- November 1, 2018 -

The scent of burnt something wafted into Jonghyun's bedroom, rousing him sooner than he would have liked. Frowning, Jonghyun sat up, looking around his disheveled room as his brain slowly -- very slowly -- came around to the idea that it was, in fact, morning.

Then there was a clatter in the kitchen. A muttered curse. And Jonghyun was suddenly much more alert, fumbling for his wand only to double back for his room when he realized he was quite .

Though granted, that might be enough of a shock for whoever the intruder was to scare them out without him having to use magic at all.

He pulled on a pair of sweatpants before he snuck back out, tiptoeing his way to the kitchen.

Something sizzled a bit too loudly, a very audible wince or whine just barely louder than it. Utterly confused now, Jonghyun brandished his wand and turned the corner, only to lower it a second later, his mouth agape.

Smoke billowed from a blackened pan on the stovetop. Coffee bubbled out of a cauldron the next burner over, spilling out onto the floor where -- Merlin's ing beard -- Garcons stood lapping it up. Dishes filled this sink, other attempts at cooking, perhaps, and Taemin stood in the middle of it, spatula in hand, hair askew, and perspiration shining on his face.

"I just wanted you to know that I'm not usually this bad at cooking," Taemin said as Jonghyun hurried in, removing the pan from the stovetop and cooling it with a spout of water from the tip of his wand. "Don't get me wrong, I at it, but -- "

"It's okay," Jonghyun said as he pushed Garcons away from the coffee with his foot before siphoning it back into the cauldron, where the boiling brew was reducing by the second. "I'm at it too, that's why everything is enchanted to do it for me."

Taemin let out a long, quiet Oh as Jonghyun cleaned everything else up with a flick of his wand before stooping to gather up Garcons.

"Is coffee bad for dogs?"

"No clue."

"Where's Comme Des?" Taemin hummed in question, mopping the sweat off of his face with a kitchen towel. "The red one."

"Oh, uh, he was whining to go out so…"

Nodding, Jonghyun moved past him, opening the back door and finding Comme Des curled up on Kibum and Minho's back porch. He set Garcons down, the little ball of black fluff running over to his brother, bowing playfully before him, enticing him to play. Jonghyun sat on the back porch step, watching the pair of them run around the community garden.

A guest of nippy autumn wind reminded him that he was shirtless, causing him to shiver as a rash of goosebumps bloomed across his exposed skin. The back door opened and Jonghyun looked back, finding Taemin stepping down to join him on the porch, a sweatshirt in hand.

He passed it to Jonghyun, who leaned away to pull it on, then rocked back, his shoulder brushing against Taemin's. "Thanks."

"Yeah, no problem."

He stayed pressed against Taemin, the contact, however small, was pleasant. Peaceful, even. But maybe that was just the morning.

"Wait." Jonghyun swung his head around, looking incredulously at a confused Taemin. "Your flight!"

"Oh. Yeah, no that left hours ago," he said with a chuckle.

"Don't you…" he blinked rapidly, scooting away from Taemin so he could see him better. "Don't you need to go home?"

He grinned, eyes shining. "I've got two weeks of paid vacation time because I never take breaks. I already called my job to let them know I'll be here for a while." Jonghyun's mouth popped open, just barely, and Taemin's smile faltered. "If you don't want me to stay, that's okay, I understand."

What had been intended to be a single kiss, then a single night...turned into two weeks?

Whether it was a good idea or not, he still liked the thought. Because he liked Taemin, despite his being a Muggle -- or a No-Maj, or whatever the . Would two spontaneously started weeks together be good for him? For both of them?

For his part, he was inclined to think so. If it didn't work out, then...what was the harm? A broken heart after only two weeks was nothing...comparatively.

“No, I think that should be okay.” Taemin relaxed beside him, and Jonghyun averted his eyes, turning his head to find the dogs again so he could hide his growing smile. “I guess I should go make us some breakfast, huh?”

“You’ll probably do better than I did.”

Jonghyun smirked, then schooled his expression as he looked back at Taemin. “Just relax out here with the dogs. I’ll call you in when it’s ready.” Taemin nodded, and Jonghyun grabbed his shoulder, hoisting himself up and heading back inside. “Wait, do you like coffee?” He looked over his shoulder at Jonghyun, nodding. “How do you usually take it?”

