Chapter Text
Jeongguk knew that there was no way that he could ignore Jimin now that the elder has it on his mind to meet up with the young wolf. If he was honest, he should have expected this a while ago. The fact that Jimin gave him this long only meant that he did it out of courtesy for Jeongguk and their friendship.
That doesn’t mean that Jeongguk is any less terrified of confronting the man who was his best friend since he’d learnt how to toddle around. Of course that realization makes Jeongguk reevaluate everything from a new angle.
Isn’t it better that he and Jimin are at this awkward impasse? Maybe this is the exact push the elder needs to finally tell Jeongguk that he doesn’t want a snot nosed kid following him around anymore. Not that Jeongguk is literally snot nosed or anything, but in his head, he sees himself as this small child.
He has this permanent image of himself holding his favourite plushy Cooky as followed the alpha around with bright eyes, attempting to do everything that he would do. If Jimin was doing it, then Jeongguk had to do it too. Just like the laws of physics, this always held true. They had a saying back at the pack Jeongguk see, Jeongguk do it was just something that everyone knew. The young beta was always a curious thing, even more so when the subject of his curiosity was his Jimin hyung.
Which is why you see why he thinks that maybe this is a breakup? He scoffs at the thought two seconds after thinking it. It’s not a breakup even, they’re not together like that. He sighs.
No one ever tells you that the end of a friendship is as tragic as the end of a romantic relationship. The intensity of the hurt is somehow magnified when it’s the end of a friendship rather than a relationship. Maybe it’s because we never expect friendships that span longer than a few years to end all of a sudden. It creeps up silently and without any sort of warning; almost like a silent hurricane trekking its way through a city, taking with it everything that is prone to destruction. That hurricane may not be visible from the start but it will come slowly over time and demolish everything that ever stood tall enough to challenge the force of nature.
Jeongguk tells himself that he needs to set up his bunker (read: his nest) before he can go out there and brave the few moments of tranquillity before the hurricane that is bound to sweep through him. It’s at this moment that he thinks he understands why it is that hurricanes are named after people. People are just as volatile as a bunch of strong winds that band together in a vortex.
“You’re overthinking it,” one of Jeongguk’s new friends, Jisung, says as he steals another fry off of the slightly older beta’s plate. His boyfriend, an older omega, was scrolling through his phone, yet if Jeongguk knows anything, he’s still very intently listening. “He just asked you to talk, it’s not like he said, ‘I’m ending my friendship with you and I’m coming over to collect my things.’ You know? Talks don’t have to be bad things, who said they had to be?” There was reason in Jisung’s words, but the pit of dread and anxiety that had settled in Jeongguk’s gut far exceeded any rationality.
“Jisung-ah, you can’t just reprimand someone for the same things that you do.” The omega says with the patience of someone who is accustomed to how Han Jisung thinks and acts. He puts his phone down to fondly stare at the young beta who is pouting at him. “You know that if someone told you they want to talk, that you’d be sick to your stomach and exhaust your brain with all the possible things that could go wrong.
“I know that you’re just trying to be supportive, but I think Jeongguk needs you to soothe his nerves, not brush off how he feels.” And that is Lee Minho for you. With carefully crafted words, he reels his boyfriend in. It was something that Jeongguk admired about their dynamic, there was no patronizing from Minho’s side. Just endless patience for his boyfriend who sometimes might say something that he shouldn’t, since sometimes he speaks without really paying attention to the words coming out of his mouth.
“Ah,” Jisung blushes faintly, embarrassed laughter spilling from his lips. “I’m sorry. I was trying to reassure you but I think it came out wrong.” Jeongguk grins and just reaches over to ruffle Jisung’s hair.
“It’s okay Hanji.” Jeongguk assures him. The younger nods, and rests his head against his boyfriend who wraps his arm around the youngest of the group.
“So, did you reply to him yet?” Jeongguk shakes his head with a sigh.
“I don’t even know what to reply. I’m busy with class most of the day, which is why Jimin isn’t blowing up my phone right now…but afterwards I know that he will because I don’t have anything.” Minho offers him a sympathetic smile.
