Chapter Text
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Jimin likes to consider himself a fiery person. He likes to flirt with pretty people, he likes to listen in on his father’s meetings when he isn’t exactly invited, he likes to take jobs his father warns aren't meant for the son of the Lotus—but why be the son of a Yakuza and not learn how to touch fire without burning? But the thing about that, the cruel and lonely truth, is he typically needs something to start that fire. Jimin is a match and the hand that holds him seems to change each and every fucking day.
Maybe he needs to find an ember. Someone glowing all on their own. He snorts at the thought as he walks the streets of Tokyo. They are loud, clean, and the rain from earlier makes everything indigo. The world is between blue and violet, hailing from the evening skies or the reflections from clubs and bars, as pretty signs glow in the night, turning the puddles from a rainy afternoon aglow—almost like portals into another world. Jimin isn’t interested in other worlds though, his boots make a splash in the puddles and ruin the image of daydreams and nightmares.
“Kitty,” Tae says in Japanese, his loud voice echoes in the earpiece that buzzes and Jimin doesn’t even flinch at his best friend’s voice. He is used to the chaos; his heart is steady, and his omega in his chest is eager to get this job done.
Being a part of the Yakuza tends to make your life more fun, dangerous, and alive. Jimin knows the threads of humanity, what it takes to break a man and his wolf—what people hold dear, what they cry over, and what they will do in the name of power. It is sickening. It is life.
“I hear you, Teddy Bear,” Jimin replies in Korean.
“I love when you speak to me in Korean,” Tae sighs as if he is swooning and Jimin can’t help the smile that replaces the frown on his lips as he turns down one of the smallest streets of Tokyo.
“You guys disgust me,” Yoongi mumbles, his voice following Tae’s through the earpiece and Jimin snorts.
“Jimin is my testicular friend!”
Both alphas get quiet in Jimin’s ear and he rolls his eyes—the tension between them has been at an all-time high and Jimin wishes they would fuck or for one of them at least to confess something. Lust, need, or something more dangerous like love.
“Tell me again about the job,” Jimin mutters, speaking in Korean because it is his favorite language out of the ones he knows. His mother was Korean—the sweetest omega. Kind, lovely, and Jimin’s chest aches at the mere thought of her. Jimin looks like her, and he can’t remember the last time he even looked at the photo of her in his bedroom, hidden behind his record player.
Jimin can almost smell her Japanese maple scent—the soft gentle leaves and blooms.
Being the son of one of the biggest Yakuza means things are often taken from Jimin and it is an awful cliché, like the movies or strange porn about marrying such a person. Being in a gang takes, takes, and takes.
Sometimes it takes people; other times, it takes money or power, but it always, always, takes love.
Sato Ren is the head of the Lotus and the tattoo of the flower is marked down Jimin’s spine like a reminder because he is the son of this man. His only son is an omega with a love for knives and pretty people.
Jimin smiles, he rolls his shoulders back and he runs his hand through his lavender-colored hair and his omega is almost grinning in his chest, the happy-go-lucky little thing.
“Park Jimin, are you listening?" Tae snaps.
Park Jimin. The name his mother gave him is the one he uses and it helps keep him a little safer by having a Korean name instead of marking him as a Sato but it doesn’t matter if Jimin is a Park or a Sato because at the end of the day, he will end up a leader of The Lotus. Omega or not. Jimin doesn’t need an alpha to keep his people alive.
“Yeah—” he whispers, looking up at the night sky where no stars can be seen with the city lights, “I am just going to grab an envelope from a man in Indigo for my father.”
Yoongi snorts, “It is highly important papers,” he grumbles, and Jimin can see his sharp eyes and frown just from his tone. “It is a conversation and an agreement…”
Jimin cocks his head, “An agreement?”
“With who?”
“The Komorebi.”
Jimin tears his eyes from the sky, “Fuck,” he breathes the words, his hands immediately slip down his body, feeling his hidden knives, his omega growls, and his scent of pepper and jasmine burns. He is sure he smells more like pepper than the sweetest of flowers at the mention of the other gang.
He hears someone sneeze as they walk by him and he rolls his eyes, “Who am I meeting?”
“Just an informant,” Yoongi says, voice calm and steady.
“Not Souta.”
Tanaka Souta is the son of the head of The Komorebi. An alpha Jimin has loathed since they met as teenagers during meetings and more grimy places such as bars, back alleys, and at the end of a gun barrel.
That alpha always thinks Jimin is some helpless omega—someone to be protected and definitely not the one to take over the Lotus after his father steps down. He thinks omegas are weak but Jimin is anything but.
Souta is a pain in the ass. The alpha is handsome with dark hair, wide shoulders, and a scent of petrichor and sandalwood. Jimin has been on the other side of that musty scent when Souta tries to corner him during parties and meetings.
The alpha can’t take a hint and Jimin’s omega hates him.
He shivers, “Let’s get this over with.”
He is ready to go home, or maybe he will take his baby out—a Suzuki Hayabusa—specially made by his father. It is purple and black. It is fast, stunning and if he is now running errands for his father by picking up papers from the fucking Komorebi then he needs a ride or maybe just some time at the gun range.
“Namjoon knows I am coming?”
“Obviously,” Yoongi drawls out.
Kim Namjoon is the owner of the bar, Indigo. It is underneath their protection and they have some of the best sake and whisky in his opinion. The blue-purple sign appears, and he weaves himself through a few people leaving the bar. They are young, two alphas, one omega, and a couple of betas. All of them are laughing. They are carefree, and they are probably around his age.
Jimin smirks at them, one of the omegas giggles and he winks. Jimin has never been picky when it comes to subgender. If he were being honest, he prefers omegas and betas over an alpha’s knot any day.
The group has a spark in them—it is so pretty. Jimin doesn’t have that spark, that light, because of his life, because of who he is. He is a match, needing someone to help him start a fire and he wonders if one day he will find embers to burn just for himself.
That thought burns out as he walks into the bar. Indigo is warm as he steps through the door—it is quiet and steady, murmuring of people talking, laughs echoing like midnight rain that wakes you up, and the warm wood of the furniture and sparkling bottles of gin, vodka, and whiskey make Jimin’s omega ease in his chest.
“Do you see them?”
Jimin scans the areas and there definitely isn’t anyone here for him, “Not yet.”
“Trust the Komorebi to be late,” Tae says, a bite to his voice.
Jimin hums, walking past the bar, he winks at Namjoon and the owner rolls his eyes as he says, “The usual?”
“A man after my own heart,” he chimes out and the beta just laughs, reaching for Jimin’s favorite Japanese whisky.
The omega finds his favorite seat in the place—it is in the corner and he can watch the whole bar. The wall behind him is covered in neon lights and signs that paint his world in color from blues, reds, and greens.
He plops himself into the seat, the chair groans underneath his weight and he lets his head tip back and stares at the burning lights. He lets his eyes blur as he listens to his team, his friends, talk in his ear—they are in a van a couple of blocks away because gods forbid Jimin go alone on a job—his father would have his head, but truthfully, he doesn't mind their bickering.
It is comfortable. It is something stable in his world.
Snap—click.
Jimin’s omega blooms in his chest, alert, and Jimin slowly tips his head back down and he is faced with a camera. Jimin’s scent mellows from spicy pepper as his jasmine petals dance through the shock.
The boy before him isn’t an informant. That is clear. The camera covers his face, his scent is sweet and earthy. Jimin’s omega perks up, clawing at his chest as he smells the other omega before him.
He smiles, he can’t help it, “Taking my photo to make it last longer?”
The photographer laughs, it is all twilight and bright as he lowers the camera and Jimin meets doe eyes, a round nose, and a jaw line that he wants to cut his tongue on.
Fuck. This omega is beautiful.
Jimin’s smile widens, and he straightens up, lifting his brows, “Well?”
The omega grins, his cheeks turning rosy, “I was just hired to take photos of the place for the website…” His voice is soft like silk but there’s a teasing edge to his tone, “…but I can delete it if you want though I really think it is a stunning shot. You are stunning,” the omega adds, he tips his head slightly to the side, his eyes scanning Jimin up and down.
