Chapter Text
Jungkook startles when Jin bursts into the communal kitchen.
“They’re back!” Jin yells, his eyes sparkling, and Jungkook gasps.
He ditches all the baby carrots he was washing on the cutting board and rushes out close on Jin’s heels, following him to the edge of their village. Wolves are emerging from the forest, their fatigue visibly melting off of them as they reunite with their friends and family. When Namjoon appears, Jin lets out a shout and throws himself at him.
Jungkook waits impatiently for a certain pureblood red timber to show up, scanning with desperation for the form who should be easily visible at its height. At last, near the end of the procession, a familiar pair of amber eyes meets his, and Jungkook can't help the happy noise that comes out of his throat.
“Hyung!” he cries, launching himself at Taehyung, who instantly transforms and catches him in his arms.
“Sweetheart,” he sighs heavily. He shoves his face into Jungkook’s neck and presses a long kiss to his scent gland. Jungkook's body goes limp, his head lolling back while his arms cling weakly to Taehyung’s shoulders. Taehyung grabs him by the waist, hoists him up, and Jungkook allows himself to be carried across camp, his legs wrapping around Taehyung’s hips.
“Missed you,” he sighs. “You took so long.”
“I know, honey, I’m sorry.” Taehyung’s still sucking in lungfuls of his scent, his nose pushed right up against the source of it, and Jungkook protests, wanting to do the same. When Taehyung’s had his fill and he brings Jungkook’s face into the alpha’s own neck, Jungkook groans loudly. Taehyung chuckles.
“I want you,” Jungkook whines.
“Don’t worry, I’m taking us to our hut.”
He pouts. “Hurry up, you’re naked, people are staring.” They aren’t really, but they could and lord knows if it were him, he'd definitely want to. Taehyung’s too handsome for anyone’s health, including Jungkook’s.
“Well, whose fault is it for not giving me time to put clothes on?”
Jungkook pouts harder and tries to use his legs to cover Taehyung’s exposed behind. “Hurry,” he repeats.
“Yes, yes.”
Jungkook lets out a giggle when he’s thrown on the bed, then laughs harder when Taehyung falls on top of him and squishes him under his weight.
“You’re dirty,” Jungkook mumbles, brushing his finger over a spot of dirt on Taehyung’s collarbone.
“Want me to bathe first?” Taehyung asks, but Jungkook shakes his head frantically.
“Want you now,” he insists, tugging at the collar of his own tunic. Taehyung helps him out of his clothes, dragging his lips over each inch of newly exposed skin, and Jungkook moans, arching into his mouth.
“I’ll help you wash the sheets later,” Taehyung promises, and Jungkook would laugh at how cute he’s being if not for the dark, lustful rumble of his voice. “My gorgeous omega,” Taehyung purrs, sucking marks into Jungkook’s chest. “Fuck, I missed you.”
“Mm, I was so bored without you,” Jungkook breathes.
“Saw some new flowers in our garden.”
“Yeah, ah—oh, hyung, feels good...’cause you said the snowdrops were pretty...”
“They are.”
Jungkook gasps, squirming in pleasure at the bite Taehyung leaves on his chest. “D-don’t tease, Taehyungie, I want you.”
Wordlessly, Taehyung pulls back just enough to tear Jungkook’s trousers off before flipping him on to his stomach. Jungkook scrambles to his knees and spreads his thighs, bowing his back as low as it will go.
“Fuck,” Taehyung mutters to himself again. He grabs each of Jungkook’s cheeks in his big hands, and Jungkook twists around to try to see, but then there’s a sudden pliant warmth over his hole and he squeaks, his limbs turning to jelly.
“Oh my god,” he whines, long and high-pitched as Taehyung laps at his slick. He throws an arm backwards, stretching out his fingers desperately, and Taehyung drops his hand into his, tangling their fingers. Jungkook’s toes curl as he cries out, overwhelmed by the pleasure. It’s been so long, he’s missed this, not just the touching and being touched part but also how soft Taehyung is with him even when he’s got his tongue in the most intimate of places, holding Jungkook’s hand to tether him and gently caressing his thigh.
He pulls away with a lasting kiss on Jungkook’s rim, before Jungkook feels the shift of the bed. He peers over his shoulder with blurry eyes and keens, unable to form words.
