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It’s a crush. Nothing more, nothing less. That’s what Jeongguk had been telling himself in the past. This way, his life was not as problematic, and it kept him from pining too obviously—ignoring the fact deliberately that whenever he saw him , Jeongguk would get all kinds of stupid. He would make an utter fool of himself every chance he got. It was infuriating, embarrassing. There were at least three occasions when Jeongguk had almost clocked his head on the same lamppost. Of course, Jimin, with his outstanding timing, was there to witness it.
At some point, however, there was no denying the depth of his feelings anymore. Unfortunately, with acceptance came the consequences. It was as if his nervous system had shut down since his realisation. When Park Jimin was so much as passing him on his way to the cooking cabin he worked in, Jeongguk’s breath got stuck in his throat, and he could swear his heart stopped. So did his brain, which was why he couldn’t even get a damn proper sentence out with Jimin close to him.
The answer to whether he was only crushing on Jimin or falling totally and indisputably in love with him came easy when he thought about it now. Of course, he was in love and probably had been for half of his life.
In puppy school, Jimin was the nicest of his classmates, helping their teacher, who struggled a lot with their behaviour in class. Most of them hadn’t exactly been the easiest pups to be around. Having them all in one classroom was a struggle. Jimin kept quiet while he tried to usher their chatter.
Funnily enough, not one of them hated him for it. They listened. Anytime Jimin got up from his stool, waving his hands when their class wouldn’t quit their racket, Jeongguk halted no matter what he was doing at that moment. He kept staring at him while sitting his ass back down on the wooden chair. And sometimes … sometimes Jimin looked back, not with the same intensity, but with a glint in his eyes that Jeongguk couldn’t stop thinking about.
Growing up in a pack like theirs was … comforting. A weird word to describe it, but it felt safe. People got along, there were rarely ever petty fights, and their group dynamic made them stay patient with each other. Showing your understanding and compassion in situations where it was needed most was a feat that not many packs could offer.
Jeongguk loved their pack’s cooking cabin, spending more time there than he should. The atmosphere offered comfort and gave him warmth. Jimin's presence was only the icing on the cake. It had been Jimin’s idea, though, to build a nook that worked as a place where all wolves could meet for a warm drink and some sweets. Back then, when they discussed major changes on their grounds in the monthly pack meetings, many members voiced their desire for a space to meet up. Wishing for another option to gather and sit with each other than at the main pack area or near the lake.
Head beta Yujun was an outstanding leader, decisive and strong but compassionate at the same time. She would listen to the members separately, discuss options and possibilities and allow them to develop their knowledge and ways of living. That was why Yujun immediately showed her delight at Jimin's idea of creating a little place where the pack members could drink and eat Jimin’s and his parents' creations.
Jeongguk had been there along the way by offering his help while the addition to their kitchen cabin was built. This included spending lots of time with Jimin while trying everything on their menu—completely unselfish. After the grand opening, he would always drag Taehyung, his best friend and the most annoying person in his life, along with him when he needed to see Jimin’s smile following an exhausting day.
Said best friend currently levelled him with a frustrated gaze, letting Jeongguk feel how deep his irritation went with him. They had their usual conversation because Jeongguk had crossed paths with Jimin when they headed to their respective workplaces; Jimin to the bakery and Jeongguk to his desk at the inventory house of the pack. He had been working there for the past years, and even though it ought to be monotonous, it was something he looked forward to every day.
Okay … maybe he just couldn’t wait to see Jimin every time he walked towards the warehouse. But who was Jeongguk kidding? How could he not be mesmerised by him? Jimin was drop-dead gorgeous. He styled his dark blond hair by parting it mainly to the right side and showing a bit of his forehead, which was the equivalent of dressing up in lingerie if Jeongguk were asked. And then his plushy mouth. And those cute eyes. And these small little fingers.
The man was adorable. It didn’t help that he sometimes wore jumpsuits whenever he went to work. Then, he would wear those fiddler hats, those cute fiddler hats. He seemed to have dozens of them. Every single one looked as if they were solely made for him. All of that made Jimin even more attractive. Oh, and his scent. He smelled like the first breeze on a spring morning. The second Jeongguk got a whiff, he was done for it.
Basically, he wanted Jimin to like him too. Sitting here, whining about wanting Jimin to be his omega forever, most certainly wasn’t the right way to go about it.
“Taehyung-aaaaaah,” Jeongguk whined pathetically as he flung himself over the picnic table he occupied with his friend. They spent their breaks together and when the weather played along, using one of the many picnic tables placed in front of the head beta’s house. The pack held their gatherings there. Thanks to the rusty-looking steel fire pit right in the middle of their pack’s ground, it was also the meeting point for mating season and festivities. Around it were multiple wooden tables and benches.
His best friend of a thousand years answered him with a grunt, his nose scrunched up in disgust, “First of all, you stinky little brat, it’s Taehyung hyung for you.”
“No, that’s a mouthful and makes it hard to whine properly.”
“SECOND of all, stop whining altogether! You look stupid and not very sexy or alpha-like, for your information. More like a spoiled pup. Quite unbecoming if you ask me.”
“Good thing I didn’t, in fact, ask you,” Jeongguk retorted, his lips turning into a bratty smile. Taehyung hurled one brussels sprout at him but missed. Jeongguk dodged it nicely, and his eyes followed the sprout as it was rolling on the ground, farther away from them.
While snacking on a carrot, Tae glared at the other sprouts as if they personally offended him. He most likely considered throwing another one at him. His forest scent, the one he shared with all the other betas in this pack, had dipped with unhappiness about the food which Jeongguk shared with him. Not that it was something they often did, but Seokjin, Tae’s mate, didn’t have the time to prepare something. So, Taehyung was stuck with Jeongguk’s food.
“My Seokjinnie wasn’t as dramatic as you. Also, he is a way better cook than you are. He made me Kim-pi-tang the other day, and–”
Jeongguk huffed. “Yeah, because your Seokjinnie knew that you were head over heels for him. I have no clue if Jimin even noticed me.” He ignored the comment about cooking, though. Wasn’t worth arguing over when he knew that his food tasted gross.
What Jeongguk didn’t tell Taehyung was that Jin bugged him weeks before mating season started because the alpha wanted to make it perfect. Nothing could go wrong. Meaning that Jeongguk had spent more time with Seokjin than with Taehyung those weeks, making sure everything went according to plan.
“You are making this way more complicated than necessary. Honestly, just go to him on the new moon and give him your gift. It’s that simple.”
