Jimin shuts the door behind him, stepping into a small height of snow, the sound resounding soflty. He looks around, letting out a breath, the warmth of it leaving a puff of white – soon fading.

There's white still falling, raising the level of snow once again. But, Jimin doesn't mind. He quite likes the pretty white blanket he sees in his town. He had moved into the town around two years ago, not familiar with constant cold, but now he's used to it, comfortable in it, wearing his soft and warm earmuffs and big fluffy jacket.

After making sure he's properly locked his door, he finally starts his path to where he plans to go. Maybe I should get him some cake, today?

With the decision in mind, Jimin makes his way towards the bakery of the town. Despite the cold weather, the town is still alive, people moving out and about, happily conversing with their neighbours as they worked their jobs.

Smiling to himself, Jimin steps into the bakery, greeting the owner. "Hello, ahjumma, how're you doing today?"

"If it isn't Jimin-ah! What would you like today, sweetheart?" The middle-aged woman behind the counter asks, pleased at Jimin's appearance at her shop.

Sighing as he steps inside, Jimin relishes the warm that hugs him, stepping closer to the window shelf, looking through it, wondering what he would like.

"Hm, what about the strawberry shortcake?" He says, smiling brightly up at the woman.

"Okay~ Anything else?"

"And, a brownie too, please," Jimin adds hurriedly, wanting a bite of that delicious brownie, his favourite.

"Of course, sweetie, let me pack it up for you?"

He nods. "Yes."

As she gets out a paper box, the woman shakes her head in disappointment. "You never stay, Jimin-ah. Always taking my goods somewhere else to eat in your usual morning travels. "

With a small laugh, Jimin nods once again, promising, "Next time, I'll eat here, ahjumma, I promise."

"Good, you better. Here you go, sweetheart, that would be twenty-thousand won."

"Aish, ahjumma, stop dropping your prices for me, you'll go bankrupt," Jimin tsks playfully, pulling out money that's ten thousand more than what the woman said.

She sighs, "But, you help us all so much, I only want to give you a treat. You're the best doctor that's come around in this town, it's a miracle and angel like you stayed."

"I find happiness in seeing you all get better, no need to treat me, just stay healthy, that's enough for me," Jimin says sincerely. It's the reason he became a doctor in the first place, wanting to see the ill get better, seeing them turn from lifeless to bright and lively. That itself is a gift to him.

The woman lets out a smile, eyes shining. "Enjoy the goods, darling. Please be careful in the outskirts, don't travel too far."

"Okay, ahjumma. See you," he says grabbing the bag with the cake and brownie, heading back out into the cold, pretty crystals of snow hitting his cheeks, melting on the spot.

He knows where he wants to go. Back when it had been a year of living in the town, Jimin had decided to look around, in areas that weren't habited, just outside of the town area, to research, perhaps find plants that might help make treatment for some. And, by the next month, he'd come across a small house just on the outskirts, just barely inside the borders of the town, but far away from the other residents, hidden away on a hill. He'd only noticed it during spring, due to the smoke that lined the sky – which was odd, why would someone light a fireplace in the spring?

There was no way the other townsmen don't know of the man, but probably stayed away, due to some superstition or such.

At first, he had been unsure; what if someone dangerous lives in there? But, one time, just a month after he'd discovered the house, when he had been looking for plants that grew in the cold nearby, the door of the house had opened, and a man had emerged out. He had been grumbling something underneath his breath, saying he had got to visit down there soon no matter how much he's hated, shutting the door behind him.

Jimin had been hidden from the man's sight, but he could see the white haired man, in his thin top and pants, hair swaying in the wind prettily as he had taken a breath, staring down the hill.

It was only when the man had taken a step forward, Jimin had noticed he's barefoot?! What the fuck?!

"H—" he was about to call for the man, but he had already gone, running down the hill, barefoot.

He had watched with wide eyes, seeing how effortlessly the man walks on the snow, slowly retarding his run into a walk right before he had reached the main road of the town.

Even from up the hill, Jimin could see how all the townspeople rush inside. Jimin had frowned at the sight. What?

Soon enough, he'd decided to head back down too, but he'd gone slowly, taking a different path than the barefoot man.

But, once he got down, the townspeople were back out again, whispering to each other, sounding scared.

"What... is going on?" he'd asked, seeing everyone eye the man he saw earlier walk back up the hill.

"Jimin! Oh, thank goodness you weren't here for that. We don't know what he would've done if he saw you, our precious saviour."

"Who is he?" was all Jimin had asked, watching the man's figure disappear behind one of the hills.

"Oh, right! No one's told him. He's the ice witch, he's cursed. The reason why the town's so less populated these days, everyone keeps moving out because of him. The rich have left long ago once he first appeared, having the privilege, but us..."

With curious eyes, he'd looked around, seeing children hide behind doors of houses or behind parents' legs, the adults looking shaken too.

From the lack of response from Jimin, the woman who had been speaking earlier continues. "We love this town, our history, our culture, and it's our home. We can't... just leave."

"I see..." was all Jimin had muttered, frown not leaving his face. Without another word, he'd nodded to everyone and went to his clinic – attached to the side of his house. He hadn't wanted to express his thoughts carelessly in front of the townspeople, knowing he'd be the black sheep among white.

But, the next week, in his usual morning travel, he would find his questions no more.

