Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Jimin stormed out of the meeting room, his face tense with frustration and anger. As he loosened his tie, he was giving instructions to his new assistant.

That’s when he noticed the alpha leaning against the opposite wall, arms crossed, watching him.

Jimin halted mid-sentence, his words cut off abruptly. A sudden coughing fit made him turn his back. His assistant, as if anticipating the moment, quickly twisted the cap off a water bottle and handed it to him. Jimin took a sip, waving her off with his hand.

The woman pointed to herself in disbelief, but Jimin, taking another sip, muttered, “Just remembered something. I need to… use the restroom. Yeah. Wait for me in my office.”

Trying to act natural, he shifted, urging her to leave. She gave him a strange look, clearly puzzled, but followed his orders without question, heading down the hallway. As the meeting room continued to empty, Jimin stood there, uncertain of what to do.

Straightening the tie he had just loosened, he hesitantly took a few small steps toward the alpha.

“I mean… seeing you in Jeju was one thing, but watching you come out of a meeting? That’s a whole different experience.”

Jimin felt his cheeks burn instantly, his eyes wide with surprise. Yoongi’s laid-back demeanor only made his own tension more obvious, but neither of them paid it any mind.

Jimin swallowed, unsure what to say, then mumbled, “This isn’t the first time you’ve seen me leaving a meeting.”

“I usually see my polite, composed omega in meetings. So watching you like this—” Yoongi smirked, “—definitely hot.”

Yoongi took a step closer. Jimin, scandalized, quickly scanned the hallway to see if anyone was around before landing a sharp smack on Yoongi’s shoulder. “Hyung!” he hissed, “You can’t say that here!”

“What? That you’re my omega? I think I should. And I think you should tell them I’m your alpha—”

“I have a reputation!” Jimin whined. “I don’t want anyone seeing me soft on an alpha. I need to keep my hatred sharp and alive.”

Yoongi chuckled, his eyes flicking down the corridor, ensuring no one was nearby. Then, swift and sly, he pulled Jimin close by the waist, planting a quick peck on his cheek before pulling back just as fast. “Fair point,” he teased. “But they should know you found yourself a rare alpha.” He winked.

Jimin froze. Since returning to Seoul, they had gone on five dates. Just like they had agreed, they were determined not to rush into anything physical until they truly knew each other. So far, everything was going… perfectly.

Perfectly enough to unnerve Jimin.

Yoongi, like everyone, had flaws. But at the same time, he was everything Jimin had ever imagined in an alpha. Kind, considerate, and an incredible conversationalist. But he was also so much more. Yoongi was good at everything. Experienced in every field. Cultured. He loved reading and watching films. He had visited most museums. He enjoyed cooking. He respected omegas—truly valued their voices and fiercely defended their place in every space.

And he was an incredible flirt.

That’s what put Jimin on edge—because next to Yoongi, he felt painfully inexperienced. Clumsy. Every time Yoongi pulled one of his little moves, Jimin flushed bright red and stumbled over his words.

Which always ended with him scrambling for an excuse to distance himself.

It was terrifying, in a way he couldn’t explain. They had never even talked about this side of things—mainly because Jimin had never been in a “relationship” like this before.

Charming conversations and growing admiration were one thing, but holding hands in public? A simple kiss on the cheek? All of it had him burning up inside, and he didn’t even know why.

He swallowed thickly and took a step back, even though the hallway was empty. “Anyway… what are you doing here?”

Yoongi paused, like he had something to say, but then decided against it. “I just finished work and thought I’d catch you before heading home. If you’re busy—”

“No!” Jimin cut in, his voice louder than he meant. Both of them flinched. Mortified, Jimin quickly softened his tone. “I mean… I’m not busy. Thanks for coming.”

Jimin wanted the floor to open up and swallow him whole. This wasn’t him. He didn’t even recognize this version of himself and hated it to death. Before they had started officially dating, he was more relaxed around Yoongi than this.

Yoongi’s eyes narrowed slightly, studying him. Still, Jimin broke eye contact and glanced away. “Do you… want to come to my office?” he offered, “If you have time, we could grab something to drink. I have one more meeting before the day ends, but… it’d be nice to spend a bit of time with you.”

Yoongi’s smile softened, and the tension eased from his shoulders. He nodded without hesitation. And this time, instead of closing the space between them, he simply walked by Jimin’s side, matching his stride. They made their way to Jimin’s office like nothing more than two coworkers.

The odd part was that the strange, professional air lingered even after they entered the room. Jimin instructed his assistant to bring two coffees, gesturing Yoongi inside almost as if it were a formal meeting. Then, he slid behind his desk, leaving Yoongi to settle into the leather armchair in front of it.

None of their dates had been at the office before, so this felt… unfamiliar. Yoongi seemed to know exactly what he was doing, and yet something about his demeanor said he was holding himself back. Meanwhile, Jimin looked like he was about to implode.

