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Jeongguk can't help but notice it.
The tired eyes, the dark circles, the constantly frowning face.
It's way too obvious.
It's been a week already since Taehyung has come to Jeongguk's pack. And as much as the alpha wants to get close to the brunette he doesn't want to force the progress; knows that Taehyung needs sometime to adjust to the entirely new surroundings.
But, that doesn't mean he can't be worried.
The first day when Taehyung woke up with eye bags under his beautiful brown orbs, Jeongguk had shrugged it off thinking that the omega must be tired.
The second day, the eye bags were still there. And Jeongguk still forced himself to be patient-- to wait for Taehyung to voice out his discomfort.
The third day, the dark circles were accompanied with countless yawns.
"Did you sleep well?" Jeongguk tried to be super casual, not letting his concern spill in.
Taehyung smiled and nodded a yes despite the "I haven't slept in years" look in his face.
Jeongguk didn't push it.
Fourth day. Taehyung winced in the sleep, turning to the other side as quietly as possible not wanting to disturb the alpha.
But Jeongguk wasn't asleep, couldn't sleep the whole night, silently listening to the body shuffling beside him to find a comfortable position.
Maybe the mattress is uncomfortable
The next day Jeongguk found himself in a nearby mattress store.
"Give me the softest one available"
When Taehyung laid on the bed that night, he felt like sleeping on clouds- could feel the softness under his weight.
"Uh..Got a new mattress! That was way too old & uncomfortable anyway"
Taehyung smiled and uttered a soft "Good night alpha" before turning to his.
Jeongguk waited for the omega to move. And when he didn't, the ravenette slept like a baby, his inner alpha content and happy to have satisfied his omega.
But all that satisfaction vanished the moment Jeongguk saw Taehyung on the breakfast table.
Hollowed eyes and face frowning more and more with every step he took.
"Taehyung, you alright?".
The brunette's eyes opened wide and gave a reassuring smile saying
"Just slept in a wrong position"
The omega didn't say anything else but Jeongguk could see the omega wincing holding his back when he leaned to the floor to pick something up.
Maybe he needs more space? Maybe has a habit of moving around freely!
And so that night Jeongguk lies about having college work and sleeps on the hard wooden study table only to wake up with a sore neck!
It will all be worth it when he would see Taehyung fresh and shiny eyes-- not the dark circles & fatigue!
But...
The dark circles and the tired wrinkles seems to have found a permanent place on his mate's face.
And nothing in the world agitates the alpha more than the fact that he couldn't provide comfort to his omega.
That's why when today Taehyung was about to crawl to his side, Jeongguk stops him. Pulls him to sit close to him.
"Alpha..."
Taehyung's heart is thudding so hard against his chest. He feels the long fingers stroke the skin under his eyes. The gesture so warm and comforting that Taehyung feels he could fall asleep just in that position.
"Taehyung. Are you not happy here? Do you miss your family?"
The omega's eyes flutter open at that-- brown eyes surprised at the statement, wonders why would Jeongguk even think that.
"No alpha. I am happy. My family..."
"You miss them?"
"I...I don't know."
"What do you mean?"
Jeongguk could see the hesitation. But he waits patiently, letting Taehyung take all his time for saying what he wants.
After a minute or so, the omega speaks.
" In my old pack the omegas were not allowed to be with their family. As soon as we reach the age of 7, we were sent to live in the omega training house, where we would learn all the different chores.
Once we learn everything we are assigned with different tasks like serving guests, helping in kitchen and all that.
we never get to go back to stay with our families. So, I don't know if I miss them"
The alpha watches in disbelief. The cruelty and inhumanity the omega had been through all because of a mere rank.
"Oh Tae. I am so sorry you had to go through all that.
" Don't be sorry alpha. It was okay! I don't really remember my family but I miss my friends though. We didn't have the luxury to sleep on such mattresses, cause Luna said an omega must acquaint to adjust anywhere....we slept on the ground, all friends in a row and told each other stories till we all fell asleep.
All bad days turn into good nights with friends."
The sparkle that Jeongguk had missed all the week finally was back--the crescent eyes and boxy smile.
Jeongguk couldn't help but admire how beautiful the other was...not just physically but as a person.
Admires the quality that Taehyung would bloom beautifully no matter where he is planted and no one else could know it better than the alpha whose heart is all full of Taehyung ever since the first day he had laid his eyes on the other.
" Is that why you couldn't sleep well? Cause you miss them?"
Taehyung giggles at the frowning doe eyes of the alpha, still too shy ( and not used to) expressing his worries.
"Uh..partly cause of that and partly cause I am not used to this..."
The omega says pointing at the mattress.
"My body is used to hard floor, the softness just makes my bones and back ache", he adds sheepishly.
" why didn't you tell me anything?"
" You bought the new mattress and were so comfortable I didn't want--"
Before the omega could complete Jeongguk simply rolls his eyes and gets up from the bed and without a word leaves the room.
Taehyung panics at the sudden change of direction. He was dwelling deep in his 'i crossed the line' thoughts when the alpha comes back with a pile of duvets in his hand.
He dumps the pile on the ground and bends to arrange them on the floor right beside the bed.
When he sees the omega coming forward to help, he fixes him with a playful glare.
Once he's done placing the pillows, the alpha gestures the omega to come closer.
" There is no "You & I" in our relationship, it's "us". If you are unhappy, I am unhappy. If you are uncomfortable, I am uncomfortable as well. You are my mate-- seeing you in discomfort can never give me a sound sleep. So please, share your problems with me...tell me what's wrong.....
He stops, his lungs burning from how much energy he puts in, desperate to explain. He inhales a long breath, with closed eyes he finally utters,
Let me care for you. Please"
The words are soft as whispers yet they ring the loudest in the omega's heart.
Jeongguk gently tucks the hair behind his ear before tugging him down under the covers, giving enough space for Taehyung to keep distance... even though his inner alpha just wants to press their bodies together-- Jeongguk would never force himself on Taehyung.
And when in the middle of the night he feels soft fingers threading his own followed by a brush of shoulders indicating the omega scooting closer, Jeongguk 's heart implodes with pride and happiness.
Baby steps!
Can't help the smile that breaks through cause Taehyung is willing and trying--- and that's all reassurance the alpha needs to keep going.
The feelings are mutual.
Love is mutual