The omega’s scent sweetens and Jimin laughs, he throws his head back before meeting the photographer's gaze again as he looks at him, “I’ll let you keep it.”
“That is a bad idea, Jimin,” Yoongi says through the earpiece. He almost forgot about them. He almost forgot about meeting some asshole to just grab a piece of paper for his father, who is probably boring as shit.
But the omega in front of him is anything but boring.
Jimin pushes the chair next to him out with his boot, he looks down at it and back at the pretty, pretty, pretty omega and tilts his head and the man sits. The blush on his cheeks blooms brighter, his eyes get tiny wrinkles beside them as he sits, and his smile is something like a rabbit's. The man just needs a twitching nose and Jimin would think he is prey but he knows never to judge someone by a smile. Those things can lie just like words from the same mouth.
“What’s your name, doe eyes?” Jimin asks, his Japanese is fluttering from his mouth as he eyes the man with his wide shoulders, pretty smile, and reddening cheeks.
“Jeon Jeongguk.”
Jimin blinks, he swirls his head up and looks at Jeongguk. His eyes find a strand of hair that won’t lie flat at the crown of his head, it’s endearing. Jimin’s eyes flicker down to his mouth, his lips like rose petals waiting to bloom compared to Jimin's, which are fully bloomed roses.
“Korean? You are Korean?” Jimin switches languages.
Jeongguk’s scent sweetens at his question, it is an addictive smell. It is all warm, earthy and Jimin wants to take a bite. Maybe his omega is a little greedy or maybe he just needs a good lay because, damn, he is drooling over this man.
“Yes,” he replies in Korean.
“I am half Korean,” he replies.
“Jimin!” Tae and Yoongi say as he lets the information slip to the stranger because they are right—he is giving too much away…too much truth away to this man he knows nothing about. When he is here for a job, not a quick fuck.
Jimin eyes the camera Jeongguk is fiddling with now, the camera is pretty but there are a few marks on it. It is second-hand. Jimin lifts his eyes, Jeongguk looks younger with his boyish charms and those sparkling eyes.
“How old are you?” He asks.
The omega grins, he holds his camera, leaning down a little as he looks at Jimin, “Do you want to check my ID before you keep flirting?”
Jimin snorts as he runs his hands through his hair, letting his finger hit the earpiece to turn off Tae and Yoongi as both of them make a sound of outrage. A mistake? Yes. Does he have a mission to finish? Yes. Does Jimin care? Not at the moment.
“No, darling,” he drops his voice, and the omega next to him shivers, his lips twitching into a smile and Jimin leans on his palm as he scans the Indigo. It is the same. The small group near the door, the couples by the bar, and Namjoon’s look of surprise as he walks towards them with Jimin’s drink, “You are obviously old enough if you are working in photography at a bar.”
Namjoon places his drink down, his eyes wide, his scent of ivy claws around them like it is looking for sunlight, “I see you met Jeongguk. I hired him for some photos for the website. His night photography is insane.”
Jimin looks at Jeongguk and the omega is grinning at the beta, “You are much too kind.”
“Namjoon loves art, sooo…” Jimin mumbles, taking a sip from his glass, locking eyes with the omega, he licks his lips as he sets the glass down, “I am sure you are talented.”
Jeongguk sticks his tongue into his cheek, he eyes Jimin, before pulling out his phone, twisting it around to his Instagram. SparksofTomorrow. Jeongguk holds the phone out and Jimin grabs it as he scrolls and Namjoon is right.
The kid has talent.
The photos show lights streaking, snow flurries in a streetlight, a ramen shop, people living their lives, normalcy in a way that is heartbreakingly beautiful. Photos of faces, flowers in the sidewalk cracks, noodles and kimchi—life. Jeongguk's photos are the kind that you pay for…he shows the wonder of life. The hope that humanity clings to.
He reads the bio at the top.
Jeon Jeongguk. 22 years old photographer looking for the sparks of tomorrow.
Jimin hands the phone back, “Sparks of tomorrow?” He asks, raising a brow, he doesn’t even watch Namjoon leaving but he does scan the bar before bringing his attention back to Jeongguk.
The omega scent blooms—honey—that is the sweetness Jimin is smelling and his omega is begging for a taste and he wonders if his own scent is headily cloying for Jeongguk just like his honey is for him.
Jeongguk leans back in his seat, his black long sleeve shirt moves, showing off the skin by his waist and Jimin holds back a rumble, “Don’t you have a lust for life?”
Jimin’s eyes narrow at Jeongguk's question. His world isn’t about life. It is about surviving and making the most of it.
“No.”
Jeongguk giggles again, “What a pessimist you are, Jimin,” he grabs Jimin’s glass taking a sip of the whiskey and those doe eyes spark something in Jimin.
“Do you enjoy life?”
Jeongguk shrugs, “I love it,” he whispers, “I love seeing what will happen and I enjoy looking for things that make life worth it…” he whispers, his scent thickening, like honey spilling from a jar. The lights around them turn them into a kaleidoscope and Jimin’s heart thumps.
Jimin needs to pull himself together. He finds this man way too interesting for his own good. His omega is thinking dangerous thoughts—mine it claims and Jimin knows that is far from the truth.
Jimin opens his mouth as the door opens and it isn’t who he is looking for but Tae and Yoongi—both of them move to the bar without a glance but Jimin knows they are here for him. They are supposed to protect him, and being his friends comes second to being his bodyguards.
They are laughing, Tae’s elbow is on Yoongi’s shoulders, looking like friends and not his babysitters but he knows they have zoned in on him. Namjoon is talking to them, glasses clinking and Jimin pushes his lips together.
Can't he just enjoy one moment alone with the pretty omega next to him?
The bar door opens again, an alpha walks in, his head down, his jacket is wet, it must have started raining again, and this man looks right at him before bowing his head with a smirk. Yuma. His hair is bright blonde, his eyes are like dark holes and Jimin hates him just as much as he does Souta himself.
Apparently, he can’t even have a moment—fucking hell.
The man is Souta’s right-hand man. They are two peas in a pod. Both are misogynist knot heads. They think they are at the top of the world, their knots should be worshiped and they are all-powerful.
They both will be taking over the Komorebi within the year and this has every Yakuza wary, including Jimin’s father because new leaders always try to handle things differently, they want change that usually leads to wars.
Yuma winks and Jimin forces himself to look away from the alpha. He swallows a growl, his hands tightening on the table edge, he just needs to grab the papers from the man then he can leave—
“Jimin?”
He blinks, whirling his head back to Jeongguk and the omega is watching with those large eyes, and his omega panics because Yuma will see Jeongguk, and who knows what that asshole will tell Souta.
It isn’t a secret that Jimin keeps omega company more often than other subgenders but this is different—Jeongguk is just an innocent civilian. He is just…Jimin looks at the other omega. His eyes reflect the neon signs, his hands are dancing along his camera and his eyes are just honest.
Jimin is a lot of things—he knows the art of the deal, he knows how to handle weapons and he has seen the light fade from someone’s eyes. Jimin doesn’t want to see that happen to this boy with his soft yet teasing smile.
“Wanna get out of here?” The words leave him in a rush. He smells Tae’s scent spiking, his cinnamon and pine are burning in worry but right now Jimin cares more about not letting Jeongguk get caught up in a meeting between two big yakuza clans that is probably just information about a gun shipment.
It is not bravery. It is selfish. Jimin knows how to be that.
Jeongguk blinks, his scent shifts slightly but he nods, “I got all the shots that I can send to Namjoon later.”
Jimin’s chest eases, he didn’t even realize it was so tight until Jimin moved to block Jeongguk from the front, from Yuma and he nods his head to the back, “Let’s go, doe eyes.”
Jeongguk follows him out the back, through the hallway where he sometimes hides after a job or when he needs to be fixed up because Namjoon is kind and lets him bleed on his back room floors when needed.
