#and the Shapeshifter AU... still have this nagging feeling about continuing it | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

theharrowing · 2 years ago

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Now The Forest Knows My Secret

Seokjin told himself that if he caught up to Hoseok on his morning run through the forest, that he would finally confess to being in love with him, but instead he only finds a squirrel amongst the trees to open his heart to. Little does Seokjin know, Hoseok can shapeshift into a squirrel. 🐿️

🍃 Hoseok x Seokjin

🍃 word count: 8.9k

🍃 friends to lovers, semi-canon compliant, idol au, shapeshifting, smut, fluff, slash, nsfw, 18+

🍃 warnings: top seokjin, bottom hoseok. events loosely take place during In The Soop 1. Hoseok is needy, Seokjin has a big dick, pining, confessions, outdoor/forest sex, ass to mouth, anal fingering, anal sex, overstimulation, light humiliation, sex while standing up, multiple orgasms, shameless smut.

🍃 written for the Serenity: In The Soop Fest!

🍃 beta read by @neoneunnajimin

🍃 posted june 2022 | read on ao3

"Hoba!" Seokjin's voice calls. "Did you come this way?"

Hoseok's ears twitch, and his nose sniffs rapidly; Seokjin is close. He must have seen Hoseok take off running earlier along the path and decided to join him. However, Seokjin won't recognize Hoseok like this, so Hoseok continues to sit on the tree branch with his tail upright and curled at the end, watching as Seokjin gets closer.

"Yah, Hoba," Seokjin mutters to himself, sounding out of breath as twigs snap and leaves crunch beneath his feet. "How did you manage to get so far?"

It's a strange coincidence, Hoseok thinks, that Seokjin happens to stop right where he is. He wonders if, somehow, Seokjin can sense that he's there. But that would be impossible, right? As if able to read Hoseok's mind, Seokjin looks up, angles his head to the side, and stares directly into Hoseok's eyes. Hoseok stands straight, shocked, and Seokjin relaxes, smiling widely.

"Cute," Seokjin says. "Guess it's just you and me, little squirrel."

Hoseok cocks his head and sniffs the air rapidly. He can smell the sweet musk coming from Seokjin. Hoseok loves the way Seokjin smells when he sweats.

"I'm surprised you're not running away," Seokjin says, inching a little closer to Hoseok. Hoseok stays still and watches him. "Maybe I should sing to you like they do in the movies and make you my friend. I'll have you know, I'm probably more of a Snow White than a Cinderella."

Hoseok agrees that Seokjin's beauty is worth killing for.

"Perhaps I should confess to you my deepest secret, and then it won't nag at me anymore. Would you like that, little guy?"

Hoseok's ears twitch, and he sits comfortably with his front paws clutched together in front of his chest. He wonders what Seokjin's confession could possibly be. He bets it's that Seokjin secretly spent money to advance in a video game that he's been playing during his time off. Or maybe that he's been holding out on telling the group about his new favorite takeout place and hoarding all the delicious morsels to himself. Seokjin is as shameless as he is helpful, though, and a better gamer than most of the group, so he's not sure either of those scenarios would fit his hyung very well.

"I'm in love, little squirrel," Seokjin says.

Seokjin smiles, but it quickly falls, and his eyes drop to the forest floor before he looks back up at Hoseok. Hoseok's tail flicks, and he inadvertently stomps on his branch. He doesn't mean to have such an aggressive response to his best friend having feelings for someone; he just...wishes it was him.

"It's silly, right?" Seokjin asks, smiling sadly at Hoseok. "It's funny because he's one of my best friends, and we've always been close, but I never know what to say or do around him when these feelings bubble. And they've been bubbling a lot lately."

Hoseok's mind races. Who could it possibly be? Another member? Seokjin is fairly close to everyone, but he's closest to Jungkook. Jungkook is so wrapped up in Jimin, though, and has been for an eternity, so he doubts it's him. Hoseok wonders if maybe it could be one of the staff members—the one who tags along to the amusement parks with him. Of course it would be him; he's handsome and outgoing in ways Hoseok knows he can't compete with. Hoseok feels so deflated, and he drops his tail down, wrapping it around his body.

Seokjin chuckles and shakes his head. "I told myself that if I met him out here, that I would confess." He looks around, taking in the scenery.

"But it's just you and me, so you'll have to keep my confession safe. Thanks, little squirrel," Seokjin says with a wink. "I'll go back now."

Seokjin turns to go back the way he came, and Hoseok stays where he is in a daze—the words had entered his tiny ears, and the information had floated right into his brain, but it doesn't make sense just yet, so Hoseok replays his words over and over. I told myself that if I met him out here, that I would confess. What...does he mean, meet who out here? The only one out here is...

Oh. Oh.

When Hoseok returns to the main house, he's out of breath and ready for a shower. He hopes he doesn't run into Seokjin while he runs upstairs to his room for a change of clothes. He's not sure how he will manage to look Seokjin in the eye later and is already anxious about the prospect of preparing dinner with everyone.

Hoseok manages to shower without crossing paths with any of the members and begins to make his way back downstairs in clean shorts and tee, all FILA brand. It's late enough that Seokjin should be up at the upper house helping with dinner preparation, so Hoseok thinks he'll be safe to sit in the main house and work on some building blocks or tweak his rubber band airplane until he's ready to go make himself useful.

So when Hoseok sees, from the corner of his eye, Seokjin rummaging through the fridge, he panics. Hoseok backs up quickly, standing in front of the stairs. There's no way Seokjin saw him all the way from the kitchen, right?

"Yah, Hoba!" Seokjin calls. Hoseok sighs and cranes his neck into view, watching Seokjin come down the short hallway. He nearly runs into Seokjin when he steps forward, and both men hop backward as if there's an electric barrier between them.

Seokjin holds a bundle of spring onions in one hand and packs of bean sprouts in the other, and he offers Hoseok a small smile. "Where did you go today?"

"Wh—" Hoseok rasps, but it gets stuck in his throat, so he clears it and tries again. "What do you mean?"

Seokjin laughs and seems to be pretty nonchalant, except the red tips of his ears, which speaks volumes. "I ran to find you, but you got too far."

"Oh," Hoseok responds. "Yeah, I uh—I went further than usual today. I didn't realize you'd want to run with me."

With a shrug, Seokjin hums. "It was a spur-of-the-moment choice."

Hoseok nods—Seokjin has been nothing but impulsive since they showed up here several days ago, which Hoseok admires, so taking chase to confess his feelings doesn't seem too off-brand, as far as Hoseok is concerned.

"What's for dinner?" Hoseok asks, eager to change the subject.

Seokjin holds up the spring onions. "Yoongi-yah wants to make dakgalbi. And I found these bean sprouts, so I'm bringing them just in case."

Hoseok hums and nods, pulling his lips into a dimpled smile. Seokjin's eyes fall to Hoseok's lips, and he looks like he has more to say, but Hoseok speaks first, asking, "Is there something I can do to help?"

Seokjin hesitates, looks past Hoseok as if he's gathering his thoughts, then plasters on a smile, shrugs, and says, "If you want to come see if Yoongi-yah needs anything, I'm sure he would like that."

"S-sure," Hoseok responds.

They both stand there, quietly. Hoseok watches Seokjin, who watches some unknown spot on the wall. It's not necessarily an awkward silence, but it's a heavy one, and the longer they stand in it, the more it starts to weigh on Hoseok, so he steps back, out of Seokjin's bubble, and walks around him.

"Shall we?" Hoseok offers, opening the nearby door.

Seokjin doesn't move, but he nods and says, "Yeah. I'll be right there."

The walk to the upper house feels...off. Like Hoseok's limbs are too heavy to carry him, and yet there's a force pushing him forward, keeping him upright. He trips on some gravel on the incline of the driveway and stumbles but rights himself, and when he gets to the house, everyone else is there chattering away, either helping Yoongi with food prep or with some other kind of preparations, or standing around the gaming station. It's a familiar scene that he's walked in on hundreds of times, and yet he feels like an outsider entering the home, wondering if he has a place there at all.

"Ah, Hoba," Yoongi calls, "can you do me a favor?"

Yoongi's voice pulls Hoseok to reality, though he still feels pulled off his axis a little. He joins Yoongi in the kitchen and quickly gets to work on helping him, and when Seokjin joins moments later, the chaos of the house is enough to keep Hoseok focused. He only steals glances a few times.

The thing is, Hoseok is stupid in love with Seokjin. He's been stupid in love with Seokjin for as long as he can remember and sometimes dotes heavily on all the other members to hide all the affectionate touches and glances he sends Seokjin because he has never been sure whether Seokjin would feel the same way. Now that Hoseok knows he feels the same way, he feels almost at a loss, somehow.

He doesn't want to confess to Seokjin that he overheard him in the forest because how will he explain to Seokjin that he can shift into a squirrel? But if he does start something with Seokjin, eventually, he'll have to tell him; it's not something he can just keep from him. But how will Seokjin react? The prospect is a bit terrifying.

Dinner was amazing, and everyone sits around, finishing their drinks and giggling about this and that. It's been extremely cathartic for the group to come out into the woods for a few days at a time to unwind and play around as if they have no responsibilities. Of course, there are cameras all over, but that's so normal at this point, Hoseok hardly notices—only really sees them when he's seeking privacy.

Everyone begins to clear away the dishes except for Yoongi and Seokjin, and Hoseok twiddles his fingers, coming up with his next step. He's had enough alcohol to feel a bit loose and comfortable with making a confession of his own, but he's still full of anxiety. He's not sure he wants to speak his heart with soju on his breath; maybe he should wait a bit longer.

"Earth to Seok," Yoongi grumbles, and Hoseok looks up, startled. Hoseok hums in response, and Yoongi chuckles, squinting as if trying to read him. "You seem lost in another world."

Hoseok hums again. "Yeah, I guess so. I have a lot on my mind."

"Want to talk about it?" Seokjin offers.

"No!" Hoseok blurts, maybe a little too forcefully. His hyungs look at him, surprised, and Hoseok clears his throat and laughs it off. "Sorry, ha! Didn't mean to shout, just, uh—" Hoseok clears his throat again and stands. "Gonna see what the kids are up to in the kitchen! Make sure they don't need a hand!"

Hoseok knows he's being awkward and can feel their eyes on him as he stands and leaves, but he can already hear Yoongi and Seokjin change the topic to League of Legends, which makes him sigh in relief. Nothing really fazes those two, but it was still a close call.

It's been over an hour since Hoseok laid down, and he can't sleep; he keeps replaying the scene in the forest over and over again. He thinks about how Seokjin looked him in the eye like he knew it was him—like he knew that Hoseok was a cute little squirrel sitting on a branch. How Seokjin blushed when he confessed to being in love. How much it hurt Hoseok to think of Seokjin loving anyone but him, only to discover it had to be him. Nobody else was out in the woods, and he called for Hoseok before stumbling on him...it had to be Hoseok he was talking about, right?

Hoseok hates that he has doubts, but he just can't imagine why. Why him. Hoseok knows that he's funny, and kind, and attractive, and talented, and all of the things the boys and his fans tell him he is, but he still can't wrap his head around the idea of Seokjin liking him, of all people. He wants to talk to him, but he doesn't know how or where. He thought about it earlier—stared out in the lawn for a while, thinking about leading Seokjin out there to confess without being overheard. But then he gave up and came to bed.

"If he runs with me tomorrow, I'll tell him," Hoseok whispers to himself, finally drifting to sleep.

"Going on another run?"

Hoseok looks up to find Seokjin dressed ready to exercise. He had hoped to stretch and get into the woods before anyone else saw him, but of course Seokjin is up at the crack of dawn. It's then that Hoseok remembers his promise to himself, and he takes a deep breath in before letting it out. He nods, offers to grab a bottle of water from the fridge for Seokjin, and approaches a camera director to whisper for him to please not let anyone follow them on their run today before taking the waters back to where Seokjin begins stretching.

Seokjin stretches deep, so deep it makes Hoseok avert his eyes and stare at a spot in the grass. Two can play this game, he thinks, placing his hands on his knees to squat equally as low. He doesn't need to look up to Seokjin to see if he's watching because he can tell from the periphery that Seokjin has stopped mid-stretch to look. Hoseok takes his time rolling his neck, then stands straight and smiles at a frozen Seokjin.

"Ready?" Hoseok calls, tossing a cold bottle to Seokjin, and Seokjin catches the bottle and stares at Hoseok, mouth agape like he's just seen a ghost.

Seokjin quickly recovers and smiles that fond smile Hoseok loves so much and nods. "Ready when you are, Hoba!"

Hoba. The nickname always makes Hoseok's heart sing. He loves it when Yoongi says it with the fondness of a dear old friend, but he especially loves it when Seokjin says it with a hint of something more. How did he never notice until now? The tone was always there, always saccharine and dripping with affection.

Hoseok takes off along the path, and Seokjin follows him, staying just a couple steps behind. It's nice having a running buddy, hearing someone's feet against the gravel and breathing huffed out and sucked in, in sync with his own. He wonders if Seokjin is looking ahead at the same point as him or if he's viewing the scenery differently. Maybe Seokjin is looking at him.

They make it around the lake in silence, save for their breathing beginning to get heavier. Hoseok could run faster than he is now, but he doesn't want to outpace Seokjin or push him to go harder; he wants to keep him right here with him, just as they are. The forest is ahead, and he wants to wait to take a break until they're out of the clearing and hidden within the trees. He almost suggests it when—

"Hoba," Seokjin huffs, "let's take a break in the forest."

Hoseok smiles to himself and nods, sending an "Okay!" over his shoulder with his eyes on the tree line. A drone camera flies nearby overhead, and so Hoseok definitely does not want to orchestrate a confession until he can get out of its line of sight.

And suddenly, he feels anxious. Not so anxious that he begins to consider backing out, but just enough that he worries he'll be a fumbling mess when it comes to speaking his heart. Their steps get heavier and more languid, and Hoseok slows a bit more to keep in step with Seokjin. The forest is close. So close he can smell it.

"Wah, Hoba," Seokjin mutters, breathing hard.

Hoseok stops and turns to find Seokjin slowing down even more. The forest line is so close, Hoseok holds back the urge to whine. He considers offering Seokjin a piggyback ride just to get him past the trees.

"Sorry," Seokjin says. "I might be worn out from running out here three days in a row. I don't know how you do it!"

I have the speed and stamina of a squirrel, Hoseok thinks, but he asks, "Should we walk the rest of the way?"

Seokjin cocks his head, sending Hoseok a curious look. "To where?"

"T-to the forest. To take a break."

A small smirk tugs at Seokjin's lips and Hoseok wonders if his desperation to get Seokjin alone under the cover of trees is that transparent.

"I just thought, since there's shade it would be nicer than being out here in the sun," Hoseok continues.

Seokjin nods and smiles wider. He's taking a drink from a bottle of water, slowing his breaths, and Hoseok thinks, for just a second, that he would like to lick the sweat from the side of Seokjin's face. Hoseok feels his cheeks turn hot and looks away, gazes out over the lake to the house where he thinks he can see some of the boys walking around and starting their day.

"Okay, let's walk the rest of the way," Seokjin says, approaching Hoseok. Hoseok waits for Seokjin to be beside him before he begins to walk, falling into step with him.

"Do you feel better today," Seokjin asks.

Hoseok turns to look at Seokjin, who stares ahead. "What do you mean?"

"Yesterday, you just seemed, I don't know...antsy?"

Hoseok chuckles and curses himself for behaving so weirdly. "Yeah, I'm fine. I just have a lot on my mind."

Twigs begin to snap under their steps, mingling with the crunch of gravel, and Hoseok begins to pick up his pace, moving to a place just off the path where there's a boulder they can sit on.

"Anything you want to talk about?" Seokjin asks.

Hoseok swallows a lump in his throat and takes a deep breath. "Actually, yes," Hoseok turns to Seokjin and stops in his tracks just before the boulder. "There is something."

Seokjin stops, his breath seems to hitch, and he looks expectantly at Hoseok. Hoseok didn't mean for his voice to come out so low and seductive, and it's clear that it had an effect on Seokjin.

"Jin-hyung, I," Hoseok swallows another lump and takes a step forward, close enough to Seokjin to have to look upward ever so slightly. Hoseok pulls off his floppy white bucket hat to get its rim out of his eyes so he can see Seokjin more clearly. "I need to tell you something."

Seokjin looks intrigued and worried, and Hoseok takes one more deep breath. "Jin-hyung, I—"

"Whaaaaaa!" A deep voice calls from just outside the tree line. "Look, look! I found one."

Hoseok deflates, feeling the wind knocked from his lungs as he looks through the trees to see Namjoon crouched by the lake not far from where they are, most likely looking at a frog or something. He must not have been too far behind them, and Hoseok wonders how he didn’t notice. Seokjin turns and chuckles, then shakes his head.

"Shit," Hoseok whispers under his breath, cocking his head in disbelief while his eyes find the ground.

"I—uh—it'll have to wait," Hoseok says, patting Seokjin on the chest and running over to where Namjoon and his cameraman are beside the lake. Hoseok isn't fond of many of the creatures Namjoon finds, but he doesn't want to confess to Seokjin in anyone's presence. He wants to kiss Seokjin until his lips are pink and puffy, and he can't risk it with his hyung right there, so he'll feign interest either until Namjoon leaves or Seokjin decides to run back.

It's already dark, everyone is full of food and drink, and their time in the forest is coming to an end. Tomorrow is the last full day before they pack up the following morning and head back home. Hoseok is looking forward to going back to his routine and keeping his body in motion, but he already misses having the freedom to relax and focus on crafts and watch everyone else unwind and have fun.

Hoseok takes a seat at the picnic table by the small fire pit. He watches as the flames travel up and lick the air and thinks about everything he did while out here and everything he watched the others do. Hoseok loves to bask in a moment and cherish it, never taking anything for granted, and he smiles to himself over all the things he and the others have managed to accomplish, even if their accomplishments were laying back and enjoying some peace and quiet.

There is one thing Hoseok ponders, wishing he could go back and change, but he tries not to dwell on it. Although it would be special to share a moment with Seokjin out here, in nature, he knows that he will have plenty of time to confess his feelings when they get back. It's not as if he'll never see Seokjin again after this.

"You look lost in thought," Seokjin says, pulling Hoseok into the present.

Hoseok startles and holds his hand to his chest, then scoffs at his own foolishness and shakes his head to the side in disbelief. Seokjin walks past Hoseok and takes a seat next to him, and immediately Hoseok can feel his heart pounding. He glances around to see everyone else is far enough from them that they could have the conversation he wanted to have, though he does lament missing out on the romantic first kiss factor that a totally secluded confession would have offered.

"I guess I do have a lot on my mind," Hoseok says, smiling softly while continuing to watch the fire.

"Does it have anything to do with what you wanted to tell me earlier?"

Hoseok shifts his weight, turning his knees toward Seokjin. It's not as easy to look each other in the eye while seated beside one another, but Hoseok does his best. "It does," he says, looking shyly at Seokjin.

Seokjin grins. "I'm all ears."

Hoseok takes a deep breath in, then inhales it. "I wanted to tell you this when we were perfectly alone. In fact...maybe I should wait."

