Archive of Our Own

University of Gífted Users. A magical university strictly for those born from a special lineage and who wielded strange, beautiful magic. The human race remained blissfully ignorant that Aeleria, a completely different world from their own, existed right under the nose that functioned fully and naturally in its own essence.

The school itself resided on earth; however, there was a veil which the magic folk called ‘Gloss’ that obscured the human eye from locating it or any other magic. Like a thick misty cloud, the Gloss concealed humans from witnessing out of the ordinary events and sightings, and kept them in the dark about what was really out there:

Fairies. Dragons. Mermaids. Hybrids. Pixies. Witches, warlocks, and wizards. Even vampires and shapeshifters.

They exist. They’re real and very much so in their hidden, magical world.

Nonetheless, they could cross over to the human side whenever they pleased as the Gloss only affected the non-magic users. It normally wasn’t made a habit for magic folk to do but on certain occasions and instances, they’ve mingled themselves with the human world. Some delved deeper than others and that included one perplexing case which involved a fairy named Park Jomin who did the unthinkable of falling in love with a human man and had his child. 

The news of his birth did more than cause an uproar but Jomin hadn’t cared. She loved her human husband and loved her little treasure she named Park Jimin. She relocated from Aeleria since no humans were allowed and settled with her husband in the cozy home he had built for them in the human world, beginning a new chapter of life.

Growing up, Jimin was raised knowing his magical roots as his mother refused to keep a part of her son locked away from him unfairly. She used her magic freely with him from the time he was born and even took him on flights, her beautiful wings as their guide, enjoying the way her baby’s owlish gemstone eyes gazed up at them with innocent wonder. She also read magic books to him that expanded his knowledge of Aeleria, Jimin able to further absorb information as he got older. 

However, also growing up, Jimin didn’t have friends. Therefore he never experienced the childhood connection and nostalgia that came with youth friendship. He was always excluded and completely shut out by the other kids who treated him like he was an alien from another planet. 

Though in a sense, that notion was correct; being conceived by a fairy mother and human father, he was entirely different from other kids in more ways than one and his appearance was startling otherworldly. Having dissimilar colored eyes (although heterochromia wasn’t too bad of a rare case in humans, Jimin’s misty grey and glossy lavender were highly unusual colors) and silver eyebrows, which were the same shade of his hair since the day he was born, hardly helped Jimin’s case in his attempts to make friends. 

Not to mention his voice being a whole issue of its own. No type of magic could alter it as all fairies carried a distinctive sound to their voice, like tinkling wind chimes or soft, gentle ringing. It was a common and enchanting trait of theirs, and in spite of only being half fairy, Jimin’s honey voice could orchestrate a symphony of bells on its own. There was a lilt to it that human ears couldn’t grasp comfortably and many kids thought Jimin’s voice sounded incredibly strange so they laughed or made painful noises whenever he tried to speak. 

The way he was treated in elementary school was unbearable to the point his parents pulled him out due from the bullying and harassment. For the years up until his middle school age, Jimin was homeschooled. However, he convinced his parents he wanted to try school again, hoping for a different outcome in a new one with a new setting. They were both against it at first, unwilling to send their son back to school but Jimin got them to relent and they agreed with a few safety regulations. 

For instance, getting him brown contacts and coloring his brows to a not so distinctive shade. However, his mother refused to damage his hair with ‘poison’ dye and, ironically, informed the principal of Jimin’s new middle school that his hair was dyed for personal purposes. In the end it didn’t matter though, not when they had to pull Jimin out of that school as well. 

Yes, it made Jimin crestfallen how the human kids were. That no one wanted to be his friend and gave him a chance. They were mean and didn’t have filters. They participated in ganging up on him, the outcast. However, they were absolutely nothing compared to the magic folk, particularly the ones Jimin had attended high school with. 

It was decided by Jomin that Jimin would be enrolled in the same high school she had attended. His mother pulled the ropes and had done some heavy convincing to make it happen.

Aeleria Hígh of Gífted Users. Not only did Jomin graduate from said high school but also the connecting university linked to it. All magic, no humans. At least there, Jimin easily fit in with the abnormal appearances and didn’t have to conceal his magic side. It was actually really nice not having to wear contacts and to let his natural silver hair free. 

But, it was the human side that caused unwanted attention. 

Humans were one thing to have as tormentors, but dealing with rogue pixies playing dirty tricks like setting his locker on fire or hiding pixie bombs on his path that blew up if he stepped on one wasn’t a picnic. The vampires weren’t fun, either. His human blood pumped like an enticing meal for their dangerous fangs and it wasn’t until after an altercation that Jimin began wearing turtlenecks. Even after getting a scent blocking spell so that only his fairy blood reached the vampires’ immaculate keen sense of smell, Jimin still felt the wardrobe change was good for extra precaution and protection. 

However, there was a certain group that brought Jimin more malice than anyone else during his high school years. Honestly, it was disheartening because they were his own flesh and blood but the other fairies didn’t view him as so, they refused to accept him as one of them. To them, he was an abomination, a half breed. Born from a human and fairy which was disgraceful and frowned upon. 

In Jimin’s case, it dug a little more deeper for him because his mother was an Elemental fairy. Just like all magical races, fairies were categorized in classes. There were Water fairies and Fruit fairies, Gem fairies whose wings could craft gems in midair, and even Swamp fairies. 

But an Elemental fairy, as its name provided, was a fairy who controlled all four elements. They were stronger than the fairies who simply wielded one of the elements’ powers and they were stronger than most fairies in general, and were rare. They had heterochromia eyes and wings twice the size of those of a regular fairy, the only distinct features which set them aside from the rest. A beautiful creature which Jimin tarnished with his human genes. Unfortunately for Jimin, he didn’t inherit wings or the powers, at least fully. He could do a tiny bit of air and water to some extent but his mother told him he would fully tap into his magic source on his own time and pace. 

Regardless of his hardships, Jimin was raised in a household with nothing but love and adoration from his parents and he wasn’t once ashamed of his human heritage despite it being the reason he was treated differently. High school, freshman year in particular, was rough but he was sick and tired of being pulled out, running away. That’s all his childhood was like and Jimin was over it. He was determined to get through all four years without fail, no matter how hard others around would make it for him.

Unexpectedly, it was near the end of his freshmen year when an Air fairy named Jung Hoseok and a tiger hybrid named Kim Taehyung befriended him. Their presence took Jimin by absolute surprise with the way they came out of nowhere and he was suspicious of foul play or an ulterior motive, but the two came with neither. One day they didn’t exist to him, and the next it was like they had never left his side. 

To say that Jimin had been shocked would be an understatement, especially when the two remained at his side throughout the entirety of high school. Never would Jimin had even thought he’d make a friend, let alone two, but the trio cemented their blooming friendship and became inseparable. 

Of course they garnered weird looks, quite often so, with their newly established friendship, but Taehyung and Hoseok (Hobi, as he told Jimin to call him), ignored them easily. It took some encouragement on Jimin’s part but slowly and surely, he was able to block all the negative attention out with the help from his new friends. 

And as if fate was on their side, not only did they all end up advancing to the connected university together after they graduated from high school, they also managed to snag one of the apartments that was five minutes from campus. It was almost as if karma was giving back to Jimin for his rough beginnings.

Almost .

~

“Come on, babe.”

Park Jimin grumbled. It wasn’t fair.

It wasn’t fair how they coddled and cuddled him into a comatose state of slumber worthy comfort just before initiating their final attack after cornering Jimin right where they wanted him which was locked in the cocoon trap of their tangled arms. It was vile and two against one wasn’t fair.

It wasn’t .

But they were shameless and excelled at guilt tripping. 

Their cuddling game seemed to be on extra point, too. 

“It’s the eve of our seventh year anniversary, Minnie, please ?” Warm arms hug Jimin’s waist from behind, plastering him tight against a well defined and comfortably broad chest. There’s a chin hooked over his slender shoulder while a nose dipped into the softness of his curved neck. And then teeth, sharper than razor blades, teasingly grazed his smooth, buttery skin, and garnered a baby shiver from him. 

“It won’t be bad, we can just stay for a few hours and you know we won’t ever leave your side, baby. And then tomorrow, the three of us will celebrate the whole day together. I’ll make your favorite breakfast, Tae will go out to get snacks and drinks, you can pick the movies and we can build our fort like we always do, yeah?” Slim hands massage one of Jimin’s thick thighs which had been hitched over a hip. 

Oh , they were good. To trap him and sweet talk him like this… it must’ve been rehearsed.

“And at the end of the night, we can take a dip in the jacuzzi with a glass of your favorite bubbly and listen to Hobi’s future wife serenade us.”

Airy, tinkling laughter erupted from the body pressing against Jimin closely from the front. Warm spearmint breath washed over his face like a summer breeze. “And just who is my wife to be?”

“Megan the Stallion, keep up babe.”

“My apologies, it’s just that you keep appointing me with too many wives and it’s at the point now that I lose count on who is who. And maybe I want a husband this time around.” A pout curled those words out in a sulky, petulant manner and Jimin felt weight push against him as the body behind him surged forward towards the other.

“I can be that for you, angel, just say the word,” a gravel purr rumbled in the air.

