Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Soulmates weren’t random, everyone knew that, The universe chose the person that was perfect for you. Even finding your soulmate wasn’t random, most people said they found their soulmate right when they needed them and almost always after presenting. Everything was so well planned out, that not dating your soulmate was seen as ridiculous and not marrying them was nearly unheard of.

Jimin knew all of this, and he was excited by it. He wanted to find his soulmate and he wanted to marry them. He wanted to be like his parents who were always so happy. Even as a kid he had plans for when he and his soulmate met.

The other kids that he hung out with were just as excited as him for the day they would meet their soulmate as well. One of the biggest games to play on the playground was ‘Soulmate,’ which was a similar game to hide and seek, but with elements of Marco Polo. All you had to do was run around calling out ‘soulmate’ and whoever was picked to be your ‘soulmate’ that round would call out too, as loudly or quietly as they wanted. If you found another player that wasn’t your ‘soulmate’ then they would hold you up for a little bit, just like dating someone who wasn’t your soulmate. When you eventually found your ‘soulmate’ it would be another teams turn. There wasn’t really a loser unless you were left without your ‘soulmate’ when the school bell rang or when the parents called everyone inside.

Jimin loved it. He loved the chase to find his soulmate, the struggle of by-passing other people, and of calling out and eventually hearing his call returned. But his favorite part was the part after.

Sometimes afterward they would pretend to have a wedding. It was some of the girls favorite bits; the boys pretended to hate it, but most everyone could see the happy smiles on their faces when they got a kiss on the cheek.

Jimin loved the weddings and he wasn’t quiet about it. He especially loved being the one in white. White was usually meant for alphas, and while Jimin didn’t think he’d present as alpha, he liked the color better.

In weddings, there was always a person in black and a person in white. It was to symbolize the coming together of two halves, like yin and yang, but it never mattered too much who was who and was up to the two getting married even though alphas were often white and omegas were often black. More often people just wore what they liked. And Jimin liked being in white.

Sometimes that caused some problems. Like today.

“You can’t be in white everytime Jiminie-oppa!” complained Haeun, “Sometimes other people want to be white!”

“Well then I don’t want to marry those people,” pouted Jimin.

Haeun rolled her eyes. This wasn’t their first argument about this, “It’s not getting married for real, it’s just for fun and practice! And other people want to have fun too Jiminie-oppa.”

Jimin just pouted more. He didn’t want to be black, ever. Not that he had a problem with black, but he just liked the white better and his mom always said he was like the sun, like yang. Proud and light and full of emotion.

But Jimin also knew it was important to be fair and he nodded dejectedly. He let himself be dragged off to change by Haeun.

He was ‘marrying’ Dongmin today, which was exciting because he always liked marrying one of the boys more than the girls. When he asked his mommy about that she just smiled and said he was probably gay and that was okay, but it meant his soulmate was probably a boy too. That made Jimin happy, hoping his soulmate was a boy that he could get along with and marry someday.

Like most of the other boys Dongmin had a look on his face that seemed like he didn’t want to be there; they were never too excited about the marriage parts. But when he looked and saw Jimin walking up to him, in his black shirt, he smiled and that made Jimin feel better. It was more fun when the boys were happy to be ‘marrying’ him too.

“Ladies and Gentlemen,” Jiwoo said. Whenever she was the one marrying any of them. she liked to make it big and dramatic. It always made Jimin laugh when she grabbed the ‘couple’s’ hands once they had the fake rings on and showed them to the crowd. “We gather here today to join these two people, these two soulmates, in love and marriage. Binding their lives together as the universe has always foretold they should,” Jiwoo continued, speaking with a deep and lofty voice that carried over the five kids eagerly sitting all around them.

At the age of ten Jimin had been to five weddings; it seemed they were always happening around him, with his parents being so popular and both having two siblings. Most of the time the person marrying the couple said exactly what Jiwoo said since almost everyone nowadays married their soulmate.

Jimin had been to one wedding where the two people weren’t soulmates. His parents had been very supportive, but Jimin noticed the way the rest of the guest were looking at the couple, and the way they whispered behind their hands. Jimin didn’t want to go through that. But he was sure he never would because he was ready to love his soulmate with all his heart.

“Jimin do you take Dongmin to be your lawfully wedded soulmate? In sickness and in health, in happiness and in sadness, through the good and the bad, for as long as you both shall live?” Jiwoo asked him, her face lit up in excitement. Jimin knew that this was her favorite part.

“I do!” Jimin said, matching her excitement and looking at Dongmin to see his reaction.

The other boy was smiling at him, most of the trepidation had left his face and he was looking almost as excited as Jimin. Looking at him now Jimin thought Dongmin looked good in white and Jimin thought he would probably get the perfect soulmate that would dress all in black. That certainly wouldn’t be Jimin though.

Jimin didn’t know anyone his age who already knew their soulmate, though he knew it could happen. Often times people met their soulmate after presenting and usually after becoming an adult since soulmate meant finding the person you were going to spend the rest of your life with. So, Jimin hadn’t yet worried about finding his soulmate.

“Do you Dongmin, take Jimin to be your lawfully wedded soulmate? In sickness and in health, in happiness and in sadness, through the good and the bad, for as long as you both shall live?” Jiwoo asked Dongmin, her voice getting louder in her excitement.

“I do!” Dongmin said with just as much enthusiasm as Jimin had.

“And now for the rings,” Jiwoo said gesturing for the two kids sat closest to them to get up.

Haeun had Jimin’s ring, a cheap plastic one he had won at the festival last summer, and she hurried up to hand it to him. Youngsoo had Dongmin’s ring, similar to Jimin’s, but he walked up much slower than Haeun, not as excited for what would happen next.

Jimin gave his left hand to Dongmin and let him slide his round plastic ring on Jimin’s chubby finger and Jimin did the same with his diamond shaped ring. The two boys held hands after, Dongmin not quite meeting Jimin’s eyes in embarrassment.

Just as expected Jiwoo grabbed their arms and raised them for the crowd to see, and the three girls sitting there cheered. Jimin covered his face with his other hand, feeling himself go a little red.

