Archive of Our Own ^beta

Namjoon already knows that he’s late but that doesn’t stop him from trying. He’s practically performing parkour as he vaults himself down the last few steps, miraculously avoiding falling flat on his face. But his new-found athletic abilities are for naught as the last train pulls out, the sound of the trams screeching rather morosely as though in apology. Wheezing and panting in a way he knows is probably not healthy for a person his age, Namjoon mentally prepares himself for a melodramatic 5 hour walk home when hurried footsteps approach the station.

Rushing in and looking every bit hassled and hopeless as Namjoon felt was him.

He's wheezing and cursing, watching despondently as the train vanishes deep into the tunnel and out of sight. Groaning, he looks over at Namjoon, giving him a hopeless smile that’s a whole lot more charming than it needed to be.

‘Well,’ he laughs breathlessly, ‘We’re fucked.’

Namjoon can only nod in agreement.

There are regulars at this station for this specific time, this specific day, that Namjoon is well acquainted with in a we-take-the-same-train-everyday-so-I-will-politely-smile  way.

There is the the night-shift nurse who carries a huge tumbler of coffee. 3 years.

[C₈H₁₀N₄O₂]

The bank employee who falls asleep 2 minutes into the journey, mouth open, snoring lightly, and like clockwork wakes up 2 minutes before his stop. 1 year, 8 months.

[T(t) = 36.8 - 1.3 sin (π/12 (t+2))]

Not to mention the gym-trainer whose arm is the size of Namjoon’s head, whose legs are strangely twig like, and with a head that is disproportionate to his body, who reads a new shoujo manga every week, chugging down Gatorade from a neon orange bottle every few chapters. 2 years, 2 months.

[Struthio casuarius] [Kamisama Hajimemashita Chapter 7]

The young professor who has bags the size of dinner plates under her eyes, methodically going through vast amounts of papers, files, or emails without fail. 2 years, 9 months.

[adrenocorticotropin]

The couple who always have at least one coordinated clothing article- be it accessory or shoes or bags. 3 years, 5 months.

[quantum entanglement]

And Namjoon actually loves the train ride back home.

While Namjoon wouldn’t strictly call himself an introvert or anti-social (because he loved conversation, he loved sharing time and space with people, to grow outside and beyond himself), being outside where sensory overload was very much a real and stressful issue, took a toll on him. Especially now, during his last semester at university.

He feels like he can unravel all of what compressed him from being out. Slowly release back the stress and strain of being outside, so that when he finally got home, felt almost entirely refreshed.

Namjoon has always felt most at peace during the night, with a sky full of stars above him. He missed the view, being a rare sight this deep in the city. And oddly enough, he feels a sort of kindred peace in watching trains full of people just whizzing past each other. His best-friend of 8 years would laugh at him, saying he should have maybe gone into literature or poetry as a way of properly expressing his feelings.

He likes being able to watch the people around him. No strain of having to communicate- they were just faces passing each other by, carrying their lives on and moving forward. And for Namjoon this was a restful and therapeutic routine.

But something happened, a small addition to the faces that were regulars in Namjoon’s pre-home therapy sessions. He hadn’t noticed at first, but like a constellation slowly taking form, where astral lines were mapped and drawn, forming a shape that he couldn’t ignore anymore, was him.

Namjoon has been taking this train back home for the past 4 years already, and for the past 14 months he’s been riding in the same train, same carriage, same stop.

Young, broad shoulders, a face that was both beautiful and handsome, normally always dressed in large hoodies, carrying a large but seemingly flat backpack in soft pink that always remained surprisingly clean.

And he should just be another face. Another singular star in the night sky. But somehow, like the moon that overwhelms the night sky, outshining all the stars in the heavens, he shines the brightest.

[moon, luna, selene]

‘I can’t believe this,’ the moon groans, slightly breathless.

Namjoon wracks his mind for an appropriate response but he comes up with nothing.

‘I just hope it doesn’t rain.’ he says instead.

The moon looks at him surprised but then he laughs.

‘I would say it seems unlikely but I think the saying “when it rains it pours” could very well be our reality if we’re not careful- best not say anything.’

And then the moon winks at him.

Namjoon briefly woes his inability to wink. He also doesn’t think it really went well with his personality or image to wink anyways. What if he scares the moon away? Or creeps him out?

‘Considering my luck today, I think I’ll follow your advice.’

The moon nods in approval before adding with a groan, ‘Getting home is going to be fun. Do you think we’d be able to catch it in the next station?’   

‘I really doubt it, unless we can run faster than a train that has a-’ Namjoon checks the large clock on the wall behind him. ‘-2 minute head start.’

‘Yeah, no,’ the moon laughs again.

There was obviously no other option for Namjoon, Broke™ student extraordinaire, other than walking. He’s not sure if the moon was in a similar disposition, or if he would just grab a taxi or something.

‘You get off at Station E23 right?’ Namjoon eases into the main point, pretending he wasn’t very aware of the fact that yes, the moon did disembark on Station E23.

‘Yes I do! You do too right?’

Namjoon nods, both pleased and taken aback that he would remember. Namjoon normally situated himself opposite the doorway, back pressed to the poster covered wall. However, he always stood towards the center of the carriage, next to one of the poles, balancing himself. Namjoon was normally always amongst the first to get out of the train, being closer to the doors and all. He’s calculating the best way to ask the moon if he wanted to head back together without sounding like a complete fool and a complete creep, or worse, both.

‘I’m going to take a guess and say that you’re broke like me and realized that there’s no other way to get home but to walk?’

‘Yes,’ Namjoon deadpans, relief flooding him before he adds, ‘You wanna walk back together?’

‘Walking alone for the next maybe 5 hours seems depressing and honestly, I’m just hoping you have some extra change on you so we can buy some sustenance from 7-11 or something,’ the moon exclaims, re-adjusting his sweater sleeves and bag strap.

‘I have enough for…’ Namjoon reaches for his wallet, ‘Maybe 2 drinks? Something artificial and possibly grape flavoured. Three, if there’s a deal of some sort.’

‘Perfect,’ he nods, reaching for his wallet as well and says, ‘I have enough for maybe a medium sized packet of chips. Maybe 2 small ones.’

‘Sounds like a good walking snack.’

He laughs out loud, turning and nodding his head towards the exit.

‘Shall we?’

Namjoon nods and they walk over to the exit.

It’s a little odd being inside the station after it’s technically closed. They walk past a few maintenance workers and guards who give them looks of bemusement. The bright neon advertisement boards are shutting off one by one, and before Namjoon can stop himself he says, ‘I’m not good with horror’.

He wheezes, doubling over a little as he looks around and says, ‘Glad I wasn’t the only one thinking that.’

They resume walking in silence, smiles on their faces.

‘So,’ the moon grins, eyeing him sideways as they climb up the now no longer moving escalator. ‘Are we going to walk the next 4 hours or so without any introductions or shall I start it off?’

Wincing but grinning, Namjoon gestures for the moon to introduce himself.

‘I am Kim Seokjin, theater production crew extraordinaire,’ the moon suddenly steps aside at the landing, posing quite fluidly and executing a perfect bow, arms graceful, head bowed, legs sweeping. Then he stands straight again, a somewhat goofy smile on his face as he says, ‘Or at least I hope I am.’

Namjoon doesn’t know why but he claps. Somewhere in the back of his mind he vaguely thinks that the moon deserved to be applauded regardless.

‘Oh hush,’ Seokjin waves his hands dismissively though he’s smiling appreciatively. ‘You?’

Namjoon clears his throat before he announces wryly, ‘Kim Namjoon, future astrobiologist.’

Seokjin’s expression is a combination of bewilderment and delight.

‘I did not expect the –biologist part after the “astro” part!’ he grins as they resume walking, ‘What is it exactly? I don’t think I quite know what it is.’

Namjoon finds himself grinning with actual delight too, because the moment anyone even remotely hears the term astrobiology he’s somehow instantly labeled an alien-enthusiast. Which is extremely incorrect and also highly biased. Though Namjoon does actually believe in aliens, not the big-eyed, green tiny men sort though. But he never mentions it because the whole alien debate starts again and Namjoon is not about that life.

‘It’s the study of the origin of life,’ Namjoon explains eagerly, ‘Not necessarily from a genetic point of view, but from more from molecular, “all of this started from the big-bang so now we’re gonna study the big-bang” kind of way. But with from a biological point of view.’

‘So basically the big-bang, but keeping in mind that the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell?’

Namjoon chortles, nodding at the reference with appreciation as they climb up the final escalator.

‘Something like that.’

‘That’s actually really cool- you’re the first astrobiologist- future astrobiologist,’ he says with a firm nod, ‘that I know. I think I can definitely say that a vast majority of my friends who aren’t in theater all have the most varying unheard of degrees and jobs.’

‘Astrobiology isn’t the oddest?’

‘I’m afraid not,’ Seokjin tells him seriously, panting a little as they nearly make it to the top. ‘My best-friend is an ethical hacker.’

‘A- a what?!’

‘An ethical hacker- it’s a legit job, a legit degree, provided by many legit universities,’ Seokjin laughs at his surprise. ‘And he’s really good at it.’

‘What do ethical hackers even do? That’s so cool!’ Namjoon gushes breathlessly as they reach the top of the escalators, ‘He’s an actual hackerman!’

‘Oh god- you know, his username for the longest time was actually hackerman-something,’ Seokjin throws his head back, laughing out loud.

‘Honestly- I’d do the same. He saw the opportunity, and he took it.’

‘Is your username something related to stars, oh my god please tell me it.’

Namjoon actually blushes, trying to deny it but his smile gives it away at once and Seokjin waits expectantly. They both stop as though agreeing to pause to catch their breaths. Namjoon appreciates it when other people also lack in physical stamina the way he does.

‘All right fine,’ Namjoon relents, wiping at his face sheepishly, ‘It used to be epsilon_21 for a really long time- it’s one of the stars in the Virgo constellation and well you know-‘

‘-you’re a Virgo!’ Seokjin grins gleefully before cooing. ‘That’s actually somehow really cute- I like it, epsilon sounds like a cute name. Could be a pokemon you know?’

Namjoon can feel his face warming up. ‘It’s also the fifth Greek letter in the alphabet.’

‘Huh,’ Seokjin looks thoughtful before raising his hands and making a motion with it above his head, ‘The more you know!’

‘Would it be too presumptuous to think yours had something to do with, I don’t know, Shakespeare or something?’

Seokjin gives him a sly wiggle of his eyebrows before he shakes his head and says, ‘Oh no- mine was worse.’

‘Okay you can’t say that without telling me,’ Namjoon chides.

Giggling gleefully Seokjin says in an abruptly somber tone, ‘MarioIsaFurry_69.’

Namjoon has to lean against a wall, wheezing out his laughter, his sides cramping. Seokjin has his hands in his pockets, also laughing though it’s more at Namjoon’s reaction. People outside of the station who are walking past give them a wide berth, as though wanting to keep more distance between them and the laughing duo inside. Some eyeing them with judgment, some suppressing amused smiles.

