Work Text:
Present day
It had been fifteen years since Jungkook set foot in the academy. Yoongi had gone ahead with Jimin to the assembly point. It was Jimin’s graduation today and Jungkook would not miss it for the world.
The main walkway leading to the main building had always been iconic with a beautiful arched ceiling and a checkered floor. Jungkook recalled fondly the many times he and Taehyung had rushed down this very walkway, robes messily thrown on, bed hair unkempt as they raced against the morning bell. He and his roommate had always been particularly bad at waking up in the morning. As most of the graduates and attending family were congregating outside the main hall, the walkway remained rather quiet. The familiar clicks of Jungkook’s dress shoes against the tiles echoed in the empty walkway, though much slower than what it used to be. Jungkook was already grateful his body was cooperating enough today to allow him to walk without a cane.
Jungkook decided he was well enough to wander, besides, the ceremony was not to begin for another hour. Instead of turning towards the direction of the main hall, he detoured down another hallway and up the stairs, passing by the dining hall instead. The ceiling-to- floor doors to the dining hall still felt large even though Jungkook was sure he had grown a couple of centimetres since he was last here. He shuffled along until he reached the table to the corner at the right of the hall where he and his friends used to sit. There were a few staff setting up the drinks and snacks for the reception post ceremony but they paid him no heed. With some effort, he lowered himself onto the bench, taking the pressure off his already aching feet. He could easily imagine having his old friends, Yoongi, Namjoon and Jin, two years his senior, Hoseok just a year above and Taehyung from his year sitting around beside him. Namjoon with his nose in a book, Jin probably bickering with Taehyung, watched on by a laughing Hoseok and Yoongi either napping or lazily watching the madness unfold. Yoongi would smile sleepily at him when he came over to the table and quietly shuffle closer so their knees touch and when he laid back down to nap, his head would lean slightly against Jungkook’s arm. Jungkook couldn’t stop the small smile on his lips at the sight. He was glad 32- year- old Jungkook was still privileged enough to see this sight every morning, though that now happens with Jungkook nuzzling shamelessly into Yoongi’s warmth in their comfy bed, cocooned in the softest duvet. It was one of Jungkook’s favourite times of the day. The vision faded as Jungkook started feeling some of the staff’s eyes lingering in his direction. Sighing, he heaved himself onto his feet, his right knee making a cracking noise as it did every day and shuffled out of the hall.
Craving some fresh air, he found himself in the courtyard just outside the main building. A little way down the hill would be the lake and a bit aways from that would be the forest. It was a bit too far of a walk to get there and Jungkook had wanted to save some of his energy to get through the ceremony. There had been many dares when they were younger and Jungkook, a beacon for trouble, naturally had been in the forest alone, after hours, where they had been explicitly told not to go. Nevertheless, he had always been a talented cultivator, innovative and quick to react. That had been the sole reason he had managed to survive his many reckless adventures. That and probably sheer luck, and loyal friends. The worst time, he had been ambushed by a vengeful spirit that had somehow managed to evade the protective barriers of the academy and was hiding in the forest. The spirit was just about to crush his ribs and probably inhale his soul when Taehyung, whom he had tricked (again) into going with him, reappeared in the forest with his knights in shining armours aka the rest of his gang, Yoongi, Namjoon, Jin and Hoseok. That was the first time he had seen Namjoon with his nose out of a book and the first time he had seen any of them really use their abilities. Before that Jungkook thought he was good but their abilities were impressive. It was enchanting how all their powers seem to meld together in the most efficient and effective way. It did take all six of them to eventually take the spirit down with a couple of torn robes and scratches, but no one lost a limb or an eye and Jungkook considered it a win. They did spend a good part of the following three weeks scrubbing the toilets for detention. Or rather, Namjoon did most of the work and Yoongi napped in a corner while the rest spent their time on toilet paper spit ball battles and made bubble art with the soapy water.
A few more steps towards the lake and Jungkook came across a familiar oak tree, one that Taehyung had accidentally set fire to after downing an alcoholic drink the then final year Jin had snuck into the academy. Thankfully, it happened near the lake and Yoongi with his quick wits promptly siphoned a good amount of water and dowsed it upon the burning branches before any of the professors found out. Now, a small portion of the tree was still slightly charred but new branches and leaves had grown over the years. Jungkook patted its trunk apologetically just as his right knee started twinging uncomfortably. Jungkook sighed; he had overestimated his body after all. A part of him entertained the idea of just pushing through the climb back up the hill to the great hall. Something about being back in the place where he once felt like he could do anything in the world brought out the daredevil in him. His rational side eventually won and he decided that risking a full-on collapse was not something he would want to do on Jimin’s special day. Instead, he sat himself on the grass, leaned back against the oak, and just enjoyed the sight of the shimmering waters before him.
Jungkook had not noticed he had dosed off until someone was gently shaking him awake. Blinking blearily, a concerned Yoongi appeared before his eyes, slightly out of breath as though he had just rushed over. A wave of panic shot through Jungkook as he grasped at Yoongi’s hand on his shoulder.
“Shit, how long have I been asleep? Did I miss it? Is it over?” Jungkook asked frantically.
“No darling, I just got here, it’s starting soon though and we should head over,” Yoongi replied calmly, “Are you ok to stand?”