“Then I pronounce you partners for life you may kiss the soulmate!” Jiwoo cried and dropped their hands looking at them expectantly.

This was the part everyone looked forward to. The girl’s usually squealed and the boys always rolled their eyes as their ears turned red. Dongmin was still not looking at Jimin, which made it hard for them to kiss each other’s cheeks at the same time as was tradition. But Jimin didn’t mind.

Jimin quickly leaned over and left a big kiss right on Dongmin’s cheeks and the crowd cheered. Dongmin looked up at him in surprise, but he smiled and looked down at the ring on his hand. After the wedding the boys would give their rings back, to either use at another play wedding or to give to the cute person they had a crush on at recess. Jimin never gave away his rings because he wanted to only give his gifts to his soulmate.

Someday Jimin knew he would have a wedding as exciting as this, but with his actual soulmate across from him and maybe some actual rings.

But for now marrying Dongmin in the secret spot behind the Ssiat Hotteok place near the edge of the ocean would work for him.

***

“Jimin is that you?” His mom called out when the door slammed behind him. Jimin was always shocked when she heard him, even when it was loudly raining outside.

“Yes mom!” He called back as he took off his shoes and pulled off his raincoat.

“Can you come into the kitchen and help me finish the milmyeon?” She asked and Jimin sighed but went into the kitchen anyway.

Luckily since his omega mom was cooking the kitchen was fairly clean when he entered. The only thing left out was what she still needed. It looked like she was almost done so Jimin wasn’t sure what she needed him for, but he wasn’t about to argue.

“I just want you to clean the dishes that are left in the sink,” she said without him having to ask.

Jimin pouted but did as she said. He didn’t like washing the dishes, with the way it made his skin all pruny and the way the water got all nasty.

“What were you up to today?” His mom asked as she chopped up the green onion that would go on top.

“We played soulmate! And I won so I got to marry Dongmin,” Jimin said excitedly, forgetting for a moment where his hands were. “But Dongmin wanted to wear white so I had to wear the black shirt.”

Jimin made a face his mom couldn’t see, but from the way she laughed he thought she must have guessed it. His mom was really all knowing.

“Sometimes other people like to be the one in white Jimin, and that’s okay.” She ruffled his hair. “But it shouldn’t matter too much since they’re just fake weddings anyway.”

Jimin pouted harder, “it still matters! Because it’s practice.”

She just laughed again and told him to keep cleaning.

Jimin liked working with his mom in silence like this, just the two of them being together. It was something that didn’t happen too often so he always was sure to cherish it.

The silence was broken just a few minutes later with the sound of the front door flying open and a call of “I’m home!” coming from the hallway.

Jimin looked to his mom and she nodded so he rushed out into the foyer.

“Mommy!” He yelled propelling himself into her open and waiting arms. “We’re making milmyeon! And I’m helping cause I’m doing the dishes. Will you come help us?”

His mommy smiled down at him and said, “Of course, Minnie! I’m always in the mood to help my two favorite people.”

And with that she lifted him up into her arms with a put-upon huff even though she loved picking him up, no matter how hard it was getting. Jimin liked to be carried too, no matter how big he was getting, her alpha strength helping with that. When they made their way into the kitchen Jimin’s mom looked up at the pair and smiled the soft smile she saved for when his mommy came home.

“Welcome back Hwayoung,” His mom said, putting down her knife.

“I’m home,” Jimin’s mommy said and she leaned in to give his mom a kiss. It went on for a second too long so Jimin pushed his face between both of theirs, demanding attention for himself.

“Aw sorry Minnie,” Hwayoung said, giving him a kiss on the cheek. “Were we ignoring you for too long.”

“Yes,” Jimin said seriously and they both laughed.

“Honestly, I worry about your soulmate sometimes, they are going to have to have a lot of free time to give you the kind of attention you demand,” His mom said after she gave him a kiss on the head.

“We played soulmate today mommy!” Jimin informed.

Hwayoung put him down and said, “That’s nice Minnie. Do you need any help Seoyoon?”

Seoyoon gestured to the pot on the stove and Hwayoung immediately went to check and stir it. Jimin, frustrated tried again.

“I married Dongmin today, but he wanted to be white so I had to be black!” Jimin complained, sure that would make his mommy react.

Hwayoung chuckled just like her wife had earlier, “I’m sorry Minnie, I know you like to be white, but you know it’s more fair to share sometimes, right?”

Jimin pouted again, but nodded, “Of course I know that, that’s why I let him be white! I did good, didn’t i?”

“Very good, and I’m sure when you get married for real the person you marry will let you be white,” Hwayoung said. “But you know it’s not too bad to be black, I think you suit yin very well too Minie.”

“How do you mean?” Jimin asked.

“Well, you’re very gentle and sweet. Yin is often associated with softness and passive energy, which I think you embody a lot.”

“Everyone embodies both energies Hwayoung,” Seoyoon spoke up, “that’s why they are the forces that make up the entirety of the universe.”

“I know that babe, I’m just trying to point out the ways in which our Minnie is like yin.”

“But yin is girl energy!” protested Jimin, “I’m not a girl.”

Both of his moms looked down at him at that with matching knowing smiles on their faces.

“I am a boy right?” Jimin asked voice tinged with confusion.

“You’re whatever you wish to be Jimin,” said Seoyoon.

“And whether you’re a boy or not everyone has both male and female energy and that’s a good thing because it balances us,” Hwayoung added.

Jimin didn’t think he understood, but he nodded anyway.

“I still maintain that Jimin is more yang energy,” Seoyoon said, which sparked Hwayoung to argue her point again.

It wasn’t long before the two of them weren’t saying anything at all, preferring to argue in their heads. Usually they tried not to communicate with the mind link that all soulmates had when Jimin was around so that he would always feel included, but he didn’t mind. He knew it was faster to send mind words than say them out loud and both his mommies enjoyed arguing, hitting ideas back and forth like they were playing tennis.

So, Jimin decided to set the table, knowing his parents would be happy with him once they were done.

“Fine!” Jimin eventually heard Hwayoung say out loud. “You can’t always win, it’s not feasibly possible.”

