This is only Yoongi and Hoseok's POV.
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Yoongi's POV

I quietly shut the door on her sleeping form, then head to the living room where I sit down, my body feeling heavy and my mind just as powerless. The past hour replays in my mind with a vividness that makes me want to hurl the first thing near me at a wall.

She cried for a long time. I felt the tears and sobs shake through her body violently until she couldn't take it anymore, and I barely managed to soothe her before exhaustion closed her eyes for some respite. Yet, even as I continued hugging her, her chin would still wobble from time to time, her magick latching onto mine for comfort.

I slump forward, hands covering my eyes as I feel the tears pool and flow down my cheeks. It was so hard to see her in pain, and not allowing myself to cry in front of her was the only thing I could do when she was finally breaking down in my arms. So much pent up pain that was, and I couldn't possibly disturb that release.

I wipe my face with one arm, then grab my phone to send a text message to Hoseok.

Sorry to bother you, but do you think you could call me when you have a minute?

I put my phone on the coffee table, thinking I have some time to breath and calm down, only to startle when my phone immediately starts ringing. Seeing his name on the screen has me grabbing the device and answering nervously, soul too unstable to be in full control of my voice. As if to confirm it, my eyes fill up with renewed tears as soon as I hear him speak, and I need to tuck my bottom lip under my teeth to keep it still.

'Yoongi? Is everything alright? I called as soon as I saw your message' Hoseok asks with concern, not yet aware of what just happened but still able to sense that something must not be right for me to send him that kind of message.

"Ah... Hoseok. I- shit. I don't know. Y/N just cried herself to sleep and it feels like someone cut a hole into my heart... or worse, I don't know. Like my soul was ripped in half. Does that always happen when a mate is in pain?" I ask, throat tight and voice sore.

'What?! I- wait. First things first... yes, it does always feel like that, at first, anyway. Not to say that it becomes easier to see someone you love in pain, but it doesn't feel... that awful after a year or two. Can you tell me what happened?'

I begin to recount what I know of the situation at Jimin's job, an information that he learns for the first time, seeing as Jimin hasn't come home yet. He hums softly, and I sniffle lightly as I await his next words.

'I see... I'll have to hear it from Jimin once he comes home, he is late compared to usual so that might be linked to what you said. Y/N... I've seen her tolerate nonsense that would have hurt many others with a chin held high, but of course, being able to appear nonchalant about it doesn't mean you're not wounded. Her breaking down was meant to happen eventually'.

He sighs softly before murmuring a 'Not right now, Jungkook-ah. I'll tell you later, baby' to the side, then back to me. 'I'd love it if she could consider taking a few days off to rest and do something she likes, or do nothing at all if only that helped, but I don't think she would listen. She's really stubborn, and following this incident... she might work even harder until the weekend'.

I pinch the bridge of my nose at those words. I can see that happening, and I really don't like it. "Is there truly no one she would listen to? Even her doctor won't have any chance getting through to her, but she obviously can't keep doing that to herself".

'Well... I'm not sure, Yoongi. For now, we should keep an eye on her and stay by her side as much as possible. I can offer to eat at Namjoon's again tomorrow for lunch, and we can make her feel better then. That is, if she accepts. It's hard to tell'.

I look down, rubbing a tired hand over the back of my neck. So there's no sure answers, is what Hoseok is saying.

'You've done your best for today, Yoongi. Leave what you can do tomorrow for tomorrow's you. Now that I have you on the phone, we all had some questions regarding this Friday that I'd like to ask you, if you feel able to answer me. Would you mind guiding us a little bit on how to make Y/N feel welcome and at ease? I know her house is fully optimized for her autonomy, which is not the case for the coven's house. You know better than me, since you live with her. Anything we should be on the lookout for?'

That has me perking up a little, if only because it is something I can help with right now. He's right. Now that she's sleeping, there's nothing else I can do for her directly, so I should put my energy somewhere that will make a difference.

I knew talking to him would help. I'm glad I had his phone number. I lean back into the couch, willing my body to relax a little, then breathe in deeply.

