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It wasn’t that Namjoon was too cool to go to class. He wasn’t a delinquent, he didn’t break rules just for the fun of it, he didn’t cause trouble- okay, so maybe he did occasionally, but in his defense, that cabinet was invisible, alright. He didn’t mean to break it, but he wasn’t coordinated on his best days, how was he supposed to avoid something he couldn’t even see?
No, it wasn’t that Namjoon thought himself above going to class (maybe he did, just a little) it was just that nothing in those classes held his attention.
He was a Ravenclaw through and through- his nose in a book more often than not, always thirsting for knowledge. In first year, he’d made it his goal to read every book on divination. In second year, he checked out at an entire shelf worth of books on dragons, before growing bored and switching to studying demiguise. The summer before third year, he’d sent owls to all his friends asking about the book lists they’d received for their chosen electives and bought every single one (his favourites were arithmancy and ancient runes). The first half of fourth year found him in the most untouched section of the library, the legal section, and by winter break he probably knew more about magical law than the entire Ministry of Magic combined. Yoongi had once joked that by the time they graduated, Namjoon was sure to have read every book in the library, and then some. (It was a running bet, actually. The closer to graduation the got, the more Hoseok worried he was going to lose 3 galleons to Yoongi).
No, it wasn’t that Namjoon didn’t like class, or learning. It was just that he got bored. Why go to History of Magic and listen to Professor Binns drone on about goblin rebellions for a month, when he could simply research them himself in a day and move on to another subject? No, it wasn’t that he hated class, he just had better things to do.
In Namjoon’s opinion, he was the best student in all of Hogwarts, even if he did spend more time holed up in the owlery reading then he did actually going to his classes, much to Seokjin’s chagrin. (The elder couldn’t really argue though, not when even with his pathetic attendance record Namjoon still managed to place first in his year.)
In fact, it was where Namjoon was headed at that moment, a thick, leather-bound book on astrology tucked beneath his arm as he climbed up the spiraling stone steps. The owlery was one of his favourite places to hide away in; having discovered a partially hidden alcove in there a few months into his first year, it had quickly been dubbed his usual spot. No one else knew of it, and that’s what Namjoon appreciated. He could hide away reading for hours without Jin’s nagging or Hoseok’s raucous laughter.
Namjoon rounded the corner, humming softly, passing by dozens of owls of all types. He’d once dedicated an entire month to memorizing all of the owl types, their temperament, flight patterns, diets, etc. If questioned, he could point out any owl in the room and list off its characteristics down to the number of feathers on its body and-
Namjoon paused, eyebrows furrowing and jaw loosening in surprise. He was at the entrance of the alcove, feet glued to the ground, eyes focused on the scene before him. All his thoughts had come to a crashing halt, making him almost dizzy.
It was absurd really. He was Kim Namjoon, top of his year, with an IQ of 148. A certified genius. And yet he couldn’t seem to move, couldn’t comprehend what was happening before him.
There was a boy.
In his spot.
From what he could see, the guy was attractive— lavender hair, tan skin, lithe body- and while normally Namjoon would be totally into that, this kid was in his spot.
For the past four and a half years, Namjoon had been fairly positive he was the only one who knew of the little alcove in the owlery, nothing more than a small gap between connecting walls hidden by the many owls residing there.
And yet, here this kid was now.
In his spot.
“You’re in my spot.” Namjoon blurted out, despite himself, and the kid turned and... wow. He wasn’t just attractive, he was drop dead gorgeous. His eyes were wide, chocolate brown, small nose, thin, pink lips.... he looked positively ethereal, like a fairy prince (but like, the muggle fantasy kind, not the real, six-inch high kind that lit up the common room at christmas). Honestly though, he was beautiful, and Namjoon hadn’t been this tongue-tied due to someone’s looks since he’d met Kim Seokjin.
“Hmm?” The boy hummed, tilting his head slightly to the side like a bird’s and - and Merlin’s beard if that wasn’t that cutest thing Namjoon’s ever seen he doesn’t know what is.
