Chapter Text
“Please! Please, spare me! I have a wife and children,” he sobbed, trembling before him on the ground. He was kowtowing repeatedly like a stupid servant. If anyone else saw him right now, no one would have guessed that he was, or at least had been, one of the most powerful people in Seoul.
Jeongguk lit another cigarette and took his time to inhale the smoke before sighing it out. “That’s what they all say.” The leather chair creaked as he slowly leaned back and unbuttoned his suit.
The man sat up again with desperation clear in his face and put his hands on his knees. “What do you want? I’ll– I’ll give you anything! I’ll give you my daughter! You have a son about her age, right? Or never mind that, you pick the son! Any of your sons. My daughter is very beautiful, she’d make a great wife. Your son could do whatever he wanted with her,” the man rambled, his glasses slightly askew and his hair as wild as a madman’s.
Jeongguk grabbed a hold of his jaw to hold the glowing end of his cigarette a mere centimeter from the man’s despairing eye. The man instinctively tried to shrink back because of the burning threat and his alpha’s pheromones, but Jeongguk wouldn’t let him and just grabbed him harder.
“What did you just fucking say to me? You steal from me, betray the Jeon family in the blink of an eye for some arrogant wannabe tycoon, and now you want to marry into my family?” The fucking audacity. “You really think I’d give any of my children a dirty toy?” he hissed, bringing the cigarette so close that the man’s eyes began to water from the heat and the fear.
“I– I– I– my daughter–”
“Your daughter is nothing!” he roared, letting go of his jaw with such force that the man stumbled backwards. “I’d kill your whole family before even one of you set foot in my house.”
“Please don’t kill me! Don’t kill me!”
The man was back to his kowtowing. Jeongguk could feel the flames of anger lick up his spine, but even as he balled his hands into tight fists, he saw his beautiful Taehyung in front of him, as he had been this morning, sleepily telling him to come back for dinner.
“I won’t. My husband doesn’t like it when I come home drenched in blood, and you deserve far more than a bullet to the brain.” He buttoned up his suit jacket and walked past the whimpering beta. He needed to get out of here before he lost it completely and went back on his promise.
“Oh, thank you! Thank you! Your mercy will be remembered for generations, boss!”
As he passed the threshold he saw his right hand man. The command he gave was only one word, but that was all that was needed. “Yoongi.”
Yoongi began to smirk that dangerous smile and gave him a quick nod before entering the room he had just left. Jeongguk knew that the man would be greeted with all the seven circles of hell for the next few hours, and that he would be screaming all the while. He wondered about the daughter, if she would be a good replacement for her father. It depended on how much of a doting father that fool had been, but considering that he was so quick to use her for a deal, Jeongguk gathered that it wasn’t too probable. No matter, tonight he would only think about his love and bask in his warmth.
In the car his fingers itched to reach for another cigarette. He held himself back though, as he knew that Taehyung would greet him with a frown if he brought home the smell of the acrid smoke to their children. He smiled at the thought of him. His beautiful omega. He leaned forward and rapped his knuckles against the roof. “Drive faster,” he commanded, wanting to get home as quickly as possible. He couldn’t wait to feel his soft skin underneath his fingertips again. “Yes, sir.”
Jeongguk preferred their summer house, a lovely mansion just on the outskirts of Seoul where it felt like time stood still, but it was rare that they could reside there. Often he had business in the city that demanded his attention, and he couldn’t breathe easily unless he knew that his family was nearby and under his constant surveillance. Or well, indirectly at least. Taehyung always complained about the many bodyguards and cameras, but this was one thing that he refused to budge on. He would never compromise his safety, nor their sons’.
The car slowed down to a halt and Jeongguk stepped out as soon as it was no longer moving. He went up the steps to the building that was both home and headquarters, and greeted the tall alpha standing inside the door along with a few others.
“Namjoon. Calm day?”
“Ah, well… as calm as it can be with three boys, sir,” Namjoon grinned. “Your husband wouldn’t say it’s been calm, I imagine.”
“Why? What have they been up to?” he asked as he walked down the lobby to the elevator, Namjoon following along.
“Daehyun and Jihoon have been fighting all day, sir.”
“The damned brats. And my little angel?”
“Ah, well, Yoojin hasn’t been too happy either. Your husband has been stressed and I imagine the sour scents from him and Daehyun became too much. I think, since his rut a few weeks ago his alpha has been desperate to assert himself, especially over Jihoon. He'll be strong once he gets his alpha under control, sir.”
