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Shells tinked together on the old home, a makeshift chime. Jimin loved the sound of the wind rustling the trees, then the old chime. For him it always sounded like home. Jimin looked around as he slipped into the old home, it sat on the edge of the forest, most not wanting to come near it. They heard rumors of an old witch who lived there who would curse anyone that came near it. He supposed it wasn’t so bad as it let him and Yoongi live in peace.
The truth was, it was two young men that lived there. They were witches so they were right about one thing. They wouldn’t curse anyone, and did often help people. They were healers so strange billowing smoke from the chimney often gave people pause. They never realized the same meds they bought from the sweet bubbly Jimin were the ones made in that very house.
They liked to keep it separate, now desperate people wouldn’t come to their house. To steal, to force them to help beyond their abilities. The horror stories of other witches made him shudder at the thought. Being burnt alive, stoned to death, he took his cloak off hanging it on a hook by the door. “Yoongi, my love, I am home.”
Yoongi peaked around the wall with a gummy smile on his face. “How was it at the shop today?”
Jimin hummed as he moved into the kitchen. “Good, but we need more of the salve. With the fighting more people are getting cut.”
Yoongi frowned. “When will they realize that witches mean no harm?”
Jimin nodded, smiling softly. “I have been thinking, and it's okay for you to say no.”
Yoongi tilted his head in question, Jimin took a deep breath. “Well I worry about something happening to us as these tensions grow.”
Yoongi takes his hand, Jimin holding it but shaking his head so he can continue. “Would you, well can we. I want to do a soul binding.”
Yoongis eyes widened. “Jiminie, you know what that means.”
Jimin nods. “Hyung, I cannot imagine not spending this life or any of my other lives without you by my side. I am all in if you are.”
Jimin waits with bated breath while Yoongi just looks at him lovingly. “I can imagine nothing I want more than this. You are my sun that very thing my world revolves around”
Jimin cups his face with a smile. “You say as if you aren’t my moon, and I just long to stay in your orbit.”
They share a soft gentle kiss before pulling apart, Yoongi looks out the window at the moon. “We have less than a fortnight to prepare if you want to do it upon the next full moon.
Jimin nods knowing they need to get it done as quickly and as quietly as possibly. Thankfully they had everything they needed, they could prepare the pieces and be ready for the full moon. Then not even death could separate them.
*-*-*-*-*
Jimin walked through the treeline to a small clearing in the forest, the moon sending a spotlight to where his love stood. He smiled softly because he knew what this meant, they pledged their love to each other, mind, body and soul to be tied for all eternity. That ever life they would return to each other being able to heed the call of their soul.
It requires a willingness to be as exposed and vulnerable with your partner as one possibly can be. They had blessed the candles that now adorn the clearing, Yoongi holding the ribbon in his hands that would be the symbolism of them being tied together.
They knew it was more about the timing, the words and the desire than anything else. Jimin stepped in front of him with a smile. “Ready my love?”
Yoongi nodded, the only way the ritual would be successful was if they both truly desired and wanted it. Jimin didn’t fear though he had so much love in Yoongi he was certain it would work. Jimin stood facing Yoongi reaching his hand into the beam of moonlight.
A soft hum from Yoongi as he took his hand draping a ribbon over the top. They had to work together for the next steps, showing their commitment and love for one another. They couldn’t have any of their friends to witness as it could risk another soul tieing into their bond.
Jimin didn’t mind, he truly just wanted to be Yoongis for all time and that's what this meant. They wove the ribbon around their wrist before knotting it gently above their clasped hands. Jimin reached into his pocket pulling out a small vial of his blood and he held it in his palm out to Yoongi who took it.
Yoongi freed the cap with one hand before tipping it back. He looked Jimin in his eyes as he spoke. “The power of the dark goddess I call, In my mind a face appears to my soul your heart adheres. Your eyes see only my eyes, your love for others now dies. I command you now to think of me, in your mind I am all you see.”