Finally, Yoongi broke the silence. His voice was soft. “I can leave if you want,” he said. “And I mean that, Jimin. I shouldn’t have come without telling you first. You’re not comfortable with public displays yet, and that’s okay. We can keep the company out of it.”

Jimin’s shoulders sank.

He hated himself for this. Hated that Yoongi—who had every right to be annoyed—was meeting him with understanding instead.

Because Yoongi hadn’t done anything wrong.

They weren’t hiding anything. They were, technically, a couple. And they had never agreed to keep their relationship a secret.

So, after all those wonderful dates and shared moments, Yoongi showing up here—wanting to surprise him—shouldn’t have felt strange.

If anything…

It should’ve been sweet.

“No, hyung,” Jimin sighed, averting his gaze. “I don’t know why I’m like this. But I swear, I’m really glad you came here. It’s been a hard day, and seeing you again—”

His sentence was cut off by a knock on the door. The assistant entered with two cups. She handed one to Jimin, then offered the other to Yoongi.

Jimin’s eyes lingered on the playful smile on the woman’s lips longer than they should have. Yoongi didn’t seem to notice. The alpha simply accepted his coffee with a small smile and a polite “Thank you.” But the assistant lingered a bit longer. “Enjoy,” she said with a sweet tone, and as she turned to leave, Jimin frowned, his eyes fixed on her retreating figure.

As if he couldn’t help himself, he suddenly said, “Eun,” stopping her in her tracks. “Pack your things. You’re fired.”

The woman froze in shock. She turned back reflexively, as if trying to make sense of the situation. “But, sir—” she began, though even she didn’t seem to know what she wanted to say. Yoongi, equally shocked, raised his brows and looked between the two of them, trying to understand.

“Mr. Park, if I did something wrong, I sincerely apologize,” she said, her voice trembling. “Please forgive me—”

Jimin took a deep breath, swallowing lightly as he tried to remind himself how absurd and unreasonable he was being. He averted his gaze from both of them and muttered, “Fine. Whatever. We’ll talk about this later.”

“So…” The assistant’s voice wavered in confusion. “Am I fired or not?”

Jimin shook his head. “You’re not. But if you don’t leave the room immediately, you will be.”

The woman left at once, closing the door softly behind her.

Yoongi, still looking bewildered, asked, “What was that about? Your coffee looks fine to me.”

Jimin felt like he could invent teleportation on the spot just to escape his embarrassment. “It’s nothing. Just— I felt like it.”

Yoongi didn’t buy it. He knew Jimin too well to believe he’d fire someone on a whim. Raising an eyebrow, he said nothing, simply giving the omega a questioning stare.

Jimin abandoned any hope of teleporting away. Realizing he couldn’t escape this, he confessed with a sigh, “I’m being ridiculous. I have no idea what’s wrong with me.”

Yoongi paused, but then his expression softened with understanding. And he wasn’t wrong. Shifting slightly in his seat, he said, “It’s okay. Stop being so hard on yourself. You’ve had a rough day. It happens.”

The alpha’s calm, understanding murmur melted something inside Jimin. The absence of pressure—of constant questioning—felt strange. Being understood without needing to explain himself felt foreign, unreal.

Finally, he let out a soft breath and whispered, “Thank you, hyung.” Meeting Yoongi’s gaze, he hesitated before asking, “Are you free tonight? I can stop by after your meeting. We… had a movie night planned, remember?”

Yoongi’s face brightened with a wide smile. As if the awkward moment from earlier had completely vanished, he nodded. “Perfect idea,” he said warmly. “I’ll bake a cake for you. That way, you’ll forget all about this stressful week.”

That made both of them laugh. The air felt lighter now—felt more like them.

- - -

When Jimin barged through the front door without knocking, Taehyung—still in his pajamas—looked utterly bewildered. He was clearly still half-asleep as Jimin flopped dramatically onto the couch without so much as a greeting.

Jungkook, descending the stairs, paused mid-step. His brows arched as he took in the sight of the disheveled omega sprawled on their couch. Turning to his husband, he silently asked for an explanation. But Taehyung looked just as lost.

“Uhm…” The alpha shifted uncertainly between Jungkook and Jimin, his voice slow and careful. “You know… it’s five in the morning.”

Jimin, without moving an inch, simply nodded. He didn’t seem to care that he’d woken them up. “You two are the reason I’m in this mess, so you’re taking responsibility. I don’t care what time it is.”

The couple shared a brief glance—one that said they understood the gravity of the situation. Seconds later, Taehyung vanished into the kitchen to make coffee while Jungkook hurried to Jimin’s side, concern etched on his face.

