Toads and Periwinkle

by Kavbj

Summary:

Jungkook’s kinda cursed (like really cursed) and Taehyung’s kinda a witch (like really not a great one but he tries).

“Here.”

 

Jungkook turns, gaze drifting away from the traffic to focus on Jimin coming out of the cafe. “Thanks,” he says quietly, reaching out to take the coffee Jimin is offering him. “How’d your exam go?”

 

Jimin pulls a face as he sips from his drink. They start down the street, heading for the subway. “Next question.”

 

“Did you fail?”

 

“Yah I said - “ Jimin hisses under his breath. “Brat.”

 

Jungkook shoves Jimin with his elbow. “I told you I could just - “

 

“You’re not sitting the exam for me, Kook.”

 

“But - “

 

Jimin starts to laugh and he clamps a hand on the back of Jungkook’s neck as they hurry down the stairs. “I don’t care how many times you’ve sat it.”

 

“But I’m bored.” Jungkook shrugs out of Jimin’s grip. “And I forgot to sign up for classes - “

 

“Still don’t understand how you forgot.”

 

“Time has sort of become rela - “ Jungkook cuts off, eyes going wide, breath curling tightly inside his throat until he’s coughing it back out. He spins on his heel, shoulder ramming into Jimin’s.

 

“Fucking ow. What’s - oi, you good?”

 

Jungkook scans the station entrance, cranes his head to examine the stairs. Magic. There’s magic here. There’s - there’s - “A witch. There’s a witch.”

 

“Wait what? Here? You serious? Where? Who? Girl or guy? Who am I looking for?”

 

Jungkook shakes his head slowly, tuning Jimin’s incessant questions out as he continues to search. He knows there’s one here. Fuck, he’s known how to ‘sense’ them for 750 odd years and the - he knows - someone is here.

 

There.

 

He. It’s a he. He’s halfway up the stairs, face tilted towards the sunlight, brown hair falling back from his forehead. There’s books tucked under his arm and headphones in his ears and - Jungkook starts after him.

 

“Whoa whoa whoa.” Jimin grabs his arm and yanks him back into place.

 

“Jimin - “

 

“What are you doing? Is that him? You can’t just - “

 

“Jimin!”

 

“- chase after the guy in the middle of the day and not expect to look - “

 

“Jimin!”

 

Jimin shuts his mouth, teeth clicking together audibly. He puffs out his cheeks and eyes Jungkook up and - “Fine.” He releases Jungkook and takes Jungkook’s coffee from him. “Go.”

 

Jungkook’s shoulders sag in relief. He’s already turning away again.

 

“But be careful, Kook.”

 

“I will,” he shouts over his shoulder, taking the stairs two at a time. He can’t lose this guy. He can’t, he can’t, he can’t. “I promise!”

 

 

 

Jungkook maybe sort of accidentally follows the guy home. He winces to himself as he’s following the guy up the stairs, wondering how to go about this. He was hoping the guy might walk into a coffee shop or something and Jungkook could make the introduction more - well, smooth. Now he kind of just looks stalkerish and he really doesn’t need the cops called on him - again.

 

Maybe Jungkook can see where the guy lives and keep going and then - introduce himself as a new neighbour? Oh wait. He pats his pockets down. Does he have anything he can claim the guy dropped? Shit. He really did not -

 

“Oh fuck.” The guy turns abruptly and hurries back down the stairs and promptly trips and takes Jungkook out with him.

 

That - that works too.

 

Jungkook groans and sits up against the wall, clutching the back of his head with eyes squeezed closed and teeth clenched. Fuck that hurt.

 

“Shit shit shit shit.” Cold fingers wrap around his wrists and pull his hands from his head. “O-ok. There’s no blood. We’re good. Shit dude I’m so sorry are you - are you ok?”

 

Jungkook blinks his eyes open and squints up at the guy. He’s got his lower lip caught between his teeth and - and he has a little mole on his nose.

 

“No obviously - obviously not. Um.” The guy looks over his shoulder and clutches his hands to his chest, clearly trying to think. His books are strewn across the landing. He looks back to Jungkook and smiles nervously. “Look I - I live just there.” He points to his door. “Do you wanna - wanna come inside and we can check you aren’t concussed and - and um - um - tea! I can make - I can make tea!” He deflates, shoulders slumping. He looks like a scolded puppy. “I really am sorry, dude.”

 

Jungkook lowers his hands to his lap slowly and cricks his neck. His head is a little swimmy but - but he feels fine. He clears his throat. “Tea sounds good.”

 

Brown eyes shoot up to meet his, wide and bright. “R-really? Uh I mean sure!” The guy scrambles to his feet but is careful when helping Jungkook to his. “You’re not gonna puke or anything are you?”

 

“Nah, I think I’m good.”

 

The guy nods and quickly collects his books into his arms. “Good good because I don’t do puke.” They’ve started up the stairs and he pauses, frowning. “I mean, if you need to puke, I’ll - “

 

Jungkook starts to laugh - and winces. Too many muscles, too much aching. “Honest. No puking.”

 

The guy smiles sheepishly at him. “Um. I’m Taehyung, by the way. Kim Taehyung.”

 

Jungkook returns the smile. “Jeon Jungkook.”

 

 

 

Taehyung does make them tea, some sweet blend Jungkook’s never tried before. But when the ache in his skull starts to fade quicker than expected, he knows Taehyung’s slipped him something. He doesn’t say anything, just hides a grin behind the rim of his cup.

 

He was right. He’s a witch. Kim Taehyung is a witch. He fucking found one.

 

“How’s the head?” Taehyung asks. He licks his lips of tea and balances his cup on his palm.

 

“Feeling better.” Jungkook slides his cup onto the coffee table. “Thanks for the tea.”

 

“Thanks for not suing me,” Taehyung jokes. “Broke uni student and all that.” He bites his lower lip, trying to hold back a nervous grin, and curls his toes. “I really am sorry.”

 

“It’s fine. Honest.” Jungkook combs his fingers back through his hair. “Actually - actually I had been about to call out to you.”

 

Taehyung blinks at him and sets his cup down. “Yeah?”

 

“Yeah.” Jungkook rubs his palms together then presses them between his thighs. “I needed to ask you something.”

 

Taehyung is starting to frown now. “Ok…?”

 

And Jungkook is back to square one of looking like a stalker and how to not make this seem weird? He stares at the tea, at the books thrown onto the floor beside the couch, and finally at Taehyung. Fuck it.

 

“I know what you are.”

 

“Right.” Taehyung smiles sheepishly. “And that is…?”

 

Jungkook starts to smile because really? This is the game they’re gonna play? He leans in like he has a secret and whispers the word to him. “A witch.”

 

Taehyung’s eyes widen. “Ah,” he says, nodding. “Of course.”

 

“Taehyung - “

 

“Sorry to say my hair doesn’t change colour when I sneeze.”

 

Jungkook blinks, thrown by the subject. “What?”

 

“My - “

 

“No, I mean - “ Jungkook frowns and leans back in his seat. “That’s oddly specific.”

 

Taehyung opens his mouth, hesitates in thought, then “fuck it was too hey.”

 

Jungkook smirks. “So you going to drop your glamour?”

 

Taehyung levels him with a steady thoughtful look then makes up his mind. Jungkook’s lips part in awe. Taehyung’s hair shimmers through an array of colours - white blonde, powder pink, fading lavender. His eyes do much the same, rippling like droplets of water stained with brightly coloured inks. Even his clothes can’t seem to make up their mind, refracting the light around them and occasionally deciding on a transparency that just makes the dips and curves in Taehyung’s golden skin visible.

 

Taehyung laughs suddenly and the colours fade away. His clothes reattain their opaqueness. “I’m fucking with you. That was a glamour.”

 

Jungkook blinks. “W-wait that was a glamour?”

 

“Yeah, dude.” Taehyung claps his palms on his knees. “Only glamour I’ve been using is to keep people like you from finding me.” He smiles thinly. “Guess it needs some work.”

 

“I’ve… had a lot of practice,” Jungkook admits carefully.

 

Taehyung hums and eyes him up. “So whaddya want a witch for, Jeon Jungkook? You better not be another one of them weird fucks who are into that weird ass kinky - “

 

“No!” Jungkook says quickly, eyes wide. He waves his hands in front of  him. “No, nothing like that.” He frowns. “Wait. Another one?”

 

Taehyung clears his throat and averts his eyes. “Yeah.” He changes subject quickly. “Well if you’re not one of them then what?”

 

“I need help,” Jungkook says. He runs his hands through his hair. “I need a curse lifted.”

 

Taehyung pouts at him, curious. “Like off an object?”

 

“N-no,” Jungkook says. “Off of me.”

 

Taehyung’s brows disappear behind his hair. “Oh.”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“Fuck.”

 

Jungkook laughs nervously. “Yeah.”

 

Taehyung holds his breath in his cheeks and thinks it over. “All right,” he says, breath whooshing right out of him. “I’ll help you.”

 

Relief warms Jungkook from his chest to his finger tips and he fights not to let it show. That was - easy. “Yeah?”

 

Taehyung nods and beams at him. It’s oddly rectangular - and oddly adorable, Jungkook thinks, his own lips already curling up in response. “I’ll warn you though,” Taehyung says. “Every witch has their thing.”

 

“Is this yours?”

 

Taehyung pulls a face. “Not exactly.”

 

“Oh.” Jungkook holds steadfast onto his hope. A witch is still a witch. “What is it then?”

 

“That’s just it,” Taehyung says. “I don’t have a fucking clue.”

 

 

 

Taehyung sits with his head in his hands, eyes wide in thought as he stares at his books. They lie open across the coffee table and over the floor and there’s one balanced in Taehyung’s lap. Jungkook sits back and watches quietly.

 

“Fuck,” Taehyung says at last, rubbing his hands over his eyes. “Fuck. You could have mentioned it was an immortality curse!”

 

Jungkook shrugs. “You didn’t ask.” He purses his lips. “Besides, you would have turned me down.”

 

“Who says I would have - “

 

Jungkook gives him a look. “Everyone turns me down,” he says quietly. “You would have too.”

 

Taehyung’s shoulders fall. He nods slowly. “Um.” He looks at the book in his lap. “Ok. We need to - “ He pulls a face. “Fuck.”

 

“You - you can pull out if you want,” Jungkook tells him. He swallows and manages a smile. “I’ve got years to find someone else. Not like I’m in any - any sort of rush.”

 

Taehyung just breathes quietly and stares at him in contemplation. “How long you been cursed for?” he asks at last.

 

“800 years.”

 

Taehyung’s eyes widen. “800 - shit, Jungkookie.” Jungkook doesn’t comment on the nickname, instead he tries to smother a smile. “That’s a long ass time.” Taehyung huffs out a breath and falls back against the couch. He rakes his fingers through his hair. “I need to warn you, I’m not very good at this.” He waves his hand over the books.

 

“Curses?”

 

“Witchcraft…”

 

Jungkook nods slowly. “Does that mean - “

 

“That I’m still gonna help you?” Taehyung smiles at him. “Yeah, dude, let’s break this fucker! But seriously, I’m not great. I - “

 

“It’s ok,” Jungkook tells him quickly, words rushing out of him. Excitement tingles at the ends of his fingers and he starts to bounce his knee. “It’s ok,” he says again, and he smiles at Taehyung, so wide he almost starts to laugh. “I’ve got time.”

 

Taehyung blinks at him. “What?”

 

Jungkook’s smile turns a little more shy and he tries to reign himself back in. “Time,” he says quietly. “I’ve got time.”

 

 

 

Jimin perks up when Jungkook comes home. “Hey!” he says, shoving his laptop from his lap and pulling the spoon from his mouth. He drops it into the empty bowl next to him. “How’d it go?”

 

Jungkook toes his shoes off slowly, processing the past few hours.

 

“…Does your hair actually change colour when you sneeze?”

 

“Maybe. On occasion. What of it?”

 

“Good,” Jungkook tells him, padding across the room to sit on the couch next to him.

 

“Good?” Jimin echoes.

 

“Oi who’s the hyung here?”

 

“I’m at least 800 years old - “

 

“That doesn’t count. How old were you when you died? Or stopped - stopped dying. Like old enough for university?”

 

“I guess… first year?”

 

“Good. I’m the hyung.”

 

“Yeah,” Jungkook says, smiling. “Really good.” He bites his lower lip and looks at Jimin. “He’s going to help.”

 

Jimin’s eyes go wide. “Wh-what? Really?”

 

Jungkook starts to laugh. He nods. “Yeah, really.”

 

“Holy fucking shit Jeon Jungkook!” Jimin punches him, hard, then wraps both arms around Jungkook’s neck and hugs him tight. “Holy fucking shit. You did it! You did it you bastard!” He pulls back, hands still on Jungkook’s shoulders, and runs wide bright eyes over Jungkook’s face. “You actually fucking did it…”

 

“Y-yah are you tearing up?”

 

“Fuck off!” Jimin shakes his head, unable to stop grinning. “You did it. You found a witch who’ll help. I’m so happy for you, Kook.” He claps his hands together. “This calls for beers.” He jumps up off the couch and grabs two bottles from the fridge. He pops them both open then comes back and hands one to Jungkook. “Cheers,” he says, knocking the neck of his bottle with Jungkook’s. “Here’s to the end of your life as you know it, Jeon Jungkook.”

