Archive of Our Own ^beta

Tip 1: Clean up a bit before you answer the front door

August

Jimin is a father. He isn’t sure how it happened, he’s pretty sure he’s being gaslit, and he really doesn’t know what to do with his hands.

“May we enter?”

His hands that are currently keeping a fidgeting preschooler at arm’s length.

“Sure…” Jimin quickly shakes his head to clear it. “Wait. Sorry–What did you say?”

The polite smile on the man in front of him thins a bit, his fangs seeming to lengthen. “Right. Once again, I am Min Yoongi. I work as an agent for SUGA under the BTSAU. And–”

“That.” Jimin interrupts. “What’s that?”

The vampire draws in a slow, unnecessary breath deep into his lungs. “The Sector for Underaged Guaridanship Assessment under the Bureau of Tending and Supporting the Anomalous and Underaged.” He fishes a shiny badge and official looking government I.D. from the pocket of his khaki trench coat. “And this little one,” he places a hand on top of the kid’s head, “is Jeon Jungkook. He’s four–turning five soon, and his mother died in an incredibly mundane car accident, so it’s my job to find his family. And it seems his only living family is his father,” Yoongi gently guides Jimin over the threshold and to the witch’s own sofa so he can sit and process the information. “And that would be you.”

“H–” Jimin stills as the tiny creature–Jungkook–clambers onto the couch and reaches to play with the rose quartz teardrop dangling from Jimin’s earlobe. “He’s.. mine?” 

As Yoongi plops his overstuffed messenger bag onto the coffee table, the little being attached to him huffs, apparently done with Jimin’s earring, and shimmies himself back to the ground, his eyes locked onto the colorful scarves draped by the fireplace. 

His brain can’t decide between racing through his memories of a one night stand (Jimin hasn’t been in a committed relationship in years) or sludging through the possibility of being responsible for a person that only came up to his hip. He feels frozen as he watches Jungkook toddle past his knees on unsteady feet. One of Yoongi’s hands quietly slides to grip the corner of the coffee table while the other rummages through a stack of files, and seconds later Jungkook’s arm knocks harmlessly into the vampire’s long fingers.

Jimin watches him in surprise, a little in awe at how Yoongi seems to be able to effortlessly scoot obstacles out of Jungkook’s way or cushion surfaces that could harm him. Feeling like he should be doing something, Jimin goes to pick up a few tarot cards–cards he's been looking for since last week–that were sticking out from under the table. The witch lets out a small huff of disbelief since he really should have seen this coming–the Sun, Death, and the Hierophant. He ends up smacking his head on the way back up for his trouble, biting back an expletive as he rubs the pain away.

Yoongi drops a file folder onto the coffee table, the coffee table that now seems to have very sharp corners that Jimin never really noticed before. After some paper shuffling, Yoongi hums. 

“Here it is,” he turns a piece of paper that looks suspiciously like a police report to face Jimin. “A few months ago, you were involved in a rather nasty bar fight–”

“That wasn’t my fault!” Jimin quickly interjects, “I wasn’t even technically the one fighting–wrong place, wrong time, y’know?” He chuckles weakly to soften whatever opinion is forming in this social worker’s mind.

All he gets in return is an unimpressed stare. “Right.” Yoongi pulls out another paper. “There were multiple sources of blood, and low and behold, one blood sample swabbed from the scene was a paternal match for this little guy.” He smiles down at Jungkook when the little one runs up and drapes himself over Yoongi’s knee. He looks so fond of the ankle biter that Jimin melts a little.

The vampire’s eyes cut over to Jimin, sharp and cold. “There were actually a concerning number of police reports that had your name or DNA at the scene of the crime.” He flashes his fangs as he calmly pets Jungkook’s hair. “It’s enough to make one believe you’re not as innocent as you claim to be. That, or you are terribly…” his eyes quickly flick over Jimin, “unlucky.” 

“I am incredibly clumsy,” he readily admits.

Yoongi nods slowly and echoes, “Incredibly.”

Panicking a bit, Jimin rushes to add, “And I was born on October 13th! Quite an unlucky day to some people.”

The vampire’s eyes narrow. “An unfortunate coincidence.” 

“A-and I was the 13th born to my mother’s cackle!” 

He doesn’t miss the way Yoongi’s eyes glance at the 13 on Jimin’s wrist. It wasn’t unusual for a witch to have a dozen children, but there was a reason most witches chose to be sterilized after their twelfth siring. Jimin’s mom struggled to have him–one abortion, eight miscarriages and three stillborns before she successfully carried Jimin to term and survived the birth. How unlucky, to be an only child but still the 13th. His mother always called him her little miracle, and she raged at the doctors when they brought him back to her already branded with a 13.

“Nonetheless,” the vampire closes the file, “For the time being you can consider me ‘Uncle Yoongi’ because I will be around frequently given your track record of.. misfortune.”

Jimin suppresses the shiver he feels coming on at the idea of those cold, piercing glare tracking his every move. “That seems a little unnecessary?”

Yoongi chuckles darkly. “I have spent months—MONTHS—looking for you. I will not let you out of my sight until I am satisfied that Jungkook will be able to thrive in a home with a trouble magnet and that I can easily track you down should the need arise. Now luckily for you, we can get a blood test done fairly quickly. Just a prick of the finger, and I’ll be able to detect his parentage.” 

Jimin blinks. “Ah.” He nods, “A vampire thing.”

“Yes. A vampire thing,” Yoongi agrees, pulling out a couple disinfectant wipes and bandaids.

“Right. It’s not necessary though. You don’t have to threaten me to step up for Jungkook.” Jimin’s eyes flick down to the cards on the table, his finger gently traces the edge of the sun card. “If I can trust anything it’s my own magic…”

Yoongi stills, truly stopping and taking in the man across from him. The way Jimin’s short fingers gently fiddle with a tarot card, the slight worry furrowed in his delicate brow, the thoughtful pout on his plush lips, the determined glint in his chocolate warm eyes as they watch his charge sort the witch’s crystals by color… He clears his throat. “That’s good to hear, but I, uh… There’s still some paperwork, and a blood test is part of that.”

Jimin stares at Yoongi’s apologetic expression in surprise. The vampire has seemed so hostile up to this point. He has such kind eyes. He shakes himself slightly to refocus. “Right,” he says more to himself than anyone else as he goes to get off the sofa in search of a knife or pin or something.

Before he’s even fully standing, Jimin rams his knee into that surprisingly sharp corner that came out of nowhere! It rips clean through his sweats and draws blood in the process. He clamps down hard on the expletive rattling behind his teeth, curling over as he drops back down in his seat. Once he’s sure that he can speak in a level tone, Jimin straightens up and looks at Yoongi. The vampire is staring at him with wide eyes, the corner of his mouth quirking up for a second.

He isn’t sure why he’s trying so hard to save face anymore, but he will not cry in front of the social worker on top of everything else. He clears his throat and asks in a tight voice, “Will this suffice?”

Yoongi’s eyes drop towards Jimin’s knee. A moment passes, and then the vampire breaks out into a cute, gummy smile, chuckling softly. “Yes, Mr. Park. That’ll do.”

Jimin blinks, totally not blushing and very not enamoured. “Jimin,” the witch blurts out. “Please, just call me Jimin.”

