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Jeongguk was grumpy. He could have thought of at least 79 different ways he would have rather spent his first post-rut day. Even working a ten-hour customer service shift was among those options probably. Or maybe not, but it was pretty damn close.
When he had woken up on Saturday morning he already felt hungover. His mouth was dry, his muscles were aching, and his head was spinning. Jimin had taken care of him well and let him snooze a bit and even a bit more on the sofa while he was changing their bedsheets and vacuuming their living room.
Apparently, Jeongguk had carried Jimin to their bedroom when his rut had just started to set in and in the accompanying frenzy, he’d knocked over a large vase. A large vase with real plants and soil in it. A large vase that shattered on the floor and spread said soil all over their light gray shaggy living room rug, Jimin’s hand-picked after a lot of hours of browsing the web, favorite rug. In a hurry to take care of Jeongguk, Jimin had only managed to pick up the shards, so no one would injure themselves when he went to get some food and water and feed their two cats one time. He had frowned at the mess but left it to clean for another day. And this morning had been that day.
Despite feeling tired and exhausted himself, Jimin had scrubbed at the stains in the carpet incessantly and unforgivingly, but only managed to make them seem a bit faded, but more widely spread out. Their cats Cosmo and Wanda seemed to be having a good time with this, strolling around Jimin curiously and even jumping on his back one time. Unfortunately, that enthusiasm wasn’t matched by Jimin in the slightest. He had cursed and whined and when Jeongguk offered to help Jimin just snapped at him that he didn’t want him to make it even worse. The Alpha had had a bad conscience about it, of course, but he really didn’t think there was anything he could have done to salvage the mess he’d made.
Jimin on the other hand had thought of something and it was clear in the way the Omega was towering over him, standing in front of the couch and tapping his foot with a scowl on his face, that he’d expected Jeongguk to not complain and just go through with it.
And that’s how he found himself at an IKEA just a few hours later. They were strolling through the sections, Jeongguk resting his head on the handle of their shopping cart as he pushed it. The many scents of the customers around him all muddled together to a nauseating mix for Jeongguk’s still overly sensitive nose and his head was pounding. And maybe Jimin was satisfied with his little revenge plan, as he made a show out of carefully inspecting every carpet and every vase inside.
When they had finally made it through the exhibition part of the store, Jeongguk was relieved for a moment, especially since Jimin seemed to have decided on a rug already. They’d just have to go get it now, right?
Clearly, he has forgotten that the true horror of IKEA was still awaiting them - the market hall, or “time-sucking wormhole”, as Jeongguk liked to call it. Usually, he would be all for lazily browsing the shelves, hovering over a few intriguing but useless items, contemplating way too long whether he should or shouldn’t buy the odd weirdly shaped coffee mug just for the fun of it. He would always come out on the other end wondering just where the hell all that time had gone since they arrived at the store. Today though, every second that ticked away on the array of available clocks on the wall felt like a small eternity. He tried to get away with taking a shortcut to the last section of the market hall, but of course, Jimin just steered his cart in the other direction with a firm hand.
The Omega seemed to have at least some sympathy with him, because at some point there was a soothing hand rubbing up and down his back, only leaving when Jimin saw something he liked. Unfortunately for Jeongguk, that little sympathy still wasn’t enough to keep Jimin from going through every single throw pillow and fluffy blanket in the textiles area, always on the hunt for something cute to add to his nest. He was happily squishing and running his hands over every fluffy material in sight, smiling softly when he was satisfied with its fluffiness and frowning disapprovingly if he was not. Jeongguk would have giggled at his cute expressions, if he wasn’t on the verge of throwing up. And maybe he would have already, if Jimin hadn’t scented him before they even got here, too possessive to let other Omegas smell him so soon post-rut.
The warm aroma of apples and cinnamon was still strong in his nose and just concentrating on it enough was calming him down already.
“What do you think of those, Ggukie?” Jimin asked, turning around to show him two fluffy pillows. “Which one should I get?”
But Jeongguk wasn’t comprehending the question at all, just heard his name being called and what sounded like a question, so he simply pressed out a “Yes.”, hoping it would be fitting in the situation.
Before he could gather whether that was the right answer, Jimin huffed and threw two sets of both pillows in the cart, on top of two fluffy grey blankets. Jeongguk bit his tongue, so he wouldn’t comment on how he thought that they had enough pillows already. Jimin’s nest was sacred and he had soon learned not to interfere with that.