 

Jungkook splutters out a startled, partly horrified laugh but drinks anyway. Fucking cheers to that.

 

 

 

Jungkook meets Taehyung again a week later. He lets himself into Taehyung’s apartment as instructed and raises a brow at the mess. There’s books, spells printed from the internet, and hand written notes scattered fucking everywhere. Jungkook toes his shoes off and pads deeper into the apartment, calling out a greeting.

 

Taehyung appears suddenly, breathless. “Jungkook! Hey.”

 

“Hey, hyung,” Jungkook says, eyes still taking in the mess. “You’ve been busy.”

 

“Huh?” Taehyung spins, taking in the state of his apartment for himself. “Oh. Yeah. Kinda got hooked.” He smiles - then winces. “Um but curses. They’re - so fucking annoying.”

 

Jungkook starts to grin at that. “Annoying?”

 

“Yeah, like - oh here dude come sit on the couch.” Taehyung clears the couch so they can both sit. “It’s like I said: every witch has their thing. If we know your witch’s thing, it’ll make shit a whole lot easier.” He rubs his palms together and turns to face Jungkook straight on, folding his legs underneath him. “All right. So. Tell me about your witch.”

 

Jungkook rolls his lower lip between his teeth. He doesn’t bother fighting back through 800 years of memories because he’s already spent 800 years doing so and he knows the answer already. “I - kinda don’t know anything.”

 

“Eh?”

 

Jungkook shrugs. “I don’t remember.”

 

“Not - not a thing?” Taehyung blinks at him. “Really?”

 

“Yeah,” Jungkook says softly. He rubs his hands over his knees. “Really.”

 

“Well shit.” Taehyung leans back against the armrest and runs his hands through his hair. “Ok. Um.” He looks around. “Ok, not a problem. We just need to - “ He leans down and reaches forward, tugging one of his books towards him. “Guess we’re trying a memory spell. We’ll need a strong one because, yeah, dude, 800 years is a long time hey?” He laughs to himself. “But not a problem.” He stops on a page and tilts the spell towards Jungkook. “Because this one should do just the trick.”

 

Jungkook blinks up at him then down at the spell. It’s all nonsense to him.

 

Taehyung scans the page again quickly, muttering to himself, then shoves the book from his lap and climbs from the couch. He goes into the kitchen, speaking to Jungkook over his shoulder. “It’s an easy inhalation spell. I’ll mix up some shit, burn it, and you just have to breathe in the fumes and let it do it’s stuff.” He starts to open cupboards and pull out equipment and ingredients. “It doesn’t hurt at all, I promise. You may have a headache afterwards but that’s it.”

 

Jungkook tugs the book towards himself and tries to make more sense of the diagrams before him but he can’t. So he stands and goes to sit at the bench. “Does it take long to make?”

 

“Nah dude.” Taehyung dumps an armful of shit on the counter and quickly catches a bowl before it can fall. “Fuck,” he mutters, pushing the bowl away from the edge. “I’ve broken so many scrying bowls this month.” He then frowns at it. “Wait. I don’t even need this.”

 

Jungkook raises his brows but says nothing.

 

Taehyung lists the ingredients off to himself then goes to the pantry and opens the door. Sprigs of various herbs and dried flowers hang from the inside of the door and Taehyung squints at them. “Hey, Jungkookie…” he says slowly.

 

“Yeah, hyung?”

 

“You wouldn’t happen to know what periwinkle looks like would you?”

 

“What what looks like?”

 

“Periwinkle,” Taehyung repeats, twisting some of the bundles around in his hands to get a better look at them. He steps back so Jungkook can see. “It’s either this one, this one, or this one.” He stares at them. “Or this one.” He puffs his cheeks out in thought. “Or this one…? You know what I’m definitely sure it’s this one.” He pulls a sprig of dried flowers down and closes the pantry.

 

“Do you want me to look it up online?” Jungkook asks, fishing his phone out of his back pocket.

 

“Nah, nah, it’s definitely this one,” Taehyung says. He takes a whiff of the flowers and shrugs. “It smells right, at least.”

 

Jungkook purses his lips and begins to question just how desperate he is to have his curse removed.

 

 

 

Apparently the answer is pretty desperate. 20 minutes later, Jungkook is leaning over a bowl of crushed burning herbs and inhaling the fumes. It smells so sweet it makes him sick but Taehyung talks to him softly, encouraging him to breathe in more.

 

“Ok, good,” Taehyung says. He takes Jungkook’s upper arm and helps him stand from the stool and leads him to the couch. “Good, Jungkook. Ok, just get comfy and let the spell do it’s - you - why are you laughing like that?”

 

Jungkook shakes his head and presses his lips together, trying to stop the giggles fighting to get free. He loses and they burst free of his mouth, ringing clearly inside the apartment. His eyes water and he clutches at his sides, completely overcome with laughter.

 

“J-Jungkook stop that. Hey. Y-yah!”

 

Jungkook shakes his head, still giggling, and wipes at his eyes. He takes in a breath - and laughs again.

 

“I don’t understand,” Taehyung says. “You shouldn’t be laughing…”

 

Tears start streaming down Jungkook’s face and he presses both hands over his mouth, trying to quit from giggling, but he just can’t. And he feels so nice and - and relaxed and he’s kind of just floating and - another set of giggles breaks free of his lips.

 

Taehyung sighs and steps back, raking a hand through his hair. He looks over his shoulder at the kitchen. “Guess that wasn’t periwinkle after all.”

 

 

 

They keep attempting memory recall spells for the next three weeks, in between Taehyung’s class schedules and often in the evenings. Some work, not in the way that Taehyung intends, but they work. But when they’re not getting anywhere near close to the mark, Taehyung starts trying them for himself, trying to get a gage on whether it’s his shitty magic or Jungkook (“or the curse. Or Jungkook and the curse. Or - “ “I get it, hyung.”). And Jungkook gets to know Taehyung real fucking well in those instances. One time they’re blinking at each other through blurry, squinted eyes, then the next time they’re collapsed on the couch together in a fit of giggles - “Jungkookie why can’t I remember what fucking periwinkle looks like?” - or there’s the time Jungkook is sliding shaking hands over Taehyung’s forearms and trying to get him up from the floor because -

 

“Why - why are you crying?” he hiccups, hands making it to Taehyung’s upper arms.

 

Taehyung wails at him like he’s being ripped limb from limb and rocks forward, slipping out of Jungkook’s hold. “Be-because - “

 

“You’re scaring me, hyung,” Jungkook says, voice small. He hiccups again.

 

Taehyung tips his head back and tries to laugh through the tears running down his cheeks. “Dogs just make me so emotional.”

 

“Wh-what?”

 

“Jungkookie why - why are you cr-crying?”

 

Jungkook crumples to his knees in front of Taehyung and his lower lip wobbles hard. “Dogs make me really emotional too, hyung.”

 

And at that Taehyung succeeds in laughing through his tears. He reaches out and gets his fingers around Jungkook’s arms and pulls him in for a hug and Jungkook cries harder.

 

 

 

“What are you remembering, Jungkookie?” Taehyung asks, voice low.

 

“When I found out my best friend hadn’t survived the war…”

 

“I’m sorry.”

 

Jungkook tilts his head slowly, lashes fluttering. The memory ghosts over his eyes. “What about you, hyung?”

 

The answer takes a moment. “Same as you,” he says at last. “Heartbreak.”

 

Jungkook turns his eyes Taehyung’s way - Taehyung snuffs out the spell.

 

 

 

Taehyung eventually decides their next best bet is a revelation spell.

 

“Because,” he explains around his last mouthful of pizza. He swallows and tips his head to rest on the of the couch. “The memory spells are clearly fucking working, so I’m not the problem. And I don’t think you’re the problem. I think the curse is.”

 

“How’s the revelation spell help?”

 

“Some spells leave visible signs that aren’t visible to the naked eye.”

 

“Hyung, that kinda - makes them not visible. Y’know, invisible.”

 

Taehyung blinks at him, index finger in mouth as he licks it clean. “Huh?”

 

Jungkook starts to laugh. He shakes his head and takes a sip of lemonade. “Never mind.”

 

“Anyway,” Taehyung says, still clearly confused. He wipes his fingers on his jeans. “I’m hoping there’ll be some signs about the curse or the witch or - anything that could fucking help, really.”

 

Jungkook shrugs. “All sounds good to me. How’s it work?”

 

“Well first - “ Taehyung stops and frowns, glaring at the pizza like it grew three mouths and started screaming insults at them. “Shit.”

 

“Shit?” Jungkook holds his breath in his cheeks then releases it slowly. Magic time with Taehyung is proving to be an adventure. Always.

 

“Maybe shouldn’t have eaten all that food.” Taehyung nods to himself, lips pursed, and starts to clear the coffee table.

 

Jungkook hurries to help. “Does food mess with the spell or something?” he asks once they’re seated on the couch again.

 

“Um,” Taehyung says, wincing. He massages at his throat. “Not - not really.” He grimaces, hands clawing over his knees. “Fuck I always hate this part,” Taehyung wheezes, clutching at his chest.

 

Jungkook stands, wary. “What part?” he asks slowly.

 

“This part,” Taehyung gasps, pounding at his chest. He gags once, twice, then starts coughing violently.

 

“Hyung?” Jungkook asks, alarmed.

 

“I’m - “ Taehyung gags again then starts panting. “I’m good, Kookie. Just - “ He starts to cough again.

 

His eyes have started to water and his cheeks are red and his knuckles are white. He doubles over, chin hovering above the coffee table, and Jungkook watches in disgusted fascination as Taehyung throws up a toad. Taehyung drops his head between his knees, panting harshly, chin slick with saliva. His shoulders heave.

 

“Catch it,” he croaks.

 

“Wh-what?”

 

Taehyung points at where the toad is hopping down off the table. “Catch it.”

 

“Oh shit yeah ok.”

 

 

 

It takes a bit of Jungkook running around like an idiot - and he’ll admit that the first time he gets his fingers around the toad he drops it again straight after because the fucker is slimy and gross to touch and Taehyung damn near dies of laughter watching him. But he does it and he holds it as far away from himself as possible, grimacing as he passes it off to Taehyung.

 

“Such a baby, Jungkookie,” Taehyung coos, gently petting the toad’s head.

 

Jungkook pulls a face and just nods.

 

A few minutes later and Taehyung is shoving the toad into Jungkook’s hands and bolting to the bathroom to throw up dinner. He comes back with shaky hands and lowered eyes and pale cheeks, so Jungkook forces him to sit on the couch for a good 20 minutes. Taehyung does so sulkily, toad cradled to his chest, but Jungkook doesn’t give much of a shit, concerned only about seeing some colour come back to Taehyung’s face.

 

“What’s with the toad anyway, hyung?” Jungkook asks eventually. “He your familiar?” Because Jungkook’s learned at least a few things on his 800 year hunt for a witch who can break his curse.

 

Taehyung hums, jolting out of whatever sleepy stupor he’d been falling into.

 

Jungkook smiles and raps his knuckles on Taehyung’s knee. “Sleep, hyung.”

 

“N-no, it’s ok.” Taehyung smooths a thumb over the toad’s back. “I wanna do the spell.”

 

“I’ve got time, hyung,” Jungkook reminds him softly, tilting his head to try see Taehyung’s expression.

 

Taehyung looks up at that but doesn’t say anything for some time. When he does, his gaze drops away again. “Nah, he’s not my familiar. That’s another ‘thing’. Familiars aren’t mine.” He holds the toad up to his face and examines it. “But I do use him a lot.”

 

“Do you always have to, y’know - “ Jungkook imitates puking the amphibian up.

 

Taehyung laughs and gently kicks Jungkook’s shin. “Fuck off,” he says, holding the toad to his chest again. “If they’re not a familiar, they run off too quickly. This is the easiest and best way to keep him in place.”

 

“Ever heard of a fucking cage?”

 

“Yah, what if I need him when I’m out?”

 

“Wait you pull this shit in public?”

 

 

 

The spell takes Taehyung some time to put together. Apparently Jungkook has to inhale the spell, drink the spell, and absorb the spell. His head spins as he listens and Taehyung starts to laugh when he sees Jungkook’s confusion.

 

“Ok, Jungkookie” he says. “Ready?”

 

Jungkook folds his arms on the bench and leans forward, nodding.

 

“So a spell can leave its mark anywhere, yeah?”

 

Jungkook nods.

 

“And we know nothing about your curse or your witch, right?”

 

Jungkook nods again and Taehyung smiles, shaking his head in amusement.

 

“So, if we rub the paste on your skin, any marks there will come up. That’s the absorption part. Your skin has to absorb the revelation spell,” Taehyung says, tapping the bowl with the paste. It’s a green-brown colour that reminds Jungkook of cold damp forest floors. It smells - it smells - Jungkook frowns. It smells like nothing.

 

Taehyung holds up the cup holding the liquid form next. “The paste will only work for a spell that was put on you, not something you ate or whatever - dude, you’d be amazed how many different ways you can make a person eat or drink a spell, like sex got that much more interesting.”

 

Jungkook blinks then, “wait what?”

 

Taehyung ignores him. “Anyway, the liquid form will take care of that - it’s assured to taste fucking potent. Sorry.” He points to the ground up herbs next. “And the inhalation part. If there’s any signs on the brain or in the mind, this will make it show.”

 

“There’s no periwinkle in this one, right?”