"Was it your footprints last week?" the voice had startled him as he was looking at one of the plants – one he'd never seen before. Jumping in surprise, he'd turned around with wide eyes, heart thumping in his chest.

"You scared me," he'd muttered breathlessly, taking deep breaths to calm himself down from the suddenness..

The man's face held no emotion, but Jimin swore he'd seen a flash of sadness in his eyes. "Yeah, I usually do scare people. Sorry." That's all he'd said before he turning around – still with his thin top and pants, different colors than last time.

"W-wait, no! I meant in the moment, not in general. I'm not scared of you," Jimin had clarified, watching as the man paused in his steps, looking back at him, his face still holding no emotion.

"Why?"

Jimin had spluttered, internally baffled at how flustered he had been when confronted with this man. "What do you mean why? I'll be scared of whatever I want," he'd huffed. He usually wasn't like this with people, general more calm and collected, but there had been something about this man, something about his eyes and the way they held secrets he didn't even know he wanted answers to.

The man's expression hadn't change but after a pause, he'd asked. "What is your name?"

Feeling slight heat rising to his cheeks, Jimin had answered, "Park Jimin."

With that, the man had just nodded, turning around to leave, walking away curtly.

"W-wait! What's your name?" Jimin had asked, hoping he'd get a response.

Stopping in his steps for a moment, without turning around, the man had answered. "Kim Taehyung." Then, he'd continued his movement, disappearing behind some trees, heading back to his home.

Jimin had wondered why his heart was thumping so loudly. Despite how good-looking the man – Kim Taehyung – was, he'd never felt such an exhilarating rush in his veins.

Back then, he had still been unsure if Kim Taehyung knew how to smile, exploring the possibilities that his lips just won't curve into a smile naturally.

He'd given the house a few visits, knocking on the door wondering if the man would be inside inside, and he would be, as shown by the eyes peering outside from behind the blinds of the window. But, he'd never opened the door.

But, once, when the ahjumma who runs a bakery had made a special pie, distributing it to all the townsmen, he couldn't help but wonder if Kim Taehyung would like it.

So, that night, he had packed the pie in a brown bag, locking his doors before he'd headed up the opposite hill, taking the long route so the town wouldn't freak out just in case someone saw him.

He tried knocking on the door again, hoping the lights spilling from the corners of the blinds were an indication to the man being awake. Then, he'd seen the eyes peer through like usual. But, now, Jimin had smiled wide at him, holding up the bag. "I brought you something."

And, for the first time, the eyes had disappeared, and the doors opened instead. His face had remained blank, but Jimin could see the hint of shine in his eyes as he took the bag from Jimin's hands.

"What is it?"

"Raspberry pie."

There had been a moment of silence between them, Taehyung's aura changing into a happy one, even though his face didn't show it. Then, he'd said, "Thank you, hope you get back safe," before he shut the door on Jimin's face.

Jimin had just laughed to himself, turning around, walking the way back, having gotten more than he bargained for. He'd noted to himself to take the guy food like this every now and then.

And, finally, here's Jimin in the present, after a few months from then, and more than few drop offs of food, not minding that he didn't get a smile, just satisfied with the twinkle in his eyes.

He knocks, just like he usually does, expecting the eyes from the blinds like usual, and the door opening quickly right after before the food is taken from his hands, a thank you muttered just before the door closes.

But, this time, Kim Taehyung opens the door straight away, and instead of taking it from his hands, he looks at Jimin, eyes holding a different glint than usual. "How... how's Kim Namjoon? He's sick, right?"

Surprised, Jimin thinks back at the clinic. He was sick last night, but doing far better this morning. "Yeah, he's better today."

There's a visible softening of relief in Taehyung's eyes. "That's good."

With a teasing smile, Jimin looks at him with bright eyes. "You visited last night?"

Flustered, Taehyung actually looks away, face still blank, with an exception of a light pink tint on his pale cheeks. "Yeah. Wanted to see how everyone was doing. They hate me, but they're still part of the same town I live in... I can't help but care."

Heart filling with warmth, Jimin earnestly says, "You're really kind, you know that? Everyone... thinks you're evil, but I think you're very sweet."

Taehyung's face finally show some emotions, jaw slacking with his eyes wide, cheeks deepening the pink colour. "Oh... no one's... ever said that before. Thank you," and for the first time, Jimin sees the beautiful face become even more beautiful with a smile, radiating such pure joy.

Heart melting, Jimin wonders why this man has been shunned from society. Sure, he's a natural ice witch, but he's still kind and lovely.

"You like strawberries, right? I got you strawberry shortcake." The way Taehyung's eyes shine in surprise delights Jimin, both of them smiling wide now.

"Really? Oh my... thank you, thank you so much, Park Jimin. Thank you. I will enjoy this whole-heartedly," with that, Taehyung nods, still grinning wide as he shuts the door. Jimin's expression is a mirror, happiness radiating off of him as he makes his way around the hill and into the forest, stepping down into the village from another path.

The next time he visits is in two weeks, ignoring the dark clouds that loom over, guiltily carrying his small bag with small treats and pastries up the heavy piles of snow, knowing no one would see him in such heavy snowfall, everyone inside their houses.

Usually, he visits weekly, but due to the rush of everyone getting colds, he's been going around with treatments for the town, completely forgetting to visit Taehyung.

He heaves a sigh in front of the door, finally knocking. And, the door opens, Jimin's eyes meeting the bright smile of Taehyung. "You're here! I visited last week when you didn't come. Is everyone okay, now?"

