Thread by @kosmicyoon

#yoonjin au 🐈‍⬛

seokjin was ready to be a parent. but being a mortal father to a young witch is not as easy as it seems.

yoongi, an experienced and well-traveled witch, might just be his saving grace.

important reminders:

— pls qrt ur thoughts <3
— updates as often as possible
— domestic fluff type deal, angst but more-so their own personal angst, shameless flirting, deep dives into feelings
— so many magical elements !!

storyline notes:

— mortal dad seokjin w witch daughter
— seokjin is a widower
— witch yoongi, who runs a cat café :)
— taegi besties (tete also a witch)
— 2seok besties
— slight age up (35/36)

NOTE: there are mentions of parent loss throughout this entire story so if that makes you uncomfortable, please do not read!

also, i like to make witch characters my own so if it’s unlike other witch fics you’ve read, i hope that’s okay :)

— ILLUSION —

1. Seokjin doesn’t know much about being a witch. All he knows is what he’s learned from his daughter, Arim, and his late wife, Seorin. Seorin passed her gift onto their daughter, as they both expected she would.

2. While they were together, Seorin told Seokjin everything about magic, including how powerful it can be. There is nothing else in the world quite like it.

3. If a witch gives birth to a child, it is almost certain that the child will possess some form of mystical energy. Arim absorbed the witch gene like a sponge. She’s had so much power, ever since she was a young girl. It was incredible to watch her grow into her talent.

4. Seorin promised to be there for her daughter, every step of the way. She promised to teach Arim everything she knows, help her be the best witch she can be. It’s what any mother would do for their child.

5. Seokjin has always been clueless when it comes to the powers his daughter has. He’s mortal, that will never change. He doesn’t know what it’s like to be a witch so how could he ever assist Arim when she needs it? He does his best, though. After all, he’s had to.

6. Like all great promises, Seorin’s was broken when Arim was five. Magic is powerful and in some cases, deadly. Whatever spell she was attempting, she wasn’t strong enough for it. Seokjin, along with Arim, found her lifeless after returning home one day.

7. Seokjin rushed to her side but it was too late. The strength of the spell backfired, bringing her heart to a stop. No doctor could explain what happened and Seokjin couldn’t exactly say that his wife was a witch who died because of a magic spell. Nobody would believe him.

8. Magic is still seen as taboo. Many refuse to talk about it. Those who practice and claim their witch side are mocked and ridiculed. Seokjin has fought hard to protect his daughter from such horrid negativity. He never wants her to experience something like that.

9. Arim and her mother were close, perhaps even closer than Arim and Seokjin. She’ll never admit to it but Seokjin knows Seorin was Arim’s favorite parent. She might still be. Arim handled the situation far better than Seokjin did. She almost had no reaction at all.

10. “She’s still here, Appa. I can tell,” Arim had told her father.

11. Sometimes, Seokjin wishes he was a witch, too, just so he could feel the energy of his wife like Arim can. Seokjin and Seorin were together for almost eight years, married for six. From the moment they met, they only ever had eyes for each other.

12. They met during their senior year of college. Seokjin had just turned 22 and Seorin was only a few months shy herself. Neither expected to meet the love of their life at a college party but stranger things have happened.

13. Seokjin wasn’t exactly looking to date at the time, especially since he was so close to graduating and starting a professional life for himself. He was also still coming to terms with being bisexual, liking more than just women.

14. It was a lot to deal with but Seorin made everything so simple. She came into Seokjin’s life at the perfect time. And throughout their entire relationship, she never once judged him for his sexuality.

15. “You can be in a heterosexual relationship and still have an attraction to more than one gender, Jin,” she’d always tell him, even sometimes as just a gentle reminder.

16. Just as Seorin never judged Seokjin, Seokjin never judged Seorin. He’d heard a few rumors about the girl on campus who thought she was a witch but he never looked into it. His friends were actually the ones who told him he was dating the said ‘witch girl’.

17. Seorin never shied away from who she was. If people judged her, so be it. It was one of the things Seokjin loved most about her. She was always her true self. She instilled that idea in Arim, too. Never pretend to be something you’re not.

18. Now, it did surprise Seokjin when he learned she was a /real/ witch, capable of /real/ magic but he adjusted quickly. Much quicker than Seorin expected him to, actually. He was more intrigued than anything else. He wanted to know everything.

19. Seokjin likes to joke and say Seorin used a strong love spell on him and that’s why he fell for her so quickly, despite everything and every outside voice telling him to run. Seorin would never confirm or deny the accusation. She’d only smile, shrugging her shoulders.

20. They were married within two years of dating, knowing they’d found the one they wanted to be with. Arim wasn’t exactly planned but she was welcomed with open arms just a year later. The idea of being a parent excited Seokjin.

21. He’d never thought about what it would be like to be a young father but the minute he saw Arim’s big brown eyes, he knew this was the life he was meant to live. For a while, Seokjin had everything he wanted.

22. He had the perfect wife, the perfect daughter, the perfect life. Nothing could ruin it… Until the day he found Seorin lifeless in their home. That’s when everything changed.

23. Five years later, Seokjin still finds himself getting used to her absence. They say time heals every wound but they never say how long time will take to do so. She’s always going to be in the back of his mind, lingering in his life like a guardian angel.

