Chapter Text
It's been a month since the courting season had begun and a part of Jimin still couldn't comprehend the events which had taken place a month ago. The news of Jungkook courting Jimin was received by both their parents warmly, both the families extremely happy for their sons. But it didn't stop the gossip in the pack. There were many who were upset about the potential union, mostly the omegas and betas vouching for Jungkook's attention.
"Maybe he'll change his mind.. Jungkook could have someone better"
"Maybe he's doing it out of pity"
"I'm sure he'll come to his senses.."
The omegas never even bothered to hide their sneers and comments from him. And while the number of people happy for them were far greater than the ones who weren't, comments such as these would hurt Jimin. But in those times, he doesn't know how, as if Jungkook could sense his sadness, but the alpha would hold him tighter in the communal hall, kiss him harder and tell him he loves him with such sincerity that all the doubts or concerns would melt away.
2 months later
Jimin and Jungkook get mated on a full moon night. They're not the only ones who have their mating ceremonies on that day, Namjoon and Jin, and two other couples get blessed by the pack and complete their mating rituals too. The rituals mainly involve the mating bites, with the hope of the bonds to be further cemented through consummation of the mating.
And that's why Jimin now finds himself in Jungkook's cabin, worried and nervous. In these past months, Jungkook and Jimin have only kissed and made out, never venturing into anything more. And maybe that is why it makes Jimin more wary.
He's so lost in his thoughts that he doesn't register the door to the cabin open. It isn't until Jungkook stands right in front of him that he registers what was happening.
"Don't be nervous.." Jungkook says, leaning down and taking Jimin's hands in his.
"I.. You know we've never discussed this.. But Jungkook.. You must know.. It'll be difficult.. I..-"
"Are you worried about the deed or beta physiology..?"
Jimin nods gently.
"Jimin hyung.."
"I am also a bit scared.."
"I will never do anything to hurt you, hyung.. Surely you must know that.. I won't do anything which you don't like.."
"I don't want to disappoint you" Jimin's shoulders slump.
"You can never do that Jimin.. I am equally nervous here.. This is my first time too.. and I want to make this a memorable one, for both of us.."
Jungkook gets up and then heads to the bedside drawers.
When Jimin lifts his gaze he finds Jungkook placing a few bottles on the bed.
"What are these?" Jimin is curious.
"Oils.. I went to the healer the other day.. It'll make it all easier for you.. I really don't want you to endure any pain" Jungkook holds Jimin's face, before pressing a gentle kiss on the shorter one's lips.
Jimin feels so warm. His alpha had taken the time to make arrangements for him. He'd thought about his wellbeing. He was being so gentle. Jimin was surely blessed to have such a wonderful mate. Mate . Jimin smiles looking at the taller man. "Make me yours, Kookah."
And so Jungkook did.
The next morning when Jimin wakes up, it is to a warm chest, and with a gentle smile. His limbs ached, his skin now carried numerous dark spots, making Jimin relive the memories from the past night. It makes him shy, makes him feel loved. He remembers how gentle Jungkook had been in the beginning, and how they had lost their minds later.. How he'd shamelessly moaned his mate's name, begging for more. The memory flusters him, but makes him feel so loved. He was now Jungkook's mate.
****
1 year later..
Jungkook gets promoted in the hunting team. Jimin begins teaching the pups of the pack. Everyday Jimin would spend hours surrounded by little kids, watch their antics and play with them. It made him feel warm. Jungkook would often come to drop him off and then take him back home. They were happy. At least that's how Jimin felt most of the time.
And while his entire day with the kids would leave him happy, at the end of the day when the parents would come fetch their pups, it would leave Jimin feeling down.
A month later, Jin gives birth to a beautiful pup. Jungkook and Jimin visit the couple. It's all happy and wonderful, but it does ache a bit when Jimin notices Jungkook smile as he holds the tiny pup in his arms.
They visit the pup every few days. Jimin loves the little child. Sometimes he even thinks about how it would be to have a child. It hurts him a bit to think he cannot give Jungkook a pup of his own. But he never lets it show. Jungkook doesn't need to know about it. So Jimin hides it. At least he thinks he does.
***
2 months later..
Jungkook has been acting secretive. Jungkook would say he'd be leaving on hunting trips but then Jimin would notice some of the hunters in the communal hall. But Jimin never brings it up. He's afraid he won't like the truth. What if Jungkook found someone better? What if he just doesn't want to be with him? What if he's avoiding him? Thoughts like these often bring a storm, but Jimin braves them alone. He thinks about the nights they've spent together loving one another, whispering sweet nothings, confessing their love.
So when one day Jimin comes home to find Jungkook sitting in the middle of their room, with a tear stained face, Jimin feels like his world would soon crumble.
"Jungkook?" He rushes to his mate.
He kneels in front of his mate, trying to gauge some kind of reaction.
"Jungkookie? What.. What happened.. Please.. I'm getting scared.." Jimin starts repeating, shaking the other. Finally when Jungkook lifts his gaze, Jimin finds Jungkook's eyes sparkling with tears but there's a smile on his face.
"Jimin?"
"What is it?"
"I.. I have to tell you something.."
Jimin is scared, but he doesn't let it show. He cannot let it show. "What is it..?"
"I love you.. You know that, right?"
"I.. I do.."
"Would.. Jimin hyung.. Would you.. Like for us to be parents?"
Jimin breaks down. Of all the things he'd thought, this was not what he'd expected Jungkook to say. Why? Why all of a sudden?
"W-why.. What... Jungkook.. Please I.. Can't.. Be clear.." Tears are now streaming down his face, he's shaking.
"I need to tell you everything.. Have a little patience and listen to me.."
Jimin nods nervously.
