Chapter 2
Taehyung was a late bloomer. His powers triggered when he was forced into a mental turmoil by yours truly, Jeon Jeongguk.
Mr. Jeon was a dedicated Regular worker of the government and Mrs. Jeon was always working round the clock in one of the Regular's hospitals, secretly using her powers to diagnose diseases without expensive machines and extravagantly useless tests. They barely had time for themselves let alone spare some for Jeongguk. He never wanted to be a burden on his family so when Mrs. Kim proposed that Jeongguk spent his holidays with them—nearly 7 years ago—he agreed. Jeon Jeongguk was nothing less than a permanent member of their family now.
When Jeongguk had returned from his new college, acting all mighty and cool, Taehyung tried his best to ignore him and not be jealous. But it was not easy to ignore how Jeongguk smelled like fresh coconuts, snow and sweet carrots; it was not easy to ignore how his eyes sparkled at the mention of Iron Man; or when his mother would give him 'Banana Milk' and Jeongguk would smile his precious smile. Nevertheless, Jeon Jeongguk was heartache, a headache and an ache in the crack of his ass. Therefore, something in his mind had convened Taehyung to 'hate' Jeongguk.
Ignorance came easier with Jimin.
The pretty little ginger-head brought along with him all the grievances from Day School and they would just sit in the living room, heads joined together, focusing on how to calculate the price of one pencil when the price of eighty pencils was a hundred and sixty.
Sometimes Taehyung would be standing on the crème colored sofa, pretending to be one of the characters from his English text book, eloquently wording out the dialogues while letting his imagination free and Jimin would sit on the carpet like a marveled spectator and Jeongguk would stare at them from afar, being bitter for not knowing what in heaven was so special about 'The Mulberry bush' or who in Merlin's name was 'Juliet.'
Sometimes Taehyung and Jimin would be engrossed in long, deep conversations about a comic that teenagers were supposed to be obsessing over, or just playing a board game alone, and Jeongguk would feel his gut tickle with an unknown feeling; like his heart was being tugged at and his body wanted nothing more than to just rip itself in shreds. 'Was he going crazy already?!'
Unfortunately, this happened to be one of those crazy moments. The moment when Jeongguk became Taehyung's trigger.
Jimin was busy doing an art project with Taehyung-Taehyung was pretty hyped on painting Strawberry Short Cake-and all was cool and chill when they both were sitting at least a light saber's length apart. Jeongguk was all smiles, sitting on the dining table with his head on his arms and an opened 'History of Merlin's Magic' book underneath them.
But when Taehyung clumsily jerked his hand and red paint got splashed on Jimin's face, Taehyung closed that Light Saber's distance to wipe those blotches off his best friend's pretty face, with his sleeve. Jeongguk was ferociously tonguing his cheek, breathing heavily at that point. 'Control. Jin-hyung told you to have self control!' But when suddenly Taehyung and Jimin seemed to have started some sort of paint war and Jimin ended up straddling a giggling Taehyung—Jeongguk lost it.
He picked up the glass jug from the dining table and threw the water on both Jimin and Taehyung. And some of it also got splashed on 'Taehyung's pretty little painting.'
Jeongguk did NOT meant any harm...it's just that he acted on instinct and ended up making a mess out of it. Taehyung's presence was no better addition to the equation of Jeongguk's awful decision making ability and a lame fate that was destined to follow him everywhere.
"JEON JEONGGUK, I HOPE YOU BURN IN HELL!"
Taehyung had screeched on top of his lugs, eyes red with held back tears, as Jimin held him back so that he would not commit murder at the mere age of thirteen.
And Jeongguk standing there, in an over-sized 'Fear of God' hoodie, with teary doe eyes and a sad pout, would have felt guilty—if it all did not happen so instantaneously.
Suddenly, Jeongguk felt hot. Like really fucking hot; as if the sun had descended down and was itself providing him a free hot sauna treatment. He wanted to rip off his clothes and claw out his skin. His surroundings were scorching and when he opened his eyes, he saw himself being surrounded by some red molten liquid that was inching threateningly closer to his Timberlands by every passing second.