Jimin felt warmth running through his body, a small piece like something was connecting itself with him. He could feel a change in his very being as Yoongi continued. “My face appears in your dreams, my name is heard in all your screams.”
The warmth grew stronger, almost feeling like his body was enveloped in fire but he welcomed it. “I bind your heart and your soul to me. Until I wish to set it free. From the blood that now courses in me, I summon the command of your undying love.”
Jimin couldn’t help the smile that broke on his face as Yoongi finished. “From the power of the divine. Your heart, your soul, your body, is mine.”
It was then that Jimin felt a piece of him break off, it made him wince but he stayed strong looking into Yoongis eyes. He could feel it move through their tied hands and realized the moment it left his body.
He could see in Yoongis eyes when he moved to him, the pleased sigh leaving his lips once the piece of his soul fixed itself to Yoongis. Jimin could only smile at him, letting it wash over him a moment before Yoongi reached into his pocket pulling out his own small vial of blood to hold it out as Jimin did before.
This time when Jimin took it the electrical current that sparked from his fingers grabbing it made him gasp with a smile. The warmth of their tied hands growing Jimin popped the cap smiling before he downed Yoongis blood.
Jimin looked into Yoongis eyes beginning the chant himself “The power of the dark goddess I call, In my mind a face appears to my soul your heart adheres. Your eyes see only my eyes, your love for others now dies. I command you now to think of me, in your mind I am all you see.”
The heat in his body grew and he could hear Yoongis soul calling to him, he had to keep going but the overwhelming feeling of love almost stopped him. He knew Yoongi was all in just like he is and could feel it so deeply. “My face appears in your dreams, my name is heard in all your screams.”
The love radiating in Yoongis eyes made him want to scream with joy as he spoke his words with conviction. “I bind your heart and your soul to me. Until I wish to set it free. From the blood that now courses in me, I summon the command of your undying love.”
As he finished his body felt fully a flame. “From the power of the divine. Your heart, your soul, your body, is mine.”
He saw the moment on Yoongis face when the piece of soul detached from him. The same wonder he had realized another soul had accepted to be tied to him. The same love he felt pour from Yoongi was being echoed right back to him in a beautiful and overwhelming way.
He felt the moment it left Yoongi and travelled into his hand, moving up his arms leaving a pleasant warmth in its wake. The fire tampered down to a warm sensation of being home.He felt it fit into the hole that was left by the piece he broke off. Fitting there perfectly like it had always been there.
The moonbeam glowed brighter over them casting a glow that spread over them both filling the clearing with bright but warm light. Jimin felt tears streaming down his face as he smiled at Yoongi, their love and union had been blessed.
Soul binding did not always work on the first try so they had to have a love like no other in order for it to be this strong and powerful. Yoongi pulled Jimin closer with his free hand wrapping around Jimins waist. “You are my love for all my lives, I love you so much baby.”
Jimin felt his heart could explode from pure happiness. He just smiled. “I love you too, so very much.”
They shared a soft kiss, their lips dancing over each other while being bathed in the moon beam. Jimin knew that come what may, he would always have Yoongi.
*-*-*-*-*
Things grew more tense over the days, people were being targeted left and right called witches. Saying they were bringing evil into the world, he had heard of an elderly man having stones placed upon his chest. The weight increased until his chest was crushed in, it made him shudder with fear.
Less and less people were coming to his small shop, making him mostly keep to himself. His fears about things turning became more true by the day. He had closed up shop and was about to get some bread from the bakery before heading home when he heard the whispers.
A mob of angry townsfolk were headed to the witches house in the forest. Panic surged through him as he ran the shortcut path they had found. He cried out seeing the house on fire running to the front. Yoongi was on the ground glaring up at men who were holding him down. “Where is the witch!”
Yoongi sees him shaking his head. He struggled to get free. “I live here there is no old woman, just stupid stories.”
Yoongi struggled against them as he was pulled to a pillar and tied to the burning him. He couldn’t get free, the pain in Jimins chest. He didn’t think as he bolted from the woodline screaming Yoongis name. “Yoongi! No stop, please!”
