Chapter Text
Beauty beckons an embodiment of excellence.
The whiter the better; the higher the waistline, the better it cinches in. Jungkook is mostly grateful that gone were the days wherein omegas doned full skirts and collars that tickled up to the tip of their noses. Everything is much simpler now, empire dresses with lighter fabrics and shorter sleeves, although it is difficult to stand out amidst an ocean of normalcy.
Therefore, Jungkook learnt that to be beautiful at this time and age signified surpassing a standard that a mere dress could not portray in itself.
‘Twas why Jungkook had always been groomed to be prim and proper, dare to be labelled a model child. Made to stand out in ways a gown alone would not be able to suffice, most especially on events like this one he is currently made to attend. A private ball to welcome one of the closest friends of the Min clan’s eldest son—someone, who just like Jungkook’s family and the Mins themselves, came all the way from the eastern sea.
At least from what Jungkook has heard but ought to see.
As the youngest out of three children, Jungkook was treasured in his household. Their eldest, an omega like him, doted on Jungkook like he was his own child. Jimin spent most of his life caring for the youngling, spoiling him rotten. There was a high likelihood that Jungkook could have grown up with an unmistakably grotesque character, if not for their second brother, Taehyung—an alpha—who made sure to balance Jimin’s indulgence of everything Jungkook could ever want with a heavy foot down.
Not that Taehyung did not spoil their youngest either, he was simply more… subdued.
Jungkook has looked up to both of his brothers for most of his life, and he tried his best to be on par with them. Although there are nights like these wherein his brothers feel like they are oceans away. With how well they socialize with their peers, unlike the youngest who preferred hiding behind Jimin’s skirt or Taehyung’s tasseled Hessians.
Dwelling in the corner would have gotten Jungkook scolded by his mother who is seemingly more and more desperate to have her children mated by the end of the year. But, Jungkook had always been painfully shy. They adore boasting about him, but Jungkook knows that he is far from the omega that could meet their standards of beauty and excellence.
At least, deeper than the surface.
A stunner he was, and despite opting to remain in the shadows, Jungkook was simply far too beautiful to be left alone. ‘Twas why it did not take long before Lord Jung had asked him to a dance, once.
It was—alright. Hoseok hyung was a friend, the same way all eastern blood has formed some sort of coterie that has given them a feel of their eastern home amidst the English breadth. The beta was another one of Yoongi Min’s best friends and Jungkook was already acquainted and comfortable with the elder.
“You look like you would rather scurry, Jungkookie.” The Lord teases, a gentle smile on his face that always had Jungkook feeling safe the same way he felt with his older brothers.
“Careful,” Jungkook grins, not missing a single beat. “If someone hears you, then you might just ruin my plans, hyung-nim.”
Hoseok giggles, eyes overwhelmingly fond. “Is the party not up to your liking?” He asks.
“No, no, everything is absolutely lovely,” Jungkook says honestly, because that was the truth. For a celebration as small as a welcoming, the Mins had simply outdone themselves. Again. “Yoongi hyung must really be ecstatic to see his best friend after years, I presume.”
“We all have known each other since childhood,” Hoseok remarks, and Jungkook is quite surprised to know that Hoseok, too, is well-acquainted with the man of the hour. “As a matter of fact, he is Jin hyung’s cousin.”
Ah. So Jungkook has heard. Indeed, the best friend of the eldest Min child is none other than the cousin of Yoongi’s very own soulmate. How funny is fate.
“Well, I am pleased to see that he has arrived here safely.” Jungkook says politely.
“Have you not met him yet?”
Jungkook shakes his head. The Min mansion was too big, and despite being a small celebration, the place was overflowing with people from their small town. He could only guess that a man as pivotal as the reason for their celebration tonight would be pulled from left to right, so much so that someone as insignificant as Jungkook could only be left on the sidelines.
“Well, allow me to introduce you to the young Lord after our dance,” Hoseok excitedly says. “I am certain that Namjoon would be an excellent acquaintance to you. He is quite kind, very easy on the eyes, too.”
Hoseok mentions that with a fair amount of teasing, and Jungkook only scoffs, trying to conceal the way his heart unknowingly spikes nervously. There was nothing to be apprehensive of, Jungkook has met his fair share of new people tonight. So what if this Namjoon was the belle of the ball? The same man that every human being in this ball has been showering with praises, marvelling at his delightful manners that were seemingly as pleasant as his wondrous smile.
Like what Hoseok said, he could perhaps be another nice hyung.
