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In a world where mystical creatures existed, magic was an everyday thing. A world where most of the creatures lived happily and in peace, helping each other. Where the witches were so powerful, that most of them did everything that was on their hands to make the world a nice place to live.
There was Lee Jeno. A witch that came from a humble family but always did their best to be known and helped their community with their knowledge. Jeno was 7 years old when he first joined the witches’ school. From day one, they were taught about bonding with supernatural creatures when they turned 21. They couldn’t choose their partner, but destiny will bond them with the creature that fits them the most.
That same day, he and his friends went to their parents to tell them excitedly what they learned that day, that they could also bond with a creature and get a partner like them.
Even if Jeno was excited about getting a partner, he just hopes he doesn’t bond with a howl like his father’s partner, the owl was pretty scary to him. His mother’s partner is a parrot and Jeno found it pretty cool and maybe he could also be bonded with one.
When he was around 15 he started saying he wanted to be partnered with a dragon when he saw a stranger walking around with a super cool dragon. His parents said it could be a bit dangerous, but they also knew that every witch gets bonded with the perfect creature for them. If Jeno gets a dragon, it’s okay for them.
Jeno worked harder than anyone else. He was known to be a wise guy who loves to learn and experiment with magic the most. Jeno was number one in all of his classes, and it was because he loved magic, he found everything fascinating, he wanted to know more about it. Even in his free time, he will go and continue learning about magic.
After he graduated from the witches school, he became a really well-known witch. His future seemed bright, everybody was sure that he would get paired with a really powerful creature. There was no doubt about it.
It was Jeno’s 21st birthday, a few months before the Winter Solstice, he was extremely excited. But he also felt nervous and scared. He has been working so hard on magic and he still wants that dragon to be his partner. He is probably the person who loves magic the most, he knows that nothing is impossible with magic, but at the same time, he knows not everything is possible. Not even with magic. No one in his family has been bonded with such a creature. But he also thinks that whatever creature he gets bonded with, will be the perfect partner for him.
As the months passed, Jeno and his friends became more and more nervous. The day when they will get their partner was so close. And when they realized, the beginning of the Winter Solstice was in two days.
“Guys, I can’t believe we are so close to finally getting a partner!” Mark said, excitedly. “What do you think y’all will get bonded with?”
“I’m most likely getting a cat like my whole family,” Renjun said. Even if he didn’t show it, he was really excited.
“Can you imagine Renjun with his cat version? That would be cute!” Chenle cooed at Renjun, who just punched him on the arm and muttered a small ‘shut up’.
“I hope I get bonded with a werewolf or a vampire! That would be dope!” Mark suddenly says and Chenle follows saying how cool that would be and he also wanted to be bonded with someone like that.
“What about you, Jen?” Renjun asks, “Do you still want to get bonded with the dragon?”
“I’ve always thought a howl will fit Jeno, those are really wise like him!” Chenle interrupts.
“Do you imagine that he gets bonded with a unicorn?” Mark suddenly says, “we would be looking at him riding the unicorn around the world!” Nobody can help but laugh at the mental image of Jeno riding a unicorn.
“Oh lord, please stop,” Jeno finally says after he stopped laughing. “I still think a dragon would be pretty cool. But to be honest I’m open to any creature… Except for a howl, I’m sorry dude. But I'm still kinda scared of my dad’s partner.”
“You are a baby who is scared of howls,” Chenle mocks Jeno, who tried to jokingly punch Chenle.
“Aren’t you excited, Jen?” Renjun questions.
“I am! But I can totally learn from any creature so everything it’s pretty cool with me.”
“You are definitely getting the coolest creature, Jeno. After mine, of course,” Chenle says and the other guys start to mock Chenle.
“But talking seriously, we will get the creature that fits us the most and it will be pretty cool,” Renjun mentions.
“We should make them all meet a day after, what do you think?” Mark asks and all agree.
It was certainly going to be a new experience, all of them were extremely excited, except for one that was hoping that he really gets a good creature to be partnered with.
The day everybody was waiting for, arrived. The Winter Solstice was starting.
Jeno woke up feeling extremely nervous. He wasn’t sure what would happen later on that same day, but he was also excited. Any creature that he gets partnered with, will be the best for him.
Every family had their own way to celebrate the starting of the Winter Solstice. Jeno’s family will always reunite and have some dinner together. But this time it was extra special since Jeno was finally getting his own partner. Every single person in his family was proud of how far Jeno had gone, he had mastered all of the magic spells known, which is something pretty difficult to do.
Jeno indeed was going to get the greatest of the creatures.
At midnight, every witch will be called by their partner. Sometimes, the partner found the witch first; while other times, the witch had to look for their partner. In Jeno’s case, it was the latter.
