Archive of Our Own

“It’s not as terrible as you think it is, little Seok.” Seokjin’s voice is like a balm, soothing the nerves that Hoseok hadn't even realised he was having. “The food’s nice and once you’re done with your duties, you get a lot of free time. And you can have friends come over every other weekend– like you and Jimin came and saw me a while ago– and you can go back home occasionally too. So it’s really not that bad. Think of it like… boarding school.”

“Boarding school?” Hoseok chuckles, lips curling up into a smile. “That’s a really odd way to put it, hyung. I thought you said the food was good.”

“It is… but shhh… trust me, okay? I know what I’m talking about.” Seokjin pauses for a while. There’s a bit of shuffling in the background and Hoseok wonders if Seokjin is on night patrol or something. But before he can ask, Seokjin is already speaking, voice soft, sounding a little far away, as if he is in thought.

“You know how everyone else goes to the army right after high school? All the guys that we went to school with? It’s like a little intermission for them to grow up before they head back home. Before they go to college or get pushed into the workforce or whatever. That’s why it’s… it’s kinda like boarding school…” Seokjin ends, coughing quietly, awkwardly, as if he doesn’t quite know how to drive his words home, even though he’s done a plenty good job already.

“Okay,” Hoseok replies, slowly, carefully. “Okay, I trust you. It’s just….”

“Just what?” Seokjin hums in question.

“What about when I miss you guys too much?”

“Well, the good news is that they prescribe heat and rut suppressants so that’s a guaranteed two-year break from all that shit.” Seokjin bursts into little peals of laughter, getting all breathless with the force of his giggles. Hoseok scoffs, feeling his chest warm over with endearment. “My beta ass can’t really tell how it is for omegas, what with you guys being total princesses–”

A soft whine slips past Hoseok’s lips at the remark, a preening sound that makes Seokjin chuckle in reply. He flushes, cupping his cheeks in his hands and shaking his head in mortification– but no matter how embarrassed he is, it doesn’t change the glee that bubbles in him from the mere mention of the pet name. Princess. He’s Seokjin’s princess– he’s everyone’s princess. But just like that, the champagne bubbles down and he is left feeling anxious all over again. It is because he is a princess that he is so worried about being away from his alphas, being away from their tender kisses and affectionate touches. He’s afraid of being all alone, when he hasn’t been in so long.

“I’ve noticed that the omegas all have little keepsakes from their mates. Little objects that hold the scent of their alphas. Sorta like amulets…” Seokjin hums and Hoseok can picture him rubbing his chin and staring off into the distance, lost in thought. “You should do that too, Jwehope,” Seokjin coos. “You should ask everyone for something that’s saturated with their scents. It’s a bit like asking for an item for building a nest. Everyone will be delighted to help you out.”

Something with all his alphas’ scents so that it will feel like they’re close. The idea instantly stirs something inside Hoseok, moving him greatly. He nods fervently, smiling sheepishly when he realises that there’s no way Seokjin would be able to see that through the voice call. “That’s a great idea, hyung!” Hoseok says, voice high-pitched and dripping with excitement. “I’m gonna do that right away.” He jumps up with enthusiasm, already planning on what to get from whom, before pausing. “Wait, what about you, hyung? Is there anything of yours that you want me to take?”

“Well,” Seokjin drawls out. “Remember how I said there’s a lot of free time once you’re done with your chores? Well, unless you’re cool with staring at the sky and counting the clouds, you should bring a book or two.” Seokjin hums. “You could take one of mine, Hoseok-ah. I’ll ask someone from home to send you my Bonobono comic book. I’ve had that for so many years that it’s bound to reek with my scent, at this point. Not that I reek or anything, of course.”

So saying, Seokjin bursts into laughter. Hoseok doesn’t get what’s funny but he laughs along anyway. It's not that he’s faking it either; he doesn’t laugh at Seokjin’s dad jokes because they’re funny. But because Seokjin’s ears turn so red when he tells them, like he’s embarrassed to be telling them in the first place, but he’s trying his best. Because he cares. And Hoseok– 

Hoseok cares right back.

