8
"You reek of him."
Jungkook has barely managed to set foot downstairs when Jiwoo comes to slap him on the face with a towel, telling him to take a shower. The alpha frowns. "Uh... hello to you too?"
Jiwoo wrinkles her nose and ushers him towards the bathroom. "Did you let him scent you or did you two have sex? Because you smell like you went and rolled around in the honeysuckle bushes close by. This whole house reeks of you guys and I'm the one supposed to live here."
"No! We didn't – we definitely didn't—" the brunette alpha is quick to deny, cheeks aflame. Does he really smell that strongly of Jimin? He has only shared a bed with the omega, nothing more.
"Of course you didn't", the healer snickers behind him and Jungkook wants the ground to swallow him whole. "Your scents are getting mingled because you spend so much time together within four walls. And I'd kill you if you even tried anything when he's still bedridden."
"Jiwoo, I swear—"
"Shower, Jungkook, shower. Save the excuses for your brother. I'm going to go check on Jimin now, just to make sure you really kept your hands to yourself."
The younger alpha has never felt more embarrassed.
But what Jiwoo said is true, he notices now that he actually pays attention. The infirmary smells strongly like honeysuckles and although he can't exactly smell his own scent, he can imagine that it must be pretty potent too. It's a good thing Jiwoo doesn't have any other patients staying there or otherwise they would have a bigger problem.
Although Jimin's scent is no longer out of place for him, it is to the rest of the pack and Jungkook can't forget that. He shouldn't forget.
He takes a quick shower like Jiwoo requested and even changes clothes. But when he stands in front of the bathroom mirror a few minutes later and just breathes, he feels wrong, feels naked and cold. It's weird to move around without a feverish omega glued to his side.
Jungkook runs a tired hand through his hair and sighs. The last week has been exhausting, even though he's been excused from his duties as a hunter. Jimin hasn't yet started any kind of healing process, the fever taking a toll on him both mentally and physically. He's practically delirious because of the heat pulsing under his skin, incapable of swallowing down much food or medicine, and there's not a lot Jiwoo or Jungkook can do to help.
He's been with Jimin for the whole week, all day and night by the omega's side, but at this point it seems like his presence isn't any more helpful. Namjoon has warned him, that if nothing changes in the next two days, he'll have to go back to patrolling and hunting and leave Jimin completely in Jiwoo's care. After all, he was only excused because they thought he could help the omega.
Jungkook hates the thought of leaving Jimin and then he hates himself a little more for thinking so.
There's also the fact that he doesn't want to be around his pack right now, that is making him hesitate to return back to work. He knows some are on his side, even important people like Minseok and Jaebum, but most of the pack is still completely against Jimin and think that what happened a week ago was right.
That it was okay to hurt an innocent wolf.
Jungkook knows his pack has a reputation as one of the more hostile ones in this area. He knows that a title like that is a big source of pride for everyone and yes, he takes pride in it too. But he never knew they were this cruel.
Jiwoo says that they're all still wolves, wolves who once lived peacefully together. Jungkook thinks they shouldn't forget that.
With another frustrated sigh, he leaves his towel to dry by the fireplace and heads back upstairs. Jimin's distress is clear in the air and his wolf shifts uncomfortably within him. It's incredible how accustomed he has become to Jimin's moods, even going as far as changing his own according to the omega. All that in just two months.
He steps inside the room in a sour mood, eyes narrowed as he watches Jiwoo try and feed something to a reluctant, barely even conscious, Jimin. When the blonde omega whimpers, trying to twist away from Jiwoo's demanding hold, Jungkook can't help the low growl that escapes him. Although he knows Jiwoo is only trying to help, the side of him that wants to protect Jimin is so primal he can barely control it.
The healer sets down the spoon with a sigh and shows off her empty hands to Jungkook, as if to reassure him that she isn't doing anything. Jimin goes limp quickly after, slipping back to unconsciousness.
"You two are incredible", Jiwoo mumbles, turning to glare at Jungkook. "Can you even imagine that a week ago you could barely spend five minutes with him in the same room?"
Not really, if the alpha is honest.
"Now you're acting like being away from him physically hurts you. Even if it's ten minutes."