When the clock showed midnight, he felt the urge to look for someone . It felt as if someone was telling him where to go. He started to walk, and walk. He got inside the forest near his house, which he always thought he felt some magical vibes from, but tonight, he confirmed it.
Jeno felt that someone was guiding him, even if it was midnight he could see clearly every single thing. He continued walking for a little longer until he heard a voice inside of his head.
You arrived.
Jeno started to look around, trying to find the source of that voice.
It’s me, look down here. Jeno heard again inside his head. And that’s when he thought that maybe the little fluffy bunny in front of him was the one talking to him.
“Are you… Talking to me?”
Yes, I am. And I am your partner.
Jeno was shocked. He wasn’t expecting the bunny to be inside his head, or at least his voice.
“Can you read my mind?”
Jeno suddenly heard a laugh, an extremely pretty laugh and he was surprised when he knew it was from the bunny.
Nope. I can just talk to you like this.
Jeno wasn’t sure if the bunny was really the owner of the voice. The bunny in front of him seemed cute and fluffy, while the voice was pretty deep but it also sounded friendly and sweet. He was confused. Jeno didn’t know partners could communicate like this.
Now that we meet, I guess you should show me your… Uh… House. It’s pretty cold here.
If Jeno was correct, the voice sounded unsure now. But it was okay, it was the first time they met.
“Do you want me to carry you?”
Yes, please.
The white bunny started jumping towards Jeno and he couldn’t help but giggle. When the bunny heard him, he stopped every movement and stared at him.
Why are you laughing?
“I’m not laughing! It’s just that you are too cute,” Jeno thought while smiling brightly at the bunny.
Hmm… You are cute too!
Jeno doesn’t know why he felt shy and also felt his face blushing after it, maybe it was because he wasn’t expecting at all the bunny complimenting him. Yes, maybe that is that.
“Oh… Thanks,” and Jeno smiled at the bunny.
Jeno bends down to carry the bunny, he was way softer than he seemed. And now that he thinks about it, he doesn’t even know the bunny’s name.
My name is Jaemin.
“I thought you didn’t hear my thoughts,” Jeno mentioned with a smile on his face.
And I don’t, silly. But I remembered that I never said it. What’s yours?
“I’m Jeno! And I hope we can have an amazing time together,” Jeno smiled brightly.
And I know we will!
Jeno was genuinely happy with Jaemin, even if he is a bunny. Especially from the fact that the bunny could communicate with him through his mind. It was the first time he knew this could happen with a partner. And he was excited to know what other connections they could have.
But he was also nervous. He doesn’t know how people will react, or how his family will react. Everybody expects a big and powerful creature to be his partner. People have really high expectations for him.
I sense you are nervous. Is it because of your family’s reaction to me? The bunny asks.
“Hmm, yeah, I’m nervous,” Jeno replied.
Jeno didn’t receive an answer, but it’s okay. Jeno was just praying for everything to go well.
They arrived at Jeno’s house and his parents were already waiting for them. Before midnight, the rest of his family left to give Jeno some time to get to know his partner, they could meet them later on. When Jeno saw his mother he almost felt like fainting.
They are your parents, they won’t murder you , the bunny said.
“I can’t help it…” Jeno mumbled.
It’s going to be okay, Jeno. We are in this together!
“We are…”
“Jeno!” His mother said, “You are back,” with a smile on her face until she saw the little bunny in Jeno’s arms. “Is… Is that your partner?”
The bunny knew that Jeno had a golden heart, and he wouldn’t be sad or upset to have bonded with a bunny, and it seems that his mother was just like him. When his mother processed it, she almost pulled Jaemin apart from Jeno’s arms.
“This is the cutest and fluffiest bunny I’ve ever seen! Oh my god!” Jeno’s mom was now holding the bunny with adoration on her face. “What’s their name?”
“Uh… He is Jaemin,” Jeno replied.
“So cute! Why did you call him that?”
“Oh, actually he told me that’s his name,” after hearing that, Jeno’s mother turned to see him as if he had grown another head.
“What? Bunnies can’t talk.”
“Yeah, but he does! He can communicate with me through my mind!”
Uh… Jeno… Only I can do this.
“What? What do you mean?” Jeno turned to look at the bunny.
It’s not common that partners communicate like this…
“What? But you…” Jeno got interrupted by his mother.
“Who are you talking to?”
“Jaemin,” Jeno pointed at the bunny.
“Oh,” Jeno’s mother looked at the bunny in her arms. “Are you a magical bunny who can communicate with my son?”
Tell her I do.
“He says he does.”
“I know you are not crazy, and that you are good with magic. Maybe destiny gave you one of a kind partner. Most of the witches can understand their partners without words. It’s the first time I hear someone communicating like this with their partner.”
“Really?”
