When he wakes up, he does actually regret the milkshake and pizza a little. Not enough to go to the gym, but enough to order an omelet and fruit cup for breakfast instead of the pancakes and sausage that looked so tempting. 

He’s back in his room even though Max offered to let him stay in his.

Truthfully, he needed to put space between them after the texts he saw.

He knows he shouldn’t have looked. It’s on him for being too curious. 

Charles scrolls through texts from everyone’s celebration last night. There’s a few videos from Carlos and Kimi, a surprising selfie of Lewis hanging off of George, who does look extremely drunk. Fernando even went out, but he’s not in any of the pictures. He just sent one single text to the group chat of all the drivers that said ‘i should go’ but then clearly didn’t. 

He doesn’t send anything to excuse or explain himself. Max said he had it covered. He trusts Max.

The fruit is a little bitter on his tongue as he forces himself to finish his breakfast. 

He needs to talk to George.

Most days, Namjoon is pretty content with his life as a single twenty-three year old.

Today is not one of those days.

Today, as Namjoon waits at the bus stop and watches people walk by, he can’t help but feel envious of everyone. He looks at the people walking in groups or pairs and wishes he had someone to laugh with, someone to hold hands with. He watches the people who walk alone and wonders how they can look so happy all by themselves– aren’t they lonely too? Or is he the only one who longs for something he doesn’t have? The only one who’s suffered so much heartbreak at too young of an age? 

As he stands there and feels sorry for himself, a drop of rain falls down and splashes against the back of his hand. It’s followed by another, and then another, and soon the rain is falling in earnest, soaking his shoulders and his shoes and his already dampened mood. 

There are already a few people huddled under the bus shelter. Namjoon is glancing around to see if there’s room for him too when he hears footsteps running up behind him, and turns to see what must be the most beautiful person he’s ever encountered in his entire twenty-three years of living.

The beautiful person– a man that’s definitely younger than Namjoon, maybe by two or three years– stops right beside him and opens an umbrella. He’s slightly out of breath and his hair is already wet from the rain, but what catches Namjoon’s attention the most is that he seems to be crying. His eyes look red and watery, and as he stands there under his umbrella catching his breath, he starts sniffling frequently. 

Namjoon doesn’t even realize he’s still staring until the man slowly turns to him, his eyes going wide as he meets Namjoon’s gaze.

Something happens to Namjoon, then. Something that feels like an explosion inside of his chest, a warmth that takes over his body and a pleasant fuzziness that starts to creep into the edges of his thoughts. 

He feels like he’s under a spell. Or maybe like he’s dreaming. 

The man, who looks like a deer caught in the headlights– big doe eyes and all– just stares right back. Namjoon is broken from the spell when the man sniffles again, scrunching up his nose in the most adorable fashion. 

Quickly turning away, Namjoon yanks his bag off his shoulder and unzips it. He digs around inside until he finds a slightly squished but unopened travel-sized pack of tissues in the very bottom.

“Tough day?” He asks, turning back toward the man and holding out the tissues with what he hopes is a totally normal smile. 

The man blinks at him, looking so adorably confused that Namjoon wants to hug him.

“Oh,” he finally says, reaching out to take the offered tissues. “Thank you.” 

Namjoon can hear a slight rasp to his voice, a hint of congestion. His heart breaks at the thought of this man feeling any kind of sadness, and he says the first thing that pops into his mind.

“I’m sorry, for whatever you’re going through. If you need a listening ear, I’m here until the 92 comes.”

The man’s cheeks turn pink. “Oh! I’m not crying,” he blurts out with an awkward chuckle. “Just a stuffy nose. But– I’m not like, sick or anything! It’s just allergies…”

He trails off, the flush on his face spreading. 

Namjoon feels his own face heating up. “Ah, sorry.”

“I appreciate the tissues, thank you.” 

The man smiles and it’s the most dazzling display of beauty that Namjoon has ever seen before. 

