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Jungkook's trying his absolute hardest not to glare at the pup in Jimin's lap.
But how can he not? She's hogging the whole pack's attention.
Unlike Hyunsoo, another pup who'd come to stay with them for a short while, this pup was an actual baby pup. She was tiny, with chubby cheeks and chubby arms, a cute little button nose and eyes as wide as saucers.
She was clapping her hands, Jimin cooing as he bounced her on his knee. Little Eunji.
"Ah, I'm getting puppy fever, Tae," Jimin croons, and Taehyung coos, kissing his mate's hair. Jungkook is outraged, but nobody even notices him.
"My cousin said Eunji's a fast walker," Taehyung murmurs. "So, we'll have to keep our eye out, make sure the little one can't wander off or fall over."
"That won't be a problem. I doubt anybody will be able to put her down, the sweet little thing," Seokjin coos, grabbing her out of Jimin's arms. The latter grumbles but soon relaxes, a smile blooming across his face when Eunji starts babbling.
Jungkook exhales heavily, trying not to pout. He's looking at the pup warily. She's so, so tiny.
"Can I hold her?" the youngest grumbles after a little bit, and they all turn to look at him. Eunji is chewing on her knuckles without a care in the world.
Seokjin nods. "Do you know how to hold a baby?" he asks gently, and Jungkook scoffs.
"Of course I do. It's not like she's a newborn."
"I know, but-"
"It's alright, hyung, let him have a hold. He'll get used to it," Namjoon says fondly, and he reaches out to ruffle Eunji's bob of fluffy black hair.
The little girl is placed in Jungkook's lap. He makes sure to be very gentle, wrapping his arms around her delicately for support, but she immediately starts squirming. Soon, the toddler bursts into loud tears.
"Oh dear, oh dear," Hoseok coos, hoisting the pup up immediately. "Oh, what did he do to you?"
"I didn't do anything!" Jungkook squawks indignantly.
Yoongi pats his shoulder. "It was a joke, bud."
But it certainly doesn't seem like a joke. They're all fussing over Eunji as if Jungkook's hurt her. She calms down soon enough, back to giggling and clapping and being cooed over by everyone.
There's no time for Jungkook at all. Especially with Jimin and Taehyung. The two are glued to Eunji all day, Jimin reading her special picture books, Taehyung feeding her and making airplane noises, the two of them bathing her together.
Jungkook has to stop himself from exploding when he hears Namjoon talking to Taehyung in the hall, having caught the man just before he made his way to Jimin's nest.
"Just know that if Jimin winds up pregnant during his next heat, the two of you had better be prepared," Namjoon warns jokingly.
Taehyung laughs and slaps his chest.
They don't totally ignore Jungkook. Jimin invites him out, and he eagerly agrees, only to deflate when he realises Jimin and Taehyung are bringing Eunji with them.
Jungkook tries not to roll his eyes when Taehyung puts the little girl on his hip, and holds back a growl at how she nuzzles into the alpha's scent gland.
They browse around in stores around town, but Jungkook is too focused on his hyungs and how they're pointing things out to the little girl in babyish voices.
Finally, they stop at a café, and Jungkook orders himself a giant banana milk - it is his comfort drink after all. Even better, he managed to grab the last one!
But Eunji is eyeing it too. She makes grabby hands for the bottle, only to scream when Jungkook pulls it away with a 'that's mine'. It suddenly feels very awkward as the little brat - pup - begins to scream even louder, desperately reaching for the milk.
In the end, Taehyung asks: "Can she have some, Kook?"
He can see how embarrassed Taehyung and Jimin look, but he really doesn't want to share. But will he look like a dick if he won't give Eunji just a sip of his banana milk, even though he wanted to have some first.
So, with a sigh, he hands it over. Jimin thanks him, kissing his head, and unscrews the lid, giving it to Eunji.
Only for the baby to hurl it across the café. The bottle lands with a thud and banana milk splatters everywhere.
Jungkook's eye twitches.
