Picture posted by @ZoetheAnimator on aminoapps.com. found it through Google.
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Jisun sighed as she watched her children throwing sticks and rocks into the forest. It scared her to see them so close to the trees.

The legend of the witch was interesting to her children, yet frightening to her. Though her children disregarded her fear, she knew it was rational. One of the village men never came home after the witch seduced him.

~~~~~~~~

"Jungkook! I've told you to stay away from the woods! Why are you over there again!" Jisun held her youngest by the shoulder as she yelled to her oldest.

"I'm tryna see the witch, Eomma!"

"Come back! There could be a snake or something!" She sighed and looked to her youngest, "Yugyeomie, don't ever act like your brother."

"Okay, Eomma."

Just then, a bone-chilling scream caught Jisun's attention and she looked back towards the forest.

Jungkook.

And some...thing.

A thing had her son tackled to the ground. Her son was screaming. So Jisun ran. She ran faster than she ever had in her life. Nothing else mattered but getting to Jungkook and getting that thing off him.

Oh, God, please don't let it be a bear or wolf. She had no weapon to kill it, and she would kill it. Nothing hurts her babies and gets away with it.

The closer Jisun got, the more she realized, the thing was a person. A person cloaked in black with silver hair. Then it became clear as she stood over her son and the person, that this person was a witch. A witch's child. A witch child.

"In the name of the Lord, you let my son go, you unjust fiend!"

The child looked up to her, his lips dripping with blood, and hissed. Then, the witch ran away like an animal- on all fours.

"Eomma!" Jungkook wailed, holding his arms out towards her.

Jisun let out a sob then fell to her knees, collecting her child into her arms. His shoulder was bleeding through his shirt and it only made her weep harder as she tore off a strip of her dress and made a crappy bandage.

"Eomma, I'm sorry," Jungkook cried, "I'm sorry! Th-They told me it wasn't real! They said it-it w-wasn't re-eal!"

"Who!?" She cupped her child's face and wiped away his tears, "Who said that!? Who lied to you!?!"

"Th-The e-elders."

~~~~~~~~~

"You told my children that the witch was a lie?!" Jisun slammed her hands down on the council table.

"The witch is dead, Jisun," the head council member sighed, "We killed her on a hunt."

"She had a son!" Jisun pulled Jungkook forward and pulled the collar of his shirt down, "Now my son is marked and it's your lies that did this!"

The elders all seemed to turn pale simultaneously and they exchanged glances.

"Eomma, what do you mean I'm marked?" Jungkook's voice held worry, but he didn't get an answer as the council erupted into conversation.

"Mrs. Jeon," the oldest woman stood and pressed her hands together, "We must place your son in a safe facility where he will be monitored by the priest."

"A facility? No. No! This is your fault! You are not taking my son!"

"Mrs. Jeon-"

"I'll slit your throats before I give him up. Now, you lied to my children. You must take responsibility."

~~~~~~~~~

"Eomma, I'm scared," Jungkook cried again, but no answer came. No loving, warm arms wrapped around him; no sweet kiss was pressed to his cheek. He heard no beautiful melody in his mother's voice, only his own wails as he realized he was alone.

The elders put him in a big room with a bed, desk, lamp, and Bible podium. He was supposed to pray three times a day and in two days, a man was to come from another village to draw runes on him for protection.

They'd be there forever, he was told. The runes would never go away. The elders said he'd need protection for the rest of his life.

He hated that thought.

~~~~~~~~~~

Three days passed. Jungkook had his runes and his Bible. The elders came with food three times a day and he was allowed to see his family on Sundays until it got dark.

He hated this. He wished he listened to his mother instead of those stupid elders. What do they know?! Obviously nothing! If they knew anything, Jungkook wouldn't be stuck in some room kicking a bottle around in the moolight.

Then it happened.

Jungkook saw the shadow first, but he thought he was just imagining it. He shook it off.