***

“It’s really big,” Hoseok says, pulling the t-shirt to his nose and taking a whiff of it. It smells like detergent and grass and Namjoon. It smells like home. Nose pressed obnoxiously into the soft cotton, Hoseok peeks over at Namjoon.

“Sorry, Hobi…” Namjoon scratches the back of his neck apologetically, giving Hoseok an awkward smile. “I can get you something else if you want. A painting or a plant or something–”

“No,” Hoseok mumbles, sighing, closing his eyes and inhaling the scent, allowing it to fill his lungs and flood his senses. It’s as if he’s being enveloped in a warm hug, tucked in and kept safe. Like how he always feels when he’s with Namjoon. “No, this is fine,” Hoseok murmurs on a purr, guttural and coming from his chest. “I like how big they are, Joonie. Love how small they make me feel. Small and warm and protected. It’s as if you’re right there with me, hugging me tight.”

“Oh–” Namjoon’s voice cracks and his scent starts to diffuse into the room. Grass and petrichor and it’s soothing but at the same, so incredibly bittersweet. And it strikes Hoseok right then and there that Namjoon is distressed. Namjoon is distressed because Hoseok has reminded him of their impending separation. The purpose behind asking for an item of Namjoon’s clothing runs deeper than simply using it to build a nest. It’s supposed to be a gift– not a courting gift, but one for parting. This is like laying the foundation for their farewell.

“Joon,” Hoseok whispers, carefully folding the t-shirt and tucking it away to the side. “Come here.”

Namjoon is big– he’s the biggest out of all of them, bigger even than Seokjin with his impossibly large shoulders and Jungkook with his boxer build. Namjoon is big and thick, rippling with muscle under Hoseok’s palms, rock solid and burning through the thin layers of cotton that separate them. But even though Namjoon is so much bigger and stronger– and even though Hoseok is tucked so tenderly beneath Namjoon’s chin, his small waist encapsulated by Namjoon’s broad hands– even then, Namjoon feels so small in his arms. So small and vulnerable… and Hoseok wants to hold him like this forever. Keep him here and shade him from the storm.

“I’ll miss you,” Namjoon whispers against Hoseok’s crown, voice cracking, underlined with a wetness that makes Hoseok’s chest squeeze in on itself. “You shouldn’t have to take something of mine to keep you company.” Hoseok pulls back, about to retort to that, but Namjoon doesn’t let him. What he says next knocks the wind out of Hoseok’s lungs.

“I wish you could take me instead,” Namjoon whispers, voice thick, eyes wet and everything hurts. But Hoseok can not allow himself to show that he is hurt. He needs to be strong for the two of them. Namjoon laughs, a bitter and hollow sound. “We should’ve enlisted together. I’m your alpha and we’re the same age and–”

“No,” Hoseok says, shaking his head slowly, reaching out to cup Namjoon’s face, thumbs rubbing circles into his cheekbones. “You have things to do before you can leave, Joonie. So no…” It’s one syllable but it burns as it rolls off Hoseok’s tongue. “No,” he repeats with a bitter smile. “But it won’t be too long. We’ll be back together before you know it.”

With a shaky nod, Namjoon closes his eyes and leans down to gather Hoseok as close as physically possible. There is grass and rain in the air, a sad but hopeful scent. Hoseok already knows the shirt isn’t going to come close to the real deal.

***

“Can you take liquor with you? Do they allow alcohol from outside in cantonments?” Yoongi frowns, rubbing his chin in thought. “I have this really nice bottle of sake from Japan that I could give you. It’s the premium shit.”

With a scoff, Hoseok rolls his eyes and folds his arms before fixing Yoongi with a teasing smirk. “I love that the first thing to cross your mind is alcohol. Hyung, you know I can’t drink to save my life. Even those fruit cocktail-type things knock me out and have me sporting a migraine the day after. I really don’t think you should be giving me alcohol. There’s gotta be something else.”

