Jin was sitting on the sofa watching Taehyung who was walking back and forth in the living room occasionally shaking his head and murmuring something. His restlessness and incessant pacing was making Jin’s head spin. It hadn’t been that long since Jimin left and he was already wearing a hole in the floor.

“Will you stop that?” He asked finally fed up.

“Stop what?” Tae asked surprise evident on his face.

“Your mindless pacing. It’s making me crabby.” Jin said crossing his legs, a pout evident on his face.

Tae couldn’t help but laugh at that. “When are you not crabby hyung? I wonder how Joonie hyung deals with you all the time.”

“Yah-” Jin uncrossed his legs and continued. “-for your information Joonie loves me and my crabbiness.” At Taehyung’s scoff Jin continued “But don’t worry I still love you the most baby brother.” He fixed Tae with a look and brought his hand up to his lips sending a flying kiss his way.

Tae dissolved into giggles losing his balance and fell. “You are too much seriously.” He murmured after getting his breath back.

“Whatever. Now that you aren’t pacing and making me agitated, tell me what’s wrong?” Jin said patting the sofa beside him silently asking Tae to sit with him.

“What do you mean? I am not worried about anything.” Tae sighed lying on the sofa resting his head on Jin’s lap instead.

“Tae.” Jin warned in a low voice. “What did I say about bottling things up?” Taehyung snorted. “That was for Jimin.” He looked up at Jin.

“It was meant for both of you. Now tell me what’s wrong.” Jin said running his fingers through Tae’s hair.

“I don’t know Jinnie hyung, I am just really worried about Jiminie. I mean I have no way of knowing how he is, this bond lets him feel what I feel every time I allow it but it doesn’t extend the same courtesy to me. I can’t know how he feels unless he tells me and you know how rare that is and it .”  Tae murmured.

“You know the reason behind the bond right? It’s not there for convenience or other fancy stuff, the only reason why bond mates existed in the first place was to help casters to be in control, to be able to control their magic and to not be swept up by their emotions loosing control. The bond is supposed to be this way. They are supposed to gauge your feelings and help you accordingly so you won’t be overwhelmed by your emotions messing up the spells. It had been this way even before the shift Tae.” Jin sighed still massaging Tae’s scalp.

“But that’s the thing hyung, Jiminie is not the usual bond mate. He is a channeler, they are not supposed to be bond mates not even before the shift or the disappearance of stone. I know he is strong but I just worry sometimes thinking what if my unstable spells on top of the spiraling emotions I have overwhelm him? What if he gets drowned in my emotions unable to differentiate what’s his and what’s mine? You know that’s a recipe for disaster. There is a reason why channeler’s are never bond mates, why Azure witches were never bond mates.” Tae sat up frustration evident on his features.

“Azure witches were never bond mates for casters because during circles whether be full or half azure witches were needed to work alongside casters. They used to weave spells for the casters to cast. It’s impossible to weave and untangle the emotions of a caster at the same time.” Jin explained.

Tae huffed. “But now they are channelers , can only weave spells with the help of caster’s power and this shared energy results in spells weaker than before, resulting in the full circle to be repeated more often than twice a year.” He rubbed his face. “I know hyung I pay attention in class.”

Jin snorted. “Who knew?”

Tae pushed Jin and whined. “I am serious hyung.”

“Let me finish.” Jin pushed Tae back. “The essence of a caster somehow knew that’s why they never chose to bond with theirs.”

“Why did my magical essence have to bond with his then? Why does his life have to be endangered just so my emotions don’t overwhelm me.” He continued almost pulling his hair out with how agitated he was.

“Just for that reason Tae. Your emotions need stability and he has calmness and the best control.”

“But that’s for now hyung. I am afraid of the day we have to participate in a circle as the performers and not supporters. How will he handle weaving and me at the same time?”

Jin worried about that day too.

Jin hugged his brother trying to comfort him. He knows how close Tae and Jimin were and also was aware how much Tae worried about him but he also knew how strong Jimin was as compared to other channelers.

 “You remember what I told you on Jimin’s birthday? You have to be strong and lend him your strength when he gets weak.” Jin said.

He continued “There must be reason why you two ended up being bond mates, why you chose him as the person to support you emotionally and why fate chose him as your physical support Tae. Why your essence bonded with his and your powers ended up being compatible during screening analysis. You two complement each other that’s why the council permitted this to happen and didn’t interfere-that and the fact you both weren’t compatible with anyone else.  Do the same for him as he does for you. The bond is not the only way you can help him Tae, support him and be his shoulder to lean on. That’s the best you can do for him.” He said rubbing Tae’s back.