Jimin snorted between the bodies he was sandwiched in and closed his eyes not wanting to witness another flirt session. “Can’t we just start our anniversary early, with this cuddling trap you both placed me in? Can that please be an option?” Because the party tonight was something he really didn’t want to get out of bed to attend. He’d rather stay in this position with the two most important people he counted as his family, and fall asleep. 

The body behind him shifted back in place. “No, absolutely not.”

“He’s right, we even picked out an outfit for you and you wouldn’t let that go to waste, now would you?”

Actually- 

“Don’t answer him, Minnie. We’ll give you five more minutes and then we’re getting ready. Please?”

When Jimin sighed, he was sure to put emphasis on the air that left his unhappily pouting lips and caused a mini, dramatic whirlwind that flew through their hair. It was just as his mother said he would; tap into the elements on his own time and Air had become his greatest accomplishment out of the four. Water was still a struggle and the other two refused to budge. 

“Fine.”

The excited whoops and victory giggles were annoying but the various kisses littered across his exposed skin and the twin pair of arms which laced tighter around him like a lock of protection, squeezing him closer made his decision doable. 

~

Jimin sighed softly as he gazed at his reflection with his heterochromia eyes which gleamed back at him like gemstones. They’re almond shaped and replicate that of his mother’s orbs whom he inherited them from.  

Jimin traveled them across his reflection, taking in his immaculate styled silver hair, shiny and shimmering, before they flickered across delicate features which were meticulously crafted on his elegant visage. Nicely trimmed silver eyebrows, a button nose, soft and supple cheeks that slanted sharply into a smooth angular jaw, and satin lips which were in full, luscious bloom. 

The pair of unmatched colored eyes journeyed southward, staring at how the pullover sweater hung off a slender frame and how noticeably it exposed the creamy collarbone which glimmered prominently under the bathroom lights, enhanced from the vanilla mint body oil that had been applied. 

Shifting slightly to peer at himself from a slanted angle, Jimin skimmed his gaze down to his back and lingered at the blatant vacancy there. Being half of two entirely different races meant Jimin could never fully be whole of either one and it sucked that unlike other fairies, he was wingless. At least the only upside to that was he didn’t need to cut open slits in his shirts. 

Then again, Fairy Fashion had a god send collection with tops already neatly slit and styled.

Jimin further inspected his attire that was put together by his two best friends, mismatched eyes passed over the glossy black fabric of jeans suctioned tightly to thick thighs and short, toned legs. It was a high contrast against the sweater which hung loose and freely, and was whiter than fresh fallen snow. 

Matching in color with the jeans, stationed even further down below covering his feet, were sleek Lukas Chelsea boots. Spanking brand new from the expensive box they were delivered in, and making socked feet feel like it drowned in a thousand rich kisses. They were a gift from Hoseok who knew all too well about Jimin’s love for boots and these ones had heels which graciously gave Jimin extra inches of height. 

Because, of course, he just had to take after his mother in the lack of height department and stood at a whopping five-three. His mother’s fairy genes were so unkind to him and didn’t give him a fighting chance to inherit at least some of his father’s height but least in the boots he elevated a smidge higher. 

A knock at the closed door broke Jimin out of scrutinizing his reflection of details with a strict, unwavered gaze and he looked over in time to observe it swing open in a swift motion, revealing a broad figure filling the doorway. Jimin’s eyes met with liquid honey brown before the twinkling honey orbs traveled down the length of Jimin’s body appreciatively. A low whistle followed suit. 

“ Damn , Hobi and I are good- Hobi! Come see our stunning baby! Looking like a wine and dine full course gourmet meal, babe. Still tiny, though.”

The low timbre purr filtering into the bathroom belonged to Kim Taehyung and the tiger’s unrelenting glowing aura caressed Jimin warmly as he stepped inside. There was just something about Taehyung that instantly melted any anxiety from Jimin who firmly believed he wouldn’t have made it at high school or this far at uni without Taehyung by his side. Hoseok either.

There was an easy going smirk stretching Taehyung’s lips as he eyed the smaller, making Jimin laugh and the bathroom sounded as if small bells echoed inside. “You’re not so bad yourself, Tae.” And Taehyung wasn’t, he never had a bad appearance day, always stayed dripping in model like finesse and garnered many suitors on the daily. It was understandable and as Jimin’s multi-color eyes unabashedly studied his soulmate, it was even moreso. 

Taehyung’s attire consisted of red cotton pants that accentuated his mile long legs and a black low cut v-neck with a seaweed green blazer that stretched over wide shoulders and his chest. Height and broadness favored Taehyung tremendously, being that he was a tiger hybrid, and stood at six-foot. And as he stepped up beside Jimin, his reflection joining the petite half fairy’s, Taehyung’s mammoth size truly was easier to distinguish. 

It made Jimin elbow him. “Don’t stand so close, the way you dwarf me is unfair.”

“But you were just begging in the other room for this body to be your cuddle buddy, you don’t mean that. Plus, I love your size. You’re my perfect fairy doll,” Taehyung rumbled playfully as he moved behind Jimin so he could wrap his long arms around the smaller and lowered his head until his nose rubbed against Jimin’s neck in a ticklish manner.

But Jimin was used to it and didn’t fall into a fit of giggles, he merely rolled his fond eyes and allowed himself to be pulled into his soulmate’s heated embrace. “Overgrown furry.”

“Rude-“

“Yah, are you two ready yet?”

The silvery voice belonged to Hoseok aka Hobi who appeared and joined the other two by the sink, gorgeous reflection appearing in the mirror at Jimin’s side. While Jimin and Taehyung donned dark and colorful tones, Hoseok drowned in all white which softened his blond hair. Crisp white jeans hugged the fairy’s lower half scrumptiously while neatly tucked in was a flowy top, the back open revealing Hoseok’s smooth backside and a space for his wings to fill comfortably if he needed to unfurl them. With his fluffy platinum blond locks and white cloud choker settled around his slender neck, and white loafers to complete the outfit, the eldest of the best friend trio looked every bit of the Air fairy he was. 

(Albeit, Jimin was a bit salty that Hoseok’s fairy genes were generous and the elder gained more height than he had, standing at a gracious five-six.)

Jimin only felt warmth when Hoseok curled an arm around his waist and dragged him closer to fit snugly against his side. While Taehyung was his blanket of protection and security, Hoseok, being a fellow fairy, filled Jimin with endless familiarity and comfort. Hoseok had immediately taken Jimin under his wing upon their first meeting and the amount of easiness Jimin felt around the elder lessened much of the hardships he had faced during those times in high school, and even now. 

“Damn, we look fire as hell,” Hoseok stated as he studied all three of their reflections. He laughed when Taehyung gave him a sultry wink in the mirror and didn’t miss Jimin’s exaggerated eye roll aimed for them both. “I’m excited and ready to turn heads.”

“Mine’s been turned, baby,” Taehyung purred out huskily.

Jimin laughed as they made their way (quite uncoordinatedly) out the bathroom, caught between both of his mood booster soulmates as they did a dance shuffle through the door. However, Jimin was unaware how short lived his current bliss would be. 

~

Frat parties, regardless if they were thrown by humans or magical beings, served to be all the same; held at an uppity scale house with the basic red plastic cups, loud ass music, never ending stash of alcohol, and the endless raging sea of hormones which filtered the air and added more onto the already suffocating heat. 

Yet, this frat party was held at a mansion. An uppity high scale mansion. Five stories high with each level having a balcony that overlooked the grand and posh ground floor. Flashy decor, pillars, crafted from the smoothest and finest stone, and gorgeous high ceilings set the glamorous establishment in a pearly, expensive sheen. It was massive and managed to get packed to the brim.  

Hybrids, witches, fairies, pixies, even mermaids accompanied with their seawater protection bubbles, were all here united as one to enjoy the party. There were an array of lounges and seating areas that were filled with said mingling creatures, and the dance floors were fully loaded past the capacity while music blasted from the speakers installed into the walls. The bass thrummed and rumbled across every surface. 

A loud ringing vibrated Jimin’s ears but he couldn’t be sure whether or not it was the loud music or Taehyung’s loud, rambunctious laughter. Despite staking claim over a somewhat private corner of the dance floor, the trio garnered side eye glances from others, and that was mainly due to Taehyung and Hoseok who took ‘letting loose’ to a whole new level. 

Currently, Jimin (and those nearby) watched Hoseok throw his ass in full, rapid circles back against Taehyung’s groin. His movements were fluid and mesmerizingly on beat with the song (Trampoline Booty) playing. In turn, Taehyung held him by the hips, big hands there just to enjoy the playful ride while his own hips thrusted forward to meet Hoseok’s. Laughter traveled between them making Jimin smile as he danced beside them, too worn out to join as they had been here for over an hour already and he was getting thirsty.

Truthfully, Jimin was surprised he’d lasted this long but the air was stealthily becoming stuffy and his mouth was getting parched. The song ended and his two friends pulled apart, chests heaving lightly and sweat coating their skin. Jimin moved closer to them, small hands wrapping around their wrists to grab their attention. 

“I want to get a drink!” he had to shout over the music to be heard and while Taehyung didn’t catch his words, Hoseok did and nodded. 