“Alright then. Jimin.” Yoongi’s voice is like a caress, the consonant of his name sliding like warm butter across his tongue. “Please excuse me,” he murmurs.

Slick as a shadow, Yoongi gracefully slips around the coffee table and kneels beside Jimin’s injury. The witch swallowed thickly at the sudden proximity, and he was NOT blushing damn it! But what’s a witch to do when firm and gentle hands carefully push his pant leg up and out of the way? When long, pretty pale fingers trace up a trail of ruby red blood? When petal pink lips part and wrap delicately around those coated tips? When deep dark eyes flutter shut allowing Jimin a respite from their intensity?

When a satisfied hum quietly rumbles deep within the vampire’s chest as he tastes his blood.

Their eyes lock again. An unmistakable heat bleeds into Yoongi’s eyes, his red tinted tongue glides along a fang. Jimin feels his heartbeat tick up a pace, then a few ticks more at Yoongi’s slow, knowing grin.

The trance is broken by a little hand holding a bunch of bandaids thrusting out in front of Yoongi's face. In an instant, the vampire’s grin morphs into that sweet smile again. He pats Jungkook on the head. 

“Thanks, Kookie.” Yoongi accepts the bandaids, “That’s a big help.” 

Jungkook smiles broadly, his eyes scrunching closed from the force of it. “Mm! Welcome,” he tells him with bashful pride, hiding his face in Yoongi’s shoulder. 

Yoongi makes quick work of cleaning and plastering a bandage onto Jimin’s knee before turning to Jungkook. “Ready?”

Like it’s a regular occurrence, Jungkook offers Yoongi his hand. Yoongi swipes a towelette over Jungkook’s fingers, and the boy doesn’t even flinch when Yoongi’s fang pricks his tiny finger or cleans him up.

“Good job,” he praises and ruffles the boy’s hair. Going back to his seat, he quickly marks down a few things on a sheet of paper before declaring, “It’s a match–no doubt about it.” He smiles at Jungkook. “We did it, Kook. We found your dad!”

Jungkook’s head whips towards Jimin, his eyes wide and mouth open in wonder. 

Jimin breathes deep through the sudden weight of responsibility that pushes down on him. He smiles gently. “It’s nice to meet you, Jungkook... I’m your dad.” He squeezes his hands together, unsure what to do with them. “I hope you’ll like it here with me.”

Like flipping a switch, Jungkook starts jumping up and down, his little hands failing to cover his giant smile and darling giggles. Not wasting another second, Jungkook scrambles onto the sofa and hugs tight around Jimin’s neck.

Like a puzzle piece snapping into place, Jimin’s worries vanish for a moment, holding Jungkook–his son–in his arms for the very first time.

Tip 2: Do NOT let the social worker know that your child might actually be sleeping in what is technically a closet

Jimin’s fingers rake through his hair as he stares at the spare room currently operating as his divination room for clients and workroom for spells. It’s set up just how he wants it, and everything fits so nicely. The fairy lights wink at him, the floor cushions are inviting, the crystal ball shines from its cozy spot in the middle of the low table.

Jimin pouts. He can’t do it. He can’t disturb this space.

Directly behind him is a nice sized space. Jimin opens the door and takes a quick inventory. It would be easy enough to find a different space to store the vacuum and the extra linens and the sparse cleaning supplies, and he’s been meaning to sell that giant cauldron anyway–he could store it in the shed out back for a little while. It’s a large enough space to fit a teenaged Jimin; a child Jungkook could still have some room to grow! 

He turns back down the hall to check on Jungkook. The boy has been playing in the living room with toys from a suitcase Yoongi had fetched from his car. The vampire was suddenly called away–a work emergency–and basically threatened death if Jungkook wasn’t settled in and cared for by the end of the day. 

Which led to his current predicament: finding a space to settle Jungkook in.

“How ya doing, Kook?” Jimin asks, leaning against the door frame. 

Jungkook smiles and lifts a plastic dragon, “Coal is teaching the sheep their ABC’s.”

Grinning, Jimin looks at the three sheep plushies of various sizes lined up in front of Jungkook. “Are they getting the hang of it?”

“Woolliam knows it,” Jungkook reports, patting the head of the biggest sheep. “Rammy and Cloud still need help.”

The witch nods along. “Everyone learns at their own pace. I’m sure they’ll get it soon.” Jimin checks his watch. “I have to do a little cleaning, but then we can get dinner going. What do you like to eat?”

Jungkook excitedly asks, “Can I have chicken nuggets?!” His eyes grow wide as he remembers something. “Please!”

“Sure,” Jimin agrees easily, making Jungkook wiggle excitedly, and heads back to the walk-in closet the spare room. 

Jimin silently bemoans his lack of telekinetic powers for a moment before getting to work. The hardest thing to move is the cauldron, so he saves that for last. After some quick shuffling and squirreling things away, Jimin grabs a piece of chalk. As precisely as he can, Jimin draws a teleportation spell around the massive iron piece. The last lines he needs to make requires him to practically slither underneath the blasted thing, and it’s a real core strengthening exercise making sure his body doesn’t smudge any of the other markings.

“Whatcha doing?” 

Jimin startles, banging his head on the underbelly. “Curses,” he hisses while pressing a hand to the throbbing part of his skull. He looks to his left and sees two innocently curious eyes blinking at him. Jungkook is lying on his side just outside the chalk circle with Woolliam hugged to his chest. Sighing to himself, Jimin carefully shimmies back out and dusts off his hands on his thighs once he’s free.

“Magic,” Jimin finally answers. He stands and beckons Jungkook to follow after him.

Jimin leads the way to the backyard and into the shed. “Don’t touch anything. There are a lot of things with sharp edges in here.” He quickly gets to work clearing the concrete floor and sketching a similar circle as the one before. Looking up at Jungkook with a smug smirk, he says, “Watch this.”

With his hands pressed to the ground, he activates the circle. It glows a soft yellow, and the edges of the circle lift off the ground and bend towards the center forming a globe of woven light. Then, like a popped balloon, the globe collapses, and there the cauldron sits in its place.

“Pretty cool, huh?” Jimin preens at the gobsmacked expression on Jungkook’s face.

Jungkook beams at Jimin. “That was so cool!”

The witch giggles brightly. He feels incredibly pleased that this little one finds him cool. With the job completed, they head back towards the house.

Holding the door open for the child, he inquires, “Have you seen many witches use magic before?”

“Mama used it lots. Nothing big like that, though,” Jungkook tells him. Jungkook traces Woolliam’s stitched smile, his voice tinged with a sadness that hadn’t had nearly enough time to fade. “At bathtime, mama made sheep out of bubbles. They would jump all over and make a mess. It was a lot of fun...”

Crouching down, Jimin watched tiny fingers continuing to poke at a mouth stuck in permanent, lifeless joy. He gently took hold of Jungkook’s hand. “Your mom sounds like a lovely person. You must miss her a lot.” 

Jungkook’s eyes start to water, his little mouth twisting sour. He nods.

“You can tell me,” Jimin pulls his son into his arms, “When you miss her, tell me all about her, okay? Whatever you want to say, I’ll listen.”