And Jeongguk shrieked. Because take no risk when Timberlands are involved. And the little brunette continued shrieking till Taehyung's mother ran down the stairs—looking awfully confused as to why Jeongguk was staring at the table and shrieking as if a dragon was going to lunch him down-and hugged him close. Jeongguk's heart was beating erratically; his body was visibly shaking and looking pretty toasty.
"Sh...sh...sh, baby, everything's alright, no need to worry. Calm down, Kookie, it's alright, you're safe," she cooed in his ear, rubbing a soothing hand on his back.
The illusion around Jeongguk shattered in the form of purple mist and the child passed out of exhaustion and quite possibly had a heat stroke.
All along, Kim Taehyung stood directly in front of Jeon Jeongguk staring at him with his jaw unhinged. He was just imagining Jeongguk in hell...How in Doraemon's name did this happen?!
Mrs. Kim turned around with a death glare aimed at her son. "I will talk to you later," she growled out, scooping Jeongguk in her arms and rushing to call some medical help.
"Did you see that Minnie?" Taehyung asked excitedly.
Jimin just stood there, flabbergasted, looking quite mortified.
"Minnie, did you see what I did? I literally sent him to hell!" Taehyung shook Jimin's arms, slightly jumping on his spot.
"Yeah and No..." Jimin managed to choke out. Taehyung paid no heed to the words after 'Yeah'.
"Jimin, I finally have my powers now!!" Taehyung squealed, now prancing around the room like a butterfly in spring.
Jimin just blinked. Yes Taehyung, but at what stake?
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Jeon Jeongguk had 'Super Strength' and even being 12 he prided on not being weak like his fellow classmates or upperclassmen. Though his powers had a weird way of channeling through his fists when least expected- once when Jeongguk was trying to tug at Jin's sweater and drag him to the library, but a few seconds later Jin was standing there with a naked chest and Jeongguk had the sweater in his hands. (Jin did not talk to him for a whole damn week); or when he was in the middle of a heated argument with Yoongi (over Spiderman and Iron man) and he threw his file on the cafeteria table and the file crashed the ground with a loud 'thud' and made a hole in the table; or just any other time when Taehyung was involved.
Having lived in a neglected home where his parents worked a little too hard to make a living magic was not the most prevalent part of his life, other than the fact that he unhinged a lot of doors in rage and almost no doorknobs existed around his place. Nobody was there to help him gain a better control of his mental and magical state. Magic can only be channeled perfectly after its users proves itself worthy of channeling it by exercising control. An uncoordinated user is a menace whose powers can be dangerous to the society.
Mrs. Kim was a great mentor, though, and helper in his life, but how much can a woman with Calming abilities help a little boy with Super Strength? While Mrs. Kim loved to project her abilities out and keep peace, Jeongguk had to learn to keep it all in and not let out unless needed desperately. Mr. Kim with his ability to talk to spiders was not much of a help either.
Jeongguk hated losing control, he loathed himself for being someone who always ends up hurting the people he loves. He hates that he hurts Taehyung. He hates being immature and he hates that pretty little Jimin-punk with luscious lips-who seems to be glued to his Taehyung's side for day and night! At this rate, they might as well be soulmates...oh the horror!
That thought alone made Jeongguk's breath hitch and his body shudder. He shook his head, trying to clear it all out.
Be positive, Jeongguk! A positive extends control! Breathe in—
an image of Taehyung staring longingly at Jimin...
Breathe out—
Jimin smiling like an angel sent from heaven to protect his Taehyung...
Breathe in—
Taehyung and Jimin in white...
Breathe out—
Taehyung and Jimin on the alter...
A harsh breathe in—What the hell, brain? What idiotic imagines are you busy conjuring?!
His mind was near to the point of malfunctioning after slouching on his bed, for nearly 13 hours now, so he picked up the canvas on which he was painting to engage himself for the rest of his 'bed rest' term, when Jimin entered. Honestly...
"Don't blame me if I end up breaking some of your bones because you are the last person I wanna see at this moment," Jeongguk growled out, hiding the painting behind the pillows as Jimin smirked.