"I can answer your questions, Hoseok, of course. You don't have to be so nervous, honestly. Y/N is fully expecting your house to not be convenient for her wheelchair so in terms of performance, I think you'll find that it's quite easy to go above her expectations with a few easy steps. And besides, she's not as helpless as you'd think. Give her some helpful tools and she'll be able to do pretty much everything on her own. Just don't underestimate her. If she needs help, she'll ask, simple as that. That was my first lesson from her".

With that begins some easy conversation to ease the coven's worries, and being of help for them, no matter how little that is, does better my mood. No use focusing on what I can't do. I'll keep doing what I can, and hopefully, my sincerity will get through to her eventually.

---

As Hoseok had predicted, the next day at work has her so immersed into her tasks that nothing I say even gets her attention for the first half of it.

I honestly don't know anymore if it's because of what happened yesterday, or if it's because of the pile of documents that awaited us at our arrival earlier this morning, but either way, the result ends up being the same - I am getting increasingly worried about her.

Our mate's visit into the office to ask about lunch ended up with a rejection from her, something about how she had a lot to do before the weekend and that she couldn't afford to lose time, but that I could go with him if I wanted to.

Obviously, that's not something I could agree to, so while Hoseok went off to get food from the coffee shop for all of us before coming back, I stayed right by her side, lips pursed at how closed off she acted towards me and everyone else.

It was like watching someone stuck in self-destruct mode and being unable to do anything as they slowly come crumbling down to pieces. One day, she will break apart and what then? Can I mend her broken pieces until she's whole again? What will be the price of that?

Hoseok came back with sandwiches, and she stayed at her desk to eat absentmindedly while we stared at her back from the couch, eyes meeting with concern etched onto our faces. His magick served to ease the tension in the room but no more than that, and then he was going back to his own office all dejected.

The need to go after him and comfort him had risen from deep within my chest, like a forgotten guitar string begging to be heard, but in the end, I couldn't leave her behind. That need was much, much stronger. It still is, with every breath I take, my gaze glued onto the back of her head.

Last night, right before I could fall asleep, Hoseok had ended up writing me a message containing what Jimin's coworkers had said. Anger unlike any other had filled me with wrath, and I knew then and there that it was a good thing I couldn't hear them because they would have died on the spot.

Who the hell jokes about hurting someone like that? No matter that it's someone using a wheelchair specifically, how can you say that at all about someone who is loved by another?

It shows that they haven't met their mates yet, because I doubt they'd be treating the matter as lightly as they did. A part of me dearly wishes that their mates reject them upon finding out how awful they are. I want them to suffer for the rest of their life, knowing that they brought that upon themselves. People like them don't deserve a happy ending. They deserve to rot in hell.

Y/N sighs, rubs her neck, then resumes reading the complicated document that has been taking her hours to prepare, a stack of papers filled with notes and highlighted lines for when she begins translating the whole thirty pages later.

I stand from my seat to reach her side at her desk, then gently settle a hand over her shoulder to calm her magick before it does something to hurt her. It's been restless today, and for once, I totally understand how it feels.

Y/N looks up from her work to stare at me, her eyes red and puffy, glassy and empty. Tired. This feels wrong.

"Come take a break" I demand as I put to sleep her computer after saving her work. "I don't care when this is due, you need a break. Come here". I smoothly pick her up from her chair, then walk back to the couch where I settle her comfortably before having her head rest on my lap. Her eyes don't stray from my face even once, and it feels to me as if she's only now waking up from a trance.

"You're getting more confident, picking me up whenever you want like that" she mutters, no sign in her voice that she dislikes when I do that. She closes her eyes, a deep exhale past her lips as she makes herself comfortable.

"You haven't told me that I can't, so yeah. I'm making use of my privilege as your mate" I reply, eyes on the gentle curve of her nose, then on the slight hollowness of her cheeks. "You're overexerting yourself. Your body can only handle so much before it shuts down. I know I keep repeating myself, but I'm really worried, Y/N".

She opens her eyes to meet my gaze again. "Is it really that bad?"

