Work Text:
Jungkook blinks incredulously looking at his best friend who has a determined expression on.
“You want to what ?”
“Trial court,” Taehyung repeats his earlier suggestion with a huge smile. “Like… court but also not?”
Taehyug doesn’t sound sure about his suggestion. Scratch that. Jungkook is sure Taehyung doesn’t even know what he’s suggesting.
“Hyung, what does that even mean?” Jungkook gives the older omega a narrowed look, which causes the latter to pout.
He eventually throws himself on the sofa beside Jungkook and rests his head on the younger alpha’s shoulder. This is a common position between them, even before they became BTS, way before they presented as the ranks they are today.
Maybe it’s just Jungkook, but there’s always something… new with having Taehyung be this close to him, especially since he presented as an alpha two years ago.
Perhaps it’s just an instinct of having a pack member close to him. After all, BTS is a pack before it’s an idol group. Shared values and interests bringing them together and creating their own family.
Yes, it’s just that. His racing heart is just an instinct for having a pack member close to him.
“Am I a bad omega, Jungkookie?” Taehyung asks out of the blue.
The question catches Jungkook off guard. Taehyung’s status as an omega is something he didn’t always think about. It’s not something regularly brought up. Aside from Namjoon being their pack alpha and group leader, ranks among them didn’t really matter. Heck, Namjoon even submitted to Seokjin, the eldest omega, when it came to decision making from time to time.
Their traditional roles were never always incorporated, not even by the company. Sans the mixed reaction from the public about having different ranks be in an idol group. But they made it work in the best way possible.
And while judgment masked as criticism kept pouring in, they didn’t mind them as long as there were those who supported them. Hate became nothing but a momentary gush on wind that comes and goes, not really causing a great impact on their lives.
So why is Taehyung feeling like this?
“What makes you think you’re a bad omega?” Jungkook decides to retort.
Taehyung peers up at him, not pulling away from where he’s resting on Jungkook’s shoulder. “I’m not exactly the most… omegaly out of the three of us,” Taehyung says. “I don’t cook, I’m a bit messy, and I don’t exactly have appeal.”
“Excuse me?” Jungkook leans forward abruptly, which is the only reason why Taehyung moves from his spot. He’s shocked at the sudden movement, too, but also freezes when he sees the expression on Jungkook’s face. “ You have no appeal!? Whoever said that is blind.”
Shaking out of his initial shock, Taehyung chuckles. “Then I must be blind.”
Jungkook rolls his eyes. “Jimin-hyung can’t cook either, you know.”
“Because Yoongi-hyung does that for him,” Taehyung says with a pout.
While usually teasing Taehyung about his ‘bratty’ antics, Jungkook’s expression turns to worry. “Where’d you even get that idea from, hyung? Was it something you read in online forums again?”
Taehyung shrugs and leans back on the sofa again, this time with his head thrown back. “I just wonder sometimes, you know. I’m already 25, and I’ve never had a partner, a proper partner. The one time someone showed even just a bit of interest, I jumped in on it without thinking much about it. Then when they expect something from me, I back off and it’s a turn off.”
Jungkook’s expression is pinched as he listens. This isn’t the first time he’s heard this story from the other. After all, he was there on the night Taehyung came home from that horrid date with a sad smile on his face and the words, “I guess I’m not what he expected me to be.”
“Am I weird for not really knowing how to react to those kinds of things?” Taehyung asks, turning to Jungkook with curious eyes.
Jungkook blinks before turning away, a little embarrassed. “Why are you asking me? It’s not like I have much experience in this field.”
“Aigoo. I forgot our maknae was still innocent,” Taehyung teases while reaching out to pinch Jungkook’s cheek. “Were you embarrassed when I asked you to trial court with me?”
“I was caught off guard,” Jungkook says, pushing Taehyung’s hand away from his face. “Seriously, what’s the point in trial courting anyway? If someone doesn’t like you for you, then screw them.”
“I just want to explore a little, you know,” Taehyung says. “Sort of like a practice.”
“Practice?” Jungkook raises a brow. “Being… omegaly?”
