Beneath the City ✔️

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I woke up the next morning stiff all over. I pushed myself into a seated position, and smiled as I realised Jimin's arms were wrapped around my waist. I unhooked them gently, so as not to rouse him. We'd taken the floor, to allow the older two to share a bed, on the condition I'd switch with Namjoon the next night since both myself and Jin would be working all day. I pushed off several of the blankets we had ensconced ourselves in, and tucked him back up. I'd been woken by the light the peaked through a small window, which was also the reason the small room was bitterly cold.

I wiggled my toes in front of me, and stretched towards them in a weak attempt to wake my body up. Next I moved on to my joints, massaging them gently until I reached my shoulders, and a pair of hands placed themselves over mine.

'Let me.' Jimin whispered behind me.

'Did I wake you?' I asked, placing my hands in my lap.

'No, I was already half awake.' He told me. He pulled back towards him, until I could feel his breath tickling the back of my neck.He began to rub my shoulders slowly in a circular motion. I let out a soft sigh as he began to increase the pressure. 'Is that good?' He asked. I closed my eyes, and gave him a thumbs up. He We continued in silence until he stopped.

'Thank you.' I whispered.

'My go?' He asked with a childish grin.

'Turn around' I told him. He shuffled around to face away from me, and I uncrossed my knees to kneel behind him. I placed my hands on his shoulders, and tried to ignore the blush creeping up my neck as I could feel his strong physique through his thin t-shirt. I began to push into his back, drawing circles on  his skin. He leaned back into my body and looked up at me, trapping my hands and forcing me to stop.

'I honestly just wanted an excuse to get you to touch me.' He said with a small smirk. I rolled my eyes.

'Are you happy then.' I whispered back. He nodded enthusiastically.

'I'm always happy when I'm with you.' He whispered, and I felt myself fall for him a little more. Suddenly we hear shuffling next to us as Jin sat up bleary eyed.

'Morning' he mumbled. 'I would say good but I'm still tired.' He sat up then froze. 'I'm interrupting something, aren't I?' We both shook our heads.

'Don't worry' I said

'It's doesn't matter.' Jimin said.

'What doesn't matter?' Namjoon asked rolling over.

'Nothing.' Jimin and I said simultaneously.

'They were being cute.' Jin told him. I buried my face into my hands.

'No we weren't.' I denied.

'Liar.' Namjoon accused. 'Either way, since we're all up, we should get ready, especially you two.' He said looking at me and Jin. We nodded. I stood up, and changed out of my night shirt into my clothes while everyone had there back turned, then I did the same for all of them. Jin went round each of us, cleaning our hair and bodies magically until we all smelt like disinfectant and roses. Just as we finished, we heard a knock from the picture frame. It swung open, and Steve stood at the front, with a tired looking Jungkook standing behind him. I gave him a small wave, and he gave one back.

'We're open in an hour, so you to need to come with me now, and I'll show you the ropes.'he said. 'As for the rest of you, you can come and go as you please, just don't cause any trouble.' He ordered. I stood up, and walked out of the little room with Jin.

We were given a brief tour to see where each room was. The kitchen was behind the bar where we met the people Jin would be working with, in front was the pub section, and up a staircase just to the left were rooms people could rent for the night. There didn't seem to be a fixed fee for rooms or food, it tended to vary customer to customer. 'If they look nasty and rich, charge more, they're probably corrupt, same goes for the night guard, and if they look beat up, scared, or desperate, give them a free meal, and a blanket by the fire.' We were told while he walked to the front door. He showed us that there were some tables outside we couldn't forget about, and he left the door open as we walked back through.

'We're open.' Steve announced, and we both went to our stations, myself behind the bar, and Jin by the hatch in the kitchen, allowing us to talk throughout the day. Everything went without a hitch until the third day. A towering member of the night guard walked in in his pristine navy uniform. I could feel my hands grow sweaty as I held them behind my back.

'A pint of lager.' He demanded.

'Yes sir.' I said. I picked up a glass and put it in front of the tap, pulling the lever to let the beer pour out. As I went to hand it to the man, the glass slipped from my hand, and I could only watch as it hit the ground and shattered.

'I am so sorry.' I said, running round the bar to clean it up.

'I'll show you sorry!' He spat, pushing me to the floor. 'Let me guess, a third tier magic wielder who decided to ruin my new shoes.' He hissed.

'I swear sir I-'

'How about I take you to the Custodial holding cell's while we try you under the Act for Dangerous Use of Metaphysical Powers? He asked as he took a vice like grip on my arm.

'Please sir I'm n-'

'Tell that to the court.' He spat.

'I can't use magic check my wrists!' I begged as he dragged me to the door. He halted, and I yelped as he yanked harshly on my sleeves. He sneered as he looked at the telltale blue tint that was blooming under my skin.

'Fine.' He muttered and dropped me unceremoniously back onto the floor. I didn't move for a moment. I sat there as Jin and Steve rushed out of the kitchen.

'What was that commotion about?' Steve asked.

'Night guard.' I stated 'I dropped his drink and he tried to take me to a holding cell.' I explained.

'They've been getting more desperate lately, the gangs are getting careful, so they've been arresting people who do as little as sneeze.' Steve told us, 'I didn't think this would happen though' he said with a frown. 'You two should take the rest of the day off, in case any of his friends drop by.' He told us.

'Thank you.' We both replied.

'I should apologise.' He said. 'Just, keep your heads down.' He instructed us.

We agreed to do as he said and walked out after Jin hung up his apron. I explained quickly what had happened as we walked into the centre of the main square. We spent a while observing different attractions, such as food sellers and street performers, but over a few hours, we hadn't seen any activity outside of the norm.

'It's strangely quiet.' Jin pointed out.

'Yeah,' I agreed, 'I thought Jungkook described the verging on war.'

'Perhaps things have changed?' Jin suggested.

'He's not been away long enough for that.' I pointed out. Jin nodded.

'Maybe we just missed something.' He said

'Or something's about to happen.' I added.

'You wouldn't be wrong.' A voice right behind us said. I turned to face Jungkook.

'If you're looking for a new lead, you'll need to be nearby at noon tomorrow.' He told us.

'How do you know?' I asked. He shrugged and walked away.

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The return of JK.  V will be back next chapter too I think.

Fluff and plot in one chapter, don't say I don't spoil you readers.

All my love,
Blue