I open my eyes, peering around the darkened room. I remember the space from the times I've spent here with my friends.

My friends.

Where are they?

I spot a few of them nearby, watching me warily. I go to stand up and approach them, but I find my hands bound behind my back. I look down, noticing various engraved bands tied around my legs and body, binding me to the solid chair. I tug at the belts, starting to feel the panic rise in me.

My last memory... I was at home. Then a voice... that voice full of malice and darkness. Deep in my subconscious, requesting for me to relinquish control.

But control of what?

I don't know... I don't know.

"Hana..." I let out a sob. My friends look towards me, fear and concern in their eyes.

"It's okay Tae, it'll be okay," I hear Jimin respond. Before I can say anything, my vocal cords feel like they've been bound, preventing me from talking. I choke, letting a gurgled moan escape my lips. They stand and watch me.

Hana's terrified eyes are the last thing I see before everything goes black. I've lost control again.

. . . . . 

Namjoon:

They watch as Taehyung gurgles, before slumping forward. A cruel, deep chuckle escapes his lips. He lifts his head, his once dark eyes now red as he looks around the room. Taehyung isn't here anymore.

They bound Taehyung to a sturdy chair with belts decorated with binding sigils. Z will not be able to break free. But even if he found a way, he wouldn't be able to go far.

Namjoon is standing in front of him, his feet planted firmly in a defensive position. His arms are folded, and his eyes are narrowed. Hana and Jimin are sitting at the dining table nearby, watching on with fear. Yoongi looks calm, but his leg is shaking nervously.

Will Taehyung be alright?

"Hello, Namjoon," Z grins, pulling Taehyung's cheeks to inhuman levels.

"What do you want, Xedysus?" Namjoon demands.

"Hana knows what I want," Z mutters, turning his eyes to Hana. She looks away, trembling slightly as he uses his real voice, rather than Taehyung's vocal cords. Jimin places his arm over her shoulders protectively.

"Well, that's not happening," Namjoon says firmly, "You have two choices: Either you return home of your own volition and leave us alone, or we send you back,"

"You say that like you hold any power over me at all," Z sneers, "You are a simple human boy. A child, an infant in comparison to me,"

"If you're going to whine about all your supposed power don't bother," Yoongi chimes in, leaning back in his chair in a relaxed position, "Let's just send him back,"

Z chuckles, turning his eyes to Yoongi.

"I'll kill you," Z mutters, a gruff growl leaving his lips. Yoongi cocks his eyebrow and holds out his arms.

"Come on then, old man," Yoongi smirks, "Bring it on,"

Suddenly, Z begins tugging at the bonds, growling and yelling at Yoongi as he tries to lunge at him. The belts hold him in place, the sigils burning bright as he attempts to remove them.

Hana watches on in horror, clinging to Jimin's arm as the belts strain and pull, the sigils burning brighter and brighter.

He yells out in pain, his deathly glare trained on Yoongi. His eyes flash a brighter red, using more and more power to burn away the sigils.

Namjoon watches on, smirking as he watches the naïve, stupid god fall right into their trap. Just as quickly as he started, Z stops. He is breathing heavily, all his energy gone from his body. Weakly, he looks up at Namjoon, his heavy eyelids barely able to stay open.

"W-what did you do?" He mutters.

"You didn't look at those sigils closely, did you?"

Z drops his head, eyeing the sigils inscribed on the belt. His head lolls around as he eyes them closely, grunting in frustration.

"It's not his fault," Yoongi stands, moving towards him, "They're written on the back,"

"WHAT DID YOU DO?" Z bellows, attempting to pull at his restraints again. But he can barely hold his head up, never mind try to fight against the sudden lull of sleep.

"An exorcism sigil," Yoongi mutters, "Along with a sigil that sucks your power back to where it belongs,"

"The underworld," Namjoon finishes, "So, the more you fight, the more you leave this earth,"

"So," Yoongi kneels in front of Z, lifting his chin to look him in the eyes, "Are you going to leave, or are you going to drag yourself there?"

Z narrows his eyes at Yoongi, as if trying to figure a way out of the situation he is in. He looks perturbed, as if he wasn't expecting them to come up with such an idea. The sigils they have used are not directly from his pantheon. They are called bind runes, created by combining other runes into one big spectacular design. They contain symbols from the Xanthus pantheon alongside the runes to create a beautiful, powerful sigil to contain him: The all-powerful Xedysus.

Realistically, Namjoon was worried it wasn't going to work. They only had the written words of others, some of which could've been like Minho's father – a fake.

Namjoon steps towards Z, watching him carefully. He strikes a line through the stamp they placed on Taehyung's skin.

A moment later, Z sighs, dropping his eyes to the ground.