“Yes, what about we go to the living room and we talk about it with you dad? So he can meet Jaemin.”
Now Jeno, his parents, and Jaemin were in the living room of Lee’s house. As expected, Jeno’s father was as kind as the other two. He got excited when he knew they could communicate through their minds (or at least how Jaemin could do it.) Jaemin found it funny how Jeno was telling his parents his answer without questioning anything.
“What if you try communicating with him with your mind too?” Jeno’s dad said and he agreed.
He focused on communicating with Jaemin, but it didn’t work.
It’s okay, Jeno. You can try it out later, maybe you are tired. It’s pretty late.
“Yeah, you are right… Jaemin says I should try later since I may be tired.”
That’s when Jeno’s parents realized that it was nearly 3 am and they all should go to sleep. They wished each other a good night and went to their respective rooms.
When they arrived in Jeno’s room, he placed the bunny on his bed.
Hey, I wanted to tell you this… And I will gladly tell your parents in the future. But for now, I just want you to know this.
“Uh… Yeah? What is it?”
I’m not… A bunny. I can transform.
“You can do what? Really?”
Yes! I can transform into whatever creature you can imagine!
“Can you… Uh… Transform into a dragon?” Jeno almost whispered the last part.
I can! Did you want a dragon and not me?
“I… I mean…” Jeno could hear that pretty laugh again.
I’m kidding, I can totally do it.
“You don’t have to…” He got interrupted by a sudden light that made him close his eyes. When he opens his eyes again, in front of him is a dragon.
“What the…” Jeno couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
I can get bigger but there’s not too much space in here.
Jeno hears the voice again, it was definitely Nana.
“How do you do that? That's so cool! You are awesome, Jaemin,” Jeno was astonished. He never met a creature that could transform by itself.
I can do cooler things, but let’s take a step at a time, Okay?
“Okay!”
“So, how was it?” Donghyuck asks when he went to visit his best friend, Jaemin. “Is he cute?”
“Hmm?” Jaemin wasn’t paying attention to him until he heard the last question. After he made sure that Jeno was asleep, he went back to his home. Jeno insisted on him spending the night at his place and Jaemin agreed until he realized it was a bad idea sleeping as a bunny since he can transform back into his human form in his sleep and decided to come back.“Who is cute?”
“Your partner!”
“Oh, he is.”
“But you already knew that. Don’t think that I never noticed you going to the world to spy on your future partner,” Donghyuck said, raising an eyebrow.
“Don’t expose me… I mean that he is not only physically handsome, no doubt about that.”
“Oh, it seems that someone got your heart,” Donghyuck mocked.
“Oh my, I appreciate beauty. Of course, I will tell you if he is handsome,” Jaemin rolled his eyes, “but I wasn’t only talking about that, his personality is also pretty. I thought he was going to be an annoying brat who thinks he is better than anyone else… But he is totally the opposite.”
“And I guess that’s why you decided to show yourself as a bunny?”
“Yeah, I know how much he wanted a dragon to be his partner, and guess what… He got someone better.”
“Oh my, you are really humble, Nana.”
“You know what I mean!” Jaemin laughed and the other followed. “He is so powerful that he got bonded with a god! When he knows about it he won’t believe me.”
“Why do you think that?”
“No one had ever bonded with a god, and you know that! Why are you asking that?”
“I know that, dumbass. But why wouldn’t he believe you?”
“He is… Pretty innocent. He was pretty amazed when he saw me transform, he got excited when he saw me even if he didn’t want a bunny,” Jaemin smiled and Donghyuck swears he could see stars in his eyes. “He is one of a kind. It’s been a few hours since I met him and I’m so happy he is my partner!”
“I think both of you were really meant to be, more than you think.”
“We are partners… Of course we are,” Jaemin chuckled.
“To be the god of beauty you have an ugly personality.”
“To be the god of the sun you darken my days,” both glared at each other for a couple of seconds, either of them blinked until both started laughing.
“But I’m serious, Nana,” Donghyuck said again, “you have the prettiest personality. And from what you are telling me, he also does. You two will make it work.” Donghyuck smiled at Jaemin and he smiled back.
After they said their goodbyes, Jaemin was now alone. He knows having a human partner won’t be easy. But even if they just meet, he promised himself he will protect Jeno no matter what.
Jeno woke up with the rays of lights that seeped through the curtains of his room. He took his time to finally open his eyes, he looked around looking for something, he wasn’t sure about what he was looking for. Until he remembered last night.
I got my partner… Jeno remembered. And he started to look for the cute bunny he met the previous night.
“Jaemin? Are you there?”
Jeno got no answer. He got up and started looking for Jaemin, but he was unsuccessful. Where could he be?
He remembers that Jaemin could talk to him through his mind, maybe could do the same. Jeno sat on his bed trying to focus, his goal was to make Nana listen to him and he felt confident that he could do it.
