Archive of Our Own

all bout' that bass (no treble)

Jungkook was almost shaking with nervous excitement. 

He looked at his pale reflection in the mirror - still dressed in the rich crimson of his mating garments. His hair was undone though, and Jungkook blushed as he recalled the memory. 

Namjoon had so delicately pulled out the dozens of pins and clips holding his head in that elaborate updo. Jungkook had been too shy to even look him in the eye as he'd beckoned him forward, enveloping him in his luscious scent as he worked through his tresses before graciously leaving him to…prepare himself for the rest of their evening. 

He blushed furiously at what that entailed, the ghost of Taehyung's cackling laughter fluttering all around him as he leaned against the sink, gathering the courage to walk out there and fulfill his duties as a newly mated omega. 

The thought wrenched him out of his senses and he slipped out of the rich, velvet fabric, folding it over his arm slowly and resting it over the empty garment bags looped over coat hangers next to the layers of unkempt towels. 

Jungkook smiled lazily. 

Namjoon could be so forgetful at times. 

He smiled as he recalled the memories of his own frustration at his would-be mate's forgetfulness as they were courting. In the beginning, he'd been truly slighted, but Namjoon's earnest efforts to apologize to him were enough to melt his heart to him. 

Anyway, it was a good thing he had a sweet little omega to take care of things now, didn't he?

Once he was done, he rummaged through his suitcase and pulled out the negligee that his best friend had packed for him.

And almost fainted at the very sight. 

Although he'd been the one to ask him to buy him this sort of revealing clothing, looking at it turned his face fire-engine red. He contemplated stuffing it down the sink but paused before he could do so. 

He was no longer a wide-eyed omegan child. He had a mate now - one who would surely expect more than a quivering excuse for a lover. His pack had prepared him more than adequately for his impending role in this marriage and Jungkook was no shrinking violet. 

His face flushed in anticipation as he imagined how Namjoon would look at him - how he would touch him and hold him. 

He slipped the silk shorts and lace outerwear on, shivering as it glided across his skin. 

He'd never worn such expensive material before - always dressed in the standard cotton that all omegas wore back at the compound, but his dam had been so thrilled that he'd been able to capture such a powerful alpha’s attention, that they'd spared no expense for the ceremony and everything that he would need…after. 

Looking into the mirror, he almost didn't recognize the seductive creature staring back at him and he smiled in triumph. 

Slapping some color into his cheeks, he pulled on a sheer robe and walked back into their room for the night. 

…

…

‘You mustn't be an animal with him.’

Yoongi's wise words reverberated in his head as he caught the sight of Jungkook walking out the bathroom door, dressed in silk so delicate, it might as well not be there at all. 

His head spun dangerously even though he was sitting on the corner of the bed, clutching its edges as he held himself in check, playing back his elder brother's words in his mind. 

Yoongi had gotten mated a few years ago, and he was just as besotted with Jimin as he'd been when they'd first met, so he was much more knowledgeable in the ways of omegas and their wiles. 

Namjoon had always been different, having no interest in marriage and mating, choosing to focus on his growing career. His brother had always smirked at his resolve to stay unattached, as if he knew something Namjoon didn't. 

And he'd realized it soon enough when he met Jungkook. Even now, he couldn't believe how incredibly lucky he was to have him - to have the affections of such a gorgeous omega. 

And he wouldn't ruin it by behaving like a neanderthal. 

He forced himself to keep his eyes on Jungkook's face, trying not to dwell on that split second glimpse he'd gotten at his supple, dewy skin, just glowing softly with that delectable blush that spread all the way down to his -

No!

He was better than this! He could control himself around one, small omega. 

If only the small omega in question wasn't shuffling up to him in the most innocently sensual way possible. If only the lace of his robe wasn't hugging his curves in the most delicious way possible. If only his doe eyes weren't looking up at him more beautifully than any man could bear to see. 

Namjoon didn't even realize he'd gotten close enough until he looked down softly, fiddling with the ends of his hair. 

“Do you like it?” He asked in the smallest voice and Namjoon could only nod dumbly, not trusting himself to stay still. 

Jungkook smiled shyly in response, still wrangling his hands nervously. 

“My hyung got it for me,” he said wistfully, and that was enough for Namjoon's lust to take the backseat as he remembered what Jungkook's new life consisted of.

He'd dragged him from his home to be with him when he knew for a fact that Jungkook had never been so far from his nest mates and his pack. 

He'd stolen him away and all he could think of doing was claiming him like a barbarian. 

Namjoon instantly felt terrible. 

His new omega was probably shaking in terror over the thought of being made to ‘service him’. He'd heard some of the things they taught omegas back at the compound and and the last thing Namjoon wanted to do was make him feel like he owed him anything. 

He dragged a blanket from the edge of the bed, tutting at the way Jungkook's eyes widened.

Poor boy. He must be so relieved. 

“I can take the couch tonight,” he said, wrapping the blanket tighter around Jungkook. “You must be tired, sweetheart,” he said, rounding the room. “Rest up, alright? We have quite the itinerary for tomorrow.” 

Jungkook didn't respond, merely looking at him blankly without twitching nervously as he walked away, and Namjoon's suspicions were reinforced. 

He smiled to himself as he left the room. 

He was going to be such a good alpha to Jungkook. 

…

…

“And he didn't even touch me!”

Jungkook didn't know who was whining louder.

Him or Jin's pup.

Jin hitched his baby - his cute, adorable little baby - higher onto his hip to slow down his little whimpers and looked at Jungkook wearily through his phone screen. 

Jungkook was currently in the bathroom of the cruise ship they were on - a cruise ship! - and Namjoon had to step aside to take an important call. He'd been deeply upset about interrupting their marital bliss and promised to get it taken care of as soon as he could but for Jungkook - this was an opportunity. 

He'd waited until his alpha was out of sight before he leaped out of his sunbathing lounge in his swim wear and his flip-flops, and raced to the bathroom (still lobster-red from all the tanning) and instantly called his most reliable hyung to do some damage control. 

