An Au where until Yoongi finds true love he will turn into a cat every time it rains.

AND

It's raining one day, and Jimin brings home a stray kitten from the street.

Ready. Set. Go.

Tags: Fluff, Cat curse, Cat-Yoongi, Famous Singer Jimin, Rain, Humor, Piano, True love, Magic, Wind chimes, cuddling and petting, scratching, yet another cat yoongi AU.

Part 1 - That time it rained for 5 days straight.

Yoongi has been cursed since he was born. It wasn't his fault actually. It was his father's. His father had made a very powerful witch, very angry. And now Yoongi has to deal with the consequences. VERY FURRY CONSEQUENCES!

Oh, but not like that.

Yoongi turns into a cat every time it rains, which is rather specific, but also, entirely predictable.

Yoongi's got his weather app on at least ten times a day, and checks every morning for changes. This way he can plan ahead and just hide out.

And as for all curses, Disney or otherwise, it can be broken with a true love's first kiss. But for that to happen, Yoongi needs to find a true love first.

So everything's under control. Yoongi has his plan and his weather app, so nothing is going to go wrong.

Until it does.

It happens like that.

It's not supposed to rain, nor is their a cloud in the sky. Yoongi's walking home. He'd check the weather just a few minutes prior, sunshine all day.

But then-

A raindrop, landing on the center of his nose, and then another on his cheek.

Surely it can't be-- it's a zero chance today. Yoongi thinks it must be mistake, water from an air conditioner or dew from a leaf.

But then more follow, turning the sidewalk dark.

And Yoongi finds that he's half a foot talk and covered in gray stripes. Oh no!

He's tiny and wet and cold. Yoongi rushes into an alleyway to seek shelter inside a cardboard box. It smells like old paper and rotten fruit.

This is miserable, but surely it'll stop soon, right?

It's not supposed to be raining today.

Two hours pass, the rain only gets worse.

Yoongi's still miles from home. And he's so so cold. Maybe he should find some newspaper to wiggle in with.

He doesn't realize it, but he's making the saddest little kitten noises, just trying to stay partially dry and warm.

How long is this gonna last? The sky looks so gray.

That's when he notices approaching footsteps.

"Hey there, little guy," a man says, dressed in a yellow raincoat. "I won't hurt you."

Yoongi hisses, backing further into his little box.

"You're probably hungry," the stranger continues. "and cold."

Yoongi IS hungry and cold.

"Come here, sweetie," the man coos. "I'll take you home, and get you nice and dry."

Yoongi'd like that, but he can't risk exposing his curse like that! He'd scare this guy to death like that, turning back into a man once it'd stop raining.

The man makes a grab for him.

Yoongi swipes at him, cutting through skin. There's a nasty gash on the man's arm as he pulls back. "Oh!"

Yoongi thinks the man might be angry with him, and might give up but--

"Hey, it's okay," the man whispers. "I know you're scared. You didn't mean that. I just wanna help."

And Yoongi's ashamed. He didn't mean to hurt the stranger. He was only trying to warn the guy not to touch him.

"I'm not mad," the man coos, coming closer again. "Listen, I won't hurt you."

He produces a soft looking blanket, maybe a scarf. It's coming right at him-

Yoongi's scared but he doesn't want to scratch the boy again, so he allows himself to be scooped up. Maybe he can escape later, before the rain stops.

"Gotcha," the man hums, quickly cradling to his chest, the warmth radiating into him. "There we go, pretty. Let's go home."

Yoongi wonders where the boy is taking him, maybe he has a bike nearby, or maybe they're going on foot--

But then there's very nice looking limo parked on the curb and the boy gets into the back seat.

"Okay, drive," the boy orders. "Take us home."

A LIMO? WHAT KIND OF PERSON-

"WHAT KIND OF PERSON LEAVES A POOR DEFENSELESS KITTEN ON THE STREET LIKE THAT!" the boy huffs, before lowering his voice. "Oh, I'm so sorry, baby. I'll talk quiet. I don't want to scare you.

Yoongi's not scared cause of the shouting, he's scared cause, it's him

Park Jimin.

"Oh no, baby," Jimin coos, pulling down his hood so that he's fully visible now. He rocks Yoongi gently in his arms. "I won't yell anymore. I'm sorry. Indoor voices only."

Park Jimin is one of the best singers in the country, maybe the world. And he's a very powerful person.

Yoongi's a musician as well, very small time. He occasionally writes a popular song or two. But Park Jimin could crush his career.

Yoongi has to get outta here.

"No, it's okay," Jimin pleads. "I'm sorry. Don't be scared, baby. I'm gonna take good, good care of you."

Yoongi manages to get out of Jimin's grip, falling under the seat and hiding there. But where can he go? He can't escape. He doesn't have any thumbs so how can he open the door.

"Oh, no! I dropped him," Jimin cries. "Are you okay, baby? Come on, get out from under there."

Yoongi continues hiding, thinking about what he can do. He needs to escape.

"We're home, Mr. Park," the man announces. "I can help you get him out-"

"No!" Jimin huffs. "Don't touch him. You'll hurt him. I'll just- pspspsps- come on, come on, little guy."

Fuck. no.

He feels a hand on his tail, yanking on it.

"I told you not to touch him-"

Yoongi rushes out, back into Jimin's arms. Between him and the stranger, Yoongi's instincts tell him that the singer is better.

"Oh, my poor baby," Jimin huffs. He looks at the driver. "Just go."

Jimin carries Yoongi in, holding him much more securely now. There's no escape.

"I am so sorry about that," Jimin hums. "Is your wittle tail okay?"

Yoongi's humiliated.

"We're gonna get you all cleaned up, okay? Come on." Jimin walks through the front door into his house.

It's a very nice house, wooden floors and high ceilings. "Let's take a nice bath."

Yoongi's humiliation only increases.

Jimin sets him down in the sink. Yoongi sits in there, steady as a stone. He's not a normal cat, he needs Jimin to know this.

Normal cats don't sit like that

Yoongi doesn't flinch at the water, or when Jimin soaps him up. He just stares at the other with wide, angry eyes.

But Jimin rinses him off quickly and dries him with a towel, not noticing a thing. "Let's get you something to eat now. You were so good."

Jimin carries him off.

He places Yoongi on the floor. "There you go."

Then he moves over to the fridge, grabbing something form inside. It's chicken. Jimin shreds some of it on a plate, before microwaving it for a few seconds.

"Here, I'll get you real food tomorrow," Jimin says. "This should be ok."

Yoongi is really hungry, but what if he eats this and falls asleep and then changes back in his sleep-- NO, he needs to stay alert.

Yoongi rushes off out of the kitchen, he finds a nice safe place to hide, under the couch in the living area. Jimin follows after him.

"Oh no!"

Yoongi hides under there, hoping Jimin will leave him alone for the night. But Jimin doesn't-- He finds a pillow and rests on the floor so he can keep an eye on him.

"Baby, it's okay, you can stay there," Jimin coos. "I'll wait for you."

Is this man crazy? It's been an hour.

Jimin's cellphone rings and he picks it up, putting it to his ear, still laying on his side. "No, he hasn't come out yet-"

"..."

"He's been through a lot. Of course, he's gonna hide-"

"..."

"NO-" Jimin lowers his voice. "No way. I'm not taking him to a shelter. Never!"

"..."

"Not yet, I'll take care of it later," Jimin says

"..."

"It's fine, it's just a scratch-"

Oh right, Jimin still got a scratch on his arm. He should really take care of that, but something tells Yoongi that Jimin's not gonna move from that spot.

"..."

"Bye!"

Yoongi meows, the sound coming out before he realizes. Jimin's eyes light up.

"Oh hey, there," Jimin huffs. "I haven't forgotten about you, don't worry."

Yoongi meows again, trying to get Jimin to take care of his scratch.

"Oh, that was just my best friend, Tae," Jimin says.

Yoongi shakes his head, meowing again. This time Jimin seems to understand. "This. I'm okay. I'll get it later. I don't want to leave you there, what if you wander off and get hurt. My house is not cat proof."

Oh, well, this is a dilemma.

Yoongi can't just make Jimin wait.

Slowly, he crawls out.

Jimin tries not act too excited. "Oh, y- good, kitty. That's it. That's a good boy."

Yoongi reluctantly comes out. Jimin carefully picks him up. "That's good. Do you want to eat now? I can get you something else."

Jimin pulls out some canned tuna.

He rinses it under the sink to get all the salt off before he places it in front of Yoongi.

And Yoongi is really hungry but he just can't-

Yoongi meows nosing at Jimin's scratch.