He was quickly grabbed up by the men kicking and screaming for Yoongi. He could hear Yoongis desperate cries for him to be let go. “Where is the witch boy! The one who conjures the fires of green and red.”
Jimin shakes his head. “It’s me! The fires are green from the medicines I make for you all.”
Yoongi screamed. “He lies, I am the witch.”
Jimin looked at Yoongi. “My love, I will come back to you.”
Yoongi cried, shaking his head screaming out Jimins name. Flames began to ravage his body, Jimin held to the ground could only watch in horror as his home and his love burnt. He struggled to breakfree pulling a knife he had dipped in poison should he ever need it. The men stepped back as he sobbed crying looking at Yoongi as his body fell to the ground, the ropes giving way from the fire.
He screamed loudly as it pierced through the forest. A shaking hand he wanted to curse and smite them, he wanted to kill them all. He just couldn’t live without Yoongi. The men were ready to descend on him again when he took the knife and sliced it across his throat.
He sputtered before he fell to his knees and crawled dragging himself over the ground where Yoongi lay draping his body over his. The flames started to crawl over his body as he took ragged breaths. All he could see was Yoongi in his mind and he had a promise that he would find him once again.
*-*-*-*-*
Jimin rolled over in the bed with a groan, he sat up looking around. He rubbed his hand over his face. For about a month now he had this nagging feeling that was only growing stronger. Something in him kept telling him he was in the wrong place.
He loves Busan, the warm beaches and his cozy little apartment but he felt like something was missing terribly. He walked out into the living room seeing his best friend on the couch. He smiled at Taehyung as he plopped down. “I think I need to go to Seoul.”
Tae looked at him. “You think that's where you belong?”
Jimin nodded, he had told Tae he knew his soul would lead him where he needed to get that something was missing he just needed a sign. Last night in his dreams he dreamt of towering buildings and saw a sign for Seoul. So he thought he would listen. “Yeah I dreamt of the same street again. This time it had a sign saying it was in Seoul, so I am going to take Hobi up on his room offer.”
Tae smiled. “I will miss you, but I understand. Me and Kookie will come visit once you feel settled.”
Jimin was thankful that he didn’t question it just pushed him to go and see what he was looking for. That's how later that afternoon he found himself with his bags packed and on the train headed to Seoul. The closer he got the stronger the feeling that he made the right choice became.
When he exited the train he looked around spotting Hobi quickly running over to him. He got pulled into a warm hug. He couldn’t explain it but he knew he had known Hobi a long time, across lives even. Same with Tae and his boyfriend Kookie, they were just intertwined with one another. Despite having them he still felt that longing, now here in Seoul it was like everything was pulling him to run a certain way.
He took a breath trying to settle himself, chatting with Hobi as he talked about his trip. Hobi didn’t expect anything from him for the room. Told him to spend his time finding what he was searching for. They got to Hobis place, depositing his things and he felt like running back out to the street.
He looked at the door and back to Hobi who just smiled. “You feel something don’t you?”
Jimin had explained why he was there, so he just nodded. “Like its screaming for me sitting here.”
Hobi pushed him from the couch. “Then go, find it, follow the call.”
Jimin giggled as he hugged him getting up from the couch. He wasn’t sure where he was going, just letting his feet lead the way. Through the streets of Seoul, nothing looked like his dream yet so he wasn’t sure how far away he was.
He felt like it was forever as he walked the warmth in his chest growing knowing he was at least going the right way. When he saw the Seoul sign from his dreams, he stopped looking up at it. It was identical down to the chipping paint.
He looked around seeing an alleyway of shops, the invisible pull leading him that way, slowly crossing the street he looked down. A few shops lined the way, none of them calling to him. He sighed wondering if it was wrong but stepped into the alley regardless.
He passed book stores, coffee shops and even a little toy shop. None of them feeling quite right, he felt a ringing in his ears knowing he was getting closer before he stopped in front of a small apothecary.