“But would that be enough?” Tae mumbled.

“It is for now.” Jin sighed.

There is a right time for everything. We’ll talk about this again when that time comes. Just be there for him baby brother, that’s all you can do at the moment.

Jin thought running a hand through his brother’s hair watching how the tension left his body with every caress.

____________

Jimin and Jungkook were making their way to Jimin’s apartment walking leisurely as if they had all the time in the world. They weren’t precisely in any hurry anyway so why rush? Besides they were enjoying each other’s company too much to care.

They talked about their courses, about their likes and dislikes to their favorite food, about why Jimin was in Seoul and how Jungkook still spend weekends with his parents and about their tastes in music. They talked about everything and at the same time nothing at all. 

Jimin was happy he found a friend in Jungkook. It was not like witches were forbidden to befriend humans, it was just he has never been to human realm so making human friends was highly unlikely.

“Hyung.” They were walking in silence when Jungkook spoke up.

“Hmm?” Jimin hummed looking at him.

“Are you allowed to reveal yourself to us?” Jungkook asked adjusting the beanie on his head.

“It’s forbidden actually.” Jimin smiled wryly.

“WHAT?” Jungkook screeched stopping in his tracks. “Then why did you tell me? OH MY GOD! You’ll get in trouble because of me.” Jungkook flailed.

Jimin laughed and then ran a soothing hand down Jungkook’s back to calm him. “Calm down Jungkookie, I won’t get in trouble.” Jungkook took a deep breath letting go of the tension in his body.

“Besides, I didn’t tell you anything, you found out yourself after you saw me. I just broaden your knowledge by telling you more.”  Jimin giggled cutely at that. “Jin hyung said it’s fine to tell you whatever you wanted to know. So it’s okay.”

“But hyung…” Jungkook said still worried about Jimin.

“Look Jungkookie, no one has to know and they won’t find out if we stay careful. It will be fine so, don’t worry. Besides this-this dream thingy-” Jimin moved his hand around “-is linked to the both of us and the only way we can get answers to all the whys, is together. So letting you know was important.” Jungkook nodded.

Jimin took Jungkook’s hand and they started walking again. Jungkook looked down at their joined hands and couldn’t help but notice the softness of Jimin’s hand and how well it fit in his own. He smiled and intertwined their fingers.

_________

Jimin took a hold of Jungkook’s shoulders and looked him directly in the eyes. Jungkook knew he was blushing but the rosy tinge blooming on Jimin’s cheeks consoled him that he was not the only one.

They were standing outside the apartment which Jimin said was his. The door was already unlocked but Jimin decided some pep talk was necessary to prepare Jungkook for what lie beyond the door.

“Jungkook-ah listen, don’t be surprised by what you see inside ok? It may look like a normal apartment from outside but it’s not.” Jimin murmured in a low voice in case someone was listening. Jungkook felt a shiver ran down his spine at the husky tone of his voice.

“Hyung, whatever it is I can handle it just fine.” Jungkook smiled.

Jimin sighed but opened the door nonetheless. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

As soon as they stepped inside Jimin closed the door behind him. Jungkook observed the apartment and found nothing extraordinary about it. It was the kind of apartment a college student was expected to have.

 All that preparing for nothing Jungkook thought amused. But before he could voice that out Jimin ahhed and said something about not lifting the illusion spell. He murmured something under his breath and then snapped his fingers.

Jungkook turned around and felt his jaw hit the floor. In front of him was not the apartment he saw just 30 seconds ago. It completely transformed into a luxurious condo the kind that is featured in celebrity magazines. All lavish and screaming money.

“What…?”  Jungkook couldn’t help but gasp.

Jimin chuckled and lifted a finger to close Jungkook’s still hanging mouth.  “A little bit transformation, a pinch of space and loads of adjustment spells.” Jimin winked.

“God! It’s like I stepped into another world.” Jungkook walked inside taking in his surroundings. "Am I dreaming hyung?”  He asked without looking at Jimin. Jungkook was no stranger to money or lavish accommodation, hell his parents were filthy rich. It was because of that reason alone, he could pursue a career in Arts and Graphic designing with only a minor in business.  His parents weren’t like other rich stuck ups, they believed in hard work and modesty. He never had anything handed to him on a silver platter and it was because of that very reason he was living in an ordinary apartment- his parents bought for him when he started college- approximately quarter the size of what he was seeing presently.   

