Work Text:
29 December 2013
"I want to be a flower that blooms on someone's back."
11:43PM
With eyes dusted by the remnants of sleep, and his head topped by a disarray of colors, Taehyung looks into the mirror with both excitement and uneasiness. He had been waiting for this for years; his entire life lay on a thin sheet of fate that will lead him where he wants to be, or the other way around. To be a pistil or stamen—he honestly believes that he's going to be the one who plants seeds and let the flowers bloom, and because of that belief, he'd prepared himself well.
11:46PM
Three years of being stagnant; three years of searching. Jin finds himself rolling around the sea of sheets, each wave and ripple created by the movement of his limbs—he couldn't find the will to sleep. It has been three years since he had come of age; his eyes had become brighter, alabaster skin shone under the sun, cherry lips plump and tender. his entire body became more virile—he'd bloomed like a beautiful flower in the middle of drought. People around him quickly noticed these changes, acknowledging—and even treating him better. There was something lacking. Although inside him, a flower that wants to imprint itself on someone's body, Jin felt empty—he didn't feel any motivation, at all. Yes, he was curious. "What kind of flower would I be?" he frequently asked himself, but made no move to discover. He wasn't willing to throw it so easily like that. He wanted to wait for that someone. People thought it was such a waste.
11:58PM
For seventeen years, the clock ticked by slowly, as if time mocked the waiting teenager. As if time wanted to tell him to stop waiting. A triumphant huff escapes his lips at the thought, arms crossing, one over the other as he continues to stare at himself. Beautiful ochre eyes with a hint of mischief, taut muscles as a result of rigorous training, and a face that even the gods envy—he was ready to conquer everything. "It's almost time," he whispers to no one in particular; his mother had already gone to sleep after telling him that she wasn't interested in waiting. "You'll regret not seeing this, mom."
12:00AM
After the clock had struck the last minute, Taehyung waited for a few more agonizing seconds before he finally feels the heat rising up from his feet up to his lower waist. before it transitions into thin, scratching lines on the side of this back. "No," he lowers his head, gripping tighter onto the porcelain sink, causing his knuckles to turn pale. It didn't take too long, though, before he turns around and watches the skin on his back grow a barren tree, empty and lifeless. "A pistil."
---------
It was a chilly winter night when he had met him.
30 December 2015 - 8:52PM
There had been talks about celebrating his birthday and Taehyung has had enough, turning every single plan down just so he could spend the day alone in his own room. "Dull, dull, boring, colourless, dull," he lists out, his chest pressed against the tiled wall of the bathroom, head turned so he could look over his shoulder, eyes almost burning holes on the mirror. On his back were different variations of flowers, some more than others; lilies, roses, daisies and freesias were inked on his skin, different colors, sizes and numbers, but they were all tedious to look at. The branches were almost full—one, two or three more flowers before autumn breaks in, drying the once coloured petals into an ugly, withered shade of brown. One, two or three more flowers before he starts running around, collecting more.
Taehyung realizes that although he'd accepted the fact that he wasn't destined to be the flower, he hasn't accepted it. Carrying someone else's, flaunting them off as if they were for show. He has heard stories about how refreshing it was to find someone whose flowers suited the tree; how pure and truly magnificent to find something that will liberate someone from being lonely. Truth to be told, though, Taehyung has already given up. It had only been two years, but he was already tired and used.
From afar, muffled by the thick door that separated him from his bed, he could hear the ceaseless ringing of his phone. Must be them. He gives his back another glance before he releases a disgruntled sigh and walks out of the door. His hands immediately grabs the mobile device, thumbing through the countless texts that his partners had sent him, all shallow and repetitive greetings that he disliked seeing every year. "Can't they be more original?" he asks himself, but he knew that it was pointless—all they really cared about was how they'd be able to get him into bed that night; in the end, they pile sugar over sugar.
Having a premonition that one of the texters would be coming any time, he decides that it was best if he were to spend the night somewhere else. An unknown, remote place or the park—although that's totally not what he wants to go for.
9:43PM
Unbearably cold.