“Oh, uh…” His face scrunched in thought, and the word adorable crossed his mind. Maybe set up camp. Who’s to say? “I don’t remember. I just get it from a shop on my way into work.”

Jonghyun laughed. “I’ll let you doctor it up how you like, then.” And then he let the door close behind him.

Breakfasts were usually very simple fares for him, especially now that he didn’t live with the band anymore. Phillipe and Pierre were much better cooks than he ever was, which is why he couldn’t do much more than make some toast and scramble some eggs without the assistance of magic. So, once he got the coffee going, he started on the toast before grabbing the last of the eggs from the fridge.

Well, time to go grocery shopping again. He sighed heavily, then glanced at the door. Maybe Taemin would want to come with? He usually tagged along with Minho or Kibum or both of them, just so he wouldn’t have to brave the grocery store alone.

That, and their conversation usually drowned out the occasional Nebulous Stardust songs that would play throughout the store.

The toast popped up, startling the thought of his band out of his mind. He shook his head as he stirred the eggs for a few more seconds and took them off the heat, setting them aside so he could butter the toast and get plates for each of them. Then he poured the coffee and poked his head outside.

“Tae -- “ he started to call out, but then he stopped, grinning when he found him lying on the undoubtedly cold ground, the puppies clambering over him. “Breakfast is ready!”

Once Taemin stood, the puppies ran over to the open door and Jonghyun left it wide open for Taemin, who was a few steps behind, while he dished up their food and got them some water. Taemin was sitting at the counter sipping his coffee by the time Jonghyun returned, his plate before him. Jonghyun turned his back to him as he spooned some sugar in his own coffee.

“So, just out of curiosity,” Jonghyun said, gulping when Taemin hummed in question. “What exactly are you expecting to happen by the time you go home?”

Taemin coughed, and Jonghyun glanced over his shoulder before he twisted to face him, leaning against the counter and watching him expectantly. “I just...I don’t know...want to get to know you better. Is that okay?”

Jonghyun nodded, eyeing him as his attention returned to his meager breakfast. “What happens after, though?”

He smiled without looking up, then shrugged. “Whatever we want, I guess. We’ll just have to wait and see.” He looked up then, searching Jonghyun’s gaze before looking away.

Jonghyun sighed, then took a few more sips of his coffee before setting it aside. “I’ve, um, got to go grocery shopping later...would you like to go with me or would you rather stay here with the dogs?”

“I can come with you!”

“Let me just...oh, …” Taemin’s eyebrows shot up in question. “Your luggage. That’s probably still at the hotel, huh?”

“Oh, damn, I didn’t even think of that.”

Jonghyun snorted, cracking a half-smile when Taemin sighed in exasperation at himself. “We should probably go pick that up, too.” When Taemin just offered a sheepish grin, Jonghyun pushed away from the counter. “Let me just go get ready and we can head out.”

It didn’t take long for them to get ready to go. Jonghyun offered to let Taemin borrow some of his casual, No-Maj-passing clothes that Kibum had picked for him instead of donning the suit he had worn to the wedding. They were about the same size, Taemin a little lither than himself, so they fit fairly well. Jonghyun pulled on one of the old sweaters that Kibum’s grandma had knit for him that he kept charming to fit his now-adult body, a pair of jeans, and some boots. And, once the dogs' water was refilled, they were off.

“You don’t have to do the memory thing if we’re just coming right back, right?” Taemin asked as Jonghyun led him out of the wardrobe and into Madge’s shop on Canal Street.

“Nah, it should be fine. That’d probably get redundant,” Jonghyun said, waving to Madge as he led Taemin up the street. He looked curiously over their shoulders, no doubt searching for the ghost he couldn’t see. “Where’s your hotel again?”

“Uh…”

They ended up hailing a cab, since Taemin could only remember the address but not how to get there on foot, and Jonghyun was basically clueless when it came to No-Maj New York. When they arrived, Jonghyun roamed the lobby while Taemin got a new room key --he had misplaced his -- and packed up his stuff so he could check out.

Jonghyun, while he waited, found his way back to the piano. He sat at the empty bench, staring at the keys for a while before he raised his hands to let his fingertips graze them. He didn’t know much about playing the piano. Sure, he could pick out a tune and some of the chords that accompanied the melody, but the guitar had always been his preferred instrument, other than his voice. Still, he started to play. A simple melody, one that he had started to work the kinks out of in the final days of Nebulous Stardust.