‘W-why would- why would you even say that?!’ Namjoon manages to gasp out.

Seokjin chuckles as he gestures for them to leave the station entrance.

‘So that no one could forget.’ Seokjin grins, looking a little too pleased with himself.

They set out into the busy street in comfortable silence, smiling to themselves.

Namjoon can’t help but feel a little like a kid again, making a new friend at school or something. There’s something incredibly joyful about talking with the moon- with Seokjin. Namjoon fights the urge to take his hand and declare them best friends forever and braid small bracelets or some other activity he had to do as a 7 year old in school.

Namjoon wasn’t one to make easy conversation with complete strangers, let alone people who were, frankly speaking, as ridiculously good looking like Seokjin. But there was something so incredibly easy, something so...familiar, about Seokjin.

‘So you take evening classes? Juggling a job on the side?’ Seokjin asks as they set a decent pace.

‘Yes,’ Namjoon nods before adding, ‘Yes to both- I work Mondays and Wednesdays at the- don’t laugh- the Mail Room.’

Seokjin all but manages to control himself for 6 seconds before he laughs out loud, high-pitched and free.

‘I’m sorry! I wouldn’t have found it so funny if you hadn’t said not to laugh!’ Seokjin tries to reason while clapping his hands together for a bit before pulling himself together and asking, ‘What do you do in the Mail Room.’

Rolling his eyes but snorting as well Namjoon replies, ‘You know, mail stuff.’

Seokjin actually cackles- strangely odd, but at the same time, entirely befitting the man.

‘It’s sorting out university mail,’ Namjoon finally explains, ‘It’s quite boring, but I do get money out of it, and if you’re done fast enough, you get plenty of free time to finish essays or just, you know, pass out.’

‘That doesn’t sound too bad,’ Seokjin says thoughtfully, ‘I worked while I was in uni too- but it wasn’t like a uni-job, though related. I would volunteer in every theater or studio I could find- and they always need a hand, so most weekend nights I was running down backstage, tripping on wires and props, basically an errand boy.’

‘Sounds exhausting.’

‘It was- but it was important I did it,’ Seokjin shrugs easily, ‘Gives you a good rep- and it’s landed me here so far, employed and working in the field I love.’

‘I could always deliver mail in outer-space I guess,’ Namjoon declares, ‘The first Space-Mail Man, delivery at the speed of light.’

Seokjin’s laughter is a combination of a snort and a squeak and it triggers Namjoon’s own laughter.

‘Imagine the porn with that title.’

Doing a spectacularly bad job of suppressing their laughter, Namjoon and Seokjin slow their pace a little upon reaching a crossing. They fall into another comfortable silence, again with wide smiles on their faces as they wait for the lights to turn green. The traffic is jam-packed and noisy. But Namjoon doesn’t really notice the sounds and noise- he almost feels euphoric, strangely elevated and immune to everything else.

It’s literally only been 30 minutes at most since they’ve properly introduced themselves and Namjoon almost feels like he’s known Seokjin his entire life. Was it his personality? There was such a…such a pleasant invitation to him- something that just made you feel comfortable and at  complete ease.

Seokjin catches him staring (Namjoon didn’t even know he was staring) and he suddenly winks, eyebrows wiggling at an alarming pace.

Instead of feeling embarrassed that he was caught staring, Namjoon finds himself chortling, attempting to wink back though it’s difficult with the way he’s unable to stop laughing.

‘I’ve always been bad at winking,’ Namjoon confesses as they cross the street.

‘You need to master the art of winking Namjoon,’ Seokjin tells him seriously. ‘It’s extremely important. Why, would you believe it, I know more people who cannot wink than people who can actually wink? Astounding!’

‘It is indeed,’ Namjoon nods in agreement, mimicking Seokjin’s purposefully afflicted tones.

‘I should write a manual- a guide, to help those who cannot wink.’ Seokjin pretends to make a serious face of contemplation, ‘I shall name it ‘Winking the Wrinkling Away’ and I will be heralded as the pioneer of winking. I’ll be famous, and I can die in peace knowing I have blessed the world.’

‘Can I get an autograph? So that I can sell it on ebay?’

‘I will give you 10 signed copies Namjoon.’

They walk in silence again as they weave through the throngs of people, rushing to get back home.

‘Be honest with me,’ Seokjin suddenly says, ‘Am I freaking you out a little?’

‘What? No,’ Namjoon replies at once, a little bewildered.

‘I actually don’t talk like this- or well, I do, just not-’

‘-with someone you don’t know?’

‘Yeah,’ Seokjin admits with a short laugh.

‘To be honest, same,’ Namjoon blurts out honestly. ‘I uh- I’m not the best with being very social- so all of this cool charisma and raw animal magnetism isn’t actually all that natural.’

‘Oh? Cool charisma? Animal magnetism is it?’ Seokjin grins cheekily. ‘No wonder I was so taken- are you telling me it’s all a facade?’

‘Definitely, I mean, who would ever say animal magnetism unless they were extremely confident and not a socially awkward mess?’

‘You make a good point,’ Seokjin nods wisely before adding, ‘But yeah, I’m not normally like this. As in like this with people I don’t really know?’

‘If uh- you feel like you know,’ Namjoon mumbles, ‘like you don’t want to talk or something, please don’t feel pressured into uh, talking or anything. I’m very okay with silences, and I don’t get offended by it either.’

‘I will extend the same to you,’ Seokjin smiles at him, ‘Good talk about talking for two people who have never talked to each other before.’

Before Namjoon can even hope to reply Seokjin laughs again and adds, ‘I have a fondness for dumb jokes and puns, I’m warning you in advance.’ and then he adds, ‘Oh god, I really am just babbling now.’

‘I’ll keep that in mind.’ Namjoon grins.

So maybe he wasn’t the only one feeling a little out of element. And Seokjin’s social banter was, like Namjoon, just a result of nervousness and social awkwardness. It makes him feel better.

A little closer to the moon, so to speak.

‘If you like puns, want to hear one related to space?’

‘Yes!’ Seokjin looks at him expectantly.

‘It’s free real estate.’

Seokjin actually stops walking and under the fluorescent lights of the stores and streetlights, Namjoon can see his face turning red.

‘That’s not even a pun!’ he wheezes, cackling like mad.

‘It still  made you laugh.’

It takes Seokjin a few minutes to calm down, shoulders still bunched as though warding off another bout of laughter.

‘Since you gave me a non-pun, do you want to hear my favorite comedic line ever?’

‘Wow, ever?’ Namjoon raises an eyebrow in question.

Seokjin nods seriously and says, ‘This might be a bit of a cliché but there’s a reason why Shakespeare is as famous as he is.’

‘Is this from one of Shakespeare’s plays?’

He nods again before clearing his throat: ‘Hamlet act 3 scene 3 line 87- “No”.’

Namjoon literally counts the 6 whole steps he takes before he realizes that that was the line.

‘No way.’

‘Comedy gold.’

‘Is that for real?!’ Namjoon gapes.

‘Do you want to google that? Because I can assure you it’s true.’

‘Wait- so can you just...recite Shakespeare off of the top of your head?’

‘Maybe,’ Seokjin replies blithely. ‘Can you name the stars in the sky?’

Namjoon actually trips on his feet at this.

‘...maybe.’ Namjoon then snorts and says, ‘Okay so I see that I might have made assumptions and I sincerely-’

‘Actually no I can,’ Seokjin chuckles. ‘Huge sections of plays, sonnets-’

‘I uh- actually know one of the sonnets.’

‘Sonnet 116?’

‘...yes.’

Seokjin giggles under his breath.

‘Do you judge me for knowing the most cliché of all sonnets?’

‘It’s not that cliché,’ Seokjin laughs kindly, ‘There’s a reason why it’s famous as it is.’

‘I guess...it’s a very romantic poem?’

Seokjin pauses, giving him a wildly judgmental look before grabbing his shoulder (very firmly) and saying, ‘Namjoon. As someone who actually studied Shakespeare, and as your hyung, I cannot allow you to walk around believing sonnet 116 was just romantic.’

‘Uh-’

‘Sonnet 116 is more than just romance,’ Seokjin begins earnestly. ‘Yes it is about love- but William-hyung never specifies what love he’s talking about. Is it romance, sexual, familial, platonic- he never states it, he also never specifies a gender- there are no symbols or connotations in his words that define a specific gender. When you look at sonnet 18 for example there is a distinct feeling of the poem being written for a woman, or at least by a man for a woman- 116 defines love by stating exactly what it is not, and by doing so, completely eradicates the notions of what we see in relationships forced by a sense of duty or propriety that was so rampant at the time.’

Seokjin takes a deep breath then looks at him with expectancy.

‘Wait- did you say William-hyung.’ is all Namjoon can blurt out.

‘We got close. It was either that or William the Devil.’ Seokjin rolls his eyes before adding, ‘Really? Is that all you got from it?’

‘No no no!’ Namjoon says quickly, ‘That was really cool!’

Seokjin side eyes him before nodding slowly and then asking, ‘How did you come across sonnet 116 anyways?’

‘Uh- would you judge me if I said from Sense and Sensibility?’

‘Namjoon I think you should know by now that I am an advocate for literature, and Ang Lee’s Sense and Sensibility is a masterpiece.’

‘Yeah so- Marianne.’

‘You’re a Marianne fan?’ Seokjin grins cheekily at him.

‘I just really like Sense and Sensibility and Marianne deserved better.’ Namjoon replies sheepishly. ‘I had the most massive crush on Kate as a kid, and honestly she’s even more amazing now.’

‘Mood. But are you saying Colonel Brandon wasn’t good for her?’ Seokjin cocks one eyebrow.

‘I’m saying Marianne didn’t need to be limited to the 2 options she had.’

‘Why would you say something so controversial yet so brave?’ Seokjin hums. ‘So is Sense and Sensibility your favorite Austen? Assuming you’ve seen the other movies.’

‘I have- and I’ve read them all too.’

‘Impressive,’ Seokjin grins, ‘I think I like you twice as much as I did than a minute ago.’

Namjoon doesn’t know why but this makes him exceptionally pleased. He also wants to roll his eyes at himself.

‘My favorite is Northanger Abbey actually.’

‘Me too!’ Seokjin looks genuinely surprised. ‘I feel like Northanger is normally forgotten- but I’ve always felt like it’s Austen’s, not best, but somehow most experimental works!’

‘I also really like Tilney,’ Namjoon adds and Seokjin clears his throat and says in a purposefully bad British accent, ‘I am not very good with advice. Can I interest you in a sarcastic comment?’

‘My favorite line, hyung, it’s like you know my mind,’ Namjoon grins.

‘I see everything Namjoon, I am the all seeing eye,’ Seokjin nods solemnly before tripping on an uneven tile. ‘Everything but the floor.’ he adds, face flushed.

