Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

apricity;

(n.) the warmth of sunlight in winter

—

Residing between two mountains and tucked beside a river next to its corresponding forest, a village thrives. In the midday autumn air, a breeze passes through the homes and fields, the brown leaves brushing past the wind—remnants of laughter and the bustling life carried with it. The energy is infectious and the mood joyous as the wolves residing in the village rally for an upcoming event. Everywhere, people are trading goods and chatting happily with one another. Dressed in loose fabrics of earth tones and natural thread, they all make their way around the town square to different businesses so they can gather baskets overflowing with supplies and tote armfuls of decorations. It’s the biggest event of the year, as it marks the start of mating season. Celebrated as a beginning for young wolves and a chance to find their future mate, its importance is passed down through the generations and, every year, it takes place in the beginning of September. 

This year is no different—especially for one wolf in particular.

Park Jimin has participated in the festival for three years— three years. It’s rare that someone participates more than once, as everyone is expected to find a mate through the courting rituals on the first go-around—if not, in the year leading up to the following mating season. Over the last hundred years, there has never been someone who hasn’t managed to secure a mate after presenting as their subgender at twenty-one years old. 

Well, except for Park Jimin.

Now, the man in question is twenty-four and unmated, walking in a rushed pace through the center of town and avoiding the watchful gazes of those around as he carries a heavy, woven basket full of apples in his arms. He grunts with the effort but takes it in stride—anything to take his mind off of the upcoming ceremony.

A festival—a three day one, at that. Every presented and unmated member of the village is expected to attend. All go with intentions of finding mates, but not all actively have to participate—by way of having a courting gift for someone else they wish to pursue—so long as they show up and stay a while. That’s what Jimin does, too; the bare minimum of being there while everyone drinks and enjoys the company of others. For three years now, he watches as people confess and trade gifts with flushes on their faces. He sits to the sidelines while his peers go off to sneak away with their new lover. 

His twenty-first birthday, unfortunately, fell the month after the courting ceremony. Due to that, almost an entire year passed before the first one he would be able to participate in and that ended up not being good for him. It was enough time for the initial excitement of him presenting as the first beta in ten years to wear away and for reality to settle in. Everyone realized what being a Beta meant; vague scents, not the most viable mating partner since he didn’t have the advantage of making slick or producing a knot, and him generally being uninteresting to his omega and alpha counterparts, who were territorial and openly pining. The possessiveness, the drive to reproduce—it skipped over Jimin. 

It’s not that he isn’t interested in having sex or having a mate. He wants those things—terribly so. That’s what makes it hurt so much every time he participates in the courting ceremonies. The beta’s heart clenches in his chest as he nurses a drink in his hands and fights back tears, watching on like a shadow in the twilight; forgotten and overlooked. He is unremarkable to a group of people with better fits for one another and, therefore, unmatable, too.

This year will be no different.

So, like every time before, Jimin purses his lips and carries the basket of apples through town, heading for the meadow in the clearing of the woods where all the preparations are already coming together. Posts with ribbons and banisters are up with their decorations flowing in the windy air. Fairy lights are strewn about on trees and posts and barrels, and countless tables and chairs have been set up along with rows of sanded logs for the entire population of the town anticipated to be in attendance. Those who are mated or not yet presented still chose to come, since the occasion is so tremendous and—for seemingly everyone but Jimin—actually a rather pleasant time. It’s a party, a celebration, it’s—

The Annual Courting Festival.

As the beta approaches, a group of people with baskets full of fruit stacked to the side notice him and call him over. Two of them are friends he recognizes: a mated pair; Kim Namjoon, an omega, and Kim Taehyung, an alpha.

“Hey, Jimin! Bring it over! That’s the last one we need for the desserts Granny Haru is making,” Taehyung calls out, his own sleeves rolled up as he shuffles the heavy baskets around. The beta nods and holds back a snort when he looks over at Namjoon and finds him openly ogling his mate’s easy display of strength.

“Why isn’t she finishing them in her shop and bringing them over the day of?” Jimin asks, heaving as he sets the apples on the ground, immediately flopping down into the soft grass to catch his breath. Namjoon moves over to sit beside him and they both watch on uselessly as Taehyung effortlessly finishes their work.

“She’d rather bring the ingredients out and make them fresh as people request them than waste food. You know how she is,” Namjoon explains, shrugging.

Jimin hums and rests his head against the older man’s shoulder, relaxing as he inhales the strong, pleasant peach scent coming from the omega. Their pheromones are soothing and meant to lure in and comfort alphas, but they still have an affect on other subgenders. Jimin has always found Namjoon’s scent comforting. His own is that of rosemary and, though small whiffs of it can be recognized when someone is close to his scent gland, it’s dull in comparison to other subgenders. Lackluster like everything else about his status as a beta.

Taehyung finishes the arduous task of hauling around the baskets and wipes a bead of sweat from his forehead, swiping his hair as he approaches the pair resting in the grass and gives them a hard look. 

“You know,” He begins, breathing shallower than normal. “The two of you could have helped.”

Jimin half-heartedly shrugs at the same time Namjoon snorts, and Taehyung huffs at both of them before also collapsing onto the ground. He sprawls out like a starfish and makes a show of groaning in exhaustion even though Namjoon and Jimin both know Taehyung has more energy than that.

“So, you’re doing the ceremony again this year?” Namjoon asks suddenly and Jimin doesn’t have to look away from the grass he is fiddling with between his fingers to know that the omega is talking to him.

With a sigh, he says, “Yeah, I guess.”

“Not going to try and court someone?” Taehyung pipes up.

“What’s the point?” Jimin asks back in response.

Namjoon shrugs and the movement shifts the beta’s head that is still resting against his shoulder. It makes Jimin move off and decide to lean back on both of his arms instead, fingers spread out with his palms to the Earth. “You never know. You always go but you’ve never tried courting someone before. They might say yes.”

Jimin grimaces. “They wouldn’t and, if they did, I’d just assume it was out of pity.”

Taehyung kicks lazily at him, his foot knocking against the side of Jimin’s shin. “Hey, that’s my friend you’re talking about. He’s a sweet guy so be nice to him.”

With a half-smile and eye roll, Jimin nods. “I know. I know. I’m just being realistic, though. I see the way they look at me. I’m not blind. No one wants a beta as a mate.”

“Why not?” 

The smooth voice that asks the question is a new one, calling out from the side as their footsteps draw near to the group of friends resting in the grass. All at once, Taehyung, Namjoon, and Jimin look over to see a tall, built figure approach. Dressed in airy, earth-toned cloths that are loose around his slim waist but tight around his muscular arms and chest, clinging to his toned thighs. His soft, black hair curls at the edges and flows back as he steps through the breeze flowing through the meadow. Handsome features and sharp eyes.

“Jeongguk,” Taehyung says with a smile. The man approaching passes a glance to the three friends before perching himself neatly on the grass somewhere next to Taehyung so that he is facing all of them. The alpha continues, “We were just telling Jimin here how he should try and have fun at the Courting Festival this year.”

Jeongguk’s gaze flickers over to the beta. With an eyebrow raise, the man says, “He should. Everyone should have fun at the festival. It’s meant to be a nice time.”

Jimin pokes his plump bottom lip out in a pout, mumbling, “You just have to say that because your father is Head Alpha Jeon.”

Namjoon snorts as Taehyung throws his head back in laughter. Jeongguk just raises a brow and gives Jimin a teasing look. He leans back to rest his weight on his forearms in the same way Jimin is, legs spread out in front of him so their feet are nearly touching. “I never say anything I don’t mean. The ceremony is a celebration of new beginnings and it’s honoring a century of tradition. It’s a time for everyone to spend with those they love and for people to find their forever partner. Isn’t that the perfect setting for fun?”

“For most people, maybe,” Jimin responds.

Before Jeongguk can retort, Namjoon smiles and shakes his head at the newest addition to their grass hang-out session. “You’re going to be a good leader once you present as an alpha and take over for your father, Jeongguk.”

Taehyung raises a brow at his mate. “Who said he is going to present as an alpha?”

Namjoon gives him a look, dimples appearing as he smiles and scrunches his nose. Gesturing to Jeongguk, he says, “Isn’t it obvious? The kid is sending out obvious alpha signals.”

Taehyung narrows his eyes. “What does that mean?”

The omega sputters, “ Taehyung . Come on, you know I didn’t mean in a weird way. I just mean his overall energy. He’s responsible and a natural leader. Why wouldn’t he—”

“Have you been paying that much attention to him?” Taehyung shoots back. It’s clearly teasing, if the smirk on his lips is anything to go by, but it has Namjoon droning on like he is drowning and desperately trying to find something to haul him out of the water.

“Not in that way! He’s our friend. Obviously, I know his character and—”

The mated pair continue going back and forth as Jimin shakes his head with a fond sigh and tunes them out. He shifts to look at Jeongguk, expecting him to be grinning the same at their friends’ antics, but he finds the younger man to already be looking at him. His dark eyes are trained carefully on Jimin as though they never left.

The unexpected attention has the beta’s cheeks coloring a soft pink as he mindlessly sits up and begins picking at a piece of grass to tease it between his fingers again. To shift the focus from himself, he says kindly, “You will make a good leader.”

“And you will make a good mate,” Jeongguk tells him in return.

Jimin shakes his head. He worries at his bottom lip and feels emotional all of a sudden. The words are kind but they fall short of impactful because they never truly reach Jimin—his heart guarded by his own doubts and fears. “Thanks but… I don’t think we’ll ever know.”

He glances up in time to watch Jeongguk’s eyes squint before returning to their normal intensity, though Jimin can still see the way his jaw is locked. “Why do you think no one wants a beta as a mate?”

The beta shrugs. “We’re not… special, you know? I used to look forward to the day I would present because I wanted to love and be loved in the way I saw from everyone in the pack all my life. I remember being excited to go to the Courting Festiva as a pup so I could swoon over people presenting their intentions to those they chose. I would think, ‘I can’t wait for that to be me someday’. It’s all I really wanted; a happy and fulfilling life to share with someone who loves me as much as I love them—a special bond between us alone. I wanted someone to court me with a soft blanket for the nest I would make with it, or for me to be able to give the person I liked something special that I had crafted with them in mind—it didn’t matter how it happened. In every version of myself, I was happy. The mistake was that, in every version of myself, I was also an omega or an alpha.”

Jimin glances up at the younger man and sees something strong in his expression; a conflicting mesh of frustration, hurt, and confusion. It only serves to make the tightening begin in the beta’s chest again. The look in Jeongguk’s eyes is one he has seen before—a lot of times. It’s a look of pity.

“As it turns out, neither one of those outcomes happened. I presented as a beta and that makes everything different. I don’t have any of the traits of an alpha or omega. I don’t feel things the way they do. I don’t have a heat or a rut, I don’t nest or get possessive, I don’t have a strong scent or purpose to serve for counterparts of my subgender. I’m just… here. It’s as though the moon goddess granted each of her children a gift and swept me to the side to watch as the others used what they were given. Presenting as a beta means I can’t ever offer a partner a role to fall into. It means I can’t do traditional things that most people want. I can’t blame others for not wanting to miss out on things they need for their life to seem fulfilling. So, as a beta, I’m not a good mate. I don’t… fit. I’m just me .”

By the time his speech is over, Jimin blinks away tears and realizes that Namjoon and Taehyung have long since stopped speaking. They both are frowning at him and, at some point, it seems the omega began releasing calming pheromones and started rubbing at Jimin’s back without him having realized. Jeongguk is still looking at him but his expression is neutral again. It’s indecipherable and, yet, Jimin can tell by the way his hands are balled into fists against the dirt so hard that it has the prominent veins on his arms working that Jeongguk is angry. He is thinking hard and he is angry.

“Jimin…” Taehyung says slowly. “You being you is enough. If these dumbasses are too blind to see how wonderful and kind you are just because of your subgender, that’s their loss.”

Namjoon nods in agreement, offering a gentle smile. “You’re an angel, Minie. Don’t let anyone make you feel like less than that.”

Jimin nods and smiles at them, but it’s hollow. He blinks the tears away rapidly, feeling foolish. He never talks about it because it’s not like no one knows, and saying the words out loud only makes him feel pathetic. He only voiced it because Jeongguk asked but, judging by how annoyed the younger man seems to be, it clearly didn’t help anyway.

“Thanks, you two,” Jimin says before standing. They have been sitting so long that the sun is hazing over as the afternoon draws near, and they still have work to help with. His rise is slow and shaky because he was sitting in that position far too long, but the beta is careful as he rises and starts stepping back. He can hardly look at them as embarrassment over his situation continues to seep in. “I’m, uh—I should go help Nara with the instruments. She said some of the drums still need to be brought over. See you guys later.”

Namjoon and Taehyung offer a sweet chorus of goodbyes as the beta turns and starts walking away. He gets a good distance across the meadow and begins stepping through a patch of woods, wiping slowly at his eyes with the sleeves of his shirt to rid of any remaining tears threatening to spill over.

When he hears footsteps approaching from behind and coming closer, he doesn’t stop walking. He assumes it is nothing and is startled when there is a sudden, firm tug on his arm, causing him to make a startled noise as he is turned around to face the person.

