Chapter Text
"You must be cold." The voice was intentionally soothing, deep with an accent that melded the words a little
Yoongi's wet cloak was sticking to him uncomfortably where it wrapped around his shivering frame. He glowered at the man in front of him for stating the obvious that Yoongi didn't want to acknowledge. He didn't want to admit that he was lost, that he failed to smell the rain in the immediate distance because he was so hungry. That he'd used most of his magic on his journey already without giving himself time to replenish. He was weak and he didn't like that the strange witch was his only hope of making a recovery.
Said witch was already sifting various dried floral ingredients into hot water that seemed to boil faster at his encouragement. The room was warming up with the scent of calming botanicals, reminding Yoongi of a summer garden and all the healing properties that came along with it.
Yoongi was no longer dripping wet, but there was still creamy white hair clinging to his forehead, so he shook his head rapidly to fling the excess droplets from the ends.
"Just because you're partially a cat doesn't mean you can just dry yourself off like one," the witch scolded as he brought over the aromatic brew in a bamboo cup, his expression still mostly unreadable, but now there was a slight pout to his otherwise shapely lips.
Yoongi swore he wasn't staring at them, they only caught his eye because the witch wiped at them a moment later to thumb off the rainwater Yoongi had splattered onto them.
"Here, this will warm you up and dry you off." Yoongi didn't know why the odd witch was helping him when he had only hissed at the other when he found him in the forest. He'd nearly knocked over the basket of thunder blossoms freshly picked in the storm that was tucked under the man's arm while he linked the other with Yoongi's to drag him home.
Even with the rain ward over both of them as the witch guided them to his cottage, Yoongi was trembling, so he reluctantly accepted the drink where he stood in the kitchen. Ivory cat ears perked up just a little when the warm liquid met his lips, evaporating the rain on his person in a little steam cloud and then aiding his circulatory system to pick back up and distribute body heat normally again.
It was weird magic. He could feel it down to his molecules rather than just the blind trust of how a spell affected the world. With the rain ward, he could see where the air got dense around them, turning into a hydrophobic solid upon contact with each individual raindrop.
Who was this witch?
Yoongi felt a rising sense of dread until he glanced back up again, seeing the man finally break into something of a smile. Not exactly harmless but certainly not dangerous.
"You don't have to tell me what you're doing out here, but i'd like to know your name. I'm Taehyung." The witch was cordial, Yoongi would give him that. He sipped the floral blend, both hands curled around the pleasantly warm cup where they peeked out of his now dry sleeves.
He watched the witch's lithe fingers guide the condensed rain cloud to the sink and let it all pour back down the drain. "How are you doing that?" was the response Yoongi decided on after another mouthful of brew.
Taehyung blinked at him, delicate, yet broad hand lowering back to his side slowly. "...Magic?" he answered with a tilt of his head, vaguely puzzled by the inquiry.
Yoongi didn't know why, but a laugh punched out of him at that, nearly huffing into his drink held close to his face to keep his nose warm. "You're fuckin' right about that."
Taehyung smiled more gently this time, the shake of his shoulders as he silently laughed making the wavy mop of rich, mahogany hair on his head bounce along. "Do you want to sit? You can rest here until the storm is over. Or for the rest of the night?" the witch offered, gesturing to the well-worn couch adjacent to the small table that separated the living and dining area.
Or for the rest of my life , Yoongi thought bitterly, the distrust sitting heavy on his tongue. But he didn't voice it, instead making his way over to the comfortable-looking furniture and sitting down.
Any familiar would be lucky to end up in a place like this, surrounded by nature and comfort and clearly a powerful companion. But it was also a shackle, an irreversible bond that took away the familiar's sense of self other than how useful it was to its master. Yoongi didn't want to live like that. He could brew potions with his own power, even if it took him a long time to gather the ingredients. He could cast his own spells even if his magic was significantly depleted afterward. He just had to get better at it. Which was why he was on this journey in the first place.
A bright flash of lightning outside the window reminded Yoongi that no matter what, he was stuck here for the next while. "I'll go ahead and make us some dinner while you sit there and stew in your own brain," Taehyung spoke from the kitchen, already moving from cupboard to cupboard, preparing ingredients.