 

“Yah don’t be - “

 

“Because I swear to God, hyung, my abs can’t take another laughing - “

 

“There’s no periwinkle!”

 

Jungkook pauses for a moment, levelling Taehyung with a look. “That you know of.”

 

Taehyung pouts at him and folds his arms over his chest. “You’re so mean, Jungkookie… Besides,” he says. “The periwinkle wasn’t the problem.” He tilts his head and nods to himself. “It was whatever I thought was periwinkle and clearly fucking wasn’t.” He smiles.

 

“What’s that one for?” Jungkook asks, pointing to the spell sitting in what Jungkook has learned to be Taehyung’s favourite mug. It has a beaming elephant on it that even Jungkook has to admit is unbearably cute.

 

“Hmm?” Taehyung follows Jungkook’s finger. “Oh! That one is for me. Can’t exactly see into your mind, Kookie.”

 

“It’s a mind reading spell?”

 

“More or less.” Taehyung smiles. “Don’t worry, Jungkookie. I won’t be able to read whatever hot and bothered thoughts you like to have about me,” he teases, and Jungkook rolls his eyes. “I’ll only be able to see what the spell you’re using reveals.”

 

“I saw you puke up a toad, hyung, exactly how hot and bothered do you think my thoughts of you are?”

 

Taehyung leans in and wiggles his brows. “I don’t dare to imagine what goes on in that mind of yours, Jeon Jungkook.”

 

“…Right.”

 

Taehyung laughs and leans away again. “Any more questions?”

 

“Yeah,” Jungkook says. “What’s the toad for?”

 

“Oh fuck almost forgot. Shit good work, Kookie.” Taehyung starts to laugh as he fetches the toad from where he’s trapped it in a tupperware container. “Could you imagine if I’d forgotten? That would’ve been funny.”

 

Jungkook’s not sure about funny but he supposes none of Taehyung’s wayward spells have caused him any harm yet.

 

“Here we go…” Taehyung holds the toad in each form of spell for a moment, mixing its natural dampness into the magic. “Slime and skin cells.”

 

“…I’m not drinking that.”

 

Taehyung wiggles his brows at him and passes the drink over, then takes up his own elephant mug. He holds it up and gestures for Jungkook to do the same, laughing when Jungkook pulls the most unimpressed expression he can muster. And Jungkook likes Taehyung’s laugh.

 

Taehyung chinks their glasses together. “Bottom’s up, Jungkookie!”

 

 

 

Taehyung turns off the lights and blacks the room out. He positions Jungkook in the middle of the living room and burns the incense at his feet, holds onto Jungkook’s arms as he inhales it and makes sure he doesn’t get too heady from the herbs. He reaches for the paste next. He smears it down Jungkook’s arms and across Jungkook’s forehead and over the column of his throat.

 

“The spell is strong as fuck,” Taehyung says. “It only needs to be absorbed a little bit for it to work.”

 

“Will any marks on my chest show up if there’s no paste on it?”

 

“Yeah, Kookie.” Taehyung smirks at him. “Trying to get undressed for me, hmm? Thought you said you had no hot and bothered thoughts.” He sets the bowl of paste on the coffee table and steps back. He swears when he almost steps on the toad. “Fuck, remind me to swallow him back down later.”

 

Jungkook pulls a face then rolls his neck. The paste is starting to dry and it’s itchy. “Is it working, hyung?”

 

“Give it a bit.” Taehyung pads across the floorboards softly, eyes keen in the darkness. He starts to pace, eyeing Jungkook up and down. “There,” he says, breathing the word as he comes to a stand still. “It’s starting.”

 

Jungkook looks down at himself. Gold symbols and letters he can’t understand begin to burn into his skin. Then they begin to float, hovering inches off the surface of his skin. He can see the same gold colouring glowing underneath his shirt. The combined glow is so bright it lights up the room around him. His shadow blooms around him like flower petals.

 

“I feel like a giant magical candle, hyung,” he whines

 

Taehyung snorts. “You look more like a stencilled lantern.” Taehyung tilts his head, eyes roaming over the runes covering Jungkook head to toe. When he speaks again, his voice is almost sad. “You’ve had a lot of spells put on you, Jungkook-ah…”

 

“I’ve asked a lot of people for help, hyung,” Jungkook tells him softly. “Guess it’s left its mark.” Jungkook looks up. “Have you left your mark on me yet?” But Taehyung is looking back with dark stony eyes and Jungkook guesses this isn’t a topic Taehyung finds enjoyable or impressive. He clears his throat and looks down at himself again. “Any luck?”

 

“I need your shirt and jeans off.”

 

Jungkook blinks. “Uh, right.” He lifts his shirt off over his head and shimmies out of his jeans, then throws them both onto the couch. He can feel Taehyung’s eyes raking over every inch of him and tries not to react but damn if it isn’t hard. Jungkook clears his throat. “N-now?”

 

Taehyung doesn’t say anything. He begins to circle. Occasionally his gaze meets Jungkook’s. Jungkook can see his own glow reflected in the darkness of Taehyung’s eyes, and the closer he gets, the more the light hugs his features - and the more the shadows etch into his skin, until Taehyung is both ghastly and beautiful.

 

Jungkook’s lips part and he stares. If Taehyung notices, he simply lets him.

 

Eventually Taehyung comes to a standstill, back where he started. He sits in a crouch, fingers held to his lips, furrow in his brow.

 

“Anything, hyung?”

 

“I…” Taehyung rubs at his eyes and sighs. “I don’t know.”

 

“Isn’t it working?”

 

“No,” Taehyung tells him quietly. “It’s working. I just…”

 

Jungkook swallows and licks his lips and lowers his gaze. “It’s ok, hyung -”

 

“I can’t read it.” Taehyung puts his fists to his eyes. “It makes no sense. At all. I can’t read it.” His shoulders heave when he exhales. “The runes are too ancient and I - I was never - “ He pulls his hands away from his eyes, tilts his head sadly, and looks at Jungkook. “I don’t know how to read it, Jungkookie. It’s too messy. There’s too much and some are too old and - “

 

Jungkook begins to scratch the paste off of his arms. He offers Taehyung a smile. “It’s ok, hyung. Honestly. Thank you for - “

 

“Don’t thank me,” Taehyung says abruptly. He blinks at himself then clears his throat. He breathes out slowly. His voice falls quietly. “I’m sorry, Jungkookie…”

 

“I know, hyung.” Jungkook pulls his jeans back on. “It’s ok. You’ll think of something.” This time when he smiles at Taehyung, it’s warmer, more honest. “I know you will.”

 

Taehyung takes a moment but eventually he stands and holds his arms across his chest and smiles back somewhat shyly.

 

Warmth settles happily in Jungkook’s chest.

 

 

 

(And when Taehyung attempts the spell again and writes down all the symbols and runes and spends nearly two weeks trying to decipher them - Jungkook sits opposite him, sipping sweet tea quietly, and watches him work. And when Taehyung finally fucking gives in, Jungkook has a shot of soju waiting for him - and is met with tired grateful eyes and a sheepish apologetic smile.

 

The warmth in his chest makes it to his toes and Jungkook wiggles them when they tingle.)

 

 

 

Jungkook goes round to Taehyung’s and is greeted with chicken and beer for dinner. They sit on the couch, crosslegged, and talk about whatever random shit comes to mind (and with Taehyung, that can be and is everything and anything) until they, predictably, come back to Jungkook’s predicament.

 

Taehyung cleans up quickly, wipes his hands off on his jeans, and drags Jungkook to the bathroom. “Ok, reason I called you over was so that we could try a bath spell.”

 

“A bath spell?”

 

“Yeah,” Taehyung says. The toad is sitting in the sink and Taehyung grabs him out. “They’re best done at night during a full moon. Small problem is that the next full moon is a while away. So we’re going with the next best thing.”

 

“The next best thing?” Jungkook frowns and watches Taehyung mumble quietly to the toad. “Hyung, there’s no moon tonight.”

 

“Exactly.” Taehyung smiles at him. “Both have equal opportunity, believe it or not. No moon means more starlight and - I don’t understand it. The cosmos and all that shit. I just learned when is best and when isn’t.”

 

“When isn’t best?” Jungkook asks out of curiosity.

 

Taehyung lights some herbs and fans his hands over them until their scented fumes waft into the air. “Half moons. They’re fucking awful. Mass competition between the moon and the stars. Eclipses are bad too - just the moon and sun being bitches to each other really.”

 

Jungkook nods like he understands.

 

“Stay here,” Taehyung says quickly. “I need to - “ He pauses in the doorway. “Actually I may need your help.”

 

Jungkook follows him back to the kitchen. Taehyung loads him up with ingredients and then opens the fridge. Numerous jars fill the shelves, each filled with brightly coloured liquids and gels. Taehyung frowns at them, muttering to himself as he turns them around and examines them.

 

“They’re not labelled,” Jungkook points out.

 

“All good,” Taehyung tells him. “I know what’s what.”

 

Jungkook begs to differ after Taehyung proved ‘how well’ he knows his herbs but he doesn’t say anything.

 

Taehyung pulls out a jar and stands. He holds it to the light and swirls it’s contents. It’s a gold-orange colour. Gold glitter swirls through it, shimmering in the light. Taehyung tilts his head and smiles at it. “This is one of my favourites. It’s so pretty.” He holds it to his chest and ushers Jungkook back into the bathroom.

 

They set everything down and Taehyung fills the bath. He sprinkles some crushed herbs in, puts in a few drops of something else, crushes something that Jungkook is very sure are bones into the water, and then empties the jar’s contents into the water. Then he holds the toad over the water and pries its mouth open and shakes it until a drop of saliva hits the water.

 

“Ok,” Taehyung says, setting the toad down. It hops away quickly. “We’re good to go. Time to strip, Jungkookie.”

 

Jungkook blinks then looks down at himself. “U-Uh yeah.”

 

“Just to your underwear is fine,” Taehyung tells him, smirking. “The spell gets absorbed through your skin and for this one, more is better. More skin, more absorption.”

 

Jungkook nods and pulls his shirt off over his head, then slides out of his jeans. He pulls off his socks and puts his bundle of clothes on the toilet. It’s cold and goosebumps come up on his skin. He can feel the heat of Taehyung’s gaze on him but he’s oddly too nervous to look up.

 

“You sure this is gonna work, hyung?”

 

“You don’t even know what it’s meant to do, Kookie,” Taehyung says, laughing as he takes Jungkook by the upper arm and helps him into the tub. “Water isn’t too hot, is it?”

 

“Nah,” Jungkook tells him softly, lowering himself into the water. “It’s fine.”

 

Taehyung nods and puts his hand on Jungkook’s head. “You need to submerge yourself, ok? For as long as you can - just make sure you don’t fucking swallow, ok?”

 

“What happens if I swallow?”

 

“Hell if I fucking know,” Taehyung says, and then he taps Jungkook on the head and says, “under you go.”

 

Jungkook rolls his eyes, takes a breath, and drags himself under. He closes his eyes and counts slowly in his head. His lungs start to burn but he clenches his fists. He trusts that if he does pass out or start drowning, Taehyung will pull him out. He feels his heart pound stronger, feels his fingertips go tingly as blood is sent to his internal organs, prolonging them. He scrunches his face. Just a little more just a little -

 

Taehyung’s hands are on him, yanking him out of the tub so fast that they both slip and stumble on the wet tiles. Jungkook gulps down air, confused.

 

“Hyung - “

 

“Fucking don’t get any in your mouth,” Taehyung says. “Get in the shower. Quick. Fuck, get your underwear off too. They’re soaked with the spell.”

 

Jungkook is confused but does as he’s told. Taehyung already has the shower running and he pushes Jungkook in, quickly following. He blinks as his hair falls into his eyes, clothes starting to soak through, but quickly starts to hose Jungkook down.

 

“Hyung - “

 

“Yah! Stop opening your fucking mouth!” And Taehyung directs the spray of water directly in Jungkook’s face.

 

Jungkook tries not to splutter but he does try to pull away - Taehyung holds his head in place and wipes his face down and rinses his hair and it isn’t until Jungkook is positive all the bath water must be gone that Taehyung lowers the shower head again.

 

“What’s going on?” Jungkook says, chest heaving. He wipes water out of his eyes. “Hyung.”

 

Taehyung tilts his head and smiles at him, hands gentle as they wipe down Jungkook’s chest and shoulders. His hair hangs in front of his eyes in wet clumps, dripping water onto his lashes and nose and cheeks. “Uh…” He bites his lower lip.

 

“You fucked up, didn’t you?”

 

“…Maybe.”

 

“Hyung,” Jungkook whines. “Am I gonna die?”

 

“Nah, Kookie,” Taehyung tells him, chuckling as he turns Jungkook around and starts to wash his back. “I got you out before anything could take effect. I just - got my potions mixed up.”

 

“Labels, hyung,” Jungkook tells him dryly. “Fucking invest in them.”

 

Taehyung pinches him and laughs - and god the sound does something to Jungkook’s insides. He throws a hand out against the wall, balancing himself, eyes wide. Arousal curls hot, heavy and really fucking sudden in his gut and Jungkook just wants to -

 

“Here, Jungkookie,” Taehyung says, turning Jungkook back around to face him - and god it’s not a great idea because Jungkook isn’t sure he can breathe around the arousal in his system because Taehyung’s eyes are so dark, shadowed by wet strands of hair, and his clothes are clinging to him like a second skin. “You should be all good - “ Taehyung’s breath shudders out of him, noticing the way Jungkook is looking at him.

