Work Text:
Being an omega is not easy and Jeongguk will be the first person to tell you that.
The world that he lives in used to be divided into two very clear – very heavily marked and obvious – categories in the past.
Back then, you were considered lucky if you were born as an Alpha – the superior and dominant second gender, holding all the power and all the authority and the right to be able to do literally anything you could ever want with little to no consequences. The second gender that had great opportunity after great opportunity placed in front of them like a rich and hearty meal on a silver platter.
The second gender in charge of deciding all the laws and all the rights; even if those rights were not theirs to decide upon.
And if you were unlucky – the way most people viewed it – you would be born as an omega.
The inferior second gender with nothing but service to offer. Omegas were seen as weak and incapable of all the great things that alphas could do. Seen only good for raising kids and keeping the house. Omegas did not have many rights; sometimes even not over their own bodies.
They were considered the very bottom of the food chain, even though omegas were the magnificent ones; the ones who brought life into this world and made a house a home.
Of course, there were also betas, but they were simply discarded as an in the middle kind of thing. A neutral ground between the superior and the inferior.
That used to be the way the world worked when Jeongguk was born.
Keywords – used to be.
Jeongguk was lucky, because while he was still a young child – not yet presented his second gender and with no clue of how people like his mother were treated in this wide and scary life – the world began to change; led by wonderful, powerful omegas and their understanding and equality searching alphas.
There were riots. There were massive political changes and they were so close to an all-out war.
But in the end, the omegas won. And now, Jeongguk lived in a world where omegas had a wide variety of laws that benefited them. Now they had opportunities and discrimination or abuse against omegas was a highly treacherous offence that was punishable by law.
Jeongguk lived in a world where his second gender was treated with respect, and although the new laws had been in effect for only twenty years – not a long time in terms of how things used to be – they had already made all the difference for omegas, and the older generations could rest assured that the younger generations would not have to suffer the way they had before.
But even with all the laws and all the rights and all the changes, Jeongguk will still look you in the eye and say that being an omega isn’t easy, because it really is not. Jeongguk will still look you in the eye and tell you that they’ve got a long way to go; many things to still change so that the world is fair; so that the world is as safe as can be for the omegas. For him.
There are still alphas who think they are better than omegas. There are still alphas who occasionally try to rise against the new laws. There are still alphas who want the old way of life back.
And Jeongguk cannot stand these alphas.
And because of alphas like this, Jeongguk is who he is.
Jeon Jeongguk is twenty-five years old and he leads the Omegas for a Better Life organization. Because he is the head of the organization – he is widely known in Korea. He fights for the rights of his second gender and there are people who praise the ground he walks on, there are people who condemn him.
And there are people who absolutely despise him.
But Jeongguk is not bothered in the slightest. He takes no dirt from anyone. He’s strong and he’s capable of great things, and he knows that. He doesn’t need anyone to take care of him or protect him because he does fine on his own in both departments.
He doesn’t need an alpha.
At least, that’s what he always repeated to himself any chance he got.
Until he met Taehyung.
Taehyung, who came crashing into his life four years ago in the form of a bright, slightly puppy-dog-eyed alpha who wanted to help fight for omegas to get even more rights.
Taehyung, who was raised by an omega and a beta and taught at a very young age how important omegas were to the world, how they were not the shamed second gender that some alphas tried to push them to be.
Taehyung, who could not hurt a fly unless someone hurt his loved ones.
Taehyung, who was a gentle and kind, honest and polite man.
Taehyung, who carried the scent of rain and eucalyptus mixed together to create the most alluring and comforting scent that Jeongguk’s wolf had ever had the pleasure to be in the presence of.
Taehyung, who was the complete opposite of nearly all the alphas Jeongguk had ever come across.
It’s really no wonder that Jeongguk fell head over heels in love with the alpha who blushed and stuttered his way through asking Jeongguk out on a date. Had gone wide-eyed and apologized profusely because he thought he had somehow offended Jeongguk because the omega had taken longer than three seconds to respond to the invite.
It’s no wonder that Jeongguk fell head over heels in love with the alpha who treated him as an equal; heavily respected him and was even often left in a state of awe whenever he so much as even simply looked at Jeongguk.