Jeongguk punched the elevator button. Before the doors were even half open he strode in and pushed the button for the ninth floor. Namjoon barely had the time to slip in.
“Hm.”
“Don't be too harsh on him, sir. He has a lot on his shoulders as the heir to the Jeon fortune.”
“If he's being a nuisance to Taehyung he deserves punishment.”
“Maybe, but not–”
“Maybe?” Jeongguk rounded on Namjoon, who was one of the few people who could argue with Jeongguk like this and yet keep his eyes trained on him. “It is precisely because he is the heir that he needs reprimanding. As the heir he cannot let his knothead urges get in the way of his rationality. That will get him killed one day.”
“He's twelve, sir. He presented only a few weeks ago, and unusually early. Most boys his age don’t present until they're fourteen or even fifteen. He's trying to be the son you want him to be. A strong alpha for the Jeons. For you.”
“He's no good son or alpha if he's behaving that way and being disrespectful to his omega father by stressing him out with petty squabbles.”
“It's new to him and–”
“Namjoon,” Jeongguk growled, finally having had enough. “I will not allow my son to act however he wants in front of his omega father. Taehyung deserves respect and he will have it.”
“Of course, sir. That’s not what I meant.”
“Go downstairs and do your job,” he ordered as the elevator doors opened and he stepped out.
“Yes, sir.”
He greeted the two alphas standing beside his front door, one man and one woman. Both skilled and very, very competent with their firearms.
Once he had walked past them and the front door closed behind him, his shoulders instantly relaxed as he took in the scents of the rooms. The scents of family, of home. Of Taehyung. He could hear his love speaking softly to Yoojin in the living room. An unconscious smile graced his lips upon hearing them.
A great dane trotted up to him and nosed his hand. He scratched him lightly behind the ear, automatically remembering how he had gotten Taehyung the dog for their wedding day. A loyal protector and an affectionate friend. His love was very fond of him. The whole family was.
“Jeongguk?” Taehyung called, probably having caught his scent, if not alerted by the dog leaving the room.
Jeongguk went farther into their apartment with the dog trailing behind him. Standing by the couch in their living room, Taehyung was holding Yoojin on his hip even though the boy was too old for it.
“Hello, my love.” He spoke softly, in the tone he reserved only for him.
He had allowed his hair to grow out and it was now unusually long, tied up in a half bun. Yoojin was playing with the long strands, quiet and shy as always. Taehyung turned his focus back to their youngest.
“See, Yoojin. Papa is home,” he smiled, taking Yoojin’s small hand in his and pointing to Jeongguk. His five year old son turned to look at him, but uttered no words. He rarely did.
Jeongguk walked up to them and stroked his youngest son’s hair. “Hello, little angel.”
The dog planted himself by Taehyung’s feet.
“Daddy! Daddy! Daehyun–”
His second oldest ran into the room, stopping short when he saw Jeongguk. His cheeks were flushed and his young eyes brightened upon seeing him. “Papa!” he exclaimed breathlessly. He flung himself into his arms, tugging on his suit to make Jeongguk lean down and scent him. Jeongguk ruffled his hair after, making the boy laugh and put both his hands on top of his head to protect it.
“Hoseok told me a minute ago that the food was ready, and I’m starving, so let us eat, please. Jihoon, go tell your brother.”
“Alright!”
He ran off as fast as he had come, and Jeongguk put a hand on Taehyung’s back as they walked up to the dinner table laden with Hoseok's delicious food. “How has your day been, hm? I heard the boys have been giving you trouble.”
Taehyung sighed, putting Yoojin down into his chair. “They’ve just been arguing a lot. It’s natural, of course, but it’s tiring.”
“Arguing about what?”
“Nonsensical things.”
Jeongguk rubbed his back, careful not to let his anger slip into the movements. Taehyung leaned against his shoulder for a short moment, simply breathing him in.
“How has your day been?”
Jeongguk thought about the beta who was probably still alive, but not for much longer.
“Good.”
Taehyung turned in his arms, making his hand naturally find its place at his waist.
“Alpha, when is this going to end?” he whispered, scenting his neck absentmindedly.
Jeongguk tightened his hold.
“Soon. I–”
The sounds of bickering reached their ears right before Daehyun and Jihoon entered the room.
“You’re just mad that I'm better than you!” Daehyun sneered.
“No, you're not! I'm not! But that car is mine. You know it is! Daddy gave it to me for my birthday.”
“It's a stupid toy car. It doesn’t hold that much meaning. And anyway you weren’t playing with it right then.”
