Chapter Text
Five months later...
Jeongguk was brimming with energy.
He had not slept the night before. It was Tuesday, so that meant the Hongdae Night Market. It was Jeongguk’s first day (or night) as a shop owner to have a stand in the Night Market. There had been many meetings, restructuring, and planning to get to this point.
It was a wonder.
Yoongi hung off of each of their arms more frequently. Then at night, Yoongi would kidnap one, or more, of them to his bed. Which… it was always a good time and Jeongguk never complained, but that night, he just couldn’t sleep.
His shop… Jeongguk had to stop himself, as happy, overwhelmed, tears sprung to the corners of his eyes. It had been a few weeks after his birthday when it happened.
Jeongguk had just finished training with Felix, Chan, and Namjoon when there was a screech, from none other than Hoseok. Right down his bond, Jeongguk picked up the rest of Hoseok, who was screeching profanities.
“See you in a few days!” Chan waved with a grin.
Jeongguk bid his friends farewell and he and Namjoon went to go explore the screech.
They arrived in the hallway of the Magic Shop doors a few minutes later. The doors that Jeongguk loved to admire as often as he could. Jeongguk couldn’t fathom why Hoseok had screamed so loud for. But when they arrived, Jeongguk’s magic pulsed deep within him that he stopped in his tracks.
In front of Hoseok, was a very familiar, yet unfamiliar door. The wood of the door was lavender over birch wood (thanks to Yoongi’s cute ramblings when he worked that Jeongguk learned so much about wood and its properties and other random tidbits that Yoongi shared), and the Kim clan insignia was etched into the middle of the door in black, and a white sat whale right underneath the outward-facing trapezoids. The door was the seventh, in the middle of the six doors that had already been there, with three doors on each side. The doors only showed themselves when needed, but this time they were all there, lining the wall.
“Holy fuck.” Jimin approached Hoseok, having appeared at the other end of the hallway.
Taehyung, Yoongi, and Seokjin came up behind the fairy. “What is going on? Why are all of our connections here? They all have designs on them!”
Jeongguk knew immediately what it was. He walked forward, his magic pulling him closer to the door. It was his fucking door.
“It’s Jeongguk’s,” Namjoon said, astonishment in his tone. “Jeongguk has a door too.”
A zing of shock rang through their bond, but that didn’t stop Jeongguk. He rushed over to the door, placed a hand over it and his breath stuttered as he breathed out. A rush of misty magic whispered over his skin. The door seemed to greet him.
Jeongguk turned the handle, eager to see behind the door, but the handle wouldn’t budge. The key around his neck, one of his courting gifts, grew warm and Jeongguk didn’t suppress his grin. He reached for the necklace, undid the clasp, and inserted the key into the door handle. There was a flash of light as he opened the door but it settled as he blinked his eyes open.
A gasp left his lips.
“By all the stars,” Jeongguk said, voice just above a whisper.
Arms came around his waist and held him tight. It was Jimin, by the feel of the fairy’s body. Jimin rested his chin on Jeongguk’s shoulder.
“Congratulations, my love,” Jimin said. “You have a door.”
“I have a door,” Jeongguk said, his tone just shy of disbelief.
“Which means you have a shop,” Namjoon said, on Jeongguk’s left. Jeongguk looked at the mage, who had a grin and shining eyes. “Whatever you have, you have our utmost support.”
“Also means you have a new workplace,” Taehyung said, his head popping up beside Jimin. Taehyung’s eyes sparked and his face was devious. “I wonder what you’re going to be in charge of.”
“I have a few ideas,” Hoseok said, his head leaning against Jeongguk’s arm, between him and Namjoon. “But I want to find out with you.”
“I love you all to bits, but please let’s go inside?” Seokjin asked, he looked at Jeongguk from over Taehyung’s head.
“Seriously,” Yoongi said, pushing Namjoon’s head down. “Taehyung’s door came to us almost three hundred years ago. Get a move on.”
Jeongguk laughed as his hyungs started to playfully bicker. He really wouldn’t trade it for the world. Jeongguk slipped his hands behind him, grabbed onto Jimin, with him shrieking with laughter, and hoisted his fairy lover into a piggyback carry. Jeongguk stepped further into the shop, eyes peeled around him as his mates (mates!!) clamored behind him.
They were lively, bickering, and rowdy as ever.
Jeongguk allowed his eyes to roam and take in the expanse of the shop. And his heart almost stopped at the look of the shop. A ripple of unadulterated shock and disbelief ran through their bond. Only because of the view in front of them.
The shop. The Magic Shop.
It combined to form something that Jeongguk could only describe as a shop for his hyungs and himself. Because there was no other place he’d rather be. Some familiar plants were hanging from wooden beam rafters and potted plants were on top of the cute tables scattered around. There were stacks and stacks of books in neat rows off to the side.
A winding staircase that led up to a spellworker’s table, and a wrap-around nook with low chairs and squishy chairs on the second level. On the first level was a glass case with freshly baked pastries and other delicious goods that Seokjin concocted. Jeongguk’s mouth dropped open as he caught sight of a cafe area that looked like Yoongi’s shop, with an area to make tea and everything. The wall in the tea shop area mimicked the beautiful bricked tea wall in Yoongi’s shop.
The floor was divided into different areas with so many types of plush rugs and other types of flooring it almost hurt Jeongguk’s head to look at them. The magic of the shop filled him to the brim, deep in his soul as he looked around.
The magic tickled him, warming and comforting as he looked at his hyungs, who began to explore on their own.
Shock and awe in their auras, expressions, and their bond. But there was also a giddy sort of happiness surrounding his mates. Jeongguk turned around and traced more of the shop with his eyes. He didn’t pay attention to anything his mates said, too distracted from taking in the shop.
The walls of the shop had all sorts of magical art drawn into them with galaxies and cotton candy clouds. The ceiling was positively enchanting, twinkling with hanging planets, stars, and celestial objects. There were two alcoves, near one another, close to the entrance of the shop, just past the bakery booths and the tea shop area. One alcove had a simple table with four chairs and beside it a wall that held traditional teapots and cups.
The last alcove’s entrance was covered in shimmering dark purple beads. Jeongguk couldn’t see much else from where he stood.
Jeongguk swallowed, dropped Jimin gently, and let his magic guide him over to the alcove. Jeongguk pushed through the beads and his magic relaxed. One hundred percent, fully relaxed.
The space was sparse, but it felt perfect. There were floor pillows everywhere, neatly placed, to be comfortable. There was a low table in the center of the alcove, with two-floor pillows placed on either side of the low table. Beautiful twinkling lights dropped from the ceiling, shrouding the whole alcove in an amber glow.
What caught most of Jeongguk’s attention was a piece of paper that rested on the low table. Jeongguk gingerly walked over to the table and picked up the folded note and gently unfolded it.
Dearest Jeongguk,
Let's make a door in your heart
Open the door and this place will await
It's okay to believe, the Magic Shop will comfort you
While drinking a glass of hot tea
And looking up at the Milky Way
You'll be alright, this here is the Magic Shop
Always here for you,
Ytris
Tears streamed down Jeongguk’s face and he collapsed onto a pillow. He had indeed opened a door in his heart to be comforted by a shop.
The Magic Shop.
❦❦
Oh, how his hyungs had been so alarmed to see him crying in his alcove.
Jeongguk laughed lightly at the memory. His heart ached, in a way that made him happy. It was an ache that reminded him of all the pain he’d been through, to finally allow himself to settle into happiness. That he deserved the happiness he was given and sought after.
That’s why Jeongguk couldn’t help but walk around the shop, in awe of everything that meant so much to him in one place. Like his heart had created the perfect place for him, and his hyungs, his mates for life and beyond. It turned out that Jeongguk’s shop was a perfect combination of seven shops.
His hyungs’ shops still existed, somewhat.
The main area where his hyungs worked was dubbed Jeongguk’s shop. But his hyungs didn’t stay solely in their shops anymore, they moved through each other’s shops and worked together.
Seamless, as they always should’ve been.
Seokjin and Yoongi combined their shops, and Seokjin did away with his original shop.
“I love this communal layout anyways,” Seokjin said, with a twinkle in his eyes and a handsome smirk as he went back to baking in the new kitchen that appeared behind the counter.
He was unbothered as always.
“And my shop is now an extension of this one,” Yoongi said, with a gummy smile.
Sure enough, a small hallway led into Yoongi’s old shop, with the register now in Jeongguk’s shop. Namjoon’s shop was very similar to Seokjin and Yoongi’s shops. Upstairs, near Jimin’s spellworker’s bench and his medicinal and trinket stacks, was another archway hallway that led into Namjoon’s shop.
Truly an extension of Jeongguk’s shop.
Taehyung’s shop was peculiar, as it had completely migrated all of his and Namjoon’s books to the stacks on the first level of Jeongguk’s shop. Taehyung shrugged and placed himself behind the cafe counter.
“Works for me either way,” he said, nonchalant, unbothered, and proceeded to bug the shit out of Seokjin with his hugs and kisses.
