Chapter Text
Summer was warm and comforting. It always had been Jungkook’s favorite season. He walked through the meadows. He admired briefly the colorful little flowers. Jimin would have loved to dwell in the scenery. A warm breeze blew time to times bringing with it the unique fragrance of the season. If it was not for the emergency that brought him to the territory unannounced, Jungkook would have set a camp in the forest and admired it for hours. He would have drawn it as well to commit it to eternity. He carried on his journey. His footsteps were smothered by the green grass. The soft rumbling of nearby bees paced his walk. Birds chirped happily in the high branches. Jungkook took a deep breath and pulled his backpack higher on his back. It was not heavy but it kept his back unpleasantly wet with sweat.
“Finally,” Jungkook groaned as the river appeared between the trees in the far distance. He was almost on the witch territory. He never was a believer of magic but desperate times called for desperate measures. His brother – Yoongi– had been hurt in fight against another alpha. The confrontation left an open gash on his chest. The mere thought of it had Jungkook gag. It oozed dark infected blood. The smell, more of a stench, filled the room with sickness and death. His brother’s usual pale skin turned paler. It was then that a traveler reminded them of the witch living in the forest. Rumors had it that he could heal any wound. Jungkook never believed in magic, but at that moment he did and fervently so.
He tried to picture the witch. Rumors depicted him as an ugly bitter creature, others as a beautiful young man blessed by the forest spirit itself. Jungkook did not know which words to believe. He only knew that the witch was an omega; a rare sub-gender cursed or revered depending on the villages.
He walked until his feet ached and his body demanded rest. He did not stop even then. He reached the meadow of the witch in the afternoon. He found it thriving with flowers. There was a small house by the riverside under a giant oak tree. The tree offered a welcome shade over the gardens. Jungkook squinted his eyes to see better. There were vegetables and fruits growing under the soft sunrays. The river provided endless moisture and water for the tomatoes to grow red and as big as Jungkook’s fist. The branches of the orange tree hunched under the heavy weight of the fruits. Jungkook’s gaze roamed over the green vegetation. There was more vegetables and fruits there than in any garden or market he visited. Surely, the owner used magic for the vegetation to be so luxurious.
“Little fawn, go inside the house,” a deep voice startled Jungkook from his contemplation. He almost forgot about the resident of such heavenly house. He took a step closer. A silhouette appeared from behind the house. A tall omega with golden irises glared at him. A little boy ran to the house and shut the door with a loud bang. It startled the surrounding peace. Birds chirped displeased as they flew away. “What brings you here, alpha?” the omega said with a glacial tone. He walked to meet Jungkook. He stood in the meadow akin to a tableau vivant that stole Jungkook’s breath away. The omega, certainly the witch, had long hair that twirled in the soft breeze. He wore a thin beige tunic that left his caramel thighs exposed. His neck was unblemished, no mating mark insight. It satisfied a primal urge within Jungkook’s belly.
“Are you the witch?” Jungkook asked putting his backpack down. His sword lay on his hip. The omega’s gaze immediately took notice of it. He tensed and straightened his posture. Without magic, the omega had no chance to win a fight against Jungkook. The alpha was taller with broad shoulders and a body sculpted by raw strength.
“I see,” the omega smiled against all odds. “You are yet another warrior trying to go home with my head,” he added taking a step back. “Many of your brothers came but never left, alpha. Are you sure you want to engage in that battle with me?” he asked with a voice full of confidence. Jungkook detected a hint of nervousness nonetheless. He knew that his appearance was impressive even to the strongest of alphas. The omega eyed him carefully, already trying to find a weakness. Jungkook undid the belt that held his sword in place. He let the weapon fall to his feet. The omega arched a brow.
“I am not here to fight,” Jungkook raised his hands in surrender. “My brother is wounded. I heard that you could heal any sort of wounds. I am here to ask for your help,” he explained simply. He pictured his brother writhing from pain in bed. He pictured Jimin by his side wiping the sweaty pale forehead. Death surely sat at his brother’s side. Jungkook would fight it until he had no strength left.
“And where is that brother?” the omega looked around with a mocking smile. He clearly did not believe a word Jungkook said.
“I couldn’t bring him with me. It took me a whole day and a night of walk to get here. I’ve left my horse on the other side of the river last night. I am not from this territory. I couldn’t bring a wounded man with me. I am asking you to come with me and heal him. Name your price, it will be fully paid,” Jungkook put a hand on his chest above his heart. It was a promise. The omega recognized the gesture. The alpha was certainly not from his lands. Alphas acted differently there. They were less inclined in prideful promises.
