Archive of Our Own ^beta

Act I: frappé means ‘struck’

Now, Jeongguk made enough to pay rent, groceries, and his kids’ tuition. He could afford to get them all the beef they want for dinner once every other month if they so wish. What he wasn’t sure of, however, was if he made enough to pay for ballet classes on top of the basic necessities and occasional splurge of impulsive want.

“Appa, I wanna do those twirly turns!” his 5 year-old daughter, Soeun, yelled as she waddled into the kitchen one late afternoon, basically drowning in her Sylveon onesie. Her twin brother, Juyeon, was right on her tail in his matching Leafeon onesie. “Appa, I wanna learn those big jumps that make you float!”

Jeongguk chuckled, putting down his knife and wiping his hands on the rug by the stove before scooping up the two, smiling wider when they each left a kiss on his cheeks. “What have my two Eeevees been watching this time?”

Soeun giggled. “Uncle Hobi left a DVD that had a pretty picture on the cover so we put it on the TV.”

That made him frown slightly. “Don’t just watch things when you don’t know what’s in them, alright?” he scolded lightly. His pups were a little too trusting with anyone and anything and it always had him worried for their safety. Juyeon tugged softly on his ear to grab his father’s attention.

“Don’t worry, Appa,” the little boy said, grinning toothily as he puffed his chest. “Juyeonie will protect Soeunie.”

His sister huffed, pouting as she crossed her arms. “Nuh-uh, Soeunie will protect Juyeonie.”

“Juyeonie is older.”

“But Soeunie is stronger.”

That made the boy pout. Soeun reached over to give him a pat on the head. “‘S okay, Juyeonie can lift Soeunie up when we do that thingy they did in the video." That had the boy perking up instantly. Jeongguk sighed in fond exasperation as he walked to the living room, children still in his arms. “Let’s see what it is then.”

What he found playing on the TV screen was the ending coda of a ballet show. The lead principal dancers were entering from the wings as they began their routine, crossing the stage as if their feet never touched the ground before running in a half circle to meet in the middle where the male supported the female as she did her multiple turns. Jeongguk had always been in awe of ballet dancers and how they made such hard combinations look absolutely effortless. He glanced at the sofa and saw a discarded CD case with the cover of the leads and the words ‘The Nutcracker’ in big, bold, swirly letters.

“Oh, it was a ballet.”

Soeun nodded enthusiastically, twisting the collar of her father’s shirt with her tiny fingers. “Appa, can we do that, can we?”

“You two wanna learn ballet?”

They nodded at the same time.

Jeongguk chuckled nervously, swallowing. “How ‘bout hiphop? Uncle Hobi can teach you guys himself.”

“Appa, Yeonie wanna do ballet.” Juyeon shook his head, eyes rounded and lips pouted. Soeun copied his expression, looking up at Jeongguk through her lashes. “Eunie too.”

Jeongguk didn’t like how they inherited his knack of manipulating people with cuteness. It was an underhanded tactic and he wholly supported it when it was not directed at him. He tried avoiding their gazes but having two near identical faces on either side of him giving him ‘the look’ made his efforts totally useless. He sighed, defeated, and kissed their foreheads. “Alright, Appa will look for a studio, okay?”

The two cheered happily as they slung their short arms around Jeongguk’s neck, nearly strangling him. “Thank you Appa!”

He smiled, holding them to him tighter. “Anything for you two,” he whispered. “Anything.”

Approximately 3 weeks later, the three of them were standing in front of a moderately sized studio sandwiched between a cafe and a flower shop on the side of a small road. Hoseok had personally recommended the studio to him, something about his boyfriend knowing the owner or something, and when it came to dance there was no other person Jeongguk would trust than the older. He took in one last deep breath, bid farewell to the contents of his wallet, and pushed the door open, letting his two excited children through first before himself.

The tiny bell rang clearly through the small receiving area, the mixed scents of mint, cherry, strawberry, vanilla, and what Jeongguk knew was the smell of salonpas strips filled the air. He approached the beta lady by the counter with a kind smile as he held his pups with each hand.

"Hi, I'm the one who requested a trial class the other day?"

"Ah, yes, Mr. Jeon!" The beta smiled, nodding as she handed him a form and a pen. "Just fill this out for now. The boss is just about finishing up so they'll be with you shortly."

"Thank you. Oh, and this is their first time so we don't really have any suitable clothes."

The lady rose a little and peeked over the counter, chuckling and waving as the two pups beamed up at her, waving as well. "Are their pants stretchable?"

"Yeah, they're leggings."

"Leggings and socks will do just fine for now, our floors are mopped and swept after every class so you don't have to worry too much about dirt."

"Oh, thank Luna," he sighed. He filled the form quickly and handed it back to the lady, letting her check it over before she typed something into her computer. They finalised the payment for the trial class first before she gestured to the door down the small hallway to the left of her desk.

"The first door is the dressing room, the second is the bathroom, and the main dance floor is at the very end."

Jeongguk thanked her one last time and ushered his kids down the hall. The slightly muted sound of a piano floated towards him, slipping through the small crack of the ajar door. He hummed in approval, noticing the soundproof walls, remembering a time when he practiced in a room with walls too thin he heard every sound from beyond except the music.

Pushing the door open, he stepped into the small landing as the music came at him full blast. He quickly shut the door. The landing's walls were lined with cubby holes on one side and racks on the others, for bags and shoes respectively. Sunlight filtered in through the large windows on his left, continuing down the parts he could see of the large room. He guessed they lined the entire walls of the studio, settling above the mirrors. He busied himself with taking off his and his pup's shoes that he wasn't able to properly admire the decor, though he did think everything was spectacular in the fact that it was simple and elegant from a quick glance.

Squatting to their level, he gave his pups a stern look. "I need you two on your best behaviour or else we can't come back, okay?"

"'Course, Appa!" Soeun grinned, Juyeon nodded. He smiled and stood, grabbing onto their hands again.

"Fingers crossed, then," he mumbled to himself as he turned the corner. His mouth opened in greeting but no words came out as his breath lodged in his lungs at the sight before him.

The music reached its climax as an angel leaped into the air, defying the rules of gravity for a moment as if he had never belonged to the earth. Jeongguk swore he didn’t, he looked too perfect to be a mere mortal like him. Oh shit, he was turning poetic, this was not a good sign.

"Appa, look, he’s flying too!"

The angel—male, made an elegant spin to face them, face splitting into a blinding grin. The scent of ripe strawberries and lavender, with the subtlest hint of cocoa, was much more saccharine up close.  "Oh, hi! Sorry, I lost track of time."

Jeongguk blinked, startled. Wow, his voice was deep, and lovely, very lovely. "I—it's fine! We, uh, we came in a bit early and the lady up front said to head on in."

The omega approached them and Jeongguk tried not to ogle the man's toned muscles, he blamed the black tights and the fitted white shirt, they were too tight, yep, definitely too tight. The man extended a hand in greeting. "Kim Taehyung, I'm the teacher and owner of this studio, pleasure to meet you Jeon-ssi."

The alpha subtly wiped his hand against his jacket, praying to the moon goddess the other didn't feel how clammy his palm was. He smiled and hoped for the best that it didn't seem like he was constipated. "Pleasure's all mine," truly , he wanted to add, "Hoseok hyung said you were one of the best and I trust his judgement on that." He made a mental note to thank Hoseok for suggesting this specific studio, maybe a big fruit basket would do.

Taehyung chuckled and Jeongguk swore it echoed with the chorus of a million bells. The slight blush on the omega’s cheeks told him the other was easy to fluster and oh, did Jeongguk want to shower him with praise. “I wouldn’t say best, but thank you.”

The alpha nodded, knowing if he opened his mouth he’d just embarrass himself even more. A tug on his pants brought his attention to the two pups who were hiding slightly behind him. He looked down, smiling softly as he brought them forward. “Say hi, guys.”

Taehyung squatted down to their level, smiling gently. “Hello,” he said, making his voice soft, “my name’s Taehyung, and I’ll be the one to teach you today. May I know your names?”

Soeun stepped forward, chest puffed and grin wide, hand gripping her brother’s. “I’m Soeunie! This is Juyeonie, we’re tuh, te…”

“Twins,” Jeongguk supplied.

“What Appa said,” she giggled. Taehyung chuckled along, standing back up. “Well, it is very nice to meet you two cuties. Shall we begin?”

The pups nodded, giggling in excitement. The omega nodded. “Okay then,” he turned to Jeongguk. “I let the parents sit in during trial classes so you can stay if you want.”

Jeongguk had to hold himself from drooling like an excited dog. “Sure, yeah, that would be great.”

Taehyung smiled at him and faced the twins again to gesture to the barre. Juyeon skipped happily alongside him, but Soeun tugged on her father’s pants, unmoving. Jeongguk hunkered down for her. “What’s wrong, pup?”

“Appa, I like him. Can he come home with us?” the girl said with all the honesty a child like she had. Jeongguk narrowed his eyes, pouting, as he playfully pinched the tip of the pup’s nose with the knuckles of his index and middle fingers. “It’s not as easy as that, kiddo.” he coaxed her to where her brother and the omega stood, waiting. “Now go on, show Appa how good his little girl is at those twirly turns.”

The bright, toothy smile he got in return before the girl went away made Jeongguk feel all the more emotional, especially when Juyeon turned to him and gave him one of his own. He smiled back at them and met eyes with the omega male. The gentle look on the other’s face made blood rush to his ears. Clearing his throat, he found a spot in the corner by the door and sat on the floor.

If Jeongguk was completely honest, he barely remembered what Taehyung taught his children. He understood the basic positions, the moving from barre to floor to center, and recalled a couple terms the omega had used. Yet he was too preoccupied enjoying the scent and pleasant spikes in Taehyung’s pheromones to fully follow the entire class. He only realized it was over when they started to curtsy to each other before his children were running towards him, laughing happily. He managed to open his arms just in time to catch them, tightening his core to keep them from falling over.

“Hey,” the alpha chuckled, kissing the sweaty foreheads of his pups. “So, how was it?”

“Appa, it was amazing!” Juyeon giggled. Soeun clung onto her father’s collar, beaming up at him. “Appa, Teacher Tete showed me how to do the twirly turns! Did you see, did you see?”

“Of course I saw, my pups did wonderful. I’m super, super proud of you two.”

There was a chuckle above them. Jeongguk looked up into warm, smiling eyes. “So, I take it you’ll be enrolling officially? Will I be seeing you again?”

The alpha smiled back. “I— we,” he amended quickly. “Are definitely coming back.”

The omega’s smile brightened as he clapped his hands. “That’s great! I’ll let Chungha know so she can arrange the payment and contract while you guys change, yeah?”

“That sounds great, thank you Taehyung-ssi.”

The omega waved his hand as he headed out of the studio. “Just Taehyung is fine.”

Jeongguk felt a tug on his sleeve and turned to meet Juyeon’s determined gaze. “Appa, Juyeonie wants to marry Teacher Tete.”

The alpha raised his brows, pinching the boy’s cheeks. “Yah, I’m doing it before you.”

