Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Yoongi stretches, leaning his chair as far back as it will go, nearly tipping it over backwards but catching himself at the last moment and straightening up. He rubs his eyes and goes back to staring at his laptop screen, bored but knowing he should work on something. He's had his email open since he woke up, staring at the 57 emails he needs to sift through. Most of them are probably from subscriptions he accidentally signed up for after purchasing music equipment, but he is waiting on a few important emails from the company's producers, and one of the marketers who's been contacting other artists about using one of Yoongi's tracks. 

"Morning," Taehyung hums on his way into the kitchen, feet padding over tile. "What are you working on?"

"Nothing," Yoongi shrugs. "Get me more coffee?"

Taehyung wordlessly tops off Yoongi's mug and pours himself some, stirring in sugar and cream. Yoongi likes his plain black. Tae smells of Hoseok this morning, Tae's citrus scent tinted with cinnamon. For the past few months this has been happening. Yoongi is pretty certain it's because the younger will go to Hoseok when he can't sleep, and the Alpha will help him rest. Yoongi brushes off the pang of jealousy - he wants someone to be able to comfort him, but that doesn't mean that he shouldn't be happy for Taehyung. He's sure Hoseok enjoys it too, settling his Alpha by knowing he's bringing a friend reassurance. 

Taehyung makes himself some breakfast, with enough that others could share if they would like, and then sits at the dining table with Yoongi, scrolling through his phone. 

"Yoongi-hyung," Namjoon says in surprise as he comes in, Hoseok behind him with a hand on Namjoon's back that he quickly drops. "You're up early. Working hard, I see?"

The Omega shrugs, "No. Just looking at emails. The lo-fi beat I sent Jaehyun might get some traction soon. I'm hoping I can work with someone on it."

"Oh!" Hoseok chimes in, serving up food for him and Namjoon as the leader pours them coffees. "I remember that, it was really good.. I wish we could use it for ourselves."

"Yeah," Yoongi agrees, "But they were right, it doesn't really have a Bangtan feel. A female vocalist would probably do better."

Namjoon sits next to him, smelling as much of Hoseok as Taehyung did which makes Yoongi do a double-take. In fact, the three all seem to smell rather the same. Cinnamon, citrus, and earthy like Namjoon beneath the spice. Weird. 

"Ah, hyung and his female vocalists," Taehyung teases. It's been an ongoing joke that Yoongi refuses to work with males. To which he’s argued numerous times that he works with guys all day everyday, so sue him if he wants to work with someone with a different vocal color and range. "Wish you'd produce a track for me."

"You know full well that Jimin is working on one for you both," he reminds Tae of his upcoming unit song.

"I know," Taehyung smiles, "Still, not the same."

"I'd make something for you, Taehyungie," Hoseok says softly, and Yoongi almost feels like he witnessed a private moment. 

"Anyway," Yoongi turns to his fellow Omega, "Namjoon, didn't you say something about having new lyrics for us?"

"Yes," Namjoon gives him a dimpled smile. "I wrote them in my notebook, let me go grab it and maybe we can mess around with some stuff."

"Aren't you meant to be checking emails, hyung?" Hoseok raises a brow at Yoongi, mouth full of food.

Yoongi rolls his eyes, "Shut up. I know we'd all rather be working on actual music rather than office bullshit."

Taehyung and Hobi laugh at him, getting into their own conversation about their siblings as Yoongi waits for Namjoon to return. The Omega does, and sets his book between them on the table. Again, Yoongi notices how at ease Namjoon smells - almost like the scents of Tae and Hobi comforted him like the scent of a partner would. As the only two Omegas of the group, and as the first members, they've been best friends for nearly a decade. If Namjoon had anything going on with Tae and Hobi that was intimate, that was romantic somehow, surely he would have told Yoongi by now, right? There's no reason to be overly suspicious of their layered scents. He just finds it odd that Namjoon, typically so reserved and firm and independent, would go to Hobi and Tae to be comforted as if he were their Omega. 

"So I just sort of played around with some ideas. They don't really look like lyrics now, I just had thoughts."

Yoongi peers at Namjoon's messy scrawl, nodding along as he reads his friend's notes. It's almost a conversation between two people - a discussion about respect means, about admiration, about teamwork and humility and how easy yet complex giving someone respect can be. Yoongi picks up the book to look closer, finger tracing beneath the words so he doesn't lose his place. 

"Didn't we talk about this?" Yoongi asks.

"Yeah, we did. I think it was a couple years ago, but it seems relevant again," Namjoon explains. "Like, I had in mind a lot of artists or media who behave like we're some icon, like a unicorn come to life. They don't give us real respect. Then I also started thinking about people we looked up to when we were younger, or who we still do admire. Like what makes someone lose respect for another?"

Yoongi shuts his laptop, "I get it, yeah. I thought of us losing respect from underground hip hop, but then working hard to gain national respect because of how successful we've been."

"That too," Namjoon agrees.

They discuss it longer, long enough that Taehyung and Hoseok leave, replaced by Seokjin and Jungkook who announce they're heading to the company to work out in the gym with their trainers. The rappers wave goodbye to them, and soon Jimin joins them at the table. The Beta is on his computer, one earbud in. Yoongi can tell he's working on the track for his and Taehyung's song. Jimin has been dedicated to making it perfect, going through at least four revisions already. 

"Jimin," Namjoon looks over at him, "Let me know if you need anything, I think I'm gonna head out for a bit. I have to meet with Sejin to talk about somewhere I wanna go tomorrow."

"Where are you going?" Yoongi asks as their leader stands up from the table, "Can I come?"

"Oh," Namjoon looks sheepish, which is a strange expression on him. "No, sorry hyung. It's family stuff."

"Family stuff?" Yoongi repeats, watching Namjoon leave in wonder. The other Omega has always been open with Yoongi about his family, especially during times when he struggled to talk to his parents who have felt that Namjoon took on too much as a young Omega. Felt that he was going against the roles of the different dynamics just to be rebellious. When in actuality, it's just who Namjoon is. A lover of music, and a natural leader. Yoongi is certain that Namjoon's position as leader is half the reason they've become as successful as they have.

Yoongi meets Jimin's gaze when Namjoon is gone, "He's acting weird, is he not?"

"He is," Jimin purses his lips, "And he smells like Tae and Hobi-hyung. What's with that?"

"You noticed that too?" Yoongi exhales, glad he wasn't just making it up. "Did they all spend the night together or something?"

"Hoseok-hyung wasn't in our room last night," Jimin admits, "I wonder what's going on and why they haven't told us."

"You don't think that..." Yoongi trails off, too confused to voice his suspicions. Namjoon? Partnering with Hoseok? An Omega-Alpha pairing within Bangtan? And Taehyung... As a third member of the potential relationship? The three of them tend to stay up late together in Hoseok's studio, and Yoongi's caught them sneaking out to eat together when the other members are napping or resting. Could it be?

"I don't know," Jimin huffs. "We shouldn't speculate. But I do hope that they're happy. Wouldn't the three of them be cute together?"

Yoongi blinks, Jimin a bit dreamy-eyed. Taehyung, Namjoon, Hoseok. They would be good together. Especially since they'd be balanced between Beta, Omega, Alpha. It would work. They would work. 

~

They're all gathered in the lounge, their album covers hanging on the wall beside TXT’s, popcorn popped and in a bowl in the middle. Seokjin snatches the bowl, tossing pieces at Jimin with a smile as Jimin rolls his eyes and moves into the eldest's space to grab a handful of popcorn. They're crammed together on a love-seat, Jimin somehow taking up more than Seokjin. Jungkook is sitting beside Yoongi, each of them in their own cushioned chairs. Yoongi smells Jungkook's petrichor scent, strong and nostalgia-inducing. It makes Yoongi think of summer thunderstorms.

Taehyung, Hoseok, and Namjoon are all sharing the couch. Tae is laid out over their laps, being a bit ridiculous as he clings to Namjoon's arms and asks to be fed grapes from the table. They've been sent on break from the recording studio, all of them too full of energy to focus properly on recording. It feels like they've been cooped up all week, singing and rapping and recording vocal notes for a variety of different projects - including ads and their planned art campaign. 

Taehyung sits up properly after a bit, leaning into Hobi's side and more calm. Namjoon seems stressed, like he's overthinking. Yoongi can smell his pheromones from here, but suddenly they're drowned out by cinnamon - Hoseok gazing over at Namjoon with a crease in his brow. Yoongi doesn't think much of it. There's a reason why Hoseok takes over as leader when Namjoon isn't around. But then -

"Okay, seriously," Yoongi glances up at the sound of Jungkook's voice cutting through the chatter. Everyone else seems just as surprised, going silent as their maknae continues. "Namjoon-hyung, Hobi-hyung, what's with you guys?"

At first Yoongi thinks Jungkook is just pressing about it because he's an Alpha too, and when Hoseok releases his dominating scent it upsets Jungkook's Alpha. Only, that doesn't really seem to be the case.

"Are you two..." Jungkook tilts his head, voice soft with curiosity, "Are you together? Like, are you in a relationship?"

No one moves. Everyone holds their breath. Jimin and Seokjin seem especially baffled - but it's not as if they can't have noticed what's been going on between the two. Yoongi knows Jimin is aware of their tension. Maybe they just can't believe that someone finally broke down and called them out - especially since that someone is Jungkook. Yoongi can't blame them. If anyone was going to talk to them about what was going on, he thought it would have been himself, privately, with just Namjoon. But Jungkook just confronted them in front of everyone. 

"Actually," Taehyung speaks up from in between Hoseok and Namjoon, looking around at everyone with a hesitant smile. "All three of us are."

"What?" Seokjin chirps, eyes on Namjoon. "All three of you?"

"Yeah," Namjoon smiles, timid. 

Hoseok looks over at his partners, then speaks to the group, "We have been for a few weeks now, but we're still figuring everything out. We're really happy though."

"When were you going to tell us?" Someone asks, voice small and -

Oh. That's Yoongi. Yoongi asked that. And he feels so confused, emotions in a swirl as he stares at Namjoon. He's not sure why he feels hurt, why he feels betrayed when Namjoon doesn't owe him anything. The other Omega is allowed his own life - his own privacy away from Yoongi, but it's still hard to wrap his head around. That Namjoon has more or less been lying to him for weeks now, been keeping secrets from all of them. 

"I don't know," Namjoon answers him. "I don't know. Obviously we've talked about it, but we wanted to be sure it would last before announcing it to everyone."

"Sejin knows?" Jimin checks.

"He knows," Hoseok confirms. "It's fine as long as we keep it on the down-low, of course."

"Congratulations," Jungkook tells them. Yoongi sees a wide grin on the maknae's face, he's genuinely so excited for his hyungs. "I'm so happy you have found each other."

"Me too," Jimin adds. "I mean, took long enough, huh? Going on year seven and all."

"Well..." Namjoon rubs the back of his neck, but is interrupted by Seokjin.

"Jimin-ah, these things take time. Besides, we're all very different from who we were seven years ago. We're very different from who we were even last year. Just be happy that they realized now."

Jimin shoots daggers at the eldest, Yoongi not sure what the underlying issue is there. All the Omega knows is that it still feels like there's smoke in his lungs - he can't believe that neither Namjoon or Hoseok told him. Namjoon is terrible at keeping secrets, especially about himself. How could he not tell Yoongi that he liked Hoseok and Taehyung? 

There's also that ugly part of Yoongi that's jealous of his fellow Omega. Yoongi craves for the affection and care of an Alpha, or any partner at all, even just a friend, but he can't really get it from any of the members - and anyone else is pretty much out of the questions considering their careers. They're so lucky to have found people they connect with inside their small group of seven. Yoongi has met people, other idols, producers, dancers, that he's taken an interest to. But he's never pursued it. It just wouldn't work with his schedule, with how dedicated he is to the music, with traveling as much as they do. His Omega hungers for a partner, but Yoongi isn't sure it's worth it when he knows he couldn't be present for a lot of the relationship.

Taehyung and Hoseok get into some of their first dates, how they started realizing they liked each other more, and then how they invited Namjoon and were able to get the Omega to be vulnerable with them. Namjoon let his leadership role fall to the wayside, and just be himself with Taehyung and Hobi. Yoongi fiddles with his pants. Thinking of how Namjoon behaves as an equal and forget this role when they talk together and work on projects. Yoongi knows he's being silly, and he really is happy for them. It's just the principal of the thing. 

~

Things change after that. Not too dramatically, but in the sense that if Namjoon grows frustrated or stressed mid-recording, mid-shoot, or even mid-conversation, then Hoseok goes to him and wraps his arms around him, scenting him until Namjoon's hormones even out and he takes a deep relaxed breath. The triad all share the same scent now, a mix of cinnamon, citrus, and woodiness. They've even gotten their own room. Jimin moved in with Jungkook, and the three got a massive King-sized mattress that is definitely still too small for three fully grown men. They kiss sometimes, cuddle up to each other, and overall are just closer. 

Yoongi's mostly gotten over himself now, he enjoys their company and smiles warmly when they call each other sweet names or look especially cute. Their relationship isn't a secret, which is refreshing. The managers, stylists, producers, and anyone else they work closely with are well aware of the three being in a relationship. It's safe though; most everyone they work with has been in the company for years now, alongside Bangtan as they've grown into some kind of cultural icon.

The three haven't mated. Namjoon said that they've talked about it, but when the time comes they want to be able to leave the mating marks in a visible place - like most traditional couples do. Only, they can't really do that right now. Not as idols living in the public eye. Yoongi gets that. Besides, the other Omega adds, they should be together for much longer to make sure this polyamorous thing works out before making a lifelong commitment.

It's only a couple weeks later when Hoseok's rut sets in, and then their relationship becomes painfully clear as Namjoon's heat arrives at the same time - their mating cycles syncing up. They're shut away with Taehyung into the private isolation room intended only for heats and ruts. The room is soundproof, big bed, cleaned thoroughly by whoever uses it last. Yoongi has never been more grateful that they have one of those, so they can all be spared whatever sounds the threesome makes while going through their mating cycles. Taehyung, being the only clear-headed one, they see and few times over two days as he fetches them more water and food. He's covered in sweat and hickeys and Yoongi grimaces at the sight of him - he never needed to see the younger look like that. 

But the three are happy, and that's what matters. They're less tense than before, and seem to enjoy the little moments more frequently. They're so sweet it makes Yoongi's heart ache and yearn for someone to call his own.

Tonight, he's sitting with Namjoon in the RKive, going over a track one of the other producers made and fidgeting with it. 

"Hey, hyung," Namjoon says after they've layered in the trap beat, testing out the new vibe of the song and agreeing it was the perfect touch.

"Hm?" Yoongi leans back in his seat, ankle resting on the opposite knee as he spins his chair slightly. 

"Are you doing good?"

Yoongi stops spinning, "What do you mean? Of course I am. Do I seem like I'm not?"

"I just mean -" Namjoon rubs the back of his neck, sighing, "I just don't want you to think you're not still my best friend."

The elder blinks, "Excuse me?"

"I worry that since Taehyung, Hoseok-hyung, and I came out about your relationship that you've felt... I don't know. Pushed aside? But you're just as important to me as ever, hyung. I don't want to make you feel left out."

"Left out of what, exactly? Your relationship? That has nothing to do with me," Yoongi says.

"It does, though," Namjoon argues, tone gentle. "We affect you because we're in the same group. We're all best friends. Of course it has something to do with you."

"I don't feel left out of your relationship," Yoongi tells the younger firmly, then clarifies, "I just.... I've wondered why you didn't tell me before. You never even told me you liked Hobi and Tae like that, you know? It came out of nowhere. It's okay that you didn't tell me," the Omega frowns. "I just want to know why you didn't tell me earlier."

"Oh, hyung," Namjoon runs a hand through his hair, props his chin up on one hand and looks past Yoongi's shoulder at the wall. "I guess I didn't know how you'd take it. We've been the two independent Omegas since Bangtan began, and I was scared of ruining that for us. I wasn't sure what you'd think of me fir giving into... I don't know. I gave into the dynamic roles, you know? Being an Omega for an Alpha and Beta? It felt like I would be betraying you as my fellow Omega."

"You know it's not," Yoongi whispers to his friend, thankful for the comfort of a dimly-lit studio, "You can be independent while in a relationship with people. You are independent, and just as strong an Omega as before. You have even more support now, which makes you stronger. I'm not mad at you, I would never be mad at you. I'm just happy you're happy and that you've found people that love you for being everything you are."

"Thanks, hyung," Namjoon smiles.

Yoongi reaches over and pats the Omega's knee reassuringly. 

"Yeah. And Namjoon-ah, if I'm honest..."

"What's that?" His friend prompts after a moment of silence. 

"I want to be in a relationship, I really do. I think you're so lucky, and I have to admit," Yoongi laughs, "I'm a bit jealous. Not of any of you, just the idea of a relationship at all."

"Really?" Namjoon seems surprised, but also validated. "You’ll find someone, hyung."

"Yeah, maybe," he snorts.

"Well why not?"

"Because we're us, Joon-ah. We're Bangtan. I'm Min Suga. I can't just date people."

"Well," Namjoon gives him a meaningful look, "I've managed to make it work. Why shouldn't you?"

my twt

Chapter Text

Jungkook isn't one to pry, but he knows Jimin is up to something.

It began with the younger catching him in the act of hiding something in his closet, stuffing it deep inside and blushing when he saw Jungkook watching him curiously.

"What was that?"

"What was what? Huh?" Jimin played dumb, throwing himself onto his bed and facing away from the Alpha. He props his torso up on some pillows, feet hanging off the end.

"Jimin," Jungkook laughs, "Don't tell me it's an early birthday gift? Shopping for me already?"

"No."

"Alright then," Jungkook sighs, acts like he's giving up. He slouches into his chair, slowly removes his computer from his lap and sets it on his desk. He leans forward, peeks at Jimin who is resolutely ignoring him, and then makes his move.

He sprints for Jimin's closet, swinging the door open and flipping the switch so he can see inside. The Beta audibly yelps, chasing after Jungkook and nails digging into the skin of the Alpha’s arm as he yanks him away. Jungkook hasn't seen anything incriminating yet, so he fights back against Jimin's grabby hands, trying to twist away. Jimin's coconut scent is tinted with panic, with anxiety, and maybe even fear. That's what makes Jungkook stop, not the Beta's pleads.

"Hey, I'm sorry," Jungkook halts, turning to face his friend who lets him go. "I was just teasing. I won't look if you're really so worried about it."

"Yeah, sorry, um," Jimin looks down, gestures at Jungkook's arm where his nails left red marks. "Sorry about that. I got carried away."

"Is everything okay?" Jungkook asks, that's really all that matters. Is Jimin safe? Is he happy? Is his family alright? His Alpha wants to be assured that his friend is being taken care of, that's he's not in danger.

"Yeah, everything is good," Jimin smiles up at him. "Sorry to freak you out."

"It's okay," Jungkook shrugs, stepping out of the closet. "You're sure everything is fine? I don't need to fight anyone?" He's mostly kidding, but he would punch someone for Jimin if he asked.

"No, no," Jimin laughs, sitting on the edge of his bed. He meets the Alpha's concerned gaze, letting off sweet vanilla pheromones to reassure him. "It's a good thing that I'm hiding in there."

"A good thing? But you are hiding something?"

"I am," Jimin runs his hand through his hair, "But it's a good thing. You'll find out soon enough."

"Alright," Jungkook nods, still a bit skeptical but trusting the Beta's judgment. "Let me know if you need anything."

"I will," Jimin agrees. "Actually, can I have the room tonight?"

"You want the room to yourself? All night?"

"Yeah, if you don't mind."

"Uh, no, sure," Jungkook frowns. "When do you want me gone by? 10?"

"Yeah," the elder bites his lip, "Sorry."

"No, no, don't be sorry," Jungkook waves it off. It's not a big deal right? "I get it. Personal space is important."

"Yeah."

It's about 6pm, time for dinner. Jungkook wanders out into the lounge, Taehyung and Namjoon are taking up the couch. The Omega is reading, the Beta is flipping through magazines, a stack of clippings on the coffee table beside him. Tae must be making some kind of collage, and Namjoon getting ideas for future projects. The Alpha restrains a sigh. He doesn't want to interrupt their alone time, which they must get so little of as it is. Of course, they share a room with Hoseok now so there's that. But Jungkook knows that's not the same as simply hanging out together in their free time.

So the youngest passes through and goes to the kitchen, stomach rumbling as he searches the cupboards for something to eat. He could make ramen, or pasta, or have a bowl of cereal. None of it sounds good. Jungkook forgoes food, irrigation easily getting the best of him as he grabs a jug of juice from the fridge instead, pouring himself a glass and leaning against the counter.

He and Jimin moved in together just a week ago, after Taehyung, Namjoon, and Hoseok told them about their relationship. Or rather, Jungkook had forced them too. After the fact, he felt bad about putting them on the spot like that, but it's honestly been better since they've all found out. There had been tension before, and Jungkook can't handle tension. It makes his Alpha restless and frustrated - just wanting to fix things. So he called them out to settle the issue, and since it has been easier to talk with them all, and it's good to see his hyungs so happy with each other. 

Jimin seemed reluctant to leave his room with Hoseok, but of course he would be. After all, the two had said they needed each other to keep themselves sane for years now. That they would live together even after Bangtan. Jungkook knows he's not the same as Hoseok, not the same in that he's Alpha so his stupid hormones act up sometimes and make him act in weird ways. He's not the same as a Beta, though he does everything he can to keep the Alpha side of him in check, while still being himself. As the only Alpha aside from Hoseok, it can be hard to manage sometimes. That said, he grew up with Betas and Omegas beside him since he was fourteen, so behaving like them came easy. Until puberty took its toll, and suddenly Jungkook's efforts to keep his Alpha instincts under control began to fail him.

Anyway. Jimin has probably been more of a help to Jungkook than he has to the Beta. Jimin keeps him in his place, stops him from being so inadvertently territorial, and offers such a sweet scent of coconuts and vanilla to fall asleep to. Jungkook couldn't have been more glad to share his room with one of his best friends, eagerly making space. They're still learning each other's nuances, which is interesting because after seven or eight years you think you know everything about each other, but you still don't. 

"Hey, punk," Seokjin greets him, squeezing by to grab a knife from behind Jungkook, "What are you thinking so hard about?"

"Nothing," the younger shrugs. "What are you up to?"

"Was gonna make some bulgogi, there's stuff in the fridge that needs to be used up."

"Hyung."

"Hm?" Seokjin grabs carrots and celery, ground beef and the packet of sauce starter. He heats up a pan on the stove, moving with ease. It's nice having a schedule that only involves recording and various shoots - or working on solo songs for the upcoming album. It leaves them time at home to actually rest. Almost work 8am-5pm jobs, though they're more like 7am-7pm workdays. Still. It's better than being busy 24/7.

"Nothing," Jungkook shakes his head, watching the elder work. Hands moving swiftly, smile on his lips.

Jungkook plays music, phone connecting to one of his dozen Bluetooth speakers that lives in the kitchen. He hums along to it, scrolling through Twitter and laughing to himself. He loves to be engaged online, likes to lurk, likes to be a fan of things without anyone knowing it's him. It's so easy to be someone else it's kind of scary. He uses the picture of an Overwatch character, follows different artists, gamers, creators, meme fanatics so he can keep up with lingo and trends. He knows ARMY loves it when he does dances or makes references to internet phenomenon, he also just likes doing it himself. For fun.

Then there's the activist pages. Information on how to support Omega organizations, on how to support their advancement in society into positions of power. Despite the government, businesses, and individuals saying that every dynamic is equal under the law, the reality is that they're not. Service industry jobs have far more Omegas, CEOs are almost all Alphas and Betas. Jungkook took it on himself to stay educated about issues regarding Omegas worldwide, largely because two of the most dear people in the world to him are Omegas. Namjoon and Yoongi. 

He remembers learning Namjoon's status and being initially surprised. His woodsy smell allows him to masquerade as a Beta if he'd like to, and his overall demeanor is nothing like young Jungkook had thought Omegas were. He was their leader, he was firm, he was certain and strong, and far larger than fourteen-year old Jungkook. Basically, Namjoon took Jungkook's biases and turned them upside down. The youngest's parents are both Alpha's, so he didn't know any better. And when you're in middle school or below, the difference between statuses is nearly imperceptible. While your dynamic is known at birth, heats and ruts don't begin until your late teens. 

That didn't mean Jungkook wasn't taught that Omegas were one thing, and that Alphas were the opposite, and Betas were somewhere in the middle. Of course, the Alpha has pretty much shaken all his misconceptions. It'd be hard not to, considering how Yoongi and Namjoon have shown him everyday since they met that dynamics are just labels intended to put people in boxes. And Jungkook doesn't want to fit in his box.

In the idol industry, there's mostly Betas and Omegas. Since it's a form of music that was looked down upon, it was largely filled with those two dynamics. Only now, idol music has become a booming industry, and there's more Alphas under companies than ever before. It's seen as a respectable career now. Jungkook thinks the history of it is interesting, and remembers how in their debut days when people commented on the dynamic diversity of their group. How impressed they were that Namjoon led when there were two Alphas, and also the fact that we're just surprised point blank at their being two Alphas at all. Perhaps they thought they'd butt heads, but Jungkook and Hoseok never have.

Their relationship with one another isn't exactly unique. Nowadays, idol groups have members of all dynamics and it makes little difference. But in 2013, that hadn't become as common yet. Jungkook's glad it's changed, but it's also given rise to new issues. Such as increased harassment claims during trainee days (Alpha trainees with Omega trainees), and then gossipy news reels of who's been mated, who isn't, questions of what group members spend their heats or ruts together. It's a lot of nonsense, meant to expose relationships and create tension - be fanservice - but thankfully Bangtan has avoided much of it. At least, they did until they started to do copious interviews overseas and they got asked about everything relentlessly. 

"So, how do you deal with mating cycles?"

"Who has the worst scent?"

"How do you handle having two Alphas?"

"You Betas must be the control center of the group, huh?"

"J-hope, do you like being head Alpha?"

"Jungkook, have you challenged J-hope for head Alpha?"

But they don't have a hierarchy like that. Namjoon is the leader, but Jungkook and Hobi aren't rivals or anything of the sort. They don't fight over Omegas, they don't try to have stronger scents. All of those things are bullshit that the West seems obsessed with dissecting and discussing. And then when Bangtan doesn’t fall into the traditional dynamic roles, they get looked down on for it. 

The point is - Jungkook shouldn't worry so much about what other people think. As long as Bangtan is happy, he's happy. 

~

"Come on!" Seokjin shouts, "You got this JK!"

Jungkook strains, gripping the straps tighter with sweaty palms and keeping his arms straight in front of him, bringing his hands together as he lifts the weights behind his back. The trainer nods, helping Jungkook with his posture. The youngest gasps in relief when he's able to release them, having done his ten pulls. He gets up, facing Seokjin and gesturing towards the seat. 

"Your turn."

Jin takes his place, the trainer adjusting the arm straps to his length, and then he begins his count of ten. His expression is strained with a big grin, Jungkook laughing and clapping. 

"Hyung, c'mon! You're better than this! Faster!"

"Not faster," the trainer chastises, "We don't need any strained muscles today.

Jungkook clicks his tongue, "Fine, fine. Work on that posture then."

Seokjin does, and he does better on his form than Jungkook did. They move on to leg work, which Jungkook absolutely detests but Seokjin never lets up about, "Don't forget leg day, JK. You don't want buff arms and shrimpy calves. Not a good look for anyone, but especially not our Alpha maknae."

Jungkook rolls his eyes but puts in just as much effort, Seokjin's scent increasing as they sweat. He smells of comfort food - curry, hotpot, thick broths. It's in a Beta's nature to bring balance and ease, but Seokjin's scent does so tenfold. As the eldest, it's been especially helpful for the Beta to be able to take care of everyone. To take charge in situations where Namjoon's authority as leader wasn't enough, and also because that Hoseok doesn't ever take over unless invited to (since he's worried about being aggressive as an Alpha). 

"Ah, it smells like a storm in here," Seokjin comments. "Why don't you use descentor?"

"Should I?" Jungkook genuinely wonders.

"No, no, you're fine. It's just powerful, but good. It's all rainy."

"Yeah, Jungkook," their trainer laughs. "Trust me, I'm with lots of people every week who's scents I can't stand. Some of these Alphas are like smoke, or even meat and whatnot, you're easily the best of the bunch."

Jungkook feels embarrassed, stays quiet. 

They finish legs, do cool-down stretches, and their trainer congratulates them on a job well done. Jungkook and Seokjin haven't always had the same regimen, but lately it's been fun to do it together so they stay motivated. Jungkook especially sometimes needs that extra push, he likes laying down and sleeping mid-workout far more than the average Alpha. But Seokjin is great because he has more self-discipline, and isn't as soft on him as their trainer is. The two chug water, say thanks and goodbye to the trainer, and catch their breaths. 

"Hey," Jin starts, avoiding eye contact. That's strange from him, but Seokjin tends to be a bit shy when speaking about important topics. "Do you have any idea what Jimin might want for a gift?"

"A gift? His birthday isn't until October, unless you've forgotten again," Jungkook jokes, but Seokjin meets him with a serious furrow in his brow. 

"He just... I want to get him something," Jin offers no further details.

"Did he give you something?"

"Yeah," Jin nods, a smile playing in his lips, "The other day he wrote me a letter on a handmade card. I don't know where he found the time for it, but it was so sweet. I could tell it had taken him hours."

Jungkook thinks of catching Jimin hiding something in his closet, and wonders if it had been Seokjin's gift. But why had the Beta been so secretive about it? What's the big deal with a present between friends? There's nothing to be shy about, they all do sweet things for each other all the time. Making dinner or ordering take out, planning a special video call from family or a friend, once Taehyung took them all to an animal shelter and they spent the days ruffling cats' fur and playing with little puppies. And Yoongi, of course. With his sweet messages of reassurance to the members that he's begun doing more and more often. Always signing it, I love you, Min Yoongi. Because he cares so much for them all. And Jungkook suspects that Yoongi’s Omega likes it too - is pleased to bring happiness to his pack mates. 

"I think Jimin really likes receiving stuff he can take with him everywhere, or things he can enjoy immediately in the moment. Like he loves bungeoppang from that place in Itaewon, or likes flowers for his room. Our room, I guess. But he always got some when he could when he shared with Hoseok. You could write a note too," Jungkook suggests, not sure what else Jin could give. Flowers are a bit romantic, but he thinks they're also exchanged well between friends. 

"Ah, that might be nice. Thanks, Jungkook," Seokjin smiles. "How is living with Jimin going?"

"Good," Jungkook answers, "He's a bit messier than I'd like, and I'm used to having my room to myself, but it's fine. He snores though."

"He does," Jin smiles, "it's cute, isn't it?"

"I suppose," Jungkook isn't sure, he just doesn't want it to keep him up at night. "I don't know. We'll see how bad it can get."

"It just means he's sleeping well."

The younger snorts, "I'm pretty sure snoring isn't good for you, but whatever you say, hyung."

"That's right," Jin shoves his shoulder, "Whatever I say, because I'm the hyung here."

~

Jungkook gets home early from his session with the producers. It had been slow work, with some of them foreigners and their conversations having to be interpreted, all while on video call. Jungkook wishes he knew more about production than he does. The lingo, terminology, and the attitude of producers are things he doesn't possess. Yoongi, for example, does a good job of knowing his stuff and presenting it like he knows exactly what he's doing. But Jungkook isn't so certain of himself and his work, and becomes a bit awkward about it. He's trying to get better, but it's hard. 

One of the music directors had looked to Jungkook after the stream was cut off and some decisions were made, and said, "Why don't you hold your ground? You're an Alpha, make them listen to you. That Omega would have shut up if you'd said something."

That had taken Jungkook aback, he doesn't want people respecting him just because of status, and he doesn't think anyone should be disrespected because of it either. He hadn't known what to say to the director, but that fact alone probably just proved their point. Jungkook isn't fulfilling his role as an artist and a creative mind. At least, he's pretty sure that's how the other Alpha really meant it. Jungkook needs to be forward with his ideas because he's the one who's gonna end up singing this song, not the Westerner producer who will certainly take more credit for the song than deserved, considering how much Namjoon has altered their original draft. 

Anyway, Jungkook is relieved it's over and he was released. He grabbed spicy fried chicken while he was out, and he's eager to eat it from the comfort of his bed while watching some YouTube. He's been watching this channel lately where they talk about natural phenomena all over the world. Like the Aurora Borealis or Nuit Blanche. He feels like he's learning about things he wouldn't typically have time for, and they're all so beautiful and artsy it could inspire writings too. 

The Alpha opens the door to his bedroom, glancing up from his phone and nearly dropping his box of chicken. On Jimin's bed is Seokjin and Jimin leaping apart from one another, but it's far too late. Jungkook saw clearly what was happening before he stepped in. Jimin's eyes are huge, Jin's ears are red, and Jungkook is gobsmacked. Then again, he probably should have seen this coming. Damn it, how could he have missed this?

"Ah, Jungkookie, you're back early," Jimin tries to laugh it off, clearly hoping that Jungkook won't mention their awkward behavior or the fact that he saw Seokjin and Jimin sucking face not moments ago. These two.

"Yeah," he slides his phone in his pocket, snatching up a bite of chicken with two fingers and chewing it thoughtfully as he surveys his hyungs. "So, what's up you guys?"

"We were just..." Jimin waves noncommittally, "Talking. About stuff. You know."

The Alpha hums, watching the two Betas exchange nervous looks that make them appear even more guilty than they already are. 

"So, how long have you guys been making out for?"

"Wh-what?" Seokjin sputters. "We were doing no such thing!"

Jungkook rolls his eyes, shuts the door, and yanks his desk chair over with his ankle, sitting on it and looking at his friends. "C'mon, now. Or should I call Namjoon-hyung in here and you'll never hear the end of it?"

"Namjoon would be one to talk," Jimin scoffs, "He's dating not one but two of our friends."

"So..." Jungkook focuses on Seokjin, "Does that mean you're dating?"

The eldest looks up in alarm, "Uh, we haven't really, we haven't um. That's still to be decided."

Jimin runs his hand through his hair, Jin looking over at him softly. Oh, these guys. Jungkook's friends are so ridiculous sometimes. They clearly like one another, they've obviously been doing this for a bit now. Jungkook just hadn't noticed because the scent of Betas don't typically cling to other Betas, since they have no need to compete for dominance. Alpha's have to show off their power, Omegas win everyone over with their pheromones, but Betas don't need to worry about any of that. So Seokjin and Jimin don't really smell like each other, unless they were to properly scent each other. 

"Hyungs," Jungkook feels adoration swell in his chest, "I love you guys. I just want you to be happy, okay? Take your time."

It turns out that the pair don't need much more time, because the next day at breakfast they're confessing to the entire group that they've been seeing each other, that they're officially partners, and that - oh. Well, they move in together and share a room. Meaning that Jungkook is left alone again, and now Yoongi is too. The Omega doesn't say anything about Seokjin leaving their room, but Jungkook can smell the crisp almonds in Yoongi's cherry blossom scent. He's concerned about having a room to himself, and Jungkook has several assumptions as to why. He doesn't get to ask the Omega about it though, because they're busy with a rush of recording sessions for an AR piece.

They're preparing for an upcoming project having to do with modern art, and connecting ARMYs all over the world. The members are meant to be the narrators and story-tellers of the art pieces, and they're working on the one for London currently. This sort of work lasts days back-to-back, hours in studios, wearing makeup, playing solitaire on their phones and napping when given the opportunity. 

By the time it wraps up, Jungkook's forgotten all about his concern over their eldest Omega, and is left staring blankly at his bedroom wall. Though Jimin hardly shared the space with him for a week, he already misses his friend. Misses the sound of another person breathing, misses air-dropping memes about themselves and tiktok dances. His Alpha has been upset too, and he's not sure why. But he keeps having dreams where he's chasing someone and can never catch them - then wakes up to the sound of himself growling. Jungkook usually washes his face with cold water after this happens, sees his yellow eyes in the mirror, and cringes inwardly. Why does he have to look like that? Like some kind of creature, rather than human. 

Tonight, Jungkook simply can't sleep. He's been trying, but he swears there's movement in the dark and no YouTube video seems to be able to calm him down. He hears rustling outside his door that makes him sit up straight, reach for his bedside lamp and flip it on as he squints. There's Jimin, edging into his room. 

"Jimin? What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to come talk to you."

"Why? It's late. You should be sleeping."

"So should you, silly maknae," Jimin attempts to lighten the mood as he slides onto the end of Jungkook's bed, grabbing a pillow and hugging it to his chest. "Why aren't you?"

Jungkook sighs, laying back down and peering at the ceiling. "My Alpha won't be settled. And I guess I'm a bit lonely in here now."

"Miss me already?" Jimin laughs softly, then more seriously. "I noticed your scent was off."

"It was?"

"Yeah, usually you're like a petrichor, today you were like a hurricane had ripped though. I was worried. I am worried."

"It's nothing, really," Jungkook tries to push it off. He doesn't really want to talk about this right now, but he already knows Jimin won't let up. "I'm just a bit restless."

"I think... Well, do you think it could be because you're the only one now?"

"The only one of what?" Jungkook stretches back, folds his arms beneath his pillow. 

"You don't have a partner, and now the rest of us do. Is your Alpha... Upset about that?"

"Is my Alpha upset about the fact that I don't have anyone to call my own, and that I'm seeing my friends get partners and I'm left alone and my Alpha isn't able to protect or calm anyone?" The words bubbles uncontrollably out of Jungkook's mouth, and he hates every one of them but can't make them stop. Is it true? Is his Alpha so insecure about his relationship status that it's led to insomnia?

"... Yeah."

Jungkook exhales, so long and loud, "I guess so. I don't know what I can do about it though. I'm just gonna have to take some breaths and deal with it like a normal person who's single."

"You're not a Beta though," Jimin interjects, "It's different for you."

"Well what would you know?" Jungkook can't stop himself from sounding accusatory. "You're not an Alpha. And besides, dynamics don’t matter. I shouldn't feel so irrational over something like this. I’m happy for you guys, I'm really happy for you. I don't care if my biology is whack, I shouldn't be."

"That's the point, though, Jungkookie," the Beta smells strongly of coconut, fresh and relaxing. "Your biology naturally wants a partner, it's not your fault. It's okay. I was doing some reading, and I found out that lots of Alphas can start to get worked up when their friends get into relationships but they're still single. It's natural that you -"

"None of it is natural, hyung," Jungkook says with finality. "I have no right to behave like I'm jealous or possessive just because of what biology says. I want to be happy for you, because I am. I don't want a relationship, whatever my Alpha wants is irrelevant."

"Jungkookie -" Jimin presses, but Jungkook rolls onto his side and effectively just shuts the Beta out. 

The Alpha shuts his eyes, inhaling sharply through his nose and feeling annoyed at the amount of comforting pheromones his friend released during this conversation. Jungkook gets what Jimin is trying to say, but does the elder really get what Jungkook is saying? Just because he's an Alpha shouldn't mean shit, doesn't mean shit, and he won't let that side of him get the best of him. 

It’s not until he wake up the next day that he remembers one very important fact: Yoongi doesn’t have a partner either.

my twt

Chapter Text

The first song done on the album isn’t the hit track, and it never has been. This one’s called Black Swan; the lyrics hit a little too close to home, but the beat is pretty killer and there’s talks of creating a special art film to go along with it, which is an entire project on its own that their directors and producers are dealing with - some scheme of Bang’s - and the members will simply get to enjoy the outcome of, the same as ARMY. Yoongi doesn’t often feel fully satisfied with songs he has a heavy hand in, but working with Namjoon on the lyrics and going over the track with the producers, fiddling with autotune and new filters, it all turned out very well.

Now, it’s time to celebrate. It’s their typical meal for getting a project done, heading out for some classic Korean barbecue and drinking soju to their heart's content. Sejin will accompany them as always, being their sober buddy and laughing and conversing along with them. There will be security in the hall, SUVs outside in case they have to make a quick get away. But, for a glorious two hours, they get to sit in a private room and grill meat and share a meal. They get to relax without feeling as much pressure to work, because they did get something substantial done.

Yoongi isn’t much of a fan of soju, or even getting drunk in general. He’s more a sip-wine-slowly over the course of a few hours kinda guy, not the do three shots in a row kinda guy. He hates hangovers more than anything, so he’s smart about his alcohol. That said, he plans on enjoying himself tonight as much as everyone else does. Watching Hobi turn red, seeing Jimin get flirtier than normal with Seokjin, and smelling everyone’s drunken scent in the small space. It’s only a little gross, and Yoongi is used to it by now. 

The car ride over is pretty serene, everyone resting their eyes for twenty or so minutes so they’re up and ready for socializing with one another at dinner. Yoongi is in the car with Namjoon and Jimin, and he can’t help but look at both of them and think how their group dynamics have changed dramatically over the past few weeks. In fact, they’ve probably changed more in the past month than in eight years. 

~

“No, no,” Jungkook waves his hands dramatically, thirty minutes later as they wait for the meat to cook. The smoke from the grill flares up in the center of the table, smelling incredible and making Yoongi’s mouth water as he watches the maknae rant.

“Namjoon-hyung definitely is the best, like, ever. Like -” Jungkook looks at their leader seriously, Namjoon’s smile wide and embarrassed. “He’s way above G Dragon, right? C’mon guys. You know how much I love GD, but Namjoon is just… Wow. Right?”

The youngest got tipsy fast, tongue going loose as he drank on an empty stomach and listened to Jimin and Hoseok argue over who ate who’s galbi leftovers. Yoongi had watched him with a shake of his head, knowing that Jungkook was asking to be hit with a raging headache tomorrow morning. 

“He is wow,” Hoseok agrees, being smart about his intake and eating some rice and kimchi as he waits patiently for the meat. “But he’s also my wow, aren’t you, Joon-ah?”

Namjoon stares down at his bowl, clearly too flustered to say anything at all. Seokjin reaches across the table, trying to take the tongs from Yoongi. The Omega raises his brows at his hyung, daring him to actually take them. Yoongi is the grill master, has always been. Sure, Seokjin may be the best chef but Yoongi knows his way around meat. That’s been established. Another hand swoops in, and Seokjin gasps as Jungkook knocks his grabby hand away.

“Yoongi-hyung is steak master,” Jungkook reminds him, then meets Yoongi’s eyes. “Aren’t you?”

“Of course I am, hyung is just impatient over there,” Yoongi complains, flipping the meat and lowering the heat. “My dad used to take me out at the end every month and teach me everything he knew about barbecue. What meat to ask for, what sauce is the best, and how to know when it was cooked just right. See that?” The Omega lifts off a slice of meat, the skin crisp, “That’s perfect right there.”

He gives that piece to Seokjin, hands out the rest, and smiles when Jungkook uses his chopsticks to make sure Yoongi got the biggest cut in his own bowl. The younger knew before it could even happen that the Omega would have given the biggest to Jungkook, and he didn’t let him. Yoongi decides not to fight him on it, starting the next round of beef as he eats what’s in his bowl with rice and various sides. 

“Taehyung was taking pictures of me this morning when I woke up,” Hoseok says, taking his first sip of soju for the night. “His Polaroid was shoved up right in front of my nose and when I opened my eyes the camera flash just about blinded me.”

“I said sorry!” Tae exclaims, “You were supposed to be asleep!”

“But why were you taking pictures of my nostrils?”

“Not your nostrils, hyung, your eyelashes. They’re so pretty.”

“Yeah but then why did you -” 

They go on like that for a while, Yoongi flipping meat, getting through half a bottle of soju, and laughing as his friends go on about random, simple, everyday things. It’s not often he gets to forget the life they lead, but moments like this seem so painfully normal that the whole Bangtan Sonyeondan thing gets pushed to the back of his mind. Instead, he comments on Namjoon’s new expensive sweater, on Jimin’s growing collection of cat photos on his phone that he relentlessly compares Yoongi too, and the heavy scent of Jungkook who is sitting directly across from him. The Alpha’s drunk scent is strong, stranger than any of the others. Somehow, the alcohol makes the smell of rainstorm overtake the coconut, citrus, cinnamon, earth, and broth. And Yoongi can’t exactly say he minds it. Especially when he’s slightly buzzed himself, he can’t deny the fact that Jungkook’s Alpha pheromones are intoxicating in a different way.

He knows it’s just his Omega reacting to a powerful presence, but occasionally he allows himself to indulge. To breathe it in deeply and wonder what it might like to be engulfed by it, to be scented by Jungkook. The thing is - rain is Yoongi’s favorite smell. It has been since he was a kid, running around in rain boots, splashing in puddles. His mom sang rain songs with him, and then a few years later, he got Holly and him and his brother would coo about how cute he looked with wet fur. Maybe he stank indoors after, but Holly lives to chase the raindrops. Yoongi, to this day, will open his window in the middle of a downpour just because he finds the smell of rain comforting. It doesn’t have anything to do with the fact that it’s Jungkook’s scent, it just makes him nostalgic and happy. 

“Hyung, it’s burning!” Namjoon shouts, recentering the Omega as he yelps and shuts off the grill in a panic. He distributes the slightly scorched meat as Seokjin gives him a pointed look. As if to say, See, you should’ve let me grill it. Whatever. Yoongi messes up once in eight years? He gets a pass.

Sejin comes into the room, sits down next to Seokjin and Yoongi makes sure their manager gets plenty of food from the table. He and Seokjin get into a debate about the merits of shellfish, then Sejin and Namjoon show off pictures of their dogs and soon everyone is whipping out their phones, waxing poetic about their dogs or their family’s dogs. Hoseok mumbles inaudibly about Mickey, getting red faced, and soon he’s leaning back in the booth and is about passes out. 

“Hyung, hyung, stop being so picky,” Jungkook pouts at Yoongi as the Omega shoves the peach flavored soju away from himself. 

“What do you mean? If I’m gonna drink I’m gonna enjoy it.”

“No, stop, just try the peach I promise it’s good. It’s sweet. You’ll like it,” Jungkook grips the bottle, trying to snatch Yoongi’s glass and pour him some.

“No,” Yoongi argues, smiling as wide as the teasing Alpha is. “The whole reason I don’t want it is because it’s sweet. I like my liquor -”

“Bitter and tasteless?” Jungkook asks.

“Excuse me,” Yoongi squints, “I recall a certain someone very much enjoying those Irish Bombs we had.”

“Yeah, and then you abandoned me to crawl back to the hotel room as I roamed Saipan drunk.”

“You weren’t that drunk."

“I was drunk enough!”

“Whatever,” Yoongi rolls his eyes. “You had more fun without me anyway.”

“Not true hyung,” Jungkook frowns, slowly taking the glass from Yoongi’s fingers and pouring him peach-flavored soju. “I enjoy spending time with you. Especially in Malta, that was fun. Irish Bomb Bros.”

Yoongi shakes his head, sipping the soju reluctantly when Jungkook pushes it back towards him. They meet eyes, smiling. The Omega can’t help but be a bit giddy, the alcohol has properly set in by now and his tongue has loosened. He can tell what Jungkook is thinking without him even saying it, there’s a glint in the Alpha’s eyes that the elder has come to recognize that means, Yoongi-hyung gets cute when he’s drunk.

“God, you two,” Jimin says loudly across the table, getting everyone’s attention. “Why don’t you get a room?”

Seokjin leans in, arm encircled around Jimin as the couple cling to each other, “You should date, just you know, finish up the group and we’ll all be happy.”

“No more moody Jungkook,” Jimin yawns, “No more lonely hyung, perfect!”

“Lonely?” Jungkook repeats, glancing at Yoongi before shaking his head.

Yoongi is too sluggish to take Seokjin or Jimin seriously, knows they're too drunk to think rationally too, and just laughs at them. Sure, there’s a weird stir in his stomach of something akin to guilt. Is he causing trouble for Bangtan? Is he throwing the balance off? Has Namjoon told the others about how Yoongi longs for a partner but can’t have one? Now that most of them have somebody, are they just waiting for Jungkook and Yoongi to find someone too so they can all be happy? Yoongi fears being a burden, almost more than anything else. Maybe that’s why he hides in his studio and writes music. Maybe that’s why when he sees Seokjin and Jimin scent each other he turns away. Or why he leaves the room when he sees Hoseok, Namjoon, and Taehyung together now. 

Yoongi doesn’t know. He hasn’t thought it truly bothered him that much, but looking at his friends nestled in the booth beside their significant others now, he’s having second thoughts. Maybe it does bother him more than he cares to admit, and he wishes it didn’t. 

“You’d be kinda perfect,” Taehyung says, the most sober of them all. Somehow, the Beta is still eating too. “You already wear couple outfits, your scents compliment each other, you’re an Omega and he’s an Alpha…” Tae waggles his brows. “You seem pretty compatible.”

Yoongi blames the blush on the booze, “Taehyung, shut up.”

“Our dynamics have nothing to do with it,” Jungkook adds, quiet enough that only really Yoongi can hear it.

“Hyung,” now Namjoon is speaking, and he almost never gets involved in conversations like this, but he’s drank enough that he must feel compelled to say, “You guys would be cute.”

“So cute, right?” Jimin agrees, nuzzling into Seokjin,  “Jungkookie is totally hyung’s type, right babe?” 

“Definitely, he’s everyone’s type.”

“What?” Jimin squeaks. 

The couple banter over who amongst the lenders they may have chosen over each other, and Yoongi frowns into his glass. He continues to frown as Sejin calls for the staff, things get cleared away, and then security helps them into the SUVs. Yoongi stares out the window, waiting as someone else loads in next to him. Sober, he knows his friends would never say any of these things. Sober, they’d reassure Yoongi that singledom is fine, that the Omega will find a mate one day who makes him happy, and that it will all work out. But drunk? Maybe this is what they really think. Stuff they’re too afraid to say straight to his face. That he should just go for Jungkook, for temporary relief, that he should forget about a real relationship, or that he should just shut up about it.

Yoongi doesn’t know. It just hurts. Makes something ugly rumble in his chest, makes him almost want to cry. He feels like this all the way home, and doesn’t even realize how obvious he’s been until he notices the pheromones he’s been inhaling. Jungkook is sitting in the car with him, giving off gentle rain smells - like a misty Monday morning, before anyone has woken up for work. It makes the Omega calm quickly, taking a deep breath and sitting up in his seat. He peeks over at the Alpha, the younger with his eyes shut and head resting against his arm propped on the window. Yoongi wonders what he thought of their friends’ comments. If he wants a mate like Yoongi does, and if being single among them makes him hurt.

When they get back to their apartment, Sejin helps Hoseok to his bedroom and then waves goodbye to all the members, wishes them well and congratulates them once more. Seokjin and Jimin collapse into their room, their scents hot and mixed. Namjoon is sluggish, and he seems like he’s about to fall asleep. Taehyung could pass as totally sober, and he just tells Yoongi goodnight as they pass each other in the kitchen - each grabbing a glass of water for their bedside.

The Omega retreats to his room, turns on a lamp, and stares at the empty bed where Seokjin used to sleep. He misses his friend immensely. Nothing has been the same since he left. He smells the Beta’s old blankets and sheets sometimes, just to be comforted by it. Yoongi pulls on pajamas, washes his face, puts on a headband and falls into bed. He usually listens to lo-if beats to fall asleep to, but tonight he just lies there, enough soju in him that he knows he’ll fall asleep soon.

He sighs, body warm and limbs heavy as he rolls over.

There’s a light knocking on his door, and at first he thinks he misheard. Then it happens again, and he calls out.

“Yeah? Come in.”

His door opens a crack, and there’s Jungkook in a big hoodie and grey sweatpants. His eyes are droopy with exhaustion, but he must have come to see Yoongi for a reason.

“Jungkook-ah? You can come sit here,” the Omega pats the space on the edge of his bed. 

The Alpha does as he suggests. Sitting near Yoongi and turning to look at him. He’s biting his bottom lip, suggesting that he's struggling to get his words out. Yoongi waits patiently, hoping he doesn’t accidentally fall asleep.

“I’m sorry, hyung.”

“Sorry?” That gets the elder’s attention, Yoongi shifting up. “What for?”

“For what they were saying at dinner. They’re being idiots. Seokjin-hyung and Jimin are all worried about me, and getting on my nerves. Well, I guess mostly Jimin but still. That’s why they said all… that stuff.”

“You mean… about us?”

“Yeah,” Jungkook shrugs, defeated. “Jimin thinks my Alpha is all worked up about seeing everyone around me with partners, and not having a potential mate myself to take care of, I guess. I don’t know. It’s stupid, he’s just trying to justify what shouldn’t be. Anyway, I’m sorry if they made you uncomfortable.”

“Oh,” Yoongi blinks at the Alpha. “I actually thought why said all that because of me.”

“Because of you? Why you?”

Yoongi rubs his neck, picks at the blankets. He’s never told Jungkook about this before, it just never came up between them. They don’t talk about relationships or future love lifes or anything like that. Yoongi and Jungkook have always been food, music, alcohol. And that’s seemed like more than enough, considering music alone is about 80% of their life anyway.

“I want a relationship, honestly.”

There’s quiet, and when Jungkook speaks again his tone is softer. “You do?”

“Yeah. I do. But I know it’s stupid, I know I can’t. We travel too much, we’re too busy, I don’t have time.”

“They’ve all made it work, why can’t you?”

“Namjoon said the same thing,” Yoongi laughs. “But they’re all dating each other, of course it works. We all have basically the same schedule and we live together already. It’s easy for them to see each other and talk and fall in love. But like, I can’t do that with just anyone. No one should have to put up with me being an absent partner.”

Jungkook nods silently.

“Anyway, I should probably get used to it. I just feel like I’m becoming a burden to them, or souring their relationships when I complain all the time about wanting one. I don’t want them to feel bad for being happy. But I can tell, Namjoon and Hoseok refuse to talk about their relationship in front of me. They act like just friends when I know they’re not. It’s just for my sake, too. I want them to feel comfortable, and go back to normal. I don’t know what I could say to them to convince them I’m fine though.”

“That’s… Hard,” Jungkook grimaces, just as lost.

“It would probably take me dating someone for them to level out. Guess I have to deal with it,” Yoongi sighs, lays flat on his back and stares at Jungkook’s shoulders. 

“Maybe…” the younger begins, that stops.

“What?”

“Maybe you could date someone.”

“Jungkook-ah, you know I can’t. There’s no time for it.”

“Hyung,” Jungkook takes hold of Yoongi’s wrists, his alcohol tainted breath blowing down on the elder. It reminds him to take the Alpha’s words with a grain of salt. “Why don’t we date.”

Yoongi stares at him, then bursts out laughing.

“No, no,” Jungkook shakes Yoongi’s arm, “I’m serious. Listen to me a sec, okay?”

“Sure, sure,” Yoongi allows, holding back another chuckle. 

“Not actually, of course. But what if we just say we’re dating so everyone can go back to treating us normal. Hoseok-hyung and Namjoon-hyung will be happy for you, they’ll be normal again. If they aren’t worried about offending you, maybe they’ll actually feel free to show affection or whatever. And for me, it’s the same with Jimin. He won’t just act normal. And he won’t shut up about being worried about my Alpha. If I have a partner, he won’t worry anymore.”

“Is your Alpha actually in distress?” Yoongi asks, putting everything else aside for a minute.

Jungkook pauses, bites his lip, “I think so. I think it is bothered. But hyung, I don’t want anyone. I don’t want to date, so it doesn’t matter. We could just… pretend in order to reassure them.”

“And we’d complete the septet. Our pack would be complete,” Yoongi mumbles. It’s a terrible idea. Absolutely horrific. Yet, that might be what makes it work. He and Jungkook get something out of it. It puts a bandaid on a situation they otherwise couldn’t control. Besides, Yoongi hates seeing the members worried for him. He hates Namjoon’s big eyes, Seokjin’s pats, Hoseok’s attempts to bring up the topic of dating again and again. He wants it to stop. If he can’t really be with someone, so long as their careers are like this, then why try? He doesn’t need constant reminders of his loneliness from his friends either. The Omega should just say yes. 

“Really?” Jungkook sounds shocked, and Yoongi is too. He said that out loud?

“Yeah.”

“You want to do it?” Jungkook checks. “Pretend to date?”

“Yeah,” Yoongi swallows, looks up at his friend. “Let’s do it. I don’t want them so worried anymore. We have to start slow, though. Flirt some more and really sell it to them. We can use the conversation at dinner to be like, hey you guys really got me thinking about Jungkook a different way.”

The Alpha snorts, “Yeah, okay. Good deal. I’m gonna try and schmooze Jimin and Seokjin-hyung a bit, can you get the others?”

“Sure,” Yoongi agrees, then - “Fuck. What about Sejin?”

“I’ll take care of him,” Jungkook promises.

“You’ll talk to him, Alpha-to-Alpha?” Yoongi teases nudging Jungkook’s arm.

“Guess so,” Jungkook doesn’t even break a grin. “If anyone could see through us, it would be him. I think our friends are too love struck right now to pay much attention.”

“They’re just gonna be relieved.”

“Exactly.”

“Shit, hyung,” Jungkook swears. “You’re sure about this? You want to do this?”

“Why not?” Yoongi shrugs. “I trust you. Just don’t go Alpha on me and we’re good.”

“Hyung, I would never do that. I promise, I know how to control myself now.”

“I know,” Yoongi smiles, “I’m kidding. You should go to sleep, now. We can talk in the morning.”

“Aright,” Jungkook yawns wide, right on cue. “Sleep tight, Yoongi-hyung.”

“Night, Jungkook-ah.”

my twt

Chapter Text

Yoongi wakes up in a cold sweat. He sits up, grabbing for the glass of water nearby and chugging it. He's not hungover, just a bit dried out. The Omega had a strange dream. Jungkook had come into his room, and said that they should -

Fuck. That wasn't a dream. Jungkook apologized for the members teasing them over dinner, pushing them together, and then Yoongi shared that he thought it was his own fault, not Jungkook's. Then the Alpha suggested, while they were both far from their sober selves, that they date. Or at least, pretend to for the sake of their members and their own sanity. They've both been weighed down by the pressure of their friends, even if it's not intentional. Neither of them blame the others, it's just - hard to deal with. So Yoongi agreed. To pretend to like Jungkook, to pretend to date him. They didn't discuss any details, they just -

God. Yoongi feels ridiculous. He should back out of this right now. Before they do something so silly.

He rolls over and grabs his phone, opens it up and sees a message from Namjoon on the screen.

Namjoon

Sorry for joking with them last night. I know the relationship stuff is sensitive for you. I hope you know I didn't mean it that seriously, I just want you to be happy.

Yoongi grits his teeth. No, Jungkook was right. And Yoongi decides with finality that he'd rather Jungkook and him pretend and have everyone be happy, than he would leave things as they are, with his friends worried. 

Yoongi

No you're fine 

And you're right, we would be cute 

He sends the message off and looks for Jungkook's contact. He and the younger need to reach some agreements before they start hinting to everyone that they want to get together. Yoongi wonders if this scheme is too elaborate and they should just go for it instead, but their friends aren't idiots. If they went from denial to dating in one day they'd never believe them. 

Yoongi

Hey

Jungkook 

Hi

So about last night

Yoongi

Let's do it 

I want to

Jungkook 

You do?

Yoongi 

Yeah, I'm tired of them

Jungkook 

Okay hyung

Yoongi 

How about we say we kissed in the car last night

Jungkook 

You mean on our way home?

Yoongi 

Yeah, drunk kiss. We were the only ones in the car so

Jungkook 

Alright 

Let's eat lunch together today

You and me I mean

Yoongi

Sure

I told Joon he was right we would be cute together. He apologized to me about teasing

Jungkook 

We would though right :D

The cutest

Yoongi

Save it for in front of our friends 

Jungkook 

I'm just kidding with you hyung jeez

Yoongi 

I know but 

We need rules for when we actually start to "date"

Jungkook 

What aren't you okay with?

Yoongi 

No bed sharing

Jungkook 

Okay, not like we have a shared a bed before tho

What if they expect us to move in together like everyone else has?

Yoongi 

We're going at our own pace. If you must, then you can come to my room and sleep in Jin-hyung's bed

Jungkook 

That works

What about scenting or hand holding or kissing

Yoongi 

Holding hands is fine

Jungkook

Of course it is ;)

Yoongi

Sigh

Anyway

Scenting I'd really prefer not, but if it seems necessary okay. Just don't go overboard.

Jungkook 

Who's to say you won't be scenting me?

Yoongi 

Well are you okay with it?

Jungkook 

Yeah you smell good

Yoongi

Jungkook seriously stop flirting 

Jungkook

I'm not flirting hyung I'm just saying what I think

I don't want to date you actually, but like you are my friend so of course I think you smell good 

And it's not because you're an Omega, I promise. It's not just my Alpha that likes your scent, it's just generally your scent is very light and calm and much better than some people who have such strong ones. You know I'm sensitive to harsh scents 

That's all okay?

Yoongi

Okay

Thank you I guess

Anyway kissing is

I don't know, what do you think?

Jungkook

Do you imagine yourself having much pda in a real relationship?

Yoongi

Idk, do you?

Jungkook 

Well I don't want a real relationship I haven't thought much about it

That's why I asked you because I assume you'd have an opinion 

Yoongi

I guess I don't think I would

I get embarrassed by that stuff

Jungkook 

You do and it's pretty funny hyung :D

Like I can just wink at you and you blush

Yoongi

I'm not blushing because you're winking I'm blushing because you're a dumbass who's embarrassing himself because he can't wink for shit

Jungkook 

Aw hyung :'D so sweet

Yoongi

Rolling my eyes

Jungkook

Like usual 

So

Kissing?

Yoongi

I mean nothing gratuitous obviously 

Little pecks if it seems right

Jungkook

Dang I was hoping they'd catch us humping each other at rehearsal, there goes that idea

Yoongi

I wish you were here

Jungkook 

Oh? I'm blushing

Yoongi

NO WAIT

I didn't mean to send that so fast

I meant I wish you were here so I could smack you

Jungkook 

:3 

Yoongi

Sigh

Are pecks fine?

Jungkook 

Sure I like giving kisses

And getting them 

Yoongi

We're gonna learn way too much about each other 

Jungkook 

I'm excited hyung 

Yoongi 

How long are we gonna do this for exactly?

Jungkook 

Idk

What do you think?

Yoongi

Idk

~

Yoongi decides to suck it up this morning and take his coffee into the lounge. There, Hoseok is leaning into Taehyung's chest, the pair are whispering to each other. The Omega sits in the recliner, coffee beside him and stack of handwritten notes in hand. He begins to look through them, searching for a particular set of lyrics he knows he scribbled down before bed a few weeks ago. Hoseok and Taehyung move apart in his peripheral vision, so that their sides are pressed together but they're less couple-y than before.

Yoongi glances up, "You don't need to stop because of me. I really don't mind."

They share a look, then Taehyung says gently, "I know. But we should be considerate of others."

Yoongi nods, goes back to his notes. His coffee is hot, his handwriting near indecipherable. Ah, but this part. Yoongi holds it up to the light, considering the verse. He's been reading up on the shadow in Carl Jung's book, and been talking with Namjoon to make sure he understood it correctly. He's decided to write his solo song from two perspectives; himself, and his shadow. What he wrote before is from the shadow side, sounding angry and intimidating. About how you can run, but you can never shake your shadow. While the song is about Yoongi and his secrets, it's also about the idol industry, or music industry in general, and the not-so-glamorous sides of fame.

Taehyung is moving, about to get up from the couch. Yoongi came in here for a reason - to begin planting seeds.

"Hey, Taehyungie, wait a sec."

The Beta pauses in surprise, sinking back into the cushions. Hoseok tilts his head, cinnamon pheromones turning strong with worry.

"What's up, hyung?" The Alpha asks.

"I just - I wanted to ask your opinion on something."

"Sure," Taehyung leans forward.

"You know how everyone talked about me and Jungkook-ah last night?"

Tae tilts his head, "You mean the dating stuff? We were just kidding, hyung. We didn't mean to weird you out."

"No, no, you didn't weird me out. I just..." Yoongi rubs the back of his neck, heart hammering. He is genuinely anxious about this. He doesn't like lying to them, but he knows they'll read his anxiety as distress over trying to confess to potential feelings for their maknae, rather than stress about lying. "I guess I'd never thought about it before, like I'd never given it real thought. But after you said it... I don't know."

Hoseok hadn't said anything last night, too wasted to add to the conversation. Yoongi's sure Namjoon must have said something though, must have expressed worry over offending Yoongi to his partners and so now Hoseok is all caught up.

"Wait, do you mean you like him?" The Alpha furrows his brow, practically dissecting Yoongi with his gaze and he feels vulnerable to it. What if Hobi we'd right through him?

"I... I don't dislike him."

"Well obviously," Hoseok laughs. "But you know what I mean."

"I think he's..." Yoongi's face flushes, and he swallows. What does he think of Jungkook, exactly? It's too much to think about, it requires analyzing his own emotions too far, so he avoids the question. "Well, we kissed. In the car. Last night."

Taehyung's mouth drops open, "No way. No way. You did?"

"Yeah," he mumbles, sheepish, staring at his lap.

"What happened? Why?"

"I don't know," Yoongi shrugs, "We had both drank quite a bit, him especially. And we were talking about what you guys had said and... it just happened."

Taehyung's pupils are wide, amazed at the development. Not knowing it's a blatant lie. That Yoongi has never kissed Jungkook, never even considered it. Tae whispers, "Did you like it?"

"I... I think so. But I don't know if it was because we were drunk or if it was because there's really something there. Is it even worth, you know, exploring though? I don't know what he thinks about it."

"Hyung," Hoseok speaks this time, voice calm but authoritative. It's his protective Alpha side coming out. "Are you sure you're not just, I don't know, lusting? Don't you want something more substantial than that?"

Yoongi blinks, shocked at how accusatory he sounds, "Excuse me?"

"Hoseokie," Taehyung looks at his partner, frowning. "Let him be. This is exciting. Even if nothing comes of it, there's nothing wrong with Yoongi trying. Him and Jungkook get along well, so they'd never let anything bad happen between them."

"I'm just saying, Yoongi-hyung said he didn't think it was worth trying with anyone, and now he suddenly likes Jungkook?"

"I never said that," Yoongi corrects. "He kissed me, and I didn't hate it. Maybe I want to see if we could actually become something, and if not, then that's fine too."

The Omega isn't sure why he's defensive about something that isn't real. But it's the principle of it. What if he and Jungkook really did like each other? What if they really had kissed? Would Hoseok be saying the same thing - blaming it on Yoongi lusting? He won't let him trivialize him, even if it's not real.

"Yeah, exactly," Taehyung agrees with Yoongi. "There's no harm in them trying it out."

"There is though," the Alpha continues to argue, "If hyung and Jungkook act thoughtlessly it could hurt us all."

"You can't say that when you're in a relationship with our members too, Hoseok," Yoongi tells him, tone flat. He doesn't want to sound angry. "What if you, Tae, and Namjoon broke up? Then what? Like wouldn't that be a mess too?"

"We're different. We spent months getting to know each other like this, we understand the consequences. You just kissed Jungkook out of nowhere, that's reckless."

Yoongi opens his mouth, then shuts it. He doesn't have anything left to say. He's out of ideas. 

"You need to show a little more respect. I'm your hyung and I know what I'm doing, and how I feel."

Hoseok shakes his head, and Yoongi grabs his things and stands up. He walks out, ignoring Hoseok's now apologetic gaze and lets Taehyung follow him out of the lounge. This is just - unprecedented. He wouldn't have thought Hoseok would treat him like a teenager. Like a kid who knows nothing. Thank god he and Jungkook aren't actually into each other, or else he'd be really pissed. 

"I'm so sorry, hyung. I don't know what Hoseok was thinking," Tae apologizes as they reach the kitchen. "He's being an idiot. He just cares a lot for you, is all."

"Because I'm an Omega?" Yoongi asks, it's not even about a relationship anymore. It's not about any of that. It's just about them, as people, and their dynamic roles. 

Taehyung shrugs, "Kinda. I think he worries over you and Namjoon a lot because of -"

"This is why I like Jungkook," Yoongi interrupts. "He doesn't treat me like I'm anything less."

"That's not," Taehyung reaches for Yoongi and takes his hand, "That's so not what I meant, and not what he meant. Hyung, please? Hoseok will support you through anything and you know that."

"I do," Yoongi exhales. He lets his shoulders drop and he sets his empty mug down. Maybe he got too worked up. "I know that, of course. I'm sorry. We both took it too personal, I'll talk to him about it later. Thanks, Tae."

"Yeah, of course," the Beta smells like sweet oranges, "And for what it's worth, if you and Jungkook do see if things can go anywhere, I think you'd be great together."

Yoongi nods, grateful for the assurance even if it's all made up. He feels bad for causing issues about something that's not really happening, but once he and Jungkook announce they're together he hopes everything will level out. They just have to endure it for a bit longer, and then there will be peace.

"Hey guys," Namjoon announces as he comes in, fully-dressed. "Hyung, we're needed at the company. I'm gonna get Hoseok, Sejin is gonna be here any minute with a car."

Yoongi nods, passes by him to head back to his room for some actual pants and a mask. He sees how Namjoon goes to Taehyung as he turns away, how they smile lovingly at each other. It makes the Omega's stomach twist. He wants something like so badly, but by agreeing to pretend with Jungkook he basically signed any chance of a relationship blooming away. They're going to pretend, but it's not going to help the longing Yoongi has.

He changes, then heads down to the parking garage with Hoseok, Namjoon, and a security guard. They meet up with Sejin down there, who claps Hobi on the back and inquires how his head is. The ride over is filled with them chatting about a new building being constructed, how the AC in their primary sound booth has yet to be fixed, and how stuffy it is. Today they're meeting with producers about their group song, going over lyrics, beats, line distribution, and whatever else comes up.

The meeting room is as chaotic and full of disagreement as always. Supreme Boi seems far too attached to a certain arrangement that Hoseok and Namjoon are quick to veto. They want it to be listenable, not screamo. They spend a bit too long around mics, losing their voice as the three attempt various annunciations of ugh and ahem. They haven't even gotten to the lyrics by the time the executives allow them to break, get something to drink and reconvene in twenty minutes.

Hoseok boils water, Namjoon puts honey in all their tea cups and Yoongi grimaces. He doesn't like tea, but it's meant to be far better than them for coffee, especially on days they're using their voice or filming anything. 

"What did you say about Jungkook and Yoongi-hyung?" Hoseok asks Namjoon, making the eldest whip his head around. 

"What about them?" Namjoon frowns, sipping his tea.

"You haven't told him?" Hobi glances at Yoongi.

"Uh, Namjoon, me and Jungkook-ah..." Yoongi rubs his neck, tries to sell it. "We kissed last night in the car."

"You failed to mention that in your text this morning."

"I know."

"Well? Are you guys gonna be a thing?"

"We haven't talked yet. I was going to ask him to lunch, but we're still here, so..."

Hoseok stays silent, not wanting to stir up their trouble from earlier. Namjoon just takes in the information thoughtfully, doesn't say anything. Yoongi knows he'll talk with Yoongi later, and the Omega really isn't feeling this now. There's too much stress with work already, he doesn't need this conversation in the middle of the day too. 

Yoongi grabs his tea and says, "I'll see you in ten minutes, there's some stuff I need to look at in my studio."

"Hyung," Hoseok begins, but Yoongi is already walking out. 

It's nice to sit on the couch in his studio, even just for a few minutes. To clear his head, and mentally prepare for debates over music and his non-existent love life. His phone buzzes, Yoongi expecting a message from Namjoon or Hobi only to see -

Jungkook 

Guessing your busy

Yoongi

**you're

But yes 

I have a few minutes then back to work

Sorry about lunch

Jungkook

It's whatever I don't care

Dinner maybe

Or dessert ;)

Yoongi

What did I say about flirting

Jungkook

It's just practice hyung

Plus they should see you smiling at your phone and wonder who it is, that's what I'm doing now

Jimin is staring at me very intensely 

Yoongi

Well you can smile without flirting

Jungkook 

Okay okay

Yoongi 

I'm alone anyway

Hoseok made me :// earlier 

Jungkook 

What do you mean? Were you talking about us?

Or I guess, "us"?

Yoongi

Yeah

I told him we kissed and then he got all mad, said I was reckless and should take things more slow and be thoughtful about it

Jungkook 

Seokjin said the same thing

Yoongi 

He did????

Jungkook 

Yeah. Him and Jimin basically said it's just my Alpha acting up and trying to mate you and that I need to keep it under control because I've kept saying I don't want a relationship, and I shouldn't hurt you by just,,

Lusting :/

Yoongi

Oh

I see

Oh, maybe that's why Hoseok was mad at me

Maybe he's worried I just "want" you because you're an Alpha 

Jungkook 

I mean 

If we actually liked each other then they would totally have a point

But since we don't it's whatever 

It is interesting to see what they really think though, I had no idea Jimin and Seokjin seriously believe I'm not in control of myself 

Like seriously??

Yoongi

Honestly same

You aren't anything like a typical Alpha, not like Hoseok 

Jungkook

Thanks

Yoongi 

Wait no I didn't mean that in a bad way!!!

Jungkook

Haha I know, I know hyung. I'm glad I'm not typical. I don't want to be like that. 

Yoongi 

Oh

Alright then

Jungkook

You're not your stereotypical Omega either, you're just you

Yoongi

And that's good?

Jungkook 

Very good

~

They finish the meeting with the production team, Hoseok heads to his studio to work on his solo and Namjoon and Yoongi go to the RKive to review the revised lyrics for their unit song. They're the same as what Namjoon showed him the other week, but now Hiss Noise has left notes and even Bang took a peek. They've both been with them since the beginning, so it doesn't feel odd to take their input seriously. Sometimes when Western or other outside producers or workers get involved, they just don't get it. They don't get where Yoongi and Namjoon are coming from, they don't get Bangtan, and mostly? They don't understand the relationship Bangtan has with ARMY. They don't get it. Maybe they're great composers, but the heart isn't there like it is when Hoseok, Namjoon, or Yoongi himself make something.

Hiss Noise is a friend. He gets them, their style, and their relationship with the fans. 

"He sent us something, after reading our lyrics  he added something to the track," Namjoon says, pulling up an audio file on his desktop. "I haven't had a chance to listen to it yet, though."

"Let's hear it," Yoongi waves his hand in encouragement.

Namjoon hits play, Hiss Noise is mumbling along the lyrics they've been working with, and then -

"Respect!" He shouts, and Namjoon and Yoongi make eye contact. 

Again, as a sort of chorus, it goes, "Respect!"

"That's the shit right there," Yoongi can't help but grin, laughing a bit in amazement. "That sounds so good, don't you think?"