“Huh?!” Taehyung leaned down, all but shoving his pierced ear against Jimin’s plump lips. He earned a flick on the forehead from Hobi and backed up, pouting down at the elder. 

Jimin rolled his eyes when Hoseok tugged the tiger back down by the front of his shirt and rose on his toes, unnecessarily plastering himself to Taehyung’s front so he could tell them they would be going to get drinks. Jimin watched on, amusement glittering in his dissimilar eyes as Taehyung slid his arm around Hobi’s waist, as if that would make him hear better. Honestly, these two came up with every excuse in the book saying they didn’t like each other while coming up with every excuse to be handsy at the same time. 

Once Taehyung understood, he nodded and wrapped each of his arms around his soulmates’ waists. “I’ll go with-” he started to say before a new song, No Hands, filled the room. “FUCK, THIS IS MY SONG.” 

Hoseok laughed and removed Taehyung’s arm despite the loss of warmth. “Just stay here, babe, we’ll be right back. Want anything?”

“If you could find me a cold ass bottled water, I would be ever so grateful.”

“Coming right up. C’mon my little baby, let’s go~” Hoseok said cheerily as he took Jimin’s hand and they began to make their way off the floor. 

It was quite a feat as they politely battled their way through a sea of bodies. It seemed since the time they isolated themselves in their corner that more party-doers had arrived. It was crazy packed and Jimin was beginning to feel slightly claustrophobic. His clothes were starting to stick to him as sweat began accumulating under his layers and he really just needed a drink now but the kitchen was still far away and it was so damn crowded and loud , endless noise just ringing in his ears. He gripped Hoseok’s hand with his small, clammy one and squeezed it tighter whenever someone rudely bumped into him. 

“Fucking hell,” Hoseok muttered as he looked around while being mindful of keeping Jimin close. He knew about Jimin’s dislike of parties and crowds, but Hoseok had no idea the party would wound up like... this . Even he was beginning to feel slightly discombobulated with all the never ending bodies around them. If only Taehyung had come with them, any crowd parted like the Red Sea for whenever their tiger hybrid was spotted.

Jimin shuffled along, practically glued to Hoseok’s back, doing his best to ignore the multiple pairs of eyes staring at him as he passed, piercing him like an arrow to a target. He stood dead center of their judging gazes but tried to act nonchalant. While this wasn’t really new, it still didn’t make Jimin comfortable but because he had Hoseok with him, he ignored them.

It was like the light at the end of the tunnel when the kitchen came into view. Well, more like the open archway of the kitchen's doorway which was filtering out a stream of golden light, but still. Both fairies were pleased and Jimin felt his dry mouth salivate at the mere thought of getting to taste water again. Perhaps that’s why his pace was perkier than before and he began tugging Hoseok along instead of the other way around. 

Jimin’s eagerness got the best of him and his clumsy side, and it was only shortly after he gained speed that he collided with someone. More than anything, it felt as though Jimin had run into a brick wall instead of another body, and the breath got knocked out of him as he actually bounced back from the collision but was safely cushioned against Hoseok who stumbled from the slight impact. 

“Whoa babe, you alright?” Hoseok asked Jimin, his hands planted on the younger’s slim waist and earned a sheepish smile in return. 

“I’m fine, sorry I wasn’t paying any attention, Hobi,” Jimin had an apology on the tip of his tongue for the one he bumped into but an annoyed growl, heard even above the rap music, made him freeze.

“Are you fucking kidding me?”

It was the next moment that Jimin realized a few things and those things were:

An audience had formed.

The front of his shirt was wet.

Then the reason why his shirt was suddenly wet was because the guy he bumped into had been holding a drink and some must’ve sloshed onto Jimin while the rest of it spilled on the guy.

And then it was the fact of who the guy was and that ‘guy’ was a term that should be lightly used. 

Jimin’s train of thought trailed considerably off track as he stared up at the looming black dragon hybrid whose piercing ruby eyes seemed to chain him in place. If there wasn’t such a threatening expression printed on the dragon’s face, Jimin would’ve found him attractive with those dark features and red-black ómbre hair. It didn’t help that the dragon towered like a behemoth, Jimin taking note at how easily the dragon’s built stumped Taehyung’s height and size with his broader, muscular physique. Wide shoulders and a pair of natural flexing arms stretched tight beneath a glossy black blazer and the outline of a trim cut torso was prominent under the white button down dress shirt, twin pectorals nearly bursting free. Thick, long legs bulged rebelliously against the fabric of midnight slacks, showcasing every ripple of muscle. 

It was the matte black acrylic-like scales, however, that seemed to stick out menacingly. They were littered in selective patches on the dragon’s skin and came in various sizes. The patch that stuck out the most was on the dragon’s neck, covering half the skin up in onyx. And then the small scale directly above the dragon’s right eyebrow, slender and curved like a crescent. 

The air around Jimin turned to a boiling temperature and belatedly the fairy realized it was due to the sharp breaths exhaling from the dragon’s flaring nostrils. Steam twisted like heated tendrils and Jimin almost expected smoke to form. There was no existing creature with a fiery temper comparable to a Dragons’ and it suddenly became quite clear to Jimin that the one in front of him was beyond pissed. 

Rightfully so, considering the drink that spilled on him must’ve been a fruity concoction because the whole white of the dragon’s shirt was now stained in a murky pink. Jimin readied another apology on his lips but faltered when the dragon brought a large tattooed hand up to wrench at his ruined shirt, long fingers glammed up with rings which gleamed like expensive silk. 

“Look what you’ve done half-breed, I just bought this outfit today .” Reptile eyes closed into slits as they glared down at Jimin. 

“Hey! Watch your fucking mouth flame-breath,” Hoseok snapped, stepping in with flashing eyes after hearing the dragon’s discriminating words. “It was an accident.”

“You mind yours ,” a new voice slithered in. The dragon had a companion at his side, another dragon hybrid who had dark grey hair and feline eyes. An odd mix that managed to get pulled off. 

In the human world, Dragons would be what people considered ‘first class’. Rich, wealthy, generously well off. If they’re known for their flaring temper, then they’re also known for being at the top of the golden chain. They reigned a regal and lavish lifestyle, and the majority of dragons unsurprisingly come from a naturally rich background to begin with. Expensive clothing brands, jewelry, cars, cologne, shoes, and accessories like diamond encrusted Rolex watches and money (which they treated like their favorite accessory), was like breathing air for them. 

Apparently, their shit ass attitude came just as easily as well. 

Whatever guilt Jimin felt for the dragon withered. His mother always told him never to judge a book by its cover and to disregard stereotypes but if all dragons were like this, it was no wonder they kept to themselves. Or maybe why everyone else simply avoided them. 

“Mommy and daddy pampered scaled snobs too?” The words dropped like coal from Jimin’s mouth before his brain could keep up. However, once it did, Jimin continued. “Not a humble scale in sight.”

It only took one step for the seething dragon to crowd in Jimin’s space and Jimin to realize their height difference had to be at least a foot. 

“And what would a half-breed know about humble?” The condescending sneer on the dragon’s visage really wrecked the appeal that was there. 

Jimin snapped. He didn’t think as he snatched the red cup from the dragon’s hand and tossed the remaining contents still inside right in the unsuspecting face. Dragons were big but they moved fast, and Jimin found himself off the ground and suspended in the air by the front of his shirt in the next second, caught by a clawed hand.

“Jimin!”

“Jeongguk, no !”

There was a series of feral growls and sounds of scuffling before Jimin stumbled down to the floor and Hoseok was at his side in moments. “Jimin, are you okay?! Are you hurt? Look at me. I. Will. Kill. Him.“

Despite the situation at hand, Jimin couldn’t help but let out a short stream of laughter at that. “I’m fine, Hobi, no killing anyone.”

Except Taehyung and Jeongguk, who were locked in a fight that many were trying to break up, seemed to be hellbent on killing each other. Jimin’s heart ripped free from his chest at the sight and he scrambled to his feet, shouting Taehyung’s name. 

“Taehyung, stop!” Jimin attempted to get close but Hoseok detained him. “Hobi-“

Before Jimin could finish his protesting, Taehyung came sailing towards the two fairies and landed in a heap at their feet. Jimin and Hoseok were down beside him in an instant, fretting over his cut lip and a smarting cheek but Taehyung offered them a grin as if he wasn’t just thrown by a dragon. 

“This is nothing, babes.”

“Your lip is bleeding,” Jimin narrowed his eyes at the wound and watched Hoseok gently dab at it with his finger. 

“Kiss it better.”

Hoseok sighed and pulled them up. “I think we should probably go now.”

Jimin glued himself to Taehyung’s side and welcomed the arm that came to rest around his waist as they began to make their way towards the exit. He ignored everyone else around them, not even sparing a backwards glance at the jackass dragon. 

He hoped they never crossed paths on campus or anywhere else. 

~

Hope was something Jimin should know by now did not favor him in the slightest. He really felt like he was being someone’s amusement from the Upstairs, and that his misfortune was simply put out there for their entertainment because getting into an almost fight with a dragon apparently wasn’t sufficient enough to put Jimin through. But taking that same dragon and making him Jimin’s new Spell’s class partner seemed to do the trick. Not that Jimin had a partner to begin with, but still. The point remained the same. 