“Jeongguk?” The beta asks breathlessly, furrowing his brows as he narrows in on the way the younger man is holding him tight, his jaw firm and his normally wide eyes near slits. “What is it?”

Jimin awaits a response—something, anything . 

Instead of speaking, they spend a few moments in suspenseful silence until Jeongguk is releasing his hold on the beta only to reach out and pull him into a close embrace using both arms. Shocked by the unexpected closeness, Jimin’s eyes go wide and he balls up the fabric on the front of Jeongguk’s shirt, clutching onto him desperately as Jeongguk holds him tightly. The younger man rests his head on Jimin’s shoulder, nose in the junction that meets between there and his neck. His arms are big and his hands are wide as they carefully grasp onto the beta. His hold is comforting—strong yet gentle, like he is worried Jimin will break if he is held any other way, be it too tight or too loose.

Still shocked by the affection but finding himself slipping into it as though he has been desperately craving it, Jimin fights back the desire to slip his eyes closed. He mumbles into Jeongguk’s chest, “W–Why?”

Jeongguk’s fingers flex, squeezing around Jimin’s waist. There is a pause before his soft, warm words meet the beta’s ears. “You’re worth so much more than you think you are, Jimin.”

Jimin does close his eyes at that—worried that the fresh tears suddenly springing in them will dampen the younger man’s shirt. He feels too choked up to speak so he just shakes his head. He hears the younger man let out an unhappy noise so low in his throat that it could almost be mistaken for a growl.

“ Yes , you are. You deserve a love like the one you want. You deserve a good partner who can give you the soft blankets and accept sweet gifts from you. You deserve someone to love who will return every bit of adoration to you. You deserve a mate—one that wants you as you are—because you are enough. You’re more than enough, Jimin. You’re perfect.”

When Jimin sniffs, unable to fight back the tears any longer, the younger man only holds into him even tighter. As heart-wrenching as the pain in his chest is, something warm blooms alongside it. Jeongguk is always so sincere. He helps others in the pack and always remains honest. He says what is on his mind and is passionate about what he loves—most of all the village. He plays with the pups while their parents work—hardy and honest as though he is a kid again—and guides elders to their homes on dark nights where the moon is hidden and their eyesight is too poor to do it alone. He laughs in a way that has him throwing his head back and dances around the fire at every party the pack throws to encourage others to do the same. Jeongguk is the perfect one of the two—the one everyone admires, the one they look up to. To hear someone like that comforting Jimin about his biggest insecurity has the beta feeling something he never has before. For once, he feels seen.

“You are truly going to be a great leader,” The beta mumbles against the younger man’s chest, cheeks blazing crimson when he feels Jeongguk’s chuckle rumble before he hears it.

“I will present in a few days, you know,” The younger man reminds him.

Jimin makes a sound of recognition. “Yes, the first of September. That’s right.”

Jeongguk hums as he begins loosening his hold on the older man. The beta resists the urge to cling onto him longer and soak up his body heat, allowing the younger man to step back and for their arms to fall into their own respective spaces again. “Yes, and the Courting Festival is only a few days after that.”

That makes Jimin’s eyes widen. “I didn’t even consider that. Oh, wow , Jeongguk! You’ll be part of the Courting Festival!”

The younger man chuckles again, slipping his hands into his pockets. “Yes, I will.”

The beta considers the meaning of the Head Alpha’s son finally participating in mating season traditions. Everyone of their peers have always had an eye on Jeongguk, happily awaiting the day of his presentation. He is the leader’s only child and future leader of the village. He is handsome, too, and endlessly talented. Anyone would throw themselves for a chance with him—no matter what subgender he ends up being. Something pings in Jimin’s chest at the thought of everyone’s eyes being on Jeongguk at the festival. Envy, to be sure. He worries at his bottom lip before forcing a small smile and asking just to make conversation, “Do you have intentions with anyone?”

A shrug. “There might be someone in mind.”

Jimin’s eyes furrow, not expecting such a vague answer. It’s not like Jeongguk is shy about his endeavors. He has been seen with different omegas or alphas before; heading towards their cabin, or with their arm slung around him like they are trying to show everyone that Jeongguk is with them. None ever last more than a few weeks and, come to think of it, Jimin has never seen Jeongguk with them outside of very promiscuous circumstances wherein it looked like they were about to or had just been sleeping together—no dates, no smiling as he spoke of having affections for someone. They all come and go like casual flings and, yet, they still exist, and Jimin is aware of them so they are more than a secret. It brings him back to Jeongguk’s broad phrasing.

He raises a brow. “So, there is someone? Who is it, then?”

Jeongguk bites back a smile, a playful gleam in his eyes. “Not saying.”

Jimin rolls his eyes, grinning. “Fine. Be weird and keep your secrets as though the entire village won’t know you are keen on someone in a week, anyway.”

“I will. Dutifully.”

The two share a moment where they just smile fondly at each other. 

Then, Jeongguk’s name is called from the meadow where everyone is still setting up, and he looks away and the moment is gone. When he glances back, he looks upset to say, “I have to go. Will you be okay getting back?”

Jimin snorts. “I’m not going to get lost.”

Jeongguk raises a brow. “You know what I mean.”

“ Yes , Jeongguk. I’ll be fine. Thank you. That was… really nice what you said earlier. I appreciate it.”

The younger man nods, scanning Jimin’s face for a second like there is more he wants to say. Patiently, the beta’s waits for that moment to come. Instead, Jeongguk turns on his heels and begins casually walking back to the clearing.

Jimin watches as he goes, feeling much warmer than he did minutes ago. He can’t help but wish for Jeongguk to turn around and come back—to stay longer, to say more sweet things unlike anything Jimin has been told before.

“Hey, Jeongguk!” The older man calls, not thinking before he speaks. He makes himself wince with regret but Jeongguk is already stopping and looking back at him over his shoulder.

“Yes?”

Jimin swallows hard, tugging at the sleeves of his top. “You’re… going to be a good mate.”

Even from a distance, he can see the way Jeongguk’s eyes widen a fraction, like he wasn’t anticipating the words. It’s the same thing he told Jimin earlier in the day, so it can’t be that surprising, and yet, he looks shocked. He masks it immediately and his face melts into something gentle, his shoulders straightening.

“I hope I am.”

—

Jeongguk’s presentation cycle begins the following morning—days before it is meant to begin. When a wolf is presenting, it normally happens exactly twenty-one years following their birth—down to the exact day—and results in a fever that is gone within a few hours and, that night, the wolf shifts into their wolf form under the moonlight and officially presents as their subgender. 

Jeongguk’s fever rages on for days .

People in the town gossip, speaking in hushed tones to one another about the Head Alpha’s son and if something is wrong. It never takes someone this long to present and it never begins so early. Jeongguk resides in the massive, private cabin off a path near the outskirts of town that he spent five years building in his teens, and that is where he stays during the transition. The only people that come in or out are attendants that bring him food and water, and change out his sheets and damp rags in an effort to help the fever subside. Nothing makes it better.

Some information gets out during that time—the source obviously being the attendants spreading word with loose lips. They expose that Jeongguk is in immense pain and, when he is not eating or bathing, he spends all of his time sleeping through the fever—his body exhausted.

People worry. The streets of the village feel lackluster without the shining star that is Jeon Jeongguk. Every member of the pack kisses his presence and drones on to Head Alpha Jeon about wanting to help in any way they can. The alpha only offers kind smiles and shakes his head, letting everyone know that Jeongguk will be okay—the moon goddess is watching over him—and that they can all settle and continue getting excited for the coming festival.

Everyone carries on as usual anyway, because they don’t know quite what else to do. The Annual Courting Festival gets set up and plans become finalized in the days leading up to it. Music is prepared and food hunted for and hand-picked from their farms. The whole while, an anxious air hovers over the village—both from excitement over the festival, and over the unknown of whether or not Jeongguk will present as an alpha or omega.

One day before Jeongguk’s twenty-first birthday, a loud howl rings out from the woods outside of the town and everyone knows that Jeongguk’s fever died down and that, finally, he presented.

It’s the following morning that he re-emerges and Jimin finds out alongside the rest of their people that he was neither an alpha, nor an omega.

Head Alpha Jeon stands at the makeshift stage in the center of town and makes an announcement, a grin wide on his face that pushes his crows feet up and makes his smile lines deepen. His scent is proud and happy as he says loudly to the crowd that Jeongguk, his son, has finally presented.

After praising Jeongguk and announcing his much anticipated participation in the upcoming Courting Festival, the crowd clears and Head Alpha Jeon steps aside to welcome Jeongguk up on the wooden stage. 

A stunned silence falls over the crowd. Those close to Jeongguk begin gasping as he walks by. Once that happens, murmurs break out among the crowd. They slowly grow louder as Jeongguk steps up onto the stage and looks out at the people of the village, his expression is neutral but his chin high, shoulders squared back like he is confident in himself and his status.

That’s when his eyes flash the color of his coordinating subgender and he lets them dance over the crowd. Jimin squints from his place lost in the middle of the sea of people, trying desperately to make out the shade as people make noises of shock and disbelief. He rules out red for alphas, because the color is not similar. Then, Jeongguk’s eyes shift to the other side and he thinks they might be yellow—an omega—but that isn’t quite right either. Jeongguk continues scanning the crowd like he is searching for someone. Jimin puts a hand over his mouth, eyes widening. If he’s not an alpha or omega…is he a beta?

Something in Jimin’s heart flips. He pushes through the flood of people that are all loudly talking to one another but he muffles out their conversations because all of his focus is on Jeongguk. He offers half-assed apologies and murmurs politely as he makes his way past everyone, nearly tumbling to the ground when he reaches the front of the crowd. He catches himself narrowly and immediately shoots his eyes back up to see Jeongguk. 

The younger man’s eyes snap down to him and Jimin expects the only thing he thinks is possible; green eyes like his when his beta is pushed to the forefront. Yet, that isn't what he finds.

Jeongguk’s dark eyes land on him and the color in his eyes seems to grow brighter.

A vibrant blue.

Gasping, Jimin falls to his knees in the center of town, staring up at Jeongguk with wide eyes. The younger man has not looked away from him yet.

He mumbles the word—something so foreign it feels almost mythical crossing his lips. A rarity spoken of in stories around the campfire as pups and read about in old texts. Talk of a different subgender—one so rare that they only exist in a few people on Earth at a time. The alpha of all alphas.

“Enigma.”

—

Jeongguk’s presentation ignites energy into the town unlike anything before. Unlike Jimin’s presentation, which sparked interest that dwindled within a few hours or so, Jeongguk’s is accepted like the dawning of a new era. People celebrate with food and drink in the center of town in a party that rages on for the entire rest of the evening, and well into the early morning hours the following day. After that, the pack understands that the Courting Festival is drawing near so they continue last-minute preparations, but talk all the while of the Head Alpha’s Son’s presentation. Jimin performs tasks alongside the others and, as he wanders through town from chore to chore, he picks up on the things they say. They whisper about what being an enigma means, about if the stories are true. They wonder if Jeongguk can really control even alphas using his pheromones, or the legendary “Enigma voice”—similar to an alpha’s but more powerful as it works even on them. They theorize about more lascivious things; whether or not Jeongguk can truly mate anyone as an enigma—if that means anyone has a chance at courting him during the festival. Jimin hears peoples’ plans to woo Jeongguk with detailed gifts and expensive pieces. It’s all gossip and Jimin thinks it is all ridiculous. They speak about Jeongguk like a God—like someone far and idealized. The beta thinks it is unfair because Jeongguk is not like that. He is a person—a member of their pack—and one who is experiencing something so foreign to any of them. 

No one has seen Jeongguk beyond him wandering back from the woods at night, or leaving the breakfast hall at dawn, before most are even awake. In the days leading up to the Courting Festival, he is all but a shadow. The beta frowns as he sends a cursory glance to Jeongguk’s home in the distance, which is void of any smoke or light, as though he has been out all day again. He hopes he is okay.

—

The first day of the Annual Courting Festival comes and the energy is unbelievable. 

Wolves in the village rise early to get ahead of the festivities. People shout in the streets as they rally for the day, gathering their things, dressing, and heading down to the meadow where all of the preparations have been laid out.

Jimin is already dressed and has just finished tugging on his shoes whenever a rapt knocking beckons him to the front door of his cramped cabin. His parents built it with him in the fall of the year before, wanting him to have his own space, though he has not cared for living alone because it only serves to make him lonelier.

“Coming!” He shouts as he makes quick work of getting to the door.

When he tugs it open, he finds the grinning faces of Namjoon and Taehyung on the other side, with them is an unmated omega friend of theirs, Seokjin, who arrived from another town just months prior and will only be participating in the festival for the first time this year, as he is unmated due to different practices at the pack he is from. They all greet Jimin as they guide him out of the house, ruffling his hair and singing their excitement as they make their way to the Festival for an early lunch.

“The music is going to be so good again this year!” Taehyung says, sounding giddy as he grabs his mate’s hand and twirls him around like he is already itching to dance. Namjoon flushes and tumbles, but goes along with it with a laugh.

“I love when Yoongi is on piano, too. Sounds beautiful,” Jimin agrees, smiling even as nerves rack him at anticipation of another failed courting tonight. 