The boy only whined while his twin sister giggled, going on and on about how cool it would be to have Taehyung at home with them so he could teach her how to dance even outside of the studio. Jeongguk tried to explain to her that the danseur would not be coming home with them to no avail.

Unbeknownst to them, the omega was leaning against the walls of the landing, smiling to himself.

After changing his pups’ damp clothes and nearly drowning them in powder and baby cologne, the little family returned to the main lobby where they found the omega and beta laughing about something. It dawned on Jeongguk that the omega could be taken and he deflated a little. Taehyung noticed them emerge from the hall and grinned, waving them closer. The alpha plastered a smile to his face.

“Chungha already arranged your papers for enrollment. Will you be paying monthly or per session?”

“Monthly works for me.”

The omega nodded and let the beta take over. Jeongguk tried his best to pay attention to what the lady was saying, knowing it was important, but a part of him continued to sulk at the idea of the omega being taken.

“They’ll join the primary class,” Chungha handed him a slip of paper with the schedule for the pups’ classes. Jeongguk was glad they started an hour after work ended for him, which meant he had just enough time to drive across town, pick them up from school, and drive back to the studio. He nodded, thanking both beta and omega.

“See you on Saturday, Jeon-ssi!” Taehyung beamed brightly at him. Jeongguk flushed a bit, smiling back. “Just Jeongguk would be fine, Taehyung-ssi.”

The omega winked at him and Jeongguk felt his knees wobble a little. “Then just Taehyung is fine, as well.”

The alpha swallowed, tilting his head in recognition. “Yeah, uhm,” he glanced down at his pups, not liking the way they were grinning up at him. He chuckled nervously and grabbed their hands. “We still gotta drop by the grocery store so say bye-bye now, pups.”

“Bye-bye, Teacher Tete! Bye pretty eonnie!”

“Bye, Teacher Tete and pretty noona!”

The two chuckled and cooed at the pups with fondness, waving goodbye. Jeongguk bowed in farewell as well before walking to the door, hoping to escape whatever plan his mischievous twins were cooking up. He was too far from the counter to hear what the beta and omega were talking about.

“He’s totally your type, isn’t he?”

A smirk. “Totally.”

The beta stifled a laugh. “You know it’s bad for business if you start to favour his kids and the other parents notice.”

“Excuse me, I can stay professional during business hours, you know.”

“Mhm, I saw the slip of paper with your number on it that you slipped into the brochure and took it out before handing it to him.”

The omega pouted. “Why must you ruin my fun?”

“‘Cause then I won’t have my fun of seeing him come here progressively getting more and more chaotic everytime he sees you.”

Taehyung chuckled, watching the little family walk to their car through the glass front. “I wouldn’t want to miss that either.”

Jeongguk has been taking his pups to the dance studio for three weeks and within that time, he has had to deal with his children being the devil incarnate at least twenty times.

At first, he thought little of it. His pups have always been curious since the moment they opened their eyes. But the things they were telling him were a little too… specific.

“Appa, Teacher Tete said he likes the color purple but likes to wear brown clothes.”

“Appa, did you know Teacher Tete can’t drink coffee?”

“Appa, I heard Teacher Tete say he liked going to bookstores and museums.”

“Appa, Teacher Tete said he likes both boys and girls like you do!”

If Jeongguk was a little bit more delusional, he would think his children were trying to hit on the omega for him, but that was unlikely. Even if his pups were to somehow succeed in getting him all this date-worthy information, it was unlikely an omega like Taehyung would still be single, and what chance did he have, exactly, when every time they have met so far, he’s managed to embarrass himself in one way or another. He was fine with watching from afar, simmering in his feelings until it went away. He was even planning to have Jimin or another one of his hyungs take his pups to the studio just to avoid the omega.

thanks gukkieeee!! tell tae i said hi ;)

The alpha sighed as he reread his conversation with Hoseok before pocketing his phone. “The universe is a cruel, cruel place,” he sighed to himself as he grabbed his gym bag. He took a moment to compose himself before exiting his car and heading towards the familiar building.

Chungha glanced up at him as he entered the studio, playful smile on her face. “Good afternoon, Jeongguk-ssi. The pups have no classes today and Taehyung-ssi is in the middle of rehearsals right now.”

“Uh, yeah, about that,” the alpha rubbed his nape as he smiled back shyly. “Hoseok hyung was supposed to help him but he got caught up with something so he sent me.”

The beta’s brows rose, smile turning into a grin. “Oh, you dance?”

“Street mostly, but yes.”

“Are you part of Hoseok-ssi’s crew as well?”

Jeongguk felt his heart twist at the question, his smile growing smaller. “Uhm, yeah, but not anymore.”

Chungha noticed the change in his scent and dropped the conversation. She gestured to the hallway, still smiling. “You know the way.”

Jeongguk bowed his head. “Thanks,” and then headed towards the dance room. The familiar beats of the song he heard from the first day he went there flooded him when he opened the door and stepped into the landing. He took off his shoes, counted three beats in his head, sent a prayer to Luna that he does not do anything stupid, and finally turned the corner.

Taehyung was in the middle of going through a series of simultaneous kicks and turns and really fluid arm movements that Jeongguk marvelled at the balance and coordination, forgetting to speak again until the omega noticed him and stopped dancing to smile.

“Jeongguk, hi!”

He hurried over to the table in the corner and paused the music. The alpha cleared his throat, dropping his bag by the side before meeting the omega halfway in the center of the room. "Hoseok hyung sent me," the alpha said, as if it was not clear enough already. Taehyung nodded, smiling softly.

"Yeah, I was honestly shocked when he told me the one coming to help would be you."

A chuckle. "Shocked, really?"

"Okay, ‘surprised’ might be a better word."

Jeongguk grinned, beginning to stretch his arms to keep himself occupied. "Do I really not seem like a dancer?"

Taehyung quickly shook his head, hands going up. "No, it's not like that! I— I—"

The alpha laughed. "Relax, Taehyung-ssi, I haven't danced properly in years anyway so I don't exactly qualify as a dancer anymore."

Taehyung frowned, lips pushing out in a pout that Jeongguk wanted nothing to do but kiss, but that would be rude and make him seem too straightforward when he was a boiling mess inside. "It doesn't matter if you haven't danced in a thousand years, a dancer is still a dancer as long as the heart remains. And what I meant to say was that you have really good proportions, but I just guessed it was because you liked to work out or something." The omega shrugged, joining Jeongguk on the floor in a  butterfly position as the other stretched out his legs and opened up his hips.

"Though it does make sense considering you seem close with Hoseok hyung. When I asked him to help me with my choreography, he said he was too busy to come over but that he'd recommend someone better than him when it came to making up steps."

The alpha tucked his head as he twisted his upper body in a forward bend whilst in a split to hide his red cheeks.

"I wouldn't say better, per say," he chuckled. "Hobi hyung has better technique and coordination than me anyway."

"Hm, he is good. But I haven't seen you dance yet so I can't make a final judgement on that for now. And Hobi hyung, huh?" Taehyung grinned, stretching his feet out in front of him and rolling his ankles, flexing and pointing as he went. "Sounds cute."

"Ah, yeah, it's an old nickname I gave him."

"Seems like you guys go a long way back."

The smile on the alpha's lips was bittersweet. "Yeah, we went through a lot together."

Taehyung tilted his head. "Were you two ever..."

Jeongguk's eyes blew wide, almost losing balance and falling flat on his face from a lunge. "No! No , oh god no. Hobi hyung is like a brother to me. Don't get me wrong, he's an attractive and amazing person, but I don't see him in that way."

The omega seemed to deflate, laughing in relief. " Oh , okay."

Jeongguk could have pushed a little bit, used that opening to flirt with the other, but they were entering territories he was unprepared to trek as of yet. Clearing his throat, he finally stood and helped the omega back to his feet as well, hoping Taehyung took no notice of his clammy hands. “Let’s start?”

“Right, right,” Taehyung nodded a few times, bouncing on the balls of his feet before heading to his phone, Jeongguk following behind.

“What’s this dance for, by the way?”

“My old dance academy’s hosting this show for their 50th anniversary and they invited a couple of us alumni to perform. I wanted to do one original since all I ever did were variations but it’s been a while since I’ve choreographed anything not for kids so fingers crossed,” the omega chuckled nervously, rewinding the song back to the beginning. “I just hope I live up to the reputation I left behind.”

Jeongguk wanted to pat the other on his back to reassure him but opted for a smile instead. “I bet you’ll do great. It is a full ballet piece?”

Taehyung nodded, handing Jeongguk the phone, aux cord dangling between them. “The first dance is, but they asked me to do another more contemporary routine. I’ve already got a few eights for the beginning but I’m still not sure about the transitions and all.”

The alpha nodded, taking note of the other’s wishes. “Show me that first then we can build it up from there.”

The omega winked as he shuffled backwards to the center. “Aye, aye, Teach.”

“That’s— you,” the alpha looked away for a moment, trying to remember old habits and forcing his heart to stop beating so fast. He looked back at the other with a more determined gaze. “Position.”

It was like a switch within the omega as well, smile disappearing as he took off his ballet flats and tossed them off somewhere. He took his place in the back corner, waiting. Jeongguk pressed play and watched the other transform.

Taehyung started walking forward slowly, took two quick steps that ended in an open stance and paused in a bent position, body rising with his arms and flowing with the music. He did a small outward wave with his arms before swinging the left forward while the right dropped, stepping his left foot forward to move to a kneeling position on both his knees. He mimicked hugging a person, his left arm going in a fast, almost desperate manner while the other contrasting it with a slower, more melancholic tempo. An upward wave, a handstand that transitions into a small flip that ends with him on his back, right knee bent upward. A quick demi rond de jambe to get the momentum he needed to a back roll, right knee supporting him from below as he lifted his pelvis the same time he twisted his head. His feat landed on pointe in an open V as he slowly lowered himself down before pushing back up and hopping to his feet, one completely grounded and the other raised to a demi pointe, arms pushing out and tucking back in before opening in an extended third as he did a triple soutenu on the balls of his feat, ending in a lowered pose, left foot raised again with his right arm behind in arched back and the left rounded in the front.

Jeongguk was transfixed, eyes following every movement and every breath and every pause. He began to feel the music himself, allowing himself to be dragged with the rise and fall of the notes. There was a phantom feeling in his limbs that replicated the omega’s movements and made them his own, like how he would execute them in his own style. But then the feeling shifted from dancing along till he began to dance with Taehyung, making up steps that would compliment the movements the other was making. For a split second, he saw himself dancing next to the danseur, skin touching, eyes meeting, and then it was gone. He blinked the lingering emotions away and realized that the omega had stopped dancing and was waiting for his verdict. He cleared his throat, arranging his thoughts.

“Wow, that was… it’s good, great.”

A smile bloomed on the other’s face. “Really?”

The alpha nodded, mirroring the smile. “You’re a great dancer, Taehyung.”

