#haltija!Namjoon

[writersrealmbts]

Clearwater Springs: Part 1

Description: ot7 x reader, reader’s choice, fairy/supernatural/soulmate au. The choices you make influence the story! In this world, war-torn and ragged, you’ve been offered a home and a job working as a librarian. Will you meet your soulmates? Will you ever find the shelves behind the piles of books? Who knows.

Warnings: None

Posted: 08/29/2020

Tags: ot7 x reader, supernatural bts, 

5,111 words

A/N: Once I was actually able to write, this came out really easily. I hope you guys enjoy it and don’t forget to do the pre-chapter 2 survey (link at the end of post)! 

You stared up at the house in a bit of a daze, still untethered. Still vulnerable.

“Isn’t it magnificent?! A real masterpiece, this house.”

You glanced at your over-enthusiastic caseworker, then looked back up at the grand Victorian house, wondering if the inside matched the outside, and why such a grand house was way out in the middle of nowhere. Why its owner would offer to take in strays, misfits, and others in need of a new home after the recent war when they were obviously still doing well despite the near economic collapse.

Your caseworker was practically bouncing up to the house, making you dizzy as he jostled the itty-bitty fountain you were temporarily tied to.

But you’d been dealing with that for a month, and you were getting pretty good at walking a straight line while the world appeared to spin around you.

“Now, if you and he agree at the end of the day, you’ll be tethered to a natural spring and the creek it runs into nearby, and you’ll stay in one of the spare rooms and you’ll help him organize and keep his library, which he runs as a traditional library—when organized—for some of the locals.”

You didn’t bother responding since he didn’t seem to be looking for a response, instead heavily trodding up to the front door as he rang the doorbell.

“Also, to simulate what life will be like, I’ll be leaving you for the day once I set your fountain down in a safe spot.”

“You said,” You murmured, closing your eyes for a moment, feeling yourself swaying from side to side. As a xana, you were originally tethered to a fountain many miles away, but as the war reached that town, your fountain had been damaged and your original workplace—a large library where you specialized in the children’s section, reading to them and singing your songs—utterly demolished. Because the fountain wasn’t completely destroyed, you survived. An experimental spell and three weeks later and there you were, standing on the steps of the home of a human where you would be exchanging work for a place to sleep and food to eat. You didn’t even need that much food, about a meal a day was enough for you when your tethered place was healthy and strong and not being jerked around like a dog was playing tug-of-war with it.

The front door opened, revealing a man with pink hair. “Hello, you must be Y/n. We’ve been expecting you. Welcome to Clearwater Springs.”

“We?” You asked, glancing at your worker.

The human did as well. “You told her about the house’s haltija, right?”

You relaxed. “Oh. Just a haltija?”

“Well, he’s also half-brownie, but thankfully that only manifests in the occasional clumsy or destructive moment. He’s quite friendly, though, and very fond of the forest,” The human spoke quickly, as though afraid you would pass negative judgement on the haltija—creatures who were known for guarding and protecting—for having brownie blood—admittedly, creatures who could become troublesome when disrespected, but otherwise also keepers of the home and chore-doers for the kind.

“I’m sure he’s very kind and gentle,” You replied.

“Right. And you’re a xana?”

You nodded.

“And...I’m sorry, I’m not sure what exactly that is, other than the fact that you’re generally tied to some form of pure water, like fountains, springs, rivers, waterfalls….”

You nodded. “I’m originally from a fountain. Um...I’m not sure how to explain what I am.”

Your caseworker took that hint. “Oh! Right, well, they seem to always know virtuous hearts through some test or other—though no one ever seems to be able to pin down the test—um, they have enchanted songs that bring feelings of peace and love to the pure and could almost kill those who are impure. Um, let’s see, she has combs made of moonbeams and sunlight, respectively. Can’t completely care for babies, but once they can feed themselves she’s fine.”

You frowned, fighting yourself not to glare at him. Your species couldn’t produce milk, so in the old days—before there was formula—it was a sort of changeling situation. A Xanino would replace a human child. Terrible, but true. Nowadays, most xaninos were adopted by naiads or other nature or house spirits—because now it was scandalous to try and raise your own child as a xana.

“Oh, she has treasure, but who knows where she keeps that—”

“It’s enchanted, you’re not supposed to know where I keep it,” You muttered, even though he wasn’t paying any attention to you.

“And she can give you a drink that we call ‘Love water’. Couldn’t tell you why, and I’ve never seen her hand it out. Think that’s it. Here’s her fountain, I’ll be back at sundown.”

The human almost dropped the fountain that was shoved into his hands, and if he wasn’t so surprised you thought he might have yelled at your caseworker.

But the car peeled down the driveway again, kicking up dirt.

You stared after him, a little disconcerted. “Mages.”

“Um, well, we’ve been preparing for your arrival. We’ve gotten the basement bathroom renovated so that you can shower or bathe in the waters of your spring when you need, and your bedroom is ready for you. We thought you’d prefer to decorate it with your things...but looking back now I probably should have known you wouldn’t have many things. It’s a hard time for everyone,” The human rambled, rubbing his neck. “Oh, I’m Seokjin, by the way.”

“Oh, yes, I suppose your name would be important. I’d hate to be rude and just refer to you as ‘The Human” when you’re my boss.”

Seokjin looked startled at the title. “I’d rather think of it as a partnership. I’ve been told I shouldn’t live alone, and you needed a new home. Also, my library is out of control and I have no idea where to start—I mean, other than the new library building that we just finished. Don’t worry, it’s very close to your water source as well, but your spring is still highly protected.”

You just nodded, wondering why he didn’t stare like most humans did. You were beautiful—that was one of the key points of defining a xana: being extraordinarily beautiful. Xana’s were considered more beautiful than any other species—and only a few other species even tried to contend with it since yours was more rare, and therefore more worth the attention.

“Um, let’s get inside so I can set this down. We’ll make sure Namjoon steers completely clear of it.” Seokjin stepped back and leaned his head in a gesture that suggested welcoming you inside and to follow him.

He led the way through the entry, and then to the living room through the arch immediately to the right. He took the fountain and placed it on a table that was against the wall—out of the way of general traffic. “There. Now, Namjoon should be around somewhere. Probably the garden, he likes it out there. But for now let me show you the house, including where you’ll be staying and then we’ll go and talk about the library. There’s a lot of work that I want to do, Namjoon is heavily involved in that too. He likes books, but between us...we don’t really have the skills to put what we want into action—which is why we’re really excited that you’re here.” He started the tour.

“I’ll do my best to h-hell, what is this hell?” You said, looking at the mess. It looked somewhat like a library, except you couldn’t even see the shelves. It was just piles upon piles of books, newspapers, journals, magazines, and comic books with a thin path between it all.

Seokjin winced. “It is...mildly organized. We’ve been receiving donations. Don’t worry, there will be a bigger place, we mostly just need to pack all of this up and move it to the new facility in an...organized fashion.”

You pointed at the mix of magazines and books. “This is organized.”

“I did say somewhat, didn’t I? We had a large influx of books very suddenly. Things got very messy in the chaos of it all. I think they were sending us books from destroyed libraries.” He shrugged a bit. “Don’t worry. We’ll be helping at every turn and I’m bringing in extra workers from town as needed.”

You supposed that was supposed to be comforting, but you were staring at a nightmare of a situation. One toppling tower, and there was no navigating through.

“Hyung? Is that you?” The pile asked.

Then it was all falling over and someone was diving out while Seokjin pulled you against the wall and out of the way.

Seokjin sighed. “Namjoon. Our guest is here.”

The man with blue hair looked up, then back at his legs (which were trapped under many books), then back at you. He stared at you with big eyes, looking a little flustered.

You took a deep breath. “Well, that is exactly what we didn’t want to happen.”

“Yeah. Namjoon, didn’t we talk about not going in there?” Seokjin bent down and grabbed Namjoon under the arms and pulled him out from the pile, helping him to his feet.

“I just wanted the next book in my series.” Namjoon rubbed the back of his neck. “I was doing okay until then.”

Seokjin shook his head a bit. “Namjoonie, this is y/n. She’s the one that’s going to stay with us and help with the library?”

Namjoon was definitely already staring at you, and he looked a little flustered and red. “Hi.”