In all his youthful dreams, when he'd thought about his honeymoon, this isn't how he imagined it. 

“It's been a week!” He hissed into the screen, not waiting for Seokjin's response as he continued ranting. “A week since we had the ceremony and he didn't even so much as give me a little ‘downstairs action’.”

“Well, if you've been calling it that, I can understand why.” 

“Hyungggggggg!”

He sank down to the bathroom floor, hoping that Namjoon wasn't back yet. 

“He doesn't want me!” He said and kicked his feet out petulantly in front of him. 

“Jungkook, he asked for your hand a month after he met you. You are on a goddamn cruise ship right now headed to the south of some island I can't even pronounce! So why don't you figure out what that means while I take care of a baby who actually needs me?”

Jungkook pouted. 

And then he gave Jin his more heartfelt, adorable puppy eyes. 

“But I was your baby first,” he murmured. “And right now, I neeeeed you!”

Jin sighed, and for a minute he thought that he'd get his way but he only shuffled the cute little pup to his other hip before looking him dead in the eye. 

“Jungkook, if you have a problem with your mate, talk to him.” 

Jungkook audibly gasped.

Talk to him?

He thinks not!

Without even giving Jin a chance to defend himself, he cut that call off instantly. 

He needed some actual advice. 

The ringer buzzed on for a while, but Jungkook popped up when Taehyung appeared on screen. 

“Jungkookie! I thought you were on your honeymoon?" He waggled his eyebrows. "Shouldn't you be heating up those sheets right now?”

And Jungkook burst into a tirade of everything that had happened since that first night.

How Namjoon had been the perfect new mate during the day - taking him around like the proud husband he was - but as soon as night fell, he became the embodiment of a new age monk. 

Luckily for him, his best friend shared his concerns. 

“This isn't good.”

Thank you! He wanted to scream. I knew I wasn't going crazy!

“Am I not seductive enough?” He wondered out loud. “I'm going through your wardrobe like you told me to, but he doesn't even seem to look at me!”

Taehyung deliberated for a while on his end.

“Maybe you need to show him another side of you,” he finally said.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, there's other ways to be a good omega, right? Maybe he's the kind of alpha who appreciates that more?” 

And the more Jungkook thought about it, the more it made sense. 

Of course. 

His adorable mate had always been so shy with him at the start - so delicate. Maybe Tae was right - maybe he did need another approach - something more traditional. 

“Thanks Tae,” he said, blowing him a kiss. “I think I have an idea.”

…

…

Ask Namjoon any day about his job, and he'd say he loved it. 

As a diplomat, he received privileges that others could only dream of.

The travel, the luxury, the status, the challenges: all of these were just the tip of the iceberg when it came to the position he held. Most importantly, it was how he'd eventually met the love of his life. As the diplomatic liaison sent out to facilitate negotiations with  the compound that Jungkook called home, it had been sheer good fortune and happenstance that let Namjoon encounter the beloved omega he was now privileged enough to call his mate. 

However, as Namjoon stood in Command center at 2am at Port Marseille, he was beginning to rethink his life decisions. 

It was his honeymoon. 

He wasn't supposed to receive urgent calls or summons to port. He was supposed to be basking under the innocent admirations of his mate under the tropical pleasures of South France. 

Looking back, he was probably more upset than Jungkook had been at the notice of his sudden departure, his mate only waving him away with a sensual kiss, leaving him dizzy and wanting. 

And as he presided over a meeting which he was beginning to suspect he wasn't needed at all, he let his mind drift towards that fact. 

The last week with Jungkook had been nothing short or heavenly. 

Having spent most of their courtship through texts and long, drawn out phone calls (and letters, since Namjoon wasn't completely unromantic), being bombarded with the full bond with his beloved in the flesh had been everything he could dream of and more. 

Jungkook had marveled at the sights and sounds of their travels and it brought his alpha joy that he could provide an experience to his mate. Members in the traditional compounds traveled just like the modern packs and settlements but those privileges were unfortunately restricted for omegas. It was a stupid rule - one that Namjoon was glad he could circumvent by virtue of being Jungkook's mate. 

But - but. 

There had been a strange tension that grew between them as the nights drew upon them. Like the first day, Namjoon gave Jungkook his space as he gave him time to settle in their relationship. If they'd grown up in the city, they'd technically still be dating - a concept foreign to Jungkook's pack, which relied more strongly on instinct to assess compatibility. It was all well and good for Namjoon, but he didn't want to be an asshole when he knew that in the city, he'd probably have pursued an omega like Jungkook for months before he let him have any kind of skinship at all. 

He must've been more submerged in his thoughts than he'd assumed, since the shuffling around the room indicated the meeting was finished for the day. 

He breathed a sigh of relief as he gathered his things. While he probably would have to extend his stay in the area until the issue was resolved, he was glad he could go back to Jungkook early that night. 

As he drove home to the temporary ocean-side villa they were staying at, he expected to see Jungkook curled up in bed. It was a little after five and the first hints of light were only just beginning to surround the sky. 

What he did not expect to see was Jungkook- standing fully awake in the kitchen with an apron tied around his waist, peering into the cabinets overhead as he gathered supplies to add to the growing pile already on the counter. 

“Sweetheart?”

Jungkook startled slightly before squinting into the hallway where Namjoon was standing and then his face lit up in a big smile.

“Alpha, you're home!”

He bounced up to Namjoon and he despaired when he saw the dark circles underneath his eyes.

“Sweetheart, what're you doing?” He asked, setting his satchel down and holding Jungkook by his shoulders. “It's five in the morning!”

Jungkook blinked- a slow fluttering of his eyes that made Namjoon's stomach swoop dangerously before tilting his head at him like he was the crazy one. 

“I woke up early to make you breakfast,” he pointed out in a small voice and Namjoon felt that little swivel of guilt sink even deep into his core. 

Good god. 

