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“I think you should wear the hickory-coloured one, hyung,” Taehyung observes as he ties the cravat neatly around his neck watching his brother who stands in front of the mirror contemplating between the two tailcoats laden over his arms, twisting and turning in his place, properly and thoroughly undecided as to which is more suitable and attractive among the two.
“Should I?” Namjoon asks, eyes flickering up and meeting him for an instant before he looks back at his reflection, holding the hickory-coloured tailcoat against himself, lowering the other one as he takes the suggestion seriously. “Does it really look better?”
“Yes, the hickory colour shall make the colour of your eyes pop out,” Taehyung answers, pulling over own coat, smoothening it over and making sure the hems are straight and not folded anywhere. “Then none of the people, young ladies or men, at the ball shall stand a chance in successfully wooing this supposedly handsome and delightedly amiable Mr. Jung that our mother and aunt keep hoping to meet and make a match with. All that the wealthy My. Jung needs to do is lock his eyes with yours and he’ll be sold to you and probably would not even care if you haven’t gotten a single penny in your inheritance.”
“And if you smile widely enough to even just hint those dimples at him, forget flashing the full potential of that dimpled smile, I’m convinced Mr. Jung shall name every single penny in his inheritance to your name,” Jungkook adds, turning down his collar and ruffling it to loosen it. “Whether or not you intend to marry him.”
Namjoon blushes becomingly, eliciting a laugh from his brothers and shushes them as he puts the other coat down on a chair, proceeding to wear the hickory-coloured one as was suggested.
“We should be thankful that we are lucky to have Namjoon hyung’s dimples that brings us all these connections,” Jungkook says coyly, throwing a furtive look at the eldest of the Kims who sits on a weather-worn chaise lounge on the side, fully dressed and perusing through a novel as he cocks an attentive ear to the conversation while artfully pretending to not paying attention to it, "for hyung ," Jungkook continues with a mocking lilt, emphasizing the word as he watches the eldest turn a page, "did not bring us any connections when it was his turn to do so."
Seokjin looks up from his novel and fixes an eye on the youngest, smiling ever so lightly. "Pray not, dearest Jungkook, that you should fall in love with a soul that hasn't got a dime to their name; for if you do, you shall realise that all these things, connections and wealth and ranks of the society, are all immaterial and trivial for those drunk and drowning in love."
"Such a moving speech, but it is a shame for I do not pray nor believe in Heavens and Gods," replies Jungkook, making two of his brothers laugh and even wrest a chuckle from the eldest. "I suppose I should still be thankful for the deities and the celestial forces nevertheless, for although you did not bring us connections with your engagement, at least the Parks have quite a few dimes on their names and a front garden larger than ours which is even lined with a hedge that appeased our mother enough to agree for the sudden news of your engagement. I'm sure she still laments that you did not put your handsome," Jungkook pauses, and then teases, "or purportedly handsome face, I must say for I do not see any beauty in your face that shall move its audience and bring it to their knees, to a good use and bring us wealthy and powerful relations."
"No audience shall be moved nor brought to their knees with a beauty like mine if they are blind, just as you are," Seokjin quips, as he shuts the novel, putting it aside. "As to not bringing us any wealthy and powerful relations, for all your teasing and mock objections and grievances, if I remember correctly, you had seemed equally delighted, if not more, as Taehyung when I announced my wish to get married to your best friend Jimin. Say Namjoon," continues Seokjin, tilting his head in Namjoon's direction in acknowledgement, "wasn't it Jungkook who ran to the Park's house even before I could explain the full news of my engagement to confirm whether I had indeed proposed to their best friend or not so they would rightfully be brothers-in-law?"
"Oh, I do believe something of the same happened as you mention, hyung," teases Namjoon as he sits down beside Seokjin to put on his shoes. "Taehyung stayed put long enough to hear your version of the tale before rushing to meet Jimin and rejoice to be united with his best pal as lawful brothers and to never be parted with him. And if I recall more, Jungkook even had tears streaming down his cheeks late at night, hours after the news was broken and muttering something like 'I can't believe this! Jimin and hyung together, to be married!' "
The youngest is not to be deterred even as his three elder brothers laugh at his expense. Jungkook simply shrugs, rather indelicately and walks towards the end of the door, picking up his shoes and tucks them under his arm. "You're deluded if you're thinking those were tears of happiness at news such as that. I was crying tears of misery on the behalf of my best friend who is to suffer the company of my brother for the rest of his life and see a face as ghastly as my hyung's the first thing in the morning of his married life and on every morning so forth."