Their dance seems to stretch for far too long in Jungkook’s opinion. Or perhaps, he is simply looking forward to finally meeting the man in the flesh. Hoseok could literally see his excitement, and with a chuckle, he opts to no longer prolong the younger man’s agony, gently dragging Jungkook away towards where Namjoon stands by Yoongi and Seokjin’s side.
“Namjoon-ah, allow me to have a moment.”
‘Twas not only Namjoon’s eyes that snapped back towards Hoseok and Jungkook, but also Yoongi and Seokjin. The first thing Jungkook could think of the moment Namjoon finally turned around to meet Jungkook’s eyes was that Hoseok was a liar.
Namjoon was not just easy on the eyes, the man was devastatingly handsome.
He was tall, towering over Jungkook for a good couple of inches despite his resplendent heels. The omega literally stills from where he stood. The last time he checked, the gown Jimin had chosen for him did not cinch in this tight, so why did it suddenly become alarmingly difficult to breathe? He could see Namjoon looking at him from afar, eyeing him from head to toe, before a small, gentle smile forms on his thick lips. Polite.
From Namjoon’s left, Seokjin was holding hands with Yoongi while his cousin held a firm grasp around Namjoon’s bicep. There was nothing but warmth exuding from the fine young gentleman of the hour, and Jungkook refused to acknowledge the way his chest tightened the closer Namjoon stepped towards him.
“Namjoon-ah, allow me to introduce you to a friend,” Hoseok grins, oblivious to the way Jungkook was turning pale. “This is Jungkook, with east asian blood, just like us. He speaks our dialect too, so Jungkook-ah, you can call him hyung. The youngest of the Parks. You have met Taehyung earlier, have you not?”
A thoughtful look crosses the boyish face of the gentleman. “I have.” Namjoon says, before addressing the omega with a grin. “It is a pleasure to meet you then, Jungkook-ssi. I grow more and more ecstatic to know more people with east asian blood around here like me. M’Namjoon.”
He raises his hand for what Jungkook assumes is an invite to place his palm for the gentleman to kiss his knuckles. Despite not knowing if he will survive that, Jungkook reaches his trembling hands up, forcing an amicable smile on his ruddy face. “And I, you.”
Namjoon grins at the first contact, something genial coating his irises, before he slowly raises Jungkook’s knuckles up to his luscious lips. Jungkook held his breath, feeling the alpha’s warm breath ghost over his skin. However, the moment Namjoon’s lips touched his hand, time quite literally paused for one eventful moment.
Especially when the air surrounding Namjoon and Jungkook began to glow.
A gradual rush, it had been. How it all began from one minuscule pale white spark. Then it multiplied repeatedly, over a millionfold, surrounding Jungkook’s and Namjoon’s figures until a whole new spectrum of lights joined the show. Reds, purples, blues, and yellows—the sparkles glimmered all around their bodies, with a pointed direction and in a uniform motion, similar to how Jimin used to braid Jungkook’s soft, ebony hair.
Until it all accumulated above Jungkook’s and Namjoon’s hearts.
When you meet the one, everything starts aglow.
Jungkook gasps in awe, while Namjoon’s eyes visibly widen as the reality of their glowing hearts begin to sink in. It must have not taken more than a minute to complete, but every spark felt like an electrocuting brush against their skin, and time seemed to lock both men down for eons, their brains failing to comprehend what on earth was happening.
Although it had not been painful, simply, exhilarating.
That was when Jungkook remembered what he had once read in one of the books Taehyung shoved under his nose, a notion reaffirmed by Jimin on one early dawn. A kiss is all it takes to know whom Zeus had once broken off from you. Lights will guide you home, they said… it shall lead you to your other half.
Jungkook originally thought that a kiss on his lips would ultimately do the trick, but it seems like he is sorely mistaken about that small detail. The divulgence catches the young omega quite off guard. Very much so, actually. Jungkook is unable to react, more so, say a single word.
“Oh,” Namjoon gasps out first, wonderstruck, before his eyes finally find Jungkook’s. At his soulmate. “It is you.”
Those words were definite. Namjoon was not asking. The evidence stood as clear as the sunniest day right in front of them, and even their small audience of three could only stare at the pair with jaws fallen to the hardwood floor.
“You a-are—” A calm before the storm. Jungkook chokes out in such a small voice, tone undeniably disbelieving. “A-are you my—”
“I believe I am.” Namjoon answers the question Jungkook’s tongue could not finish. Neither devastated nor excited, Namjoon simply sounded like he was delivering the weather for this afternoon. “I believe you are my soulmate, Jungkook-ssi.”