Their friendship bloomed rather slowly, as Jeongguk was still pretty wary around the alphas. They were friends for around a year before anything else dug its roots between them. At least for Jeongguk. For Taehyung…
Well, he had always had a little crush on his wonderful colleague, and he decided to finally act upon it after a year of being friends.
Jeongguk agreed to the date, and the rest was – as they so often obnoxiously say – history.
They’ve been together – deeply in love – for three years now.
Mated for a year.
And Jeongguk could not be any more happier than he is.
He wasn’t looking for an alpha – didn’t even need an alpha – but he found one anyway. And he fell in love with said alpha anyway.
*******
Some alphas were still assholes.
Jeongguk knew this fact. He’d known this for a very long time now, but sometimes he genuinely forgot – with how things had been going so well between alphas and omegas.
Some alphas were still assholes and Jeongguk’s day was not supposed to go down this way.
He really was not supposed to have a cut and bloody cheek and a very angry boyfriend having a full-on alpha stand off with another man.
None of this was supposed to happen today, but it did, and now Jeongguk was kind of in the middle of all of this.
Let’s take a step back to see how all of this came to be.
*******
Jeongguk walks down the long hall separating his office from the entrance of the building that houses his organization.
He’s in a pretty good mood. It’s been a very long and tiring day, but he got so many things done with his colleagues – so many dates and locations for future conferences stamped down, so many investors attracted to support the organization, so many documents organized and signed.
It’s been an extremely good day for business, for him, for the rights of his second gender.
He’s happy.
And he’s even happier because once he leaves this office, he and Taehyung will be going on a little dinner date to celebrate such a successful day at work.
Taehyung had left a few minutes before Jeongguk so he could heat up the car in the parking lot. It’s been getting steadily colder over the past few days, and all the weather forecasts are promising snow soon.
Jeongguk thinks of how cool it would be if the snow started to fall right as they went for a ride on the Ferris Wheel that was not too far from their house. He thinks the view would probably be magnificent.
He passes the reception desk, throwing Jimin – a beta working at the organization – a bright smile.
“You don’t stay behind too late!” He calls out to his friend.
Jimin smirks at him.
“Oh, I’m not staying behind because of work. I’m staying behind because Yoongi’s ass still hasn’t showed up to pick me up.”
Jeongguk throws his head back and laughs, grabbing his coat off the rack a few feet from the door. He always keeps his outerwear here. The organization is a safe place for everything, after all.
“Maybe he’s stuck in traffic?” The younger of the two offers a reasonable explanation. “He’s not one to be late.”
Jimin sighs dramatically, slumping his upper body across the large front desk.
“I know, he called to say the traffic is crazy.”
Jeongguk nods, throwing his black coat over his frame, and he does not bother to button it up because what’s the point anyway? He’s going to get in a warm car, he just needs to walk a few feet to get to it.
“Okay, just lock up, please!”
Jimin mock salutes.
“Have fun on your date with your lover boy.”
Jeongguk rolls his eyes fondly, throws up a middle finger for good measure, listening to Jimin’s boisterous laughter in the background, and slips out of the door.
The air outside really is freezing. Jeongguk huffs and crosses his arms over his chest to somewhat shield himself from the cold evening air, and he heads in the direction of the parking lot.
He’s not really paying much attention to his surroundings. He knows the neighbourhood that his office is in; it’s always peaceful and quiet here. The office is a few streets down from the centre of the city, and this particular neighbourhood mainly has omegas and betas living here with the exception of a few alphas that are the mates of said omegas.
Jeongguk doesn’t look over his shoulder as he leaves the office, so he doesn’t see the sleazy alpha leaning against the building wall a few feet down from him.
But the sleazy alpha sees him.
The man nearly snarls when his eyes land on Jeongguk.
The famed Jeon Jeongguk who fights for omega rights and has taken away an alpha’s right to control everything and every single omega that comes across their path.
Yes, the man holds a vindictive agenda against the young omega.
Oh, what an agenda he holds.
He’s not much bigger than Jeongguk. They hold the same height and the same build – the same broadness in shoulders and the same amount of strength in their bodies.