The omega’s eyes remained closed, but Jungkook’s voice was sharp with worry. “Did Yoongi do something?” he asked seriously. “Because if we need to kick his ass—”

“He didn’t do anything, Jungkook. That’s the problem! He’s perfect!”

Taehyung poked his head out from the kitchen, looking stressed. “We’re out of almond milk,” he announced like it was a life-or-death issue. “So please, Jimin, have mercy on us!”

Jimin let out a weak, humorless chuckle. “Just come here,” he said, waving him over. “I don’t want coffee. I feel awful.”

“Then what happened?” Jungkook asked, still trying to piece it together. “You two seemed happy. You just said he was perfect.”

“We were happy. And he is perfect. And I have no idea what to do about it,” Jimin admitted, his voice cracking with frustration. “He doesn’t even know I left. He probably thinks I’m a complete asshole by now.”

Taehyung and Jungkook exchanged another glance. Stepping forward, Taehyung crouched in front of the couch, taking control of the conversation. “Okay. First things first. Calm down and just… tell us everything from the start. You were with Yoongi hyung, right? So walk us through it. Slowly.”

Jimin looked like he wanted to crawl out of his skin. But he still took a deep breath and began, “It was… our seventh date.”

The fact that he counted—that he kept track of every date past the third—would have been something to tease him about. But the two knew better. They stayed silent, knowing this was serious.

“And it was perfect,” Jimin continued, his voice soft and pained. “He invited me over. He cooked for me himself. He even bought my favorite wine. He—he watched The Notebook with me even though he hates it. And he was perfect. Every second of it.”

Jungkook reached over, squeezing his best friend’s hand.

“Then… we kissed,” Jimin admitted, his voice tight with emotion. “Since Jeju, we hadn’t—well, we hadn’t done anything. But this time… I didn’t stop him. He made sure I wanted it. And it was…” He bit his lip, as if ashamed. “It was perfect, too.”

“Oh my God,” Taehyung whispered in horror. “You left him after sex, didn’t you?”

Jimin’s silence was answer enough.

“I panicked, okay?” he burst out defensively. “I—I felt too much all at once!”

Somehow, he didn’t believe they would understand.

Jungkook’s voice was cautious. “Does he even know you left?”

Jimin’s face twisted with guilt. “He was still asleep when I left. I—I told him I’d make breakfast for us in the morning, but then—” His voice cracked into a near-whimper. “I couldn’t stop my thoughts, and I—God, I ruin everything.”

“Even though I truly feel sorry for Yoongi hyung right now, you also need to be understood,” Taehyung whispered, his tone unexpectedly calm and understanding. “I know he’ll be upset when he wakes up and doesn’t see you, but if you’re confused, it’s better for you to step away.”

Jimin blinked, looking at Taehyung, who only shrugged.

“You’ve never had a relationship like this before. So, try talking and understanding yourself, Jimin.”

“I… I’m trying to understand myself, but it just makes me act more foolish. I fired my assistant last week.”

“That’s not new information,” Jungkook pointed out. “You usually fire them.”

“Because they’re incompetent or make a major mistake, Jungkook!” Jimin yelled, guilt sharp in his voice. “She was just smiling while handing Yoongi his coffee. That’s why—” He trailed off, grabbing the nearest pillow and pressing it against his face.

He couldn’t bear to see the shock on his friends’ faces.

“You fired your assistant because you were jealous of Yoongi?” Jungkook repeated, as if he needed to hear it out loud to believe it. Then, suddenly shifting in his seat, he leaned toward Jimin. “Oh my god, this is worse than I thought. When’s the wedding? Have you picked a venue, or—”

Jimin slammed the pillow into Jungkook’s face.

“Stop being an idiot. This is serious. Falling for someone this quickly is ridiculous.”

“Oh, so you already know it’s love.” Taehyung sighed, as if he was relieved to skip the part where he’d have to convince him. “At least we don’t have to explain that to you.”

“Of course I know it’s love! I feel sick when I see Yoongi.”

“So…” Jungkook shot him a cautious look. “Even if it’s not the best wording… I’m guessing you mean you have butterflies in your stomach?”

“Same thing. I want to throw up because I get nervous. When he came to the office and kissed my cheek, I felt like I was going to disappear. This isn’t me. What’s happening to me?”

“To be honest, the Park Jimin I know would’ve knocked out any alpha who kissed him in the office.”

“He’s my boyfriend! I can’t knock him out.”

“I think that’s the problem.” Jungkook, pursing his lips like it was something obvious, spoke up again. “You’ve hated alphas for so long that feeling something for one is throwing you off. Plus, like Tae said, this is your first relationship.” He raised his brows exaggeratedly. “You’re almost thirty.”

“Maybe…” Jimin bit his cheek uncertainly. “I don’t want to be like this. Yoongi hyung doesn’t deserve it.”