Let it be known that this would go down in the Park’s history as the most humiliating thing their youngest child has ever done.
For it was at that moment that Jungkook’s vision turned black, the omega falling right into his soulmate’s arms. And Namjoon, god bless Namjoon, was thankfully quick enough to catch him before his head could hit the ground, even if the alpha looked like he himself ought to return to reality at the night’s most shocking revelation.
Jungkook just fainted.
_____
Jungkook never wanted to wake up ever again.
Before he could even open his eyes, an onslaught of caramel buttercream had evaded his senses. The familiar and soothing motion of small, chubby fingers carding through his hair made his body feel lax, before he tenses as he realizes that he is lying down on a slightly stiff cushion in a much silent room, far from the ball and even further from the safe confines of his own home.
In the background, Jungkook also registers soft, hushed voices quarrelling in a terribly failed attempt to remain silent.
“Oh my—Jungkookie?” From right above him, the youngest omega could hear Jimin’s worried voice. He wanted to pretend to be asleep for a few more hours, preferably eternity, but his eldest brother had always been too attuned to him.
Jungkook opened his eyes begrudgingly. “Y-yeah?”
“Oh thank heavens,” Jimin ceases the motion of his fingers carding through Jungkook’s long locks. “Taehyung-ah, our brother has awakened.”
When Jungkook opens his eyes, he sees that the people quarelling are none other than his own alpha brother and the Min company, all four of them together with his soulmate. The moment Jimin informs the room that Jungkook has awakened, all eyes snap towards the young omega. Various looks of worries and apprehension immediately shift to one of relief.
“Kook,” Taehyung immediately sizzles to his side. “Goodness, how do you feel? Are you alright?”
His two brothers were obviously troubled, billions of emotions coursing through their eyes that were a stark contrast to the dim lights of what Jungkook now realizes is a gigantic library. The youngest omega was lying across a sofa, the sound of the music from the ball echoing in the background, far enough to remain as a distinct hum, but close enough to tell Jungkook that the ball was still as vivacious as when he… fainted.
Jungkook tried to answer his brother, but his throat felt awfully scratchy. One of the Min’s company, whom Jungkook believes is the Lord Min’s mate—Seokjin—reaches for a prepared glass of water. Handing it over to the omega through his own omega brother.
“Thank you,” Jungkook bowed to both Seokjin and Jimin once he had finished the whole glass. “I—uhm, what happened?”
His eyes catch those of his soulmate’s. Namjoon, so huge but looking so small when he is crippled with anxiety, opened his mouth to answer him. But before he could, Taehyung beat him to it.
“You lost consciousness, Kook,” Taehyung tapped his chin. For what little medical background he has, the young alpha was thoroughly assessing his youngest brother’s current state. Wanting to see if Jungkook was, in any way, hurt. “Your, uh, your soulmate had excellent reflexes, it seems. He managed to catch you before imminent damage could have been done to your head. And he… also found a private room while Lord Jung called for our immediate attention.”
Jungkook’s cheeks flare an alarming shade of red. Looking his soulmate in the eye seemed like an impossible feat at that very moment.
“That is—” He looks down, terribly ashamed. “I am incredibly sorry for creating such a huge fuss. This is absolutely humiliating, I apologize for—”
“Darling, please calm down,” It is Seokjin who cuts him off. While the two might not well be acquainted, an omega will always recognize a fellow omega in turmoil. “No one was humiliated, m’love. Lord Kim was fast enough to hide you before anyone had noticed that you fainted.”
See, that is what Jungkook believes to be even more embarrassing. He fainted right in front of his soulmate, because of his soulmate.
“No, I mean I—” He chokes out, looking like he is only two more syllables away from bursting into tears as he finally looks up to his, err, other half. “I am terribly sorry, Lord Kim. Believe me, please, t’was not what I intended. I did not mean t-to—”
“Hey, Lord Park,” The low baritone of the handsome alpha’s voice cuts Jungkook off from his tirade of distress, calm and reassuring. In control. “Jungkook-ssi, please, listen to me. I am not angered nor humiliated. Truthfully, I stand to be more worried for your well being. I do apologize if I came out to be quite formidable that you had gotten overwhelmed.”
There is nothing but pure honesty shining in Namjoon’s dragon eyes that Jungkook could now see up close since the alpha has inched towards him on this tiny couch. Not enough to touch, but close enough to feel.
“No!” Jungkook refutes. The mere thought of making this kind hearted man worry so much for him only made Jungkook want to melt off from the surface of the earth. “No, y-you were not, hyung. I was just—surprised. A little overwhelmed, yes, but believe me, none of this has been your fault. I was just taken aback, I swear. I did not intend to be so dramatic.”