"It's okay," Jimin coos. "I know you didn't mean it."

Yoongi meows again, wishing he could speak.

And this time Jimin get it. "You... You want me to wrap this up, don't you?"

Yoongi nods.

"Oh-- wow," Jimin huffs, mimicking Yoongi and nodding as well. "Who taught you that? You're so smart. Okay, you eat. I'll wash this with some antiseptic."

Yoongi nods again.

Jimin rushes off to the bathroom. "Just stay there, okay!"

Yoongi does as he's promised, eating the tuna. It's so so good after an entire day of nothing. There's a small dish of water next to it, and he laps up the whole thing.

Jimin runs back, arm bandaged up. "OKAY!"

It's like the singer expects Yoongi to be under the couch again. He's pleasantly surprised when he's not.

"Well, okay," Jimin hums. "We both did what we said we would." The boy yawns. "Time for bed."

He picks Yoongi up, carrying him up the stairs.

BED!? OH NO!?

Yoongi has the vivid image of Jimin falling asleep to a cat and waking up with a man on his bed. And then calling the cops

ThEN YOONGI GOES TO JAIL!

"Oh, what's wrong?" Jimin coos. "We're just going to sleep. You look tired anyway."

Yoongi tries to struggle but-

He is tried, and he's also really full now. And Jimin's so warm and soft.

Jimin changes into his pajamas, and Yoongi has the decency to turn around and look at the wall.

"What are you doing?" Jimin giggles, pick him up and putting him in bed. "Let's go to sleep now."

Jimin switches off the light, petting Yoongi in the dark. "Okay, there. That's not so bad. Good night, kitty."

Jimin's nothing like his t.v persona. The singer's always come off as untouchable, powerful, sexy- but this Jimin is sweet and warm, and wonderful. He's a good person.

Yoongi can't fall asleep. He needs to stay awake until Jimin's out. Then he'll sneak off.

Hopefully it'll stop raining at some point and then Yoongi can escape, only-

Jimin won't sleep, he's waiting for Yoongi to sleep first.

"I know you've been hurt," Jimin whispers.

Well, Yoongi has been hurt but definitely not in the way-

"I can't imagine," Jimin yawns, still petting him, and fuck if that doesn't feel nice. "Being abandoned on the street like that-"

Yoongi meows as if to say, 'No'

"Don't deny it," Jimin hums, almost understanding.

"I dunno any cat that's that good for bath time," Jimin yawns. "You've got trauma, pretty. But don't worry, I'm gonna love you and keep you safe."

Yoongi's fighting to stay awake.

"You look just like the cat from when I was a kid," Jimin sighs. "He was gray with stripes too."

"He used to always come hide in the back yard-" Jimin yawns again. "When it was raining. He had pretty, green eyes like you too-"

Yoongi's getting so sleepy. What is he gonna do? He needs to stay alert and awake.

But that's when Jimin starts humming. And Yoongi's out.

The tune is so soft and inviting. Yoongi falls asleep, drifting away into the land of good dreams.

Jimin's hand goes still on him, gently resting on his back. "I'll take care of you.... Yoongi."

~~~ TBC ~~~

When Yoongi wakes, there's sunlight peaking through the curtains.

Which is bad- because sunlight equals no rain- and no rain means he's a human.

But he checks his body, and he's still covered in fur. He quickly scrambles up and looks out the window. It's still raining softly.

Oh gosh, Yoongi sighs. He'd fallen asleep last night, and if it'd stopped rain for any amount of time, he's missed his opportunity to escape.

"Hello, beautiful," Jimin's speaks, somehow having snuck up behind him. Yoongi jumps, his fur raised, and he falls off the windowsill.

He lands on his feet, which has his stomach swirling in his body. Then he scrambles away into the living room.

"Oh no!" Jimin races after him, keeping a few paces behind. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Are you okay?"

Yoongi goes back to hiding under the couch, peeking out at Jimin.

"Ah, I'm terrible," Jimin cries. "It's okay, baby. You don't have to be scared of me."

Yoongi's gotta get out of here. He doesn't see a chance to escape though.

"Pspsps- come on-" Jimin calls out for him.

AGAIN FUCKING HUMILIATING.

That's when the doorbell rings.

"Wait right there," Jimin sighs. "Daddy's gotta get the doorbell."

Daddy?! Yoongi won't stand for this!

Jimin rushes off to get the door, pulling it open.

There it is. His chance.

Yoongi makes a mad dash, trying to run between the visitors legs and escape, but then-

"Gotcha!" Jimin huffs, reflexes so fast. He grabs Yoongi who thrashes in his arms, but ultimately gives up because he won't scratch the boy either. "I got you, sweetie." Jimin kisses his head about a thousand times. "We can go outside later."

"Hey," the visitor speaks.

Yoongi recognizes this man. It's Kim Taehyung, one of the most famous artists in the world. His last painting sold for how much Yoongi's apartment building costs.

"I got the bed and the other stuff," Taehyung sighs, blinking his gorgeous almond eyes. "Are you sure about this?"

"Sure about what?" Jimin asks, as the man carries a box in, setting it on the counter.

"A cat is a lot of work," Taehyung says. "And your on tour a lot."

"I'm not bringing him to a shelter," Jimin cuts, voice like a knife.

"We could ask around, see if anyone wants him."

"No," Jimin says, partially covering Yoongi's ears as if he can understand.

Which he can.

"I know you loved that cat," Taehyung says. "But get over it, it's been fifteen years. You have a new, human best friend now."

Jimin pouts. "He looks just like him though. I-I just cant."

"It's not the same cat," Taehyung says. "This cat hates you. Just look how miserable he is."

Jimin frowns. "If he's really not happy here, then I'll look around. But it's only been one night. He'll adjust--"

Jimin sets Yoongi on the counter.

"You don't hate me, do you?"

Yoongi meows, 'I don't hate you.'

And miraculously Jimin seems to understand. "See, he doesn't hate me."

Taehyung sighs, unpacking cans of food. "Pretending you could talk to animals was cute when we were kids, but you're a grown up."

Jimin pets Yoongi behind the ears.

"He's a good cat," Jimin insists. "I'm gonna read him comics and take him camping and feed him tuna-"

"It's gonna be raining for four days," Taehyung says. "You'll have to wait on the camping.... did you name him yet?"

Jimin shakes his name. "Not yet. It hasn't come to me."

"Do you have a name, cutie?" Jimin asks, rubbing Yoongi's cheeks which is admittedly very nice.

'My name is Yoongi,' the kitten meows.

"What'd he say?" Taehyung asks.

Jimin shakes his head. "Button? Maybe Rocky? I dunno."

Yoongi sighs. He really needs to get out of here.

"Look, I get it," Taehyung says. "You miss your cat, but this guy isn't a replacement. He needs a proper home."

"What do you think I'm trying to do?" Jimin says, before he deflates. "You don't get it, Tae. I had a real hard time making friends when I was a kid."

"I didn't meet you until I was twelve. Yoongi was the only friend I had, cat or not-"

Yoongi? Yoongi's name is Yoongi.

"This cat isn't Yoongi," Taehyung says.

"I know," Jimin says. "I do! But he reminds me of him. It was that cat that gave me the confidence to talk to you."

"So you should be nice to him. Because you owe him too."

Taehyung pouts, folding his arms. "Fine. I'm sorry, Mr. Cat. I'll be nice."

Jimin smiles, petting Yoongi.

What are the chances that Jimin use to have a cat with his name? That's so weird.

Yoongi meows softly.

"What's he saying now?" Taehyung asks, trying to amuse the other.

Jimin sighs. "You know I can't really understand him. The magic skipped my generation."

Magic?

"Come on, baby," Jimin coos. "Let's get you some food. What are you feeling, chicken, salmon, or tuna?"

Jimin sets three different colored cans in front of him. Yoongi really does not want to eat cat food but if he has to- he nudges at the salmon one.

Jimin uses a can opener and takes off the lid, before scooping out the insides onto a place. "They you go, pretty."

It doesn't look appetizing at all, but it tastes really good. Yoongi ends up licking the plate clean.

"Do you need anything else?" Taehyung asks, grabbing his umbrella from the hallway. "I'm gonna head out. I have this painting I really need to finish."

"No! See ya! Thanks!"

Once the door closes, they're alone again. Yoongi's impulse is to hide, but-- he ignores it. Maybe he can somehow communicate with Jimin, let the other know that he's human.

Jimin's magic right? Yoongi heard it with his own ears.

"What's up, sweetie?" Jimin coos.

Yoongi just needs a way to communicate, he can't hold a pen, maybe he can get to a laptop and type some stuff in.

Jimin pulls out a liter box from the stuff, setting it down, and filling it up-

Yoongi's definitely not using that. But maybe he can write something in the sand.

"Oh, you have to use it," Jimin shuffles away.

Yoongi tries to write in the sand but his paws aren't limber enough. Damn. Maybe he can use his tail- No luck.

He needs to type it out. Does Jimin have a laptop. Yoongi scrambles away.

"Oh, where are you going?"