“You’re– you’re welcome. What’s your name?”

“Jungkook.”

“Nice to meet you, Jungkook. I’m Namjoon.”

Jungkook lifts his umbrella up slightly. “Would you like to share my umbrella, Namjoon?”

Namjoon nods, maybe a little too eagerly– but he’s never wanted anything more. He steps under the umbrella, closer to Jungkook, and feels warm despite already being completely soaking wet at this point.

Unfortunately for Namjoon, the 92 bus pulls up to the stop only a minute later.

“This is you, right?” Jungkook gestures at the bus when Namjoon doesn’t move to get on.

“Oh, shit– yeah, I should go. Thanks for sharing your umbrella with me.”

“Thank you again for the tissues,” Jungkook replies with a smile. “I really appreciate it.”

“No problem, Jungkook. I’ll see you around?”

Since he’s watching Jungkook smile and nod back at him, Namjoon almost trips when he reaches the curb. He blushes and grabs onto the bus railing to right himself, risking one last glance over his shoulder as he boards to see that Jungkook is still looking right at him with an endeared smile on his face. 

“You can ask me any question, any time. The goal is to learn. No question is too much, or too insignificant.” 

Jimin is pacing around, an excited and almost frantic energy coursing through him. It’s the complete opposite of the calm demeanor he had exuded the first time Yoongi met him

“I have so many questions,” Yoongi admits. “I don’t even know where to start.” 

“That’s not a problem,” Jimin replies. “Today, we’ll go over some practical stuff. I’ll teach you about running the shop.”

Nodding, Yoongi looks around, taking everything in. There’s so much to look at he doesn’t quite know where to start.

Jimin seems to sense his uncertainty, and gestures to the two armchairs at the front of the shop where they had sat before. “But first, maybe we can get to know each other a little better. I can start, if you want. Of course, I’ll mostly just be bragging about my coven,” Jimin laughs. “That’s probably the best way to learn about being a witch– hearing about other witches!”  

“I’d like that,” Yoongi replies. He’s truly looking forward to hearing more about Jimin, and there’s something exciting about the idea of learning about his coven as well.

“Would you like some tea before we sit down?”

“That would be nice, thank you.” 

Jimin goes into the back of the shop just as he had before to make tea, and when he returns Yoongi settles into one of the armchairs. Jimin sits too, crossing his legs under him with a comfortable, casual attitude that makes Yoongi feel more at ease.

“Alright, let me tell you about my coven. My coven-mates– there are four of them– are all very lovely, and all very different.”

Yoongi sips his tea and keeps his eyes on Jimin’s face, attentive and eager to learn. 

“Seokjinnie is a Kitchen Witch. Historically, there have been some pretty strict social norms and rules around what gender of witches should be in the kitchen, but Seokjin never cared about that. He initially studied potions, but discovered that he loves baking so much more. From there, he learned to use his magic to cook and bake and do all kinds of things in the kitchen. He can tell you by just looking how many grams a single tangerine segment weighs, or how many calories are in a scoop of flour. Jinnie is so smart,” Jimin gushes, his face lighting up. 

“And he and I have always worked very well together. For example, he can make a pot of soup so nourishing that along with a little of my healing magic, it can almost cure a common cold. Almost,” he sighs. “Sadly, there still isn’t actually a cure for the common cold.” 

Yoongi chuckles, and his mind wanders to Jungkook for a moment– if only there was a cure for whatever is ailing his new roommate.

Jimin smiles then, his expression growing fond. 

“My dear Taehyungie is a Cosmic Witch. I met Taehyung when I was still in school. His abilities are mainly powered by energy he receives from the stars. And he’s really big on moon cycles, birth charts, astrological signs– all that stuff I never paid attention to in school,” Jimin laughs. 

“Taehyung feels a deep connection with the universe. It’s a very beautiful thing to witness. He is absolutely radiant under the moonlight, or when he’s in his element.”

