The wizarding world had always been a little disconnected from the outside non-magical societies - sure they mixed on occasion and there was some crossover in culture - it wasn’t like they spoke entirely different languages - but if you had any possession of magic, there was a high likelihood you were out of touch with the regular populus.

Distance from the general population was however; amplified in Kim Taehyung’s case.

The traditional Korean monarchy had died out with the Japanese invasion, unable to hide themselves from the invaders and falling to the hands of non-magical mortality.

A crown on Kim Taehyung’s head on his thirteenth birthday spoke to the fact that magical monarchy hadn’t gone the same way as their muggle counterparts.

Gems that weren’t even visible to those that didn’t have that silver sheen of magic running through their blood; and a gold that was more pure than the greatest scientists could even dream of; gleamed through the moving photograph. It had been a year since his coronation and the Queen Mother had sent him a package that would have probably arrived late were it not for the three letters that came before his name. It was a regular occurrence to have one’s mail lost if you were a boarder, or at least that was what Taehyung was told, not even the school’s poltergeist dared meddle with his letters.

While his station afforded him a freedom and opportunities that other students didn’t have, Taehyung rarely found it within himself to actually take advantage of them - even his marks were worse than some of his classmates. He still slept in the same dormitories with everyone else, and while it had afforded some contempt from his housemates at the increased security, overall his social life had fared all the better for the decision.

It was a cool winter afternoon and Taehyung wasn’t going to test fate by opening his dormitory window (whether it be a cold or the wrath of his roommates he was risking), so there wasn’t anything to ruffle his hair but he still ran his hand through it as if he was taming something other than the hair he had. It was hard being away from home, especially so since he’d been crowned King after his father had stepped down as a birthday ‘gift’ last year. Thing was, looking over the snow dusted grounds - Taehyung wasn’t totally sure that it was a gift he’d even wanted.

The first three years of his schooling at the South Korean Hogwarts International School had been marred by snowball fights, mischief making and general non-learning. Now, he was virtually always stuck in his room, not because the teachers were merciless or anything, but more because the legacy of his family (not to mention, nation) rested on his shoulder. Surprisingly, it became a lot harder to throw snowballs when you had the weight of nation on your shoulders — threw off your balance more than one would have previously guessed.

Right now even, he wasn’t even meant to be pining over a package that was nothing more than a reminder of what he’d become in the months since the last snowfall. He was meant to be doing the work on etiquette that’d had been crammed into his suitcase without his noticing. Technically it was a treasonable offence to be doing anything to his luggage but Taehyung knew it had been his mother so he’d not raised a fuss. A heavy sigh heaved into the air marked his getting up from the window seat, one last fleeting glance down to where Jimin was flinging charmed snowballs at his rather hapless (and uncoordinated) boyfriend Namjoon.

Envy did rise in his heart as he began to fish through the contents of his luggage, papers flying here and there as Taehyung searched more insistently for the articles explaining which way to set your chopsticks depending on the rank of who you were with. Such was his envy that he didn’t have time to register the black cloaked figure that had been a small dot on the horizon when he’d turned away from the window. Soon his envy was overshadowed by the sheer annoyance of not being able to find the sheet of paper he knew was in his trunk and he didn’t afford a second glance to the window to figure out exactly why the dot was getting larger.

Taehyung’s lack of awareness of his surroundings did not however, extend to the whistling sound of a blast spell rocketing through the air outside his window, nor to the racket of his windows flying open. Classical training in dance saved him from falling on his as he spun on the spot, clutching the book he’d been about to throw on to his desk to his chest. “What the !” If he was being honest, the real surprise to Taehyung was that he wasn’t the one cursing, instead it was the student tumbling through the window and hurtling into the fairly small dorm space. Time didn’t exist for him to echo the words, instead he dropped the floor to avoid the broomstick that was unwaveringly catapulting towards his very royal head.

The body that had been occupying the oaken branch had launched himself off the vehicle within moments of making it through the window and as such the remaining magical power that was propelling it forwards fell away, leaving it to feebly clatter against the wall behind them. While Taehyung was thankful to the gods that he, and the intruder, hadn’t obtained any injuries, his thankfulness didn’t overshadow the rage that anyone would feel at their private room effectively being broken into. This kid wasn’t a Ravenclaw and as such had no reason to be in this tower — that was unless this was a particularly ham-fisted attempt at picking up his date for a little quality time in the gardens at the back of the grounds.

“Don’t ask.” A gruff voice came from the slump on the floor and Taehyung was tempted to check if he was okay, especially considering he hadn’t actually moved since his rather bizarre entrance. Temptation did however give way to anger as Taehyung realised that the mint-haired non-Ravenclaw hadn’t used formal speech with him. Book from before still held tight across his chest, Taehyung chose instead, in a fit of irritation, to gently pelt it at the student’s back. A gentle ‘oof’ escaped into the air, and guilt immediately settled on to Taehyung’s shoulder, that hadn’t been nice, nor very diplomatic. His father would be disappointed in him.