The omega smiled even brighter, happy that the other had finally dropped the honorifics with him. He propped his arms on his waist and arched a brow in a challenge. “Well then get over here and make me even better.”

Jeongguk chuckled. He placed the phone down on the table, ready to join the other, when doubt and hesitation crept into his mind. He was in dangerous territory again, old memories resurfacing. It was just this one time, he told himself, as he turned to walk towards the waiting male, hoping and praying he would not disappoint both the danseur and his oldest friend for allowing him another chance to experience that nostalgic bliss.

"Jeongguk, can we please take a quick break? We've been at it for almost three hours," the omega pouted as he dropped his arms, sweat making his fringe stick to his forehead. The alpha glanced at his watch and saw that they had indeed been practicing for almost three hours nonstop, the other must have been parched.

"Oh, shit , I'm sorry! I got used to— here," he hastily grabbed Taehyung's water bottle and handed it to the slightly panting omega. Taehyung chuckled after chugging down a few mouthfuls, patting the sulking alpha on the shoulder to console him. “It’s fine, I just needed a quick breather. We can try again in a minute.”

Jeongguk shook his head. “We stop here today, I already went past the time we agreed on. I’ll be a bit busy for the next few days but I’m free Thursday afternoon so I can drop by then, probably after lunch so we can practice a bit before I have to go get the twins. Will that be okay?”

“Sure, I’m mostly free before and after classes anyway.”

A nod. “Okay, sounds good then.”

They began to do their own cool down stretches, chatting as they went.

“So how long have you and Hoseok hyung known each other?”

“Years,” Jeongguk chuckled, reminiscing about hot summers and freezing winters running between classes and chores to find whatever open space they can. “I met him when I was around 14. He was dancing in one of the older, less frequented parks in the city with a couple of other underground dancers and I thought what they were doing was really cool. I found myself days later sneaking out whenever I could to meet up with him and the others at this abandoned skate park in the outer edges to watch people battle and just… dance. Everyone had their own style and genre, but standing in the crowd with them made it feel like we were all doing the same dance.”

Taehyung hummed, eyes wide with interest. “Wow, that sounds so cool. Did you join in?”

The alpha shook his head. “Nah, I just stood by the sidelines during the first few times I went. I was pretty shy back then so I couldn’t just join in, no matter how much Hobi hyung tried to persuade me. I did, however, begin to look up tutorials for beginners and practiced the basics on my own. One time I got to the park where hyung and I met up earlier than he did and no one was around so I figured, you know, why not try dancing in a bigger space than my tiny room?”

“He caught you, didn’t he?”

“Yeah, he did. The crew he used to dance with had apparently dropped him that day because he ‘didn’t fit their image’,” Jeongguk rolled his eyes. The omega frowned. “That sounds like crap.”

“It was. Which was why it was a little bit easier for me to agree to start a new crew with him. It was just the two of us for the first couple of months. We’d meet up whenever we could and practice in my cousin’s garage since it had enough space for us to practice freely. That same cousin’s also a DJ so he made us the mixes we used for our dances. I gave my ideas, Hobi hyung polished them, tweaked parts, added in his own ideas, and then we’d have our choroes. We joined a couple of small competitions in the underground scene and won every time, much to the dismay of the asses who dropped hyung, and a few months later some lady came up to us asking if we wanted to join a bigger, more official competition. There was a prize money so we couldn’t pass it up. We won second place there, people finally started asking if they could join, we got connections and joined more competitions and a couple shows, and that’s how me and hyung got close.”

“Wait, so you’re the co-founder of Cypher?”

“We used to go by the name JJ Verse when we were still a duo, but yeah, I guess.” Jeongguk tugged at his ear, walking over to his bag to grab his towel. Taehyung stood and grabbed his phone, tapping something on it very quickly. “Do you guys have any vids on the internet?”

“Uh, we have that competition vid up on Youtube if I’m right, though fair warning, it kinda makes me cringe thinking about the stuff we did and you might be into that style s—”

The omega snorted. “Oh please Jeonggukkie, I started with jazz so I’m basically an all rounder. Ah, here it is.”

Jeongguk wiped away his sweat as he gauged the other’s reaction as the familiar song began to play throughout the room since Taehyung’s phone was still connected to the speakers. (video here)

“Holy shit, you look so cute trying to act cool,” Taehyung chuckled, looking up once to give the alpha a teasing look. Jeongguk winced, turning around to change shirts while the omega was busy. “I’m blaming it on puberty.”

“Have you settled during this already?”

“Not yet, I settled a year later.”

“Hm.”

Jeongguk packed up his bag, glancing at the other from time to time as Taehyung stayed silent as he watched the video. The final beats of the songs came and Jeongguk knew the video was over. He stood by the barre, bag slung across his chest and hand twiddling with the keychain of a carrot he had hanging on the strap. “So?” he asked hesitantly.

Taehyung looked up at him with a blank look and spoke in a monotonous tone. “I am gonna get you to dance like this for me the next time you come over.”

The alpha chuckled, still feeling uneasy at the prospect of dancing but lighter with the obvious approval from the other. “I don’t really dance anymore, I just help around when I can.”

The danseur dropped his phone back on the table and stalked closer to the alpha, determined. He tapped a finger against Jeongguk’s chest and narrowed his eyes. “Don’t challenge me, Jeon. just you wait, I’m gonna get you dancing for me like a little puppet soon enough.”

The alpha laughed awkwardly, gently pushing the finger poking him away. “We’ll see, Taehyung-ssi.”

The omega pouted at that. “You’re using honorifics again.”

“Oh, well… okay, how old are you?”

“28, why?”

Jeongguk grinned. “Then I can just call you hyung since you’re older than me, does that work?”

Taehyung looked up in thought before nodding happily. Jeongguk smiled. “Great, then,” he glanced at his watch. “Uhm, I’ll be heading ahead now.”

The other nodded again, waving goodbye as the alpha retreated. But just as Jeongguk was about to turn the corner, Taehyung called out for him.

“Jeonggukkie?” 

“Yeah?”

He turned to see an amused smile on the omega’s face. “Forgive me for being too forward again but I’m getting pretty tired of hitting on you through your twins, as helpful and adorable as they are.”

Jeongguk felt his jaw drop to the floor and blood rush to his entire face as his suspicions were confirmed. “That, I , you— huh?”

Taehyung chuckled, skipping across the dance floor to stand in front of the other again, hand creeping forward and slipping something into the pocket of Jeongguk’s windbreaker. “Like I said, I’ve got nothing to do besides class most of the time. Does Saturday night sound good to you?”

“You, that,” he gulped, eyes struggling to stay in one place. “Uh, Saturday sounds great.”

Taehyung beamed at him and the alpha swore he was blinded for a moment there. “Great! See you Thursday, Jeonggukkie!”

“Y—yeah, see you then.”

He moved in autopilot, barely bidding a goodbye to Chungha before he found himself in his car, staring into the void. After a few minutes, he finally managed to snap out of his trance to take out whatever Taehyung had slipped into his pocket. Unfurling the small scrap of paper, he had to bite his lip to hold back the yell he wanted to let out.

XXX-XXX-XXXX

vidcall me tonight, gotta thank the little angels for helping me

and to see your pretty face too ofc ;)

Oh, Luna, spare his heart.

Act II: chassé means ‘to chase’

“Appa, what are you watching?”

Jeongguk paused the video on his laptop to smile at his children as they waddled into his room in their matching bear onesies. “I’m watching Teacher Tae’s old competition videos, wanna join me?”

The two gasped, shrieking in delight as they climbed into bed and snuggled on either side of him, bouncing in excitement.

“Teacher Tete! Teacher Tete!”

“Play it, Appa, play it!”

“Alright, alright,” The alpha chuckled, complying as he settled back, pulling the pups closer with his arms around them. He was looking for tickets for the exclusive display in the museum in the east side of the city when he remembered making a mental note to look up any videos on the omega. An hour later, Jeongguk had seen various competitions in France, America, and many more local ones. He even found footage of Taehyung from the many recitals he’d been in. The omega seemed to be a bigshot dancer in the dance world, being able to deliver ballet, jazz, modern, and contemporary nearly flawlessly every time he performed.

The video he was currently watching was one of Taehyung’s older competition footage from when Jeongguk guessed the omega stayed in France. (video here)

“Wah,” Juyeon marvelled, pointing at the screen. “Teacher Tete looks so cool.”

“Teacher Tete looks kinda scary.”

Jeongguk laughed fondly, leaning down to kiss his girl’s forehead. “He’s in character, bub. He’s just acting like that.”

Soeun giggled, grinning up at her father. “I know, Teacher Tete is really nice and funny.”

The alpha ruffled her head and turned back to the screen. Taehyung did a couple of pirouettes before switching to a double twirl and landing on his knee, posing perfectly as the final note sounded sharply. The crowd began to clap and so did the two, whooping and cheering for their teacher. The pups asked him to show them another video of the omega so he clicked on one of Taehyung’s other videos that he had already seen. Jeongguk watched, endeared, as the two quieted down and focused on the video. He was glad they liked the omega, it made it easier for when he would tell them he was starting to date the other.

As if planned, his phone pinged from where it was discarded on the bedside table. Jeongguk reached over and unlocked it, smiling. They've been texting everyday since Taehyung gave him his number, sneaking between classes and work, getting to know each other more and more.

can’t wait to see you tomorrow gukkie :<<<

He texted back.

can’t wait either hyung, hope you like what i planned for us

A ping.

whatever it is I’m sure I’ll love it

also I didn’t get to tell you but you looked really hot in that top you wore yesterday ;)

Jeongguk blushed at that, quickly responding.

thank you, you looked pretty hot yourself in those tights, made your legs look extra pretty

I know, which is why i love wearing tights ♡♡♡ also I wear tights all the time so that compliment doesn't count

will it count if I add that you look hot all the time?

hmmmmm…….. what else :)

you looked really cute drowning in your oversized sweater, kept wanting to wrap you in a hug

why didn't you :<

I'll do it tomorrow then

Will I also get to scent you tomorrow? :<

Jeongguk swallowed, his wolf roaring and preening at the idea of scenting and getting scented by the other.

does it sound too desperate if I say yes please?

nopeee ^-^ besides, if I scent you then everyone will know to back off

please, they'll be trying to get to you, not me

EXCUSE MEEEE have you seen yourself >:(((( the moms literally try to get your attention every time you come to drop off and pick the pups

and how would you know when you're inside the room

Chungha reports to me ofc :)

omg hyung that's so fkfkgjfkffjf

hey, I can't shoot my shot if the goal is being blocked

Jeongguk chuckled softly at that, pausing in typing when the twins asked to watch another video.

don't worry, I'd have moved the goal myself for you

well damn jeonie boy, don't make me fall too fast

lol, really can't wait for tomorrow tho

me neither :<<<<< imma dress up all nice so you better appreciate it

I'll appreciate you even if you wear a potato sack hyung

that….. I'm just gonna take that as a compliment

;-;,,,, I'll dress up pretty too

good, cause we're gonna take a lot of pics that I'm gonna use to make all those salty people other there bitter ^-^

you might be too distracted tomorrow to even be able to take pics, just saying

you really won't tell me where we're going :<

it wouldn't be a surprise then, hyung

not even if I send a pic of me pouting :<<<

I'm willing to leave you on read just to keep myself from being tempted

SKXNXNDDKDJXJ you're so extra its really cute

thanks, I get told that a lot

cute?

extra, but that too

>:((((( imma call you cute and a bunch of other sweet things until you only think of me when you hear then

oh.. well that's not too hard

what, complimenting you :/

no, thinking of only you

Jeongguk worried his lip when the other didn't reply as quickly, wondering if he went too far with the flirting when another bubble popped out.

sorry, had to calm down after that little heart attack you gave me

jfjdkdjd too much?

nopeee, keep it up actually. I like it :3

I'll keep that in mind for tomorrow then

:<<<<< really won't tell me?

no :)

hmphh fine then, you big meanie >:(((

I'll make it up to you, dw

you better

till tomorrow then?

see you tomorrow gukkie ♡♡♡♡♡♡

see you hyung :)

"I look fine, right?"

