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A lot has changed during the past three decades about the capital, that's what his mother said.
Once communal buildings got renovated and the streets have become cleaner and brighter. Some things stayed the same like small cafes and businesses that thrived due to local regulars. Seoul was a mix of cultures and traditions which, of course, didn't shock Yoongi's mother when they were out and about during her brief visit. Yet still she couldn't help but worry for her son and it didn't matter that he was a tad over thirty, a confident and level-headed alpha, well established in his career and in a busy city life.
- How is the apartment hunting? - she asked just as they were heading the train station where her son was going to see her off.
- More than successful. There's several decent ones and there's one I'm visiting tomorrow with a perfect roommate. A beta, I couldn't wish for anything more fitting. The apartment looks lovely too.
- If that's what suits you, - she nodded, - Isn't it going to be a tight fit for two grown people?
- Not at all. Sure, the complex wasn't designed for that, it's more of a family friendly area and all. But it's so much easier to live with a roommate. If you get on well and know your boundaries, it's perfect. It's someone who can look out to you to some extent.
Yoongi proceeded to tell her everything about his (hopefully) new roommate, how convenient the logistics were and how he already packed his minimalistic belongings. All he needed was to meet the man in question, check the place and sign the contract.
- Hmm, be safe, son, - she kissed him on the forehead before parting and Yoongi watched as the train left the station, beginning the wait until their next meeting.
His mother's visits weren't as frequent as they used to be but he was grateful nonetheless. She has always been that person for him who he could confide in and share anything without much judgment. Being close to his mother's scent calmed him down immensely, made him forget useless worries that dawned upon him when it turned out he had to move out from where he lived for almost five years.
The next day he met up with the beta that has put the advertisement for a roommate. His name was Jimin and he offered to meet up in a small coffee shop next to his apartment building, which was convenient. Yoongi loved considerate people because he wanted to think he was one of them as well. It was a fairly quiet place that would allow them to converse without the bustling chaos of the crowd around. And the coffee was quite good.
He looked anything but ordinary and what stroke Yoongi the most was his positive yet levelled demeanor. That's what he was looking for, a calm and reasonable person to share the living space with. Omegas were obviously out of question because of how badly they're influenced by alphas and vice versa. He had nothing against that rank. It's just no matter the upbringing and reason, the biology is bound to strike at some point and it would certainly make things uncomfortable for the both parties. And Yoongi would hate to make someone uncomfortable just because of the rank he was born into.
And alphas were out of question too. He simply couldn't stomach the natural reaction to posture and prove, his education and age be damned. Some of the alpha's scents were unpleasant for the others despite them being good people. Namjoon and his friendship was a blessed exception, he thought, and still they did sometimes resolve to growling and snarling by the end of especially passionate debates.
Once Yoongi was through with the paperwork, making sure everything looked legit, they went to see what the place was like before finalizing it. To Yoongi's surprise there was no difference between the reality and the pictures. The flat looked amazing, with some beautiful furniture and decor pieces.
- These are all from the previous owner. - Jimin explained when he saw Yoongi's raised eyebrows.
Younger looked around more thoroughly. The wallpaper had faint golden designs which sparkled when the light was reflected at the right angle. The chairs and the table seemed to be from the same set judging by the bronze ornaments on them. There was a huge chandelier that was hanging above that dining table which made the corner of the huge room look like a secluded booth in a fancy restaurant. He looked in the other direction and saw a bar top with high chairs and realized that the previous owner made the kitchen and the lounge into the same room which meant both of them had to share that space whenever someone wanted to rest or cook and eat.
Yoongi was sort of fine with that. He wasn't a huge fan of social interactions but he figured if his new roommate wouldn't mind being quiet and sort of calm around him then it wouldn't be a huge problem. Not that he expected Jimin to be silent or not seen. Just not overwhelming. And maybe they could even share their meals at some point. It would be convenient too.