This isn't what he had in mind but he still settles himself down on one of the swings, hands rubbing at each other to create the tiniest bit of heat he can get. Great. It didn't take him too long until he was running across the park, towards a nearby convenience store. "Where are the warm packs?" he asks the male that was languidly tapping his fingers on the counter. It took him a while to get an answer, but as soon as the direction was pointed, he strides towards a short adventure to get the loving warmth of the mentioned item.
Unfortunately, the god of all warm packs were not on his side today. "Fucking hell," he curses—a little louder than he usually does—once he sees that the shelf for it was completely empty. Who could blame the people? It was almost twelve degrees outside. That didn't faze him, though. Taehyung walks back to the counter, asking the man if there were any stocks in the back, but the cashier only gave him a sad shake of the head in return. "Are you fucking kidding me—no, that isn't directed at you—no, yes, I mean—forget it."
10:23PM
Jin couldn't help but laugh at the situation that was taking place right in front of him, he could almost hear the desperation laced within the stranger's voice. Fortunately, he had gotten the last few packs before he headed towards the beverage section; he'd always been lucky with these kinds of things. He finally stands right behind the other male, and when they came face to face, he smiles—although, fifty-seven percent of his smile was filled with mockery. The stranger gave him a look and then eyes the items he was holding before huffing and walking back out. "Bad day, huh," Jin mumbles as he places the items on top of the counter, eyes directed towards the door where the stranger had gone out of. He almost feels bad, but he's very sensitive to the cold, so he decides to keep them all to himself.
After paying, he walks out of the store, and before he takes another step, it was drizzling. "What bad timing."
10:28PM
"What bad luck."
Taehyung turns his head to look at the other, eyes filled with both curiosity and contempt. They stare at each other for more than a few minutes, only the sound of the winter breeze and the piercing cold were the things left unignored, but he was focused—those beautiful lips. "Do you want the warm packs?" the stranger asks, lifting two of four, looking like he was willing to sacrifice precious treasure. "I bought four."
"Evidently, you took everything that was left on the shelf," Taehyung murmurs but takes no time to move, plucking the packs from the stranger's hand, a small smile of appreciation on his lips. "I'm not paying, since it's my birthday today. Thanks."
With that, Taehyung walked away, leaving the other person smiling in disbelief. "Well, happy birthday."
2 January 2016
Fleeting moments.
Taehyung doesn't know why he never noticed it, but realization had come up to him like a suckerpunch the moment he steps inside his favorite cupcake store. "Welcome" would be the usual greeting, and "one box of chocolate cupcakes" would be his usual response, but it wasn't a usual day. "Should I add warm packs to that?" the man behind the counter asked, but it all happened in such a blur that Taehyung didn't know what he had answered. He simply walks away without paying, leaving the store clerk with the same, dumbfounded expression.
7:34PM
It wasn't after dinner did he comprehend the events that happened in the afternoon. His wallet remained full—and with the absence of a receipt and—fuck, I have to pay—though it wasn't the payment he worries about. It was having to face that person once again. "Should I go back now? Do I wait tomorrow?" he contemplates long and hard, but in the end, he decides that he will come back tomorrow and settle it.
Doesn't mean he fell asleep that night, though.
3 January 2016
Another fleeting moment.
Taehyung enters the store, wary and anxious. No one greeted him. No one. His worried eyes slowly trails up from the shelves of freshly baked cupcakes to the overly familiar counter. How could he have not noticed before? The man looks at him with an unreadable expression, arms crossed, one over the other, as if waiting for him to give his excuses. "In my defense, as a stranger, you struck me with an overly friendly question," he starts, taking small steps—just in case the other tries to punch him in the face. "But I'm paying—I'm paying, no need to call the police or anything."
"i've taken matters in my hands, don't worry," the other responds, and with the way his lips moved, Taehyung finds himself staring. This is the third time they've seen each other, but this is the first time he has looked at the other closely. "And I don't think hand warmers for your birthday can be considered as a good gift."
Awkwardly, Taehyung stands there like a huge lump of rock, just staring at the nametag that was pinned on the man's uniform. 'Jin' it reads and for the first time in what seemed like months, he feels an overwhelming amount of relief washing over his body. "Do you still need anything else?"
"No."
