Chapter Text
Not all storms come to disrupt your life. Some come to clear up your path.
For what felt like the first time, Taehyung enjoyed the warmth. The searing heat seeping straight through his skin right into his heart. The main source of heat coming from the alpha that was currently draped over him, puffs of air hitting Taehyung’s ear as the younger one was still in deep sleep.
His mate.
“Gukkie,” Taehyung murmured, voice still cracking from him being half-asleep, twisting his neck so that he could watch the soft features of the alpha. He chuckled as Jeongguk’s nose scrunched up in his sleep, eyes squeezing shut as he was starting to wake up. “Gukkie,” Taehyung cooed at the alpha’s adorableness, watching the younger’s eyes flutter open with a low grumble rising from his throat. Jeongguk let out a loud breath, digging his face into Taehyung’s neck.
“What?” Jeongguk grunted in an annoyed tone from being woken up.
Taehyung gasped in mock offense, “now that we’re mates, that’s how you’ll talk to me?”
He could feel Jeongguk smile into his neck, Taehyung’s box-like grin forming on his own face in response. He stretched his hands in front of him, letting out a small sigh as he prepared to get up from the comfortable position. He started sitting up, only to be locked back down by the strong arm holding him.
“Guk?”
Jeongguk didn’t respond, instead pulling the omega even closer, every inch of Taehyung’s side plastered against Jeongguk. He let out a light chuckle, “c’mon Gukkie, I’ll get us some food.”
He thought he could hear a faint ‘no’ coming from the alpha’s lips, causing Taehyung to giggle. “Let go of me.”
Jeongguk’s voice was louder this time, “never.”
“Will you let go of me long enough for me to get us food?”
Jeongguk shook his head, his black hair tickling Taehyung’s cheek as it moved across his skin. “I’m in a state of dysania, hyung. Please, shh.”
Taehyung lifted his brows in surprise, “aigoo, what a big word, Gukkie. No wonder you’re head alpha, my educated baby,” Taehyung cooed.
“Shut up,” Jeongguk grumbled, ears tinting pink as he tightened his hold on Taehyung’s waist. Taehyung chuckled before placing a wet kiss on Jeongguk’s forehead, prying away the steel grip from around him. He sat up, instinctively bringing his hand up to the mating mark, a beaming smile on his face feeling the small indents.
Taehyung got up, throwing on some of Jeongguk’s clothes before heading over to his outdoor cupboard, leaving the pouting alpha in bed. The bright sun shining outside reflected his mood, the virescent hues poking through the canopy bringing him a new-found feeling of happiness. Taehyung walked over to the cupboard, taking out a handful of fruits with a quiet hum.
He inhaled deeply as he walked back into the hut, the scent of elderflower mingled with vanilla in the air. “Gukkie, breakfast.”
Taehyung sat at the bed, admiring the toned stomach of the younger as the quilt had ridden down to his waist. His sun-kissed skin tempted Taehyung to touch, but he needed to focus on waking up the alpha. Taehyung brought up the papaya to Jeongguk’s nose, coaxing the younger to wake up with the fruit.
Jeongguk fluttered his eyes open, letting out a loud yawn as he finally turned around to face the omega. Taehyung couldn’t help but drop his gaze to Jeongguk’s fully exposed stomach, watching his chiselled chest that radiated with a healthy glow.
“See anything you like?” Jeongguk smirked, causing Taehyung to snap out of his trance with an eyeroll. Taehyung tossed the fruits onto the bed, a dust of pink on his cheeks as he was caught ogling as he scooted closer to the alpha. “M’not hungry,” Jeongguk murmured.
“Are you sure?” Taehyung responded. Jeongguk’s eyes had turned dark, eyes flicking red as he looked at the mating mark on the omega’s skin that was peeking from underneath his t-shirt.
Jeongguk hummed, sitting up slightly so that he could pull Taehyung onto his lap, hands skimming dangerously close to Taehyung's backside. “Maybe there’s something else I could eat.”
Taehyung gasped in shock, slapping his hands onto Jeongguk’s bare chest as the younger let out a breathy laugh. “You are terrible,” Taehyung said in mortification, burying his head into Jeongguk’s neck. He was still grinning as Jeongguk picked up a fruit from the side of the bed, peeling it and starting to feed Taehyung slices of it, the omega melting into his mates chest with a sigh of content.