With a warm smile, Jimin nods, "They're better. Thank you. Here, I got you this."

There's a sniffle from Taehyung, smile still bright as he accepts the gift. "Thank you, Jimin."

And, Jimin knows – that his heart beats faster at the sight of that smile, the beautiful, innocent gleaming sight.

"You're always welcome, Taehyung. But, I gotta go down quick. It looks like a storm's about to come."

There's a knowing look in Taehyung's eyes, looking a little concerned. "Yeah, hurry back. Please be safe on your way down."

With a nod, Taehyung shuts the door, and Jimin finally turns around, stepping down the porch and onto the snow. But, just then there's a loud sneeze from the house behind him, thunder cracking in the sky right above him as heavy and cold wind hits him, throwing him onto the snow, the precipitation increasing heavily and doubling.

Jimin groans, hoping he can get down before it gets even worse, trying to get back up on his feet, but there's heavy wind again, cold, icy prickles hitting his face as he gets thrown down again, a little more dug into the snow.

Soon enough, the door of the house swings open, a panicked Taehyung running down the steps, eyes and nose red, looking like he's just had a sneeze fest, eyes teary as he picks Jimin up gingerly, running back into the house, heaving breaths.

Finally, when they get inside, Taehyung shuts the door, letting Jimin down on the floor, turning his face away to sneeze again, the storm outside getting bigger, letting out a whimper right after. "Ah, that hurt."

Sitting up, Jimin rubs on his face, the temperature only slightly warmer inside than outside. But, there's a bigger concern in his mind, scooting closer to Taehyung, holding his face and looking at him closely.

He breathes out, "You're sick."

"It's been years, but I think so, yeah," Taehyung says, nodding, a few tears escaping his eyes and wetting his lashes, sending Jimin's heart into a large crack.

Stepping back, Jimin thinks. "Do you have anything? You know that plant outside your house? The one with the yellow flowers? The extract from its stem works as a good cold medicine."

"I... don't know. I have to check..." Taehyung slowly gets up, wobbling on his feet as he sniffles, rubbing his teary eyes as he walks over to one of the windows, the one with lots of potted plants. "Is it this one? It's not bloomed, but it looks like the one you said?"

Jimin stands up, leaning on Taehyung's side to see – the glance Taehyung gives him going unnoticed – and he nods. "Yeah, that's the one. You... grew it, though? Is it okay if I use this?"

With a soft giggle, Taehyung nods, sniffling again. "Yeah. I can get another one, lots of them grow near here."

There's a sigh of relief, and Jimin nods, "Well, now I'll be your doctor then, please rest in your bed. I'll have your medicine ready in a bit. Do you have a pestle and mortar?"

Taehyung juts gives him a curious look. Jimin softens, smiling gently. "You know, the little thing that grinds and the thing you grind in?"

There's recognition in Taehyung's eyes. "Oh! Yes, I do... but I make them with ice..."

Jimin lets out a laugh, "That's okay, I have my gloves. It won't take long, so I'll be fine."

Nodding, Taehyung just holds out his hand, ice rising in them, forming familiar shapes, hardening into the pestle and mortar Jimin needed.

Beaming, Jimin puts on his thick gloves, approaching Taehyung to grab it from his hands before setting them down, and getting the plant from earlier. Then, he gets to work, carefully separating every other piece from the stem cutting them up with a handy small knife he carries around – all the tools used for the new things he finds and samples from the forest on the hill.

Taehyung just watches in awe, legs folded comfortably, getting a good look at Jimin's skills.

But, as Jimin is grinding the stem, he starts, "So, what does it mean that you're an ice witch?"

Taken by surprise, Taehyung needs a moment to collect an answer. "Well... it isn't much. I'm just... cursed? Naturally cursed, though, it's like... an incurable genetic disease."

He seems happy to see Jimin's eyes flash in recognition at the comparison, happy to make him understand in his own words. He sniffles a few times before continuing, ignoring the wetness in his eyes.

"I'm just... bound to this town? I can't really leave, or I can't control my... powers? It's not really powers, it's just an inconvenience to be honest. I mean I can make stuff in ice and control movement of snow sometimes, but the greater part of this is just..."

Jimin listens attentively as he grinds the stem pieces around, making sure to get the extract out. "Yeah?"

"It's like. The cold... you know how it snows a lot here than normal? That's a part of it. It's all me, actually."

"Hm?" Jimin wonders curiously as he looks up to meet Taehyung's eyes before gesturing him to continue, scooping out the pieces and putting it on a separate plate, setting the pestle and mortar aside.

Just as Taehyung is about to fully explain, he notices Jimin's troubled look. "What's wrong?"

"Well, they're too... cold and wet. I have to dehydrate them for it to be easier for it to breakdown as you take it. But, no heat..."

"Wait," says Taehyung, then steps down to kneel, reaching to touch the plate holding the extract. And soon, the little green pieces get a little dry.

"What?" Jimin asks, amazed. "How did you do that?"

Sheepish, Taehyung rubs the back of his neck, but then suddenly he raises his index finger, turning the other way, about to sneeze, but he tries hard to hold it back. After successfully stopping the sneeze, he turns back to Jimin, eyes glistening with tears from the effort.

"Yeah, that's what I do. It's not that I only make ice stuff and such, but it's mostly just... I take out the cold from things, and put it inside me. I know it makes no sense considering cold is the absence of heat, but that's just... how it's been.