Seokjin sighs. It's a playful sigh, laced with fake exasperation, as if he doesn't have all the time to wait right now.

"Seokjin, do you—" Hoseok stops and looks Seokjin in the eye, studying him. Seokjin watches Hoseok attentively. "This is awkward," Hoseok confesses, looking down. "I've never had to do this before."

"Yah, Seokah, spit it out," Seokjin chides quietly, nudging Hoseok's arm with his elbow.

Hoseok swallows a lump in his throat and ignores the fluttering of a swarm of something fierce in his chest.

"I just think you're amazing," Hoseok mutters. This isn't how he expected this would go, but he rolls with it. When Hoseok looks up at Seokjin, Seokjin's face is bright and open, as if he already knows where this is going. "I admire you. I find myself in a daze thinking about you all the time. I—"

Hoseok takes another deep breath and holds eye contact. "I love you. Not just in the way I love the rest of the guys. I love you in a way that makes me want to cherish you. I love you in a way that makes me want to hold you close and confide in you. I love you in a way that makes me terrified of you. I wanted to say this in the forest, but—"

"But Namjoon and his damn frogs," Seokjin chuckles, looking down at the ground before meeting Hoseok's gaze once more. "I love you, too. I confessed to a squirrel that I love you, so now the forest knows my secret. But I guess it's not a secret anymore."

Hoseok's fingers flex as if trying to reach out for Seokjin, but he stops himself. Someone could come walking by at any moment, and although he's held hands with all of the guys at some point or another, this moment feels too precious to laugh off and pretend it wasn't happening, or to fake as something less important, should someone see them.

"I wanted to tell you in the forest so that, if you felt the same way, we could kiss each other stupid and nobody would see," Hoseok confesses. He can feel his cheeks turn pink, and he doesn't care. "It's all I've been able to think about."

Seokjin's eyes glow in the light of the small fire, flickering with yellow and orange, and Hoseok watches, enamored by the blaze that mirrors what he feels in his heart. "I would like that," Seokjin says.

"Good," Hoseok mutters with a smile.

This time when Seokjin stretches deep, Hoseok watches intently, commenting on his form and making crude jokes about how low Seokjin can go and about how good Seokjin might look if he got lower, all while towering over him. Seokjin smirks, ears and neck turning bright red, and when Hoseok stretches, Seokjin makes similar remarks, making Hoseok feel intimidated, almost shy, to be looked at and spoken to in such a manner by him, of all people.

They cannot get into the forest fast enough.

Hoseok takes off running. He had already grabbed a water bottle before they began to stretch, and he doesn't care if Seokjin is ready or not because Seokjin will catch up eventually. And he does. Hoseok hears footsteps beating gravel into sand just behind him, and he smiles widely to himself. Once more, he had asked a camera operator not to follow him, and this time he made sure Namjoon was busy working on crafts with the others.

The cool morning breeze coming off the lake fills Hoseok's lungs, and he feels elated and more alive than ever before. He can't wait to pin Seokjin to a tree and kiss him until they can't breathe. Seokjin catches up to Hoseok, and although he's more winded than Hoseok, he keeps up beside him.

"Eager, are we?" Seokjin pants and Hoseok grins.

"You have no idea."

The trees are getting closer, and Hoseok can't tell if his heart is beating so hard from the physical exertion or from his want. Hoseok listens to Seokjin's panting and can't help but picture him underneath him or leaning over him. However Seokjin may want him, Hoseok is a willing and eager participant. It occurs to him that he's getting ahead of himself and shouldn't be imagining the two of them fucking, but Hoseok has never felt so needy in his life, and his thoughts swirl and pulse through him at breakneck speeds.

Seokjin begins to slow, but Hoseok keeps the pace. In fact, he speeds up. In the tree line, off to the left, past where they stopped at a boulder, there's a more dense area of trees. In there, they can hide away even from Namjoon and his frogs if they have to. In fact, Hoseok laments not taking Seokjin further into the forest yesterday, but he didn't want to risk being heard and have to explain it with blushed cheeks afterward; Namjoon would not have let go.

Hoseok slows as soon as he crosses the tree line. He checks behind him to see Seokjin making good time, and he slowly jogs along the path before veering off to the left, coming to a walk. Seokjin slows and follows Hoseok, and as the trees become denser and the shadows widen, Hoseok feels a hand against his and fingers lacing between his fingers. Hoseok's heart skips a beat, and his breath gets caught in his throat, and when he looks to his right, Seokjin is smirking.

"I have some idea," Seokjin says, and Hoseok hums.

"About how eager you are," Seokjin continues. He takes the lead and tugs Hoseok over to a wide tree, rounds it, and presses his body against Hoseok and Hoseok's body into the scratchy bark.

Hoseok's breathing is deep and ragged, and he stares up at Seokjin with his mouth hanging agape and eyes wide. He knows he must look ridiculous, like a lovesick puppy, but that's exactly how he feels, and shame be damned, he doesn't mind if Seokjin knows it.

"Now, about that kiss you wanted…," Seokjin says softly, leaning into Hoseok's space and gently taking Hoseok's face in both hands.

Hoseok juts out his chin to meet Seokjin halfway, and when Seokjin licks over Hoseok's bottom lip and gently sucks it between his teeth, a jolt of energy surges through Hoseok and his mouth falls further open in a whimper. Seokjin leads, licking Hoseok's tongue and drawing delicate circles in his mouth. Hoseok doesn't remember lifting his arms, but his fingers grip the front of Seokjin's shirt, holding onto him like a lifeline.

Seokjin hums and groans, and Hoseok whimpers and moans, each man swallowing the sounds of the other, pushing and pulling gently with their tongues. The kiss isn't heated or desperate, but it's charged and Seokjin slots a thigh between Hoseok's legs, making Hoseok mewl from the gentle touch that grazes him.

"Fuck," Hoseok whines. "It's embarrassing how much I want you."

"Embarrassing?" Seokjin takes a step back, pantomimes being offended, and places a hand over his heart. "Have you seen me, Hoba? I'm surprised you're not ripping my clothing to shreds."

Hoseok takes Seokjin by the waist and steps forward, then spins them, pushing Seokjin against the tree and pressing his body into him. Hoseok can feel Seokjin's cock, firm and heavy against his hip, and both men whine as Hoseok trails his hands up Seokjin's torso, snaking them around his neck.

"I would be ripping your clothing to shreds," Hoseok says in a voice low and dripping with desire. It's Seokjin's turn to drop his mouth agape. But then, just as quickly as Seokjin looked surprised, his lips curl into a smirk, making him seem devious.

"So why don't you?"

Hoseok scoffs and searches Seokjin's eyes, then mutters, "I didn't bring lube with me on this trip."

Seokjin reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small bottle of lube, and Hoseok gasps. He can't help but wonder if Seokjin planned ahead—if he knew he was going to confess and hoped Hoseok would want to fuck in the woods like wild animals.

"Why did you—"

Seokjin rolls his eyes. "To jerk off."

Okay, Hoseok admits it makes sense, but he tends to just spit into his hand when he wants to jerk off away from home, and perhaps he expected everyone else did too. But then Seokjin continues and says a string of words that drive Hoseok wild.

"I like to make a mess."

Hoseok's hands are off Seokjin in a flash, tugging away his own hat and throwing it to the ground, then pulling off his own shirt and tossing it to where his hat has landed. Seokjin grins, watching Hoseok respond almost frantically, still fully dressed against the tree.

"You want me that badly?" Seokjin chides as Hoseok pulls Seokjin forward and begins pushing his shirt up. Hoseok wants to see and touch and feel Seokjin's skin, and he wants it now.

"Please," Hoseok mutters.

Seokjin grabs the bottom hem of his shirt and pulls it up and over his head, and Hoseok stops everything he's doing, arms suspended in mid-movement, to look at Seokjin. They've seen each other undress, but Hoseok always averts his eyes to prevent himself from staring. He's never taken the time to really look at Seokjin, to map the lines and curves—the muscle and bone. Hoseok's arms remember how to move, and he places his hands gently on Seokjin's chest and roves his palms down and around and up, feeling Seokjin's warm, soft skin.

"You really are obsessed, huh?" Seokjin says with a hint of sarcasm.

"Of course I am," Hoseok responds seriously—shamelessly. "Just look at you."

Seokjin places his hands on Hoseok's ribs and rubs up and down gently. "How do you want me?"

Hoseok looks Seokjin in the eye, feeling surprised. Of course, they have to have this conversation, but the way Seokjin brings it up so casually and immediately takes Hoseok aback.

"Do you have a preference?" Hoseok asks, and Seokjin shakes his head.

Hoseok smirks, feeling bold. "Then I want you to fuck me."

Seokjin grins, and the darkness that flashes in his eyes takes Hoseok's breath away. Slowly, gradually, Seokjin forces Hoseok to back up, and although Hoseok has no idea what's behind him, he can't make himself look anywhere but at Seokjin.

"You want me to fuck you?" Seokjin says in almost a mocking tone. "Want me to bend you over and make you mine?"

All Hoseok can do is mutter, "Fuck."

Seokjin stops, so Hoseok stops. "Turn around and bend over for me, then."

Hoseok turns and finds a boulder before him, just tall enough for him to bend at the hips and lean his elbows into it. Seokjin leaves—causing Hoseok to look behind him—to pick up their discarded shirts.

"Put this under your elbows," Seokjin says as he returns, and Hoseok takes the shirts, folds them a few times and places them below his elbows as directed.

Hoseok's heart pounds with anticipation, and his cock throbs in his shorts. He wants to beg Seokjin to touch him, but he knows Seokjin would likely just tease him and make him beg more, so Hoseok does his best to keep it together for the sake of his own sanity.

Fingers rub up Hoseok's sides, sending a chill through him, then back down and hook under the waistband of Hoseok's shorts to gently pull down, slowly exposing Hoseok's hips and ass. Hoseok hears Seokjin's breath hitch, and he feels self-conscious, bent over and naked.

"I always knew you'd have a perfect ass," Seokjin praises, and Hoseok does his best not to melt on the spot.

"You like what you see?" Hoseok asks, shocking even himself with how composed and seductive he sounds.

Seokjin lowers himself behind Hoseok, crunching leaves below his knees, and Hoseok stares ahead at some bushes, letting them go in and out of focus as he braces himself for what's to come.

"I love what I see, Hoba," Seokjin responds, grazing his teeth over the skin of Hoseok's ass cheek, toward the center. "I bet you taste just as good as you look."

Hoseok doesn't have a chance to allow those words to fully absorb and affect him before Seokjin's tongue laps over his rim. The wet warmth glides over Hoseok's sensitive skin, and Hoseok trembles and bites back a needy whine.

"Fuck," Hoseok whimpers.

Seokjin moans as he licks again, twisting his tongue over Hoseok's hole as if devouring him—savoring him. Hoseok fights the urge to fall forward, and he bites down on his lip, desperately holding onto whatever ounce of composure he has left. They may be out in the middle of the woods, but the idea of getting caught still worries him.

"So good," Seokjin groans. "Tastes even sweeter than I thought."

Drool drips down Hoseok's thighs, and he pictures Seokjin's pink tongue and plush lips making an absolute mess out of him, and he loses it. His head spins, arousal pools, and he drops his face down into his hands and moans. He wants to unravel completely, and he doesn't care if it's too fast or if he's too messy; he just wants Seokjin to give and take more and more of him.

The sound of the lube bottle popping open pulls Hoseok out of his reverie, and the anticipation of penetration has him feeling even hotter and needier; Hoseok has thought about Seokjin's fingers many times before. Hoseok doesn't expect to feel the press of a finger alongside Seokjin's tongue, and he yelps and ruts his hips, chasing the feeling and wanting more.

Seokjin chuckles but continues to lave his tongue over Hoseok while his finger slowly and gently probes at his hole. The feeling has Hoseok reeling, and he does his best not to rut his hips back more. He wants to be good for Seokjin and take all that he wants to give him.

"Do you want my finger, Hoba?" Seokjin asks, pushing his fingertip in and pulling it back out.

"Yes," Hoseok cries. "Yes, please."

Seokjin chuckles once more. "I didn't know you were so needy, baby."

Hoseok whines. Being teased while Seokjin works him open makes Hoseok feel a healthy mix of arousal and shame, and he bites his lip in an effort to keep himself from just flat out begging for what he wants. But Seokjin has stopped licking Hoseok, and the lack of stimulation makes him pout and whine some more.

"Nothing to say, Hoba?" Seokjin presses as he pushes the tip of his finger into Hoseok's ass once more.

"Need you," Hoseok whimpers. "I am needy. I've wanted you for so long, Jin-hyung, please."

So much for not begging.

Seokjin must like Hoseok's response, and he pushes his finger deeper, stretching Hoseok around his knuckle. Hoseok's head cranes back then falls forward as he moans loudly from the stretch. It hurts, and it feels so good, and Hoseok wants more, more, more.

"So tight, Hoba. I don't think I'll be able to stretch you to accommodate me."

Hoseok shakes his head desperately and pleads with his eyes despite facing away from Seokjin. "Please," Hoseok whispers. Seokjin pulls his finger out and pushes it back in, bit by bit, further each time.

"Please, please, please," Hoseok continues, singing the word quietly like a mantra.

The second finger turns Hoseok into a whimpering, blubbering mess. He might be crying, but he can't tell because everything is a lot, and the late morning sun is hot even under the shade of trees. Hoseok is sweaty and hot, and he wants Seokjin to absolutely ruin him.

The third finger sends Hoseok into a dimension where he no longer has the ability to speak. He's not certain his brain is working at all, in fact, except in so much as to decode and relay the message of pleasure. All Hoseok can feel is overwhelming, breathtaking bliss as Seokjin works three fingers in and out, scissoring open and bending in on themselves, forcing Hoseok's sphincters to open wide and contract again and again.

"More," Hoseok finally rasps when he's adjusted enough to the feeling that he remembers how to speak. His cock throbs and leaks, and he feels desperate. He wants to come undone, but not until he's felt Seokjin's cock. He needs to feel Seokjin's cock.

"I should add one more finger," Seokjin advises, but Hoseok shakes his head frantically.

"No," Hoseok begs, "please, I need to come; I need your cock, please, Jin-hyung."

Seokjin removes his fingers and rubs his non-sticky hand over Hoseok's lower back. Hoseok thinks Seokjin may have stood up behind him, but the only thing he can be certain of is that he's empty and he needs to be full.

"I might break you in half, Hoba," Seokjin says. His voice is low and close to Hoseok's ear, and Hoseok shivers.

"Please, hyung." Hoseok whines. "Break me. Make me cry, please. I need you."

Seokjin shifts behind Hoseok and the lube bottle is opened, used, and closed. Hoseok attempts to look back, but his legs are already weak, and he can't seem to move himself enough to see. He'll just need to revel in seeing the majesty of Seokjin's cock later. He assumes there will be a later, what with the confessions of love and all. He hopes there will be a later.

The blunt, slick tip of Seokjin's cock brushes over Hoseok's hole, and Hoseok shivers—trembles from head to toe—and he holds back a whine. Then the tip breaches Hoseok, just enough to begin the stretch, and Hoseok attempts to grip onto the boulder beneath him. It's of no use as his fingernails scrape over the surface. Seokjin has barely begun, and already he's too big.

Slowly, Seokjin works the tip in and out, and Hoseok devolves into a panting, sweating mess. Each gentle thrust forward knocks the air from Hoseok's lungs, and he gasps for each breath as Seokjin pulls out.

"Am I hurting you?" Seokjin asks.

"Yes," Hoseok pants. "Yes, fuck, yes. Please don't stop. It's so good. Please."

Seokjin chuckles, once more filling Hoseok's cheeks with the warmth that accompanies shame, but Hoseok continues to whimper please below his breath as if manifesting the ability to handle Seokjin's cock.

Slowly, gradually, Seokjin stretches Hoseok around his girth, and Hoseok's legs tremble so hard he worries that they'll give out beneath him once Seokjin actually begins to fuck him. Seokjin must sense Hoseok's struggle, and he pulls his cock completely out and taps Hoseok on the hip.

"On your back, if you can do so comfortably," Seokjin instructs.

Hoseok does his best to stand, using wobbly arms to anchor himself against the boulder. Seokjin tosses Hoseok their shorts, and Hoseok unbunches the shirts and makes a cloth barrier on the boulder. Then, Hoseok turns and immediately falls to his ass against the garment-covered surface.

Seokjin stands before Hoseok stroking his cock, and holy shit, Hoseok has never seen anything so incredible before. Seokjin's cock is exactly what you would expect from a man as tall and wide as he is, but it's still shocking to witness it firsthand.

"Wow," Hoseok mutters. He lays back, and no, it's definitely not comfortable, but Hoseok is unbothered. He wants to watch the look on Seokjin's face while he shoves that into his ass. He wants to experience every flash of emotion that tugs at Seokjin's perfect features while that monster of a cock splits him wide.

"Are you comfortable?" Seokjin asks as he approaches and hooks one of Hoseok's legs over his arm. Seokjin bends to align his cock with Hoseok's hole, and Hoseok shakes his head with a chuckle.

"No, but I don't care; want to see you."

Seokjin smiles and presses his hips forward, and Hoseok fights the urge to squeeze his eyes closed. The look on Seokjin's face is a mix of worry and bliss, knitting his eyebrows and pulling his eyes open wide. Hoseok pouts and bites down on his lower lip and attempts to grip onto the sides of the boulder for support.

Both men hiss and whimper profanities, and slowly, gradually, Seokjin gets his cock past the head into Hoseok's tight but eager hole. Seokjin keeps his hips still while Hoseok pants and adjusts to the feeling—rather, while he figures out how to breathe again. Then, when Hoseok quietly begs for more, Seokjin pulls out and rocks his hips forward. The feeling is so incredible and overwhelming, Hoseok sees stars, and he wonders if he's being pulled inside out.

"You good, baby?" Seokjin asks.

Hoseok realizes he's been staring up at the canopy of trees, and he focuses his eyes on Seokjin, using an arm to rest under his head to help keep his gaze on Seokjin instead. He nods his head and smiles, and Seokjin pulls out and pushes in deeper. The expression on Seokjin's face—eyes wide and mouth agape—is the prettiest thing Hoseok has ever seen, and he stares into Seokjin's eyes as he's stretched deliciously on his big, perfect cock, pleading quietly for more.

Seokjin begins to set a rhythm. It's slow, but it's enough to have Hoseok dissolving into a puddle of bliss, begging Seokjin not to stop. Hoseok wants more—wants it hard and fast—but Seokjin's cock hits every spot Hoseok needs hit, and he can't ask for anything more. Slowly, gradually, however, Seokjin gives him more.

It starts with deeper, quicker thrusts, which has Hoseok on the brink of total mental and physical collapse. Then Seokjin leans forward, pushing his cock even deeper and Hoseok grips onto the boulder as best as he can as the pleasure rolls through him in waves, threatening to crash ashore and leave him a hollow shell of a man.

"I thought you needed to come, Hoba," Seokjin pants, staring down at Hoseok with a mix of amusement and pleasure.

"I'm so close," Hoseok whines, "but it's too soon."