But what Jeongguk does not hold is an alpha’s voice.
And an alpha’s voice is the one thing that pretty little omegas like Jeongguk cannot take from us – from me, the older alpha thinks to himself with a curled lip and a hatred burning deep in his eyes.
He pushes himself off the wall and heads towards the younger man, all the while slowly cracking his knuckles silently. Ready to teach Jeongguk a lesson.
*******
Jeongguk hears footsteps behind him and they seem to be approaching him rapidly.
He furrows his brows and turns around to look right in time when a fist swings in his direction.
Jeongguk normally prides himself on having very fast reflexes – years and years of boxing and multiple years of training in taekwondo has given him the ability to easily overpower anyone that would try to hurt him.
But his brain was so full of other thoughts and this time he wasn’t paying attention, so the fist that swings in his direction is completely sudden to him.
The punch is hard and makes Jeongguk stumble back a few steps, eyes wide and cheek throbbing in pain.
“What the hell – “
“So, you’re Jeon Jeongguk?” A man sneers, advancing on him quickly. Jeongguk’s nose catches up to the rotten smell of anger that mixes unpleasantly with the scent of a burning forest fire. His brain quickly realizes that this is an alpha, and Jeongguk doesn’t even have to take in the harp fangs and the crimson red eyes to know.
The man’s scent is already enough.
“Get the fuck away from me.” Jeongguk grits, quickly dodging another punch that comes flying at him. He grabs the man’s arm and uses his strength to push him away.
He doesn’t want to fight anyone, even if it is an alpha. Not right now, for God’s sake.
“You think you can just take away our rights?!” The man is screaming now, no doubt causing a goddamn scene in this quiet neighbourhood. The scent of alcohol that comes off him is absolutely pungent and Jeongguk hates it.
He hates the bitter scent.
The man advances on him again, but Jeongguk easily dodges him this time. His cheek is throbbing and he has a feeling it’s bleeding as well because it feels too warm and wet not to be.
“What rights? The rights to abuse us?” Jeongguk spits back, slowly retreating. He takes a few steps back in what he thinks is the direction of the parking lot. He’s thinking that maybe he can turn around and start running and maybe he’ll make it.
But instead of the parking lot, his back hits something hard, and it doesn’t take a genius to realize it’s the wall of the building.
And the alpha is too close for Jeongguk to push off the wall and run. He advances on Jeongguk again, and even though Jeongguk manages to push him off again, he does not manage to dodge another punch that comes down on the same cheek that was punched before.
The pain is ten times worse with the second punch. The omega already knows that there is blood smeared across his pale skin; he can feel its warmth and stickiness on his face. This time, Jeongguk does let out a noise of pain that he had kept in when he first got punched.
Jeongguk feels anger burn in his lungs and he is about to punch the man in return, defend himself as he rightfully should, but the alpha’s eyes are widening in rage and his mouth is opening and –
“Stay down, little omega.”
An alpha’s voice.
It’s loud and grates on Jeongguk’s ears and he can’t move.
He cannot move because his wolf has been commanded to stay down. He can’t even fight back.
Jeongguk’s eyes well with tears of betrayal – betrayal at his own body, betrayal at his own wolf. He’s stuck to the wall and no matter how hard he tries to fight with himself – kick and claw at his wolf – he cannot push himself off that wall.
He cannot fight back or run away, he cannot do anything but watch as the alpha in front of him smirks in victory – crimson red eyes holding a malicious glint that only promises violence.
No one has ever used their alpha voice on Jeongguk, not even his own father whenever Jeongguk misbehaved as a child.
Jeongguk lets out a quiet whimper of actual fear. He’s never been afraid of an alpha before. Never.
But no one has ever used their alpha voice on him. He whimpers, and in his pain and fear he doesn’t realize that the little whimper he just let out was a call.
A call for Taehyung. A call for his own alpha to come and help him. A signal of distress that lets Taehyung know that he’s in some sort of trouble and he needs him.
It’s not loud. It doesn’t have to be. Jeongguk could have simply whispered, and Taehyung would have still heard it.
And Taehyung heard it now.
And he’s a very fast alpha.
