Chapter Text
Taehyung woke up to have Jungkook staring at him, and he blinked, wondering if he was hallucinating or if the alpha was really here. "You slept for two weeks. " The alpha said, and the omega blinked, head tilting in confusion.
"I did?"
Jungkook nods, gently bringing his hand to caress the omega's face. "I visited you three times, and today is the fourth. "
"Oh." Taehyung doesn't know what he should say. Does Jungkook know everything now? "It's- I don't know what to say, hyung. "
Jungkook stares at him for a while, and again, Taehyung feels questions clouding the alpha's mind, but he settles on a simple one. "Is it that common?"
"No, not common, but not rare either. " Taehyung blinks, confused himself. He never explained such things to anyone while his already hazed mind could barely comprehend his surroundings. Where even was he?
Jungkook seems to notice it as he nods and then slowly leans down to press his nose against Taehyung's cheeks, and for a moment, the omega freezes, not knowing if it is a dream. However, when Jungkook's chocolate scent washes over him, Taehyung realizes it's not a dream and that his mate is scenting him.
Subconsciously, Taehyung tilts his head, baring his neck to the alpha, and the nose stops for a moment before going down. A soft muscle is pressed on his scent gland, leaving a trail of soft kisses.
Taehyung purrs happily when a hand settles on his waist, but that moment is short-lived when he hears footsteps and immediately knows it is Jin. He doesn't hate Jin, but he knows the alpha is still wary of letting him get close to Jungkook. Seeing them in such an intimate position, with Jungkook hovering over him while his body is paralyzed, wouldn't leave any good impression on the alpha.
"Hyung. " Taehyung calls. "Jin hyung is coming. " Jungkook pulls back, and Taehyung sees the red swirling around the doe's eyes before they turn brown.
"How did you realize? I can't feel his presence. " Jungkook says, brows furrowing when he senses Jin's sandalwood scent.
"I have a sharp hearing. If I tried, I could hear what was happening in the room at the last corner. It's just that I had learned to blend these voices. " Jungkook nods and sits straighter, maybe understanding why he stopped him, and a part of Taehyung wants to throw that caution out and pull the alpha close again.
Before he can actually let his thoughts win, Jin opens the door and enters with a frown. A tray in his hands while Soobin follows from behind and closes the door.
"Glad to see you awake, Taehyung. " Soobin says, breaking the silence in the room.
Taehyung smiles, thankfully, pouting slightly, when Jungkook gets up to give his seat to Jin, who places the tray on the bed, then cradles his head carefully while Soobin puts pillows to support his dead weight.
"How's your fever?" Jin asks, placing his cool palm over the omega's forehead and humming when it doesn't appear as hot as he assumed.
"Your body still feels heavy. Can you move?" Taehyung shakes his head, and if he sees Jungkook's frown deepening, he doesn't say anything.
"I can speak well. " Jin only hums.
"See if you can swallow too, or we had to repeat the last time. " Taehyung smiles, nodding.
While Jin patiently fed him, Soobin dragged Jungkook outside, probably farther because Taehyung couldn't hear anything despite heightening his senses to maximum level.
"Was Jungkook scenting you?" Jin asks, and Taehyung hums. The thought of those warm lips on him makes him purr, but he holds it down. He doesn't want to show how much Jungkook affects him. It was then dawned on him that he started purring right after Jungkook started scenting him, making him seem like some desperate, clingy omega.
"Keep it down till one year, Tae. I know how much he affects you, but until you graduate, keep it in control. " Taehyung blushes but nods anyway.
"Why graduation, hyung?"
"Because that would be enough time for you to realize your feelings if it's just the attraction of the mate bond or love. " Jin says, wiping the omega's mouth, and for a moment, it looked like he had returned to his 10-year-old self, taking care of an 8-year-old Taehyung.
"How would I differentiate?" The omega asks, eyes becoming rounder with the curiosity that the omega holds. It makes him look innocent, and if Jin could, he would never allow Taehyung near Jungkook, but he has to remind himself that Taehyung is no longer a pup and can take care of himself.
"Attraction is lust. What you feel now is just lust, and maybe Jungkook might be the same. It's not wrong, but a relationship can't be built based on it. This is the first time you have experienced things like this, so I want you to be careful about your feelings. You have to understand your self-worth and learn to deny your attraction to stand up for yourself. " Jin places the tray on the nightstand and grabs the comb from the drawer to manage the unruly hair.