“Sounds good,” someone said, startling Jonghyun enough to stop playing. He whirled around, finding Taemin staring at him in surprise. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to -- “

“It’s okay. Are you ready?”

He nodded, and together they went back outside, heading straight for Canal Street once more. Once they were through the Center and out onto the cobblestone lane of the Boulevard, Jonghyun stopped, grabbing his wand from his back pocket and laughing at Taemin’s wide eyes when he pointed the tip of it at his suitcase.

“What, you don’t want to lug this around the whole time we’re shopping, do you?”

“No…”

His eyes grew wider still when Jonghyun sent it flying away with a thought of /Depulso/ and his bedroom, his mouth popping slightly open as it disappeared around a corner. “Come on,” Jonghyun said, reaching for his hand and tugging him along toward the grocery store. “You can’t let them know you’re not a wizard, alright?” Taemin blinked several times, looking down at their joined hands until Jonghyun released his. “Technically, non-wizards aren’t allowed to be in wizarding communities. Or even know about them.”

“Okay, got it. Do you want me to hold that?” Jonghyun looked back at him as he grabbed the basket to carry his groceries in, then shook his head.

“Wingardium Leviosa,” he whispered as he pointed his wand at the basket, raising it easily to waist height and leaving it there.

Taemin gasped, all excited, then quickly schooled his expression as he looked around to make sure none of the other wizards noticed his reaction at such a simple spell. Jonghyun smirked, eyeing him for a second before he started forward, the basket on one side and Taemin on the other after he jogged to catch up to him.

Was he trying to be impressive? Perhaps. But, it wasn’t his fault that Taemin’s reactions were cute, okay?

“So,” he said once they reached the produce section. “Tell me about yourself.”

The shy, cute smile was back, and he looked around as Jonghyun grabbed a few oranges, then said, “I don’t know. There’s not much to tell.”

“Bull.”

Taemin his lips, smiling still, and for a second, Jonghyun let his gaze drop to them. The top lip was oddly shaped, he saw that now. Not that it was ugly. Nothing about Taemin was. It just…well, he found himself wanting to kiss him again, just to see if he could—

“Well, I guess, I’ve been into dancing all my life,” he said, the sound of his voice drawing Taemin away from his reveries. “My mom started my brother on it too, but he didn’t stick with it. I think she wanted girls if I’m being honest.”

“Why do you say that?”

Taemin shrugged, then laughed, stepping closer to one of the pots of baby mandrakes. “I think that turnip just glared at me.”

“Probably did,” Jonghyun said, slipping his hand around Taemin’s waist and guiding him away from the mandrakes before they started screaming.

“Anyways,” Taemin said, catching one of the dirigible plums before it floated away from its bin. “I wasn’t particularly interested in school, but I did okay. Mom was happy enough. My first,” he paused, squinting in thought, “sorta-boyfriend was one of my best friends, but I think we just spent too much time together. Broke up without telling our families about our relationship. We’re still friends, though.”

Still friends? Eh, guess he couldn’t fault him for that.

“I like his new boyfriend, though. Kinda quiet. Very funny. They suit each other.”

Jonghyun hummed, unsure of what else to say as he started for the dry goods section of the store.

“And then after I graduated, I went into the military.”

“Marines, like Minho?”

Taemin’s breathy laugh turned into a snort that drew a few of the passersby's attention. “God, no. I love myself too much for that. Military band for me.”

“What’d you play?”

He hummed, his brow furrowing as he read the moving labels on the soup cans Jonghyun was grabbing from the shelves. “Honestly? I can’t remember right now.” Jonghyun chuckled, glancing over at him with a smile. “After I got out, I went back to my old dance studio and they let me start instructing, which has been nice. Been doing that for a few years, now.”

“No other boyfriends since your first?”

Taemin shook his head. “Girlfriend, though.” Jonghyun blinked, doing a double-take as he looked back at him, but Taemin didn’t notice his surprise. “We broke up...what day is it?”

“Uh, first of November.”

“Right. Two months ago, then.”

Ah...so he must be the rebound then. He’d done the same with Pierre. Didn’t end well. “What happened, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“I was too clingy, I guess. That’s what Danbi said, anyway.” He sniffed a laugh, pointing to one of the bottles of premade potion, a few lizard eyes floating within it. “Are those eyes?”

“Yes. Shh, let’s go.”