14 January 2016
Jin feels that if he doesn't see that customer again, he'll come down with a cold—profit aside. Did he do something weird? "Should I just have let him pay for the damage?" he asks, eyes moving from one side of the room to the other, looking at Jimin who was busily mopping the floor. "It has been a week since he came here, and he's usually here every other night to buy a box of cupcakes that no one else wants. He has weird taste, by the way—but I digress. Was it weird that I remembered his birthday?"
"It's weird that you remembered him at all, Jin. You can hardly remember your phone's password."
"Do you think he'll come back?"
"No, I think he's off to buy cupcakes from the other store down the street."
15 January 2016
It was right, after the incident, Taehyung makes it a habit to turn to the corner instead of going straight, his once daily walking routine becoming crooked every time he walks by. It isn't like the cupcakes were better—in fact, they were tasteless and dry—but he couldn't bring himself to walk back into that dainty looking shop anymore. He's ashamed.
For some weird reason, tonight was different from all the other nights the previous week. He leans against the lamp post in front of his favourite shop, waiting for all the lights to dim down before he pushes himself off and stares into the glass door where he meets eyes with a very startled Jin. He was about to push the door open, only to be stopped by Jin's foot, hands signaling for Taehyung to wait and stay still.
Once he comes back, Jin hands him a box of cupcakes that he knew Taehyung likes. "You haven't been here, I was kind of worried."
"Hey, Jin," Taehyung pushes him back inside the store without any other word uttered, clumsily placing the box on top of an empty shelf before his hands starts to roam around the expanse of the elder's torso. "Why were you worried?"
Jin was baffled at first, their limbs were getting tangled from the rush and he protests by trying to pry the other's hands away, but he finally melts when he feels the warmth of the palms that ventures his clothed skin. "I don't even—" he was cut off mid-sentence by a silencing kiss, heated and rough; it was the first time he has felt anyone else's lips on his own and beneath the chapped exterior, he finds solace. He closes his eyes, and before he knows it, the stranger was already pushing him down on the floor, skillfully unbuttoning his dress shirt. "—your name."
Now, even if Jin knew the name, he would still be against doing such a thing with someone he had just met—well, not really. Maybe, just maybe, there was something different, and that it would make a difference. "Taehyung" he hears the other mumble, but his attention snaps away from the syllables and right onto the flawless torso that was being revealed before him. Shy, slender fingers run up every curve of muscle, right around the male's waist, up to his back. Will I see? Almost. Almost. "Beautiful," he murmurs, and it wasn't until Taehyung stood up to take off his pants did he get a glimpse of the back, fully bloomed with every color possible—with every flower possible.
No.
Jin abruptly stands from the floor, fastening all the buttons of his shirt in lightning speed. "No, I'm not—" he exhales, and then Taehyung turns around in mild confusion, disappointment slowly washing over his face. The heat breaks down into tensions, the same as when they had first met. "I'm not that kind of person. If you're looking for a one night thing, then you've got the wrong man."
15 February 2016
It has been a month ever since and Jin found no traces, not even a shadow of Taehyung. Perhaps he was right, perhaps it was all momentary lust, an impulse. "That dude never returned, huh," Jimin comments, and it was the wrongest of wrong timings because he earns a powerful smack on the head in return.
"There is nothing to return to," Jin unconsciously slides a finger over his bottom lip, and maybe it was the result of him being the first kiss but he swears he could feel Taehyung's lips again. Pads of his fingers grow hot at the thought because the feeling of his skin lingered, and the look in Taehyung's eyes before he left the store that night, and the words he spoke that Jin wishes he didn't hear.
"I've been looking for you, all this time."
Because he was wrong. It was Jin who has been blindly searching, but what he found was a disappointment.
5 March 2016.
11:20PM.
Taehyung has learned to cope, even the flowers on his back has withered after countless nights of letting himself be used by the men who begged for his body. However, where was it? Those crimson lips that burned even the deepest crevices of his heart, the scorching heat of his touches that fueled his soul. He's used to being used, but he has never had such an undying need to be wanted by someone before.
There he was again, at the same convenience store, but this time, the shelves are full—but he felt empty. He bought four, although he doesn't think he needs them; no matter what he does, his hands were cold and shivering, it felt like ice has pierced through him, freezing both time and his heart.
11:43PM
He remains still, squatted down on the pavement, right in front of the store, staring at the items he bought. "I don't think you need four of those."