Yoongi didn't like being called out like that, but he merely gave a small 'hmph' and nestled into his robes once he finished his cup of warmth. He knew the leaves and petals remaining at the bottom were supposed to be some kind of divination for the future, but he scoffed and set the cup aside without looking at them. He'd decide his own fate.
He took a moment to survey the cottage, slightly clawed fingers picking at the torn hem of his pants as he slipped out of his shoes and drew his feet up beneath him on the couch. It was quaint, no bigger than it needed to be for one person with various plants extruding from every corner. Some were flowering while others got shy with the newcomer and pulled back into their pots. But it was quite obvious no one else lived there. No significant other, no familiar. Which didn't completely surprise Yoongi, Taehyung looked pretty young. At least no older than himself. But it was also why Yoongi was hesitant to give his name. Familiar contracts were created with a name and had very little to do with consent.
His attention was redirected, however, by the smell starting to emanate from the kitchen. Taehyung was cooking… fish. When the nearest river was miles away?
Yoongi watched Taehyung turn the fillets over on the metal grate set above the open fire that served as a stove. It was a very nice scent that wafted toward him so at least he knew the witch wasn't poisoning him. Slowly, he unfurled himself from the couch to pad barefoot over to the kitchen sink, taking his cup to place with a few other pieces of handcrafted dishes already in it.
"Oh hey, it'll be done in just another minute," Taehyung told him, clacking together the chopsticks in his hand valiantly.
The meal wasn't by any means fancy, just a trout fillet and rice, with a few seasoned vegetables on the side. But it was better than anything Yoongi had put in his mouth in the past week. He sat across from Taehyung at the small table, trying to pace himself enough to pick around the bones of the fish rather than stuff the whole thing in his mouth. Taehyung was quiet, but not silent. He directed yoongi on where to sit, asked if he wanted something to drink, and told him he could have more rice and vegetables if he wanted.
"I hope you like it," Taehyung murmured as if the way Yoongi was shoveling the food into his gullet wasn't proof enough that he did.
"Did you make me fish because I'm a cat?" Yoongi asked back teasingly. He couldn't help a jab where he could get one. It was a great defense mechanism.
The blush was immediate over Taehyung's features, well-timed with a clap of thunder. He sank a little into his chair and lowered his eyes to his food. "I did assume it was the best option. I haven't met many unclaimed cat spirits."
Yoongi did find himself staring this time, the long fringe of the witch's hair obscured his eyes, but framed the well-structured features of the rest of his face. Pink stained his cheeks and his teeth chewed on the inside of his lower lip, clearly embarrassed by the stereotyping.
"Which is why I guess you don't want to tell me your name. That's fair," Taehyung was rambling now, setting his chopsticks down next to his plate and glanced back up at Yoongi across from him.
Yoongi snapped himself out of the dull comfort that came from staring at the other and relented with a soft sigh. Clearly the guy was going through it from a little teasing. "It's fine. I do like fish. No more than anyone else, I suppose, though. And you can call me whatever you want while I'm here," he clarified, tired voice finally uttering more than a few words. "Within reason."
"Okay, um…" Taehyung tilted his head as he openly examined Yoongi, placid gaze sharpening as it roamed over his stark white hair, unkempt where it fluffed around his furry ears down to his face. The intensity made Yoongi's pulse pick up when his more grey eyes locked with the soft oaken pair.
Yoongi tried to remain still, lips slightly parted as he was assessed with such care, such blatancy. All the way down to the pendants of crystals he wore around his neck, and he was suddenly able to feel where each one rested against his décolleté. His heavy cloak obscured anything further so Taehyung returned his attention to Yoongi's face. "August."
Yoongi blanched at that, confusion and slight disappointment furrowing his brows tight. "You're going to call me by the name of the current month? What the hell was all that scrutiny for?" he huffed, feeling a little exposed for no reason now.
"I'm not going to make more assumptions about you," Taehyung replied simply and pushed himself up from his seat. (When had he finished eating?)
The witch reached across the table and Yoongi started slightly when long fingers brushed along the ends of his hair. "Would you rather me call you Sugar? Your hair is so white." The comment was followed with a low chuckle, one that matched Taehyung's baritone voice well.