"In the spring, it's not that winter ended, I just slowly take the cold back from the town, controlling it and trapping it inside my body. It's the worst time for me, I can rarely visit down during spring. It's so... it's so cold," he says, eyes looking pained at the memory. "It's only during winter I can let go, have it fifty out, fifty in... that's why the cold doesn't affect me in winter."

Jimin looks at him with jaws slacked, not having expected such explanation. Then, he quickly recovers, gulping before he speaks, "So... you take it all yourself... just so the town can enjoy spring?"

Looking down, avoiding Jimin's gaze, Taehyung nods slowly.

His heart squeezes, gosh, he's so kind, Jimin thinks softly, sifting through the extract, satisfied. He knows he can't make the usual tea out of it, so he just passes it over with an understanding smile. "That must be why there's a storm right now, then. Here's your medicine."

Taehyung looks back up and into Jimin's eyes, his own filled with so much emotion – emotions he doesn't show the town who thinks he's an emotionless cold monster.

"Thank you," he mutters, taking the plate into his hands. He takes a spoonful, and is about to chew, but Jimin stops him, looking frantic.

"Ah! No chewing! Just push it around until it wets with saliva, then swallow."

It's a little confusing, but Taehyung does just as Jimin says, quickly finishing the whole plate. And Jimin takes it back, softly patting his shoulder. "Good job. Now rest, Taehyung. I'll stay here until you get better."

"But, you brought—" Taehyung is about to whine in complaint, but Jimin shakes his head, looking at him with stern eyes.

"No. You're sick, you can't have stuff like that. You'll eat it when you're better, okay?" Jimin says, the doctor side of him really coming out.

"But..." Taehyung glowers.

"No. Lie down on your bed. " With that, Jimin tightens the hold on his jacket, the cold finally catching up to him.

"There's a blanket in the drawer," is all Taehyung mumbles before he lies down like Jimin told him to, watching the man as he walks to the drawers, getting out a blanket. He feels his heart jump in his chest as Jimin gives him a bright smile with a thank you. All he can do is look away, blush tainting his cheeks. "Goodnight," he murmurs, wondering how he'll fall asleep with his heart hammering in his chest.

"Goodnight~"

When Jimin wakes up, he realizes he's actually very warm, under his own blanket in his own bed. The last memory he had before falling asleep was curling up next to Taehyung's bed.

Sitting up, smiling at the first thought after he was awake, he looks outside. There wasn't that big of a pile of snow, and the sun was shining. So, he feels better. I'm glad.

He hears people outside amazing at the lack of snow after a storm, wondering who could shovel it all up and away from their houses' doors before everyone woke up.

His smile brightens heart warm as he gets up, ready to start his day.

He cares so much, yet they don't see.

A month later, closer to spring arriving, Taehyung visits the town, stepping down barefoot like usual, watching with a blank face as the townspeople go inside to hide.

He can't ask them how they're doing, they'd just scream at him and ask him to go away. So, he just looks from out the window, looking through each house, hoping they're doing well, not wanting anyone to have frozen to death because of him.

As he's looking through one window, he spots Jimin inside. The way he smiles at him, waving, eyes crinkled beautifully in happiness, to see him. He wants to smile back, wave back. But, he can't do that to Jimin; he knows the town is watching.

So, he just moves forward, already used to the wide eyes that stared at him from their windows. Usually, it ends there, Taehyung satisfied with everyone being okay. But, he doesn't see one of the kids from the Jeon family. Jeon Jeongguk?

He steps closer to the house, breathing in and out, hoping they won't throw things at him this time. They glare at him, the kids looking at him with fear and he decides to stop there. He wants to ask. What happened to him? Is he okay?

Suddenly, Jimin walks past him, going forward to the house, making everyone crack their doors open, "Jimin, no! The— the—w-wtich!" someone screams, sounding scared out of his mind. Taehyung wonders what he's done to make them so scared. He looks down sadly. They've always been scared of him. Before his parents died, and after – especially after, thinking they died because of him. He's been dragged up to the hill, thrown down the other side at the age of eleven.

"It's okay," is all Jimin says, entering the house that Taehyung was concerned for. He softly hears, behind the doors, Jimin's voice muffled. "Is Jeonggukie okay?"

The woman, the mother, lets out a gasp, looking at the witch in fear, probably thinking Taehyung did something to her son.

But, then, a little kid sleepily emerges from up the stairs, walking down with a yawn. "Eomma, I'm hungry—ah! The witch!" screaming, the kid runs back upstairs, and the relief in the woman is evident.

Taehyung is used to being treated like a monster, so he's relieved too. Relieved that Jeon Jeongguk is okay.

Jimin looks at him, a tiny smile sent his way, unnoticed by the rest. Appreciating the man so much, Taehyung still doesn't say anything, face blank the whole time as he walks down the remaining road of the town before he sees that everyone else seems pretty fine, walking back quicker than he walked up, stepping up the hill, and going back to his house — that one day, when he was twelve suddenly appeared, probably due to the kindness of a townsman. He never really liked going down, not wanting to scare the rest of them. But, he wants to see them be well, even if they're scared by his presence.

He usually visits at night, when they're asleep, because the town is silent on a safe and sound night, but there's always one house awake if something is wrong. It's easier to figure out and take note of. But, that's not always the case, and Taehyung is tired today, having planted new plants for his garden, and he'll be busy starting to take the cold back starting from tomorrow.