Jaemin? Can you hear me?
A few seconds passed and he tried again.
Hello? Jaemin?
Jeno?
Oh, Jaemin replied.
Jaemin! Hi, where are you?
I’m impressed that you could communicate with me this fast, that’s so cool, Jeno!
Jeno doesn’t know why, but he felt like blushing after hearing the compliment from Jaemin. Since the bunny didn’t receive an answer he continued.
I’m sorry I left. I had to do something, but I’m coming back in a few minutes, okay?
Yeah, it’s okay. I just got worried.
Jeno hears that pretty laugh that he wants to listen to more often. Jaemin has the prettiest one.
Nothing to worry about! I can manage it on my own.
O-okay. I’ll be waiting.
Stupid Jeno, why did you stutter? Jeno thought, but he heard another laugh.
It’s cute, don’t worry about stuttering. And I guess you have to work on keeping things in your mind and talking to me like this.
Y-yeah, I will… Sorry about that…
Jeno spent a few minutes trying to not even think, he embarrassed himself enough. When he was sure Jaemin couldn’t listen to him, he let himself think about what just happened. Jeno doesn’t understand how or why he got so shy and nervous talking to Jaemin. A bunny. Maybe it was his voice? It really didn’t fit the cute and fluffy bunny. And that’s when Jeno remembers that Jaemin is not actually a bunny.
Could he be a human? Or at least… Could he transform himself into a human? Jeno knows that he should be patient, he doesn’t want to rush him when he is pretty sure that the bunny is not a hundred percent comfortable yet. But it’s okay, they have plenty of time to get to know each other.
Jeno finally got out of bed and decided to go to grab some breakfast in the meantime. He was cooking when he heard Jaemin talking to him.
Hey, I’m here. Can you… Uh… Open the door?
Coming.
The witch hurried and opened the door, the little fluffy bunny was sitting waiting for him to open. Jeno wanted to squish the other but he knew that it was too early to do that. Maybe when they are more comfortable around each other he could do it.
“Hi, you are back!”
I am.
“I’m making breakfast, do you want some?”
Oh, I already ate. But thank you!
“Okay! Just for future references… Should I feed you what bunnies eat or…?”
Oh… That’s a good question, actually.
“Uh?” Jeno turned to look at the other, confused. “What do you mean?”
I have never eaten while being transformed so… I don’t really know what I should eat like a bunny.
“So you have never spent this much time being transformed?” Jeno asks while continuing to make his breakfast.
Not really .
“Oh…” Jeno didn’t know what to say. He felt worried about Jaemin using so much power to be transformed into something that he is not. The bunny seemed to notice the worry on Jeno’s face and approached him while placing one of his paws on Jeno’s feet.
Hey, it’s okay. I will show you who I really am soon. I promise you.
“You will?”
Yes, I will!
Jeno bends down and holds the bunny and places him on the table, a better way to talk.
Hey, why are you looking worried?
“It worries me that you use so much power on transforming. I won’t judge you, you know?” Jeno finished cooking and served his breakfast on a plate.
And I get that, but it won’t take me that long to show you who I truly am.
“I hope so, but take your time until you feel comfortable. But not that much that you will get really exhausted from using so much power, okay?”
Jaemin chuckles at how cute Jeno is.
I promise!
“So you got a bunny,” Chenle says. Three days have passed since the beginning of the Winter Solstice. Three days since Jeno and his friends got bonded with their partners. It was also the first time when they hung out with their partners.
“It’s not just a bunny,” Jeno defends. “He is awesome!”
“It’s cute, Chenle. Leave him alone,” Renjun defends too.
“I never said the bunny wasn’t cute. Because it is. But I thought he would get bonded with a dragon or something.”
Do you want me to transform into a dragon and make him shut up?
It’s fine… Unless you are not okay with it.
I mean… I know I’m better than his ugly wolf.
It’s not ugly… It’s pretty dope, though.
Ugly, I said. But you know what is uglier? That friend of yours.
Chenle?
Yeah, that one.
Jeno couldn’t help but laugh out loud.His friends turned to look at him as if he was crazy.
“Why are you suddenly laughing?” Renjun asks.
“Yeah, you got distracted and stopped talking to us and now you are… Laughing?” Mark says.
“Sorry I just… Remembered something funny…”
You are a bad liar, Jeno.
I’m sorry, okay? It’s just that I found it funny that you say Chenle is ugly. What about Renjun and Mark?
They are handsome!
And what about me?
What’s wrong with you, Jeno? He thought. After these three days, he could master this thing of talking to the other through their minds. But still, nothing takes away the fact that Jeno speaks before thinking and that’s bad. Really bad. Especially when Jaemin stopped replying.
