Chapter Text
There are good days and there are bad days, but some days are just whatever you could call the absolute terrible day that Taehyung was having.
His morning had started out fine, he had woken up early per his usual schedule, cooked meals for both of his children- Taehwi who was eight and Beomgyu who had just turned two.
But soon after breakfast, things quickly went downhill. Beomgyu was feeling extremely clingy towards his omega father, and of course Tae wouldn't deny his youngest the love and attention he craved, especially when the pup was just recovering from a fever.
To top it all off, Jimin, his usually dependable secretary had also called in sick and he had to sit and coach his team on a full collection redesign, since his initial results were underwhelming, all by himself.
So the last thing Tae needed today was a call from the principal's office, requesting a meeting at school because his daughter had apparently gotten into a fight.
Despite the terrible day he was having, Tae got in his car and drove off to the school. Rubbing his temples, he tried his best to focus on the road ahead.
Upon arriving at the school, he hurriedly plopped his son on his side, and rushed to the office.
“Dada is Tewi in twouble?” his son asked, while Tae kept speed walking to the office
“We will find out soon gyu-ah! Also rrrrr…. Say rrrr….. “ Tae gestured almost breathlessly
“Gggggrrrrrrrr” Beomgyu growled in response, inciting a small laugh from his dad
“Good! Now say t-r-ouble” The omega enunciated
“Twouble” Beomgyu answered right away, and Tae shook his head.
He was going to have to work on that later, for now he had another brat to deal with.
He nodded at the assistant by the office, before softly knocking and opening the door to the principal's office.
“I'm sorry for being slightly late ma'am!” Tae immediately apologized upon entering
“That's okay Mr. Kim, please have a seat! Mr. Jeon also arrived only moments ago!” The principal said, and Tae gave a small smile towards the other parent, who replied with a curt nod of acknowledgement, before turning his attention back to a girl Taehwi's age, presumably his daughter.
“Thank you Mrs. Lee,” Tae said, before seating his son on the chair and turning towards his daughter, who stood silently in a corner.
“Taehwi, are you okay baby? Are you hurt?” Tae asked softly, and his daughter shook her head silently.
“What happened?” He asked the principal, as he stood right by his daughter, an arm of support thrown across her shoulder.
“I'll tell you Mr. Kim. Your violent daughter pushed my daughter and caused this big bruise on my angel's elbow.” The other parent, Mr. Jeon intervened
Tae immediately looked away from his daughter to narrow his eyes at the man who had the audacity to call his daughter violent.
“I am sorry your kid is hurt, I truly hope she recovers soon, but my daughter is not violent.” Tae argued, and the principal intervened right after
“Jungkook-ssi, before you say anything else. Let me just clarify, that in my eyes both kids are at fault. Jeongha had been teasing Taehwi and she pushed her out of her way, in response to that!” Mrs. Lee clarified
“You're saying physically assaulting someone is the correct response?” Jungkook scowled
“She has a tiny bruise, its not like her arm is cut off. This can hardly be termed physical assault. Two kids got caught in a fight, it's not criminal activity” Tae yelled in annoyance
“So we should just keep encouraging this behavior instead of correcting it? Like just wait until some criminal activity occurs?” JK yelled back, causing Taehwi to flinch, and some silent tears fell down her eyes.
Taehyung shot the alpha a venomous glare upon seeing tears slip past his daughter's eyes, and wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
Jk looked away, slightly ashamed at having lost his temper, but did not apologize.
“Mr. Kim, Mr. Jeon. I need you both to calm down. Please go back home and have a chat with your children, they are both suspended for a week. Also, remember the kids pick up your energies and emulate your behaviors, so think twice before starting a screaming match in front of them” The principal chastised both of the parents.
“I will have the chat as you say, but I'll be taking legal action, against the school, if there's even a tiny scratch on my daughter again” Jungkook said firmly, and stood up, with his hand wrapped around his daughters.
Jeongha upon seeing her dad take a stand for her, stuck her tongue out in Taehwi's direction, causing her to snuggle into Tae's side.
Taehyung immediately tried to comfort his first born pup with his scent, and also wash off the angry pheromones JK had released in the room.
Before Tae could even retort, Jungkook had stormed out with his child in tow, leaving Tae with no choice but to sigh his anger away.
“Thank you Mrs. Lee. I'll have a word with her as well and I take full responsibility that such behavior won't be repeated. But I do also have to say that, I won't let some spoilt bully tease my daughter, and I hope that you'll help take care of that without me having to intervene.” Tae said calmly and the principal nodded at him in agreement.
Blowing out another breath, Tae grabbed Beomgyu, who for once was entertained enough by room of adults to simply watch silently. He shot the principal, another small grateful bow, before ushering his kids out.