“But it's mine!”
“Boys,” Jeongguk warned.
Both their heads whipped towards him, their eyes wide with guilt. Jeongguk didn’t miss the way the dog reacted to his voice. He had trained it to always protect his children as well as Taehyung, even from himself if the need arose.
“Papa,” they both echoed.
Taehyung put a hand on his arm before he pulled his own chair out to sit down. The dog huffed as he laid down beside him.
“Your dad wants to eat, so let us eat,” Jeongguk said, sitting down as well.
The two boys took their respective seats with bowed heads and immediately began to pile food onto their plates. He observed the way Taehyung watched them, noticing that his thoughts seemed far away despite having said he was so hungry. When Daehyun passed on a bowl filled with rice Taehyung barely put some on his own plate before helping Yoojin.
They ate in silence for some time until Jihoon interrupted it. “Papa, I cleared this super hard mission in my video game today,” Jihoon stated proudly.
Jeongguk leaned back in his seat. “That’s great.”
“See. Told you he wouldn't care,” Daehyun muttered under his breath. He pushed around the greens on his plate before taking another mouthful of rice.
Jeongguk put down his chopsticks. “Of course I care,” he said exasperatedly.
“No, you don’t. You’ve barely been at home at all these past few weeks. Daddy–,” Daehyun bristled.
“Daehyun! Please, just eat your–”
“No, don't you see! He's–”
“That’s enough! You do not interrupt your father,” Jeongguk growled, his alpha slipping into his tone.
The table fell silent for a moment, the dog whining lightly beside Taehyung. He put his hand on the dog's head, gently telling him that everything was fine.
“I'm sorry, daddy,” Daehyun apologized quietly, hanging his head in remorse. “I'm sorry, papa.”
Daehyun stood up abruptly, bowing to the table before walking off to his room. Taehyung watched their eldest son go with a hand over his mouth, looking almost dazed again. Jeongguk's alpha whined in distress when he felt Taehyung’s sweet scent turn sour. Before he could say anything Taehyung stood up as well and left the table; Jeongguk could hear the small click as he closed their bedroom door. Jihoon watched it all happen with wide eyes, Yoojin silent beside him.
Jeongguk wanted to curse, but he wouldn't do it in front of Jihoon and Yoojin. “Jihoon, take your brother to Hoseok in the kitchen and look over him, alright? Hoseok will take care of you,” he instructed. Jihoon nodded solemnly and helped Yoojin down from his chair. “I will go and talk to your dad.”
“Okay.”
“Be good.”
“Yes, papa.”
Jeongguk walked up to their bedroom door, softly rapping his knuckles against the wood. “My love?” he called out, making sure that his voice was gentle.
From behind the door he heard a muffled, “Gukkie.” He took this as the consent he needed and opened the bedroom door.
Taehyung was pacing the room, his breaths too quick. Jeongguk closed the door slowly while he observed his love. He thought about how he had been at the dinner table earlier. He realised with a start that this was not only about the little argument with Daehyun just now. Something else was going on here. His skin crawled at the thought of Taehyung going through something and Jeongguk not being aware of what was upsetting his mate.
“Taehyung,” he said slowly, watching his pacing. “What's wrong, princess?”
The pet name was supposed to put him at ease. It was an old joke between the two of them that they had never let go of. When Jeongguk found Taehyung 13 years ago, it had been in a dingy bar where Taehyung had performed on the pole for money. Jeongguk had called him princess despite his background and obvious circumstances, and Taehyung had hated it and been exasperated with him since he had been anything but, especially since he took it as degrading. But Jeongguk didn't care about any of that. Taehyung might as well have been a real princess to him. In retaliation Taehyung had begun to call him baby alpha, because of the age difference, and that had turned into baby. Jeongguk, unlike Taehyung, had always loved the other's pet name for him.
“I can't– I– I–”
Jeongguk walked up to him and stopped his incessant pacing with a hand on his elbow.
“Hey. It’s okay, princess. Whatever it is, you can tell me,” he murmured.
Taehyung pulled out of his grip and went farther into the room, grabbing his own hair.
“You don't understand. I'm so scared. I can’t have it right now. Not when we're on lockdown and they're already threatening our family. And you’re away all the time to deal with it, and–” Taehyung gasped, sobbing when he couldn’t breathe properly and get the words out.
Jeongguk strode up to him and gently pushed his face into his neck, hooking his chin over his head.
“Shh. It’s alright. You’re alright. I’m here. I’ve got you now.”