 

“Hyung,” Jungkook says quietly, sliding a palm over the line of Taehyung’s jaw.

 

“Wh-what?” Taehyung bites his lower lip. “Jungkookie wait - “

 

Jungkook kisses him - slides his fingers into wet hair and uses his other hand to grasp at Taehyung’s hip and pull him closer. Taehyung shivers against him, lips parting for his tongue, and Jungkook licks his way into Taehyung’s mouth, tracing over teeth and tongue and - Jungkook tilts Taehyung’s head, kissing him deeper.

 

“You - you ingested some,” Taehyung pants when given the chance. “Jungkook - “

 

Jungkook kisses him again, pushes him against the wall and tugs at his hair, tipping Taehyung’s head back and pulling their mouths apart so that he can kiss down the column of Taehyung’s neck. Taehyung swears quietly, fingers clawing over the tiles before they’re in Jungkook’s hair and dragging Jungkook’s head back up.

 

“Kookie, listen to me.”

 

Jungkook nods, eyes on Taehyung’s mouth and he can’t really focus but he’ll listen he’ll listen like Taehyung asks anything Taehyung asks.

 

“It’s the potion, Kookie.” Taehyung holds Jungkook’s head steady and meets his gaze. “Not that I’m not - not flattered. But you must have ingested some.”

 

Jungkook winces and presses closer to Taehyung, knees shaking. “It - my stomach is burning - I can’t -“

 

“Think straight, I know Jungkookie I know.” Taehyung pushes his hands through Jungkook’s hair. “It’s ok. It’s just - a really strong aphrodisiac, of sorts.”

 

Jungkook squeezes his eyes shut and tries to think past the static. “Wh-what?”

 

“I sell them sometimes on the side,” Taehyung admits. “They look real similar to the potion we needed tonight.”

 

Jungkook parts his lips and lowers his head, body shuddering, and he can’t - he needs to - he kisses Taehyung again, pinning his wrists above his head. Taehyung jolts beneath him, startled.

 

“I’m sorry,” Jungkook says, jerking back. Tears prick at his eyes. His insides won’t stop twisting and burning and he can - he can hardly hold still especially - especially with Taehyung fucking looking like - looking like - “I’m sorry.”

 

“It’s ok, Kookie, it’s ok,” Taehyung whispers, wrists twisting in Jungkook’s hold. “It’s ok I know how it feels. Trust me.”

 

“Can I kiss you?” Jungkook asks, voice breathy. “Please just let me - “ He swallows and presses his forehead to Taehyung’s and squeezes his eyes shut. “I really want to kiss you, hyung. Please. I’ve - I’ve always wanted to kiss you.”

 

“It’s just the potion, Kookie,” Taehyung reminds him softly.

 

Jungkook shakes his head, forehead twisting against Taehyung’s. “Fuck - I -“ He coughs suddenly, heat licking up inside his ribs and curling around his lungs. “Fuck I hate you,” he says, lips twisting up into a brief smile so Taehyung knows he isn’t serious. “Such an idiot, hyung.”

 

Taehyung laughs, startled, and nods. “I know. I’ve been told.”

 

“Such an idiot,” Jungkook tells him breathlessly, pressing a chaste kiss to Taehyung’s lips. “My idiot.” And then he’s kissing Taehyung again and again and again and licking into his mouth and pressing a thigh between Taehyung’s legs and Taehyung moans into his mouth and ruts down onto his thigh and Jungkook’s mind explodes into shards of colour and he whimpers into Taehyung’s mouth and Taehyung’s fingers are around his cock, stroking, and Jungkook - Jungkook mimics him, unzipping Taehyung’s jeans and shoving them down enough that he can stroke Taehyung to completion with him.

 

Jungkook’s whole body locks up when he finally orgasms. Taehyung bands an arm around his waist, keeping him close and keeping him standing, and then he’s whining into Jungkook’s mouth and thrusting up into Jungkook’s hand and finding his own release.

 

For a moment after they stand in silence, panting together. Jungkook tries to wrap his head around whatever the fuck just happened.

 

“H-Hyung?”

 

“…Fuck,” Taehyung says, head dropping to Jungkook’s shoulder.

 

 

 

Jungkook stands in front of Taehyung’s door, terror heavy in his stomach. He swallows and lets his eyes roam over the door for the billionth time. He pointedly ignores his tiny reflection in the peephole and he breaks out into a nervous sweat whenever he stares at the doorknob for too long because the last time he saw Taehyung -

 

“I really want to kiss you, hyung.”

 

“It’s just the potion, Kookie.”

 

Jungkook swallows and runs a shaky hand through his hair. He can still taste Taehyung on his tongue and - and honestly he doesn’t mind. Not at all. But maybe Taehyung will and maybe things will be weird and maybe Taehyung won’t want to help him anymore and - and maybe Taehyung won’t want to be friends anymore…

 

Jungkook lowers his head.

 

“You going to stand there much longer, Kookie? Because I kinda maybe fucked up a potion and I need to go clean it out of the sink before it disintegrates the sink and I have to explain it to my landlord.” There’s a beat. “Again.”

 

Jungkook jerks his head up, eyes wide. Taehyung stands in the doorway, shirt slipping off his shoulder, toad in his hands.

 

Taehyung smiles at him and leans his weight up against the doorframe. “I was using my scrying bowl, saw you waiting.”

 

Jungkook swallows and tries to crack a grin. “Spying on me, hyung?”

 

“Uh, no, spell wasn’t even supposed to be scrying in the first place,” Taehyung admits. “So I fucked up. Again.” He shakes his head, grinning, and takes Jungkook’s wrist. “C’mon, Jungkookie! Come help me clean my mess up!”

 

Stomach light again, Jungkook rolls his eyes and lets himself be pulled into the apartment.

 

 

 

They manage to save the sink and Taehyung beams rectangles at Jungkook instead of answering ‘how the fuck did you manage this hyung?’ The toad is let loose to hop about the apartment and Jungkook goes to sit on a stool as Taehyung bops his head to the music playing from his laptop and prepares to make a new spell.

 

“What’s this one do?” Jungkook asks.

 

Taehyung stands on tiptoes and reaches into the back of the cupboard above the fridge. “Hmm?” He lands on flat feet and examines the bottle in his hand, turning it to the light so he can read the faded label. “Fuck yes. Knew I still had some lying about.”

 

“Hyung,” Jungkook calls, setting his chin in his hand.

 

“Yeah, Kook?”

 

“The spell. What’s it do?”

 

“Don’t you worry about that,” Taehyung tells him, struggling to twist the lid off the bottle. He frowns at it. “Damn thing is crusted shut…” He holds it out to Jungkook for him to try.

 

Jungkook wraps his shirt around the lid, grits his teeth, and - fuck. There. Finally. He hands it back to Taehyung. “You just don’t want to tell me so I don’t know when you’ve fucked up.”

 

“Maybe.” Taehyung takes a sniff of the bottle’s contents and almost dies. “Fuck that shit is potent. Here, smell.”

 

Jungkook jerks his head back from the offending bottle. “Why would I want to smell it?”

 

Taehyung shrugs and pours the contents out into a bowl. It looks like purple slime. “So I’m kinda combining two spells here and -”

 

“Hyung,” Jungkook splutters. He starts to laugh, hands sliding over the countertop. “You’re combining two spells? Is that safe?”

 

“Fuck if I know,” Taehyung says. “But your curse hasn’t exactly been cooperative so I’m down for trying anything. Not all of the fuck ups have been my fuck ups.” He looks at Jungkook seriously - though he’s hard to take seriously when his lower lip is also pushed out in a pout. “Some have been yours too.”

 

Jungkook raises a brow. “How?”

 

“You’re the one carrying the fucking curse. Curse not being cooperative? You’re not being cooperative.” Taehyung beams at him and starts to chop some herbs. He then scoops them into a small stone bowl and begins to grind them. “When this is done we’ll burn it all together and smear some ashes on your forehead and see if you’ve decided to be cooperative today.”

 

Jungkook rolls his eyes and watches him work. He’s got his sleeves pushed up to his elbows and his teeth caught between his lip and Jungkook thinks he looks soft. So soft it kind of makes his chest ache in this weird way that Jungkook’s kind of learned to associate with - longing.

 

“Why do you want this curse gone so badly anyway, Kookie?” Taehyung asks. He looks up from his herbs and pushes his hair back with his forearm, fingers stained.

 

Jungkook bites his lip and presses his hands between his thighs. He stares at his knees, thinking how to phrase it without sounding - desperate? Sad? Pitiful? “It’s lonely,” he says quietly. He smiles sadly to himself and bows his head. “It’s really lonely, hyung.”

 

“Jungkookie…”

 

Jungkook lifts his head and offers Taehyung a smile. “It’s ok, I’ve gotten used to it. People live for longer now, so it isn’t as bad but - “

 

“But?” Taehyung echoes, herbs completely forgotten. He stands with both hands braced on the counter, weight forward, lips parted and eyes big and concerned and - Jungkook tries not to react to having someone feel so much for him.

 

“But I don’t age. So it - it makes things - “ Jungkook purses his lips and quirks his head. “I’m really tired of breaking hearts - and I’m really really tired of having to break my own.”

 

“Like - like with lovers?”

 

Jungkook stares at his knees again. “With everyone.”

 

And then suddenly Taehyung is in front of him, stained fingers weaving into his hair and lifting his head up and - Taehyung kisses him like he hasn’t seen Jungkook in years and possibly won’t see him again for a millennia. Jungkook starts, hands coming up to hold onto Taehyung’s wrists. There’s - there’s definitely no potion this time.

 

“Sorry,” Taehyung says when he pulls away, chest heaving. He licks over his lips and examines Jungkook’s features. His fingers are still in Jungkook’s hair but they’re gentler. “You just - you sounded so sad and I - just - this is kinda awkward hey? Um - “

 

Jungkook starts to chuckle.

 

“Fuck don’t laugh you looked like a kicked puppy and like you - you deserve love Jungkookie and so I dunno first instinct was to just - kiss you. Apparently. Like - yeah just - “

 

“Hyung,” Jungkook says.

 

“Y-yeah, Kook?”

 

“Come here.” Jungkook wraps his fingers in the hem of Taehyung’s shirt, tugs him until he’s stumbling into Jungkook’s lap, and kisses him.

 

 

 

“All right,” Taehyung says with red swollen lips. “Just need to chuck in this shit and then - “

 

“And then?” Jungkook asks, lips pressed to Taehyung’s bare shoulder. He winds his arms around Taehyung’s waist a little tighter and grazes his teeth over a vertebrae.

 

“A-and then,” Taehyung stutters. He gently jerks his right shoulder. “Yah, stop it. I can’t think straight.”

 

Jungkook presses a grin to the warmth of Taehyung’s skin.

 

Taehyung scoops the herb into the palm of his hand and drops it into the stone pot and grinds it all together and - there’s a poof of a small flame and then foul smelling smoke wafts into the air. Jungkook pulls a face and tugs on Taehyung’s waist, dragging them both back away from the smell.

 

“Fuck,” Taehyung says, coughing. “Dammit.”

 

“Supposed to do that?”

 

Taehyung sighs and runs a hand through his hair. “Nope.”

 

“Good.” Jungkook nips at Taehyung’s shoulder and slides his hands down to his hips and teases at the waistband.

 

“Thought you wanted the curse lifted,” Taehyung says, voice breathy as he leans back into Jungkook’s chest and tips his head back to rest on Jungkook’s shoulder.

 

Jungkook smirks and flicks at Taehyung’s waistband with his thumb. “Already told you,” he says, kissing over Taehyung’s jaw and fuck he’s never noticed how oddly delicate Taehyung is. “I’ve got plenty of time.”

 

 

 

Two weeks later, Taehyung texts him to come over around midday, except Jungkook barely makes it through the front door before Taehyung is shoving him back out of it and taking him down the stairs and onto the street.

 

“Thought we could go for lunch,” Taehyung says, shoving his hands in his jacket pockets and hunching his shoulders up by his ears.

 

“You could have just asked, hyung,” Jungkook tells him as they jog down the stairs to the subway. The subway is warm and Taehyung unwinds again. “I would have said yes.”

 

“Yeah, well - “ Taehyung breaks off and tugs on Jungkook’s sleeve, getting him to move faster. They duck through the doors seconds before they close and Taehyung pulls Jungkook close.

 

“I’m not just hanging round you for the magic, hyung,” Jungkook tells him quietly.

 

Taehyung smiles at him, nose still red from the cold, and finds Jungkook’s hand so that he can hold it between both of his own.

 

 

 

Taehyung takes them to Itaewon for lunch, claiming a craving for a good damn burger and fries. There’s a restaurant hanging off the side of the hill that he leads Jungkook into. The stairway is narrow but brightly lit by natural light streaming in from floor to ceiling windows. The restaurant is only small but they’re seated immediately.

 

Taehyung swirls his finger through the air as they wait for their meals to come. Gold sparks follow his finger through the air, painting pretty patterns between them. “Ever tried any magic, Jungkookie?”

 

“Thought I had to be naturally predisposed for that stuff,” Jungkook says. “Genetics and bloodlines and all that.”