Closing his eyes in exasperation, Jeongguk took a deep breath. This was his friend. Did that idiot ruin his black hair by making him dye his ends in this stupid red-orange so it would match his own hair colour? Yes. Was he the one who was capable of robbing Jeongguk of his last nerve? Absolutely. But murdering him in the middle of their pack grounds wasn’t nice and would undoubtedly be frowned upon. Trying to stay calm was still a challenge, though.
“I tried it for two new moons already, and both times, it all went downhill.”
“Because you’re making this a big deal when it really isn’t.”
“But it is,” Jeongguk hissed, voice dropping in agitation. They weren’t the only ones who took a break from their working stations, and not everyone in the pack had to know what a miserable mess Jeongguk was. “I’ve never encountered a better wolf in my life –,“ he ignored Tae’s protests, “and I want him to want me, too.”
Happy mating season, my ass . In the previous years, he never tried participating. It honestly wasn’t worth it. His friends shared his sentiment, so Jeongguk felt kind of validated in his opinion. He was content in admiring Jimin from afar while waiting for a sign that his crush was requited.
Unfortunately, last mating season, some idiot from the hunter squad was trying his luck. Jimin accepted his courting offer and went with it. In the end, they didn’t mate, but Jeongguk had felt like shit for weeks and thought he would die that day when the members got together and the couples made their last decisions.
Mating season started in January and lasted until April. Every new moon in those four months, their head beta would call them together to let them officially decide who they were going to court. The courting partners had a bit over two weeks until the full moon when it was going to be decided if one would take the other as their mate or not. Seeing as traditions in other packs varied, wolves would either come to court their partner here or their pack members, who found potential mates in another pack choosing to respect the other customs and travel there before the mating season started.
With a sigh, Jeongguk brushed his hair out of his face as he thought about the mess he had put himself in. He caught a glimpse of the clock that hung over the head beta’s door. A curse escaped him when he realised their break would be over in a minute.
Jeongguk got up, picked up his and Tae’s empty lunch boxes, which he needed to clean later and bid him goodbye. They would see each other either that evening or tomorrow. Since Tae and Jin had mated, Jeongguk became their everlasting third wheel. A role he wasn’t exactly fond of but couldn’t get away from either.
Their pack found itself in a clearing that was primarily surrounded by the forest and behind the mountains. The lake where cheeky couples liked to skinny dip regularly was adjacent to the pack’s grounds. A bit further into the forest bordering on the east side, another pack had found its home and was the strongest ally to Jeongguk’s pack.
Back at his working station, Jeongguk started listing the needed resources for the upcoming month. The last mating period this season was often prone to larger consumptions. More food would be needed, decorations had to be prepared. And Jeongguk was the one they came to. He was also the person who told them if they ran out of supplies.
His workdays were filled with nonsense talks shared between him and the three warehouse keepers, jotting down his lists, keeping up the reservoir full and adequately stocked and ensuring everything went smoothly. The highlight of his day was seeing Jimin in the mornings and sometimes even in the evenings when he returned to his cabin, which, in his opinion, lacked a lot of Jimin-ness. Jeongguk’s plan was to change that, but the universe apparently tried to make him suffer.
Not one of his many ideas had worked when he tried to offer his carefully crafted courting gift to Jimin. Both times something went wrong. This new moon would be different. Jeongguk would make sure of it.
___
Jeongguk’s first attempt at giving Jimin his courting gift had ended in disaster. Had he known it wasn't going to be the only failure, the disappointment wouldn't have struck so badly. Funny enough, it wasn’t even his most embarrassing moment. That meant something.
After the hunter-douche-situation, Jeongguk knew he needed to take action. No way would he watch Jimin with another idiot of his pack again while praying to the goddess above that the guy would mess up.
First, like everyone who had to come up with a well-thought-through plan, Jeongguk experienced what would be one of many meltdowns. He had so much to do! Time was short, and he had to prepare the gift. He wanted to make a ring, and he had to find the stone, which would be a challenge in itself, and he had to make a box so he could put it in and flowers, fuck, he needed flowers, he knew Jimin’s favourites, but it wasn't that time of the year, and he hated himself for not thinking of it earlier and – in short, Jeongguk had been spiralling. All the way down. Rapidly.
Following his minor mental breakdown, he started working on his gift in May, right after the last mating period and finished it at the end of December.
The straw basket he had weaved himself for two months was loaded with all kinds of trinkets and presents. Three failed attempts were necessary to finish that crate. How ironic. When he thought about it now, taking it as the foreshadowing it was, Jeongguk should’ve known he was in for a wild ride.
As for the things inside the basket, Jeongguk had crafted a ring with a stone he had tried to find for at least a month. Then he made a fiddler hat for Jimin, knowing the omega religiously wore one for work. Additionally, Jeongguk put in self-made candles that smelled kind of like him but not too much, hoping it wouldn’t weird the omega out. He also tried making snacks but didn’t succeed, where Seokjin's help came in handy. Lastly, he included two bracelets. One for Jimin and one for himself, which he hoped the other would put on him as a sign of accepting his courting.
The gift was ready, just like the plan he had been pondering on for weeks. Jeongguk, however, learned quickly that his plans had the tendency to go to shit.
At 3:33 am, the pack members met for the first new moon this mating season. Head beta Yujun was not stingy with providing the food or putting on the finest decoration. She left nothing to be desired. During her speech, she wished everyone good luck and success, sending a quick prayer to the goddess. It would’ve been better if Yujun had asked for a snowless day.
Most of them went back to sleep, and Jeongguk saw Jimin padding back to his house. He didn’t want to overwhelm the omega at this hour, and because they all had the day off, Jeongguk planned to find him when their eyes could stay open.
One step out of his house told him either the weather or the goddess seriously hated him. The whole pack ground was covered. In white freaking snow. How it had managed to accumulate that much was above him, but who was he to question nature. A desperate alpha. That’s what he was.
Being stubborn as per usual, Jeongguk would still follow his plan. So, he took his basket after putting on more garments than necessary and made his way to Jimin’s cabin.
Hating the snow passionately had doubtlessly sent the wrong energy to the universe. A couple of metres ahead, Jeongguk saw the omega walk out his door. The alpha took one step towards Jimin, and then the world tilted as he slipped and fell right into the snow. Thankfully he didn’t drop his gift, but that was the least of his worries.
The omega he had a crush on since forever just saw him falling flat on his ass, hugging the basket like a moron. Jeongguk knew that he had seen him because, one second, he felt his cheeks burn from embarrassment, and in the other, he saw Jimin rushing towards him, his fingertips brushing over Jeongguk’s cheek, asking him if he was alright. The alpha could’ve sworn he heard angels sing.