“Not necessarily.” Taehyung casts his eyes sideways. “Just… practice being romantic. Like holding hands, scenting, the things we normally do.”
Jungkook wants to say that scenting before and after presenting is very different. He hadn’t exactly explained that his alpha senses are heightened and that he’s not more sensitive to scents, especially Taehyung’s scent for some reason. The newness of it caused the lack of scenting on his part towards Taehyung. And thankful isn’t really the word when Taehyung never brought it up.
He reminds himself it’s just instinct. But why does instinct feel strange?
“It wouldn’t be too romantic then,” Jungkook scoffs teasingly.
“Just indulge me, okay?” Taehyung pouts. “I’m not experienced, or maybe I just freak out easily, but maybe if I practice, trial court, it won’t be like last time. I’ll know what to do.”
Jungkook really wants to tell Taehyung that he doesn’t have to change his ways just because one guy couldn’t appreciate him enough. But the determination in Taehyung’s eyes is sort of rubbing off on him, and a voice at the back of his head is pushing him to just agree.
What does he have to lose anyway by practicing with Taehyung?
He scratches the back of his neck. “Oh well, it’s not like it’s anything weird. You scent me whenever you get the chance.”
He hears Taehyung giggle before he’s tackled on the sofa and the scent of jasmines mix with his own sandalwood, the feeling of Taehyung’s face nuzzling over his scent gland being more prominent than anything else.
He convinces himself that his racing heart is out of instinct of having a pack member so close.
A week passes by since that conversation and not much has really changed. While Jungkook was worried it would be awkward at first, they spend their time together like they normally would. Taehyung sure doesn’t look like he’s thinking too deeply about it, and Jungkook tries to enforce the same thinking.
Emphasis on tries .
Because no matter how many times he convinces himself that nothing has really changed, that it’s really just instinct of having a pack member so close, he’s also really hyper-aware of Taehyung’s proximity.
Usually, skinship isn’t an issue between them. They’ve spent so many nights cuddling while watching a movie. But now, even just seeing Taehyung in shorts, freaking shorts, makes Jungkook’s face flush.
Has Taehyung always had long legs?
He shakes the thought off his head. He should not be thinking such things about his best friend.
“Is something wrong, Jungkookie?” Taehyung asks, looking up at Jungkook through his lashes. They fan his cheeks as he blinks, Jungkook notices, but then he quickly shakes off the thought that follows after.
“Uh… Nothing. Why would you think that?”
Taehyung points to the alpha’s scent gland. “Your scent, I can’t really tell but something’s changed.”
“Ah–” Jungkook brings a hand up to cover the crease of his neck. Normally, he’d wear scent block patches, especially when out in public. But at home, he doesn’t, so name this as the first time he’s been conscious of his scent in the comfort of their sofa. “Might be the stress of work.”
Taehyung blinks then shifts out of Jungkook’s hold. The alpha is about to verbalize his confusion when suddenly, the omega throws his legs over Jungkook’s laps and situates himself there.
Jungkook feels his face redden from the sudden act. Taehyung, on the other hand, looks unbothered by it and even tilts his head confusingly at Jungkook. “Is something wrong?”
“N-No, it’s not… not… Why are you on my lap?”
Taehyung giggles at how Jungkook fumbles with his words. “I’m going to scent you dummy,” he says, as if it was the most obvious answer.
“D-Do you really need to do it like this?”
“Isn’t this how couples normally do it?”
Jungkook looks away. “If you put it like that–”
The omega’s arms wrap around the alpha’s shoulders who tenses under the touch. “Relax,” Taehyung says. “It’s just scenting. I think you need it, too.”
Maybe Jungkook does need it, but not in this position. How hard he tries from keeping his thoughts straying into other things that are way beyond the border of platonic.
But if he voices that out loud, Taehyung might think he’s a creep and never want to talk to him again. Too far fetched, his brain supplies, but not impossible either.
“Alright.” He’s surprised his voice doesn’t come out shaky, but he does close his eyes shut and simply waits.
Hyper-aware of Taehyung’s movements, he knows the omega is about to scent him when he feels Taehyung’s breath fan over the crease of his neck. Then, Jungkook feels skin on his and smells their scents mingling with each others as Taehyung scents him.