Jimin walked over in excitement, happy to see both of them talking again. Seoyoon just laughed, but grabbed Hwayoung’s hand in comfort.

Jimin looked up at them standing together. Hwayoung with her floaty personality and easy smile, even in defeat. And Seoyoon with her straight-forward demeanor and stricter face, but still an unwavering kindness that Jimin relied upon. Not many people were quick to guess who the actual alpha in the relationship was, some even going so far as to deny what they’re senses were clearly telling them. But his mom was a stern omega and his mommy was a kind and bubbly alpha. Neither one of them looked like Jimin, with his crescent shaped eyes and chubby cheeks, but he knew they were still his parents.

Jimin loved his parents. He loved how in love they were and how well they got along. He loved that even when they weren’t reading each other’s minds they seemed to know exactly what the other person wanted. He loved the way they made each other happy. And, most of all, he loved the way they loved him.

“Thank you for setting the table Minnie,” Hwayoung said, leaning down to kiss him on the head as they all made their way to the table with the food.

“You’re welcome!” Jimin said ready to dig into the food.

He didn’t notice the silent conversation his parents were having above him, their faces the only thing to give them away. Eventually they came to a conclusion because Seoyoon spoke up.

“Jimin, you know how we were talking about what we do for your birthday this year? Since it’s coming up soon your mommy and I had an idea.”

Jimin looked up with excitement shining in his eyes. His moms were very good at planning birthday things for him to do. Often he didn’t get many presents, but he didn’t mind because instead they all did something together and that meant a lot more to Jimin than anything.

“What is it?” Jimin asked bouncing in his seat.

“We’re going to Lotte World!” Hwayoung shouted, clearly extremely too excited to hold back.

Seoyoon huffed, indignant, but fond. “We know you’ve always wanted to go to Seoul and Lotte World will be fun for all three of us.”

Jimin had fallen silent his mouth dropping open in surprise. His parents glanced at each other with slight looks of worry on their faces, until Jimin exploded in an ear splitting shriek.

“Really?” Jimin screeched. “We’re really going to Seoul? To Lotte World? Dreams do come true!”

Jimin started crying uncontrollably and his moms weren’t sure if they wanted to laughing or comfort him so they settled for a little bit of both. They chuckled behind their hands but Hwayoung pulled Jimin into her lap and Seoyoon ran her fingers through his hair.

“We’re glad you like it Jimin,” Seoyoon said patting him softly.

“We weren’t expecting this reaction, but we do want to make you happy, you little drama queen,” Hwayoung teased.

Jimin just cried harder at that. He had been asking for months for them to all go to Seoul because Jimin had always wanted to see the city, but he hadn’t even thought about going to the amusement park. It was better than he ever could have asked for.

“Th-th… ank- ankie you,” Jimin sobbed out, still not able to stop crying, but his moms just shushed him and held him till he had calmed down.

“I just wish we could go now,” Jimin sniffed once the tears had gone away.

They both laughed at him and reminded him his birthday was only in a month so they knew he could hold on till then. Of course Jimin wanted to deny it and tell them he’d die if they didn’t go soon, like tomorrow, but he didn’t. He wasn’t going to complain when he had just been offered the best present in the world.

***

Jimin had kept a countdown of the date they were leaving, two days after his actual birthday, on his calendar. More excited for that day than the day that would actually be his birthday; it was just a dumb Thursday afterall.

The month that past from the time Jimin learned that were going to Seoul and when they actually went felt like years not just one measly month to the thrilled ten year old.

Finally, the day that they were actually leaving came and Jimin was a ball of excitement vibrating in his seat.

“Mommy hurry up! We’re going to Seoul! We can’t be late!” Jimin called out of the car, his mommy having run back into the house for the third time for something she forgot.

“Late for what, Minie? Seoul isn’t going anywhere!” Hwayoung called back as she ran into the house.

“You know she always forgets at least five things whenever we have a long trip to go on,” Seoyoon said to Jimin from the driver’s seat. “At this point I just tell her an earlier time than I actually want to leave so we can still leave on time.”

“So, we’re not late?” Jimin asked hopefully.

“Not exactly,” Seoyoon said slightly shiftily, “It would work better if she couldn’t read my thoughts and know what time I actually want to leave.”

Jimin pouted, he knew they were going to be late.

“It’s still okay, we’re still only five minutes late if we leave as soon as she comes back.”

“And doesn’t forget something else,” Jimin replied knowing the truth.

“Fingers crossed,” Seoyoon said reaching her pinky over to Jimin, who wrapped his own pinky around it. A tradition they had that was like fingers crossed but that also held a promise between all of them. Jimin really liked it.

“I got it! And I’m pretty sure that’s everything,” Hwayoung said waving her forgotten scent blocker in their faces as she slid into the car. Neither of their parents wore scent blocker often, being in a mated relationship and all, but it was better manners when going to such a crowded place like Lotte World to hide your scent. Especially alphas that could unknowingly trigger an unmated omegas heat.

Seoyoon and Jimin looked at each other, both counting down in their heads until Hwayoung called out again, “Wait!” and they both groaned.

Once they had finally gotten on the road, the trip was actually quite fun, all three of them singing along to the songs on the radio and Hwayoung forcing them to play road trip games. Seoyoon groaned like she didn’t enjoy them, but Jimin and Hwayoung knew different. They loved poking fun at Seoyoon’s complaining.

Jimin was sure this was going to be the best birthday ever and they had barely even begun. He kept regaling to his moms with all the things they were going to do in Seoul and the rides he wanted to go on in Lotte World. He chatted their ears off about the street dancers they might see and how he wanted to do that too one day.

His parents laughed at that, like they usually did, even though they were very supportive of their son. No one ever believed Jimin when he said he was going to be a famous dancer one day. His friends always told him he could never be that good and his parents always warned him that dancing would be a lot of work and very hard career to make money in. Still, Jimin persisted.

He had begged his parents to let him take dance classes since he was five years old and they finally accepted when he turned seven; and Jimin had thought that was going to be his favorite birthday ever. They had let him pick two types of dance because when they asked which kind he had said ‘all of them’ and he had decided on ballet and contemporary.