Taehyung, of course, had seen it all. Just like the rest of his pack. Had witnessed Jeongguk scrambling back to his feet, leaving Jimin with a bright red face and the quickest goodbye in world history. Hurt butt and bruised ego included. His best friend had then walked up to Jeongguk’s cabin, where the alpha hid in shame and patted his back more often than necessary. When Jeongguk calmed down, Taehyung finally took his chance and laughed his ass off. The alpha made his best friend swear he wouldn’t tell anybody about the ONE tear that left his eye out of frustration.
While the January mating period went to shit – Jeongguk avoided Jimin like the plague, too scared to even step into his view – the alpha was hopeful for February.
That time around, his stride was way more confident after hyping himself up twice in front of his mirror. Sadly, just like his plans, Jeongguk’s confidence was fragile. Who would’ve thought that Jimin would be the reason for Jeongguk’s failure? Not that it was intentional.
The alpha concluded that going to Jimin’s hut would be too pushy, which was why he wanted to ask one of the omega's close friends what the cute man had planned for this new moon. Hoseok, a bubbly omega, had told him about Jimin’s schedule for the day.
That’s why Jeongguk found himself in the gathering area in the afternoon, only several steps away from where Jimin was sitting. As usual, Jimin’s beauty knew no bounds. His hair was styled back, his clothes casual. Jeongguk could see the omega’s puffy cheeks bunching up into what he thought was a bright smile.
Self-assuredly, at least as much as he could, Jeongguk walked up to Jimin with the basket pressed into his side. With a final breath, he tapped his shoulder.
The omega turned around. But it wasn’t his typical friendly smile curling his lips that welcomed Jeongguk. Nope. He had been so wrong. Instead, it was Jimin’s tongue, happily licking on a sugar stick that was handed out by their head beta on the new moon.
His brain shut down at the exact moment, wits jumping right into the lake and leaving Jeongguk to fend for himself. Which was bad. The alpha was a mumbling and stuttering mess on regular days when he so much as exchanged a greeting with Jimin. Having him enthusiastically lapping at a candy stick while staring into Jeongguk’s eyes was not helpful at all.
Without a word falling from his lips, Jeongguk turned around and left miserably. His horny mind playing the worst tricks on him, making him speechless in the process. Shortly he thought about following his brain cells right into the lake and disappearing forever. The idea erased itself quickly from his mind when he realised that the water was not deep enough.
Taehyung was a good friend. He didn’t even laugh this time. He giggled. A little bit. But also let Jeongguk be a whiny mess who wallowed in his self-pity once again.
___
It was summer when Jeongguk saw Jimin for the first time after the other presented as an omega. Sure, they had known each other way before that, but he couldn’t say that he was Jimin’s friend. Jeongguk had been aware of him, though. Not in a creepy way, but Jimin’s kind-heartedness had always emphasised his stunning face, making him more beautiful than words could describe.
Seeing Jimin struggle in the common kitchen where the young wolves learned how to cook was nothing less than endearing. Their task was to bake a cake in groups. Jeongguk and his team ate the remainder of their creation while watching the other wolves make a mess. That’s probably when Jeongguk knew he was head over heels. Damn, he hadn’t even presented yet and still. He knew exactly what he wanted. Being one year younger than Jimin didn’t change that either.
He remembers his stomach tingling when Jimin met his gaze after letting out a frustrated huff at the cake form. When the omega looked at him, Jeongguk diverted his eyes, boldness disappearing. His heart was beating so fast that he feared it would jump out of his chest and fly to its new owner, who was none the wiser, it seemed.
Jimin’s passion for baking was no secret, which was why Jeongguk contributed in building the additional part to the cooking cabin that served as a place to serve sweet baking goods for the omega who he hoped would be his future and also why he visited so many times, and tried learning how to cook.
One day, Jeongguk wanted to surprise Jimin, serving him breakfast in bed as the omega was exhausted after an eventful night. But for that to happen, Jeongguk needed to get his head out of his ass and make some progress.
On the evening of the opening, Jeongguk managed to approach Jimin for the first time in years. He saw the omega walking alongside the lake, watching the water slush against the earth and feeling the wind kissing his cheeks. In Jeongguk’s opinion, he looked breathtaking as the half-moon shined down on Jimin’s face, putting him in a light that made his being glow.
Their conversation wasn’t special in the general sense. If it were another person in front of him, Jeongguk would’ve forgotten about it a long time ago. However, this was Jimin. Lovely Jimin. With his dark brown eyes that held the stars.
While talking, Jeongguk couldn’t take his eyes off him. Not that he particularly wanted to. Jimin giggled more than the younger had ever heard him do, and maybe his chest grew bigger at that. Proud. He felt so proud when he stood beside the omega. Invincible and ready to conquer whatever obstacle crossed his way.
Jimin talked about life in the pack; how much he enjoyed it, even though it annoyed him at times. Jeongguk listened to him. Listened when Jimin told him about his candle obsession. Listened as Jimin whined that the rings he wished to wear were hard to come by. Listened to him when the omega started listing all his favourites. Colour, flavour, smell. Perhaps he thrived on the new information he received when Jimin admitted that Jeongguk’s scent felt pleasant. As a gentleman, Jeongguk didn’t comment on it but relished in Jimin’s tinted cheeks.
When he finished talking, Jimin bombarded Jeongguk with questions nobody had ever asked him before. Even Taehyung didn’t know the answers to most of those questions. For Jimin, though, he delivered. Telling him everything he wanted to know. As if he would ever deny him anything. The thought alone was laughable.
Their walk came to an end after a while. Too soon for Jeongguk, and from the look of it, too soon for Jimin as well. Jeongguk walked him to his cabin, waving at him when the older gave him a final look while stepping into his house.
Before that guy had tried courting Jimin, Jeongguk didn’t hurry in doing so himself. Loving Jimin felt good. It didn’t matter if from afar or up close. It was enough to know what he felt. Until it wasn’t anymore, and Jeongguk decided it was time.
___
That’s how the problems of, what he would forever call, disaster number three were brought upon him. He should’ve known by now that whatever he planned would end up in a mess. His track record wasn’t the best and his new plan didn’t really increase the chances of success.
It all started out fine. Really.
He had been mulling over the letter he planned to leave on Jimin’s porch. He started it back in January and went over it too many times to count. Taehyung was forced to help him through one or two whining sessions when he simply couldn’t find the words he needed to say, but overall, his preparations went smoothly.
This letter was supposed to express his feelings and his desires; everything Jimin needed to know to understand his sincerity when it came to this courting season. Jeongguk didn’t want to try out how it would be with Jimin. He wanted it all. Wanted it to last a lifetime. Putting this into words and writing it in a way that wouldn’t scare Jimin away wasn’t that easy.