24. Arim has always been a smart kid but she’s become much wiser as she’s grown. She just recently turned 11 and Seokjin swears she’s even more powerful than her mother was at 21. It’s as if when Seorin died, she passed every ounce of magic off to Arim. If that’s even possible?

25. Arim, although she was young, remembers her mother well. She often talks about her as if she’s still here. Seokjin hopes she never grows out of that habit. He loves it too much. It helps him keep her spirit alive, too.

26. Eleven-year-old’s, including Arim, don’t know any better. They’re still learning when the appropriate time to say something is. Meaning, Seokjin has been asked far too many times in recent years when he’s going to date someone again.

27. “Eomma would want you to be happy, Appa!” Arim constantly says.

“I /am/ happy, sweetheart. I’m very happy!”

28. Arim always gives him the same look, not believing a word her father says. Seokjin is happy, that much is true. He would love to go on a date again but it’s hard when Seorin is the standard for anyone he meets, regardless of their gender.

29. Seorin was everything to Seokjin. Losing her felt like losing a piece of himself. He’s yet to find anyone to fill that gap in his heart. Knowing Seorin, she’s probably looking down on him with a smile, encouraging him to date again but he just can’t do it.

30. Plus, they don’t only have to impress Seokjin, they have to impress Arim, too. And she’s an even tougher critic than Seokjin is. If he’s meant to be with someone, it will happen, just as it did with Seorin. But for now, he’s happy being a single father.

31. Every day is a new adventure. Seokjin doesn’t know how to teach magic to someone when he’s not capable of demonstrating anything. Arim goes along with his lessons, just to make him happy, but she learns more by practicing solo and reading the books her mother had.

32. Seorin was ready to teach Arim everything. She wanted her to be a talented witch, capable of anything. She was everything a mother should be. But her time on Earth ran shorter than expected.

33. She’s still here, though. Arim can feel her spirit. Seokjin likes to think he can, too.

34. Then again, maybe he wants it so badly that he’s convinced himself he can still hear his wife’s voice, feel her when she’s not really there. He held her lifeless body, he knows that she is gone. But with witches, their spirit never really leaves.

35. Seorin once explained to Seokjin that a witch’s spirit can latch onto a place or even a person. They can remain in this world for as long as they’d like. Usually, it’s to offer protection to that person or place, watch over them until they no longer need it.

36. If Arim can still feel her mother hanging around, maybe Seorin is still trying to protect her from the other side. Maybe she’s doing the same for Seokjin.

37. Maybe she’s watching out for him, too, waiting for him to do something extraordinary, experience something that will change him forever.

38. Since the moment his wife passed, Seokjin has dedicated his life to doing everything he can to make Arim happy. He never wants her to feel upset or like a burden to her father. She is everything to Seokjin. He’d give her a star from the night sky if that’s what she asked for.

39. When she’s not in school and he’s not working, they spend a lot of time together. It’s rare for Seokjin to allow people so close to his daughter. Seorin’s parents are an exception, though. Her grandparents only know because their daughter was a witch herself.

40. As soon as Seorin told her parents that she was pregnant, they knew their grandchild would carry the same talents as their daughter. They’ve been the biggest blessing in Seokjin’s life since Seorin passed. They’re a great support system for him when he needs it.

41. There are many days where he feels lost, unable to be the perfect father to Arim. But they’re always there to remind him of how wonderful he is and how loved he is by Arim. She thinks the world of her father, she always has. Seokjin is thankful to have such a great kid.

42. Seorin’s mother is a witch but she no longer practices magic. She stopped long before Arim was ever born. The longer she stayed away from magic, the less she knew and the less powerful she became.

43. By the time she quit, Seorin was already so skilled, there was no need to continue teaching her. In time, her magic and her knowledge of it began to fade. It is for that reason that she is incapable of teaching Arim like Seorin did. She wouldn’t know where to begin.

44. Though, she does give Seokjin a few tips here and there, recalling as much as she can. They don’t see each other as often as they’d like but they maintain a good relationship. After all, Arim is their grandchild and they love her.

45. Seeing as not many know of Arim’s gift, she tends to cling to her father, as she’s able to be herself without any judgment. If she feels like doing magic, she can. She hides it well in public but Seokjin can always see the sparkle in her eyes when she performs a small spell.

46. Today, they’re out for a walk in the city, visiting various shops. Arim truly just enjoys spending time with her father. She doesn’t much mind what they do. However, when she sees something she likes, she has to have it. And Seokjin is terrible at saying no to her.

47. “Appa! Look!” Arim points out a small café, rushing over to the front window. Seokjin quickly follows behind her. He takes note of the café name: Whisks and Whiskers. How clever.

48. Inside the café, there are a handful of cats, ranging in size and color. Some are busy playing with one another, some are being loved on by patrons, and some are crowding by the window, almost staring back at Arim.

49. Arim laughs, tracing her finger along the glass window and watching as the cats follow it like they would a laser beam or toy. She could do this for hours, Seokjin thinks. And if she asked, he would let her. Anything to make her happy.

50. They’ve never had a pet, not while Arim has been alive, that is. Seorin had a kitten of her own in the early days of their relationship, a gift from her mother, but it fell ill, passing peacefully in its sleep. She refused to adopt another pet, fearful she’d lose it, too.