“You’re right. He doesn’t. But remember, a relationship is a two-way street, Jimin. You should share this with him. If you’re not comfortable in public or at work, you don’t have to push yourself just to make him happy.”

“But—”

“But I’m right,” Taehyung cut in firmly. “This doesn’t have to be forever. You can find a balance that works for both of you until you’re comfortable.”

“We’re already doing that. That day, he noticed I wasn’t comfortable because I was tense. We usually only meet at home, anyway. That’s why—” Jimin curled into himself with a muffled groan, frustration pouring out of him. “It’s not fair! He always holds back for me. I don’t want that.”

“Then talk to him,” Jungkook tugged at his arm. “I doubt Yoongi hyung minds holding back for you. But if it’s bothering you this much, you should be honest. Communication is everything, Jimin.”

“I don’t want to fight.”

“Then you don’t want a relationship.” Taehyung delivered the hard truth without hesitation. “You can’t have a real relationship without arguments. I’m not saying fights should be loud or violent, but sometimes you need to point out truths to each other and figure out what you want.”

“You two never argue,” Jimin sniffled.

That made both his friends burst into laughter. “We argue all the time. Over the dumbest things.”

“Jungkook gave me a full-on serious talk once because I wore his favorite socks to bed.” It sounded absurd, but Tae was completely serious. That made Jimin pause, equally serious. “If it matters to you, even a pair of socks is worth a conversation, Jimin. I’m sure your partner will understand that, too.”

Jungkook didn’t comment, but he looked like he’d been reminded of something significant.

Jimin looked between his friends and took a deep breath.

He could do this.

With someone as precious as Yoongi—someone who was already showing his love—how could he risk losing him?

He had to do something. He had to take a step forward.

Taking another breath, he glanced at them and muttered, “Do you guys have any ingredients for baking?”

- - -

Jimin’s mind flashed back to his phone from a few minutes ago—the missed calls, the unread messages.

A small wave of anxiety rose in his chest. Yoongi was worried, and he’d be even more worried from the silence. Every minute Jimin didn’t answer would only add to his concern.

Swallowing the lump in his throat, Jimin pressed the doorbell, his lips nervously dampened.

Yoongi lived in a high-rise in one of the best parts of the city. The entire floor was his, and Jimin knew this doorway well by now.

The door opened in seconds—too fast for anything else.

Yoongi stood there, phone still pressed to his ear.

His surprise was unmistakable. His lips parted in shock, his eyes widening briefly before he reacted without thinking—grabbing Jimin’s arm and pulling him into his chest.

Jimin didn’t need to guess that Yoongi had been calling him since waking up.

It was obvious from the sight before him—Yoongi, standing there in nothing but a pair of simple shorts. His hair a mess. Clearly, no shower taken.

“Jimin,” he gasped, slightly breathless. “Where were you? I—” He paused, swallowing hard as he pulled back just enough to search Jimin’s face. “I’m sorry. Did I do something? You weren’t there, and you weren’t answering—”

Jimin couldn’t hold back any longer.

Not from those anxious eyes. Not from that trembling voice.

His hand shot up, fingers curling behind Yoongi’s neck, pulling him down. Their lips crashed together—brief, firm, and real.

Jimin pulled back and opened his eyes slowly, smiling at him. “I’m the one who should apologize, so hush,” he said. Then, he lifted the cardboard box in his hand to show him. “I have a surprise for you.”

Leaving Yoongi by the still-open door, he turned around and moved comfortably in the space he knew so well. After placing the box on the counter, he took out a container and turned back to his boyfriend with a smile.

By then, Yoongi had closed the door and was walking toward him. On the way, he grabbed his t-shirt, which had been tossed over a barstool by the kitchen island. Pulling it on, he tried to figure out what was inside the container.

“Cake?” he asked finally. “Is this what you went out for?”

“Actually,” Jimin explained, “I made it. For you.”

“Oh.” Yoongi exhaled, more surprised this time, as he stepped closer. Opening the container to get a full look at the cake, it was clear he was still trying to piece everything together. “Thank you, babe. But… did you go home to make this? I don’t understand—”

It made sense. Jimin really couldn’t blame him. Still, instead of explaining right away, he said, “Let’s make breakfast first, okay?” Then, as if he’d just remembered, he added, “After you take a shower. We should’ve last night.”

This time, Yoongi gave him a once-over, only now seeming to notice what he was wearing. His brows furrowed more deeply when he realized Jimin was still in yesterday’s clothes. Barely a second after closing the cake container, he was tugging Jimin toward the bathroom. “I’ll get you a towel and some clean clothes. You can use whatever you want—”

Jimin didn’t wait. Quickly grabbing his wrist, he pulled him back a step toward the bathroom. “Aren’t you going to join me?”

Yoongi froze, searching his omega’s face as if to be certain. “You… want me to?”