“She’s a xana. Y/n, this is Namjoon, the haltija of the house.”

“Uh, nice to meet you,” Namjoon said hurriedly.

“Nice to meet you, too,” You replied, trying for a smile, but you were pretty sure you just gave him a woozy look.

“Maybe you should lie down before we continue the house tour? He was jostling your fountain around quite a bit.” Seokjin frowned toward the front door.

Namjoon nodded. “He’s right. You need rest. I can tell.”

You shrugged. “Nah, the world is supposed to be constantly spinning.”

“Should I carry her? Should I carry you?” Seokjin asked, sounding and looking a little panicked.

You shrugged. “I’m fine. This has been my life for the past three months.”

Namjoon’s eyes widened.

Seokjin looked like he was going to have a meltdown.

“Unless you’re going to have a panic attack, in which case you may carry me if it will help you,” You said quickly, concerned with how quickly he was freaking out.

Namjoon glanced at the human, then nodded. “I think that might be the only way to stall him out. He’s not wearing his glasses.”

You shrugged again, uncertain what not having glasses had to do with anything, and waited while Namjoon muttered something to Seokjin.

A couple moments later, Seokjin came over, muttering something about being sorry, then he carefully scooped you up. “Sorry, your dress is a little slippery. Silk?”

You nodded. “Yeah. My clothes just sort of...appear as I need them? Usually made of silk, but sometimes there’s a velvet cloak when it’s colder. Some linen when it’s warmer. Always dresses.”

“Cool,” Namjoon said, following the two of you up the stairs.

“I suppose so,” You replied, doing your best not to look at Seokjin. He was handsome for a human. And you’d never seen a non-fairy pull off pink hair before today. He had a sort of gentleness to his face, a softness that could easily become cold and judgemental. If that even made sense.

But honestly, there were very few things that made sense since the war had begun some ten years ago.

“Why is your hair blue?” You asked the haltija, looking over Seokjin’s shoulder as you realized you had been looking at him despite specifically thinking you shouldn’t and only noticing because his ears had started turning a violent shade of red.

“Oh...uh...we’re not really sure. It just sort of...changes now and then. A few days ago I woke up and it was this color. Before that it had been brown.”

“Did you two paint any part of the house?”

“Well, not in the same time frame as my hair color changing. And definitely not this color. Jin-hyung has this crazy theory that it’s connected to my soulmate or something.”

“You have a soulmate?” You asked, surprised.

He nodded, rubbing his left shoulder-pectoral area, which meant either his mark was located there or he had some muscle pain from his dive for freedom in the great August book-slide. “Yeah. Or...well, I have multiple sections in my mark...so, I guess I’m part of a soul-group. Probably a platonic one given my species.”

“You never know what’s waiting around the riverbend,” You replied, thinking back to Grandma Loire’s wise words when you had been fretting about the war. Granted, at that time, her words had been very wrong, but you wouldn’t begrudge the dead for their mistakes.

But also thinking about your own soulmark and the multiple parts in it. You were certain it was just a coincidence, but it was still an interesting fact that you filed away.

“You sound like a naiad,” Namjoon snorted.

“A naiad told me that. She was very wrong at the time. Told me not to worry about the battle in Manhattan.”

“Ooh,” He winced. “Very wrong.”

Seokjin held onto you a little tighter. “Where did you live before this?”

“Rocamadour. Our library was new when I started working there. Before there were a couple but they were in some towns over.”

“Where is that?” Namjoon asked.

“It’s in the Alps,” Seokjin answered, then paused at the top of the stairs. “Get the door?”

The door swung open before Seokjin had finished asking.

You craned your head to look at Namjoon, suddenly concerned with your privacy.

He held up his hands. “I can open doors and windows, I can’t see through walls. I can also hear things, if you want me to. If you want me to hear, just knock or tap your foot three times and I’ll listen.”

You nodded slightly and relaxed again.

Seokjin carried you into the room, which was painted such a calm color. The bed was a queen-size, and it was soft when he lay you in the middle of it. The top blanket was velvet-y and so, so soft.

Namjoon gave you a smile when you let out a sound of appreciation.

Seokjin smiled at you. “Well, I’m going to find out whether he’s coming back to check in on you tonight or not while you rest, then we’ll go over other things and go to the spring. Feel free to go anywhere in the house, as long as it isn’t one of our bedrooms. Mine is on the first floor, Namjoon’s is across the hall. Food in the kitchen is up for grabs unless it’s in the meal-plan that I have on the fridge. Oh, that door there leads to your bathroom, the one next to it leads to your closet, and this third door leads to your sitting room or office or whatever you want to use it for. We’ll let you nap now.”

Namjoon dipped his head as Seokjin pushed and pulled him out of your bedroom door.

You stared at the closed door for a moment, then lay back. You were still so accustomed to sleeping on your fountain or in your fountain that this felt weird. But it felt weird in a heavenly sort of way. You slid up and then managed to slide under the covers, a little excited about the silk sheets. It was so nice.

So heavenly that you woke up feeling so refreshed that it had to be illegal. Sure, you still felt a little off (because the fountain you were temporarily tethered too wasn’t the greatest), but you felt much better than before.

You slid out of the sheets, enjoying the feel of the hardwood on your feet as you cautiously checked out your bathroom, closet, and sitting room (which only had an armchair and a small sofa). Once you had tested the seats (because you had to know which would be your favorite, it was the armchair), you ventured out into the hallway.

Namjoon’s door was open, but you didn’t hear anything in there, so you decided not to bother him.

Instead, you headed back the way you had been carried, looking around for more detail.

The structure of the house, the woodwork, the moulding, the baseboards and the stairway all had a distinctly Victorian style, and all were likely original to the house. But the design was more subtle, softer, and more contemporary in the coloring and the furniture. It was a nice sort of mix that gave the house an air of elegance that was refreshing. You’d been in some victorian-style homes before and they had been so overwhelmingly Victorian that it was like you were trapped in England in that time period and about to choke on a piece of jellied eel.

You avoided the pile of books spilling out of the library (but did notice that they’d been somewhat cleaned up), and checked out the living room again with the ulterior motive of checking on your current fountain.

The style was even more contemporary there, yet still paid a nice homage to the house. A monochrome color scheme, with pops of color in some of the throw pillows and delicate accents in the artwork.

Your fountain looked cleaner than ever and had a healthy amount of water in it for once, which you honestly felt boded well for you. There even seemed to be a new coating of pebbles at the bottom of the small basin.

You flinched as a cat hopped up onto the table next to the fountain and took a drink from it. It was young, a long-haired calico, so soft and pretty looking.

You let it sniff your hand, humming softly before you carefully picked it up. You snuggled it, happy when it seemed to revel in your attention, even seeking it when you started looking over the books that were seperated from the library and on the shelf beside the fireplace. There weren’t many, but you recognized one or two of the titles, and the taste there seemed to vary widely. You figured they were probably books from both of the boys, and left them as they were to go try and find the kitchen for a glass of water.

The office was nearby, but didn’t look like it got used as an office very often, but definitely seemed to have a gaming station in one corner.

You found the billiard’s room next, noting that there was a ping-pong table folded up in a corner. It seemed pretty abandoned, clean, but not nearly as used.

Then a smell permeated the air, drawing you back toward soft noise and even softer humming, murmured conversation and the sizzling of something cooking.

You peeked into the large kitchen, smiling when you saw Namjoon reading in one corner, and Seokjin cooking at the stove. Namjoon seemed to be explaining the book to Seokjin, quietly passionate about it.

Seokjin was smiling and humming, possibly more focused on what he was cooking, but still seeming to hear what Namjoon was saying.

“Smells good,” You said quietly, slipping completely into the room. Trying not to disturb the aura.

Seokjin turned and grinned at you. “Hey! You look like you feel better.”

You nodded. “That bed is heavenly. And thank you for cleaning the fountain.”

He shrugged. “It looked like it had been neglected for a while. Namjoon found some pebbles for it as well because he read that once they’ve been exposed to the tether it can make a transition easier, theoretically.”

Namjoon looked embarrassed, rubbing his neck. “I figured it couldn’t hurt to try it out.”

“That was very thoughtful,” You told him, smiling at him as well.