“I know, sweetheart, I got you,” Taehyung whispers, smiling. After five years together, Jungkook is still overwhelmed by how beautiful he is sometimes, especially now, three long weeks deprived of his presence. He’s devastating, eyes like liquid dark chocolate and black curls falling into his eyes. His mouth is shiny from Jungkook’s slick, and Jungkook flushes, reaching back for him again out of pure need.
Taehyung settles over him chest to back, smothering him under his weight, and Jungkook cranes his neck to lick at Taehyung’s face, cleaning the remnants of his own slick off his lips.
“You’re being so naughty today,” Taehyung says lowly, a flash of red in his eyes. Jungkook wiggles his hips and pushes his bum back against Taehyung’s crotch. Taehyung’s eyelids flutter, his breath hitching in his throat.
“Want my alpha,” Jungkook sighs.
Taehyung doesn’t make him wait any longer, holding him still and slowly sinking inside him. Jungkook’s mouth drops open while a violent shiver runs up his back.
“I love you, Taehyungie,” he chokes out in a trembling voice. Taehyung buries his face into his neck, tonguing gently over Jungkook’s scent gland, the sign of possession only making Jungkook’s mind grow hazier.
“I love you too, Jungkook-ah,” Taehyung murmurs.
Their bodies move as one, an arm locked around Jungkook’s middle to prevent his knees from giving out, their hands still curled together, Taehyung squeezing his fingers every so often. Jungkook moans breathlessly, half out of his mind. It’s a bone-deep satisfaction to have his beloved mate so close and all over him, making his omega purr for more. Taehyung drags kisses everywhere he can reach, along Jungkook’s jawline and down the flexing line of his neck, sucking on the delicate skin.
His movements aren’t rushed, steady but confident, and hard enough to make Jungkook’s mind go white with each thrust. It’s perfect, exactly what he needs to let go, to surrender himself. He feels so hot inside, hot and full and sated, his chest filled to bursting. Especially when something bigger starts to bump against his rim.
“Knot,” Jungkook stutters, that primal side of him aching for his mate. “Want hyung’s knot.”
“Mm, yeah, I’ll give it to you,” Taehyung growls. He pushes it in and Jungkook whimpers loudly, tears spilling over his cheeks. “My sweet omega...” Taehyung reaches for his jaw, turning his face to kiss him. Jungkook’s jaw drops open and he lets Taehyung lick into his mouth and suck on his tongue.
He reaches his peak without warning, letting out a shocked, helpless cry as he shakes through his release. Taehyung groans into his mouth and before long, Jungkook feels the flood of warmth inside him, making his eyes roll to the back of his head.
Taehyung nudges at his stiff knees, helping to lower him slowly to the mattress. It’s not a great position to keep kissing, and Jungkook’s neck is getting tired, so Taehyung moves on to painting more marks down the side of his throat instead. Jungkook lets out a small “oh!” when teeth sink lightly into the existing bite mark in his scent gland.
“How’re you feeling?” Taehyung asks, massaging Jungkook’s waist, the heels of his hands pressing into Jungkook with just the right pressure. Jungkook hums. He’s floating. There’s nothing like having Taehyung’s knot inside him, making him feel sleepy and comforted and deliriously happy, all at once.
“Love you,” he mumbles, because that’s all he can muster up for the moment. Taehyung’s chest vibrates against his back in a laugh. The elder’s heartbeat is soothing, strong and steady, slowing now.
“Love you more,” Taehyung whispers, pressing his lips into his ear.
“Mmno.”
“Mmyes.”
“No,” Jungkook mutters.
Taehyung laughs again. “Sleep, darling. It’ll be a while before this goes down.”
“Mmkay.”
Hours later, Jungkook is lying on their bed, freshly bathed, swathed in clean sheets. He watches Taehyung throw fresh logs into the fireplace and spread the kindling evenly with the poker. He’s stark naked, the fire painting patterns over the expanse of his bare body. It’s a glorious sight. Jungkook sure is blessed.
“So what took you guys three whole weeks?” Jungkook asks softly. “It was just supposed to be a scouting mission, wasn’t it?”
Taehyung nods. He comes back to the bed, sinking down on the edge of it and gazing at Jungkook. He brushes Jungkook’s hair off of his forehead, the touch like silk, or feathers. Jungkook fights the urge to close his eyes. “Yeah, but we found this pack. They were under the control of rogue warriors.”