 

Taehyung shrugs and closes his fist around the sparks still hovering between them. He turns his palm over and opens his fist. The sparks fizzle out on his skin. “People have more witchy ancestors than they think. And you grew up when witchcraft was more prominent. It’s kind of even more likely, I guess. You only need a drop of witch’s blood to do the simple shit.”

 

“The simple shit?”

 

Taehyung grins at him, leaning back in his seat as the waiter slides their meals onto the table. “Yeah,” he says. “You know. The shit even I can’t fuck up.” Yet even as he says it, an errant spark continues to dance in the air between them. Taehyung spots it and glares at it then tries to snatch it from the air. In the end it’s Jungkook who catches it.

 

“Eat, hyung,” he says through his laughter. “Just - just eat.”

 

Taehyung pouts at him but takes a huge bite of his burger nonetheless. “I could teach you, y’know,” he says around his mouthful.

 

Jungkook raises a brow. “What? Witchcraft?”

 

“Yeah.” Taehyung swallows and starts to pick at his fries. “I could try, anyway…”

 

Jungkook tilts his head and watches Taehyung for a moment. “Hyung,” he says. “Your magic is fine. You’re a good witch.”

 

“I’m not what you need,” Taehyung says, levelling Jungkook with an oddly serious look. “We both know that.”

 

Jungkook shakes his head. “You’re exactly what I need, hyung - a witch who’s willing to give it a shot. You’re the first witch to say yes to me in 56 years, hyung, and - are - are you ok?” Jungkook starts to frown. He puts his burger down and cleans his fingers. “Taehyung?”

 

Taehyung clutches at the shirt over his chest, breath held in his cheeks. He winces and lurches forward a bit, crashing into the edge of the table. “We need to go,” he says, straining to get the words out. He groans and grits his teeth.

 

“Hyung?” Jungkook’s voice comes out alarmed. He starts to stand.

 

“Now,” Taehyung wheezes. “We need to go now.”

 

“O-ok.” Jungkook takes him by the arm, throws some money down on the table, and drags Taehyung up the stairs, out of the restaurant, and onto the street.

 

“There,” Taehyung says, gulping once, twice, three times. “Over there, behind that store.” He gags and grabs at his throat, eyes watering. “Fuck.”

 

Jungkook pulls on him, getting him across the street. Taehyung stumbles, almost doubling right over like he’s about to - about to - Jungkook starts to frown. He tries to stop, tries to get Taehyung in place so he can assess him properly, but this time it’s Taehyung who drags him along.

 

Once they’re out of view of the main street, Taehyung braces one hand on the side of the store, clutches at his chest with the other, doubles over, and wretches. “Fuck,” he says, panting. He wipes his hand over his mouth and sighs, closing his eyes.

 

Jungkook stares at the toad hopping at his feet.

 

“Catch it,” Taehyung reminds him, hands shaky as he runs them through his hair.

 

“R-right.” Jungkook grabs the damn thing before it can get too far and holds it in his palms. He stares at it - and slowly starts to laugh. “Hyung - “

 

“Sorry, Jungkookie. I - “

 

Jungkook just shakes his head, still laughing. “You’re an idiot, hyung.”

 

“What?” Taehyung whines and holds his hands out for the toad. He holds it to his chest. “I needed him this morning,” he says defensively. “I guess I didn’t take him back down properly…”

 

“Why do I feel like there should be an ‘again’ attached to that?” Jungkook asks.

 

Taehyung purses his lips. “Maybe.” He looks down at the toad in his hands. “My jaw and throat hurt. I kinda don’t wanna try taking him down again,” Taehyung admits. He smiles sheepishly at Jungkook. “Wanna - wanna just have lunch back at mine?”

 

“I’m cool with whatever, hyung.” He looks pointedly at the toad. “But how do we get home with that?”

 

“Oh. Um.” Taehyung looks about him.

 

“I can get a plastic bag from - “

 

“No, it’s ok,” Taehyung tells him. He slides the toad into his jacket pocket, zips it shut, and beams at Jungkook. “All fixed!”

 

 

 

They’re back at Taehyung’s half an hour later. Taehyung turns his pocket inside out and shakes the toad free. It lands on the floor and hops away.

 

“Want me to catch it?” Jungkook asks, craning his head to watch the toad disappear into the bedroom.

 

“Nah,” Taehyung says, rubbing at his eyes. He shimmies out his jacket and throws it onto the back of the couch. “He won’t get too far. I’ll find him when I need him.” He looks at Jungkook. “C’mere,” he murmurs, pulling on Jungkook’s shirt and dragging him over.

 

Jungkook slides his hands into Taehyung’s hair and holds his head steady. “What’s up, hyung?” he asks quietly.

 

“Nothing,” Taehyung says, fingers pinching at Jungkook’s waist through the fabric of his shirt. “Just wanted to touch you.”

 

Jungkook blinks at that - then smiles. He pushes Taehyung’s hair back from his forehead. “You can do that whenever you please.”

 

Taehyung’s eyes drop to his mouth. “I really want to kiss you right now.”

 

“You just puked up a toad.”

 

“Occupational hazard,” Taehyung says, lips quirking. He crooks a finger under Jungkook’s chin and tips Jungkook’s head back, sending his gaze to the ceiling. Jungkook jolts when Taehyung’s lips fall at the divot between his collarbones. “I like you, Jungkookie.”

 

Jungkook smiles and scratches his nails over Taehyung’s scalp. Taehyung’s lips move up to behind his ear. “I like you too, hyung.”

 

“Like really like you.” He breathes the word over the shell of Jungkook’s ear and finally lets Jungkook tip his head back down.

 

Jungkook bites his lip and stares at Taehyung. His eyes are dark, pupils blown wide, expression a little hazy. Jungkook wants to ruin him. “You ok, hyung?”

 

Taehyung’s lips quirk into a smile. “I’m fine, Kookie. Tired, is all.”

 

“Yeah?”

 

Taehyung hums and thumbs over Jungkook’s pulse, eyes dropping to follow the motion. “You try puking up a toad twice in one day. It’s oddly exhausting considering how much I’ve puked the bastard up in the past few weeks. My abs hurt.”

 

“I’m sorry,” Jungkook says, nose brushing past Taehyung’s. He curls his fingers tighter in Taehyung’s hair, pulls his head into place so that he can look at him. “I’ve got time, hyung. You need to remember that.”

 

“And I’m a shit witch,” Taehyung says with a laugh. “You need to remember that. This isn’t the first time this week I’ve accidentally puked our favourite amphibian back up.”

 

Jungkook blinks at him - then starts to laugh. “Hyung,” he chastises. “You’re an idiot.”

 

“Can I kiss you now? You’re being mean.” Taehyung wriggles his arms around Jungkook’s waist and pulls him in tight, pouting. “I at least deserve that much in retribution.”

 

“Yeah,” Jungkook says slowly. “I think you’re still missing the part where I watched you puke up a toad half an hour ago.”

 

Taehyung sighs dramatically and drops his head to rest on Jungkook’s shoulder. “Rude.”

 

 

 

(But the minute Taehyung’s brushed his teeth, Jungkook gives in. Kisses him until his lips are pretty and swollen, undresses him with sure hands, lowers him to the couch, and fucks into him slowly - so slowly that it leaves Taehyung damn near sobbing in desperation, head pressed back into the cushions, heel digging into the back of Jungkook’s thigh, nails raking over the expanse of Jungkook’s back - Taehyung’s breath stutters in his throat and Jungkook shares his with him. Taehyung falls apart.)

 

 

 

Taehyung is basically bouncing off the walls the next time Jungkook comes to visit.

 

“Hurry,” he says, pulling Jungkook through the door and into the living room and shoving him to sit on the floor. “All right,” he says, sitting opposite Jungkook. “There’s - it’s stupid simple. It’s blood magic. Like, the most obvious fucking answer. Don’t know why I didn’t think of it earlier.”

 

Jungkook blinks at him with wide eyes, watching as Taehyung lights a candle and places a second unlit candle beside it. Then there’s a scrying bowl and there’s - a snake?

 

“What happened to the toad?”

 

“Huh?” Taehyung blinks at the snake twisting around his wrist. “Oh. Didn’t need the toad for this one. Puked this fella up this morning.”

 

“Hyung.” Jungkook wrinkles his nose.

 

“Cute, isn’t he?”

 

“I guess…”

 

“Though he’s a lot harder to puke up, being so long and all.” Taehyung sets the snake down and clicks his tongue when it tries to slither away. “Anyway, it’s really simple. Don’t stress.”

 

Jungkook raises a brow. “Wanna explain it to me then?”

 

Taehyung purses his lips and tilts his head. “Uh…”

 

Jungkook deadpans at him. “You don’t understand shit do you?”

 

“No,” Taehyung admits. He beams at Jungkook and then takes Jungkook’s hands and positions them so that they’re sitting on his folded knees, palms up. “But I know how to do it and that’s what counts.”

 

Jungkook rolls his eyes. “You said it was a blood ritual.”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“So are we bleeding the snake or…?”

 

“Oh!” Taehyung leans back and reaches for a knife. “Nope.” And he drags the blade right across his own wrist.

 

Jungkook jolts forward, accidentally kicking the snake and almost knocking over the scrying bowl. “Taehyung!” He takes Taehyung’s wrist and holds it to his stomach, wrapping the fabric of his shirt around the wound and putting pressure on it.

 

“Hey hey hey stop it you’re gonna - Jungkook - hey you’ll ruin the spell - “

 

“Are you fucking crazy?”

 

“No! Believe it or not, I’m not.” Taehyung grunts and tries to pull his wrist free. “Dude, I’ve been bloodletting since I was like, 12, let me go. It’s fine.”

 

Jungkook hesitates but does eventually release Taehyung. Taehyung clicks his tongue and pokes at the wound, then squeezes it until the flow starts again.

 

“Ok fuck I cut a bit too deep.”

 

“I thought you said you’d been doing this since you were 12.”

 

Taehyung scoffs and holds his wrist over the unlit candle. Once there’s a good collection of blood circulating the wick, he wraps his wrist in his t-shirt. “I maybe lied.”

 

“Maybe?”

 

“Yeah I’ve maybe only done this twice before.”

 

“Taehyung!”

 

Taehyung laughs. “Relax, Kookie. I already have some healing salve chilling in the fridge.” He makes grabby motions at Jungkook with his uninjured hand. “Here. You’re turn.”

 

“…You’re fucking nuts, hyung.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

 

 

“I don’t understand,” Taehyung whines. He’s seated up on the counter while Jungkook rubs the salve onto both their cuts. “Why didn’t it work?” He looks over his shoulder at where the failed spell lies. “Maybe I was supposed to bleed the snake… I swear it said I didn’t have to.”

 

Jungkook smiles and shakes his head. “It’s all right, hyung. Plenty of time.”

 

“You keep saying that,” Taehyung mutters, swinging his head back around to look at Jungkook’s fingers massaging the salve into his skin. “But - “

 

Jungkook looks up when Taehyung cuts off. He braces a hand either side of Taehyung and cranes his head to meet his gaze. “But what, hyung?”

 

“Nothing,” Taehyung mutters, avoiding his gaze.

 

“Hey,” Jungkook says, taking Taehyung’s chin and forcing him to meet his eyes. “It’s fine, hyung. You’ll figure it out. I know you will.”

 

Taehyung, still pouting, nods. Jungkook laughs and pushes up to kiss him.

 

“Stay the night?” Taehyung whispers, pressing his forehead to Jungkook’s, eyes closed.

 

Jungkook smiles and kisses Taehyung again. “Whatever you want, hyung. Always.”

 

 

 

Jungkook stirs to the sound of Taehyung gagging and coughing violently. He rolls across the bed quickly, shaking his left ankle free of the sheets, and stands in the doorway to the bathroom. Taehyung is doubled over the toilet, pounding at his chest.

 

“Heaving up another toad, hyung?” Jungkook jokes, grabbing for a towel so that Taehyung can wipe his chin down when he’s done.

 

There’s no response beyond the awful sound of Taehyung trying to cough the damn thing up. Jungkook puts a hand on Taehyung’s nape and leans over him to put the towel on the top of the - Jungkook falters. The toilet water is spotted with diluted pools of red.

 

“Taehyung?” Jungkook takes Taehyung’s chin and forces his head back so that he looks up. “Taehyung let me see.”

 

Taehyung’s shoulders heave and his lashes flutter closed. Blood is slick across his teeth. Taehyung starts to cough again and specks of blood stain his chin. He jerks his chin free of Jungkook’s hold and wretches into the toilet again.

 

“Hey talk to me,” Jungkook says, combing his fingers back through Taehyung’s hair. He kneels next to him. “Spell gone bad? What? What do you want me to do?” Jungkook shimmies across the floor on his knees so he’s opposite Taehyung, the toilet between them. “Taehyung.”

 

Taehyung flickers dark eyes up at him, stare holding steady and intense - until Taehyung gags so hard his eyes roll back into his head for a moment long enough to have panic flaring inside Jungkook’s chest. Taehyung’s knees slip on the tiles and Jungkook reaches out, hands sliding around Taehyung’s head to stop it from smashing into the toilet.

 

“Please hyung,” Jungkook says. “Tell me what - “ Taehyung’s fingers slide around his wrists and squeeze once. Jungkook bites his lip and pulls back. “Ok,” he says quietly. “Ok. I’ll - I’ll wait.” So he does, watching with baited breath and white knuckles and an aching heart as the strain causes tears to form in Taehyung’s eyes, as the chords in his throat stand out with each cough, as Taehyung gags up globs of blood again and again and again.