"Oh shit," Taehyung gasps, immediately jumping up to stop one of the workers from cleaning it up. "No, no, I'm so sorry, that's our mess. You shouldn't have to clean it."
Jungkook grunts and goes over to help, while Jimin apologises to the workers, making his way out with a squirming Eunji in his arms.
By the time they're all out, Jungkook just wants to go home. It looks like Taehyung and Jimin are on the same page.
But then, just five minutes away, they're stopped by an older omega woman, who coos at Eunji. The little girl is acting sweet as pie now, as if she wasn't a brat for the majority of the trip.
"Oh my, your pup is so cute," the omega coos. Her eyes flit between Taehyung and Jimin then, and she smiles warmly. "Oh, she has your eyes," she points to Jimin. "And your nose." She points to Taehyung. "Looks like Sire and Dam have taken you for a trip out today, lucky pup!"
The worst thing is, Taehyung and Jimin don't even correct her, just laugh politely. The omega's eyes cross over Jungkook but aside from that, she doesn't even acknowledge his existence. His eyes sting.
The rest of the pack are eager to hear the details of the trip. Instead of getting mad about the café incident, they all laugh.
"Hey, you've experienced your first bit of parenting in the cub years," Seokjin chuckles. "Now imagine that with three rambunctious pups around. How my Dam coped, I'll never know."
"Ughh, I just wanted to sink into the floor," Jimin giggles. Eunji is cuddling into him. "I saw some people giving us pitying looks, though, so hopefully they understood."
Jungkook's eyebrows furrow. "She destroyed my banana milk," he groans.
But nobody even responds.
"Right, well, I think we'll probably turn in for the night. I'm exhausted after today," Taehyung giggles.
Jimin nods, hoisting Eunji onto his hip. "Come on, angel, say night night to everyone."
They're gone soon enough, with Eunji, up to Jimin's nest. The rest of the pack just laugh.
"Jimin's scent is screaming puppy fever," Hoseok says fondly, and the rest agree. Jungkook pouts and slopes off to his bedroom, falling into bed with a mighty huff.
He wakes up a few hours later, still fully clothed, and grumbles, making his way to the shower so he can change into some pajamas. On the way there, he spots that Jimin and Taehyung's door is creaked open, and he ever so quietly peeks in.
Only for his chest to start aching when he lays eyes on the scene before him.
Taehyung is laid back, Jimin sprawled on his chest, with Eunji whimpering in the omega's arms. Jimin's singing a little lullaby, and soon enough, Eunji's eyes flutter shut.
Chuffing, Taehyung kisses Jimin's neck very gently, and the two fall asleep shortly after, Eunji rising and falling on Jimin's chest.
Closing the door, Jungkook makes his way to the bathroom, eyes watering.
He feels so...alone.
XxX
Jungkook knows he shouldn't take it personally. But when Taehyung shouts at him a few days later over something so stupid, he can't help but feel really upset.
"I just wanted one cup of coffee, meanwhile you've had three bowls of cereal," Taehyung bites out, shaking the empty bottle of milk in-front of Jungkook.
Namjoon sighs. "Tae, maybe you can go without milk for a little bit. I'll run out now and get some if you want," he says placatingly.
But Jungkook just has to chime in. "Well, it's not like you put dibs on the last drop of milk," he scowls.
Taehyung's bloodshot eyes narrow in anger. Ever since the night Jungkook had seen Taehyung and Jimin in the nest with Eunji, day by day, Taehyung and Jimin's appearances got more dishevelled. Eunji took a long time to fall asleep, and woke up continuously throughout the night.
"Seven of us live here. It's common courtesy to not hog things," Taehyung snaps.
Jungkook clenches his fists. "Ah, like when you asked if I'd give my banana milk to Eunji, and she wasted the whole thing. Yeah, very courteous."
"For luna's sake, are you still on that? She's a baby!"
Jungkook purses his lips and turns away from Taehyung. That was their excuse for everything - Eunji's throwing a tantrum, it's because she's a baby; doesn't want her food, it's because she's a baby; she's hitting Taehyung, it's because she's a baby. Jungkook's pretty sure the toddler has some awareness when it comes to acting up.