Jeongguk laughed, a bit hysterical and endlessly joyful. Then, Hoseok tugged on Jeongguk’s sleeve, expression worried and lips thinned.
“You won’t mind my shop?” Hoseok asked.
Jeongguk frowned, confused. “Why would I, hyung?” He asked, he glanced behind Hoseok, at the alcove next to his own.
It was the brightest part of the shop, endless sunshine streamed through the round window. There was a nook under the window, with several books on the shelves. Hoseok’s trinkets lined the small shelves of the alcove as well, a sign that Hoseok had moved in.
“I’m a grim reaper, Gguk,” Hoseok said, lips turned down, worry simmered around him like a grey cloud. “We guide the dead. That's why you haven’t been to my shop before. Unless you’re dead, you’re not allowed to set foot inside.”
“My love,” Jeongguk said, grabbing Hoseok’s worrying hands. Hoseok looked at him, expression morose. Jeongguk softened, looking at him. “I love you no matter what and accept that your job is something that you cannot part from. I’ll also welcome any of your guests just like any other. If they’re here it’s because they need to be. We know to stay away from your alcove. But you’re more than welcome in mine and anyone else’s, that’s for sure.”
The grin Hoseok gifted him probably lit up the entire shop, with the glow that Jeongguk felt. After several family meetings, they came to a solid conclusion. Jeongguk was to be the official host of the Magic Shop, he would greet guests and generally be the face of the shop.
Jeongguk knew that was a massive job, another expectation on his shoulders. But before he took over, his hyungs made sure he was prepared.
It was meetings upon meetings, alongside his princely duties, and lots of practice getting in tune with the shop. It was much more challenging than he’d anticipated. Jeongguk even gave notice at his job before Christmas that he’d be moving on. Seojoon had laughed a good few minutes before wiping his tears away and wished Jeongguk well.
“I mean, when I attended your birthday, I figured I’d be losing a wonderful employee,” Seojoon said and clapped Jeongguk on the shoulder. “Don’t be a stranger, okay?”
Jeongguk promised he wouldn’t and invited his ex-boss to the shop. But, the most surprising moment of having a share of the Magic Shop was his alcove. Jeongguk decorated it to his taste, with his favorite plants and art pieces, and wondered what would make of it.
Jeongguk had an inkling of what his job would be, aside from being a host.
Yoongi surprised him with a special candle that would never run out and Taehyung with soul-connecting incense. Seokjin gifted him with a plate that would always replenish with Jeongguk’s favorite treats, Jimin spoiled him with comfortable blankets, Namjoon gifted him a stack of books on Seeing and the Unseeing and other similar titles, and Hoseok gifted Jeongguk a crystal that balanced energies, magic, and attention.
Did he cry? Oh, yes, profusely.
His mates freaked out cutely, worried that he’d cry himself sick. It was adorable.
Not his crying, but his mates.
Always them.
❦
Jeongguk closed the door to the Estate behind him and made his way to his alcove. He sat on the cushion against the back wall, which had a window with sheer lavender and black curtains. He snapped his fingers and the fairy lights turned on. Jeongguk lit his candle, breathing in the calming scent, and closed his eyes.
He sunk into his magic, pushing and pulling it just as he’d been taught to do. His grimoire floated next to him, bobbing in the air with magic, glowing lavender. Seconds later he opened his eyes and grinned as Ytris sat across from him, legs crossed and a smile on her lips. They’d been doing this for months, preparing Jeongguk to begin his new job.
“Hello Jeongguk,” She said, her grin widened. “It’s very early for you, young prince.”
“Hi,” Jeongguk said, sheepishly, tucking some hair behind his ear. “I couldn’t sleep. Too much energy.”
Ytris glanced around Jeongguk, her eyes held more feeling than Jeongguk could even fathom.
“Yes, quite so,” Ytris said. “Are you ready for your first day?”
“Do you believe I can help others by Seeing?” Jeongguk asked, eyes wide.
Ytris laughed lightly.
“If I wasn’t the one to teach you, I would be inclined to doubt,” she replied, straight to the point as ever. “But since that’s not the case, then have no fear. Your compassion and will to help others puts you at an advantage. You will do great. I’ll be beside you the whole time. Would you like to practice some more?”
Jeongguk had been practicing with Ytris to hone in on his Sight and Ancestral magic, as she had told him during his Ceremony. In the few months after his birthday, he’d been training it to come easier and quicker. Two weeks ago, he learned how to tap into clairvoyance abilities. Jeongguk struggled with using that ability anytime he held onto something or someone, but he was almost there.
“I think to help with your overeager clairvoyance, these gloves will help until you have full control,” Ytris said, a pair of shimmering iridescent gloves in her hands. She placed it on the table between them. “It’s a quite potent ability. You’re doing very well with mastering it. Now, let’s move on to your Chrono Vision, this is the ability I am curious about.”
And so they worked, for a few hours, the late night melting into the early morning. Jeongguk wasn’t even remotely tired when they cycled through a few more abilities. The early morning sun began to rise through Jeonggk’s curtain’s and Ytris met the sun with a serene look.
“Your mates will come looking for you soon,” Ytris said, dispelling the magic in the air tethering them. “I will return when you have a customer.”
“Okay, thank you,” Jeongguk said, with a smile and a small bow. “See you then, Ytris.”
Ytris melted into the light and Jeongguk blinked and she was gone. Only the dregs of her magic were left in the air. It was such a strange feeling.
Jeongguk shook himself off, called his magic, and ran it through his channels, clearing his channels of any negative energy that he had accumulated. Once he was done, his grimoire shut itself, pages flapping closed and it flew to its holster on his person.
It was a relief to have such control over the power inside and outside of him. Jeongguk felt light as a feather. The connection between him and his Ancestral magic was bubbling and effervescent on his skin, tasting like a sweet spring day and warm like a nice summer’s breeze.
Jeongguk pulled on the gloves, marveling at the soft feeling, Ytris knew him well. The gloves nearly blended with his skin.
Sure enough, a few minutes later, there was a pull from Jeongguk’s mating bond. It was Seokjin, wondering where Jeongguk was. Jeongguk grinned, took a breath, and teleported himself, right into Seokjin’s arms.
The vampire screeched, as if he wasn’t a feared being, at the top of his lungs. Jeongguk laughed, loudly and squeezed Seokjin harder.
“JEONGGUK, WHAT THE FUCK,” Seokjin yelled as if he wasn’t holding Jeongguk lovingly. “HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU THAT TELEPORTING IS PROHIBITED AT HOME.”
“Hyung, please, morning voice,” Namjoon said, from the breakfast nook. Jeongguk looked over to see Namjoon, partly disinterested as he read a journal and drank coffee. He wasn’t even looking at them. “Kook, really, manners?”
“Why are we yelling?” Yoongi asked, shuffling into the kitchen with Jimin attached to his back like a sleepy koala.
“Jeongguk decided that the best way to start the morning was to scare the shit out of me,” Seokjin said, a full pout on his lips. Jeongguk laughed again as Seokjin all but dropped Jeongguk onto the breakfast nook’s booth. “Maybe no pancakes this morning… I was going to make your favorite, Kook-ah.”
“Ah! Hyung! No, don’t be like that,” Jeongguk said, scrunching his nose and shifting in the booth until he was leaning against Namjoon. “It’s not my fault that you’re a scaredy-cat vampire.”
A hush fell over the kitchen as everyone turned to look at Jeongguk. Seokjin’s eyebrow twitched and Jeongguk could see the effort it took him to not explode again. Yoongi snorted, covering half his face as he deposited Jimin at the breakfast nook on the other side of Namjoon. Jimin flopped, gracefully, and laid his head in his arms, which he folded on the table. He didn’t even mind the noise around him.
The door to the kitchen that led out to the hallway slammed open, shaking the walls with the force of the slam.
“Hyung!” Hoseok said, excitedly, aiming for Seokjin, clearly not reading the room. “I was looking for you.”
Namjoon stifled a laugh and Yoongi yawned, reaching into the fridge for eggs. Jeongguk covered his mouth as Seokjin slowly turned to the grim reaper. There was a glint of something that flashed in Hoseok’s eyes, but the reaper covered it up as he grabbed Seokjin’s hands.
“Oh?” Seokjin asked, eyes wide.
“Yup! Come with me, please!” Hoseok said, already dragging Seokjin with him out the door, a gleeful expression on his face. “We’ll be back soon.”
And they were gone. There was another hush before Jimin and Jeongguk broke out in giggles. Namjoon shook his head and flipped to the next page in his journal. Jeongguk wiped an errant tear from his eye and Jimin leaned back in the booth stretching his arms.
Jimin fell into giggles shaking his head a few times.
“You’re brave, Gguk-ah,” Jimin said, with a smirk. “I wonder who you learned that from.”
“Taehyung,” Namjoon and Yoongi deadpanned in one breath.
Jeongguk and Jimin broke out in more giggles.
“Gguk, come help hyung,” Yoongi called from the stove, the imugi shot Jimin a look. “Jimin-ah, go get Tae from bed.”