Beside him, Seokjin nudges him with his shoulder. “What about Hoseok? Doesn’t he dance with you every year? I’m excited to see it. You’re both excellent. I remember the Summer Solstice.”

The beta huffs a laugh, rubbing at his arm shyly. “No, Hoseok is a far better dancer than me. He taught me how to do it when we were little because I always watched him and pleaded with him to show me how.”

“Well, it certainly paid off. You guys both look hot as fuck when you take over the dancing circle every year,” Taehyung says bluntly, groaning when Namjoon elbows him. Jimin’s eyes go wide, thinking the omega might have been mad at the comment, but then Namjoon just smiles fondly and nods.

“He’s right but he doesn’t have to be so brazen about it. Manners, Taehyung.”

They all share a laugh when the alpha’s scent sours at having been scolded, before continuing to chatter on as they get closer, traversing through the gravel path.

“I hear everyone is hoping that Jeongguk will choose them this year—even alphas,” Taehyung says conversationally. 

Namjoon hums. “Don’t you think it would have been the same no matter what he presented as? This is Jeongguk we’re talking about.”

“You’re right. Future Pack Leader. Plus, the kid’s good at everything,” Taehyung responds.

“I think people still would have held out for him regardless, but it has to be obvious that him presenting as something as rare and powerful as an enigma only served to make that pining grow,” Seokjin tells them decidedly, making Jimin nod in agreement.

“It’ll come down to his choice, honestly,” Namjoon says.

“Who do you think he will pick?” Seokjin asks, sounding genuinely curious.

Speaking without thinking, Jimin reveals, “He said he might have someone in mind.”

All three of the others give him wide-eyed looks that have the beta slowing his steps and looking between them wildly. He puts a hand over his mouth, realizing he spoke out of turn. Muffled, he says, “Ignore me. Not my business, it’s his.”

“Come on,” Taehyung whines, shoulder bumping him. “You know we can keep a secret. Did he say who it was?”

“Kim Taehyung,” Namjoon hisses at his gossip-hungry mate. 

Jimin shakes his head. “He wouldn’t even tell me. Though, it’s not like I would say anyway, if he did. No offense.”

The alpha visibly pouts and Namjoon rubs at his arm comfortingly. “Taehyung, it’s not our place to know. Either way, if Jeongguk has intentions with someone, it will be made clear tonight during the first courting event.”

“What is it, again?” Seokjin asks, looking awkward and a little nervous. “Since I’ve never been I kind of have no clue what’s going to happen.”

Taehyung grins, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively, “It’s gift-giving. Each subgender takes turns offering a gift to the person they intend to court. Unfortunately, omegas have to go first so it’s the most nerve-wracking for them, but it’s so they don’t feel pressured to give a gift back to an alpha who has already given them something. Omega’s first, then it would be betas but Jimin never gives a gift so they will just skip to alphas and, then… Well, I guess enigmas after. So, Jeongguk will probably go last—if he has a gift.”

Seokjin nods, listening intently before he looks away and sighs dreamily. “I hope I get a gift from someone cute.”

Namjoon snorts and Jimin grins, reassuring, “You’re handsome, Seokjin. You’ll get, like, ten gifts and I’m sure one of them will be attractive.”

Seokjin lifts his chin in a sarcastic display of vanity, saying proudly, “I know I’m gorgeous. I can’t wait to have people fight over me.”

Taehyung and Jimin fall into a fit of laughter with Namjoon and Seokjin grinning at their sides.

Soon, they are arriving at the meadow. Most of the pack is already present, hundreds of wolves walking around with pups running rampant between their legs and past decorations. Little events are set up all around; booths for games, stands for food, places to get a portrait done to commemorate the event, art for sale—simple gifts for tonight’s courting that can be traded for if someone has forgone a gift until now—things like pelts, blankets, jewelry, wooden sculptures, and so on. There is a giant stage at the end of the clearing for Head Alpha Jeon’s speech tonight, and a band set up to the side that is already playing music. Some play while others take breaks, before switching. There is plenty of seating, a huge bonfire that is unlit and waiting for nightfall, a circle with soft grass for dancing, and dozens of tables for feasting for lunch and dinner. Everything is lively and vibrant, the scents of all of the passing wolves telling of their shared excitement.

“Wow, the turnout is even bigger than last year.” Namjoon’s eyes are wide, mouth slightly agape as he looks out at the sea of people.

“People from our allying packs are here, too. They came to support the Head Alpha’s son since Jeongguk has finally presented. They think they can leverage a mating between their pack and ours by participating, if Jeongguk choses one of their members,” Taehyung tells everyone. The comment stuns Jimin to an uneasy silence. It’s intimidating—having even more people to see him get rejected this year. Not to mention, the pressure Jeongguk must feel to have so many people expect things from him this year—things he can’t grant, inevitably, since he can only choose one person to court.

“I feel bad for Jeongguk, honestly,” Seokjin says, mirroring Jimin’s thoughts.

“Me too but, if anyone can handle the pressure, it’s that kid,” Taehyung shrugs. “He’s built like a—”

He suddenly stops talking, cutting himself off by pursing his lips. Namjoon looks at his mate, giving him a look when he sees the way Taehyung’s eyebrows have shot up and how he is visibly trying to hold in laughter.

“Were you going to say that he’s built like an enigma? ” Namjoon presses, looking stuck between amusement and exasperation. When Taehyung nods slowly, the omega sighs loudly, shaking his head. “I can’t believe that used to just be a thing we all would say as a joke when someone was strong or hard-working because we thought enigmas were myths, and now Jeongguk actually is one. That’s—I just…”

“Can’t wrap my head around it,” Taehyung finishes for him, sobering from his laughter. He reaches out, holding Namjoon’s hand. The mates walk a few steps ahead of Seokjin and Jimin, noticing the stand where jewelry and crowns can be made from flowers and stems. Suddenly, the wind breezes by the mates and straight to Jimin and Seokjin, allowing them to all breath in the deep, saccharine scent of peaches.

“Do you want a crown, Joon?” Taehyung asks, smiling at his mate the second he picks up on his pheromones spiking with happiness. The omega flushes the color of a peach, looking away from the alpha shyly. Taehyung only laughs, using the fact that their hands are clasped together to gently tug his mate towards the stand. “Come on, let’s go. Hey, Jimin. Seokjin. We’ll catch up with you guys later. Go enjoy the festival!”

The beta and omega watch the mates go, both grinning at the sight of them happily walking up to the older man running the shop and asking to join the others in making pretty things from flowers.

“They’re so fucking cute,” Seokjin says sweetly. “I hope I have someone like they do one day.”

Jimin stares ahead longingly, crossing his arms to hug himself, feeling a mix of envy and longing. “Yeah, me too.”

Moving nearly in sync, the pair turn and step in the direction of the food stalls, where most of the pack are getting their first meals for the day. Jimin tries to recover from the bitter feeling in his chest, smiling over at Seokjin. “Hey, on the bright side, that’ll probably happen today for you.”

The omega grins, dark hair flowing in the wind as they step idly. “That’s true. What about you? Taehyung and Namjoon told me how the last few festivals have been for you and I’m sorry about that. Do you… have any plans this year? Anyone caught your attention?”

Jimin shrugs, looking around at the other pack members—plus some new people from other regions close by—and thinks of a respectful way to tell Seokjin that it doesn’t really matter if he has his eye on anyone. Why bother when no one is looking back? However, the words get caught in his throat because, the second he moves to respond, his vision lands on a wavy mop of black hair, on top of a broad, slender man dressed in traditional festival clothes; loose blouse and dark pants, boots to cover his feet. Jimin holds in a gasp when dark eyes meet him. He’s far in the distance, standing just at the lining of trees on the edge of the meadow as though he doesn’t want to be spotted.

“Jeongguk.”

“Huh?” Seokjin asks. “Sorry—Did you say Jeongguk? As in, Jeongguk caught your attention? Are you—Do you plan on—”

“No, fuck—Sorry,” Jimin corrects, shaking his head. He closes his eyes to regain his train of thought. When he opens them again and tries to find Jeongguk among the trees, he’s suddenly gone. “I just—I meant to say that I feel bad for Jeongguk. He has so much pressure on him this year. I think I just want to keep an eye on him, you know? Make sure he’s okay.”

“Right,” The omega agrees, though he is still giving Jimin a skeptical brow. Normally, the beta would feel bad for lying but he’s much more focused on Jeongguk right now, wanting to spot him again and know why the enigma was looking at him—if it was on purpose.

“Yeah, so…” Jimin trails off. “Just, you know, I’m, uh—I think I’m going to go to the restroom. Are you going to grab food?”

“Yep. I’m so hungry that I think I could demolish Granny Haru’s whole shop right now, if I wanted to.”

Jimin snorts a genuine laugh, turning to face Seokjin as he begins walking backwards, in the direction of the trees. “Okay, well, go get something to eat and… I’ll join up later?”

“Sounds good to me.”

“Alright. See you in a bit.”

“Bye,” Seokjin sing-songs, waving him off as he heads straight to the food stands. Jimin watches him for a moment before deciding he is far enough out of range. The beta turns on his heels and walks to the end of the meadow as casually as he can, trying to look like he actually knows what he is doing when, truthfully, he’s just following instinct. For some reason, that instinct seems to be to find Jeongguk. He has a strong desire to see him—talk to him—to know that he is actually doing well. 

They aren’t close —they never have been—but they are friendly. Jimin and Jeongguk were always placed together growing up, since they are close in age. Same school class, same teams for pack tasks, always around the same group of peers. They were always intermingling in some way and, after the conversation they had last time—where Jeongguk comforted him and let Jimin confide in him—he feels almost like he owes him, like he is the person that should ask if Jeongguk needs anything; a shoulder to cry on, a kind word or two—all of the things he offered Jimin, things that meant so much when he needed them.

He gives one last glance around to the crowd of people having fun behind him before deciding no one is paying him any mind— not that that’s out of the ordinary —and stepping into the forest.

The leaves hum as the breeze passes by, bringing with it the scent of grass and pleasant beginnings of early autumn. The beta sucks in a deep breath, looking around at the endless expanse of browns and greens. The trunks of trees are littered with ripe berries as their branches are coated in vines and slowly browning leaves.

Stepping further in, he is shadowed by the overhanging of the dense forest and shielded by the sun, effectively cooling him off. Jimin looks around, brushing his hands curiously along rough tree bark as he proceeds.

He peers around trees and turns every so often, waiting to catch a glimpse of something—anything—but nothing comes. He walks endlessly, to no avail. Eventually, he sighs and slumps against a tree, sitting down with his back pressed to its trunk, uncaring to the rough wood digging into the delicate cloth of his shirt. Mindlessly, he tugs at the sleeves of the top, closing his eyes and enjoying the cool air against his porcelain skin.

Something about being here calms him as much as it makes him feel pitiful. What is he doing out here? He should be with everyone else, enjoying the Courting Festival and, yet, he spends his time leisurely trekking through a forest with no particular goal. He was looking for Jeongguk, yes, but why? Jeongguk might not have even been actually looking at him and, even if he was, he disappeared immediately after, so maybe he didn’t want to be found—maybe he has been scarce for the last several days on purpose.

Jimin sighs again, lips falling into a natural pout. A strong gust of wind blows by. With it, a new smell comes. A strong one. His eyebrows knit together. He breathes in deeply. His brows unfurrow the second the intoxicating, pleasant scent hits his nostrils.

Cypress.

Strong, natural. It reminds him of the fields and of the forest he sits in. He wonders what makes it become so present at that exact moment, but pushes the thought away when he hears the cracking of a branch in the distance.

The beta’s eyes open and he tilts his head to the side, blinking a few times to adjust to the light again as he searches for what he assumes can only be a rabbit or squirrel.

Instead, his eyes fall upon familiar dark eyes, connected to a figure that is a few trees away, hands in pockets as he leans casually against a tree.

Jimin sits up straight, hands hitting the ground and twisting into the grass between his fingers. Breathlessly, he says, “Jeongguk.”

“Jimin,” The man retorts, voice deep like he hasn’t used it in a while. There’s a small smile playing on his lips. It’s familiar; kind and genuine, soft in a way that reminds Jimin of when Jeongguk is playing with the pups in the village.

“What are you doing here?” The beta asks, observing the enigma as he steps closer, walking with an effortless confidence until he is standing next to Jimin and leaning on the tree he’s resting under instead, looking down at the older man.

“I could ask you the same thing.”

Jimin purses his lips, looking away. “Just, you know, relaxing.”

“The festival isn’t relaxing?”

“It’s… It is. It’s just…” The sentences dies out as Jimin fails to find the words to convey what he wants to say. He doesn’t want to lie to Jeongguk, or avoid the topic, but he also doesn’t want the younger man to think he is strange. So, he settles for looking up at Jeongguk and meeting those dark eyes again. “I saw you—at the tree lining.”

“I know.”

“Did you want me to see you?” He finds himself asking, brows knitting together.

Jeongguk raises a brow, eyes glinting with something casual and teasing. “And what if I did?”

That stuns Jimin. He doesn’t know what it means. It almost feels like Jeongguk might be mocking him, except he knows that that isn’t the case because this is Jeongguk . Jeongguk who comforted him the other day. Jeongguk who gives one hundred percent of himself to take care of the pack. Jeongguk who is smiling down at him fondly, even now.