It became quite the chore, keeping Taemin from revealing that he was a No-Maj to the rest of the shoppers. Jonghyun grabbed whatever he could think of -- he rarely made a shopping list, but today, especially, he was in a hurry -- and they checked out, laden with bags on the way home. The puppies greeted them excitedly, pestering Jonghyun as he put away his groceries until Taemin drew them away to the living room.

Once Jonghyun finished putting everything away, he found the coiled leashes for Comme Des and Garcons, slipping them off the counter and shaking them to get the puppies' attention. He tossed the red one to Taemin, who fumbled with it, but caught it. “That one is Garcons’.”

The chill autumn wind whistled around him as they walked down the cobblestone lane. Everyone still had their decorations for Halloween out — because, in Salem Boulevard, they usually went up mid-August and didn’t get taken down until the first of December. Taemin was still excited, though he wasn’t talking as much anymore. Just looking around, eyes bright and wide, taking everything in.

He still wasn’t quite sure what to think of him. Did he like him? Yes, he was funny and cute and sweet with a mischievous, playful side. The exact opposite of Pierre. But, well, again, he wasn’t sure. Should he open his heart up to this…No-Maj? Should he open his heart again at all? That had only given him pain before…

Or, maybe it didn’t need to be that serious. A two-week fling with a cute guy with low odds for ever crossing his path again? Sounded ideal. Just what he needed.

His eyes landed on Comme Des, then drifted over to Garcons, the sight of them reminding him of their owners. He sighed heavily, his breath pluming around him. Yeah, okay, maybe he wanted what they had. So what? Not everyone gets what they want…

“Woah, what’s that?” Taemin asked, his fingers grazing Jonghyun’s arm as he reached for him.

Jonghyun looked around him to where he was pointing. “Remember those weird nectarine things that were floating in the store?” He nodded, meeting Jonghyun’s gaze before looking back at the wild bush with floating orange fruit. “Those are that. Dirigible plums.”

“Can we go look at them?”

Jonghyun smiled, he couldn’t stop himself. “Sure.”

Taemin kept pressing down on them, only for them to float back up, higher than they had been. Technically, they weren’t supposed to take any of the wild ones, but no one was around and Jonghyun was just too soft when Taemin turned his pleading eyes to him. They did, however, have a bit of a hard time concealing them in their pockets on the way home.

Dinner was simple, even with the help of the cookbook Kibum had bought for him ages ago, but Taemin didn’t seem to mind. He ate his fill, then a bit more when Jonghyun cut up the dirigible plums they had picked and tossed them over some vanilla ice cream. Maybe he should have cooked them? Kibum probably would have, but Jonghyun wasn’t sure if he had any ingredients for that. Taemin didn’t complain, though, which was nice of him.

When Jonghyun came back from letting the dogs out one last time, Taemin was nowhere to be found. The puppies followed him up to his room when he ran up the stairs, both of them hopping on the bed once he reached the top stair.

The shower was running.

Jonghyun relaxed, his gaze continually trailing back to the door as he stripped out of his jeans and sweater. By the time he had slipped into his sweatpants, the water turned off. He froze, unsure of where to stand or look until the door cracked open and Taemin stepped through.

His damp hair clung to his forehead, and he grinned at Jonghyun as his hand settled on the towel wrapped around his hips. “Sorry, were you planning on showering?”

“Uh, no.” He gulped, his mouth suddenly dry as Taemin breezed past him, a hint of his musky body wash buffeting him. “I shower in the mornings.”

“Hm, should I have waited, then?”

He asked it so quietly that Jonghyun couldn’t be sure if he imagined it. Eyebrows raised, he followed Taemin’s progress into the room to where his suitcase lay by the bed. Ah, his cheeks and ears were a bit pink. Jonghyun smiled, looking away. Adorable.

“You don’t mind sharing a bed, do you?” Jonghyun asked as he turned and went inside the bathroom, raising his voice as he wet his toothbrush. “I wanna make sure you’re comfortable.”

He started brushing his teeth, jumping when Taemin appeared in the doorway. Their eyes met in the mirror. “I,” he cleared his throat. “I don’t mind at all.”

Jonghyun stopped brushing his teeth, pulling out his toothbrush just long enough to say, “Give me a minute,” before he continued.

Taemin was snuggled under the covers, hair and eyes and nose peeking out, by the time Jonghyun left the bathroom. Both of the dogs were curled up on the bed between his side and Taemin’s, making themselves quite at home. Sighing, Jonghyun crawled into the left side, flopping over on his back. He blinked a few times before he turned his head, amused to find Taemin watching him.