“Oh thank goodness,” Jungkook sighed in relief. He leaned his weight into Yoongi as the other hauled him to his feet.
Yoongi did not ask and Jungkook did not feel the need to explain. It was not the first time he had been stranded somewhere just drained of his strength to even walk and it would unlikely be the last. Yoongi kept a firm arm around his waist while Jungkook intuitively draped an arm around Yoongi’s shoulders as he half carried Jungkook back up the hill.
The main hall was already crowded and most of the guests had taken their seats. The graduates were seated further in front while family and friends sat behind. Jungkook and Yoongi paused just outside the doors to the hall. Jungkook hastily brushed at his robes, making sure no stray grass or dirt remained then fussed over Yoongi’s hair that had been slightly mussed while helping Jungkook. Once he was sure everything was as perfect as it could be, he peeked in at the crowd timidly. It had been a while since he appeared in front of a crowd. He wistfully hoped that nobody would notice him but knew deep down it was wishful thinking. The curse in him had progressed and now black serpiginous lines marred the sides of his face and down his arms. He did not have a hood to hide them this time due to the formality of the event. He had fiddled with his hair for a long time this morning trying in vain to arrange the strands so they slightly obscure the marks. After tying and retying his hair for the umpteenth time, Yoongi had quietly taken the comb and ribbon from his hands and proceeded to comb his hair back, tying it perfectly, not a stray strand in sight. As his feet hesitated at the entrance, Jungkook felt Yoongi’s hand slide into his. Yoongi leaned forward and lightly pecked Jungkook on the forehead, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze. Jungkook inhaled and exhaled deeply, squaring his shoulders, and gathering his resolve. He would be brave and do this for Jimin. Yoongi tugged him close as he headed into the hall. Jungkook lagged a quarter of a step behind, keeping his right shoulder just slightly behind Yoongi’s as though shielding himself from what was to come.
The first two steps were alright, and Jungkook felt himself thinking that maybe he had over-reacted. But people were quick to notice the marks. It was not long after that thought that he heard the hall descend into a thick silence. There were hushed whispers and even though Jungkook kept his eyes on the ground he could feel them staring daggers into his back. Even though they were trying to be quiet about it, Jungkook could hear their words crystal clear.
“Isn’t that Jeon Jungkook? The cursed boy?”
“You know what they say, he killed off an entire village!”
“I heard he uses dark magic, how unethical.”
“Despicable, how can such a danger to society be allowed here.”
“How does he even have the guts to show up at the academy after being kicked out, he is a disgrace.”
“Murderer! He should just die to pay for the lives he had taken!”
Jungkook’s heart was pounding in his ears and he felt his breath hitch. Beside him, Yoongi’s grip tightened. The worst part was, Jungkook agreed with them. They were right, he killed them. He did not deserve to be here, he did not deserve the life he had been given, the curse should had taken him years ago along with every other innocent life that was lost that night.
**
15 years ago
18- year-old Jungkook was out on another group mission. The academy frequently sent their students out to the nearby villages to help vanquish evil spirits, beasts, and ghouls. It was both to help keep the nearby villages safe as well as for the students to learn and grow in their skills. It was his final year in school. Yoongi, Jin and Namjoon had graduated two years earlier and Hoseok just a couple of months ago. Soon, it would be Jungkook’s turn. He would miss the academy, but at the same time, he could not wait to explore the outside world. It had been a frustrating mission. He was unfortunately paired up with Kang, another final year student. He was an incredibly jealous and competitive person, and ever since Jungkook ranked first in his year, ahead of him, Kang had seen him as a sworn enemy. Even tonight, he was adamant in outdoing Jungkook, butting in to get the final kill instead of sticking to the team plan. It was the second time tonight Jungkook had to step in and push a junior out of harm’s way because Kang had attacked early and missed. It was a terrible example for the juniors and incredibly unsafe. However, it had been the final ghoul of the night and Jungkook was too emotionally and physically done to say anything more. They were on their way back to the academy when Kang insisted they stop by a stretch of forest two towns away. Jungkook had argued that they were nearing curfew and it was not safe, but Kang merely taunted him and disappeared into the forest. He was left stuck with a first year and two second years. He could not let them return on their own, yet he could not ditch Kang. The first rule of missions was to never go alone. That would be suicidal. Caught in a difficult situation, he instructed the juniors to remain at the edge of the forest. He would drag Kang back by the collar if he needed to.
He had trudged through a good amount of under bush before he finally caught up with Kang. He was about to give him a piece of his mind when Kang shushed him with a finger to his lips and pointed at the beast that was resting in the clearing. It had the body of a tiger with wings, but there was no flesh, all that was left were bones and rot. Its organs were visible through its ribs. There was a constant rise and fall of the beast’s chest, as though it was quietly breathing. It was unlike anything Jungkook had seen before. He looked around and realised they were near the village that had reports of missing villagers. Cultivators had come to inspect the region but all who entered the forest had not returned. Kang started forward, appearing to want to inspect the beast closer. Jungkook halted him urgently, grabbing his arm.
“Are you nuts? That is beyond our abilities, and we have juniors with us. We need to return to the academy and inform the professors,” Jungkook hissed.