He was bright red after that.

Seokjin chuckled. “I’ll have dinner ready soon. Then I thought we could head down to the new library building, and then maybe go into town. There isn’t much, but I do need to pick up some things.”

You took the seat that Namjoon offered. “That sounds like a plan. Who’s the kitty?”

“Oh, that’s Parsley. She followed us home one day and has been here ever since.” Namjoon pet the cat carefully. “She’s a good mouser, so we just sort of created a pact that as long as she keeps us pest free, we’ll keep her pest-free.”

“She’s a cutie,” You said, pressing your cheek against the soft fur and enjoying the soothing vibrations of her purr. It was just one of the many things that made you feel so comfortable here. That and both men seemed relatively impervious to your enchanting beauty, which was refreshing. It gave you hope that this would work out. That you wouldn’t always be free-floating.

“She is. Do you know anything about this bird that practically forced it’s way into our house?” Seokjin asked, pointing toward the ceiling.

You leaned to the left to look at the little black and white fluff-ball. “Was wondering when he would show up. He’s been following me for a while. Don’t know why, but he seems to have formed an attachment. Whether he feels like conversing is a completely different matter.”

“Does he have a name?”

“Not that he’ll tell me.”

Namjoon started laughing.

Seokjin gave you an exasperated look. “What do you call him?”

“Fluffball, marshmallow, cotton swab, cotton ball, cotton candy, fairy floss—he really doesn’t like that one—squishy, fluffy, Caspar, and Leo.” You shrugged. “Like I said, he won’t tell me his name. Just what his name isn’t.”

“So, none of those are his name?”

“Well, fairy floss isn’t. I’ve gotten to the point where I think he’s just waiting for someone else to settle on a name for him—preferably one he likes.”

“And until then, he’s just going to come and go as he pleases?”

You shrugged again, holding it for a while.

Namjoon was still laughing, his smile revealing some adorable dimples.

“So...is he a magical bird?”

You looked up at your feathered friend, and resisted the urge to shrug once more. “Maybe?”

Seokjin huffed. “What does he eat?”

“Haven’t the foggiest. He always leaves to eat. Sometimes I’d see him eating bird-seed, but mostly he just flies off and comes back well-fed. I think he eats insects.”

“Great. He can deal with the mosquitos.” Seokjin spared the bird a glance, then dished up the food. “The store might have some insects we can get for him, just in case. You never know. They always have weird things.”

“Really?” You looked forlornly after the kitty as it leaped off and disappeared through another doorway. “Is it a magic shop?”

“Well….”

“We told you that Jin-hyung is the only human in town, didn’t we?” Namjoon asked, eyes widened slightly. “Everyone who lives in the area is magical to some extent, except for hyung.”

You shook your head, a little stunned. “No. No you did not tell me that.”

But man was that an idea to wrap your head around.

Seokjin shrugged, having plated up the food. “This is a pretty popular place for refugees. Sort of remote and accepting of different species. A nice place to make a fresh start.”

“But...you’re the only human. Doesn’t that get...I don’t know...lonely?”

He blinked at you, then shook his head and shrugged. “No? I have Namjoonie, and now you’re here too. And yeah, I’m outnumbered, but they’ve never held my species against me. I mean, that’s probably because I did sort of pay for the whole town, which isn’t much. But more people come each day, and some people move on to other places once they’ve gotten back onto their feet. It’s like an adventure, meet some new characters, help them on their journey, then return home to sleep in a big, soft, bed with a full belly.”

And maybe the look of genuine happiness on his face was just a little too alluring.

Maybe you were just desperate to belong somewhere, because when he included you...it was like the world lit up.

And no, you were not tearing up.

His hand covered yours, warmth spreading from his touch to the mark that was hidden under the sleeve of your dress as he smiled warmly at you. “I really do hope that this place becomes your home. Everyone deserves to have a home.”

And then he was moving away, maybe not even aware that he was one of your soulmates since he was human.

“Come on, let’s eat.”

Namjoon quickly complied with Seokjin’s words, but you were slower to follow, trying to figure out how all of this had come about.

“I heard that a new van full of people arrived yesterday, so I want to see if I can meet any of them. See if we still have enough housing for everyone. That might mean a couple people staying with us in the house if there isn’t enough housing. Is that okay?”

You nodded, just following their actions, but not taking as much food as they did. Mostly because you didn’t need much food to survive, but it smelled good. So good, and Seokjin did cook it himself.

“Alright, then it’s a plan. Eat, see the new library, go to the store, meet people, come home.” Seokjin nodded firmly at the end of the list, then seemed to remember something. “And talk to your mage-handler and see about tethering you to the spring. That’s probably more important. We can do the other things tomorrow if we have to, but the tethering should be done sooner rather than later. That is, if you want to be tethered to the spring. You wouldn’t necessarily have to live here your whole life, we could always get you your own home, it would just—”

“Living here is fine, and yes, I would like to be tethered to the spring,” You said quickly, noticing how his speech was deteriorating. “I just have one question.”

“Oh?” He looked so genuinely concerned, leaning forward in his seat.

“Namjoon said you wear glasses, so...have you actually seen me?”

Namjoon snickered.

Seokjin’s ears turned bright red. “Um. Yes. Yes I can see you. I have seen you. I’m seeing you. I, um, I put in my, um, contacts. I can see you quite clearly. Also, I could see you when I was closer. Just, not after a certain distance. And yes, we do plan on actively protecting you when we go out.”

You nodded. “Just curious.”

Namjoon paused after swallowing. “The mage is back.”

Seokjin sighed. “So, town tomorrow then. I’ll go let him in. I suppose this means I need to offer him dinner?”

“That would be the polite thing,” Namjoon said, gleefully.

Seokjin muttered as he left the room.

“He’s...unusual for a human,” You commented.

Namjoon nodded. “Yeah. He is. But he’s one of the best human’s I’ve ever met. We’re really glad you’re going to stay with us, Y/n. I hope you never regret your choice.”

“I hope so too.” But you didn’t think you would.

Namjoon turned toward the door, eyes narrowed slightly before rolling his eyes. “Can you help me cover the food? Apparently Mr. Mage is insisting on doing the tethering now if you agree to it.”

You rolled your eyes and got up to help him cover all three plates and the platters and bowls with tin foil to possibly retain some warmth. You highly doubted you’d be eating again that evening since tethering made you impossibly nauseous and sleepy. “I won’t be very coherent after the tethering.”

He nodded. “We’ll make sure you get back here and into bed safely, or into the tub downstairs.”

You nodded, then followed him out to where Seokjin was listening to your mage, looking strained.

“Ah, so, have you decided whether you wish to be tethered to the spring here or not?”

“I have decided to be tethered, yes.” Anything to not be in his careless hands anymore.

“Excellent! I’ll get the fountain!”

“How about I grab it, that way your hands are free to do the actual spell,” Jin quickly intervened. “Namjoon can lead the way back to the mouth of the spring.”

You breathed a sigh of relief as the mage agreed to it. At least Seokjin would be careful.

“Alright, then lets head to this spring! I’d love to be on the road before dark.”

Namjoon’s chin jutted out slightly.

Seokjin just gave a pained smile, nodding. “Yes. Driving after dark is a pain. Namjoon. Lead the way.”

And you weren’t about to tell on Namjoon when you saw one of the floorboards pop up to trip the mage, because you kind of felt somewhat vindicated.

The forest around the house was made up primarily of spruces, firs, pines, and hemlocks with birches, oaks, and red maples popping through here and there. The path that the four of you took (with a little fluffball following overhead and a calico furball following behind curiously) was discreet, yet also fairly well-worn. As though walked often, but also well-cared for.

It was quiet, with varying degrees of density—some areas providing a wide view of the rest of the forest, and other areas being so dense that you couldn’t see a foot past the nearest tree.

Namjoon followed the path for a while, then diverged into the forest down what appeared to be a game-trail, something not walked often.

Then you could sense the water. It’s purity, it’s cleanliness. Free and untethered.

The creek was beautiful, and all of you followed it to the head of the spring.

You grinned when you saw it, a thrill going through you. It was beautiful and so clean and lovely and it was going to be yours.