“You have nothing that I am interested in,” the omega said with a shrug. Jungkook took a deep breath to calm his nerves. “If you want him healed, then bring him here. Otherwise, I am not interested.”
The omega turned to leave. In a fit of anger, Jungkook grabbed swiftly his sword and ran to the omega. He rested the sharp edge of the weapon on the tan tempting neck. “I cannot accept a refusal. My brother is fighting against death itself. You have to come with me. It took me a day and a night to get here. If I bring my brother, it will take more than that and he would be too weak by the time we get here. But, if I can take you with me, we could be there faster. I know the way now.”
The omega only laughed at the clumsy words. “If you wish to behead me, let me remind you that I am a mother. My son is watching you right this instant,” he pointed a long finger towards the little house. A small head appeared by the window. The boy looked frightened by the scene playing before his innocent eyes. “You are from the mountain tribes, aren’t you? I hear that family is important for your people. Would you be able to take the life of a mother and leave his son to fend for himself?” he asked turning slightly his head to the side. The tip of the sword dug on the sun-kissed flesh. A blood drop of a vivid red smeared the steel.
The omega did not remember much after that. He woke up to find himself thrown over a horse with his son firmly fastened to the saddle to not fall. His eyes fluttered opened. It was night already. The flanks of the horse tugged him left and right with each step. He felt sick, tired, and above all frightened. He could hear the alpha walk by their side. The pace was steady and never faltering. It almost made the omega believe the alpha’s words, if it was not for the ropes that twined him like a tied lamb.
“You are awake,” the alpha said simply. He merely glanced at the omega. “My name is Jungkook by the way,” he said after a moment. “I did not have time to properly introduce myself earlier.”
“Didn’t your mother warn you against giving your name to a witch?” The omega sneered. His son whimpered and tried to get close to him. Big hands, with a few scars, appeared by the boy’s sides to prevent him from hurting himself. “Do not touch my son,” the omega growled deep and low.
“I am only making sure that he doesn’t fall,” Jungkook said with the same nonchalance that had the omega’s blood boil. “And to answer your question, my mother did not warn me against witches. However, I do not believe that you are one. I say that you are a brilliant smart omega that taught himself enough to be a healer. I never believed in magic and what I saw in your house proved me right. You have many books about medicine, plants, and healing technics.”
“You went into my house?” the omega growled once more. The mere idea of having a stranger in his house had him sick to his core. “Release me this instant or I swear to every god that is listening, your brother will die a miserable death.”
“I cannot release you,” Jungkook said simply. “And you will not harm my brother, unless you want the same fate for your little fawn right here.” Although he couldn’t see the alpha, the omega shivered at the words and guessed Jungkook’s gaze to be bleeding red. The little boy whimpered feeling his mother’s distress. The alpha remained quiet for the rest of the journey. The omega unwillingly fell asleep as his head kept throbbing from pain.
When he woke up again, it was daylight. He was on the ground and the horse grazed next to his head. “My little fawn,” he rasped. His throat ached from dryness. His sides were sore from being tied up and from the journey.
“Mama!” a small voice answered instantly. Little feet padded towards the omega. He sat up cursing under his breath. The alpha barely looked at him from his spot by the fire. He was busy roasting a rabbit. “Mama, you slept a lot,” the boy said pulling on the ropes. “I help,” he added tugging with all his strength.
“Release me,” the omega growled at the alpha. The boy’s attempts to free him only provoked pain. The ropes were too tight. The little hands kept tugging at them and digging them deeper into the sensitive flesh.
“I will release you only when we reach the village,” Jungkook said simply. He stood and walked closer. His hands wrapped around the little boy. The omega emitted a low threatening growl. “I will not hurt your fawn, omega. I will only feed him. If you want to eat, I will give you meat as well. You’ll have a proper meal once at the village.”
“Don’t call me omega,” the hostage said watching his son get taken away from him. “You have no right to,” he added swiftly. “My name is Taehyung,” he finally admitted. Jungkook smiled at that.
The break did not last long. Soon enough, the boy and his mother were back on the horse with Jungkook walking beside them. Taehyung cursed no so discreetly the alpha but the latter never once took the bait. He simply walked beside them in utter silence.
They arrived at a small village perched on the mountainside. For fleeting moment, Taehyung thought that it would have been a good emplacement for his house. It was hard to reach and far enough from his former village. They arrived in the afternoon with the blazing heat. Taehyung was let down from the horse, still tied up. His son looked exhausted and dehydrated despite the alpha’s care.
“Untie me,” Taehyung asked once more. “I won’t run away,” he added swiftly. “I wouldn’t even know which way to run,” he added as he looked around. He craved for the shade of a tree. He missed his meadow and river very much. “And my son needs me. You took shit care of him,” he growled noticing how red the little chubby cheeks were. Sunburn, Taehyung thought bitterly. The alpha would pay for his deed.