Kang gave him a disgusted look, shrugging off his arm with disdain, “If you’re so scared you leave. I’m going to vanquish this beast and save the village.”
Before Jungkook could stop him, Kang had rushed out of the clearing at the beast. It was clear almost immediately that they were no match for it. Kang was tossed back, crashing into a tree. He cowered in fear on the ground, grasping around for his sword while trying to regain his bearings. The beast however, was enraged, closing in upon him.
“What are you doing? Help!” Kang shouted in Jungkook’s direction.
Instinctively, Jungkook swung at the beast, his ability slicing through its side. The beast howled then turned its attention to Jungkook. Jungkook swiftly leapt out of the way of the charging beast. He managed to keep it busy and land a few more hits, leaping from tree to tree. In his peripheral vision, he could see Kang get back on to his feet, and soon enough he was scurrying out of the forest.
“Get help!” Jungkook shouted after him unknowing if Kang had heard him. It had been a close fight with the beast, Jungkook could not tell how long it went on for but it drained him of his strength. Fortunately, in the last moment, Jungkook had found an opening, stabbing his sword deep into the creature’s heart. There was a shrill cry before the creature stilled and disintegrated into dust. Jungkook stabbed his sword into the ground, leaning heavily against it while trying to catch his breath. He was not sure if anyone would be coming for him, he did not remember seeing any distress flares being sent up but perhaps he was too occupied trying to stay alive to notice. He clutched at a pain in his side that he was just noticing as the adrenaline faded, finding that the beast had managed to take chunk out of him as well. Just as he turned to leave the forest, the ground around him started to glow forming two concentric rings around the clearing. Between the two lines were numerous inscriptions that Jungkook did not recognise. Jungkook stumbled away from the glow of the line into the centre of the circle stopping just a few feet short of a man that had appeared within. Jungkook could barely make out his features in the darkness of the night but he seemed to be more spirit than human, blurry at the edges, his feet not quite touching the ground.
“Finally, I’ve waited over a hundred years,” the man announced, his voice slightly husky, “I’m free of this cursed beast at last. I shall finally get my revenge.” The man’s maniacal laughter filled the air as the markings on the ground stopped glowing and instead began to ooze dark shadows. They creeped out of the clearing and disappeared into the forest.
“You thought me a demon and burnt me at the stake, I will show you what a true demon is and curse your entire town to join me in death!” the man shouted into the night.
Jungkook looked on in horror, the events of the night clicking into place. The beast had been sleeping, night creatures do not sleep at night. It was not a wild beast they had chanced upon, it was placed there to guard something, to guard this man.
The man turned to Jungkook, regarding him with glowing red eyes, an evil smirk on his distorted face, “You have talent young cultivator, you killed the beast that so many before you and older than you could not. I shall spare you from the curse since you freed me. If you aid me in regaining a true form, a body I can occupy, I can give you immense power.”
Jungkook did not even contemplate for a split second, his ability was already bursting out of his fingers towards the man, neatly slicing him in half. The man laughed as he melted back into the shadows, “Pity, we could have been a great team. But alas my curse has been released, I can rest easy now that my revenge is complete.”
Jungkook sped after the shadows that had disappeared in the direction of the village. He did not know what he could do to stop it but if he could evacuate them perhaps, they could be saved. He knew he was too late the moment he landed in the village. Some have stumbled out of the houses, grasping at their throat as the shadows choked them. Others looked like they were possessed, attacking their own family. Some were barely moving, bleeding out of their eyes and mouths. He stumbled through the crowd, desperately looking for someone untouched by the curse, pushing away the ones that started to attack him, refusing use his ability on any of them. He felt himself crumble as he reached the end of the village, his breathing was coming in short and fast. He wanted to cry but there were no tears, his mouth opened and shut wordlessly. He sank to his knees in front of the last house in the village his bloodied hands gripping at his hair as the rest of the village descended into madness before him.
So many innocent lives. Oh lord, what had he done?
A tugging on his robes pulled him from his spiralling thoughts, followed by a sob.
With wide eyes, Jungkook turned towards the sound. Beside him stood a boy, a toddler, snot dribbling out of his nose and tears staining his cheeks. The skin on the arm that was not grasping on to Jungkook’s robe was blackened but otherwise, the boy appeared to still have his mind. Jungkook turned to look into the house, a couple, perhaps this boy’s parents, were already dead on the ground, their eyes unblinking with blood streaking from them. He quickly pulled the boy into his arms and carried him away. Curses affected cultivators slower. It affected the rest of the village faster because most of them were just normal humans, but this boy may have an undiscovered ability. With renewed purpose, Jungkook sped away from the village. The shadows, having achieved their purpose of cursing everyone in the village had started to disperse. Jungkook managed to find a small clearing making sure it was far enough from the village, just to be safe. In it was a rather flat slab of rock. Placing the boy down on the grass beside the rock. Jungkook made quick work of drawing a sigil on the rock with the blood that was still oozing from the wound in his side. Despite this being restricted knowledge, being ever curious, Jungkook had “illegally” looked into dark magic, sigil and talisman use. He had learnt a few basic sigils, one of which was a curse transfer. He prayed earnestly as he drew the last few lines, “Please heavens above, let me save him, even if it is just one life, please.”