Also, he didn’t want to waste the energy on a losing fight, so he just accepted his fate and hurried up along through the hall, following his now seemingly satisfied boyfriend. Or that’s what he thought until he bumped the cart right into Jimin, who suddenly stopped dead in his tracks.
A happy squeal from Jimin and a look around their surroundings later Jeongguk could feel dread settling in his stomach and resistance boiling in his veins. Jimin was already looking back at him with shining eyes and he could smell his scent sweetening even more.
They were surrounded by reds, greens, golds, and glitter; shiny metals and snowy white wherever his eyes landed. How could he have forgotten? It was the last week of November, so of course, the Christmas decorations would already have been out.
“Jimin-” he tried to protest immediately. He wanted to sound firm and a little threatening maybe, but instead it came out as a tired whine. Jeongguk even rolled his own eyes at the sound. Meanwhile, Jimin seemed unfazed, the same enthusiastic smile on his face as before.
“But they’re beautiful,” he argued with a dreamy voice, already brushing his fingertips over an assortment of cute baby angel figurines.
And Jeongguk had to agree, the decorations were beautiful, even if most of them were quite cheesy. And yet the image of him carrying three huge boxes worth of Christmas decorations back up to the attic last year immediately came to mind.
But Jimin was a Christmas enthusiast, a lover of all things winter, a tried and true Christmas elf. Jeongguk knew that he wouldn’t win this argument with just a weak whine like before. He had to step up his game if he wanted to avoid their attic getting clogged with another box.
“So were the ones you bought last year. And the year before. We have enough decorations already, we don’t need more,” he said, sounding firmer this time, although he couldn’t quite hide the annoyed edge to his voice, which immediately made Jimin huff.
“You can never have enough Christmas decorations.”
“Yes you can, and we do, and you know that full well. You didn’t have to carry those boxes up and down, but you did unpack them. Only that you didn’t even need most of it because of all the stuff you bought last year.”
Jeongguk’s patience was wearing thin and he could feel the blood racing in his veins. Couldn’t Jimin see that he was not in the mood for this argument right now? He was being the responsible one here, so he didn’t even see the need to back down on this. But neither did Jimin apparently. He was getting worked up too, Jeongguk noticed. His voice took on a higher pitch and he scowled at Jeongguk’s disapproving gaze.
“Why are you so against this? It’s just a harmless hobby.”
“It’s unnecessary, that’s what it is.”
If Jeongguk had just looked up he would have seen Jimin being upset about his answer in the way he furrowed his brows and pursed his lips. And if he had just listened to Jimin’s voice more closely instead of the ringing in his ears, he would have heard the desperate edge of his next answer, too.
But he didn’t, kept staring down at the cart in front of him, pinching his nose with his fingers, willing his headache away.
“But it makes me happy.”
“The ones we have at home will make you happy, too,” Jeongguk sighed loudly. “Let’s just go home.”
“Fine,” Jimin whispered, his voice cracking even at this one syllable.
Jeongguk was still trying to understand why Jimin made such a big deal out of all of this, so he took a deep breath to keep his frustration at bay. After that breath, he didn’t feel calmer though. All he felt was his stomach sinking rapidly when the biting smell of sour apple invaded his nose. His head whipped around and he was dizzy for a moment as he watched Jimin stomping away, his head hanging low. Jeongguk even thought he heard a small sniffle coming from him, but with the music that was playing in the store, it was hard to tell.
Jimin seemed to be sad and angry simultaneously and that was such a Jimin thing to do. On the rare occasion that they really fought, when the arguments would get a little ugly once in a blue moon, Jimin would always be furious and heartbroken at the same time. When that happened he always looked even smaller as he hid his usually teary eyes behind the hair falling into his face. But Jeongguk knew him well enough after almost six years and this special tinge to his scent always gave him away.
And Jeongguk was a weak Alpha for his Omega, was a weak man for his boyfriend and the love of his life. At home, they would give each other some time to organize their thoughts and calm down, before one always sought out the other to snuggle and sort out whatever it was they had been fighting about together. But they couldn’t do that in a crowded IKEA, now could they?
And as Jeongguk’s eyes kept shifting between Jimin’s slouched form and the decorations to his right he was quick to decide that those tiny, innocent porcelain angels were definitely not worth his Jimin feeling down, so he quickly abandoned the cart to catch up with his boyfriend.
„Jimin, wait!”
Ignoring the attention their little quarrel was already gathering he spun his boyfriend around by the shoulder to stop him from running away.
“What?” Jimin bit back sharply but stopped like Jeongguk wanted. The Omega’s head was hanging low, but he stared up at him challengingly. The fire in his eyes contradicted the sad pout he had on his lips and if Jeongguk hadn’t felt so bad about everything he might even have found it cute.