Jimin pushes the door open, knowing that Tae and Yoongi will take care of Yuma just like they always do—helping Jimin out. He blinks, the fresh rain is flooding the back alley—the puddles gleam, the walls sparkle and Jimin turns around as his shoes make splashing sounds as the door closes and he is alone with Jeongguk.
“Well, now what?” Jeongguk says, the teasing edge is back, his cheeks are bunched up and his scent is dancing so prettily with the rainwater.
Jimin fixes his sleeve for no reason other than to have something to do, grinning as he moves closer, “Tell me about yourself.”
The other omega laughs, “You know a lot already. You know my name,” he whispers as he takes a step forward and Jimin’s omega pounds on his chest, “You know my age and my job,” he whispers as he stands before him. Jimin has to tilt his chin up a little to keep eye contact and for some reason, he doesn’t hate it when it comes to this man.
Jimin smirks, “I want more…”
And he means it, regardless of getting Jeongguk away from Yuma and his world, he is curious about the man and he wouldn’t mind kissing him up against the wall of Indigo. Jeongguk giggles, that freaking adorable giggle again—it feels like something is starting in Jimin at the sound of it.
“Favorite drink?”
“Coffee.”
This time Jimin laughs, he snorts with a shake of his head and Jeongguk’s eyes shine like puddles or a camera flash or some other poetic bullshit that has his scent more flower than pepper, “I mean alcohol, darling.”
Jeongguk's cheeks burn, “Lemon drop.”
“Favorite color?”
“Purple.”
“Least favorite season?”
“Summer.”
“Radio or playlist?”
“Record player.”
Jimin lets his hands tangle with Jeongguk’s as they stand inches apart, the night air is chilly, the rain shines around them, and Jeongguk’s dark hair contrasts with his purple dyed strands.
“Favorite position?”
Jeongguk's mouth opens, he blinks and tilts his head back and Jimin snorts, he lets their fingers fall apart just for Jimin to slide his hands up his arms, the cotton of his shirt is soft and Jimin’s mouth waters to taste Jeongguk’s honey from its source.
“Missionary.”
Jimin blinks, taking his gaze from Jeongguk’s neck, and meeting Jeongguk’s dark eyes and he mumbles, “Didn’t think you would answer.”
Jimin digs his hands into his shoulders, bunching up the material as Jeongguk whispers, dipping his head down, their noses brushing, “You wanted me to, that’s why you asked all the questions, just to trip me up.”
Jimin’s breath hitches, he grins, his heart is giddy, “I asked all the questions because I want to learn more.”
Jeongguk rolls his eyes, “And do I get to ask questions?”
Jimin nuzzles against his nose, “One more.”
Jeongguk pulls back slightly, “What could you possibly want to know now, Jimin-ssi?”
The way he says his name, it is so formal but the way he draws it out…it sounds fond. Jimin narrows his eyes at the smiling omega, “Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why is that your favorite position?”
Jeongguk moves back, he doesn’t look shocked, his scent isn’t weary and Jimin misses his warmth, but he just waits, he looks around the alleyway, the camera is hanging from Jeongguk’s neck.
“If I get physical…” he breathes out, his scent sweetening, and he crowds himself against Jimin, the warmth of the other omega sets Jimin’s heart to a burning ember. He lets him be walked back by the teasing Jeongguk, their feet dancing, water moves in the puddles until Jimin’s back hits the cold brick of the wall, “I like to see my partner's eyes,” Jeongguk continues, his nose brushing along his temple.
“I want their warm breath on my skin,’ Jimin shivers, his omega is going crazy in his chest, he wraps his arm around the younger omega.
Jeongguk’s breath hitches, and Jimin fights back a smile because he is just as affected by him, “Their lips on mine and their sounds in my ear…I want a connection,” Jeongguk sighs, his body is trembling and Jimin is lost. His pulse roars in his neck, his scent blooming—all strong pepper and pretty flora that mingles like something strange but Jeongguk sniffs the air, his nose moves from his temple to his jaw.
Jimin isn’t one for such things. Not anymore but Jimin wants to pretend to be that for Jeongguk. A connection.
Jimin's hands grab Jeongguk’s forearms, wanting to pull Jeongguk closer, “Fuck, darling…”
Jeongguk makes a soft sound at the name, he shivers and Jimin tips his face to the side to capture his mouth but Jeongguk pulls back, stepping away and Jimin snaps his attention to him.
He narrows his eyes at Jeongguk but the omega just smiles, “Now, I get to ask some questions.”
“Now?” Jimin is moments away from slicking up in his pants and now the pretty omega wants to talk, he leans against the wall, throwing his arms up as he waits with a grin but he knows he can’t be truthful to the man—Park Jimin is someone Jeongguk doesn’t need to know.
“Age?”
“Twenty-five.”
“Job?”
Jimin’s eyes twitch, “I work for my father.”
Jeongguk shakes his head, “You don’t like questions?”
“I will admit…I would rather be kissing you.”
This makes Jeongguk move closer, he reaches his hand between them and Jimin stares at it for a moment, his fingers are long and delicate and there’s a silver ring on his middle finger.
Jimin grabs his hand and Jeongguk pulls him in, “I don’t kiss on the first date.”
Date?
Jimin blinks and looks at him while Jeongguk looks so proud of himself, and Jimin feels out of control. His scent is everywhere, his heart is pounding and he isn’t even in a fight, holding a weapon or on his motorcycle. He is standing in the arms of an omega with giggles like light, eyes that shine like stars and Jimin wonders what the fuck is wrong with him.
“A date?”
Jeongguk releases his hand, he moves back and Jimin stops himself from following, chasing as Jeongguk moves closer to the exits of the alleyway, “Yeah.”
“This is a date?”
Jeongguk shrugs, his scent is mouth-watering, his hair falls into his eyes, light at his back as a car passes and the streetlights flicker, “Do you want it to be?”
Jimin feels something burning in him, something all his own as he says, “Do I get a second one?”
The omega licks his lips, gods, does Jimin want to be the one to do that—wants to pin the man down and drag his tongue over his scent gland, wants to tug on his rosebud lips until they are sore and he wants his hands on his body.
“Do you believe in fate?” Jeongguk asks instead, bringing Jimin from his thoughts, and he jolts with a shake of his head.
Fate? No. Fate gets you killed. Fate doesn’t stop a knife or a gun. It doesn’t stop him from letting his father send him into dangerous situations and it doesn’t stop him from being who he is. Park Jimin, the son of the Lotus.
“I believe in it,” Jeongguk says, taking a step back into a purple puddle, “So, if we meet again…you’ll get your second date.”
Jimin hates that, his omega hates that but the chances of seeing him again are slim. Tokyo is huge but it is for the better if they don’t meet again. Jeongguk is sweet, he is funny and he doesn’t need to see the darkness of the world.
“Sure,” he whispers, holding back his omega and watching as Jeongguk waves as he leaves the alleyway. The rain starts again like the universe is laughing at him for being whipped for someone he will never see again.
Jimin shakes his head, watching the puddles move as he pulls out his phone, he hits a number and brings it to his ear, “You little fucker,” Tae says.
“Got the paper from the asshole?” Jimin asks in lieu of a greeting.
Tae is quiet for a moment, “Yeah, it was easy enough but he is probably going to tell Souta that you disappeared with some wolf.”
Jimin scoffs, “It isn’t like I am going to see him again…” he pauses, shakes his head as he thinks of Jeongguk telling him to believe in fate, “Where are you both?”
“Walking back to the van.”
“I’ll meet you there.”
“Jimin—”
“What?”
“Just shocked you are not…busy…”
Jimin sighs, “I am not in the mood to get laid.” It is a lie…he wanted to kiss Jeongguk, wanted to see where it would go for a night but the sweet, playful omega didn’t—he wanted connection and that is something Jimin can’t give.
“Didn’t look that way to me,” Tae scoffs and he hears Yoongi slapping his shoulder or maybe the back of his head with the way he groans, and the sound of the air as Tae must have leaned away from the phone.
“Shut up,” Yoongi mumbles.
