HOBI POV:

When Jin hyung returns home with a box of delicious smelling cookies, everyone attacks him as he enters through to the living room, trying to layer our usual shower of greeting hugs and kisses with arms that try to grab the box out of his raised arms.

"Yah! Let me sit down first, you waited for the cookies not for me!" he protests as he sinks into the couch, a grin on his face despite the feigned angry look he was trying to sport.

"Ahh no hyung...we missed you!" Jiminie is quick to say, curling up immediately into hyung's left side, tilting his head up to press kisses to hyung's collarbones and necks, showering him with his easy casual affection.

Hyung splutters but he's smiling as he brings the box to the front opening it and proffering it to all of us.

There's a silence that only ever falls when it comes to eating, broken by the sounds of pleasure at the taste, the small hums of joy as we all chew the cookies we'd grabbed.

"Hyung you made two flavours?"  Joonie asks, leaning forward to now choose a white chocolate and raspberry cookie.

"Nope! Half of them were my baking partner's. She made those ones." He says gesturing to the cookie that Joonie has now started happily chewing.

Our heads swivel to hyung. Baking partner? A she?

"But hyung you don't like working with others in the kitchen." Kookie says after a mouthful, doe eyes shining with confusion.

"That's true...it's hard enough to get into the kitchen when you're in the zone." I remark, leaning forward and stealing a bite of Tae's cookie- eyes widening at the taste of the cookies hyung's baking partner has made.

"They're really good." I say, laughing even as Tae lets out a sound of protest, twisting indignantly, my hands pulling him back towards me.

"She's not like other people I've met, she's really nice and friendly, has this way of pulling you in." hyung remarks, gaze slightly distant.

His words bring to mind (Y/N) for some reason, her silent sweet way of communicating, expressive eyes and body posture conveying more than perhaps words can at time. And when I saw her dance there was this aura around her, something that captured my gaze and held it there.

She was really nice too. From the few instances I'd seen her that is.

I couldn't wait to see her dance, Jiminie had spun me into a happy hug when he'd read the text, excitement bubbling out in the form of bright eyes, excited laughter, and eager chatter.

"She's going to be amazing; I just know it." He'd said. And somehow I felt the same, felt that what we would see in a few days' time would be something that blew me away.

And I'm sure I'm not the only one who spots the smile that tugs at hyung's lips, at the enjoyment he'd gotten from baking with her. Something told me she was going to become a good friend to hyung.

MI-SUN POV:

I groan around a mouthful of cookie, relishing and savouring the chocolate that bursts across my mouth.

"These are really good." I mumble, gesturing to the half-eaten cookie and looking up to how Habaek and (Y/N) are enjoying their own in a far more silent manner.

Habaek pauses looking down at his own cookie before leaning over to steal a bite of (Y/N)'s one and then nods eagerly.

"They are! Who made them?" Habaek asks, turning to face (Y/N).

Her cheeks flush slightly, a tiny tint of rose colouring her round full cheeks,

Interest piqued I straighten up, edging closer to her.

"Spill." I demand.

"I don't know if you'll remember him but my baking partner is the man from the supermarket...the one who helped with the snacks." She says shyly.

My eyes widen and my hands go to grab her arms, shaking it wildly.

"Mr handsome gentleman?!" I exclaim.

She nods, head ducking slightly.

"Wow...he's a gentleman and he bakes? Such men were so rare to find in the 1800s and now look, you stumbled across one straight away." I say, excitedly, remembering all too well just how feigned chivalry used to be, all sweeping arms and restrained hands in public but behind closed doors just how cruel, misogynistic, controlling and demanding they were- as if a woman's body wasn't her own.

I huff in annoyance at the memory before re-focusing back onto her. 

"Tell me more!" I demand and she complies, regaling us with the tale of her lesson, Habaek leaning up curiously too- drawn into a story of puns, spilled flour, and warm smiles.

And as I hear the story I find my heart bursting with happiness for her.

For the normalcy she's described, because she's always dreamed of it, yearned for it and here she is slowly beginning to experience it.

And I note the animated smile on her face, the laughter that bubbles out as she echoes his jokes. Whoever the handsome gentleman is, I'm happy and thankful that he came into her life...all in the flurried movement of falling snacks.

(Y/N) POV:

It's on a visit back from the park, a day later, with Mi-sun unnie that she offhandedly remarks that there's nearby fruit bushes that wind around one end where people go to pick fruit. And the enticing image makes me halt in my steps and grab unnie's arms.

"Ooh where?" I ask excitedly.

She gestures to a far-off end of the park, that curves out of sight and though I begin to tug her that way she whines and huffs pulling back.

"That's so far!" she protests, giving me a gentle nudge that way though with a smile.

"Go explore. Don't let me stop you. They also sell baskets too." She says, smiling at me.

