Roses and Coffins| kth x jjk

18. Blushes and Sneezes

This chapter's for an impatient chipmunk.

Taehyung sighed heavily. He had to go to the shop again to collect the herbs. The events from the previous night replayed in his head. Oh how much he hoped that dreaded woman wouldn't be at the shop.

He skimmed through his closet and picked out a red coat. The weather was getting better but the hint of winds still remained. If he wanted to blend in with the living he'd have to put another layer on.  Some reapers found it exhausting but not Taehyung. He loved shopping and checking out what was in today. He might be dead, but his passion had surely lived.

Seemingly satisfied with himself, he made his way outside. The sky was tinted a light grey, contrasting the colourful flowers. His fingers itched to capture the scenery but Jimin had strictly said not to take anything that would distract him on work days.

Humming, he finally approached the shop. He took a deep breath. From what little he was able to squeeze out of Seokjin, Irene was the original owner of the shop. She'd tend it sometimes while she visited Jungkook. He hoped that time wasn't today.

He pushed in through the door and was greeted by a wave of fresh scents. If Taehyung had to choose one of his favourite scents, it'd be the shop's. All the earthy goodness in one place. The scent of pure nature never failed to clear his senses.

Glancing towards the counter, his heart fastened, sweat glistened on his hand while he gulped down and-

Gave a huge sigh of relief because thank G-Dragon no one was there.

Then his mind registered what he saw. Why the hell was no one there?

He walked up to the counter and peered through the door on the other side. He could hear some rustling here and there. A small sneeze interrupted his investigation.

Cloudie the cactus gasped as she realised what she had done. Taehyung found it extremely endearing and adorable, just like her owner.

"Hey," Taehyung whispered to her, "where's your Kookie gone too?" He asked.

He found it adorable how much a cactus and a mage could bond to the point they gave each other nicknames.

Cloudie hummed, as if thinking of a suitable reply, then said "under snide remarks and rosy cheeks, there lies a fondness that runs deep. Kookie a customer!" Cloudie squealed.

Under snide remarks and... Taehyung wondered what that meant when a figure came tumbling out the door.

"I'm so sorry I'm late. I was bus- Oh, its just you" Jungkook breathed out. His hair was plastered to his forehead with sweat and his face was completely flushed. His eyes were buzzing brightly, the type of look you have after you've done something you're proud of.

"I apologise for it being just me. Didn't know you were expecting it to be someone else" Taehyung drawled out.

"It's fine. Can't blame you for not being IU's male counterpart. Also, you're fly's open" Jungkook said as he turned towards the shelves to collect the package.

Taehyung immediately glanced down to check only to realise he just fell for the oldest trick in the book. Then remembers the IU remark and immediately scoffs "Rude".

Jungkook turns around with a smile on his face as he places the package down. Taehyung doesn't understand how someone can look that beautiful doing anything. He tries dismissing the thought away. Tries.

Taehyung glances towards the package and realises Seokjin told him to get extra tea leaves too. Apparently Chanyeol burnt them when he accidently performed a cult ritual.

"Seokjin asked for more tea leaves. He said you knew which ones. Just need a small jar of them" Taehyung asked.

Jungkook furrowed his eyebrows. He looked cute like that. "Are you sure? I just sent some last week though " he said.

"Umm... long story short, a field duty reaper does not mix well with herbs" Taehyung said, wanting to completely avoid explaining anything related to the ritual. He knew that would raise more questions than answer any.

Jungkook seemed to be satisfied enough, as he came out from behind the counter. He dragged a stool towards the opposite side of the shop and climbed it with ease of someone who's done it too many times to count. He reached out for the jars at the top, standing on his tiptoes as he did. Carefully, he pulled one out. Just as he did so, a leafy sneeze broke through the shop.

Taehyung immediately startled due to the sudden interruption and so did Jungkook. He stumbled on the stool just as Taehyung reached to grab him.

It all happened in slow motion, Cloudie would even say time slowed down. The chair gave away and Jungkook fell with a shriek. Just as he landed, a body comforted his fall.

"Freaking goodness, you're heavy for a child" Taehyung wheezed out from under Jungkook. He did not expect Jungkook lying on his abdomen when he woke up this morning. But he wasn't complaining.

Jungkook is the reddest shade he thinks is humanely possible for someone to have. He scrambles get up and so does Taehyung. The leaves are scattered everywhere at this point. Jungkook begins picking them so Taehyung decides to help out as well. The silence following is thick enough for a knife to cut across clean. Both two embarassed by events that had just taken place.

After collecting leaves from his side, Taehyung reaches out for the abandoned jar just as another hands comes in with the same intention. He reacts to late as instead of him coming in contact with cold glass, his hands rest upon warmth and softness.

His eyes snap up to meet clear warm brown eyes. The eyes hold so much depth that Taehyung's afraid hes going to drown in them. They remind him of pure innocence, something he didnt expect from the younger.

Jungkook's blush has mostly gone down but a new layer of pink dusts his cheeks. He's looking at him with something he fails to identify. Taehyung's almost sure Jungkook was  an angel in his last life. Nothing can justify that beauty.

He can smell a hint of cherry lotion with a twinge of whatever shampoo the younger must use. He's acutely aware that if he leaned in any more, their noses would be touching. Taehyung watches carefully as Jungkook gulps, but does not move his eyes away. From this close, Taehyung can see each and every eyelash of the younger. The curve of his lips that look so coloured and soft. If only he coul-

Another sneeze broke through the silence. Jungkook immediately averted his eyes and snatched his hand. Just like that, the moment was gone. Both stoop up and avoided making any eye contact. Taehyung cleared his throat and handed Jungkook the leaves which the younger took with a grateful nod.

Jungkook rushed to the counter and immediately went to making the bill. Cloudie started humming again. He never knew plants could sneeze too. Apparently cacti suffer colds too.

"Umm..h-here's the bill. Tell hyung to ring me up next time so I'll keep some for him separately " Jungkook says, extending the paper towards him. He picks up the packages and just as he's about to leave, he notices the new flowers next to the cashier. They're a pretty shade of baby pink. Calla lillies, he thinks. Just as he's about to leave, he glances towards the vase and says,

"It's so beautiful,  just as flowers are blooming"*

He makes sure to say the last part glancing at Jungkook. When he turns and leaves,  He doesn't miss the pink dust and spark filled eyes. He's pretty sure he looks the same.

*Reference to IU's Palette