Hoseok sighed from where he lounged on the bed, letting his godchildren paint his nails and do his hair. "Yes, Jeonggukkie. For the billionth time, you look amazing."

"But you're kinda biased."

Soeun perked up, looking at him. "Soeunie thinks Appa looks really good, too!"

Jeongguk chuckled but continued to tug at the sleeves of his jacket. "Thanks baby, but you're pretty biased too."

The other alpha in the room rolled his eyes. "What's the point of me being here if you're not gonna listen to my advice?"

"I need you here for morale support."

"Guk-ah, it's a date , you've been on these things before."

“Yeah, but not with him ,” the younger whined, ultimately shrugging off the jacket he was wearing and looking for another one in his closet. Hoseok groaned. “Tae’s not really the type to care about what you look like, you know. Jiminie said he’s been so excited ever since last Sunday.”

Jeongguk chuckled, lifting a flannel before putting it back. “I honestly didn’t think he’d ask me out just like that.”

“And speaking of last Sunday…”

The younger alpha paused to glare at the older, who only acted innocent. “What about it?”

“Well… how did you feel?”

A shrug. “T’was fine.”

“Just fine?”

“Yep, how does this look?”

“Great. You didn’t miss it?”

“It was… meh.”

“Really, now.”

“Mhm.”

Hoseok sighed, moving around a bit so Soeun could do the other side of his hair and apologizing to Juyeon when he jostled the boy who was painting his nails. “The position’s still open for you whenever you decide to come back.”

“And I already told you I won’t be coming back. I’m only helping Taehyung hyung with his dance, I’m not dancing myself.”

“Is it really so bad to dance for yourself again?”

Jeongguk sighed as he shrugged on a long coat, going back over to the full body mirror to check himself out. “You know why, hyung.”

“I do, and I still think you could’ve made it up to her in another way.”

“It would’ve been unfair to her if I continued.”

“Guk, it’s unfair to you .”

A nod. “And I’m completely fine with that even if you don’t agree.”

Hoseok’s frown deepened further, sadness etched in his eyes. “I’m just looking out for you, Guk-ah. I wanna see you happy.”

“Hyung, I am happy,” he finally settled on the coat and went over to the bed, hugging and kissing his children farewell. “I have my pups and you and my family, and now I’m going on a date. I’m pretty happy.”

“I wanna see you happier,” Soeun moved out of the way so he could pull the younger alpha into a hug. “I pray Taehyung makes you happier.”

Jeongguk took a relaxing whiff of the other, sighing against Hoseok’s shoulder. “I hope so too.”

Hoseok ruffled his head and leaned back, smiling. “Have fun, Jeonggukkie.”

“Thanks for everything, hyung.”

“Happy to help. Don’t forget to say hi to them after the show, yeah? They missed you lots.”

Jeongguk nodded as he grabbed his phone and wallet, heading out. “I will!”

almost there!!!! can’t wait to see you ^-^

Jeongguk’s knee kept bouncing up and down as he read the text he received five minutes ago. He was sitting by the bench in front of the coffee shop they agreed to meet at, cups of decaf lattes next to him. He had not been on a date in a while and he was beyond nervous. He had mostly been with betas and alphas, and the two omegas he’d been with did not take him having pups too well. He was glad Taehyung was good with his kids, great even, which made him even more anxious in case the other did not find him interesting or maybe if he ended up not actually liking his pups or him or—

Soft, warm hands covered his eyes and a sweet laugh he was growing familiar with sounded behind him as the scent of vanilla and strawberry invaded his nose.

"Guess who?" The omega sang into his ear. Jeongguk smiled brightly. "A handsome prince who's come to mingle with a commoner such as I?"

A snort and the hands disappeared. "You're so freaking cheesy."

Jeongguk turned around, another cheesy line at the tip of his tongue, when all words left him at the sight of the other in his brown checkered pants and dual colored top. “You look,” he cleared his throat when his voice came out too husky. “You look wonderful, hyung.”

He enjoyed how red the omega’s cheeks got. “Thank you, Gukkie. You’re looking pretty dapper as well, for a commoner.”

Jeongguk laughed, standing up and handing Taehyung his coffee. “Here.”

“Thanks. I got something for you too.”

The alpha felt his heart beat faster when the omega revealed a single white rose hidden behind his back. Taehyung was smiling brightly. “I saw it on the way and figured since you were taking me somewhere special, I should also get you something special as a little thanks.”

Jeongguk carefully held the rose and sniffed it, elated that it emanated a faint vanilla scent that was similar to that of the danseur. “You didn’t have to, hyung,” he said, voice amazed. The omega chuckled, looping his free arm through the other’s and moving close. “I wanted to, and you alphas deserve to get pampered like this as well.”

Jeongguk tucked it into the strap of his small messenger bag and moved his coffee to the hand that didn’t have the omega tracing little stars on it. “Well I love it,” he hesitated but still leaned over, kissing Taehyung’s temple before they began to walk down the street. “Thank you, hyungie.”

“You’re welcome, Gukkie,” the omega smiled at him, but pouted when his nose twitched. “You’re wearing two patches today, I can smell you even less than usual.”

The alpha cursed at himself in his head. “Ah, yeah. I was told before that my scent can be a little overwhelming at times and I didn’t wanna attract any attention to us.”

Taehyung took a sip from his cup, humming in content. Jeongguk preened at the approval. “Still, I like smelling you, but other than that I wouldn’t be able to tell your mood shifts.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll just let you know how I’m feeling then.”

“Really? All the time.”

“Of course, I’m basically loose lipped around you at this point anyway.”

Taehyung grinned. “Last Thursday definitely got to you.”

“We are not talking about last Thursday.”

“Oh, c’mon Gukkie, it was an accident.”

“It was embarrassing .”

“Well, I thought it was pretty cute.”

“Like you?”

The omega stopped and turned to him with raised brows, cheeks pink, lips quirked, and scent spiking. The alpha refused to look him in the eye as his ears flooded with blood. “You heard nothing.”

“Did I?”

Jeongguk nodded, pulling him along as Taehyung chuckled. “Stop distracting me now, people are waiting and we don’t want them to wait too long.”

“People?”

Another nod.

Taehyung pouted. “Still not telling me where we’re going?’

“Nuh uh.”

“Even if I say I’ll treat you in the next two dates? No, three.”

“Getting ahead of ourselves, I see.”

“Well, pardon me for hoping this’ll last.”

Jeongguk finally turned to the other, unable to hold back his smile, and tugged him closer. “Don’t worry, I’m hoping for the same.”

The omega smiled softly and gave him a soft peck on the cheek. “Thank you.”

The alpha grinned. “Let’s go?”

Taehyung nodded, and they continued down the street.

“Holy Luna, how did you get us tickets here?” Taehyung whispered as he gaped at the interior of the larger, pricier, more modern museum in the city.

Jeongguk waved goodbye to the security and turned back to the other with a bright smile. “My brother’s fiance is the curator and he’s fond of me enough to allow a couple favors.”

“A couple?”

The alpha nodded, pulling the omega through an archway to a hall of modern paintings. “One is the ticket. Two, is closing the museum for an hour just for us. And three, is letting a couple other people in for a little surprise.”

Taehyung shook his head. “Gukkie, just the ticket was already more than enough, I don’t think—”

“Don’t think,” Jeongguk whispered in his ear as they stopped in front of a large, colorful canvas. “Just watch.”

The alpha made eye contact with the CCTV camera in the corner where he knew his cousin could see him and nodded. Suddenly the room was filled with the soft melody of a music box. Taehyung opened his mouth to say something to the other when he gasped. Under the soft, cool lighting, it was hard to notice anything other than a lovely painting— that is, until the person camouflaged against it began to move. (video here)

Jeongguk was scared, almost terrified, of what he would feel when he saw his old crewmates again after so long that he debated just getting the tickets and then dinner, nothing else. But in that moment, as he watched Taehyung’s expression gradually become more awed as they went from exhibit to exhibit, room to room, the omega’s eyes filling with all the cosmos in the universe, he could not even find it in himself to feel the usual guilt he always did. Why would he, anyway?

It was because of dance that he met Hoseok, it was because of dance that met his pups’ mother, and it was because of dance that he met Taehyung. Standing there in the midst of people he called his family as they moved with improvised yet perfectly synced movements, he felt regret over giving up his greatest passion for the first time since he did.

He was brought back to reality as the lights turned back on and Taehyung turned to him, bouncing on the heels of his feet as he gripped on Jeongguk sleeve, gushing about the performance. “—and the LED in the costumes! It was brilliant! Oh, moons above, Jeonggukkie. Thank you so, so much for this! Forget what I said before, I’m treating you to the next three dates. No, five!”

The alpha chuckled. “I’m glad you liked it. And I didn’t really do much, I just made a couple of calls.”

“Yeah, and we were just desperate enough to see the damn bastard after so long that we came running on such short notice.”

The two turned back to the rest of the room and found the entire crew huddled in a group, all of them smiling. Jeongguk felt his throat constrict as he took in a deep breath. Taehyung noticed the emotion in his eyes. His smile softened. “Hey.”

The alpha turned to him as Taehyung reached up and wiped away a stray tear that Jeongguk did not even notice. “I’ll take a look around a bit. Find me after you’re done, yeah?”

Jeongguk nodded slowly as the omega caressed his cheek one last time before slipping off to give him and the crew some privacy. The alpha hesitantly turned back to the crew, smile shaky. “Hey, guys.”

The man in the front of the group scoffed, arching his brow. “Is that really all you have to say to us?”

“I, uhm… thanks for doing this for me.”

“Ddaeng! Try again.”

“You guys did great, almost thought you had it choreographed for a while now.”

“Thanks, but no.”

“The costumes look amazing?”

“Flattery will get you nowhere.”

The alpha pursed his lips. “You enjoy being difficult, don’t you?”

A grin. The man opened his arms. “I learnt from the best.”

Jeongguk smiled as he launched himself into his friend’s arms, his tears finally falling in rivers as he felt the warmth of the others as they surged in for a large group hug.