And Jimin realized he had messed up. Disappearing after the night they shared had made Yoongi think something else entirely. That was obvious now. The omega shifted uncertainly, unsure what to do. If he had woken up alone in bed, unable to reach his alpha for hours, he would’ve been a wreck too.

His mind would have gone to the worst places.

So, his heart sinking, he lowered his head and murmured, “It’s okay if you don’t want to. I’ll be quick.” Then, he slipped into the bathroom and closed the door behind him. For a moment, he waited—half-expecting Yoongi to stop him, to protest and push the door open.

But no matter what, Yoongi wasn’t that kind of alpha. He’d see it as crossing a line. He’d assume Jimin had made his choice.

Jimin knew him well enough to know that much.

So, he hurried. Stripping quickly, he stepped under the spray, using Yoongi’s shampoo and body wash to scrub away the sweat and everything else left from the night before. And when he stepped out, he smelled even more like Yoongi than before.

That’s when he realized—

He hadn’t waited for the towel Yoongi said he’d bring.

Padding to the door on his toes, he silently prayed for patience. Finally, he cracked the door open just slightly and called out softly, “Hyung…” The cool air on his damp skin made him shiver.

Yoongi appeared quickly, a small, gentle smile tugging at his lips as he reached the door. Without needing Jimin to say anything more, he said, “Wait.”

A moment later, he handed him the towel he’d grabbed from his room. “The clothes are on my bed. But if you don’t feel comfortable in them, you can take anything from my closet.”

Jimin accepted the towel with a grateful nod. “Thank you,” he said softly, watching Yoongi retreat with that same quiet care before disappearing back toward the kitchen.

Jimin dried off and left the bathroom wrapped in the towel. Entering Yoongi’s room, he closed the door behind him. On the bed, he found a neatly folded pair of underwear—still in its packaging. His heart warmed at the thoughtfulness, and as he opened it, he heard the distant sound of water—Yoongi, now in the shower.

The clothes Yoongi had chosen for him were perfect—a soft pair of sweatpants and a cozy sweatshirt. They smelled just like Yoongi, and for his omega instincts, it was bliss.

The feeling of being wrapped in his alpha’s scent filled him with a deep, unexpected satisfaction. It was new for Jimin—this warmth.

He had made nests a few times before—mostly during moments of frustration—and those moments had brought comfort.

But now… now, he couldn’t stop his mind from drifting to the idea of nesting with something that smelled like his alpha.

With a quick shake of his head, he pushed the thought aside. There were other things to focus on right now.

In the kitchen, he started making breakfast. Behind him, the sound of the bathroom door opening signaled that Yoongi was done.

Jimin was focused on cracking eggs when Yoongi appeared beside him, dressed in a sweatshirt and sweats almost identical to his. His hair was still damp, and tension lingered in his posture.

Jimin frowned lightly. “Dry your hair. You’ll catch a cold,” he chided softly, returning to his cooking without fuss.

To his relief, Yoongi listened. When he returned, his hair looked towel-dried—though not perfect. He had, however, brought a second towel.

He held it out to Jimin. “You’re no different. Dry yours.”

Jimin’s lips twitched in a small smile. Turning toward him with a playful innocence, he said, “Can you do it for me? My hands are messy.”

Yoongi paused. His eyes, darkening with something unmistakable, lingered on him. And just as clearly as Jimin felt the heat curling under his own skin, he could tell Yoongi felt the same.

The alpha made no effort to hide his pheromones as he stepped closer, gently guiding Jimin away from the stove. He led him just out of the kitchen’s threshold, where, with slow and careful hands, he began drying Jimin’s hair.

Jimin hummed, a soft, contented sound escaping him. Yoongi was slow, gentle. His touch careful and warm. And though Jimin wished the moment could last forever, it was over too soon.

With a final brush of the towel, Yoongi pulled back and turned for the hallway.

Jimin sighed and returned to the stove.

As always, they worked in quiet harmony. Between them, breakfast came together quickly.

Yoongi placed Jimin’s almond milk coffee in front of him before settling into the seat across the table.

They began eating.

And tried to ignore the silence.

But it was difficult. This wasn’t their usual, soft, companionable quiet.

There was something else here.

Once, Jimin wouldn’t have known the difference. But now he did. Now, he could hear it—how even silence could speak.

He lifted his gaze. “It was my first time making a cake,” he offered, unsure how else to bridge the gap. It meant nothing, but Yoongi’s attention shifted to him all the same. “I’m sure it’s not as good as yours, but I wanted to try.”

Yoongi’s sigh was slow, weary, as he set down his chopsticks. “I know it’ll be perfect. Just because you made it.” His voice was soft, but his brows furrowed as he added, “But I still don’t understand why you had to leave to make it.”