And the image of picking fresh fruit is too enticing, my mind is already thinking of the things I can make with strawberries- from milkshakes to jam to Victoria sponge and with those ideas I give her a departing hug before trekking off for the distance.

----

Half an hour later when I've finally reached the area unnie had described I'm close to becoming annoyed and frustrated, there's no berries and no baskets in sight and I debate on whether she'd sent me on a wild goose chase. But then there's the sight of a woman walking off with her friend, baskets in tow so I walk forward and turn to see the shop they'd brought it from. I pick a large basket, deciding that one will suffice and silently make my way to the till, spotting a figure with a large straw hat and overalls in the corner silently debating over basket sizes.

I step out, walking slowly with my eyes peeled as I wonder down a barely marked path, the only indication is the worn ground and the one person I can see in the slight distance ambling the same way. The path takes me through a thicket of bushes and trees, sunlight filtering through and casting bright rays onto the greenery. I continue to walk, eyes straining for a splash of colour other than the vivid green, alert and ready to spot some fruit. It takes some further walking into the depths of the overcrowding trees that I triumphantly spot a strawberry bush, hurrying forward towards the bright red, ripe fruits. There's rows on rows that stretch out into the distance, opening up to a large space and I wonder if I've stumbled onto a strawberry farm given the way there's more people now and I can see a big building further out. I sink into a crouch, fingers picking out the bright red fruit and carefully putting them into my basket, choosing ones that are large, unbruised and look the most appealing. My mouth waters, wanting to taste the sweet juiciness but they're fresh and unwashed.

I get up walking some space further down wandering if I'll stumble onto any other fruits, the surrounding area is deserted- I'm the lone figure that ambles across, carefully treading on the path- eyes glued to the sight. I notice another thicket of strawberries, hurry forward with a smile and it's when I approach I realise that there's a person kneeling on the ground, head covered by a large straw hat; prevention from the sun and dressed in a large comfy soft-looking sweater and overalls, pale large hands delicately plucking strawberries carefully and placing them onto a growing pile.

I pass them by, to hunch down over a cluster not too far, smiling when I see the plump red shape of them, enticing and promisingly sweet- shiny and large. But to my dismay there's only a few that I'm able to pluck because they soon give way to unripe strawberries or ones that droop limply and I let out a tiny sigh, lips drooping downward.

But then there's a shadow that casts itself over me, blocking the sun from reaching and I turn my head in the sudden but much appreciated respite, eyes widening when I spot a familiar face under the large brimmed hat.

The Magic Shop's owner; Min Yoongi, my mind quips helpfully. My mouth curves up instantly into a smile- remembering immediately how kind and gentle he'd been at the shop, so understanding and had even encouraged me without even realising to maintain the connection to my past- a connection that I had been hesitant to maintain.

His eyes show a flash of recognition, a soft gummy smile stretching across his lips, making him look incredibly soft and paired with the soft large jumper he looked like a veritable teddy bear- ideal for snuggling with.

"We meet again wandering soul." He greets, eyes soft and gentle. I start slightly at how he's addressed me, as if somehow he's managed to within one meeting summed me up, captured just what as a siren I truly am- a wandering lost soul, constantly drifting never settling.

He elaborates.

"Anyone who comes to the Magic Shop is a wandering soul, we're all trying to find our place in life." he says before kneeling down to examine my fruits with a pleased hum.

"You've chosen really nice ones but there's a small private spot I usually go to. I think very few know about that spot, I could show you if you want?" he asks, invitation clear in his eyes, his posture, his words.

I nod, rising with him and he turns to gesture to another fainter trail, the path barely noticeable had it not been for a keen eye. He steps aside to let me pass first before striding into pace next to me.

"I've shared a secret with you so no spilling it." He says warmly, without a hint of malice- eyes darting to my side, challengingly warning me.

I like how he doesn't care that I don't speak, doesn't mock or press me about it but rather fills my end of silence with words, pointing out the way some birds settle onto branches, some snippets of past memories associated with this path until we come to a stop and then he turns seriously to me.

"This is a great legacy I've passed on, guard it with your life. My hyung showed me and I showed you. Only ever share it with the worthy ones." He says but his gummy smile that ultimately tugs across his face makes my heart patter with warmth, craving and wanting to spend more time in that sweet, soft shadow his presence represents.

I spot some strawberries and reach out to get them, glancing down forlornly at the muddy path I'll have to step into, to push myself against the bushes but then it's being tugged forward, lowered, and brought to my eye level, the sight of them greeting me with the accompanied large pale hand.

He doesn't say anything, he just silently holds them there, head turned to look at his strawberries, completely nonchalant about it. His small gesture of kindness is moving, refusing to acknowledge that he's stopped me from pushing myself into a state of discomfort.

