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Yoongi would be the first to admit to anyone that he wasn’t the most brilliant Captain of the Royal Guard. No, that title went to Namjoon. What scholar went from a comfortable life reading all that Her Majesty had to offer just to go to the battlefield just because he befriended a stranger? The most intelligent and clumsy fool that Min Yoongi had the pleasure of befriending. Though his contributions to physical labor were abysmal initially, his understanding of military tactics and regional landscape more than made up for what he lacked. But, sometimes, Yoongi wanted to throttle the scholar, toss his body to Her Majesty, and claim ignorance. His curiosity was going to get someone killed. And that someone was currently Yoongi.
Never in his twenty-nine years did Yoongi ever believe he’d have to drag his best friend from a phoenix next. He didn’t care how many, “Hyung! It’s so interesting!” he had to hear, there was a reason people didn’t go into random strangers’ homes! Much less a fantastical creature! There were plenty of phoenix residents in the capitol that he could ask! But no! The buffoon had to wander from the campsite because they passed an obvious phoenix nest in the wild. Yoongi was seriously contemplating how he was going to murder his best friend when he felt something very wrong. Shoving Namjoon behind a boulder, a sudden heat enveloped him. Pain erupted from his abdomen and his head felt like a moment from exploding.
“You dare come into my nest, trespasser,” the phoenix spat, her talon-like fingers grabbing his hair, “I will burn you from the inside out.”
“Wait!” Namjoon, ever the fool, cried, “We didn’t mean any harm. I’ve never seen a phoenix nest and grew curious, it was me!”
The woman sneered, pulling Yoongi’s hair until it felt like his scalp was going to be ripped from him, “The Queen’s soldiers-”
“Not a soldier!” Namjoon interrupted, “I’m a scholar! I am here with others to study the regions and document the land!”
Yoongi wanted to laugh at the half-truth. Namjoon’s build was obviously one of a soldier, but there was no point in stating the obvious now. Besides, the heat was getting unbearable.
“Then tell me, scholar,” she spat the title as if it were poison, “Why shouldn’t I kill the half-breed here and now?”
Half-breed, Yoongi wanted to recoil. He hadn’t heard that directly since joining the royal guard.
“He’s my friend, please, he warned me not to come here but I did. My curiosity won over his warning. He didn’t know I was gone until I was almost here. Please, we didn’t mean any harm.”
Yoongi had only seen Namjoon do the routine bow in from of Her Majesty, and even then it was the mechanical movements, but now he was in a full traditional bow. His head rested on the ground as his fingers dug into the heated dirt. The heat around them shifted but was no less intense. Yoongi was sure that Namjoon wouldn’t be able to feel the difference.
“I will let you both live,” the phoenix sneered, shoving Yoongi into the dirt, “But know that you will suffer my curse. May the heat consume you as mine consumes me.”
Yoongi felt cold dread wash over him before a searing heat scorched his insides.
“What does that-” Namjoon couldn’t finish before he was clutching his stomach and falling on his side.
Scrambling, Yoongi dragged his burning body to his friend.
“We need to get to the capitol. Now.”
Yoongi felt the eyes of the phoenix on him, but he paid her no mind. Shoving Namjoon to his feet, he tried to shoulder his friend’s weight while gaining his footing.
“Half-breed,” the phoenix called before they could get too far, “The human has longer than you.”
A small mercy, she granted Namjoon, then. Bowing to the best of his ability, Yoongi then scrambled to get to the campsite. It was a half-day ride to the capitol if they went as fast as the horses could carry them. The trek to the campsite was hell, but they made it.
“Captain!” Yoongi couldn’t place who it was, “Captain are you alright?”
Namjoon’s weight was lifted from him before he felt a cold hand press to his sweating face.
“Phoenix curse,” he panted, “We stumbled upon a phoenix nest, I think she was ready to lay her-” A sudden, searing pain overtook him, “We need to get back to the capitol. I know a witch who can help,” he gasped, clutching to the other’s shoulder for support.