By far the hardest part about dancing was the kids that made fun of him for doing ‘stupid’ dances that weren’t cool enough. They were ‘girly’ or ‘omega’ dance types and it made Jimin scream and cry. One time when another kid in his class saw his leotard he had ripped it from Jimin’s hands and called him a baby. So, Jimin punched him.

His parents had been proud of him for standing up for himself, but the school didn’t quite see it that way and he was suspended for four days. But Jimin didn’t want to have to punch people to defend what he wanted to do and he prayed for a day where he could dance how he liked. No matter how much Jimin had felt at home learning those dances not a day went by that he didn’t consider quitting.

However, he was glad he hadn’t because when he had entered 3rd grade this year and was transferred to another class on the opposite side of the school with all new classmates everything changed. Jimin hung out with more girls for one thing, and for another most everyone seemed to be past the age where they made fun of people for what they liked. Occasionally he still heard mean words slung at him like daggers when he was leaving his lessons, but most of the time things had been easier. And Jimin loved dancing again.

And he was good at it.

But it seemed no matter how good at it he was people still told him that dreaming to become a dancer was foolish and wouldn’t amount to much of anything. Though his parents nodded and told him he was special, a real talent, they also told him about all the courses he could study in college and how there were so many amazing kinds of jobs out in the world.

Jimin didn’t much care. He loved dancing and he was going to do it for as long as he possibly could because it was what made him happy.

He was mid argument about how he could definitely be a street performer even as a ballet or contemporary dancer. No it was not confined to hip hop, who said? Because that was a dumb rule, everyone would come to look at Jimin dance. When he heard It. A voice in his head.

It was so faint at first that he almost didn’t realize what it was or what was happening. By the time he did realize there was only one sentence shining clear. A single thought in Jimin’s head that he had never had himself in his entire life.

‘I swear to god if they keep this up then I’ll duct tape their mouths shut, their hands and feet together, and then ninja flip off of the bus to go and live my life as wandering vagabond.’

It was his soulmate! His soulmate was finally close enough for him to hear!

Jimin threw himself at the car window that felt closest to where the voice was coming from to see if he could catch a glimpse of anything at all.

The words had been weird and funny and somehow Jimin knew they were directed at his soulmates siblings. Siblings! His! Jimin knew his soulmate was a boy just like Jimin had been hoping. And he had siblings. It was incredible what Jimin had learned so quickly through just one line, but he figured that was how soulmates worked. They could understand each other when no one else could.

It was a weird having someone else’s thoughts inside his head. Immediately, however, Jimin found he liked it. It was like having a comforting weight right beside him and he missed it as soon as it was gone.

Jimin was glowing and he was quick to tell his parents who had turned to discuss something to do with Jimin’s meemaw in the front seat.

“Mom, mommy!” Jimin cried leaning all the way up and sticking his face between their seats.

“What is it Minnie?” Hwayoung asked, looking down at him since she didn’t have to watch the road like Seoyoon did. Her face was a mix of surprise and concern.

“I heard my soulmate!” Jimin exclaimed, wiggling around in his seat. “We must have driven by him just now! Can you believe it? My soulmate!”

Hwayoung’s face split into a blinding smile, glancing up at Seoyoon and back down to Jimin before leaning in and hugging him at the awkward angle all car hugs were given at.

“That’s so great Minnie!” Her face close to tears. “What did he say? What did you get from it? Tell me everything!”

So, he did. He told them both about the funny sentence his soulmate had been thinking and that made both of them laugh. Then he told them about his soulmate’s siblings and that made both of them happy because they had always wanted Jimin to have a sibling, but they always said it never felt quite right to adopt another baby.

“I really liked being able to hear my soulmate,” Jimin said voice soft and quiet, not entirely sure why admitting to this was making him embarrassed.

He felt a hand on his head and looked up to see his mom with her hand on him even as she looked forward and continued to drive.

“It’s a really special feeling Jimin,” Seoyoon said. “That first connection is just a window into the way the bond will feel your entire life, usually without much change. It’s a wonderful feeling hearing your soulmate for the first time. Did I ever tell you about when your mommy and I met for the first time and I finally heard her speak inside my head?”

Jimin had heard it before, but right then he knew he wanted to hear it again. “Tell me it mom,” he asked as he slid back into his seat, getting comfortable for the long story.

Seoyoon’s story, with ‘helpful’ interjections from Hwayoung, took more than half of the drive. She recounted the near scavenger hunt type experience the two of them had. Neither one of them wanted to make finding one another too easy on their soulmate, if they couldn’t decipher the clues then maybe they really weren’t worthy of being the other’s soulmate.

Jimin loved the story and interjected in the most exciting bits that he remembered because they were his favorite. Like at the point when Seoyoon was just about to give up, stop giving clues and stop communicating at all. She even got so depressed she threatened to move out of Busan so her soulmate could never find her.

That was always when Jimin jumped in, saying excitedly that that was when mommy heard her saying that and realized how desperate it was and threatened through the mind link to follow her wherever she went. Seoyoon hadn’t known what to do with that information, but she said she would only give one final clue. The beach.

Hwayoung had been upset at the thought that she would have to find her soulmate at the beach when there was so much of it! But she had agreed, and Seoyoon went to her secret beach and waited all day, just thinking ‘please find me’ over and over until a sweaty Hwayoung found her.

Jimin always interrupted there again, excited to say how Hwayoung had just driven from beach to beach running up and down them all day until she found Seoyoon. And Hwayoung loved to interject that she knew she had the right beach as soon as she stepped foot on it because she could smell the most delicious smelling omega.

That part always made Seoyoon blush and stutter.

It was fate that brought them together that day, not just intelligence. They had their first kiss on the beach at sunset and Jimin thought it was the most romantic thing in the world.

He always hoped finding his soulmate would be just as romantic.

Now he knew he was out there, and he knew that he would find him one day to give them the most romantic kiss in the world.

Chapter Text

Taehyung got bored watching his siblings all day. All they wanted to do was watch movies or play games and Taehyung wanted to go outside and play. Even at the age of ten he wanted to explore the world, climbing trees and staring at tiny bugs. Everything was exciting.