“Absolutely not,” Namjoon said, rounding him around and gently pushing him back towards the bedroom as he felt the guilt carve itself into his heart. 

It was bad enough that Jungkook had been miraculously okay with the disruption to their honeymoon but this?

They'd had a chef on the cruise ship with the other passengers and Namjoon had already been planning to make alternative arrangements when he'd shuffled Jungkook into the villa for the next fortnight they'd have to stay here but to think he'd take it upon himself? 

He was supposed to be spoiling Jungkook to his heart's content, not the other way around.

If there was a test for newly mated alphas, Namjoon was probably failing it miserably. 

…

…

“So, he just pushed you away?”

There was no hint of teasing in Tae's voice as he spoke through the phone, probably sensing the confusion and hurt in Jungkook's voice. 

Namjoon had left in the afternoon for another meeting and Jungkook had the villa all to himself.

“I don't understand!” Jungkook almost yelled, still going over the events of last night. “I'm his mate - how can he not trust me with his own household? He rushed me away faster than I could even say anything!”

“That is strange,” Tae pondered. “Did you mess up the recipe?”

“I hadn't even started cooking yet!”

“Maybe he was allergic to something you laid out?”

Jungkook glared at Tae through the screen. 

“I only had the utensils on the counter- I hadn't even gotten to the actual food!”

“If I may interject,” Jin spoke up and both of them looked at him. “To reiterate, have you talked to him about this?”

There was no crying baby this time, Hosoek probably taking care of the child today instead of his mate. 

At Jin's advice, both Jungkook and Tae looked at each other for a moment.

There was silence. 

And then Jungkook burst out -

“I think he regrets mating me.” 

“Not this again -”

“He didn't even touch me - not even once till now! And now he thinks I'm unfit to run his household? What if this is some sort of test and I'm failing it? What if -”

“For goodness sake, Jungkook!” Jin barked out through the phone screen. “You're blowing this wildly out of proportion! Just talk to him!”

Jungkook sniffed and then -

He slyly removed Jin from the call. 

Tae didn't even blink. 

“What should I do?” He almost sobbed. 

Tae seemed to be deep in thought for a while. And then he said, 

“You should paint more.” 

“What?” 

“How is that even related to -”

“You tried to attract him with your sensuality and then your domestic wiles, didn't you? Well, maybe he's the kind of alpha that appreciates a different sort of skillset in his omega.” 

Jungkook was conflicted. 

He hadn't really delved into his love for painting during their courtship. So much of that time had been trying to bridge the cultural differences in their background and while Jungkook had mentioned it in passing, he'd never exactly shown Namjoon any of his artwork. 

Well, maybe that ought to change.

…

…

They'd settled into a vague semblance of a routine. 

While Namjoon was deeply apologetic that duty kept him at the villa longer than they were meant to, he found himself appreciating the setback. 

If things had gone according to plan, they would've been in New York by now, with Namjoon spending the rest of his mandated time off work getting Jungkook acclimated to the city. As it was, however, the delay meant that they each found ways to pass the time in interesting little ways. 

While Namjoon took the opportunity to introduce his new mate to the joys of all sorts of oceanic adventures and explore the island a little further with each passing day, there were definitely times when simply wasn't possible. 

Some days, Namjoon was so inundated with paperwork that he could spare absolutely no time for Jungkook. He made it clear that he had no qualms about Jungkook exploring the isle without him but for some reason, that seemed to have resulted in the saddest he'd ever seen his beloved. 

So he didn't bring it up again. 

He expected Jungkook to entertain himself by binge-watching something or picking up a book, but to his surprise, Jungkook had only asked for an easel and a fresh set of paints. 

And what a surprise that had been. 

Jungkook's paintings were ethereal. 

He painted landscapes mostly, and while Namjoon was more biased towards the literary arts, even he couldn't deny the beauty of his little lover's work. 

Maybe it was the way he bit at his lip in consternation as he painted across the easel. Maybe it was the way his eyes seemed to blur into pools of golden-brown as he got lost in his craft. Maybe it was just Jungkook. The sheer essence of his beauty illuminated as he immersed himself in his art.

And he wasn't the only one who thought so. 

One night, Jungkook had gone to bed early and Yoongi had called, more so to check on them, when he'd seen the unfinished canvas in the background of Namjoon's video. 

‘What's that?’

Namjoon peered over his shoulder and smiled and he noticed what Yoongi had been pointing to.

‘Jungkook's art,’ he said proudly, smug at the thought of his lover being noticed. 

Yoongi was silent for a few minutes before asking more questions. 

‘Which art school is he going to?’

Namjoon frowned. 

‘He's self-taught to the best of my knowledge.’

Even through the screen in the silence, he could hear Yoongi's sharp inhale. 

‘That's…that's incredible.’ 

‘He should look into programs at Rhode.’ 

Namjoon frowned. 

The state had been home to Yoongi's Alma mater and as a renowned producer, he was definitely more knowledgeable about the world of fine arts than Namjoon. 

It took him a minute to realize why the thought had made him frown. 

‘That's in Rhode Island - that's ridiculously far away from New York.’

“It's a flight away,” Yoongi scoffed. 

The thought of Jungkook - being so far away from him?  

It made his chest physically hurt. Alphas were incapable of handling such a separation so soon after a mating. 

‘He can go next year,’ Namjoon found himself saying. 

But Yoongi only raised an eyebrow. 

‘Do you think that's what I told Jimin when he was applying for fellowships after we mated?’

Namjoon closed his eyes, hating himself for his own nature. 

He'd so foolishly thought he was progressive and a different sort of alpha that wouldn't be stereotypically controlling. 

Well, look at him now. 

‘Shouldn't you at least tell him?’ Yoongi said finally before he left.

…

…

And that led to the situation they were currently in. 

Jungkook and Namjoon sat across from each other at the table and little was heard aside from the clink of their silverware as they dipped into their food (Sole Meunière with braised fennel, courtesy of the French Embassy assigned chef to their two-member household for the duration of their stay). 