Yoongi had never seen his soldiers pack up their campsite as fast as they did now. He was given a cool, wet rag, but he knew it wouldn’t help. Not even shedding his clothes and swimming in the icy lakes would soothe the burning he felt. No, he needed the witch.
“Captain, you’ll ride with me,” Kihyun helped him stand, “Namjoon is going to ride with Chan.”
Nodding, Yoongi let himself be manhandled into a saddle. The heat was getting worse, but not enough for him to lose his thoughts.
“Namjoon, where’s Namjoon?”
“Here, hyung,” he heard behind him.
“We’ll ride ahead, the others will follow,” Chan informed him, “The horses will get tired, we’ll have to stop at the closest watering hole.”
“The capitol is over a half-day ride,” Kihyun grabbed the reigns, “With the extra weight it’ll take longer. Captain, do you know how long it’ll take before the curse,” Kihyun hesitated.
“For me, it feels like maybe tomorrow. Namjoon’s curse is different, she said he has longer.”
No more words were spoken as Chan and Kihyun set the horses for the capitol. Yoongi felt another sharp, searing pain go through him. It was going to be a long journey.
Seeing the gates of the capitol had never brought Yoongi much joy, but now it looked like one of the Seven Wonders that Namjoon had told him about.
“Captain Min Yoongi requesting permission to enter the Grand Capitol with soldiers Yoo Kihyun and Bang Chan, along with scholar Kim Namjoon,” Yoongi panted to the guard.
“And what is the purpose of your early arrival without your unit.”
“Magical ailment of myself and scholar Kim.”
Nodding, the guard went to open the gate. The heat was now unbearable as he watched sweat dripping onto the worn leather and down to his pale hands. He knew his clothes were completely soaked and it was a high chance Kihyun was suffering from his dampness. He’d buy him a round at the tavern if he’s able to be cured. If not, then he’ll allow the man free reign on his clothes.
Going through the streets on horseback was nothing new for the soldiers, but it was much faster to go on foot with how heavy the traffic was as merchants and shoppers crowded the streets. Roasting meats, flowers, and smelting metal flooded the air as Kihyun and Chan half dragged the two to the apothecary, Serendipity. The smells and the bright morning sun made Yoongi feel nauseous. Looking over, Namjoon wasn’t faring much better. His usual golden complexion was now a sickly gray. If they lived through this, Yoongi was going to kick his ass.
When they finally arrived at the shop, Chan hadn’t had a chance to open the door before Kim Taehyung was there and glowering at the four.
“Jimin’s waiting,” he side-eyed Yoongi and Namjoon, “Don’t keep him waiting.”
Yoongi didn’t think he could lower his head further, but miraculously he did, feeling like a scolded child. The clairvoyant was usually so happy to see Yoongi that it was a shock to see him displeased. Being led to the back room, away from the customers whispering about them, felt like being sentenced to the gallows. Jimin was already in the back with four potions on his table and looking less than pleased at Namjoon. Yoongi was grateful, the witch was scary when he directed his anger at someone. Not that he’d ever say.
“Drink these,” he shoved two potions at each of them, “And then sit until it doesn’t feel like your bodies are about to melt. This will lessen the effects, but it won’t take them away,” he turned to Kihyun and Chan, smiling sweetly, “And you two, come to the front, I’ll give you some coin so you can go eat and drink. I’ll also get you some healing salves.”
After being deposited to the chairs and left to suffer, Yoongi wanted nothing more than to sleep. Preferably in his bed. For the rest of his life. Unfortunately, Taehyung had other plans.
“Min Yoongi, open your eyes right now!” the clairvoyant growled.
Peeling his eyes open, he saw the most beautiful sight of Taehyung and Jungkook standing in front of him. He felt himself smile and reach for them before his hand was batted away and he was reminded that a pissed Taehyung was a scary Taehyung. It also didn’t help that Jungkook was currently pulling individual hairs from his ears. A habit that Yoongi had hoped had stopped when the hybrid became an adult.
