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The busy market was too chaotic for his current state of mind. The people were bustling and talking, the animals were barking and moving and all sorts of things. There were many smells gathered in the air in one place and Jimin gave up on wasting time by simply floating in the sea of the villagers.
- Agent Tae, the coast is clear.
- Agent Kookie, advancing in.
- Guys, can we not?
Jimin's shoulders slumped. He regretted that habit of his, sharing everything with his two best friends. They've know each other since they were toddlers and their families lived close nearby. Holidays, school, their craft... They did most of the things together and it was inevitable that the offsprings of the three families socialized all together. That's how from a very early age Tae, Jimin and Jungkook formed a beautiful friendship. They had no secrets from one another and when Jimin told him about his slight - only slight! - fascination with a local sweetmaker Yoongi all hell broke loose. They, of course, started teasing him mercilessly, screw the fact that he was their hyung.
His two best friends immediately started coming up with ideas on how to better ask the man out, where to have their first date the best, what possible gifrs Jimin could give him. If he leg that continue they would plan his wedding even. Unprompred, really. Because Jimin wasn't going to act on this little attraction, not just yet anyway.
- You're going to waste your time pining and someone else will snatch your sweets fairy, - Taehyung tried to argue.
- I was going to let things happen naturally!
- What's unnatural about our help?
Kookie's question sounded rhetorical.
- Everything?
Jimin was convinced he could do it on his own. He had a certain charm and it wasn't rare that he was asked out by both guys and girls, without his friends' meddling. He just never reciprocated those feelings. Never felt the urge to stay close to them, take them on dozens of cute dates, never imagined stargazing with them or thinking how his mum would approve of his choice. And now Jimin was in their position. Having a crush on the local confectionery owner, so suddenly.
The person in question was present at the market today. He was doing something behind the counter of his stall, occasionally chatting with his patrons. Jimin couldn't have explained it even if he tried but Min Yoongi looked even more beautiful than the previous time he saw him. He was getting more appealing with every glance Jimin took, more fascinating with every move he made. Jimin was a goner before he himself realised it.
Jimin was walking around the local fair a couple of months go, bored out if his mind as his friends dragged him out of his workshop for some fresh air. He was quite content sitting among his projects recently, not really busy but trying to work as much as possible so he didn't get any stupid unnecessary thoughts. Being on his own, alone with his craft was good for him. His friends had a different opinion.
He walked by a stall that was selling Candy Apples, not really his thing if he was totally honest. He wasn't interested in that popular treat and wasn't really passionate about others. He looked deeper into the stall and discovered a much better treat, a local sweetmaker. Min Yoongi, his friends supplied, and at that moment the man looked at him and Jimin was immediately enchanted.
He wanted to look more, buy all the Candy Apples and pumpkin muffins one by one so he would get more time to watch every soft feature on the seller's face, follow the elegant lines of his body, get lost in the beautiful cascade which was his dark hair.
- May I help you?
The man sounded amused. He probably gets customers like this every day, with a stupid starstruck grins on their faces. And no matter how confident Jimin usually was with cute boys he dealt with in the past, at the sound of Yoongi's voice he was reduced to a red cheeked and stuttering mess. He barely got through purchasing one apple and bolted out of there right away, feeling intimidated and yet weirdly happy. His friends never let him live that down since. But that was only because he was caught off guard! This time Jimin was going to use all his charm. Yoongi had no chances and didn't even know it.
Jimin walked up to the stall through the small crowd. Yoongi's head was inclined towards the little stove he had there, tiny clouds of steam were coming out of a small saucepan, evaporating into thin air. He looked busy but was simultaneously cooking and serving his customers, doing a tremendous job in multitasking.
- Good afternoon. - he started with a pleasant smile on hid face that made some of his peers melt.
At Jimin's greeting Yoongi's head rose from the stove. There was a sliver of recognition in his eyes. Jimin even thought he saw a hint of a smirk for a second. He couldn't get his eyes off the pink doll like lips that the sweetmaker was licking at incessantly, clearly having just tasted something that he has been making.
- Good afternoon, is there anything you fancy?
His tone was polite and his posture relaxed. Jimin couldn't get enough of just being near the object of his affectionate thoughts. He had many images inside his brain that were portraying them doing something next to that stove together, feeding each other treats, holding hands as they walked down the market street or visiting local festivals as a couple.
"You", Jimin thought immediately but his lips were glued together. He wasn't sure he won't be hit on the head with the biggest Candy Apple if he said that.
- I'd like something... sweet.
After his words he realized his stupidity. It was a confectionary stall!
- Obviously, - Yoongi deadpanned.
- Sorry, I'd like some of these, - he pointed at the nearesr box full of tiny colourful sweets in clear wrappers. - Can I perhaps try one now?
- Sure.
