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Yoongi looks to his customer and tells her her reading, something unremarkable about her meeting a woman outside some old, run down but rustic bookstore that would be the love of her life. It's boring really. Many of the people who come here to get a reading are mostly odd, weird-smelling people that may or may not be slightly insane or people who need closure about something.After the man leaves, Yoongi unplugs the swirling purple ball in the center of his table. The light disappears, and the violet glass grows opaque. He only bought it because his customers before it didn't believe him as much because he didn't have one. Truth be told, he doesn't need something so futile, but it brings him peace, allows him to avoid eye contact, allows him to do something with his hands when he's not messing with tarot cards.Yoongi has always felt strong auras around people, and at a touch to a very specific spot on someone's palm, he can catch glimpses of that person's future, and can summon presences related to the person when placing his palm over his own heart, touching the person, and concentrating hard.He does that the most these days, summoning apparitions that his client may want to see. Most people now want reconciliation; he only gets a few people in for readings anymore. It usually seems like a last resort when they come to him, they usually look so worn out and tired, maybe carrying a lit cigarette and taking puffs on it like someone told them it might bring back their late loved one.That's okay with him though, the summonings rake in more money than the readings.Yoongi is just about to turn the flickering the light off when a tall, gangly man whooshes in through the door, looking winded and like the breath in his lungs could knock him over, slightly wet because of the starting storm."How can I help you?" Yoongi says, trying to sound as kind as possible despite the abrupt entrance right before he was about to close up shop."Yeah, hi, um. Sorry to bother you, I know you're about to close-" he has to catch his breath before he can continue. "But I need- I need a tarot reading."Yoongi puts on his cheery business face and smiles dimly. "Come with me. This shouldn't be too long."The man nods and follows him back to the reading room."Okay so..." Yoongi begins."Namjoon," the man finishes."... Namjoon. You can just sit down, and we'll go through the procedure, and we'll be out of here in no time." Yoongi fidgets with the cards until he's satisfied with them, lets Namjoon choose four like you're supposed to, and lays them face down on the table in a diamond. He flips the first one over.The emperor, facing Yoongi.The next.The devil, also facing Yoongi.The third.Two of cups, facing Namjoon.The last.Death, again facing Namjoon.The spindly man seems frightened, and honestly, Yoongi doesn't blame him. He wills his face to look indifferent and explains to him what each card means. "The emperor is symbolic of change, challenge, aggression. The devil is your inner demons, your unconscious. I suspect you will have something to deal with regarding that. The two of cups represents love, so you will be fortunate in that. And death means rebirth, transformation." Yoongi glances up at Namjoon's contorted face, twisted up with worry. "You're not going to die. I would've sensed it sooner if you were. I would've told you, too."Namjoon lets out a shaky exhale, and fishes in the pocket of his moss green peacoat for his wallet. It's an old, tattered leather fold-up, not much use for anything anymore, but he digs a bill out and hands it to Yoongi."This is too much," Yoongi says. "We can go to the register and get your change-""No, no sir, it's alright. A tip, for you doing this right before you closed." He smiles small, but it falls quickly away due to the nerves Yoongi can feel pulsating around him."Wow, thank you. Not many people give me tips. This is- this is really nice," the corner of Yoongi's lips tug up, barely forming a grin. They walk out into the lobby, staring out the windows at the drizzling rain. "And don't worry. No harm will come to you or anyone you know. Just because you have to prepare for change doesn't mean it's necessarily a bad one."Namjoon dips into a curt bow, starting to back out of the lobby. "Thank you sir, this helped a lot.""Anytime. Come back if you have any questions.""Thank you!" And Namjoon is out the door walking into the rain.Yoongi waits a minute or two before he finally turns off the light and opens the door to