“I’m sorry. I’m just feeling unwell today, I shouldn’t have let it out on you.” Even if it wasn’t all of the truth and he really did believe all of the things he said, he still regretted saying them there and then. “If you want to, you can pick out new decorations. We’ll just have to figure out what to do with the old stuff.”
Jimin perked up at the words but still appeared skeptical about their sincerity, maybe rightfully so. But all Jeongguk wanted was to stop fighting and get back home into bed, so he traced his hand along Jimin’s arm gently to reassure him.
“I’m sorry, too,” Jimin said finally. “I guess we do have a lot at home already.”
“Doesn’t matter. Get something you like,” Jeongguk offered and Jimin’s eyes widened in surprise before a childlike glee took over his features. His mood really could change at the drop of a hat sometimes, but in situations like these that was actually quite helpful.
“I’ll be quick,” Jimin promised with a peck to Jeongguk’s cheek and dashed back towards the decoration aisle. And he was quick. No five minutes later he was back at the cart, but that didn’t mean that he got any less. If anything it seemed to be somewhat of a rush induced mass of decorations that he dumped onto the pillows in the cart a little later.
Jeongguk stopped the loud sigh that was threatening to break from his throat in favor of fast walking towards the checkout, which thankfully was the last stop of the day.
The drive home was silent, except for Jimin softly humming along to some Christmas songs on the radio, and Jeongguk enjoyed the quiet, leaning his forehead against the cold window. When they arrived back home Jeongguk grabbed their new rug and Jimin the bag with the vase, pillows, and decorations. Fortunately, they had an elevator to bring them up, but Jimin was still struggling to carry everything he had bought earlier. With a huff he stepped through their front door when Jeongguk unlocked it, dumping everything on the sofa, including himself.
“Can we take care of the rug later? I really need a nap,” Jeongguk groaned, rolling his neck and Jimin bent his head back over the sofa to look at him with a frown.
“Are you still not feeling well?”
Jeongguk shook his head slightly, already on his way to bed when Jimin spoke up again.
“Can I do anything for you? Painkillers? Tea? Cuddles maybe?”
Jimin’s voice sounded hopeful at the end, maybe because he, too, could feel the lingering tension crackling in the air between them. He could be stubborn and confrontational at times, but at the end of the day he, just like Jeongguk himself, needed harmony to feel content. He sometimes joked that it was his typical Libra personality that demanded balance in life.
But again the Alpha shook his head. Usually, he would jump at the offers, but today he wasn’t feeling it. The fight earlier still soured his mood, even if he didn’t want to admit it and he was just tired, mentally, and physically. He wasn’t angry at Jimin necessarily, but he wasn’t happy about his behavior either. He realized that Jimin would probably say the same, so he decided on some alone time instead. He trotted towards their bedroom, feeling Jimin’s heavy gaze on him, but he was too tired to do anything about it. The moment his head hit the pillow he was out like a light.
When he woke up again the room was dark. It was a little disorienting because he was sure that he hadn’t shut the blinds. One look at his nightstand alarm clock later he was startled to find that it was close to six pm already.
Apparently what was supposed to be a short power nap had turned into a good four hours of actual sleep. Also, he could already smell the beautiful fragrance of some of his favorite spices wafting through the air, so Jimin was probably already preparing dinner.
When he came out with his tousled hair and crumpled shirt, Jimin just smiled sweetly at him, asking whether he was feeling better. The smile wasn’t as bright as it usually would have been, but they still had a nice evening, watching a few more episodes of the crime series they were currently watching, arguing only about who they thought would be the murderer.
Their Sunday was equally quiet, with Jeongguk still relaxing until he had to go back to work on Monday. Jimin made sure to pamper him a bit, because he had Monday off, while Jeongguk didn’t, but the exhaustion was still weighing down his bones. Working in a hospital he often had longer hours or sometimes had to work on weekends, so he happened to have some random days off in between. He was especially excited about this coming Monday since he wanted to use it to start his “operation Christmas” as he called it.
And Jimin actually stood up early with Jeongguk the next day and kissed him goodbye and wished him a good day at work, when usually he would have been turning in bed at least another twenty times. Unfortunately, the work Jeongguk had missed during his rut was still waiting for him, so he left his office a good ten hours later, his mind swimming with settings, codes, and all kinds of different inquiries. He shot Jimin a quick text message that he’d be heading home and got into his car, shivering when his fingers touched the ice-cold steering wheel. He exhaled happily and relaxed his muscles when the seat heating finally kicked in, cranking up the radio for the short ride home, where hopefully the fireplace would already be heating up their apartment nicely.