A sharp huff pushes against his neck. The little body caged against his begins to shake. “S-she. On the phone, she said,” Jungkook sniffled. “She’s coming home soon. B-but I’m not there. And. And! She always does what she says! But–Uncle Y-yoongi said that mama gone!”

Jimin rocks Jungkook. Each little sob is like a suckerpunch to the gut.

“I want mama!”

What can Jimin say to that? The right words evade him, and lies are not an option. So he stays silent. He holds Jungkook. He takes every cry and tear into his heart in the vain hope that it will make all this little boy’s hurts go away. He thinks of his own mom. A mom he can call whenever he wants. A mom he doesn’t call enough. A mom that would sing when Jimin cried.

So Jimin sings. He sings a comforting song from his memories that carries sadness away on the wind. He sings all the words he can remember and hums the ones he doesn’t until the hiccuping and sniffling peters out.

Jimin gently lifts Jungkook’s chin and wipes his red cheeks and runny nose. “I can’t bring your mama back. But I can promise that I will do my best to be a good dad.” He rubs his hands up and down Jungkook’s arms. “It’s okay to be sad, but I want you to promise me that you will come find me when you feel sad, okay? I don’t want you to cry alone.”

Jungkook sighs, exhausted, and leans back into Jimin’s warmth. “... okay.”

Jimin leans his head on Jungkook’s. “Do you know what makes me feel better when I’m sad?”

“Mm?”

Jimin grins. “Ice cream. We should get some ice cream with our chicken nuggets.”

***

After a twenty-piece nugget and sticky chocolate shake, Jimin was shocked at how messy one child could be. He lathered Jungkook up with his nice bath products because he didn’t think to stop and buy kid supplies while they were out. Jungkook didn’t seem to mind, but Jimin couldn’t squash the feeling he was doing something wrong. At least it wasn’t dish soap… 

He did have some bubble bath, so he made sure to pour that in. Jungkook started making mounds along the end of the tub, and when Jimin asked what he was doing, the boy said it was how they would start making sheep. 

“They look like dragon spikes,” Jimin points out. 

Jungkook’s smile blooms. “Like Coal!”

Soon after that Jungkook was sporting his own little spikes down his back and asked Jimin to take pictures to show to Uncle Yoongi later.

Now dried and jammied, Jungkook is helping Jimin set up his sleeping quarters for the night. Not having any spare furniture, Jimin is making do with spare cushions and a couple of bean bag chairs he forgot he owned. They’re making a nest in the corner following Jungkook’s instruction. A large fitted sheet holds all the pieces together, and Jimin makes sure that all the softest blankets are piled on top of it. He strings warm fairy lights through the wire shelving lining the space–there was just enough for the three 6-foot wide walls. They drape sheets across the shelves making it feel more like a tent or a secret pillow fort. 

Jungkook’s suitcase of belongings is unpacked; his clothes tucked away on a set on hanging shelves, his extra stuffies and toys piled in a spare basket, the suitcase stored overhead. All in all, it’s a pretty damn good job for an unexpected resident even though it is still very obviously a walk in closet. 

Sighing silently to himself, Jimin looks across the hall at his work room. Tomorrow, he promises himself, I’ll start clearing that room out for Jungkook tomorrow.

Jimin, at Jungkook’s request, is playing dragons. Jimin does not know what that actually means, and he feels very silly stomping around and “breathing fire,” but Jungkook is laughing, and that’s all that matters. 

And he only needs to ask once before Jungkook goes to clean up his toys and get ready for bed (and he promises Jungkook that he can keep the closet door open). He is absolutely crushing this fatherhood thing.

***

“I got to sleep in a pillow fort!”

Jimin feels the blood drain from his face. He covertly glances at Yoongi, who is sitting at his kitchen table helping Jungkook cut up his pancake. The social worker had knocked on the door minutes after Jimin was woken up by little hands patting his face. Jungkook was now telling Yoongi all about his day with Jimin, and Jimin was sweating like a sinner in church.

“A fort, huh?” Yoongi grins. “That’s pretty cool. Was it comfy?”

Jungkook nods enthusiastically. “Appa makes the best forts!”

His spatula clatters to the floor. Jimin looks at Jungkook, his eyes misting over as it finally sinks in, yes he is a father and that is his son. He misses Yoongi’s soft smile, the vampire catching every second of Jimin’s revelation. 

“And,” he giggles, completely unaware of the emotional upheaval he’s caused, “He’s a very silly dragon.”

“Heyy,” Jimin mutters, bending down to get the spatula and subtly wipe at his eyes. “I am an excellent dragon.” He debates using the spatula to flip the last pancake off the stove. Deciding he should probably not do anything incriminating while under Yoongi’s stare, he tosses the utensil into the sink leaving his fingers as his current option for adding the cake to the stack.

“Do not–” a cool hand catches Jimin’s wrist. The witch startles, his back pressing into Yoongi’s broad chest that got there inhumanly fast– “do what I think you’re about to do.”

His voice rumbles darkly, and Jimin suppresses the inappropriate urge to present his neck right that second. Yoongi puts his other hand firmly on Jimin’s hip. Jimin is just a man. A man who hasn’t gotten laid in a while. No one can blame him for blushing or extending his neck a little bit too much to be an accident. And maybe–maybe–he got a little hard, but he could have sworn that the vampire’s nose ghosted over the length of his jugular.

“Fork,” Yoongi grunted, nudging Jimin to the side and stepping up to the stove. “Grab me a fork.”

Embarrassed, Jimin turns a little too sharply towards the kitchen island nearly tripping himself, but those strong, cool hands steady him.

“Goodness,” Yoongi mutters lowly, mirth in his tone, “It’s like you’re trying to keep my hands on you.”

Jimin looks up, and that roguish fanged smirk should really come with a warning label. 

“It seems I don’t have to try very hard at all.”

It takes three seconds for Jimin to register the flirtatious cadence in his voice. It takes two more to remember that he probably shouldn’t be flirting with his social worker. It takes one more for him to spring apart and awkwardly fumble his way through the drawers to grab a fork.

“Fork,” Jimin presents, keeping his eyes downcast knowing that his cheeks are a shade of red he cannot hide.

The vampire clears his throat. “Right.” He deftly saves the last pancake from being burnt to a crisp, and Jimin takes that opportunity to disappear to the bathroom.

At least his goal was to get to the bathroom before his front door was bashed in.

“PARK JIMIN!”

Jimin takes a deep breath. “Here we go…” 

He steps into the living room to survey the damage. There he sees two of his coven members, Seokjin and Taehyung, standing on top of what was once his front door. 

“You’re going to fix that,” Jimin tells them, unimpressed with their antics.

Seokjin leans back, hand to his chest and looking aghast. “THAT is all you have to say to me?!”

Taehyung squats down to check the sturdiness of the remaining door frame pieces. “Let the record show that I said his life wasn’t in danger.”

“You used proper punctuation!” Seokjin whips out his phone. “Quote: ‘Jimin needs our help. It’s serious.’”

“Yeah, and ‘He’s not dying tho’ right after that,” Taehyung gets up to point directly at the screen.

Jimin rakes a hand through his hair. “What’s going on, guys?” 

Jin huffs and starts counting on his fingers, “I cook for you. I light up your life. I call you to make sure you’re still alive. And you act like I’m the nuisance?”