Hands hovering in the air in search of something to ground him while it happens, they eventually fly to Taehyung’s waist. For a minute, he feels Taehyung flinch under his touch but the omega doesn’t stop his ministrations. Jungkook doesn’t know for how long they’ve been at it, but he’s sure the entire living room must smell of them now.
“Tae–” he forcefully brings himself to say. At the same time, the omega finally pulls away and when Jungkook sees his expression, it’s only short of bliss.
It’s a face Jungkook has never seen on Taehyung.
“Jungkookie,” Taehyung whispers, voice deep and velvety. His face is also really close to Jungkook’s that if one of them moves just a little–
“Who on earth used an entire bottle of jasmine air freshener,” Hoseok’s voice yells from the direction of the front door.
Out of surprise, Taehyung slides off Jungkook’s laps and falls on the floor with a small yelp. At the same time, Hoseok and Yoongi appear from the entryway, the former having a furrowed look on his face and the latter sending Jungkook a narrowed look.
“Why’d you have to use so much?” Hoseok says, looking around as if the jasmine particles are visible in the air. “It’s not a bad scent, but that sure is a lot.”
Hoseok then moves toward the kitchen while Yoongi raises a brow at Jungkook. “Where’s Taehyung?”
The omega raises his hand from where he’s sat on the floor. “Here, hyung.”
“What were you doing for Hobi to have smelled your scent, heavily ?” His words imply that what Hoseok can smell, he can smell five times more due to his rank.
Taehyung purses his lips, eyes shifting to Jungkook for a moment before sending Yoongi a boxy smile. Yoongi’s eyes follow Taehyung’s movement, and his face says enough; he has an idea, a clear one, too.
The older alpha clicks his tongue then follows Hoseok towards the kitchen. “If you want to scent each other, you can do it in your rooms. Hobah, where’s the neutralizing spray?”
They hear Hoseok’s muffled reply from the kitchen and turn to each other awkwardly. Slowly, Taehyung pushes himself up from the floor and back to the space beside Jungkook on the sofa, except he’s completely pressed to the alpha’s side.
It’s a little awkward, but Jungkook couldn't help but feel like it’s… right.
“You and Jungkook are doing what now?” Seokjin asks with a look of disbelief. He sets the pot down on the countertop, lest he drop it because of Taehyung’s absurd idea.
Jimin, on the other hand, is shocked but not to the eldest omega’s degree; he continues rolling the gimbap, albeit messily. “I’ve… never heard of such a thing. Why not just… court? You know, like normal people.”
Taehyung huffs and not because the instructions on the quick-bake macaroni box are difficult to understand. “Jungkookie only presented recently–”
“Two years isn’t recent,” Seokjin interjects with a stoic look.
“And he’s never had any experience,” Taehyung says. “This way, he’ll know what to do when that time does come, and I’ll also be able to have an idea about what my future partner expects of me.”
He doesn’t see Seokjin and Jimin exchange a look.
“Jungkook learning about this stuff is good and all, but you do know you don’t have to re-shape who you are just to please others,” Jimin says.
“Yeah,” Seokjin says. “Remember the last guy you dated? If a person’s face could be on a dictionary, his would have been under ‘jerk’.”
Taehyung chuckles, shaking his head. “I’ve learned my lesson from that hyung. I’m really just… sating my curiosity.”
He sighs heavily. Seokjin and Jimin tilt their heads at him curiously, knowing he has more to say about this whole… trial courting.
“I’m… not like you guys. And no, I’m not getting this idea from other people. I.. This has always been a sort of insecurity in me, I guess. I didn’t really expect to be an omega, you know. My parents are both betas and as their eldest, I always thought I’d be one, too. But I wasn’t and if it wasn’t for you, Jin-hyung, I don’t think I would have been able to navigate it well. But we were also busy with our debut and then we got busier and busier that… I don’t know. I feel like I haven’t explored it enough.”
“Oh, Tae, is that what you’ve been feeling all along?” Jimin removes his plastic gloves and takes his closest friend in a hug. “I wish I would have known.”