“I am sorry dad!” Taehwi spoke in a small voice from beside Tae, and the omega's heart hurt with how distressed his pup sounded.
“Lets talk about this over ice-cream! Come my love!” Tae said gently guiding Taehwi into the car before putting Beomgyu in a child seat, in the back.
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“Now tell me what really happened? And I want full honesty!” Tae asked firmly but lovingly, as he fed gyu a spoonful of ice cream.
“I said sorry, can't you just forgive me and we move on. I will be more careful next time!” the little girl said, twirling her spoon in the cup
At her response, Tae simply narrowed his eyes at his daughter. This simple gesture from him was always enough to convey that he meant business and wasn't in the mood for anything but the truth.
“Fine. Jeongha keeps calling me a weakling, because she is great at sports, especially taekwondo and I’m not. So I decided to show her how strong I was” Taehwi answered, slumping back into her seat.
“Well that's very wrong of her! But that doesn't mean— ah, beomgyu! Behave!!” Tae scolded his son who had started to blow air bubbles in the middle of their conversation.
His stern look prompted the kid to quiet down and get back to the coloring sheet in front of him.
“So as I was saying, regardless of what she was saying, you can't hit another person! Just tell your teacher!” Tae calmly explained
“And be called a tattletale wuss??” Taehwi asked indignantly
“Well if she doesn't stop when you ask her to, then getting an adult to intervene is way better than hitting someone!” Tae said strictly
“But dad always told me to take a stand for myself no matter what! If he was here, he'd have beat up Jeongha and her alpha dad for me!” Taehwi screamed, stomping her spoon on the table
“Kim Taehwi, quiet down! Your appa would never choose violence! He would have said the exact same thing I am telling you!” Tae said softly, reaching out his hand to hold his daughter's
“How can you know? He's not here!” Taehwi said, and Tae could see the hurt and pain gleaming in her eyes.
His heart broke for his pup. Beomgyu was a newborn when Tae lost his mate to an accident, and while that did cause issues for the pup, he had not met his other father, and had coped infinitely better than his sister. Taehwi, who was six at the time, took it much harder. She was her papa's princess after all.
“Oh love! I know because I know how much he loved you, and he would never teach you anything that could put you in harm's way.” Tae said, getting off his chair, and bringing Taehwi closer to himself, inhaling in some of her Jasmine scent.
Taehwi hugged him back and quietly calmed down in her dad's comfortable embrace. She constantly put up a brave front for him but at the end of the day she was just a little kid.
“I am sorry for screaming dad! I am sorry for everything.” She mumbled quietly, face still tucked in her father's chest. Tae simply kissed her forehead in response and wrapped her in his soothing lavender scent.
“Tewee dun be sad!” Beomgyu said aloud, and tried to leap out of his baby chair, only to be stopped in time by Tae.
“See your baby brother doesn't like to see you sad either! So cheer up! And promise me, no more hitting!” Tae said pointedly, and Taehwi nodded her head vehemently in agreement before hugging her dad again.
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The omega carefully tucked his kids into bed, and walked out into the backyard of his house, once they returned from their ice-cream date.
Twirling the cigarette in his hand, he slumped against the lawn chairs, and let his thoughts wander.
It was on such cold chilly nights, that he missed his mate the most.
His mate, who was a wonderful alpha, a kind hearted soul with the best sense of humor.
Tae fondly thought back to the nights they had spent in this very backyard, watching stars, laughing and giggling. Taehwi had her alpha father's eyes and they took the shape of crescent moons when she laughed.
Now it had been almost two years since he had seen his daughter laugh like that, laugh like the way she did when her alpha father tickled her.
Maybe it was the exhaustion from the day, or maybe it was the longing he felt for his mate, he didn't know, but tears unwillingly started to leave his eyes.
Tae didn't even realize he was wailing, until a loud voice cut him off.
“Hey! Hey! Are you okay?” came a slightly familiar masculine voice.
Tae abruptly stopped crying and lifted his head towards the source.
Blinking his tears away, he tried to focus his gaze.
“Mr. Jeon?”
“Mr. Kim?”
The two men made proper eye contact and got frozen in a startled state.
“Uhm…. Are you okay?” Jungkook said after clearing his throat, and cut through the awkwardness
“Huh?” Tae asked with confusion
“Your scent… it was extremely distressed. Obviously I didn't know it was yours, I just came to check in, because well…. you seemed like you were in pain. Are…. I mean…. Is everything okay?” Jungkook asked sheepishly, his expression infinitely softer than it had been earlier that day
“You're our neighbour?” A baffled taehyung asked instead
“Yeah we moved in last week!” Jk deadpanned, slightly ticked off by Tae's utter disregard towards his genuine concern.