He knelt in front of the child once he was done, relieved to see that the curse had not yet spread any further. Jungkook wiped his hands clean on his robes before reaching up to brush away the boy’s tears.
“What’s your name?” Jungkook asked, forcing a small smile on his lips to appear less intimidating.
“Jimin,” the boy stuttered.
“How old are you Jimin?”
The boy put up three fingers.
“Wow, you’re a big boy huh? Listen Jimin, I need you to do something only big boys can do alright, I need you to sit really still for me on that rock you understand?”
Jimin nodded, blinking back at him with big eyes.
“Good,” Jungkook reached out and pulled Jimin into a hug, “Everything’s gonna be alright you hear me, whatever you do, no matter what you see, do not move from that rock alright.”
Jimin nodded again as Jungkook pulled back. Jungkook patted his head gently before lifting him up and settling him on the rock with the sigil. Jimin sat quiet and still like he promised as Jungkook lifted two fingers and perfectly recited the incantation he memorised weeks ago. He felt the energy leave him, flowing into the sigil. Jimin stared wide- eyed as the marks started to glow. There was a gust of wind, a bright light and a searing pain to Jungkook’s right knee. The next thing he knew, he was on his back on the ground, a concerned Jimin staring down at him.
“Are you ok?” the boy asked still perched on the rock, tears brimming in his eyes.
“Yeah” Jungkook reassured him quickly, pushing himself into a sitting position, “and you can move now.”
Jungkook caught him swiftly in his arms as Jimin hopped down from the rock. He held his breath as he pulled up Jimin’s right sleeve, and only let it out when he saw the skin back to normal again. Lifting his robe, as he had hoped, the darkened skin now surrounded his right knee. Jungkook could cry. He hugged Jimin tightly, murmuring thank-yous into the boy’s hair. As he pulled back, Jimin’s little hands came up to his cheeks, patting away at his tears. Jungkook gave the boy what he hoped was a comforting smile, lifting him into his arms, careful to avoid the wound on his side. The pain in his right knee was now a barely noticeable ache.
“Let’s get you something to eat huh?” Jungkook said, hopping onto his sword. The sun was starting to rise. He made sure to go the long way back to the academy, skirting clear of the village.
There was a ruckus in the main entrance of the academy as Jungkook approached. He was still out of sight but could make out the crowd of people gathered. The headmaster, professors, and a few students were there. There was a flurry of murmurs but then a voice rang out through the crowd.
“It was Jungkook, he cursed the whole village, I saw it with my own eyes! I… I couldn’t stop him! They’re all dead, they’re all dead…” Kang cried, distraught, sobbing into his hands. There was an audible gasp from the crowd. Beside him, one of the professors laid a sympathetic hand on his shoulder.
Jungkook paused mid step, a hand holding on to Jimin’s as the boy stood beside him.
There was an enraged cry and a familiar nest of orange hair pushed its way past the crowd, “Impossible, you liar, how could… Jungkook would never!”
Kang just sobbed louder into his hands.
The rest of the bickering flew past Jungkook’s head.
It was Jungkook, it was him, it was all his fault, he let the spirit out. There was a loud ringing in his ears, drowning out all the noise. His eyes were unfocussed and he was unaware he wasn’t breathing right until he felt a tugging on his robes.
Tug tug. Tug tug.
“Oh that’s right, the kid,” Jungkook’s mind supplies, “They’ll see the kid and they’ll see the curse and they’ll know it was you, it was all you. What if they take him away, what if Kang hurts him?”
Hot tears started to fall again.
“I’ve killed so many people, so many people. I’m a monster, a failure,” the words repeated themselves over and over in his head.
His mind screamed at him to get away. He didn’t think he could take seeing the disappointment in their eyes.
His vision refocussed, only to see Taehyung shove Kang roughly before getting pulled back by the professors.
“Oh sweet Taetae, don’t fight for me, it was my fault, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
Tug tug.
Jungkook wiped roughly at his tears before turning to Jimin, “Seems like we can’t go in there now, I’m sorry can you wait a little longer? Hyung’ll get you food.”
Jimin nodded. Taking Jimin’s small hand in his, Jungkook turned, leaving his life behind.
Jungkook had no family. His parents passed when he was little. He barely remembers them but he was picked up and sent to an orphanage and thereafter to the academy when they discovered he could cultivate. The academy was his everything but, in a way, he understood what it felt like to be alone, and he swore he would never let Jimin feel the same.