“You’re in my spot.” Namjoon repeated dumbly, too lost in the other’s eyes to think properly. They were such an interesting shade of brown, dark and endless, flecks of gold shining in the afternoon light. Faintly Namjoon wondered, if he looked long enough would he fall in?
“Oh. I’m sorry.” The boy said, voice impossibly deep. At first Namjoon thought he’d imagined it; he’d been expecting something similar to Jimin’s high pitched tone, befitting of his fairy-esque features. Not the deep baritone that reverberated throughout the alcove and Namjoon’s bones. As if he couldn’t get more attractive, Namjoon thought to himself.
Namjoon wasn’t sure how to proceed. He’d never encountered someone else in the alcove before, and while part of him wanted to get rid of the other so he could return to his regularly scheduled reading time, another part wanted to keep the boy around. He was intriguing, and Namjoon loved intriguing. How to continue though, Namjoon wasn’t sure.
Thankfully, the other boy did it for him. “You’re welcome to stay. I don’t mind sharing.”
That had Namjoon sputtering, after all, this was his spot, not this gangly kid’s, and yet he was being offered the chance to stay? Pushing his pride aside, Namjoon swallowed his complaints and nodded, shuffling into the alcove alongside the other boy.
There wasn’t much room in said alcove, just enough for the two to have a few inches between them. Namjoon could feel the purple haired boy’s breath lightly ruffle his hair, lips parted just slightly. Heat began to creep it’s way up Namjoon’s neck and he averted his eyes to the wall, willing himself to calm down.
“So, uh, why are you here?” Namjoon wasn’t sure what compelled him to ask the question, but then, he wasn’t really sure of anything at the moment. His body seemed to be on autopilot, disconnected from his brain.
The purple-haired boy’s lips quirked up into a small smile. “I could ask you the same thing.”
“I asked first.”
The boy leaned back, arms crossed behind his head to pillow it against the rough stone wall.
“Let’s just say, I’m too cool for school.”
Namjoon snorted. “That’s your excuse? Come on, there’s got to be more than that. You don’t seem like the delinquent type.”
The purple haired boy grinned slyly. “Tell that to the blast-ended skrewt in Filch’s office.”
Namjoon’s mouth dropped open. “That was you?!” He wasn’t sure if he should be impressed or terrified. Maybe both.
The boy laughed, the sound bouncing off the walls and tugging Namjoon’s breath away. His mouth widened into an almost rectangular shape, revealing perfect white teeth. It was ridiculous, but somehow still managed to look charming on him.
Namjoon needed to know who the boy was.
“What-”
From somewhere nearby, and owl screeched, startling the two back into the real world. The boy looked around, eyes widening slightly as if he’d just remembered where they were. “What time is it?”
Namjoon replied quickly, confusion only growing as the other boy groaned slightly and picked himself off the wall.
“I’ve got to go.” Purple haired guy said, slipping from the alcove. “My brother will have my head if he finds out I skipped again. But let’s meet again soon, alright?”
Namjoon could only nod.
The boy was long gone before Namjoon came to his senses, the world around him slipping back into place. Looking down at the book he’d meant to read that afternoon, he found for the first time he didn’t feel the urge to spend hours upon hours reading about a particular subject.
No, he’d found something much more interesting than the stars.
Now, if only he knew the boy’s name.
It was a week before Namjoon saw purple-haired guy again. It wasn’t in the alcove though. The bright haired boy was standing to the side of the corridor, leaning against it easily with his bag hanging off his shoulder, talking to...
Jimin?
Wait, what?
He watched, jaw dropped, as the two chatted easily, and even from where he stood he could see how their hands were interlocked. He wasn’t that close to Jimin, only knew him because Hoseok was dating the kid, but still shouldn’t he know the people close to him? Especially that close? Still too shocked to move, his eyes followed their movements as purple hair boy detached from the wall and gave Jimin a tight hug, before waving goodbye and running away. With his lean frame out of sight, Namjoon could think again, and he was starting forward before he knew it.
“Oi Park Jimin!” Namjoon yelled, stomping down the corridor. Said boy looked up and let out a small squeak, preparing to run. Not that he was scared of Namjoon but... well... the blonde wasn’t called the god of destruction for no reason. His still hadn’t quite recovered from that potions incident in second year (Namjoon still apologizes sometimes).
