Archive of Our Own

~Tuesday~

“—So we have to finish the outline by the end of the week—”

“I swear if he tries to water me in that disgustingly hot water again I’m going to DROWN!”

“Uh huh…”

“—we can meet up every Tuesday and Thursday—

“Drown?? Be grateful you even GET water, I’m barely getting misted! AND far too much sun, I’m burning to death!”

“Yeah, sure…”

“—and… I’m sorry, am I boring you?” Yoongi scowled at Hoseok whose eyes were locked onto something across the apartment’s living room, and quite obviously not on his classmate.

“Sorry, hyung!” Hoseok whipped his head back around at an alarming speed. “I was listening, I swear! Every Tuesday and Thursday, got it.” He nodded with the brightest smile he could manage, except…

“Speaking of death, I swear if he doesn’t trim my vines soon I’m going to STRANGLE him with them!”

Yoongi seemed unconvinced, looking past his shoulder to find the source of Hoseok’s interest. “Ah, you’re worried about the dying plants in the window?” Sure enough, surrounding the living room’s large bay window was a plethora of houseplants of varying sizes and shapes. Unfortunately, they were in just as many various states of dying. If their sad drooping and browning colors weren’t enough to give them away, their choruses of homicidal plans towards their caretaker were certainly solid indications. “If it’s any consolation, they aren’t mine. They belong to my roommate.”

“Oh, thank goodness, because—“ Shit, he didn’t know Yoongi well enough yet to reveal that he could hear their murderous plots, “—cus they’re gonna take a lot of work to fix, can I go water some of them? Thanks!” And without giving Yoongi a moment to question them he slipped out of his seat and over to the plants, grabbing a luckily full watering can near the burning coral bell plant’s table. 

“Ooh la, another stupid human to try to save us.” The plant sassed, but quickly shut up as Hoseok ran his fingers over the brown and wilted flower buds. Soon a blush of pink filled the buds in their cups and the stems filled with green life and vitality as he carefully poured a generous amount of water in the pot. 

As he flicked off as many of the unsalvageable burnt leaves as he could, he asked aloud, “Hey, hyung? Would your roommate mind if I moved this one? My um, my mom has some and she said they shouldn’t be in direct sunlight.”

“I’m gonna get another serving of food, since we’re clearly not working anymore.” Yoongi waved over his shoulder, already getting up from his laptop and heading for the kitchen and the short rib stew he’d made for them earlier.

Hoseok left the speechless plant under the table instead and moved on to the pothos and realized if he did too much he may get in trouble. Still, the magic in Hoseok implored him to end the suffering, and very quickly he snapped the last few leaves off of several of the overgrown vines, healing their broken ends with a pass of his fingertips and hiding the ends under their bush growth. “Oh please, more than that!” It hissed at him, annoyed it didn’t get the same treatment the pink flowers got.

“Shh,” he hushed back in answer, “A little at a time, I promise I’ll be back.” At the realization he could hear them the plants burst forth with complaints and requests, talking over each other trying to be the next one assisted. Hoseok only sighed and tried to work quickly, hoping to get back to his school work soon.

Being a magic user like Hoseok was unfortunately becoming more and more rare in this day and age. The phrase, “The gods have forsaken us,” should more aptly be changed to, “The gods stopped coming down to sleep with humans.” Their once powerful Demi-god bloodlines are becoming too weak and it’s rare to find a child with any kind of power anymore. Some sections of society think good riddance, that magic users were abominations and deserved to die out already, but others see magic users as fae housekeepers. Which isn’t much better, but it’s a step in… some kind of direction. It isn’t the right direction, but it’s a direction away from “kill all magic users” so Hoseok will take it.

Unfortunately with it comes the ever present fear of someone finding out he has magic in his blood and will shun him at best, or worse, send a group of anti-magic fanatics to attack him. And Hoseok is nothing if not a complete marshmallow when it comes to fighting, so he chooses to stay silent.

Unlike the plants, who are still yelling at him as he returns to Yoongi and graciously accepts another bowl of stew before turning back to his own work.

~Wednesday~

It was later that Hoseok would learn something about fate. Hindsight of course, not the day of. Because that day he found himself halting in the middle of the busiest thoroughfare their university had, causing both Taehyung and Jimin as well as himself to nearly be run over by the students behind them. 

“Hyung!”

“Okay, but WHY?”

“Shhhh, shut up!” Hoseok silenced his friends, his eyes zeroing in on the voice he knew he just heard nearby. He rushed to the edge of the walkway to the bushes separating it from the campus cafe’s patio and there he found his speaker. 

Sitting on a table with all the ease of a professor but the looks of a runway model was a young man surrounded by people. The man’s muscles were clearly defined in his long sleeved button down and he had the longest legs Hoseok had seen in a man, but what had originally caught his attention was what the man was talking about. Some part of the conversation had already drifted to modern tech, but he was sure of what he heard. The guy had clearly said, “Prejudice against anyone for any reason only limits their ability to help, especially magic users.”

That had Hoseok’s attention. “Tae, where have I seen this guy before?”

“Don’t ask me, ask—“

“Jungkookie knows him!” Jimin chimed in, “That guy is Jungkook’s hyung, he never shuts up about him. Apparently he’s like, some super genius from birth or something. He’s even openly bisexual and is willing to debate anyone about sexualities.” Jimin pulled his two friends a little closer before leaning over and whispering, “Some people think he’s a magic user too.”

“Oh, and? There’s nothing wrong with that.” Hoseok stood straight up, a little indignant.

“I didn’t say there was,” Jimin grouched.

“But,” Tae interjected, “some people are being assholes about it and think this guy doesn’t deserve any of his awards and stuff.”

Hoseok deflated a bit, completely understanding. At the very least no one bats an eye at the guy being willing to date other dudes, which means Hoseok has a chance. Not that he was hoping for one. “Well, does ‘this guy’ have a name?”

“Uh… Namuji? I think? Don’t quote me on that though, I usually just zone out when JK starts talking, sorry.”

“Understandable.” They all giggle for a second, knowing how excitable their youngest friend can get. “I uh, kinda wanna listen to what he has to say, so you guys go on ahead.”

“Sure hyung, we’ll see you in the dance studi—“

“—It’s because he’s handsome, isn’t it?” 

“Yah! Brat, go to class!” Hoseok swung his backpack at Jimin who shrieked a laugh and spun around just in time to take the hit on his plush ass before skipping away, dragging Taehyung with him.

Hoseok didn’t bother to watch them leave, but instead started to round the bushes to enter the patio. He halted immediately though, because with a jump he noticed all the azalea buds on the rhododendron bush closest to him had started to lean towards him. Some were even beginning to bloom already, despite the remnants of the cold winter chill still clinging to the air. He quietly hissed at the bush to stop that and quickly scurried away to find a place to sit and wait for the guy to finish talking. 

At the very least he could introduce himself as Jungkook’s friend and then have an excuse to learn his actual name. And no, it was not because the guy was stupidly handsome. Absolutely not. Unfortunately the privacy hedges lining the patio caught wind of his BS and started up their cacophony of noise demanding equal crush-induced treatment as the azaleas. Such demanding things, boxwoods. Too used to being constantly sculpted and manicured, they had no patience for being ignored. 

Well, they’ll just have to get used to it, Hoseok thought as he found a seat close enough to hear the man over the din of complaining foliage. He took his headphones off to listen to the little mini speech he had started up about denying magic users from working internally on creative projects. Or at least that’s what it sounded like. Hoseok would have a hard time repeating the speech later if only because his eyes zeroed in on his perfect lips, the way his eyes crinkled as he laughed at his own tripping up of words, and who could forget the absolutely adorable dimples piercing his cheeks?

Speaking of cheeks, Hoseok couldn’t help but notice the way his jaw set and flexed as another student asked a somewhat insensitive question about fairness. “Is it any less fair,” he started in his smooth, warm voice, “to give a job to someone who can do it well, even though others couldn’t be considered for the position? The fairness comes from giving the others passed up a second chance with other jobs that only they could do better at. To selfishly hold onto something like a job someone else could do better at only limits yourself. If you can do better, let it be done better. And who knows, maybe that magic user is absolute trash at management and could never be promoted that way, they are still human you know.”

The kids around him seemed so enthralled in his speech it was almost as fun to tear his eyes away from that beautiful face to see their starstruck eyes. Perhaps this guy actually was the great grandson of some seductive god. It certainly was working on Hoseok, and he didn’t have a single complaint in the world. 

Well, he had one. The man was calling an end to the little impromptu lecture and was getting up already, which meant Hoseok didn’t have much time to come up with a plan. It didn’t take long for the crowd to disperse and the man started collecting his things, clearly looking to go back into the cafe. Thinking quickly, Hoseok got up in front of him and made like he was walking the opposite way. Sure enough the man turned without looking and the two bumped into each other. Instantly both sides started spewing apologies, but Hoseok had to work extra hard not to cringe at the brunt of the azaleas laughing at his lame attempt at a meet-cute. He was at least a little grateful the boxwoods had eventually decided to give him the cold shoulder and weren’t adding to his shame. 

Regardless, he now had the man’s full attention and quickly extended his hand to try to keep it. “Sorry, hi, I was listening to your speech and wanted to introduce myself, I hear you’re one of my friend’s hyungs.”

The man clasped his hands just this side of too tight and, goodness, his palm was hot compared to Hoseok’s clammy one. “Thanks, but it was hardly a speech, I’m a teacher’s assistant and those were the first years in my class. Never ending questions, even outside of class.”

“Oh, that explains how JK knows you.” Hoseok took the chance to let go of his hand before it lost circulation, lifting his bag to his shoulder so he could massage some feeling back into it, “Oh! And I’m Jung Hoseok, my friend is Jeon Jungkook.”

“Kim Namjoon, and yes, Jungkook-ssi is in one of my intro classes. Kid is amazing at his work honestly.” 

“Of course he’s amazing, with a saem like you teaching him.” 

At that Namjoon recoiled a little, a blush starting to spill across his golden cheeks. “Ah, I don’t like my students calling me seonsaengnim, I’m just an assistant still, and I’m barely a few years older than them, so hyung is fine.”

“What year were you born?”

“Ninety four.”

“Then we’re the same age!” Hoseok turned on his brightest smile, “So Hoseok-ah is fine for me, if I can call you the same?”