“I know,” Jimin said quietly, regret clear in his voice. “I’m sorry. I just… there’s something I wanted to talk to you about.”

Yoongi froze. Just from watching his reaction, Jimin could tell his thoughts were spiraling into an ugly whirlpool. So, he quickly reached across the counter, taking Yoongi’s hand and looking at him seriously. “This isn’t a breakup talk, hyung.”

“If I did something wrong—”

“Stop saying that, okay? You didn’t do anything wrong. On the contrary, you’re perfect.” Jimin closed his eyes, giving himself a moment. “I hate alphas, but you’re different to me. So, even if you make a mistake, it won’t make me walk away.”

“But—” Yoongi started, but before he could finish, Jimin pressed the jam-covered bread he had prepared for him against his mouth.

“Just finish your breakfast. We’ll talk afterward.”

The alpha seemed like he wanted to protest. Still, he calmly chewed the bread and nodded.

They hurried a little to finish breakfast, clearing the table as swiftly as they had set it. Before long, they were sitting in front of the turned-off TV with the cake Jimin had made.

Jimin didn’t feel like eating, but he gestured to Yoongi. “Be honest.”

It felt like some kind of metaphor. Still, Yoongi took a bite of the cake. After taking his time to savor it, he said, “It’s really good. Perfect for a first try.”

Jimin chose to believe him. As a shy smile spread across his lips, he lowered his head.

“Then… can we talk a bit?”

“I’ve been waiting for this with all my patience.” Yoongi shifted in his seat, settling in again. “I’m worried something’s wrong.”

“I hate myself for making you worry.” Jimin sighed, setting his plate on the coffee table and turning sideways on the couch. “But… I don’t even know how to say this.”

Yoongi didn’t know what it was, but he nodded in understanding. “Do you want to start by telling me why you left this morning?”

Jimin smiled. “I panicked a little. Everything felt like too much, so…” he paused.

“So, you had to make a cake?”

“I went to Tae and Kook’s place.” A brief silence fell. It was obvious Yoongi hadn’t expected that answer, which made Jimin chuckle. “Well, they’re the ones responsible for this, after all.”

“Ah, you’re right.” Yoongi tried to laugh along. “But… you know you could’ve come to me, right?”

Jimin understood what he was asking. He didn’t have to go to their place. Wherever he was, he could’ve gone to Yoongi. He was lying right next to him—he could’ve just woken him up.

“I know. But sometimes, I panic a little. And when that happens, I don’t really know what to do.” Jimin tried to explain. “Also… I didn’t want to scare you.”

“No matter what, I respect you, Jimin. Truly.” Yoongi sighed, resting his plate against his thigh. “If we’re going too fast, you can tell me. If all of this feels like too much—”

“Everything’s perfect, hyung. That’s not the problem.” Jimin averted his gaze. “Honestly, I thought you’d be scared because of how I feel.” As if that were an answer, he pressed his hand to his chest, clutching the fabric of Yoongi’s sweatshirt. “Because… it scares me, too.”

Yoongi looked at his hand and what it implied. As his emotions shifted piece by piece, the worried look in his eyes seemed to soften into understanding.

“I don’t really know how to explain this, but… you make me feel different.” Jimin tried his best to put it into words. “Until you showed up at the company last week, I wasn’t so aware of it. But that day… something hit me in the face.”

“You seemed uncomfortable, so I thought you didn’t like me being there.”

“I was uncomfortable, but… I liked you being there. A lot.” Jimin turned his head, shy. “I’m just… not used to all of this. And when I react, I panic. Being with an alpha—especially one from this world—was never an option for me.”

“Same. I never expected to fall for an omega from this world either.”

They both laughed.

“I didn’t grow up under the best conditions. You know that, at least a little.” They had talked about it on Jeju, and it had come up a few times during their later dates too. So, Yoongi offered him a soft, understanding hum. “I was pushed around so much for being an omega that… I felt like I had to appear stronger than I really was.”

“You are strong.”

“Try telling that to those idiot alphas.” There was a bitter smile on his lips. “That’s why I promised myself I’d never looklike I needed an alpha in their eyes.”

“Jimin… you don’t need me. We—”

“Hyung, I know.” Jimin cut him off, as if he couldn’t bear it. “This isn’t about you. It’s about me. You’re doing everything right. Don’t blame yourself.”

Silence fell briefly. Then, Yoongi set his plate down next to Jimin’s and reached for his hand. He shifted closer, looking directly into his eyes. Jimin looked like he was on the verge of tears.

“You never made me feel lacking. On the contrary, when I’m with you, I feel good. I feel worthy. But when you showed up at the company… it felt like someone was going to see us and make fun of me for being with an alpha. Like—like they’d look at me and say I didn’t belong there anymore. It’s stupid! I know it’s so stupid, but—”

“Baby,” Yoongi cupped his chin, tilting his face up. He leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to his forehead before pulling back with a gentle smile. “It’s not stupid. And it’s never going to happen.”