 

Finally, it stops. Taehyung rests his arms on the toilet seat and his forehead on the back of his wrists, breaths sobbing in and out of him. Jungkook watches his fingers and shoulders shake.

 

“Hyung…?”

 

Taehyung tries to clear his throat. “I’m - I’m ok, Kookie.” He doesn’t sound ok. His throat sounds wrecked and his voice wobbles. “I’m ok.”

 

Jungkook’s shoulders fall. “Hyung…”

 

Taehyung shakes his head, forehead twisting against his wrists.

 

Jungkook slides across the floor and turns Taehyung to face him. He takes his hands and holds them tight, trying to stop them from shaking. “You don’t have to be ok,” Jungkook whispers. “I’m here and I’m ok, so you’re allowed to not be, hyung.”

 

Taehyung lifts his head slowly and stares at Jungkook with starburst lashes and glassy eyes. He looks exhausted. The redness is leaving his cheeks - and taking all other colour with it - and Taehyung still can’t seem to regulate his breathing.

 

“You look scared,” Jungkook tells him quietly. He holds Taehyung’s wrists with the one hand and pushes sweaty hair back from Taehyung’s forehead. His skin is hot to the touch. “It’s ok, hyung. It’s over. You’re all right now.”

 

Taehyung swallows. When he speaks, his voice is hoarse like he’s been screaming for the better part of the day. “It tried to kill me.”

 

Jungkook tilts his head and runs his fingers through Taehyung’s hair again. He keeps his voice soft. “What did?”

 

“Your curse.”

 

Jungkook’s gaze snaps to Taehyung’s. “What?” Taehyung licks his lips - Jungkook fights not to shake him. Fear is icy in his gut. “Taehyung what do you mean?”

 

Taehyung twists a wrist free so that he can drag the back of it over his mouth. There’s goosebumps all up his arm and Jungkook belatedly realises Taehyung is starting to shiver, the sweat on his skin finally cooling. “I must have come too close to lifting it somehow. Guess it has a - has a - “ Taehyung closes his eyes and rolls his hand through the air. “I can’t fucking think of the word right now. But we’re gonna have to be careful from now on.” He opens his eyes and offers Jungkook a weary smile. “Whoever cursed you really hated you, Kookie.” He starts to slump forward. Jungkook automatically takes his weight, lets him sag against Jungkook’s chest. He wraps his arms around him and puts his chin on Taehyung’s head. Taehyung sighs quietly, beginning to lull to sleep. “And they were one fucking powerful witch…”

 

 

 

They sleep late the next day. Jungkook wakes first, finds himself nose to nose with Taehyung, and takes the opportunity to run his gaze over him, taking in the little details, the imperfections, the pieces of Taehyung that people miss when they first see him. Jungkook finds Taehyung’s hand under the blankets and weaves their fingers together.

 

Taehyung hums and turns his face into the pillow, fingers clenching around Jungkook’s.

 

“Hey,” Jungkook says. He slides closer, pressing their foreheads together, and slips his leg between Taehyung’s. “How you feeling?”

 

Taehyung doesn’t answer at first. He blinks his eyes open and studies Jungkook, looking slightly disorientated. “Yeah,” he says at last, exhaling the word. He rubs at his eyes with his free hand. “I’m fine.”

 

Jungkook nods and closes his eyes, sighing. The room is warm, the bed is comfortable, and Taehyung breathes quietly beside him. It’s Sunday and neither of them have places they need to be other than right here. Jungkook feels sleep tugging at his mind and lets it take him.

 

Or he would, if not for Taehyung kissing him slowly, sleepily. Jungkook moans softly, brow furrowing, but returns the kisses. Taehyung’s mouth is warm, lips parting obediently when Jungkook asks, and before he knows it, he’s shifting his weight to the one arm so that he can hover of Taehyung. He slides a hand into his hair, kisses him slow and deep, and when Taehyung makes space between his legs for him, Jungkook lowers his weight gently.

 

He licks into the back of his mouth and smooths his thumb over a cheekbone, feels the delicacy of the bone beneath the skin, and marvels at it - at all of Taehyung, the golden skinned shitty witch who grins rectangles and pukes snakes and toads and doesn’t know his herbs as well as he probably should.

 

Jungkook kisses him deeper and rolls his hips down. Taehyung answers with a soft groan, the arm around Jungkook’s neck pulling him closer. Jungkook kisses him more insistently, hands wandering. He slides them up under Taehyung’s shirt, palms ghosting over his ribcage, and pushes Taehyung’s shirt up under his arms then lets his fingers explore the skin revealed to him.

 

Taehyung’s fingers tug at the collar of Jungkook’s shirt and Jungkook pulls back, lets Taehyung lift his shirt over his head, then moves right back down to kiss him again - except Taehyung ducks his head and presses open mouthed kisses over Jungkook’s collarbones and scrapes his nails over Jungkook’s spine and Jungkook’s head spins.

 

“Fuck, Taehyung,” he breathes, clenching a hand in Taehyung’s hair and forcing him to look up at Jungkook. His lips are parted, eyes at half-mast as he gazes up at him. Jungkook kisses him, hand tightening in Taehyung’s hair as he licks into the back of his mouth, pulls Taehyung to him until it’s bone pressing on bone and he can feel Taehyung wincing into the kiss. He pulls back, panting, and starts to tug at Taehyung’s waistband. “Pants off. Now.”

 

“Jungkook,” Taehyung says, chest heaving. He groans and throws an arm over his eyes when Jungkook slides his pants down enough to wrap his hand around his cock and start pumping. “Sh-shit.” Taehyung inhales sharply, hips bucking, when Jungkook tightens his grip and presses teeth to skin. “C-Careful. Gentle, Kookie, be - be - “ Taehyung’s jaw falls open, breath stuttering out of him.

 

“Always,” Jungkook tells him, kissing his way down his body. “Whatever you want, hyung.”

Taehyung bites his lower lip and clutches at the sheets with his free hand. He rolls his hips into Jungkook’s grip. “F-Fuck, Kookie.” He gasps, body jolting and free hand immediately clenching in Jungkook’s hair when Jungkook bites into the skin between thigh and groin.

 

Jungkook smoothes his tongue over the mark then sets his lips back over it and sucks. Taehyung jolts again, heels sliding over the mattress, and Jungkook grins. “Always so sensitive, hyung,” he murmurs, kissing the purpling skin gently. He shoves the rest of Taehyung’s sweats out of the way.

 

Taehyung pants, hand tight in Jungkook’s hair. It tugs. “Please Jungkook. Please - “

 

“Hmm?” Jungkook kisses the inside of Taehyung’s thigh, goes lower and lower, curls further inside. “You good, hyung?”

 

Taehyung pulls at Jungkook’s hair again. “J-Jungkook. Please.” His breath catches in his throat, muscles shuddering before his hips buck, seeking friction. “Please please please.”

 

Jungkook rubs his thumbs over Taehyung’s hips, soothing him, and kisses his way back up. He presses his palms flat on Taehyung’s hips and swallows him down.

 

“F-fuck.” Taehyung drags air in noisily, hips fighting against Jungkook’s hands. “Fuck Jungkook fuck I - ngh.”

 

Jungkook bobs his head, drags his tongue up the underside, and lets Taehyung scrape against the roof of his mouth. Taehyung practically sobs at him, trying to get Jungkook’s hands off of him so he can fuck into Jungkook’s mouth. Jungkook chuckles then winces when Taehyung pulls particularly hard at his hair.

 

“Please Kook please I - “ Taehyung tosses his head on the pillow and Jungkook pulls back to watch. Taehyung’s arm is still draped over his eyes but his lips are red and glistening with saliva. He pants for air, tipping his head back into the pillow. “Please Kookie please I - “ Jungkook drops his head, licks over Taehyung’s entrance, and Taehyung’s abs contract, lifting him partially from the mattress. “Fuck. Fuck. Oh God, Jungkook.”

 

Taehyung’s hips are rolling again, desperate to get more. Jungkook licks over Taehyung’s entrance again then wiggles a finger in, coming up to kiss over Taehyung’s stomach as he does. He can feel muscle rolling beneath skin and knows Taehyung is close. He slows down, stretching Taehyung out good and proper. Taehyung sobs at him, trying to fuck himself down on Jungkook’s fingers but Jungkook kisses him deeply, distracting him, trying to drag his focus upwards.

 

“I can’t I can’t I can’t - “ Taehyung gasps into his mouth, hips bucking desperately.

 

“Slow down for me, Taehyung,” Jungkook whispers, pressing his forehead to Taehyung’s. Taehyung keens at him and Jungkook - Jungkook has never seen him like this. “Shh, slow down for me.”

 

Taehyung shudders, eyes closed shut, teeth clenched and bared. His hips jerk upwards, almost like they’re trying to get away from Jungkook’s fingers, but then he’s rocking his hips back down and letting out a stuttering breath of pleasure. Jungkook pulls his fingers free and Taehyung’s eyes blink open slowly, blearily.

 

“Wh-wha- “

 

“Shh, Taehyung,” Jungkook chuckles. He kisses him, catches Taehyung’s hiccuping breath, and passes it back to him. He groans into the kiss when Taehyung’s fingers disappear into his sweats and wrap around his cock and start stroking. “Fuck what has gotten into you?”

 

Taehyung just shakes his head at him and clenches his eyes shut. “Please Jungkook. Please I - I - “ He chokes on the next word, tipping his head back as his mouth parts. “Fuck please I can’t.”

 

“Lube, hyung, lube,” Jungkook reminds him. “I don’t - “

 

Taehyung pushes against him, forces him to roll, and straddles him. He kisses down Jungkook’s body quickly, hands shaky as fuck as they shove Jungkook’s pants out of the way, then he swallows Jungkook down. Jungkook groans, incredibly turned on by Taehyung’s sudden desperation, and rolls his hips, thrusting deeper into Taehyung’s mouth. And Taehyung just lets him.

 

“I’m - I’m good,” Jungkook tells him shortly after. “We’re good, hyung.”

 

Taehyung sits up, nodding, eyes shut. He covers his eyes with his forearm, shoulders shaking.

 

“Slow it down, hyung,” Jungkook tells him softly, sitting up so that Taehyung falls into his lap. He wraps his arms around him and slides his palms up his back. He presses a chaste kiss to his chest. “Slow it down.” But Taehyung just rolls his hips, rubbing up against Jungkook. “Ok,” Jungkook breathes, biting his lip. “Ok.”

 

Taehyung lifts his hips, guides Jungkook to his entrance, and sinks down. He wraps his arms around Jungkook’s neck and hides his face in the crook of his neck and starts to move. Jungkook holds his hips, helps him find a rhythm. Taehyung breathes obscenities into his skin and Jungkook groans, hands finding Taehyung’s ass. He rocks his hips up into Taehyung’s thrusts and Taehyung stutters.

 

“Fuck, hyung.” Jungkook grabs a fistful of hair and forces Taehyung’s head up. Taehyung gazes down his nose at him, lips parted, eyes glassy, cheeks flushed, chest heaving. “Fucking look at you.”

 

“Li-like it?” Taehyung says, voice low and wrecked.

 

Jungkook laughs, startled, and drags Taehyung down for a kiss. “Fucking love it,” he says, then he grabs Taehyung and forces him onto his back and snaps his hips forward, fucking into him fast and deep. Taehyung slides up the mattress, fingers clawing at Jungkook’s shoulders, and Jungkook does it again, finding his rhythm.

 

“F-Fuck, Kookie,” Taehyung says. “Fuck. J-Just like that.”

 

Jungkook kisses him deeply, tongues tangling messily with too much saliva and too much teeth. Taehyung pants into his mouth and wraps his arms tight around him and rolls his hips, meeting Jungkook’s thrusts as he fucks him into the mattress.

 

“Turn around for me?” Jungkook asks between thrusts.

 

Taehyung nods, face hidden in Jungkook’s neck again. Jungkook stops, pulls out, and Taehyung rolls onto his front. He rests his forehead on his arms and puts his ass in the air and Jungkook smooths his hand over the dip of his spine, holds his hips, and enters slowly. Taehyung groans at him and Jungkook has to laugh at the amount of frustration behind it.

 

“What’s wrong, hyung?” he teases. “Not fast enough for you?”

 

Taehyung shakes his head, fucking himself back onto Jungkook in an effort to speed up the pace. When that doesn’t work, he rolls his hips down, seeking friction against the sheets. Jungkook bands an arm around his waist and pulls him back into place.

 

“Nah, hyung,” he says, thrusting slowly. “I reckon you can come untouched.”

 

“No please god Jungkook,” Taehyung says. “Please god I’m so close please just - “

 

“Jesus,” Jungkook breathes as Taehyung tries to force Jungkook’s fingers down to his cock. “What - the fuck has you so riled up, hyung?”

 

“Just fucking - fuck me, Jungkook.” Taehyung shakes his head, forehead twisting over his arms. “Please Kook.”

 

Jungkook grabs Taehyung’s hips and thrusts in hard, hard enough to have Taehyung floundering to keep his balance. “Like that?” Jungkook asks, panting.

 

“Y-yes god yes,” Taehyung says, meeting Jungkook’s thrusts desperately. “I’m so close Kook so close.”