The blush on Namjoon’s face now extended to the tips of his ears and Hoseok knew he was winning when Namjoon stuttered a, “S-sure, Hoseok-ah.” Take that, azaleas!

“Oh, also, were you going into the cafe? I wanted to buy you a drink if I could, I kinda wanted to talk more about… are you okay?” By now Namjoon’s entire face was red hot and all he could do was nod as he tried to shove the books in his arms into his bag without dropping them.

He took a step to Hoseok’s side as they turned back towards the cafe when suddenly Namjoon stopped again and spun around, grabbing something from the table. “Ah, Hoseok-ah, you nearly forgot your headphones.” He turned back and tried to hand them to him.

Not one to ever miss a chance to be extra, Hoseok attempted to make taking the headphones as romantic as possible, and reached out with the same-side hand to let their fingers brush as he took it back. Hook, line, and—

“OW!”

“Aish!”

As quickly as it happened it was over, the headset dropped by both of them as it clattered with an expensive sound to the patio stones. “What was that????” Hoseok cradled his hand to his chest once more, unsure if he was just shocked or burned.

“Uh, maybe static shock caused a short circuit?” Hoseok quickly picked them up but it was clear to the naked eye that they were busted.

“I’m so sorry, Hoseok-ssi, I didn’t mean to drop them.” Namjoon bowed his head to avoid looking at him.

“Yah, no need to be so formal, they were the cheap ones from the campus bookstore, not a huge loss.” That’s a lie, that is the worst lie, those headphones were the finest ones Hoseok could afford at the time. Their loss would be felt painfully, but he just couldn’t bring himself to be angry. Not at someone so nice. Someone so beautiful. It was against his religion. Although Jungkook would just point out his primary religion was worshiping finely toned as— 

“Then, I guess I owe you a new set, if you’ll let me replace them.” Oh. Problem solved. 

However, he still gives pause, because begging pretty men to buy him expensive gifts was Jimin’s thing, and Hoseok has standards. He made like he was considering his offer for just a moment more before slowly starting to make for the cafe doors, “So… does that mean I can still buy you that coffee?”

“I think at this point I owe you both the coffee and the headphones.” Namjoon laughs, opening the door for Hoseok.

“A gentleman and a scholar! How did I get so lucky?” Hoseok gives him a little wink before twirling away to the counter.

At that he swears he can see steam coming off Namjoon’s face. 

Hoseok placed his order as usual, a venti iced americano, and had a moment of surprise when Namjoon ordered the same. It took everything in him not to yell, “Twinsies!” Instead of blatantly embarrassing himself, he skipped away to find them a secluded little corner to sit at that was not already filled by a soulless art major. While he hunted, Namjoon finished up paying for their drinks, promising to bring them back from the counter as well because apparently the man was the walking definition of chivalry. 

Hoseok took this as the perfect time to absolutely scream internally at all the blatant flirting he just did. His face must be hotter than Namjoon’s sculpted ass because his delicate ears burned like flames were clawing up the side of his face. Luckily it took a few minutes for the drinks to be finished which gave Hoseok ample time to calm his face. Also luckily, there were no plants directly outside this window.

By the time Namjoon returned with two iced Americanos Hoseok's face had returned to its normal golden hue. “So, Namjoon-ah, what’s your major?” He asked as he took a sip of his drink.

Namjoon slid into the opposite seat as he considered the question. “Ah, I guess Jungkook-ah didn’t mention it, but I’m actually a graduate student.”

“What! No way!” Hoseok coughed, nearly upsetting his drink in the process.

Namjoon’s eyes grew comically wide for a split second as Hoseok regained his bearings. “Eh? How is that so surprising? We’re the same age.”

“Yeah, well some of us went into the military first.” Hoseok exhaled through his nose. Great, they weren’t even in the same realm of classes, no wonder they’d never crossed paths before today. And they probably wouldn’t much in the future either. But Hoseok rebounded quickly, putting on his smile again. “Sorry, back to your graduate studies?” 

“Right,” Namjoon relaxed a bit more, “I’m working on my master’s in product design. But I’m also getting my teaching certificate, so if working in the field doesn’t work out I can always have a go at being a professor.”

“Ah, the whole ‘if you can, do, and if you can’t, teach’ thing?” Hoseok snorted derisively at the age old adage, and luckily Namjoon sneered too, putting them both on the same page. “I get that way too often being a dance major. People keep asking me if I’m gonna open a dance studio and honestly I’m getting ready to drop kick the next person who asks.”

“Ah, I see.” Namjoon nodded solemnly, crossing his thick tree trunk-like arms across his broad chest. Hoseok, ever the distracted one for well sculpted bodies, almost missed when Namjoon started to lean forward, a very serious look on his face as he asked, “So hey, when are you gonna open a dance—“

“YA! NAMJOON-AH!” Hoseok yelled behind a bubble of giggles. His giggles were quickly joined by what could only be described as the most adorably dorky laugh ever, and Hoseok spilled over into full blown laughter, the two of them making far too much noise in the once-quiet campus coffee shop.

“Okay, I think the baristas are giving us dirty looks, maybe we should go get you those headphones now.”

“Aw, but I wanna talk to you more,” Hoseok whined, turning his mouth into a perfect inverted v as he pouted cutely.

“Sorry, I’ve got class soon, but maybe sometime soon?” Namjoon frowned like he too didn’t want to leave. Hoseok didn’t want to see that frown. There must be something he could do… “Oh, can I have your kkt?”

“Can I have you Saturday?” Oh no, oh shit, why did he say that, that sounds so bad, bad wording, abort, abort, apologize for your sins now Jung Ho—

“Oh, uh, yeah, sure. Like… a date?” And then suddenly Namjoon became very red.

And for a moment Hoseok waited for the apology that never came. The one that usually went, ‘Oh no, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to assume you’re gay, what an insult of me to think that of you.’ Or at least that’s what those apologies sounded like to Hoseok’s ears.

But from what Jimin said, Namjoon was out about being bisexual. Maybe he assumed Hoseok already knew that? He assumed right, at least. “Yeah, a date, Saturday. I know this super good bbq restaurant my friend’s family runs. Well, they don’t run it, their farm grows the food for the restaurant so everything is super fresh and… never mind, I’m rambling, but can I take you?”

“Sure.” Namjoon smiled shyly, “But only if you’ll let me go buy you those headphones before my next class.”At that he stood and offered his hand so Hoseok could get up, the warmth from it practically radiating up his arm with giddy excitement. 

It didn’t last, however, as Namjoon let go to once again open the door for him, but Hoseok was okay with that. The man had unprompted manners and that was rare enough these days. He wasn’t going to jinx it, even though a small part of him wanted to show off that he got himself someone.

Regardless, they walked side by side to the campus bookstore not far away. Hoseok tried to find the exact color headphones he had before, but was stopped when Namjoon picked up another set, the same color but a far more expensive brand. Hoseok tried to stop him, but Namjoon was a good head taller than Hoseok and literally held the box at arm’s length above his head and giggled when Hoseok tried to jump for it.

And if he nearly lost his footing, causing Namjoon to put a firm hand on his waist to balance him, Hoseok said nothing. His face, however, broadcasted his thoughts to the world with a bright red blush melting his cheeks. All he could do was watch Namjoon walk off to the register, the memory of that hand burning into his skin like a brand.

Hoseok wasted no time spamming his group chat with the news of his new found crush and date Saturday even though he was literally about to go meet them for class, but it didn’t matter. They needed to hear it now! As it was developing! Love at last for their late-blooming hyung! He demanded praise for his skills in bagging such a beautiful man! 

He kept up his emoji spam even as he rushed to the dance studio across campus, new headphones blaring k-pop to drown out the usual buzz of gossip from the clovers that grew all over campus and heard EVERYTHING. Surely they would alert every plant to Hoseok’s abilities after the nonsense in the courtyard with the azaleas. And he had been so careful all last semester. Damn it.

This, however, was forgotten as he realized upon entering the dance studio that his hitting on Namjoon simultaneously made him the target of his youngest friend’s ire.

“Ah hyuuuuuung!” The whine echoed across the mirrored room as Hoseok entered, “I can’t believe you’re trying to date my TA!” Jungkook threw himself on the floor for added effect as Hoseok shoved his bag in a locker by the entryway.

“Not trying, succeeded,” Jimin corrected from his pretzeled stretching spot near the mirrors.

“Like so many have failed before,” Taehyung included with a little sigh, doing nothing more than stirring the pot instead of warming up.

“Noooo, please stop.” Jungkook gave himself a good dramatic writh, but it did nothing to dissuade Hoseok. He gave Jungkook a fake kick to at least try to get him off the floor before joining Jimin in stretching.

“But, you know… he was so sweet and even though we just met he didn’t even mind giving me a chance.” Hoseok drew his brows a little closer, “Should I be worried?”

At this Jimin tsk-ed loudly, “There you go again, thinking people are pitying you instead of actually throwing themselves at you.” Jimin casually walked up to Hoseok and pinched one of his buttcheeks, causing him to yelp loudly and throw himself on the floor next to Jungkook who still hadn’t gotten up. “You’ve got a great body, hyung, why wouldn’t he be into you?”

“Yah!” Jungkook cried, “My hyung wouldn’t stare at people like that.”

“No one can with an oversized shirt like that.” Taehyung interjected with a giggle.

“Either way!” Hoseok interrupted, “I’m just worried because we barely talked, and all I did was get him to buy me stuff. Will he think I’m too easy?”

“Hey, there’s nothing wrong with that,” Jimin pouted. There was a noise at the door that caught Jimin’s attention. He looked past Hoseok’s shoulder to see more students arriving, so with a devilish grin, he loudly asked, “Hey, maybe he wants to be your sugar da—”

“OKAY!” Hoseok yelled with a clap of his hands, “Time to start warmups! Get up, we’re doing ball chains.”

A chorus of groans resounded, but Hoseok didn’t hear a single one, focusing 100% on willing the redness on his ears to go down. He was only grateful the dance room was in the middle of the athletic building and no where near any plants.

~Thursday~

In all honesty not a damn thing was going to ruin Hoseok’s good mood, even when Thursday finally rolled around and he was hit once again with Yoongi’s bloodthirsty houseguests. It seemed nothing would satisfy them, despite Hoseok going to pat each one of them in turn during every break he could squeeze out of their joint project session. It didn’t help that each time he got up to “stretch” Yoongi’s squint got more and more critical. 