“Ready for the light?” Taemin nodded, and Jonghyun reached for his wand. “Nox!”

The lights winked out, blanketing them in velvety darkness.

“Can you do that again?” Taemin whispered into the night.

Since he had yet to find a counter jinx to the effect that Taemin’s excited interest had on him, Jonghyun relented, lighting and darkening the room a few more times until Garcons got up, barking at him.

Jonghyun set the wand aside, the darkness warm against his skin. He could barely make out Taemin’s silhouette in the pale moonlight streaming through the window. As he turned and dislodged Comme Des from his makeshift bed on his legs. He seemed to be hesitating. But why?

He sniffed in surprise when something damp and cold rested against his arm. Taemin stiffened beside him. “Sorry, I forgot…”

Did he want to cuddle? Or, something like that?

Jonghyun blinked rapidly, shifting closer to him. “It’s okay, I’m expecting it now.”

For a moment, nothing happened. Then, the sheets and covers rasped together, and Taemin’s damp head rested on his shoulder, his arm draping across his middle.

He’d never really been held in bed before. Not even by Pierre. Sure, they slept beside each other for many years, and occasionally Pierre would indulge him, but it never lasted that long. When he was sure that Taemin had no intention of releasing him, Jonghyun slipped his arm around him, holding him closer still. And for the first time in living memory, he was asleep in moments.

When he woke, Taemin was still holding him. Still asleep. Maybe he was a little too warm, but right now, he couldn’t care less. Jonghyun looked down at Taemin’s sleeping profile, his thumb lazily back and forth on his back. The urge to kiss the top of his head grew the longer he watched him, and before he could stop himself, he indulged the urge. Taemin’s face scrunched up a little, and he held Jonghyun a little tighter, but he didn’t wake.

He needed to get up, to get ready to head into work, to let the dogs out, but he couldn’t bring himself to detach Taemin from his side. Jonghyun shifted slightly, grabbing his phone. He had an hour and a half before he had to be at work, so hopefully, Taemin would wake himself up naturally before then.

Minutes ticked by, and nothing. Should he just get up? Leave Taemin to sleep peacefully while he got ready? He checked his phone again. One hour until work. He closed his eyes, sighing as he set his phone aside. Then he carefully extracted himself from Taemin.

“Where are you going?” Taemin mumbled once he reached the closet. He was sitting half up now, leaning on his elbow and rubbing his eye as he looked at Jonghyun.

“I have to get ready for work,” Jonghyun said, crossing the room to return to him. To kiss him good morning. As soon as he pulled away, Taemin blinked sleepily, his gaze searching his. “I can come back to check in on my lunch break,” he said as Taemin’s attention dipped to his lips. Jonghyun smiled. “Does that sound okay?” Taemin nodded, and Jonghyun kissed him again, lingering longer than he intended when Taemin’s hand slipped around his neck, holding him there.

In the back of his mind, he knew he had to get ready to leave, but there was something so addicting about him. He barely registered crawling back into bed, his only thought was of Taemin. And his lips and the way his kisses grew ever hungrier. His hands and the way they roamed his skin, holding him closer. Only when the alarm on his phone went off did Jonghyun pull away, and he stared blankly at it before he realized what it meant.

“,” he muttered, and Taemin stopped kissing his neck, meeting his gaze when he looked back at him. “I really gotta get ready.”

With a great effort, he slipped out of Taemin’s arms and hurried to his closet, picking clothes at random. “I wish I could come with you.”

Jonghyun snorted, glancing over at him as he changed out of his sweatpants and into a pair of jeans. “Please, I need to be at least a little focused on work today.”

“Are you saying I’m distracting?”

He huffed a quiet laugh as he pulled on his boots and Taemin grinned. “You don’t mind looking after the dogs for me, do you?” Taemin shook his head and Jonghyun stood, walking over to kiss him one last time. “I’ll see you at lunch, then.”

While he did go home for lunch, he forgot all about the actual meal.

They fell into a rhythm, then, as the days passed. Each moment they spent together felt more natural and relaxed than the last. He’d gotten used to Taemin’s shyness, his clinginess. In fact, he couldn’t imagine why his ex had broken up with him because of it. Well, in any case, he was grateful to her. He hadn’t realized how much he had been craving someone like this. How had he stayed with someone as aloof as Pierre for so long? Obligation, perhaps?