 

Jungkook wraps his arm around Taehyung’s waist again but this time it’s so he can pull him up so that he’s sitting in his lap, back flush against Jungkook’s chest. Taehyung groans and starts to bounce in Jungkook’s lap, head dropping forward.

 

“Shh, hyung, let me.” Jungkook kisses Taehyung’s shoulder. “You don’t have to do anything. Just let me do it.”

 

Taehyung nods jerkily and Jungkook makes sure Taehyung is good and balanced before fucking up into him. Taehyung tips his head back, lips parting.

 

“Fuck Jungkook,” he breathes. “Fuck.”

 

Jungkook bites his lip, his own release creeping forward the more he looks at Taehyung, so desperate to get off. Jungkook snaps his hips faster, harder, until Taehyung is falling forward again, taking his own weight on his hands so that Jungkook can finish them both off good and proper. Jungkook knows he wants to see Taehyung come untouched but he snakes a hand around anyway, takes Taehyung into his hand, and strokes in times with his thrusts.

 

Taehyung falls, chest flush against the mattress, and sobs out a breath. “Yes yes yes yes - “ His mouth parts, lashes fluttering shut. His body spasms, entrance clenching around Jungkook, and he comes. He chokes out a breath, fingers clawing at the sheets as his orgasm rips through him.

 

“Fuck,” Jungkook breathes, tightening his hold on Taehyung’s hips as he chases his own release. He drapes his weight over Taehyung’s back and bites his lip and he’s so close so close so -

 

“Fuck Jungkook,” Taehyung breathes, face buried in the crook of his elbow. “Mine,” he whispers, shaking his head. “You’re mine all mine all - “

 

Jungkook bites down on Taehyung’s shoulder, hips stuttering, and comes. Taehyung whines at him, hand seeking Jungkook’s. He squeezes mercilessly when he finds it and rolls his hips, helping Jungkook through his orgasm.

 

“F-fuck,” Jungkook says shakily, muscles twitching. He sighs and closes his eyes. “Fuck, hyung.”

 

Taehyung coughs and nods. He smiles tiredly. “’S good, Kookie.”

 

Jungkook presses kisses down his spine and pulls out slowly. Taehyung sighs and falls to the mattress. Jungkook collapses next to him and strokes a hand over his hip.

 

Taehyung blinks his eyes open and looks at Jungkook sleepily. “We need to shower.”

 

Jungkook hums and pulls Taehyung closer. “What got into you, hey?”

 

“Ahh…” Taehyung laughs nervously. “Blood magic sort of always - gets me going.”

 

Jungkook lets out a startled laugh. “Seriously?”

 

“That and I - probably may have fucked the spell up a little. I think I put the wrong herbs in.”

 

“And it made you the horniest I’ve ever seen you?”

 

“Fuck, shut up. Yes. It’s - I mixed our blood and - some herbs - I dunno. I think I made an - an aphrodisiac sort of - just - “

 

“It’s fine, hyung,” Jungkook says. “It’s more than fine, actually. It’s fucking hot.”

 

Taehyung smiles at him, sleeping tugging at him. “Yeah?”

 

“Yeah, hyung.” Jungkook brushes a hand through Taehyung’s hair and smiles. “You and your damn aphrodisiacs.”

 

Taehyung chuckles, eyes closing. “Stay a little longer?”

 

Jungkook continues brushing his fingers through Taehyung’s hair, watching him slip into slumber again. “Anything you want, hyung,” he reminds him, voice hushed. “Always.”

 

 

 

Taehyung is already up when Jungkook stirs again. Jungkook rolls onto his back and runs a hand through his hair and looks at Taehyung sitting at the end of the bed. His hair is wet and freshly washed, clean sweats hanging low enough on his hips that Jungkook can see his fingers have left marks, never mind the red imprint of Jungkook’s teeth on the back of Taehyung’s shoulder.

 

“Hey,” he says, voice coming out croaky.

 

Taehyung looks over his shoulder at him and smiles. “Hey, Jungkookie. How you feeling?”

 

Jungkook hums and rubs a hand over his face. “Like I don’t wanna move. What about you, hyung?”

 

Taehyung turns back around. “Just looking into a few things.”

 

“Hmm?” Jungkook slides his elbows beneath him and sits up enough to see Taehyung pouring over one of his books. “H-hyung.” Jungkook watches him with wide eyes, fear curling deep inside his chest at the memory of Taehyung vomiting blood into the toilet bowl last night. “Hyung - just - please don’t.”

 

“Don’t?” Taehyung sounds confused.

 

Oxygen rattles in Jungkook’s lungs. He watches Taehyung flip a page, read something, then flick back about a chapter. Jungkook swallows. “Stop, hyung. Just leave it.”

 

“Jungkookie, is this about last night?”

 

“Yes it’s about last night,” Jungkook says, almost snapping the words.

 

“We’re supposed to fight before we fuck,” Taehyung tells him sarcastically. “Not the other way round.”

 

“I’m serious, hyung,” Jungkook says. He sits up completely. The sheets pool around his waist. “Stop.”

 

Taehyung chuckles and flips another page. “Everything is fine, Jungkookie. Don’t stress. I’m just a shit witch.”

 

Jungkook grits his teeth. Taehyung isn’t fucking listening. “I don’t want you to keep working on this, Tae.”

 

Taehyung gives him a sidelong glance, studying him with dark heavy eyes for a moment, then goes back to his spell. “And I’m not gonna let you break my heart.”

 

Jungkook sits there, stunned, and says no more.

 

And just like that, apparently the decision is made.

 

 

 

They don’t attempt another spell for the next month, whilst Taehyung pours over his books and juices all of his contacts and resources. Jungkook comes round more than once to find him shirtless, curled up on the couch in sweats, book cradled in his lap and toad hopping over the coffee table.

 

“Why do you keep coughing him up?” Jungkook asks one time.

 

“Locater spells,” Taehyung mutters to him, not looking up from his page. “Really think I go through every damn word on every damn page, Kookie? He works like a search engine if I do the spell right.”

 

“And if you don’t do the spell right?” Jungkook asks, pulling the book from Taehyung’s lap and taking its place.

 

Taehyung hums and tips his head back to rest on the couch, palms sliding up under Jungkook’s shirt. “Even I can’t fuck up a locater spell.”

 

Jungkook raises a brow. “You totally have, haven’t you?”

 

Taehyung pinches him and laughs. “Yah! Put that mouth of yours to better use, Jeon Jungkook.”

 

So Jungkook does.

 

 

 

From: Taehyung

I found someone

 

To: Taehyung

Congratulations…?

 

From: Taehyung

Yah Kookie! For the spell!

 

From: Taehyung

Come round to mine at 9ish~

 

To: Taehyung

Yeah sure whatever hyung

 

 

 

It’s like deja vu. Jungkook rocks up at nine - and is pushed back out through the door before he’s even made it inside. Taehyung is shrugging into a leather jacket as he grins at Jungkook, then he locks the door, pockets his key, and drags Jungkook down the stairs.

 

“Wait, I’m coming with you?” Jungkook asks, trying not to stack it as Taehyung rushes them downstairs. “I thought you’d met the person already.”

 

“Nah, not yet.” Taehyung shoulders the main door open. “And I was gonna go alone but figured you’d maybe wanna come.”

 

“Where are we going?”

 

Taehyung just grins at him. “You’ll see.”

 

 

 

Taehyung takes him down bar street at Hongdae then they’re climbing up a little backstreet, walking past small bars and closed cafes until Taehyung takes them between two buildings and down a staircase. Taehyung keeps his hands buried in his pockets the whole time, even shoulders the door in front of them open without the use of hands. There’s no one at the door checking ID or stamps and Taehyung leads them deeper inside.

 

Jungkook glances around, wondering just where the fuck they are and where the fuck Taehyung is - the room opens up into a large space with varying levels and a ridiculous number of people. Blue light flashes over them and music plays from somewhere. There’s a bar up against the right wall but none of the drinks they’re serving look remotely familiar to Jungkook - and never mind all that because there’s that fucking feeling and Jungkook - Jungkook -

 

He exhales shakily, turning on the spot to take the people in. “Witches,” he says.

 

“Hmm?” Taehyung is stopped in front of him, scanning the crowd. He glances over his shoulder at Jungkook. “What’s up?”

 

“They’re all witches,” Jungkook says. His fingers start to shake so he crosses his arms over his chest, tucking his hands under his arms. “Everyone in here.”

 

Taehyung smiles and takes his upper arm, leading him into the crowd. “Everyone but you, Jungkookie.” He flashes Jungkook another smile, this one fond and a little cheeky. “Makes you most special of all.”

 

Jungkook just nods, trying to wrap his head around the fact that after all these years searching - there’s a whole fucking community of them getting drunk and high together in an underground club off of Hongdae’s bar street.

 

Two guys step in front of them, one smiling fucking rainbows and the other with close cropped hair.

 

“Taehyungie!” One of them cheers, throwing his arm around Taehyung’s shoulders and sending him stumbling.

 

“You came?” The second guy asks.

 

Taehyung wriggles away from them and comes to Jungkook’s side again. “Namjoon hyung, Hoseok hyung,” he tells Jungkook, before jabbing a thumb in Jungkook’s direction. “This is Jungkook.” Taehyung seems edgy and Jungkook brushes a finger down the side of his hand, trying to soothe. It doesn’t work and Jungkook wants to wonder what it is that’s getting under Taehyung’s skin because he seemed so confident earlier and now - Taehyung clears his throat and his gaze jumps over the room. “I’m looking for Seokjin hyung.”

 

Namjoon jerks his chin over his shoulder in the general direction of the back of the room. “Backroom.” Namjoon studies them both, arms folded over his chest, then smiles fondly. “We’re really glad you’ve come, Tae.”

 

Taehyung just nods, lip caught between his teeth. “I need to see him. Now.”

 

Hoseok jumps in before Namjoon can. “Of course!” He grins and puts his arm around Taehyung’s shoulders again. “We’ll take you. Jungkook - “

 

“Can’t come, I know.” Taehyung looks over his shoulder at Jungkook and smiles. “Sorry, Jungkookie. Witches only. Can’t have you puking all over the carpet. Are you ok to wait here?”

 

Jungkook nods. Really he wants to ask if Taehyung is ok to go with them but he doesn’t - and he doesn’t question as to why he’d be puking all over the carpet. “Yeah, hyung. I’ll wait here.”

 

“I’ll be quick,” he promises, and then he’s disappearing into the crowd.

 

Jungkook purses his lips and puts his hands in his pockets and hunches his shoulders forward. People move around him in an easy, languid flow. Laughter is frequent and so are the drinks, it would seem. Jungkook watches a small girl walk past with two mason jars that are freaking steaming and - potions, he thinks dumbly, they’re potions.

 

“Jeon Jungkook?”

 

Jungkook turns at his name, eyes going wide. “Yoongi.”

 

Yoongi laughs and takes a swig of his drink. He pushes his hair from his eyes and gives Jungkook a once over. “How’d you get in here?”

 

“Came with a friend,” Jungkook says, nodding his head in the direction Taehyung vanished to.

 

Yoongi’s brows raise. “A witch friend? Only way to get in.”

 

“Yeah.” Jungkook shrugs. “He’s - he’s helping me out.”

 

Yoongi’s expression softens for a moment - and then it’s wicked as he smirks. “Good on you, Kookie. Who is it?”

 

“Kim Taehyung.”

 

Yoongi chokes on his drink and pounds at his chest. He looks at Jungkook with wide eyes and wipes the drink from his chin with the back of his hand. “Kim Taehyung? You got fucking Kim Taehyung to help you?”

 

“Yeah,” Jungkook says slowly, not sure what’s happening or - or - why is everyone so funny around Taehyung? Is it because he’s that much of a ‘shit witch’? Because that makes Jungkook’s heart hurt and his stomach turn and - everyone says kids can be cruel. Witches too, he decides. “What of it?”

 

“Nothing, nothing,” Yoongi says, shaking his head. “Just - fuck, kid, when I said I couldn’t help you, to find someone else -” Yoongi whistles. “How’s it going?”

 

“It’s getting there. He’s trying hard.”

 

Yoongi laughs but it’s not nasty. “I bet he is. He’s a good kid. Fucking weird kid. But good - loyal to a fault.”

 

Jungkook starts to grin. “Weird doesn’t even cover it.” A hand, warm and familiar, falls on his arm and he turns at the sound of his name. Taehyung is beside him, breathless and excited. “Hyung.”

 

“Kookie, hey, I - “ Taehyung notices Yoongi and bows quickly. He turns quiet and almost shy. “Yoongi hyung…”

 

Yoongi grins. “Hey, kid. Been a while.” He raises his glass to them. “Anyway, I’ll leave you two to it. Oi, Kook, say hi to Jimin for me.”

 

“Will do,” Jungkook says. They watch him weave back into the mix of the crowd before Jungkook turns his attention to Taehyung again. “How’d it go?”

 

Taehyung beams at him - and then starts laughing. He loops his arms around Jungkook’s neck and leans into him, eyes wide and bright. “Good,” he says. “Really fucking good.”

 

Jungkook starts to smile, hands finding Taehyung’s waist. “Yeah?”

 

“Yeah,” Taehyung tells him, still grinning. “I’ve got it, Jungkookie. I know what to do.”