Jimin clasps his hands together and smiles sweetly enough to mask the sarcasm, “Thank you so much, hyung, for allowing light to enter directly through my doorway! Thank goodness I won’t have to worry about getting mugged in my own home tonight!”

“What’s ‘mugged’?” Jungkook curiously watches Jimin’s covenmates from the hall. Yoongi is standing behind him, hands on the boy’s shoulders and predatory eyes tracking the intruders.

Seokjin and Taehyung blink twice in perfect synchronization before exploding into action. Taehyung wraps himself like an octopus around Jimin while Seokjin inserts himself between Jimin and the unidentified individuals with fire sparking at his fingertips.

Rising to the obvious threat, Yoongi guides Jungkook behind himself and bares his fangs as he lets out a sharp warning hiss.

“Hey!” Jimin yanks back on Seokjin’s shoulder, scowling. “That’s my son you’re flaming your fingers at!”

“What…” He whips himself back around. His eyes dart first to the vampire, then down at the little body said vampire is shielding. 

Taehyung drops his legs back to the floor. “I told you it was serious,” he mutters more to himself than anyone. 

Taking a deep breath, Jimin gingerly walks over to Yoongi. He smiles slightly at him in a show of reassurance and then reaches a hand out towards Jungkook. The little boy doesn’t even hesitate to go to him, showing an incredible trust that warms Jimin’s heart.

“Kook,” Jimin gestures towards his friends, “This is Taehyung and Seokjin. They’re part of my coven. Guys, this is Jungkook.” Jimin brushes the hair off Jungkook’s forehead. “He’s my son.”

Jungkook gives a little wave. “Hi. I’m Jungkook. I’m four.”

“Hi, Jungkook,” Taehyung with his boxy grin comes to crouch down right in front of the child, “I’m your Uncle Tae. I know we’re gonna have a lot of fun together.”

Jimin settles down on the floor, too. “Tae is a precog,” he explains. “He can see the future, so you can trust him on that.”

“Do you like dragons?” Jungkook asks.

“You bet I do!” Taehyung spreads his arms wide. “I’d love to fly with one.”

Jungkook hops a little. “Me, too!”

“Let’s practice then!” Taehyung scoops Jungkook off the ground, spinning around and dipping and lifting Jungkook into the air, Jimin’s son laughing his little heart out.

Jimin can’t stop the grin spreading across his lips. His son’s laughter is easily becoming his favorite sound. 

“I don’t understand.”

Jimin glances back at his eldest hyung. Seokjin is watching Taehyung and Jungkook play. His brow is creased like it gets when one of his spells goes wonky and he can’t quite figure out why. 

Jimin stands beside him. “I think you’re a little too old to need the birds and bees talk.” Seokjin smacks his shoulder, and Jimin chuckles. “There isn’t much to understand. Five-ish years ago, someone got pregnant with my son, and yesterday Yoongi brought him to me.”

“‘Yoongi’,” Seokjin turned towards the vampire, “would be you, I’m assuming.”

Jimin palms his forehead. “Yes. Hyung, this is Yoongi. He’s in charge of Jungkook’s case. He’ll be around for a bit.” Yoongi nods in confirmation. “Yoongi, this is Kim Seokjin. He’s a hearth witch and head of my coven. This isn’t the first time he’s broken into my home by force.” Seokjin gapes at him. “Good intentions, usually.”

“Stop being a mess, and I’ll stop having to check up on you,” Seokjin crosses his arms, his chin tilting up in a haughty manner. “Hmph.”

Jimin shakes his head, smirking, “Aww c’mon, hyung. You know you can come over whenever you feel lonely–no excuses needed.”

Shoving the younger witch away, Seokjin straightens up and looks Yoongi in the eye. “Forgive my rudeness,” he bows towards the vampire, “I am Kim Seokjin, Rank 2 magic user and head of the East Kim Coven. My coven welcomes you. You have our thanks and hospitality. Uniting families is like a special magic. You’ll have our full support and cooperation with whatever you need.”

Yoongi returns the gesture. “I appreciate that. I would like to speak with the coven members at some point during my observations. Once my assessment is complete with a favorable evaluation, I’ll turn all rights over my charge from the State to your coven.”

“Wonderful,” Seokjin claps his hands. “Now that the formalities are out of the way–” Seokjin grabs Jimin by the elbow, “I’ll do you a favor and set Jungkook’s room up with some permanent housekeeping spells.”

Jimin blanches, and he quickly looks the opposite direction of his hyung, which is right at Yoongi, which might be worse, so he drops his gaze to his feet.

“My pillow fort is awesome!” Jungkook laughs as Taehyung tosses him in the air.

Seokjin smiles softly, “That’s lovel–” He pauses and slowly looks at Jimin. Noticing how shifty Jimin’s being, Seokjin narrows his eyes. Realization hits. He gasps, “You did not–”

“I think it’s time for some shopping,” Taehyung voices loudly, his expression strongly suggesting Jimin agrees. “Right, Jimin?”

Yoongi clears his throat. “Jungkook actually needs to get to preschool.”

“School?” Jimin stands at attention. “You didn’t tell me he was in school. What time is it?” He panics a bit, looking down at his wrist only to realize he hasn’t put on his watch yet.

Bashful, Yoongi rubs his neck. “Yeah, I realized that, which is why I came over so early. I still had his backpack in my car, so I figured I could drop him off with you so you could see the school and meet the teachers.”

“Go,” Seokjin decides, “I’ll make sure the coven gets things handled here. There will be some drastic improvements.” He gives Jimin a look that only his mother had ever given him–the look that said ‘I’ll fix things this time because I have to, but then we’re having a serious talk’.

Jimin is just glad no one has said the word “closet”.

Tip 3: Make sure you wake up on time or else a vampire will break in

It’s been about two weeks, and they’ve got a routine now. 

Sort of.

Jimin is still adjusting. He has to work for a living, and having a child suddenly appear in his life wasn’t going to change the fact that he still had stuff to get done. Working for himself is great, but that also means that he has no one keeping him on task aside from himself, and honestly he’s been more focused on learning to be a father and getting to know his son. Needless to say, work has been on the back burner, and that means it’s been piling up and the deadlines are practically knocking at his door. 

He’s been putting in weird hours, staying up late out in the shed (where Seokjin had moved his most essential trade tools and supplies to clear out a proper bedroom for Jungkook) to work on filling customer requests for divinations, spells, and talismans. It’s work that requires time and focus; two things Jimin is suddenly realizing are hard to find for a single father.

So the morning “routine” is pretty much:

1. Wake up with the third alarm–absolutely do NOT ignore it!
2. Stumble over to Jungkook’s room and make sure he’s awake
3. Coffee 
4. Open the door for Yoongi and let him take over cooking breakfast
5. Help Jungkook get dressed, fed, and ready for school
6. Doze off in the passenger seat of Yoongi’s car, and remember to give Jungkook a big hug before he goes into the school building

After that is usually one of three options:

• Yoongi does his job, which mainly includes: following Jimin around “to observe his character and habits” for his report, typing on his computer, or interviewing the people in his life pertaining to his ability to properly care for a developing magical being
• Yoongi does things that are definitely not his job: helping Jimin with some housework, offering to run errands so Jimin can get some work done, learning about each other, bantering and bonding over their hobbies and interests beyond the sweet little boy that brought them together
• A spontaneous something that feels like it could be a date (Jimin is really trying not to read into it, but this is secretly his favorite option.)

