Chapter Text
It wasn’t worth the effort to pretend to be someone he wasn’t and certainly not to pretend he was happy, like he had been back then when he thought he wasn’t different from everyone else. That had been a long time ago; a time where he hadn’t figured out anything about himself, yet.
Now he knew that it wasn’t a matter of wanting to fit in, it was that everyone expected him to be more like them. To be different was a provocation and meant that he wasn’t good enough. He was too weird to fit in. It made his head hurt trying to figure it all out, because then again, didn’t they say that individuality was a good thing? People were told off for “copying” others style, everyone wanted to be different in a way but not too much. Just enough that they were special, not different.
But that was what he was: different.
~
Walking down the street, Jungkook kept at the side and his head low. His hood was pulled deeply over his face, as he didn’t want anyone to see or recognize him. Not that anyone would but he was rather safe than sorry.
He was alone. Always had been.
Jungkook never had someone to call his parents. In fact, he had learned that ‘parents’ were a kind of standard ‘normal’ people had and he wasn’t a normal kid. At least the other kids at the children’s home hadn’t any parents either. Here it wasn’t a bad kind of different to be alone in this world. He was still fitting in.
For a while.
Leaning back against the cold wall, Jungkook sunk down with a deep sigh. It was dark in this alleyway, but it was also hidden away from the main street and giving him enough shelter from the rain that he was suppose would be falling tonight. It was kind of a tingly feeling in his nose that told him that it would rain. They called him sensitive to the weather and only later Jungkook learned that it was one of the puzzle pieces that made him different.
Unzipping his bag, Jungkook got out a bottle of water and a bag of dry cornflakes he had quickly thrown into his bag before he got kicked out, as he let his gaze wander over the trash containers and an old couch that seemed as if someone had thrown it out. It would be okay for tonight. He would find something else tomorrow but for now he knew how to keep himself warm. Closing his eyes, Jungkook rubbed his hands together, bringing them close to his mouth before he blew onto them. Warm air was embracing him, tingling his skin in the process. Jungkook smiled, when the warmth was seeping into his skin, warming him from the inside out.
He was fourteen when they saw him do that for the first time, when all he wanted was to help. Jungkook could still hear their screams, the names they started calling him and the grip on his arm. He was trying to explain, just like he would do many times after that. But they didn’t believe him. They never did. From that day on, he was alone. Luckily, one of the nuns found him a single room - just for him, so Jungkook could stay there. No one talked to him anymore.
And so, he spend seven more years of his life alone, watching others find a family. Jungkook didn’t want to complain. He never did. He had food, a bed and shelter - until he turned twenty one.
They told him to keep to himself, to keep going to school and get a good job. But they never told him how to not be different. They only showed him how to hide.
Jungkook leaned his head back, feeling exhausted from the long walk. He hadn’t turned back once, when he had been being kicked out, leaving the past behind. He didn’t stop once, not until the sun was slowing setting on the horizon and Jungkook knew he had to find somewhere to stay for the night. Just until he figured out what to do.
Staring ahead with a blank mind, Jungkook suddenly saw movement out of the corner of his eyes that immediately caught his attention. He smiled for the first time today, when he saw a cat sneaking out under a carton. She had almost entirely black fur that she showed off while stretching her body. When their eyes met, Jungkook cocked his head aside, reaching out his hand for her, revealing some of the flakes he had wanted to eat but now rather shared with a beautiful cat. “Want some?” Jungkook’s voice was soft when he talked, hoping that the cat would take his offer. Eating with company was always better than being entirely alone. And he preferred animals over humans any day.
The cat carefully stalked closer and sniffed his fingers, watching him with amber eyes. Only when Jungkook kept completely still did she dare to pick up one of the flakes, devouring it with a crunching sound while showing off her white canine teeth. Apparently the cornflake wasn’t up to her standard because she didn’t ask for seconds and instead started sniffing Jungkook’s pants. She ducked when the boy dared to move and then jumped onto the ratty couch with effortless grace to lay down as if it were a velvet cushion and she a queen resting on it. She pawed at the bleached out fabric, starting to purr when it gave way and she could knead it to her liking. Her eyes never left Jungkook as if he were asking him to take a seat next to hear to keep her company.
“Is it comfy?“ Jungkook asked, taking a handful of cornflakes only to scrunch up his nose. They were dry as hell and didn’t taste like anything. He wasn’t surprised the cat didn’t want more. Getting up from the cold asphalt, Jungkook walked up to her, following her silent request.
“You’ve got no food to share with me, hm?” Jungkook sighed, as he reached out to soothe over her soft fur. “Do you live somewhere near?” Looking up at the apartment blocks, he wondered if the cat was maybe a stray like him but then again…she looked healthy and well taken care of. “Is it nice where you live?”
The cat made a sound that could mean basically anything, but he pressed her head against Jungkook’s palm, demanding more pets. From the other side of the alley there was a sound like someone stumbling over trash or stepping on something brittle but instead of jumping off the couch or being on high alert again the cat just ignored it. Maybe she didn’t want to risk her cuddle session or maybe she was used to whoever was stumbling along the alley like that.
There was faint cursing and it sounded closer so if Jungkook wouldn’t duck behind the backrest of the couch whoever was walking there would see him if they turned their head in his direction. Jungkook’s eyes widened, heart beating fast. Should he hide? Should he run or stay? The moment Jungkook wanted to jump up and get away as quick as possible, the cat did the same, only that she landed on his lap, stretching herself, before curling up as if to demand him to stay. All frozen up, Jungkook kept where he was, stiff like a board as the noises came closer. Luckily, they stopped a safe distance away from him.