The rest of their apartment looked promising as well. There were two more bedrooms, both spacious and a well equipped bathroom he could only dream about in his old place. He really wanted to stay here so he prayed - though he wasn't really religious - that this roommate was exactly what he described himself as in the ad.
- I think I'm ready to give you my answer. I really love this place and I believe we will not have any conflicts and if we do we can discuss everything.
- Oh, sure, - the other man said, - I am really glad it was you who answered the ad. I didn't put any rank requirements and realized it a little too late. I wouldn't know what to do if it was an omega that came today.
His voice trailed off and then his shoulders tensed. Maybe he realised that whatever he said didn't really come out right.
- Sorry, but do you have anything against them?
- I should have worded that better, - Jimin looked genuinely apologetic and he was a little flushed, I don't, not at all. I have nothing against that rank, it's just that sometimes they make me feel uneasy. Maybe it's because both my parents were omegas and I am more sensitive to their scents.
- Ah, - Yoongi made a noise of understanding, - Maybe you ought to have been born an alpha.
- Who knows, honestly. I am who I am. My encounters with omegas are rather unfortunate. I had a roommate in college who was an omega and all I wanted to do was to challenge him all the time, - Jimin chuckled.
Yoongi's eyes widened. He has hardly ever heard of ill relationships between omegas and betas. Jimin must be a rare exception.
- Challenges in like...
- Like a competition? - Jimin answered carefully, tone amused. - It was exhausting. So in the end I'm really happy that it turned out to be you.
- Well, thanks. Let's hope we can get along well, - the alpha took the contract that Jimin filled out already and put his signature down where needed.
He sealed the deal. Now he had other matters to get to, in particular moving all his stuff that he's accumulated through the previous years. Which, admittedly, wasn't a lot compared to what he has seen here. Jimin seemed to own a huge amount of belongings but he wasn't want to judge. He has read somewhere that if you can put all your life in one suitcase then you are just waiting to start to live. Maybe that was true to some extent. At thirty, he was convinced, his life was only beginning.
With time they created a perfect routine. It took a month or two to adjust, to get used to each other's presence and be comfortable to share their schedules - essentially, for efficiency. Despite the amount of things Jimin kept, he was tidy and clean, didn't organize rowdy parties and didn't have overly loud friends over. They too have been slowly becoming friendlier, sharing a dinner or two a week at first which later extended to some breakfasts too. There were a couple of misunderstandings and they levelly talked them out, easily reaching compromise. It was like Jimin was a perfect picture of a beta, with soft soap scent that didn't do anything to Yoongi's hormones. It seems he got lucky with him.
As they breached the two months mark Yoongi started picking up on some oddities though. Every time Jimin would touch him in a totally platonic and respectful kind of manner he felt a little elated. The beta was clumsy so sometimes they would bump into each other, speaking in apologies and chuckles. And then the alpha would feel a twinge in his belly, a slight pull like he wanted to say something but failed to find the right words. He wasn't sure what it was, with his rut being nowhere near. So he decided not to dissect his emotions, continuing to blush every time Jimin would smile at him brightly, would start bouncing on the balls of his feet when the elder would share some kind of a minor achievement at work.
It was so easy to talk to him, to come home and to pick up conversations they started in the morning or the previous day. It was way too smooth, the way Yoongi got used to the feeling of soft locks of hair against his palm every time he would ruffle Jimin's hair when he wanted to encourage him. And it was a little haunting how he got to like the barely noticeable vibrations in his chest every time he would do something for the younger, be it brewing a cup of his favourite tea after he came home exhausted or fixing his shelves without Jimin actively asking for his help.
Yoongi was falling in a loop of happenings that were not typical of him at all. And once he picked up on that he did the best thing he could do in such situation. He ran to his best friend.