"I'll pass. August is fine," Yoongi mumbled, stuffing the last bite of his own meal into his mouth to avoid speaking further.
After dinner and cleaning up (which Yoongi insisted on at least helping dry the dishes) the storm still didn't seem to be letting up. Candles flickered excitedly whenever Yoongi passed by and the shyer plants were hesitantly sticking out their tendrils to graze Yoongi's shoulders occasionally. This place really was odd.
"You can bathe if you want. I've got fresh well-water. If you do end up staying, you should at least be more comfortable." Taehyung had no qualms with leading Yoongi to the bathroom by the hand despite Yoongi's weak attempt to shake out of it.
But there was no fighting off the other, especially in his current state. The food had helped but Taehyung was taller than Yoongi, broader in more areas from what he could tell. It was hard to be certain under the oversized, yet very on brand, green and brown attire the other sported, but Yoongi could feel the strength in his grip.
Taehyung showed him how to work the pump to fill the tub and pointed out the array of handmade soaps and what they were for. He brought Yoongi a fresh towel and even though he offered clean clothes as well, Yoongi declined. "I'm already in your debt. This is more than enough," he insisted, finally at least deciding that Taehyung wasn't going to kill or enslave him, but he definitely didn't want to owe much to a witch. That could come back to bite him in the ass.
"Okay, just… let me know if you need anything else." Taehyung left Yoongi in the bathroom, the pump steadily running warm water into the tub.
Was it stone? How was it so smooth? Well, considering Taehyung's ability to manipulate the very air around them, it seemed that carving a stone tub from a single slab was no problem for the witch's magic. Yoongi shut off the pump with a loud creak when there was enough water to submerge himself in, and he peeled off his many layers of clothes as well as the satchel he had beneath his cloak slung across his torso. The water was heavenly against his tired muscles, the ache of days of walking seeped from his bones as he lay back. This was way nicer than anything he had at home. But home really wasn't home anymore, full of family trying to contract him off into becoming a familiar.
He had run away from it all. Well, running away wasn't quite the right way to put it. He was on a journey to better his own magic so he wouldn't be considered just a vessel for a witch to use. Most familiars liked their bonded witches enough and it was mutually beneficial, while some just tolerated them and were there to amplify magic when called upon, but otherwise had lives of their own. Yoongi had considered the latter option but why couldn't he just use his magic for himself? Why did he have to depend on someone else?
So far his powers had gotten stronger, more precise, so he knew it could work. He could also live without magic too, especially in a place like this. He could hunt and Taehyung clearly had a way with gardening. Wait... why was he thinking about living with Taehyung? It must have been the calendula soap he was rubbing himself down with that made him too comfortable.
Eventually, he was washed and dried, the sound of the water draining from the tub drowned out by the harsh patter of rain still coming down. Yoongi was so, so tired he only put back on his ratty shirt and underwear beneath his cloak. He kept the thick fabric wrapped securely around him as he padded back into the living area, finding Taehyung humming softly to some of the plants he was watering. The witch giggled when a few long leaves wrapped around his fingers, as if they tickled where they grazed his palm. Yoongi paused with the rest of his items tucked in his arms as he watched the exchange. It wasn't uncommon to see pleasant interactions between different species, but the mutual tenderness and adoration wasn't something he'd personally witnessed before. This witch was weird. No wonder he lived alone.
Yoongi flopped onto the couch again to signal his entry, his tail extra fluffy now just like his hair. "Oh, you're done. My ferns were just telling me how nice it is to have company," Taehyung explained as he turned to face Yoongi, setting the watering can on the side table.
"Don't get much, huh?" There was something about the man that made Yoongi want to press him, stir him up, and then maybe he'd get an explanation as to why Taehyung helped him in the first place.
"That's not true! Jiminie visits a lot. But he's so small the plants don't really notice unless he makes himself big. And Namjoon hyung comes to source belladonna for his apothecary. He says mine is the best in the region," the witch was quick to contradict him, hands on his hips as if he was proud of his two-friend achievement.
But one of the names perked Yoongi's ears and he suddenly had hope for his next destination. "You know Namjoon's apothecary? That's actually where I was headed." He left out the 'before I got lost' part because that was unfortunately obvious.