After a few seconds, Jeno hears a whisper, and he knows it’s from Jaemin.
You… You are the most handsome guy I’ve seen…
Jeno turned to look at Jaemin but now he is playing with Renjun’s partner (who resulted to be a gray Persian cat,) Jeno knows that he started blushing after hearing that. And he is still very confused on why he reacts like this because of a bunny .
I think you see handsome people that you like. And ugly the people you dislike. Is that why I’m the most handsome? Do you like me the most? Do I treat you the best?
Jeno noticed how the bunny turned to look at him, and Jeno just smiled.
Umm… Maybe. But you can get into my ugly list if you don’t treat me well.
But I treat you the best!
And Jeno hears his favorite sound again; Jaemin’s laugh.
You do.
“Hey, Jeno?” Mark says, moving a hand in front of Jeno’s face. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m sorry. Did you say something?”
“Yeah, I was saying that our partners got along pretty fast! That’s dope.”
“They look cute, and it’s funny how your partner is hiding from the sun but doesn’t want to stop playing with the others” Renjun says to Mark, who got partnered with a vampire.
“Yeah, they are... “ Chenle says. “Hey, Jen.”
“Yeah?”
“I’m sorry if what I just said was rude… I just thought that you will come with a big powerful creature, you know. But as long as you are happy with the bunny it is okay. He is so cute and he fits you! Because you are cute too!”
“Am I cute?” Jeno raised an eyebrow.
“Of course you are! We are all cute! That’s why we are the Cute4Life group!”
“Cute4 what? Please never say that again,” Renjun says.
“Yeah, no. I’m out,” Mark is shaking his head in disapproval.
“Jeno? Are you in?”
“Uh… I don’t think it can exist if we aren’t four… You know…”
“We will look for the other two members!” Chenle says excitedly.
“Are you going to change us? As if someone will bear your annoying ass,” Renjun looks at Chenle.
The friends and their partners continued spending the rest of the day together. And maybe, just maybe, Jaemin didn’t find Chenle that ugly after he begged Jeno if he could feed the bunny with some carrots. Jaemin agreed only because he was starving, not because Chenle was actually cute, or something. Nope.
After a while, they said their goodbyes, and everybody went home. Jeno was messing around with Jaemin telling him that he liked Chenle, but the bunny just denied it until he gave up and agreed. Jaemin could say that Jeno’s friends were pretty cool and if the circumstances were different, he could’ve been a good friend of theirs.
But he is a god and he wants to protect Jeno from anyone. Even if that means that he has to hide his true self.
“Hey, Jaemin,” Jeno said when they arrived at Jeno’s house. Now both were in the witch’s room. “Do you wanna stay over? There’s an extra room you could use! You’ve been traveling a lot in the past few days and maybe it’s better if you rest tonight. I promise I’ll knock on the door and won’t come inside unless you tell me. If it’s okay with you, of course.”
Jaemin didn’t have to think too much about it. He is genuinely tired. Even though he is a god, he had been using more energy than usual. Maybe sleeping there won’t do any harm.
Okay.
“Okay? Really?” Jaemin laughs.
Yes, okay! It sounds like a good idea.
“Okay then!”
Since neither of them was tired, they spent more time together, getting to know each other better. As time passed, Jaemin started to feel that it was time to let Jeno know who he is. Jaemin decided he will tell him the next day, he will try his best to make it the best way possible.
Jaemin was ready to go to the guest’s room when Jeno talked to him.
“Hey, umm… I don’t really know what your true form is but uh… Do you need clothes or something?”
And Jaemin didn’t think of that. Of course, he needs it. And from what he has seen, they are about the same size. Maybe Jeno’s clothes could work on him.
Umm… Yes, please.
“Oh, okay! Wait for me in the guest’s room while I go for your clothes.”
Jaemin agreed and went to the room.
Even if Donghyuck wasn’t Jaemin’s partner, both of them could also communicate like that with the other, especially since they are closer than anyone else. Jaemin tried to talk to Donghyuck to let him know he wouldn’t come back for the night but it didn’t work. Jaemin was just hoping that Donghyuck doesn't appear out of nowhere because he has his ways to find Jaemin. And if he wanted, he could find him.
“Oh my, Jaemin! Is that you?” Jaemin heard and he was fucked up. It was Donghyuck.
Jaemin tried his best to let him know, but it seems he couldn’t talk to him in his bunny form. Hoping that Jeno doesn’t come inside, Jaemin transforms into his human form.
“What the fuck are you doing here?!” Jaemin shouted-whispered. “He can see us!”
“I was worried about you! It was late and there was no sign of you,” Donghyuck was now also shouting-whispering.
“If he finds us, you are dead, Donghyuck.”
“I’m immortal, you can’t kill me,” He replied, raising an eyebrow.