"Yeah," Namjoon is beaming too, messaging back Hiss with a level of enthusiasm that can't quite be conveyed properly through text. "That's really good. We're keeping that, to hell with what anyone else says. I love that chant, me and you can going -"

"Respect!" They shout at the same time, laughing at how loud it is in the small space. Damn, Yoongi's so excited for this. 

"I still think we need something in it that makes it grunge, that takes you back in time a bit. You know how Hobi's using the debut audio? We need something like that," Yoongi rests his cheek in his palm, spinning slightly in his chair as Namjoon opens up various programs on the monitors. 

"Hmmm," Namjoon considers it, "Like a sample of one of our older tracks?"

"No, like a voice clip or something from an old movie, or an old 90s music video. Something that matches the lo-fi vibe of our song. Like, hearing a headline of radio news or something. An old phone call. I'm not sure how to describe it exactly," Yoongi clicks his tongue, it'll come to him with time. "I'll let you know when I figure out what I mean."

"Alright, hyung," Namjoon nods. The Omega continues to work as he nonchalantly asks, "So what's with you kissing Jungkook?"

"Oh god," Yoongi feigns annoyance, "Were you and Hoseok talking about me?"

"A bit."

"We did kiss, I kinda liked it, I don't know what else you want me to say."

"Hyung," Namjoon sighs, turns and rests his elbows on his knees. "When me and Hoseok-hyung started talking to each other, like, with intent and interest, he was super careful with me."

"What do you mean?" Yoongi is curious, Namjoon has yet to share much about how they all ended up together.

"I mean, he wanted to be sure that we didn't just want each other because we're Alpha and Omega. You know? He wanted to be certain it was him who really liked me, and that I really liked him. Not just our dynamics talking, but our own minds and hearts really feeling it. That's all Hoseok was trying to say earlier. That you and Jungkook need to make sure you're on the same page."

"I see," Yoongi gets that. It's good advice, honestly. If this were real. "I appreciate that. I really do. I don't see why he hasn't told me it himself, you and Tae keep delaying his messages to me instead. I don't know why he's keeping me at such a distance."

"He's bad at this sort of thing, you know him. He's awkward about being serious, doesn't know how to deliver it quite right."

"Yeah," Yoongi knows this, so he tries to not take it all too personal. He's been getting too worked up about something that doesn't actually matter all that much anyway. In a month to two, the point will be moot. "Thanks."

"Sure," Namjoon smiles, then stares at Yoongi expectantly.

"What?"

"Well? What's up with Jungkook? Do you like him?"

Yoongi heats up, making an uncertain noise and glancing  around the studio. This isn't acting, this is just his anxiety working up that's quickly soothed by Namjoon's earthy, soft pheromones. 

"I think I might. And it just took you guys to bring it up for me to really notice. I mean, obviously, I've always thought he was..." Yoongi bites his lip, it feels odd because this next thing he's going to say isn't a lie. It's true. But isn't that what will make this believable? The best lies are always made with half-truths. "I've always thought he was attractive. Since he, you know, started getting all buff and cocky and shit."

Namjoon laughs outright, "Jimin did say he was your type."

"Actually," Yoongi corrects, "Jimin said Jungkook is everyone's type."

"Also true," Namjoon nods.

"Wait," Yoongi holds up a hand, "Really?"

"Well, yeah," Namjoon looks embarrassed, exposed. "I love Taehyung and Hoseok, but I'm not blind. He also, well, his scent is really nice."

"His scent is really nice," Yoongi admits, and it's weird. This doesn't feel like selling Namjoon on a fake relationship, this is just genuinely admiring his group mate. His pack mate. Is that weird? Or is it normal? Namjoon thought the same thing, just voiced those same thoughts, so it must be fine. It doesn't mean anything, Yoongi just appreciates Jungkook. That's okay. 

"Anyway," Namjoon coughs, "Are you gonna see where it goes?"

Yoongi rubs his neck, "Yeah. I want to."

Namjoon doesn't say anything, and when Yoongi looks back up, the Omega is grinning at him, pride in his eyes.

"What?" Yoongi grumbles.

"Nothing, I'm just so happy for you hyung, I'm rooting for you. I really hope this works out. You two would really be so cute together."

Yoongi smiles tightly.

~

When Yoongi gets home four hours later, he just wants to collapse into bed and sleep for 16 hours. He knows he can't do either - mostly because he's aching with hunger. He ate some cookies at the company, but now his stomach is rumbling with dissatisfaction, he is starving like crazy. The Omega knows he should have had Sejin stop to pick up food from somewhere, but he'd been so focused on getting home it had slipped his mind. Now he's left standing in front of the fridge, cold air blowing on him as he hears another growl from his stomach. 

"Hyung," a soft voice says behind him.

Yoongi shuts the fridge, and peers over his shoulder to see Jungkook standing there. Shit, that's right. Weren't they meant to eat together? Things got carried away on the track, and now it's nearly 11pm. 

"Jungkook. Hi, sorry, I've been busy."

The Alpha shrugs, not seeming bothered, "You're all good. I have food in the lounge, if you want come eat some."

"What do you have?" Yoongi nods, following him down the hall and into the lamp-lit room. No one else is here. 

"I grabbed pizza while I was out, beer too."

"God, pizza sounds so good right now," Yoongi sits on the couch next to Jungkook. He grabs a massive slice, not caring that it's cold, and takes a big bite of it. He moans in approval, so incredibly grateful that the Alpha thought of him and saved some. Was this intentional from the beginning? Did Jungkook plan when he bought it to eat with Yoongi?

Jungkook eats a piece of crust, sipping at a half-empty bottle of beer, "Jimin cornered me about any hour ago. He was telling me about one of the production assistants we've been working with on Zero O'Clock, and how she likes me. I guess she's an Alpha too, I hadn't really noticed but Jimin says she's been flirting with me."

"Wait, was he trying to give you options besides me?"

Jungkook snorts, "I guess? I don't know. It was weird. Last night he seemed all for it, but I guess all of them were joking weren't they? Who would've thought we'd have to fight so hard for them to accept a fake relationship. Technically, it's not even that yet."

"Namjoon is happy, I think," Yoongi grabs a second slice of pizza, the first devoured in an instant. "He was excited today."

"Oh, good. I think Seokjin is worried, and feels a bit weird because to him I've always been so much younger. Like, he's a bit protective. But I also think he wants us to get together. He said -" the Alpha stops himself, sticking his tongue in his cheek and chuckling to himself.

Yoongi raises an eyebrow, what kind of shit is Seokjin talking now? "What did he say? Was it about me?"

"Yeah, it was about you."

"Well?"

"You really want to know? Don't get offended."

"Please," Yoongi rolls his eyes, "it can't be that bad, just spill."

"He said you needed to get laid. And that you're romance deprived."

"Rude," the Omega pouts. 

Jungkook laughs, "You're not gonna tell me when your last time was?"

"No!" Yoongi squeaks, feeling awkward with Jungkook interrogating him like this. 

"It doesn't matter to me, hyung. Seokjin-hyung just seemed concerned."

"Seokjin-hyung can shove it."

They grin at each other, laughing as Yoongi takes the last piece of pizza. The Omega slouches back in the couch, eating in quiet as Jungkook finishes his drink and sets it aside. It's nice to be here, together, just talking and relaxing after a long day. Yoongi peers over at his friend, thinking that it certainly won't be hard to keep up a charade if it's always like this. Just him and Jungkook chatting, bonding, enjoying the silence together. 

"Oh, hey guys," it's Jimin, passing through the lounge in his sweats and a t-shirt, on his way to the kitchen. "What's up?"

"Dinner," Jungkook says.

"Namjoon and Hoseok are still at the company, I was tired so I came home," Yoongi offers.

"Seokjin is at PT right now, I'm just waiting for him to get back. Are you -" Jimin runs his fingers through his hair, looks from Yoongi to Jungkook and back again. "Have you guys talked? Is everything good?"

Yoongi isn't sure what to say, so he looks at Jungkook. The Alpha is already staring at him, their gazes locking. The younger answers Jimin quietly, "Everything is really good. I think I'm gonna have to pass on the production assistant, Jimin."

"Oh," Jimin blinks. "Right. Sorry."

"You're fine, but Yoongi and I..." Jungkook makes a noncommittal motion, Yoongi taking note of the lack of honorific on his name, certain that Jimin noticed it too. Jungkook doesn't finish the sentence, leaves it vague and then Jimin goes, sensing it's not his place to be here right now.

When their friend is gone, Jungkook exhales loudly and scoots closer to Yoongi on the couch. He places his hand on Yoongi's thigh, making the elder looks up in alarm.

"What? Jimin is gonna pass back through any minute."

"Don't you think it's too much, too soon?"

"Nah," Jungkook shrugs, "They have nothing to anticipate from us because they've never seen us in relationships before. We can do whatever."

"I guess so," Yoongi tentatively agrees. "They'll talk, probably. All of them, about us, if we keep this act up."

"That's the point isn't it?" Jungkook rests his head on the couch, body faced inwards towards Yoongi. The Omega adjusts, getting more comfortable and pulling a blanket over himself so he and Jungkook look like the picture of domesticity. 

"I suppose."

Jimin passes back through then, not looking directly at them but obviously unable to miss the way they've moved to sit more intimately. 

Yoongi keeps his focus on Jungkook's sweater, eyelids dropping slowly as they sit in the quiet and dark. The Omega doesn't know when he falls asleep, but he does know that it's Jungkook who is laying another blanket over him, who set a pillow beneath his head, and who smells like petrichor. He hears the rustle of fabric in the dark, the lamps have been shut off, and then he feels something warm and soft be pressed into the space between his arm and torso. He waits, listening to the sound of leaving footprints.

He touches the warm fabric, unable to restrain a gasp when it's scent hits his nose. It's Jungkook's sweater. Smelling intensely of a summer rainstorm; smelling so amazing Yoongi pulls it up to his nose and inhales a deep breath. Fuck, what does the Alpha have such a good scent for? What does it mean that he left his sweater here? Is it all a part of the act?

It must be. 

Yoongi smiles, warm and cozy. Falling asleep with his face in Jungkook's sweater, unapologetic for how much he enjoys it.

my twt

Chapter Text

One of the downfalls of actually being home in the dorms all the time is that they have to clean. Taking turns with dishes, vacuuming, minding their space among six other guys. There's also their scents to be careful of, in hot weather they all tend to use de-scenter so they don't stink so much when they sweat, etc. Anyway, things are getting out of hand in the dorm but they're all so busy, that there isn't time for up-keep. This is what brings Jungkook to now, staring at the lounge with all the lights switched on, no one else home. 

All his hyungs are out. Seokjin and Jimin and are at vocal lessons, Taehyung is working on a side project, the rappers are all in another meeting about their unit song. Jungkook opens all the windows, peering out at the rooftops and terraces laid out before him. Their apartment is one of hundreds in this private residential area, filled mostly by other Korean celebrities, primarily actors and models, and maybe a few other idol groups. It feels safe to be here, safe to walk outside in the streets here. It's nice, but it's not like Busan. It's like before they got so famous they almost couldn't breathe under the weight of all, and nearly disbanded because of it. Now they're even bigger than that, it's hard to wrap his head around sometimes. Even here among celebrities, they stand out. 

The Alpha lets fresh air and sunlight flow through. They often forget about the outdoors when they're in here, and just sleep and rest in the dark. But if Jungkook is going to get any chores done, he needs sunlight to motivate him. With cicadas chirping and his phone synced to one of his best speakers, he blasts music. Jungkook jumps up and down, shaking out his muscles. He's just in sweats and a t-shirt, a bandanna around his head in case he gets sweaty, and gloves on his hands. 

God, they're a messy bunch aren't they? 

He starts by clearing away the pizza box and other empty to-go containers from nights passed, followed by knocking all the beer cans and bottles into a trash bag for recycling. Next comes gathering all the random clothes. A scarf and three sweaters behind the couch, socks underneath the table, another jacket on the back of the recliner, and an actual pile of beanies on a side table. He leaves them all in a pile in the hall, he'll sort them out and deal with them later.

Next Jungkook grabs the cleaner and rags, sprays and wipes down all the tables and surfaces, clearing away coffee mug rings, sticky sauce spills, and various other stains. By the time he finishes, the lounge is already a million times better, sparkling and squeaky. The vacuum rattles as it sucks up layers of crumbs, dust, and dirt. He shoves a knee into the couch and makes sure to suction out all the stuff embedded into the fabric, before doing the same with the recliners. He carefully cleans the TV, dusts the cabinets and collection of games and movies, and then admires his work. Lounge: cleaned. 

He's not sure how he put up with such a mess for so long. Jungkook knows that technically he could call the company and they'd send someone to clean up, but really they shouldn't have to do that. The members and himself really need to be more aware of themselves, it's out of hand. Also, Jungkook just feels good when he cleans. It's calming to him, he likes to be organized and be certain he has control over the situation. His solo song is still in the very beginning stages and it's been giving him a lot of stress, so this is his way of coping with it. 

Some Alphas run, box, eat, play video games, etc., to get rid of their frustrations; Jungkook cleans. (He also does all those other things, but he does those for fun.)

The youngest gets on his knees in the hall, and starts to go through the clothes. He picks up a beanie, brings it to his nose. Citrus - Taehyung. Sweater, coconut, Jimin. Scarf, cinnamon, Hoseok. He goes like that, making piles for each of them and rediscovering a blue beanie Jungkook bought last year and has since forgotten about. When he finally comes across a sweater with a light, sweet flower scent, he can't help but smile. Yoongi's always smelled so nice.

It reminds Jungkook that he left his sweater with Yoongi the other night, and Omega has yet to return it. The Alpha stares down at the knitted pullover sweater he found, smelling it again. It's not dirty, just abandoned. Maybe... Maybe Jungkook should take Yoongi's sweater for himself. So that they can have each other's scent wrapped around them, and they can seem real couple-ish without scenting, which Yoongi said he doesn't want to do unless they have to. Jungkook's not sure any situation would mean they have to, and especially not if the elder would be uncomfortable. In the end, he decides against keeping the pullover - he wants to be invited by Yoongi to do something like that, not just do it himself. 

He leaves the members' clothes on their beds, and when he drops off a couple items to Yoongi’s he notices how bare Seokjin's side of the room is. The two have shared for so long, and now they don't. It's actually kind of a sad sight, how Jin's belongings are gone, and it's just some messy bed sheets left behind. 

Jungkook sits down on the eldest old bed, and looks over at Yoongi's side. The Omega has decorated well. Framed posters, shelves covered in books and CDs. His massive desk is complete with a full desktop computer with two monitors, there's tons of papers and folders scattered about. The closet door is open, dark, but Jungkook can tell it's exploding. There's a stack of envelopes on one of Yoongi's shelves that catches Jungkook's attention, he's curious what they might be but leaves them. He'll have to ask hyung some time. He folds Yoongi's other sweater and his scarves nicely, setting a beanie on top, and then finds a sticky note on his desk. On it, he scribbles a message. 

Found these lying around, hyung

<3 Jungkook

Maybe the heart is too much, but he laughs at himself and decides it's fine. He wishes Seokjin still lived in here so he could witness the note and tease Yoongi about it. 

With the lounge the cleanest it's been in months, Jungkook moves on to the kitchen. He grabs his speaker from the lounge, sets it up and plays music loud, and opens the kitchen windows. He sings along with the music as it plays, even the English songs as best as he possibly can. He thinks that singing to foreign languages is the closest he will ever get to understanding what it's like to be an international ARMY. To hear lyrics you don't know the meaning of literally, but hear them and feel them with your heart. 

He unloads and loads the dishwasher, hand-washes all the pots and pans and leaves them in the drying rack, soaks rice in a massive bowl so he can get the rice cooker going. The counters get thoroughly scrubbed, a grimey crust forming on some of the most used surfaces that truly is disgusting. The coffee maker is soaped and scrubbed, then refilled so it's ready for tomorrow morning. The floor gets swept extensively, Jungkook's back killing him by the time he's done bending over, pushing all the piles of dust and food bits into the pan with the broom. If they were able to keep Yeontan here all the time, he would totally help with the amount of food droppings they've accumulated. 

Seeing all the counters empty and sleek is immensely satisfying. The youngest changes the album he's been listening to on his phone, and sets it to his playlist of the members solo works. It's hard to listen to himself in their group songs, but thankfully he can listen to all his friends sing and rap on a bunch of different tracks quite easily. Jungkook empties the fridge of outdated condiments, cheese, and frozen dinners. Cleans all the refrigerator shelves, and downs a seltzer water. The cold air keeps him going, and when he shuts the fridge knowing he's scrubbed it down he groans in relief and sinks to the floor. 

With a deep breath, he pulls out his phone to see what he's been missing in the groupchat.

Seokjin

They got new mugs at the company

Guess what

Taehyung

What?

Jimin

They have our literal faces on them

They're terrifying

But now I get to drink out of Seokjinnie's face so I'm happy :)

Seokjin

Anyone would be honored to drink out of my face

Hoseok

Are you guys still here? Wanna come see our track so far?

Jimin

Yes!!

Me and Seokjin are coming

Taehyung

I CAN'T WAIT!

Namjoon

It's not done yet, don't get too excited

Jungkook laughs to himself. As per usual, him and Yoongi are the only two unresponsive to the chat. It's not like they don't read it, or that they wouldn't reply if it was important. For the Alpha, it's more so that he feels overwhelmed by the influx of messages, and isn't sure who to or how to respond when there's so many of them. Often, what he'll end up doing is messaging their manager or Jimin individually to ask the questions he needs answers to, not everyone at one because this - clearly - is chaos. 

Taehyung

Jiminnnnnn~

Jimin

What? I'll see you in a minute

Taehyung

Yeah

I know

Soulmate

But when are you gonna make us that takoyaki?

Hoseok

Takoyaki?

Seokjin

Jimin's mom gave him a takoyaki pan/grill thing a while ago! He's told me and Tae we could make them at home

Jimin

Yeah, we can soon

It needs lots of ingredients though, when you all are home?

Namjoon

I can be done about 8

Hoseok

About 7

I'll make Yoongi-hyung leave at the same time :)

Jungkook grins, appreciating Hoseok. Dinner tonight? Homemade? That sounds amazing. Although... Jungkook's precious clean kitchen will explode with batter, cutting boards, and dirty dishes. 

Jungkook

I'm down whenever

I'll go shopping with you!

Seokjin

Okay 

Tae?

Taehyung

Sorry, yes! 8 for dinner sounds good

Seokjin

Jungkook, want to come with me and Jimin to the store in a half hour? We're leaving soon

Jungkook

Sounds good, I'll text Sejin

Jimin

Thanks Kook

Taehyung

I'm so exciteddddddddd

My mouth is watering already

With that, Jungkook turns his phone off, pushes himself up off the floor, and hurries to go take a shower. He needs to look somewhat nice, look like he has someone to impress. It seems like he has Seokjin and Jimin mostly fooled at this point - believing that he's willing to give up his determination not to date just for Yoongi. They seem to believe now that he really likes the Omega, not just admires him. He found it wasn't hard to tell them things he likes about Yoongi, there's a lot of them. (It's not his fault that the elder has no faults.) 

Yoongi is kind, and so generous. He's giving and thoughtful and complains about having to buy presents and then always seems to give people the best ones. Yoongi is so gentle. Gentle when he plays piano, when he explains to a producer or writer why he doesn't want to use their idea, or how they can alter it to improve it. Gentle when he touches the other members on the shoulder, their elbow, or wakes them up after a nap. Yoongi is so fucking smart. He knows so many random little facts about everything that Jungkook has come to find it downright adorable.

Yoongi knows about light fixtures, Greek architecture, about the history of shawarma and the names of a bunch of kinds of dinosaurs. He could tell you just about anything about early 2000s hip-hop in South Korea, and likes to collect fancy champagne corks from celebratory events they attend. Jungkook's also heard him talk for an hour straight about the inner workings of a piano organ. 

It's endearing. It's cute, and now Seokjin and Jimin heard Jungkook talk about all those things the Alpha has noticed about his hyung and the couple have had a change of heart. They've decided that Jungkook is absolutely whipped for Yoongi, and that's why he's always denied interest in a different relationship. 

"You were saving yourself, I get it now," Jimin laughs as they go through the supermarket. Their hats are on, masks up, Sejin and a security trailing behind them. Thankfully it's fairly empty, they aren't worried about being noticed.

"Saving myself?" Jungkook repeats, choking from laughter. 

"Not like that, idiot," Seokjin corrects, "Jimin means like, you were saving your heart. Right Jimin?"

"Right, Seokjin," Jimin grabs vegetable broth off the shelf and glances back at Jungkook. "When are you gonna ask Yoongi-hyung out properly? Or are you gonna go straight for the mating proposal?"

"Jesus," Jungkook mutters under his breath.

"I haven't gotten to talk to Yoongi much, have you Jimin?" Seokjin asks, the two basically having their own conversations about Jungkook and Yoongi even though the youngest is standing right there, walking with them as Jimin examines all the seafood.

"No, but we know he's a sucker for Jungkook's smiles and muscles."

"Yeah, I definitely have seen him gawk at Kook in the gym."

"Now that I think about it, he gawks at Jungkook a lot, doesn't he hyung?"

"He does," Seokjin agrees, bending over and finding a perfect package of boiled octopus. "He'll let the brat get away with just about anything."

"I thought it was because he's the youngest, but now I'm thinking hyung's in love too."

"He must be."

"Wow," Jimin sighs longingly, catching sight of Jungkook's irritated expression but continuing wistfully, "Young love. I remember what that was like. Don't you, honey?"

Seokjin smiles, putting on an act and slinging his arm around Jimin's waist tightly, "Those were good times, good times."

"Oh my god," Jungkook feigns embarrassment, secretly pleased at how much they've already invaded in his and Yoongi's relationship. In just a few days, they've completely changed their tune. He grabs the grocery cart and pushes away, behaving grumpy and tired of their antics even though part of him just wants to egg them on. "I can't stand you guys. You've seriously been dating like two weeks."

"I don't know, Jimin, two weeks? That doesn't sound right," the couple chase after Jungkook, giggles slipping out.

"Can't have been, Seokjin honey. I'm certain we've been mated for two decades. We've adopted kids! And now those kids have kids!"

They burst out laughing, Jungkook smiling while they can't seem him, and then Jimin takes the cart back. Sejin catches up, tells them they need to get going, and they grab flour and checkout. The ride back is nice, the two have stopped bothering Jungkook about Yoongi and are just watching YouTube videos on how to cook the takoyaki and prepare the batter. They're both happy they get to have a group dinner, even if they went out just the other week. 

It never seems like the seven of them have enough time to just be friends.

~

They get home, Jungkook carrying the grocery bags on his own, and enter the kitchen.

"Woah!" Seokjin notices the difference immediately, spinning in a circle and soaking in the polished cupboards, shiny surfaces, and clear floor. "Woah!"

Jimin blinks, "Did you call the cleaners?"

"No," Seokjin shakes his head. 

Jungkook nonchalantly unloads the groceries onto the island, deliberately avoiding his hyungs’ searching gazes and setting out the ingredients. He feels Jimin settle on him, aware that the Alpha is withholding information. 

"Jungkook-ah, you know anything about this? Our kitchen was definitely in pretty rough shape this morning."

Jungkook shrugs, lips curling up slightly, "Dunno. Guess someone cleaned."

"And was that someone you?" Seokjin inquires, catching onto his partner's implication fast. The couple gathers around the island, trapping the youngest in between them.

"Maybe," Jungkook looks back down, waiting for -

"Yah! Thank you, Jungkook!" Seokjin exclaims, slamming into the Alpha's side, engulfing him in a homey, rich scent. Jimin is at his other side, the pair sandwiching him in a hug. "It's so nice in here."

"I'm only sorry we're cooking dinner now, I wish we could enjoy it for longer," Jimin adds.

"Well," Jungkook begins pointedly, "You could just, you know, clean up after yourselves properly?"

The pair mumble a reluctant agreement as Jungkook shakes his head, announcing he's going to unload the dishwasher and put away the now dry pots and pans as they start on dinner. He listens to their playful banter, talking about hair styles and a drama they watch before bed. They follow a YouTube video to make the batter and prepare all the ingredients, discussing their own special addition of daikon kimchi - crossing food culture lines and throwing out the recipe at that point. 

They hear the front door open, calling out to find out who’s home. It turns up to be Hoseok and Yoongi, the pair coming in and raving about the tidied up lounge. Seokjin and Jimin practically shriek, running down the hall to see Jungkook's handiwork, and when they come back they spill the beans to the rappers about the work Jungkook did on the dorm today. 

"Weren't you supposed to be in a production meeting today?" Hobi asks, snatching a bit of the octopus Seokjin cut up. 

Jungkook waves it off, leaning against the kitchen sink, "Yeah, but I guess they're behind schedule. They were meant to have a sample track ready, but I guess they aren't happy yet so I was told it was delayed. I decided to be productive at home instead of doing anything else."

"That was super nice of you," Yoongi comments, "You shouldn't have to clean up after everyone."

Jungkook raises a brow, smirks a bit at Yoongi - fully aware of how all their friends see. 

"Well, I was cleaning up after you too, hyung."

"I'm -" Yoongi opens and shuts his mouth. "Sorry, I didn't realize I was such a mess too."

"You're fine, I don't mind."

"Still," the Omega rubs the back of his neck, almond coming out in his scent. 

"That pan is nice," Hoseok changes the subject, gesturing at the takoyaki maker sitting on the island. Jimin has set it up by plugging it in, the half-circle divots drizzled with canola oil that's heating up. "What's going in the takoyaki?"

"Well we got octopus, as you know," Seokjin answers, clearly onto how Hobi stole a bite to eat, "And then we're gonna drop some daikon kimchi in with it, and maybe some scallions. It's not exactly traditional, but it will be delicious."

"And we're making sauce!" Jimin grins, "I almost made caramel accidentally with the chili and soy sauce, though."

"How does that work?" Yoongi laughs, eyes scrunching. 

That was something else Jungkook had talked about when convincing Seokjin and Jimin about how much he likes Yoongi. The Alpha talked about Yoongi's smile, his gums, his little teeth, and the way he laughs when he really lets go and is comfortable giving a full-belly laugh. Yoongi's nose scrunching up, how his eyes pinch, his breathy snorts and giggles. Oh, everyone talks about Hoseok's beaming face and easy laughter being contagious, but for Jungkook, Yoongi has always been the one who makes him burst into a fit of laughter. If Yoongi is laughing, then it has to be funny. 

They chat a bit longer about the dinner, about Jimin's mom being absolutely ecstatic that they're actually suin the pan, and how telived they are that Seokjin quadrupled the recipe. They're starving as hell, and with seven of them it will definitely get eaten. No leftovers tonight. Hoseok goes to shower, and Yoongi says he needs to take a power nap, and Jungkook takes that as a window of opportunity to talk to his hyung before dinner tonight. Namjoon will be home in a little over a half hour, and Yoongi and the Alpha need to game plan for the evening. 

He knocks gently on the Omega's door, standing in the hall patiently. It opens a moment later, Yoongi in PJs now and with a creased forehead. 

"What's that for?" Jungkook smiles, poking the wrinkles and stepping into the bedroom he'd visited earlier. 

"I was gonna nap."

"We have to talk," Jungkook says, sitting on Seokjin's old bed. Yoongi goes to his own, sits across from the Alpha and picks up the folded clothes Jungkook had left there.

"Thanks for my coats, by the way. I promise I'll really try and be better about cleaning."

"Thanks," Jungkook appreciates the sentiment, even though he's well aware of their reality. There simply isn't the time or energy to keep up the state of their dorm. 

"So, tonight?"

"Right," Jungkook pulls his legs up onto the bed, taps his fingers against his calf and thinks. 

Yoongi moves backwards, shoving a pillow behind himself so he can support his back on the wall. As the blankets shift, Jungkook spots a black hoodie beneath the sheets. That... that couldn't be his sweater, could it? the one he left for Yoongi on the couch? Has Yoongi still been sleeping with it? He's still not totally sure why he left it in the first place. Maybe because Yoongi looked cold, and his warm sweater would help. Maybe because he knows Yoongi likes the way he smells, which has always made his heart swell a bit with pride even though he usually wishes his scent wasn't so powerful. And maybe he just left a sweater for part of the game they're playing, part of the act. Maybe it's something else. 

"Hoseok and I talked, we sorted out what we had misunderstood about each other. I think he's actually really excited for us now, he's waiting for things to be official," Yoongi breaks the quiet. "Do you think we should do it soon? I'm kind of... I don't know..."

"What?" The younger one encourages, wanting to make sure everything is okay on Yoongi's side. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, no, don't worry," Yoongi shakes his head, smiles, "I'm just tired of them fussing, I guess. I think they'll fuss less once we just say we're dating."

Jungkook nods, "Okay, great. I was thinking the same thing. We should do it tonight, tell them that we're gonna start seriously seeing each other."

"Tonight?" The Omega's pupils widen. "So soon?"

"What do we have to lose? We gotta be confident in it though, we can't have them doubting us."

"Yeah," Yoongi spaces out a second before refocusing, the Alpha subconsciously releasing gentle, comforting pheromones. "You're right. I do want this to really start sooner rather than later."

"Eager to date me, hyung?" Jungkook snorts. 

"Shut up, I told you why. Let's just do it tonight, then."

"Alright, I'm good with that. Seokjin-hyung and Jimin have totally fallen for my bait, I honestly think that if we weren't planning on getting together they would try and get us together."

"Why’s that?" Yoongi questions. 

"Oh, I've been giving you lots of flattery," the Alpha confesses.

Yoongi glances away, and Jungkook can't help but notice the way his cheeks pink slightly.

"Okay, good. I've definitely been giving you some flattery too, but if you happen to hear it, don't let it go to your head."

"And why would it go to my head, hyung?" Jungkook waggles his eyebrows and Yoongi huffs. 

"I was very generous with it, okay? Very generous. You don't need to be cockier than you already are."

"Nothing wrong with having confidence, hyung," the younger chides, "I know you got plenty."

"Confidence? " Yoongi echoes, looking shocked.

"Yeah. Confidence."

"When?" Yoongi seems to be genuinely asking, as if he really doesn't know. 

"You're not serious, hyung."

"I am? Should I not be?"

"Hyung!" Jungkook throws his hand up dramatically, letting his feet fall back to the floor in exasperation. "When you're on stage, you radiate confidence. It's so powerful, no one can look away from you. Every single verse you deliver is like a punch to the stomach, you're so powerful and you have such natural swagger. You've earned it, over and over. You're so cool, hyung. You have stage confidence that I aspire to."

"Please," Yoongi rolls his eyes, face red now. "That's a bit too far, don't you think?"

"Not at all," Jungkook assures, "You're amazing. You own it on stage, or when you're talking about music and your work, and even just like when you cook or when you talk about stuff you like it. It's really cool, hyung."

"Ah, Jungkook-ah, thank you."

"Yeah, of course. I hope that wasn't... too much."

"It wasn't," Yoongi meets his eyes, smiling softly. 

~

When Namjooon and Taehyung return from the company, Seokjin and Jimin have made two batches of takoyaki and are working on the third. There's plenty made, so they all pull up stools around the kitchen island and start eating. Jungkook tactfully sits beside Yoongi, their knees bumping under the table and his arm crossing Yoongi's to dip his takoyaki in the sauces Jimin made. 

Hoseok and Namjoon talk about their rapline track, Taehyung reaves about an exhibit he wants to take his boyfriends to in Seoul, and Seokjin gets into a lengthy conversation with Yoongi about an indie hip-hop artist they've been listening to. Jungkook stays relatively quiet, feeding his face and helping Jimin cook up the last of the ingredients. The Alpha drops bits of chopped kimchi and octopus into the spaces where Jimin has poured batter, and then stares as the Beta uses his chopsticks to flip them over in the holes to cook the other side. They've never made something so technical at home before, but when they've eaten it in Osaka it's been delicious. It's easy to just eat ball after ball of fried octopus. 

"We're filming Run tomorrow, don't forget," Namjoon says after everyone has settled down, stomach full of rice and takoyaki. 

Taehyung makes a face like he'd rather be doing anything else, and Jimin prods him in the shoulder. Hoseok teases him about being a sore loser, and then promises to bribe the producers into letting them be on the same team. That seems to ease the tension, bringing a smile to Tae's face as Hoseok leans - as if he's about to scent the younger man - and then pulls back suddenly. Jungkook watches as the the two meet eyes, seem to silently agree not to scent at the dinner table even though - 

Jungkook sighs, probably too loud. It's irritating to see his friends act so awkward around them; act like they're being considerate by not showing affection publicly, when really it's just them taking pity on Yoongi and Jungkook. It's stupid, and they shouldn't feel like they need to do it. A hand suddenly covers his own, where his fingers have clamped down on the edge of the table. It's Yoongi, who can probably smell Jungkook’s annoyance and is checking to see if he's okay. Their gazes meet, and the Alpha can't help but smile, which makes Yoongi do so in response. 

He slings his arm around the Omega's shoulders, leans fully into him just to be a nuisance, and then presses his nose into Yoongi's hair, whispering under his breath, "Ready?"

Yoongi nods minutely, and he feels him take a deep breath where he's draped over the elder. 

"Um," the Omega begins, hesitant. Jungkook stays quiet, he knows if he were to try and tell them, he'd be over-the-top. 

When Yoongi speaks, at any given instance, everyone always shuts up and listens. When he tells that story about the dream with the pig and the lottery numbers for the millionth time, when he makes random comments about the furniture in the hotels they stay at, or when he makes suggestions for positions on stage or vocal afflictions. They all respect him and adore hearing his thoughts. 

When everyone's eyes turn to Yoongi, it's only natural that they see Jungkook plastered onto him next. Their eyebrows raised, Seokjin and Jimin seem bemused, and Namjoon has a hint of a smile on his lips. They all already know what Yoongi's going to say, which was the entire point of taking a few days to let the idea of Jungkook and Yoongi stew in their minds. 

"So, me and Jungkook-ah are going to start seeing each other. Romantically, um. Yeah. We're dating now." 

Taehyung beams, "You are?"

"Yeah," the rapper nods, leaving it at that. 

It seems like the members are waiting for more, for juicy details to be spilled, but nothing comes. 

"You talked to Sejin?" Namjoon asks, doing his job as he must, even though Jungkook already saw their leader beam with the force of a thousand moonbeams. 

"I did," Jungkook confirms, which is true. He only did it today, and while their manager seemed surprised, he didn't question it. He merely congratulated the Alpha and wished them well. "He's good with it."

"Wow," Hoseok smiles, "It's happening, huh? Bangtan is all grown up now."

"Grown up?" Jin snorts, "You're all just a bunch of lovesick kids to me."

"What am I?" Jimin demands, and Seokjin just leans over and kisses him. 

Jungkook can't believe it. They've never kissed in front of him before, aside from the time he caught them in the bedroom. Is this how quickly things change?

"So, who asked who?" Namjoon rests his arms on the table and smiles between Yoongi and Jungkook. 

"Uh, we mutually agreed," Yoongi replies.

"Boring," Hoseok comments.

"No, not boring, practical," Jungkook corrects. "We're being careful and taking it slow, just like you said we should."

"Oh, yeah," Hobi's smile lessens a bit, "I'm sorry about that. I don't know why I was doubting either of your motives, that was silly of me. I won't do that again, I promise."

"It's alright," Jungkook lets his arm slide off Yoongi, simply pressed into his side. 

"You're okay," Yoongi agrees, "I appreciate the concern, but we're good."

We're good. Is that what he and his hyung are now? A we? 

As Jungkook gets under blankets that night, he thinks about it again. We. That's one of the things that's always made him grit his teeth and reject the notion of a relationship. He understands the need for companionship, but for constant communication? For constant reliance on one another? The intensely dependent relationship that forms? He doesn't want that. The very thought makes him cringe. His life has been dedicated to giving his fans and his members all of his energy, all his strength, all his love. Having a partner would take away from that, having a partner would be more stress than it's worth.

And that's exactly why this will work. He's never wanted a romantic commitment before, he doesn't see himself wanting it anytime soon. Now, he'll still get to enjoy his free time without Jimin's big eyes on him, asking if he's lonely. Jungkook is far from lonely, how could he be when he's with his best friends every single day? And talks to them about everything? They provide all the support he could ever need. The only thing they can't give him is sexual intimacy, but that's not something he requires to be happy. 

With them believing he's dating Yoongi, he can be free to use his spare time as he pleases. Focusing on preserving those moments just for himself - to work on a passion project, to talk with family, to use energy on personal things and not on Bangtan, and certainly not on a romantic partner. He's given so much to so many other people, hasn't he earned the right to be alone if he'd like to?

Jungkook rolls on his side, eyes adjusted to the dark as he looks at the bed where Jimin briefly slept. Then he thinks of Yoongi's bedroom, and the half where Seokjin lived for so long. He thinks of the Omega alone in there now, in the dark, listening to silence as he tries to fall asleep. Jungkook quickly came to like the sound of Jimin breathing, he can't imagine what it's like for Yoongi right now. 

Jungkook

Hey

Can you sleep?

With Seokjin-hyung gone I mean

Yoongi

Yeah

It takes longer though

Unless I'm really tired

Jungkook

Are you really tired tonight?

Yoongi

Not really

It's okay though, I have to get used to it eventually

I just watch videos instead

Jungkook

I do the same sometimes

I know I joke about asmr a lot but it really does help

Is that what you use?

Yoongi

I like watching cooking channels videos

Like the ones where no one talks and they just mix ingredients and show cooking stuff

They're really relaxing

Jungkook

Oh, i know the ones you mean

Are they enough?

Yoongi

Enough?

Jungkook

To help you sleep

Yoongi

Kinda

Jungkook

Do youuu

:// 

Yoongi

Do I what?

Jungkook

Do you want me to take Seokjin's bed?

Yoongi

You mean like

Sleep in my room tonight?

Jungkook

No I mean sleep in there indefinitely

With the fake dating and everything

But also to just help you sleep

Yoongi

You like your space though, it's totally fine

You don't need to do that

Jungkook

Yoongi

Hyung

I won't bring any of my belongings, this will still be my room

It's not a big deal

We're not sharing a bed

Yoongi

And we're never sharing a bed, that's one of my conditions

Jungkook

I remember

Hyung please let me help you

I literally have to do nothing besides lay down and sleep like I do every night anyway

The Alpha waits for a response, but nothing comes. Fuck, was he pressuring Yoongi too much? He didn't mean to, he just genuinely wants to help him if he can. He worries about him, le he worries about all of the members. He grumbles into his pillow, wishing he hadn't pushed the issue so hard. He doesn't want Yoongi to feel bad about anything. Jungkook has nearly passed out when he feels his phone vibrate on his chest. 

Yoongi

Okay

It would help

I'd bring some pillows but Jin's sheets are clean

I guess, they can be your sheets now

For awhile at least

Jungkook

Coming

my twt

Chapter Text

Yoongi sighs, cap pulled low and jacket collar held high. He felt supremely unmotivated this morning to shower, dress nicely, or do anything with his hair, and thus he’s a bit greasy. It doesn’t matter though, he’s not doing much today. It’s just gonna be him locked up in his studio, passing the time with cat videos and solitaire. Maybe meet with Hobi and Namjoon. The production managers want him to submit something substantial soon so that the in-house team can work it over, throw in those catchy ear-worm melodies or tell Yoongi to scrap it all entirely. 

As it turns out, literally all the other members are going to the company too.

He’s about to hop in the car with Namjoon and Jimin when Taehyung taps him on the shoulder.

“What?”

“I’ll take this one, Jungkook is over in that one.”

Yoongi blinks, “It’s fine, I really don’t care.”

“You two just became boyfriends! You need to cuddle up in there.”

“We’re not boyfriends,” Yoongi impresses, but Taehyung doesn’t hear it.

“Is it because you didn’t shower? I promise we’ve all seen you in much worse states.”

“Wow, thanks,” Yoongi responds sarcastically.

“That’s not what I mean,” Taehyung corrects, “Just, Jungkook looks like he needs you.”

Needs him? Jungkook is fine. And after the past few nights of the Alpha slipping into Yoongi’s to sleep, it’s become increasingly apparent that he needs the younger more than Jungkook needs him. He’s slept like a baby since he began hearing Jungkook’s soft snores. It’s a little crazy how well he sleeps. And he would be lying if he said it had nothing to do with the Alpha’s scent, because that certainly seems to be playing a role in settling Yoongi’s nerves. 

He decides it’s best not to argue with Taehyung on the matter, and goes to the car, hoisting himself up and inside. Jungkook is wearing chunky black shoes and baggy black pants, his coat blue and puffy like a blueberry. His head pokes out, hair a dark mop on his head, falling into his eyes. Yoongi shuts the door, buckling up. 

Sejin gets in the passenger seat up front moments later, just happening to choose their vehicle of the three as they head through Seoul to BigHit. Their manager looks back at them and smiles.

“Morning guys.”

“Morning,” Jungkook and Yoongi mumble at the same time.

Sejin laughs, “You’re sounding real enthusiastic. What’s on the agenda today?”

“Vocal lessons, weights, I have like two hours of physical therapy,” Jungkook replies, eyes shut.

“Weights then PT?” Sejin frowns. “You really shouldn’t have both on the same day. Do you want me to talk to them for you?”

“No, the weights aren’t official. I was going to do it while I was there.”

“Without a trainer?” Sejin pushes his glasses up and leans back into his seat, so he’s not craning his neck looking at them. “That’s really not advisable.”

“Well, my song isn’t where it’s supposed to be yet so I don’t know what else I’m supposed to be doing,” Jungkook says. It’s not exactly like he’s complaining, it’s more like…

“Jungkook,” Yoongi says, “It’s okay. I know it’s hard to sit around waiting, and not having control over it. It’s gonna work out though, and then you’ll be busy. Just be glad for the rest you have now.”

“Thanks, Yoongi,” Sejin seems relieved, like he wasn’t sure how to console the Alpha. “Listen to your partner, Jungkook. Yoongi, can you talk him out of weight training too? That’s not good to do on a PT today.”

Yoongi bites his lip. He knows Sejin would probably say this regardless of the relationship between the two idols, but it feels different. Sejin thinks they’re dating. Thinks Yoongi is Jungkook’s Omega to some degree, and therefore has some kind of power over him. The only power Yoongi really has is being Jungkook’s hyung, but that hasn’t mattered for years now. The Alpha does as he pleases, which has been working so far. 

“Jungkook-ah,” he says softly, turning his head. 

“Yeah, yeah,” the Alpha waves him off. “I know. I won’t go. But what am I supposed to do? I wish we were doing Run again today, at least then I can participate.”

“Well do you know what the hold up is? Why don’t you mess with the track yourself?”

“I could, I guess,” Jungkook shrugs. “I’m not exactly up to par though. The stuff I come up with isn’t half as good as those guys.”

“Why don’t you go see Yeonseo? I know she likes working with you, and I’m sure she has access to it.”

“Yeah,” Sejin adds from the front, “And she has a massive crush on Kook, so watch out Yoongi.”

Yoongi blushes, and he sees Jungkook blush too. Did Jimin and Seokjin get teased like this by Sejin? Did Hoseok, Taehyung, Namjoon? It’s weird. If they were actually together, it might feel like a validation. But since they’re not, it’s just unnatural to worry about, or even consider, someone having a crush on Jungkook. It’s not his business.

Yoongi clears his throat, “I’m not worried.”

“Nah, you wouldn’t be. You guys are too level headed for that. Let me know if you want to plan any night getaways or whatever. Since I have you both here right now, I’ll tell you what I told the others,” Sejin’s tone grows more serious. “I love you guys. I support you 100% and fight anyone who comes at you. But if I get any sense that your relationship could hurt someone, or hurt you all, it’s my job to protect you. And sometimes protecting means doing things you won’t like. So, be good to each other. Communicate. Don’t let petty stuff get in the way and remember that at the end of the day, you love each other - romantically or not - and you have a job to do. Okay?”

“Okay,” Jungkook nods.

“Yeah, you’re right,” Yoongi agrees.

“Alright, good,” Sejin says affirmatively, and then lets them be for the rest of the car ride.

Yoongi looks at Jungkook, searches for a reaction, but the Alpha has already nestled back into his big coat and isn’t saying a word.

~

“Thank god,” Yoongi mutters as he leaves the room with Hoseok. “Finally, a breakthrough.”

Hobi laughs, “Right? It was like pushing a boulder up a hill.”

“It better be worth it,” Yoongi shakes his head. He doesn’t get easily annoyed, but the producers haven’t been seeing their way for four days now, and it’s gotten on his nerves. Today, at a spontaneous meeting, he just had to put his foot down and say, this is our song. That made them listen.

“I’m excited, hyung. The fans are going to love the chorus, don’t you think?” Hoseok leans on the wall outside his studio, a plaque on his door reading Hope World. “Hearing us go ugh! in their ears is gonna be… An experience.”

“What about us?” Yoongi challenges. “Our throats are gonna get murdered trying to deliver it like that every time.”

“Shit, you’re right,” Hoseok grimaces. He moves a strand of hair out his face, and as he does his attention shifts past Yoongi, down the brightly lit hall. “Hey, I think Jungkook needs you.”

“Needs me?” Yoongi frowns at the phrasing, spinning in his heel to look. 

Sure enough, some fifty feet away, Jungkook is standing in the hall talking to Yeonseo. She’s one of their newest hires, a twenty-something Beta that’s crazy good at synth and electronic piano. Right now, she has a hand on Jungkook’s forearm and seems to be talking nonstop, as if she doesn’t want the Alpha to leave her office or side. Jungkook’s eyes dart over to where Yoongi and Hoseok are standing, as if begging for help.

Hobi suddenly shoves at Yoongi’s shoulder, “Well?”

“Well what?”

“Go rescue him.”

“Why’s that my job?” Yoongi demands, Hoseok knows how much he detests confrontation. 

Hobi looks incredulous, “You’re dating him, it’s certainly not my job.”

Oh. Fucking hell, that’s right. He bites back a groan and instead readies himself for whatever this interaction is about to be. He probably owes this to Jungkook anyway. After all, he was the one who encouraged the younger to work with Yeonseo on his song. Yoongi walks down the hall, putting on a slight smile as he comes up to the two. Jungkook’s scent is like a humid, brutal, summer rainstorm; distress. He’s trying to tell the Beta to stop, but she’s not taking the hint and the Alpha is too nice to ever say anything verbally.

“Hey guys,” Yoongi says lightly as he approaches, taking Jungkook’s side.

“Ah, Yoongi-ssi,” the girl bows her head to him slightly. Then her attention is back on Jungkook, fingers still brushing his arm. “Jungkook, think about it? I really think you’d enjoy their music.”

“Thanks, but, I have no idea what my schedule is or, anything…” Jungkook seems flustered. “And it sort of sounds like, um, a date and I can’t really do that.”

“No!” Yeonseo insists, “We don’t have to call it that.”

“Actually,” Yoongi heats his own voice before he can stop it. God, what is he doing? He heart race picks up as he looks the Beta in the eyes, nose wrinkling at the intense bubblegum scent - heavy with pheromones that seem intended to lure people (namely, Jungkook) in. “It doesn’t matter what you call it if the intention is the same.”

“Oh, well, see...” Yeonseo’s eyes get big.

“Besides,” Yoongi continues, his arm going to wrap around Jungkook’s back, hand falling on his hip. “We’re dating, so…”

Yeonseo takes a step back, hands falling to her sides as she looks up at Jungkook apologetically.

“Why didn’t you say so? I wouldn’t have kept going on, I’m sorry.”

“Sorry,” Jungkook’s jaw is clenching, “I wasn’t sure if Yoongi was okay with me telling people or not. We’re keeping in quiet right now, so please -”

“Of course!” Yeonseo is red, embarrassed. “I won’t say anything. I’m sorry I didn’t take the hint, Jungkook-ssi. I won’t do it again.”

“You better not,” Yoongi gives his best impression of a devoted boyfriend that he can muster.

“Right, sorry to you as well, Yoongi-ssi,” she waves and boss awkwardly, and then scrams back into her office. 

The second she’s gone, Jungkook exhales and Yoongi drops his arm.

“Wait, Hoseok is watching us,” the Alpha looks at him, and then quickly intertwines their fingers. He smiles, lifting the Omega’s hand and kissing his knuckles. “Thanks for saving me, I didn’t know how to tell her no.”

Yoongi’s heart is beating faster now than before, feeling the warmth of Jungkook’s hand in his own is new but, admittedly, not unwelcome. 

“Yeah, sure. Hobi said I should help, glad I did.”

Jungkook lets their clasped hands fall between them, “Either way, I appreciate it.”

“Did you know she liked you?” Yoongi asks, not sure why he cares.

“I guess so,” the younger shrugs, “I told Jimin about it and he said it was obvious. I thought maybe she was just friendly, and maybe sort of a fan, but she doesn’t act like a fan.”

Yoongi chuckles, “How would a fan react?”

“I don’t know, not like that. She’s just genuinely good with music and likes what I have to say about it.”

“Ah,” Yoongi gets it, Jungkook has so much to say when you prompt him. “What are you doing now?”

“I did my therapy earlier, but they want me to go down to get a massage. They need to bind one of my ankles and put a bunch of stress tape on my shoulders.”

Yoongi tugs his hand, so they can start walking over to join Hobi, “Are you okay? Are you injured?”

“Injured?” Hoseok overhears as they get to him. “You’re injured?”

“No, no,” Jungkook denies, relief flooding Hoseok’s face. Aside from Namjoon, Hobi is always the one to get mist scared about injuries. He’s well aware of the brutal effects of tireless dancing and exercise on the body, and how one weird twist can cause immense pain. “There’s just a lot of muscle tension and stress, a bit of a twinge in my ankle. It’s fine, especially because we’re just filing or in studios all day.”

“Alright,” Hoseok seems wary, “Just don’t overwork your body. No unnecessary trips to the gym, don’t do anything not instructed by one of the trainers.”

“Yeah, I know, they told me the same thing.”

“Yeah but you don’t listen to them,” Hobi says flatly, no room to argue. Yoongi feels Jungkook’s fingers tighten on his own, and sees how the younger’s eyes glimmer with guilt. “So I’m telling you too, and you need to listen to me. I’ll know if you don’t.”

“I know, hyung,” Jungkook whispers.

Yoongi feels protectiveness crash through him, a sudden urge to stand up for Jungkook and to take his side. He’s releasing pheromones to comfort Jungkook - he can tell because the Alpha’s eyes are suddenly on him, his nostrils flaring as he breathes. 

“Hoseok,” Yoongi meets his friend’s gaze, “Give Jungkook more credit than that.”

Hobi opens his mouth, then seems to think better of it and says instead, “You’re right.”

“Let’s go to my studio, Kook-ah,” Yoongi presses into the Alpha, pushing him in that direction with their fingers still intertwined. What is he doing?

“Don’t cause any trouble in there, lovebirds,” Hobi chirps as they walk away, mood lightening again.

~

They don’t talk about what happened. Not with Hoseok, not with Yeonseo, not with Sejin, not even about what Taehyung said to Yoongi. They just go to the elder’s studio and work on a track, as Jungkook watches and looks at his phone - waiting for a message to go down to the clinic for his massage and stress tape. 

The longer Yoongi sinks into his leather seat and stares at the bright screen in a dark room, the more his actions make sense and he’s able to rationalize them. People can’t underestimate, or belittle, Jungkook. He knows that’s not what Hoseok was doing in the slightest. He was just worried for his friend, making sure the maknae properly takes care of himself. But others, namely producers, trainers, or directors they’ve worked with over the years can talk to Jungkook like he doesn’t know what he’s doing.

Yoongi had asked about it once. Specifically, he asked Hoseok.

“A lot of the people we have directing us are Alphas, and a lot of them are intimidated because Jungkook is younger but he has a lot more power, generally speaking. But for those few hours where they can direct us, they can exert their dominance on Jungkook to settle their own insecure Alpha. Since Jungkook is  quiet and won’t argue, it can come off to them like he’s submitting and like they’re the head Alpha. But for me and him,” Hoseok shrugged, “That’s never been a problem.”

What Yoongi just saw Hobi do reminded his subconscious of the interactions he’s witnessed before. A Western producer speaking over Jungkook’s suggestions, a choreographer overly-correcting the Alpha’s moves, and even a director telling Jungkook to toughen up, be smarter, you’re not much of an Alpha, are you?

Yoongi hasn’t ever given much weight to the idea of discrimination against Alpha’s, since they’re the most privileged dynamic in their society. But maybe he should have been paying attention to the toxicity that has brewed in Alpha communities and the messages sent in the media about how they should behave.

If Jungkook hadn’t smelled the way he does when they first met in 2012, then Yoongi would have thought he was a Beta. 

But Jungkook’s not.

He’s an Alpha, and Yoongi’s Omega definitely just acted without his permission. He let himself take sides: it was Hoseok confronting Jungkook, an Alpha versus an Alpha, and his Omega had chosen Jungkook. It’s likely just because he had been warding off Yeonseo immediately before, but still. It’s the first time in a long time his Omega has acted without his permission.

“Hyung.”

“Hm?”

“You’ve been staring at that same screen for ten minutes, are you okay?”

“Huh? Yeah,” Yoongi coughs, rubs his neck. 

“Can I ask you something if you’re not busy?”

Yoongi turns his chair, letting himself sink into it as he looks at Jungkook, who fills up the entirety of his studio couch. 

“What?”

“Why did you want to do this? The relationship thing?”

Yoongi purses his lips, “I’ve really been wanting a relationship. I told Namjoon and Hoseok about it, whined about it to Seokjin for like weeks before we’d go to sleep, and just… I don’t know. I miss having a partner and someone I can turn to for conversation or a hug.”

“Oh,” Jungkook’s voice is soft, “I didn’t realize how important it was to you.”

“It’s okay,” Yoongi exhales, “It was silly anyway. Realistically, I can’t date anyone anyway. People outside of our immediate staff I wouldn’t be able to see very often, and all our immediate staff aren’t exactly available or what I would want. We’ve known a lot of them since we debuted, I think if anything were going to happen it would have by now.”

“You don’t know that,” Jungkook disagrees, “Hyungs all just started dating after seven years, any day you could bump into one of our staff or friends and realize you've been in love this entire time.”

“I don’t think so, Kook-ah,” Yoongi huffs a laugh. “I tried, I did. But no one comes naturally. I don’t want to force what won’t work.”

“I’m sorry,” the Alpha frowns, scent making Yoongi think of reading a book by the fire while the rain hammers against the window panes. “I wish you could have had someone really, instead of faking it with me.”

“Me too,” Yoongi shrugs, “But it is what it is. This gets our friends off my back at least. Namjoon has already stopped giving me sad puppy eyes, so I’m happy. Is the faking helping you so far?”

Jungkook tilts his head, “I think so. Seokjin and Jimin are way more normal around me, they’re just acting like themselves and occasionally kissing or cuddling or whatever so that’s nice. They haven’t bothered me at all about dating since, well, now they think I am.”

“Why don’t you want to, again?” Yoongi asks.

“Because of exactly what just happened out there, with Yeonseo.”

“I don’t understand,” Yoongi frowns. “She came on strong, yeah, but she understood rejection.”

“It’s not rejecting that I’m worried about,” Jungkook sits up, sitting cross-legged now. “I’m worried because everyone who meets me is going to know everything about me before I can even learn their name, and because I’m an Alpha. Literally everyone knows my life story since I was like 13 years old. They’ve seen me grow up and become successful and work hard. They know what I like and what I don’t like, they even know weird habits I have. How can I compete with that?” Jungkook scoffs, sounding resentful.

The Alpha continues, eyes on the floor, “They know me because my life is documented for them to examine and memorize. I don’t want to date someone only to discover that every conversation we have, I’m the only one gaining anything new. Anything interesting about me is because of Bangtan, there’s nothing about me - about just me - that matters. I can’t date because Jungkook without Bangtan is just,” the youngest pauses, then says almost inaudibly, “Nothing.”

Yoongi doesn’t know what to say. 

It’s not like Jungkook is wrong. People know who they are, they know more about them than most fans know about their favorite celebrities. It’s also true that Jungkook has nearly had half his life on camera; and all of his adult life in the spotlight. For Yoongi it’s pretty much the same, but the only difference is that he’s confident there’s more to him than Suga. More to him than what Bangtan Bombs and Bon Voyage can capture, more than what he writes into song. 

Is this what Jungkook meant when he said Yoongi has confidence? The Alpha had specified confidence on the stage, but maybe he also meant that Yoongi has confidence in himself as an individual - whereas Jungkook views himself primarily through the lens of Bangtan, and what they’ve all accomplished together. Does the younger really not see himself as more than a collection of the members, each to their best features highlighted and magnified tenfold inside him? Because even if Jungkook is a reflection of them, he is still, undoubtedly, himself. Not even Bangtan could have made someone like Jungkook. The Alpha is one of a kind. He is unlike any one else Yoongi has ever met, and can’t be compared to any of the members.

How can Yoongi tell Jungkook that? How can he convince him? The Omega knows it’s a lost cause. Self-assurance can’t be made overnight, can’t be ignited with a few inspiring words, it takes time and work. Does Jungkook know that? Has he been working on it? Or is he lost in his own mind?

Yoongi wants to ask. He wants to understand and help his friend, but he doesn’t want to impose or have Jungkook think he’s taking pity on him.

So what can he say?

“Stand up.”

“Huh?” Jungkook furrows his brow.

Yoongi pushes his chair away and gestures for the Alpha to stand, and he does. Then, the Omega wraps his arms tightly around Jungkook’s middle and rests his head on his shoulder. After a second, Jungkook responds to the hug, warm, thick, arms encompassing Yoongi’s entire body. He breathes in sweet petrichor, and the image of himself scenting Jungkook - or being scented by him - flashed through his mind. If they were a real couple, now would be a perfectly natural time to do it. But they’re not dating, and now Yoongi knows he wouldn’t have ever been an option for Jungkook in the first place. 

The cameras and the fans might have seen Jungkook grow up, might know him well, but Yoongi? Hell, he shared a room with him. He eats meals with him everyday. And he’s been with Jungkook, literally at his aide, as they’ve grown up over the course of nearly a decade. Yoongi knows Jungkook even better than the fans, even better than the staff, even better than Jungkook’s own brother at this point. Yoongi would never be able to give him that fresh start - that opportunity to be able to share about himself, and have his partner gradually get to know him better. Yoongi already knows him. 

They’d never work.

Which is fine, because Jungkook isn’t -

Well. Obviously Jungkook could be his type. But it’s not really about that, is it? Jungkook just wouldn’t work with Yoongi because… The Omega frowns against Jungkook’s shoulder. He can’t really think of a reason why he wouldn’t fall for someone like the Alpha. But he hasn’t, and that’s what's important. How could he, knowing his feelings wouldn’t be reciprocated? 

There was something he hadn’t been able to muster the courage to tell Jungkook. He really wants a relationship, and while personality and natural connection is what is most important to him - he longs for an Alpha. Not just for heats, but also for their scent, their strength, the attention they give to their partners and how loyal they are once mated. Alphas and Omegas mate for life, and Yoongi craves that kind of commitment. That kind of comfort.

That kind of love.

~

“You should have seen Yoongi today,” Hoseok announces as soon as he climbs in the car with Yoongi and Seokjin.

“Oh?” The eldest looks between them.

Yoongi tried to hide under his hat again, ignoring them resolutely. He should have known this would happen. They didn’t tease Hoseok or Seokjin or any of the others like. There seems to be something supremely amusing about bugging Yoongi, in particular, that the Omega just doesn’t get. Is it because he tends to be introverted, so when something does happen it’s notable? Is it because he and Jungkook are the last two that have coupled up? Is it because Yoongi’s tsundere habits make him an easy target to get flustered? Honestly, that’s probably it. They see Yoongi so cool headed all the time, it’s fun to catch him off balance.

“He totally swooped in like a good boyfriend and rescued Jungkook from Yeonseo.”

“The girl who likes him?”

“Yeah, her.”

“You both knew she liked him?” Yoongi asks.

Seokjin and Hoseok share a mischievous look, “Yeah. You jealous?”

“No,” Yoongi feels a pout forming, “I’m not jealous, I was just wondering. He hasn’t mentioned her to me.”

“Well, we all knew he only had eyes for you, so we didn’t pay much attention to it,” Seokjin laughs.

Eyes for Yoongi? But he thought the whole thing was that Jungkook didn’t want anyone, and Yoongi just learned for certain that the Alpha would never want him.

“He did not,” Yoongi tries to fend their gazes off. “He didn’t even want to date until you guys got it stuck in his head.”

“I don’t know,” Hoseok hums, “I don’t think we did much of anything. This was all you guys.”

Yoongi sighs. Whatever. It doesn’t matter.

“Where is he, by the way?” Seokjin changes the subject, “We were gonna play Mario Kart.”

“He’s at the clinic.”

“Why aren’t you with him?” Hoseok interjects, brow furrowed as he stares at Yoongi.

The Omega blinks, he hadn’t even considered accompanying the Alpha. Should he have? “Um, he didn’t ask.”

“Oh, huh.”

"Does it matter? We spent like hours together.”

“No,” Hoseok seems surprised at the elder’s defensive tone. “No, of course not. I didn’t mean to imply anything, hyung. I just meant - the clinic isn’t fun.”

They drop the issue, continue home in silence but grab some udon to take home for dinner. Seokjin and Yoongi catch up, talking about plans to fish, joking about the chaos of filming Run the past few days, and Yoongi finally gets to hear some inside information about how Jimin and him are doing. It sounds like they spend a lot of time relaxing, and making one another relax, and send a lot of positive affirmations to each other throughout the day. Just, general cute stuff. Seokjin is beaming. Yoongi can’t help but swell with happiness for his friend.

At the same time, he still aches with jealousy. 

Regardless of what everyone thinks now, he is very much alone. He and Jungkook are really good friends, as they’ve always been. But it’s not the same as truly being in a relationship. The difference between now and before is that now the members can’t worry over Yoongi as much, but before Yoongi could express his frustrations and loneliness.

Now, those emotions are all getting bottled up.

When he lies down that night in bed, his chest is near bursting with anguish. It’s only been four days since he and Jungkook told the members they were dating, and it’s so painful. He is experiencing everything he did before, now with the added pressure of behaving like he’s totally fulfilled when there’s still an empty hole in his heart.

“Hyung? Are you okay?” 

“Fuck,” Yoongi can’t hide the way he sniffles as he sits up, spotting Jungkook entering his room in the dark. The younger is dressed in pajamas, he came here as he has been for the past nights to lend Yoongi some comfort during the longest hour. Even if they are sleeping seven feet apart, it’s so nice to have him here.

“Do you want me to leave?”

“No, no, please stay,” Yoongi probably sounds pathetic, but he does care. Jungkook shits the door, and goes to sit on Jin’s old bed. He’s looking over at the Omega, like he wants to help but doesn’t know how to deal with Yoongi crying. There’s soft petrichor pheromones in the air now, which relax Yoongi to some degree. 

“Did something happen?”

“No.”

“Okay.”

“It’s just,” Yoongi gathers up the blankets into his lap, clutching them. “They all think I’m happy now, but I’m still not.”

“I’m sorry, that has to be hard,” Jungkook whispers.

“It’s not your fault, don’t apologize.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

“I don’t know. Maybe just… could you get me to think about something else? So I can sleep?” He lays back down on his side, hands tucked between his knees.

“Sure,” Jungkook says. Yoongi listens to the Alpha get into bed, blankets being pulled up over him. 

For a minute he thinks Jungkook fell asleep, or that he feels awkward or not sure what to do for Yoongi’s request. But then he hears music playing quietly from the Alpha’s phone. Piano. Yoongi thinks he’s just going to play a song, but then -

“Hello, it’s been a while~ There’s no question mark in your voice, it’s so you~ As if it’s a rule. Your seat is always the same, by the cold entrance~”

It’s Jungkook’s instrumental for his cover of Ending Scene, and now he’s singing the lyrics aloud, a gentle whisper. A lullaby. Yoongi obviously knows Jungkook’s an incredible singer, but rarely does he get to hear his voice in intimate settings such as this. It’s so different from being in the studio, on set, performing, or waiting around for an event. Now Jungkook’s voice is rougher on the edges, deeper. Less bright, less pop star, and more… domestic. More like a song around a campfire, more like Christmas morning, more like waiting for the laundry to finish its cycle, or humming a tune while one cooks. 

And maybe Yoongi clings to that as Jungkook soothes him to sleep. 

(He dreams of what it might be like to have a partner who he shares a home with. To sing with them in the kitchen, before they fall asleep, and in the morning. To have a party where Yoongi plays piano and they sing. And maybe that someone in Yoongi’s dreams looks an awful lot like Jungkook, but it’s not his fault that the younger is the nearest Alpha that the Omega knows.)

my twt

Chapter Text

They haven't quite decided on line distribution yet, but they're still recording. The vocalists mostly know what they're doing; harmonization after harmonization, blending their voices together to match with the eerie tone of the track. Jungkook is glad they've taken a different approach to this song, it seems like an easy way to give all the singers more lines while simultaneously boosting the power of the chorus and verses. 

He presses his hands against his headphones, eyes shut as leans in toward the mic. Jimin, Tae, and Seokjin are standing in a circle with him, the producers through the glass in the listening booth. Jungkook takes one last breath before he's cued in with the others, letting the beat reverberate through his ears and into his core. Rather than read the lyrics as he records, Jungkook frequently opts to memorize the lines so he can focus on the delivery rather the words themselves. He had studied them on the ride over, listening to the demo to give him an idea of where to take it. 

Jungkook can't really hear the others as he sings, but when they finish the first verse the recording engineers have them stop, and play it back. They adjust the arrangement a bit, making certain voices more pronounced in sections and then playing it again.

"That was really good, but I'm gonna have you do it a few more times. Remember there's no need to rush through it, take it slow, this song is heartbreaking, so try and convey that," one of the engineers tells them over the intercom. 

"I definitely was too hesitant," Jimin agrees, clearing his throat. 

"I could use to catch my breath a little more," Seokjin murmurs. 

So they do another take, and another, and then Taehyung and Seokjin step into the both so Jungkook and Jimin can focus on the next section. As they wait for the track to get set up, Jimin leans over to Jungkook.

"Yoongi seems stressed today, is he good?"

"Hm?" Jungkook glances over through the glass, see's Yoongi in a chair and in the midst of discussing something very seriously with one of the music directors. "Oh, I don't know."

"Seokjin and I are going out tonight."

"You are?" Jungkook smiles at the Beta, "Where to?"

"A rooftop dinner place, it's pretty fancy. Sejin organized a private service for us and everything."

"That sounds romantic," Jungkook grins, happy for them, "Are you planning anything special?"

"Well, I sort of..." Jimin runs a hand through his hair, beaming so wide his eyes nearly disappear. He giggles, a bit embarrassed. "I'll tell you after this, okay? I want your advice."

"My advice? I can try," Jungkook reaches for his friend's hand and squeezes it reassuringly, "I'm sure you'll be fine, though. You and Jin really suit each other."

"Oh, I know," Jimin agrees shamelessly, "I'm just not sure how to be courting him properly when, you know, we're both Betas."

"Courting him?" Jungkook laughs, "Why would you need to do that? You're already in a relationship, hasn't that stage passed?"

"No!" Jimin gapes at him, "Of course not! Just because we're together now doesn't mean I can suddenly stop treating him like he's the most interesting and precious person I've ever met. I have to keep wooing him so I can keep him. Don't tell me you and Yoongi don't keep trying to woo each other, you're a newer couple than me and hyung!"

"Oh, well we um, we don't really -"

"Jeon Jungkook!" Jimin punches his arm. "You need to do a better job of romancing your man."

"He's not mine," Jungkook tries to emphasize. 

"Well you want him to be don't you? To mate one day? That's why I need to keep showing Seokjin how much he means to me, and how happy we make each other."

"Well, we haven't really talked about it," the Alpha fumbles for an explanation. 

"You're telling me that you, an Alpha, and Yoongi, an Omega, haven't talked about mating when you're the mostly likely of us to mate for life?"

"Most likely?" Jungkook repeats, "That's bullshit, Jimin. Don't fall for those dynamic traditions. We're not any more likely than you and Seokjin-hyung to stay together."

"But -"

"Alright," a producer interrupts, it's time to get back to work. "We're ready for you. Positions and then we'll start."

Jimin and him get through it quickly, and then they do all the other vocal sections.. They sit around awhile, listening to the recordings and how they arrange and layer them. Namjoon is hovering over the producer's shoulders, making changes as he sees fit. Jungkook loves watching Namjoon work; how easily the Omega can understand a piece of music and make it better is a skill Jungkook's not sure he'll ever have. He's a novice in production, but Namjoon is what he aspires to be. That said, he knows he can never compare. And he doesn't want to. If just anyone could do what Namjoon does, then Bangtan wouldn't exist.

Hoseok and Namjoon are in the recording room now, waiting on Namjoon to join them. Jungkook watches them through the glass, the rappers warming up their voices inaudibly and making goofy faces at each other. They seem to be laughing, joking with each other as Hoseok wraps his arms around Yoongi affectionately. A pang of annoyance flashes through Jungkook, and he has to stop and take a breath. Stop that, he tells his Alpha. 

Taehyung jostles his shoulder, and the younger looks over at him. 

"Wanna go watch something while we wait?"

Jungkook shrugs, "I like listening to them."

Taehyung nods, taking a seat and hooking his phone up to his airpods. Jungkook sees Namjoon pat the engineers shoulders, and they finally finish examining the vocalist verses and move on. Namjoon leaves the soundbooth and goes to join Hoseok and Yoongi, grabbing his headphones and pulling out his phone. Jungkook pulls his legs up onto his chair, glancing around the small, confined box at the flashing buttons and fancy equipment. His favorite thing in the place is the red neon sign above the glass window. It reads: Recording - Quiet Please.

Movement in his peripheral vision catches his attention. Seokjin and Jimin are sitting facing each other, knees sandwiched together. Jin is leaning in, nosing and pressing his cheek to Jimin's neck. It takes a second for Jungkook to realize what's happening - they're scenting each other. It's romantic and soft and Jungkook feels another pang in his chest, different from the last. The rapper's haven't even started recording yet, which means there's going to be a lot more of waiting here and a lot more of Jin and Jimin being sweet to each other. 

"Taehyung," Jungkook prods the Beta's leg with his shoe, "I changed my mind."

Taehyung rolls his eyes but humors the younger. They get up, tell the producers they'll check back in after a bit, and then leave the soundbooth for the BigHit lounge. 

They nestle into the couch, sides pressed together and each with one of Tae's airpods. The Beta holds up his phone in between them.

"What is this?" Jungkook asks, confused by what's happening on screen. 

"It's a screenprinting how-to. I want to try it sometime."

Paint is poured, plastic sealed, a stencil created by the artist results in a beautiful print of an astronaut being left on white paper. 

"What else can you use this for?" Jungkook asks.

"I want to keep making art on my clothes," the elder explains, "I want to design something and do screen printing. I would be able to use designs multiple times, like, I want to try to make all of us matching coats or something like that."

"That would be really cool," Jungkook agrees, "The members and the fans would love that."

"Yeah, especially like for airport pictures or Run. It would be really fun."

"Yes!" Jungkook grins, and the two exchange ideas about designs. Taehyung doodles with his finger on his phone, and shows the younger some reference photos for what he's picturing. 

Talking with Taehyung like this is a nice escape from work, from pretending be something he isn't with Yoongi. The Beta ends up asking Jungkook about his current projects, and shows the elder some photos he took of the sky last night at sunset, and one vintagey shot of Seokjin eating cereal at breakfast. He tells Tae about wanting to film another video soon, a GCF maybe, or just something for himself. 

"You know Yoongi loves those, right?" Taehyung comments casually.

"Loves what?"

"Your GCFs. Sometimes I see him watching the Newark one while he's eating or avoiding work stuff."

"Really?" Jungkook laughs. He knew the members loved them, but he didn't imagine any of them watching the video numerous times, just because. "That's kind of funny."

"I mean, it's like sixteen minutes of you, so of course he likes it."

"Or he likes it because he appreciates cinematography and editing, or likes to reminisce about stuff we've done," Jungkook suggests. "That's why I make them, after all. To capture those events from our perspectives. So we can remember what it was like years down the line."

Taehyung shrugs, "Sure, that too. I'm just saying, I didn't think about it much before, but now that you guys are dating him watching your videos have new meaning."

"It really doesn't," Jungkook disagrees. Who knew that Bangtan would believe Jungkook and Yoongi are a couple so much that they look for romance in their relationship everywhere? Who knew Jungkook would be left trying to remind them that he and Yoongi are friends, first and foremost. That just because they're supposedly a couple now, doesn't mean every interaction they've had previously was building up to this. 

"Wow, you're no fun. If I saw Hoseok or Namjoon watching something of mine I'd be in shambles," Taehyung pouts.

"Well, you're easy to please."

"Hey!" Taehyung exclaims in mock offense, and they go back to discussing painting and art. 

They end up on a Bob Ross painting video, Jungkook's head on Tae's shoulder. His friend smells intensely of cinnamon - of Hoseok. There's still citrus beneath it, but not near as prominent. Jungkook wonders if Namjoon smells like cinnamon too. He falls asleep to the sound of the painter's voice in one ear, brush strokes, and Taehyung's gentle breathing and hums as he absorbs techniques from the video. The Alpha isn't sure when he passed out, but when he wakes up it's to the smell of worry. 

"Is he asleep?"

"I think so," Taehyung mumbles, shoulder shifting slightly. Jungkook stays silent, keeps his eyes shut. He's so tired and he isn't even sure why. 

"We need him," it's Hoseok speaking. 

"To record something?"

"No, not that. It's... it's Yoongi-hyung."

Jungkook opens his eyes, but doesn't move. 

"What's wrong?"

"He's just really anxious, he's done his verse like fifteen times and nobody's happy with it, least of all him. I think Jungkook can help him."

"Oh," Taehyung seems to understand, but Jungkook doesn't. 

What are they talking about? Even if they think he can help because, to them, he and Yoongi are dating - Jungkook can't make the Omega's problems or anxiety vanish. 

Taehyung shakes his hand, and Jungkook blinks as he sits up sleepily. 

"What?"

"Hoseok needs you," Taehyung replies simply.

Jungkook turns and glances up at the other Alpha, Hobi's brow furrows and lips pulled down. Fuck, that's not a good expression from anyone - but especially not Hoseok. The youngest stands, stretches lightly and grits his teeth at the feeling of his tense muscles in his shoulders. 

"What's going on?" He asks, Hobi gesturing for him to hurry up as they leave the lounge and go down the hall. 

"Yoongi-hyung is super stressed."

"What do you want me to do?' Jungkook questions, genuinely not sure what the elder expects from  him. 

"Well, I noticed earlier that you guys don't keep each other scented. I think that would probably help I'm a lot right now."