“Oh! I see.” Tae nodded, scratching his elbow.
He was still angry at the alpha, and a big part of him just wanted to lash out. But in the moment, since said alpha had caught him in a vulnerable state, Taehyung didn't feel like he had the energy for a verbal spat.
“That's not good for you by the way!” Jk said gesturing towards the cigarette in Tae's hand with his eyes
“Quite irresponsible of you I must say. Especially when you’ve got kids in your house. This doesn't send a good message to them, not to mention how bad it is for health. Seriously, a case study…”
“I quit! Right after my first pregnancy! Holding the cigarette is just comforting sometimes when I am stressed!” Tae almost screamed and cut off JK's rant.
Jungkook nodded and gulped
“Sor—”
“Save it! I have understood that you fancy accusing and jumping into conclusions, and I don't need your half hearted apology either. Thank you for having the slight sympathy for someone in pain though.
Good fucking night to you!” Tae said and walked into his house, slamming the door shut behind his back.
Tae didn't hold any malice in his heart for alphas, he knew that their sub-genders didn't define them. But Jungkook seemed to be the quintessential big bad alpha, young omegas were taught to stay away from.
The man infuriated him.
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Next day
“Tete, I just got a call from the investors… and… and they are not happy with the collection re-design either” said Jimin, Tae's best friend and secretary of many years.
“What are they not happy with?” Tae said, dropping the pencil he was sketching with, and looked straight up
“uhmmm…. All of it” Jimin said softly
“What? What do you mean, all of it?” Taehyung said loudly
“I…. You know what I am going to be honest with you. Your collection seems repetitive of the last two that you came out with.” Jimin replied
“And the color pallette and theme is again based on grief and healing, and Eunhee-ssi, doesn't think we can market any more of that!” He added
“I design based off what I feel, and who are they to decide what I should or should not feel! This is ridiculous!” said a very frustrated Tae.
“Tae, I know the grief never really goes away, but in some ways I understand where the investors are coming from. We can't turn into a soft monochrome clothes only brand. Maybe try and tap into some of your other feelings?” Jimin suggested
“You're right, let me think of something!” Tae begrudgingly agreed and tore off the page he was working on
“Wait what's this?” Jimin said, picking up the torn page
“What's what?” Tae asked
“This! Oh my god Tae, this is gorgeous! Tap into whatever inspired this!” Jimin exclaimed
“Tap into my hate for the arrogant ass of an alpha who's my new neighbour?” Tae asked, squinting his eyes
“Well maybe he's an arrogant ass, but all I can see here is a powerful red outfit, on a man with an itty-bitty waist, and I am kinda digging it big time!” said his beta secretary
“Jimin, it will be a cold day in hell before I make that judgemental jerk, my muse! I was just doodling him, to vent!” The omega said seriously
He was aware that lately he hadn't been struck by creative inspiration, but that surely did not mean that he would just draw inspiration from assholes for his craft.
“Tae….. One, you’ve drawn insane body proportions for this to be just a random doodle, but ignoring that for the moment. He doesn't have to be your muse, you know? Maybe you can pour your anger into your collection and use it to drive a message. Show the world, how dressing a certain way could make you feel powerful, or how alphas don't have to conform to set fashion standards, dainty outfits can still make them look powerful! Honestly there's tons of messages! I am not kidding, this red number, IS EVERYTHING!” Jimin said, turning the page towards Tae again
Upon taking a second glance, Taehyung kind of agreed with the beta's words.
There was something supremely alluring about the piece, he had anger drawn.
Like his assistant, he had decided to ignore how he had drawn Jungkook as the sketch form of an arrogant adonis, and focus simply on the look.
“Okay….. you have a point. I am thinking let's do a collection on alphas in silhouettes typically expected to be worn by omegas, and vice versa! Like a sub gender fashion swap, while keeping the color pallette stereotypical. How does that sound?” Tae suggested, have given his secretary's suggestion, an unbiased serious thought
“HOT!” his beta secretary said simply, and Tae finally cracked a smile
“Leave and let me work! I don't want to be disturbed” Tae ordered and Jimin took his exit with a bow
Taehyung was about to start sketching, when his phone rang with a shrill sound
Grimacing, he rubbed his temples before taking the call.
“Taehyung-ah, its Hobi hyung.” A soft voice spoke from the other side
“Hobi hyung? Hi whats up?” Tae asked
“Oh actually Taehwi isn't feeling too well. I think she has come down with a fever. She fell down during dance practice today, so we made her rest in another room, but she really just wants to see you. I know you're super busy, so its okay if you can't come, Jin is with her and I'll be there too in a bit, the session is almost over.” Hobi spoke in one breath
Taehyung was worried and baffled.