51. Seorin never talked about it but Seokjin always suspected that she and the kitten had a special bond. A witch with a cat friend sounds so cliché but Seokjin believes the myth holds a bit of truth. Watching Arim right now only convinces him even more.

52. His daughter turns to face him, eyes bright and wide as ever. “Appa! Can we go inside? They want me to play with them!”

Seokjin grins, nodding his head. “Sure, sweetheart. Come on,” he says, motioning to the café’s front door.

53. Arim shakes with excitement, rushing to the door. She swings it open, hoping her father will catch it. He does. Seokjin follows Arim inside, watching as her levels of joy grow. He’s never seen her this happy. At least, not since her mother was alive.

54. Seokjin gently taps her shoulder, leading her to the front counter where an employee stands. One can only assume that in order to play with the cats, one must pay for a certain amount of time. Seokjin has never been to a cat café before. He doesn’t really know what to do.

55. “Hello! What can I get for you today?” The employee has a warm and inviting smile. It’s a bit of a juxtaposition to his appearance, which is much darker.

56. Before Seokjin can answer, he hears a faint gasp from his daughter. He looks down, feeling her tug on his shirt. “Appa,” she whispers, making eye contact with Seokjin. “He’s like me!”

57. Seokjin tilts his head, confused. He looks back at the employee, who is smiling at his daughter. He pauses, only for a moment, before walking around the counter and meeting Arim where she stands.

58. The employee, who Seokjin still knows nothing about, approaches Arim, leaning down so that they’re on the same eye level. He speaks softly, kindly. “Why don’t you go play with the kittens, yeah? I saw them in the window. I think they like you.”

59. “Really?” She lights up even further.

“Really,” he nods with a grin, standing up straight.

Arim knows better. She turns to her father. “Appa, can I?”

“Sure, sweetheart. I’ll be there in a minute.”

60. Arim hugs her father, squeezing him tight before rushing towards where the cats are. The cats are in a sectioned off room, which makes it easier to keep them from escaping when someone enters the café. She enters through the door, still within her father’s view.

61. The moment Arim walks into the room, a few of the cats flock to her. They must really like her. The employee has returned to his post, snickering to himself with his head lowered. Seokjin eyes him, apprehensive to trust a stranger as easily as his daughter did.

62. “She has a lot of power for someone so young,” the employee states.

“Excuse me?”

Their eyes meet. “Your daughter? Her magic radiates off of her like steam on a hot pot of coffee.”

“Oh.”

“You seem confused. Are you not aware of what she is?”

63. Seokjin shakes his head. “No, no, I am. But it’s not everyday that someone brings her gift into a conversation.”

He chuckles. “I understand. Well, her gift, as you call it, is a strong one. You, however,” he looks Seokjin up and down, narrowing his eyes. “You’re mortal.”

64. “Right. And you’re not?”

“Right,” he again laughs. “Your daughter spoiled that for me. I don’t usually announce it, as I’m sure you don’t announce it for her.”

65. Seokjin nods. “Right, I don’t. It’s not something people take to all that well. I never want someone to use it against her, treat her differently because of who she is.”

“That makes you a good father,” he confirms.

66. Seokjin is still processing this conversation. Apart from his daughter, he hasn’t met another witch since his wife. It’s strange to talk so freely about something like this, something he normally keeps a secret. He still doesn’t know much about this guy.

67. The employee asks, “if you’re mortal, her mother must be a witch, yes? More often than not, this gene is hereditary.”

“She was, yes,” Seokjin answers, emphasizing the ‘was’. “She passed a few years ago.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.”

68. He slowly nods his head, “thank you. She was a good person. A great wife but an even better mother. But magic…” Seokjin hesitates, unable to complete the sentence.

69. “If you don’t control it, it can be deadly… yeah. I understand. I’ve lost a few friends in my time but never someone so close to me as that. So again, I’m sorry.”

“Thank you.”

“Was your daughter young when she passed? If you don’t mind me asking?”

70. This moment is beginning to feel like a dream. “She was five.”

“That’s a tough age to lose a parent. I assume she was the one teaching her how to control her magic?”

71. Any moment now, someone will enter the café and end this conversation. Or, another employee will come to the front and interrupt. There’s no way this can continue on. Magic is not something that can be discussed so freely.

72. Seokjin hasn’t had such an honest conversation about Seorin or Arim in, well, what feels like forever. Nobody ever listens, nor would many believe him. Most people in his life already called his wife ‘the witch girl’. Why would they care about what he has to say?

73. He confirms, nodding his head. “She was. It’s definitely been an adjustment but we’ve managed. I’ve managed. Surprisingly, I think she handled her mother’s death better than I did. Sometimes, it feels like she wasn’t even bothered by it.”

74. The employee chuckles, a bit endeared by Seokjin’s lack of knowledge. “Witches have the ability to astral project, send their consciousness to another plane. I imagine she’s doing that, projecting to the other side where her mother’s spirit lives.”

“What do you mean?”

75. “Your consciousness exists here in the real world. Your wife’s exists on the other side, a plane only accessible to those with magic. Your daughter is likely projecting her consciousness to that plane so that she never has to say goodbye to her mother. It’s very common.”

76. Arim has always told her father that her mother was still here, that she could still see and feel her. Now, that sentiment is beginning to make sense. “Is she doing it on purpose? She can control that?”