"You want me to scent him?" Jungkook knows he sounds more shocked than he should. It's common practice for partner's to scent each other for comfort. "I don't think he'd be comfortable with that in front of everyone..."

"Then go into the hall, it doesn't matter. But we have no choice but to finish the recording today, and right now he's in a bad space. Please just try and get him out of it," Hobi pleads, pausing outside the door to the recording studio. 

"Alright," Jungkook whispers, uncertain. 

They enter the soundbooth, and there's Yoongi. The Omega is gripping his headphones in both hands, too tight, and is frowning deeply at the recording engineers. 

"Hyung," Jungkook extends a hand to the elder's elbow. 

"Oh, Jungkook," Yoongi's eyes flash with relief, and Jungkook realizes that even if they're not in a real relationship, having someone to look out for you and pull you out of hard situations is always important. Like a few days ago when Yoongi rescued the Alpha from Yeonseo. 

"Go on," Hoseok tells them softly, "You got five minutes."

So, Jungkook plays a part. He holds his breath, intertwines his fingers with Yoongi's and drags him out into the hall, door closing behind them. The Omega is still scowling, unhappy with how recording is going. Jungkook doesn't let go of his hand, knowing that Yoongi always finds comfort in it - no matter how little it may be. 

"Hoseok-hyung said I should scent you," Jungkook whispers, voice steady. 

"I know. It was Namjoon's idea. He said that when Hoseok or Tae do it to him he calms right down. And he's really stressed a lot, so imagine it must work if it can make even him feel less overwhelmed."

"Yeah."

"Well," Yoongi continues, biting his lip and not meeting Jungkook's eyes. "You better do it. They'll know right away if you don't."

"But, Yoongi, you said not to."

"I said not to, unless we really had to for the sake of appearances."

Jungkook frowns, "But you told me the other night that it's hard for you to keep all your emotions in. Don't you want to be able to express them freely now instead of just having me cover them up, so you can pretend everything is better?"

"This is different," Yoongi says, "I'm just over-thinking a ton, it's not that I'm actually upset about anything that deep. I'm just not coming off the way I want to in my voice, even though I know I can do it if I really focus."

"Maybe you just need a break," Jungkook suggests instead, tightening his hold on the Omega's hand. "They should give you one if you ask. Clear your head and get some air."

"We've already been on break for fifteen minutes, that's why Hobi went for you."

"Are you feeling any better?"

Yoongi sighs loudly, sounding defeated, "Not really."

"I'm sorry, hyung. I wish I could do something."

"Just scent me," Yoongi tells him, tone firm. "Why are you so reluctant? I thought you were fine with it?"

"I am," Jungkook confirms, "But you aren't, so I don't want to do it unless you're absolutely sure there's nothing else. You're my friend, and if scenting you will help of course I'll do it. But I also don't want to make anything weird for you."

"Why would it be weird for me?"

"I don't know."

"Okay, well. Let's do it then."

Jungkook thinks back to what he saw Seokjin doing to Jimin. How careful he was, how gentle, how soft. But it had also been intimate to the point that Jungkook felt like he shouldn't be watching, and left. He and Yoongi aren't like them, he just needs to scent him quickly and be done with it. The truth is, Jungkook is nervous. He's never really properly scented anyone. His parents would scent Jungkook when he was a kid, but that was familial. He sometimes scented with Taehyung and Jimin when they were younger, but they've always shared more physical affection than Jungkook ever has with Yoongi. 

Yoongi is waiting expectantly, still with a creased brow and slight frown. Jungkook doesn't like seeing him so down, never has, and he knows that in spite of the fact that they're not romantically interested in each other, scenting probably will help soothe Yoongi a lot. (Jungkook tries not to think about how it may work even better because Yoongi is an Omega, and he's an Alpha. He knows better than two correlate the two. Than to let the stereotypes intrude on a moment where he's meant to be helping his hyung.)

Jungkook pulls Yoongi closer with their interlocked hands, the elder instantly tilting his head to the side and exposing his neck to Jungkook. The Alpha shuts his eyes, doesn't let himself linger any more on supposed implications of scenting. He places his other hand on the side of Yoongi's head, softly combing through his hair as he leans down and lets his skin ghost over Yoongi's. He finds his scent gland, gently and slowly rubbing into it to leave his scent on Yoongi. To overwhelm the cherry blossom with petrichor entirely. Jungkook knows he's done when he can finally smell his own scent on yoongi, when usually he has no idea what he smells like. The Alpha pulls back, eyes latched onto Yoongi's neck before the Omega lowers his head again. 

When Yoongi opens his eyes, his pupils are massive. "Woah."

Jungkook laughs, breaking the tension and refusing to let the moment be awkward. "Did it help?"

"Yeah," yoongi nods, "I'm kind of surprised, honestly."

"Me too. It really worked like Namjoon said?"

"I mean, I'm not so frustrated anymore. My body is less tense," Yoongi eyes rake over Jungkook. "But you look more tense."

"Oh," Jungkook huffs a laugh, "I'm just sore still. I need to go to the clinic again. They mentioned acupuncture, but that sounds terrifying."

"Terrifying?" Yoongi laughs - Jungkook noticing that the elder hasn't let his hand go yet. 

"You need to go work, hyung," Jungkook reminds him, extracting his fingers swiftly and stepping a bit away. 

"Yeah, okay. Come watch?"

Jungkook is about to say no, when -

"Guys," Namjoon has opened the door to the studio, poking his head out to look at them. "Quit messing around, we need to get through this. Jungkook, stay in case hyung needs you again."

"He did plenty, Joon," Yoongi grumbles, but smiles at Jungkook as they both go into the listening booth. "I'm ready to go now."

So Jungkook takes the chair he was in earlier, and listens as Yoongi nails his verse within the first three goes. It earns cheers from the production crew, and Hoseok gives him a congratulatory slap on the back. The rappers have concluded their stuff, and the vocalists are called back in to do backing vocals for the track. 

~

Yoongi finds himself in Jungkook's studio, of all places.

The Golden Closet isn't quite as furnished, there's less on the walls and only two chairs. The younger has the same standard big monitors, but his keyboard is light-up rainbow and there's some pictures of his family in frames on the desk. Maybe most adorably, is the collection of BT21 plushies in a basket sitting on the floor. Jungkook must have taken them from set or when they had the members take a bunch of merch to advertise with. 

Jungkook is getting them snacks right now, and Yoongi is waiting for him to come back. 

But what happened earlier hasn't left Yoongi's thoughts. In fact, it's all of his thoughts. He still smells like petrichor. Still smells like rain before the storm. Like summertime showers. Like a breath of fresh air. Jungkook scenting him didn't just help Yoongi relax, it touched something deep inside him and has given it a pulse. His Omega is... Very happy. It's purring in Yoongi's chest with contentment. Delighted to be held, delighted to be touched, delighted at the feeling of warm, safe hands. Of a familiar scent. Of having a person to take care of him when he was feeling lost and in turmoil. The effects of it are still here; clearing Yoongi's head of meaningless self-depreciations and creating a constant, beating reminder that he's wanted, that he's appreciated, that's he's enough.

What makes it even more difficult is that Yoongi knows it's true. He is wanted and appreciated and enough for all of his friends, for everyone he works with. And for Jungkook. It's true that the Alpha loves him, and cares for him, because of course he does. They're family. Yet, his Omega is confused. Jungkook isn't his real partner. But it's almost like - 

"Hey," the Alpha enters, shutting the door behind himself and handing Yoongi a steaming cup of black coffee. "Someone totally raided the snack cupboard so I had to go to the vending machines."

"That's fine, thank you," Yoongi takes the coffee and smiles as Jungkook sits at his desk. 

"I got ChocoHeim, ChocoHeim hazelnut," Jungkook waves the package with a grin, "And potato chips."

"Nice," Yoongi takes the hazelnut heim, opening it up. "You think the TXT kids have anything to do with the empty cupboards?"

"Oh, definitely," Jungkook laughs. "It has Taehyun and Soobin written all over it."

"As long as they don't take all the coffee, I'm good."

"Right?" Jungkook sips his own, sweetened with cream and sugar. "Still, it's nice not to be the only ones here. I wouldn't change it for anything."

"They're so cute, really," Yoongi bites into the snacks, the chocolate sweet and the cookie coating crunching satisfactorily. "Whenever I hear them call you hyung I have to do a double-take."

"Honestly, me too," Jungkook's nose scrunches up. "It's still so weird for me. I guess it's really a sign I'm not around enough younger people."

"That doesn't seem to make a difference though, somehow you still keep up with the trends way more than any of us," Yoongi points out, watching as the Alpha pops open the chip bag, hand tearing it easily. "I can't get over how berserk ARMY went for you doing the shoot dance on stage."

"Of course they did, it's the best dance," Jungkook states matter-of-factly. "I'm not sure how I'll top that next time."

Yoongi shrugs, "They'll be happy with whatever."

"Yeah," Jungkook smiles fondly to himself. "What about you? Thinking of any special preparations for your next solo stage?"

"God, don't even ask. The song isn't even done. It almost is, but like, not yet," Yoongi groans. "Speaking of, did they ever send your track?"

"Oh! Actually, that's why I asked you here," Jungkook spins his chair around, back to Yoongi.

The tables have turned. Now Yoongi's the one watching Jungkook work on a song. It's sort of exciting, really. To be able to just admire and learn and see where the other man's thoughts go. He doesn't often get to work with Jungkook on this part of things, he's never really had a reason to, but now he is. Yoongi's chest swells with pride. Even if the younger doesn't think he knows much about producing, he's learned more faster than Yoongi could. 

"So they sent the track to me, and a draft of the lyrics. I was looking at it with Namjoon earlier but there's definitely some parts that aren't totally me. I want to change them to better reflect how I feel."

"That's good," Yoongi sets the ChocoHeim carefully on the floor and holds his coffee right as he rolls his chair up to Jungkook's side. "What you got?"

"So, this part here, in the chorus," Jungkook plays the demo track, a girl's voice coming through the speakers. 

"I've gotta find my time-"

Then he pauses it, backs it up, and sings over the top to change the lyrics to, "Finna find my time-"

"What does that mean?" Yoongi asks, not familiar with English word.

"It's like 'fighting to' but it's slang."

Yoongi blinks, and then punches Jungkook softly in the arm, "See! This is what I mean! You're always coming up with cool things that makes you, and our music, more relatable. You should just write all of our songs."

Jungkook blushes at the praise, eyes flashing to Yoongi briefly and then back to the screen, "Please, hyung. That's a bit far. It just sounds better. So I think I'm gonna send that change in."

"Can I hear the whole demo?" Yoongi requests, and Jungkook quickly plays it from the beginning.

As it goes, Yoongi listens closely to decipher what producers did what, "Is that Pdogg's guitar?"

"Yep," Jungkook confirms. "It was way more eerie when Sleep sent it over, but Pdogg and Namjoon-hyung changed it up."

After the song plays though, Jungkook talks more about changing lyrics. Simplifying "hold you" to "hol' ya" and adjusting an entire lyric to say "traces of losses," changing the meaning. The more Yoongi listens to him talk, the more absorbed he becomes. Is this how Jungkook feels when he hears Yoongi ramble on and on about a song? The Alpha is typing up notes as he talks, not even pausing to hear Yoongi's input. There's no need, though. He doesn't have anything to add. Jungkook's brilliant.

"Brilliant?" Jungkook faces him in surprise, laughing, "You sound like me, hyung. I'm not brilliant, I'm just thinking."

"It's really so good, Jungkook-ah," Yoongi confesses, not even embarrassed that the younger heard his admiration. "You've really made it completely your own. I don't know what you need me for, you seem totally capable."

"Well," Jungkook shrugs, "It's good to have someone to bounce ideas off of."

"Isn't this something you'd usually do with Namjoon?"

"Well, yeah, but... You and I have been talking a lot lately, so it felt right to ask you," Jungkook says, "That, and the fact that we have an image to maintain."

"Right," Yoongi mumbles. "What's the plan now? Are you gonna record your changes to send them?"

"Yeah, I want to. Could you help me set up the equipment?"

"Don't you know how?" Yoongi stands, moving around the desk to grab the mic and pull it closer, plugging it into the computer.

"Honestly, Namjoon is usually here when I do this stuff," Jungkook laughs, a little embarrassed sounding. "I've been meaning to learn it properly, but, you know..."

"Time."

"Yeah."

"Ah," Yoongi turns it on, "I guess that's basically what your song is saying, huh? Not enough time for the little things."

"Yeah," Jungkook's mouth turns down as he squints at the monitors, opening a new audio file. "Not enough time for the big things, too."

"Like what?" The Omega finds himself asking, pointing at where Jungkook should be clicking on the program.

"Like, I don't know, a lot of things."

Yoongi searches his face for something more, but it gives nothing away. Jungkook looks up at him, smiling again.

"Thanks hyung. I'm sure you're busy, you don't have to stay if you don't want to. I should have it from here."

"No, no, I'll see it though," Yoongi insists, "I like hearing you sing."

"You passed out in like three seconds when I sang to you the other night, hyung."

"How would you know?" Yoongi accuses, chair squeaking as he sits back down. 

"You snore."

"I do not snore," Yoongi gapes, offended. "I do not! Jin-hyung would have told me!"

"You do," Jungkook grins at him, nose scrunching and teeth showing. "You absolutely do."

"You're lying to me."

"I'm not lying! Ask hyung, if you'd like. He was probably just too nice to ever tell you."

"But no one has ever mentioned me snoring on set or anything," Yoongi argues, fighting miserably for his dignity.

"Well, of course not. Those are like twenty minute naps. But when you're in deep sleep," Jungkook raises a brow, "That's when the real shit happens."

"Shut up," Yoongi shoves his arm again. "This is unbelievable."

"Whatever you say, hyung," Jungkook seems all too smug. "You snore."

Yoongi pouts, defeated. "Do I keep you up?"

"No, don't worry about that."

"I saw you falling asleep earlier though," Yoongi remembers, "Are you getting enough sleep?"

"You're one to talk, Yoongi," Jungkook says, tone teasing but his face looks... Looks like there's more to it than that.

"I've been getting more sleep than usual, since our schedule is consistent."

"That's true, that's good," Jungkook agrees.

Yoongi waits for him to add more, but when he doesn't he presses. "And you? Are you not sleeping?"

Jungkook exhales, facing Yoongi. There's definitely shadows beneath his eyes, more prominent than normal. 

"Jungkook-ah..."

"I'm just worried about a lot of things, hyung. I'm worried about this song, and about our friends, and about us. Then there's this thing I really, really, want to do... But," he makes a vague gesture, "I don't know when I'll get to."

"What do you want to do?"

"I'll tell you later."

"Kook -"

"Later," the Alpha repeats. "I'm going to record now."

"Alright," Yoongi whispers, settling back.

The little pulse in the depths of Yoongi's chest isn't his heart. It's his Omega who is beating for Jungkook. It doesn't understand the difference between what is real and what's an act. It doesn't understand that these increased interactions with the Alpha are out of friendship, not romantic interest. 

But. Yoongi wonders if it's not just his Omega who is getting things confused. Because when Jungkook turned to him with tired eyes all he wanted - all he wants is to pull the younger into a hug. To hold him and reassure him and scent him in return for how he helped Yoongi earlier today. It would be easy for him to blame it all on his overactive, lonely, Omega - but it would be wrong. 

There's some kind of affection blooming for Jungkook that's growing larger with each day. Even in difficult moments like this where they can't fully understand each other. When Jungkook is keeping his cards close to his chest and won't give anything up. Yoongi's always known Jungkook to be an introvert like himself, but it definitely seems like Yoongi's been more willing to share his emotions than Jungkook has. The Omega wants nothing more than to gently urge Jungkook to open that chest of secrets locked away inside him, and to encourage him to let fears be voiced so he's not scared of them anymore. How can he make Jungkook feel the way Yoongi did after he was scented? 

"Hyung."

"Yeah?"

"Wanna watch a movie?"

Yoongi looks around the room, "In here?"

Jungkook laughs, "Maybe not. I really need to invest in a sofa or a futon or something, don't I?"

"Well, if you want guests more often that might be a good idea," Yoongi smiles.

Jungkook gets up, closing up his computer and pushing in chair. He grabs the Cooky and Shooky plushies and hugs them to his chest.

"They make good pillows," Jungkook says when Yoongi watches him curiously. "Lounge or the Genius Lab?"

"I never even said yes to a movie," Yoongi chides, getting up and stretching.

"Yeah, but I know you will."

"How do you know that?" Yoongi squints at him.

"I know you," Jungkook beams, "And you never say no to me."

Unfortunately, Yoongi can't think of a decent comeback and is rendered silent. Jungkook smirks all the way to Yoongi's studios, and continues to look pleased when they cozy up on Yoongi's couch with a blanket shared between them. They're about an hour into the movie when something knocks against Yoongi's shoulder and his heart skips a beat in surprise.

He turns to look, and there, with the light of the monitor flickering over him, is Jungkook sleeping. His cheek supported on the very edge of Yoongi's shoulder, like he's about to slip off and not very comfortable at all. Yoongi doesn't think as he shifts closer, allowing the Alpha's head to fall into the crook near his neck. Soft breath blows over his collarbones, and a warm body rests against him. Yoongi takes a careful breath, turning down the movie and pulling the blanket up higher on both of them. It's getting late, nearly midnight, and he's not sure that Jungkook will be willing to move anytime soon. So he sends a message to the group chat, his first in weeks, and informs them that he and Jungkook are staying at the company tonight.

Yoongi gets winky faces and well-wishes in response that he collectively ignores, opting to flip his phone over and ignore it. He leans his head on top of Jungkook's, exhausted himself. 

Maybe also because Jungkook is starting to fill that lonely hole in his heart, and Yoongi doesn't have the energy to fight it.

my twt

Chapter Text

"What's that?" Yoongi points at the silver band on Seokjin's finger. On his ring finger. 

The eldest spreads his hand out on the sheets of Yoongi's bed, between where they're sitting so Yoongi can clearly see the engraved silver. There's an intricate design, and Jin pulls it off to show Yoongi the inside. The Omega squints at it, and then gasps.

"Oh my god."

"Yeah," Seokjin beams, wide and stupidly in love. "Jimin gave it to me two nights ago. Did Jungkook not tell you? He helped Jimin practice how to ask me."

"He didn't mention it. Probably wanted to let it be a surprise."

"Oh, it was. I can't tell you how long I cried without saying anything. Jimin was so freaked out, but he ended up just crying with me," Seokjin says.

"What does it mean, exactly?"

"Well, it's just like promising ourselves to each other. Like, promising we're going to be together a long time and that we're going to work through the hard times, because we love each other."

"Aw, hyung," Yoongi watches as the Beta slides the ring back on, admiring it. "I'm so happy for you. Look at you guys. You're gonna be moving in together and adopting dogs before you know it.

Jin snorts, "We already live together."

"Yeah, but you know what you mean."

"I do," the elder allows. "I was thinking about asking Jimin this soon, myself. We've just made each other happier and better in ways I never thought we could. Isn't it weird how we can know someone for so long, then all of a sudden we see them entirely differently?"

"It is," Yoongi agrees, even if he really doesn't understand. "What's the biggest difference with Jimin now as opposed to before?"

"Well, you know how he is. He's always been good at reading people. I guess now I’ve fully realized what it means to be vulnerable. We've talked about fears and hopes and random shit, but it's all been so validating. He really lets me be a version of myself I'm not used to being. It makes me feel so much lighter."

Yoongi smiles, so happy for them. Inwardly, he wonders what that's like. How you can trust someone so much that you completely let go of your insecurities. Sometimes Yoongi gets really close with Namjoon, Seokjin, or Hoseok, to letting all his walls fall down. But there's always some part of him that he holds back. Always another wave he doesn't let fall. A fear he doesn't speak because he's scared of being judged or pitied. Of course he knows they would listen and support him. He knows that. But to act on it? To trust the net will catch him if he steps off the tightrope? That's something altogether different.

"How would you have asked Jimin?" Yoongi asks, leaning on his hand. Maybe he can live vicariously through Seokjin a little bit. 

"Oh, I don't know," Seokjin laughs, ears a bit red. "He deserves something magnificent, but I know he would prefer something small and intimate. I think our fancy dinner was somewhere right in between. Still, I'd love to take him to a spectacular destination, or somewhere really sentimental, and ask him."

"Maybe you can be the one to propose."

"Propose?" Seokjin laughs. "I think we're more of a mate than a marry couple."

"Good," Yoongi jokes, "Marriage is a bullshit institution."

"Really? Mr. Romantic doesn't want to walk down the aisle with Jungkook?" Seokjin questions.

Yoongi opens his mouth, too surprised to reply. Right, Jungkook. His fake boyfriend. "Well, I don't know about that."

Seokjin seems to notice Yoongi hesitance, how his tone changes from light to stilted. "Yoongi, is everything okay between you guys?"

"Yeah, of course. It's just new."

"It's been weeks."

"That's not very long."

"I think it's long enough to know whether you guys are going to last or not," Jin points out.

"Hyung," Yoongi frowns. How can he respond to that? To Seokjin's blind belief that what Yoongi and Jungkook have is real? Sooner or later, they're going to have to let all of Bangtan down by telling them they're breaking up.

Oh, that will be hard. Yoongi can already imagine how their faces will drop. Their worry for Yoongi. For Jungkook. How they'll be coddled and tiptoed around. How Sejin will organize stuff to keep them separate, thinking it's painful to be together. It's not the breaking up with Jungkook that will hurt - it's how it will impact everybody else that will sting. Ripple effects through everything. What if their break up makes the house of cards fall?

"Well, what am I saying? I'm sorry," Seokjin apologizes, frowning at the floor. "I'm sorry, Yoongi. I didn't mean it like that. I guess a little part of me is still in shock that I can be so happy, and that I'm this happy because of Jimin. I'm worried I'll mess it up."

"You won't," Yoongi reaches over and grips his arm comfortingly. "You and Jimin made a promise to listen to each other and work together when things get tough. I don't think either of you will break that promise."

"You're right. We won't. And you and Jungkook will do the same," Jin adds, "We all care too much about each other to let anything tear us apart."

"You're right. If me and Jungkook don't work, we're still best friends. We still care a lot for each other. It wouldn't change anything, right?"

"Right."

They smile at one another, Seokjin's gaze drifting around the room.

"I thought Jungkook moved in here?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah. He just spends the night. He didn't move his stuff," Yoongi explains.

"Clearly a lot of it," Seokjin chuckles, pushing off Yoongi's bed. He goes to the other side of the room to where he used sleep, and lifts a blanket to his nose. "Jungkook sleeps here? He doesn't sleep with you?"

"Well," Yoongi blushes. "We like our space. We're not that intimate, I guess."

"You haven't...?" Seokjin wiggles his eyebrows suggestively.

"No!" Yoongi yelps. "We're taking it slow hyung, okay?"

"Okay, okay. It's not a bad thing. I was just wondering."

"You really don't need to wonder about my sex life."

"Well, I just want to make sure Jungkook is taking care of you."

"Oh my god," Yoongi hides his face in his hands.

"Listen, Yoongi. It's my job as your only hyung to tease you mercilessly. Don't blame me, it's just the job. Besides, I gotta make sure you're being safe. Use protection. Who knows where Jungkook's dick has been," Seokjin shrugs.

Yoongi throws a pillow at him, annoyed and embarrassed. 

It would be a lie to say Yoongi's never thought of Jungkook that way. But it is true that he hadn't thought of Jungkook until very recently. Very recently. Like, it had taken Jungkook engulfing Yoongi with his whole body in a hug after the gym for the thought to occur to Yoongi.

They'd been there yesterday with Taehyung and Namjoon, doing simple floor stretches, squats, etc. Nothing too strenuous, just stuff for toning. It had been fun all together, and Jungkook and him had spared each other many looks as Namjoon and Taehyung openly flirted in front of them. It wasn't something they did before, but did now that thought the two were dating. After they'd finished and Yoongi was filling up his water bottle, Jungkook came up and hugged him from behind. Arms tight around Yoongi's waist, crotch to Yoongi's ass, and intense petrichor scent all around him.

"Hyungs seemed to think we weren't coupley enough. They just asked if we're doing okay," Jungkook had whispered, hot in Yoongi's ear.

Oh, that had been so dangerous. Yoongi hasn't stopped thinking about it. About how Jungkook is hardly taller, and yet can make himself enormous around Yoongi. About how Jungkook Alpha scent is addicting, and how much Yoongi's Omega has wanted to tilt his head and submit to him. Fuck. 

His Omega is gravitating towards Jungkook, and now Yoongi is looking too. Thinking about him when they're not together, more than he should be. They're pretending to date - but that doesn't seem so important anymore. Not with how Yoongi's Omega feels, and not with how Jungkook is treating Yoongi exactly how he would hope a boyfriend does.

"Hey, Yoongi."

"Hm?" Seokjin is at the door now, about to leave Yoongi alone with his thoughts.

"I'm really happy for you and Jungkook. Take your time and go slow, I don't want you to think you need to rush just because me and Jimin have moved so quickly. I hope I didn't say anything that made you think I don't support you guys."

"You didn't," Yoongi reassures him. "Thanks, hyung."

"Sure."

~

Yoongi climbs into the SUV behind Taehyung, yawning as he does so. Inside, Namjoon and Hoseok are already sitting. They're being driven to the company. Everyone needs to be on site today in case producers need them for vocals or recording. The track they recorded last week, Louder Than Bombs, is in it’s final stages. If they're lucky, it will be done by tomorrow. They're also recording a demo for their new rendition of We Are Bulletproof, and Yoongi is half expecting to see someone cry during it.

Seokjin and Jimin went earlier, and Jungkook has been at the company since he left Yoongi's room at 7 this morning. He'd asked the younger where he was going, and Jungkook had said that he had an acupuncture appointment and then plans to record the final version of his solo song.

As they drive, Yoongi scrolls through his phone. He reads articles about current events, about what's happening in his hometown. After a few minutes, he looks up and finds three sets of eyes watching him.

"What?"

Hoseok coughs, glancing between his partners before saying, "You've been different lately, hyung."

"Okay?" The Omega raises a brow, looking to Namjoon for more.

"He means," the leader gives a dimpled grin, "You haven't been so down. You've really been different since you and Jungkook started dating. We think you're really good for each other."

"Oh," Yoongi feels his face warm up, "Well, you three are amazing for each other too."

"We know," Hoseok laughs, confident. "It's just different with you, though."

"Why?" Yoongi frowns, incredulous.

Namjoon shrugs, "Because. You've always wanted someone, and we thought Jungkook would never want that. But it makes perfect sense now that you're together. He was just waiting for you."

"I really don't think that's it," Yoongi says. 

"And," Taehyung jumps in, a boxy smile on his face, "Now we're complete. Our pack is whole! We're all together. We create happiness in our relationships, and share that happiness with one another. It's so nice hanging out, knowing we've all become so fulfilled. Knowing all my hyungs are happy, it's the best feeling."

Yoongi stares at Taehyung, stomach twisting. Whole? Complete? 

"It's not like we weren't happy before," Yoongi says softly.

"Oh, no! That's not what I mean," Taehyung's mouth flattens. "We've always made each other so happy and loved. I find it important though that we're each getting another round of love in addition to Bangtan love."

Yoongi nods, pretending he agrees and understands now. 

When they get out of the car ten minutes later, Namjoon pulls Yoongi aside.

"Sorry to corner you in the car, there. We've just been talking about the different vibes in the dorm and stuff."

"It's not that different," Yoongi shrugs, "I just saw you kiss two boyfriends, so..."

Namjoon laughs, "Yeah, guess so. Oh, I was meaning to ask. Isn't your heat soon?"

Yoongi bites his tongue. Damn, it is, isn't it? 

"Next week, I'm pretty sure."

"Okay. Just make sure you put that in the schedule so you're given the days off."

"Right."

Namjoon pats him on the back, and they head up into the building. They make their way to the main floor, getting into a conversation about their unit song. Yoongi had finally found what he meant by "retro audio" and recorded an example for Namjoon, layering filters over it. They both agree they need someone else's voice to record it in order for the desired effect. It's basically going to be a recurring "sample" of a man singing, "Should I stay or should I go?" 

It's the perfect touch. Something to set it apart from everything else and throw it back to the 90s. 

Yoongi has some story-boarding and themes to look over that will go in his solo music video, so he and Namjoon part ways in the hall. He's not really in the mood to hide alone in his cave of a studio, so instead he looks for a red, glowing recording sign in the hall. He goes to the nearest, stepping into the listening booth uninvited.

He's greeted by the sound of Jungkook's voice.

Yoongi whips his head to look through the glass, laptop clutched in his arms, to see Jungkook at the mic, headphones on. He's still recording his solo, the engineers and producers hunched over the sound board and fiddling with the knobs. They glance up at Yoongi as he enters, but wave him in and gesture towards a free chair. The Omega graciously takes it.

"He's doing really well," one of the vocal coaches says to Yoongi. "But he doesn't seem happy with it. When he listens it over he says his diction isn't good enough. I think it's pretty clear, and we've been practicing it a bunch, but..." she shrugs. "You know how he is."

"I do," Yoongi peers at Jungkook again, this time noticing the wrinkles on his forehead and the frown on his lips. "He'll get it though. He knows not to push himself."

"I'm hoping so," the coach mumbles, turning back to the glass.

Yoongi opens his laptop, finding the email with all the information regarding the upcoming video. There's a dozen files. Wardrobe, makeup, set design, lyrics, motifs, cast, crew, and then what he's looking for. The story board. He clicks on it, letting the scanned drawings take up his entire screen. He goes through the slides one by one, humming when he understands what they're going for here. He likes what they came up for the shadow concept, even if it's simple. Having people dressed in black is far better than throwing in something CGI that takes away from the integrity of the piece.

"Play it again," Yoongi looks up at the sound of Jungkook's aggregated tone coming in through the speakers. "I need to redo the hol' ya part. I have to listen to the demo, wait a minute."

Yoongi sees Jungkook remove his headphones, get out his phone, and play the demo. He repeats the pronunciation over and over, trying to get it right and without an accent. One of the producers tells him he's got it right, and Jungkook practices the chorus too. Finna find my time. The flow of the lyrics is different from anything Jungkook's done before. It's a bit on the R&B side, and his method of delivery is fast, melodic, verses. Not rapping, still singing, just - more pronounced, quickly paced, and carefully timed to match the beat of the track.

The Omega goes back to his work, emailing about the color scheme and requesting a location change. Placing the opening sequence in a hotel with doors flying open would be a much more impactful and clear way to get across the double meaning of the shadow. There's Yoongi's shadows, and his struggles. Then, there's Bangtan's fame, and the cost of it that is also a shadow. There's been a few too many occurrences where they had to get on a plane immediately after a concert instead of spending the night in a hotel, because security hadn't been tight enough, allowing fans to infiltrate their private floor. It's scary to know that the same who claim to love them, could hurt them. 

Yoongi wonders what would change if they came out about their relationships. Most likely, everything. Even if their fans still loved and supported them, the media would certainly take the news very differently.

He tries not to let his thoughts linger on that too long, opening a different file and going through the wardrobe. Yoongi likes that they're having him play himself - Yoongi - and his persona, Suga. The styles they chose for both match well. He's not looking forward to dying his hair twice for one video, but oh well. He's made bigger sacrifices before. It seems like it will all be built in-house, unless they find a real hotel after reading his request. In-house recording is nice though because it means his schedule won't be too exhausting.

"Excellent, great job, Jungkook-ssi. You're happy with that one?"

"Yeah, it works."

"Great," the producer sounds relieved. "Let's move to the outro, then. Do you want a break?"

"No," Jungkook's voice sounds a bit rough. "Let's go for it."

"Alright."

Yoongi hears the vocal coach tsk as they allow Jungkook to continue. The singer probably should have stopped for a bit, Yoongi thinks. The last section sounds especially difficult, just a continuous vocal rhythm, Jungkook "ah"-ing melodically into the mic. It's difficult, and not something Yoongi could even attempt. Then, he coughs, the producers halting the track as Jungkook clears his throat and gets water.

"Okay, break time," the producer announces.

"No," Jungkook argues. "I'm fine now."

"Not for you," he replies, not missing a beat, "For me."

Yoongi sees Jungkook nod, shoulders dropping. The younger can't argue with that. 

"Hey," the vocal coach whispers to Yoongi. 

The rapper glances up at her, "Yeah?"

"Can you get him to chill out? He needs to take care of himself."

"Oh," Yoongi purses his lips. She must know about them, and she was probably there when they were recording Louder Than Bombs and Yoongi was the one over thinking. She knows that the two relax each other. "Okay."

Yoongi sucks in a deep breath, shutting his computer and leaving it in the chair. He pushes into the recording room, Jungkook catching sight of him immediately. The younger frowns, about to say something when Yoongi approaches him and takes his hand.

"Hyung, what are you doing here?" 

"I was watching."

"You were? Why?"

"I didn't want to sit in my studio alone," Yoongi confesses, the words sitting heavy on his tongue. "You're overworking yourself out here. You know better."

"I know," Jungkook looks down, a bit ashamed. "I'm being a perfectionist and I should really trust that it's good enough."

"Let me scent you," Yoongi requests before he loses his nerve. His heart is beating fast in his chest. 

Jungkook meets his gaze, eyes wide with surprise. "Are you sure?"

"It helped me a lot when I was in this exact same position. It will help you too. Let me, okay?"

"Alright," Jungkook nods.

Yoongi swallows anxiously, watching the Alpha turn his head slightly. His skin is tan and smooth, a little mole on his neck and the smell of petrichor strong and intoxicating. Just being this close to Jungkook is leaving Yoongi reeling. Now he has had to cover up the wonderful smell of rain with cherry blossoms? The Omega grabs onto the front of Jungkook's sweater for balance, getting on his tiptoes so he can reach properly. He presses against the Alpha's throat, his heat eliciting a shiver on Yoongi's spine. He holds his breath, does his best to remain steady. Jungkook is holding his waist, breathing softly against him.

Yoongi lets him go, smelling a soft sweet floral and almond scent on Jungkook. The Alpha smells like him now. 

Jungkook smiles, still holding onto Yoongi's hips. And suddenly, Yoongi wants to kiss him. Wants to yank Jungkook's head in and make their mouths meet. He wants to taste him for himself, wants Jungkook holding him tight. The Omega lets out a half-gasp before cutting himself off, stepping away from Jungkook so that the younger's hands have to fall.

"Okay, you got his now right? Is that better?"

"Yeah hyung," Jungkook laughs, like it was nothing. Like it had no effect on him, even though Yoongi is now spiraling and he's not even the one who got scented. "Thank you. I'll see you after, okay?"

Yoongi goes back to his seat, only realizing as he enters the listening booth that literally the entire crew just witnessed him scent Jungkook. If any of them didn't know they were "dating" they do now. The coach who had asked him to go to Jungkook gives him a grin and thumbs up, and he gives a sheepish smile to her.

He opens his laptop but can't focus on anything other than Jungkook finally nailing the outro and sounding pleased with it. The recorders congratulate him, sounding immensely relieved, and they move on to backing vocals. Yoongi's heart is still thumping against his rib-cage. He slips out minutes later, bumping into Seokjin in the hall. They grab some food together, and Seokjin shows Yoongi what they have so far for his solo track. 

After a while, Yoongi forgets about what happened in the recording studio and focuses just on his friend. 

~

Jimin helps Yoongi roll kimbap in the kitchen. Though the Beta has never been one for cooking, he says that he wants to be able to contribute to meals just as much as Seokjin so that the eldest isn't always taking care of Jimin, without Jimin being able to give anything in return. Yoongi's glad for the company, and thankful it makes the dinner process go by much faster. 

They prepare cucumber, carrots, baby spinach, and danmuji to go inside alongside the omelet that Yoongi's frying in a pan. The rice is ready to go, and Jimin is getting the spinach going, cooking it down to be soft and tender. By the time the omelet is finished so is the spinach, and Jimin takes out their singular bamboo mat from a drawer. He places a seaweed sheet on it as Yoongi finishes slicing the egg into strips. They take turns at making rolls. Yoongi adds extra danmuji, Jimin slips some kimchi inside, and soon they've amassed seven rolls that they cut into rather thin circles.

Only Jungkook and Namjoon are home besides them, but the others will get to the rest of the kimbap when they get home. After the two join them around the kitchen island, Jungkook getting himself a bowl of white rice on the side, they discuss how the album is going. The maknae seems at ease now, and he says he's really happy with how his recordings came out today. Jimin is still in the early stages, but is appreciating how the producers have so far interpreted his desired message.

Namjoon feels a bit left out, his solo having cake out in the previous album, but says it's given him more time to work on other tracks and help the members. Jimin shares about asking Seokjin to wear a promise ring with him, and Namjoon gives him the biggest dimples smile with Jungkook teasing the Beta for being so whipped already. Yoongi raves about the concepts for his music video, and they all insist on seeing the designs. He shows them the storyboard images and Namjoon ends up talking their ears off about Carl Jung throughout the rest of dinner. Jungkook is the best at humoring Namjoon's tangents, staring adoringly at their leader and asking all the right questions that the Omega is all too excited to answer.

Jimin and Yoongi share a look, a bit lost, and frankly ready to go to bed. They tag-team the dishes, Put away the leftovers, and by the time they're done Namjoon and Jungkook have finally let the conversation die out.

"You guys going to bed?" Namjoon glances between Yoongi and Jungkook.

Yoongi looks at the Alpha, "Uh..."

"Just remember," Namjoon continues, "We have that photoshoot all day tomorrow."

"Oh, right," Jimin says, "What's it for?"

"The Japanese Fan Café."

"Okay, we won't be up late then," Jungkook assures, heading out of the kitchen with Yoongi on his tail.

Jungkook goes to his own room first, telling Yoongi he'll be there soon. The elder hums in agreement, and hurries to shower and change into pajamas before Jungkook comes. He pulls onto sweats and a t-shirt, shaking his hair out in a towel aggressively. He hates sleeping with wet hair; there's nothing worse than feeling cold water slither down your neck as you try and fall asleep. Or to turnover and find your face pressed into a damp pillowcase. Yoongi puts on the moisturizer his stylists recommended, to rejuvenate his skin and wash away the chemicals from makeup. By the time he's sitting down in his bed, he's exhausted by the routine. He doesn't always have time to do it, but when he does it puts his body in the perfect mode for sleep. 

"Hey, hyung," Jungkook enters, dressed similarly and dark, wet hair slicked up off his face, exposing his forehead and clear skin. "Good day, it seems?"

"Yeah, I think so. Yours?"

"Good," Jungkook sits on the bed that has become his over the course of the past few weeks. "Like I said at dinner, I really am happy with my song. I think ARMY will really like it."

"Especially with the timezone metaphor," Yoongi agrees, "They'll appreciate that a lot."

"Ah, yeah," Jungkook looks a bit embarrassed. Yoongi thinks it's about the compliment, but the maknae adds, "Namjoon-hyung could smell you all over me when we came home from the company. I think he's really proud of us."

"I know," Yoongi rubs the back of his neck, glad for the dim light and the blankets on his lap. "I'm so scared of disappointing him. Of disappointing all of them."

"You never disappoint us, hyung."

"No, Jungkook-ah... I mean us disappointing them. Whenever we decide to pretend to break up they're going to be heartbroken. They're so happy we're a balanced group, a perfect pack, but you and I..." Yoongi trails off, sees Jungkook nodding as he understands. 

"I know. I feel that way too. And I know if we told them we've just been pretending all this time they would be even more hurt. But, you know, there's no reason for anything to change or go wrong when we break up," Jungkook attempts to quell both their worries. "It's not like it will be a real break up. We're just friends right now, and we'll be just friends afterwards. We haven't changed at all, just what we label ourselves as has."

Yoongi sucks in a breath, heart tightening. It really shouldn't hurt so much to hear Jungkook state true things. "You're right."

"Let's not worry about this, hyung. Nothing bad will happen so long as we show them that we're handling ourselves maturely and that we decided we're better off as friends. It'll be mutual, so it doesn't have to be a big deal."

"Yeah, okay," Yoongi pushes his pillow up against his headboard, leaning on them so he and Jungkook can continue to talk for a while. Even though his body is relaxed, his mind is still going. "Hey, Jungkook?"

"Hm?"

"What's the thing you really want to do? You mentioned it in your studio...?"

There's a pause, quiet and warm. Jungkook smells like rain again, his scent drifting over to Yoongi like the window is open during a storm. His pheromones are calm though, happy. It makes Yoongi feel even more comfortable just sitting here with him late at night, talking about little things and big things like they have been. Jungkook isn't Seokjin. He doesn't replace what Jin was to Yoongi as a roommate and best friend for years, but Jungkook does bring something else. Something that continuously seems to leave Yoongi longing for more. 

"I can show you," Jungkook whispers at last. 

Yoongi watches the Alpha crawl off his bed and to the desk on his side. Lately, some of Jungkook's belongings have been gathering there. A pair of glasses, chapstick, lotion. There's a notebook, a charging cable that's plugged in, a set of headphones. Yoongi's glad he's started making it his own. Jungkook picks up the leather bound sketchbook, taking off the elastic band and coming over to stand beside Yoongi's bed.

"Can I sit with you?" The Alpha asks, tone soft and eyes doe-like.

Yoongi smiles, insides flooding with warmth. He scoots over to make space and Jungkook garbs one of his pillows. He carefully climbs up beside Yoongi, legs on top of the blankets, but his side pressed into the Omega's. Jungkook hands over the book, letting Yoongi take it into his hands. 

The elder smooths his hand over the cover before opening it. He's met with a blank page, but then after that one there's drawings and writing. I'd rather be dead than cool is written over and over again in dark pencil. It's written in different fonts, formats, and sizes. Beside some of them is a skeletal hand that Jungkook drew, doing the rock on symbol. Yoongi isn't sure what he's looking at exactly, but they're all beautiful. Jungkook's life motto is beautiful, perfectly suiting his humble and thoughtful nature. Not all talented, successful, Alphas could become this famous and still be so effortlessly genuine and kind. 

Jungkook still doesn't do anything, and Yoongi doesn't either. He keeps flipping the thick, dry pages. The images finally change, and now there's an elaborate flower taking up the entire page. Yoongi doesn't know what type it is, but it is a very clearly specific kind. The flower is drawn from a variety of angles over the next few pages, and when Yoongi turns the next his breath hitches slightly. Taking up the backside of the previous page and the front of the new one is the phrase Please Love Me. Yoongi can't help but to flip through faster, eager to see how the flower and the words come together. It results in the phrase being partially hidden behind the flower. The sketch is rough, imperfect, but it's the last involving the two symbols. 

There's more, more that don't have as straightforward a meaning. And the pages are running out, Jungkook has practically filled this entire sketchbook. Yoongi isn't sure how the younger found the time for any of this. Each piece had a ton of attention given to it, what looked like hours of work. Yoongi's never seen him draw any of these things before, and now they're here dozens of times over like they mean something. Like they're for something important. 

Yoongi is feeling the edge of the next page, surprised when he feels that it's the last one. When he turns it, he has to stop and stare. ARMY is written clearly, spaced out in the center of the page. The A looks like an upside down V, there's a J written above the M, and little + marks between each letter. A shaded in heart on the left, the ARMY shield on the right. A crown. A circle face. This is the first drawing Yoongi touches. He does it very slowly, very softly. Tracing a finger over each line, each letter, the outline of the heart. Jungkook is so warm next to him, petrichor scent strong and - oh. Jungkook smells nervous. Like he's scared of what Yoongi is thinking. 

"What are these for?" Yoongi asks quietly, even if there's no need to be. The moment feels precious, like everything is hanging in the balance. 

"They're for me. They're for... Tattoos."

Yoongi jerks his chin up, meeting Jungkook's vulnerable gaze. 

"Oh, wow. They're beautiful. I don't know what they all mean, but you obviously took so much time making them into what you wanted. Wow," the Omega repeats, glancing back down at the book. "Even this one? The ARMY one?"

"It's not just ARMY," Jungkook says. He reaches over, hand brushing Yoongi's. He points at each letter as he speaks, "The A looks like a V, for Taehyung. The R and M, RM, is for Namjoon. The J is for Jimin, Seokjin and Hoseok-hyung. Then the Y is -"

"For me," Yoongi finishes in awe.

"Yeah."

"You want this on you?" Yoongi checks, in disbelief.

"Yeah," Jungkook laughs a bit, flattening his hand next to the picture. "Right here, on my hand. ARMY on my knuckles."

"Oh my god," Yoongi whispers. Then he blinks over at the younger man, admitting shamelessly that, "You're so cool, Jungkook-ah. It's incredible that you drew these, but that you want to get them tattooed? That's so cool. They all fit you so well, I can't believe I never imagined you with tattoos before."

"Hyung, stop," Jungkook shoves Yoongi's shoulder, bashful. "Have you imagined any of us with tattoos before? I didn't even think about it until a few years ago when -"

"Years!?" Yoongi exclaims. "That's a long time! You've been planning these that long?"

"Yeah," Jungkook shrugs. "But I started feeling ready for them, maybe, 6 months ago? I don't know. I was thinking of getting them during our break."

"Oh, our month off?"

Jungkook nods, looking like he's holding something back.

"What is it?" Yoongi questions.

"I want the rest of the tattoos on my arm. Like, up my entire arm. And I'm scared of the company hating me for it, or making my wardrobe difficult to manage and stuff. I'll have to cover them most the time, and I'm scared it will be a hassle."

"Jungkook, if you're ready for them and you want them, you should go for it. They're for you anyway, and if they aren't shared with the whole world, does it matter? And you know all our staff love you, they want you to do things for yourself because you're selfless all the time. Okay?"

"Hyung," Jungkook's voice is a gurgly, making Yoongi look at him. The Alpha has tears in his eyes, one even falling down his cheek. "Don't say that."

"They do love you, though. They support you and want you to be happy," Yoongi puts his over Jungkook's and squeezes, heart wrenching as he watches Jungkook cry silent tears.

"No, not that," the younger corrects. "I'm not selfless. I take so much for myself that I don't need, and I don't always say thank you, and I don't treat people as they should be treated. And I keep everything in and make people worry, and lying to people is probably the most selfish thing you can do."

"No," Yoongi says gently. He doesn't want to invalidate how the other man feels, but he also doesn't want to let Jungkook's assumptions and perception of himself go unchallenged. He holds onto Jungkook's hand tighter, he can feel the Alpha's body shaking where they are pressed together. "You can make mistakes. You can have bad days. You can be busy and forget things. It's alright not to be perfect all the time."

"I know, I know. I just, I feel so bad. I feel so guilty, even if no one is ever actually hurt. I know how I could have been better, and that's what bothers me," Jungkook admits.

Yoongi stares at Jungkook who is sniffling and wiping his tears with the back of his hand. The Omega doesn't know what to say. Doesn't know how to help him. 

"Can I hug you?" 

Jungkook blinks a few times, and nods.

Yoongi wraps his arms underneath Jungkook's, holding him tight and clinging to his shirt. He feels the Alpha's breath come in gasps, chest heaving. Yoongi is relieved when Jungkook hugs him back, head resting on the elder's shoulder. They stay like that until the Alpha's breath evens out, until his scent has calmed down. Jungkook is the first to pull away, eyes a little red but otherwise he looks okay. Composed.

"Thank you," Jungkook says, then laughs, "I don't know why I got all emotional all of a sudden."

"It's okay. I don't mind. I'm here for you whenever you need a good cry," Yoongi promises.

"Thanks, you're a good hugger."

Yoongi snorts, turning away and closing Jungkook's sketchbook. He hands it to him, and Jungkook smiles. The Alpha slides off Yoongi's bed, shuts off the lamp light, and then rustles the blankets as he climbs under them. Across the room for Yoongi. And now, the Omega has a gaping, cold hole beside him. Empty. 

Jungkook doesn't say anything else, even when Yoongi whispers good night to him. 

Yoongi lays his pillows down flat, pulls the blankets up to his chin. He falls asleep quickly, hands balled into the sweater Jungkook left him so long ago, and face buried in Jungkook's pillow that he left behind. Petrichor eases him to sleep...

... Petrichor wakes him up.

Yoongi's phone tells him it's 4am, and it takes a minute to gain his senses and figure out what woke him. Then, after a deep inhale, he smells it. Fear. Fear pungent and harsh. Like lightning striking a tree in a storm; smoke in the water. He sits up straight, zeroing-in on the bed across from him where he sees Jungkook's silhouette in the dark.

"Jungkook?" He whispers.

"Shit," he hears the Alpha's muffled curse, then the shuffling of blankets as his dark outline sits up. "I'm sorry hyung, I didn't mean to wake you up."

"What happened? Did you hear something? Are you okay?"

"No, nothing like that. I'm fine, I just had a stress dream."

"A nightmare?" Yoongi seeks clarification.

Jungkook audibly sighs, "I guess so."

Then, all at once, any reluctance or resistance or hesitation Yoongi's felt over the last few weeks vanish. All he can think about is Jungkook, how much he cares for him, and how much the Alpha clearly needs someone at his side as much as the Omega longs for one. Yoongi tosses his blankets off, hissing when his barefoot hits the cold floor.

"Hyung? Where are you going?" Jungkook sounds alarmed at the Omega's movement.

Yoongi approaches his bed, stands beside him as Jungkook's features come into a blurry view. Even in the dark, the Omega can see the frown on Jungkook's face. Up close, his scent is even more distressed. The rain is like a hurricane, spinning out of control and wrecking whatever might be in its path. 

"Move over," Yoongi says.

"Move over?" Jungkook echoes, incredulous. "What for?"

"Just do it," Yoongi grumbles, unable to help his pout. It gets Jungkook to listen though, the Alpha leaving space on one half of his bed for Yoongi to get into. The Omega crawls under the covers, yanks them up, and feels a bit giddy as he feels Jungkook's warmth again. 

"Hyung, what are you doing?" Jungkook is holding himself up with one arm, as far from Yoongi as he can be. He stares at the elder like he's gone mad.

"I'm going to sleep here tonight."

"But, that was your one rule," Jungkook whispers, tone flattening out as he grows serious. "You said no to that."

"Well, things happen and rules change. I want to be here. I want to sleep here, okay? I can't stand letting you suffer alone knowing u can do something about it."

Jungkook stares for a solid minute, wordless. Yoongi tries to stay firm, not let his doubt get the best of himself. He sighs in relief when Jungkook drops his whole weight back onto the mattress, head lying not a foot or twin from Yoongi, plenty of space between their bodies on the queen-sized bed. But this isn't what Yoongi wants, and it's not what Jungkook needs. 

"Come closer," Yoongi voices.

"Why?"

"So I can do something about your fear."

"And what can you do?" Jungkook is dubious, but he rocks the whole bed as he moves closer, within a foot now. Their knees kicking slightly beneath the covers.

Yoongi doesn't explain himself further. Just moves in close, Jungkook doing the same as if they were magenta gravitating towards each other. 

Yoongi's nose, his cheek, his skin, is pressing into Jungkook's scent gland. Overwhelming the fearful scent with soft, calm, cherry blossoms. Jungkook's pulse is rapid under the Omega's touch, Jungkook's hands warm and hesitant when they touch Yoongi. But slowly, surely, Jungkook calms down. His heart rate, his breathing, his intense scent. The Alpha's eyes gleam yellow in the dark, just for a moment, just a flash that makes Yoongi hold his breath in anticipation. 

"Can I scent you too?" Jungkook asks, voice a quiet rasp as Yoongi's heart pounds in his ears. 

Yoongi can't believe he just scented Jungkook like that. That he crawled into the Alpha's bed deliberately, just so he could. 

"Yes, please," Yoongi agrees, hoping he doesn't sound as eager, as desperate, as he feels. 

Jungkook is over him in an instant. The Omega is flat on his back, Jungkook's hands beside Yoongi's head in the pillows. The Alpha does not touch him, his body isn't on him, but he's peering down at Yoongi with softness. Behind the softness, Yoongi sees something sharp. The Alpha instincts locked away. 

A whine leaves Yoongi's lips against his will Jungkook's nose and lips skirt over his neck, a cheek pressing under his jaw, gently on his scent gland. The Omega doesn't feel embarrassed though, though he might tomorrow. Instead, his hands firm Jungkook's and keep them pinned on the sides of his head, encouraging Jungkook to scent him longer than necessary. And the Alpha does. Breathing steadily, skin so soft, petrichor rippling over Yoongi and bringing him contentment. Settling his Omega, telling it that he succeeded in helping the Alpha.

Jungkook doesn't really stop scenting Yoongi. He does, however, lie down beside him, arm over Yoongi and pulling the Omega into his chest, nuzzling his face into Yoongi's neck and keeping them held tightly together. 

"Is this okay?" Jungkook whispers, breathless.

"Yes, yes," Yoongi says it twice, so the Alpha can't doubt him. "It's so nice."

Jungkook hums, and Yoongi feels himself blushing. He hasn't been spooned in so long, and it feels so nice. And now, even better, he smells like petrichor all over. And Jungkook smells like cherry blossoms.

And Yoongi is definitely, definitely, falling for Jungkook. 

my twt

Chapter Text

Jungkook wakes up before Yoongi. 

There's the smell of cherry blossoms all over; lilac and creamy, hints of almond. Sweet. He opens his eyes slowly, a bit scared of what he might find. It's dark in the room, cool, but their body warmth balances it out. Jungkook and Yoongi are faced towards each other, legs beneath the blankets but torsos above. Their noses are more inches apart, Jungkook's gaze drawn toward Yoongi's eyelashes that rest softly on his cheeks. 

Jungkook can smell himself too. A hint of petrichor coming off of Yoongi. He's not sure what he was thinking last night, scenting Yoongi as much as he did. He overdid it. The Omega comforting him made sense, but why did he return it to Yoongi when it wasn't necessary? He feels guilty for acting out of instinct - he's usually so good at keeping himself contained. Jungkook thinks his Alpha probably wanted to thank the Omega for doing what he did. Mostly, Jungkook can't believe that Yoongi broke the one rule he had made just so he could help the younger man sleep better.

He wonders why not sharing a bed was Yoongi’s only rule in the first place. It's not like they haven't before. They've slept beside each other in airplanes, cars, buses, sitting in chairs or on a couch. They've casually shared mats and beds during filming days - when neither of them have scenes and just need a quick nap. Jungkook assumes Yoongi's rule was less about it being Jungkook, and more about the intimacy of sharing a bed in a bedroom with the door shut. As if something could happen, even though obviously nothing beyond the scenting will. 

Jungkook is so glad he was able to tell Yoongi honestly about his tattoo aspirations, and so grateful for how Yoongi reassured him. And then he was beyond words when Yoongi comforted him in bed after his nightmare, appreciating his hyung more than ever for allowing Jungkook not to explain himself. It's not often you find someone who you can be vulnerable with or who understands when silence is more important than confrontation and conversation. It's probably why they've always gotten along so well, and why Yoongi agreed to this ridiculous fake-dating plan with Jungkook. 

It's a little scary to think about this ending. Mainly because Jungkook really enjoys spending time with Yoongi, and the disguise of dating has given him an excuse to do it more. Not that Yoongi would have said no before, but the Alpha has a tendency to feel awkward about asking or bothering him in some way. 

Now they're here. In bed together. Yoongi's scent is so very sweet, his face looks so soft. His hair is ruffled, splayed on the pillow. It makes Jungkook want to run a hand through it. He doesn't know what time it is, but he knows Sejin will probably come before long to wake them all up for the long day of content filming and photoshoots. At least there will be catering. 

Jungkook sits up slowly, trying to move the mattress as little as possible. He's got his legs hanging off the end of the bed when he hears his name. 

"Jungkook," Yoongi is rubbing his eyes, peering down at the younger with a furrow in his brow. "What are you doing?"

"I'm going to shower, rest hyung."

"What time is it?"

Jungkook shrugs, watching as Yoongi rolls over and reaches for his phone where it's shoved beneath a pillow. He blinks at the light, looking like a displeased cat.

"It's only 6:30, we're not leaving until 8."

"Okay," Jungkook whispers, feet hitting the cold floor. 

"Use my shower then come lay back down for awhile."

Jungkook certainly misheard him. "Use your shower?"

"Yeah, then come back to bed. It's cold without you."

Jungkook coughs, flustered by Yoongi's boldness. There's no reason for Jungkook to lie back down again, except for the fact the Yoongi wants him to. Why does he want him to? 

The Alpha nods slightly, not sure if he should commit. Maybe the Omega will have thought better of it by the time he comes back. He enters Yoongi's bathroom, pretty clean except all his products are laid around, without a home. He starts the water, identifies the soap, puts a towel nearby and climbs into it. 

As he scrubs himself he smells cherry blossom fading from his skin, replaced with organic soap smell and minty shampoo. He's glad for it - no one needs to get it into their head anymore that they already do that Jungkook and Yoongi are perfect for each other, or that their relationship is intimate and serious. He'd rather they see them neutrally; see them as little different than what they were before. Yoongi's right that their friends are getting too attached to the idea of them as a couple. Jungkook hadn't considered that being a repercussion when they started this whole thing. 

Jungkook presses his face into his hands, hot water crashing down on top of his head and running down his shoulders, his torso, soapy and swirling down the drain. 

This act is getting hard to maintain. Pretending to be in a relationship is exhausting, mostly when they're in front of everyone else and Jungkook has to continuously remind himself of how he's supposed to be acting, and how they've been judging that Jungkook and Yoongi don't keep each other scented like all the others do to their partners. Jungkook is torn between wanting to be convincing, and wanting nothing more than this to be over. He loves spending time with Yoongi, but he doesn't love sharing a room with him. Or seeing him in such pain as he longs for a relationship Jungkook can't give him. 

The water shuts off, steam rolling out. He dries himself off and pulls on the change of clothes he's had stashed in Yoongi's room, and frowns when he realizes the fabric has naturally become scented by Yoongi by being in here. The cherry blossoms on his skin are gone, but now it's in the fabric of his clothes. 

The bedroom is cold when he comes back in, and the light of the bathroom falls across where Yoongi is still in bed - facing Jungkook. He waves the younger man over.

"It's almost 7, come sleep more."

"Hyung..." Jungkook balls up his dirty clothes in his arms. "I think I should go to my room."

"Why?"

"I need to get some stuff ready before we go."

"Jungkook..." Yoongi is frowning, like he knows the Alpha is lying. "Shut that light off."

The bathroom light goes off with a click, casting them both in darkness. Jungkook takes a deep breath, trying to steady himself. He feels bad for denying Yoongi, but he also knows that it would just hurt his hyung more in the long run to have this fake relationship - so close to what Yoongi does want, but still so far - and if they keep sharing moments that make it more real, won't Yoongi just wish even more that he had someone he actually liked to be with? 

"Hey, wait." 

Jungkook has his hand on the door knob, but pauses. "Hm?"

"Can you scent me before you go?"

Jungkook squeezes his eyes shut, stifles a sigh. 

"Yeah," he swallows,"Okay."

So he goes to the bed, stands above Yoongi as the Omega turns his head to his side. The Alpha holds his old pajamas between him and Yoongi like a shield, doing the bare minimum as he presses his face into the crook of Yoongi's neck. He smells his petrichor scent on Yoongi and starts to straighten back up when a hand grabs the front of his shirt. 

"Thank you, Jungkook. Are you sure that you're doing okay? Did you sleep the rest of the night?"

"I did, hyung, thanks to you."

"Okay."

"I'll see you later," Jungkook promises.

Relief floods in as he steps into the hall, door shutting behind him. He goes to his room down the hall, tosses his clothes in the dirty bin, and sits in his perfectly made bed. He hasn't slept here in weeks now. 

He doesn't do anything for the next hour. Sejin comes in at 7:30, expression neutral as he sees Jungkook sitting on his own bed. 

"Half hour before we gotta go," Sejin tells him. 

"Yeah, thanks," Jungkook smiles. 

Their manager is about to go when he glances back at Jungkook, "Everything okay? I was surprised not to see you in Yoongi's room." 

"Everything is fine, I just wanted to use my own shower," he lies. Sejin doesn't need to be worried. 

Maybe that's the worst art of this. Having all their producers, managers, staff - people who are their friends too - see Jungkook and Yoongi as a couple and accept it. They don't question it. It's weird for Jungkook to have everyone treat them like this relationship was inevitable, or that it makes perfect sense. He and Yoongi don't suit each other like that. 

Sejin goes with a nod, and Jungkook lies flat on his back on his bed. 

The Alpha changes his clothes again so he won't smell like cherry blossoms. 

~

When Jungkook leaves Yoongi's room, the Omega's heart thuds. Did he ask for too much? Did he go too far? Can Jungkook tell that Yoongi is having feelings for him, that he can't stifle and doesn't want to?

He probably can. He can probably smell it on Yoongi. Can see it in how Yoongi keeps looking at him. It's just, Jungkook is different now that Yoongi's started spending so much time with him. Now that he's smelt the Alpha’s scent all over him. Now that his heart is yearning for more, more, more Jungkook all the time. He's noticing things he didn't before - or maybe he has seen them all before, but not through this lens. 

Sejin tells Yoongi to get up and ready, which he begrudgingly does, and then join the others in the hall to shove in his shoes and head out the door. Jungkook gives Yoongi a little smile as they stand in the elevator, and that relaxes the Omega a bit. It does even more when the Alpha puts his arm around Yoongi and makes sure they sit together in the car. Jimin and Tae are in the vehicle with them, their gaze clearly on Yoongi and Jungkook.

"Yoongi, you sure smell like Jungkook today," Taehyung comments.

Yoongi shrugs, "So?"

"So..." Jimin smiles mischievously. "We've just noticed you guys don't really do that unless it's a specific occasion. What the occasion?"

"There isn't one."

"Awwwww," Jimin coos. "You guys are progressing!"

"Shut up, Jimin-ssi," Jungkook laughs. "We're no different than before."

"But you were so against the idea of being with anyone, and you always said scenting was possessive and that mating was old fashioned," Jimin rants, and Yoongi's eyes widen. He feels Jungkook stiffen beside him, since this was all stuff he's clearly shared with Jimin in trust and now the Beta was assuming Yoongi knew it all. "I'm just so proud of our maknae growing up."

"Right," Jungkook says, and Jimin's grin falters.

"I didn't mean -" 

"I know, Jimin, it's fine."

"Okay. I'm sorry."

"It's fine," Jungkook repeats.

Yoongi meets Taehyung's eyes, the Beta seeming just as confused as him. 

Thankfully they've arrived at the company. They unload as the other members come out of the car in front of them. Once they've gotten through security, Sejin takes them to one of the massive warehouse spaces they use for music video sets and photo shoots. There's a ton of sound stages built so they can film their content for the fan café simultaneously. 

First they're shuffled to hair and makeup, groomed and plucked. Moisturizer, foundation, concealer, all layered on. Yoongi watches them curl his hair, attention drifting down the mirror to see everyone else's faces. Hoseok has the perfect part, Seokjin's hair is fluffy over his forehead, Namjoon's hair is swept up. Jungkook's hair has the part they usually go with, slightly off center. His hair is longer now than it has been in a while, so it falls a little awkwardly. The Alpha is leaning forward in his seat, applying a light shade of lipstick while his makeup stylist is doing something else. 

"You smell an awful lot like our Jungkookie," Yoongi's stylist whispers. She's worked with them for years now, so it's far from strange for her to comment. "He's something special isn't he?"

"He is," Yoongi agrees, glad she doesn't ask for an explanation.

"Let me know if he doesn't treat you well, and I'll make sure he gets hair dyed mustard yellow next time."

Yoongi laughs, "Even you couldn't make him look bad, noona."

She chuckles, fingers deftly arranging strands of Yoongi's hair, "Maybe not. But I can certainly try."

"Thanks."

"Of course."

The photoshoot session moves along pretty fast. They're able to do their solo shoots three at a time; smiling, making cute faces, attempting to look sexy as their friends make faces behind the camera. It's hard to focus, but it makes it more fun when they all treat it like a game. Who can keep their face the straightest as Hoseok and Taehyung dance by grinding together? Yoongi breaks more than a few times, blaming them outright and playfully demanding they be removed from the set. 

Jungkook isn't fooling around with them. He's fiddling with one of his video cameras, talking to Joon off on one side of the massive room. By the time the Alpha has figured his equipment out, he's called over to pose for the cameras.

Yoongi joins Jimin and Seokjin at the catering tables, carefully setting fruit and crackers on his tongue so his makeup doesn't get messed up. 

"Hyung and I get to do our fan content together," Jimin tells Yoongi.

"What are you doing?" 

"We're reacting to fan covers of our songs," Seokjin says. "They're always so talented, aren't they?"

"ARMY is amazing. They could replace me," Jimin agrees.

"No!" Jin hugs Jimin to his chest, looking so big next to the younger even though they're both Betas.

"What are you and Jungkook doing?" Jimin asks, hugging Seokjin back now.

"Oh, are we paired together?"

"You didn't check the agenda?" Seokjin snickers. "Or listen to Sejin when he told us?"

"Guess not."

"Well, guess you'll find out."

Find out Yoongi does.

He and Jungkook change clothes, into something more casual but still put together - their makeup fixed. They're led to a room inside the actual company, not one of the sound sets. 

"Woah!" Jungkook exclaims when they enter. "Look at all that food!"

"Hey there, Jungkook-ssi, Yoongi-ssi," an Alpha woman greets them. There's a crew on one half of the room, lights set up and pinging to the table. "I'm gonna be your director today."

Yoongi and Jungkook both bow, saying how good it is to meet her and waving to the crew members they know with a smile. They take their seats at the table, waiting to be told what to do. Jungkook leaves a foot of space between them that Yoongi notices, looking at the younger. He smells strongly of petrichor, none of Yoongi’s cherry blossoms from last night are left on him. 

"So, we're going to film about ten little five minute segments of you trying various Japanese foods from different regions. Since this is for the Japanese fan café we thought they'd really like this specialized content."

"Ah," Yoongi nods, "they have YouTube videos where people try food like this."

"Oh yes," Jungkook smiles. "I love watching those. This will be fun, hyung."

"Do we need to eat all that food?" Yoongi questions, staring at how big the bags of chips, candy bars, and other things are. 

"No, no," the director tells them, "Just a little bit. Talk about it, talk about Japan and food. Nothing too intense."

"Like a mukbang," Jungkook grins.

"You post enough of those on Twitter, you should be an expert at this," Yoongi turns to him.

They eat, banter, laugh. It's a little weird with the camera and ten other people in the room, but after a while Yoongi gets used to it and enjoys himself. They move onto some spicy ramen, the staff bringing it out steaming hot and handing them each a pair of chopsticks.

"Scared, Jungkook-ah?"

"Are you?" The Alpha taunts, smirking a bit.

"No," Yoongi grumbles, taking a massive bite of noodles to prove it, lifting the bowl to slurp up some of the broth. It burns his throat as it goes down, and Yoongi wipes his mouth off aggressively.

"Ah!" Jungkook says, making the elder look at him. "I need to blow my nose."

"Too much for you?" Yoongi jokes, laughing at Jungkook's red face and anxious hands as he waits for a tissue from the staff.

"No," Jungkook glares as he gets one. "It's not hot on my tongue, it's just clearing out my sinuses."

"That's a good thing."

"Perfect."

Yoongi has more, smiling into the bowl. His stomach feels a bit strange as he sets it back down, warmth rippling through it suddenly and a pressure increasing in his chest. What -

"Hey, hyung," Jungkook is leaned towards him, speaking quietly. Yoongi has frozen in place without even noticing it. The Omega looks at Jungkook blankly, frowning at the hot, fuzzy sensation coursing through him. It feels familiar.

"Can we get a break?" Yoongi hears the Alpha request.

Within moments, there's big hands on Yoongi's arms pulling him up, guiding him into the hallway. Once they're away from the cameras and the heat of small space he feels better, and he's drawn intensely to the smell of rain. Yoongi sways forward into a solid body, and is immersed in the brilliant scent of petrichor. 

"Hyung, Yoongi, look at me."

The voice is what brings the Omega back to himself. He shakes himself, blinking up at Jungkook in surprise. Fuck.

"Your heat, hyung. I think it's starting soon."

"I'm supposed to have a week," Yoongi replies automatically. "Shit. Right now?"

"Are you okay?" Jungkook asks, still holding Yoongi steady.

"I feel weird. It's my preheat, I think, but it's way more intense than normal. I think my heat is coming early. Like, soon."

"Do we need to call Sejin?"

"No, no," Yoongi shakes his head. "I can make it through today, I just need something cold to drink and maybe you could -" he rubs the back of his neck. After this morning, he's nervous to ask too much of Jungkook. But surely, this is an exception. "If you were willing to scent me, I think my Omega would calm down and be sated for while."

Yoongi meets Jungkook's eyes. The Alpha seems hesitant, but he agrees with a minuscule nod. 

When he scents Yoongi this time it's not like before. Not like this morning, not like at the recording studios. It's much more like last night, when Jungkook had been over Yoongi, scenting him like he really meant it. Like he wanted to claim him like an Alpha does an Omega. 

Yoongi gasps when he feels his back hit a wall, hot all over as Jungkook grips his waist and noses beneath Yoongi's jaw. The Alpha breathes heavily, eagerly scenting Yoongi. When he pulls away, Yoongi could swear he sees yellow flash in Jungkook's eyes. It makes his Omega purr in his chest, happy to be looked after by an Alpha. Yoongi, himself, is happy to be looked after by Jungkook. 

"I'm going to get you water," Jungkook mumbles, breath ghosting over Yoongi lips as he lets his hands drop from the elder's sides.

Yoongi nods numbly. He's cooled down now by Jungkook's scent, his insides have settled and his head has cleared significantly. He's not ready to go back in the room, so he just watches Jungkook's retreating figure and curses silently to himself.

~

Jungkook blankly stares at the water pouring out of the faucet, dazed. Yoongi smells so...good. His cherry blossom scent had suddenly filled the entire room as they were filming, like they were in Japan as the pink puss went into full bloom on the trees. He smells intoxicating sweet, like Jungkook could bury his face in Yoongi's chest and breathe that sugary, vanilla smell. Like his Alpha could just fucking eat him.

He's trying to recompose himself before he returns. Scenting Yoongi should help them both calm down, now that the cherry blossom will be diluted by petrichor. The water overflows in the cup, falling onto Jungkook's hand as he comes back to consciousness.

"Jungkook? You good?" 

The Alpha shuts the water off, wiping his hand on his pants and turning to see Namjoon approaching him.

"Huh?"

"You good? You look a bit out of it."

"Oh, no I'm fine. Um," Jungkook bites his lip. "Hyung is in preheat. I'm getting him some water."

"Shit, really? I thought he wasn't due for a week."

"Yeah, well," Jungkook shrugs. "Guess it came early. We're nearly done shooting our scene though. What else are we supposed to do today?"

"After this we've got some audio skits to record, but then that's it."

"Good," Jungkook is relieved. "I'm sure Yoongi-hyung will want to go home right away."

"Yeah. I'll let Sejin know hyung is gonna be out for a few days," Namjoon says.

"I'll let Yoongi know, I'm sure he'll appreciate it."

"Should I tell Sejin you're gonna be gone too?"

Jungkook feels the blood drain from his face as he stares at Namjoon, lips parting with shock. Fuck, he hasn't even thought about this. Are the members really expecting him and Yoongi to spend their mating cycles together? Usually, once a couple has been together awhile heats and ruts line up so they can easily spend them together, but Jungkook's isn't for a few weeks. And besides, even if it was happening now there's no way he and Yoongi would spend it together. 

"No, um. Hyung and I...we haven't talked about that yet. I think he's doing it on his own, though," Jungkook swallows hard.

"Okay, you should talk to him. I know that heats can be a lot more intense when you have a partner. When I had mine after Hoseok-ah and Taehyung and I got together, I felt like -"

"I really don't need the details, Namjoon-hyung," Jungkook stops him. "I need to get back to Yoongi so we can finish this up and he can go home."

"Right, well, talk to him, Jungkook-ah."

Namjoon jostles Jungkook's shoulder in an affirming move, smiling as they part ways and the younger hurries back down the hall. He sees Yoongi waiting outside the door where he left him, and hands him the cold glass.

"Are you feeling better? You're sure you can make it through the rest of this?" Jungkook asks him.

"Yes," Yoongi chugs the water, then nods towards the room. "Ready to get back at it?"

"Yeah, if you are."

They go back in, apologize to the crew, and finish filming the last two mukbang bits. Yoongi seems better now, but Jungkook keeps a close eye on him. Checking if there's any change in his scent. Jungkook feels a bit weird doing it, like he's invading the Omega's personal business too much. If something was wrong or his heat was coming faster, Yoongi would say something. Jungkook knows this, but still is worried for him. Usually, everyone's cycles are on time, it fits into their schedules tidily, and Jungkook never even thinks about when the other members have to deal with a heat or rut. And of course, the three Betas never have to deal with it (save for Taehyung, who helps Namjoon and Hoseok now). 

Jungkook is separated from Yoongi when they record audio clips. He sings happy birthday, wishes ARMY well for holidays, exams, enjoying the weather. Other affirmations. When they first started making all this additional fan content, it had been a bit weird. Jungkook remembers questioning if their fans would really want this. Now he knows though that for people who gain energy and comfort form them, these tiny little things can help them a lot through hard times. So he puts his heart into it, and himself. Laughing a little, adding more than what the script says. When he finishes, he watches Seokjin through a window as the Beta smiles into a mic. 

They record a bit together, where they sing a popular Japanese song. Jungkook sees how Namjoon is taking special care of Yoongi, noticing his scent change too, and Jungkook feels better. He doesn't want to over-involve himself. One the vocal coaches has them practice pronunciation a few times over, and then they get the recording perfect and are let loose.

"What's your plan?" Jimin comes up to Jungkook. "Do you have to work on your song?"

"A bit, I can look at their vocal arrangements and stuff to see if I'm happy with it," the younger tells him. "How is your song with Tae going?"

"Good," Jimin's tone says otherwise, a little crease on his forehead.

"What is it?"

"I just want to really reflect us, you know? It's hard to work just with instrumentals and not know how our voices are gonna come off."

"You could record some vocals early, that might give you inspiration."

"Yeah, the lyrics aren't very far along but I suppose we could. They're talking about having a choir or something record for the song."

"Really?" Jungkook grabs a water bottle from the catering table. The staff is clearing the few remaining snacks away now that the filming is over. 

"Yeah. I'm not sure how they're doing that though."

"Do you think -"

"Jungkook," Namjoon interrupts suddenly, coming out of nowhere.

"Yeah?"

"Um," the leader looks between Jimin and Jungkook, and the Beta seems to take that as his cue to leave. Jimin nods goodbye, heading off to join Hoseok.

"What's up, hyung?" Jungkook frowns, not sure what he needed Jimin to leave for.