Taking another sip of tea, Yoongi finds himself picturing a witch standing under the moonlight, eyes glowing purple with magic.

“Hm, and then there’s Hoseokie. He’s a Cottage Witch. Although we call him our sunshine witch, because he’s just…so bright and so beautiful. I can’t wait for you to meet him, Yoongi. You’ll love Hoseok. Everyone does.” 

Yoongi smiles, but inside his stomach gives a nervous flutter at the thought of meeting Jimin’s coven. What will they think of him, a witch who doesn’t know how to be a witch?

Jimin doesn’t seem to pick up on his anxiety at all, or maybe he’s just ignoring it to spare Yoongi any further distress. He’s positively beaming as he describes his coven-mate, and Yoongi forces himself to take a deep breath.  

“Hoseok has a very cheerful energy, but also very peaceful. He doesn’t like conflict, so he’s really good at making sure there is no conflict. It’s hard to explain, but he has this incredible ability to make everyone feel very welcome and at peace– part of it is his magic, but part of it is just his personality.”

Cupping his hands around his teacup, Yoongi shifts in his chair and waits for Jimin to continue.

“Namjoonie is a Plant Witch. He has a green thumb, and he has two gardens and a greenhouse on our property. Any plants or herbs you see around here are grown by him. He runs a cute little gardener’s club once a month where people just basically ask him for help keeping their veggies alive,” Jimin giggles. 

“It’s really incredible how he can draw energy from his little plants. In short– he’s a big nerd about his garden. His only downfall is that he likes being outside in all weather. Even the rain and the snow.”

A laugh bursts out of Yoongi as the mental image of a witch gardening in the snow flashes through his mind, and Jimin laughs along with him, his eyes closing as his smile grows wider. 

“I have to say, that is a bit of a downfall,” Yoongi jokes, watching Jimin closely. “But in all seriousness– he sounds really great. They all do.”

Jimin nods vehemently. “They’re truly wonderful. I’m a very lucky witch.”  

Yoongi finds himself nodding again, this time in agreement and understanding. 

“I know this is a lot of information,” Jimin says gently. “But it’s important for you to learn about other witches as you learn about yourself too. Most witches have special abilities– some that they’re born with, some that they develop over time, and some that they learn or practice. It can really be as simple as a choice or a special interest, but there are witches who have an innate connection with certain elements.”

Yoongi nods, taking it all in– and a question pops into his head.

“What about you? Is healing something that you learned, or were born knowing how to do?”

“A little bit of both,” Jimin recipes, looking pleased at the question. “I’ve always liked helping people, and bringing comfort to others. And I’ve always been good at it. I’m a nurturer– and even when I was young, I knew that I was most fulfilled when I helped people. So, I eventually studied healing.”

Shifting forward until his elbows are on his knees, Jimin smiles fondly, as if thinking about something dear to him. 

“This isn’t necessarily the case with every coven, but our coven is especially focused on healing. For example, Taehyung’s crystals– he sells all of these at the apothecary that you see here,” he says, sweeping an arm around the shop, “are all special in their own way. Each crystal has its own energy. They can be used for communication, or protection, or luck, or healing. And it’s not necessarily physical healing, but that’s the most important aspect of this apothecary, and of my entire philosophy– healing isn’t ever only a physical thing.”

Goosebumps prickle along Yoongi’s arms as Jimin speaks about healing, and he feels a warmth settle in his chest, one that’s both comorting and yearning at the same time. 

“Hoseok has a way of connecting with people’s emotions that lends to mental and spiritual healing. I use Namjoon’s herbs in healing potions, and as I’ve already mentioned, Seokjin can make food that has healing properties. Sometimes, it’s the combination of our magic and our abilities that create the true magic.”

Yoongi lets Jimin’s words soak in. He’s no longer nervous about meeting Jimin’s coven. Now, he longs for it, interested to see the harmonious bond that they all seem to share.