The table was silent but thankfully, Namjoon felt the tension had lessened a bit over the time they'd spent together. 

He waited until Jungkook was done with his portion until broaching the topic.

He'd pondered over Yoongi's words and come to the conclusion that he was being a massive hypocrite. He'd had the opportunity to get the finest education and seek the highest levels of his profession. Who was he to stop Jungkook from being able to do the same when he so obviously had all the talent in the world to do so?

“So.”

Jungkook dabbed over his lips gently and Namjoon's alpha stabbed at him with the desire to lick the crumbs off his lips that he'd missed. 

He contained the urge to do so.

Barely. 

“My brother saw your paintings,” he started and immediately began to backtrack when Jungkook's eyes widened.

“It was an accident! I was walking around with the video on and he happened to see the one you left uncovered. I'm sorry - if you didn't want it to be seen -”

“It's okay,” Jungkook said graciously, taking a small sip of water. “I'm just terribly embarrassed.”

His cheeks had taken on a rosy hue which made Namjoon just want to lean over and take a nice, crisp bite -

But once again, he resisted it. 

“You needn't be,” Namjoon assured him. “In fact, it's the opposite. My brother sees very high value in your paintings.” 

Jungkook looked at him dubiously.  

“Just with one glance?”

“My brother is a producer who went to a very prestigious art school,” he explained and Jungkook nodded, having already known some of this from when they'd first started telling each other more about themselves. “He has very good artistic instincts.”

Jungkook felt annoyance swirl around in his chest. 

He'd wanted to impress Namjoon with his art, not his brother. 

But he still played along. 

“So what do his instincts say about my art?”  He asked playfully. 

Namjoon looked distinctly uncomfortable for a second before answering him. 

“He thinks that you might have a pretty good chance at the university yourself. Of course, the admissions are almost very competitive, but of course, I would wholeheartedly support you trying for this cycle - Yoongi says it's good to go in young and -”

The glass of water tipped over and spilled all across his lap before he could even comprehend what was going on.

“Jungkook!”

Namjoon reached over to help him but he'd already stood up. 

“The university on the island?” He confirmed. “The one all the way in another state?”

His voice had taken on a pitch that was full of nervous energy as he wrapped his head around what that entailed. His eyes were surely as wide as saucers and his cheeks dashed with pink as he took in Namjoon's words. 

“Jungkook -”

Just as he started, the shrill ring of his work phone disrupted them and Namjoon let out a frustrated growl. 

“I'm sorry, I wanted to tell you more about this - I'll give Yoongi your number. He'll be happy to explain things.”

And then Namjoon had to leave amidst a flurry of apologies and kisses to his blazing cheeks.

…

… 

And for a minute, he was frozen in time. 

And then he was calling Tae and Jin on every number he could reach them at. 

It was Jin who responded first, blinking his sticky eyes which were still squinting at him, having been woken up in the middle of the night. 

Jungkook hadn't even considered the time difference. 

“Jungkook?” Jin called out, coming into awareness. “Is everything okay?”

And his hyung's sleep-laden voice took him back to a time of sleepovers and children's cuddles - so long ago and so far away from where Jungkook was now - in a land far, far away with a mate who didn't want him.

He was fully sobbing now, tears running down his jaw to fall on his neck and Jin seemed genuinely alarmed. 

“Jungkook - talk to me! Are you okay? Is it Namjoon? Did he do something to you?” In the background, he yelled out to someone off screen. “HOSEOK - GET YOUR ASS IN HERE - WE NEED TO GO TO FRANCE!”

There was a click as Tae was added on and he gasped when he saw Jungkook crying so hard. 

“WHAT DID THAT MAN DO? I'M GOING TO HUNT HIM DOWN!”

And at first, Jungkook was too overwhelmed to even get the words out but thankfully, both of his nestmates calmed him down long enough to blurt it out. 

“H..h. he's going to send me away!” Jungkook cried and both of them scrunched their eyebrows. 

‘What?!” They yelled simultaneously. 

“He…he…talked about sending me to some sort of arts school! I would be in another state!”

At this point, both of them gasped. 

Being away from your mate so early on after the bonding? 

Emotionally impossible for alphas. 

The only conclusion could be that Namjoon had never wanted him enough in the first place. 

Tae was hissing out all sorts of expletives over the phone but Jin seemed to have taken a more somber approach. 

“Hang on, is that what he exactly said?”

“Does it matter what his exact words were?”  He cried out. “He doesn't want me, hyung!”

And while he would generally hear them out, this time, he was so so upset that he laid down on the chaise lounge and simply wept.

…

…

They were finally on the way back to New York. 

The honeymoon that had only been scheduled for two weeks ended up being a month in a desolate island with only the two of them for each other's company. 

It should've been every newly handed mate's dream. 

For Jungkook, it had been a nightmare. 

Namjoon had behaved no differently after that episode at dinner and Jungkook was convinced that he was just as uncomfortable talking about it as Jungkook had been. He surmised that Namjoon had been struggling to come to terms with the inevitable fact that he would need to gently extricate Jungkook from their newly formed bond without hurting him. 

At least, without hurting him as brutally as he could be telling him without words in the last couple of weeks how much he despised his presence. 

Tae and Jin had tried to call him multiple times, but he'd been so distraught at the thought of his impending breakup with Namjoon that he couldn't stand the shame of being consoled and pitied though it. 

At the very least, he wanted to have the dignity of enduring it alone. 

He looked over at Namjoon lightly snoring from his seat beside Jungkook in the first-class compartment they were seated in. 

Before Namjoon, Jungkook had never even seen an airplane up close, he mused distantly. He remembered the first time they'd met - Jungkook running into Namjoon as he'd been leaving his meeting with their pack alpha when he'd been trying to play hooky from his afternoon classes again. 

Namjoon had taken one look at the frantic widening of his eyes, noticing his standard uniform and the footsteps that chased behind him - no doubt one of his handlers at the institute who was sent to chase the unruly omega down.