There was the shuffling of feet and when Jungkook carefully peeked around the couch he saw a small guy, wearing a dark, vintage leather jacket and a strange hat standing there, reaching for his pocket, and getting out a cigarette. He seemed nervous as if he didn’t wanted to be there or was waiting for something he didn’t like but he stood his ground.
Very quietly and slowly did Jungkook let himself sink a little deeper into the couch, eyes on the strange looking man, while hiding behind the backrest. He held onto the cat, motioning for her to be quiet, while he listened carefully. He was scared that this might be a drug dealer, someone who was only looking for trouble (even though the person didn’t look very buff, but Jungkook had learned not to judge a book by its cover).
After a short little while another man came into the alley, he was definitely older and looking a bit more intimidating than the first person. To Jungkook’s luck he was coming from the same side as the other man or else he would have had nowhere to hide, being all out in the open on that couch like a sitting duck. They greeted each other with a jerk of the head and then the one in the leather jacket got a few sachets from his pocket. The second man quickly took them and handed out an envelope in exchange. The man with the jacket checked it and nodded before the older one went back from where he came from.
They hadn’t even exchanged one single word.
Jungkook had wrapped his arms around the cat, that still seemed so chill with everything, just enjoying the warmth that he provided and the lovely hug she was getting, while the fear was rushing through his veins. He was trying to make himself as small as possible, hoping the exchange would be finished soon and both would vanish just as quick as they had come.
“Biho!” The sudden exclaim had Jungkook flinching and the cat tried to wriggle out from his grip. “Biho! Where the hell are you? You know I don’t like it when you run too far when I’m doing this kind of stuff. I don’t want you stepping in some shards or shit.”
Jungkook immediately let go of the cat, watching with big eyes how it jumped up on the backrest meowing at her owner. He, on the other hand, kept still, not moving an inch as the cat rather seemed unbothered, licking her paw with disinterest. For a second, Jungkook thought he was safe, that Biho would simply jump off the couch and follow her owner – but she didn’t. Instead she meowed loudly, nudging her head towards Jungkook, who suddenly felt awfully betrayed by a cat.
“Great, what is it this time, hu? Injured hedgehog? If I didn’t knew better I’d said you like finding animals for Tae to treat. Though you’re probably right it’s better if they stay with us than in the city they do have volunteers as far as I know but…” The rest of the sentence was swallowed by the surprised sound Yoongi made when he reached his cat and instead of an injured animal he saw a boy on that couch, ducking behind the backrest as if he were hiding. “Uhm… hi,” He blinked at Jungkook and then gave him a once over. “Are you hurt?”
Jungkook blinked at the stranger, heart beating up to his throat as he shook his head. “N-no, I’m good…I’m fine…I was just…” Awkwardly, Jungkook tried to slid off the couch only to back off a few feet until he was with the back to the wall. The cat only meowed happily leaning into her owner’s hand. His eyes flickered down to his bag and without breaking the man’s gaze, Jungkook quickly reached for it.
“I see. What do you have in there?” Yoongi still looked relaxed but his eyes didn’t leave Jungkook’s. The boy behaved pretty strange. And Biho wouldn’t show any interest in him if there wasn’t something up. Maybe it was just that he had some chicken in his bag that she had smelled, maybe he needed help. Whatever it was he would find out.
“J-just my stuff. Clothes and some food,” Jungkook answered honestly, holding onto his bag tightly. He really didn’t want to lose all of his belongings; it was all he had left. “Please, I don’t have money. I was just resting a little, really. And your cat was asking me to keep her company, so I did. I didn’t want to bother you.” He bit his lip, cursing himself in his head for talking too much.
Great, now the stranger would think he was crazy for talking to cats and thinking they answered him, when he just followed his instinct.
Yoongi’s eyebrows went up. “You were resting? Here? In some darkened alley on some moldy sofa? I see. You don’t have a lot of comfort at home then if you think this is a nice spot to be?” He looked amused at the way the other had phrased his explanation. “Biho asked you for company? Hm, I didn’t know you spoke cat. That’s convenient. What else did she say to you? Did she tell you where she put my silver scarf pin? I’ve been trying to find it forever, but she wouldn’t say where she put it. Maybe she’d tell you?”
Jungkook gulped nervously, his smile didn’t seem to be right, but he tried, as it didn’t seem like the other meant any harm and he couldn’t see any weapons on him. Not any visible ones at least. “Eh, yeah…I…I don’t have a home. So,…” Jungkook didn’t like how it was just fun for him to assume that it wasn’t comfortable, when he probably had a luxury apartment awaiting him. “She wasn’t speaking like that…you know, just how cats are…staring at you for a long time and demanding attention.” Jungkook sighed, rubbing the back of his neck in an awkward manner.
“Yeah, no, actually she doesn’t do that with strangers. You must be special. So, where are you sleeping tonight then? If you don’t have a home and don’t know where to stay… it’ll rain later, you know? Any idea how to not get drenched later? Please don’t tell me you were trying to stay the night here, on that sofa with that carton over there as protection against the rain. You’ll get pneumonia before you can blink twice. Or get sick from the mold. Or mugged. Or…” He stopped himself short when he saw the expression on the other’s face.
“N-no, of course not, I was just resting, like I told you. I…I sleep somewhere else of course. A shelter or something…” Jungkook was getting nervous, not wanting to seem so alone and an easy prey. What other choice would he have but to stay somewhere like this alley, at least there was no cold wind. “I was walking a lot today, so…,” The smile on his lips looked strained, when he motioned to Biho. “You should get inside then. I don’t think she likes rain, or do you?” He addressed the cat right away as if she understood she shook herself.