"You know hyungie? It's really hard to get to his shop unless you already know how. And don't listen to his directions, he's shit at navigation," Taehyung seemed to brighten up, coming to sit next to Yoongi on the couch, his ire short-lived.
"I met him in town a couple of times. He has some… services I need," Yoongi ecked out reluctantly.
"I can take you to his shop tomorrow. If you want?" Taehyung offered, leaning back into the couch to stretch his long limbs out in front of him.
Yoongi on the other hand was curled up into a ball, trapping all the warmth from the bath into the robe around him and practically disappearing beneath the heavy black fabric. He rested his head on his own shoulder, cushioned by the bunched up hood and resigned himself to spending the night in Taehyung's house.
"Alright," Yoongi conceded, tired eyes following the movements of the witch's admittedly gorgeous hands while he explained the array of things Namjoon had in his apothecary, some items not sounding particularly magic-oriented at all. Which was weird, but this was all very weird and he supposed he'd just have to get used to it.
Taehyung's voice was soothing to his magic, the uncomfortable ache finally subsiding enough that Yoongi didn't even know when he closed his eyes or when he was lowered down onto a pillow, or when a blanket was draped over him.
The next morning was abrupt. Yoongi stirred awake with senses immediately on edge. He caught the scent of electricity somehow mingling with rice porridge. A small tinkling sound near his ears jolted him upright. "What-" he started, swatting at the flit of sparkling dust in front of his face.
"Hey! Don't hit me! Taehyungie, he's trying to hit me!" a small voice squawked, and the thing practically flying into his face finally retreated.
Yoongi rubbed at his eyes, his adrenaline washing away any grogginess that might have clung to him out of sleep. But as it was, he sat up to find Taehyung in the kitchen again, a big pointed hat perched atop his head. Though the top listed a bit as it was weighed down with charms. He pulled his cloak tighter around himself against the chilly morning air, and only then did he realize his lower half was tucked in by a fuzzy blanket.
"Well if you didn't bother sleeping people, they may not hit you." Came Taehyung's rational response, followed by an amused chuckle while the… Yoongi guessed it was a fairy, perched on the witch's shoulder.
Taehyung wiped his hands off on his brown pants as he finally stepped away from the simmering cauldron and turned to face Yoongi, an apologetic smile on his face. "Sorry about Jimin. He was really curious when I told him I had a guest."
"You don't have a guest, you have a wild animal!" Jimin argued, crossing little arms over his flowing tunic, rose-colored hair shaking out little sparkles as he huffed.
"That's right. Be careful or I'll eat you," Yoongi gruffly replied, carefully maneuvering off the couch to gather his things from the floor next to him.
He heard the appalled cry of the fairy, but when he glanced back up, it was Taehyung's expression that made him pause. He was pretty bad at reading the other man so far, but the wide eyes that trailed down his person really made him want to find out what Taehyung was thinking. The witch didn't defend his fairy friend, nor did he speak up against the insult to Yoongi. He merely seemed to accept Yoongi's more predatory instincts and maybe it was his imagination the way Taehyung's thighs pressed closer together. It was hard to tell in those loose pants. But the pause was long enough for Yoongi to escape to the bathroom to quickly wash up and get dressed.
When he returned, Taehyung was portioning out bowls of porridge - two normal-sized bowls and one that could have been mistaken for a thimble. He placed one each in the same spots he and Yoongi had had their dinner in the night before as well as the smaller one next to his own. Whatever was in the cauldron was now condensed into vials, flower petals gently swirling in the purple liquid. "Was that what you were collecting thunder orchids for last night?" Yoongi questioned as he sat at the table, using the supplied spoon to point to the vials on the counter.
Taehyung seemed surprised that he brought it up, brows raising at him but otherwise nodding. "Of course! Taehyungie is skilled at making potions! As long as they're plant-based," Jimin piped up proudly, settling on the table to Taehyung's right and picked up his bowl to slurp down his own helping of rice porridge.
"It's as he says. I'm a supplier for Namjoon hyung's shop. I make some potions and grow some plants for them. That's an energy potion. It's really popular amongst the scholars so they can binge research," Taehyung explained, excitement for his job seeping into his voice.