Jimin laughed. “No, you are not Jungkookie.”

“We witches don’t like cramped spaces. It makes us uncomfortable and anxious.” Jimin said as he strode towards the kitchen. “Would you like some tea?”

“Yeah that would be nice.” Jungkook said following Jimin. “Why?” He asked situating himself onto the stool observing Jimin.

“Huh?” Jimin asked filling the kettle with water.

“You said confined place makes witches anxious. Why?” Jungkook asked.

Jimin looked at Jungkook, taking in the way he had his chin resting on his palm with his bangs covering part of his left eye. He had no idea why a posture as innocent as that was making his heart race. Maybe it was the way the bangs were covering his eye or the way his biceps bulged under his white shirt but Jimin could feel himself heating up. Everything in him was pushing him toward Jungkook, to have those muscled arms wrapped around him, to burrow his face in that toned chest. The thoughts roaming his head made him shiver but couldn’t help it and took a step towards Jungkook, unconsciously his lips.

The whistling of the kettle brought Jimin back to his senses. He had no idea what he was thinking entertaining such thoughts. Sure, Jungkook was attractive but that doesn’t mean he has to jump him, now does it? Get your head on straight. He is your friend Jimin, just like Tae is. Do you think about jumping Tae? No, right? So you can’t be thinking like that about him. Focus.

Jimin shook his head trying to get rid of the mental images that entered his head accompanying those thoughts, uninvited.

“Are you okay hyung?” Jungkook asked eyeing the way Jimin was shaking his head and blinking his eyes repeatedly, like he was shaking away something.

“Uh yeah.” Jimin said clearing his throat.

“Are you sure? You kinda look really red.” Jungkook said worried.

“I am fine Jungkookie. It’s just  the heat from stove.” Jimin willed the blush to disappear and his heart to calm the down.

“Oh. Okay.” Jungkook smiled.

“Right. Haha. Back to your question.” Jimin turned back to the kettle, pouring the water into cups. “They didn’t tell us much, just bits and pieces. So, I don’t know much but it has something to do with the dark era of witches, when they were held captive. Though we are free now, our subconscious mind kinda remembers that?” Jimin placed the tea bags in and faced Jungkook again to see if he understood. His inappropriate thoughts long forgotten.

Jungkook regarded Jimin with a thoughtful look. “So you can’t ride the elevator? What about cars? Subway?” With every word leaving his mouth Jungkook was becoming more and more horrified.

Jimin chuckled in amusement at his behavior. “We are fine with all that stuff. It’s just the place we live in that have to be spacious and-I don’t know-” Jimin rubbed his chin trying to think of a word to describe what he wanted to say “-bright?” He questioned. “I can’t think of a better word.” He smiled.

“Oh thank . That would have otherwise. I don’t know what I would have done if I couldn’t ride elevators.” Jungkook shuddered at the thoughts making Jimin laugh that whole body laugh. Jungkook smiled; glad to witness such a beauty with his eyes. Jimin was exquisite when he laughs. 

_________

“This place looks quite luxurious.” Jungkook placed the cup on the coffee table after sitting down on the couch-which was quite plush and soft unsurprisingly-resuming his scanning of the place.

Jimin snorted. “That’s because I live with Kim Taehyung.”

Jungkook frowned thinking, like that explains anything. Jimin saw him frowning and explained.

“Tae loves luxury-well, that and Gucci.”

Jimin smiled making his eyes disappear. Jungkook could feel an answering smile bloom on his own. Jimin’s smile just like his laugh was contagious.

“Speaking of Tae, don’t you two live together? Where is he?”

Jimin looked around like he just noticed they were indeed alone. “Hah! Must have gone with Jin hyung to visit his family. He missed them a lot.”

“To Gemlight?” Jungkook asked.

“Mmhmm.” Jimin ruffled his hair.

Jungkook noticed the adoration that appears in Jimin’s eyes, the softness that washes over him when he talked about Taehyung. It made him wonder if one day a look like would be directed at him, if he would ever be on the receiving end of Jimin’s adoration and maybe just maybe love. It doesn’t hurt to hope right?

“How long have you two been friends?” Jungkook questioned smothering the jealousy building up inside of him and stomping on it for good measure so it won’t rear its ugly head.

“Since forever. I don’t remember a day we weren’t friends.” Jimin said, there was this faraway look on his face like he was remembering something. “We became bond mates the day he was born so I always have been his carer of sorts but even if we weren’t joined by the bond I think we still would have been best friends.”