“We presented around the same time, Jiminie, so I understand if you had your own troubles to deal with,” Taehyung says, leaning more into the embrace.
“Still–” Seokjin paces a hand over Taehyung’s back. “We’re sorry if you felt like you couldn’t tell us. But we would have welcomed you if we did.”
“Like I said, hyung, it was more of a me thing. Then the boyfriend thing happened. Then I just decided not to think much about how I should be as an omega.”
“And here I thought there wasn’t any more reason to beat that guy to a pulp,” Seokjin grits. “But seriously, I hope your time with him back then isn’t influencing this idea of yours. I don’t think Jungkook would be happy if that were the case.”
“Don’t worry, I’m not. And he knows why I’m doing this,” Taehyung says then giggles. “It sounds like a very silly idea, but he still went with it. Maybe Jungkook has his own exploring to do as well.”
“You’re not a kid anymore, so I’m not going to tell you what’s right and wrong,” Seokjin says. “But I do hope you won’t get hurt because of this, Tae.”
The youngest omega snorts, turning his attention back to the box he had been reading earlier. “It’s fine, hyung. We know what we’re doing. He’s my best friend and I trust he won’t take it a step too far.”
He misses the worried look Seokjin and Jimin exchange. The two omegas don’t say anything about the matter again and continue with their tasks.
“What’s up with you and Taehyung?” Yoongi asks one day while they’re in the practice room. They’ve just finished practicing for their upcoming music show stage and the rest have stepped out to freshen up, leaving Yoongi, Jungkook, and Hoseok in the room.
The latter, who had been doing a cool down in front of the mirror, turns to his two hyungs upon hearing Yoongi’s question, interest spiking up as seen in his expression.
“Yeah. You and he are… closer,” Hoseok says with a tilt of his head, hands resting on his waist. “Did you finally ask him out?”
Hoseok just had to ask him that in the middle of Jungkook drinking his water, which effectively makes him spit it out and cough. “What do you mean finally ask him out?”
Hoseok shrugs and turns to Yoongi. “He doesn’t know, does he?”
The elder alpha shakes his head with a sympathetic look. “Some alphas are just dumb, especially when they’re young.”
Jungkook gives him a deadpan expression. “I’m only a few years younger than you.”
“And a whole generation apart,” Yoongi adds. “But seriously, back to topic. Hoseok is right. Taehyung was touchier with you than usual. And don’t think I forgot about the whole jasmine scent thing. What’s up with that?”
“Oh, right!” Hoseok’s expression brightens. “I’m still surprised that Taehyung let out so much pheromones that time to the point I was able to smell it. That normally doesn’t happen unless he’s in heat and I knew it wasn’t his cycle yet so I really thought it was air freshener.”
“He’s always been touchy,” Jungkook says, looking down to keep them from seeing his blush, as he assumes is present by how hot his face feels. “A-And isn’t it natural for pack-mates to scent each other? What’s the big deal about it, anyway?”
His two hyungs don’t answer. He assumes they’re exchanging looks with each other. And Jungkook knows because he’s always been subject to that treatment when he’s denying something, and he’s not really good at hiding that.
“Just make sure you know what you’re up to,” Yoongi says as he gets up from the floor and pats Jungkook’s shoulder on his way to the door. “This is your first… courting, isn’t it?”
“It’s just a trial, hyung.”
Yoongi hums in the same way Jungkook recognizes that Yoongi is not at all convinced. “Even if it is just a… trial.” he says with a roll of his eyes. “Give as much as you take. Taehyung is trying to figure out what he’s comfortable with as an omega, and you have to provide something in return. Gifts, affection, a sloppy blowjob. It doesn't matter.”
Jungkook’s face reddens. “Hyung!”
“The point is, you’re in on this now. You got yourself into this, so don’t back out or one of you, if not both, will end up hurt.”
Jungkook swallows. Somehow, he can feel that there is more to it than what Yoongi just said. But the older alpha doesn’t elaborate. Soon, the others return and their choreographer all calls for them to return to their respective positions.
He couldn’t help but spare Taehyung a few glances, even as they start their routine. Yoongi’s words ring in his head. At the same time, images of his hyung when he was still courting Jimin play like it’s happening in real time.
