Work Text:
4 July 2014
The carriage is heavy on the muddy path. It bobs along, gently jostling its passengers as it goes, following a well-known road. It’s surrounded by choruses of cheerful voices and impatient hoots. Jeongguk stares at the castle, watching it shrink against the blue sky, stone bricks disappearing behind thick trees, more and more hidden with every turn of the road. His mind is empty, even amidst the end of year cacophony, thoughts lulled to silence by the carriage’s meek rocking.
“Yo, dude! What’s your guess?”
A hand appears in Jeongguk’s vision. Two fingers click in his face, dragging his attention back to the people sitting in front of him.
Jeongguk pushes the hand away. “What?” he asks with an exaggerated sigh.
“You weren’t listening.”
"You should know by now I never listen to you two.”
Henri kicks him in the shin. “Prick,” he says with a smile.
Jeongguk ignores the insult. He glances down at the offending foot and then glares at its owner. “Kick me again and see what happens.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Edwin dismisses his threat with a few swirls of his hand, while Henri sniggers. “Who’d you think will win the Cup?”
“Bulgaria.”
“No way.” Henri shakes his head. “There’s no way. You’re both out of it.” He taps his knee with the tip of his wand before flicking it backwards. It emits a few blue sparks.
Edwin chuckles. “Told ya. It’s either Brazil or Bulgaria.”
Henri sighs, slumping against the seat. “It’s so shit England didn’t qualify.”
“You can always support Wales.” Edwin smirks.
“Yeah, that’s never happening.”
“You English people are such twats. Really. Where's all your 'the United Kingdom is a great and strong Union' shit when it’s time to support the other nations, eh?! You don’t deserve to be in,” Edwin tells him off. “I’m glad you’re not. I’m so sad about Scotland though.”
“That would’ve been even worse.”
At that, Edwin shoves Henri in the shoulder. Henri, unexpectedly, folds over the carriage’s side with a curse. The cages held tight in between their feet shake and rattle, and the two owls in them shriek, outraged at being disturbed. Jeongguk observes the exchange unmoved, more used to their bickering than he wishes to be.
Once Henri is back upright, and has shoved Edwin in retaliation, Edwin turns to Jeongguk. “You know,” he says, “I’m trying to convince my dad to get us tickets for a few games in Argentina. It’d be sick. But my mum wants to go to the Maldives though, so I’m gonna have to convince her. It’s gonna be hard, but I’m starting today as soon as I’m back.”
Jeongguk snorts. “Good for you.”
Edwin huffs. “You could show some support, y’know?”
“Yeah, also for me, ‘cause I need to convince my mother to let me go with him.”
“I support you,” Jeongguk deadpans.
Both Edwin and Henri make a show of lifting their eyes to the carriage’s ceiling.
“What about you?” Henri asks.
“What about me?” Jeongguk repeats with a bored tone, in an effort to annoy and tease them.
Edwin sighs. “Summer. Plans. Yours. What are they?”
“With Taehyung?” Henri follows up.
Jeongguk nods, a smile making its way on his face. There’s no way he can stop it. It’s the innate, unavoidable reaction to Taehyung’s name, and thought and presence. “Yes, that’s the plan.”
“Are you going somewhere with your parents?”
“No.” Jeongguk says dryly. “My parents don’t take proper holidays. Even if they did, I wouldn’t go.”
“You’re just gonna spend the entire summer with Taehyung?”
Jeongguk nods again. “Yes." He gives a small shrug. "And the others, I guess.”
Henri chuckles. “Of course, attached to the hip, classic BKS.”
That earns him a glare. Jeongguk narrows his eyes and presses his lips together, though he doesn’t bother responding, Henri’s goading him.
“How is it that your parents let you spend so much time with Taehyung, uh? Especially after the Ball. Man, mine would lock me away if I did something like that with my boyfriend.”
“Yeah, dude, like, you didn’t even get a Howler did you? My father would’ve killed me, resuscitated me and killed me again.”
“Howlers aren’t my parents' style. They attract too much attention,” Jeongguk explains in an uncaring, matter-of-fact tone. “But, if it makes you happy… Tonight, when I get home, they’ll have a lot to say.”
Sending a Howler to their kid in a school full of curious, gossipy teenagers, with the high risk of the screaming letter exploding in a public place, only raising attention, is not something his parents would ever do. The humiliating benefit of scolding a child in public that other parents seem to value isn’t appreciated by Jeongguk’s, to whom image and reputation are too important. Not only do they consider raising one's voice undignified and impolite, they would never want to shine a spotlight on shameful behaviour.
Even as a kid, Jeongguk was never told off in front of other people. When his parents reprimanded him, they would always do it at home, in their low, disappointed voices, taking great care to explain how shameful or improper whatever Jeongguk had done was, and then take away his broom and banish him to his room.
Jeongguk suspects this time will be much the same. He’ll get home from King’s Cross and they’ll return from work some time late in the evening, call him down and make him sit in the living room, proceed to sternly ask for an explanation and then spell out with great detail how disgraceful, discreditable and impolite his behaviour was. They will prohibit flying, surely. They’ll forbid him to leave the house, probably.
Jeongguk might even be inclined to obey orders, depending on how many days of punishment they impose. More likely, he’ll just do whatever he wants during the day (read: go to Taehyung) and ensure he’s back in his room some time before his parents get back from the Embassy.
The only uncertain factor is whether his parents know who was caught in the North Tower with him. They didn’t mention Taehyung in their letter, but if they did know, things could unravel differently and the consequences could be unpredictable. Because Jeongguk never told them about Taehyung, or any of his friends. Actually, he outright lied when asked about them and denied having or wanting any connection with them.
His mother had tried to convince him to pursue an association with Edwin and Taehyung and Jimin, and a bunch of other wizards and witches whose parents were important, but Jeongguk had pretended to be completely disgusted by the idea.
“Also,” Jeongguk carries on. “About letting me do things... My parents don’t know who my friends are and have no idea about Taehyung.” Unless McGonagall and Farley told them .
Edwin’s and Henri’s eyebrows shoot to their hairlines.
“What the fuck?!” Henri spurts, spitting a little as he speaks. “Are you serious?”
Jeongguk wipes a drop of saliva off the bridge of his nose. He narrows his eyes at Henri while doing so, too, underlying his disgust. “Yes.” He drags his hand down his robe. “The less I tell them, the less they ask, therefore, the more I can do...”
“But I thought you spent last summer at Taehyung’s house?” Edwin asks.
Jeongguk nods.
“And, like, you didn’t have to tell your parents where you were?” Henri presses.
Jeongguk shrugs. “Told them I was at a friend’s. Made up a name. It was enough.”
“Dude!" Henri exclaims, jumping in his seat. The wand in his hand letting out more blue sparks. "Fucking Salazar, you’re so lucky. Like, my mother would never let me sleep over at my boyfriend’s or girlfriend’s place. Like never.”
Edwin nods decisively next to him. “Yeah, I’d have to be interrogated by the Wizengamot first.”
Jeongguk takes his wand out of his pocket and twirls it in his fingers. He shrugs. His parents work all the time; they do not have enough time to care about what Jeongguk does when he’s at home.
Henri shifts forward a litte. “What about Taehyung’s parents? Like, they let you stay over, no?”
“Yes.”
He’s looking forward to long summer days with Taehyung, and with the others, and even to dinners with Taehyung’s mother and father.
The thought of spending time with them still makes him feel a bit embarrassed. Because he is the boyfriend after all, the one who has done the dirtiest things to Taehyung, even under their own roof. He is the person that gets to claim Taehyung’s body (and mind, and heart). But they are lovely to him.
"So they're cool with you?" Henri asks.
"Apparently."
"What are they like? With you?"
It seems absurd how accepting they are of him. Yet, they are so easy-going, so unbothered by Taehyung’s friends’ antics, so warm and welcoming towards him, that Jeongguk really likes them. Especially because they are the people that made Taehyung, brought him into the world, so he's unavoidably biased towards them. He cannot but feel in their debt.