Jimin waggled his eyebrows at Jeongguk, who giggled already sliding out of the booth after placing a kiss on Namjoon’s cheek. The mage waved Jeongguk off at the action.
“Sir, yes sir, hyung!” Jimin said.
Jimin’s wings winked into existence, and he disappeared, leaving a glimmer of fairy dust in his place.
Namjoon frowned a the trail, his nose wrinkled as the dust spread over the table, some fell into his coffee. Yoongi let out a quiet sigh as he watched Namjoon clean up the dust.
“Do we really not live civilly?” Yoongi asked, looking upward before delegating tasks to Jeongguk.
Jeongguk got the feeling that Yoongi’s question was rhetorical and didn’t need a reply.
Not wanting to incur more wrath from his hyungs, Jeongguk got to work helping Yoongi in the kitchen. A few minutes later Taehyung and Jimin walked down the stairs in the kitchen, near the pantry.
The Estate had decided a few weeks ago that a staircase would like nice in the kitchen.
The stairs led upstairs to their shared bedroom and common room. Which was very convenient, Jeongguk thought. Taehyung bounded down the stairs with a smile, nearly knocking Jimin over as he rushed down and came over to Jeongguk.
“Did you have a good time at the shop this morning?” Taehyung asked, after stealing a kiss from Jeongguk and a strawberry from the counter. His eyes danced with light. “I felt some pretty strong incantations. The humans are not going to be happy.”
It was no secret that Jeongguk now slept less than all of them, sometimes even compared to Seokjin, and sometimes would go days without sleeping. His magic and connection to the Etéreo, allowed him to do so. Jeongguk would never keep something like that from his hyungs and when he had told them, their faces were nothing short of funny.
Jeongguk frowned, lightly hip-checking Taehyung. Taehyung laughed, stole a kiss from Yoongi, and dropped into the breakfast nook, on one side of Namjoon. Jimin took his previous spot, also with a journal in hand.
“I will deal with the Prime Minister,” Jeongguk said. He deftly rolled the gyeran gimbap on the gimbap mat on the counter. “He’s the reason why most humans are afraid of us.”
“And King Minho allowed that,” Namjoon said, glancing up at Jeongguk, a question in his gaze.
“Right,” Jeongguk said with a nod. “But that was because I wasn’t part of this world. Everything was thrown off balance. They couldn’t risk both sides combining as they had no idea how to find me. It’s time humans are properly educated about the magical world.”
Namjoon eyed Jeongguk for a moment.
“It was Fated to happen this way,” Namjoon said, there was a deep, serious look on his sleepy face. “Have you ever wondered why?”
Jeongguk paused, hands stilling on the gimbap.
“Because Junseo taking over our world would cause dire consequences galaxy-wide,” Jeongguk said, his aura flaring at his anger at his deceased uncle. “If he took over it would’ve been catastrophic to the livelihood of billions, if not trillions of others. Regardless if we like Fate or not, it was for the best.”
Namjoon nodded once.
“Yes. And he didn’t succeed because you found us,” Namjoon said, a smile on his lips that chased the seriousness away.
“Now it’s up to us to keep this peace and make sure to set the groundwork for protection,” Jeongguk said, continuing his food prep with a grin. “That’s exactly what I talked to my dad about last week. We’re to be sure that our world is ready for the powers that Junseo set into motion.”
“You’re saying that there’s going to be more like that fucker?” Jimin asked, looking up with a frown between his brows. “From where?”
“Anywhere,” Jeongguk said, pursing his lips, tasting the dislike in Jimin’s aura that flared, almost like too-fizzy champagne. “Junseo set a homing beacon to our planet. We’re going to be the center of a fight for the raw magic of this galaxy and the others nearby that my parents are in charge of, magically speaking.”
“Oh… I’m guessing something is going to happen soon because of Junseo’s beacon,” Taehyung said. He placed his lips in a thin line before he spoke. “He wanted to absorb this galaxy, as he did the other places he’d been in charge of. With that, other beings knew about his plans and the potency of this galaxy’s magic.”
“Unfortunately,” Jeongguk said, slicing the gimbap carefully. “He didn’t count on me connecting our Soul Threads, acquiring any sort of magic, much less my Ancestral magic. It thwarted his plans. So now it’s like a free-for-all in a sense.”
“Let them come,” Yoongi said, voice and manners serene as ever. The imugi stirred the ran in the pan nonchalantly. The hard edge in his aura, sharp prickling rain, was the only thing that gave way to Yoongi’s true emotions, alongside the trickle of annoyance that Jeongguk felt in their bond. “We’re more than ready to take on overconfident bastards that try to mess with our planet and galaxy.”
Jeongguk set down the knife and raised an eyebrow at Yoongi.
“Why does it seem to me that you’ve fought outsiders before?” Jeongguk asked, but having a feeling on the tip of his tongue that he already knew the answer.
“It’s not our first time, fighting outsiders from our galaxy,” Namjoon said, with a shrug. He looked back at his journal. “But it has been a certain number of years.”
“What he said,” Yoongi said, flipping the stove off. “Anyways, now we have three royals that have Celestial magic, we’re very well protected.”
“Ah, I forgot to mention,” Taehyung said, went over to the fridge, and grabbed some juice. “I met with the US president and the US Prime Minister a few days ago.”
Jeongguk paused midway plating the gimbap, giving Taehyung a wide-eyed look.
“They’re on board to distribute the new curriculum in their schools for magic,” Taehyung said. “Canada is good to go and we’re still negotiating with Mexico. Mexico wants to add more about their ancient people's magic, which makes sense because we did the same with the curriculum of the native peoples of the US and Canada. It’s just a bit tricky because of the overlap of peoples and making sure the different types of magic and native peoples are covered.”
“No way! That’s awesome,” Jeongguk grinned. He finished his plating, snapped his fingers, and levitated the plates to the breakfast table. Jeongguk kissed Taehyung’s cheek as the elf-shifter walked by him. “Congratulations Tae-hyung. The argument about humans learning more about magic was a fucking headache.”
“It’s good we’re keeping the deeper parts of our society a secret,” Jimin said, tapping a few fingers on the table. “But ignorance does nothing to help those that live in both worlds.”
Taehyung’s cheeks colored as he slid into the booth. “Beomgyu-ya helped a lot,” he said. “His English is much better than mine. He’s also well known with all the heads in the Assembly. Correcting the curriculum to align better with the truth will only help people.”
“Exactly, great job, TaeTae. Let’s not forget your Spanish is top-notch,” Namjoon said, nuzzling Taehyung’s shoulder.
Taehyung grinned and blushed again, he looked adorable when he got shy. He leaned into Namjoon accepting the love.
“His Icelandic is good too,” Jimin pointed out, accepting the plates that Yoongi levitated over to the table. The fairy proceeded to set the table. He winked at Taehyung. “He sounds so whimsical, but that can be just his voice speaking another language. Although, I am biased and partial to anything Taetae does.”
“Oh my stars,” Taehyung said, covering his face, it bloomed red under all of the praise.
Yoongi brought over the rest of the utensils and food, settling the items neatly on the table. Jeongguk slid into the booth next to Taehyung and Yoongi slid in right next to him. Namjoon separated from Taehyung and Jeongguk felt a pull in their bond. Namjoon sent a message.
Seok-ah, Jin-hyung, breakfast is ready.
Hoseok and Seokjin were, tangled, up in the master bathroom. Jeongguk pulled away from the bond before he could get distracted, as much as he wanted to.
“Ah, no fair,” Jimin said, full pout, as he began to pile food on his plate. “I wanted to try out that toy with Hobi-hyung.”
Next time, Jiminie~ Hoseok said through their bond.
Jeongguk snorted lightly as he grabbed a piece of bread and poured himself a glass of iced coffee from the pitcher.
Not over breakfast, Yoongi replied sharply.
A sting zapped through their bond.
It startled Namjoon, who slammed his knee into the table. Taehyung giggled and rubbed the mage’s knee as he let out a string of curses in several languages. Jimin laughed but also patted Namjoon’s shoulder consolingly.
Yoongi shook his head and shoveled some food into his mouth.
Yeah, Jeongguk would do everything in his power to protect his loved ones.
❦❦❦
“Kook-ah! Over here!” Tsuki called with a grin on her lips. She waved to Jeongguk and his mates as they made their way up the stands. “Happy to see you, oppa!” She said, as soon as he reached her.
His sister threw her arms around him and pulled him into a hug.
Jeongguk laughed, feeling light, and hugged her back. “You too, sis. How’ve you been? Are you liking your new dance crew?” he asked.
Before Tsuki could reply, Solar snorted, loudly and replaced their sister with herself in Jeongguk’s arms.
“Don’t get her started,” Solar scolded with a half-grin. “That’s all she’s been talking about.”
“Unnie!” Tsuki said, glaring at Solar.
“Girls, please, some decorum,” Taeyeon said, coming up behind the Jeongguk’s sisters, she had a serene but serious smile on her lips. Solar stepped back and Taeyeon pulled Jeongguk into a hug and placed a kiss on his cheek. “Jeongguk, my darling, you’re looking extremely refreshed today.”
