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—OH NO! That was the wrong teapot...
Witches are, usually, pretty good at keeping both sides of their lives separated. Yoongi is, usually, no exception. But... Somehow, uh, he got... Distracted?
So, he got a brew (which is, by all practical effects, a love potion) he was creating for a magic-side customer mixed up with the chamomile and passion fruit tea blend he poured for one of the normal-side regulars (to be fair, they smell the same) and he ended up bewitching the poor guy. The guy who was exactly the cause of his distraction. How fitting. So, he's got a big problem at hand. A tall, handsome, smart, dimpled, sensitive, cultured, broad-chested, charming, full-lipped, long-legged, beautiful, beautiful problem.
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Almost a month has gone and passed, and Tae just doesn't get it.
—But you like him
Yoongi's exasperated gesture says "of course I like him" without a word.
—If I accidentally casted a love spell on anyone I liked I wouldn't be so worried about it. I'll just enjoy the ride
—Would you really want any of your crushes to be obsessed with a fake image of you? Not in love with you, not willingly interested in you, but just compelled by magic?
—Uh! So you have a crush!
He makes some kissing noises, teasing.
—Of course that's all you heard!
Yoongi sighs. He would wish it was just a crush. It goes a bit deeper. Hence the distraction. A simple crush wouldn't cause that.
—Besides, I think he's got a partner
—How do you know that?
—He's always talking on the phone with a Mimi, and he's so sweet with them. I feel terrible
—OK, ok. I still don't see why it's a big problem anyway. You made the potion, you can make the antidote! Why didn't you?
—I tried! I already tried a few versions. I don't know what happened. If I was so distracted I changed the proportions, or if my feelings for him —Tae wiggles his eyebrows, the rascal, but says nothing— gave it strength. My brew shouldn't affect him so much. I probed him, he's a hundred percent human, no magic at all, nothing that could warp my magic and change it. If it wasn't because I hate this it would be a nice case study. It's puzzling. I tried a lot of options. And the potion is still in full effect. He still says he likes me, he keeps asking me for a date, he still looks at me the same, all starry eyed...
—Maybe he just likes you? You like him...
—No, before I gave him the brew he was just nice with me. Like any customer, I would even say a bit aloof sometimes. Then it was like a switch went on! I don't know what's going on, why the antidotes fail. I even gave him a general clean-all-effects brew. He just got a bad cold, or an allergic reaction, not sure what happened there
At that, Taehyung seems finally interested in something different than Yoongi's crushed-up status.
—A cold? With the clean-all?
—Yeah, why?
—Nothing, just...
He caresses his own chin a few times, like he often does when his mind is busy. His long fingers follow the line of his lips, eyes fixed somewhere on the wall. He finally breathes in a little air through his nose, like an inverted snort.
—Do you mind if I tell my master? As you said, it would be a nice case study. If I get him interested, he might find a solution
Kim Seokjin is Tae's master in his apprenticeship, and he's one of the most powerful beings in South Korea. And one of the oldest. You could never tell, because his family's blood mixed with the Fae only a couple generations before he was born. He only takes the best of the best under his wing, and Taehyung's (raw, apparently boundless) power got him a spot at his mansion.
But Master Kim is not the best at keeping secrets. Yoongi knows his dilemma might end up being part of the entertainment at the Fae-child's dinner table. But he's desperate, so he agrees.
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—Master?
—Jin
—Huh?
—Jin. I told you. Master is only when Academy people are around. You make me feel old when you call me Master
Jungkook chuckled.
—But you are old
Seokjin glared, and a glare from Seokjin is no joke. But Jungkook wsd already used to it, so it had no effect.
—It's too late in the night to deal with you... OK, Tae, what do you need
—Do you remember that time an old lady at the market blessed you and it gave you a cold?
Suddenly, both Seokjin and Jungkook frowned. Tae could feel Jungkook's magic crinkle at its edge, the feeling almost like a small electric current under his skin.
—Cold? —Jungkook seemed tense when he spoke— that's what Jin told you? He almost died that night. Of course we remember
Tae looked between the other two guys, mouth opened in surprise. The silence continued for a while, until Jin broke it with a sight.
—Why are you asking?
—A friend gave a simple clean-all-effects brew to a customer, and they got a bad cold. And I wondered if it was something like what happened with you. But if you didn't catch an actual cold...