She's not entirely wrong about that. Jungkook's wolf can't take being apart from Jimin long when it's aware of the omega's situation. Thankfully his human side is a little more rational, but he still admits that he would rather not leave Jimin on his own for too long.
"You feed him since you're growling at me like that", Jiwoo then says, getting up. "I washed him quickly and got him to drink some water, but for the love of mother nature, get some food into him as well. He can't heal if his body isn't nourished enough."
"But—"
"No buts. You're here to be useful, aren't you? So do something useful." The healer walks past him and gives a few encouraging pats on the alpha's shoulder. "He prefers you anyway."
Jungkook really doubts that but he doesn't argue back as Jiwoo leaves, closing the door after her. For a moment, the room is only filled by the rough sound of Jimin's breathing, drowning out Jungkook's own. It sounds like every breath the omega takes is painful.
He makes his way to the bed and slowly sits down next to Jimin's smaller form, his hand automatically reaching over to brush some of the damp locks off the other's flushed face. Jiwoo might've washed him just minutes ago, but he's already covered in cold sweat, the fever alarmingly high.
"Hey", Jungkook calls out softly. He sounds a little choked, perhaps a little panicked too. "Jimin. Open your eyes."
The omega only whines, a weak sound, and nuzzles into Jungkook's cold hand in the search for relief.
"Jimin", the alpha says again, frowning as he sweeps a thumb over the other's hollow cheek. "Open your eyes for me, okay?"
Slowly, glazed heterochromic eyes open. He looks so confused it would be cute in any other situation, frowning at Jungkook with lips in a small pout. The brunette tries to offer him a friendly smile in case Jimin sees him as a threat because while he does spend almost all his time by the omega's side, he does it in his wolf form.
There are two reasons for that. One, Jungkook's wolf knows what it's doing and two, that's when Jimin truly lets his guard down.
The breakdown the omega had three days ago was obviously a mistake, a moment of weakness. Jimin hasn't showed that side of him to Jungkook again, though the reason for that might be because he's barely been awake to do so.
"Can you sit up?" Jungkook asks.
No answer. Of course he can't, Jungkook thinks, he can't even stay awake for more than five minutes. He feels stupid. If Jimin was in his right mind, he'd probably make a snarky comment at him.
For the first time, Jungkook wishes that was the case.
"Well, we have to get you to eat something. So I'm going to help you sit up and then you can lean on me, okay? I'll help you with the food."
He's extremely careful, and as gentle as he can be, as he lifts Jimin up. The blonde makes small sounds of protests, even going as far as growling at Jungkook in a warning matter, but it's not like he can do much. In a moment, he's sitting next to the alpha, heavily leaning on him.
"A change of position", Jungkook mumbles, grimacing as he feels the heat of Jimin's skin clearly through his own clothes. "You must be fed up with lying on your stomach all day."
"O-oh really?" the omega croaks out. It's the first thing he says today, and it shows. Jimin's usually so melodious and soft voice is rough from the lack of use, tight with pain and bitterness.
"If you can be a sarcastic ass, that means you can also eat. So, mouth open and swallow. I'll give you water if you eat at least five spoons."
Jimin doesn't open his mouth when Jungkook tries to feed him and the alpha knows exactly what the reason for that is. He knows because if there's something he and Jimin share, it's the hate of being so heavily dependent on someone else.
"Listen", he sighs. "I know you don't like this – I don't like it either, but you have to eat. You won't get better if you don't."
"Maybe that's just better", the blonde omega answers, voice barely above a whisper. Jungkook hears it loud and clear though—the other is, after all, pressed right against his shoulder.
Jimin has the extraordinary skill of upsetting Jungkook with only a few words. There's something incredibly ugly in the way Jimin speaks so calmly, so surely, as if he didn't care for his own life at all. It's all this "I don't want to live" shit all over again.
Another thing Jungkook hates.
He wants Jimin to live and that is finally something both his human side and wolf can agree on.
"Don't", he growls, deep and warning. "Don't fucking say that."
Jimin flinches away from him so harshly he ends up falling back on the bed with a pained cry. His scent wavers in the air in a fearful matter before turning bitter with annoyance. Jungkook's anger dissolves just like that, replaced by worry he's too used to by now.