Except staying inside watching tv.

“Come on Hyuna,” Taehyung complained. “We’ve played this enough! Let’s go outside and ride our bikes okay?”

“No way!” They both shouted together.

They hated riding bikes with Taehyung because he always rode faster than them. And he knew he could finally lose them. Even though he would always come back because he was responsible. But they didn’t like it much when they lost sight of him for even a second.

Taehyung needed a change of scene though so he tried needling a little bit more, “Come on. I won’t leave you guys this time, I’ll let you decide how fast we ride.”

Hyuna stuck out her lower lip and Jinhwan spoke up, “You say that all the time hyung and you never do it.”

“Yeah it’s no fun when you always leave us.”

Taehyung pouted. He thought it was no fun staying inside all day, but he didn’t say it. He had fought and lost this argument before.

Just as he was leaning back into the couch cushions having accepted for now that he wouldn’t get the two of them outside, his father came in.

“Hello kids, what are you all doing?”

Before either of the younger ones could speak up Taehyung was quick to say, “They want to keep playing games, but I said we should go outside and ride our bikes because it’s healthier.”

Both his siblings looked at him like it was the biggest betrayal, but he didn’t care, he was not above using parental influence to get what he wanted.

“That sounds like a great idea Taehyung,” His father said. “Why don’t the three of you go out. If you look up into the window you can wave as you go by, and I’ll wave back.”

They all nodded like they were agreeing, but they knew he wouldn’t look. He never did.

He was quick to usher the kids outside before their dad went back upstairs and ignored them entirely and the younger two could stay exactly where they were without Taehyung being able to do a thing.

They were huffing and puffing, but all Taehyung did was push their helmets in their hands and push them out the door.

“Thanks dad!” Taehyung called back into the room. “See you later.”

His dad stuck up his hand in a semi-wave, but he already had the look in his eye that he wasn’t entirely there anymore.

Taehyung’s dad was a writer and a beta. He spent most of his days up in his room, writing out manuscript after manuscript and mostly ignored his kids who, during the summer, were always downstairs.

His best friend Yueun liked to say it was because his father was a beta that he didn’t do well with his kids. No nurturing instinct of an omega and no protective instinct as an alpha. Taehyung didn’t think his dad should rely on his sub-gender to define why he was such a neglectful father as well as person. If Taehyung were to present as a beta he wasn’t going to let that dictate what kind of parent he was going to be. Because he was going to be the best father ever. He already knew it.

Most of the other kids thought his father wasn’t any good because he and Taehyung’s mother weren’t soulmates. Taehyung couldn’t deny that one as easily. Soulmates made the perfect pair for everything and that had to include being parents, s o being the wrong pair together meant they were technically only half as good as they should be . At least that was what Taehyung thought. Soulmates should stay together, everyone knew that.

“You can’t ride away from us this time!” Yueun said getting on his bike. He had finally upgraded to a bike with training wheels as opposed to the tricycle that Hyuna still rode. Taehyung was fastest mostly because he had a big kid bike.

“I won’t,” Taehyung promised. And he meant it. At least he meant to mean it.

This time they went out Taehyung stayed behind the younger two taking his time to explore the trees that were all down the street. He imagined what it would be like to climb each one, how it would be different each time.

But that just made him fall so far behind his siblings when he eventually looked up he couldn’t see them anywhere.

He panicked.

But just for a minute because he knew exactly where they would be going and he could easily catch up with his big kid bike and longer legs. He took off quickly knowing he could make it to the park in under five minutes if he didn’t dawdle, which he often did, but this time he was more focused.

And sure enough when he pulled up to the park he saw the pink and green bikes laying next to each other on the curb. He breathed out a sigh of relief until he heard a screech that came from further down the hill where he couldn’t see.

Taehyung jumped up and started running, barely keeping his balance as he stumbled down the hill as fast as he dared. And he huffed to a halt seeing exactly who had screamed and why.

Hyuna was sat on the ground crying, clearly having been pushed down by the two older boys stood above her.

Taehyung could tell they were even older than him and he had no idea what they were doing tormenting his 5 year old sister, but he was not about to stand around asking questions.

Quickly he ran into the circle head first. Literally. And head-butted the guy in front right in the stomach.

The guy bent over with an "oof.”

“You little shit,” The other guy said stepping forward, fist raised.

“Leave her alone!” Taehyung screamed. He didn’t have a lot of power in his tiny boy, but he was going to yell and scream the best he could and then maybe someone would show up.

“She was talking back to me,” The first guy said rubbing his stomach, having apparently been hurt a little by Taehyung’s actions. Good.

“She’s five!” Taehyung yelled back. Now that he had taken in more of the scene he noticed that the two boys were so much older than him that they had already presented. Both alphas. That was why they were so entitled.

“She wasn’t listening,” The other guy said stepping forward menacingly. “We’ll have to do the same to you if you don’t back off.”

The guy spit at Taehyung’s feet, and he felt so close to crying.

“Yueun, go get dad.” Taehyung said, his calm voice not revealing how he really felt on the inside.

Yueun didn’t wait a second before he was off, running back up the hill frantically to get his bike.

The older boys watched him go and Taehyung saw the way they considered going after him, but Taehyung was prepared to fight with all he had to keep them away from his younger brother. They seemed to see that in his eyes and didn’t move.

“Think you’re so clever you little shit,” The slightly bigger of the two, the one who had pushed down Hyuna, said taking another step toward Taehyung. “Thinking we’ll leave just like that.”

“I don’t give a fuck about your stupid father,” The other guy said pulling back his lips to reveal his teeth in a semi-snarl. “We’re alphas, and we do whatever the fuck we want.”

Taehyung hated hearing bad words; curse words, insults. He just wanted to cover his ears and scream, but instead he remained calm. His father was coming and he would do something.

“He’s an alpha too,” Taehyung lied. “And he’ll beat you both up.”

“Brat!” Yelled the big one and he drew back his arm and punched Taehyung across the face.

Taehyung fell like a sack of potatoes. He heard Hyuna scream and he put his hand up in hopes of keeping her back. He didn’t want them touching her again, especially if they would hit a ten year old across the face like it was nothing.