Seokjin reaches forward and grabs Hoseok's cock, and Hoseok holds back a scream. The warmth of Seokjin's hand collecting Hoseok's precum in his palm and rubbing it over the head is too much and too good, and Hoseok can't do anything but succumb to the feeling and let the orgasm wash over him.

Hoseok rasps soundless moans, worried he'll be so loud the others would hear him across the lake otherwise, and comes in Seokjin's palm. Hoseok's entire body is electric, buzzing from head to toe with pleasure, and Seokjin continues to fuck Hoseok through his orgasm and beyond, holding onto Hoseok's cock even as it begins to soften. All at once, it's too much, and Hoseok is overstimulated and writhing.

"F-fuck," Hoseok whines. "Too big. It's too big. I can't—I can't—"

"Do you need me to stop, Hoba?" Seokjin asks seriously, and Hoseok shakes his head.

"Say red if you do need me to stop," Seokjin says sternly, and Hoseok nods and whimpers, "Yes, hyung."

At this, Seokjin grins. It's a devious sight that has Hoseok suddenly fearing for his sanity. With a mock pout, Seokjin leans closer and fucks Hoseok harder. Hoseok squeals and covers his mouth quickly with his forearm as Seokjin stares down at Hoseok as if he's Seokjin's prey.

"Is my baby too sensitive?" Seokjin mocks, and Hoseok can't help but whine. Shame mixed with arousal swims through Hoseok, and already he can feel his cock harden in Seokjin's hand.

"Poor baby can't handle my cock," Seokjin continues, slamming his hips into Hoseok hard enough to make him cry out and tremble from overstimulation. "Look at you crumble below me. How cute. I bet you'll be even cuter after I make you come again."

The boulder feels like shit under Hoseok's back, and he's already dreading having to run back to the house, but he wouldn't dream of making Seokjin stop. Not when he's getting fucked better than he's ever been fucked in his life. Not when Seokjin's true, bratty personality shines enough to make Hoseok feel humiliated. Hoseok will have to unpack why it's so fucking hot when all of this is over.

"Already hard, Hoba?" Seokjin teases, giving Hoseok's cock head a squeeze, making Hoseok whimper. "So you like being overstimulated, baby? Or do you just like it when I'm mean to you?"

"Both," Hoseok whines, feeling his cheeks warm with blush. Seokjin smirks and tugs on Hoseok's cock, using what little of his release that hasn't dried to aid in the slide.

"Maybe I'll make you come again and again until you can't speak or move. Is that what you want?"

Hoseok shakes his head with pleading eyes, even though he's not sure he's being honest; maybe he would like that. But not here—maybe on a bed.

"I bet you would like it, baby," Seokjin teases. Then his face changes from devious to sweet as he asks, "But maybe not here. Is your back okay?"

"Hurts," Hoseok groans, pleased with how Seokjin seems to be on the same page as him.

Seokjin releases Hoseok's cock, grabs Hoseok under the ribs and sits him up as best as possible with a cock shoved inside him. Hoseok's body feels like jelly, but he does his best to move along with Seokjin. Then, Seokjin snakes his arms around Hoseok and lifts him, and Hoseok squeals as his arms and legs wrap around Seokjin for support. Seokjin uses Hoseok's body weight to fuck him down onto his cock, and Hoseok's head lolls back as the pleasure from being quite literally impaled shakes through his body, causing his limbs to hang limply draped around Seokjin.

"You feel so good, Hoba," Seokjin praises, and Hoseok does his best to smooth a hand through Seokjin's hair, petting the nape of his neck, but all he can focus on is being split in half on the biggest cock he's ever had.

"Want you to come one more time for me, baby. Can you do that?"

Hoseok nods, although it may not be discernible from the way his head already bobs, so he mutters a weak "Y-yes," and tries his best to look at Seokjin.

Seokjin is covered in sweat, dark hair stuck to his forehead, and Hoseok unravels at the sight, already feeling himself pushed to the brink of another earth-shattering orgasm. He still can't believe that this is happening. That Seokjin—of all people—is fucking Hoseok in the woods after a very wholesome confession of love and barely any conversation about sex at all.

"Ah—am I dreaming," Hoseok mutters.

Seokjin chuckles. "How cruel would that be? If you woke up right now and it was all a dream?"

Hoseok whimpers and leans his head forward, attempting to hold Seokjin close. Instead, Hoseok's forehead hits Seokjin's shoulder a couple times before he rights his head and decides now is not the best time for affection. Hoseok's brain is scrambled eggs, and his impending orgasm does nothing to help him think clearly. The urge to come rises quickly, and Hoseok squeezes a handful of Seokjin's hair.

"F-fuck," Hoseok whines. "Gonna come."

Seokjin slams his hips into Hoseok's ass, pushing Hoseok over the edge much faster. Hoseok's cock bounces, hitting his and Seokjin's bodies, and it's not much, but it's something, and Hoseok attempts to lean closer, searching for more friction.

"Don't wake up, then, baby," Seokjin grunts. "Stay in this dream with me a little longer."

Hoseok comes hard. He wraps his arms around Seokjin's big wide shoulders and holds on for dear life as Seokjin slows his thrusts but fucks Hoseok through his orgasm. Once Hoseok is a trembling, sweaty, hollowed-out mess, Seokjin gently leans forward and places Hoseok back onto the boulder. Then Seokjin pulls out and strokes his cock until his hot release hits Hoseok's stomach, and Hoseok lays flayed out, basking in the feeling of being sticky, used, and spent.

"Holy...wow," Hoseok gasps, staring ahead at the canopy of trees once more.

"I didn't think ahead about cleaning you off," Seokjin says, panting. "I just didn't want to make you run back with come dripping out of you. Although...I wonder if you can run after that."

Hoseok chuckles and looks at Seokjin. "How kind."

It takes several minutes for Hoseok to relearn how his limbs work, and then he sits up and manages to get off the boulder, he finds their clothes in a dirty, sweaty mess.

"This will definitely look suspicious," Hoseok says as he holds up his once-white shirt, eyeing the thin layer of dirt.

"Yeah, I don't know how we'll explain this," Seokjin mutters, holding up his own shirt that's not quite in the same condition, but is soaked through with sweat.

They get dressed, and although the air around them has significantly changed, it doesn't feel awkward in any way. Hoseok had actually worried things might be uncomfortable, especially after knowing one another for so many years, but Seokjin seems at ease pulling his small bottle of lube back into his shorts and ruffling Hoseok's hair.

"So that happened," Seokjin says, smiling.

"Yeah," Hoseok responds, finding himself suddenly lost in Seokjin's eyes.

"Want to do that again soon?" Seokjin asks, and Hoseok is surprised to find he almost looks bashful.

"Yes. Please. As soon as possible."

Seokjin steps forward, closes the gap between them, and pulls Hoseok into a kiss. It's sweet and slow, and Hoseok hums against Seokjin's lips, melting into the feeling. When they part, Hoseok opens his eyes to find Seokjin looking at him lovingly, and his heart pounds—suddenly, he feels shy.

"I'll carry you back," Seokjin offers as he turns around and squats.

"Are you sure?" Hoseok asks as he climbs onto Seokjin's back, wrapping his arms around Seokjin's shoulders. He nuzzles his face into Seokjin's neck despite his skin being slick with sweat and inhales the faint musk coming off Seokjin's skin.

"Are you telling me you can walk?" Seokjin responds, and Hoseok chuckles.

Hoseok holds onto Seokjin tightly, nuzzling against his neck as they make their way back to the houses at a leisurely pace. From time to time, he looks around to take in his surroundings, wanting to commit the moment to memory before they head back to Seoul and continue on with their lives, but he's mostly content with basking in the warmth and comfort that Seokjin's body provides. They may have some explaining to do when they return, and eventually, Hoseok will have to reveal his whole squirrel situation, but Hoseok isn't too bothered by the details at the moment.

"So, as soon as possible, hmm?" Seokjin asks, breaking the silence, and Hoseok chuckles.

"I hope so."

"Preferably in a bed."

Hoseok tightens his grip around Seokjin's massive shoulders and rubs the tip of his nose against Seokjin's sweat-glistening neck.

"Yes, please," Hoseok responds softly.

The sun is bright, and the faint sound of the lake sloshing against the rocks mixed with gravel crunching underfoot brings a smile to Hoseok's lips as he's carried from the forest by the man of his dreams feeling sticky, euphoric, and serene.

❤ tag list: @dasexydevitt13 & @giriiboyy

beta read by @neoneunnajimin ✨ banner by me

#btshoneyhive #btswritersclub #btscarnivalnet #2seok #2seok smut #hoseok smut #seokjin smut #in the soop fic #fic: now the forest knows my secret

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kpopisthereasonihavenolife · 5 years ago

Text

Blight | XI [Final]

Jeon Jungkook/Reader [F]

Genre: Dragon/Shapeshifter AU, Magic AU, Enemies to Lovers

Warning(s): a lot of crying (i’m sorry), cursing, violent intent, lack of a limb, but a happy ending, angst->fluff

Rated: PG-13

Words: 18.4k (oofs)

“We found your body in the courtyard, Y/n wasn’t with you and your mark had already disappeared.”

“What do you mean? She was with me, she’s the one who put that spell on me, right? How could she not have been with me?”

“Jungkook, Y/n went missing after she broke your contract. No one’s been able to find her since.”

“She’s,” Jungkook choked, “she’s missing?” His voice strained and Jimin’s hyper-sensitive hearing picked up on the fragments of pure sorrow in his tone. “B- but you can hide in people’s shadows, right?” The dragon asked Yoongi. “Can’t you just go hide in her shadow and find her that way?”

“Don’t you think I’ve tried that already?” Yoongi unintentionally bit. He looked at his own shadow on the floors that the hospital lights created. “It was the first thing I tried to do, but it didn’t work. Wherever she is, she isn’t casting a shadow for me to find.” Yoongi sighed as he spoke- his inability to find you always nagging at the back of his head. An uneasy feeling in his mind that Jimin could feel along with his Master.

Jimin got up from his place on Jungkook’s hospital bed and walked to Yoongi’s side; leaning down to cup around his ear and whisper out of Jungkook’s hearing range. Though, with his dazed expression, Jimin doubted he’d listen anyway. His mind was elsewhere- rightfully so.

“Could you head back without me?” He asked as the warlock shot him a look and a jumped brow. “Please, I need to talk to him. I know Jungkook the best and I know how he works better than you do. He needs to get it all out of his system before he bursts into a fit. If you’re here he may not open up about it.”

“You think he’ll talk to you?” Yoongi asked, not offensively, but curiously. Jimin nodded, glancing back at the spaced out dragon.

“Yeah,” he confirmed turning back to Yoongi. “He’s my best friend, he will,” Jimin smiled small as Yoongi just stood up with a huff and small stretches. The movement alerting Jungkook back into reality as the warlock looked at him.

“I’m heading out, I’ve got things to do. I’ll tell the others you woke up while I’m at it.” Jungkook nodded as Jimin moved to sit back on Jungkook’s bedside, kicking his feet in micro-swings. “I’ll leave Jimin here with you; don’t start a fight,” the warlock teased.

“He means to say that he’s glad you woke up,” Jimin translated. Yoongi rolled his eyes and dismissed himself, holding back the urge to hide in Jimin’s shadow and eavesdrop. He’d give the two the privacy Jimin asked for.

Silence fell over the room as Jungkook looked back down, just starring at his wrist and bathing in how cold he felt. Jimin just watched him at the moment, hoping maybe Jungkook would open up to him first. He lightly cleared his throat. “Jungkook, listen-”

“I know,” Jungkook interrupted. “You want me to talk about it,” he sighed as he slouched, dropping his head back as his chin lifted towards the ceiling. “I want to talk, Jimin- I do, but,” he cut himself off with a deep, harsh breath. Jimin understood, remaining quiet and patient. It was Jungkook’s way of collecting himself.

Junkook had just woken up after six long months. If the idea of how long he was sleeping was hard for him to process, then the bombshell about your disappearance was something even more explosive. He’d need to gather his thoughts before he even began to work through all the details and questions he had. He wasn’t sure how long he sat in his bed, just thinking and staring at nothing. Running his eyes back and forth along with the ceiling tiles in concentration to not lash out, especially when Jimin was sitting so patiently beside him.

It was during the time he stared upwards, not speaking and not thinking when the first tear slipped from his glassy eyes. Blinking it out of his eye, the blurred vision cleared just enough to split his sight in half. Half blurred, have clear as he just continued to stare. The tears were falling in a steady stream, the stinging behind Jungkook’s eyes and nose told him that they would be falling for longer than he wanted.

He sniffled, taking a shaky breath as he curled his lips inward to pinch between his teeth and then let out a heavy breath. He looked down at his hands then his eyes wandered to his empty wrist as the tears seemed to pool higher as he blinked them once more out of his sight. He curled and uncurled his fist as he then pushed his palm into the comforter the hospital had him covered with before he gripped it harshly. The force in which he clenched his fist around the fabric of the blanket threatened to tear it, he could feel his claws start poking through into his palm.

Jimin watched in silence as with each passing moment his best friend started breaking down further and further. The tears that once ran down his face were now just dripping straight off his eyelashes into his lap as he ducked his head down, his chin tucked in towards his chest. He started to hiccup as he brought his hand up to scrub as his eyes.

“It’s not fair,” Jungkook whimpered. “I don’t know what’s happening to me,” He sniffled again as he moved to grip over his chest, exchanging the gripped covers for his boring hospital scrub shirt. “I don’t know, but I-I’m not strong enough anymore,” he lifted his head, reaching for Jimin’s comfort.

You weren’t here, you weren’t going to come to him just because he was crying, even if he wanted you to burst through that door. He wanted you to come and apologize while he screamed at you for acting like an idiot on your own and running off and putting a spell on him, but he knew it wouldn’t happen. So much sat in his gut as he just hiccuped and breathed unevenly. Eyes rimmed red.

Jimin scooted closer to him, grabbing one of his hands as Jungkook curled forwards, resting his forehead on his friend’s arm. Jimin rubbed the dragon’s back as he wept, trying to coax all that sorrow and all his tears out of him. He’d never seen Jungkook this way, not even when he opened up about how much he missed his mom after they met. Jungkook was sobbing so hard, his throat was contracting as Jimin rubbed his neck. His eyes softened, his own eyes misting over- ever the empathetic type.

Jungkook must care for you a hell of a lot more than Jimin or Yoongi realized.

“I’m not strong enough to say goodbye to her yet, Jimin,” Jungkook whispered through a wavy voice. Jimin nodded, offering his all to soothe his friend.

“I know,” was all Jimin could think to say.

Jungkook must’ve been crying to Jimin for almost an hour. The heaviness in his eyes and the soreness in his head and neck made the time apparently clear as he winced occasionally at the pounding behind his eyes. Jimin was quick to offer him a glass of water the moment he had the chance to get up.

The cold water felt nice traveling down his parched and sore throat. His nose was still tinted red as his eyes were puffy. He took deep breaths to steady his breathing as he pushed his wrist against his check and eyes occasionally to wipe away any stray tears. Jimin gently took the glass back when Jungkook finished it off as Jungkook looked at him.

“Yoongi wasn’t in your shadow or anything, was he?” He asked, a bit embarrassed. He hated breaking down like that- but he supposed if it was to Jimin it wouldn’t be so bad. However, if Yoongi had been in Jimin’s shadow the whole time, he wanted the earth to open up and swallow him whole. Jimin chuckled lightly, shaking his head.

“No. I asked him to leave us be for a while. He isn’t here,” Jimin reassured. “Though, I’m sure he’ll be popping in eventually to tell us if someone is coming or not,” he added. It was quiet again for a while as Jungkook continued to calm himself down and Jimin sat babbling on about whatever he could think to help Jungkook lower his emotional tirade.

No sooner than the red around his eyes faded, Yoongi’s voice echoed into the room- without him actually being in it.

“I hope your talk is over,” his voice blurred. Jungkook looked around, not even smelling his scent around the room. Jimin looked down at his feet, his shadow far darker than it should have been. He shuffled his feet as the shadow started stretching without Jimin moving. Jungkook gasped as he watched Yoongi raise out of the shadow, lifting himself out without breaking a sweat and then landing softly beside his familiar.

Yoongi flicked at his hair, smoothing it out as he dusted off his pants and pulled his jacket, straightening it out. He then looked at Jungkook, the skin of his nose still burning the slight shade of ruby and his eyes swollen. Yoongi smiled at him- knowing he must’ve cried a great deal. Jungkook scowled at his smile.

“Got something to say?” Jungkook shot.

Yoongi just waved it off before stuffing his hands in his jacket pockets. “Nothing, really.” Jimin held back a small giggle in the atmosphere. It was just the slightest bit less suffocating in the room than before. It was easier to breathe and that made Jimin just a little bit more hopeful. Yoongi turned to Jimin. “The doctors will be coming in to examine him in a few minutes. I just told them he woke up and decided to get here ahead of them to give you a proper warning.”

“Is Parrish coming too?” Jimin asked.

“No,” Yoongi shook his head. “He’s dealing with,” he hesitated before he shook his head again, “I’ll tell you later. He’s just busy at the moment, so physicians under his bracket of expertise will check on Jungkook instead.” Jimin nodded as Jungkook sat on his bed. He had a feeling he knew why Parrish wouldn’t be present- he was probably still dealing with Zaros. Wherever Zaros was.

Just as he said, doctors soon rushed into the room, pushing Yoongi and Jimin to the side of the room as they took tests and prodded at Jungkook. Taking his temperature, asking about how he feels and if he’s dizzy or nauseous at all. Taking blood samples to make sure nothing was overly wrong with him and even asking him if he was able to shift like before. Pushing out his scales, fangs, claws and shifting his eyes in color he kept his wings tucked into his back, the wall behind him not giving him space to stretch them out.

He was curious to see if he could shift fully into his entire dragon form, but that experience obviously had to wait. The small hospital room would be blown to bits if he tried shifting completely in here.

When they left, Jimin and Yoongi did too. Leaving to complete a few unfinished tasks they had previously abandoned to tend to Jungkook’s unexpected awakening. Jungkook just ushered them off, not wanting to keep them from their work. Not only were they students, but they also did jobs for Parrish and the school now. They were a capable duo with Jimin being a diligent hellhound and Yoongi a top-notch warlock.

Jungkook just slouched back in his bed when he was on his own again. Missing the connection he used to have with you once again. He couldn’t help to glance back at his wrist, hoping that if he blinked that tattoo would appear back on his skin for him to view. He remembered so vividly what it looked like. If someone gave him a marker he could draw it on his skin.

It was still early afternoon and he had been sleeping for so long already, but with his mind buzzing and fatigue creeping upon him from all his crying, he lay down and decided a little bit more sleep wouldn’t hurt. It wasn’t like you were going to just show up in a few hours if he slept anyways.

So, he’d dream of you instead.

XXX

Jungkook was stuck in his hospital room for 4 days before he got any kind of clearance to leave. He wasn’t set to go home just yet, even though there was nothing really wrong with him anymore. Everyone was being overly cautious because of how long he was sleeping, but he felt fine and nothing was overly dramatic about his health. His tests weren’t bad and he could do nearly everything asked of him. Parrish’s orders, however, were to keep him in the hospital until he said otherwise.