Jeongguk laughed again, it was sometimes so hard to get in a word with all of his family around.
“I am,” Jeongguk said, and kissed his mother’s cheek. Taeyeon’s eyes lit up like glittering stars. “It’s good to see you too, eomma.”
“And my boys,” Taeyeon said, turning to Jeongguk’s mates.
“Your Majesty,” Namjoon said, kissing the back of Taeyeon’s hand, as he always did. “You look beautiful as ever.”
“Flattery, Namjoon-ah,” Taeyeon said, with a grin. “You are bonded to my son, I insist you call me Eomma or Eomeonim. Save the royalty stuff for court or meetings. Any other time, please don’t worry.”
Namjoon laughed, his ears reddened and he nodded in agreement.
“Of course, Eomeonim,” he said, bowing once more like the polite mage he was. “I will do my best.”
Seokjin laughed and came next, but the vampire leaned forward and kissed both of Taeyeon’s cheeks.
“My mates will always be silly,” Seokjin said, faux seriousness dancing in his aura, his eyes glittered with mischief.
“Of course, they will,” Taeyeon agreed with a secret smile. “Or else you all wouldn’t get along with my Jeonggukie.”
Jeongguk ran a hand through his hair, a vague sense of embarrassment laced through him. Of course, all his loved ones loved to rile him up.
He watched with a warm heart as Taehyung, Jimin, and Hoseok greeted his mom, with the same enthusiasm and care.
Jeongguk looked around and spotted Lily, who was sitting with her girlfriends and laughing with them. His sister caught his eye and sent him a hearty wave.
The platform structure they were on had a perfect view of the starting and end point of the Yongseo Race. The start of the race was situated behind Jeongye, where there were hills and forests, and lakes that spanned for miles. It was quite gorgeous and Jeongguk could feel the magic and energies sizzling through the air.
The day was perfect, with no hint of rain or clouds in the sky. His father had been right about the date for the Race. Around the starting point of the Race, the landscape was fashioned with tall leveled platforms for everyone invited to see the race and those that paid the small entry fee. Inside the platforms were different types of seating, a few bars, and TVs that were blaring with the animated reporters talking out on the field who would cover the Race.
On the royal platform, there was room for the queen’s throne, and then comfortable seating and pillows for the queen’s immediate family and guards. Jeongguk went around with his mates and said hello to his sister’s mates and significant others.
It was a lot but Jeongguk felt nothing but happiness and excitement for what was to come.
After their greeting, Jeongguk and his hyungs sat in the area designated for them.
Jeongguk and his mates had given Yoongi their well wishes earlier that morning. Yoongi had been very excited and near hyper, it was so cute.
His ex-imugi newly minted yong mate was teeming with the extra magical energy he needed to release, and the Yongseo Race was the perfect time to do so.
Yoongi had gone home before his reformation, and only Namjoon as Head of their clan, went with him. Yoongi’s family were the only ones that could safely help him with his reformation, Jeongguk had yet to see his full form.
Jeongguk could feel his restless magic swirl through him at the thought.
Yoongi and his father were in the tents set up on the sidelines, preparing for the Race. Above the finish and start line, there were TV screens, curtsey of Namjoon’s handiwork alongside a plethora of magical drones that were situated in the sky.
Namjoon had programmed the drones to keep track of every person in the race and then a bigger drone to capture the overall footage.
The footage would then be projected on the TV screens that were situated in front of everyone’s seating areas. Namjoon had worked weeks with Jeongguk’s father to set it up and it came out so well done.
Namjoon would’ve been in the Technical booth, but Minho had forbidden Namjoon from setting foot anywhere that resembled work. Jeongguk’s father had explicitly said he wasn’t to work and cheer his mate on instead, or his king, but there had been less confidence in his father’s voice at that.
Jeongguk placed a hand on Namjoon’s knee, which was bouncing so hard it shook the pillow Jeongguk sat on.
“Joon-hyung, I swear,” Jeongguk said, letting a teasing tone fill his voice. “Your shaking is giving me anxiety. Are you okay?”
Namjoon snapped out of where he was looking and gave Jeongguk a sheepish look.
“Sorry, Gguk-ah,” he said. “I was doing last-minute calculations. The drones will be okay.”
“It will be okay, my dear mate, because you had your paws on all the equipment until two days ago,” Seokjin said, leaning over Hoseok and poking Namjoon’s side. “Stop worrying, it’ll be fine. You did well.”
Jeongguk could see the fight in Namjoon’s eyes simmer down and Jeongguk grinned. He pulled Namjoon into his side and cuddled up against him.
A loud voice exclaimed from the TVs and the crowd started clapping. Jeongguk perked up, looking to see the Race participants leaving the tents on the TV. His eyes immediately found Yoongi and a zing of excitement laced through him.
All around him, Jeongguk felt his mates and their elation at seeing Yoongi. Yoongi looked hot as fuck. He’d been growing his hair out and it was tied half up, making his soft, squishy features look fierce.
Jimin had done his makeup, his lids shimmered red and there was a sheen of gloss on his pouty lips. Jeongguk bit his lip, eyes tracing all over Yoongi, practically vibrating in his seat.
Jeongguk’s yong mate wore black fighting leathers, tight fitting, breathable, and contoured perfectly to his body. Around his right arm was an armband, with their clan insignia etched into it.
“I know, it should be illegal with how good he looks,” Seokjin said, catching Jeongguk’s attention. He sat on the other side of Namjoon, lounging leisurely as they eyed the TV that only displayed Yoongi. But from their vantage point, they had a perfect view of the starting point, which they could see all the other participants. “Every fucking year.”
Hoseok cackled, slapping his knee and careening into Taehyung who grinned sweetly at their hyung.
“And you’ve never joined the Race, hyung,” Hoseok said, once he gathered himself. “No need to feel indignant. You’ve brought this upon yourself by not joining.”
Seokjin’s face scrunched as he shot Hoseok a withering look.
“Me? In the sun for hours?” Seokjin said and turned up his nose. “My love, it’s like you don’t know me.”
Giggles ran through them at their antics. Jeongguk could feel anticipation building in the crowd as more and more participants line up at the starting line. Yoongi had shown up first, waving and grinning. He even shot their box a wink which had Hoseok and Seokjin shrieking and Jimin laughing so hard he fell off the pillow and Taehyung wolf-whistling.
Oh yeah, everything was right in the world as Yoongi’s gummy smile appeared and his eyes disappeared behind his joyful face scrunch.
After Yoongi came a few more people that Jeongguk either vaguely recognized from his princely duties or his birthday party. Next to Yoongi stood Choi San, with his cat-like gaze, sweeping over the crowd.
San bowed to Yoongi and grinned so wide that dimples depended on his cheeks. Yoongi greeted him amiably and they chatted back and forth.
Jeongguk cast his eyes to the crowd and caught eyes with San’s mates, who were in the highest stands across the way from Jeongguk and his mates’ box. He saw Hongjoong chatting idly with Seonghwa and then the rest of their mates also lounged around on pillows, much like Jeongguk. Also standing near Yoongi was Jeonghan, which Jeongguk knew to be one of Mingyu’s mates, stretching out his limbs. Jeonghan wore a traditional set of fighting gear, with each piece of clothing neatly trimmed and tucked into his body. He reminded Jeongguk of a main character from a historical drama his mother loved to watch and even how his hyungs dressed from time to time.
Jeonghan’s hair was pulled up similar to Yoongi’s half-up, but his wavy bangs covered his forehead and wisped down. Jeongguk spotted Mingyu and waved to his friend, grinning.
Mingyu waved back and elbowed his mate next to him, Hoshi. Hoshi lit up when he saw Jeongguk waving and waving back. Soon enough all of Mingyu’s mates noticed Jeongguk and were waving, garnering a lot of attention.
“You’re so popular, Gguk-ah.” Taehyung’s teasing voice ebbed through their group. “Not only do you have the Daegu Choi’s saying hello but you’ve caught the Anyang Kim’s attention too today.”
Sure enough, Mingyu’s mates stopped waving, but their eyes keep shooting over to Jeongguk and his mates. The same went for the Anyang Kim’s who looked over once in a while.
Namjoon had invited Hongjoong and his mates over a few months ago and they were due for another visit soon.
“Don’t start shit, Tae, just to start shit,” Jimin said, bumping his shoulder against Taehyung who looked wounded. “We’re friends with all of them, silly.”
Namjoon laughed and he nodded to Hongjoong, who acknowledged Namjoon with a look of his own. Keeping up friends and alliances was important, Jeongguk learned that from his father. And it helped that his new friends outside of his mates were fun.
Soon, more and more people lined up in an orderly fashion along the starting line and then in rows behind the starting line. There had to be at least a hundred participants lined up, everyone differently dressed and all with armbands with insignias of their clans.
The last to line up, on their own was Jeongguk’s father, who took a spot at the back of the racers. The crowd’s excitement peaked and some cheers and whistles surfaced, welcoming the racers and their king.