“Oh, no.”
“It was pretty bad.” Taehyung grimaces. “We weren’t in the position to fight, we were tired after travelling for weeks so we just scoped out the area and came back. I think Hoseok-hyung, Yoongi-hyung, and some of the others are out rescuing the pack now.”
Jungkook looks at him worriedly. “Is everyone gonna be okay?”
“Yeah, don’t worry. There weren’t many rogues, the pack was mostly omegas and children so they weren’t able to do much, but we should be able to take care of them easily.”
“Oh, okay.”
Taehyung smiles. His hand comes up to cup Jungkook’s cheek, and Jungkook nuzzles into him. “Pretty baby.”
“Your pretty baby missed you,” Jungkook quips, and Taehyung laughs.
“Pretty baby brat.”
The next morning, Jungkook tags along with Taehyung to the update meeting about the scout mission. Namjoon informs them that all went well, fortunately. Overnight, the enslaved wolves were brought here to recover and eventually assimilate into their pack if they so wished, or they would always be free to leave as well.
Since the Min fight years ago, the Kim pack has expanded by around twenty percent, which doesn’t sound like a lot spread over five years—and it isn’t, but Namjoon tends to prefer keeping them to a certain size. Jungkook likes it. The spot they’re in now is the perfect middle between big enough to have some privacy and anonymity, but small enough to still feel nice and cozy.
“Want to on a date today?” Taehyung asks him as they walk hand-in-hand to Yoongi and Jimin’s hut, where they’re meeting for lunch. “We can go to town, pick up some of your art supplies?”
Jungkook thinks about it for a second. “No,” he decides.
Taehyung stops walking, their clasped hands tugging Jungkook back towards him. His eyes are wide, aghast.
“No?” he echoes. “Did you just say no to going on a date?”
Jungkook feels like he should be offended for getting exposed like this, but hey, having a reputation for loving to go on dates with Taehyung isn't exactly something to be ashamed of. He’s sure there are people who’d kill to have the same privilege.
“Want you to get so much rest today, hyung.” He swings their arms. “You need to sleep lots after that mission, and I’m gonna stuff you with all sorts of good food! Which I will get from the kitchen ‘cause apparently Hayoung-noona’s making roast beef today.”
“Ohh,” Taehyung says in realization, sounding immensely relieved. He lets Jungkook pull him back into motion, trudging along behind him. “I guess you did tire me out last night,” he adds with a pointed cough.
“H-hyung!”
“Heeey,” Jimin greets as he ushers them into his hut. “Come in, come in, it’s freezing out there!” He pinches Jungkook’s cheeks. “Why do you look even more marshmallow than usual today, huh?”
“Got some blood back in his face now that Taehyung’s home,” Yoongi comments dryly from the dining table, where he’s setting up the food. Taehyung nudges Jungkook teasingly and Jungkook sulks and hip-checkings. It’s not his fault Taehyung’s such a missable guy.
Soon, they’re joined by Namjoon, Jin, and Hoseok, and they dig into their annual Christmas Eve brunch. This year, it’s Jimin and Yoongi’s turn to host, which Jungkook loves because Yoongi has a bit of a hidden talent for baking desserts.
“Merry Christmas,” Jin chimes, holding up his eggnog mug, and the others smack their cups against his. “To another happy year for everyone!”
“And lots of dirty sex tonight!” Jimin chirps, which he gets a whack on the head by Yoongi for. “Hey, it’s not like you’re not the one getting to enjoy this bod—mmph!” He chews resentfully on the hunk of bread that was shoved into his mouth, glaring at Yoongi.
“His heat’s coming up so he’s been like that all week.” Yoongi waves a dismissive hand in the air. “Ignore him.”
“Same old Jiminie,” Hoseok shakes his head. “Man, remember the scandalous letters he used to write Yoongi-hyung? I swea—”
“Oh my god!” Jimin yells, having finally swallowed his bread, and he shakes his fork at Hoseok’s face. “Stop bringing that up, it’s been, like, a literal decade!”
Jungkook laughs at the chaos. He glances over at Taehyung on his left, sees him watching the others with a subtle, fond curve to his lips, and Jungkook curls his ankle around the alpha’s under the table. Taehyung turns to him with a raised eyebrow.
