Chapter Text
Namjoon is very happy now. In his workshop, he's just putting the finishing touches on two beautiful cradles for his soon-to-arrive twins. He never thought life could be so beautiful.
Six years ago, he was a depressed alpha who had lost his job and had to return to his old town to take care of his parents, only to lose them three months later to illness. He had to arrange the funeral. The house of his parents, outside of town, now was his.
At first, he didn't know what to do with his life. He spent the days laying in bed, sometimes scrolling down on social media, half sleeping, half eating, until a neighbor returned him a carpenter tool that belonged to his father. Namjoon knew his father had a basic workshop in the barn, but he was never interested in that trade, so he didn't bother to check it.
When he went to put the tool in its place, he saw his father had well-equipped the workshop through the years.
So the alpha started to learn carpentry by watching YouTube videos. He started making simple stools, chairs, tables, and some vases. Then he learned to use resin, to make his furniture more appealing. He started slow, but soon he got a steady clientele so he didn't have to worry about money.
And one day, he met Seokjin, the most beautiful omega he had ever seen.
He was working in the barn when he heard the bell ring. He stopped what he was doing, put the blade guard on the saw, took off his gloves, and walked outside to meet the person.
As the sun was setting, the golden rays illuminated from behind the silky walnut hair of the smiling omega standing outside his fence. The breeze made Namjoon smell the wonderful fragrance he had, orange blossom and honey.
“Hi! Is this Kim Namjoon-sshi? Nice to meet you, my name is Kim Seokjin, and I just moved to town almost two months ago. My boss told me you make vases.”
Seokjin had rented a tiny apartment downtown and worked as an administrative assistant in one of the town companies. When he saw a beautiful red vase made of resin and wood in the reception, he wanted to get one like that for his room. They gave him Namjoon's address.
“Yes... I do...” The alpha responded. He felt very shy, and his confinement didn't help him with his social skills.
The omega watched him a bit amused.
“Then I would love to buy one like this.” And he showed him on his cellphone the picture he had taken. “Or do you have more models?”
“Ah... I have 5 vases now, but 3 of them are already sold... I'm making a new one now.”
“That's wonderful! Would it be a problem if I could see the available ones?”
“Eh... No... No problem at all, please come in."
He opened the fence and both walked to the workshop. Seokjin entered behind him and he was fascinated with the furniture Namjoon made.
“This is so beautiful... May I touch them?”
The alpha didn't answer. Seokjin felt a bit abashed.
“Sorry, I didn't mean to be so nosy.”
“Ah, no, I'm the one who is sorry, I was distracted... These are the available ones.”
Namjoon pointed to them. His heart leaped a bit when he saw the love the omega had for his work.
“This is exactly the vase I want. How much does it cost?”
“...For you, it's free.”
“W-What?” The omega smiled shyly. “But you need to charge for your work, otherwise, how can you manage yourself?”
“I can always make more vases.”
Seokjin laughed softly.
“Please allow me to pay for the vase. I’m also in need of a small stool for my room.”
“Hmm... right now, all this furniture you're seeing here was made on request. However, I can make you one in five days, when I finish the order...”
“I would love that! Please, tell me how much will it be for both items... I want to be your client and I know I wouldn't make a first good impression if I took this for free, hahaha...”
"You've already made an amazing impression on me," thought Namjoon. Then he cleared his throat.
“It would be... $100 for the vase and $200 for the stool.”
Seokjin took out his wallet.
“Perfect, here's the money.”
Namjoon made a gesture with his hand.
“You can pay for the stool once you receive it, no problem.”
The omega smiled feeling a bit embarrassed.
“I'll accept your terms since my next paycheck will be in three days.”
Namjoon took the money for the vase only and accompanied Seokjin outside, it was dark already.
“How did you get here, Seokjin?”
“On my bicycle! ...But I forgot to put the LED light to see at night.”
“Don't worry, allow me to take you home, please. We can put your bicycle in the trunk.”
“I-I don't want to be a burden.”
“Nonsense. It's not a burden and I prefer for you to get home safely.”
Once they got to Seokjin's building and Namjoon handed him his bicycle, the alpha was going to return to his pickup, when the omega said:
“ Wait! Would you like a cup of coffee? I have also some sandwiches if you want.”
He remembered he hadn't eaten all day.
“Thank you, but I don't want to be a burden.”
Seokjin gave him a beautiful smile.