Namjoon caught the collar of Jimin’s robes and dragged him back, the younger’s arms flailing as he tried to right himself.
“Namjoon!” Jimin squeaked, pulling himself away and successfully keeping himself from falling. “What the hell man?”
“You didn’t tell me you were friends with purple-hair guy!”
Jimin shot him a confused look. “Purple hair guy?”
“You know, the guy you were just with!”
Jimin’s eyebrows furrowed together, not quite understanding why Namjoon’s tone was so urgent. “You mean Taehyung?” Namjoon nodded, and realization dawned on Jimin, laughter bubbling up. “Wait, Taehyung is the guy you were telling Hobi about last week? That purple haired guy?” Jimin said it like Namjoon should know who he was, but Namjoon just nodded his head helplessly. That was all it took for Jimin to burst into tear-inducing laughter, so high pitched and breathless it sounded more like squeaks than anything else.
“Merlin’s...pants....this is too funny...” Jimin gasped for air, crunched over with his hands on his knees. Namjoon simply stood there, lost, waiting for Jimin to calm down.
“Do you seriously not know who he is?” Jimin asked when he’d finally stopped laughing, though his face was still bright red.
Namjoon replied with another shake of his head, feeling progressively stupider the longer the conversation went on (and that was not a feeling he had often, nor one he enjoyed).
Jimin snorted, shaking his head. “Wait until I tell Seokjin....” The brunette started towards the Great Hall, high pitched laugh still ringing throughout the corridor. Namjoon followed after, shoulders slumped.
Honestly, what was he missing here?
“Wait what?”
Namjoon knew he could be oblivious sometimes (a fact that Yoongi never failed to remind of him of) but even still.... “He’s what?”
Namjoon was sat at the Gryffindor table, squished between Jimin and Hoseok, Seokjin sat across from them. Jeongguk and Yoongi had yet to arrive; the Slytherin sixth year known for his habit of being late, and Jeongguk the nervous first year who refused to go anywhere without Yoongi by his side. Namjoon couldn’t help but be thankful that at least they weren’t witness to what could, quite possibly, be the stupidest moment in his life.
“My brother.” Seokjin repeated, an eyebrow raised at the blonde, a cross between amusement and disbelief. “Joonie, I’ve talked about him before, and he’s one of Jimin’s closest friends. You’re not honestly telling me you didn’t know I had a brother, are you?”
Namjoon said nothing.
At that moment, the other two arrived, Yoongi in the lead with Jeongguk following behind like a shadow. (He kind of looked like one too, Namjoon thought, what with the pitch black hair falling into dark eyes and robes a size too big).
“What’s up?” Yoongi mumbled, plopping down beside Seokjin, Jeongguk falling to his other side. “Why does Namjoon look constipated?”
“Nothing much.” Hoseok told him. “We were just talking about Taehyung.”
“Taehyung... Jin’s brother?” Yoongi’s eyebrows furrowed. “The Ravenclaw? What about him?”
“He’s a Ravenclaw?” Namjoon squawked, fumbling with his spoon. Jin waved his arm wildly in Yoongi’s direction, eyes glinting with mirth.
“See, even Yoongi knows, and he doesn’t pay attention to a word I say!”
Missing that Taehyung was Seokjin’s brother was one thing, but honestly, how had he never noticed that someone this beautiful had not only escaped his eye, but they’d been in the same house for three years and he hadn’t noticed?
Yoongi let out a loud guffaw at Namjoon’s idiocy, while Jimin and Hoseok snickered on either side of him. Only Jin kept a straight face, though only just barely.
“I... guess it’s not that strange you haven’t met him...” Seokjin started out, struggling to make the best of the situation while once again reminding himself that though Namjoon was a certified genius, he was also immensely stupid. “Between the two of you, there’s not a day of class that hasn’t been missed. I can’t count how many times I’ve caught him sneaking around past hours.” As if an afterthought, he stated, “He’s such a troublemaker, honestly I don’t know how we’re related.”
