Beneath the City ✔️

Upwards

As I woke, I became keenly aware of an ache in my legs. I usually wouldn't run as far or fast as I had to yesterday, and this morning I was paying for it. I tried to massage some warmth into them. Until Jin gets up, we won't get any heat. He's the only one who can do domestic magic, and he's very good at it too. With Namjoon's magic breaking every other object he touches, it's a good thing too. I look over at him and Jin. The edge of the blanket is singed from when Namjoon had a nightmare.

I shuffled to the other side of the room, to the table. Jimin was asleep there again, his head resting on his arm on a pile of paper. I paused, to watch him for a moment. His hair had gotten caught on his eyelashes, so I brushed it out of the way. I flushed slightly as I remembered last night, how he'd done the same with my hair. I shifted his arm from the papers. He'd been reading more on magical withdrawal symptoms again. I'd told him not to worry. Jin's been helping me anyway, and with the silver I earned yesterday, we'd be able to get some proper medicine, not my home brews. I pushed the papers into a pile. As I moved to the next, Jimin's hand grabbed mine.

'It's okay I've got it.' He said, his voice rough after sleeping.

'You need to rest up.' I said

'I know.' He responded, smiling sleepily.

After a better breakfast than we'd had for months. Jin pulled me to the side.

'When was the last time I healed you up from your magic withdrawal?' He whispered. I bit my lip. The telltale icy blue flush around my fingertips and ears must've been showing again. 'A month?' I nodded, and pulled on my ear lobes. 'I'll see if I can get Joonie and Jimin out later, but you can't keep leaving it so late.' He chastised.

'I know, but clearing the blue hurts, and I don't want them to find out.' I complained.

'Why don't you just explain it to them?' He asked quietly. 'It's hardly your fault, they wouldn't blame you.'

'What if they did? Can you be certain?' I whispered. Jin shook his head with frustration.

'You should trust your friends, they want to help you, especially Jimin.'

'I don't need their help.' I argued.

'You are sick.' Jin said trying to keep his voice steady.

'I am not!' I protested. Magic withdrawal is no disease. 'I'm perfectly fine'

'But you will be if you keep avoiding the problem!' He shouted, his face red with frustration. Then Jimin piped up from across the room.

'Are you ok y/n?' He asked, worry written across his face. I turned to face him.

'I'm fine.' I shouted back to him . I glared at Jin once more before stomping over to my rucksack, and slinging it across my shoulder.

Jimin and I would need to head off soon. CL had contacted him with regards to another job. We were supposed to make a deal with a man named V at the Drunk Elf pub in the Dome. We were both nervous, neither of us knew anything about the deal other than his name and our side of the bargain. I was a little nervous. After my last transaction with CL, I was worse than a bit scared of the outcome. I didn't want to risk hurting people again. I moved towards Jimin, and he handed me my combat boots. The leather was soft, from years of use, and the laces slightly frayed.

'Here.' Jimin said, giving me an arm to lean on as I pulled on the boots. I placed my hand on his arm, and tried not to feel embarrassed; I could feel his strength through his jumper.

'Bye Jimin, bye y/n' Jin called out as we climbed the ladder out.

'Bye' replied Jimin. I said nothing. I was still frustrated that he wouldn't stay stay out of my business.

Half an hour later, we had made our way to the lift. The pub we were headed to was on the second level of the city, on the edge of the Dome looking down on the middle. It was a nice view on market days, but due to it being a hotspot for crime, it was often rowdy, and bar fights frequently took place. The lift dinged in front of us, and the door screeched open. We let some people out first, then made our way to the back, as more people filled up the space. I found myself pressed close to Jimin, my face lightly resting on his chest.

'You've gone pink' he whispered teasingly in my ear. I looked away as I felt my face heat up even more. He chuckled, his breath hot on my ear. After what felt like an eternity, the elevator reached the second floor. We pushed past everyone to get out, and he placed his hand on the small of my back, letting me know he was still behind me.

We continued towards the Drunk Elf, a throng of people surrounded the outside, and as we drew closer, the cacophony rose. Jimin pushed through the doors, and I knotted my fingers into his sweater, to stop from losing him in the crowd. We moved between packs of people, the cloying smell of sweat, alcohol, and wood polish hung low in the air. We sat down at an empty table, and shifted the empty glasses on our table to the side. I looked up at Jimin, and he looked back at me, with concerned eyes.

'Are you ok' he asked. I looked away.

'I'm fine' I replied.

'So what's going on with you and Jin?' He prompted.

'Nothing.' I said quickly. I winced slightly. It didn't come out as I intended. I hoped he didn't think I was interested in Jin. As much as I knew he wasn't interested in me, I still didn't want him to misinterpret me.

'I'll get drinks then.' he said walking away. I placed my head between my hands and sighed.

'Anything I can help with darling?' A voice next to me implored. I looked up at a young man about my age, drawing a chair beside me.

'Unless you know how to explain to someone you've cut off your own magic, without saying why.' I groaned.

'Hmm,' he mused. 'Sounds tricky. I'd offer to take your mind off it, but you're spoken for.' I shrank back into my seat. I jumped as Jimin slammed our drinks on the table.

'By who?' He growled, glaring at the man.

'Nobody.'

'Then maybe you should leave.' Jimin said.

'I would, but I believe you have something for me...' he said with a smirk.

'V?' I asked.

'At your service' he flirted. I pulled the card CL had given us out of my rucksack. On it was a single name, Jeon Jungkook.

'Who is he?' I questioned, and took a sip of my lemonade.

'No-one to you.' He responded, reaching out to take the card. I froze as I saw a brand on his wrist. He pulled the sleeve of his shirt down quickly. 'I'll be leaving' he said abruptly. I felt a tear slip from  my eye as he made for the exit.

'Are you ok?' Jimin asked, reaching for my shoulder.

'Taehyung...?' I murmured