Taehyung and Namjoon laugh earnestly and out loud as Seokjin chases Jungkook who runs out of the room barefoot, their footsteps thudding on the worn, written staircase. Somewhere from downstairs, two shrill voices, of their mother and their aunt, join as they scold two for not running around and about the home in a manner unfitting.
Taehyung puts on his shoes, walks up to the long mirror and stands in front of it, observing his reflection for one last time and gives a happy twirl to check his clothes lest they're wrinkled or rumpled somewhere. Satisfied, he looks up to see Namjoon putting the novel Seokjin was reading back into the shelf. He turns around abruptly, seeming slightly nervous and unsure.
"I do-"
"You look more than wonderful," assures Taehyung to his brother as he walks up to him, interlinking their arms. "I daresay there won't be less than a single soul at the ball, much less this Mr. Jung, that wouldn't want to dance at least twice with a handsome man like you. All that time spent tending to the flower patches in the sun has given you a radiant look that nobody should behold free of charge."
"You flatter me excessively."
"I speak nothing but the truth," replies Taehyung. "Now let's go to the ball and secure this Mr. Jung to alleviate our mother and aunt's nerves before anyone else can and remember hyung to not smile too widely at anyone who converses with you, or those dimples shall be the cause of half of the graves in the cemetery by tomorrow morning."
The town hall is filled with the sound of music, clapping and of frenzied footsteps as people dance around in the middle in pairs, cheered on by the elders of the village who've left past their youth enough to not be able to dance anymore, left only to be able to watch from a distance and by the parents of the young couples who watch their offsprings dancing and rejoicing like they once did, nostalgic of a time and energy they no longer possess in plenty.
"Now, if every soul in this room does not end the night in love with you, then I'm not a judge of beauty," Taehyung remarks loudly over the din, standing close to Namjoon to get his sentiments heard, all of them watching Jungkook dance in the middle along with the throng.
Namjoon chuckles. "Or people."
"No, they're far too easy to judge."
"They're not all bad."
"Humourless and undeserving, in my limited experience," says Taehyung, letting out a giggle along with Jimin as Seokjin nods in agreement.
"One of these days, Taehyung, someone will catch your eye and then you'll have to watch your tongue," replies Namjoon, craning his neck side by side searching for anyone carrying drinks. Taehyung, Seokjin and Jimin do the same, all the while as they wait for the music to end and for a new song to begin so that they can join in the dancing, Taehyung watching the young people around him to have a partner to dance with more than someone with drinks.
No sooner do the words leave out of Namjoon's mouth, the music ceases abruptly, a hush falling on the crowd as all the heads swivel in one direction to look for the cause of ceasing of such merriment around them.
Seokjin puts a hand around Jimin's shoulder who is standing on his tiptoes, chin up in the air to watch above the heads of those in front of him, all of them watching the doors of the town hall shut behind the newcomers who've just stepped in. Namjoon and Taehyung peer excitedly, stepping back along with Jimin and Seokjin just in time as everyone in front of them stands aside to make a path for the new arrivals, hushed whispers breaking out throughout as everyone takes a good look. Even Seokjin chances a curious look.
A village elder is bowing to three young people, his words not reaching their ears.
"So which of these is our Mr. Jung?" Taehyung whispers in Jimin's ear as Namjoon and Seokjin stick close to listen, joining in the conversation.
"He's the one in the middle," supplies Jimin in a hush, barely containing his excitement, "and on his right is his sister, although I believe she's been spoken for already."
Taehyung takes in the face of the man who's been the centre of every conversation in the village long before half of the residents had had the chance to see his visage and secretly agrees that the rumours of him being handsome and amiable do him justice. Mr. Jung Hoseok throws a wide smile at the crowd as he listens to the village elder, as does his sister, and bows deeply once.