Parrish had stopped by one night when Jungkook was woken up by a nightmare. Walking in and finally having a long chat with the dragon. Jungkook profusely apologized to the medical warlock that night, apologizing for losing track of his unofficial daughter. Parrish didn’t blame him, but Jungkook still blamed himself. Parrish was shocking open about the entire situation- even telling Jungkook details pertaining to Zaros- the offender.

Apparently, a secret trial had been held over Zaros’s future of magic and freedom. It was decided that he was to be held in prison until further notice and if his magic ever returned, he’d be held in magic confinements that restricted its use. As far as the Spell Master was concerned, he did not need a violent, power-hungry villain running around his school and targeting his students. Jungkook found some relief in that at least.

Parrish went even further to tell Jungkook where the twisted warlock was being held. He was in an isolated cell that sat below the academy apparently. There was a door in the Spell Caster building that lead down into an underground prison that had been abandoned for a long time, now with only one prisoner inside it. It was now on constant surveillance, guards keeping any nosy students from going down and getting some gossip scoop. No one knew Zaros was down there except for a small circle of professors. They all thought the basement was just under some maintenance.

Apparently, Yoongi and Jimin already knew Zaros’s location, but they were under a strict order not to share the information; not even with Jungkook.

Parrish left that night with a few checkups concerning Jungkook’s health and shared that he was free to go, but he’s only keeping him here simply because he thought it’d be hard for him to go back to the dorms at the moment. That night, Jungkook had a dream- as opposed to one of his nightmares. Or maybe, it wasn’t a dream per se, but it didn’t feel like a nightmare.

He’d have these dreams of the world you forced him to see. He’d always wake up in a panic, a cold sweat on his spine as he grounded himself and repeated to himself over and over that that world wasn’t real. This is where he belonged. It seemed that your spell still has some lasting effects due to him waking up and breaking it all on his own.

It was the morning of the 5th day since Jungkook had woken up when Jimin walked into his room, Yoongi once again popping out of his shadow once the door was closed. He had been hiding from other warlocks and witches who admired Parrish, and as his only son, Yoongi had his own little fanbase he couldn’t stand. It was too attention gathering, so he hid until it was safe to come out.

When Jimin looked at Jungkook, he was sat up, half out of his bed as his legs swung over the edge of the mattress. The hellhound eyed the dragon suspiciously before he opened his mouth.

“I want to get below the academy to see Zaros,” was Jungkook opener to the pair. They eyed each other before looking back at him, giving him a look of ‘you’re crazy’. Jimin cleared his throat.

“I’m sorry? You want to do what now?”

“I want to talk to Zaros,” he spoke again. “Parrish already told me where he is and I know you two know too. I want to talk to him, I have the right to. After what he did to Y/n and to me, I think you should’ve seen this coming.” If Jungkook was being honest with himself, he didn’t want to just ‘talk’ to him. He wanted to scream and shout at him. He wanted to berate him and kick him down. He wanted to beat the shit out of Zaros frankly, but if he spoke like that, the likely hood of their help would slim.

Yoongi sighed. “My dad can’t keep his mouth shut, can he?” Yoongi looked at Jungkook, looking at the steel-look in his eyes. In truth, Yoongi wouldn’t argue with him- he agreed that he had the right to be sat in front of Zaros for whatever he wanted given the current circumstances. He remembered the first time you and Jungkook met so long ago.

He could remember how you wouldn’t be able to carry anything along the lines of a civil conversation before. You’d always be at each other’s throats, yelling and insulting each other without a hint of restraint. You flat hated each other. Now, it was so strange seeing the way Jungkook looked. Crying over you, fighting for you and being enraged at the idea of you being wounded. He remembered how he was when he was under hypnosis and clung to you like a child.

Jungkook has changed and Yoongi trusted him now.

“Alright, fine,” Yoongi said, crossing his arms. Jimin jolted beside him panicked.

“What?! You can’t be serious, Yoongi. We can’t go down into the basement cells! Parrish told us not to!” Jimin waved his hand about, trying to make a debate happen- instead, he got an eye roll from his Master.

“So? We all know that rules and I aren’t exactly compatible. Besides, it’s like the snake said-”

“Dragon,” Jungkook hissed in interruption.

“-he has the right to see him at the very least,” Yoongi finished. He walked to Jungkook, grabbing his arm and lifting him off his bed, fully onto his feet. “I’ll take him with me into your shadow and you’ll get us down there.”

“Yoongi!” He protested in a whine, even stomping his feet.

“Come on, Pup,” Jimin’s face exploded in red at the nickname as Jungkook had to slap a hand over his mouth to keep from bursting out laughing. Pup? When did Yoongi start calling him that? Moreover, what a nickname for a hellhound. Yoongi just grinned as he and Jungkook started falling into Jimin’s shadow.

It was odd, being inside one’s shadow. It was like floating in dead space, but also similar to what it would be like submerged head to toe in water- but able to breathe. It wasn’t nearly as suffocating as Jungkook originally thought it might be. It was freeing and warm. He could see the outside world from Jimin’s shadow from beneath the floor. Looking up at the world that seemed too large from so far below.

Jimin changed with a sigh. His human form fading as he doubled onto all fours and black fur sprung from his body. A tail sprout at his rear and ears lifted from the top of his head. Paws his the floor as his claws scratched with annoying taps on the tile. It had been a while since Jungkook saw Jimin shift like this, and even newer from this angle in his shadow.

“Head down to the basement door in my building. It’s close to shift hours, so we may have an opening to get down undetected if we hurry.” Yoongi instructed Jimin as he just growled lightly and with Yoongi flipping open the door to the room, Jimin ran out. Taking off down the hall, Jungkook could feel the air rushing past due to Jimin’s speed.

Jungkook was almost dizzy from the jarring new mode of transport. Jimin’s hellhound speed made his normal humanly stroll seem deplorably slow. He skidded to a four-pawed stop, one that unconsciously made the dragon surge forward while Yoongi remained unresponsive; he was far too use to this. His claws padded backward as he hid around the corner in the shadows. His black fur acting as the perfect camouflage.

“This is problematic,” Jimin lowly mumbled. “The changing of staff is tighter than expected.” Two men stood at the basement door made of dark wood with a label marked Restricted Area. Yoongi grumbled, rubbing his temples with his thumb and forefinger. Jungkook looked at him as he sighed, dropping his hand.

“Okay, Jimin,” Yoongi started as the hellhound looked down at his dark shadow. “Come down here and I’ll slither us inside.”

“Are you sure? You’re not used to transporting more than yourself and one other. Will one more body exhaust you?” He lifted his hound head up back to the guards- one leaving as his shift ended. “I could just barrel into him and force my way down.”

Jungkook choked. Wasn’t he the one who was opposed to this plan? Now he was volunteering to plow into some sad sap just doing his job. And out of nowhere to boot.

“No,” Yoongi denied. “I can handle it. I have more magic power than that, you know this. Now, get down here, Pup.” Jimin obeyed. Laying down, he relaxed as his shadow lifted like small arms. Wrapping around his body, he began sinking into the blackness as the shadow arms pulled him down.

Yoongi’s eye glowed a bright green as his magic sucked Jimin’s hound body inside the shadow with Jungkook and himself. Soon, the hound was falling out of blackness somewhere above them and landing on all fours at his master’s side. Jimin’s tail wrapped around Yoongi’s wrist.

“Use some of my energy so you don’t push yourself,” he offered. Yoongi didn’t argue and just complied. Yoongi may be the Master in the pair's relationship, but arguing with a pushy familiar and just plain stubborn attitude of Park Jimin was more exhausting than magic could ever be.

As Jungkook watched the pair work as one, he felt a wave of pure envy wash over him. He clenched his hand into a fist; trying not to remind himself of how much he missed you. Or how much your presence- or lack thereof- affected him in the long run.

Just like Yoongi said he would do, Jungkook soon felt the shadow move again. Oddly enough, traveling up the walls and along with the shadows of the ceiling and dipping into corners felt like falling down a canyon before experiencing weightlessness. Yoongi’s eyes still remained their magic active emerald as Jimin stood diligently at his side- feeding energy into him.

It seemed almost flawless as Yoongi slithered the trio along the shadows before slipping beneath the door where cool air seeped out at the ankles. Halfway down the staircase, Jimin detached himself from Yoongi before bracing himself to leap straight up and out of the shadow as if he burst through a black puddle. Even shaking his body around to ruffle his pitch-black fur.

“I’ll take us the rest of the way; I’ll follow his scent,” Jimin announced, finishing his trip down the stairs before hitting a hard, concrete bottom. A single long hall stretched to both sides. Empty, iron-barred cells littered the walls. Jimin’s paw steps echoed due to his long claws in the narrow, underground basement of the academy. It was no joke, it truly was a prison; no wonder the academy forbade student access. It was eerie and even for a school of supernaturals, most might find the atmosphere too thick with unease. It could be a challenge to handle.

Eventually, Jimin’s steps faltered a moment before he bit back an unconscious growl.

“This is far enough,” Yoongi instructed before grabbing Jungkook’s arm and hurling him up like he weighed nothing. Jimin jumped out of the way of Jungkook’s white hospital scrub body as it burst up and through the shadow. The dragon groaned as Yoongi gracefully climbed out. The polar opposite of the dizzy heap of a dragon who was picking himself up off the concrete floor.

“You couldn’t have just lifted me out?!” Jungkook fussed as Yoongi just crossed his arms, Jimin remained as a hound at his side. Yoongi just walked past him to a cell, eyes shining for a moment before a lock click echoed down the hall. He turned to Jungkook, the cell door now ajar. “Is he?” His voice faltered and failed as he kicked himself into gear. Bursting through the iron door he threw himself inside.

Fixing his hunched posture and spinning on his heel to his right, he fixed his sight into a fierce glare. There, sat in a pathetic heap with stone-magic repellant cuffs on his ankles and wrists, sat Zaros. Sitting in torn and tattered clothes, stripped of his shoes. He looked so, absolutely pathetic. Jungkook’s lips rose to bare his teeth, his dragon peeking out in the form of raised fangs.

Fangs extended, eyes changing, scales rippling onto his cheeks. He rushed to Zaros’s front, squatting to grab his collar. Nearly ripping the fabric of the already worn out shirt of his, he lifted the grown man up so his neck tilted so Jungkook could look into his blank disgusting eyes. No one even jumped an inch to calm Jungkook’s rising anger. Jimin and Yoongi stood at the cell’s door, eyeing him- refusing to interfere. It was safe to say Zaros really had this coming in due time.

Jungkook snarled and growled as he just stared at the powerless heap of a man. There was no resemblance of the man Jungkook knew from before with enough pride to power a powerplant. That almighty, egotistical pride was deflated and his cheeks were sunken in with heavy bags under his eyes. Magic deficiency sure has taken its tole- he deserved it though. He yanked him a fraction higher, finally seeming to get his attention.

“Alright, bastard,” he snarled, “you’re going to tell me what the hell happened after you struck. Me. Down.” His grinding teeth enunciated his final words before he threw the feeble warlock stripped of all back against the cell’s concrete wall. Jungkook’s breath was running short due to his anger and he had no intention of even trying to calm down yet.

Zaros, however, remained a silent form. With a burst of heat, Jungkook’s breath hissed with steam as fire rested on his tongue from his lungs. The fire began to flick at the tips of his hair, wisping around. Jimin watched his friend with worry and something not too far from pity.

His rage was alive because of his loneliness.

He saw Zaros’s eyes flick up towards the dragon, something seemed to finally grab his attention. Yoongi’s eyebrow raised- he had been down here many times without Jimin’s knowledge when he followed his father. Zaros had been a motionless statue ever since he was found back then, this tiny motion of interest seemed to put Yoongi on edge.

“Heh,” was the small sound that escaped Zaros’s mouth. He seemed to regain some of his previous cocky nature as he sat up straighter than before and looked up at Jungkook. “You look exactly like you did before.” Jungkook silently pressed him for answers; the heat rolling off his body in violent waves spoke for him when it came to intimidation.

The two of them stared at each other for longer than they both realized without actually speaking.

“You didn’t come all the way here under the assumption that I know where that witch ran off to, did you?” Jungkook’s fingers curled into fists as his claws dug into his palm at the tone of Zaros’s voice. The warlock shifted his posture, lounging back as he lifted his cuffed, left arm. “Where ever she ended up, she got what she deserved for what she’s done.”

Jungkook slammed his foot into the center of the warlock’s chest. His heel dug into his chest as Jungkook pushed steady, calm anger into it. Blood leaked from the punctures in his own palm from his claws, dripping onto the concrete cell floor. His eyes were wide like his consciousness slipped away and was letting his anger work his body for him instead.

“What does that mean?” Jungkook’s voice was low, monotone and eerie. He was close to grabbing the man’s face in his bloody palm and lighting it on fire. It was a loud bark and a black ribbon of shadow that stopped his outstretched hand that called him back to his right mind. He looked over his shoulder to an eye-glowing Yoongi and an on guard Jimin hound.

The shadow ribbon extended from Yoongi’s shadow, lifting off the ground to tie tightly around the dragon’s wrist. It tightened when Jungkook tried to struggle against it. Jimin barked again, glaring at Jungkook with blood-red eyes. A warning to control himself. It was the realization that if Jimin needed to step in Jungkook would be on the floor in seconds that calmed him down back into rational thought. He’s been beaten by Jimin before, he didn’t want to make the same mistake and make that memory reoccur in reality.

“The quickest way to get us caught is to be irrational,” Yoongi warned. Jungkook lifted his foot from Zaros’s chest- although reluctantly. He let the shadow around his wrist pull him back and away from the disable warlock who was trying to hide the fact he had to regain the breath Jungkook stomped out of him. “We need to go back to your room before anyone notices we left. Our time here is up,” Yoongi told him as he dragged him backward and eventually out of the cell.

The iron cell door slammed shut, the sound echoing in the concrete halls of nothingness, leaving the warlock to sit in the same silence they found him in. With each step Jungkook took back down the hall, he felt angerier. Zaros clearly knew something, but he couldn’t get out of him what it was. He didn’t have enough time and Zaros didn’t seem to care enough about anything anymore. Jungkook doubt he’d get any answers even if he threatened his life- something Jungkook was tempted to try.

By the time Jungkook slipped back into Jimin’s shadow and joined Yoongi who took both hellhound and dragon back to Jungkook’s room and he returned to his bed, he felt like he lost more ground instead of gaining any. Jimin and Yoongi left him that afternoon after his regular treatment, letting him sit in another day of hospital bruting.

XXX

It was a particularly strong clap of thunder coupled with a brilliant flash of lightning from outside Jungkook’s hospital window that woke him up in a huff. Flinching to clutch his hospital blanket, he shot up as the rattling in the window calmed back down as the thunder faded. Rain pelted against the window in harsh drops as the wind moaned in heavy words. He was breathing heavily as he looked outside into the black world.

Looking at the clock hanging on the wall it was 2:03 in the morning. He took deep breaths to steady himself as he pushed the blankets down and kicked them off, swinging his legs over the bedside. It suddenly got too stuffy for him in the room as he stood up and padded to the window.

Placing his hand on the glass, it chilled his palm as he felt it rattle and watched the storm blowing outside. Trees with thin trunks bent to the wind as the taller, stronger tree’s bustled like loud pom-poms with their leafy branches. It would be a mess in the courtyard come the end of the storm.

Jungkook shivered at the storm, an action he hadn’t done before. Storms don’t scare him, yet he shook like he was terrified. The next bolt of lightning made him jump away from the window and the crack of thunder that followed quickly after made him drop to his knees and cover his ears. A small whine coming out of his mouth- he wasn’t sure what was going on.

When the thunder roll died for the second time, he slowly uncovered his ears and stayed kneeling on the floor. He was stuck between the emotions of being calm and terrified of the storm outside and all it did was cause so much confusion in his head. He had never been afraid of storms, so why was he now?!

He widened his eyes as a thought came into his head. He lifted his head up to the window, mouth open in silent words as an idea as to what was going on came to him. He wasn’t sure, but he hoped so much he was right about his hunch. He watched as another bolt of bright, white lightning lit up the night sky as the thunder rolled afterward. He shakily stood to his bare feet as he came to stand in front of the window again, putting his left hand against the glass once more. He could see his reflection in the glass before he looked at his bare wrist.

What if he was torn between these feelings because one of them is yours? What if the connection between you and him wasn’t really gone?

He folded his hand into a light fist as he pushed his forehead against the glass and shut his eyes. He took deep breaths as a shiver racked through his body again- one that he was convincing himself wasn’t actually his.

“Come on,” he muttered to himself so quietly that the wind could sweep the words away. “Please, give me something,” he pleaded. The next lightning strike was the loudest by far as Jungkook’s eyes shot open at the crackling sound. The lightning had struck the courtyard ground in a blinding white flash that caused him to shut his eyes immediately again before the mighty thunder that followed mimicked an earthquake’s power.

In that bright light that lasted one moment and with the thunder that roared loud enough to shake the building, Jugnkook swore he saw something behind his eyelids. He dropped to the floor completely this time, falling back onto his ass as he stared up at the window bewildered. After that, the storm seemed to calm and before long it was just another rain shower. Jungkook wasn’t sure how long he sat on the floor of his room, just staring up at the window’s glass- purely stunned.

It was long enough, however, that he only came to when someone shook his shoulder to get his attention. Jimin and Yoongi had already come into his room when he whipped his head around so see the time. 7am already.

Jungkook looked at the ground he sat on, wondering where the time went or if he had been imagining the whole thing. Did that storm happen? Or did he just dream it all up and sleepwalk around for hours in his room?

Whatever happened, he cut off the questions Jimin was asking- ones Jungkook hadn’t been listening to- by grabbing Jimin’s arm, his hand shaking as he got the hound’s attention.

“I,” he started before clearing his throat, “I think I know where Y/n is,” he finished. The picture of a stone chair on an island painted behind each blink of his eyes.

Young and Jimin both took sharp intakes of breath; their bodies freezing in place. Jimin had been hopeful for too long, so he just shook his head- with things so grim he was starting to slip. Nothing had happened these past six months despite people’s efforts. Why would he get excited because Jungkook said something? No, he’d stay grounded and try to calm the dragon down. Young I just watched the two as Jimin’s disbelief coiled in his master’s chest.

“Jungkook,” Jimin began to argue as he tried to lift the dazed former familiar off the ground. Jungkook just held around Jimin’s arm, shaking his head.

“No, no wait! Jimin, please you have to trust me. Hear me out, I can find Y/n. I-I know I can!” Jungkook’s voice pleaded with guilt as he knew this would put even more stress on his best friend. He just needed Jimin to hear him out. He quickly glanced at Yoongi, silently asking for help.

“Jimin,” Yoongi sternly called. The hound looked over his shoulder. “Just hear him out.” Jimin relented, sighing as he let Jungkook pull him to his knees, getting eye to eye on the hospital floor.

Jimin had yielded due to Yoongi’s command. Jungkook breathed, finally getting their attention. He wouldn’t hesitate to give away his secret place if it meant you were there too.