"Seokjin is taking Yoongi home, I have way too much to do here. Just be on call, okay? And try and talk to him tonight before his heat sets in."

"Hyung, I really don't think he wants me to -"

"Even if not this time, this is a conversation that's important to have. Don't push it off, you know? And if you haven't discussed it, you might be surprised what he says," Namjoon's brows are raised pointedly.

Jungkook sighs as Namjoon walks away. Why is he so insistent that Jungkook ask Yoongi about his heat? But, he supposes that Namjoon is extra worried about it being hard for Yoongi, since he assumes that Jungkook's Alpha and Yoongi's Omega have claimed each other in some fashion. And while Jungkook knows his Alpha has a soft spot for Yoongi, and the Omega likes to be scented than him, it's platonic. It's friendly. It's caring.

~

Yoongi can feel Seokjin's eyes on him the entire car ride home. They're quiet, sitting on their own sides while the Omega defiantly stares out the window to avoid conversation. He knows Jin wants to talk, and he knows his hyung is gonna make him, but he's going to avoid it for as long as possible. 

"Hey, can we get take-out?" Yoongi asks the manager up front. It's not Sejin, he's busy with the others at the company. 

The manager agrees, and they stop quickly at a Thai place for noodles. The tension fades as Yoongi and Seokjin carry it all into the dorm, setting the plastic bags down on the coffee table that's managed to stay clean since Jungkook cleaned it the other week. They've all been pulling their weight a little better, which makes it nicer to come home and hang out. They flick on the TV, the news is on. They're talking about Burning Sun, which is just frustrating to watch, so they switch to a kids channel where they're showing a cartoon.

"These are really good," Seokjin hums around a mouthful.

"Way better than the instant noodles I was planning to have," Yoongi agrees. 

There's still a fuzzy heat in Yoongi's core, his preheat burning like coals - waiting for a burst of air to turn into full fledged flames. Jungkook's scent is all over him, even his sweater. The Omega pulls one of his sleeves down over his hand, making a little paw, and tries to be subtle as he smells it.

He fails.

"You miss him, huh?" Seokjin asks, gentle as he sets his takeout box down. 

"Yeah, I guess so."

"It's okay, I get it."

"How could you?" Yoongi laughs a little, "You're not an Omega."

"No, but I still miss Jimin all the time. When we're apart for a long time, there's nothing I want more than to smell his coconut."

"Yeah," Yoongi smiles.

Jin smiles back and they watch a cartoon they haven't seen since they were little, and talk about how kids these days don't know what they're missing out on. They've finally decided a fishing date and text Sejin to put it in their schedule, tell him he should join them. When the food is gone they clear the table, joking about Jungkook's cleaning habits.

"I see him making his bed in the morning," Yoongi chuckles, warm at the thought, "he's so meticulous and smooths out every single crease. I keep waiting for him to be skeeved out by mess, and just totally reorganize. I'm like, actually surprised he hasn't started making my bed."

"One day you're gonna come home and all your clothes are gonna be folded into perfect squares, your books are gonna be color coded, and he's gonna keep the curtains open all the time," Jin adds.

"Nah," Yoongi waves the last part off, "No way. He wants the room as dark as I do. We just got our cozy little lamp on."

Yoongi grabs his soda and then realizes - we. He said we. Our. Without even thinking about it. As if it was natural. But how could he not? They've been sharing a room for nearly a month. It is theirs. 

"What's your plan for the rest of the night?" Seokjin asks as they lean against the kitchen counters.

"I'm gonna work from home. I got some lyrics to write."

"Okay. I'm gonna get the isolation room all set up for you in case you need it soon."

"Oh, hyung," Yoongi shakes his head, "You really don't need to. I'll be fine. I don't think my heat is going to start until tomorrow night. I can put water and everything in there later."

"But you weren't expecting your preheat so soon, what if your heat comes just as unexpectedly?"

"I guess it could," Yoongi sighs, "I don't want it to though."

"Alright, well. You go work, I'll do the room?" Seokjin asks, smiling softly.

"Thanks hyung," Yoongi moves in, hugging him.

"Aw, I love my Min Yoongi hugs," he coos.

"Shut up," the Omega grumbles, but grins and holds him tighter.

"Damn, you smell like petrichor. Jungkook really didn't want anyone else looking at you twice, did he?"

Yoongi doesn't say anything to that, pulling away as Jin pats him on the back.

He's glad to have some alone time in his room. Yoongi goes to his desk, turns on the monitors and lamps, and opens his field. The system takes a while to load since he hasn't accessed it from home in some time. He listens to the track, the current draft of lyrics recorded in the demo. He prints them out and writes in red ink over them, feeling gleeful as he crosses stuff out and replaces it with his own rhymes and wordplay. Records himself a few times, makes more changes, and sends them in. It's good knowing he's getting something done before she's incapacitated the next few days. 

The ache in his abdomen has returned. A rush of pinpricks attack his skin, and he squeezes his eyes shut. He really doesn't want his heat to start tonight, and it shouldn't. Yoongi could really use Jungkook to scent him about now. But the younger man isn't home, and won't be until who knows when.

Without thinking, the Omega stands up and collapses into Jungkook's bed. Instantly, he feels better. He smells rain all over, and buries his face in the Alpha's pillows, blankets pulled to his chin. Is it weird that he's doing this? He knows Jungkook wouldn't mind, he would want Yoongi to feel better. But still, Jungkook doesn't know how deep Yoongi's feelings have started to run. Doesn't know that Yoongi's heart swells with admiration and endearment when he sees Jungkook smile, or when they worked together today, or when Jungkook simply looks at him.

Oh, it wasn't supposed to go like this.

"Yoongi?" There's a knock on the door.

"Yes?"

Seokjin steps in, shitting the door behind him. That's right. He never got to interrogate Yoongi about whatever it is that he's worried about.

"You're in Jungkook's bed," Jin notices, it's not a question. He goes to sit on Yoongi's, sending a searching gaze the younger's way. "I guess he's the reason why your heat is starting early."

"Yeah," Yoongi exhales. He knows it too. Knows that his Omega is head over heels for the Alpha, and Yoongi himself isn't far behind. "It's weird because his scent makes it calm down, but I also know it's what is going to make it worse in the long run."

"Is he going to help you?"

"No," Yoongi answers, flinching. He said it too fast.

"No?" Seokjin echoes. "Why not?"

"Well," Yoongi stares at the ceiling, "technically we haven't talked about it. But I can't ask that of him. It's too much."

"Why would it be too much? He's your boyfriend, your partner."

Yoongi feels guilt simmer. He feels terrible lying to Seokjin, but at the same time - aren't they in too deep now for him to tell the truth?

"Well, you know how he didn't want a relationship before?" Yoongi asks, preparing as convincing a lie as he can muster. "We've been going slow, because of that, and asking him to be with me during my heat is a huge leap ahead."

"I don't know about that," Seokjin says, "It's only as big a deal as you guys want it to be."

"I know, I know," Yoongi sighs. "Hyung, I just..." he feels emotion swell in his eyes. He wants to tell Seokjin that it's all a lie. That Jungkook still doesn't want a relationship. That it's all Yoongi who has become too clingy, too needy. Who is going to mess this all up. 

"What's wrong, Yoongi? It's okay, take your time."

Seokjin's pheromones are gentle, warm, like coming home after a long trip away. Welcoming and comforting. 

"I think I'm a lot more...I think I'm way more invested in our relationship than he is," Yoongi whispers, careful. "And that's not his fault. I don't blame him. But I think... I think I'm in love with him and he's not even halfway there yet."

"Yoongi..." 

"I know it's silly," the younger turns his head to meet the Beta's eyes. "I know it's okay for us to be at our own places. But I'm ready to commit my heart to him and he's..."

"How do you know? Have you told him?" Seokjin wonders.

"No."

"From what I've seen, Yoongi. He's as dedicated to you as you are to him. There's love when he looks at you, if I've ever seen it," Seokjin assures.

Only Yoongi doesn't find it reassuring at all.

"Maybe, but it's platonic love. The same love he's always had for me, and that us members have for each other."

"You guys are in a romantic relationship. I promise you it's not how he looks at me."

"But we're not -" Yoongi stops himself short. They're not in a romantic relationship. That's the problem. 

"You're not what?"

"We're not like you and Jimin. You guys suit each other perfectly. You talk. You wanted each other. Jungkook and I ended up together because everyone else thought we'd be great, so we tried it."

"Are you not happy?"

"I am happy," Yoongi admits, feeling defeated. He is happy, but it shouldn't hurt so much. He wants Jungkook, wants to be with him for real. But he doesn't stand a chance. It's not like Jungkook hasn't thought about dating someone, it's that he has thought about it and decided against it.

Yoongi knows him too well for them to ever have a clean slate, like Jungkook wants when he dates someone. 

"I am happy, hyung," Yoongi continues. "But this isn't what I imagined when I said I wanted a relationship. I never thought it would be one of us, you know? One of Bangtan. I thought it would have been one of our other friends, and that we would be more traditional. But I've known Jungkook for so long, and now we're sharing a room and he's scenting me and I never expected it. I'm happy I get this with him. But I don't think..."

Seokjin gets up, comes over and kneels beside Yoongi bed so he's eye level with the Omega whose head is still on Jungkook's pillows. Jin takes Yoongi's hand and holds it tight, the Omega letting a few tears slip out of his eyes.

Yoongi sniffles, "If I spend my heat with him, I think I'll get too attached."

"What's wrong with that? Don't you want this for the long term?"

"I do, I want it. But, hyung," Yoongi swallows back the rest of his tears. "I don't think Jungkook and I are going to last."

"Yoongi," Seokjin frowns deeply. "Why would you say that?"

"I just think so," Yoongi is exhausted. He wants to sleep now. 

"I know I can't convince you otherwise, Yoongi. But I just wanted to say that if you feel so strongly about him, then you should put your all into what you guys have. Enjoy all your time together, and communicate with him. Find out where he's at emotionally, and above all..." Seokjin finishes, "trust that Jungkook would never hurt you. He loves you, no matter what."

Yoongi knows Jin is right.

The Beta leaves shortly after that, telling Yoongi goodnight.

Yoongi manages to get a few hours sleep, waking when he hears the door shut. It's Jungkook, who at last has come home from the company after a long day.

"Jungkook?"

"Hey, hyung. I was gonna grab some things and go to my room. I don't want to bother you while you're in preheat."

"No," Yoongi sits up suddenly. His heart is thudding in his chest. 

"What?"

"I want you to stay. My heat won't come until tomorrow, and having you here helps me a lot. Please," Yoongi hopes he doesn't sound too desperate. "Come to bed with me?"

"Hyung, are you sure that's a good idea?"

Yoongi knows Jungkook would never let his Alpha do anything, he's got far better control of himself than so many hyper-Alpha characters on television and, unfortunately, in real life. But, there is a chance that Jungkook himself is grossed out by the entire concept of a heat and preheat. 

"You don't have to, if you think, like, my smell is gross or something. Then you don't have to, I get it. Or even if you just want some space generally, then you can go. I know it's a lot to ask. But," Yoongi rambles, trying time to be as honest as he can. Like Seokjin said. "My Omega really likes you, Jungkook. And I trust you."

"Oh," Jungkook is frozen between their beds, in pajamas. 

"Sorry, that was a lot."

"No, don't apologize, hyung. If you're sure it won't cause you any discomfort I'll spend the night with you."

"You will?" Yoongi is relieved the younger man is so calm. Is taking Yoongi's confession about his Omega lightly. 

"Yeah, okay."

So Jungkook climbs into bed, crossing over Yoongi so he's in between the Omega and the wall. They adjust without saying anything, Yoongi's back to Jungkook's chest as the Alpha's arm goes over him. Jungkook even nuzzles forward, pressing his cheek to Yoongi's scent gland. 

"Just so you know," Jungkook says softly, voice raspy with sleep, "I could never think you're gross. And I'm glad you and your Omega trust me. I'm always self-conscious about being too Alpha, even though I know I'm not at risk of doing anything just because of some instincts. I'm glad you...feel safe with me. And if I can help lessen your hurt, your discomfort, or whatever it is, I'll always be here to help you hyung. Okay?"

"Okay."

Yoongi feels like his heart is going to explode.

my twt

Chapter Text

This time when Jungkook wakes up, it's because Yoongi isn't in bed.

"Hyung?" He mumbles as he sits up, head stuffy with the scent of cherry blossoms. Yoongi's preheat must have gotten worse through the night.

"I'm here."

Jungkook blinks through the dark as his eyes adjust, and there's Yoongi on his own bed across the room. The Omega is sitting up, pillows behind his back. He's got his ear buds in, and is looking at his phone. Jungkook rubs his eyes, not sure what made Yoongi leave.

"Are you okay? Do you want me to go?"

"No, you can stay," Yoongi assures, "I just needed a little space, is all. I'm better now, though."

"How long have you been up?" Jungkook pushes his blankets off, warm. 

"A couple hours. I don't think I'm gonna sleep any more. My body is full of energy."

"Ah, I see," Jungkook has a similar experience prior to his ruts. Adrenaline and hormones and everything bubbling to the surface. You just wait for it to burst like a dam. "Mind if I stay up with you?"

"You don't need to. Don't you have stuff to get up for in a few hours?"

"Nope," Jungkook says. Although, technically he does have a gym appointment. That could easily be rearranged though. He'd rather be here for Yoongi. He's still hesitant about intruding too much on the Omega, but Yoongi has asked him to stay last night, and said he could stay right now.

Yoongi wants him here. If he didn't, he would tell Jungkook so.

"Then some company would be nice," Yoongi smiles a little. "I don't know what we can do though. It's the middle of the night."

"Or, it’s very early in the morning," Jungkook teases.

The other laughs, "Or that."

"I've been meaning to ask you about something, hyung."

"What's that?"

"What are the letters on your shelf?" Jungkook points above Yoongi's head at the stack of envelopes.

"These?" Yoongi shifts into his knees, reaching up the shelf and pulling the papers down onto his bed. "What do you think?"

"Secret admirers? From your parents?"

"Nah," Yoongi shakes his head, opening one of the envelopes and pulling out a sheet of bright paper. He leans over to his bedside table and turns on the lamp, casting a golden tone over the room. 

As Jungkook squints his eyes over at it, he makes out the shape of the BTS vest logo, and handwriting in colorful pens. Yoongi is peering at it softly, holding it carefully in his hands.

"These are fan letters, from some of our very first fan meets. Obviously, I couldn't keep all the letters, but I kept the ones I really connected with."

"What's your favorite?" Jungkook asks, moving to lean against the wall, pulling the sheets up to his shoulders and pulling his knees up to his chest.

"Ummm..." Yoongi sifts through the pile until he finds a small, square envelope. He opens it and starts to read off the page. "My name is Hyunseo. I'm an Omega boy, and I've struggled to find my friend group and fit in at school. I've joined the fencing team recently, and I'm really good at it. A lot of the team are Alphas, and I was thinking about quitting. Then I heard your songs, saw you rap, and saw how strong you are. It's given me courage to pursue my passion. Thank you."

"That's so sweet," the younger man says. "You inspired them."

"Ah, no. This was for Namjoon, actually," Yoongi admits sheepishly.

"Wait, really? Are there some for you?"

"Yes, there's some for each of us. Want to hear one someone wrote for you?" Yoongi offers.

"I don't know...do I?

"You do," Yoongi insists. "Dear, Jungkook. There's a lot of Alphas who are idols now, but I don't think I've ever seen one as suited as you to singing, dancing, and looking so cute. When I learned your dynamic, I was really excited. I have a lot of Alpha bullies at my all-girls school, but you've shown me that it's not a trait of Alphas to be mean, those girls are just jerks. I will try to go on with less prejudice as I see the Alpha you grow into."

"That's..." Jungkook beams. "Thank you so much for keeping that, hyung. I can't believe I don't remember that letter."

"Yeah."

"What's the one for you?"

"Ah," Yoongi sounds reluctant, lips pursing slightly in embarrassment. He's holding on the letters, but isn't opening it. "I'm too embarrassed."

"Let me read it," Jungkook crawls off his bed, extending his hand to take it from Yoongi. The Omega gives it to him, and meets the Alpha's eyes. The elder pats the bed, and Jungkook gladly climbs up next to him. Yoongi gives him a pillow for his back and throws the covers over his lap, and they sit touching from their hips down.

"I haven't looked at these in so long," Yoongi grumbles, gritting his teeth in anticipation as Jungkook clears his throat.

"Dear Suga-oppa," Jungkook reads, "I never liked hiphop or rap, and I haven't ever liked idol music before. When I found Bangtan Sonyeondan I had been in the middle of a restless night, and felt very lonely. I found your SoundCloud music, watched all your debut videos, and have loved all your songs so far. I don't like hiphop still, but I do like your rap because your lyrics are heartfelt and soft even though your group is tough. You are tough too, especially with all those haters calling you a fake rapper. 

"I don't know much, but I know you rap with soul. I have even listened to your recommendations of Epik High and Tiger JK, and I see what inspired you. I think you are very cool. Please continue to write with your heart and rap with your soul. I will work hard to support you and all the members! I think you are amazing already, but will be more amazing than I can guess in the future. Thank you for sharing your music."

Jungkook takes a breath when he finishes reading. They sit in silence for a long moment as Jungkook reads it over and over. He feels like he could have written this himself. All the admiration contained in this letter is what he feels for Yoongi's music to this day. 

"They were right," Jungkook says softly. "You were amazing then, and you're amazing now."

"Thank you," Yoongi replies, meeting Jungkook's gaze. 

The younger man nods and gives back the letter. As Yoongi turned around and placing the envelopes on the shelf, a thought occurs to him.

"Do you believe them, hyung? When the fans say that you're amazing?" When I do, he thinks but can't bring himself to voice. 

"I don't know... It's complicated," Yoongi hums and sits back. He fiddled with a ring on his finger, pulling it off and pushing it back on over and over again.

"How?"

"Well," Yoongi sighs, "Let's see..." 

Jungkook waits patiently for him to start, focusing on his strong flowery scent. His pheromones haven't turned sexual or seductive, like they would on the brink of heat. They're more like a magnified version of the Omega's natural comforting scent. Fluffy, sweet, like cotton candy in the air. 

"I guess, with my mixtape, everyone saw a side of me I'd never shown before. At least, that I hadn't shown as an idol. I got to show off my flows, wordplay, and producing. It wasn't really for the fans, you know? It was for me, and to show all the indie rappers that I could do what they did but better. I feel," Yoongi frowns, "sorta silly for that now. Obviously, I don't think they should look down on idol rappers, but I also don't think it was right of me to look down on them when I had been in their shoes before."

Yoongi begins picking at one of his fingers, a habit Jungkook knows the elder falls into when he's nervous and has been trying to get rid of. Even if it's ill-advised, the Alpha slides his hand into the Omegas and intertwines their fingers - effectively stopping Yoongi from picking at his skin. And maybe, lending some moral support as the other man continues to speak.

"You know I've been working on a new mixtape since then."

"Yeah," Jungkook nods. "And you need to let me listen to more of it."

Yoongi laughs, "Maybe. And honestly, I think it's ready. I'm overdoing it. I know it's good, and I probably can't do anything else without messing something up."

"What's stopping you, then?" Jungkook prods, tone non-confrontational.

"It's different from the last one."

"Why wouldn't it be?"

"I mean it's... It's really different. There's not an angry song on it. This one is for the fans, this one is happy, and about me finding happiness. It's a bit sad sometimes, but hopeful. I like it, the producers like it, but I'm worried the fans won't."

Jungkook waits for Yoongi to go on, staring at their interlocked fingers. Yoongi's digits are rough, but his palm is soft. Both their hands are large, about the same size. Yoongi's is a little bonier and Jungkook's a little softer, but his skin is darker than Yoongi's paleness. They fit well together. 

"It's not like our old stuff, it's not like Agust D at all. I still talk about my struggles, but the instrumentals are lighter and my tone is uplifting. I recorded some vocals for it too, and it's like - it's like if Seesaw were an entire album. It's got ups and downs, but it's rhythmic and fun. You can dance to it."

"Everyone loves Seesaw," Jungkook reminds him. "Maybe none more than me."

"I know people like it. But that was one song. And my solo for our next album is angry too, angsty. And I like songs like that. But, you know as well as me how shocked everyone was when I did Seesaw, and when I danced to it, and they realized it was a love song."

"They were surprised, but what's wrong with that? Isn't it good to keep everyone on their toes?"

"Yeah," Yoongi sounds a bit exasperated, "and I want to do that. I do. But what if an entire album that's uplifting changes their image of me? What if it makes everyone take me less seriously? I don't want people to think less of me as a rapper. I know I've proven myself countless times in production and stage shows, but I still worry something could ruin it. And, Jungkook."

"Hm?"

"I know I've proven myself. But Omega rappers have to fight so much harder to be recognized. That was half the reason Alphas started becoming more common in idol music - because they didn't want their soft little Omegas acting macho Alpha when they rapped. You know as well as me that early 2000s Omega rappers were made to be so soft, so fluffed up. Of course none of the underground rappers took me and Namjoon seriously. They thought we were going to be all fluffed up. And I proved them wrong, we all did, but if I suddenly go soft... What if I'm not a good role model any more? What if I'm just conforming to what the idol industry has always wanted Omega rappers to be?"

"Hyung," Jungkook's mouth flattens into a line as he watches Yoongi's expression droop, his eyes glimmer and shoulders slump. Jungkook uses his free hand to gently cup Yoongi's face and turn his head to meet the Alpha's eyes. "Hyung. You're one of the most powerful artists in the world. I don't mean because of our popularity or money or anything. You're powerful because you've worked so hard to improve and have never given up, and because you've been totally dedicated to your passion since you were a kid. You know how to wield your skills, and that makes you powerful. No one will think less of you if you are finally happy in your music, instead of angry.

"Why do people focus so much on the tragic and the hurtful? Why do they romanticize anger and diss tracks and fights? Isn't it so much braver, and so much better, to embrace and highlight the good things? To celebrate happiness and hope? You are able to do both, hyung," Jungkook squeezes Yoongi's hand and removes his hand from his face, the Omega still staring at him. "You have proven you can be angry and prideful, and that you can be humble, happy, and tell a love story. That's amazing. You're so amazing. Any one who thinks less, is listening to your music with prejudice."

Jungkook can see the tears about to fall from Yoongi's lashes, so he hugs him tight and close. He doesn't even think about it as he scents him, leaving petrichor clinging to Yoongi's skin. And the Omega is doing the same, leaving his thick, vanilla, lilac perfume on Jungkook. Yoongi is holding Jungkook tight around the waist, big hands gripping the back of the younger's sweater. They breathe together, Yoongi not saying a word. 

"I'm so glad you're here with me," Yoongi's breath is warm against Jungkook's shoulder. "You always know exactly what to do. I really needed to hear that. I've tried explaining it to Namjoon, but..." Yoongi shrugs beneath Jungkook's arms, "he doesn't get it. Like, he does but not how you do. Thank you."

"You don't need to thank me," Jungkook hugs him tighter, "but you're welcome."

They let each other go slowly. Yoongi shuts off his lamp. And then they lay down, this time in Yoongi's bed. Jungkook is facing Yoongi, only able to make out the rough shape of his body and the flash of reflecting light in Yoongi's eyes. 

He's so glad Yoongi felt he could open up to him. So glad they've been able to talk like this, and have it feel so easy. There's no reason why it shouldn't be easy for them, it's just that they don't often just sit and talk about something unrelated to work. They don't often talk about their insecurities. It's common for the members to always say I'm improving this, or, I'm working hard, or, I should do more. They all always want to do better, they just never discuss the why. They never say it's because they feel pressured by the company. Because they're insecure in their voice, their looks, their style. It's always for the fans - but really, it's for themselves too. 

And Yoongi told Jungkook what he's scared of; what's holding him back. He can't get Yoongi over it, but maybe he boosted his confidence just a little. Like Yoongi boosts his. 

~

"Oh, fuck," Jungkook swears under his breath.

He has to leave the room. He has to. 

The scent of an oncoming heat is thick in the air. Yoongi's scent isn't cherry blossom any more, it's cherries and vanilla. Tooth-achingly sweet and so, so alluring. Jungkook breathes through his mouth as he pushes back the blankets. He can feel his Alpha coming to life in his chest, roaring with the desire to protect, to stay, to take - to mate. It wants Yoongi, undeniably. Adrenaline rushes through him as his feet hit the floor, and he glances back to see if he woke Yoongi. Thankfully, the Omega still seems fast asleep. Jungkook's sure he's emitting pheromones of his own, ones that if Yoongi were awake would make him gape.

Jungkook grabs his phone, everything else can wait until Yoongi's been sent into the isolation room for his heat. The Alpha can't tell if Yoongi's heat has really started, or if it's just on the brink. All Jungkook knows is that his head is swimming with cherries. His Alpha is growling. And really, would it be so bad if they did spend Yoongi's heat together? 

No, he chastises himself. Stop that. Stop stupid Alpha. 

Jungkook gets into the hall, slippers scuffing over the carpet in his haste, and lets the door click shut behind him. He at last breathes through his nose, Yoongi's scent all over his clothes - but at least here it's subdued. He can focus again. There's all sorts of tension built up inside him from restraining his natural instincts, and he desperately needs a way to release it. Jungkook shakes out his body, rolling his neck back and forth. 

Jungkook 

I'm boxing in the complex gym

Sejin

Okay, you'll be escorted

Do you want the gym appointment for later this morning canceled?

Jungkook 

That would probably be best

Sejin

Okay

Don't over exert yourself 

Jungkook 

Thanks

And I won't 

Jungkook changes into new sweats and a hoodie. He grabs his boxing gloves off the wall, and scribbles a note for the members on the whiteboard in the kitchen so they know where he's off to.

Went to gym, 2nd floor

He doesn't bother signing it, they'll know it's him by his handwriting. In the hallway outside their apartment he meets with one of their security team, they have 24/7 guards outside their apartment who take turns in shifts. After everything that's happened over the years, and horror stories from other idols, they need additional security even in a gated community with surveillanced buildings. They go to the second floor of the massive complex, where the rec center is. Jungkook prefers to work out at the company, with his trainers. But right now he needs to be alone, and he wants to be able to return home when he's done.

The guard takes his place a good distance from Jungkook, keeping an eye on him but letting him be alone. There's a few other people there. A woman on the treadmill, a man lifting weights. A couple of guys chatting as they do squats carrying medicine balls. 

Jungkook feels them all look at him, but none of them say a word. He's grateful the punching back is in its own room, even if there are windows on all sides. He's at least able to hear nothing more than his own breath, the air conditioning running steadily in the background, and the velcro on his gloves as he yanks them on and tightens the wrists. He does some stretches, knows he should do more to warm up, but right now he just needs to get out of his head.

Stop thinking about Yoongi and soft touches.

Stop thinking about Yoongi's scent,

Stop thinking about Yoongi in heat, and definitely, definitely, stop thinking about how Yoongi said: "My Omega likes you."

Likes him? Likes him how much? And why? Jungkook knows it's likely beyond Yoongi's control - like Jungkook's Alpha is beyond his control right now as he bounces on the balls of his feet, staring at the heavy sack hanging from the ceiling by a chain. He appreciates that Yoongi was just being honest about what he was feeling, but now it's got Jungkook's Alpha thinking it has some kind of claim on the Omega when Jungkook certainly does not.

He's still annoyed at what Jimin had said the other day in the car. About Jungkook calling scenting possessive. It's true, he thinks it can be. That assholes can use it in violent ways, that it can be an act of entitlement. But with Yoongi over the past few weeks... Jungkook has realized it can be more than that. Sure, he's scented the members when he was young and his parents did it to him. His main grievance has only been hyper-macho Alphas doing it to Omegas out of aggression, and desire to claim.

But sharing those moments with Yoongi has been about anything other than claiming. They've been gentle, warm, and relaxing. They've made him see why it's so important to many peoples relationships. Jungkook has learned that scenting can be used for good. To ease anxiety, to bring a sense of safety, to help people sleep at night. Like Yoongi helped him. When Jimin had exposed him by saying, "You always said scenting was possessive," he'd only been upset because he doesn't want Yoongi to think he perceives it that way still. Specifically, between them. Because it's different between them.

It's not what Jungkook could have ever expected.

His fists smack satisfyingly into the bag. He doesn't go too hard, doesn't do it angrily, just lets his energy go and mind clear for the first time in days. Jungkook's chest is heaving, his arms aching and sore, but keeps at it. Stares hard at where he wants to strike next and does so with conviction. After a bit, the exercise gets the serotonin pumping and he grins to himself. He's sweating profusely under his hoodie, but he doesn't want to take it off while there's people around. He's grown self conscious of that. 

When he gasps for breath, bending over at the waist, he's finally satisfied. He leaves the boxing room and goes to the water fountain, wishing he'd brought a water bottle. He nods at the guard when they make eye contact, and they head back upstairs in the elevator.

The Alpha is still catching breath when he steps foot into the dorm, his sweaty gloves dropping to the floor as he peels off as his hoodie. His shirt nearly goes with, and he groans at the feeling of cool air on his skin. 

"Jungkook?"

It's Hoseok, poking his head into the hall from the kitchen. 

"Hey, hyung."

"You're back. Good, we've got breakfast going."

"Oh, really? I'm starving."

"I bet, you reek," Hoseok snorts and hides behind the wall again.

Jungkook laughs, and goes to his room. He takes a shower, dresses in comfy clothes, and then hurries to the kitchen. For once, everyone is at the dining table instead of the island in the kitchen.

"Seokjin-hyung made omu rice," Hoseok announces upon seeing the youngest. "Come eat before it's cold."

"Gladly," Jungkook slips into a chair, picking up his chopsticks and grinning into the bowl that's been set out for him.

Seokjin, Hoseok, and Jimin are all at the table. Eating, chatting, complimenting Jin's skills and Hoseok rolling his eyes in Jungkook's direction every time the other two become too flirty.

"How was the gym?" Hobi asks.

"Good," Jungkook answers around a mouthful of Friday rice. "Hit the punching bag a bunch."

"Any other plans for today?"

"No," the younger Alpha shrugs, "Maybe mess with my cameras. I got a new lens I want to test."

"I swear," Hobi chuckles, "you're gonna have more video equipment than Bluetooth speakers one day."

"That would be impressive," Jimin chimes in, pointing his chopsticks at Jungkook. "You know I find one in some unexpected place every-other day? I'm not kidding, I found one in the cupboard this morning while hyung and I were cooking."

"Which cupboard?" Jungkook asks, dubious.

"The spice cupboard."

"Ah," Jungkook snorts, "I did leave one in there."

Jimin rolls his eyes and they continue to playfully talk, eating up everything on the table and then working together to clean it up. Jungkook is about to ask where Taehyung is, so they can do photography stuff together, when Namjoon enters the kitchen. 

"Jungkook."

"Hm?" The Alpha turns around and smiles at him. "What's up?"

"Yoongi needs to talk to you."

Jungkook feels his stomach lurch. "Right now?"

"Yes, right now."

"Hasn't his heat started?"

"Not yet," Namjoon informs him, "but it will soon. That's why he needs to talk now."

"Okay," Jungkook says quietly, reluctant.

"Go talk to your boyfriend," Hoseok suddenly coos in Jungkook's ear, making the younger nearly elbow him in shock. 

"Don't do that!" Jungkook glares.

Hobi laughs at him, making a get on with it motion with his hands. 

~

Jungkook smells the cherries and vanilla before he even gets there, but that's because the door is open to the isolation room. Yoongi hasn't hidden himself away yet - still in his preheat. The Alpha has no choice but to breathe through his mouth, Yoongi's scent is too much, and would be for anyone. It's not like Jungkook hasn't smelled it before, but after so much time spent in Yoongi's room he's grown accustomed and comfortable in the soft Omega scent, and now his Alpha is attracted to it like a moth to flame.

When Jungkook reaches the entrance he knocks softly on the outside, waiting for permission.

"Come in," Yoongi says.

Jungkook smiles at him, surprised to see Taehyung beside Yoongi on the massive white bed. The room itself is the smallest in the house. Light is filtering in through the curtains onto the white bedsheets. There's a dresser on one side - in which each member has been assigned their own drawer - containing all kinds of stuff purchased by themselves individually to help in heats and ruts. Then there's cleaning supplies, robes, towels, and a bathroom off to one side. The walls are soundproof to spare everyone of some awkward days.

Taehyung gets up, walking by Jungkook and nodding before heading into the hall.

"Let me know!" The Beta calls back to Yoongi, and the Omega nods.

Jungkook bites his lip. What exactly has he walked into? Yoongi looks just as awkward, hardly meeting the younger's gaze as he waves for Jungkook to sit down on the bed. The Alpha perched on the edge, searching Yoongi's face for any sign of what's to come. Has he done something wrong? Did Yoongi tell someone the truth? Does he want their fake dating to end?

"Hyung."

"Shush," Yoongi quiets him. "I'm thinking of how to say this."

"Okay," Jungkook says under his breath.

"You trust me, don't you?"

"Of course I do."

"And you know I wouldn't say anything to you unless I really meant it, right?"

"Aside from when you're being sarcastic," Jungkook teases a bit, the tension making him anxious, "yeah."

"Right, well besides that. You know I wouldn't ask anything of you unless I really meant it, even if I am in preheat?" Yoongi clarifies, catlike eyes peeking up.

Jungkook nods. He does trust that Yoongi is still totally rational. That if he weren't, he would have locked himself in this room already. Namjoon and Taehyung had just been here, and if they saw that Yoongi is lucid and rational then everything Yoongi says must be true. Jungkook wouldn't have even questioned it, honestly. But now that Yoongi's pointed it out specifically, he's taking over the details in his mind. 

The Omega is in sweatpants and t-shirt. He smells of cherry and vanilla, but also of shampoo and body wash. There's a bunch of water bottles sitting on a table nearby, and there's a mini fridge that must be stocked with fruit and leftovers. Some protein or bread to keep Yoongi going through the next few days. Typically, a heat or a rut lasts four days. But now that Hoseok and Namjoon have each other and Taehyung to help, they end in two. 

"I told you that my Omega likes you, right?" Yoongi's voice is tentative, like he's scared of Jungkook's answers.

"Yes," the younger confirms. 

"Does your Alpha like me?"

Jungkook's lips part and his eyes widen. He wasn't expecting Yoongi to be so direct, but here he is. Asking outright what the Alpha's instincts are feeling towards him.

"It...does," Jungkook allows. He's not sure about telling Yoongi this. He doesn't want him to get the wrong idea, or to think that Jungkook would try anything more with him. It's not like he could stop his Alpha.

"It does?" Yoongi repeats, louder.

"Yeah."

"My heat came early because of you, Jungkook."

"Because of my Alpha."

"And because of you," Yoongi's tone is firm. "You've been treating me so sweetly for weeks, and the scenting, and everything else. I've just ended up being drawn to you."

"Your Omega has."

"Yeah," Yoongi sighs. "My Omega has. My heat came early because it wants you, and now it's going to be a lot worse than normal because it does."

"I'm sorry, hyung. I knew it was a bad idea to sleep in your room and I did it anyway."

"It's not your fault. I'm the one who let us sleep together."

"I started scenting you," Jungkook adds. "I hadn't thought about the consequences. It was helping you in the moment so I did it. I'm sorry it led to this. I'll try and stop from here on out."

"Jungkook, wait," Yoongi shakes his head. "That's not what I'm trying to say. Not at all."

"Then what?"

"I want you to spend my heat with me."

I want you to spend my heat with me. The words ring in his ears and he feels numb all over. What?  No, that can't be right. He wants Jungkook to sleep with him? To help in his mating cycle? Why the hell would he want that? Won't that make everything worse?

"Hyung...what?" Jungkook can't get his mouth to form a sentence longer than that.

"I know it's a lot to ask of you, I know. I'm sorry," Yoongi apologizes. "I wouldn't ask, but I seriously think this is gonna be hell if I endure it alone."

"But wouldn't this make it worse? Don't you want me to step away so you can get control of your Omega again?" Jungkook asks, panicking slightly. He curls his fingers into the sheets of the bed, gripping hard.

"No, that doesn't matter. All that I'm thinking about is how much pain I'm going to be in if - if you're not there," Yoongi rubs the back of his neck. He's meeting Jungkook's wide eyes, but blushing as he does.

"I don't want your Omega to get stuck on my Alpha when I know you're gonna want a real relationship some day," Jungkook tells him in one burst, hardly breathing. "I don't want our fake dating to hurt you any more than it already has, or have long term side effects. I wanted us to do this to help us, hyung, but I feel like you're getting the worst of it."

"You're right that it's not as easy as I thought it would be," Yoongi confesses. "But there's much worse things than being attracted to you."

"Hyung," Jungkook's face heats up. "I appreciate that. But this would be a lot. Wouldn't it - wouldn't it be weird for you? Don't you want this with someone who..."

"There isn't anyone else, though. That's why it doesn't matter. I mean, obviously it would be a big deal if we did this. But it wouldn't matter if my Omega likes you a little more," Yoongi tries to reason. "There's no one else I want it to like instead."

"For now," Jungkook counters. "That could change any second."

"My Omega can change its mind as easily as I can, Jungkook. Imprinting isn't real, you know that. It's just like - just like a one stand."

Jungkook's breath hitches. A one night stand. It sounds ugly and dirty. Two words that couldn't be further from describing Yoongi. Yoongi deserves something better, to be with someone who he actually wants. Not just giving in to what his Omega says. 

"Right?" Yoongi presses. "You helping me with my heat doesn't have to mean anything more than a one night stand. We're best friends, Jungkook. I trust you completely. I think you're the kindest Alpha I've ever met, and you're beautiful. Inside and out."

Jungkook swallows, unconvinced. "I trust you too. And I obviously don't want you to be in pain but this sounds like a bad idea."

Yoongi tilts his head, staring hard at Jungkook like he's peering into his soul. The Alpha is scared of what he could find there. "What is it, Jungkook-ah? What's bothering you?"

Jungkook shuts his eyes and exhales. He flinches when he smells the cherries and vanilla. "I've never..."

"Never what?"

"Hyung," Jungkook grumbles, shifting on the bed.

"What is it?"

"I've never been with an Omega before," he admits, surprising himself with how loudly he declares it. Yoongi blinks at him, pink lips parting slightly. Jungkook goes on, "I've never slept with an Omega. I don't know how my Alpha will... I don't if I would react differently. I want to believe I'm in control of myself completely, but I honestly don't know if I would be. I don't want to hurt you, Yoongi."

"You've never..." Yoongi frowns. "How?"

The Omega seems to regret asking that right away, but Jungkook goes ahead and answers.

"I've only been with Betas and Alphas. Omegas didn't really...interest me, I guess. And I think I've always been scared of myself, and what might happen if I was with one," he tells Yoongi below a whisper, nearly inaudible.

"Well," Yoongi slides a hand forward on the blankets and covers Jungkook's fingers that are still clawing on the mattress. "I'm not scared of you. I could never be scared of you. You have done nothing but make sure I'm comfortable and happy, and have always offered to stop or leave. I trust you, Jungkook. And you won't even be in rut."

"But can you be certain," Jungkook begins, ignoring how much fear is laced into his question, "that I won't hurt you? Or take advantage?"

Jungkook feels the gears turn in his head, hating himself as he actually starts to consider Yoongi's proposition. Would it be incredibly selfish to sleep with Yoongi in his heat? 

"You care about me far too much to ever, ever hurt me," Yoongi squeezes his hand. The Omega is speaking with such conviction that Jungkook can't help believing him. 

He's right. Jungkook cares about Yoongi so much, he would never allow anyone to hurt him - including Jungkook himself.  

And, most importantly, there's a huge difference between Yoongi wanting him and his Omega wanting Jungkook’s Alpha. It's just Yoongi's natural instincts that have clung onto the Alpha, which makes sense. Especially because Jungkook's have done it too. But it's not like Yoongi's mind, Yoongi's heart, has an inclination toward Jungkook. The attraction doesn't run deep; it's nothing more than Omega lust on the edge of heat.

Jungkook still thinks it would be selfish of him to say yes just to satisfy his Alpha's urge to protect and to have the Omega. To use Yoongi's vulnerability to sate himself too. But...

Wouldn't it be more selfish to deny Yoongi help? To make Yoongi suffer a painful heat alone when Jungkook could significantly soften the blow? And isn't it, technically, Jungkook's fault that Yoongi feels like this? It was Jungkook's idea to fake date. Jungkook who first scented Yoongi, Jungkook who actively spent more time than really necessary with Yoongi. Jungkook who came and slept in Yoongi's room - and even started making half the room his own. It was Jungkook who let Yoongi crawl into his bed, and Jungkook who cuddled the Omega for no reason.

It's Jungkook's fault Yoongi has to ask for help like this in the first place. Wouldn't it be selfish of Jungkook to say no?

"Okay."

"Wait," Yoongi pulls back his hand. "Really?"

"Yes," Jungkook looks up at him, certain now. "If you really, truly think this will help you - and not hurt you in the long run - then I will spend your heat with you."

"Jungkook..." Yoongi is openly staring, making Jungkook feel like maybe he answered wrong. Was he supposed to say no?

"Do you - do you not actually want me to?"

"I do!" Yoongi yelps, looking embarrassed. "Sorry. Um. I do, I just really didn't think you would agree."

"But you asked."

"I know, I'm just... I'm glad."

"You are?"

"Of course I am."

"Have you ever been with someone during your heat?" Jungkook asks.

Yoongi shakes his head, "No."

"New stuff for both of us then," Jungkook grimaces, looking at his lap. He's agreed, he's doing this.

"Jungkook-ah."

"Hm?"

"You really don't have to, I won't be mad or upset if you change your mind. I've done this alone plenty of times, there's no problem if I do it again."

This is it. Jungkook's out. But Yoongi... Yoongi asked him for a reason. He wouldn't do it just because. He asked Jungkook because he feels like he really needs it. Jungkook meets his friend's gaze and smiles reassuringly.

"I'm not gonna change my mind, hyung. I want to help you."

So they tell Taehyung what they've decided, and the Beta congratulates and teases them. Jungkook leaves Yoongi in the isolation room so Jungkook can go shower. He takes extra long, both because he's insanely scared of what will happen when he and the Omega are only together, but also because he wants to be clean and presentable for Yoongi. Put his best self forward, so Yoongi isn't repulsed. It's good to know already that the elder likes the smell of petrichor - if all else fails, hopefully the Alpha's scent will help some. He steps out of the stall and dries himself thoroughly. He doesn't bother with any products or skin care, he's probably going to sweat it all off. 

God. What has agreed to? 

They've been intimate by sharing a bed. By scenting. Even holding hands. But this? Helping Yoongi by having sex with him multiple times? This is a huge leap. They haven't even kissed before, and now they're gonna see each other naked?

Okay. Well. They've done that before, accidentally. But seeing someone naked in a changing room or shower is entirely different from laying with them in bed, as their heat comes and they get horny beyond belief. (In preparation, Jungkook may search a few questions on Naver, and rolls his shoulders a million times. He's incredibly tense. But, he supposes, he's about to get a lot of stress relief.)

It takes about an hour for Jungkook to shower and return to the isolation room. He wears sweatpants and a t-shirt like Yoongi, and brings a change of clothes and extra briefs for when he needs them. He's warm all over just thinking about what's going to happen.

Oddly though, as he shuts the door, he's not as scared as before. But maybe, that's just because he can smell Yoongi’s cherry-vanilla scent more powerfully than ever. 

Jungkook sets his extra clothes down and stares over at Yoongi who is laying on his back on the bed. The Omega has his head on the pillows, hands folded over his stomach. He seems normal right now, but his heat could come any moment.

"What now?" Jungkook asks.

my twt

Chapter Text

Yoongi frowns at Jungkook. The Alpha is just standing near the door staring at Yoongi, and looking terribly awkward. It's making the Omega embarrassed being watched like this. He clears his throat and sits up on the bed. 

"Well don't just stand there. Should we make it darker?" 

Jungkook nods and finally unfreezes. He turns on the lamps as Yoongi stands up on the mattress, shutting the blackout curtains that hang on the window behind the bed. The soft lighting is much more comfortable than the bright sunlight. It provides a slight feeling of disguise, even though they're about to experience something extremely intimate and vulnerable together. 

Yoongi still can't believe Jungkook agreed to help with his heat, but frankly the Omega is relieved. It's true that this heat feels like it's fighting to be one of the most painful ones he's ever experienced. Namjoon had said Yoongi's scent is full of sex pheromones, and ones of distress. Even though his heat hasn't technically started yet, every so often Yoongi feels it rip through him and stir up insides, fuzz his brain, and make him unbearably hot. It's not usually this intense. 

"Um, can I sit with you?" Jungkook asks, hovering by the bed as Yoongi lays back down on it. 

"Yeah."

The Alpha climbs up and lays on his side, head supported on a pillow, and faces Yoongi. The elder takes a deep breath, their faces three feet apart as they wait in silence for the other to say something. Neither of them do, and so Yoongi focuses instead on Jungkook's scent. The smell of summer rain that pours down in buckets, flooding flower beds and making people run for cover mid-picnic. Yoongi can smell his own scent too, now that it's clinging to Jungkook and everything else in the room. It's strong, and he feels sorry for making Tae and Namjoon endure it while he talked with them earlier. Yoongi blinks his eyes open when he hears trumpet fanfare. 

"Sorry, um, is music okay?" Jungkook has his phone in hand, jazz playing from the speakers. 

"Yeah, that's good."

The younger nods turns it up a little, sliding his phone between them on the sheets. 

"How bad is it?" Jungkook's voice is soft, his pupils wide. With the background music, it's easier to talk. There's less pressure. 

"Um," Yoongi winces as warmth courses through his veins, uncomfortable and making him anxious. "It's not great. I don't know when it will start."

"How do I know?"

"Huh?"

Jungkook blushes, "I mean, how do I know when it starts? Or when I should do something? And how can I know it's what you actually want, and not just your heat talking?"

"Oh. Um," Yoongi rubs the back of his neck. "Well, rule number one, no mating."

"Obviously."

"And I will be, you know, aware of everything Jungkook. It's not like I lose my rationale. I'll be plenty aware to let you know if I don't like something. My head is kind of fuzzy, because it can hurt a lot and my hormones go berserk. But like, it's my body that's reacting a lot more than my head."

"Okay, yeah. My ruts are basically like that."

"Okay."

"But..." Jungkook traces flowers into the blanket with one finger, attention there and not on Yoongi's face. "In my ruts there's always, um, a part when it gets really intense and I lose control, I guess. And then I wake up later and the worst of it has finally passed. Does something like that happen for you?"

"Yeah," Yoongi's entire face is warm. He's so glad they're talking about this, even though it is a bit strange. They've never so explicitly discussed sex or their cycles before. "That will happen. When it does, you'll be able to tell. My eyes will change."

"Silver, right? Or like, platinum?"

"Exactly."

"Okay. And what do you want me to do during that time? When you're not..." Jungkook closes his mouth, But Yoongi doesn't need to hear him say it to know what he's trying to ask. 

"I'm going to want you to knot me Jungkook. And I may want it before then even. Are you okay with doing that?"

"Are you okay with me doing that?" Jungkook throws back. 

"I asked you first."

Jungkook sighs, "Yeah. It's okay. I don't think I should do it more than once, though. I don't want us to be like...agh, this is so embarrassing," the Alpha suddenly hides behind his hands. Yoongi smiles, it's cute.

Jungkook continues, "I don't want us to be stuck, you know, together if you're gonna be needing more attention than just that."

Yoongi giggles involuntarily, equally as red faced as Jungkook is when he comes out from behind his hands. "I know what you're saying, Jungkook."

"Do you even want me to knot you at all?"

"I think...I think I'm gonna need it. And I think, I'm gonna want it. I do want you to, when I'm like, obviously at the end of my rope. If you're okay with doing it, I think it would make my Omega feel better and my heat calm end. And also," Yoongi mumbles, "I want this to be good for you too. If you're just taking care of me the entire time, that doesn't seem right."

"Maybe, but the point of me being here is to help you, so..."

"I know. But still," Yoongi exhales. "When my eyes are silver, that's when my heat is reaching its peak. That's when I want you to...do that. But if you decide you don't want to, or feel concerned about it, then you don't need to. Okay? Having you here is going to help me so much already."

"Okay. I trust you, hyung. I'll just be extra careful."

"Thank you. And thank you for asking about this stuff."

"Yeah."

Yoongi watches the Alpha's facial expression. His mouth is flat, and it looks like he's intensely thinking something over. 

"What is it?' Yoongi wonders.

"It's just... Is it okay if I leave marks on you?"

"Like hickies?" Yoongi laughs, turning his face into his pillow to hide it a little. "Yeah, um. That's fine."

"Sorry, is that weird? That's just something I do without thinking to other people I've... Anyway. I wasn't sure if you were alright with it."

"No, it's okay. I don't mind. It will feel nice."

Jungkook nods. His shoulders visibly relax, like everything he was worried about has now been smoothed over. 

Yoongi grits his teeth - skin prickling and invisible knives jabbing sharp into his insides. He can't help the hiss he lets out, or the way his hand claws at the comforter. He swears under his breath, and then smells Jungkook's scent in a huge lungful of air. It makes the heat ripple through him again, shit. It's coming faster than he wants it to. Can't he just sit here and talk with Jungkook for a few hours? Can his heat just not come? When he looks at Jungkook again, feeling a bit humiliated by his whimper of pain, all he's met with is a look of warmth and uncertainty. 

"Hyung," Jungkook reaches his hand out between them, sliding over the fabric. "Can I help now at all?'

"Could we just...kiss a little?" Yoongi asks. His heart is racing, but not because of his heat. 

Jungkook nods, moving his phone that is still playing music, and sliding closer to Yoongi on the bed. With Jungkook laying directly in front of Yoongi, their bodies parallel, the Omega can feel his body heat and smell the petrichor so much more clearly. That brilliant smell of rain, so perfect it's hard to believe a human can smell like this. 

The Alpha glances down at Yoongi's lips. He's clearly waiting for Yoongi to do something first, not wanting to overstep. So the Omega takes it upon himself to close the distance, heart pounding in his ears. Jungkook's lips are soft, sticky with chapstick, and sweet. Yoongi eagerly kisses Jungkook deeper, wanting more as his body prickles all over. Oh, Jungkook feels so good. Yoongi holds onto Jungkook's waist, fingers in the Alpha's hair. He loves that Jungkook is letting it grow out - it's soft and fluffy and Yoongi can tangle his hand in it and draw Jungkook closer. 

Jungkook is keeping their kiss light, chaste. Wet presses of their lips but not enough to sate Yoongi's desire. 

"Jungkook..." He pulls away slightly, meeting Jungkook's sparkling eyes. 

"What?"

"I want you to do more than just lie there. I want you to want it to. Unless,"' Yoongi feels a lump in his throat. But he has to be sure. "Unless you want to stop? Is this too much? It's okay."

"It's not too much, hyung," Jungkook assures him quickly. "I just don't want to take advantage."

"I told you. I will tell when I don't like something, okay? If you don't want me though, if me being an Omega is weird or too much, or you just don't feel attracted - like - you don't need to do this with me."

"Hyung, I do think you're attractive," Jungkook whispers, "I really do. I like your scent a lot, and you're so, um, pretty. That's not what's wrong at all. I just need to get over myself."

Get over himself? Is there something else going on? Yoongi frowns. "Are you really okay? You can say no, Jungkook."

Yoongi meets his eyes earnestly, Jungkook's pupils sparkling. 

The Omega suddenly whimpers, curling in on himself as hot pokers attack his insides and adrenaline pulses through him. His head is cloudy with need for affection, and he can feel a deep arousal start to swirl in his abdomen. He can feel a shirt tight in his group, warm hands encircling his wrists and squeezing Yoongi in reassurance as the wave of heat blows through him. Jungkook is there - closer than before - when Yoongi glances back up. The Alpha doesn't let go of Yoongi's wrists when he kisses him. 

Jungkook kisses softly still, but now his mouth is parted slightly like an invitation. Glee bubbles up in Yoongi's chest, and he kisses back eagerly. His teeth nip Jungkook's lip, and the Alpha almost seems to grin. Yoongi manages to extract one of his hands and slides it up, up, to the back of the other man's head. With soft locks in his grip, he reels the other in tighter - harder - and licks the seam of his mouth. Jungkook audibly gasps, his now free hand snatching the front of Yoongi's shirt to hold him steady.

Their lips slide and clash, teeth bumping which makes them both laugh. They both pull back heaving for air, a string of saliva connecting their lips. Jungkook's pants blow right over Yoongi's face, minty like toothpaste. And Jungkook is looking at him differently now, like he really does want this as much as the Omega does. It makes Yoongi's Omega beyond happy to know he's pleasing the Alpha, and reassures Yoongi that what he does next isn't too much. 

The shorter sits up and then swings a leg over Jungkook's. The Alpha watches him carefully, laying flat on his back as Yoongi practically sits on the other man's crotch. Heat washes over him again, but this time Yoongi simply bends down and buries his face in Jungkook's shoulder. He soaks up the smell of petrichor - relief chasing the feeling of pain. Like water putting out flames, making coals crackle. The Alpha's hands find his hips, securing Yoongi in place. The Omega is about to kiss Jungkook again, when he hears a heavy whisper in his ear. 

"Let me scent you too."

Yoongi manages to hold back a whine, one unrelated to the heat, and bears his neck for the man beneath him instead. Jungkook's face is cool in contrast to Yoongi's skin, and the Omega is so happy when the scent of petrichor washes over him that he kisses Jungkook again. He can't stop himself from cupping the Alpha's face and giving everything he has, gasping into his mouth and groaning when Jungkook moves his hands up and fully grip the sides of Yoongi's body. It makes another rush of heat of course through him - this one reminding Yoongi of what a heat is all about to begin with. 

The desire to mate, to have sex, to feel pleasure. To claim someone for yourself, or draw them into you. Humans have never been able to survive alone, that's why his Omega craves for an Alpha so badly. Why Yoongi wants a relationship so much.

At the intersection of those two desires is Jungkook. 

The arousal in Yoongi's stomach is ticklish, making him squirm, and sending blood straight to his dick as it plumps up inside his sweatpants. He ignores it now, focusing instead on Jungkook's big hands touching him, on Jungkook's soft sweet lips, and on the smell of rain that can't overpower the cherry and vanilla, but sure tries. Time loses meaning as Yoongi feels Jungkook's firm torso beneath his own, feels Jungkook smile into Yoongi's kisses, and how easy it is to be with him. Yoongi is shifting into a more comfortable position, arms and thighs tired of holding himself up, when he hears Jungkook gasp. 

Yoongi's gaze flicks to him in concern, but then realizes he thoughtlessly pressed his hard dick press into Jungkook's thigh. 

The Alpha meets his surprised gaze, both of them unsure how to handle entering new territory. Yoongi lets himself slide totally off the other man, ending up sitting slumped at Jungkook's side as the Alpha sits up straighter. Yoongi gawks a little at the sight of the other's mussed hair and red, puffy lips. If Jungkook looks like that, then Yoongi must look even worse. Although, Jungkook looks far from bad. He looks... Fuck, he looks so good. Yoongi wants to be ravished by him, taken care of by him. Touched by him. 

"Hyung," Jungkook's tone is careful. "Do you want me to...help?"

Despite how hot Yoongi is now, heat properly settled in, he still has his dignity and the  annoying bashfulness he can't ever seem to shake. So instead of saying anything, he just nods. He's grateful Jungkook doesn't press for more, the Alpha simply trusting Yoongi means it. Yoongi does mean it, he's just anxious and excited and overwhelmed because his body is begging for relief. He hadn't realized how bad it was until he's lying on his back on the pillows, and a small tent is present in the crotch of his pants. Jungkook sits by Yoongi's waist, one hand softly on the Omega's stomach and the other pressing into the cushions near Yoongi's head as he leans over to kiss him.

This kiss is slow, soft. Clearly just a distraction and a reassurance as Jungkook's hand slips beneath Yoongi's shirt and smooths circles into his skin. A few chaste kisses later, and fire-hot arousal shoots through Yoongi, making his hips jerk up instinctively seeking any kind of release. The Omega isn't sure where to put his hands, so he settles for clinging to the blankets.

"Is this okay?" Jungkook checks, cool fingers teasing the waistband of Yoongi's sweats. 

"Yes," the Omega grumbles. He's glad for how Jungkook ducks his head lower, kissing over Yoongi's neck and collarbone. 

The fingers keep going, beneath Yoongi's boxers, until they're suddenly wrapping around his length and giving it a squeeze. Yoongi’s hips jerk, and his mouth falls slack. Even the slightest touch has him reeling - his sensitivity is off the charts during heat. Jungkook seems hesitant at first, unsure, and learning how Yoongi reacts through the Omega's soft gasps or twitches. Soon, the Alpha has Yoongi's cock firmly in his grasp, stroking it confidently and every so often teasing the slit with his thumb. 

The Omega moves past embarrassment when he feels precum leak, and he squirms as his entire body gets hotter and hotter, and. God, he just needs more. More friction, more heat, more more more - Jungkook gets the message somehow, kissing Yoongi on the mouth again and licking up his whines of pleasure. The Alpha tightly jerks the head of Yoongi's cock in his palm, the Omega bucking up into it. 

"Come on, Yoongi," he hears muttered against his mouth. 

And it sends him over the edge; cumming with a relieved moan as some of the pressure subsides - even if it is temporary. Jungkook doesn't leave, sucking Yoongi's neck fervently through the orgasm and carefully extracting his hand from Yoongi's pants. The Omega's head swims as he comes back, feeling the arousal in his belly grow in size and gnaw at his insides. He shivers as more hormones and desire pulse through him - and is glad Jungkook is there to hold him through it and press his petrichor scent into Yoongi’s skin. 

Yoongi brings his hands up to hold the sides of Jungkook's face, to really look at him as he breathes heavily. "That was perfect, okay? See, I knew you would be."

Jungkook nods, "Can I leave you to wash my hands? Do you want to clean up at all?"

"You can go, I"m okay," Yoongi says. He can already feel his dick hardening again. He'd be embarrassed, but what's the point in that? Now that he's knee-deep in it, his heat certainly gives him a boost of self-esteem and confidence. 

Jungkook quickly washes his hands in the bathroom sink and returns. The Alpha immediately notices how Yoongi's hard again  and looks at the Omega expectantly. 

And that’s how Yoongi ends up flat on his back again, rutting desperately against Jungkook's thigh as the Alpha sucks a massive hickey below his collarbone. Yoongi puts his hands all over Jungkook's back, his waist, his hair, his shirt. He pumps his hips up into Jungkook's legs in search of more friction, of more in general, and finds himself cumming into his pants and against Jungkook without warning. He shudders in the Alpha's arms, and then he's being kissed hard as his cock fills back up and he tries to rut into Jungkook again. 

This goes on for a while. Yoongi using Jungkook's hand, his leg, his thighs to get off. And Jungkook just keeps kissing him, making a necklace of hickies around the Omega's neck. 

They breathe together and Jungkook's skin grows as hot as Yoongi's. The Omega doesn't try to hide his sounds anymore - and is just encompassed in the scent of petrichor. He feels safe and wanted and his Omega feels so happy when he sees the smirk on Jungkook's face that tells him the Alpha is enjoying it too - even if Yoongi's the only one getting any pleasure. 

Yoongi's hit hard by a wave of heat. And suddenly - it's not enough anymore. 

"Take these off," Yoongi complains, attempting to remove his pants and underwear entirely. 

Jungkook helps him, grabbing them by the waistband and shucking them off no problem. Yoongi’s cock is weeping as it's freed. The Omega grabs himself and starts fucking up into his own fist. He squeezes his eyes shut - it's not enough. He whines, aggravated and tired and then there's warm palms on his bare thighs. 

"Let me, Yoongi."

The Omega nods and Jungkook moves off the bed. Yoongi reaches out in alarm - where is he going? But then the Alpha is gripping his ankles and Yoongi is dragged to the edge of the bed so his legs hang over. Jungkook is on his knees fast, hands spreading up Yoongi's bare thighs and tugging on the hem of the Omega's shirt. He's not trying to remove it, he's peering up at Yoongi to make sure it's still okay. Considering how Yoongi’s cock is leaking only a few inches from Jungkook's red lips, the Omega would be hard-pressed to tell him no. 

"Please," he huffs, sounding whinier than he'd like. "Please, Jungkook.

“Fuck," Jungkook's eyes flash gold for a second and then he's taking Yoongi into his mouth and swirling his tongue. 

One of the Alpha's hand wraps around the base, stroking, and his tongue works magic up and down. He takes Yoongi deep and swallows, the tightness and wet heat making the Omega moan wantonly and curl his hands in Jungkook's hair. His legs are quivering, squeezing Jungkook's sides. Jungkook bobs his head at a pace Yoongi isn't prepared for, fingers squeezing and massaging his balls as Jungkook swallows him deep and then Yoongi's cumming into his mouth too fast to warn him. 

Jungkook pulls off and coughs, and Yoongi is limp as his cock twitches, more cum running down the length of it. He blinks once he's gotten his body back under control and immediately feels regret. 

"Holy shit, Jungkook, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry," he apologizes.

Jungkook is on his knees, still coughing every so-often with a red face. But he's far from upset he’s grinning wide. "It's okay."

"No, shit, I didn't warn you. Are you okay? Do you need water?" Yoongi is reaching out to him, not wanting to move but also wanting help. 

"Really, Yoongi," Jungkook laughs and he stands up and goes to grab a bottle of water. "I put my mouth on your dick while you're in heat, what did I expect? And anyway," he adds with a quirk of a brow, "it was hot."

"Oh my god," Yoongi buries his face in his hands. "Okay." 

"It was!" Jungkook insists. "I'm glad I can make you feel good."

"You're making me feel so good," Yoongi confirms. 

After they've both caught their breath, they crawl back up on the bed and lay together. Yoongi’s dick is hard again, but it's better. And frankly, they're both too exhausted to bother with it. Jungkook removes his shirt that's stained with sweat, and turns up the AC. Jungkook lays down with a sound of relief, and Yoongi finds himself curling up close to him. They fall asleep fast, bodies aching with exertion. 

~

When Yoongi wakes up again, he still feels okay. Well - if he can really be called okay when his body is on fire, his insides are twisting, and his dick is red and throbbing, aching for attention. He feels gross though - more gross than horny at this moment. He crawls out of bed, not even caring he's naked from the waist down, and goes into the bathroom. He showers quickly, gets all the old crusted cum off his thighs. He jerks himself off once, but when he steps out of the shower he nearly falls with the intense heat coursing through him. 

Fuck. Fuck. He clings to the towel he's using to dry himself and then grabs a robe to wear as he goes back into the bedroom. Jungkook is sleeping still, chest rising and falling gently. Yoongi chugs some water and looks at the Alpha. He's been too caught up in everything to properly appreciate exactly how beautiful Jungkook is, and just how much Yoongi would like him to use his muscles a little more. Maybe manhandle Yoongi just a bit. The Omega tosses two lube bottles on the bed and some condoms on the bed, they're gonna need them. He doesn't know what Jungkook will be okay with, but Yoongi is ready for pretty much anything. 

When he crawls back on the bed the mattress squeaks slightly, and Jungkook snorts he wakes up.

"You're up. You showered," are the first words out of his mouth.

"Yeah," Yoongi says. There's a pulse in his abdomen, in his chest, in his head. One like drums, pounding with desire and anticipation. He curls up where he sits, shoulders caving in and legs coming together as he tries to restrain his desire to lay out and beg for Jungkook to take him. "Jungkook..."

"Yoongi..." 

The Alpha sits up, rubs his eyes, and suddenly looks very awake. His nostrils are flaring, and his eyes gleam gold like they did before. Yoongi presses a palm to his pelvis, relieving pressure but ultimately making it worse. He can't take much more of this. He needs more than this. Is it too much to ask? No - no. They discussed. They agreed. This is okay. Jungkook will stop them if he needs to, Yoongi trusts that he will. So there's no harm in Yoongi asking.

"Can I have..." he swallows, "can I have more?"

"You smell crazy, hyung," Jungkook's voice is nearly a growl. It makes Yoongi flush as the Alpha comes closer, crawling on his knees and letting his hands fall on Yoongi's wrists.  "Fuck. I've never smelled anyone like you."

Yoongi's breath hitches as Jungkook leans into Yoongi's neck, inhaling and letting his teeth scrape softly over the Omega's skin. Shit.

Yoongi's moan is undignified and uncalled for, but he really couldn't care less. 

"Jungkook, please, please," Yoongi asks. Not quite begging, not yet, but asking. "Just do something."

Yoongi whines as his head swims and his body aches. His nipples are hard and sensitive, rubbing against the cloth of his robe.

"Hyung, look at me," Jungkook demands. At first Yoongi is confused, but then the Alpha's hand is on Yoongi's chin and makes him look up into his eyes. Oh, Jungkook's checking. Seeing if Yoongi is lost to his Omega or if he's still present. "You're still... Okay."

"Jungkook," Yoongi knows he sounds desperate, but he is. "Touch me."

"Fucking -" Jungkook about snarls, sending arousal down Yoongi's spine.

Yoongi ends up on his stomach, pillow shoved beneath his hips, robe discarded. He ruts his cock forward into the cushion, hardly hears the clicking of a lid. He does hear Jungkook's voice in his ear, though. 

"I'm going to finger you, okay?" 

"Yes!" Yoongi hisses, shame out the window.

He feels a lubed finger at his entrance, tugging at his rim. Slowly, the digit makes its way in, Yoongi pushes his ass back, teeth biting into the sheets. He feels Jungkook's other hand hold his hip steady - then breathes at the base of Yoongi back as he kisses softly. Jungkook works him open gently, with thickly lubed fingers scissoring and spreading and plunging deeper and deeper as Yoongi groans and grinds down against the bed to get himself off. Jungkook has two digits deep in the Omega's ass, only a slight burn present that's quickly stamped out when the Alpha crooks his fingers and finds Yoongi's prostate. 

These sparks, this pleasure and desire, aren't from Yoongi's heat. This is from Jungkook working him over, from just doing well to make Yoongi feel good. The sparks zip through his body and chip away at his heat. He feels Jungkook start to thrust his fingers in deeper, regularly hitting that spot and making moans as cums on the sheets and pillow.

Sensitive and so hot all over, Yoongi says, "More, Jungkook, more."

There's more lube, making Yoongi jerk at its coldness. But a third finger slips into his hole, and he clenches around them as Jungkook bites a kiss into his back and murmurs sweet reassurances. The Omega relaxes, and wants to cry with pleasure when Jungkook has his body over Yoongi's back. One hand fucking fingers in and out of Yoongi's ass with a slick, wet, sound - and his other sliding beneath Yoongi's body to help jerk him off. 

A flurry of words leave Yoongi's lips that he can’t control. Please, fuck yes, more, faster, so good. And Jungkook growls them back, almost like he's lost control of his tongue. So pretty, Yoongi. You feel so good, smell so fucking delicious. Is this good? You want more? Pretty fucking Yoongi.

That makes Yoongi cum again, shaking hard, sweaty and sticky and his body aching. He wants to see Jungkook. He wants to touch Jungkook back, wants to feel his body and smell his petrichor and be good for the Alpha. 

"No more," Yoongi rolls over as Jungkook pulls his hands away. 

"Are you okay?" Jungkook is out of breath, bare chest flushed and mouth open. His eyes are big, hair messy. God, god. He's so fucking hot and he doesn't even know it.

Yoongi kisses him hard, touches Jungkook's firm stomach, his thick arms, and his pecs as the other man gasps in surprise. The Omega pinches his nipples and Jungkook sets his hands on Yoongi's shoulders.

"What are you doing?"

"I want to ride you," Yoongi tries to kiss him, and Jungkook dodges. 

"Are you sure?" Jungkook checks.

"Yes," Yoongi insists. 

Jungkook moves to sit against the headboard, still in his sweatpants that Yoongi can't wait to remove. The Omega crawls over and sits on Jungkook's lap, kissing him open-mouthed and holding his hair tight. He rubs his ass over Jungkook's crotch tentatively, and the Alpha makes a small sound. Yoongi can feel his hard on, and he becomes even more eager to get his cock up his ass. But before that, he tilts his head and hums contentedly when Jungkook scents him. The rain storm wakes Yoongi up from his heat just a little, and he sits back to observe the Alpha's face. 

When Namjoon and Taehyung talked with Yoongi however long ago, he'd been set against asking Jungkook to help him through his cycle. For a lot of reasons it sounded like a terrible idea, but he couldn't share any of those reasons without revealing the fact that he and Jungkook aren't actually dating. That it's all an act. The biggest factor at play was, and still is, that Yoongi's fallen for Jungkook. He loves him. He loves him so much, and he's not sure how he didn't see it before they began the fake relationship. 

Being with Jungkook like he is right now is certain to end up in a disaster. Yoongi's going to fall harder, and want Jungkook more. Sleeping with him isn't going to make it lessen, and he never thought it would. It's a little terrible how Yoongi let himself believe it was okay to do this. Jungkook doesn't want a relationship with someone who knows who he is and because he finds Alpha traditions inappropriate and absurd. The maybe - Yoongi rationalized - he can use this as a chance to show Jungkook that there can be exceptions to the rule. Yoongi knows Jungkook, but Jungkook knows Yoongi just as well. It goes both ways. Yoongi doesn't want to be treated as a weak, objectified Omega - he wants a partner who makes an effort to dismantle that framework of how the dynamics are supposed to act. 

And Yoongi knows he could say this all out loud. Confront Jungkook. And Yoongi tries to be brave, tries to be confident, but this is one case where his fear wins over reason. Telling Jungkook face to face I fell in love with you, even though I wasn't supposed to, sounds petrifying. Yoongi would much, much rather show Jungkook in other ways how they could work together. How affection can be genuine even when you already know each other. 

This? Having sex is perhaps a culmination of all of it. Pure compassion, lust, emotion. Intimacy. Their Omega and Alpha learning to be with each other, and how Jungkook doesn't need to be hyper-Alpha, he can just be himself because that's all Yoongi wants from him anyway. They can work. They are working. 

With his thighs on either side of Jungkook's body, Yoongi slides down so he's sitting on the other man's legs. His attention shifts between  the apparent bulge in Jungkook’s sweats and the Alpha's expression. Jungkook's eyes are shut, head tilted upward to expose his neck, and his torso is shining with a bit of sweat and lube. He smells like Yoongi's heat.  Cherries and vanilla. It makes Yoongi think that's my Alpha.

It's a dangerous thought, but one that spurs him on and makes him even hornier. His Omega is alive and purring inside of him, craving more and more. 

Yoongi pulls at the sides of Jungkook's sweats, taking the briefs with it, and slowly pulls them down his thighs to reveal his cock, red and leaking precum. Yoongi isn't sure if the Alpha has gotten off at all, unless he did it himself when Yoongi was lost in bliss. The Omega peeks up and feels his entire body vibrate with anticipation at the sight of Jungkook's gold irises looking down at him. His body is calm, but his hands gripping the pillows at his sides and his eyes give the Alpha away. Jungkook wants Yoongi, and he’s stopping himself from just taking him. 

Yoongi finds it sexy that the Alpha is just watching and waiting, pretending to be unbothered and allowing Yoongi to do what he wants at the pace the Omega wants. 

Yoongi wraps his hand around the length and jerks Jungkook a few times, watching how he tenses and grits his teeth. A growl escapes the Alpha's lips and fuck, that's it. The last straw. Yoongi opens a condom and rolls it down Jungkook’s cock as the Alpha straightens up against the headboard, getting comfortable for when Yoongi sits on him. Extra lube coats Jungkook's dick, and Yoongi fingers himself a moment to make sure he's as open as he needs to be. He likes to make his hole wet, to have lube dripping on his thighs and get a dick as deep as it will go. 

"Fuck," Jungkook swears when Yoongi climbs on top of him, hands gripping Jungkook's sides as he tries sto steady himself over the man's length. The Alpha holds onto Yoongi's waist, staring up at him with hunger. The Omega holds their eye contact as he reaches behind him to hold Jungkook's cock in place. Fingers slippery with lube, he manages to get the head brushing against his hole. He lets himself lower down, and when Jungkook's thick Alpha cock enters him. They both moan in shock. Yoongi at the relief of having something in him and the burn that comes with it, and Jungkook at the heat, the tightness. The Omega is prepped well, he just needs to breathe and lets his muscles loosen up so he can ride Jungkook properly. 

Carefully, with Jungkook nipping at Yoongi's chest, the Omega gets himself fully seated in the Alpha's lap. He gasps, a sliver of pain in his ass as his body accepts the intrusion; Jungkook's fingers couldn't reach far enough to totally open Yoongi up. 

"Yoongi," Jungkook huffs. "Yoongi you feel so good. So fucking tight, you look like a beautiful fucking mess."

"Shit," Yoongi wraps his arms around Jungkook’s shoulders, hugging the Alpha's head to his chest as he continues to lick and bite - teeth teasing one of Yoongi's nipples. 

The Omega rocks his hips forward, testing how it feels. Jungkook's dick is long and thick, perfectly stretching him - spearing him open. Yoongi's not sure the last time someone felt so good so quickly. He moves his hips again, forward and back. He's not ready to fuck himself on the Alpha's cock, so he grinds his own throbbing member against Jungkook's stomach and moves his ass in circles. Jungkook's lips are suctioning Yoongi's nipple, making Yoongi whimper into the man's hair when the head of his cock shifts inside Yoongi's ass, brushing against a bundle of nerves. The Omega needs more of that, so he lets Jungkook hold him upright as he focuses on lifting himself, letting his cock slip out halfway before moving back down with a wet slap as his ass hits Jungkook's thighs. 

Yoongi moves quickly after that, pushing down on the perfect dick like a dildo as he finds his prostate again and thrusts his hips to just keep hitting that spot. Jungkook’s nails are on his back, his teeth on Yoongi's chest. And his voice, shit. Yoongi doesn't know what changed and made Jungkook so vocal, but he's glad for it. It's sending him spiraling, moving faster on Jungkook's length and rutting his own on the Alpha's abs. 

"So strong, Yoongi. You ride me so fucking well. You're so hot, you're unbelievable. I didn't think it would be like this," the words leave Jungkook's mouth in a flurry, muttering wetly against Yoong's chest as he sinks back down on Jungkook's cock, balls to his ass, and grinds. 

"Fuck, you ride me so well. Your ass is so perfect, so thick," The Alpha’s warm hands are cupping Yoongi's ass cheeks, fingers spreading them as Yoongi whines and struggles to make himself cum. Jungkook bites at his collarbone, and then he snarls, "Such a pretty Omega."