"And the person who looks like who could use some time in the sunlight?" inquires Taehyung, eyeing the stranger beside Mr. Jung, shorter than him, face round and pallid and without any expression on his visage.
"That is his good friend, Mr. Min."
Taehyung giggles. "He looks miserable, poor soul."
"Oh, miserable he may be but poor he most certainly is not," says Jimin.
"Tell us."
"I've heard he owns numerous properties over half of Hanyang outside the walls, one-thirds even within the wall and also owns half of Sadaemun-an."
"The miserable half?"
Jimin and Seokjin suppress their snickers along with Taehyung as Namjoon throws them a scandalised look and hushes them, even as he looks torn between maintaining social etiquettes and laughing heartily along with his brothers and friend.
Mr. Jung along with his sister and Mr. Min begin walking in the path made for them by the dancers in the middle, Mr. Jung smiling, and even waving sprightly at the children, at the residents as the village head points out certain people and things. Mr. Min, Taehyung notes, barely manages a nod.
Taehyung lets his eyes downcast as the company passes by them, bowing deeply in custom but looks up soon enough, a mistake, for everyone else is still bowing and his eyes meet Mr. Min's who looks away quickly, as if burned.
"My God," murmurs Taehyung as everyone around him straightens up, watching Mr. Jung and company continue their long walk with their backs to them, "all that wealth and properties to his name and the man cannot even afford a single smile to save his already falling grace."
Jimin laughs out loud and contains it only when Namjoon throws him a look cross between stern and exasperated, for the newcomers are walking in the middle passing by everyone and the town hall is nearly silent.
"I daresay it matters not whether the, uh, gentleman ," Jimin and Taehyung break into a fresh wave of giggles at Seokjin's choice of words, much to Namjoon's rising exasperation and dilemma, "smiles or not. If it is indeed true that he has got that much wealth to his name, he'll have more than half of the young people here falling at his feet to make his acquaintance and to woo him. I can already see the ladies batting their eyelashes at him and trying to appear charming, even if many of them haven't gotten any."
Namjoon gives in, chuckling a little under his breath as they all watch the company reach nearly the end of the parade. "Not everyone has the same disposition as Taehyung does, who smiles and laughs so often and liberally that it is enough to make up for half of the village residents."
"I do so because now that Seokjin hyung and Jimin are engaged, I believe only you and I are the eligible bachelors left in this small village," replies Taehyung, "and you are far too reserved what with spending your time in the library or the gardens to be able to shower your smiles upon the single ladies and gentlemen to encourage them to fall for you. So I shall entertain the audience and keep them engaged in some way.”
"Then maybe you should teach Mr. Min how to smile, Taehyung," says Seokjin, bending his head closer to whisper to the three of them as the party finally reaches the end of the hall, "for I think he needs a good lesson on it."
"If he were to be someone who could be taught how to smile and all the social etiquettes, I'd do it so," says Taehyung, lowering his voice, "but I do not think he's the type to learn and behave, otherwise he'd have a taken a page or two from his dear friend's book who hasn't stopped smiling at all. What is the point of having so much money and an elevated upbringing if Mr. And Mrs. Min could not even pay a gracious amount to their son's tutors to teach him how to smile, much less laugh?"
"Smiling or not," Namjoon starts, ignoring the three who are laughing heartily now that the music has begun again, covering their conversations effectively, the musicians and dancers picking up from where they had left off, "you cannot deny that Mr. Min is quite handsome too in an unconventional way, even if he is not as handsome as his friend."
"Has Mr. Jung already caught your fancy then, Joon?" Seokjin teases his younger brother, Jimin and Taehyung watching Namjoon delightedly as he blushes prettily, failing to deny it.
As it so happens, they notice Mr. Jung and company being left alone to observe the gathering.
"Come on, Joon hyung, smile at Mr. Jung," urges Taehyung, laughing as Namjoon refuses to comply, cheeks turning pinker on contrast as Jimin and Seokjin join in on the goading. “Smile, he’s looking here! Smile at him.”
“No, Taehyung- I”
Almost suddenly, there is a presence by their elbows, pulling them forward with it much to their protests.