"But isn't love about sacrifice? We do things we don't like just because we love someone and want to see them happy. " Taehyung says, but Jin shakes his head.
"Yes, but there is a limit to how much you can offer, Tae. Give and take is what the relationship is about. Keeping each other happy and compromising for each other is what should be done. One-sided sacrifices with a lack of communication can make any relationship toxic. " Taehyung hums, opening his mouth for another spoon, but instead, he sees the empty bowl.
"I know you're hungry, but we can't use much of their food. There are new pups here who need food, and they are struggling to keep up with the quantity. I promise I'll go shopping at night with the savings, but I'm sorry till then. " Taehyung shakes his head, smiling when he can feel his fingers moving.
"It's alright. " Taehyung says and then frowns. "But why did this happen? There was never a shortage of food before. "
Jin sighs, running his hands through his messed-up hair. "Some members have lost their jobs and are struggling to find new ones, causing a shortage of money and food. "
"You know I can grow some crops. " Jin frowns at the suggestion, shaking his head.
"First, get your body moving, and then I'll see. I'm not sure if you should use your powers. " Jin says as he makes a sprout at the top of omega's hair and then smiles.
"But hyung, it would be fine. Look, I can move my arms and legs now. " Taehyung says, and much to Jin's surprise, the omega easily stands on his feet.
"How did this happen? It usually takes another week. " Jin asked as he carefully touched the omega's arm. The omega grinned wide and pulled the alpha in for a tight hug.
"Isn't it great, hyung? I can grow crops and fruits, and they won't have to worry about money. " But before the omega can walk out of the room, Jin pulls him back with the collar of his shirt.
"Tae, I don't understand how this happened, but I still think you should rest for a while. It would spike your fever again. " Jin tries to convince, but Taehyung shakes his head.
"I can do it. I want to do it, hyung. We can't let the pups go hungry. If I can do something, I will. " Jin sighs and nods.
"Fine, but for now, you'd rest. I'll manage for now. " Jin says and narrows his eyes when the omega pouts. He shakes his head and pushes the omega onto the bed. "Rest for now. Tomorrow, we'll see. "
Jin carefully tucks him on the bed before standing up with the empty bowl when Jungkook and Soobin enter again. The alpha was smiling, while Jungkook's face didn't give away anything.
"Soobin can come with me. I have to go to town, and you can stay till I return. " Jin grumbles the last part and moves out while Soobin sends a wink in their direction before shitting the door.
"Is.. everything okay, hyung?" Taehyung asks, and Jungkook nods, sighing.
"Everything's good. I guess it was a bit too much information dumped on me. " The alpha sits on the bed and caresses Taehyung's hair, smiling at the sight of the sprout on the top of the omega's head. "Soobin gave me a detailed review of everything that happened after you both returned to the orphanage, and I will accept that I didn't expect to hear that. I thought you were sick or hit your head somewhere. "
Taehyung chuckles and holds Jungkook's hand in his palm, caressing the alpha's soft skin. "I know it sounds strange, but V is a powerful wolf, and my body isn't strong enough to handle him. The locket I wear separates us and forces V to stay inside my mind. "
"And he doesn't mind it?" Jungkook asks.
"He does. As far as I know, V put up a real fight with our parents, and he was against wearing this, but then, after the attack, he suddenly changed. Now, he is the one who forces me to wear the locket. "
"Just so you know, I have a thousand more questions that I would like to know. " Taehyung laughs.
"I know, hyung, but as I said, I can't tell everything. My knowledge is limited, and you have to ask V. "
Jungkook hums. "And I promised I would wait for V. "
-------
"You didn't have to do this much for us, Jin. " Soobin whispers as he watches the alpha put almost everything on their cart.
"It would've been my responsibility, not only as the former head but also as the member of our pack. " Jin replies and rechecks the list on his phone. Once he knew they had everything, he walked towards the cash counter while Soobin followed him silently. "Don't stress much over it, Soobin. You are doing a lot to help me, so you don't have to feel guilty about anything. "
"But I still wish I had a job like you all. " The alpha sighs, carrying out the bags.
"You have a job. Protecting the orphanage. I don't know if there's anything more important than risking your life to keep our family safe. " Jin says as they walk out of the shop, carrying the bags.