And that sends Yooongi over the edge. He moans loudly, totally swept up in his orgasm as he cums across Jungkook's stomach and collapses into him. His arms hangover Jungkook's shoulders as the Alpha holds him up, arms around Yoongi's waist - so warm, so strong, so comfortable. Exhausted, Yoongi shuts his eyes and tries to catch his breath. He lets himself be lifted up and off Jungkook's still-hard cock, groaning at the emptiness and how his hole flutters as the lube slides down his legs. 

Jungkook lays Yoongi in the pillows, yanks off the sweatpants entirely that the Omega failed to fully remove, and then lays down facing him. His arm encircles Yoongi's waist and pulls him close, close, until Yoongi's nose is buried in the scent of petrichor and sweat. Jungkook tucks his head above the Omega's, chin on Yoongi's hair, and gently strokes Yoongi’s back. 

~ 🌧

Jungkook feels Yoongi fall asleep in his arms and carefully retracts them. He strips off the condom still on his hard dick and throws it out. He has water, and then gets back in bed facing Yoongi. He feels himself soften as he stares at the sleeping Omega. 

He's not sure what came over him to call Yoongi all those things, but he's glad that the man liked it. His Alpha is grumbling in his chest, wishing it had taken Yoongi for itself completely - but pleased to see the Omega content. It's not over yet, and he frankly isn't sure if he wants this done or never wants it to end. He can't deny how good it feels to be with Yoongi like this, even if Jungkook isn't getting off at all. He doesn't want to unless Yoongi wants him to. This isn't about  him, it's about the Omega. 

But a few times throughout the hours Jungkook could swear he saw Yoongi look at him, and look like he wanted him. And he means he saw Yoongi's eyes unclouded, clear, and free of heat - simply wanting Jungkook's touch because he does. But that's...that's not what Jungkook wants. Not at all. Yoongi can't want Jungkook after this for sex, to be friends with benefits. He's hoping he read it wrong. That while Yoongi thinks he's a good heat partner, he won’t want more after. 

Jungkook's not sure if he could take that. But he knows, he knows that he's weak and would say yes. And guilt would choke his heart as he witnessed Yoongi long for love he can't find in Jungkook. 

Even now, as they lie here, Jungkook feels selfish and cowardly. He's doing this to help Yoongi, of course. He's doing it knowing full well that Yoongi's been seeking a partner for months, years. A partner in their staff, in their friends, in old friends from before Bangtan and new ones after. He's seen Yoongi flirt and pine and go on dates but none of it leads anywhere. 

Knows that Yoongi looked everywhere. 

And Jungkook has been here, the entire time, completely and utterly in love with him. 

~ 🌧

"Jungkook, Jungkook, Alpha—“

Jungkook jerks awake, and is immediately met by lips crashing into his own. He yelps, eyes wide open as Yoongi grabs his hair and bites his lips and climbs into Jungkook's lap, hard dick bobbing. His scent is so thick it could be cut through like a vanilla cake in the air, cherries sharp and fresh. 

"Yoongi," he pushes him away to see his face.

Yoongi's eyes are platinum silver, shining and glowing. Fuck. 

"Fuck me, Alpha, fuck me," Yoongi is outright begging, squirming on top of Jungkook. The Omega is sitting on Jungkook's crotch, wiggling his ass against Jungkook's soft dick like he's trying to wake it up. 

Instead, the Alpha wraps his hand around Yoongi's straining pink cock. He likes the way his length fits in his hand, just a bit larger than his palm, but Jungkook can jerk him off easily with one hand. Yoongi is mumbling complaints, bucking into the tight grip. The Alpha sees Yoongi reach a hand behind himself and then his jaw loosens as he gapes - he's fingering himself.

"Yoongi, you need lube," Jungkook chides him. He's not sure how to handle Yoongi in this state, when he's looking at Jungkook like he means everything to him, and throwing himself wantonly at the Alpha and begging for things to be done to him. 

It takes all of Jungkook's strength to get Yoongi off of him so he can get the lube, and a condom too in case. Yoongi lays down on his back and spreads his legs without shame, a clear invitation for Jungkook. The Alpha shakes his head, gaze drawn to where Yoongi is fucking two fingers into his hole. He settles himself between the Omega's legs and opens the lube, taking Yoongi's hand and squirting some into it. Yoongi is staring at him with half hooded eyes, his entire body flushed and chest blooming with hickies. It's a good thing they're not doing any performances these days, or else they'd be hell to cover.

Jungkook's heart skips a beat. He did that. He made Yoongi look like this. He likes it a lot, way too much, and his Alpha is roaring inside of him to do something more with the pretty Omega who's laid out right in front of him at the climax of his heat. 

But, no.

Yoongi rolls his head back, little whines escaping his mouth and he gets himself off and Jungkook sits there. The Omega cums with toes curling, just a few strings of semen painting his stomach. 

Jungkook waits to see what happens. Thinking maybe Yoongi got over it himself and his heat broke. But then the Omega's eyes open, more silver than before. He sits up before Jungkook can react, right in front of his face. His lips are pouting all pretty, his sweaty hair pushed aside, blinking and tilting his head in a catlike way. Yoongi kisses Jungkook, arms wrapping around his head and pulling him in. 

This time the Alpha lets himself be dragged on top of Yoongi, kissing him with fervor and licking into his mouth. The Omega moves to suck at his neck, and then suddenly there's a hand on Jungkook's aching cock that's pumping it slowly.

Yoongi's legs are around Jungkook's hips, locking him in place over the Omega. The Alpha has his hands planted in the pillows around Yoongi's head, heaving and gritting his teeth as he feels the Omega guide the head of cock to his hole.

"Wait, wait," Jungkook reaches down and grabs Yoongi's wrist in alarm. "Fuck, let me get a condom."

"No!" Yoongi cries out, freezing Jungkook in place. He's never heard Yoongi sound like this before. "No, you don't need it. I wanna feel you."

The Omega tries to stop him from moving but Jungkook snatches Yoongi's hands up in his own and presses them down into the mattress hard, nose brushing Yoongi's as he snarls, "Patience, Omega."

Yoongi's eyes are blown wide and he's frozen in place. Jungkook feels a grin sneak onto his face. He pushes Yoongi's hands down once more to make sure he heard him. The Alpha grabs the condom packet, opening it and sliding it on with a hiss. He lubes himself up, and lubes a few of his fingers too so he can make sure Yoongi's properly prepped and his heat isn't just telling him he is.

The Omega gets his legs back around Jungkook fast, hands on his back as Jungkook holds himself up with his knees and one hand. He tests Yoongi's entrance with digits, slipping two inside and thrusting them deep enough Yoongi moans. He’s still loose from earlier.

"More, more, please," his voice is soft. A plea. A purr.

Satisfied, Jungkook adds a third finger and stretches him open further. If Yoongi's going to take his knot, this needs to be done properly. The Alpha can't imagine hurting him, wouldn't dream of it. 

"Please, Jungkook," Yoongi whines, making Jungkook’s breath hitch. Hearing his own name when Yoongi is like this - shame cast aside and desperate - is addicting. Fuck. Fuck. Heat flares up inside Jungkook's chest, and suddenly he's had enough too. He's been so careful for both their sakes. And he's still going to be careful. But this requires more passion than he's been letting himself have. Yoongi deserves Jungkook putting his all into this, and not simply treating it as a project. 

Yoongi deserves Jungkook's passion, because he already has his heart.

Giving his fingers a few more twists inside Yoongi's tight heat, he feels confident he's stretched and wet enough. With lube dripping off his aching cock, he lets the Omega take him by the base and guide him to his hole. Yoongi is loose and open, legs wide and body relaxed as the head of Jungkook's cock enters. The Alpha suppresses his sounds, afraid that if he lets them out he'll let the rest of himself go too. Yoongi's nails rake up his back and grasp his shoulder blades as Jungkook lowers himself. He can't hold himself up and fuck Yoongi right.

He lets his head fall into his pillows, breathing hot against Yoongi's neck as he presses in slowly. His hands find the Omega's plump, smooth thighs and use them to guide his own hips.

"Hurry up," Yoongi complains, the heels of his feet pressing into Jungkook's ass to urge him on.

Jungkook chuckles, "So needy."

"Hurry, you're too slow. I need - ah - I need you Alpha. I need you, do more."

"Christ," Jungkook breathes against Yoongi's cherry-vanilla skin, "You always such a brat?"

"Yes," Yoongi says, and uses all of his strength to force Jungkook's hips forward all the way, the Alpha's cock plunging deep and making them both cry out in surprise.

"Oh my god," Jungkook huffs, pressing his forehead into Yoongi's shoulder. He's overwhelmed by how tight he is. The heat seems more intense than before, lube coating his walls and letting Jungkook reach deeper and deeper inside him. He doesn't move, but Yoongi is grinding down on his dick and making little noises.

It's a lot. 

He finally composes himself, and let's his cock drag out slightly before pressing it back in.

"Faster." He hears and laughs to himself. 

Jungkook does as Yoongi asks, pulling out and thrusting back in a few times. He's testing it out, seeing what he can take, seeing how adjusted the Omega is to his size. The constant encouragements make Jungkook want to act recklessly, but he ignores Yoongi's constant barade of more, more, faster, Alpha. He takes his time building up a rhythm, but before long he's fucking into Yoongi fast, balls slapping and sopping with copious lube against the Omega's ass.

Yoongi is helping by bucking up into his touch, arms clinging to Jungkook's waist and moving with him. The Alpha's teeth graze Yoongi's ear, his neck, his chest. And then he feels Yoongi's hand between them as the Omega jerks himself off. Jungkook fucks into him deeper. He moves his hands from Yoongi's thighs to lay them flat beside his head for better leverage. He thrusts hard, liking the way Yoongi's entire body jolts, how the bed creaks. 

It reeks of sweat and cherries. Of humid summer rain, of cum. Yoongi looks like vanilla and cherries beneath him. Lips red, lovebites like strawberries, skin smooth creamy vanilla. The blankets are rough, pillows hot, damp from their combined heat and sweat. 

But all Jungkook can focus on is grinding his hips deep into Yoongi's ass, watching as the man's eyes roll back and he moans, hand working fast as he cums. 

It's still not enough.

"No, no, no," Yoongi whispers as Jungkook pulls out of him. "Alpha, I need your knot, please, please, give me your knot."

Jungkook falls back on his knees, concern flashing through him when he sees tears in Yoongi's eyes that slip down his face. He cups the Omega's face, wiping them away his thumbs.

"No, no, Yoongi don't cry. It's okay. I'm here. Are you okay? Are you hurting?"

"No!" Yoongi pouts, legs closing as he sits up and pushes at Jungkook's chest uselessly. "I'm fine, I just want you to use me right. Are you a fucking Alpha or not?"

Yoongi's eyes are menacing when they're silver. But Jungkook can see right through him. He's acting, trying to rile Jungkook up so he does whatever he wants. It's cute.

"You're such a little brat, Yoongi."

And then he flips the Omega over into his stomach, putting a pillow beneath his hips before plastering his front over Yoongi's back. He presses him straight into the mattress, Yoongi's face turns to the side as he groans in relief. The Alpha lets his thick, wet cock slide between Yoongi's ass cheeks to tease him. Reveling in the sound of Yoongi's whines and how the Omega is writhing beneath him, trapped.

"Jungkook, knot me," Yoongi demands. 

Who's Jungkook to deny him any longer? 

The Alpha gets back on his haunches, peering curiously at Yoongi's messy, lubed up hole. The tan skin is puckered and fluttering. Jungkook's hands roam the globes of Yoongi's ass, and he lets his thumb dip into the Omega's entrance and tug on his rim. He straightens up after a breathless moment, lost in the heat and scent of Yoongi.

With Yoongi's body nearly flat to the bed, Jungkook presses himself on top again - this time sliding his cock into Yoongi with ease. He groans as he sinks into the hilt, bucking slightly. Jungkook is so fucking turned on it's ridiculous. He's been near breaking for hours, containing himself. But now the best way to help Yoongi is to also help himself, to finally let go and wreck this beautiful man just a little. 

"Shit," Jungkook fucks into him, liking how his arms box the Omega in beneath him. 

Yoongi keens, wiggling his ass slightly and propping it up more on the pillow. Jungkook takes that as his cue to move. The Alpha doesn't waste time speeding up, fucking into Yoongi with all the energy he's been bottling up inside since Yoongi's heat began. Their pants, wet slaps of skin, and the Omega's continued pleads fill the room. It makes Jungkook hungry for more, thrusting roughly and rolling his hips aggressively. 

"There, there, again—" Yoongi tells him. 

Jungkook fucks harshly at that same angle, over and over. He's certainly bruising Yoongi's ass black and blue, carving out a place inside him. He's enjoying the tight, channel of muscle and heat he's thrusting into - pace picking up as lube leaks everywhere and makes them stick together. Jungkook grips Yoongi's hips, teeth biting into Yoongi's shoulder as he feels his knot begin to form. It's teasing the Omega's rim, hitting it and tugging at the skin.

"Jungkook, you feel so fucking good, knot me, knot me, please. Please, Alpha, my Alpha please knot me.”

Jungkook snarls, teeth clamping onto the meat of Yoongi's shoulder as drawing blood as he forces his knot into Yoongi's hole with a few brutal thrusts. He keeps fucking into him, grinding hard and hitting Yoongi's prostate until he's crying out, spine arching, quivering as he cums and Jungkook's knot swells, locking his cock inside the Omega's tight heat. 

"Cum, cum in me, Jungkook. Please, I need it now."

"Fucking—"  he thrusts his hips hard, locked inside but still pushing deeper into Yoongi's ass. "Fucking bratty Omega," he growls.

With that, he fucks in fast jerks of his hips until he's spilling inside the condom, deep in Yoongi. Jungkook's entire body numbs as he rides it out, shuddering and still rutting into Yoongi to desperately chase his high as he cums in him. He moans, exhausted, lightheaded, and so fucking pleased. Pleasure ripples through him like lightning, igniting his body as he wraps his arms around Yoongi and rolls them onto their sides so he doesn't crush the Omega anymore than he already has.

It feels so fucking good to be in him, to be so close to him, to be with him at all. With his nose buried in Yoongi's neck, he kisses his flushed skin over and over. Gentle as he can be.

Yoongi is heaving, moaning a little.

"Are you okay, Yoongi?"

"Fuck, I'm so good," the Omega assures, pushing his back into Jungkook's cock more deeply and making their bodies stick with sweat. "Feel so good, Alpha. Wish I could kiss you..."

Yoongi trails off, breathing evening out. 

Jungkook squeezes his eyes shut, holding the Omega so close. He nuzzles his face into him and smells cherry blossoms.

Oh. Lilac and almonds returning after so long with the heavy sweetness of cherry and vanilla. Jungkook breathes it in. He's missed it so much. He's missed Yoongi so much. He wants his friend back. Wants them back to how they were before they started to fake date. Now they've gotten so close to each other that Jungkook's heart has swollen to the size of a balloon.

With one prick, it could pop.

my twt don't hurt me plz

Chapter Text

Yoongi is glad that Jungkook didn't wake up and leave him. He easily could have, considering he'd done everything the Omega had asked him to. Instead, they wake up tangled together. Crusted in dried cum and sticky lube and blankets reeking of sweat and sex. 

"Hyung?" Jungkook's eyes blink open in the partial light. It must be morning, but the shut black-out curtains make them lose all sense of time in here. "How are you?"

"I'm good," Yoongi smiles. "How are you?"

"Good now that I know you are," Jungkook smiles, eyes sleepy. 

Yoongi's chest aches at the sight. Oh, fuck. 

This is the most painful part about all of this. Sure, Jungkook had taken care of Yoongi incredibly the past two days. He was gentle and compassionate and took it at the perfect pace. Yoongi remembers at times being frustrated that Jungkook hadn't done more, hadn't taken more from Yoongi, but now that his heat has passed he's grateful for how slow the Alpha was. How he never put himself before Yoongi. And of course, that's exactly what Yoongi expected of him. If they had sex outside of his heat, he believes the experience would have been different. 

Now, Yoongi's left wondering how. 

But the more pressing matter, of course, is how to navigate things now they had such an intimate time together. Yoongi's pulse picks up speed as he and Jungkook stare at each other in silence, the other man's dark eyes are warm and calm. Yoongi is in love with him. So badly he almost wants to confess right here. The thought scares him. He has the power to change everything in one breath if he really wants to. 

Not now, though. Not when he's just realizing all his feelings, and they entered into the fake relationship with an understanding of being entirely platonic. It almost feels like a betrayal of Jungkook's trust to have fallen for him. 

He ignores that. Focuses instead on the fluttering butterflies in his stomach. Spending his heat with the Alpha hasn't necessarily made Yoongi love him more—love isn't about sex to him. It's more so the kisses, the sweetness, and the care that the Alpha demonstrated that's gonna make Yoongi long for him more. Does it hurt to be laying with Jungkook knowing he doesn't feel the same way? Maybe. Just a little pinch on Yoongi's heart. It doesn't change the fact that Jungkook still loves him, in a different way maybe, but Yoongi knows that will never change. It's the only certainty he can have in this confusing situation. 

"Was everything okay?" Jungkook whispers, a small crease in his forehead.

"You were perfect. You did everything perfectly."

"I kind of...went overboard," the Alpha is blushing a bit, gesturing at Yoongi's bare chest. 

The Omega looks down, and from what he can see without a mirror, he's marked up with hickeys everywhere. All over his stomach, up his chest. If he were to pull the blanket down, he's sure there'd be some littered on his legs. There's probably some on his back. A heat memory flash through him, of peering at Jungkook over his own shoulder, body plastered to the bed, and the Alpha rutting into him from behind with golden eyes. 

Fuck. Yoongi's heat is over, there's no excuse to be horny now. 

"It's okay. I'm going to shower."

"Do you want, uh, me to come with?" the younger man offers as Yoongi rolls off one side, pulling a robe off the bedside table to conceal himself. 

"No, no," Yoongi shakes his head. "It's fine. You can go if you'd like."

"Okay," Jungkook is biting his lip, staring at Yoongi with an unreadable expression. 

Suddenly, Yoongi wonders if he said something during his heat to give himself away. The thought terrifies him, but it's entirely possible he confessed to Jungkook at the peak of his desire and now the other man knows the secret burning a hole in his heart. 

"Hey," Yoongi swallows, looking at the floor. "Did I say anything weird during my heat?"

"Um, no? I don't think so," Jungkook sits up, the blanket pooling around his waist and giving Yoongi a view of nail marks and a few hickeys. "Did you remember saying something?'

"No," Yoongi says and then hurries into the bathroom, shutting the door. 

He squeezes his eyes shut, hopes he didn't come off as rude, and then starts the water. When it runs hot he steps under the harsh spray, soaping himself up well. Before he can stop it, tears are mixing with the water swirling down the drain. It's not a full-bodied sob, but there's enough tears and sniffling that he has to make sure to keep it down in case Jungkook is still in the room. Yoongi knows crying after sex is generally bad sign, but he’s not crying out of discomfort or hurt or anger. He's not even especially sad; he's overwhelmed and confused. 

Maybe, maybe Yoongi could keep his feelings a secret just fine. But the fact that he has to lie to Jungkook and  Bangtan now? That's almost too much to bear. It is too much to bear. He needs to be honest with someone, with all of them. He hates how lying feels. Of course, telling them would make everyone feel like shit. Telling them would mean confronting the fact that he and Jungkook slept together anyway. 

Admitting it would also mean a tremendous weight lifted off his shoulders. 

Yoongi takes deep breaths of the heated, wet air. Trying to stamp out the restlessness firing up inside him. He's trapped between a rock and a hard place. Maybe he'll give it a few days, and depending on how things go he may have to ask Jungkook for them to break up. The Alpha would understand. He wouldn't question it. For now though, Yoongi will let it be. 

~

The party is loud already. BigHit rented out a little pub near the company for the head producers and Bangtan, they've reached the midway point on their album. It's a big moment, especially with how much the members have been putting into the songs this time around. They recently decided to scrap the idea of doing two albums over the next twelve months, and chose to make one full-length album instead.

The employees of the tavern seem all too excited to have them here, grinning and laughing and offering them all kinds of food and alcohol. Yoongi watches what the other members do, and most of them go for food first and promise to drink afterwards. All except for Jungkook, who in typical fashion asks for a bottle of soju and drinks it before eating anything. 

"Jungkook-ah, you know that's not smart," Yoongi nudges him with an elbow. 

They're sitting beside each other at the table, surrounded by the members and producers. There's a ton of food laid out, seafood and ribs and rice. Five kinds of kimchi and plenty of other side dishes. 

"And you know I like to drink on an empty stomach," Jungkook raises a brow. 

Yoongi rolls his eyes, there's no point in arguing with him. 

"Hey, Yoongi," Donghyuk says across the table. "Have you met my girlfriend? This is Sunghee."

"Hi," Yoongi waves at the pretty woman, hair long and black, ears and neck sparkling with jewelry. "Nice to meet you."

"Yoongi," Donghyuk goes on, mouth full of food. "How long have you and Jungkook been dating and why did I only find out last week?"

Yoongi feels Jungkook shift beside him, turning away from his conversation with Soohyun. "I heard my name."

"Jungkook!" Donghyuk exclaims loudly. Yoongi frowns at his aggressive air, his Alpha scent like charred wood. The Omega suspects he came here half drunk already. "Why didn't you tell me you claimed Bangtan's little Omega?"

Jumgkook's eyes widen, and Yoongi sees his jaw clench before loosening into a forced laugh, "I wouldn't say it like that, hyung. We're partners, but Yoongi's not mine."

"Sure, sure," the Alpha waves him off, refocusing on Yoongi with dark eyes, one arm slung tightly over his girlfriend's shoulders as she watches with rapt interest. "I should have taken my shot when I had the chance. Would you date me, Yoongi?"

Yoongi gapes, surprised at the forward question. "Um, not now, obviously. We both have partners."

"Yeah but, hypothetically," Donhyuk presses, a challenge in his stare. 

"What are you talking about?" Sunghee clings to the Alpha's arm. "You're mine, Donghyuk."

"Ah, I know baby," he chuckles, "I'm just kidding around."

"Doesn't sound like kidding," Jungkook says just loud enough for Yoongi to hear. Yoongi shoots Jungkook a look, and the Alpha scoots closer to him, arm wrapping around his waist to hug Yoongi close to his side. 

"Jungkook," Yoongi shakes his head.

"What?" Jungkook looks at him, faces close as everyone clambers around them in their own worlds. 

There's a certain level of protectiveness in Jungkook's eyes, one that renders Yoongi silent. He lets Jungkook keep his arm around him all through dinner and drinks. Hoseok and Taehyung don't drink at all, instead they keep shoving bottles at everyone else as Seokjin finally convinces Jungkook to eat. Yoongi talks with Hyowon and Dohyeong (Pdogg and Slow Rabbit, respectively) at length about their favorite parts of the album so far and new styles they went to experiment with. The two haven't brought their partners, but they talk about their personal lives and catch up on a lot.

In the studios they don't have a lot of time for small talk or normal conversation, there's always a goal and they work towards it for hours with a break. But here, there's an opportunity to team build and really understand each other outside of work. It's one of the things that helped them in the early days to get along and produce music together easily. Now they keep up that relationship, because without it their music would lose meaning. They have to be able to understand and empathize with each other in order to make music they can all resonate. 

"Hyowon and I were making a bet the other day," Dohyeong laughs, "that the next album is gonna be full of sentimental love songs and crap. Like, Map of the soul: Lovers, or some shit."

"What?" Yoongi's a little buzzed now after eating and drinking for a couple hours. "Why the hell would we do that?"

"Because you're all fucking in love, man!" Hyowon slaps Yoongi's shoulder with a grin. "We're honestly so glad for it. I still feel bad man, for turning you down before, you know? But now I'm glad I did, or else you and Jungkook may not have gotten together."

Yoongi laughs, waving him off, "I don't know, I still feel like you never took me seriously. Did he take me seriously, Dohyeong?" He asks Slow Rabbit. 

"Nah, he already had eyes for Yongil back then. I took you seriously though, Yoon. We went out how many times?" Dohyeong's eyes are soft when he smiles, little crinkles there.

"I don't know, maybe five times?" Yoongi ventures, not remembering right now. 

Suddenly there's a pair or warm, strong arms wrapping around his middle from behind. Hot breath blows on Yoongi's cheek, smelling soju. Then he smells the rain, and relaxes into Jungkook's hold. 

"What's this about dating my boyfriend?' Jungkook asks the two producers, squeezing Yoongi gently but possessively. The Omega's breath hitches, and he prays Jungkook can't smell his desire on him. 

"Ah, Jungkook," Dohyeong takes a swig of soju, "just talking about when Yoongi-yah and I used to date."

Jungkook hums, the vibrations going through Yoongi's body too. 

"Now he's mine," Jungkook tells him. 

Dohyeong laughs and Yoongi blushes, alcohol making that all too easy to accomplish. 

"Don't worry, Kook. I got that."

Jungkook doesn't say anything else, but remains glued to Yoongi back as the Omega tries to stay engaged in conversation. He's incredibly distracted by the hot press of Alpha muscle against him, the petrichor scent bleeding into clothes, and the gentle up-and-down of Jungkook's chest as he breathes. Eventually Yoongi finds the strength to push him off and get up, going to join Namjoon, Jimin, and Taehyung in playing darts.

Yoongi's head is swimming, heart pounding, body slow with food and soju (and an Omega craving to be back in his Alpha's arms). 

Fuck. Yoongi presses a hand to his head. His Alpha. His Alpha. He wants Jungkook to be his Alpha. When he glances back over to the table, Jungkook is sitting and talking with Soohyun and Hoseok. They're laughing, Hoseok clapping his hands together and Jungkook animatedly pounding a fist on the table as Soohyun covers her mouth as she laughs at the other two. Jungkook calms back down, eyes droopy with how drunk he's gotten, and then his hand is lightly touching Soohyun's arm as he explains something to her, the producer grinning at him with amusement. 

Yoongi feels jealous. 

It's a different jealousy than when he learned Namjoon was dating Hoseok and Tae. It's different from when Jimin and Seokjin kiss each other. Then, he was jealous of the concept of a relationship. Jealous they got to experience that closeness with another person while he was still on his own. Now, he's jealous very specifically of other people laughing and talking with Jungkook. Of being touched by him, even slightly. He knows part of this is his Omega acting up post-heat, after all, that's the Alpha he just spent intimate time with. At the same time, the jealousy isn't just in his instincts, it's in his heart. 

When it's time to go, Jungkook comes to Yoongi, swaying slightly, and takes his hand. Then they sit in the car holding hands, Seokjin and Jimin beside them doing the same and cuddling. Jungkook doesn't cuddle, but kisses Yoongi's hand softly and they share headphones on the ride back to the dorms. 

They change into pajamas, and Yoongi gets in his bed. He's not sure why, but for some reason he was expecting Jungkook to join him in bed. The younger man doesn’t though, because why would he? They're not actually dating. So the Alpha crawls into his bed and passes out almost immediately as Yoongi stares at the dark ceiling. 

Again it occurs to him that he can't keep these lies up much longer. 

~

They have the next day off. Yoongi rises late, stretching and letting the warm blankets fall off of him. He rubs the sleepy dust out of his eyes and surveys his room, Jungkook's bed as tidy as ever. It smells like petrichor now, his scent having fully replaced Seokjin's. The Omega frowns as he gets up, shoving slippers on his feet and pulling on a sweater he found bundled up at the bottom of his bed. Jungkook's books and charger are gone. The little collection of his items he was starting to amass in the room aren't there. 

Yoongi tries not to let it bother him, the other man probably just needed them for something else. 

The coffee is still hot when Yoongi gets to the kitchen, grateful for whoever made extra this morning. The steam clouds up his glasses as he takes a sip, and he smiles to himself. He tries to wear his glasses at home, if he goes too long without them he gets terrible migraines. He doesn't bother with contacts, flat-out refusing even the colored ones the stylists try and style him in. He hates the idea of something being stuck in his eye. (A few too many horror stories on YouTube when he was younger scared him away from contacts forever.)

There's commotion coming from the game room, and when Yoongi enters Seokjin, Tae, and Jungkook are there. They're viciously batting it out on Mario Kart, Seokjin and Jungkook standing up and moving their entire bodies to turn the cars, yelling out insults. Taehyung is deadly silent by contrast, staring hard at the screen where he's sitting on a bean bag and ignoring the chaos erupting on either side of him. All to his advantage, apparently, when Seokjin spins out and Jungkook gets hit by a shell, Taehyung wins and raises his controller victoriously. 

Yoongi laughs loudly, getting all of their attention. 

"Yoongi-yah!" Seokjin exclaims. "Help me take these bastards out, will you?"

"What?" Jungkook complaints. "I literally lost! I"m in 5th place."

Seokjin ignores him, "Yoongi, come on."

"Oh, I don't know," the Omega rubs the back of his neck, gripping his mug in one hand. "It's too early for this."

"It's 3pm, hyung," Taehyung snorts. "Come kick your boyfriend's butt, huh?"

"Yeah, babe," Jungkook joins in, a smirk on his lips. "Come show me what you got."

Babe?  Yoongi opens his mouth, trying to process. Jungkook has never called him that before, and he's not sure how to feel about it. Still, he's never one to chicken out in front of his friends. Maybe some video games are exactly what he needs. With an exaggerated sigh Yoongi sets his coffee down in favor of a remote. He picks Yoshi and Vanilla Lake, sharing one of the massive bean bags with Jungkook. The younger man raises an eyebrow, making Yoongi set his attention on the screen, fully intending to beat their asses. 

He does not, in fact, beat their asses. Seokjin wins every round they play, saying Taehyung's victory was a fluke, and Jungkook mumbles a lot of half-hearted complaints. Yoongi's glad he joined in though, it was far better than going back to his bed and doing nothing. 

"Did you eat?" Taehyung asks him as they put away the controllers and shut off the console.

"No, not yet."

"Hyung and I were about to get some takeout and watch some movies, wanna join us?" 

Yoongi looks around, Seokjin is lingering by the door and Jungkook has vanished. 

"Uh, yeah. I'm gonna see if Jungkook wants anything."

"Okay, we're gonna set up the lounge."

Yoongi nods and heads out down the hall. He reaches Jungkook's door and knocks softly. 

"Yeah?"

Yoongi twists the handle, poking his head inside. Jungkook is sitting on the floor, back against the base of his bed, laptop on his thighs and headphones already in his ears. 

"We're gonna get some food and watch a movie, wanna come?"

Jungkook blinks at him, "No."

"No?" Yoongi frowns. "Why not?"

"I got other stuff to do," he looks back at his computer screen. 

The Omega tastes a bitter tang in the rain-scented air. "You sure?"

"Yeah," Jungkook confirms. "Maybe I'll join later, hyung."

"Okay," Yoongi says, stepping back out and shutting the Alpha's door. 

In a way, it feels like a smack to the face. It feels like Jungkook is blowing him off, giving him a cold shoulder. Yoongi must be imagining it, though. After all, they've done nothing but spend time together the past month and now he's worked up because Jungkook said no to one thing? The Omega shakes his head, disappointed with himself. He has to remember, this is all an act. Jungkook probably needs some time alone. Yoongi gets it, probably better than anyone, that solitude can be essential mental health. 

He decides to let it go. There's no need to make something big out of nothing. It's probably just his pesky feelings clouding his judgement. Being in love is making him long for Jungkook's everything. His smile. His laugh. His touch. His voice. His scent. His presence, at a minimum. But it's not Jungkook's job to be with him 24/7, even if they were real boyfriends. 

Seokjin and Taehyung ordered pizza, Hoseok joining them and immediately going to cuddle up beside Tae. Jin rolls his eyes, inviting Yoongi to sit beside him and grinning when the Omega gladly goes to his hyung's side. Hoseok fires up the TV, Taehyung telling his partner at length about the latest exhibit he and Namjoon visited. 

"You smell stressed," Seokjin whispers, just so Yoongi can hear. 

Yoongi straightens his back up on the cushy couch, propping his feet up on the wooden coffee table and pulling a fluffy blanket over his and Seokjin's lap. 

Jin doesn't let him get away with silence, pressing, "Is it because Jungkook's not here?"

"It's fine," Yoongi assures his friend. "He's busy. You can be my cuddle buddy for now, huh?"

"Okay," Seokjin beams, wrapping an arm around Yoongi eagerly and making the Omega laugh. 

"What are we watching?" Yoongi inquires of the couple sitting with them. 

"The Host," Hoseok types in the title to the search bar. "5,000 won to rent? Really?"

"As if you weren't wearing a 12 million won watch right now," Seokjin chides, the Alpha shooting him a glare. 

"Fine," Hoseok tosses the remote at the eldest of the group, "you buy it then. You're the hyung here."

Seokjin clicks his tongue but begrudgingly pays, "Only for Bong Joon-ho."

Taehyung and Hoseok cackle together, passing a bottle of soda between them as the movie starts. Twenty minutes later and security knocks at the apartment door with their delivery food. Yoongi grabs it from them with lots of thank yous, snorting when he realizes it's Domino's. He can't judge. It's deep-dish style, hot, and delicious. Complete with chocolate chip cookies and garlic knots on the side. Seokjin insists on pausing the movie so he can grab a jar of the kimchi Jimin's dad sent him, grinning widely as he adds it to his pizza. 

"You gotta try his recipe, Jimin's dad is amazing," he tells them and then they get back to the movie. 

They finish The Host, Taehyung dubbing the giant, running tadpole-shaped creature "Haha" after the Running Man host. Jimin arrives home with Namjoon in tow, the pair having gone hiking in their free time. The Beta comes and joins them, Yoongi taking that as his cue to move. He sits in the exact center of the long couch, Taehyung and Hoseok on one side, Seokjin and Jimin on the other. He's reminded with a pang of how it felt to be the one of the only single people in Bangtan. 

To see his friends happy and in love, and then feeling sad and lonely himself. Glad for them, of course, but a little jealous of what he doesn't have. 

The difference now though is that Yoongi has experienced what it's like to be close and domestic with someone, but those instances have been platonic. Have been an act, or out of friendship. Yoongi may feel a lot more than friendship for Jungkook now, but it doesn't change the fact that their romantic encounters are only romantic for show. 

And that Yoongi is still alone in a room full of people he adores.

Jimin is beside him, and makes sure Yoongi still gets some of the blanket. The coconut-vanilla of Jimin's scent is sweet and relaxing, and makes Yoongi calm down some as they start yet another Bong Joon-ho film.

A little ways into the film, Jungkook sneaks into the lounge. 

"Oh, JK!" Seokjin announces loudly. 

"Shh," Taehyung hisses. 

"Sorry, sorry," Jungkook apologizes as he throws himself into one of the recliners, pulling his feet up and curling in on himself to watch the movie. 

Yoongi stares at him, watching as the television light flickers over his face and in the Alpha's eyes. Yoongi's chest aches. Wishing Jungkook was sitting beside him. Wishing they were real and weren't lying to their best friends. 

~

It's nearing midnight when they finish their marathon. Yoongi yawns widely, laughing when he hears Jungkook do the same immediately afterwards. 

"They're infectious," Jungkook jokes. 

"Contagious," Jimin corrects as he shuts the empty pizza box. 

"I really don't think it makes a difference," Jungkook argues. "Considering it's not really true."

Jimin sighs like he knows he's right but doesn't want to get into it with the maknae right now. The Beta meets Yoongi's gaze briefly with a smile, leaving the room after Seokjin. That leaves Yoongi with Jungkook and Taehyung, the Alpha wiping off crumbs from the table into his palm. 

"What's your plans for tonight?" Taehyung asks. 

Yoongi glances over to him, the Beta on his phone and head propped up on a pillow. 

"Nothing, I was gonna do some writing and then head to bed." Yoongi braces himself as he turns to Jungkook and says,  "Unless you want to do something?"

"Nah," the Alpha shrugs, leaning in close suddenly to peck Yoongi on the cheek. "I'm gonna go shower babe, I'll be in the room in a bit."

Yoongi's heart flutters as Jungkook walks away to the kitchen, crumbs still in his hand. 

"So..." a teasing voice drawls from behind him, "babe, huh?"

"I honestly don't know when he started calling me that," Yoongi tells Tae, his mouth turned down slightly. 

Something about Jungkook is off. Normally when they hang out with the others Jungkook acts like his usual self, doesn't treat Yoongi special in particular aside from being near him and flirting a bit. But what just happened? The cheek kiss and the pet name, that seems forced. That seems fake. It's like Jungkook is trying harder to act the part of a boyfriend, but not as Jungkook-the-boyfriend, more so as a drama's portrayal of what a boyfriend should be. Yoongi doesn't like it. 

"It suits you though," Tae snorts. "I feel like he'd be the type to call someone babe."

"Does he?" Yoongi mumbles, uncertain.

"Why?" Tae stands up, dark brows coming together in concern as his citrus scent washes over the Omega. "Do you not think so?"

"It just seems a bit over-the-top for him, you know?" Yoongi offers. "He doesn't like being hyper-Alpha and calling me babe almost feels like, I don't know, such a basic move."

"Oh, well if you don't like it I'd definitely speak now. Trust me, Hoseok called me Tae-bae once and I didn't stop him, and now he keeps saying it," Taehyung's expression is full of regret. "I thought it would be a one-time thing, but no. But I hate it, honestly, and I'm not sure how to tell him."

Yoongi can’t help his laugh, "Oh god, sorry. Just try and tell him soon. If nothing else, text him and offer him a bunch of other options for pet names."

Taehyung nods, "Good idea."

They part ways and Yoongi gets ready for bed. Freshly showered and dried he pulls on comfy flannel pants and a white t-shirt. The fabric is soft and clean against his skin, and he feels properly refreshed and relaxed after a day of doing nothing. Yoongi gets settled in bed with his lyric book and a pen, nibbling at the plastic cap and staring at old notes. 

An idea comes to him out of nowhere, and soon he's lost in a trance as he scribbles down lyrics, page after pages of the black ink gliding over smooth paper. He doesn't write with a goal, with a plan, or any specific intentions. He just lets lose. Lets his thoughts flow like a hot spring. Somewhere, maybe, in the back of his mind he's thinking of what Slow Rabbit said about their next album being full of sappy love songs. And honestly, Yoongi wouldn't complain. They've written about their hopes, the future, the past, as their lives have remained relatively the same over the years (save for the increase of popularity and exposure). Now Yoongi has something raw and real in his heart. Love is clamping down on him, making him feel something he hasn't in a long time. Or maybe ever.

Now is his opportunity to capture it on the page. To write his emotions without a filter and call them lyrics. Are his notes about Jungkook? Yes. They are. But they're also about vulnerability, about allowing yourself happiness, about subverting your own expectations and allowing life to take you where it will. He writes about silent suffering—pining. About longing to touch the stars, but even the tallest ladder can't help you reach. 

His eyelids grow heavy and he sets his notebook on the shelf above his bed, suddenly realizing with a jolt that Jungkook never came to join him in the room. 

Yoongi

Where are you?

Jungkook

My room

Yoongi

Are you coming to bed?

Jungkook

I am in bed

Yoongi's heart skips a beat. Not out of excitement, but out of pure dread. Out of pain. Out of alarm. Does Jungkook know? Does he know Yoongi's feelings have grown exponentially and that he's in love with him, and now Jungkook needs space because that had never been what he signed up for?

Yoongi

You're sleeping there tonight?

Jungkook

I'm gonna sleep in my room from now on

I missed my memory foam haha

Also, my rut is in a couple weeks

Yoongi

That's forever away, you don't need to leave for my sake

Jungkook

I know. Thanks

But I do want to be back in my room

I miss my alone time a little

Not that I don't love spending time with you!

Yoongi

No no no it's okay, I get it

Do what you need

Jungkook

Okay, sorry i didn't let you know earlier

Yoongi

It's okay

Do you think the others will notice?

Jungkook

Don't know. Maybe not since I usually have been going to my room in the morning anyway

Yoongi

True

Jungkook

Good night

Yoongi

Wait

Jungkook

Yeah?

Yoongi

What was up with the babe thing earlier

Jungkook

Oh

Haha

I thought it would be fun

And you know, boyfriendy

Yoongi

But you never did it before

Jungkook

I thought I'd try something new

Do you not like it? i can stop 

Yoongi

It's not so much that

It just was different

It felt more like you were pretending than when you just call me Yoongi

Jungkook

Well

i am pretending obviously

But do you think it's obvious to them?

Yoongi

No

I think tae finds it amusing

Also

Jungkook

Hm?

Yoongi

How much longer are we gonna do this?

Jungkook

Do what

Yoongi

You know what

Fake date each other

Jungkook

Oh

idk, do you want to stop?

Yoongi

Maybe soon

During the movies today it felt weird because they were with their partners and I didn't have one. That would have been a moment where you being my fake bf would've been nice, but you sat so far away. It was weird

Jungkook

Oh

I'm sorry, i didn't even think about that

I'm sorry

Yoongi

It's fine

But it made me realize, maybe I prefer them being careful around me instead of their romantic happiness being in my face all the time now

Wait that sounded really rude

Ahhhhh

But you know what I mean?

Jungkook

i do

I'll do better

Yoongi

No

I think we should we should just break up soon so when I'm sad or lonely I can tell them I'm sad and lonely

I hate lying to them

I spent so many years getting better at sharing my feelings, I don't want that work undone, especially not with them

So lets break up this week

There's a long pause in which Yoongi holds his breath, waiting for a message to come through kakao. Even if it will hurt to spend less time with Jungkook, it's painfully clear to Yoongi that this was a mistake. Pretending to date is only hurting them both. Pretending to date has ended up with Yoongi falling in love, and Jungkook getting so fed up he moved back to his own room. 

Jungkook

Ok

Do we tell them the truth?

Yoongi

Should we?

Jungkook

It would hurt them to know we did it because of them

For them

Yoongi

Can we decide that part later? That's too much to think about right now

Jungkook

Ok

Hey um

Just because we stop the act doesn't mean we'll stop spending time together right?

They might think it's weird, but I still want to see you as much as I now

You're the easiest person to talk to

Yoongi

Of course we can keep hanging out just much

I'm really glad you said that jungkook-ah, I like our time together

Jungkook

Good :)

Yoongi

Good night now?

Jungkook

Good night now

I love you hyung

Yoongi can't bring himself to respond to that. Knowing that Jungkook means it an all-too platonic way. Knowing that Jungkook means it as a reassurance, a promise that nothing will change when they "break up" even though it will. It already has. The Omega presses his phone to his chest and slouches down into his warm blankets, just a hint of rain left in them. It's then that he realizes that the sweater he was wearing all day was the one Jungkook gave him so long ago, but his scent has faded from it entirely now. 

He sighs. At a loss. Breaking up is the right call, he knows that. It's the smart thing to do. It's probably what they should have done weeks ago, now they've just dug themselves a grave.

What makes it worse is that while the members will be sensitive, won't pry too hard, and won't question that much—others will. Yoongi can see it now. Hanging out with Slow Rabbit or Supreme Boi and they inquire for details. And Sejin, bless his big heart, all awkward and worried and getting Yoongi to talk the situation through with him so he as their manager doesn't have to fear any conflicts. It's going to be ridiculous, but it's gonna have to happen eventually.

That could be avoided though if they tell them the whole truth. Admit they lied and apologize and in some fashion or another, push the blame their way so Yoongi and Jungkook aren't the only ones chained down about it. But that's dumb. Because it's not the fault of their friends that they want Jungkook and Yoongi to be happy. 

The other thing is that if they come clean entirely, it will become painfully obvious that while things were cut-and-dry on Jungkook's side, Yoongi has picked up some unexpected baggage along the way. That being, how he's in love with the Alpha. He doesn't want a different relationship, just wants the one he's currently in but wants it to be real and mutual. 

It's eating him up, and that's why he needs to get out of it.

Maybe it's for the best that Jungkook is sleeping in his own room now, Yoongi needs space to think clearly.

~

Seokjin is listening to the demo track of his song with Namjoon and Yoongi flocking him and nodding along.

"I really like the guitar," Jin says, replaying the song. "The synths, too. They did a good job, I think."

"I like it too," Namjoon pats the back of his chair. "It's different from any of your other solos, that's for sure."

"It's a lot more like Tonight," Yoongi adds. "It feels more you."

"What do the lyrics look like?" Namjoon shifts through some documents piled up on Seokjin's desk. "You've been working on them with the team right?"

"Yeah," Jin clicks on the screen and pulls up the doc. "This is what they got so far. I was working with them about the moon and earth stuff, they did better at wording though."

"It sounds so good," Yoongi smiles. Seokjin looks quietly very pleased, a grin tugging at his lips as his ears turn red. "You did really amazing work, hyung. When are you gonna record? Can I come for it?"

"Sure, probably by the end of the week. I'll let you know."

"Okay." Yoongi pulls up a spare chair, sitting and watching as Namjoon examines the lyrics further and Seokjin turns around. "You been thinking about staging yet?"

"Ah," Seokjin scratches his head. "I do want to dance, honestly. I'd need to practice a ton, but our concerts aren't until next year so I should have time to do it."

"First me, then you!" Yoongi grins. "Soon we're all gonna be in the dance line."

"Yeah. Namjoon—" Seokjin twists his head to look back at their leader. "What about you?"

"I don't think dance really compliments Persona," Namjoon bites his lip and finally is satisfied with the lyrics. He joins them, perching on a stool with his elbows on his knees.

"But what about the mannequin people?" Seokjin lifts his arms and waves his hands to mimic the figures that appear in the music video. "They totally dance."

"Back up dancers then? I like putting my all into the delivery."

"You strain your vocal cords that way, Joon," Yoongi chides.

"I think I've built up a tolerance over the years, don't you?" Namjoon crosses his arms, back straightening.

"Hmm," Seokjin dramatically taps at his chin, "Then you should be able to handle dancing too shouldn't you?" 

Namjoon pinches the bridge of his nose with exasperation but can't hide his laughter. "You got me there."

"You're just gonna have to see what the directors recommend," Yoongi grabs his water bottle from the floor and takes a sip. "They always come up with cool stuff."

"Yeah, I trust their judgment," Namjoon nods.

"Anyway," Seokjin cuts in, voice loud in the small studio. He stretches his arms out and leans back into the red cushions of his chair. "Yoongi-yah. Where's our dirty details?"

Yoongi nearly spits out his water but he manages to swallow and then coughs in surprise. "Your what?"

Seokjin's face is carefully neutral, like he's just fucking with Yoongi. "You know. Doing the deed with JK for the first time."

Yoongi squeezes his eyes shut, "Jesus Christ, hyung."

Namjoon laughs, "C'mon, hyung. I told you about my time with Hoseok and Taehyungie."

Yoongi raises a finger, "No. No you didn't. Because I stopped you because I really did not need nor want to hear about you or their sex life."

"Come on, Yoon," Seokjin shoves Yoongi's chair with his foot. "You're no fun. I just wanna know if it was good or not."

"Jeez," Yoongi rolls his eyes. "I don't know. I was in heat. Doesn't that impact my judgment?"

"No," Namjoon says, smug.

Yoongi glares at him, "Yes it does."

"No it doesn't. I've been an Omega my whole life, I know. I could tell you about how good Hoseok's kn—"

Yoongi covers his ears and screeches, "I don't want to know! I don't want to picture you like that, Namjoon!"

Seokjin is clapping his hands, laughing and entertained. "His knot? I bet it's big."

"Oh, it is. And Taehyung—"

"Shut up," Yoongi whines, hating his friends and feeling his face heat up pathetically. "Please stop."

The two exchange a glance before letting up, Yoongi exhaling in relief. "Thank you."

"In return, answer me this: Was Kook the best you've ever had?" Seokjin's eyes are sparkling with delight.

The Omega squirms a bit in his chair, feeling his tongue get tangled up in his mouth. There's the sound of the computer running in the background, a slight buzz from one of the lamps. Yoongi slouches down in his chair and puts one ankle over the other knee.

"Probably. But he mostly just took care of me, and didn't do much for himself. He didn't give me a chance to do much for him, either. I didn't ask, but still... It felt one sided."

Namjoon hums with understanding, "Maybe because he was worried about doing too much."

"No, yeah. We talked about it a lot. He was definitely nervous about being with me during heat. He'd never even been with—“ Yoongi stops himself, not sure if he should share that with them.

"With an Omega, right?" Seokjin finishes for him. "He and I talked about that once."

"Yeah," Yoongi traces shapes into his pants with a finger. 

"Hyung," Namjoon voice is soft, "are you okay?"

"I told Jin-hyung this already, but..." Yoongi stares hard at the hole in the knee of his jeans. The white threads strained across his skin, barely holding it together. "I'm in love with Jungkook."

In his peripheral vision, dimples appear as Namjoon smiles. Seokjin's hand makes its way to Yoongi's thigh, warm and comforting like his scent. 

"Well, that's good isn't it?" The other Omega questions.

The pressure in Yoongi's chest relaxes slightly as he confesses, "I don't think we're going to last."

"You told me that before, Yoongi-yah," Seokjin rubs his hand in circles. "And yet you still spent your heat with him. Don't you think...don't you think that means something? He wanted to help you through such a vulnerable time, when he's never done that with someone else before."

"Yeah, but he knows my Omega likes him. He knows that his scent helps me a lot. And the way we talked about it, you know, was practical. It wasn't romantic like it could have been. He did choose to help me, but it was just to help me. It wasn't for him."

"I don't...I don't understand," Namjoon yanks off his beanie and fixes his hair, pushing it back and then pulling back on the hat. "Doesn't he love you too? You're making it sound like it was his job."

Because it was like his job! Yoongi wants to shout. 

"At the end, maybe, it felt like more. But he just held himself back the entire time. It was weird. But, like, I really do appreciate that he was so kind and so giving," because they agreed Jungkook was there to get Yoongi through his heat. Because they're not a couple, so why would they benefit mutually in a situation where it's not necessary? Why would Jungkook fuck Yoongi with love when all he needs to give is care and trust? Which are two priceless things. Yoongi wouldn't trade them. But still. It wasn't making love, and that's what Yoongi's heart aches for. 

"Next time it can be different. You just go to communicate with him," Namjoon still seems lost. Yoongi can't blame him. "Jungkook loves you, Yoongi. Doesn't he?"

He looks up to meet Namjoon's concerned gaze, and then he breaks. Yoongi feels tears swell in his eyes and he sniffs loudly. He doesn't speak, trying to hold back his emotions, just shakes his head and shudders as Seokjin meets him with a warm embrace. Yoongi is pulled up out of his seat, suddenly being hugged by Namjoon and Seokjin. He smells a rich, home-cooked meal. Earthiness, nature. The scents mingle and envelope Yoongi. He breathes deeply, warm, tall bodies pressing in on him. 

It's good to know that they'll always be here for him. That they'll be here when he and Jungkook break up.

If they decide not to tell everyone they lied, Yoongi can easily continue to come to them and talk about his feelings, and how much he wants Jungkook but can't have him. 

my twt

Chapter Text

Two Years Ago

Love Yourself: Tear  had just been released. They went to the BBMAs for the second time. They won again. Promotions for Anpanman, Fake Love, and Airplane Pt. 2 began back in Korea. 

"Ah, I swear it was accidental," Namjoon groans, apologetic.

"It's okay, Jungkookie doesn't mind,  he gets to look sexy," Hoseok jokes. The Alpha reaches out to pat Jungkook's stomach, "How long can you keep these abs up for? I honestly don't know how you do it."

Jungkook just shakes his head, laughing and sweating after pre-recording the show for the third time. Namjoon kept ripping his shirt open during the choreography. "Ah, I don't know but I'll be happy to stop stressing over it."

"Hey," Seokjin pipes up, wiping the makeup from his eyes with wipes. "Don't push yourself, Kook."

"Yeah," Jimin strips off his coat and gratefully takes some water from the stylists. "I'm sure ARMY has gotten enough of an eyeful."

Jungkook smiles to himself, taking some of the wipes to remove his own makeup as his sweaty hair and shoulders get dried and someone puts on patches for his tense muscles. He gets the last of the powder and gloss off and tosses the wipe out—now painted tan, black, and pink. Yoongi finally comes back into the dressing room, leather coat off to reveal toned pale arms and a pretty collarbone. His black hair is crimped and curly, and his makeup is dark and mysterious in a really attractive way. 

Even though Yoongi's verse in Fake Love is short, it's Jungkook's favorite. And so is his style. Yoongi's hair is so fluffy—like a cat with tons of poofy fur, but small underneath it all. Yoongi is just...cute. Beautiful, really. His soft, barely-there floral scent has become addicting lately, and Jungkook notices it whenever they're in a room together. Even when there's dozens of other scents mingling, he always finds Yoongi's. 

Jungkook has a bit of a problem. 

It;s not that big yet, but it's growing. He hasn't been doing anything to stop it or encourage it, simply letting it run its course. He's assuming it will turn out to be nothing. A two-week flutter in his stomach that quickly fades. Best not to worry about it, really. It's nothing. 

Yoongi smiles big and gummy at Namjoon, teasing. "You ripped Jungkook's shirt again?"

"In fairness, the buttons were already broken," Namjoon tries to save some face as he yanks on a fresh t-shirt. "I hardly brushed it."

"Sure," Yoongi grins wider. "It's not like they literally sewed it up or anything, and you still managed to rip it. Not like that at all."

"Alright, alright," Taehyung gets up and stretches, he's been ready to go for the past five minutes already. "Let's stop giving hyung shit."

"Ah, but it's so fun," Hoseok pokes Namjoon's shoulder as the Omega bows his head in shame. 

"I'm sorry again, Jungkook," Namjoon shoots Jungkook, a pleading look like he's begging the younger man to call off the hounds. 

"It's no big deal."

"Yeah," Yoongi agrees, wiping an entire layer of makeup off in one go. "We all wanna see Jungkook's abs, you did the world a favor."

Jungkook jerks his chin over to Yoongi, but the Omega isn't even paying attention. He's turned his back and is changing out of the performance clothes, talking with a manager about how it went the last time. 

Their tour doesn't begin until August, but there's tons of preparation to do before then. They have another album to release, another music video. More promotions, including America. Then the Love Yourself world tour begins. For now, they're drilling the Idol choreography into their body. Like always, the hit track has to be perfect. It has to look good on stage, on video, and on the TV. When they don't have control over camera angles, they need to be certain there's no gaps or flaws or weak spots in the dance. 

They also want to try and encourage their fans to do it on SNS so they can create a special project. 

Jungkook is sitting on the side, watching as Yoongi and Taehyung practice the dance moves with a coach. Technically, it's Yoongi's section but Tae is intrigued by it. Yoongi keeps kicking up in the air, sweatpants hugging his leg and showing how high he can get it. The coach is in front of him holding a hand up, showing the Omega what he should aim for. 

After five more minutes, Yoongi whines loudly, "Agh, why is kicking so difficult!" And collapses onto the floor like the drama queen he pretends not to be.

Jungkook snorts, amused by his hyung. Yoongi's hair isn't black anymore, it's copper brown and glossy after being dyed just yesterday. There's a dark tint on the back of his neck from where the dye has rubbed off.

Jungkook pushes himself up off, shoes squeaking slightly on the plastic coating of the dance room floor. He plants his hands on his hips, wondering over to look down at Yoongi. The Omega's eyes are shut, his thin white shirt rising up and down and he pants. The members are all chatting, the AC humming in the background. The feeling in Jungkook's stomach has moved up to his chest. A warm, clinging tightness like vines wrapped around his insides as he stares down at Yoongi's soft, flushed face. 

"Want a hand?" He offers, Yoongi blinking up at him now.

"I just wanna lay here. I'm dying," Yoongi spreads his arms out on either side of himself. "That kick is gonna throw my hip out."

"Shut up, hyung," Jungkook crouches down, a smile playing on his lips. "You're doing great. You're kicking all the haters."

"The haters," Yoongi repeats with a pout, "I guess if I thought about it like that it might be easier."

"Yeah? You'll protect us?"

"Nah," Yoongi plants his palms on the ground to help himself sit up, leaving behind sweaty fingerprints when he puts his arms around his knees and meets Jungkook's gaze. "That's your job, Cherry Bomb."

"Cherry Bomb?

"Your hair," Yoongi reaches out and flicks a strand of the bright red hair out of Jungkook's face. "Cherry bomb."

"I think the phrase is blonde bombshell."

Yoongi rolls his eyes, exasperated. "Okay, okay, whatever."

"I like the copper."

Yoongi shakes his head, making hair fly around on his head, "Yeah? I wasn't sure."

"I mean," Jungkook shrugs, "You make every color work."

Yoongi doesn't get a chance to respond because the coach is calling for them again. Break time is over. Jungkook grabs Yoongi's hand to help him up and gets a strong whiff of almond and flowers. Those sweet cherry blossoms. 

It's maybe their sixth concert before they get down the pacing well enough that Jungkook is ready for The Truth Untold before Yoongi does Seesaw. With his makeup done, a frilly white shirt on, and his body properly hydrated he runs with a stage manager backstage so he can watch Yoongi's performance. 

He's so proud of his hyung for choosing to dance. Yoongi had complained everyday, but it had been his idea initially. And he was the one who kept scheduling additional practice time and more workouts with the vocal coach. Yoongi encouraged all his backup dancers and bought them tons of food to celebrate their last rehearsal before hitting the main stage in Seoul. Yoongi's been shy about the dance, but he's also silently proud. 

Jungkook watches Yoongi dance from the shadows, hiding behind curtains and equipment. Yoongi's outfit is glossy red, his hair perfectly parted, his voice melodic and strong. It's incredible to see. To hear the passion and emotion in Yoongi, to see him hit each beat, and gracefully catch himself as he slides off the seesaw and the crowd roars with delight. Yoongi gets up on top of the white tables, nodding his head and letting Adora's vocals shine as the fans sing his lyrics over the top. God, he looks so good. Jungkook admires his work ethic. His dedication. How he steps on stage and is immediately in control. 

When Yoongi finishes with his cool drawl of words, lying down on the couch, Jungkook feels his heart beat rapidly. The Omega is lowered out of sight, his backup dancers running backstage and breathing heavily. 

The feeling inside Jungkook is beyond his ability to handle. What was once a crush, has bloomed into something more. Something big, a little scary, but not unwelcome. It feels good to be falling for Yoongi. It warms his heart to see the Omega smile, to hear his laugh. To watch him tell that story over and over again about the pig who told him lottery numbers in his dreams every time he gets drunk. It ever fails to make them laugh, and Yoongi gets so animated and adorable that Jungkook might just burst with affection. 

Yoongi makes him so happy without even trying by just being himself. And Jungkook is a sucker for it. He's not sure when the shift happened between friend, then crush, now the light of Jungkook's days. It doesn't really matter though. He doesn't mind things as they are.  

~

It started happening before the  tour. A series of events that went on for months, and made Jungkook's insides curdle and his heart tighten up. That made him a bit more reserved, but still as loving and appreciative of Yoongi as ever. 

~

"Hey, hyung."

Jungkook stirs from his sleep, but doesn't open his eyes. He hears squeaking footsteps. He, Jimin, and Seokjin had been watching movies in the lounge. Jungkook must have fallen asleep and now someone is arriving back home. 

"Hey." That's Yoongi's voice.

"What's that face about?" Seokjin inquires softly. 

Jungkook hears one of the recliners squish down with Yoongi's weight. He's known for a while that his feelings for Yoongi have grown, making him all the more concerned for the man arriving home so late. 

"I have something to confess," Yoongi's voice is breathless, making Jungkook hold a breath himself as he strains to hear. 

"What? Is everything okay?' Jimin asks in a hushed tone.

"I might've not been in the studio. Um," there's the sound of hair being scratched, the leather recliner squeaking slightly. "I was hanging out with Hyowon."

"Pdogg?" Seokjin checks. There's a brief pause, like Yoongi nodded. "And?"

"And I asked him out?" Yoongi makes it sound like a question. 

A hiss of air escapes Jimin, the Beta seemingly in shock. "What? What? Did I hear that right?"

"Like, out-on-a-date, out?" Seokjin is just as bewildered. A bottle clings onto the coffee table and Jimin hushes him.

"Sorry," the eldest mumbles. But then, "Yoon—really? You asked Hyowon out?"

"I mean, yeah?"

"Why?" That's Jimin, sounding tense. It makes Jungkook stiffen up. Shouldn't he be happy? Let Yoongi do what he wants? 

"We get along really well. He's funny, he's great with music. He smells like coffee... I thought, why not?"

"You like him?" Seokjin is gentle.

Jungkook's heart rate is picking up. He's not sure he wants to hear the answer. Of course, he wants Yoongi to be happy more than anything. But that doesn't necessarily mean wanting confirmation that Yoongi has no interest in Jungkook. 

The refrigerator is running in the background, Jungkook can feel Jimin's shifting weight on the couch, and hear a thoughtful noise Yoongi is making as he considers the question. Well, at least it's better than Yoongi suddenly announcing he's been madly in love with Pdogg for months. (Though, Jungkook would be a bit of a hypocrite if he judged Yoongi for that. Considering Jungkook's been concealing feelings for the Omega for some time now.)

"I don't know. I think I could if we spent more time together. Really though, I have been thinking about dating for awhile. Not specifically Hyowon, just generally. I'm really... I've been missing that closeness with a person, you know? I like the feeling of being with someone. I want to have it again. And it finally feels like I'm in a place where I can pursue it."

"Oh," Jimin says. "I didn't know you were such a romantic, hyung! If I woulda known we could have gone on a date."

"Never," Yoongi deadpans. Seokjin laughs at whatever the Omega's expression must be. "You're all like my family, I don't think I could date any of you. No offense."

"None taken," the eldest of the group reassures. 

But Jungkook doesn't feel reassured at all. Family? Yoongi's never thought of any of them as anything more? He squeezes his eyes shut tighter, grateful his face is half-planted into the couch cushion. It's not the end of the world. Yoongi's thoughts could always change. Maybe. After all, Hyowon has been with them since debut. He's just as much family as Jungkook is. Well, maybe more distant but still. He's always been with them. Jungkook won't let himself give up. If Yoongi can see something in Hyowon, maybe he can see something in Jungkook too. 

Hyowon doesn't work out. At first, Jungkook is secretly relieved. But then, not a week later, Yoongi comes into the break room at BigHit and announces to the members:

"Guess who just got asked out on a date?" Yoongi's smile is the bug gummy one. Eyes sparkling with excitement.

Hoseok whips around, sloshing water all over his hand but not caring. "By who?"

"Dohyeong."

"Oh my god," Taehyung claps. "Congratulations, hyung. It looks like you said yes?"

"Jeez, you're talking like he just got proposed to," Jungkook can't help but comment, leaning against the kitchen counter and surveying them. 

"It's exciting, JK!" Seokjin thumps his arm slightly. "Where'd your sense of romance go?"

The question is ignored as Yoongi is interrogated and encouraged by Jimin, Taehyung, and even Namjoon who seems far too delighted about Yoongi going out on a date. 

"Slow Rabbit is such a nice Alpha," Namjoon smiles into his coffee. "You lucked out, hyung. When is it?"

"Saturday. So don't wait up for me."

Jungkook feels his insides burn and he looks away. He excuses himself and goes to his studio. It's fine. Yoongi can date Dohyeong. It's fine. It's not like Jungkook's made any moves or hinted at how he feels. No one's to blame for how he's taking the news except himself. It's fine. The Alpha tries to focus on a video he's been editing, but he gets a glimpse of Yoongi in it and his heart aches just a little bit. Maybe the date with Dohyeong will be a one time thing like with Pdogg. 

It isn't a one-time thing.

"Well," Hoseok starts one night during a group dinner. "Tell us Yoongi, update us. How are things with Dohyeong?"

Yoongi blushes down at the mussel held in his chopsticks. He sets it down on his plate and fumbles with his chopsticks nervously, the clicking sound joining the sizzling of meat on the grill between them and the muffled clatter of the dinner service in the restaurant. 

"I really like him. He's so thoughtful, he's sweet. He gave me flowers to put in my studio the other day."

Taehyung coos, reaching over and attempting to pinch Yoongi's cheeks. The Omega swats his hand away but Seokjin manages to swoop in and boop the end of Yoongi's nose instead, teasing. 

"Stop it!" Yoongi complains, covering his face in embarrassment. "If you'd stop I'd tell you more."

Jungkook stares hard down at the fried squid in front of him, he doesn't want to hear about how Yoongi's been romanced by the Alpha that smells like pine trees. The man that brings Yoongi coffee with little notes on them that have started collecting on the Omega's desk as keepsakes. The man who has drawn Yoongi with nothing but kindness. God. Jungkook can't even be mad about any of it. He's not mad. He wishes he was. But he can't blame them. Can't blame Yoongi, can't blame Dohyeong for liking Yoongi because Jungkook—obviously—gets it. How could anyone not like Yoongi? 

"Jungkook, stop doing that the squid is already dead," Hoseok's voice brings the Alpha back to the present. He looks at his friend's smiling face and then down at the seafood he stabbed to smithereens with his chopsticks. 

"Anyway..." Yoongi is still speaking, the members enthralled. Like they're living vicariously through Yoongi's dating life. "We had dinner on the roof at the company. It was like a picnic under the stars. We had wine and talked a bunch and just, it's been really good. On Tuesday we have our month anniversary."

"Are you guys like, official official?" Jimin sets down his water and perches his chin on his hand, looking intently over at the Omega for an answer.

"I'm not sure. We're like, definitely into each other and we're not seeing anyone else. But we're also just dating still, you know? Not like boyfriends."

"Are you going to ask to be more?" Seokjin adds more steak to the Omega's plate as he contemplates the question. 

"I'm not sure. I mean, I guess we should probably decide. I want us to be... I really do like him," Yoongi's cheeks pinked as he glances around at them. Suddenly, he meets Jungkook's eyes and a thrill rushes down the Alpha's spine. "Yeah, I'll ask him if we can be serious."

Jungkook's chest caves in on itself but he forces himself to maintain eye contact with Yoongi, smiling. "That'll be great, hyung."

"What if he says no, though?"

"Then he's crazy," Jungkook takes a sip of soju. "If he turns you down, he's never gonna find anyone better."

"Ah," Yoongi rubs the back of his neck and looks away. "I appreciate the vote of confidence."

"Jungkookie is right," Jimin confirms, and the others scramble to do the same. 

Their tour is about to start. They have their Seoul concerts in a week, and then they're off again to America. Jungkook has been playing video games for the past couple hours, trying to de-stress. He finishes, putting the controllers away and shutting down the humming systems and sending him into silence. He notices it's only midnight as he leaves the game room, going to the kitchen for a late snack even though he knows he won't be happy with himself for it later. 

Namjoon, Hoseok, and Jimin are out at the company. Seokjin is at the gym. Taehyung is visiting friends. And Yoongi had his date with Dohyeong tonight. Jungkook didn't really plan on staying up so late, or lurking around the dorms for Yoongi to come home, but now that he's realizing he has he regrets it. Yoongi went out at 7pm. He's been gone five hours. It must have gone well then, him and Slow Rabbit made things serious and are taking the next step—whatever that might be. 

Jungkook stares at the bare fridge, the cold air blowing on him and the luminescent lights making him squint. They've been eating out a lot these days, but if nothing else he knows there's a stash of instant noodles in the cupboard. He sighs, letting the fridge click shut as he turns around. 

In the distance, he hears the front door shut. Someone is removing their shoes, shuffling down the hall. And then—

"Hyung, are you okay?" Jungkook moves quickly across the room.

Yoongi is holding onto the edge of the wall, wearing a black cap and looking down. Jungkook can't see his face, but his body language doesn't say anything good. 

"Yoongi-hyung," Jungkook reaches out one hand, then thinks better of it and shoves it into his back pocket. "What happened? Why don't you come sit."

Yoongi nods silently, following Jungkook slowly as the younger man pulls out one of the kitchen stools. The Omega sits, his scent reeking with despair. The water runs cold as Jungkook fills a glass for him, frowning deeply in concern. The glass clanks slightly on the counter as he slides it over to Yoongi, the elder man finally looking up to receive it and revealing red eyes and a blotchy face. He's been crying.

Yoongi holds the cup between both his hands, staring into the clear liquid wordlessly. He clears his throat once, and Jungkook thinks for a moment he might speak but he doesn't. 

Jungkook takes a stool, sitting diagonal to Yoongi at the counter and folding his arms on top. He doesn't know what to say. He doesn't know what's wrong. He doesn't want to force Yoongi to talk about it, but he also wants to try and make it better. 

"Hyung," Jungkook bites his lip, "do you want to talk about it?"

The Omega nods slightly, taking a deep breath and then a sip of water. "Dohyeong said no."

Jungkook waits for him to go on, his feet shifting on the bars of the stool anxiously. 

"I asked him, you know. I said I really like you, hyung. I think we work well together. I want us to be serious, if you're okay with that." Yoongi shakes his head. "And he told me no. That he likes me but...but we're going on tour soon. I won't be able to see him properly for months. He said long distance doesn't work for him. And I just... I don't get it."

Anger bubbles up in Jungkook's chest, his Alpha is awake and mad, filling him with adrenaline. Because how dare Dohyeong break Yoongi's heart like that? How dare he. Jungkook wishes he could yell at the producer for how much of an idiot he is to turn Yoongi down.

"I'm so sorry, hyung," Jungkook stretches his hand over to lightly hold Yoongi's arm, reassuring him as best he knows how. "You guys have been going out so long I thought you really had something. It's not your fault he doesn't see it the same."

"Yeah, but why would he have let it go on so long if he knew we wouldn't work?"

"How could he know?"

"Dohyeong literally knew from the beginning that I'd be traveling a lot and be busy. But he did all these big romantic gestures and made me feel really wanted. But he—he led me on, didn't he?"

"I guess, I guess he kinda did. If he knew already that long distance wouldn't work, why would he have dated you?"

"I don't know," Yoongi drinks some water, face less red than before. "Maybe he thought it was casual. Like we'd have fun together and all that but it wouldn't go further. I wasn't clear right away that I was looking for something long term. Maybe he just assumed it wouldn't be, I don't know."

"Still, he's your friend. Our friend. He could have been more clear. He must know how much you like him, it was sort of..." Jungkook doesn't want to come off rude just because he's been pining after Yoongi, and got a bit jealous of Slow Rabbit. But the fact still remains that Yoongi was with someone they know, Dohyeong should have taken more care to not hurt anyone. "It's shitty that he let you believe his feelings were so strong."

"He even said, you know, the last time we slept together that he really liked me. That he thought I was special. I feel like an idiot, though. He's just," Yoongi presses his hands against his eyes. "He's another dumb Alpha."

"Hyung..."

"I know, I know. I know he's not, because he is our friend and he's really sweet to everyone. But I guess he's just not good with feelings, or with relationships or something. I don't know. I just thought he really liked me and would be willing to make things work."

"You deserve better," Jungkook whispers, hand sliding off Yoongi now. "You deserve someone who wants to fight to be with you and won't let you go so easily."

"Yeah," the Omega laughed humorlessly, scent turning bitter. "Know anyone like that?"

Jungkook's heart pounds in his chest so loud he's convinced Yoongi must be able to hear it. The Omega is looking at him blankly, but Jungkook's eyes are wide. Is he giving himself away? 

"You know I'd always..." Jungkook blinks and looks down. "I'd always fight for you."

Yoogni snorts, smiling for real this time, "Yeah, but... It's not the same is it? You're my friend and Dohyeong... Well. I thought we were more. I guess I was wrong though."

Jungkook shakes his head, forlorn. Frustrated that Yoongi can't see him as anything more than what they are. The Alpha can't blame him though. They're all so close, have seen each other grow up, how could Yoongi like him when they first met when Jungkook was 14 years old? Why would Yoongi ever even consider Jungkook, or any of the members, romantically available when that causes so many complications and shifts of dynamics among the members. They can't just casually like each other, can't be casual about anything, but their cohesiveness is the cornerstone to their success. It's not worth risking for maybes.

Jungkook hasn't said a word about his feelings to anyone. If they knew, it would become a huge deal. It would be blown up to be bigger than it is. Or at least...was. Because now Jungkook feels completely infatuated with Yoongi. Maybe even in love. He just knows it's not going away anytime soon. But he can't just say that. Not when Yoongi is so actively seeking romance; if Yoongi thought anything of Jungkook, he would have given a clue by now. 

But there's been no hints. Yoongi is sitting here with Jungkook, crying over a different guy. A guy who he, apparently, liked a lot. 

Jungkook wonders what would have happened if Dohyeong had said yes. If they decided to do long-distance and be together for real. If they became close all the time, Dohyeong started hanging out with all of them. Selfish though it is, Jungkook is privately relieved that he doesn't have to suffer through dinners where Yoongi's got a different Alpha wrapped around him—staring heart eyes at each other. That would have been painful to watch. It's already been painful enough. 

"I'm going to bed," Yoongi signs and gets off the stool. Jungkook stands up too, still frowning at Yoongi. 

"Are you going to tell the others?"

"Yeah, tomorrow. Or I'll text the group chat. I just don't want everyone to pity me."

"Ah, hyung. They just love you. They want you to be happy. There's plenty of other people out there," Jungkook grabs Yoongi's glass and fills it back up, offering it to the Omega. 

"Thanks," Yoongi accepts, shoulders slouching down. Jungkook feels a hand clench around his heart when a silent tear trickles down Yoongi's face. "Fuck, I wish I wasn't so emotional about this. I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize, hyung. Can I...can I hug you?"

Yoongi doesn't say anything, but he sets his water down and walks straight into Jungkook's open arms. The Alpha hugs him tight, rubbing soothing circles into Yoongi's back as he feels the shorter man try and steady his breath. Yoongi hugs back, hands gripping the back of Jungkook's sweater and then hanging there. Yoongi is so close, so soft, so warm. Jungkook just wants to protect him. Protect him from the people who don't see Yoongi for the stunning man he is. 

He wants the Omega to hold himself in higher regard and look for the people really worthy of him. Jungkook sort of hopes Yoongi could one day see him as worthy, but based on everything that's happened he's starting to think it might be better if he ignores the fluttering butterflies and focuses on preserving his own heart from harm. He can support Yoongi and not get jealous. He can protect Yoongi without trying to make the Omega his own. 

If Yoongi ever looks at him, Jungkook thinks he will notice. 

Then the tour comes. They're on the road. And Yoongi will, occasionally, announce plans with a dancer or assistant or stage manager or someone else. Maybe they'll go on a few dates, or maybe they'll spend the night together. Yoongi isn't shy about it, and the other members aren't shy about talking him up or asking for details. It seems like half of them are living vicariously through Yoongi's love life while having none of their own. Jungkook can't relate. He stays virtually silent whenever Yoongi talks about it, only commenting when he needs to and keeping a permanent half-smile on his face so he doesn't look as unhappy as he feels. 

They have a brief break in the tour, and Yoongi relaxes too and goes to visit his family. Jungkook goes to Busan and loves spending time with his family. When the members all come back again it's time to do the final work on Persona. And Jungkook has had his feelings for so long it's getting ridiculous. But after a year, he's used to hiding them now. Used to the coals burning his chest, longing for the Omega he'll never have. Watching Yoongi date others and have none of them work. 