Back in the town, the rest of the people wonder how Jimin could fearlessly walk around the witch like that, but Jimin just waves it off, saying all he's scared of is not being able to see them all be unwell.

But, he goes back home, expression darkening into sadness, sadness for Taehyung, who seems to endure too much pain, having the beautiful heart to protect such the town even if they hate him.

"Spring! Finally here, the snow finally is leaving, everyone! It's that time of the year again!" Says the blacksmith of the town, happily crashing the metals together as a cheer.

The bakery lady laughs as she wipes her big glass window outside. "We already had a party about it last night, are you still drunk, Hyukoh?"

"Don't say that, noona! It gets too cold during the winter, even though it's beautiful outside, it's hard to work with metals in a weather like that."

Jimin walks past them, deciding that today he'll actually bring back the yellow flowered plants, wanting to preserve the extract before they die, as they're winter plants.

"Oh! Jimin! You danced beautifully last night, I didn't know you were a dancer!" The ahjumma exclaims.

With a shy smile, Jimin mutters a thank you. "I like dancing as much as I like to help others, ahjumma, just being a doctor takes a lot more time and effort. But, excuse me, I have to go to the hill and forest to bring back medicinal plants." With that, he bows to both of them before walking forward, stopping by another café to grab some savoury snacks before he steps off the main road of the town, slipping out of the residential area and up the hill, the opposite end of where Taehyung's house was.

He picks up the plants on the way, slowly finding himself by the small window by Taehyung's kitchen. Smiling to himself he leans on the window sill, knocking on the window as he sees Taehyung, wrapped in a big blanket as he makes himself food – turns out he gets his food from his own little garden on a lower part of the hill during spring, growing his own fruits and vegetables. He'd learned to farm from his parents — who were the farmers of the town previously.

The Ice Prince – title deemed by Jimin from the last time they met – looks over in surprise, face brightening up when he sees who it is. He points to the door, inviting him in.

Jimin nods, standing straight to walk around and into the door, entering through. The house was warmer than usual, so he looks at Taehyung with a pout. "Don't warm the house this much. Let go a little, I'll be fine."

Taehyung wants to argue but Jimin gives him a certain look that makes him give in, and let go of some of the cold he was holding in, the house becoming a little chilly again. The house is actually just one big room, with a toilet as a separate room in the back.

"I got you chicken today. It's from the trade the some of the them visited just outside the other border. It's really good." Jimin sets the bag on the counter, sitting down on the chair behind it, watching Taehyung as he cooks.

"Thank you," Taehyung says, beaming before he goes back to cooking, using a real fire – lighting some wood from the lighter Jimin brought him. He also lights up the fireplace during spring, hoping to keep himself warm.

Jimin's eyes turn concerned, watching Taehyung's shaky hands, teeth clattering a little. "Are you... are you sure you're okay?"

Flashing him a thumbs up with a grin, he just says, "'M fine! I'm used to this. Been doing it for years."

The furrow of Jimin's eyebrows doesn't go away. He stands up, moving around the counter and to the same side as Taehyung.

"Hm?" Taehyung hums, not looking straight at Jimin, heart thumping in his chest.

Jimin's heart is in the same condition, but he wants to make Taehyung feel better, warmer.

So, suddenly, Jimin carefully reaches under the blanket, sliding his arms into the opening. Taehyung gasps, "No—Jimin, it's cold for you--!" But, Jimin doesn't stop, stepping closer and pulling his Ice Prince into an embrace, eyes shutting as he leans his head onto Taehyung's shoulder.

"Jimin!" Taehyung tries to get Jimin's arm off, but he's a little shaky, from the cold and their position.

Jimin, not really feeling the cold he's expected, slips himself under the blanket as well, pulling Taehyung even closer. "I don't feel cold, stop fidgeting."

Taehyung is surprised, eyes wide at the sudden warm that spreads over his skin, his feet still a little cold. He looks out the window, about to panic if he'd lost his control of the cold, but no. It's brown and green. No sign of white. He takes time to think, yeah, he's still controlling the cold inside him. But... he feels so warm?

"How do you feel?" Jimin asks softly, voice muffled into Taehyung's shoulder, both can feel each other's loud hearts, but aren't sure if it's their own or the other's.

From the lack of response, Jimin continues, the smile heard in his voice. "You know, body heat is the best to warm you up."

And, Taehyung wants to cry, lips tightening to hold back a silent sob, arms going around Jimin, pulling him even closer.

It's so warm.

"Jimin."

"Hm?"

"Thank you."

"Ahjumma, can I have the strawberry shortcake today?" Jimin asks hurriedly. "There's a certain plant I think I found for the illness that's been coming in these days. I recognize it, and it'll get really bad if I don't get it soon."

"Here you go, it's on the house this time! Please go on ahead, sweetpea," The woman says, gesturing him to go soon.

With a grateful bow, Jimin runs out the door, stepping off the main road and into the forest, not climbing the hill this time.

There's a certain type of plant he's looking for, wanting to find it within the morning, he starts his search, eyes scanning the area, he sees the plants that would be used in other herbal teas, but not the one he's looking for. The illness has already affected two people, and if he remembers from the last town he came from, it spreads quickly.

Even after half an hour, he spots no sight of such plant, panting as he leans against a tree.

"Jimin?" he hears a familiar voice say.