Yoongi wasn't smiling. He gestured at the box and Jimin helped himself to one. He put a tiny round in his mouth and felt sweet and mint flavor spreading on his tongue.
- It's really good! Must be made by really talented hands, - he complimented.
Yoongi was looking at him with a blank face, clearly unimpressed with his pathetic flirting attempts. Jimin got covered in cold sweat.
- Are you buying or what?
Jimin hurried to get the money out of his pocket and quickly took the bag of the purchased sweets. It was the second time he was fleeing Yoongi's stall with metaphorical tail between his legs. When he crossed the crowd again, he was met with his best friends' laughing.
- Shut it! You have to help me! - he whispered shouted.
- Oh so now you do need our help, lover boy?
Taehyung was having a time of his life. Him and Jungkook couldn't stop impersonating Jimin's flustered and awkward facial expression all the way to heir home. Somehow the failed attempt didn't phase Jimin. If anything, it only made him more determined to try again. Maybe after a quick healing of his wounded pride.
The first volunteer to help him was his friend Tae. Sadly he didn't share his plans and knowing him, it could be anything from banners all over the village to a fire show that would spell something like "Jimin Plus Yoongi".
When Jimin knocked on his front door the very next day, he was already. gone and it was late morning for him already. Jimin felt the unevitable feeling of upcoming doom. He went back to his workshop, sick with nerves and the excitement because as intimidated as he was by the young sweetmaker, he was enamored with him even more. He was able to do about an hour of his work until he just sat there, staring at one point on the wall.
Around afternoon his friend came back.
- So? What happened there? Tell me everything!
- Jiminie, listen, just don't worry, okay?
That's exactly the kind of phrase that could make him hell of a lot more nervous.
- Tae, what have you done?
- Nothing!
- I know this face! Confess your sins right now and I promise I'll go easy on you.
- I know you too! - Taehyung jumped from his spot.
Jimin sighed and motioned with his hand. Whatever it was, it already happened.
- So I went to his confectionary and I wanted to make a good impression, right? So I picked an outfit and decided that the best thing is to convince Yoongi-ssi you're serious.
- How serious are we talking?
- I have passed the flower shop on the way...
- Oh, no!
-...and I might have bought a bridal wreath.
- A wreath?
- Oh so the problem isn't the "bridal" part, huh?
The two friends looked at each other. Jimin's expression slowly turned from angry to resigned.
- Go on.
- So I came inside with my best suit and the wreath and told him right away that he should keep his ring finger empty for one Park Jimin. And gave him the flower arrangement.
Jimin pinched the bridge of his nose.
- And he took it?
- I guess. I set it onto his head right after I voiced your intentions, so I guess?
"My intentions", Jimin mouthed in disbelief. He glanced at one of his best friends. He looked a little bewildered and yet so content, so delighted he came up with such important and swift mission in order to help his friend.
- Thank you, Taehyung. I guess that just leaves Jungkook. I'm sure with his help combined I'll be getting that man in no time.
- Yay! - Taehyung left with a skip in his step.
"I'm never getting that man, am I?"
Jimin realised that this question might too be rhetorical now.
Jungkook looked lost when Taehyung proposed it was hid turn to help. He must have secretly hoped it wouldn't come to this and his hyungs would be adult enough to solve the problem on their own. As much as a problem asking a cute guy out could be.
He was gone all afternoon and early evening. Jimin was ready to chew all of his nails from nerves and maybe some of his woodworking tools too. He was feeling positively sick when his youngest friend walked into his workshop with a smug smile on his face.
- So? How did it go?
Jungkook sat on the spare chair and smiled brightly.
- You have nothing to worry about, hyung. I just talked to him. I won't lie, he's a little confused by the other day but what you need to do is to be patient and just talk to him.
- You were gone all day and brought me some advice "to talk"? - Jimin asked incredulously.
Jungkook shrugged.
- Unbelievable. My friends are traitors!
Jimin hid his face in his palms and melted into his seat. Was all the humiliation even worth it?
- You lose nothing by trying - Jungkook added wisely.
In a sense, Kookie was right. Jimin has been mulling over his words that he knew well himself for several days before gathering his courage to see Yoongi again.
On one pleasant sunny afternoon Jimin headed to Yoongi's stall in the market. There wasn't as many customers is there were in the morning or in the evening when people were buying the most because they were heading home from their workplaces. Yoongi was wrapping up pastries and putting them up on a beautifully organized display. Jimin tried to remain calm though inside he has been brewing like a boiling kettle for gods know how long.
- Good afternoon, Yoongi-ssi. I hope your day is going well.
- It's going pretty fine, Jimin. What would you like?
Yoongi crossed his arms on his chest as if expecting something unusual from the woodworker.