It was surely a sight to see.
Jeongguk’s leg bounced in excitement. Namjoon gave him a soft smile.
Minho waved in leisure, looking every bit regal as he did so. He stood tall in his fighting leathers and royal cape that was half draped across his body. His smaller crown that Taeyeon had nestled in his dark locks glinted in the sunlight.
Jeongguk glanced at his mom who was looking at her husband with a soft look in her eyes and her auras wisped lightly in the air.
“Welcome everyone to the Decennial Yongseo Race, I am one of your lovely hosts, Choi Soobin! Nice to see everyone today!” Soobin said, grinning into the camera.
Soobin looked very handsome, sitting behind the desk in the stand made for the hosts, which had a hovering drone that projected the host’s image onto the screens. He wore a semi-traditional hanbok, with a button-up shirt underneath his durumagi. His hair was still vibrant blue and it matched the blue tones of his clothes and his ears were decorated with dangling earrings.
“And I am your next host, Cho Miyeon! I hope everyone is ready to have a wonderful time today,” Miyeon said, nodding to the camera. Jeongguk had briefly met Miyeon, as she and her mates were popular idols in South Korea who lived in both the non-magical world and the magical. She and her mates had been at his birthday party, and he’d recognized them right away. The crowd cheered, already enamored with Soobin and Miyeon. Miyeon’s hair was long, draping over her shoulders, and it was blonde with glimmering silver highlights throughout it. “Get ready because we’re going to see a wonderful Race today! Rumor has it that there’s a wager going between His Majesty and Min Yoongi-ssi. We’re rooting for His Majesty, of course.”
Soobin laughed, his eyes squishing.
“It’s no secret to Starlight that His Majesty and Yoongi-sunbaenim always have wagers going on,” Soobin replied.
A jeer of laughter ripped through the crowd and Jeongguk noted the tips of Yoongi’s ears reddened. Hoseok cooed aloud, and Yoongi’s eyes snapped to them, barely shy from glaring.
Hoseok met his stare dead on and winked.
It was already chaos as the crowd ate up the display.
Jeongguk’s father looked gleeful at the attention even with his face serious but there was a heavy smirk on his lips that attested to his joy. Yoongi had his work cut out for him.
Soobin and Miyeon spoke back and forth for a few more minutes as the racers settled themselves and attendants ran to and fro with last-minute preparations.
“Alright, looks like we’re about ready to begin!” Miyeon exclaimed.
“Racers, please transform yourselves if need be,” Soobin said.
Jeongguk’s leg stopped jittering and his eyes glued to Yoongi who shot them a wink. Jeongguk grinned.
In their box, Jeongguk could taste the anticipation on his tongue that ran through their auras. It would be everyone’s, except Namjoon’s, first time seeing Yoongi’s new form. Jeongguk had so many ideas he didn’t know which one to grab as he watched Yoongi stretch his human form a few times. His eyes widened as he watched Yoongi hover off the ground and then into the air.
Yoongi kept going until he was above their eye level and Jeongguk, alongside his mates, leaned forward to see him high up in the air. Yoongi was the only racer that had flown up into the sky, as the others were already transformed on the ground.
A shining light surrounded Yoongi, Jeongguk felt the zing of Yoongi’s magic deep in their bond, swirling through his channels. The magic was warm and wisping in nature and Jeongguk reveled in the homely feeling.
Yoongi was engulfed in the shining light and Jeongguk’s mouth dropped open as he watched as Yoongi’s body shimmered and then slowly, a creature, with a long, thick tail emerged, snaking in the sky.
Yoongi’s yong form was massive, casting a shadow below onto the racers. Jeongguk couldn’t take his eyes off Yoongi even if he wanted to.
Yoongi was bewitching, his body was sleek and sinuous. His scales shined under the sun, an iridescent sheen over his whole, massive body. The scales glimmered between light pink and blue and many other colors. His face was large, as any dragon, with wisping tendrils of what almost looked like long feathers framing his fierce facial features.
His claws were thick and his tail curved in the air, impossibly long. Yoongi’s wings were giant, spanning almost the whole length of his body, upwards as they flapped. His wings were white, and they had a thick leathery quality to them.
But what caught Jeongguk’s immediate attention were his silt pupils and stark green eyes that truly belonged to his mate. Yoongi’s aura grew so wide it encompassed the whole starting point of the race, he was beautiful.
“Holy fuck,” Jeongguk whispered, gripping Namjoon’s knees.
Namjoon-ah cried when he saw me change. Yoongi said down their bond, his gravelly deep voice filling Jeongguk’s every chasm.
Laughter chased through Jeongguk and all of his mates as Namjoon’s ears and face grew a burnt red as he flushed.
“Aw, Joonie,” Seokjin said, his voice high-pitched as he grabbed Namjoon’s cheek softly. “He’s beautiful isn’t he?”
Namjoon hid his face in Seokjin’s shoulders, laughing as well.
“A hearty congratulations to Min Yoongi-sunbaenim for turning one thousand! He completed his reshaping and is joining us in today’s Race in his yong form,” Soobin said with a grin, bringing out his dimples. “Now, let’s introduce the rest of our participants.”
Miyeon and Soobin easily went through the list, listing off the qualities of each one, starting with Yoongi and then going down the line.
The crowd went wild for Yoongi, many as Jimin mentioned, having been there the last Race ten years ago and watching Yoongi defeat the king.
Yoongi stayed in the air, hovering with his long tail snaking behind him. His wings flapped gently, keeping him up.
Holy shit.
You’re gorgeous, hyung. Jeongguk said, through his bond with Yoongi.
Thank you, Jeongguk-ah. Hyung is happy you approve. Yoongi replied, his eyes finding Jeongguk.
Jeongguk’s cheeks warmed when Yoongi looked at him.
Soobin and Miyeon went back and forth a few more times before introducing Jeongguk’s father and then, the Race began.
There was a rush as the participants zoomed off, following the faelit path. And then the tricks started. Soobin and Miyeon were natural at narrating the push and pull of the racers, but it was all for fourth place.
Fourth place because the scoreboard was already set first through third. Yoongi was first, with Jeongguk’s father second, and Choi San third. Jeongguk laughed as he watched the drone following Yoongi.
In Yoongi’s yong form, he was impossibly fast, zipping through the sky, looking very relaxed as he did circles in the air. Jeongguk fell into Namjoon’s lap with his laughing, not much better than Jimin, honestly. The fairy was also folded over, laughing with Taehyung.
Yoongi was mocking the king and Jeongguk giggled with joy. His father looked ever the serious man but he was very, very silly, and loved his son-in-law and was all bark and no bite. The bite was reserved for his mother.
Jeongguk’s mother watched the Race with a small smirk on her painted lips. Taeyeon laughed as Lilly exclaimed something and they watched as Minho tried to catch up to Yoongi, but it was no use. Even with Jeongguk’s father pushing his magic as much as he was allowed to for the Race, Yoongi was still ahead.
Jeongguk eyed the screen with San, who was using an enhancing spell to guide him through the Race’s path. Jeongguk had missed his chance to ask him when his clan came over for dinner the type of magic he used. The man’s aura had been very reserved but also very soft, it was quite interesting.
The Race would go three laps and the victor would be crowned with a wreath of flowers, given a trophy, a monetary prize, and the banquet in the Queen’s Hall at Byul Palace. Jeongguk thought of all the preparations that were happening at the palace, the beautiful flowers, the delicious food, and the scurry of the Palace staff and attendants getting it ready for the banquet. Jeongguk knew he’d be playing Crown Prince that evening, and it would be even more riveting if his mate was the winner. Jeongguk would most assuredly take advantage and show him off.
The Race did not last long. It was about twenty minutes in that the top three Racers already came up on their last lap. The scoreboard hadn’t changed for the top three but it was a close fight between Jeonghan and Shin Yuna, who Jeongguk knew was one of Yeji’s girlfriends, for fourth place.
The crowd roared with cheers as they watched enraptured by the tricks the Racers performed. The Race was full of trickery, magic spells cast between Racers, exploding traps, hexes, hand-to-hand combat, and a whole slew of other activities that had Jeongguk in titters. It appeared that there wasn’t as much blood as Namjoon had once told him, but Jeongguk did see a few participants already shedding blood as they raced.
Safe to say, Jeongguk was looking forward to the next Race already.
It was no surprise, to anyone but Jeongguk’s father it seemed, when Yoongi crossed the finish line. There was a glimmering line across the finish line where Yoongi crossed in his large form, snaking through the giant archway. Once he crossed the line, fireworks, confetti, and an assortment of celebratory confectionary exploded into the air at the action.
The cheers were deafening when Yoongi one first place.
Yoongi landed and immediately transformed back into his human form in a twirl of shining light. He looked handsome as ever and didn’t even look like he broke a sweat. His gummy smile was on display as he jumped in place and waved ridiculously all around to the crowd.
Jeongguk didn’t know that Yoongi fed off attention, he smirked, filing that information away for later.