Since he’d already tried the low road and tasting a bittersweet victory with the threat of a rather opinionated letter from his father hanging over his head, Taehyung instead decided to crouch down, and actually ask: “Are you okay?”. Strands of hair shifted on the boys fringe as he blinked and they caught on his eyelashes, and a faint relief flooded his body as it finally began to clink that no serious injuries had been obtained. “Do I need to go get the nurse or?” he left the question hanging in the air, intensely aware of the warning ‘Don’t ask.’ that he’d earnt earlier — hopefully though, that only applied to questions about why exactly there was a non-Ravenclaw and broomstick in his room.

Calloused hands caught on his wrist, breaking through Taehyung’s hurried thoughts of when and how the warning would be applied, hauling the student into a sitting position, furrowed brows and questioning eyes firmly holding his gaze. “You’re His Royal Highness Kim Taehyung. Aren’t you?” Again, there was no formal speech; it would have been amusing were it not for the fact that the guy had literally just recognised who Taehyung was. “Ah, before you ask: I’m not using formal speak because you’re younger than me, kid.” While the logic would pretty much apply to anyone other than him, Taehyung was curious as to why whoever this guy was, thought he could get away with it.

Petulant as it made him sound, Taehyung couldn’t help the huff of annoyance that dispersed into the air in front of him, burning cool with unbridled magic. “I’d watch what you’re saying. This is my room that you barged into. You should be being polite no matter who I am but considering I’m your king…” Taehyung left the sentence unfinished as he strode forwards, only realising now that despite their apparent difference in age, he was the taller one. “Now, apologise.” he grunted, mustering up all the masculine energy that he could recall his father exuding in the years he’d watched him rule. The finesse of an iron hand was lost in his pubescent voice though and instead Taehyung couldn’t blame the intruder for the smile that cracked across his features.

A right eyebrow quirked, inviting challenge before an almost inaudible, “Make me…” the guy trailed off but Taehyung knew he wasn’t done talking. “Your Highness.” The second word of his title was bit out and a smarmy smirk brought up the rear, reminding Taehyung that this guy didn’t care all that much about what station one held.

Kim Taehyung wasn’t entirely sure what he was going to do to make this guy apologise to him and he was in the midst of formulating a plan on what he was meant to do with him when he heard Jimin calling from the bottom of the stairs. “TAETAE! LUNCH TIME!!” There was a brief question as to how Jimin was actually in the tower but when he seriously considered it, the most likely situation was that Namjoon had let him in the hopes of a quick make-out session before lunch. Nothing ever stopped Jimin when it came to food though. Once the situation actually clicked in his head Taehyung could palpably feel the disappointment rolling through the floorboards, like Namjoon was telepathically reminding him to hurry his up so he could at least get some time after lunch to mark Jimin up.

Working out what was actually going on proved to be his undoing and before he realised what was going Taehyung could hear thundering footsteps running up the stairs, a warning that came too late. It was honestly a feat that he didn’t get whiplash from how quickly he turned to look at the broomstick-invader, eyes wide and searching for an answer as to exactly what the he was meant to do. “.” Harsh and whispered, the guy’s curse came as a suitable answer to Taehyung’s non-verbal question and that was: neither of them had any idea of what they was meant to do.

Invader’s hands went to quickly smooth out his uniform, giving Taehyung enough time to catch the glint of silver and emerald green winding round his neck in the form of a tie. Great. A Slytherin. That wouldn’t look suspicious at all — it wasn’t like they even had any joint projects with that house this semester anyway.

. . A reminding squeak came from just outside his door, letting Taehyung know that Jimin hadn’t slowed and was about to tumble through the door in that purely Jimin way that he had when intruding on one’s private business.

The lock clicked, an inevitable reminder of defeat and Taehyung turned his head to look at the student in desperation except this time, his face was far closer than he’d been expecting. A creak of the door came in unison with the creep of a hand along his shoulders, stopping where his arm began. “I got you.” Still — no formal speech but considering how many rules Taehyung was flexing at the moment, he wasn’t about to snap at him about it if he was offering the safe haven of an explanation.

“TAEEEEEE~~~~~~~” Taehyung (or Tae. or TaeTae.) felt Slytherin’s head hit the side of his gently with the flinch he gave with the noise and while he knew that Jimin could be loud, it did amuse him to see how people that weren’t used to it reacted to the behaviour. Caught up in the amusement it did take Taehyung a moment to recognise the awkward silence that had fallen across the cool room (he’d not even gotten the opportunity to shut his windows before went down). “Tae?” Jimin’s eyes weren’t wide in surprise, more narrowed to trace along the curve of Slytherin’s hand on his shoulder and the non-existent space between them.

Namjoon’s footsteps followed Jimin’s heavily, the taller Ravenclaw popping up behind his Hufflepuff beau. “Who is this?” the pair asked in unison, a habit that had started before they’d even gotten involved romantically and Taehyung would admit, got under his skin.



A voice that wasn’t his broke through the silence and Taehyung felt the hand on his shoulder tighten in what he guessed was a reassurance as well as a sign to just trust rather than question. While he couldn’t promise anything about the second part, he was a Ravenclaw after all, Taehyung knew that the explanation would be flimsy without his support and that wasn’t something either of them needed at the moment.