"I've been lying to you for a few weeks.." Jungkook avoids Jimin's gaze. "I.. These few weeks when I said I was going on hunting trips, I.. I wasn't.. I.."
"I know.. You were lying" Jimin whispers.
"Y-you do? "
"I would see the other hunters outside.. But I never brought it up.. I didn't want to know.." Jimin shakes more.
"I.. I was visiting the Choi pack.."
Jimin's shoulder slumps. "Oh.. W-why?"
"I.. Last month Joon hyung told me about this pup.. He's merely 6 months old and he's lost both his parents.. They.. Were looking for suitable parents.." Jungkook sniffles. "Joon hyung told them about us.. His.. His cousin, Yoongi and his mate, Hoseok, live there.. And they vouched for us.."
Jimin remains a statue. The only movements are his breathing and the streaming tears.
"They.. Their pack alpha asked me to visit them.. And to see if the pup would feel comfortable with me.. I.."
"What are you saying, Jungkook?" Jimin’s voice is all choked up.
"They've agreed. If you want.. We.. We can be parents to the boy, hyung.."
Jimin remains silent. It unnerves Jungkook.
"Say.. Say something hyung.." Jungkook feels restless but Jimin remains a statue.
"Hyung.."
"How could you? How.. How dare you?" Jimin sobs.
"I.. I know I should have told you about these visi-"
"How dare you even think that I'd say no.." Jimin sobs and breaks down in Jungkook's arms.
"Jiminie.."
"Kookah.."
"I.. I used to see your hopeful eyes every time we'd visit Joon and Jin hyung. You're so good with pups, and to see you try to hide it from me.. I felt heartbroken.. So when Joon hyung told me about this pup, I just knew the moon goddess sent him to us.."
"You-you knew?"
"Of course I knew.. How could I not? I know you.."
"I felt so sad.. I know we didn't discuss it much.. But I used to see you with Minji at Joon hyung's cabin and I felt like I was so.. Inadequate-"
"Stop! Please Jimin.. How many times do I have to tell you that it doesn't matter to me.. You matter to me.. You keep thinking about how I am the one giving up on things, when it's you too, Jimin hyung.."
"Jungkookie.."
"Jimin, you sacrificed so much.. You could have mated an omega and become a parent too.. Have you ever thought about that? Ever?"
And it stuns Jimin.
"I love you, Jimin.. I just wish you could see how perfect you are.. We are to me.."
Jimin remains silent. But then proceeds to simply hug his mate.
"I’d be okay and happy with just you.. For the rest of our lives.. But I feel like the moon goddess has sent this pup to us.. I don't know.. Let's become parents, Jungkook.. I would love to be a parent to the pup.." Jimin smiles. "I love you"
****
They're in Joon's cabin, a week later. His cousin and their mate had arrived an hour ago, with the little pup.
"His mother passed away during childbirth.. And his father encountered an accident during a hunting trip.. He's been living with us for the past two months.." Yoongi, the alpha cousin, says looking at Jimin and Jungkook.
"I feel so connected to him now.. It hurts to part from him.. But I know he's going to have such amazing parents. I am sure he'll be brought up with love and care" Hoseok says, handing the pup to Jimin.
Jimin notices the little pup stare at him with curious eyes. And after a moment, the pup yawns and falls asleep as if Jimin's arms are the most comforting blanket. A lone tear streams down his face. He looks up at Jungkook, who is doing no better, smiling with teary eyes.
"Do we have a name for the kid?" Jin asks Hoseok.
"Not yet. I used to just call him baby or pup.."
"Jimin..?"
"I wished for a loving mate and a happy family..and somehow the moon goddess has blessed me with it.. My wishes came true.. “, Jimin wipes away a stray tear. “ Taehyung. . He's little Tae.. Taehyung means 'all wishes come true'.. And my wish came true.. Through him" Jimin smiles, still teary eyed.
"Taehyung it is.." Jungkook hugs Jimin.
*****
6 years later.
"Taehyungie.. Don't jump like that.. You'll hurt yourself!" Jungkook laughs in the room with the little son.
Jimin stays by the door watching his mate and child.
"Appa.. But it's fun.."
"I know bubbah.. But it can hurt you and we don't want papa to scold you when you do.."
"You won't scold me appa?"
"I would.." Jungkook chuckles
"Appaa..." His son starts whining.
"Okay okay.. What did you learn in school today?" Jungkook holds his son in his arms.
"We learnt about ranks appa.. Alpha.. Beta.. Omega.."
Jimin suddenly feels more engaged and nervous. He doesn't know why. But to see his son talk about ranks makes him feel wary.
"And what did I tell you about them before?" Jungkook asks with a curious face.
"We're all equal.. Ranks do not define us. All ranks have importance.." His son recites sincerely.
"Good.. And what are they?"
"Alphas have strength.. Omegas have endurance.. And Betas have grit."
“Good pup.. Never forget that..” Jungkook hugs his pup tightly.
Jimin smiles watching the scene unfold in front of him. There's a lone tear steaming down his face.
It makes him heady, it makes him smile. It's been years and not a day goes by when he isn't grateful to the moon goddess for these blessings. A loving mate.. A wonderful son.. A happy family.. Something he'd never thought he'd have..and somehow he does have it..
He doesn't feel insecure anymore. And it has nothing to do with having a child or a mate. Over the years, Jimin has found pieces of himself he didn't know he had. He's rediscovered himself through them. Its through his new found love for baking, or dancing.. He’s rediscovered parts of himself he never dared to venture into.
Years ago he used to nurture a flower, his love for someone he never thought he'd have. And now he nurtures an entire garden, full of blooms. He waters them, he cares for them. And while there may be storms in the future, he now feels strong enough to brave them. With Jungkook by his side, and his love to hold him steady, he's in heaven.