brave the storm. It calms Namjoon, walking in the rain. He's not sure why it does, but the steady rhythm of the tears of the sky on his shoulders and his cap bring him to a more tranquil state of mind.That is, until a hand grabs him and pulls him into a dark ally.Sinister laughing fills the space between the raindrops. Namjoon tries to cry out, desperate for help, but whoever pulled him into the shadows latches a hand around his mouth and muffles him."Change, huh?" The serpentine, silvery voice floats around him. "Seems to me like you could use a hand."Namjoon writhes, breaking away from the hold that encapsulated him only because his aggressor allowed him to. He knows that voice, knows that grip. He can't let it happen again."Get away from me," Namjoon hisses. "You're not welcome here anymore.""Oh, Namjoon," the figure chuckles. "You've always been so... what's the word?" A clawed, burgundy hand taps at his chin. "Resilient.""I don't care," Namjoon huffs, standing as if he's about to fight. "Get. Away. From. Me." He punctuates his words in hopes of getting him to leave, but he doesn't"You really don't think you're gonna get rid of me that easily, do you?" The figure laughs again, plump lips pulling into a sinister grin. "I'm not finished with you yet. I'm going to take what's mine.""You'll never take me away again, Jimin. Never. Not now that I have Taehyung." Namjoon spits his name out like blood. "I won't let you. I'm strong now. You can't hurt me anymore. Or him.""You seem to forget that you are a part of me, just a mere bit of my being. A fraction of what I am, but all of what you are." Jimin licks his teeth cockily. "You can't escape that. Neither can that little 'brother' of yours.""Neither of us are yours, and I won't ever let you hurt him. Ever. Now get out, you cretinous, vile, morally corrupt piece of-""Shit!" A voice exclaims after the slam of a car door comes from the end of the alley. Deft footsteps run towards Namjoon. Jimin looks to whoever is approaching them, and Namjoon takes his chance. Swings a punch to his jaw, knocking him back, and a hand grabs his wrist and tugs him along behind him.Namjoon doesn't have time to register who's pulling him until the man is crouching in front of the entrance of the alley, sprinkling something from his pocket across the concrete."Yoongi?" Namjoon gasps. "How- how can you see him?"The man looks over his shoulder. "I knew you'd have some questions eventually," he scoffs lightly, grinning. "You look like the kind that would."Namjoon, clearly shaken up, trembles as if he could fall apart any second now. "Are you going to answer me, or are you just gonna keep laughing?""Let's get you safe, then you can ask as many questions as you want." The rain patters on the windshield, then the wipers squeak and the cycle repeats. Namjoon still tremors despite the warm air flowing out of the vents of Yoongi's Palisade."Y'know, you could've started asking questions ages ago," Yoongi's voice hums lightly, fingers firm on the wheel.Namjoon breathes out, shaking. "How did you see him?""The demon?""Yeah.""I'm a halfling," Yoongi says openly. There's no use concealing it; Namjoon might be one too."Oh," Namjoon sighs. "Half human half-?""Demon." Yoongi shrugs, answering and turning the wheel to take a right. "Yeah, it's kinda messed up. I've got a, kinda double whammy when it comes to this whole supernatural thing.""Sorry." Namjoon looks out the window and closes his eyes, focusing on breathing. "So can you like, touch salt and stuff?""Yeah, I inherited basically everything from my mom. The human," he explains. "Her side was psychic and stuff, that's how I do the tarot cards and the spirit readings and stuff. Dad was a demon, that's why I can see them and I've been told I could, like, take someone's soul and body and stuff." Namjoon looks frightened, so he clears it up with a "Not that I want to, it would freak me out", and continues with his story. "He was a good one I guess, cause mom fell into it with him. I never met him." He refuses to say love because he doesn't know if that's what it was, and it's Yoongi's turn to exhale heavy. "Spirit hunters got him. Turned him into dust while my mom watched. Left her to clean him up too. She's got him in an urn in-" Yoongi stiffens. "God, why am I telling you this? You could be, like, I don't know. A spy, or something."Namjoon just kind of laughs nervously. "Yeah, um. I've got this effect on people, humans- just humans- to get them to speak their minds? It's kind of invasive, I get that. Sorry. I