This “routine” only works if all of the steps are followed in the correct order. Unfortunately, Jimin apparently didn’t set his alarms after burning the midnight oil finishing up a large order for a regular client.

Jimin isn’t prone to having nightmares or generally feeling any unease while in his own home. Seokjin had warded his home nicely when he first moved in; his home has a permanent atmosphere of warmth and safety thanks to the hearth witch. So, this slimy prickliness crawling up his spine–this feeling that something dangerous is lingering close by–is highly abnormal. 

His heart beats a bit faster, his breaths come a bit sharper. His nervous system kicks him awake and he scrambles across the bed. His sheets twist up around him, causing him to lose his balance and tumble off the other side onto his ass.

The witch’s heart pounds, and he curses his magic’s lack of offensive capabilities. 

“Jimin?” 

Jimin stops his useless search for a heavy projectile and looks up at the familiar, rumbly voice.

“What the hell, Yoongi,” he releases his tension with an exhausted sigh. He hides his face in his hands, rubbing from cheek to temple in a soothing motion. “You scared the crap out of me.”

He doesn’t even hear Yoongi’s footsteps, but he can tell the vampire is now kneeling down in front of him. He can almost feel the way Yoongi’s cool touch hovers near him, like he wants to touch but isn’t sure if he should.

“I didn’t mean to startle you,” he promises. Yoongi keeps his voice soft and even like you would with a frightened woodland creature. 

Jimin drops his hands to his lap, his heart rate settling enough his head isn’t pulsing with it. He lets his eyes study Yoongi’s face. The vampire’s brow lowers in a way that matches the concern in his gaze. His lips aren’t frowning, but there is a hardness to them like he’s putting effort into keeping them shut. 

Jimin feels his eyes widen as he realizes that Yoongi is hiding his fangs. 

“You don’t have to do that,” Jimin reaches his fingertips to the corner of the vampire’s mouth. Feather soft, just as Yoongi’s voice had been. “I’m not afraid of you.” 

He deliberately presses against Yoongi’s lip partially revealing the blade sharp incisor. Yoongi’s fingers wrap loosely around Jimin’s wrist. His thumb tenderly strokes against Jimin’s 13.

Once Jimin meets his gaze, Yoongi murmurs, “Neither am I.” 

Each syllable ghosts against his skin. Butterflies erupt in his stomach, and a tingling sensation radiates through his body so pleasant it leaves Jimin feeling flushed and restless. His heart stutters and stumbles, and it couldn’t be any more obvious that Jimin wants. 

Watching that sultry smirk expose his fangs, he’s pretty damn sure that Yoongi does, too.

“Uncle Yoongi!” a little voice shouts from down the hall. “I can’t get my shoe tied!”

Jimin jumps a bit, “Curses. What time is it?” He pulls himself off the floor and marches towards his dresser to throw on the first outfit he gets his hands pretending he isn’t parading around in just a pair of briefs.

“It’s alright,” Yoongi soothes. “I had to climb through the kitchen widow, but Jungkook is just about ready for school. I came in here to tell you I was gonna take him so you wouldn’t panic when you woke up.”

Jimin pauses, his shirt only half on, and looks at Yoongi. “You broke into my home?”

“You didn’t come to the door. Besides, I only need to be welcomed once,” Yoongi tuts. “Also, you’re welcome.”

Despite the eye roll, a touch of humor lifts Jimin’s lips. “Thank you, hyung.”

“Of course, Min-ah.”

Tip 4: Do NOT let a fairy kidnap your child!

“Happy birthday, Jungkookie! Happy birthday to you!”

Jimin helps Jungkook lean closer to the cake to blow out the candles. “Make a wish, baby.”

His son is grinning from ear to ear, clapping along with everyone in the room and trying to catch the fairy glitter Hoseok shot into the air. All of Jungkook’s uncles are present, as are all of his classmates and some of the parents. Of course Yoongi is there, a broad smile on his face as he snaps an absurd amount of photos on Jimin’s phone. Jimin’s mom was the second to arrive since Yoongi insists on sticking to their “routine” even on weekends (Jimin gave Yoongi a spare key so he wouldn’t have to “break in” on the mornings Jimin wants to oversleep), and she brought the biggest present with her.

Competitive as they are, each one of Jimin’s friends pulled out all the stops for Jungkook’s fifth birthday party. It’s an important birthday for witches as it’s usually the last one before one’s power manifests. As tradition dictates, each witch in the coven gifts the witchling a tool of the trade along with a sigil they draw with a spelled ink onto his arms or hands to encourage the flow of magic and to protect the child during their most vulnerable transition time. But these uncles have four other birthdays to make up for, so a mountain of shiny wrapped toys, tomes, and other unidentifiable things takes up most of the space in Jimin’s living room.

Though Hoseok wasn’t a witch, he still offered a fairy blessing for Jungkook. “May you find joy and wonder wherever you are.” Jungkook’s eyes sparkled when Hoseok sprinkled fairy dust over his head in an unnecessary display of flashy showmanship.

Jungkook is really into fairytales right now, so he is positively curious and awestruck when it comes to Hoseok. Jimin is not jealous.

“Look look, Koo!” Hoseok holds up a stack of thin wrapped boxes. “Open Uncle Hobi’s gifts first!”

Jungkook tears into them, and Yoongi snaps another picture. Jimin can’t contain the giddiness he feels watching this side of Yoongi that fawns over his son.

“Of course you would,” Seokjin mutters, looking over Jungkook’s shoulder at the spread of DVDs–all of them featuring fairies.

Namjoon leans closer. “I can’t even remember the last time I watched any of these.”

“Cinderella is my favorite,” Taehyung taps the movie in Jungkook’s hand while he helps Jimin shove the torn paper scraps into a trash bag.

Jungkook studies the cover and turns to Jimin. “We can watch it?”

“Sure, baby,” he agrees, stacking the movies and putting them to the side. “After we open all the gifts from your friends first.” 

Each gift gets unwrapped, and Jungkook hands out hugs like candy on Halloween. As promised, Jimin sets up the movie in the living room. Taehyung and Namjoon push all the furniture to the edges of the room while Seokjin and Hoseok start building a giant, cozy nest perfect for movie viewing. The kids absolutely love it. They flop and jump all over it, stopping just short of an impromptu pillow fight when Jimin hits play.

Securing his place as coolest uncle, Hoseok sends his fairy glitter zipping around the room during "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo" just like the Fairy Godmother does. All the kids ooh and ah, some of them even getting up to chase after the sparkles. Jungkook’s eyes shine looking at Hoseok. The fairy is so smug, shooting all of the coven a shit eating grin when Jungkook says having a real-life fairy godmother was the “awesome-est” part of the day.

“Hear that, Jiminie?” Hoseok playfully bumps the witch’s shoulder, “Koo loves me! He’s so cute I just wanna take him home.”

Jimin rolls his eyes and pouts. “If you dare, I will switch out all of your door knobs with iron.”

Hoseok just laughs. 

The party starts winding down when the movie ends. As the last of the guests filter out, Jungkook lingers in the living room looking a little unsure about what he wants to do next. 