Jungkook traded in his fine academy robes for something a little cheaper but sturdier and some food. The academy robes were too conspicuous in town anyway. He had found an abandoned but still usable hut at the outskirts of the town and settled in with Jimin. The first day was fine but then Jimin started having a high fever. Jungkook spent the rest of his money on a doctor and medicine for the boy, leaving none for his own wounds. He did his best to clean the gash on his side and willed himself to stay strong for the child. He spent the next six nights by Jimin’s bedside, waiting for the fever to break, intermittently feeding him medicine, water and porridge. On the seventh day, the fever finally subsided and Jimin was well again, albeit slightly tired but Jungkook was relieved to know he was going to be fine. The strange thing was that after the fever, Jimin seemed to have forgotten everything that had happened in the days prior. Jungkook thought it for the better and just let it be. Jungkook knew that the story of the cursed village had since spread. Word was an academy student had gone rogue, practiced dark magic and singlehandedly massacred a village when the school disapproved of his practise. But the curse backfired and he had gone into hiding, recovering from his injury. ‘Beware of the cursed boy’ they would say. There were threats for his head and threats to burn him at the stake. Jungkook would have taken any of that without complaint, but he needed to stay alive now, for Jimin. Jungkook avoided the town as much as he could, getting odd jobs mostly in the fields far from town, for money and food. His mind and body were exhausted but sleep was elusive. The faces of the villagers flashed before his eyes every time he tried to close them. Sometimes the days felt even longer, living with the fear of being discovered, jumping at every sound and feeling the urge to run each time someone’s curious gaze lingered a second too long on him.
Each night after putting Jimin to bed, Jungkook would check on the curse. It was spreading faster than he anticipated. It had now covered both his lower limbs up to mid calf, his torso and his upper arms. Soon it would reach his neck and goodness knows how long he had left. It was already a struggle to go through with the physically demanding odd jobs he had taken on. He had sworn never to leave Jimin alone but he worried he might have to break that promise. The farmer couple he was working for seemed like good people. They were also in want of a child but had no luck and were getting on with age. When the time was near, he could leave Jimin in their hands with a letter regarding his potential as a cultivator and hopefully they would send him to the academy when he was of age to enter the school.
The day he dreaded came about a month into hiding. The gash that Jungkook had obtained in the fight with the beast had not been healing well. Jungkook reckoned the curse may have hindered his healing. His ability played a big part in hastening the healing process but since the curse he had been unable to use it properly. Even just using a small bit of it would leave him feeling drained. Jungkook had not been able to discern what exactly the curse did other than reject his ability, weaken him and cause pain in the affected areas. He wondered how quickly it would kill him. It started off with a slight fever, which progressed into a high fever, headaches, and weakness. He could see pus staining the bandages on his side; Despite his cautions, the wound had managed to get infected. The curse had also kicked into overdrive with episodes of unbearable searing pain throughout the day. The fever had left Jungkook in a haze and with the pain, he had been unable to get out of bed. Jimin had been an angel throughout, trying his best to fetch water for Jungkook, bringing him a rag soaked in cold water without him asking. There was thankfully bread left in the kitchen so Jimin could help himself to it. In a rare moment of clarity, he had called Jimin to his bedside, pointed at a letter on the shelf that he was to bring with him and given him the directions to the farmers should he not wake up. Jimin’s lips had wobbled dangerously and his eyes had watered but the brave boy merely clung on to him tightly and nodded.
Jungkook was not quite sure how long he was out for but he was awakened unceremoniously by another bout of pain. It was clear the curse was not going to let him die a merciful death. This time, it was particularly bad, so bad that in his squirming, he had rolled off the bed onto the ground. Too weak to get up and no Jimin in sight, Jungkook could only pull the thin blanket tighter around him as the cold from the floor seeped into his bones. He could not help but think maybe Jimin had thought he was already dead and gone to the farmers. That would have been for the better, at least he did not have to worry about him going hungry. He could not help the tears that escaped his eyes as his body spasmed from the pain. In his mind he begged for forgiveness but did not beg for the pain to stop. He had sinned and if this was his punishment, he would take every second of it. It also took the thoughts away and ultimately it was still better than a never-ending rerun of everything that happened that night. When the pain finally stopped, a heavy fatigue set in. This time, even breathing felt effortful and something was telling him that this was it, this was how he dies.
Faintly, he imagined Yoongi’s voice call his name. “Ah,” Jungkook thought, “You really do think of your loved ones when you die.” He had refrained about thinking of his friends, Yoongi in particular. He thought he would really hate himself if he did. He could bear the disappointment from anyone, it would hurt had it been Namjoon, Jin, Taehyung or Hoseok. But not Yoongi, never Yoongi. The disappointment on Yoongi’s face would destroy him. Jungkook allowed himself though, in his last moments. He thought about the feeling of Yoongi’s hand in his as they walked to the lake, the way he would smile lazily at him, a smile that was reserved for Jungkook and would cause butterflies in his stomach. He cried a little thinking of the way they would huddle together at the dining table, the comforting way Yoongi would reach over and squeeze his knee. Oh how he craves that warmth. He recalled his first and only kiss with Yoongi, the day of Yoongi’s graduation, in a random empty classroom. Yoongi had apologized that it had taken him this long to muster the courage to confess and had apologized that he was only doing it on his last day of school. Jungkook had forgiven him on the spot and Yoongi had promised him all the kisses in the world when they next saw each other. Unfortunately, Yoongi had been held up by work at the council and later by family matters and they had not seen each other since, although they had consistently remained in contact through letters. Jungkook only wished he could see him before he went, even if only as a hallucination.