I nod my head slowly, and she makes a soft sound. "I see. I guess I have been overdoing it as of late".

It's silent for a heartbeat before she speaks again. "What should I do, Yoongi? Tell me what to do".

"Take some time off" I say right away, without thinking. "A week, or a month, it doesn't matter. You need rest, time to breathe. We could do something fun, go somewhere for a while. Somewhere near the ocean, or wherever you want. Maybe the coven could come with us, and we could get to know them better during that time".

She smiles a little, but it doesn't reach her eyes, not yet. "What if I lose my job?"

I shake my head, sensing what she's trying to do with that comment. "They can't afford to fire you, Y/N. You do enough work for them to fire half of your department without consequences. They won't fire you, because they would need to train someone with half your skills all over again and who's to say that Hoseok would do it again? No, they have too much to lose".

Her eyes crease a little, finally. "You really think so? I always feel like I'm not doing enough, never enough to prove my worth. I feel like I'm always on the precipice. One mistake, and I'm out, replaced before I can take my next breath. The people here would love to see me gone".

"No" I insist, truthful as I speak with my heart. "People suck, they sure do, but even them can't deny the quality you put into your work. If Hoseok can say it with so much conviction, then you should trust him. He's their best employee and he wouldn't lie about that. He's always the first to praise you".

Y/N takes my hand and nuzzles her face into my palm, her eyes closing again as she seeks comfort. Our magicks melt onto our skin, light and warm, and she heaves a long sigh.

"All my life, I sought for that kind of praise. First from my parents, then from my teachers, coworkers, superiors. No one could give me the assurance that I craved, so I learned to take for granted that I'm not needed anywhere. That people don't even want me there. It feels good to hear you say that. It's just hard to believe".

I lean down to kiss her forehead, her nose, and then softly, her lips. "You're very wanted. By me, by Hoseok, by all of your mates. If others can't see your worth, then it's their loss. We see you, and we love you. I know I do".

I kiss her lips again, then again, and again. Little pecks, longer and tender, until she begins to giggle under my touch, quivering with laughter when I follow her lips everywhere, fingers teasing her sides and enjoying every sounds she makes.

I sigh against her mouth, a smile felt and shared through our lips before I lean back to admire her beauty again. "Will you please take some time off? Make them feel your absence, so that they can appreciate your work better once you're back. Trust me, they will hold their breath until you ease the weight off their skinny backs. You deserve a vacation more than anyone else in here".

She hums, her voice sounding more grounded now than before. "I could try, but I don't know if it'll work".

"At least try. We'll come up with something else if and when we make it there" I murmur.

"You're a very skilled negotiator, Yoongi" she chuckles softly as she taps a finger over my lips. "You seduced me, and I liked that very much".

That has me making a sound somewhat similar to a purr, pupils dilating as I lick my lips, and by the same occasion, the tip of her finger. Her cheeks turn pink as she pulls her hand back. "I can do this as often as you like, my little doll. Seducing you is rapidly becoming my favourite thing to do. You" - I poke her nose lightly - "are my newest obsession".

Her blush is everything to me, and no timing could have been worse than when the door opens without any warning to a coworker with a pile of documents in hands. He sneers at the sight of us on the couch, disgust all over his face as he drops the pile on her desk.

"I need this done by the end of the day. Maybe you should work harder, if you have time to waste like a school girl. I should let the higher ups know about this, but since you're already starting off with a disadvantage, I'll be nice. Finish this before the end of the day and I won't say a word".

With that said, the man exits, closing the door shut with a swing that echoes loudly in the room. And just like that, the lightness of our shared affection vanishes into nothingness.

"I... I should get back to work, Yoongi" she murmurs dejectedly. "I'll consider talking with my superior about having some time off, but not before I complete my tasks. You know how it is. What he said wasn't entirely wrong".

I bite on the inside of my cheek to resist uttering the harsh words that settle on the tip of my tongue and instead help her into a seated position. Once up on my feet, I pick her up again so I can sit her on her chair, and I watch with a disgruntled frown as she turns on her computer to resume where she left off.