“Oh.” Namjoon said softly, lost for words.
“Even still...” Seokjin turned on Namjoon, eyes flashing a bit darker. “Pay attention to me when I’m speaking, why don’t you.”
Namjoon sunk lower in his seat. “Yes Seokjin.”
Two days after the embarrassing revelation, Namjoon found purple hair guy— Taehyung— leaning against the wall of the alcove once again, a lolli between his lips.
“Hey,” Namjoon said as he slid into the alcove, sounding considerably calmer than he had last time, “You’re in my spot.”
Taehyung turned and grinned, plucking the lolli out with a loud pop. Namjoon swallowed hard.
“Hey Namjoonie.”
Namjoon startled, taking a step back. “How did you know my name?”
Taehyung shrugged, eyes focused on the lolli as he twirled it between his fingers. It was a bright, swirly green and— was he seriously eating an acid pop? “My brother talks about you a lot. Complains that you’re almost as bad as me, and that you break everything you touch.” A pause. “But he likes you.”
Namjoon started sputtering, face going bright red, and Taehyung quickly backtracked.”Not like that, Merlin, no. I think he’s into shorter, grumpier guys if you know what I mean.” Taehyung winked, and at that Namjoon let out a choked laugh. Oh, he knew.
Something scratched at the corner of Namjoon’s mind, the question spilling out before it had even fully registered in Namjoon’s mind.
“So wait, does that mean you knew I would be here? Have you been stalking me?”
A low laugh found it’s way out of Taehyung’s throat as he shook his head. “Not really. ” He told the blonde. “I mean, sure, I may have accio’d your schedule—” “I knew I hadn’t lost it” “ —But I didn’t stalk you. Once I realized you go to class about as often as I do, I had to get creative. I’ve known about this alcove since I was a first year.... It was just luck I happened to be checking it out the day you stopped by.”
Namjoon wasn’t sure what to say. Not only had he been unaware of Taehyung’s existence, Taehyung had been more than aware of his. Hell, he probably knew Namjoon’s schedule better than Namjoon himself did.
“But...why?” Namjoon couldn’t help but ask. It just didn’t make sense. Taehyung was beautiful, fascinating, and, as he was a Ravenclaw just like Namjoon, likely incredibly smart. Why would he even look at Namjoon?
Taehyung grinned and relaxed against the wall, eyes sparkling brightly with mischief. “You sounded interesting.”
Well.
Shit.
It wasn’t love at first sight, but it was pretty damn close.
Taehyung was something Namjoon couldn’t explain, a contradiction of himself. Deep and mischievous, yet naive and a bit air-headed; as parallel as his looks and his voice. Everything about him drew Namjoon in, further and deeper than any other human had before. It was terrifying, but also exhilarating. After all, Namjoon always had liked learning new things.
Midday escapades in the owlery became a regular thing. Conversation was random, ranging from international wizard law to the most appropriate name for a pygmy puff. It was easy, relaxing, filling his days with a sort of entertainment he’d never had before. It was strange, but in a good way. Namjoon wasn’t sure if he was weird for thinking so, but part of him imagined he could talk to Taehyung forever without getting bored.
Namjoon, being the book nerd he was, had a habit of raining random facts upon anyone who would listen, a habit that usually made his friends groan, but only proved to put a bright smile on Taehyung’s face. Even better, Taehyung often countered Namjoon with facts of his own, or else came up with ridiculous stories to supplement Namjoon’s own theories and trivia.
That afternoon was one such day, Namjoon having decided to put his owl knowledge to use, pointing out different ones and fun facts about them.
“And that one, is called a Snowy Owl, they’re recognizable by—”
“Oh, you mean Marshmallow?” Taehyung cut him off. Namjoon blinked.
“What?”
“That one you’re pointing to— that’s Marshmallow. And next to him, that’s Milord.” Taehyung motioned towards a Tawny owl perched nearby the Snowy Owl, preening itself.
“Taehyung did you.. name all of the school’s owls?”
Taehyung shrugged. “Why not? They deserve names, don’t you think?”
