牡丹
spring

Seokjin parked the van outside the wedding venue. Once the vehicle had stopped, everyone promptly jumped out and began unloading the van ー setting up the decorations. Hyejin was already there, instructing everyone else. She glanced down at her watch and sighed, realising she was going to have to leave and get ready for the big day. After muttering a few quick instructions to her soon to be mother-in-law, who was overseeing and making sure nothing went awry, the woman left the venue. The mother-in-law wasted no time taking over, proving to be a worse dictator than anyone could have anticipated.

"Those flowers are too close to the front, they'll distract everyone from the bride and groom." She would snap, pointing to a pot of flowers that had just been placed down. "No, those seats aren't symmetrical ー what are you, blind?" Countless commands and criticisms spilled forth from her lips. The other workers, movers and assistants, cowered beneath her, rushing to complete everything to her satisfaction.

The three florists just watched at first, already wanting to trade bridezilla back for this dictator. As the old woman bossed everyone around, Jungkook began to understand why Hyejin had been so desperate to please the in-laws. This woman seemed to be the type to disapprove of anything unsatisfactory ― and if Hyejin truly loved her fiancé then she would want the approval of this woman.

Eventually the husband-to-be showed up, freeing the workers from the his mother. He was a well dressed man ― although that was unsurprising given he was dressed for his own wedding ― and seemed more relaxed and happy than his mother and fiancée. He approached the trio after surveying the situation, smiling kindly at them.

"You must be the florists and decorators." He said as he shook their hands. "Thank you all for taking the job; you did a good job, the place looks great. I'm Shim Changmin." The three then introduced themselves, starting at Seokjin and ending at Jungkook. When the youngest introduced himself, Changmin's eyes widened. "Jungkook! I've heard a bit about you. You and Hyejin hung out a bit, right? You went with her to her appointments."

"For a bit. Sometimes she'd be in a rush when we were supposed to meet." The brunette shrugged, now slightly worried that maybe Hyejin had complained about him to her husband-to-be. He hoped not; he didn't want Changmin to think he was incompetent as well.

"Every evening she'd always fret to me about how rude she was to you. She was always worried that maybe you thought she was some cow or something." Changmin chuckled. "She's not, I swear, just the stress of getting married has been getting to her. So, on her behalf, I apologise, Jungkook, for anything she might have said to offend you."

"I-It's fine. She didn't say that much." Taehyung looked at the younger male, frowning as he brushed off something that had obviously been bothering him more than he let on. The older florist opened his mouth to speak up for Jungkook, but then he stopped himself. He realised that if Jungkook was willing to forgive and forget and brush it off like that, then it was none of his business to speak up.

"Hey, do you guys have anything planned this evening?" Changmin asked the trio, who all shook their heads. This made the groom laugh again ― he was definitely in a good mood. "I don't think Mother'd be happy if three florists came to the ceremony, but we could squeeze you into the after party if you want; it could be a sort of thank you for dealing with my bridezilla and not giving up on her. And for taking our job on such short notice ― you did a great job, guys. But only if you guys want to come, of course. There'll be alcohol, if that's any incentive."

Taehyung was the first to speak up, "Hey, if we're not intruding and there's free drinks, I'll come." Seokjin then nodded and said he'd come too, if they weren't too much hassle. Jungkook just went with the consensus.

"Great! If you guys give me your numbers, I'll text you through the details and see you there."

Jungkook sighed as he watched Hyejin and Changmin laugh and chat as they danced to the music. They looked so happy together, and the florist was envious of that. As he watched, he begun wondering what his own wedding would be like, what his fiancé would like and if she'd be a bridezilla like Hyejin had been. He was just beginning to enjoy his daydream when Taehyung sat down next to him, interrupting it by placing two bottles down on the table.

"I got us some drinks. I didn't know what you'd like ― but there's so much! I almost had difficulties deciding." The older said as he twisted the lid off his bottle. He lifted it up to drink it, tilting his head back as he did so. Jungkook watched his neck, noticing the faintest Adam's apple appear. Its appearance pleased the younger, as though the small bump confirmed everything the effeminate male had assured him. "This party is fun. I don't know anyone here except you, but this is fun."

Jungkook nodded slowly as he took a drink from his own bottle. Seokjin had left earlier, after receiving a text from Namjoon and deciding to spend a night at the movies with his boyfriend than hang out a client's wedding after party. It seemed like a reasonable choice ― if the younger had a girlfriend to go watch movies with, he would have chosen her over this. But instead he was stuck there with Taehyung.