“Ya, just tell me you’re more interested in the plants so I don’t feel like you actually came back for the homework.”

That at least got Hoseok to return to his seat, but not before slapping on a smile and humming, “Hmmm, no, I just came back for the home cooked meals.”

Yoongi couldn’t help but crack a smile at that one, the first Hoseok had seen all day. At the same time, he became increasingly concerned if the vines weren’t trying to grow closer to Yoongi’s favorite spot on the couch to make an attempt at his life as well. It seemed anything that stopped the flow of Hoseok’s magic was quickly becoming the talk of the planters. 

“Thinks he’s so smart, that one. If he was so smart he’d teach The Other One a thing or two about horticulture, but what does he know!” Ah yes, ‘The Other One,’ the name the plants started using for their owner. Because even Yoongi had superseded him as ‘That One’. But Hoseok was special, he was their new ‘One,' their reigning champion. 

The Juniper bonsai was especially vicious that evening, and waited until Hoseok was about to leave before it solemnly proclaimed, “Should the need arise, we will do what we must.” Not exactly the best thing to hear when he was just about to walk out, forcing him to suggest the most impromptu study session he’d ever flung himself into with a near-stranger. The last thing he needed was a vine to choke Yoongi during a couch nap, his grade was on the line!

~Friday~

But he had no time to worry about that class’s grade when he had an entire history lecture to worry about Friday morning. Unfortunately the professor started a surprise test, jump starting Hoseok’s heart with a shot of adrenaline. He struggled his way through the test and even got slightly more confident as the test bore on, but what he didn’t realize was that he made a near fatal mistake by sitting at the back of the class next to one of only two windows in the hall. By the end of the quiz Hoseok caught a shadow inching across his notebook and had to do his absolute best not to shriek. 

The bush outside his window had grown nearly a third taller from Hoseok’s unbridled stress. He had no way of making the plant go back down, and could only hope that none of his classmates would have a reason to turn around. All he could do was sweat profusely as he tried to calm his breathing and pray none of them noticed the offending bush.

He was so eager to leave class he all but sprinted out the door the second they were let go, flying around corners and hoping beyond hope the path near the bushes was isolated so he could—

“Oh crap—”

“Whoa—!”

In an instant Hoseok’s vision went black as he face-planted right into the middle of someone’s very broad chest. Only it didn’t take but a moment of panic for Hoseok to push back against the firm surface and find himself face to face with none other than Kim Namjoon.

“Oh! My goodness! I am so sorry, Namjoon, I was in a hurry! Did I hurt you?!” Hoseok scrambled to smooth over Namjoon’s shirt while praying to whatever god birthed his family line that he didn’t just get bb cream all over the crisp white cotton.

A warm, dimpled smile cracked Namjoon’s face as he engulfed Hoseok’s frantic hands in his own large, impossibly warm ones, “No, I’m fine, don’t worry about it, but where were you running off to so fast? Did your lecture run late?”

“N-no, no, I’m fine, I just... really love my choreo class. I need to get there early to warm up, you know?” Luckily none of it was a lie, because Hoseok knows he’s a terrible liar so he doesn’t even try most of the time. 

“Can I walk you to class then? I have lecture in the building next to the performing arts center, it’s no trouble.” He gently squeezed Hoseok’s hands, bringing to their attention that they were still clasped firmly together. “Besides, I wanted to ask you… Saturday, can I take you somewhere at noon? And then after that we can go to the restaurant you wanted.” 

Hoseok’s entire face transformed slowly into one of awe and wonder. “You want to take me somewhere?” 

“It’s a surprise,” Namjoon whispered with a wink, and oh did Hoseok’s heart explode and his stomach flip with butterflies. 

And with that Hoseok thought, forget the bush, it’ll live, and they walked side by side across campus on one of the more secluded loose stone pathways. If Namjoon dared to look back, he might have spied the tiny yellow daffodils that tended to spring up under Hoseok’s footsteps when he was particularly giddy.

Eventually, they made it to the arts building, but instead of leaving him at the door Namjoon opened it for him, waiting to follow after. 

“Are you gonna come in?” Hoseok tilted his head questioningly.

“Ah, I’d like to see where you have dance class, if I may? But also my class is in the same time block, so I’ll have to go soon.” Namjoon wore a rather adorable bashful face as he quietly admitted, “I just wanted to know a little more about you.” Hoseok tried desperately not to coo at him as he walked them back to the practice rooms. 

Hoseok walked in first, mostly because Namjoon once again held the door for him, but also because he needed to be the buffer for whatever nonsense the kids were about to yell as he arrived.

Sure as shit the first words out of someone’s mouth was, “HYUNG! HE BIT MY ASS!” Ah, must be Jimin being naughty already.

“I have a guest today!” he yelled back, hoping to drown out the last bit of Taehyung’s cry as he put up his bag and directed Namjoon to do the same. The answering silence told him the kids were at least attempting to behave as he and Namjoon rounded the corner from the entryway to the main room.

“Namjoon-hyung!” Jungkook immediately doubled over himself to bow, almost falling over from what Hoseok suspected was Jimin covertly slapping his now unprotected butt. 

“Jimin-ah, behave,” Hoseok warned as he went up to the sound system to plug in his phone. 

Jimin instantly started sputtering, “Wha-I didn’t-Hyung! That’s not fair!”

“It’s totally fair, you bit me!” Taehyung argued.

“You walked right into it!” Jimin argued back.

‘Hyung, did you come to watch us practice?” Jungkook asked Namjoon, completely ignoring the situation devolving into a fight behind him.

Poor Namjoon was starting to look overwhelmed, but soon everyone was silenced as the song Hit by Seventeen began to fill the room. “Let’s show hyung this one. Namjoon-ah, you can sit anywhere you want.”

“Ah, that one will kill us without warming up!” Taehyung complained, but instantly regretted it when Hoseok leveled him with a dark gaze. 

“Then you should have been warming up,” Hoseok declared. Namjoon hid a giggle behind his hand, but his exposed dimples gave away his smile as he sank down against the mirrors facing them. Hoseok shook out his limbs as the intro swelled into the first verse. “Let’s go!” he yelled, as he took center point and started moving. Quickly the other three joined in near seamlessly.

Namjoon looked absolutely captivated watching Hoseok move, his eyes hardly straying to the others as they switched spots. They all began lip syncing with silly expressions that made Namjoon laugh out loud. 

Soon the other students started to file in, each one all but yeeting their bags into lockers so they could jump into the impromptu performance. Eventually they had more students than originally were members for the song, but it didn't stop them. It quickly became clear that even with all the students in the room that Hoseok seemed to hold some kind of almost ethereal pull on each of them, bringing up everyone’s spirits. His shouts echoed over the music and had everyone jumping higher and going further, every beat of the song hitting stronger and stronger.

When the music ended there was a beat of silence filled with nothing but heavy gasps from the students, and then Namjoon jumped up and clapped for them. Like a switch flipping Hoseok-the-dancer turned back into Hoseok-the-lovestruck-fool, the flush from dancing expertly hiding the blush from getting praised.

The other students crowded around and wanted to know who Namjoon was, but sadly he had to go on his way to class. It didn’t mean the kids didn’t continue to pester Hoseok all throughout class, trying to find out who the mystery man was, but it didn’t matter. All that mattered was Hoseok was brighter and more energized for the rest of the school day, and he was even more excited for his date that Saturday.

Eventually class was over and with little delay Hoseok ended up at Yoongi’s apartment once again. He should be at home planning his date with Namjoon for the following day, he thought, not rushing to keep the homicidal plants at bay. But such was his life currently.

He barely managed to get his shoes off in Yoongi’s entryway when he called back, “Hoseok-ah, we’re gonna have to order food today.” And there went the last of Hoseok’s strength.

“Aw, but hyung! I liked your cooking last time!” Hoseok whined, turning on his award winning pout.

“Yeah, well, you’ll have to take it up with my wreck of a roommate.” Ah, yes, ‘The Other One’ as the plants so lovingly liked to call him, turning Hoseok’s pout into more of a grimace, “The guy came in yesterday after you finished the last of the food and tried to make who the hell knows what, but all he did was burn the ever living shit out of my favorite skillet and nearly set fire to the kitchen. If I wasn’t literally friends with him from infancy he’d be dead already.”

“Is that… because you’d kill him yourself…? Or because you’re the only one keeping him alive?” Hoseok hedged to ask.

“Yes.” Was Yoongi’s deadpan response. After a couple of beats they both busted out into laughter. Even the plants jeered along.

Work went a bit smoother after that, but there wasn’t much left to do after they’d already worked all afternoon the previous day and they’d have to wait on approval to move on. So Hoseok took it upon himself to feed the plants just a bit more magic, enough to both get them through the weekend and to promise not to murder his classmate for the crime of association.

“And what of The Other One?” The snake plant demanded to know.

“Listen,” he hissed back, “As far as I’m concerned he’s dead to me with how badly he’s made you all suffer.”

“Understood,” the intimidating bonsai declared. 

For once, Hoseok wasn’t concerned with whatever murderous plots they came up with this time. All he was concerned with was returning home and getting ready for his date. While on the train back to his apartment he tried to calm down. He didn't need their negative energy ruining his first date. 

Because apparently, he had enough negative energy of his own. It’s strange the things Hoseok normally didn’t care about that suddenly became so vitally important that he lost sleep over them. Showering had gone just fine, but then he found himself adding far more steps than necessary to his skincare routine. Only to then have to wash off one spectacularly failed attempt at a DIY face mask and repair the yellow stained damage it had done before resorting to a pre-made one. 

“I told you the turmeric was a bad idea~” his hibiscus sing-songed from the open sliding doors to his balcony. The rest of the tropical foliage on the balcony giggled at his failure but he couldn’t help but laugh along with them. The laughter brought with it a swell of energy in Hoseok that breathed extra life through all the plants covering every surface of his apartment. He used that surge of energy to plan his outfit as he hummed loudly to the nearby peace lily in his walk-in closet. 

By the time he finally landed in bed it was well past one AM and he still found himself far too giddy to sleep, tossing and turning as he tried to imagine where Namjoon would take him.

~Saturday~

“We’re going to the aquarium?!” Hoseok squealed as he twirled back around to Namjoon.

“Yeah, my little sister loves to go so I already had seasonal passes. And it’d give us a chance to walk around and talk some more.” Namjoon tried to remain aloof as they walked in the huge entryway.