Seokjin set your fountain down so that the mage could prepare the spell, then came over to you. “You’re sure about this?”

You looked into his eyes, the eyes of one of your soulmates, and nodded. “I’ve never been more certain about anything in my life.”

The corners of his eyes crinkled as he smiled, a little more carefree now.

You hoped you’d have the courage to talk about soulmates with him someday, but today you were going to have your soul ripped from a tiny fountain and sewn back into a spring. You only had so much courage.

And then the mage started the spell.

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Survey Results used for this chapter: 

Namjoon-Blue (haltija), Seokjin-Pink (human), You-Cyan (xana) 

Silk, Book-Librarian, Creek-what your water source is attached to, House/Apartment/Mansion, Style-Victorian & Contemporary, view-boreal/boreal-mix forest, calico kitty, white bird with black wings, 

Whoops-meet Seokjin first, Oh No-meet Namjoon second, LaLaLa-C (some friends, some strangers), Loyalty-Soulmate au, Black-War tore through and you're all in relief housing situation.

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Pre-Chapter 2 Survey

Next.

Masterlist.  ot7 Masterpost.

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Taglist: @missmoxxiesworld​  @bryvada​  @i-dont-even-know-fck​ @knjhe​ @alex--awesome--22  @kerikaaria​ @killcomet​ @letsreadbts​ @taestannie​

[writersrealmbts]

Clearwater Springs: Part 5

Description: ot7 x reader, reader’s choice, fairy/supernatural/soulmate au. The choices you make influence the story! In this world, war-torn and ragged, you’ve been offered a home and a job working as a librarian. Will you meet your soulmates? Will you ever find the shelves behind the piles of books? Who knows.

Warnings: I suppose I should point out that there’s a lot of innuendos coming in the next couple chapters

Posted: 11/11/2020

Tags: ot7 x reader, supernatural bts, soulmate au

3,787 words

A/N: Dang this took forever

Previous ~ Next

Jin had accepted Hoseok returning with the two of you easily, even accepting Hoseok’s excuse of “I feel as though my path lies alongside yours at the moment.”

More surprising was the fact that Hoseok boldly brought up soulmates in the car on the way home. “Seokjin-hyung, what do you know about soulmates?”

“Oh…well…a little I guess. The basics.” Jin shrugged. “Some enchanteds have a soulmate or soulmates, others don’t.”

Hoseok hummed in response from the driver's seat. He’d offered to drive because Jin looked half dead after today's settlements, and then almost passed out when you simply hummed. Hoseok was a good driver too. Conscientious.

“Why?”

Hoseok shrugged. “Not sure. Let you know if I figure it out.”

Jin nodded. “Scale of 1-10, how upset do you think Namjoon will be when we arrive home and he sees me?”

“Hmm, because it’s you...nine,” You answered, smiling.

His ears turned red. “Oh please, he would be upset if it were anyone. Like you.”

“Nope.”

“False,” Hoseok chimed in, a laugh in his voice.

“You don’t even know him,” Jin objected, voice rising in pitch to object it further.

“He’s still correct. We all know that Namjoon is a big softie for you, and Hoseok can see the future so he probably saw it,” You argued. “Who are you to say that he’s wrong?”

Jin huffed and grumbled, but didn’t try to argue with you two further.

Hoseok parked the car, peering out at the house with an astonished look. “How many bedrooms?”

“Eight,” Jin answered, yawning. “Come on, they’ll think we’re weirdos if we wait out here.”

Hoseok got out, but seemed to be nervous now. “They’ll like me, right?” He whispered, catching up to you as you got your bag from the trunk.

“Of course, you’re our soulmate,” You whispered back, patting his shoulder. “Come on, they don’t bite. Okay, well, Yoongi might but that’s because he’s a cat half the time.”

Then you noticed a brown-gray tabby on the porch railing, watching Hoseok with narrowed, golden eyes that reflected the sunlight.

“That would be him,” You murmured, nodding toward him.

Jin didn’t even think about it, petting Yoongi’s head.

“Cute,” Hoseok breathed, looking like he was vibrating with nervousness and excitement.

Yoongi didn’t move to follow until you and Hoseok were following Jin into the house.

Namjoon met all of you in the hallway, almost knocking Jin over when he hugged him. “You’re exhausted.”

“You’re knocking me over,” Jin whined, stumbling back against the wall. “At least let me lean on you.”

Namjoon let Jin maneuver both of them so that they were more comfortably and stably situated, resting his chin on Jin’s shoulder afterward. “You do seem less tired than normal. Much less tired,” He murmured, smiling at you.

You gave him a thumbs up, then gestured to Hoseok. “We brought home a new friend.”

Yoongi had shifted into a human, and he looked sort of grumpy. “Another one?”

“We have the space. It’s not like you’ve taken a bedroom, and Jungkook didn’t seem to know what to do with the idea of having his own room. Even if both of you took a room, we would still have three rooms left over, which means space for Hoseok,” You reasoned, stepping forward and fixing his hair.

His frown deepened, eyes narrowing on Hoseok.

“Do you want a room?” You asked carefully, continuing playing with his hair because he hadn’t seemed to notice.

He stiffened. “Why are you here?” He hissed at Hoseok.

Hoseok, for his part, was just smiling. “Adorable. You’re adorable. I had a feeling, I trust my feelings. They led me here, for now at least.”

Yoongi looked petrified, putting you between him and Hoseok a little, and causing Hoseok to laugh a little.

You suppressed a giggle.

Namjoon met your gaze, eyes darting to Hoseok.

You nodded slightly.

Namjoon’s eyes lit up and a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, but he just hugged Seokjin tighter. “Come on, hyung, let me get you in bed.”

Yoongi snorted.

Seokjin choked and batted at Namjoon. “Phrasing.”

“I said what I meant,” Namjoon replied, confused. “You need a nap, and the best place for that is in bed?”

Seokjin, ears and neck red, started dragging him away. “Don’t act like you don’t know exactly what you said, you’re not that naive of a haltija.”

Namjoon just followed after, still looking confused. “But I really don’t know….”

“Just stop!” Jin said, dragging him upstairs.

Hoseok chuckled. “Okay, but isn’t there another person living here?”

“JUngkook,” You told him. “Is he in his bottle?”

Yoongi nodded, gaze drifting back to Hoseok. “He was up all night playing that game Jin introduced him to.”

“Of course he was,” You sighed.

Namjoon came back down before you could say anything more, Jungkook in tow (who didn’t look tired, did djinn get tired?). “Hyung fell asleep before he even finished laying down. This is Jungkook. Jungkook, this is Hoseok.”

Hoseok grinned. “Nice to meet you, Jungkook.”

Jungkook shyly dipped his head in greeting as well, but he had a quiet, secretive smile.

Yoongi growled slightly. “What is up with all of you? What are you hiding?”

You froze for a second.

Then Hoseok laughed and reached out, taking Yoongi’s hand, his sleeve rolled up so that the soulmark on his arm was visible as he took hold of Yoongi’s hand and the mark filled in.

Yoongi stared, then his eyes widened. “Wait...wait…hold on….”

“We’re soulmates,” Hoseok chuckled. “Me, you, y/n, Namjoon, Jungkook, Jin, Jimin, and Taehyung.”

“Who are Jimin and Taehyung?” Jungkook asked in a whisper, looking confused.

“Later,” you whispered back.

Yoongi shook his head. “Try that again?”

“Soulmates,” Namjoon said, showing Yoongi Jungkook’s mark since his own was on his shoulder and he probably didn’t feel like stripping and freaking Namjoon out.

Yoongi traced it, then looked at yours after you’d rolled your sleeve up and out of the way. He breathed in slowly, then let it all out at once. “Soulmates.”

“Soulmates,” You said gently, smiling.

He slowly nodded, then met your gaze. “Who are Jimin and Taehyung?”

“Well….” You let your sleeve fall back down to your wrist. “I haven’t met Taehyung yet. Hoseok just knows that he’s one of ours, the one we haven’t found yet. Jimin is a fairy-incubus that’s hiding in the library for safety because both species he comes from bully him for having soulmates.”

“Is that why I was leaving food in there?” Namjoon asked, eyes wide. “I just thought you were hiding some sort of pet there or something.”