He just stays quiet, knowing no matter what he says, he'll be wrong in Taehyung's eyes.
After breakfast, Jungkook makes his way up to his room, packing for their week-long vacation. They're staying with Taehyung's cousin's pack at a cosy log cabin a few forests away. He's not really looking forward to it, considering Eunji's going to be there too, but hopefully the pup will go back to her parents.
The car ride over is headache-inducing. Eunji doesn't want to sit in the car seat and starts wailing as soon as the car stops moving. Jungkook leans his head against the window and sighs while Jimin and Taehyung flail about to comfort the tiny pup. They stop several times to give Eunji a bit of fresh air.
By the time they arrive at the cabin, the whole pack is in a foul mood. Taehyung can't hand Eunji off to his cousin quick enough, the woman chuckling and asking if they'd had a good time. Of course Taehyung and Jimin say the brat's been a little angel. Jungkook just shakes his head, about to slope off, but apologises when he bumps into a huge chest.
"Hey, you're okay, buddy," the large alpha laughs, ruffling Jungkook's hair. When Jungkook looks up, he has to take a deep breath at how handsome the alpha is. A sharp, chiselled jawline and beautiful thick black hair, along with lidded honey brown eyes that shine down at him. Jungkook blushes. "You look like you could use some food."
Suddenly, Jungkook is stirred in the direction of the cabin. Just before that, though, the alpha grabs Jungkook's bag for him, smiling down pleasantly when Jungkook just stares at him in shock.
Heavenly aromas are breezing in from the kitchen. The living room itself is a picture of cosiness, with a crackling log fire and an antique carpet that stretches out across a large portion of the floor. Jungkook takes the scene in with awe.
The alpha who led him in chuckles. "It might be small, but it sure is warm. One winter we got snowed in and just huddled around the fire until the snow melted, and it was beautiful."
Jungkook gasps. "Wow, you were snowed in? I couldn't imagine," he giggles. The taller alpha smiles at him warmly.
"Thankfully, we're a lot more prepared now. I didn't catch your name by the way? I'm Jupiter," the alpha grins, holding out his hand.
Jungkook shakes it. "Jupiter? That's a cool name. I'm Jungkook."
Jupiter laughs. "Unfortunately it's not my given name. But my given name was boring as heck; why keep it when I can have a name like 'Jupiter'?"
He shows Jungkook to a wooden table, disappearing into the kitchen and returning with two heaving plates of meat, vegetables and potatoes.
"Best eat up while everyone's busy putting their bags away. Once everyone starts raiding the kitchen, it's game over," Jupiter guffaws.
Jungkook smiles at him and starts stuffing his face.
When they're halfway through their meal, the soothing scent of jasmine fills the room. It smells even better than the food.
"Ah, Jungkook, please meet my mate. Moonsik, this is Jungkook from the Kim pack," Jupiter introduces.
A tall, slender omega sits down next to Jupiter, reaching out to shake Jungkook's hand. He wears a tender smile and his eyes crease up in fondness.
"Lovely to meet you, Jungkook! I see you've hidden from the hustle and bustle of what's going on outside. Can't say I blame you," Moonsik babbles.
Jupiter grins, leaning over to scent his mate, who returns the favour eagerly. "I actually pulled him in here. Poor thing looks exhausted. They've had Eunji since Monday."
Moonsik sighs sympathetically. "Yikes. That's something I wouldn't wish on anyone. She's adorable but...yeah," the omega states, then laughs. "Oh well, stick with us and we'll keep you out of her way. We avoid the little rascal like the plague."
For the first time in days, Jungkook laughs. It's nice to have people who not only relate to him, but also want to listen to what he's saying - not distracted by a fussy pup every two seconds.
He's so lost in his conversation with Jupiter and Moonsik, Jungkook doesn't even notice when the rest of the pack filter in with their hosts.