Jimin looks startled, soon laughing it off. Taehyung is watering his garden -- a big blanket covering his figure, teeth clattering -- at the bottom of the hill. "Ah, hey, Taehyung. I'm looking for a plant with little white bulbs as their flowers? Do you know which part of the forest I can find them in?" he asks, hurriedly, getting out the strawberry short-cake he'd bought earlier for Taehyung.

"Ah, those—I think there was one I found last month on the other side. But, I don't think we can find it here, anymore. You'll have to go to the trade, or visit another town for it." Taehyung accepts the package with a smile, "Thank you." But, then his smile drops into a frown. "What happened, though? Who's sick? How can I help?"

Letting out a loud sigh, Jimin looks worried. "Kihyun-ahjussi, and Minjae. It's a certain type of illness that spreads through insect bites. I looked at all the insects in the area, but they hadn't been a part of the community here. I think they migrated or something."

Taehyung looks panicked too, not wanting anything bad to happen to the town, his precious town he'd protect at all costs.

"Can I help somehow?" he asks, sounding helpless.

Jimin gives him a smile, "You've helped me more than enough, Taehyung-ah. Thank you for the information earlier. I have to hurry and get the plants." Jimin quickly jogs closer to Taehyung, hugging him tightly for a few seconds before he dashes off.

Taehyung watches him leave with the lingering warmth, a soft smile on his face before he goes back to what he was doing.

"Oh, Jimin! You're back, did you find the medicine you were looking for?" Minjae's father asks him pleadingly.

Jimin gives him an apologetic look. "It's not within the area, but I have to go over to the next town to get it. I'll get ready to go, so I can be back as quickly as I go."

"Please hurry, Jimin-ah! I think Jeongguk got it too!"

"And, my husband, too!"

With a worried look, Jimin nods, bowing, "I will be back soon, everyone. Please stay safe, and don't stay in the same room with the sick ones, try to stay in as little as possible, wash your hands when you enter and get out. I'll be back with the treatment." Then, he runs into his house, getting all the money he has, shoving it into his satchel and leaving his house, locking the doors as he takes a separate road. This one led to the closest exit of the town. He takes a deep breath before stepping towards the road, but suddenly, he hears two voices arguing.

"Ah, Jihae, there's no way. What nonsense are you spouting, why would Jimin do that?" a mother scolded her.

"But, I saw it! Why can't you believe me! He's on the same side as the witch, getting us all sick, bringing us bad luck and cursing us with this disease without a treatment!" the little girl screams back, crying. "I don't want to die, eomma. That's why I'm telling you. I thought Jimin-oppa was a good person, too. But, I saw it!"

What? Jimin thinks, frozen in the spot, heart dropping into his stomach.

Everyone who was outside heard the words, making them uneasy.

"What? There's no way Jimin is with that witch, he's our saviour, he's bettered us all into health."

Jihae is about to cry, voice shaky, "But, I saw it! No one believes me, but I saw it!"

"What did you see, darling?" her father asks, wondering what his eleven year old daughter is talking about.

"Jimin-oppa! He was hugging the Ice Witch! Smiling with him and giving him food he bought from ahjumma!" This makes everyone widen their eyes, all eyes now at Jimin, who was frozen on the spot.

"What? That's not true, right, Jimin? She must've been dreaming?"

Jimin shouldn't have spoken at that moment, he really shouldn't have. He should've just left when he said he would, to get the medicine.

But, he was too honest and caring for his own good.

"W-well, what she saw is true, but—"

Everyone gasps, soon coming into a realization (albeit a false one).

"You! You traitor! You fucking poisoned us all, didn't you?!" The whole town fall into a cacophony of chaos, Jimin's heart thudding in fear, wanting to clarify.

"But, guys—Taehyung isn't b-bad! He cares a lo—"

"Don't you utter his despicable name!" Someone screamed. "He really has been deceiving us all along!"

"Wait, so doesn't that mean he was just planning on leaving? Letting us die in this town with the illness he planted onto us--!"

"That fucking swine, get him!"

Realization of what's about to happen, Jimin takes a step back, turning around to run away, the crowd of the townspeople right behind him, his eyes wide and scared, wondering how to calm them down, tell them that Taehyung isn't a bad person.

He's crying as he tries to tell them, "Why don't you all listen! He's not a bad person!" he tries to yell, but his voice is too small over the rioting mob of people, chasing him with stones and sticks, anything they could find, throwing randomly at Jimin.

Jimin realizes there's no way he can make it to the next town, a bad terrain ahead, so he takes a turn to the left, wiping his tears as he lets go of his satchel, throwing it off as he runs and runs, towards the hill, the beautiful hill that holds a beautiful person, who cares about others too much for his own good.

"Taehyung!" he screams, trying to climb up the hill, breath hitching as he realizes he's been hit multiple times, bleeding from his arms and legs, from the knives, rocks, everything that were thrown his way. He can feel the crowd behind him chase after him as he drags his legs up the hill, knowing he can't make it. So, he just screams. "Taehyung!"

But, he can't go further, collapsing halfway up the brown and green hill, feeling the stones hit his head, the sticks piercing his skin, people stomping on him.

He knows he can't make it. But, he still wants, wants the sick to be better, so with a sob, he hopes Taehyung would at least step out from the loud mob cries, wailing out his name one last time, using all the energy he has left.

"Taehyung-ah!"