“I think it’s best you give him a time instead of him randomly accosting you somewhere out of the blue.” Minho suggests.
“You’re right…especially if he comes around after classes today. I have that dinner with my roommate’s boyfriend and his family.”
“Oh wow, is that like an initiation into their relationship? They must have taken severe pity in you.” Jeongguk throws a fry at the laughing Jisung who burrows himself against his boyfriend.
“Like you’re any better? Weren’t you the one who asked if I wanted to join your relationship?” Jeongguk challenges. Jisung sputters, looking between the other beta and his boyfriend who only smirks into his drink.
“You’re all haters!” He huffs, crossing his arms, making Minho and Jeongguk laugh.
Maybe there was something good to come out of whatever kind of falling out he and Jimin had.
– º•º –
Today 16:21 | Me
Just finished classes.
Don’t think I can talk today, going out with some friends.
The replies came almost instantly. Jeongguk can’t say that he’s surprised. Jimin always has his phone on him, so it’s more common for him to reply within seconds rather than wait to reply or just forget. Jeongguk contemplates if he should or shouldn’t reply. He shakes his head and decides that it’s better to just get it over with than let it simmer for however long.
Today 16:21 | Mimi Hyung
No problem.
I was actually just about to text you. Taehyung made plans without telling me prior.
We will talk properly tomorrow though. I miss you and I hate this distance between us.
Something about the exchange makes Jeongguk’s stomach twist pleasantly. Jimin misses him too. It isn’t just one sided. That makes the younger hopeful that his relationship with his hyung isn’t ruined.
Today 16:34 | Me
missed you too
we can talk tomorrow, promise, i have the day off
Today 16:35 | Mimi Hyung
I know, you sent me your schedule, remember?
Today 16:37 | Me
yh, ig i just
it slipped my mind
Today 16:37 | Mimi Hyung
XD
I won’t keep you long, go and get ready to go out. I should get ready too.
And Ggukkie? I love you.
Jeongguk’s breath hitches as he reads that last line over and over again. He loves him. Jimin loves him.
Obviously he does his best not to get too delusional cause in his case, his beloved Mimi Hyung probably means that he loves him like a little brother. It doesn’t matter to Jeongguk though, he will gladly take any form of his hyung’s love.
Today 16:46 | Me
love you to hyung <3.
– º•º –
The fond smile on his face doesn’t slip off his face at any point. He gets ready with a dopey grin on his face, dressing up in a nice plain blue button up tucked into black jeans. Hie hair was brushed back, revealing his shaved sides. His piercings glinted in the light, casting light, sparkling.
A low whistle is the first thing Jeongguk hears when he walks out to the living room. Hoseok is staring at him, eyes roving over his body. The beta flushes a rosy pink, slightly curling in on himself.
“Stoop!” Jeongguk whines. He wants to hide his face behind his hands, but he resists because it would just make him look more like this kid that Hoseok thinks he is.
“Hoseokie is right, you look really good, Jeongguk-ah. I think this is the first time I’ve seen you in something other than sweats and a hoodie.” The other male in the room teases. Jeongguk’s eyes pivot to Namjoon who is clad in a purple turtleneck and black dress pants. Honestly, if Jeongguk wasn’t already entirely in love with Jimin and Taehyung (okay well maybe not love yet) he’s sure that he’d be crushing on Namjoon big time.
“I think hyung needs to pay attention to his boyfriend.” Jeongguk’s eyes rove over the built man. It always caused a lot of confusion to people who knew that Hoseok’s boyfriend was an omega, but then Namjoon showed up. Namjoon with his bulging muscles that are barely constrained by the turtleneck he’s wearing and thighs that give even Jeongguk envy.
“Yah, stop undressing my boyfriend.” Hoseok chides teasingly. Jeongguk looks over at his roommate and lets his eyes rove over the grunge outfit that the elder wore. It was simple, a white tee under a leather half sleeved shirt, unbuttoned to show off the plain tee underneath, tucked into a pair of dark skinny jeans.