Taemin was warm and friendly and funny and adorable when Pierre...well, actually, now that he was thinking about it, he couldn’t remember much about him. Especially when Taemin was around. Even the good points. True, he’d never be truly free of him. Pierre was a stain on his life that would linger in the back of his mind forever, but Taemin...Taemin filled his mind with such light that even thoughts of Pierre were fleeting when before they would linger long past their welcome.

When Monday rolled back around and it was time for him to go to work after the weekend off, Jonghyun could feel Taemin’s scrutiny as he got ready for work. He finally looked back at him after he pulled his head through the neck hole of his sweater, smiling at Taemin’s slightly forlorn expression. “Don’t look at me like that, you know I have to go to work.”

“It’s dumb.”

“I mean, you’re not wrong.” Taemin sighed, then smiled up at him as he returned to the bed to kiss him goodbye. “I’d rather not leave you either.”

“Then can I come with? Just until lunch?” he added quickly when Jonghyun’s brow furrowed. “You won’t even know I’m there, I promise.”

Doubtful, to be honest. But his track record for refusing Taemin anything in the few days that he had known him was not great. At all.

“Get ready quick, then, if you -- “ He didn’t even get a chance to finish. Taemin bounded out of bed and over to where his clothes hung in the closet.

After the dogs were cared for and they had a quick breakfast, they were on their way to the Center, Taemin’s hand slipping into his as soon as the door was closed behind them. Jonghyun swung their hands back and forth as they walked along, feeling warm despite the chilly autumn morning.

As with his experience with everything having to do with magic thus far, Taemin was extremely interested in whatever Jonghyun was doing up until lunch. Even when he was simply handwriting the labels and receipts for the different potions Crow made. He kept having to keep him from getting too near the spouts for the venomous tentacula. Sure, they were small, but somehow that made them even more vicious.

Still, it was cute to watch him interact with it all. Growing up around all of this, he never really thought too much about how amazing it must seem to an outsider. True, he reacted similarly whenever Minho -- or now, Taemin, as well -- showed him or explained a part of the No-Maj world that he’d never heard of before. He was just so amazed by what Jonghyun considered to be the simplest things. He kinda hoped that would never wear off.

“You ready for lunch?” Jonghyun asked as he wrote his clocking-out time down.

Taemin, who was absorbed in the copy of the Oracle that Jonghyun had translated into Korean for him, didn’t hear him until he asked again. “Yeah! Sorry…”

“It’s okay.” Jonghyun slipped out of his apron and came around the counter, holding his hand out for Taemin to take so he could lead him up to the food court.

He let Taemin choose where they went for lunch, which was -- yet again -- the sushi bar. They ate their fill, but still had a bit of time before Jonghyun had to be back to work, so they roamed the shops, Jonghyun explaining some of the magical tools and instruments that Taemin pointed out. That was until Taemin pulled him toward the music shop, which usually sat out of sight from the apothecary behind the Grated Tree.

Taemin looked up at the display window, watching the instruments play a symphony all on their own. Their music bled out from the closed door, the harmonies drawing them closer to it. Without asking, Taemin opened the door, peering in before he opened the door wider and slipped inside. After a second’s hesitation, Jonghyun followed him.

He shoved his hands in his pockets as he wandered around, following Taemin over to where the pianos were. After getting permission from one of the employees, Taemin started to play, his music drowning out the symphony from the display window. Eventually, Jonghyun meandered away, finding the guitars. His breath caught in his throat as his gaze landed on one in particular.

It was nothing special. Just your standard acoustic guitar. But, it looked almost exactly like the one Mom had bought him ages ago.

The one that he had left behind when he moved here.

His hand shook a little as he reached for it, gently taking it off its hook. He slipped the shoulder strap around him, getting comfortable, one hand holding the neck, the other poised to pluck the strings.

Had it been too long? He hadn’t touched a guitar in years. Would he remember how to play?

Tentatively, he pressed a chord into the fingerboard, his thumb strumming the strings. It was in tune, at least. He closed his eyes as he played another chord, then another, and soon, he was playing one of his old songs. The band hadn’t agreed on it, so it had gotten scrapped. He hadn’t even come up with a title for it, but somehow, he remembered it. He hummed along until the end, most of the lyrics forgotten.