“Yeah, shut up,” Jimin says, mocking and Tae screams, hanging up to probably nag Yoongi while trying not to aggressively kiss the other alpha. He smiles at the thought of his friends, huffing as he goes back into Indigo.
He bows to Namjoon who looks a little surprised to see him again but Jimin ignores it as he leaves money for his drink on the bar before leaving the tiny place. His chest aches, he can’t help but look back, his body feels warm despite the rain as if something in him is sparking. If Jimin is a match then Jeongguk is definitely an ember.
⋆˙⟡
“You'd better be awake!”
Jimin groans, he buries his face into his pillow, rubbing his cheek softly on the fabric, his omega looking for that honey-earthy scent and he growls when he finds a cold bed instead. His own scent turns more peppery. He blinks open his eyes, the sunlight is trying to filter into the room through his blue curtains, his record player is moving around and around, the vinyl is done and no song is playing but the static of the player crying out to move the needle to start the record again.
“Jimin!”
The omega huffs sitting up, running a hand down his face, “Come in, Tae—”
The door bursts open before he can even finish his words. His best friend slams it shut promptly before throwing himself on the bed. The blankets puff up around them before settling as Tae’s scent floats around—gentle, familiar, and safe.
“Well,” Jimin mumbles, smacking his lips, “Good morning—"
“Yeah, yeah, hello, morning sunshine!" He exclaims, rolling onto his stomach, “Tell me all about doe eyes.”
Jimin’s scent blooms but he sighs at the mention of the other omega, rolling his neck, hearing a satisfying crack, “Nothing to tell.”
“Bull shit.”
“How did it go with Yuma?”
Tae blinks, his lips pushing together before he replies, “You could have asked last night when you got into the van or on the way home or even called me later that night but instead you sat in your seat and looked out the window and mourned like you were in a dramatic music video.”
“I didn’t mourn!”
Tae scoff, “Ha! It looked like you lost the love of your life!’
“I don’t even know Jeongguk that well!”
“Ohh! So, the doe eyes have a name!”
Jimin sighs, loudly, his scent battles the alpha next to him as he narrows his eyes, “I am not going to see him again, so what’s the point!” He yells, his voice breaking, his omega is pacing in his chest. He looks away from Tae. Jimin watches the vinyl in the record player as it circles, “What is the point?” He whispers.
Tae sits up, “I haven’t seen you with someone like that in a long time.”
Jimin blinks, tilting his head, “I flirt all the time.”
Tae laughs then, “You flirt but it is meaningless, just a means to an end…but you asked this kid questions.”
Jimin shrugs, “He is cute, his omega seems gentle…” Jimin swallows, but something about Jeongguk makes him pause and a little giddy.
“You both looked so cute together,” Tae gushes, raising onto his knees and Jimin sticks his tongue into his cheek, he looks down at his white bedding.
Jeongguk is all eyes, a pretty voice, and giggles with embers burning in his chest. He is beautiful.
“Really?” Jimin whispers, feeling like a teenager and not a high-ranking member of a yakuza.
“Your purple hair, his fluffy dark strands, matching with rosy cheeks, and his wide shoulders, your spunky smile? Damn,” Tae whistles, “You guys were hot.”
Jimin laughs, pushing Tae's shoulder, “You wish you could handle me.”
“I can!” He yells, puffing it in his chest, “You just are not a challenge for me.”
Jimin snickers behind his hand, “Yoongi is though?”
Tae’s cheekbones brighten, and he looks away as he mumbles, “Maybe…”
Jimin moves from the bed, stepping over the clothes he wore last night, he stops the record player before stepping away from the dresser as he heads to the connected bathroom, “So, did you get the papers from Yuma?”
“Yeah! That guy is always such a dick,” Tae calls out.
Jimin brushes his teeth, he looks at his reflection—his hair is more lavender than purple now. His freckles look pale, his mouth is a little chapped and he sighs. He tilts his neck to the side and it is unmarked.
His eyes linger, and the tip of black ink peeks out of the collar of his shirt. The first few petals of his tattoo that cover his back as the roots of the lotus span the length of his spine.
He wonders if Jeongguk would like this tattoo—
His omega snaps to attention, he huffs around his toothbrush because Jeongguk isn’t here and he never will be—fuck. He needs to get out. It has been so long. Maybe too long. Maybe he is a little touch-starved.
He spits in the sink before continuing with washing his face, his hair sticking up on the side making him look like a bird with ruffled feathers.
“He did ask where you were going.”
Jimin pauses the pulling of his lavender strands, “Hmmm, and what did you say?”
“That you went to have a fun night.”
Jimin snorted at Tae's statement because it was fun last night but not in the way Tae was intending it to mean, but it was fun—it wasn’t Park Jimin at a bar or a party with three shots in him. He wasn’t there looking for someone to fuck. He wasn’t at that bar looking for anyone last night to use him to start a fire in him.
Jeon Jeongguk. The omega certainly knows how to leave an impression with those eyes that shine and mouth that is a little more bold than he looks—all soft and gentle with an omega that Jimin’s omega wants to claim.
He found someone burning all on his own.
Jimin shakes his head, walking back into the room and Tae is on his back in his bed, looking at his phone and Jimin rolls his eyes as he goes to get dressed, “Why are you here again?”
“Oh.” He hums, his eyes narrow at his screen as he hits a few buttons, “Your father wants to see you.”
Jimin freezes, his pants are unbuttoned, and he is shirtless, “And you are just telling me that now?” He yells, he pulls on his clothes, he huffs and growls at his friend but Tae just looks at him with that boxy smile.
“I didn't want you to feel rushed!”
“Lies! You wanted time to nag Yoongi over text like a love-sick fool!” Jimin huffs as he moves towards the door, his knives are in his hand and his face is blooming red.
“I hate you!”
“You do not!” Jimin says, strapping each knife in its hiding place before opening the door, “Are you ready?” He asks, blinking at the alpha who is holding his phone close to his chest.
They stare at each other, Jimin sees a crack in Tae’s frown and he rolls his eyes as he watches the alpha get up from his bed, mumbling about the car downstairs waiting for them.
Jimin’s apartment is huge with tight security. His father owns it, therefore, Jimin owns it and he doesn’t need to worry about unnecessary people. Tae follows behind him, forever the fateful bodyguard and friend as Jimin bows to the front desk.
Tokyo is bright today. He blinks as the sun meets his face, his hair falls into his eyes as he jogs to the black car waiting for him. His driver nods his head in greeting and Tae gets into the car beside him.
He leans his head against the window, he watches windows, people, and life becomes a blur around him, it feels unsteady, his stomach twists and he touches the knife underneath his shirt, at his waist, and the world feels a little more steady.
Cold steel, sharp and unforgiving—everything Jimin knows about.
“Do you know why he wants to see me?” He asks, his eyes flickering to the driver but the man just blinks, eyes on the road, impassive to them both.
Tae grunts, crossing his legs, “I think it is about the information from last night.”
Ah. Well, that can’t be good.
Komorebi—they are deadly. Their territory crosses a lot with theirs—both deal with the inner workings of the city and weapons. Jimin’s father is the biggest weapon distributor in this part of the world. It is a fact that the Komorebi can’t stand.
Tanaka Makoto is fairer than his son, Souta, but everything is about to change within a few months when Souta takes over.
Jimin taps his fingers along the handle of his favorite knife over the fabric of his shirt, just a mindless tapping as he thinks of everything that son of a bitch can do to the peace that is blanketed over Tokyo at the moment.
The Yakuza are all steady—some low-level wars and fights but nothing like what happened when Jimin was barely a teenager. The war that took his mother from him and with Souta taking over for his father…he knows things will change.
His scent blooms more peppery, he sighs, tearing his eyes from the window, sticks his tongue into his cheek, and whispers, “Having Yuma deliver the papers last night just shows the shift of powers to Souta.”
Tae hums, “It will be okay.”
Tae’s scent blooms, a comforting smell, familiar to his omega and it does nothing to tamper the feelings but Jimin isn’t a child anymore. If war comes then he will be ready. He will be ready to take out Tanaka Souta.