"Jimin, I—"
"Shut up", the omega hisses through clenched teeth, eyes pressed tightly shut and hands gripping onto the sheets in an attempt to ground himself from the pain. He looks awfully pale, yet his cheeks are unnaturally red. The fever has spiked again.
"Jimin", Jungkook says again despite the omega's warning. "Open your eyes and breathe." He wants to see Jimin's eyes because that's the only way he can understand his feelings even a little.
But the blonde has had enough of him for today and stubbornly keeps his eyes shut. Maybe that's a sign that he's getting better—yesterday there had been no fight at all.
Jungkook's wolf disagrees, though. The omega is just being his stubborn self.
Too much pride, Jungkook muses. We all have too much pride.
He understands that he won't get Jimin to cooperate with him enough to feed him now. So, he opts for the second best option: make sure the omega rests.
Jungkook shakes his head softly and gets up from the bed before quickly pulling his shirt off and drops it on the stool close by, other pieces of clothing quickly following it.
Then he lets his wolf free.
Jimin opens his eyes only once he feels familiar rough fur press against his skin, something wet and cool poking his cheek. Jungkook's golden eyes stare back at him with annoyance clear in them, his nose pressed against the omega's face.
It annoys Jimin how the worry still shines the brightest in those golden orbs.
"Stupid alpha", he mumbles, but he doesn't fight it when the said alpha settles down next to him. Quite the contrary, Jimin just scoots a little closer, pressing his face against the softer fur around Jungkook's neck. The wolf lets out a snort at that—a sign of clear amusement.
Jimin ignores it and just breathes in the cedarwood scent, eyes closing even against his will. He feels hot and gross, but at least Jungkook's scent numbs the pain a little and makes falling asleep easier.
Nightmares, however, can't be suppressed. They've caught up with him again.
Jimin dreams of growls and screams, how his pain was the joy of another, dreams of red flowers blooming on white snow. He sees vivid pictures of wolves, fighting, and people, just watching, and then blue eyes, empty blue eyes staring at the sky.
In his dream, there's a wolf on the ground, unmoving, and slowly, as its last breath gets caught in its throat, it turns. Slowly, white fur turns into pale skin and long platinum blonde hair. Her lips are already blue. One of her hands is reaching towards him, but he's too far and she's already gone.
Jimin is always too far.
And then the dream repeats itself, only the wolf changes. It's his grandfather first, then a man with glowing amber eyes. Then his younger brother. Then his grandmother, followed by Taehyung and Jiwoo. And Jimin is, each time, too far away to do anything but helplessly watch as they take their last breath.
But it's only when it's the familiar golden eyes staring at him, terrifyingly empty, that Jimin screams.
He's too far, too far away, and Jungkook isn't breathing, he isn't breathing and it's Jimin's fault—
Something warm touches his cheek.
"Open your eyes, Jimin. Open your eyes for me."
He wakes up with a startled gasp, panic settling in first. His cheeks feel wet and he's trembling like a leaf in a storm, and there are hands on his shoulders, shaking him awake gently, warm and familiar.
"Jimin, breathe." Fuck, that's Jungkook's voice, that must be Jungkook's voice. "Breathe and look at me."
The omega blinks his eyes rapidly, trying to see through his tears and takes in shuddering breaths, the pain and exhaustion quickly coming back to him. In the dark, Jungkook's golden eyes are warm like fire.
Relief washes over him like a tidal wave.
"J-Jungkook—"
"I'm here", the alpha mutters, cutting him off gently. It's as if he knew exactly what words to say. "Now breathe. Slowly in and out, Jimin, breathe. I'm not going anywhere."
His comforting words only make the blonde omega sob a little harder and he reaches mindlessly towards him, asking to be held. Jungkook sighs but pulls Jimin closer anyway, letting the other press his face against his neck in search of his calming scent.
"Breathe", the alpha whispers breathily, releasing calming pheromones in the air. This time, Jimin does as said, slowly in and out, mind clouded by cedarwood and spices. His trembling ceases quickly but his tears take a little longer to dry.