"It's kind of loud." The younger said, even though it really wasn't that loud. He was just hoping that maybe Taehyung would catch on and realised he didn't want to be here.

"Is the music hurting your ears?" Jungkook shrugged. "Come on, let's go then. We've got our drinks, I doubt anyone'll notice our disappearance."

Jungkook thanked the Lord that the older male caught on so quickly. They both got up and started heading out. As Taehyung had said, no one noticed them leave. Well, almost everyone didn't. As they left the building, someone called out Jungkook's name. They turned to see Hyejin rushing after them. She quickly caught up to them, smiling as she pushed her styled hair out of her face.

"Before you go, because I figure we'll never see each other again, I just want to thank you both for helping out with my wedding. And Jungkook, thank you so much for putting up with me. I'm so sorry for insulting you ― you're not incompetent at all. Far from it."

"It's fine, I understand. You had your mother-in-law to worry about." The younger male smiled up at the new bride, who smiled back. She looked so much nicer when she smiled, and Jungkook hoped that she smiled a lot in the future.

"Thank you, both of you. Have a good evening."

"You too." They waved as they parted waves. Hyejin returned to the party and her husband while the other two just wandered down the street.

"Where should we go?" Taehyung asked as he looked around, putting his hands in his pockets.

"I don't know. Right now I just want to eat and go to bed." The older chuckled.

"That sounds like a good idea. How about we find a place to eat and then I'll take you home."

After a bit of wandering around, the pair found a small ramen shop that was still open and went there. Not in the mood for spicy food, Jungkook ended up just getting a regular, mild ramen while Taehyung made sure to get one of the spicier dishes on the menu. They ate in silence, save for the occasional sniffle from the older as the spices began to make his nose run.

By the time they'd finished, the older male's lips were red and swollen ― like he'd just had an intense make-out session with his dinner. The sight flustered the younger, who forced himself to look anywhere that wasn't his happy friend.

"You ready to go home?" Taehyung asked as they paid. Jungkook nodded in response, shivering as they stepped out into the cold. "Alright, well, I'll take you home first, to make sure you get there safely."

"I can look after myself, you know?"

"Yeah, but just let me take you home ― it's my duty as your friend to make sure you get home safe."

"But then shouldn't I also take you home then?" This seemed to silence the older male for a few minutes as he struggled to think up a counter argument. Jungkook smiled triumphantly, feeling as though he'd won.

"Probably, but if we followed that logic then neither of us would ever get home. Besides, I pass your house on the way to my own."

And there went all of Jungkook's triumph.

――＊――

It was one of the few nights when the whole Jeon family was at the dinner table together. Usually Mr Jeon was at work late or Jungkook would have something on, and the family would never be complete. But not tonight ― even Grandma Jeon had made the effort to have dinner with the others. She sat at the head of the table, her usual seat, while Mr Jeon sat opposite her at the other end. Mrs Jeon sat across from Jungkook.

"I'll be going to America for the Summer." Grandma Jeon announced after she'd finished the meal Mrs Jeon had made. "I'll be talking to some men who should be able to help expand the business; I expect you to keep the business running in my absence."

"Of course, Mother, nothing will happen to the shop." Mr Jeon assured her.

"Good. Jungkook can help you out while I'm gone ― it's about time he started helping the family."

"You said I didn't have to start until after I finished my university course!" Jungkook suddenly exclaimed when he realised his grandmother was going back on the deal they'd established before he started at the florist. She'd wanted him to start working at the family restaurant straight after school, but he ― with a little help from his father ― had managed to convince her to let him go to university first. The degree would help him bring more to the restaurant.

"Don't raise your voice at me, especially not at the dinner table." Grandma Jeon instantly snapped back. "I didn't say you had to start helping around full time, you'll just be doing small jobs that your father might need done. Don't worry, you can stay at that florist of yours."

The brunette slowly relaxed, dropping his gaze back down to his rice. Grandma Jeon continued to explain to her son all the things he was going to need to do in her absence, while Mrs Jeon quickly finished her dinner and started collecting the others' plates. She soon retreated to the kitchen, cleaning up the dinner dishes.

"May I be excused please?" Jungkook spoke up during a break in the conversation. His grandmother nodded, dismissing him. He hurried to his bedroom and remained in there until he went to bed, only leaving when he had to brush his teeth and get ready for bed. No one bothered him, and he preferred it that way.