He'd promised himself he'd protect Yoongi, but Yoongi doesn't need protecting. He seems to know exactly what he's doing. Exactly who he wants. All of it confirming again and again and again that Yoongi doesn't want Jungkook. That thought has never even crossed his mind. It stings, but Jungkook bears it. It's fine. He just wants Yoongi to find someone who will make him happy. 

And the Speak Yourself  World Tour comes, ends. And—

They're working on the next Map of the Soul album. And Yoongi hasn't gone out with anyone in months. 

~

Somewhere in there, at the very beginning of working on the album, Jungkook meets Yeonseo. 

"Hey, there," the Alpha girl waves at him as he enters the studio. "You wanted to record some demos?"

"Yeah, er, Adora asked me to. I thought she would be here," Jungkook bites his lip, lingering in the doorway. "Is she around?"

"Well, she gave me the job of recording them with you. She's in a meeting right now. Besides, it's a good experience for me, I guess."

"What's your name?" Jungkook asks, stepping in finally and inhaling her strong strawberry scent. She must be an Alpha, and talks like one too. Confident and charming. "I'm Jungkook."

"I know," she laughs, fluttery. "I'm Yeonseo, you can just refer to me causally."

"Okay," Jungkook smiles, not sure what to do with his arms as they nod at each other. 

He looks around the brightly lit space, her's is about the only studio he's seen where someone actually wants the sun streaming in from the windows. She has plants growing in pots, a rug on the floor, and is sitting in a big gaming chair. A clock ticks on the wall.

"Here, sit," Yeonseo pushes a free chair towards him with her foot. 

Jungkook sits down, scooting over to where she has the recording mic and headphones already set up. 

"What makes you like recording demos?" She asks nonchalantly, plugging a wire into her monitor from the mic. 

Jungkook grabs the headphones and hangs them around his neck, pushing his hair out of his face. "I don't know, exactly. But they've told me before that I do a good job of putting the right colors into it that can't really be written down in the composition or lyrics."

"Ah, yes. I was listening to some of your work earlier. Your enunciation is really good. I especially liked your first Euphoria draft, it was a little huskier than what the company went for in the end. It suited your vocals."

Jungkook nods, watching her with interest. 

"I'm still impressed by Begin though. That was a really mature song for someone your age. You were 18, right?"

"Um," Jungkook is thrown off at the sudden question. "Yeah."

"Yeah, that was good stuff. Live even, you were flawless. I see why they asked you to do this."

"How old are you?" Jungkook asks. 

She seems rather young but she was talking to him like she was older. Her strawberry scent is pretty aggressive, he imagines she feels like she needs to over compensate since he's a male Alpha. In the media, the two are always portrayed as bumping heads. Male Alphas and female Alphas fighting for dominance, only to unravel into a will-they-won't-they love story. 

"I'm 20."

"Wow, and you're a producer here?"

"Assistant producer. Really more like an intern. I'm on the bottom rung of the ladder."

"I'm sure you'll work your way up." Jungkook adjusts the height of the mic, raising it slightly so he can sit up straight and sing. 

"Thanks. But at 20 I am where you already were at 15. I always think about how much you and other idols have accomplished in such a short time span. You're the youngest member to receive the cultural merit award, and now you're a Recording Academy member. It's all very impressive."

Jungkook doesn't reply. It feels strange hearing her talk about the things he's done as if she knows him. But she doesn't know him, all this is just a Naver search away. 

They record shortly after. Her looking at him and nodding and giving encouragement. She explains the emotion of a song as best she can, how the head producers want certain lines delivered, and Jungkook does his best to mimic them. She says he nails it. 

"Wanna grab something to drink and then we can come back and do the next one?" She asks, eyes wide and smile bright. "They just restocked everything."

"Sure," Jungkook sets the headphones on his sets and stretches his arms up above his head. 

They leave the studio together, Yeonseo glancing up at him and smiling. He can't quite tell what she's going for, but he does his best to humor her comments and attention. It's an unspoken policy, but managers have always encouraged the members to be as polite as possible to any staff who seems... Flirtatious, or fan like, or whatever it might be. Better not to cause an issue where there doesn't need to be one, unless things get really out of hand. Jungkook's not sure about her yet. She may just be excited to be working here or maybe she hasn't interacted with any of the idols yet. He just hopes she realizes quickly that he's a normal guy, and not anyone special.

"What's your solo gonna be like for this next album?" Yeonseo holds the lounge door open for him and he awkwardly hurries in front of her. 

"Um, I sort of want it to reflect on my present life. Like, Begin talked about debut and how I got here, but I want this song to reflect all the things I miss out on because of..." Jungkook searches for the right word, "Work."

"Work?" The Alpha girl echoes, going to the fridge and pulling out a fresh jug of orange juice. "Want some?"

"Yeah, thanks."

She gets down glasses and fills them, handing Jungkook one and then rocking on her feet, observing him. "Do you really think of what you do as work?"

"Well..." Jungkook purses his lips, going in for the juice so he doesn't have to answer. 

"Isn't it more like your life?  Isn't it everything? It's pretty amazing what you do. Nonstop everyday."

"It's not nonstop," Junkook interjects. "I love what we do. I get plenty of time to rest. But, my song will sort of talk about how... Well, I've always had this picture in my head that me and the members are in a different timezone than everyone else."

"What do you mean?"

"Like," Jungkook grabs the bottle of juice that's still sitting out and puts it away. "I mean like while we're here training or singing or rehearsing, everyone else is asleep. Or at work, or hanging out with friends. Like I have time to rest, but I don't have time to live my life like everyone else."

Yeonseo swirls the orange drink around her glass, "Do you regret it?"

"Never," Jungkook shakes his head. "I wouldn't trade my hyungs, ARMY, or any of this for the world. I love it. But I'd still like to go out to bars sometimes and not be recognized. Or even like—" the Alpha finishes his juice and sets the cup in the sink to be washed later. 

"What?" the producer presses, her voice soft. Like he can trust her. He's not sure if he can, but it's not like he can talk to anyone else about this. 

He thinks of Yoongi. How different it would be if they weren't famous. The cruel truth is that they never would have met. Never. Which means that this is the only way he can know him. It's a harsh prank fate has played on him. He'll find the love of his life, but the Omega won't ever see him the same way. And if he does, they can never be honest about it to the world. Or at least, not for a very long time. 

"I wish I could date," date Yoongi—Jungkook confesses to the girl he doesn't know. "I wish I had time to call my parents everyday, to get a dog, to see the countryside. I want to visit my brother and his fiancé. There's so much I just don't have time for."

"So what are you waiting for, then? What's really stopping you?"

Jungkook pushes away from the counter and jerks his chin towards the exit. They should really finish up recording. 

"Well?" Yeonseo questions again. "Why can't you?"

"It's not my time," Jungkook exhales. He's grateful when they reach her studio and the door clicks shut behind them. The room is warm from the golden sun filtering in, lower in the sky than before and casting long shadows on the floor. "Maybe one day. But I don't know."

Jungkook turns back around to look at Yeonseo. She's sat back down in her chair and her smile isn't quite so brilliant. It's empathetic. "Yeah."

Jungkook grabs his head phones and puts them back on, gesturing at her vaguely as  a signal to continue. 

"She totally likes you, Jungkook," Jimin says in a hushed voice. He's sitting at the end of the Alpha's bed, it's early in the morning and they're both leaving soon for the company.

"Who? Yeonseo?"

"Yeah, Yeonseo. Why do you think she asked you to lunch the other week?"

"Jimin," Jungkook yanks up a handful of blankets to his face so he can hide. "I talked to you and Seokjin-hyung about this weeks ago. I don't want to date anyone. And especially not anyone who works with us."

"But why not?" Jimin presses, scooting closer and prodding Jungkook with a pillow. "You said she's sweet. And easy to talk to."

"And she is, but she knows my whole life story."

"No she doesn't. She doesn't know anything about your young life, about your family, about you away from the studios. She just knows you in music and on the screen."

"But that is me," Jungkook leans his head against the cold wall. "I'm myself on TV. She knows me as well as any fan does."

"Well, she's not a fan. She's a producer."

"Assistant producer."

Jimin levels him with a glare. 

"What happened to me and Yoongi-hyung, huh?" Jungkook has had enough. He and Yoongi have already set their plan in motion. They told the members they kissed on the car ride home after their night of drinking and eating out. "You guys were the ones who brought us up. We even kissed, hyung. Isn't that what you wanted?"

"Kookie," Jimin runs his hand through his hair. "No. I mean. We were drunk. We were kidding. We didn't think you guys would actually try anything."

"Why not? Do we seem so impossible?" Jungkook can't help that he sounds frustrated. This is the closest he's ever come to telling Jimin the truth and now he's learning that his friend never meant to take Yoongi and Jungkook seriously? Like he doesn't think they're a genuine possibility? It hurts more than anything Jungkook's felt in months. Mostly because Yoongi has laid off dating since they've been back. Hasn't seen anyone for awhile now. 

"No, no." Jimin hugs the pillow tight to his chest. "It's just... Hyung has been looking for love for like two years now. You've never even thought about it. How can you so suddenly change your mind? How could you guys consider starting something really serious after just some friendly teasing?"

"I don't know what you want me to say, Jimin. We kissed," Jungkook repeats the lie again. It hurts because he wishes it were true. "And we might like each other more than we thought. We might date."

"I don't want you to break hyung's heart."

Jungkook blinks. Shocked. Him? Break Yoongi's heart? Sure. Sure. Because no one knows how Jungkook's heart broke over and over again over months of watching Yoongi try to make something work and failing. His heart broke because when Yoongi would start talking to new people to find a new interest, he never looked at the faces of the members. Jungkook's heart has been torn and squeezed and broken so many times it's full of patches and scars. And it's no one's fault. Just his own fault for falling for Yoongi. And it's fine.

"You think I—" Jungkook sucks in the air harshly and shakes his head. "You think I would hurt Yoongi-hyung? You really think I would do that?"

"Well, no, never intentionally. BUu Jungkook, you've only slept with people for as long as I've known you. You've never been in a relationship. You've never even been with an Omega, I thought you weren't attracted to them!"

"What difference does status make?" Jungkook gets off his bed, grabbing a sweater and forcefully yanking it on. "That doesn't matter to me."

"I'm trying to understand," the mattress creaks beneath Jimin's weight. "But you're not giving me very much to work with, are you?"

"Don't you trust me?" Jungkook pulls the hem of the hoodie down all the way and faces Jimin. 

"I do."

"Then trust that I won't hurt hyung."

Because I'm going to be the only one getting hurt. 

The night before, Jungkook had been drunk. Yoongi had been drunk. 

He apologized to Yoongi thinking the members had teased them about dating because Seokjin and Jimin had noticed how left out Jungkook was. But Yoongi said he thought it was because of him. It's not like Jungkook thought Yoongi's desire for a partner had suddenly vanished in the past two months, but he thought maybe it wasn't such a big deal anymore. That Yoongi had found peace in being single. 

He and Yoongi hadn't talk about dating one-on-one since the night Slow Rabbit dumped him. 

"I want a relationship, honestly."  Yoongi had said. It wasn't like Jungkook didn't know, but he'd been surprised that Yoongi still wanted it as badly as before. 

Then Yoongi said, "But I know it's stupid, I know I can't. We travel too much, we're too busy, I don't have time."

And Jungkook wanted to argue. Wanted to say that hasn't stopped Yoongi from hanging out with all those guys before. Wanted to remind him about all the times he prioritized a date over a Bangtan group plan. He wanted to say that Yoongi found people while they were traveling, that he made time to see guys, that he managed to balance work and a private life. 

But instead he said, "They've all made it work, why can't you?"  Referring to the members who were all in relationships now.

He'd gotten so good at encouraging Yoongi to date other people, to live his life however  that it came natural. 

Then Yoongi talked about how scared he was of being a burden on the members. And how it would take him dating someone again to make them calm down. Jungkook, in his drunken brain, remembered that Yoongi seemed against looking for anyone new again because the complications had been too much to handle. 

Jungkook thought of what he said to himself. About protecting Yoongi. This was his chance. Shield Yoongi from the members. From guilt. From the lost sensation of having no one to turn to. While he was drunk, all he could think was I'm gonna help him. 

But when he woke, he realized how selfish he had been. 

It was why he ended up crying in Seokjin's old bed in Yoongi's room. Guilt overwhelmed him as he thought about how generous and kind and warm Yoongi always was to him. But he apologized for how selfish he'd been. Apologized even though Yoongi wouldn't understand what he was talking about. 

Selfishness led him to fake dating Yoongi. Selfishness led him to sleep in Yoongi's room. To letting them share a bed against Yoongi's wishes. Let him crave Yoongi's affection, and take it when it was offered. He'd been so selfish. Using Yoongi to fulfill a crazed dream. Something that would never actually happen. 

It was easy to tell Yoongi why he wasn't interested in dating. All the times he's imagined dating anyone other than Yoongi, he's cringed at the knowledge they will already know him for being an idol. So he told Yoongi he doesn't want to date because he can't have a fresh start, and it's true. It's not a lie. But he also left out the very important fact that he wouldn't be opposed to dating someone who he already knew equally as well. 

He left out that he didn't want to date anyone because the man he's in love with has never looked at him as more than a friend.

Of course, there was the scenting. The hugging. The bed sharing. The breaking down and crying in front of each other felt far more intimate than Yoongi's heat. It all hurt Jungkook. Experiencing what he has desired for so long but still holding himself at distance. He was careful through it all. Making sure to get explicit consent every single time something happened. 

He's been terrified of crossing the line. Of pushing things too far. Of asking for too much. It's why after Yoongi's heat he had to have a serious conversation with himself about what he was doing and why he was doing. It's why he decided to act the perfect boyfriend from then on, instead of letting himself indulge so much. He should be so selfish. 

P r e s e n t

Jungkook's known from the beginning that it would always end this way. 

So he's not sure why he's surprised when the text message comes through. 

Yoongi 

So lets break up this week

He reads the words over and over again. He presses his face into his pillows and lets the tears fall. He's relieved Yoongi didn't tell him this in person. His hands are shaking, blood pounding in his ears as he tries to respond.

They're gonna break up. The game will be over. They haven't decided whether to tell the members the truth about it or not, but Jungkook will agree with whatever Yoongi prefers. After all, he began wanting to protect Yoongi and he ended up doing a pretty piss-poor job of it. 

Yoongi

Good night now?

Jungkook

Good night now

Jungkook's breathing is rocky, wet, full of un-shed tears. It feels like he's failed. He's failed at giving Yoongi assurance. At giving Yoongi protection. At making Yoongi feel better. If Yoongi wants it to end it means Jungkook didn't do his job well enough. 

And how could he? When it was, all along, for his own selfish gain?

Jungkook

I love you hyung

He stares at the screen hard. Eyes drying out. He doesn't want to blink and miss the moment Yoongi's green text bubble pops up. Only, the moment never comes. And Jungkook is too tired to cry anymore. So he lets his phone shut off. Stares aimlessly into the dark. His room doesn't smell like anything. Not even like Jimin. He misses the soft cherry blossom scent of Yoongi. Misses the way he sounds when he sleeps. Misses being next to him in bed and feeling safer and happier than he ever has. 

And now it's over. 

The Omega doesn't want him. And Jungkook is just gonna have to bear another wound to his heart. It's fine.

my twt

Chapter Text

"What's this meeting even for?" Jimin stretches as he walks into the small, white-walled conference room. Even with the AC running it's still stuffy and hot, their scents mingling.

Yoongi stays still in his seat, staring down at the patterns in the glossy wooden table. His throat is already closing up and his heart is thudding hard against his rib cage. He peeks up at Jungkook who is sitting across from him, fiddling with the bracelets around his wrist and making his chair squeak as his spins side to side. Once all the members are seated, with Sejin at the head of the table, their manager clears his throat. 

"This meeting was not called by me," Sejin looks around at them, gaze lingering first on Jungkook then on Yoongi. The Omega wonders if they can all smell his anxiety—of which there's a lot. Mostly he smells Taehyung's citrus and Namjoon's woodsy pine scent, calming from either side. 

"If the members who called this meeting would like to start...?" Sejin prompts. 

"Um," Jungkook says and suddenly everyone is staring at him, Yoongi included. The Alpha blushes slightly, looking as overwhelmed as Yoongi feels. He can't believe they're actually breaking up today. That it's actually happening and all the moments with Jungkook will be put in the past. "I'm, well, uh, I guess first we're sorry we didn't tell you all sooner or at home, but Sejin-hyung needs to know so we decided to do it here."

"Who's we?" Namjoon asks, frowning. Yoongi can taste the shift in his scent, from neutral to concerned. 

"Yoongi-hyung and I."

Now everyone looks at Yoongi, six pairs of wide, brown eyes uncertain and confused. Jungkook's open and blank.

Yoongi doesn't know how to say it. It shouldn't be so hard because he and Jungkook were never actually dating, but it's because of what happened along the way  that makes this difficult. "Jungkookie and I dated for a little over a month. But we've decided...we're not going to anymore."

"Not..." Hoseok's brow furrows at Yoongi's wording. "Not going to anymore?"

"Hyung and I are breaking up. We've broken up," Jungkook then clarifies, loud and firm and making Yoongi want to shrink into his chair and hide. 

"What? What happened?" Taehyung asks. "You guys seemed so good together."

"Tae," Namjoon says softly. The other Omega and Seokjin are looking at Yoongi, probably thinking of what he so recently confessed to them. They didn't believe him, but now it's happened. They've broken up, even though Yoongi loves Jungkook more than he ever thought possible.

"We just aren't working. Maybe it was too fast, or forced, and we tried to be serious too soon. Anyway, it's not working and we don't want to keep going when it doesn't...feel natural."

"And you agreed to break up mutually?" Sejin clarifies. 

"Yes," Yoongi says, straightening up a bit in his chair. He just needs to get through this, right? This will be the worst of it, and then maybe he can start figuring out how to let go of Jungkook. "We agreed this is best. Obviously, we won't let this get in the way of any of our work or our friendship. We care about each other, and all of you, too much for that." 

"Exactly," Jungkook agrees, meeting Yoongi's eyes. "We're in a good place with each other."

"Well, I'm glad you're both in agreement," Sejin nods. "I'll let management know. Do any arrangements need to be made in terms of the dorms?"

"No," Yoongi shakes his head. "Jungkook moved back to his room. We're all good."

"Alright, well I'm gonna go then. You're welcome to stay in here and talk about it, but they are using it at 3 so vacate by then. I'll talk with you later."

They all thank and wave goodbye to Sejin, but once the door has clicked shut behind him the uneasiness settles back in. The clock on the wall is ticking loudly, everyone seemingly holding their breath. 

"I thought after you guys spent Yoongi's heat together, you were serious," Jimin props his head up on the table. His coconut scent grows thick, the Beta isn't happy. Yoongi knows Jimin means the best. That he loves them and is scared for them. And that he wants to protect each of them, even if that means from each other. "What happened?"

"It doesn't matter," Jungkook leans forward and addresses Jimin directly. "You were right, okay? Let's just leave it at that."

Yoongi frowns. Jimin was right about what?  Had Jungkook and Jimin talked about something related to them dating? Does Jimin know it was just a ploy? No, no. Jungkook would have told Yoongi if that were the case. 

"I have work to do," Namjoon stands up, not letting it escalate. "Yoongi-hyung, I need your help."

Yoongi nods, scooting back his chair as everyone else stands up too. Everyone's scent is all messed up, irritated, making the small room stuffy and stressful. When he gets into the hall he inhales the cool, clean air and goes after Namjoon whose long legs have already carried him down the hall. He knows Namjoon isn't actually after Yoongi's help on the track, he wants to talk about what just happened. And honestly, Yoongi does too. he wants to be sad, he wants to cry, he wants to try and breathe without this pressure on his chest or this feeling gnawing at ribs. 

"Hoseok," Yoongi tugs on the Alpha's sleeve as everyone goes separate ways. 

"Hyung, are you okay?" He turns around, eyes big and looking seconds from hugging Yoongi tight. 

"I'm okay. Come talk to me and Namjoon?"

Hobi nods and they walk in step down the linoleum—tiled hallway to the RKive. Their shoes click on the floor and Hoseok smells like cinnamon apple pie. Bitter and sweet and warm. Comforting. His arm sneaks around Yoongi's shoulders and draws him into his side. Yoongi melts into him. He didn't realize how touched starved he's become just over the past couple days of sleeping alone in his room. The Omega shuts his eyes and breathes in, letting Hoseok guide him. He hears a knock on the door, and then enters the RKive. 

Namjoon isn't in leader, let's-get-to-the-bottom-of-this-issue mode, he's in dongsaeng concerned over his hyung's happiness mode. He pushes Hobi and Yoongi to the couch, and then sits on Yoongi's other side. Namjoon has never been very physically affectionate, but he puts his palm on Yoongi's knee and rubs circles. Hobi doesn't even know the extent of what Yoongi said to Jin and Namjoon earlier this week, but he seems to know anyway. 

Yoongi's probably been pretty obvious. 

"I miss him already," Yoongi says, hands trapped between his thighs so they don't shake. "I don't know what I'm supposed to do now. I love..." his mouth goes dry and he can't say it. 

He's in love with Jungkook. So much. It wasn't something he anticipated happening. He's never looked at Jungkook that way before. But after being forced into—after willingly agreeing—to pretend-date Jungkook he saw him from a totally new angle. Learned things he'd never known before. Touched him and kissed him and scented him. 

"You know when Dohyeong and I broke up?"

"Yeah. Right before our tour, right?" Namjoon finally gets Yoongi to look at him. The other Omega has wrinkles on his forehead, his hair is messy today and he's wearing a jacket that's definitely not his style, but is certainly Hsoeok's. Brown corduroy with colorful patches on the sleeves. "Because he couldn't do long distance?"

"Yeah," Yoongi leans back against the couch and looks between Hoseok and Namjoon, Hobi's arm still tight around his back. "That night after I told Dohyeong I wanted us to be serious, and he said no, I got home and Jungkook was the only one around. I'd never really thought about that night again until yesterday. I don't remember it so well, but I know Jungkook kept telling me I deserve better than Dohyeong. And that they should fight for me, and that he...that Jungkook  would fight for me. I know he was just saying it to make his point. But I can't help but feel..." Yoongi shrugs noncommittally.

"I understand," Hobi purses his lips. "Jungkook once said he'd fight for you, but now that you've actually dated and broken up... What he said wasn't true. He hasn't fought for you. Right?"

"He...he hasn't, no. It was my idea to break up," Yoongi confesses.

"Really?" Namjoon slouches back against the cushions too. "But you're the one who—"

"I know. But I could feel Jungkook keeping his distance. He started acting differently and like, I don't know. But I suggested we might be better off ending things... And he didn't even try to argue. He didn't say we try to make it work, or talk about the stuff. He was just... He just said okay."

"That's... Jeez, hyung," Namjoon huffs a laugh. "I can't even imagine. It must have sounded like he didn't care, or that he wasn't as invested as you."

"Exactly," Yoongi folds his arms over his chest. "I can't blame him, you know, for not feeling the same way. I just wish..." we hadn't pretended at all, "we hadn't dated at all if it wasn't going to be real for him."

"Do you think he agreed out of convenience?" Namjoon asks. 

"No," Hoseok interrupts before Yoongi can reply. "Jungkook has always been very sensitive to the people he... Well people he's been with. I know he's always been up-front with them about not wanting anything serious. And those are people, like, he won't ever be with again. But you, hyung... I don't think he'd ever treat you like a pastime. You were real  for him in a way no one else has ever been. I was surprised. You know that I doubted it at the beginning, but you proved us wrong and got close and... I just don't believe that Jungkook is taking this easily. How do you know he didn't just agree because he thought it would make you happy?"

Yoongi wants to tell him that it doesn't matter how Jungkook has been with past partners because Yoongi was never a real partner. That Jungkook not taking them seriously was anything but his fault. But also, Hobi is right. They did get close. They did grow to care for each other in new ways. They did things together that people who are just friends would never do together. After all, perception is everything. 

If everyone around them has believed it the entire time and thought they were genuine, then aren't they seeing the love in Yoongi's eyes for Jungkook? Because yes, that's there. That makes sense; they'd look at Yoongi and think the two were doing well, that they were serious. But... Hoseok seeing the same in Jungkook? Isn't right... Right? They did scent each other, more than once, publicly. Which probably looked incredibly intimate and that, at least, Yoongi can agree was two-sided. He and Jungkook both wanted, needed, that. Yoongi's Omega and Jungkook's Alpha undeniably like each other. But that doesn't mean their hearts do. 

Though Yoongi loves him. And his Omega likes Jungkook. And Jungkook's Alpha likes Yoongi. The only missing piece is Jungkook himself. None of the rest of it matters if Jungkook doesn't feel the same way. Could his Alpha just be attracted to Yoongi because he's the first Omega it's treated in such an intimate way? It seems possible. In which case, it's not really Jungkook at all and it's just a coincidence. A convenience. A because Yoongi was there, and Yoongi happens to be an Omega. That's hard to swallow. But it doesn't change what Hoseok saw. He saw Jungkook care for Yoongi, which he has. They slept together. 

Friends don't just sleep together, despite what Yoongi tried to tell himself before. 

Could Jungkook be confused too? Is his Alpha messing with his head? Or has what he said at the beginning been the truth all along? That he wanted to get the members of their backs and let them be free in their relationships.

"Maybe," Yoongi sucks in a breath through his teeth. "Could he really have agreed to break up just because I asked?"

Namjoon and Hoseok share a look. 

"Jungkook does tend to give a lot more than he takes," Namjoon muses. "You know how hard he works, and how with any criticism he'll fold and correct himself. He just wants to do well and get better. If he thought he was failing you at all... Even if he doesn't actually want to break up, I could see him agreeing." 

Yoongi's heart suddenly speeds up. Hobi removes his arm from behind Yoongi's back and stretches out on the couch a  little more. The Omega blinks at the dark monitors on Namjoon's desk, thinking. If Jungkook wanted them to keep pretending, he probably wouldn't have said that to Yoongi after he asked to break up. He probably assumed that as soon as one of them wanted out, it would be over. That it wouldn't be a real discussion or debate, it would just be done with. 

What does Jungkook really want? Yoongi's less sure now than ever. Still, if Jungkook wanted them to keep faking it wouldn't change the fact that they were pretending. If it's not real, what's the big deal? 

"I think you're right," Yoongi whispers. "I think he would agree with me because he doesn't want to hurt me or make it hard. He saw how much I struggled when Dohyeong told me no, so now it's his chance to give me what I want."

"Only it wasn't what you wanted," Hobi mumbles. 

"Hyung," Namjoon shifts, making the whole couch groan. "Why didn't you just tell Jungkook how you feel? You were obviously dating for a reason. You spent your heat together. That's not nothing. You guys were close, and close fast. More than you were just as friends. Why not tell him how you really feel? I don't get why breaking up makes sense if neither of you necessarily wanted to."

"Namjoon-ah," Yoongi sighs. He doesn't know how to explain. He and Jungkook agreed not to tell anyone the truth, because of how much it could hurt, and he's not about to break that deal. "I don't think you guys saw the whole picture. Yeah we spent a lot of time together. We got to know each other more than before. But we did go into it...fast. Nothing we really talked about, or that we did alone, was very romantic. We would scent each other, but we only slept together during my heat. We hardly even kissed each other. We weren't very romantic and I think it's, like."

Yoongi struggles for the right wording, not sure how to make it clear what was happening. 

"Like?" Hobi brushes his fingers through Yoongi hair. 

"Like while we were dating, I was falling in love and he was trying too hard to please me, even if he didn't want it himself. He never took anything from me. It was one-way. I fell in love and I think for him," his drive to keep pretending, " his initial interest faded as he realized we were no different than before. He saw me more and more as a friend, and I saw him less and less like one."

"Did he say that?" Namjoon questions.

"Well, no..."

"So you broke up because you think he only sees you as a friend?"

"He was leading me on like Dohyeong!" Yoongi suddenly stands up, Hobi and Namjoon's hands dropping away from him. He turns on the carpet to face his friends on the blue couch, fed up. He wants to be able to talk to them, needs to be able to talk to them. But of course they can't treat it like a normal break up. They can't just give Yoongi a bucket of ice cream and watch the Titanic with him. They have to analyze it and push Yoongi to confront what the real issues are. Any other time, he'd appreciate that. But for now, all he wants is a shoulder to cry on. 

"He led me on, made me think that there was something between us there isn't. If he really wanted me, he wouldn't have let me go so easy, " Yoongi announces with finality. Then he leaves.

~

Jungkook feels numb. 

They've done it. They've broken up. Ended their fake relationship and now things are back to normal. Normal?  It doesn't feel normal. Everyone seems surprised and confused and Jungkook is too. Surprised that it's happened and that there's no going back, and confused by the expression Yoongi makes while they leave the conference room. He looks...upset. Jungkook can't fathom why, isn't this what he wanted? For them to put an end to it?

Deciding not to tell the members the full truth was definitely the right decision. Considering how disappointed they are about the breakup already, if they told them it had been a lie things would have been so much worse. Sejin especially would have had some choice words with Yoongi and Jungkook. It's no little thing they've done. But it's over now.

Jungkook gets himself a cup of coffee. They're out of creamer and he doesn't have the energy to mess with sugar so he drinks it black. Like Yoongi. He feels spacey walking down the brightly lit halls of BigHit with no goal in mind. He and Yoongi did agree that they would still be as good of friends as before—that they'd still hangout—and that's where Jungkook wants to go right now. To the Genius Lab to sit on Yoongi's couch and listen to the Omega's cute little hums and grumbles as he works on music. He knows he shouldn't though. Not really for Yoongi's sake, but his own. It's not even a real breakup but it feels like it is.

Because it's the closest Jungkook's ever gotten—and ever expects to get—to being with Yoongi.

Now that it's ended, he feels even more guilty for what they did. What he did. Like he took advantage of Yoongi's vulnerability. He knows that Yoongi agreed to everything that happened. That he wanted or was at least okay with every semi-intimate moment they shared. Still, would Yoongi have ever consented to anything if he'd known how Jungkook felt? How he still  feels? 

He finds himself in front of an unlabeled door. 

Jungkook knocks, hot coffee cup burning into one hand, and waits.

"Yeah?"  The door opens, "Oh. Jungkook? Come in."

Taehyung moves back and makes space for him, letting the door shut. This is Tae's studio, though it's a bit of a work in progress. He doesn't quite have all the equipment yet, and most of his decorations he wants to hang up are stacked in piles on the floor, but he has a futon and a carpet. There's an easel with a half-done painting and his computer monitors are on.

Jungkook sits on the edge of the futon, cup held between both hands as he blows off the steam.

"How are you?" Taehyung comes over and sits cross-legged on the floor. "Are you okay?"

"I'm okay," Jungkook attempts a smile. He is okay, really. He just has gotten used to Yoongi's near-constant presence and needs to snap out of it.

"I've been working on something," Taehyung reaches over to his desk and grabs off a notebook. He opens it to the marked page and turns it towards the younger man.

"Oh, English lyrics?" Jungkook holds the book and one hand and squints at it. "Ships in the night."

"I'm working on soundtrack songs."

"Really?" Jungkook lights up. "They got back to you about that?"

"They sure did. And since my solo is basically finished for the album I thought I could work on this. Namjoon and Papago helped me quite a bit, but I think it's the meaning I was going for."

"I like it," Jungkook takes a sip of his coffee and finishes reading. "This is really cool, hyung."

"Ah, thank you," Tae takes back the notebook and sets it aside. "What are your plans for today?"

"I'm going to the gym Seokjin-hyung."

"Ah, me and Yoon—" Taehyung suddenly stops. Jungkook rolls his eyes and gestures for him to continue. "Sorry, um. Yoongi-hyung and I are going tonight."

"You don't have to be nervous to talk about him. He's literally still one of my best friends."

"I know, but you just broke up. I don't want to be insensitive."

"It's really fine, hyung," Jungkook bites his lip. "Actually, can I talk to you about something?"

"Of course," Taehyung's dark eyebrows come together. "What is it?"

"When hyung and I hadn't started dating yet but we had been talking about it. Jimin like... Well he was being really weird. He was telling me that I should date that producer girl, and not hyung because..."

Taehyung takes a pillow from the futon and hugs it his chest, leaning forward intently. "Because what?"

"He basically said I was gonna break Yoongi's heart if we dated."

"What? Why would he say that?"

"Well it was like... He said something about how I've never wanted to date anyone before and how he thought I wouldn't take Yoongi seriously."

"Just because you haven't properly dated in a while doesn't mean you wouldn't take it seriously," Taehyung's frown deepens. "Was it because Jimin was worried about how Yoongi-hyung had been let down so many times before?"

"I guess so. Yeah. But like..." Jungkook sets his cup down on the wooden arm of the futon, taking a deep breath. 

The studio feels very small. Like the walls are closing in and the air is stuffy and Tae's citrus scent is too sweet. Jungkook feels on the brink of bursting. Like he might implode. After so long, this is the breaking point? The moment where his lungs constrict and his heart starts pounding because he has to get this out, he has to tell someone. 

"Hyung, can you please keep a secret for me?" Jungkook presses his sweaty palms into the fabric of his sweatpants. He trusts Taehyung not to spill the beans. To not even tell Jimin. 

"Of course. About... Is it about why you and hyung broke up?" Taehyung's face softens.

"Well, kinda. It's more complicated than...than that."

Jungkook doesn't know where to begin. How to say this. This thing that's been growing inside him for so long. But he has to. He has to tell him because there's no one else he feels safe telling. Jimin, though well meaning, hadn't taken anything well before. And he can't tell Seokjin because he'd surely tell Yoongi. 

"I've had feelings for Yoongi-hyung for a long time."

"Like, how long?" Taehyung asks

"You know how I kept saying I don't want to date anyone? For months? It's because I've had feelings for him, for, I guess. A year and a half? It wasn't that serious at first. Or I didn't take it seriously. But that was about when hyung started dating people and I just..."

"You couldn't tell him."

"How could I? He was on a search for someone and he, you know. He knew what he wanted and I wasn't going to bother him with how I feel."

"It's not a bother though, Jungkookie. You just know that. We're all here to listen to you."

"Yeah but, I feel like you guys wouldn't take me seriously."

"Oh," Taehyung carefully gets up from the carpet, knees cracking. He pulls over a chair and sits on it backwards so his arms are wrapped around the backrest, his chin resting on top. "I'm sorry if we made you feel like that. Why—why did you think that though?"

"You've all always teased me about my crush on Namjoon, you know? And I didn't want anyone to tell me that I just admired Yoongi, because even though I do, it's much more than that. At first I thought it could have been just admiration too, but this has gone on so long and I just... Yoongi makes me feel different."

"I understand. When I first started having feelings for Hoseok I remember thinking it was just because of how affectionate he is with me, and that I craved that. But the more I thought about it the more I realized it wasn't just touch that I wanted from him, it was everything."

Jungkook pulls his legs up on the futon, feeling much more settled already. He smiles at the Beta, "Yeah. Exactly."

"So...you've liked Yoongi-hyung a long time. What does that have to do with breaking up?" Taehyung tilts his head.

The cold dread creeps back into Jungkook's stomach. Should he tell Tae? He's scared to do it. Scared what his reaction might be. It's why he and Yoongi agreed not to tell the group. It could hurt Taehyung, and he doesn't want that. But at the same time, now that he's started being honest he doesn't want to stop. It feels like a weight has already been lifted. He's finally, finally, told someone that he's liked Yoongi for longer than anyone imagined.

"We didn't actually break up."

"What?" 

"Hyung... Me and Yoongi pretended to date each other. We weren't actually in a relationship." Jungkook stares at his fingers. His nails are getting too long. 

"I don't... I don't get it," Taehyung laughs once, fake. "What do you mean, Jungkook?"

"I mean exactly what I said. We pretended to be a couple in front of you guys so that you—" Jungkook takes a breath— "so that you wouldn't worry about us being lonely. Or worry about us being single. Or feel awkward about being in romantic relationships around us. We wanted you guys to be happy and not worry about us."

"So you lied? Jungkook, that's not small. That's—we're not in high school. What were you guys thinking?" Taehyung's voice is low, lips pursed as he tries to make sense of what Jungkook has just told him. 

"I know, I know. We know it's a big deal. And obviously we shouldn't have done it. But we were backed into a corner or—I was backed into a corner," Jungkook rambles, face warm and not sure what he's saying. "You guys joked at dinner about Yoongi-hyung and I, and I just... I wasn't thinking. I just knew that I really loved hyung, and how I wanted to protect him from feeling lonely, so I told him we should pretend and he agreed and I didn't think it was bad, at first. Then after a while I think hyung got lonelier than he was before, and I kept trying to contain all my feelings, and I just... I don't know."

"So you said you guys should stop?" Tae wonders.

"No, Yoongi-hyung asked for us to break up. I think he was tired of it."

"I can't believe he agreed to it in the first place. I know he hasn't dated anyone in awhile but..." Taehyung shrugs, gears working in his head.

"Seeing you with Namjoon and Hoseok-hyung. Or seeing Seokjin, his roommate, move in with Jimin... It was a lot for him. That's why I started sleeping in his room. So he wouldn't have to be alone in there."

"Wait, so did you not actually spend his heat together? Wait—oh my god I tried to assure Yoongi it was okay to ask you. Was that all an act? How did you even—"

"I spent it with him for real, Tae."

Taehyung's eyes widen and then he shakes his head. "Wait, I don't get it. So you like hyung, you pretended to date, you slept together... How is that not real? Weren't you actually dating if you both like each other?"

"Yoongi doesn't—hyung doesn't—" Jungkook can't even say it. "I don't think I ever stood a chance with him."

"Jungkookie," Taehyung sighs and gets up, coming to sit next to Jungkook on the futon. He throws a blanket over them that the Alpha balls his fists into. "He looked miserable when we left the conference room today. I don't think he's any happier about breaking up, even if it was fake, than you are."

"But he wanted to end it."

"Maybe because he likes you back, and he doesn't want to tell you while you're still pretending."

"But," Jungkook looks at Taehyung, regretful. "I took advantage of him."

"Did you do anything he didn't want you to?"

"No, but—"

"Did he tell you no and you didn't listen?"

"No, but—"

"Did you take something from him? Did you do anything without permission? Did you force him to pretend?"

"Well, no, but—"

"Jungkook I get why you feel like that. But if Yoongi wanted everything you did together, then how is that taking advantage?"

"He didn't know that I'm in love with him," Jungkook argues, lip jutting out. "That would have changed everything."

"Maybe you never told him," Taehyung allows, pressing a hand into Jungkook's arm. "But he must have felt it, to some degree, even subconsciously. That you care so much for him. Stuff like that doesn't go unnoticed. Don't you think he must have felt something to ask you to spend his heat with him? That's nothing small. When I confessed to Namjoon, I had no idea what he'd say. But deep, deep, down I knew it would be okay. And when he told me he liked me back, it was like I had always known. Yoongi-hyung knows even if he doesn't know."

Jungkook's head is spinning. 

Taehyung is almost making sense. Helping Yoongi with his heat was...a lot. And while it's true that friends can just help friends like that, it's also true that no one in Bangtan had ever done that. It wasn't something they were comfortable with or had suggested before and yet Yoongi asked him to anyway. And Yoongi's Omega likes Jungkook. He knows that.

"His Omega likes me. Or likes my Alpha or whatever," Jungkook makes a nonsensical hand gesture. "He told me that."

Taehyung grins wide, boxy, entire demeanor changing. "I have an idea."

"You're making me nervous," Jungkook angles his body away but can't help the smile teasing his lips.

"What if..." Tae makes his hand a fist and softly punches Jungkook in excitement. "What if  since you've already won at least part of him over, and since you're worried you tricked him into something, what if you go traditional?"

"Traditional?" Jungkook echoes, lost. "What does that mean?

"Court him, you know. Like they used to do. Get him gifts and make him food and go on dates. Show Yoongi himself how much you like him, and not just his Omega. Treat him special and just, you know, shoot your shot."

"Hyung, I haven't been able to do that for two years. What makes you think I can do it now?" Jungkook blushes at the thought of himself gifting Yoongi flowers and how embarrassing it would be.

"Now it's different. He's seen you differently now. Yoongi had your dick up his ass, it's not the same."

"Hey," Jungkook glares halfheartedly. "Don't talk about it like that."

"You know what I'm saying though, right?" Taehyung is earnest.

"Weren't you just pissed at me two seconds ago for lying to you guys?"

"Yes," Taehyung's features narrow. "I am mad at you guys. That's like, a serious thing. You know, because we're us. We all trust each other and love each other and us being in relationships is risky as it is. " The Beta turns and sits sideways so he can fully face Jungkook. "But I also know you. And I know hyung. And I'm sorry that me and the others made you feel like you had no other choice. That's on us too. I love you and I don't want to feel badly because of me, ever. I wish you guys had something, and we could have loosened up."

"We didn't want you to feel bad," Jungkook eyes sting with remorse. "I love you too."

"I know," Taehyung smiles gently. "I want you to show Yoongi-hyung who you really are. Woo him. Win him over. Treat him and show him he's special. Be romantic authentically. And when it feels right, tell Yoongi the truth. The only way to make this better is to be honest."

"Okay," Jungkook rolls his eyes, thinking yeah right. "Okay hyung. I'll try."

"Good. Now either help me work on this or scram."

"You won't tell anyone?"

"I'll keep your secret for now, unless you turn out to be an idiot."

"I'll try to avoid that," Jungkook snorts. "I'm gonna go get something to drink and I'll be back."

~

Yoongi punches in the #7 on the vending machine, watching as the coke slowly gets pushed out. It drops down to the bottom and he crouches to dig it out. As he unscrews the lid it hisses, fizzing up and spilling into his hand.

"Gah!" He quickly shuts it again, annoyed. He just wanted a break from Namjoon and Hoseok being all worried over him. Yoongi knows he's being silly. After all, he wants them to care and he wants to be able to talk to them about what he's going through. But they're not ones to let an issue go unresolved, they'd rather face things head on.

Usually Yoongi would be the same. Would want to address the problem, nip it in the bed, and make sure everyone is okay. This is different though. This is Yoongi's heart made of glass balancing on a pin, about to crash to the floor and shatter. He enters the lounge and goes straight to the sink. More soda fizzes out but then it stops, settled, and he can finally wash off the sticky, liquid sugar from his hands and the outside of the plastic. He's drying his hands on a paper towel and when he smells distressed, stormy pheromones and hears the door opening and closing.

"Oh, hey hyung," Jungkook greets.

Yoongi leaves his soda on the counter, brain going fuzzy. All he can think, all he can feel, is how stressed Jungkook is. The Omega goes to him, unable to help himself, arms going around the Alpha's shoulders and hugging him close in.

"Yoongi—what—what—what are you doing?" His voice is muffled.

Yoongi ignores him and finds himself plastered to the Alpha, his body hot and petrichor scent thick. He presses his face underneath Jungkook's jaw and scents him, trying to ease the stress away. The Omega's nose is in the other man's scent gland, and then his lips are Jungkook's neck. The Alpha's chest vibrates, strong arms hooking around Yoongi and moving him like a sack of rice. His back hits—a wall?—and Yoongi can't get his eyes open, just kisses Jungkook's collarbone. He smells himself on the Alpha now, soft almondy flowers, but he doesn't stop. The arms around his waist press him even closer and the Omega is trapped between a wall and Jungkook. Now there's warm, soft hands in his hair and his head is being tilted and now Jungkook is scenting him. Making Yoongi purr with pleasure and need and desire for more—

"F-fuck, fuck, hyung. I'm sorry," Jungkook lets go as quickly as he touched him.

Yoongi is panting, mouth open and staring up at Jungkook in shock. What did he do? Why did Yoongi do that? Why did Jungkook do it back? The Alpha is covering his face, like he's ashamed. Yoongi reaches for him and pries his fingers away, and when Jungkook blinks his eyes open they're glowing gold.

"Jungkook..."

"Hyung, I'm sorry."

"No, no," Yoongi shakes his head, holding Jungkook's hands tighter in his own. He's mesmerized by the Alpha's eyes. "Don't be sorry. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that without asking. I don't know what came over me, Jungkook."

"It's okay, it's okay. Hyung, your eyes were—" Jungkook looks down, taking his hands from Yoongi and letting his arms hang awkwardly at his sides. "They were silver when you came to me."

"Oh," Yoongi swallows. For Omegas, their eyes hardly turn silver unless they're heat. But sometimes they do it when they want—

Fucking hell. When they want to be mated. Yoongi prays Jungkook doesn't know that.

"Are you okay, Yoongi? Tae said...Tae said you looked sad when we left the meeting," Jungkook changes the topic, and Yoongi's grateful.

"I'm fine," Yoongi rubs the back of his neck and avoids eye contact. "Just feels weird to be back to normal."

"You smelled so distressed," Jungkook whispers. "That's why I-I couldn't help but scent you back."

"You did too. Are you okay?" 

"Yeah, Taehyung just has me worked up. And I... I miss hanging out with you."

Yoongi jerks his chin up, freezing. His pulse speeds up, "You do? It's only been a few hours."

"More like days, hyung. I got used to your room, and to you. Yoongi-hyung, I—'' Jungkook's irises are brown again, doe-eyes warm and bunny teeth on his bottom lip. The mole beneath his mouth is exposed to the light, and he just... Is so cute. So cute and so perfect and Yoongi doesn't know how he didn't notice before. Why did it take such extreme circumstances for him to finally see Jungkook in a new light?

"What?" Yoongi exhales, clutching onto the sleeves of his sweater. He can smell rain all over him now. Cool and comforting and sweet.

"I've been wanting to tell you... I-I-I have—"

Slam.

"Oops, sorry guys," Jimin apologizes as he bumps open the door with his boot. He's balancing a dozen dishes in his arms. "My studio has really become a mess."

Yoongi gapes at Jimin, a breeze drifting over him from how fast Jungkook moves away. What had the Alpha been about to say? And why had Yoongi done that? He seriously needs to get his Omega under control if he can't even contain his own feelings. 

"Uh..." Jimin walks his armful to the sink and drops the plastic dishes into the basin. "Did I interrupt something? Should I come back later?"

"You're fine, I was just leaving," Jungkook's voice is breathless, and he's gone before Yoongi can call out. Shouldn't they talk? They apologized but...shouldn't they try and understand why their instincts still want each other? That conversation would be pointless though. Yoongi knows it's going to take a lot more for him to let Jungkook go. It wasn't like this with Dohyeong. They'd almost dated the same length of time, but as soon as Yoongi started tour and saw other guys Dohyeong was easy to forget. But Jungkook? They see each other every single day. There's no way any part of this will be easy.

Jimin turns on the faucet, peeking over his shoulder at the Omega. "What's wrong, hyung? You look...tense."

"Nothing," Yoongi goes over to grab his coke off the counter. "We're just a bit awkward still, I guess."

"I bet," Jimin fills his dirty cups with soapy water and starts scrubbing them. "Hyung, I'm confused why you guys broke up. I thought...I don't know. You seemed so happy, and you spent so much time together. I was really surprised, you know, about Jungkook. But once you guys started dating it made a lot of sense. I've never seen... Well. I've never seen Jungkook so happy."

"Jimin," Yoongi says flatly.

The Beta looks at him, apologetic, "Ah, sorry hyung. I'm sorry. I should have been more sensitive. I'll shut up now."

"It's okay. We're still friends, obviously." Always were, Yoongi adds mentally. "We're good."

"Alright."

~

Jungkook runs to the bathroom, splashing his face with cold water to get himself out of his daze. He can smell Yoongi all over him. Fuck, why can't he control himself? He knows his rut is coming up, but not yet. Is it all just because of his feelings for Yoongi?

And, god. He almost told Yoongi. Right before Jimin walked in. Thank goodness the Beta interrupted, Jungkook's not ready to confess. Not yet. But after two years, he wonders if he ever will be. Maybe Taehyung is right. Maybe he could try and win Yoongi for real. make the confession come more naturally, set the mood, and prepare himself for the rejection or confusion he'll be met with when Yoongi learns the truth. He hopes Yoongi doesn't get angry, but if he is then Jungkook really can't blame him. (He also can't imagine Yoongi being angry, the Omega never raises his voice to anyone. If he's annoyed he'll pout at you, but he's never been mad. Except for maybe at himself.)

Court him, Taehyung said. Even though Jungkook hates the hierarchy associated with Alpha's courting Omega's in the olden days. Usually, it was more so the Alpha showing himself off to the Omega's family and the family agreeing to the marriage, not a mutual choice between the couple. This would obviously be different—Jungkook just trying to win Yoongi's attention. Would it be dumb? Is he clinging to something Yoongi's already rejected? 

But... Wouldn't it be worth a try? 

And really, how much longer can he go on, carrying this weight in his chest. Not much longer, not without breaking. 

So he'll take Taehyung's advice. Do this properly, and do it for real. For the first time.

my twt

Chapter Text

Yoongi’s had a long day in the studio. He and Namjoon spent the day changing the lyrics of their unit song, figuring out different wordings and really trying to convey their message properly. It’s fun to make songs about having respect when so many of their older tracks complain about not being given respect, or the songs try and justify why they deserve it. Now they’ve come out the other side and are respected across the country, even by those who hardly know their music. 

Namjoon chose to stay at the studio despite Yoongi urging him to leave, so he shot him a text reminding him to get some rest. They’re filming more Run episodes tomorrow and they’ll all need their energy. Although Namjoon, like Hoseok, is probably the best at keeping a positive attitude and getting energy up even when he’s exhausted. 

Yoongi shoves off his shoes and groans, fixing his beanie and finding his way into the kitchen. It’s after midnight, and he’s not really sure where anyone else is. His stomach growls in the quiet as he searches the cupboards and opens the fridge. Inside on the second shelf is a takeout box with his name written across the top. Some of the members must have gotten dinner and thought of him. He takes out the plastic container and opens it up, humming with pleasure when he sees two beef gyros inside. Oh hell yeah, he’s been in love with halal food lately. 

He heats them up and then sits at the counter, drinking seltzer water with scattered thoughts. 

The Omega makes it into bed before too long. He’s taken, pathetically, to getting in Jungkook’s old bed and burying his face in the addicting scent of him. The petrichor has been gradually fading over the past week, but it’s still enough that he feels safe and warm and can fall asleep quickly. He hasn’t seen Jungkook much lately. 

They’ve each been busy with work. Jungkook is spending a lot of time dancing, in the gym, making guides, and working on stage concepts with the concert team. At least, that’s what he’s gathered from everyone else who’s actually gotten to spend time with him. Yoongi feels a bit left out, left behind. After all, it was Jungkook who insisted they still hang out even after the dating ended. But the Alpha, apparently, didn’t care as much about that as Yoongi thought. 

The Omega also knows that Jungkook’s rut is soon. That he’ll disappear entirely for a couple days and suffer through it alone. Yoongi’s head tells him it’s not healthy to think about being with Jungkook during his rut, but the idea doesn’t leave his head. He wonders what it would feel like to be at the utter mercy of the Alpha. Jungkook was so soft and restrained during Yoongi’s heat, surely, he must be different during a rut. 

Yoongi dreams that night of a firm, tan body. Of biceps and hands as big as his own. A warm body pressed it back, hot lips nibbling at his ears. It escalates, and then he’s on his back staring up into blazing golden eyes as the Alpha rams into him, overcome with lust and the primal Alpha desire to knot. To mate. He sees Jungkook’s face above him, teeth a hungry grin and then grazing Yoongi’s neck. 

Yoongi wakes up the next morning hard, anxious, and irritated. Why can’t it be easier to get over these feelings, when they’re so clearly not returned?

The Omega showers, jerks himself off and cums with hand pressed to the tile wall as hot water washes him clean. 

He hears a muffled knock at his door, and then Sejin shouting, “C’mon, Yoongi-ssi. Time to film!” 

That’s right, Run. 

Yoongi shuts off the shower and sighs. 

~

When Jungkook wakes up, he runs to the fridge and looks inside. Sure enough, the dinner he’d ordered for Yoongi is gone. Warmth bubbles up in his chest. Yeah, Yoongi doesn’t know it was him specifically who got it for him, but he’s just happy his hyung ate it. 

After realizing that Taehyung had a point about him trying to court Yoongi, he also figured out that it’s easier said than done. The original plan had been to set up a little dinner for him and Yoongi to eat together, complete with candles, but that felt like too much for his first attempt at a courting gift. Leaving the dinner in the fridge was much more subtle. Jungkook’s hoping to work his way up, and do increasingly sweeter and romantic things for Yoongi so he doesn't scare him off. 

He wants Yoongi to take him seriously. Wants him to know it’s not acting, or for fun, or as a friend. He wants to show that it’s deliberate, and that he’s very intentionally trying to express how much Yoongi means to him.

Throughout the Run filming he keeps his eyes on Yoongi and how Yoongi interacts with their friends. The Omega seems to be leaning on the rest of the hyung line quite a lot, constantly talking with Namjoon and Hoseok or trying to get Seokjin’s attention away from Jimin. Jungkook thinks about how Yoongi is living in his bedroom all alone now and is missing out on all the time he used to spend with Seokjin. 

During one of their breaks, Jungkook runs off with his phone in hand and makes a call. 

~

“Where are you?”

“What?” Yoongi rubs his face, still half asleep. He jerked awake to answer his phone, and now Seokjin is shouting at him from the other side. Well, he’s not shouting. But it’s still too loud for Yoongi’s sleepy brain. He shoves the blankets off him, too warm, and sits up with his feet dangling to the floor.

“Sejin and I have been waiting 15 minutes for you.”

“What?” Yoongi repeats. Does he have a schedule today he didn’t remember? Why didn’t Sejin come in and wake him up for it? Why is Jin the one calling him?

“We’re fishing today, aren’t we? Isn’t that what you planned?”

“Me? I didn’t...” Fishing? It has been awhile. It would be fun to get out on the water and spend time with his hyung. “Now?”

“Yes now! We gotta get out there early. Sejin and I are in the car. Please hurry, Yoongi-ssi. The fish are waiting,” 

“Okay, okay, okay,” Yoongi abruptly hangs up. He yanks on some socks, puts on thick pants, a long sleeve, and vest. He grabs his bucket hat on the way to his room and then hurries to put on some sneakers. 

He meets security outside the apartment door and they take him to the underground parking garage. Seokjin is waving at him through the SUV window, beaming with tired eyes. 

“Hey, there you are! He made it!”

“Jesus,” Yoongi grumbles as he gets in. Sejin is in the passenger seat, decked out in fishing gear and smiling at Yoongi through his glasses. “Since when were we fishing?”

“Since we are, I don’t know,” Seokjin offers Yoongi a bag of dried mango. Yoongi takes out a few pieces and begins chewing on them. “You excited?”

“I’m still asleep.”

Seokjin snorts, “Well so am I, and you don’t see me complaining.”

“Can we stop on the way and get coffee?” Yoongi meets Sejin’s eyes in the rear-view mirror. 

“Sure.”

“Hey!” Jin chirps again. “The fish are waiting!”

“And they’ll be there before and after I get some caffeine,” Yoongi pouts. 

Seokjin smiles at him, jostling Yoongi’s shoulder affectionately as they drive. Sejin runs into Starbucks and grabs them all coffee and pastries, and then they finally go towards the dock. By the time they arrive, Yoongi feels substantially more awake and ready for a few hours of fishing. It’s 8am, the sun just peaking over the horizon and casting beautiful colors over the sky like watercolors on a canvas. They get the tack box out, and Seokjin takes the container of worms form Sejin and opens it. 

“Look at them, worming about in there…” Seokjin holds the tub between them. Yoongi wrinkles his nose at the sight of wriggly pink bodies squirming about in a thin layer of dirt. “Hey, Yoongi...”

The Omega looks up at the Beta. He knows that tone, even if Seokjin’s face is carefully neutral. 

“Yes, hyung?” Yoongi does his best to sound exasperated. 

“Why did Batman and Robin stop going fishing together?”

Yoongi rolls his eyes and turns away, stuffing his hands in pockets and staring out at the river. “Why?”

“Because Robin ate all the worms!” Jin laughs, closing the worm container and laughing even more as the younger man shakes his head in disapproval. “C’mon, you know it’s funny.”

“I don’t know…” 

They catch up to Sejin who is talking with the captain, “Looks clear out there.”

“Yeah, you boys sure chose a perfect day for this,” he nods at Yoongi and Seokjin as they approach. The two bow back to him, they’ve met him once before but he’s a pretty quiet older dude with graying hair and a patchy mustache. He brought them to the best fishing grounds though, and Yoongi is hoping to catch some today. Even if they do just snap pictures and toss the silver-scaled creatures back in the water. 

“Let’s load up, huh? Got your poles?” 

“Oh, shoot,” Yoongi shakes his head and starts running back to the car. “You distracted me with your stupid joke, Jin-hyung!”

He gets their three poles out of the back and slams the door shut, and gets back in time to hear Sejin and the Captain laughing at Seokjin’s ridiculous Robin joke. They get up onto the boat, which is more like a small cargo ship than a fisherman’s boat. The sides are orange and the deck is massive. The fish don’t like the boat’s propeller, but once they reach the nesting grounds the captain shuts the boat off and they just drift in the current, luring fish to their baited hooks. 

Yoongi and Seokjin go to the back of the boat, watching as the boat propellers stir to life and a stream of bubbles pushes them away from the dock. On the water is twice as cool as the land, and the Omega wishes he’d worn another layer, but he supposes he’ll have to deal. He clutches the metal railing, Seokjin leaning on it beside him and smiling off towards the shore. Yoongi can smell his warm, freshly-cooked bread scent. It’s so good to have some time with his  best friend again. Things have been different since Jin moved out of their room. 

“Hey, Yoongi?” Seokjin looks over at him, brows pulled down. It’s like Seokjin can read his mind sometimes. “I’m sorry I broke roommates forever.”

“Oh, hyung,” Yoongi waves him off. “You really don’t need to worry about it. You’re happy with Jimin, I wouldn’t want you to stay just for my sake.”

“I know, but I didn’t really ask if it was okay. I should have. I know that must have been hard for you at first. When, uh, Jungkook moved in there I honestly…” Jin exhales, breath a cloud of white in the frigid river air. “I was relieved. I thought he would be able to look after you like I did.”

“He did,” Yoongi assures. “And even now that he’s gone, it’s okay. I’ve gotten used to it.”

“I’m still sorry. I owed you better than that.”

“You were in your honeymoon period, I can forgive you.”

“Hey! I am still in the honeymoon period. Every moment with Jimin is a honeymoon. It’s never gonna end,” Jin grins and lightens the mood. “No, but really. He’s the one who made me realize how brash a decision I’d made without you.”

“He’s your boyfriend, not me,” Yoongi reminds him.

“Maybe, but we lived together for 8 years. I think that’s important, and I lost sight of that. I'm glad we’re doing this today.”

“Me too,” Yoongi agrees and leans in closer to his hang. Now he can smell Jimin on him too, a faint coconut. 

They arrive in a calm portion of the river, the biggest waves being made by the boat itself. The captain angles it towards a small bay area with trees lining it. They drift in, the propeller off, and Yoongi and Seokjin meet with Sejin on the side of the boat. They hand out fishing poles and Yoongi has Sejin put on the first worm for him. He really can’t stand watching it’s body writhe and it's pierced with a sharp, metal hook through its body. Seokjin casts first, whipping the line overhead and then throwing it out far. The hook plunks into the water a few meters away, the weights on the end helping it sink below the surface. Yoongi goes next, failing beautifully when his wire catches on the metal railing and wraps around it.

“Aghhhh!” he exclaims and runs over. 

Sejin and Seokjin are bent over with laughter, watching as he scrambles to unwrap it and jerking away in disgust when the slimy worm brushes his hand. “No!”

He finally manages to get it off the rail and then cast it out simply, pouting at his friends who are still cackling. The yellow bobber rides the top of the water, only a meter or two away from the boat. Whatever. Yoongi accepts his fate, and their judgment. Sejin, of course, casts his line perfectly and with a smug look Yoongi’s way. 

It may be before noon, but they crack open a couple of beers and snack on shrimp chips and honey twists. They sit on coolers and crates. Yoongi and Seokjin pester Sejin about his fiance, when they’re getting married, why they can meet her, and if they can perform at their wedding. Or better yet, have karaoke at the reception so Young I can show off his vocal skills and Jin can rap his heart out. Sejin laughs with them, and for the first time in months everything feels normal. They’re hanging out, they’re not concerned over work, nobody is worried over Yoongi, and he’s not worried about them. This is just what he needed. 

“Ah! I got something!” Seokjin leaps up from his seat, holding his pole tight in one hand as he tries to reel it in. 

“Watch it be seagrass,” Sejin tugs on his own line, a little put it that he hasn’t gotten any bites yet. 

“Wow, it's really coming,” Seokjin laughs and reels in the line faster. He yanks on the entire pole, and Yoongi gets up to watch. He can see Jin’s bobber on the water, coming ever closer. Yoongi leans on the railing, laughing as Seokjin struggles. The hand crank moves slower and slower, like it’s really lifting a weight out of the water. Yoongi watches the fish break the surface; mouth hooked, tail and fins flapping uncontrollably. 

“Nice!”  Yoongi claps, and Sejin leaps up to help Seokjin. 

“Wow, that’s a big one,” Sejin grins, grabbing the line above the hooks as the fish splashes river water on all their faces. 

“Yoongi, take a picture!” Seokjin calls out, Yoongi already grabbing his phone. The Beta smiles, flinching slightly as the fish flops violently by his face. Sejin steps out of the way and Yoongi snaps some pictures, probably all blurry, and then Sejin and Seokjin work together to get the fish off the hook and tossed back into the cold river. 

Later Sejin catches a fish and he excitedly takes a video of himself to send his fiance. It;s great to see their manager being himself  and not working so hard. He’s earned this even more than them, honestly. After another hour of a few false alarms (Yoongi caught a lump of seagrass!) the boat roars back to life and they go to shore. 

They profusely thank the captain, stuff the fishing box and poles in the trunk, and then get in the car. The driver greets them, asks what they caught, and then they’re off. It’s nearly noon, the sky blue and the sun bright. They smell like nature and water and Yoongi’s stomach is growling, he’s ready for lunch. 

“I’ll make kimchi jjigae when we get home, Yoongi,” Jin says. “Jimin’s been asking me to cook more so he better be home to enjoy it.”

“That sounds incredible, hyung.”

“You can come in and eat too if you want, Sejin-hyung,” Seokjin offers. 

“Ah, no, I really ought to get home. I’m glad I got to do this with you guys today though. It was really fun.”

Yoongi leans into the door, staring out at the highway and the cars racing by, heading back into Seoul. “Hey, who planned this fishing trip, anyway?”

“Oh,” their manager peers back at them. “Did he not tell you?”

“No?” Yoongi frowns, glancing at Seokjin Who seems just as confused. 

“Jungkook organized it for you guys,” Sejin says offhandedly. “He thought you deserve a break.”

“Jungkook?” Seokjin chuckles. “That punk making us get up at the crack of dawn, he’s lucky we like fishing.”

Yoongi can’t find his words. He just swallows hard and looks back out the window. 

Jungkook planned for Yoongi to spend time with Seokjin? Why would he do that? Is this a way of placating Yoongi for not spending time with him? 

The Omega signs to himself. It doesn’t matter. He’s had a great morning, why did it happen mean anything?

~

Of all the things Yoongi and Jungkook did together during their time “dating,” probably one of the most meaningful was when he told Jungkook about fearing putting out another solo album because people might not like it. He’s scared to be viewed as a soft Omega idol rapper, hates the very notion of it, but he also knows his dislike of that stereotype is harmful to rappers in the industry who are “soft”. There's nothing inherently wrong with it, of course. It’s just Yoongi’s been led to think there is through years of underground rapping with Alphas and Betas who thought they were better because of their status. 

But just because Yoongi’s new songs may be happy, may have lighter melodies and punchy rhythmic bass, doesn’t mean he can’t rap. Doesn’t mean that his lyrics aren’t powerful. Doesn't mean that he’s any less than any of them. 

As Yoongi waits for the elevator doors to open, the bell dinging as AC blows over him, he thinks of what Jungkook said. Isn't it so much braver, and so much better, to celebrate happiness and hope? The Alpha is right. It’s petty and typical to rap about anger, to brag, or whatever it might. Yoongi’s song with Namjoon (which they’ve just titled Respect), which is fun and playful. It's definitely rap. And it’s happy, really. Bright. 

Anyway, Yoongi is finally ready to sit down and look at the songs he has ready for his mixtape. Although this one, much like Namjoon’s Mono, isn’t much of a mixtape. It’s all original stuff cooked up by him and few embellishments form the likes of Pdogg, Slow Rabbit, and Adora. Adora especially helped guide Yoongi with some melodies. He hasn't looked at this project in a few months now, which is probably for the better. 

Although, there is every chance he gets to his studio and decides he hates all of it. 

Yoongi punches in his code, the buttons beeping loudly in the abandoned hallway, and then pushes his studio door open. His hand slides over the cold wall, searching for the knob to turn up the lights. He turns the main light up, just to about 25% of its strength, and then is about to pull the cord on a lamp when he gasps and takes a step back. 

What the fuck is on is desk?

Yoongi quickly turns the light all the way up and gapes at the sight. There’s purple, white, and pink flowers in a pretty bouquet arrangement on his desk. They’re in a glass vase, filled up with misty water. The Omega carefully makes his way over to his desk, fingers brushing over the soft flowers. The scent is strong, sweet. He recognizes the pink flowers as larchs—his birth flower. Who put these here? Were they a company gift? But what for? His and trails down the stems to the cools glass, and he nearly knocks over—

“Coffee?” He whispers, incredulous. “What the fuck…”

Beside the vase is a coffee in  to-go cup. Yoongi puts his hand around it, shocked to feel that it’s still steaming hot through the paper cup. Whoever delivers this stuff was here moments ago. Did they know Yoongi was coming? Or was it just coincidence? 

Yoongi sips the coffee as he slouches down into his chair, staring at the flowers. 

~

Yoongi’s mixtape is going well. Although, to call to that wouldn’t necessarily be accurate. The majority of it is original work, with some samples of instrumental or vocal. He’s been talking to the outreach team about potential collaborations with American artists, and he secretly has a plan to ask Namjoon to feature in track--though he hasn’t asked him yet. Not like Namjoon would even tell him no. 

It’s nice to take a break from the group album and just get his own thoughts and feelings out. The freedom to be unfiltered is something he’s been missing.

He returns to the dorm at two in the morning, so exhausted he can’t even make it to his room. He grabs a bag of sweet potato puffs and snacks on them in the lounge. Yoongi is spread out, fully intending to sleep here. The blanket over his legs smells like all the members, mixed together but somehow still sweet and soft. Not overbearing. They decided on the album title today. Map of the Soul 7. Bang PD suggested it at their meeting where they caught up on the album's progress. He encouraged them to put their heart in it, as he always does and theta always try to do. 

Somehow, the title of the album makes Yoongi elated and terrified at the same time. Seven has so much meaning. By the time the album is released they will have been Bangtan for seven years. They are seven members. Seven hearts and minds combined into one, working together from the ground up, on day finding themselves among the stars. He’s not sure how they got here. Seven, though, is always foreboding. Makes Yoongi’s stomach tangle with anxiety and dread, making him sick. 

He fears seven because of the chance the number could become six. Five. Four, three, two, one. Yoongi loves them all too much to think about the chance of losing anyone. 

He’s not even sure why it scares him when he knows none of them would ever leave. They rely on each other too much. They’re too tightly knit. And quite frankly, no one can ever understand them as well as they understand each other. No one else has experienced what they have. Their time together is forever; it will never leave them, even when they’ve disbanded. (There’s also the matter of the seven being 6+1. Of six being together, and 1 being...enlisted. Still with them, but distanced. Maybe that’s an even scarier thought.)

Yoongi can distinctly hear someone in the game room clicking away on a controller, the light of the screen dancing in the hallway. He wonders what everyone else did after the meeting. The Omega sighs, yanking the blanket up to his shoulders and then scooting down into the couch, laying across the length of it. He shuts his eyes and tries to fall asleep. 

And he can’t. 

He tosses and turns, the couch squeaking under his weight and the fuzzy blanket getting all balled up and tangled around his legs. Yoongi feel restless for no good reason. He did good work today, everything is coming along, but he still can’t sleep. 

“Jesus,” he complains to himself, too loud in a quiet apartment. 

He jerks in surprise as the sound of something falling. Oh, right. Whoever was playing video games. Yoongi buries his head back into the couch and tries to hide in the dark. He knows if someone catches him they’ll reprimand him for not taking care of his back. Yoongi slows him breathing and strains to hear a door being shut. There’s soft footsteps, and then he can smell petrichor. 

“Ah, hyung,” it’s Jungkook who has spotted him. “You shouldn't be sleeping out here.”

Yoongi keeps his eyes shut, waiting for Jungkook to either walk away or wake him up. Only that never comes. Instead an arm hooks under Yoongi’s knees, another beneath his back, and he’s being lifted into the air with a slight grunt from the Alpha. 

The Omega almost loses his cool, shock coursing through him at the weightless sensation of being in the air. He can feel the blanket hanging off him and dragging behind Jungkook as the man carries Yoongi, bridal style, down the hall. What is Jungkook doing? Why would he hold Yoongi like this and not just wake him up? And why the fuck is the Alpha so damn strong? Yoongi’s face is pressed into his firm shoulder, one arm trapped between their bodies uncomfortably. He would move it, but it would be far too awkward to have Jungkook realize Yoongi’s awake. 

Yoongi doesn’t want to deal with Jungkook’s soft eyes and pretty lips and his cool scent. He doesn’t want to see Jungkook pull away, or smile at him, or say good night. 

Maybe the real reason Yoongi was sleeping in the living room was not exhaustion, but because being alone in his bedroom has become too much. He misses Jungkook. It’s like his heart is aching, threatening to fall out of his chest. 

He’s also been mad at himself for what he said to Hoseok and Namjoon. He made them think Jungkook has been leading Yoongi on, when Yoongi has known full well the entire time that their “relationship” was never intended to be anything real. And that the reason Jungkook constantly checked with Yoongi—is this okay?—was because he didn’t want to do too much for two people who weren’t actually together. The truth is, Yoongi is the one who led himself on. Got caught up in the way Jungkook makes him feel, and believe that it couldn’t possibly all be an act. Yoongi let him read too  much into Jungkook’s words, his actions, his everything. 

But he pushed the blame of it off onto Jungkook, when none of it had been his fault. 

“Gosh, your room is a mess,” Jungkook mumbles quietly. 

Yoongi hears clothes and folders being pushed aside as the Alpha goes towards Yoongi's bed. Then, ever so slowly and gently, Yoongi is lowered onto his mattress. Jungkook pulls the blanket over him, Yoongi still keeping his eyes shut and breathing quiet (can Jungkook hear how fast his heart is beating?). He’s expecting Jungkook to leave right away, but then a warm hand runs down Yoongi’s arm and squeezes his hand. Yoongi freezes when he feels breath on his face, and then a soft press of lips to his forehead. What is Jungkook doing? Fingers comb through Yoongi’s hair, and then they’re gone and Yoongi feels cold. 

He hears Jungkook leave, but blood is pounding in Yoongi’s ears. What was that? It felt too...intimate. So gentle. Could it just be that Jungkook misses him too? But then why would he feel the need to do that when he thinks Yoongi is sleeping, as if he doesn’t want Yoongi to know what he did? The Omega can’t make sense of it before he falls asleep. 

When he wakes, he’s slept better than he has in two weeks. 

He rummages around for his phone, but when he can;t find it he shoves on slippers and yanks on a sweater. It’s in the living room where he left it last night, only… 

“What the fuck?” He picks it up in wonder, gaping at the stickers on the back of the black case. There’s a dozen tiny kitten and bunny stickers on it, and at the bottom are initials stuck on with pink letters. 

MYG + JJK

For a beat, Yoongi wonders if one of the members is playing a prank on him. But they wouldn't do this when they think the two have just gone through a break up. 

Jungkook did this. 

Yoongi

Why?

Jungkook

Good morning

And whatever do you mean?

Yoongi

You know exactly what

The stickers

Jungkook

Aren’t they cute?

Yoongi

Why did you put our initials on it

Jungkook

Because it’s bunny and kitty stickers

Me and you

Ya know

Yoongi

Yeah yeah I get it

But why? We aren’t dating anymore

Jungkook

I know

Yoongi

Then why

Jungkook

Why not?

Yoongi doesn’t have an answer to that. 

~

Jungkook isn’t sure what’s come over him. He just feels...embarrassed. Bashful. And maybe...a little ashamed. Ashamed because he hadn’t done this sooner. That it took two years, some heart break, a fake dating scandal and Taehyung talking some sense into him for Jungkook to finally try and win Yoongi over properly. And now he doesn’t even know how to be in the same room as his hyung without feeling like a pot boiling over with emotions. He’s bursting at the seams.

Initially, the plan had been to spend time with Yoongi. Go on faux dates or just hang out. But instead he’s chucked out. He left that gyro dinner in the fridge for Yoongi because Jungkook had been embarrassed waiting up all night, and then there were the flowers and the coffee. He was gonna leave a note, or even stay and listen to Yoongi work in the studio, but Jungkook had gotten too anxious and felt before the Omega arrived. He’s honestly just scared.

Petrified.

Hardly sleeping and heart always beating too fast, trying to come up with ways to show Yoongi his love without saying it out loud. Jungkook’s scared to be vulnerable with Yoongi. Not about most things. Obviously, he feels comfortable talking to Yoongi about almost everything. But when it comes to them? Their unique relationship and Jungkook’s feelings? His throat closes up. He feels like a glass bottle—cork screwed in with lightning zapping around inside. He doesn’t know what to do with himself. 

The fish trip for Yoongi has been a brilliant thought. The grin on Yoongi’s face when he came home, gummy and wide, is worth suffering two more years pining if it means seeing Yoongi happy. If the other man knows Jungkook’s been the one planning all the surprises. He hasn’t said anything. 

That’s why Jungkook put all those stickers on Yoongi’s phone. To make it obvious for once that he's doing these things, and giving Yoongi a clear reason to talk to him. And also to show that Jungkook’s not trying to hide what he’s doing, even if he is working from a distance. Jungkook’s heart is like a radar system. Everytime Yoongi is in range it beeps off the charts and on the brink of destruction. Eruption? Whatever it may be, Jungkook isn’t sure he’s handling these acts of courting any better than he was handling pretending to date.