"Why don't you just work there? You said last night that he has the most state of the art equipment." Yoongi was speaking between mouthfuls. Even simple porridge was better than the dried out berries and stale bread he'd been subsisting on for several days. It wasn't his fault Namjoon had given him useless directions that led him out into the middle of nowhere.
Taehyung sighed, like it was far from the first time he'd been asked that question. "He's got it under control with Seokjin hyung and Jungkook. And some of the things I do… would reflect poorly on his business."
Now this piqued Yoongi's interest. Maybe Taehyung wasn't the noble and naive witch that took in strangers and fed them all the time. "It's okay, Taetae. I support you," Jimin said, his tone full of sympathy as he flew up to the side of Taehyung's face and gave him a hug. He could barely get his arms around the width of Taehyung's admittedly chiseled cheekbone, but Taehyung broke into a smile and nuzzled Jimin's torso right back.
"What kinds of things do you do?" Taehyung was ready for the obvious next question and dismissed it with a wave of his hand that wasn't holding his spoon.
"Not important while you're here. Not unless you would be interested in becoming my familiar, August." Was the witch deflecting by teasing him? Yoongi knew the best way to get information from someone was by providing something they couldn't resist contradicting. He hated that it worked.
"Hardly. I'm only even here to escape ever becoming a familiar. I can do magic on my own," he said bitterly, scraping the bottom of his bowl for the last spoonful of porridge.
Jimin scoffed, setting his own bowl down since he'd finished as well. "Well, look who's the big strong kitty. Got all this powerful magic and he can't even survive in the woods alone."
Now that was low. In a flash, Yoongi swiped at the fairy, but Jimin was quick to hide behind Taehyung, so all Yoongi got was a handful of softly curled locks. Taehyung flinched when sharp claws came so close to his face, shivering as the very tips grazed his jawline. Yoongi immediately pulled back, not having wanted to scare the witch, but that damned Jimin couldn't keep his mouth shut. "I know it's not common or even known if it's possible, but I'm not going to be at someone's beck and call for the rest of my life because of some fucking bond."
"No one would want such a grumpy cat like you anyway," Jimin said, now sitting on the brim of Taehyung's hat, playing with some of the charms dangling from the drooping point.
"Both of you cut it out. Jiminie, August can do what he wants with his life. And August, don't try to hurt Jiminie ever again." Taehyung finally spoke up, eyes turning sharp as they flicked between the two creatures.
"Whatever…" Yoongi sat back in his chair, letting himself cool off. Which was a little difficult considering there was an underlying warmth when Taehyung called him by the name he'd picked out.
"Thank you for the food, Taehyungie. It was delicious," Jimin murmured after a few moments, receiving a gentle poke to his side that sent him into giggles.
Yoongi didn't know how the fairy could be an empathetic companion in one breath and an insufferable brat in the next, but how actually bad could he be if he was Taehyung's friend? Not that Taehyung was the authority on good judgement if he picked up a lost, soaking wet Yoongi to take home. That aside, Yoongi once again decided to show his gratitude in the abrupt way he took everyone's empty dishes to the sink, pumping enough water into them to make sure the remnants didn't cake onto the sides of the bowls like clay.
This time Jimin didn't say anything, probably because of the way Taehyung was smiling at the action. "We're going to go to the apothecary now, Jiminie. Do you want to come?" Yoongi frowned at the invitation, not really wanting the fairy to tag along and make fun on him the whole way.
"Of course! I need to take sure he doesn't do anything weird to you," Jimin replied, resolute from his perch.
"You just want to see Joonie hyung," Taehyung added as he plucked his own robe from the rack by the front door, the deep green of it suiting him well in Yoongi's opinion.
"I- well… it might be nice," was the fairy's response, lightly freckled cheeks glowing pink. "Can I give him one of your acorns?"
"Of course. He'll be happy to know you remembered." And with that, a flutter of pink wings carried Jimin off through a doorway on the other side of the cottage, past the loft's stairs.
Taehyung leaned in toward Yoongi conspiratorially as he tucked a few vials of the sleeping aid into the pouch at his waist, "Jiminie has a crush on him big time, so he should stay off your back for the most part."