In general, Jeongguk’s goal was to ask Jimin for a meeting by the lake. He felt like their first interaction there was a milestone, making it the perfect spot for giving the omega the gift. There he hoped for a positive reaction on Jimin’s part which would lead to fulfilling every wish Jeongguk ever had.
“Jeongguk-ah, I’m begging you, please stop!”
“All I’m saying is that Jimin is the cutest omega on this planet, and I’m not sure how to express it! I wanted to know what rhymes with cute. That’s the only thing I’ve been asking you for the past hour.” Jeongguk was biting his pen as his eyes ran over the words he had written so far. Acting like Taehyung didn’t speak was what he did automatically at this point.
“Mute. It rhymes with mute. Something you should be, or I might kill you. Honestly. This close to ripping your head off,” Taehyung threatened, his two fingers almost pressed together. Jeongguk gave him a roll of his eyes and played with his pen.
“I’m trying to woo him into being my mate! These things need finesse! They ask for charm and charisma–“
“So everything you don’t have,” Tae concluded with a straight face.
“Shut it,” Jeongguk quipped, flipping his best friend off. He had no time or energy for this kind of negativity! His following steps had to be executed with care.
His strategy was fucking idiot-proof. Until it wasn’t. It should have been all going according to plan. How it actually went was an entirely different story.
Four days prior to the last new moon of this mating season, Jeongguk stood there watching Jimin sitting on the steps that led into the lake. He waited there. Nightfall surrounded him while the stars lit up the sky. The sight was breathtaking. Jeongguk would preserve this moment and carry it with him forever if he could.
But when the alpha recognised the basket he had prepared in the omega’s arms, his heart started aching, a sinking feeling hurting him deeply. A week ago, Jeongguk put a lid on it, weaving his and Jimin’s birth flowers in between the pieces of straw. Now, a white bridal wreath and bluish tiger lilies decorated the box. Jeongguk thought it would make his present even more meaningful.
Seeing the basket in the omega’s hand right now felt like a punch in the gut. Dread overtook him, clawing itself into his stomach. His plans, all the details he planned, gone. Lost.
Their pack customs were clear. Courting started at the new moon after the pack leader announced the beginning of the mating period. Never before that. Which made this situation more catastrophic. Jeongguk couldn’t decide if his mind was shutting down or sending itself into overdrive at this development.
So, he came to one simple conclusion: apparently, friendship didn't mean shit anymore. One thing was clear. He had been betrayed, stabbed in the back! His life was over; he was sure of it. But he would take Kim freaking Taehyung with him if he went down. Kim Taehyung, who had dragged him to this spot and had proudly presented the mess he succeeded in causing.
His hand shot out beside him, grabbing his stupid friend’s collar and pulling him in. A growl he couldn’t quite suppress was slipping out. Only Tae heard it, but that was enough. His friend knew he fucked up. Good.
The anger lasted for half a minute upon smelling Tae’s distress at his outburst. Jeongguk let him go quickly and resumed complaining instead. Thank goddess because Jimin remained none the wiser as he still sat there, gently grazing the flower petals on the basket.
“How the fuck could you do this to me? Was it your mission to ruin this for me?” Jeongguk hissed, trying to stay quiet. The last thing he needed was for Jimin to hear this.
“No, you asshole,” Taehyung shut him down quickly, flicking his forehead. “You’ve been whining every single day. Like a baby. I swear I wanted to end you myself. I've never seen an alpha whine like that before.”
Jeongguk was still rubbing the spot where Tae had finger-flicked the shit out of his head. “What am I supposed to do now? Yujun will freaking whoop my ass if she hears about this.”
With a clap on his shoulders, Taehyung gave him a large smirk and a wink. “You will move your cute little whiny butt to Jimin and court him today. Blame me and tell him that I’m the worst friend. But for the love of the goddess, do something, please.”
Jeongguk listened to his friend for once—not that he planned on making this a habit. He took a step or two, trying to regain his confidence, but the closer he got, the more his mind started racing.
Calm down, Jeongguk. It’s all going to be fine. Jimin came just like you asked him to. He didn’t throw away your letter, no matter how bad it was. He decided to give you a chance to talk. Jimin would never disregard your feelings. He is an angel. Calm down. Everything is going to be okay. Breathe.
As his mind kept reeling him farther into a panic attack than he would have liked in a situation like this, Jeongguk walked the few steps towards Jimin, who hadn’t been far away but still out of earshot. The omega’s head snapped up, but Jeongguk couldn’t tell if his steps or his smell were to blame. Until now, Jimin was staring at his fidgeting hands holding an envelope which Jeongguk assumed was the one containing his letter. Jeongguk knew what it said by heart. He had written it almost four months ago, going over it many, many times, trying to perfect it this mating season.
Dear Jimin hyung,
Can I call you hyung? It’s weird, isn’t it?
Humans use this term to show respect to people older than them. But we don’t know each other so well yet, I think. My friend Taehyung always makes me call him that. So, I really don’t know. Anyways, I digress.
Jimin hyung,
I hope this letter finds you well. Hopefully, you are not too disappointed to see that it’s me who is writing you this letter.
For many years I’ve been thinking about the way I would ask you if I’m allowed to court you. I’m not sure you noticed my crush on you. I hope I wasn’t too obvious and annoying.
It’s just that basically, I like you and think it’s time that I give it a try. I even thought about writing a poem, but stupid Taehyung wouldn’t tell me what rhymes with cute, so I needed to find another way to ask you the following:
Would you give me a chance to court you this mating season? If you do, please meet me at the lake this evening. In the case you accept me, there are two bracelets. One for you, one for me. I thought it would be lovely to wear them. Got to admit that it’s totally for selfish reasons and that I want to brag with you giving me a shot. But maybe you share the sentiment and don’t mind bragging a little bit too!
Yours,
Jeongguk
Jimin watched him curiously while Jeongguk took the final steps in his direction before sitting down right next to him. Warm eyes were looking right back, making it even harder to calm his racing heart.
“I-I hope you didn’t wait too long,” Jeongguk whispers, his voice failing him.
Honestly, it was a never-ending story. Whenever Jimin stood, sat or breathed within a one-metre radius from Jeongguk, the alpha’s brain stopped working. Like a burned-out bulb. Over the years, nothing had changed much, except for the fact that Jeongguk couldn't blame his age and shyness anymore. Nope. He was just simply stupid. And his brain was stupid, too.
Jimin’s lips formed a smile before he directed his eyes on the basket again.
“No. Not really. It took me a while to finish reading the letter,” Jimin admitted, but his expression didn’t change as his fingers fumbled with the straw pieces.