“You little-” Jaemin got interrupted by the sound of something soft hitting the floor. When Jaemin turned around, he found Jeno, with his mouth open and the clothes he was giving him on the floor.
“Oh my, you should be Jeno, aren’t you? Nice to meet you! I’m this idiot’s best friend,” Donghyuck approached Jeno and tried to shake his hand, but Jeno was too busy staring at Jaemin. “Hello? Are you there?” Donghyuck moves his hand in front of Jeno’s face but it’s not working. “I think we ruined him,” Donghyuck said to Jaemin, but when he turned around to see him, Jaemin was also staring at Jeno. Neither of them was moving.
Donghyuck sighed and mumbled a little ‘idiots in love’ and approached Jaemin and pocked his cheek.
“Earth to Nana,” Donghyuck says and it seemed it worked because he turned to look at Donghyuck.
“You are an idiot! You are dead!” Jaemin threatens Donghyuck.
“I told you, I’m immortal and I can’t- Ouch! That hurts!” Jaemin now pinched Donghyuck’s arm as hard as he could. “That’s gonna leave a mark! You are so mean!”
“You can’t die but you can suffer!”
By this moment, Jeno hasn’t even processed what the fuck is going on. He only knows that there’s a blonde guy here that is the most gorgeous person he has ever seen. And he even speaks like Jaemin.
Hold on.
He speaks like Jaemin!
“Jaemin?” Jeno says in the softest voice possible. But that was enough to make Jaemin stop fighting with Donghyuck and turn to look at Jeno.
“Uh… Yes. It’s me,” Jaemin shyly says. Because of that, Donghyuck starts to mock his best friend. Not even a second passed when Jaemin hit Donghyuck's arm and whispered a ‘shut up’. “Um, this is my best friend, Donghyuck,” Jaemin says pointing at his friend who is caressing his arm after the hit.
“Hello! You must be Jeno! Jaemin can’t stop talking about you!”
Both turned to see Donghyuck with a shocked expression.
“What?” Donghyuck asks. “Don’t you want him to know how much you li-” he got interrupted by Jaemin’s hand covering his mouth.
“I’m so sorry about him. He doesn’t know what he is saying,” Jaemin fake laughs. “I think he should be going now, right?” Jaemin looked at his friend, threatening him.
“But I just…” Donghyuck is not dumb, Jaemin will find a way to make him suffer if he stays for any longer, “Yeah, you are right. I was about to go, haha. Nice to meet you, Jeno. And I’m sorry for… Uh… Trespassing your house. I’ll be going. Bye-bye.”
Suddenly, the whole room turned white thanks to a strong light coming from Donghyuck. Jeno can’t see a single thing. He tries to blink and after a second, he can see again, and now he is alone with Jaemin in the room.
“What was that?” Jeno asks, looking at Jaemin.
“Donghyuck. But it’s kinda rude to call him ‘that’.”
“No, I mean… The light and… Him disappearing.”
“Ah, it’s him being dramatic. He likes to show off how ‘bright’ he is.”
“Okay… Umm… Are you two also witches?” Jeno can’t stop thinking about that. They look normal (except for the fact that Jaemin’s visuals are… Out of this world,) and no human can use magic like that unless you are a master of it and a witch.
“No, we are… Not witches… Or humans.”
“What? Then… What are you?”
“We are… Gods.”
Jeno didn’t say anything for a few seconds and Jaemin didn’t want to disturb the other, so he waited.
“A god? Why would a god be bonded with a witch?”
“I’ll explain everything to you, let’s just… Sit down?” Jeno nodded and now both were sitting on the bed.
“First of all, as you know, there are multiple gods. The god of the water, the god of music, the god of the sun… Donghyuck is the god of the sun, that’s why he is so bright and why he almost made you blind when he left, I’m sorry for that.”
“It’s okay… So which god are you?”
“The god of beauty.”
And it makes sense. Jaemin is too pretty to be real. He is the true definition of beauty.
“Oh my, thanks…” Jaemin says and Jeno notices that he is blushing. That’s when Jeno realized he said that out loud.
“Yeah… So…” Jeno clears his throat, “Every god can transform as you do?”
“Hmm… We can do everything you can imagine and more. But every god mastered certain things, as I did with transforming into any possible creature.”
“Why?”
“Every creature is beautiful in its own way. I can transform into them to show that.”
“Isn’t it too… Draining to transform?”
“Not really. I mean, sometimes it is but it’s mostly because I was just waiting to become me again. Being something that you are not is the draining thing,” Jaemin looks down and starts to play with his own fingers. “I’m sorry that I hid this from you. I know it’s been that long but… I also didn’t know how you would react.”