Jimin’s mother beckons Jungkook over. 

“I have a special surprise, sonja,” she tells him, her hands hiding something behind her back.

Jungkook tilts his head, curious. “What is it, gram’ma?”

She visibly melts at the title. Grandkids had felt like a far away dream for her, so his sudden appearance had filled her with so much happiness that she was already planning on moving from her small town to be closer to them.

 “Your appa always wanted these on his birthday,” she pulls out a pack of sparklers, “so I thought you might like them, too.”

Jungkook looked at them, a confused little pout on his lips.

“They’re sparklers,” Jimin comes over and pulls one from the box. “Come watch.”

He leads them outside to the backyard and sits on a patio chair. He guides Jungkook to stand between his knees and has his son hold the sparkler with him. His mother lights it for them.

Jungkook loves the sparkler. 

He flinches at the first burst, but then Jungkook is all giggles letting Jimin move his hand to draw swirls and shapes in the air. He even gets a little brave, holding his hand close enough to feel the sparks. He holds the next one all by himself, and then he is twirling with the dancing lights all around the yard. They burn through the whole pack as a little family–him, Jungkook, and his mom.

“Weren’t they pretty, Kook?” Jimin asks, carding his fingers through Jungkook’s hair. “What do you tell grandma?”

Jungkook skips up to his grandma and gives her a hug when she squats down. “Thank you, gram’ma! I really like the sparklers,” he smiles broadly at her. “This was the best!”

Tip 5: If you’re going to explode, do it outside

Every day that passes gets a little more tense as Jimin waits for the inevitable. Magic manifestation can be painful and scary, and the last thing he wants is to miss being there when it finally happens. It’s only been about a month, but he is so tightly wound around his son’s little finger. He feels his metaphorical hackles rising at the thought of anyone or thing causing his baby pain. He is constantly glancing at his phone just in case Jungkook manifests while he’s at school. 

Yoongi is staying close by working on a laptop in the living room. He does his best to help Jimin relax, distracting him when he can with playful banter or a warm cup of tea and offering a hug and shoulder to lean on when he can’t.

Currently, Jimin is sorting through some bills at the kitchen table while Jungkook plays in the living room. Yoongi just stepped out to pick up some for dinner. Jimin was only half paying attention when he said where he was going; the vampire’s hands were like magic kneading a knot out of his neck. 

“Ouch,” he hisses. The last envelope slicing a stinging papercut pulls his thoughts back to the present. “Great…” He stands to wash his hands, and that’s when it happens.

It gets incredibly quiet and the energy in the room suddenly turns cold as if a vacuum is pulling it all towards the front door. Like a lightning flash, magical energy bursts violently and suddenly. Jimin doesn’t even wait for the thunderclap–his son’s scream of pain–before he’s flying like a bat out of hell towards Jungkook. 

“Jungkook!” Jimin calls him. But all he gets is a glimpse of frightened eyes before his son vanishes. “What…?”

Cries echo down the hall from Jungkook’s bedroom.

“Oh, shit.” Jimin stumbles as he chases after his son. “Teleportation,” Jimin’s mind races with all the warding spells he knows trying to figure out which ones will be the safest to use. He finds Jungkook curled into a tiny ball in the middle of his bed. He takes a deep breath and thinks to himself, “This will be tricky.”

“No!” Jungkook sobs. “N-no tricks!”

Jimin pauses. He quiets his mind. He thinks, “Jungkook, appa is here. Can appa hold you?”

The witchling’s tears get louder, but he nods and holds out grabby hands to his father. Jimin gathers him up in his arms. “Oh my sweet boy.. You are going to be such a powerful witch.”

Jungkook coughs and cries, “I-I don’t want it!” A picture frame flies off his dresser and shatters on the floor, startling Jungkook and causing him to blip out of Jimin’s arms.

He does not let himself panic. He cannot let himself panic. 

Teleportation. Telepathy. Telekinesis.

Jimin squeezes his hands into fists to keep them from shaking. Muffled cries come from the hallway.

The closet.

He starts a chant in his head, easy phrases, and he focuses on Jungkook.

It’s okay. You are safe. Appa’s here. 

It’s okay. You are safe. Appa’s here.

Jimin opens the closet door. His heart breaks with each pained whimper and wail. Crouching down, Jimin tries to wipe away the snot dribbling down his son’s nose, but Jungkook flinches at the movement and disappears once again.

From the living room, “Make it sta–opp!”

Autopilot takes over. Jimin continues his internal chant, communicating to Jungkook through the boy’s magic that he’s safe, that he’s going to be fine because Jimin is there to help him. He swipes one of Jungkook crayons from the coffee table, and he ducks as a few books fly off the bookshelf. The loud thud of their landing sends Jungkook off again, but Jimin doesn’t follow this time. He quickly sketches circles lined in runes and sigils directly onto the hardwood floors in three sizable areas and then quickly imbues them with some of his power hoping to every higher power that he can guide Jungkook to at least one of the warded traps. 

It’s okay. You are safe. Appa’s here.

He stands in between the three traps.

It’s okay. You are safe. Appa’s here. Come to Appa, Jungkook. You remember where I am. You can find me–just like hide and seek. Where am I, Jungkook?

Jimin waits, and when the cries suddenly cut off, Jimin quickly flares his energy, guiding Jungkook’s magic to his own.

“APPA!” Jungkook snaps into the circle closest to the fireplace. “Appaaaaaa!” 

The edges of the circle glow golden. Jungkook’s magic tries to teleport him again, but he is only able to blip to the other side of the five foot circle. Trapped, his magic surges and lashes out whipping up a tornado of flying toys and half-used candles and jagged gemstones.

It’s okay. You are safe. Appa’s here.

“Min-ah?” Yoongi calls from where he stands in shock at the scene before him.

Jungkook’s magic tries one more time to whisk the boy away, but he ends up bouncing off the ward. On reflex, Yoongi’s feet take a few steps forward to get to Jungkook.

The witch cuts Yoongi a warning look and whispers as quick and sharp as a blowdart, “Don’t speak. Don’t think. He’s a telepath.” 

Without another word, Jimin crosses over the boundary of the trap. Yoongi stares helplessly, stuck on the outside looking in at two people that the vampire knows are more precious to him than they should be.

“Kookie,” Jimin keeps his voice soft. He’s kneeling a foot away, not quite touching but close enough to make his presence the largest one Jungkook can feel. 

The baby witch has his hands pressed tight over his ears. His face is flushed and scrunched in pain.

“It’s really loud right now, isn’t it? Focus on me, baby. Focus on my voice, on my thoughts.” Jungkook sobs, his little body shaking uncontrollably. Jimin frowns but keeps going, “It might feel really big and scary, but this is your magic. This is a part of you. It’s not a bad thing. I can make it quiet again, but I’m going to need your help. Can you help me, baby?” 

Jungkook hiccups and sputters, his breathing is ragged, but he looks up at Jimin with watery trusting eyes. “O-okay..” 

Jimin smiles, “Okay. First step is a biiiiiiiig deep breath. Ready? Here we go.” 

He coaches Jungkook through a few breaths, exaggerating his inhales and exhales, trying to get a watery grin from over the top sounds. 