Jimin swallowed through the lump in his throat. His heart was beating fast in his chest and he looked over the display trying to come up with anything that he would like that will not be Yoongi himself.
- I'm looking for a Candy Apple?
His tone was questioning and after the words were out of his mouth he realized that there were actually no such apples on the display. How stupid was that?
- Candy apples are usually for festivals or holidays, we don't make them every day. Maybe there is something else that you crave?
- I'm not sure yet. I'll have a look, - he said stuttering.
His eyes went wandering over the whole stall and then he spotted something next to the roof. One of the columns that was supporting it was misplaced.
- What happened there? - he asked.
Yoongi lifted his eyes and saw the place Jimin was talking about.
- That was my colleague. He doesn't usually deal with the produce and doesn't work in the kitchens, he usually tends to the tables in my confectionery but I asked him to install this a while ago and now it's all wonky.
- This is not safe to work here every day with a construction like that, - Jimin said quickly, - As a woodworker I can tell you that and this misplacement is rather serious. You should get it fixed as soon as possible.
Then Yoongi looked over him as if assessing.
- Well why don't you fix it then? Soon as you are hanging around here as an obserer more than a patron.
- I... would you really like me to do this?
Yoongi nodded so Jimin excused himself and headed towards his workshop to get his instruments. He didn't notice a ladder there either so he took a small one of his own and brought it to the stall. He got to work, having figured out already what the problem was.
- Should I move now? - Yoongi asked.
- No, no, you're fine. It will be rather quick, - Jimin said from under the roof, balancing on the highest step of the ladder.
A dozen or so minutes later the column was fixed and the joint to the roof was strengthened with some of the materials Jimin took with him. He knew he was being watched now so he did whatever he could in that situation: he patted the sweat on his forehead with the hem of his t-shirt, raising it close to his face, consequently flashing his abs. Sure Yoongi wouldn't mind the view? He adjusted the column and his biceps flexed and because he rolled the sleeves of his t-shirt previously, Jimin was sure they were very visible even from the spot where Yoongi was standing.
Everything was going according to his little plan until it wasn't. The ladder was really sturdy under him but he somehow lost his balance at some point, sending himself flying to the ground. He didn't hit it very hard but it was pretty embarrassing. He was sure he heard Yoongi chuckking but when Jimin stood up swiftly, dusting himself of the dirt, Yoongi looked as unimpressed with him as ever.
- Spectacular, - he commented, - I'll give you some honey ginger cookies as a payment. Would that suffice?
- of course! Anything by your hands worth gold.
- Sure, - Yoongi smiled wryly.
Yoongi's face remained impassive. Jimin started losing his newfound hope as he was walking home, covered in dust with a blooming bruise on his elbow and a packet of precious cookies in his hand. Later he felt that not everything was lost yet. He just needed to give it another chance.
Jimin second attempt was no better. He found Yoongi at the market again, at his usual stall. This time it was drizzling a little so not that many people were walking around. The sweetmaker used that time wisely, a lull in customers always gave him a chance to prepare more ingredients and cook something else or even experiment with whatever produce he had with him that day. He looked quite busy, stirring something in a small pot with swirls of steam coming upwards.
Jimin was used to that sight. He loved the way Yoongi's long hair curled from the damp air next to the stove. Honestly he could look at him for ages which was exactly what he did until he was stopped by Yoongi himself who was watching him and waiting until the other announced his presence.
- So, Jimin, are you buying or staring today?
Jimin looked flustered but he shook his head, realizing it wasn't a good answer for either of the options. Yoongi huffed and made a "come hither" motion with his finger. Jimin obediently walked around the counter and came closer to the other man.
- Why don't you make yourself useful and stir this for me? - he asked without really asking.
Jimin took the ladle and began stirring. He was surprised to discover it was quite a laborious task, with how thick the substance was.
- What s it? - Jimin asked curiously.
- It's a syrup. To make glass fruit skewers.
- And Candy Apples too?
- No, for them a caramel one is used. What's with you and them apples, Jimin-ah?
Jimin only smiled in response. He was still listening to the echoing voice in his mind that repeated Yoongi's little teasing "Jiminah" in his ears. There actually was something about Candy Apples that was dear to him. As silly as it was, but Yoongi himself was that Candy Apple: a hard exterior that was impossible to bite into right away, that you could only melt with time to get to the soft core. The sweetmaker, despite his interior, was truly a softie.
Jimin has been watching him for over a month now and he noticed how kind he was to some customers, especially children and the elderly. He noticed how he helped his fellow sellers who were struggling to carry heavy boxes sometimes. He would give away the sweets to the children he knew were from less fortunate and prosperous families. Yoongi had a soft spot for stray animals, he could often be found feeding them on the corner of the market.