Yoongi hummed in understanding, though he wasn't very optimistic about the chances a sassy little fairy could have with one of the most powerful celestial witches in the region. As soon as Jimin returned with a plump acorn in his arms, he re-situated himself atop the witch's hat and they made their way outside. The sun was unshielded by any clouds as they'd all poured themselves out the night before, but there was still a sticky wetness in the air. It clung to the fur of Yoongi's ears and made him want to lay down to bask in a field. But there was no time for that as Taehyung led the way through the forest. True to his prediction, Jimin mostly talked only to Taehyung, asking if Namjoon had yet reversed the curse of lavender hair his new apprentice had accidentally cast on him. Yoongi's tail swished beneath his robe in interest, so Namjoon did take interns.
Yoongi did his best to mentally map out the path they were taking, watching the sun to see which direction they were going. He wouldn't get lost again. The trek wasn't long, however and maybe it only would have taken one more day for Yoongi to find it, but there was no guarantee he would have survived if Taehyung hadn't found him. Soon enough they came upon a sizable house that spilled plumes of purple smoke from the chimney, the surrounding tree branches swaying into the cloud happily. Taehyung pulled open the door, triggering a little chime from a bell installed to let the occupants know of a new customer.
Jimin hopped off Taehyung's hat and Yoongi startled when the fairy suddenly grew in front of him, surrounded by his glittery dust. He was only slightly shorter than Yoongi at full height, hair pink and swooped in a way that suited his round face and impossibly full lips. Now Yoongi could see him better, but almost wished he couldn't. Jimin was pretty. Not that attractiveness made up for being spiteful.
But when they entered, Yoongi saw why Jimin had made himself human-sized. A boy with jet black hair came running up to them, taking Jimin's hand in his own and tugging him just far enough away from Taehyung that he could spin and examine the fairy in his short, sparkling tunic. "You did such a great job Jimin hyung! Was shifting a little easier with the charm I gave you?" The boy marvelled openly, smiling wide enough to reveal bunny-like front teeth while Jimin lifted a hand to finger at the small medallion situated around his neck.
"Y-yes. It was a great help, Jungkookie," Jimin answered, stuttering slightly in the presence of such enthusiasm. His cheeks went a shade of pink to match his hair, little specks of glitter shining where freckles were scattered across his nose.
"I thought he had a crush on Namjoon?" Yoongi whispered in confusion to Taehyung, not sure why Jimin was getting all flustered over this boy when he apparently already had a fling going.
Taehyung just shrugged, and Yoongi glanced back over to the duo. "Who's your guest, Taehyung?" A voice filtered through the warm, cluttered apothecary, bouncing off the various glass jars on the shelves and making the vines spilling out of ceramic planters wiggle in happiness.
This seemed to snap the boy (Jungkook?) to attention, making him realize the world included more than just the blushing Jimin. Jungkook's curious gaze leveled on him, though his hands did not release Jimin's.
"Min August. I told Namjoon I was coming to visit him," Yoongi stepped out from behind Taehyung toward the counter where the owner of the voice came from.
Behind the counter stood a gorgeous kumiho with chestnut hair swept back from his forehead and sharp, onyx eyes emphasized by the thick brows that framed them. The fox had impressive tails indicative of his magic, though they were currently decorated with daffodils and carnations intertwined in the fur. "Ah, the only unclaimed Min remaining. I heard about your quest from Joonie. I believe he got over-excited when he found another animalia spirit who wanted to learn magic. I'm his familiar, Seokjin." The kumiho reached out a hand to shake, long fingers striped with the same red that painted his cheekbones and elegantly clawed.
Yoongi met him halfway in the handshake which turned into a bow, recalling Namjoon saying his familiar could help Yoongi to learn anything he wanted. "At what price?" Yoongi had inquired suspiciously of Namjoon at the time. He never quite got a straight answer, though. Just a half-hearted "We'll find something to trade. Don't worry." How could he not be worried when he was indebted to witches?
"Ah, August-ssi! Hyung said someone was coming! But after a couple weeks, I wasn't sure you'd make it." It was Jungkook's turn to have a flash of recognition from Namjoon's news of a possible cat coming to train with them.
