紫苑
summer

Jungkook was nervous about going to work that morning. Summer had started and his grandmother had left on her trip with the strict instructions that he was to help his father with the restaurant and get some experience. He was allowed to continue working at the flower shop, but until she returned the family business took priority. He wasn't sure how he was going to broach the subject and ask for the time off. All the scenarios he'd thought over only made him feel guilty or nauseous.

He arrived at the shop first, unlocking the building and taking his usual spot at the counter. Pulling out his phone, he tried to distract himself from his nerves by playing some games. His fingers rapidly tapped the screen as he began playing Piano Tiles. The game was able to provide him with something to divert his focus on, as he tried to beat his high score. He barely even looked up when Taehyung arrived and took his place beside the younger. It was only when he recognised the tune that he looked up, accidentally hitting the wrong tile in the process and losing when he was so close to beating his high score.

"You were humming Big Bang." He said, and the older male stopped. He turned his head slowly, his widening in confusion.

"Yeah... Is that a bad thing? Should I be worried?" The younger shook his head, placing his phone back in his pocket.

"No, I don't think so."

"Good, 'cause I thought you were going to, like ― I dunno ― attack me or something for humming it." Their conversation was cut short as Seokjin entered with a flourish, the little bell signalling his entrance. He pulled his sunglasses off, folding them up and placing them on the top of his basket.

"I hope you're all hungry because I have food." He said, joining the pair. He placed the basket down on the counter and pulled the blanket back. This time there were muffins, resting side by side. "I stopped by Namjoon's place on the way―"

"Just for something new." The lilac-haired florist butted in, earning a mild glare from his cousin.

"Anyway, I was there and he gave me these." Seokjin picked one of them, peeling the wrapped back from the side before biting into it. The other two soon followed, enjoying their morning tea in the peaceful quiet of the florist. The sun was already shining through the window, filling the room with its warm and lighting up the flowers. When they finished eating, Seokjin spoke up again. "So, Namjoon and I have been discussing it and we've decided we're going to go on a holiday together for a week or two. We're going to go stay at one of his family's resorts."

The youngest florist began choking on his muffin after an ill-timed, sharp intake of breath. Through his coughing and the hitting of his chest (by him) and the hitting of his back (Taehyung), he spoke, "One of? You mean he has more than one?"

"Yeah," the older male shrugged casually, "his family owns a few all over Korea. We're just going to one of the closer ones."

"He must be rich!" Seokjin shrugged again. "What's he doing working as a baker then?"

"He enjoys it. He likes earning his own money and cooking food and watching the customers enjoy it."

"Wow, you really scored, Seokjin." Taehyung laughed, patting his cousin on the shoulder. Once again, the older simply shrugged in response. "But you'll be gone for a bit then?"

"Yep. And I'm closing the shop during that time." The effeminate florist's jaw dropped when he heard this, his eyes growing wide. "Don't even try arguing with me; you need a holiday as well, Taehyung. You've had the same amount of holidays as I have since you started ― zero! ― and you need to take some."

"But working here is like an extended holiday! Jungkook and I can take care of the place, we won't destroy any flowers."

"No. You're going on a holiday and that's final." Seokjin crossed his arms over his chest, frowning at the younger. "I don't care what you do, but you're taking the time off. If I'm going on a holiday then so are you."

"This is― This is cruelty to Taehyungs!"

"You'll thank me later. But for now, just enjoy your last day at the shop for a week or two."

――＊――

Seokjin watched his pink-haired boyfriend walk out of the house with a bag in both his hands. A small smile spread across his lips and he waved when the younger looked up and noticed him. Unable to wave back, Namjoon just gave a wide smile in response, shaking his body in what looked like it was supposed to replace a wave. This movement distracted him from the crack in the pathway and he tripped, fortunately managing the regain his balance before he fell to the ground. Seokjin chuckled to himself. He then popped the boot, allowing Namjoon to put his bags in the back.

When Namjoon hopped in the front seat, Seokjin pulled out a pink polaroid camera and took a photo of the unsuspecting male. He laughed at the younger's surprised expression.

"What's that for?" He asked, pointing at the camera.

"Well I figured it's our first holiday together so we should take photos. Plus this was on sale and pink so I just grabbed it."

"But the picture's so small..." Namjoon said as he picked up the polaroid. He stared at the blank image, frowning.

"Yeah, but don't worry, I also brought my normal camera. This is just for novelty ― and, like I said, it was cheap."

After a few hours' drive that consisted mostly of casual chatter and comfortable silence, the pair arrived at the resort. Just from admiring the walk up to their room, Seokjin could easily tell why Namjoon's family was so successful. The resort was one of the most luxurious-looking places he had ever visited. White pathways separated each of the small gardens and connected the buildings, with a few small patio near the houses and a fountain in the centre. The pool ― which they'd both agreed to go in the next day if the weather was good ― was large and curved around a few tables and chairs sheltered under wooden gazebos.