“A shelter or something.. yeah, sure, you might try being a little bit more convincing next time. You are absolutely right though, she hates rain.” He took his cat and let it climb onto his shoulder where it comfortably sat as if she was used to it (she was). Yoongi turned to go and motioned for Jungkook to move. “So, are you coming or what? I can drop you by ‘that shelter or something’. Otherwise you can sleep at my place until we figure out where you can stay.”
Jungkook stared in absolute disbelief at the strange man. Was he making fun of him? Trying to lure him into some kind of brothel that he called “his place”, because that’s were the only reasonable things he could think of after seeing the drug deal happening right in front of him. If he really thought about it now, the man’s clothing could be seen as one of a pimp. He’d seen a few of them dressing weirdly before in movies.
“No,” Jungkook said and grabbed his bag to put on, “I’m sorry but I’m not taking any drugs, nor will I work for you just for a place to sleep. Isn’t this how you always do it? Get new boys off the street? I rather stay here, thank you.” With his head held high, Jungkook turned on his heel but before he could make a move the cat had jumped from his owner’s shoulders, sprinting right in front of him and blocking the way. She nudged his leg softly, meowing and nodding her head towards the stranger, leaving Jungkook to stare in confusion between the cat and him again.
“You don’t want to…what? Why do you… wait..” At first there was only confusion on Yoongi’s face but then the puzzle pieces came together, and he started laughing. “Oh my god, you’re too good.” He wiped his eyes still giggling, “You think I’m some kind of street dealer who sells drugs? Or boys? Or both? Wow, that’s a new one. I mean, drug dealer I get… you saw me before, didn’t you, you sneaky little shit! I wondered where Biho was. She was with you the whole time, right, as you two watched me selling my herbs. It’s just that, I promise. Herbs.” He picked one of the sachets out of his pocket, holding it towards Jungkook. He always had some with him in case there was an opportunity to get new customers. “Smell it if you dare. That’s not weed. You can even make a taste test if you want but it’ll be awfully bitter, I can tell you that.” He waited before Jungkook took it. “I don’t know how to proof to you I’m not a pimp though because I have no idea what exactly made you think that. If you say it’s the jacket I’ll be hurt though because it’s my favorite. If it makes you calmer I don’t have a car so we would have to take the bus meaning I can’t push you into the car trunk or whatever kidnapping scenario you imagined. You can tell the bus driver to look out for you or ask some old lady to call the police in case you go missing.”
Jungkook was nervous and yet, his instinct told him that the stranger was telling him the truth. Or he was an awfully good actor. He looked down to his feet, where Biho was still nudging his leg as if she wanted him to go – and when he finally took one step, she meowed happily. Kneeling down, Jungkook lifted the cat up and held her to his chest, scratching her softly under her neck and making her purr in the process. “Okay, but then I keep Biho until I’m sure you’re not kidnapping me.” Jungkook said, proud that he didn’t stutter as he motioned for Yoongi to go ahead.
“Very well.” Yoongi nodded his head, trying to look as proper and trustworthy as possible while not quite managing to keep the amusement off his face, “I won’t be responsible if she scratches you in case she wants to climb back on my shoulder and you won’t let her. Let’s go then.” He lead Jungkook out of the alley and back onto the more lit part of the street. Now that he thought about it making some kind of back alley deal in the dark actually was a little suspicious but it wasn’t so much that he wasn’t allowed to sell his herbs it was rather that he didn’t trust most humans and in case he had to defend himself he rather did it where no one could see what he was capable of instead of in broad daylight. Cameras were everywhere nowadays in form of phones and surveillance and he did not want to end up with his face on the news.
“I don’t think she will,” Jungkook mumbled, watching with delight how the cat leaned into his hold with a happy purr as he kept on petting her. “Where do you live then? Is it far away? I don’t have a ticket for the bus, though.” Jungkook fired question after question, feeling intrigued by the stranger’s weird behavior of inviting him in. “Also,…it was your hat. I don’t know…isn’t that what pimps wear?”
“My… my hat?!” Yoongi looked totally offended. It was a simple broad-brimmed, black felt hat with a dark velvet ribbon and he thought it made him look cool. “Okay now I really feel you’re doing it on purpose just to hurt me. It’s a really nice hat. It goes well with anything. You can keep the rain away from your face and protect yourself from sunstroke in summer and… I totally don’t have to defend myself just because you have no idea what a pimp looks like. Because I’m telling you it’s not that!” He crossed his arms and tried to keep himself from pouting. “And yes, it’s far away so that no one will hear your screams when pimp-me is going to drag you across the flowering meadows to my friends who will do awful things to you. Like offer you tea and show you their pets.” He huffed.
Jungkook furrowed his brows as he watched the man sulk, actually sulk and pout right in front of him making him giggle. “More pets? What kinds? Is it like a farm?” He nuzzled his face into Biho’s fur, with a big smile. “I’m Jungkook by the way,” He smiled, his heart feeling a little lighter now that he followed the stranger.
“Yes, you could call it that. Not a classic farm though, rather a mixture of everything that lives around here. Tae, one of my friends, treats injured animals, so we always have those around before the can be released back into nature. And then there’s also your classical pets like…a mouse and more cats.” He kept his mouth shut about the other pets, or the familiars to be precise, because neither Jin’s bat nor Tae’s otter were animals that looked like they needed help. Maybe Jungkook wouldn’t look too closely. He wasn’t meant to be there for long anyway, just until they had managed to find him a place if that’s what made Biho happy. By the way he should warn the others that he would bring a human over. Yoongi bit his lip, thinking how exactly he should tell them but in the end he decided against it. They would hate it no matter how he tried to explain so he rather just told them when Jungkook was already there so they couldn’t tell him to leave the boy in the city. “Ah, I’m Yoongi by the way. And you know Biho by now.”