‘Maybe it’s age?’ Namjoon teases before holding his arm out in sudden rush of bravery, ‘Maybe hyung needs help?’

‘Wow-  I cannot believe the disrespect-!’ Seokjin huffs in dramatic tones, a sparkle of laughter in his eyes as he demands, ‘How old are you even?’

‘I was born in 94,’ Namjoon replies.

‘I’m 2 years older, if I need help now, you’re gonna need it in 2 years- so be careful of what you’re suggesting.’ Seokjin huffs, flicking his hair away.

‘If I’m anywhere as amazing as you are in 2 years hyung, I think I could safely say that I did it right.’

Seokjin actually blushes; genuinely embarrassed and flustered, looking away while saying something stuttered under his breath like ‘oh god stop’ or something along that line.

‘I’ve lectured you enough about Shakespeare- how about you tell me something about, I don’t know, properties of sunlight?’ he says in a rush, eager to change the subject.

It’s adorable actually, watching Seokjin unable to meet his eyes, still flustered from the compliment.

‘Uh- well I don’t know if you’ve heard of this news but it’s really cool. Put the whole department on a high for a solid week.’ Namjoon chuckles, remembering how everyone was practically swooning.

‘About what?’

‘Have you heard of Trappist-01?’ Namjoon asks.

Seokjin shakes his head.

‘Be prepared to be blown away,’ Namjoon grins as they pause a while in front of another crossing. ‘In 1999, an ultra-cool red dwarf star, around the size of Jupiter, was discovered 39.6 light years from our Sun. It was called Trappist-01, after the tech that was used to discover it. And then in 2015, the found that there were planets around this star. And just last year, they found that out of the 7 planets discovered, 3 were in the habitable zone. The habitable zone is what we call the Goldilocks zone. Not too hot, not too cold- kinda like how where Earth is in our Solar System. Venus is too hot, but Mars is too cold. So Earth is in the Goldilocks zone.’

Seokjin nods in understanding as they cross the crowded street.

‘These planets aren’t very large- in fact, amongst the 3 Goldilocks, 2 are around the size of Earth. Now the interesting thing about this is that they also discovered that these 3 Goldilocks is that they could very well house water in them. Something we cannot find anywhere else in our Solar System.’ Namjoon adds, ‘The planets, we believe, are tidally-locked to Trappist, meaning one half is in permanent daytime, and the other in constant darkness. So if there is an atmosphere that can exist in these planets, temperature, water, and breathable air will only be safe in this small ring bordering the two halves. Of course that’s all speculation- we don’t know what their chemical composition is. Are they silicon rich like Earth? Or is it heavy with iron like Mercury? Or are they all just frigid lands? And assuming they have oceans, how does the lack of satellites affect their ecosystem?’

Namjoon pauses a bit to catch his breath and swallow before continuing, ‘But I think the coolest thing about the Trappist-01 System is the relationship of the planets with each other around Trappist.’

‘How come?’

‘Basically Trappist is really small- only the size of Jupiter, and if you think about how our star, the Sun, is already considered a rather small star, Trappist is really really small.’

‘A smol star.’ Seokjin says with an adoring smile.

‘Exactly,’ Namjoon nods enthusiastically. ‘So the planets around Trappist, are pulled in a lot closer to it than the planets of our solar system are to our sun. They’re all so close in fact, that it’s very shocking they haven’t all crashed into each other yet. After years of observation, they show no sign of colliding into each other despite their very narrow distance between them. If you want to compare their distance, you could fit the Trappist solar system inside the orbit-border between Mercury and the sun- it’s that tiny.’

‘I know nothing of space but that sounds dangerous?’ Seokjin comments with a frown.

‘And technically it is!’ Namjoon says quickly with a nod. ‘The orbital motions of the TRAPPIST-1 planets form a complex chain with three-body Laplace-type resonances linking every planet with each other. The relative orbital periods approximate whole integer ratios of uh- I think it was 24/24, 24/15, 24/9, 24/6, 24/4, 24/3, and 24/2,’ Namjoon squints a little as he tries to remember. ‘Or nearest-neighbor period ratios of about 8/5, 5/3, 3/2, 3/2, 4/3, and 3/2- I think. This represents the longest known chain of near-resonant exoplanets, and we believe it’s because of the interactions between the planets migrating inwards within the residual protoplanetary disk after having formed at greater initial distances. The resonant chain has been shown to be necessary to keep the tightly packed system stable for long timescales, and the tight correspondence between whole number ratios in orbital resonances and in music theory has made it possible to convert the system's motion into music!’

Namjoon looks over at Seokjin who is watching him with wide eyes, a look that is akin to surprise and something pleasantly like fondness(could be wishful thinking), and a whole lot of confusion.

‘I’m boring you aren’t I,’ Namjoon asks sheepishly.

‘Not in the slightest,’ Seokjin replies at once looking affronted. ‘You would know if I wasn’t interested, trust me.’

Namjoon finds it a little hard to believe. Most people either entirely zoned out from what he was saying or would immediately shut him up. He was used to it. Meaning it was hard for him to believe people when they said they were genuinely interested in what he was saying.

His expression was still probably doubtful and it makes Seokjin laugh.

‘I mean it Namjoon-ah,’ he says earnestly. ‘A lot of it I don’t understand, but it’s interesting. But I’m curious to know what you mean by music- how does one transcribe planetary movement with music?’

Namjoon is practically abuzz. Not only did Seokjin actually pick up on what he said, but he was asking good questions.

‘It’s not beautiful by any means,’ Namjoon explains, ‘But it seems to almost follow the natural progression of a drum beat, it actually forms a beat- a tune, and in this case, what we could call a melody. The same application of other systems, even our own solar system, were implemented and transcribed into musical rhythms but the sound that came out was terrible, lacking in rhythm and harmony. What they did to change it to music was to take the orbit of each planet, assign a key to them, and then start from the outer most planet. By waiting for the resonance orbit to match up and meet, the next key would start. They formed a pattern and rhythm- every key, beat, and note were then playing at 5/3, 3/2, 3/2, 4/3, and 3/2- and there you have it; music.’

‘I want to listen,’ Seokjin demands, hand held out as though expecting Namjoon to suddenly hand him the Trappist-01 EP or something.

‘I don’t have it,’ Namjoon chuckles. ‘But you can find it on YouTube. And like I said, it’s not every beautiful-‘

‘Oh I bet it is,’ Seokjin shakes his head, ‘The fact that the orbit of different planets actually align and create a pattern- a rhythm of some sort; that’s already beyond beautiful.’

Namjoon doesn’t know why he’s so pleased. It’s not like Seokjin is praising him, he was simply talking about Trappist-01 and orbital resonance.

‘Should we get something to drink? Let’s go get those unhealthy drinks- I actually think we could grab cup-noodles, what do you say,’ Seokjin suggests as he gestures towards the 7-11 they were steadily approaching.

‘That sounds perfect- I really hope this 7-11 has those cheese flavoured ones.’

‘I know exactly which one you mean and I approve of your culinary preference,’ Seokjin nods seriously. ‘You speak the language of stars and enjoy fine dining; you are a man’s man Namjoon.’

Namjoon straight up chokes, hacking violently having inhaled wrong, and now Seokjin is laughing at him, slapping his back to help him.

Red-faced and teary eyed, they enter the 7-11 that looks oddly empty. Namjoon guesses it’s because the usual going-home raid has been through here and they were now about to restock for the morning. And he’s right when he spots cardboard boxes being pulled out of the storage at the back.

‘Namjoon! Look!’ Seokjin points with delight at the drink station.

Namjoon’s pretty sure if they calculated right, they could probably buy a somewhat normal-ish meal of sorts. But there was something fun, a sense of abandon, in doing something a little out of ordinary. To do something out of routine.

After all, one doesn’t just walk out with the moon and expect it to be an ordinary night.

In this clear lighting, without the initial panic of having to talk so unexpectedly to him, Namjoon can finally study Seokjin’s features properly. No blockade of people between them, no rattling of the train around them, no fear in being caught.

Seokjin doesn’t look older than him- he could even pass off as being younger than Namjoon. His shoulders are broad and his hoodie hangs off of him splendidly. His hair is dark, but textured, suggesting he has coloured it rather extensively before. Namjoon would know, because he’s coloured his hair nearly every colour of the rainbow. His hair was currently a strange grey-brown, a result of not having maintained it all too well. He suddenly feels self-conscious, glancing about the 7-11 to maybe catch his reflection and make sure he didn’t look a mess.

Seokjin is studying the slushie stand, clearly trying to decide between the cola-flavoured slushie or the cherry-flavoured slushie.

‘I think cola for me,’ Namjoon says as he reaches across Seokjin to get a cup.

‘I think the same for me,’ Seokjin nods in agreement, eyeing the neon-red cherry flavour with some disgust. ‘No Red Velvet song could ever convince me to have that.’

They scan the shelves for offers or discounts and manage to buy an array of strange flavoured chips and snacks that all promise confusion and regret.

They both slide over their money, grinning sheepishly at the attendant who looks at their loose change with a sort of resigned despair native to all who worked that field of employment.

‘Do you want to walk through the park?’ Namjoon asks as they step out.

There was a large stretch of park, a nice green space that took a little longer to get through considering the turns and curves of the path inside. It would set them back some 15-20 minutes but Namjoon likes walking through the park, especially at night or early in the morning.

‘Actually yes,’ Seokjin nods in agreement as he opens a packet of cheese and curry flavoured chips. ‘If I throw up, it won’t be witnessed by a whole street of people.’

‘That’s…one way to look at it.’

‘But you know? I’ve never been to this park before- so if your plan was to murder me, this is a good place to do it.’

Namjoon splutters over a mouthful of the aforementioned snacks (not as bad as it smelled), affronted and aghast. This makes Seokjin cackle.

‘Don’t worry Namjoon-ah, I trust you enough not to murder me in the park.’

‘I am very inclined to just stick to the street now hyung,’ Namjoon grumbles.

‘I was just teasing,’ Seokjin chuckles before punching his shoulder lightly. ‘Let’s go to the park- it’ll be fun and we can walk at a normal pace and not behind stragglers.’

The park is like any other, a few trees planted here and there, bushes lining up the path at random, and the path covered in the obligatory dark-grey cobble stones that makes it a pain to ride your bike on.

‘I just had a thought.’ Namjoon announces as they come in view of the entrance to the park.

‘Hm?’ Seokjin looks over from his slushie at Namjoon, one eyebrow raised.

‘Shakespeare in the Park,’ Namjoon grins. ‘Literally.’

Seokjin gives him an amused look, shaking his head.

‘I refuse- no amount of wheedling will get me to recite huge chunks of dramatic prose out loud.’ Seokjin shakes his head, ‘No sir, it won’t.’

‘Are you sure there’s nothing I can say?’ Namjoon leans in a little, maybe smiling in a way he knew where his dimples (referred to as his “money-makers” by his best-friend) deepened.