You shook your head. “We were gone three days and you think I was keeping a pet there? Seokjin figured out there was a person hiding in there the day before we left.”

Yoongi huffed. “I knew I smelled something weird in there! You called me crazy!”

“I thought it was just a pet! I mean, we already deal with the bird that follows her everywhere and now Parsley won’t leave the library, thanks to you.”

“I told you! She just followed me when I was taking the new donations over! It’s not my fault she stayed to explore and then decided that that was her new home!”

You looked back and forth between them. “Which one of you is telling Jin that his beloved kitten has decided not to come home?”

They quickly pointed at each other.

You sighed. “Okay. Now, Jin doesn’t know that we’re soulmates, we’re still waiting for the appropriate time. I’m going to go unpack books and check on Jimin.”

“I’m coming with you,” Yoongi said firmly. “As a cat, one of my other forms. I’ll sneak in. Hopefully he doesn’t notice me and I can get a look at the interloper.”

You hesitated. “I...don’t know….”

“You’re hoping to have everyone together before you tell Jin, right? Make sure he loves all of us before breaking the news.” Yoongi folded his arms. “Because he’s human, and less likely to understand than I am.”

You all exchanged looks, trying to figure out whether to confirm that or not. Was that the reason all of you were hesitating? Or was it because all of you were afraid of him rejecting you and then being homeless?

Namjoon sighed. “I’ve been living with Jin for forever and I still don’t know how to tell him.”

“Tell Jin what?” A grumpy voice asked from behind all of you.

Panic. Sheer panic.

Jin leaned against Namjoon’s back. “Did you break my great-great-grandmother’s china or something?”

“Uh…”

“I was joking. The china is my great-great-great-great grandmother’s and it’s worth more than me,” Jin chuckled, obviously too sleepy to see how that just seemed to panic Namjoon more. “I thought you told me everything, Joonie? And I thought you were going to nap with me?”

“I thought you were asleep,” Namjoon replied, voice definitely panicked.

Jin pouted, leaving Namjoon’s back. “I was, but then I got cold and you weren’t there.”

Namjoon blinked a few times. “Uh...I ran into Jungkook and he heard a new person and was too afraid to come down alone, so I came down with him to introduce him to Hoseok. I was going to come back, we were just talking.”

“About?” Jin asked, looking at the rest of you.

“Uh….”

Hoseok pointed at Namjoon. “How he’s in love with you.”

All of you stared at Hoseok for a moment.

Jin blinked. “Yeah, okay, was that the secret? Because...it’s not exactly a secret. Why else would we be sharing a bedroom on and off for the past year?”

Namjoon looked at Jin. “What?”

“Oh please, you kiss me every time you get drunk. It’s cute. Now, come on. I need a nap and I need someone warm.” Jin pulled a shocked Namjoon back upstairs, again.

“We’ve kissed?!”

“Every time you get drunk. Or tipsy. Sometimes when you’re half-asleep. One time when you were sleepwalking. Oh, and then there was the time with the cherries and….” Jin’s voice faded out of your hearing, still chatting away.

“How did you know that would work?” Yoongi asked quietly, eyes wide as he stared after them.

“I didn’t,” Hoseok breathed, then let out a laugh. “How do we know that Jin doesn’t already know?”

“We don’t. Not anymore,” You replied, tugging your hair in agitation. “Okay. Books. I’m going to go organize books before something crazier happens. Jungkook, can you show Hoseok the empty rooms so he can pick one out?”

Jungkook nodded, eyes still wide and shocked.

You nodded, setting your bags to the side and headed out the front door.

The quiet path to the library was refreshing after the chaotic camp of fortune tellers. They’d been friendly, and when they got too friendly Hoseok stepped in, but the whole place was chaotic. Lots of people, lots of talking, lots of arguing.

The shadows of the library beckoned you, and you took a deep breath before turning the lights on.

“Hello,” You whispered to the books, and then you noticed.

All of the books were on the shelves, except for the books you hadn’t unpacked and some carefully organized books on the desk.

You went to the desk, noticing that they were all marked as the section they needed to be, and a piece of paper was sticking out of each of them with numbers.

“I numbered all of them,” Jimin said softly, landing gently behind you. “In alphabetical order. To make it easier.”

You looked to the shelves, noticing all of the books had similar papers sticking out of them. “All of them?!”

He nodded.

You turned back to him, smiling. “How can I ever repay you?” You asked softly, stepping closer and lightly touching his cheek.

He looked embarrassed. “You don’t have to repay me. You let me stay here and you had someone bring me food.”

“Are you the reason the kitten has abandoned the house?” You asked, smiling as Parsley hopped onto the desk and mewled at him.

He smiled sheepishly and picked her up. “I’ve just been petting her.”

You shook your head and turned back to the computer, catching a glimpse of Yoongi slipping into the library but staying in the shadows, his dark tabby fur blending into the books and shelves. “Corrupting a kitten with cuddles, can’t say I’ve heard that one before.”

“I’ve got lots of talent,” Jimin replied easily. “How was your trip?”

“Hectic, but enjoyable.”

“And did you….”

“Did I...what?” You asked, logging into the computer and then starting to input the books.

“Did you spend every night with him? Sing to him every night?”

You smiled and turned back toward your winged soulmate. “I did sing to him every night, and we did share a tent. But my bed was on one side of the tent and his was on the other. And tonight, I’m going to sleep in my waters, so...take from that what you will. Are you still determined not to come home with me and formally meet the rest of our soulmates?”

He looked at the ceiling, fluttering up to sit on the desk. “Namjoon is one of them? And so is Seokjin?”

“And Jungkook, the djinn. And Yoongi. And I just brought home Hoseok. He’s one of our soulmates too.”

“That’s a lot of people,” He whispered.

“I think you need a lot of people who will love you,” You whispered. “Because you’ve been rejected by everyone else that should have. Your species. Your family.”

His eyes filled with tears, and he held Parsley closer.

You stepped closer and cupped his face in your hands, wiping the tears that fell despite himself. “Please come home to us?”

Yoongi hopped up onto the desk, rubbing against his back.

Jimin flinched and then pet him as well, obviously struggling with his thoughts and feelings.

“You’d have your own room, and there’s one by the back staircase that would allow you easy access to a door that leads outside, and all of the windows open and are probably big enough for you to escape through.” You told him, wiping a few more tears. “You wouldn’t have to do anything you were uncomfortable doing. At least, I wouldn’t make you do anything you were uncomfortable with. Namjoon wouldn’t either, or Yoongi or Jungkook. Hoseok might be a bit of a different story and I’m honestly unable to predict things about Jin, he’s a bit of a wild card. And then there’s the last one that we haven’t found yet, but hopefully...hopefully soon.”

Jimin chewed his lip. “I’m not last?”

“You’re not. Not for me.”

Jimin then frowned and looked at Yoongi. “Wait, is this a werecat? Is this the werecat? The one you were holding?”

“Yoongi. He’s got a mind of his own.”

Yoongi stepped lightly over to you.

You scooped him up as you released Jimin’s face.

Yoongi purred in your arms, blinking slowly at Jimin.

“See, he’s a werecat, doesn’t even have a soulmark himself, and he still likes you already.”

Jimin laughed huffily for a moment, obviously amazed you even tried a line like that.

“Y/n?”

Jimin flew away in a flash at the unfamiliar voice.

Hoseok came bouncing into the library, then stopped and gaped. “It’s beautiful.”

You smiled and waited as he raced around, touching the spines of books and just looking...in awe of everything.

“I’ve never seen so many in one place,” He breathed as he joined you at the desk.

And the shelves weren’t even half-full.

You smiled. “It’s a start. Hopefully these shelves will be full one day. In the meantime….”

“We should make a book,” Hoseok said impulsively, then blinked. “Sorry. That came out of nowhere.”

“What kind of book should we make?”

He shook his head. “I don’t know. I think...I don’t know. Not right now. We need more time. We need to all do it separately. We’ll all be different.” His eyes started to get a hazy look to them. “All different. All same. Our story. Different….”

You set Yoongi down and went over to make sure Hoseok was okay. “Hoseok?”