⋆˙⟡
He doesn’t even hesitate to open his father’s office door. The alpha is sitting behind his desk with an array of guns on the dark wood and it isn’t an unusual sight for the head of the Lotus. They tend to navigate weapons more than people.
People are messy but getting weapons to people? Slightly easier but only slightly. Sato Ren doesn’t traffic people just weapons and sometimes drugs but the world moves on with its greed and Jimin survives in the life he was born into another day.
Jimin lifts his gaze, the windows that cover the back wall show the blooming Japanese maples—his mother’s scent. His father planted them shortly after her funeral.
He swallows, his scent spiking as he fights to keep it mellow but he sometimes wonders if planting those trees does nothing more than rub salt in a wound. He knows the fading mating mark on his father's neck must hurt, clinging to a bond that is nothing but one-sided now.
Jimin tears his eyes from the pretty red leaves as he stands in front of his father's desk—he is never going to mate, never going to put himself in the position to live without his other half.
If soulmates do exist, Jimin thinks fate is kind enough to keep them far away from him and his ugly life.
He blinks at the metal steel, picking up the smaller of the guns on the table. It is a handgun. An automatic pistol, a SIG P365, and it is perfect for Jimin—he likes the lightweight ones, ones he can hide easily but use quickly.
It is cold in his hand. He checks the safety, it makes a clicking sound before he turns to Tae and the alpha blinks slowly, grinning as he plops down on the sofa along the right side of the office, “Shoot me,” he says, with all the drama and laughter of a child in a drama class.
Jimin grins, he looks down the barrel—it would be a headshot—deadly.
“Bam,” he whispers, his scent spiking and making Tae sneeze before he pretends to die. He slips from the sofa and Jimin laughs as he places the gun back down.
Tae doesn’t even move, just hanging halfway off the sofa, and Jimin’s heart warms. They have been friends since childhood. Tae’s own father is his father’s assistant so they have been together from learning to walk, presenting into their respective wolves, and learning how to defend themselves.
“Are you guys done playing or do I need to find you someone to actually shoot?” Sato Ren asks and Jimin finds himself looking at his father.
His hair has a coating of white and pepper in it, and his mouth is twitching along with his cloying scent of rosemary and smoke.
Sato Ren is clever and a little too charismatic for his own good but dealing with weapons, powerful people, and staying on top of all of that? He needs to be clever.
Sometimes even unkind to stay that clever but Jimin understands that—he is a little like his father in those aspects, except Jimin looks just a little too much like his mother. He looks like desire and softness but Jimin has learned to use those things to his advantage while his father learned to stay ahead of the game.
“Father, do you have someone we can shoot?” He asks, smirking before sitting down next to Tae on the sofa as the alpha slips onto the floor and he grunts. Jimin uses his boot to kick his leg and Tae’s eyes sharpen just as he opens his mouth to probably cause a scene or start a fight—Jimin’s omega is ready, pacing and wanting to play after being denied the pretty omega from last night.
At the very least, he can kick someone’s ass.
“I see you two will never change,” he grunts, and Jimin snickers, pushing Tae’s shoulder with his own as the alpha sits back down properly on the sofa and Tae smacks his thigh.
Jimin hisses, “Send him off to the gallows!’
“You’ll be lost without me, my friend,” Tae sighs, all dreamy, “It would be like one of those war movies…or maybe a superhero one…where the villain has to kill off his friend!”
Jimin rubs his chin, “I am the villain, right?”
Tae scoffs, “Look at you! You are oozing evilness!”
Jimin laughs, throwing his head back, and suddenly like most things in life, his world comes crashing down so fucking quickly. He can’t even stop his laughter, his brain not catching up to the words fast enough, he can’t even stop it as his heart falls into his stomach, his scent burns with pepper, and his omega growls.
“You are getting married.”
The room falls silent and Jimin snaps his attention to his father, “What?” He breathes the word out, his chest tightening as he waits—he is always waiting for something to happen. A job, a fight, a request from his father—always waiting for something to catch fire.
“I am surprised you did not read the papers you collected last night,” he says as he pulls out the envelope and Jimin just blinks. He feels Tae shift next to him but his father continues, “Maybe if you actually did accept the papers instead of sending Taehyung and Yoongi to do it for you while you were off with some other wolf then you would know this.”
Jimin snorts, his hands shaking as he stands, “You don’t like it when I open your correspondence."
“Never stopped you before.”
Jimin laughs again, it is bitter and the office looks blurry, “What the fuck, what do you mean I am getting married?” He feels unsteady like he has just been punched in the head and it is all a bad dream.
“It is time for change—”
Change.
Change.
Change.
He knows of no changes—the Lotus is fine, there’s no major gang wars or even anything that Jimin could describe as needing change. He doesn’t understand. He doesn’t understand at all.
“What could possibly need changing?” He screams, his scent is burning pepper, wilting jasmine and he bites back a growl because his father is selling him off like some omega in heat.
“Calm yourself, Jimin.”
The words are monotone, final, and Jimin feels something in him crack. He shivers as if someone poured water on him and he takes a step closer, his omega is whining in his chest, “Who could I possibly be marrying?”
An arranged marriage. It isn’t uncommon for the rich, the chaebols, and the yakuza—where power needs to be kept, protected but Jimin never thought this would happen to him. He never even heard whispers or remarks from his father that this would be his future.
“Tanaka Souta.”
Jimin can’t even breathe, his body burns, “I am not marrying that alpha!”
He paces, his world falling apart in front of his father, the man he respected, who is now a puppet master while Tae’s scent is going haywire behind him.
“The Komorebi.” Tae whispers the other yakuza’s name.
“The marriage will bring two powerful families together but also protection for you.”
“That is a cop out!” Jimin hisses, he growls as he slams his hands down on his father’s desk, the guns rattling but the alpha in front of him doesn’t even flinch, his scent stays in a lull.
“I am keeping you safe, I am protecting everything my father and his father have worked for—” he stands slowly and Jimin huffs out a rough breath, his shoulders shaking as he struggles, “…with the change of powers with the Komorebi and the offer they made for this marriage…it will bring an even longer lasting peace.”
The Lotus and the Komorebi have been at war over being the biggest weapon distributor in East Asia for years. Jimin lost his mother to them fighting over a weapons deal and his father lost his mate.
This is fucking insane.
If they work together then there will be peace but is peace worth this? His future with an alpha who wants nothing more than to knot him, use him and he can’t—he growls, pulling back from the desk, pacing as he runs his hands through his hair, tugging at the roots, “How can you sell me?”
The question bleeds into the room, his heart pounds in his chest but Jimin knows—he has always known that his life is unfair but maybe he has been too selfish to see what he stands to lose.
His omega is on the edge and he turns to look at his father with an intake of breath, “Knowing you will be safe is worth the price of this current unhappiness.”
Sato Ren might be his father but before that, he is the head of the Lotus and the alpha in charge of him, his loyalty, and Jimin despises it—for the first time in his life. He hates this man.
“I am not marrying him!”
His father doesn’t say anything, and he goes back to cleaning the guns on his desk. It is a clear dismissal. He feels Tae's hand at his elbow and he shakes him off but before Jimin can slam the office door his father says, “There’s a meeting with the Tanakas this weekend. You will attend to meet your future alpha.”
For the first time in his life, Jimin is shaken—his knives strapped to his body feel warm, not deadly cold steel, his fists shake, and his omega is whining because at the end of the day, Jimin doesn’t have a say in his life.
He isn’t an ember. He is the thing that makes explosives go off and then he burns out. The door slips shut with a fate that Jimin can’t even find the will to fight against because where would he go?
A romantic fool would say anywhere but Jimin isn’t a fool. His heart thumps in his neck, his scent burns and he wonders if the loss of his mother will be the ghost that haunts him down the aisle as he gives himself over to an alpha who will try to bond him to a life without sparks.
⋆˙⟡
Bang.
Bang
Bang.
The gun shakes and Jimin stands motionless as he shoots—cold sweat drips down his spine as he lowers the weapon. He inhales and then exhales, blinking at the space in front of him as the gun range comes back into view, and not Souta’s face.