Jungkook is patient. He lets the omega cry against him for as long as he needs and even after Jimin's sobbing has turned into pitiful sniffling, he doesn't push him away. He just continues to draw calming circles on the clear skin of Jimin's shoulder, careful not to touch any of the wounds.
The door of the room flies open and light seeps inside. Jimin whines and buries himself deeper into Jungkook's arms, sensitive and self-conscious.
The growl the alpha lets out is his loudest one yet.
"What happened?" Jiwoo still somehow ignores it, her instinct to help overcoming even the alpha's dominance. "I heard screaming—"
"Nothing happened", Jungkook grumbles, arms wrapping around Jimin's smaller form tighter. "We're fine."
Jiwoo's eyes flash. "Listen kid, you might be an alpha and he might've chosen you as his protector, but do not think you can talk to me like that—"
"Jiwoo. Please." His voice is a little softer now, but there's no question about the anger hiding in his tone. "It was just a nightmare. I got this, go back to bed."
"Is he hurt?"
They're talking as if Jimin wasn't even present.
"He'll be fine."
"Jungkook—"
"I promise, Jiwoo. But now, get out. I'm extremely close to losing it and I want you out before that happens."
But he won't harm Jimin and that goes without saying. Jiwoo leaves with one more concerned look thrown at the blonde, one annoyed thrown at Jungkook. Darkness surrounds them again as soon as the door closes and both Jungkook's and Jimin's bodies relax.
It's only then does Jimin realize he still has his face pressed against the side of Jungkook's neck, buried in his arms. Oh, and the alpha is shirtless.
Fuck.
He yanks away so suddenly that he almost falls over, but Jungkook is quick to steady him.
"Careful", the brunette mumbles. Jimin only becomes more conscious of their positions like this. He's practically on Jungkook's lap, with only Taehyung's old shirt and thin underwear on. Jungkook isn't wearing anything except for the sheet hastily thrown over his lower body.
Oh god.
Jimin doesn't know if the heat on his skin can be blamed on the fever or his embarrassment. Or worse, on something else entirely.
"Y-you—could you like—"
"What?" Jungkook doesn't seem to get it.
"Please put on some fucking pants."
"Oh."
The alpha glances down and then glances at Jimin. The other is looking at everywhere else but at him and it's both amusing and embarrassing.
"I mean, shit – sorry, I just changed forms as soon as you screamed, I didn't – fuck, I didn't think of—" Jungkook scrambles up and for his clothes. Jimin presses his eyes shut until the rustling of clothes stops.
"No fucking shirt?" is his first comment after glancing at the other.
"You only said pants." A beat of silence. "And it's not like you were complaining just a minute ago—"
"I will slaughter you."
Jungkook chuckles before throwing on a shirt. Jimin hates to admit it, but the sound is sweet in a way, now lacking the usual anger and hesitation. The alpha seems quite comfortable with someone who just saw him naked—or well, half naked. And when that someone just sat on his lap, almost half naked himself.
"Hey", Jungkook speaks again, the mirth in his tone disappearing. Jimin still isn't looking at him, too embarrassed to do so, but the alpha thinks the reason for the omega's silence is different.
"Your dream... what happened? You sounded so panicked—"
Jimin didn't exactly expect that question to be the first one Jungkook asks from him, but he isn't all that surprised either. He doubts waking to a screaming and panicking omega is an every day thing for the alpha.
"It's none of your business."
"Jimin, you were screaming my name."
Oh no. The blonde curls into himself despite his body screaming in pain at him. Can this get any more embarrassing?
"So, I'm pretty goddamn sure it's my business."
The bed dips and Jungkook's warm body is once again pressed against him. As if he wasn't pathetic enough already, Jimin finds himself leaning towards the alpha and Jungkook, being his idiotic self, doesn't push him away. Like he should.
"What was it about, Jimin?" the alpha asks again, this time demanding an answer. Jimin, as horrifying as it is, is half ready to bare his neck for him.
"I-I just—"
Jungkook fingers tap on his cheek impatiently and the blonde just whines quietly, wanting to both pull away from the other and please him. Anything to just ensure he isn't angry with Jimin.
"I only want to know why you were screaming my name", Jungkook says, most likely noticing the omega's inner turmoil. "I just want to know if it was because..." The alpha trails off and it's Jimin's turn to be curious.