The dragon, Jeon Jeongguk, who Jimin learned more about last night from his soulmates, was being transferred into this class from another. The instructor said something about a mix up but Jimin failed to see how that was his problem and why he was being punished for it. Because now, for the rest of the semester, he would have to see and interact with Jeongguk three days a week.

Utter joy .

Jeongguk made it very clear that he wasn't happy about the newest arrangement either. It was one thing being in the same room with someone he didn’t like but having to be their partner was just headache inducing. Not to mention said partner being the half breed freak who ruined his eight-hundred dollar shirt. 

So now the two were sitting at Jimin’s once humble lone table for day one of hell, a chunk of space between them and a noticeable tension one could slice clean with a knife. Jimin inwardly sighed to himself as he opened his magic book and readied for whatever the hour would bring. 

~

“I hate his fucking guts.” 

Hoseok shot a sympathetic smile down at the lump lying face down on the bed before sitting himself down beside a pair of legs and gingerly patted them. “I’m sorry, Minnie. I wish he wasn’t your partner.”

Jimin groaned into his pillow. It’s been only a week, one week , since he and Jeongguk became partners and already he was at his wits end with the unbearable dragon. He was disgustingly demanding and controlling, and always wore a sneer around Jimin who at least tried to be civil but Jeongguk was infuriating. 

Today, they bickered over a passage in the spell’s book and barely made a dent in progress without wanting to kill each other. It was exhausting. 

“He’s just so- ugh. He doesn’t want to listen to what I have to say and thinks his big, bobble headed ass is right all the time when he’s not! He bosses me around like I’m some slave and pretty much ignores me unless he wants something. And you know what he called me today? He called me ‘avatar fairy’!” Jimin fumed and curled his tiny hands into angry fists. 

Hoseok blinked. “Uh, that’s new...but better than the H word right? He hasn’t called you that again, has he? Because if he has, I will send a wind storm to his ugly frat house and let it rip, just say the word baby.”

Jimin shook his head and more muffled sounds streamed from his pouting little body. Hoseok hummed and spread himself down on the bed next to the other fairy, resting his arms and head on Jimin’s ass. 

“Well, want to hone on your Air magic? We haven’t practiced in awhile and you almost got the air wave down. And you wanted to learn the mini cyclone, ‘member?”

Jimin perked up a little at that. From the time he met Hoseok and the elder learned he was an Elemental fairy but could barely use any magic, Hoseok took it upon himself to teach him Air which Jimin enjoyed immensely. According to both his mother and Hoseok, Air was the easiest element to learn, although the latter may have been speaking from a biased side. 

“Yeah, that sounds good. I feel like I’ve been slacking anyway,” Jimin replied as he shoved himself up and glanced backwards after hearing an airy ‘oof’ from Hoseok who face planted the bed when Jimin moved. “Oops, sorry love.”

“You’re fine. Where ya wanna practice? Rooftop? Balcony? Park?”

~

“Not yet! Do you want to nuke the class?” Jimin nearly shrieked when he saw the lava crystal Jeongguk was about to put into their cauldron. The steps strictly instructed them to add the aforementioned ingredient last in order to create the steaming effect it would need for the spell, and Jimin vocally pointed this out to the other. 

Blood eyes rolled and a claw hand swished dismissively before it released the crystal into the pot. “Don’t tell me what to do, tiny avatar.”

“ Don’t call me that!” Jimin hissed before rushing to grab tongs to fish the crystal back out of the cauldron and let the steaming stone clatter on their table top. The sudden noise garnered attention from the other students nearby who paused their task to stare. “And what are you, ten? It’s what the instructions say, clear as day.”

Jeongguk’s nostrils flared. “You sayin’ I can’t read?”

“If the shoe fits.” 

It’s really a wonder that Jimin can’t hold his tongue because  by now, he should’ve known Jeongguk’s response was to square up, quite literally, in his space. But Jimin wasn’t deterred by their height difference, which the dragon clearly was using for his advantage, and crossed his arms over his chest as he glared up defiantly at Jeongguk who crowded him.

Jeongguk’s ruby red eyes were narrowed into dangerous slits. “You don’t want this smoke.”

Jimin rolled his eyes. “Look, all I’m saying is that it hasn’t been a walk in the park being your partner for the last two weeks and it wouldn’t hurt for you to learn to be, I don’t know, a bit more cooperative and less of an ass.” 

“Mr. Jeon, Mr. Park, if there are any difficulties you’re having that you’d like to share with the class you so rudely interrupted, please do so. Otherwise, Mr. Jeon, quit smothering him and continue your work quietly .” Their instructor suddenly cut in with a curt tone, the warning behind her words evident. 

Jeongguk stepped back and Jimin took a breath before they both moved back into action.

“We need to put in-“

“I said, don’t tell me what to do.”

“I’m just trying to say-“

“It’s already in there.”

Jimin huffed and tried not to glare as he looked over at Jeongguk. “You won’t even let me finish.”

“Not a requirement.”

This damn-

“The only thing left needed was the crystal but you fucked that up,” Jeongguk bluntly put as he sat on the provided stool for their desk and pulled out his phone. 

“The Elder root and crushed emerald haven’t been added, jackass,” Jimin snapped. 

“I added them a while ago.” 

Unbelievable. 

“And you were going to inform me this when?” When Jeongguk didn’t answer, Jimin seethed. “This isn’t a solo assignment, we’re supposed to do this together! Did you even follow the order or did you just throw in random shit?”

“Why are you so uptight about the order? Shit’s coming out the same way regardless, just add the fucking crystal and quit your whining.”

At this point, Jimin didn’t care if he passed this spell or not. Having such an insufferable partner did that to him. Flared temper or not, he really shouldn’t have grabbed the crystal that had taken a swim in their incomplete concoction, with his bare hands. Or smacked it against Jeongguk’s arm. The crossed contamination went all around, even more so when Jeongguk wrenched the crystal from Jimin’s hands and the rock crushed in his strong hands, red, hot crystallized powder exploded over them both. 

“Are you happy now?!” Jimin demanded angrily, uncaring of the mess he was standing in.

“That was your fault!” Jeongguk snapped back with flashing eyes. 

“ No no no. This was your fault, if you would’ve just listened to me-“

“Mr. Jeon, Mr. Park,” again, their instructor intercepted their hot headed bickering. Except this time, her tone was eerily calm with an edge of steel. “I suggest you both pack it up and get to seeing the healer unless you want to continue glowing like fireflies for the remainder of your day.”

At that, the two glanced down at themselves before at each other, eyes widening at the soft lime light glow emanating from their clothes. 

“Don’t touch anything on your way out or the way there. Leave your belongings, I’ll make sure they get to you later on. Go.” 

~

“What did healer Kim say?” Taehyung asked Jimin later that night.

Jimin was sent home after his visit with the school’s healer along with a magic soap bar which was known to erase any contaminated traces of magic or scent off instantly. After taking a long bath and scrubbing himself down until there was nothing left of the bar, Jimin slipped on his pajamas and decided to make hot herbal tea before going to bed. 

Jimin was perched on their barstool at the cozy island and held his elephant mug steaming with honey lavender scented tea. Taehyung was standing opposite of him and propped against the counter with an open bag of sour gummy worms beside him. 

“By the time we got there, the glowing had stopped and he couldn’t detect anything wrong with our vitals or anything. He said the only thing he could do for us was the soap but if anything happened, to just come see him.”

“How do you feel?” Taehyung had concern showing bright in his eyes. 

“I’m okay, Tae. Mostly irritated because now we have to start over,” Jimin sighed and took a sip of his tea. 

They were so close to finishing, too. 

“Okay, well let me know if you need anything babe. Hobi will be back late but I’ll be here if, you know, maybe you start glowing back up again or something,” Taehyung said.

Jimin rolled his eyes fondly before sliding off the stool with a small yawn. “I’m just gonna head to bed. Thank god it’s Friday, won’t have to deal with Jeongguk’s irritating scales. Night, Tae.”

“Sleep well, babe.”

~

Everything had been going fine at first, nothing out of the ordinary happened after the mishap. Jimin, despite his… differences he had with Jeongguk, managed to work through another grueling session with him and together they managed to complete their spell before moving on to another. His other classes were going well, along with his practice Air sessions with Hoseok, and he got to talk with his parents which was always nice.

Things were fine. 

Until they weren’t.

It all started happening almost a week after the incident; the headaches and dizzy spells, unable to hold down food. Jimin didn’t understand what was going on with his body that suddenly felt like it was shifted off balance. It was as though his body was missing something vital and acted out against Jimin in trying to seek out whatever it needed. Food and liquids were rejected regardless if Jimin was hungry or thirsty, his body simply locked up.

Then came the rush of an odd sensation that filled his head, made his mind fuzzy and disoriented. Like a cloud carrying thoughts and emotions that weren’t his own, yet he still felt and experienced them as if they belonged to him. It was beyond disturbing, particularly when he slept and snippets of unknown images filtered in his dreams. People he’s never seen or met and unfamiliar sceneries filled his head.