 

 

 

Taehyung takes about two weeks to collect ingredients and practice drawing runes and to learn the chant. Jungkook watches him work quietly, often naked and tangled in sheets, fingers drawing patterns on Taehyung’s bare back as he sketches the runes over and over and whispers the chant under his breath and Jungkook - Jungkook can’t ever have enough, can’t ever get enough of him, so somehow they always end up where they started, naked and tangled in sheets, sweat-slicked skin sliding over each other, Taehyung pinned beneath him with a mouth and body equally pliant and willing.

 

Jungkook has to wonder when he got so drunk on Taehyung - but then Taehyung is shuddering beneath him, passing shaky breaths between them, and arching up into Jungkook and Jungkook - Jungkook couldn’t fucking care less about the when, just cares that he is.

 

 

 

Jungkook watches Taehyung paint the runes onto his skin with a steady hand. The mixture is thick and doesn’t smell the sweetest and it’s cold but Taehyung looks somewhere between proud, excited, and entirely focused, so Jungkook doesn’t say anything. He tracks his gaze over the rest of the room. The furniture has all been pushed back and the windows have all been covered up. There’s runes painted onto the floor, a large circle with a six pointed star and then a bunch of shit Jungkook doesn’t understand. There’s a bowl at one star point, herbs at another, a candle at the third, the toad is at the fourth, the snake at the fifth and -

 

“I go at the sixth,” Taehyung tells him.

 

Jungkook jerks his head around to look at him. “Huh?”

 

Taehyung grins and glances up from Jungkook’s forearm. “You were looking at the star. I stand at the sixth point.” He turns Jungkook’s arm over carefully, continuing his line. “And you stand in the middle.”

 

Jungkook nods slowly. The brush tickles the inside of his arm and he instinctively tries to jerk it back.

 

Taehyung tightens his grip and clicks his tongue. “Stay still, Kookie. If there’s any smudges or breaks in the lines, the spell won’t work.”

 

“There’s no candles.”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“You said every good witch has an abundance of candles.” Jungkook looks over the room again. “There’s like two, hyung.”

 

“Shut up. I’ve told you: I’m not a good witch.” Taehyung pouts and bows his head, getting closer to Jungkook’s skin. “Meanie.”

 

Jungkook smiles down at him and lifts his free hand to ruffle Taehyung’s hair. “Is it safe, hyung?”

 

“The spell?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

Taehyung shrugs and blows on his latest rune. He moves to Jungkook’s stomach next and fuck this shit is cold. “Well put it this way: either your curse kills me or the spell does because this is a level of magic, like, 10 000 above my own.”

 

“What - “

 

Taehyung squeezes Jungkook’s hip and smiles up at him. “I’m kidding, Jungkookie. Everything will be fine. Trust me. I’ve triple checked everything.”

 

“Only triple?”

 

Taehyung rolls his eyes. “Quadruple.” He finishes off his work. “Neither of us is dying today.” He stands and holds the brush out to Jungkook, then shimmies out of his shirt. He pulls a folded piece of paper out of his pocket and opens it to show Jungkook. “You need to draw this on my back and this - “ He turns the page over. “ - over my heart.”

 

Jungkook pulls a face but nods and does as he’s told. His hands shake more than he likes and Taehyung speaks softly to him, telling him it’s ok and to go slow and everything will be fine Kookie.

 

“All right,” Jungkook says at last, stepping back. “Done.”

 

“There’s no breaks in the lines?”

 

Jungkook tilts his head and runs his eyes over the runes. He turns Taehyung around to check the one over his heart. “Nah, we’re good.”

 

“Ok.” Taehyung takes the brush and paint and paper from Jungkook, quickly paints a rune on the toad and snake, and then dumps the equipment in the kitchen sink. He then leads Jungkook to stand in the middle of the circle. “Left foot here,” he says, “and right foot here.” He holds Jungkook’s shoulders and smiles at him. “Ok, you can’t move, ok? You probably won’t be able to once the spell starts. The magical current’s gonna be strong, ok? But you can’t break the connection. All things lead to you.”

 

Jungkook nods and bites at his lower lip.

 

“It’s ok, Kook,” Taehyung says, taking up his position at the sixth point. He puts his feet in position. The moment his right foot is in place, a purple light bursts from the soles of his feet to trace the runes on the floor. It creeps up Taehyung and Jungkook until their lines glow purple too. It does ghastly pretty things to Taehyung’s features. “You ready?”

 

“Y-yeah.”

 

Taehyung nods. “Ok. Remember Kookie: all things lead to you. I promise I’ll be as quick as possible.”

 

Jungkook nods, heart and stomach fighting for position in his throat. He’s going to puke them both up at this point. “Hyung wait!”

 

Taehyung’s eyes fly open, hands frozen in the air. “Yeah, Kook?”

 

Jungkook rolls his lip between his teeth. “Just - just be careful. Please.”

 

Taehyung smiles softly. “I will.” And then he closes his eyes, clasps his hands, and starts to chant.

 

Taehyung wasn’t kidding about the magical current. Jungkook can feel it swirling and biting at his ankles the moment the first few words leave Taehyung’s mouth and it honestly terrifies the shit out of Jungkook because just how strong is this spell, hyung? The current climbs, curling around Jungkook’s knees and thighs and waist and shoulders and face until it completely surrounds him and fills the apartment. Jungkook watches the same happen to Taehyung, watch as his hair is blown right back off his face. Jungkook doesn’t stop watching Taehyung, so so scared that - that something will go wrong - that this is too strong - that -

 

Taehyung’s voice warbles for a moment and Jungkook blames it on the current. But when Taehyung’s voice starts rasping, clearly straining, Jungkook starts to panic.

 

“T-Taehyung?” he calls over the wind.

 

The left side of Taehyung’s mouth quirks as he chants, a silent ‘I’m good’.

 

Jungkook settles - or tries to. It’s getting hard to see, the wind so strong it hurts. He can feel it pushing on him, keeping him tightly in place. Focus on Taehyung, Jungkook tells himself, just focus on Taehyung. Just focus on -

 

A shuddering breath leaves Jungkook. Blood trickles from Taehyung’s nose. His eyebrows twitch and then he’s frowning, teeth clenched as he talks through them. Jungkook tries to move forward. Blood slicks Taehyung’s teeth again - Taehyung coughs suddenly, doubling over with the motion. When he straightens to resume his chanting, there’s blood dripping down his chin.

 

“Taehyung,” Jungkook chokes out. “Taehyung stop.”

 

Taehyung shakes his head - Jungkook can see where blood is leaking from his ears.

 

“Taehyung!”

 

But Taehyung just keeps going. Jungkook leans into the winds, trying to - to - Jungkook grits his teeth. He can’t break the circle. But Taehyung - by now Taehyung - he’s pale and shaking and he turns his head to the side to spit out a mouthful of blood and the purple light shimmers on the beads of sweat coating Taehyung and then something weird happens, an odd sort of shiver that starts at Taehyung’s head and finishes at his feet, and Jungkook knows this has to stop or Taehyung will die.

 

He fights against the current, manages to lift his hands in front of him, and pushes against it. It might as well be a solid wall of cement encasing him.

 

“Taehyung!” Jungkook shouts, gritting his teeth as he leans all his weight up against the current. “Taehyung stop! That’s enough it’s enough! Stop!”

 

He’s not even audible anymore, hands hanging limp by his side, head bowed, but Jungkook can just see that his lips are still moving around words and god Taehyung just stop.

 

Jungkook throws himself against the current, tries to at least get one of his feet to move but he can’t he can’t he can’t and Taehyung - Taehyung is swaying. A panicked sob bursts free of Jungkook’s mouth as he watches Taehyung cough up another mouthful of blood.

 

And then it hits him.

 

The runes.

 

Jungkook looks down at his arms. If there’s a break in the lines… he grits his teeth, looks at Taehyung one last time, then throws every muscle behind moving his left hand to his right forearm. It takes more effort than it did to raise his arms and that also scares him - this whole fucking thing scares him - because the spell is stronger now the spell is - Jungkook’s muscles scream at him but he gets his hand to his arm - claws his fingers - and scratches at the paint. The stuff went on thick but dried thin and Jungkook really has to use his nails and it’s not coming off so Jungkook digs his nail right in and tears the skin until he bleeds.

 

The spell stops.

 

Jungkook falls forward with a sharp intake of air, stumbling in an effort to get his balance. Across from him, Taehyung collapses, hitting the ground hard. He shudders violently, gasping for air. Jungkook skids to his knees beside him, rolls him onto his back and pushes his hair from his face and tries to stop his trembling.

 

“It’s ok,” Jungkook whispers shakily, heart in his throat. “It’s ok hyung you’re ok I’ve got you I’ve got you.” He bundles Taehyung against his chest. He’s pale and sweating and his lips and chin and neck are stained with blood and his eyes roll listlessly beneath their lids. “I’ve got you I’ve got you.”

 

“Th-The spell - “

 

Jungkook shakes his head and starts to cry silently. He buries his face in Taehyung’s neck. “It wasn’t worth it hyung,” he chokes out. “It wasn’t worth it.”

 

 

 

Jungkook blows the candles out and pulls the cloth down from the windows and lets the light in. He puts the snake and toad away from each other, lest the snake try eat the toad, and he tips the bowl’s contents into the sink. He hangs the sprig of herbs with the others in Taehyung’s pantry, then gathers Taehyung up from the couch and drags him into the bathroom.

 

They shower together, silent but for Jungkook’s occasional sniffles. Jungkook wipes Taehyung down gently, watching in satisfaction through teary eyes as the paint runs down the drain. Taehyung watches him with tired eyes, face drawn, skin pale, weight leaned up against the wall. His hands shake when they wipe Jungkook’s tears away.

 

“I’m sorry,” is all he says, voice quiet and hoarse.

 

Jungkook bites his lip and nods, guiding his hands over Taehyung’s collarbones. He sniffles and blinks more tears away. “It isn’t worth it, hyung…” He takes the shower head down and starts to rinse Taehyung off. “It’s not worth it anymore.”

 

Taehyung just nods. He takes Jungkook’s wrists and hangs the shower head back up and pulls Jungkook into him. He wraps his arms around Jungkook’s waist and drops his forehead to Jungkook’s shoulder and sighs. Jungkook rolls his eyes heavenward, trying not to cry again.

 

Taehyung starts to press kisses to Jungkook’s wet skin and presses his thumbs into the knots in Jungkook’s back. “I’ve got you, Kookie,” he whispers. His arms tighten around Jungkook when Jungkook’s chest starts to shake with repressed sobs. “I’ve got you.”

 

 

 

“I don’t want to try anymore,” Jungkook says hours later when they’re dry and warm and curled up on opposite ends of the couch, voice raspy.

 

Taehyung looks over at him. “What do you mean?”

 

Jungkook rubs at his eyes and swallows. “It isn’t worth it anymore, hyung. I don’t want you to try anymore. I don’t want to try anymore - not if - not if it means losing you.”

 

Taehyung sits up straight. “Jungkook - “

 

“I’m serious, Taehyung. No more. This stops here.”

 

“You’ll lose me anyway if we don’t break the curse.”

 

Jungkook grits his teeth and clenches his hands into fists. God, it’s not even something he wants to think about. Taehyung’s image comes up too easily behind closed lids but he knows that in 100, 200 years, it won’t. None of this - all of this - maybe he’ll stumble upon one of Taehyung’s descendants or something. Maybe they’ll have the same warped non-specific magic with the same shit control and maybe they’ll also accidentally puke up toads on lunch dates and maybe their hair will occasionally change colours when they sneeze like Taehyung’s does and maybe they’ll actually remember to label their damn refrigerated potions and they’ll actually know one herb from the other and -

 

Jungkook thinks he may start crying again and he almost feels guilty because Taehyung has been working so fucking hard. But - but he can live with forever. If Taehyung lives for now, then Jungkook can live with forever.

 

He voices this to Taehyung and Taehyung goes quiet and contemplative, fluffy freshly washed hair coming down over his eyes as he thinks to himself and goes over Jungkook’s words. Jungkook starts to smile sadly and swallows his heart back down into his chest cavity.

 

“I’ll spend forever with you,” Taehyung blurts suddenly. He blinks and then shrinks into his seat, gaze going to his fingers in his lap. “Or at least, I’ll spend forever trying to help you end your forever.”

 

Jungkook stares at him. He starts to frown. “Taehyung, what are you saying?”

 

Taehyung swallows, takes a breath, and meets Jungkook’s gaze. “I’m saying that just because I don’t know how to break the curse…” He hesitates. “Just because I don’t know how to break the curse, doesn’t mean I don’t know how to recreate it. It’ll take some work but I could do it.” He shrugs and goes back to looking at his lap.

 

Jungkook’s eyes are wide. Is he - what is he - “I still don’t understand.”

 

Taehyung looks up and smiles softly at him. “I’m saying, Jeon Jungkook” he says quietly, crawling across the couch to cuddle up with Jungkook. “That I’ll spend forever with you.”

 

Jungkook breathes shakily. Taehyung finds his fingers and squeezes them, then presses kisses to the back of each knuckle. “Does - does it mean puking up more toads?” Jungkook asks, voice hoarse.

 

Taehyung laughs. “Many more. So many toads. So much puking.”

 

And Jungkook - Jungkook doesn’t know what to think, what to say - can barely wrap his head around it because - because - it just doesn’t - make sense that Taehyung would - that Taehyung could -

 

So Jungkook does the only thing that does make sense to him in that moment: he takes Taehyung’s face in his hands and he kisses him.