“I’m Min Yoongi. Seventh Year Slytherin, and I’m Taehyung’s boyfriend.”

—————————————————————————

Slack jaws aside, Jimin and Namjoon were rather supportive and after the initial jubilation that Taehyung finally had a boyfriend (‘boyfriend’), they all agreed that it was better to keep things quiet.

Keeping things quiet didn’t really amount to much and it was within two or so weeks that the crowds began to part in ways that they only had when the royal procession dropped him off for the beginnings of the school years. He didn’t mind the added convenience of being able to get to his classes faster but it was obvious that people knew or at least thought they knew. Min Yoongi and Kim Taehyung hadn’t actually spoken all the much since that fateful incident in his bedroom, brief conversations had occurred here and there if they’d passed each other in the dining hall but all in all — nothing. If anything, it was amusing to watch the rumours rage with an uncontrollable fury that wasn’t even quenched by substantial evidence, if anything, Taehyung would guess that the lack of interactions was fuelling the curiosity.

Perhaps in spite of the preoccupation the rumours had held in his mind for the last half a month, they were the last thing on his mind when he felt something hitting the side of his head — for Yoongi’s better health he decided to not actually think about what it was. A furtive glance at their surroundings told Taehyung that no one had actually seen the ploy to get his attention but that didn’t mean that there weren’t people waiting and watching to see what would unfold now the new IT couple were talking. “You know couples actually talk right?” Tae hated that the lack of respect got under his skin, he was meant to be a ~chill~ king (whatever that meant), so feeling himself slipping into a ‘superior’ mindset subconsciously was irritating.

Snapping himself from the reverie that came with his self-antagonism, Taehyung took a step off the path, grass bending beneath his shoes as he strode towards his fake-boyfriend. “I guess so, but then again we aren—“ he was cut off as Yoongi shot up from where he was sitting, tumbling into a nearby bush. Herbology wasn’t Taehyung’s best subject but off the top of his head, he would later recommend that Yoongi not try and get that book back. Those were some cuts Taehyung didn’t want anyone dealing with.

Yoongi’s finger was soft against his lips, landing with more force than was strictly necessary but clearly communicating that he wasn’t going to be moving it without some effort. “It’s not like we need to be found out anytime soon you…” Yoongi trailed off to trail his eyes up and down Taehyung’s frame before apparently deciding on a word, “…giraffe”. Offence would have been taken were it not for the accuracy of the nickname, at least in comparison to Yoongi. “If people, Jimin, find(s) out that I was in your room for any reason other than a quick make-out, he’s gonna accidentally dob me in.” Taehyung couldn’t argue with the logic and while it pained him to admit, he’d managed to get himself into a situation where he had to act like Min Yoongi didn’t irk the out of him.

This was where he would have opened up his mouth, retorting tightly but Yoongi’s finger was still pressed firmly against his lips with seemingly no intentions to leave. Irritated grunts managed to escape around the obstacle and it was with tense eyes that Kim Taehyung noticed his supposed boyfriend took pleasure in bothering him. He couldn’t decide between narrowing and widening his eyes and eventually did a combination of both until he was released with a low sort of chuckle bubbling from Yoongi’s chest, heavy with years Taehyung didn’t have and Yoongi didn’t appear to posses. “Generally boyfriends don’t go around pressing their fingers against each others lips to keep ‘em quiet.” Taehyung had decided to drop honourifics with Yoongi a while ago, but this had been his first opportunity to do so.

Dirt scuffed against Yoongi’s shoes as he shuffled backwards, that same old cocky smile resting on his lips, “Unless you’re like that.” This time Taehyung did know what to do, his eyes flying open and hands coming up to rest over his mouth, covering where Yoongi’s finger had been minutes, if not moments, earlier. “Relax, kiddo. Everyone knows I don’t go that far on the first date.” Taehyung took a menacing step forwards, eyes narrowing above his hands, warning that Yoongi needed to watch his step if he didn’t want his very limbs rent from his body. “Then again, we’re dating, this is probably not the first date we’ve been on.” Accompanied by a wink, there was no way that Taehyung could have missed the implicated meaning. Social courtesies seemingly didn’t exist for the man standing in front him, a reminder of the stark difference in who they were and what they represented — a thought that was the only thing that kept Taehyung’s feet steadfast in their place.

It was a credit to Taehyung as a person that he didn’t ball his fists often, instead his extensive training had taught him to keep an even façade, even if it would have been understandable for him to lose it given the situation. Training be damned, while he’d not taken a step forwards, Taehyung was pissed, “Like I would do anything of the sort with you, Min Yoongi.” It was a low blow but let it be known that even kings were not above being complete and utter dickheads. Credit needed to go to Yoongi though, and instead of the reactionary response he was expecting to get, all Taehyung’s attack earnt him was a hearty chuckle and a raised eyebrow.