"But it doesn't pay. "
"It keeps our pack alive. " Jin replies. Soobin doesn't reply afterward, but he wonders that money is just as important as providing security. In a world where only money talks, there is very little they can do with the amount their members gain.
As they reached the orphanage, Jin saw Jungkook exiting with Yoongi. "I'm glad you returned. I have to leave since my parents are calling me. I'll return tomorrow. "
Jin looks at Yoongi and then at True Blood before nodding and walking inside. "Don't mind him. " Soobin smiles. "Take care, and I hope you visit us more, Yoongi. " The alpha nods silently before they all walk away.
When Soobin enters, he sees Taehyung smiling while sitting on the ground while Jin scolds the omega for going out of bed. Watching the omega smile and the kids laugh, Soobin thinks that maybe protecting their happiness is the job he could perfectly do, but it wouldn't hurt to have another person earning.
Maybe he can take up some part-time jobs as Jin does. Soobin keeps that thought to himself and silently hands the bags to the kitchen staff. They would need it.
-------
The next day, Taehyung, along with some members and Jin, walked to the backside of the orphanage. There was an area big enough for them to grow anything they wanted. Jin claimed it to be the best place to grow a few crops.
"Taehyung, don't over-exert yourself. I have other things covered. " Jin warns, and even if he sees the omega nod, he knows Taheyung wouldn't give up, and he had to drag the omega back.
As the omega let out a deep sigh, he sat on the ground and pressed his hands on the soil, feeling the cool dampness against his palms. The people around him watched in fascination as the tiny sprouts grew from the soil, stretching toward the sun.
They grew taller in a few moments, their stems reaching higher and higher until they had formed a lush garden. Beautiful flowers bloomed for a few moments before giving way to different vegetables. The garden was a delight, with rows of juicy red tomatoes, leafy green cabbages, crisp white radishes, and pale, delicate cauliflowers.
The omega looked on with pride and signaled everyone to move forward to pick out the first batch of vegetables. Taehyung looked back at Jin, and despite sweat breaking in his skin, he smiled widely at the alpha, who nodded at him with a smile and moved forward to help the members pick out everything.
Once they picked out all the fruits, Taehyung again pushed his powers through the ground, and another set of vegetables blossomed. The omega breathes deeply, feeling his legs becoming jelly, sweat breaking in his body, and his muscles straining with the effort. He knows Jin was right about not using his powers so soon, but the thought of pups going hungry doesn't settle well with him.
And even if he passes out after this, Taehyung thinks it would be worth it. After all, this was the job of the True Moon omegas in their pack. It was one of the reasons why Moonlight Pack never needed help from any other kingdom during the crisis. Their omegas were good enough to handle things like these easily.
Once the members had harvested everything from the farm, Taehyung started with fruits. It was easier to decompose the crops than grow them, so he decided to rest while letting the plants decompose. His thoughts went to the omega Soobin had claimed to have felt the presence of on the night of the start of Jin's rut.
"Hyung!" Taehyung calls, and immediately, Jin comes to him.
"Is everything alright? Do you want to go back?" Jin asks, but the omega shakes his head and pats the space beside him, signaling the alpha to sit with him.
Once Jin does, Taehyung starts with the question bugging his mind. "When I came to the orphanage at night, Soobin said that an omega appeared near the borders of the orphanage, and they all felt his presence. But that omega ran away before they could talk or bring him. "
Jin hums. "He told me about it, so I called Yoongi here. I wanted to know if any of the omegas he saved could've been here, but he said he had left them too far for travel on legs unless they had come to Seoul. "
"Do you think they live in the city and have come just for inspection?" The omega asks.
"I don't know. " Jin shrugs, bringing out a handkerchief from his pocket and gently wiping the sweat from the omega's head. "If they were here, they wouldn't have felt your presence. The moonstone hides it well, and apart from Jungkook, no one can tell you are an omega unless you decide to shift or remove the locket. "
"So, they couldn't get the assurance of having someone like them nearby. " Taehyung pouts, and Jin hums, cradling his hands through the sweaty locks.
"I'm sorry, pup, but we can't do anything about it. But if it makes you happy, then let me tell you, Yoongi had agreed to return to the place where he left them to see if they had left the place or not. " Taehyung's eyes shine immediately, but Jin holds up his hand, already knowing what's going on in his brother's mind. "I'm not going, and neither are you. Yoongi would go silently and would come without being noticed. He isn't taking anyone with himself as well. "
"But I wanted to meet them. " Taehyung whines, making the alpha huff out a laugh.