The only thing in his mind is a constant, measured chant. It's okay. You are safe. Appa’s here. He repeats it louder and louder for Jungkook each time. The witchling’s breathing starts to even out.

Jimin scans over his son, trying to get a read on the erratic magic. “Can you tell me if anything hurts or feels funny?” 

“M-my head.” 

Jimin nods. It makes sense for mind-centric magic. “Anything else?” 

“My.. hands-s,” Jungkook shows Jimin his tiny fingers, “They’re c-cold.” 

“Okay. That was good, baby,” Jimin praises and holds his own hands out for Jungkook to take. “You’re doing great. I’m going to need you to hold my hands. Good. Can you tell me how your head feels?” 

Grimacing, Jungkook frustratedly shouts, “It hurts!” 

“I know, sweetheart. But hurts, how?” Gentling his tone, Jimin tries again. “Does it feel like… like the cereal we had this morning–crunchy and grindy? Or sloshy and bubby like my cauldron?” 

Jungkook’s brow furrows as his little overstimulated mind tries to find the words Jimin needs. “Spiky. Like birthday sparklers.” 

Jimin’s eyes narrow, searching for anything in Jungkook’s aura that seems like sharp static. His grip tightens a bit once he sees it. “I’m going to touch your magic, Kook. It might startle you, but it will not hurt you, okay?” Jimin’s hands start to shimmer and glow as his magic wraps up and over and through the little witch. Jungkook does flinch, but he doesn’t teleport away, then he gasps. Jimin grins. “Did you feel that?” Jungkook nods. “What did it feel like?” 

Jungkook weakly smiles back. “Like a marshmallow. Fluffy and sticky.” 

“A marshmallow?” That makes Jimin giggle a bit. He’s never had his magic described that way before; it’s endearing. “I need you to try and follow my magic with yours, okay?” 

“How?” huffs Jungkook. 

Jimin stares at the top of Jungkook’s head. “Where does it feel the spikiest?” 

“Forehead,” he simply states. 

“Okay,” Jimin scoots a little closer. “Close your eyes. Imagine your forehead is like a faucet, like the bathtub or the sink. Your hands are the knobs. When we twist the knob what happens?” 

Jungkook grimaces, his power surging again. Jimin exaggerates his breathing for Jungkook to follow. Once it passes, Jungkook answers, “The water comes out.” 

Jimin has to act quickly before the next surge.

“Your magic is the water, and I’m going to catch it with my hands,” Jimin tells him. He guides his little hands, “Make your hands into fists–great! I’m turning the nobs! Aaaaaaand woosh!” 

Jimin holds a hand a hair's breadth away from Jungkook’s forehead, the other he wraps around the quartz hanging from his neck. In a blinding rush of lilac lighting, Jungkook’s power shoots down Jimin’s arm so fast it’s almost painful. Jimin breathes deep, guiding the flow as best he can to the crystal in his fist.

“Perfect,” encourages Jimin. “Keep going til it’s all gone.”

Jimin keeps up his unspoken chant. He refuses to let himself panic or flinch at the overwhelming force and size of Jungkook’s magic. The crystal cracks, and Jimin lets it go before it can shatter in his grip. He glances around and sees that all of his crystals and tools are too far out of reach, and he can’t afford to break his or Kook’s concentration. 

So his only option is to funnel his son’s magic directly into himself. 

He clenches his jaw. A steely determination radiates from his core until he becomes an immovable object rising against what seems to be an unstoppable force. It hurts, it burns, but he doesn’t stop. If he fails here… He cannot fail here. He will not fail his son.

From far away, he thinks he can hear someone yelling his name, but he pays it no mind. He can’t. Not until Jungkook is safe.

Finally, Jungkook slumps exhausted into Jimin's lap. The last of the witchling excess powers settling in an irritating oversensitive buzz just beneath Jimin’s skin.

“Jimin!” Taehyung is impatiently urging Jimin to dispel the wards. “Come on, dammit!” He slams his palm against the barrier. 

“Good job, Kookie,” Jimin’s eye water, the slight weight of his son feeling like a sheet of blades digging into his legs. “I’ll be right back, okay?”

Jungkook grunts and latches on to Jimin’s waist. He’s crying that he doesn't want Jimin to leave, but Jimin is literally going to explode if he doesn't release this volatile magic soon. Jimin can feel tears slipping down his cheeks as he leans and smudges the crayon enough to break the circle. Everything hurts and he needs to go. He needs–“Yoongi, please.” 

That’s all he has to say before Yoongi is at his side. The vampire looks so severe. His eyes are dangerously dark, his fangs appear even longer with the way his lips thinned. He’s still so beautiful. 

“Take him,” he whispers.

A heartbeat later, Yoongi is tucking Jimin’s son under his chin, and Jimin stumble-crawls out of the house into the front yard where he sees his coven waiting in a circle. Taehyung is still hot on his heels, and there really isn’t enough time. All Jimin can do is yelp out an apology before he releases the pent-up magic in a terrifying boom that barely stays contained.

Jimin collapses to the ground, panting. 

He’s alive.

He’s alive.

“Are you crazy, Chim?!” Taehyung angrily demands, his face twisted in a snarl, even as he checks Jimin over for any major injuries. “That was too fucking close! You got a gods-damn death wish?” 

He’s so tired. He feels like he’s been through a malfunctioning meat grinder.

“I didn’t have a choice–I didn’t think I’d need more than one crystal.” Jimin can barely hold his eyes open. Sweat pours off of him. His skin looks too pale. He’s alive. “And watch your fucking language around my son.” 

Taehyung grumbles some more. 

Namjoon kneels down beside them and holds a metal water bottle to Jimin’s lips helping him drink as much as he can stomach. “This will help. Jin helped with it, just so you know it’ll knock your ass before it makes you feel better,” he promises. Jimin chuckles weakly in response. “He’s resetting some wards and repairing some of the house. That was quite an aggressive light show.” Namjoon teases, but he can’t hide the troubled look in his eyes.

“I’m sure he’ll give me hell about that later,” Jimin smiles. He’s so glad he’s alive. He turns his head, searching for Yoongi and his son. 

He finds his vampire at the front door with Jungkook snug against him. Yoongi stares at him looking deeply tortured. A muddled mess of fear and longing swim in those dark eyes. Jimin tries to reassure him, but he can feel his consciousness fading. 

He holds Yoongi’s gaze until everything goes black.

Tip 6: Closed doors mean nothing to a teletubby

“Jungkook! We really don’t have time for this,” Jimin shouts from his son’s bedroom. He huffs and tries to get a read on Jungkook’s magic. Sensing a disturbance down the hall, Jimin races to the kitchen.

Yoongi looks up from the newspaper he’s reading and chuckles at the witch’s ruffled appearance.

Jimin pays him no mind and adjusts his position to the exact point he’s predicting Jungkook will appear.

“Gotcha!” He crows, locking his arms around the witchling shrieking with laughter. “Alright, my little teletubby. You’ve got places to be. No more running off.”

Jungkook squirms, “Not running, appa!” He grins mischievously. “I’m not even walking!”

Jimin shoots an accusatory look at Yoongi. “He learned that sass from you.”

The vampire scoffs and flips a page. “As if, you brat.”

“Appa,” Jungkook grumbles, and he blips away once he wriggles free. 