"Don't lie Jeonggukie, I know you are relieved that you have company now," Jimin boldly declared and Jeongguk scoffed, "It does you no good to be this delusional."
"Boy is using big words now, huh?" The ginger head happily invited himself on Jeongguk's bed, sat with legs crossed and chin in his palms, and spoke, "Taehyung asked me to apologize to you on his behalf."
If it were any other person, Jeongguk would have cursed out loud (the flourishing vocabulary curtsy Yoongi-hyung and Namjoon-hyung) for this childish way of apologizing but it was Taehyung and Jeongguk felt butterflies at the mere mention of his considerate thoughts. At least he cared...
He becomes such a sappy kid whenever Taehyung was involved. Even this third grade apology made his heart jitter. He was definitely crazy.
"He could not come because he is kinda grounded," Jimin further supplied with a smile graced on his lips.
Jeongguk could only nod. That means he would have come to see me! He cares! After all this time...
"Don't fret over it Jeon, he cares because he is a good person and you triggered his powers."
'I triggered his powers? What the—do his powers include barbecuing someone?!'
"No, Taehyung is an illusionist," Jimin pouted, "Such a beautiful but weary ability."
'What do illusionists do?' Jeongguk thought with a frown.
"An illusionist is an irregular that can alter reality, for a time being, according to his or her choice."
"That's so cool..." Jeongguk whistled out lowly and Jimin nodded.
And suddenly Jeongguk frowned. 'What in Merlin's bushy beard...? I wasn't talking aloud all this time!'
Jimin giggled a little on that phrase, "Bushy beard, real original. And yes, you weren't talking aloud all this long."
"How...?" was all that came out of Jeongguk's mouth as a bewildered expression crawled on his face.
"I can read minds," Jimin announced with his lips pressed in a straight line and index finger pointing at his own head.
Ridiculous!
"Tell me about it. You get Super Strength, Taehyung gets Illusions and I got Mind Reading...Who wants to read minds twenty four by seven?!" he all but whined out and Jeongguk chuckled.
"Oh common, I think it's cool. At least you don't have to worry about cracking someone's fingers when you are shaking their hand or pulling out their arms when you are walking with them and wonder if they hate you or not ..." Jeongguk sighed.
Jimin sighed. Secretly wondering if Jeongguk has or will pull out any arms...
"Taehyung doesn't hate you Jeongguk, quite the opposite. He just cannot tolerate your immature presence and you both have a very different way to express your friendship."
Jeongguk scowled. "Thanks for coming here anyway," Jeongguk chipped, not wanting to ponder over Taehyung's mind with Jimin's abilities. He could have done it easily, asked what kind of a person Taehyung wanted Jeongguk to be...but getting things from unfair means was never Jeongguk's way. So, he deflected the topic, "Though...can I ask you a question?"
"Yeah, I had known about my powers since before I met you and Taehyung. I just did not have the heart to leave Taehyung behind and get enrolled...not after everything he had to go through..." Jimin does not complete.
"Yeah, it's good and all...but will you not be creepy and let me speak the next time, before, you know, reading my mind and answering...?" Jeongguk cut in sheepishly, ignoring Jimin's answer. Jimin giggled.
"Yeah, of course, sorry...I just can't help it."
Jeongguk nodded awkwardly and they sat in silence, staring outside of Jeongguk's window.
"I forgot to ask how you're feeling," Jimin realized out loud. Jeongguk smirked. "I'm a strong boy! Nothing can crush me!"
Jimin rolled his eyes, "Says the one who cried over Timberlands being out of stock."
"That was ONE TIME!"
"Not."
"You are even freakier with your powers now..."
Jimin suggestively wiggled his eyebrows and gave him a toothy grin.
"Merlin help..."
"So, are you going to give me that painting or what?" Jimin pointed at the pillow behind which Jeongguk's 4-hour-long hard-work laid hidden.
"W-will you do this for me?" Jeongguk's surprise was a little too evident. Jimin grinned and crawled up to the pillow, pulling out the hard canvas.