77. He wavers. “I doubt it. She likely just has a strong connection to her mother and that alone draws her consciousness out. It might even feel like a dream to her. If her mother never explained it, she wouldn’t know the difference.”

78. “Huh,” Seokjin mumbles. “You know a lot about this.”

He laughs. “Well, I was born a witch with two witch parents and have spent a large majority of my life surrounded by witches. After thirty-five years, you learn a thing or two.”

79. At first, Seokjin was nervous to continue this conversation. He has always looked out for his daughter. Allowing anyone into her life and providing them with information on who and what she is, is a bit nerve wracking for Seokjin.

80. If Arim had never spoken up, if she had not mentioned that this guy was like her, Seokjin would’ve never entertained the conversation. He’d be with his daughter right now, who, as he looks over, is happily surrounded by three or four cats.

81. When Seorin died, Seokjin had no idea how he was going to be a parent to a young witch. He had no idea how to teach something that he had never experienced and never would. Actually, he still doesn’t. He’s been winging it ever since.

82. There are a few things that Seorin taught him and the books she left behind have been a big help but he will never be able to relate to his daughter like Seorin did. He doesn’t know what it’s like to be a witch. He doesn’t know how to control one’s magic.

83. But this guy, this total stranger standing in front of him, does. Seokjin would do anything to ensure Arim has the best life possible. He wants her to be in control of her gift and not let it control her.

84. Seokjin doesn’t know what he would do if he lost his daughter in the same way that he lost his wife. He’d never be able to live with himself.

85. So, even though they’ve only just met and Seokjin still doesn’t know a single thing about this guy, he has this feeling deep inside of him that this person can be trusted. Oddly enough, he swears he can hear Seorin’s voice, telling him to ask for the help that he needs.

86. “May I ask you something?” Seokjin starts.

“Sure.”

“Well, first, may I know your name? It might make this easier for me.”

87. He laughs, nodding. “Sorry, I should’ve started with that. I’m Yoongi. And your name is…?”

“Seokjin. Jin. Whichever you prefer.”

“Jin,” he confidently states.

88. Seorin preferred Jin over Seokjin, too. Yoongi choosing that option only intensifies the feeling within Seokjin, the one telling him that his wife is here with him in this moment.

89. He takes a deep breath, pushing forward a smile. “Have you ever considered teaching magic, Yoongi?”

“Are you asking me to teach you magic, Jin? Because, unfortunately, it doesn’t exactly work like that.”

90. “No,” he chuckles, rubbing at the back of his neck. He’s a bit embarrassed that he can’t find the right words to ask this question. “I mean, my daughter. Would you consider teaching her?”

Yoongi’s eyebrows furrow and his head tilts to the side. “Why?”

91. Is it not obvious? Jin wonders. “Because as much as I wish it weren’t true, I have no idea what I’m doing. I’m not a witch. I don’t know what she’s going through. You do. You know how to control this and how to create something out of nothing.”

92. “I don’t know, Jin. I’ve never taught magic before.”

“Please,” he says, pleading with his eyes. “I don’t want her to try something, thinking she’s ready when any experienced witch would tell her she’s not, and for it to all go wrong. I can’t lose her, too.”

93. It’s a bit of a guilt trip and they both know it. “Jin,” he starts, heavy-hearted, but is unable to finish.

From behind Yoongi, another employee emerges from the back room. “Yoongi, I need your help with something. I think I’ve screwed up a recipe.”

94. The witch sighs, looking over his shoulder at his co-worker. “I’ll be there in just a moment, Taehyung.”

Seokjin steps in, getting in his final word. “Please, just consider it, Yoongi.”

95. With that, Seokjin leaves to join his daughter in the other room. He greets her with a smile, never showing any sign of stress. He doesn’t want to get Arim’s hopes up. If Yoongi declines his offer, it would break her heart to know someone doesn’t want to help her.

96. Arim has never expressed any true desire for a teacher but Seokjin knows she would much rather learn from someone like her rather than her confused father, who is merely trying his best. Sometimes, it feels like she’s teaching him rather than the other way around.

97. For now, Seokjin will enjoy this day with his daughter. She’s already clinging to one of the cats, claiming it as her favorite. His name is Shadow. His fur is black as night and his eyes are gold in color. Arim and Shadow are already acting like best friends.

98. As Seokjin looks around the room, he spots a small sign. It reads: ALL CATS ADOPTABLE!

He shakes his head, already able to see a plethora of cat toys covering his living room floor. If Arim sees this sign, it’s over for him.

99. Back at the front counter, Taehyung is interrogating his friend, easily able to detect the slight change in his behavior. Like Yoongi, Taehyung is a witch. His mother is a witch, like Arim’s mother was.

100. Taehyung and Yoongi met a few years ago. Over time, their friendship has strengthened and they’re closer than they’ve ever been before. When Yoongi decided to open the café, the first person he thought of to hire was Taehyung. It was the easiest decision he’s ever made.

101. Taehyung is an excellent barista, although his pastry making skills could use a bit of work. Turning the café into a cat café was another easy decision. Witches and cats have such a strong bond. It was a no-brainer.

102. “What does that guy want you to consider?” Taehyung inquires.

103. Yoongi sighs. “His daughter, the little girl he’s with in there,” he pauses, pointing them out in the other room. The wall between them is made of glass so it’s easy to see the pair. “She’s a witch. Young and powerful.”