“I… don’t know,” Jimin answers honestly. “I… I came here to look for you.”

“Why?” Jeongguk asks.

The question puts Jimin on the spot. He looks away again, staring down at the grass as he mindlessly pulls a string of grass and begins playing with it with both hands. “I thought you might want to talk to someone.”

There is a pause.

The grass crinkles and Jimin watches from his peripheral vision as Jeongguk lowers himself to a crouch, forearms resting over his thighs as he extends a hand and slowly—like he is worried to scare Jimin away—places his fingers under the beta’s chin, giving the barest pressure to urge Jimin to look up at him. He does, easily—like he would never consider not doing it.

When their eyes meet, Jeongguk is wearing the most interesting expression Jimin has ever seen on him. It’s a concoction of gentleness and urging and something that looks akin to hope. The enigma asks in a near murmur, “You thought I might need someone to comfort me?”

The bluntness of the question feels like it calls the beta out and has a sudden, blazing flush dusting across his usually pale cheeks. Jeongguk is still holding the underside of his chin and the skin there seems to burn red hot. Jimin takes a deep breath in and his eyes go wide when he almost chokes on the overwhelming scent of cypress again. It’s coming from Jeongguk, he realizes all at once. It’s his scent—the one that came with his presentation as an enigma. He feels dizzy at the realization. It’s fitting for Jeongguk to smell like cypress; strong, calming, all-consuming.

“Maybe,” Jimin answers finally, air completely gone from his lungs. It’s all he can do to not greedily suck in more of that wonderful scent. He licks his lips, wetting them. He thinks his vision might be tricking him because he swears Jeongguk’s eyes follow the movement. “I just… I would’ve really wanted someone to talk to after my presentation, too. Namjoon and Taehyung were there for me but they… didn’t really get it, you know? I know it’s different for you. Everyone is over the moon with your presentation, but… still… I don’t know how it has been for you. So, I just—I’m here in case you want to talk.”

Jeongguk’s lips twitch up into a smile. He curls his fingers under Jimin’s chin until his knuckles are brushing against the warm skin and brings his thumb up to gently touch along the side of Jimin’s face, caressing the smooth expanse of his cheek. “That’s very considerate of you, Jimin. I’m doing okay, honestly. Thank you for …thinking about me.”

The beta’s eyes are big and trained on Jeongguk. He feels like he can hardly breathe because of the cypress and because of the enigma touching him like this. He can’t even remember the last time someone touched him so gently—so purposefully—just to be affectionate. His voice comes out as a near whisper. “Of course.”

The enigma tilts his head, slowly stilling the motions of his thumb stroking along his face until it’s just resting there, a soft dimple indented into Jimin’s skin under the hold.

“What would you have said?”

Jimin blinks, still focused on the warm and rough feeling of Jeongguk’s hand on him—calloused from laborious work but treating Jimin like something delicate beneath his ministrations. “Sorry?”

Jeongguk bites back a smile. “If I needed to be comforted, what would you have said?”

The beta’s lips pull into a soft pout. He thinks for a moment, searching the enigma’s eyes. “I would have said that nothing about your presentation makes you different—that you’re still Jeongguk, no matter what subgender you are. I would have told you that being a beta, though different, has made me the person most likely to understand what you’re going through. I would have said that you’re not alone in feeling lost or confused or frustrated or outcasted. I would have made sure you knew that presenting as an enigma only makes you better—not because of status or rarity, but because it’s the subgender the moon goddess assigned to you with you in mind, so it’s just another piece of yourself—a missing link you’ve finally gained. Most importantly, I would have made sure you knew that, no matter what, I’m here for you. I’ll listen and be there for you in any way you need, because…because you did it for me, and because I want to do it for you, too.”

By the end of his little speech, Jimin is blazing crimson and Jeongguk is looking down at him with so much sincere adoration that he doesn’t really know what to do with himself. 

The enigma leans in, eyes closing. The beta’s own eyes go wide in return. Jeongguk keeps leaning in and doesn’t show any signs of stopping. Jimin’s lips part as he lets out a breathless sound, eyes slipping shut.

He gets ready for the moment it happens. He doesn’t know why but— without hesitation —he prepares himself for the warm sensation of Jeongguk’s lips on his.

But it never comes.

Instead, Jeongguk leans down until his forehead gently pressed against the beta’s, the enigma releasing a sigh at the contact, hand moving to cup Jimin’s cheek. Jimin’s heart is beating wildly. He wonders if Jeongguk can hear it.

“Thank you,” Jeongguk whispers. “I think I actually might have needed that. Everyone has been telling me how much of a gift this is, how grateful I should be, how wonderful it makes me. I agree it is a part of myself—it is a gift—but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. No one else is like me so I don’t—I have nothing to guide me, nothing to compare to. I’ve been going off pure instinct and I can feel the power coursing through me now, Jimin. It’s…hard to control sometimes, especially…”

The enigma trails off, sighing again. His thumb strokes over Jimin’s cheek and the skin there ignites, as though brought to life.

“Especially?” The beta presses, mumbling.

Jeongguk pulls away from him, removing his hand from Jimin and pulling himself back into a standing position. The beta slowly opens his eyes, blinking slowly up at the enigma. He feels dazed—ditzy and light. It’s only after Jeongguk has fully backed away that he realizes that all he has been breathing in is cypress. It lingers in his nose and fills his mind. Strangely, his body feels hot.

“We should head back,” Jeongguk says, turning to look through the trees. The meadow isn’t visible from this far in but Jimin can see the position of the sun through the cracks of sunlight bleeding in between leaves and knows that the true festivities will begin soon. So, he nods, brushing his hands off on the leg of his pants and moving to stand when a hand is extended down to him. Eyeing it for a second, Jimin’s gaze flickers between the offering and Jeongguk’s dark eyes. Slowly, he accepts, his hand slipping easily into the enigma’s own. They fit well together, Jimin thinks as he watches the way his smaller, paler palm nestles perfectly within Jeongguk’s own.

“Thank you,” He mumbles when he rises and pulls out of Jeongguk’s grasp, reluctantly. His touch is warm and the constant breeze is starting to make the hair on the back of Jimin’s neck stand at attention.

Jeongguk only smiles at him before stepping to the side, allowing Jimin space to walk forward. The beta does so and, slowly, they fall into an easy pace side by side.

The walk back is quiet and peaceful, both of them periodically glancing at the other, which is followed by kind, shared smiles. Jimin clasps his hand together in front of himself and realizes how at ease he feels with Jeongguk. He always finds himself calm in his company, like the enigma’s mere presence is enough to reduce Jimin’s heart rate and quell his anxieties. He feels like enough around Jeongguk—always has.

When they get up to the end of the lining of trees, right next to the edge of the forest with the meadow full of festivities resting just on the other side, Jimin stops. His sudden halting makes Jeongguk turn, mirroring his pause in walking.

“What is it?” The enigma asks, bouts of cypress coming in steady, thick waves.

Jimin tugs at the sleeve-ends of his top, worrying at his bottom lip. “You, uh, should go ahead first.”

Jeongguk’s eyebrows knit together. His thick, dark hair shifts as the wind blows past them. “Why?”

“So people don’t know you were with me. It might…” He stops himself, not knowing how to say it honestly without it sounding bad. It might make people get the wrong idea, and this is a Courting Festival. It might make people think you want me, and I’m not someone anyone wants.

Before he can find anything adequate to finish off the sentence, Jeongguk’s jaw locks. The cypress in the air grows darker, grittier. Jimin’s head bows as his cheeks heat up again. He hears Jeongguk walk forward, boots coming into view as they scrunch the grass below. Then, he feels the enigma reach out and grab his wrist, guiding Jimin gently, urging him to move forward.

“It might what? ” Jeongguk asks, sounding like he is trying very hard to hold back anger. Jimin’s shame bubbles in his chest like a festering wound. “It might make people think something? Let them, Jimin. I don’t care what anyone thinks. I was with you and I’m not ashamed of that, and you shouldn’t be either. Come on, we’re going together.”

The beta shakes his head, resisting Jeongguk’s hold as he begins walking by digging his heels into the Earth. He starts to feel emotional—tears welling in his eyes, something stinging and unpleasant. “Jeongguk, no. I…I can’t. You shouldn’t. You said you had someone in mind for the ceremony tonight. You can't be seen with me. It might—It could…”

It could ruin it for you.

I might ruin it for you.

Jeongguk continues holding him, as persistent in that moment as he is in every other aspect of his life. He puts that same dedication into completing a hard task for a pack member, and into hunting for game in the throes of winter, and when it comes to convincing someone of something they can’t believe for themselves. It’s that same persistence he has now. It remains even when he releases his hold on Jimin’s wrist. The beta can smell it in the atmosphere around them—potent and ripe; Jeongguk’s anger. His sorrow. His desperation.

With a deep breath in and back out again, the enigma relents. “Okay. I’ll go first. I’ll go but I don’t agree with this and I don’t like that you’re doing it and Jimin, if it were any other moment , I would go back and forth with you on this.”

“I know,” Jimin says, biting down on his bottom lip when he hears his own voice wobbling. Even Jeongguk has to be realistic at some point—has to acknowledge that Jimin isn’t as good as in the eyes of the others, that he is an outcast and that that means something.

It hurts.

The truth hurts.

He hears Jeongguk release a heavy sigh.

Then, the telltale sounds of someone turning around and beginning to walk away, his boots crunching on grass. 

“I’ll see you later tonight, Jimin. I’ll come find you.”

Jimin can only nod now, feeling his body shake as he fights back a sob from ripping through him. He doesn’t want Jeongguk to see him cry again—not like this. Not when he has to leave and not when he has presented so now, if they embrace each other as they did days prior, they will show up smelling like each other. He desperately wants to be back in Jeongguk’s arms but that’s not something he can be selfish about. This night will determine Jeongguk’s future—maybe the pack’s too. So, he swallows back a cry.

“Promise me something,” Jeongguk says suddenly, stopping at the edge of the lining of trees. Jimin can’t even lift his head to look at him, but he can hear the way the enigma is turned to face him. His next words come quieter. “Promise me you won’t run away.”

Jimin’s brows knit together. He hates the Annual Courting Festival. He hates the humiliation and the feeling of worthlessness and the spectacle he is made to be. He hates everything about something that he used to want so desperately—but he never runs away. Never. 

Blinking back tears, the beta shakes his head. He swallows hard, the sensation leaving a sizzling kind of pain. “I never do.”

“I know you don’t but just—Promise me.”

Sniffling, Jimin says, “I promise.”

A relieved breath escapes Jeongguk, as though a weight has been lifted from his shoulders by the words alone. The beta doesn’t understand it but he trusts Jeongguk, so he stays quiet.

Finally, the footsteps start up again. The enigma’s voice is further when he calls out, “Goodbye, Jimin. I’ll see you soon.”

“Bye,” Jimin says back, bottom lip trembling around the sound.

The moment the footsteps are no longer trackable and the smell of cypress is completely gone, Jimin cracks.

All at once, his legs wobble and seem to give out from underneath himself. He slumps to the ground in a pile, the tears that he has been holding back this entire time rising to the surface and tumbling over like boiling water leaking over the edges of a pot; hot and sudden and too much. He wraps his arms around himself, curling over and biting back the sob that tears its way through his chest.

He wants Jeongguk to come back. He wants Jeongguk to touch him in that gentle way he does and tell him sweet things in that smooth voice of his and look at him with those dark, watchful eyes.

In an instant, a realization dawns on him.

The next time he sees Jeongguk, he will be courting someone in the meadow. The next time they speak, Jeongguk will have intentions with someone. The next time Jeongguk touches him, it will be another person that Jimin has lost—another person that has left him here, alone.

—

It takes a long while for Jimin to pull himself from the ground in the forest. When he does so, it’s with red eyes and a puffy face. He does his best to will away the sadness tainting his faint scent, but he can only mask it so much. Luckily, no one is likely to pick up on it unless they are extremely close to him.

He sniffs and adjusts his hair and ignores the tacky stick of clothing to his skin, damp with sweat from getting worked up and staying that way for so long. It’s been a while since he has cried like that. In quiet moments around his house, or gazing up at the moon by himself when he can’t sleep at night, Jimin finds that tears sometimes slip down his cheeks. There’s no debating that he is lonely—a truth he has accepted to the point of it being second nature. He longs for a mate, longs to be like all of the couples he sees in the village; happy, close, connected, loved .

Still, in moments like this—Jeongguk leaving because he, too, is like the rest; worth treasuring—Jimin is reminded that he is not like them. To them, he is not worth much, and he can’t blame them for feeling that way. He doesn’t have anything to offer. It’s another truth he has accepted—one to go hand in hand with the rest; he is lonely and it is because he is worth nothing.

Despite the acknowledgment being commonplace for him at this point, it still finds new ways to sting and linger, like just now.