“Ow,” Taehyung said hand coming up to his cheek as what was just a quick, sharp pain spread across his face.

“That’s what you get you little bitch,” The smaller alpha said, but they didn’t get any closer to him. They seemed just a little bit nervous.

“I hope that teaches you to stay in your place!” The bigger guy yelled, but then they turned around, and nearly ran, off further into the park away from the two small children still sprawled on the ground.

Taehyung waited a beat and then two and then he was bawling. And that made Hyuna start crying and he tried to stop his tears enough to pull her into a hug and comfort her a bit.

That was how Yueun and their father found them, stuck together on the ground crying. Taehyung’s face a raw red and Hyuna’s elbow bruised.

Their father shushed them kindly and patted both their heads. He tried to pick them both up, but he couldn’t lift Taehyung as well anymore so Taehyung let go of Hyuna. Their father picked up Hyuna took Taehyung’s hand and walked them all home.

It was moments like that Taehyung was glad this was his father.

***

“Whoa! Did it hurt a lot Taehyung?” One of his friends asked once they were out in the playground away from where any parents could scold them for asking rude questions like that.

“Can I touch it?” Another girl asked shyly, but looking at the purple, blue, and yellow skin with wonder.

“Sure,” Taehyung said as it didn’t hurt as much anymore.

His mom had fussed over it, telling him to put an ice pack over it and giving him exactly what he wanted. Normally his siblings would have pouted about being left out and not given special treatment, but they were just so impressed with the way Taehyung had taken the fist and protected both of them that they didn’t complain at all. Sometimes he even found them doing nice things for him as well.

“And they were both alphas?” asked an amazed boy whose eyes were like saucers when he looked at the bruise on Taehyung’s cheek.

“Yep! Both alphas, attacking my little sister because they were- they suck,” Taehyung stopped himself from cursing, remembering how much he hated it when he heard the alphas do it and never wanted to make anyone feel like that.

“And did it hurt?” repeated Sungjin.

“Yeah, it hurt a lot.” Taehyung admitted, not ashamed.

“Wow!” the kids all said together, amazement in their eyes.

Taehyung felt a little proud of himself, being the center of attention and having everyone impressed by him. But he also didn’t like to dwell on why he had the bruise on his face.

No matter how proud and strong he made himself seem he was actually really scared in the moment and thinking back on it he felt a shiver down his spine. He did his best not to think about it.

“You’re gonna be an alpha for sure!” Jiangsu  said, her eyes shining. Most everyone thought Jiangsu would be an omega when she eventually presented, with her soft caring nature and big trusting eyes.

“I bet!” said Leemin, who had never once thought Taehyung was going to be an alpha before, always making fun of him for being too weak or too nice or too caring. Leemin was probably going to be an alpha.

The truth was Taehyung didn’t think he was going to be an alpha at all. He didn’t think someone had to be an alpha to be protective of others, nor did they have to be nurturing to be an omega. Taehyung didn’t know why people always put everyone into boxes like that.

“And then your soulmate will be an omega and you’ll be the perfect couple,” Dahyun said, sighing softly.

Taehyung tried not to make a face, not that he didn’t like omegas but he never thought he would end up with one. Most kids didn’t think too much about who they would end up with as much as they thought about what they would present as. Taehyung was the opposite. He didn’t care much what he presented as, but he really couldn’t see himself ending up with an omega.

He was snapped out of his thoughts when another kid pushed on his bruise, this time much harder and it hurt.

“Ouch!” Taehyung exclaimed. “Don’t touch it that hard!”

The kid backed off and the rest of the kids shied away, clearly more intimidated by him now that they thought he was going to be an alpha. Taehyung almost wanted to shake them at their ridiculousness.

Instead he just asked if any of them wanted to see who could jump highest off the swing and they all nodded and ran over to the swings, excited by the competition.

For now Taehyung had peace.

***

When he came home that day he was greeted by a familiar sound. His parents fighting.

“I don’t see how this is my fault?” His mother asked in the silky, sharp voice that she had whenever she was really angry.

Taehyung wanted to run up to his room without either of them seeing him, but another part of him was interested in hearing what they were fighting about this time.

“Really? You can’t see even for a moment how this could somehow be because of your influence?” Taehyung’s father never raised his voice, but the chill that his words could send across the room made Taehyung shiver and hold himself.

It got like this too often in the Kim household. Anything or nothing could be going wrong and his parents would find a way to argue about it.

Taehyung hated arguing.

But still he moved just a bit closer to try and hear just a bit more without either of them seeing him and dragging him into the fight as a witness of some kind. He never understood why both his parents each tried to use him against the other.

“No, in fact, I do not see how Tae getting beat up by random bullies has anything to do with me,” his mother spit like fire and Taehyung froze at the sound of his name.

They were arguing over him. There wasn’t anything much worse than that. He and his siblings all knew that being anything less than perfect was unacceptable especially when the balance in their house was always on a razors edge. One wrong move and everyone would bleed.

But in this case Taehyung didn’t know how he could be blamed. He was only hit because he was defending his sister and she only needed defending because of those two alphas. Taehyung decided right then that even though he couldn’t do anything to those alpha boys anymore, he would hate all alphas for the rest of his life. Except for his mother. Well, maybe her too.

“You’re never home, you never help raising the kids,and you always put too much pressure on them. I doubt you’d even still love them if they weren’t alphas like you,” his father counted off. It was almost as methodical as a grocery list, except that every word bit into Taehyung's skin like an ice pick.

From the sharp breath Taehyung heard his mother draw in, he knew his father had said the wrong thing. And if Taehyung was honest with himself he didn’t really think his father should be saying such things when he was home all day and yet still passed over his kids heads like they were just ghosts’ of his children.

“Everything I have ever done has been for this family,” his mother said her voice having shifted to a near whisper, making Taehyung need to move closer to hear. “Just because my job does not allow me to lounge around at home all day does not mean that I am not raising these kids just as much as you are!”

Taehyung knew his mother’s statement about not ‘lounging around the house all day’ was an understatement, since she worked so late most nights she was almost never home at all. Taehyung honestly wasn’t sure which of his parents was more neglectful, but he didn’t think that was a title they should be fighting for.