Jungkook sighed and took out his knife. He cut down the ropes and let them fall at Taehyung’s feet. He winced noticing how red and chafed the delicate skin was. He felt guilty but had no choice than abduct the omega.
“Mama,” the little boy whimpered wrapping his little arms around Taehyung’s neck. He rested his cheek against his mother’s chest. “Water, please,” he asked with a small tired voice. Taehyung turned to glare at the alpha. The situation only worsened his hate towards alphas.
Jungkook extended a bottle of water that Taehyung gladly took. He carefully helped his son drink. The puckering mouth nursed on the bottle as they carried on their walk.
“Do you live in the middle of Hell?” Taehyung groaned from the sun. The path was yellow and dry from the heat.
“The village isn’t that hot. It is just the path leading to it,” Jungkook explained as he walked ahead. He doubted that the omega would try to flee now. It was too late. “We have a fresh source of water. I am sure your son will enjoy a swim there once you take care of my brother,” he said reminding Taehyung of the aim of his presence there; not that the omega forgot.
They arrived at the village after a burning eternity on the dirt path. Taehyung went to the closest fountain and washed his son there. He gently wet his face and head. The heat was unbearable, especially for a toddler. The little feet gladly splashed in the water.
“Enough,” Jungkook called looking as stoic as ever. Taehyung wanted to scoff. The villagers eyed him warily. They were not used to visitors. Their village was high on the mountainside and the roads leading there were dangerous for anyone who was not used to them.
“Where is your brother?” Taehyung asked losing patience. He would have taken the time to admire the village, if he was not hostage. His son curled to his side eyeing tiredly the villagers that peeked from their windows to watch them.
“His house is right there,” Jungkook pointed a finger towards the end of the road. Taehyung spotted another fountain. He had to admit that the village was smartly built. A fresh breeze continuously blew over it to cool it down. He noticed the many flowers and the ivy invading the yellowish walls. Soon enough their journey ended in front of a red door. Jungkook opened the door and ushered Taehyung inside.
“’Kook?” A gentle yet tired voice echoed in the house. It came from the hallway and surely from the bedroom. Shortly after, a young man popped out his head from the bedroom. Taehyung recognized a fellow omega. “You brought him?” the young man asked with wide eyes as he noticed Taehyung.
“Abducted to be exact,” Taehyung sneered. He felt no pity for them despite the metallic scent in the air. The alpha he was brought to heal was clearly in a bad state. The house stunk of blood and misery. The young man did not have time to retort. Jungkook growled low and threatening towards Taehyung. He took the boy from his mother’s arms. A hand grabbed Taehyung painfully by his neck and pushed him towards the bedroom. Taehyung saw no use in fighting back. He wouldn’t win. His son was left in the care of the unknown omega.
Jungkook put a bag next to Taehyung’s feet. “These are your tools. I took everything that seemed useful,” he explained. “Now, heal him,” he growled. His stoic façade faded like snow under a hot burning sun. Taehyung complied, having no say in the matter. He grabbed the bag and took out the tools and herbs that Jungkook carelessly mixed together.
“How old is he?” Taehyung asked examining his new patient. The wound was festering. The man’s lips were blue. Death was not only sitting by his side. It had a strong grip on his soul.
“He is young,” Jungkook provided unhelpfully. “He is only a few years older than me,” he added watching each and every movement of Taehyung.
“Does he have children or a mate?” Taehyung asked as he gently cut the bandage off the alpha’s chest. Whoever bandaged and tended to the wound was clearly ignorant. “If yes, it is time they say goodbye,” he sighed. The wound was deep and its smell was rotten.
“You heal him,” Jungkook growled. It was menacing. Taehyung startled by the intensity of it. The red gaze promised nothing good. Fangs peeked under the alpha’s lips. “If not, your son will pay the price,” he added swiftly. The statement had Taehyung tense.
“You said it yourself. I am a healer not a witch!” Taehyung snapped fearing for his son. “I cannot perform miracles. Your brother is already on the other side from what I see,” he added before he could stop the words from leaving his reckless mouth.
Jungkook growled once more. He advanced towards the shaking omega. His big hand wrapped around the omega’s neck. It would have been easy to snap it right there and then. “You better start working, omega. Your life depends on his,” he said before letting go. His display of strength seemed to work. Taehyung immediately turned to tend to his patient. It took him the whole afternoon and batches of medicinal herbs to clean the wound. He sent for more. Jungkook never left the room. It was Jimin, the other omega, that left to run errands. When the sun finally set in the horizon, Taehyung finished his task.