The younger male poked his head in the lobby and collected a key from the receptionist there before leading the older to the place they'd be staying. It was the largest one there ― usually reserved for the big spenders or VIPs. They dropped their bags in the entrance, pulling their shoes off. The first room was wide and wooden, opening out into their small backyard-type of area. A smaller, private pool/spa was out there.

"Wanna grab lunch, go for a walk and then come back here to try out the spa?" Namjoon asked, placing his hands on the florist's waist as he came up behind him. He rested his head on the older's shoulder, waiting for his response. Seokjin was rather content to just stand there like that, but he realised that was a terrible waste of time and nodded. He was beginning to grow hungry anyway, so lunch sounded like a good idea.

"Food sounds good." His stomach grumbled in agreement, making the pair chuckle. Seokjin turned and placed his hand in his boyfriends and they left the house. The younger led the florist around the resort as they made their way to a restaurant.

"It was here, in this exact resort, that I was taught how to cook." Namjoon told the brunette as they walked idly down one of the paths. For a five star resort, there weren't a lot of people around, which added to its peacefulness. "During the holidays I'd get bored and the chef that was here ー he always thought I should be working and learning about how things work in the real world. So he'd teach me how to cook things. He was pretty strict and sometimes kind of grumpy but in that sort of caring type of way, if you know what I mean?"

"Yeah, I think I do."

"Yeah, well he taught me how to cook. He had no kids so I was basically like his son, a way to carry his legacy, I guess." The younger shrugged. "He ended up having a stroke before I moved and passed away. It was sad, but he wouldn't have wanted me sulking around so I got over it. But yeah, this is where it all began."

"Well I'm glad he taught you. If he hadn't, we might have never met."

"I like to think that, even if that had happened, destiny still would have found a way to bring us together." Seokjin grinned at the cheesy line, but kissed Namjoon on the cheek anyway. The pink-haired man's cheeks became dusted with an equally pink blush and his dimple showed. He kissed Seokjin back and lunch was temporarily forgotten. "I love you so much, Jin."

"That's only natural, I love me too." The older male chuckled as he ruined the moment. "But I love you as well, Joon."

"Jin and Joon," Namjoon smiled as he said this, "I like the sound of that."

"That should be on our wedding invitations: you are cordially invited to the joining of Jin and Joon in holy matrimony."

"We're getting married?" The baker asked in surprise, his eyebrows raising. Seokjin smiled and pat his hand gently.

"When it's legal; I'll buy you a ring."

"You know, we could just... go to a place where it's legal." Seokjin gave this a few moments thought before he spoke again.

"If you still love me this much in a year, we'll go somewhere where it's legal and get married."

"And if I love you more?"

"If you love me more, you get to pick the honeymoon destination." The pair shared another kiss, this one deeper than the previous two and longer. That was one of the bonuses of such an empty resort ー they didn't have to worry about any of them watching. Seokjin's stomach interrupted the kiss, growling impatiently in a way that dissolved the into giggles and laughter. They then headed off to lunch, this time not getting distracted on the way.

ーー＊ーー

It was a clear sky that night. The couple cuddled together on the hammock that was set up outside, staring up at it. Namjoon's nose was buried in the older's hair, the scent of flowers he couldn't recognise mixed with earthy undertones filling his sense of smell. Seokjin shuffled closer to the baker, causing the hammock to swing gently. He snuggled closer to the younger's chest and smiled, growing rather drowsy as the bed's rocking and Namjoon's breathing and heartbeat began to lull him into sleep. He tilted his head up, resting his chin against Namjoon's chest as he looked up at the one he loved.

"I wish we could stay like this forever." He said quietly, not wanting to raise his voice in the silence.

"We could. It's possible."

"Nah, I'd miss my garden too much." Seokjin smiled softly. "But, if we're still together when we retire, then maybe we could consider it."

"I would be honoured to grow old and retire with you."

"You're sweet." As Seokjin began to feel his eyelids droop again, he went to get up. "But we should move to the bed, before I fall asleep."

"Alright." Namjoon groaned as he followed the older out of the hammock. He snuck up behind Seokjin, catching him by surprise as he swept him off his feet. The older squealed in surprise and wrapped his arms around the baker's neck. Namjoon smiled at him as he carried him to the bed. Before placing his gently down on the mattress, he kissed the older male. This kiss continued as they settled down into the bed, neither bothering to change into pyjamas.

"As much as I love kissing you, Joon, I'm going to fall asleep on you soon." Seokjin said when he broke the kiss. He then placed a small peck on the younger's nose. "But we can continue this later. We have a whole two weeks to go."

ーー＊ーー
note : time for my favourite section of the book

and now i wanna keep updating but i better not