"Oh Kookie, we were wondering where you'd gotten to," Jimin calls earnestly, rushing over to the alpha and hugging him.
Jungkook hugs him back distractedly, apologising to Moonsik as Jimin had cut him off. Jimin then turns to both Jupiter and Moonsik, who look a little peeved at being interrupted but are smiling patiently.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Um, my name's Jimin," the omega says politely, bowing.
"It's nice to meet you," Moonsik nods, and then turns back to Jungkook. "Anyway, Jungkook-ah, as I was saying..."
Jungkook doesn't even notice when his hyung excuses himself quietly, slotting himself next to Taehyung, who just observes the alpha and omega talking to their pup. He strokes his mate's hair when Jimin leans his head against his shoulder dejectedly.
They all go outside to eat dinner. As Jungkook's already eaten with Jupiter and Moonsik, the three of them sit on a picnic blanket a few feet away from the table. The sky has started to darken, little stars twinkling all around them.
"Ohh, hyung, have you ever seen Jupiter from here?" Jungkook teases. Jupiter hoots with laughter, pulling the younger alpha into a headlock.
Jimin and Taehyung watch them from where they're eating.
They've lost their appetite.
XxX
"I just wanna say that you've raised such a polite pup," Moonsik compliments, patting Namjoon's shoulder. "It's nice to see an alpha who's not forced into hard labour just because of his presentation. Some wolves have different needs, and that's beautiful."
Namjoon laughs awkwardly. "Yeah. To be honest, Jimin and Taehyung look after Jungkook the most, I'd say."
To say Jimin and Taehyung have been antsy without their pup is an understatement. Jimin's chest is leaking like crazy and Taehyung has been snippier than usual.
Moonsik's eyes gleam as he turns to the alpha and omega. "Taehyung, hmm?" he looks the alpha up and down. Taehyung fights the urge to growl. "The one who let Eunji throw Jungkook's milk at the wall and then yelled at him a few days later when he brought it up?"
Seokjin, Yoongi, Hoseok and Namjoon look between Moonsik and the duo warily. Jimin narrows his eyes and Taehyung grumbles.
"That's not exactly what happened-"
"No, no, not accusing you of anything," Moonsik says civilly, holding his hands up. "It must be hard trying to juggle a grown pup and an actual pup. I just worry about you two abandoning Jungkook when you have your own pup."
Taehyung and Jimin both growl then. Seokjin places his hand on Jimin's shoulder while Namjoon pumps his scent out warningly in Taehyung's direction.
"What on earth are you talking about?" Taehyung grumbles.
Moonsik shrugs. "It seems you already pushed your pup aside for the few days Eunji was with you, and she's not even yours. I mean, it's understandable. Jungkook is an alpha. But when your own pup arrives-"
"Hold on! Who said we were planning on having our own pup?" Jimin groans.
Moonsik gives the omega a side-eye, making Jimin growl again. "I mean, you said it yourself - you've got 'puppy fever'. Even your prime alpha got a little worried you'd get pregnant during your next heat."
There's different cries of shock from each member of the pack. Namjoon looks flustered.
"I-I was joking-"
"By my next heat?"
"Where'd you hear this, anyway?" Taehyung snaps. Moonsik just smiles condescendingly and then slopes off, towards Jungkook and Jupiter, who are pressing leaves at the long wooden table reserved for feasts.
Taehyung stalks over, grasping Jungkook's shoulder. The youngest alpha jumps. "Come on, Jungkook, back to your pack now," Taehyung orders.
Jungkook furrows his eyebrows and pushes the other alpha's hand off. Taehyung's eyes flash at the disrespect. "I'm in the middle of doing something," Jungkook states matter-of-factly, sliding the book away from Jupiter to press his leaves.
Taehyung exhales heavily and grabs the pup firmly. "Now, Jungkook. We've barely seen you this whole trip."
Scowling, Jungkook pushes Taehyung away by his stomach, the alpha almost slipping as he topples backwards. "Does it really matter? I wasn't given any rules saying I needed to spend a certain amount of time with you all during this trip. And besides, I barely saw you the days before we came here. So you don't have to speak to me when you don't want to, but I have to speak to you?"