Sheepishly and with cheeks warmer than the sun, Jeongguk scratched his neck, refusing to look at Jimin when he answered, “I’m sorry. I tried writing it many times, but it still was a mess.”
A hand grabbed Jeongguk’s arm all of a sudden. Jimin shook his head resolutely, a mix of shock and urgency evident in his eyes. The omega’s smell had changed in distress and unhappiness, adding a musty note to his usual fresh scent, which made Jeongguk’s stomach drop.
“No, no! That’s not what I meant, Jeongguk-ah. I read it many times. About ten times at least, and it’s–”
Jeongguk’s eyes were fixed on Jimin’s fingers that were still digging into his forearm. The older’s scent cleared out again, bringing back memories of spring mornings.
“Bad? Was it bad? Incomprehensible?”
He could feel his mood changing for the worse and felt how Jimin straightened, probably aware of Jeongguk’s citrusy vanilla scent turning sour. In response, the omega squeezed his arm shortly, getting the alpha’s attention back on him. And most importantly, his eyes.
“No! I just needed to be sure that I wasn’t dreaming,” Jimin mumbled, his lips changing into a timid smile. “I’ve been kind of waiting, you know? For you to court me, I mean.”
The whole forest stopped existing at this moment. No trees, no lake, no sound. Nothing. Only Jimin, whose demeanour oozed earnestness, did not allow Jeongguk a second of doubt regarding his words.
“Oh.” What a witty response. But at least it made Jimin giggle brightly, leaning the side of his head against Jeongguk’s shoulder. It was one of those times when Jeongguk wished they had something that concealed scents because his was reaching the neighbouring packs for sure. “I wasn’t… I mean, I didn’t–”
It appeared his brain wasn’t able to do the proper wording anymore, so Jeongguk stayed quiet and observed Jimin, face revealing knee-weakening fondness. No one had ever looked at him like this. No one.
The quick kiss Jimin placed on his cheek sent a shiver through his body, but the omega acted as if it were nothing and continued talking. “I figured you didn’t want to when you wouldn’t look me in the eyes anymore after our walk by the lake so many moons ago. First, I thought I read your behaviour wrong, but you were always there. Close by. Saw your face everywhere I went.”
Jeongguk let his head fall face-first into his hands, embarrassed to the core. “Stooop,” he whined, not giving a damn about how un-alpha-ry that was. “You make me sound like a stalker!”
“I thought it was cute,” the omega snickered, at which Jeongguk raised his head, but then Jimin pouted, and Jeongguk didn’t know how to react, mesmerised by the view. “Cute, until you let Jihoon court me last season.”
“Oh goddess,” Jeongguk said under his breath, attempting to gather back his wits. Not that he was successful. A burst of self-assuredness made him reach out for Jimin’s hand that hadn’t moved from his arm, brushing his thumb over the soft skin. “I shouldn’t have waited so long. Sorry. But when I tried approaching you, I made a fool of myself. Twice.”
Jimin nodded once, a smirk slowly making its way on his face before he tilted his head. Dumbfounded, Jeongguk stared like the idiot he was. This omega, the one he had been pining over for a long time, was presenting himself, making it clear that he wanted to be scented, and Jeongguk’s body refused to move.
“I’m getting a stiff neck here, little alpha,” Jimin stated, eyebrow raised in amusement.
The nickname stroking his ego wrongly made Jeongguk move automatically. His nose nuzzled into Jimin’s neck, barely touching his scent gland as he took the smell of spring breeze in. Up close, it resembled a mixture of fresh grass and wildflowers. But not exactly. Jeongguk had never smelled something similar to this and most likely never will.
Soon, Jimin’s scent was masked by Jeongguk’s, the latter’s heart leaping at the prospect of marking him. The thought of his pack member’s reaction to Jimin smelling like him—FUCK!
Jeongguk broke out of his trance, confusing a seemingly dizzy omega who let out a protesting grunt. Shit! “Oh no.”
“What?” Jimin’s confused face would be endearing if it weren’t for Jeongguk’s stupid brain reminding him that they would be in huge trouble.
“The head beta will have my freaking head! I gave you my courting gift! New moon is not for more than three days, and I already asked you!” Jeongguk hissed, pulling his hair in blank despair. “And I even scented you! Aaahh!”
“Jeongguk-ah,” Jimin’s voice instantly soothed his heart; it was almost scary how easily the omega relaxed him as he put his arms around Jeongguk’s broad shoulders. “It’s okay. I will shower to get the scent off.” A rumble was coming from the alpha’s chest upon hearing those words, but Jimin ignored him. “We don’t need to tell anybody. On the new moon, I can meet you here again, pretending as if it were the first time for the courting period,” Jimin explained and then added mischievously. “But I won’t return my precious gift. It’s mine now.” The omega cradled it in his arms like it needed protection.
Jeongguk was far from thrilled, but a grin curled his lips at Jimin’s last statement. “Fine. Can we at least exchange the bracelets?”
“Nope. We will do that at the new moon!” Jimin exclaimed cheerfully before getting up. Jeongguk followed him naturally. When the omega got on his tiptoes after checking for snooping pack members, he pecked his cheek yet again, turned around and left with a bounce to his steps.
If he weren’t already utterly bewitched by Jimin, he would definitely be now.
___
Staying away from Jimin turned out to be a challenge. Worse than it had been before. Crossing paths and not being allowed to take Jimin into his arms felt like torture. Jeongguk behaved for the most part. Apart from a few exceptions, of course. Maybe he tried to brush his fingers against Jimin’s in the morning on their way to work or sneaked a flower into the omega’s hand on his way back home. Maybe. No witnesses, no crime.
The days passed quickly, and before he knew it, Jeongguk found himself in the middle of his gathered pack members. Jimin was standing next to him, secretly playing with Jeongguk’s fingertips while listening to head beta Yujun’s speech.
While the initial two tries filled Jeongguk’s mind and body with tension, this mating period and the knowledge of what was about to come caused anticipation to burst through him.
Yujun clapped into her hands once, loudly enough it vibrated through the crowd. “May the last courting period this season start. I wish you luck in finding a mate to share your life with.”
Jeongguk couldn’t help himself, his eyes fixing on Jimin’s wide smile that took over his whole face, shaming the sun with its vibrancy. The beige-coloured fiddler hat he chose to wear this evening was the one Jeongguk made himself. Seeing Jimin actually wearing it, not only for work but for this event particularly.
In the previous nights, the ones that followed the evening at the lake, Jeongguk spent hours upon hours in bed, contemplating the things Jimin and he could do. He wanted to sweep him off his feet. Make him fall in love. Wished for him to remember their courting fondly, so it could hopefully be the pillar of their future.