Namjoon continued to stare at Taehyung, and while it was probably the silliest thing he’d heard in ages, for some reason, coming from Taehyung, it made absolute sense.
Yeah. He thought. Why not?
“So what’s with the purple hair?” Namjoon asked, five weeks since their first encounter. The two were holed up inside the alcove once more, Namjoon’s hands wringing at his robes in an effort to keep from running them through said purple hair. It had been an issue as of late, the strands looking silky smooth and almost too tempting to resist.
“Huh? Oh that. I’m a metamorphmagus. Look.” The purple shifted to a soft orange, like autumn leaves, and his eyes sharpened and turned a molten gold colour, looking even more cat like than they had before. He was absolutely stunning, and Namjoon felt his breath catch in his throat at the sight. What kind of sorcery was this? How could someone already perfect become even more attractive? Weren’t there laws against that kind of thing?
“I can do other people too.” Taehyung said, drawing Namjoon from his thoughts. “It took a bit of work; I used my brother as practice a lot.” And then Taehyung was shifting again, and Namjoon was faced with an exact replica of Kim Seokjin.
“Used to confuse my mam a lot as kids. ‘Course, I can’t change my voice so that stopped working pretty quick.”
Namjoon forced out a laugh despite the confusing thoughts floating around his mind. He’d read about metamorphmagus before ( that was putting it lightly, for a solid month in 2nd year he’d been obsessed with the subject) and he was pretty sure Hoseok had mentioned his cousin having the ability as well, but he’d never seen one in real life. It was disconcerting to say the least, going from having a conversation with the super cute third year to someone Namjoon had come to internally associate as his second mother.
“That’s terrifying, switch back.” Namjoon laughed, easier this time. Taehyung nodded, and he was himself once more, though Namjoon couldn’t help but notice his hair was still orange. It complimented the younger’s skin perfectly, bringing out the natural olive tone and making him look absolutely stunning. Namjoon was torn between wanting to see him like that forever and having him go back to purple, for his sanity if nothing else.
“Watch this.” Taehyung chirped, and in the next instant, Namjoon was staring at himself.
Namjoon scrambled back, every thought about kissing Taehyung breathless gone from his mind and replaced with mild disgust.
“Merlin’s saggy balls, turn back, turn back!” Taehyung’s deep laugh came from Namjoon’s face, but didn’t change.
“What, afraid of yourself Joonie? You aren’t that ugly.”
Namjoon flushed and whined. Chuckling lowly, Taehyung switched back, leaving his hair for last. Seeing that, Namjoon couldn’t help but notice just how flawless he looked with blonde hair, and faintly wondered if there was a hair colour Taehyung couldn’t pull off. Probably not. The strands began to fade back to purple, and before he quite knew what he was doing, Namjoon was speaking.
“Wait.” Namjoon said, and Taehyung paused, hair caught between blonde and purple. It was rather ridiculous looking, but Namjoon couldn’t find it in him to care. “You um...” Namjoon could feel heat creeping up his neck, burning the tips of his ears. “You should - you should leave it blonde.”
Taehyung tilted his head, blinking owlishly. “Why?”
Well, shit. Namjoon didn’t know what to say without incriminating himself, mouth gaping like a fish as he struggled for words. “You.. look good like that.” Namjoon said finally. “Blonde suits you.”
Taehyung grinned at let it go back to blonde, though a shade darker than Namjoon’s. Without a word, he pulled a compact from his bag and turned his head left to right, looking at his reflection in the small round mirror. One hand ran through the strands, just as Namjoon wished he could do.
“I like it blonde too, actually.” Taehyung chirped finally, grin widening to that familiar rectangle shape. “And look, now our hair matches. Like couple hair.”
Namjoon swore he died right then and there.
It was cold. It was kind of dark too, the only light source their wands and the bluebell flame inside the jar to keep them warm. It was late, later than usual, both of them having snuck from their rooms in order to meet. Namjoon had cast a muffling charm so anyone walking by couldn’t hear them, something he was thankful for as Taehyung was not one to keep quiet.
Not that Namjoon was quiet when he was around Taehyung, either.