Even so, he knows that sitting here and crying and doing nothing will not make him feel better, and in fact only result in him feeling that much more alone. So, he straightens his clothes and works to fix the hair that he has been mindlessly musing through during his crying session, and pulls himself to the edge of the forest, taking a deep breath as he outlooks the festivities. By now, the sun is low in the sky and fading fast, casting a gorgeous ombré that ranges from a crimson red to paling yellow—pinks and oranges casting themselves somewhere in the middle, melding together like a painter reached up into the sky with a wet paint brush and smoothed it through.

The meadow is completely packed now—even more than hours prior. Dozens of strangers and new scents become apparent to Jimin as he steps out of the lining and heads towards the festival. Live music plays loudly from the band coordinating their instruments nearby the stage, and there are happy, smiling faces everywhere. He weaves himself through the crowd, which pays him no mind. Eventually, he picks up on a peachy scent and stands to his tippy-toes, locating the familiar mop atop Taehyung’s hair from afar. Folding his shoulders in on himself to appear smaller, Jimin profusely apologizes as he squeezes around people, breathing a sigh of relief when he comes into view of Namjoon, Taehyung, and Seokjin, who are all standing close to the stage, presumably awaiting Head Alpha Jeon’s annual speech.

“Jimin!” Taehyung says, a boxy smile on display as the beta saunters up to them, weaving himself between the mated couple. Namjoon caresses his arm at the same time that the alpha picks a hand up and ruffles it through Jimin’s messy hair. He’s shorter than both of them and they lean down to talk to him over the noise of the other pack members and the boisterous music. “Where have you been? We haven’t seen you for hours. Seokjin said you went off on your own when we got here.”

Jimin shrugs, trying to play it off with a casual smile. “Wanted to get some air.”

Namjoon’s expression forms into something soft. “This year will be better, Jimin. We’re here for you, okay? You don’t have to be alone.”

He nods, giving a half-smile to the omega as the mated pair continue petting at him comfortingly. They can probably see right through his calm exterior. There is no doubt that they can see the swelling around his eyes, the telling redness of his lips from where he always bites at them when he cries.

It’s sweet of them to try and make him feel better—really, it is. He appreciates it but, no matter what comfort they may offer, Namjoon’s words can’t be true.

“You don’t have to be alone.”

Yes, he does. He is alone. He will continue to be alone, no matter what kindness and sympathy they grant him because they can’t truly understand him. He is alone in his struggle as a beta. He is alone in being cast out. Their efforts to make him feel like more mean the absolute world, but they will never be enough to soothe the ache inside of Jimin, never be enough to erase the years of constant rejection —rejection that will only continue, rejection that will reinforce itself in the Courting Ceremony tonight.

Still, he says, “Thanks, you two.”

Seokjin pokes his head around Namjoon, handsome face smiling as he passes a small basket with a towel on top of it over to the beta, which he takes with a small head tilt of confusion. The omega is quick to explain, “I saved you some food, by the way. Dinner won’t be served for a while and I didn’t want you to go hungry.”

Jimin’s heart thuds. He picks up the towel and sees rolls of bread and small pieces of sausages and mini carrots, plus a container of water. He looks back over to the omega, feeling like he kind of wants to start crying again. “Thank you, Seokjin.”

The words are genuine and they make the dashing man’s smile widen. He shrugs, folding his arms casually. “Don’t mention it.”

Jimin picks up a roll and makes quick work of devouring it. He goes in for another one, followed by a piece of sausage—which he gives Taehyung half of because the alpha gives him these puppy eyes to plead and he’s too adorable for anyone to resist when he does that.

“Oh!” Namjoon says suddenly, eyes trained on the stage ahead as he perks up. “There’s Head Alpha Jeon.”

Everyone’s heads turn at the same time, all watching closely as a big, commanding man ascends the stairs on the side of the stage. He’s dressed in furs and leather pants, crows feet etched onto his face and his smile lines indented from how often they are used. He and Jeongguk look alike; the same nose and same onyx eyes. He looks out over the crowd as he gets up to the microphone, face spreading into a proud smile.

The band comes to a stopping point and a hush falls over the crowd. Head Alpha Jeon waits a beat before commencing his speech, this year’s more special than the one prior.

“My village! Our neighboring brothers and sisters who have traveled far to show support! Tonight is a very special night. This year, a special year.” His deep voice booms through the meadow, reverberating over the nearby hills. A breeze blows through, waving the flags and decorations and swooshing Jimin’s hair over his forehead. “The Annual Courting Festival is a sacred celebration in this pack, and it means everything to me to see you all here for it now. Tonight kicks off a three day festival where our people will rejoice and bond and—most importantly—where the newest presented members of the Jeon Pack will announce their intentions to court one another. At the end of the three days, all newly presented members will be paired up with the one meant to be their future mate! This is a time of tradition and celebration and love. This year, especially, is a vital year for the Jeon Pack…”

There is a dramatic pause as Head Alpha Jeon looks out over the crowd again, the pride in his demeanor seeming to grow by the second.

“This year, my son—heir to the Jeon Pack, and future Pack Leader—Jeongguk, will be participating in the Courting Ceremony for the first time! As of a few days ago, he finally presented. As most of you will have heard, his status is not that of an omega or alpha—”

Jimin tries his best not to wince and duck his head as the Head Alpha completely skips over betas.

“—but as something entirely unique, something so rare that, for lack of having witnessed it ourselves, our people would still think it to be a myth, a legend. He has presented…as an enigma!”

A chorus of cheers and praises break out in the crowd as people’s excitement grows exponentially with the confirmation. Jimin feels pride swell in his own chest at that moment. Not because of Jeongguk’s presentation as an enigma, but because he is clearly so adored by everyone and he deserves every bit of it.

Subconsciously, the beta finds himself standing on his tippy-toes, staining his neck to see over the hoards of people, wanting to find those onyx eyes again, wanting to see Jeongguk . Of course, he is nowhere in sight—not with all of these people crowded around and certainly not when he has clearly been trying to make himself scarce, for reasons unknown to the beta. He rests back on the soles of his feet, focusing his attention on their smiling Head Alpha.

“Yes. Tonight is a very special night, indeed. It is Jeon Pack Tradition for the leadership to change hands once the heir has been mated, so I hope that you all will support my son in this journey.”

People cheer again, pack members clapping loudly to show their support. Head Alpha Jeon’s voice booms loud when he speaks over them again. “Now that that is out of the way, we will begin the ceremony for the evening. I would like all newly presented pack members to gather their courting gifts and meet in the middle of the meadow, staying within the square that has been painted on the grass. Alphas on one side, omegas to the other. We will begin in ten minutes. The rest of the wolves present, please feel free to stay watch from outside of the square. We thank the moon goddess for this wonderful celebration! Best of luck to everyone looking to court someone tonight!”

On cue, everyone starts moving, people flowing through the crowd to get where they are trying to go. Namjoon and Taehyung join hands, shooting Jimin and Seokjin matching smiles. “We can’t stand with you guys, but we’ll cheer you on from the sidelines.”

Seokjin grins at Taehyung’s kind words. Namjoon’s eyes find Jimin and they soften in a way that makes Jimin want to shrink, feeling small. “Are you going to stand near the omegas again this year?”

The beta shrugs. “Probably. It’s better than standing alone, even if everyone looks at me strangely.”

Seokjin comes up beside him and bumps their shoulders together. “You can stand with me. I’d love your company.”

That gets a genuine smile from Jimin, making his eyes turn to crescents up at the older omega. “I’d like that.”

“Alright, then,” Taehyung says, waving as he and his mate begin walking through the crowd. “See you guys later! Best of luck.”

The omega and beta wave them off before Jimin looks around, eyes landing on the bright white lines painted onto the grass a distance away, forming a massive square in the center of the meadow. Already, omegas and alphas are lined up on either end, tens of dozens of other wolves waiting excitedly on the outside of the square. He gestures his head in the direction of the action, looking at Seokjin. “Let’s go.”

Seokjin nods and the two walk side by side—the basket of food still in Jimin’s clutches, though nearly empty now—over to the end where sweet scents are heavy, omegas practically buzzing with nerves and excitement. Jimin recognizes most of them, but some faces and smells are foreign to him. As if reading his mind, Seokjin leans down when they stand on the further end of the line of omegas, mumbling, “How many do you think are here from other packs specifically to court Jeongguk?”

The beta makes an exasperated expression and discards the basket to a spot by his feet. “Definitely too many to count.”

“Who do you think he is going to choose?” Seokjin asks, eyebrows pulling together. He’s looking out at the line of alphas on the other end, before scanning the omegas again. “Now that I think about it, I’ve never seen him show interest in anyone. He’s usually by himself and, when he isn’t, he’s hanging out with me, you, Namjoon, and Taehyung.”

“Not true,” Jimin insists. “He likes Yoongi and Hoseok, too.”

“Sure, but still. I’m just saying, he only spends time with us, so who could he possibly like?”

“Maybe it’s one of us,” The beta jokes, grinning at the omega, eyes turning to crescents. For some reason though, the thought makes his heart pulse strangely. The thought of Jeongguk liking one of them—or at least someone in their friend circle that is unmated, leaving only Jimin and Seokjin since Hoseok and Yoongi are mated, and so are Namjoon and Taehyung—is strange . Jimin looks at Seokjin and tries to picture him and Jeongguk together and just can’t . Sure, they would both look good together but Seokjin is a very independent and confident omega and, for some reason, he just can’t picture him wanting a mate like Jeongguk. Though Jeongguk would be perfect —a good hunter, a good listener, always wanting to help—Jimin just doesn’t think Seokjin wants someone like that. In the year that Jimin has gotten to know him, Seokjin is the type of person to want compliments and attention and room to shine. Jeongguk would certainly provide those things, but Jimin imagines it would be because Jeongguk is the kind of person who just wants to do whatever his mate needs. Seokjin wouldn’t want someone to do those things just because they feel like he wants it—he wants them to want to do it naturally. Seokjin would want someone quieter, calmer, more smitten. For some reason, as Jimin smiles at the taller omega, he can’t imagine Seokjin wanting those things from Jeongguk.

Seokjin, scrunching his nose, seems to think the same. “Oh, no thanks. The kid’s cool but one; too young for me, I think—too much energy, you know? Two; he’s definitely the type to want a mate he can provide for and I just…don’t need that. I can do things on my own and I like it that way. It wouldn’t be fulfilling for either one of us, honestly.”

Jimin’s lips purse, nodding as he is momentarily stunned by the thoughtful response. “So, what would you want, then? Who are you hoping comes up to you tonight?”

“Sincerely? I don’t know,” The omega shrugs shamelessly, scanning the crowd with a sigh. “I’m selfish. I’ve enjoyed sleeping around and having more than one partner for the last few years. I like attention, Jimin. I want to keep getting it. I don’t think having one mate for the rest of my life would suit me, but I figured I’d try tonight out and see how it goes. Who knows? Maybe someone will change my mind.”

As genuinely as he can muster, Jimin says, “I really hope you find what you want.”

Seokjin smiles kindly at him, ruffling his hair—a habit he, unfortunately, picked up from Taehyung. “I hope you do too, Jimin. You deserve it. What about you?”

“Who am I hoping comes up to me?” Jimin asks to clarify, fixing his hair. “Well, it doesn’t really matter, does it? I mean, it’s not like anyone will. I’ve kind of stopped…caring. It just hurts less that way. I keep my hopes low and then nothing can affect me.”

He says it with a casual tone, but the pain lingers underneath—fresh from crying earlier, from the raw emotion this festival always brings. The way Seokjin frowns at him tells him that his attempt at light-hearted self-deprecation isn’t successful.

“No. I mean, what if Jeongguk courted you? We talked about what would happen if it was me, but what if it was you?”

The question momentarily stuns Jimin into silence. The beta purses his lips, never having considered such an idea before. He’s never considered anyone courting him, least of all Jeongguk. The idea stirs something fuzzy and strange inside of him. Hazy images flash in his mind; Jeongguk offering him a gift, Jeongguk reaching down and holding his hand, Jeongguk’s lips pressed against his neck as he scents him—Jimin shakes his head, cheeks heating as he pleads for the thoughts to go away. He’s never considered it, never imagined Jeongguk in that way. It’s foreign and makes his stomach flutter. He shakes his head again, swallowing thickly. “It would never be me. It—It would never happen. Jeongguk is good and strong and worthy of the best mate, and I could never be that for him. It would—It could never be me.”

“Jimin—” Seokjin begins to say, sounding upset, but then another announcement is being made by one of the representatives at the pack. He stands at the far end of the square and calls out for everyone to hear him.

“Everyone! The first night of the Annual Courting Festival is about to begin! If you will all do me a favor and take your places! We will start with omegas first.”

Murmurs and comments break out among the crowd, people from all around muttering things like “Wait, we can’t start without Jeongguk” or “Where is the Head Alpha’s son?” or “The enigma hasn’t arrived yet, though”. Jimin wonders the same, scanning the row of alphas and shifting his gaze into the darkness around the festival—past the lights, near the lining of the trees—for any sign of him. He doesn’t feel anyone looking at him, and can’t pick up on that cypress scent anywhere. He wonders where the enigma is, but holds his tongue, not wanting to add to the growing chaos. Maybe Jeongguk got cold feet, or decided he didn’t want so much of a spotlight and will privately court someone later in the night.

Despite the obvious ruckus from the crowd’s growing confusion, the announcer continues as usual. “All omegas who have brought a courting gift, please get it ready.”