“Aw, that’s so sweet, thank you, Namjoonie!” All signs of aloofness were gone as Namjoon blushed at the sweet way Hoseok had referred to him. But he didn’t have time to dwell on it as Hoseok immediately made a beeline for the river fish walkthrough. “Can we start here?” And so their date started.

After a slow and slightly awkward walk through the bright rivers exhibit they gradually began talking about their majors again, opting instead to make jokes to ease the tension. By the time they reached the end of the hallway they were laughing at Hoseok dramatically claiming he now has two broken ankles from attempting ballet and he’ll need Namjoon to carry him for the rest of their date. 

Since it was already past noon they decided to stop at the sea themed cafe for lunch and quickly regretted that decision when the waiter arrived at their table dressed like a sailor and wouldn’t stop making fish puns. It got to the point of such ridiculousness the waiter even broke the fourth wall with some self depreciation and they all finally busted out laughing. The food was good luckily so their spirits remained high as they figured out what to do next.

Eventually they found themselves wandering into the darker deep sea hallways, and Namjoon learned something new about Hoseok.

“Hoseok-ah, are you… afraid of the dark?” Namjoon hedged as they rounded yet another dark corner with no end in sight.

“NO!” Hoseok squeaked, “Why would you think that?”

“Because you’re cutting off the circulation to my arm.” Namjoon tried not to giggle. He really did find it cute.

“No, nope, can’t be it, I’m just really into biceps you know?” Hoseok chatted anxiously, but suddenly his footsteps slowed, “Man, you’re really hot, did you know that?”

“Ah, thank you? I don’t work out, really—“

“No, I mean your skin feels really hot, are you okay?” Hoseok peered into Namjoon’s face, debating on touching his forehead to look for a fever. “You’re not sick are you?”

“Oh! No, no, I just run really hot, don’t worry about it.” A self conscious giggle passed his lips, clear he was strangely uncomfortable.

“So you’re just naturally this hot?” Hoseok couldn’t help but toss up a little eyebrow to go with his bad joke. Anything to help him loosen up since it was still only their first real date.

And it worked. “Please return your eyebrow to its assigned seat,” Namjoon deadpanned before breaking out into some uncontrolled giggling.

“How did you even see that! It’s so dark in here.” As if unconsciously, Hoseok squeezed Namjoon’s arm just a touch tighter.

“Here, let me…” Namjoon slowly started to pull his arm out of Hoseok’s death grip, but at the last second he caught his hand and carefully laced their fingers together. Suddenly Hoseok was glad for the dark hallways hiding his burning red face as they walked hand-in-hand towards the exit.

As it turned out, the dolphin show was about to start and they managed to find a couple of good spots to sit. Or rather, a couple of close spots, as Hoseok was beginning to debate how they could be “good” after the third time they’re hit with a splash of water. Even still, Hoseok was enthralled with the dolphins’ jumps and flips, making tons of noise every time one of them did something astounding. He lost count of the amount of times he accidentally smacked Namjoon on the arm about it, but every time he looked Namjoon just had this beautiful smile on his face. 

Not looking at the dolphins, but looking at Hoseok.

Eventually the dolphin show ended and they walked around the outdoor exhibits to try to dry out some. Although the day wasn’t particularly hot, Hoseok found himself dried out much faster than usual and they were able to go back in to see the tropical area. To his massive delight, the whole area was covered by an aviary dome filled with bright, colorful tropical birds. He spent a good five minutes trying to mimic the bird sounds and sent Namjoon into a coughing fit as he nearly died of laughter. 

By the time they were done it was getting later so they stopped by the gift shop on their way out. They ended up buying enough souvenirs from the gift shop to commemorate more than a dozen dates, but Hoseok claimed some of them were gifts for his friends. 

He held up a little silver bracelet with a dolphin tail pendant, “I’m also gonna get this for my hyung. I’ve been working on a project with him but I’m so scatterbrained I’m probably not even helping very much.” 

“I’m sure he appreciates having you around,” Namjoon soothed, “You have such a bright personality I’m sure everyone you meet ends up really liking you.”

“You think?”

“Well, I really like you.” He shyly confessed, stealing the breath from Hoseok’s lungs as they walked out of the aquarium. “And I was hoping you’d let me pay for tonight’s dinner as well. As a thank you for indulging me in my impromptu date idea today.”

“Hey, what? Wait, no, what??” Hoseok stumbled over his words, “Indulging?? Namjoon, you could have taken me to a recycling dump and I would have been happy to spend the day sorting trash with you! I really like you too, Namjoonie, and I’m gonna pay for dinner since you did the aquarium.” He crossed his arms, set his mouth into a thin line, and nodded resolutely. “Yup! That’s all there is to it! We’ll be even, and then you’ll have to think of something else for next time.”

“Next time?” Namjoon asked hesitantly. 

At this Hoseok stopped dead in his tracks, shyness finally overcoming him. All his bravado melted away as he felt the weight of his words settle on his shoulders. “I mean… I know this date isn’t even over yet, but I kinda already know I wanna go on another date with you. I’m… not wrong thinking you do too, Namjoonie?”

“I do, Hoseokie.” He smiled as a full fledged blush spilled over Hoseok’s cheeks at the endearing diminutive added to his name. It wasn’t yet a nickname, but it was a start. “Hey,” he slipped his hand back into Hoseok’s like he’d done earlier, “why are you blushing? You’ve been calling me ‘Namjoonie’ all day. You said we were even, now we’re really even.”

“Okay, Namjoonie.” It took all of Hoseok’s strength not to squeal out loud in triumph as they walked shoulder to shoulder back to the station.

Dinner, as it turns out, went a little less smoothly than the aquarium, in that at least nothing in the aquarium was set on fire. As it stands, Namjoon was swiftly forbidden to touch the grill after he instantly charred half their meat and Hoseok ended up serving them both for the rest of the evening. They decided to have a drink with their meal, but Hoseok quickly ended that venture as he was a self proclaimed “sad drunk” and didn’t want Namjoon to have to see that. 

To his credit, Namjoon wondered what on Earth Hoseok could possibly get sad about. He had great friends, was studying what he loved, “And! You’ve already done your military service! I’d be happy for forever once that’s not hanging over my head anymore!” And maybe it was the bit of alcohol he’d already had, but the declaration made Hoseok laugh in gasps. 

But Hoseok knew his limits and quietly switched to Sprite, wondering if Namjoon would notice. He did, of course, and graciously said nothing. Something felt sweet about that, how Namjoon wasn’t trying to get him drunk or make any kind of passes at him, staying on his side of the table and not saying anything inappropriate. “You’re too sweet,” Hoseok suddenly proclaimed. 

“What??” Namjoon lagged to keep up.

“You’re too sweet, you made our date extra special and you aren’t just like… petting my abs or something creepy like that.”

Namjoon’s eyes grew to the size of saucers at the mention of abs, but he didn’t bring attention to it, instead asking over his cup, “I take it you’re talking from experience?”

In answer Hoseok shuddered at an old, horrifying memory of a date gone bad. “You have no idea. Dated a guy once who only watched me practice to stare at my ass and never let me sit on my own side of the table. He was so creepy, I’m glad I met Jungkookie when I did. He’s such a muscle pig he chased the guy away day one of meeting him.”

“Oh,” Namjoon started to grin, “Am I going to have to fight my own student for your hand in marriage?”

Hoseok practically barked for how quickly the laugh busted out of him, “No! Oh man, at least take me on a second date before we start talking about marriage.”

“I’ll even pay a dowry,” Namjoon quipped.

“… On second thought, let’s go to the courthouse in the morning.” Soon enough they were both struggling not to fall out of their seats with laughter.

The evening continued much like that until the food was gone and they were both sufficiently full. Namjoon, ever the gentleman, took up the bill before Hoseok could even realize it was on the table. 

Somehow, as they left, they fell into a comfortable silence walking back to the station, where they’d have to part. Only… they didn’t part, as Namjoon got onto Hoseok’s train. “Hmm? Don’t you go home the other way?”

“Just until you get to your stop, I want to make sure there’s less of a window between the last time I see you and when you get home.” Despite the empty seats, Namjoon chose to stand in front of Hoseok. “You’ve had alcohol, and I’m worried it's affecting you more than me.”

“Have I become the sad drunk already?” He asked with a little pout.

“No, but you were quiet.” Namjoon looked around the nearly empty car, “Was there anything you wanted to talk about before we end the date?”

And Hoseok thought about it. He thought about it longer than necessary, plunging both of them back into that near-comfortable silence from before. Soon the train slowed to a stop at Hoseok’s station and he looked panicked for a moment, before Namjoon pulled him up by his hand and walked him out to the platform. “The next train back isn’t for another five minutes, I’ll walk you back a bit?”

“No, you don’t have to do that, really, don’t miss your train,” Hoseok fretted.

“Then, did you not think of anything else?”

“Well…” and it was silly, maybe. Hoseok was a very tactile person, he never hesitated in giving hugs to his friends or jumping them as they roughhoused across the floor. So why was he so nervous about this?

They’d reached the end of the stairs of the station and Hoseok finally felt a surge of confidence. At the last second, when he felt the least amount of eyes on them, Hoseok leaned up to plant a soft, sweet kiss to Namjoon’s cheek. Both their hands immediately went to grasp at each other’s sides, holding them close for just that minute before Hoseok stepped back and tried to come up with something to say. 

Of course, his thoughts were overrun when the nearby planters started up a chorus of cheers for him. And why wouldn’t they, he was the man who passively filled them with energy every morning on his commute, and he realized they were the eyes he’d felt on them earlier. 

But he had no time to dwell on their nonsense, as Namjoon was suddenly closer than he expected, and as he closed his eyes on reflex, he felt the warmest of kisses touch his cheek as well. 

“I had a lot of fun with you, Hoseokie. I hope we can go out again soon.” Yes, that, that’s what Hoseok meant to say earlier. He nodded as Namjoon slipped from his grasp, “Goodnight!” He waved as he turned back towards the station.

Hoseok weakly waved back, bid him goodnight, and watched him disappear from view. It wasn’t until he was halfway to his bus stop that a rush of energy exploded in him and he jumped in the air, trying with all his might not to shout his joy. The nearby trees were practically alight with his nervous energy finally expelling and their annoyance was the only thing that brought Hoseok back down to Earth.