**
Taehyung was seething when he saw Jeongguk’s mouth quirk up into a smug smile. They were at the main building, when Namjoon had proposed that they would go for a run. Seokjin had suggested some healthy competition by playing a game of tag, grouping up into teams of two. Namjoon and Seokjin, Jeongguk and Yoongi and finally Jimin and Taehyung would be the pairs.
The competitiveness had emerged in Taehyung after his mate sauntered off confidently, no doubt in his mind that him and Yoongi would win.
As if.
Taehyung stormed after him, shifting mid-air as he came to a halt in front of Jeongguk. The alpha raised his brows in amusement, watching the small wolf huff in front of him. Jeongguk crouched down, reaching where Taehyung’s snout was when he gave him a small smile, petting the silver wolf behind one of his ears.
“Pup going to beat me at tag?” Jeongguk asked with a small pout, his tone teasing.
Taehyung bared his teeth in anger, causing Jeongguk to break into a grin. Jeongguk moved closed, placing a kiss on the tip of Taehyung’s wet nose before standing back up with a light sigh. “I won’t go too hard on you, baby.”
Taehyung let out a low growl. The alpha was purposely annoying him. Jeongguk shifted next to him, toppling over his omega mate as he walked closer. Jeongguk circled around Taehyung, his tail flowing over Taehyung’s face, the omega letting out another annoyed huff, hearing Jeongguk let out a sound akin to a chuckle. Taehyung internally grumbled, not being able to be mad for too long as Jeongguk started to lick at the back of his ear, comforting and preparing them for the game of tag.
The other wolves appeared, all in their wolf form as Namjoon let out a sound to command them all to follow him. They stood in a row by the edge of the jungle, all waiting for the order. Namjoon walked behind them, pushing Yoongi with his snout, indicating that he was ‘it’. Yoongi turned to Jimin with a mischievous glint in his eyes, causing the beta to let out a small huff.
Seokjin let out a small bark, both Taehyung and Jimin breaking into a run at the sound. Taehyung knew Jeongguk’s eyes were on him, watching him dip behind a larger palm tree. Jimin was running by his side, harsh pants leaving both wolves as they tried to get as much distance as possible from the alpha’s.
Taehyung could hear wolves behind him, knowing it was Namjoon and Seokjin. A loud howl emitted from the distance, Taehyung internally grinning, knowing the game had just began.
He could hear his heartbeat in his ears, adrenaline coursing through his veins as Jimin ran a few meters ahead of him. Namjoon and Seokjin had sped into a different direction, leaving the omega and beta to fend for themselves as he knew their two alpha mates were after them. The alphas were faster, stronger, but Taehyung and Jimin had the distance advantage.
He recognised Jeongguk’s howl, warning them that they were closing in. Taehyung dug his paws deeper, forcing himself to speed up, the scent of elderflower already in the air. Jimin let out a growl as Taehyung caught up to him, taking the lead as the scent of lemon was trailing behind him. If either one of them would get tagged, both of them would be it.
Jimin sped up too, the two of them dodging the trees littered all around them. Taehyung took in a harsh breath as he heard a whine, looking back to see Jimin toppling over, his paw caught in a uprisen root. Taehyung ran over, waiting for Jimin to untangle his paw from the root around his leg. Taehyung internally cursed as he could hear the huffs of the alpha’s coming closer, branches cracking as they appeared in front of them, coming to a halt as they saw Jimin on the ground.
Taehyung went to stand in front of the beta, growling as the two alpha’s approached them, warning them to not take a step further. He saw Jeongguk give him a fond gaze at his protectiveness over the beta, daring to take a step closer as Taehyung showed off his sharp white teeth. Taehyung snarled as Yoongi took a step closer. Jimin scrambled up as he managed to untangle his paw, prodding his nose into Taehyung’s side as a silent apology. Taehyung looked into Jimin’s eyes, knowing exactly what the other one was thinking as Jimin rapidly blinked three times.
Counting up to three, the two of them broke into a sprint again, leaving behind the stunned alpha’s, watching in awe at the perfect coordination between the two wolves. Only staying still for a few moments, Yoongi let out a snarl, the two of them running after them again. It didn’t take long for them to catch up, Yoongi prodding his nose into Jimin’s side.