Among the murmurs, all of the omegas with items to be used to court their intended party gather them up. Some are clenched tightly in hands, others hidden away in baskets or behind cloths. All seem magnificent and unique in their own way. Many of the omegas look around, at one another and across the field at the alphas who are waiting anxiously, looking excited and nervous all at once.

“Sir!” One small, omega girl calls to the announcer from near the back of the line. “What if we brought a courting gift for someone who hasn’t arrived?”

Though her words might be vague, everyone knows who she is speaking about. The announcer must know too because he gets straight to the point. “All gifts for enigma Jeongguk can be left on the stage. He is running late but can always gather them later. I’m afraid you won't be able to individually give them to him this way, though.”

Flowery, sweet scents sour with the information and shoulders fall, though the omega girl nods her head anyway, clearly trying her best not to look disappointed. “Right. Thank you.”

The announcer nods his head before quickly moving on. “Right then! All omegas, please start bringing your courting gifts to the alpha you have chosen. All alphas, please refrain from touching the omegas or giving your gifts back in return. You’re only permitted to accept the gift and speak to them as they come up.”

Like clockwork, omegas start leaving the line and crossing to the other side of the square. Many of them are slow at first, timid in the way they look around or stare at the grass as they make the trek over but, as the alphas puff their chests and their scents grow more pleased by the second, it encourages the omegas to carry themselves the rest of the way over. Jimin watches as they go to the alpha they want to have intentions with and offer their gifts. Most of the alphas accept with open arms and smiles, while some look surprised or confused. A few omegas go up to the same alpha at once; Jimin watches as an omega girl and guy walk up to the same man—who is popular and kind enough to get the attention of more than one person—and awkwardly smile at each other, before the girl offers for the guy to go first. It’s a display so earnest and sweet that it makes Jimin smile. It might seem strange or out of place to some, but he loves things like this; ripe, pure moments of sincerity. It’s part of the reason he always wanted to participate in the ceremony—part of the reason he is devastated that he has never been offered anything. 

As the omegas give their gifts, only a few stay back—Seokjin and Jimin among them. They watch as the alphas readily accept the courting gifts, before the omegas begin to retreat. Some are blushing while others look nervous or disappointed. One by one, they line back up, finding their spots once more. Jimin scans the alphas, watching how they examine the gifts they have been given. Some alphas look at others proudly or with a sense of jealousy. A few are empty-handed, though Jimin suspects that is only because their omegas were too shy to offer a gift. Seokjin elbows Jimin and, in seconds, the beta’s attention is directed to the stage nearby. Jimin’s eyes go fantastically wide. There are tens—if not dozens of courting gifts sitting on the edge of the wooden stage; things wrapped or placed in woven baskets, some are blankets, others are fine jewelry—and those are only a few. All of them are for Jeongguk.

”Wow,” Seokjin says in awe. Jimin nods in agreement. His attention is pulled away when the announcer speaks again.

”That concludes the omegas’ gift giving and, thus, begins our turn for the alphas’ turn to give their gifts back! The same rules apply; all alphas will hand off their courting gifts to the omega they have intentions with, and all omegas will accept with words—nothing else. No touching or lingering. Alphas will retreat once their gifts have been offered.”

On the opposite side of the square from Jimin and Seokjin, the alphas begin gathering the offerings they brought. The things they have are much similar to what the omegas offered, though some run bigger. A few alphas have small pelts or furs made from game—which are considered among the most impressive gifts to give, specifically from alphas, to omegas. Not only is it considered harder to get than other things because the alphas had to hunt for them, but it displays their capabilities to provide for their mate. When Jimin was a pup and fantasized about getting a courting gift, he always pictured getting something wonderful and big like the pelts from a rare fox breed or something impressive like that. He could stand in awe of his future mate while onlookers watched with adoration and envy. He imagined it so many times when he was a child—as everyone in the village does—and now he would be thankful for anything, even if it meant only to be acknowledged.

The announcer calls for the alphas to begin bringing over their courting gifts, so they do. The alphas are more confident in their movements, sauntering up to the person they want to be with and offering their courting gifts. Like the omegas, sometimes they go up to the same person but, unlike the omegas, it results in staggering anger of their scents and both parties raising themselves in challenge until one backs down. It’s all a little carnal and foolish, but Jimin sees the way the omegas involved get flustered and it makes him smile again, knowing there is no doubt that he wouldn’t be the same if put in their position.

This time, he pays attention to the many alphas that walk over to the stage, placing gifts on the ledge alongside the omegas, offerings for Jeongguk. 

“How is he going to know who gave him what if they can’t give it directly to him?” Seokjin leans down to ask, clearly watching the same thing Jimin is.

”All courting gifts are scented beforehand. He’ll be able to tell whose scent belongs to who. Even if there is a scent he doesn’t recognize, he could like the smell and gift so much that he seeks that person out. So, everyone has a pretty fair chance,” Jimin explains.

Seokjin hums and, at that exact moment, four alphas walk over to the two of them. The omega eyes them strangely and Jimin out-right freezes. All of the alphas have gifts on them and all are looking shyly at Seokjin. One gets ahead of the others and extends his hands, giving a basket to the omega, who accepts it with a small, “Oh, thanks.”

Jimin peers over at the basket and his jaw nearly drops open at the sight of tons of fabrics being inside—silk and sateen and cotton, high-quality and beautiful. They can be used for so many things. It’s a very thoughtful gift. After that alpha, two walk up and growl at one another, scents spiking, before the smaller of them huffs and steps aside, allowing the other one to go first. One after another, Seokjin is handed gifts—and they don’t stop there. After those four alphas walk away, Jimin has to start helping set the gifts down at Seokjin’s feet because seven more alphas come in quick succession. Seokjin is casual and gracious in accepting the gifts—accepts them as confidently and easily as he does praise on any other day. Jimin feels envy rise in him, but it’s stuffed down by the joy he gets from watching the alphas offer things to his friend. They give kind words, saying things like “ I would be honored to be chosen as your mate” and “You’re gorgeous, Seokjin. Please, accept this as my offering” and “I’ll happily provide for you for the rest of my days”.  

Other omegas see the display and, undoubtedly, Seokjin has the most gifts—second only to Jeongguk, who isn’t even here to accept them. Their scents sour with jealousy and annoyance and Seokjin just lifts his chin, grinning. The sight makes Jimin snicker and shoulder bump him after the last alpha walks away. Seokjin bumps him back and they both look down at the tons of fabrics and baskets and trinkets at his feet, laughing at the sheer absurdity when they make eye contact again.

”Happy?” Jimin jokes, huffing another laugh when Seokjin shrugs. “Were any of them cute?”

”A couple,” He responds coolly. 

Jimin opens his mouth to retort with something witty but, before he can, the announcer is speaking again. 

“So, now that the alphas are done, all that is left is the enigma Jeon Jeongguk,” The man looks around, eyes scanning the square before flickering to the crowd of people around it. “Um, has anyone…seen him?”

People look at one another, shaking their heads and breaking into murmurs about how they haven’t seen Jeongguk all day. Jimin thinks about speaking up, about confessing that he saw the man earlier and that Jeongguk said he would be here, but he bites it back. He doesn’t want the spotlight—doesn’t wish to highlight that Jeongguk saw him before the ceremony and certainly doesn’t want to make false promises if Jeongguk inexplicably changed his mind, for some reason.

After a lapse in response, the announcer says awkwardly, “Well, I guess that means we will unfortunately have to move on—“

”Jeongguk!” Someone says loudly in the crowd. Others chatter and shouting grows louder as excited scents bounce in the air. The announcer must look in the direction everyone is pointing at the same time Jimin does because, as the beta’s gaze falls to a tall, slender figure walking closer to the square from the far edge of the meadow—form barely in view under the lights of the festival—the announcer calls out, “He is here! Jeongguk has arrived! Does he carry a courting gift?”

People cheer and talk loudly as the young man draws closer. No one is with him and, when Jimin squints, he can make out that he is carrying something thick and heavy in both arms, clutched to his front. He can’t tell what it is from how it is bundled up, but it looks huge— bigger than any pelt or blanket Jimin has ever seen used as a gift.

Jeongguk looks over the crowd of pack members as he steps one foot into the square, perfectly centered between the row of omegas and alphas. Gasps break out as blue, piercing eyes fall over people. Jimin’s eyes go wide at the sight. It’s startlingly beautiful and a sight Jimin hasn’t had an opportunity to witness since the day Jeongguk stood in the town square as his status was announced.

He freezes entirely when those eyes fall directly onto him. Or, at least, he thinks it’s him. It’s hard to tell with Jeongguk being so far still and Jimin must be mistaken because why would Jeongguk look at him, anyway? He doesn’t have time to deliberate because, within seconds, the intense gaze is pulled from him and directed to the announcer. In a deep voice, Jeongguk speaks.

”I apologize for my tardiness. I come with a courting gift. Am I still permitted to offer it?”

Squeals and whispered rumors live and breathe among the wolves around. Jimin watches on with rapt attention, something tight pulling in his chest. 

The announcer sputters, gesturing, “Yes! Yes, of course! Everyone! Future Head Alpha and enigma, Jeon Jeongguk, will now present his courting gift to the person he wishes to have mating intentions with! Let us all remain respectful in this delicate moment and allow Jeongguk the room to court as he chooses.”

Like a string-pulled taut, tension fills the meadow as everyone calms down to a near silence. Some murmurs still break out in the surrounding crowd, but every unmated alpha and omega seems on edge as Jeongguk steps forward again. “Thank you. I am grateful for all the courting gifts I have received.”

Jimin purses his lips, hands clasped together in front of himself as he, like everyone else, watches Jeongguk’s eyes close. When they open once more, they are his normal, dark shade. He scans the row of alphas and takes another step, before looking at the row of omegas and doing the same. His eyes land on Jimin again—or someone near Jimin, at least. Either way, Jeongguk’s boots turn to face in his direction and, soon, the enigma is walking towards them. His steps are assured and easy. He is confident as he bypasses several omegas, whose scents grow wilted and upset as he keeps walking. Jimin all-but freezes when he nears the end of the line, heading straight in the direction of the beta and Seokjin.

At last, Jeongguk is close enough that Jimin can see him clearly under the lights above. His tanned skin, unblemished and flushed, glows and his eyes gleam, trained directly on Jimin , whose own eyes go wide. He resists the urge to back up whenever Jeongguk pulls to a stop right in front of him. Beside him, Seokjin places a hand over his mouth and Jimin feels himself grow dizzy because people are murmuring, gasping and whispering, muttering shocked and bitter things to each other.

Jeongguk seems to pay them no mind as he looks down at Jimin, expression softening. They hold eye contact for a moment as the younger man licks over his lips, swallowing. Then, his eyes shoot down to the woven basket by Jimin’s feet. He sees a small frown etch its way onto Jeongguk’s features. 

“Has someone…already courted you?” He asks, voice strained.

Confused and barely thinking, Jimin blinks at him. “ No? That’s—Seokjin brought me lunch earlier and stored it in the basket…Jeongguk, what are you—?”

“Sorry,” The enigma says. “My mistake. Um, that’s not the point anyway.”

Jeongguk lets out a deep breath, lips twitching up as he swallows and looks at the beta. Then, out of nowhere, he extends the heavy material in his hands, holding it out to the older man.

Jimin’s eyes flutter as they fall on the object. It’s bear fur, he realizes, but he can’t tell what it is with the way it is folded.

”Jeongguk…” He starts, voice coming out choked and quiet. “Jeongguk, what is this?”

The enigma looks between him and the offering. “It’s a coat. I made it from two different bears that I hunted. I’m sorry I was late. I was—I finished it two days ago but I forgot it needed to be scented so—“

”Jeongguk,” Jimin repeats, feeling light-headed all of a sudden. His hands are sweaty from where they are still clasped together. They shake as he looks at the object in Jeongguk’s hands. It’s too much information at once. A coat. A coat made from two bears— a far bigger undertaking for a courting gift than Jimin has ever witnessed—that Jeongguk hunted—apparently, days ago— with the purpose of— what, exactly? Giving it to Jimin? A beta? He feels like he is living out a dream or some sick joke. “Jeongguk, this is meant to be a courting gift.”

He can smell the cypress coming from the coat where it seems like Jeongguk drenched it before coming here, and can sense fresh, heavy wafts of it from the younger man himself. The crowd is growing louder in the background as the interaction goes on, and Jeongguk’s shoulders slump a little, brows pulling into a tight line.

”Yes,” He agrees. “It is a courting gift. It’s a coat. It will keep you warm when it snows in the coming winter—“

”Jeongguk, are you meaning for this to be for Seokjin?” Jimin asks deftly, in denial as he reaches out and carefully grabs the thick coat, searching Jeongguk’s face for an explanation as he takes better hold of it.

To his great surprise, Jeongguk keeps his hands on it, not allowing Jimin to pass it off to Seokjin. His shoulders square and he shakes his head, insisting calmly, “No. This is not for Seokjin . Jimin, this coat—this courting gift is for you .”

”But…Why would you…?”