A tear slips down Jeongguk’s cheek and he weakly tries to kick out his leg when the man comes in closer with an arm raised above his head – ready to inflict pain; fingers curled in a tight fist.
His eyes are losing the crimson red because he knows he’s got Jeongguk right where he wants him – cornered and at his mercy.
“There we go, just as you should be – “ the alpha sneers with a sick grin on his face, using his free hand to push Jeongguk deeper into the wall, “obedient and – “
The alpha is brutally yanked off of Jeongguk and thrown to the ground like he’s nothing more than a rag doll. The accompanying growl grates on Jeongguk’s ears and skin, but it also makes him feel inexplicably safe.
Jeongguk blinks his teary eyes wide and his mouth almost falls open at the sight of Taehyung like this. He’s never seen his boyfriend this way – not once in their four years of knowing each other.
Taehyung’s eyes burn a shade of red darker and richer than the crimson red of the other alpha’s. He takes one look at Jeongguk’s cheek – smeared in blood and with a cut slashed across his upper cheekbone, just an inch below his old childhood scar.
His mouth immediately curls into the most terrifying snarl that Jeongguk has ever seen, and he’s rather sure that Taehyung is three seconds away from shifting into his wolf form. He stands tall and imposing and powerful and most importantly – he’s placed himself in front of Jeongguk, his back facing the omega.
A protective stance.
A stance that screams – Try and touch him again and I will rip you to shreds.
Taehyung’s normally calm and fresh scent is thick with aggression.
“Who do you think you are?” Taehyung snarls, stands tall and broad in front of Jeongguk. His voice is deeper than Jeongguk has ever heard it before.
The alpha snarls back at Taehyung in a way that is so plainly obvious – it’s a challenge.
“And who are you to – “ the man takes a deep whiff of the air, and his face twitches into a smirk. “Oh, don’t tell me you two are mates? With this omeg – “
Taehyung’s movements are so sudden that neither of the three expect it. He advances on the man before the alpha even blinks. Taehyung’s fist connects with the other alpha’s jaw, sending him careening backwards.
Once the stranger receives the punch, Jeongguk feels like he can move his body again. The spell that the alpha voice had cast on him disappears the moment that the man’s focus broke away from Jeongguk.
The stranger sneers at Taehyung, baring his teeth and charging towards Taehyung who snarls right back at him, completely losing all shreds of patience and logic. The other man tries to swing his fist at Taehyung, but the younger alpha is faster; he twists the man’s arm and uses his other hand to deliver a harsh blow that sends the man to the ground immediately upon impact.
Jeongguk barely has time to even blink.
Taehyung pounces on the other alpha, heavy punch after punch after punch raining down on his face as he tries to twist himself away from Taehyung.
“Get off!” The alpha snarls, mouth full of blood now, and Taehyung growls at him – a deep rumble from the very depths of his chest that makes even Jeongguk shiver.
Jeongguk just wants to go home.
He’s scared now and his cheek is throbbing and Taehyung has never acted this way.
He continues battering the man like he’s nothing but a piece of dough; Jeongguk feels fear seize his heart in it’s icy grip.
If Taehyung does not stop, he will beat that man to a bloody pulp. Maybe even kill him.
“Taehyung, stop!” Jeongguk shakily calls out, pushing himself off the wall and trying to walk closer to grab Taehyung, but his legs feel weak. It’s the aftershocks of having someone use their alpha voice on him, Jeongguk knows.
But he still feels stupid and like he’s not even doing enough.
Taehyung does not listen to his call and Jeongguk knows that right now he’s only focused on eliminating the threat. All he sees is red that shines in the same shade that his eyes are.
He’s went completely feral and brutally violent and the only way Jeongguk sees Taehyung becoming calm again is –
“Alpha.”
It’s almost comical – how fast Taehyung freezes. His arm remains halfway in the air; fingers curled into a tight fist and ready to deliver another blow.
Taehyung’s head whips in the direction of Jeongguk, red eyes blazing. Jeongguk swallows heavily, blinking his eyes; his chest heaves from all the adrenaline.
“Let’s go home,” he pleads, his omega voice bleeding heavily through. He’s never really used it before and it feels strange; a bit scratchy in his throat, but it does its job, because Taehyung is slowly standing up. “I want to go home, I don’t…I don’t like it here.”