He shuddered and then tugged you into a firm hug. “Different. Different. Paper planes. Follow the bird. Don’t follow the bird. The fox? No. Follow the fishes, floating floating floating. No more. No more. Mo nore. Narro noster narratio. Pingo noster narratio. Complico. Complico complico.” His eyes were completely white.

You bit your lip, uncertain what to do.

Then he kissed you, both hands holding your face, lips pressed gently to yours, just there.

And when he pulled away, you wanted to follow, but his hands prevented it and held you in place.

Yoongi was in human form, staring wide-eyed and pink-cheeked.

And Jimin was watching from the rafters with a similar expression.

Hoseok pressed his forehead to yours after looking at you with white eyes for a moment before they slowly faded back to his own.

Then he started collapsing.

Jimin and Yoongi caught him.

Jimin stared at Hoseok’s profile as the seer gave a soft sigh and drifted off to sleep, head resting on Jimin’s shoulder.

Yoongi sighed. “Okay, well...he’s cute. I’ll give him that. But what’s with the white eyes and nonsense?”

You rolled your eyes. “Such a grump. You realize unless Jimin agrees to come with us back to the house it’s you and me carrying him?”

Yoongi looked desperately at Jimin.

Jimin shivered and then slowly nodded. “I’ll come with you--but I don’t...I need space.”

You nodded. “We’ll take him up the back way. With any luck Jin is still sleeping. And if he isn’t, I’ll start singing.”

“And put the rest of us to sleep as well?” Yoongi objected.

“It doesn’t put me to sleep,” Jimin said, slightly smugly, slightly defensively.

Yoongi rolled his eyes.

Jimin scooped Hoseok up on his own. “Go on. Lead on.”

You nodded and pulled Yoongi along.

No one intercepted your group, and soon you were tucking Hoseok in. Kissing his forehead and making sure he was sleeping deeply before you slipped back out into the hallway.

Jimin was looking at a painting on the wall opposite Hoseok’s room.

Yoongi shrugged at you, then walked away, shifting as he went.

“Jimin,” You said softly.

He looked back at you, but immediately put his attention back on the painting. “The rising of Aurora, goddess of dawn. This painting is 200 years old. And it’s the original.”

“You...like painting? Or art?” You asked, hoping for some insight into him.

He shrugged. “I just...I know this one. It was in one of the books I had as a kid.”

“I bet you were an adorable kid.”

He snorted, turning to you. “Were you ever a kid?”

You nodded. “I don’t remember much, but yes. My kind don’t just pop into existence. What’s special about this picture aside from it’s remarkable age?”

He laughed breathily, looking at it again. “It was said that there were several meanings to the painting, that everyone who viewed it had a different aspect of it that they focused on. Some saw it as hopeful, others saw it as vengeful. A goddess bringing the light of a new day, a goddess riding to war with the fury of dawn.”

“What do you see?”

He was silent for a moment, then he stared hard at you. “I see you.”

“Me?”

He looked away and nodded.

You looked the painting over, but you didn’t see vengeance or fury. And you definitely didn’t see yourself.

“Which rooms are empty?” He asked quietly.

You gestured down the hall toward the back staircase. “Take your pick.”

He nodded and started exploring. “What about the house owner? What will you tell him?”

“Seokjin? The truth. Our library interloper has finally been convinced to take a bed, and safety, and food. Hope you eat, because I eat once a day and Jin makes food all the time. It’s like a compulsion. Settle in, wherever you decide to. I need to go soak.”

Jimin nodded, staying in front of one of the rooms after peeking in. “I’m....gonna get my things.”

“Okay, I’ll see you later tonight, or in the morning.” You smiled softly at him, then headed toward your room.

Jin, Namjoon, Jungkook and Yoongi were in your sitting room, obviously waiting for you.

You closed the door casually, listening for a moment and hearing another door closing.

“He’s going out a window,” Yoongi murmured.

You nodded then sat down. “Okay, is this an intervention?”

Jin shook his head. “This door was the only open one when Yoongi waved at us to hide.”

You nodded. “Got it. Jimin is an incubus and fairy, he very very reluctantly agreed to come here. Try to give him space, but not too much. I really need to go soak, I feel...dry.” You shuddered. “Oh, and maybe check on Hoseok in a bit. He had a weird sort of vision attack.”

“Okay,” Namjoon replied. “Do you think he’d be okay with me greeting him?”

“You’re the house Haltija, I think he’ll accept it once he knows that’s what you are. Just...be gentle,” Yoongi murmured, staring out the window.

Jin absently stroked Yoongi’s head, as he got up. “We will. I’ll hold off for now. Let Namjoon talk to him next and Jungkook and I will go make dinner. Don’t forget to invite him to eat with us, Joonie.”

Namjoon nodded.

You grabbed your comb and headed downstairs behind Jungkook and Jin, passing them in the kitchen to enter the basement and indulge in a nice, long, luxurious soak in your own waters. It took you quite a while to remember which part did what, and for the water to fill the large basin. Messing with knobs and levers to remember what did what, and pulling a new dress out of the water for when you were done soaking. Velvet this time. Beautiful.

You climbed into the basin after dimming the lights, not bothering to undress until you were well into the waters, and then letting the fabric slide off of your shoulders with the pressure of the falling water and dissolve.

Turning to sit on the basin’s edge to comb your hair and sing and seeing Jimin and Jin staring before Jin grabbed Jimin by the wings and dragged him away.

“I told you not to come down here!”

You smirked after them as you started singing, running a gold comb through your hair and becoming one with your waters again while thinking of the embarrassed faces of your soulmates.

–

Survey Results used for this chapter

–

Pre-Chapter 7 Survey

Previous.  Next.

Masterlist.  Clearwater Springs Masterpost.

–

Taglist:  @kerikaaria @killcomet @letsreadbts @taestannie @dwaaaaaaaaa @missmoxxiesworld​ @cheese123344​ @insfirebunny​ @crookedstarlitnight​ @aphot-c​ @chim-possible​  @psiphidragon @i-like-puppy-mg @daddyjoonie @softescapism @amammietje @4evahevah @slytherclawwarrior @kittylovsu @forever-once-gone @unlikelylittlemiss @mailani-annie @daydreambrliever @miss-fawn @jinternational-playboy

[writersrealmbts]

Clearwater Springs: Part 9

SDescription: ot7 x reader, reader’s choice, fairy/supernatural/soulmate au. The choices you make influence the story! In this world, war-torn and ragged, you’ve been offered a home and a job working as a librarian. Will you meet your soulmates? Will you ever find the shelves behind the piles of books? Who knows.

Warnings: idk

Posted: 08/18/2021

Tags: ot7 x reader, supernatural bts, soulmate au

3,463 words

A/N: Okay! Remember, two free-write and one survey chapter, which means the next survey chapter will be chapter 11 (technically they all are at this point), which means that the survey at the bottom of this post will be on part 10 as well. Sorry for the wait.

Previous ~ Next

You were in a warm cocoon, and you weren’t about to disturb it.

Yoongi was in cat form again, stretched out against your back, purring now and then in his sleep.

Namjoon was snoring, but you didn’t care because he was warm and his heartbeat was strong, and he was well-built. Strong enough to make you feel safe, soft enough to keep you comfortable. He was your haltija.

You lay in a comfortable doze for a while, smiling when Yoongi moved so you could pet him and he fell asleep again.

But then someone was sneaking in and over, fluttering above the ground and peering at you.

You yawned a bit, then turned to reach out both hands to him.

Jimin smiled and took your hands, gently pulling you from between the other two and into the air.

You grinned as he set you down on the floor by the bed, admiring his wings. His feathers looked shinier already, and the colors of his feathers seemed more vibrant. Happiness made such a difference in fairies.

Jimin tugged your hand gently, pulling you out of the room and down to Jin’s room.

The door swung open silently, revealing the most adorable sight of Jin and Jungkook cuddling. Jungkook’s arms wrapped around Jin, and head on Jin’s shoulder but still tucked close to Jin’s neck. Both of them looked so peaceful.

Jimin shared your smile, then tugged your hand again as he carefully closed the door.

Taehyung was being bearhugged from behind by Hoseok, drowsily watching some cartoon show that had the volume down as low as possible without muting it.