‘Absolutely nothing!’ Seokjin averts his eyes quickly, ‘I mean, why would I suddenly start quoting my favorite monologue from Twelfth Night? Preposterous!’

‘Ah, that sucks,’ Namjoon sighs out, scratching at the back of his head.

‘Oh if you insist,’ Seokjin groans before stuffing his mouth with the chips. ‘I guess I could grace you with my eloquence and delivery.’

‘I will be honoured. Thrilled. Blessed. Hashtag blessed, hyung. That’s how much it will mean to me.’

‘Good- it should,’ Seokjin levels him with a dramatic glare.

They walk over to the park with identical grins, munching on snacks.

‘I need to find a good setup first,’ Seokjin announces, unceremoniously handing Namjoon his slushie cup and walking ahead. ‘Twelfth Night demands the same level of wildly dramatic flare Orsino possessed.’

Namjoon cradles the snacks and drinks to his chest, uncaring that the condensation of the cups were creating wet patches on his front. He watches as Seokjin walks around the clearing, eyeing the place with a critical eye. The lights in the park are a soft yellow, casting a pleasant contrast of amber tones and inky black amongst trees and shrubs. At this time of evening, the park was normally empty save for couples walking or people wanting a more scenic route about the main street.

‘Got it.’ Seokjin nods from near one of the paths that branch off to the side with lined lamp posts classically styled near some gnarled magnolia trees.

‘Pray, please be seated Namjoon,’ Seokjin points to one of the benches to the side, covered in shadow. Namjoon dutifully sits down, putting the drinks and snacks down and sits up in a manner of school-like obedience. They pause awkwardly when an evening jogger runs past, eyeing them both suspiciously as she sprints past. Seokjin hides his face for a moment before shaking himself out of it.

‘Please- be enthralled by this amazing performance, not coming soon to theaters near you,’ Seokjin grins breaking character for a bit and doing a funny walk towards the lamp post. He clears his throat purposefully before he closes his eyes, his expression an exaggeration of someone trying to concentrate.

‘If music be the food of love- play on! Give me excess of it-!’ he suddenly declares, his voice passionate and driven with determination. ‘-that, surfeiting the appetite may sicken and so die!’

He pauses, expression as though he heard something. It’s so convincing Namjoon actually looks over to that side.

‘That strain again!’ he looks directly into Namjoon’s eyes. ‘It had a dying fall, oh-!’ he rushes towards him, hands reaching out before stopping suddenly. ‘It came o’er my ears like the sweet sound that breathes upon a bank of violets stealing and giving odor.’ He smiles beatifically, eyes sparkling. Namjoon is taken aback by the quality of this delivery. He’d been expecting something a little comical, a little exaggerated. But Seokjin is just falling into the lines and role with ease and perfection.

And every word he spoke came not just from his heart, but from his soul.

‘Enough!’ Seokjin’s expression turns pinched, almost pained. ‘No more! ‘Tis not so sweet now as it was before.’ Then dragging himself onto the bench next to Namjoon Seokjin sighs heavily and mumbles, ‘Oh spirit of love, how quick and fresh art thou, that-‘ he pauses, looking earnestly at Namjoon, ‘notwithstanding thy capacity receiveth as the sea, naught enters there, of what validity and pitch soe’er, but falls into abatement and low price even in a minute!’ Seokjin moves away with another drained sigh and stands up, wiping at his face, hands on his hips. He laughs a little before adding, ‘So full of shapes is fancy, that it alone…is high fantastical.’

Namjoon is not an expert in theater, he’s maybe watched two plays throughout his life. So he’s not sure if he’s biased when he rises to his feet and claps until his hands are numb.

Seokjin blushes but bows elegantly nonetheless. Then he really turns red when Namjoon doesn’t stop clapping and he’s mortified, trying to pull Namjoon’s hands down.

‘Oh my god- Namjoon stop-‘

‘It was really good!’ Namjoon is determined to express how grateful and honoured he was at having witnessed such a delivery.

‘Okay but you’re noisy and there are people around!’ Seokjin whisper shouts, hands covering his flaming ears as he power-walks away.

‘Wait hyung-!’

Grabbing their drinks and snacks and running after Seokjin, bumping shoulders in the process.

‘That was really cool hyung,’ Namjoon tells him earnestly. ‘I swear, any production you are in, any play, I will be there, front and center.’

‘Oh god-‘ Seokjin isn’t even looking in his direction, just hurrying as quickly as he can before stopping abruptly to grab his drink out of Namjoon’s hands and speed-walks again.

Namjoon keeps up, not saying anything but just grinning until Seokjin slows down a little as they approach the exit. They must have half-jogged because Namjoon doesn’t remember the path being that short or the park being that small.

‘So- as an apology for causing you embarrassment, do you want to hear something really funny that happened to a friend of mine, that also happens to revolve around a pun- or rather, a misunderstanding of urban slangs?’ Namjoon asks.

Seokjin whips his head around to squint his eyes at him, clearly surprised with the change in topic.

‘…yes?’

Namjoon takes a sip of his cola before he clears his throat.

‘Let me set the scene,’ he announces as they pass the park gates and back into the main street.

It’s quieter now, the vehicles are not rushing and the amount of people walking has dwindled down so Namjoon and Seokjin aren’t shuffling around people.

‘I have a friend who went to Australia,’ Namjoon explains. ‘And he was rooming with a housemate or something along that line. He met a girl and one thing lead to another and they were headed back to his place. Now he didn’t tell his housemate he’d be bringing home someone and he had to warn him in advance because you know-‘

‘-common courtesy,’ Seokjin finishes.

‘-exactly. So he doesn’t want to be crude about it, but he’s also…well, bluntly put a little high,’ Namjoon rolls his eyes. ‘So he messages him and says, “I’m about to put a necktie on the door”.’

Seokjin of course, nods in immediate understanding.

‘His housemate, however, thought he was about to choke himself and went into a frenzy back in the house,’ Namjoon snorts. ‘So by the time he gets to their place, looking forward to an empty house, he’s met with 2 police cars, and a police emergency announcement being sent out throughout the region looking for him.’

Seokjin laughs in incredulous disbelief.

‘Now he didn’t know what was happening- and he panicked, wondering if his friend got into trouble. The girl was also freaking out because her dad is a policeman-‘

Seokjin is wheezing at this point.

‘-and wait it gets better,’ Namjoon manages to wheeze out. ‘And then- and then he goes rushing forward, finds his friend and demands to know what was happening, if he was all right. His friend freaks out and one thing leads to another and he has to explain what a “necktie by the door handle” meant and his friend, honest to god, screams out loud “YOU MEANT YOU WANTED TO HANKY-PANKY?!”-‘

Namjoon yells the last part and Seokjin hurriedly covers his mouth though he fails, laughing too hard.

‘And-‘ Namjoon can barely catch his breath, ‘-and he screams even louder “YOU’RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE TERM HANKY-PANKY?!”-!’

Seokjin is leaning against the surrounding walls of the park, doubled over, laughing hysterically.

‘And my friend is still high and he shouts back “IT’S A HANDKERCHIEF YOU ILLITERATE COW” and the night ends with both of them being arrested for causing excessive disturbance.’

Seokjin wipes at his face where tears were flowing.

‘Oh god-!’ He gasps out, ‘What happened t-to your friend?’

‘They got let out of course- just a warning slapped on to them with some fine for disturbing the peace. He hasn’t touched a joint since,’ Namjoon laughs as Seokjin winces as he laughs weakly, clutching at his side from having formed a stitch from laughing too hard.

‘Oh god- oh god imagine having to explain that when your police records are brought up?!’ Seokjin dissolves into a fit of laughter again, leaning against Namjoon as they attempt to start walking again. ‘And who even came up with the term hanky-panky- it’s such a terrible phrase!’

‘Any word that is attached with a hyphenated rhyme is already wrong.’

‘I was about to be offended and demand what could be worse than hanky-panky and my mind was quick to supply me with more than enough evidence.’ Seokjin shudders, voice still thick from having laughed too much. He rights himself a little as they continue walking down the street.

‘Chit-chat, for example,’ he continues, clearing his throat, ‘It’s such a bizarre phrase. You can have a chat yeah, but you can’t have a chit.’

Namjoon wheezes and adds, ‘What about nitty-gritty- sure something is gritty but is anything nitty-‘

‘Or what about words like ruthless?’ Seokjin throws out, ‘You can be ruthless, but you can never be ruth.’

‘You can overwhelmed, you can be underwhelmed- but you’re never just whelmed.’

Seokjin nearly trips, laughing as he throws his head back.

‘You’re laughing a lot. Are you whelmed?’ Namjoon intones.

Seokjin is now sincerely cackling, bordering hysterical, his slushie spilling out.

‘Hyung- wait, we need to cross the bridge-‘ Namjoon calls out, voice strained from laughing too much. They probably looked a bit drunk but Namjoon doesn’t mind the looks sent their way.

With some difficulty and a lot of wheezing, they manage to climb halfway up the stairs before Seokjin looks at Namjoon with sudden seriousness and a completely deadened tone says, ‘Akimbo.’

Namjoon trips up one of the steps, giggling in a high-pitched manner now, thighs sore from taking too long up the stairs.

‘It’s such a strange word!’ Seokjin argues seriously though he’s somehow snorting at the same time. It’s pure talent. ‘You never use it unless it’s with legs-

‘Arms akimbo? Surely-’

‘Have you seen me dance?’

They break down into hysterical laughter, leaning against the top of the stair railings, their balance messed up.

‘I think- I think we need to calm down,’ Seokjin says faintly, hiccupping a little.

‘Agreed,’ Namjoon manages to get out before pulling himself up the last 3 steps and walking over the walkway and leaning heavily on the bannisters.

They lean on the railings, collecting themselves and occasionally bursting out into weak giggles. A few people walk past them, eyeing them with some question which was completely justifiable according to Namjoon.

‘You know I actually was having a tough week,’ Seokjin tells him lightly. ‘Being in theater- it’s not all fun and singing.’

‘I’m sorry,’ Namjoon says as he leans his head down on his arms, feeling a little light-headed from the laughter.

Seokjin smiles at him before shaking his head, ‘There’s no need to be sorry- I just haven’t laughed like this in a while- and it makes everything that’s happened in the past week feel like nothing.’

Whatever hysterical spirit that had possessed them slowly shifts to a much more pleasant warm spirit of mutual understanding and appreciation.

‘Me too- I think it’s safe to say astrobiology isn’t exactly a subject that offers moments for comedy.’ Namjoon adds wryly. ‘But for what it’s worth hyung, I really do think you’re amazing.’

‘It means a lot Namjoon- I really appreciate it,’ Seokjin tells him sincerely as he swirls his slushie in his cup. ‘I was ready to take a very angry walk back home. But now I wouldn’t have it any other way.’

The smile he gives Namjoon is almost shy, but incredibly warm and sincere.