“It’s not like you’ll have to drink it or anything. You can just sniff it when you miss me.”

“Hyung, I really don’t think that’s how it’s going to work.”

For a minute, Yoongi looks deep in thought, continuing to rub his chin. Hoseok giggles at the sight, stretching his leg across the couch and playfully prodding at Yoongi’s knee. He yelps when Yoongi grabs ahold of his foot and wraps his large hand around it, thumb against the small dip in his ankle, rubbing soothing little circles into the skin there that make Hoseok melt in his seat.

“I could give you one of my cigars…” Yoongi sighs audibly, not for a second stalling in his rhythm. “... but you don’t like the smell of those.”

“I absolutely hate them–”

“I don’t know what to give you, Hob-ah,” Yoongi says, voice steady, serious. “Heck, you can take anything you want. Anything!” He turns around, eyes gleaming as they search for Hoseok’s. “But what about me? You’re just gonna leave me with nothing?”

Hoseok sits up, startled, trying to pull his leg away but it’s in vain because Yoongi refuses to release his hold around Hoseok’s ankle, not letting up even an inch. “What’re you talking about, hyung?” Hoseok asks, confused, reaching.out to press his hand into Yoongi’s shoulder, wavering when Yoongi places his free hand on top of Hoseok’s and applies pressure. As if he’s trying to ground himself using the weight of Hoseok’s touch. “Should I get you one of my T-shirts, hyung? They might be a little tight for you but at least, you can use them to scent yourself when you’re lonely–”

“No,” Yoongi interrupts, startling Hoseok and making his eyes go wide in confusion. “I mean…” Yoongi frowns, chewing into his lower lip as he shakes his head. “Of course, I obviously want and will take your clothes, preferably your used underwear, Hob-ah–”

“Hyung, oh my god–” Hoseok stutters out, grabbing one of the couch cushions and flinging it right at Yoongi. It hits him square in the face but he doesn’t flinch or even acknowledge it, still loyal to massaging Hoseok’s foot as if it is his number one priority.

“But that’s not what I meant…” Yoongi continues, bringing Hoseok out of his scheming thoughts and back to reality. “I– I love you a lot, Hob-ah,” Yoongi says slowly, wearily studying Hoseok’s expression as if he’s scared that Hoseok will reject him. It’s a ridiculous thought because they’re a pack and Hoseok is his omega. If they weren’t in the midst of their very serious conversation, Hoseok would leap into his arms and pepper him with reassuring kisses, maybe more. All he wants to do right now is to make Yoongi understand how much he cares for him, how much he loves his alpha.

“I want you to feature on my song with me.”

It comes out of nowhere, nearly giving Hoseok whiplash. He’d expected a dozen different things from getting a mating mark to flying to America to get officially married. This– this, however, he did not expect. To be fair, Yoongi’s new album is on the horizon so it makes sense that his mind would be fully occupied with it. Yeah, that makes sense.

But Yoongi’s not done yet. “I just… If I have you on a song with me– both of our voices melding together like they’re one, then… then, whenever I feel lonely, I can just listen to it and close my eyes and pretend we’re together, Hob-ah.”

Oh. Hoseok’s mouth goes dry and it feels as if a tidal wave of emotions slam into him, causing him to physically reel back. Oh god–

“I have a song that’s perfect for you,” Yoongi says, fingers pausing against Hoseok’s ankle. “Your song– our song– can it be our song, Hob-ah?”

There’s no question about it. In no universe would Hoseok be able to refuse his alpha anything. There is so much gravity to Yoongi’s request, so much vulnerability and hope laced into his voice.

“Of course, hyung,” Hoseok whispers, feeling the corners of his eyes start to prickle with fresh tears just waiting to bloom. “You know I’d do anything for you.”

When Yoongi smiles back at him, it’s something melancholy, something wet, and Hoseok doesn’t think twice before twisting his body around and leaping into Yoongi’s arms, pressing his mouth right into his scent gland and inhaling shakily. Yoongi’s fingers resume their little massage of Hoseok’s ankle. Only this time, they’re trembling and it makes something inside of Hoseok tremble too.