“There’s,” he starts, “this place that only I know about. I took Y/n there once. It’s undiscovered because something stops it from being found. I don’t know what or how, but Y/n and I are the only ones who know where it is. I think,” he stuttered, “I think she might be there.”

“Jungkook, you need to understand that you’re not connected to Y/n anymore.” Jimin tried to calmly reason with Jungkook. What would happen if, at this secret place, Y/n wasn’t there? Jimin wasn’t sure Jungkook could take that. Jungkook just shook his head, letting go of Jimin’s arm to hold around his own wrist.

“No, no, listen to me! I-I’m afraid of storms,” Jungkook blurted out. Jimin knew that was a lie. Jungkook could soar through the sky in the middle of a lightning storm without batting an eye. “Last night, that storm scared me to the point I was on my knees, Jimin.”

“Jungkook, you’re not afraid of storms.”

“I know, but I was scared last night anyways!”

Jimin tried talking some sense into his friend when from behind him, Yoongi finally spoke up again.

“Y/n hates storms,” he announced. Jimin and Jungkook looked at the warlock. “Lightning terrifies her.”

“I knew it,” Jungkook mumbled. He looked at the wrist he held, the bare wrist he wished wasn’t bare before he looked back up again. “I know that terror I felt wasn’t mine. I know it was Y/n’s. That’s why I’m so sure I can find her.”

It was silent for a time. Jungkook trying to persuade the two into helping. He knew Jimin was caring for him in his own way, trying to not let Jungkook hurt himself emotionally any further by getting his hopes too high. Yoongi stood in thought, the unwritten standing leader of the trio of wicked creatures.

Whatever Yoongi decided, Jimin would obey without a doubt. Jungkook could only hope he decided to trust Junkook’s words and gut instinct. The hunch he knew had to right. Yoongi sighed, something that made Jungkook perk up the smallest bit. The warlock looked at the dragon, still slumped down on the floor.

“Are you able to shift at all?” He asked.

“Yes, I can. There’s been no problem with shifting back and forth. It’s just as easy as it was before.”

“How soon can you be ready?”

Jimin looked at his master. “What?” He asked, bewildered that no one was listening to him. Jungkook smirked, coming out of his self-pity mindset for but a moment.

“How soon can you bring me a set of my own damn clothes?” He countered back.

“What?!” Jimin shrieked as Yoongi and Jungkook ignored his cries of protest. Once again, ever the worrier about outcomes possibly going south.

“Tonight then. If you’re sleeping, you’re at fault when I throw you out of your bed against the floor, snake.” Jungkook didn’t even try correcting him on what reptile he was, too caught up in the idea that he would finally be leaving this hospital room. He’d get outside and he’d get to the mountain cave. He’d get to you, even if everything stood in his way- he’d plow right the hell through it.

“Make sure to get some good clothes. I want to make a good impression on Y/n when I see her,” he teased, more to ease his own erratic heart as Yoongi just chuckled, crossing his arms as Jimin shot to his feet. He opened his mouth to argue, but something in his gut told him it wasn’t worth it. He’d have a better time winning an argument with a salad. So, he just sighed- signing himself on board of the train wreck to come.

The trio stayed quiet in the hospital room nearly all morning and well into the afternoon, planning it all out. Yoongi would go back to Jungkook’s room and snag a pair of pants for him- forgoing a shirt seeing as he had a better chance of traveling undetected as a half shifted dragon-man and not a full scale, giant dragon. He didn’t want to ruin another shirt by tearing wing holes into the back. He feared for what shoes he’d bring his way, but he had no choice but to just trust him. Jungkook did ask for one of his hoodies to bring along to wrap around his waist.

Who knows, maybe you would need something to cover up with.

It was mid-afternoon when Jungkook ushered them off, playing to the nurses and doctors that he was tired and wanted to rest. He did try at least. He tried sleeping through the afternoon so he would have energy into the night to get to the cave- but sleep was hard to come by. His chest was so tight and his throat constricted at the idea of finally seeing you again after all this time. It was like his body knew you’d been away for over half a year now.

That is far, far too long. He bit into his lip to keep his emotions in check as he squeezed his eyes shut, trying it will some sort of rest onto himself. A small power nap was all he accomplished- however anytime someone came into his room, he’d play as if he were sleeping to avoid any confrontation or conversation. Conversing energy is all he cared about right now.

XXX

11:46pm was when Jungkook sprung out of bed and flipped on a lamp nearby. His hospital room was dark, not even the moon shining tonight- being covered by clouds. The shadow he cast with his body on the wall gave perfect entrance to Yoongi, who was now walking out of it. Jimin bounded out of the wall beside him- already in hound form. Yoongi held a drawstring bag over his shoulder before he tossed it to the dragon.

“Hurry and change, we’ve gotta get you out before someone sees the lamplight on and checks on you,” Yoongi whispered. Jungkook nodded, not wasting any more time. He practically tore his scrubs off, tossing them on the bed behind him as he changed. A pair of black pants and a giant, pink hoodie. Lord knows how far back in Jungkook’s closet Yoongi had to dig for that.

If Jungkook wasn’t a dragon who wasn’t able to be cold, he’d probably be shivering in the chilly hospital room. Just jeans, some boots and a hoodie around his waist. He was glad Yoongi remembered to not bring a shirt. He stuffed his scrubs back into the bag his clothes were in and shoved it under his bed.

Jimin had been standing at the closed door, listening intently to make sure the coast stayed clear while Jungkook changed. Yoongi stood in the corner against the wall, waiting for the dragon’s all clear to get rolling.

Jungkook pulled the belt through the loops of his jeans before fastening it. He spun around to Yoongi, arms wide.

“How do I look?” He asked, the excitement bleeding into his tone.

“Like an exhibitionist,” the warlock deadpanned. “If you’re ready, let’s go.” Yoongi pushed off the wall, stepping forward. He snatched Jungkook’s bicep as he called Jimin back to the shadow they had come out of. Eyes glowing green, Yoongi shoved Jungkook into the shadow, through the wall as Jimin jumped in after him. Yoongi bursting the bulb of the lamp- instead of just flicking the lamp off- was stepping into his shadow just as a nurse rushed into the room. Finding it empty with lightbulb shards on the floor.

Traveling in Yoongi’s shadow was easier than the last time Jungkook had done it. Perhaps it was because he had you on his mind instead of anything else. Yoongi slithered along walls and ceilings, zigzagging the stairwells before he was pulling the dragon up and out of the floor of the roof, Jimin following. The wind whipped along the rooftop, the breeze smells like earth as Jungkook took a deep breath.

“It’s perfect flight conditions,” he muttered. It seemed like mother nature was on his side after all- even if the storm was a fit of hers. Or maybe, that storm was another message from mother nature to aid him still. If mother nature was real, after all.

“I hear footsteps from the lower floors,” Jimin piped up. “It won’t be long before they check the roof for us,” he warned.

Jungkook looked at the two of them. Jimin had been his best friend for a long time, and only recently- or he guessed not to recently given the time pass- he had decided to befriend Yoongi. Along with you. He smiled to them, wide in all his shirtless glory as his wings spread from his back and his scales encroached on his cheeks. His eyes glowed in the darkness, a contract to Yoongi’s glowing emerald eyes.

“Thanks, guys,” he spoke over the wind.

“Bring Y/n back and then I’ll accept your thanks. Until then, get going Snake-boy,” Yoongi retorted with crossed arms as Jimin shook his hound head. He looked up, somehow portraying a sort of smile in his canine features. Jungkook laughed as he walked to the edge of the building, looking down to see the small specs of people running around- probably looking for him. He was a big part of the Zaros case after all- being involved with the man’s daughter.

He took a few steps back before he rushed the edge, taking a leap and his wings hit the wind. The updraft lifted him up before he was flying off, the cover of darkness and trees hiding him until he was able to fly high enough and out of the city. His sights set on the path to the mountain cave he knew so well.

XXX

Jungkook lost track of time as he eventually could make out the outline of the mountain in the dark distance. He flew higher, the air thinning out just as it always did when he went far above the clouds. He was eventually zooming through the cave opening before the cave stopped and dropped, following the downward cavern into the place of the secret place he’s been to so many times before. Something felt off to him though.

The lower he went into the cavern, the feeling in his gut twisted and a gust of cold air started hitting his fiery skin. He hadn’t ever remembered the cave being cold before? Was it just him being paranoid? The opening to the cave came into sight as he could see the light of it nearing. He folded his wings, allowing his body to fall faster as he plunged downward.

He wasn’t paranoid. The moment his body passed the threshold of the opening in the cavern, he instinctively covered his face with his arms, his wings flying open again in a panic because his eyes were covered and the ground wasn’t seen. A blast of cold hit him again as he finally was able to uncover his face and reopen his clamped eyes.

His mouth opened at the sight of the cave as his brows knitted and a look of distress painted his face. His cavern was no longer the warm, floral cave he had known for years. The trees weren’t blossoming and the waterfall wasn’t flowing. Everything was still and everything was dead.

The trees were bare, the noises of the creatures who used to live there were silent and long gone, the waterfall had dried up and the lake of water was frozen over. The wind whipped around the area in loops, unable to escape. It was like a violent winter storm desolated the area and left it as a barren wasteland of nothing.

A part of Jungkook choked. This was the place he used to heal after his mother died, and now it was like this. This was the place he finally started connecting with you too, and now it looked so terrifying to him. The warm place of comfort was cold and he wanted to run. Fly out of there and forget about it, thinking it was just a bad dream.

He knew better.

Jungkook shook it off, taking in small, cold breaths of air as he started to finally lower himself to the ground, flying towards the frozen lake. Out of everything, that stone arch and throne that sat on the small island in the lake had remained the same. The bright magic that surged through its engravings still shone just as brightly as it did when you touched it and it activated. Had it been the magic that the throne shot off that was responsible for the current state of the cave?

His feet finally his the hardened, cold stone of the island as his wings closed. His wings were freezing as they touched his back, closing up but not disappearing. He was too on edge to revert back to his human form. His wings clung to him as his scales chilled his skin- yet of course, he wasn’t cold. He couldn’t feel cold.

He walked around the island and even onto the frozen lake. Delicate steps onto the icy water as he looked at the blurred image of himself staring back at him. The ice was thick and he was confident he could run and jump on it without a problem. He wouldn’t though, something felt wrong just standing on the lake of ice. He knelt to touch the ice, squinting his eyes as his trembling fingertips.

Out of nowhere, a cloud of mist started to surround the island and lake. Jungkook shot back to his feet, his boots stomping on the ice as he whirled around. The mist was thick; a white cover of chill that blocked his sights. Any thicker and he’d have a hard time seeing two feet in front of him.

He aimlessly waved his hands in front of him, a useless attempt to fan the mist out of his view. The white cloud cover only sifted through his fingers as it chilled his warm, dragon skin. He growled, slightly annoyed. Walking, he thought he’d hit the island again, but all he found was the iced lake under his feet. The mist had him turned around and he lowly groaned as he almost stomped- but knew better.

It stopped when a pulse of magic beat behind him. It lasted just a moment, the pulse of it like a heart. Turning, he squinted, seeing something. The low light of white through the thick mist. That has to be the stone throne, he thought. He couldn’t think of anything else it could possibly be. But why would it beat with magic? As far as he knew it was something of a magic relic, yes, but that didn’t explain why it had active magic inside of it.

Sprinting towards the light and beats of magic thrumming through the ground into his feet and up his legs to vibrate into his chest he soon was taking shallow breaths as he stood in front of the throne. The light source and magic beating throne of glowing, lightning stone. He furrowed his brow as he looked down at the person sitting on that throne.

It looked like you, from the appearance to the pulsing, blighted arm. Everything about whoever it was sitting on that throne matched you to an almost unnerving degree, but something in his gut told him that regardless of how it appears, that wasn’t you. His heart didn’t jump when he saw this person- this thing. He didn’t get goosebumps, he didn’t feel like dropping to his knees in relief, he didn’t feel like shouting and forcing you awake to scold you. He just felt- wrong looking at this doppelganger of you.

Though he knew that this thing wasn’t you, he couldn’t stop his mouth from opening and his voice leaving as if he were truly speaking to you.

“Wake up,” he spoke. Not cold, not stern, not soft-- just ordinarily. Even when he knew that this wasn’t you, it didn’t stop the gasp he gave when the doppelganger of yours opened its eyes with an easy, smooth motion. Jungkook’s mouth opened in a light breath before he shut it again, tempted to look away from the doppelganger. The black, empty eyes of this imposter made him miss your true eyes.

He took a deep breath, keeping himself together before he looked straight back into the empty void of its eyes.

“I know you are a spell,” he started, his fist opening and closing slowly in anxiety. “Y/n- the real Y/n, told me once about a mirage spell cast through mist. I know you are not real and you are not her, but-” he cut himself off. His fist clenched shut at his side, his arm tensing. “I have so many things I’ve realized so suddenly and I need to tell her the truth. Please,” he took a small step towards the copy. “Please, can you tell me where she is. I know she’s here- she must be.”

The doppelganger looked up at him with creased brows and their mouth open in a pitiful pout. If those empty, black eyes were true eyes, he was sure he’d fall to his knees and collapse. If this copy hadn’t lacked your eyes, he would have crumbled long ago.

Jungkook watched as the copy started to move, standing weakly on its two feet as it stumbled closer to Jungkook’s chest. The copy looked up at him without breaking- what would be- eye contact as it reached out and grabbed his left hand. Jungkook unconsciously wrapped his hand around the hand that reached out and squeezed.

“Please,” he pleaded once again in a whisper as thin as the mist. The copy finally broke eye contact as it turned to the right and lifted it’s free arm and pointed back out onto the lake. Jungkook turned to follow the copy’s finger. He looked back, “is she there?” The copy only nodded to Jungkook’s question before dropping its arm and releasing his hand- Jungkook almost missing the warmth.

Jungkook started back out without thinking- when he looked back to thank the copy, it was gone. Disappearing back into the mist. Jungkook walked along the icy lake for longer than he liked before he felt like perhaps the copy had lied to him. He hadn’t seen you at all, not along the lake anywhere. He stood in place looking around in the slightly thinning mist, frustration lacing his facial features as he started running his hand through his hair.

What if you really weren’t here? What if that feeling he had was wrong? He started to feel sick- he felt like he’d completely break if you weren’t here. He felt his mind spinning when he felt a small tremor under his feet.

He looked down at the ice and he squinted his eyes. Beneath him it felt like before when magic pulsed leading him to the stone throne, but now it felt like it was coming from beneath the ice. He jumped and almost lifted himself into the air and off the ice when an echoing crack filled the air. Beneath him now, between his feet was one solid crack in the ice that lead forward.

Whatever it was that caused it, Jungkook didn’t know- all he knew is that he was running down the trail it left without thought. The crack lead to a large, omnidirectional crack in the ice as Jungkook dropped to his knees and palms, peering inside the ice. His eyes narrowed before he saw something beneath the surface. His left wrist began to sting and he was punching through the ice before he could properly think about his actions.

His tight fist that licked with flames burst through the sheet of ice and his hand was plunged into the freezing water of the lake. He pulled his arm out before he was gripping around the open break and started stripping away at more ice. He pulled the crack open into a wide hole before he fell to his chest on the ice as he reached his arm fully into the hole, fishing around inside.

His eyes bugged when his fingers brushed against something inside the dark water. He leaned further into the lake, his entire shoulder submerged and ready and willing to dive completely inside if need be. He was soon wrapping his hand around something before he was scrunching up onto his knees and pulling up.

He choked and his eyes stung when the wrist and hand of whoever he had grabbed under the water breached the lake’s surface. He moved to his feet, crouching as he pulled and hoisted your cold, wet body out of the water and onto the lake. He fell back onto his rear as he pulled you to his chest and fell onto his back.

He was still for a moment. The idea of you laying on his chest, wet and cold, didn’t seem like reality to him. He stared glossy-eyed up into the mist that was navigable now before he sprung up again.

You were unconscious as he moved to roll you off his chest and onto the sheet of ice. His mouth opened and a choked whimper came out of his lips as he saw the state of you. You weren’t injured or cut, your chest still just barely moved and he could only assume that you had not drowned simply because this lake was known for its healing properties- as you told him before. It could not drown anything.

His fingers traced your torn shirt and exposed collar bone all the way to your left shoulder. He wanted to hold the hand that was infected with that blight of yours, the start of your curse, but he could not.

For the left arm that was once infected with lightning was no longer there.

Jungkook panicked, unable to think straight. Your arm was gone, your left arm was taken away from you and you didn’t have it. You had no left arm! He fell back onto his heels as he ran his hands through his hair and looked you up and down, making sure no other limbs had gone missing. Other than your arm, you were whole- a small relief.

Jungkook shook his head, slapping his cheeks to slap some sense into him. Your breathing was shallow and your body began to tremor with shivers. You had to be freezing. He leaned over you, shaking your shoulders as you lay on the ice.

“Y/n, Y/n! Wake up! Dammit- I’m not playing around. Open your eyes and talk to me! Y/n!” His voice broke, the tears he held in glossed over his eyes had begun to drop one by one onto your cheeks. His nose tinted pink as his brows creased down. His fingers shook as he tried to wake you, his fingernails digging bluntly into your skin- not that you could complain about it being unconscious and unresponsive. “Y/n, please- just this once listen to me,” he whispered.

He slumped onto the ice as he rested his hands on your shoulders and his head on your chest. Your breast supported his cheek as he heard your heart thump softly beneath his ear. The only reassurance he seemed he would be granted. He pushed his nose into your chest, your clothes and skin cold and wet before he sprung up, remembering he had a bright, pink hoodie around his waist.

He released you and raised to his knees and untied the hoodie before he looked at your torn shirt. It would only be uncomfortable and a risk of a cold if you kept wearing it. It was torn and ruined anyways so Jungkook tore open the fabric before he pulled it off you. Being a decent person, he kept your bra on you as he lifted your torso up and started scrunching up the hoodie and pulling it over your head. Lifting your one arm into the sleeves was a challenge before he was pulling it to settle around your hips. He didn’t lay you back onto the ice, instead, he just held you again.

“Hey,” he started speaking, “why did you do that?” He asked, knowing he wouldn’t get any sort of answer back. “I was content on being your familiar for the rest of my life; I thought you knew that?” He held you closer to rest his head on yours, he could feel the weakness start gripping his body, the turmoil he’s been through emotionally finally starting to take hold. “I was ready to stay with you until I stopped existing, I wanted to be yours.”

He could have imagined it, but he swore he felt you twitch just then. He thought he felt your body convulse just slightly, but he didn’t want to play it off as a trick of the mind. That small movement had him gearing up to leave. The mist had all but faded now, the solemn state of his once beautiful cavern escape clear and visible again as he picked you from the lake’s surface. He hiked you up his chest and held you so you wouldn’t risk falling as his wings extended from his back.

Your cold cheek fell on his bare shoulder as he looked at you sleeping. Yes, you were sleeping. That is all. He took a small jump, his wings flapping once as his toes brushed the ice before he started flying higher- slowly as to not discomfort you. Making it up through the cavern and out of the mountain he stopped above the clouds and turned to look at it.