“I missed you guys,” he whimpered into Yugyeom’s shoulder. The taller one ruffled his hair, chuckling. “That’s what you get for being a stubborn ass, I’m blaming your alpha genes.”

“You’re an alpha too, you know.”

“Semantics, Jeon.”

“Step on a thumbnail, Kim.”

A snort. “Since Joon hyung asked us to dance with only our socks since our shoes might leave marks on the floor, I think I fucking did.”

Jeongguk laughed. They all separated and talked for a little while, though it was mostly the crew teasing their old team leader about dropping his pride enough to ask them for a favour just to impress a guy.

“Speaking of your date, aren’t you making him wait for too long?”

Jeongguk’s eyes widened as he realized the same thing. “Shit, I gotta go! Listen, I’m really grateful you guys came and went through all that trouble just for m—”

Yugyeom patted him on the back, shaking his head. “Hey, we’re glad to do this little thing. You did a lot for us, this was nothing.”

Jeongguk nodded, smiling. “I’ll call soon, okay?”

“You better, you ass.”

He chuckled as he hugged them all again one by one, saying goodbye. He made it to the end of the archway when Yugyeom called out.

“Hey, Guk!”

The alpha paused, turning around. The taller had a sad smile on his face. “This is probably a long shot, but Step Up is happening in two weeks.”

Jeongguk swallowed, feeling his eyes sting again. “You guys still do that?”

“Of course, it’s tradition. And you started it, so, if you’re free, and only if you want to,” the alpha looked away, rubbing his nape. “You could, you know, drop by and just watch.”

Jeongguk was about to say no, the word already at the tip of his tongue, when he caught the sight of Taehyung chatting happily with Yoongi, his cousin, and Namjoon, his brother’s fiance, down the hall. He smiled. Turning back to the expectant group, he said.

“You know what? Yeah, I’ll see you guys then.”

The grins and whoops he received made it even more worth it. Waving one last goodbye, he jogged over to where the omega and two betas were. Yoongi and Namjoon said their own goodbyes to the omega, promising to keep in touch, before patting the alpha on his shoulders.

“You picked a good one, Guk,” Yoongi grinned as he sauntered off. Namjoon nodded in agreement, raising his brow. “I’ll be expecting you to use that plus one on your invitation, yeah?”

Jeongguk flushed but nodded nonetheless. “Hopefully.”

“Oh, I’m sure you will.” The beta winked, giving him one last pat before he left as well. Taehyung chose that moment to hop up to him and link their arms again. Jeongguk took one look at him before pulling the other into a hug, the omega easily melting into his arms. “Everything good?”

A nod. “Everything’s perfect right now.”

Act III: entrelacé means ‘interlaced’

“There’s still something off, isn’t there?”

Hoseok nodded from where he stood in the front, hands supporting him on the barre. The omega and alpha  both groaned, the former dropping to the ground in the middle of the dance floor while the latter dropped his head from where he was sitting by the speaker.

“I honestly don’t know what else to do. The choreo’s great, but it still feels like it’s missing something,” Jeongguk whined. The older alpha hummed as he nodded. He turned to Jeongguk, then Taehyung, then Jeongguk again, before his eyes grew wide and he clapped his hands, surprising the two. “That’s it!”

“What’s it?” The omega asked as he stood back up. Hoseok marched over to Jeongguk, pulled him up, took the phone out of his hand, and pushed him towards the center.

“Hyung, wha— ow — hey!”

“Guk, first twenty seconds. Tae, twenty to thirty mirrored. Guk, meet Tae on the lunge and reach and try to mirror each other until the fifty second mark. Improv a bit in between and after, but sync up your moves.”

The danseur shrugged. “Alright,” and then he took his place. The alpha spluttered, raising a hand. “Woah, woah, hold up. Why am I dancing?”

Hoseok arched a brow, the look sending a familiar jolt of fear down Jeongguk’s spine, one he had not felt in a long while. “You made the dance?”

“Y—yeah, some of i—”

“You know the dance?”

“Of course I do, bu—”

“Then do the dance, easy.”

Jeongguk gaped at the older. “I, hyung, I…”

The older’s gaze softened a little, as did his voice. “It’s just us here, Guk-ah. You don’t have to feel bad.”

The other alpha nodded, averting his gaze. “I know, I, I just…”

“Hey.”

He looked up at Taehyung’s soft call. The omega smiled, nodding his head. “Keep your eyes on me, just me, alright?”

The words Jeongguk had told him the second time they met up to practice the dance being echoed back to him made a part of the alpha’s anxiety ebb away. He nodded. “Alright.”

Hoseok smiled, nodding. He waited for Jeongguk to take his place before pressing play on the music. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSKAMW8iHco

Jeongguk took a deep breath as he walked forward with each note, allowing the piano chords to fade away and bring all his doubts and worries with it. He felt a bit off at first, not having properly danced for years, which made his first movements a bit creaky and awkward. But as he allowed muscle memory to take over, he easily melted into each step and flow. He made it to the twenty second mark and held the position for three counts before walking to where Taehyung would end by the end of his mark. He indeed kept his eyes on the omega through the mirror, watching him transition from a windmill to a log roll before running up to him.

In the split second their eyes connected, Jeongguk finally allowed himself to break free of the chains he himself had used to hold down his deepest desires. Hearts aligned and beating as one, they danced— as if it was the only thing they knew, as if they were dying and it was the only thing that kept them alive, as if they were drowning and dancing did more than just keep their heads above water, as if they were finally learning to breathe.

They had lost count long ago, moving in tandem as they improvised lifts and turns and stunts that would not have worked if the two were  not so perfectly synced with each other’s movements. It was hard to believe they were doing it on the spot with how flawless each step was.

Jeongguk reached for the stars as the final notes began to echo, breathing hard. Taehyung reached up as well, not for the stars, but for his hand, as if to say the galaxies they longed for already existed in the space that separated their fingertips. The alpha slowly wrapped his fingers around the omega’s hand as they lowered their arms. In a split decision, he used his free hand to wrap around the danseur’s waist to pull him in as they began to slow dance. It was simple and sweet, a wonderful ending and a gentle fall.

Taehyung giggled breathlessly as he leaned even closer, resting his forehead against the other’s as his other hand wrapped around the alpha’s shoulders. Jeongguk smiled, swaying them side to side even when the music ended, only pulling away when he caught Hoseok’s playful grin in his peripheral vision. He cleared his throat.

“So… how was that?”

Hoseok tilted his head, grin growing. “You got that on camera, babe?”

“Jeon Jeongguk’s return to glory? You bet I did.”

The alpha whirled around in shock as he finally registered the blonde who was leaning against the corner, phone in one hand and the other holding Soeun's hand, Juyeon holding hers.

" Hyung ! You—you're early."

The alpha shrugged. "The pups said they wanted to see Teacher Tae dance the 'twirlies' and all, plus I wasn't gonna miss a chance to probably catch you dancing again. Good thing I came just in time."

"Chim!"

Taehyung bounced over and gave his best friend a peck on the cheek before lowering himself to talk to the twins who happily began fast monologues about how cool he and their father were. Jeongguk watched the blonde skip over to his boyfriend and give him a long, deep kiss that definitely was borderline inappropriate considering there were kids in the room. Good thing Taehyung was keeping them occupied, but Jeongguk still felt a little forgotten when his own children had yet to give him a proper greeting.

"When did you even get here?"

Jimin finally broke the kiss as he leaned back against the older’s chest, hands resting on the arm Hoseok had wrapped around his waist. "When Seokie hyung started using his dance leader voice," he turned his head to give the other a kiss on his jaw. "Still got it, babe."

Hoseok snorted. "Of course I do."

"You guys really—"

"Appa!"

"Appa!"

Jeongguk had turned just in time to catch both of his excited pups, but with the fatigue of having danced a full routine all out, short as it was, after not having danced for years had him weak in the knee. He fell backwards and landed on his back with a breathless wheeze and a loud groan.

"Dear Luna, you two really have gotten bigger," he rasped out as the twins giggled, pulling him up to a sitting position as they both settled on each of his thighs. He held them by their hips to keep them from losing balance. "So, how'd Appa do?"

"Appa was amaaaazing!" Juyeon exclaimed loudly, making the alpha laugh. "Really?"

Soeun nodded before pouting. "Appa, why didn't you ever dance for us?"

"But I dance with Soeunie and Juyeonie all the time?"

The girl shook her head, brows furrowing deeper. "That's different."

The alpha sighed, patting her on the head. “Does Soeunie want Appa to dance with her?”

“Eung!”

Juyeon whined, pulling at his father’s shirt. “Juyeonie too! Juyeonie too!”

Jeongguk nodded, pulling them in for a hug. The two easily settled against his neck, rubbing their noses against their father’s comforting scent. “Alright, Appa will dance with Soeunie and Juyeonie.”

“Whenever we want?” The boy asked.

“Of course.”

“How ‘bout me?”

Jeongguk turned his head to where the omega was, smiling softly down at him. “Will I get to dance with you again?”

Had someone asked him the same thing a month ago, he would immediately say no. Perhaps not even, considering he would have never danced in the first place, much less ‘again’. But so much has happened since, and looking into Taehyung’s eyes and seeing his own reflection in them, he was beginning to understand why Hoseok had been persistent in trying to get him to come back. He reached out one hand towards the other, Taehyung quickly grabbing hold and kneeling beside the alpha. Jeongguk held him by the nape and tugged him forward to lay a soft kiss on the omega’s nose, Taehyung scrunching the tip and smiling.

“Whenever you want,” he whispered. Taehyung grinned and leaned against his shoulder, raising his brows when Juyeon turned his towards him, tapping him on the shoulder. “Yes, Juyeon-ah?”

“Will Teacher Tete finally come home with us?”

Taehyung stifled a laugh and lifted his head, grinning at the red in the face alpha. “Finally, huh?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Juyeon sat up as well. “Appa, have you married Teacher Tete yet? Can Juyeonie marry Teacher Tete now?”

“Y-yah!” Jeongguk tried to cover his mouth but the words were already out. Hoseok and Jimin were laughing their asses off while Taehyung turned as red as the alpha was. “Hyung, it, it’s not what you— stop laughing, you guys! — it’s not what you think!”

"Damn, Guk. Skipping a couple of things now, are we?" Jimin snickered.

"No! I, it's— there's an explanation, okay?"

"Which is?"

“I,” Jeongguk tried to find a way to explain the situation without exposing himself or dragging his unsuspecting son through the mud. “So, Step Up’s tomorrow?” he said instead, pitifully trying to change the subject. Hoseok, thankfully, lets him off.

“Yeah, we wanted to stick to the usual once a week thing we used to do, but with everyone getting busier with their lives, we had to cut it down to once a month, usually a week after The Mob.”

“What are those?” Taehyung asked, absentmindedly playing with Jeongguk’s fingers.

“The Mob is the thing Hoseok hyung brought me to with all the other dancers when we first met,” Jeongguk explained. “Step Up is this mini-Mob thing I started within the crew where they could also bring some friends or family to dance and socialise and stuff.”