“Now what?” Jungkook asked from his spot. He was the tireless guard dog that kept a close watch on Taehyung. “Do you need anything else?” he inquired with worry bleeding in his tone.
“Now, we wait,” Taehyung washed his hands in the small bassinet. “I cleaned the wound and stitched it. I used all the remedies I know. The rest is on him,” he explained tiredly. He never had such patient before. Yoongi took a terrible hit. “Did he win the fight at least?” he asked absentmindedly. “This wound will leave a hideous scar and some other complications.”
“He won,” Jungkook answered with pride. Taehyung glanced at him. He suppressed the urge to scoff. Jungkook puffed out his chest and stood a bit taller than a moment ago. He was genuinely proud of his brother despite the pitiful state it led him to. Taehyung never understood alphas, not that he ever wanted to.
“I want to see my son now,” Taehyung asked once he cleaned his tools and put them back in the bag. He wouldn’t leave them behind. They were hard to come by in lands that still believed in witches and magic. “I also want a meal for him,” he added swiftly.
Jungkook complied with a nod. A moment later, Taehyung found himself seated at the table in the kitchen with his son in his arms. He took a moment to admire the view from the balcony. The village was truly stunning. The view left him breathless for a fleeting moment. The balcony opened over a part of the village and the hills down the mountains. His sight reached far in the horizon. The houses turned into fireflies in the wind.
“I put extra meat for you,” Jimin said as he put a bowl of stew in front of Taehyung. He added another smaller bowl for the boy. “I already fed your son lunch and a snack during the afternoon,” he stated hoping to gain the omega’s favors. He did not. Taehyung simply thanked him and started to feed his son first.
“Why do you call him fawn?” Jungkook asked over dinner. The deep voice reminded Taehyung of his presence. The alpha looked unbothered by the whole debacle that led them there. For unsuspecting eyes, it looked as if they shared a meal as friends.
“Because he is my little fawn,” Taehyung simply answered. He gently traced a chubby cheek with his finger. The boy smiled as he munched hungrily on his meat. Taehyung had to admit that Jimin was a wonderful cook.
“Fawns are easy prey,” Jungkook countered biting into his bread. Taehyung suppressed the urge to yet again roll his eyes. He looked around to find that Jimin already disappeared. He surely went to sit by his mate’s side. Taehyung learned that Yoongi was Jimin’s mate and the fight was for Jimin’s honor. Taehyung saw nothing prideful in the situation.
“Their mothers never fail to protect them,” Taehyung answered yet again.
“So you are a doe,” Jungkook asked around a mouthful. “I once befriended a doe when I was a young hunter,” he shared with a nostalgic smile. “It was a beautiful creature but so fragile,” he sighed. Taehyung guessed that there was a story there. If he cared, he would have asked. He did not.
“Show me to my room,” Taehyung asked once dinner was over. He finished his bowl and made a mental note to look for a similar recipe once he would be home. The thought was comforting and anchoring.
“You will sleep in my room for tonight,” Jungkook guided them down the hallway. The air was much clearer now. Jimin opened all the windows and let the summer breeze in. The delicate scent of jasmine filled the space. Death slowly retreated. Taehyung took pride in his work despite the circumstances. “You can sleep in my bed,” Jungkook gestured towards the neatly made bed. It took almost all of the space in the small room. There was not much decoration either. Except bows, arrows, and Jungkook’s sword, the room was painful empty. There was a closet in the corner and that was it. Taehyung advanced towards the bed and pulled the sheets. A tempting sweet of lavender scent filled his nose. He put his son to rest on the comfortable mattress.
“Are you going to guard me tonight as well?” Taehyung asked noticing that Jungkook was not leaving the room. He even closed the door and locked it. Taehyung had no escape. The window had a stunning and vertiginous view over the other side of the village. Unless Taehyung could fly, he couldn’t escape indeed.
Jungkook undressed without a word. He only left his pants on. Taehyung blushed deeply and averted his gaze. “We share the bed. I am tired as well. If you don’t like it, feel free to sleep on the floor,” he stated as he got under the sheets. Taehyung watched with horror as his son curled against Jungkook side in his sleep. Jungkook did not seem to mind the presence. He only closed his eyes and tried to sleep.
“You must be joking!” Taehyung whispered with disbelief. “Then again, what was I expecting from a man that abducted my son and I!” he hissed pulling his son away from Jungkook. The boy whined with displeasure. Taehyung put a pillow between them and lay on the other side, as far as he could. His son nestled against his chest for the night.
The jasmine and lavender scent lulled him to sleep. A slumber filled with indecent dreams plagued him for the night.