Chapter Text
Jimin wakes up at nine per usual. The sunlight blinds him as he opens his eyes slowly, rolled onto his side with the sun beating down on him. It’s not too hot or warm, especially since the trees block the majority of it, but it’s enough to make him feel cozy.
There’s a heavy feeling in his chest. A heavy and unsettling feeling that he can’t name as he pushes the bright yellow covers off of him to get up and gets ready for the day. Something feels wrong. It feels bad.
Maybe he just had a bad dream throughout the night that he doesn’t remember. A nightmare of sorts that made itself manifest into something more to put Jimin on edge throughout the day. As he gets out of bed and opens up his curtains to let more natural light in, that’s the only answer he can really think of.
He runs a hand throughout his hair as he leaves his bedroom and heads out towards the restroom to freshen up. As soon as the bedroom door is opened up, Jimin can smell breakfast being made. Taehyung always enjoyed cooking like him. It’s no surprise that he would be making something for them already.
“Good morning, sunshine!” Taehyung calls as Jimin enters the restroom to brush his teeth and wash his face. He rolls his eyes at the comment and lets out a small hum in response. “I’m making pancakes so I hope you’re hungry.”
“I am.” Jimin replies, reaching for his toothbrush stashed away in the little cup that sits beside the sink. “Did you add chocolate chips into them?”
“Of course I did! Who do you take me for?” Taehyung huffs, a light laugh escaping his lips after that. “I know they’re your favourite.”
A smile cracks on Jimin’s face as he puts toothpaste on his brush and then begins brushing his teeth. As he does, he feels a nudge against his leg and looks down to see Loki looking up at him with wide eyes. The fox must want attention, but that doesn’t surprise him considering Jimin pampers him with it whenever he has the chance to.
Unfortunately, Loki will have to wait until he’s finished here in the restroom.
By the time Jimin finishes in the restroom, Loki is whining from lack of attention and there’s a mountain high pile of pancakes on the table for the two of them to eat. He doesn’t think they’ll be able to eat even half of it all. Maybe he’ll share some with Yoongi when he comes over later.
Yoongi.
The witch can’t help but smile whenever he thinks about the human. He can’t help but feel warm inside of his chest — his heart — when he thinks of him. It’s like there was an emptiness that had been created within the last years of Jimin’s life and now it’s finally being filled with Yoongi.
He wonders what Yoongi is doing currently. Is he sleeping still or is he awake? Probably awake right? It’s Tuesday after all and if Jimin remembers correctly it’s the day they normally go out shopping.
He doesn’t know what he would do without Yoongi in his life. He’s not sure how he would be able to get up everyday knowing Yoongi isn’t coming. It’s like his entire life revolves around the human.
Though the reasoning for their initial meeting wasn’t all that great, it’s blossomed into something more. Something better.
He has someone who will listen to him for hours at a time. Someone to dance and laugh with. Someone to cook with, or just take a nap with. Someone he can explore the forest with. Someone who doesn’t care that he’s a witch.
He has someone he wishes to protect. Someone he—
Someone knocks on Jimin’s front door, startling the two witches. Loki looks in the general direction of it but doesn’t react beyond that, which means it’s someone they know. But who? No one came this early in the morning.
Excusing himself, Taehyung walks out of the kitchen to the front door to answer it. While he’s waiting, Jimin begins serving himself two pancakes and Taehyung two pancakes as well making sure that they have a lot of chocolate chips. Taehyung loved a lot.
He waits patiently in his seat wondering if maybe Yoongi decided to come by earlier than normal for a change. Though something inside of him says it’s not him. It’s someone different.
The heavy feeling in his chest is back at full force, almost suffocating to the witch. Something is wrong.
Something is terribly wrong.
But what?
“Guk...I...what’s wrong? Why are you crying? You’re out of breath. Did you run here?” Taehyung’s voice can be heard from the front door and Jimin swears he’s never gotten out of his chair so fast before. It falls back with a thud and he rushes over to the door himself.
Jeongguk wouldn’t be here without reason. He wouldn’t be crying unless something happened.
Jimin is terrified now.
As soon as Jeongguk spots Jimin he wadds in and grabs onto his arms. “Y-you have to do something. Y-Yoongi was taken and I...I don’t know what they’re going to do!” He sniffles, more fat tears falling down his eyes.
There’s a look of heartbreak and devastation written on Jeongguk’s face then. A look of fear and worry written in his eyes along with sadness.
Jimin doesn’t know how to react. He doesn’t have a way to react. They took him. They took Yoongi.