“You’re right, my eyes should have been on you instead. You look quite ravishing, hyung.” Jeongguk teases. The two men laugh and shake their heads.
“My brother said that he’ll pick us up on the way to the restaurant. Our cousin arrived there a little earlier than us. Him and his boyfriend.” Namjoon explains, cracking his neck as he speaks.
“He goes to our university you said, right?” Some part of Jeongguk was on edge, even though he knows that there’s no way that Taehyung and Jimin would show up at the restaurant. Yet some part of him was paranoid, needing confirmation that Namjoon’s cousin wasn’t Kim Taehyung.
It was absurd, he knows. There are so many people with the surname Kim, even the guy sitting next to him in his theory class was a Kim. Kim Yugyeom to be specific. So why Jeongguk was so nervous, he doesn’t know.
“Yeah, he’s also an art history major. Unlike me though, he isn’t doing a double major in English. I think he actually might be doing a double major in his boyfriend’s degree, Business Management.” A part of Jeongguk was soothed at this knowledge. Jimin was a criminology major and Taehyung…well he had no idea what Taehyung was in, but it didn’t matter. There was no way that the cousin was Taehyung.
“I feel like it isn’t Business Management Joonie…” Hoseok frowns, but doesn’t broach the subject further. Whatever nerves had taken hold of Jeongguk earlier were no longer found. He knew that he was in the clear and that he would not be seeing Jimin or Taehyung tonight.
He is upset with himself, avoiding his best friend like it’s his fault that Jeongguk realized he fell in love with him and his boyfriend in the same month that he stayed with them. But he also had to put himself first as well. He couldn’t keep relying on Jimin when it was obvious that he won’t always be there when Jeongguk will need him. Not because Jeongguk is too proud to ask for his help or for him to stand with him; no. It’s because Jeongguk feels like a lot of his problems in the foreseeable future will be about Jimin and subsequently Taehyung. Already he’s developing home sickness from being away from Jimin despite knowing that the elder was within reach.
Jeongguk wasn’t ready to confront them yet; and he would rather not encounter them before he has to. He knows that he will see Jimin tomorrow and most likely he will bring Taehyung along with him. So yeah, he would rather wait to deal with it all tomorrow when he has more mental capacity.
“We can ask at dinner, right now, I’m ready to make your pockets hurt at this restaurant!” Jeongguk giggles, earning equally fond looks from his hyungs. The pure adoration on their faces had his cheeks heating up and had a smile blossoming on his lips. So that’s what it’s like to have someone be fiercely adoring of you.
Jeongguk thinks that even if it’s on a platonic level, he would like to continue garnering those kinds of looks.
– º•º –
Jeongguk would like the records to show that he did not manifest this to happen. He did not manifest sitting across a very attractive Taehyung and Jimin who look just as shocked to see him there. The beta had avoided all eye contact with the alphas, thinking that if he didn’t acknowledge them, that they could not accost him.
“So,” Seokjin, Namjoon’s older brother, starts, when everyone is seated, “We didn’t really have a reason to call a dinner, but we did anyway because that is the Kim fashion. I just wanted an excuse to eat good food and see my baby brother and our baby cousin.” The eldest grins, lips poised on his glass as soon as the words are out of his mouth.
Jeongguk’s mouth is frozen as well as he stares ahead into the captivating grayish azure eyes of his best friend. It’s a startling realization for Jeongguk to make. How many times had he looked at Jimin’s eyes and seen warm mocha laced with threads of gold weaving between the spaces? Since when were those eyes he knew so intimately, drenched in desolation? The hold that Jimin had on him was unwavering, steady in its intensity, searing through Jeongguk’s core and picking apart the essence of Jeongguk’s being, reading the darkest corners of his mind.
Some foolish part of him made a plea to Jimin to not dig into anything that pertains to Jeongguk’s crush on Jimin and Taehyung. The corners of Jimin’s lips quirk up and he looks back down at the table. The curling of Jimin’s lips had Jeongguk’s heart racing, pumping blood faster, the rush of it all dizzying. It was his smile for when he got exactly what he wanted.