~~~~~~

Three days. Yoongi's tried to communicate for three days. He couldn't get to the laptop because Jimin immediately pulled him off and cuddled him, every time he got near it.

Yoongi tried everything-- he's even used the toilet correctly, but Jimin just doesn't get it.

Jimin just thinks Yoongi's a really smart cat.

Three days and Yoongi's all but given up. At least he tried.

Now, he's tired. He's tired, and he's purring in Jimin's lap as they watch t.v.

Sometimes, he even forgets that he isn't Jimin's cat. God, when is it gonna stop raining.

The forecast on the weather channel says it's gonna rain for another week straight. Is this natural? How can it keep raining nonstop like this.

"Baby, I'm gonna make popcorn," Jimin coos. "Can cats eat pop-"

The doorbell rings. Yoongi doesn't bother trying to escape.

"Oh," Jimin hops up and answers.

It's a couple of delivery men.

"Ah, it's here!" Jimin chirps. "You can just install it in that space."

Install? What are they bringing in.

The men nod and start stomping through.

"Hey!" Jimin shouts. "Be careful. My cat's a little jumpy, ok?"

Yoongi hides under the couch until the men leave. Then, cautiously he peeks out to see what they've brought in. Is it something for him, maybe a scratching post-

It's not.

It's piano. A really gorgeous white piano.

Jimin admires it and snaps a few pics on his phone.

"It's pretty, isn't it?" Jimin coos. The boy smiles but his eyes seem wistful. He sits at the keys and he plays, but he isn't very good.

Which is surprising because Yoongi though Jimin was good at everything?

"Ah," Jimin sighs. "S-Short fingers, what can you do?"

Yoongi meows something encouraging, 'It's a good first try.'

Jimin goes again. The tempo is off, and he keeps hitting the wrong notes- and then he's crying- why is he crying over mistakes- and then Jimin so frustrated he stops, just resting his head and sobbing on the keys.

Yoongi sweeps under Jimin's leg, trying to comfort him. Being a bad piano player is no reason to be this sad.

Jimin pulls Yoongi up, sitting him down on his lap. He's still crying. "God, I miss him so much. I wonder where he is."

Yoongi has no idea what's going on.

Jimin wipes his own face, pulling himself together. "I'm not gonna let anything happen to you. Then maybe he'll forgive me."

Oh, something must have happened to that cat Jimin used to play with as a kid. And Jimin feels guilty about it.

Yoongi meows, before licking Jimin's hand

And Jimin smiles, "Aww thank you, baby. I'm all better now."

Yoongi meow softly, tail flickering behind him.

And then--

And then he has an idea. He knows how he can communicate with Jimin. The medium is right behind him.

The piano. Yoongi can play the piano right now.

Yoongi spins around, pressing some of the keys.

"Oh!" Jimin laughs. "You wanna play too." He boosts Yoongi up a little so he can get better leverage. Then he pulls out his phone. "You're so good!"

Yoongi's been a cat for five days now. Maybe he has enough control to play.

It'd have to be something simple. Yoongi thinks about it, and a lullaby he composed comes to mind. He starts off, losing his balance and making a terrible noise.

But Jimin laughs. "Oh that's wonderful. You're so talented."

Yoongi needs to concentrate, trying again.

He ignores the fact that Jimin's filming all this. Yoongi needs to focus, trying to hit the right keys in time with his fat fat stupid paws.

And then the melody comes, and Jimin- his smile fades because he can hear it now, that it isn't just chaos.

It's music.

Jimin takes a deep breath, and he pulls Yoongi away, setting the cat the down on the floor. He stares at him, really stares at him as if seeing for the first time.

It's like realization comes to Jimin's mind right then. He gasps, cover his mouth, looking at the cat in shock.

Jimin's shaking all over. He reaches out but then his hand snaps back. He's tearing up all over again, just staring at the other.

And then-

"Y-Yoongi? Is it really you?" Jimin whispers.

At that precise moment, it stops raining.

~~~ TBC ~~~

Part 2: Two households, both alike in dignity

Yoongi doesn't immediately comprehend the change in vantage point. It takes him a few seconds to adjust. He can see Jimin perfectly eye level now, and he's reformed inches from the other's face, close enough to kiss him.

It's strange to be back in his human body, yes. But what's even stranger is that Jimin isn't scared, not the least bit frightened that his cat has turned in to a person.

"Y-Yoongi!" Jimin shouts. "Is that you?"

Yoongi has no idea what to do except stand there and stare.

Jimin gently cups Yoongi's face to get a better look at him, thumbs sweeping of the swell of his cheek, then pushing the hair away from his face, tucking it behind his ear.

Jimin studies him, looking for someone, someone he hasn't seen for a long time-- and finding him there.

Jimin tears up. "It really is you! Oh my gosh, you grew up." He kisses Yoongi's cheek and then pulls him into a hug, throwing his arms around the other. And the he starts sobbing hard into Yoongi's chest.

Ok. There must be a mistake. He only met Jimin five days ago.

He gently, but firmly pushes Jimin away. "I'm sorry. I think you're confusing me with someone else."

Jimin hiccups, his cheeks raw, his eyes bloodshot. "W-What are you talking about? How many Yoongi's could there be that are cursed to turn into cat?"

He.. HE KNOWS.

There's only four people that know about Yoongi's curse, him, his father and mother, and the evil witch that cursed him.

"H-How do you know about that," Yoongi struggles, backing into the wall.

"It's me," Jimin gestures to himself. "Me, Jimi. You know me. Your Jimi."

Yoongi doesn't have a Jimi.

"I don't know you," Yoongi says. He feels his pockets for his phone, which should've reformed as well. It's in his jeans. It still has the same 45 percent as it did when he first transformed. "I gotta-- oh my god, I've been missing for five days."

Jimin blocks the door, hands splayed out, preventing Yoongi from leaving. "You know me. You're mad at me, is that it? You haven't forgiven me? I thought you were dead, Yoongi! Else I would've looked for you."

Yoongi pushes Jimin aside. "Listen to me. I don't know you!"

Jimin's scared by the loudness, retreating into the corner, arms curled up.

"I met you five days ago. You thought I was a cat and took me home. I'm sorry you got all this stuff. I'll pay you back okay!?" Yoongi says. "I have to get home! I have to call my boss. Good bye, Jimin."

Jimin searches his eyes, so lost and desperate, and he accepts the situation as it is. "It's you. I know it's you. Who could grow up this beautiful except you. But you don't remember me."

Yoongi never had a childhood friend. He's sure of it. "I'm leaving. I need to get home."

Yoongi manages to open the door, even with Jimin's weight on it. He runs down the stairs and out through the gate. Jimin chases after him. "Yoongi, wait. Let me drive you home."

"I'll just call a taxi," Yoongi says. "Please leave me alone. You're scaring the shit outta me."

Jimin's freezing in his pajamas and bunny slippers, his arms folded. It's hard to believe that just one hour ago, both of them were cuddled comfortably on the couch, watching Running Man.

"Think about it, Yoongi," Jimin says. "How else would I know about your curse?"

"Y-You just saw me change right now," Yoongi says. "Maybe you guessed."

That doesn't seem right. Yoongi doesn't care, he simply opens his taxi app and calls one to his location.

"Wouldn't I be scared?" Jimin huffs. "How would I know your name? I know you. You know me."

Yoongi thinks hard, but his brain hurts and turns up blank. "I dunno how you know-- If we were friends, how come I don't remember you. How did we get separated?"

"It stared raining," Jimin says, as if it happened yesterday. "You turned and a truck didn't see you and it hit you!"

"Your parents took you to the hospital!" Jimin says. "I never saw you again-- My mom told me you died!"

Yoongi does remember that he had an accident as a kid, but it wasn't that bad. He only hurt his shoulder.

The taxi rounds the corner, flashing its headlights.

Yoongi hesitates but he ultimately gets in. Jimin presses his hands to the glass, trying to plead with the other.

"Hyung, please," Jimin breaks down. "Don't go! Don't go, please! PLEASE! Yoongi, don't do this. You're my best friend. You're my best friend in the whole world!"

Yoongi's chest hurts. "D-Drive. What are you waiting for?"

The driver pulls away slowly and hesitantly. Jimin bangs on the window a few more times, running along with it. "Yoongi! Please! Okay! I'll wait for you! I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for everything."

And then they're gone.

Yoongi's shaking, not understand why he's so emotional. He doesn't know Jimin. The other boy must be confused.

But still, he was really nice and maybe Yoongi didn't have to leave it like that-- except he has a life to get back to.

He quickly calls his boss, ready to explain.

"-Oh yea, I called your dad. He told me you weren't feeling well, got the flu or something. Are you feeling better now?"

Yoongi sighs with relief. His father must've seen the weather and covered for him.

"Yeah, I'll come in tomorrow. Sorry for all the trouble."