***

“It’s a hat!” Hoseok squeals, throwing the fluffy beanie in the air and catching it. Jimin’s watching him, smiling softly from the corner of the bed. Hoseok turns around and fixes him with a big smile. “I absolutely love it, Jiminie!”

“I’m happy you like it, hyung,” Jimin says, voice proud as he rubs his nose. “It reminded me of you. Totally your style.” Hoseok nods his head, grinning as he puts the beanie on, feeling his ears get scrunched in the process.

“Let me help you with that, hyung!” Jimin rises to his feet, walking over to where Hoseok is sitting on the floor. He gets on his knees and grabs the sides of the beanie and tugs them down. Hoseok makes a small whining noise, hands coming up to tug at Jimin’s shirt. Jimin chuckles at that, ruffling Hoseok’s hair in the process and making him whine harder and tug at Jimin’s shirt hard enough that he leaves a faint crease. 

“Stay still,” Jimin scolds as he attempts to pull down the sides of the beanie, trying to cover Hoseok’s ears as best as he can. But it is oh so clearly in vain; Hoseok can feel them bouncing up and poking out from the sides, flattened. He groans, only to freeze when he notices the way Jimin is looking at him, hands holding the beanie in place, eyes transfixed on Hoseok’s ears. It’s a little unsettling and Hoseok would squirm if he weren’t so close to Jimin– trapped in a way, even though Jimin’s not holding him in place, not physically at least.

It’s cute and for a second, Jimin looks completely lost in the moment, palms grazing gently against Hoseok’s cheeks, fingers loosely grasping the frayed ends of the beanie. “Jiminie?” Hoseok’s voice cracks pathetically as he tries to pull away so that he can study Jimin’s face better, so he can better comprehend what’s going on in his head. “Jiminie, what’s wrong–?”

“Your ears…” Jimin’s voice is soft, breathy, and Hoseok only manages to hear him because of their close proximity, because there’s no one else but the two of them. Jimin’s eyes are glazed, far away, something heavy bubbling in their depth. Something that knocks Hoseok’s breath away. Something that has him hanging on the edge, hanging onto whatever Jimin is saying.

“You have elf ears,” Jimin finishes with a smile, before tugging the beanie down real hard and trying to smother Hoseok with it. Hoseok sputters and curses, ready to fight Jimin. But then, Jimin bursts into a fit of giggles, physically heaving himself onto Hoseok, just draping his body over Hoseok’s shoulder as he dissolves into laughter. It’s contagious, always has been for Hoseok. A few moments later, the two of them collapse into a pile of laughter, arms and limbs intertwined as they lean into each other for physical support.

Jimin hums softly, the air blowing onto Hoseok’s scent gland and making him lean even closer to Jimin, like he’s being pulled by a magnetic forcefield. “I’ve got some clothes from the fashion show in Paris. And some that were sent over to me for endorsement purposes. I”ll go get those now. Be right back.” Jimin nuzzles into Hoseok’s neck, mouthing against the tender gland and inhaling shakily. And then, he’s pulling back, carefully untangling himself from Hoseok and starting to get up. 

It’s a reflex action. Hoseok only realises later that he’s reached out to tug Jimin back down, taking him by surprise and making him topple onto Hoseok, arms stretched out on both sides of Hoseok’s shoulders, effectively caging him in. Jimin’s eyes are wide with surprise, lips parted on an aborted gasp.

“Later,” Hoseok says, hands winding up to settle against Jimin’s hips, tugging him down until their chests are pressed together. They’re too close, barely a feather’s width between them. But Hoseok realises that this is what he needs the most right now. This proximity, this sense of security… this physical warmth seeping into his skin from where they make contact. “For now, just…” Hoseok sighs, closing his eyes when he feels Jimin relax into him and lean down to scent him all over again.

“Just stay.”