It was random and weird. Above all, the strangest thing Jimin found was that Jeongguk seemed to be fairing the same as him. The dragon looked groggy whenever he spotted him on campus, with grey bags under his eyes like he hadn’t been sleeping. There was a sluggish aura that cupped him but surprisingly, the sickly tint seemed to vanish when they were in class together.

Jimin oddly felt better during those times. 

“You looked like you were going to kick rocks earlier, tiny avatar. Where’d this glow come from.”

Jimin paused in organizing his ingredients when he heard the rough voice and glanced over at Jeongguk, eyes widening slightly as he scanned the other who looked refreshed and much healthier. 

“Funny, so did you. And please don’t say glow or call me that.”

Jeongguk snorted. “I’ve felt like shit in the last few days but for some reason now, I’m energized. I was gonna go visit healer Kim thinking the soap didn’t work but I guess it just took time to hit.”

Jimin arched a silver brow and a slight frown dipped his lips. Jeongguk had been feeling under the weather as well? 

“Um. Did you get bad headaches or couldn’t eat, something like that?” Jimin earned a side glance from slanted blood red eyes as a response and tried to elaborate. “It’s just that, I’ve been feeling pretty shitty too and wondered if it had anything to do with, you know.”

Jeongguk looked away as he scratched at a scale on his neck. “Nah. But when I ate, I always got nauseous afterward. I just couldn’t sleep that well, had some crazy ass dreams that kept me up.”

Now this really couldn’t be a coincidence.

Jimin was lost in thought for the rest of class, wondering if the powder from the crystal caused some type of damage or something, or maybe the magic soap bar was out of date giving him and Jeongguk weird symptoms. 

When the class ended, Jeongguk let out a relieved groan as he packed up his belongings and left Jimin who slowly trailed behind. Jeongguk was halfway out the door when he felt a sharp pain in his side but the startled hiss of pain did not leave from his mouth; it left Jimin’s. 

Jimin, who delicately rubbed his side that was rammed into the edge of his desk by the impatient vampire sneering venomously as she walked past him. The stab of pain Jeongguk felt was on his right side, too. His eyes met Jimin’s for a fleeting moment before he stormed out of the room. 

That night for Jeongguk, the dreams began. Dreams of a young boy with familiar eyes that glittered like gems. Strikingly different in color and a laughter so harmonious and soothing. The boy was a free spirit and brightened Jeongguk’s way. And then the pleasant dream turned sour and the boy’s laughter drowned into sobs, into terrorized cries. A blanket of darkness covered the dream and Jeongguk found himself struggling to breathe.

He jolted up in bed with a violent start, clothes sticking to him from sweat.

He knew those eyes.

What the fuck .

~

“I think you should visit healer Kim again,” Hoseok tutted softly.

Jimin whimpered softly in response and curled up further on their living room couch. The mere thought of getting up and having to move sent a wave of nausea straight through him.

A new week was closing in and the only time Jimin didn’t feel like his body was trying to reject his soul was when he was in class with Jeongguk. For whatever reason, being near the dragon momentarily halted his discomforts. The headaches would fade, the dizziness cleared up, and his body felt rejuvenated. 

Earlier in class, their hands had accidentally brushed and it took everything in Jimin to restrain himself from reaching out to Jeongguk after the other swiftly snatched his hand away. It had been both electrifying and maddening, a healing burn. 

Jimin found himself missing the sensation and bit his lip as he slumped further into the cushions. 

“Jimin. I’m taking you to healer Kim, there’s no way this can continue!” 

“No, Hobi,” Jimin started in a feeble voice. 

“Don’t tell me ‘no’, look at you! We’re-“

A series of rapid knocks interrupted Hoseok, the insistent raps echoed through the apartment in a tone of urgency. The Air fairy sat up from where he’d been sitting beside Jimin’s curled up form with knitted snowy brows and fluttered over to the front door.

Jimin couldn’t place what he felt suddenly or why a zapping energy seemed to surge through him and cleared his foggy mind but when Hoseok opened the door, it hit him like an air wave. 

Jeongguk, along with another dragon, stood in the doorway, and was leaning heavily against his companion looking out of it. Despite being hunched over slightly, they both still towered above Hoseok who blinked at them in confusion. 

“Uh...hello?”

“Hi,” Jeongguk’s companion greeted back without missing a beat. He was from the frat party that night and offered a rugged smile at Hoseok before training his eyes on Jimin. “Sorry to barge in unannounced, but we really need to talk.”

Jimin sat up slowly as he traced his eyes over Jeongguk’s haggard appearance before meeting the dragon’s gaze. 

“Actually, Jimin isn’t feeling too well and I want to take him to healer Kim so right now’s not a good time. He doesn’t look good either, maybe he should see the healer too,” Hoseok replied and nodded at Jeongguk before he watched amethyst eyes flicker a burning gaze over his shoulder. 

“He looks fine to me.”

Perplexed, Hoseok whipped around and startled at the sight of Jimin. One would never have known he’d just been lifeless on the couch now that he was on his feet and harbored an almost pristine, healthy glow which caressed him. 

“Jimin-?” 

“And Jeongguk is fine, too. That’s why we need to talk,” the dragon with amethyst eyes said. 

Hoseok looked back at the dragons and couldn’t help the soft gasp that fell from his lips as he gawked at Jeongguk. Gone was the sickly ashen tint and in place the natural gleam dragons carried. Jeongguk was standing upright on his own, his companion’s support no longer needed. 

Hoseok glanced between the two before he hesitantly stepped back to allow them entry. “Come in.”

“Thanks. Also, sorry about that night at the party, Guk can be a hot head and I’m, eh, a tad testier when tipsy. I’m Kim Yugyeom by the way and Healer Kim is my older brother. We actually just came back from visiting him because Guk almost lost a wing during our Flight. Seemed to have caught a random stomach bug all a sudden.”

Both Jimin and Hoseok blinked at the new rush of information given by the amethyst eyed dragon, Yugyeom, who easily made himself at home in their living room. The couch, which Hoseok joined Jimin on, loveseat, and Taehyung’s hanging basket chair were the only furniture that took up the space besides the silky plushed carpet that spread under said furniture as the finishing touch. 

Yugyeom sank down on the delicate loveseat and Jeongguk followed suit. They looked like buff sardines but oddly made it work.

“This wasn’t the first time Guk got sick this week. Other weird shit has been going on with him, too, and to my understanding, it’s the same with Jimin, yeah?” Yugyeom continued. “Like I said, Healer Kim is my older brother and after what happened tonight with Guk getting sick out of the blue, I dragged his ass to my brother. Guk told me about the magic spillage you guys had a while ago and I think it’s safe to say the soap bar my brother gave you didn’t help.”

“Guk said you guys were making a Body Link spell before the accident happened, and the lava crystal took a dunk in but before it got its job done, Jimin took it back out.”

Jimin felt like he was being accused somehow and narrowed his eyes at Jeongguk who returned a level headed gaze of his own. “I did but only because he put it in too early,” his airy huff was indignant.

Yugyeom chuckled. “I’m not saying it’s your fault-“

“Even though it very much was,” Jeongguk’s blunt voice cut over Yugyeom. 

Jimin bristled. “You’re the one who damaged it in the first place. If it hadn’t been for you, we wouldn’t have had to start over.” 

“You should’ve just left the crystal alone instead of brandishing it like some sword and using it as a weapon against me- it was a toothpick by the way, in your mitten hand,” Jeongguk scoffed.

Mitten hand ? Jimin seethed and went to retaliate but froze when he heard wispy, airy bells coming from beside him. He whipped over to see Hoseok holding both hands against his mouth, slender shoulders shaking softly. 

“Hobi, there is nothing funny!” Jimin whined and swatted at the older fairy who muffled the rest of his giggling. Rolling his eyes, Jimin looked across at Yugyeom. “Sorry, but can we please hurry this up?”

The dragon nodded. “Yeah, so here’s the basic rundown. My brother said because you guys were doing a Body Link spell and that the crystal played a vital role in it but got tampered with, it gave you guys side effects. Normally, magic soap bars would be able to erase said side effects, however, the Body Link wasn’t finished. It was closer to more of a Bond spell so the side effects you guys have been experiencing are from a Bond.”

“A Bond?” Jimin parroted. He glanced at Jeongguk who was inspecting invisible dirt on his designer pants and pursed his lips. The only thing he’s experienced with the dragon was headaches and frustration.

“Yes. But here’s the thing; considering your status Jimin, you’re less affected by it than Jeongguk is. This spell is efficient on non-humans so only half of you has been getting the side effects. You’ve probably been feeling fatigue and nauseous, possible migraines? The reason behind those is because the Bond wants you two together, being apart becomes excruciating the longer the spell is in effect. Meanwhile, Jeongguk can feel all of that from you. Not only that, but your dreams and thoughts will start to bleed into his-“

“The dreams already started,” Jeongguk supplied nonchalantly. 

Yugyeom swerved on “-okay, so the thoughts will probably be next-“ 

“That’s got to be the lamest joke,” Jimin deadpanned. But then he recalled the images of strangers in his dream and felt his chest tighten. 

Yugyeom sighed heavily. “Look, this is what my brother explained to us earlier but you are more than free to go talk to him yourself.  Before you do that, I wanted to discuss why we really came. Besides telling you about the Bond, of course. My brother and I think the Bond is well past the stage of wanting you two close, hence why the shitty up and down illness that goes away when you’re both in class, am I right?” 