—Mmmm... It looks like a cold, so I told you it was just that because I didn't want you to worry. That was maybe a mistake but you were so new with magic back then...
Taehyung was born in a non-magical family in a small town near Daegu. When he manifested his gift, an aunt remembered Yoongi's family and asked for help about what to do next. Soon it was obvious Tae wasn't a witch, but he had potential as a wizard. Because of both location and their close age, Yoongi ended up in charge of getting Tae in touch with the Academy. After some testing was done, he was chosen by Master Kim, but he still had a lot to learn.
—Some common blessings or even simple greetings people use just "because they sound pleasant" or because "it's good manners" are actually spells human witches created when my kind was still seen as a threat. Even during the War of Strengths. They can be dangerous for anyone with Fae blood. I'm usually good at blocking that kind of stuff, but I was enjoying that lady's food so much she caught me off guard. It sent my whole body into a fight against my magic
—If I had been on one of my trips he would be dead. It was bad enough with me here
Jin extended a hand to softly press on Jungkook's shoulder, just a few seconds, and then let go with a small smile.
—But you were home. And I was going to be fine anyway. You know I have some favors I could collect —he sighted again, and continued—. A clean-all-effects brew, if good enough, or an old recipe, can have a similar effect. Maybe not as strong as an ancient blessing, but when you're made of magic, a potion to remove residual magic is no good news
—My friend is a great witch, and it runs in his family since the Joseon era, so he might have an old book. But the customer has no Fae blood, so perhaps it's just a coincidence, or they're allergic to one of the ingredients
—Is your friend sure the customer is fully human? Some people don't know they have Fae ancestors, and genetics are weird, it can skip generations
—He probed him and didn't find anything. No magic at all
Jin and Jungkook made the kind of eye contact Taehyung already knew meant they had the same idea at the same time. Jungkook giggled and clapped on a very childish way, and Jin smirked.
—Teachable moment! I love teachable moments!
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When Tae came back to himself, he felt like his body was floating. Not really, he could feel with his full body the bumps and pillows on some kind of couch (Jin's couch?) where he was laying. But it felt like his body wasn't feeling properly "there". Also, his head hurt a lot. He groaned.
—Jinnie! JIN! He's back!
Jungkook wasn't really that loud, but Taehyung winced anyway. The sound was piercing. He tried to sit up, but the world started twirling around.
—Shhhh, no, stop, stay down, please. We were so worried!
Jin actually seemed worried, and deeply sorry.
—It's been so long since I let anybody probe me without my guards on... Maybe I grew stronger with the years, or maybe it was your own magic making mine go all crazy. I'm sorry!
Tae tried to remember. The "teachable moment". Jin had asked him to use a basic probe to try and check the magic levels on the Fae-child.
At first, he only was able to see a little line of magic all around Seokjin's figure, like a sparkly, sparse line drawn by a kid with an almost empty bottle of glitter glue. But the line suddenly filled in and exploded like a burst of white fire, and Tae felt himself drowning in magic. It was like standing on a small boat in the middle of the sea, floating in a raging storm of burning magic. He couldn't breath, but he couldn't stop drinking magic, he couldn't close his eyes or break the connection or move or even think.
Tae felt Jungkook wrapping his arms around his waist, hugging him from behind, and his view started to blur on the edges until everything was black and calm. He must have passed out. Now that he was back to his senses, he looked out of the window. He could see the reds and blues of sunrise.
Jungkook gave him a little smile.
—Yep, you were out like a lamp for like six hours
Seokjin started apologizing once again.
—I'm so sorry! I'll let you try again once you feel better —Tae's body started shaking at the mere idea, and Jin noticed—. I promise it will be different! Now come to your bedroom. You need to rest. Jungkook will bring you some tea. We'll talk when you wake up again
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Over breakfast, Jin took his time trying to convince Taehyung about the safety of using a probe again. It didn't work, no matter how much he promised.
—What about me? Probe me!
Tae scowled at Jungkook, frustrated.
—You're worst than him! Your magic is all over the place, I can feel it even without a probe. You must be kidding me! What's with you and your "teachable moments"? Do you enjoy so much torturing me?
—Trust me. Please?
Sighting, Taehyung got up and got closer to Jungkook. He expected to get the crackle of magic he always felt surrounding him, but this time there was only silence. He tried with the basic probe, the same he used with Jin. Once again: nothing. He looked straight into Jungkook's face. The brat just smirked. Tae tried with a more complex, deeper probe. Nothing.