“Oh,…that sounds nice, Yoongi.” Jungkook seemed excited to know more about how Yoongi lived. He followed him further until they finally reached the bus station. Yoongi paid for two tickets, making Jungkook blush in embarrassment, hiding it while gazing outside the window as they drove ahead. He hated the feeling of being not able to care for himself, but he needed to find somewhere to stay first, then maybe get a job and an apartment. Biho kept on his lap, curled up and seemingly happy with all the attention she was getting, while Jungkook kept her in his hold and warm in his embrace. “She really is beautiful. I like your cat…and I think she likes me too.” He softly booped her nose, smiling when she pawed at him just as gentle.
“Yeah, apparently she does.” Yoongi eyes his familiar with skepticism. He normally didn’t get jealous but only because he didn’t have a reason to; he was naturally Biho’s favourite. But here she was curled up on someone else’s lap as if she had known him for ages. Hopefully, that wouldn’t be her new hobby; making him take in humans when there was no animal that needed help.
The ride was quiet, mostly because he was in thought, trying to arrange a room for Jungkook and get all the ‘witchy stuff’ out of the way so Jungkook wouldn’t run the moment he stepped a foot into the house. He would let him stay outside for a moment, talk to the others, and then let him in. Jimin would be fine with hiding, he had been hiding who he was for years and didn’t have a problem with it, but he worried about Namjoon and Hoseok.
Namjoon because he sometimes talked a little too honestly and let things slip and Hoseok because he was proud and defensive after everything he had been through. If he could get Hoseok on his side it would be fine. The rest would follow.
When they finally got up and out of the bus, Jungkook was actually surprised. They were far off the city, a few farmhouses nearby but nothing more than that. But Yoongi walked the other direction and Jungkook followed him prompt. “Do we have to walk a long way?” Jungkook was actually tired and he could feel his legs aching from being on his feet all day.
“Nah, not very long. Just past this field and then another and then we have to cross that little forest. It’s maybe twenty minutes or so, depending on how fast you’re going.” He eyed Jungkook who was visibly exhausted but apparently tried to keep up the facade of being on high alert and totally able to run. “You still don’t trust me, hm? You want me to leave you at the neighbors here for a while and come back with a bike? This way you know that someone knows where you are, and you also don’t have to go all the way.” He nodded over to the farmhouse. “There’s always someone there, we get milk and eggs from them.”
“No, I’m fine.” Jungkook gave him a smile, adjusting the cat in his hold that seemed to doze of a little more. “I’ll be okay as long as we keep going. I was just up on my feet all day and it’s getting late.” He added honestly with a deep sigh, only now realizing that he hadn’t eaten much all day either, except for the dry cornflakes and some water. Eggs and Milk instead, sounded like heaven to him. Jungkook crossed his fingers in his mind, hoping that Yoongi had some cacao powder at home and that he was allowed to get some of that fresh milk.
They walked mostly in silence and the closer they got the slower Yoongi become so that they walked a good ten minutes more. What had seemed like a great idea in the city (helping some lost kid) become a tiny bit more difficult out here when he was about to face the rest of his circle. Of course in case something went wrong they could put a spell on Jungkook and make him forget but he just hoped it wouldn’t be necessary because a) Namjoon would absolutely hate it to if they went against his rules and b) it was hella complicated to perform a spell like that.
When the house came in sight Yoongi was hit with how much it did not look like a normal house and the only reassurance he could find in it was that it definitely didn’t look like someone a pimp would live in. Or a drug dealer.
He turned towards Jungkook and gave him a smile. “Could you maybe wait here for a second? You can keep holding onto Biho if you want I actually think she fell asleep on your shoulder so unless you want to face her death stare you shouldn’t put her down until you have some soft cushion within reach. It won’t take long, I promise, I just want to give the other’s a heads up, because.. we don’t do that normally and…”
He was interrupted by Taehyung who came running out the door and towards them, all in his strange glory with mismatched socks and his self-made necklace and five bracelets on one arm. “Yoongi, you’re back! Finally, Jin was starting to worry! Did Biho find me another patient or…oh!” He stopped a few metres away from them and Yoongi froze, waiting for something to happen but Taehyung’s confusion only melted into a soft smile. “Who is this?” He held out his hand, coming closer. “Hello, my name is Taehyung! How do you know Yoongi?”
Jungkook startled a little but then happily reached out and shook his hand as he explained who he was. “I don’t know Yoongi, actually…not that much at least. I know he’s not a pimp nor a drug dealer.” He grinned at the other, while Taehyung looked at the witch in confusion. “Biho was the one I first gotten to know, though.” He pointed at his shoulder, happy that the cat still loved to be around him and didn’t even ask to be back with its owner one bit. “I don’t have anywhere to stay tonight, so Yoongi brought me here…do you live here with him?”
Taehyung’s eyes flickered from Yoongi to Jungkook and the witch could practically see the question marks in his eyes. “So.. you don’t really know.. Yoongi? Or any of.. of us? Oh, wait, please wait a moment, the house is totally not looking like it should be for a guest. You just wait outside here with Yoongi and I’ll tell the others to clean up a tiny little bit real quick, okay?” Before any of them could answer he turned around and ran back as if his life depended on it, absolutely missing Jungkook’s question.
“So, yeah, that’s Taehyung. We all live in the house, it’s like a flat-sharing community or something. We all have our own rooms but it’s… a lot cheaper than living in the city and better for our professions to be out here. You’ll see, the plants, the animals… all of that stuff. Do me a favor and don’t touch anything, there are a lot of plants that shouldn’t come in contact with your eyes or nose and… well you could be allergic… or something.” He was definitely totally great at not sounding like an idiot but telling him ‘the plants might not like being touched and they also could hurt you’ sounded even more strange.