The disrespect of entering inside without knocking is already insulting enough as it is, but to threaten her as well? I should report this to Hoseok as soon as possible. If anyone can do anything about this, it's probably him.

Hoseok's POV

It's absolutely furious that I exit my office to reach my colleague's, who so happens to be Y/N's superior.

From the very beginning, I've wanted to put Y/N under my own charge and take care of deciding her workload. That felt obvious to me, seeing as I am the one training and overlooking her work as closely as I do.

I only kept silent because I thought she'd be in good hands there, and that she was better off not getting any special treatment from me, since that would have complicated her new position in the company.

I wanted to give her an opportunity to make acquaintances, friends. A normal, regular work life.

Since she has gotten here, she has proven herself to be an excellent asset to this company over and over again, yet what do I hear today? That people are still openly disrespecting her, using her to save themselves from work that they have sworn to do with the best of their abilities.

They are using MY mate to take it easy and now, now that really fucking pisses me off. I furiously knock on my coworker's door before entering inside, not waiting for their permission as I settle in front of their desk with all of my height staring down at them.

"I'll call you later, something just came up" they say before hanging up the phone with an obvious sigh of annoyance. "Hoseok, you're usually better than this, barging into someone else's office when you know how busy we are".

I fight the urge to roll my eyes at their words. "If that's so important to you, maybe you should consider teaching that to the employees under your care. Why do I have to hear that Y/N is being disrespected by her coworkers before you do? Or do you already know, and yet do nothing? You know as well as I do that the work she's done so far deserves better treatment than that".

Their face turns serious then, and they motion for me to close the door and take a seat, which I do with barely restrained anger. The door slams before I pull the chair back to sit down, eyes filled with fury.

"I have sent everyone an email stating that I want her to be treated like everyone else. If she has a problem with anyone, then she should report to me first. That she goes to you firsthand shows that she does not respect my position as her superior".

"It wasn't her who let me know" I bite back with more poison than intended. "And that shouldn't fucking matter, Hye-jin. If this is how you handle the situation, I'm heading to our boss immediately after this conversation is over and requesting that she's put under my care instead. Should've done that months ago, honestly, but I didn't because I respected you. I trusted you to do your job well".

They frown at my words, clearly triggered.

"Hoseok, you're taking this way too personal right now. I know you've been training her of your own free will and looking over her work for me, which I appreciate. But even if my way of doing things isn't a reflection of your ideals, it doesn't mean what I'm doing is wrong. I'm treating her the same as everyone else, just as she asked me. I've already allowed more than enough, seeing as she has her own private office, and now a caregiver by her side".

"No, that's the bare minimum because of her health complications" I say, willing my voice to sound calmer. "And allowing this sort of passive abuse is not treating her the same as everyone else. It's making yourself a participant in an abuse that should otherwise be controlled and ended. You're simply finding excuses to make yourself feel better, but you're actually no better than them".

"Hoseok" they warn sharply. "Hear yourself, Hoseok, listen to what you're saying. Are you going to risk your great position for someone as insignificant as her?"

"No, Hye-jin. You listen to me. I wanted to give you the benefit of the doubt, and you've shown me that it was a mistake. If making sure someone is treated with respect puts my position in this company in jeopardy, then they don't deserve my time and effort at all".

I stand from my seat, then open the door. "Email Y/N and tell her to give back all the documents that were forced into her very capable hands back to their owner, which I'm sure you know damn well everyone does. You tell her to pack her belongings and wait for me while I arrange for a new position that will befit her skills much better".

With that said, I exit the office and slam the door behind me again, fully ignoring the round, shocked eyes that follow me as I head to the big boss' office at the top of the tall building, not in the mood to respect the regular procedures right now.

Either they allow Y/N under my responsibility, or I take us both out of here and find us a much better job opportunity elsewhere. If they know what's best for themselves - which they do - they'll accept without too much resistance. They know that the two of us alone shoulder much of the crucial translations on our own, and that no one else can pretend to do even half as well as we do.

They want to mistreat their most promising new translator? I'll show them that it could cost them way more than they can afford to lose.