The younger just had something about him, something that made Namjoon more energetic, louder, and just the slightest bit crazier. He’d only recently started to notice how Taehyung was changing him, just slightly. How his heart beat just a tad bit faster whenever the younger was around, how his hands would get clammy and his cheeks would burn whenever Taehyung leaned too close, whenever he draped himself over Namjoon after a long day, face buried in Namjoon’s shoulder and breath hot against his throat.
It was one of those aforementioned long days, Taehyung’s eyes drooping as he rested against Namjoon’s chest, hands clutching to the elder’s robes. His breaths were steady and even, caught on the edge between awake and asleep.
It was quiet, peaceful, so different from most of their encounters. Namjoon knew they should be getting back, before the sun was up and the prefects were out on the prowl, but he couldn’t find it in himself to make Taehyung move. He looked so beautiful like that, curled up against Namjoon, lips slightly open, the light of the bluebell flames casting shadows across his delicate features. As more time passed, fatigue got the best of Taehyung, and soon he was snoring softly, almost inaudibly. Namjoon’s heart lurched at the sight of Taehyung looking so serene, lips curled up in a slight smile.
Without thinking, Namjoon leaned down and brushed the pale locks from Taehyung’s forehead, pressing a swift kiss to his temple.
“Sleep well Tae.” He whispered, wrapping himself further around the younger.
“Wait, so you’re telling me... you skipped ancient runes in order to study even more ancient runes?” Namjoon flushed and sputtered for a comeback. Two weeks had passed since that night (they’d ended both falling asleep there, and had nearly been caught by the female Gryffindor prefect, Irene, only barely managing to slip away) and things were relatively normal between them. Namjoon convinced himself that he’d kissed Taehyung in a moment of sleep-deprived anxiety, and had successfully driven the memory to the back of his mind.
“So? You skipped History of Magic to go walk around the Forbidden Forest!”
“Yeah but it’s History of Magic! No one likes History of Magic.”
“The forest is forbidden. ” Namjoon wasn’t sure why he was stressing the point so much, after all, wasn’t he the poster child for disregarding rules? But for some reason, thinking about Taehyung wandering around alone in that forest, surrounded by unknown, deadly things, made him nervous. What if Taehyung got hurt? Why did he care so much?
Taehyung smirked and leaned in close. Namjoon’s breath caught in his throat, eyes widening. That familiar cat like smirk stretched across his face, eyes twinkling. When he spoke, his voice was even lower than normal, sending shivers down Namjoon’s spine.
“But Namjoon. it’s always better when it’s forbidden, don’t you think?”
Namjoon almost wished he hadn’t asked.
Falling in love wasn’t something hard and fast, but more of a building fire, Namjoon thought. The more time he spent with Taehyung, the weight in his chest growing with each encounter. It was getting hard to focus on anything else, too preoccupied with trying to dampen his own feelings to think of much else.
“Is there a potion that can make you not like someone?” Namjoon asked, flipping through an old potion book. He was with Hoseok in the library, his already completed stars chart etched out while his friend copied it thankfully. (Hoseok would be forever grateful Hufflepuffs had astronomy with the Ravenclaws). “Like, a love potion but... the opposite.”
“Dunno.” Hoseok grunted, peering down at Namjoon’s scratchy handwriting. “Does this say Antares or Aldebaran?”
“Antares. Aldebaran isn’t even in that constellation.”
Hoseok hummed and wrote it down. “Why would you even want that Nam’? Someone fall in love with you? Is it Jackson?”
Namjoon snorted. “Nah, Jackson’s chill.”
“Then what...” Hoseok finally looked up from his homework, eyes squinted as he tried to read Namjoon’s face. Startled, Namjoon turned, hoping he hadn’t given away anything.
“You like him.” Hoseok said suddenly, face lighting up, gleeful. Namjoon was quick to refute, the tips of his ears going red as he sputtered out denials.
“No, what even, why would, what makes you think that?”
“Dude, it’s written clear as day on your face.”
“I don’t like Taehyung!” Namjoon argued, and Hoseok’s lips curled into a wicked grin.
“I never said it was Taehyung.”
Shit.
“I...I don’t... that’s not...we’re not...”