“Kookie’s pulling his fur again,” he slurred.
Yoongi watched as Taehyung whipped around and cooed at the rabbit hybrid and gently coaxed his fingers from his ear, brushing it behind his shoulder and lacing their fingers together.
“Now,” Taehyung whipped back around, still looking pissed but less threatening with his fingers laced with the other, “Mind telling us why I had to have a vision at the ass crack of sunset of you being assaulted by a phoenix? All I heard was her cursing you and Namjoon about some heat consuming or whatnot. What does that mean? Why did she curse you? What did Namjoon do this time?”
Too many questions too fast, and his head still feels like it’s going to melt. Seeing him struggle, Jungkook went to grab the cup of water on the table. Yoongi watched as the younger carefully brought the glass over before helping him drink. Smiling gently, he took the chance to grab his hand and kiss the tattooed fingers. Runes danced across the scars and callouses before settling into a new sequence.
“Namjoon grew curious on our journey,” he croaked, “We passed a phoenix nest. I should have kept my eyes on him, but I didn’t. I couldn’t find him at the campsite and realized he had gone to do his scholarly thing and causing trouble again. Next thing I know I’m being threatened and Namjoon is pleading for my life. She cursed us and it was a race to get here.”
“What about the consumed as she bit?” Taehyung sighed, rubbing his eyes, “What does that mean?”
Yoongi felt a bit awkward having to explain, “She’s, uh, in her mating period.”
“It’s Summer.”
“A phoenix is most receptive at the hottest of the year. They lay their eggs and then nest until the summer again.”
“So are they constantly nesting?” Jungkook asked, setting the empty glass back on the table.
“No,” Yoongi was now becoming more aware of his clothes sticking to him uncomfortably and how he smelled, it wasn’t pleasant, “A phoenix can only have a hatch once in their cycle. Multiple can be laid, but only one will survive. Even then, it’s not a guarantee the hatchling will make it to adulthood.”
It was getting hot again. Looking at Taehyung, he was about to reach for him when his eyes clouded over. His body went tense and the air around him seemed to still. It felt like hours before Taehyung’s eyes finally returned to their warm brown and his limbs relaxed.
“So good and bad news,” he smiled, “Which do you want first?”
Blinking, he glanced at Jungkook who was now bouncing his leg rapidly. The thumps of his paw against the wood were almost soothing.
“Bad.”
“None of Jimin’s potions are going to cure you.”
Blanching, Yoongi looked between the two, “Why?”
“Because someone neglected to tell us they were half-phoenix. How convenient,” Taehyung didn’t look amused.
“I didn’t think it was important. I don’t have any phoenix qualities.”
“Yeah, wanna hear the good news?”
“Sure.”
“It’s your mating period.”
“Yeah, sex doesn’t sound like a good thing when my death is imminent.”
“It does to me when it means sex is gonna be what causes you not to die.”
“Excuse you?”
“Either sex or an intense exercise routine for the next few hours,” Taehyung grinned, “Your body needs to, essentially, sweat out and exhaust itself. Something that stimulates mating, I’m guessing.”
“And your vision told you that?” Jungkook rolled his eyes, “Hyung, that’s not how that works. You’ve said so yourself.”
“You’re right, Kookie, but what I saw was a very sweaty Yoongi looking more than satisfied and saying the heat’s gone. The moon was high and the day hadn’t been changed on the clock tower. So my guess is either he had the pounding of a lifetime or he worked out so much that he became delirious and was happy about working out.”
The silence was thick. Yoongi wanted to say something, anything, but couldn’t. Though he was with the two, he’d never been intimate with them. He was a recent addition to the pair, only being with them since Spring. Apparently seeing his inner turmoil, Taehyung crouched to the ground.