Namjoon looked uncertain, preparing to open his mouth to presumably fire more questions but Hoseok cuts him off.
“Oh you need not explain, Jungkook-ssi,” The beta shrugs it off. “I remember when Jin hyung found out his soulmate was Yoongi hyung the moment Yoongi turned eighteen, the imbecile flew halfway across the country. Now that, I believe, is the true definition of dramatic. ”
He sends a teasing glance at the now red-faced omega, and the entire room fails to hold back their chuckles.
“I believe you have not seen anything dramatic yet until I pierce your eyeballs using one of Yoongichi’s javelin spears displayed at the main hall, Lord Jung.” He glares at his old friend, much to everyone’s amusement. “Would you like to test it?”
Hoseok yelps in fear, jumping straight into Namjoon’s broad back. “Joon!”
“Now, now, let us all please remain civil and intact,” The alpha chastises them both, although he is grateful that the two managed to lighten the heavy atmosphere with their silly banter. “But honestly, they are not mistaken, Jungkook-ssi. There are far more absurd reactions I have seen at that exact moment when soulmates realize that they were bonded for life. I was genuinely more worried than appalled, believe me.”
That makes Jungkook feel a lot better. Although still embarrassed, he at least feels like he has regained a semblance of his dignity.
“Can I—Would you mind if I spoke to you, hyung?” Jungkook suddenly asks, before pointedly looking at his brothers. “Alone.”
Worry immediately floods the two Parks’ features.
“Are you sure, Kookie?” Jimin asks, like a mother hen. “Taehyung-ah, do you believe it is wise to leave our youngest in the hands of an alpha? Soulmates be damned, if he touches our little brother in any way—”
“There is absolutely no need for threats, Lord Park.” Yoongi speaks for the first time. He had always been a silent man, but he will not stand for any defamation of character for his best and oldest friend. “The worst Namjoon has ever hurt is a ladybug and even then, I remember catching him crying on the edge of the garden after he realized that his gigantic foot had squished a poor dotted bug to death.”
But, perhaps, he can tease.
“I was seven!” Cheeks terribly red, Namjoon splutters in embarrassment as his best friends and cousin laugh at his demise.
“That is—adorable,” Jungkook remarks, selfishly glad that he is not the only one left humiliated this evening. Even just a little. “Besides, Jimin hyung. I can handle myself. If anything, Namjoon’s friends must worry for him.”
Taehyung agrees with that, sharing a look with their older brother. Jungkook might be an omega, but his strength is twice as strong than Jimin and Taehyung combined.
“Well then, be gentle on him, Lord Park.” Hoseok pats Namjoon’s back reassuringly, already making his way out of the door. “I trust you with it. Shall we all take our leave?” He looks pointedly at the crowd, especially at Jungkook’s handsome siblings.
Yet before they are sent away, it is only right that as the only alpha, Taehyung leaves Jungkook’s new beau a forewarning, even with just the sharpness of his eyes. “Fine, but we shall stand nearby. The moment we realize that something is amiss, we are barging in. Just scream if you need us, Jungkookie.”
“Yes, yes.” Jungkook widens his eyes at them, basically yelling ‘begone!’ “Now please, allow me to speak with my, uhh, s-soulmate privately.”
Jimin looks at Jungkook one last time, before shifting an even harsher glare at the alpha sitting right beside him. “Very well.”
One by one, five gentlemen scurry out of the room. Seokjin is the last one out, shooting both his cousin and the young omega a small smile, before shutting the ginormous double doors of the library. Then, the soulmate pair are now left all alone.
Jungkook briefly wonders if his heart is glowing again. There is no rational explanation as to why his chest suddenly feels like it is aflame now that he only has his soulmate with him.
Correction: right beside him.
“Are you truly alright now, Jungkook-ssi?” Namjoon asks, making no move to touch the omega despite his inner alpha yelling at him to make sure that omega is safe. He ought to be given permission to touch.
“I am.” Jungkook nods reassuringly. “I am not hurt, nor am I feeling drowsy. I guess I was just really surprised. Again, I am terribly sorry.”
“And again,” Namjoon exhales. “You need not apologize. I am assuming you did not expect to find your soulmate tonight. I could only guess that you were shocked beyond belief.”
The first thing Jungkook is grateful for tonight is that his soulmate is no asshole. If Namjoon had been, Jungkook would have preferred to never meet him at all.
But he is not, and Namjoon is simply so… kind.