“But you want to be.” It wasn’t a question, it never was. Hoseok knew Namjoon like the back of his hand, the two friends since they could barely walk.
“If you like him, just tell him. Tae’s smart, but he’s awful at picking up on when people like him.” Namjoon nodded, mind whirling with a billion different scenarios.
“And if he doesn’t like me?” Namjoon asked, voice small.
“Tae’s a nice kid. He won’t ditch you or act weird, if that’s what you’re afraid of.”
No, Hoseok was right, Taehyung wasn’t like that. It was one of Namjoon’s favourite things about the younger, something he admired and loved him for.
Wait.
The blood drained from Namjoon’s face, realization setting in.
For once, Hoseok was wrong, Namjoon thought. He didn’t like Taehyung.
He loved him.
The thought alone was terrifying.
“Namjoon, are you okay? You’ve been acting off since I got here.” Namjoon looked up, meeting Taehyung’s eyes for a split second before averting his own, focusing on a particularly interesting stone in the opposite wall.
“Huh, yeah, I’m good. I’m cool.” Namjoon mumbled, running his confession through his head. It was so simple, and yet it felt like he was attempting to defuse a bomb without magic. His thoughts were filled with ways it could all go wrong, all of them ending with Taehyung never being his friend again.
He’d spent the past four days since his talk with Hoseok standing in front of the mirror, reciting just how he was going to tell Taehyung, but every time ended with him laying face first on the ground, bemoaning his unfortunate life.
Why did feelings have to exist? Why couldn’t he just be friends with Taehyung? Why’d he have to go and fall in love with him?
Taehyung crossed his arms and frowned at the older blonde. He could be a bit air-headed at times, but a blind man could see that something was wrong with Namjoon. He’d never been like this before, never lied to Taehyung, and it was not a first the younger wanted to experience any longer.
“Joonie, seriously, what’s up? Don’t lie to me.”
Namjoon took a deep breath, sinking against the wall. Now or never. He told himself, willing his voice to come. He hated the part of him that suggested ‘never’ as the best option. He couldn’t do that; he’d promised Hoseok he would confess to Taehyung, and besides, he wanted to get these feelings off his chest. (That’s what he kept telling himself at least).
“Hey Taehyung....” Namjoon trailed off, eyes still averted from the younger.
“Yes?”
“Could I....?”
Taehyung gave Namjoon a confused look, and leaned closer. Namjoon’s eyes snapped up, and his breathe caught in his throat, heart beating stupidly fast when he noticed just how close the two were.
“Could you what?” Taehyung’s voice was low, husky and seductive, but his eyes were all innocence, nothing but curiosity in them. Of course, what was Namjoon thinking? Taehyung didn’t think that way of him. It was pointless to even suggest it.
“It’s nothing, never mind.”
Namjoon was a damn coward.
“You see, this is why you aren’t a Gryffindor.” Hoseok pointed out as he flipped the pages of his textbook to the section about ornithomancy. The two were studying for Divination this time, though studying might have been a strong word to use, as they’d been in the library for over an hour already and had yet to even begin writing their papers. “A Gryffindor would never be this chicken about their feelings.”
Namjoon frowned and swatted at Hoseok with his Divination book, accidentally knocking over his jar of ink in the process. Hoseok let out a yell, jumping up and pulling his notes away urgently before any of the black liquid could stain and ruin them. Namjoon sheepishly waved his wand as he mumbled a vanishing spell, the ink clearing away in an instant. Hoseok set his papers back down, eyes on Namjoon.
“Seriously Joonie, grow a pair. Nothing bad will come from telling Taetae your feelings.”
“I know....”
“So what’s got you so nervous? I know you like Taehyung, but this is ridiculous, even for you.”
Namjoon looked down. “I don’t know.” A pause. “Maybe it’s better to leave things as they are. It’s easy this way, ya know?”
Hoseok groaned and shook his head. “You’re hopeless.”
Something was wrong.