"They’re nice. Like Taehyung." He smiles at the thought.
"Of course they are," Edwin asserts with a shake of his head. "You're so lucky, dude."
"Yeah, man," Henri echoes Edwin, once again slumping in his seat.
Jeongguk doesn’t know whether they're referring to Taheyung's parents' niceness, his own parents' lack of probing, the fact he can spend time with Taehyung without restrictions, or just the fact he gets to be with Taehyung. Maybe to all of it.
Jeongguk lifts his shoulders, acknowledging their words but not quite sure what to say.
He knows he's lucky. In a way, in many ways.
Growing up, he made peace with the fact that his parents are too dedicated to their careers and absorbed by their jobs to have the interest, or time, to properly care for and listen to him.
Jeongguk is aware he grew up alone and left to his own devices too much. Sometimes he wishes it hadn’t been like that, because he didn’t feel at home anywhere. But he’s taught himself not to be resentful, not to envy others.
He thinks most of what his parents believe in is meaningless, and he is convinced they should have not had children at all, but he accepts they are not bad people and it could be worse.
They've never left him lacking. They gave him everything their positions and status could get them. They let him be.
They may constantly talk about opportunities and connections; they may wish he was more ambitious; they may be disappointed with his complete lack of interest in anything they consider important, but at least they ensured he got the best magical education they could buy, they don’t oppose his passion for Quidditch and don’t make a real effort at controlling him.
It's nothing like the deep bond Taehyung has with his parents, nothing like the way Taehyung is so clearly loved, but it’s not the worst case scenario. It’s not something Jeongguk has the power to change either, so there is no point in getting upset over it.
Now that he's older, he sees his situation as an advantage: he gets to do whatever he wants, unbothered and barely questioned. He knows it could be a lot worse.
The Graduation Ceremony two days ago certainly proved that.
For the first time, he’d seen Jimin’s mother and understood why Jimin did not want to go home ever.
It’d been bad.
They’d all watched Jimin stand impassable, arms crossed and face fixed into a bored expression, as his mother shouted at him without pause. It had been difficult to be forced to listen to what she screamed at him and what she said about Yoongi. Watch her berate Jimin, as his father stood by in silence, knowing all the school could hear too.
Jimin always joked about his mother with a light tone, dismissing her beliefs with a shrug and a laugh, but the reality was anything but funny.
It didn’t matter that Jimin had anticipated it, had sort of prepared them, Jeongguk would’ve never been able to picture the fury his mother had burst into the moment she noticed Jimin’s hand and realised the implication.
The moment she saw the ring, she dragged Jimin away from the rows of white chairs, away from the celebratory Champagne, away from the groups of proud parents and graduated wizards and witches. Well within everyone's earshot, though.
After the first shocking screams, most people turned away and tried to ignore it, but Jeongguk and the others couldn’t. Even if Jimin had looked completely unfazed, it’d not been easy to watch the scene unfold.
Taehyung had been seething next to him, Jeongguk practically feelilng the anger rolling off of him in waves. They'd all been mad.
Jihye had sniffled, eyes narrowed but watery. "Can't we do something? Please do something."
But Yoongi, jaw clenched and eyes never leaving Jimin’s figure, had shook his head. "No,” he’d said, clipped. “He knows what he's doing."
It’d taken minutes of yelling for Jimin to have enough of it. They’d watched him turn towards his father and talk. They couldn’t hear what he was saying, but his father nodded and then touched his wife’s arm, speaking to her. There’d been more screaming, some arguing between his parents, and then finally, finally she Disapparated. Jimin and his father spoke some more, before his father left as well.
Jimin had walked back, eyes on Yoongi. When he reached them, he’d been smiling wide. He’d linked his hand with Yoongi’s waiting one and let himself be pulled against Yoongi’s chest.
“So,” he’d said, laughing. “I think the Parks have just set the record for the most yelling at a Hogwarts graduation ever.”
None of them had matched his laughter. Yoongi had whispered something in his ear, making him smile wider.
“Oh com’on!” Jimin had continued, nonchalantly. “How else did you think she was going to take it? At least now you all met her. Saw her at her absolute best. You have to give it to her, she knows how to make a scene.”
Taehyung had shook his head, moving to hug him and Yoongi with an “I love you.”
Seokjin had followed with a joke, and then Hoseok had said something that made them all chuckle too. The rest of the reception was fun, but Jeongguk had gone to bed thinking about parents and families, and considering himself more than lucky.
So, he has to agree with Edwin and Henri. It could be worse, and in a way, he is lucky.
The carriage finally halts, interrupting his thoughts. It’s louder around them now, students piling out and milling around the Hogsmeade platform, collecting their belongings and moving them to the train. The sound of their excited voices cuts through the air, mixing with the screeches and hoots of their pets.
Edwin and Henri grab their owl’s cages and step out. Jeongguk sticks his finger between the bars of his. He wiggles it. “Ready?” he asks.
Haneul toots back at him and pecks the finger.
Jeongguk smiles. He points his wand, and with a gentle drag across the air, he thinks Wingardium Leviosa. The cage lifts off the carriage’s seat and Jeongguk directs it to fly out, following it with a jump.
The platform is overflowing with students, moving around chaotically. While he’s dealing with his trunk, he has to duck to dodge a floating cat carrier.
“Salazar, it looks weird as fuck, I swear.”
Jeongguk follows Henri’s gaze, fixed on Edwin’s hand.
Edwin’s standing on the opposite side of the carriage, his luggage hovering behind him and hand moving back and forth in the air. They both know he’s caressing the Thestral hitched up to their carriage, but neither can see it.
Jeongguk wonders which part of the Thestral he’s touching. Edwin really likes them, once said they felt soft, but Seokjin had described them to Jeongguk as big and skinny winged horses with scales. Although Jeongguk can’t quite picture them, he can’t fathom how a scaly animal can be ‘soft’.
Edwin shakes his head and gives a small chuckle. “Shall we?” he asks, with a nod towards the red train. He pats the air twice and then turns, flicking his wand.
They walk towards the closest coach. Jeongguk scans the platform, but he doesn’t spot any seventh year student. They must still be on the boats.
“You sitting with Taehyung and the others?” Henri asks over his shoulder. He’s dragging his trunk, seemingly too lazy to use magic.
“Yeah. You wanna come sit with us?”
Henri sniggers. “No way dude. Like, even without the other three, we’d be squished. Plus, like, I don’t wanna watch you and Taehyung and be reminded of how single I am.”
Edwin's snickering next to him.
He sighs. “Suit yourselves.”
They get on the Express and walk down the aisle towards one end of the train. There’s a lot going on inside, but they barely notice, experts in avoiding the running first years and not tripping over abandoned possessions.
Henri and Edwin spot their other two dormmates in an otherwise empty coach. They slip inside with a fistbumb to Jeongguk and a promise to come say hi.
Jeongguk has to walk by a few more filled coaches before he reaches an empty one. He lifts his stuff to the rack, making sure Haneul’s cage is trapped between the trunk and the window and cannot shift about or fall down.
He only has to wait a few minutes before he hears bickering and loud laughing. He smiles to himself.
Hoseok appears in the carriage’s doorframe. “FOUND HIM!” he bellows.
“Fucking finally.”
Jimin.
“YEAH!”
Taehyung.
It still surprises him how much one voice can affect his mood. Taehyung’s voice is like warmth spreading inside him.
“Com’on, move, Hobi.” Taehyung comes into view, pushing Hoseok into the carriage.
Hoseok sighs. “By Helga, gimme a second. My stuff!” He shoves Taehyung back and flicks his wand to bring his trunk forward, in between their bodies. He directs it to the racks next to Jeongguk’s.
Taehyung beams at Jeongguk before setting his own things on the rails above the seats. He falls on Jeongguk’s lap then, arm around his neck. “Hey.”
Jeongguk mirrors the smile and slides his hands to take their place on Taehyung's waist. “Hey, baby.”