Jimin let out a huff in annoyance for being caught, him and Taehyung turning into the direction of where Namjoon and Seokjin had sped off to. Yoongi and Jeongguk trailed behind them, keeping their distance in case Jimin or Taehyung would turn around and tag them again. Taehyung angled up his snout, trying to catch the two elder’s scents, grumbling as there was no scents in the air apart from their own.
Jeongguk let out a small sound, Taehyung looking into his direction to see Jeongguk nudging his head to the side, Taehyung training his eyes into the distance to see a dark grey tail peeking in the distance. He caught Jimin’s attention, the two of them going into the direction of where Namjoon was spotted.
Taehyung was determined to catch the alpha. Maybe Namjoon was inherently faster, but Taehyung had decided to tag the elder male. Taehyung pushed himself forward, passing Jimin as his claws buried into the dirt beneath him. Namjoon and Seokjin had noticed them, the two of them breaking off into different directions, Taehyung’s eyes set on the dark-silver alpha.
Namjoon glanced back, seeing Taehyung catch up to him. Taehyung's heartbeat increased, a sense of achievement filling him up with every inch he closed in on the alpha. Taehyung felt a tingling sensation, his whole body bursting with energy as he’s only a few meters away from the head alpha. He hears a howl from behind, Jeongguk’s encouraging voice as Taehyung sped forwards.
Taehyung pants as he takes the leap, soaring through the air, landing right on top of Namjoon, toppling both of them over. The omega lets out sounds of glee as Namjoon lays on the ground defeated, waiting as the others gathered around, Jeongguk the first to give Taehyung’s cheek a few licks.
Seokjin couldn’t keep the grin off his face, his mouth curled upwards, teeth on display as he watched his alpha mate on the ground, Taehyung circling around him. Yoongi and Jimin arrived, the brown-furred alpha letting out amused huffs, throwing his large head back as Seokjin charged at him.
Jeongguk stopped praising Taehyung, turning to give his brother a deadly stare as Seokjin had tackled him, tagging them, making the two of them lose the game. Taehyung grinned, nuzzling Jeongguk’s black fur in comfort as he knew the younger hated to lose. They all watched Seokjin and Yoongi playfight on the ground, Jimin joining in occasionally as one of them tagged him accidentally.
**
“Jimin?” Taehyung asked, sitting cross-legged on their double bed, watching the beta pack the last of his clothes. Jimin was finally moving in with Yoongi, deciding to live in Yoongi’s hut, whereas Jeongguk would be coming over to Taehyung’s, the double bed a lot larger than the single the head alpha had.
Jimin hummed, listening closely to the omega as he folded a black tank top, Taehyung smiling fondly as he remembered it was the top Jimin wore when the two of them first left Daegu.
“Sleep with me one more night?”
Jimin looked up, his eyes wide until his face split into a grin, his sparkly eyes disappearing behind the skin folding into crescents. “Of course, Tae.”
Taehyung smiled, satisfied as he hopped off the bed, pulling out one of Jeongguk’s large t-shirts, changing into it for the night, sighing as he smelt the elderflower and lilac in the air, his two favourite scents. Taehyung dropped his pants, scrambling underneath the covers in just the loose t-shirt and boxers, the air too humid to wear any more layers. Taehyung watched Jimin with his cheek smushed on the pillow as Jimin collected all of the different items around him, the necklace that Yoongi had got him dangling from his throat.
Taehyung watched as Jimin’s hair flowed as he moved, the strands whisking around with calculated movements. Taehyung watched as Jimin pursed his plump lips, the beta concentrated on trying to stuff Taehyung’s duffel bag full of his clothes, the omega letting him use it to move all of his stuff. Taehyung watched as Jimin’s cheeks became puffy and squishable as he laughed at Taehyung making grunting sounds because of the humid air.
With one final sigh, Jimin fell on the bed next to Taehyung, closing his eyes in a defeated state, all the packing and the game of tag earlier wearing the beta down. Jimin didn’t question it as Taehyung sat up, pulling off the beta's sweatpants, knowing fully well that he might have a heatstroke if he would keep them on for the rest of the night. Taehyung threw the pants onto the ground, pulling up the quilt and patting it down on the both of them. He laid back down, placing a hand underneath his cheek as he faced Jimin who was watching him with tired eyes.