Jeongguk took the stairs two at a time and had already toed off his shoes by the time he’d closed the door behind him and was greeted by Cosmo and Wanda walking around in between his feet. Immediately the familiar warmth engulfed him and the homey feeling their mixed scents brought with it put his busy mind at ease for the moment.
“I’m home,” he shouted in the general direction of the other rooms while he hung up his coat and put away his bag and keys. He didn’t receive an answer, but Jeongguk could hear something bustling and rumbling over the faint sound of some piano music. Jimin was probably still busy around the apartment, so Jeongguk went to look for him. He found him rushing around the kitchen, stirring something that smelled like kimchi-jjigae while holding a cute, chubby elf figure in the other hand. Hearing the door being opened, Jimin turned around looking slightly stressed.
“Hi, welcome home! I’m sorry I’m a bit behind on things. Dinner will be ready in a few minutes if you want to shower first.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ve had a late lunch today anyway. And I’ll just shower later, I’d rather spend some time with my cute reindeer first.”
Jimin looked confused at first, seemingly forgetting his current attire, which put a large grin on Jeongguk’s face. For today’s Christmas mission he had dressed in his favorite red ugly Christmas sweater with a cat wearing its own sweater and the lettering ‘meowy Christmas’ on the front, a pair of snowflake-printed grey cozy socks, and a hairband with reindeer antlers.
As Jeongguk scanned the Omega up and down, realization dawned in Jimin’s eyes and he mimicked Jeongguk’s grin.
“Which one of Santa’s reindeer would I be?” he asked with a laugh, posing a bit for Jeongguk to make a decision.
“Dancer probably,” Jeongguk mused, mentally singing the list in his head to the melody of ‘ Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer ’. A thoughtful hum was Jimin’s response as he set aside the elf figurine and went to wrap his arms around Jeongguk’s neck to peck him on the lips.
“And here I was hoping you’d say Cupid,” Jimin sighed dramatically, running his hands down the Alpha’s chest, before snaking around his waist and pulling their bodies flush together with a sly smirk.
“Okay, nevermind. You’re definitely Vixen.” Jeongguk was quick to correct himself, pressing his forehead against Jimin’s and stealing another kiss. His scent was already sweetening, enhancing the merry mood even further with its cinnamon undertone. Jimin heaved a long sigh, relaxing in his boyfriend’s arms.
The bubbling of the stew behind them tore Jimin away from him then and Jeongguk had time to look around the newly decorated space for the first time. The kitchen was relatively toned down still, but probably only because Jimin hadn’t gotten around to that yet. A large candle stood in the middle of their dining table, right on top of a silver, glittery table runner. A string of fairy lights was taped around the outside of their kitchen window and a set of those elf figurines Jimin had been holding one of earlier was strewn around the top of the hanging cabinets.
Jimin noticed Jeongguk scanning the room and seemed excited, urging him to go take a look around.
“I’ll show you the other rooms, you have to tell me what you think!”
Jimin pulled Jeongguk and pulled him by the hand.
“So I tried giving each room a theme. The kitchen is elf city. There are reindeer in the hallway, Santas and everything red in our bedroom, and white, snowflakey stuff in the living room.”
The dread Jeongguk had been feeling at the prospect of their apartment overflowing with cheesy frill was thankfully unfounded, but as he trotted through the rooms another weird thought came to his mind. Every window had a string of fairy lights, just like the one in the kitchen, but those were also the only pieces of decoration he recognized as he made his way through the hallway and their bedroom. Everything else he had never seen before, not in their apartment, not in those boxes he had carried up to the attic last year and certainly not two days ago at IKEA and suddenly he could feel old anger bubbling up inside of him. Jimin seemed to sense it too, whether from the slight shift in his scent or maybe from how he had tensed up for a second, he didn’t know, but he was looking at him and nervously and pulled his bottom lip between his teeth.
“You don’t like it?” he asked, his voice small and a little sad. “I can change things, you know. Just tell me what bothers you and I’ll fix it.”
“It’s not the look of it that bothers me.”
“What is it then?”
“What bothers me is that this is all new stuff. Please tell me the things you got on Saturday are in the living room.”
His voice sounded more threatening than he had intended to and Jimin flinched slightly, but Jeongguk couldn’t bring himself to feel bad about it. Judging by the guilty look on his face they weren’t and Jeongguk pushed his tongue against his cheek, waiting for the confirmation.
