Chapter Text
After practice ended, Chan decided to visit the mall, he needed to prepare some things just in case the next gift got messy. He already has a sneaking suspicion of what it will be. He believes it will be blood-filled squirting orchids, they were grown in Chan's garden by his grandmother and Woojin often helped tend to them with Chan when they hung out. But the orchids did have an issue: they oozed red liquid like blood to keep the petals from wilting, so they required a very special type of pot and soil to keep them alive. But this meant that Seventeen were left up to their shenanigans.
"Guys, I don't get why Chan thinks we can't handle it. Angel, demon, human, it doesn't matter, a courting ritual is a courting ritual. And it's basically to prove your love for someone." Dk said sprawling himself onto the couch.
"I mean yeah there's a lot more rules compared to an angel courting and it sounds kind of tedious at times, but I am sure if we work together we can figure it out." Hoshi agreed with Dk.
"Yeah but where would we even find out how to do the demon courting? It's not like it's on the human web or in angel books. We do not have many demon friends in the industry besides I doubt any of them would tell us if they knew it was because we plan to do it." Seungkwan said pouting.
"Hm, my uncle was a demon specialist," Mingyu said chiming in.
Seventeen went quiet and turned to look at Mingyu, "How are we just finding out about this shit now?" Woozi asked.
"Never seemed important until now besides it kind of just slipped my mind." Mingyu shrugged.
Mingyu pulled out his phone and dialed a number, after a few rings the call connected, "Mingyu-yah? How can I help you?" A voice said on the other side.
"Uncle, you are a demon specialist, right? I had a few questions about them." Mingyu asked perking up slightly at the sound of his uncle.
"Ha ha you remembered? Yes, I am but are you not dating that cute little demon, what was his name? Cho? Chang? Choi? Why ask this old geezer?"
"Well the rest of us want to learn more about Chan and surprise him so we thought of the second best place to get answers," Mingyu said.
"Mmm I am not up to date with a lot of the more modern demons but I can try my best, you might just have to ask...Chan was it? He is a real demon after all."
"Ok, uncle uhm what goes down during a demonic courting ritual?" Mingyu asked
"...Mingyu-yah, you and the others are not possibly thinking of...performing it...right?"
Seventeen understood the concern in the man's voice because it mirrored Chan's.
"Well there's...a demon trying to court Channie, and we do not know what to do about it." Mingyu pouted.
"Well Mingyu listen, demonic courting rituals are not for angels, that is why in history most demon-angel relationships have been recorded as bonded through an angelic courting ritual of sorts since angelic rituals can be performed by almost anyone, it is a little more difficult for demons to perform especially the parts with holy water but there are no severe consequences at the end of the day. God does not typically get involved in courting, He simply either gives his blessing or does not depend on what he sees fit, In demonic courting on the other hand, Satan gives punishment for quote "wasting his time" if not completed properly. Whether the pursued accepts or not. there is a very specific way to begin a courting, do a courting and then end the courting. All angels that have tried it have failed, and you know where they are now? They are used as decorative plants in Satan's garden. Even God can't help you out of that one since you were the one who insisted on doing it." Mingyu's uncle said.
"But Uncle, there has got to be a way for us. Chan is getting courted demonically by another demon and we just have to sit back and watch it???" Mingyu whined.
"Well, I doubt Chan will accept the courting because I know he loves you guys, but if you guys truly are worried there are counter rituals you can do to secure your bond with Chan. And they technically are safer than doing a full-on counter ritual or courting ritual itself. How does that sound? It still has some risk but it isn't fatal or too long-lasting." Mingyu's uncle tried to change Seventeen's mind.
Seventeen thought about it for a minute and they decided that they probably should start small. "And besides, if you guys are being used as decorative plants does that not just let the demon who's courting Chan win? You guys are no longer able to act as boyfriends anyway." That last line made sense to the 12 of them. They could not let Woojin win. Even if it was a cowardly win like that one would be.
"So, Uncles what should we do?" Mingyu asked.
"Chan is an incubus, correct? In that case, I will do some research and I will write it down and send it to you. How many gifts has this demon sent Chan? how many outings have they gone on? and last one how many letters has he sent?"
"2 gifts, plus the warning roses whatever that is and no outings or letter that we know of."
"Ok, then you guys have plenty of time. No need to rush. Calm down."
After that, the phone line disconnected and Mingyu felt like he could finally take a breath. Jeonghan pulled the taller man close. and started petting his hair. "it'll be ok, we have to trust your uncle. He knows what he is doing."
Chan walked through the door a few minutes later. Upon arriving he saw the sight in the living room. "You guys...? What are you doing?"
"Nothing just...discussing somethings, here come, sit with us," Wonwoo said getting up and walking towards Chan. He grabbed the shopping bags and looked inside. He gave a weird look to Chan.
"Don't ask, they are for very specific demonic flowers my grandma used to have." Chan rolled his eyes and Wonwoo put the shopping bags down on the counter.
"That was a weird-shaped pot though. and some weird-looking gardening tools," Wonwoo said dropping down next to Chan.
"Well...yeah I guess. I got them in a mall in Hell. You'll see the flowers soon...probably, they are gorgeous but they are a bit of a hassle to take care of. Super messy." Chan sighed. leaning into the shoulder rub Wonwoo was giving him. "But you guys probably don't want to hear about that."
"No no, Channie, I am interested in flowers. I would love to learn about demonic flowers, I know little to nothing about them." Minghao smiled scorching over closer to Chan. "besides it might help me decide what flowers to get you for our next date."
"...you are not planning on giving me wilted roses right?" Chan said eyeing Minghao up and down. Still a bit suspicious about the demonic courting.
Minghao smiled, "No, though if you like them I can give them to you. I can try my best."
Chan smiled, "Well there is a very specific way you have to prepare wilted roses as a courting ritual warning, if you do not it does not start the ritual, it is not something you can start by accident. So technically you can still use them as just some pretty flowers to pick up a date with." Chan said.
"Well, will you let me pick up a pretty thing like you as my date?" Jun asked chipping in beside Minghao.
Minghao cringed and side-eyed Jun for the pickup line. "You are so gross." Minghao sassed.
"Not as gross as I will be with you tonight." Jun winked at Minghao.