An elbow that was shoved into his side brought him back from his thoughts. Tae had been standing there on the other side of Jeongguk the whole time. Not that the alpha cared much. Seokjin stood beside Tae, one hand on the lower part of his back.
“You are super subtle, dude. Good job,” Tae whispered mockingly, with a playfully raised eyebrow.
“Shut it.”
Another nudge into his side followed, but Jeongguk ignored it studiously. He learned that not paying attention to Taehyung was mostly the right choice. However, he couldn’t resist giving Tae a countering jab that sent him right into Seokjin’s side.
Before his friend could retaliate and cause serious damage to him, Jeongguk ushered Jimin towards the lake again. On the inside, he was bubbling with impatience. The mere thought of getting to officially court Jimin and see him with the bracelet around his wrist was goosebump-inducing. Most importantly, everyone else would see it, and no one would try approaching the omega. Especially not after the thorough scenting Jeongguk had already planned. He tried keeping the evil laugh and maniac smile inside that threatened to slip out at the mere thought.
The desire to just run to their spot close to the water and rush to make this whole courting thing official was consuming Jeongguk. Which was probably why his strides got so wide while walking that he heard Jimin let out an indignant huff. The omega’s shorter legs could barely keep up. Super cute, to say the least.
When they arrived at their spot, Jeongguk embraced Jimin without hesitation. Releasing a sigh of relief when the omega returned his hug with the same intensity. The pent-up energy had taken hold of him for the past days and left him anxious all the while. There was a possibility of Jimin changing his mind. The thought alone scared the living daylights out of him.
They let go of each other when it felt like they fuelled their energies right back up. Jeongguk’s body felt warm again, his mind at ease and his heart full of fondness for the smaller man who was looking at him as if he was the most beautiful person in the world.
Other pack members started spreading around the gathering area and between the trees of the bordering forest. Every couple tried finding their individual spot. They knew that if the courting period went well, the place they chose on the new moon could also become their mating spot. No other pair was close to Jimin and Jeongguk, meaning the likelihood of another couple mating there in a couple of weeks was slim to none.
Jimin was caressing Jeongguk’s pecs while Jeongguk’s hands couldn’t seem to stop running his fingers through the omega’s soft hair.
“Can I finally put this bracelet on you, so no other omega gets stupid ideas?” Jimin asked with a playful tilt in his voice, the look in his eyes teasing him. A grin spread on his face when Jimin noticed the change in Jeongguk’s scent. The vanilla note became heavier, the citrusy component sweetened a bit.
“Yes,” Jeongguk said softly, mesmerised by the twinkle in Jimin’s eyes. The lights around them weren’t too bright, still dark enough to make out the stars, but Jeongguk saw clearly. Distinguishing the details in Jimin’s face and admiring the small moles on his face. One that he noticed the most was the mole under his left eye. Without realising, Jeongguk found his thumb touching it lightly. He wasn’t even sure when his hand moved to Jimin’s face. When he had cupped the older’s cheek and decided he couldn’t hold back anymore.
Jimin grabbed his hand after rummaging in his trousers’ pocket and put the bracelet on Jeongguk’s wrist, a tentative smile and dainty fingers accompanying his pleased face. That’s when he saw the ring he had made for Jimin, right on his ring finger, reflecting the light of the tall oil lamps that illuminated the pack grounds.
Jeongguk did the same, placing a soft kiss on Jimin’s wrist when he finished, ignoring the hitch in the omega’s breath on purpose. It was bad enough that his mind was confusing him, trying to convince Jeongguk that kissing Jimin then would be the best decision ever made. He didn’t need to make a move and ruin everything right from the start.
They decided to walk around for a bit; lastly, choosing to sit on the steps by the lake. Jimin took off his footwear with a giggle before testing the water’s temperature by dipping his toes into it. A squeak that escaped Jimin told Jeongguk that it was definitely too cold to play with. That Jimin put his shoes back on in a haste was another indicator. Jeongguk tried to suppress a chuckle, but he didn’t quite succeed, seeing as Jimin sent him a sulky look.
Conversation came easy. Just like it was the first time they spent their evening together. Topics weren’t sparse, and opinions were exchanged without faltering. Jeongguk felt at ease while Jimin enthusiastically babbled on about the most trivial things. Beginning with telling Jeongguk about his days at his working station and the new recipes he wanted to try, sadly explaining how he needed to find certain fruits for them because they didn’t have them available in their garden.
As he continued, Jeongguk listened carefully, taking verbal notes of the little things Jimin mentioned. Every tidbit he got was saved in his mind to remember later. Jimin’s voice hugged Jeongguk warmly, putting his heart into a cosy state where it wanted to last forever. Particularly when the omega mentioned shyly how he would light up the candle Jeongguk gave him at least once a day, needing it to compensate for the lack of scenting.
Jeongguk’s ears turned bright red, the same shade as Jimin’s. To clear the awkwardness, Jimin started asking Jeongguk question after question, apparently wanting to know everything about the alpha. He admitted sheepishly how he felt the need to know all the details about Jeongguk, how he couldn’t miss a thing. The alpha knew his cheeks were ablaze, and his scent could probably be smelled in the neighbouring pack from how potent it became.
Time passed quickly, and Jeongguk got the impression that it ran through his fingers like sand. He was so aware of Jimin’s scent that his desire to cover it with his own and the longing for it to wear Jimin’s smell proudly became overwhelming. But he also didn’t want to pressure him, waiting for the right moment to ask him.
Oddly enough, Jimin grabbed his clothing tightly, pulling Jeongguk closer and moving his head, so Jimin’s mouth almost touched his ear. “How many more hints do you need to scent me, Gguk-ah?” Jimin whispered. Jeongguk instinctively jacked his head away from Jimin, staring wide-eyed and speechless at the omega.
Jimin only giggled, playing with his ear lobe as he watched Jeongguk from underneath his eyelashes. “I thought talking about how often I use the candle would tell you how much I needed your scent on me and around me,” Jimin confessed, too timid to look Jeongguk in the eyes again.
Eagerly, Jeongguk pulled Jimin on his lap, the omega being light as a feather in his arms. After an initial shriek, Jimin sighed happily and presented his neck like it was the most normal thing for them. Hopefully, one day, it will be.
Jeongguk didn’t wait long to brush over Jimin’s scent gland, alternating between using his nose and his lips. He didn’t intend for it to be sexual, but as he continued and as the omega's scent became stronger , Jeongguk could feel the heaviness in his stomach, the need that filled his being. His bergamot and vanilla scent grew more potent around them, and while he took in Jimin’s beautiful smell, he noticed how the omega leaned in more with every passing second.