104. “Ah, I was wondering why I felt a presence,” Taehyung says. “I figured you were practicing something small.”

105. He chuckles. “Not at all. But he asked me to help teach her magic. Her mother was a witch but she passed away a few years back. He’s mortal and has no idea what he’s doing.”

“Damn.”

“I know.”

“I’m surprised he told you all of that.”

106. Yoongi shrugs. “I think he’s desperate for help. I don’t think he knows any witches apart from his daughter. I doubt he’s ever met one outside his immediate family. From what I hear, being a parent to a witch isn’t easy. Especially being a mortal parent.”

107. “Yeah, I bet. No wonder he confided in you.”

“His daughter was the one who told him I was a witch. She has a lot of power, Tae.”

He hums, asking, “how much power?”

108. “I mean, you felt her energy when she walked in. Her magic surrounds her, almost like a shield. I’ve never seen a young witch with so much power. She’s already astral projecting in order to keep in contact with her mother.”

109. “Oh,” Taehyung responds, genuinely surprised. “Yeah, that’s intense.”

110. Yoongi laughs to himself, not entirely believing his own words but not entirely opposed to it, either. “I wouldn’t be surprised if she absorbed her mother’s magic when she died. I know that’s rare but her magic is unexplainable.”

“Are you going to help him, then?”

111. “I don’t know. I’ve never taught another witch before.”

Taehyung shrugs. “You taught me a few things.”

“That’s different, Tae. You had a parent to guide you for most of your life. I don’t want to step in and replace her mother.”

112. “I don’t think you would be. If he asked for your help, if he’s as desperate as you described, I’m sure he’s just looking for a teacher. Someone to assist him. Mortals don’t know what we know. It’d be the same as if you were teaching her how to make coffee or pastries.”

113. Teaching someone how to bake and teaching someone how to wield their magic feel like two very different things to Yoongi but to each their own.

Yoongi sighs. “I don’t know, Taehyung. I’ll have to think about it.”

114. Taehyung hums, looking through the glass window at the father and daughter duo. She’s busy playing with Shadow, a young cat that Taehyung knows all too well. He finds himself coming in early on occasion just to say hello to the small feline.

115. Her father watches on with a fond smile. He seems to be happy simply because she is happy. It’s so easy to tell that he’s mortal. He’s amused by the little things. Taehyung has always wondered what it must be like to be mortal, to not know anything about magic.

116. He shrugs, eyes still fixated on the family. “I think you should say yes, Yoon.”

“Why?” Yoongi asks, sincerely. He, too, looks at Jin and his daughter. Like Taehyung, he notices the bond already forming between her and Shadow.

117. “Just a feeling, I suppose. I think it could be good for you.”

Yoongi half-chuckles, leaning back against the front counter. He’s practically boring holes in the side of Jin’s head, gazing longer than he knows he should. “She has so much potential, Tae.”

118. “Who better to teach her how to use that talent than you, then? Someone who knows their own magic inside and out? I was hardly capable of completing a spell without setting something on fire until you came along.”

119. That’s true. Taehyung did always have a bit of an uncontrollable pyromaniac living inside of him. “I’ve never taught a child, though. I wouldn’t know where to begin.”

“You’ll never know unless you try.”

“Maybe.”

120. From the other room, out of the corner of his eye, Seokjin spots the two looking at him. As soon as he meets their gaze, they both quickly turn around, acting oblivious to the situation. With their backs to the man, Taehyung and Yoongi nervously chuckle, fairly embarrassed.

121. The last thing Yoongi wanted was for Jin to catch him staring. He wasn’t even intentionally staring. Jin just happened to be the subject of conversation so Yoongi had to look at him. He had no choice. Truly.

122. The two have only just met, only spoken for less than five minutes, yet Yoongi feels as if he can never speak to Jin again. He’ll be too embarrassed, constantly reminded of how he was caught red-handed. Though, it does help that Taehyung was staring, too.

123. Seokjin smiles, quietly laughing to himself as he turns his focus back on his daughter. He doesn’t need to be a witch to know that the pair were talking about him, maybe even about Arim. The quickness in which they turned away from him gave them away.

124. He finds Yoongi endearing, as strange as it may sound. They hardly know one another but Seokjin senses qualities in the witch that he always saw in Seorin. Perhaps it’s merely the witch thing but Seokjin likes to believe it’s more than that.

125. Taehyung nudges his friend, snickering to himself. “Plus, he is pretty cute. Hot dad and all that.”

126. “I know what you’re thinking and don’t. I’m not going to teach his daughter how to use her magic just so I can hit on her father. Besides, he still talks about his wife with love in his eyes. I doubt he’s anything but straight.”

127. “Oh, Yoongi. Have I taught you nothing?” Taehyung says, shaking his head and clicking his tongue. “Just because someone is or was in a straight-appearing relationship, doesn’t automatically make them straight.”

128. Yoongi sighs, lightly rolling his eyes. “Yes, I know. But still. I’m leaving her father out of this. If I agree, I’m doing it for her, not to flirt with him.”

“Where’s the fun in that?” he playfully teases.

129. There’s a brief pause, a moment of silence between them before Taehyung’s eyes go wide. He nudges Yoongi, urging him to look to the other side. Jin has re-entered their side of the café and he’s walking straight towards the pair.