***

“Can you take bath bombs with you, hyung?” Jungkook asks, tugging Hoseok closer into his lap and making the water splash out of the tub. Taehyung makes an annoyed sound from the opposite corner of the tub, even as he continues to rub Hoseok’s feet meticulously.

“I’m not sure,” Hoseok says, breath hitching when Taehyung applies pressure on his sole and makes a thrill run down his spine. He can feel Jungkook wilt behind him, nuzzling closer into his neck. Hoseok reaches behind himself and pats Jungkook’s head apologetically. “I haven’t looked into that yet. Sorry, Koo.”

“What about perfumes?” Jungkook perks up again, hands tightening around Hoseok’s hips. Even through the pearlescent bath water, Hoseok can still manage to make out the intricate artwork that paints Jungkook’s arm. “That should be fine, right? You’ll be able to take some of my perfumes with you, right?”

“I suppose–”

“And fabric conditioners too. I’ll get a new tub of my favourite Downy fragrance just for you–”

“I’m not so sure about that, Koo. I haven’t talked to Jin hyung about the laundry procedure in the camps yet.”

“Mmmm, okay.” Jungkook sighs, releasing his hold the slightest bit as he allows himself to lean back against the tub and tilt his head back. “Then, I’ll just have to give you a ton of my clothes.”

“Hyung needs to pack light, remember?” Taehyung quips, wrapping his fingers around Hoseok’s ankles and rubbing at the hollow there. “Just give him one article of your clothing. Like the rest of us are doing.”

“But what happens if the scent fades off it?” Jungkook scoffs, leaning forward, breathing against Hoseok’s neck and starting to distract him more than he cares to admit. It’s hard to focus on Jungkook’s words when he’s scenting him so aggressively, albeit subconsciously.

“If the scent fades off, it fades off,” Taehyung says matter-of-factly. “He’ll be back after a couple of weeks. Just get him new clothes or something. It’s no big deal.”

“ No big deal?” Jungkook rolls his eyes. “If it’s no big deal, what are you getting hyung?”

“Hyung’s going to take the flamingo I won for him in Malta,” Taehyung says with a smirk. “He’s kept it all these years, you know? It only makes sense that he carries it with him when he goes as well.” Hoseok’s eyes widen. He wasn’t informed of this before but the more he thinks about it, the more it feels like the obvious choice. Taking the flamingo is a great idea!

“You’re giving him a plushie?” Jungkook sneers. “In that case, hyung should also take those shoes I designed for him. It’s a lot more personal than a plushie of a pink bird–” Oh, Hoseok claps his hands. The shoes! They’re his prized possession and he keeps them in the closet, but it wouldn’t hurt to take them with him as a memento.

“We have matching necklaces too, you know? The same lockets– couple’s lockets– mates’ lockets, even. Hyung will be taking his necklace with him! He’ll be wearing that every day, right hyung? Carrying a piece of me with him the entire time–” 

That’s a given too, Hoseok supposes. But he’s not liking where this conversation is going. He frowns as he squirms against Jungkook, eyes widening in alarm as he feels the tension crackling in the air. The air is ripe with a sour scent. And it’s not the bath oil gone stagnant from how long they’ve been soaking in the tub. It’s very evidently the scent of two aggravated alphas, one step away from starting a brawl.

“Oh yeah?” Jungkook spits out, arms tightening like a vice around Hoseok’s waist and making him wince. “In that case–”

“That’s enough, you guys.” Hoseok holds up his hands firmly, effectively quietening the two alphas. He pouts in disdain, sighing audibly. “You need to chill. This isn’t a contest. I’m going to take all of those things, alright?” Hoseok exhales shakily. “I love you both so much, okay? Equally! And I’m not going to miss anything, okay?”

For a long minute, there’s a heavy silence. Broken only by the drip drop of the water droplets spilling from the tub onto the porcelain floor. The silence is finally broken when Taehyung and Jungkook nod in resignation, mumbling out off-tune “yes, hyung” s that bring a smile to Hoseok’s lips. He hums in satisfaction, leaning back against Jungkook’s chest and shuddering when he starts to mouth at his nape.