Jimin sighs. “A little help would be nice…”

Yoongi clicks his tongue. “Is that so? Because I distinctly remember hearing someone say that they could totally manage without me ‘hovering’ over their shoulder.” He flips another page of the paper.

“Are you really sulking right now?”

Yoongi raises a brow and flips another page.

Jimin pouts, “Hyungie~” He siddles up to Yoongi, dropping down to kneel beside his chair and flashing his best puppy dog eyes. “Jiminie is so sorry for hurting your feelings. Please help me.”

Yoongi puts his paper to the side, giving Jimin his full attention. He doesn’t say a word as he looks down at Jimin. His gaze is so focused as it travels over Jimin’s body it almost feels tangible. 

“You want to make it up to me?” Yoongi extends a hand to grip Jimin’s chin. He slowly tilts Jimin’s head back inch by inch until Jimin’s throat is as exposed as it could be. Those dark eyes track the way Jimin’s throat bobs.

He feels hot all over. “Please.”

Yoongi’s grip tightens slightly, and his tongue snakes out to trace over his fangs.

The vampire pulls away suddenly, clearing his throat as he quickly swipes the breakfast dishes off the table and carries them to the sink.

“Wh–”

“My shoes need tied,” Jungkook skips into the kitchen, fully dressed with his backpack of toys, ready to spend the day working with Taehyung on controlling his telepathy.

Jimin blushes down to his neck, still sitting on his knees. “Right. Yeah. Uncle Tae is waiting in the car.” 

Herding Jungkook towards the door, Jimin tries to make his mind go blank because the last thing he needs is his 5 year old digging around adult thoughts. Jimin’s just about done tying Jungkook’s shoes when he feels a tap on his shoulder.

“Yes, baby?”

Jungkook frowns and looks back towards the kitchen. “Did you do something bad?”

Jimin sputters, “What? No!”

Jungkook doesn’t look like he believes him. “Then why does Uncle Yoongi want to spank you?”

A glass can be heard breaking from the kitchen, and all Jimin can think to do is laugh through the wave of embarrassment as he ushers Jungkook out the front door.

***

A few days have passed since The Incident, and Jimin has been on his best behavior. He didn’t realize how often or how easily he flirted with Yoongi until he actively squashed the urge. 

When Jungkook has control of his power, Jimin keeps telling himself, I won’t hold back anymore. 

They’re driving back from dropping off Jungkook at school, and Yoongi says he needs to get a bit of admin work done. Jimin nods and asks what kind of tea Yoongi would like. He’s already picturing how he’ll be dozing off in the living room to the sound of his vampire typing away on his computer. 

It’s the most serene Jimin’s felt in a while. He loves this life he’s found himself in.

Yoongi isn’t answering, and he isn’t shutting off his car.

Jimin looks over. “Hyung?”

“I’m not coming in,” Yoongi says, staring straight ahead. He adjusts his grip on the steering wheel.

“Why not?” Frowning, Jimin reaches over, but Yoongi shifts before the witch can take his hand.

“Jimin…”

He is having none of that. Jimin leans over the center console and quickly grabs Yoongi by the cheeks forcing him to look him in the face. “I don’t understand.”

Yoongi takes a long slow breath. Jimin recognizes it for what it is–a cheap tactic to buy time.

“I’m not going to be around forever–”

Jimin snorts. “Well that’s bullshit.”

“I’ve been done assessing your case for a week now,” Yoongi blurts out.

Jimin blinks. “What?”

Yoongi looks so guilty as he pulls his face away. He studies his hands as he says, “I finished your assessment a week ago. I have new case files to work on—kids that actually need my help and protection. A job that I am passionate about.” He glares over at Jimin, “But I keep coming back here. I can’t stop coming back to you and Jungkook. I need to let go so I can move on, but I can’t. And it’s all your damn fault!”

Jimin gapes at him. “Excuse me?!”

Yoongi bares his fangs. “Your. fault!” His voice gains volume with each item he lists, “You and your stupidly cute face. Your sexy clumsy body. Your adorable son. Your endearing penchant of misfortune. Your infuriatingly pretty eyes. Your hauntingly sweet voice. 

“Thank you?”

The vampire turns sharply back towards Jimin. “The worst of all is the scent of your blood. You blush so often it’s always in my nose. Taunting me. Reminding me of how good it tasted on my tongue.” His eyes drop to Jimin’s neck. “Each hammering of your pulse is screaming at me that it’s mine to take because it belongs to my mate.”

They gaze at each other. A heated charge hums as the potential of a great something between them.

And Jimin knows what he wants.

“Well, you don’t have to be so grumpy about it.”

Yoongi scoffs in disbelief. Then laughs. “I take it back. There must’ve been a mistake.”

Jimin grins, “Oh no, you don’t.” He reaches out and takes hold of Yoongi’s hand. “Tell me again how devastatingly pretty I am.”

“You’re such a brat,” Yoongi laces his fingers with Jimin’s.

“Your brat.”

Yoongi grins, bashful as a schoolboy. “Really?”

The witch has to bite his lip to keep from smiling too.       wide. “Yeah,” he tells Yoongi, his voice feather soft. “We’ll probably have to go over the finer details of what a vampire mate entails, but I would love to be with you.” Then a thought occurs to him. “Is that even allowed? Wait. Did I pass—get approved or whatever?”

“Of course you did. You’re a good dad.” Yoongi gently plays with Jimin’s fingers. “The paperwork’s already been filed. I was supposed to tell you yesterday that everything‘s been processed. All legal rights and responsibility over Jungkook have been officially transferred from the State to you and your coven.”

“Thank you.” A weight lifts off his shoulders.

Yoongi shrugs it off. “All I did was report the facts.”

Lifting Yoongi’s hand to his lips. “You know that you did so much more.” 

They get lost tracking all of the emotions and unspoken words swirling in each other’s eyes. 

Whispering softly, Jimin asks, “Can I kiss you?”

It was the sweetest kiss Jimin ever had.

Tip 7: If you fall in love with a vampire, feed him well ;)

Six Months Later

Jimin is cooking a stew in the kitchen. He perks up when he hears the front door open. “Jagiya?” he calls, “Is that you?”

He can pick out the barely-there shuffle of footsteps and smiles to himself. Jimin’s finally able to pick up on his vampire’s movements. 

A pair of strong, cool hands slide over his hips and around his waist. Lips press against his neck.

“Hungry?” Jimin teases, leaning deeper into his vampire’s embrace. 

Yoongi is practically purring as he kitten licks along the faint marks the repeated use of his fangs had left on Jimin’s neck. “Starving.”

Jimin giggles and nudges Yoongi away. “Jungkook is playing in his room. Can you grab him for dinner?”

It takes a moment, but eventually Yoongi pulls his face out of Jimin’s neck. “Of course, my heart.” 

“And Yoongi?” 

The vampire raises a brow in question. “Hm?”

Jimin smirks, “Taehyung offered to keep Jungkook after his lessons tomorrow.” He leans his neck to the side as an obvious tease. “I have some ideas on how to fill the time. It involves a lot of skin. And fangs. And thighs.”

Yoongi groans quietly, dropping his forehead to his shoulder. “My mate spoils me.”

“And he’ll keep spoiling you,” Jimin kisses Yoongi’s temple. “Til death do us part.”