He was overall a pleasant and endearing person. Jimin collected all those little mannerisms that were characteristic for Yoongi only and saved them in a secret vault inside his memory so he could come back to them later when he was alone in his workshop, mind only half busy with work and half occupied with a sweet talented hyung who captured all his attention. Maybe attention was something to me should have worked harder on because he didn't notice how he put just a little too much pressure on the ladle and some of the clear syrup splashed onto the back of his hand.
- Ouch! - he shouted.
It was burning pretty hard. Yoongi was quick to get up on his feet from where he was crouched and roaming through the boxes. He took a cup of water and immediately clasped at Jimin's wrist, pouring it over his injured hand in order to wash all the syrup away.
- This is going to get really bad, - he murmured regretfully, - It's not just boiling water, the sugar makes the burn so much worse. I swear to gods, you're worse than Namjoon!
He tsked and let out an exasperated sigh. Despite his obvious annoyance he treated Jimin with a healing balm he kept nearby, most likely for accidents of the same sort. His fingers were so careful and gentle, Jimin was ready to cry and not from the stinging sensation.
- Sorry, Yoongi-ssi.
- I shouldn't have let you in the kitchen. And call me hyung already.
- Okay, hyung. I'll be more attentive next time.
- Who said there's going to be the next time?
His tone sounded serious but Jimin already got to learn his expressions. He was sure Yoongi would let him in again.
The next time happened pretty soon and in a different setting. Jimin was quick to finish all his current commissions earlier and had a free evening so he strolled into the direction of the market. He hasn't found Yoongi there so he went straight to his confectionery shop. The elder was there, busy in the kitchen, preparing a big order. Namjoon was nowhere to be seen. His hyung was attempting to do everything on his own.
- Can I help you with anything? - Jimin asked excitedly.
Yoongi threw him a warning look.
- Only if you don't eat anything that you shouldn't.
- I told you, this was just a misunderstanding!
- Sure it was a misunderstanding that some of the items for sale ended up in your mouth. What a funny situation!
Reluctantly the sweetmaker let him in into his kitchen. Tonight he was preparing loads of dasik. There were several planks with forms in front of him and he was trying to make big batches at once all the while mixing the next color in a big bowl. It smelled heavenly of toasted black sesame seeds and pine pollen.
- Do you know how to make these?
- I think I've seen something similar in my mother's kitchen a couple of times.
- Okay I'll work on the mixture and you can shape the cookies. I need a lot more of the green ones so if you could work on those that would be great.
Jimin inhaled the beautiful mix of aromas again and got to work. Traditionally dasik were made with special forms that had stamps that were wishing prosperity and happiness. Jimin diligently filled the forms again and again, popping the cookies with ease and settling them nicely in the box, layering them with brown paper before placing the next layer of them on top. When he was done with the green ones he proceeded with five flavour berry ones.
When there was just a tiny bit of the rose colored paste left, he took it in his hands and started shaping it with his fingers. It was only a small piece so he didn't think that Yoongi's business would somehow be influenced by it. So he pressed and shaped as neatly as he could.
- Didn't I tell you not to take anything in your mouth?
- It's not in my mouth, hyung! - Jimin protested.
He stretched his hand with the finished pressed cookie and offered it to his hyung, holding it right before Yoongi's lips. Yoongi looked down on it and saw a pink heart shaped piece that was finished in neat, almost perfect form. For a moment Jimin thought he would be chastised by his hyung again but to his great surprise Yoongi held his fingers in front of his mouth and giggled. It was such an unusual sound coming from him that Jimin was absolutely taken aback. Yoongi leaned in and took the cookie with his lips, sliding it right into his mouth.
- Why, just why are you so silly? - he asked while chewing and Jimin wondered again if that was one of those rhetorical questions.
Meanwhile Yoongi continued with his little whispered rant.
- Seriously, this is so stupid...
- I don't think this is stupid, - Jimin mumbled with a pout on his full lips.
- What do you really want, Jiminie? Do you want some freebies?
- What do I need the freebies for? I'm not even that keen on sweets to be honest.
- Then what the hell are you doing hanging around me so often? What is it that you want?
- I want a date! - Jimin blurted out, - With the best sweetmaker out there, no more no less, for starters.
- You're one audacious young man.
- And you are one grumpy old man but I am not complaining. I would still like that date with you. All you need to do is to say yes to me.
- Ah, but you friend has already tried to get me into saying yes...
- If that's about that bridal wreath-
- He didn't give me the chance to answer.
Jimin's breath hitched and then he heard Yoongi giggling again.
- Fine, but only if you will help me clean up tonight. And then we can go on that date. Under one more condition, if you don't mind.
- What is it, hyung?
Jimin braced himself for something crazy, like baking a three layer cake. But Yoongi surprised him again.
- We will go somewhere where there is absolutely, not a single ounce of sweets.