130. With Yoongi distracted by the mortal father, Taehyung makes a quick escape, darting into the back room. This conversation surely isn’t one that will involve him and if there’s anything worth mentioning, Yoongi will likely tell him later.

131. Yoongi’s eyes have been locked on Jin’s since the moment he came back into the room. Taehyung never should’ve labeled him as a ‘hot dad’ because now that’s all Yoongi can think about. Jin is a very attractive man. His smile alone makes Yoongi blush.

132. Jin seems even more nervous than Yoongi. “Hi,” he says, softly, approaching the counter. At least the counter provides some level of separation between them.

“Hi. Is there something I can help you with?”

133. “May I ask you something?”

Yoongi has heard that one before. He chuckles, nodding his head. “It’s kind of what I’m here for, Jin. Employee’s help customers, you know?”

134. “Right,” he responds, cheeks flushed as his gaze momentarily falls to the concrete floor. Yoongi’s smile is just as warm and soft as it was when Jin first entered the café. “Well, I have a question.”

“And I have an answer but you should probably go first.”

135. He laughs. Yoongi’s small joke eased the strange tension between them. “How would I go about adopting Shadow?”

136. Yoongi grins, his gummy smile bright as ever. It’s not the question he was expecting. Though, he should’ve seen it coming. Shadow has always taken to the witches that have come into the café. Jin’s daughter is no exception.

137. The café owner looks back into the cat-filled room, watching how she drags a toy across the floor for Shadow to chase after. “She saw the sign, didn’t she?”

“She did,” he chuckles, jokingly sighing.

138. “She loves that little creature so much already. I didn’t exactly plan on bringing a new pet into our home but I’m sure we’ll figure out a way to make it work.”

“You have a hard time saying no to her, huh?”

139. When Yoongi looks back at Jin, there’s a proud smile on his face. He nods, confirming the assumption. “She’s my world. I’d do anything to make her happy.”

“I can tell.”

140. “I never planned to be a father so young but from the moment Arim was born, I promised myself that I’d give her the best life possible. Her mother and I both did. With her mother gone, I try to stand by that promise even more than before.”

141. Yoongi admires the way Jin talks about his daughter. It’s easy to see how much he loves her. He’d give her the world if he could. In a weird way, it inspires Yoongi. It makes him want to do something good in this life, build a better world for kids like Arim to live in.

142. “Our adoption applications are hanging on the bulletin board in the other room. Fill one out and bring it to me. Normally, our process is a bit extensive and we like to do slight background checks on applicants but for you, I’ll make an exception.”

143. “Background checks?”

Yoongi shrugs. “Make sure the home is suitable for our furry friends. We don’t want them going to an awful home.”

“Ah.”

“But like I said, for you, we will make an exception. You’ll be approved immediately.”

144. Jin is cautious. “Why’s that?”

“Arim and Shadow have a bond that neither of us will ever understand.”

“But they’ve only just met? Don’t get me wrong, she seems to adore him but a bond? I highly doubt that, Yoongi.”

145. He chuckles. Perhaps Arim isn’t the only one who could use a few lessons in witchcraft. Yoongi might just be the one to fill the gaps in Jin’s knowledge. “Just trust me, yeah?”

“Sure,” he answers, giving in much easier than expected.

146. Yoongi thinks Jin’s first lesson should be in animal companions. It might interest him to know how important Shadow will likely become in Arim’s life.

“Jin?”

“Yeah?”

147. Yoongi exhales deeply. “I’ll teach Arim how to use her magic. I can’t make any promises, as I’ve never really taught anyone, much less a child, but I am willing to put forth my best effort. You have to make me a promise first, though.”

148. Seokjin’s excitement grows. With the way their first conversation ended, he was so sure Yoongi would reject his request. Yoongi didn’t seem too keen on the idea, which didn’t leave Seokjin with much hope. He thought he’d leave the café and never come back.

149. Although, with the way Arim and Shadow have bonded, she likely would’ve asked her father to bring her back to the café over and over again until Shadow was finally hers. And again, one simple, “Appa, please!” and he folds. That was proven just minutes ago.

150. “Anything!”

“Adopt Shadow. Continue to give your daughter the best life possible. Being a young witch is not easy, especially without a parent to guide you. Don’t give up on her, even when you feel lost. I can tell how much she loves you. Promise me you won’t forget that.”

151. Seokjin takes a deep breath. The way Yoongi is looking at him makes him feel so small. He’s thirty-six years old but right now, he feels somewhat like a child himself. “I promise.”

152. “Good. Now, go get that form and fill it out. When you bring it back, I’ll have my free days and contact information written out for you.”

“Thank you. You have no idea what this means to me. Arim, too.”

153. He grins, nodding his head. “I’m happy to help, Jin. Really. Now, go. Seriously,” he says with a faint laugh. “I have pastries and coffee to make!”

154. Seokjin shares in his laughter, beginning to back away. His smile might be one of Yoongi’s favorite things about him so far. It’s so kind and full of love. His eyes sparkle, too. They’re filled with dozens of stars, shining like the night sky.

155. Everything about Seokjin is inviting. He has such a warm presence. He’s easy to talk to and easy to understand. He wears his heart on his sleeve, which Yoongi finds a bit odd. Most people who lose someone so close tend to guard their heart, fearful of it being broken again.