“Nothing,” Jungkook whispers. Taehyung scoops up a fatty piece of meat from his own plate and drops it into Jungkook’s, before leaning in to press a kiss to his cheek.
“Eat up, baby,” he says. “You need more meat on your bones.”
“I’ve got plenty of meat on my bones,” Jungkook tells him with a flutter of his lashes.
A hand sneaks over to his thigh, giving it a good squeeze. “Never enough,” Taehyung smirks, and Jungkook smacks his shoulder with a big grin.
A balled-up napkin arcs through the air, hitting Taehyung square in the back of his head. “Can you two stop,” Jin gripes at them. “Like, we’re literally trying to eat.”
“Sorry, hyung,” Jungkook says dutifully. Taehyung goes back to his food, but he leaves his hand on Jungkook’s thigh and Jungkook has to do his best not to squirm under the touch.
Later, in the living room, Jungkook is trying his hand at chess against Jimin who’s been practicing under Yoongi and Namjoon’s tutelage, and has made it a habit to challenge Jungkook to a match every time he sees him. Jungkook doesn’t know why because he never even played chess before this, but maybe Jimin likes the easy victories. One day, Jungkook vows that he's gonna show him who's boss. Anything to rile up one of his favourite hyungs.
While Jungkook ponders his next move, lip caught between his teeth, Jimin clears his throat. “Hey, Jungkook-ah?”
“Hm?”
“Has Taehyung mentioned anything about...seeing anyone, when he went on that mission?”
Jungkook looks up, puzzled. “Seeing anyone? Um, I don’t think so?”
“Oh, okay.” Jimin sounds like he doesn’t know if he should be relieved or not, and Jungkook frowns, about to ask more, when he’s interrupted.
“Hey, kiddos, sorry but we’re gonna have to kick you guys out now.” Yoongi puts his hand on Jimin’s head, ruffling violently and making the omega squawk. “We have plans to go into town today.”
“Aw, okay.” Jungkook grins cheekily at Jimin. “I was totally about to win this anyway.”
“You wish, brat, you wish.”
Jungkook goes around hugging the others goodbye and wishing them a very Merry Christmas, before he makes his way back to Taehyung and dives into his arms.
“Did you have fun?”
“Yeah, I almost beat Jimin-hyung.”
Taehyung kisses his forehead. “My smart mate.”
“HE DID NOT ALMOST BEAT ME!” Jimin screeches.
Jungkook grabs Taehyung’s hand and leads him out the door with a last wave at the others. He gasps when he’s attacked by a gust of cold air. It’s begun snowing again, soft, gentle wisps of it landing in his hair and eyelashes.
“Are you warm enough, baby?” Taehyung fusses, pulling Jungkook’s layers of fur tighter around his neck. “You didn’t bring a hat today.”
“I’m okay,” Jungkook assures him, curling himself around Taehyung’s arm and snuggling into him. Taehyung’s wearing the black fur that Jungkook adores seeing on him because it goes so well with his dark hair and eyes, and also because, well, seeing him like this during wintertime always reminds Jungkook of when they met and fell in love, all those years ago. It feels like yesterday, though, when he first saw Taehyung sitting by the bonfire, aloof but lovely.
They take a leisurely stroll through the little village, not quite wanting to head home yet. There are children frolicking in the white, making tiny snowmen and throwing snowballs at each other, their screams of laughter echoing in the air. From somewhere farther away comes the jingle of bells, and voices singing along with a Christmas carol. It must be Minah with her students—they’ve recently made a choir club and Jungkook hears the kids randomly belting out songs sometimes, mostly in the dining hall.
“Maybe we should go into town tomorrow too,” Taehyung sighs. “It’d be nice to see the Christmas lights. We can drink hot chocolate, buy some trinkets.”
Jungkook bounces excitedly. “Sure! Rest today, fun tomorrow.” Taehyung chuckles.
After making a small round of the village, they head back towards their hut. Jungkook is chattering about the newest painting he wants to make, reaching out to open their door, when they’re stopped by a disbelieving, almost shrill voice.
“Tae?”