No no no no. This cannot be happening. They can’t take him. Not now. Not ever. He needs Yoongi. Jeongguk needs Yoongi. They all need him in their lives.
He doesn’t have time to think. Doesn’t give himself time to think before he’s racing to put some shoes on and rushing out the door.
He can hear Taehyung calling after him, but he doesn’t stop. He won’t stop. He needs to save Yoongi. He has to find a way to and he will. He’ll make sure of it.
He doesn’t even remember about the curse. About how he’s trapped in the forest.
That is, until he makes it out.
Until he leaves the forest for Yoongi.
He’s broken the curse.
—
He’s out of breath by the time he stops running. And even then, his brain doesn’t fully process that he’s made it out of the forest. At least, not until Taehyung and Jeongguk appear beside him both with wide eyes. But the tears in Jeongguk’s eyes haven’t disappeared yet.
“Jimin...y-you just...you left the forest.” Jeongguk whispers, sniffling once again. He rubs his eyes with the back of his hands trying to erase the tears' existence but they still linger. And Jimin now has the memory ingrained to his head.
“He did,” Taehyung confirms, looking straight at his best friend. He smiles warmly, “He loves Yoongi. He’ll do anything to save Yoongi. I’m surprised I didn’t realize this earlier.”
Yoongi was the key to breaking the curse.
The true love that Jimin had spoken of.
And though he’s happy. Though he’s overjoyed right now because he’s finally made it out he doesn’t revel in it. He doesn’t take time to look around and enjoy this moment, because Yoongi is still in danger. Yoongi is still away from him and he needs to save him.
He will save him.
“Where would they be taking him?” Jimin questions, turning to face Jeongguk. His face is set in stone with determination, eagerness and a will to protect those he cares about. He’s not a bad witch. He would never harm another human. But if something happens to Yoongi he can’t guarantee how he’ll react to such a thing.
“Around Town Hall probably.” He answers quickly, already leading the way without being told. Jimin and Taehyung follow quickly behind him. “They might have taken him to a cell already. But that will be harder to get to.”
“Guk, you’re talking to two witches here. A simple cell couldn’t keep us out even if it tried.” Taehyung chides. Jimin wishes he could crack a smile at that. Wishes he could agree with that statement because it’s true, but his mind is filled with Yoongi.
Is he safe? Does he have any injuries? Why did they take him to begin with? What were they planning to gain? It couldn’t be for the thieving, right? That was months ago.
They reach Town Hall in record time. Or that’s what Jimin thinks anyways. He recognizes the building thanks to the fountain in front. It was the same fountain Yoongi had taken a photo of and showed to him.
He supposes all of those photos were beginning to come in handy.
Yet, he’s not able to focus on that for a long time because his eyes travel across the fountain and find Yoongi chained up against a pole nursing two injuries to his face.
He seethes with anger.
“Hyung!” Jeongguk cries, getting ready to run up to him. But before he has the chance, Taehyung is wrapping an arm around his waist and Yoongi is shaking his head no. “Hyung! What’s going on!?”
Yoongi opens his mouth to speak. To tell them what’s going on when his eyes land on Jimin and they widen. “J-Jimin. You’re here? H-How? I-...” It’s like a lightbulb clicks on inside his head and he smiles faintly, “True love.” He whispers more to himself than anyone else.
Jimin grunts, clenching a fist by his side. He can’t help the annoyance he feels, the anger and sadness that comes from seeing Yoongi like that. “Why did you let them take you?! Why didn’t you fight? Refuse?”
Yoongi lifts his head up and stares at Jimin surprised. “I thought it would protect you if I went. They took me because of my friendship with you, Jimin. And I...what if they harm you?”
The witch grumbles, shakes his head and huffs. “I’m a witch, Yoongi. I can defend myself if I need to. You didn’t...you didn’t have to get taken for my sake.”
Before Yoongi has the chance to respond again, they can hear clapping coming from beside where he’s chained up. An officer, dressed in all dark blue, walks up with a smile on his face. “It appears our superior was right. Take the boy and the witch will come to rescue him.” He says, then looks towards Yoongi. “These witches are evil. They will use you, they can hurt you, and us. They could hurt your precious little brother.”
Yoongi hisses at the officer in disgust, “That’s a lie and you know it. He’s lived amongst us for twenty years and he’s never laid a hand on anyone. He’s never hurt anyone. He’s even protected me. Twice! You’re all just afraid because he has magic and you don’t.”