156. Not Jin, though. It’s as if his heart is still the same size, perhaps even bigger than it was when his wife was still alive. Yoongi has a hunch that she’s lingering nearby, watching out for him. It’s the only way he’d still be so open with others, especially strangers.

157. Yoongi will have to remind himself throughout this process of what he told Taehyung. He didn’t agree to teach Arim just to get closer to her father. He’ll have to leave Jin out of this. His mind may wander, though. How could it not? Jin /is/ a hot dad.

158. When Jin is no longer in front of him, when he’s finally joined his daughter in the cats play room, Yoongi meets Taehyung in the back room, needing to talk to someone about what’s just happened. And his friend is more than willing to listen. In fact, he’s eager.

159. “Did you fix that recipe?” Yoongi asks upon entering the room.

“Doesn’t matter. Tell me what just happened,” he states, dropping everything that he’s doing to listen.

160. Yoongi huffs, standing on the other side of the decorating table across from Taehyung. “I agreed to teach her.”

“I knew you would.”

“How?”

161. “I know you,” he says with a smile and a shrug. “You like helping people. It’s why you helped me. And aside from the fact that her father is desperate, that little witch needs someone like you. She needs guidance.”

162. Yoongi buries his face in his hands, rubbing at his eyes. “I don’t want to mess this up. I mean, she’s made it this far in life without a proper teacher, who’s to say I’d be of any real help in the end?”

163. “You won’t know until you try, hyung. Any guidance is better than no guidance. A mortal can only teach her so much, you know?”

164. He nods his head, quickly agreeing with his friend’s words. “I think I’ll teach him a few things, too. Give him some kind of knowledge to help raise her when my side of the deal ends.”

165. “Are you doing that because he needs the help or because he’s a hot dad and it would mean spending time with him?”

166. Yoongi has half a mind to throw a cupcake tin across the table at his friend. Or, better yet, he might just give him a little magical headache to teach him a lesson. “Because he needs the help. I already told you. I’m leaving him out of this.”

167. “Even if he is a hot dad?” Taehyung teases.

Yoongi’s smile breaks through and he chuckles, gingerly nodding his head. “Even if,” he responds with a deep sigh.

168. The baker leaves the back room, walking towards the front counter. There he finds Jin, standing with the adoption paper for Shadow in his hand. Yoongi grins, already reaching out for the document. “That was quick.”

169. “I figured it would be best to fill it out now. If we’re going to make it to the pet store and get everything we need before they close, we should leave soon.”

170. “Right.” Yoongi tucks the adoption paper into a folder that he’s pulled from the cubby underneath the counter. It dawns on him that if Jin plans on going to the store, they likely don’t have much at home for a cat.

171. And like Taehyung said, he can’t stop himself from helping people in need.

172. Yoongi stands upright, meeting Jin’s gaze. “Wait here for a moment, okay?”

“Sure.”

173. He retreats into the back room, ignoring the look Taehyung gives him as he heads for the spare cat carrier that he often brings with him. Every now and then, he likes to take one of the cats home with him, just to give them a bit more affection.

174. Today, the carrier is coming in handy. He grabs it without hesitation, bringing it back to Jin at the front counter. He hands it off to the mortal father, who looks wildly confused. Yoongi ignores the way his heart momentarily skips at the sight of Jin’s wide, doe eyes.

175. “Take this. It’ll give you a way to transport Shadow until you have all that you need.”

“Are you sure?” he asks. “Let me pay you for it, at the very least.”

176. Yoongi shakes his head, waving his hands back and forth as Jin already begins to reach for his wallet in his back pocket. “Consider it a loan. You can buy a new one at the store and I’ll take this one back when I come over for her first lesson.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

177. He nods, humming. “And speaking of,” he says, his index finger sticking up straight to make a point. He quickly reaches for a notepad, which is sitting in one of the counter cubbies. He pulls it out, taking a pen from the countertop and beginning to write.

178. Jin watches his every move, awkwardly holding the cat carrier in his hands. He steals a glance at Arim in the other room. She’s still playing with Shadow, dragging a few toys around for him to chase. Her smile alone is enough to fill Jin’s heart full of love.

179. “You said Arim and the cat are bonded,” Jin says, eyes still laser focused on his daughter.

Yoongi looks up, having just finished writing his information down. “I did.”

“What did you mean by that?”

180. Yoongi takes a deep breath, ignoring the question. “Here,” he says, drawing Jin’s attention back onto him. He extends the paper, handing it to Jin. “This is my information with all of the hours I’m available. Once you know a schedule that’s best, call me.”

181. “You’re not going to answer my question?”

“Jin, I promised to give your daughter lessons. But oddly enough, I think you may need some, too. I can’t teach you magic, that’s genetic. But I can give you answers to all of the questions that I’m sure you have.”

182. “Oh.”

“So, like I said, when you know a schedule that works best for you, call me. I’m happy to come over during any of those days and times I’ve listed.”

183. Jin looks at the paper, eyeing it carefully. A strange sense of peace washes over him. He hasn’t felt this content since Seorin was alive. He raises his gaze, looking Yoongi directly in the eyes. He speaks softly. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

184. Jin doesn’t say another word. He disappears into the cat room, ready to load Shadow into his temporary carrier. Arim’s excitement grows even more when she sees her father enter the room. Anyone with eyes can tell how much she adores him. Hopefully Jin can, too.