~~~~~~

A few days pass, and Yoongi thinks his life is finally returning to normal. He checks his weather app religiously, but there's really no freak anomaly storms or anything like that.

Yoongi's at work in his little studio, still thinking about that lullaby and-

Fuck, he misses Jimin.

He's so confused about Jimin.

But they'd spent a huge chunk of time together, five times twenty four hours together with no breaks. It's natural to miss him a little right.

Maybe he should call. Only he doesn't have a number. Maybe he should visit.

No. He can't feed into Jimin's delusion.

Is it a delusion though? A lot of things aren't adding up-

Gah, damn it. Yoongi can't think straight. He hasn't sleep well at all since he left Jimin's house. He's so used to sleeping next to the boy and getting cuddled and petted.

He hasn't been eating either. He's got a strange craving for cat food which is not mentally healthy, and also the bits of food that Jimin occasionally feeds him.

Maybe he should go see his Jimi.

There's a commotion outside, shouting. Yoongi snaps out of his thoughts.

Yoongi leaves his tiny studio office to check it out. There's a huge group of people gathered at the front of the building.

And at the center, it's Jimin.

Not his Jimin, but Jimin, the billionaire singer. He's got two body guards, and he's wearing a very expensive suit.

Yoongi's boss is going crazy.

"OH MY GOD, WHAT IS HE DOING HERE?" the man shouts. "HOLY FUCK, GET THE GOOD CUPS! NO PAPER CUPS FOR HIM! WHAT ARE YOU STILL STANDING THERE FOR, MEGAN!?"

Jimin gets in, walking past people who are shouting his name. He searches around--

He sees Yoongi and beelines for him. And for a second Yoongi's intimidated by the fit, the designer sunglasses and the styled hair but-- but it fades, he could never be scared of the other man.

"I'm sorry," Jimin says in a small voice. "I know you don't want to see me, but I-"

Jimin tears up. "I missed you and I couldn't sleep and everything in house reminds me of you so I had to go to Tae's and he's no help either. I said I'd wait, but then I found your social media account and I- I HAVE PROOF HYUNG. I HAVE PROOF THAT WE WERE FRIENDS!"

The crowds starting to follow.

"Yoongi!?" his boss calls, looking amazed and joyful. "You know Park Jimin!? You never-"

"We're working on a song together," Yoongi blurts out. He grabs Jimin's hand. He has to get the other guy somewhere private. "We'll see you later."

Jimin adds to their story. "Don't bother us! It's PART OF OUR CREATIVE PROCESS! IN FACT JUST GUARD THIS WHOLE HALLWAY!"

Yoongi pulls Jimin into the studio, locking the door. His heart is racing.

"Hyung?" Jimin whispers. "Please don't be mad. I just-- I wanted to see you."

Yoongi stares the other down, trying to locate the nature of his feelings.

"You said you had proof?"

Jimin's eyes light up. "OH! The song, the song you played. You wrote that for me when we were kids. I know the rest of it."

He starts humming it, hitting all the notes. "See!"

Yoongi's not impressed.

"Wait," Jimin says. "I have more."

He has a bag with him and he pulls out a comic book. "You lent this to me when we kids. I never got to return it. Here, you can have it back. I took good care of it."

It's a comic that Yoongi's never seen before.

But it hits hard that Jimin took care of comic book for fifteen fucking years.

"I'm sorry, Jimin," Yoongi sighs. "I don't remember this book."

Jimin tears up but he powers through his sorrow. "I have one more thing."

He pulls out a photo, worn at the edges. "Here. It's us."

It's a Polaroid, from one of those old cameras. Yoongi recognizes himself in the who, looking really happy. There's a boy next to him, holding his hand, hiding partially behind him.

That's Jimin.

They're making sand castles and they're so happy.

"See?" Jimin whispers.

"How do I know this isn't photoshopped?" Yoongi asks, waving the thing around.

Jimin goes into panic mode, quickly grabbing the picture back, holding it protectively as if Yoongi might have damaged it. He sighs with relief when it appears to be fine. "It's not. I promise!"

"Jimin, I'm sorry," Yoongi says. "Even if what you're saying is true, I don't remember you. It's been fifteen years, maybe you should move one."

Jimin grabs his hand. "NO! Listen, Yoongi! I have help you break your curse!"

"How? You're not magic, you said it yourself."

"I'm not," Jimin agrees. "But I-- you can break your curse with true love's first kiss. Yoongi, I love you. All you have to do is... love me back."

Yoongi jerks his hand away. "Jimin, I think you should leave."

Jimin looks so heartbroken. "Please think about it."

Yoongi speaks a little more seriously. "Jimin. I need you to leave."

Jimin wavers. He collects his proof and nods. "O-Okay. If you change your mind. I-" he drops a business card on the ground, unable to pick it up. "I'll wait-"

Then Jimin turns and runs out of the place.

~~~~~~

A few more days pass, and Yoongi tries to forget about it but he can't. He decides to call his parents in the middle of the night.

His father answers.

"Do you know what time it is?" the man sighs. "Are you alright, son? What's wrong?"

It's 2:15 am.

"Sorry, Pop."

"Hey, your boss called me," the man says. "Did you get everything straightened out-"

"Yeah," Yoongi sighs. "That's not it. Can I ask you something?"

"Sure thing," the man yawns. "You need money? How much, I'll wire it to you."

"No, dad! I'm a grown man," Yoongi huffs.

The man laughs. "I miss you. Your mom just asked when you were coming back."

"I-" Yoongi sighs. "Did I ever have a friend name Jimin as a kid?"

There's a long pause.

"Dad?"

"You remember Jimin?" the man asks.

Yoongi's heart goes wild. So Jimin was telling the truth.

"Why didn't you ever mention him?" Yoongi asks.

"I dunno," the man sighs. "Remember that time you got in that accident and dislocated your arm- you just forgot about him. I thought maybe you bonked your head or something. W-We tried to remind you, but you didn't remember."

"So you remember him?" the man adds.

"He- He came to see me!" Yoongi says. "I don't remember him though."

"Oh," the man answers. "Maybe it's for the best. I mean you haven't seen him in so long. What kind of friend doesn't visit you in the hospital."

Yoongi sighs. "I-"

Jimin said that he thought Yoongi was dead- it's still not adding up.

"Alright, dad," Yoongi yawns. "I'm sorry for bothering you. I think I'll just drop it."

"Okay, good night, son," his father answers.

Except... Yoongi's not gonna drop it. He needs answers.

The next day, Yoongi takes the day off and drives to Jimin's house. He's always careful about rain when he drives, he double checks the app every ten minutes.

It's not supposed to be raining but- as he nears Jimin's mansion, he notices a drop on his windshield. He pulls over.

By the time he's out of the car, it's drizzling, and he's a cat again. Thankfully, he didn't get in accident.

He runs up to the house in cat form, hoping Jimin's home. Maybe he can scratch at the door or something-

No luck, Yoongi decides to search for an open window.

Ah, he sees Jimin through the window. The boy is home and he has a visitor.

"HOW COULD YOU TELL ME HE WAS DEAD!" Jimin screams. "HE'S ALIVE, MOM!"

The woman standing next to Jimin looks nothing like him. That's his mom-

"It was for the best," she says, drinking her tea.

She looks familiar.

Yoongi thinks about it. Where has he seen her before-

It's her.

Yoongi's seen her picture a few times, old photos of her with his father.

That's the witch. Jimin's mother is the witch that cursed him.

~~~ TBC ~~~

Yoongi's conflicted, deeply and painfully. He's more confused than ever and yet, everything's finally clear.

Jimin's mom is the witch. She must have tried to break them apart, going so far as to take his memories away.

And why? Why would she do such a cruel thing?

Yoongi realizes then. He must have been close, closer than now at least, to breaking his curse.

Which means, what she took away from him-- were all the memories, any reminder at all that he loved Jimin.