The gun range isn’t loud today. Given it is late afternoon and not twilight bleeding into evening when his father’s men will start to appear for the night but he misses the smell of sweat, blood, and laughter.
Jimin sets the gun down, his omega feels a little better after pretending to shoot the alpha. His so-called fiancé. He can picture Souta’s smug grin, his ugly scent that always tries to leave its mark on him and Jimin bares his teeth.
He pulls back from the gun, ignoring the target ahead of him as it moves closer to show the shots he took—he can hear someone taking the gun from the small table and Jimin looks over to the sofas against the back wall.
Yoongi and Tae are lounging in a few chairs. Both alphas look pissed. Tae’s leg is bouncing, he is rolling and unrolling his sleeve while Yoongi is typing on his laptop but his headphones are around his neck. He isn’t truly concentrating on whatever he is looking at on his screen.
Their scents are musty and spike with anxiety. Jimin sticks his tongue into his cheek because this definitely isn’t what anyone thought would happen after retrieving that envelope last night.
Marriage. But there’s a silver lining or a hopeful one.
“Fuck—”
“Jimin…”
“I think—” Jimin sighs as all three of them try to start the conversation at once and Jimin can’t help but smile, a twitch of his lips because his friends care. They care.
He looks up at the ceiling, the basement is cold but it is perfect for the small gun range and the weapon room just next to this one. His father has everything they could need in this building, one of many around Japan.
Jimin shifts his feet looking at Yoongi, “Did you know about this?”
Yoongi raises his brows, and he shakes his head, “I didn’t know and I even met Jin this morning.”
Tae shifts slightly, he looks off to the side because Yoongi and Jin are close friends and there are rumors that they are more. Jin is everything Jimin isn’t—he is an alpha who laughs loudly, kills easily, and loves a business deal.
Jimin, well, he loves a fight, loves pretty parties, and running through the streets of Tokyo like a madman but everyone has their vices. If Jin was his father’s son then maybe Jimin would not be up for auction but life didn’t deal the cards that way.
Kim Seokjin is a man his father met in Korea on a business trip when Jimin was a child and Jin became someone who knows a little too much about them in Jimin's opinion. But he is loyal. The alpha is smart, pretty and it is a deadly combination.
Jimin snorts, “I bet Jin knew about this,” he mutters before ruffling Tae's hair, trying to pull his friend from the frown etched on his lips. No need for both of them to be sad about dumb fucking alphas.
Yoongi just shrugs his shoulders, “Don’t know but…marrying that man…”
“You’ll kill each other,” Tae hisses, his scent spiking as it surrounds Yoongi’s ylang ylang, and Jimin’s nose twitches at the powerful scents.
“We just need to be smart,” Tae concludes.
Jimin crosses his arms, his lips pushing together into a pout as he looks at the alpha and then at Yoongi because the chances of Jimin getting out of this are slim but maybe he doesn’t need to get out of it presently.
“Well,” Yoongi breaks the tension, “We’re fucked then because you both aren’t smart.”
Jimin lifts his hand in protest, Tae makes a squeaky sound of disbelief but Yoongi smirks, “Jimin is sassy,” he nods his head in his direction and Jimin winks making Yoongi roll his eyes over to Tae and there’s a pause before the alpha says, “And you are a walking mess.”
Tae growls, it is playful, gentle and his cheeks turn rosy at the other alpha's attention and Jimin laughs, “He is a mess.”
“I hate you both!”
Jimin dances on his feet before he sighs loudly, “I just need Souta to hate me.”
“That should be easy…”
“Just be yourself.”
Jimin laughs, the sound is pulled from his chest and his omega is giddy because Souta isn’t a fan of how he usually acts so he will just have to turn that up a few notches. He can push that man around a little more—maybe threaten him a little, cut off that knot he seems to think is a god's gift, or flirt with people around the man.
Doe's eyes and a bunny smile flash in his mind and Jimin can’t even stop his scent from blooming into jasmin and he curses because his omega seems very attached to Jeon Jeongguk, to an omega he won’t see again. Ever.
He doesn’t even understand how Jeongguk got under his skin so easily. An hour conversation was all it took for Jimin’s omega to roll over and want—to actually want. It is confusing and Jimin wonders what would happen if they do meet again.
Jimin wants to watch Jeongguk smile, wants to see what else the other omega will ask or say, he wants to see more of his photography and Jimin still wants that scent on his tongue.
Honey and something earthy.
He is dying to know what it is. It is like a forest or grass or something Jimin can remember in summertime—fuck, it is sweet but not overly and Jimin’s omega whines in his chest.
“Are you thinking about that omega?”
Jimin jumps, he jolts and he looks at his friends. Both are grinning while Tae is close to laughing, and Yoongi is pinching the bridge of his nose as his lips twitch.
Jimin dusts off his jacket, the soft leather brushing his palm, “No.” The word is simple, to the point and it is a fucking lie.
“Surrre!” Tae rolls his eyes, “That spike in your scent has nothing to do with that omega you are in love with.”
“Make sure not to slick up—” Yoongi fake gags and Tae falls into the other alpha laughing.
“Fuck you both!” Jimin snaps, his hand eye twitching.
“You prefer slick over knots though so fucking us—”
Jimin growls, he pulls his knife from his sleeve and points it at the two people he calls friends, "Listen here, you two knotheads! I will never see that omega again. It doesn’t matter!”
Yoongi and Tae look like they are holding back more laughter—they are not even scared of Jimin holding a weapon against them. Most people would be crying, begging, but not them.
Jimin flips the knife in his hand, a simple trick and he tightens his grip on the handle as his omega pouts, whines, and claws at his chest because he wants to see Jeongguk again.
He feels insane like some kind of cheap romance novel.
Fuck it all.
His wolf is smitten with a civilian, he is engaged to an asshole of an alpha on paper and all he wants to do is make a nest. He hasn’t made a nest in years.
He slips the knife back into its hiding place, his chest tightening and he turns his head to look at the room around him as he inhales and exhales. It is simple, black, and dark with a few flickering lights.
His heart pounds in his chest like it always does but this time it aches.
“I thought I would have more time,” he whispers, he turns to look at his reflection in the mirror above the sofa where the two alphas are seated. His lavender hair needs a dye, there are dark circles underneath his eyes and his mouth is bunched together in thought. His neck is unmarked and his scent is loud and proud.
He is only twenty-five. He thought he would have time to…to do anything other than marry. He isn’t dumb. He knows that marriage for him wouldn’t be like it was for his parents.
Now their story is a romance novel.
They met during a busy trip his father had to take to Korea. It was love at first sight his mother used to tell him; it was rosy cheeks, flowers, chocolates, and dates to the Han River. It was also secrecy, lies, and truth being born from fights and it was passion. It was watching his mother live in a world she didn’t understand but she did it with grace.
His parents were true mates—something rare in modern society. Finding one’s true mate is almost impossible since a bite has to be exchanged to know if they are true mates. Most people don’t care anymore but if a wolf is lucky enough to find their true mate then it is something to hold dear.
“For what?” Tae whispers.
Jimin looks at him and smiles with a shrug, “Before I had to think about mating,” he bites his lip, his omega is strangely quiet in his chest, “…I just thought…I hoped I would like the alpha I would have to mate.”
Jimin watches the two alphas look at each, he sighs before turning away because regardless, he isn’t going down without a fight. He isn’t going to marry that son of a bitch.
“My father said I have to marry him but not mate,” Jimin whispers, he watches as one of the men at the gun range in front of them pulls off the target paper Jimin was shooting at.
There are three headshots. All perfect. All deadly.
Jimin smirks at the sight before turning back to his friends, “I am going to fight dirty.” He will. He will fight and fight because Jimin doesn’t want this. He doesn’t need this. If his father wants to sell him off then Jimin will become priceless.
⋆˙⟡
“I am going to look drop-dead gorgeous!” Jimin yells in Japanese as he twirls out of the small shop and Tae follows behind him as the door hits his friend in the back and he sighs loudly as he holds Jimin’s shopping bag.