‘We can still make this an angry walk if you want hyung,’ Namjoon says, ‘I heard that stomping as you yell and walk is very therapeutic.’

‘…that sounds incredibly fake to me…’

‘It’s actually true! Wait-‘ Namjoon looks around before reaching over and without much thought, grabs Seokjin’s hand and pulls him to a jog across the bridge and down the stairs.

‘Wait-! Namjoon-ah, my center of gravity is weird and I can trip easily-!’ Seokjin gasps out as they make it down safely to the other side of the street that’s a lot emptier than the other side. It also turned into another smaller street that was a shortcut of sorts to the next street, cutting through a thick network of office buildings.

‘Okay- just follow my lead I guess,’ Namjoon says as he lets go of his hand and proceeds to storm down the empty narrow street with heavy thumping steps.

He pauses and looks behind him, where Seokjin is watching him with a flushed face of amusement as well as some embarrassment. But there’s a look of determination as well as a daring gleam of accepting Namjoon’s dare. He tosses his empty slushie cup towards a bin to the side, not even looking at it (not that he needed to because it lands neatly inside the bin) and with one mighty stomp Seokjin bounds forward, chips flying about inside the plastic-bag around his wrist.

‘You idiotic pseudo-intellectual pathetic-‘ stomp ‘-excuse of a director think you’re so-‘ stomp ‘-full of yourself and idiotic-‘ stomp ‘-literally no one likes you-‘ stomp ‘-unnecessary complications-‘ stomp ‘-making everyone stay back-‘ stomp ‘-we all have lives excuse me-‘ stomp!

Seokjin goes on this vein the length of the narrow street and by the time he’s exited out to the other main road, he’s breathless, a sort of exhausted smile on his face.

‘That was actually therapeutic- thank you,’ he huffs out with a laugh, pushing his hair back.

Namjoon offers him his slushie, still relatively not-consumed. Seokjin takes it with thanks and gulps down the watery slushie with relish.

‘Wanna talk about it?’

Seokjin hands him back the cup before opening another packet of chips.

‘Are we going left or right again-? Left, okay. So yeah,’ Seokjin clears his throat and starts walking. ‘-my company is small- we don’t do a lot of productions or plays. It’s part of a private school, and though it’s small, I like to think we do quality work.’

Namjoon smiles at that.

‘So we have frequent changes in our producers, most of whom don’t know a thing about production or plays. They’ve probably watched maybe one or two plays and decided they knew everything there was to it.’ Seokjin rolls his eyes. ‘But because we need them for budgeting, and our director, who bless his soul, who is trying his best, can’t do much because we need their financing.’

‘Capitalism, am I right?’

‘O capitalism thou heartless bitch!’ Seokjin raises a fist though he’s grinning.

‘They keep trying to get their children, or their friend’s children to come in and act in our stuff, because they’re apparently really good actors and it’s just-‘ Seokjin sighs, ‘Just a bunch of bratty rich kids who want to be actors and actresses you know? Do you have that in your field?’

‘No one really wants to be an astrobiologist,’ Namjoon grins, ‘I’m lucky in that sense. But our department really depends on a lot of funding too- so I understand that aspect.’

Seokjin sighs heavily before adding, ‘As part of the production, and as part of the school, I TA a lot of classes as well- it’s kinda how I earn my bread. And recently they uh-‘

Seokjin pauses, giving him a swift look, as though wondering if he should continue talking.

‘If you don’t want to talk about it, it’s okay,’ Namjoon says at once. ‘We’ve known each other like- an hour now. You don’t owe me anything.’

Seokjin pauses again, thoughtful and calculating, before proceeding to talk as though nothing had transpired.

‘-recently they offered me a full-time lecturer’s job and it’s a great opportunity but at the same time- it’s as if they’ve forgotten that I am part of their writing team.’

‘Wait- you’re not in acting?’

Seokjin actually laughs.

‘No Namjoon-ah, I love acting, but it’s not where my real interests are.’

‘A lecturer- that’s…I mean, I don’t want to sound uh- like I’m supporting one thing more than the other or anything- I mean it doesn’t matter anyways- but that’s kinda cool?’

‘That sounds unsure,’ Seokjin laughs.

‘No! I really think that’s cool! Educating young minds is a wonderful thing!’ Namjoon says sincerely.

‘Thank you Namjoon-ah,’ Seokjin smiles as he looks down at his feet.

‘So…have you written plays? I’m sorry for changing the topic but now I have to ask.’

‘I have- I actually avidly wrote since I was a kid and I would act it out with my older brother and friends,’ Seokjin laughs.

‘You were the Jo of your family,’ Namjoon blurts out.

‘…did you just reference Little Women.’

‘I might have.’

‘Namjoon-ah, at this point I would trust you with my life.’

Namjoon ducks his head sheepishly.

‘I don’t mean this in a condescending manner but you’re really well-read.’ Seokjin comments kindly and a little hesitantly, as though afraid Namjoon would take his words with offence.

‘Thank you,’ Namjoon grins, ‘And I understand- people in our field- we’re seen in a certain light- and that light isn’t all false. We do spend a lot of time reading up mainly scientific journals and theories. Maybe we sometimes read science-fiction and own at least one uniform shirt from the Enterprise; but reading Little Women? Not very stereotypical. So I don’t think it’s condescending in anyway.’

‘Okay,’ Seokjin sighs out, relieved. ‘But yeah- I was a bit of a Jo. And I do like teaching actually- it’s fun and it’s stable, the hours aren’t bad if you know how to manage but it’s like they’ve decided my future for me and it’s away from what I want to do.’

‘This…might sound dumb, but uh, maybe move out of this company?’ Namjoon asks carefully.

‘It’s not dumb,’ Seokjin gives him a small smile. ‘It’s difficult finding different places, and while I’m on the path of being very honest with a not-quite stranger, might as well admit that I’m low-key afraid of moving out of something I have known and lived in for a long while.’

‘I understand,’ Namjoon nods, ‘Not in your specific point of view- but I understand. And if you uh, not that you asked for it, but uh, my take on it is that being afraid isn’t wrong. It’s smart. Human beings are genetically engineered for 2 responses to almost any form of stimulus that isn’t a product of their direct making: fight or flight. Fear is a natural part of our biology, it makes us smarter, makes us think.’

Namjoon glances over at Seokjin wondering if he was going to be met with a confused expression or more often than not the ‘shut up you know it all’ that he’s practically used to by now. But Seokjin is nodding to his words, as though taking them into contemplation.

‘Being impulsive doesn’t always work- you rarely find anything in nature that occurs out of impulse. It’s not wrong to be impulsive- but yeah- I uh, guess, it’s all about context,’ Namjoon throws in at the end, mumbling the last words.

‘You know you’re very good at that.’ Seokjin says unexpectedly.

‘Hm? At what?’ Namjoon frowns.

‘Explaining. I feel like you just explained something that would no doubt take up 12 pages in a chapter from some science-book in a few sentences while making me feel better,’ Seokjin explains before adding with a warm smile, ‘Have you ever considered writing? I think you’d be good at it.’

‘I uh-‘ Namjoon swallows, nearly choking on his words as he scrambles for a normal response other than a literal keyboard smash worth of gibberish his tongue was threatening to let lose.

‘Right- so I’m all about equivalent exchange,’ Seokjin says in a tone of voice that suggests he can see Namjoon’s inner turmoil, ‘And yes, that’s from Fullmetal Alchemist which is without a doubt, the best manga in the world and history.’

It serves as a great segue way out of his failed attempts to respond. Seokjin is eyeing him like he’s expecting Namjoon to argue but Namjoon is in complete agreement. He nods emphatically to show his agreement.

‘So yes- I gave you whole segment from Twelfth Night, ranted a whole lot- so now you tell me something. Only if you want to,’ Seokjin adds quickly, extending Namjoon’s courtesy back to him.

‘Well- I don’t…exactly know what to say. Most of my stress comes from the thesis paper I have to start writing soon…I guess I’m lucky my problems are just university-based.’ Namjoon replies honestly.

‘All right- tell me something cool then.’ Seokjin encourages.

‘Are you sure? I’ve been told I don’t shut up once I start talking- and that I induce existential crisis left and right.’

‘I’ve lived 2 years worth more of existential crisis than you have Namjoon-ah, been through undergrad and grad school-I’m sure I’ll be fine. Besides, this is very educational for me. Gives me a one-up in my field you know?’ Seokjin gives him thumbs up.

There’s something reassuring about the way Seokjin says it. Like he was truly interested. It almost makes Namjoon forget 3 years of university-level information and academics.

‘There’s a lot to be talked about in this field, and I don’t know where to start. Why don’t you ask me questions and I’ll see if I can answer them?’

‘Huh,’ Seokjin narrows his eyes a little before saying, ‘You don’t mind if I ask dumb questions?’

‘…what does dumb mean in this?’

‘Like, I dunno, how possible is it for life to exist outside of Earth? And like, not just bacteria and stuff, but like, sentient, intellectual beings.’ Seokjin asks.

‘That’s not dumb,’ Namjoon grins before adding with more conviction when Seokjin gives him a doubtful expression, ‘I mean it! It’s the main reason why we actually study this field! Searching for life beyond our planet, understanding life and what it could be beyond our planet- it’s basically that!’

‘So…can it?’

‘Well first of all- the most important thing we need to remember when asked this question is that the universe is, as far as we know it, compromised of 3 basic elements. Hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, and helium. These three are the building blocks of everything we know- this includes life-forms. Everything that is alive is made up of these elements. The universe carries us, but we also carry the universe- the stars are made of the same elements as we are,’ Namjoon says thoughtfully, ‘So knowing this, we cannot say that life outside of Earth does not exist. There is however a high possibility that we’ve been known but the other life-forms deem us too stupid and decided we’re not worth the trouble.’

‘That’s…a good thing I guess?’ Seokjin laughs, ‘We’re probably too dumb to even be experimented on.’

‘Or maybe we are being experimented on- and Earth is just one huge petri dish.’

‘Oh god, please don’t say that, I’ll lose sleep.’

‘You wanna know what really makes me lose sleep at times?’

‘…do I want to?’

‘Do you?’

‘…now I feel like I have to know.’

Namjoon laughs a bit before taking a sip of his slushie. ‘Before I explain what makes me lose sleep at night, what do you know about the universe? Like, what do you know about gravity?’

‘In…a universal scale?’

Namjoon nods.

‘Well…the same way the moon is attached to us via our gravity, and the way we are attached to the sun via it’s gravity, our…solar system is attached to something else within the Milky Way?’ Seokjin replies slowly.

‘Yes! It’s exactly that,’ Namjoon nods before taking one last sip. ‘So the Universe, as we know it, is expanding nonstop. A continuous result of the Big Bang. The Big Bang expanded and shaped the Universe, placing stars, galaxies, planets, in accordance to what we can see right now- of course, not counting the fact that what we can see right now in real time acceleration and distance probably doesn’t exist anymore because the light we receive from space is almost entirely source-less now. So, to break this down- if you were to imagine a water-balloon exploding on the floor. Water would splash all over, and after a certain period of time, just still and remain in one shape right?’