The boy bowed deeply, so deep the hood of his royal purple robe fell over his head and prompted giggles from Jimin. "Yeah, well if he wasn't so shit at directions, I would have been here a long time ago," Yoongi glowered, remembering his near-death experience.
Taehyung had stepped up to the counter as well, diverting Seokjin's attention with some chatter behind Yoongi. After Jimin had replaced Jungkook's hood when he stood back up again, Jungkook smiled bashfully. "Ah, sorry about that. I always tell him to take maps to give out but he always forgets. I'll go get him, though!" The boy scampered off to the back of the shop and through a swinging door.
Jimin stared after Jungkook almost wistfully, and Yoongi rolled his eyes before turning back to the counter.
"These are very fresh, Taehyung. Tell me you didn't risk gathering them in that wretched storm last night…" Seokjin was saying as a well-manicured claw tapped at the side of one of the vials Taehyung had procured from his bag.
"It was a good thing I did. That's how I came across August," Taehyung replied, a soft, almost forlorn smile on his lips as he passed the remaining jars over to Seokjin.
"That kindness is going to get you into trouble someday, you know. And I don't think you can afford any setbacks right now." The conversation went mostly over Yoongi's head. What did Taehyung have to lose that he couldn't allow any setbacks for?
"It all worked out. Please take good care of him. He can come off callous and moody, but I'm pretty sure he's got a decent heart somewhere in there," Taehyung added, unaware that Yoongi was listening now.
"Hey, I'm right here," Yoongi piped up, stalking back to lean on the countertop. Taehyung turned to him and laughed - that was a much better look on him than the wane expression.
"You'll be good, right, August-ssi?" Taehyung tilted his head at Yoongi expectantly, like he was dropping him off at a relative's house and making Yoongi promise to behave.
The problem was that Yoongi didn't actually want to disappoint the witch, so he only huffed and glanced away, unwilling to give an answer. When his eyes fell on the doorway, Jungkook was returning with Namjoon in tow. And Yoongi knew he was going to have to be fast.
"Oh! You made it, Y-"
Yoongi flicked his hand upward, fingers clamping together as he hissed out an incantation that briefly silenced Namjoon. The celestial witch's lips pressed tightly together of their own accord, just long enough to cut him off. The suddenness halted him in his tracks as well.
"I just want to remind you not to say my name in front of witches without familiars," Yoongi said sternly, sending Namjoon a death glare because he just knew the other man would have forgotten. Namjoon had told him that Jungkook wasn't bound yet, and despite the insistence that Jungkook wouldn't force him, Yoongi still didn't trust anyone he didn't know. Especially with the unexpected addition of Taehyung.
"August isn't your real name?" Jungkook asked, a bit stunned. Oh, this young witch had many things to learn about the world.
"It's what I would prefer you call me."
"I gave him the name," Taehyung chimed in proudly, which prompted Yoongi to also send him a glare, unable to dispute the claim as it was true. But did Taehyung have to be so smug about it?
"You gave this… vagabond a name?" Yoongi could tell Jimin wanted to call him something worse, but maybe it was the way Yoongi had shut Namjoon up moments prior that prompted him to change his verbiage.
As a result, Yoongi wasn't offended. At least Taehyung took a liking to him. As to why, though, he wasn't sure. Jimin just sighed and turned his attention to Namjoon who quickly shook off the admittedly mild spell. He stepped up and held out his hands, proffering the fat little acorn that was now decorated in glitter particles that seemed to stick to anything Jimin touched.
"Very pretty, Jimin. The new fairy oak will be really happy with this. Thank you for thinking of it," Namjoon took the acorn and carefully set it into one of the many pouches at his belt before ruffling Jimin's hair affectionately and causing his cheeks to glow even more.
"Alright. August-ssi, how about you come in and I'll show you around. Thank you for the potions, Taehyung. Make sure to pay him extra for their freshness, hyung," Namjoon beckoned Yoongi to follow him to the doorway that led further into the shop, which Yoongi assumed to also be their abode.
Yoongi slipped past the awe-struck fairy after Namjoon, following him up a flight of stairs to the second floor.
