Chapter Text
Now was not the time to be feeling under the weather.
Their comeback is in two days and to say that Jungkook is feeling stressed is most definitely an understatement.
He is gathered in the dance studio with his members: his pack, about to start their final rehearsal for the comeback show.
He’s been run to the ground the past few weeks with packed schedules leading up to the comeback date: interviews, rehearsals, pre recoding clips for the comeback show, more rehearsals and even filming a few run episodes in between - he’s barely had time to simply just think for himself and it’s starting to take a toll.
He should be used to this, they’ve been having comebacks for seven years now and Jungkook is not new to this hectic way of life. He loves it really, thrives from keeping busy, especially when he’s busy doing what he loves. But this time something’s different.
His muscles are constantly aching, more so than usual, his head is pounding, even though he woke up a few hours ago with a whole eight hours of sleep behind him, and he generally just feels physically weak. It’s almost like he’s in-
“Kook,” Jimin calls gently, eyes sympathetic as Jungkook startles.
Junkook’s eyes widen as he takes in the sight in front of him. He didn’t realise that he was spacing out. The other members have all gathered in the centre of the practice room in formation, ready to begin the choreography. There are seven pairs of eyes looking towards him in slight concern, choreographer included, and he’s deeply embarrassed.
He hadn’t been doing much better this morning. He had struggled to get out of bed, a shock to the pack who were used to seeing him return home from an early morning run just as they were waking up. He was an early bird, a morning person. Even Taehyung, who notoriously would refuse to leave his bed until the absolute last minute, had woken up earlier than Jungkook, which was saying a lot, and it was enough to warrant a check in with his pack beta.
Seokjin had gently pulled him to the side as soon as he was dressed and ready to leave. Jungkook had reassured him, and thereby the others, that he was doing just fine, that he was a little tired and sore from the previous days rehearsals. What he failed to mention was that he had spent the night tossing and turning, finding it extremely difficult to catch some shut-eye. It was only after he had re-arranged his duvet and pillows, and even sneaked in some of his pack mates clothes that were lying around the dorm, did he manage to finally rest. However, he didn’t catch nearly enough sleep that was required for the busy day ahead. His body was already exhausted. Seokjin didn’t seem completely satisfied with his answer, but he left it at that, notifying Jungkook that he would be checking in with him throughout the day, and that if at any point he needed or even just wanted a break, he would make sure it would happen. All he had to do was ask.
Jungkook clears his throat and heads towards his spot in the formation, wiggling his arms a little in an attempt to shake off the daze he was just in.
As soon as he’s close enough, Namjoon softly takes a hold of his upper arm, his thumb gently stroking back and forth in comfort. “You okay?”
His pack alpha has always been tentative when it comes to his pack members needs. Jungkook knows that he loves them all equally, and although the other members joke about it often, he can’t help but believe that Namjoon has a particular soft spot for him. Maybe it’s because he’s the maknae of the pack, but Jungkook loves his hyung, all of his hyung’s just as much, and he’s so grateful that they always pay close attention to him.
“I’m good.” He’s not, but the comeback is his priority right now, and he’ll be okay. The others are probably feeling the same, maybe even worse, and they’re not complaining.
-
He’s not okay; not in the slightest.
Jungkook barely made it through the first run through of the choreography without any major slip ups. He thinks luck is on his side today, because with the way his legs feel like they’re about to give out any minute now, he’s surprised he managed to avoid tumbling over. He’s dizzy now, though. The room seems to be spinning, getting faster and faster as the seconds go by, and his vision is slowly blackening out.
“Drink.” There’s a bottle held up to his lips, and a firm hand steady on his back as he realises that he’s swaying side to side slightly, like a seesaw.
His lips curve around the lip of the bottle, as he takes a few small sips. The sensation of cool water is welcomed, and it makes him feel a little less dizzy. Just a little. It’s the hand that grounds him however. It’s a promise that he’s not alone, and although it’s reassuring he can’t help but blindly reach forward to grip onto the arm which possesses the bottle, the need for stability, both physically and mentally, strong. He’s not quite sure which member of his pack it his, still feeling slightly disorientated, his senses in haywire, but he knows its pack. His pack is always there for him.
Jungkook releases the bottle from his lips and it’s drawn away from him. The hand on his back pulls him in, and he weakly collides with a solid chest. Yoongi. The scent of mahogany is strong as he tucks his face into Yoongi’s neck, inhaling deeply.
A chuckle vibrates against him. “You’ll get scent drunk, slow down bun.”
Jungkook reluctantly pulls his head away from its safe space, aware that the pack is not alone and now would probably not be the best time to enter a pheromone high, no matter how much he craves it.
