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The alarm clock goes off with a loud rattle and 7-year-old Seokjin's eyes snap open, dreams and tiredness slipping away from them instantly.
He jumps out of bed, pulling on the clothes he prepared the day before, then rushes to the bathroom.
His brother, barely awake, is already there, trying to wash the sleep from his eyes. He gives Seokjin an incredulous look.
"How are you so... alive?," he mumbles. "Second grade is not that exciting, you should calm down..."
Seokjin ignores him in favor of washing his face and giving himself a wink with a finger gun in the mirror. Then, he goes for breakfast.
His mom watches in concern as he gobbles down the food, not even chewing it properly.
"Slow down, little one, before you choke!," she warns.
Seokjin nods hastily and swallows a huge bite, to his mom's horror. Before she can say anything else, he jumps up from his seat and runs up to her.
"I'm going now. See you after school, mom! I love you!"
He gives her a hug and a quick kiss and bolts out the door.
Then he runs back. He suddenly seems unsure, shifting from one foot to the other, pulling on his little shirt.
"Do I look okay?"
His mother frowns.
"Of course you do, honey. You look great. Very handsome. But why-"
"Nothing, just asking!," Seokjin says quickly. "Bye!"
And he's gone again, for real this time.
His mother can only stare after him in confusion.
"Have a nice day," she mutters even though he can't hear her.
It's unusual to see Seokjin so happy to go to school. He wasn't like this last year, but this enthusiasm is a nice change.
Seokjin is panting by the time he reaches the school building. The tiny, wilted dandelion he picked from a nearby patch of grass looks miserable in his small hand, but he holds it with determination.
He goes inside, walks down the corridor, and enters the classroom.
Some kids are already there, chattering and playing with each other. Seokjin pays no mind to them. His sole focus is on the desk in the last row.
He takes a deep breath, and approaches it.
The small boy sitting there looks up curiously when Seokjin stops in front of him.
He's little, even shorter than Seokjin. He has dark hair and dark eyes and looks a bit like a cat. Seokjin thinks that's cool.
He's also very quiet.
He's in the first grade, so he doesn't know the other kids yet, hasn't made many friends. He just sits alone in the back of the class.
Seokjin has wanted to go up to him since the first day, but only found the courage now.
He clears his throat, shuffling on his feet.
"Hi," he says to the boy.
"Hi," the boy says back, not really looking at Seokjin. He seems shy.
Seokjin's little heart wobbles as he extends his hand towards him.
"I brought this for you."
The boy's eyes widen as he looks at the dandelion on Seokjin's palm. He looks like he wants to reach for it, but then holds himself back.
"Really?," he asks, unsure.
Seokjin nods.
"Yes," he gulps. "Do you like it?"
The boy stares at the flower for a few moments. Then, carefully, he reaches out and takes it from Seokjin.
He stares at it some more in his own hand, holding it like it's something very important.
And then...
He looks up at Seokjin.
And Seokjin's heart doesn't just wobble anymore. It jumps.
Because the boy has the most prettiest smile on his face. His pink gums are showing and his eyes are turning into tiny crescent moons.
"I really like it," he says. Then, he adds: "I'm Yoongi."
Seokjin can fel his ears burning red.
"Hi Yoongi," he says. He's smiling wide too, feeling light and bubbly. "Nice to meet you!"
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The alarm clock goes off with a loud rattle and 37-year-old Seokjin's eyes snap open, dreams and tiredness slipping away from them instantly.
He jumps out of bed, pulling on the clothes he prepared the day before, then rushes to the bathroom.
He gets ready quickly, washing his face and giving himself a wink with a finger gun in the mirror.
He gobbles down breakfast, barely chewing it properly. He cleans the plates after that, and the other set of utensils left on the table.
He brushes his teeth, and puts the toothbrush next to the other one after he's done.
Then, he bolts out the door.
He comes back after a second to check himself in the mirror. He pulls his shirt down a little, sets his hair.
"Handsome," he concludes.
Then, he's gone for real.
He's panting by the time he reaches the school building. The colorful bouquet looks a little frazzled in his hand, but he holds it with determination.
He goes inside, walks down the corridor, and enters the teachers' room.
Some people are there already, chattering and copying papers. They greet him and he nods back with a friendly smile, but doesn't pay much attention to them.
His sole focus is on the desk in the adjacent room.
He knocks on the open door but goes in without waiting for an answer.
The man behind the table looks up at him curiously. There's a smile, barely noticeable, in the corner of his mouth and in the twinkle in his eyes.
Seokjin's heart jumps.
"Good morning, Mr Principal," he says, stopping in front of the desk. He brings forward the flowers with a theatrical flourish. "I brought these for you. I hope you'll like them."
The man rolls his eyes fondly and stands up from his seat, walking around the table.
"You shouldn't have," he mumbles, taking the bouquet from Seokjin and smelling the flowers with a soft smile. "But thank you. I love them."
Seokjin grins. He feels light and bubbly.
"I hope you'll like what I planned for dinner, too. We have to celebrate your first week as the boss!"
Yoongi looks up from the flowers.
He's still shorter than Seokjin, but he's gotten broad. His hair longer, too, his stance more sure.
He's still quiet, but when he talks, it's with confidence and respect. And he jokes around as well, makes friends of colleagues easily. They love him.
Seokjin loves him, too. Very very much. And he knows the feeling's mutual.
Yoongi's dark eyes soften as he looks at him. His gaze is tender, full of warmth. He steps closer, hand reaching out to cup Seokjin's face, and holds it like it's something very important.
And he smiles.
It's the most beautiful thing in the world. His pink gums peak out and his eyes turn into crescent moons.
He caresses Seokjin's cheek gently. His touch leaves behind a pink hue, and Seokjin can feel his ears burning.
"Can't wait," Yoongi says sweetly and Seokjin smiles.
The matching bands on their fourth finger glint in the lights.