- I don't see anything wrong with all you said - Namjoon shrugged, clearly underestimating the severity of Yoongi's case. - You want to do nice things for him and that's awesome. He is younger so you feel like it's a part of your responsibility. And - just hear me out - biologically your alpha chose to be attentive to him like he would do to a pack member if it were old times. Because you're supposed to be stronger and provide and yadda yadda.
- Lately I feel like I'm attuned to his needs. I need to supress myself before I do anything stupid. I've never been so prone to give in to the instinct.
- Look, you're being nice to him because you're a kind and amazing person. Also your instinct to care pushes you forward. I don't see anything wrong with it. As long as Jimin isn't upset or uncomfortable with it I can't see why you should suddenly stop showing some friendly acts of service.
- Of course I can't! Joon-ah, he gets so surprised with them I couldn't have stopped even if I tried. I'd have much less reasons to tease him.
Namjoon observed his friend quietly. There was an extra spring in his step. He started eating better and genuinely started smiling more often. Whatever it was between him and that beta, it was doing Yoongi good. So Namjoon simply asked to keep him updated and encouraged Yoongi that if things are left as they are, they should resolve themselves.
Jimin didn't look uncomfortable receiving some friendly attention from the elder. He didn't voice any protests either, he simply started doing some little things for Yoongi in return. He would walk past a bakery and pop in to see if they had any of the alpha's favourites. He would keep an eye on sales the elder was interested in. He was a disaster in the kitchen so he tentatively helped where he could, sometimes doing extra laundry or greeting his hyung in the morning with a freshly brewed steamy cup of coffee. Yoongi's alpha got some stern talking to when Yoongi was alone - his inner wolf preened way too much responding to the attention the little pretty beta was paying him so eagerly.
It all came to the turning point one rainy evening. Yoongi knew it was Jimin's day off and he didn't seek for reasons to stay at his workplace any longer than strictly necessary like he used to. He popped to the younger's favourite shop to get some snacks off the list they pinned to the fridge. A warm feeling washed all over him, reaching to the tips of his fingers and toes. His mind immediately conjured a memory of the two of them standing in the kitchen, both a little stiff and new to each other. Jimin shyly offered to break the ice with listing both their favourite snacks so they would be able to get them if they were to come across them in a supermarket. They haven't been talking as much as they were now and Yoongi didn't mind them getting more familiar, having gotten used to the bashful and quiet presence of the adorable beta.
Once he started he couldn't stop until he got a whole bag of things to drink and nibble on. Only half way to their shared apartment he realised he was walking faster than usual and his chest was inflated proudly. Maybe that feeling is the closest to the one would get from getting back home to their mate.
"Silly alpha", he grumbled internally, "Are you that eager to provide for the cute hard working man? Are you hoping to see him shy and flustered and full of happiness?" Suspiciously, his alpha was quiet aside from the barely there rambling in his chest.
He didn't knock but made enough noise in the hallway so Jimin didn't get startled. He popped his head in the kitchen and found it empty. Most of the times he would catch Jimin sneaking his hand into their stash of sweets or lounging on the wide windowsill with a cup of tea that was spreading its aroma all over the space. Having discovered the room empty he moved on to Jimin's bedroom to announce his arrival and present him a huge bag of his favourites. But he didn't get close to the door. He heard the shuffling from the lounge slash kitchen they had and returned there. It was hard to notice him because of the L shaped settie they had so a part of the backrest was obstructing his view. He found Jimin in the corner of the plush sofa, tucked away so tightly as if his life depended on it.
Yoongi immediately came closer, kneeling in the soft carpet and leaning over the heap of blankets. Small hands were balled into fists on the hem of the quilt and the sight made something twist in the alpha's belly. A tuft of golden blonde hair was peeking from it, hiding the rest of the younger's face.
- Are you alright? Jimin-ah? Are you sick?
He looked over the buried figire and couldn't help but notice how Jimin surrounded himself not with just blankets but with some of his clothes too. There were a couple of hoodies he had seen on him before and also there was a scarf or two that looked quite familiar.