Neither Jeongguk or Jimin reply to that, both finally making sense as to why that was. If the Bond really was connecting them, it explained so much of what’s been happening. 

“As I said before, Jeongguk is mainly taking the brunt of it and not sleeping or focusing well, but Jimin, you feel bad too when you guys aren’t near. Healer Kim told me this will wear off, though he doesn’t know exactly when, the spell is like pixie fever or, uh, whatever that sickness is called humans get.”

“A cold?” Jimin supplied.

Yugyeom nodded. “Yes, exactly. So this isn’t a forever doom for you guys, just a temporary but my brother thought you guys staying together would speed up the healing process. He’s working on a counter attack potion but doesn’t know how long he’ll be so he suggested you comply with the ‘dizzy as shit because of distance between you two’ issue and stick… close. Soooo, wanna test that out and stay the night at our place?”

~

Almost an hour later found Jimin with a packed small overnight bag, an unhappy, growling Taehyung, and a stony Jeongguk. 

Jimin dropped his bag by the door before going to console his seething soulmate who was stewing angrily in his basket chair. Taehyung had returned home from a late evening class right in time to listen in on Yugyeom ‘suggestion’ and nearly blew a fuse.

“And you really think this will help?” Hoseok asked Yugyeom. The two were in the kitchen hashing out last scattered details. “I mean, I’ve heard of the Bond but the symptoms Jimin’s been having, even being half human, doesn’t match them.”

Yugyeom hummed and tapped his mug of lukewarm tea absentmindedly. “I think it will. At least, I really hope for Jeongguk’s sake since he’s been such a mess. He wasn’t focused during our flights and whenever he was home, he wouldn’t sleep. Or when he did sleep, he’d wake up yelling from bad dreams. When I came to pick him up from class a few days ago, I was surprised because he didn’t look like the corpse I had dropped off from before. It was only when we left that he reverted back that I realized something was off. After digging deep with my brother about it and figuring out it’s Jimin he needs to get better, that’s all I want to do for him. He hasn’t slept decently in almost a week but he’s too stubborn to admit how much it’s fucking him up.”

“Well. As long as he’s cordial with Jimin, I’m sure my baby won’t mind helping however he can,” Hoseok said. “He’s petty when provoked though, might build a pillow wall or something.”

The dragon snickered. “Guk will manage.”

“However, there’s another wall he’ll have to deal with and that’s Taehyung.”

True enough, Taehyung was hardly in any state to be pleased, not even Jimin who had curled himself almost fully in the tiger’s lap and was doing his best to calm him down.

“It’s only for one night, Tae, so quit worrying. Plus, I’ll facetime you goodnight. And it’s only across campus, you know where I’ll be,” Jimin mumbled into the crook of Taehyung’s neck before nuzzling his button nose against the smooth skin.

“I don’t see why you have to be the one to go or sleep in the same bed. Make him sleep on the floor,” Taehyung snarled, uncaring that the bane of his sour mood was just a few feet away.

Jeongguk made no sign of hearing him though. The dragon was stationed against the door stonily with his arms crossed over his broad chest. 

“Tempting,” Jimin smiled before looking up when he heard Hoseok’s voice call his name. “Yeah?”

“You ready?” Hoseok returned from the kitchen with Yugyeom. 

“Hey,” Taehyung’s booming voice finally got Jeongguk’s attention and the dragon looked up to receive a glare, “You fuck with him or lay a hand on him again, and I’ll fuck you up in a new world of hurt. You got lucky at the party but I’m sober now.”

Jeongguk cocked an eyebrow. “You tryin’ to handle something right now?” 

“Not in my damn house, you won’t,” Hoseok cut in sternly. He gave both of them a heated glare of his own.

Jimin inwardly sighed before he patted Taehyung’s cheek softly as he slid off his warm lap and made his way over to the dragons waiting for him. No, he honestly wasn’t ready, but because he’s mature enough to partially own up to being at slight fault for the condition Jeongguk was in, he would suck it up and get through this.

~

Jeongguk’s bed was huge. Out of all the flashy belongings that filled the dragon’s room, it was his ginormous as fuck bed that topped everything else. The triple king took up an entire wall side and had mini steps installed on both sides and the foot of bed. Blood red sheets, covered by a midnight silk comforter, spilled elegantly down the sides like a river while matching pillows lined the head of it, not a wrinkle in sight. 

“You haven’t seen a bed before?” Jeongguk snorted as he side eyed Jimin’s bewildered expression while gathering clothes from his walk-in closet. 

The Elemental fairy scoffed softly before he mumbled under his breath, “Loaded dick.” He dropped his bag on the ground before taking a long look around the room. It honestly felt like he was in a mall instead of a bedroom with all the leather furniture, extravagant decor, and glossy electronics. Even the high ceilings stretched above in a massive, elegant arch with halo lights filtering down in gentle glows. 

“I’m taking a shower. Don’t wander.” 

Jimin rolled his eyes as Jeongguk walked out the room. He wasn’t a five year old. “The only thing I’d get lost in is this damn bed.” With a sigh, Jimin began to get ready for bed. 

After his FaceTime call with his soulmates and he was settled in, he briefly wondered if he should build a pillow wall. It was more for Jeongguk’s sake considering Jimin was a mover in bed but then he perished the thought- Jeongguk’s bed had plenty of enough space between them, it would be fine without. 

So, with a soft airy yawn, Jimin curled on his side and fell asleep. 

He dreamed of younger Jimin. Nothing good came out of younger Jimin, it was all painful memories just strung together on replay. Younger Jimin getting tripped in the halls, younger Jimin being laughed at in class, younger Jimin being held down by many arms while someone’s hand pressed over his mouth, muffling his cries.

Jimin jerked up flailing with a panicked wail. His heart thudded in his chest, off rhythm and hard, while sweat made his pajamas stick to him uncomfortably. The sheets were sticking to him as well and he peeled them off with trembling hands, eyes stinging and mind shot. Why was he suddenly dreaming about that time? He brought his hands up to his face, soft palms hiding the few tears that escaped. 

“Hey.”

Jimin flinched at the deep voice and looked over to see Jeongguk sitting up on his side of the bed and staring at him. The dragon’s eyes seemed to know. 

Jimin looked down, a twinge of humiliation wrapped around him. “Didn’t mean to wake you up,” he mumbled before laying down again, back turned to the other. He jumped when he felt something cold slide across his neck and whipped around to see Jeongguk was offering him a water bottle. “O-oh, thank you.”

After taking a few chilled sips, Jimin felt a little calmer and collected. However, Jeongguk was still watching him, which was slightly unnerving and made him feel self-conscious. “What?” 

“Nothing.”

But when time passed and Jimin felt himself succumbing to sleep again, he felt a weight dip behind him and a shadow loom over him. With closed eyes and soft, even breathing, he looked asleep to Jeongguk who, with a gentleness Jimin never would’ve guessed he was capable of, used a long, slender finger to brush his tears away.

~

Neither of them spoke about that night and went on as normal as usual the next day. Some slight bickering and banter, but no headaches or dizzying spells. Their respective circle of friends noticed the difference between them, could see their healthy glow returned and decided to keep the overnights a recurring part of their schedule while Healer Kim still worked on a counter potion. 

It was some days later when Jeongguk swung open his door to reveal Jimin’s petite frame -which did not make a single dent in the broad doorway- greeted him and once again, Jeongguk, who unabashedly looked the fairy over taking in his size and perfectly proportioned body, was reminded how they almost got into a fight all those weeks ago. 

It was truly mind blowing that a fairy, a half one at that even, didn’t back down from a dragon’s wrath. If anything, Jeongguk now found it kind of arousing and this one in particular wasn’t so bad on the eyes...at all, really. Silky silver hair and alluring eyes that reminded Jeongguk of his mother’s gems, particularly the gorgeous lavender shade which was the same as his mother’s collection of kunzites. 

“Why do you keep answering the door shirtless?” Jimin sassed and walked past Jeongguk with his night bag in hand.

“I’m working out.”

Jimin whirled on the spot and gave Jeongguk a disapproving stare, “Stop it. Nothing else on you needs to get worked on. Except that hot head,” Jimin added as an afterthought.

Kim Mingyu, another dragon and Jeongguk’s friend who lived there, was passing by and overheard Jimin. “Agreed, tiny avatar. Guk, keep that temper in check.”

Jeongguk rolled his eyes and closed the door, Jimin’s complaint of ‘Stop calling me that’ getting sealed behind it.

~

It was kind of weird how they were slowly getting along. With all the time they were putting in together, it was bound to happen at some point or other but still, Jimin wasn’t used to having someone outside of his soulmates. 

Even Jeongguk’s flatmates had grown on him and vice versa, considering he was showing up every day of the week now. They also picked up the nickname ‘tiny avatar’ for him, as infuriating as that was, despite him unable to barely use three/fourths of his Element power. 

He and Jeongguk were on the bed, snacks and bottles of drinks between them as they had finished watching a movie a while ago on the glossy flat screen tv. Jimin doesn’t know how they got on the topics of their parents but he found himself answering Jeongguk’s curious questions.