After practice, Yoongi would make a beeline for the omega and make a fuss while Jimin responded with a sweet smile and a thank you.
Would Taehyung like that?
Luckily, his small brainstorming doesn’t get in the way of his dancing, and they finish the entire song without much error. Just like always, Yoongi goes straight for Jimin. Eyes going around the room in search of a certain someone, he sees Hoseok discussing something most likely dance related with their choreographer, Seokjin and Namjoon bickering over something about a shoe lace, and finally, his eyes land on Taehyung who slides down the wall to sit on the floor with a loud huff.
Without a second thought, Jungkook approaches the omega, making sure to swipe two water bottles from the table as he passes by. As he nears, Taehyung looks up at him curiously, eyes never leaving until Jungkook takes the space beside his.
“You should always drink water after practice,” Jungkook says, handing out the water bottle to Taehyung.
The omega takes the bottle from him with a smile. “Thank you, Kookie. You’re always looking out for me.”
Always . Perhaps that word weighs more than what Jungkook knows at this moment.
Taehyung’s first boyfriend, Hawon, was, to put it lightly, a huge baggage.
Though at first he was sweet; knew what to say to assure Taehyung that he was happy with their situation. Taehyung was an idol with busy schedules and Hawon claimed he was cool with that. He even went to recordings in “support” of Taehyung.
But then, like all ropes, tension eventually wears it out and Hawon wasn’t willing to hold on anymore.
Six months into a relationship that Taehyung thought was going well, Hawon had demanded , not asked, something very intimate from Taehyung. Taken aback, the omega declined and ran out of the alpha’s apartment.
At first, Taehyung thought he could give Hawon a second chance; maybe it was just a spur of the moment thing, one born out of stress. They got back together for a brief time but after Hawon kept pointing out how Taehyung wasn’t acting like how an omega was supposed to, he had enough.
It was late when he got back to the dorm and was greeted by a newly presented Jungkook.
Too focused on getting their maknae to adjust well to his new biology, Taehyung no longer had space to think of Hawon or what his words about being a ‘proper omega’ went. He continued to work, not as a form of distraction really but because their breakup didn’t really leave him with a huge impact.
He knows Seokjin and Jimin are worried about this whole trial courting thing, how it could be because Taehyung is only now just thinking about that alpha’s words, but it’s something else entirely.
What he wants in a partner, an alpha, and whether acting like an omega is based on instinct or just plain old want for control in a relationship.
He sees Jimin and Yoongi and thinks, hopes, that it really is the latter.
Two years have passed since then. He truly hasn’t thought much about Hawon; he seemed like a distant memory, a page off a yearbook he’s never bothered opening and may not ever bother opening.
However, that doesn’t mean he’s stopped caring to be loved.
Love, even by just witnessing it, is such a beautiful thing. And how badly Taehyung wants it.
“Penny for your thoughts,” Jungkook’s voice pulls him out of his thoughts.
Taehyung hums, craning his head back to look at Jungkook standing in front of him where he’s seated on the sofa. He’s pretty much tuned out the movie playing in front of him, but he smiles at the alpha and pats the space beside him. “Care to join me?”
Jungkook answers by taking the space. And somehow, like it’s natural, like it always has, he throws an arm over the back of the sofa and Taehyung leans towards him, resting his head on the alpha’s shoulder.
“What’s the movie about?” Jungkook asks.
“I honestly don’t know,” Taehyung admits with a chuckle. “Should I play it from the start?”
“No,” Jungkook says with a shake of his head before leaning down to rest on top of the omega, slightly nuzzling. Taehyung subtly inhales the alpha’s scent that emanates from him. “You don’t have to if you don’t want to.”
Taehyung hums and shifts so that he’s seated closer to Jungkook as well.
It’s always been like this between them, but now, with their scents mingling, something is different.
In a good way, that is.
It’s two weeks into their whole ‘trial court’ when Jungkook gives him a gift.
At first, Taehyung is a little confused. He’s not sure what the occasion is. Their comeback isn’t until a month or so. He’s also pretty sure it isn’t a major holiday either.