And slowly I learn that Min Yoongi is a man of gentle nurturing words and kind silent gestures.

A man who has a soft, welcoming heart and soul that goes with his beautiful soft features.

YOONGI POV:

It's the girl from the Magic Shop. I'm sure of it. Though hundreds of customers find themselves in my shop, it's her face that's so easily committed to memory, to mind that allows me to place her immediately. The lost wandering soul who'd come in and found a shred of comfort in the music there, the silent girl who had infinite stories to share, to tell.

And it's as if guided by an unknown force that I move closer, to talk to her and it's a willingness to help her, to spend more time with her that I lead her down a more hidden path to get some more strawberries.

There's pure joy and elation in her face as she picks the strawberries with more ease, a smile as her small fingers reach out to pluck them. To see her so happy in doing something so mundane, so normal makes me briefly wonder whether she craves that simplicity, whether her soul needs it. There's none of the haunted hollowness from the other day, that had entered her eyes briefly and left just as swiftly. There's a slight shift- as if from that day and now something's changed, something has made her happier. It's almost unnoticeable but I see it in the way her body doesn't hold that vulnerable curve and angle of almost trying to seek shelter within herself, there's an ease in her gestures and movements. And I wonder whether being in nature, or perhaps away from people has something to do with it.

When she's finished picking strawberries, she turns to me with a soft smile and I slowly let go, see it retreat and the small sign of thanks she does is more than enough.

She taps at the rim of my own basket, head tilted questioningly.

"Ahh...I want to make a strawberry tart with hyung, so I volunteered to go get them." I explain and then tilt my chin towards her own large basket.

"What are you going to use yours for?" I ask.

She tilts her head, eyes showing she's thinking.

And then stops to but her basket down.

First she mimes vigorous shaking.

"Milkshake?" I guess, rewarded with a delighted smile and an eager nodding.

And then ponders over how to explain the other options, the furrow between her brow and the increasing displeasure on her face expressing her annoyance and frustration at not being able to express herself, lips tightly pressed and eyes lit with her emotions.

"Hey it's okay...why don't you spell it out onto my skin?" I say, offering my wrist to her, wandering whether that's crossing a barrier but feeling like I can't continue to see her growing distressed with her inability to speak.

She hesitates, debating.

"Go ahead..." I prompt, bringing my arm slowly closer.

A single finger reaches out, slow and wary, but then traces letters on the inside of my wrist- mind struggling to focus on the letters being spelled out, mind diverted by the distracting sensation of her finger delicately running across my inner skin, goosebumps threatening to appear under the slow careful movements.

"Jam? And...ahh Victoria sponge?" I say, forcing myself to focus.

She nods, a bright smile alighting her face- radiant and glowing and then the finger retreats, I watch her bend down to pick up the basket, feeling mixed emotions. A jumbled mess I can't begin to decipher at the moment.

"Should we head back?" I ask, seeing how both our baskets are full.

She nods and in silence we make our way back, side by side until we emerge back onto the large clearing we had been on.

We head out of the trail, emerging out onto the exit.

We stop, looking at each other.

"I hope I see you again. Remember to visit if you ever want to talk music." I say, even though I know that our way of communication is different.

She nods before waving at me, energetic and bright before turning away.

As she leaves the scent of floral tones mingle with the scent of strawberries- sweet and natural.

My mind immediately associates it with her and as I watch her quickly retreating figure I wonder when it is that we'll meet again, already looking forward to it.

(THERE YOU GO MY LOVES! A SWEET STRAWBERRY BONDING SESSION WITH YOONGI! I HOPE IT CAME ACROSS AS SWEET AND INNOCENT AND FRESH AS I IMAGINED IT AND IT WAS FOR THE TWO OF THEM! LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS MY LOVELIES AND WHETHER OR NOT YOU LIKED IT! AND THOUGHTS FOR WHAT'LL HAPPEN NEXT? WHO WILL IT BE? WHEN WILL THEY CLICK, REALISE?? AHHHHH! THE LONG-DRAWN ANTICIPATION MAKES ME NERVOUS AND I AM SO PUMPED AND READY FOR THEM TO CLICK THAT THE SWEET SILENT GIRL THEY'VE ALL MET IS (Y/N)! THAT'S ONE CONVERSATION I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO! ENJOY AND TAKE CARE AND STAY SAFE MY LOVES!!)

QUESTION...A MANNERISM OF YOUR PARENTS' BEHAVIOUR FOR YOU? LIKE SPECIFICALLY JUST FOR YOU?

Mine is... my mum has this habit of always holding my hand as we cross the street, no-one else's and never my little sister's- for some reason it's just me she always thinks needs help in crossing.

Borahae! 💜💜💜

PurpleQueenie <3