‘Pretend I'm not here!’ He hissed before diving into the park alpha's chambers, hoping that his handler wouldn't follow him there. 

Namjoon had looked at him with the face of someone struggling to hold in their laughter  as he nodded with excessive seriousness. 

From the slit in the door, he could hear the ongoing conversation occurring outside.

‘Senior Kim! Terribly sorry for barging in - but have you seen an omega rush past you?’ 

And Jungkook held his breath, waiting for what Namjoon would say in response. In all honesty, he had no obligation to lie for his sake but for some reason, Jungkook hoped he did. 

‘I can't say I have,’ he said smoothly, eying Jungkook with amusement out of the corner of his eye. 

‘However, I'll be sure to keep an eye out for him.’

The handler accepted the response and rushed off, mumbling underneath his breath as he left and Jungkook stepped out warily.

It was only then that he saw Namjoon's face clearly for the first time and it might as well have been love at first sight.

He'd always dreamed of an alpha like Namjoon: tall and strong, yet gentle and respectful. The man smiled and the sight of his dimples sent Jungkook's heart into a galloping start. 

‘Thanks,’ he said, smoothing down his uniform and cringing at the reminder that this was how he was presenting himself to an alpha like Namjoon. 

‘No problem,’ the alpha said, still stifling in laughter and Jungkook found himself drawing closer to him almost instinctively. 

‘Skipping classes?’ He asked conversationally, leaning against the counter and Jungkook pressed his knees together at the sight, keeping them from buckling down embarrassingly. 

But he still couldn't help the ugly scowl from appearing on his face as he remembered what he'd been running from. 

He'd graduated the compound's version of high school a few years ago and when his handlers had determined that he was too unruly and too uninterested in school, they'd suggested finishing school. 

A concept which Jungkook now detested.

‘You try sitting in classes which teach you how to bow and curtsey all day long,’ he grumbled and Namjoon had smiled at him conspirationally, all teeth slipping through those juicy, pink lips. 

In the compound's defense, it wasn't like he was being forced to be there. 

As an omega who'd expressed interest in being house-bound, his pack was just trying to instill a different set of skills into him. 

‘Hmm,’ Namjoon mused, stepping closer. ‘How would you like to do something better instead?’

And Jungkook's heart started to beat louder in his chest as he suddenly remembered that he was an unmated omega speaking to an unmated alpha.

‘I'm not supposed to,’ he whispered demurely, looking at his shoes, all shy and sweet as he felt the other alpha's scent spike in the air as he came closer to respond.

‘Don't worry,’ he crooned. ‘I promised them I'd keep an eye out for you, didn't I?’

Instead of the usual nostalgia those memories evoked, the only thing Jungkook felt now was a looming sense of foolishness. 

What had he been thinking? 

Their relationship had raised eyeballs from so many others across the compound. 

While Namjoon had found success incredibly young in his career, he was still significantly older than Jungkook. Beyond that, how had Jungkook ever been so stupidly confident to assume that he could hold Namjoon's interest? He'd always been a chaotic omega, daydreaming about a cozy life while being no more sophisticated or deserving of those privileges than any other person? What made him think that someone like him would ever be enough for Namjoon?

He didn't realize how far into his own head he'd gotten until he felt Namjoon's hand across his forehead and looked to see him frowning at him. 

“Sweetheart, you're going into heat!”

Jungkook frowned too, analyzing his own self before he realized what might be the issue. All the stress and working himself up over Namjoon had undoubtedly caused his omega to go into overdrive. 

Wait. 

He was going into heat. 

And the first emotion was raw jubilation. 

Because a heat meant that Namjoon would finally finally take him and like any other alpha under the throes of a first heat, he wouldn't be able to resist him! 

Mating meant knotting and knotting meant babies!

And a sense of sharp triumph laced through his heart. 

There was no way Namjoon would ever leave him once they had a pup on the way. Surely, he wouldn't be that cruel.

And in the meantime, Jungkook would learn to be the kind of omega that Namjoon needed and win him back! 

He was a genius. 

Until Namjoon opened his mouth and said,

“I'm calling Jimin right away. I'm so sorry,  sweetheart - I didn't even consider what you'd need before your first heat.”

“What?”

Jungkook knew that Jimin was Namjoon's brother-in-law and a doctor. 

Why would Jungkook need to see a doctor before his heat?

“To get you set up with your suppressants and then your birth control,” and Namjoon was shaking his head without even noticing that Jungkook had frozen completely. 

Suppressants? Birth control?

This was worse than he could've ever imagined. 

Namjoon hated him so much that he wanted to take no chances that he'd be stuck with him!

Jungkook stood up abruptly, feeling like he would cry any minute and he couldn't bear the embarrassment of letting Namjoon see that. 

“Sweetheart?”

“Bathroom,” he rasped out before flying out of his seat and rushing down the hall, tears falling in rivulets as Namjoon just stared after him. 

…

…

Namjoon felt like an absolute idiot. 

He could smell the salt of Jungkook's tears as he watched him rush away before Namjoon could say another word.

Idiot!

What kind of alpha didn't prepare his omega before their heat?

Jungkook was barely in his twenties! Of course he was frustrated with Namjoon’s incompetence in taking care of things before his heat! He probably thought Namjoon was taking advantage of him by being one of those knot-headed alphas who'd try to knock him the very first opportunity he got. 

Namjoon sank down low in his seat as he finished shooting his text to Jimin, confirming that he could see Jungkook as soon as they landed. 

But the damage was done. 

Namjoon sighed as the realization dawned upon him. 

He was fucking up this mate thing big-time. 

…

…

It'd been a week since Jungkook had finally arrived at Namjoon's apartment in New York.

It was a stunning place. 

Penthouse apartment smack dab in the middle of the city overlooking some of the most gorgeous views of the metropolis down below. 

In another timeline, Jungkook would've been slack-jawed beyond belief, trying to explore every nook and cranny of the beautiful place Namjoon called home. 

But how could he ever enjoy anything when he knew it was going to be taken away from him?