“Are you done?” Taehyung was surprised by the question and his lips puffed out in both a sigh but a search of the right words to reply, eventually he settled on the simple option and just nodded. The space between them had shrunk to a few paces and Yoongi closed them quickly before whispering a quick, “Good.” the word barely meeting Taehyung’s ears before his robes were being grabbed and yanked forward. Their lips met in the moment a complaint, an exclamation, a yelp, anything really, was about to leave Taehyung’s, the sounds instead being caught with the chapped reality of Min Yoongi.

A wet sort of oomph sound was the only thing that punctuated the kiss, flurried anger radiating from Taehyung and amused resignation rolling from Yoongi. Emotions meeting in the middle prompted a placation in the both of them that soon turned into a mutual appreciation of the sensation. Noses bumped as they both turned their heads to the same side, an issue addressed with the settling of Taehyung’s hands in Yoongi’s hair, tilting his head to the right and their mouths finally fitting. Words felt like they needed to be said but right now, in spite of every logical thought that was running through his head, Taehyung couldn’t find it within himself to pull away long enough to say them.

Yoongi was the one that pulled away first, notably not extracting himself from the true extent of Taehyung’s grip in his hair. “Tell me again about how you wouldn’t do that with me Kim Taehyung.” Grudgingly, he would have to admit that he would but it would probably take him having been pulled into it like he just had been or an awful lot of persuasion — instead of saying all these things, Taehyung only rewarded him with a grunt. “If that’s how you react whenever anyone shows you a good time, I can see why there aren’t exactly girls lining up around the block to you off at House parties.” Yoongi’s comment was scathing, enough to rival Taehyung’s now void statement from earlier — didn’t mean it was true though.

Derision filled his laugh as Taehyung finally released his tangled grip on Yoongi’s mint locks. “There’s no girls lining up because they know they wouldn’t be getting any. Boys, on the other hand, they’re a rather different story.” A cocky smile passed across his lips and he rather bravely returned Yoongi’s wink from earlier. His efforts aren’t ignored and he earns a pat on his shoulder from his kissing partner. It was only with the proximity to his eyes did Taehyung notice that Min Yoongi’s fingers weren’t clad in any gloves, and with nothing to protect them from the cold, they’d begun to turn a warning pink. Granted, Taehyung’s hands weren't covered but their encounter had begun with him leaving the safety of warm buildings.

Fingers met before he’d really thought through what he was doing and the response in Yoongi’s eyes was enough to confirm it hadn’t been the most thought out ideas in the world. It should have bothered him, how well their fingers fit together, but the chill that ran up his arm was enough to distract Taehyung from the surprised widening of Yoongi’s eyes. Guilt stabbed unrelentingly into his stomach as it became painfully obvious that the surprise wasn’t because it was Taehyung holding his hand, but because anyone was holding his hand. Worry brushed aside before he could really delve too deeply, Taehyung mumbled, “Since we’ve kissed now it’d look weird if I let you get frostbite wouldn’t it?” He could feel those surprised eyes on him once again but rather than replying he allowed their gaze to eat away at his thoughts as he slipped their intertwined hands into his robe pockets.

Taehyung couldn’t pin down a reason for the heat on his neck, whether it be in embarrassment at the incredibly sappy thing he’d just done or the possession of a certain short person’s attention. He found his answer with a furtive glance over and down, eyes suddenly resting on the gaze of Min Yoongi, tsundere extraordinaire and seeing one of the most beautiful smiles he’d ever had the blessing of witnessing.

“It’s gonna be nice dating you Kim Taehyung.” It’s said with a light smile that laces Yoongi’s very aura, radiating amusement and sincerity and the boy the words are directed at, well he can’t help but feel like some of that happiness soak into the smile he flashed in return.

———————————————————————————

Attention didn’t usually bother Taehyung but the intensity with which Park Jimin was staring at him, well he had to admit it was a bit much. “Are you really sure Yoongi will like that?” Truth was: Taehyung wasn’t really sure — a fact that bothered him somewhat considering the current situation.

What was the current situation? One no one really enjoyed being in and in all likelihood would never actually encounter — also known as a fake anniversary for a relationship you weren’t even in. Jimin had been the one to get him stuck here, asking over rice porridge after a particularly harried study session, the pointed question of ‘When did you guys actually start dating?’ jolting Taehyung out of his relieved inhalation of the sustenance. He hadn’t really had time to think of a totally plausible date and instead chose a random number, and following that a random month (that hadn’t already passed), unknowingly manufacturing a lie that would get him dragged down to the village the moment they had free afternoon.

Twisting the plastic clad lollies in his hands Taehyung had to admit he wasn’t entirely if indeed Yoongi would like the gift, it wasn’t like they’d spent any amount of time together (in spite of the fact that they’d already kissed). He’d protested to Jimin’s insistence they come down to the shops but he’d had a fairly fierce gaze levelled with his, how he best friend managed it with the heigh difference he didn’t know, but it had happened. Shouts of how unromantic Taehyung was also leant a hand in their entry to the small confectionary shop, if just because he wanted to at least look like he was trying. Jimin had flitted off along the aisles, saying he was going to look for this particular lolly Namjoon had gotten hooked on during exchange, leaving Taehyung alone to flounder only before coming back satisfied with his search and ready to nag.