Jimin sits in front of them, next to a sprawled Hoseok.
“How were the boats?” Jeongguk asks.
“We barely fit,” Jimin replies. “It’s a ridiculous tradition. Should’ve stopped long ago. How the fuck they think that seventh years can fit in boats that were already small when we were in first year is just… beyond me.”
“Plus all our stuff, too.” Taehyung adds.
Hoseok nods. “I nearly fell in a few times.”
“Do they do some special ceremony or spell or something?” Jeongguk wonders.
“Nah, just make you sit in those boats and cross the lake."
Jimin looks exasperated by the whole affair. “Hagrid said McGonagall calls it a rite of passage.”
"Guess they think it's sentimental or something." Hoseok complains. "Finishing up seven years of boarding school with the risk of being kidnapped by the Merpeople. Make sure you make it unforgettable."
They all snicker.
Taehyung kicks off his shoes, and lifts his feet onto the seats. He wriggles a little in Jeongguk’s lap, settling further against him and bringing his hands to rest on one of the arms Jeongguk has wrapped around his waist. He plays with the sleeves of Jeongguk's robes, twisting the fabric in swirls.
Jeongguk leans closer to graze his cheek with a kiss, light and gentle, and then settles back, looking outside the window.
He can see the smoke coming out of the locomotive’s head, big cloudy swirls cutting through the blue sky. It’s a pretty contrast. More so with the green hills passing by fast, the sheeps living on them like small white dots. The sun is shining.
It’s silent for a while, until Taehyung tilts his head up. “Where’s Edwin and Henri? I thought they would be with us today. I told them yesterday to come sit with us.”
Jeongguk scoffs, looking away from the window and back at Taehyung. “They think there wouldn’t be enough space for all of us. Henri also told me we make him feel too single.”
Hoseok snorts. “Well, can’t disagree with that one. Between you two and him,” he points his thumb at Jimin, “it’s a disgusting love fest around here.”
“What have I done?" Jimin questions, voice raising, indignant. "Yoongi’s not even here. God," he huffs. "It’s literally like I’ve been single this whole year."
Hoseok barks out a dry laugh. “Yeah, right. Single. That’s why you got a diamond ring on your finger, ‘cause you’re literally single as fuck.”
Jimin doesn’t have the good sense to look bashful. He glances down to his left hand, the corner of his lips turning up.
He plays with the ring for a few seconds, twisting it on his finger, before looking back up with a smug smirk. “Pretty, eh?”
It still felt strange to see the ring on Jimin’s finger and know his two friends were going to be married soon.
Jimin had showed up with the ring on the morning of his graduation. He’d been radiant. They were all expecting it to happen sooner rather than later, but certainly not then. Jeongguk guessed Yoongi picked his moment to make it the most surprising in the expected-ness of it all.
Jimin was still just as blissful, happiness emanating from him with every gesture, every word.
Despite his family ruining his graduation, Jimin hadn't stopped smiling for a second. It was as if the elated, at times smug, at times dreamy expression he wore had been carved in the lines of his face.
Over the past few days watching him, Jeongguk had wondered whether there’d be a day, sometime in the future, when he could be the one to make Taehyung look that happy. He’d tucked the thought away, too scared to ponder over it too much.
"Can't wait to get to London." Jimin brings his hand up, ring levelled with his eyes, twisting it so it catches the sunlight from the window. The dreamy glaze in his irises is back. "Living together." He drops the hand then, body following, until he's lying down on the seats.
Hoseok’s expression twists to a disgusted one. “Ugh.” He rolls his eyes, sliding further down and moulding himself into the velvet upholster. “Where's Jin when I need him!?”
Jeongguk and Taehyung chuckle, and Jimin smirks.
The disdain doesn’t last long, though. Hoseok reaches to pat Jimin's knee. "Happy for you two," he mutters. He drops his head against the window and closes his eyes. "I think I'm gonna sleep. Man, I'm so tired."
Jimin makes a sound that Jeongguk interprets as agreement, and Taehyung yawns. “Me too.”
Jeongguk is tired as well. They’d stayed up all night, first chatting with Jimin and the rest of the seventh years in the Slytherin common room, and then whispering in Taehyung’s bed. They’d even snuck out to the North Tower because Taehyung had wanted to say goodbye to the Divination room properly. They'd run up, hearts beating wild, and shared more rushed kisses and more whispered words.
Taehyung yawns again and shifts slightly in Jeongguk’s lap. He stops playing with the sleeve and runs his hand down to capture Jeongguk’s. He tangles their fingers and brings their linked hands between their chests, squeezing a little. He holds them there, smiling up at Jeongguk. “I’m gonna sleep,” he says quietly.
"Okay, baby.” Jeongguk doesn’t feel like sleeping, even though he is tired.
He wants to enjoy the rolling scenery and the weight of Taehyung’s body on his. Taehyung’s so pretty like this, smile sleepy and eyes soft, pressed against him.
Taehyung wiggles a little more, snuggling into Jeongguk’s body. He squeezes Jeongguk’s fingers again then drops their hands into his lap, his other hand coming to cover them. He tilts his head to rest onto Jeongguk’s shoulder, his lips brushing against Jeongguk’s neck.
Jeongguk relaxes further into the seat, bringing his other arm to wrap around Taehyung as well, pulling him closer. Even if there’s really no distance left to erase.
“Worried?” Taehyung’s words are a low rumble, mumbled against his ear.
Jimin and Hoseok have their eyes closed and mouths slightly opened. Asleep already.
With the way Taehyung is snuggled against him, Jeongguk can’t turn his head to look at him. He looks down at their connected hands, shifting slightly so Taehyung can catch his low tone. “No, not really.”
“I’ll come stay with you if they lock you up. Use a Disillusionment Charm.” Taehyung’s lips graze his lobe.
Jeongguk chuckles. “Baby, they’re not going to keep me away from you. Even if they do lock me up. But I don’t think they will. Told you, not their style. Maybe I should be at home early for them, but I’ll be with you all day.”
“I feel bad.”
“Why?”
“My fault.”
"Takes two to tango, baby.”
Taehyung’s laugh is a muffled puff of breath. “It takes me and you.”
Jeongguk is flooded by warmth. Taehyung never shies away from saying what he’s thinking and expressing his feelings. Especially when it comes to Jeongguk.
He’s far better at it than him.
Jeongguk has had nearly two years to get used to it, but it still overwhelms him. When Taehyung lays his love for him bare, even when he’s teasing, it leaves Jeongguk catching his breath, tummy twisted and face warm.
He tightens his hold on Taehyung. “It does.”
Taehyung smiles against his neck. “I love you,” he murmurs. His body slackens into Jeongguk’s and Jeongguk knows that his eyes are now closed and he’s seconds away from falling asleep.
He replies anyways, even if it's too low to be heard. “Me too, baby.”
Jeongguk turns back to the window, watching the countryside slipping by but not really taking it in.
Not for the first time, he thinks of what a privilege it is to be loved by Taehyung and get to love him. Taehyung wants him by his side, is comfortable enough with him to want to fall asleep on him, to want to spend another summer together.
It’s something he can’t quite wrap his head around. Maybe never will. The feeling of loving someone so completely, so intensely, yet so simply, so effortlessly, so much that your body is filled with it and it pours out in every smile, every glance, every touch, every word. He loves Taehyung and he feels immensely lucky to be able to hold Taehyung like this, to kiss him, to hear his thoughts, the ones that are only for Jeongguk, to know Taehyung trusts him and finds comfort in him. It’s overpowering, and Jeongguk doesn’t really have the words for it because ‘love’ just doesn’t seem quite enough. It’s abandonment.
He looks back on their last days at Hogwarts together, from the Ball to Taehyung’s graduation, to last night. He recalls them all and shifts through the images in his mind, storing them away like precious gifts.