"Sorry, it slipped my mind. But you really don't have to be concerned about either Jungkook or Taehyung. They're good people," Namjoon consoled Yoongi as he took him back into a kitchen area, dried plants and herbs hanging in front of the singular window and many bottles of potions only vaguely kept separate from edible preserves on the shelves. It looked like a disaster waiting to happen.
"It would be a mistake to put my trust in them so soon," Yoongi argued while Namjoon showed him into the living room next, strings of little electric lights draping each wall and providing a gentle glow against the dark wood of the room.
The house seemed to be more modernized than Taehyung's little cottage, which was odd for being so far out into the forest, but the celestial witch seemed to have an affinity for technology as well, evidenced by the electronic telescope on a balcony just outside the double doors and the computer stationed on a desk. "I still hope you'll be able to make yourself comfortable here. Seokjin will mostly be the one teaching you about magic as an animalia spirit, but we're all here to help. I also think it's despicable how the Witches Association has capitalized on familiars in these recent years, so I can't help but want to support you."
"I appreciate it, Namjoon-ssi. I really do. Especially with the risk you are putting yourself into against the Association," Yoongi said, falling a bit more serious as they made their way upstairs, learning whose bedrooms were whose. There were three bedrooms and one bathroom with Jungkook and Namjoon now sharing a room with Yoongi's arrival.
The witch turned and placed his hands on Yoongi's shoulders and Yoongi's ears twitched at the sudden action. "I have hidden this place from the Association for a long time, and I'm sure you've noticed why. They don't take kindly to integrating science with magic. Celestial witches that aren't fortune tellers or divinators don't last very long. I was a divinator for quite some time before I met Taehyung. Now I see there's so much more we can be doing with our powers."
It might sound a little diabolical to those who aligned themselves with the Association, but Yoongi knew Namjoon was right. They were the villains here. But at least they weren't trying to take over the world and subject everyone to their rules. Just a few little rogues.
"What does Taehyung do? Who is he?" Yoongi inquired as they continued on and he was shown the room that would be his, a cozy space with a few bits of furniture already sporadically placed, but otherwise completely cleared out of anything belonging to the young witch. Yoongi felt a little bad for displacing Jungkook so suddenly.
"Taehyung is… different. But I promise he has a reason. What that is, I'll let him tell you one day. He seems taken with you," Namjoon said a bit cheekily, following Yoongi inside.
Yoongi finally tugged off his cloak and set down his satchel on the bed, brows furrowing as he wondered what the hell that could even mean. "I don't think so. I just scowled at him and refused to tell him my name. And tried to mangle his friend."
"Jiminie is quite the handful," Namjoon chuckled and waved for Yoongi to follow him back out. "Seokjin will make lunch soon, let's head back."
At least with Namjoon, Yoongi felt a sense of camaraderie, a journey for the same cause - to escape the iron grip of the Association. He wondered just how strong Namjoon and Seokjin had to be together to keep the apothecary hidden except to those trustworthy clients. Having a kumiho as a familiar was rare enough as many witches ended up missing a few organs or got devoured completely by the beasts but Seokjin seemed almost kind .
When they returned downstairs, Yoongi noticed that Taehyung had left. Jimin was still there, back in his small form, currently braiding tufts of Jungkook's long hair and placing dandelions in the strands while the witch stocked a box of koi fish scales. Yoongi's mouth pulled into a frown; he was kind of disappointed he didn't get to say goodbye to Taehyung.
"Don't worry, he's a very frequent client and often comes over just to hang out," Seokjin supplied as if he was able to read Yoongi's mind. Wait, could he?
"I didn't ask," Yoongi grumbled, though he still received a wary look from Jimin.
The rest of the day was mostly Yoongi looking around the apothecary, occasionally being told what things were by Jungkook in between his own lessons. That was the thing about the boy, he was incredibly studious and Namjoon was a walking encyclopedia, so they meshed well. Jimin did as well with the way he flitted about, bringing them ingredients that Namjoon practically waxed the entire history of. Jungkook took notes and Jimin watched with an extraordinary amount of endearment. Even when Namjoon tripped over his own robe, Jimin just sat on the edge of Jungkook's notebook, chin in his hands looking whipped as fuck when Jungkook caught Namjoon by the arm and asked if he'd been working out.
Yoongi understood now. He didn't understand what he understood, but it was something.