He instead carried that energy with him back home and just let himself absolutely gush about his date to all the plants in his apartment. They at least appreciated a good gossip, drinking in his excess energy until he finally felt himself completely drained and ready for the sleep he hadn’t gotten the night before. 

~Tuesday~

To say that Hoseok was distracted Tuesday was an understatement. All he’d been able to do the last two days was text Namjoon and relive the memories of their first date. Even now, only partially ignoring Yoongi after giving him his bracelet gift, he was trying to remember the exact fish joke he’d repeated at dinner that made Namjoon nearly choke on his drink. 

“Though you’re still not working on the project,” Yoongi sighed with a squint, “I’m surprised you aren’t messing with the plants today.”

“Oh? Well, they’re doing okay now, aren’t they?” His attempt at nonchalance was belied by the fact that he knew damn well his good mood was more than enough to feed the plants even from a mile away. Hell, any plants in the neighboring apartments were probably feeling it too.

“Hmm.” Yoongi quickly dropped it, likely out of disinterest than anything else. But just as Hoseok really started typing again he heard the telltale beeps of the front door’s code being typed, and Yoongi quickly looked up, “Oh shit, sorry, I didn’t tell you, my—“

“YOONGI-YAAAAAA~” A loud voice singsonged from the entryway, “YOUR HYUNG HAS COME TO SAVE YOU~”

Confused as all get out, Hoseok looked up to Yoongi for a response, but he looked busy already nursing a massive headache. “Hyung, you’re early.” He called out weakly to the hallway.

“Because!” The disembodied voice came closer, and soon Hoseok was assaulted visually by the most handsome man he’d ever seen in his life (sorry Namjoon). “You said you were having a guest, and how could I not come to save you from your lack of home cooked meals?” And out of his shopping bag he pulled a shiny new skillet, still wearing its price tag.

For the first time since Hoseok can remember, Yoongi’s eyes opened wide. “Hyung, you didn’t have to buy us a new one, I said I was going to.” 

… Us? Hoseok felt a cold dread drip down his back. The handsome man spun around and immediately aimed for the kitchen, which only pulled Yoongi from his seat to try to stop him from, apparently, making them dinner. 

A man who knew the code to the door, walked in without knocking, and bought a new skillet for ‘us’… A low din started up from the plants behind him, not with words, but it was enough to verify Hoseok’s suspicions.

This man was clearly Yoongi’s roommate, the plant killer, 

The Other One.

All of a sudden any awe Hoseok had for the man’s face was lost as he coldly stared at the back of his head over the kitchen island. Yoongi was doing his damndest to stop the man at every turn and eventually banished him from the kitchen and forced him to go sit down. And he chose the seat right next to Hoseok. 

“So hi! I’m Kim Seokjin, Yoongichi’s hyung.” From the kitchen Hoseok was sure he heard Yoongi yell about not calling him ‘Yoongichi’ but it fell on deaf ears.

“Jung Hoseok.” He started, nodding politely. He wondered how long he had to know someone before loudly proclaiming he was going to steal his plants and give them a better home. 

“Yoonie was telling me you’re a dance major, is that right?”

“Ah, uh huh.” He tried to turn his attention back to his work so he wouldn’t explode on the guy about the absolute trauma he’d done to the plants, but the guy immediately answered back with a loud sigh.

“Aaaaah, Yooongiiiii, your friend isn’t as fun as you.” RUDE, Hoseok thought, and the plants agreed in unison. 

“That’s because you could have picked any seat in the apartment and you decided to bother him instead.” He turned and aimed a spatula at the couch near the windows. “Go sit over there and stop being overbearing.”

“Me? Overbearing??” He suddenly stood and slapped a hand over his heart, “You WOUND me, Yoombles—“

“Stooooop with the baby nicknames!” Yoongi whined.

“Hoseok-ah, did you know Yoongi couldn’t say his own name for years,” Seokjin suddenly started, “so kept introducing himself as Mim Yoombi—“

“I’M GOING TO THROW YOU OUT OF THE APARTMENT!” Yoongi yelled from his place in front of the pantry. Which only made Seokjin squeak with laughter.

“So, Hoseok-ah, did Yoongi tell you anything about me?”

“Uh, no… just that you’ve known each other since you were little? Something about not killing you.”

“Oh please, that’s a weekly occurrence, he didn’t tell you I’m a theatre major?” Ah, that explains the theatrics. 

“No, I never would have guessed.” Hoseok smiled, trying to be nice for as long as possible. And if Hoseok hadn't been completely overwhelmed by Seokjin's sparkling personality, he might have seen Yoongi give him a confused look and mumble a question neither of them heard.

The next twenty minutes passed noisily as Seokjin continued to harass Yoongi loudly from across the apartment between mundane questions Hoseok tried to answer kindly. Yes, he was enjoying school. No, he didn’t miss the military. Yes, he bought Yoongi that bracelet. No, he didn’t have a crush on Yoongi. Yes, he was already interested in someone else. Yes, they even had a lovely date Saturday. No, he didn’t think they were an axe murderer.

Eventually even Hoseok’s patience wore thin. He had half a mind to signal to the pothos hanging over his seat on the couch to just strangle him with a vine. Unfortunately he had just trimmed the overgrown tendrils so Seokjin was just barely out of reach. 

He was just considering moving the pothos to the table for extra reach when something astounding happened. 

The door code started beeping again.

“… Huh?” Hoseok was pulled from his thoughts. “Were you expecting more people, Yoongi-hyung?”

Whoever came in did so, unlike Seokjin, without fanfare, footsteps quiet as a mouse. Or at least, quiet until the dulcet bang of someone running into the entryway cabinet echoed down the hallway. 

“Expecting? No, that’s probably just Joonie.” 

“Joonie?” Hoseok repeated, a strange dejavú falling over him as the syllables fit perfectly on his tongue.

“Hmm?” A questioning hum resounded, footsteps finally audible as they grew closer.

And then.

“Oh! Hoseokie, why are you here??” A familiar face, and even more familiar voice, filled Hoseok’s senses.

Joonie.

Namjoon.

“Namjoonie!?” Hoseok exclaimed.

“MY BABY BROTHER!” Seokjin proclaimed as he hopped up, and subsequently out of reach of the murderous vines, and threw his arms around Namjoon’s neck. “Hyung came to make dinner but Yoonyoon kicked me out of the kitchen!”

“Question,” Yoongi asked dryly, “Why are you the absolute worst?”

“Ah, but I know Yoongichi loves me most,” Seokjin steamrolled on.

If anyone had been paying attention to Hoseok, they would have noticed the frozen expression on his face as he tried to process the onslaught of information. 

Behind him, the plants din grew louder, muddling his mind and slowing his brain down to single thought at a time.

Yoongi said the food was done. 

Namjoon was Seokjin’s little brother.

Seokjin was staying to eat.

Hoseok never mentioned his date to Yoongi.

Namjoon expressed surprise at the bracelet, obviously not knowing Yoongi was the classmate Hoseok mentioned at the gift shop.

Hoseok never said his classmate’s name to Namjoon.

Namjoon never said his date’s name to Yoongi.

Seokjin was asked what gift shop Namjoon was talking about.

And that’s when the final piece of the puzzle filled in for everyone. “Ah, me and Hoseokie went to the aquarium Saturday,” Namjoon said innocently.

Seokjin’s eyes gleamed as his smile grew mischievously wide. “Hoseok-ah, didn’t you just say you had a ‘lovely date’ this past Saturday?”

“You’re the one who went on the date with Joonie?” Yoongi scrutinized. 

The embarrassment burned across Hoseok’s face with vigor as Namjoon stumbled over his words, not quite back tracking but trying to decipher by Hoseok’s blush if he’d said too much. 

The one-sided heckling continued as Seokjin began grilling the two of them, but soon enough dinner was over and Yoongi declared that the project needed to be worked on if the Kim brothers could PLEASE leave them alone. 

“Yah, and here I came out of the goodness of my heart! And what does Hyung get for his efforts? Kicked to the curb! Abandoned!”

Came here? Hoseok’s brain latched on to this bit tightly.

“Hyuuung,” Namjoon sighed, “Please let Hoseokie work?”

“Fine, I’ll be going now. You kids have fun!”

“We’re hardly kids.” Yoongi sighed as he got up. Namjoon also got up and the three started towards the door, Hoseok lagging behind. His mind started running a mile a minute as the plants began their noises again, attempting to drown out his own thoughts.

They were trying to tell him something.

A piece of the puzzle he didn’t realize was missing until he saw Namjoon and Seokjin hug goodbye.

And then Yoongi... and Seokjin.

Seokjin put on his shoes and bid Hoseok goodbye, but he barely heard it.

Hoseok.exe not found.

System rebooting.

“Namjoon... is Yoongi’s roommate?”

The plants jeered in response, the answer to his newly formed nightmare.

Namjoon was the plant killer.

The rest of the day was a blur, as Hoseok devoted his entire time to his homework for once, pausing only to ask Namjoon not to sit on the couch, but not clarifying why. Not to Namjoon, and not to the plants. It was putting himself in danger as they began claiming Hoseok was a traitor. He didn’t want to hear it. Giving them no answer, he finished his half of the work quickly and excused himself suddenly.

“I’m just a little tired.” He didn’t lie, “Your brother was a bit much, even for me.” His smile wasn’t a lie either.

“Yeah, sorry, he’s always been like that. The theatre classes have definitely... augmented that aspect of him.” Hoseok snorted at Namjoon’s overly careful choice of words. 

But Hoseok couldn’t stop himself from asking, “Namjoonie, when did you get all those plants?”

“Oh, those?” His face brightened, even as the plants silently hissed at him. “I only just got into buying plants when me and hyung moved in here last year. I got a little carried away, I think.” He rubbed the back of his neck a bit, running his finger over a particularly brown leaf on one of the more burnt plants. “Somehow they’re doing better this week, so maybe I’m not so bad?” The plants wholeheartedly disagree, causing Hoseok to choke on an incredulous giggle. “But I guess I did bite off more than I could chew.” 

“Oh! If that’s the case, I could take some off your hands, if you need me to?” Hoseok jumped at his chance. “I really like plants too, and I’m very good at it!” With a dumbfounded nod of consent from Namjoon, Hoseok stared down the table, trying to gauge which one still needed the most TLC. He immediately zeroed in on the least healthy looking one, the poor choked Korean bellflower, and touched it’s pot. “This one needs tons of space outside to grow best, and I have plenty of room on my balcony for it, if I could take it?”