"Whoa Jeongguk! That's, that-I" Jimin could not continue further, sort of stunned by the painting.

"Strawberry shortcake that I ruined, yeah. I wanted to apologize as well...for that ridiculous outburst," Jeongguk muttered shyly looking out of his window.
"I knew you could draw but this is just fabulous! Taehyung will love it!" Jimin gasped, running his fingers on the canvas.
"Oh shut up midget!" Jeongguk proceeded to hide himself in his pillows. "It's not that great..."
"Though I hate to be the delivery owl between the two of you, it is too cute a gesture to reject. I'll sneak it into his room! Buh-bye Gukkie!" Jimin babbled while ruffling a flustered Jeongguk's hair and skipping out of his room.
Before Jeongguk could realize what Jimin called him, or the fact that there was still some detailing and his signature left to be completed-Jimin had already sneaked into Taehyung's room and kept the painting next to him on the bed.
Park Jimin was a great artist as well, had won quite many awards for his artworks, knew that Taehyung absolutely adored Strawberry Shortcake and had easy access to Taehyung's room 24/7. So that's what Taehyung assumed the next day, after he woke up, exhilarated to see the masterpiece that laid beside him. Too good to be true.
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So by the end of summer, Taehyung was all packed, sat on 'The Train to Busan' and got enrolled in Merlin's School for Magical Children along with Jimin.
Though the younger was kind of upset at his best friend, because he revealed his powers to Jeongguk first, to their enemy—Like WHO DOES THAT?! But Taehyung had always been a little too dense for his own liking and thought that Jimin just knew him through. But Jimin knew everyone through.
Sometimes it is what it is.
It did sadden him for quite a while...but Taehyung was an understanding fluff ball and three hours after the revelation, he had hugged Jimin close and forgiven him. Jeongguk broke two pens and one pencil in less than thirty seconds. A record.
But now that they were finally here Taehyung could not contain his joy (Unknowingly he had his arms wrapped around both Jimin and Jeongguk). He had always dreamt to be a part of this prestigious institution and make his parents proud!
After Principal Lissy greeted Jimin and Taehyung with awfully cheery smiles and gave them their schedules and room keys, she left them to the hands of Lee Ji Eun, a bubbly fifth year and a member of the student council.
"Taeyon, our student president, was busy with assigning detentions, so I volunteered," she chirped, constantly twirling her raven hair, with red highlights, around her fingers. Jimin and Taehyung nodded like model students and pretended not to be affected by her shrill voice. "Our school is just so fun to be in! Everyone around here is a darling! I mean seriously, you can just hug any random person and he would happily hug you back, right Jeongguk?"
They were walking past the locker hallway when they came across Jeongguk, who was busy fetching some books from his locker. "Huh?" the younger male turned around, looking surprised on being mentioned. Jieun just strolled forward and hugged him. Jeongguk remained stone still awfully imitating a deer caught in headlights. He was shooketh.
Jimin chuckled and Taehyung just kept a straight face.
"You see, Jeongguk is a pretty famous person. His first day was quite memorable," Jieun grinned upon the memory and Jimin laughed out loud.
"No way, it broke in two?!" his surprise was laced in humor. Jieun raised an eyebrow at him. "Sorry, I'm a mind reader," Jimin confessed.
"Oh!" Jieun gasped, slapping Jimin's back. "You should never apologize for your gifts Jimin and yes, it broke in two halves!" she suddenly turned to Taehyung, who was busy in a glaring competition with Jeongguk, "I'm sure Army made a video, I can show it to you both!"
Taehyung grinned and Jeongguk whined. "Unnie, no!" he groaned but Taehyung had already interlinked Jieun's hand with his, "Why wait for the precious moment to arrive, let's go!"
Jeongguk's face was everything. Taehyung couldn't stop laughing for the entire day.
And weirdly every new chapter of Taehyung's life started with something Jeongguk related. Taehyung did not realize this as he was too busy running away from the radius of the pencil case that was in Jeongguk's hand—as the latter chased him with equal passion—a lot later in the evening, but Jimin did.
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