“Still… it’s not easy to get past.” Jimin’s voice was fragile. “Back in Jeju, when you called me an alpha-hater, I laughed. I didn’t realize back then how deep that hatred ran. And it feels wrong. It’s not fair to feel this way just because of the alphas in the business world.”

“And the fact that you’re facing those feelings head-on and telling right from wrong? That’s exactly why I’m proud of you.” Yoongi’s voice was steady, warm. “I’m here, okay? We have all the time in the world. We can go step by step.”

Jimin’s shoulders dropped. He leaned his face into Yoongi’s hand, closing his eyes as his own hand covered Yoongi’s.

“I’m being unfair to you. We’ve been dating for weeks, but we haven’t met anywhere outside of my place. Because of my stupid issues—”

Yoongi leaned in fully this time, pressing a soft kiss to his nose. “If you call your issues stupid one more time, you’ll face the consequences, Mr. Park.” His tone was playful but firm. “So now… pause for a second. And clear your mind.”

It didn’t fully work, but Jimin really did pause and take a breath. When he opened his eyes again and saw his boyfriend right in front of him, he smiled softly. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, his voice genuinely heartfelt. “For everything. And for leaving this morning. If I were you, I’d have lost my mind.”

Yoongi paused. After a brief moment, as if debating what to say, he mumbled, “I thought I messed up. It felt bad when I couldn’t reach you, so… even if I’ve done something stupid, just pick up and tell me, okay? If I know what I did wrong, I can fix it.”

“But you didn’t even do anything!”

“Still, pick up, Jimin. No matter what. Even if you’re the one in the wrong, pick up. As long as we don’t cut off communication, there won’t be anything we can’t solve.”

Jimin nodded in understanding, clearly agreeing with him. Finally, he shifted slightly in his oversized sweatshirt and chuckled. “Next time, I’ll handle things properly,” he said. “And even if I can’t manage it alone, you’re here.”

“Good. You’re a good student.” Yoongi teased, pulling back with a little laugh.

Jimin raised his eyebrows when he noticed Yoongi getting up from the couch. “Where are you going?”

“Wait here.”

Yoongi disappeared down the hallway, ducking into his room for a second before returning. One hand was behind his back, and the other nervously rubbed his nape.

Jimin arched a brow. “What?” he asked, puzzled. “What is it?”

“I…” Yoongi suddenly looked shy, as if he hadn’t just given all that wise advice moments ago. His cheeks flushed slightly as he shifted his gaze away from Jimin’s. “There’s… something I want to give you. But—you don’t have to accept it if you don’t want to!”

Jimin stirred at that, sitting up straighter. Realization crept in, and with it, his pulse quickened. He felt like he might throw up—which, according to Jungkook, was the classic ‘butterflies in your stomach’ feeling.

Swallowing, he nodded quickly. His fingertips suddenly felt icy, but he stayed silent.

Yoongi, hesitant, brought out a clumsily wrapped gift from behind his back and held it out.

Jimin knew immediately that Yoongi had wrapped it himself.

The paper was covered in tiny yellow ducklings—cartoonish and far cuter than they had any right to be.

Jimin bit his lower lip, glancing at his still-tense boyfriend. He looked like he’d die of nerves if Jimin even thought about rejecting the gift. “This…” he started, his throat dry, afraid to misread the situation. “Is it… what I think it is?”

Yoongi gave him the most nervous smile in existence. “I’d be really happy if you accepted it. But, like I said—you don’t have to.”

So it really was a courting gift.

Jimin fought the urge to roll his eyes and hopped to his feet instead. “Of course I’m accepting it, hyung!” he whined, flinging his arms around Yoongi’s neck. “I love it already!”

Yoongi’s breath hitched, his arm automatically winding around Jimin’s waist. “You haven’t even opened it,” he pointed out softly.

Jimin pulled back with a giggle, brushing a gentle kiss against Yoongi’s lips. “I know,” he said. “But you’re the one giving it to me. So, I already know I’ll love it.”

Yoongi flushed even harder, and Jimin’s cheeks joined him in solidarity. With care, Jimin opened the package—so careful that not a single tear marred the wrapping.

Nestled inside was a tiny photo album—smaller than a standard photo frame. Baby blue in color, it had Park Jiminprinted neatly in the corner.

“This…” Jimin murmured, flipping it open with a furrowed brow. He knew Yoongi loved taking photos, but— He paused when he found the first polaroid tucked inside. His eyebrows shot up. “Hyung—”

“You were so excited about these the other day,” Yoongi said softly. “You said you wished we could collect our memories with polaroids. So…”

“But how—?”

