kitchen, because we seriously don’t have time to cook and no one really spends time in there. Except Minhyun, really, and he’d probably just appreciate the beauty of the plant without questioning its addition too heavily. Especially if I befuddle him about it. Hell, he might even start taking care of it himself. Would that give more power to the harmony? (Look into this)
I’m waiting until Minhyung-hyung goes to bed before going to the moonlit roof and enchanting the fuck out of some orchids. Will report later.
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The Variety Line—Daniel, Jihoon, Seongwoo, Jisung and Minhyun—have just stumbled into the dorm at half past I hate fucking everything o’clock. Jihoon quickly shut himself in his room without a word and Jisung let Daniel take the first shower this time around.
The others are idly resting in the living room, in a tired queue for the shower. Everyone’s brains are pretty much jelly but the whole instant debut superstar thing is still so new and engaging and sometimes the dreamlike novelty is enough to pull them through their physical exhaustion.
That and the sense of harmony and flow that has settled around all eleven recently.
“Is it just me, or is our group dynamic collectively homoerotic?” Seongwoo asks breezily.
Minhyun spits out the water he just sipped.
“Ho-hooo, spit take. Nice, Minhyunnie.” Seongwoo praises before addressing that megaton bomb he just dropped. “Maybe not erotic so much as… homoromantic. I’ve just been noticing we’re all getting along really well. Lots of touching. All of us, not mention the couples. Have you ever just observed Daehwi and Jinyoung for more than five seconds?”
“Poor Sungwoon, he has to chaperone that room.” Jisung comments lazily.
Seongwoo keeps talking. “And then like, I kind of thought Baby Line was going to tear itself apart. They’re all budding superstars so I thought their personalities might clash before long, but they haven’t. They fucking love each other.”
“You and Daniel are practically dating.” Jisung chimes in again.
“Ongniel being science. Guanlin’s first love. I’ve sniffed out some 99 line recently.” Seongwoo continues without losing a beat or acknowledging Jisung. “Hell, I’m even starting to think about Minhyun and his orchids.”
Minhyun blushes a little but scoffs loudly. “What is so weird about tending to a plant, Ong? Seriously, it’s not like anyone else in this house is going to care for it.”
“I like it.” Jisung says peaceably. His eyes are closed. “Whose is it anyway?”
“It kind of just… showed up one morning.” Minhyun admits, shrugging.
Seongwoo giggles at this. “Ooh, spooky. But seriously, we should get more.” He stretches languidly, drawing out his words a bit.. “Cacti and succulents and the ones that don’t require a ton of upkeep.”
Minhyun scoffs at his laziness. “Or ones that require more love and attention, you sloth.”
“Ouch, Minhyunnie, ouch. But back to my point.” Seongwoo weaves his fingers together for emphasis. “There’s just a good vibe right now. I thought I’d acknowledge it.”
Seongwoo is in no way wrong. By all rights this shit should be lethally exhausting, but they have started to adapt to their new reality and Minhyun would be totally lying if he said it didn’t have to do with how well they’re getting along.
“Yeah, I guess we’re just… compatible.”
[On the other side of the door to his room, Jihoon has his ear pressed up against the wood and a fist stuffed in his mouth to stop from giggling out loud. The lunar charged peace and harmony orchids are killing it. Actually, he may have overkilled it, doubling down on lunar power like that. No wonder they’re so, how did Seongwoo put it, homoromantic.
Well, the spell is cast and he’s a bit too proud to reverse the enchantment. On top of that, love cannot be manipulated by magic because it is magic, and his orchids are only making their home life more harmonious and emotionally safe. So, the fact that Wanna One seems to be falling in love with itself has little to do with his magical prowess and instead indicates that some of these people are actually really into each other.]
(Unknown to Jihoon, Woojin is quite awake, staring at Jihoon act like a fool with narrowed eyes. Does he think acting like a mega dork is somehow inconspicuous? No. Woojin watches, willing himself to stay perfectly still and willing his eyes to adjust to the darkness faster.
Maybe it worked, because he can start to clearly see Jihoon listening in on their hyungs, can see him reach into his shirt and pull out a small charm on a chain. He brings it to his lips for a quick moment before keeping it held softly between his thumb and pointer finger. Uh, what?
Woojin can hear the voices in the living room, even if it’s a little muffled.
“Yah, what… what were we talking about?”
“Dunno. But seriously, that necktie joke you dropped tonight was pure gold, hyung. Where’d you pull that from?”
They forgot? Forgot about orchids and their discussion about that relatively recent sense of pure trust and true goodwill that has fallen over them. Woojin has been noticing it as well. He wonders how three of the sharpest men in the band could just… forget.
Well, consider Woojin's curiosity piqued.)
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