Vines grew over the windows but something about it felt so much like home. Something beckoned him to come inside he looked at the building taking a small breath wondering what answers lied on the other side for him. What exactly was pulling him to this very spot.
He took a deep breath before he pulled on the door walking inside. A chime tingling overhead, he looked up to see it made of small shells. He smiled at it, having it always been one of his favorite sounds. He steps further into the shop taking a look around.
He hears a voice from the back that sends a shudder through his body. A low drawl. “I will be right with you.”
All he can do is stare in its direction, warmth starting to envelope him. Everything screaming that this here is why he came. This person there is what his soul has been searching for, he cannot move from his spot awaiting the man to reveal himself.
It feels like the world is moving in slow motion when he sees a hand reach pushing the curtain out of the way he steps out and its soul seems to come to life. They make eye contact and it is like a wave crashing over him. Lives lived before flood his brain stolen kisses, cries as they are pulled apart, but coming back together again and again.
He can’t help the smile that blooms on his face as tears threaten to spill. He sees the stunned look on Yoongis face as his gummy smile takes over. His feet move on their own accord as Yoongi helps to close the distance between them.
He crashes into Yoongi, arms winding around him. “My baby, my love you are here how I have longed for you.”
He just nuzzles into his chest feeling home, feeling so complete his missing piece finally falling into place. “I got a little lost, ended up in Busan this time.”
Yoongi hums as his arms tighten around him. They sometimes found each other when they were younger, other times a bit older like this and more able to understand what is happening. They never failed though always returning to each other.
Their soul binding and a love so strong that each and every time they found each other again. It never fails, it never ceases, it never wavers. The moon rises and sets on them, like it did so many life times ago. Jimin was back exactly where he belonged.
They shared soft kisses smiling, their souls calming now they were together again. Pulling apart only to press their foreheads together. “My love, I am home.”
Yoongi hummed. Jimin could remember all the times he had said that to Yoongi, all the time he came back to where he belonged. He remembered the moments they were ripped apart from each other.
Yoongi always begging him not to do something rash and each time Jimin does not wanting to live a life without him. He always thought the sooner he was done with this life the sooner he would return to Yoongi.
This time they were both relatively young in their twenties, meaning they had plenty of years ahead of them. Yoongi felt called to open the apothecary, he wasn’t as skilled in it as Jimin but it was something they continued to do every time.
They never charged much for people to get what they needed, as modern medicine made them a little less needed. They knew some took solace in home remedies and things from plants knowing it was much better for the body then some of the synthetic drugs that were out there.
*-*-*-*-*
Jimin had immediately told Tae and Hobi. Tae was so thrilled for him as was Hobi, the only thing that made Hobi sad was he had a roommate for a second before Jimin went to stay with Yoongi.
Jimin was moving around the shop. He had changed some things but nothing drastically and Yoongi swore he just made it better and never made Jimin feel guilty about any of it. He was restocking things when the chime sounded. He smiled, calling out to the customer. “Be right there.”
He walks out and instead of seeing a person he is met with a large bouquet of flowers, he giggles with a smile. Walking over, taking the flowers, lowering them enough to see Yoongi. Yoongi grinning at him. “Hello beautiful. I got what we needed but you needed these so.”
Jimin shakes his head leaning forward to press a kiss to Yoongis cheek. “You are too sweet for me.”
Yoongi shakes his head. “Can never shower you with love enough.”
Jimin walks away to put the flowers into a vase that he will leave on the counter, his and Yoongis home already filled with flowers. The older one surprises him with flowers so often he never goes without. Yoongi takes the other items to the back to sort and inventory, as the chime sounds again.
Jimin gives a quick glance welcoming the customer in before finishing arranging his flowers. A sense of dread fills him as he slowly looks up. It's a face that haunts his nightmares as he steps back looking at the man. That was the man that ended their lives the first time, he had tied Yoongi to the pole of their home setting him ablaze.
Hr could sense the man had no magic himself, and while his face looked different this time he saw the black of his soul pouring out. “I need help, I heard my best option was to come here.”