“You make it sound like you have been waiting for me,” Jungkook grins, before eyeing the alpha a little wondrously. “Have you?”
Namjoon looked down to his lap, a small smile adorning his face that made such beautiful indents pop out from his gorgeously sculpted face. Jungkook wanted to poke it, but just like Namjoon, he has not yet been granted permission to touch. “Well, I would not directly say that I have, but I did look forward to meeting you.” Namjoon says honestly. “I am way past my eighteenth mark, so I… while I may have wanted to meet my soulmate sooner or later, I believe I still kept an open mind. Come what may, perhaps.”
“I see.” Jungkook says, slightly grateful that Namjoon was not expecting a grand soulmate encounter. Or a grand soulmate, in general. “I never thought I would even meet mine to be truthful. I mean, what are the stakes anyways? Not everyone is blessed enough to meet their fated one.”
The demographics of meeting your soulmate is nothing higher than 43%. The world is fairly big, not enough to meet the supposed hundreds of million—or has it reached billions by now?—people that could be a person’s other half.
Thus, Jungkook understands. He, too, was old enough to believe that meeting his soulmate may or may not manifest in reality. And that is alright. Life simply moves beyond the glow of two intertwined hearts.
“I guess so.” Namjoon whispers, sharing a small smile with Jungkook. “But nevertheless, I believe meeting you tonight is an incredible honor. A blessing, even.”
Namjoon’s face was just so honest. Lying must be an impossibility for this man. How adorable.
“Am I what you expected?” Jungkook could not help but wonder. That lasting dogma of their mother to always make a distinctive impression is still heavily ingrained in his young mind. “Fainting aside, do you believe I would make a good omega for you?”
Jungkook did not intend to ask such a heavy question within the first five minutes of being alone, nor did he wish to sound terribly insecure. But, thankfully, Namjoon does not judge. The alpha remains silent for a while, pondering over the right words to say.
“Truth be told, Jungkook, I ought to know yet.” He admits, and Jungkook’s face simply remains attentive. “I could care less if you are an omega or a beta, or even alpha as well, but I do want to know if you are a good person first. I mean I believe you are, but is it not too early to judge if we are good for each other? Before you fainted, we have only exchanged around twenty words with each other. You are beautiful, only a fool would deny that, but physicality is simply too shallow. I do not wish to make you believe something that I do not know if it is true yet, but I do want to have a chance to know you better. Deeper. To befriend you and see what happens and where fate ought to lead us.”
The glow of their hearts from earlier could barely hold a candle to the sparks Jungkook is feeling right now. He is absolutely… awed. Jungkook appreciates it, how Namjoon did not sugarcoat or how he did not romance Jungkook with sonnets that were written on the last page of the weekly newspaper. How he did not make Jungkook believe something neither of them knew to be true yet. Namjoon was an honest man about his thoughts and feelings, and that was something Jungkook found to be quite admirable.
“Hyung,” He smiles, wet and happy. Perhaps fate had given him the right alpha to start with. A good one so far. “Thank you. That is—” He, too, tries to find the right word to say. But he does not possess Namjoon’s eloquence. Jungkook can only chuckle wetly. “In a world where everyone was molded to impress, thank you for being honest. I do not wish to believe in anything superficial, and what you just said made me want to know you more.”
Namjoon looks awestruck. “Truly?”
“Yes,” Jungkook nods eagerly. “If you would give me a chance, I do wish to give you an opportunity, as well. I do want to be your friend, too.”
Despite what the books have said, Jungkook is no child. He knows that although they are soulmates, rushing through the process would only result in a fatuous love. And Jungkook did not want that. He despises that. What he wishes for is something real. A friendship so strong that love simply came naturally.
And he thinks he can have that with Namjoon. No. Jungkook wanted that with Namjoon. It is plausible with this alpha.
“I am busy tomorrow.” Namjoon suddenly blurts out, a little bashful. “But in the afternoon during the next day, I know of an excellent tea house near the Vauxhall gardens. Would you be free to take a stroll with me, Jungkookie?”
Jungkook smiles, pleased and excited, and Namjoon is suddenly stricken with the thought that lights are once again glowing all around them. Though exhilarating, he would much prefer his soulmate to be awake and conscious. Namjoon thinks once is enough for this fortnight.
But silly enough, Namjoon is fairly mistaken. The sparks had not been a product of their glowing hearts, rather, it had been a result of Jungkook’s smile suddenly illuminating the whole room.
Huh. That is beautiful. Jungkook is quite beautiful.
“My parasol shall be prepared by then, Namjoon hyung.”