A breathy, awkward laugh escapes Taehyung. "W-what? No. I'm just saying...wouldn't it be nice to, you know, at least spend some time with us? You were looking forward to this trip. Hikes in the woods, fishing at the lake - remember, I was going to teach you how to fish? Swimming, stories around the campfire...we haven't done any of it yet," the alpha croaks out.
Because Jungkook had been so excited about this trip. He'd eagerly babbled on about all the fun they were going to have. Had bounced up and down as he'd asked his hyungs if they'd started packing yet, so they could advise him what to pack in his own bag.
It dawns on Taehyung then and there that they hadn't helped Jungkook with his packing at all. In-fact, since Eunji came to stay, all of his talk about the upcoming vacation had stopped.
He'd barely smiled the whole week. Hadn't spoken to them that much.
"Those things sound lame anyway," Jungkook grumbles. He turns back to Jupiter then, who Taehyung swears smirks at him. "Okay, hyung, I'm gonna press this one," Jungkook says to Jupiter, and his tone is much brighter.
There's nothing Taehyung can say to make it better, not now anyway. He just gazes at his pup sorrowfully, before wandering back to his mate. Jimin, who'd looked hopeful when Taehyung was speaking to Jungkook, soon adapts the same melancholic expression.
Seokjin tries to cheer them up. "Hey, look, Eunji's waving at you," he says fondly, and the two turn to see the little girl indeed waving at them.
But they don't want Eunji. They want Jungkook.
Their pup.
XxX
Jungkook's so excited. It's their last day and night at the cabin before they make their journey home, so Jupiter's decided to take him on a fishing trip.
Just as he's ready to leave, there's a knock on his door. He recognises it immediately.
Sighing, he calls for the person to enter. Jimin does so meekly.
"I'm going now," Jungkook says brisky. Jimin nods. He's holding something in his hands.
"I know. I just wanted to give you this," the omega says softly, holding the item out for Jungkook to take.
The youngest stares at it curiously. It's a lunchbox.
"Oh, uh, thanks." He takes it, slipping the lunchbox in with the rest of his things.
Jimin smiles warmly. "Of course." He looks like he wants to say more, but thinks better of it. The omega leaves with a departing, soft 'enjoy your trip'.
Jungkook just shakes his head. Jupiter and Moonsik are already waiting for him outside.
The river they take him to is huge. Calm blue water sparkles under the sunlight. They gather on a small fishing boat, Jungkook watching intently as Jupiter shows him the basics.
They sit there peacefully for a good portion of the morning. Although Jungkook's lathered himself in sunscreen, his neck is starting to burn, so he asks if they can move to some shade. Jupiter and Moonsik obey easily.
When they're splayed under a tree which provides plenty of shade, Moonsik suggests they have their lunch.
Jungkook's surprised when they begin unloading a cooler bag of food. There's plenty of picnic snacks and also tons of desserts.
"Ah, thank you, hyungs. I brought some lunch though, too, so I won't be able to eat all of this," Jungkook chuckles, getting out the lunchbox Jimin had given him.
Jupiter and Moonsik aren't impressed with Jimin's lunchbox at all. When Jungkook takes the lid off, Moonsik scoffs at the contents.
"Hmm, is your pack on a budget or something?" the omega sneers. "I mean, that stuff would barely feed Eunji. And has he put faces on those rice balls? Jupiter, look at that."
Jupiter laughs too. Jungkook feels cold.
"It's plenty, thanks," the alpha says firmly, swallowing as he looks at what Jimin's packed him.
Rice balls made into little characters. Bean sprouts. Sausages.
Banana milk.
"That's the most pathetic lunchbox I've ever seen," Moonsik continues. Jungkook can feel his blood boiling. "Thank goodness you've met us. You shouldn't have to deal with the bare minimum-"
"Shut up."
Jupiter and Moonsik both gasp and turn to him, Jupiter glaring while Moonsik looks upset. "W-what?"