His mother and his aunt drag Namjoon and him forward towards the guests by the end of the hall, beside whom Taehyung can see his Mr. Park standing, waiting to get on with the introductions. Namjoon begins running a hand over his coat and his hair frantically, hoping to appear neat and well dressed even as Taehyung protests under his breath at the sudden social civilities and the pressure. The company had just been left alone only for their solitude to be interrupted by the people again as they begin the introductions.
Taehyung turns around impulsively, latches a hand on Seokjin's wrist and pulls him along, not wishing to be left alone with Namjoon and his mother and his aunt as the introductions shall be made. Seokjin pulls Jimin by the hand, holding it in his firmly.
They stand in front of the strangers, the talk of the town, as Mr. Park begins the introductions.
“My. Jung, my eldest son Park Jimin, you know.”
Jimin lets go of Seokjin’s hand and bows deeply.
“My wife, Mrs. Park.” Jimin’s mother bows, smiling genuinely and in a manner much like her son’s.
“Mrs. Kim. Mrs. Kim.” Taehyung’s mother and aunt bow at the introductions, fluttering around nervously under the full attention of the city dwellers.
“Mr. Kim Seokjin, Mr. Kim Namjoon and Mr. Kim Taehyung.”
Taehyung bows when his name is taken, making sure not to look up too quickly or look Mr. Min directly in the eye this time, rather watching him from the corner of his eyes as he fixes his gaze on Mr. Jung instead, trying to understand if Mr. Jung’s friend was indeed unconventionally beautiful as his beloved brother had made out to be. He barely pays attention to what his mother and aunt and Mrs. Park are prattling about this being a pleasure, and that they have younger sons each -Jungkook and Jihyun- who are busy dancing.
Mr. Jung smiles the widest Taehyung has seen him as of yet when he is introduced. “I’m delighted to make your acquaintance,” says he, bowing just as deeply which his dear friend does not follow suit of.
“And may I introduce,” continues Mr. Park, “Mr. Min Yoongi of Hanyang in Gyeongju.”
Taehyung takes the opportunity to fully fix his attention on Mr. Min takes in his features, noting that the man does not bow nor does he smile, merely nods imperceptibly in acknowledgement before returning his stoic expression to the dancers and merriment behind them. Should Mr. Min smile a little, surmises Taehyung, he could look more handsome than he does now; for handsome Mr. Min is, if not charming, with his soft, rounded face, jet black hair that falls neatly over his forehead, the flushed cheeks and rose-tinted lips that are currently pressed in a thin line.
A quarter of an hour later, Taehyung, by some sheer dumb adversity, finds himself still standing beside his brother as they keep Mr. Jung and his friend company, if Taehyung can call it that, for neither he nor Mr. Min participates in the conversation that Namjoon and Mr. Jung currently hold, both of the latter finding too many topics common between them to converse and eyes only for each other; Mr. Jung had only momentarily taken his eyes away to wave his sister a goodbye when she was taken away by the ladies for a drink.
Taehyung wonders what could possibly make Mr. Min stay by his dear friend’s side when he does not have any input for the conversation and stands at quite a distance of two feet or so away from all of them, looking perfectly handsome and perfectly unapproachable. Inwardly, Taehyung curses his own best friend for being unhelpful, for Jimin excused himself and Seokjin away from the social civilities when another song began, pulling Seokjin to the centre of the hall to dance for the entire night as he had planned so. Jungkook has not been sighted at all ever since they arrived at the hall, having too much vigour in him and too many friends to be his dance partners for the night.
The song begins its long crescendo, rising in a frenzy as it begins ending and finishes once again to be met with thunderous applause for the dancers and the musicians. Taehyung spies Jimin, Seokjin and Jungkook still holding their fort in the middle, ready to dance the next one.
“May I have the next dance, Mr. Kim?”
Taehyun tears his gaze away from the scene in front of him to watch Mr. Jung bent low in front of his brother, holding out a hand and looking at him earnestly. Namjoon nods shyly, the slightest curves of his dimples peeking out and making their appearance and Taehyung suppresses a giggle as Mr. Jung looks thoroughly enraptured, shaking his head as if to clear it and then pulls Namjoon away by his hand after taking his leave from the other two.