“Hyung, it’s okay if you’re not ready. We can find another solution. Maybe finding the phoenix herself and asking to lift the curse.”
Yoongi knew she wouldn’t, and he had no doubt the other two knew as well.
“You can always try doing the workouts, hyung and I can make sure you’re not going to hurt yourself,” Jungkook offered.
The thought alone made him cringe. The resounding laughter of Taehyung and Jungkook was a nice distraction from the building heat. It was more gradual this time around than when he was originally cursed. That had been sudden and sharp. As the two continued to giggle, Yoongi looked around, feeling something missing.
“Where’s Namjoon?”
Taehyung wiped a tear from his eye, “He chose option one.”
“Who’s-”
“Jimin-hyung has made the ultimate sacrifice,” Jungkook interrupted, bursting out another round of giggles, “And Hobi-hyung has gone as backup.”
“And Jin-hyung has gone to supervise the situation and treat injuries.”
The two leaned on each other as they continued their laughing, clutching their stomachs and finding the whole situation hilarious. It was a little funny, two humans, a witch, and a nymph having an orgy because one human was dumb enough to get cursed by a phoenix. In any other situation, Yoongi would be cackling along but the heat was getting a little unbearable.
Making up his mind, he went to stand. The giggling finally stopped as Taehyung and Jungkook watched Yoongi walk to the door.
“Where are you going, hyung?”
He knew his ears were red as he pushed open the door, “I need to go home and bathe.”
“Why? If you’re training, you’re gonna get gross again,” Jungkook gave a bright smile, his front teeth endearingly large.
“Not,” he swallowed thickly, “Not for training.”
Both boys froze as Yoongi hurriedly stumbled to leave the shop. Another witch was helping the customers and gave Yoongi a gentle smile. Waving, he hurried out before Jungkook and Taehyung caught up to him. It was going to be a long night.
Yoongi had finally finished filling his tub when there was a knocking at the door. Knowing who it was, he began to strip to clean himself. His hands shook as he grabbed one of the cleaning oils Jin had given him. It smelled faintly of lavender and sandalwood. It brought a memory of nostalgia but he quickly pushed it away, he didn’t want to think of his adolescent years when he was getting ready to be–blushing, he grabbed the hair oil Hoseok had given him the same year. The smell of tangerines made Yoongi think of the summer market where he met Taehyung and Jungkook. They were so small. Taehyung’s ears were too big for his head and Jungkook’s eyes made him think he was a deer instead of a rabbit.
As he washed, he heard his door open and two pairs of feet walk through his home. Smiling to himself, he tried to ignore the growing heat and let himself relax. It was harder said than done, but he finally relaxed his muscles and focused on the heat of the water instead of the intense slow-burning fever in his veins.
When he finished, he lightly dried his hair before looking at the clothes he set aside. Simple clothes he hadn’t worn in years. A dull white that was deceptively stark against the dark cloth of the seat it laid upon. Knowing they would soon be discarded, he decided to forgo his top. He still had some shame in his addled mind to know the embarrassment he’d feel if he decided to go out and present himself as bare as the day he was born. Taking a shuddering breath, Yoongi decided to face the largest challenges of his life.
Taehyung and Jungkook.
***********************
Yoongi lost track of the time, but he knew hours had passed by the time he felt the heat drain completely. Jungkook lifted himself from Yoongi’s hips as Taehyung panted, leaning back with Yoongi’s legs spread around his hips. They were all panting and covered in a sheen of sweat but Yoongi couldn’t feel the heat anymore. Blessed coolness surrounded him.
“How are you, hyung?” Jungkook panted, legs shaking as he moved to lie down.
“Better,” he smiled, “Heat’s gone.”
Taehyung gave an unattractive snort. Glancing at the clairvoyant, they saw him looking out Yoongi’s window. Glancing in the same direction, they see it hadn’t crested midnight yet.
“I told you!” Taehyung grinned, smug.