But when he was asked, Jungkook simply smiled. “Just because it’s a trial doesn’t mean I can’t give you a legitimate experience. I also might be new to this whole thing, but I know what to do.”
Looking at the small bow in his hand, Taehyung lets out a low awkward chuckle. “Did you do your research on this?”
“No,” Jungkook blinks, looking genuinely confused. “I was out with Seokjin-hyung and saw that on display. I thought it would look good on you so I asked Seokjin-hyung if it was normal to give gifts to the one you’re courting.”
“A-And? What did he say?” Taehyung wants the answer quick, and he tells himself he shouldn’t be nervous for it. He doesn’t even know what to expect.
“ How do you feel about giving him a gift? Is what he said.” Jungkook scratches the back of his neck.
“And?” Taehyung leans forward a little bit, anticipating, wanting more out of Jungkook. “How did it make you feel?”
“It…” Jungkook looks away, a little flustered. “It made me feel… content. I can’t really explain it properly, but through it all, I thought it would look pretty on you.”
A shy smile graces Taehyung’s face as he looks down at the box again. “Can I open it?”
“S-Sure.”
Gingerly, Taehyung undoes the ribbon to the box before pulling off the top cover. As soon as his eyes set on the piece of jewelry sitting delicately on a small velvet cushion, a gasp escapes his lips.
He slowly takes the pendant out by its chain, allowing it to hang in front of his face for him to see it clearly. It’s in the shape of a crescent moon, golden and gleaming even under the fluorescent lights.
“It’s actually a pair,” Jungkook says, pulling out something from under his shirt. It’s the same golden material but in the shape of the sun, one side a little chipped for the crescent moon to fit in. “I-I hope it isn’t too much.”
Taehyung shakes his head, clenching his fist around the chain of his new necklace as if someone is about to snatch it away from him. “It’s perfect, Jungkookie. I love it.”
A small, warm smile settles on Jungkook’s face. “I’m glad.”
A moment of awkward silence passes, neither of them knowing what to really say. Eventually, Jungkook clears his throat and steps closer to Taehyung, one hand open out towards the omega.
“May I?”
Taehyung blinks at Jungkook’s open hand before understanding what he means. He then hands the crescent pendant, allowing it to curl on Jungkook’s palm before turning around and waiting with bated breath.
Tenderly, intimately, the necklace comes to rest on his chest while the alpha locks it in place. Taehyung can feel the shadow of Jungkook’s touch as he puts the necklace in place, and his fingers come up to touch the cool metal of the small crescent moon.
“Thank you,” he says shyly, face flushed and heart beating loudly inside his chest as he turns to face Jungkook again.
The alpha returns a similar smile, and in that moment, Taehyung feels like everything has changed.
There's a strange feeling in his chest whenever Jungkook is around him.
The alpha is more… attentive. Taehyung knows he's always been; they have been a pack for so long. But there's a longer lingering period whenever Jungkook is around.
When they have their meals, Taehyung finds more chicken wings on his plate. Jungkook is also still making sure something isn't spicy before Taehyung eats it, but instead of simply asking, he actually takes a bite out of the food. He's fluffing out throw pillows for Taehyung to lean on during movie nights and even goes out to fetch an extra blanket.
All of these things Taehyung notices now. Then he realizes Jungkook has simply been like this, towards him especially, all along.
His heart screams the obvious it makes him want to roll around and hide from giddiness.
Jungkook is the perfect alpha for him.
And now he wants something more from the alpha than just 'trial courting'.
Would it be too selfish to ask of that from Jungkook? Does the alpha even feel the same?
Taehyung doesn’t know how he could possibly conform this. This whole ordeal between them was his idea in the first place. He's also never heard about an omega starting the entire courting ritual. If there is, he's not even sure where to start.
He retraces his steps on how this whole trial courting came to be, but all roads lead to one answer: talking with Jungkook.
For the first time, Taehyung is afraid of facing the alpha. Because this isn't some silly suggestion borne out of curiosity. This is actually something detrimental to the entire standing of their relationship.
But he also knows if he doesn't do anything, things between them will remain stagnant and one of them will eventually get hurt because of things left unsaid.