Taehyung has been a blessing to have at his side. The Beta talks with him everyday. He doesn’t pressure Jungkook into anything, but he does try to understand why Jungkook hasn’t already told Yoongi. And why he hasn’t told anyone else. It feels good to have someone to talk to. Like he can finally breathe again, and just redouble his efforts on winning Yoongi over. Taehyung insists that Jungkook has already broken through the glass, he just needs to make his presence and intentions known to Yoongi clearly. Hence, the courting with gifts.

Jungkook is fast running out of ideas. Short of taking Yoongi on a legitimate date, there’s only so many things Jungkook can do. He has been sneaking coffee to Yoongi as often as he can, buying him dinners for when he gets home from the studio at late hours at night. Namjoon says that Yoongi has been working on his next mixtape. And that it’s really good. Jungkook is thrilled for the Omega, so happy he felt motivated once more to work on his projects.

Part of him wants to go to Yoongi’s studio and listen to his tracks. Wants to hear Yoongi record the first breathy, mumble lyrics over the beat and listen to it back. To be happy at first and then grumble under his breath and listen to it over and over again, adjusting the lyrics and the layers or adding vocal effects like panning or autotunes. Jungkook loves watching him work.

He just loves Yoongi.

Jungkook sighs, rolling over in bed and pressing his face into a cold section of pillow. He curls his fingers into the felt blanket encasing him like a cocoon. That first night he left Yoongi’s room, he was full of guilt. Like he had betrayed Yoongi. Even if it was all a fake relationship, the bonds they’d made spending more time together weren’t. Aren’t. 

And he knows Yoongi must feel it too. 

Things aren’t how they were before. 

The Alpha rolls out of bed, exhaling exaggeratedly and sliding his feet into slippers. He gets into the bathroom and brushes his teeth, letting the shower heat up before climbing inside. The bathroom fans hum loudly, the shower steaming up as he lathers you his body. His body has started getting hot, getting tense. His rut is coming. He’s been having dreams of Yoongi—the explicit kind—and waking up feeling bad about it.

He’s not looking forward to spending an extended four days alone rolling around in rut, aching for the Omega. But he’s gonna have to. He hasn’t had one before that was directly impacted by Yoongi. Of course, he’s often found himself longing for Yoongi, but now Jungkook knows that Yoongi’s Omega wants him, which has stoked the coals in Alpha and made it hungry. Burning up inside of him. 

Jungkook turns the metal shower knob, the spray shutting off abruptly. He stares down at his toes that stand in soapy water as it runs down the drain. 

What is he even doing? Why can’t he just be confident? Be bold? Be brave? He feels so silly. So small. So weak. Isn’t his love worth fighting for? Jungkook supposes he is, in his own way. But it’s taken two years to come this far, so how much longer will it take for him to muster up the courage to confess? Would it be cowardly to tell Yoongi over text? Jungkook knows they both deserve better than that though.

There’s leftover fried rice and chicken in the fridge that Jungkook has for breakfast. Taehyung is working in the lounge on his laptop, and Seokjin is on the phone talking to his family. Everyone else is gone. Jungkook does the dishes, and midway through an idea occurs to him. 

Yoongi’s messy room. 

“Where are you off too?” Taehyung asks as Jungkook runs past the lounge, feet thumping on the soft carpet. 

Jungkook doesn’t bother answering, just throws his friend a grin over his shoulder and laughs. He feels giddy with excitement. Yoongi will probably be gone all day, which means he can take his time cleaning the Omega’s room. Clothes, books and folders litter the floor. With the overhead light turned on, the layer of dust on shelves and the coffee rings on surfaces are obvious. And kinda gross. 

The Alpha pushes aside the black out curtains and lets some fresh air in, breathing in the smell of summer and and the cherry blossoms from the bedroom. First things first—he piles everything on the floor onto the two beds. He notices that Seokjin’s old bed has been slept in, and when Jungkook leans down to gently drop a bunch of CDs on it, he can smell the floral, almond-vanilla scent of Yoongi. Like he’s been sleeping here more than his own bed. Is it because Jungkook’s scent is still on the pillows? Whatever the reason, the Alpha pushes it to the back of his mind. There’s mugger issues at hand. 

Taehyung and Seokjin stare at him when he brings old dishes into the kitchen, and when he starts load after load of laundry. They’ve both moved to sit together, working and talking. Definitely whispering about Jungkook too because every time he passes by they stop speaking and greet him with suspicious smiles. Whatever. Jungkook doesn’t care. This isn’t about them. 

He dusts all of Yoongi’s shelves, folds up his clothes and hangs them, cleans all the tables and vacuums the floor. At one point it sucks up something it shouldn’t have and the vacuum stinks, making Yoongi’s room stinky too. Seokjin comes and helps him fix it, and gapes after Yoongi’s room in awe.

“Holy crap, this might be the nicest this place has ever looked,” the Beta laughs. “We were great roommates, but we also got way to comfortable living in our own filth.”

“I found some of your old clothes under the bed,” Jungkook says, “I put them in your room.”

“Nice, maybe some of my missing socks will turn up.” Jungkook laughs and Jin slaps him on the back, “You trying to win Yoongi back, Kook?”

“Something like that…” Jungkook gives him a half smile and stands back up, stretching. “Yeah, I guess so.”

“I’m glad,” Seokjin nods. “Yoongi misses you.”

“I miss him too.”

“You should I tell him that.”

“We’ll see,” Jungkook waves him off and Jin leaves.

The youngest takes in his handiwork, just about done. He’s gonna let the room air out some more and then shit the windows—all the AC is getting sick out into the heat. He glances over at Yoongi bed, made and tidied up. Fresh sheets. A familiar sweater is folded smoothly on top. 

The black hoodie Jungkook gave Yoongi nearly two months ago. He goes to the bed and runs his hand over the soft thick fabric. Jungkook wants to leave it for Yoongi, but he also wants to…

The Alpha takes a deep breath and takes the hoodie in his hands, shaking it out and then burying his face in it. He stands there, breathing deeply and cuddling with the sweater to scent it up. So when Yoongi wears it, he’ll smell like petrichor. When he’s satisfied, Jungkook lays it flat on the bed and rubs away the creases, nearly folding into a perfect rectangle. He leaves it in the center of the comforter, so Yoongi can’t miss it. Jungkook may not have signed his name, but now Yoongi can’t possibly mistake the clean room as a gift from anyone else.

He puts away the vacuum and duster and hangs up the last of Yoongi clothes. Jungkook gets a text from Sejin then, a car is here to take Jungkook to physical therapy.

They’re trying to build up Jungkook’s endurance—at Jungkook’s request—because he has a tendency to overdo it at concerts. Hoseok always tells Jungkook to pace himself, but that hasn’t quite sunk in yet. So he’s working on it. 

Taehyung 

So what was all that about

The room cleaning 

Jungkook

Still working on courting Yoongi 

I wanted to do this for him

Taehyung 

Will he know it’s from you?

Jungkook

I scented his sweater

Taehyung 

Ah I see

You’re doing good 

I do wish you’d be more upfront with hyung, but this so something 

I didn’t think you’d be so shy

Jungkook 

I guess I’m just used to hiding it so it’s hard to try and teach myself to openly show affection 

Taehyung 

I understand 

It was weird when I started dating namjoon and hoseokie too 

Because we have been friends for so long and keeping our feelings hidden

But we got each other out of our shells

Jungkook 

I think Yoongi and I do that for each other

We come out of our shells when we’re together

Taehyung 

That’s so cute

I’m glad

Jungkook 

Hyung 

Taehyung 

Yeah?

Jungkook 

Do you..

ahhhhhh

do you really think Yoongi might like me back?

Taehyung 

Oh Kookie 

You should see the way he looks at you

Jungkook 

Seokjin-hyung says Yoongi misses me 

Taehyung 

He really does

And also 

Even if Yoongi didn’t like you back, do you see now that it’s better to tell him the truth than to bottle it up?

Jungkook 

I think I’m definitely starting too 

Taehyung 

I’m sorry you felt before that me and other hyungs wouldn’t take you seriously if you told us you like him 

That must have been so frustrating 

I wish you feel now that we do take you seriously 

Jungkook

I do 

Like even though you guys were skeptical at first when me and Yoongi started to “date” like you pretty soon accepted us a reality and even it wasn’t real, that showed me that you guys really do believe me and see me as mature now

Taehyung 

Mature 98% of the time except for when you come Up with dumbass ideas like fake dating a group member while you’re already in love with him 

Jungkook 

Okay okay I know that wasn’t my brightest hour

Taehyung 

You’re really gonna have to tell everyone eventually 

At least the the members 

Jungkook 

We will I promise 

I’m sorry to make you bear it alone

But I want to figure out where I stand with Yoongi first 

Taehyung 

I know, and that’s okay

Focus on that

I’d wish you luck but you really don’t need it

Jungkook

I’m not sure about that hyung 

~

Yoongi is frozen stiff at the sight of his bedroom. 

It’s clean. Every inch has been dusted, swept, or wiped down. His tables and shelves are organized, but with just enough clutter they’re not too perfect. Both beds in the room are made, and even the curtains are open. He hasn't looked out the window in ages. 

Yoongi drops his bag on the floor (he’ll put it away later!) and goes to his bed. There’s a sweater folded there—specifically, the one Jungkook gave him so long ago. The Omega brushes his fingers over it and then picks it up. Why was just this piece of clothing left out? Does Jungkook want it back? Then why wouldn’t he have taken it. Yoongi picks it up and then he catches a whiff of something —a rainstorm scent. Jungkook has scented the hoodie. But...why would he do that?

Yoongi loses his zip up sweater and yanks the black hoodie over his head, buried in the petrichor and feeling euphoria runs through his veins. His Omega is purring loudly and Yoongi himself feels like he’s vibrating. Yoongi pulls the sleeves down over his hands and sits down on his bed, wrapping his arms around himself. This is almost like a hug from Jungkook himself.

Almost.

Yoongi

Hey

Jungkook 

Hey

Yoongi

You cleaned my room?

Jungkook

Yeah

Yoongi

Thank you 

It’s so nice now

I haven’t see the floor since you moved out

Jungkook 

Haha I thought it had gotten especially bad

I guess I was the only one keeping it clean before

Yoongi

Kinda,, sorry

Jungkook 

It’s okay haha I like cleaning

Clearly

Yoongi 

Yeah so

What can I do as a thank you?

Jungkook 

Ah you don’t need to do anything hyung 

Really I did it because I wanted to 

You’ve been working so hard you deserved it

Yoongi 

Did you um

Want your sweater back?

The one that you gave me before

Jungkook

No! Why would I want it back?

Yoongi 

Did you um

scent it on purpose 

Jungkook 

..yes

Sorry I hope that isn’t uncalled for 

Yoongi

I mean I was surprised 

But it’s really nice

Your scent is so nice :]

Jungkook 

Hyung

Yoongi 

Yeah?

Jungkook 

I recorded something for you

Yoongi 

Recorded???

Jungkook 

Yeah, hang on.

[03:42 - inlove.file.mp3]

Yoongi frowns and moves so he’s laying on his back in bed. He’s on top of all the blankets, head supported by a mound of pillows. He holds his phone up in front of him and opens the file. He hears piano and immediately turns up the volume. 

He knows this song.

Jungkook sang this once before, on Masked Singer. That was years ago now, but Yoongi remembers telling Jungkook how well he did. How much he liked the song. And now Jungkook has sent him a full version, recently recorded with beautiful vocals and crisp piano. 

“It’s true that I was afraid to fall deeper in love,

For fear of getting myself hurt

I pray with all my heart, the person I’m hoping for

I believe that person is you

I’m in love, I fall in love

I’m not afraid, as long as I’m with you

The world is so beautiful

I thought I never gonna fall in love 

But I’m in love 

Cuz I wanna love you baby…”

Yoongi takes a deep, shuddering breath—on the verge of tears by the time the song ends. What the hell is the Alpha playing at? Tugging on Yoongi’s heart strings like this? Why is Jungkook being more romantic now than he was when they were pretending to date? The lyrics themselves are poignant, hitting a little too close to home for Yoongi. It basically sums up he feels right now. Because as much as he’s wanted to be with someone, falling in love has never happened to him before, and wasn’t even necessarily his goal. He just wanted a partner to make him laugh, to fill up some of the emptiness. But Jungkook has done that and more—made Yoongi’s heart overflow. 

Yoongi

Jungkook-ah

That’s so beautiful

Thank you for sending it to me

Jungkook

I made it for you, I’m happy you like it

Yoongi

You made it for me?

Jungkook

Yeah, you said once you liked it

Yoongi

I love it

I think it

Well, it captures how i’ve been feeling i guess

Jungkook

Really?

Yoongi

Yeah

Jungkook

How do you mean?

Yoongi 

Just you know

I want to have someone i trust and love and can’t stop thinking about and that makes me happier than i’ve ever been

That is truthful and kind

Jungkook

Hyung i have to tell you something

Yoongi

What?

Is everything okay?

Jungkook

Yeah yeah everything is fine

I just

I told taehyung the truth about everything

About us faking

Yoongi

Oh

You did? What did he say?

Jungkook

He’s frustrated obviously

But he also understands why we did it

Mostly he wants us to be happy

Yoongi

Okay

Um are you wanting to tell the others? 

Because i don’t really want to yet

Jungkook

That’s fine. I didn’t want anyone else to know yet either

I’m sorry I told Tae without asking you. I just needed someone to talk to

Yoongi

It’s okay, i get it

You can always talk to me, you know

Jungkook

I know

Yoongi

Hey Jungkook

Jungkook

Yeah?

Yoongi

Did you agree to break up just because i asked? Like is the reason you agree because it’s what i wanted?

Jungkook

Um

Yeah i guess so

But you made the right call

We couldn’t keep doing that forever

Yoongi

Okay

But i wish you had told me what you really wanted instead of just going along with me

Jungkook

I didn’t want to force you to keep a lie up

That seems like it would be shitty of me

Yoongi

We still could have talked about it

Jungkook

Yeah i guess so

Yoongi

Hey um your rut is this week right?

Jungkook 

Yeah

I’ll be in the room like thursday-monday morning

Yoongi

4 days????

Jungkook

Yeah because um 

Well as you know my alpha is very attached to you

So 4 days instead of 2 is what i’m expecting

Yoongi

Oh

Okay

I’m sorry that will probably be really hard

Jungkook

It’s fine. Nothing i haven't dealt with before

Yoongi

I should go to sleep now

Thank you for the song Jungkook

Jungkook

Yeah

Good night

I love you hyung

Yoongi

I love you too Jungkook-ah

~

Yoongi climbs into the SUV after Namjoon, sweating from the brief exposure to heat and slamming the door shut behind himself. H’s relieved the driver has the AC cranked up all the way. Summer is at its peak right now. In less than a month, all the members will be having their four week break. Yoongi’s not sure how he feels about that, but they’ve made incredible progress on the album so far. He’s even done more on his mixtape, so maybe Yoongi has earned a break. 

“Hyung,” Namjoon is looking at his phone, “I listened to the track you sent me, I couldn’t stop laughing at what you recorded.”

“Oh,” Yoongi chuckles, “you mean I shouldn’t use the lyrics that sound like a keyboard smash?”

“No, probably not. And you said you want my lyrics in English?”

“Or at least some of them,” Yoongi nods. “I think it would work with the flow I’m imagining, Could you tell what I was going for?” 

“I think so, I’ll work on it today.”

“You don’t have to,” Yoongi bends down and opens the AC vet further. “There’s really no rush. I’m sure you have a million other projects to look over today.”

“I do, but I’m more excited about this. I’m glad you’ve started working on it again.”

“Ah, me too. It was actually, um, Jungkook who talked me into it.”

“Really?” Namjoon raises his eyebrows. 

“Yeah. And, actually. Namjoon-ah…” Yoongi rubs the back of his neck and looks away. He’s grateful for the barrier between them and the driver. “Can I ask you about something?”

“Sure, what’s up?” The Beta is giving off an earthy, natural scent. Even if it’s unintentional, Yoongi knows his friend is trying to encourage him to open up. 

“So Jungkook has, um, been giving me a lot of gifts. Like I’m pretty sure he gave me those flowers, and all those coffees in my studio. He’s, like, the only one who has my password. And then he planned the fishing trip for me and Seokjin, and he brought me to bed one night, and look what he did to my phone!” Yoongi grabs it out of his pocket and shows Namjoon all the animal stickers on the casing. “He even cleaned my room and he...he scented my sweater. And he sent me a song that he recorded. He hasn’t told me why he’s doing it but…”

“Is he trying to win you back?” Namjoon asks. 

“I guess so, but it feels like…” Yoongi frowns. “Like more than that.”

“Could he be courting you?”

“What?” Yoongi laughs, incredulous. “People don’t do that anymore.”

“Well, they do sometimes. Like a modern version of it, you know? Where the Alpha tries to win and Omega’s attention through gifts and stuff. Although, usually I’d think they want the person to know they're being courted.”

Yoongi pales, mouth drying up. Is Jungkook courting him? If he is, then that means Jungkook likes him.

Holy shit. 

Yoongi might actually stand a chance.

my twt; my cc

Chapter Text

If you have time to read this fic, you have time to sign these petitions first.

Stay educated, stay safe, and fight for the abolishment of racist systems and institutions.

Black Lives Matter. 

Yoongi doesn’t see it at first. He’s listening to a new mix of a song that Ghostloop sent him, trying to immerse himself in the beat and mouthing potential lyrics along to it. It’s not coming together as easily as he had hoped it would. Rather, it’s the opposite. The track isn’t all that long, but maybe that’s what’s making it more difficult. There’s only so much time to deliver a punch and get the point across. 

He messes with the layering, adds some panning, and hammers out a melody on his keyboard and sends it off to see what the other producer can come with from here. He wants to keep the people involved in the production of his tracks to a minimum. When you have a half dozen people or more all contributing to a single song the message can sometimes become watered down in an attempt to include everyone's experiences, or make it more relatable generally. Yoongi doesn’t mind that, and it’s necessary for Bangtan songs, but this is his album. When people listen to it he wants them to hear him in every chord, every bar, every word. He doesn’t want to be limited or filtered by anyone but himself. 

Already, he’s had to deconstruct and rebuild the lyrics of a track that he thought were too angry and raw. He’s let a lot of those frustrations go by now, but the beat itself is still good enough he can’t let it go to waste. Sometimes it just works like that. The instrumental is perfect, but lyrics just struggle to attach themselves to the beat. 

The A&R team told him to be ready by September, so there’s enough time between his release and their group album, but already Yoongi feels like a couple months isn’t enough to come up with 4 more tracks and make it a nice 10 song project. He doesn’t want to put out less than that. Doesn’t want his story to feel incomplete. It’s not just ARMYs who have been waiting for this mixtape, it’s him too. He wants to show everyone how he’s grown as an artist, a person, a member of a complex society. 

Yoongi spins his chair, spacing out as he tries to formulate his feelings into coherent words. He pauses suddenly, slamming his foot down on the ground to stop his chair from moving. That little shit, what is he doing? 

Yoongi gets up and goes to the couch. He stands over it and looks down at a stuffed kumamon bear with a pink post-it note stuck to his chest. I can’t bear to be without you, it says. The Omega snorts and takes the post-it off. He sticks it onto the base of one of his computer monitors and shakes his head. 

Jungkook is courting him. And this is the last straw. 

He picks up the bear, unable to refrain from putting his nose in and inhaling the intoxicating scent of petrichor. Oh god, the Omega’s heart is beating so fast. His face is warm and he’s so incredibly overwhelmed by the cuteness of this gift. Jungkook is courting him, in a modern sense, which must mean…

Jungkook likes him. Who knows to what degree, but it doesn’t really matter does it? It’s just stunning to Yoongi this is happening at all. It’s hard to accept and process that this is real life when so much of the past month has been tainted by deceit. He doesn’t want to do that anymore. 

It doesn’t change the fact that he’s still a bit of a coward when it comes to telling his true feelings. He’s good at talking about most difficult subjects, but being vulnerable and opening himself up to potential rejection? That’s hard. Yoongi knows it’s dumb to think this way when Jungkook has started sending clear signs that he’s interested, but still. Maybe they don’t want the same things in the same way. Maybe it won’t work because they already pretended. Maybe the other members won’t accept them getting “back together” because they fear more heartbreak and hurt occurring later. 

But…

Yoongi loves Jungkook. He’s a love worth fighting for. Yoongi cringes, teeth gritting, as he imagines Seokjin singing out, “A love worth fighting for!”  like in Mulan.

Maybe it’s Yoongi’s turn to court Jungkook back. 

The Omega doesn’t waste any time. He texts Sejin, gets Jungkook’s schedule for today without any questions asked, and goes into action. Well. Kind of. 

He really wants to go out and buy all the things he wants on his own, but he can't really do that. So he gets in a car with a driver and a manager to help him run his errands. The first stop is a bottle shop. He hands the manager his card and tells her to get two bottles of their finest Nebbiolo wine. Yoongi’s not questioned, and when she returns with the dark bottles he’s happy with what she found. The Omega sets the bottles in a basket he got from the company, with a Shooky cushion laid inside to support the goods he buys. And so Jungkook will know who it came from. 

Yoongi considered scenting it, but he doesn’t think he’ll need to. 

He’s planning on being brave today. 

They stop at a supermarket next and he instructs the manager to get a dozen packs of Jungkook’s favorite ramen, and a large variety of candy bars and fancy milk chocolate. When he's handed the bag full of goods he carefully arranges them in the basket as they drive back to the company. He wishes he had more time to do something personalized for the Alpha, but if Yoongi wants to beat Jungkook back to his studio he needs to get there soon. 

He thanks the driver and manager and hurries through BigHit security, and up to the 7th floor where they spend most of their time. Ironic, isn’t it? The title Map of Soul 7 really has a lot of correlations. Yoongi passes by Jimin in the hall who gives him a shocked look, to which Yoongi merely grins. He’s jittery with nerves and excitement, riding the wave of adrenaline and the desire to get his message across to Jungkook. Yoongi wants to accept the courting. Show the younger man that he sees him and appreciates him and wants him too. 

Yoongi exhales deeply when he reaches a door with Golden Closet labeled on the front. 

It's only fair that the Omega knows the Alpha’s passcode. He punches it in and is relieved to see that the lights are off in the room. Jungkook hasn’t come back from the gym yet. He sets the basket front-and-center on Jungkook’s desk, so it’s the first thing he sees when he comes in. Yoongi notices that the studio has become more furnished than the last time he was here, complete with hung pictures and a wide couch. It looks like the wine Yoongi bought would stain the hell out of it. 

He tiptoes out of the room and checks the time. Shit, Jungkook should be back at any minute. 

Yoongi goes down the hall and into the lounge, leaving the door cracked open so he can hear when Jungkook goes by and enters his studio. After the Alpha has had a moment to process the gift, Yoongi’s going to go in and…

Talk to him. 

He’s not sure about what yet. Not sure if he’ll confess right then and there, or if they’ll just stand awkwardly, or maybe they’ll go back to how they were when they were pretending. Talking to each other for hours about ideas, their family, their fears. Yoongi honestly doesn’t care, he just can’t stand this silence between them any more. 

He thinks of the note Jungkook left on Kumamon. I can’t bear to be without you. Sure, it’s silly. But there’s truth there. Since they “broke up” they haven't talked like before, not even like they did before fake dating. They’ve messaged each other, which warmed Yoongi’s heart, but he just wants to see Jungkook’s nose bunch up when he laughs and grins. He wants to hear Jungkook’s voice. He wants his comforting scent nearby. He wants his best friend back, if he can’t have him as anything more. Yoongi doesn’t want to get his hopes up, but it feels like maybe they’ll come out of today being more than friends. 

Yoongi makes himself a cup of tea to pass the time. Moving slowly and carefully and straining his ears for the sound of passcode buttons beeping in the hall. All he hears is the sound of the refrigerator running and the hum of the kettle as his water heats. The Omega isn’t sure what he’s feeling, almost going numb as he tries to not over think. A little voice in his head says he could still back out. Maybe he read the whole situation wrong and Jungkook isn’t trying to court him at all, or maybe—

He jumps at the sound of the kettle beeping. Yoongi shakes himself out, he needs to get composed. Calm down. It's not like he’s trying to confess to the man he’s in love with or anything…

The tea bag tears open easily and he sets in his mug, watching as the steaming water ripples as he pours it. He would have gotten coffee, but that would have made his anxiety worse.

Beep. Beep. Beep-beep. Beep.

The muffled sound from the hall makes Yoongi stand stock-straight, holding his breath.

If he wanted to change his mind, it’s too late now. Fate’s decided it for him. 

Yoongi leaves his tea behind, hands shaking so hard he fears spilling it. He sort of feels like he’s served his heart up on a platter even if he hasn’t technically admitted anything. He’s just returning a favor. His mind is swimming with doubts, but somehow his feet carry him out of the lounge, down the hall, and to the Golden Closet. He clenches his hand into a fist and knocks on the cool wood of the door, holding his breath. 

It’s like clouds parting to sun when Jungkook opens the door. 

The Alpha’s eyes are like molasses, wide and gooey and surprised. His pink lips are parted to show his top teeth. He doesn't seem to know what to say and neither does Yoongi. The Omega feels better just seeing him, though. Is comforted to be in his presence and to be able to smell his fresh, spring rain scent. Yoongi smiles at him, stupidly wide, but he can’t help it with how many butterflies are swarming in his chest, stirring up his insides. This isn’t anxiety, this happiness. This is hope. This a longing so intense he might shatter. 

“Wanna come in?” Jungkook mumbles, face a little flushed. 

“Yeah,” Yoongi nods and enters the studio. 

His gaze immediately goes to the gift basket, observing how the goods have been looked through. The wine bottles have been taken out and are standing on the desk, and Shooky was yanked out from the bottom and is resting on top of the copious packs of ramen and candy. Yoongi waits for Jungkook to say something else, to ask about the basket, but he doesn't. The Alpha just comes in and shoves his hands in his pockets, gesturing for Yoongi to take a seat on the couch. He does, and Jungkook grabs two chocolate bars from the basket and tosses one to the elder man who manages to catch it.

“Nice basket you got there,” Yoongi hums nonchalantly, looking down at the candy. The wrapper crinkles loudly as he tears it open, the chocolate snapping satisfactorily as he breaks off a piece and eats it. 

“Wonder who got it for me…” Jungkook replies, taking a bite of candy straight off the bar. 

Yoongi jerks his chin up at him, and sees the other man smiling slightly. It’s subtle, but it’s there. A twinkle in Jungkook’s eyes gives it away too. He knows Yoongi gave it to him, but neither of them quite know how to address it. Their feet are nearly touching between them on the couch, each of their backs to either armrest and then knees pulled up in front of them as they face one another. It’s so nice to be close again. Yoongi rests his head on the couch cushions, staring unabashedly over at the Alpha who stares right back. 

Yoongi blinks, and Jungkook suddenly kicks him in the leg. 

“Ha! Beat you!”

“Beat me? How?”

“The staring contest!” Jungkook beams

“Shut up,” Yoongi rolls his eyes. “We were not having a staring contest.”

“You’re just saying that because you lost,” the Alpha raises his eyebrows and sticks a tongue in his cheek, looking much too smug. “Wanna try again? Bet I’d still beat you.”

“If I’d actually known we were competing before I would have kicked your ass,” Yoongi snorts. “You’re on. Fair and square, though,” he raises a finger in warning. “No messing with each other or pulling jump scares and shit.”

“Why hyung?” Jungkook bites his tongue between his teeth. “You don’t like jump scares?”

“You know I don’t,” Yoongi glares. 

“I think we should watch a horror movie, hyung. What do you say?”

“You know my answer,” Yoongi snaps off another piece of chocolate. “And my answer is no. They’re just cheap plot devices to get a reaction out of the audience and have no worth in terms of plot or development.”

“See,” Jungkook clicks his tongue and nudges Yoongi’s ankles with socked toes, “this is exactly why we should watch one. We need to get you out of your head sometimes. Horror movies are a great way to just force you to feel something.”

“I know plenty of other ways to make me feel something,” Yoongi emphasizes, then blushes upon hearing his unintentional innuendo. 

“Oh do you, hyung?” Jungkook’s voice is teasing. “Like a staring contest that makes your eyes burn and tears stream down your face?”

Yoongi snorts, grateful Jungkook let his mistake slide by. “That’s gonna be you, not me.”

“Oh yeah?” The Alpha’s voice drops, his expression serious as he whispers, “Prove it.”

Oh, hearing Jungkook talk like that makes Yoongi feel some type of away. He ignores that, pushes it down and swallows hard. He sits up straighter and crosses his legs, hands tucked under his thighs so he can focus. Jungkook sits up too, smiling again at the prospect of competition. 

“If I win,” Yoongi closes his eyes to moisten them up, “then we open one of those bottles of wine.”

“Fine,” Jungkook agrees easily. Too easily. Yoongi hears him laugh deviously as he adds, “And if I win, we watch a horror movie and open a bottle of wine.”

“Deal.” Either way, Yoongi gets some of that expensive ass wine and more time with Jungkook so he really can’t complain. And maybe a little part of him wouldn’t mind losing at all, if it means he can cuddle up close to Jungkook and cling to him when scary shit goes down. 

Not for the first time, Yoongi considers throwing a game. 

“Ready?” Jungkook asks. 

“Yeah.”

“Okay, on three. One, two, three!”

Their eyes snap open, and Yoongi nearly jolts at how close Jungkook moved while his eyes were shut. Their faces are within a foot of each other, and now they’re just staring into each other's eyes. Yoongi’s entire face heats up, intimidated by Jungkook’s half-lidded eyes. He wants to call him out for cheating, but technically he isn’t blinking so Yoongi stays silent. He smells Jungkook's breath, it’s like juice and chocolate, and he can smell body wash from the shower he must have taken after the gym. He looks amazing as he always does. And Yoongi feels free for the first time to just examine his face. 

Yoongi’s forgotten about the contest as he counts the moles on the Alpha's face. One on his nose, beneath his lips, near his eyes, on the side of his face. He looks at the scar on Jungkook’s cheek, which has faded into just a slight indent over the years. He looks at his eyebrows, which are sculpted but light in color since no makeup artist filled them in today. His hair is still growing out, nearly to his nose in length and wavy around his face. Yoongi hopes he lets it continue to grow during their month-long break. 

He drags his gaze back up to Jungkook’s eyes and finds that the Alpha isn’t looking back. He’s looking down at Yoongi’s chin or—his lips?

Jungkook’s mouth is parted, and then—

“Ha! You blinked!” Yoongi claps his hands together in glee. 

“What?” Jungkook looks like a doe in headlights, and then his entire face scrunches up with disappointment. “Ah, shit.”

“Don’t swear in front of your hyung!” Yoongi chides, cackling and flapping the sleeves of his sweater excitedly. “Can’t believe I beat the Golden Maknae. It feels good.”

Jungkook rubs a hand over his face, attempting a scowl as he says, “Fuck you.”

Yoongi gapes, and then laughs more. He can’t get over Jungkook’s disappointed and annoyed expression. “I'm gonna tell Jin-hyung what you said to me.”

“No!” Jungkook looks alarmed, pouting now. “You wouldn't do that to me, would you hyung? Please no.”

Yoongi revels in the feeling of victory and power, and then waves his hands, “Don’t worry, don’t worry. As long as you pop open the wine I won’t say a word.”

“I’m going, I’m going,” Jungkook scrambles to get up, nearly tripping and then catching himself on Yoongi’s shoulder. He freezes there, making them both tense up at the touch. Yoongi looks up at him, their eyes locking again but this time not for a contest. He wonders what’s going through Jungkook’s mind. What he thinks about the basket full of treats—specifically if he recognizes it as a courting gift. The Alpha’s scent grows stronger, all-encompassing, and Yoongi breathes deeply. It feels like getting high. Like he’s free and lost when Jungkook is with him. 

“Sorry,” Jungkook mumbles and averts his gaze. He steadies himself and lets go of Yoongi’s shoulder. A desk drawer slides open as he takes out a bottle opener, and then he tears off the plastic at the top of the bottle. He winds the metal spiral into the cork and then shuts the clamps, muscles in his arm flexing as he pops the bottle open. Jungkook smells the wine and then looks over at Yoongi. “This smells delicious.”

“Good. It cost me an arm and a leg.”

“It did? Hyung, you shouldn’t have.”

“I’m kidding,” Yoongi shakes his head. “Don’t make that face at me. This is why we’re sharing it.”

“Okay,” Jungkook still seems reluctant, but it’s already been opened so there’s no turning back. He grins over at Yoongi suddenly, his confidence from earlier returning. “I bought some glasses for occasions like these.”

“And what kind of occasion is this?” Yoongi asks. Jungkook doesn’t answer him, but goes to one of the shelving units and pulls out a box. He opens the top, and then pulls out two small, clear, jars. “What are those? Hipster glasses?”

“Yeah. Jar glasses are all the rage,” Jungkook informs him. He sets them on the desk and then carefully fills their cups. The red liquid climbs two-thirds of the way up and then he brings them over. 

Yoongi takes his gently, “Your couch is just asking for stains.”

“Well you better not spill any then, huh?” Jungkook quirks a brow at the Omega as he sits back down. 

“Me? How about you?”

“You’re clumsier,” Jungkook takes a sip of wine. 

“What? No I’m not.” 

“You are. How many times have you accidentally deleted a song file?”

“Well that doesn’t count, I’m just tired when that happens! And there’s back ups of all that.” 

“Okay, fine,” Jungkook swirls his drink. “What about when you fall over in the hall trying to put on your shoes? Or drop you money when you’re trying to pay for stuff? Or when you bump your head in airplanes?” 

“Hey!” Yoongi pouts at him, “I feel very called out right now. You’re mean.”

“Good,” Jungkook grins. They both take a gulp of wine at the same time. “Is the wine worth the cost?”

“Hmm…” Yoongi considers the swirling blood red, purple color. He smells it carefully and then takes a small sip, letting it ruminate over his taste buds. “Well—”

Jungkook snorts loudly, interrupting him. 

“What?” Yoongi glares. 

“Sorry, sorry, I just can't take you seriously. Stop with that connoisseur bullshit,” Jungkook continues to laugh. “Swirling it all dramatically and taking it so seriously. The best way to drink wine is just like this.” And then the maknae tilts his head back and downs the remainder of his jar, which was most of it. 

“Jungkook!” Yoongi kicks him gently. “What the hell?”

The Alpha’s grins, traces of red in his teeth like he’s some kind of vampire. “See? If you can chug a glass of wine like that then I think that qualifies as good wine. It’s sweet, but not sickly. I like it a lot.”

“I'm genuinely horrified,” Yoongi shakes his head and looks down. “You’re an abomination to wine lovers.” 

“You’re just jealous because you can't do it,” Jungkook sticks his tongue out, looking too adorable for his own good. 

With his heart hammering in his chest, Yoongi goads, “Oh yeah? You think I can’t?” The Omega knows Jungkook knows that Yoongi can absolutely chug half the bottle down if he wants to. He drinks enough dry whiskey in his free time that a little wine is nothing, and goes down much easier. Still, he can’t help but want to humor Jungkook and his need to make everything a competition. He also wouldn’t mind being a little tipsy. 

Of course, Yoongi should have already confessed to Jungkook. Should be telling him the truth about his feelings right now. He doesn’t want to ruin this, though. He’s having fun just hanging out with the Alpha again. Talking easily and joking with each other and simply being together.

So the Omega downs his glass of wine and smacks his lips aggressively, shoving his cup over towards the Alpha and waving it in his face. “Refills?”

Jungkook seems surprised Yoongi actually did it, but it’s quickly replaced with a smile. He takes their cups back to the desk and fills them, tossing more candy bars over to the couch. 

So that’s how it goes. Drinking wine. Eating candy bars. Smiling at each other and laughing together. It’s so easy to be like this. Again, Yoongi wonders how he didn’t notice it before. 

 “I’m thinking of singing,” Yoongi says. His body feels loose and soft, words coming out easily. “I want to get good at it for my mixtape.”

“Yesssssss, you should,” Jungkook nods enthusiastically. ‘You’d be a great singer.”

“I don't think so. I can hardly carry a tune.”

“Lies,” Jungkook extends his legs into Yoongi’s space, his feet pressing to the side of Yoongi’s thighs. “You ride a beat every time you rap. It’s not too much different. Plus, you won’t have to do it live if you don’t want to.” 

“I guess so. And you know how much I love some autotune,” Yoongi makes a finger gun at the Alpha which makes Jungkook laugh loudly. “If it turns out I’m shit it can back me up.”

“You won’t need it, I know you’ll practice hard and get good. We could practice together! I could teach you!” Jungkook opens a candy bar, biting into it without hesitation. His cheeks puff up with how much he’s chewing. Like a chipmunk. Or a bunny. 

“Oh, I don’t know about that…” Yoongi rubs the back of his neck. 

“What? Why not?”

“You’re too good, Kook-ah.”

“I’m too good?” His candy wrapper crinkles as he opens it further. “I help others all the time. I can help you too.”

“I think I'll probably need a professional since my level is so low. Someone who can understand my voice.”

“I can understand it! Who could be better than me when I’ve been recording with you for years?”

Yoongi shakes his head and Jungkook bumps their knees together. “What’s up, hyung?”

“I’m just embarrassed, I guess,” the truth comes easy with the wine in his system. “You’re such an amazing singer and I don’t want to be trouble. And I also just feel really self-conscious when I try to learn stuff like that, since I'm not very good.”

“So you won’t let anyone hear you because you’re not very good right now?”

“I wanna wait until I'm at least okay  before people hear it, you know?”

“Yoongi,” Jungkook smacks his lips together after a long sip of wine. “I understand what you’re saying, and that you don’t want anyone to judge you. But...we could never judge you. I could never judge you. I don’t expect you to be amazing right away. If you were, then you would have already been a vocalist.”

“That’s easy for you to say,” Yoongi frowns into his glass. They’ve nearly emptied the first bottle of wine and ate most of the chocolate. “You’re good at everything.” 

“No I’m not. I was really bad at producing when I started, it sounded like a kid made it. But I got better because of you and hyungs being patient and helping me. I wasn't good at video making when I first started; the Tokyo one is full of cliches and overused transitions, and it’s just Jimin’s back the whole time! But it didn’t stop me from sharing it. Yoongi,” Jungkook leans forward and rests his hand on Yoongi’s knee. “You don’t need to be perfect.” 

“Thank you,” Yoongi sniffs hard. He’s not getting emotional, he’s not. But it’s hard not to be a little when Jungkook is so earnest, when their scents are drenched in alcohol and love. “I appreciate that. I still want a professional coach, but maybe you can come watch.”

“Okay, that’s all I wanted to hear,” Jungkook squeezes his leg and then sits back again. “You’ll grow into your confidence, I’m sure.”

“You know i'm planning on featuring a vocalist on at least one of my tracks—”

Jungkook gasps suddenly, pressing a hand to his heart in shock and a stupidly big grin on his face, “Is this your way of asking me to sing for you?”

Yoongi laughs at his dramatic gesture, “I hate to disappoint, but no. I meant more like, you could record guides for me.”

“Yes! Yes! A million times, yes!” Jungkook jostles the couch as he sits cross-legged again, swaying slightly. “Does that mean I’d get to hear some songs before everyone else?”

“That kinda comes with the territory,” the Omega finishes his glass and hands it to Jungkook. 

“What’s this for?” Jungkook glances at the empty cup and finishes his own. 

“Get us more?’ Yoongi bats his eyes, trying to be innocent. 

“You think I should open the second bottle?” 

“Why not?”

Jungkook considers him for a moment, biting his lip and making Yoongi blush and look down. He feels so happy here with him. He doesn’t want this to end. 

“Alright, but I get to hear a track you’re working on.”

“What?” Yoongi squawks. “No!”

“No?” Jungkook cocks an eyebrow. He stands up and starts opening the second bottle. “Fine, then I’ll just enjoy this by myself.”

“You wouldn't,” Yoongi hisses. But sure enough, after popping the cork out Jungkook only fills one of the jars and sips it. “How dare you. I paid good money for that.”

“I thought it was a gift, Yoongi. Not much of a gift if you keep demanding some,” the Alpha teases. 

Yoongi grumbles under his breath and tries to get up. One of his legs has fallen asleep and his blood takes a moment to circulate. He feels drunker than he should, but it’s not like he ate anything substantial today. There’s also the fact that the alcohol is quite potent in their scents, fuzzing up the room even more. Whatever. He goes to the desk and drops into Jungkook’s red gaming chair, sighing with exasperation as he gives in to Jungkook’s request. The other man comes over and stands behind him, his weight leaning on the back of the chair as he watches Yoongi log into the database and search for his files. 

“This isn’t the most recent draft, but it’s what I last shared with some of the other producers. I’ve been working on it for a bit so… Hopefully you like it.” Yoongi hits play and turns up the speakers. The opening is a hum, foreboding, before a sample he’s messed with a ton whirs up and the track bursts from the speakers with a heavy bass. It’s purely instrumental, but he honestly thinks it's just about done. The track has a steady beat, a little bit of a playful tune riding in the back. 

“Yoongi…” Jungkook almost whines. The Omega isn’t sure when Jungkook stopped calling him hyung, but he doesn’t really mind. It makes him feel gooey inside. “This is so cool. I love the bass. It’s really unique. I already feel like your mixtape won’t really be a mixtape, that some album material right there. Are you even sampling that much?”

“I am, but I’m chopping them up and filtering it. I want to make them my own.”

“That’s so cool,” the Alpha says again. “It’s like you’re making your own instruments out of their sounds. It’s really incredible.” 

“Ah,” Yoongi turns the speakers back down as the track ends and logs out. “It’s nothing much.”

“It is though!” Jungkook insists as Yoongi spins around in the chair to face him. “People are going to see how much you’ve grown as a producer since 2016. They’re gonna get to hear from present you about how you’ve changed, what you still want to accomplish, or other old stories you still want to tell. All the layering in this track, and how it eased into the drop, was so clever. People are gonna go crazy for it. You do such amazing work that everyone is about to be jealous of. I don’t even know the lyrics will be, but I know that they’ll boost people’s confidence or reassure them in some way. I’m just, so happy you started working on this again, Yoongi. I’m so glad you found the motivation and courage to keep writing for yourself.”

Yoongi feels tears swelling in his eyes, his chest tightening at the kindness of Jungkook’s words. 

“It was thanks to you, you know,” Yoongi mumbles, unable to look at Jungkook. He thinks he could start crying if he sees one more second of Jungkook’s warm smile and adoring gaze. “What you said to me about not needing me to be angry or tough to show everyone I’m a good rapper, even as an Omega, meant a lot.”

“You're a good rapper because  you're an Omega,” Jungkook whispers. “You can see the world in a way someone like me, or any Alpha rapper, never can.” 

“I get that now, so thank you,” Yoongi looks up at him once more. Jungkook looks a bit worried, but he’s showing off his teeth in a reassuring smile. “Thank you.”

“You changed it though, didn’t you?” Jungkook asks, moving away and yanking the cork out of the second wine bottle to finally pour Yoongi some. “Before you said it was basically done and that there weren’t angry songs.” 

“Yeah, well, I scrapped a lot of those and have been using pieces of them to inspire my new tracks. I know now that I don’t need to be extra tough to be good, but I also…” Yoongi accepts the glass as Jungkook hands it to him. “I also realized that I just like showing off. I like being strong. I like rapping fast and going hard and having bass that pounds so hard glass vibrates. It’s fun. It makes me feel good.”

“Hyung,” Jungkook suddenly reaches down and yanks the Omega up. Yoongi holds his arm out to the side so he doesn’t spill the wine, but lets Jungkook pull him into a hug. “I’m so happy for you.” The Alpha holds him tight, and then they slowly separate. Yoongi wants to cling to him, to not let go. But he does, and they smile at each other, and Yoongi feels like he’s imploding. 

They go back to the couch, the wine bottle on the floor beside them, and clink their glasses with a cheesy toast. 

“Your scent smells drunk,” Jungkook tells him, his eyes are droopy and his smile dopey.

“So does yours,” Yoongi pouts.”You’re like raining wine.”

“Ooo! That sounds amaaazing. I want to drink wine. Or champagne rain.”

“Isn’t champagne rain a thing?” 

“I don’t know,” Jungkook shrugs. “Yoongi.”

“Hm?” Yoongi fills his and Jungkook’s glasses again. 

“I made some appointments.”

“For what?” He sets the bottle back on the ground. 

“The, um, tattoos I want.”

“Oh my god,” Yoongi beams, “That’s so great! Are you excited?”

“I’m really excited,” Jungkook looks bashful, staring at his lap. 

“During our break, right? Is your family gonna go with you? Wait—what do they think about you getting them?”

“Ah, my mom almost had a heart attack but once I explained to her their meanings she felt a lot better about it. My brother is jealous,” Jungkook’s nose scrunches up as he laughs. “He says I only get away with stuff like this because I’m the youngest.”

“Or the fact that you’re the Golden Maknae of the most popular idol group ever.” 

“Hey, hush. We’re humble,” Jungkook glares jokingly. “My dad is actually really excited. He said he always wanted some but he was too scared of what people thought.”

“I'm glad you're not. And I’m glad they’re supportive. Do you think it will hurt?”

“Of course,” Jungkook replies with far too much enthusiasm for getting stabbed by a needle. “But it's okay. You know why?”

“Why?” 

“Because,” Jungkook lifts both his arms in the air and makes an overly-serious face, “I’m Jay-kay.” 

Yoongi nearly chokes on his wine, “Shut up. You’re ridiculous.”

“Thank you,” Jungkook looks smug. 

They pour the last of the wine in their cups and chat about nothing in particular, Yoongi getting distracted by his own thoughts. He and Jungkook have helped each other so much as they’ve gotten to know each other better. Yoongi found his musical drive, Jungkook got some assurance, and they’ve both found someone they can be vulnerable with. Yoongi feels like he could tell the Alpha anything. Feels like he wants to. He thinks about telling Jungkook. Telling him right now. Yoongi’s throat closes up as he tries to force the words out. Any combination of words would do. 

I like you. I want you. I’m glad you’re courting me. I miss you. I wish we could date for real. Do you know how much you mean to me? I’ve never felt like this before. I can’t imagine life without you. Or, simply. I’m in love with you. 

The confession is right here, chained down in Yoongi’s chest but trying to break free. He swallows hard, not hearing a word Jungkook says as he rambles on about Seokjin’s and his work out. The Omega’s heart races, and he feels frozen in place. He’s definitely drunk now, but at the high point. The happy point. The point where he wants to laugh and talk and be around people. 

“Yoongi, did you hear me?”

“Huh?” 

“Wow, you’re really out of it,” Jungkook smirks. Like he thinks he has a better tolerance than Yoongi, which honestly he might. At least when it comes to fast, short-term drinking. “You good?”

“I’m really good,” Yoongi mumbles. He coughs and clears his throat. “I’m good. I think there’s one more candy bar left, i'm gonna grab it.”

Yoongi pushes himself up and starts waddling towards the goody basket. He hears the couch creak, and Jungkook yelling, “Not if I get it first!”

“What?” Yoongi squeaks in alarm, and then they’re racing for the chocolate. Yoongi hip bumps Jungkook but the Alpha turns sideways to shoulder past him. Yoongi throws his whole body forward with an undignified sound that makes Jungkook bust up laughing. 

The Omega shoves packs of ramen aside, searching for the chocolate. Suddenly an arm shoots past his and into the basket, grabbing the last candy bar. 

“Hey! I called it first!” Yoongi complains, turning and staring up at Jungkook who has his arm vertical, dangling the chocolate out of reach. “I’m not that fucking short.”

Yoongi leaps up to try and snatch it away, Jungkook laughing right in his face, but the Omega's stomach sloshes with wine and he gives up mid-jump. 

“C’mon, Yoongi-hyung,” Jungkook gives him a bunny-grin, “you can do it!”

Yoongi shakes his head, watching carefully as Jungkook lowers the chocolate. He makes a grab for it, but Jungkook steps back. And back. And back. He hides the chocolate behind his back as Yoongi tries to take it by reaching around him with his arms. And then Jungkook bumps into the couch, still chuckling at Yoongi’s weak attempts, and sits down. Yoongi’s focused on the chocolate. His muddled brain is a one-track mind. He doesn’t think about how he slides straight onto Jungkook’s lap. About pressing their chests together so he can reach behind Jungkook, and finally grab the chocolate. When he gets it and sits back on his ass, he realizes where he’s positioned himself. 

“Oh,” his heart drops into his stomach with shame as he sees Jungkook’s face centimetres from his own. The Alpha’s body is hot and smells like rain and alcohol. Yoongi is holding the candy bar between their chests. 

“Well,” Jungkook’s voice is raspy, like he can hardly breathe. “Are you gonna open it?”

Yoongi stares down at matcha-flavored KitKat clasped in his fingers. The green wrapper looks strange in the orange light of Jungkook’s studio lamps. He tries to keep his body as still as possible, feeling embarrassed and awkward about having invited himself to sit on Jungkook's lap like this. It’s too intimate for what they are right now. 

He thinks again of the different ways to tell Jungkook I love you. 

The KitKat bounces on the couch where he drops it, and then he looks back at Jungkook. Smelling his chocolate-wine breath and staring deep into his eyes of the same color. Yoongi doesn’t know who does it, but somehow they’re kissing. He feels his stomach swoop and his heart rises back up to his chest, pounding against his rib cage as he bites at Jungkook’s soft lips and the Alpha’s groans against his mouth. Jungkook’s arms go around Yoongi’s waist and squeeze him tight, yank him closer, and Yoongi goes up on his knees so he’s licking down into Jungkook’s mouth. 

Their breathing is heavy and laced with alcohol and sweetness. So sweet. And Yoongi doesn't let them breathe because he's so scared the briefest pause will make them stop, and he doesn’t want it to stop. Doesn’t want to let Jungkook go again. Doesn’t want to be alone again. Doesn’t want to be lonely again. Just wants to feel heard and wanted and loved. 

“Yoongi,” Jungkook mutters as they kiss again. It’s getting sloppy. Tongues and teeth and lips urgently claiming each other. Yoongi cups Jungkook’s face in his hands, thumbs playing over his cheekbones, and then he feels the arms on him pull away, dragging until just Jungkook’s hands are roaming over Yoongi’s body hungrily. 

The Omega plants himself back on Jungook’s thighs, the Alpha’s hands slipping beneath his hoodie as they breathe into each other’s mouths. Jungook’s scent is incredibly strong, cutting through the wine like a hurricane. Yoongi rocks his hips forward and gasps at the feeling of Jungkook’s hard-on pressed against him. Is that really all it took? The Omega laughs a little and trails his lips down Jungkook’s jaw, onto his neck, starting to suck a mark there. He thinks of how many Jungkook left on him after his heat, and how he wants to claim him in return. Yoongi nibbles, then bites harder and feels the Alpha tense beneath him as his warm hands drop to Yoongi’s ass. 

Yoongi hums in approval, sucking a new spot on Jungkook’s neck and continuing to rock into him. Jungkook seems to be restraining himself, but Yoongi just wants him to let go. Wants him to be in this moment rather than overthinking it like he always does. 

“Just kiss me,”  Yoongi moves back up to Jungkook’s mouth and curls his fingers in his hair to drag him in for a harsh kiss. 

And for a second, it feels like Jungkook lets himself go. He cups Yoongi's neck (and his ass) and presses their bodies tight. He bucks up against Yoongi, his Alpha scent dominating the space and making Yoongi pliant to his desires. Jungkook’s eyes snap open, and they’re pure gold. No pupil. Just gold. The Omega pauses and gapes at him. 

Jungkook blinks, and when his eyes reopen his pupil is black and wide with—fear?  Why fear?

“Jungkook-ah,” Yoongi moves in to kiss him again but there's a hand on his chest, stopping him. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

Jungkook pushes Yoongi off and the Omega stumbles away, feeling lightheaded with desire. 

“Jungkook.”

“My rut,” the Alpha grits out, eyes glowing as he turns his back on Yoongi. It takes a second for the Omega to process what he said, but when he does he reaches out to touch Jungkook’s back. 

“Let me help you.” 

“No,” Jungkook mumbles, holding up his phone to his ear. 

“Jungkook—”

“No!” He snarls and whips his head to glower at Yoongi. “You can’t.”

“Why not?”

“I need to go home and handle it myself.”

“But it will hurt, it’ll be hard,” Yoongi hates watching Jungkook struggle against himself as he tries to keep his cool. He doesn’t want him to suffer through his rut alone when Yoongi can help. “Your Alpha...he likes me. Please, I can help.”

“No, hyung,” Jungkook insists, one hand extended to Yoongi to stop him from coming any closer. It stings to see the Alpha actively increase the distance between them. “Sejin? Hey. Can you get me a ride home? I need to go right now. My rut is starting.” 

“Jungkookie,” Yoongi feels tears welling up in his eyes. He and Jungkook finally got close again. For a couple glorious hours. He thought Jungkook was courting him because he wants him. Doesn’t he? It seemed like he did as they kissed. They did it because they wanted to, not because they were putting on a show for anyone. Although, they are drunk. “I can help. I want to.”

Jungkook’s gaze is hard as he continues speaking into the phone, “And don’t let Yoongi try to help.”

Yoongi's heart swells, and swells, and swells—full and tight and painful. He’s about to burst open at the seams with hurt and love and longing and lust. 

Jungkook hangs up, breathing heavily. He points past Yoongi, to the studio door. “You need to leave right now, hyung.”

“Jungkook,” Yoongi frowns. “Let me stay until he gets here.”

“No,” Jungkook shakes his head. “You need to go now.”

“I don’t want to leave you alone,” Yoongi lets the words gush from his lips. He doesn’t even know what he’s saying. But his Omega is aching. Wishing to please the Alpha, his Alpha. Wanting to help him through his rut. Longing to be mated. “It’s gonna be hard this time.”

“I know,” Jungkook hisses. Suddenly he’s touching Yoongi, turning him around and shoving him to the door. Yoongi lets himself be pushed, he probably couldn’t fight back if he tried. The Alpha opens the door and Yoongi is forced into the hall. “I can’t be selfish, hyung. I can’t let our next time together be when we’re drunk and I'm in my rut. Please, please go.” 

Jungkook’s eyes are big, the gold toned down to a shimmering bronze. 

Yoongi feels like the wind had been knocked out of him. He can’t speak. He just nods and watches as the studio door shuts in his face. 

Jungkook said our next time together. As if implying he imagined them having another intimate night together after Yoongi’s heat. 

Even if that night is not tonight. 

~

It takes everything Jungkook has to push Yoongi out of his studio and shut the door. He leans back against it, catching his breath as he slides down to the ground. He rests his arms on his knees and bows his head, groaning with frustration. Fuck. Fuck. If he'd let that continue for a minute more he may have gone full Alpha on Yoongi. 

Jungkook’s entire body is on fire. He just wants to tear his clothes off and deal with his rut here. But he doesn’t have the supplies. He needs to go home.

He can’t stop thinking about the gifts Yoongi gave him. Nothing special except expensive wine, but it was all clearly chosen for Jungkook. He lifts his head and stares at the Shooky pillow on his desk. Yoongi gave him a courting gift in return. So that means...he’s accepting Jungkook? He’s willing to give them a real, genuine, chance? No lies, no games, no pretending this time. Jungkook can’t quite wrap his head around it. When he’d walked in earlier and been met with the sight of the basket, he knew there was only person it could have been from. Still, it shocked Jungkook that Yoongi reciprocated.

But they hadn’t talked about it. Jungkook had been trying to get up the nerve. Had the words ready on the tip of his tongue, but then Yoongi would make a comment about something else and he’d let himself get sidetracked. He didn’t worry about it then because he’d already gotten some confirmation Yoongi would accept his feelings—so he thought he could just wait until their conversation ran dry, and tell him. Only they got drunk, and their conversation came easily. And Jungkook stopped trying to tell Yoongi and started enjoying their time together.

He sighs into hands, feeling sweaty and agitated and desperate to just start dealing with his rut. It’s going to be really hard. But there’s no way—absolutely no way—he can justify to himself sleeping with Yoongi again without telling him he’s in love with him first. If he had managed to pull himself together today and confessed already, he’d still feel guilty. They need time to learn how to be together without all these unspoken feelings between them. They can’t have the lie with the members anymore. Jungkook can’t pretend like he hasn’t been in love with Yoongi for nearly two years. They need to figure this out. 

And Jungkook knows he is mostly to blame for how everything has happened. It makes him wonder if Yoongi deserves better. Well. No, he frowns to himself. Yoongi deserves whoever he wants to be with. And if that person is me, then I’m the luckiest person on earth.

A soft knock on the door makes Jungkook jump up, limbs cracking as he unfolds himself from the floor.

“Jungkook?” Sejin’s deep voice comes from the other side. “You okay to come out?”

Jungkook opens the door, a burst of cool, clean air passing over him. It’s a relief to not feel all hot and stuffy.

“Wow,” Sejin’s eyebrows shoot up. “You reek. Are you drunk?”

“Only kinda,” Jungkook shrugs. “Thank you for coming.”

“Yeah, of course. Grab anything you need and we’ll head down to the car. I messaged Hoseok to prepare the isolation room,” Sejin pauses and looks him over. “Are you okay? Did something happen?”

“Yoongi, um, was here,” Jungkook avoids the manager’s gaze and goes to grab his phone, his sweater, and also the Shooky pillow Yoongi gave him. It’s a little silly, he knows. But it’s comforting to know that the Omega intended it for him. 

“Ready?” 

Jungkook nods and they head out. The car ride feels endless, and even with the AC cranked all the way up he’s on fire. He goes into a bit of a daze as he goes up the elevator in their apartment building, and is immensely grateful when Sejin comes with him to unlock the door and lead him to the room. 

“Thanks, hyungnim,” Jungkook manages, sweating through his clothes. 

Sejin gives him a tight lipped smile and shuts the door between them. 

🌧

Immediately, Jungkook strips off his clothes. He feels so gross that he goes straight for the shower, making the water cold as he lathers himself up in soap. It doesn’t stop his dick from getting hard, aching and red and desperate for something to fuck into. His hand does the job for now. With his forehead pressed to the cool tile, Jungkook jerks himself, rough and fast, and cums with little satisfaction. His rut is hitting hard and intense from the start. 

As he’s had his rut over the past year and half, he’s always longed for Yoongi. Wanted him there with him, and couldn't stop the fantasies from creeping in even when he knew it was wrong. It made the ruts difficult and made him feel guilty afterwards because eventually he’d give in to his imagination, and picture Yoongi’s face. His hands. His lips. His thin wrists or his cute nose or his damn legs and ass which have always given Jungkook hell. This time is different because his Alpha has recognized the Omega as a legitimate, potential mate. It feels restless inside of him, in pain from the distance he has with Yoongi. Fantasies won’t satisfy it this time. 

But Jungkook doesn’t really have a choice. 

The other day, they’d gotten carried away scenting each other in the middle of the BigHit lounge. And when they did, Yoongi’s eyes had turned silver. Jungkook knew what it meant when he saw them. Yoongi’s Omega wants to be mated. And if Jungkook saw that while mid-rut, when he’s never been with Omega like that before, he’s not sure what would happen. Would he claim Yoongi against his will?

Speculation doesn't do Jungkook any good, but he’s confident in his decision to do this alone. 

The AC unit hums as he cranks it up, and he turns on some music to get himself out of his head a little bit. It’s not long before fucking into his fist again. He gets lube and his small collection of fleshlights and vibrating toys. He doesn’t really like using them, they make him feel dirty in a way he should probably examine more, but he also knows at some point he’s gonna have to knot. Well, he’ll probably have to go a number of times to get any kind of relief. 

He takes it as slow as he can bear. Thrusting into the bed sheets, stimulating his wet cock with a vibrator, cumming into his hand and on the bed, getting sticky and sweaty all over. He eats and hydrates and sleeps, and goes through it all again. It hurts. 

The sheets are rough against his skin, or damp and gross from cum and lube. He feels energy all pent up in his chest that forces him to finally grab one of the fleshlights and press the head of his cock into. The soft, pink silicone is nothing like a real person. But it’s tight and wet and does its job. His forearm aches with the effort of moving it up and down his dick so lays flat on his stomach with the toy stuck between the bed and his hips and bucks into roughly, knotting for the first time with a loud groan. 

It doesn’t help for long. 

After his knot has gone down he showers and sleeps again, but wakes up on fire and with his cock hard and leaking and desperate for another hot body to bury itself into.

Jungkook lost track of time the second he stopped into this room and shut the door, but he knows it’s been days when he feels his Alpha finally surge forward and take control. It’s reaching the climax. Yoongi’s face swims in front of him, because of course it does. And it’s not just his pretty lips or the sounds of desperation during his heat that ring in Jungkook’s ears, it also everything else. All the things that he loves him for, all the things that make his Alpha want to mate him. 

🌧

Jungkook passes out for hours. And when he wakes, his rut has almost completely blown over. He sits up on the bed, hands pushing into the comforter behind him. He feels cold for the first time in ages, and hurries to shut off the AC and pull on a robe. He sees the Shooky cushion on one of the dressers and picks it up, hugging it to his chest. The mattress dips under him as he sits back down, sighing deeply. He feels so sad waking up here alone.

He motivates to shower again, and when he’s done he cleans up the room. He disinfects all his toys and shoves them in his drawer, and then gathers all the dirty sheets and towels into a basket to be washed. 

Jungkook finally opens the door, relieved to be back to normal. 

“Jungkook.”

The Alpha nearly drops the basket, surprised anyone is here. “Yeah?”

“Hey, how are you doing?” It’s Hoseok. He’s smiling, but there’s something in his eyes that makes Jungkook think he has something more to say. Like he’s just been waiting for Jungkook to come out. 

“Better. Good. It was fine, I’m just glad it’s over,” Jungkook offers a reassuring smile. 

“We need to talk to you,” Hoseok says softly. 

Jungkook shifts between his feet, “Right now? Can I start the laundry?”

“You can do that. I’ll get the guys.”

“What do you need to talk to me about?” Jungkook feels anxious. Did something happen? Did Yoongi tell them the truth? Is Yoongi okay? What’s wrong?

“Just start that,” Hobi gestures at the laundry. “We’ll be in the kitchen, I’m sure you’re hungry.”

“Hyung,” Jungkook takes a shallow breath. “Please. Is everyone okay?”

“Everyone is okay,” Hoseok nods, convincing Jungkook this time. “It’s about...well. About you and Yoongi-hyung.”

“What?” Still emotional and stirred up from his rut, Jungkook feels fear and the desire to protect rush through him like a wave. “Is hyung okay?”

“I don’t know. You tell me,” Hoseok isn’t smiling anymore. “What's happened between you guys?”

Jungkook can hardly breathe. But Hobi’s question rings in his head. 

What's happened to them?

my twt; my cc

Chapter Text

Jungkook takes as long as he possibly can putting in the laundry. His body is sore from four long days of exertion; his rut had been painful and uncomfortable and incredibly lonely. The sheets and old clothes stink as he drops them into the washer, the water gushing out cold and bubbling up around the fabric. He spaces out, worry making him feel flushed. He wants to talk to Yoongi before he goes out there so they’re on the same page. If he can’t, at least he knows they have each other’s back. Well. He thinks they do. 

He never did get to talk to Yoongi after what had happened in the studio. Jungkook still feels, well, terribly guilty for it. Like he took advantage of the Omega when his rut was meant to start anytime, and simply didn’t care.  And they had been drinking, which makes it even worse. 

There’s one thing he’s clinging on to though: Yoongi gave him a courting gift. There’s something there, he’s certain of it now. Why else would Yoongi ask to spend his heat together? Why would he return the gift, knowing what the ones from Jungkook meant. Each one a silent question, an unspoken inquisition, give me a chance?

Jungkook shuts the washing machine door with a slam, the metal hitting metal and ringing out loudly. God, he hates that it’s come to this. That he couldn’t have been braver earlier, and just told Yoongi when they were alone together in the studio. It could have been perfect. But none of this has been perfect. From hiding his feelings for nearly two years, to the fake dating, to each of them being unable to communicate clearly. Caught up in their heads and personal problems and doubts. It makes sense that it would end the way this all began—with a group discussion. 

First, when Taehyung, Hoseok, and Namjoon confessed. And then Seokjin and Jimin, caught red-handed. And then that night where the members had been tipsy and said Yoongi and Jungkook should date to make their group a full set. A completed puzzle. Now there’s an interrogation, or an intervention, at home in their kitchen. 

When Jungkook stops onto the tile floor all eyes are on him. There’s takeout on the table. Curry, pad thai, and egg rolls. It smells delicious, but for once Jungkook can’t think about how hungry he is. All he can think about is how Yoongi is the only one not looking at him. He slowly lowers himself onto a stool, feet perched on the wooden bar beneath him, as he cautiously surveys the members. Hoseok looks empathetic, Jimin and Seokjin rather serious, Namjoon calm and collected like he always is when they have serious conversations like this. Fully embracing his role as leader and as the glue to their sometimes unraveling, spiraling, messy, group of seven people. Jungkook meets Taehyung’s eyes, the Beta’s orange scent sweet and summery. His eyes are full of remorse, like he also wishes Jungkook and Yoongi weren’t forced to confront everything like this. 

But their relationship, any of their relationships, are bigger than themselves. They affect the group, their producers and managers, how they are on set or recording. It’s not as though they’re expected to be happy all the time, but they also can’t get distracted from their jobs. From their life that is precariously balanced with their company, their music, their fans, their fame. 

“Good afternoon, guys,” Jungkook stuffs his hands into his sweater, hunching over and making himself small. Yoongi still hasn’t looked at him which stings the most. 

“Hey, Kookie,” Jimin’s tone is soft even though his forehead is creased. “Are you okay? You want some water or anything?”

“Water would be great,” Jungkook nods, looking over the food again and noticing that no one has touched it. 

The tap runs and then squeaks off as Jimin returns with a glass for Jungkook, water droplets clinging to the sides and getting Jungkook’s fingers wet. He takes a long gulp, and waits anxiously for anyone to say anything at all. The clock ticking in the silence is painfully slow, and is driving the Alpha a little crazy with anticipation. He just wants the bandaid torn off. Not this beating around the bush, making his heart beat grow louder in his ears. 

“Jungkookie, your rut lasted 4 days. Are you alright?” Hoseok asks suddenly. 

They don’t often talk about their cycles, especially not all together in a group, so Jungkook feels a bit embarrassed but answers anyway. “Yeah, I’m fine now.”

“Your rut lasted longer because...because your Alpha wants a partner.” It’s not a question, so Jungkook doesn’t reply. Hobi continues, “And not long ago Yoongi had his heat, and you spent it together. So it’s reasonable to assume that you two are, uh, connected now.”

“And that connection,” Jimin adds, gaze piercing. “Means you can’t control yourselves. I saw you two, at the company, when you were scenting in the lounge. You did it without intention, like you were so desperate to be near each other you couldn’t control yourselves.”

“You guys have been avoiding each other,” Seokjin leans forward, elbows on the counter. “You promised that after you broke up that you would still be friends, and you’d talk. But it doesn't seem like the breakup was mutual despite what you said.” Yoongi looks up for the first time when Jin says this, Jungkook watches carefully as something unspoken passes between the two eldest members. “You don’t seem happier, or freer, or even okay with being apart from each other.”

“It’s alright,” Taehyung’s voice is the gentlest so far. Jungkook knows it’s because he knows the truth about everything. From Jungkook’s feelings to the fake dating, and why they did it in the first place. “It’s alright that you guys might be confused, or not know what you really want, but you have to be willing to talk to each other. Neither of you seem like you’re doing well.” 

Jungkook bites his lip, balling his hands up and clinging to the soft cotton of his sweater. It’s so hard to hear them hurting for them, and it makes Jungkook feel even worse about how they lied to begin with. If they’re hurt now, won’t it be even worse when they learn Jungkook and Yoongi were never actually dating? 

“It surprised all of us when you guys started dating,” Namjoon picks up the conversation. He’s looking between Jungkook and Yoongi diplomatically, and the Alpha can see Yoongi in his peripheral vision staring at the leader too. “But the longer you were together the more it made sense. When you came to us and said you broke up it was, honestly, even more surprising. I think you both know how much I’ve emphasized, and we’ve all emphasized, the importance of being honest with each other and being truthful about our needs and feelings.”

Jungkook feels a wave of emotion crash over him, tears swelling up in his eyes. Shit . He’s gone and disappointed Namjoon . Namjoon, who he’s looked up to since he was 14 years old. Namjoon who has always given him wonderful advice, taken him seriously, and listened to his fears and hopes. Namjoon never made Jungkook feel lesser than for being younger, especially when he was still a teenager. Namjoon has always trusted him, helped him come out of his shell as an artist and try new things, and now Jungkook has gone and completely betrayed his trust. His friendship. The Alpha attempts to make himself even smaller, even considering yanking up his hood, but he doesn’t want to come off as too pathetic. No one should feel badly for him anyway, this is his own fault. 

“You guys need to either talk to each other, and figure out how to move on, or…” Namjoon shrugs, “if you want to still be together, do that. But we can’t have you not talking to each other.”

Jungkook nods, peeking back at Yoongi whose gaze is locked with Taehyung’s. Jungkook wonders if they talked about things while the Alpha was in rut. It’s only then that Jungkook senses Yoongi’s scent. It had been hidden beneath the layers of smells from the members, but now Jungkook can make out his floral scent. It’s sickly sweet. Like the Omega is in distress. Jungkook frowns—that’s probably his fault too. 

“I think we should be honest to all of you,” Yoongi speaks up for the first time since Jungkook entered the room. His small dark eyes shift nervously over the members and then to Jungkook, uncertain and questioning. “Are you okay if we’re totally honest with them? About everything?”

Jungkook feels a lump in his throat, swallowing hard but unable to make it go away. He shifts uneasily in his seat, wiping his palms on his pants and thinking hard. He knows— knows —they need to confess to the members. That’s fine. They will. But Jungkook has this nagging feeling that he and Yoongi need to sort themselves out first. So when they do tell the members the truth, he and Yoongi have no more secrets between them. And, if all goes well, maybe they’ll have more good news than bad and they’ll be able to say we’re dating and have it be true. Jungkook wants to know what they are before they try and tell the members what they are. 

His mouth is dry when he looks up and says, “No.”

“No?” Yoongi repeats, eyes wide. “You—you don’t want to tell them?”

“Tell us what?” Seokjin pipes up, but they both ignore him.

“I’m not ready,” Jungkook admits. “I need to talk to you first.”

“Jungkook-ah,” Yoongi softens, slumping back. “We need to tell them.”

“And we will,” the younger man insists. “But not now. Please, please can we talk first? Just us?”

“You should do what you need to,” Namjoon moves his elbows off the counter, getting their attention. “Talk it out first if you need to, then come tell us, uh, whatever it is you need to.”

“What happened?” Jimin’s voice is scratchy, and when Jungkook glances at him he’s met with a hurt expression. “What haven’t you told me? Are you guys okay? What are you hiding?”

“I’ll tell you,” Jungkook whispers. He reaches over and attempts to brush his fingers over Jimin’s arm, but the Beta backs away and leans into Seokjin. That stings, but Jungkook supposes he deserves it. “We’ll tell you, I promise. I just need to figure something out first.”

“Okay,” Hoseok agrees. “But you can’t keep avoiding this.”

“I agree,” Yoongi draws Jungkook’s eyes back. The Omega is staring at him, brow furrowed. “We can’t avoid it.  But, I think Jungkook’s right. You guys were right to tell us your concerns, but you can’t fix our problems. We need to do that ourselves.”

“Alright,” Jimin shares a look with Seokjin. “Guess the meeting is on pause. Let us all know when you’re ready to talk more.”

Jungkook nods, hands feeling clammy at the realization that he is finally, finally, going to talk to Yoongi and tell him the truth. Actually. That sounds pretty fucking terrifying now that it’s happening. 

“Let’s talk in my room,” Yoongi says softly, head tilting towards the exit. 

“Okay.”

They leave the group behind in the kitchen, and Jungkook suddenly wishes he could go back. He feels cold. Teeth-chattering-ly cold, while simultaneously sweaty and anxious under his clothes that start sticking to him. He can’t even smell Yoongi right now because he’s so overwhelmed by his racing thoughts. How does he confess to Yoongi that not only is he in love with him, he’s been in love with him for ages. That he asked to fake date under false pretenses. Jungkook may know that he’s not alone in his feelings, but it doesn’t change the fact that he’s lied to Yoongi since the beginning. Lied about how he feels, about what he wants, and his motives behind everything. Yoongi may like him now, but how could he possibly still want him after he learns everything that Jungkook has done?

They go into Yoongi’s familiar room. He’s managed to keep it organized after Jungkook cleaned it earlier this week, and it smells heavily of cherry blossoms. Yoongi turns on the lamps, sitting on the edge of his bed as Jungkook sits across from him on Seokjin’s old mattress. On Jungkook’s old mattress. Even though they haven’t been apart for long, being back in this room with Yoongi in it makes Jungkook’s heart ache. He remembers all the nights they spent talking, when they cuddled together to fall asleep. How for some reason, between them, texting has always come easier than speaking out loud. Even though they have talked about their insecurities, their hopes, they haven’t talked about them as a couple very much. And why would they have? When it was all meant to be pretend?

Yoongi clears his throat, “Um. I was surprised you said you didn’t want to tell them the truth. I thought, you know, maybe you were tired of lying to them.”

“I am,” Jungkook squeezes his eyes shut. “I am. But I had to talk to you first. I didn’t want to say… I didn’t want to talk in front of them.”

“Yeah, no, it's okay,” Yoongi reassures. “I don’t mind. I’m kinda glad you, um, told us honestly what you wanted. Told me honestly. Because when we had our, uh, break up it seemed like maybe you agreed to it only because I wanted it.”

“Well, you’re not wrong,” Jungkook opens and closes his hands in his lap, wiping some of the sweat off on his pants. He’d take off his hoodie if it wasn’t akin to a security blanket for him. Being able to hide in the oversized clothes makes him feel safer from onlookers and judgement and, in this case, Yoongi’s searching dark eyes. 

“So we only broke up because I asked? I know it was fake, Jungkook-ah, but we needed to be in agreement. I think that’s why all the guys freaked out when you went into rut. I was—I was pretty miserable looking when you refused to let me help you. Even though it wasn’t really me who was freaked out .”

Jungkook peeks up at the Omega who is frowning and picking at his fingernails. At least the Alpha isn’t alone in his nervousness.

“My Omega felt, I don’t know, betrayed. It felt you didn’t want me, and it made me act really, really, pathetically that first day you were gone. The guys were so worried for me they thought I would try and get into the isolation room or something crazy. Eventually I calmed down, but it was hard. We are...or at least I am connected to you. Like Jimin and Hobi said, we’re connected. Your rut was way worse because of me, and I don’t want—”

Jungkook digs his nails into his thighs and interrupts with a weak sounding, “Please. I have to tell you something.”