“How are you feeling?” Namjoon asks, standing close to the pair, protective. In fact the whole pack has gathered around them. As Jungkook opens his mouth to answer, Namjoon holds a hand up. “Don’t say you’re fine again, you almost fainted. Be honest.”
Jungkook knows he can’t get away with hiding the truth any longer. It’s blatantly obvious that he’s not doing okay and the last thing he wants to do is so obviously attempt to deceive his pack alpha when he has no footing to stand on. “Dizzy,” he manages to mumble out.
Yoongi immediately tightens his hold, trapping Jungkook in his embrace, not that he particularly minds, and begins to scent him vigorously. Jungkook can’t tell if he does this to comfort him or Yoongi himself, but he appreciates it through the clearing haze.
However, as Yoongi bumps his nose into Jungkook’s scent gland, he immediately stiffens. “Kook, your heat isn’t due for a few months right?”
“Yeah, we have around two months, why?” Jimin asks. Both omega’s heats had began to sync up a few months after they had exchanged pack bites. The same with the alpha’s ruts.
Male omegas have two heats per annum, one in each half of the year. They had planned their comeback specifically at this time to avoid the heats and ruts.
Yoongi buries his head further into Jungkook’s neck, and makes a noise of discontent. “You smell like preheat,” he murmurs and Jungkook immediately goes rigid. “Do you think your heat’s starting early.”
“No,” Jungkook shakes his head vigorously, slightly encouraging the onset of dizziness once again.
Namjoon steps forward to place an anchoring hand on Jungkook’s arm, even though he knows Yoongi would never let Jungkook fall. “No to what?”
“His scent is slightly spiking, I think he might be in pre heat.”
“Jungkook, do you mind if I check?” Namjoon asks as Yoongi lets his arms fall to his side, satisfied with the hold Namjoon has to keep Jungkook steady.
Jungkook nods, thinking hard as Namjoon noses his scent gland. He had an inkling that he could be in pre heat, the tiredness, restlessness, and he even nested last night, but he’s never had a heat early, and he can’t afford to have a heat early, at least not now. Not with a comeback in two days.
“Yoongi’s right Kook-ah,” Namjoon pulls back, and Jungkook can’t help but notice he’s weary.
“Can I?” Hoseok asks.
Jungkook looks around the room as he allows Hoseok to assess his scent, and compare his judgement with his fellow alpha’s. Seokjin and Taehyung seem to be in deep conversation, having moved slightly further away from the rest of the pack. The beta’s are probably considering their options right now, never ones to leave things to the last minute. He can’t even imagine the pressure he’s just put them under.
“Definitely pre heat,” Hoseok concludes as he addresses the whole pack. “What are we going to do?”
“I can’t have a heat right now.” Jungkook stresses, practically whines.
Namjoon faces the choreographer who has been watching this entire time, unable to see much due to the surrounding pack, but still close enough to hear what has been said and get the gist that Jungkook is in pre heat. Well, in other words, chaos is about to ensue. “Could we have a break please, pack matters.” Namjoon asks, although the message is clear: privacy please. It was one of the first things that Namjoon had negotiated with BigHit. If he ever requested a break due to matters concerning pack health or anything pack related really, his wishes would have to be respected. Nobody could defy a pack alpha on business involving pack.
As soon as the choreographer leaves, most probably on his way to inform the managers and senior staff, Namjoon rounds up on the pack. “Okay, everyone take a seat. Jungkook come here please.”
Namjoon’s good at this. Taking control of the situation, knowing exactly what to do, and in the instance he does not know, he’s great at listening and coming up with a plan. He’s perfected the skill over the course of seven years, longer even, if you consider pre debut.
Namjoon knows that Jungkook loves cuddling during his pre heat. Can’t stand to be alone from his pack mates during the two day period. He’s always in desperate need of physical reassurances during this time and that’s exactly what his pack alpha will give him.
Jungkook walks over to Namjoon, realising just how much he craves the closeness. He plops himself down on Namjoon’s lap, as the rest of the pack follow in suit and form a circle on the floor. Namjoon wraps his strong arms around him, caging him in, and uses his hand to guide his head down to rest on his shoulder, his side naturally hitting Namjoon's chest. He feels small, warm.
That feeling however doesn’t last for very long, as the topic of the conversation they’re about to have comes to mind.
There’s a panic bubbling under his skin, but Namjoon’s arms keep him rooted to reality. He can't be in pre heat, they have a comeback that they have worked so hard for and Jungkook cannot, will not, ruin that. Not only for them, but for himself too, he’s worked so hard to show his best self to ARMY.