He was mildly surprised therefore to open his eyes and see the very face he was missing. He belatedly realized his head was now propped on something soft and dream Yoongi was cupping his face urgently. He did look a bit distraught, his eyes were red-rimmed as though he had been crying. Jungkook was pleased that the hallucination was very realistic though, he could feel the warmth of Yoongi’s hand on his cheek. He would raise his hand to brush away Yoongi’s tears if he had the strength but it laid like a deadweight by his side. “Don’t cry,” Jungkook murmurs, his lips weakly curling into a smile. He thanked the high heavens for a bit of respite in his last moments and fights to keep his eyes open, drinking in the sight of Yoongi, etching his face into his memory but soon it got too difficult to persist and he succumbed to it. He thought he heard Yoongi’s frenzied voice calling his name as darkness claimed him.
The next time he awakened, Jungkook was in a comfortable bed. The room was unfamiliar and it smells somewhat medicinal. He moved to sit up and was surprised to find that his body obeyed rather than flopping back down like a rag doll. Pulling back his robes, he realized that the skin in his upper arms were back to normal. He never quite believed in the idea of an afterlife but did not know how else he could explain what was happening to him.
The door at the end of the room opened, revealing Yoongi carrying a tray with a bowl of water and a wash cloth. He looked ethereal in his pale blue robes with the light from the sun forming a halo around his silhouette. Yoongi’s eyes widened as they met his but apart from the slight initial falter, he simply continued calmly to Jungkook’s bedside, setting the tray down on the nearby table. There was no scolding or shouting, just Yoongi leaning in bringing Jungkook to his chest. He held him in a tight embrace, a hand at the back of his head. Jungkook burrowed into his warmth, inhaling deeply the scent of Yoongi’s robes.
“I can’t believe they have you here in my afterlife, after what I’d done, I don’t deserve this,” Jungkook muttered into Yoongi’s shoulder. He pulled back abruptly, holding Yoongi at arm’s length.
“Hang on, does that mean you’re dead?! You can’t be dead!” Jungkook exclaimed.
Yoongi chuckled, “Not dead. Jungkook, you’re not dead and neither am I.”
Jungkook gave him a confused look, “But the curse, it’s gone, and I am a wanted man. How are you here with me?”
“Well, I’m sorry to say the curse is not entirely gone,” Hoseok’s voice came from where he was leaning against the door. He looked a little taller than Jungkook remembered, it had been a few months since he last seen him after all. New tattoos littered his arms, likely a result of choosing the path of a curse breaker. He walked over and ruffled Jungkook’s hair, “but I’ve got it under control for now. I couldn’t get rid of the bit around your right knee but we’ll figure it out kid, one day at a time.” Jungkook rolled up his trousers and sure enough, the familiar black mark was there on his knee.
“But what about the village, surely I’m going to be imprisoned or something for that.”
Yoongi’s grip on Jungkook’s hand tightened, a slight frown between his brows, “The academy investigated and three juniors testified against Kang’s statement. On top of that, we’ve seen the sigil and traced back the source, there was a vengeful spirit there that night wasn’t there?”
Jungkook nodded, “But I, still I let him out, I let the curse out, I killed the beast.”
“In self-defence,” Hoseok sighed, “The juniors testified that Kang was the one who insisted on entering the forest, even though you told him multiple times not to. They honestly didn’t believe a word he said. And even without these, we know you Kook, as much as you like to get into trouble, you would never put the juniors in harm’s way. You would have known the beast was not something you should be handling with juniors around and without a single professor. Also, Kang had flares, and he did not set off a single one. He ultimately confessed to it but given his influential family, everything was settled quietly with no official apology or statement from the school. You are no longer in any official trouble but… We would need to work harder at the rumours.”
Jungkook felt Yoongi tense at Hoseok’s words, “It’s alright, I was at fault, if anything, I should’ve stopped Kang in the first place. No matter what it is, I had contributed to the outcome and I must live with the consequences of my actions.”
Yoongi was about to refute Jungkook when he was cut off by Jungkook’s gasp, “Jimin! Where’s Jimin?”
Yoongi opened his mouth to reply but was beat by a tiny ball of energy crashing into Jungkook’s lap. Jimin clung to Jungkook, burying his head in Jungkook’s stomach. He refused to leave for dinner and stayed the remainder of the night hugging tightly onto his favourite person in the whole world.
“I saw the letter,” Yoongi explained, “he had gone to get water from the stream when I found you. He had the angriest look on his face when he saw me carry you out. Came at me with the little bucket in his hand and wouldn’t stop trying to take me down until I explained that I was a friend and agreed to bring him along.”
Taehyung had cried at the sight of Jungkook, curling up on his other side of the bed (Jimin stubbornly occupying the other), and made him swear never to worry him like that again. Jin had arrived later in the evening and gave him the lecture of the century for being the biggest idiot that ever lived before coddling him and piling him with all his favourite snacks from his travels. The ever level- headed Namjoon had given him a comforting squeeze on his shoulder and said it must have been hard.
Jungkook never returned to the academy after the incident. After he had recovered from the wound infection, he had moved in with Yoongi, bringing Jimin along with him. Yoongi had left the council, wanting to spend more time with Jungkook but the Min family, a clan of wealthy merchants, had still required Yoongi’s help in running the family business. Yoongi’s family had been very welcoming of Jungkook even after learning about his history and his curse. Together, Yoongi, Jungkook and Jimin started to travel, both for business and to look into cures for Jungkook’s curse. On his side, Hoseok had also been travelling. He claimed it was where his curse- breaking business took him, but Jungkook and Yoongi knew the real reason behind the lengthy trips and the reason he never settled down even though he had mentioned on numerous occasions in school of his dreams of finding a wife and starting a family together. They had told him he need not set aside his life for Jungkook but the man laughed and brushed off their concerns, insisting they were places he had wanted to visit anyway. Jimin and Yoongi missed not having Hoseok around for long periods of time but were immensely grateful (and Jungkook immensely guilty) for what he sacrificed for them.