“The pink ones? Sure, if you’ll let me give them to you as a gift.”

“A gift?” Hoseok questioned as he pulled the over-crowded pot to his chest. 

“They, um, represent love, don’t they? I mean, it’s not a bouquet of roses...” A soft blush touched Namjoon’s face and Hoseok felt himself weakening. How could someone so thoughtful be so insanely bad at taking care of houseplants??? Surely this was some cosmic mistake.

Apparently the plants didn’t agree with his assessment, as the nearby crown of thorns decided to voice it’s displeasure by brushing a bit of sap against his bare arm when Hoseok walked past. 

Upon arriving home he quickly pruned and repotted the bellflower, giving it a new home in a wide planter on his balcony. It was only then that he discovered the irritating sap smeared on his arm and sighed in defeat. He couldn’t abandon the poor plants to Namjoon’s black thumb, but he looked so happy having them, he couldn’t just take them all away as gifts.

Hoseok ended up spending most of the night itching that spot raw.

~Wednesday~

All day Wednesday Hoseok fretted and worried about his newfound conundrum. On one hand, Namjoon was super sweet and so caring in everything he did. On the other, Hoseok couldn’t leave those plants to die in his hands. It wasn’t fair that they be sacrificed for temporary enjoyment as a hobby that’ll likely be dropped as soon as the last plant breathed its last. 

But in the end, weren’t both solutions the one and the same? Save the plants, make Namjoon happy! Seemed easy enough. He quickly shot off a text to Namjoon and soon enough he found himself once again going straight from practice with the kids to Namjoon and Yoongi’s apartment.

To say Yoongi was surprised was a lie, as he answered the door with his signature squint and simply said, “Ah, come in.” But soon enough he was greeted by a very happy Namjoon, dimpled smile shooting straight to his heart. He swore he could hear the snake plant gag. 

Despite Namjoon’s offers to help, dinner was once again on Yoongi. Hoseok tried to help as well, but he too had no idea how to make what Yoongi was cooking. Eventually he just gave up and went to chat with Namjoon on the couch.

Being in the apartment for no other reason than to spend time with Namjoon was like suffering a strong case of whiplash, both familiar and unfamiliar all at once. Luckily, talking to Namjoon alleviated most of his worries. His smooth, warm voice falling on his ears like a summer breeze, his handsome face so enjoyable to watch as he animatedly talked about pruning, his hands subtly finding a place to rest on Hoseok’s knee, Hoseok reaching out to do the same—

—Did he say pruning?

For the first time since Hoseok came in he gave the plants a good hard look and he tried not to let his face pale. While the pruning had gone just fine, he could see that somehow nearly all the plants were completely dried up, half burnt, and wheezing almost noiselessly for help. Realizing belatedly that he hadn't heard a peep out of them thus far he wanted to cry an apology as he asked Namjoon if he could, "check out the plants for a bit, see how your pruning job did, where's the watering can?"

Throughout the rest of the evening he hung his arm covertly over the back of the couch to reach the crispy outstretched tendrils, directing his energy behind Namjoon’s back to heal the broken ends of all the recently pruned leaves and gave them the strength to pull up the fresh water soaking their roots. If Namjoon noticed him acting squirrelly, he said nothing he left Hoseok to his devices, eventually getting up to help Yoongi plate their food.

Piping hot and absolutely delicious, Hoseok tried to enjoy his meal while the plants renewed their chorus of “Traitor!” behind his back. If either of his friends noticed him sweating, he would just pass it off as the hot food getting to him, not the houseplants planning his funeral.

Luckily, Namjoon didn’t seem to notice and Yoongi didn’t seem to care.

~Thursday~

Somehow, the plants were just as bad the next day. The energy he’d directed towards healing their pruned stems did little to revitalize their dry states and he had to water them again. Covertly this time, with a glass of water he was so careful to make it look like he was drinking it himself. Because apparently, Namjoon was somehow watering them the exact right amount, and yet here they were. Still dying.

“This isn’t working,” Hoseok whispered to himself weakly.

“Oh, really? You think that NOW???” A particularly pissed off succulent snapped. It was the only one left with the energy to sass him, the others struggling just to stay upright. Something wasn’t adding up, they were doing fine last week when Hoseok was caring for them behind Yoongi’s back, but now that he’s doing it behind Namjoon’s as well…

… No, that can't be it, because Namjoon always lived here. What changed in the past week that could cause this much destruction??? The only change that occurred was that he and Namjoon began dating. But even then, they were fine until the pruning, which Hoseok could assess were perfectly fine cuts. The man didn’t do it wrong, but somehow he did it wrong??

“… Hoseok-aaaah, come back to the project pleaaase.” Yoongi’s voice broke through the barrier of Hoseok’s brain fog. 

“Right, sorry. I’m just… did you do anything to the plants?”

“I never touch them, no. Why, did Namjoon do something?”

“That’s what I’m trying to figure out.” Hoseok pouted. “They were fine last week. Or I guess they weren’t, but then they were, and now they’re all dried out again. Like they’ve been burnt.”

“Ah…” Yoongi looked up slowly, and very pointedly asked, “Did Namjoon touch them with his bare hands?”

“Uh… I guess he did? He must have, he said he pruned them.” Yoongi’s squint only seemed to get squintier and finally Hoseok broke. “Why? Why does that matter?”

“… He really hasn’t told you,” Yoongi mused.

“Told me what?”

“Well,” His chair scraped the floor as he pushed back from his laptop, “you two only just started dating right? It’s been like, a week?”

“Yes, but, told me what? What didn’t Namjoon tell me??” Hoseok felt himself vibrating with excitement. Maybe this was the answer to his problem. Maybe this would stop the plants’ outrage. Maybe—

“Has Namjoon ever burned you before?”

—Heh?

Hoseok’s knee jerk reaction was to say no, of course not… but quick as lightning a memory flashed before his eyes. The day they met last week, when he tried to flirt with Namjoon when retrieving his headphones. There was pain he’d chalked up to the shock of the headphones breaking. But… no, the pain came before they broke. 

When he nearly fell into Namjoon in the book store it felt like his hand was branded into his skin. 

His overly sweaty palms at the aquarium, the fact that they dried off so fast after the dolphin show, Namjoon burning the food at the restaurant.

“… Namjoon can burn things. With magic. He’s burning the plants with magic.” Hoseok found the words falling out unhindered, not a question but a statement. 

“Yup, with his hands, specifically.” Yoongi confirmed.

Strangely, Hoseok felt very calm at this revelation. The speeches about prejudice against magic users, the careful way he’s trying his best to keep the plants alive, everything made sense.

The rumors were true, Namjoon was a magic user too. Even though Hoseok kept finding pieces to a puzzle he thought was complete, he still felt a bit better having this piece.

The expressions must be dancing all over Hoseok's face because Yoongi just laughed as he said, “Huh, you are quick,” smiling as if he hadn’t just dropped an entire nuclear bomb on Hoseok. “Now if only we could finish the project anytime soon.”

“Wait wait wait, hyung!” A rush of anxiety filled Hoseok to the depths of his heart, “You can’t just out someone like that without their permission! There are people out there who would hurt him if they knew, you don’t know who’s safe!”

“HA!” Yoongi suddenly cracked up, “If anyone knows who’s safe to tell it’s me.” 

Hoseok felt dizzy as another puzzle piece dropped unceremoniously into his lap, “What? What does that mean??”

“It means your aura gave you away. I saw you a mile away on day one of class.”

“My… aura?” 

And click, there goes the puzzle piece.

“You! You’re a magic user too!!!” Hoseok jumped out of his chair as Yoongi laughed harder, tilting his chair back to dodge Hoseok’s swinging hands. “How long did you know?! Why didn’t you tell me!! I spent all this time trying to save those plants!” He finally got his hands on Yoongi’s shirt, causing Yoongi to fall right out of his chair, Hoseok tumbling after, “YA! I was so scared the plants were going to kill us all!”

“What???” Yoongi gasped between fits of giggles, literally rolling on the floor laughing, “Those Kentucky fried things?”

And Hoseok was trying to cover his own bubbling laughs with yells, but it was starting to fail. “I can’t believe you! From day one you knew!!”

“How could I not!” Yoongi finally sat up, “Your aura is so freaking bright every time I look at you my vision takes ten damage. It’s like staring at the sun, especially when you were excited.”

That caught Hoseok’s attention. “My aura is like the sun?” He breathed in awe.

“Yeah, all bright and sunshiny. I can see why the plants keep resonating with you.”

“Do they have auras too?”

“All living things do.” Yoongi grunted as he got up off the floor where they’d tumbled, dropping himself into his chair. “Normal people just kinda look like little dull blobs, and plants and stuff just sort of give off a vibe, but magic users usually give off a kind of… light? I guess? Yours is more like light than any other aura I’ve ever seen, and every time you gave mana to the plants they grew brighter too. Almost as bright as humans.”

“They talk, you know,” Hoseok suddenly blurted.

“They… what,” Yoongi asked flatly. 

“I mean, if I’m nearby. If I accidentally give them my energy—“

“—Your mana.”

“—Yeah, that, they start talking back to me. And let me tell you, the pothos has been planning to noose everyone since the first day I got here.” At that Yoongi started laughing again but Hoseok smacked his arm to try to get him to stop. “I’m serious! The crown of thorns tried to burn me with sap the other day. SAP! Do you know how bad that itches?? I had to sacrifice a piece of my aloe plant at home, and she was not happy about—Stop laughing!” 

The rest of the evening went much like that, less and fewer parts of the project getting done as Hoseok finally had another magic user to talk to, as well as free range to unload as much mana as he could onto the poor dehydrated plants. Leaves instantly plumped up and stood at attention, vines twirling around posts and up their hanging baskets.

“Freaky,” Yoongi observed, holding a hand over his face like he really was looking directly at the sun.

“So… can you, maybe not tell Namjoon about me?” Hoseok hedged, and then quickly added, “Wait, you haven’t yet, have you??”

“No, Namjoon specifically asked me not to tell him which people were and weren’t. Doesn’t mean I can’t out myself whenever I feel like, but I didn’t tell him about you.” Yoongi squinted at him suspiciously, “Is there a reason you don’t want him to know?”