“Jeongguk?” The beta startles and looks at Hoseok who was looking at him with concern. “You okay? You spaced out on us there.” Jeongguk’s cheeks bloom a pretty pink as he shrinks under the gazes on him.
“Ah, I’m so sorry. I’m a little tired is all.” Seokjin’s partner, Yoongi nods appreciatively, holding up his glass of wine as if he was toasting the youngest of the group.
“That’s fine. We’re all a little tired with the way that things are going. A relentless train you know?” Yoongi chuckles as he sip his drink. Everyone laughs with him. “So, what is it that you’re studying?”
Jeongguk beams, suddenly excited to talk about his major. “I’m an English literature major! It’s not something as prestigious as say criminology or business, but it does teach skills that can be applicable to other areas of life.” Namjoon and Hoseok flash fond looks at him, the kind that makes Jeongguk warm to the core.
What he failed to notice was the way that Jimin and Taehyung gave him similar looks, the gentle upturn of lips and soft eyes that stare at the young Beta.
To be fair though, after that initial round of eye contact, Jeongguk makes it a point to not maintain eye contact with the two alphas. Which was a hard feat considering how the two were constantly trying to rope him into conversation.
“Jimin and Jeongguk are actually really well acquainted,” Taehyung says after their appetizers were cleared from the table. The beta in question, dropped his head, looking down at the table, staring at the delicate way that the designs were embroidered onto the cloth.
“Is that so?” It’s the voice of Hoseok that replies. There’s no malice in the voice, just a genuine hint of curiosity. He supposes that it’s warranted given how Jeongguk hasn’t really acknowledged Jimin since he came to the restaurant. Anyone would wonder why he didn’t say anything.
“He’s just shy. Probably didn’t want to draw attention to himself by only talking to Taehyung and I. After all, he is familiar with both of us; he stayed with us until he moved into his dorm.” Jeongguk really wanted Jimin to shut up. The more that the Alpha spoke, the more that people were looking at him curiously. He hates it more that he knows exactly what it is that the Alpha is going for.
When Jimin wants something, he gets it. But Jeongguk isn’t ready; he isn’t. No amount of Jimin trying to corner him to talk will get him to want to talk anytime besides the time that he designated for them. He knows that Jimin does what he does because when they were younger and even up until a few years ago, Jeongguk avoided any and all confrontation. He’d agree to talk and then skirt around it as long as possible until Jimin sat him down, telling him that they have to talk it out otherwise it will just fester.
////
Jeongguk was glad for it when he was in his developing years. Hell, even now, he’s thankful for it; but the difference is, now he knows that he needs to be able to put himself first too. He can’t keep adjusting his schedule to Jimin and jumping at the opportunity to talk to elder when he isn’t ready to talk about it himself. How could he be? He hasn’t had time to overthink every possible outcome that their conversation could have. He hasn’t exhausted every word combination that could come out of Jimin’s mouth.
Besides, that would only be half of the scenario, he also had to account for Taehyung which was much harder. Jeongguk doesn’t know Taehyung all that well. So he has a vast variety of combinations for his brain to play with and decide as being the perfect combination for tomorrow. He can’t just give up those moments of overthinking and tiring himself out. It’s his way of coming up with the worst possible scenario and preparing himself for the worst or to be pleasantly surprised.
In short, he hasn’t considered what he risks talking to Jimin and Taehyung and would rather have that conversation when he knows for sure what he’s putting on the line and what their worst reactions could be.
Jeongguk didn’t realize that everyone had gone silent and that he’d tensed up, overthinking and spacing out. His eyes were unblinking and brows furrowed as every thought that could possibly pass through his head in the moment, did. It was worrisome to everyone who didn’t know him but Jimin had seen the younger get lost in the labyrinth of his own thoughts before. He knew how to gently coax him out of it.