“I mean, I’m still processing it, to be honest. But it’s okay. I get you,” and Jeno gives Jaemin the brightest smile ever. “May I ask… Why do you have a partner?”
“Oh yeah… As I grew up I felt that… No one was truly sincere with me, you know? They tried to befriend me only because of my looks and not because of who I am. They even asked me to make them… Pretty. Even when I already find them pretty.” Jaemin sighed, “The only real friend I have is Donghyuck. But I was still feeling… Lonely.”
Jeno couldn’t help but hate the sight of his partner sad, he held Jaemin’s hand in his without thinking.
“I’m sorry you had to go through that…" Jeno says and starts caressing Jaemin’s hand since the other didn’t move away. Jaemin smiled at Jeno and continued.
“I went with the god of destiny and asked for a partner. I had to wait for years, partnering a witch with a god wasn’t easy. There should be the most powerful witch in history. And… You were born.”
“What?” Jeno couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He was… The most powerful witch in history?
“You still have a long way to go, but yes. You are. Since the day a witch is born, they automatically get bonded. But they can meet their partner until they turn 21 in the Winter Solstice. Most of the creatures have seen the witch they will partner with before the Winter Solstice.”
“You saw me before?”
Jaemin blushed again before talking, “I did… Yes.”
Jeno felt his heart flutter after the discovery. But he will think about it later when he is completely alone in his room free to freak out. Yes.
Jeno continued to ask more things and Jaemin answered them all, and neither of them even tried to separate their hands that were still together.
After a while, they started to feel sleepy and they decided to finally go to sleep. Jaemin said that they probably should tell Jeno’s parents about him being a god the next morning and Jeno agreed.
It was definitely a crazy night for Jeno, but he felt happy to finally know who truly his partner is.
It’s been a month since Jaemin revealed his true identity to Jeno and his parents. Who reacted better than expected, it was almost as if they already knew. (Which probably was the case since Jaemin knew Donghyuck and him weren’t the most discreet creatures in the universe when Jeno found out.)
Jeno’s friends don’t know about Jaemin being a god. But what they know is that Jaemin is not a bunny. The second time they met each other, Jaemin went as a dragon. And all of their friends were shocked about it and asked Jeno if he had transformed the bunny and Jeno only replied saying that Jaemin could do that on his own.
Later on, Jaemin transformed into a Pomeranian dog in front of them and they could see that it wasn’t Jeno who used his magic. And now they could confirm that Jeno got the best creature out of all, expected from Jeno.
Jeno and Jaemin spend their days getting to know each other and learning more about magic. (Or at least Jeno is, since Jaemin seems to know a lot about magic.)
“Hmm… You are doing it wrong,” Jaemin said the first time Jeno tried to do a spell that was one of the most difficulties to do. “You have to do it like this, watch.”
And like that, Jaemin was able to do the same spell. Jeno was shocked since he has never seen someone doing it as perfect as Jaemin did.
“What… How? Is it because you are a god, right? There’s no way I can do that like you did…”
“C’mon, you are better at magic than me! I’m just giving you some advice! Now, look again. I will do it and then I want you to do it too, okay?” Jeno nodded and Jaemin did it perfectly again. “Your turn.”
“But…”
“But nothing! You can do it, Jen,” Jen… It was the first time Jaemin called him by a nickname and he felt his heart flutter.
“Yeah… I’ll do it…” Jeno wanted to impress Jaemin and to get praise from the god. Jeno was ready to go, he remembered how Jaemin did it and he let it flow. Jeno did it. “I… I did it?”
“You did it, Jen! That was awesome!” Jaemin approached Jeno and casually hugged him, “I told you, I was just giving you some advice!” He said after separating himself from the witch, who was obviously blushing and Jaemin thought he looked the cutest but won’t mention it. At least not now.
“T- thank you…” Fuck… He will think I’m such a loser for stuttering after he hugged me. Jeno thought. Jaemin noticed how Jeno looked away after saying it and he was pretty sure that Jeno was thinking that was embarrassing.
“Hey, you are cute. Did you know that?” And if Jeno was blushing before, now he has become a tomato.
“Uh… You are cute too,” Jeno mumbled. Now it was Jaemin’s heart that was fluttering.
A few months passed and Jeno and Jaemin were closer than ever. Every second that passed they noticed how they were really meant to be together… As partners, of course.
But truth to be told, Jeno didn’t want to be just Jaemin’s partner. He wanted something more but he didn’t know what it was. Until one day both decided to watch a movie but Jaemin ended up falling asleep and unconsciously hugged Jeno. By this moment, Jeno was definitely not watching the movie and he focused on the beautiful man in his arms.
Jeno tried to memorize every single detail on Jaemin’s face, he loved the way he looked so peacefully sleeping. And Jeno wanted to be the one waking up every single morning with Jaemin in his arms, he wanted to be the one who could hug Jaemin whenever he wanted. Jeno wanted to be the one to kiss Jaemin’s lips and to be the reason for his smile.