Breath rustling the packaging as he let out a defeated sigh, Taehyung dropped the item into his little basket, reminding him of just how little of an idea he had as to what Yoongi would want/like. Hell, it wasn’t even like could want anything for their anniversary since it didn’t technically exist. It’s not like Yoongi would be expecting anything, he didn’t even know that their chosen anniversary date was approaching — and that was exactly why Taehyung couldn’t understand why he was agonising so much over what he was going to get him.

Jimin’s hand settled calmingly, his friend obviously sensing the tense worry that was flooding his body. “Relax Taehyungie, I’m sure Yoongi will love anything you get him. You have really good sense when it comes to presents. Trust me.” A glance at his friend wasn’t even needed for Taehyung to know that he was being flashed a ice melting eye smile, a fact paired with the gentle massaging of his shoulders gave the Ravenclaw a sense of calm that could only be rivalled by the eye of a tropical cyclone.

A snapping sound echoed through the shop and Taehyung’s eyes fell shut, fully aware of the fact that it was coming from the aisle Namjoon had been standing in after rocking up to their friends outing about twenty minutes late. “You go get that. I’m fine,” he whispered to Jimin, voice taut, wanting to laugh at his friend’s mishaps but a tad too absorbed in gift shopping to be joking around. Jimin’s hand left his shoulder soon after and he could hear the patter of his footfalls and the swish of fabric that went with him running in a robe.

Eyes on the table in front of him, Taehyung kept his search focus, only allowing himself to get distracted once when he spotted a type of chocolate that claimed to give you dog ears — let it be known that despite the temptation he didn’t buy it.

He’d reached the soft jellies section of the store when he did eventually look out the window, not because he had any particular interest in the passers-by but because he’d heard a soft dusting of snow begin to settle on the roof of the store. What he had not been expecting was for his own eyes to meet a gaze of a certain student with mint green hair and golden syrup hued eyes. “Jesus, Min Yoongi!” The exclamation its way into the silence before Taehyung had time to clamp his mouth shut and he earned a rather startled (and disgruntled) stare from the shopkeeper while Yoongi almost fell on his laughing.

Blush the same colour as the hair he wanted bloomed on Taehyung’s cheeks, and he immediately began to gather up the items in front of him, an assortment of the things he’d thought Yoongi would enjoy enough his cheeks would bulge. “Just wait there, punk.” Taehyung pulled up his top lip at the Slytherin, arms too occupied to raise a fist but rest assured he did it in spirit.

Taehyung demonstrated brutal efficiency that he wouldn’t have otherwise displayed on a shopping trip, Namjoon and Jimin barely had time to wave goodbye before he was bustling out of the confectioners, snow almost drowning his feet. Sweets hit against his leg with a crinkling thud as he drew to a stop in front of a still doubled over Min Yoongi, “It’s not funny, you really scared me.” His voice rose in the intonation of a whine but were anyone to ask him if it was a whine, Kim Taehyung would deny himself vehemently.

A little snicker escaped Yoongi as he straightened, gummy smile pressed unerringly onto his lips, refusing to budge even with the frown that hung on Taehyung’s face. “It was kinda funny, I mean, your face did this:” it took a little for Yoongi to prepare himself to pull the expression but once he did even Taehyung had to admit he laughed a little. “SEE?! It was funny.” The older boy was laughing as he pointed out Taehyung’s near concession and had it been anyone else Taehyung would have been pissed but considering it was Yoongi, he was either too scared or surprised to see him laughing he didn’t correct him. Thing was, he couldn’t decide which one it was.

“Hyung~” Taehyung drew out the word, jiggling his body a little, going for a comedic effect, but instead earning the burning gaze of a Min Yoongi that was most certainly not impressed.

The bag that hung around his wrist had gone almost forgotten, only for Taehyung to be reminded of it when it slapped against his thigh in his faux tantrum. Yoongi noticed it too and made an immediate beeline for the possible gossip, hands catching Taehyung’s mid-wiggle and pulling the bag off his person. He’d have caused a fuss about the surprise if they were actually dating but given the only semi-real status their relationship held, it’d have looked pretty absurd if Taehyung did anything but let Yoongi rifle through the bag without hampering his efforts.

Chocolate was the first thing the boy pulled from the plastic, a raised eyebrow asking the silent question of exactly why Taehyung was carrying this much sugar and fat in a single shop. “I got it for you. Jimin dragged me out when I told him our anniversary was coming up on Saturday.” A blush to rival his one from earlier began to dust his cheekbones, giving away feelings he wasn’t entirely ready to admit he had.

Yoongi shuffled back with his explanation, bag held in one hand with the chocolate still tightly gripped in his other. “Oh?” It wasn’t so much an expression of surprise as a question, asking why exactly they’d even been awarded an anniversary in the first place and why Taehyung had been agonising over it.

“Listen, Jimin dragged my all the way here, it’s not like I could’ve not bought anything it would’ve looked suspicious.” Taehyung retorted, satisfied with his own excuse and praying that Yoongi would be too. It wasn’t like he was really ready to admit that he did actually care what the other thought of his ‘anniversary’ gifts.