In the meantime, Yoongi and Jungkook had also taken to developing Jimin’s cultivation potential. They had taken him on hunts for ghouls and spirits when they had the chance. At some point, Jimin had started to call Jungkook and Yoongi ‘Dad’. The first time he did it, Jungkook had been too shock to react. Rather it was the ever-composed Yoongi who acknowledged the greeting with an affectionate pat to the boy’s head. It was also Yoongi who eventually told Jimin all about his birth parents and the night the incident happened. Jungkook had waited anxiously outside the room while Yoongi had the talk with Jimin, pacing around and wringing his fingers apprehensively. He was afraid Jimin would hate him after knowing the truth but the boy, then seven, ran out of the room and gave him a big hug instead, telling him it was not his fault and that he was still the best Dad in the world and nothing could change that. Jungkook’s heart had promptly combusted.
Throughout the years, Jungkook still had nightmares of that day. Every so often, he would wake up with his heart pounding in his chest, an incessant ringing in his ears. Yoongi would wake right up with him, pull him close and tell him that nothing could hurt him here. He would then stay awake until Jungkook drifted back to sleep. As expected, the rumours continued to change and evolve as the stories travelled by word of mouth. Some people painted him as the ultimate enemy to mankind. Others put him on a pedestal, a prodigy of dark magic. It was still difficult for him to not feel guilty about the events that happened and feel undeserving of his happiness, but Yoongi and his friends had made it a point to constantly remind him that that did not change the way they felt about him and that he was loved.
The two said goodbye to Jimin when he became of age to attend the academy. He came back to spend time with them every break he had and he was a role model student. He never got into trouble, never broke any rules and was consistently the top student in his year. He was nothing like what his fathers were in school. Jungkook often worried that he grew up too fast, too mature. He would often tell Jimin over dinner, “Jimin, you need to get into some trouble, life’s no fun when you’re an adult, you’ve got to do that stuff when you’re in school. If you need some ideas, back then your father and I would-“and launch into a detailed recount of every rule he had once broken. Meanwhile, Yoongi would take the opportunity between mouthfuls to butt in with the occasional, “I was only there to get them out of trouble” or the “I never agreed to it.”
Despite their efforts, the curse never got better. They had slowed it down and it gave Jungkook another good ten years but nothing they did could stop its progress. In the last couple of years, the curse had slowly started to spread to Jungkook’s face and neck. People who had not known who Jungkook was before started to point at him and shun him having heard the rumours of the marks on the cursed boy. For a while, the social anxiety and fear had kept Jungkook from leaving the house. A few small run ins had also thrown him into panic attacks. But Yoongi had made sure to be there every step of the way, coaxing Jungkook out of his shell and making sure he was still present. On bad days, the curse caused so much weakness and pain that it left him bedbound. He could no longer run and jump around like he could in the past, the best he could hope for was his knee not buckling on a walk. It frustrated him to be kept off his feet for someone who used to be so active but on those days if Yoongi had business to attend to, Taehyung or Jin would come around to keep him company with their usual shenanigans and gossip. Sometimes, Namjoon would entertain him with an account of the new book he had collected or the newest research in the cultivation world. Those days made him feel like even if everything had changed, there were still some constants in this world that he could grasp at to keep him grounded.
Yoongi had always approached everything with quiet confidence. He had been an unmoving pillar of strength when Jungkook had been reduced into a quivering mess. But some nights, Jungkook could tell Yoongi held him a little tighter, as though afraid he would fade away. Some days he followed Jungkook a little closer as if worried he will disappear if he let go of his hand. There were some early mornings when the thoughts were too loud and Yoongi would crawl out of bed early and sit on the porch. Jungkook would wake too and Yoongi knew that, but Jungkook also knew when Yoongi needed a bit of time alone and when his company was wanted. Yoongi did not say it but Jungkook could tell when he was stretched a little too tight, like a band on the verge of snapping. They did not often talk about the elephant in the room but they both knew and dreaded the day Jungkook would succumb to the curse. But that awareness also made days when he had Yoongi and Jimin, just doing the most mundane family thing they could do, that much more precious. On those days, Jungkook’s heart was so full he was both sad and happy. Now, the nights Yoongi hugged him a little tighter, Jungkook hugged back a little tighter as well.
Jungkook never said anything about attending Jimin’s graduation. He knew what the public thought of him and understood completely if Jimin would not want to be associated with him. The boy had sat them both down at dinner though and explicitly stated that both his Dads were to be present in the great hall on his graduation day. Jungkook had pulled Jimin aside, voicing his concerns and saying that it was probably better if he did not go but Jimin had just thrown his arms around Jungkook and said, “Dad, I’m only graduating because you were there for me when I needed it the most and I want to share my special day with you. I love you Dad, and I am proud and grateful that you’re my father. Never doubt that for a second.” Jungkook had sobbed in his room for a solid hour that night, Yoongi quietly handing tissues over to him by his side, an amused but fond look on his face.
