Chapter Text
Kim Namjoon may not seem like it, but he suffers from long-limb syndrome. His friend, Kim Seokjin can attest to it.
Matter of fact, he can point out three times Namjoon has royally messed up. So much so, the two are forced to pack up their bags and find another coven that will accept them both.
"I can't believe you got us kicked out of another coven," Seokjin cries. "You got to stop stepping on other people's familiars!"
Namjoon at least has the decency to blush, his chin tucking down into his chest as they wander through the streets of Seoul late at night.
"I promise, the next coven we get in to I won't mess it up." Namjoon's voice is soft as he shuffles his feet across the pavement. As if sensing his witch's distress, the white lipped python wrapped around Namjoon's neck like some pretty necklace peeks its small head out of the collar of Namjoon's coat. It's black eyes land on Seokjin, it's forked tongue slithering briefly past its lips.
Is Namu judging Seokjin? The python narrows its eyes, almost like it was saying "look what you've done, you fool."
Seokjin sharply rebukes Namjoon's familiar in his mind, the little Namu that defends its witch at a moment's notice. Yet, he bites his tongue once he sees Namjoon's slumped shoulders as he trudges in front of Seokjin.
"Hey! Namjoon---Joonie!" Seokjin skips forward, tightly wrapping an arm around Namjoon's shoulders and narrowly avoiding Namu.
Seokjin's familiar, a small little pup quickly darts between Seokjin's legs and rubs against the side of Namjoon.
"Maybe it's a sign we should give up."
Namjoon stops dead in his tracks. "Give up?" The blood slowly drains from his face as his eyes widen. "But--Jin--"
Seokjin's heart starts to pound and he quickly cups the younger boy's cheeks between his hands. "Look at me. It's okay. Really."
"But!"
"Joonie, we're going to be okay. Who says we can't have a coven of just two. Or four, if you include Namu and--"
"Seokjin!" Namjoon shouts, shocking the older who jumps back. Seokjin's brown klein poodle named Queen, rightly so, as Seokjin would say, even pulls back from Namjoon's side and hides behind Seokjin's knee. Namjoon is silent and inquisitive. Maybe a little shy. Never impulsive. Hardly loses his cool. Never loud.
Namjoon sighs, his eyes shifting around the sidewalk as a few strangers peer at the two in curiosity. "Let me talk," Namjoon finishes weakly, grabbing the sleeve of Seokjin's jacket and pulling him into an alley beside some fried chicken restaurant.
Namjoon lets go of Seokjin's sleeve once they are in the alley and walks a few steps further in. Namu slithers out from around Namjoon's neck and wraps around his forearm, its head softly rubbing against the back of his hand as it tries to comfort Namjoon.
Seokjin stares at Namjoon's back, his cheeks a little flushed, but he waits. Waits for Namjoon to gather the courage to say what he wants.
"Don't do this..." Namjoon softly starts, before turning around and firmly locking eyes with Seokjin. Something happens in Seokjin's chest and he isn't sure if this is what one would call a heart attack, but it's this type of warm tight feeling. Like something is squeezing his chest.
"Don't do this for me. I know I'm a burden to you sometimes--"
Seokjin opens his mouth to sharply interject, but as if Namjoon could see the future he cuts him off.
"I know you promised you'll always be by my side. Ever since I can remember you promised you wouldn't leave me."
Namjoon stops and Seokjin feels like his heart is stuck in his throat. Namjoon's adam's apple bobbles as he looks down at Namu who once again rubs against the back of his hand.
"This is your chance," Namjoon breathes, looking briefly at Seokjin but then deciding he didn't want to see him walk away so he shuts his eyes. "I'm giving you an out. No hard feelings. No regrets. I won't come seeking revenge."
Seokjin can't move. He can't breathe. What--what was this...idiot saying? Like Namjoon even had an ounce of ability to take revenge on someone, Seokjin muses.
"So you can go." Namjoon finishes, his voice as soft as a kiss and as quiet as a mouse. It held all the loneliness in the world, for why? Seokjin couldn't figure out why, not when this big dork had him by his side forever.
"You...you..." Seokjin splutters and Namjoon winces, looking somewhere off to the side. "You big, big oaf!" Seokjin finishes.
Namjoon sharply inhales and just as he starts to blink rapidly he is hit with a ton of weight. Seokjin almost topples him over and Namjoon struggles to catch him, falling to the side. His back lands against the side of the alley with a thud. His elbow might have a bruise tomorrow, but he doesn't care because Seokjin is still here.
He is here, hugging him. Hugging him like there wasn't anything else he wanted to do in the world.
Nothing like leave him.
"Joonie," Seokjin sighs, "Joonie, what am I going to do with you?"
Namjoon doesn't say anything, his heart taking flight as he clenches his hands behind Seokjin's back, pulling him closer.
Suddenly an idea enters Seokjin's mind and he gasps theatrically, pulling back from Namjoon so that he can look him in the eyes. "I know what I will do!"
God, he is so stupid, why didn't he think of it before?!
"We'll just create our own coven!"
Namjoon's lips part in surprise. Their own coven? "What?"
"We'll just collect all the misfits and make our own coven. What do you think, Joonie? I think it's damn fabulous! Probably the best idea I ever had if you ask me."
And Seokjin is off on a rant, but Namjoon only smiles fondly at Seokjin.
Seokjin didn't leave him. He is still here.
Seokjin's fingers tighten on Namjoon's biceps, successfully getting his attention.
"How about this, our new coven can be called the Misfits?"
Namjoon winces. He really doesn't want to rain on Seokjin's parade, but that name is a little...
"Maybe not?" Seokjin murmurs. Namjoon chuckles, his eyes sparkling like little stars.
"We'll figure out a name later. Let's get a home."
Seokjin pulls away from Namjoon, both their smiles as large and bright as the moon in the sky. The same moon that watches her moonchildren fondly from the sky, her light warming their path towards a new home.