“Sweetheart, did you hear what I said?”

Jungkook turned to look at Namjoon, who was looking at him from where he was seated on the couch opposite to him. 

As a man of Namjoon's status, he couldn't bask in the privacy of his new mating for too long. He had a whole battalion of people - from his colleagues to his superiors - who were more than eager to get a glimpse of the omega that had captured the interest of an alpha known for his reclusivity. 

So without much ado, Namjoon had been preparing to host them for an informal dinner at his home that night.

He'd been very apologetic about it, though, much to Jungkook's distress. 

‘I'm so sorry, sweetheart,’ he'd said. ‘If I had it my way, I'd hide you away forever,’ he'd laughed good-naturedly but Jungkook couldn't even manage a smile. 

Was he such a disappointment? That Namjoon couldn't even tolerate the world seeing him?

But instead of wallowing in all of this like Jungkook wanted to, he simply nodded like a wooden doll.

"Yoongi and Jimin should be here any moment, though," he said warmly. "They're dying to properly meet you!"

And Jungkook wished Namjoon could stop pretending that he actually wanted him here. 

Just toss me out already! Stop giving me false hope!

As he'd have it, the doorbell rang and Namjoon rushed up to receive them, dragging Jungkook behind him gently. 

Because they'd gotten married in such a whirlwind, this was the first time Jungkook was actually meeting the couple in person and he took them in curiously. 

He was surprised to see that the alpha was a good deal shorter than him, peering up at him with a gummy smile. 

“Hello Jungkook,” he said warmly, "it's so nice to meet you properly.”

Before he could even bow in response, a flurry of blonde hair was pushing his way through them and laughed himself into Jungkook with all the delicacy of a baby bull. 

“Oh my god, you're so pretty!” He squealed and Jungkook let himself be jolted around by who he imagined must be Jimin. 

He was the shortest of the quad, and he looked all sorts of askew: hair tied into a lopsided ponytail and glasses dangling off the bridge of his nose. For a second, Jungkook was astonished. 

He'd never be able to get away with looking so unseemly as an omega at the compound. 

“For God's sake, Jimin-ah, stop crowding him,” he heard Namjoon chide, but there was no real concern in his voice. 

He gently extricated Jungkook from his clutches and he smiled at him apologetically. 

“Sorry,” he quipped, bouncing on his heels. “I've had like, six cups of coffee in the last twenty-four hours, and as you can see - I'm still kinda buzzed!” 

Jungkook wondered why anyone would do that to themselves before remembering what Namjoon had shared with him. 

Jimin was a - what had he called it? A fellow - right. Apparently he was on his way to becoming a full-fledged doctor soon enough and that was why he spent so long at the hospital. 

Then Jungkook recalled that he'd been the one to get him on birth control and he couldn't help himself from frowning.  

He looked at the blonde omega as he playfully nudged his mate without any care for decorum and he wondered distantly if this was the kind of omega that Namjoon wanted him to be.

He didn't have time to ponder over his shameful thoughts before the doorbell rang again and Jungkook looked up at his mate in surprise. 

“I thought it was only family for now,” he mused. 

Namjoon looked excited though, as he pulled Jungkook along. 

“It is,” he replied cryptically before dragging the door open and Jungkook screamed in delight, having forgotten all of his worries for a single moment. 

“HYUNG!”

He didn't realize he was crying until he was slobbering all over Jin's shirt while still clutching Tae like he'd vanish if he touched him. 

“Yah, Jungkook! You're ruining my dress clothes!” He whined but even Jungkook could hear his voice tremble as he hugged him back just as fiercely. 

Pulling back, he looked at them in confusion. 

“What’re you two doing here?” 

Namjoon was the one who answered, gently placing his hand on his waist as he did so and Jungkook shivered at the delightful touch. 

“I wanted to surprise you,” he confessed with a shy smile. “I know that your friends were here for our ceremony but I thought you'd appreciate them here too.”

“Thank you!”

They were soon pulled inside for introductions and launched into conversation before Namjoon's work guests would arrive. However, Jungkook was pulling them along to his room all too soon with Namjoon’s encouragement.

“You deserve to catch up with your friends, sweetheart.”

…

…

Namjoon watched Jungkook usher his nestmates into his room while Yoongi and Jimin watched him curiously. 

And then he sighed with relief, sinking down at the kitchen table. 

“What's that for?” Jimin asked, sitting down opposite to him with another cup of coffee in his hand. 

His seventh? Eighth?

“Idnthwinkheshapphyhere.”

He spoke through the hands covering his face, too ashamed to look up.

“What?”

He finally glanced at Yoongi, hoping he'd have some advice for him. 

“i don't think he's happy here. This is the first time he's smiled like that since we got home,” he said and he didn't even try to consider the worry in his voice. “I invited his friends thinking it'd help, and I'm glad it did, but what happens when they leave?”

Yoongi looked at him and Namjoon felt like crawling into a hole with the look on his face. 

He could count the number of times his brother had been disappointed in him and he hated that this was another one of them. 

“You literally took him from his home to an entire new country,” he said angrily. “Of course the poor kid's homesick.” 

Namjoon frowned. 

Had Jungkook really been growing homesick but Namjoon hadn't noticed? 

Looking back, it made sense.

The longing looks? The frequent phone calls that he thought Namjoon hadn't noticed. And he had grown more and more withdrawn towards the end of their honeymoon. 

“Well, what do I do?” He asked desperately.

Jimin laid an arm on his shoulder comfortingly. 

“His friends leave after a couple of days. What if he went back to the compound with them for a while?”

“No.”

And Jimin veered back with the force of his words but the idea was repugnant to him. 

To have his mate away from him? 

Absolutely not!

Everything in him rebelled at the very idea of doing so.

“You're a hypocrite, Namjoon-ah! He gave up so much for you and you're just going to be another knot-headed alpha who keeps him trapped here? If you truly cared, you'd understand what he needs!”