Seokjin nods.

‘however, there is something else, something in the vacuum of space that is forcing this expansion- it’s accelerating it at a very rapid pace. And pulling it, pulling the entirety of the universe with it’s sheer force, is something we…we don’t know what it is, but what we could call it, is dark gravity.’

‘…this sounds a lot like science fiction.’

‘I agree,’ Namjoon nods, ‘And of course we have things like dark matter, anti-matter, all of these things we know exists and can sometimes read, but don’t really know what in essence it actually is.’

‘…okay.’

‘All right, so this dark matter- this dark energy- in the future, could possibly accelerate the expansion of our universe by such huge amounts, that what we see now- what we see when we look up at the night sky, will forever be changed, gone as though it never existed.’

‘…I uh, I guess that won’t happen for a long time?’ Seokjin offers.

‘But the main thing here hyung, is that we only just realized about this expansion- about this acceleration- and the thing is it’s been going on- pretty much since the Big Bang. So that means what we see now- what we are studying now, what we are basing all of our facts, all of our information on- could all be completely outdated – so basically, there is an extremely high possibility that there has been an entire chapter, an entire science that we have not experienced- that we have never seen, and one we will never be able to understand or even imagine- meaning what we know now could all just be, mildly put, just wrong. We’ve been trying to understand the whole cosmos, while completely missing out on a whole chunk of information we will now never get to study.’

Seokjin gives him a wide deadpan gaze before turning his head up towards the night sky, and then back down again.

‘…what terrifies me is that I understood that- and now I am actually very very triggered. That existential crisis really wants to show up.’ Seokjin says slowly, somewhat dazed before adding, ‘But- but if it is long gone. And it’s long past, would it really effect the way we live now? Our existence?’

‘The creepy part of all of this is we don’t know,’ Namjoon shrugs. ‘I mean, how can we tell what we’re missing, when we don’t know what we’re missing?’

‘Oh my god that was so profound I can’t even-!’ Seokjin holds up a hand as though to physically stop Namjoon’s words and adding in a genuinely dramatic tone. ‘I need time to think.’

‘I’m sorry?’

‘No! Don’t be!’ Seokjin is quick to say, ‘I love it! There’s something- I don’t know- like you said, you didn’t ask but my take on it- not the entirety of astrobiology or anything remotely science- is that- humans, we uh- we like to believe we’re the most important, the best- and this idea of being unique- of being special, or better- how this somehow seems to really seep into all our ideas and notions- I mean basically racism became a thing because one race believed themselves to be better than the other.’

Namjoon nods in agreement, wondering where Seokjin was going with this.

‘The greatest trigger, I’ve always thought, be it in life, or in literature, or anything related to humans really, comes from a deep-seated part of your being- and that’s that feeling of being special. A lot of things reinforce this- religion, ideals, society, etc. But then when you look up- and when you realize-‘ Seokjin shrugs, struggling a little, ‘-you realize that everything you are, is everywhere around you. Right? We’re made of the same stuff as that-‘ Seokjin points at the shrubs lining up a nice apartment complex to the side. ‘-that-‘ he points upwards towards the sky. ‘It just- I dunno, I guess it just really crushes your ego.’

‘…is that good?’

Seokjin wheezes out a laugh, ‘Wow, look at me, spends 2 hours with an astrobiologist student and I’m already contemplating my importance in the Universe. But yeah- I guess it’s a good thing, because you know? I understand myself, or at least try to. I know myself and so I guess you could say, I know all there is to know of the universe?’

‘Why do I feel like I’ve learnt more from you than you did from me?’

‘Oh hush,’ Seokjin snorts, swatting at him. ‘Such a smooth talker- bet you have everyone swooning over you in your classes.’

‘We talk about everything except for astrobiology in class,’ Namjoon says as he takes another sip of his watery slushie.

‘Yeah? Like?’

‘I don’t know? Eh, sometimes we talk about video games? We all got really hooked into Stardew Valley for a while. I had 4 really sweet cows: Eminem, Drake, Raury, and Frank.’

‘Frank?’

‘Frank Ocean,’ Namjoon explains, ‘Couldn’t fit in the full name.’

‘I like that- isn’t Stardew a pixel game?’

‘It is- really addictive. I tried to marry Maru but her dad gave me a really stern talking to, so I kinda panicked and chatted up Sebastian instead.’

‘Did it work?’

‘I decided to dedicate my time to my farm- my cheese production is really good.’ Namjoon boasts.

They chuckle a bit more, turning down the street to take a well lit stairwell to the street below. If Namjoon really tries, he can pinpoint out his apartment complex from this point on. He’s almost wishing they hadn’t taken the shortcut through the alley from before, if only to spend some more time just talking.

‘So I take that you like hip-hop and RnB?’ Seokjin inquires.

‘I do- I like a bit of everything. No singular preference- but I’m not much of a fan of screamo I guess? That’s not a genre I have on my Spotify.’

‘I have a bit of everything too- I’m a bit predictable though in my tastes,’ Seokjin confesses as he jumps down the last step, landing into a perfectly circular patch of orange light from the streetlamps.

‘I can probably rap, quite badly, huge chunks from Hamilton, but also bust out in some good ol’ Moulin Rouge-‘

‘-I’ve only watched the one with Ewan Macgregor, is that all right?’

‘Ewan is bae, of course it’s fine,’ Seokjin replies dismissively.

‘So though a broad range, everything comes down to musical hits?’

‘Yes- also really helps in sharpening your mind and helps you remember the stories and what not- because wow, it gets tedious after some time.’ Seokjin shudders for effect.

‘I’m a bit of hipster trash,’ Namjoon confesses, ‘I like old-school hip-hop, 90’s and 80’s synth tracks, I also really like the indie scene. But I will jam to Ariana Grande anywhere, anytime.’

‘Listen, a colleague of mine is obsessed- as a result I know all of her songs- I even downloaded her album just because I was conditioned into working better by listening to the songs- if I listen to One Last Time I’m triggered.’ Seokjin snorts. ‘What about you? What’s your favorite Grande?’

‘I literally can’t choose,’ Namjoon grins, ‘But from the snippets of the new album-‘

‘-wait, those were on her Instagram-?’

‘-Goodnight ‘n go is my favorite, I must confess,’ Namjoon mumbles quickly. ‘I can’t wait to hear what that’ll sound like.’

‘I liked it too,’ Seokjin whispers back as though confessing a secret. ‘Instagram, a great place for music.’

They walk down the well lit street in comfortable silence before they reach another set of stairs from where you can just spy one of the train stations. It’s still lit but obviously closed off now and Seokjin huffs at it, as though thoroughly offended. And then quite ominously, thunder rumbles overhead.

They both look up quickly, startled to find a weirdly flat cloud-head moving stealthily across.

‘So- is there a reason why the clouds look yellow other than pollution?’ Seokjin asks.

‘It’s pollution and fluorescent lights. Air molecules scatter light- so it reflects the city lights- but that also means it reflects through the pollution molecules.’ Namjoon replies. ‘Also the clouds must be pretty low.’

‘Any chance they’re rain clouds?’ Seokjin asks with a rather weak laugh.

‘99% sure they are,’ Namjoon glances up again.

‘You think we can make it in time? Like, calculate distance and mass and time, something like that?’

‘I’m a future astrobiologist, not a physicist- I can’t calculate shit.’

‘Lies! I refuse to believe that!’ Seokjin gasps, ‘Surely you do some math.’

‘Uh- I can do math that only applies to my field? Anything else freaks me out- like, what even is a numenator and denominator?’

‘That’s numerator Namjoon-ah.’

‘Right- that.’

Seokjin laughs out loud, squeaking to a stop when thunder rolls again.

They both speed up their pace, sharing a comically panicked look.

They make their way down the street with brisk strides, entering an area that was starting to become less crowded with office-buildings, and more with apartment units and convenience store outlets. The streets were slowly narrowing as well, and the lights are more yellow than white. Stray cats start to appear at random now as well, pawing through the trash kept to the side of the street. It’s starting to become actually late and there’s something enchanting about walking around at this time.

Because if Namjoon looks up, he’ll find squares of light, all windows into a whole new narrative, a completely different idea of home, a lifestyle and identity that he will never know about, and one that will never know about his either.

But that in itself wasn’t permanent- not when the moon came down and decided to walk by him, illuminating his path with laughter and stories.

‘You said you were doing thesis soon? Have you decided what topic you’ll be writing your thesis on?’ Seokjin asks, shaking him out of his momentary stupor.

‘Oh- yeah actually I have.’ Namjoon nods as he finds a trashcan and dumps his cup and empty chips bags into it. ‘It’s um- have you heard of this uh, micro-animal, called the water-bear?’

‘Wait- I have like, 2 major questions regarding that question- what is a micro-animal and please tell me that a water-bear is cute and a relative of the otter or something.’

‘To answer your first question,’ Namjoon grins, ‘Micro-animals are exactly what they sound like- animals so small, you need a microscope to look at it.’

‘…I swear to god if you weren’t writing your thesis on this I’d be convinced it was a parasite.’

‘It looks like a parasite- other micro-animals are dust mites, spider mites- some crustaceans too.’

‘Why do I feel like this is going to look like the stuff of nightmares.’ Seokjin whines as Namjoon takes out his phone.

‘Oh god- you have a folder of this on your phone- oh GOD-!’ Seokjin yelps at the animated picture, shuddering violently.

‘Please tell me that’s found only in like, deep sea or something.’

‘Well…yeah they’re found in deep sea, where as you know, pressure is so low, it’s a vacuum on its own. But it’s also found in mountains, forests, water, rivers, lakes, soil, fur- literally everywhere.’

Seokjin gives him a disgusted but distraught expression, ‘Is it one of those things that lives in your eyelashes.’

‘No they don’t- they’re too large for your lashes.’

‘Okay wait- that’s really disturbing,’ Seokjin shudders again before adding, ‘But please continue. And quickly.’

Suppressing a giggle, Namjoon continues: ‘So basically the unique thing about these animals is not that they’re micro or how common they are- it’s the fact that they are found in so many environments, alive.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Okay so you asked if they were found in deep sea and I said yes- there are other creatures found in deep sea, but remove those creatures from deep sea and place them on a mountain, they’re gonna die.’

‘Of course, change in habitat right?’

‘Yes- but even if you were to relocate other deep sea creatures within another section of the deep sea, they’re not going to survive. Because they have evolved through centuries and, with such creatures, millennia of evolution and adaptation, based on their immediate surroundings. The interesting thing about the water-bear is that you can put it anywhere, introduce it to any environment, any habitat, and it will survive. Radiation? No problem, sub-zero temperatures? No big deal. Completely dehydrate and vacuum it? Reintroduce some water molecules and it’s good to go.’