"Because what?"
"Because you're still scared of me."
It's a funny thing for the alpha to say something like that when Jimin is pressed against him in a bed made for one, more vulnerable than he has been in years.
"I—" His first instinct is to, of course, deny it because Jimin knows better than to show his fear in front of others. But Jungkook has already seen him crying and having a panic attack, has seen him at the brink of death and still, somehow the alpha still behaves normally around.
Somehow, Jungkook is still the only one who doesn't look at him with pity. Only expectation and curiosity.
"I am", Jimin ends up saying, swallowing nervously. Jungkook moves to pull away from him right away, tense and maybe a little disheartened, but the omega curls his fingers gently around the alpha's wrist, tugging him back. "It's not like I can just forget the fact that we're from rivaling packs, Jungkook. I can't trust your pack because I don't – I don't know exactly how involved you are in this shit."
He wishes Jungkook has nothing to do with his grandmother's death, but Jimin has only faced hatred in the alpha's pack, excluding few kind souls like Jiwoo and Taehyung. He can't trust them.
"But you're also kind", he continues softly, now drawing circles on Jungkook's palm. The edges of his vision are darkening. "And while we barely know each other, I... I think I know enough."
"Enough?"
"Yeah. Enough to try."
Jungkook turns his head towards him. His breath ghosts over Jimin's lips. "Try what?"
"To try and not be scared. I think." The omega shakes his head but stops quickly, grimacing. He had been so focused on Jungkook and the alpha's presence around him, that he had already forgotten the pain throbbing in his system.
"Honestly, I-I don't think I'm in my right mind—"
"Definitely not", Jungkook snorts and Jimin swats him, but his hit is weak and his world tilted—he's not even sure whether he missed the alpha or not.
"—and I'm sorry, okay? I'm sorry for being so difficult, but I'll try."
Jimin purses his lips and searches for more words to say, for a valid reason to try. Because his own life isn't one.
Jungkook's hand is warm in his, golden eyes full of worry and Jimin can't help but wonder what it would be like if this hand against his turned cold and those eyes empty.
And just like that, he finds his reason.
"That's all I ask for", Jungkook says. Jimin knows the alpha will eventually ask for more, they always do, but for now he puts his faith in him. He doesn't have much of a choice anyway.
They settle back down on the bed a few moments later. Jimin doesn't ask for Jungkook to change forms and the alpha makes no indication of doing so. The blonde omega falls asleep with his head resting against a warm chest, a strong heartbeat under his ear. The pain feels a little more distant with Jungkook's arms wrapped around him and his cedarwood scent lingering in the air.
It's almost safe, the omega muses. In Jungkook's embrace, he almost feels safe.
And that is a terrifying thought.
Jimin tells him that the nightmare wasn't about what he thinks it is, but Jungkook sees the horror hidden in the mismatching eyes and with a heavy heart, realizes that he probably terrifies the omega. But the others don't seem to understand his worry and Jiwoo goes as far as calling him stupid when he tells her that the following day.
"He sought comfort from you right away, Jungkook. That's not something a scared omega would do, especially if you were the cause of his fear."
He tells himself that Jiwoo is right—that Jimin isn't scared of him. That he didn't dream of Jungkook hurting him.
But the fact that Jimin refuses to tell him more of his nightmare, says that it's to spare his feelings, Jungkook finds it pretty fucking hard to believe him.
So when he two days later returns to work and leaves the omega in Jiwoo's care, he feels like he's doing the right thing. Jungkook needs some space anyway, Jimin's sudden change of nature more than a little baffling, but also because he's losing grip of his wolf.
"You're buzzing with energy", Yugyeom laughs at him good naturedly as they prepare to head out for a hunt. "That excited to get your paws dirty again?"
The other alpha hasn't showed any disgust at how strongly Jungkook smells of Jimin and he appreciates that. Yugyeom is one of his older friends, so his opinion matters—it's a good thing the other isn't all that interested in pack politics or fights, as long as it doesn't directly involve him.
"Yeah", Jungkook nods. His muscles are practically aching with the need to release all that pent-up energy and the adrenaline feels freeing. At least out in the forest, he doesn't need to think much.