And Namjoon looked at Jimin with wounded eyes. 

Was he really becoming that type of alpha?

…

…

The mood amongst the other three omegas was a distant cry from when they'd first met. 

Jungkook had just finished telling them about everything that had happened since the start of the honeymoon and his two best friends were looking at him with concern.

“I still think you should just talk to him,” Jin said, breaking the silence, and Jungkook looked at him in disbelief. 

“As if!”

Taehyung nodded furiously as well.

“At least let him keep the dignity that he still has left, hyung!”

“Are you sure this isn't some giant misunderstanding?” Jin persisted and Jungkook looked at him in disbelief but Jin still held strong.

“I mean, he literally flew us out here on a moment's notice because he thought you'd appreciate it! I'm not saying that you're imagining the whole thing but he clearly loves you, Jungkook-ah.” 

Jungkook found himself poring over that but Tae interrupted his line of thought as soon as it had formed.

“Hah! As if that's a problem for someone like Namjoon - he probably thinks he can throw money at anything and make it disappear!”

Jin rolled his eyes but said nothing else, pursing his lips. 

“I have a feeling he's going to say something as soon as the party is over,” Jungkook whispered, confessing his worst fear. I don't think he has any reason to avoid it anymore. 

And Tae reached over, hugging him fiercely. 

“Don't worry, Jungkook-ah - whatever happens, we'll be there for you.”

…

…

It all finally came to a head in the most dramatic way possible. 

Looking back, Namjoon wondered how he'd let something blow up to this level of catastrophe, but in that moment, all he could see was the shock on Jungkook's face after he'd spoken to him.

“What?”

They were both in the kitchen, Namjoon having taken him aside to speak to him even as the rest of the guests mingled in his living room.

Namjoon took a deep breath before speaking again.

“I asked you if you wanted to go back to the compound for a few weeks with your nestmates. I saw how much you missed them, sweetheart, and I think it might be good for you.”

Namjoon continued to speak, but all Jungkook could hear was the word ‘go’ echoing like a glitch ongoing cassette player in the background while Namjoon's mouth moved tonelessly. 

He could hear the din of music coming from the living room and the dull murmur of their guests and all Jungkook could think of was -

How badly did Namjoon want him gone that he couldn't even wait until the party was over to tell him?

And Jungkook thought back to their courtship, then the ceremony and the mating and the honeymoon which had turned into a tragedy of errors and very soon, the sorrow was being trampled on by rage. 

Burning red rage. 

Who the hell did this alpha think he was, to make him fall hopelessly in love with him and then try to discard him like yesterday's trash? He might just be a silly, little house omega, but that didn't mean that he could be treated like this. 

For so long, he'd played the perfect image of docile, sweet little doe-eyed omega.

Well, not anymore. 

“You absolute bastard,” he snarled, making Namjoon blink in confusion before looking at him with terrified eyes. 

“Sweetheart?”

“How could you do this to me?!” He screamed, shoving at Namjoon's chest while the alpha could do nothing else but react with a facade of confusion. 

“I left my home for you! I came all the way across the ocean because I fell in love with you and now you want to get RID OF ME?!”

His voice had begun to attract an audience at the kitchen threshold, but Jungkook couldn't bring himself to care anymore.

If he was going to be sent away, he'd make sure to let Namjoon have it. 

“YOU TWO-FACED LIAR!”

He threw the nearest thing at his mate, watching him duck a flying cutlery holder. 

“DOES THIS GET YOU OFF? PLAYING WITH MY FEELINGS?” 

This time, it was a potato peeler. 

“HOW MANY OTHER OMEGAS HAVE YOU DONE THIS TO?!”

“Sweetheart, I don't understand what's happening?!” Namjoon blubbered on. 

“WHAT'S HAPPENING IS THAT I'M IN LOVE WITH YOU AND YOU DON'T WANT ME ANYMORE!”

Jungkook was sobbing now, ugly tears messing up his makeup, but he couldn't help himself. 

Because despite the indignation and the humiliation of it all, the only thing he could focus on was losing the man he loved the most. 

Namjoon's face crumpled and he lurched forwards, taking Jungkook into his arms, holding him tight in his arms despite Jungkook continuing to shove at his chest. 

At that stupid, thick muscly chest. 

Goddamnit. 

“I'm afraid we're going to need to excuse ourselves,” he heard Namjoon speak up and Jungkook suddenly felt his ears flame red as he realized that everyone had probably heard his little outburst. 

He saw his hyungs look at him with concern as Namjoon shuffled him away and Jungkook braced himself, expecting only the very worst.

…

…

They were at a nearby park close to Namjoon's apartment. 

It overlooked the river, the breeze feeling extra cold against the dried up tears lining Jungkook's cheeks and he kept his gaze averted from where Namjoon sat cross-legged on the ground beneath him. 

The embarrassment of what he'd done was starting to dawn on him and he couldn't bring himself to look his alpha in the eye.

“I come here a lot in the night,” he shared candidly. “I bike along that path by the river in the summers.”

Jungkook nodded, wondering why Namjoon was talking about this all of a sudden. 

“That little ramen shop?” He gestured towards a shack a little while away. “I've been going there since I was seven, and no matter how many times I eat there, I never get tired.” 

Jungkook still didn't look at him. 

“You see that building there?” He said, pointing towards a tall skyscraper with glass windows. “That's where I had my first job in this city.”

Jungkook kept his gaze fixated on some point in the water. 

“This city is my life,” he spoke earnestly and Jungkook finally turned to look at him. 

“And yet I couldn't stand the sight of it after leaving the compound.”

Jungkook blinked. 

“Why?”

Namjoon smiled ruefully, lightly grazing his ankle. 

“Because you weren't in it,” he said simply, making Jungkook's heart skip treacherously. 

“All I could think of when I biked was your arms around me if you were here. The ramen didn't even compare to the food your parents made for me when you introduced me. And all these buildings - all those skyscrapers - they just felt empty.”