haven't really figured out how to turn it off yet."Yoongi nods. "That's alright. I've seen worse." He looks to the man sitting in his passenger side. "You got anywhere to stay?""Uh, yeah, I-""Don't lie."Namjoon sighs. "I'm not homeless-""You and I both know full well that you cant go home," Yoongi interrupts. "That demon knows you; he'll find you again. I'm not going to let you go home."Namjoon trembles. "You don't even know me. Why are you helping me?""I... I know how serious demons are. It's dangerous. Us halflings have to stick together, right?" Yoongi smiles tightly, trying to lighten his words.Namjoon returns the smile, but it's a lie.Yoongi doesn't seem to pick up on the hint, but maybe he did, maybe he's just a great actor."My friend Hoseok," Yoongi starts, "he's something my friend group calls a Protector. His presence cancels auras, so that demon wouldn't be able to sense you as long as you're with him. He would love to help you out. I'll call him, then we can go to your house, and pick up your stuff.""Okay," Namjoon agrees. "My brother, Taehyung. He's six. Can I take him with me to Hoseok's? I can't leave him.""Oh, yeah!" Yoongi waves a hand. "Hoseok loves kids. He'd be thrilled."Namjoon takes a sigh of relief. "Oh thank God. Thank you so much."Yoongi nods. "Let's call Hoseok before we start going to get your stuff." He presses a few buttons on the dashboard screen and Hoseok's dial tone buzzes only twice before he answers."Hey Yoongi! What's up?" A cheery voice says through the speakers."Hi, Seok. I've got a halfling with me, he needs... uh, what's the word...""Asylum," Namjoon finishes."Yeah, that one. Anyway, Namjoon and his little brother Taehyung are basically on the run from a demon.""Ah, fuck. That's bad." Hoseok breathes. "You want to stay with me?""That's what I called you about. Would it be okay if they stayed with you until the demon is gone?""I've always got spare rooms," Hoseok answers. "I'd love to have them.""Thank you so much." Suddenly, Namjoon is hit with emotions. "You don't know how much this means to me. And Taehyung.""Awe, don't worry about it. I'm always there to help," Namjoon could hear a smile on the other line."Thank you, Seok," Yoongi smiles back. "We'll see you soon.""See you soon," Hoseok says and clicks the reciever off.A tear slips out of Namjoon's eye. He can't believe that not one but two complete strangers have decided to help him. It's amazing."So," Yoongi cuts in to Namjoon's internal monologue. "Where to?""Five-six-tw-" Namjoon starts, but is cut off when the tail end of the car swings, obviously caught by something. Namjoon looks back, scared to see Jimin, but then he remembers that that would be physically impossible."Sorry," Yoongi shrugs apologetically. "Got a bit slick right there. Where to again?"
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
"Hyung? What's wrong?" Taehyung asks, holding on tight to Namjoon's hand. "Why are we leaving from Auntie's so soon? And who's that guy?" He asks, pointing at Yoongi, who just smiles and waits for Namjoon to introduce him.Namjoon sees no point in holding back the truth. Taehyung's smart enough that he's probably already figured it out. "The bad man's back, Tae.""Oh gosh darnit," the boy huffs. "I knew it. Can't he just leave you alone?""I don't know, bud. He's really persistent," Namjoon grins. "And this is Yoongi. He and his friend are going to help us, okay?""Hi Yoongi," Taehyung sticks his little hand out for a shake, and Yoongi takes it. "I like your shirt." Yoongi looks down at his simple work shirt, a white, ruffled thing that kind of makes him look like a vampire stereotype."Hi Taehyung. Thank you. I like yours too." Tae's shirt is an interesting pattern of squares that looks like it could've been a Picasso rendering."Are you a medium?" Taehyung suddenly asks. "You feel like one.""Uh, yeah, I am," Yoongi says slowly, startled. He turns to Namjoon, and asks quietly, "How did he know that?""Tae's a telepathic empath, we think," Namjoon answers. "Don't we, Tae?""Yeah! I have to try really hard to hear what you're thinking though. It's easier to just feel," he says excitedly. "Think of something, Yoongi hyung!""Okay, what am I thinking?" Yoongi asks.Taehyung closes his eyes and concentrates. "You're thinking about... rocks? Like, how they erode and eventually come back?"Yoongi is genuinely surprised. "You-You're right. That's incredible, Taehyung.""I know, right! It's super cool!" Taehyung skips along the sidewalk to Yoongi's car. "Where are we going?""My friend