“Nonsense, It's not a burden and I prefer you fill up your stomach... Before you return home...”
Namjoon accepted the invitation.
They entered the very small apartment; it comprised of a hallway that had the sink, the fridge, and the washing machine aligned, and at the end an open room with a bed made up (it looked like it was only the mattress, without the bedstead) and a plastic table as furniture, next to the even tinier bathroom. But Seokjin already had it decorated to his tastes: some plants, cute curtains, a bookshelf that didn't look very strong, considering it had few books on it, lots of pillows... It looked cozy...
The omega smiled a bit worried.
“I-I... I'm saving, so I can find a bigger place later... But please come in, sit down, I'll make the coffee and the sandwiches in no time.”
The alpha never judged, he knew what it was to work every day and survive paycheck to paycheck.
“Where are you from, Seokjin? Why did you move here?”
“Hmm. I think we are starting a bit strong.”
“I'm sorry.” Namjoon kicked himself for being so blunt and nosy. “I meant... Uh... Where do you want to put your vase?”
“On the table, please. Oh, if it wasn't too late at night I could have bought some flowers.”
“It's not too late, it's only... 9 pm.” Namjoon said while laughing softly. “Ms. Ha-yoon is a florist, she's near here and she closes at 10. I'll bring you flowers.”
The alpha got up and then he realized what he said. Seokjin looked at him from where he was preparing their meal and then averted his gaze, his cheeks tinted red.
“N-Namjoon-ie... I mean, Namjoon-sshi, it's no problem, I-I can go tomorrow.”
The alpha thought: "Since I've already made myself a clown, why not go further?" So he just said: “I- I'll be back, Seokjin.”
The hallway was so narrow Namjoon couldn't pass while Seokjin tried to move out of the way, and both awkwardly tried to leave room for the other to move.
“I'm very sorry.” The alpha said, as he grabbed the omega by the waist and placed him in the room with ease.
Seokjin gasped, but Namjoon didn't even look him in the eye, trying to leave the apartment quickly, feeling very ashamed.
“Good luck hoping that he invites you to his place again.” He thought while he cursed himself.
As he approached the flower shop, Ms. Ha-yoon was already outside closing the metal shutters of the shop.
“Ms. Ha-yoon!! Are you closing already?”
“Namjoon-ie!! Oh, what a delight to see you here! Yes, I'm closing early but tell me, do you need flowers? I can make you a bouquet!”
“I am very sorry for taking your time, I'll be happy with any assembled bouquet you already have. Maybe I'll come next week at the appropriate time and then you can arrange a very personalized bouquet for me if it's not inconvenient.”
“For you, Namjoon-ie, it's always a pleasure. Which color do you like most?”
“I- I don't know... maybe something that resembles the color of honey and orange blossoms?” He said as his voice did an embarrassed squawk at the last part. “Ehem... I'll wait for you outside, no problem.”
“Give me one minute.” Ms. Ha-yoon opened the door and a bit later came out with a very beautiful and simple bouquet of orange blossoms. “These symbolize purity, innocence, chastity, and fertility. Very fitting for a bride-to-be.”
The alpha got his face crimson.
“T-THANK YOU, MS. HA-YOON. Please let me help you with the metal shutters.”
“Just let me close the door first real quick... there! Thank you, Namjoon-ie.”
He helped her, said his farewells, and went back running to Seokjin's home. As he was going to knock on the door, the omega opened it.
“Namjoon-ie, I was going to-” He stopped when the alpha offered him the flowers. “These are so beautiful!! How... How did you know I love orange blossoms?”
“I- Ah... Uh... I like them too.”
Seokjin let him pass, closed the door and they placed the flowers in the vase. The meal was ready and they ate while they made small talk.
Later, Namjoon looked at his wrist watch.
“I have to go, Seokjin, I wouldn't want for you to be late for work.”
The omega sighed when looking at his wall clock. “It's 1 am!!” He said stunned. “I didn't mean to take so much of your time...”
“Don't worry, I liked talking with you, Seokjin.” Namjoon said while standing up. “I'll bring you your stool as soon as I can.”
“Thank you, Namjoon-sshi, for being so kind to me.”
“I... you make it easy.” All of a sudden he felt very flustered and went to the door. “I- I'll see myself out! Sorry!”
While driving home, he resolved to shed his awkwardness and clumsiness, aspiring to present himself more like a typical human being when around Seokjin.