Hoseok whistled loudly, grinning and whooping as he jumped out of his seat. Taehyung, Jimin, and Jeongguk followed suit with Seokjin, laughing, clapping, and cheering for Yoongi.
Yoongi sent them a wink and flying kiss, which of course they all received and made more commotion. Namjoon was more subdued but no less ecstatic as he clapped for his mate.
Seconds later Minho crossed the line and the crowd burst into cheers. This also happened with San and then Yuna, who took fourth, and Jeonghan with fifth.
The rest of the Racers were supported with cheers as well, but there was less pomp and circumstance. Yoongi, Jeongguk’s father, and San were ushered onto the ready podiums on the side.
Jeongguk was ushered off the platform with his mother, and siblings, down to greet the Racers, and Taeyeon gave each of the Racers their flower wreaths, trophies, and lua certificates. There was more confetti, laughter, cheers, and a flurry of people.
Taeyeon took a microphone that was offered to her and she faced the drone that filmed her.
“Thank you, everyone, for joining us today for this marvelous Race, it was quite riveting,” Taeyeon said, her eyes glittered as he spoke. “Any proceeds made from today’s Race as already been allocated to the various programs that we have in place throughout Starlight. If you have a specific area you’d like your money to go to, please do not hesitate to reach out to our Donations Affairs Office and they will be more than happy to help. Please now, join us in the Queen’s Hall for our Winner’s Banquet.”
Taeyeon bowed and passed the mic to an attendant and the drone left her, panning over Yoongi, Minho, and San, and they waved to the camera.
It was then that Jeongguk’s mates and San’s mates were allowed to join the fray of excitement. Jeongguk’s father stepped down first and greeted his family first.
“Maybe in ten more years, appa,” Jeongguk said, after exchanging a warm hug with his pouting father.
Minho laughed, patting Jeongguk on the shoulder, warmth etched into his features.
“That’s what I said last time, son,” Minho said and shook his head ruefully. “But no dice, Yoongi-ya is just that good. But this is his last Race against me for now, as participants are only allowed to win twice in the span of twenty years. Therefore, I am looking forward to the next person that will attempt to best me.”
Jeongguk could see Minho’s gaze as his father eyed San, that was getting lovingly mauled by his mates. One of them, Wooyoung, had climbed on San’s back and received a piggyback ride from his. The rest of them were cheering and generally making an excited ruckus that rivaled Jeongguk and his mates.
Jeongguk laughed and grinned.
“Always rooting for you, appa, if it’s not one of my mates,” Jeongguk said, placing his arms behind his back, and smothered a larger grin.
Minho laughed, his eyes crinkling and he shook his head a few times.
“I would really expect nothing less, Gguk-ah,” he said and his eyes found Taeyeon as she sidled up next to her husband. Jeongguk’s mother placed a kiss on Jeongguk’s cheek and then on Minho’s. Minho looked at Jeongguk. “Now go to your mate, we will see you later. Oh, and congratulations on your new Spring Palace.”
Jeongguk bowed to his parents, grinning as his mother shot him a playful pout, and idly watched as they made their way over to his siblings.
Jeongguk spun on his heels and beelined for Yoongi, who walked down the steps of the podium and he picked up his tiny hyung. Yoongi wasn’t heavy at all to Jeongguk as he picked him up and twirled him a few times, laughing at Yoongi’s scandalized expression.
Taehyung’s loud booming laughter made Jeongguk giggle as he set Yoongi down on the ground.
“Congratulations, hyung!” Jeongguk said, grinning from ear to ear.
Yoongi smirked, hovered his prizes, and then leaped into Jeongguk’s arms. He kissed Jeongguk, befitting a winner. The laughter around them increased and Jeongguk grinned into their kiss, squeezing the back of Yoongi’s shirt.
“Your cheers were music to my ears,” Yoongi said, once they separated and Yoongi was on the ground once more.
“Hyung!” Jimin screamed and he was in Yoongi’s arms next. “Your form is so fucking beautiful you almost made me cry!”
Taehyung came up next and caged both Yoongi and Jimin in his arms.
“Congratulations, Yoon-hyung!” Taehyung exclaimed jumping and spinning his mates.
They shared excited kisses, their auras, twirled with each other and Jeongguk watched with a warm heart. The rest of his mates caught up and it was pretty much chaotic, loud, and loving.
Hoseok screeched at the top of his lungs and he and Seokjin attacked Yoongi next and Namjoon went last, sharing a soft hug and kiss with Yoongi.
By the time they got themselves together, Yoongi was positively glowing with praises, affection, and attention. Jeongguk’s attendants, which were sweet palace staff, guided them down the path once they were ready, to the palace to settle them for the banquet.
❦❦❦
The Winner’s Banquet was in full swing a few hours earlier. Popular magical and non-magical idols were invited to perform and a dancing crowd formed in front of the massive outdoor and indoor stage that had been set up in the Queen’s Hall. The Palace had pulled all the stops with the Winner’s Banquet.
The Queen’s Hall was opulent in the way it was a combination of an outdoor and indoor Hall. Nature was infused into the Hall, with vertical plant wall systems that had many different magical species of plants that either glowed or distributed light from their stems and flowers, trailing vines from the overhead glass atrium, there were small ponds with glowing lilypads and mer and water-based people lounging in the ponds, thick marble columns that also had various colored vines that wrapped all around, smooth cobblestone flooring that looked to have moss over it but wasn’t a tripping hazard, and the numerous floating faelights that lit up the Hall.
The Hall spilled into an outdoor patio and garden that mimicked the inside of the Hall. The Queen’s Hall was awash in various earth-tone colors that Jeongguk positively loved. Jeongguk stood at the back of the dancing crowd who were jamming to another popular group, grinning as he watched his mates nearly at the center, dancing, jumping, and grinning their way through the music.
Jeongguk had been with them earlier, but he needed a break and sought refreshments. No matter how good he got with his magic, he wasn’t impervious to hunger and thirst. But it seemed that his mates definitely were, as they hadn’t stepped foot off the dance floor.
Jeongguk giggled as Seokjin and Hoseok partnered up and were all over each other, hitting every beat of the upbeat song. Hoseok even knew all the moves of the choreography.
Taehyung and Jimin had followed suit and partnered up. They neared Seokjin and Hoseok and danced their asses off as well, following along to the choreography with their own flourish, which made Jeongguk giggle into his drink again.
Namjoon and Yoongi danced together, off to the side, but their attention was on the singers onstage, who looked like they were also having the time of their life.
The crowd’s aura was electrifying in feeling, the combined magic inside the hall was thick and lively, and Jeongguk felt the energy skate along his skin, much like electricity from a livewire. He tilted his head, watching the crowd, feeling the pulse of the music deep within him, and glanced over his mates.
Jeongguk watched, enraptured with the sight of them dancing, and suddenly his vision switched and he was still watching his mates. But they were on stage, and he was with them.
A bubble-like aura surrounded him as he watched the seven of them, dance, jump to the music that invaded his senses, and even sing to said music. Jeongguk glanced around and his mouth dropped open, and he saw an endless sea of people and purple lights. A thick sense of home filled his senses and tears welled in his eyes as he heard a dull roar of a crowd, his mates laughing, singing, and cheering, and then he looked up, saw fireworks, and felt endless joy in his chest.
When Jeongguk looked back down from the firework-lit sky, his vision blinked back and he was back in the Queen’s Hall, still watching his mates.
What the hell?
The vision hadn’t felt malicious, just strange, like an out-of-body experience. It was like he was an outsider, watching himself and his hyungs, and it felt beautiful.
Jeongguk finished his drink and placed it on a passing tray, already shoving his thoughts away. He would be able to dwell on the strange vision later, as it didn’t feel urgent.
But as he took a step forward, all of his danger senses went off at the same time, and then the screams started.
Icy panic laced through him as something exploded overhead and spells were cast all around by guards, protecting the crowd, and then shit hit the fan. Deja Vu glimmered over Jeongguk as he leaped into action, protecting people from the falling glass ceiling, directing large pieces of marble away from others, and generally attempting to help people escape in an orderly fashion.
Jeongguk acted automatically, letting his magic take over and guide him as he jumped around and protected his people. A clawing panic scratched behind his ribs as he didn’t stop for a moment and kept moving.
He’d seen this before. This had been the vision he couldn’t talk about. Jeongguk gasped as he saved an attendant from a stray explosion that went off overhead. Whatever was attacking them wasn’t pulling their punches.
Jeongguk gritted his teeth, directed the attendant to a guard, and used his magic to launch himself up into the air, cast a Tile spell, landing neatly on one. Jeongguk didn’t have time to survey the area before he was dropped out of the air, a ball of fire laced through the air where he’d been moments before.
Jeongguk cast a few more Tile spells and he ran through the air as a raid of fireballs followed him. He gritted his teeth as a fireball almost grazed over his nose and reached into his robe where he stashed his bow handle.
Jeongguk extended his bow and jumped into the air, twisted mid-air, nocked an arrow, cast a Homing spell with a swish of his fingers, and sent it flying.