“I couldn’t agree more.” Jungkook heard a deep voice say behind him and it was so unexpected that he fell off the couch to the floor, flat on his . Jimin burst out laughing flinging his whole body on the sofa. The sight was so endearing that Jungkook ended up laughing himself totally forgetting that there was a third person currently in the room with them.

“Oh my God! Are you ok?” That same voice asked now beside Jungkook.

Jungkook turned to his side to see the person-who oh so had the pleasure of startling Jungkook owning that voice and came face to face with blonde hair, freakishly handsome face and slanted eyes with this really straight and kind of pointed nose he always wished he had. Kim Taehyung his mind supplied helpfully.

“Yeah. I am okay.” Jungkook mumbled.

Jungkook saw Jimin smacking the back of Tae’s head reprimanding him how it was rude to sneak up on people and scaring the out of them, how he should always announce his presence.

“Did you visit your family? and I see you dyed your hair as well.” Jimin asked crossing his arms.

“Um. Yeah. Well blondes have more fun?” Tae replied rubbing the back of his head.

“And you didn’t think of inviting me? you . Do you have any idea how much I missed your parents?” Jimin huffed.

“Uh sorry?” Tae said. Jimin finding his answer unsatisfactory turned his back on him.

“Jungkookie, why are you still on the floor.” Jimin asked totally disregarding Tae’s apology.

“Ah Jimin-ah..?” Tae said.

“Come on get up.” Jimin took hold of Jungkook’s hands helping him up.

“Jimin-ah? Hey don’t ignore me. I am really sorry…” Tae whined. Jungkook couldn’t believe a grown man whined just because he was being ignored.

“Do you hear something Jungkookie? There is this fly buzzing near my ear.” Jimin pouted still ignoring the existence of his best friend.

“A fly? I am highly offended.” Tae moved towards Jimin and in a blink of an eye they were both on a couch with Jimin being tickled mercilessly by Taehyung. “I’ll show you what this fly can do.” Tae laughed.

“Fine.” Jimin was literally gasping for breath. “Stop. Stop. I forgive you.” “Now was that hard hmm?” Taehyung bopped Jimin on the nose.

Jimin kicked Tae off the couch and Jungkook observed the way they fell into an easy banter. He smiled unconsciously.

“Sorry Jungkookie, we totally ignored you.” Jimin stood up from the couch.

But before Jungkook could tell Jimin that it was fine and all, he was interrupted by this hyper creature Jimin call his best friend.

“Hey! How did the talking go? But since you are here,  I am assuming it went well right?” Taehyung said. “Well why wouldn’t it. Hey! You don’t have a problem with us being witches right? You can keep this a secret?” Taehyung fixed Jungkook with a look and then continued like he didn’t ask him something in the first place. “Because if you do then we have a problem Mister.” He said haughtily crossing his arms on his chest.

Jungkook was rendered speechless.

“He is all good Tae.” Jimin answered instead patting Tae on his crossed arms. .

“Then are we going home to meet Joonie hyung?” Tae asked grinning.

 “Yeah.” Jimin said staring at Jungkook who was still frozen in shock.

   “What are we waiting for then?” Tae asked confused. That seemed to bring Jungkook back and he murmured. “Wait. Wait.”

“It’s forbidden to tell humans of your existence, so how is it possible for me to go to your realm?” Jungkook asked.

Jimin and Tae shared a look and then turned to Jungkook with matching grins. Something about their mischievous expression spelled trouble with a capital T and it was making Jungkook uneasy.

Jungkook looked at Jimin questioningly but it was Tae who answered.

“Easy peasy, Jungkookie. We’ll sneak you in.” Tae winked.

A/N

Hey everyone! 

Ok before you decide to bring out your torches and burn me alive I really wanna explain a few thing. I know it has been like ages since I last updated though I said I'll update soon but I really have my reasons. I have really been crazy swamped with my studies. The courses were getting harder and I barely had time to sleep, like there was more or less 3-4 hours a day I could sleep. Right now I have a little bit more time so I started writing again. Hopefully I'll write more and complete atleast two of my on-going fics. *God I really hope*  

I have exams coming up in June so my goal is complete this fic before that. I'll try to upadate atleast once a weak.

Thanks for reading, commenting and upvoting.

Also thankyou to those who are still reading this story even after a long uninformed hiatus.

Sorry I kept you waiting.

Happy reading.

-Seher 

PS I don't know how many of you actually read A/N but I'll leave this here anyway. :)