A laugh that could have melted the snow beneath their feet rang out between the buildings and Taehyung was forced to look up from where he’d begun to stare at his shoes to simply witness his now favourite sight of Min Yoongi laughing. It took the Slytherin a moment to settle but when he did and he fixed that gummy smile on him, Taehyung felt like he could die and he’d be the happiest teenager in the world. “Well, you picked well. I like ‘em.” Hearts weren’t meant to beat as fast Taehyung’s did in that moment, and if he thought smile ended him it was the peck on the cheek that he got that really sealed the deal. Almost as if the kiss hadn’t actually happened Yoongi’s gruff broke through Taehyung’s reverie once again, “Now hurry your up, Jimin is watchin’ from the window and I don’t feel like stuffing my face with chocolate nor pretending to be your boyfriend for any longer than I gotta.”

And just like that the moment was gone.

Yoongi trudged off ahead, calling out that his was freezing and if he had to wait out here a little longer his s would freeze off, or perhaps something even more vulgar and Taehyung’s mind had just censored it. Taehyung was too busy thinking about how he was going to get the upperclassman back for not only teasing him at the window but now the kiss too.

Snow crunched under his feet, only audible for the lack of people filling the alleys like they usually did during summer, there seemed to be even fewer people than there had been when he’d been walking and Taehyung had a feeling it was the weather that had driven them indoors. Yoongi was ahead of him, insisting that if they just walked faster he wouldn’t need to struggle through the cold. He’d feel bad for him were it not for the way that he’d laughed at him back at the sweet shop, instead all he felt was the overwhelming need for revenge.

Inspiration came with a glimpse of a couple of young wizards, obviously not old enough to be in high school, hurling misshapen lumps of snow at each other, giggles ringing through the wind tunnels created by the olden style buildings. Pulling his wand from his waist band, Taehyung bet himself that he’d be able to form a perfect sphere with the freshly fallen snow, or at least something that better resembled a sphere than the ones those boys were smattering each other with. He whispered, trying to keep his voice low enough that it wouldn’t echo up to the ears of his target, light soon flowing down in a honey like substance until it wrapped around the blended snowflakes. A flick of his wrist was all that was needed to pull the gathered snow up into the air, and another few twists of his wand gifted him with a recognisable snowball.

Poor Min Yoongi was minding his own business when he felt a wet mass hit the back of his robes, obliterating on impact, leaving behind only a few flecks to support it’s existence — and that was before the snow melted into the fabric clinging to his back, chilling him even more. “Kim. Taehyung. What. The. ?!” Taehyung was ready, sweeping his arm in front of him, a shimmering shield of indefinable colour forming in front of him, just in time for a manually made snowball to hit the barrier and split in all directions. “Oh I’m gonna get you!” Yoongi’s words turned from menacing to almost amused at the end of the warning, the boy breaking out in a quick sprint down the street to follow an already fleeing king.

Wind whipped through Taehyung’s hair as he repeated the process of the wand flick and turn enough to throw at least three snowballs behind him, hurling them over his shoulder in the hopes he wasn’t aiming too high and hitting Yoongi in the face. A grunted expletive seemed to confirm the very fears Taehyung had been hoping weren’t true and he halted in his tracks, almost falling over himself with how slippery the snow was. “Yoongi?” he called out, voice carrying before he’d even had the opportunity to turn around. When he did turn he was greeted with the image of Min Yoongi sprawled out on the ground, not hurt per se, more in a rather compromising starfish position.

Since he’d not seen any blood pooling around the body Taehyung slowed his roll, analysing the situation before trying to scoop Yoongi up, the boy was a Slytherin after all. “You alright there darling~?” He earnt a disgruntled groan for the use of the pet name and that was enough to assure him that Yoongi was okay. Shuffling through the snow scuffed a little snow on to the already damp back of his boyfriend’s robe but really, he’d brought it on himself for mocking his surprise. Couple steps more and Taehyung was by Yoongi’s side, dipping himself low and wrapping his arms around the still sprawled out boy.

“Thank you.” The level of tiredness in Yoongi’s voice was almost enough to make Taehyung feel guilty for what he was about to do. Almost.

Snow flooded Yoongi’s face as Taehyung shoved the handfuls he’d gathered in unison with picking Yoongi up and as if the sensory assault wasn’t enough, Taehyung slipped his hands down the older boy’s shirt, dropping snow down into the damp cotton. His prank would have gone off without a hitch were it not for the fact that Yoongi whipped his head back rather unexpectedly. Unexpectedly enough that Taehyung’s nose had bore the full brunt of the surprise and he was consequently knocked to the ground, not unlike the way Yoongi had been but moments before. “, Yoongi, . That really really hurt.” Taehyung whined, snow cold fingers coming up to pinch the bridge of his nose as he tipped his head forwards in an effort of not have any possibly blood dripping down the back of his throat.