Taehyung had been washing his other blankets, from Jimin's recommendations a few days earlier that he shouldn't use dirty ones, it would make him sick. But, his little laundry session pauses, the loud – angry? – cries sounding from the other side of the hill.

He wonders what it is before he gets up, wiping his hands off and slipping on another – dry – blanket over him, hoping he can see Jimin again so he can get that warmth once more.

He walks up the hill, reaching the side of his house, the cacophony from the other side getting even louder. But, he hears another, more distinct voice under it all.

"Taehyung-ah!"

Heart dropping, he instinctively runs over, to the view of the town, teeth clattering still and hands shaky.

At the sight of Taehyung, the crowd takes multiple steps back, revealing a limp body on the slope of the hill, looking beaten up, bleeding over and onto the pretty flowers that had grown on the side.

The second he realizes it's Jimin, the world spins, everything almost turning fully white, wanting to faint. But, he catches hold of himself. If he faints, he won't be able to hold in the cold.

With the usual blank face he's learned to keep in front of the whispering townspeople, he steps down, with shoes – as per Jimin's requests – teeth still clattering, shaky breaths leaving him.

"... Jimin?" he asks, crouched down, voice low, hoping it's all a nightmare. Everyone can hear him, having silenced due to Taehyung's appearance.

Jimin moves slightly, shakily raising his head, bloodied and wounded. He looks desperate, "I'm sorr..." there's a gasp of breath. "I'm—" he coughs slightly, Taehyung's urge to cry rising by the second at the sight, gently reaching out to hold Jimin's face with his two hands. It's warm even right now, barely, but warm.

With another gasp, Jimin struggles as he gets out his words, "Ple... please... The name... of t..the plant..." Taehyung's eyes start glistening, chest aching as he still processes it, knowing the tone in Jimin's voice – acceptance.

With another gasp, Jimin struggles out, hands curling up on the soil with tears straining his eyes. "Rachasia," he says, finally, giving a weak smile, proud of himself of getting it out.

"Jimin, Jimin, I... what can I do? Please, tell me," Taehyung asks quickly, hands shaky, the air around them turning cold. "Please, Jimin. Don't..."

The weak smile of Jimin widens as he very slightly shakes his head. Clouds start looming over their heads, darkening the area as he tries to speak once again, "I..." his voice rasps, the rest of the words inaudible, but seen on his lips.

I love you.

Then, he takes another loud gasp of breath, hands curling into the soil once more before they go limp, head limping in Taehyung's hold, the first snow falling right onto Jimin's lip, the touch suddenly turning cold.

Cold.

It's cold.

It's so cold.

Holding Jimin is supposed to be warm, so why is it cold?

Why is it cold?

The townsmen watch, expecting the usual emotionless reaction, expecting him to walk away and leave the body there.

But it suddenly snows, everything around them turning cold, the same cold Taehyung felt when holding Jimin's face.

And, they watch, the blank expression soon contorts into one of pain, tears spilling out of Taehyung's eyes instantly as he looks at Jimin's limp face.

"Fuck, why aren't you warm?!" he yells in despair, voice thick with sadness, setting Jimin's head down gently as he retracts his hands, looking at the how bloodied they are.

He puts his hands to his face, soft white hair now bloodied as well, not giving a fuck about it as he sobs loudly, crying more than he ever has, tears spilling uncontrollably as it snows, storm brewing, winds strong.

The townspeople start screaming as they run away, back down the hill and into their homes, safe away from whatever the ice witch was plotting, still shaken up from seeing him cry.

Everyone locks up their doors and windows, the storm stronger than ever before, the trees around them falling over from the wind, snow piling up far too fast.

While at the hill, Taehyung is still crying into his hands, moving the snow away from Jimin's body to prevent him from getting buried under the snow, lips twisted, eyes already welling up too fast. He reaches out to gently rest his hand against Jimin's cheek, wanting the warm, the warmth that was always there, the only warmth that he's felt.

But, once again, his chest aches at the touch.

It's so cold.

It's an hour when the storm stops, peace finally arriving outside. And like the last time there was a storm, the snow piled up in front of the doors are gone, just a thin layer on the ground, letting them open it easily.

"Is everyone okay?"

"Yeah, but what just happened? He cried? He has emotions?"

"I thought witches couldn't feel."

"Wait, get back inside! He's coming down the hill!"

But, before they get back in, Taehyung suddenly piles all the snow in front of their doors (only after checking if all the children were out, too – except those who're ill.)

Scared, but also angry, one woman yells, "What do you want? Why do you keep wanting to hurt us?"

"I apologize for losing control of the cold. Everyone here knows how it feels like to lose someone precious to you, so it's still hard for me to hold it in."

"Shut the fuck up! Go away! Leave our town alone Why do you even live here?!"

Knowing they'd never understand, Taehyung sighs, getting straight to the point. He gets out the satchel Jimin had dropped earlier.

"If you want to save your sick ones, please go over to the next town and buy Rachasia, Jimin used his last breath to save you all. So, please save them in time." That's all he says before he gently sets the satchel down, bowing at them all before he goes back up the hill, his arms shaking and teeth clattering again as the snow around them melts.

It's only the next day, when they realize that they need measures to save the sick ones, even more people falling sick. The mayor and blacksmith head over, following the only recommendation they got, even if it was from the witch and his helper.

They come back the next morning, using all of Jimin's money to buy lots of it, the ones already prepared to be eaten because they had no one in town who knew how to – it used to be Jimin before.

