Superheroes - 슈퍼 히어로 | BTS Fanfiction | Yoonmin

| Chapter 21 | 'Park Jimin!'

Jimin didn't know if his heart could take anymore. From Bastimae's 'visit' to Yoongi's kiss and the offer of friendship... He was sure his heart would beat out of his chest from a mixture of fear, shock and confusion. And maybe that strange feeling in his stomach, like butterflies. Or bats, or maybe a dozen cats hissing and spitting at each other.

He was even less suren that his heart wouldn't give out when Zangling climbed through his window ever so gracefully that night. His heart rate could not be any more rapid - or so he thought - until Zangling latched onto him and stared into his eyes so intensely that Jimin couldn't have looked away if he tried.

"Did... something happen?" he asked, his eyebrows drawing closer as he tried to decipher Zangling's uncharacteristic behaviour. He was quite intense, almost desperate, lacking his typical laid back demeanour, mildly inappropriate teasing and gentle contemplativeness.

Zangling only tilted his head. "... I can't hear your thoughts anymore," he murmured eventually. Jimin couldn't tell whether the super was relieved, worried or suspicious. It worried him, too.

"What? How?" The question began snowballing, and now, Zangling couldn't hear them, couldn't answer. Unless he asked. But the more pressing problem became clear to him: was he brave enough to say anything?

After all, he was just some powerless, useless, completely normal and un-special civilian. Compared to Zangling or Bastimae, he was an ant; inconsequential and ultimately defenceless to people like them with powers like theirs.

"I don't know," Zangling answered, and Jimin took joy in the fact that he was being honest. That meant that Zangling didn't hate him. Maybe. "Jimin, you need to tell me," the super urged, his hands resting heavily on Jimin's shoulders. "Has anything happened?"

As much as he didn't want to worry Zangling, he knew that he should be aware of the newest threat to him. "Yes..." he breathed, his throat choking up and terror coming back to him. Bastimae's voice echoed through his mind again.

'Shall I leave a calling card?'

'Shall I...'

'Leave a calling card?'

'A calling card?'

'A calling card?'

'Shall I—'

"Park Jimin!" Zangling's voice had become strained, his mouth close to Jimin's ear, trying to get Jimin's attention without waking either of his appas. His head dropped onto Zangling's shoulders and a pathetically quiet sob bubbled from his lips.

"Jimin..." Zangling murmured, more gentle and tender. His hand was tangled in Jimin's hair and the other nestled comfortingly between his shoulder blades. "What happened?"

Tears of fear and distress began to fall down Jimin's cheek. He thought to himself that he was crying too much these days, even as he began to recount what had happened with Bastimae the day before. When he finished, Zangling was gravely silent, though he stilled embraced Jimin warmly. He hadn't noticed when it had happened, but they suddenly found themselves sitting on his bed and leaning against the wall.

"This is bad, Jimin," Zangling murmured, so quietly Jimin almost didn't hear. "Bastimae is dangerous. And she is likely responsible for blocking your mind. I don't how she did it, but..."

"She said..." Jimin hiccuped. "S-she said that she m-might leave a c-c-calling c-card." He tried to speak clearly, but every time he breathed, his breath shook. There was no way he could manage more than a breathy whisper without bursting into loud tears.

Zangling drew him closer, about to say something when the door opened. Jimin clutched the super's sleeves and buried his face deeper into his chest. If that was possible. He didn't care who it was, or what happened anymore. He only hoped that he would never have to see Bastimae ever again.