Yoongi’s eyes were wide when they met his and despite a small voice in his head telling him that it was because he was worried about him Taehyung brushed it off all surprise at his sudden swearing. “ing hell Taehyung, what were you expecting?” Yoongi’s arm slipped under his back, bringing him up into a sitting position and his fingers soon replaced Taehyung’s on his nose, pinching tightly and moving to allow him to check for breakage. “I’d try and fix it but I’m pretty sure the nurse’d kill me and she scares the out me quite frankly,” Yoongi’s tone was obviously trying to keep things light but Taehyung was more preoccupied with the way that the cold of the boy’s fingers starkly contrasted with the blazing heat of his injury.

Smiling felt odd to his senses but it seemed to be the only thing he could do, so Taehyung did, adding a shrug in there for good measure, “It doesn’t hurt that much hyung.” he assured Yoongi, shuffling his a little in a poor attempt at standing up. The glare he earnt for his troubles wasn’t particularly encouraging but Taehyung persevered, rocking until he gained enough momentum to rise to his feet, feeling a little better towering over Yoongi once again. “My height comforts me,” he teased, winking and resting the hand that was holding the goods on Yoongi’s shoulder.

His joking about only garnered a click of his tongue from Yoongi and a quick brush off of his hand, “All this in’ about means you’re fine.” his voice was gruff but Taehyung could tell that it was only because he was mildly worried, a fact that he didn’t allow himself to get too comfy with.

All Taehyung wanted to do was take a step forwards to rest his arm on Yoongi’s shoulder but he only ended up tripping on his own feet, leaving Yoongi, of all people, to catch him. “Right, well you’re not going so good are you? Come on, we gotta get you to the nurse ASAP.” Taehyung scoffed at that, unsurprisingly getting him an unapologetic slap the side as Yoongi fought with gravity to right him as much as possible. “I’m not gonna let my boyfriend collapse in the snow after he’s just spent hours buying me gifts. I reckon Jimin’d get on my case about it being unromantic.” This time the words were hot, whispered warm against Taehyung’s ear and while it was cold, he knew the shiver that ran down his spine wasn’t because of the weather.

Sweet words and surprisingly strong short people aside, Taehyung couldn’t deny just how nice it felt to be able to lean on and rely on someone other than his parents and/or family — even nicer since that person was Min Yoongi.

———————————————————————————

It was the turn of the seasons, spring was upon them and Taehyung knew that his mother would be waiting for his letter with tense anticipation and while he knew he wasn’t strictly required to send one, his fate would be questionable should he not do so. Hanja stared back from the parchment he’d bought the same day he’d bought Yoongi’s gifts for their anniversary, and the fact that you could still smell the trace of the lavender stuffed bear brought the beginnings of a smile to his lips. Ink did mute the reminder of the reason he’d been out that day, and only became stronger as he continued on with his letter but Taehyung did have to wonder if his mother would be able to smell it, or if it would be precious only to him.

Ink welled up around the fine hairs of his calligraphy brush, the remainder of age old royal traditions. Slowly, ever so slowly, he traced recounts of the events of the past month, refusing to name Yoongi with the sole reason of not actually knowing the hanja that made up his name. He became ‘that boy’, and the words around him took on a beauty that Taehyung usually only reserved for his lessons on poetry (a fact that Taehyung wouldn’t notice until his mother asked about).

Trust wasn’t the only reason the truth was written on the parchment, Jimin was one of his most trusted friends and even then Taehyung wasn’t about to divulge the true extent to which Min Yoongi had crawled his way into his heart. The woman he was writing to was the Queen Mother, he had a duty to report to her everything that had the possibility to affect the nation. Taehyung’s love life was the very epitome of something with the power to shape or destroy the health of their nation.

Such was his concentration on the task of honouring his mother and his non-existent relationship with Yoongi that Taehyung missed the soft tapping on his semi-opened window — at least until it became louder and more insistent. “Hello?” Sing-song had never sounded so pissed off and Taehyung felt a touch of guilt roll forwards in his consciousness when he raised his gaze and was met with a rather pissed off looking Min Yoongi. Scrambling up from his spot at his desk, Taehyung launched himself across various piles of stationary and threw the windows open, the unspoken question of how Yoongi was there answered when he floated in, legs tight around a broomstick. “Thank you.” The thanks was bitten out, the boy obviously too preoccupied with the task of landing without stacking the way he did last time to offer a proper greeting. Taehyung didn’t blame him.

“How come you’re here? I told you I was writing my letter to my mother this afternoon.” The words weren’t meant to come out as harsh as they did and Taehyung winced a little with the pointed look he got from his boyfriend (now with both feet planted on the ground).

Mouth almost becoming an upside down smile Yoongi shrugged, leaning his broomstick against the frame of the bed, eyes sweeping efficiently up and down Taehyung’s frame. “I wanted to visit you. They say that it’s romantic to visit the person you love on the turn of the seasons.” The words caught Taehyung off guard but Yoongi edged in before he could ask where in the fresh hell the almost confession had come from. “Jimin’s been on my back for not showing you enough affection, and while you and I both know that I ain’t a PDA kind of guy, I’d appreciate it if you told your minion that I’ve been putting in an effort.” Still didn’t completely answer why Yoongi had actually visited, they’d agreed that it was easier to just lie and co-ordinate their stories instead of playing into Jimin (and to a lesser extent, Namjoon)’s hands by being that lovey-dovey couple everyone hated.