He couldn’t believe that Jimin would just go out on yet another unnecessary shopping spree when they had literally fought over the things he’d bought just two days ago. Jeongguk realized that he had probably been overreacting a bit back then, but he still firmly believed that he had a valid point. And after Jimin had apologized to him, too, he thought that he got it. Apparently, he’d been wrong. Jimin went right over his head again to do something he knew would upset him and Jeongguk just didn’t understand. Were those little fleeting decorations really more important than taking his feelings on the matter into account? Were they really worth another inevitable fight Jimin must have seen coming?
“They’re not, but-” Jimin started to mumble, but was interrupted by an increasingly frustrated Jeongguk.
“But what? But I changed my mind on a whim again and didn’t care that we fought on Saturday because of exactly that?”
“That’s not -”
Jimin sounded desperate to explain himself, but fell on deaf ears as the Alpha intercepted once again. Even though it was kind of hard to argue with Jimin while he was looking so cute in his Christmas outfit, Jeongguk’s mind was racing with anger and disappointment. They had apologized back on Saturday, they both had. But what did Jimin’s words even mean, when two days later he’d just go and do the same thing all over again?
“But I don’t care about what you think and won’t take your thoughts on this to heart, even though it’s something really stupid? But I forgot everything I said just two days ago and did everything again I apologized for? What could you possibly have as an explanation for something as unnecessary as this?”
Jimin just stood there, fidgeting with his shirt, looking conflicted as he listened to Jeongguk’s accusations. Until he had enough and spoke right over him, grabbing a fistful of his shirt in a desperate attempt to gain his attention. There were tears prickling in his eyes as he almost yelled the Alphas name, who was already taking a new breath to continue his rant.
“Jeon Jeongguk! Listen to me until I finish this time, for crying out loud!”
The Omega took a step forward, trying to be a bit more intimidating to help him stand his ground. Not that he needed that, especially not with Jeongguk, who knew him like the back of his hand and knew how scary he could get, without the whole show, but sometimes he liked a bit of added effect. His scent flared up in a bout of anger and his hands were coiled into fists by his sides after he’d ripped the antlers from his head to look less ridiculous.
“Yes, I did go out and buy a bunch of new stuff. And yes, I did not put the stuff we just bought up either, or I took it back down again, rather. You want to know why? I put it up and tried to be happy about it, but every time I looked at it, it reminded me of our fight. Christmas is a celebration of love, so I’m sorry for wanting decorations that don’t make me feel sad like that. And I didn’t just go out and buy a bunch of new stuff without a care in the world, like the asshole you make me out to be here.”
Jimin sniffed and instinctively wiped away a stray tear. He hadn’t even realized that he’d started crying, but Jeongguk seemed to be frozen by his sudden outburst and even had the decency to look somewhat guilty. Jeongguk’s Alpha just hated it when his Omega was sad and crying, even if his human side was angry and determined to stand his ground.
Jimin took a deep breath to calm his nerves a little before he continued, making a conscious effort to take the biting edge out of his voice this time, but not completely managing to do that.
“Let me take you through my day, because I do realize that your day was hard, but that doesn’t mean that mine was a walk in the park either. After I got up I dusted off almost the whole apartment and got to work, decorating with what we had. I got the boxes from the attic and looked to reuse some of that too,
thinking about what you said. And god, you’re not wrong, I get that, but that’s not the point here. After I was done I was so unsatisfied, that I packed everything back up and with that I mean everything and I carried it down to the orphanage and what they didn’t want to keep, because yeah I get it, it was a lot, I brought to the second-hand shop. Like a fucking grandma I walked down there with the weird shopping trolley your aunt gifted you two years ago because you had the car.”
Jeongguk flinched inwardly because Jimin had cursed. Jimin only ever cursed when he got really worked up and together with the few tears rolling his face down every now and then it was a dangerous combination. He had talked himself into a rage and if the way he was wildly gesturing to emphasize his story was anything to go by, he was far from being finished. Jeongguk didn’t even have time to sort out his thoughts and comprehend what Jimin had sprung at him within the last minute when Jimin was already at it again,
“And there at the second-hand shop, I got most of the new stuff too, some even directly in exchange for the stuff I brought in. And then I walked back to the apartment to get rid of the shopping trolley and went to the market two streets down to get a damn Christmas tree, because I know how much you love having one but also how much you hate picking one. I was feeling bad about Saturday and thought that would make you happy, so I carried the goddamn tree all the way here, like a fucking madman. And of course, a bunch of annoying Alphas were so concerned, and wanted to graciously help this poor Omega that conveniently doesn’t have a mating bite yet and whose Alpha inconveniently didn’t think to scent him properly this morning.”