‘That’s…cool?’

‘Yes- but here’s the main cool thing about it.’ Namjoon grins, ‘As a planet, as a living species in this planet, I am subjected to certain environments I am prepared for both genetically and molecularly. I am however, not designed to survive radiation, sub-zero environments, or dehydration- in fact, the main thing about life on earth, or in general all life we know – is that we are water-dependent. That’s why any time we look for planets to potentially survive in- we look for water.’

‘Uh huh.’ Seokjin narrows his eyes, clearly catching on to where Namjoon was leading this.

‘This means that the water-bear, is genetically designed to survive radiation and basically, what we consider, alien environments.’

‘Are you saying that the water-bear is an alien.’

‘Yes. Because there’s no biological or physical need for any one single creature on earth to need to survive radiation or sub-zero vacuum. There is no natural selection that prepares you for something like that, ’ Namjoon nods, ‘So what we have concluded is that the water-bear is a life-form from another planet, or asteroid, that came to us via interplanetary debris- like meteors crashing into earth.’

‘These don’t latch onto you and lay eggs in you and they hatch out of your chest right?’ Seokjin looks legitimately worried.

‘No,’ Namjoon laughs. ‘They’re not xenomorphs.’

‘Thank god,’ he mumbles under his breath before asking, ‘So, your thesis is about the water-bear?’

‘Partially- my thesis is on how the water-bear got to earth.’ Namjoon explains.

‘So what is your theory?’ Seokjin asks unexpectedly. Namjoon had expected Seokjin to want to change the subject, because honestly not everyone would be interested or inclined in anyway to discuss the matter.

‘My- oh, yeah- wait are you sure you want to know? I uh,-‘

‘Namjoon-ah, hyung wants to know so that I know what I can do to defend myself from these aliens if they ever decided to suddenly speed-evolve into gigantic creatures and kill us all,’ Seokjin tells him seriously.

‘…okay.’ Namjoon chortles before continuing. ‘So, my thesis, revolves around the distribution of life-form at an interplanetary level- we know that the water-bear is a result of a potential asteroid carrying it over to earth- but what about the rest of the planet?’

At that Seokjin’s head swivels around to look at him, as though struck by this question.

‘What if life that we know on our planet, comes from another planet- what if the DNA of our planet, comes from another place- and the reason why we are so unclear and still so unsure of our own species as a whole, is maybe because we evolved in this new found environment? What if we brought in, all of those foundation elements we are so confident in- and what if we overthrew the previous life-form?’

‘So…your thesis says…that we are the aliens on earth?’

‘More or less.’

‘…is that what you believe?’

‘Not really,’ Namjoon laughs, ‘There are aspects of it that I think are correct, that I know are true, but we evolved within this planet- our life-form is a result of the natural selection driven by our planet’s elementary environment.’

‘Is that all right though? Proposing a theory like that?’

‘It’s the process of research that matters,’ Namjoon explains. ‘I’ll also be using this to lead into Drake’s Equation-‘

‘-because you used to call me on my cellphone?’

‘Late night when you need my love- yes,’ Namjoon agrees with a nod.

Seokjin cackles, hands clapping and then as though summoning the forces of nature, lightning forks the sky above them.

They both increase their walking speed, determinedly not commenting on the way the breeze picks up.

‘So what did you do for thesis hyung? I’m not- uh, well-versed, in what a non-science subject does for thesis.’

‘One thing all thesis share in common is that they are all a pain in the ass and you have to wonder if it’s worth it or not- then you realize you did pay for it- so you have to do it anyway,’ Seokjin sighs before laughing and saying, ‘When you’re a theater major, there’s basically 2 options for what type of thesis you wanna do.’

He’s a little breathless, walking at a faster pace and having to talk in detail about something left you feeling slightly oxygen depraved.

‘There are two basic models for a Theater thesis. There is one that’s based on creative work, where the student uses live stage-production rehearsal and performance as their primary research. The other is research based- normally on some area of theatre. Not necessarily related to the student’s work on a production- it can be separated.’ Seokjin explains. ‘The production side of thesis include: acting, design, dramaturgy, and directing. For the first three, basically you are going to work in those fields in the school’s production- so if the school is, say, performing Romeo and Juliet, then you’ll either be in the acting side, design aspect, or in translating a written work into a performable play. They write essays on this, outlining the creative process, the research, the experience in general. That with their practical work is counted as their thesis. Now my thesis is different- I chose to do the playwriting thesis project.’

‘Original work?’

‘Yeap- this is a bit more, eh, difficult because you can’t find advisors or mentors who have the time or interest to invest in guiding you. But I was lucky because a professor of mine, who taught us dramaturgy, I can say without shame, really liked me. So she guided and mentored me for the entirety of my senior year. She was great- really helped and I can honestly say is the sole reason why I graduated because god that was tiring.’ Seokjin heaves a sigh.

‘What was your play about?’

Seokjin clears his throat and flexes his neck as though preparing for a physical fight.

‘My play revolves around 7 separate but intertwined stories, with 7 separate characters, and 7 entirely different narratives,’ Seokjin summarizes briefly, ‘I wrote it in mind, for just a single actor to be able to act it out on stage, given different sets on stage of course.’

‘But-…7 characters?’

‘Well you see, when you take on this thesis, it is also required that you set up the entire production of your play by yourself- so I was tasked with finding my on cast, stage-hands, make-up artist, sound-check, and everything else you can imagine.’

‘That’s…that seems rather unfair.’

‘Yes, but it was done with full knowledge, and I had no excuse to complain- I took it willingly,’ Seokjin grins at Namjoon’s offended expression.

‘What’s the story about?’ Namjoon asks, very intrigued.  

‘Well, during my 3^rd year our class had been given a book to analyze by a visiting lecturer. It was called Demian by Hermann Hesse –have you read it?’

Namjoon shakes his head.

‘Interesting read- a bit narcissistic and in my opinion a little too worrisome when it came to some things that could be considered an Oedipus complex,’ Seokjin sniffs, ‘But overall, an interesting read- a rather strangely bold, very forward - forced you to look into yourself- almost as though asking yourself if you ever thought you could possess such thoughts you know?’

‘A mind-fuck, basically.’

‘Precisely that,’ Seokjin nods solemnly. ‘So I said I didn’t like the book. And then come 2 months later, I decided to take that very book, and convert it into a play- or at least, make it the theme of sorts. Not all the characters are humans, some of the characters were abstract- a painting, a cracked egg, and a single lily flower. These characters, including the abstract characters, are the multiple-persona of the main character. It’s mainly all monologue, some pre-recording for when the main character is talking to themselves in the mirror. I used a lot of digital effects, projections, and lights- I also had my hacker-friend compose the entire musical-score,’ Seokjin pauses before adding, ‘He’s something of a genius.’

‘We all have that one friend,’ Namjoon nods.

‘Anyways, so sound effects aside, I still needed to find an actor- I couldn’t because basically I wasn’t allowed to act in my own play,’ Seokjin rolls his eyes, ‘So I found an actor and honestly- the entire process of finding him was incredibly movie like- he’s not even in acting. He’s not remotely interested, but the only reason I found him, and the reason why he agreed was because we were both at an arcade and I won him a stuffed tiger he had been trying to get for an hour.’

‘And just like that he said he’d act in your play?’

‘He said ‘thank you so much I am forever in your debt- what can I do to repay you’ and I just blurted out ‘act in my play’ and he said yes,’ Seokjin laughs. ‘He’s a fine-arts student, and an incredible actor- he didn’t mind playing both male and female roles- which a few of the actors I was looking over refused to do. But Taehyung didn’t mind- he actually even brought in his own clothing because he thought it was something a few of the characters would suit. He was a delight to work with.’

‘That sounds amazing,’ Namjoon tells him sincerely. He wants to ask if he can read it, or if there is a recording of it somewhere so that he can watch it. But he’s not sure if Seokjin would be open to the idea of having another reason to meet- this could all just be him being polite.

Or this could all just be a sort of mentally stimulating verbal exchange equivalent of a one-night stand. Enjoyable for that one night but not something you would want to do again.

‘Did you have difficulty finding actors mainly because of the role?’

‘That, and most actors who aren’t from the university aren’t willing to act for almost entirely free for some student’s project you know? And then finding other people in regards to the other areas of work I needed help in was difficult because of my department.’ Seokjin snorts.

‘What do you mean?’

‘Theater kids get a bad rep- but then I think almost everyone does,’ Seokjin ruminates. ‘We’re seen in a certain light- like we’re all obsessed with performing, or ready to burst out into song, or shoving down opinions down people’s throats about how Les Mis is just some overrated movie made famous due to casting or something along that line- one of my professors told us, as a class, that we will only ever be as strong as the weakest link in the chain- so basically, theater kids are given a bad rep because of the few who might…come on a bit too strong.’

‘It is the same,’ Namjoon nods with an eye-roll. ‘People think we’re all a bunch of brainiacs who think we’re better than everyone else and honestly, to an extent shows like the Big Bang Theory kinda ruin it too- it’s not like as astrophysicist we only ever talk about astrophysics- we don’t lecture people on it either, unless asked for, and honestly we’re just as confused as everyone.’

Seokjin laughs delightedly at that, clearly imagining something funny.

‘Well, I was very lucky because through my hacker friend I found someone to help me with lights, and through Taehyung my actor, I got another artist to help me in the set design who incidentally made it part of her final project too, so it was like, killing two birds with one stone.’ Seokjin smiles, ‘Basically it was a 4-man production and I have no shame in admitting I burst into tears after the performance was over and the crowd applauded.’

‘I am being very sincere in this by saying that I would be honoured to watch your play if you have a recording of it- is it on YouTube? Vimeo?’ Namjoon asks, offering a metaphoric laurel branch to Seokjin, in hopes of somehow being able to continue communication after this night. Maybe on the train they could stand together instead of 8 feet apart.

‘I would be honoured Namjoon,’ Seokjin tells him warmly. ‘Because I am quite proud of it.’

‘What is it called?’

‘Ubermensch,’ Seokjin intones carefully before looking at Namjoon and smiling with approval, ‘You’ve heard of it.’

‘Friedrich Nietzsche right?’ Namjoon squints as he tries to think back.

‘Yes- so kinda of leading on in that way, along with Demien, my own storytelling added to the mix, I created my thesis.’

‘I really really want to see it now.’

Seokjin seems flustered as he waves away Namjoon’s words, as though embarrassed by Namjoon’s sincerity.

‘Thank you for telling about it hyung- it’s given me a lot to think about.’

‘Well you certainly have too,’ Seokjin laughs as they climb up another bridge.

They were closing in on the street where their station was- meaning they would be separating soon- 10 minutes top. Namjoon had forgotten how short this particular stretch of road was.

‘I actually get my groceries from there,’ Seokjin comments, looking like he knew exactly what was going through Namjoon’s mind. He points down the adjacent street that leads left into a market place.