He can hear the members discussing something, thinks he can hear Jimin ask why his heat has come early, thinks he hears Seokjin provide some suggestions: stress, in particular. He knows he should probably be paying closer attention, but he continues to bask in the feeling of Namjoon’s rumbling chest as his mind heads in one direction.
“Suppressants.” He feels Namjoon stiffen at his suggestion, the hand that was stroking his back halts. He can visibly see Taehyung, who he is facing, also stiffen. “I have to stop my heat,” he stresses.
There’s an immediate change in scent, ashy. Hoseok. “You know that’s not a simple decision right?”
Jungkook knows. He has considered using emergency suppressants once before. Two years ago, when Jimin and his heat’s synced up with an American award show that they were invited to attend at the last minute. Although both omega’s had protested, and said that they would be just fine taking the suppressants, they had eventually come to the conclusion that there was always next year for the award show.
Suppressants weren’t particularly harmful, at least not in the long term, but they weren’t pleasant in the slightest. Temporary side effects could range from fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, cramps, the list was practically endless. How long the side effects last varies between person to person, but it’s rare to come away unscathed. Hoseok knows that better than anyone else in the room, as the only pack member to have suppressed their biology, having taken rut suppressants once before.
It was just after debut, their schedules were packed and Hoseok’s rut had sprung out, out of nowhere. The members had not yet formed a pack and the alpha’s ruts were not yet in sync. Hoseok had only just presented a few months back and his rut schedule was still unpredictable; No one was prepared. Jungkook hadn’t even presented back then. Symptoms of rut, however, often begin two weeks in advance of the rut itself, long enough to start on the suppressant pill. Hoseok had experienced every side effect on the bottle, and it was torture to watch him suffer. But he powered through, and not a single person noticed that he was not at his optimum. The side effects were awful, but at least he was able to function in a proficient manner. His rut wouldn’t have allowed such.
Suppressant pills were also available for heats. However, they too require to be started two weeks in advance of the heat. Good for heats that follow their cycle, something Jungkook’s heats had been doing since his and Jimin’s cycles first began to sync up, but useless in situations like this.
There was an alternative suppressant, and although his insides churned at the thought, it was the only option.
“I know,” Jungkook replies to Hoseok. “But I don’t have a choice.”
“You always have a choice.”
“Not this time.” Jungkook further stresses. “You know it’s the only solution, our comeback is in two days. Two days.”
He can see Hoseok swallow as he shifts uncomfortably. Hoseok doesn’t respond. There’s nothing he can say really, because they can’t postpone their comeback at such short notice. The logistics just won’t allow it.
The door to the practice room swings open violently as a group of manager’s enter. Namjoon’s arms instinctively tighten around Jungkook. He’s got a lap full of pre heat omega, his omega, and there’s a group, consisting of non pack alpha’s, advancing towards them. They pose no harm, but his biology is yet to catch up with that decision.
Jungkook tucks his head back into Namjoon’s neck where he feels safest, aware that he’s the cause of the stress he can feel radiating of the managers.
“Jungkook’s in heat?” One of the managers asks and Jungkook does not dare lift his head from its spot.
He can hear Taehyung scoff next to him. “No, he’s not in heat, do you think we would be here if he was.” He sounds annoyed almost, exasperated, probably because of the stupidity of the question. He knows the managers are panicking, and although they care about the pack’s well being, getting through this comeback smoothly is at the top of their agenda.
“No, but he’s in pre heat.” Seokjin cuts in, levelling Taehyung with a cautious gaze.
“Shit shit shit shit shit.” Someone is muttering from above and Jungkook clings onto Namjoon tightly. Namjoon continues to run a hand up and down his back in reassurance.
“Can you calm down please,” Taehyung says in a clipped voice. “We were having a discussion and we weren’t finished.”
“He needs suppressants.” A manager chimes in, and before he can agree, a loud growl vibrates against his chest.
“You have no right to tell me what’s best for my pack.” Namjoon says sternly, a low growl still rumbling through his chest.
“I don’t mean to undermine you Namjoon but there is no other solution.”
“You think I don’t know that?” Namjoon barks out frustrated and Jungkook seizes up a little in his hold. Namjoon runs a hand gently through Jungkook’s hair and whispers low and close to his ear so that only he can hear. “Sorry bun.”
“It’s okay, but they’re right.” Jungkook says tentatively, slowly lifting his head to stare up at their managers. “I want the suppressant.”
“Jungkook.” Hoseok’s voice carries through the dance studio as he gets up from his spot opposite and walks the short distance over to Namjoon and Jungkook. He kneels down in front of Jungkook taking hold of both of his hands, covering them with his much larger pair. “You have to be sure about this.”