They watched each other for a few silent minutes, engraving each other's faces into their memories. The silence between them only further deepened their bond, knowing they didn’t need to speak to understand what the other was saying. Jimin was his best friend. His soulmate. The one who stood by Taehyung’s side through thick and thin. The one who silently lifted the omega out of his misery without asking any questions.
“Quite an adventure we had after all, right?” Jimin murmured.
Taehyung smiled. When they first set sail, Jimin had asked him if was ready for an adventure. And Taehyung hadn’t been, but after the adventure they had gone through, Taehyung wouldn’t have had it any other way.
“You regret helping me, a thief, off the ports of Daegu?”
Jimin let out a light giggle, moving closer as he tangled their legs together underneath the quilt. Taehyung nearly complained about the excess heat, but kept his mouth shut as Jimin seemed to be enjoying the contact.
“Never in a million years.” Jimin responded, his eyes full of sincerity as he stared at his omega best friend.
“Aish, no need to be so sappy, Jiminie.” Taehyung commented, giving Jimin’s shin a light kick underneath the covers.
“I love you, Tae. Thank you for dropping into my life when I think I needed someone the most.”
Taehyung smiled fondly, wanting to say the exact same words back to him. “I love you too, Minnie.” Jimin leaned closer, placing a kiss on top of the omega’s forehead. Jimin then buried his face into Taehyung’s chest, the taller male wrapping his hand around Jimin’s small waist. Both of them fell asleep with smiles on their faces, enjoying each other’s company until they’d move in with their respective alpha’s.
**
Jeongguk
Jeongguk woke up alone with a sigh, knowing that Taehyung probably spent the night with Jimin, but he couldn’t help the worried gnaw in his gut. It was in his instincts to make sure that Taehyung was safe, and not knowing his current whereabouts was making him feel on edge. Jeongguk quickly stood up, throwing a white shirt over his toned chest as he walked out of his hut, the humidity outside already curling the black locks in his hair.
Jeongguk walked past the shrubs into the main village, waving at a few pups that sped past him. He made his way to Taehyung and Jimin’s hut, smiling as he reached the door, being able to smell the lilac and vanilla wafting from inside the hut. Jeongguk peeked in, face splitting into a grin as he saw Jimin sleeping, Taehyung wrapped around him like a koala. Jeongguk watched them for a moment, noticing the omega was wearing one of his shirts that he had apparently stolen from the alpha. Knowing Taehyung was safe, Jeongguk turned back around, heading over to the main building.
“Patrol duty, Guk.”
Jeongguk rolled his eyes. “Morning to you too, hyung.”
Namjoon walked past him, ruffling his hair as he made his way to the small kitchen where Seokjin was making breakfast with Seoyun. He slumped down on the chair, watching the small family bustle around in the kitchen, smiling as he saw the subtle affectionate touches and kisses Namjoon and Seokjin gave each other.
Yoongi joined them, sitting down next to Jeongguk with an annoyed huff, placing his hands on the table. He rested his head on top of his hands, promptly falling back asleep. Seoyun giggled as she joined them by the table, climbing up on Jeongguk’s lap, the two of them starting to poke at Yoongi’s cheeks.
Yoongi snapped awake growling, his hard gaze softening as he saw Seoyun’s excited eyes, letting out a tired sigh instead. Seoyun dropped out of Jeongguk’s lap, jumping on top of the grumpy Yoongi instead, who tiredly hooked his chin over the young wolf’s shoulders, all of their eyes silently trained at the elder wolves in the kitchen.
“Tae Tae oppa! Jimin oppa!” Seoyun squealed, leaving behind a disgruntled Yoongi as she unlatched from him, running over and smacking her fully body into Jimin as he and Taehyung arrived into the building. Jeongguk watched Taehyung grin at her, his eyes sparkling as Seoyun moved from Jimin to hug the omega. As if he sensed Jeongguk’s gaze, Taehyung looked up, giving his mate a shy smile as Seoyun climbed on top of him. Jeongguk could feel his heartbeat increase everytime Taehyung smiled at him, something so pure in his gaze that made Jeongguk want to protect him forever.
He made space as Taehyung walked over, the omega wrapping one hand around his nape as he sat on Jeongguk’s lap instead of the vacant chair next to him.
“Hi,” Taehyung murmured against his lips as he leaned down to press a light kiss to Jeongguk’s mouth.