‘I go there sometimes,’ Namjoon chuckles as he adds, ‘But I’m afraid I’m still a university student so I kinda stick to the convenience store instant food or order food online.’

‘What do you get, if you go to the market?’ Seokjin asks curiously.

‘Eh- fruits, and vegetables that can be eaten raw for when I feel bad and think I need to consume something other than noodles and meat.’

‘Good to know you still have some semblance of health in priority- I was terrible when I was at uni- my only healthy source of food was the egg-crepe, because of the egg,’ Seokjin laughs, ‘I can’t even look at egg-crepes anymore.’

‘That’s going to be me in the future, in regards to the 7-11 tuna kimbap,’ Namjoon laughs, ‘But for now it’s enough to sustain me and luckily I still find it delicious.’

Conversation sort of fizzles out after they walk past their station. Namjoon glances at Seokjin who was just in the middle of looking over at him too. And Namjoon almost expects him to wink or something, like he’s been doing this past night, but Seokjin looks away, a little flustered but somehow maintaining an air of calm. Unlike the irritatingly child-like almost-tantrum inside his head that doesn’t want this to end.

And by this Namjoon doesn’t know if it’s the conversation, the company, or just somehow this entire night; the promise of a storm brewing above them, the wind that carries the fragrance of rain, the yellow lights of the street lights, and the sound of cars and movement unseen just beyond his sight.

But he doesn’t want it to end.

And maybe, maybe, the moon felt the same way.

The longer they spoke, the sounds of their feet in harmony over the occasionally uneven paved paths and streets; the longer they spent each second, every minute- sharing, listening, laughing- just living next to each other with the whole intent of just knowing each other.

It makes Namjoon want to continue this for as long as possible.

And maybe he’s being too “romantic” or unrealistic, but he has a feeling in his very soul that makes him believe that this feeling would never quite change.

That no matter how long, that this- that Seokjin,- that them together would always somehow feel like this.

‘I think this is where we part?’ Seokjin says, breaking the comfortable silence as a car drives past. The headlights throw Seokjin into sharp relief for a moment and suddenly he’s radiating brighter than the car lights.

‘Yeah, I go down this way,’ Namjoon gestures to the right, looking away from the sudden brightness of the moon.

‘And I’m this way,’ Seokjin smiles, pointing behind him to the left.

There’s a pause where their eyes meet, and Namjoon knows he has to say something. Has to say something that hopefully can extend this beyond tonight.

‘Uh so I was thinking-’

‘Did you feel that?!’ Seokjin asks suddenly, flinching a little.

‘Huh-?

Really, it shouldn’t be surprising anymore at this point.

Namjoon hears it before he can even see or feel it. And then suddenly, the sky the air everything bursts and the full force of the storm threatening to fall over them the whole night makes its grand entrance.

They both freeze- unable to avoid the rain now, and unsure what to do.

‘Oh my god-’ Namjoon manages to wheeze out as he hunches into himself, clutching his bag to his chest.

‘When it rains, it pours?’ Seokjin half yells over the sudden rain, flinching as he gets soaked steadily though he makes no move to duck for cover.

‘I-...yeah,’ Namjoon wipes at his face, pushing aside his hair now completely wet in a matter of seconds. ‘At least I’m not carrying my laptop.’

Seokjin laughs.

‘What were you trying to say before?’ Seokjin asks, squinting funnily, trying to avoid direct rain drops into his eyes. A car passes through and they both step aside instinctively though they’re on the sidewalk and they both move closer.

‘I uh-’ Namjoon pauses a moment, unsure whether to take the sudden sign of the rain as some major “NO” signal from some celestial force governing his fate. But Namjoon’s never been one for believing in stuff like that so he clears his throat, pushing back his hair again.

‘Do you maybe wanna do this again? Not the walking for 4 hours straight and having it end with rain.’ He adds for clarity.

It’s storming and there is no possible chance at catching sight of the moon but never mind that because when Seokjin grins at him, a little shy, a little pleased, and then nods before he says, ‘I didn’t mind the walking to be honest.’

It was as though all the stars in the sky had exploded.

‘Right- uh, nice.’ Namjoon manages to say and hanging on to the last remnants of sanity left in him, blurts out, ‘Uh, your number?’

‘I uh- number, right,’ Seokjin chuckles, sounding nervous but the same way Namjoon felt. He takes out his phone and then realizes that it’s probably not the best idea considering the rain and they both seem to move based on the same instinct and step towards each other, arms raised to shield the phone.

They both chuckle awkwardly but there’s an ease to the awkwardness.

Seokjin unlocks his phone, pulling up the contacts tab though with some difficulty before handing it to Namjoon.

‘Send yourself a message or something.’

Namjoon quickly writes his number in, and then at the name-entry, pulls up the emoji keyboard to insert the small green-faced barfing emoji next to his name. He sends himself the rain-cloud-emoji, finding it rather fitting. Seokjin seems to find it funny, chuckling under his breath. Namjoon feels his phone buzzing inside his pocket.

‘Why this emoji?’ Seokjin inquires as he looks over Namjoon’s newly added contact with amusement.

‘I don’t know why but it really resonates with my soul,’ Namjoon chuckles as he takes out his phone to save Seokjin’s contact. He tacks on the crescent moon-emoji next to Seokjin’s name and pockets his phone again. Seokjin is tapping on his screen before he looks satisfied and shows Namjoon his screen again with a rather pleased smile. Next to the green emoji is a string of stars.

‘There, now it looks like you’re barfing stars,’ Seokjin laughs, saving the new edits before locking his phone and pocketing it away safely into the confines of his sweater pocket.

They sort of smile at each other but look away rather immediately as well.

‘So uh - I’ll be going now,’ Namjoon takes a small step back.

Seokjin also takes a small step back, squinting a little through his hair.

‘Yeah, me too.’

They stand a little while longer, smiling and not exactly looking at each other. Then they both turn, a little slowly, waving a little.

‘So- goodnight and go?’ Seokjin smiles, head tilting a little, a twinkle clear in his eyes despite the rain.

Namjoon’s mouth turns dry.

‘Make sure to change quickly,’ Seokjin calls, turning slowly. ‘I don’t want to see you sick- public transportation is the worst location to sneeze in and I will call you out on it.’

Namjoon laughs and nods, ‘You too hyung.’

Namjoon turns fully. It felt wrong turning his back to the moon, but like every night, the moon has to set sooner or later.

It also meant that the moon would rise again the next night.

Looking back, Namjoon catches Seokjin looking back as well.

He waves again, and it’s raining hard and it’s loud, but he can hear Seokjin’s laughter as he waves back too.

When Namjoon arrives at his apartment, feeling almost as though he had imagined the entire thing, he instantly makes for his small balcony and opens the windows to let the sound of the rain in.

Still in his wet clothes, Namjoon sort of slumps on the floor, leaning out a little to duck his head out into the balcony.

It had happened. It wasn’t just some strangely realistic daydream he had while walking back.

His phone buzzes and Namjoon leaps for it, nearly knocking over a chair in the process as he pulls his sopping jacket towards him.

Seokjin

Did you get back all right?

Namjoon hastens to reply.

I did yeah! What about you?

Nearly died slipping on my uselessly tiled floors

We almost have a very short friendship Namjoon

I mean this sincerely when I say I would probably be heartbroken if you died hyung

I’m not kidding

Aww, thank you, I swear hyung won’t die a lame death like that

But didn’t you say that we are all made of stars?

You’d still see me every night

I think you would be the moon hyung

Not cool enough to be a star?

Wait no-

Not H O T enough?

Lol jk please tell me you at least laughed

I did…and I regret it

Don’t be like that Joonie

I know you think I’m cool

Debatable

Ouch

My soul is crushed, my ego in smithereens

You’ll survive hyung

Thanks for the vote of confidence

So why moon?

Namjoon pauses, wondering if this was too soon, or too fast- or just in general too much.

Because like a quiet fire, the moon lives in the lining of your skin.

*

Namjoon is on time.

He makes his way down the stairs, ear-buds still in place, listening to music absentmindedly. Traffic was good today, and the air held the promise of rain. And this time he brought an umbrella, tucked away inside the crevices of his bag.

He scans the small crowd and finds that the moon has risen yet. Situating himself near the back of the crowd, Namjoon scans the people gathered before him, making sure all of the stars were present and shining in their observed description.

The night-shift nurse is standing by one of the pillars, carrying her usual bag and a large huge tumbler of coffee.

3 years.

[C₈H₁₀N₄O₂]

The bank employee in his neat but slightly rumpled suit, looking wide awake and alert.

1 year, 8 months.

[T(t) = 36.8 - 1.3 sin (π/12 (t+2))]

The gym-trainer in a new neon-orange spandex shirt that stretches obnoxiously over his arms in which a bright pink manga cover peeks out.

2 years, 2 months.

[Struthio casuarius] [Kamisama Hajimemashita Chapter 8]

The young professor, her head bowed over her iPad, fingers flying across the screen.

2 years, 9 months.

[adrenocorticotropin]

The couple wearing matching t-shirts in blue and green respectively are looking at a phone together, amused smiles on their faces as they say something quietly between each other.

3 years, 5 months.

[quantum entanglement]

It’s the same. Yet something has changed.

A shift in the way things orbit around him- the slightest change in resonance. The music around him has shifted, a new tune added as a result of a change.

A change that quietly enters his sky in a soft radiance of light.

[moon, luna, selene]

Seokjin smiles at him as he enters the platform, as though he knew exactly where he was going to be.

‘You’re hiding things from me Namjoon,’ he says in greeting as he pauses next to Namjoon, bringing with him the fragrance of fabric softener, the rain, and something warm. His hair is windswept, pale-grey hoodie large hanging off of his shoulders again, cheeks a little flushed.

‘Like?’

‘Pablo Neruda,’ Seokjin smiles. ‘I should have suspected you liked poetry.’

‘Well, the universe moves in music, and as someone who likes to watch the universe, it’s nice to put words to that music.’

Seokjin just smiles, waiting for the train to pull in.

‘If I’m the moon, then what are you?’ Seokjin asks, his tone careful and light, but there’s more to this, Namjoon knows. There’s weight to this question, the possibility of something more, of something- of anything.

The trains pull in, the air moves about them, whipping around them in a flurry of noise and Seokjin steps closer, as though afraid of not hearing what Namjoon has to say, their arms brushing.

And like some strange magnetic power, a pull that is both natural and hypnotic at the same time, Namjoon steps in closer. For a moment Namjoon’s breath is caught in his throat as he looks over Seokjin’s face, nearly able to count his eyelashes, just about make out small sparse freckles across his cheeks.

And the answer comes almost too easily to Namjoon.

Kim Seokjin- moon, luna, selene.

A calm rush overtakes him- overtakes them, in gentle waves of light and a depth that begs to be explored.

‘If you’re the moon, then I’m the sea.’  

*