“I am Hobi hyung, I want to do this.” He doesn’t really, but he needs to do this, can’t tell Hoseok that however, otherwise he will attempt to dispute his decision.
Hoseok splutters in an attempt to convince Jungkook otherwise, his handsome features marred in concern. He looks at Namjoon in an attempt to gain some support, but Namjoon just nods, doesn't dare question Jungkook’s decisions about his own heat, and simply aims to reassure Hoseok. Hoseok, although not satisfied, taps Jungkook’s hands twice before letting them go as he resumes to his full height, turning to face the managers. “Fine, book us an appointment please, for within the next hour. If we’re doing this we need to get it done immediately so he has at least one full day to recover somewhat from the side effects, before the comeback.”
-
Jungkook hates hospitals. Despises them really.
The receptionist leads the pack to the private sector of the hospital, where rows of suppression suites are lined up. If Jungkook was none the wiser, he would have even thought that they were strolling through a hotel corridor.
The receptionist leads them into the furthermost suite. It appears comfortable at first sight, not much like a hospital room at all.
It’s their first time in a suppression suite, and they take it all in with wide eyes, as the receptionist leaves them to settle.
There’s a large double bed facing a decent sized television. Already, a lot more than Jungkook was expecting. There are also two large sofa’s lined up against the window, clearly accommodating for the whole pack. The receptionist had informed them that the suites had been designed with the aim of making the omega, or alpha in the case of rut suppression, as comfortable as possible, and that the rooms were optimised to ensure pack privacy. Jungkook wasn’t surprised after learning the fee that was paid to receive treatment in one of these rooms.
Jungkook listened with rapt attention as a nurse went through the details of the suppression process in a side room, and he proceeded to fill out some paper work on his general health status and gave his consent.
Yet, even with such vibrant explanations and comforting words from both the receptionist and nurse, Jungkook still wasn’t expecting the suite to be just so grand. They were in a hospital after all. A fact he can’t escape as he lays eyes on the IV drip stand tucked away behind the headboard of the bed. It was too late for suppression pills, and the only alternative was an IV infusion, able to deliver the medication into his blood stream fast enough to take effect before his heat hits. What that also implied, was that the side effects would probably be much worse.
“Come,” Seokjin encourages as he grabs hold of Jungkook’s sweaty hand to drag him further into the room, after he stopped at the sight of the stand. “Get comfortable, we’ll be here for a while.”
The rest of the pack shuffle into the room, placing the bags of food that they bought with them for lunch on the floor, as they head towards the sofa’s.
Jungkook reluctantly takes a seat on the bed as Seokjin pointedly lies down on the other side. He appreciates the effort Seokjin is making in an attempt to make him more comfortable. Yet he can’t help but glance back up at the drip stand, knowing in a few short minutes a bag containing suppressant medication will be hanging off it.
He feels Seokjin’s warm hands curl around his waist and drag him further into the bed so that he’s propped up against the headboard, his body now fully resting on the bed. Seokjin too sits up against the headboard and takes a hold of Jungkook’s hand. “You’ll be okay. We’ll be here with you every step.”
He nods because he doesn’t trust his voice in this moment. He’s not scared of the side effects to come, although maybe he should be. Instead his fear is the process of getting the medication into his body.
Jungkook is needle phobic, and his pack are well aware of this fact.
He knows Seokjin can sense his inner fears as he sweeps back Jungkook’s fringe and lays a soft peck on his forehead. It’s grounding, but it’s not enough. Jungkook pushes Seokjin back softly so that he’s once again resting against the headboard, and shifts so that he’s laying between his legs, back pressed firmly to Seokjin’s chest. “Better?” Seokjin asks, teases kindly, as he circles his arms around Jungkook’s waist to hold him protectively.
Jungkook watches as Namjoon shifts from the sofa to sit on the tail end of the bed, placing an encouraging hand on Jungkook’s leg, as Jimin too moves to join them on the bed, sitting crossed legged right beside Seokjin. The pre heat mixed with the nervous anticipation is making him all the more grateful for the reassurances.
He can tell that Jimin is hurting, knows that if he was in his shoes he’d be devastated. Can’t imagine what it would feel like to see the omega that he’s shared his heats with for the past few years go through the suppression process, knowing that he’ll have to spend his next heat alone. Jungkook vows however, to be by Jimin’s side when that time comes, and hopes that being close to his pack omega during his heat will miraculously induce a third heat this year for him. He can only hope.
He extends a hand out to Jimin, who immediately grabs it tightly, a small smile playing on his lips in gratitude.