Wordlessly, Jimin is at Jeongguk’s side, carding through his hair, gently scratching every so often. One by one the thoughts dropped off, the anxiety melted away from his shoulders and the sounds around Jeongguk resumed playing in his ears. He blinks several times before looking around at everyone who was looking at him concerned.
////
“Are you okay?” Taehyung asks, taking out a square of milk chocolate and extending it to Jeongguk. The younger frowns adorably as he graciously accepts the chocolate, unwrapping it and letting it melt on his mouth, much like the anxiety from before.
“I think he had an anxiety attack.” Jimin offers quietly. The warmth of his hand seeping into Jeongguk’s bones made the youngest’s tongue loose and wordless. He felt his eyes getting heavy and just overall tired. He knew Jimin was right.
It was an anxiety attack. He hates that Jimin knows.
He hates it, because he knows that Jimin knows it’s because of them. The guilt is probably eating at Jimin.
“Hyung’s right…it was an attack. I’m so sorry for ruining your night. Please carry on without me. I don’t think I can be around people right now.” Jeongguk apologizes. Instantly five voices chorus that he has nothing to be apologetic for and that he should go rest.
– º•º –
“Would you like me to come with you?” Jimin asks.
He had walked Jeongguk out of the restaurant and into the cool breeze that was a melange of winter with the promise of spring around the corner. The breeze helped liven Jeongguk up a little, but definitely not enough to willingly be around a group of people he barely knew.
Right now, all his traitorous self wanted was Jimin. Jimin who was dressed in a green sweater under a stylish cashmere coat and a black scarf wrapped around his neck. The same Jimin who despite all the brands he was sporting, wore his Chelseas on his feet, his signature shoes that Jeongguk bought him before the elder had left for university.
Right now, this isn’t the Jimin that he has to shy away from. This is his best friend, the person that was there for him always. Yeah he wanted him to come with Jeongguk but––
“––only if you want to.” Jeongguk murmurs. Something about those words felt wrong and by the time Jeongguk figured out why, there was a third person outside with them.
“Of course I want to. I wouldn’t have offered otherwise,’ Jimin says coolly. If he was annoyed, his voice wouldn’t betray him.
“May I tag along as well? I can make you a very hearty hot cocoa that I’ve been told warms the soul.” Taehyung smiles.
Jeongguk should feel weird around him, especially after an anxiety attack, and yet here he is, heart feeling warmer and willing to have this third person come along. Although he shouldn’t be surprised, he’d come to terms with the fact that Taehyung just makes sense in their world. In the universe of Jimin and Jeongguk, Taehyung is a very obvious and fitting addition, one that was natural and never felt forced.
So it was no surprise that even before Jeongguk could recover from the effects of Taehyung’s blinding smile, he was nodding, more than ready to have Taehyung also come home with him and make that hot cocoa and hopefully––somehow––agree to be part of the cuddling that Jimin and Jeongguk will be doing in the Beta’s nest.
Normally nests were for omegas, but when it came to treating anxiety among wolves, doctors always recommend nesting as it emulates the warmth and care of a mother wolf and her nest where she raises the pups. So far, Jeongguk found that it was the most effective method in curbing his anxiety when it hit.
“I called a taxi a while ago, it should be here soon…so I need you to answer a very important question for me, okay?” Jimin asks, his voice timid, yet strong. A contradiction, just like every other aspect of the Alpha.
It didn’t matter what Jimin was going to ask, Jeongguk’s mind was screaming yes and at the moment, the Beta was too tired to fight himself on that.
– º•º –
Jeongguk wakes up the next morning in a tangle of blankets and limbs. The scents that surrounded him blended into one another, frolicking around the fabric, drenching every surface. Licorice and red wine wove themselves together and cocooned Jeongguk who burrowed himself further into the sheets, searching for more of that heavenly combination to invade his senses.
He’s awake, he knows he is. The twang in his bladder, alerting him to his bodily needs, his ears picking up on the hushed whispers around him; his senses were slowly catching up to what he knew, that he was waking up.
The beta strains his ears slightly, eager to catch the conversation taking place.