“… Kinda? I sorta… I like telling my friends in my own way.” It’s silly, and it’s not as if he actually had any plans in mind. But like all ideas, they always start off as tiny seeds, and the roots take hold long before the shoots appear above the soil.

Hoseok’s phone chimed with a text, Namjoon asking if he was still at the apartment as his class was over and he’d be home soon if he wanted to wait for him. “Hey, Yoongi-hyung?”

“Hmm?” 

“What does Namjoon’s aura look like?”

“… like a fucking out of control dumpster fire.”

And so the two dissolved into fits of giggles yet again.

~Friday~

“Naaaaamjoooonie!” With a little skip in his step Hoseok fell into step with Namjoon. “Walk me to class?” He may have been laying it on thick with the addition of the puppy dog eyes and pout combo, but to see the smile bloom across Namjoon’s face was absolutely worth the extra cheese.

“Oh, right, Yoongi told me you nearly beat him to death yesterday. He said his entire ass cheek was bruised from being thrown from his chair, what was that about?”

“Ah, he insulted my mother and brought a plague upon my house.”

“Oh yeah, he does that.” They giggled at Yoongi’s expense, Namjoon dropping the subject as it seemed to be nothing to worry about. The ease at which he seemed to go through life was admirable, he never held on to things that didn’t matter in the long run. It was good to be unburdened with such things, something Hoseok was still working on actively.

“Actually, I have a question.” He started, “Er, I guess, it’s a request actually.” His footsteps slowed as he gave it some more thought. Eventually he managed to steel himself enough to stop, pulling back on Namjoon’s hand. “Are you free anytime this weekend?”

Namjoon slowed to a halt as well, letting their laced hands pull him a step closer. “I’m always free Saturday, if my homework isn’t terrible.” Namjoon peered into Hoseok’s face as the man rocked back on his heels, clearly deep in thought. “Why, do you want to go out again?” He guessed correctly.

“I have something in mind,” he admitted with a shy smile. “That is, if you trust me with planning a surprise?” Eh, too cryptic maybe? He started to second guess himself, but as always Namjoon answered with that devastatingly gorgeous smile with matching dimples.

“I love surprises.” The warmth in his amber eyes seemed to light Hoseok up, and suddenly he had to stop himself from giggling over the mental image of Namjoon’s aura as painted by Yoongi himself. 

“Great!” Hoseok skipped ahead, pulling Namjoon along by their linked hands, “Then we’ll meet at the station like last time?”

“Whatever you want, it’s your surprise this time.” Namjoon matched stride with Hoseok, letting him lean just a little bit on his arm as they walked in the cool, early spring breeze.

Practice ended up running late, but that was intentional on Hoseok’s part. His plan had not only fully taken root but was now a young sapling, ready for that final push to fruition. But in order to get there he was going to need a lot of mana, and the best way to get it was working. Hard. The kids didn’t appreciate the endless drills, but when he promised to invite them over to his apartment for a free diner they all jumped right back into it, their drives to live renewed.

Although dragging three hyper college boys across campus and then through the train was a fight all unto itself, they eventually made it to Hosoek’s apartment none the worse for wear. And the first order of business was date prep, which had at least Jimin and Taehyung squealing with delight.

And that was how Hoseok found himself buried arms deep in his walk in closet with a small team of boys strewn about his room amongst the piles of rejected outfit ideas.

“Hyung, can we order pizza?” Jungkook asked, already looking through a menu on his phone.

“No, I don’t want to be bloated tomorrow.” Hoseok flitted around the closet, looking for that one shirt he knew he had somewhere.

“For the last time, you do not get bloated eating pizza, you’ll be fine.” Jimin dramatically threw himself back on Hoseok’s bed next to Jungkook. It was probably the third time since starting their little fashion show that someone had told him he’d be fine, but he was still having a hard time believing it. 

“Just wear the relaxed fit pants with a tapered ankle, it’ll look good with those black leather shoes you have,” Taehyung supplied, spinning slowly in Hoseok’s desk chair.

“I don’t want to wear those pants because I want my ass to look good.”

“And when does it not?” Jimin flung himself up off the bed and marched over to the closet, rifling through Hoseok’s pants with abandon. “These!” he yanked out a pair of shiny wet-look pants more suited to clubbing than anything else.

“No,” Hoseok snatched them back and resolutely hung them back up. “I’m not taking him drinking and dancing, we’re going somewhere special.”

“Well, if you’d tell us where, we could help more,” Taehyung sighed.

“I don’t need help with the outfit, I just need help finding this one shirt.”

“What’s it made of?” Jungkook suddenly piped up.

“What?” Hoseok furrowed his brows, “I think it’s like silk? Not actual silk, but like, shiny? Navy blue.”

Suddenly Jungkook was up and booty bumping Jimin out of the way of the closet as he soldiered past them both and went straight for a corner of plain dress shirts. And sure enough, not a second later the shirt was in his hands.

“How the hell do you do that?” Hoseok looked dumbfounded as he took the offered shirt.

“You never wear dress shirts, so I figured you’d never look there,” Jungkook shrugged.

“Ooooh, he’s got a good point.” Finally out of his chair, Taehyung reached out to slide the fabric between his fingers. “And it’s a polyester satin weave, it’s gonna be hot, and you’re prone to sweating. Are you sure about this one?”

“We’re going to be outside so I’ll need the warmth.” Hoseok sighed, one less worry behind him. The peace lily near the closet door brushed his arm, quietly soothing him. “Thanks, I’m good now,” he patted the leaf, “But will you tell the mint to pick me a sprig?”

“Asking your friends to make you tea?” Jimin joked while running a finger over one of the big leaves of the pretty houseplant. “If it’s mint tea then you’re more anxious than you’re telling us.” And before he could protest the kids had him sitting on the couch, Jungkook starting the tea, Jimin politely taking the offered sprig of mint from the plant on the kitchen island, and Taehyung finishing up matching some pieces to Hoseok’s outfit.

Jungkook barely handed him the hot mug of brewing tea before Jimin plopped down beside him and began his interrogation, “Now, out with it, what’s going on? You’ve been flighty all day, did something happen?” 

All Hoseok could do was sigh, “I… I’m gonna take him tomorrow. To the place I took you all.”

“Oh. Oh! So soon?” Jimin’s face softened with concern. “You’ve only been on one date so far, is that wise?” 

“Hey, Namjoon-hyung is cool about stuff like that, he’ll probably think it’s hella cool like we did,” Jungkook defended, “Besides, isn’t it better Hoseok takes him now, as soon as possible?”  

“Can I just say…?” Hoseok set down his tea. “I’m not worried about that so much. I’m just more anxious that I don’t know exactly what it is about me that he likes? He’s never exactly said, and it kinda worries me.” His nervous energy began seeping into the nearby plants, making them turn away from him, “I mean, I even took his plants, he must know I think he’s shit at taking care of them, and I don’t want to offend him, but what if he’s already noticing things about me he doesn't like, and he’s just being polite—”

“Hyung, look at me.” Jimin grabbed his cheeks to turn his head. “What about you would he NOT like?” Stunned into silence, all Hoseok could do was widen his eyes. “He obviously likes your flirting enough to go out with you—”

“—Practically sight unseen,” Taehyung supplied.

Jimin nodded resolutely, “Plus, he’s seen you dance, and he absolutely LOVED it.”

“And it wasn’t even because of us dancing too, he only complimented you,” Jungkook added with a poorly hidden pout.

“See? He even ignored the Golden Baby for you. The man stares at you like you’re the sun itself,” Jimin let go of his face in exchange for patting his hands, “so just take him out, have a good time, and let the relationship breathe. It’s barely starting, you have all the time in the world to fill in the gaps later.”

With a tiny sigh Hoseok didn’t even realize he was holding he let himself melt into the couch. “I guess I am overthinking again. Thanks, everyone.”

The moment was broken by a loud eruption of heavy metal from Jungkook’s phone. “Ah, it’s the pizza guy…”

“I said no pizza!” Hoseok whined, causing the others to break out into giggles, Jungkook to whine about needing the gate code again, and the plants to chortle silently into the early night.

~Saturday~

Despite the pep talk from his friends, Hoseok was nervous. No, nervous didn’t even begin to describe Hoseok as they got off the last bus of their very long trip. He was taking a risk going out here, and especially this late, but sundown was key to his plan. 

He’d stuck it out this far, allowing Namjoon to take them to dinner first, the man once again claiming fairness above all else. But food had done little to dispel the stone sitting in his stomach. Regardless of knowing Namjoon was absolutely into him and knowing he too was a magic user, he still felt the cold drips of anxiety sliding down his back.

Or maybe that was sweat, because Namjoon’s hand was an unholy level of hot where it sat comfortably on his lower back. Now that Yoongi had pointed it out to him, it was nearly impossible not to notice the immense difference in Namjoon’s hands to literally any other part of him. And if Namjoon’s mana was affected by moods like Hoseok’s, then likely the anticipation of the surprise was dialing the oven mitts of destruction up to ten.

Still, Hoseok had some hang ups about the fact that he already knew. It wouldn’t be long before he’d admit to it, and hopefully he wouldn’t be angry, as Yoongi claimed he wouldn’t be. But the anxiety was still there. This was only their second date, and though they’d inadvertently ended up in the same apartment throughout the week, everything had remained fairly lighthearted. 

To admit to this part of himself to Namjoon meant that he really did want to keep him. He wanted to go on more dates, to learn more about him, to assign him that most precious piece of his heart and maybe he’d do the same. And the first step to a good relationship foundation was honesty and communication. 

“So since we’re literally in the middle of nowhere, I take it we’re close?” Namjoon subtly pulled Hoseok a touch closer to him as they walked on an actual cobblestone street of few people and lined with the traditional walls surrounding what must be matching traditional homes. “I hope you aren’t planning to take me clubbing, I’m not dressed for it.”

They both laughed as Hoseok turned and pulled them down the next street, Namjoon patiently waiting for any indication of where they were going. He was so good natured, Hoseok mused. If it were him having to wait he’d be whining and pouting and trying to guess the whole way. A tiny sigh slipped out and Namjoon looked at him quizzically.

“How on Earth do you have so much patience?” Hoseok hummed as he leaned against Namjoon’s arm.