Jungkook tries to focus on the soft words Seokjin is whispering into his ear, but he seizes as soon as the door opens, revealing a lady in a white coat carrying a tray. Beta, he can smell.
“Jungkook, lovely to meet you, I’m Doctor Choi.” She circles around the bed until she’s right next to Jungkook and Seokjin, motioning them to remain in their position when they move to shift, as she places the tray next to Jungkook’s legs. He doesn’t dare look at it. “It’s nice to see that you have your pack with you today.”
“We wouldn’t let him do this alone.” Namjoon says, and Jungkook lets himself smile at his alpha’s words. The doctor also nods in acknowledgement.
“Okay, so I’ve been informed that you’re needle phobic, is this correct?” The doctor asks and Jungkook is grateful that the nurse had passed on the message.
“Yes,” he agrees sheepishly.
“No worries, we’ll take this slow, okay?” Jungkook nods, slightly tightening his grip on Jimin’s hand, who squeezes back in response. The doctor brings over a stool and takes a seat as she drags the tray closer, having a look at Jungkook’s wrist band which contains his details. “Can I have your arm please?”
Jungkook doesn’t attempt to move for a few beats and Seokjin eventually takes a gentle hold of his arm and extends it forward so that it rests on Seokjin’s leg. He feels Seokjin’s hand return around his waist, and the soft press of lips on the back of his head.
“Just going to have a look for a vein.” The doctor moves the overhead lamp against the wall to a position more suitable over Jungkook’s arm as she begins her search with gloved hands.
He catches Taehyung’s eyes over the doctor’s shoulder, who rises from the sofa and walks over to lean his weight on Namjoon at the end of the bed. “Want to hear what I picked for lunch?”
He’s grateful for the distraction, needs the distraction, and although it isn’t enough to divert his thoughts, he attempts to engage in the hopes that miraculously, the conversation will become enough. “Sure, what did you buy?”
He feels a tight band wrap around the lower half of his upper arm, slightly pinching at his skin.
“It’s your favourite, guess,” Taehyung smirks as he holds eye contact with Jungkook. From the corner of his eye, he can see the doctor reach into the tray and his heart starts to thump a little more aggressively, as if someone is boxing the inner walls of his chest.
A hand grips his own that is outstretched, and it feels very familiar and very much Taehyung.
“Fried chicken?” Jungkook questions weakly.
Taehyung musters up his most impressive grin, just as Jungkook feels a cold sensation across his forearm. He looks down in time to see the doctor dispose of the wipe and pick up the already prepped cannula.
“You ready?” The doctor asks softly, fingers anchoring the vein.
Before Jungkook can even begin to panic, Seokjin guides his head back to face Jimin, away from the doctor. “Don’t look, you’ll be just fine.”
“Okay, sharp scratch.”
Jungkook squeezes his eyes shut as he feels the needle prick his skin. He tries to focus on his pack mates, who are sending him reassurances both verbally and physically, tuning into those senses. It’ll be over soon, he reminds himself.
He thinks Hoseok and Yoongi have also moved from the sofa as he can hear their voices coming from behind Jimin, but he can’t focus really as all his senses eventually blur into one, high on the pheromones that the pack are releasing for his comfort, until he feels a distinct cold liquid travel through his arm.
“All done, you have amazing veins so that wasn’t too difficult.” The doctor’s voice pierces through his daze, and he blinks up at her, head free to move as Seokjin releases his hold.
He looks down at his arm to see that the cannula is secured firmly with a clear sticker and the tourniquet is gone, as the doctor moves to prepare and connect the bag of suppressant medication, but all Jungkook can focus on is the praises coming from his members, and all he can think about in this moment is how wonderful his pack mates are.
-
He’s grateful to Seokjin who kept him secure in his hold for the full hour whilst the bag drained, even when his back must have been aching, yet he didn’t complain once.
He’s thankful to Yoongi who brought out the guitar that he had dragged along with him from the company, and provided tasteful entertainment.
He’s relieved to have had Hoseok by his side, who ran through the finer details of the choreography one last time, ensuring that Jungkook would not feel guilty for cutting their rehearsal short.
He’s more than appreciative of his pack alpha, who continued to release calming pheromones throughout, hand firmly secured around his leg.
He’s thankful to Jimin who, despite his unease, remained positive, keeping a hold of his hand for the entire hour, cracking jokes every so often.
And Taehyung. Taehyung who fed him his favourite fried chicken, even went so far to give him a few pieces from his own share.
They were all there for him in their own ways.
He knows the worst is yet to come, when the side effects begin to kick in, but he’ll face them with his pack.