Jimin reaches for his teacup, which up until now he hasn’t touched; steam is still rising off the top, though, and it surrounds Jimin’s face like a veil. He takes a drink, and when he lowers the cup he’s looking at Yoongi with a curious expression. 

“So, Yoongi. Do you know if you have any special connections to any element? Any special skills or talents, or even interests?” 

Yoongi concentrates for a moment, closing his eyes and letting himself think about his life. A sudden memory emerges, one that Yoongi hasn’t thought about for a long, long time, and he speaks before he can stop himself.

“Well, there is one thing,” he says. “To be honest, I don’t know if it’s real.”  

Jimin leans in, intrigued, and nods encouragingly. 

1. September 2024 

Jungkook has a cold on his 27th birthday. Namjoon has complicated feelings.

🎵Crazier Things - Chelsea Cutler and Noah Kahan (think I fell in love before I even knew your birthday, kissed you on our first date, somehow, I knew someday, this would hurt 'cause I could never let you go)

2. September 2023

Taking care of Jungkook comes as naturally as breathing does to Namjoon.

🎵Euphoria - Jung Kook (you are the cause of my euphoria)

3. April 2014

The day Namjoon meets Jungkook is the day he starts to think maybe there’s an end to his loneliness after all. 

🎵Lonely - RM (so fucking lonely, somebody love me)

4. June 2016 (coming soon)

Jungkook’s eyes meet Namjoon’s and the world suddenly stands still.

🎵FRI(END)S - V (friends don't say words that make friends feel like more than just friends)

5. September 2017 (coming soon)

Namjoon is supposed to learn how to drive. Instead, he learns how to pleasure Jungkook.

🎵Closer - RM (if I could be under your skin, closer than we've ever been)

6. February 2024 (coming soon)

Namjoon wonders what Jungkook is doing at this very moment– if he’s also standing out in the rain, if he’s doing well, if he’s thinking about Namjoon too.

🎵Lose Your Love - Gryffin & Matt Maeson (I hate I had to lose your love, to know I couldn't live without it)

7. September 2019 (coming soon)

“I…I think I’m in love with you, Jungkook.” 

🎵Yes or No - Jung Kook (are we falling in love? say yes or no)

8. September 2020 (coming soon)

Jungkook tries to teach Namjoon how to drive again. Somehow, they never seem to get very far.

🎵Kissin’ When We’re Mad - We Three (maybe I should kiss you when we're mad, 'cause talking never really seems to last, maybe I should hold your hand in traffic, even when we both are being drastic, move past it)

9. March 2023 (coming soon)

Jungkook’s nose won’t stop running. Namjoon is pretty sure he’s never been more in love with him.

🎵Rebirth (Intro) - Jimin (I'm tryna find a love, good love, real love)

10. November 2023 (coming soon)

Jungkook has changed– but then, maybe they’re both not the same people they were when they met.

🎵Flu Game - Fall Out Boy (last night I dreamt I still knew you)

11. January 2024 (coming soon)

It’s snowing the day Jungkook moves out.

🎵Hate You - Jung Kook (maybe hating you's the only way it doesn't hurt)

12. July 2024 (coming soon)

In his fever dreams, Namjoon isn’t alone anymore.

🎵time machine - Flora Cash (I wish I had a time machine, I'd take a trip and then I'd take a picture of the scene, I wouldn't interfere, I only want to whisper that "I love you" in your ear)

13. August 2024 (coming soon)

After some time apart, Namjoon reaches out to Jungkook.

🎵Part of Me - Noah Kahan (like I lost part of me out there, when the space between our bodies disappeared)

14. September 2024 (coming soon)

Sometimes, endings can be beginnings, too.

🎵Grow as We Go - Ben Platt (tell me you don't wanna leave, 'cause if change is what you need, you can change right next to me, when you're high, I'll take the lows, you can ebb and I can flow, we'll take it slow, and grow as we go)

bonus drabble