A growl immediately ripped from Jeongguk’s throat at the mention of other Alphas approaching his Omega like that, but he was relieved that when he took a deep, experimental sniff of the air he couldn’t smell any other wolves on Jimin. That didn’t go unnoticed by his boyfriend though, who raised his brows challengingly and poked him in the chest harshly, before pulling him onward into the living room.
“Oh no, you don’t get to be offended about this. I worked so hard today to make us a beautiful, christmasy home, to get that darn tree,” he quickly continued, pointing at the still blank tree waiting in the corner of the room. “and only took a quick shower, because I sweat like an animal carrying that home. Then I went to the store to get everything I need for dinner, which is currently burning on the stove because you decided to come home and just go off on me without letting me explain, so I hope you are happy now. I was doing all of this for us, but go on, fucking ruin it for all I care.”
Jimin was out of breath by the time he was finished with his rant and some last tears were making their way down his cheeks as he stared at Jeongguk defiantly. He didn’t want to snap like that, but he’d had a rough day as well and even though he could see why he would be angry, he still felt like he was treated unfairly. And if he’d said that, Jeongguk would have agreed now that everything was finally settling in. Shame quickly settled deep in Jeongguk’s bones as he felt with a pang to his hard, how hurt Jimin must have felt while he invalidated all his hard work, albeit unknowingly.
There were so many things Jeongguk wanted to say, felt like he needed to express somehow, but for whatever reason, the first thing his body did was turning on its heels and walking into the kitchen, Jimin suddenly hysterically yelling after him.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“I turned off the stove, so the jjigae doesn’t burn,” Jeongguk deadpanned when he re-emerged from the kitchen. Lost for words, Jimin just stared at him dumbfoundedly, seemingly torn about what to think of it and Jeongguk jumped at the chance. He used the small moment of stunned silence to bring a hand up to Jimin’s cheek, wiping away the last traces of wetness Jimin hadn’t gotten on his own and he could have sworn he heard the Omega’s breath hitch. Their upset scents were still swirling in the air and Jeongguk realized that it was hypocritical in a way, but he couldn’t help but release some calming pheromones. Thankfully Jimin didn’t comment on it, although his nostrils flared a bit when he noticed.
“I’m sorry,” Jeongguk whispered, taking a tentative step forward, closer to Jimin.
“Sorry for what?” Jimin asked and while he sounded petty, Jeongguk knew that the question was only fair.
“I’m sorry for getting angry like this. I’m sorry for not letting you explain first. And I’m sorry you had a shitty day.”
“My day wasn’t that bad,” Jimin argued suddenly, already placated by Jeongguk’s efforts. After all, they were each other’s weakness and never could stay mad at each other for long, knowing that there was never any ill intent behind both of their words. Just an accumulation of unfortunate circumstances leading to both of them feeling a little strung out. “It was for a greater cause, I guess.”
Jimin surged forward and closed the space between them, nuzzling his cheek against Jeongguk’s chest, squeezing his waist tightly.
“I’m sorry too, for being so difficult,” Jimin mumbled against Jeongguk’s shirt and the Alpha sighed.
“You’re not difficult, just dedicated.”
“And you’re a terrible sap. Stop with the sugarcoating.”
“Alright, alright, you’re difficult with this particular problem. Happy? But I like you more difficult than I like anyone else who’s easy.”
They stood like this for a few moments, enjoying their embrace, Jeongguk swaying them slightly on the spot until their scents had evened out fully again.
“It’s really beautiful what you’ve done today,” Jeongguk mumbled against his boyfriend's hair as he took a good look around at all the coordinated items and colors and he could hear a muffled thank you in return. His eyes fell on the sofa next, a pile of pillows and blankets covering the entire space.
“Why is the sofa such a mess?” Jeongguk asked, cocking his head to the side curiously and Jimin turned around to take a look at it himself.
“Oh it was nothing, just a stupid idea,” Jimin was quick to dismiss, but Jeongguk saw right through him. Whatever it was, he seemed a little bummed out about it, so he urged his boyfriend to tell him more.
“Please tell me. I’m sure it’s not stupid. Maybe I can help?”
“It’s just -” Jimin started with furrowed brows. “Somehow I thought it would be a good idea to use our pull-out couch for once and make it a Christmas nest, you know? It’s close to the fireplace and right next to the Christmas tree, so I thought it would be cute maybe. But it never felt right. Something was missing.”