—What!? How!?
The Fae-child laughed.
—Do you think our kind could survive this long without a way to hide?
Tae's jaw dropped.
—I don't know why your friend's customer asked for a clean-all brew, it's such a dangerous thing. Maybe they're dormant and don't know they've been blocking their magic because they're hiding it from themselves. But they might be really strong, or your friend's recipe not so good, because they could overcome it
Tae doubted for a few seconds if he should tell the whole story. He got Yoongi's consent, but he was still trying to protect him.
—Mmm they... They didn't ask for it. My friend first gave them a potion by mistake and then the clean-all as an attempt to fix it
—Oof! That's borderline criminal. What was the first potion? Poison? Why such an wide spectrum cure?
—No no no... It was just a simple love potion. Well, not really a love potion. It was a self-appreciation brew. But you know in the wrong situation it becomes a love potion. It was a mistake, he was making the potion for someone else and offered tea to this... other person... And he made a mistake. He just feels terrible. He tried to give them targeted antidotes but it didn't work. The... customer... They're still in love. Yoon... I mean my friend doesn't -
Jungkook interrupted him, big eyes seeming even bigger than usual.
—Yoon? YOON? Yoongi? Your friend Min Yoongi? This "customer" survived a Min Clean Slate brew?
Seokjin is serious now. Taehyung has never seen him like this.
—The Mins... Well, you did say he was from an old family. They've always been defenders of humanity. Public servants. That means... Generations ago —he pointed between Jungkook and himself— they were the bane of our kind. If he's using an old family recipe, even really, really diluted... It's... There are two explanations I can think of...
Taehyung waited patiently for Jin to collect his thoughts.
—Option 1: your friend got himself a very powerful Fae admirer who never realized the love potion existed because it didn't actually work, and the Fae is really in love.
—I don't think... Yoon said the customer did not show interest until he drank the potion, so I don't think that's it
—Option 2: we have a very dangerous dormant walking unsuspectedly around, a ticking magic bomb waiting to explode if something trigger them.
—Do you know anything about this customer? —Jungkook seemed as worried as Jin— Maybe we know them.
—Not really. They... It's a guy. I don't know much more than that. I don't even know him, he goes to the cafe during weekdays when I'm here. Yoongi never told me his name. I don't even think he knows it. He talks a lot about him but I don't remember much, I mostly turn Yoongi off when he's talking about him. Really handsome. Tall. A cute smile?
Jin's laughter sounded a bit bitter.
—You described almost any male Fae and then some
—I don't know! I can ask Yoongi? I guess I can call him. Ah! Yoongi is worried because he's heard him talk on the phone with someone called "Mimi" and they seem really close, he's afraid they're his partner?
—Mimi, Mimi. Why I know that name?
Jungkook sighted, relieved.
—I know! Mimi! Jin, I think that's Jimin, Hoseok's mate? That might be it, he's really... I don't think this "customer" is Hobi, he can't fall in love with someone other than Mimi, not even with a potion. And Jimin can't cheat on him. It's physically impossible for both of them. So if I'm right your Yoongi can be at ease about "Mimi" being this guy's partner at least. But he might me someone from Jimin's clan, so even if he's dormant, he's under control. Maybe when he got sick because of the brew somebody else there healed him? That could be another way he could get over it, even if he's not powerful enough to face it himself.
—Ah, that's right. Option 3: a Fae-child or lower Fae with some powerful, powerful friends. Jimin is with the Kim clan. Their leader is a dragon. One of the last ones. They're good. A few people on that clan could cure magic poisoning by booping a nose. I would have reached them if Jungkook wasn't here when the old lady cursed me. I think you can tell Yoongi he doesn't need to worry about it anymore, but he needs to talk with his customer. It's only fair
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When Taehyung came back with his master's theory, Yoongi needed some days to finally muster the strength to be able to talk to his "problem". Meanwhile, he kind of avoided him. He ran to the kitchen every time he saw the guy get in, sending anyone available to receive his order.
Of course, once Yoongi decided to talk with him, he stopped coming. Yoongi thought that maybe Tae's master was right and the guy had really free of the power of the love potion, and now had decided to move on because of Yoongi's escape acts.
Luckily, he came back. Yoongi wasn't maning the counter when he arrived. This time it wasn't him escaping, it was just a matter of chance. He was busy on the back signing off a delivery, but when he came back to the front, he saw him.