He grunted as he landed on another Tile and cast a Perception spell and a strong protective charm over himself.
Otherworlders had found the palace.
There were individuals with green and purple skin, hiding behind their errant magic spells and abilities, climbing all over the Queen’s Hall and attacking the fleeing people. Clans bound together and fought against the attackers, protecting those that couldn’t fight.
The beauty of the Queen’s Hall was stripped away as magic tore through the walls, water flowed from the ponds, a fire burned through the walls, and the screams of Jeongguk’s people swam through his ears.
Even with Jeongguk’s Perception spell, he couldn’t find his hyungs or family. Panic ripped through him at full force when he heard his sister.
“JEONGGUK-OPPA, RUN!” Tsuki screamed, her voice carrying over the mayhem.
Jeongguk gasped, looking for her, and deftly dropped to the ground, casting more protective charms all around.
Jeongguk spotted her, held up by Lily, and one of Lily’s wings was torn which sent bile up his throat. Tsuki’s left eye was closed as he had foreseen, and there was a large gash on the side of her face.
Jeongguk ran to his sisters, swallowing down the bile in his throat, and threw up a hard protective barrier as a figure launched itself toward them. He stood there, protecting them as the figure assaulted the barrier.
“Jeongguk-oppa, go! We got this,” Lily said, still holding Tsuki up. “We’ll be fine.”
Jeongguk looked between them helplessly as their gazes hardened on him.
“They’re here for you,” Tsuki said, and her left hand filled with a magic glow, Jeongguk felt the cascading magic of the moon fill the space. Her eyes shone silver and there was a fight to be had in them. “We will be fine. Go, find your mates.”
Jeongguk reinforced the barrier but stayed rooted to the spot unable to tear himself from his sisters.
“Jeongguk-hyung! I got them,” Bang Chan shouted, appearing outside the barrier. “You need to get out of here, Your Highness!”
Jeongguk admitted Bang Chan into the protective barrier, kissed his sisters on the forehead, exchanged a steady nod with Bang Chan, and teleported out of the Hall, to the outdoor patio.
In the midst of chaos, Jeongguk hadn’t heard anything from his bond link, other than it was still connected to him. But once he breached the outdoors he could hear his hyungs loud and clear. The patio was scarce of citizens, only clan members fighting the intruders with magic.
But Jeongguk didn’t stop and dwell.
Oh, my stars, Ggukie! There you are. Where the fuck are you physically? That was Jimin yelling through their bond.
Patio! Jeongguk replied and protected himself from another blast of fire from an attacker. Where are you? Where is everyone else?
“Kook-ah!”
Jeongguk covered himself from another attack and spun around, panic already filled his body before he even laid his eyes on Taehyung and Jimin. The two of them hobbled toward Jeongguk. Jeongguk has a Quick spell and ran to them.
Just as he reached them he and Jimin cast a Protect spell, that had the fire attack sizzling against the thick wall of magic.
“Where’s everyone else?” Jeongguk asked, feeling the whisper of Deja Vu claw through him as he spoke.
It hurt to be living through his vision, and tears stung at the corners of his eyes, Jeongguk could feel the feint dregs of his hyung's lives that were connected to him, and he had to trust that his family was okay. There was only so much he could do, only so many places he could be.
“I lost Hobi and Jin-hyung,” Jimin said, helping Taehyung stand upright. There was panic laced in Jimin’s words. Dirt and soot covered most of his face and arms, and his shirt was torn in several places. But his wings were unharmed, unlike his sister’s, and Jeongguk hoped that she would be okay. “I-I don’t know where anyone else is and you’re the first one that I was able to telepathically link to.”
Taehyung leaned almost all his weight on Jimin, eyes blinking open and closed slowly as if he were nodding in and out of consciousness.
Worry turned in Jeongguk’s gut at Taehyung’s unresponsiveness.
“I can’t connect to them either,” Jeongguk said. “I can’t see where they are.”
“JIMIN-AH, JEONGGUK-AH, TAEHYUNG-AH!”
Jimin and Jeongguk whipped their heads in the direction of their names and Taehyung’s head slowly turned as he blinked slowly.
Fleeting relief trickled over Jeongguk. Seokjin, Hoseok, Yoongi, and Namjoon rushed as fast as they could to Jeongguk, Jimin, and Taehyung. There was blood splattered all over them with charred burn marks all over their once not ripped clothes.
“Otherworlders,” Namjoon said, reaching them first. He gasped as he saw Taehyung and reached for the elf-shifter. “They’re not from our System. We can guess that it’s Junseo’s doing. Jimin-ah, can you heal Tae some before we try to move him more?”
Hoseok, Seokjin, and Yoongi encircled them as attackers tore down the barrier that Jeongguk and Jimin made. His three hyungs easily fought and kept the attackers away from them in the middle, setting off spells and protective charms all around them.
Jimin nodded, expression serious, as Namjoon took the elf-shifter into his arms and Jimin’s hazy glittering magic covered Taehyung.
Jeongguk stood there, heart pounding in his ears, his magic sizzling at the fighting happening all around them and he still couldn’t say anything.
What the fuck blocked him from revealing that his vision was happening around them?
Jeongguk watched as Jimin poured a tidal wave of magic into Taehyung and he gasped in Namjoon’s arms, awareness filled his bleary eyes and he breathed normally.
“Fuck!” Taehyung exclaimed, his face contorted in pain and he curled into Namjoon. He shook as he fisted Namjoon’s shirt, hiding his face away. “I’m okay now, we can go.”
Namjoon tightened his grip and nodded.
“This way,” Seokjin said motioning to the forest behind the Palace.
Fear gripped Jeongguk’s heart once more as they huddled together as ran to the forest.
“We were able to keep the people safe,” Hoseok said, running next to Jeongguk. “Thanks to your quick actions, Gguk-ah, the Palace guards, and the Queen’s Guards were able to keep the situation mildly under control as everyone evacuated. Queen Taeyeon and King Minho jumped into the fight not long after.”
Jeongguk couldn’t feel the relief that he should’ve at that moment.
“There were injuries,” Yoongi said, from Jeongguk’s other side. “But no deaths. It’ll be okay.”
Jeongguk swallowed and nodded to his hyungs, not trusting his voice. Namjoon led them, carrying Taehyung as they still ran. Soon, they came up on a ward and were let in easily as the ward recognized their magical signatures.
The Palace had safe zones on its grounds in case of emergencies. The safe zones were double protected against Otherworlders since safe zones took less output of magic to maintain. The safe zones were made as a recoup point if the Palace was attacked.
Inside the safe zone, there were many people, many clan members that had also retreated, and Jeongguk’s family was scattered, tending to the wounded, talking to people, and Palace staff and attendants ran around.
It looked too much like a field hospital to Jeongguk and his stomach twisted.
Jeongguk spotted most of his mother’s guards running around, carrying medical supplies, helping the healers that were scattered about. The healers summoned bed cots whenever a new patient was handed to them.
Off to the side, Jeongguk spotted Lily’s wings being tended to and his mother not far off from her, speaking to a fairy with a white coat. Tsuki lay in the cot next to Lily and they held hands.
Jimin marched straight to a healer, Sumin, if Jeongguk recalled his stay in the Palace medical ward, and pointed to Taehyung in Namjoon’s arms.
Sumin whistled, summoning a cot, and directed Namjoon to place Taehyung on the cot.
“We’ll take care of him, Jimin-ssi,” Sumin said, smiling faintly, and waved her hand, to another healer.
The healer immediately came over and started taking Taehyung’s vitals. It was moments later that the healer declared that Taehyung was stable and would be okay.
Shared relief ran through their bond as the healer bowed and moved on.
Namjoon rubbed his forehead and glanced around with a serious expression on his features.
“How did Otherworlders get through the Palace’s defenses so easily?” Seokjin asked, an angry tick on his forehead. “This shouldn’t have happened.”
“But it did and we’ll deal with it,” Namjoon said, shaking his head.
Jeongguk swallowed around a lump in his throat. He reached deep down into his magic, touching his Ancestral magic, strumming the live wire in his channels, and contacted Ytris.
“Something isn’t right,” Hoseok said, looking around, his keen eyes jumped across the tops of the trees. “The safe zones are thick with Ancient magic. They feel threadbare.”
“You’re right, Seok-ah,” Yoongi said, and he stepped closer to them. And then Yoongi looked and locked eyes with Jeongguk. “Is that Ytris with the King?”
Jeongguk looked behind himself and indeed saw Ytris, whom he had called, talking with his father.
Whatever they spoke about, couldn’t be good.
And the fact that Yoongi could see her also wasn’t good.
Jeongguk forced the sting of tears down.
A faint pull of his mating bond had Jeongguk’s stomach in tatters.
Ytris met Jeongguk’s eyes and he saw pain swimming in them. Jeongguk swallowed again.
Ytris nodded to Minho and walked over to Jeongguk and his mates. She wore floor-length robes made of shimmering navy, similarly colored to the night sky. Her tattoos glowed on her dark skin, and her crystalline blue eyes parsed over Jeongguk.