Taehyung is now standing. He takes one look at the pathetic excuse of an alpha; curled in a miserable and bloody ball on the ground.
“Alpha.”
Taehyung seems to snap out of it. Jeongguk’s voice is like a shining beacon of light – guiding him out of the dark and violent haze in his mind and in his inner wolf.
“We’ve called the police.” Both Jeongguk and Taehyung’s heads whip in the direction of the voice. It’s Jimin and Yoongi, standing several feet away from them and staring at the scene with wide eyes. Jmin holds a phone in his hands. “The surveillance footage will show he was the instigator.”
Yoongi next to him nods. “Yeah, we’ll make sure he doesn’t run away before the police come. I think it would be best if you two go – Jeongguk needs to – “ Yoongi points at his own cheek.
Jeongguk brings his fingers up to his cheek, wincing when pain pulsates and his fingers touch a sticky and warm substance.
Taehyung is next to him immediately, gentle fingers curling around Jeongguk’s wrist and pulling his hand away from his face.
“Don’t touch.” Taehyung’s voice is scratchy, obvious that he had growled before.
His arm comes to curl around Jeongguk’s waist, and Jeongguk ignores the fact that Taehyung is most probably getting blood on his coat from his busted open knuckles.
“Are you okay?” Taehyung asks, rapidly blinking his own eyes and trying to get the red to bleed away from his gaze. Jeongguk’s scent is still a bit sour with the fear that came alongside the adrenaline and he doesn’t like it.
His alpha hates it and it claws at his chest to help his omega – to clean away the blood and to takecareof takecareof takecareof takecareof takecareof –
“I’m fine, please let’s just go home.” Jeongguk quietly begs, tugging on his arm and Taehyung blinks again.
“Would…” Jeongguk turns his wide eyes on him, and he feels like his mouth is full of cotton, “Would home feel good? Make you feel – feel safe?”
He feels a bit drunk and out of it, but he needs to know – needs to know what his omega needs him to do in order for the omega to feel better. All he can do right now is release as many comforting pheromones as he can, and hope that Jeongguk will find it helpful.
Jeongguk blinks back, and realization comes down on him. Taehyung is deep in his alpha headspace and he needs to take care of Jeongguk. The pheromones that clog the air are pleasant, and Jeongguk sinks in them a bit.
For the first time in their four years of knowing each other – for the first time ever in Jeongguk’s life – the younger of the two finds himself willingly allowing his alpha to take care of him.
“Yes, it would.” He says softly, curling his fingers around Taehyung’s.
The alpha nods immediately and his face sets in a determined expression.
“Okay, come.”
Jeongguk bites back a small smile and lets Taehyung lead him to the parking lot, to their – still running – car.
*******
Once they get back home, Taehyung is taking charge.
He leads Jeongguk to the master bathroom with a gentle arm around his waist and lips pressed to his temple; against his silky soft hair and nose twitching to breathe in the clean scent of lavender and honey that Jeongguk naturally carries. There is a hint of forest fire smoke that Taehyung does not appreciate, but he’s trying to remain rational now that the haze has cleared.
Jeongguk’s scent is not sour anymore and Taehyung’s alpha already considers that a victory.
“Sit down, please.” Taehyung instructs, but before Jeongguk can do that, he’s carefully gripping at Jeongguk’s hips and lifting him up on the bathroom counter. Jeongguk doesn’t protest, watching Taehyung ruffle around for the first aid kit.
“I’m really fine, Tae.”
The alpha does not listen, grabbing a towel and wetting it.
“Stay still, baby.”
Jeongguk does, putting his hands in his lap as he allows Taehyung to carefully clean all the blood and disinfect the cut on his cheek. It’s not too big or too deep, so at least it does not require stitches.
Taehyung does not have to do a lot. He disinfects the cut and then places a thicker band-aid on Jeongguk’s cheek. Once he’s done, he leans in to brush his nose across the soft skin on Jeongguk’s other cheek.
An action to soothe both himself and Jeongguk.
“I’m sorry, I should have waited for you.”