“I’m not sure if I’ll ever return here again,” he spoke to the mountain as if it were a living being. Perhaps the mountain had a spirit and it could hear him, he did not know. Something in his chest told him that he didn’t need to come back to that cave any more. The bandage that covered the wound of his past was taken off and the remedy was found. He looked back down at you. “I found who I need, so I don’t need to come back again,” he looked back up. “Goodbye,” he bid as he turned and flew off, returning back to the campus where Yoongi and Jimin were waiting,

Jungkook nearly collapsed onto the roof. His feet hit the concrete before his knee buckled and he toppled forward with you in his arms. He felt dizzy and heavy as he held you in front of him in a daze.

“Jimin,” he lightly spoke- a sorry excuse for a call. “Yoongi, I’m here,” he whispered again. His body was heavy, too much going on too quickly. “We’re,” he said, cradling you as he fell to his side, his arm pillowing under your head, “we’re here. Y/n, she needs help,” he coughed before his eyes began to feel too heavy.

He vaguely heard a loud banging in the distance behind him before he heard the stomping of feet. He thought he heard someone yelling at him, but he couldn’t tell anymore. He just decided to deal with it all later when he woke up, so he just let his eyes fall shut with you in his arms.

XXX

When Jungkook woke up next, he shot up in his bed. He gasped as he gripped his covers as he looked around the room. Next to his bed sat Jimin who had jumped to pull his knees up in his chair at Jungkook’s sudden outburst. Jungkook blinked over at him more confused than ever.

“What? Where?” Jungkook spoke, groaning as he rubbed his eyes with the heels of his palms.

Jimin settled back down, as he planted his feet back on the tile floors. “Yoongi and I heard your wings when you came back. We took you from the roof back down here for treatment. The doctors were really mad at us, even Parrish dug into Yoongi about it.” Jimin told the dragon. Jimin lifted the apple in his hand, half-eaten, as he took another crunch out of it. Jungkook looked around his room, the bag he hid under his bed now out on a chair with the clothes he wore out that night.

He looked down at his scrubs as he sighed, slouching back in his bed. Jimin kept shifting his eyes back towards him. Jungkook rose a brow at his friend, sitting back up.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” He questioned.

“Uh, well, just-” Jimin rubbed his neck with his free hand. “Do you feel any different?” Jungkook shook his head as Jimin looked at his feet, tapping the toes of his boots together. “I didn’t actually think you’d really bring her back, you know?” He admitted as Jungkook remained silent. “Sorry for doubting you, I was just afraid of getting my hopes up.” Jungkook huffed as he smiled. He got out of bed, grunting as he walked to his friend.

“I know,” he stood in front of his friend as he put his hand on his head. Jimin was older, yet he let himself be comforted by the dragon as he sat in his own relief. Jungkook moved back to sit on his bed as he talked with Jimin a bit longer. It was then when he looked around and down at Jimin’s shadow. He pointed downwards, “Yoongi isn’t in your shadow, is he?”

Jimin shook his head. “No, he’s with Y/n in her room right now.” Jungkook tensed at that. Jimin was quick to quell the uneasiness that Jungkook let leak onto his face. “She’s alright- well aside from the lack of one of her arms,” he whispered before he cleared his throat. “Parrish said she hasn’t suffered any long-lasting side effects, she’s just pushed her magic limit way too far so she’s exhausted.”

“Is there a reason why she lost her arm,” Jungkook coldly asked.

“I can answer that for you,” a new voice cut in. Jungkook turned around when Parrish walked into his room, shutting the door behind him. His lab coat rested on his shoulders as it fluttered behind his knees when he walked in. He walked around the bed and promptly slapped the back of Jungkook’s head with his clipboard. Jungkook hissed as he held his head. “That’s for sneaking off and getting my son involved,” he scolded as Jungkook pouted. Jimin already had his helping of a scolding for aiding in Jungkook’s runoff, not to mention the lashing Yoongi got as Parrish’s son. “However, I am grateful to you for bringing my daughter back.”

Jungkook looked up at Parrish. Y/n lived with Parrish and Yoongi so long they were practically a family, it was no doubt Parrish saw her as his daughter. Jungkook nodded, his eyes stung- but he held it in. He wouldn’t cry in front of Parrish.

“Is she alright?” Jungkook asked as Parrish pulled up another chair and sat beside Jimin in front of the dragon as he set his clipboard aside. He folded his hand in front of him, resting them on his lap.

“She’ll recover without a problem, her magic was almost at zero, but she’ll bounce back,” he calmly spoke. “As to your previous question about her arm, she lost it when she took Zaros’s magic away.” Jungkook blinked as Jimin looked away, awkwardly taking another bite of his apple before the air ate away at it and turned it brown.

“What?”

“I said before that Zaros had his power seal away, but that wasn’t quite correct. In reality, he won’t be able to use magic again because it was taken out of him. Y/n took it away.”

“But, she couldn’t have- how is that even possible?!”

“Anything is possible, that’s why it’s magic. It makes things that seem unlikely, likely. I can only assume that when you were attacked by Zaros and she was left to face him, she found out a way to take his magic from him out of sheer panic. It was probably on nothing but rage and impulse, but Zaros was a very powerful warlock. Though, of course even with magic, nothing is free.” Parrish looked at Jungkook as the dragon curled his fingers into a fist, trying to contain his anger towards Zaros. Jimin also looked at the dragon as he got up, finishing his apple and tossing it into the bin before he sat beside Jungkook.

“Can a C-ranked witch really be capable of that?” Jimin asked.

“It’s possible. It’s not uncommon for magic to spike when the user’s life is threatened. Not only did Y/n protect herself, but she protected Jungkook as well. When she took his magic from him, she had to give something equal in return. So, the fates decided to take the arm that was filled with his magic as payment for her actions.” Parrish took his clipboard back into his lap as he took the pen in his pocket and clicked it.

He scratched and wrote and circled things on his papers as he flipped through them. Before long, his eyes scanned them once more before he replaced the pen back into his pocket and then presented the clipboard to Jungkook. The dragon took it with a raised brow.

“Even if it is grim, the loss of her arm may be a good thing.” Jungkook read the papers as Jimin looked over his friend’s shoulder, reading the best he could with a stretched neck. Parrish sat with his hands folded again on his lap as the two read.

“I don’t understand, so when she lost her arm, it helped?” Jungkook questioned aloud as Jimin started smiling before looking back and forth between Parrish and the papers he had just finished scribbling on.

“When her arm was severed from her body, the infection went with it. Y/n is no longer blighted.” Parrish solidified. Jungkook was ready to open his mouth again as Jimin grabbed his arm, holding it in excitement when the door to Jungkook’s medical room was slammed open.

“Doctor, I apologize for barging in, but Y/n is starting to wake up,” a female doctor announced. Jungkook dropped the clipboard as he sprung to his feet, beating even Parrish to rise. He ignored the shouting of Jimin and Parrish behind him as well as the doctor’s before he was pushing his way out the door into the hall. He could follow her scent he knew so well.

Jungkook ran through the halls, even down a flight of stairs before his nose led him to a doorway. He could smell your scent behind the door as well as Yoongi’s inside. He heard the sounds of all sort of machines he knew was helping you recover and the sound of someone else talking inside. Jungkook took breath before he was flinging the door open and rushing inside.

Yoongi stood over your bedside, staring down at you, holding your hand as you were hooked up to a machine used to help replenish magic energy. Yoongi’s eyes were swollen and Jungkook would poke fun at him any other time than now. Jungkook rushed over, bending over the opposite side of your bed as you slept. He peered down at you, your brows scrunched together.

Yoongi wasn’t all that shocked to see Jungkook, in fact, he was shocked he hadn’t seen him burst through the door earlier than now. Yoongi’s grip on your only hand was strong. Jungkook’s breath shuddered as Parrish and Jimin soon ran into the room behind the dragon who tore out of his own room a moment ago. Yoongi stepped away from you, letting your hand go to let Parrish get closer to you.

Jungkook hadn’t moved, his palms on your bed’s mattress as he stared at you without blinking. He waited and he stood absolutely still before he felt his breath leave him in one fell swoop when your eyelashes fluttered. Your eyelids twitched before they slid slowly open just a crack.

“Y/n?” Jungkook whispered as your eyes opened further. Your neck moved your head slowly to face the voice that called you. Your lips moved, but it took a few tries before a voice finally came out.

“Jun..g..kook?” Your voice was scratchy before you erupted into a fit of coughs. Jungkook jumped, panicky as he walked up closer to your head and cradled your cheek in his hand. He ran his thumb over your skin as you heaved, trying to gain your breath back.

“Hey, breathe. It’s okay, you’re okay,” he said. Voice cracking as a tear fell from his eye. He didn’t know where the tear came from and he didn’t mean to shed it, it just came out on its own. He sniffled before he felt his knees give and he found himself eye to eye with you as he knelt at your bedside. He buried his face into your mattress as his shoulders shook.

“Jungkook?” Your voice was stronger that time as he just shook his head, trying to signal to you he was alright. He was holding in too much and now here it was all spilling out in one, pathetic, giant heep. Jimin ran to Yoongi’s side who was just barely holding it together as Parrish worked on getting you removed from the machines you didn’t need any longer now that you were awake.

You reached up with your arm to hold onto Jungkook’s hand that held your cheek as you nearly choked when you wanted to lift your other arm, but it wasn’t there. You could feel the end of your arm just off your shoulder. You vaguely remember the pain of it bursting and igniting before it all went blurry. Parrish worked, Jimin and Yoongi held themselves together with the best they could at the foot of your bed as Jungkook kept his face hidden beside you, weeping.

XXX

You weren’t sure how much time passed before Parrish started talking to you about what to do and what not to do because you were recovering. He ran you through the fact that you did lose your left arm and that it had been close to seven months since you had gone missing. He told you that you had somehow taken Zaros’s ability to use magic- the result being your missing arm. He gave you the best run down he could without overwhelming you.

Jungkook sat on the side of your bed the entire time. He held your right hand as much as he could. When Parrish needed your arm, Jungkook released your hand and then took it right back when Parrish finished. Yoongi was quick to chew you out- but the tears glossing his eyes told the reality that he was just relieved you were back. Jimin wept loud and proud as he let it all out and he slumped into a tired mess before Yoongi took him out to get some rest at his dorm.

It was starting to tick further into the evening when Parrish excused himself, telling Jungkook to return back to his own hospital room soon. Jungkook just nodded, being left alone with you now. He wanted to mirror Yoongi and chew you out, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it. He tinkered around with your fingers as he counted each finger. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and then back down 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. His eyes were swollen as he still sniffed every now and then.

You curled your lips over your teeth as you licked them nervously. You weren’t sure what to say- you were very much aware that you had most definitely placed a sleeping sleep on Jungkook back before you disappeared and you were sure he didn’t take too well to that. He was as silent as you and the silence wasn’t comfortable at all; it was suffocating and stagnant.

You cleared your throat lightly as you lay on your back, staring at the ceiling.

“Um, Jungkook?” You voiced, met with nothing. He stayed quiet, still playing with your hand and still staring down at the mattress. You inwardly sighed as you tried again. “Jungkook?” Still nothing. “Are you angry with me?” You lightly asked, knowing he would more than likely say yes. You prepared for the burst of angry outbursts, but they never came.

Instead, he just slumped onto your bed beside you. You yelped as he dropped his torso to lay beside you, his face beside your left shoulder. His legs still hung off the bed as his toes just barely brushed the tile floor. He sighed as you remained quiet again.

“I want to yell at you,” Jungkook finally spoke. You knew that, but hearing him admit it still stung. “I wanna yell and scream at you for being so, so stupid.” He brought your arm over your chest to push your knuckles against his warm cheek. “I think Yoongi did it for me though, so I won’t,” he whispered.

“Jungkook, listen-”

“Did you not want me to be your familiar that much?” He choked. His throat felt clogged like he was going to cry again. He was starting to get sick and tired of crying. He hadn’t cried like this in so long, it was actually starting to annoy him.

“What?”

“It’s the only thing I can think of when I remember you broke our contract,” he murmured. “You put me to sleep, you took away our contract, you ran off and you got hurt through it all. I can’t understand anything and you didn’t even explain it before you acted. You didn’t talk to me, you just acted and ran. The only thing I can do is think you hated our contract so much you didn’t want to talk to me about it.”

You grunted as you tried to sit up, but with your only arm being held over your chest and in Jungkook’s hand, you had to rely on your abdominal muscles which happen to be as strong as straw at the moment. You groaned as you lifted your shoulders. Jungkook gasped as he shot himself up and dropped your hand, pushing his palm on your back to help you up.

He had you sitting up, slouching before you shifted to face him. You lifted your chin to rest on his shoulder as you pushed the top of your head into his cheek. Your arm slinging over his shoulder as your fingers ran along his spine.

“I’m sorry,” you apologized. Jungkook shifted to sit on your bed, his knees on either side of your hips. He pushed his hand on the back of your head as his other stayed glued on the small of your back. You could feel his heartbeat calm in his chest. “You know I didn’t hate anything about our contract. I’ve always been happy you were my familiar, even when you rejected me before I got infected. I acted the way I did because I felt so guilty. I took your life from you and I felt like you were just forcing yourself to stay beside me because you couldn’t get out of it. I didn’t mean to hurt you, you know that.”

“You’re a jerk,” he whined, pushing his nose into your hair. You nodded.

“I know.”

“I mean, you’re just awful.”

“I know.”

“Selfish and hardheaded.”

“I know.”

“But even if you’re a jerk, I still don’t want to be anyone else’s familiar,” he admits. You pull your head from his shoulder where it rested to look at him for the first time in the eyes. You half expected him to have a look of pity and anguish on his face, but you were taken aback when the look you were faced with was one of bold determination. “I will not accept anyone else as my master, and I will not be anyone else’s familiar. It’s you, Y/n, or no one else.”

Your cheeks flushed at his confession. The look in his eyes told you that he meant every word. Jungkook shifted, his bent knees moving to stretch out before curling around the back of your hips. He grabbed your hips as he lifted you up. You held his shoulder as you squealed before you were sat back down on his crossed legs, your legs on either side of his waist. His fingers laced together at the small of your back, his brows furrowed as he pushed his forehead to yours.

“Tell me I can be your familiar again,” he told you. “I won’t let you go until I’m yours again,” he added. Your cheeks flared up as your hand fell from his shoulder to his chest. You could feel his heart thumping under your fingertips and behind his hospital shirt. You never even got to ask him if he was alright after everything, he didn’t give you enough time. He just jumped right into his own task without stopping- as per usual.

“I- Jungkook,” you tried interrupting him.

“I’m serious. Tell me or I’m not moving and neither are you,” he confirmed by tightening his arms around your hips, pushing his fingers into your back further. You could feel his breath on your face and shivers ran up your spine as his fingers stayed to hold you in place. He was serious it seemed.

“Are you sure you really want me?” You asked meekly, trying to move your head away from his and try and at least mask the red that started piling up on your cheeks. He was being way too bold. “You could easily have any other witch or warlock that isn’t nose high in family problems with only one arm,” you pouted. Jungkook cracked a smile before he leaned forward and placed a small kiss on the corner of your lips.

Frozen, you jumped but didn’t move- not like you could anyway. His lips on your skin were warm and his stone face finally softened before he leaned back and bonked his forehead against you with a small, almost comical knock. He giggled as he looked at you with galaxies in his eyes. His ears were red and you swore you saw small flames flick off his skin. Was that his way of blushing?

“I thought I said I didn’t want anyone else, family baggage or not. So what if you lost an arm? I’ve got two more for you to use, so I don’t see the problem.” You felt a small tingling in your right arm as you sat with him, talking as he held you hostage in his lap. Giggling in your face after backing you into a corner with the surge of boldness you hadn’t seen in so long.

“You’re positive you’d be okay with me as your master? I may not be able to break the contract again if you decide you hate me one day.”

“I couldn’t be more positive. I don’t think I could bring myself to hate you now even if I tried. There’s a reason I woke up on my own from the dream you put me in. I woke up because you weren’t there, so what’s the point if you aren’t with me here in the end?”

You wiggled to gain as much space as you could from him- that wasn’t much. Still on his lap, you pull your hand from his chest as you curled your fingers and extended your pinky. “Alright then, we promise on it.” You held your pinky in front of you. “As your previous master and as your future master as well, I hereby order that you become my familiar again, Jeon Jungkook.” You commanded.

He quickly released one of his hands from your back before he curled his own pinky with yours. His hand was as warm as his lips were before he was giddily smiling. He felt something like a new kind of spark in his chest after the promise was finished. He let go of your finger and brought his other hand to join together under your jaw. You jumped when he cradled your face and smiled before leaning to push his lips against yours in a proper kiss.

You're not sure what happened, but as he kissed you your arm felt hot and his left hand felt warmer and warmer against your cheek. You could feel him smile against your lips as you soon pushed against him, giving your own smile back. It felt like a breeze blew by the two of you as you sat in the warmth of his dragon skin before he pulled away from you- as giddy as a child.

You gasped when you saw him and his eyebrows shot up.

“What is it?” He asked as he moved his hands to hold around your neck gently. You just blinked at him, your face reddening. “What is it?!” He asked again, a chuckle in his voice as you leaned back from him and looked around. Wiggling around, you saw a small circle mirror beside your bed and reached for it. You grabbed it, flopping ungracefully along your mattress that made Jungkook chuckle. He reached over you, grabbing it instead after seeing you struggle with not being used to only having one arm to grab things with.

He placed the small mirror in your hand before you were settling back in front of him, climbing back onto his lap before turning the mirror around and showing him his own reflection. His eyes went wide before he was leaning towards the mirror and grabbing it from your hand.

“What the?!” The reflection that looked back at him wasn’t the reflection he had seen not that long ago. His brown hair was gone and his eyes had changed as well.

His dragon traits had slipped out without him knowing and the scales that were once dark and ashy on his cheeks were now a soft rose. His hair was no longer that dark brown you had teased him about but an ash pink that seemed to spike at the ends. His golden eyes were dotted with lavender- just like when he was hypnotized before. His fangs were longer and even his claws felt sharper than they were before.

He gasped again when he saw the glimpse of a tattoo under the sleeve of his scrub on his left arm. He set the mirror down before he pulled the sleeve up. The tattoo was so much different than the one before. It wasn’t just a simple wrapped tattoo that curled his wrist. No- this one was much more elaborate. It sat on the top of his wrist, curled into his palm and extended up his arm to his elbow. Curled with ink of a light shade of white his new contract symbol decorated his forearm.

Jungkook looked up at you who was admiring his familiar mark.

“I didn’t even perform a magic spell, I was just making that promise so that when I did cast it again you wouldn’t back out!” You admitted. “How did the contact finalize without the incantation?”

“Nevermind that,” Jungkook told you before setting the mirror completely off to the side. He grabbed your covered right arm. “You have to have a tattoo again too, right? What does it look like?” He pulled your sleeve up but didn’t see anything on your forearm. His brow raised and his eyes moved to look at you but stopped at seeing something peeking under your scrub around your collar bone.

He let go of your arm and pulled the collar of your shirt to the side to expose your shoulder and pulled it down to reveal more of your chest. The embarrassment you would feel from so much exposure wasn’t registering at the moment, instead you were focused on the reflection of the symbols that matched Jungkook’s arm engraved in white ink on your chest and shoulder in his wide eyes.