Hours go by while the others sleep and Jeongguk just stares outside, the bright green Scottish hills replaced by the browner, muddier English ones. The sky isn’t as clear anymore, giving way to grey clouds and intermittent dribbles of rain.
Taehyung is still napping peacefully on his lap, and Jimin and Hoseok are still unmoving on the other side of the carriage, when the Trolley Witch comes around.
She stops in front of their compartment and knocks on the wood of the open door. “Any sweets or pumpkin juice for you lot, dears?” she asks with a kind smile.
Jeongguk nods. “Yes, thank you. Just a second, I’ll wake them up.”
“Of course, dear.” Her eyes twinkle as she beams, wrinkling at the corners.
It’s a little awkward to wake up Taehyung in front of the old lady, but he forces himself to pretend she is not watching them. He carefully disentangles their fingers and brings both his hands to lightly squeeze Taehyung’s sides. Taehyung lets out a gurgled, unintelligible complaint that makes Jeongguk smile, but doesn’t move.
Jeongguk tries again. “Baaaby,” he whispers. “Com’on, baby, you’ll kill me if I don’t wake you up for Chocolate Frogs and Charm Chocs.” He tickles his waist.
Finally, Taehyung stirs. “What?” he grumbles, lifting his head off of Jeongguk’s shoulder and giving him a sulky scowl. It’d look more threatening if he wasn’t pouting too. Jeongguk just wants to kiss him.
“The Trolley’s here.”
That wipes the frown away. Taehyung lights up and moves to look at the door. He beams at the sight of the witch with the cart and jumps off of Jeongguk’s lap.
“Hi. Sorry,” he says walking towards her, not bothering with shoes. “I’ll grab my pouch.”
Jeongguk sighs, feeling cold at the loss of body heat. He stands up and stretches out, then takes his wand out and points it to his friends' sleeping forms. Rennervate , he thinks and a spark of brilliant red hits them.
They startle awake. Their confused expressions make him laugh.
It’s an unpleasant manner to wake people up: it suddenly pulls them from their sleep, leaving them wide awake and disoriented.
“Jerk.” Jimin glares, running a hand through his hair and getting up. “Fuck you.”
Jeongguk smirks. “Wanted to miss the Trolley?”.
“I hate you.” Hoseok shoves him before reaching for his money, tucked in one of his trunk’s side pockets.
“No, you don’t.” Taehyung sing-songs from the door.
“I really do,” Hoseok insists, joining him. He turns back to Jeongguk. “Just wait until I wake you up this summer.”
The threat worries Jeongguk a little, and it must show on his face because Hoseok sniggers. Jimin chuckles from where he’s bent over the cart next to Taehyung, inspecting the display of candy.
On New Year’s morning, Jimin and Hoseok had woken him and Seokjin by dropping a pile of snow on their faces, payback for something they’d said that Jeongguk cannot remember. It’d been awful and mildly terrifying, ice cold water melting into his hair and eyes, frozen flakes sliding into his open mouth as he tried to figure out where he was and what had happened. Seokjin hadn’t talked to them until evening. Jeongguk had only glared, too tired to do anything about it.
It’s not a pleasant memory.
He raises his hands, a Muggle sign of surrender Yoongi taught him, and drops back in his seat. He’s not crazy about the sweets, and Taehyung will buy him something with chocolate in it anyways, so he doesn’t bother joining them.
It takes them over ten minutes to be satisfied with their choices. They keep on picking up different packets and mumbling that it’s their last year so they have to make the most of it. As if there wasn’t Sugarplum’s Sweet Shop in Diagon Alley for them to visit whenever they wish.
They finally pay and Taehyung plops next to him, crossing his legs on the seat and handing him a bunch of small Honeydukes Best Chocolate bars.
“Thank you, baby.”
Taehyung smiles around the Chocolate Frog he’s stuffing into his mouth. “You’re welcome, my love.”
Hoseok makes a retching sound, and Taehyung doesn't even bother swallowing before sticking his tongue out at him. Jimin smirks.
Jeongguk is really going to miss them next year.
They’re finishing off their second round when Aized appears, Henri and Edwin only a few minutes behind him.
They spend the rest of the journey bantering with the other three and playing a few rounds of Exploding Snaps. It’s a lot of fun, but it only makes Jeongguk’s sense of malinconia grow.
He feels lucky to have them all in his life, lucky to have Taehyung leaning on him, brushing their lips together every time he gets a chance (Jeongguk knows he’s doing it so many times on purpose, to annoy the others, but he enjoys it all the same). Lucky to have a full summer ahead of moments like this. Still, he is acutely aware of just how much he'll miss it come September.
When the hills give way to red brick houses, and the red bricks to taller and taller grey buildings, Aized, Henri and Edwin leave to get changed with the promise to meet up at some point during the summer.
“Unless I’m in Argentina!” Edwin winks before disappearing in a zig zag of students, cages and trunks.
Jeongguk, Taehyung, Jimin and Hoseok get changed as well. Drag down their trunks and pop them open to find appropriate Muggle wear. They don’t bother lifting their stuff back up, just set their owls’ cages on top of the luggage and slug back in their seats, waiting for the Express to enter London.
Jeongguk passes time by letting Haneul play with his fingers through the cage’s bar. When V hoots for attention, with a ruffle of his black feathers, Jeongguk leans towards Taehyung’s stuff and sticks his other index finger in the cage.
He spends the last ten minutes of the trip twirling his fingers for the amusement of two very loved, and very spoiled owls. At least, Taehyung joins him in the entertainment effort and they giggle as the birds toot happily.
They stay put when the train comes to a stop with one last whistle, waiting for the chaos of students and pets and luggage to lessen. They watch their schoolmates disorderly file out of the train, shouting goodbyes to each other while dragging their things towards their families.
“Shall we?” Hoseok asks once the noise has diminished, standing up and stretching his arms in the air.
Hoseok and Jimin flick their wands to get their trunks to move out of the compartment, their own owls’ cages hooked on their fingers.
“Don’t bother.” Taehyung points his chin to Jeongguk’s hand, wrapped around the handle of his trunk. “I’ll just fly it out, but first…” Taehyung smiles, then turns to Hoseok and Jimin, waiting near the door. “Go ahead. We’ll be just there.”
“What are you doing?” Jimin raises an eyebrow, a hand on his hip and wand in the other.
“Don’t you worry, just go.”
Hoseok rolls his eyes, and Jimin huffs, but they both nod and walk away.
Jeongguk tilts his head at Taehyung, curious too.
The corners of Taehyung’s mouth twitch mischievously, and he gives a small shoulder shrug, taking a step closer. “I just wanted to kiss you properly before I have to sort of behave around my parents.” He slides his hands behind Jeongguk’s neck and sinks them in his hair.
Jeongguk moves to hold his waist, pulling him against his body. “I like this plan.”
Taehyung’s reply is a kiss. He doesn’t build into it, isn’t gentle, just pushes his lips against Jeongguk’s and slips his tongue inside. His fingers pull on Jeongguk’s hair strands, adjusting their heads to the perfect angle.
Jeongguk follows his lead, letting their tongues meet and tangle. He revels in the wet heat.
“Thank you,” Taehyung says when they detach. He licks over his glistening lip.
Jeongguk smirks. He brings his thumb up to wipe at the wetness on Taehyung’s mouth. “Did you just thank me for kissing you?”
Taehyung nods. “I needed that. Who knows when I’ll get to do it next.”
“Tomorrow when I come over?”
Taehyung furrows his brows and pushes his lip against Jeongguk’s finger. “Still.”
Jeongguk kisses him again. Just a small peck, which becomes two when Taehyung chases his mouth.
Eventually, they separate and Taehyung twirls his wand towards both their trunks. The luggage hovers above the floor, waiting for directions.
“I’ll take them both.” Jeongguk bends to get a hold of the cages. "Take care of the rest.”
Taehyung brushes their lips together one final time and sets off, luggage bobbing in front of him.
The train is practically empty, looking a little eerie without its usual inhabitants. In striking contrast, the platform is overwhelmingly occupied, wizards and witches, families and kids, animals and possessions everywhere.