There’s a man standing at the road, his eyes haunted like he’s seen a ghost. His chestnut hair falls past his shoulders, the ends of it jagged as if severed by an unsteady hand, and he’s shivering in just a tunic and trousers. Jungkook’s first instinct is to go over there and throw his fur on him, but Taehyung is rigid at his side, and Jungkook peers up at his mate’s face.
Taehyung looks just as haunted as the man does.
“T-Tae?” the man repeats, taking a tentative step forward. “I-is it really you?”
“Kim Juwon,” Taehyung murmurs.
Juwon gasps audibly. He staggers closer, off the road and into their yard, and the sudden movement must jolt Taehyung back to his senses because his spine straightens and his arm tightens around Jungkook’s waist.
“Juwon,” he says stiffly. “This is my mate Jungkook.”
Juwon stops in his tracks, his eyes settling on Jungkook like he’s only seeing him now. His gaze goes back and forth between Taehyung and Jungkook, then travels down, taking in the way Jungkook is bundled into Taehyung’s side.
“Oh,” Juwon says, his face drooping in something like disappointment. “You’re—right. Of course you’re mated now.”
Taehyung nods. “What are you doing here?”
Juwon looks down at his feet. His moccasins are threadbare, a hole in one of the toes. “I’m...I was part of the, uh, enslaved pack that you guys rescued...”
“Ah,” Taehyung says.
Jungkook eyes go back and forth between them like he’s at a ball match. He wants to ask what’s going on and possibly offer Juwon some clothes, but before he can, someone else is running up to them.
“Juwon-ssi!” Yugyeom pants, grabbing Juwon by the arm. “I was looking all over for you, why’d you take off without your fur!” As he throws a coat over Juwon’s shoulders, Yugyeom spots Taehyung and Jungkook. “Oh, hey guys!”
Jungkook greets him half-heartedly, distracted by how Juwon’s still staring at Taehyung, and how the mask that Taehyung wears around strangers or people he doesn’t like is firmly in place.
“See you,” Taehyung murmurs, and makes to pull Jungkook with him into their cabin.
“W-wait!” Juwon stumbles another step forward. “Tae, can we—can we talk? Please?”
In that moment, something clicks. Jungkook is finally beginning to clue in on what’s happening, and he bristles, drawing to his full height. From everything he’s heard, all of Taehyung’s exes were dickheads who used him and took advantage of his kindness, and even though Jungkook doesn’t know which one this Juwon is supposed to be, he is ready to defend his husband.
Taehyung turns back to Juwon, his eyes cold, glittering like gems. “What is there to talk about?” he says flatly. “I have nothing to say to yo—”
“I’m sorry I didn’t show up!” Juwon cries, and all of a sudden, tears are coming down his cheeks like waterfalls. “I didn’t stand you up, Tae! I didn’t, I swear to god, it was your parents, t-they threatened to destroy my father’s business if I kept seeing y-you—”
He sobs, falling into a crouch with his face in his hands. Taehyung stares at him with wide eyes.
Yugyeom looks between the two of them awkwardly, before bending down and helping Juwon up. “Hey, it’s all right, Juwon-ssi,” he soothes. “You’ve had a very overwhelming couple of days, let’s...let’s get you warmed up first, okay?”
Juwon shakes his head, crying so hard he can’t speak, but Yugyeom murmurs some more quiet reassurances to him, and eventually Juwon allows himself to be led away.
Jungkook’s feet feel like they've been frozen to the ground. He’s not sure why. It’s terrible to see anyone cry like that, but he’s especially uncomfortable with the display just now, that Taehyung’s ex seems to still hold him in such high regard. In that softest part of his heart, so engrained within his being that he’d burst out crying at the mere sight of Taehyung.
Jungkook knows how it feels.
“Hyungie?” he asks softly, nudging Taehyung.
Taehyung snaps out of his trance. “Oh.” His jaw tightens, and Jungkook watches his throat bob. “Sorry about that.”
Jungkook’s stomach twists. He doesn’t know what Taehyung is sorry for. “It’s okay...let’s go in?”
“Yeah.”
Jungkook decides to give Taehyung some space, so after laying out his damp outerwear to dry, he curls up in a corner of the couch with the latest manga Jimin gave him, one about superheroes.
Taehyung doesn’t seem to want space though, immediately sitting down next to him and pulling him into his lap. Relieved, Jungkook relaxes into him and silently reads for a few minutes, nothing but the sound of pages flipping and Taehyung’s quiet breaths in his ear, the alpha’s lips pressed to his neck.