Jungkook still had no idea how many exactly Yoongi was talking about, but he thought it would be a nice surprise to find out soon. He promised the older to stay outside until he would get him and instead let his gaze wander over the strange looking home, when the other vanished inside.
“Yoongi brought a human home!” Taehyung’s voice was echoing through the hallways as he ran around like a whirlwind, grabbing stuff on his way to throw it into a big cabinet, only to start yelling and running again. He wasn’t holding back, telling everyone on how Jungkook was a stranger and would stay with them, blaming it all on Yoongi.
“Wait…, Yoongi did what?” A door opened with a creek, revealing a younger man blinking at Taehyung who was slowly getting out of breath as he just kept running upstairs. The witch was wearing a low cut shirt, tugged into his pants, while a small crystal was hanging from a necklace around his throat and gold wired crystal rings adorned his delicate fingers. “Yoongi, what is he talking about?” A low voice came from the stairs, when Namjoon ruffled through his hair (Yoongi wondered if he had fallen asleep over some books again), followed by a witch with red hair. There were still footsteps heard from above where Taehyung was running around like a maniac.
“Give them back to me!” Jin’s voice shrilled through their house as he ran after Taehyung, who was hastily jumping downstairs, holding something in his hand while the older witch was running after him. “Yoongi brought a human! We can’t…,” He jumped down the last steps and ran towards the cabinet, throwing the cards in there and making them fly all over. One got even stuck in the door, making Jin squeal in phantom pain of seeing his cards getting demolished. “We can’t do magic!” Taehyung came to a halt, panting heavily as he pointed at Yoongi. “Ask him!”
“Thanks a lot Tae, that was very… subtle.” Yoongi answered deadpan and before he could chicken out, he just spilled it, “He’s right though I brought a hum… I brought Jungkook. Biho found him in the alley where I sold our herbs and he was lost and hungry and didn’t have a place to sleep and she liked him, so I didn’t want him to sleep outside and…”
“And instead of finding him a place to stay you thought ‘Why not bring him into our home’?!” Hoseok interrupted him sharply, “Did you inhale some Salvia or Jimsonweed before selling it? You must be out of your mind bringing him here, in a house full of witches! Are you sick of hiding or what? How about hanging up a sign instead of letting some runaway mess with us I think that would actually do less damage…”
Namjoon’s hand on his shoulder had Hoseok shutting up but the frown on his face stayed. “How about we have a look at that boy first, hm? Biho’s not a reckless cat maybe he really needs help. He might be sick or cursed without even knowing. While I agree that you could have warned us a bit sooner I don’t think sending him back is an option. So, let’s just let him in and see what happens okay? And thanks to Tae’s uhm.. quick cleaning methods he shouldn’t get an idea of what we are right away. We can take care of the rest while he’s asleep and discuss how to proceed, okay? Is everyone on board with that?” The other witches nodded, except for Hoseok who huffed and walked out of the kitchen apparently adamant on being cross with Yoongi. He’d make sure to make it up to him later - but first he would get Jungkook and his sleeping familiar inside like he had promised.
Jungkook was yawning, stretching his arms as subtle as he could without bothering Biho. He really liked having her on his shoulder, like a warm presence that made sure he was okay. “I hope the others are nice,” Jungkook reached out for the cat, soothing over her fur as she slowly woke up (probably from the tumult that was going on inside). “What if they will send me back again?” The cat jumped from his shoulder, cocking her head aside as she listened, “I don’t have money to get back into the city and it would take me days to walk back.” Jungkook sighed, smiling at the cat who seemed as if she understood him – or maybe he was already going crazy.
Without bothering with some kind of reply Biho walked towards the house in the exact moment Yoongi stepped through the door. “Oh, you’re awake. Perfectly on time for your dinner, aren’t you?” He stopped to scratch Biho behind her ears before turning his attention towards Jungkook. “You can come inside now if you want. However, our dinner will take a little longer - unless you prefer tuna and rice. That’s what Biho’s getting today.”
“Oh,…I’m allowed to eat with you?” Jungkook asked, feeling a little embarrassed now as he walked a little closer, awkwardly fumbling around with his bag as he peeked inside. “Are they okay though with me coming in?” When Jungkook looked over Yoongi’s shoulder, he could see Taehyung waving at him excitedly. There were more eyes on him and suddenly Yoongi’s dressing choice made sense to him. They all dressed a little unusual.
Yoongi gave him a weird look and answered deadpan. “No, we will all sit around the table and eat, and you will have to watch until you fall over.” He shook his head with a sigh. “Of course you will get to eat with us. Maybe not all of us because.. one or two might be busy but you will definitely get some food. You don’t have any allergies or something, do you?” He kind of avoided answering Jungkook’s question by ushering him inside. “Now come on, they’re waiting to get to know you.”
Jungkook shook his head, before finally following Yoongi inside a little hesitantly. As if Biho knew he was nervous, she sat down beside him, meowing at him happily. “Hi, I’m Jungkook,” He waved awkwardly, feeling a little more confident now that he had Biho by his side again. “T-thank you for letting me stay tonight.”
There was silence for a second, all eyes on Jungkook before Yoongi nudged Namjoon in the side with his elbow. “H…hi, Jungkook. We hope you’re not weirded out by our home. We have quite a few plants as you might have noticed but I guess Yoongi told you already that it’s our business? Selling plants and herbal remedies and nature based medicine. Everything’s completely normal and legal of course, there’s nothing strange about it if you look past all the pots and plants.” He chuckled awkwardly and then decided to just stop himself before he made it worse. “You should be a little careful nonetheless not only because the plants are our income but also because there are all kinds of animals around. I hope you’re not scared by bats and spiders? Or other bigger and more fluffy friends? Taehyung here cares for them so whatever kind of animal you see please don’t scream or try to harm it as you can be pretty sure it was invited. Anything else you’d like to know?”