Even so, it only takes a minute for Taehyung to spot his parents. They’re standing near a brick pillar, talking to Hoseok’s mother, as Jihye, Hoseok, Jimin and Yoongi laugh close by.
They walk over, and Jimin is the first to notice them. He’s got Yoongi’s arms wrapped around his middle, leaning back on his chest. “Here they come,” he exclaims, catching everyone’s attention.
It’s heartwarming the way Taehyung’s mother smiles wide at the sight of them.
“Hello, sweetheart,” she says, opening her arms. Taehyung makes the trunks settle on the ground, then steps forward and lets her envelope him in a hug. “I've missed you.”
“Hi, Mum. You only saw me a few days ago. Not much to miss.”
Taehyung’s father pats him on the back as his mum releases him from her arms. “Welcome home, Taehyung.”
“Hi Dad, thanks.” Taehyung nods. “You didn’t both have to come.” He sounds lovingly exasperated.
His father mirrors his tone. “Your mother insisted. Apparently you’re our only child, and this was our last chance to come pick you up from school.”
Taehyung chortles, then turns to bow to Hoseok’s mother. His parents' attention shifts to Jeongguk.
They are as sweet as always.
“Hi Jeongguk, how are you?” Taehyung’s mother asks, her smile still bright and wide.
“We were thinking of going for dinner somewhere nearby before heading home,” his father adds. “All together. How does that sound?”
Jeongguk bows to both. “I’m fine, thank you so much Mrs Kim. How are you? I would be very happy to join, if I may.” He is in no rush to get home and wait for his parents’ scolding.
Taehyung’s mother smiles, pleased, and Taehyung’s father chuckles. “Good, because I do not think Taehyung would give you the choice anyways.”
Jeongguk tries not to feel embarrassed by the words, but Jimin and Hoseok make it impossible by snickering out loud.
“Yeah, not a chance,” Jimin agrees with a huffed out laugh. “We’d love to come too, thank you.”
Hoseok, Yoongi and Jihye all nod, smiling.
“What are you guys up for? We were thinking of Diagon Alley’s ‘Lo Stregone’ but it’s just a suggestion.”
“Are we going for food?” Taehyung asks, jumping in their conversation. “Yes, please.”
It gives Jeongguk the opportunity to switch with him and bow to Hoseok’s mother. She is a nice lady, with the same shiny smile as her son. She had Hoseok invite them over a few times and each time filled them with shortbread and daechu-cha .
She asks him how he is, and Jeongguk returns the question. He tries to keep his smile polite and genuine, but it is difficult because he always feels a bit uncomfortable and out of place in the presence of his friends’ parents. He appreciates their kindness, but he never knows what to say to them and is scared of making a wrong impression. He wouldn’t care if it was any other grown up, but these adults are important to his friends, and to Taehyung most of all, so he does not want to come off as rude.
Hoseok’s mother asks him if he enjoyed the graduation, and Taehyung’s mother joins in.
Jeongguk feels stuck. He did enjoy the graduation. Watching Taehyung on that stage had filled him with pride, but he cannot exactly tell Taehyung’s mother that without wanting to disappear from the magical realm afterwards. He also doesn’t think it would be appropriate to mention that the happiness for his graduating friends had been spoiled by Jimin’s mother. So Jeongguk just nods and says, “Yes, a lot.”
Luckily, the two mothers seem satisfied with that answer and start sharing their own thoughts.
Jeongguk is saved from having to offer his opinion again by Taehyung.
“Com’on,” he says, pulling on Jeongguk’s jumper.
Jeongguk can finally salute Yoongi.
“Hey, Guk.”
“Hey, Yoongi. No work today?”
Yoongi shakes his head. “Took the afternoon off.”
Jimin beams in his arms. It makes Jeongguk want to roll his eyes, but he restrains: it would be incredibly hypocritical of him. He understands those feelings.
The platform starts clearing, but the parents keep on talking happily. Other families stop by to exchange greetings, before passing through the 9 and ¾ column.
They wait for them to be done, chatting and joking. Jimin doesn’t move from his spot in Yoongi’s arms, and Taehyung drops his head on Jeongguk’s shoulder, arms moving to hug his waist.
Jeongguk would like to pull him closer, but he refrains. Taehyung isn’t shy around his parents, but he’s contained, and even if they do not seem to have any issue with their son being publicly affectionate towards his boyfriend, Jeongguk is careful. He’d rather not give them any reason to start having problems with their relationship. So he limits himself to reach behind his back and take one of Taehyung’s hands in his, intertwining their fingers.
“Do you think they realise we’re about to go to a restaurant all together?” Hoseok points to the parents with his thumb. “Like, why do they have to stand there and talk? I’m starving.”
“Me too,” Taehyung agrees. “I wanna eat.”
“It’s still pretty early, though,” Yoongi notes, eyes flicking to the big, black metal clock hanging in the air above them. “The Express was early.”
Nobody gets a chance to reply.
“Jeongguk?”
It’s a voice he alone can recognise.
Shit.
He turns towards it, and senses the others do so, too. Taehyung’s head lifts from his shoulder.
Jeongguk struggles to believe what his eyes are showing him. His mother and father are standing in front of him, not even five steps away. They are wearing their elegant velvet black robes, a sign they must have come here straight from their offices.
“Mum?" He asks, incredulous. "Dad? What are you doing here?”
Suddenly, there’s silence around them.
Taehyung’s arms quickly drop from his waist, hands disentangling as he takes a step to the side, putting distance between them. It’s way too late for that, but Jeongguk appreciates the intention.
His father's eyes flit from the spot where Taehyung’s and his hands were linked to Taehyung and then back to Jeongguk.
“We were waiting for you.”
The last time his parents’ accompanied him or came to get him from school he was eleven. Jeongguk doesn’t know what to say. He stares. He can feel the seconds go by, the moment becoming more and more awkward as he doesn’t speak, but he’s shocked and no words are coming out.
It’s Taehyung’s mother who breaks through the silence.
“Hi!” she exclaims. “It’s such a pleasure to meet you! I’m Kyunghee, Taehyung’s mother.” She bows her head.
Jeongguk's parents' attention shifts to her. He can tell they are assessing her. He wonders if it’s already clicked that she is that Taehyung’s mother, or if they are evaluating the chance that there may be other Taehyungs at Hogwarts.
Taehyung’s father follows immediately. "Indeed, it is. We love Jeongguk here.” He takes a step forward, bringing a hand to his wife’s back. "I'm Taehyung’s father, Kim Sungsoo."
Jeongguk wants to disappear.
They're being so sweet and kind, speaking as if introducing themselves would make sense to Jeongguk's parents. But Jeongguk's parents have no idea. No idea what it means that Kyunghee and Sungsoo are Taehyung’s parents . Jeongguk's parents don't know anything about his life.
Though he doesn’t miss the slight widening of their eyes. They may not understand what it means that these two people are Taehyung’s parents, but they understand what it means that they are Kim Taheyung's parents. That clicks. That takes them by surprise.
"Jeon Eunju," his mother replies, a hint of a smile in the slightly upturned corners of her mouth. She bows before turning to the man next to her. "And this is Jihoon, my husband. Jeongguk's father.”
“My pleasure.” He lowers his head in two respectful nods, then addresses Sungsoo. “We believe we may have had the honour of meeting your brother, Kim Juyung? My wife and I have worked closely with the Council.”
Jeongguk is considering moving across the world and never coming back. He’ll take Taehyung with him.
“Yes, indeed. My brother mentioned it as well,” Taehyung’s father nods, polite. “I hope your time here has been pleasant so far?”
Both Jeongguk’s parents give a positive response. “It is a great honour to have the opportunity to represent our country in Britain and uphold the relationship between the two nations,” his father adds.
Jeongguk wants to roll his eyes until they’re turned towards the insides of his skull.