“I am your friend! Why am I holding your bags?”
Jimin pauses, he cocks his head to the side, “You are my bodyguard,” he says before giggling at Tae’s misfortune since he lost the game of rock, paper, scissors with Yoongi this morning when Jimin decided he needed to go shopping.
“I am only doing this because I don’t want you to mate that asshole,” Tae grumbles and Jimin stops his twirling and laughing as he moves to stand by his friend’s side as they move down the sidewalk.
“Thank you,” he mumbles, bumping his shoulder with Tae’s, and the alpha breaks into his boxy smile, “I want an outfit to make me feel confident.”
If he has to sit through a meeting not only with the Komorebi but a meeting about his marrying one of them then he wants to feel pretty, hot, and in control. He likes clothes so the black lace top and polished suit jacket give him the edge he needs for this meeting then so be it.
“Do you think we can stop by—”
Jimin tunes out Tae’s voice as they pass a small cafe and bakery. It is small, smells of sugar, coffee, and matcha with pretty dark wood furniture and freshly baked cinnamon rolls and salted bread.
Jimin stops, his omega is pushing at his chest because sitting in one of the seats is Jeon Jeongguk. The omega is messing with his laptop, his camera is next to him and there’s a cup of something that looks overly sweet.
Fate.
What did Jeongguk say again? Something about fate, a second date, and Jimin can’t tear his eyes from him even as Tae keeps on walking. Jimin watches Jeongguk’s eyebrows push together in thought, his finger twitches, and Jimin smiles as Jeongguk tilts his head like a confused puppy.
His hair is dark, fluffy and he is wearing a huge oversized shirt that activates Jimin’s cuteness aggression for the other man. He can partially smell his sweet scent from here.
He doesn’t think when he steps into the cafe. His omega is alert, wagging its tail as the afternoon sun filters into the place like stardust and Jimin nods his head to the greeting staff and he sits down in the open seat at the tiny round table that Jeongguk has made himself home at.
The omega jolts and Jimin grins as their eyes meet. Jimin’s omega is smitten—he is so down bad and all it took was a cute omega with too many questions and a soft scent. He watches a recognition bloom along his face, his cheeks fill with color and the other omega says, “Jimin-ssi…”
“Hello, darling,” he smiles, crossing his legs as he gets settled at the tiny table that is covered in film, a camera, and Jeongguk’s laptop and one empty cup of coffee.
Jeongguk laughs, he leans a little closer and laughs with a shake of his head, a smile that shows off those two front teeth and his scent of honey pouring around them. Jimin can almost hear bees buzzing around them wanting a taste of the pretty man next to him.
Jimin’s heart pounds, “What did you say again…” he hums, his eyes twirling before landing back on Jeongguk, “Fate.” He whispers the word and Jeongguk leans a bit closer like a secret is being shared.
Jeongguk rolls his eyes, “I guess this can be the second date.”
Jimin claps his hand once, he stands, collecting Jeongguk’s cup as the other omega makes a soft sound of protest but Jimin ignores him as he walks up to the counter—he looks over the menu—it is full of sweets and floral teas and buttery pastries.
“How can I help you?” One of the workers asks.
Jimin blinks, “I’ll take another cup of whatever he ordered,” Jimin says, nodding his head towards a blinking Jeongguk and the girl nods, “I’ll have a matcha…and one of your croissants.”
“Thank you very much,” she motions towards the card reader and Jimin pulls out his black card—the girl's eyes get round, huge and she blinks at him. Jimin just smirks, paying for their order before he skips back over to Jeongguk.
As he sits, Jeongguk mutters, “You didn’t have to do that…”
Jimin smiles, letting his leg bump into his, “I know, but have you ever heard of wanting to do something?” He asks, leaning on his palm to watch Jeongguk as his elbow rests on the table.
The other omega sticks his tongue out, pouting but his scent betrays him as it sweetens, “Whatever.”
“You’re welcome.”
Jeongguk looks at his laptop screen, he smiles, “Thank you…hyung.”
Jimin’s back straightens, his omega clawing at his chest and he wills his blush to cool it but he just shakes his head, looking around the tiny place just as Tae walks through.
He looks pissed.
Jimin doesn’t even blink in his direction but he wants to laugh as the alpha moves to one of the window seats in the front of the place with all of his bags from shopping—his friend, his bodyguard is definitely having a lovely day.
He snorts and Jeongguk looks at him with wide eyes, confused, so Jimin pokes his forehead, making Jeongguk squeal and batting his hand away.
“Cute.”
“I am not cute!” Jeongguk huffs, his chest sticking out but his lips pull together into a pout, making the small mole underneath them more noticeable. Jimin wants to lick it, kiss it, he wants, wants, wants but that isn’t something new. He is selfish, after all.
“Sure thing, sweetheart,” Jimin smirks just as the waitress brings out their order. She places everything down with a gentleness that eases even the most selfish of people—the sound of the cup on the table, the low music floating around the cafe, the dust that sparkles in the afternoon sunlight even seems to make its own sound.
Jimin grabs his cup, bringing it to his lips and the bitter-earthy matcha warms his chest, he looks up at the green color and nods his approval. It is a good cup, well-made and not sweet at all.
Jimin’s eyes flicker to Jeongguk who is taking a huge sip from his cup, “What are you having?”
“It’s a banana latte.”
Jimin couldn’t stop the smile on his lips if he wanted to, “Sounds sweet.”
“And your matcha looks bitter.”
Jimin raises his brows, he thinks he hears Tae giggling but he doesn’t even look at him, “I don’t like sweets. It doesn’t match me.”
Jeongguk leans closer, his dark hair touches his cheek, “I think you like me and I am plenty sweet, don’t you think hyung?” Jeongguk whispers.
Jimin turns his head, they are inches apart and he snorts, “You are just a tease,” Jimin mumbles, his scent thickening and he tilts his head, his eyes falling to Jeongguk’s lips, “You are a brat.”
Jeongguk grins, “Just making sure you won’t get your fill of me so quickly.”
Jimin laughs then, he leans back, grabbing his cup and his omega is whirling in his chest, his heart pounding, “Brat.”
Jeongguk grins, he winks and it is a little clumsy but the omega looks at the shiny croissant and Jimin slides it over, “Got it for you, sweetness.”
He watches Jeongguk’s ears flush much like the permanent color that has been on his cheeks since he sat down and Jimin hopes he is never not blushing around him.
“Thank you,” he whispers and Jeongguk takes a small bite while he continues to work on his laptop—his omega is proud that they are feeding the other omega. The greedy, stupid little thing is happy and Jimin wants more.
He looks out at the cafe and he catches Tae’s eyes and the alpha just tilts his head but Jimin knows Tae is going to give him hell for this. He is playing a dangerous game by hanging out with Jeongguk, again, because there’s so much that could go wrong if someone sees them.
Park Jimin doesn’t have any friends. He doesn’t have relationships outside of a quick fuck. He certainly doesn’t look like the leader of the Kitty Gang that his crew is so-called.
Jimin shakes his head, he isn’t going to think about that. Selfish. He isn’t going to think about tonight when he has to meet with the Komorebi and that dick head of an alpha, Souta, because right now he has a good cup of matcha and a pretty omega by his side.
“What are you working on?”
Jeongguk startles, he pulls back from the laptop and grins, turning his chair a little to face Jimin even more and it makes Jimin ready to do anything the omega wants when he smiles at him like that with passion, “I had a shoot this morning,” Jeongguk giggles, his feet kick out, making the table shake.
Jimin steadies it and Jeongguk laughs awkwardly, “Sorry.”
“Oh, please,” Jimin breathes out, “You can knock over the whole table if you just keep smiling, darling—” Jimin exhales, fuck it…he is so in trouble, “Tell me about the shoot.”
Jeongguk looks away, a pleased smile coating his lips as his shoulders drop, “Okay, ummm, it was for a cat. The owner wanted some photos done because it is basically her baby,” Jeongguk giggles, “It’s a cute cat…look,” he flips the laptop around.