“Oh, I love your home!” Jungkook exclaimed happily, when he let his gaze wander a little more with the brightest smile on his face. The house was bigger than it seemed from the outside. There were a bunch of herbs hanging from the ceiling. There were timbers and an open fireplace with a kettle hanging over the flames and a pot on a shelf inside it. Beautiful copper pots and pans were all around. The large table was made out of wood, chairs all around it, but none of them matched each other and yet somehow they all matched the feeling of the kitchen. It almost looked like he’d stepped back in time, into an old world and he absolutely loved it. From where he stood, he could peek into the living room. His eyes widened in pure excitement. “I won’t hurt your animals, don’t worry and I’ll be careful, I promise.” Biho meowed happily, nodding her head proudly as if she wanted to tell everyone that she would never bring anyone home that could harm them.
“Don’t look so proud you little heathen!” came the prompt reply from Jin but his words had no bite behind them. He liked both of the feline familiars that lived here but he and Biho had some kind of friendly feud because the cat stole his cooking ingredients whenever he wasn’t looking so Jin always had to buy a little extra. “I’ll go prepare dinner then. Do you want to help me, Jungkook?” He figured that keeping the boy busy would mean that he couldn’t sniff around, and the others could check if Tae had left something lying around in his haste of ‘cleaning up’ for them.
“So,…do you want us to check for curses when he’s asleep or is your cat just going crazy for bringing a human in?” Jimin cocked his eyebrow up as he leaned against the doorframe, when Jungkook had already followed Jin, being busy preparing dinner with him. “We could prepare something if you want…,” Jimin nodded over to Namjoon, whose eyes were glued on the young man, watching him from afar.
“I honestly haven’t thought that far, I was too busy thinking of protection spells in case any of you would try to turn me into a tree.”, came Yoongi’s answer. “I think we should check him while he’s awake to be honest. If he wakes up while we’re in his room at night he might misunderstand our intentions if you know what I mean. Also, he’s careful so he might as well just put a chair under the doorknob to keep any of us from entering at all. Why not mixing some simple magic neutralizer in his soup?” He suggested but Jimin didn’t really seem convinced. “It would work if it’s something small but if he’s been badly cursed it might do nothing for him - or he ends up puking his guts out the whole night. We should know what we’re up against before taking measurements.”
Namjoon nodded at that, “Let’s keep an eye on him. It’s weird Biho is so familiar with him. She usually doesn’t care about anything but food, soft cushions and Yoongi.” He chuckled low, watching how Jungkook was following Jin’s introductions closely, doing exactly how he said. “Did he tell you where he’s from? How old is he?” Namjoon addressed Yoongi, pulling him a little further away from the door frame, “He seems so young to be homeless. Did he tell you anything? Did Biho say something?”
“No, I know basically nothing about him. And Biho was sleeping on him most of the time so I couldn’t exactly talk to her in front of Jungkook without seeming like a lunatic. It already took some convincing for him to follow me. Maybe he’s running away from something or his parents kicked him out? We could ask him some subtle questions over dinner you know, his favorite food and stuff and if his mum makes the same kind of stew Jin does, that kind of stuff. Then we’ll see if he’s willing to talk or closing himself off. If nothing helps we can still consider a truth serum, but I’d rather not do magic on him against his will.” He eyed Namjoon. To be honest he actually had no problem with magic on humans as long as it didn’t hurt them (or they deserved it) but he stuck to Namjoon’s rules in the house.
“No magic until we know what’s wrong and what will help,” Namjoon said, before walking further into the kitchen and greeting Jungkook with a big smile. Jin immediately send him away from the stove, but the other witch was happy with just helping setting up the table with the younger.
Jimin pursed his lips as he watched them, crossing his arms in front of his chest. “And you’re really sure you didn’t bring him, just because he’s cute?” He turned on his heel and with a cocky smirk on his lips he added quietly, “You’ve got a type, Min.”
“I got…what? No, that’s not.. I wouldn’t…I can’t believe what you’re implying here!” He looked a little too scandalized to fool his friends. Realizing he had lost he quickly changed the topic “I’ll go feed Biho now or else she’ll steal our stew. You can discuss what to do with Jungkook.” So yeah maybe he thought the younger was cute - but he wasn’t stupid and taking a human home with him just because he was cute was stupid. Totally.
“Dinner is ready!” Jin called out only thirty minutes later, placing the pot of stew in the middle of the table. “Isn’t Hoseok joining,” Jin asked, but no one seemed to really have an answer as they shrugged their shoulders. “He’s still a bit mad, I think.” Taehyung pulled at Jungkook’s wrist to make him sit down, because the younger looked awfully out of place with the way he was standing by the table waiting for everyone else to sit down.
“Is it because of me?” Jungkook bit his lip, eyes that were full of joy before, only reflected worry out of a sudden, “I…I can sit somewhere else if he…if he wants to join then? I don’t mind. I eat alone often.”
Jimin immediately took the opportunity to start the interrogation, ignoring Yoongi and Namjoon’s looks. “Oh, why’s that? Don’t your parents insist on family meals? Or wait, I don’t even know how old you are, you don’t live with your parents any longer, right? You don’t like eating with friends then? Or are you uncomfortable eating in front of people?” His smile didn’t waver for a second even though Jin looked close to throwing a piece of turnip at him.