Jungkook could feel the heat of fresh tears fill his eyes and he blinked them away furiously, bidding himself not to fall for the same tricks again. 

Dammit Kim Namjoon!

“I love you,” he said simply, looking fully into his eyes. “I love you so much that it almost killed me to wait even that one month to have you. So to have you say to me that I don't want you? Sweetheart, why?” He asked with pain in his voice. 

And Jungkook just erupted, leaping off the bench. 

“Then why are you trying to send me away?” He cried out. “It hasn't even been a full month since we got back and you're trying to get rid of me!”

“Because you looked miserable, sweetheart!” Namjoon said with frustration. “The entire time in France, I could feel you slipping away from me!”

“Because you kept pushing me away!” 

“When did I ever do that?!” Namjoon asked, coming up to his feet as well. 

Jungkook literally gaped at him as he regaled everything that had led to this moment.

“You wouldn't even touch me!” He spat out. “Am I so distasteful to you?”

Namjoon looked genuinely offended. 

“Sweetheart, if you knew how hard I was - am - controlling myself not to touch you, you'd be singing a different tune,” he gritted out. 

“Then why?!”

“Because I stole you away like some kind of heathen! Courting you for a month? You deserve more than that before I lay my hands on you, sweetheart!” 

“But I want you to lay your hands on me!” He said, before realizing what he'd blurted out and they both blushed. 

Namjoon cleared his throat before pushing on. 

“That can't have been enough to make you think I didn't love you.”

And Jungkook was glad for the segue. 

“You would barely let me take care of you!” He accused. “I tried to cook for you, help you with the house in France and you never even let me! Do you have so little trust in me?” 

“I didn't bring you here to be my servant!” Namjoon huffed out. 

“I enjoy it! I want to help!" He retorted. "I'm not some helpless little doll that's going to be your little trophy wife!”

Namjoon tried to cut in, but Jungkook was on a roll. 

“And this isn't the first time you tried to send me away!”

“What? When?!”

“Art school?” He spat out. “You wanted to cast me off to another state!”

“I didn't want that! If I had my way, you wouldn't leave the fucking city until I can get over this irresistible urge to keep you glued to me!” He argued passionately, making Jungkook's stomach flip with desire. 

“Then why?” He asked gently. “Why even say something like that?”

“I felt like a hypocrite,” Namjoon said. “I had all these opportunities to study and work and explore the world but I stole you away before you could experience any of that.”

He walked closer to Jungkook, taking hold of his arms warily as he continued. 

“Yoongi was the one who suggested it. He saw your paintings and felt that I was stifling your potential.” 

Oh Namjoon.

Jungkook was the one who took the last step into Namjoon's arms, resting his head on his shoulder.

“It would've never worked out,” he said resolutely. “I barely attended my classes straight back at the company. I couldn't wait until I was done with any kind of school,” he confessed. “I love to paint and I'll probably do something with it in the future, but art school would probably make it feel like a chore.” 

Namjoon sighed against his cheek. 

“I was worried that you only wanted to do things for me because you were raised that way in the compound.” 

Jungkook leaned back, looking at him seriously. 

“Who put that idea in your head?”

Namjoon looked away guiltily and Jungkook instantly got his answer. 

Yoongi. 

“The compound is pretty traditional,” he agreed. “But it's not like we're forced to be a certain way just because we're omegas. We can do whatever we like, same as you city kids. One of the reasons Tae was excited when you invited him was because it meant he got to tour NYU. He wants to go to college here next year.” 

Namjoon looked surprised. 

“Jin-hyung actually runs his own restaurant too,” he kept going, looking at the shocked expression on Namjoon's face. “He was the one who taught me how to cook and now I love it too.”

That's how he met his mate and he took a break when he had a pup a while ago. 

“I didn't know,” Namjoon said in a daze. “I thought that the omegas at the compound were all just…”

“Told to be good mates and stay at home and have babies?”

Namjoon tried to put a different spin on it but Jungkook laughed bitterly. 

“No,” he whispered, “that's just me.”

There was silence for a moment before Namjoon tipped his chin up. 

“Is that why you were so upset when I got you on birth control?”

Jungkook didn't respond, hanging his head down low as he looked at the dirt under his sneakers.

“It all happened so fast,” he murmured. “I fell in love with you so quickly that our courtship was all about how much we missed each other,” he recalled. “I daydreamed about this life where I would be the perfect omega for you - that silly little dream that you think is super old-fashioned. The husband and the picket fence and two point five kids. We should have spoken more about the kind of lives we wanted to lead - the kind of future we saw for ourselves.”

He scoffed, but there was no anger anymore. 

“For all I know, you must want an omega like Jimin.”

Namjoon instantly took his cheeks between his hands and looked at him angrily. 

“I want you. And I want whatever life you want us to have.”

“You don't think I'm too old-fashioned?”

But Namjoon was shaking his head. 

“There's nothing wrong with the things you want - and if there's anyone to blame here, it's me.”

“No, you -”

“I should've spoken to you when I noticed things were going awry instead of relying on my brother's advice.”

“I'm guilty of the same,” Jungkook confessed shyly. “Jin hyung tried to tell me to talk it out but Tae kept hyping me up. We were convinced you hated me.”

“I think we should start talking to each other when we feel that way from now, don't you think?” 

Jungkook nodded shyly before remembering that they had some other unresolved issues.

Groaning, he leaned against Namjoon's chest.

“Oh my god, I embarrassed you in front of all the people from your job!” 

But Namjoon just laughed. 

“If anything, you've given them some ammunition against me, they probably respect you even more now.” 

Jungkook smiled shyly and tipped his head, only just realizing how close he was to Namjoon.

The alpha's eyes darkened as he ran his thumb over Jungkook's waist. 

“So, you wanted me to put my hands on you, huh?”

Jungkook didn't wait anymore. 

He reached up at the same time Namjoon curved his hand around his jaw, drawing them into a kiss which Jungkook smiled against as he came to a very satisfying conclusion. 

They'd be just fine.

…

...