Yoongi hops in the through the window, furiously dashing towards her.

Jimin catches him before he can scratch her face out. "Hyung! You're here! I can explain."

Yoongi thrashes furiously, trying to get out of his grasp. He's so angry.

The woman stares at him coldly, wearing way too much eye shadow. She waves her hand and Yoongi's body goes rigid.

Jimin carefully lays Yoongi down. He looks more like a rug than an animal with how limp he is. "Oh my god! What did you do to him. I swear I'll never forgive you."

"Relax," the woman huffs. "It's a paralysis spell, one you could easily master if you tried at all."

Jimin tears up. "NO! I'm not like you! I'll never ever use magic!" He lowers himself, gently petting Yoongi. "Oh my god, I'm so sorry. Are you hurt? I'll get you to a vet, right away."

Yoongi can still speak, and he hisses at the touch, causing Jimin to jerk back in surprise.

The woman folds her arms. "Seeing you reminds me of that man. He who stole all the joy of my life from me." She crotches down, eyes like a snake's. "What are you doing here, son of my most hated enemy."

Yoongi's furious, even though he can't move a muscle. He screeches at her.

"Jimin, make it stop raining," the woman says. "I want to know what he's saying."

Jimin's distressed. "I'm not making it rain."

"You are," his mother insists. "Stop the rain. Do it now."

Jimin licks at his lips, trying his hardest to focus, and the rain outside ebbs-

Yoongi still can't move, but he finds that his body is back to normal now, his hands visible in front of him.

The woman moves him, using her foot to kick him over so that he's laying on his back.

"Don't you dare touch him!" Jimin screams, throwing himself over Yoongi's body.

Yoongi's staring up at the ceiling, and the woman looks down at him. "Talk."

"I fucking hate you," Yoongi growls. "What you took from me-- I should stab you in the face."

The woman laughs. "You're so much like your father, except he stabs people in the back."

Yoongi's seething

"You let him go," Jimin cries. "Let him go or I'm never talking to you again."

"The spell will only last a short time, dear," she coos. "Fifteen minutes, ten if he's willful."

"How could you?" Yoongi huffs. "You took- You took it away-"

The woman laughs. She knows.

"You don't know the whole story," she says. "But of course, you'll come in here and trying to attack me. You were hurt. You were on your death bed, and father, scoundrel and coward, he came crawling to me, to save your life."

Save his life? She saved his life? What?

"Magic like that," she continues. "It takes a lot, the most precious thing to you, which ironically is what could've broken your curse."

Jimin's lost. "What are you two talking about?"

"I used it to brew you a potion and it saved your pathetic mortal life," she huffs.

Yoongi can't believe this. The most precious thing to him was his memories of Jimin and now they're gone-

"And your father promised me that you would never see my son again," she huffs. "Yet here you are, a liar."

"Y-You're the one who cursed me in the f-first place!"

The woman's cold, exceedingly so. "I will never forgive your family. You should be grateful to be alive at all."

"That it," Jimin shouts. One of the light bulbs in the lamps across the room shatters. "Out of my house! Right now!"

"I gave you life too-" she begins.

"GET OUT!"

The woman's hurt, tears trapped in her lash line. "You're poison, Min Yoongi. You have everything. What more do want to steal from me."

Then she's gone, taking the scent of her expensive perfume, and her designer bag with her.

The door slams hard, and a car drives away.

"Hyung," Jimin's a mess. "I'm so sorry. I was-- can I touch you. I'll carry you to the couch. Are you cold? Are you hurt?"

"Okay," Yoongi says weakly.

Jimin's surprisingly strong, carrying him bridal style and laying him gently on the sofa before covering him with a blanket.

"I was going to tell you," Jimin says weakly, stepping back and giving him space. "I just didn't know how and you already didn't believe me and you hated me so much as it is-"

"I don't hate you," Yoongi says softly.

Jimin pauses. "W-What?"

"I don't hate you, Jimin."

The way that Jimin wails, sinking to his knees. "You DONT?" he cries so forlornly, like he's about to die.

It starts raining again, and Yoongi briefly turns back into a cat. He's a little scared to be honest, it sounds like Jimin's going to pass out.

"YOU DON'T HATE ME?"

Yoongi meows.

Jimin seems to snap out of it. He stares out the window them back inside. "Oh, I'm-- I can't control it. H-Hold on."

It takes five minutes before Jimin can make it stop. He has to leave the room and come back. "T-There. Better."

Yoongi can speak again.

He can move his left arm again, weakly flopping it about. "Hey look! It's wearing off!"

Jimin warily approaches. "I'm-- I'm really sorry about my mom. Listen, whatever she took from you to make the potion. I'm sure I can replace it. Just let me know what it is."

Ooooh. No.

Yoongi definitely can't tell Jimin. "It doesn't matter now. I think I'll just have to live with it."

Jimin frowns, folding his arms. "I'm not s-stupid, hyung. My mom said it was something that could break your curse. She took your true love away from you, right? Who is it?"

Wow. For someone who's not stupid, he's really stupid.

"Well," Yoongi sighs, his right arm coming back to life. "I mean-- think about it. I got into an accident. She took my true love from me to save my life. And afterwards... the person I can't remember is you."

Oh.

Yoongi can tell that Jimin hasn't made the connection yet. He's nodding.

"Right," Jimin continues. "Hmm, okay, well- OH!"

Jimin's eyes widen and he points to himself. "Me? Was it me? Am I your true love?"

Oof, that's potent.

"Yeah," Yoongi laughs nervously. "I think so."

"Oh my god!" Jimin huffs. "I'll kiss you right now! I can break the curse."

Yoongi shakes his head. "You've already kissed me about a thousand times when I was a cat. I don't think that's how it works."

"Why not?" Jimin asks, lips still puckered.

"Cause, I don't remember you."

Jimin deflates at that. "Oh."

He suddenly sits down on the floor, and then flops over as if he's been hit with a paralysis spell. He lays there and looks at the ceiling. "I don't even know how to feel about that."

Yoongi sighs. "I'm sorry, Jimi. I wish I could remember."

Jimin tears up. "Y-You don't have to call me that. I-I know I'm not your Jimi anymore."

Yoongi finds that he can move now, and pushes himself up to sitting, reaching out for the other, if only he could make the other half of the distance.

"Nah. You'll always be my Jimi."

Jimin tears up, but he extends his hand, closing the gap. Yoongi pulls Jimin up so that the boy is on the couch too. It doesn't stop there.

Yoongi gives Jimin a hug, rubbing his back.

Jimin completely melts into his embrace. "I missed you so much, hyung. You don't even know."

"Hey listen," Yoongi whispers. "I know I don't remember, but maybe you could tell me, yeah? Maybe we could be friends again."