“It’s beautiful,” he murmured. He looked up at you, fingers tracing the ink. “Is this mark really mine? And is this one,” he motioned to his arm, “really yours?” He asked. You nodded. They were identical marks just in different places. He smiled, his eyes watering before he lowered his head and placed his lips on your shoulder over the mark. “Thank you,” he whispered against your skin. His rose hair brushing your cheek as his scales chilled the skin it pushed against on your neck.

You felt him smile into your shoulder as he smushed his cheek into your skin, rubbing his cheek on you like some pet would. You giggled as he brought his arms around your waist to hug you and sway you back and forth on his lap. Your hand in his hair.

“Thank you so much,” he sang, deciding to sit with you a little longer before going to spread the news of the contract revival between the two of you. That and Jungkook wasn’t ready to face the wrath of Yoongi when he inevitably bursts out that he had kissed you at least twice.

XXX

A week passed and Jungkook was finally discharged and allowed to go back to his dorm. Of course once he settled in and cleaned up a bit- Jimin had been keeping the place dust free ever since Jungkook fell asleep- he was changing into new clothes and going back to school.

There wasn’t a hallway or classroom he could go into without being bombarded with questions. People asking about his new hair color or the fact that his brown eyes were a shade brighter now. When he would transform in class the awes and ridiculous gawking over his ash pink scales and crimson wings never inflated his ego more. People complimented his white tattoo and asked questions about his master.

He was always happy to talk about you if you were brought up. He would gush and talk about how much you went through to overcome everything that threatened to push you backward. His fellow Shifter’s hadn’t seen him so animated in talking about anything before. Jimin also had a hand in the skyrocketing popularity seeing as he was close with the duo.

Yoongi didn’t take to the spike of attention however. Anytime someone came at him with a question or a demand of a story about it all, he could immediately fade into the shadows of the walls or floors. Or if he was really feeling cornered, he’d enchant a ribbon bomb that spiraled around his body before exploding with a cloud of harmless dust that allowed him an escape route.

It turns out that when you and Jungkook sat together and promised another contract, your heartbeats synced and your emotional waves magnified to the point an incantation wasn’t needed. Your moment of solitude and confessions was enough for magic to take action on its own and form a True Contract.

The white ink that was stamped on your bodies was going to be there for the rest of your lives and was now the official symbol of your and Jungkook’s life long contract as Master and Familiar. Of course, it wasn’t just that- no. Jungkook still smiled at the memory of you stuttering over your own words.

You actually had the gall to ask him if he had feelings for you that extended past friendship and contracts. After sticking to you like glue and kissing you more times than he could count, you still had to ask if he loved you? He had called you stupid before he followed it up with another kiss of him saying that if he wasn’t already your boyfriend, he would sit you on his lap and trap you again until he was.

Jungkook was sat in class, bored out of his mind. His palm pushed into his cheek as his arms were exposed with his short-sleeved tee. The weather outside was chilly, not that it mattered to him. His pink hair sat shaggily on his head, oversleeping leading to him rolling out of bed, throwing on what he could find quickly and running out the door.

His textbook was propped open with his hand, his pen tapping mindlessly on the pages as the professor droned on and on about something or another. Jimin who sat beside him just rolled his eyes. This was the fourth time Jimin had caught Jungkook’s mind wandering off, he figured bringing his attention back to the lesson at hand a fourth time wouldn’t accomplish anything anymore.

When the lesson finished, Jungkook yawned, stretching as he packed away his book and tossed his pen to get lost in his bag. Jimin packed neatly as he threw his bag over his shoulder, already feeling Yoongi’s shadow pull at him from outside the classroom. Sure enough, when he turned he saw the shadow warlock standing lazily in the doorway.

Jungkook didn’t miss the way Jimin's face momentarily heated at Yoongi’s presence. The dragon smirked as he nudged the hound. His eyebrows wiggled as Jimin snapped at him to knock it off, his face flushing before he stood up, leaving Jungkook a laughing heap at his desk.

Jimin was such an open book.

Leaving the class with Yoongi and Jimin, they headed towards Jungkook’s locker to place his things inside before shifting lessons. Once again drilling the basics of shifting in and out of full form. He had just thrown his bag into his locker and slammed it shut when he smelt your scent not too far from him.

His ears twitched as he looked around and sure enough, you came round the corner with Parrish behind you. You still hadn’t been discharged from the hospital wing yet, so seeing you walking around in your scrubs at school spiked his attention. He was quick to forget everything around him and run towards you.

“Y/n!” He shouted. You blinked, looking at the dragon coming towards you in a jog before he was in front of you. You looked up at him, his pink hair a mess. “What are you doing here? You should be resting right now.”

“I gave her permission, don’t worry,” Parrish spoke from behind you. “Pix had something she wanted to do today, so I let her come back to school with me as a chaperone.”

“Something you wanted to do?” Jungkook looked back to you from Parrish as you nodded. “What is it? You seem nervous,” Jungkook told you. Reaching out to grab your hand instinctively. He felt his heartbeat harsher at the feeling of your nerves in his chest.

“I’m going to go see my dad,” you told him softly. Jungkook’s brows immediately furrowed.

“No,” he denied. “You can’t go see that person.”

“Jungkook,” you sighed as you almost stamped your feet. “I have to.”

“No, you don’t. You can go the rest of your life without seeing that miserable bastard ever again.” Jungkook almost snarled just speaking about Zaros.

“I’ve already made up my mind,” you told him. He wasn’t going to sway you on this and he could tell. He was trying to win an argument he had no chance of winning as he sighed defeated. You ran your thumb over his palm. “I have Uncle Parrish with me, it’s not like I’ll be alone.”

Parrish looked at the two of you before he crossed his arms.

“I’ll provide a suitable note of absence for Jungkook if he wants to come with us.” You looked over your shoulder at the coat-clad doctor. Jungkook didn’t hesitate for a moment before he nodded, taking a step closer to you.

“I’ll go,” he told him.

“What, Jungkook you have class!” You argued. He just shook his head at you. He didn’t care, this was more important than drills he’s been forced to do a bazillion other times before. There was no point in trying to make him give in. Jungkook had called Jimin over to tell him that he’s skipping out on shifting lessons and to tell the professor that he was with you and Parrish.

Yoongi wasn’t too thrilled about you going to see Zaros, but it wasn’t his decision to make. He just bit his tongue and bore it.

Jimin and Yoongi walked off leaving the three of you together before Parrish began to lead you both to the door that leads down below to the long cement halls Jungkook hand snuck off to before. Jungkook could feel your hand tighten around his own as Parrish led you both to the door and down the stairs. The doctor stopped when the stairs ended and stood off to the side. You looked at him over your shoulder.

“I’ll stay here and let you both talk to him privately. As much as I should, I think it’s important that you both do this without my extended supervision.” Jungkook held your hand tightly in his as you nodded to your uncle. You took a quiet breath before Jungkook was walking first, lightly pulling you behind him down the hall. Your empty left sleeve swaying beside you.

It was silent for a moment before you looked at the dragon.

“You seem to know where you’re going,” you told him.

“Yoongi and Jimin snuck me down here once,” he admitted without much thought and a small shrug. “Plus, I can smell him.” He sneered. Heightened senses must be awful down in such a sealed off hall. Just concrete and the one hostage held down below. Before long the two of you stood before the cell that held the very core of all the problems you have been forced to bear for so long.

Jungkook wasn’t sure what spell you used so quickly to unlatch the lock to the cell, but it was soon sliding open as you took a breath. With the door open and the slumped, pathetic body of your father in front of you again, you froze.

The last time he was in front of you, he ruined so much. He hurt Jungkook, the scar on the dragon’s back would never fade because of this man. He put a blight on your arm and then you ended up losing that very arm in an attempt to stop his ugly tirade of power. He took your childhood from you, your happiness, your life and all the smiles you could’ve had growing up. Now, here he was helpless and weak at your feet.

Jungkook felt you waver. Truthfully, he wanted to slam that cell door closed, scope you up and run out of these halls back up above and away from him for good. However, he knew he couldn’t. This was your way of getting something close to closure. He wasn’t sure what exactly you were looking to get out of trying to talk to Zaros, but he was with you. He was beside you and that’s all that mattered to him now.

“Wake up old man,” Jungkook hissed, plumes of fire blooming from his mouth. His rose hair standing on end, spiking at the tips just as they did the first time his hair changed due to the sudden contract renewal and the magic that surged out of his blood.

Zaros mumbled before his body twitched and the shoulders of his that were slouched forwards started to rise and straighten out. Lifting his body his eyes, narrow and as cold as ever, landed on Jungkook and you standing in his lonely cell.

His dead, unforgiving eyes scanned over you so quickly you nearly cowered in fear. Even magicless, this man- your father- terrified you. Jungkook held your hand tightly as he pushed his arm behind you to keep you steady.

“Taking so much magic power out of my body, I’m shocked you didn’t die,” Zaros spit at you. He took into account the empty left sleeve of your scrub that swayed. He almost cracked a sick smile. “It seems as though you got what you deserved however.” Jungkook could feel the shivers run up your spine at your father’s voice. Even as he is now, he looks down on you, looks at you with hate and spite. Your teeth almost chatter at the sheer coldness of his voice and eyes.

You didn’t know what you were expecting to happen. Just because his magic is gone, it wasn’t going to turn him into a new person. If at all, he hates you more now than ever before. You stripped the man’s pride from his very core, leaving him as a simple human husk. He had pinned every failure on you and now you had taken his magic. You knew there was no way he could be redeemed and there was no way he could love you.

“I hate you,” you softly spoke, your eyes down at the floor of his cell. Staring at his feet and legs. Could you not lift your eyes to speak face to face even now? “Everything you’ve done to me and to everyone I care about, I can’t forgive you for a single thing.”

“I do not care for your forgiveness, dear daughter,” Zaros spitefully spit. Your eyes widened at his tone. He cloaked it all in thick loathing. You took a breath. It was now or never, and you had to get it all out now. You lifted your head, your eyes locking with the warlocks and you almost instinctively turned away.

“I’ve made a new contract with my familiar. He will stay by my side for the rest of his life- like it or not. Our bond is exactly what you and my mother had all those years ago.” Zaros brow twitched, his eyes narrowing. “I don’t know if you truly loved my mother or not, but I love my familiar with my whole soul and I’ve learned a lot from everything you didn’t teach me. The things you taught me were cold and sorrowful lessons, but I will take those into stride. I will loathe you until I die and I will never see you as my father.”

You released Jungkook’s hand and stepped into Zaros’s cell, your hand curled into a fist.

“I do not regret being born anymore. I have a family now. I have Yoongi and Parrish and Jimin. I have Jungkook with me and my days of trying to meet your impossible expectations are finally over. I came here to say goodbye and to take what’s mine back with me. I will end your reign and the name of ours that is so noble will die with you.”

“What are you-” he started to growl at you before his mouth was clamped shut. Your eyes shone with magic as a white thread pinned his mouth shut. He was frozen in place, small white threads keeping him pinned to his spot on the cell floor. You walked closer to him as you knelt in front of him.

“I will not succeed you and I will not live in that house. I will clear it all out of people and have it demolished. I will tear your empire down brick by brick while you are transported from cell to cell in prison to rot as a human criminal. Now, give me back what is mine. The only thing I can take that belonged to mother that she entrusted me to that you stole.” You reached forwards one at a time and removed the set of red, teardrop earrings from each of your father’s ears.

These ruby red earrings were an heirloom of your mother’s family you had come to learn in the past and every time you saw your father wearing them you would grow angry. They were yours and you knew your mother wanted you to wear them one day. That day would be today and nothing was stopping you anymore.

The seething glare your father gave you as you removed the last of his pride from him was scorching. You were sure he could feel your fingertips tremble against his ears as you took the jewels from them, but you couldn’t let him have the satisfaction.

Jungkook remained in the cell’s open doorway, waiting patiently for you. The small puffs of fire that came from his lungs with each exhale were a warning to Zaros who watched the dragon over your shoulder as you worked. If he tried to pull any funny shit, Jungkook would burn him into a pile of ashes without hesitation.

You soon stood back to your feet, the earrings safe in your palm as your white threads released him as he slumped in place, his mouth opening to let out the air trapped inside. You stood up and for once in your life, you were the one looking down on him. You felt your chest rise as you let your fist fall to your side, your mother’s earrings safe in your hand.

“I will never see you again and I will be sure to have you escorted to a prison that’s just as disgusting as you are.” You both glared at one another before you turned your back. The first and last time you ever felt safe showing your back to your father because of the way Jungkook watched him. Jungkook’s reflexes were faster than any dirty trick your father could think of pulling.

The dragon was quick to slam the door shut and burn the metal into place as he hissed at your father from the safety of outside when you were beside him again. Jungkook placed his hand on the small of your back, ready to lead you out. You stopped in your steps as you looked back once more at your father for the last time.

Your eyes stung, you weren’t sure why, however. You didn’t feel remorse or regret or sorrow. However, the stinging in your eyes was relentless.

“I guess this is goodbye, daddy.” You whispered as you turned and let Jungkook lead you back down the hall to Parrish. By the time you got to him, you were already crying again. Jungkook holding your head to his neck as you sobbed, your mother’s earrings in your hand that you held by your cheek.

XXX

Another week passed and soon you were discharged and back to school. Readjusting was harder than you originally thought it would be. Studying and doing magic was a whole new experience after a nearly 7-month hiatus of sleeping and then losing an arm on top of which. You had to relearn a lot of what you already knew, but you didn’t mind. Resparking your love for magic is what made you a talented Spellcaster anyways.

When you returned, Jungkook would be caught hissing and glaring at Elias any time he saw him in the halls of the buildings. Of course, the prideful gargoyle never did apologize for the shit he put you through, but you decided to put it behind you- Jungkook wouldn’t though. He decided to stay petty about it.

When Zaros was finally relocated to a proper prison, Jungkook was sure to keep you away from the group of men taking him away to put that bastard where he belonged. He wasn’t going to let you see him again if he could help it. Then, finally things seemed to settle into place.

Yoongi and Jimin took care of each other. Parrish worked hard as always and was always welcome to you and Jungkook as well as his son and Jimin. Yoongi and Jimin also had a few things they had kept from the group until Parrish pried it out of them and the burning bright, yellow matching insignias on their skin was enough to make you giddy for their future. You often made time to visit Parrish’s home when school allowed.

Jungkook had once again taken you back to his home to see his sister and father, to which they both had very extreme reactions to his physical appearance change- although positive ones. His father was proud of the familiar Jungkook had become and his sister had to battle with her brother over who was going to share a room with you.

It was the one night in the countryside that the two of you sat out in the open air, remembering the flourishing cavern in the mountain and talking about everything that’s happened so far that Jungkook felt truly healed. You told him that he helped you in more ways than you could verbalize- however Jungkook was sure that you healed him more than he helped you.

He was finally himself after so long of being only half the man named Jeon Jungkook. He found the rest of him through you and when you gifted him with one of the two ruby earrings to wear in his ear. He knew that he would want to spend the rest of his life healed next to you. His earring shining the brilliant red shade that matched yours and he knew that somehow both your mother and his were happy and proud of the children they never got to finish raising.

Jungkook moved to kiss your cheek as you sat in front of him in the middle of the forest he took you to with the glowing, hybrid dragonflies. You looked over your shoulder at him, a brow raised and a smile on your face.

“What was that for?”

He just smiled, plopping his chin on your shoulder and pushing his nose into your cheek affectionately. “I just wanted to kiss you,” he sang. You chuckled at him as you continued to play with the dragonflies. He watched you with a smile. “Hey,” he called to get your attention as you hummed at him. “I love you.”

You turned and pecked his forehead, his favorite kind of kiss. “I love you too, my dragon.”

-END-

pls pls pls! lmk what you all thought of this. I have to write the epilogue yet, but this is my biggest accomplishment when it comes to a series finale!

@tamedandscripted @syubcandy @cencoroil @kathrynwynterbourne @fireflower90 @bluegreenguppyfish @queen-pharaoh-hatshepsut @mygukandonly @ms-bookdragon @leemarkeurii @seaofsunbeams @astronomyturtle @v-reallife @shubaaa @loudcomputerpoetry @glitterdustbxnny @namelesshil @taeshuworld @kaitsubaki @kookabble @enthusiastt @namjoonsslutakakoreanmanswhore @karissassirak @bunnyboyenthusiast @ladyartemesia @killcomet @kookoo-kachoo @missmidnightmasquerade

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anika-ann · 4 years ago

Text

Errare Humanum Est - Pt.13

Olympus, The Tower and Other Off-Limits Places to Find Gods at

Type: series, soulmate AU series (part 1, part 2) x Supernatural

Pairing: Steve Rogers x reader (past?) Word count: 4280

Summary: Getting an appointment with Captain America isn’t exactly easy – especially when one looks like his deceased soulmate and his friends are very protective of his fragile heart.

Warnings: mentions of violence, guns, amnesia, swearing, ‘science’

Story masterlist

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Hadn’t you had your nerves wrecked, you would have laughed your ass off when entering the Avengers Tower, the supposed residence of superheroes (besides other things, apparently).

The face of the receptionist upon your entrance was simply priceless.

You wished someone took a picture. Then again, her gaping lasted long enough for your trio to cross the better part of the lobby to her desk, her eyes nearly bulging still as you stopped in front of her, so you had enough time to feast your eyes – only to find yourself unable to indulge it fully. Clearly, you weren’t a diva type of person.

The woman behind the counter couldn’t form words, apparently. Neither were you, the lump in your throat simply too big. So it was left to the brothers.

“Yeah, we know what you want to say. She gets that a lot,” Dean announced brilliantly, smirking. Sam rolled his eyes at his brother’s behaviour and hurried to talk to the poor woman instead of him.

“Is there any chance we could talk to Captain Rogers?”

The receptionist gulped, clearly uncertain how to proceed. She frantically searched her desk as if she had some note to tell her what to do. In the end, she looked up back at you, blinking.

“I-I’ll see what I can do,” she stuttered as her shaking hands found a button to press and adjust the microphone on her headset. “There’s… there is a woman to see Captain Rogers.”

Low and very much annoyed female voice replied through the loose headphones.

“There are too many women to see Rogers these days. Why are you calling instead of following the protocol?”

The receptionist’s eyes never left your face, but she didn’t hold your gaze, as if shy or scared. You didn’t want to think about what it meant and prayed it was only shock showing. Seeing a supposedly dead person probably did that to people.

Also, really? Those nags whose posts (read: dirty suggestions) you had stumbled across when surfing the net actually came here?

“You might want to come see for yourself, madam.”

A short pause followed, causing your heart to nearly jump out of your chest as it hammered in anticipation.

“Fine. Send her to the conference room on the first floor, 1.03. I’ll be there in five.”

Dean sent the woman behind the counter a blinding smile and she reluctantly showed you towards the elevator. Sam had to nudge you slightly to follow; your feet felt like they had taken roots in the floor. It wasn’t just the receptionist staring now and you just wanted to turn invisible and run.

This had been a terrible idea. What happened to the Tinder one? It suddenly sounded more appealing.