Hoseok's place," Yoongi responds. "He'll protect you guys.""What's he like?""You know the sun off of the Teletubbies?" Yoongi only continues after Taehyung nods. "He's like that.""I LOVE the sun off of the Teletubbies!" Taehyung shouts as he climbs in the backseat and let's Namjoon buckle him up."You're gonna love Hoseok then," Yoongi laughs. "And another person he's helping has a little brother named Jeongguk I'll think you'll love too.""What's /he/ like!?" Taehyung is all excited now, and both of the adults get into the car smiling."Jeonggukie is a sweetheart. When he's tired or excited, he turns into a bunny," Yoongi says as he starts the Palisade."A /bunny/!?" Taehyung bounces in his seat. "I'm so excited!""We've gotta go get our stuff from home first, okay? Then we'll go see Hoseok-hyung and Jeongguk, okay?" Namjoon chuckles, glad to see Taehyung this happy. It's the first time in a long time. "Only take what you need, Taehyung," Namjoon says to him when he comes out of his room with an armful of toys. The boy's shoulders slump, but he goes back into his room and returns with a bundle of clothes wrapped in a blanket that looks like Van Gough's Starry Night, puts it down, and recedes again.Yoongi sits at the kitchen table, a cup of coffee nestled between his cold hands. It's burnt, but he doesn't tell Namjoon that, just takes another sip and ignores the taste.Namjoon comes out with a box from his room overflowing with clothes, some trinkets and cords nestled on the top."Kaws?" Yoongi asks. "Hoseok loves those.""Oh, really? That's super cool," Namjoon grins, picks up one that has neon colored intestines. "This one's my favorite. I named him Ben.""Why Ben?"Namjoon shrugs. "I don't know. He kind of looks like a Ben, doesn't he?"Yoongi shrugs his shoulders in return and takes a closer look at the figurine. "It kind of does."Namjoon smiles and sets down the box and sits on one of the chairs. "I feel so bad for Tae," he confesses after a while of silence."I understand that," Yoongi nods."Like," the younger sighs heavily. "If I had just stayed, he-he wouldn't have to go through this."Yoongi's brow furrows. "Wait, what do you mean, 'if you had stayed'? I'm sure that isn't the reason that this is happening."The man shakes his head. "All this happened because I decided enough was enough."The underlying meaning of this whole ordeal has started to sink in for Yoongi. Something bad, he doesn't quite know what it means yet, happened to Namjoon and little Taehyung. He puts his hand on Namjoon's shoulder and says, "Hey, I don't know what's going on with you and Tae, but I can assure you that getting out of that situation was the best thing you could have done. It's not your fault, I promise."Namjoon starts crying then, putting his face in his hands and his elbows on his knees. His shoulders shake and Yoongi doesn't know what else to do other than rub his back gently.The patter of bare feet on linoleum comes from the other room, and suddenly Taehyung is buried in Namjoon's arms, crying too. Yoongi feels as if he shouldn't witness this; it's too oddly intimate; so he turns away.Taehyung mumbles something to Namjoon, and, slowly, they both stop trembling. The older brother starts to nod and plants a kiss to his brother's forehead. He stands up, takes his hand, and wipes his eyes with the back of his free hand. A small, shaky smile takes his lips. "Let's go see Hoseok, shall we?" Hoseok opens the door with open arms, a bright, warm smile on his face."Welcome!" He says kindly. "The little one is asleep, so if you would be quiet, that would be great. Come on in, I'll show you where you can put your boxes. I figured that you two wouldn't really mind sharing a room? So I gave you a big one. I always try to keep a room or two open for other refugees. I hope you understand.""That's okay," Taehyung says. "Namjoon-hyung can't sleep unless I sleep with him anyways. Sometimes, he'll even crawl into my bed and-"Namjoon puts a gentle hand over Taehyung's mouth then. "Okay, I think that's enough, Tae."Hoseok just laughs. "I'm glad the sleeping arrangement works out. I'll show you your room."Namjoon and Taehyung follow him, and Yoongi wanders to the living room, where a little tawny netherland dwarf rabbit lays in a pile of pillows in the middle of the floor. He scoops the bunny up gently, careful to not wake him up. Jeongguk's nose twitches slightly, but soon drifts back off into his slumber. Yoongi maneuvers slowly and carefully over to one of the fluffy couches and sits down with Jeongguk laying on