Edging away from his desk, where Taehyung had been tidying up his letter materials while he listened to Yoongi’s explanation, he narrowed his eyes. “How come you didn’t follow the usual thing of just writing me? Or talking to me after class?” Curiosity dripped in his voice and while it made things sound like Taehyung didn’t actually want to see Yoongi, it was a question that did need answering (or at least for him).

Yoongi’s hand came up to rest on the back of his neck, scratching nervously at the baby hairs that were still soft in spite of their treatment to the mint green experience. “Well I wanted to talk to you and we don’t have a lot of classes together and I’m busy at lunch and I guess you probably are too and yeah…” There wasn’t much to the explanation but it still made Taehyung’s head flop the the side, and tempted him to ask the question: ‘Who are you and what have you done with Min Yoongi?’. His train of thought was sabotaged however when one final statement came from the mouth of a possible imposter. “‘Sides I felt bad for the way that I hurt your nose when we went to the village so I brought you these.”

Flowers. Min Yoongi had brought him sunflowers. Not just any flowers either, sunflowers. Sunflowers in a big, healthy bunch stared back at him and it felt odd that the only thing that was actually on Taehyung’s mind was: what kind of concealment spell did he use to hide those or was Min Yoongi just really good at sleight-of-hand? Rather than replying with any comprehensible words Taehyung instead just let out a flustered sound, hands repeatedly raising and lowering, not entirely sure of whether they were meant to take the flowers or not. “My nose is fine.” A not entirely helpful addition to the discourse Taehyung was aware, but he couldn’t really think of anything else to say.

“Can you just take the blessed flowers you, idiot? I even asked Jimin for help in picking them out, he said they were your favourites.” Well, that wasn’t an incorrect statement and things made a little more sense once he knew that Jimin had provided assistance but that didn’t mean he wasn’t…suspicious.

Closing the gap between them, hands wrapping around the bouquets with an as of yet undecided level of enthusiasm, Taehyung couldn’t help the “Why’d you really get these?” He knew that Jimin got under Yoongi’s skin and it seemed odd to him that he'd really feel bad enough about a relatively minor ‘injury’ (if you could even call it that) to put up with him for long enough to weed this information out of him.

At this stage, both their hands were wrapped the bouquet, an unspoken line between them in this war of attrition. “I already said, because I feel bad for hurting you Taehyung, don’t be looking for when there isn’t any.” Yoongi’s voice was defensive now, taking on a quality that Taehyung had only overheard when he’d spotted teachers pulling Yoongi up for not wearing his robes properly or having his wand out in the hallways.

He narrowed his eyes at the same time that he pulled the flowers close to him, feeling Yoongi unwilling to hand them over, and stopping just short of wrenching them out of the Slytherin’s hands. “Come on Yoongi, you know that when you say that I know you’re lying. I wasn’t put into Ravenclaw for no reason.” Taehyung sounded almost as if he pitied the older boy, his words falling into the silence between them, heavy, but not enough to break the thick tension between them — all fond memories of snowball fights and lollipops forgotten.



Yoongi stepped forwards in the space, forcing the flowers against Taehyung’s chest, eyes drawing so narrow they were almost closed, but open enough that he could still see them passing over every line in his face. “You really want me to say it don’t you?” Victory. It was obvious that Yoongi was going to spill it no matter what he did so rather than speaking (his voice would be too mocking to risk it) Taehyung simply shrugged, shoulders loose and smile warm. “God. I can’t believe I’m doing this. Idiot.” Yoongi surged forwards, the crinkling of the packaged sunflowers falling on deaf ears as tension fell away and unspoken wishes were realised.

They were kissing, and in that moment Taehyung knew that this wasn’t the some stranger pretending to be Min Yoongi, these lips tasted too sweet, too warm, and most of all too right. Hands pinned against his chest, Taehyung released them with a faint struggle with the rather large bundle of flowers, throwing his gift half-heartedly upon the bed. Suddenly everything that wasn’t the urgent press of Yoongi’s body against his own became irrelevant and unwanted. Time slowed and it felt like entirely too long to get his hands once again resting in those mint green strands, except this occasion was much less angry and more…desperate. They fit together better this time, Taehyung dipping low and Yoongi leaning upwards, meeting in the middle as they both sought out what they’d denied themselves since the last incident.

Eventually though, they did need to break apart for air, lungs begging for more than the sharp intakes they’d been afforded by quick breaks as they positioned. Taehyung’s hands had eventually found their ways to Yoongi’s waist, and that was where they laid as he brought their foreheads together and let his eyes slip shut. The only sound in the room was, for but a brief moment, their hurried breathing, giving Taehyung another reason that they most definitely had to do this again sometime. While he wasn’t actively looking for reasons that this was the best moment in his life (closely rivalled by his coronation), it was a welcome surprise when Yoongi uttered the words that firmly secured its place in his memories.

“I kinda…definitely…like you…a lot…Your Highness Kim Taehyung…” In a moment that required the least formal speech — Min Yoongi used it for the first time.