“I’m so glad to hear!” Kyunghee comments. “It’s been lovely to get to know Jeongguk. We're glad he's at Hogwarts. We are looking forward to have him and all the group over again next week.”
Moving won’t be enough. Jeongguk needs the ground to suck him down and never let him go.
His parents have no idea what Taehyung’s mother is talking about. They must be realising that Jeongguk has lied to them, and just how much. They are going to be furious.
Jeongguk can feel his parents’ eyes on him. He doesn’t dare look away from Taehyung’s mother. It’s safer. Though the safest option would probably be staring at the ground.
“Thank you,” Jeongguk’s mother says. “That’s very kind. We hope Jeongguk won’t be too much of an imposition.”
Kyunghee shakes her head, cheerfully. “Not at all! They’re all over most of the time. We love to have them! We feel lucky Taehyung has such friends.”
“They’re a great bunch,” Sungsoo agrees.
“I confirm.” Hoseok’s mother steps forward with a hearty chuckle. “I’m Hoseok’s mother,” she says, tilting her head in the direction of the young wizards and extending her arm. “Jung Jiyoung.”
“It’s an honour to meet you,” Jeongguk’s mother adds, shaking hands.
Jiyoung flashes them another smile.
Jeongguk watches the exchange with increasing anxiety. He knows the moment it ends, the attention will be on him, social convention dictating he introduce his friends.
He’d rather jump in the Great Lake and take a swim with the Grindylows than have to call out his friends’ names. One after the other, until he identifies Taehyung and has to witness his parents’ reaction at the revelation. Watch their expressions as they realise that Jeongguk was holding hands with Taehyung. That Taehyung.
Ah fuck. Jimin too. Jimin is here.
Fuck Salazar.
Predictably, less than a second later, both his parents’ eyes are back on him.
Jeongguk fights not to sigh out loud. Instead, he turns to check which one of his friends is closest. His eyes meet Taehyung’s.
He’s the furthest away, hands clutched together, bottom lip sucked in his mouth and eyes wide. So obviously on edge.
The apprehension on his face makes Jeongguk want to walk over, hug him and Disapparate them both. Even if he isn't allowed to yet and hasn't had much practice. He'll just get the hell out of here. What are a few splinches after all?
Jeongguk knows Taehyung well enough now to know that Taehyung will want to make a good impression, to be liked.
He hates that Taehyung may be feeling anxious about meeting his parents.
As far as Jeongguk is concerned, his parents do not deserve Taehyung’s unease. Taehyung is perfect, perfect in all the ways people like his parents approve of, but Jeongguk loves him because Taehyung is Taehyung and nothing else matters.
And it doesn't even make a difference what Taehyung is like, because he's Kim Taehyung and that's enough for his parents to drool. Taehyung really should not waste any worries over Jeongguk's mother and father.
So Jeongguk smiles at him, giving a small shake of his head. He hopes the gesture can tell Taehyung that it'll be fine. He hopes Taehyung can see reflected in his eyes the love Jeongguk feels by just watching him.
Taehyung blinks back and the corners of his mouth twitch, but he keeps the hold on his bottom lip.
Jeongguk forces his gaze away, moving it onto the rest of the group.
Yoongi and Jimin are still in the same position, Yoongi’s arms wrapped around Jimin’s waist. Jimin’s eyes are fixed on Jeongguk’s parents, evaluating them. Jihye is standing next to them, hip jutted out and weight on one leg. Her face is expressionless. Hoseok is also looking at his parents, wearing his usual gentle smile. He is the closest.
Jeongguk turns back half way towards his parents.
He indicates Hoseok with his hand. “This is Hoseok."
Hoseok bends forward.
“Jihye.” Jeongguk points to her with his fingers and a tilt of his head.
Jihye smiles wide and bows her head.
“And Yoongi, her brother.”
Yoongi mirrors her gesture, a polite smile on his lips. It’s less obvious than Jimin’s stare, but Jeongguk thinks Yoongi is also assessing his parents. He wonders if Yoongi is weary of them, if the few comments he’s heard from Jeongguk make him associate them to Jimin’s mother and father.
Jeongguk gestures to Jimin next. Somehow, he feels weirdly protective towards him. The same way he feels for Taehyung. Wants to protect them both from his parents' interest.
"Yoongi’s fiancé," he says first. He watches their faces carefully when he adds: “Jimin.”
There it is .
The widening of their eyes.
They take in Jimin with interest, and Jeongguk can see they are making the accurate assumption.
He has no doubts he will be paying later for this, for having hidden that he knows Park Jimin. He can feel it, every name a dig of his own grave.
Jimin is glowing as he bows forward, eyes forced shut by the beam on his lips. He clearly loves being called Yoongi’s fiancé, but Jeongguk barely notices, his attention now fully on Taehyung.
Jeongguk's heartbeats pick up, and he hesitates. He really does not want to have to do this.
Taehyung gives him a small smile. Just the curve of his mouth, just for Jeongguk.
Jeongguk steals himself.
“This is Taehyung.”
He hesitates again, dread filling him. Once he says it, there will be no going back.
But if nothing else, Taehyung needs to know how much he means to Jeongguk. He needs to know Jeongguk adores him. Even if he wants to protect Taehyung from his parents, wishes they weren't in this situation, he doesn't want Taehyung to doubt, not even for a second, that Jeongguk isn't a thousand percent committed to him and what they have.
He breathes in.
“My boyfriend."
Silence. The only thing Jeongguk can hear is the silence.
He glances at his parents and finds them staring at Taehyung. They look stunned. Their eyes are wide, his mother's mouth ajar.
I am in so much shit.
Taehyung folds into a 90 degree bow. When he straightens, he smiles. It’s his open, kind, warm smile. The smile he gave Jeongguk at the beginning. The first one of his smiles Jeongguk fell in love with.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr and Mrs Jeon,” he says. His brown eyes have gone big and bright and expectant.
Jeongguk wants to reach out and touch him.
It takes a second, maybe because they're still recovering from the shock, but both his parents return the smile.
“It is our pleasure, Taehyung. Truly.” His mother's gaze moves over the others. “It’s a pleasure to meet all of our son’s friends.”
Jeongguk’s father gives a curt nod next to her. “Indeed."
“We were about to go have dinner at Diagon Alley. Would you like to join us?” Kyunghee offers, not allowing it to get awkwardly silent again. “We were thinking about that Italian place, just after Twilfitt and Tattings.”
“Lo Stregone,” Jiyoung clarifies with a bright smile.
No, please.
Jeongguk just wants this meeting to be over. But he knows his parents would rather die than refuse such an offer.
His father repeats the small nod and smiles politely. “We would be delighted to join, thank you for extending the invitation. They have an excellent kitchen. We often take work meetings there.”
"It sounds delightful," his mother agrees. “If it would not be of too much inconvenience, however, we would appreciate a few minutes with our son. We haven't seen him in a while.”
Fuck my life.
Sungsoo chortles lowly. “Of course! Not a problem at all! We’ll just start to make our way out and send the luggage home.” He turns to the young group. “Alright you all. Shall we?”
Everybody sets into motion but Taehyung. Their eyes meet.
Jeongguk guesses what he's wondering and before Taehyung can ask, he gives a quick shake of his head. He tilts it towards his stuff, where it was dumped what feels like three lifetimes ago. “Don’t worry about it.”
“Sure?” Taehyung’s voice is uncertain. Jeongguk knows he isn’t just asking about Jeongguk’s owl and trunk.
"Yeah, sure.”
Taehyung eyes flick to a spot behind Jeongguk, where his parents must be standing, before coming back to him. He gives a small smile. “I’ll see you outside.” Then mouths, “Good luck, my love.”
Jeongguk wonders if his parents are good enough at lip reading to have caught that. He finds he doesn't care if they are. He smiles back. “Thanks, baby,” he mouths back.
He watches Taehyung flick his wand towards his own possessions and float them through the solid barrier into Muggle King’s Cross.