“Yugyeom-ah had been blabbering nonstop that tomorrow was going to be the best Step Up ever since apparently you said you’ll be dropping by,” Jimin added. His boyfriend perked up at that, turning to the youngest alpha with wide eyes. “You did?”

“Well, yeah,” Jeongguk mumbled, looking away shyly. There was an awkward pause before Jeongguk found himself holding Soeun, Juyeon, Taehyung, a sobbing Hoseok, and a surprised Jimin who was dragged down when his boyfriend threw himself all over Jeongguk, crying and mumbling indistinguishable things. It took a lot of comforting words and promises of ice cream for Hoseok to stop crying. Noting the time on the clock, they began to clear up the room to head out. Taehyung was about to head out to change first when he felt a warm hand circle around his wrist.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?" Jeongguk asked, biting his lip in worry. The omega furrowed his brow, nodding. Hoseok mentioned something about waiting outside with the pups and then they left, leaving the two alone. Jeongguk pulled them to sit by the wall, side by side.

"What's up, Gukkie?"

The alpha swallowed, eyes downcast and finger fiddling. "I want you to come with me. Tomorrow, that is."

Taehyung smiled, reaching for the other's hands to stop the nervous habit. "I'd love to go with you."

Jeongguk shook his head. "No."

A pause. "No?"

"I owe you an explanation first before you answer."

"What explanation?"

Jeongguk took in a deep breath, steadying himself before continuing. "You deserve to know the whole story first, so you understand why I am the way I am, or was, I'm still trying to figure things out."

A slow nod. "Go at your own pace, Gukkie, but what story are you talking about?"

"The story of me and Euna, the pups' mother."

Jeongguk heard the other take in a sharp breath and figured it was better to rip the bandaid right off.

"Euna was another dancer who regularly attended The Mob. She was from a different crew, but she was friendly with everyone. We were just friends, I promise, but one time our crews decided to do drinking games and we got smashed and next thing we knew, we're naked in my bed. We found out she was pregnant two weeks after, and we agreed that we'd keep the pups and alternate between who had to take care of them. Everything was fine until months later," the alpha let out a breath and Taehyung moved closer, rubbing his cheek against the other’s shoulder, hoping to help calm the bitter scent from Jeongguk.

"They came out prematurely, six months and three weeks. Moons above, Tae, they were so fucking small and fragile. Euna, she, she…"

"Deep breaths, Gukkie, you're right here, you're okay," the omega began to release soothing pheromones, helping and guiding the alpha to take in air again. Jeongguk continued when his throat did not feel like it was being tied into a knot.

"She gave birth, but something happened and she was paralysed from the waist down and..."

"And that's why you stopped dancing, isn't it?" Taehyung asked sadly, the alpha only nodded.

"I felt like it was the closest thing I could do to balance the scales, by depriving the both of us of our greatest dreams. She was supposed to join her crew in this big competition abroad but had to drop out because of the pregnancy thing. We were still young, and she was really talented and had a bright future in both dance or in whatever career she'd choose, and I ruined that for her."

Taehyung let go of the other hand to cup his cheeks and make him face him. Jeongguk still refused to meet his eye. "Jeonggukkie, that wasn't your fault. It was neither you nor Euna-ssi's fault."

"I bumped into a couple people from her crew a month after the pups were born and they told me they lost because Euna wasn't with them."

A scoff. "If I learned anything from hanging around Hoseok hyung, it is that the crew wins and loses as one. They work together to form a single machine made up of different, unique parts. Where one lacks, another fills in for them. They should've worked to fill in the empty spot someway instead of just blaming their loss on Euna-ssi's absence."

Jeongguk shook his head, looking more perplexed. "I still had a part in it, but there's another reason I stopped dancing."

The omega waited for him to continue, rubbing soft circles on the alpha’s cheeks.

“When it was clear that the paralysis wasn’t a temporary thing, Euna’s parents looked for a doctor abroad who could help. The pups were still in the hospital and Euna’s parents decided to leave them behind while they went to find the treatment their daughter needed. They used to send money to help with the hospital bills and then for the things the pups needed when they were finally brought home to my mom’s since she had more time and space to take care of them. But the money suddenly stopped coming in after 4 months and Euna wasn’t responding to any of my or her crew’s texts and I… I wasn’t in my best state.

“I began to blame my pups for everything that was happening, so I started to come home less and I started skipping classes and I just, just drowned myself in dance. I was reckless and emotionally unstable, and… long story short, I got into an accident and sprained my ankle really bad. My mom was the one who picked me up from the hospital so I was forced to go home. That night I couldn’t fall asleep with everything that was going through my head, but mostly because the twins wouldn’t stop crying. My mom stepped out of the house for a bit to grab another can of milk for the pups since they finished their last can. I got irritated, so I left my room and hopped across the hall since I was too pissed to grab my crutches. I went into their room and leaned over their crib, ready to yell at them, when they suddenly went quiet.”

He was crying, Jeongguk belatedly realized. He did not like that the omega saw him cry, but it also felt relieving in a way. “The way they looked up at me, jeez, I wish I had a picture of it. Their eyes were so wide and round, sparkling with tears. Juyeon was the first one to reach out, swatting at my hand until I gave him my finger. He held onto it so tight and fell asleep within seconds. I tried to do the same with Soeun and it worked like a charm. I fell asleep on the floor by the crib while singing them a lullaby. My mom woke me up and the two were still clinging onto my fingers, as if it helped them sleep peacefully and kept all the nightmares and bad things at bay. I realized then that I’ve never properly held my children ever since that first time in the hospital.”

“And then?” Taehyung prompted gently. The alpha sniffled. “I figured it was finally time to stop being so self-absorbed. I dropped out of college to pick up jobs to help with the money and then I told Hobi hyung I was leaving the crew. We got into a fight about it and we didn’t talk for a couple months until we bumped into each other again at the supermarket. I had the twins strapped to me and he offered to carry one and help with the groceries, we got to talking, and we made a compromise: he’d respect my decision and take over the crew fully, but he’d get to be the twins’ godfather and occasionally help out when he could.”

“That doesn’t make you a bad father, Jeongguk-ah.”

“Tae, I basically abandoned my kids. What kind of father does that make me?”

“One that realises his mistakes and remedies them, one that makes sure his pups are loved and happy, one that would give up everything to give them anything, one who is good and strives to be better . That’s the kind of father you are, Gukkie, and if Soeun and Juyeon were here, they’d have even more good things to say about you.”

“They don’t know about what I did.”

“Because it wouldn’t matter when you’ve  been the best parent they could’ve ever asked for, do you understand?” The omega waited until the other met his eye. “You are good, Jeon Jeongguk, and I will do my best to show you that.”

The alpha took a few steadying breaths until he began to calm down, nodding. “Okay,” he said in a small voice that broke Taehyung’s heart. The omega brought him in for a hug, Jeongguk’s arms immediately settling around his waist.

“What made you want to try dancing again?” Taehyung asked after a minute or two. Jeongguk buried his nose deeper into the other’s neck, scenting him. “You.”

The danseur flushed at the pure honesty in the alpha’s tone. “O—oh, me?”

“Mh. When I helped Hoseok hyung with his favors, I always did it like it was a project, get it done, don’t get attached. That’s how I coped with dancing for others,” a soft chuckle. “I’m a masochist, I know. But it was still money, so I figured I’d settle for that loophole.”

Jeongguk left the omega’s embrace to cup his cheeks, eyes red but smile soft and unburdened. “Watching you dance made me want to be selfish again. It scared me at first, which was why I was hesitant to ask you out in the beginning. But after that first practice, I began to pray for forgiveness.”

“Why would you need to be sorry for wanting to do something you obviously love?”

“Because I took away that opportunity from someone I cared about and I was being unfair.”

“Would Euna want you to stop dancing for her sake?”

“W—well, I don’t know, but—”

A shake of the head. “Then you made an assumption and used it to excuse your own behavior and decisions, which isn’t a good habit. You’re gonna ruin yourself if you’re like this, Gukkie.”

The alpha dropped his head and hands, sulking. “I know, I’m sorry.”

Taehyung reached for his hands, tipping Jeongguk’s head back up with a soft flick to his chin. “Enough apologies, we gotta work on that, too.”

“I’m kinda broken, I don’t think you can fix me.”

“I never said I wanted to fix you, Jeongguk, I said I wanted to help you and work together with you to make you happy and as free as you could be. And so what if you’re broken? I’m not so perfect and there are many things I don’t necessarily like about myself and decisions I wish I did differently, do you like me any less because of that?”

“No, you’re practically perfect to me.”

A smile. “Well, you’re practically perfect to me too, Gukkie. But see? We can both work to better ourselves, and even if we’re broken, it doesn’t mean we’re unlovable.”

Jeongguk stared into the other’s eyes for a beat or two before closing the distance, immediately moving back to see the wide-eyed, red in the face omega’s jaw drop open. “Wuh, what— what?”

The alpha chuckled, leaving a peck on Taehyung’s nose. “I’m so lucky to have you. Will you be my boyfriend?”

“You, you,” Taehyung seemed to have gotten even more red as he lunged forward to bury himself in the alpha’s chest, whining about him being unfair and too attractive. Jeongguk laughed as he wrapped his arms safely around the danseur, tilting his head down to leave a kiss on the top of Taehyung’s head. “I didn’t hear an answer though.”

“Yes,” came out a muffled voice. “To the Step Up invitation and the boyfriend thing.”

A loosened sigh. “Thank fuck, I felt like I was gonna combust with anxiety there.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll sweep up your ashes and make a pretty statue of you, Gukkie.”

“That… is somehow comforting.”

A chuckle. “Anything for you, Jeonggukkie. Oh !” Taehyung moved back and grabbed the alpha by the shoulder, grinning excitedly and eyes glimmering. “Can we bring the pups? Please, I know it’d be a handful but I’ll help, I promise! I’ll take care of them while you catch up with your friends, plus it’s a Saturday , Gukkie, and I know the twins don’t get to go out much. We could make it a little family date, and they’d also get to see a new side to their dad. We won’t cause any trouble, I swear to the moon—”

The alpha silenced him with another kiss and a soft laugh. “Sure, that sounds wonderful.”

The smile he got in return and the two hugs he got once they had changed and met the others outside told him it would be wonderful, indeed.

“You guys really upgraded the place, huh?”

“With the construction of the apartment complex 4 years ago, it was finally time to make the place soundproof. The other things were just self-indulgent when we began getting gigs plus some spare change from each of us.”

“Damn, now I kinda miss the barking of old Mr. San’s dog at 3 in the morning,” the alpha chuckled as he followed Hoseok through familiar hallways with Juyeon on his back, Soeun walking hand in hand with Taehyung behind him. Jimin skipped ahead of his boyfriend, dancing along to the music playing through the small speakers that lined the top of the graffitied walls. The omega marvelled at the art displayed left and right, oohing and aahing along with the twins.

“What is this place?”