- Hyung? - he croaked, pulling the covers away from his face and revealing ruddy cheeks and pink nose.
- Did you catch a cold? - Yoongi swept the fair hair away from Jimin's forehead and found him running a mild temperature at least.
- Maybe... I don't know, - he answered slowly, slurring his words together. - I just want to stay here.
He looked tired and definitely not as well and lively as Yoongi left him in the morning. It seemed like he was cold too, judging by the amount of pillows he fortified himself with.
- Won't you be more comfortable in your bed? Do you want me to help you get there?
- No-o, - the beta whined cutely, - I want to stay here, it's safe.
"Safe?", Yoongi wanted to ask but refrained from commenting on Jimin's words. There was something off about it, something that was making his alpha alert, with short hairs on his nape standing.
Jimin shuffled to get cozier and adjusted the blanket on top of himself. A wave of scent washed over the elder only it wasn't soap like it used to be. The scent became deeper with creamy, sweet undertone to it. There was something else there that was making Yoongi salivate, like something he liked to eat though the correct name evaded him for now. The alpha leaned in closer and smelled the air around the younger. He didn't catch anything that would indicate Jimin was sick or stressed. The newly discovered scent wasn't giving away that anything might be wrong with Jimin.
- You smell different, - Yoongi said close to Jimin's ear and the beta hummed at it.
- I'm not entirely sure what is happening, but my chest feels weird. Maybe it is a cold after all.
Yoongi stood up and went to get some menthol balm they bought the last time they were sick. It could really help in battling it on early stages. He told Jimin he needed to get out of his castle at least for the medicine. The younger flipped the covers off him and offered his chest in resignation. For some reason he became even brattier but Yoongi was determined not to pay attention this time, letting it slide because of Jimin's sickness. He scooped a small amount of fresh smelling gel and parted the lapels of Jimin's sleep shirt. He carefully rubbed the substance into his soft skin. His chest was so hot the remedy melted quickly, spreading more mint and herbal notes in the air, dimming the creamy sweet scent emanating from Jimin for a short while.
Yoongi spread it evenly and as he was giving him gentle circles with his fingers he felt slight vibrations coming off ghe small body. Confused and wondering what was going on, he stopped the movement of his hand. What he heard was the softest, the most pleasant sound that resembled a purr too much for it to be a mistake.
- Jimin-ah, - he gasped in wonder, - You're purring!
The younger didn't seem to catch it right away because for several long moments he was still producing those sounds. And then he stopped. His eyes went wide and he looked up at his hyung, looking even more vulnerable with such expression. He curled into himself in an attempt to make himself smaller. And them he let out a distressed whine.
- Sh-h, - Yoongi attempted to calm him with a tender touch to his shoulders, - There's nothing to be scared about.
- What is going on, hyjng? - he all but whispered.
- I think you might be presenting, - Yoongi said softly, voice growing from unsure to fond gradually.
- I can't be! I'm over twenty five! - he protested.
- There were cases of late presentation at thirty, Jiminie. It's definitely unusual but not unheard of.
- What do i do? I only know some basic theory, - he whimpered. - I'm not prepared!
- Let's stay calm, little one. Can you call your parents?
Jimin didn't miss Yoongi slipping an adorable endearment and he blushed at it profusely. He couldn't deny he loved to be called that.
- They're away on a holiday. And Tae has gone to his family just a couple of days ago.
After some coaxing he agreed to sit up, continuously fixing the pillows and twisted items of clothing around him. Now Yooongi moved with even more care, knowing that what Jimin built here must have been his fist ever nest. Shit, Jimin was nesting. Beta Jimin was presenting as an omega, the omega with a mouthwatering attractive scent. Now their dynamic made so much more sense.