Once Taehyung has disappeared, Jeongguk faces his parents. The platform has emptied entirely by now, nobody left to witness his ruination.
Unsurprisingly, his father and mother are no longer smiling. They are both looking at him, lips pressed together in a frown. His mother’s arms are crossed over her chest.
He is in an ocean of trouble. It was already not boding well for him, with the whole Divination-room mishap on his record. But now, they know he openly lied about not knowing Park Jimin and Kim Taehyung. Nevermind knowing them; he is close friends with both, in a relationship with Taehyung, and he hid it. Jeongguk won't even have to make an effort to move, his parents are going to do all the work for him and banish him from the magical world.
His mother is the first to break the tense silence.
“I do not even know where to start, Jeongguk.” She stresses the syllables of his name, disappointment and irritation seeping into the way she pronounces it. “We come to collect you from the school’s train because you were caught acting indecently in a classroom you were prohibited from entering, after curfew , only to find out you have been lying to us.” She blinks her eyes closed and sighs heavily. The thinking lines on her forehead show.
Jeongguk glances at his father. He is standing next to her, still, just staring at him. He looks utterly furious, the muscles of his face unmoving and his hands held tight together in front of his robe.
His mother resumes her tirade. “I have never felt as ambushed and humiliated as today, in my entire life. Standing there, pretending I knew who all these people were but not knowing anyone. And finding out you are friends with all the wizards your father and I have begged you , begged you, to make a connection with. And that not only you have been dating Kim Taehyung but you have stayed with the Kim family. You lied to us about everything.” Her tone rises on the last few words.
Jeongguk has never seen her this mad before. His mother hates public scenes, abhors shouting. Jeongguk knows his parents believe screaming is an undignified way of expressing an opinion. They think raised voices do not accomplish anything if not shame. Yet, his mother is struggling to maintain her calm facade now.
It takes her several instants to continue. When she does, it’s with a stream of angry hisses.
“For the witchcraft of Hwi, Jeongguk, can you begin to understand how embarrassed you made us feel? I cannot even imagine what Taehyung’s parents must think of us! You have been a guest in their house, and we have never had him over once. Not once, Jeongguk. How could you put us in this position? ”
To Jeongguk she sounds just like what he imagines an angry Basilisk would sound.
“Do you not realise this is one of the most renowned magical schools in the world? Do you not realise we want you to have the best magical preparation possible and make beneficial connections? We want you to affiliate yourself to the sons and daughters of respectable, important families, Jeongguk. But when you finally listen and do it, you lie to us about it. Were you just trying to humiliate us and embarrass us? If that was it, you certainly did an excellent job at it.”
She stops again, and it seems this time she really is finished.
Jeongguk doesn't reply. He has nothing to say. He isn't angry; he has no reason to be. They are right. He was caught half naked with his boyfriend on top of him in a room where he absolutely should have not been in, and he did lie. It's all true.
"Jeongguk," his father calls out through clenched teeth. "What do you have to say for yourself?"
"Nothing."
"Jeongguk. You will answer the question. Before I lose my patience."
"I have nothing to say. You are right. I lied." He opens his arms and lets them drop back down. He stuffs his hands in the pockets of his jumper.
“Why?”
His father's voice is so sharp it could cut diamonds.
Jeongguk ponders for a few seconds whether he wants to attempt an answer or just stay quiet again. He is tempted to challenge them and keep silent, but the air around them is so tense he can practically feel it fizzle, and there’s a group of people he really likes waiting for him. He decides it might be safer, and quicker, if he just gives them what they want.
"I didn't want to become their friend. It just happened." He thinks back to Taehyung approaching him in the Great Hall, guiding him down to the kitchen, his teasing smile and his insistence that Jeongguk asked for the food he wanted. "It's difficult to say no to Taehyung and stay away from him." He fights the heat threatening to redden his cheeks at the words. "The others came with Taehyung. I tried very hard to not become friends with them, you can be sure of that. It just didn't work."
His parents’ outraged gazes bore into his face.
"Explain why you lied to us, Jeongguk,” his father orders.
"I knew how you would react. I am not friends with them because they are a good connection." Jeongguk flicks his eyes from one to the other, before settling on his father and holding his hard stare. “I could not care less.”
The words enrage them further, though Jeongguk would not have thought that possible. His father tenses, shoulders straightening and expression hardening, while his mother presses her lips into a straight line, jaw clenched.
The silence stretches again between them, filling every space in the empty platform.
"Is Yoongi the son of Min Sanghoon, the Auror? And his mother is Min Miyoung? Chief Editor of Witch Weekly?" his father asks.
For the first time since the conversation started, Jeongguk feels annoyed. "What difference does it make?"
"Connections are what make the world go round, Jeongguk. The people we know make the difference in our lives. If you know the right people you will have the right experiences and opportunities. That's how the world works. You need to learn this.” His father’s voice is cutting.
“It is not how my world is going to work.” Annoyance is turning into anger.
His father’s eyes narrow. “You will realise it the hard way then.”
Jeongguk says nothing.
His mother turns to his father. “We cannot keep them waiting, Jihoon. We can continue this when we get home, and discuss his punishment then."
His father nods. It takes a few seconds before he speaks again. “Were you with him?” he questions.
Jeongguk pretends to be confused. “What do you mean?”
“Do not test my patience.” The muscles in his father's cheek twitch. “Were you with Taehyung when you got caught acting indecently?”
Jeongguk cannot deny this. It’d be like implying he was with someone else and that’s a thought he doesn’t even want to entertain. “Yes.”
The change in their expression is immediate and unmistakable. His father nods, the lines in his face distending, and his mother exhales in relief.
Jeongguk wants to snort at how ridiculous it is that they think the fact he was with Kim Taehyung lessens the gravity of his actions.
It's fine Jeongguk that you were about to have sex in a classroom. It’s not that big of a problem after all. You were with Kim Taehyung.
“If he’s to go stay with them, maybe the grounding should be diminished," his mother says to his father. She turns to Jeongguk. “For how long have you been invited to stay with the Kims?”
Jeongguk swallows the sarcastic replies on the tip of his tongue. “As much as I want.”
His mother raises an eyebrow. “You cannot possibly have been invited for the entirety of the summer.”
They've not realised that it is what he did last summer. He refrains from pointing it out.
“Jeongguk,” his father snaps. “Answer.”
“I already have. I said I was invited as much as I want, that means that if I want to stay for all the summer, I can."
“Do not use that tone with us, It’s incredibly disrespectful.”
Jeongguk doesn't respond. He bites the inside of his cheek to stop himself from raising his gaze to the platform's ceiling.
His parents turn their attention towards each other again.
"If he's been invited the entirety of the summer, we will have to reassess the extent of his punishment,” his mother considers.
His father hums, reflecting. “Yes, I agree.” He turns to Jeongguk. “What punishment was Taehyung given?”
Jeongguk blanches. Taehyung's parents have been kept in the dark about the North Tower affair and so they should remain. “Taehyung is 17,” he offers as an explanation.
His father does not understand. “And so?”
His mother does, though. “The school is not required to inform the parents as their legal responsibility ceases when students reach legal age,” she explains drily. "His parents do not know?”
“No.”
His mother sighs and looks at her husband. “We cannot be the ones to inform them.”
“Of course not,” his father agrees. He regards Jeongguk with a disapproving glance. “We will spare them the humiliation.”
Jeongguk mentally thanks all the mighty wizards and witches that reside on the other side of life.
“We can discuss Jeongguk’s punishment later. We will also want to make arrangements to have Taehyung as our guest, and Park Jimin, and his other friends too, I suppose," his mother suggests.
Jeongguk winces. He cannot imagine a worse scenario than having his parents in the same room as his friends. He can picture well just how uncomfortable his parents would manage to make them, asking about their relations, their parents' jobs and their career intentions. Especially Jimin.
Jeongguk isn't exactly in a favourable position to negotiate at the moment, but he will try to find a way to ensure his friends are spared.