“Do you remember that night we went camping?” Taehyung eventually whispers. “When I told you about my embarrassing courting history and you cried about it?”
“’Course I do,” Jungkook says. He puts down his manga, squeezes Taehyung’s knee. “And it’s not embarrassing, not on your part anyway.”
He feels more than hears Taehyung chuckle. “Well, Kim Juwon was one of them. The one I was supposed to elope with, but he never showed up.”
“Oh.” Jungkook begins to piece the puzzle together. He remembers once upon a time, Jimin telling him how Taehyung was so devastated by the break-up that he wouldn’t eat or sleep properly or move from his bed for weeks on end. “He was the commoner...he said your parents threatened his.”
Taehyung nods against him. “I didn’t know that.”
Jungkook nods too. He’s not sure what to say, something cold and solid growing in his throat. It’s nice to learn that at least one of Taehyung’s exes wasn’t a total asshole, but also upsetting because it sounds like Taehyung went through all that hurt for nothing.
And it also feels sort of foreboding that Juwon would show up now, but that’s probably just Jungkook being oversensitive.
“Baby,” Taehyung breathes, and then he turns Jungkook around in his lap, gazing up at him with a smile. “Why are you pouting, hm?”
Usually, Jungkook would have a smart quip to respond with, or maybe something cute that would earn him lots of kisses. He’s feeling a little too off for that now, though.
Taehyung’s face softens. “You know no one else means anything to me anymore, don’t you?”
The sad, unsettled feeling in his gut eases a bit for guilt instead, and Jungkook sighs. “Yeah, I know...”
“I was just surprised, because,” Taehyung hesitates. “I let myself be vulnerable with him back then. I gave him everything I could, but it wasn’t enough, and that just confirmed to me that I wasn’t lovable. I had a few more partners afterwards, but I think,” Taehyung breathes in, then sighs it all out, “him not showing up was what broke me. So hearing he didn’t actually have a choice...well, you healed me, baby.” He plants a soft kiss on Jungkook’s mouth, making him grin. “But still, it’s nice to be extra sure my perception of myself back then was wrong.”
“Taehyungie.” Jungkook cups his face in his hands. “Please, you’re the best anyone could ever ask for.”
Taehyung’s hand trails down Jungkook’s back, settling on the small of his waist to tug Jungkook even closer. Jungkook loops his arms around his shoulders.
“I don’t know about that,” Taehyung teases, “but you sure do make me feel like the best.”
It’s the cold that wakes Jungkook, the shivers running through his entire body startling him to wakefulness. He groans, wiggling under the layers of furs piled on top of him, but Taehyung’s warmth is conspicuously missing from the bed.
“Hyungie,” he calls groggily. There’s no response.
The blankets fall from his body when he sits up, and he squints around the room. Taehyung is nowhere to be found, but Jungkook does find the culprit of the chill: their window is opened by just a crack, letting in the biting night air. He crawls over to it and climbs to his knees, reaching up to close the latch—
But then he hears voices.
“—not trying to come between you and your mate, Tae, I swear—”
Instantly, Jungkook is fully awake.
He doesn’t bother trying to hide because he doesn’t think he should have to, gripping the windowsill and peering out of it. Taehyung is standing outside their closed front door, arms crossed over his chest, barefoot with his fur thrown haphazardly over his shoulders.
Juwon is there with him, dressed more warmly this time but looking no less desperate or haggard. He isn’t standing too close to Taehyung as Jungkook suspects Taehyung wouldn’t let him get any closer, but although a part of Jungkook feels bad for this stranger, he also wants to charge out there and shout at Juwon to back off. That’s his mate, his alpha. Who Juwon hurt before too, intentionally or not.
“I don’t care,” Taehyung tells him, cold as ice. “We can talk another time—”
“Tae,” Juwon says sharply. “I’m serious. I know you’re happily mated. I’m not trying to steal you back or whatever. I just—I—” his voice wobbles, “I just want some closure. These last years weren’t easy on me, you know, I was—enslaved.”
Taehyung looks at him for a second, studying him, gauging. Slowly, his shoulders lower, his expression shifting from annoyed back to neutral.
“I know, Juwon,” he says. “We can talk, if you want. But not now.”