"You heard me. I'd pick this lunchbox any day over any of that shit you've brought. Who do you think you are to make fun of my hyung like that?!"
Sighing, Jupiter says: "Come on, Jungkook. You know as well as we do how negligent they've been. The way that weird alpha - what's his name, Taehyung? - exploded the other day-"
"He's not weird," Jungkook snaps, buckling the lunchbox shut again and standing up. "Don't ever speak about my hyungs like that again!"
Jupiter just rolls his eyes while Moonsik sighs sadly. With a growl, Jungkook stomps back towards the house.
He doesn't say anything to anyone when he returns, just rushes up to the room he's staying in and slams the door shut.
Emotions pour through him, and he kicks against the bed in a rage.
Eunji stealing everyone's attention. His banana milk being wasted. Taehyung and Jimin talking about replacing him. Taehyung yelling at him. Jupiter and Moonsik insulting his hyungs.
It's just too much.
A knock at the door has Jungkook growling. "Go away."
But the knocks continue. Eventually, his door opens, and Jimin's lavender scent filters in.
"Baby, are you sure you don't want to talk-"
"GET OUT!"
But when Jimin's scent starts to fade, he suddenly grasps at the air, sobbing. "W-wait, hyung, don't leave me."
Jimin's at his side in less than a second, holding Jungkook close, while the alpha just cries.
The thought that Taehyung and Jimin wanted to replace him burns in his chest. He clutches his hyung fiercely, and Jimin hugs him back just as tightly, cooing sadly.
They stay like that for a while. Taehyung joins them at some point, and he and Jimin hold their pup together.
When he's done crying, Jungkook slowly explains to them what's been going on.
The two of them look distraught at the fact they'd made Jungkook feel so neglected, how Taehyung had unfairly treated him. Jungkook is shocked when he notices the other alpha's eyes are watering slightly.
"Oh Kook, sweetheart, I'm so sorry," Jimin whimpers, wrapping his arms around his pup and cuddling him close.
Taehyung's next. He cages his arms around both his omega and pup protectively, leaning down to scent Jungkook.
"I'm sorry, sweet boy. I was an asshole, especially about the milk. I promise, I'll buy you all the banana milk in the world when we get home," Taehyung murmurs, and all of them laugh.
And then, Jungkook apologises. Or at least he tries to.
"And I'm sorry about ignoring the two of you the whole holiday and going off with Jupiter and Moonsik all the time-" he starts.
"No," Jimin interrupts. "You've got nothing to apologise for."
"But-"
"You're allowed to spend time with whoever you want, Jungkook. We'll, uh, try our best to get along with Jupiter and Moonsik if you'd like to see them after the vacation."
Both Jimin and Taehyung are surprised at Jungkook's cackle. "Oh, you don't have to worry about that, hyungs. They're both dicks, and I don't wanna see them again at all," he spits. But then, he gazes at them. "But you'd really put aside your differences, even though you don't like them?"
Taehyung shrugs, but Jungkook can see how shiny his eyes are, as if he's holding back tears. " 'course, pup. If they truly made you happy, then we'd just have to get used to it."
Jungkook stays in their arms for a while, the three of them scenting each other, cuddling, just basking in each other's company. As the day moves on, Jungkook realises he hasn't done anything with his hyungs this whole vacation.
He stands up, heading over to his dresser. Taehyung chuffs at him while Jimin gazes at him curiously. Jungkook pulls out a pair of trunks.
"Let's make our final day, or, um, afternoon and night, count. Okay?"
They do. A splash in the river. Stories around a campfire, with toasted marshmallows and cocoa. Sleeping soundly in Jimin's temporary nest.
It may not have been the greatest vacation, but Jungkook leaves feeling much happier than when he'd arrived.
He smiles when they get in the car, watching as Jupiter, Moonsik and Eunji all fade away in the distance.
They don't need anyone else, he thinks, as he settles down in his seat between Taehyung and Jimin.
They're fine just as they are.