Maybe he shouldn't prolong the buildup of pain and just face it head on now.
Which brings him here in front of Jungkook’s personal studio, Golden Closet. He’s aware Jungkook is alone inside, which gives him a little assurance that he won't have to give an awkward explanation to anyone else (even though he regularly frequents here when he has nothing to do). But he stays outside for a while, running the words he wants to say in to the alpha over and over again.
It comes to the point where Jungkook opens the door, surprise immediately on his face when his eyes fall on Taehyung. "Tae, what brings you here?" He opens the door wider, stepping aside and likely forgetting the reason why he was about to step out of his studio.
Neither does Taehyung bring it up. If he delays this any longer, it might end up going unsaid. He steps into the studio, walking ahead inside as Jungkook closes the door.
He takes a deep breath in and turns to Jungkook abruptly, with a determined look on his face. "Let's stop this."
The silence that follows is deafening. That is not how Taehyung wanted to say it.
But Jungkook’s expression appears neutral. He simply blinks, as if still trying to understand what Taehyung means.
"I mean…" he runs a hand over his hair, reorganizing his thoughts for what feels like the 90th time that day. "Trial courting… I… I think we should stop it."
Jungkook hums, eyes cast downward before looking up to Taehyung again. "Can I ask why?"
Taehyung’s hand unconsciously moves up to his crescent moon necklace. He couldn’t meet Jungkook’s eyes. "I feel like I'm being selfish by keeping you in this arrangement."
"Selfish?" Jungkook sounds genuinely confused. "In what way?"
Here it is. The moment of truth. He clenches his fists, allowing his heart to take over and speak for him.
"I like you. I like you more than a friend. More than a pack member." Taehyung's face feels like it's burning but he still musters the strength to look up and meet Jungkook’s eyes. "I see you as a potential mate and I… I feel like it's unfair that you're tied to courting me just because I was curious."
Jungkook doesn't say anything and Taehyung looks away from the alpha, waiting for the first sound of his heart breaking into many fragments.
But suddenly, there are arms wrapping around his waist and pulling him into an embrace. Taehyung sucks in a deep breath when Jungkook buries his face on his shoulder, subtly running his nose over the omega’s scent gland.
"You're not selfish," Jungkook says into Taehyung’s shoulder. "I thought I was selfish for expecting more out of this."
"Huh? Wha… What do you mean?"
Jungkook pulls away enough to meet Taehyung’s eyes while keeping his arms around the omega’s waist. "You're right. We should stop trial courting." He brings one hand up to take Taehyung’s crescent moon pendant. "Will you let me court you for real, Kim Taehyung?"
Eyes filled with unshed tears, Taehyung takes Jungkook’s face in his hand and pulls him in to press their lips together in a long awaited kiss.
Jungkook immediately reciprocates, pulling Taehyung closer until there is no space left in between them.
Time seems to run quickly but also stop at the same time as their lips slowly move against each other until the kiss grows deeper. Without parting, Jungkook pushes Taehyung towards his desk, lifting him up so that the omega is seated atop, legs immediately wrapping around the alpha’s waist.
Taehyung parts for air, but Jungkook immediately latches his lips on the side of Taehyung’s neck, kissing down the column until his lips are over the omega’s scent gland, causing Taehyung to let out a low whine.
Taehyung’s hand comes up to Jungkook’s hair, fingers tangling with the alpha’s dark wavy locks. He pulls on them when Jungkook sucks a mark over his scent gland, but not as a signal to pull off but rather as an indication that he wants more .
He doesn’t know how long they stay like that, until Jungkook’s lips leave his skin. The alpha leans back so they can see each other. Taehyung wouldn't be surprised if their expressions of bliss mirror each other.
"Your studio is going to smell like me," Taehyung says, leaning his head sideways with a teasing smile, showing off the mark Jungkook left there.
"That was the plan," Jungkook replies just as cheekily, running a hand over the mark he left and making Taehyung’s scent bloom even more. "I can't believe I can do this freely now. It feels like I'm floating on a cloud."
"Well, come back down quick from there so you can kiss me again."
And so Jungkook does, with many more to come that night and for the rest of their lives.