“You should tell him Jimin.” A rough voice that is apparently Taehyung’s is the first thing that Jeongguk hears. His heart rate spikes. That’s never a good thing to say.
“And what if we’re both wrong? Then what?” Jimin asks. His usually floaty voice a lot more gravelly. Accompanying his words was his hand, fingers combing through Jeongguk’s hair.
In that moment Jeongguk realizes that Jimin also suffers from anxiety and overthinking. Jeongguk had always been there, within reach when Jimin needed someone or something to occupy himself with. A pang of guilt resonates in his chest as he realizes how much Jimin had also been suffering.
“You didn’t see the way he looked at you when you asked him if he wanted you to stay with him. He got this twinkle back in his eyes Jimin. It’s like you held all the answers he had been searching for his whole life.” Jeongguk held his breath. He didn’t even realize he looked at Jimin like that. Obviously he knew he looked like some lovesick pup whenever he looked at the elder, but never did he think he was nauseating like his parents.
Jimin chuckles softly, a shy sound from the usually boisterous Alpha.
“Are you forgetting the way he blinked adorably at you like you were the sun that was blinding him? He was so cute. It was like he was already feeling the effects of your hot cocoa.” It’s silent for a few moments, enough for Jeongguk to discreetly regulate his breathing. But it proves futile because his breath is knocked out of him again several moments later.
“You better be right about him loving us too.”
– º•º –
When Jeongguk had actually gotten up, the flutter of lashes, the overdone groan and stretch all part of his charade, the two Alphas were very clingy. They nearly didn’t let Jeongguk do his morning business because they wanted to scent him and let their scents drown out Jeongguk’s clean linen scent. Just the thought of it made Jeongguk heady. These rich and heavy scents dripping off his body––no matter how brief––made him thrum just below the surface.
Eventually he pried himself away from the two whining Alphas––who were being quite cute in his opinion––to go do his business where he found himself staring at his reflection. His eyes were a vivacious blue, a colour that could rival the clearest waters. Bright and full of the galaxies that everyone always says are visible in his eyes. His wolf had come to the forefront and had been rushing him through the motions of his morning routine.
A small chuckle leaves his mouth.
It seems that his wolf is just as eager to return to a nest full of Alphas as the Alphas themselves. Splashing water on his face and wiping off the droplets, Jeongguk makes his way back to the room where the two other wolves haven’t moved at all. They were scrolling through their phones, occasionally glancing over at the clock to check the time. Probably wondering what is taking Jeongguk so long.
It’s when Jimin drops his phone on his face and emits a low whine that Jeongguk makes his presence known. Twinkling giggles filling the room as the Alphas look over at the Beta trying to smother his laughter behind his hand.
“You think this is funny, huh?” Jimin playfully growls, getting out of bed to stalk towards the youngest. Usually, on a normal day, Jeongguk would be unfazed by the lack of clothes on the Alpha’s torso, but the almond skin showered in golden light from the sunrise, casting shadows to emphasize the toned body of Jeongguk’s best friend has the Beta faltering.
Large black letters, jagged and harsh across Jimin’s ribs; NEVERMIND. The tattoo was more pronounced in the golden light, standing out from the rest of Jimin’s body.
A mantra to himself to keep going, to strive for what he wants.
“Never mind” Jeongguk repeats to himself before he springs into action. He laughs, barely avoiding Jimin’s grasp, bounding over to the nest where Taehyung was watching them fondly, burrowing against the honeyed skin of the older man.
“Save me, hyung!” Jeongguk laughs, watching Jimin pretend as if he couldn’t get into the nest; prowling around the edges like a predator. Hie eyes never wandered from Jeongguk’s form, watching for any sudden movements.
Taehyung’s arms tighten around the youngest as he rolls them over, pinning the Beta down. The smugness etched on those Adonis like features made Jeongguk realize that he had been duped, running straight into the arms of danger.
Peals of laughter rings out in the small room as the thought gently tucks itself into the back of Jeongguk’s mind. Jimin is danger, very obviously so; it’s written in the way he walks, talks and carries himself, the obvious threat. Taehyung is the silent danger; the one that waits with open arms, securing its prey when it offers itself up to him.