Jimin himself sounded rather skeptical talking about it, but while he explained his thoughts, Jeongguk’s eyes widened in adoration. He honestly loved it when Jimin was nesting and insisted on him joining once it was finished and to his taste. It always made his Alpha feel calm and content, at home in this little world Jimin had built not only for him, but for them. It all pleased his wolf greatly and his human side just really loved to spend time close to each other.
Overall Jeongguk just really loved being home, preferably of course with his boyfriend. He didn’t feel the need to always go out, or plan activities. Jimin was a little more on the “going out” side of life than him, often dragging him around town, even just for a short walk along the river. But he was just as happy to come back and cuddle on the couch afterward.
“Let’s just try again,” Jeongguk urged Jimin, somehow now even more enthusiastic about the idea than Jimin himself. In a split second he had made his way over to the couch and with already two pillows in his hands he heard an airy giggle from behind him.
“Sure you’re not an Omega, love?”
“I don’t know, why don’t you ask my knot?” Jeongguk just asked with a smug grin and Jimin shrieked at the implication.
“No thanks, he already answered well enough last week. Let’s just go have dinner first and then you can build your Alpha nest.”
Jimin sounded nonchalant, but Jeongguk knew better. Jeongguk easily noticed how excited Jimin was about the idea, just by the way the muscles by his mouth were twitching slightly as he dragged the Alpha back to the kitchen for dinner. They were quickly joined by Cosmo and Wanda, loudly demanding their own dinner and after the whole bunch was full and satisfied they quickly made their way back to the pillow mountain in the living room.
“So, how can I help?” Jeongguk asked, playfully saluting Jimin to show that he was ready for nest duty, watching as Jimin just stared at the mess with a frown.
“I want to try again on my own,” Jimin said thoughtfully. “You can put up the Christmas tree lights, so it’s all pretty when it’s done.”
Jeongguk didn’t question that, since he knew that Omegas always had a bit of nesting pride and didn’t like Alphas messing in their business. With Jimin, it always depended on the day and his mood, whether he let Jeongguk help or not, so he just did as Jimin said and got the lights for the tree.
“Just call me if you need any help,” Jeongguk offered again, leaving Jimin to fend for himself, despite all the frustrated huffs and groans that were soon echoing through the apartment. He was just arranging the last few lights so they were distributed evenly - he’s always been kind of a perfectionist - when Jimin collided into his back for a bone-crushing back hug.
“Jeonggukie,” he just murmured sadly as he locked his hands around the Alpha’s torso, Jeongguk immediately reaching up to stroke them soothingly.
“Not going well?”
“No, but I still don’t know why. I’ve pulled out the couch, I have soft pillows, fluffy blankets, it should be perfect.”
Jimin let his head drop forward to rest against the back of Jeongguk’s neck, lazily kissing the exposed skin there. Jeongguk immediately relaxed with his boyfriend’s scent wafting around him and was all the more startled when Jimin suddenly cursed out loud.
“God, I’m such an idiot!”
Before Jeongguk even turned around to check what he was freaking out about he was already smacked over the head with one of the pillows.
“What the heck are you -” Jeongguk started complaining loudly, rubbing his abused scalp, until it dawned on him. Jimin now was furiously rubbing the pillow against his neck and Jeongguk suddenly felt fondness exploding in his chest. Jimin looked so determined, biting his lip and furrowing his brows as he tried to drench the pillow in Jeongguk’s scent almost in a frenzy.
“Your scent. That’s what’s been missing. I’m such an idiot, a stupid baby Omega.”
“Can’t argue with the baby Omega bit,” Jeongguk teased and stopped Jimin’s pillow scenting by grabbing his wrists. “But there are smarter ways to get my scent onto there, don’t you think?”
“Who says I’m letting you into my nest?” Jimin asked jokingly, sticking his tongue out.
“For one, that couch you used to make said nest belongs to me to fifty percent too and also you know that if you ban me to the armchair it’ll take seven minutes max until you start pouting and whining for me to come and snuggle.”
Jimin sighed in defeat.
“Curse you, you clairvoyant demon. Alright, if you put in some more wood for the fireplace first you can join me in my nest.”
“How gracious of you.”
“Aren’t I always?”
They both chuckled as they got ready for the night. Jeongguk got some more logs and finished that last light on the Christmas tree, while Jimin went ahead and prepared a bowl of microwave popcorn and some hot chocolate until they finally found themselves snuggled up in their new nest with their legs entangled. Their shoulders were brushing and Jimin’s head rested on Jeongguk’s chest as they started watching pretty much the first Christmas movie Netflix recommended to them without paying too much attention to it. After the commotion from earlier had settled their cats decided to show up again too, Cosmo curling up next to Jimin in reach for being pet easily and Wanda spread out across Jeongguk’s legs, resting her head on his thigh. It was the perfect cozy evening after a harsh and eventful day for both of them.