There’s a crowd growing the longer Yoongi and the officer talk to each other. Some stay away from Jimin while others don’t care that he’s a witch. Why couldn’t the town realize that not everyone was afraid of witches? Some even studied witches, studied magic in hopes that they could wield it too. They never could though, but at least they attempted to do such a thing.
“What is it you want?” Jimin questions, stepping forward. He inhales a sharp breath as he gets closer to the officer and Yoongi. He’s so close that he could touch him, but so far at the same time as the officer gets in between them. He clicks his tongue in frustration. “I’m not a threat to you or anyone else here in town. I just want to peacefully live amongst you. And even then I reside in the forest. A place no one goes except for Yoongi.”
“It’s true,” Jeongguk says. His eyes are all red and puffy from crying, face covered with dry tears as he steps forward until he’s closer to Jimin. “He saved Hyung and I. Helped us out when we were struggling the most. He’s done more good than bad, and truthfully I’ve never seen him do bad. ”
Jimin feels a swell of happiness from Jeongguk standing with him. For defending him and letting the officer know he isn’t a threat. That he isn’t bad.
“So if you truly think those who like witches and want to treat them as equals are bad as well then arrest me too.”
Wait. No.
“Jeongguk-“ Jimin goes to say but before he can finish someone interrupts.
“Arrest me too!” Someone from the crowd calls.
“And me!” Another joins.
Soon enough there’s a number of people continuously raising their hands and calling out that they too should be arrested for wanting to treat witches like equals. For not being afraid of Jimin or thinking he’s bad.
“You arrested a man for befriending a witch.” A voice speaks up. Jeongguk and the others look in their direction.
It’s Hoseok and Seokjin.
“A man who has been innocent throughout all his years living here. A man who isn’t a danger or a threat all because he’s a witch.” Seokjin continues. He shakes his head in disapproval.
“You say you defend our town from danger. You arrest those who are at fault.” Hoseok continues, “But I don’t remember a rule about being friends with witches. There’s no law that witches can’t live here, either. So who are you doing this for? The town or yourselves? Because you’re too afraid.”
The officer who had been doing all the talking clicks his tongue in frustration as the crowd gets larger. As more people stand to defend Yoongi and Jimin. As they defend witches.
Jimin feels a new sense of confidence here. He feels a bit happy surrounded by these people. “I won’t lie. There are some witches who are bad. Some who want to use humans and some that cause harm. But there’s also witches who are nice. Those that wish to help and those who are peaceful.” He explains, looking at the officer.
He holds his hands out. His eyes glow green as he begins using his magic, warm colours that look almost dusty swarm around in Jimin’s hands, then he’s putting them on the ground. Everyone around watches in awe as three small flowers bloom.
He looks up at the officer as the green in his eyes fade back to their normal brown. “I’m a witch who focused mainly on Nature. On trees and flowers and animals. I don’t have harmful magic under my grasp. I can’t hurt you.”
“What is it you want, Witch?” The Officer asks, clenching his fists by his side. “Why go through such a length to save a human? To defend yourself when you could easily just leave and avoid all of this.”
“Because that human you have chained up showed me what love meant.” Jimin answers with a warm smile. “He filled an empty gap in my heart and has claimed it for his own. Because I love Yoongi and I want you to let him go.”
A gasp comes from Yoongi at the words, head flying up as they lock on the witch. His cheeks are painted a light pink colour and he smiles. Though it looks as if smiling pains him from his wounds.
“ Release the boy.” Someone says. A new voice that no one recognizes. They all turn their head in the direction of it and see the Mayor standing in front of the fountain with a disappointed look on his face. “This is what my officers do? Arrest a poor man for who he’s friends with? This is ridiculous. I ought to have you fired.”
“S-sir, but he’s a witch.”
“Your point being?” The Mayor questions, tilting his head unamused. “Untie him and let him go. This witch has done nothing. Caused no harm. He is welcomed here as is anyone else.”
The officer dips his head in shame and quickly goes to undo the chains binding Yoongi. Almost as soon as they’re loose, Jimin is rushing forward to gather him in his arms.
“I got you.” He whispers, hugging Yoongi tightly to his chest. He lets out a shaky breath as Yoongi returns the hug.
Off in the distance, they can hear the Mayor calling the officers who partook in this towards his office. The crowd erupts into cheers before they wander off to their own places leaving them all alone.
“I apologize for the way those men acted.” The Mayor says, coming up to them. Jimin pulls away from the hug, locks his fingers with Yoongi’s, and shakes his head. “We need to learn that witches aren’t evil. We should know that by now, and yet we humans still fear them. Still hate them.”