“But—”
“How do you think my Jungkook would feel about me talking to an ex-lover in the middle of the night, while he’s asleep?” Taehyung says, voice hard. “It doesn’t matter you aren’t ‘trying’ anything, my first priority is him and his feelings.”
Juwon deflates. “You’re right,” he mumbles, shuffling his feet. “I’m sorry.”
Taehyung sighs. “I know you want closure,” he says more gently. “But come back tomorrow, and I’ll let Jungkook know first to see if he’s comfortable with it, and then we can have a conversation. All right?”
Juwon nods meekly. He glances up at Taehyung, something wistful in his eyes. “You really found your happiness, huh?”
Jungkook watches the way Taehyung’s entire face softens, the shadow of a smile pulling at his lips, a stark contrast to the unyielding severity from before.
“He’s my heart,” Taehyung says simply.
“How many children do you have?”
“None.”
Juwon stares at him for a long moment, as if Taehyung has just said something preposterous. Then his eyes bulge out and his jaw falls open. “Wha—none? But—why?! Tae, you love kids, wasn’t it your dream to have a big family?”
Jungkook’s heart drops to the pit of his stomach.
“Juwon,” Taehyung snaps, the annoyed glint returning to his eyes. “You’re getting ahead of yourself. I’ll see you another time, goodnight.”
He leaves Juwon on the doorstep and quickly returns to bed, where Jungkook is curled up in a ball waiting for him. Taehyung coos in apology as he wraps himself back around Jungkook, but unbeknownst to him, Jungkook’s whine isn’t one of cold.
He squirms higher in Taehyung’s arms to look at him properly, and Taehyung blinks, probably surprised to see he’s awake.
“I heard you with Juwon,” Jungkook says, cutting right to the chase. Taehyung’s eyes go round.
“Swee—”
“You’re my whole entire heart too,” Jungkook tells him, has to let him know because his chest ballooned with such warmth listening to the way Taehyung dealt with Juwon out there. Jungkook adores him so, so much. “But,” his smile falls, and he finds himself unable to look Taehyung in the eye. “I didn’t know you wanted a big family.”
He’s talked about this with Taehyung before, obviously, and his impression from those conversations was that Taehyung was in no rush at all for children. The topic was left open-ended, since Jungkook felt like he wasn’t ready but assumed they would eventually have children, one day far in the future, and Taehyung didn’t express a strong opinion. Jungkook didn’t even know Taehyung liked kids much because he got along with them but it wasn’t like he ever went out of his way to play with them or anything.
Jungkook wonders if there was judgment behind Juwon’s questions, towards Jungkook. After all, what kind of omega wouldn’t be willing to give their alpha children, especially one who loves them so much?
Except, Jungkook didn’t even know.
“Oh, Jungkook-ah, that’s not it,” Taehyung says, brushing a thumb over his lips. Through the window, the snow-brightened skies cast soft light over his chiseled features. “Back then, I felt like I wasn’t receiving enough love and I wasn’t giving enough either,” Taehyung explains. “I thought a big family would magically fix that, somehow. But with you,” he smacks a loud, wet, smooch on Jungkook’s hair. “I feel so emotionally fulfilled. You give me everything I could possibly need.”
Jungkook struggles to find the words to show how touched he is but comes up empty, so he pulls Taehyung down for a hug instead, coaxing the alpha’s face into his neck, hoping the comforting pheromones he’s emitting convey his feelings. “I’m glad,” he says honestly.
Taehyung sighs an acknowledgment and gradually goes limp in his embrace. His tiredness must be catching up to him. It must have been a long few weeks for him and Jungkook feels bad for keeping him up. “One day, if you ever feel ready for a baby, I’ll be all for it,” Taehyung whispers. “But I meant it when I said you’re all the family I need, sweetheart.”
Jungkook presses a kiss to his ear. “Okay, Taehyungie. I-I’m glad we had this talk.”
“Mm, me too.”
Before long, Taehyung is snoring quietly, the rhythmic vibrations lulling Jungkook to a place somewhere close to dreamland as well.
His mind ripples, though, with the bud of an idea.
He knows he has some thinking to do. But that can wait until another time. For now, all he wants to concentrate on is celebrating a cozy, hot chocolate-filled Christmas with his most favourite person by his side.