He was careful to tamper down on his own emotions so they wouldn’t bleed into his scent and alarm Taehyung even further. Taehyung cried into his neck, finally letting himself be held. He kissed the side of his head, releasing pheromones that would hopefully help him calm down.
“Jeongguk,” Taehyung sobbed, and it hurt him to hear his voice so filled with hurt.
“I’m here. I’m here, princess. I’m not leaving.”
He wouldn’t. He’d cancel everything tomorrow. He’d cancel everything for the rest of the week if that was what was necessary. He tightened his hold on Taehyung and thought that Daehyun had been right. He’d been neglecting them in trying to protect them.
When Taehyung’s cries finally quieted, Jeongguk released the strength of his hold slightly, allowing him to move. He didn’t. He stayed right where he was, in Jeongguk’s arms, simply breathing. Jeongguk ran his hand up and down his back in soothing motions.
“Alpha,” Taehyung whispered after a while.
Jeongguk tightened his hold on him again for a brief moment. It wasn’t often that Taehyung called him that, only when he was really distressed. Usually alpha was only paired with baby and used in a teasing, slightly degrading way, driving Jeongguk mad with want.
Jeongguk leaned down and kissed his forehead. “What is it, princess? Tell me and I’ll take care of it.”
Taehyung laughed a small, slightly hysterical laugh.
“You can’t. I’m– I’m pregnant again, Jeongguk... We’re going to have a fourth.”
For a moment the world tilted on its axis and Jeongguk had a hard time finding his footing. A fourth?
“And I– I can’t have it. I can’t– I– Not when it’s so unsafe. I’m already so worried about–”
Before he could stop it Jeongguk growled, the idea of getting rid of the child because Taehyung felt unsafe made his alpha want to rip the world apart.
“I’ll make it safe,” he rasped, pushing Taehyung closer to him. Taehyung breathed, having gone quiet again. “You don’t have to think about any of that. I’ll make it safe for you,” he reassured firmly.
“I need you here, with me. I can’t do this unless you’re with me, Jeongguk,” Taehyung whispered.
“Don’t worry about that. I’m with you, love. I’ll move you and the children to the summer house and let Yoongi take care of it, hm? I won’t let anything happen to you or them.”
“Will you be with us?” Taehyung murmured hopefully.
“Yes, I’ll be with you the whole time, princess. Won’t let you out of my sight once you grow big,” Jeongguk grinned.
Taehyung groaned and slapped his chest, laughing slightly. “Ugh, I don’t miss that.”
Jeongguk dipped down to give him another forehead kiss. “Sorry, love. Can’t help it.”
Jeongguk could feel Taehyung’s smile against his chest. They were quiet for a while before Jeongguk spoke again.
“Perhaps I should apologize to Daehyun. He was right. I have been away too much,” he said, his tone serious.
Taehyung shook his head, his face still pressed into his chest. “You can’t help it.”
“I can. I can leave the work to Yoongi and other capable people. It’s just I wanted to do it myself and really see that it was being done right. But I should have never let that get in the way of me loving you. Loving Daehyun.”
“Daehyun, he… He has so much pressure on him. He knows that he is the heir. And because of that he needs to know that you love him.”
“Of course I love him,” Jeongguk said, shocked.
“Yes, I know that, and he does too, I know he does. But you need to be here. You need to show it,” Taehyung explained softly, looking up at him.
Jeongguk stared into his love’s eyes, taking in his tear-stained cheeks. He vowed to himself then, that he would never again let it go this far. “I will.”
Taehyung smiled, slowly bringing his hand down to grab his own and put it on his belly. Jeongguk knocked his forehead into Taehyung’s, feeling the slight bump.
“How have I not noticed?” he whispered, feeling like crying himself all of a sudden because he realized in the same instant that it was because he hadn’t been home like he should have. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
Taehyung hushed him, cupping his cheeks. “It’s okay. You’ll take care of me, won’t you, baby? You’ll be a good alpha.”
Jeongguk nodded, kissing Taehyung until they were both breathless.
“Can I fuck you? I need to feel you,” he rasped, grabbing Taehyung’s waist with both hands.
“Whatever happened to making love?” Taehyung teased, laughing.
Jeongguk huffed. “I’ll make love to you after I fuck you, princess.”
“The children.”
“Taken care of. Hoseok has them.”
Taehyung gasped as Jeongguk picked him up by his thighs. Jeongguk kissed him before he could protest anymore. They fell into the bed and their love with practiced ease, the giddiness of the growing child overcoming them both for the first time that evening.