“I’m aware of some witches who also fear and hate humans. I think it’s something that would be hard to move on from. But I hope Yoongi and I can be examples that it’s not always so bad.”
“As do I.” The Mayor smiles then, and bids them a quick goodbye saying he needs to deal with the officers leaving them alone. As soon as he’s gone, Jeongguk is tackling Yoongi in a hug.
“I was so worried about you!” He cries, burying his face in Yoongi’s neck. Yoongi frowns at those words and holds him close.
“I’m sorry I made you cry, Guk. Forgive me.” Yoongi whispers. “Thank you, for rescuing me though.” He pulls away from the hug then and turns towards Jimin. “Thank you too.”
Jimin smiles, “Isn’t this how our friendship began? I saved you and then we talked.”
“It is, yeah.” Yoongi smiles fondly at the memory.
“This will be a repeat because now we need to talk again.”
—
“I don’t understand why you’re mad at me.” Yoongi says looking at Jimin confused.
They’re back in the forest now. The two of them are standing outside of Jimin’s house while Taehyung, Jeongguk and Namjoon (who joined them after Yoongi’s rescue) are inside trying to actively avoid the whole conversation.
“I-...what don’t you understand? You could have been seriously hurt! Your face already has injuries on it!” Jimin cries, walking back and forth between the front door and the flowers. He has a hand in his hair, almost threatening to rip it out.
“And it would have been worth it!” Yoongi replies loudly. He lets out a sigh at Jimin’s shocked and frozen expression. “I would do it again if I needed to Jimin. I wanted to keep you safe. Protect you.”
“But why? I don’t understand why you would. A-and what if Jeongguk didn’t know about that? What then? How would I find out? I couldn’t leave the forest, Yoongi.”
“But you did.” That smile appears on his face again. That smile that makes Jimin weak to the knees and butterflies flutter in his stomach. The smile that makes him feel everything will be alright. “You left the forest. You broke the curse and you saved me. You saved me. That’s what you always do. You’ve saved me four times now, Jimin.”
“You saved me too.” Jimin whispers, stepping closer to Yoongi. It’s like all the anger was snatched out of him. Ripped away thanks to what Yoongi has just said. He smiles faintly at that. “Maybe it wasn’t intentional and you didn’t know it. But without you, I’d still be cursed to be stuck in here. I’d still live everyday wondering if my true love would ever come.”
“You asked me a while ago if I had a dream.” Yoongi hums, as he takes Jimin’s hand into his hold, squeezes it then proceeds to bring it up to his lips to kiss. “I think I do now.”
“And what is it?” Jimin questions, tilting his head to the side. His eyes twinkling in the sun, like little beams of stars lit. Like a galaxy. Yoongi thinks he could get lost in them.
“ You.” Yoongi whispers, pulling Jimin closer. “You are my dream.”
“I-I’m what? I’m your dream?” Jimin repeats, shock written all over his face. He looks up at Yoongi and even though he’s surprised, it’s clear to see how happy those words made him.
“You are.” He confirms, “Everyday I just want to be with you. I want to hold you and cuddle you. And…” he laughs, “I even want to dance with you again. I like you, Jimin. I-I love you. And I never knew what love really was besides what I had for Namjoon and Jeongguk. But with you it’s different. It’s like…”
It’s like my heart is whole again.
“And I just…” Yoongi sighs, “I don’t want to be selfish and propose a relationship. Or anything because you want to travel. And I respect that. You’re finally free to do as you please.”
“But what if…” Jimin nibbles on his bottom lip, thinking. “What if you came with me?”
“What?! Really?”
“Yeah. Think of it as an extension of your job. Or just lovers going on a trip together.” He’s quick to explain with a happy smile on his face. “We could explore and then come home to the house. We’d still have Jeongguk and Namjoon here, and I doubt Taehyung is going anywhere for awhile.”
“Do you...really want to bring me along?” Yoongi questions, trying his hardest not to smile at the word lovers . Is that what they were going to be soon?
“Of course I do, Yoongi. You and I will travel the world and take lots of photos on your camera. We can show the others once we return. How does that sound?”
It sounds great, Yoongi thinks. I wouldn’t want to do anything else but be with you anyways.
He pulls Jimin in for a hug and smiles happily. Brightly, as his heart swells with pride. With love. With happiness and excitement.
Yoongi pulls away a small bit. Just enough that he can cup Jimin’s cheek and lift it so they lock eyes. Just enough so their lips are a few centimeters apart.
And unlike all the other times, Yoongi closes that gap.
He kisses Jimin.