Then the roof creaked. Jungkook disregarded it as an animal.

But when the window flew open and a small figure landed in front of him, Jungkook couldn't deny the danger anymore.

He stared at the white-haired figure and it took him a second to recognize the cloak.

"Our Lord," Jungkook started, and the witch child raised his head, "We give thee our faith and soul as thou gave to us. We ask thee for guidance and protection through our journey."

"Stop, it does nothing."

Jungkook was stunned to silence.

"We only pretend we hate it." The figure rose to stand and Jungkook gulped. "What's on your neck, love?"

Jungkook took another deep breath and began another prayer.

The witch rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. "Oh no," he interrupted, "A prayer to a god I don't believe in. I might just faint."

"God is real," Jungkook grumbled.

"Hm," the witch crossed his arms and started to move about the room. He studdied everything in it silently.

"Why are you here? What does the devil want from me?"

"The devil," the witch chuckled and turned to Jungkook, "The devil has nothing to do with me. I'm a free spirit."

"Why are you here?"

The witch smiled and Jungkook thought it was soft-looking, actually. Then the being moved closer and reached out to touch Jungkook's neck. "I'm sure they told you already, but I marked you."

"What does that mean?"

"Hm," the witch smiled, "It means you're mine now, Love. Nothing can keep us apart. I'll always be able to find you. Your body will always lead you to me."

"What? Why would you do this to me?!? What did I do to deserve this?!" Kook threw the other's hand off him and stepped back to grab his bottle off the floor.

"You believed I was real. Now you know I am. All I was ever told was to find someone who believes I can do anything."

Jungkook paused and thought back to what he told Yugyeom. "Witches can do anything you want. They're almost as powerful as a dragon."

"What's your name, Love?"

"What?" Jungkook studdied the bottle in his hands.

"Your name."

"Oh....J...Jungkook."

"Wow," the witch giggled and moved to take a seat on the bed, "Mine's Jimin. What a coincidence they both start with J, huh?"

"Ye-Yeah," Jungkook dropped the bottle and kicked it away, then fell to floor. He let out a wail that scared even himself. He was so sick of crying, but he was so sad nowadays.

"Love?" Jimin was by his side in a second and pulled him into his chest. "What's wrong, Jungkook?"

"I hate this!"

Jimin's face fell for just a second, then he pressed a kiss to Jungkook's forehead and nuzzled against his hair.

In seconds, Jungkook was only hiccupping and his tears had stopped. He pulled away from Jimin and looked up to him.

"I specialize in calming magic." The witch smiled and pushed his hand through Jungkook's hair. "My mother specialized in seduction and my grandmother in anger. We all have different powers."

"Had," Jungkook croaked out, "The e-elders said they got rid of your mom."

Jimin sighed and nodded, "Sadly, yes. She couldn't find enough strength to put up an extra protection charm on the house. She'd been ill, recently, you see. So, I left to come see you one day, only to come home and find my aunt sitting with her body."

"I'm sorry. I don't know what that feels like, but I love my mother."

"That's good," Jimin pat the other's head, "Your mother loves you, too. As we speak, she's fighting for your freedom. If only they knew I wouldn't harm you." Jimin sighed and pouted.

"I hate being stuck here."

"I know," Jimin wrapped him in another hug, "I've seen how lonely you can get and how dark this room is at sundown. It's not fair they keep you locked away from me and your family."

"But you're here."

"I am," Jimin smiled, "I will always be here. Beside you, in your heart...hopefully one day you can grow to truely love me."

"Mm," the human hummed and looked to his lap.

"Come," Jimin said cheerfully, "Let's get you to bed. I'll stay with you."

"I'm not tired."

"You should still rest," Jimin giggled, getting to his feet then pulling Jungkook up as well.