“Our base of operations and secret hangout. It used to be an old, abandoned arcade that my uncle owned until he transferred it to my name when he found out we were looking for a place to use as a studio. It took a lot of repairing and cleaning up, plus a bit of zazz here and there, but we managed to make it look really nice despite it being a little rundown.” Hoseok said. “It was a bit hard to pay for the building when it was just me and Guk, but with the help of the money we got from the competitions we joined and with the joint help of everyone that began to join the crew, we managed to keep the building and even do renovations.”

“You guys came a really long way, huh?” Taehyung mused, smiling. He studied one of the murals on the wall. “These are pretty amazing, were they always here?”

“They’re very pretty,” Juyeon mumbled.

“And really, really colorful!” Soeun added.

“Do the pups like the paintings?” the eldest alpha chuckled. The two nodded. He chuckled, tilting his head towards Jeongguk. “Well, your daddy over there was the one who did them.”

The two gasped, the boy clinging to his father hard and the girl walking ahead of the pleasantly surprised danseur to pull at her father’s jacket.

“Appa, you really did all of them?” Soeun asked with a small voice. The alpha nodded, smiling shyly. “Yes, I found a couple of cans and spray paint bottles in the storage upstairs and decided to put them to use.”

Juyeon gasped, squishing his father’s cheek. “Wah, Appa is so cool!”

“Juyeonie is cool, too,” Jeongguk said through his pout. The boy grinned cheekily, giggling. “I know.”

His father scrunched his nose, chuckling. His eyes trailed to Taehyung, who began to walk next to him. His free hand that was not holding Soeun was tracing the paint strokes as they walked. “What do you think, hyung?”

The omega hummed, turning to him with dark eyes, mischievous smirk playing on his devilish lips. “I think I might just have to cancel one of our sessions to have you paint me like one of your french girls.”

Jimin made a gagging sound from up ahead as Jeongguk felt blood rush into two different directions within him. ‘That,” he cleared his throat, “that can be arranged.”

“Time to come with Uncle Hobi, little ones,” Hoseok interjected as he lifted Juyeon away from Jeongguk, settling him on his hip, and grabbing Soeun’s hand from the omega. “Appa and Tae need to get a room.”

“Yah!” Jeongguk pouted at his children being stolen away while Taehyung laughed, slipping his hand into his instead. They passed a door that showed a brightly lit, neon themed arcade filled with people of all ages.

“The arcade’s still open?” The omega inquired, taking a moment to peek in before continuing on, following the other’s down the stairs. They had taken the side door of the building and parked behind it, so they had not seen the front exterior. Jeongguk nodded.

“We figured it would help with the money issue if we reopened the arcade. It was when we won the big competition, so once people started to join the crew and found out we needed help to run the arcade, they reached out to friends and relatives. Soon enough, we had employees and a lot of teenagers who missed playing the old school games. I’m guessing it’s only gotten more famous now.”

“All thanks to you,” Hoseok hollered from below them, winking. Jeongguk rolled his eyes. Taehyung tilted his head. “Why, what’d you do?”

“It was nothing.”

“It was not nothing,” the eldest alpha scoffed. “Jeonggukkie started to do busking alone and handed out flyers, even asked around his university if anyone was willing to help. Majority of the crew actually came from SNU.”

The omega turned to his boyfriend with wide eyes. “You went to SNU? What course did you take?”

“Economics, though I always wanted to take Athletic Science.”

Taehyung nudged him with his hip. “Maybe you could try it now.”

Jeongguk rubbed his nape, shrugging. “Eh, I don’t know. I still have to worry about the pups first.”

“Whenever you’re ready then.”

Jeongguk leaned over to kiss the other on his forehead the same moment Jimin yelled out they had arrived. The music and overlapping voices from beyond the large, metal, double doors.

"What's down here?" The omega asked, bending down when Soeun asked to be carried by him.

Jimin turned to him with a devious smile. "The second floor we call the Boombox, the arcade’s name is the Vortex, this,” he pushed the doors open. “Is the Vault.”

A small, elevated landing greeted them first before the large basement with a pretty high ceiling. A thousand fairy lights and a disco ball hung from the ceiling. The walls to the left were entirely covered in paint as opposed to the random mural here and there in the side hallways and there were various chairs and sofas and beanbags and a long table filled with all kinds of food and beverages. On the right was a cleared space with linoleum covering the floor and padded walls, as well as a couple poles situated in the middle area. The music was on full blast and people were already mingling around, some hanging by the food and some already on the dance floor.

“Guess who’s here!”

A beta named Juyeon was the first to look up, grinning at the alpha from where he was leaning on one of the cemented beams. “Yo, guys, turn the music down a bit! Cap’t’s finally arrived.”

The music was lowered a considerable amount as whoops and cheers came from the group when Hoseok appeared on the landing, but stopped when they saw the little boy clinging to his back.

“Uh, hyung,” Changmin, an omega, piped up, wide eyed. “Did you and Jimin hyung adopt a kid?”

Hoseok chuckled. Putting Juyeon down. “He’s not my kid, but you might be familiar with his dad.”

“Who?”

Jeongguk took a deep breath, and with an encouraging nod from the omega, stepped between the two other alphas and greeted the crew below. “Hey, it’s been a while.”

A long moment of stunned silence passed wherein Jeongguk thought he made a big mistake, that maybe they were mad at him and probably never wanted to see him again—

“I can basically hear you thinking from all the way over here, bunny face,” Moonbyul, an alpha, chuckled warmly as she gestured for them to come down. Yugyeom made his way through the crowd, laughing happily. “Look alive, people! Jeonggukkie’s back!”

And just like that, everyone was rushing up to pull them all down, careful with the pups. They were all talking at once and it was a little overwhelming for Jeongguk as he tried to answer all of their questions. Luckily, a single word from Hoseok had all of them backing off to give him more space. It was then that he realized his pups were clinging to his legs, hiding behind him. He chuckled, reminded of when they first met Taehyung, and gently nudged them forward.

“It’s okay,” he spoke to them in a soft voice. “They’re family.”

Looking at the two pups, the young alpha missed the teary looks he got from the crew when he said that. Slowly, the two came out from behind their father and introduced themselves. In no time, everyone had gone back to what they were doing, but most of the crew, mostly the senior members, stayed close to the newcomers, getting reacquainted with their old leader and teasing him about his new relationship with the danseur. Taehyung himself was having a great time, chatting with the other ballerinas and danseurs in the crew. Hoseok had made himself comfortable in a beanbag and was in a debate with an alpha named Hwasa about neon lights versus white lights for the sign up front. Soeun was with Jimin and Yeonjun, an omega, grabbing chips and juice while Juyeon had made it his mission to stick close to older Juyeon (since they had the same name), who kindly and happily entertained the boy as they played tag around the poles.

Jeongguk was happy. The reaction he had gotten from everyone was beyond his imagination. Being in the fringe of them, watching them talk and laugh and dance— it was as if he had never left. He felt a nudge and turned to his boyfriend.

“You alright?” The omega asked carefully. The alpha nodded, smiling as he wrapped an arm around the other’s waist and pulling him in. “I’m great.”

Taehyung hummed, nuzzling closer, seeking the alpha’s comforting scent of blueberries and sandalwood. They stayed in that position for a while, simply enjoying the atmosphere until a new song came on and Jimin squealed from somewhere, suddenly appearing to pull Taehyung towards the dance floor.

“It’s our song, c’mon! Yoongi hyung, play the remix I sent you before from the top, please!”

The beta yelled back an ‘okay’ from where he was stationed by an elevated platform, surrounded by his equipment and rewinded the song, tweaking a few knobs and buttons before the song repeated, accompanied by extra beats. Jeongguk was tugged along with Taehyung, so he found an open spot by the front where he could watch them. “Hyung, are you sure you can dance in those pants?”

The omega smirked at him and Jimin gave him a wink, untying his shoes. “We always dress ready to dance, don’t we, Taetae?”

“Of course, though no sort of denim or leather or whatever can keep me from doing a perfect fouetté en tournants. Hold my shoes, Gukkie,” he thrusted his shoes at the alpha who immediately grabbed on to them and went back to the center. People left the dance floor to give them more space while the others who were loitering by the sidelines came closer. Jimin gave a thumbs up to Yoongi and the music began. (tae - cream; min - grey)

Jeongguk felt Yugyeom poke his side some time near the end, keeping his eyes on the omega as he tilted his head back. “Yeah?”

“The pups are angels, Guk, and I’m happy that you found someone amazing.”

“I’m happy too,” the shorter alpha smiled softly before it dropped a bit. “Nothing from Euna?”

Yugyeom frowned, patting the other’s shoulder. “None, sorry dude.”

A sigh. “It’s fine. It might’ve been nice to apologise and get proper closure, maybe even let the pups meet her at least once, but I’ve given up hope of that ever happening.”

“I could try reaching out to her crew again, see if they know anything.”

Jeongguk shook his head, smile growing when Taehyung caught his eyes and winked. “It’s fine, don’t wanna bother anyone. To be honest, it doesn’t matter as much anymore. I’m healing.”

Yugyeom squeezed his shoulder. “I’m glad.”

The two finished dancing and hugged each other, laughing. “Ahhh! I can’t believe you still memorised it.”

“We were top of the class with that shit, how the heck am I supposed to not ?”

They separated and went to their respective boyfriends who stood in front of the crowd. Taehyung had a bright smile on his face as Jeongguk dabbed at his slightly damp forehead. “How’d I do?”

“Perfect, as always.”

The omega shoved his chest lightly, blushing. “You flatter me too much, plus that fan kick was a little shaky.”

Jeongguk pinched his nose with his knuckles, grinning as the other whined. “Please, I’m the perfectionist between us and I say it’s perfect.”

Taehyung raised a brow, smiling. “Really?”

“Mhm.”

“So am I better than you?”

The alpha narrowed his eyes. “Our respective expertise lies on different ends of the spectrum, plus I see what you’re doing.”

“I just think that it would be fair for you to show me how good you are, is all.”

“You’re not sleek, hyungie.”

“I chose not to be this time. So?”

Jeongguk scoffed, feeling a sudden rush of adrenaline course through him. He turned to Hoseok, who was already facing him with a devilish grin of his own. “Hyung, you still know the Golden Bell finals?”

“What sort of champion would I be if I didn’t?”

Jeongguk turned to Yoongi. “Hyung! Remix 7.7, please.”

The beta grinned, chuckling as he started the track. The crew began to cheer when they heard a familiar beat. The young alpha’s grin turned into a smirk as he winked at the omega, handing him his coat. “Try not to gape, darling.”

“Like you did, dearest?”

“Baby, I didn’t gape, I drooled.”

He laughed at the other’s red face and called, “Hit it!” (guk - black; hobi - white)

It truly was like he had never left, never stopped. Him and Hoseok moved together flawlessly, the older alpha just as good as he remembered, perhaps even better. Back then, he worried about being lesser than the other, worried that Hoseok was lowering his capacity to level  and match his. But being able to dance with the older again after so long, he wondered why he ever compared himself to the other. They were both amazing dancers with distinct styles, and they were a team.