Jimin wanted to scream and tell him to leave, he wanted to claw him apart. As if sensing Jimins unease Yoongi came out wrapping an arm around his waist. Jimin took a deep breath before he finally responded. “What are you looking for help with?”
Jimin didn’t really have to ask, he could see his sunken cheeks. The pale complexion, the man was battling a brutal illness. The man nodded. “I have cancer, and the chemo and radiation isn’t helping. I have no other options besides death, unless you can actually help.”
Jimin hummed softly. Yoongi rubbed his back. “What type, it matters based off what we can give to you. Though not sure how much it will help at this point. No offense.”
Jimin snorted under his breath, he wanted full offense. He wanted to tell the man he looked like death he wanted him to die a painful death just like he had. The man nodded. “I am not here to continue living, I realize there is nothing like that for me. I just want it to be less painful, and to take away the suffering my family is going through to watch me die.”
Jimin thought of the irony of not wanting his loved ones to see him suffer when he was the cause of his worst pain imaginable. He knew Yoongi could tell as well, but the man would have no idea. Maybe a sense of deja vu or I have seen you somewhere before, most people never said anything shaking off the feeling.
He looked at Yoongi not wanting to help him but Yoongi just smiled so Jimin sighed. “Well it is not quite common practice and we could get in a lot of trouble to help you like this.”
The man looks lost, he starts to cough a napkin going to his mouth. Jimin can see the blood before he puts it backs into his pocket. “You have lung cancer?”
The man nods. “Please, what can you do for me?”
Jimin sighs. “I don’t think you want to be here. The florist is a much better option”
The man looks at him in confusion. “Maybe you just need a bouquet of flowers.”
Jimin looks at him to see if he is catching on before he nods. Jimin lets out a breath. “Oleander and White snakeroot are beautiful together.”
The man lets out a breath. “Is there anything I shouldn’t do with them, you know, to keep them safe.”
Jimin nods. “Don't crush them, and never put them in hot water.”
The man nods, bowing to him. “Thank you, thank you.”
He goes to leave the shop but not before turning back. “Is this your only shop?”
Jimin nods. “Yes we have no others.”
The man shrugs it off. “Just think I know you from somewhere, but maybe I just saw you around town.”
Jimin nods with a forced smile. “Probably, best of luck to you.”
He leaves the shop and Jimin just screams out in frustration. He feels Yoongi envelop him in a hug. “I know that was so hard for you baby, are you okay?”
Jimin latches onto him shaking his head. “God, the things I imagined doing to him. Making it less painful was not one of them.”
Yoongi chuckles. “Well you got him mixing two very poisonous plants together. He wont just lay down and sleep peacefully.”
Jimin just shrugs. “I told him we couldn’t help him, I never said it was going to be easy either. In fact I recall telling him not to do it. So if he suffers from doing something I said not to do than that is on him not me.”
Yoongi just chuckled. “Are you okay though?”
Jimin nodded cupping his face. “I have you so I am okay.”
Yoongi smiles leaning in for a soft kiss, every time their lips meet Jimin feels put back together again. Yoongi had always been and would always be his home, even before the moment they bound their souls together.
His soul already knew Yoongi was his love, not just the love of his life. The love that healed his soul, the amount of life times he had lived with Yoongi and the amount of lifetimes he still had to go.
Most people didn’t realize the same people lived on the planet again and again. Coming back in one way or another. When they say history is doomed to repeat itself it's because it was the same people doing the same things over and over.
Minor things changed, and sometimes the truly evil souls would finally go away and not come back. Though more often than not they returned as the world needed that balance of good and evil. Jimin and Yoongi binding their souls together just helped them see it a little bit easier.
So Yoongi went back to the back of the shop to finish inventorying and Jimin just smiled as the bells chimed on the shop doors. Another customer coming in, but for him all he heard were the delicate chimes that meant he was home. Right beside Yoongi where he belonged, with the love that meant everything to him.
He looked at the customer with a bright smile, ‘“Welcome, how can I help you?”