When they finally get to leave, a grumpy Jaebum joining them, Jungkook is ecstatic. He's the first one to change, eagerly waiting for the eldest alpha to give out any kind of order.
"Go wherever you want as long as you stay within our territory", is all Jaebum growls in the end, most likely sensing Jungkook's impatience. He doesn't need to say a thing more as the brunette wolf has already bolted out, disappearing into the white forest.
It all starts well. He manages to catch two squirrels and a pheasant easily, satisfaction coursing through his system as he looks the small droplets of blood adorning the white snow by his feet. All are clean kills—the tailor could easily make use of the furs and weathers.
But as time ticks on and the sun gets lower, he becomes sloppier. His wolf, that had been ecstatic to get out at first, is starting to whine at him to head back home because there's someone waiting for them. And no matter how Jungkook tries to reason that there's no one, absolutely no one waiting, his wolf disagrees.
His steps become unbalanced and hasty. Jungkook makes a lot of stupid mistakes and accidentally scares away a few good catches, cursing at himself as another pheasant manages to slip out of his reach.
Get it together, he growls at himself, wanting to bang his head on the tree trunk next to him. Luckily, before he manages to do so, Jaebum shows up with a few rabbits hanging from his mouth.
"Done already, Jungkook-ah?" the older alpha asks when he notices the younger's frustration.
Jungkook shakes his head at the darker furred wolf. "No, I'm just—being impatient, I guess."
"Impatient to get home?" There's an amused, knowing glimmer in Jaebum's eyes. "Is there someone waiting for you, then?"
Not you too, is what Jungkook thinks. "No."
"Not even the pretty mountain wolf you spent the last week with?"
"Jaebum, don't." His tone has turned defensive and warning, eyes flashing. The other alpha just lets out a bark, a laugh, not intimidated by Jungkook's attempt of showing dominance.
"Hey, I'm not judging you, okay? He's a pretty omega—I mean, not prettier than my Youngjae, but pretty enough. And he's fond of you, much like you're fond of him."
"He's really not."
Jaebum gives him a weird look, as if asking if Jungkook was serious. "And to think they used to call me oblivious... Kid, you have a lot to learn about omegas."
Now it's the younger alpha's turn to send Jaebum a long, questioning look but the alpha doesn't give him any kind of explanation as he picks up his rabbits and nods towards the direction where the village is.
"Time to head home, Jungkook. You won't catch any more prey like that. So go and keep an eye on that omega of yours, you seem like you miss him."
Jaebum leaves without another word and Jungkook can't correct him, because Jimin isn't his omega and he definitely doesn't miss him. He saw the other just a few hours ago before leaving the infirmary, and like Jaebum just said, he spent the last week with him in the same room—taking everything into consideration, Jungkook doesn't miss him. He shouldn't miss him.
But like always, his wolf knows better, and he finds himself following Jaebum not much later.
Taehyung is at the food storage when they return with fresh prey. The silver-haired omega offers them all a friendly smile and although he most likely has other things to do, he still stays to wait for Jungkook until he has dressed and taken his share to take back to the infirmary with him.
"You smell upset", Taehyung comments as they head out, brown eyes worried. "Did something happen with Jimin? More nightmares?"
Much like Jiwoo and Seokjin, Taehyung had told him not to worry about it too much. Everyone sees nightmares from time to time and Jimin definitely isn't terrified of Jungkook, like the alpha thinks.
"He lets you sleep in the same bed as him. And no scared omega does that, Kookie." That was Taehyung's reasoning and weirdly enough, his words were the most reassuring.
But that doesn't mean Jungkook isn't concerned.
"No, no nightmares", he answers softly, shaking his head. "He's been sleeping better, actually. And well, doing better in general. He eats and talks more, and that's a good sign, right?"
Taehyung smiles, but it doesn't reach his eyes. "Yeah, it's a good sign. But I'm sensing a but..."
Sure he does, because there is one.
"I'm just not sure if I'm doing the right thing, Tae... Everything's been a little weird lately. He doesn't push me away anymore and we don't even argue like we used to, and I just – I feel weird." He looks at his best friend with desperate eyes, searching for help.