Where one lacks, another fills in for them.

Truth be told, it was him who had told that to Hoseok when the older had tried to carry the full weight of the crew in the early years. He must have really been so blindsided to not heed his own words.

They had not even finished the ending gimmick when the crew surged in to hug them, chanting ‘JJ Verse’ over and over again. Soeun sat on top of Yugyeom’s shoulders and Juyeon on Juyeon’s, chanting along happily. Jeongguk felt Hoseok bring their damp heads together, smiling with wet eyes. “I missed you, Guk-ah. I’m so happy to see you dance for yourself again.”

Jeongguk sniffled and realised he was already crying as he gripped onto the other’s shirt. “Me too, hyung. Me too.”

The crowd made space for Taehyung to pass when he approached the slightly panting alpha. The omega smiled softly, reaching up to wipe away his tears. “Hush now, my little crybaby.”

“I’m not a crybaby,” the alpha pouted.

“I know, you’re just an emotional baby.”

“I— okay, I can live with that.”

They laughed. Someone cleared their throat and the two turned. Yugyeom and Hoseok stood shoulder to shoulder, grinning. Jeongguk narrowed his eyes warily. “What?”

Yugyeom took out something from behind him. Upon closer look, Jeongguk realized it was his old crew jacket, the one he had left at the arcade counter when he was finally able to walk normally after the incident. He felt the waterworks rise back up.

"You kept it?"

"'Course. Our captain left something behind, so we kept it safe and sound till he came back for it."

"I'm not captain anymore."

Hoseok shrugged. "I've told you countless times the position will always be open for you."

"But… but I left."

"But you came back."

"I didn’t even say goodbye. Luna, I didn’t even give you guys a proper explanation."

Yugyeom rolled his eyes. "We don’t do goodbyes anyway, only unless they're permanent. And we already figured out the reason, now do you want the jacket or not?"

Jeongguk gulped, looking at all of them. "Would you guys even want me back?"

Hoseok crossed his arms. "Show of hands if they don't want Guk back."

No one moved.

"Show of hands if they do."

Everyone raised their hands, even non- crew members.

A grin and an arched brow. "That an answer enough for you?"

Jeongguk took in a deep breath and accepted the jacket, the cloth soft and warm, just like he remembered.

"You're not the only one who gets a jacket, though."

The young alpha looked up at the same time Yugyeom and Hoseok stepped aside to expose his children wearing mini crew jackets of their own.

"Look, Appa! Juyeonie and Soeunie are part of the family too!" Juyeon smiled as he bounced on his heels, hand in hand with his sister.

Jeongguk choked on a sob as he dropped to a knee, extending his arms for the two to run into. "Indeed you are, pups," he cried into their shoulders as they hugged him back just as tight.

"Tae, heads up!"

He saw the omega catch the jacket Jimin threw at him, grinning. "Nice."

Jeongguk turned back to Hoseok, sniffling. "I'm not gonna be captain, though."

"Yes, you will."

The younger shook his head, standing back up with his hands on the twins' heads, stroking them gently. "I can't, I won't be able to look after the crew and the arcade fully since I still have multiple jobs to go to and the twins to take care of and—"

"Woah, Guk. Slow down." Yugyeom held his hands up. "You're forgetting we're here. We can help with the twins. We'll make a schedule and take turns babysitting or picking them up or dropping them off." His eyes grew softer. "You're not alone."

The younger nodded slowly. "Okay, thanks. But what about the money and—"

Hoseok took out an envelope from his waistband and handed it to the other. "You're still technically the co-owner of the arcade, so I've been linking half of the total earnings to an account in your name."

"What?" Jeongguk opened the envelope, almost disbelieving the older’s words had they not been true.

"Yep, and this," Yugyeom took out another envelope and gave it to the shorter. "Is our thanks for you."

Jeongguk took out a check and almost fainted. "W—wait, guys, no , this is too much—"

A hand landed on his shoulder and he turned to face Changmin, the omega giving him a dimpled smile. "You allowed us to live out our dreams, hyung. Let us do the same for you."

The alpha did not speak for a while, eyes going back and forth between the envelopes and the jacket hanging over his forearm. He suddenly turned to Hoseok and pointed a menacing finger with a soft curl of the lips.

"Co-captains."

Hoseok laughed, nodding, as the crew broke out in cheers once again, the loudest they had been. Taehyung leaned closer and gave Jeongguk a peck on the cheek.

His wounds were finally starting to close.

FINALE: fouetté means ‘whipped’

2 months later…

"I haven't been in costume for a while, this reminds me of so much."

They were already done performing their pas de deux, which the audience absolutely adored, and Taehyung was in his other costume while the alpha had already changed into his regular attire. Jeongguk brought up the omega’s hand and kissed his knuckles, wary of kissing the other’s face and ruining his makeup. He smiled. "You look great, as always."

"Even with the wig?"

"The wig adds flavor, it's the cherry on top. Don't disrespect the wig."

Taehyung threw his head back as he laughed, naturally leaning towards the alpha. "You have bizarre tastes, d'you know that?"

"If that applies to all aspects of my preference, then yes."

A scoff. Just as the omega was about to pull away, Jeongguk whispered in his ear. "For you are the most otherworldly being I have ever met."

The danseur muffled a squeal into the alpha's neck, Jeongguk only laughing as he wrapped his arms around the other’s shoulder. Jimin watched them with crossed arms, still slightly panting from just finishing his variation. "It was cute and all for the first few weeks, now it's just gross."

"I put up with you and Hobi hyung for two years and scarred my life multiple times, be glad the pups were too young to remember seeing you two go at it on my couch or else you wouldn't be able to walk right now, much less dance."

"Such dramatics, little alpha."

"Taehyung-ssi, you're up!"

The omega detached himself from his boyfriend, smiling from eye to eye. "Here I go."

"You'll do amazing," a kiss on the forehead, the nose, and then a quick peck on the lips. "Merde, hyungie."

Taehyung nodded and went to the wings just as the previous dancer exited the stage. The MC introduced him and then he was off, ready to fly. (#11 marco spada var.)

"You guys were great out there," Hoseok said as he led the crew out of the auditorium, Jimin nestled beneath his arm.

"Taehyung hyung, please teach me how you do those jump turns without wanting to puke," Eric, a beta, whined from the back of the group, making everyone laugh. The omega chuckled as he turned his head, adjusting Juyeon on his hip.

"It's all about spotting, Ericie. Jimin might be a better teacher for that, though."

Jeongguk was about to say something when a feminine voice called out.

"Jeongguk-ah?"

He froze, as did the rest of the crew who were there five years ago. Five years, and he still recognised that voice. Turning to the left, he saw Shin Euna standing on the sidewalk in a white dress and a hesitant look on her face. His heart stopped when he realized it— she was standing .

"E—Euna! You, you, moons above, you're standing ."

The beta smiled, bowing slightly to all of them. "Can I talk to you for a sec?"

"Y—yeah, sure, I, uhm," he turned to the group. "You guys go ahead, I'll meet you at the restaurant."

He faced Taehyung and gave him a peck on the cheek, transferring Seoun's hand to his. "I'll be right there, yeah?"

The omega smiled, nodding easily. "You do what you have to do, Gukkie."

The alpha smiled grateful for an understanding boyfriend. He then gave his pups a look. "Behave, alright? Juice or ice cream, no ordering both."

"Promise!"

"Yes, Appa!"

He kissed their foreheads and watched the group walk ahead before finally turning to the beta. Her eyes followed the small children with a soft smile. "So that's them, huh? What names did you settle with?"

"Juyeon and Soeun."

She turned to him with raised brows. "You actually used the names I suggested?"

The alpha shrugged, shoving his hand in his pockets. "I thought they should have at least a little piece of you with them since you're their mother."

Her expression turned regretful. "Listen, Guk, I'm sorry I never called. When we left, my parents took away my phone and banned me from all contact until I fully recovered. I really wanted to reach out, I even wrote letters, but they wouldn't let me send them. I didn't even think I could've gotten the feeling in my legs back until 3 years ago, and even then the recovery was hard. Before I knew it, it'd been 4 years and when I came back to Korea last year, I," she dropped her head. "I figured you already hated me so much that reaching out wouldn't be a good idea. I only called out to you now because I was surprised to see you."

"I don't hate you, Euna-yah."

The beta’s head whipped back up, surprised to see the smile on the alpha's face. "You, you don't?"

"I resented you a little bit at first, sure, but I was more guilty over you not being able to dance because of me."

"No, Jeongguk, no, it wasn't your fault."

"I get that now, but I did punish myself for a few years." He tilted his head. "Are you fully okay now?"

"Good as new. I've even been dancing again lately."

"That's great to hear! Have you seen your crew yet?"

A frown pulled at the beta's lips. "I did. I was gonna join them again until I heard a couple of them trash talking you."

The alpha chuckled despite the dull bitterness that stung his veins. "Yeah, nothing new then."

Euna shook her head. "They were assholes. I left the second after I yelled at them for saying bad things about you."

"You don't have to fight for my name, Nana."

"You've already been through hell, Googoo, I did what I had to do."

The two smiled as the familiar feeling of friendship settled back between them. "Well, you could always join Cypher."

"Maybe, but I wanna try going solo for a while, reexperience life and all that."

A nod. "The door's always open." He glanced back at the restaurant a block away from the auditorium. "Hey, about the pups—"

"I won't be taking them from you, don't worry," the beta cut him off, chuckling. "Though I would like to meet them one day."

The alpha furrowed his brows. "Why not today?"

"Euna-yah!"

A tall, attractive omega stepped out of a car, waving. Euna waved back before turning to Jeongguk. "My fiancé's been wanting to take me out for ages, that's why."

The alpha grinned. "Fiancé, huh? Congrats."

"Thanks, Gukkie. I'll see you around?"

"Definitely. Can I get your number?"

"Haven't changed it."

"Oh, cool, same. Keep in touch this time, yeah?" He teased, already shooing her off. Euna laughed as she walked away. "I will. Missed you!"

"Missed you too, see you soon!"

When he got to the restaurant, the food had just arrived and they were all just waiting for him. He quickly took a seat and they gave thanks before digging in. Taehyung reached over the two pups to poke his side.

"So? How was it?"

Jeongguk smiled. "Never felt lighter."

The omega mirrored his smile. He stroked his choke fondly once before helping Soeun with her food. Juyeon then tugged at his father’s jacket. "Appa, who was the lady?"

"She was your eomma."

"Oh," the boy’s reaction was so monotonous it almost made Jeongguk laugh. "She's pretty."

"She is."

"But not as much as Teacher Tete."

The alpha did laugh at that. "Don't tell her but I think so too."

Juyeon pouted. "But Appa, you'll still marry Teacher Tete, right? So that he can finally come home with us?"

Jeongguk smiled as he watched Tashyung feed his daughter, making exaggerated noises that made Soeun laugh. He let out a breath.

"Don't worry, Juyeonie. Appa doesn't plan to marry anyone else."