Jimin smiles into Yoongi's skin, holding him tighter. "Yes. Let's be friends again. I'll tell you everything I know. We met when I was six-"

~~~ TBC ~~~

Six year old Park Jimin doesn't fit in anywhere. He knows it. He doesn't belong in the magic world with his mom, and he's not doing well in human school like his mortal father suggested. He's not socializing.

No, Park Jimin doesn't have a friend in the world. He's a sad boy.

Still, Jimin prefers being with his dad, and the alternate weeks that they spend together. If he had a choice, he'd spend all his time at his dad's.

"Jiminie? You want another sandwich, can I get you anything from inside?"

"No, thank you." Jimin answers with a shy smile.

Currently, Jimin's outside in a lime green tent. His dad's head is poking in through the flap, the man's glasses fogged up with water droplets on them. "Okay! I'll be back later. I'll bring cocoa!"

"Ok, dad!" Jimin chirps, reading his book, lying on his stomach, feet in the air.

Ah, why is Jimin confined outside, you ask? He has a little bit of issue. When he's sad, it rains.

Right now, he's sad. There's a rain cloud following him, and raining just above the tent. He can't go inside because, the rain cloud will follow him and ruin the wooden floors.

The thing is, Jimin doesn't even know why he's sad. He's not crying or anything, and he doesn't even think he's sad.

But the cloud doesn't lie and it rains above him. And it rains often.

Jimin ignores it, reading his book, turning the pages with care, under his blanket.

Cue, eight year old Min Yoongi. He's been around a few times in the past three weeks.

He hasn't gotten the courage to actually go in the tent yet. But he's seen it there in the backyard of the house that's two blocks from his.

Actually, a lot of kids have seen it.

How can you miss a lime green tent with a rain cloud hovering just above it.

Parents have warned their children to stay away from it, Yoongi's included.

But Yoongi's curious. He knows whoever inside is magic. Maybe they could help him, break his curse. Wouldn't that be nice?

Yoongi decides he might do it today, but he says that everyday. He rides down the block in his yellow bike, and he notices a group of boys there.

They're standing at the fence, and the tent is set up about fifteen feet away.

"-I dare you. I double dare you. Do it!"

Yoongi leans his bike on the side, and watches in horror.

One of the boy's picks up a pebble and tosses it hard. It lands on the roof of the tent and bounces off harmlessly.

"Awww, I wanna see him," the boy huffs. "Is he gonna come out or not?"

And Yoongi's furious.

"Hey!" he shouts. "Get away from there!"

Yoongi charges them, pushing the boy to the ground. He scratches another of them. "You guys are awful!"

The group quickly scatters. Yoongi's got quite the reputation at eight, mysteriously disappearing for days at a time.

"Sorry!"

They're gone in a flash. Yoongi stands at the fence by himself. He's heard some stories, but he's never seen the boy before.

He doesn't come out now, not with all the commotion, not to defend himself. He stays inside that tent and it rains harder than ever.

Yoongi jumps over.

He's never been this far before. He feels the grass under his feet, the dampness seeping in through the holes in his sneakers.

He takes one step, then another, his pulse racing and his ears ringing.

Then he steps through the door of the tent, to see who's inside.

"LEAVE ME ALONE BEFORE I TURN YOU INTO A SQUID!" the boy shouts, clearly annoyed-- but then his expression changes. "Oh-"

Yoongi stares at him, and it takes a minute for him to adjust.

Right.

It's raining over the tent. So while he's inside, his curse is activated.

The boy inside the tent isn't at all what Yoongi imagined. He doesn't look particularly scary, just a normal boy, with chubby cheeks and stubby fingers.

"Hello," the boy hums. "I'm sorry I yelled. I thought you were those meanies outside."

Yoongi meows softly.

Jimin listens for them and hears silence. "I guess you scared them off, didn't you, cutie?"

Actually, Yoongi did. 'You're welcome!'

"Oh, sorry," Jimin sighs. "You're all wet from the rain." he takes his blanket and wipes Yoongi off. "It's my fault. Sorry."

This is a problem.

How can Yoongi ask for help when he's in cat form? He meows wondering if the boy can understand him.

Unfortunately, he can't.

"Me?" the boy pretends. "I'm Jimin. What's your name?"

Maybe Yoongi should step outside so it's not raining over him anymore and then he can talk.

"P-Please don't go!" Jimin pleads. "I have candy. Do you like candy? How about books?"

There's a big stack of them-

It's raining over the whole front yard now, and the storm is only growing. Yoongi has no choice now but to stay, he turns around.

Jimin smiles at him in hope.

"This one is my favorite. I'll read it to you!" Jimin says, turning back to the front and starting from the beginning.

What a strange boy.

Jimin lays on his side and starts reading. It's a book about a princess that's cursed to fall asleep forever when she turns 16.

As curses go, that's pretty unoriginal.

Jimin reaches into his pocket and pulls out a shiny, purple and blue rock. He places it in front of Yoongi. "This is my favorite rock. You can have it, if you want."

Yoongi turns his nose up at it, confused to why the boy's being so nice.

Jimin shuffles around, "You know I have some yarn inside the house. I'll get it next time. But you have to come back! Do you promise!?"

Oh wow.

Yoongi feels bad and confused.

He's never met someone who was so lonely before.

'Sure,' Yoongi meows.

Jimin reaches for him but-

"Oh!" he pauses. "Is it okay if I pet you?"

It's nice to be asked first. Yoongi nods, moving forward into the kid's arms.

"Oh, you're so friendly," Jimin coos. "You're such a pretty cat."

Yoongi cuddles into the boy's embrace and listens to him read some more.

"I wonder if dad will let me keep you?" Jimin yawns.

Yoongi doubts that he would, especially when he turns back into a human.

"Will you be my friend?" Jimin asks, gently petting Yoongi's head. "I don't got any cause... I dunno."

Yoongi meows softly, licking the boy's hand.

Jimin reads to him, and tries to get him to chase a piece of grass around, but Yoongi doesn't humor him. He gets about fifteen hugs, a piece of dried fruit--

Jimin yawns, getting sleepy. Yoongi settles next to him. "I have to go back to mom's in two days- I'll miss you."

Yoongi's never played with someone as a cat. Usually during rainy days he stays inside, and his parents argue because they're reminded of his curse-- Yoongi usually just stays under the couch and out of the way, but this

-this is really nice.

Jimin yawns again and smiles.

At that moment, the rain cloud evaporates.

"Do-" Jimin pauses, his eyes going wide.

Yoongi's not a cat anymore. He can tell by the way his fingers feel. "Oh... hey."

Jimin screams, rolling out of position and out of the ten. He screams high pitched, twisted in his blanket.

Yoongi covers his mouth. "Wait! Wait! I'm sorry. It's still me! I'm cursed, Jimin. I turn into a cat when it rains! We're friends, right? You said we were!"

Jimin stops struggling, eyes popping. He nods once in compliance. And Yoongi let's him go.

Jimin screams- but silently.

"Oh. my. god."

"Yeah," Yoongi sighs. "It's weird. I know. I thought maybe you could help me."

It's clear Jimin's not the one who can help him. He's just a kid.

"But it's okay," Yoongi adds. "Thanks for the story, and the dried mango."

"You're a CAT!" Jimin huffs.

Jimin's still buffering from ten seconds ago.

"Yup," Yoongi agrees.

"You turn into a cat," Jimin accuses him.

"Sometimes," Yoongi confirms.

"You turn into a cat when it rains," Jimin says loudly.

"Yes," Yoongi says slowly. "You got it. That's it. Good job, buddy!"

Jimin crawls forward, grabbing his face. "What's your name!? How old are you?! When's your birthday!?"

"Ummm, Yoongi, eight, and March 9th," Yoongi says.

"I'm six!" Jimin says, before falling back and running a hand through his hair. "OH MY GOD, YOU'RE A CAT!"

This is the first time Yoongi's ever shared his secret with anyone. He's not sure, but he feels like Jimin's taking it well.

Jimin flops over in the wet grass. "I don't think I'd make a good friend, hyung. It rains all the time above me. That's why I stay outside."

Yoongi looks to the sky. It's pretty sun right now. "But not all the time."

Jimin notices the flecks of sunshine on the grass- "Oh yeah, not right now, though."

"If you don't want to be friends," Yoongi says. "That's okay."

Jimin shoots up. "No! I wanna! I wanna!"

"Is that everything though!" the boy asks, gawking at him. "Do you turn into a dog when it snows or-"

"No," Yoongi says. "That's it."

Jimin searches around in the grass, and picks up his favorite rock. "Here! I was only kidding before. But now, you can have it."

Yoongi takes it, turning it over in his hands. "Really?"

"Do you like cocoa," Jimin asks. "Who's your favorite basketball player?"

"Jiminie!" a man calls the boy from the house. "I heard shouting! Oh- it stopped raining-"

The man spots Yoongi standing there.

"Dad!" Jimin shouts, jumping up and down. "This is Yoongi. Can he stay for dinner! Oh my god, he's a-"

Yoongi pulls Jimin aside, heart racing. "You can't tell anyone. It's a secret! Only my parents know."

Jimin pauses. "And me too?"

"And you too now," Yoongi whispers.

Jimin's honored. He keeps Yoongi's secret of course.

And Yoongi comes back every time Jimin's around. It only takes three weeks for them to upgrade from friends to best friends.

Then one night, it's raining, and Jimin's sleeping outside in the tent, Yoongi's with him.

In cat form.

"Sorry, hyung," Jimin sighs, looking up nothing. "It's my fault we can't sleep inside. You can go if you want."

Yoongi meows, not moving, laying by his side.

"Can I tell you a secret?" Jimin whispers. "I don't want you to hate me though."

He could never.

"You know how my dad's not magic," Jimin whispers. "But I am?"

Yoongi nods.

"It's because my mom's magic," Jimin says solemnly. "That's where I get it from."

That makes sense.

"But she's... she's like the wicked witch in my stories," Jimin says. "That makes me half bad."

Jimin tears up. "So that's my secret. I'm half bad and I'm half good. You don't have to be friends with me anymore if you don't want to."

Yoongi meows, unable to say what he thinks.

Jimin frowns. "I think I can make it stop but... I'm scared of what you're gonna say."

Yoongi licks his hand encouragingly. Jimin takes a deep breath, tears rolling down his face. He focuses and-

Yoongi's human again, fully formed and still dressed in the coat he turned in.

"You're not bad, Jimin," Yoongi says.

"I'm half bad," Jimin says, agreeing.

"You're not bad at all," Yoongi corrects.

Jimin looks so sad. "I'm a little bad."

Yoongi shakes his head and pulls Jimin into his arms. "You're not bad, Jimi. You're my best friend."

"Really?" Jimin tears up. "You sure?"

They pinky swear, best friends forever-

~~~ TBC ~~~

Yoongi's a bit disoriented. He doesn't immediately remember what's going on.