Hoseok murmured now and then, and pressed airy little kisses just barely into Taehyung’s hair--probably completely unfelt by the dryad. But he glanced over and smiled contentedly at you before whispering something that got a sleepy smile out of his companion.

You tugged on Jimin’s hand this time, drawing him into the kitchen. “Help me make them breakfast?”

He nodded.

You weren’t an exceptional cook, but you could make basic foods, and the boys didn’t seem to mind basic foods. “Did you sleep well, ma mignonne?”

He nodded emphatically. “Yesterday was tiring.”

Yoongi stalked in, scowling tiredly at you. “You left.”

“Sorry, mon chat minou,” You apologized, leaning over to peck his lips.

His eyes widened.

Jimin huffed, latching onto you again.

You leaned back into his arms and tilted your head back for a kiss.

He hesitated, but did kiss you—softly. As though you were a bubble that would pop at any moment. His lips soft against yours.

You brushed his cheek with your fingertips, keenly away of two more sets of eyes on the three of you.

Hoseok, probably already knowing the outcome, came over and claimed his kiss. “Morning, aluemdaun.”

You hummed happily at his casual compliment, curling your fingers around the neckline of his shirt. “Darling.”

Taehyung’s eyes were wide, and he slowly came forward.

You watched him with a soft smile. “Good morning, Taehyung. Did you sleep well?”

Taehyung nodded slowly.

You kissed his cheek, brushing over the spot where you kissed him with your thumb as you looked over his face. “Good.”

“So...does everyone know...about….” He gestured vaguely to your arm.

You nodded, smiling a little more. “Everyone knows. You can ask them anything about being soulmates that you want. You can touch them, hug them, kiss them, and they’ll have no room to complain because they’re stuck with all of us for the rest of our lives—provided all goes well.”

Taehyung started to get hints of excitement in his eyes. “Hugs?”

“As many as you like. Jimin gives especially good hugs.” You nodded toward the fairy, who was still cooking under your instructions.

Yoongi took Taehyung’s hand. “After we’re out of their way so they can make breakfast.”

Taehyung didn’t seem to accept that, turning and hugging onto Yoongi despite the werecat’s protests—loud as they were.

But Yoongi waddled himself and Taehyung out of the kitchen, and out of your way. And Taehyung forced his hugs on the werecat without avail.

You returned to your fairy, directing his actions with little gestures, happy when the food turned out well—just as Namjoon, Jin, and Jungkook joined everyone downstairs.

Jimin greeted them with a chirpy ‘Good Morning!’ while ushering them to the table. “We just finished making breakfast!”

Jungkook looked like he was still half-asleep, movements languid as Jin helped him to a spot at the table.

Yoongi was still trapped by Taehyung. “Stop it. Stop it. Let’s not do this. Stop it.”

Taehyung ignored him, nuzzling the were-cat’s neck until suddenly the were-cat shifted and escaped. Then he pouted, looking hurt and sullen.

Jin chuckled sleepily. “Come here, Taehyungie, we’ll catch him later for you to cuddle. Sit next to hyungie to eat.”

Hoseok easily claimed the seat on the other side of Taehyung. “Yoongi-hyung was probably just hungry, Taehyung. He’s not very forthright, but—” he dropped his glass, eyes glazed and far away. He frowned, hands hovering shakily over his plate.

You glanced at Jin for a moment.

Jin got up and went around to Hoseok’s side.

Hoseok’s gaze cleared slightly, but he looked shaken. “I need my crystal ball. Need to get upstairs.”

“I’ll help you,” Jin whispered softly, helping him up. “Even breaths, Hoseokie. Keep calm.”

Hoseok nodded, leaning into Jin. “Need to look. Need to see.”

You watched them go with a little worry, but you knew Hoseok would be fine as long as Jin was with him.

Today, you had work to do.

After you had made sure that Taehyung, Jungkook, and Jimin had ingested an adequate amount of food—and helped Yoongi make plates for the two that were absent—you went to your room, silently asking your waters for some good working clothes.

Your waters ignored you and gave you a dress, but at least the dress wouldn’t expose your body every time you moved.

Jimin was waiting with Parsley by the front door. “You’re going to the library, right?”

You smiled and nodded. “I have work to do. Are you coming with me?”

“You can’t go alone,” He said nonchalantly. “Too dangerous. Especially with a dark mage about.”

“True. But I wouldn’t like it if you didn’t want to come with me.”

“I want to,” He answered quickly, looking a little sheepish. “I really like it there. High ceilings. I can fly even though it’s raining.”

You smiled. “Alright, then.”

You peeked into the living room, noticing that Taehyung had ‘captured’ Yoongi again and that both were watching a movie with Jungkook and Namjoon. “I’m off to the library with Jimin. Be back later. Someone check on Jin and Hoseok if they don’t come down in an hour?”

“Mm’kay,” Namjoon answered distractedly, but you saw Yoongi look over at you and nod.

Rain didn’t bother you that much, it was just water after all, but Jimin seemed a little averse to it, so you made sure he had the umbrella. Not that it was much of a rainstorm, the gentle pattering drops far more soothing than harsh. Pleasant and somewhat warm.

There was a truck sitting in front of the library, and Valina was under the overhang of the doors, glaring at another person.

Jimin gently touched your shoulder and took off to watch from a distance, a distance from which he could easily intervene if he needed.

You carried the closed umbrella up to those waiting, wondering what was going on. “Hello Valina, how may I assist you?”

She glanced at you, eyes widening slightly, panicked a little.

“Ah! You must be the librarian, I am Grendel,” The dark mage said, turning toward you and bowing.

You froze, but tried not to display your panic. “A pleasure, I’m sure.”

“Yes, well, you see, as well as conducting my own business, I was asked to convey this load of books to this…charming town’s library.” He eyed you. “I had not realized that this library was run by a xana.”

“I had not realized my species could be of any interest to any being other than my own kind,” You answered evenly. “There is a room around the side of the building for after-hours book deliveries and donations, and the sign is right there, as well. I believe that lettering is large enough for any to read.”

“Ah, but I have…certain donations that need special care, and I wished to convey the instructions in person—as I was telling this…fiery, young woman.”

“That’s witch to you! And I told you I could have given her the instructions.” Valina crossed her arms.

“And I told you, there are certain things that only a librarian can understand. This place has special vaults for…dangerous tomes, does it not?” He turned to you.

“We would have to ask the owner of the library,” You answered vaguely. “I have not been informed of any. If you would be so kind as to deliver the rest to the side room, I will call the owner and have him come and talk with you.”

“I was specifically instructed—”

“I understand,” You cut him off. “However, I have no answers as to security for dangerous tomes, and for that, the owner is required. Once he has answers in regards to the safety of such tomes, then we may further discuss the tomes staying here. Until then, please patiently wait in the delivery room around the side of the building. I shall not ask again.”

“But—”

“You have about five seconds before I start singing: can you bare it, mage?” You asked, eyes narrowing in a challenge.

His mouth clamped shut and he bowed stiffly. “As you have asked, so shall I do.”

You nodded firmly and moved to the front doors, waiting until he was pulling the truck to the side of the building before unlocking the front doors and ushering Valina inside.

“Are you crazy? He’s a dark mage!” She hissed the moment the door closed.

“I am…very…aware…of…that…,” You said in between trying not to hyperventilate in the ensuing panic.

Jimin landed and quickly wrapped his arms and wings around you, forcing Valina to back up. “You’re crazy. You’re absolutely crazy.”

You just hugged him back with all of your might. “Need to call Jin.”

“I’ll do that,” Valina said, regarding you and Jimin and just a tiny bit disconcerted.

“It’s a trick, right? He’s just trying to get to you, right?” Jimin asked, sounding panicked.

Parsley twined around your feet, mewling.

“Where’s his pheonix?” You whispered.

You saw Valina look up sharply.

Jimin let go of you and shrunk, darting off to look.

You went to the desk slowly, sitting down and beginning your work. “He stop at your shop first?”

“Not exactly. Had a feeling.” Valina leaned against the counter, frowning. “A faun pointed him out to me, and my brain worked from there. My coven will ward the town. We’ve already been setting up protection wards on people’s houses, so most people should be safe at night. Except your house. But you have a haltija.”

“And a were-cat, and a djinn, dryad, seer, incubus-fairy mix, and a human that I swear has magic in his blood.”