The two laid down on the small bed in the room and Jimin let the younger cuddle against him. He played with Jungkook's hair and made sure he was calm enough to get a good night's sleep. After all, Jungkook was his to take care of and cherish now.

~~~~~~~~

"Jungkook-ah, it's Sunday." A nice voice hit his ear and he let his eyes slowly open.

Kook rolled to his back and found one of the village girls, one his age, leaning over him. "My mother is busy with laundry. I'm supposed to take you to see your family."

"Oh, thank you." He rolled back and reached out to pat Jimin, but his hand hit air. He frowned. "Where's Jimin?"

"Who?"

"Nothing....I meant your brother. Just wondering how he's doing."

"Oh, he's recoving quite well," she giggled, her footsteps moving across the room, "The panther bites are less infected these days."

"That's good," Jungkook sighed, pushing himself to sit up with his legs hanging over the bed.

"Jungkook-ah, I...I never had the courge to say this," the girl exhaled as she walked across the room with a breakfast tray in hand. "I really like you, though."

Jungkook took the food and looked over it before he started eating. His eggs tasted funny, since all his food was blessed with holy water.

The girl sat next to him and smoothed her hands down the front of her dress. She sighed then looked around the room.

"Why tell me now?"

"Huh?" Her eyes snapped back to the boy who was stuffing his cheeks full.

"Why tell me you like me now? After I get locked away. Why not before?"

"Well...I thought...I had time to...figure out how to tell you. But...with you stuck here....away from everyone...I realized that I had to let you know just in case."

"In case I die."

She took in a deep breath then stood. "Just in case. Hurry, your brother is looking forward to seeing you."

~~~~~~~~~

"Hyung!" Yugyeom ran into Jungkook and the older wrapped him in a hug before they both moved towards their mother.

Jisun smiled and leaned down to kiss her eldest's hair, then crouched-despite the muddy ground- and brought her hands from behind her back.

"Eomma!" Jungkook's eyes lit up and his hands reached out to hold the new shirt. "Thank you!"

"Happy birthday, baby," Jisun smiled and held her child's cheeks then pressed a kiss to his nose and forehead.

"Happy Birthday, Hyung!" Yugyeom beamed, holding out a handmade toy. It wasn't clear what it was, but it was perfect in Jungkook's eyes. It was a symbol that his family loved him...still cared about him as well.

Jungkook looked up at his mother, smiling as he held his gifts close. It didn't matter that his birthday was four days ago, this was enough.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Jungkook," Jimin's voice came from the window and Jungkook lifted his head to see the silver-haired boy.

"You scared me."

Jimin laughed quietly as he slinked through the window and dropped to the floor. He made his way to the bed and laid down beside the Human.

Jungkook moved so they could share the small space, then looked to Jimin's eyes once they were both settled.

"Happy late Birthday, Love." Jimin smiled and ran his hand through Jungkook's hair.

"Thanks...but why did you wait so long. You can tell me anything whenever you want."

Jimin shrugged. "I guess....I wanted you to hear it from your family first."

Jungkook smiled and found himself leaning into Jimin's touch.

The older smiled back then pushed his fingers up to Kook's cheek. "Can I show you something I've been learning?"

"Like what?"

Jimin smiled then mumbled under his breath before he waved his arm above their heads. As his hand moved, beautiful flowers grew up the wall and across the ceiling. In mere seconds, Jimin had created a garden.

"That's...beautiful," Jungkook said, almost breathless as he watched some of the last flowers bloom.

"It's for you," Jimin smiled proudly, "Everything from now on will be for you."

Jungkook's brow furrowed and he met the older's eyes. "What do you mean?"

Jimin traced his finger over Jungkook's cheek, letting his charms emit to Jungkook. "You'll see, Love. In time, you'll see."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Jimin," Jungkook sighed, pulling the older closer to his side. "Songhye is bothering me again."

"About what, Love?"

"Marrying her when I come of age."

"I see," Jimin pushed his hand across Jungkook's chest. He smiled to himself.