his chest. He strokes his fur gently until Taehyung rounds the corner."I sensed a shapeshifter," he whispers. "He's sleeping. Is that him?" He points at the rabbit on Yoongi's chest. He nods and Taehyung has to resist from clapping in excitement. "Can I pet him? Please?"Yoongi nods again as Taehyung runs his hand over the soft fur. He smiles and keeps petting the little creature."I love him so much," Taehyung whispers again. "He's so soft and cuddly. Can I play with him when he wakes up, hyung?""I'm sure Jeonggukie would love that, Taehyung," Yoongi answers.Namjoon rounds the corner then, and watches quietly as Taehyung's face slowly begins to brighten again after their ordeal at home. He is oh so thankful for Yoongi and Hoseok for helping them and even the little rabbit boy who's keeping Taehyung happy.He's snapped out of his daze when Taehyung softly calls to him, "Hyung, come and pet Jeonggukie! He's so soft." Eyes burning with bright joy, he waves him over."Are you sure we should be petting him, Tae? He's never even met us," Namjoon says before laying a hand down on the fur."Jeongguk will be fine. Once he smells you, and he has, he knows you. If he didn't like you, he would've woken up squealing," Yoongi explains. "Kid sleeps like a rock anyways. Didn't even wake up when I picked him up."Namjoon nods and pets the bunny a few more times before standing. "Do you want me to go ask Hoseok hyung what we can have for lunch, Tae?" he asks, ruffling his hair.Taehyung swats his hand away, but says pleasantly, "Yes please. Could you ask him if we can have soda too?""You know that you're not supposed to have soda until you're ten," Namjoon says firmly, but softens when he sees Taehyung's shoulders droop. "But I'll see what I can do.""Thank you, hyungie!" Taehyung stage whispers. "You're the best."Namjoon utters an "I know" and heads off to find Hoseok. He goes into the kitchen, where instead of the spindly, lean Hoseok, he runs into a taller, more broad man sitting on one of the barstools.The kitchen is all white with gold accents, and the man sitting at the island in the middle of the blinding tile has apparently dressed to blend in. Namjoon is startled to find him at first, but composes himself."Hi, I'm Namjoon," he says, sticking out his hand to shake. "I'm the new refugee.""So I've heard," the man says bluntly, taking Namjoon's hand. "I'm Seokjin. Jeongguk's my little brother.""Oh! Taehyung is mine. They seem to get along pretty well.""That's just because Jeongguk is asleep." Seokjin takes a second for the words to set in, Namjoon's face turning to shock. The man suddenly bursts into laughter, making Namjoon jump. "You should see the look on your face!" he laughs, catching himself on the bar. "Priceless!""What? What do you mean? I'm so confused."Seokjin laughs again. "I was joking! Jeongguk is the biggest sweetheart and you thought- you thought that he wasn't-" he breaks out in laughter again. "Your face-" he takes a deep breath in, composed himself. "Anyways, are you looking for something?""Yeah, just Hoseok. I was wondering what we could have for lunch?""Oh! I'm grilling burgers for lunch today. I'll start them soon.""But it's raining.""And your point? Theres a little canopy out there that I use all the time to grill when it's raining. No big deal.""Oh, right. Thank you. It was nice to meet you, Seokjin.""Please, call me Jin," he waves off the name as if it were a fly. "And it was nice meeting you, too."Namjoon smiles and waves as he exits the room and heads back to the living quarters. Taehyung is giggling."Hyung! Yoongi hyung just told me a story about how Jeongguk's brother picked him up but he wanted to be put down so he shapeshifted into a baby hippo and dislocated his brother's shoulder."Taehyung can't stop giggling, so Namjoon laughs and sits next to him on the floor."Jeongguk's brother is going to be making hamburgers soon, okay? We'll eat well today," Namjoon says to his little brother."Oh yummy!" Taehyung smiles. "I hope they have soda!""I'm sure they do, Taetae.""Hoseok keeps a box of Sprite in the refrigerator at all times," Yoongi interjects. "I'm sure he'd let you have one if you asked him nicely.""I'll ask him when Jeongguk wakes up. I want to pet him some more," Taehyung giggles. "Silly Jeongguk, turning into a hippo.""Yoongi, stop telling people that story! It's embarrassing!" Seokjin yells from the kitchen, earning a stir from Jeongguk.Taehyung, Namjoon and Yoongi share a look and burst into laughter, just quiet enough to not wake the sleeping bunny.