The air between the two of them was stiff, tense, almost as tense as Namjoon himself was. He’d known something was wrong the second he’d stepped foot in the alcove, Taehyung’s face devoid of his normal smile, but try as he might, he couldn’t figure out why. Had something happened? Was Namjoon meant to be comforting him and asking what was wrong right now? Namjoon had never been good at comforting people, Hoseok always told him how shit he was at it, but if it were Taehyung, he could try.....
“Namjoon, if I ask you something, will you answer honestly?” Taehyung’s voice sounded serious, unlike its usual lilting playfulness, and Namjoon froze up. That didn’t sound good, in fact it sounded like a pretty fucking bad idea, and for a moment Namjoon considered running. But this was Taehyung, maybe he just had a question about Norwegian Ridgebacks’ eating habits or the exact number of toads it would take to fill Professor Nam’s office. Yeah that was probably it. Relax Namjoon.
“Yeah, sure, what’s up Tae?” Namjoon mentally patted himself on the back for sounding so casual.
“Do you like me?”
If Namjoon had been walking, he would have face planted the ground. As it was, his whole body reacted, slamming into the stone of the alcove wall, letting out a soft hiss of pain. Dammit, he should have run.
But Taehyung was staring at him with those beautiful eyes, full of nothing but compassion and confusion and maybe, just maybe, a little bit of love as well....
“How did you figure that?” Namjoon asked finally, genuinely confused and slightly scared. Taehyung knew. Taehyung knew, and now their friendship was potentially ruined.
“Jimin told me.” Taehyung shrugged, trying to seem casual. Namjoon growled silently. Jimin? If it was Jimin, that meant Hoseok must have been behind this. Those two never could keep secrets from each other, they were like gossiping teenage girls. “I’ve never been the best at picking up on people’s feelings, this isn’t the first time he’s had to point it out for me.” Taehyung looked down, cheeks tinted a soft pink, and cleared his throat unnecessarily. “Of course, this is, uh, this is the first time I’ve felt the same way.”
Wait what.
“What.” Namjoon blinked dumbly, not comprehending. “You what.”
Taehyung’s face was a pretty pink, the colour spreading all the way up to his ears. “I like you.”
Namjoon was silent, everything seeming to have stopped working inside his mind. The longer he remained silent, the more Taehyung fidgeted, ringing his robes nervously.
“This uh... this is the part where you say you like me back Joonie.” Taehyung’s voice was soft, slightly shaky.
The sound had Namjoon moving back into action, pressing forward and taking Taehyung’s warm face between his hands, bringing their faces together in a passionate kiss.
It was awkward at first, lips smashed against lips, no rhythm, Taehyung too surprised to move. But then he sank into it, parting his lips slightly, moving them against Namjoon’s almost desperately. It was messy, teeth knocking together occasionally, Namjoon breathing way too hard, but it didn’t matter. They were kissing... they were kissing... Namjoon had never thought the day would come and he wasn’t about to complain, not when Taehyung’s lips were so soft and his body so pliant underneath Namjoon’s hands....
It was Taehyung who pulled away first, panting slightly. “So...this means... you do like me?”
“Yes, yes, I like you.” Namjoon admitted, the words rushed with excitement.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Taehyung asked, the pout coming back.
“I didn’t think you could like me.” Namjoon said honestly, wanting nothing more than to kiss the pout away.
“You’re silly.” Taehyung replied, kissing him again.
“You know, for a Ravenclaw, you can be pretty stupid.” Taehyung said when they eventually parted, slightly breathless. “And they call me oblivious.”
Namjoon snorted, brushing blonde locks back from Taehyung’s forehead, letting his hand rest against the younger’s cheek.
“Yah, it’s not like you realized either.”
“You’re the one with the genius IQ though, why is this my fault dummy? I think your skills are lacking.”
“Are you saying I need to go to class more?”
“Nah,” Taehyung gave him a lazy smirk, and a quick peck. “We’re too cool for school.”
Namjoon let his hand brush across the soft skin of Taehyung’s cheek, the other arm wrapping around the younger’s waist.
No, Namjoon thought, thinking back on all those months he’d hidden away with a book before he met Taehyung, all the months after that when he fell for him. No, it wasn’t that he hated class.
He just had better things to do.