In a few moments, music fills the room once again, some of the couples from earlier dances opting to sit this one out to rest and get a drink for themselves, some of them retiring for the night and a few, hopeful ones sitting on the edges in anticipation, hoping someone asks them out for a dance.
Taehyung ignores the gentleman three feet by his side, choosing to watch his brother affected by all the attention Mr. Jung lavishes upon him.
“Do you dance, Mr. Min?” asks Taehyung, unable to help himself when the silence becomes unbearable even as they’re in the middle of a loud, bustling town hall.
“Not if I can help it.”
Taehyung blinks, taken aback, not just as the response for one, he did not imagine he would elicit one, but rather at the soft yet low, rough voice belonging to the owner. When he’s over the startlingly pleasant and soothing voice, melodic even, the words register themselves and Taehyung looks away, experiencing disappointment even though he wasn’t asking Mr. Min for a dance nor expecting an offer for the same from the gentleman.
When he looks over, Mr. Min is not glancing in his direction, countenance unmoved at the festivities around them.
Taehyung turns away, excusing himself from him and walks away and into the crowd, watching the dancers instead to engage his mind into something else rather than a certain someone. Namjoon, in an unanticipated move but a wonderfully welcome one, has taken to Mr. Jung, looking as if he is enjoying himself thoroughly as they both dance and Taehyung cannot quite decide whether who looks more thrilled to be holding hands as they dance, Mr. Jung or his brother.
For the sake of his brother, Taehyung fervently hopes it is the former.
Taehyung finds Jimin who takes his hand and pulls him away from the crowd even though the dance hasn't ended yet and he is supposed to be dancing with Seokjin. Jimin informs him something about the dance floor being too crowded and both of them having been thirsty to pull out of the dance earlier than ever. Jimin doesn’t look too put out though, for the song is supposed to end soon and he shall have another chance to dance quickly enough.
“Come on,” says he as he pulls Taehyung away from the party by his hand and leads him to a secluded corner behind a staircase that leads out of the hall, mentioning that Seokjin had asked him to wait here to find him much easily among the masses.
Taehyung is in the middle of narrating Namjoon and Mr. Jung’s conversation earlier when he startles, ceasing to speak as Jimin and he creep father back into the shadows, tuning in on the voices of Mr. Jung himself, and surprisingly, Mr. Min.
“I’ve never seen such a pretty crowd in all my life,” says Mr. Jung, sounding breathless as if he had one drink too many or perhaps one dance too many.
“You were dancing with the only handsome individual in the entire hall,” replies Mr. Min tartly.
“He is the most beautiful creature I have ever beheld,” sighs Mr. Jung. Jimin and Taehyung contain their fit of squeals, wondering if wedding bells are in Namjoon’s near future. “His brothers are not any less handsome,” continues Mr. Jung, “although it is a shame that the eldest should already be engaged for he is equally as pleasant on the eyes as Mr. Namjoon, if not more.”
“Oh, he’s definitely more pleasant on the eyes,” mutters Jimin, most defiantly and Taehyung kicks him in the shin to be able to listen to the conversation more.
“But his younger brother, Mr. Taehyung, is also graced with equally breathtaking features just as them both,” finishes Mr. Jung.
Jimin smothers his giggles in Taehyung’s hands, who is glaring at him with wide eyes but its intensity falls short as he blushes profusely at the unexpected compliment.
Then, Mr. Min’s voice reaches their ears. “He is perfectly tolerable, I dare say, but not handsome enough to tempt me.”
Taehyung’s hand drops from Jimin’s mouth, as does his smile and blush. Jimin turns around to peer from the slits in the railings to watch the two men and Taehyung looks away and down, hoping he doesn’t appear too put off at the words.
“You’d better return to your partner and enjoy Mr. Kim’s smiles,” continues Mr. Min. “You’re wasting your time with me.”
Taehyung doesn’t look up as the sound of their conversation and footsteps fade away, inattentive of how Mr. Jung expressed his desire to have one more chance to dance with Namjoon before they should all retire under the night’s prevalence upon them, his cheeks burning as the words ring in his mind.
