Calm before the storm

Chapter 3

When Jimin finally gains back his consciousness, the first thing he registers is the sound of Hoseok and Namjoon arguing loudly a few feet away from him, a few words such as 'can't', 'magic' and 'tell' seeming to be thrown around quite a bit, which at any of point would have been alarming to Jimin, but he wasn't in the right state of mind to register it properly. The second thing Jimin took notice off was the low, distant thud of pain in the very back of his skull, the rhythmic sensation making Jimin groan loudly.

Jimin groaned once more as he forced himself to sit upright, vision blurred so he blinked in an attempt to clear it. Once he could see Namjoon and Hoseok, he noticed that both of them had suddenly gone quiet and both of them were also now directly before where he lay, matching looks of worry painting their faces until Namjoon said exasperatedly. "There, he's awake so you can ask him yourself!"

With that being said, Namjoon disappeared out of the room with a loud sigh, his footsteps slowly fading as he went down the staircase into his work place. Hoseok looked at him from where he stood, making sure that he was keeping some distance between them and startled slightly when Jimin mused. "I can explain everything to you, if that's what you would like, but I might struggle to do so if you continue being so wary of me. You needn't worry, hyung, I won't hurt you."

Jimin smiles to himself when Hoseok visibly relaxes and takes a small step forwards, it wasn't much but that was still some kind of progress. "Explain." They're quiet for a few short moments when Hoseok adds. "Are you a socerer?"

Jimin couldn't help the short bark of laughter that escaped his mouth at Hoseok's words, and at the sight of Hoseok's raised eyebrow he was quick to clarify why he was laughing. "Sorry, I shouldn't have laughed at you because it isn't common knowledge. I'm not a socerer, a socerer is someone who has been taught magic or simply practices the art. I'm a Witch, I was born of magic and am the last of my kind."

Hoseok nods his head along slowly, vaguely understanding what he was saying, even if it wasn't completely, and Jimin couldn't help but wonder for a moment if the older man would make a bolt for the door when instead he asked curiously. "So, what can you do?"

"I could do almost anything if you gave me a spell book, it would just take a fair bit of time and practise to get it right." Jimin shrugged his shoulders lightly like it meant nothing. "I, however, have more control over the elements and nature, that's why they use to call me the forest witch, the villagers anyway. But that was probably also because I lived in that forest my entire life until I was taken here."

Hoseok furrowed his eyebrows and wondered out loud. "Why did you live in the forest? You could have lived anywhere couldn't you?"

Jimin shook his head in disagreement. "I was raised by the forest, It wouldn't have been right for me leave." Jimin knew that would only make sense if someone had the whole story, but he was too worn out to explain the whole reason why at that moment in time. "And besides, Living in the forest gave me access to most of the plants and herbs I needed for potions, including the magical  ingrediants, so that was always a bonus for me."

With that said, the pair went silent again. The only sound in the room was that of Mochi's loud purring as she nuzzled against Jimin's cheek, making him smile to himself and whisper quietly to her. "I know, sweetheart, I didn't mean to scare you. I'll be more careful in the future, 'kay?"

"I won't tell anyone." Hoseok assured Jimin, and Jimin felt a relief wash over him like a wave of ice cold water, his mind beginning to relax a little more. "At least not unless you want me to, Jimin."

Hoseok opened the door to leave, only to almost be knocked over by someone else barreling into the room as fast as they could and it took Jimin a minute of staring at the figure to realise that it was the Prince in all of his glory, standing in the middle of his chamber and looing more than slightly panicked. Hoseok looked between the two of them then gestured towards the open door, saying awkwardly. "I'll just... Go then."