When he opened his eyes, he found Taemin leaning against the shelves across from him, watching him. Jonghyun gulped, pulling the strap over his head. “No, don’t stop because of me, please. That was beautiful.”

“I have to get back to work.”

His fingers ached, the familiar calluses long gone, as he put the guitar back on its hook. They left without purchasing anything, and Jonghyun walked him to the Center’s exit, kissing him goodbye before he trudged back to the apothecary.

It was almost as if the music shop were staring at him, daring him to come back inside.

He was only able to ignore it for a few days, but then his resolve broke when Crow handed him his paycheck. As soon as he cashed it in, he withdrew enough to purchase the guitar. He practically ran home, the case swinging back and forth beside him.

“Look what I bought!” he said as soon as he toed his wet boots off and shook the rain out of his hair. “Where are you?”

“Upstairs!”

Taemin was almost as excited as he was when he showed him the guitar, and as soon as he was able to start dinner cooking itself, he camped out on the couch, his legs thrown over Taemin’s, and started working on tuning /his/ guitar.

“What was that song you played before?”

“One of mine. The band didn’t like the lyrics so we never used it.”

Taemin started tickling one of his feet until Jonghyun twitched it out of his reach, glaring at him before looking back at his guitar with a small smile. “Why didn’t they like them?”

“They have bad taste.”

“Clearly.” Jonghyun sniffed a laugh, digging his heel into Taemin’s thigh when he tried to start tickling his foot again. He stopped, grinning impishly at him as he shook his head. “Do you remember the lyrics?”

“Some of them. It’s been a while.” He could feel Taemin’s expectant gaze, so he found the chord that started the chorus on the fingerboard. “Such a beautiful view...and then someone is supposed to adlib, but I don’t remember what...Show me more...” Feeling slightly self-conscious, he stopped playing, his palm pressing against the strings to quiet them.

When he looked up, Taemin immediately dropped his gaze, helping Garcons up onto the couch. Jonghyun leaned forward to scratch him behind the ears as he curled up between them. “I know you said it’s hard to get back into music because of your ex, and,” he cleared his throat, “I get that. But…” He looked up then, meeting Jonghyun’s curious gaze. “I really hope you’ll be able to soon.”

“I think you’re just being nice. Because you like me so much.”

Taemin grinned sheepishly, fiddling with a string on the hem of Jonghyun’s jeans. “It’s possible, but that doesn’t mean I’m wrong.”

After dinner, Jonghyun returned to the couch with his guitar and Taemin kept Comme Des and Garcons occupied on the floor. He had grabbed one of his self-inking quills and a new sheet of parchment so he could jot down whatever lyrics came to mind as he messed around with the old tune. He was underlining a line he especially liked when he thought he heard one of the puppies yelping. He jumped up, his guitar set aside, when he realized that it was Taemin who had made that noise.

He was backing away into the kitchen, his eyes on a spot on the carpet, his face contorted in a fearful grimace until he looked up to find Jonghyun watching him. His face colored and he looked back at the carpet. “I know it’s dumb, but...but I’m terrified of bugs.”

“Bugs?” He nodded earnestly, still not looking up. Jonghyun stepped over Comme Des on his way to the kitchen where he had left his wand. To be honest, he was no fan of bugs either, but at least he didn’t have to touch them to get rid of them. “What kind was it?”

“Spider,” Taemin said, shuddering.

Jonghyun grabbed his wand and looked back to where Taemin had been. Garcons was sniffing the carpet, so Jonghyun made his way over, and sure enough, a large disgustingly hairy black spider was making its way across the thick shag carpet. Jonghyun winced as he wordlessly flicked his wand at it, levitating it. “Get out of the way, babe,” he said to Taemin, who darted back across the room and as far away from the floating spider as he could. Jonghyun took it to the back door, flinging it out into the night.

He closed the door, looking back at Taemin. He was sitting in the spot that Jonghyun had vacated, watching him with wide eyes. Jonghyun smiled reassuringly, then tapped the door with the tip of his wand and said “Reverbaro!”

A ring of light bloomed from the spot his wand tip touched, growing and growing until it consumed the kitchen, the living room, then disappeared up the stairs.

“What did you do?” Taemin asked, his voice a little hoarse.

“That’s a repelling charm,” Jonghyun said, setting his wand back down on the counter before he started for the couch. “It’ll keep any bugs away for a very long time.” Taemin’s mouth was slightly agape as he watched Jonghyun settle back on the couch and take up his guitar again. He was about to start playing again when he still felt his gaze, so he met his eyes. “What?”