“I thought everyone knew my mom was the fairy and my dad human,” Jimin mused as he chewed on a pink lemonade starburst. 

Jeongguk shrugged. “Rumors spread but I don’t stick my nose in business that’s none of my own. And I go to the source for my answers, don’t have time for unreliable middle men.”

“I can respect that. Yeah, mom lived here her whole life before she met dad.”

“And your powers?”

“Hobi has helped me a lot with Air and I can do little Water, but the other two are completely out of reach.”

Jeongguk seemed hesitant with his next question and Jimin observed him, already knowing what the dragon wanted to ask. 

“I don’t have wings,” Jimin said in a plain voice, “I got my mom’s eyes and hair, and some ounces of her powers but that’s it. What about your parents?”

Jeongguk rested back against the headboard of pillows, long legs stretched out and naked, chiseled torso on display. “They’re both busy with running their own companies. Mom has a bizarre knack for gems and jewels, and my dad’s an architect. Inherited the family business or whatever. My brother wants to take over when dad retires.”

“You have a brother? Is he older or younger?”

“Older.”

Jimin started to clean up around him, gathering up empty wrappers and piling them together. “Mhm, that’s nice. How is it with the flying? My mom took me on her flights when I was little, I remember the rush and my stomach turning but in a good way.”

“It’s exhilarating,” Jeongguk breathed out.

He didn’t see the small, envious smile on Jimin’s lips. 

It was fairly late when they decided to turn in. They discussed their current situation for a little bit and wondered how long they’d be ‘bonded’ for. Jimin slipped under the sheets after his nightly FaceTime session with Hoseok and Taehyung. A snort of amusement sounded from behind him and he glanced over his shoulder, phone still in hand.

“What?” He quipped, eyes narrowing at Jeongguk’s amused facial expression.

“They really are like your parents,” the dragon snickered and nodded at the phone. 

Jimin huffed. “No they’re not, we’re just close.”

“Very close. When did they come into the picture? Thought you said you were homeschooled or something,” Jeongguk asked as he shuffled around behind Jimin, sliding under the sheets as well. 

“I went to the high school here and that’s where we met. But that’s a story for another day if your interest doesn’t go away.”

“It’s whatever to me,” Jeongguk mumbled and turned off the lights. 

However, a few hours later Jimin woke up in the dark, his body cold despite being under the covers. It doesn’t take long for him to discover that some fucking how, he made it to Jeongguk’s side of the bed and accidentally settled against the sleeping dragon. 

It wasn’t the contact that startled him but how cold the dragon felt. Damn reptiles, their bodies were icy as stone. And the fact that Jeongguk slept without a shirt was even more frustrating. He couldn’t see much but he felt quite a lot considering how cozied up he was. With blushing cheeks, Jimin quietly scooted himself back over to his side and closed his eyes, willing sleep to come whisk him away once more. 

~ 

“Half-breed.”

Jimin coughed as colorful smoke surrounded him, the source coming from the thirty or so smoke bombs that had just tumbled from his locker and scattered everywhere; near his feet and rolling in different directions down the hall. The smoky cloud of sky blue, magenta, orange and reddish hues took a few long moments to settle but when it finally did, everyone present in the hallway could see the unhappy purse of Jimin’s lips. 

After a quick scan of himself and taking note that only his clothes were stained in color, Jimin continued with his previous intent of gathering his summoning book for Summons class which he was already late for to begin with but now even more so because the pixies seemed to have it out for him especially today. At least on the bright side the smoke bombs were scentless. A few weeks ago he hadn’t been so lucky and had to rush back to his dorm to shower and change. He missed half his morning classes from that stunt. 

Ignoring the leers, badly stifled laughter that filled the air, and the occasional ‘Half-breed’ thrown his way, Jimin simply closed his locker and made his way to class. Multiple eyes followed him as he deserted the mess at his locker, but it was the striking ruby orbs that marked every step he took. 

And then Jeongguk blinked, and the passing memory vanished. 

“What the fuck?” 

“Mr. Jeon, if you have such objections from my teachings, you may leave freely on your own but your grade will not be going with you.” 

Jeongguk realized that he blurted the word and everyone, including Jimin, stared at him funnily. He hastily apologized for his disruption and was glad when the instructor prattled on. 

“You okay?” Jimin whispered but Jeongguk heard the concern laced in his tone clear as day. 

He leaned closer to Jimin and pinned the fairy with his piercing ruby eyes, “I apologize for calling you a half-breed. It was inexcusable and I’m sincerely sorry.” And maybe there was something else in his expression or tone because Jimin just gawked at him.

When the class ended, Jimin and Jeongguk left together. 

“Um, thank you, Jeongguk. That meant a lot and I accept your apology. I’m also sorry for back there, what you had to see, that was possibly my fault for dozing off,” Jimin mumbled. 

“Don’t be sorry, neither one of us can help this. Besides, it’ll wear off. I’m just- fuck, it just pissed me off. You had an even more baby face than now, was that your freshman year?”

Jimin nodded. “Yes, it was. That happened right before I met Tae and Hobi, so that was the last big prank they could get on me. I hope you’re not pitying me right now, otherwise I will send your ass flying with my air wave.”

Jimin twisted his index finger in the air and Jeongguk couldn’t help but snort in amusement when he saw the delicate air current the fairy conjured up. 

“No, I’m not pitying you, so put your mittens up. Look, I might beat someone up for personal reasons-“

“Like when I accidentally spilled your drink on your shirt?”

“Yeah, okay, I didn’t have to go off that hard but you threw the rest of it in my face.” Jeongguk quickly added, “Which I deserved,” when Jimin tossed him a stony blank look. “For calling you what I did which I regret because I knew what I was meaning when I said that.”

Jimin nodded. “I appreciate that you understand the weight they carried and the fact you’re the only one who’s ever apologized means a lot to me. So, thank you,” Jimin sent the other a smile as they walked.

Jeongguk’s anger flared up. “None of those dick ass bitches apolo-“ 

“Jeon Jeongguk. Kinda hanging out with a new crowd recently, haven’t you?” Choi Seungcheol, a white dragon, veered into view wearing a crooked smirk. He was flanked by two others, both who were giving off sneers.

The bad blood with this certain dragon ran deep; Jeongguk and his family clashed heavily with the Choi family, as they were opposites and their families both fought to be on the top. The Jeon family secured that role for generations while the Choi continued desperately to find ways to overthrow them, which failed every time. 

“Funny though, I distinctly remember you went on a rampage that night after the party about a certain half-breed, called him all sorts of names yet here you are at his side. Greetings, half-breed.” Seungcheol gave Jimin a single, mocking wave before his arm was snatched up.

Jeongguk twisted the older’s dragon’s arm with a warning growl. “ Don’t call him that. Apologize.”

Seungcheol’s two lackeys moved in to help him but were flung backwards by Jeongguk’s onyx wings which he snapped out like fists. The jagged scales, blacker than ink and thicker than steel, glinted under the sunlight. 

“Jeongguk!” Jimin closed the distance to reach Jeongguk and rested a hesitant hand on the dragon’s arm, mindful of the massive wings, “he’s not worth it, they never are. Let’s go.”

“He got you by the claws that quick?” Seungcheol drawled out in a slight pinched voice from pain, “that’s pathetic for you, Jeon.”

Jeongguk shrugged Jimin’s small hand off him. “Shut the fuck up. The only one pathetic is you, with your low-life, bottom feeder status. Let’s not forget the reason you’re even here; I allow you to show your ugly mug, don’t ever forget that. Your place will always be beneath me.” 

“FUCK YOU!” 

Jeongguk easily dodged the half-ass swing Seungcheol tried to land on him and immobilized that arm as well. He held the other’s arms in a backwards cross and was in the process of snapping them back when Jimin’s cry rang through their Bond and pierced the air.

“Jeongguk, stop !”

Jeongguk could feel the anxiety swelling up in Jimin and realized it wasn’t Seungcheol who made him feel that way, but himself. He could see the way Jimin’s eyes flickered around them and noticed the small nosy crowd that had shuffled close. Jimin looked like he wanted to be anywhere but there as he held Jeongguk's arm once again. It all just irritated Jeongguk further, especially when his keen ears caught ‘half-breed’ from the crowd, and he suddenly wanted no eyes on Jimin, whatsoever. 

“Fuck off, Choi,” Jeongguk snarled before letting the other dragon drop from his steel hold. Then, he wrenched Jimin close by the waist and took to the sky with a single, powerful stroke of his wings. 

~ 

It’s been two days. 

Two days since Jimin had seen Jeongguk. Their overnights were on pause and Jimin’s headaches and dizzy spells returned, as if they had been waiting for an opportunity. 

Yugyeom said Jeongguk locked himself in his room and wouldn’t let anyone in. 

“Knowing him, he’s probably wallowing in self pity or some dumb shit. He hasn’t done anything like that before and he loves to overthink things, so let him be for now, he’ll come around and realize what a dumbass he’s being, and then he’ll wallow some more probably,” the amethyst eyed dragon explained yesterday in their living room.

Taehyung had seethed, not appreciating that Jeongguk was once again making Jimin sick. “Yeah, well, he needs to get over it. Look what a day apart has done to Jimin.”