**
Present day
So here Jungkook was, his hand tight in Yoongi’s, doing what was probably one of the most mortifying walks in his life. He focussed on counting his footsteps and slowing his breathing. As his heart calmed and the tinnitus faded, he realised, he did not give a damn about what other people thought. He had his family and his friends and those were the only opinions he cared about. He had been so worried about how his reputation would affect the people he held dear that he forgot after all these years, that they still stood by him and him allowing himself to be happy was what made them most happy.
The true friends that Jimin made barely bat an eyelash when they found out about their relationship, and treated Jimin no differently before and after they learnt of the news. Those that had a problem with it was nothing Jimin and his friends could not handle. Besides, it was hard to dislike someone with a personality like Jimin’s. There were numerous occasions where he had seen Taehyung and Jin cuss out people who were outwardly slandering him. Even Namjoon had, with his level- headed reasoning, once left an academic who was trying to raise a revolt for Jungkook’s head stunned into silence and so calmly ridiculed that he did not even realise that he was being made a fool of until after Namjoon had long gone. Hoseok had never once hidden his association with Jungkook and his dedication to breaking his curse spoke louder than any words. Yoongi had been Jungkook’s biggest supporter from the beginning, never once hiding him or covering up his curse marks. He would always proudly introduce him as his partner and when Jungkook smiled, he smiled.
Jungkook’s steps were sturdier and more confident with the realization and he could see the subtle way Yoongi's shoulders relaxed as Jungkook calmed down.
'Oi! Jungkook, Yoongi, over here!' Jin shouted across the hall. The professors would probably have admonished such behaviour had they been 17 again but Jin's skin was thick as the hide of a whale shark and it had only gotten thicker as he aged. Beside him, Taehyung waved enthusiastically, a big boxy boyish smile on his face. Hoseok was half perched on his chair beaming over at them, the tattoos now more numerous from his recent trip, rippling with power. On his left at the end of the row, Namjoon gave them a small smile and nod of his head in greeting, calm as a moonlit lake, completely unbothered by the boisterousness of his companions. They did however, maintain proper decorum as Jimin gave his valedictorian speech but Jin, Taehyung and Hoseok had cheered loudly as Jimin walked up to receive his scroll causing Jimin's cheeks to blush pink in embarrassment. Jimin, being the sweetest boy, had still given them a small grateful wave as he exited the stage. As Jin put it, it was their duty as uncles to utterly embarrass their nephew any opportunity they get, to which Jimin had rolled his eyes and sighed indulgently, "Whatever you want, Uncle Jin."
Jungkook and Yoongi had given their boy a big hug after the ceremony and told him how proud they were of him. Jimin had initially wanted to join the council but in the months leading up to the graduation, he had been toying with the idea of a gap year. Jungkook suspected Jimin’s main intention was to spend more time with him but he also felt that there was much for Jimin to gain spending a year just travelling and experiencing what the world had to offer. They leave Jimin to his friends while Yoongi accompanied Jungkook onto a nearby bench resting their joint hands on his lap as they sat. Jungkook leaned into Yoongi as the ache in his back had decided to join the party. Hoseok stood behind the back of the bench and ran a hand through Jungkook’s hair. Jungkook tilted his head back and grinned at him. Hoseok returned the smile with a poorly masked dolefulness in his eyes. He had always worn his heart on his sleeve. It seemed like the recent trip yielded no answers for Jungkook’s curse but it was not the time to talk about it. In the same moment, Taehyung had bounded over, sliding onto the bench beside Jungkook, taking his free hand and lacing their fingers together. Namjoon meanwhile, had ambled over to the back of the bench and slung an arm over Hoseok’s shoulders, lazily gazing into the distance. It had seemed like the last member of their group had finally decided to join them but a few steps from the bench, Jin abruptly turned to the side and squinted into the distance. Curious, the other five heads followed in his direction.
“Is that… Oh my word, is that Jimin holding hands with another boy?!” Jin squawked.
“That young man thinks he’s old enough to have secret boyfriends huh, wait till this uncle gets his hands on him. Come, Taehyung, we need to stage an intervention!” Jin exclaimed, making a show of rolling up his sleeves and stomping his way towards Jimin.
“Yessir!” Taehyung replied, jumping to his feet. He turned and saluted the rest of the group with a playful grin before scampering after Jin, eager to cause some mischief.
Jungkook could feel Yoongi shaking against him as he laughed, his brightest gummy smile plastered on his face. Behind him, he could hear Namjoon and Hoseok doing the same. He sighed feeling more content in the present than he had in a long time. Everything he had now was enough, all he had to do was allow it to be so. He dropped his head onto Yoongi’s shoulder and shut his drooping eyelids as they weighed down with the growing fatigue. It had taken him fifteen years to finally understand what his loved ones were trying to tell him this whole time. He resolved in the weeks, maybe months that he had left, that he would treasure every additional moment he was given and work hard on forgiving himself. With a full heart and happy laughter echoing in his ears, Jungkook drifted feeling the comforting circles of Yoongi’s thumb over the back of his hand and the warmth of the afternoon sun on his face.