It's dark and warm and comfortable. There's something soft laying against his cheek--

Ah, that's right, Jimin was telling him about their childhood, and they got sleepy. They must have gone under.

It takes another second for Yoongi to register his state. He's a cat again, which means it must be raining outside.

Yoongi quickly wiggles out of his space to look out the window.

The storm's coming down, lightning in the distant, and the roll of thunder that follows.

And Yoongi can't help but wonder, is it raining because Jimin's sad?

He turns back to the boy. He'd been peaceful just a moment ago, but now there's pucker of worry between his brow. He stirs in his sleep, in the throws of a nightmare.

"Don't go-" Jimin whispers.

Jimin twists painfully the other way, grabbing at the air. "Please!"

Yoongi wants to comfort him, shake the boy awake, but what can he do? He's a foot tall and ten pounds soaking wet.

"No!" Jimin cries, turning again. He falls off the couch and hits the floor hard.

At the same time, lightning hits so close, a thunderous boom follows right after the flash. Yoongi's fur stands on end.

Jimin's awake, clawing at the floor in confusion. "Hyung?" he says weakly, then again stronger and more panicked. "HYUNG! WHERE ARE YOU?"

How heartbreaking.

Yoongi quickly walks to his side, rubbing up against him, licking his cheek.

Jimin immediately calms down. "Oh- ah, there you are-"

Yoongi meows, laying in Jimin's arms, trying his best to comfort the other. 'Bad dream?'

Jimin wipes his tear-streaked face in embarrassment.

"It's nothing, hyung," Jimin sighs, more tears coming. "I just- I just dreamed that I never actually found you. That I'd imagined it all up and that you really were dead like I thought before-"

Jimin sits back down on the couch, setting Yoongi in his lap.

"It's silly."

Jimin smiles, scratching Yoongi behind the ears. "I forgot where I left off--"

The rain stops, the pitter-patter suddenly giving way to deafening silence.

Yoongi reforms, human once more. He's sitting on Jimin's lap, straddling his hips, in such a scandalous position.

Jimin's face looks red even in the dark. His eyes go wide as he stares at Yoongi.

"I-" Jimin swallows hard. "I thought I got control of it, you know? I'm-- I swear I'm not doing it on purpose."

Yoongi doesn't move, Jimin's hands on either side, keeping him steady.

"Umm, okay," the older says, wondering how he should dismount. He wobbles and Jimin's reaction is to hold him closer, his hand now on the small of Yoongi's back, pressing him forward so that their bellies touch.

And what is this splintering, blistering heat in his body?

Yoongi gracelessly shuffles to the side, hitting his head on the wall before setting on the opposite side of the couch.

"Ah," Jimin follows after him, crawling between his legs, and checking his forehead. "Hyung! I'm sorry, are you alright?"

Well-- now it's even worse.

Yoongi falls back, and Jimin leans forward, hovering above him, checking the spot for a bruise. They're in an even worse position than before.

"Are you h-hurt?" Jimin asks. "I'm so sorry."

"I'm fine," Yoongi squeaks.

He's not fine. Jimin's knee is pressed against his-

Yoongi questions every decision he's ever made in his life up to that point.

Jimin's right above him, the gravity pulling his shirt down so that his collar is exposed. And he's so pretty and soft and his hands feel so nice.

Yoongi pushes him off, and Jimin lands on the ground.

Jimin rubs at his elbow, wincing. "O-Ow."

"Sorry," Yoongi huffs, scrambling to stand. "I just- I just have to go to the bathroom. Bye!"

Yoongi rushes off to the bathroom, slamming the door. His heart is racing, wild fire in his chest.

What the fuck was that? Jimin--

Yoongi sits on the edge of the tub. It must have been surprise, that's all.

Anyone could get surprised by that.

It's not that Yoongi has feelings for Jimin. That's impossible. They've only just figured out they're friends.

"Hyung? I-Is everything alright?" Jimin calls.

"Um yeah," Yoongi says, trying to be as convincing as he can.

"Okay," Jimin answers. "Sorry about-- the lap thing." Yoongi can't see it, but he imagines the other boy is cringing hard. "I'll wait for you outside, okay?"

"O-Okay," Yoongi says. "I'll be just a minute."

When Yoongi finally convinces himself to leave the bathroom, seven minutes have passed.

Jimin's in the living room, staring out the window, blanket wrapped around his shoulders.

"It's getting late," Yoongi says-- it's 2:15 am, "I should get going. I'll hear the rest later."

Jimin doesn't even try to hide his fear. "What!? You're leaving? Don't--" he pauses, trying to reign it in. "It's late, and the weather's not good. What if it starts raining again? You could get lost or hurt! and what if you're outside, and I'm not there and I can't find you!"

Yoongi doesn't remember.

But Jimin does.

And that's his curse.

"Okay," Yoongi says softly. "Do you have some pajamas I can borrow. I'll stay."

"You can have my bed," Jimin offers, relief flooding his eyes, "I'll sleep on the couch."

"A-Alright," Yoongi answers.

They properly get ready for bed. Jimin hovers by the hallway, brushing his teeth. Then he checks in on Yoongi every five minutes.

"You want a glass or water or a snack," Jimin asks.

"No, I'm fine."

Then five minutes- "Are you cold? Do you need a blanket?"

"I'm good."

And again, "Hey, are you asleep?"

"No."

"Do you want any extra pillows, I have some in the closet."

Yoongi sighs. "Jimin, just get in here."

Jimin stands by the door, not moving. "W-What?"

"You know," Yoongi accuses.

Jimin rushes over, climbing on and getting in. "I know."

They lay side by side, a pillow between them. "Sorry, am I a lot of trouble?"

Yoongi's heart stirs, that emotion again, it's not something you feel for just a friend. "No, I think you're sweet. Now, go to sleep."

Jimin yawns, eyes shutting.

Then peace-

"I miss you, Yoongi."

~~~~~~

In the morning, Yoongi wakes to the sound of birds chirping.

Also, there's a person staring right at him, hovering above him. It's Taehyung.

"AH FUCK!" Yoongi screams, rolling over.

"Who are you?" Taehyung asks. "What are you doing in my best friend's bed?"

Jimin stirs, batting at the sound, but not fully waking.

"Jimin's my best friend," Yoongi corrects.

Taehyung inhales sharply and screams, not loud, but very steady and even pitched. "WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!? JIMINIE IS MY BEST FRIEND, YOU IMPOSTOR! JIMIN, GET UP!!!"

Jimin pulls himself up, pouting at the sound. "Tae, what are you even doing here?"

Taehyung shakes Jimin by the shoulders. "What am I doing here? What is he doing here? Who is this heifer?"

"This- is Yoongi," Jimin points. "He's um- we're working on a song together."

Taehyung's not pacified. Yoongi likes pushing the boy's buttons.

"Then why were you holding hands when I found you!" Taehyung shouts. "YOU SLEEP IN THE SAME BED AND HOLD HANDS!? HOW COULD YOU!?"

"Tae," Jimin groans. "Why are you here? It's six am in the morning."

Taehyung folds his arms. "Because I'm your best friend. I bought some things for your cat. Where is he by the way, I can't find him anywhere."

Yoongi smirks. "It's none of your business. You're not cleared to know that information. Only I, Jimin's one true best friend, knows."

Taehyung tackles Yoongi back into the bed. He gently headbutts Yoongi's shoulder. "You are my enemy now!"

Yoongi laughs, taking this as an opportunity to pet the other. "He's funny, I like him."

Once they're all detangled and groomed, they head to the kitchen for breakfast.

They're gathered on the kitchen island, and Taehyung sits on his stool, arms folded, glaring at Yoongi. "You're that song writer, aren't you? I thought for a minute-" he shakes his head. "Jimin had a cat when he was kid, same name, you know?"

"I do know," Yoongi answers.

Taehyung narrows his eyes. "But do you know Jimin's favorite color?"

Yoongi doesn't... but he guesses. "Purple and blue."

Taehyung pouts. "Damn- w-what about his favorite sport?"

"Basketball."

"WRONG!" Taehyung shouts. "It's football now."

"Guys," Jimin huffs. "Let's not."

The singer is currently making pancakes for them. He sets a stack in front of Yoongi, happy face made of strawberries and cream.

"Make mine better than his," Taehyung whines.

Yoongi takes a bite of his. "How could it better than this, so full of bestfriendy goodness."

Taehyung lunges at him. "GIVE ME THOSE PANCAKES."

Yoongi moves away, taking the plate with him, and eating it quickly. "No! This is mine only."

Taehyung flops on the couch in defeat. "He's so mean! He won't even tell me where your cat is! Jiminie!"

Yoongi sighs.

He's had his fun. "He's not coming back for a while."

"Where'd he go?" Taehyung asks.

When Jimin's sad, it rains. When it rains, the cat appears. The cat's not gonna be back any time soon-

Cause Yoongi's gonna make Jimin happy.

"He's gone." Yoongi replies.