“Gonna miss your long hair, hyung,” Jungkook whispers. “Can’t believe you’re gonna cut it soon.”

“Yeah,” Hoseok nods in reply. He doesn’t want to cut it either. But he’s been growing it out so long purely because he had the end goal in mind. “Yeah, I’m not looking forward to chopping it all off either.”

“I could come over and help you out, hyung,” Taehyung says, eyes twinkling expectantly. “That way, you’ll have some emotional support, you know?”

“Ooooh!” Hoseok blinks, a mountain of weight falling off his shoulders as the relief at Taehyung’s words slowly settles in. “You’d do that, Tae? I’d love that, oh my god.”

“Of course I’d do that, hyung.” Taehyung smiles tenderly, lifting Hoseok’s foot up the smallest bit and pressing a chaste kiss against his ankle. “Besides, you can think of me whenever you look at your buzzcut–”

“I wanna help hyung get a haircut too,” Jungkook grumbles, tone whiny and childish. “Why do you get to help hyung with his haircut?”

“Well, for starters, I offered first,” Taehyung says coyly, still mouthing against Hoseok’s ankle, before slowly and sneakily trailing his lips up to his calf. “Besides, he’s sitting on your lap right now, isn’t he? Stop hogging hyung all to yourself, Jungkook-ah.”

“I’m not hogging him! You’re literally kissing his legs, you perv!” Jungkook hisses through his teeth. “If anyone’s hogging him, it’s you–”

“What did you say, you fucking brat–?”

“Okay, that’s enough, you guys!” Hoseok groans, rubbing the space between his eyebrows in distress. “I swear you guys are going to be the death of me. Just.. why don’t you both come and help me out, yeah?”

Jungkook and Taehyung nod eagerly to this, immediately huddling even closer around Hoseok, their scents now lined with something sweet and pleasant and excited. Hoseok huffs out a sign of relief, happy to have more or less mediated things between them. He’s still not quite looking forward to cutting all his hair off. But knowing that he won’t be alone, it makes things a little easier to bear.

* **

For starters, things aren’t as hard as Hoseok thought they would be.

Everyone in his cantonment is extremely sweet to him. They’re all younger than him, cute dongsaengs. There’s something almost relieving about everyone being on heat and rut suppressants and therefore being stripped of their sub-genders. It’s easy to mesh in with everyone else. Within these walls, he’s not Jung Hoseok, omega rapper-dancer of the biggest band in the world. He’s just Jung Hoseok. He feels like just another normal guy, one of the boys, someone average, an ordinary omega.

But even Jung Hoseok, regular guy, has his weak moments. Even Jung Hoseok, regular guy, gets occasionally overwhelmed by homesickness. Even Jung Hoseok, regular guy, buries himself in bed and curls into a fetal position as the tears slowly take over him.

When that happens, he pulls out all the clothes and gifts he got from his alphas and melts into their scents. Namjoon’s sweater is far too large but it feels as if he’s right there with Hoseok, wrapping him in his big warm arms. Jimin’s hat rests snugly on Hoseok’s head, like he’s getting head pats from Jimin himself. The cold metal of the locket Taehyung gave him is like a balm against his neck, like a sweet kiss. Then, there’s the colourful pair of shoes he only ever wears indoors, saved just for occasions like this– the art on the shoes isn’t the same but it nonetheless reminds Hoseok of Jungkook’s tattoos. The earplugs in his ears are grounding, Yoongi’s voice vibrating against his eardrums and soothing his nerves instantaneously. He grabs the book Seokjin recommended, smiling as he reads through the pages, imagining Seokjin reading it out to him.

Even though he’s alone, when he surrounds himself with all these things– all these objects and the memories and scents associated with them– Then, he doesn’t feel so alone. Then, he is able to muster the courage to keep going, to count the days as they pass. One less day until he’s reunited with his pack once again.

In the meantime, he’s going to be okay.

Fin