Jungkook almost dropped the bowl of stew Jin had prepared for him. He tried to give Jimin a soft smile, but it didn’t seem right. “I…,” Jungkook laughed awkwardly, mindlessly stirring the stew around, when he felt a weight on his lap, startling him a little but when he saw who it was that had sneaked in, he smiled. Biho immediately curled up on his lap and Jungkook was glad for the reassurance he felt, just from her presence alone. It was as if she knew already.
“I don’t have parents.” He finally said, saying it as nonchalantly as he could. “I was living in a child’s home my whole life. I’ve never been adopted or something and…I’m not really good at making friends. I was mostly by myself.” Jungkook could feel himself blush, trying to shrug it off. “So, I don’t mind.”
“That’s not true!” Tae chimed in and when Jungkook’s eyes widened in confusion he held out a piece of chicken until Jungkook took it awkwardly, not really sure what to do with it. He had chicken in his stew as well. His question was answered when the cat on his lap quickly snatched it from his fingers, chewing it happily. “See? Biho’s your friend. And she doesn’t like just anybody so you must be a really nice person! You’re not bad at making friends it’s just that the people you were around were bad at being nice to you. Which isn’t your fault but theirs.”
Jungkook gulped hard against the lump in his throat when Tae’s voice reached right into his heart. The other couldn’t know that it was ‘his fault’ indeed. He had scared them.
“Yeah, but I’ve always had a better connection with animals.” Jungkook explained, averting his gaze as he didn’t want anyone to see how deep his words had hit him. He soothed over the cat’s fur, discarding the stew completely. “You sure she isn’t like this with anyone?” He asked carefully, wondering if he really found a new friend with her.
Tae chuckled. “Oh, I’m totally the same! You can come help me care for my patients after dinner if you want to? There are so many and some just need pets, so you’d help me a lot if you’d accompany me. I’m sure they’ll love you. Also, you can just test how much Biho liked you with a simple exercise, drop her on Jimin’s lap and watch how she’ll scratch him!” He was pretty sure that the cat had heard what Jimin had said about her before and was ready to throw some paws.
“No, she sleeps so peacefully now.” Jungkook chuckled, also Jimin’s panicked look told him that he was actually scared of getting scratched. “And I’d love to help you if I’m allowed to,” Jungkook turned to Yoongi with a smile. “Can I?”
“Hm?” Yoongi quickly swallowed his mouthful of stew. “Why are you asking me? Of course, you can if you want to. I just brought you here, everything else is on you to decide! And well, the others too, but you know what I mean; you don’t need my permission or anything. If you want to do me a favor though…” He leaned in until he could whisper in Jungkook’s ear “…then don’t tell them you thought I was a pimp. And maybe don’t mention you didn’t like my hat.”
Jungkook giggled cutely, leaning in as well, “I won’t, I promise.” He was scrunching up his nose, leaning back so he could tell Taehyung that he would help him. His heart jumped with joy and all tiredness seemed forgotten when he returned his attention to the amazing food, asking for a second plate as soon as he finished his first. As they had been the one’s cooking, Jungkook didn’t need to wash the dishes (although he asked twice if he shouldn’t do it as a guest) but instead followed Taehyung. “What kind of animals do you have? Are you like a veterinarian?”
“Nah, I’m better!” Tae took his hand and pulled him along, “I’d rather show you because telling you about everyone that’s here at the moment would take forever!” He took Jungkook to the back of the house and a little further, past a shed where the windows were closed with dark curtains. They didn’t stop there and when they got around a few small trees Jungkook saw where they were heading. It looked like it had been some kind of greenhouse that someone had turned into a house for animals. Most of the upper part had lost the glass so that fresh air could come in. There were completely different parts, some darkened with cloth and carton for the patients that didn’t like sunlight and rather hid in their comfortable homes and some (mostly winged ones) were sitting or crawling on branches that were fixated below the roof.
Jungkook stood in complete awe, slowly making a turn to take it all in, greeting the animals with a smile and a little wave. There were a couple of bats hanging upside down, a little flying squirrel peeking up from the roof. He let his gaze wander a little more, walking closer to one of the cartons, to see who was inside. His heart was almost bursting of joy, when he saw a bunch of little rabbits all cuddled up to their mother. It was as if only now the pressure that he still felt tightly around his heart was losing up. No one that cared for animals as lovely as this, was a bad person. He was safe here. He would be safe for tonight.
The mother rabbit reached out to him, sniffing his hand that he held in, before soothing over her warm and soft fur. “She was hurt badly, right?” Jungkook turned a little towards Taehyung, who was roaming around in a shelf. It was like an instinctive thought, something tingling underneath his fingertips as he kept on petting her, slowly letting the little baby bunnies getting used to him. “Was it her paw? She wouldn’t have been able to care for her babies without your help.” The smile couldn’t be wiped off his lips, as he kneeled down to be able to reach them a little more, watching the little family. “She’s healing up nicely.”
Taehyung’s eyes lit up. “Oh, I see, you know your way around my patients. Yes, she was injured badly, her whole side was bruised. Her paw had it the worst, but she’ll be fine eventually. We found her by the side of the road, so we think someone threw her out of the car, probably because she was pregnant and they didn’t want that much babies to care for. We’re glad that she’s not hostile against people, I mean she would have every right to but she’s a really sweet girl. We’ll find her a nice home!”
His heart hurt, when Taehyung told him the story and he could feel it aching so deeply. Jungkook really despised humans, sometimes. He was glad though, that Taehyung had found and cared for them. “I don’t really know much about animals though, not like you…,” Jungkook explained, while he booped a baby bunnies nose that was curiously sniffing his hand. “But I know she’s very happy to be here with you. Can’t she stay in the forest, …near you? I think she’s scared of her babies being somewhere unsafe and not being able to be as agile as she was before.” Jungkook was caressing her with one hand, while playing with the babies with the other as he just kept on rambling, not really noticing what he was saying but simply speaking his thoughts out loud, “She really wants them to be somewhere safe.” His gaze suddenly met another pair of baby bunny’s eyes; one’s that had been hiding behind it’s mother the whole time he had been there. Jungkook stopped moving for a moment, a soft smile gracing his lips as he greeted the smallest with a quiet ‘hey’.