And it’s obvious that Jeongguk is in love with danger in any form; especially when it comes to two handsome Alphas.
– º•º –
Their morning tumble in the sheets lasted much longer than any of them expected. After the initial tickling and serving the youngest punishment for daring to laugh at Jimin’s misfortune, they all settled into a comfortable position and silence where the youngest was sandwiched between the two Alphas who were making it a point to stick their noses right into Jeongguk’s scent glands and nuzzle the ever loving shit out of him.
If the young Beta thought that that morning was pleasant, then this is nirvana. He rolls out of bed with the messy hair and not a trace of his own scent. Who knows how long that will last, but for as long as it does, he is treasuring the melange of licorice and wine. Even as he sits at the table, watching Taehyung’s very well defined ass in those boxers making breakfast, all he can think about is how claimed and loved he feels.
Jimin has always loved leaving his smell on Jeongguk, that’s nothing new, but the vigour in which he marked the younger up today meant business. This was no longer something he did out of friendship. No. This was something personal and the youngest knows that at some point he will have to confess that he had heard the whole exchange and that he is very well aware that the Alphas are in love with him.
He’s in the midst of thinking when a comfortable weight drapes itself over Jeongguk. The beta smiles and gently kisses the back of Jimin’s small hands. What he gets in return is unexpected but not unwelcomed.
The elder presses a lingering kiss to the younger’s neck. “Smell so good,” Jimin rasps, taking Jeongguk’s hoop between his teeth and gently tugging.
If Jeongguk wasn’t malfunctioning before, he certainly was now. “Minnie…hyung is right there…” the Beta whispers, not wanting his best friend to get caught doing something that he didn’t discuss with his boyfriend.
“Oh? What a greedy pup.” Jimin chuckles lowly, leaving a kiss on Jeongguk’s jaw. “Tae-yah, the pup would like more attention. Apparently I’m not enough for the darling.” Jimin teases.
The youngest’s jaw falls open staring at his best friend who wore a proud smirk. Turning around, he sees Taehyung staring at them with a raised brow, amusement lined in his features. “Jimin-ah, you’re a menace, you know? The pup looks like he’s about to piss himself. Sit. Let’s have breakfast then we all need to talk, okay?” The younger alpha slides the eggs into bowls where Jeongguk is sure rice is packed into.
“I’m just excited.” The oldest of the bunch pouts, sliding into Jeongguk’s lap. This is something that he can handle. Jimin adores planting himself in the Beta’s lap and spending hours there without a care in the world.
“And that’s great, but Jeongguk looks like he’s scared that I’m going to smite him for how clingy you’re being.” Taehyung jests, bringing over the bowls, soy sauce and spoons. Jeongguk’s stomach rumbles as he looks at the meal in front of him.
“Eat up, pup. We all need a mental health day today. So let’s eat and then retreat to the nest to watch shitty movies and talk about feelings.” Jimin grins, bowl already in hand, spoon in the other. Jeongguk shakes his head amused and leans forward, locking eyes with Taehyung who merely nods. Before he could over think it, Jeongguk presses a soft kiss to Jimin’s shoulder, eliciting a gasp from the oldest.
Taehyung on the other hand snorts before dissolving into a fit of laughter. Something about Jimin being able to dish it, but not being able to take it.
– º•º –
After breakfast, they didn’t retreat to their nest, but they did make a secondary nest in the living room where Taehyung loaded his cousins’ Netflix. They were debating on what to watch when Jeongguk just couldn’t live with it anymore. He had to tell Jimin and Taehyung what he overheard this morning.
“I heard that you two think that I love you back.” The Beta blurts out, eyes wide as he looks at the two, imploring them to say something and not just look at him.
“And how did that make you feel?” Taehyung asks. His voice is void of all emotions except for curiosity. The windows to his soul had the blinds shut tight, nothing betrayed how he felt and that terrified Jeongguk a little bit. It shouldn’t, but it did.