Jimin nuzzled his nose into Jeongguk’s neck as well, grabbing his shoulder tightly while he scented him in return. The world around them became fuzzy afterwards. They didn’t care for the other wolves or who might see them during their intimate moment. What mattered the most was not letting go. Not when they were finally in each other’s arms and were allowed to put a claim on the other that was so noticeable that no other wolf could deny its existence.
A poke in the side made Jeongguk jump, startling Jimin, too. “Ya’ll do know that you’re stinking up the whole place, right?”
Behind him stood Taehyung, who was holding onto Seokjin’s hand and smirking down at them. Jeongguk was on the verge of hitting Taehyung with a nearby rock but decided it wouldn’t be a wise thing to do. Considering he had the man of his dreams on his lap.
“Kindly fuck off, Tae,” Jeongguk said with an overly friendly smile, which Taehyung only snorted at. After getting a wink from Seokjin that was more than obvious, the mated couple left.
He turned back to Jimin, who was red like a tomato, cheeks blazing in embarrassment at being called out for their excessive scenting session. The omega was getting fidgety when Jeongguk brushed his scent gland with his thumb. If someone were to ask him to describe how proud he was feeling after marking Jimin like that, he wouldn’t be able to answer sufficiently.
“Jeongguk-ah,” Jimin mumbled, gaze cast down and his lips forming into a pout.
By instinct, Jeongguk placed his hand softly on Jimin’s jaw, getting his attention back with a brush over the omega’s plump lower lip. With a hum, he indicated for him to continue.
Jimin didn’t start talking for a while, playing with Jeongguk’s fingertips mindlessly. It seemed that it had become a habit. One that Jeongguk thought was mightily endearing. “After our talk a few nights ago, I read the letter you gave me a couple more times when I was back in my cabin. Then I decided to write one myself.” He started searching in the pocket on the inside of his jacket, taking out an envelope. Jimin had a nervous smile on his face as he handed it to Jeongguk. The grin that spread on Jeongguk’s face was nothing close to shy, though. “It’s not really a letter, but a note. I just wanted to give you something, too.”
Happily, he took the letter out of the envelope before resting his left arm around Jimin’s waist, making it impossible for the omega to move away from his lap. While Jimin pushed his nose into Jeongguk’s neck again, the alpha was holding the paper in his other hand, reading the lines dedicated to him.
Dear Jeongguk-ah,
this won’t be a long letter like yours, but there are a few words that I want to share with you on paper. I want you to have them written out, so you can look back on them or hopefully, we can look back at them together and remember our courting season.
You are the alpha I had my eyes on for the longest time. It started even prior to the opening of my workstation. But since then, I couldn’t take my mind and eyes off you. We pass each other’s way every single day, and it’s what I’m looking forward to the most.
In the last months, I saw your attempts, and I was scared you would give up. I even thought about asking you first if you had decided that you wouldn’t try for this new moon. That’s why I want to tell you something.
I want you to know that I want to court you, too. I’m aware that’s more an alpha’s job, but I want you to feel how much I want to be with you in return. This isn’t just testing our compatibility for me. It’s so much more. For me, this is the first step toward our future, and I want to show you that I’m in this with you. That this isn’t you fighting for me but us making this work. Together.
Love,
Jimin
Jeongguk read the letter three times. He was about to return to the beginning, wanting to read it a fourth time, when Jimin let out a whine, getting Jeongguk’s attention back to him. Their faces were inches apart now, Jimin grabbing Jeongguk’s shirt with both hands, his eyes observing every facial expression the alpha made. It was visible how Jimin breathed in their mixed scents, closing his eyes as if he were revelling in their own bubble, far away from the world outside.
The urge to kiss Jimin then and there was so strong that Jeongguk ended up brushing his lips over Jimin’s brow before resting his forehead against his.
“I can’t wait for our future and the mornings when I get to wake up next to you,” Jeongguk whispered.
Jimin sighed and nuzzled his nose against Jeongguk’s affectionately. There could’ve been the end of the world taking place around them, it wouldn’t have mattered. Occupied with only each other, Jeongguk and Jimin stayed the whole night, cuddling until they heard the first birds sing, signalling that their future had officially begun.
___
There were only so many ways to fuck up a pancake recipe, and Jeon Jeongguk figured out every single one of them.
Starting their date with a walk, which had become their own little tradition, Jimin and Jeongguk ended up at the former’s cabin an hour later, ready for the actual plans they had come up with.
Jeongguk realised two things after taking off his footwear and stepping into Jimin’s cabin. First, Jimin really was crazy about scents and candles. The omega just got rid of his shoes, and he was already lighting up the dozen candles in his home. Jeongguk knew it was a tick of his. Someone else could possibly find it annoying, but it made Jeongguk’s heart swell, when the scents of the candles seemed to be a mixture of his and Jimin's scent.
The second thing he noticed immediately upon standing in the entryway of Jimin’s home was that even though the omega had lit up all those candles, his own scent made it to Jeongguk’s senses and almost knocked him right on his ass with its intensity. He wasn’t sure if he noticed it so strongly due to his heightened senses or his already established attraction toward Jimin.
He tried to hide his infatuation, giving his best to avoid making Jimin uncomfortable in his own home. Still, his thoughts raced through his mind, and sweat trickled down his spine as he adamantly made an effort in restraining himself.
They were off to a good start. Honestly, it looked quite promising when Jeongguk finally managed to calm down. Jimin knew exactly what had to be done, and Jeongguk was ready to follow his directions. What both of them hadn’t reckoned with was Jeongguk’s common sense leaving him the moment he stepped into Jimin’s cabin.
It was nothing new that he acted stupidly whenever he was close to his soon-to-be mate, but Jimin’s scent made it worse. All it took was a sniff of the spring scent, and Jeongguk lost all his wits. The part that was left of them, anyways.
Jimin had offered to plan their first real date, announcing it would take place in his house. Not a day went by without them spending at least two hours with each other. Yujun and her predecessors had always made sure that work and school ended earlier for courting couples during the weeks until full moon. Being with the person you chose for the rest of your life was essential for every wolf, and finding time was easier that way.
The plan was for them to make pancakes after Jeongguk’s admission of being an even bigger klutz in the kitchen than while his multiple tries of approaching Jimin. It made for a perfect opportunity to spend time together and for Jimin to take charge in this whole courting situation as well, just as he promised the alpha.
They mutually decided that Jeongguk would try it hands-on with Jimin’s instructions, making it the perfect practical learning experience. Unfortunately, it did not work quite the way they initially hoped it would.