The swift ride in the elevator that flipped over your stomach already floating as if was stuffed with cotton didn’t help at all.

Neither did the redhead who barged into the way too luxurious conference room (the door fucking opened itself), shooting you all three a quick glance that appeared like an assessment of weaponry (Dean did have a pocket knife, you thought, just like Sam, which probably wouldn’t help when fighting a superhero, but whatever) and froze when seeing you.

If she didn’t look so indescribably tough and badass, you would think her emerald eyes turned glassy; before they grew cold and calculating, her already tensed shoulders straightening even more.

“Who the hell are you?!” she barked out.

It was almost funny, seeing as there were two large men with you, that you had her undivided attention as if you were the threat to her.

“I… I’m not sure,” you stuttered, barely audible, your heart leaping into your throat.

Whatever she had expected you to say or do, this clearly wasn’t it. She looked gobsmacked and utterly taken aback by your response. Her stiff and delicately beautiful features twisted in a grimace of disbelief.

“What do you mean you’re not— what the hell is this?”

“You’re Black Widow,” Dean stated when the questioning look of the intimidating woman shifted to them. He looked… star-struck? You vaguely recalled reading that there was a woman on the… Avengers team. This was probably her. “Natasha Romanoff. Well, that would explain it.”

A metaphorical light-bulb flickered above your head.

Natasha. That couldn’t be coincidence, could it?

“The… the name I chose. You think it was because of her? Are we friends?”

“Are we—“ she parroted your apparently stupid question incredulously, measuring your trio from head to toe. “The name you chose? What does it even mean?”

“She’s amnesiac,” Sam enlightened her matter-of-factly, which caused her to snap her gaze back to you, eyes narrowed.

But there was a spark of something in her irises, more of an interest than suspicion now.

“Jarvis, is she wearing any tech that would disguise her voice or her face?”

Before you could question whom she was talking to, a voice with an accent answered her, making you jump.

“No, Agent Romanoff. There is no sign of a plastic surgery either.”

Sam and Dean seemed almost unfazed by an invisible person speaking up; thinking about it, they were probably used to it. But you weren’t, nearly going into a cardiac arrest.

“Gotta love natural beauty,” Dean hummed teasingly, earning a glare from Sam that screamed hypocrite.

You suspected that the site named BustyAsianBeauties.com that popped out in the tablet’s history was Dean’s doing then and it eased the tension in your stomach for a bit. With those two, everything would be alright. Manageable, at least. The banter, it was the highlight of your days.

“And my recognition system involving body and gait analysis is finding 98% match,” the strange male voice continued and you couldn’t help but grimace.

Dude. That’s… creepy.

“Well, that’s just rude and invasive,” Dean voiced your thoughts and crossed his arms on his chest with a scolding look.

Natasha Romanoff was clearly having none of his shit as she mirrored his position. You noticed that while Dean’s arms were clutched tightly, hers weren’t. You had a funny hunch she wanted to be ready to punch someone. Namely you, Sam or Dean.

It wasn’t a pleasant feeling. But then her eyes shifted towards the ceiling, her teeth grinding.

“Jarvis, why didn’t you inform anyone about a woman who matches you-know-who entering this building in the first place?” she hissed and you couldn’t say you minded her irritation being aimed at someone (?) else.

“…I simply thought there was a glitch in my system. I focused on finding the glitch causing my malfunction,” the ghost-like voice replied politely, though sounding guilty.

Everything was pointing the direction of Agent Romanoff finding the system – artificial intelligence, you finally realized, which what the hell was the world anymore – very much guilty. Or someone named Stark, because you would swear she had muttered ‘Fuck Stark’s inventions’ under her breath.

“You three. Start talking. Right now.”

“You might want to explain the frauds too,” the voice chimed in again and the brothers tensed.

“What frauds?” the woman demanded in a snarl, giving you an impression of wanting to bare her teeth like and animal.

“We’ll get to that,” Sam assured her, raising his hands in attempted ‘we-mean-no-harm’ gesture. “It’s just… how we get money, because our job doesn’t exactly pay great.”

“…and the murder.”

The movement was so fast you had no chance of seeing it. All of sudden, there was a gun aimed at Dean’s face, then moving to Sam’s and flickering to you as well, as Romanoff stood two steps farer than before.

“What murder?!”

Good question, not the point at the moment. There was a murder about to happen and sure as hell didn’t like it!

This time, Dean raised his hands in surrender. You mimicked him instantly.

“Alright. Who the hell is speaking and I said it and I’ll say it again; it was a shapeshifter-”

“What the hell is a shapeshifter?” the woman barked, clicking the safety lock.

Your head started swimming, the world muffled as blood pounded in your temples. Someone had you on gunpoint.

Shit, shit, shit, how is this my life? Whose life is this?

“Cas, we could really use your help-“ Dean called out to the ceiling and nothing happened.

You heard the shot before you saw the movement on your left. It rang in your ears, echoing in your skull and making you crouch on instinct, your arms protectively wrapping around your head.

Two more shots were fired, but no pain came.

Fear squeezed your heart, your knees getting wobbly. Did that mean Sam and Dean got shot?

A gasp from the shooter picked up your curiosity and had you peek through your improvised protection.

“Oh. I think you’ll get along with her, Dean. Same manners. Summon, shoot first, ask questions later,” a familiar voice of an angel sounded from your left and you breathed in shakily, assessing the situation.

No one was hurt. Castiel seemed offended though, so you assumed he was the one being shot at. And he was unharmed. Jesus. They had forgotten to mention that he didn’t really mind bullets, but that was not the point.

There were no other shots and you slowly straightened back as Dean scolded the angel, almost annoyed.

“Cut the sass, Cas. Could you… explain miss- Agent Romanoff that there are monsters and you’re who you are?”

By the look Castiel gave him, he wasn’t happy. You weren’t surprised – his beige trenchcoat now had three bullet holes in it, Romanoff’s gun in his hand. Speaking of which…the agent was kinda frozen? Like, literally? It was freaking creepy, but it was probably the cause of you not bleeding to death momentarily, so you were grateful.

“Again?” Castiel whined and you pushed down the urge to label them ‘married couple after 20 years’. “We work really hard to keep supernatural world a secret! … but in this case, I guess I could make an exception.”

He sighed and flicked his hand, which caused the woman to start moving again, her face raining holy fire as she found herself… unarmed and clearly out of loop.

Castiel only smiled at her, welcoming, before she could jump him and strangle him to death – she seemed to be about to do so.

“Miss Romanoff, I’m an angel of the Lord. Pleasure to meet you.”

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Agent Natasha Romanoff was sitting with her elbows leaning onto her thighs, fingers interlaced between her knees. Her face wasn’t giving away much – only that she was… overwhelmed, if you could take a guess.

She believed you, you recognized as much. After everything Castiel had told her and showed her, which included an interior thunder and lightning, illuminating his figure only to project a shadow of freaking wings on the wall behind his back, and a hovering healing hand over her left knee, clearly working its magic, you weren’t too surprised about that.

Despite all of that though, her eyes were mostly on you, making you shift uncomfortably every now and then.

“I know it’s hard to believe,“ Sam spoke up when the silence stretched; with the angel of the Lord having nothing more to say and simply flying away, disappearing with a flutter of momentarily invisible wings, no one else had seemed inclined to talk.

The agent sighed and raised her head in the giant’s direction, eyebrow crooked up.

“I know a guy who was frozen for seventy years, I met two demigods from Asgard, there’s a man turning way greener and bigger and I fought an alien army. I’m not sure what ‘hard to believe’ means anymore, but seeing an… an angel or whatever he was and him getting me rid of pain that’s been bugging me for months helped too. But… it’s still a lot to chew,” she explained matter-of-factly and you couldn’t say you didn’t agree.

Also, you weren’t quite following her speech, assuming she was talking about her colleagues. You had registered the existence of Avengers, group of people and more-than-people, when searching the net, but your main focus had been aimed at Captain America; for obvious reasons.

“Well, why don’t we let Cap decide what he wants to believe?” Dean offered, tone light, but heavier than usual. “Captain Rogers, I mean.”

The woman eyed you again, clearly struggling with something she didn’t want to share. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

“Why?”

Romanoff snapped to Dean at the simple question and shot him an ugly look.

“He lost his soulmate few weeks ago in the most horrifying way and there’s a woman who looks just like her, not remembering a thing about them or herself for that matter, and I don’t even have a way of being hundred percent sure she is who I think she is. What do you think?” she finished, rising to her feet in a challenge.

Sam pouted shortly, as if wanting to say that she made a good point. “Touché. But I’m pretty sure she’s her.”

The Whatever-spider-she-was-called crossed her arms on her chest, her mind clearly preoccupied, squinting at you for a moment. You winced under the strict glare, lowering your gaze. She sighed at that and when you looked up again with reluctance, you noticed her features softened.

“Would you be willing to take a DNA test?”

“I… I guess,” you replied, a lump in your throat. You clenched your fist so it would stop tremble.

You weren’t scared of their probing. A DNA sounded rather innocent. No, you were worried about the results. The results that would lead to certain encounter you were once again not feeling ready for.

“Jarvis, get Tony’s ass to Bruce’s lab and open the private elevator for us. We’re coming up.”

After another nauseating elevator ride in a cabin that had no buttons to press, a retinal scan of the woman and a sacred promise you wouldn’t touch anything without permission, you were led to a room that was less strictly clinical than you expected – you only saw glass walls separating the white part of another lab in the corner of the room.

The welcome was about as warm as with Lady Spy though.

“What the hell?!” two men cried out in unison, looking up from some sort of a robotic… thing, matching shocked and exasperated expressions on their faces.

One of them was in a lab coat, wearing seeing glasses, suntanned skin and dark curls wild around his head, while the other seemed more caring about his looks with short hair and a goatee; he was wearing a plain dark long-sleeved t-shirt and grey sweats.

“Yeah, I know,” the woman who had brought you in said, not quite elaborating. It didn’t go unnoticed by the goatee man.

“Who the fuck is that?!”

“Cap’s soulmate. Probably,” Dean responded dryly, smiling tightly.

The guy was having none of it as he probably should. Still, you winced when he threw up his arm towards you, brown fire in his eyes – partly directed at you, partly at the redhead woman. He paced towards your group rapidly.

“What? And who the hell are you? Romanoff? Who are these people? Where did you get them? Is that another stunt of yours? Is that what that Wilson therapist told you to do?”

Romanoff’s eyes narrowed, her forehead crooking. “How do you even know about- no, don’t tell me. But don’t look at me, they came on their own.”

“To this lab?” the man sassed her. She clicked her tongue, rolling her eyes.

“Yeah, okay, that’s on me.”

“You trust them enough to bring them here?” the lab-coat man spoke up for the first time and shifted his weight from one leg to another, fiddling with his fingers nervously. You would swear you saw a hint of green on the side of his neck, but it must have been a trick of light.

“Long story. Wanna run some tests?” she offered, sounding rather commanding.

The goatee man narrowed his eyes, but quickly caught up, a flash of recognition on his face. “Good plan. Want Jarvis to update the security protocols?”

“Good plan. Though I don’t think it will do any good.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” he hissed, while the curled-hair man hesitantly beckoned you to follow him to the white part of the laboratory. You gulped at the sight, but hoped it didn’t show on your face much.

“Thanks,” you quipped up shyly, your fingers fiddling with the loose end of your plaid shirt. “Good afternoon. Sorry for barging in and interrupting your work.”

You didn’t know what possessed you to say that – perhaps you were wishing to smoothen the messy and rather hostile situation. To be fair, you were sorry; whatever they had been doing when you stumbled in looked important.

“Just… ask Jarvis later,” you heard behind your back and then the glass doors fallen shut behind you.

The man in the glasses observed you with brilliant eyes, curiosity, a hint of anger, confusion and a spark of hope written all over his face.

“We’ll see if it’s a problem. Who are you? Why are you here?”

You slowly climbed to the examining table, waiting for instructions, not sure what exactly he was about to perform. His questions were good ones, but there was a tiny catch.

“I really wish I knew answers to at least one of these questions, sir,” you whispered honestly, the pool of chocolate in his irises softening a fraction at your admission.

“You don’t know who you are?”

The velvet of his voice, soft question and gentle movements of his hands as he prepared your arm to take your blood summoned tears to well up in your eyes and you only shook your head, not wanting for your voice to break.

“But you’re here willingly, right? These men out there – they can’t hear you, don’t worry – they didn’t force you to come here, did they?” he continued kindly, a worried crinkle on his forehead now.

You were quick to understand that he worried whether two random fellas didn’t take an advantage of your visible similarity to Captain’s soulmate.

The shook of your head was more rapid this time, especially as you noticed the green patch of skin on his neck again. You understood finally that this was whom Natasha Romanoff was talking about – ‘greener and bigger’, she had said. You didn’t want to upset him, more so with a syringe in his hand.

“No. They have been helping me from the moment I woke up with no memory. They are very kind to me. We didn’t know to come here until we walked into a café and people were staring at me.”

As you explained it quietly, you barely noticed the pinch and the vial filling with your blood. He disinfected the puncture then, wordlessly instructing you to keep the pressure on it.

“Well. We’ll see if this can help us at all,” he offered as he placed the vial to a machine you had never seen before. “But if you are, in some impossible way, the person you are scarily similar to, we’re about to have a very long chat.”

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The chat wasn’t long at all in fact. The machine spitted out a result within five minutes in which you had returned to the cosier laboratory to witness the trio of Sam, Dean and Romanoff explaining to the goatee man how supernatural world worked.

He appeared sceptical, but Doctor Banner – as you learned – supported the spy when she pointed out her chronic pain in her knee that she now claimed to vanish.

Mr. Stark, aka the goatee man, seemed very relieved at the ping that sounded from his computer, an excuse to pause the weird conversation. Seeing the window instantly pop out in the air in front of his face, little lights drew some kind of results you couldn’t read.

You could read the actual text though. There was your supposed name, a series of lighter and darker bands, and next to it, a tested subject (actual you) with matching set of bands.

The match: 100%.

Stark’s head snapped to you along with Romanoff’s and Banner’s. They all stared at you speechless, disbelief at something beyond their comprehension clearly on display on their faces.

You shuffled uncomfortably, your gaze falling to the floor. You could still sense Dean’s and Sam’s satisfaction as they stood by your side. You, on the other hand, felt like you couldn’t quite breathe in, your chest too heavy and constricted.

“Well,” Stark broke the ominous silence, voice with a barely audible tremble in it. “Either you’re good, like really fucking good, or… you’re actually her, which… what the hell. People don’t just come back from death.”

Yeah, no shit. Tell me about it. And they told me that people actually do.

Too sheepish and not knowing what was a proper thing to say to that (was there even such thing?), you remained in your position and quiet.

Dean was kind enough to voice your thoughts though.

“Well, all of us, including the angel Ms. Scarily Pretty and Pretty Scary here met, did. That’s our world,” he stated, moving closer to your side as if he wanted to comfort you as he sensed your discomfort. Which probably wasn’t that hard. “I’m not saying it happens every day, but I’ll be damned if it doesn’t happen here and there.”

“In the end, I don’t think it matters,” Romanoff sighed and you finally found courage to look up as her words shocked you.

What did that mean?

“Why?” Stark questioned.

“Because she’s already here. They should talk.”

“Why? That’s gotta hurt like hell if nothing comes out of it, Natasha. You saw how he’s coping. Or, you know, not coping,” Banner reasoned this time and you bit your lip, glancing away at the thought of hurting your supposed soulmate.

“What he said. But I wouldn’t say ‘hell’,” Stark supported him and then added for a good measure: “I’d say ‘fuck’.”

The woman huffed exasperatedly.

“Yeah, guys, I’ve been there for the past weeks. You said it yourself, Tony, I did look for a therapist. But cut Steve some slack, he’s trying. More importantly, this can’t be a coincidence. I don’t believe in those.”

Your heart fluttered at the mention of his name and you weren’t sure you wanted to probe at why. Having the picture of him in your head, his voice caressing your ears, then pleading desperately as he had tried to save you – and there was no questioning it anymore, was there, even the DNA had confirmed you were she and she was you – made one hell of a mess of you.

As if you hadn’t been one already.

“Explain.”

“When I told her… that I might have sent Steve her way the first time, you know what she told me?” Romanoff reacted to Stark’s blunt request and all eyes shifted to you once more and you panicked.

“I have no idea what she’s talking about, I clearly didn’t!”

“Enlighten us then?” Banner sighed, tilting his head to side curiously, glancing back at the other woman in the room.

“That it was okay. That either way, it was meant to happen exactly like it happened, because why else the words would have already been on their skin? Exactly those words?”

You blinked in surprise, taken aback at how much the words resonated with you. You could hear yourself say that and it probably shouldn’t shock you since you had your identity confirmed now, but… still.

When the spy spoke the words out loud, they made perfect sense.

“Wanna go all ‘you can’t escape the fate’ on me?”

Or maybe they didn’t, you thought grimly as Stark’s voice turned sceptical.

“Well, she wasn’t wrong, was she?” the redhead opposed him dryly, raising a challenging eyebrow.

The doctor grimaced, probably wanting to say something, but not having a counterargument.

“That’s fair. But that was different. There are no words-“

“There are. Steve… he’s got a new set of words.”

“Aha!” Sam and Dean called out in unison, pointing their index fingers to accent Romanoff’s words, once again in creepy sync.

You, on the other hand, were less confident.

“Really?” you whispered, relief washing over you like a tide wave. You hadn’t been aware of how much the possibility of everyone being wrong weighted you down until now. What were the chances Steve Rogers wasn’t your soulmate – again and still – after this revelation?

The spy only nodded, sending an approximation of a smile in your direction.

“Wait, really? Son of a bitch.” - “What does it say?” Banner asked at the same time as Stark and you bit your lip.

Should you even know that? Would they tell you? If they would, you could say them to the captain and call it a day – but that wasn’t how it worked, right?

Should you like… cover your ears?

“He wouldn’t tell me,” Romanoff sighed, solving your moral dilemma for you. You were glad, not caring whether she was making it up, because she didn’t want to tell you or whether it was the truth. “To be fair, maybe he would have done it, but I tranquillized him about thirty seconds after he told me about them, so I understand he didn’t feel like sharing after that.”

Yeah, you could see that happening. She seemed to be one for a quick and radical solutions, which tranquillizing someone – like drugging him to fall asleep, right? – definitely was.

“Fair enough,” Stark hummed and then turned to you with curiosity in his eyes. His whole stance seemed to change though upon the mention of Steve Rogers having new words. He believed you now and it caused him – just like everyone else you had met in this strange Tower – to treat you… kinder. “Do you have two sets of words?”

“I… I do.”

With a deep inhale and painfully slow exhale, you started to unbutton your shirt, revealing both of your sets of words. The shock and something indescribable in the air was almost palpable as there were no doubts left in anyone’s head.

The silence was weighting a ton and you were immensely grateful to Banner for breaking it – until you heard his words that scared you as much as they excited you.

“Yeah, they should probably talk.”

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Part 14

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The we-shall-protect-Steve-at-any-cost squad in action. Then again, it’s hard to argue with angels and scientific evidence when they team up.

Sorry it took long, glad if you waited :-* Thanks for reading!

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