“Mr. Kim definitely has magic in his blood,” Valina said, eyes flashing pink. “Ancient magic, but it is there. His family tree is made of touched and clearsighted.”

“Touched and clearsighted?” You asked.

“Touched people have a sort of intuition, they get a sense for things quickly—especially in regards to the magical. They tend to become fighters, people who protect others from…less-savory magic. Clearsighted folk can see through all magical protection that would confuse other humans. Why do you think he didn’t become a slobbering fool upon seeing you? Yes, he sees you’re hot as hell, but, because he has clearsight, he is able to resist that pull and instead focus on you as a person. Me? I have special charms to resist folk like yourself and stay a decent witch.” She looked you over and quickly looked away. “Though, I think it’s about time I recharge them.”

“I appreciate the effort,” You murmured, thinking about Jin and grateful for the distraction that she had been trying to give you. “There’s still so much I don’t know about the world and about people. I only knew my people.”

“Might help if you came into town more often.”

You looked at her quietly until she met your gaze with a little regret.

“Nevermind, that would be mass chaos and not pleasant for you. Forget I mentioned town. Let me ward it for your protection first.”

“Don’t go to any extra trouble on my account.”

“I won’t. My coven planned on putting up warding to protect from…unwanted behaviors.”

“You’re the police of the town, aren’t you?”

Valina grinned. “Yup! But don’t worry, we have people we answer to as well. Now, if we could get real town status, then we’d probably elect Mr. Kim as mayor—”

“Never gonna happen,” Jin said firmly, walking quickly over to you. “Are you okay?”

You nodded, standing up. “I sent him around the side to the drop-off area and Jimin is looking for the Pheonix, but he’s been gone since Valina called you.”

Yoongi shifted and ran out to see if he could track down the fairy.

Hoseok was looking a little…out of breath.

Jungkook seemed to be visually assessing you.

Namjoon was talking to the doorway.

Taehyung was looking around, awestruck. “Hyung…this place is so beautiful….”

Jin kissed your forehead and then glanced at Valina. “Got any extra protection charms?”

She patted her pockets demonstratively. “I was in a bit of a rush, toots. Apologies. Take the Djinn with you, he can use magic to protect you and it’s stronger than even a dark mage’s. He can protect you if he wishes.”

Hoseok gripped Jungkook’s arm. “No.”

Jungkook looked both surprised and hurt. “I can do it, hyung.”

“No, it has to be…” Hoseok looked desperately at him, then at you. “It has to be you. I…can’t tell you why…but I know….”

You could tell it was killing him to say it, tearing him up inside. “Okay. If you say it must be so, then it must be. Jungkook could protect us from here, correct?”

Hoseok considered for a moment, then nodded. “Yes.”

“Okay, now please sit down. You look so pale,” You pleaded softly, gently, touching his arm.

He relaxed a bit and pliantly let you guide him to your chair.

“Jungkook, Taehyung, Namjoon; please look out for Hoseok, I have a feeling he’s going to be having a rough day,” You asked, picking up Parsley and setting her in Hoseok’s lap. “Pet the kitty.”

Hoseok let out a small breath of an amused laugh, then did as told.

Then you and Seokjin went outside to meet the dark mage.

Grendel was waiting, looking patient, casually unloading boxes from the truck, but he quickly set aside the box he was carrying as he noticed your approach.

“This is Mr. Kim, the owner of the library. Mr. Grendel had inquiries about secure vaults for…dangerous tomes.”

Jin nodded. “I am only allowed by the government to approve of certain types of tomes. What is the nature of the tomes?” He pulled out some paperwork.

“One is a necromancers guide made with dragon leather,” Grendel said, looking worried.

You couldn’t help the gasp that escaped you.

Grendel nodded. “Dark magic that must be locked away and never let out again. And that one…that one should remain off-record if possible.”

Jin was quiet, partially frozen. “Where is that one?”

“Still on the truck. I didn’t want to unload it if it couldn’t stay here.”

Jin nodded slowly. “I know a place where it can go. I’m assuming you don’t want to know it’s final location either.”

“That would be correct.”

“Okay. And the other tomes?”

“A Demon Book, a Crimson portfolio, and the notebook of…Fausto Vilareyo,” Grendel finished, not meeting your gaze.

Your heart seemed to stop.

Jin was looking to you. “Fausto Vilareyo?”

“The first dark mage,” You answered, trembling.

Jin nodded slowly. “All of these fall within what I am able to take in. I will care for the notebook and the necromancer’s guide.”

You nodded. “I….”

“Can you go get me some notecards?” Jin asked, providing you with a brief escape. “And a pen?”

You nodded, turning and fleeing the presence of such an evil book.

The others startled when you hurried in.

“Everything okay?” Yoongi asked, pausing in his task of what appeared to be drying Jimin’s wings.

“Yes. Did you find the pheonix?”

“No,” Jimin said, drooping. “No sign of it.”

“That’s fine,” You said hastily, grabbing some things for yourself.

“Slow down,” Valina advised, “before you drop everything you’re trying to pick up.”

You just nodded and raced out again, pausing before the corner and composing yourself.

Grendel conveyed the instructions for the last two books, then bowed. “I thank you for guarding these relics. It has been a long journey to find a safe resting place for them.”

You dipped your head very slightly. “War makes many things difficult, though they be difficult to begin with.”

“Very true. I must be off. Many more false trails to lay,” Grendel said, bowing once more. He hesitated in leaving, though. “I know it may not mean much, but I apologize for the wrongs that have been committed toward your kind. I had never seen one of your kind in person before now and I regret not knowing. I do what I must, though, and for that I know I would never be able to listen to your songs. Thank you for your benevolence toward me, even knowing I am of the kind that is dangerous toward yourself.”

“If you continue to remove dangerous things from those who would abuse them, then I wish you luck,” You said, meaning it. Not just anyone would turn over what they had found to be locked away. And while his dark magic was fresh and potent, perhaps it was because he needed it to get those items. “May I ask, what were you doing in the forest?”

He blinked in surprise. “The forest? Oh…I…I’d actually heard that the forest was quite nice and I have this stupid pheonix that’s bound to me and he goes and gets into all sorts of trouble if I don’t properly exercise him.” He looked around. “Thinking of…you haven’t happened to see a pheonix?”

You shook your head rapidly.

Jin shook his head as well.

He sighed. “He probably went after the dragon magic, the stupid fledgling. Well. Either he gets eaten or he learns a lesson. Thank you for your time.” He bowed again and hopped into the truck.

“Dragon?” Jin asked, eyes wide.

“The river dragon, probably,” You offered.

Jin looked at you like you’d grown a second hand.

“Jungkook and I ran across him when we were passing the time before going to look for you. He’s my river-kin, apparently.”

Jin shook his head, showing you the vaults for the books you would care for, how to access them and such. “Of course he is.”

“Hoseok looked pale.”

“Yeah. He’s not as strong as he likes to convey.”

“Are any of us?”

Jin kissed your cheek. “Probably not.”

You ran your fingers along the mortar between the bricks. “Do you think he had an ulterior motive?”

“I don’t know. I guess we’ll find out. You want to stay at the library?”

You nodded. “I have work to do. Jimin will probably stay with me.”

He nodded. “I don’t think Taehyung will leave now, either. Is that okay?”

“He’s cute. Jimin and I can keep an eye on him.”

“Okay. I’m going to take the others home, then. Make sure Hoseok gets some water, food, and rest.” Jin kissed your cheek. “Don’t speak a word to the others about what books are hidden in the vaults. Or about the books I will be hiding. It’ll be safer.”

You nodded firmly. “Agreed. It’s for their own well-being. Hoseok knows.”

He nodded. “Probably.”

Yoongi stalked up in his black and grey form—his largest form—and then paused, getting ready to leap into Jin’s arms.

Jin stroked Yoongi’s head. “Hey. We’re okay. Thanks for worrying.”

Yoongi just snorted and rested, acting like he’d intended to fall asleep in Jin’s arms.

You reached over and scratched his head, then went into the library to finally do the work that you hadn’t been able to get done in the past three days.

–

Post-Chapter 9 Survey

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Masterlist.  Clearwater Springs Masterpost.

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