The guy seemed a bit tired. Or sad. Yoongi was looking at him, breathing deeply for a while to get ready to come to talk, and just then he raised his head and looked straight into Yoongi's eyes.
He gave a little smile, not big enough to show his dimples. And it did not reach his eyes. Yoongi couldn't wait any longer. He put some pastries on a plate (he didn't even look what he got), and rushed to the guy's table.
—Hi! I'm Yoongi
—Hi! Yeah, I know, we've talked before. Besides... —he gestured to Yoongi's apron, where his nametag was pinned— I'm Namjoon. I think you never let me introduce myself
Yoongi blushed at the kind reproach, and set the plate at the table.
—I'm sorry. I came with a peace offering. Do you have some minutes?
Namjoon pointed to the chair in front of him. Yoongi sat there at once, but once again he needed a few minutes.
—I... I made a mistake, some weeks ago. I thought I brought you your tea, but I brought something else...
—Something magical? —he smirked
Yoongi sighted, defeated.
—Yeah, it... It was... —he couldn't continue
—I couldn't tell what it was. I'm not a wizard, or a witch like you. But I could sense the magic. That day, and the others you tinkered with my drinks
—I'm sorry. That was me trying to fix my mistake. But you knew... Tae was right
—Not sure who Tae is —he smiled— but I suspected you were related to magic somehow, when I started coming. I can't probe for magic, or really see it in any way like some other people can, but I can feel it in my bones. And your kitchen was like a magnet. And I Googled this place, and saw your family name. I really liked you, and I was almost sure, but I couldn't really know. So I kept to myself
—And then I went and give you a love potion
—That was what it was? —Yoongi could swear his eyes sparkled
—Yeah but it wasn't... It wasn't for you —Namjoon frowned—. It was a self-help potion, for a client. But when used without the proper procedure, for all the effects...
—It acts as a love potion, I see. It didn't work with me
—But... You... You only started asking me out after you drank it?
—Yes, because it confirmed you were magical. Because of... Who I am... I just can't date anyone. Too hard to explain —he chuckled—. Can't introduce the family
—Who are you? Taehyung... A friend... He's a wizard, well, an apprentice. He asked some of his teachers. They told him you might be big, or a least have powerful friends?
—Mmm more powerful than your family? I think our clans are around the same level. That coffee you gave me worried me for a bit, I'm not going to lie
—I'm so sorry, please forgive me I didn't...
Namjoon laughed.
—Don't worry, it wasn't that hard to burn it off. You asked who am I. You might know one of the names I wear more often. You might now me as Kim Yong
Yoongi's eyes went wide. He slouched into his seat.
—I don't think my family is at the same level as your clan...
A dragon. The dragon. A clan leader. So out of his league.
—You're so out of my league
The guy (the dragon) (Namjoon) laughed even harder.
—Yoongi! Have you seen yourself?
The witch shrugged.
—I'm not going to lie, I feel really small next to you. Even more if I think what I've done...
—I don't really care. Well, you might need some groveling with some of my clan mates. For a couple hours Mimi wanted to come and burn your store down —Yoongi gasped—. But don't worry, we convinced him you aren't an assassin or anything like that. Hobi came up a couple weeks ago and checked. If you're open to give it a chance, I would really like to take you out. There is an exhibition on moon jars opening next week?
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In the end (to be honest, just a couple weeks after Yoongi and Namjoon's first date) the witch only needed one thing to gain Jimin's grace back: introduce him to Taehyung.
At first sight, Mimi started crying like a baby. Tae was (so it seems) the reincarnation of Jimin's platonic soulmate. The first time he was born, he was a Fae-child, but he was lost to history hundreds of years ago. Well, that might explain his unusual magical strength and his affinity with his Fae-child master and a certain young Fae... But that might be another story.
About Yoongi... Yoongi, well... You know. He's a witch. And witches are, usually, pretty good at keeping both sides of their lives separated. But now he has decided, just in case, to install two separate counters on his kitchen. A granite countertop against the wall for the magic-side preparations, and a stainless steel island in the middle for the normal-side stuff.
Because his dragon boyfriend likes to visit often. And he's a distraction. A tall, handsome, smart, dimpled, sensitive, cultured, broad-chested, charming, full-lipped, long-legged, beautiful, beautiful distraction.