It took even less convincing for Jimin to pick up the elder's phone and open a delivery app with a shop with omega and heat necessities. They browsed through it together after Jimin insisted he didn't want Yoongi to leave. They put item after item in the cart with both of them wracking their brain for any piece of knowledge of what a freshly presented omega might need. Some of them were quite confusing but nothing a quick search couldn't fix. There were heating pads and plush toys that you could warm up in a microwave. There were extra soft blankets and materials to assist in building a bigger and comfier nest. There were nutritional packs with plenty of vitamin drinks and healthy snacks suitable to any taste. There were also body washes and other bathing supplies designed for extra sensitive skin that most omegas tend to get during presenting or heats.
- I think that might be all. - Yoongi concluded, - It won't be long til it gets here.
Jimin shrugged and stared at the hem of the blanket his fingers kept playing with. He looked upset and nervous and all Yoongi wanted to do was to comfort him yet he didn't know how. He had no idea what to do that wouldn't break his boundaries.
- Everything is going to change now, right? - Jimin asked in a small voice.
- I think it will just take some getting used to. I'm sure you will handle all the changes to your body well. Nature couldn't have made a mistake granting you this rank.
- No, I mean... You're going to leave aren't you?
- Why would I? - Yoongi had a hard time following the beta's - the omega's logic.
- I know you were looking for a beta roommate. - Jimin looked resigned and Yoongi wanted to reassure the man in front of him.
His hands hovered above the younger's and Jimin let the blanket go in favour of turning them palms up so Yoongi could put his on top. He rubbed in circular motions and noticed his alpha already releasing calming pheromones. Jimin's shoulders relaxed and he inhaled the elder's scent with full chest.
- It might have been my initial thought but now that I've gotten to know you I don't care about the ranks or biology. I think we work well together, don't we? - Yoongi's tone dropped lower, trying to appeal to the omega.
- So you aren't going to leave? - Jimin looked up and his lips stretched in a tentative smile.
- Not unless you tell me to.
- Never! - Jimin straightened up and squeezed Yoongi's hands tighter.
- Okay, okay, I'm not leaving, Jimin-ah.
They sat together in a comfortable silence, both trying to wrap their hands around the changes that happened and that were to surely come in the future. The delivery came and Yoongi didn't let Jimin lift a single bag, carrying everything into Jimin's bedroom himself. Then he helped him walk there supporting half of his weight on his shoulder which was a little difficult with the younger still wrapped into the biggest blanket like a burrito.
At seeing the freshly purchased supplies Jimin excitedly got to work. Yoongi sat cross legged on the floor and kept giving the omega one item after another, watching as he was building himself a bigger, more comfortable nest. His face was pinched in concentration and he was moving hesitantly but his scent grew happy and fresh. Yoongi felt honored to witness the first baby steps of the omega.
Once Jimin was done and Yoongi finished stocking food and drinks on the bedside cabinet, the omega sat in the centre of the nest and patted the space on the bed just outside it. The elder just noticed how Jimin left a generous third width of the bed empty intentionally. He watched how the younger kept patting the mattress, looking at Yoongi expectantly.
- Do you want me to guard your nest? - he whispered in awe.
- Yes, hyung. If you don't mind, - Jimin answered with the prettiest flush to his cheeks.
- Gladly.
Yoongi wasted no time in getting up and settling on the bed, careful not to disturb the structure. They laid on the pillows face to face, separated only by the wall of twisted and carefully placed clothing and throws. Jimin started purring again, hesitant at first. And then the sound grew more confident, lulling them both into a sleepy haze.
As Yoongi watched the younger slowly drifting off he was mentally preparing himself for the nearest future, ready to assist and care for the person he grew so attached to and got to care for. It was so long since he felt such connection and were at ease with someone else. His instincts were still alert but it didn't make him uncomfortable like it sometimes happened. Jimin brought peace and calm with his delicious clear scent and the feeling like the two of them were at exact place where they belonged.
He was determined to become a good alpha for the beautiful considerate omega, in however sense it might be.