Chapter Text
The moment the professor dismissed everyone, Jimin was out of his seat and ready to bolt. Shoving his books and notes into his bag, he slung it over his shoulder and made a run for it.
Well, not exactly a run but definitely a very fast walk.
“Jimin! Wait up!” He heard from behind him as he made his way out the door.
Biting his lip and squeezing his eyes closed, he took a quick breath before schooling his features and turning around.
He waited impatiently as Taehyung waved goodbye to his friends and jogged down the steps and to Jimin’s side.
Jimin raised his brows in question, not really having the energy to force himself to be polite.
“Hey, nice hair,” Taehyung joked, as if he’d been holding it in since he’d seen Jimin that morning.
Jimin rolled his eyes, well aware that his hair was a frizzy mess.
“No really! The fluffy look suits you,” And Jimin was sure that was meant to be a compliment, but the last thing Jimin, or any alpha, wanted to be described as, was fluffy . Taehyung should know this. Then again, looking at the sincerity in the other’s eyes and considering the distinct lack of posturing, maybe Taehyung was the only one who truly believed fluffy to be a compliment.
“Right.” Jimin acquiesced, turning away.
“Hey wait, sorry if that offended you, I just meant- you look good,” Taehyung sounded unenthused by the end of his statement, and although he wasn’t looking at his face, the image of Taehyung moping like a kicked puppy crossed Jimin’s mind.
Jimin sighed and scratched his nose, suddenly feeling bad for the cold shoulder he was giving.
“It’s okay, sorry, I just didn’t get much sleep last night. I’m not upset,” He apologized, looking at the other over his shoulder, but continued walking.
Taehyung kept pace, coming up beside him.
“No worries,” The carefree smile was back on Taehyung’s lips.
Jimin almost rolled his eyes again, but caught himself.
“Do you have another lecture after this?” Taehyung asked.
Jimin pulled out his phone to check the time. “Not for another two hours”
Taehyung’s eyes lit up, “Great! Let’s go get some breakfast”
“...Sure,” Jimin hesitantly agreed. His relationship with food was difficult. As much as he loved to eat, whenever he did, it was like he could see his ass and hips grow overnight. He needed to keep lean and fit, never any fat showing.
It was fine, it’d been a whole 24 hours since he last ate, a little breakfast would be good. He tried to reassure himself.
Side by side, the pair walked to the food court, Taehyung guiding the way.
“Jungkook!” Taehyung suddenly called out, making Jimin damn near jump out of his skin in surprise.
“You’re so loud,” Jungkook grumbled when he got closer, but Jimin could see the fondness he had for the other.
It took a second for it to hit him, but the second Jungkook’s pheromones did, Jimin instantly felt lightheaded. Not quite like he was going to pass out and more like he’d just taken a handful of edibles.
“Hey, Jimin, right?” Jungkook greeted, thankfully keeping a good distance away from him.
“Yeah, that’s me,” Jimin’s voice was lighter and airier than normal and he couldn’t help but wince at himself for it.
“We’re gonna grab some food, wanna come?” Taehyung propositioned Jungkook, much to Jimin’s dismay.
Jungkook glanced at Jimin, hesitating, “Actually, I have to see the headmaster for something”
Jimin knew he was lying and based on Taehyung’s face, he knew it too.
“Next time, then” Taehyung smiled, letting Jungkook leave.
….
“So you’re like super fucking rich, right?” Taehyung blurted out once they’d sat down in the courtyard with their respective meals.
Jimin raised his brows in surprise, not exactly expecting the question. It wasn’t like he was hiding his wealth, it just rarely came up in conversation.
“Yes.” He nodded.
That boxy, mischievous smile returned to Taehyung’s face, “I knew it. Your clothes, they’re all custom, right? Growing up I wanted to be a fashion designer, but alas, life had other plans for me.”
Jimin squinted, “How does custom clothes mean I’m super rich? I could have a family member or close friend that’s a fashion designer”
“Yeah, but all your clothes? And you’re wearing what looks to be cashmere, that’s not cheap”
“What, did you go through my wardrobe?”
Taehyung looked sheepish, “Not exactly, I just noticed a lot of expensive fabrics when you were unpacking yesterday”
Jimin nodded in understanding. He hadn’t even noticed the other paying such close attention to him.
“Why didn’t you chase your dream of being a fashion designer?” Jimin asked, the unanswered question bugging him.
Taehyung shrugged, “My parents, mostly. They wanted me in business, so here I am”
Jimin nodded. He knew a thing or two about overbearing parents. It was also the reason he was here. While he knew his father loved him and wanted the best for him, his methods tended to be very controlling. Some days (most days), Jimin felt like he was suffocating. Miles beneath the surface and yet never quite dying. Worst of all, there was no end in sight. Jimin was set up to be a lonely, alpha recluse until he died. But as far as his father was concerned, that was a million times better than the alternative. Living as an omega being the alternative, the worst life one could live according to his father.
Jimin’s mother was an omega, a tortured one at that. She’d been killed when Jimin was just a baby by a group of passing alphas and betas. They’d been caught, but the only reason they faced any prison time was because Jimin’s father was a very influential man. Most alphas and betas got away with pretty much everything. If, and that’s a big if, they did face trial, the average sentence for even the most heinous crimes against omegas was a few years in prison and a slap on the wrist.
So yes, Jimin’s father might have been right. Being a lonely reclusive alpha was obviously the better choice between the two.
Still, it was a heavy burden to bear.
….
Jimin stood staring at his dorm room door that evening, preparing himself to enter. He didn’t know for sure that Jungkook was back yet, but he wanted to be ready just in case.
Pursing his lips into an unconscious pout, he opened the door.
He stood still for a second, waiting for the pheromones to hit him, but all he felt was a gentle warmth.
Realizing Jungkook wasn’t back, he relaxed. Maybe he’d be able to get some homework done before the other returned.
It was either study at the small desk provided in the room, or go to the school’s library, but Jimin really didn’t want to be around a bunch of alphas if he didn’t have to.
Changing out of his jeans and into some comfortable silk pajama pants, he settled in and began to study.
Hours must have passed, because the sun was now down, only the small desk lamp lighting up the room.
When Jimin heard the lock on the door beep, signaling someone’s entry, he tensed up and immediately began cleaning up his belongings.
Just as expected, it only took a minute before he felt Jungkook’s pheromones. It still spiked fear in him, but he was beginning to realize that it was less the pheromones causing the fear and more his fear of losing control. Fear and warmth battled inside him. A part of him, too big a part, wanted to relax in the other alpha’s presence and let himself be comforted.
That would never happen, of course, but the annoying urge was still there.
Squaring his shoulders, he greeted the other.
“Hey, welcome back,” He successfully greeted him without stuttering.
Jungkook looked surprised for a moment, before he grunted and nodded in return.
“Are you taking a shower tonight or am I good to take a shower?” He asked brusquely.
Jimin jumped a little at the sound of his voice, “Uh, no, go ahead”
Jimin would be showering the next morning. Although his muscles were screaming at him, he still needed a workout. He planned to take it easy, though, just a couple hours in the pool.
Once Jungkook disappeared into the bathroom, Jimin got ready for bed, realizing too late that he needed the bathroom to brush his teeth.
Sighing, he curled up in his bed and waited for the other to finish.