“You really think money is the only thing anyone needs to raise children?” His father scoffed, his tone changing almost to mocking. It was the kind of voice that made Taehyung want to cover his ears before he cried. “And you know for a fact Yejin that I am not lounging around the house. My work is just as important as yours and just because I am home does not mean I am not working nor stressed.”

Taehyung heard his mother scoff loudly from the other room, and then the sound of rustling, which either meant she was pulling out some information or she was pacing around the room.

“Clearly your work isn’t easy, that’s not what I’m saying,” his mother started and for a second Taehyung thought they may actually be on their way to reconciling. “But if you’re going to be home with the kids all day then they are going to be your responsibility.”

They were never his father’s responsibility. They were Taehyung’s.

Taehyung was the only one who was actually looking after his siblings. He had almost been raising them since they were born. And while he loved them to pieces, he sometimes felt resentful of them. They almost never heard mother and father fight.

“I am working! I don’t have time to follow them around and make sure they’re okay because I am working! You know, the important work that helped us to buy this house?!”

His mother’s replying laugh was snarky and condescending and it was definitely her worst one. Taehyung liked the one where she laughed because Taehyung showed her the art he had drawn in class or the funny faces he learned to do at recess.

“You think your last book helped pay for this house? That money was barely enough for a down payment. Don’t make me laugh.” Taehyung hated the way her voice made the last sentence like a threat.

“My income is just as important to this family as yours is,” His father rebutted. “So, I would appreciate it if you stopped acting like my professional work is busybody easy work.”

Taehyung heard his mother mumble something, but it was too quiet for him to hear in his hiding spot in the hallway. His father must have heard it though, if the loud cry of indignation was anything to go by.

“Just because I am not a fast writer does not mean I am not a good one. Not everyone can pumped out books as quickly as Stephen King.” There was a pause, before he continued. “I didn’t realize we were hitting so low or else I wouldn’t have held back.”

That was enough for Taehyung to know it was time to leave. If they were about to start fighting using the really mean things then Taehyung didn’t want to hear it. He never wanted to hear how much his parents hated each other, but when they started to say the stuff that really hurt the other then Taehyung knew the argument would never be solved and they would eventually just sweep it under the rug to argue about later.

Taehyung hated his parents.

Well, that wasn’t entirely true because his parents weren’t always like that. Sometimes when they managed to make time for Taehyung and his siblings then they had a great time. Going on lots of adventures or making lots of cool art together.

His father was really good at picking up his younger siblings, especially Hyuna, and swinging them around before putting them on his shoulders. It was one of their favorite things and made them giggle. And then when they would start giggling, Taehyung would start giggling, which meant soon all of them were laughing and none of them really knew as to why anymore.

His mother took as much interest as him in art. The two of them could talk about just one piece of art for hours and taehyung loved that. They had a game where the other would try to find a painting that had everything the other said had to be in it. Sometimes this was the best way for them to find new amazing art, but most of the time it was the best way to find really weird art.

So, no, Taehyung didn’t hate his parents. But he hated how they fought, how they never seemed to get along. How his father sometimes seemed resentful of his mother for being an alpha. But most of all he hated the way the two of them seemed to be getting worse. Ever since Taehyung was a baby they fought, but he had seen the progression over time at how the two of them would just refuse to understand each other anymore and it hurt every time.

His parents weren’t soulmates.

This meant that Taehyung knew they would have problems, everyone who didn’t marry their soulmate at least had to deal with prejudice from society even without the internal struggles that came with being unable to read one another’s thoughts.

Life would always be a struggle for those who didn’t marry their soulmates and Taehyung was not about to let that happen.

Once Taehyung found his soulmate he was going to sweep them off their feet as soon as possible.

***

It had been a few months since people had talked about Taehyung being an alpha. For the most part people had forgotten it a few days after he had ‘acted tough’ and they were back to treating him like they always been. Only a few soft seeming girls still held onto that idea of Taehyung. It was like they were hoping he would present as alpha and then remember them or something, but it was clearly dumb since they weren’t his soulmate.

Now in October with school going strong and the regular leaders of their little ten year old pack back in place no one seemed to remember what Taehyung had done. And he had to think that that was for the best. He didn’t want to be in the center of attention and he certainly didn’t want to be thought of as different than he really was.

His family, however, seemed to do quite the opposite. They seemed to treat him like he was fragile and like he would fall apart.

Both Hyuna and Jinhwan were acting like he was either going to collapse or start hitting them and he just couldn’t figure out why. He thought Hyuna at least would be grateful for what Taehyung had done but she didn’t seem able to even look at him these days. And Jinhwan acted like Taehyung was the one who had started the fight.

Taehyung had no idea what they were thinking, but with the way his parents were skirting around him as if they left him alone he wouldn’t cause more problems and the way his siblings were treating him Taehyung was feeling almost completely alone.

It was becoming harder and harder to ignore so he decided he was going to put his foot down. With his siblings. He was used to the way his parents treated him. Ignoring wasn’t so bad. But his siblings treating him like he was a bomb about to go off was not okay. He decided the first step was just to talk with them.

Usually the three of them spent most of their time together, but after school started it seemed easier for the two of them to ignore Taehyung. But that wasn’t going to stop him. He just had to ambush them during their favorite activity. Watching tv.

It wasn’t as hard as Taehyung had thought it might be, which made him realize he may have been ignoring them just a bit too. But it was time to change that now.

“Hey!” Hyuna and Jinhwan shouted in unison when Taehyung turned off the television. They hadn’t even seen him come in the room before their mode of entertainment was turned off.

“Don’t hey me, you can watch more tv later. Right now, we need to talk.”

They both looked wary at that and Taehyung felt a little bad, but in the end he was the one suffering. They needed to explain themselves.

“Why have you been avoiding me?” Taehyung asked. No need to beat around the bush.

Neither of them looked to ready to speak up, but even though many people didn’t believe it Taehyung could be as patient as he needed to. And he had a bit of a bitch face.

It was Hyuna who broke first, “We didn’t mean to ignore you but- but-”

“But what Hyuna?” Taehyung asked his voice softening.