Jeongguk’s eyes widen and he’s shaking his head, gently pushing on Taehyung’s chest.
“Hey, no. It’s not your fault.”
Taehyung huffs.
“But – “
“No.” Jeongguk glares, his voice holding a stern edge that makes Taehyung shut up and listen. “ It’s neither of our faults. He came at me because he was drunk and he was a typical alpha still living in the old days. He was a sexist and an alpha supremacist and he’ll definitely get charged for assault and that’s the end of this story.”
Taehyung sighs, planting his palms to rest on Jeongguk’s thighs and gently squeezing.
“I know. I just…I’m sorry you had to see me that way, I know that you hate when alph – “
Jeongguk rolls his eyes and shuts him up. He cups both of Taehyung’s cheeks in his hands and leans forward to press their mouths together for a gentle and passionate kiss.
Their lips mould together perfectly, like two puzzle pieces, and Jeongguk can physically feel the stress and worry leaving Taehyung’s body. He kisses him for a few more long seconds, and then he’s pulling away to drop a kiss to the alpha’s cupid’s brow.
“It’s fine.” Jeongguk whispers, his eyes boring into Taehyung’s. Then, he bites his lip. “It was kinda hot seeing you like that.”
Taehyung bursts out into disbelieving laughter.
“Unbelievable.” He mutters, leaning in to pepper small and gentle kisses to Jeongguk’s face. The omega smiles, letting go of Taehyung’s face and bringing his arms up to curl around his shoulders.
“Let me clean your knuckles now, they’re pretty messed up too.”
*******
Later, when the two of them are laying on the large couch in their living room, with Iron Man on the screen and containers of take-out Thai food on the coffee table, Taehyung tightens his arms around Jeongguk’s waist and leans in to press a kiss to the little spot behind his ear.
The scent of forest fire smoke is gone from Jeongguk’s skin, but Taehyung’s inner wolf is still antsy.
“Are you okay?” Jeongguk softly asks, shifting until his back is to the tv and he’s facing Taehyung now. He blinks his doe eyes up at his alpha.
Taehyung gulps down the little lump in his throat and presses a kiss to the top of Jeongguk’s head.
“Can I…I know his scent is gone from your body but I just – can I scent you?”
Jeongguk blinks, and then he’s shuffling until they’re both eye level with each other. He doesn’t say a word as he bares his neck for Taehyung, and the alpha breathes a sigh of relief.
“Thank you, baby.” He mumbles, shuffling a bit lower so he can plant his nose against the soft and pale skin of his omega’s throat.
“Don’t thank me, it’s natural.” Jeongguk quietly jokes, sighing when Taehyung trails his nose up the column of his throat; taking deep inhales of Jeongguk’s scent and releasing his own scent to have it take over – cloud over any unwanted scent, even though it’s been gone for a while now.
Jeongguk curls his arms around Taehyung’s shoulders, pushing himself closer and lightly shivering when Taehyung’s warm breath hits his skin. He almost wants to shy away from the touch – it’s feather-light and it tickles, but pleasantly so.
“You smell much better now, baby.” Taehyung whispers, tightening his hold on Jeongguk’s waist and nosing over his mating mark that stands proud on the side of his neck.
“Don’t I always smell good?” Jeongguk jokes, bringing his hand up to Taehyung’s head and lightly scratching his nails across the alpha’s scalp. Their legs tangle together on their own accord; chests pressed flufh against each other’s and holding each other tight in their embraces.
Jeongguk’s cheek throbs a little, but it’s a dull ache of pain – Taehyung having taken care of it.
“You do.” Taehyung promises, pressing a gentle kiss to the middle of Jeongguk’s throat and pulling him even closer. “I love you.”
Jeongguk’s features – unbeknownst to Taehyung – soften immensely, and he’s tilting his chin down to press a kiss to the top of Taehyung’s silky dark hair.
“I love you too, alpha.” He teases, and Taehyung groans into his neck, making Jeongguk erupt in giggles. They never really address each other by their second genders unless one of them is either in heat or rut.
“Shut up, you little menace.” Taehyung breathes, kissing Jeongguk’s neck gently again.
The younger of the two melts in his embrace instead of replying.