And, just like Jimin had said, by the next day, the ill ones get better, the tow back to its vibrant and vivid beauty.

But, one of the kids, bedridden since before the incident, wonders about the absence of someone as they're celebrating.

"Where's Jimin-hyung?"

This sets off silence between people, the adults looking at each other with a grave look, guilty and regretful eyes.

"Why don't you children continue to celebrate? Us grown-ups will talk in the hall, okay? Please stay respectful."

The atmosphere is low in the town hall, everyone's eyes down at the table, no one daring to look up.

But, one person finally speaks. "Why are we sitting like this? We fucked up, and we know it. We fucked up real bad. About Jimin... about the Ic—... About Kim Taehyung."

Everyone else looks at him with icy eyes as he continues to speak. "We call ourselves a good and thoughtful town when we can't even accept the fact that we alienised Kim Taehyung as a child, made ourselves believe he's evil when he's done nothing and he lives through everyday alone, a boy younger than us, same age as Jimin."

No one else has the guts to speak once more.

"Why the fuck are we keeping our blatant denial to how Kim Taehyung ended up where he is now?"

Someone else finally speaks up, getting angry. "Why are you defending him like this? He's cursed! Don't tell me you've been against our principles all along!?"

"Fuck yeah, I have," he grits, slamming his fist down on the table. "His curse won't infect us, you bastard. I actually saw Jimin go up to Taehyung, even in the coldest of nights, even hours past midnight, even during the morning. As the hunter in this town, it was easy for me to sneak to that part and stay silent about it. Kim Taehyung... was so happy when he was with Jimin. When's the last time we made that kid happy? And, now, even the one person who keeps us all happy, you fucking killed him."

"Don't talk as if you weren't part of the crowd," someone else adds, but the elder, the previous mayor speaks up instead.

"Actually, I watched him from the back, he was the one throwing the rocks away from everyone's hands. He was protecting Jimin the whole time."

"Well, what do we do now? We can't suddenly accept him into our town, he's too... intimidating," some other woman says.

"That's your problem. We kicked him out, for a stupid selfish reason, and we can equally accept him back," the mayor says, finally speaking, surprising everyone. He frowns. "That is... if he wants to be after all we've done."

"So, what do we do, then?"

Taehyung is silently crying, holding the cold in, not wanting to set off another snow storm, as he sets down the yellow flowered plant Jimin once used to treat his cold – onto the small patch of soil, where he presumable buried his precious Jimin. Jimin who was once warm.

But amidst his silent tears, he hears a knock at his front door, surprised. There's a small thought in him that instinctively wants it to be Jimin, like usually. But, it can't be. He buried the man himself.

Standing up, sniffling, he walks around the house to come to a sight of five of the town people at his door.

They look at him with uncertainty, but honestly, to Taehyung, it's far better than fear, so he quickly wipes his tears, and asks, "Can I help you?"

The town's hunter steps forward, apology in his eyes, "Taehyung."

Almost gasping at the sudden new voices calling his real name, Taehyung steps back in surprise, internally scolding himself for being vulnerable.

"We're here to apologize."

Jihae's cries are loud as she apologizes over and over again, most of the adult and children giving her a look before walking away in disgust and fear from how she indirectly caused Jimin's passing.

Her mother is hugging her closer, but Jihae can't stop crying, knowing it was her fault.

But, all of a sudden, they all see Taehyung's come down for a bit, after the apology offered by the town, even if they'd never expected him to accept it, he took his time to think for a bit.

His teeth clatter, hands shaky under the blanket as he walks over to the crying girl. All the people have an initial reaction of tensing up, some even hiding due to instinct. But, Jihae doesn't move away, already understanding the situation, accepting her wrongdoings. She sniffles loudly, breath hitching as she tries to stop crying, seeing Taehyung come closer, getting scared. It's her punishment.

But, instead of feeling any sense of pain, Taehyung just crouches down to her level, face blank, but he tries hard to break out of his usual shell of no expressions. He gives her a sad smile, eyes soft. His lips quiver in coldness with his hands.

"You're Min Jihae, right?" his voice is gentle, a little quivering, but soothing.

Breath hitching a few more times as she wipes her tears, Jihae nods.

"Why're you crying, little sweetness?" Taehyung asks instead, offering a smile.

But, Jihae cries even more, babbling how it was her fault, her mother coming to wipe her tears, a little scared of Taehyung still.

Again, when Jihae stops sobbing, just sniffling and hiccupping, Taehyung is still smiling sadly.

"Jihae, it's okay. It isn't your fault, okay? You did that to protect your loved ones, then. You had a reason to do what you did. So, don't blame yourself. "

"But—I killed our angel," Jihae says, lip tightly bitten to stop from crying.

Taehyung shakes his head, voice still soft, his legs now shaking a little more. "You did no such thing."

"But—" Taehyung just holds up a finger to stop her there, shaking his head as he stands back up, sighing.

With a sad smile, he looks at Jimin's house, unoccupied and empty house, eyes full of heavy sorrow.

"I'm sure he loves you even more after that. Knowing him, he would be proud of you, wanting to protect your town."

Jihae starts crying again, stepping closer to hug Taehyung, but the second her skin touches him, she hisses at the contact, looking up at him with wet, confused eyes.

"Why're you so cold?"

And, now Taehyung wants to cry.

Because Jimin isn't here.