Taehyung arches his back, screaming a primal, guttural scream as if his entire body is on fire. He starts violently sobbing, pulling at the restraints. Namjoon moves forward, ready to cut the restraints from the chair. Once Taehyung stops screaming, breathing heavily as if he just ran a marathon, he opens his eyes. His dark chocolate eyes peer blearily at him as tears roll down his cheeks.

"Namjoon... Namjoon help..." Taehyung sobs.

Instantly, Namjoon and Yoongi start undoing the belts from the chair. Hana and Jimin rush over, trying to help pull Taehyung out of the restraints.

Once they are done, Taehyung falls forward, landing on the ground with a loud thud. He doesn't move.

"TAE!" Jimin cries, turning Taehyung over onto his back, "Taehyung? Wake up!"

"It's okay, Jimin," Yoongi says reassuringly, "Let's take him up to the bed so he can rest. His body has been through a lot,"

Jimin nods, wiping his wet face roughly. He picks Taehyung up bridal style and heads upstairs, leaving the rest of them in a tense silence.

. . . . . 

"Okay, let me get this straight," Taehyung frowns, "Gods are real,"

"Yes," Yoongi answers.

"And one of them was possessing you,"

"Yes," Namjoon replies.

"And then he was in me,"

"Yeah," Jimin smiles sadly.

"And you guys have main character back stories?"

They all look at each other with bewildered expressions. Taehyung is taking this surprising well, better than any of them did.

He has been awake for a few hours. He slept off the attack easily, comfortably chowing down on some dinner earlier. It is now a little past 8 pm that night. Of course, as soon as he was finished satiating his hunger, he had some questions.

Jimin told him how he found out, followed by Yoongi telling his story. Hana explained what happened to her and how she found out. Then, Namjoon tells Taehyung his life story, once again reliving his childhood to one of his friends. It is becoming easier to talk about it with them, especially after being terrified of telling anyone about it.

Now, Taehyung is excitedly talking about comparable anime and comic book characters, getting increasingly excited about it. Namjoon remembered exactly how it felt for Z to leave his body. It was excruciating. But Taehyung seems fine. Of course, he is holding his stomach like he's scared his insides are going to fall out, and he is incredibly jumpy. But he still has that refreshing happiness and excitement.

Namjoon is glad he hasn't lost that enthusiasm.

"Anyway," Taehyung waves his hand quickly, changing the topic, "Why was he in me?"

Hana glances at Namjoon, gulping at the prospect of telling him the truth. She doesn't want him to blame her for his pain.

"He wants Hana," Namjoon says firmly. He knows Taehyung isn't going to blame her, and she needs to see that. Taehyung nods in response, looking at Hana sadly.

"I'm sorry he used me against you," Taehyung mumbles. He pulls Hana into his chest, burying his head into her shoulder, "I'm sorry you're going through this,"

"It's fine, Taehyung," Hana chuckles, wrapping her arms around him, "I'm just glad you are okay,"

"All right, all right, all right," Namjoon quickly moves forward, prying them away from each other, "Enough of that," He frowns, trying to avoid glaring at them as he looks to Yoongi, "Do you have another Pendant?"

Yoongi nods, pulling one out of his pocket. He slides it over Taehyung's head, patting it gently on his chest. Hana is watching Namjoon carefully, a strange look in her eyes. Namjoon keeps his eyes away from her, refusing to acknowledge what he just did.

"Now we are all protected," Yoongi beams, looking around at all the identical necklaces they are wearing.

"It's like, a really messed up friendship necklace," Taehyung mutters, sounding emotional, "I love it! I've always wanted to have a friendship necklace with you guys," Taehyung stands up and pulls Yoongi and Namjoon in for a hug, squeezing the life out of them. Namjoon groans, feeling slightly winded from Taehyung's sudden strength. Jimin chuckles, wrapping his arms around Taehyung and Yoongi. Yoongi begins squirming, yelling for them to let him go.

"Stop it! Let me go!" Yoongi yells, drowning under Taehyung and Jimin's arms. Namjoon feels Hana's arms around his waist, joining the big group hug. Her other hand must be on Taehyung as he turns to smile at her. His heart starts to race, something that has not gone unnoticed by Taehyung.

Before Namjoon can enjoy the feeling too much, Yoongi finally gets his way. He pushes Jimin and Taehyung away, adorably glaring at them.

"Yah!" Yoongi snaps, menacingly moving towards them, "I'll kill you!"

Jimin and Taehyung take off, running around the dining room and the lounge room as Yoongi chases after them. Hana and Namjoon watch on, laughing at their antics. Namjoon finally decides to look at her.

Her eyes are glistening slightly as she watches them run around playing together. Namjoon doesn't need Z here to tell him that she is glad Taehyung wasn't harmed because of her. Not that he would ever blame her; none of them would.