Yes, he knows that Taehyung and Jimin both love him, but that doesn’t mean that his brain understands that entirely. Even if it is mutual, his brain supplies that he was probably just hearing what he wanted to hear.
“I––” Jeongguk swallows, looking past Taehyung to Jimin. The eldest had a warm smile on his face, encouraging Jeongguk to say whatever it is that he feels. “––I’m relieved. I’m relieved to know you love me. A-and I love you both as well.” He rushes.
A sunny smile breaks out on Taehyung’s face as he shifts them until the youngest is in the middle again. “Good. That saves us a lot of the conversation. We are in agreement that we all like each other.” Taehyung recaps, pulling the Beta down and wrapping himself around the male like an octopus.
“But then why were you avoiding us?” Jimin pouts, scooting closer and wrapping himself around Jeongguk as well.
“I…I only recently realized that I loved you as more than a best friend…I never realized it, but you are how I would describe home. Not the lush greenery of our pack grounds, or the vanilla of my house, but you. Home smells like licorice and leather infused with red wine and sandalwood. It really didn’t take long for me to fall for Taehyung. It happened naturally. Slowly at first and then all at once over the course of a month.
“When I realized that, I distanced myself because I felt selfish for wanting more than I was allowed and not feeling guilty about it. I wanted you both and that felt wrong and scared me because you two are together already. Why would you want a much younger partner?” Jeongguk murmurs, his insecurities bubbling up.
“We can work on that last thing, about you thinking we wouldn’t want a younger partner,” Taehyung mumbles, “but we do want you Jeongguk. You complete what Jimin and I have. You are our missing piece. If we are home to you, then you are also home to us.” The alpha confesses, pressing a kiss to Jeongguk’s bicep.
“I’ve liked you since we were teens, but you seemed adamant on maintaining this friendship so what was I supposed to do?” Jimin laughs, pressing in close on Jeongguk’s other side, lips kissing his shoulder.
“Oh…” Jeongguk mutters lamely, letting the two older men clamour over him and press open mouthed hot kisses all over his body. It wasn’t anything sexual, there was so desire to rush and take each other apart, but more of a gentle acquainting of bodies. At one point, they all became a tangle of limbs as Jeongguk realized that he too wanted to kiss his newfound partners.
– º•º –
After acquiring two new boyfriends, one may wonder what exactly changed in Jeongguk’s life and his answer would be; nothing really. He’s still Jeongguk, a Beta who can’t take on other scents for too long, still an English Literature major, still living with Hoseok and still very much a homebody.
Except now, on Fridays, he’s dragged to his boyfriends’ apartment to spend the weekend because they barely see each other all week. Jeongguk divides his time among all his friends, coursemates and his boyfriends. Throughout the week he tries and leaves more space for his boyfriends and friends, but after the first week, Jeongguk came to the realization that it’s too much for him.
He loves his partners, but he can’t be that person that always clings to them and has to involve them in everything. He is the person who will seek them out when his responsibilities are done with and he can kick back and spend time with them. They are not a chore to him and Jeongguk refuses to treat them as such as well.
Which is why they agreed that if they all have time in the week, that’s good, but if not, that’s okay too. They’re university students. They’re studying, partying and dealing with other issues that life throws their way (ie. Taehyung and Jimin’s ruts). There’s a lot going on in their lives, and all three understand that they cannot always be together.
It was Jimin’s idea to impose the weekends together because out of all of them, he’s the clingiest, always wanting his boyfriends near so he can kiss them and love them and just tend to them. Tae and Jeongguk adore the closeness as well, but they tend to get lost in their responsibilities and forget about that intimacy.
It was the only thing to change in Jeongguk’s life, but he’s sure that there will be more because things in a home are always changing, being redecorated and upgraded. His home is his Alphas and their dynamic isn’t set in stone yet. There are many more adjustments to come with how life treats them, but Jeongguk knows that this is a forever thing.
Home is where the heart is; and for the foreseeable future, his heart is in Jimin and Taehyung’s hands.