His father concurs with a nod. “We will need to organise a dinner with the Kims as well.”
Jeongguk's eyes blow wide. He feels the blood drain from his face, insides turning cold with dread.
Neither of his parents notice. They are oblivious to his unease, too preoccupied with their hosting plan.
“We should discuss it over dinner just now,” his mother proposes.
Jeongguk's dread has grown into full blown desperation. But he knows there's absolutely nothing he can say or do to deter his parents from inviting Taehyung’s family. Especially not with the punishment looming over him, and especially not as they are important Kims.
He stands there, mulling over the terrifying plans that his parents are concocting. Right now, he cannot imagine anything more horrendous than having to witness his parents eulogising Taehyung’s family.
He's so distracted by this devastating future that he doesn't realise his parents’ attention is back on him.
"We will discuss the severity of your actions, both the astonishingly inappropriate behaviour at school and the lack of respect you have shown us by lying, once we get home," his father states, tone making it clear that he won’t accept objections.
“Okay.”
“And you will be on your best behaviour over dinner,” his mother adds.
“Okay.”
Jeongguk wonders what type of behaviour they expect him to exhibit. They obviously do not realise the depth of Jeongguk’s feelings if they think he would ever even contemplate misbehaving in front of Taehyung’s parents. Or maybe, they think he doesn't care.
They give him a final warning look, eyes narrowed and lips pressed into thin lines.
“Let’s go. We have kept everyone waiting far too long.”
Jeongguk exhales a breath he did not know he was holding. The reprimanding is over for now. He moves towards his trunk, ready to drag it through the barrier.
“We’ll do it, Jeongguk,” his mother calls out. Her tone is stiff, but it’s lost the hard edge. “Just take care of Haneul."
Jeongguk nods. He frees Haneul, who flies high, wings spread, before settling on his shoulder with a hoot.
"Go home, okay? I'll be there tonight." Jeongguk tells him, offering a finger.
The owl pecks his ear instead and flies off, disappearing between the platform's columns.
Jeongguk places the empty cage on his luggage and takes a step back.
"Ready?" his mother asks.
"Yes."
She takes out her wand and points it to his stuff. The trunk and the cage lift in the air, do a full turn and vanish with a pop.
“Thanks," Jeongguk acknowledges.
He follows behind them as they pass through the barrier, go up the Muggle’s moving stairs and walk out of the station. None of them speak one word.
They find the group chatting cheerfully in the opening in front of King’s Cross. He meets Taehyung’s eyes and holds his gaze with a smile as they walk over to them.
“We are terribly sorry to have kept you waiting,” his mother apologises.
Kyunghee waves her hand in the air. “Not a problem at all. We were just catching up.” She looks around herself. “Shall we go?”
Murmurs of agreement fill the air.
"There's a spot just on the side of that Muggle establishment where we usually Disapparate." Sungsoo points to a narrow street between a line of grey brick buildings and a Muggle restaurant, painted dark red and advertised by a big sign made of two yellow arches.
There's more murmuring and some nodding, and then they all start following Sungsoo to the side street.
Taehyung lets Jimin and Yoongi pass in front of him, staying put. He extends his arm towards Jeongguk, palm down and fingers wide, and Jeongguk doesn't even realise he's moving forward to take it.
Their hands meet and their fingers entwine. Taehyung tugs him forward and Jeongguk follows, free hand going to Taehyung’s waist and head dropping to his shoulder. It's instinct.
Taehyung smells so good, a mix of his cologne and clothes detergent. It’s a familiar scent. It makes Jeongguk feel safe and washes away the tension of the past fifteen minutes.
Taehyung runs his fingers over the skin of his nape, caressing it lightly. “How did it go?” he asks.
Jeongguk shifts to look at him. The hand moves to his back, drawing small circles. “There’s some bad and some good news. What would you like to hear first?”
Taehyung smiles. His eyes are so bright. “Bad?”
“They want you to come over,” he explains. “And the others, too. Oh, and your parents as well. They want to have dinner with your parents and you.” He shakes his head, resigned but still devastated.
Taehyung hums, his expression serene. He brings his hands to cup Jeongguk’s face. "I know you really don’t want this. I know you are worried they will make us uncomfortable, especially my parents and me and Jimin." He squeezes Jeongguk’s cheeks. "I am grateful you're thinking of our feelings and want to protect us - I love you for it. But I don't want you to worry about your parents having us over. I'll be fine, I am sure. We can prepare for it if you feel we need to. I can talk to my parents, tell them what you think they should know. And the others will be fine." He guides Jeongguk's face closer to his. "I want your parents to like me. I want to spend the summer with you, whatever it takes."
They're so close, Jeongguk can’t properly look him in the eyes. He brings their foreheads together. "It really will be awful, Tae. They'll ask so many questions, about families and career and crap like that. They'll have so many questions about you and your family and your future especially. It'll be intense and inappropriate and tiring."
"I'll answer all of them and charm them."
Jeongguk snorts between them. "They already adore you. You don't need to charm them." He sighs. "And even if they didn't, I don't want you to feel like you need to please them. They don't deserve it."
Taehyung smiles. "I know, it's okay. But I will still be on my best behaviour. No kissing you when I am not allowed anymore." He chuckles. Jeongguk feels it on his skin. "So, what about the good news?"
Jeongguk pouts so his lips caress Taehyung’s. “Apparently dating Kim Taehyung makes it more acceptable to break school rules and make out in an empty classroom. Apparently dating Kim Taehyung is all I need to get a reduction on my punishment.”
Taehyung laughs loud, head tilting back. "I see. Aren't you lucky then, mh?" He teases, amused. His hands move to link behind Jeongguk’s neck, bodies coming together.
Jeongguk would like to reply with the same teasing tone, say something sarcastic or funny back. But he can't. He drags his eyes over the details of Taehyung’s face, taking him in. His eyes are so bright now that they twinkle.
He’s so beautiful. So patient, so kind, and unbelievably Jeoongguk’s to love. Jeongguk feels nothing but lucky. "I really am," he agrees with a smile.
Taehyung’s eyes soften. "So am I."
They stay, unmoving, staring at each other for a few seconds, until Taehyung speaks again. "Shall we go?"
Jeongguk nods, resigned.
Taehyung takes his hand again and doesn't let go, not even when they reach the others.
Everybody is getting ready to disappear. Yoongi and Jimin are each holding one of Jihye's hands. Her and Jeongguk are the only ones that still cannot do it alone.
"Jeongguk's Disapparating with me," Taehyung announces.
Jeongguk ignores his parents’ eyes on them, pretends not to notice.
"Okay," Taehyung’s father acknowledges with a smile. "Let's go."
Jeongguk offers Taehyung his other hand as well, closing his eyes, ready to feel the pull at his navel and the pavement gone underneath his feet.
Taehyung takes his hand but the pull never comes.
Jeongguk opens his eyes again. He’s about to ask what's wrong when Taehyung kisses him.
His mouth moves gently over Jeongguk's, caressing his lips without prying them open. Jeongguk revels in the warm, sweet feeling.
When Taehyung breaks them apart, Jeongguk realises they're alone in the street.
"Sorry," Taehyung apologises, but he doesn't look sorry at all. "I just really wanted to do that."
Jeongguk smirks. "Not complaining."
"One more, then."
Taehyung leans forward again. Jeongguk meets him halfway this time.
The kiss is quicker, just a few gentle pecks.
"I love you," Taehyung breathes over his lips.
Jeongguk wants to melt against him. "I love you ."
Taehyung rewards him with another gentle smile. He brings their linked hands up, raised in between their bodies, and squeezes their fingers. "Ready?"
Jeongguk isn't looking forward to this dinner. Nor to going home with his parents, or the weeks ahead. Though, Taehyung makes everything better. It'll be easier with him. It'll be more bearable.
So, Jeongguk nods. He is as ready as he'll ever be.
This time the pull comes, and Jeongguk is plunged into nothingness. He feels Taehyung's presence strong next to his.