She turns her eyes to him, looking up at him nervously. He smiles, trying to pour all his feelings into this smile. All his pain, his happiness, his love and care for her. Everything.

He's not sure if she picks up on it, but she blushes and looks away, a small smirk playing on her lips.

And that's all he needs to know.

. . . . . 

The next day, Namjoon walks Hana to school, dropping by her house to drop off her bag. This time, Hana brings him inside.

He is standing in the loungeroom, waiting nervously as her parents eye him curiously.

"What's your name?" Mr Bae asks, folding his arms and holding his head high, as if he is trying to make himself appear bigger next to the tall man.

"Kim Namjoon," Namjoon smiles gently, "I am a friend of Hana's... it's nice to finally meet you both,"

"You are very handsome," Mrs Bae comments. Namjoon starts blubbering at the comment while Mr Bae chastises his wife.

"Stop it, you're making him uncomfortable," Mr Bae chuckles. He turns his stern eyes back to Namjoon, "So, how did you meet Hana?"

"At university," Namjoon gestures in the general direction of the school vaguely, "Friends of friends sort of thing,"

"Right," Mrs Bae responds, moving forward, "Darling, could you check on the washing for me?"

Mr Bae frowns but does as he is told anyway. Once he is out of the room, Mrs Bae turns back to Namjoon, whispering quickly.

"How long have you liked Hana?" She asks.

"W-What? H-How?" Namjoon stutters, glancing in the direction of Hana's room nervously. She already knows, but it would still be embarrassing.

"The way you are acting, the way you look at her, and the way she talks about you," Mrs Bae says quickly, "What I don't understand is why you rejected her?"

"I... it's complicated," Namjoon mutters. He didn't realise Hana's mother is observant, and he didn't realise Hana spoke to her mother about these things.

"So, you like her?"

"Yes,"

"Love her?"

"I... I think so," Namjoon nods, feeling a warm flush across his cheeks.

"Does she know?"

"Kind of..." Namjoon briefly explains his attempt at confessing to her.

"Right... want to know the best way to get her to understand?" Mrs Bae grins cheekily, "Not jealousy, not obsession... just touch,"

"H-Huh? Touch?" Namjoon starts blubbering again, "Y-You want me to w-w-what?"

"No, no... subtle touch! It's her love language," Mrs Bae mutters.

"How do you know this?" He asks, excited by this sudden revelation.

"Because she has always expressed her love with physical affection!" Mrs Bae explains, "Even with her friends. But you like her, and she likes you... it's the only way she is going to understand," She tsks. Suddenly, they hear Hana moving around, heading downstairs.

"Just remember: Subtle touching!" Mrs Bae says quickly, "Ready for school, bub?"

Hana enters the room, looking between Namjoon and her mother suspiciously.

"Uh... yeah," Hana smiles, "We should go,"

"Yep, good idea," Namjoon chuckles nervously. Once Hana turns her back to him, he mimes his gratitude and thanks to her mother. She smirks, waving him off.

"You two have a good day at school!" She waves.

They head to school, Mrs Bae's words on his mind. Subtle touching... what is that? Holding her hand isn't subtle... Are hugs subtle? No, they are far from subtle.

Namjoon continues to contemplate this as they head to the subway, his mind waring over the ideas Mrs Bae has given him.

They jump on the subway, alone this time because Taehyung went to school with Jimin and Yoongi early this morning. There must be something happening today, because the train is packed. They stand just inside the doors in a corner. Hana leans against the wall with Namjoon standing in front of her.

At the next stop, more people board the train, pushing people gently along. Namjoon leans on his hand against the wall behind Hana, ensuring there is enough space between them. She is blushing again, looking to the side to avoid looking at him.

Subtle touching...

Namjoon takes this opportunity to poke her warm cheeks with his spare hand, giggling as he does. She blushes even more, turning her head to look up at him.

"W-Why did you do that?" She asks quietly.

"I don't know, your cheeks are cute," Namjoon shrugs. She smacks his chest playfully, folding her arms as her cheeks become darker again. He laughs again, feeling accomplished.

That wasn't subtle, was it?

Namjoon frowns, still unsure what Mrs Bae could mean.

More people jump on the train. They need to get off at the next stop, so Namjoon gently nudges Hana, so they are closer to the door, ready to get off.

She is pouting slightly but does as he directs. At the next stop, he places his hand on the middle of her back, guiding her out the doors and into the much quieter subway station. Once they are off the train, he removes his hand and continues walking. He glances at Hana, her blushing face the only thing he can notice.

Was that... subtle?

Whatever it was, it had an effect on her. She went from flustered and playful, to shy and blushing.

Thank you, Mrs Bae.

Namjoon grins as they head up and into the university. 

(A/N) 🫰🫰🫰 

Anyone want a messed up friendship bracelet? No?