“It took some editing magic,” Yoongi admitted with a growing smile. “I did my best. But don’t worry. Your next gift is—well—an actual polaroid camera—”

“Hyung!” Jimin gasped, lightly smacking his shoulder. “You already got me another courting gift without even knowing if I’d accept the first one?!”

“Well… I was really hoping you would.” Yoongi’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “So, I, uh… made about ten more gifts. Just in case.”

Jimin’s mouth fell open in shock. He clearly hadn’t expected that. For a moment, he just stood there, clinging to the little album—then he threw his arms tightly around Yoongi’s shoulders.

His heart squeezed painfully. What had he ever done to deserve someone like Yoongi?

When he finally pulled back, his eyes were brimming with tears. “Thank you. This means… everything,” he whispered, his voice thick. “Now, I have to get you a courting gift, too.”

And then he waited. The omega watched him closely, fully expecting Yoongi to say something cliché like, ‘Alphas don’t need courting gifts.’

But Yoongi didn’t.

Instead, he smiled and, with a soft tug, pulled Jimin back into his arms. “I love gifts,” he said warmly. “So, I’ll treasure every single one you give me.”

And that—

—that was when Jimin completely lost it. He burst into tears and surged forward, crashing their lips together in a deep, breathless kiss.

Their lips melded in a kiss so raw and full of feeling that it left them breathless.

Min Yoongi meant so much to him.

Most of all—

—his name was steadily rewriting itself into the definition of love.

- - -

“Jimin?”

Yoongi was saying something to his assistant as he stepped out of the meeting room. Then, his eyes fell on the figure leaning against the opposite wall, arms crossed in front of his chest.

His omega was waiting there.

His eyebrows lifted in surprise. With a small gesture, he signaled his assistant to wait, ignoring the other alphas exiting the room as he moved toward Jimin. It was obvious he hadn’t expected to find him here.

“Baby—” He stopped. Glancing around nervously, worried he might say something wrong, he corrected himself, “Jimin. What are you doing here? I thought you were at the company.”

Jimin shrugged. Without caring about anyone around, he leaned in, kissed Yoongi on the cheek, and stayed close. “I finished my work early, so I thought I could come and see you.”

Then, his omega surprised him even more. Wrapping his arms around Yoongi’s waist, he shrugged again. “If you have time, will you treat me to a coffee?”

“I… of course…” It was clear Yoongi was trying to recover from the shock, but more than that, everyone around them was struggling to do the same. Many knew who Jimin was and what kind of omega he was. So, this scene was a big deal to all of them. “Let’s go to my office.”

Jimin nodded. As he pulled back and took Yoongi’s hand, he said, “Actually, I wanted to try the new café that opened on the corner. But if you don’t have enough time, we can stay here and have one.”

Yoongi paused. For a moment, he searched Jimin’s eyes as if trying to understand whether he was serious. But there was something unwavering in his omega’s gaze.

It had been about two weeks since their serious conversation. Yoongi had given him many more courting gifts since then. But they had kept all of it within the safety of their home. They hadn’t spent much time outside together yet.

Yoongi tilted his head with a strange expression. “You’re not doing this for me, are you?” His tone was serious. “I won’t enjoy being outside unless you’re comfortable.”

Jimin gave him a perfect smile. “I know,” he said. “But I really want to go to that café with you. I don’t care what anyone thinks.” Then, he leaned in closer, his lips brushing Yoongi’s ear as he whispered, “Besides, I have a courting gift for you.”

Yoongi laughed, his chuckle shaking his shoulders. Pulling Jimin close by the waist, he murmured in their little embrace, “Now I’m excited already.”

Then the alpha turned to his assistant, instructing them to clear the rest of his schedule. Jimin tried to protest, but Yoongi didn’t listen. He simply grabbed what he needed from his office and walked through the company hallway holding his omega’s hand.

They left the building laughing and joking together. And when Jimin insisted that they should walk, claiming the café was truly close, Yoongi didn’t have the heart to refuse him.

When they finally sat at the café, everything else around them felt meaningless. Jimin felt, for the first time, truly alive.

He felt himself breathing. He felt happy.

That’s why it was impossible to hold back those three words from his lips.

“I love you.”

It was sudden. Maybe unexpected. And perhaps not the most perfect place. But Yoongi didn’t care at all.

With the ease of something natural—like waking up and washing his face in the morning—he smiled and said, “I love you too.”

The confession was new, and it felt perfect. But it also felt like something they had been silently confessing to each other for a long time.

So, it didn’t create shock.

Jimin handed Yoongi the gift he had carefully wrapped himself. Yoongi already had a gift of his own.

He always did.

And then, they continued their life together.

They stood by each other through hard times and blended their joys on happy days.

Jimin realized that life was more beautiful, and somehow easier, this way.

Yes, he hated most alphas.

But he was still deeply grateful for Yoongi’s presence.

So much.