Jeno, that day, realized he was falling deeply in love with Jaemin and he didn’t know what to do.
“Mom…” Jeno called. Today Jaemin said he had to do some stuff and he couldn’t stay over. And now was the right moment to ask his mom for some advice.
“Yes?” Jeno’s mother replies. She was making some dinner and Jeno was helping her out.
“Is it… Normal if you start uh… Developing romantic feelings towards your partner? I’m asking for a friend! This is not about me!” Jeno’s mother stops every movement and stares at Jeno.
“So, is Renjun developing romantic feelings for his cat? Or Chenle towards his wolf? Or maybe Mark is towards his vampire… That I won’t lie, that vampire boy Johnny is hot.”
“Mom! Stop!” She can’t help but laugh.
“I will when you accept that you are in love with Jae-” She got interrupted by Jeno’s hand covering her mouth.
“Shhh, he can hear you!”
“Oh? So you are in love with him?” She asks after Jeno separated his hand from her face.
“I… I am,” Jeno sighs. “But this is bad, I can’t… It’s not normal, is it?”
“Actually it is. Some witches fell in love with their partners and vice versa. And it’s okay. 99.99% of the time, when one of them falls in love the other does as well. I wouldn’t worry too much, Jen.”
“But… What if we are that 0.01%? Would I live my entire life with unrequited love?” Jeno’s mom laughs. This boy… She thinks.
“Haven’t you noticed how he looks at you? To be honest he looks more in love than you.”
“He what?” Jeno can’t believe what he is hearing. There’s no way Jaemin likes him back. A god, liking a simple mortal? Impossible.
“Oh boy. Put more attention on him. You will see,” She smiles at her son and continues to cook.
That night Jeno didn’t sleep.
The next morning, Jeno woke up with a soft touch on his face. The first thing he saw was a smiling Jaemin. His favorite view.
“Good morning, sleepy boy,” Jaemin says, smiling brightly. Jeno noticed that even his eyes were shining.
“Good morning, Jaem,” Jeno started calling him that a few weeks ago and the other was so happy that Jeno gave him a nickname, and he asked him to continue calling him that.
“Did you sleep well?”
“Not really, what time is it?”
“9 AM,” Jaemin said after looking at the clock in Jeno’s room.
“Great, I slept 3 hours,” Jeno covered his face with the bedsheets.
“What? Why?” The witch could hear the worry in the other’s voice.
“Overthinking?”
“Why are you asking me?” Jaemin giggles. “Overthinking about what?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Jeno slowly takes the bedsheet out of his face, “maybe about you.”
“About me?” Jeno sighs and finally sits down, now both are face to face.
“Yes, about you. I’ll be honest with you, the last few months have been the best and happiest moments in my life. Meeting you changed my life for the best. And I want you to be in it forever, even if we are in this together for life…” Jeno felt a wave of bravery and held Jaemin’s hand between his. “I don’t want to be only your partner, because Jaem, I’m in love with you.”
Jaemin stayed with a neutral face until he heard the last part. The surprise was noticeable in Jaemin’s face. He didn’t say anything and let Jeno continue.
“Last night I could stop thinking about it, and how much I want this to be reciprocated,” Jeno looks down, “but why would a god be in love with a human, why would you be in love with me? And that’s when I decided to confess, the worst thing that can happen is that you reject me and I will have to get over these feelings and…” Jeno got interrupted by Jaemin’s voice.
“Please don’t,” Jeno looked at Jaemin’s face who was already looking at him with his eyes shining, more than ever. “Don’t get rid of your feelings for me. Why wouldn’t I be in love with you? You once said that I was the definition of Beauty. But for me, it has always been you. Jeno, you are my definition of beauty, my definition of love. And to be honest, I’ve been in love with you since the first time I saw you, even before you knew about me, I’ve been waiting for you all this time.”
“So you…”
“Yes, babe. I love you. And I was just waiting for you to be ready to be with me.”
“Do you mean it?”
“I do. Now tell me, do you love me too, Jeno?” Jaemin asks, slowly approaching Jeno. If any of them move a little, their lips will be touching.
“I love you too, Jaemin,” Jeno said and closed the gap between their lips.
If they could use only one moment of their lives to describe what love is, they will choose this one. They could feel the love they have for the other and they wouldn’t want it any other way. They say actions talk louder than words, and this is an example.
Jeno and Jaemin shared lots of love kisses, a lot of smiles and whispered how much they love each other.
They will spend the rest of their lives together and they know every day will be the best if they are together. (And maybe Jaemin went to give a visit to the god of life to maintain Jeno safe by his side for as long as they both could.)