“Can you come and do that at my place?”

“Sure. Just name the time.”

He strummed a few chords, glancing over at him and doing a double-take when he saw his incredulous expression. “Where have you been all of my life?”

“Oh, around. I’m here now, at least.” He set his guitar aside with a chuckle, then glanced up at Taemin, half-grinning. “You know, I might have to come over pretty often, to check on the charm once it's in place, you know. Make sure it’s still working for you.”

For a second, Taemin looked as if he were about to say something, but he changed his mind, deciding instead to kiss him. Much later, when all was dark and tranquil and they were still tangled together in Jonghyun’s bed, Taemin’s voice, soft and tentative, broke the silence.

“Would you really want to come over?” he asked, his fingertips grazing Jonghyun’s arm as he held him close. “To Korea, I mean. After I go home.”

“Of course I do.” The silence seemed to smile, and Jonghyun pressed a kiss to Taemin’s head. “I wish you didn’t have to go if I’m being honest. I kinda like having you around.”

“I kinda like being around you, too.”

“You just like me because I’ll take care of the bugs for you.” Taemin let out a breathy chuckle, then brought their joined hands up to kiss the back of Jonghyun's hand. “When does your flight leave?”

“At seven. Which means I should get there at five.”

Jonghyun stretched out, grabbing his phone. “It’s two-fifteen now. We should probably try to sleep.”

“Or…” Or? Jonghyun’s eyebrows rose as he set his phone back down. “I mean, who knows how long it will be until we see each other again…”

He sniffed a laugh as he rolled over, bracing himself around Taemin. Even in the faint moonlight, he could see the eagerness, the playfulness in Taemin’s eyes. “So, what you’re saying is that you can sleep on the plane.”

“That and we’re wasting our precious time, don’t you think?”

They did not, in fact, sleep at all. But then, Jonghyun would never complain about that.

Getting Taemin ready for the airport was peppered with yawns and lingering kisses. They only had to go back to the house twice for things that Taemin forgot, but then they were off, not holding each other’s hand only when Taemin loaded and unloaded his luggage from the taxi and when he went up to the front desk to check his bag. He plodded sleepily back over to Jonghyun once he was free of his luggage, melting into his open arms.

“I don’t wanna go,” he murmured as they swayed a little together.

“I’ll be there before you know it.” He nodded, then sighed before he tore himself away from Jonghyun. “Let me know when you get home, alright?” Jonghyun said just before Taemin leaned in to kiss him.

“I will.” He kissed him again, then again when Taemin was back in his arms. “I guess I should go.”

“If you must.”

Sighing again, Taemin slipped away, waving goodbye before turning his back on him and starting for security. Then he stopped in his tracks, turning on his heel. Jonghyun’s eyebrows rose in curiosity when he came back to him. “What’d you forget?”

“Not me. You.” He hummed in question. “The memory charm thing. You forgot to do that when we left the Boulevard.”

Oh right. Huh.

“Well, maybe I wanted you to remember everything.” Taemin’s concern melted away to fondness, and he smiled as Jonghyun pulled him into one last kiss. “See you later, babe.”

“Yeah, see you.”

He grinned, his eyes glimmering in the airport lights, and he turned, hurrying now for the line leading to security. Jonghyun watched him until he slipped past the security barrier and was gone. He could feel himself start to deflate a little as he turned away, trodding back toward the exit.

His phone buzzed in his pocket, and Jonghyun dug it out, finding that Taemin texted him. He stopped walking, opening the message.

5:06 am

I can’t wait for you to come over
We’re gonna have so much fun

Jonghyun smiled, glancing back over his shoulder to the security barrier. But before he could respond, Taemin sent a picture. A very unflattering picture, with his eyes wide with a weird expression, his chin pulled back to give him several double chins.

Look at how attractive your boyfriend is

Boyfriend...Jonghyun smiled at his phone screen, his heart fluttering. Yeah, he had to agree with him there. 

You’re such a nerd

When Taemin didn’t respond right away, Jonghyun started walking again, saving the picture as he did. He’d set it to Taemin’s contact picture when he got home. After Kibum and Minho got back, he’d be heading straight to the Portkey Approval Office at the Center so he could head over to Korea on his next weekend off.

Actually, he was pretty sure that he and the clerks at the PAO were about to become very familiar with each other.