Yoongi must notice a shift in his scent because he stops speaking automatically, frowning even deeper. Softly, he says, “Okay. What is it?”

Overwhelmed by everything, Jungkook’s breath hitches in his chest and his heart tightens like a hand is squeezing it. It’s about to burst. It hurts so much, and he feels so, so terrible for the lies to all of his hyungs. All they’ve ever asked of him was to speak up when something was wrong, and yet he’s kept all this bottled up and hidden for so long it’s nearly become impossible to force himself to say it. 

“Please don’t me. Please don’t hate me hyung. This is so hard to say.”

“How could I hate you?” Yoongi’s scent grows, the vanilla thicker and oozing. It’s meant to be comforting, but Jungkook just feels sick. “That’s impossible anyway. It’s impossible to hate you. You’re scaring me, please tell me you’re okay.”

“I’m fine,” Jungkook assures. Physically, he’s fine. Even if his muscles are sore from his rut. That’s far from his concern now, though. “I’m just so scared that I’m going to hurt you. I promise I never meant to. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

“Jungkook, please,” Yoongi sounds a little desperate. Like he’s ready to jump into action and make Jungkook feel better in any way he possibly can. That only makes Jungkook more frustrated at himself, because he was supposed to be the one taking care of Yoongi. He’s fully transformed into the one thing he always resented being: a selfish, selfish Alpha.

“Promise you won’t hate me,” Jungkook still sounds pathetic, but he’s dried up a little bit and thinks he might properly be able to tell his hyung the truth now.

”I promise,” Yoongi is firm, his eyes earnest but his mouth in a serious line.

“Okay.”

“Okay,” Yoongi doesn’t say anything after that, just patiently waits for the Alpha to gather this courage and get the words unstuck from his throat. Part of Jungkook knows that no matter what, they’ll be okay. But it’s hard to listen to that part of him when the present moment is screaming of danger and warning bells are going off in his head. He’s not sure how long they sit listening to the AC run. Yoongi gets a pillow and holds it in his lap tightly. A comfort pillow, like Jungkook’s hoodie. 

“I’m in love with you.”

The words hang heavy between them, and the Alpha sees the moment they register in Yoongi’s brain by how his entire face softens and smooths. 

“Oh, Jungkook,” Yoongi’s lips are starting to curve into a smile. 

“Wait,” Jungkook stops him from saying anything more. If Yoongi knew it all, surely he wouldn’t be smiling. “That’s not it. I’ve been in love with you for months. Almost two years.”

At that, the Omega’s smile disappears. He’s not frowning, but he’s visibly confused and his scent recoils, becoming tinged with rotten fruit. “But...that’s before we started pretending.”

Jungkook wants to say obviously, but knows that won’t help either of them. He's just feeling bitter. Bitter and sad . “I know hyung, that’s why I’m so sorry.”

“Why would you do that? Why would you suggest we pretend when you felt like that?” Yoongi’s voice is quiet and breathless. He stares at Jungkook, cat-like eyes more distant than the Alpha’s ever seen them. Guilt settles into Jungkook’s stomach—where it belongs. 

“And you knew how I felt. I’ve wanted a partner for so long, and I was giving up. Jungkook, why wouldn’t you just tell me the truth and maybe we could have tried something for real?” The Omega isn't accusatory, but he doesn’t sound pleased either. No one would find this to be good news. 

Jungkook swallows, gripping his legs tighter to keep himself steady. “I know I should have done that. But, hyung, I saw you talking with people, flirting and getting to know them. I saw you trying to find someone and each time I did...those people were so different from me. They were nothing like me. I know you think I could have just told you, but how could I when I saw you look for a potential mate in everyone except for me?” Jungkook shrinks, he probably sounds whiny and entitled but it’s how he feels. It’s how he’s felt for so long. Yoongi is biting at his bottom lip, pillow clutched tightly to his chest. 

“I was right there, the entire time,” Jungkook continues. “But you never gave me a second look. That’s why I asked you to pretend with me. The fake dating was to see if maybe...you could actually look at me differently if you were…” Jungkook looks down again, hating himself as he finishes, “forced to.”

“Why are you telling me all this now?” Yoongi, reasonably, asks. 

“Because, hyung,” Jungkook feels the emotions boil back up to the surface. “I feel so guilty. I feel like I was using you. I feel so gross. I’ve been so selfish —so selfish —I’m so sorry. I feel, I don’t know, pathetic. I shared your room, your bed. I did all that without you knowing what I wanted with you. I was so stuck in my head all I could think was please love me . Please love me. Maybe if I do this right, you can love me. I’d hold your hand or eat dinner with you, or hold you close so we could fall asleep. I told myself it was to win you over, but really I was just using you. I projected so many of my desires on you and it’s like I tricked you into fulfilling my—my fantasies . Jesus Christ,” Jungkook shakes his head, burying his face in his hands. He feels grosser with each word. “I spent your heat   with you and you didn’t even know. You wouldn’t have said yes to any of that if you knew how I felt.”

“How do you know I wouldn’t have said yes?” Yoongi’s voice is small, his question nearly inaudible over the sound of Jungkook’s heart beat.

“Because, you didn’t want me, as far as I knew,” Jungkook sighs. Maybe he shouldn’t try and rationalize his thinking and actions knowing so many of them were bad, but he wants Yoongi to understand why he did what he did. That doesn’t excuse any of it, or make it okay, and the Alpha knows that. “Be honest. If I had told you two years ago I liked you, what would you have done?” 

“I don’t know,” Yoongi’s pupils are wide, lost. “We would have figured it out, though.”

“But you wouldn’t have accepted me right? You would have rejected me?” Jungkook feels tense, trying to prove his point as his hands move down to grab the blankets beneath him. 

“That’s not fair, we can’t know what would have happened,” Yoongi’s voice is louder now. Stronger. Not angry— anything but angry—but forces Jungkook to listen to him at the same time.

“Hyung, tell me the truth,” Jungkook insists. “Would you have really accepted me back then? 

“Okay,” Yoongi exhales. “Fine. I probably wouldn’t have felt the same. But isn’t it better to tell me than to keep it hidden?”

“But you would have turned me down, and I knew it too. If I had told you then, maybe what we have now never would have happened,” Jungkook argues. He sees Yoongi’s face scrunch up, holding back tears, and immediately feel horrible. Why can’t Jungkook just do anything normally? Why is he almost yelling at Yoongi, when he’s fucking in love with Yoongi? Yeah, maybe it would have hurt to hear Yoongi’s rejection two years ago. But time heals all. And it would have spared the both of them from this conversation that feels like glass shards stabbing Jungkook’s insides.

“We still would have ended up...how we are now,” Yoongi is calm, eyes a little glassy. 

“How can you know that?” Jungkook whispers. How could they have become as close as they are now without some radical intervention? How would they have ever kissed, or scented, or slept together, or exchanged courting gifts? If Jungkook had been rejected back then, why would either of them ever look to each other romantically again?

“Because you still would have grown into the man you are today, and I would have fallen for that. Maybe it would take a little longer, but look at you. You’re so handsome. You’re so kind. You make me feel special.” 

“Because you are,” Jungkook croaks, on the verge of crying. It’s difficult to breathe.

“So are you. I wish I’d seen it sooner,” Yoongi shakes his head. “Jungkook, your dumbass plan worked.”

“What?” The Alpha stares at him, pulse racing.

“My Omega has fallen for you. And my heart…” Yoongi presses a hand to his chest, confession coming slowly from his pink lips. ”I’m—I’m falling in love with you. I already have. I thought I was using you, not the other way around. You were so hesitant to do anything, I thought you could have been repulsed by the things we did together. At least, I thought that until you started giving me...courting gifts.”

“I was just trying not to take advantage. I asked for permission because I was trying to be careful, but I failed anyway.” 

“Did you hear the part where I said I’m in love with you too?” Yoongi demands, like he thinks the Alpha is acting kinda stupid. He’s pouting a little, his pillow being used as an armrest as he leans forward on his elbows, watching Jungkook closely. 

“Hyung…” the younger man rubs his hand over the bedspread, the cotton cool and soft. Grounding. “Do you mean it? Even after what I did?”

“You didn’t do anything wrong. People sleep with people they have feelings for all the time,” Yoongi whispers, as if that excuses anything. Jungkook doesn’t think it does, but ultimately, it’s Yoongi’s forgiveness that he’s seeking. He can work on forgiving himself later. “You’ve asked for my permission multiple times for everything we’ve done. If you only liked me platonically it wouldn’t have been any different, and now that I know you love me…”

“I do love you,” Jungkook clings to that. It’s the one thing he’s certain of. 

“It makes me glad, in a way, to know I was cherished and I was in the arms of someone who could never hurt me,” Yoongi mumbles. 

“But…” the Alpha struggles to make sense of him. “I did for my own gain.”

“I literally used you as a dildo in my heat,” Yoongi states bluntly. 

Jungkook flushes, “Well, it wasn’t quite like that.” 

“It was like that. You hardly took advantage of me, you helped me. You took it slowly every step of the way. And with everything else… We talked about scenting before we did. You tried to keep me out of your bed, but I insisted we share. And when we lost control and scented in the lounge, or made out in your studio, it wasn’t just you who couldn’t control yourself. It was me too. And you’re the one who said we had to stop when all I wanted was more. Jungkook, if you’re looking for me to scold you, I’m not going to. I’m not mad at you.”

“Why though? I did a terrible, selfish, insincere thing. I had a motive the entire time. I wasn’t doing it just because I care about you, it was because I wanted you to notice me,” Jungkook is melting inside. Yoongi is too kind. Too understanding. Too forgiving. He won’t scold him and he’s not mad for all the mistakes Jungkook’s made. Or—Yoongi appreciates that they weren't really mistakes. That Jungkook did everything, more or less, intentionally to win Yoongi’s affection. It was as genuine as Jungkook knew how to be after so long training himself to stay silent about his feelings for the Omega. 

“I know, and maybe I’ll be more upset later,” Yoongi finally admits. “But right now, I’m just so happy.”

“Hyung,” Jungkook can’t help it when he grins back, mirroring Yoongi’s gummy smile. Holy shit, the man he’s in love with loves him back . Could this really be true? Is he dreaming? 

“Is this why you cried that night, and said you were selfish?” Yoongi whispers. 

They both feel the need to stay quiet and not disturb the peace they’ve created. Everything's out in the open now. At least, everything major. Jungkook feels a billion times lighter. Not everything has sunk in it. It’s still reeling in Jungkook’s brain, gears turning dangerously fast. 

“Yeah. When you shared the bed with me, I was crying because I felt like I’d been using you too much to help me, and then there you were comforting me again. Especially when I told myself I’d done the fake dating to help make you feel less pressured to find someone, but it ended up hurting you more than it helped.” 

“Jungkook-ah,” Yoongi’s scent is vanilla again. Rich, floral, like melting white chocolate decorated with rose petals. “I did feel really lonely, at first. Because once we started dating, I couldn’t be sad about not dating anyone anymore. I had to keep that bottled up, which was really hard. Then you… Well, I started falling for you and I couldn’t talk to anyone about it because they all thought we were already dating.”

“Hyung,” Jungkook wants to reach out and hold Yoongi’s hand, but there’s too much space between them. “I’m so sorry you had to suffer through that. That wasn’t fair of me.”

“You didn’t know. I didn’t tell you. You kept just enough distance most of the time that I thought I was the only one having, you know, these feelings.”

“You really couldn’t tell how I felt?” Jungkook hears himself asking. “Not even before we started to fake date?” 

Yoongi sniffs loudly, like he still could cry at any moment. “No. I think for most of it I was too caught up in other people, or in work, and if you were ever extra affectionate with me… I didn’t see it as romantic, or as flirting, I just saw…”

“Your friend.”

“Yeah,” Yoongi looks sad and Jungkook wishes he didn’t. 

“It’s okay, you know? I didn’t want you to know because I figured if you were ever going to want me, you’d do it on your own. And I guess I got impatient, since the guys started dating each other, and it made me want you more.”

“Thank you, Jungkook,” Yoongi meets his gaze. It’s not that easy for either of them to make eye contact, but when they do there’s an ocean of love between them. Jungkook can see it now. See it in Yoongi’s dark eyes, his small smile, and smell it in his scent. “Thank you for letting me find you in my own time, even if it was unconventionally. You’ve always been there for me, listened to me, and comforted me. You’re as sweet as you have always been. 

“I remember when you were with me that night Dohyeong and I broke up, and I still appreciate not being alone then. I was feeling so unloved, but you took me into my arms and I feel needed again. And you did the same when you talked to me about me mixtape, or helped with my anxiety, or were just with me in the quiet. You said I helped you, but you really did help me too. With my confidence and with my work. You made me want to work harder, and do what I want and not just what other people expect.”

“You mentioned us coming together unconventionally, and you said it before too, but…” Jungkook shrugs. “Maybe you’re right hyung. Maybe we were always meant to be and even though it happened like this, it could have happened even if we didn’t pretend to date. Because I still would have loved you, and I still would have tried to show you that as best I could.”

“And I still would have fallen for you, in the end,” Yoongi places his hands beside him on the bed. “I really do believe that. I’m just glad we’re here now.” 

“Me too,” Jungkook wants so badly to get up and hug him. Kiss him. Scent him. The anxiety has been replaced by a restless kind of love. The kind he’s kept under-wraps for so long, and can almost set free on the Omega.

“Will you say it again?” Yoongi’s blush is obvious even in the lamp light.

“What? I’m glad we’re here now ?” 

“No...the other thing,” Yoongi rubs at his thighs, bashful. 

Oh. Jungkook knows what Yoongi wants to hear. And the thought of saying it out loud again makes his heart flutter. He can finally say it. 

“I love you.” 

“Yeah. That,” Yoongi lifts one hand to hide his beaming face behind it. 

“Yoongi, say it back,” Jungkook teases.

“I like it when you call me Yoongi,” the Omega mumbles into his hands where he’s hidden his face, eyes peeking out between his long fingers.

 “How about…” Jungkook clears his throat, raising his voice little. “Baby, say it back.” 

“Jungkook-ah!" Yoongi whips his pillow at the Alpha, the cushion softly thumping against Jungkook’s chest as he smirks in satisfaction. “Jeesh...I love you.” 

“I’m in love with you,” Jungkook announces, even louder. Pride going to his head knowing he has the honor of saying it to this magnificent man. 

“I’m in love with you,” Yoongi says back. 

“I want to be with you forever,” Jungkook can’t stop it from falling out of his mouth. 

“You mean that?” Yoongi looks taken aback, but his scent signals how much he liked it.

“Yeah. I do. I don’t want to ever let you go again,” Jungkook stands up, stepping closer and closer to Yoongi.

“Then don’t,” the Omega reaches up and locks his arms around Jungkook’s neck, closing the distance and pulling Jungkook down onto the bed with him.  

~

They lay on their sides, arms draped over each other, lazily making out as their feet intertwine and they explore each other’s mouths. It’s nothing like any of their other kisses. This one is...real. Yoongi can’t stop giggling, though he tries to stop himself, he’ll just burst into random fits of laughter with his lip between Jungkook’s teeth. He’s brimming with joy. Overwhelmed with happiness of having Jungkook at his side again. 

When Jungkook shoved Yoongi out of his studio and he went into rut, Yoongi had gone straight to the Genius Lab and bawled on the couch until Namjoon and Seokjin came in later, incredibly worried for him. Yoongi had whined and cried about how Jungkook didn’t want him, his Omega completely taken over and was distraught. It had heard Jungkook’s refusal as rejection, and it had taken Yoongi sleeping 16 hours straight for him to wake up and realize that was utterly ridiculous. Jungkook had been courting him because he wanted to do things right, and not just get caught up in the heat of the moment. Yoongi had to respect that. 

Now Yoongi knows the full truth. Jungkook just didn’t want to take advantage. And maybe, Yoongi thinks, Jungkook did get some of his romantic desires fulfilled before Yoongi started falling for the Alpha. And sure, that’s sorta...hard to process. Even so, Yoongi finds it hard to believe Jungkook ever scented Yoongi to fulfill something for himself instead of soothing Yoongi’s nerves. The Alpha had always checked and double checked Yoongi was okay with it, not simply forced it on the Omega. 

Yoongi understands why Jungkook feels guilty and selfish, and sure, maybe he was. But he did it the gentlest, kindest, most well-intended manner he possibly could have. Yoongi isn’t upset because, well, he doesn’t regret anything that they did together. Rather, he’s glad that he spent his heat with an Alpha who loved him. That Jungkook did actually find him attractive and enjoy it instead of being obligated, all helped by the fact he and Yoongi communicated explicitly before anything had happened. 

Also, maybe Yoongi’s a little blinded by love right now. He heard the words, I’m in love with you, and feels his heart soar into the clouds, elated and glowing. 

Hearing that Jungkook had been in love with for two years was, and is, a shock. For all the reasons they discussed, but also because it meant Jungkook loved him when Yoongi was unhappily and desperately dating other guys. It meant Jungkook loved him when Yoongi broke up with Dohyeong. It means Jungkook loved him through tour, while filming, while recording what’s now three albums. It’s hard for Yoongi to imagine anyone loving him, wanting him, for that long even with all the ups and downs. 

Jungkook has always had a heart of gold. So being loved by him makes Yoongi feel like the world’s most precious treasure.

Jungkook is sucking a reminder onto Yoongi’s skin, laving over a wet spot on his neck. What do they care if anyone sees? They’re in love, goddammit.

“I was so jealous of those other guys, you know? Those people you’d go on dates with,” Jungkook nibbles Yoongi’s neck. 

“You were?” The Omega is surprised and kinda turned on. Though that might just be because their fronts are plastered together, Jungkook’s finger tracing Yoongi’s lips and face, teeth sharp on the Omega’s skin. 

“Of course I was. I wanted you to be mine. Sometimes my Alpha would get so mad I thought I would start growling. I just wanted to have you. To eat you up,” Jungkook bites at the juncture of Yoongi’s throat, creating another mark.

“Oh—oh,” Yoongi feels warm all over, flustered as he tilts his head and gives the other man better access. 

“I can have you now, right? You’re mine now?” 

“Yeah,” Yoongi agrees, breathless. “I’m yours now.”

Jungkook rubs their noses together, smiling cutely. Like an excited puppy.

“I thought you wouldn’t talk like this. Because you were scared of being too Alpha,” Yoongi comments, reaching up to comb his fingers through Jungkook’s hair.  

“Well... I am. I’m really scared of it and I don’t want to be, you know, an entitled asshole Alpha. But, you like it a little bit don’t you? When I scent you, or...claim you,” Jungkook is blushing. It makes Yoongi happy to see the Alpha embarrassed for once. 

“I do,” Yoongi agrees. As much as he could shit talk Alpha privilege, he has to admit, his Omega loves to be taken care of. Yoongi loves being taken care of, status aside. He likes feeling desired and wanted by his partners, and likes when they demonstrate that with words and actions. An arm around Yoongi’s waist, a pet name, a hickey. Jungkook seems to favor all three, and Yoongi can’t complain. 

“I can be an Alpha for you,” Jungkook rumbles, leaning in to kiss Yoongi properly on the lips.

“Oh, I like the sound of that. You’re mine. I’m yours,” Yoongi laughs as the Alpha gets on his hands and knees, swinging a leg over Yoongi and planting his arms around the Omega’s head.

“Most importantly...you’re mine,” Jungkook roughly kisses him, practically shoving Yoongi up the mattress as he breathes heavily, hands tangling in hair and clothes. 

Yoongi smiles as his collarbones and neck get devoured, and when Jungkook is satisfied the Omega pulls his head down and rubs their scent glands together. They lay like that until they fall asleep, Jungkook half splayed on top of Yoongi, warm in each other’s embrace. 

They wake up around 8pm, having slept peacefully in the knowledge that finally found each other. Yoongi wakes to soft lips on his cheeks, pecking at him. He bats Jungkook away, laughing and still high off their love. 

“Good morning,” Jungkook’s voice is rumbly, leaning in to kiss Yoongi slowly and gently on the lips. 

“It’s nighttime,” Yoongi snorts. He hears a growl, and immediately feels concerned when he realizes it’s the Alpha’s stomach. “Oh my god, you haven’t eaten since your rut ended. Wanna go get food?” 

“Do I ever,” Jungkook’s eyes roll back in his head as he clutches his stomach. “I’m starving. But aren’t the members gonna make us talk to them?”

“I’m on it,” Yoongi sits up. He grabs his phone out from under his pillows and texts a manager to pick them up in a car. “Let’s get dressed and then sneak out, a driver is on the way.”

“Ooo,” Jungkook gets out of bed and stretches. “This feels sneaky. Are we gonna be in a secret relationship now?”

“No,” Yoongi shoves at the Alpha as he passes him to grab clothes out of the closet. “We are not gonna do that. No more secrets!”

“Right,” Jungkook’s body heat is right behind the Omega, pressing against his back as he pulls down a pair of shirts. Jungkook tucks his chin on Yoongi’s shoulder, arms wrapping warmly around the shorter man’s waist. 

Yoongi leans back into him, tilting his head so they can have an awkwardly-angled kiss. After a moment, he pushes the Alpha off with a tsk, “Hey now. Stop distracting me. We need to feed you.” 

“Okay,” Jungkook pouts. 

Yoongi tosses him the clean shirt, “We can make out in the car.”

“Okay!” Jungkook says again, with much more enthusiasm. 

They quickly change, yank on bucket hats and masks, and then slip out of Yoongi’s bedroom. They’re careful to shut the door silently, and then tiptoe to the front entrance. They shove their feet into their shoes, trying not to burst out laughing as they struggle to keep their balance, and then make it out of the apartment. They go down and meet the manager in the parking garage, Jungkook’s arm slung around Yoongi’s shoulder. The Alpha can’t seem to help it. It’s like he’s scared Yoongi will disappear, but the Omega doesn’t plan on doing any such thing. When they’re in the car, they have the manager call ahead to request a private dining space and order their black bean noodles and short ribs. 

There’s not a barrier in the vehicle to separate them from the manager and driver, so Yoongi intertwines his fingers with Jungkook’s and squeezes as the Alpha makes big eyes at him, asking for a kiss. They could, Yoongi knows they could, but they should really wait to tell their friends first rather than management. They owe it to them. 

Yoongi shakes his head, even if his lips are tingling at the thought, and pulls Jungkook’s head down onto his shoulder so they can cuddle in the backseat. This seems to satisfy him, and Yoongi can’t stop grinning.  He feels his phone buzz in his pocket, and pulls it out. 

Namjoon

Where are you guys? 

Yoongi

Did you go in my room?

Namjoon

I knocked

No one answered

Yoongi

We’re good Joon

We’re really good

We’re grabbing dinner

Namjoon

Okay

I’m glad to hear that

You know there’s still a ton of leftovers in the ridge from earlier!

Yoongi

Oh right

Well too late

We can all talk later

Namjoon

10pm?

Yoongi

Better make it 11

Namjoon

Fine, I’ll let them know

Yoongi

Thank you Joon

Thank you for everything

For listening to me and supporting me

Namjoon

Of course hyung

I love you

Yoongi

Awwww

I love you too

Namjoon

Okay bye see you later

Yoongi

Okay :)

Yoongi laughs, setting his phone down. 

“What did they say?” Jungkook’s voice vibrates through Yoongi’s chest. 

“Namjoon found out we were gone. We’re gonna meet with everyone when we get back. Is that okay?”

Jungkook exhales loudly, “Yeah. I’m nervous though.”

“Why?”

“They’re probably going to be really upset that we lied to them.”

“Maybe,” Yoongi touches Jungkook’s hair, softly tugging. “But Taehyung understood, right? He’s not mad.”

“He’s kinda hurt, I think. But I guess he’s not mad,” Jungkook allows. “But that’s Taehyung. What would—what will Seokjin-hyung say? Or Jimin?”

“I guess we’ll find out. But, hey,” Yoongi kisses the top of Jungkook’s head, figuring that’s innocent enough. “At least we’ll be able to tell them good news, right?” 

Jungkook laughs, “Yeah. That’s true.”

They arrive at the restaurant, are hurried inside and to the back, and then left to their own devices. The room has tons of aging photographs framed on the walls, pictures of families and farming, and there’s big, leafy plants separating them from the rest of the customers and giving the impression of privacy. It’s quiet tonight, and since their food was already ordered it arrives moments after they sit down. Yoongi and Jungkook sit across from each other in the booth, slurping up noodles and humming out compliments when they get a taste of the meat. Jungkook devours the meal, and they end up ordering more to go along with some beer. 

“A toast?” Yoongi requests, remembering their toast with wine in Jungkook’s studio. 

“Sure,” Jungkook pulls his glass away from his mouth, staring at the golden bubbles swirling in the beer. “How about… ‘Thank you to the universe for making a Min Yoongi as perfect as this one?’”

“And for making a Jeon Jungkook as amazing as you,” Yoongi doesn’t miss a beat. 

Jungkook smiles, they clink their glasses together, and then take a long gulp of cold beer. Yoongi takes nibbles of food as Jungkook eats more and more, like he’s a bottomless pit. The restaurant is in the process of closing, but they're permitted to stay after hours and finish their meal. Yoongi feels content just watching Jungkook, allowed to just stare and appreciate him for the first time. 

“Hey,” Yoongi swirls the remainder of his drink around. “This is our first date.”

“What?” Jungkook nearly chokes on his rice. “No!”

“No?” 

“I should have done something more special for you,” Jungkook sticks his lip out. “Are you sure this counts?”

“We’re together now and we’re eating out alone, I think this counts,” Yoongi pushes his dishes away. “And I want it to count. I’m glad it wasn’t planned. I like that it was sporadic.” 

“You’re sure?” 

“I’m very sure,” Yoongi leans forward. 

“Alright,” Jungkook reaches across the table and cups Yoongi’s face. “This counts.”

Yoongi kisses his hand, they pay, and try to tidy up their space as best they can. They thank the staff over and over, and end up signing one of their menus. They meet their manager outside and get into the car, heading home. Jungkook rolls down the windows, the wind cool now after a long summer day. Yoongi stares out the window, watching buildings and cars flash by. It’s like this city never sleeps. 

They get dropped off and go to the elevator, where Yoongi immediately puts his hands on Jungkook’s hips and moves in to kiss him. Jungkook responds immediately by making pleased sounds against Yoongi’s mouth. They kiss for as long as it takes to get to the 9th floor, and part only when the doors slide open. Security nods to them as they go through the corridor to their apartment door, feet dragging with each step. 

“It’s gonna be fine,” Yoongi whispers as he punches in their code. “They’re our friends.” 

“I know,” Jungkook takes a deep breath. “I just don’t want to disappoint them.” 

The door opens with a click, sliding smoothly over the hardwood floor. For some reason, Yoongi’s half-expecting for them all to be standing there in the hallway waiting for them to arrive, but they’re not. He and the Alpha take off their shoes, and tentatively make their way into the dorm. The kitchen is empty, but they can hear the sound of people in the lounge. Here it comes. It’s only when they’re on the threshold that anxiety seizes Yoongi again, but it’s almost instantly combated by the scent of rain as Jungkook soothes him. Everyone but Hoseok and Namjoon are staring at them as the couple stands in the hall, surveying the scene. 

Taehyung and Seokjin are watching a video on their phone, Jimin laying back on the couch with a cap pulled over his face. 

“Guys, finally,” Jimin sits up, hat falling off. “I’m gonna video call Namjoon and Hoseok so they can join. They’re in the studio.”

Yoongi nods silently, grabbing Jungkook by the sweater and taking him with him as he goes to sit on the couch beside Jimin, Jungkook on the other side. The coconut-scented Beta sets up a tablet on one of the recliners so the camera picks up all of them as the video call connects. Hobi and Namjoon’s pixelated faces appear, and they greet everyone. 

“Sorry, we wanted to be home but we really needed to work on something,” Namjoon apologizes. 

“We’ve finally had a break through with my solo!” Hoseok announces, earning congratulations from Taehyung who insists on hearing the track soon. “I'll show you, don’t worry.” 

“Okay, now the real reason we’re here,” Seokjin rubs his hands together. “Guys? You smell awfully nervous but you look pretty close, like, to each other.”

“Things went well?” Taehyung chirps, knowing smile going back and forth from Jungkook to Yoongi quickly. 

“Hyung and I…” Yoongi hears Jungkook begin, the Alpha shifting so their legs are pressed together. “We’re together now. We realized...well. That we both want the same thing.”

“Yay!” Hoseok exclaims, audio from the tablet crackling at his volume. “I’m so happy for you guys.”

“But…” Yoongi’s heart pounds loudly and he rubs at his neck. Jungkook’s hand finds its way to Yoongi’s back, smoothing circles at the base. It makes the Omega feel better, knowing Jungkook is right there to take half the weight should this go poorly. “We do need to tell you guys something else. And, uh, you might get upset at us.”

Yoongi tries, tries, to say it. Tries to apologize and tell them that they lied and faked it, but for some reason he can’t. He wanted to be the one to say it because he doesn’t want that pressure to fall on Jungkook after the Alpha expressed how fearful he is over it. But now that the time has come, Yoongi sees the waiting faces of their friends and can’t do it. He shakes his head. 

“I’m sorry, hang on.” The Omega turns his body into Jungkook’s and tries not to cry. The Alpha puts a comforting hand on his thigh, hugging him with the other arm.

Jungkook speaks calmly, “Hyungs… Yoongi and I weren’t dating before. We pretended to be a couple so you guys wouldn’t worry about us, and that you wouldn’t feel awkward being affectionate with your partners. We didn’t want to hurt any of you, but we felt bad and lonely.”

“No, guys…” Jimin's voice breaks, responding immediately. “I’m so sorry.”

“Wait, I don’t understand,” Seokjin sounds uneasy, which makes Yoongi feel worse. “All that time...you guys were pretending to like each other?” 

“Even during hyung’s heat?” Namjoon says from the tablet. 

“Even then,” Jungkook admits. Yoongi can hear the Alpha’s heart beating fast, his breathing shallow. 

“You lied to us,” Hoseok clarifies. “You lied to protect our feelings? Because you thought we were uncomfortable around you guys since you were single? That’s—that’s ridiculous.”

“Hoseok-hyung,” Namjoon chides. Probably not liking Hobi’s tone. 

“All our relationships were new, if we were awkward, it wasn’t because of you guys,” Hoseok goes on. “We were awkward because we ourselves were still getting used to what we had become.” 

“I think I agree,” Jimin says. Yoongi finally pushes himself up, facing the group again but this time with Jungkook draped around him. “Seokjin-ah and I never felt embarrassed or bad about being affectionate in front of you guys… But, I hate—I really hate—that we made you both feel so badly you felt lying to us was the only solution.” 

“How was pretending to date gonna make either of you happy?” Namjoon wonders, Yoongi can see the confusion on his face. 

Yoongi clears his throat, finally able to talk again, “I thought I would be happier because I wouldn’t feel pressure to keep dating. I wanted what you guys had with each other, but I didn’t think I could find it. And if I said I was dating Jungkook, you guys wouldn't worry about me so much.”

“And I wanted to help Yoongi do that,” Jungkook exhales loudly. Yoongi can tell he’s readying to say more, but Jimin interrupts first. 

“But you’ve always told me you didn’t want a relationship.”

“You said you didn’t want to date,” Seokjin agrees, all eyes are on Jungkook. Yoongi squeezes the Alpha’s thigh, letting him know it’s okay. 

“I know I said that. And the thing is, I didn’t want to date because I…” Jungkook’s scent becomes stale as he tenses up. “I wanted to be with Yoongi. I’ve liked Yoongi for a long time, longer than any of you need to know,” he lets out a short laugh. “And when I had the chance to pretend to date him I thought I could, you know, show him what it could be like to be with me.” 

“Did Yoongi-hyung know?” Namjoon asks. 

Jungkook hangs his head which makes Yoongi’s heart ache for him. He doesn’t want the Alpha to feel bad for this. “No, Yoongi didn’t know how I felt. He thought I wanted Seokjin and Jimin-hyung off my back, but the truth was...I loved him already.” 

The room goes silent, save for the staticky sound of the video call. 

“But, the point is,” Yoongi tightens his hold on Jungkook’s leg. “We feel the same way now. We talked about everything, and I’m not mad at Jungkook at all. I...I love him too.” 

Jungkook and Yoongi glance at each other briefly, smiling, and then interlock their fingers. 

“Taehyung, you haven’t said anything,” Namjoon speaks up. 

“Oh, uh,” Taehyung gives them all a sheepish grin. “Jungkookie told me after they broke up that they’d been pretending. I...I feel terrible that they felt so cornered they had to lie, and I think it was on us or pressuring them, even if we did it unintentionally. But...look at them now,” Tae gestures at the couple tangled together on the couch. “How can I be mad at that? They seem so happy now, and are great for each other. Even if they lied about dating,” the Beta shrugs, “they both had real feelings and expressed them anyway.” 

There’s some hums of agreement and understanding, and Yoongi feels relieved. 

“They are pretty cute,” Seokjin mumbles. “Although, the number of hickies on your neck is ridiculous, Yoongi-yah.” 

“Oh,” the Omega’s hand flies to his neck and his face heats up. He pulls the collar of his hoodie up and pulls on the strings, closing it around his chin to hide the evidence of his and Jungkook’s makeout session. Jungkook is just a really, really good kisser okay? He makes Yoongi melt with every touch. “Sorry, guys.”

“Aish,” Hoseok laughs, “who were the ones with too much PDA? I think you guys take the cake and you've been legitimately dating for, what, five hours?”

Jungkook shrugs, “Basically.”

“Well,” Namjoon huffs. “I guess we need to talk with Sejin again.”

“Yeah,” Yoongi grits his teeth, feeling bad for all the trouble they’re causing their manager. 

Somehow, it all works out. They have a group hug with Taehyung pinching Yoongi’s arm, and Hoseok and Namjoon shouting at them through the speakers. They’ll talk about it more later, but for now it’s getting late and the biggest questions have been answered. Taehyung congratulates them, Jimin has a few tense words with Jungkook but ultimately pulls him into a massive bear hug, Yoongi watching as the Alpha gets the life squeezed out of him. Seokjin does the same to Yoongi though, muttering you better not fake a wedding too, and embracing him.

They’re all nearly in tears from the emotional exchanges, and when Jungkook and Yoongi are finally allowed to leave they burst into nervous laughter as they hurry down the hall to Yoongi’s room. 

They go into the room and Jungkook flops flat onto the spare bad, still laughing, “I’m so glad that’s over with.”

“And it went well too,” Yoongi stands beside the mattress. “Thank you for taking the lead, I couldn't...I don’t know. I got choked up.”

“It’s okay. I was too, but I felt better because you were there with me.”

“Aw,” Yoongi reaches down and ruffles Jungkook’s hair.

“What’s your obsession with my hair, hm?” Jungkook snatches Yoongi’s fingers and kisses his knuckles, staring up at him with his limbs splayed. 

Yoongi smiles, less embarrassed now than he used to be, “I like that it’s getting long. It’s really pretty.”

“Baby, you’re really pretty,” Jungkook hums.

Yoongi glares at him, “I can’t believe you disrespected me out there in front of them, I’m still your hyung. You better call me hyung when we’re with people at work.”

“Or what?” Jungkook bites his tongue between his teeth, too smug for his own good. 

“Or I’ll deny you kisses,” Yoongi attempts to pull his hand away but Jungkook grips it tighter and kisses it again.

Yoongi can’t stop himself laughing, bending at the waist a little and finally stepping away from Jungkook as the Alpha sits up on the bed. 

“You know, I got sad when my room stopped smelling like you,” Yoongi confesses.

“I’d noticed you’d been sleeping in my old spot,” Jungkook hums, and then he beams. “Want me to scent your beds?”

“What?” Yoongi’s not sure what the Alpha means. 

“Like this,” Jungkook says, and immediately starts rolling around, spreading his body all over the comforter. Then he presses his face into the pillows and rubs it all over. Yoongi can smell petrichor, cool and gentle, drenching the room. Jungkook looks hilarious rolling all over the bed, like a literal dog, and it makes Yoongi fall a little more in love. 

Jungkook gets up when he’s satisfied, and moves to attack Yoongi’s bed.

“Hey!” Yoongi laughs when Jungkook knocks pillows off the bed as he rolls. “Oh my god.”

Yoongi goes to the bed and finds himself pulled in with Jungkook, immediately enveloped in rain. The Alpha nuzzles his face against Yoongi, breathing warm and soft against the Omega’s cheek. 

“Can I scent you too?” 

“Of course,” Yoongi whispers. 

Jungkook doesn’t at first, instead choosing to stare into Yoongi’s eyes. It makes the Omega flustered, but soon he relaxes into it and just soaks up Jungkook’s attention. He wonders what the Alpha is thinking about. If he’s really okay with how things went, and if he still feels guilty. Yoongi pushes the thought out of his mind and makes the first move, kissing Jungkook’s jaw softly, and then arching into the Alpha’s neck to mingle their scents. 

They sleep well that night, and for the entire week following. 

They meet with Sejin, confess to him everything that happened, and he just laughs, calls them stupid, and says, let me in on your next gag, huh? He’s far too forgiving, and they love him all the more for it. He congratulates them, for real this time, and hugs them. He’s much taller than either of them, which makes Jungkook’s Alpha perk up in alarm, even though it’s just Sejin and Sejin has a fiancee. But since he and Yoongi made themselves official, and he allowed himself to feel everything fully for the first time, he had become especially clingy to Yoongi. 

He always makes sure to ask though, whispering, am I being too much? in Yoongi’s ear as they film back-to-back Run episodes for five days straight. And the Omega always shakes his head, whispering back, you’re being just enough. Jungkook still maintains his habit of treading cautiously, but he’s feeling more and more emboldened to show affection with each time Yoongi reacts positively to a small kiss or touch. Yoongi deserves to be showered in love, and Jungkook intends on doing what he can to make the Omega feel adored and appreciated every moment they’re together. 

At the same time, nothing much changes at all. After filming episodes, they go to the studios and pick one of theirs to work in. Sometimes they work separately, needing silence and space, but always come back together at night in bed and share stories from their projects and ideas they’re trying to manifest. It’s like nothing Jungkook has ever experienced, and it’s not what he imagined being with Yoongi to be like—which is, in a way, what makes it so perfect to begin with. He especially hadn’t anticipated the indifference from the group members, although that may be due to their own blooming relationships with each other. But when they see Yoongi and Jungkook kiss or hold hands, they don’t bat an eyelash. It’s almost like they were always meant to be. 

Yoongi makes him feel loved too. Loved in a way different from how anyone has ever loved him before. For some reason, Jungkook had only ever been daydreaming about taking care of Yoongi, not Yoongi taking care of him . 

Yoongi loves gently. He makes sure Jungkook eats in the morning. He hugs him tightly everytime they’re going to be apart for a few hours. He keeps buying dinner for them both, even though Jungkook has insisted on paying the bill countless times. Yoongi massages Jungkoook’s shoulders when they get too tense, and scents him when nothing else seems to be working. And this is all in the span of a week, Jungkook can’t wait to see how their love will grow and change as time goes on. 

Jungkook was at physical therapy after filming Run today, so he hasn’t seen Yoongi in a while. He got instructions about how to take care of his body while they’re on break—exercises to keep the cramps away and his muscles loose. In two days, they’re all scheduled to go home. Jimin has plans to travel, Taehyung is going to Jeju, Hoseok is going to America. Yoongi is going to Daegu, while Jungkook is traveling all the way to the Busan coast to be with his family. He hasn’t seen his family for an extended period of time in, well, 7 years. Jungkook sometimes worries he won’t know how to be a brother, a son, when he goes back. But, every time, he slips right in like he was never gone. 

He misses his mom’s meals. His brother’s jokes. His dad’s wise tales and their family game nights at the circular dining table with the smell of dinner cooking on the stove.

A part of him is aching though. Breaking at the thought of leaving Yoongi when they’ve only just sorted themselves out. They’ve promised to text and video call, but it’s not really the same if Jungkook can’t smell Yoongi’s cherry blossom scent. The Alpha desperately wants smell-o-vision created just for the purpose of maintaining long-distance relationships. It won’t be that long, it’ll go by fast, I promise, Yoongi has assured him all week. But I’m going to miss you a lot too, Kook-ah. So much. 

Jungkook arrives at the dorms with a groan, slipping off his shoes. It’s finally time for him to relax, watch some TV, cuddle Yoongi. He can’t wait. He’s about to go into the kitchen when something on the floor of the hallway catches his attention. Are those...are those c herry blossom petals? Jungkook crouches down and grabs a handful, bringing them to his nose to smell and quickly realizing they’re fake as he inhales their dusty scent. He shakes them off his fingers and starts to follow the trail, curious who laid these here. But as he passes through the lounge, goes past his room and Yoongi’s, he wants to smack his forehead for how obvious it is. Yoongi laid a trail of cherry blossoms to the isolation room. The Alpha’s not sure why he did, but as he arrives at the white panels he figures he’s about to find out. 

The door opens slowly, revealing more petals that lead to the king-sized bed. On it, the bed sheets have been changed to red satin, sprinkled with pink petals, and candles are lit all around the edges of the room. There’s vases of real flowers, and Jungkook spots a tub filled with ice and two champagne bottles. There’s even jar cups sitting beside it, straight out of Jungkook’s studio. 

The Alpha holds his breath, soaking the sight in. It’s...incredibly romantic. It’s just missing one thing…

“Jungkook-ah,” Yoongi suddenly appears in the bathroom doorway, the bright light behind him surrounding him like a halo. He smiles wide and gummy, “Do you like it?”

“Yoongi,” Jungkook’s eyes swell with tears, so fucking happy that Yoongi surprised him like this. “You did all this? For me?”

“For us,” Yoongi nods cutely, shutting off the bathroom light and stepping into the bedroom. He’s wearing a fluffy white robe that hangs past his knees, but it’s clear he’s not wearing socks or pants. Jungkook’s eyes widen at the thought Yoongi might not be wearing anything beneath the robe. 

“What’s...what’s this all about?” Jungkook’s words are a whisper, his confidence demolished from shock. 

“It’s a special night for us before we’re apart for awhile. I thought we deserved a romantic night in,” Yoongi walks right past Jungkook and shuts the main doors, leaning his back against them as the Alpha turns to face him. Yoongi’s scent is alluring—seductive in nature. Heavenly vanilla and flowers. 

“I take it...you don’t just want to cuddle tonight,” Jungkook bites his lip. 

“Well…” Yoongi averts his gaze, “You wanted our next time to be special. I was wondering if you wanted to , you know, tonight. Or we can just have a cute picnic on the bed. That’s okay too. But if you wanted to do more ... that might be nice.” 

“Can’t you just say you want to have sex?” Jungkook laughs, teasing as he steps closer to the Omega.

“I didn’t want to be so blunt!” Yoongi pouts. “And we really don’t have to. I’m okay just being with you. Because… I love you, and all that.”

“And all that…” Jungkook echoes as he bombards Yoongi’s space and grabs his hands, pushing them against the door so he can kiss Yoongi deeply. His lips are soft and sweet, like he’s wearing gloss, and he smells of soap and toothpaste. The Omega is clearly prepared for this night to get steamy. After a few more sweet, sticky kisses, Jungkook pulls away and cups Yoongi's face. “You mentioned a picnic?” 

“Yes,” the Omega smiles and slips away from him. He goes to the minifridge—which, wow, they really have a minifridge in here? That must have been a Hoseok addition—and pulls out a plate of fancy cheese and meats. There’s a sliced loaf of french bread sitting on top of the fridge that he brings over to the bed. Yoongi lays out a clean towel to catch their crumbs, and taps the sheets as a signal for Jungkook to join him. 

“I’ll open the champagne?” Jungkook suggests. 

“Spotted that quickly, huh?” Yoongi jokes. 

“Hard to miss,” Jungkook takes off the plastic, unravels the wire holding the cork in place, and then uses all his strength to twist it out. The bubbling wine makes a satisfying pop, and he easily pours them each a glass before setting the green bottle back in the ice with a crunch. 

They do what they’ve gotten used to doing at night—catching up on their days, sharing old stories, joking about the other guys and learning new things about each other that they've never thought to mention before. Only this time, they’re sharing a fancy snack and champagne and Yoongi is in what seems like just his robe, while Jungkook is still fully clothed. He feels overdressed, honestly. Jungkook pulls off his sweater and lays more comfortably on the bed, grinning as Yoongi mimics his mother’s reaction to learning Yoongi’s dating Bangtan’s maknae, with special emphasis on the part where his mom commented on Jungkook’s abs she saw on TV once. That makes Jungkook hide his face. 

“I wish your mom had a better impression of me.”

“Oh no, I assure you, that’s the best impression she could have,” Yoongi relishes the sight of Jungkook being embarrassed far too much, but the Alpha can’t complain when Yoongi is smiling so wide.

They finish nearly all the snacks and the first bottle of champagne. Jungkook’s not too full, and only feels a little fuzzy in the corners of his brain. They’ve stopped talking, and are just holding hands. 

“Hyung,” Jungkook shakes his head. “Thank you for setting all this up.”

“It’s really nothing,” Yoongi mumbles. 

“It is though. You must have been planning this for days, thinking of me, and trying to  make it cute and perfect. And it is so romantic,” Jungkook waves at the candles that lit their meal and fill the room with flickering light. They don’t really have a scent, but Jungkook doesn’t mind because it means he can focus more on Yoongi’s scent in close proximity. “I like romance.”

“We both do,” Yoongi adds. “We deserve this.”

“We do.”

Jungkook swallows, Yoongi’s gaze warm on his face. “I wanna take a shower, and when I come back, maybe...we can see where things go?” The Alpha offers. 

“I’ll be here,” Yoongi squeezes his hand. “Being with you is all that matters to me,” the Omega reminds him. 

Jungkook kisses him and then gets in the shower, washing himself thoroughly. He can’t stop smiling as he soaps up his hair, picturing Yoongi preparing the meal, laying out the flowers, telling the members to ignore the trail and leave the isolation room alone. It’s still hard to believe any of this is real, and Yoongi really does love him, but it’s true. 

If Jungkook’s being honest, the only reason he doesn’t immediately leap at the opportunity to have sex is because for this first time, it will really, truly, mean something. Helping Yoongi through his heat was one thing, but this will be mutual. It will be full of intent and love and desire. He does want it to be special, and Yoongi has staged the perfect scenario. A light dinner, some alcohol, clean sheets and showers. As Jungkook brushes his teeth, he knows he’s already decided. Knows what he wants, and that when he goes out there Yoongi will be waiting for him, eager for anything. 

It’s really so precious, and it makes Jungkook want to hold him tight. 

When the Alpha opens the door, cherry blossom rushes over him. He blinks in surprise at how thick the scent is, but hey, he’s not complaining. Yoongi is laying nonchalantly on the bed, still in his robe. He’s cleared away the dishes, the towel, and brushed off the remaining flower petals. He glances up at Jungkook, setting his phone on the nightstand smiling. 

“Hey.”

“Hey.”

“Wanna come lay with me?” Yoongi sits up against the pillows, pale legs curled against him like a cat’s tail. 

Jungkook put on a t-shirt and black briefs that he found folded nicely in the bathroom—Yoongi had really prepared for everything—and slowly makes his way across the soft carpet to the bed. Yoongi has an innocent expression on his face, like he really isn’t expecting anything extra tonight if Jungkook isn’t interested. But Jungkook...is very interested. Has to admit, that ever since his rut and their confessions being with Yoongi in this way has crossed his mind a number of times. 

🌺

“Yoongi,” Jungkook sits on the edge of the bed, leaning over so an arm is planted on either side of the Omega. He lets their noses brush together as Yoongi’s pupils widen and his scent sweetens. “I want you.” 

Yoongi responds immediately by burying his fingers in Jungkook’s hair and kissing him, yanking the Alpha all the way onto the bed so Jungkook’s hovering above him, their lips pushing and pulling as they breathe giddiness into each other. Jungkook’s stomach is fluttering, a little scared but mostly stupidly happy to be touching Yoongi again. The Omega leaves sloppy kisses on Jungkook’s neck, leaving a bruise on him for once with a sharp nip of his teeth, and then he pushes on Jungkook’s chest so the Alpha sits up. 

“I want to sit on you,” Yoongi leaves no room for debate and Jungkook can’t argue. So they swap places, and Yoongi slides onto the Alpha’s lap, Yoongi’s robe riding up on his legs as the belt becomes loose. “I’m gonna take this off. Is that...is that okay?”

Jungkook nods, entranced.

“Okay,” Yoongi stands up on his knees, seeming tall and strong in a way Jungkook should appreciate more often. He appreciates Yoongi’s shoulders as they’re slowly revealed; bony, with muscles on his arms and chest that he usually hides under his cozy sweaters. 

Jungkook sways forward to kiss beneath Yoongi’s collarbone, mouth trailing lower as Yoongi slowly pulls down the robe to reveal his pink nipples. They’re soft still, but Jungkook wraps his lips around one and listens to see if the Omega likes it or not. There’s a steady purr vibrating through Jungkook’s body that tells him he’s doing something right, so he continues and gently catches each of Yoongi’s nipples in his teeth so he can tease it with his tongue and make it perky and hard. The Omega leans into, grinding forward in Jungkook’s lap as encouragement. The Alpha holds him steady by the waist, eager to be pleasing his boyfriend. It feels so good to call him that that Jungkook accidentally bites too hard and Yoongi jerks.

“Sorry.”

“No, it’s okay,” Yoongi laughs. The white robe finally comes off his arms, still tied around his waist, where he pauses with the belt in his hands. “Jungkook-ah.”

“Hm?” He looks up at his partner, heading the seriousness of Yoongi’s tone.

“I tried something, and if you don’t like it that’s okay. We don’t have to do it again.”

“You tried something?” Jungkook repeats, not quite understanding. “What do you mean?”

“Sit back,” Yoongi pushes his chest in answer, making the Alpha rest against the headboard and simply watch as Yoongi unites his belt. 

He starts taking the robe off, and at first all Jungkook sees is underwear—not sure what Yoongi was so worried about it. But as the robe is removed entirely, Jungkook nearly chokes, blood rushing to his face and dick and his Alpha growling in approval. Yoongi is wearing black lace boyshorts, the floral pattern stretching from his hip bone to the tops of his soft, bare thighs. The lingerie is simple, and not all that revealing, but it’s skin tight and fucking pretty and Jungkook is taken aback.

“Oh...wow, Yoongi.”

“Do you—” Yoongi sits back onto Jungkook’s legs— “do you like them? Or is it weird?”

“They’re gorgeous,” Jungkook’s hands hold Yoongi’s waist, craving the feeling of lace against his fingertips. “Baby, you’re gorgeous. You’re so… Wow.”

“You like?” Yoongi is frowning, like he still doesn't believe him.

Well, Jungkook can’t allow that can he?

“I like it so much,” Jungkook bends down and kisses Yoongi’s sharp hip bones through the lacey fabric. He lets his lips trail from hip to hip, kissing his thighs next, and moving more and more inward. 

“You’re beautiful, baby. I never imagined you in this, but now that you’ve done it I can’t imagine you without it. It’s so soft, like you,” Jungkook’s hands rub over Yoongi’s tummy, his thighs, his swell of ass that feels and looks so good under the black lingerie. “You’re sharp too, which makes you even more handsome,” Jungkook continues. His fingertips tickle at Yoongi’s shoulders, his ankles, his jaw. “I love the way you are. Your body is perfect, Yoongi. Don’t ever change it for me, I love you as you.”

“Jungkook…” Yoongi whines. His face is red and scrunched up, overwhelmed by the compliments and attention. The Alpha kisses Yoongi’s pink lips, gnawing at the corner of his mouth that he’s always found so cute, so biteable. 

Yoongi gets impatient, his scent growing and his eyes more lust-filled. He tugs at Jungkook’s t-shirt like he’s asking permission to remove it, to which Jungkook simply raises his arms and lets Yoongi pull it off. It has been getting hot, and with it gone Jungkook is inclined to do more. He cups his hand at the front of Yoongi’s lingerie, peering up at the Omega and whispering, “This okay?”

Yoongi’s eyes fall shut and he nods, rocking into Jungkook’s palm to create friction. The Alpha grinds against Yoongi’s dick, relishing the way the other man squirms in his lap and bucks into every movement. Yoongi kisses him hard, their teeth knocking together and making Jungkook hiss a little, but they recover from the award clash with a laugh. Yoongi adjusts, walking his thighs forward so he’s almost, almost, sitting on top of Jungkook’s hardening dick. 

“Can I touch you?” Yoongi asks all politely, too innocent for his red lips and how flushed he is. 

“Yeah, please,” Jungkook immediately digs the heel of his palm into Yoongi’s cock again, a wet patch starting to form in the place where a bulge has become more and more apparent. 

The Omega leaves kitten kisses across Jungkook’s chest, biting briefly at the Alpha’s nipples which makes Jungkook jerk into him with a surprised gasp. Yoongi simply laughs, hand disappearing into Jungkook’s briefs and carefully pulling out his hardening dick. He pumps it steadily in his head, wet only from sweat and beading precum. 

“I really didn’t get to enjoy this last time,” Yoongi hums, mouths around Jungkook’s nipple again and sends vibrations straight to his cock. He gets hard stupidly fast with Yoongi’s perfect long fingers working him over, twisting and creating a tight channel that the Alpha instinctively fucks into. 

“Enjoy what?” He huffs in question. 

“Your dick,” Yoongi laughs, then adds, “Your Alpha cock.” 

“Oh my god,” Jungkook has to stop, burying his burning face into Yoongi’s chest. “Please don’t call it that.”

“Why not?” Yoongi teases, stroking firmly with each word, breathing hot on Jungkook’s neck. “It’s big, it’s pretty, it’s gonna fuck me so good. Knot me. Fill me up.” 

“Jesus,” Jungkook hugs Yoongi around the waist and kisses all over his sweaty skin. He’s too bashful to accept the kind of compliments(?) Yoongi is offering him.

“I wanna suck you off,” Yoongi mumbles. 

Jungkook feels a pulse of want course through him, taking hold. He pushes the Omega back so they can face each other properly, letting his hand hold his boyfriend's face before pushing a single finger past his lips. Yoongi’s eyelids droop, and his tongue immediately sets to work, sucking in another of Jungkook’s digits. Watching Yoongi's lips and tongue at work—pouting, wet, hungry—is a huge turn on. When Yoongi scoots backwards and starts tugging on Jungkook's briefs, he does nothing to stop him, letting his head fall against the headboard with a thunk. His fingers fall from the Omega’s mouth. He forgets everything the instant a tongue traces around the tip of his cock. 

Jungkook moans when he’s wrapped in tight, wet heat, a slight scrape of teeth around his cock that he kinda loves. He stays as still as he can, even though he’s shaking with adrenaline and anticipation. Yoongi’s hands hold down his hips as his cock gets worked over, kisses along the side, swallowing around the head, and then a few instances where the Omega forces himself all the way down on Jungkook’s girth, pulling up with a heavy gasp and spit-slicked lips. He looks, well, fucking beautiful, but Jungkook can’t speak for the life of him—too caught up his pleasure. Yoongi’s rough fingertips fondle Jungkook’s balls, making the Alpha jerk his hips up into Yoongi’s mouth accidentally. 

“Fuck, sorry baby,” Jungkook gasps, eyes squeezed shut and his hands gripping the red satin sheets. 

Yoongi simply hums around him, taking him deeper into his mouth, and swallowing hard. 

Jungkook’s hands fly to Yoongi's head, pulling at his hair so he gets off his cock. 

“Are you okay?” Yoongi asks, eyes wide with concern. “Did I hurt you?’

“No, no, fuck,” Jungkook rambles, his brain turned to mush. “You were too good, I was about to cum.”

“Well,” Yoongi laughs, “isn’t that the point?”

“Eventually, but,” Jungkook bites his lip, averting his gaze. “Do you want to finish like this?”

“We can do whatever you want,” Yoongi replies immediately. 

“I asked you first,” Jungkook smirks a little. It’s very much like them to not want to say stuff out loud, hoping the other has magically become a mind reader. 

Yoongi sits down, back straight, and rubs at his neck in his usual nervous manner, “I don't know what you’re okay with. Are you still...hesitant about being with an Omega? Or are you worried about giving in to...Alpha instincts?” 

“Not right now,” Jungkook answers, glad for a chance to catch his breath and even out his heart rate. “Neither of us are in our cycles, we’re sober, I trust this.” 

“And I trust you,” Yoongi promises. “I want us to enjoy tonight, and I’d be okay with anything, but I don’t want you to worry. You know I like— I love —the Alpha in you. I love you.”

“I love you too, hyung,” Jungkook feels soft. Melty. And also...horny. Very horny. Maybe he’ll just...test the waters a little. He drags his hands to Yoongi's ass, grabbing a handful or each cheek and watching as Yoongi shivers in response to the touch. “This okay?”

Yoongi nods. 

“Can I finger you?” 

Yoongi grins, almost wolfish, “Yes, please.”

“Please, huh?” Jungkook teases, kneading Yoongi’s ass more as he sits up and rubs their noses together, lips hovering over Yoongi’s. 

“Please,” Yoongi repeats, pressing back into the Alpha’s hands. “Touch me, Alpha.”

“Fuck, fuck baby, you can’t just call me that,” Jungkook feels a rumble tear through him, growling as he scoops Yoongi up and manhandles him onto his hands aknees, head near the door an ass to the Alpha who gets up on his knees, cocks weeping between each of their legs.  

~

Yoongi whines as Jungkook plasters his bare front to Yoongi’s back, nipples and sweat rubbing against his skin and making the Omega arch up into him. He’s so happy Jungkook enjoyed the surprise beneath the robe. He stared way too long at the lingerie options online, wanting something attractive but not over the top. The boyshorts were the perfect medium, and covered Yoongi enough that he doesn’t feel too exposed. He sorta wants Jungkook to tear them off already, but he also appreciates that Jungkook’s taking the time to admire them and how Yoongi looks in them. 

The Alpha removes his own underwear from his ankles with a huff of annoyance, Yoongi snorting a little as he’s filled with exhilaration. He would have been totally content just cuddling, doing nothing past handjobs, or eating and going immediately to sleep—but having this night before they’re apart for over a month is really, really nice. And it feels so good to be wanted, to be touched and craved and kissed. 

“Lube?” Jungkook asks. 

“Under the pillows,” Yoongi can hardly speak, so caught up in the sensations and the musky, heavy, storm scent of Jungkook. He hears the Alpha grab the plastic bottle and the condom packets, a soft click and then a squirt of jelly-liquid into Jungkook’s hand. He still leaves on Yoongi’s lingerie, which makes Yoongi laugh and push his ass up more as cold, lubey fingers search for his entrance. The Omega is waiting for Jungkook to discover his second present. 

A finger gently swirls around Yoongi’'s rim, tugging and coating it with lube before slowly sinking in. Yoongi takes deep breaths, and then feels Jungkook’s teeth dig into his back. 

“Yoongi, did you—”

“I started,” Yoongi pushes the finger deeper by thrusting his hips back. “While you were in the shower.”

“You really wanted this, huh?”

“Yes, Alpha,” Yoongi groans as he feels a second finger cautiously join. 

The name unleashes something carnal in Jungkook everytime he says it and Yoongi loves it. Loves the heady scent of Alpha pheromones that are released, the way Jungkook grabs him a little rougher and tenses his muscles, feeding into Yoongi’s strength kink perfectly. Jungkook’s long fingers scissor at his walls, stretching them wider than Yoongi could, as Jungkook kisses Yoongi’s back. The Omega is shaking, it’s difficult to hold himself up as his ass is opened up and the pressure inside him increases. His Omega is also getting exhausted, not because he wants the sex to be over but because it wants to be taken care of. It wants to be fucked and knotted and holy shit, he might cum if Jungkook keeps thrusting his fingers up against his prostate. 

Yoongi pulls away, Jungkook removing his hand immediately, “Baby, you okay? Does it hurt?”

“It doesn’t hurt, I just…” Yoongi twists and lays down on his back, exposing his front to Jungkook as he towers over him, arms holding his weight up. “Hurry up, Alpha.”

Yoongi gasps as Jungkook’s irises gleam gold for the first time tonight and his strong hands go to the waistband of Yoongi’s lacey lingerie. 

“Can I take this off now?” 

“Please,” Yoongi whispers, lifting his hips to make it easier as Jungkook finally lets Yoongi’s aching pink cock breathe in the air. 

Jungkook sticks pillows under Yoongi’s hips and his head, giving some kind of support, and then jacks him off loosely, slowly, teasing the Omega until he’s whimpering and pleading and begging for more. “Jungkook, Kook, more. Want your—your Alpha cock.” 

This time when Yoongi says it Jungkook doesn’t laugh and cringe away, he growls and adds a third finger to Yoongi’s hole, really doing everything he can to make sure Yoongi is prepped. When the fourth fingers enters, slick with lube, Yoongi wraps his legs around Jungkook’s waist, locking him in place with ankles and not letting him slip away. 

“I need to get a condom,” Jungkook runs his hands up and down Yoongi's rib cage, kissing Yoongi on the lips for the first time in what feels like hours. 

“Are—are you clean?” Yoongi tries to ignore how fucked out and pathetic his voice sounds. 

“I…y-yeah,” Jungkook stutters, caught off guard. He pulls away and meets Yoongi’s eyes, holding the Omega still by the chin. “I’m clean, but...are you really saying you want…?”

“I want to feel you cum,” Yoongi surprises himself with his honesty. 

“Oh, um, uh,” Jungkook is blushing. “You don’t think it’s gross?”

“Not when it’s you,” Yoongi says. 

Jungkook snorts, “Why are you being so sentimental about my cum?”

Yoongi gasps, pinching Jungkook’s nipple in retaliation, “Shut up! I’m not! Use a condom if you want, I don’t care either way.” 

Jungkook’s searching gaze makes Yoongi turn his head and shy away, relieved when Jungkook kisses down his front and settles back into place. Yoongi looks down, watching Jungkook slathers the lube over his hard, bare cock. It’s red, a vein bulging on the side, and precum drooling out of it. Yoongi might start drooling himself, it’s a really good dick. 

“You sure about no condom?” Jungkook double checks, massaging Yoongi’s thigh and grabbing the base of his cock as Yoongi lifts his hips to make it easier.  

“Yes.”

Yoongi hisses as the head of Jungkook’s dick smacks against his hole, a wet sloppy sound piercing his ears. When the Alpha starts to push in, Yoongi grips the blankets tight, an intense pressure at the base of his spine as Jungkook carefully pushes in. Yoongi’s plenty loose and lubed, but his muscles are tense. Jungkook stops halfway, kissing Yoongi’s thighs and humming sweet nothings until the Omega opens up and accepts Jungkook’s full length into his ass, balls pressed to skin in a tight seal of lube. Yoongi keeps his legs locked around Jungkook’s waist, not letting him move as he gets comfortable. 

“It’s so hot,” Yoongi cries out. “So hot, holy fuck. You’re...you’re fucking big.” 

“Is it too much? Should I—”

“No, don’t pull out!” Yoongi squeaks, nearly panicked. He needs Jungkook. He likes that he’s this close, likes that he’s inside Yoongi, carving out a space there. “Just, just kiss me.”

So Jungkook takes Yoongi’s hands in his, intertwines their fingers, and presses them to the bed on either side of the Omega's head. Their lips meet in a chaste kiss. They meld together softly, warmly, like candle wax; light of the candles around them setting the scene. Yoongi feels so cherished as Jungkook kisses all over his face. Yoongi feels so loved when Jungkook mumbles, “I love you, I love you, I love you,” over and over again. With time, Jungkook starts moving slowly, hardly pulling out at all before pushing back in. Deep, slow thrusts that turn Yoongi into a puddle. 

The Omega’s dick is caught between their stomachs, getting rubbed against Jungkook’s smooth abs, any more friction than that and he already would have cum. 

Jungkook’s thrusts stay short, but they get a little rougher and he grinds his hips into Yoongi with more intensity. They’re not really kissing anymore, just their mouths pressed together as they pant, but their hands are still interlocked, Yoongi’s fingers going numb from the grip and weight of Jungkook but he doesn’t care. He likes being here, beneath him, around him. 

At some point, it becomes too much. Yoongi’s ass is starting to ache, his cock is screaming for release, nearly painful with how hard he is. 

“Jungkook-ah,” Yoongi untangles their fingers and wraps his arms around Jungkook’s muscled back instead. “Alpha, fuck me. Knot me, please, please, Alpha.” 

“Omega,” a growl rips through Jungkook’s body, “my Omega.” 

“Oh— oh!” Yoongi yelps as Jungkook grabs him and lifts him. Jungkook sits back on his knees, Yoongi impaled on his cock as their fronts are pressed together. They reek of sweat, cherry, and rain.

Jungkook fucks up into Yoongi hard. He pulls out so the head of his cock remains inside and then drops Yoongi fully back onto it, sending a rush of arousal through each of them. The Omega feels teeth biting into his shoulder, deep, and lets hismelf be used like a ragdoll as Jungkook lifts him up and down in his cock, his dick snug and reaching so fucking far inside Yoongi he doesn’t know how to react with anything other than wanton moans, his prostate getting railed. Yoongi cums hard, all over their chests, whining and scraping his nails on Jungkook’s back. 

“Should I stop?” Jungkook asks, rutting up into Yoongi with tense muscles. 

“Don’t you fucking dare,” Yoongi grits out. “Knot me, baby, knot me. I know you can.”

“Shit, shit,” Jungkook swears. “I’m gonna move you, okay? We’re gonna be...we’re gonna be stuck and I don’t want it to hurt.”

“Yeah, yeah okay,” Yoongi is breathless, sweaty, just wants to be filled to the goddamn brim by cock and cum. 

Yoongi almost cries when Jungkook pulls out, maneuvering Yoongi as their legs knock and the Omega is turned around, sinking back onto Jungkook's cock as his front sticks to Yoongi's back. It doesn’t take long for the base of the Alpha’s dick to start swelling, teasing Yoongi's rim as Jungkook holds him firm by the hips and fucks into him. Yoongi’s hard again, so he starts jerking himself in time with Jungkook’s rushed thrusts. 

“Knot me, knot me,” Yoongi whispers as Jungkook's ruts into him, thrusting sharply and locking himself inside as he cums, the hot semen filling Yoongi and making him squirm with the pleasure of being filled and taken. Jungkook has his arms tightly around Yoongi, continuing to pump his hips as cum continues to flow out. 

“Fuck, you feel...feel s’ good,” Yoongi’s words are garbled, he’s dizzy with ectasy. 

Jungkook lays them down on their sides carefully, mountain of pillows beneath their heads and sweat cooling. Yoongi pushes back, humming in content at how Jungkook feels. 

“I love you Yoongi, I love you so much.”

“I love you too,” Yoongi whispers back. He smiles, eyes shutting, feather-light kisses brushing his neck and shoulders as he falls asleep. 

~🌺

Jungkook

I already miss you

Yoongi

I miss you too :(

Jungkook

No sad faces or I’ll come find you and kiss it away!!

Yoongi

:(((

Jungkook 

DEVASTATION

Hoseok

Can’t you guys do this OUTSIDE of the group chat?

Jimin

For real

Seokjin

We know you’re in love and all but jeez

Namjoon

Or maybe this is all part of their next scheme and they’ve actually broken up and are just faking to make us think they’re a gooey happy couple

Yoongi

.

That joke isn’t funny anymore

Jungkook

We said we’re sorry!

Taehyung

I liked your joke babe

Namjoon

Thanks babe

Yoongi 

GROSS

Hoseok

So you two can be gross but we can’t??

Seokjin

Hypocrites

Jimin

I agree with you honey, now come give me another kiss!

Yoongi

I can’t believe you’re seriously going to paris together

Seokjin

Why shouldn’t we?

Yoongi

Touche

~

Jungkook

Yoongi~

I’m starting my tattoos today!!

Yoongi

Oh man! How you feeling? Are you ready?

Jungkook

I’m so ready

My family is very hyped

I’m so happy

Yoongi

Make sure to send me pictures!

Jungkook

I will!

Jungkook

[image]

Yoongi

OH MY GOD

YOU’RE SO HOT 

Jungkook

Baby they’re not even halfway done yet.. This is like a fourth of what I’ll have

Yoongi

Your point? 

Also, your hair is so pretty

Have I mentioned

Jungkook

You have

And I’m starting to worry who collected it out of my hairbrush and made yourself a little Jungkook-hair pillow

Yoongi

That sounds. Absolutely horrifying. If I ever do that I beg you to break up with me. 

Jungkook

Wow I’m offended you’re not in love with me enough to make a pillow out of my hair

:D

Yoongi

You scared me I almost thought you were serious

Jungkook

I could be~

Yoongi

Jungkook

I HAVE 7 SONGS 

TOTALLY FINISHED

Jungkook

Baby

What did we say about working over break

Yoongi

That I shouldn’t…

Jungkook

Yes.

Okay now that you’re self-aware call me asap and PLAY ME THE SONGS

Jungkook

I can’t swim because of my tattoos so I’m sad >:(

My brother and mom are having so much fun

Where’s my fun!

And I’m even in a long sleeve shirt, I’m dying yoooooooooongi

Yoongi

Make a sandcastle

Jungkook

Shit you’re right

Jungkook

[image]

Yoongi

Oh my god you actually made one

Wait what’s it called?

Min-Jeon?

Jungkook

:)

It’s our future palace baby

Made it for you

Yoongi

Our future palace is about to get washed away by the waves

Jungkook

Well ignore that part

Yoongi

My family makes the best food

How have I been living without them

Jungkook

I want to meet them properly

As your boyfriend :(

Yoongi

…

I feel like this is a ploy to get food

Jungkook

:D

Yes but seriously hyung, I want to meet them properly and show them that I’m good enough for you

Yoongi

My mom will steal you away

Jungkook

I only have eyes for you baby

Jungkook

Can you believe it

I get to see you tomorrow!!!

Yoongi

Yes

And then we leave immediately for new zealand

Jungkook

I know :(

Such a cock block

But I’m so excited to go somewhere cold!!

Yoongi

Me too! I think it will be fun

All the stuff we planned sounds great

Jungkook

Even the cliff diving?

Yoongi

Well...that not so much

I can already tell you’re hyped tho

Jungkook 

How could you tell :D

Yoongi

I can feel your smile through the messages

Jungkook

Well, not quite smell-o-vision but I’ll take it

Yoongi

I SEE YOU

I’M RUNNING

WATCH OUT

Jungkook

WHAT 

WHERE

I DON’T SEE YOU?

AJDHAJDHJADA

~

A lot happens after they come back from break. They go to New Zealand, New Years, the Grammy’s, they go to America, they finish their album and film music videos. Their album is released and—

It’s devastating. Concerts canceled. Performing without an audience (a shocking reminder of the days when no one cheered for them). It’s heartbreaking in every way possible. They live to perform, to see ARMY, to share their music and dance with the world. But they make the best of it. They start on new songs, make fun videos that fans can watch and then recreate with on their own in quarantine. And Yoongi finishes his mixtape. It had been slated for September 2019, but he wasn’t finished with it and Yoongi wasn’t happy with every song so it got delayed. With all the extra time on his hands, he was able to finally release it. 

Jungkook remembers laying in bed beside Yoongi, watching the clock tick and hit 6pm. Immediately, he watched the music video and listened to the album all the way through, like a genuine fan. Which he is, because what’s not to love about Min Yoongi? 

It’s a couple weeks later when Jungkook’s gift is ready. He wraps it in an old newspaper, puts a bow on the top, and takes it to the Genius Lab. He rings the bell to signal his arrival—because he’s a polite boyfriend like that—and then punches in the code to let himself in. Yoongi is sitting at his desk, headphones on, working on a fresh track for their quarantine album. As hardworking as ever. The Alpha rubs his hands over Yoongi’s shoulders, massaging his tensions away. When Yoongi finds a place to pause, he spins around in his chair and smiles up at Jungkook. 

The Alpha bends to kiss him, rub their noses together, and then reaches inside his pocket to pull out the gift. 

“What's this?” The Omega asks as he takes it. “I thought we agreed monthly anniversary gifts weren’t necessary?”

Jungkook laughs, “It’s not an anniversary gift. Just open it.”

Yoongi glances between it and Jungkook’s face, reluctant to accept a present when he has nothing to give Jungkook in return. He takes the bow off and presses it onto Jungkook’s jeans, like a troublesome cat, and slowly picks at the newspaper to start peeling it off. Jungkook stares at Yoongi’s face, waiting for the moment his partner realizes what it is. When Yoongi does, his pupils widen and his face scrunches up like he’s overcome with emotion. The newspaper falls silently to the floor, and in Yoongi’s hand is a grey cassette with D-2 recorded onto it. The title of the album is written by Jungkook’s hand on a piece of masking tape with black marker. 

“It works?” Yoongi whispers. 

“You have a cassette player in here still? Let’s hear it.” 

“You know what it sounds like,” Yoongi pretends to argue, but he’s already standing up to move aside books and papers to uncover the dusty cassette player which whirs to life, old but still functioning. Yoongi pops in the tape and shuts it, the play button clicking like the opening of Seesaw. 

Yoongi doesn’t move. He just stands there and watches the tape turn as Moonlight plays on the speakers. Jungkook steps up behind Yoongi, wrapping his arms around his waist. Yoongi places his hands over Jungkook’s leans into him. They stand and listen to the entire album, Jungkook humming, Yoongi commenting on how good it sounds, and thanking Jungkook with kisses. 

When Dear My Friend ends, Jungkook kisses Yoongi on the cheek and says, “You did so good. I hope you know that, and that you can feel that from me and from the fans. I love you so much.”

Yoongi doesn’t say anything, but he intertwines their fingers and rubs his thumb over Jungkook’s tattooed knuckles. The Alpha’s phone vibrates with a reminder to get down to the gym, which makes him groan and pull away. 

“Ah, Seokjin…” Jungkook complains. 

“He’s hyung to you,” Yoongi chastises, letting Jungkook go and taking the cassette out of the player, clicking it back into its container

“I don’t call you hyung,” Jungkook points out, picking up the abandoned newspaper and throwing it out. 

“Well, I’m an exception aren’t I?” Yoongi smirks a little. 

Jungkook shakes his head, completely endeared. Yoongi sits back down at his desk, waking his monitors back up and tucking one leg up on the chair. He smells so calm and sweet, like cherry blossoms in a spring shower. The Alpha goes to the door reluctantly, twisting the handle and opening it. The light from the hall streams in, casting a strip over Yoongi that ignites him like a spotlight. Jungkook sighs loudly, making the Omega glance over at him. 

“It feels weird, leaving you here.”

A smile creeps onto Yoongi’s face as he says, “Then don't.” 

my twt; my cc