Taehyung made a face. “I’m afraid it doesn’t work like that, in her case she’s a domesticated animal and you can’t just release them into the wild. If they grew up there and know how to take care of themselves it’s fine but a pet in the wild would have major disadvantages especially when being easy prey. Don’t worry, I’ll find a really great owner for her and her babies and make sure they’re well taken care of.”
Jungkook sighed deeply, pouting his lips. “I would take them all in if I had a home.” He whispered, leaning his chin on his hand as he reached for the shy bunny in the corner, letting him sniff and get used to him. “Is there anything I can help you with now, though?” Jungkook asked, feeling a little useless now that he couldn’t help the bunnies right away.
“Yeah, you can cuddle them and distract them while I clean their spaces and then help me feed then and a few need to get their bandages changed if you’re up for that as well. Just stay here for a second and I’ll come back with what we need!” Before Jungkook could even answer Tae was out the door and came back shortly with a barrow full of stuff.
Jungkook was eager to help, staying still and only doing what Taehyung ordered. He watched him carefully, as he took out two bunnies, motioning for Jungkook to sit down. The younger immediately followed as he got himself comfortable on the floor with a cushion, taking the bunnies from him one by one until only the mother was left. All eyes, Jungkook’s and the babies were on Taehyung, who took the bunny out very carefully, carrying her in a gentle hold. “It won’t hurt her, right?”
“As long as you don’t squeeze her she’ll be fine. And we need to make sure that she can see her babies at all times or else she’ll get restless and hop down. The babies are fearless, they’d climb anything and anywhere, only when they are hungry or it’s sleeping time do they call out for her.” He explained, making sure to scratch the mother behind her soft, floppy ears. “You’re a brave one, aren’t you?”
Jungkook nodded, making sure to keep the bunnies all in one spot in between his legs, trying to keep them from jumping out while Taehyung let the mother down on a little table. It was close enough for the mother to see Jungkook with the babies, so Taehyung could start changing her bandages. Jungkook couldn’t really see what Taehyung was doing, as he had his back on him and the bunnies were keeping him quite busy as he tried to make sure they weren’t hopping off. Only one stayed in his lap, shivering and fearful eyes looking up at him.
“Don’t be afraid,” Jungkook whispered, softly soothing him before taking him in a gentle hold. “Are you cold?” He tried to warm the bunny up with a warm embrace, but the shivers didn’t want to stop. “Your mother is being taken care of. Taehyung is really careful with her. You don’t have to worry,” Jungkook brought the small bunny up to his face to whisper to him gently, “I’ll keep you warm and safe until then, okay?” He held his breath, eyes flickering over to Taehyung, who was still busy.
It was risky. If he saw, they might be scared of him, call him a freak, or even cast him out again. He had a home for the night and yet, he couldn’t let the bunny feel cold. It hurt him see the little bunny so scared far more than being on his own again. He knew that feeling all too well.
Jungkook hesitated for a moment, his eyes flickering nervously from Taehyung back to the shivering bunny. When he was sure Taehyung wouldn’t turn around, he closed his eyes, holding the bunny closer to him. “You’ll be warm soon, I promise.” He was whispering almost not audible, when he felt the familiar tingly feeling in his fingertips. Leaning in, he blew onto the bunny carefully, making it sneeze softly, while the warmth was starting to spread from his fingertips, embracing the animal and keeping it warm under his touch.
…
The witches who had stayed in the house had finally decided what to do with Jungkook: they would use a compass for curses on Jungkook (the compass needle would flick in his direction if he had remnants of a course or ‘bad’ magic on him’) and if he didn’t they would just wait and see if he showed any signs of being negatively affected by something. If they could get Hoseok on board than the he would casually touch Jungkook’s shoulder or make otherwise contact with his bare skin so he could check the younger for sicknesses or other health issues. And if nothing worked then Yoongi would make an astral projection to speak clearly with Biho who otherwise wasn’t very talkative.
After everything was settled and they had chosen a room for Jungkook, Yoongi went to get him from the glasshouse. He figured the other needed some time to rest and make himself comfortable in his new sleeping place and he could help Taehyung tomorrow again. When he got closer he saw that the two were busy and so he stood and watched for a moment, a smile stealing its way on his lips as Jungkook cuddled one of the little bunnies…
It looked very cute and domestic and it felt like Jungkook could fit right then. But then his senses began to tingle as Jungkook leaned down, whispering something to the bunny he couldn’t hear through the glass, but he could see the younger’s lips moving while something made his skin crawl. His stomach plummeted into nothingness as he swallowed hard, trying to get a grip on himself.
Jungkook couldn’t be magic! He would have a coven at his age or at least know how to get himself out of the situation Yoongi had found him in! Had he been tricked? Had he let another witch in midst of his circle because of his gullibility? Had Jungkook bewitched Biho?
He felt nauseous and his hands felt cold when he opened the door to the glasshouse. He spilled his worries right away, too shaken to waste time with niceties, blurting out his words the moment he had stepped in.
“What did you just do?!”
A/N: We are very aware of the challenging times right now and have been discussing back and forth whether or not to post a story tonight. But talking to readers and other writers we came to the conclusion that a lot of people are looking forward to the distraction. We purposely decided against a very angsty story but instead want to share this little witch fic with you. We hope it’ll help you ease off your mind off things, restore some energy to fight back again! We love you and support you! We stand with you!