"Weird how?"
"I don't even know but it's not bad... I think. I mean, I don't hate the feeling, it's just new—"
"Jungkook, what is it that you feel?" Taehyung cuts him off. His tone sounds a little panicked.
"Warm." The answer comes out without any hesitation. He doesn't even need to think about it and even his wolf is satisfied because that's the truth. That's how he feels, both the human side and the wolf side of him.
"I feel warm when I'm with him."
"Oh, Kookie..." The silver-haired omega looks incredibly sad as he gazes back into Jungkook's lost eyes. For a moment, he hesitates, obviously wanting to say something.
"Do you want me to scent you?"
Definitely not the answer he was expecting with all that serious thinking.
"What?"
"I asked if you want me to scent you—"
"I heard that, but why?" Jungkook clarifies, confused—just another feeling that seems to stick around. "You were going to say something else just now. We're still talking about Jimin, right? So why would you even suggest scenting me? Don't you have Hoseok for that?"
"Because like I said, you smell upset and I don't like that. Also, don't look around, but people are definitely giving you the stink eye. And I'm pretty sure that has to do with the fact that you smell like you rolled around in honeysuckles."
Of course Jungkook looks around and of course Taehyung is right—people are giving him weird looks, some in curiosity, others in clear disdain.
"So, want me to do it or not?" Taehyung's face comes back to his vision.
They've stopped walking, already close to the infirmary and Jungkook supposes their paths will split here. The silver head is most likely heading back home to his mother. Or perhaps, to the tailor's house to bully Hoseok.
"You are really bad at avoiding things, Taehyung", is what Jungkook answers to the omega in the end. "What aren't you telling me?"
The silver head's face falls a little. "Kookie, it's not the right time for that. Not yet. But I promise, when things are better, we'll talk more. Now stop ignoring my offer and just—"
"No", the brunette alpha simply says. He has no true intentions of letting Taehyung off the hook, but the other obviously won't stop pestering him unless he gives out a clear answer. "No, you don't need to scent me. I'm going back to Jiwoo's anyway, so it would be a waste of time."
Realization dawns on Taehyung and the omega nods, understanding. "Oh, true. Jimin probably wouldn't appreciate my scent on you."
Jungkook frowns. "And what's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing, nothing at all." Taehyung's shit-eating grin says other. "I have to go now, mom's waiting for me. And you should go too, Chim is waiting for you. I'll see you later, Kookie."
He runs off before Jungkook can say anything more and then, for a moment, the alpha just stands there with a confused look on his face. He feels a little like everyone knows some secret he doesn't, and maybe it hurts a little to be left out like this. Especially when the people who are the most important to him are the ones refusing to let him in.
But he pushes Taehyung's words to the back of his mind for now. If there's something he agrees on with the silver head, it's the fact that now isn't the time for it. Jungkook is still feeling exhausted and a little cranky, and frankly, his wolf knows exactly what he needs to ease the frustration on him.
Jiwoo only regards him with a small smile when Jungkook comes to drop some meat by the kitchen before heading upstairs and straight for Jimin's room.
The blonde omega doesn't even question him when the first thing Jungkook does, is slump down on the bed, face pressed against Jimin's pillow. The scent of honeysuckles surrounds him quickly and like suspected, his tense muscles relax almost immediately.
"Rough day?" Jimin asks with a hint of amusement in his tone. His small hand comes to knead the back of Jungkook's neck in an almost comforting matter and the alpha groans.
"Sort of."
The omega only hums in understanding, continuing his ministrations until Jungkook is like putty on the bed. His eyes start to feel heavy quickly and he blinks them rapidly to stay awake. He was supposed to take a shower and eat before bed, but Jimin has other plans.
"You can eat later", the omega mumbles, running his hand through Jungkook's brown locks. It feels more than simply nice. A few heartbeats later a familiar soft tune fills the silent room and Jungkook gives up fighting against his tiredness.
Just before he falls asleep, he feels Jimin curl against his side, a warm, comforting presence, and Jungkook can't help but smile.
When it's just them like this, within four walls and behind a closed door, everything seems easy. So easy.
Jungkook almost wishes he wouldn't need to say goodbye to this someday.
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