Jungkook was seventeen now, almost officially a man. Jimin thought he grew up well. His face was pleasing to see and his body sturdy and strong. Jungkook grew up healthy despite being locked in a room for nine years.

His runes were still on him, as well. They seemed to have expanded into a more elaborate pattern as Jungkook got taller and more muscular. Now, they created jagged lines all down his body.

"Jimin?"

"If you don't love her, don't marry her." The witch tucked his face into the human's chest.

"I won't...but, Jimin-hyung?"

"Yes?"

"If...on my birthday I decide that my feelings for you are true, will you stay with me?"

The witch quickly looked up, his hair flopping back as he did so. "Yes, Love. I will always be by your side."

~~~~~~~~~

"Happy birthday, my love," Jimin whispered, tracing the mark he'd put on Jungkook so many years ago.

Jungkook was struggling to keep himself from groaning in pain, but Jimin's presence helped greatly.

"It will be over soon, I promise. Then no more pain for as long as you live."

"Jimin!"

"I know, Love. I know. Don't fight it. You love me, remember? This is only keeping us together."

About an hour passed, then Jungkook's body finally became limp and he relaxed into the bed.

Jimin stood to get him some water and the berries he brought for a snack.

Jungkook greedily accepted the offer, letting Jimin pamper him. He felt he deserved it after going through such physical pain.

"How does it feel? To be mine?" Jimin smiled, sitting next to the younger's legs.

Jungkook smiled then looked up to the ceiling where Jimin's garden continued to flourish. "I've always been yours."

Jimin grinned and looked down to the cup in his hands, "You know...I think it was more than a coincidence both our names start with J."

The human laughed lightly and his love soon joined in.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"You ready?"

Jimin nodded and pulled the hood of his cloak up.

Tonight was the night. He was going to lead Jungkook to his home in the forest. Jungkook had already accepted that he can't return and he'd said his goodbyes to his family. He ended up telling them everything about Jimin.

But, this night, they planned to leave.

Jungkook opened the door to the room he'd been locked away in. The entire village stood before the building with torches and weapons.

He stepped out onto the ground and eyed them all, then turned back and held out his hand.

Jimin took it and stepped out into the light, holding Jungkook's hand as tightly as possible.

"I'm leaving with him," Jungkook announced, "No one is to follow us, no one is to hurt either of us."

No one said a word, so Jungkook began pushing forward.

The crowd parted for them as they walked in the direction of the forest.

Jimin laced his fingers through Jungkook's and smiled up at him. "That went well."

"It did," Jungkook smiled back, "A lot better than I thought it would."

"I love you, Jungkook. You know? I do, really. It's not because of the mark. I can feel that it's something more."

"I feel the same," Jungkook nodded, bringing Jimin's knuckles to his lips.

~~~~~~~~~

Jimin's home was a small hut hidden behind a protection charm in the glades of the forest.

There was actually a bridge crossing a small stream in front of the hut.

The witch giggled as he skipped to the door and grabbed the handle. He pressed his back to the wood and waited for Jungkook to catch up.

The human reached him and grabbed his hips, then smiled down at him.

"Ready to see our home?"

"More than ready."

Jimin giggled and pushed open the door.

Inside, the walls and ceiling were covered in flowers and off in the far right corner a bed hang from vines that came from the ceiling.

There was a dining and cooking area to the left and a small sitting area in the front right corner.

"Sorry it isn't big," Jimin bit his lip, "We...haven't ever needed much so I decided to keep it simple."

"I love it." Jungkook turned back and pecked the witch's cheek. "It's amazing and beautiful...it reminds me of my mother's garden at home. I love it."

Jimin smiled then slinked his arms around the taller's waist. "I'm glad. I hope we'll be together forever, Jungkook."

"Me too," Kook nodded, a small blush covering his cheeks. "Um...I...I love you."

Jimin beamed then kissed Jung's chin, "I love you, too."