When Jimin told Jeongguk to get the butter out of his fridge, he nearly dropped the container twice before the omega hurried to his rescue. While melting the butter, Jimin ordered Jeongguk to put flour, salt, sugar and the vanilla extract that Jimin and his mother made themselves into a bowl. Jeongguk, the diligent student he was, arranged them all next to each other, but when he tried grabbing the bowl, he knocked over the flour package, covering the whole counter in white powder.
Endlessly embarrassed, Jeongguk rushed to get rid of his mess as Jimin helped him with a giggle, not even scolding him once. This was not the end of the disasters that kept piling up, though. He dropped two eggs, and when he wanted to separate another one, the yolk accidentally went down the drain because he did not aim right into the dish where the other eggs were.
His last faux pas was spilling the oil next to instead of into the pan before he planned on frying the crêpes. At this point, he wanted to hide in his cabin and never go out ever again. The only reason he did not try to flee, never to be seen again, was Jimin.
There were no angry looks, exasperated words or impatience. No. He was not even irritated in the slightest, even though he seriously had every right to. Jeongguk was used to being clumsy, the same went for Taehyung, and probably even Jimin knew about it. But getting no chance to show the other man a different, more capable side of him was humiliating.
No matter how hard he tried, Jeongguk couldn't stop his scent from changing and, most importantly, could not prevent Jimin from noticing. As they were eating their, thankfully not entirely ruined, pancakes with relish, Jimin mastered the art of ignoring the obvious and didn’t utter a word about the smell that came from Jeongguk. Probably to avoid making this whole situation even more awkward than it already was.
The second they finished, however, and placed their plates on a nearby side table, Jimin had his nose and mouth on Jeongguk’s scent gland before the latter could even take a proper breath. Putting his arms around Jimin instinctively, both didn’t say a thing while Jimin scented the hell out of Jeongguk, getting rid of the last traces of embarrassment in his smell.
They ended up snuggling closely to each other on the couch, listening to the sounds of cicadas and crickets outside and taking pleasure from the otherwise calm and silent evening.
“I think our first date went well,” Jimin announced happily before placing a chaste kiss on Jeongguk’s jaw.
“You mean, apart from me almost poisoning us and ruining your kitchen?” Jeongguk regarded him with loving eyes, caressing his lower back all the while.
“Mhm, exactly. Also, these were the best pancakes I ever had. They were squishy and crunchy at once. Phenomenal." Jimin kisses his fingers, and dramatically tosses his hand into the air. "And their colour! Jeongguk, their colour! They had such a nice… brownish tone.”
“Okay, now you're just spinning yarn,” Jeongguk huffed, starting to tickle Jimin’s sides in revenge.
Their giggles filled the room, surrounding them like a warm blanket. And when the room was filled to the brim with their delighted sounds, hardly able to contain it any longer, their laughter made it through little cracks between the cabin’s wooden structure, filling the pack grounds and the bordering forest with their happiness.
___
Better Version by Sabrina Claudio
Their third official date was supposed to be simple. Jeongguk had planned to cook for Jimin after receiving help from his friends. After a long time and a couple of mess-ups, he was able to continue making the dish without any further or life-threatening mistakes. What he didn’t take into account, however, was Jimin himself. Quite possibly, Jimin didn't expect his own reaction either.
The omega’s nervousness could be felt and smelled, but Jeongguk decided to pretend everything was normal, not wanting to make Jimin feel even more self-conscious and uncomfortable.
As time went by, Jimin’s clinginess increased. Not that Jeongguk wanted to complain, but the omega had always been rather confident and put-together. This time Jimin was incapable of keeping his hands to himself, and Jeongguk revelled in it.
Jimin started innocently at first by playing with Jeongguk’s hair, standing as close as possible while the alpha stirred the food that was bubbling in the pot. It became gradually more difficult to stay focused when the omega started purring while cuddled up against Jeongguk’s back. Thankfully no fingers were chopped off, no eyes were stabbed, nor brows were singed.
Finally, they started eating while the conversation was mostly nonexistent; a thank you for his efforts and an appreciative hum after Jimin took his first bite. The usually talkative man’s leg bounced like crazy as if he would jump out of his skin any second.
When they put their cutlery aside, Jeongguk right out asked him what was wrong. Fear of Jimin’s possible rejection or change of mind ate him from the inside.
With a sharp intake of his breath, Jimin jumped at him, pressing Jeongguk further into the couch they were seated in. Jeongguk let out a huff in surprise, perplexed by the omega’s sudden outburst.
“Jimin-ah, what–,” Jeongguk started but got interrupted immediately by Jimin’s lips pressing against his, taking away his ability to speak and to think.
Out of instinct, his arms circled Jimin’s waist, hugging him tighter while deepening the kiss and drowning in the omega’s intensified scent. He knew it would last long after his future mate left his cabin, and he wouldn’t want it any other way.
“Jeongguk-ah, I couldn’t take it anymore,” Jimin whispered, his pupils dilated and his breath warm against Jeongguk’s lips. “Your smell, your warmth. I need more. Now.”
Bossy Jimin would be the end of him. They stayed there for a while. Kissing and relishing each other’s presence. It wasn’t long, however, until their make-out session got more intense, and the scent in the room got heavier.
Consumed by their desires, all the rules and traditions were flying out the windows when Jeongguk picked Jimin up and carried him towards his bed. Officially this wasn’t the right time, but their hearts and souls said otherwise.
Slowly, with the utmost care, Jeongguk stripped off his garments before taking care of Jimin, who was withering below him. Heavy breaths were the only sound to be heard, their minds being aligned, making it unnecessary to speak. There was no rush, their bodies dedicated when it was time to turn around, where to touch and what to do next. Their instincts had taken over and it was as if their souls became one.
As Jimin was riding him unhurriedly, Jeongguk’s urge to mate his omega was stronger than ever. Almost impossible to think or hold himself back, he nibbled on the other’s scent gland, trying to satisfy his craving. He wanted their mating to be done right. In the lake, underneath the moonlight, while the world ceased to exist.
When Jimin came, first slowly then all at once, Jeongguk held him tightly, taking in this beautiful man that was soon to be his. Alongside the noises by the omega and the sight the alpha had above him, Jeongguk reached his orgasm, letting out one last grunt.
"You do know you won't get away without mating me, right?" Jimin snickered as they lay on top of each other, scenting their necks excessively.
"Jimin-ah, I can't freaking wait to hold you tight in the lake that we both love so much and mate you while the moon shines just for us that night."
At that, Jimin couldn't hold back a snort. "You are aware that there will be at least five other couples around that place."
He giggled when Jeongguk began tickling him profusely. "I was trying to be romantic!"
" Trying being the keyword here."
It had taken them a while to find their way to each other. For Jeongguk, it had always been a dream for someday. Now, it will be their shared forever.