185. Not even five minutes later, he’s walking out of the room with Arim at his side and the carrier in his hand. Arim wanted to carry the small feline but her father insisted. Instead, he has her go to the front counter to meet Yoongi.

186. They’ve only barely spoken so Jin wants her to know exactly who he is and what role he’ll play in her life. Jin briefly mentioned it to her in the other room, that Yoongi will be teaching her magic, but given the fact that they’re in public, she had to remain quiet.

187. As soon as the baker sees Arim, he walks around the counter, meeting her where she stands just like he did before. He squats down in front of her, placing them at the same eye level. He smiles at Arim, endeared by her spirit and her heart.

188. “Appa said you’re going to teach me magic,” she whispers to Yoongi.

He laughs, nodding his head. “I am. Is that okay with you, Arim?” She fervently nods her little head. “Good. I know we’ll have a lot of fun learning new things together, won’t we?”

“Yeah!”

189. Jin can’t help but smile. Yoongi can’t either. He holds his hand out in front of him, palm facing upwards. “Let me see your hand, just like this.”

Arim copies his movements. Jin looks on, curious. “Like this?” she asks.

“That’s perfect. Keep it just like that.”

190. Yoongi closes his hand, balling it into a fist. He takes a deep breath, focusing all of his energy. He hardly strains. He makes it seem so easy, magic. He’s exactly the person Jin has needed in his life. He’s exactly what he’s needed since Seorin passed. What Arim’s needed.

191. Slowly, he unfolds his fingers and there, floating in the space above his palm, is a glowing orb. It’s bright, gently bobbing around but remaining in place. Arim’s eyes go wide and her lips part as a faint gasp escapes her lips. She’s in awe.

192. Arim looks up at her father, who is quite surprised himself. He reciprocates her excitement, though. He knew Yoongi was a witch, he had verbal confirmation of that. But it’s still strange to see someone other than his daughter do magic.

193. Yoongi blows on the orb, like one would blow out a birthday candle, and slowly, it travels. It finds a home in the empty space above Arim’s palm, floating there. She looks up at Yoongi with a beaming grin and he mimics it, making her giggle.

194. Then, he reaches out, closing Arim’s fist to encapsulate the orb. He holds his hand over hers for just a moment, looking her in the eyes. “This star is very important to me. Promise me you’ll keep it safe, okay?”

“I promise!”

195. “Pinky promise?” Yoongi asks, raising his pinky from his free hand.

Arim interlocks her pinky from her own free hand with Yoongi’s. “Pinky promise!”

“Good,” he says with a smile before releasing the hold he has on her fist.

196. When Arim unfurls her first, the star has disappeared. Yoongi rises, standing up straight. He tousles her hair, grinning when she laughs. Jin doesn’t say anything but the look on his face gives him away. He’ll likely ask Yoongi about this moment later on.

197. Arim quickly turns to her father, wide-eyed. “Appa! He gave me a star!”

“I saw, honey!” Jin mouths ‘thank you’ to the baker, who only nods his head in return. “Arim, we need to go now so we can make it to the store in time, okay?”

198. “Okay!” She turns to Yoongi. “Bye, Teacher Yoongi!” Jin must’ve told Arim his name because he doesn’t remember introducing himself to her.

Both of the adults laugh. “Bye, Arim. I’ll see you soon.”

199. The small eleven-year-old is already rushing towards the café’s front door, ready to buy anything and everything she can for Shadow. Jin is still saying his goodbye’s to the baker, though.

“Thank you, again.”

“When you’re ready, just call.”

“I will. Thank you.”

200. Yoongi chuckles. “Jin, if you continue to say thank you, I might have to use a bit of magic to make you stop.”

“Okay, okay, sorry,” he nervously laughs. “I’ll just… I’ll call you.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

201. Jin momentarily panics, fumbling with the cat carrier before reaching out to shake Yoongi’s hand. Yoongi can’t help but find him endearing. He shakes the father’s hand, both parties holding on for a second or two longer than they should’ve.

202. Jin finally snaps back to reality. “Right. Right. Well, I’ll see you.”

“Yeah, see you.”

203. Even when the father and daughter duo have finally left the café, Yoongi has yet to move from his spot in the middle of the dining area. Taehyung emerges from the back room, having eavesdropped on their entire conversation. He’s too nosy for his own good.

204. “Ah,” he murmurs, leaning against the doorframe to the back room. Yoongi turns his head upon hearing his friend’s voice. Taehyung bites into a pastry, talking with a full mouth. “Hot dads. So easy to crush on, aren’t they, hyung?”

205. Yoongi narrows his eyes, glaring at his friend. He then, having had enough of Taehyung’s ‘hot dad’ comments for the day, snaps his fingers, inducing a very painful headache for his friend.

206. Taehyung winces in pain, knowing exactly what the elder has done to him. He holds the sides of his head, squeezing his temples to try and alleviate the pain. “Not cool, Yoon! Not cool!”

207. Yoongi shrugs with a smug grin, finally returning to his post. He’ll see Jin again soon. That much he knows. But he’ll never act upon the puppy love feelings that are forming within him. It wouldn’t be appropriate. That’s not why he accepted Jin’s offer.

208. Plus, the guy seems very hung up on his late wife. If Yoongi ever wanted to make a move, it’s not very likely that Jin would allow it to happen.

[209]. hello ☺️ curiouscat.me/kosmicyoon