“Greetings, Jeongguk,” Ytris said, dipping her head a bit and then to his mates. “Jeongguk’s mates. I am Ytris, I am the Celestial and daughter of Honor. It is my honor to meet each one of you. I truly wish it were with better news.”
Namjoon bowed and then Jeongguk’s other hyungs except Taehyung, followed suit. Jeongguk could taste their worry through their bond and gritted his teeth, still being held back from revealing anything.
“Thank you for guiding, Jeongguk-ah,” Namjoon said, there was a small smile on his lips. “Your guidance has helped him flourish.”
“And your love and care have supported him in ways that only make my job easier,” Ytris replied, a brief smirk flashing over her lips. But then her expression shuttered and Jeongguk feared her next words. “There are powers not of this world that have come for Jeongguk. There is one thing I may do to help, but you all will not like this.”
Ice gripped Jeongguk’s chest and he stepped closer to Hoseok.
“What is it?” Yoongi asked, and Jeongguk could see understanding, years of experience, and resolution in his expression. Those emotions were also mirrored in Seokjin, Namjoon, Jimin, and Hoseok’s eyes. If Taehyung were conscious, his eyes would shine the same. “What are we to do?”
Ytris glanced over at Jeongguk again, as if reassuring him with her gaze.
He wasn’t reassured.
“Time and space,” Ytris said, her eyes gleaming white for a moment under the moonlight. “Time and space will guide you and Jeongguk will find you. This will allow the Otherworlders to be kicked out of your system, so they do not harm the delicate balance that has been brought back. Under the full black moon shall your home be safe.”
The black moon, the one from Jeongguk’s vision.
“You need all of our consent,” Jimin said, his tone low as he spoke and looked at Ytris. “All seven of us.”
“I consent,” Taehyung said, his voice thick and scratchy at the edges. He locked eyes with Jeongguk and Jeongguk fell next to Taehyung’s bed cot. Taehyung’s hand came up and cupped the side of Jeongguk’s face. There was a fierce expression on his face, as Jeongguk predicted. “I love you, Jeongguk-ah. I love you always.”
“Hyung,” Jeongguk said, his bottom lip wobbled and tears welled in his eyes. “I love you too.”
“I will give you all a moment,” Ytris said as tears streamed down Jeongguk’s cheeks as he stared at Taehyung. “When you are ready, call for me once more and I will perform the necessary spell.”
And she was gone.
“I’m scared,” Jeongguk whispered, his voice trembling and he looked up over his hyungs, who all and varying expressions on their faces. “What’s happening?”
A hand landed on Jeongguk’s shoulder and then he was enveloped from the side, he looked up from Taehyung and saw Seokjin. Seokjin, his gorgeous, flawless hyung.
The vampire gave him a sad smile.
“You’re brave, Gguk-ah, so brave,” Seokjin said and kissed Jeongguk’s cheek. His lips were impossibly cold as he kissed Jeongguk’s lips, and his eyes glowed pink as he pulled away. “Whatever it is that you’re going to do, we believe in you, always. I love you.”
“Wait,” Jeongguk said as more tears flowed down his cheeks and he reached out to Seokjin who slipped from his grasp. “I love you too, hyung.”
Hoseok replaced Seokjin and the grim reaper hugged Jeongguk fiercely, blocking his view of Seokjin who hugged Namjoon.
“My little prince, how beautiful you are when you love,” Hoseok said, holding both of Jeongguk’s cheeks in his hands. Hoseok’s eyes also swam with tears. His eyes were shined purple in the midst of his irises. “Find us very soon, yeah? I love you and be brave.”
Jeongguk inhaled sharply as Hoseok kissed him, sweetly, as always, on the lips.
“Love you, Hobi-hyung,” Jeongguk said, knowing it was important to say it, but he was so, so confused.
Jeongguk couldn’t even pull at his magic to process the full meaning of his hyungs saying goodbye.
At least it felt like goodbye.
The tears burned fiercer as they fell from his eyes.
Hoseok pulled away, stepped away, and Jeongguk was pulled over to Jimin who kissed him deeply.
Their kiss was desperate and tasted too salty, a combination of their tears. Jimin pulled away first and brushed his thumbs over Jeongguk’s cheekbones.
“My Kookie, I love you,” Jimin said, his words trembled as he spoke and the first sob bubbled up from Jeongguk. Their bond burned within him, and it felt mildly like how acid would burn within him. “Please find us.”
“What do you mean hyung?” Jeongguk said, gripping Jimin’s arms. “I love you too. What do you mean by finding you?”
Jimin shook his head and buried his face in Taehyung’s chest as he cried. Namjoon replaced Jimin and Jeongguk willingly fell into his arms.
“Joon-hyung, please, explain,” Jeongguk said, openly crying. “What’s going on?”
Namjoon took a breath and Jeongguk felt it all around him, the mage’s strong aura breaking through Jeongguk’s panic.
“This is about the spell that Ytris is going to cast,” Namjoon said, tone low and he kissed the top of Jeongguk’s head. Jeongguk looked up to meet Namjoon’s steady but devastated gaze. “Because she is your guide, Ytris can very rarely weave the fabric of your reality.”
Yoongi kneeled next to Namjoon, joining them at the side of Taehyung’s cot. If Jeongguk had been in more of a headspace to be observant, he would’ve realized that the healers had put up dividers around them, blocking them out from the silent observers in the safe zone.
Some things were meant to be private matters, especially to the Crown Prince and his mates.
“She will weave your reality and reinforce the protections of this world. This will heal the damage that Junseo did and the damage that is within you, Gguk-ah,” Yoongi said, his eyes glowing green as he gazed upon Jeongguk. He licked his lips, expression falling as he spoke, but Jeongguk could tell that he was resolute with his words. “The Spirit Threads that the seven of us are imbued and made with are very strong. Meaning she can use us to prevent tragedy from occurring. This is why she needs all of our consent.”
“But that means that we will be scattered,” Namjoon said, his voice but a whisper and his face shuttered with pain. “We will feel the pain of separation until we are together once more. I’m sorry, Gguk-ah. I love you and I know you’re going to do amazing, that you will find us once more.”
“Wait, I have to find you one by one?” Jeongguk asked, gripping Namjoon who held him tighter.
“That’s right, bun,” Yoongi said and leaned over to Jeongguk and captured his lips in a kiss. Jeongguk kissed back, just as fiercely. Yoongi pulled away and dried some more of Jeongguk’s tears with his thumb. “If there’s anyone that can comb through time, space, and the whole of the universe to find us, it’s you and it has to be you. I love you.”
“I love you too,” Jeongguk said and kissed Namjoon, who reciprocated, gripping Jeongguk and rubbing his back. They pulled away and Jeongguk reached for Yoongi. “I love you, Yoongi-hyung. I’m sorry that we couldn’t properly celebrate your reshaping.”
Yoongi laughed wetly, and Jimin, Seokjin, and Hoseok suddenly crowded against them with Taehyung nearby, watching with half-lidded eyes.
“We’ll be fine,” Jimin said, voice strong. He smiled at Jeongguk and his heart constricted. “Because we’re meant to be together.”
“I’m sorry you have to do it alone,” Taehyung said, his voice a mere whisper.
Jeongguk shook his head, wiping his tears, and grasped Taehyung’s hand, connecting the seven of them.
“No, because of our bond, we won’t ever truly be alone,” Jeongguk said, pulling all of himself together as he felt himself being torn apart at the same time.
His hyungs all spoke to one another, eyes shining with tears as they shared kisses, wishes, and promises. Jeongguk felt their love in all of their actions.
They would be okay.
It wasn’t okay, but it would be okay. He would do his damnest at finding them. Nothing in the universe would stop him from finding them again.
He did it once and he would do it again. And again and again and as many times as it would take.
Jeongguk wiped his eyes and held onto Yoongi.
“It’s time,” Namjoon said, touching Jeongguk’s knee.
They were all connected somehow. Jimin was cuddled up to Seokjin, and Hoseok held onto Seokjin and Yoongi. Jeongguk was in Namjoon and Yoongi’s arms, and Jeongguk held hands with Taehyung.
The realization that they were all going to lose each other choked him. Jeongguk had to shove his thoughts deep, deep down. He wouldn’t make it through the next step if he didn’t force himself through it.
Jeongguk swallowed a sob and called Ytris.
She sat with them, her blue knowing eyes watching them with sadness. And Jeongguk knew this was the only way to truly rid the universe of the stain that Junseo placed upon them.
Jeongguk rubbed his chest, feeling the spot where Junseo touch him slither with dark malice.
This was necessary.
Jeongguk met Ytris’ eyes and nodded.
“I consent,” Jeongguk said, his voice cracking and he felt their bond quiver as he looked over his hyungs.
May the Threads of the Universe bind you close and Celestials guide you far.
“I do believe your galaxy.
I want to listen to your melody,
how the stars of your galaxy,
will embroider your sky,
At the end of my despair,
I found you at last, don’t forget,
You’re the last reason for me who was standing on the edge of cliff,
Live.”