”Because I’m courting you,” Jeongguk tells him, voice getting a little quieter. Jimin can’t meet his gaze. His whole body is hot and his head is dizzy and he can’t stop looking down at the courting gift in both of their hands like it will disappear if he glances away. 

“You’re…courting me,” Jimin repeats, testing the words on his tongue. His chest tightens, heart stuttering. His ankles flex and his shoes crunch on the grass. He feels a sudden need to leave , like he can’t be here right now—can’t be in front of Jeongguk or any of these people, can’t feel these intense stares any longer. 

Quick to read him, Jeongguk moves forward and finally lets Jimin take the coat, using his own hands to cover over Jimin’s and press the coat to the beta’s chest, as if insisting that it is his. Gasps and words are called out in the crowd because Jeongguk is breaking the rules. People aren’t meant to be this close when courting but, when the announcer opens his mouth and looks like he is about to say something, Jeongguk shoots him a narrowed look and his mouth snaps closed. Then, Jeongguk reaches out and uses the curled side of his finger to will Jimin’s chin up and get the beta to look at him. When Jimin does, his vision blurs and so does the smile on Jeongguk’s handsome face. He realizes that there are tears brimming in his eyes—that there probably have been for a while. 

Jeongguk’s eyes soften and he leans down, moving to the side of Jimin’s head and whispering next to the beta’s ear. “You promised me you wouldn’t run away.”

”I want to,” Jimin admits, voice nearly inaudible.

”I know. Please, don’t,” Jeongguk requests, tone dripping with so much gentleness—so much sincerity—that a tear slips down Jimin’s cheek. Jeongguk’s scent is so comforting up close; intense and warm, just like he is. When the enigma pulls back, he scans Jimin’s face and brings the hand that was perched under his chin up to swipe away the stray tear. “Don’t run away. You don’t have to do anything. Just—Accept this. You don’t need to do anything else. I promise. I won’t ask anything of you.”

Jimin shakes his head, feeling his pouty bottom lip quiver as he holds back a sob. “Jeongguk—Why are you—?”

“Because I want to,” Jeongguk says with a charming smile, shaking his own head. The back of his palm gently pets down the side of Jimin’s cheek. His eyes are soft and sincere and Jimin kind of thinks this might all be a dream. “I want to court you. I—I want to be with you , Jimin.”

”But, I’m—“

”You’re perfect.” Jeongguk gives him a serious look, eyes scanning over his face. He shakes his head again and Jimin wonders if that means he also can’t believe this is real. His next words come out a near whisper. “You’re perfect, Jimin. I’ve always wanted you.”

Jimin’s heart skips a beat in his chest. His brows knit together, lips downturned. He scans Jeongguk’s eyes—carefully watches his expression—because he can’t quite believe this, yet the younger man has never pulled pranks or made jokes of serious things like other wolves might. Jimin only knows the enigma to be sincere, so what is this? Before Jimin can utter another word or plead for another explanation—a more sensible explanation because this is impossible , too impossible to be real—Jeongguk is stepping back, his touch falling from Jimin as he takes his cypress scent and warmth with him.

With one last, small smile, Jeongguk turns and walks over to the outside of the square, finding a spot beside his father, who is staring at him with wide eyes. Everyone is looking at the enigma; watching him as he passes, their expressions varying from shock to annoyance to confusion and disgust. Jeongguk holds himself high and pointedly ignores all of them—including Head Alpha Jeon—as he takes root on the grass and stares at the announcer, awaiting the next segment of the festival. The quiet murmuring that was happening builds and grows frenzied and, by the time the announcer seems to grasp that he is meant to speak again after, he too, was momentarily stunned by Jeongguk’s actions, a full-on uproar has begun. Jimin can hear all of them—unmated omegas and alphas, established members of the pack that sit among the crowd around them, traveling wolves who came specifically to support Jeongguk—he can hear all of their comments.

“What just happened?” 

“That can’t be who Jeongguk intends to court? A beta?”

“Jimin, really? What could he possibly offer to Jeongguk that one of us couldn’t give?”

The tears that have been stinging in the beta’s eyes blur his vision and spill over all at once. He clutches the coat like a lifeline, shaking like a leaf as he ducks his head. If he were in his wolf form, his tail would be tucked between his legs. He is so, so confused and the voices are growing louder, the annoyed scents of alphas and omegas swirling in the air and forming a concoction like thunderclouds congregating and rumbling as they loom in the skies above and get ready to pour down hard, chilled rain.

Beside him, Seokjin places a delicate hand on his upper back, gently rubbing. His voice is soft, as though he is trying to coax a small animal from hiding. “Jimin, are you okay? Hey, this is a good thing, right? You’ve always wanted a courting gift and Jeongguk—”

Jimin shakes his head vehemently, more tears slipping down from the force and working their way down his chin and check—a few collect on the groove of his collarbones like a small puddle. “No. This is—This can’t be what it is. This must be—He made a mistake. He didn’t mean—”

“He did ,” Seokjin insists, his other arm moving to Jimin’s bicep, holding him up as sobs rack his body, his shoulders shaking from the force of it. “He said it was for you and he meant it. He wants to court you, Jimin—”

“He doesn’t have a reason to,” Jimin pleads, sounding desperate and exasperated through tears. “Why would he court me? It doesn’t make sense. It has to be a joke.”

“Oh, Jimin…”

The beta’s heart clenches to a painful degree at the pitiful tone, at the voices he can still hear in the background, at the eyes he can feel on him—whether from Jeongguk or the crowd, he isn’t sure. He shakes his head again, blinking rapidly through his tears to dispel them enough to see. Biting hard on his bottom lip, Jimin looks around, his head seeming to spin and making the figures in the foreground appear blurry.

The announcer begins speaking again, voice tense. “Um, now that everyone has had a chance to present their courting gifts, we will begin the festivities for the night to celebrate. Everyone, please help yourselves to the food stalls and find your way to the dancing circle. We will…”

His voice drowns out, falling on deaf ears for the beta as he steps backwards, leaves and grass crunching beneath his shoes. Seokjin tries to coax him in the direction of the food where everyone else is headed, but Jimin can barely feel the gentle touch on him, barely hear him speak. He shakes his head again, starting off in the direction of the woods with the coat clutched protectively to his front.

“I need to go,” He thinks he mumbles. “Can’t be here. C-Can’t breathe.”

He hears voices calling him back and thinks it might be Namjoon and Taehyung, who probably joined him and Seokjin right after the announcement was made, but he can’t be bothered to pay attention to it. His heart hurts and he feels numb. He can barely see past his tears and only vaguely knows where he is going based on memory and the occasional flash of trees he can see blurrily in his vision every so often.

Soon enough, he is crossing the threshold into the lining of trees on the outer edge of the forest, pushing his way past rickety branches and blindly warding off leaves that hang low as he travels deeper. He thinks he is going in the direction of the village but he can’t tell. Too detached to care either way, the beta keeps walking. At some point, his foot catches on a root and he tumbles to the ground. His knees hit the grass, then his hands. He groans and rolls onto his side, suddenly feeling dizzy and far too weak to bother standing again. He can feel his body pulsing up and down like a heartbeat and his throat feels hoarse. Blood rushes to his head and, all of a sudden, Jimin can hear his own breathing; rapid and shallow—far more than is normal. Distantly, he thinks he should breathe slower, but he can’t bring himself to. Taking note of what little control he has of his body, the beta only sobs harder and that only encourages his breathing to get more labored and panicked.

He clings onto the massive, thick coat like a lifeline, Jimin brings it up further in his arms and ducks his head down, breathing in the rich, heady scent of cypress. He cries harder at the familiar smell, comforted instantly by it. He’s never cared much for scents. He likes Namjoon’s and Yoongi’s in particular, but he isn’t affected by them the same way omegas and alphas are. Yet, for some reason, as he takes deep inhales of Jeongguk’s scent, he feels overwhelming relief—finds solace in his smell specifically. It confuses and worries him, but he can’t do anything about it now except continue to cry.

Somewhere behind the pulsing, deafening sounds of his own sobs, Jimin thinks he hears rapid footsteps and voices. He can’t be bothered to try and pry his eyes open to pay attention, though. His head is spinning and he feels heavier by the second, almost like he is about to fall asleep.

“—min,” A deep voice says. Jimin barely feels the stalwart arms picking him up—one under his knees, the other gently tucked beneath his neck—bringing him into the air and leveraging him by the tenaciousness of the person carrying him alone. The person speaking to him has a smooth, kind tone and their voice goes in and out—though he can’t really make out what they are saying—and Jimin feels them being shifted as the person sits down, Jimin pulled across their lap and being held close. 

Jimin groans, breathing a little softer as he revels in the feeling of being in a warm, strong hold. He greedily inhales cypress and nuzzles his face into the coat more. He thinks he hears a chuckle, but is distracted by the realization that the fresh wafts of cypress aren’t coming from the coat, but from the person holding him. Without thinking, Jimin turns, shifting so his face is in the crook of their neck, nose nuzzling directly against their scent gland. He feels the person tense as he selfishly breathes in more of that lovely smell that he seems to find so much solace in.

The person relaxes again and the arm around the back of his neck moves. Now, Jimin has a bicep around the back of his head and a gentle hand petting at his shoulder. The one holding him ducks down and Jimin thinks the pressure he feels on the side of his head is them planting a gentle kiss there.

Next thing Jimin knows, his breathing is leveling out more and the blood stops rushing so much and he can make out more of what the person is saying.

“—Okay? Can you hear me at all now?”

Lazily, Jimin hums. The person huffs a laugh, sounding relieved when they say, “Good. That’s so good, Jimin. Keep breathing, okay? Try to focus on me.”

Jimin’s brows furrow, his lips pulling into a pout because he knows that voice —he knows this scent and this warmth. At a near whisper—so soft he fears the wind will pick up his words and carry them away—Jimin murmurs, “Jeongguk?”

A deep hum, one that rumbles in his chest and vibrates Jimin’s cheek. “Mhm. I’m here. I’m here, Jimin.”

“Wha—? What happened?” The beta mumbles, words coming out breathy and slurred.

Comfortingly, Jeongguk pets his arm. His voice is gentle when he talks to Jimin. “You were having a panic attack. Taehyung and the others found me and told me I needed to come find you. I had already been looking for you because I saw you crying, but I hadn’t seen where you went. When they said you were in the woods, I immediately came looking for you. I’m glad I got here when I did. Jimin, you could have really gotten hurt—coming out here by yourself like that. I—I don’t know what I would have done if…I’m glad you’re alright.”

“‘M sorry,” Jimin finds himself whispering, tears drying into cold stains down his face as he continues calming down. The more that reality comes back to him, the more embarrassed he feels.

“No,” Jeongguk says, tone steely. “ I’m the one who should be apologizing, not you.”

“I caused so many problems, though,” The beta pouts, nuzzling against the enigma’s scent gland against his better judgment. “People were looking at you and saying things. It’s because I’m the one you gave this to.”

Jimin emphasizes his point by squeezing his hands around the silky smooth coat made of bear fur. His frown deepens. “Why would you give me this? Could court anyone, Jeongguk. You could give this to anyone.”

He hears the enigma make a small sound, something akin to a pained moan, but quieter. Jimin is momentarily stunned when the strong arms around him shift, Jeongguk adjusting them so that Jimin is fully sitting across his lap, one of his arms gripped tightly around Jimin’s waist and the other reaching up to allow his fingers to tangle in Jimin’s soft, dark hair. Then, Jeongguk dips down and says right next to the beta’s ear, “I don’t want just anyone, Jimin. I want you .”

The beta huffs exasperatedly, falling limp in Jeongguk’s arms—temple to his shoulder—as the fight leaves him. He’s too emotionally drained. He can hear the loud music of the festival playing mutedly in the distance, and he can’t even bring himself to care that all of his friends are still there and probably worried. He doesn’t care that everyone will see him as more of a freak now because of his outburst, or that people will judge him for being the one Jeongguk gave his courting gift to. All he cares about is Jeongguk—about how this will affect him, about getting to the bottom of why the enigma gave him the coat. Jeongguk says it is because he wants Jimin, but the beta can’t quite believe him, because there is nothing appealing about him. He would be a terrible mate, no matter how hard he tried. He isn’t an omega or an alpha. He doesn’t come with all the bells and whistles. There’s nothing he can offer Jeongguk. It makes him feel small and overwhelmed and tired.

“I don’t get it,” He mutters pathetically. “Why me , Jeongguk?”

“Why is it you that I want?” Jeongguk asks, trying to clarify. A swell happens in Jimin’s chest, like he is affected by the enigma saying something so absurd so bluntly—with so much ease, like it’s the easiest thing he has ever done.

Weakly, Jimin nods.

“Give me a chance to show you.”

The beta sniffles, still trying to recover from crying so much today. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he notes that he needs to drink a lot of water later to recover from putting such a strain on—not only his tear ducts—but his entire body. After a moment, he nods slowly. “Okay, but—How…How are you going to do that?”

“I’m going to court you,” Jeongguk tells him outright. Jimin’s breathing catches. The enigma continues. “If you’ll let me, I’m going to keep courting you. I want to show you, Jimin—in any way that I can—that you’re the one I want.”

