bsky post here | twitter thread here | ao3 link here

The Jeons are a pistil dominant family, and the current rulers of the country. Each heir was known for the oak branches decorating their skin, and they prided themselves in their strength.

They also prided themselves in their purity — their branches only bloomed for the people they married. It was tradition, for the heir to marry six weeks after their first awakening, and three major ceremonies were held during that time.

The first being the awakening, followed by the binding, and ending with the blooming.

As the heir prince, Jeongguk knew that this was coming. It still didn’t change the way his heart ached the day after his first awakening. It had been a long and painful night, his transition from from calyx to pistil marked by the oak branches that grew on his back.

For a few years, there were worried whispers that floated through the halls, his mothers upset by the possibility of him presenting as a stamen. For a moment, Jeongguk almost wished that were the case.

Physicians were brought in when his twenty fifth and twenty sixth birthdays passed, the stress of a late presentation looming over them. But shortly after Jeongguk’s twenty-seventh birthday, Jeongguk woke up feeling symptoms his mothers often recounted, and before he knew it, thick oak carved his skin.

Now, Jeongguk sits in the window in a thin robe, frowning out over the courtyard as Seokjin moves around his room.

“Gguk-ah,” Seokjin calls.

Jeongguk turns away from the window, frown deepening when he takes in the clothes hanging from Seokjin’s arms.

“None of that,” Seokjin immediately says when Jeongguk opens his mouth to complain. “You knew this was coming, and you had the chance to offer your opinion on this outfit.”

Jeongguk holds Seokjin’s gaze before sighing and leaves the window seat to stand in front of him. He lets Seokjin remove his robe, closing his eyes so he doesn’t have to see the markings on his skin.

Not that it makes a difference.

“It will be alright,” Seokjin murmurs, his gentle camellia scent wrapping around Jeongguk in comfort.

“Thank you, hyung,” Jeongguk says quietly.

Seokjin hums, his hands gently caressing Jeongguk’ skin as he dresses him. Jeongguk can’t help but wonder if his stamen’s touch will be as gentle.

He won’t meet his stamen until the binding ceremony, but he will be receiving his first gift at tonight’s awakening ceremony. He lets his mind drift as Seokjin continues to flit around him to prepare him for the ceremony.

All he knows is that he wants love to bloom with the flowers that will decorate his branches. Even if he doesn’t get to choose who he marries.

“There,” Seokjin says with a final brush to his hair.