Jimin takes both of his hands in his and sways them side to side, breaking his reverie and Taehyung fixes his gaze on his best friend. Jimin is cheerful, smiling widely and in the manner that makes Taehyung aware once more why his eldest brother would fall for him, as Jimin lets go of one of his hands and twirls him around with another. Then takes both of Taehyung’s cheeks in his hands and looks him in the eye. “Oh, count your blessings Taehyung! If he liked you, you would have to talk to him!”
Taehyung huffs out a laugh at that, feeling his disappointment and embarrassment fade away and lets Jimin twirl him around once more. “Precisely!” he chuckles, his spirits rising again. “As it is, I wouldn’t dance with him for all of Hanyang, let alone the miserable half!”
Taehyung and Jimin bend their heads and laugh together heartily, putting the conversation out of their minds as Seokjin arrives with drinks soon enough, and when their thirst is quenched and their energy back within them, all the three head to the dance floor for the last round of dances of the night.
As he dances, the remarks made at his expense from earlier erased out of his mind, only pleasant thoughts buzzing in him as he links hands with his partner and taps on his feet, Taehyung does not notice a pair of eyes of a pale, expressionless visage flickering to him now and then, if not focused upon him all the while; but as the dance ends, Taehyung does notice another pair of warm, brown and merry eyes lingering upon Namjoon’s face and is beyond thrilled to notice the advances and affections of Mr. Jung being returned shyly by his brother in his smiles, and the way their hands skim against each other and hold on to each other’s as Namjoon and Mr. Jung dance together.
When the dances and festivities are over and people stand in clusters on the side and hold conversations, Mr. Jung compliments Taehyung and Namjoon both on their fantastic dancing skills.
“I enjoyed that so much! How well you both dance!”
“They are splendid partners, are they not?” exclaims Mrs. Kim, pulling both of her sons by her side. “Namjoon dances quite wonderfully, does he not?”
“He absolutely does!” assures Mr. Jung, throwing a soft look at Namjoon who reddens under the attention, smiling and thanking graciously. It had not escaped Taehyung’s notice the way his brother returns the attention to Mr. Jung, eyes seeking Mr. Jung’s presence every time he isn’t around.
“And it also adds to his charms that Namjoon is just as handsome as his brothers and I presume more well accomplished than the rest of the bachelors in the village! When he was only 15, there was a gentleman so much in love with him that I was sure he would make him an offer,” sighs Mss. Kim, fanning her face and nursing a drink. “But alas! However, he did write some very pretty verses for Namjoon!”
“And that put paid to it!” interrupts Taehyung quickly, holding onto his mother’s arm and stopping her before she can continue for he can see the uncomfortable manner in which Namjoon shifts in his place and the awkward tension in the air, even though Mr. Jung looks sincerely interested in the conversation. “I wonder who first discovered the power of poetry in driving away love?”
“I thought poetry was the food of love,” says Mr. Min quietly.
Taehyung is momentarily astonished at him having joined the conversation, for Mr. Min had remained silent through the quarter-long exchange, and Taehyung had thought for him to be disinterested in a conversation as trivial as this. Yet Mr. Min has been paying his attention throughout, even if he had been looking away and beyond for the majority of it, thus giving a semblance of disinterest.
“Of a fine, stout love, it may. But if it is only a vague inclination or a love with a baseless foundation or perhaps a love where the other individual doesn’t return the affections or, even worse, doesn’t understand them, then I’m convinced one poorly written sonnet would kill it stone dead,” replies Taehyung.
“So what do you recommend to encourage affection?” asks Mr. Min.
Taehyung stares at Mr. Min, secretly admitting to himself that from up close Mr. Min’s eyes are a prettier shade of brown than he has ever beheld, even if on the darker spectrum of brown, and is taken aback at the earnest conduct of Mr. Min’s speaking and the polite tone and softness of his voice.
The corner of Taehyung’s mouth lifts. “Dancing,” he murmurs, eyes twinkling as he holds Mr. Min’s gaze. “Even if one’s partner is barely tolerable.”
Taehyung tears his eyes away from Mr. Min and looks down at the ground as he bows deeply, containing a small smile, and turns around and walks away as soon as he straightens up, letting the grin take over his face fully, thoroughly pleased with himself, remaining unaware that Mr. Min’s eyes follow his frame as he exits the hall, searching for him long after he has left for home.