Tired eyes look up at the owner of the lulling voice, a small, lazy smile curves up on his dried lips. "I thought you might need the other two, so I bought four, just in case—you know, someone else buys the whole shelf. It's better to be ready," Taehyung replies, opening and then closing his mouth, as if he were to add something, but he refuses to speak anymore—he was left with nothing and everything to say.
"Spring is coming, though. I don't think people need that much anymore," Jin comments as he steps inside the convenience store, trying to hide the relief that showered his face after seeing the other male again. He must remain resolute.
"Yeah."
11:58PM
Jin comes out of the convenience store with two cans of coffee in his hands, contented that Taehyung remained on his spot even though he never told him to wait. "What are you doing out here?" he asks, pushing the can towards the younger male's face to warm him up a little. He did say that spring was coming soon, but not soon enough—it was still cold, and the chances of getting sick are still high. "It's too cold."
"Really?"
"Really."
"I don't really have any place to go to."
"Back home?"
"Where is home?" Taehyung looks at Jin, and the latter almost feels the ground shake underneath him, if not for the woman who walked past them, he would have already fallen out of balance. "You mean those four, lifeless, concrete walls that I come to every night?"
Jin swears that the logical part of him will regret saying the next few words, but then again, the other part of him was ecstatic, thrilled, already listing out the what ifs and the maybes—maybe he really was just a hopeless romantic—like a martyr of love. "Come with me."
6 March 2016
12:17AM
If looks could burn, there would already be holes on his back. "Can you please stop staring at me?" Jin asks, slightly annoyed—but he secretly, also, likes it. Shivers run up his spine everytime he looks into the other's eyes so he remained 'busy' with preparing coffee—after he insisted that the canned ones weren't really good. His mind was extremely preoccupied with thoughts that he didn't even hear Taehyung's response; he blindly stirred the copper liquid in the mug, sighing every now and then.
If only. If it does. If it happens again.
He swears never to look at Taehyung's back again. It wasn't important, he just wants—I want him to be mine. "Jin?" a pair of slender arms wraps around his waist, and he jumps out of his thoughts. Taehyung presses his cheek on his back, and—please don't—his heart starts drumming ceaselessly in its cage. He wonders if this was the results of drinking too much coffee, or him. He decides, later on, that it was the latter.
"Jin, I want you to look," Taehyung starts, slowly pulling his shirt off his body, Jin closes his eyes because he did promise himself not to look, but he feels the warmth of the younger's hand on his cheek, and it was the warmest he has ever been in years. Slowly, he opens his eyes and Taehyung shows him each thin line, each branch breaking through his skin like the veins in his arms, barren and empty. "I know. I know how it's like to wait for something to give life to you, and I've always been waiting and searching, and that was what I am, and this is what I am now."
Jin rests his hands on the other's waist, pulling him closer so he could let his own lips trace every line, leaving no space unkissed. "I don't. I don't care anymore, I just want you for myself right now," he slurs, and he doesn't realize the meaning of his words yet, but all he knew was that this was the start of something, and that he would really hate it if he begins it without Taehyung by his side.
Each burning kiss causes Taehyung to tremble, he's still amazed by how much his body reacts to every little touch. He pushes the man down on the bed until they're both sprawled in a tangled mess, lips seeking each other blindly with only the help of the moonlight. Jin guides Taehyung's hands over his body, letting him remember every small detail before he maps the other's with his own mouth. Marks, bruises and scratches stain their skin like constellations spread across the night sky, twisted sheets and heat-inducing movements, skin on skin.
It takes a very long while before the passion exhausts them, both lulling each other to sleep with words that make their toes cringe and their lips curve up into a smile; sated and finally in their right places, they fall into deep slumber in each other's arms.
8:34AM
Jin opens his eyes slowly, a disgruntled groan leaving his lips once the sunlight meets his view. He waits for a few more moments before the once blurred figure comes clearer into his view. Taehyung's peaceful back lay beside him, so he keeps quiet, slowly uncovering the boy's body so he could leave feathery kisses from the nape of his neck down to his back. "A white camelia," he smiles, fingertips tracing over the flower that took over almost half of the younger boy's back.
Leaning in, he presses his lips on the shell of Taehyung's ear, whispering "I adore you" and unknowingly, Taehyung smiles.