She had seemed fine when he dropped her off at Jin and Hobi hyung's studio/house, where the couple taught music and dance to children.
So he couldn't understand why and how she fell sick out of nowhere.
“No no hobi hyung, I’ll be there right away! Thank you for taking care of her!” Tae said, already standing up and packing his things.
“Okay see you. Drive safely! And don't worry, we are looking after our God daughter!” Hobi replied and cut the call.
Taehyung quickly grabbed the things he would need to work from home for a few days, in case it took longer for Taehwi to feel better, and then dashed out the door after rush screaming an update to Jimin.
He knew his trustworthy pal and assistant of many years would manage behind his back.
Due to traffic, it took him about twenty five minutes to get there. But the moment he arrived,he jumped out of the car and climbed the stairs to get to guest bedroom where he assumed his daughter was.
The sight that greeted him however, made his panicked and worried state much worse. He was filled with outrage.
Towering over his crying daughter was Mr. Jeon Jungkook, who was saying something to her and pointing his finger at her.
“Have you no shame or sympathy? Scolding a sick child? How can you even stoop so low!? You disgust me! Get away from my baby!” Tae screamed in anger and grabbed a crying Taehwi in his arms, before dashing out
“Taehyung-ah wait! Wait!” Jin said chasing after Tae, but the omega was overcome with such a strong protective emotion for his pup, that he paid absolutely no regard to his friends calls, and left their house.
“Taehwi-yah, my baby! Please stop crying! Dad will take care of everything! You’ll be fine in no time. Its just a fever!” Tae said, running a comforting palm over his kid’s head, as he drove away to their house.
“I won't be able to go to the recital the day after because I’m sick, and now Jeongha gets to be the main lead! I hate it so much!!” The little girl said between hiccups.
“Oh ! It's okay, you’ve been the main lead a few times, let someone else have the chance this time. You just focus on feeling better love!” the omega said gently, doing his best to comfort the agony of his daughter.
Taehwi didn't answer and simply slumped in her seat.
Tae quietly drove them home.
As soon as the pair got home, beomgyu excitedly waddled into the room, his nanny chasing after him .
“Taewi, Taewi!” He chirped happily, and ran into his sisters arms.
Taehyung cooed. He truly believed that he had the cutest kids in the world.
“No hugs for dad gyu-ah?” He said with a pout and the little boy jumped in his arms.
“Did he trouble you a lot Mina-ssi?” He enquired and the nanny shook her head.
“He's a delight! Just woke up from his nap! You’re early today though?” she asked
“Yes, our little angel here is unwell! Actually, can you take care of Beomgyu for a bit, I’m just going to tuck her in and give her some medications!” He said, passing the toddler pup to the nanny, before carrying Taehwi upto her room.
“Dad!” his daughter said hesitantly once he had tucked her in
“Yeah my angel?” Tae said, feeling her warm forehead with his palm
“Jeongha’s appa wasn't screaming at me. He was asking me to stop crying, and telling me that winners don't cry!” The little girl said softly
“Oh!”
“Yeah…. I was scared at first too, but he was really nice to me dad. I was crying before he even came” she confessed
“I see. I will find a way to apologize later then! For now, you stay here, all warm and cozy and I'll fetch your medicines!” Tae said kissing his daughter's forehead and leaving the room
He was walking towards his bedroom to look for the handy medicine box when the ringing of the doorbell halted his steps.
He quickly went to check who was at the door and was extremely surprised by his visitor
“Uhm…. Hi! I know we got off on the wrong foot, but I'm not some child tormentor. I'm a doctor actually and had only gone to check up on her when Hoseok-ssi mentioned that he cut the class short today because a kid was sick. Anyway, I am sure you have a pediatrician to contact, but I just couldn't stop thinking about her. She had thrown up before I arrived, nothing serious though, I think it's just a stomach bug. Here's some medicines, twice a day with light meals should help! And as long as she stays well hydrated, the fever should fall by tomorrow morning and in a day or two, she'll be hale and hearty!” Jungkook spoke in one breath, putting an already dumbfounded Tae, at a loss for words.
“Uhhh… thank you! I… I am… I just” Tae stammered out
“It's okay. If she doesn't start to feel better, let me know or I don't know contact your fave doctor. Uhhh… good bye!” JK said and jogged back to his house without as much as a second glance, depriving Tae of a chance to apologize and clear the air.
Sighing, Tae went back upstairs to his daughter's room.
Olive branches could be extended anytime, for now he had more important things to focus on.
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