“But, the wolves in the village will—”

“—Will be fine .” Jeongguk shuts that thought down immediately. He squeezes his hand around Jimin’s waist and the beta’s skin burns red hot under the touch. He has felt warm this entire time, like there is a fire igniting within him. “I don’t care what they think. Let them say whatever they want. It doesn’t bother me at all.”

Jimin purses his lips, considering the option. He doesn’t hate the idea of being courted by Jeongguk. He just simply didn’t ever think about it being a possibility. He finds himself waning when the enigma speaks again.

“Give me until the Winter Solstice.”

The beta finally finds the strength and confidence to lift his head from Jeongguk’s shoulder—wincing when he blinks and notices how stained with tears the soft fabric there is—before wearily meeting Jeongguk’s eyes. The enigma is gazing at him with all of the sincerity and determination of a good leader—of a good mate —and Jimin can’t find it in himself to say no. He might be nervous and scared beyond belief, but this is an opportunity for what he has wanted his entire life being handed to him on a silver platter, and he isn’t dumb enough to look a gift horse in the mouth. Plus, Jeongguk is the one asking this of him—Jeongguk who is sweet and strong and kind and all of the qualities of a partner that Jimin dreamed about as a kid. Jeongguk is saying he wants him, so why shouldn’t Jimin give it a chance?

“Why until then?” He asks, curious. Jeongguk offers him a soft smile, bringing a hand up to wipe again at the tears stained across Jimin’s flushed, wet face.

“It gives me enough time to properly court you, and gives you enough time to decide. I want to do this right, Jimin. You’re important to me and you deserve someone to do things right for you.”

“Jeongguk…” The beta breathes out softly, feeling emotional all over again with such earnest words gracing his ears.

The enigma’s smile widens. He squeezes again around Jimin’s waist, staring at him like he hung the moon and the stars. “Just until the Winter Solstice. Please.”

Jimin considers him for a moment, swallowing hard. Then, with all of the courage and candor he can muster, he nods again.

“Okay. You can court me until then.”

Jimin has known Jeongguk for virtually their entire lives and, yet, he can say with absolute certainty that he has never seen him grin wider than he does the moment the words leave Jimin’s mouth.

—

The walk out of the forest and towards the village is a quiet one. Jeongguk insisted he go with Jimin, despite the beta’s protestations. He said he wanted to be there so that Jimin didn’t get too in his own head and start panicking again. Despite his frown, Jimin does feel grateful for the companionship.

The night air is cool and the lively music of the festival distant as they retreat back down the path leading to the homes in the village. Jeongguk keeps pace with Jimin—nearly shoulder to shoulder—and they don’t speak for the first part of the trip beyond the enigma asking softly if Jimin can stand, and telling him to duck under a few low branches as they ease out of the woods.

Once they’re in a clearing, able to see the nearby homes with nothing more than the bright moon in the sky, the wind blows by and swoops their hair. It’s so chilly for September that it sends a cool shiver down the beta’s back. He tugs on the sleeves of his shirt and breathes in the calm, fresh scent of cypress.

They are abnormally strong, Jimin realizes at that moment—Jeongguk’s pheromones. He may not have as great of senses as alphas or omegas, but he can tell the difference between scents, and Jeongguk’s is…something else entirely. Jimin turns to peer at him from the corner of his eye. He sees that the younger man has his hands tucked in the pockets of his pants, his chin held straight, and gaze on the village they are coming close to. He looks the same—since his presentation. Yet, as Jimin subtly inhales more of the cypress, he feels another shiver coming on. Though, this time it’s not from the wind. No, it’s due to the strong, unbridled power he senses from the pheromones he takes in.

Jeongguk must feel his eyes on him, because he turns his head and looks down at the beta, a small smile appearing on his lips. It’s reassuring and kind, as Jeongguk always is, but—for some strange reason—it makes Jimin squeeze his hands from where they are clutching the coat to his chest, his heart racing.

“What is it?” The enigma asks.

“I…shouldn’t say,” Jimin decides. When the younger man furrows his brows, eyes shimmering with curiosity, he shakes his head, tacking on, “It would be…inappropriate.”

That only makes Jeongguk’s smile widen, humor apparent in his tone when he teasingly encourages, “Then, please, ask away.”

“Don’t joke right now.” Jimin rolls his eyes but the other man’s smile is infectious and it has him smiling too. “I’m serious. It’s—It wouldn’t be polite.”

Jeongguk shrugs. “Do it anyway.”

Jimin sighs and gives him a look, but Jeongguk challenges him with another one in return, and Jimin relents.

“Fine,” He says, warning, “But don’t be upset if you get offended. I told you it would be inappropriate.”

Jeongguk pulls his hands out of his pockets to hold them in the air, palms out in surrender. His grin is wide—as if he wasn’t just coaxing a beta out of a panic attack in the woods when he should be the star of a ceremony right now. He smiles like there is nothing wrong, and nowhere he’d rather be. 

“Look,” The enigma says. “If I get offended, I promise to apologize for putting you in such an awkward position by groveling at your feet. Does that sound fair?”

Jimin’s snort is sudden and unattractive. He throws a hand over his mouth and suppresses countless giggles. Jeongguk cheeses at him—one dimple appearing on the side of his face with the effort. By the time the beta calms down enough to respond, the enigma has pocketed his hands again.

“You’re ridiculous, Jeon Jeongguk. Do you know how absurd you sound? The Head Alpha’s son—the future leader—agreeing to beg at a beta’s feet over such a trivial matter?”

Jeongguk’s eyes give away his mischief before he even says his next words. It’s a look Jimin has seen a million times, and treasured every time.

“If it’s such a trivial matter, then we won’t need to worry about my being offended. Will we?”

“How do I ever take you seriously?” Jimin shakes his head, disbelief evident in his tone.

“With a lot of blind faith.”

“Not blind,” Jimin corrects, making Jeongguk raise a dark brow at him in question. “ Earned faith. Jokester as you are, you’ve shown you’re a good person, and that you’ll be a good leader.”

Jeongguk’s steps falter.

Jimin pauses with him. They’re almost to the village now—mere steps from the front gates. He turns to face the younger man, whose expression is suddenly too full of different emotions for Jimin to interpret a single one of them.

His voice is pitched down and softer when he asks, “You…really have that much faith in me?”

The beta tilts his head, nose scrunching just as a line forms between his brows, looking at Jeongguk like he can’t believe what he’s hearing. “Of course. Everyone does. What else would you expect?”

Jeongguk’s tongue darts out of his mouth, running along his bottom lip. Despite himself, Jimin’s eyes shoot down and watch the movement happen. Suddenly, the cypress in the air grows much stronger. 

“Jimin, I—” Jeongguk starts, taking a step forward and pulls a hand from his pocket to reach out like he is going to touch the beta, but then he seems to stop himself. Jimin tries to ignore the way his heart leaps at the sight—at the knowledge that Jeongguk was about to touch him, an experience he finds himself relishing in lately. 

Jeongguk takes a deep breath in, dropping his hand. He tongues the inside of his cheek before saying, “I…Shouldn’t touch you. We’re not—If I’m courting you, I’m not supposed to—”

“Touch me until the third night,” Jimin finishes for him, words coming out more breathless than he would like. It feels so strange to talk about this—to be here with someone he has known platonically for his entire life, in a situation where he is now being courted by him. Yet, the heat in his body at every growing second that he spends inhaling that wonderful cypress tells him that it might not be an unwelcome feeling.

The enigma nods, pursing his lips. “Yeah. That. I…really broke the rules a lot already. I touched you at the gift giving event and again earlier, in the woods. I’m—Sorry, I’ll…try to stop.”

“I…” Jimin pauses, thinking. He bites his tongue.

I want you to touch me.

I don’t want you to stop.

I like the way it feels.

All of those things would be wildly inappropriate to say, and all of them would encourage Jeongguk to break the rules of the courting ceremony. Truthfully, they’re not even really supposed to be alone right now. Still, it’s also sending his head spinning to think about just how true those statements are. If it feels like a lot to admit to himself, he certainly can’t confess it to Jeongguk.

“I…think that’s a good idea,” Jimin lamely decides. Jeongguk’s shoulders drop a little and he quickly adds on, “Though, I will say, I hardly think the incident in the woods should count on your penalties. I think you did more good than harm there.”

Jeongguk’s grin mirrors Jimin’s own.

“Did I? Well, I’m happy to be of service,” the enigma tells him, stepping forward to pull back the front gates. He holds one side open and leaves space for Jimin to walk by, which the beta accepts with a small “Thank you”.

They walk through the streets of the deserted village with a foot of space between them. As they journey the dirt paths that lead to the cabins, they are quiet. Jimin’s mind is occupied with thoughts of what transpired tonight, and conjurings of what the future may look like now.

The night took a turn he certainly didn’t anticipate. He is anxious and exhausted but, even so, something rash and excitable blooms in him. He squeezes the thick bear coat close to his chest and subtly tucks his chin down, trying to inhale as much of the cypress scent as he can. It’s so potent that even Jimin, a beta through and through, gets a little overwhelmed as he sniffs it. A secret smile graces his face. He likes Jeongguk’s scent and the enigma scented it so thoroughly for him.

”What brought that pretty smile to your face?” Jeongguk asks sweetly. The beta shyly looks over, feeling caught.

He shakes his head, unable to help that the smile lingers. “Nothing, I… I am happy to have such a beautiful coat for Winter.”

To his great surprise, the enigma’s cheeks dust red under the moonlight. Jeongguk faces forward, clearing his throat. “Is that so? Then, I’m overjoyed.”

Jimin bites back a grin.

It feels like it’s too soon by the time they reach the beta’s cabin. It’s clustered in the middle of a few other of the smaller homes; mostly full of tiny families and elder members of the pack that reside alone. It’s quieter than further up where Namjoon, Seokjin, and Taehyung live, but Jimin likes that about it. His neighbors are kind, simple people that don’t bother him or give him odd looks. Mostly, they ignore him altogether, and he prefers it that way.

Jimin steps up the wooden porch with the enigma closely behind. He has the coat held protectively to his chest as he shyly turns and glances up at Jeongguk through his bangs. “So… I should rest now, I suppose.”

”Yes, you should,” Jeongguk encourages with a gentle smile. “You’re had a very long day.”

”So have you,” Jimin counters with a cheeky grin. Then, he purses his lips and contemplates for a moment before asking, “Will you be going back to the festival?”

Jeongguk nods. “My father has requested that I thank all of the visiting packs that came. No doubt, they’re waiting for me now.”

”You should go, then. I wouldn’t want their time to be wasted—nor yours,” Jimin insists with a worried pull between his brows. 

At the enigma’s side, his fingers twitch like he wants to reach up and smooth over the thin line. Instead, he merely says, “My time is not wasted if it is being spent on you. You’re far more important to me than they are.”

Jimin’s cheeks go crimson. He ducks his head down, feeling his heart flutter strangely in his chest. Jeongguk chuckles sweetly, a sound like honey to the beta’s ears.

”You make it… difficult.”

”What do I make difficult?” Jimin finds himself asking, peeking up at Jeongguk through his bangs again. He can’t remember a time in his life where he has ever been this unbearably shy before. He’s known Jeongguk for his entire life. So, why, of all people, is he clamming up around him? And why now?

Jeongguk’s expression is kind and thoughtful. “Not touching you. Your reactions are… almost unbearably sweet. It makes me want to…”

He trails off. Jimin finds himself chasing after the words, yearning to hear the rest. His heart is pounding.

Clenching the bear fur between his fingers, he asks breathlessly, “Want to what?”

”To do things I shouldn’t yet,” the enigma finishes decidedly. He steps backwards off the porch, seemingly trying to drink up every second of Jimin that he can. “Goodnight, Jimin. Please rest. I hope the moon goddess bestows good dreams upon you.”

”You too,” Jimin quickly calls back. He sounds eager, even to himself. His entire face is on fire. Jeongguk is back on the dirt path. “Goodnight, Jeongguk. And—Thank you!”

With one last dazzling smile, the enigma is strolling back down the hill, footsteps retreating until it’s silent again.

Once every sign of him is gone, Jimin steps into his home and sighs deeply into the fur coat that he has pressed against his face. It’s big enough to be a blanket. So, without much thought, the beta readies for bed and slides under his sheets, bringing the coat along. It might be silly—and he’s blushing the entire time—but he drapes it over himself like a blanket and basks in the comfort of warmth and cypress that he has been gifted.

Despite the whirlwind of a day, the beta closes his eyes and slowly grows sleepy with a smile on his face.

A courting gift. From Jeongguk.

“Give me until the Winter Solstice.”

That’s what Jeongguk asked of him and Jimin intends to fulfill the request. No matter how difficult it may be, or how slim the chances of it working out in his favor by the end are, he will see it through. He made a promise to Jeongguk and the enigma has all of his trust. He has never been cruel or lax. The courting gift is genuine, as is Jeongguk. 

So, Jimin will follow where he goes.

Until the Winter Solstice. By that time, he is sure the enigma will have found a plethora of better suitors. But, until then, Jimin will follow—he will allow himself to be led.

Because, if he can’t have happiness forever, shouldn’t he at least be granted the illusion of it for a few months? Can’t he have that much?

This is what he is thinking about as he drinks off into a deep slumber, full of excitement and dread over the possibilities for what the following day will bring.