Jimin tried to tell them he was okay but alone in bed, the pain was unforgiving and he felt alone. There was also confusion, a great deal of it, as well as strain but Jimin wondered if that was happening on Jeongguk’s end of the Bond. He wasn’t angry with Jeongguk, he just didn’t want him to get in trouble picking a fight on his behalf. Seungcheol was just another asshole for Jimin to block out, he’s dealt with plenty of them. 

If anything, Jimin was touched at how defensive Jeongguk got over him. It's only ever been Hoseok and Taehyung who have stuck up for him, so to see someone like Jeongguk defending him was sweet but Jimin didn’t have time to relay this to Jeongguk because Jeongguk dropped him off at his apartment and left without a word. 

Jimin sighed into his pillow and wondered again if this was all his pain he currently felt or if Jeongguk was beating himself up. “Jeongguk…”

There was a dark hallway. Jimin walked down it for what felt like forever until it finally came to an end at a closed door. Jimin knew Jeongguk was behind it, he could almost feel the dragon’s breath as he breathed softly.

“Jeongguk,” Jimin started and took a seat on the ground, back rested against the door, “you have to let me in. We can’t be separated like this and I won’t let you isolate yourself over something I’m not even upset about.”

“You should be,” Jeongguk’s voice was like a whispery echo.

“That’s not up for you to decide. I’m capable of how I feel on my own and right now, I miss you. I can’t believe you just dumped me and ran,” Jimin tossed through the door, tone clip and lips set into a pout. 

“I did call you all sorts of names. I called you a half-breed, I’m just like the rest-“

“No, you’re really not. And you’ve already apologized and I don’t hold grudges, that’s Taehyung’s job. You don’t need to punish yourself on my behalf, because I feel like that’s what this is, and I didn’t ask, Hot Head.”

A few beats of silence past and Jimin sighed. He knocked his head gently back against the door and closed his eyes. “Do I have to beg for you to come out?”

“...I wouldn’t mind seeing you beg,” Jeongguk had the honesty of a truth serum. 

“I bet you wouldn’t,” Dream Jimin seemed to have flirtatious energy to spare.

The door slowly dematerialized until Jimin no longer felt the hard surface of the wood. Instead, he felt the hard surface of a broad back. He tilted his head back and let it rest against Jeongguk’s shoulder. “Come back to me.”

Jimin awoke to shouting. Taehyung’s voice was the loudest and Jimin sat up groggily, wondering why his soulmate sounded so pissed. Then he froze, registering that the pounding headache he’d gone to sleep with was gone. And he didn’t feel dizzy when he sat up. Then he heard Jeongguk’s voice and darted out the bed. 

His legs carried him all the way into the living room where he saw Yugyeom and Hoseok acting as a barrier between Taehyung and Jeongguk, the former livid and eyes flashing orange under the light. 

“Tae, calm down , it’s good he came-“ Hoseok was trying his best to defuse their soulmate’s temper. 

“He never should’ve left Jimin-“

“I know, and I’m sorry. I could’ve handled it better,” Jeongguk admitted. His left cheek was starting to swell, most likely a swing from Taehyung’s fist. “But I-“

There was a little breeze that passed through everyone before it came to a winded stop at Jeongguk. More like on Jeongguk, considering Jimin had jumped the rest of the distance he’d shortened between them, arms laced tight around Jeongguk’s neck and legs crossed around the dragon’s waist. Jimin could feel the tension trickle from his body when arms wrapped around him tightly, he could feel it leaving Jeongguk as well as the other pulled him impossibly close. 

“Don’t do that again,” Jimin ordered softly.

“I won’t.” 

Jeongguk ended up staying the night. 

It’s the first time the overnight was at Jimin’s place and in Jimin’s much smaller bed. It was also the first time they disregarded personal space and were in a full blown cuddling session instigated by Jimin. Two days apart had reverted him into a clingy mess but Jeongguk welcomed him in his arms, and was even clinging to him in return as he gripped Jimin’s waist with a locking hold.

The level of contentment wired through their bond had them both in a lax comatose state, and very much needed sleep was not far away for either one. Jimin was almost there when his nose twitched after he accidentally bumped it into another scale on Jeongguk’s neck. He wondered where else Jeongguk had scales at and his sluggish mind steered him to look.

Without thinking, Jimin’s small fingers twisted in the hem of Jeongguk’s shirt and tugged up. 

“Ahhh, what are you doing, tiny avatar?” Jeongguk’s husky voice filtered down.

Jimin blinked drowsily, his lashes fluttered like butterfly wings before he gasped softly and yanked his hands to his chest. He watched Jeongguk’s wrinkled shirt fall back to place but not before he glimpsed hard muscle and smooth skin. 

“I’m sorry- I was- your scales-“ Jimin tried but failed at piecing together his words and settled for a pout, like a child who’d been caught with his hands in the cookie jar. 

“My scales?” Jeongguk repeated, his voice amused. 

“You have them on your neck and I see some on your arm sometimes.. and here,” Jimin pointed at the scale above Jeongguk’s eyebrow. “I was thinking about where else you might have them and my hands moved faster than my brain.”

“I have them everywhere but I keep most of them retracted,” Jeongguk explained and lifted his shirt. “See?” 

Jimin watched in awe as a pattern of onyx scales appeared and decorated over Jeongguk’s abs, like a domino effect. They glistened with an impeccable shine and Jimin reached out to gently touch them, startled by the chill the tips of his fingers encountered. As easy as they’d come, the scales disappeared and Jimin found his palm rested on smooth skin. Cold but comforting. 

“Beautiful,” Jimin murmured as he tilted his head up to meet Jeongguk’s eyes. They were such a deep pool of crimson tonight and blazed like a fire in a hearth that poured out endless warmth. 

“That’s you,” Jeongguk countered softly. He brushed back a lock of silver hair from Jimin’s face and allowed his fingers to set trail on the delicate sculpture. They roamed over Jimin’s plump cheeks, tweaked across a button nose, gently traced a sharpened jaw before coming to a rest stop at pillowy, dough lips. 

“Stop.”

“It’s the truth, so I won’t.”

Jimin felt heat rise in his cheeks and wondered if Jeongguk felt it too when he cupped his face and steered him close until their lips were a breath away. Jimin closed his eyes with a wildly thudding heart as he waited in the slight pause before Jeongguk clasped their lips together in a soft, tender kiss. 

There was no rush or primitive urgency, only earnest care and sweet affection that passed through the slick glides of their slotted lips. Warmth spread down Jimin’s spine and throughout his body as he was kissed breathless, and thoroughly smitten with how Jeongguk pinned him close with the palm of his hand by his lower back, long fingers dipped teasingly just above his ass. By the time they pulled apart, Jimin was melted all the way down from his puffy lips to his curled toes. 

“Was that okay?” Jeongguk asked him, big hands a gentle motion on as they massaged up Jimin’s back to settle on his hips.

“That was my first,” Jimin’s eyes were still closed when he answered quietly but they opened after he heard Jeongguk suck in a breath.

“That was your first kiss?” 

Jimin was amused to watch the array of emotions crossing Jeongguk’s face, each one looking more stricken than the other. 

“Is that so shocking?” Jeongguk looked conflicted and Jimin gently whacked his chest. “Hey, I’m glad it was, so don’t look like I just delivered you god awful news. I promise I’m not tainted.”

“I can’t help but feel that I robbed your lips,” Jeongguk sighed and tilted his head up slightly so Jimin could tuck himself beneath his chin. Jeongguk felt the tip of Jimin’s nose against his neck and smelled the vanilla mint scent planted in the silver hair that tickled his skin.

“Ah, but you can’t rob what was given to you,” Jimin tutted. 

The dragon chuckled and scooped him closer. 

“That’s true. I just don’t want you thinking I’m doing this under the influence of the Bond. I know it hurts us when we’re not together but that was the first time in a while since we’ve been separated like that, and it made me realize that even if there wasn’t a Bond, I still missed you. I still wanted you there with me,” Jeongguk confessed softly. He heard Jimin’s little stuttered breath and felt the other move until he pulled back enough to peer up at him. 

“Really?” Jimin asked in a small voice.

“Really,” Jeongguk tugged Jimin down against him as he settled on his back and gazed up at the ceiling. “At first I thought it was just my luck to literally get emotionally attached to you, but after having you around all the time and near me, it strangely felt right. You started off as a need but gradually became more than that and I realize now that it’s not just a ‘need’ anymore, I naturally just want you. To be with you and get to know you more, on our own time.”

Jimin soaked up Jeongguk’s words with flushed cheeks and nodded, a shy smile coming to form across his plump lips. “I would like that. Being with you has become like second nature but I wouldn’t be opposed if we started our own bond that won’t involve side effects from the jump. And like you said, on our own time to do it.”

“I think that would be much nicer,” Jeongguk agreed and blinked when a pair of soft as clouds lips brushed against his.

“Yeah, I think so too,” Jimin smiled before he settled back down and buried his face into Jeongguk’s chest. “Goodnight.”

The hypnotic bells in Jimin’s voice not only brought a dopey smile to Jeongguk’s face but also lured his eyes to drop, and sleep to come with gentle ease.