“Hey,” Jeongguk whispered, nuzzling Taehyung’s neck to get his scent into the elder, preferring to smell himself instead of Jimin. He looked to the side, seeing Jimin raise a knowing eyebrow with a small smirk before he turned his attention back to Yoongi.
“Missed you,” Jeongguk said, wrapping his arm more firmly around Taehyung’s slim waist.
Taehyung hummed, letting the younger nuzzle into his neck. “M’ right here, Gukkie.”
Jeongguk pouted, giving the elder wide puppy-dog eyes, causing Taehyung to coo at him, peppering his face with soft kisses.
“Ok, stop. Just, no.”
Both of them turned their heads around to a mildly disgusted Yoongi, while Jimin and Seokjin were watching them fondly. Namjoon was watching the two wolves cocooned into each other with an amused expression, Seoyun peeking through her fingers from the silver-haired alpha’s lap.
“Public area, guys,” Namjoon commented, looking down at Seoyun on his lap. Jeongguk saw a furious blush rise up Taehyung’s cheeks, realising that all of them had been watching his display of affection.
“Sorry,” Taehyung murmured as Jeongguk rubbed his lower back soothingly with a smile plastered on his face.
The wolves watched hungrily as Namjoon went to retrieve the breakfast, handing it out to Seokjin, a smaller portion appearing in front of Seoyun. Seokjin raised an eyebrow as the four younger wolves were watching them expectantly.
Seokjin placed his cutlery down, an expression of disbelief on his face. “Just because I made dinner for all of you once, doesn’t mean I’m going to slave away all day. Scram.”
The two couples simultaneously grumbled, standing up and heading to their respective huts to make their own breakfasts. Jeongguk held tightly onto Taehyung’s slightly larger hand, swinging them in the air as the omega spoke about his night with Jimin, humming along every time the elder asked if he’s still listening.
**
It was after dinner as Jeongguk was preparing, going through all of his belongings, wondering what exactly he should take with him to move in with Taehyung. He could feel the nervousness bubble within him, knowing that he would finally be in a constant close proximity with his omega mate.
Mate.
He still couldn’t believe it. How Taehyung had overcome his prejudices and allowed himself to fall in love with an alpha. And Jeongguk would use every single breath if he had to, to show Taehyung how precious he was, how the elder deserved love, and how he was respected, instead of forced. Jeongguk slumped down on to the ground, fiddling with the silver ring on his finger before moving his fingers over to the blue strand on his wrist, an accessory that he had never taken off since the day Taehyung had gifted it to him.
He decided that the next time he went to Seoul, he would have to get Taehyung something in return. Something special. Something that would hopefully convey how much Taehyung actually meant to him.
He frowned, realising he didn’t actually know where his mate was at the given moment, having disappeared somewhere after dinner. Jeongguk stood up, suddenly having a lot more energy as he started his search. He was still on edge after what had happened with Taehyung’s previous pack, knowing there was also dangerous wildlife out there that could be potentially harmful, especially after dark.
He scowled as Taehyung’s hut was vacant, quickly making his way over to Yoongi’s. The head alpha and Jimin were lounging on his bed, both regretfully shaking their heads as Jeongguk asked if they had seen his mate.
Jeongguk bit his lower lip, rejecting the couple’s offer to help him find Taehyung. He could feel nervousness bubble in his stomach, but decided to keep level-headed until he had checked the beach. He pushed his way through the thick shrubs, letting his eyes adjust to the darkness before he continued walking. Jeongguk moved swiftly, jumping over the thicker roots, keeping a quick pace as he made his way through the darkness. The urge to protect became stronger with every passing moment, preparing himself in case his mate was in danger.
Because this was Taehyung. And Taehyung was beautiful, and sweet, and brave. Taehyung, who shined like all the stars in the night sky when he smiled, a warm burst of a supernova filling Jeongguk’s body when he looked his way. And he was so proud of him. Of everything that the elder had overcome, how he had bared his heart to Jeongguk, how Jeongguk promised to give nothing but everlasting love in return. Because Taehyung deserved it all. Taehyung deserved the whole world, and more. His knew his whole brain was intoxicated by the omega. His scent, his face, his smile, his body, every crevice of Taehyung ingrained into his memory.
Taehyung, Taehyung, Taehyung.