“It’s really beautiful,” Jeongguk suddenly blurted out with admiration.
“What is?”
“Everything. All the decorations, the fairy lights, the candles, your nest, you...” Jeongguk trailed off with a sly grin. Jimin was fake retching by his side at the cheesy words, but again Jeongguk knew better.
Even though Jimin would never openly admit it, except for in some rare and very heated, desperate moments in the bedroom, he loved being praised. Especially so for work he’d done and after all the struggles he had gone through Jimin deserved a lot of Jeongguk’s praise.
“Thank you,” Jimin still mumbled shyly, sitting up to take in his own handiwork once more.
And as Jimin rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck, Jeongguk thought that he might even deserve a little extra.
“Want me to give you a massage? Your muscles must be tired after carrying all the stuff around today.”
There was a flicker of a smile in Jimin’s eyes before he schooled his features back to neutral and shook his head slightly.
“It’s alright, you had a long day too. Let’s just rest.”
“I insist. I have to reward my precious Omega for making us a beautiful home, now don’t I?”
Even in the dim light of only the TV and the still undecorated Christmas tree, Jeongguk could see a faint blush creeping up Jimin’s naturally rosy cheeks. It always made Jeongguk giddy when he could still make Jimin flustered like that, even after so many years together. That only encouraged him more to spoil him tonight as he got up to get the massage oil from their bedroom.
It didn’t take much more convincing for Jimin to rid himself of his shirt and lay down on his belly, ready to let the stress of the day be kneaded out of his system.
The contentment was washing off of him in waves, manifesting in a string of soft mewls and happy sighs falling from Jimin’s lips. Those sounds were getting quieter with time though, Jimin fighting off sleep underneath his Alpha’s strong hands until he finally did doze off for a little while.
Jeongguk kept working the oil into his already soft skin and tried to get all the knacks out of Jimin’s back in the process and suddenly it’s like their conflict earlier has never happened. So far away seemed Jimin’s tears and his own frustration and anger. Their apartment was always radiating warmth, coming just from the fact that it was their home, but with the new, sometimes very intricate decor that was brought to another level still. Now suddenly Jeongguk couldn’t even imagine being angry at Jimin for all of that anymore, especially when his wandering gaze fell onto a row of picture frames on one of their shelves.
A tradition Jimin had insisted on in the newly founded Park-Jeon-household, and even when they weren’t yet living together all those years ago, was having silly Christmas pictures taken. Usually, their friend Taehyung would come over and Jimin would buy every piece of Christmas accessory he could find in the week leading up to the date, for example also the reindeer antlers he had been wearing earlier. A total of five pictures in beautiful metal frames told the story of their love through the years and they both had no intention of stopping the growth of that collection any time soon or ever. It was a testimony of how they had changed and over the years. Their looks had changed a lot, especially with Jimin rocking several different hair colors throughout the years and last year’s picture was the first one to feature Cosmo and Wanda as the first addition to their growing family, of course in matching Santa cat outfits that they weren’t too fond about.
Even though Jeongguk would insist that he found those photoshoots stupid every year and would only grumpily agree, it was just another tradition of theirs basically. Because Jimin’s enthusiasm was infectious and as long as he was happy, Jeongguk would be happy and vice versa.
The only thing that never seemed to change throughout the years was the love in their eyes and if it did, it only grew stronger.
Every year, looking at those pictures Jeongguk was just as sure that he would not change a single thing. Not about Jimin and especially not about his slightly eccentric Christmas spirit.
Jeongguk continued to rub soothing circles on his back and pressed a kiss behind his ear, hoping it wouldn’t wake him just yet, seeing as he was sleeping so peacefully beneath him. He felt even worse now about his thoughtless words from earlier and hoped that he could make it up to Jimin somehow. He was still thinking about ways how to do that an hour later when he was carrying Jimin's still sleeping form over to the bed and tucked him in.
*
Judging by his breathtaking eye smile and level five grin he broke out when Jeongguk came home with a small box the next day, insisting that the beautiful angel figurine inside reminded him too much of Jimin to walk past it, he had succeeded in that.
Inspired, Jimin brought home halos and angel wings the next day, undoubtedly for this year's Christmas shooting. And Jeongguk once again realized that he never wanted to have Christmas in a non-Jimin way ever again.