At that Namjoon’s soft look hardened a touch. “I didn’t use to,” he started quietly, causing Hoseok to slow down. “I used to be super clumsy and break things a lot. Got super mad about it too, but I eventually realized, after some irreparable mistakes, that I had no one to get mad at but me. So I had to learn to be patient with myself, or I’d make things worse, you know?”

Hoseok straightened up, not expecting that in the slightest. “Oh, wow… well at least you’re aware of it.” He turned his surprise into a smile, “That’s good, you know! It means you’re focusing on taking care of your garden.”

“The plants back home?” Namjoon screwed up his face in confusion, knowing damn well he was failing at that.

“No, no, it's something my dad… Oh, it’s just around this corner, we’re almost there.”

And just as they rounded the corner, they were faced with an enormous traditional gate set in yet another very high traditional wall. “What is this? A temple?”

“No, come see.” Hoseok carefully pulled Namjoon’s hand from his back and laced their fingers together as they passed the gate.

Before them was a breathtaking view. All around them were trees of crepe myrtles and red pines, pathways leading to small ponds and hills dotted with little stone lanterns. This far from the city center meant the reddening sky was completely unobstructed by any buildings or electric wires.

“Wait, is this a natural Korean garden?” Namjoon half whispered, as if speaking in such a place would mar its beauty. 

“A replica of one, yes!” Hoseok’s entire body began to vibrate with happiness as Namjoon’s face lit up in awe and wonder. “My dad brought me here when we first moved to Seoul, so we could… well, you’ll see.”

“See what?” Namjoon did that thing again, where he smiled with excruciating good looks and twin dimples and gazed down into Hoseok’s eyes until he absolutely melted into his Balenciaga sneakers. 

Hoseok shook his head to get his bearings again. “The surprise!” He cheered. “But we have to wait until sundown! So let’s walk to my favorite spot to watch the sunset, okay?”

“By all means, lead the way.” Namjoon breathed as if he’d never had fresh air in his life.

Though it was still early spring, there were already plants on their way to budding tiny flowers. The ponds were full of life, as nature taking its course in these kinds of gardens meant the local fauna tended to move right in. At one point they spied a tiny frog that had latched onto Namjoon’s shoe and he about died at the cuteness of it. Saved to Hoseok’s phone was a picture of the teeny little frog on Namjoon’s finger tip, with his cross-eyed face “accidentally” in the background.

And everywhere they went, a bit of Hoseok’s pent up energy leaked out, urging the plants to hasten their buds to bloom in the wake of his footsteps. He was practically vibrating with everything he was feeling. Joy that Namjoon was excited to see the garden, anxiety of the confession he’d soon be making, and sheer energy overload from being in this place again. Every single plant and tree and bush was buzzing with excitement that one of the fae children had returned. 

Eventually they reached a beautiful traditional Korean style pagoda set on top of a tall hill. Draped over the entire thing were delicate tendrils of morning glories with tiny buds of curled up flowers. “This is the spot.” Namjoon followed without a word, although awe was written all over his face, his fingers brushing through the curtain of red and orange flowers. Hoseok urged Namjoon to sit with him on one of the ornate benches and for a while they stared out over the beautiful sprawling garden and out into the sunset. 

Shoulder to shoulder, it was all too easy to lean into him and take his warm hand in his own again. “So earlier, I mentioned a thing about tending to your garden, right?”

“Hmm?” Namjoon looked down at Hoseok with eyebrows drawn for only a second, “You said something about your dad, right?” 

“Right, my dad used to have this saying. Or I guess something his grandmother taught him. He said everyone’s life is their own personal garden and every person they know plants something in your garden.

“Every time you interact with someone, you’re watering and tending the plant you’ve planted in their garden, so you have to go back often and make sure it’s growing well. But also, you have to ask yourself, is that person coming back to your garden to tend the plant they left with you? Or are they letting it wilt and die? Do they complain that your plant isn’t being taken care of enough, that you’re never around, but then they always make excuses to never take care of their plant in your garden either?

“Dad always said, some people’s plants will have evil intentions. The roots will poison your garden, the vines choking out the other plants, until finally they have complete control of your life and all your other friends and family have been driven away. He said the only way to remove those people was to dig up the plant all the way down to the roots. That it was a hard and dirty job, and one no one wants to do. 

“But on the other hand,” Hoseok looked out to the setting sun, “Some people’s plants are meant to stay. They help shade and protect other plants in the garden, they produce useful fruit, and eventually, that plant’s gardener decides to stay, and then two gardens become one.”

Namjoon sighed sweetly, “That’s an amazing metaphor, all of it. Your dad sounds like a very wise man.”

Hoseok clenched Namjoon’s hand a bit tighter, and then covered their clasped hands with his other one, turning to face him. Sensing a change in the atmosphere, Namjoon turned as well.

“Namjoonie, I… I want to be that gardener that stays. I want to help you take care of your garden. And I’d be really, really good at it.” He took a steadying breath, “And I can show you, right now, if you’ll let me?”

In response Namjoon brought his free hand to join the rest, pulling Hoseok’s up to his lips and pressing a soft kiss to his knuckles. “I already believe you, but show me what?”

“This is the surprise.” He slowly pulled his hands away and stood up, walking towards the thickest curtain of vines hanging from the pagoda’s eves. “Don’t look away, okay?”

With a nod, Namjoon turned fully in his seat to face Hoseok, and over his shoulder the last of the daylight faded. 

Hoseok took one last deep breath, and then shut his eyes. In the core of his body was a thrumming energy, now thanks to Yoongi he could even visualize it as something akin to a small sun, glowing merrily around Hoseok’s body. He pulled all the pent up energy in him to that core, inhaling as he pulled and pulled and pulled…

And then he breathed life into everything around him. 

The sheer force of Hoseok’s energy surged up the morning glory vines behind him and each and every bloom unfurled to face the little sun glowing before them. His mana rippled like waves on a pond, washing over every plant laid across the hill and beyond, branches springing to life, the dull grey of winter washing away in an instant to the warmth of spring Hoseok bathed them in.

When he opened his eyes, all he could see was Namjoon’s eyes, wide and glittering like they had been inlaid with diamonds. And then Hoseok realized, as he spun around, that his energy had been so immensely powerful this time that every single flower on every single vine was twinkling with tiny sparks of life.

He didn’t just make them glow this time, he made the flowers glitter. 

The surprised laugh broke the tension in the air, and as the lights slowly swirled around their blooms Hoseok found himself engulfed in a hot embrace. “Hoseokie! That was amazing!! You’re absolutely amazing!!!” He buried his face into his hair as he shuddered a laugh. “I had no idea you were such a strong magic user. Your father, who brought you here, was he…?”

“Yes,” A wave of bashfulness at the onslaught of compliments stilted his words, “His grandmother, my great grandmother, was a wood elf. She built this place.” 

But Namjoon seemed to fidget in place, his hands on Hoseok’s back growing hotter and hotter by the second. “Hoseok-ah, can I show you something too? My own surprise?” Hoseok was barely aware of the smile splitting his face as he nodded excitedly. It was one thing to have a dull and vague description of Namjoon’s magic, and a whole other thing to see it in person.

It started with Namjoon’s palm. For a second nothing happened, and then a little glow of an ember appeared. Slowly, a little flame sparked to life right on the surface of Namjoon’s hand, neither burning him nor dying out. 

Carefully he stepped to the edge of the pagoda, brought the fire to his lips, and with a face of pure concentration, he blew the embers directly into the garden.

Fear gripped Hoseok for a moment as he remembered the plants in the window of the living room, dried out and suffering, but no such thing happened here. Within moments, the spark in his hand flowed like embers on a breeze, winding their way across the garden and filling it with light.

Eventually, one by one, every single one of the stone lanterns along the garden’s pathways began to glow, large dancing flames circling in their crucibles. Where the flames should have been seated firmly on tinders, these flitted and darted about like they had a life of their own. The floating glitter of Hoseok’s own magic remained in the buds and flowers of the garden, combining with Namjoon’s fire and filling the garden with an ethereal glow that was altogether inhuman yet beautiful.

“You can summon Faerie Fire!!!” Hoseok squealed with giddy delight. He’d only ever heard of such magic before, but it was such a rare trait most had never seen it. And even then, most pictures and videos of it did the flames no justice. Seeing it in person was so intensely beautiful he felt tears pricking his eyes. “Namjoon, you’re a member of the fae! That’s amazing, and this magic! It's so beautiful!” 

He was careful not to assume anything of Namjoon’s fae lineage, knowing better than to insult the fae, even accidentally. Only now his brain was rapidly going through every interaction they’d ever had and oh no, how many times had he accidentally insulted—

“I think the most beautiful one here is you,” Namjoon whispered into his ear, arms wrapping around his waist and pulling him close. 

“Lies and slander,” Hoseok accused, immediately cringing because after all that anxiety the first thing he did was insult a fae to his face, “You are. You’re tall, and gorgeous, and I. I want…” In a sudden rush, all of Hoseok’s nerves returned with a vengeance. Like his brain switching a flip wildly, and suddenly all his happy awe became useless nerves and anxiety again.

“You want to join our gardens.” Namjoon supplied. With a start Hoseok looked up into Namjoon’s amber eyes. “I want you too, Hoseok.” He trailed a finger sweetly down his cheek only to gently tip his face upwards, leaving the tiniest gap between their lips as an open invitation, an unasked request for consent.

Hoseok was never a very patient man. He surged forward and nearly unbalanced them with the force of his kiss, the force of his love for this sweet, amazing man. The cheers from the morning glories could have been a little quieter, but other than that their first kiss in the pagoda on the hill overlooking the beautiful garden was perfect. 

“And I also think you’re gorgeous, and funny, and so so kind to me…” Namjoon breathed against Hoseok’s lips, “…Even though I now realize you were probably wanting to murder me for how badly I handled my real plants.” They suddenly had to make room for the giggles that burst forth from both of them. 

“Oh no, not me,” Hoseok grinned knowingly, “But you might want to watch that pothos,” Hoseok wrapped his arms around Namjoon’s neck, “I would trim its vines more often.” 

He whispered into Namjoon’s ear seductively, “It’s been planning your murder for weeks.” 

Nothing could stop the laughter that burst out of both of them, hands clenching a bit tighter for support as they collapsed into each other. Their gleeful voices merged into the night just as the lights of their magic swirled and glowed around them, the embers dancing to the unheard melody of the flourishing plants.