He couldn’t think about anything else.
He didn’t want to, either.
He walked through the shrubs, smiling as he saw his mate’s figure sitting by the ocean, hands digging into the sand as Taehyung had his neck craned towards the sky.
“What are you doing out here, pup?” He asked quietly as he walked onto the sand, letting his feet sink into the grains.
Taehyung looked at the alpha, his brown eyes smiling as he gazed at his mate. “I was just telling the stars about you.”
Jeongguk sat down on the sand next to his mate, wrapping one hand around the omega’s waist as he buried his face into Taehyung’s honey-toned neck. “And what did you tell them about me?” He murmured into the elder’s skin, placing light kisses as he spoke.
Taehyung hummed, staying quiet for a moment as he wrapped his hands around his own legs. “That’s a secret between the universe and I.”
Jeongguk smiled into Taehyung’s neck, the low baritone voice of the omega sending a shiver down his spine, like it had from the first time they had ever spoken. He waited patiently, knowing that Taehyung would eventually tell him. Jeongguk moved his face from the omega’s neck, leaning his cheek onto the elder’s shoulder, gazing out into the dark ocean, decorated by the stars within the dancing waves.
“I was never supposed to fall in love, you know?” Taehyung whispered.
Jeongguk did know. Taehyung had been hurt, scarred, betrayed- and Jeongguk wanted nothing more than to be able to kiss away the invisible scars that littered his mate’s body.
“I had lost my way. I didn’t know where I was heading, I just knew I needed to go.” Taehyung leaned his head on top of Jeongguk’s, blurring the line between the silver and black hair. “And I think I lost my way all the way to you.”
Jeongguk took hold of Taehyung’s slender hand, lacing their fingers together as he heard the omega’s voice strain, trying his best to hold back his tears.
“Ah,” Taehyung breathed out, letting out a chuckle as he lightly squeezed the alpha’s hand. “And in you, I think I finally found my way back to myself.”
Jeongguk wrapped his other hand around Taehyung, pulling the omega so close he was nearly fully sitting on his lap. He held the slim body tight, closing his eyes and willing that Taehyung knew that Jeongguk was currently holding his whole world.
“I was trying to make the stars jealous,” Taehyung murmured, a hint of a smile in his voice.
“And how do you make stars jealous, pup?” Jeongguk questioned, both of their voices hushed whispers.
Taehyung hummed, the alpha able to hear his steady breaths. “By telling them that no matter how long they’ll shine, my love for you will last long after they have dimmed.”
Jeongguk felt his eyes brimming with tears, his whole body feeling nothing but overwhelming understanding to every word the omega spoke. He leaned his head back down on the omega’s shoulder, letting the elder’s shirt soak up the wetness in his eyes.
“Ah, I also spoke to the moon,” Taehyung said after a moment, a small sniffle escaping, causing Jeongguk to lift up his gaze to his mate. He couldn’t help but stare in fascination, watching the handsome male speak, his low baritone voice sending sparks of pleasure throughout Jeongguk’s body. “No matter how bright it might think it is, nothing shines more to me than your eyes.”
“Tae...”
Taehyung hummed, shushing down the younger. “I need you to know. I’d go through everything again a hundred times if I’d have to, if it meant that my journey would always lead me back to you.”
Jeongguk squeezed the elder tighter, not knowing how he could respond to the heartfelt words.
“It didn’t matter wherever you were, I feel like I somehow would have always made my way to you.”
Jeongguk had had enough. He twisted Taehyung around, so that the omega was straddling him. He brought up a hand to dry away a stray tear on Taehyung’s cheek, giving him a soft smile as the omega looked so deeply into his eyes.
Jeongguk pulled him into a long and luxurious kiss, lips melding together and his arms wound tightly around his mate. Jeongguk felt his warmth entering Taehyung, receiving the elder’s warmth in return. Their souls moulded together as they transferred their silent love through the tender kiss. Jeongguk knew his heartbeat was pounding at a million miles an hour, the raw anticipation in his chest. His mind raced with different thoughts, excitement coursing through him, thinking about the rest of his life with the omega sitting on top of him, his soft lips against Jeongguk’s.
As they separated, Jeongguk looked up at his mate’s face. He wondered what love was actually made of, imagining the closest description would be the colour of Taehyung’s eyes.