~~~ TBC ~~~

It's Monday, and Yoongi should be miserable, tired and grumpy, but he's not.

He can't explain it. His coffee tastes particularly good, the sun is shining, and he's being so productive.

Perhaps it's because there's a picture on his desk, two kids at the beach, two best friends.

Part 3: Vendetta

Yoongi's phone rings and he answers it with a smile.

"Okay, here's the plan," Jimin's voice comes in clear. "I have the gear, you bring the food."

Yoongi's already got the food, sitting a cooler at home.

"Check," Yoongi says.

"I'm so excited, hyung!"

"Me too," Yoongi says. "I'll be there at 5. I just gotta clock out and swing by my house, first!"

"Oh! and bring some extra blankets," Jimin says. "It might get cold!"

Yoongi makes a mental note of it. "See you soon, Jimi."

"Okay, Yooni!"

The phone call ends with a beep.

There's very little traffic, and Yoongi makes it to the campsite in less than an hour. He looks across the grounds, and finds a pretty green tent in the distant, and he knows it's the one.

A second later, the flap unzips and a happy Jimin comes running towards him.

He crashes into Yoongi, hugging him tight. "You're here! Oh my god, this is gonna be so fun, hyung!"

Jimin's already dug out the pit, rocks set around it. All they need is a fire.

"We picked a good day to go camping. There's barely anyone here," Yoongi comments.

Yes, it's just them and nature, and a couple of old people that don't work on Mondays.

Jimin still hasn't let him go, hugging him softly. "What did you bring?"

Yoongi got all the essentials: Chocolate, marshmallows, ramen, beer, dried mango, gram crackers, chips-

Jimin circles around, a hand still on Yoongi's shoulder, as if he doesn't want to disconnect. He uses his free limb to search around the cooler in the trunk.

"Oh! I love these!" Jimin hums, pulling out some gummy snacks. "I already set up the tent, come look, hyung!"

It's cozy inside, smelling like moist dirt and old paper and something sweet.

There's two sleeping bags, and bunch of pillows and blankets. It's gonna me very comfortable.

Jimin gets in, and motions Yoongi to come inside as well, zipping the tent up after him.

Yoongi has this sense of nostalgia, even though he doesn't actually remember all the days he spent with Jimin as a child. It's still nice.

Jimin smiles so widely. "Just like old times!"

Then he flops over, laying out comfortably. "What should we do first? Are you hungry?"

They end up starting a fire, heating up some water above it, and roasting apples on the coals below. It's nice, basking in the warmth, taking sips of beer between poking things.

The sun slowly settles over the horizon, and the stars come out.

"Hyung, I've been thinking-"

Jimin takes a deep breath. "I'm your best friend again, which means I gotta do what I promised before."

"Promised?" Yoongi repeats.

"I'm gonna help you break your curse," Jimin says. "I know you don't remember me- but maybe you can find a new love, and I'll help."

Yoongi considers this. Why does his chest hurt? "I'm not sure."

"Well?" Jimin asks. "Do you like anyone right now? I can give you some tips."

Yoongi stares at the sky, stars appearing like freckles on the edges. The boy thinks of someone. "Maybe."

Jimin pauses. "Really?"

Yoongi doesn't answer for a bit, instead he puts ramen squares in the pot, and other trimmings to make it taste better. "I guess I haven't thought about romance for a while. But... I could like someone, right now, I guess."

Jimin seems disappointed. "W-Who? Is he nice?"

Yoongi's nervous. "Yeah. How about you? Do you like anyone, Jimi."

Jimin stares at Yoongi like he's crazy. Then when the silence grows uncomfortable he answers.

"Hyung, I've loved only one person all my life."

Oh. How Yoongi's heart stirs.

"But I-I want you to be free."

It's not raining, so it must mean that Jimin's not sad over it. Which is strange because Yoongi feels like he's gonna crumple up into a pool of his own tears.

"I love you," Jimin says. "I'm just happy to see you again. I want to help you, hyung. Even if it's not me."

Yoongi's not sure how to answer. They eat quietly, ramen and beer and cubes of tofu. It's good. Then they have dessert, way too many s'mores.

It's a beautiful, clear night and the fireflies are out.

Jimin lays down in the grass to look at the sky, full and content.

Yoongi shouldn't say anything, right?

Only,

"But what if it was you?"

"Hmm?" Jimin replies, not understanding. They'd paused their conversation for well over an hour now.

"What if the person I liked was still you?" Yoongi clarifies. "What would we do then?"

Jimin shoots up.

He looks at Yoongi and then he silently screams, hands shaking. "What do you mean it's still me?"

Yoongi flushes. "I think I'm-- I'm starting to have feelings for you. Is that okay? I know we're friends now, best friends again, but-"

Jimin screams, flailing. "Seriously!?"

"Are you mad?" Yoongi asks.

Jimin rushes at him, pulling him into a hug. "I'm your true love! Why would I be mad? Why didn't say something sooner, before my whole self-less speech! Gah!"

Yoongi laughs, hugging Jimin back. "It was cute, Jimi. You don't have to let me go."

"I wasn't planning to," Jimin admits. "I was gonna pretend to get you a date, meanwhile try to make you fall for me again."

Yoongi laughs. "I think you skipped a step, and I've already fallen for you!"

Jimin flushes. He shuffles back, covering his heated cheeks.

"I told you, hyung. I'm half good and half-bad. I don't think I could ever be that good though, and let you go."

Jimin's got it all wrong- and Yoongi, he kinda- he remembers that conversation, the rain, the tent, the tears.

"You're not bad, Jimin," Yoongi whispers softly.

Jimin's smile fades, his lower lip trembling.

Yoongi cups his face, and then they stare at each other, vulnerable and bit confused, overwhelmed-

Yoongi leans forward kissing Jimin, gently at first but then growing in passion, leading the other on.

Jimin inhales sharply, throwing his arms around Yoongi and pulling him close. He kisses the older with abandon, tasting him, all tongue and teeth.

When they part, they're breathless, in awe of one another.

"Hyung, let's go inside," Jimin suggests, eyebrow quirked.

It starts raining, just the slightest of drizzles. Jimin covers his head with his arm. They really should go in now--

"Ah," Jimin squeals. "I swear it's not me this time. I'm really happy-"

Jimin pauses, eyes going wide.

Yoongi realizes it a moment later. He's still human.

"Oh!" Jimin tears up. "Do you-"

Yoongi wasn't sure consciously- but curses don't lie- it must mean that he-

"Jimin, I think-" Yoongi begins.

There's a crash of thunder that hits right in front of them, so loud that the ground shakes.

And in the wreckage, a figure.

It's Jimin's mom, wearing a long black, lace dress. She seems angry, though her expression is blank.

"What do we have here?" the woman says coldly. "True loves first kiss, broken curses, and my son?"

Jimin shields Yoongi, stepping out in front. "What are you doing here?"

"You insult me, Min Yoongi," she spits. "MY SON! I'm sick."

"You leave him alone," Jimin says.

"I made a mistake," the woman continues. "A job half done. I should have taken my son's memory too."

Yoongi's heart pounds hard. "Please no. What ever my father did, I'm-"

"DON'T MENTION HIM IN FRONT OF ME," she screams. "You haven't suffered enough, Yoongi. Now, I will make it right. You will be cursed to remember, and my son will forget and be happy."

What?"

The woman snaps her fingers and there's flash of white light, blinding Yoongi.

When Yoongi's vision returns, he finds that he's alone. Jimin's gone and so is the woman.

It's dark and raining over the camp grounds, and Yoongi rushes into the tent for cover. It's empty as well.

Yoongi looks at himself, his fur and paws. He's a cat once more.

~~~ TBC ~~~