“But it was scary,” Hyuna said so softly and Taehyung’s heart broke. “Mom and dad got mad and then we were worried you might be an alpha.”

Taehyung felt so bad, looking over at Jinhwan who nodded, his face a similar sad, kicked puppy look. He had never thought that that was what was bothering them. He couldn’t believe he didn’t think of the fight with their parents, the kids always got upset whenever the parents fought. And Taehyung hadn’t even been with them to help them through it.

“I’m sorry Hyunhyun,” Taehyung said leaning down and petting her head.

That seemed to be what she was waiting for because she immediately dove into his arms to be held. Jinhwan seemed to be more cautious, but Taehyung could tell he wanted to be comforted too.

“I’m not going to be an alpha you guys, you know me.” Taehyung reassured. “I looked after you guys of course, but that doesn’t mean I’m a tough dominant alpha. I will always look after my family, but I’m never going to be an alpha. I know me.”

Jinhwan still didn’t look completely convinced, but he walked slowly into Taehyung’s arms and they both seemed to break down. They cried and hung onto Taehyung’s shirt and he held them close and shushed them, tears falling down his face as well, unable to stop himself.

“We’ll be okay you guys. Seriously don’t worry about it,” Taehyung said. He knew their parents’ constant fighting was hard on the two of them, but Taehyung wasn’t lying when he said he would do anything for his family and if that meant protect them from each other, that’s what he would do.

“I have an idea you guys,” Taehyung said making them look up at him with soft watery eyes. “Why don’t we go away for the day on Saturday?”

They looked at him like he was crazy, so he quickly explained, standing and pulling Hyuna up in his arms with him. She was tiny, but still his little ten year old arms had trouble holding her all on his own.

“We’ll go out for the day, take the bus or something. Mom and dad will never notice cause they can’t tell when we’re here or not. We just tell them we’re at a friends and they won’t even blink. I’ll take you somewhere fun, where do you want to go?”

Both of them looked at each other a little skeptical, clearly not believing anything Taehyung was saying. But he could also see the excitement behind their eyes. They wanted to believe him. He only needed to choose his next few words carefully.

“We’ll go to duryu park and set off lanterns, it will be really pretty and then we’ll get ice cream on the way home.”

He knew he had convinced them with ice cream, both of their faces lighting up involuntarily. And Taehyung had of course seen before they could do anything to hide what they were really hoping for.

“It’ll be so much fun, and I know how to take the bus and the train because I’ve done it with mom once. I promise it will be safe and fun and we won’t have to worry about mom and dad all day.”

That was finally what did it, both of them breaking out into peels of laughter and then saying okay, okay, okay, but can we get candy and what about bringing my stuffie he should see the park too. It was a barrage of noise, but overall Taehyung was proud of it, happy to hear them excited again. And to hang out with him no less.

“Whatever you want,” Taehyung promised. “That’s within my 10,000 won savings.”

They both giggled because of course 10,000 won wouldn’t pay for whatever they wanted, but they also seemed okay with that. The hope for a day out and ice cream enough to make them happy for now.

And that was all Taehyung was after, making the two of them smile as often and as big as possible. He was their older brother, that was his job.

***

The day of the trip came and as Taehyung had said their parents didn’t seem to care too much about what they were doing or planning. Each of them told their parents they had a friend who wanted them to go over all day and besides giving a short wave and a nod neither of their parents even looked up from their breakfast. Taehyung normally would be more upset by the lack of interest if it didn’t work in their favor that day.

He was smart enough to not leave together, sending out his younger siblings before him to wait in the street, but even that didn’t matter too much considering that his parents didn’t do more than wave when they each left the house.

And, at last, they were ready to go. His siblings were standing in the road right outside the house when Taehyung left. Checking the bag he had stuffed full of things they may possibly need he joined his siblings who were near vibrating in excitement.

“Taehyung-hyung,” Jinhwan said as he wiggled and Hyuna grabbed onto his arm. “Are we really taking the bus?”

“Of course,” Taehyung said with more authority than he felt. “I triple checked where we get on and off so don’t worry. And I know you two don’t have to pay since you’re under 10.”

This part Taehyung felt less sure about, but he had read it in two different places, so he hoped that the bus driver wouldn’t say anything about it. They would have enough money to pay, but only just.

Luckily, it seemed Taehyung was worrying for nothing because as they got on the bus the bus driver looked at them in surprise, but tipped his hat after Taehyung had payed and they walked to the back of the bus. Once they were sat down Taehyung let out a sigh of relief, they were in the clear. Even if their parents found out they had taken the bus now there wasn’t much they could do until the three of them came home.

Both his siblings leaned to look out the window, Jinhwan pushing his face up against the glass and Hyuna clambering over Taehyung’s lap. They kept making noises of amazement as the buildings and trees zipped by and at first Taehyung thought it was cute, but after it went on and on it started to get annoying.

Taehyung, although having only taken the bus twice before, wasn’t too impressed by the fast moving scenery.

They really started to get on his nerves when they started pushing and pulling at each other to get the better view out the window. Just as he was thinking of all the ways he could get them to shut up, not the least being taping their mouths, arms and feet together and just flipping out of the bus in hopes of a better life, he heard it.

A voice inside his head. Not just a voice, the voice. His soulmate.

‘I don’t see why people wouldn’t come to see me street dance as a ballerina. If it’s good dancing it’s good dancing and that’s what matters.’

The short little sentence was strange, but endearing, just like Taehyung. He didn’t know what led his soulmate to think that in particular, but it was cute. And clearly Taehyung’s soulmate was a he, as Taehyung had always wished he would be, but there was no way to know what sub-gender he would be, as it was obvious neither of them had presented yet. Amazingly he had learned two things about his soulmate, that he was a he and he liked to dance.

Both pieces of information Taehyung tucked them away into his heart to hold onto forever. He would carry the words and the feelings until he met his soulmate again in real life.

Taehyung looked up at his siblings still aggressively shoving at each other, though at this point more so for fun than to really see out the window, and decided against telling them. He preferred holding this knowledge close to himself. A secret just for him and his soulmate to know. Forever.