"We don't even know whom he saved, Taehyung. We can't do anything about it. " The omega pouts, nodding. They see the pack members returning and then at the field, finding all the previous plants have been decomposed. The soil was perfect for growing fruits.
"Alright. Let me finish this up. " The omega says.
In the end, Jin had to drag Taehyung back to his room because he could see the sweat and the fever returning, so he just picked the omega in the bridal style and took him back despite his whining.
"I told you, Tae. You crossed the limit, or I would've let you grow a little tomorrow. " The omega huffs and turns his face towards the wall. "My sweet baby. You know I worry, and I know you want to help people, but you don't have to do it at the cost of your life. "
"I know. " The omega huffs. "But I don't want the pups to go hungry, hyung. " Taehyung whines, turning around and staring at the alpha with a pout, who shakes his head with a laugh.
"They won't. You have grown enough to last us for a week. It should be fine for now. But maybe, if your fever goes away, you can repeat it next week. Would you like that? " Jin says, and the omega nods happily.
"I will. "
Just then, the door opens, and Soobin peeks inside. "I'm sorry for disturbing you, but I need you outside, Jin. "
"Rest here, alright, Tae. I'll be back. " Jin pecked the omega's head before walking out of the room, shutting the door softly.
"What is it?" The alpha asks when he sees Soobin staring at him and realizes he has blocked his telepathy. As soon as he opened it, he was stuck with the intense loneliness and worry from Namjoon, but Jin put it aside. He doesn't want that alpha messing with his thoughts.
'There are some movements outside the orphanage. They are probably a group of rouges, but they keep coming. We have ignored them like usual, but recently, they tried to cross the barrier. We prevented it, but I feel like there is some motive. ' Soobin says.
Jin frowns. 'Prepare some underground tunnels quietly and teach pups and people to go inside if something happens. I'll stay here on guard with you all.'
Soobin nods, walking towards the group of alphas, while Jin returns to Taehyung's room, finding the omega fast asleep. He doesn't want another battle on his hands, but with all the pent-up anger and frustration, maybe some killing would do him good. He blocks his links again when he feels Namjoon trying to contact him again. It was all V's fault for riling him up so much that his wolf marked Namjoon.
Huffing, he lays beside the omega and closes his eyes.
-------
"Mom?" Jungkook calls, wondering if the alpha is really here, and much to his relief, he sees his mother peeking out of the shelves, confusion and surprise on her face.
"Jungkookie! How come you are here today?" His mother smiles brightly, and the alpha tries to return it, but his father's words ring in his ears, yet he doesn't let those words cloud his thoughts. Jungkook wasn't there to talk about their messed up relationship.
"I want to court Taehyung, Mom, but I'm not sure how to do it. Dad and Yoongi hyung gave me vague tips, but I still didn't know what to do. " He sees his mother's lips curl up in a bright grin as she indicates him to follow into the library.
"I can't believe my Jungkookie has grown so much that he has started to court his omega. How come days had passed so quickly?" Jungkook groans loudly as his mother skips to a part of the library where he has never entered. Let's face it, Jungkook had stepped foot in the library ten times in his life, and that too, to call someone. "I can help you to plan perfect dates from top to bottom. " Hye Bin says, lifting a dusty book in her hands, but before Jungkook can take it, she takes it away with a mischievous smile.
"Mom, please. I really want to court Taehyung. "
Hye Bin grinned, walking towards the couch. "I know, puppy, but first, let me ask you some questions. "
However, before Hye Bin could say something, Jimin barged inside, huffing and bowed deeply. "I'm sorry, Luna, but I need to take Jungkook with me. " The alpha frowns, almost wanting to tell Jimin off, but the beta speaks before him. "Yoongi had asked for him, saying it was urgent. "
"Go. " Hye Bin says and gets up from the sofa.
"But-" Jungkook starts when he feels a sharp pain and a tug from his bond with Taehyung. It was as if the omega was calling for him. "Alright, let's go. "
Jimin runs out, and Jungkook goes after him. As they near the borders, he sees Yoongi standing, eyes dark with a confused Hoseok and Namjoon, who might have been called just like him, in the midst of whatever they were doing. "What happened?" Jungkook asks just as he reaches them.
"The orphanage is under attack. "