The cat is orange, black, and white. It is a calico with bright green eyes that looks like it has dark eyebrows. It looks angry in each photo.
Jeongguk is shaking with laughter, “He looks so mad…so…cute…” he mumbles, flipping through the shots of the cat throughout a traditional Japanese house. The shots are stunning. They play with the light and shadows beautifully and the cat looks almost human. As if thoughts about life are in its eyes.
Jeongguk hums, “His name is Unmei.”
Jimin stares at the calico cat, “Fate,” he whispers the meaning of the name. It feels like a coincidence or fate. He lifts his eyes from the screen, “Like us meeting again.”
Jeongguk’s eyes twinkle, “I gave you a hint but you didn’t even notice it.”
Jimin blinks, “What?” His omega perks up, pacing his chest, “A hint?” His mind whirls because how did he miss that?
“You had my Instagram username, silly.”
Silence.
Jimin’s mouth parts, he inhales and Jeongguk bursts into laughter because the omega showed him his photography Instagram at Indigo. What the fuck. What? Is he losing his edge? He frowns and it makes the omega next to him laugh harder, leaning over the table.
“You looked pissed.”
Jimin stutters, “I am!”
“Cute.”
“I am not cute!”
Jeongguk shrugs, “I just thought you didn't want to meet…” his scent mellows out, more earthy all of a sudden, “You seem important and what would you want with a twenty-something year old?”
A lot, Jimin thinks.
“I am just four years older,” he mutters.
Jeongguk nods, his eyes surveying around them, “Still young. I just-t..” he sighs, “Maybe you didn’t want to date because I am not into just one-night stands and maybe I just imagine that tension between us…and maybe you didn’t want that kiss—”
Jimin can’t believe this, the other omega is rambling and everything couldn’t be farther from the truth.
Jimin reaches out, he grips his chin gently, turning his head towards him and capturing his lips—all soft like butterfly wings. Jimin doesn't linger. He pulls back and Jeongguk’s eyes are closed, his lashes are fluttering, his cheeks are rosy and his lips are waiting for more and who is Jimin to deny him so he leans back and presses a feather of a kiss onto his pink lips.
Jimin’s heart is falling, falling, falling—
Jeongguk’s eyes open and they are full of stars and Jimin snorts, smiling as he cups his cheek with the hand that was holding his chin, “Oh, darling, I wanted to kiss you since you looked at me.”
Jeongguk giggles, his head dips making his hair fall into his eyes as he whispers, “Oh.”
Jimin pulls his phone out of his pocket, he sees a few texts from Tae but he clears them before pulling up his contacts, “Give me your number, sweetheart.”
The other omega types fast before handing it back and Jimin snorts at the name, Jeon Jeongguk The Coolest, but before he pockets the phone he shoots a text over to him. The ding is loud and Jeongguk sways back and forth as he adds his number to his phone.
The sun is setting and Jimin knows he needs to leave, he finishes off his matcha before looking at Jeongguk who is sitting with rosy cheeks, his hands on his camera and Jimin doesn’t want to leave but life is going to move even if Jimin wants it to stop.
“Darling?”
Jeongguk looks over, “Hmm?”
“I’ll have to get going, I have a work thing tonight,” he wants to scoff at the thought because it is a deadline for a future he doesn’t want. Jeongguk’s scent mellows, the honey quality is almost burning and Jimin reaches out, he rubs just underneath his chin, and Jeongguk whines, huffing but smiling all the same.
Jimin smiles, standing up and he looks down at him and something like determination fills his chest, “Text me, okay? I’ll try to answer fast.”
“Okay, hyung.”
“Good boy,” he says, and Jeongguk shivers, Jimin leans down and presses a kiss to the crown of his head, “I’ll try to see you soon, okay?” He whispers the words, not wanting Tae to hear the promise.
Jeongguk smiles then, “Okay.”
Jimin pulls away, his scent is curling around them as if he is trying to mark Jeongguk—he looks over at the cafe workers and they all whip their heads around like they weren't staring.
He snorts, backing away from the table and Jeongguk is already back to working on the photos of Unmei.
Fate. What a strange thing. Jimin steps into the evening, knowing Tae will catch up to him shortly—he looks at the lights from shops and bars starting to glow and Jimin can’t help but think that if he wants to keep seeing Jeongguk then he will need to change fate.
⋆˙⟡
Black leather, delicate lace, and Jimin’s lavender hair falling into his eyes as he moves through the building with grace. Meetings between yakuza are rarer than one would think, especially when it is in the form of a peace talk.
They are holding the meeting in the dead city of Tokyo. One of his father’s main buildings looks like any other business office but Sato Ren is good at illusions, and Jimin thinks he is better at them.
He can hear Tae and Yoongi muttering behind him. Tae is probably telling Yoongi all about his afternoon pitstop at a cafe but Jimin doesn’t regret it and nothing came out of it in terms of who Jimin is.
Everything is okay.
It is okay.
Jimin rolls his shoulders back, inhaling as he keeps his scent in a lull but his heart is pounding. There’s so much that could go wrong tonight but Jimin isn’t here to finish the game.
No. He is here to get a feel of the players—if they want to marry him off then Jimin has to be smarter because his father has lost his mind if he thinks protection means more than happiness.
His boots echo off the floor but Tae’s rambling cuts right through, “I have never seen Jimin act so gentle!” Tae hisses, “…he's so soft…kinda sickening…” he fakes gagging.
Jimin sticks his tongue into his cheek before whirling around, pulling out his favorite knife, and pointing it at his two friends, “I am not soft!”
They blink, and Tae sighs, “Not now…but with…him…” he stresses the last word and Jimin flips the knife in his hands with a frown.
“The kiss on the head…” Tae whistles.
Yoongi looks bored.
Jimin groans, “Shut the fuck up, Tae.”
The alpha holds his hands out in front as a sign of peace but it doesn’t settle his stomach or pounding heart, “What am I going to do?”
Jimin doesn’t want to marry. Hell, he isn’t sure if he wants to mate. He has witnessed first hand what it can do if your mate dies. The way his father struggled before his ruts completely stopped, the heartache, and the glazed-over look he sometimes catches on his father’s face as he looks out at the maple trees.
He watched his father kill the people who took his mother. He watched the blood that sank into the earth. He watched his father scream, watched him cry and destroy people with a smile as his mating bite faded each day.
Jimin loves his father but he doesn’t always like the man. The head of the Lotus is clever and strong, but he is also lonely.
Living without your mate isn’t easy. He thinks his father is the strongest person alive—the death of mates is sky high and even more so for true mates like his parents. He doesn’t want that kind of pain.
Jimin doesn’t want to ever lose someone. His hands shake as he pulls the knife back and back up his sleeve. The love of his life can stay lost because Jimin can’t— he just can’t.
“You get through this meeting and you don’t let Souta think he won something,” Yoongi says and Jimin is pulled from his racing thoughts. He stutters on a breath, and he nods, he nods and runs a hand through his hair as he looks at his friends.
“Being soft isn’t a crime,” Tae mutters, moving forward and Jimin lets him pull him into a hug, Tae’s mouth by his ear, “Honestly, I loved watching you fall in love.”
Jimin snorts, pushing Tae and the alpha laughs, “Don’t make me stab you.”
“I’ll shoot you first,” Tae grins.
“And I’ll let you both bleed out on the floor,” Yoongi mumbles, pushing past them as he leads them down the hall.
“Do you think that is a love confession?” Tae whispers.
Jimin punches his shoulder, “Sure, Tae Tae.”
Jimin jumps in place, twisting his neck and taking a deep breath as the door to the meeting room comes into view. He can already hear some light jazz music and fake laughter that shows the game is starting now.
Jimin throws on his most charming smile, letting his scent sweeten—the flowers and pepper becoming something truly unique and wanted. Something like trying a new ice cream flavor and not sure if you like it but you can’t help yourself.
Tae opens the door and Jimin steps in, the row of windows are blurry with city lights, the room looks like a small ballroom with polished hardwood floors, twinkling chandeliers and space for a fight if something gets out of hand—the tiny door to the little balcony looks more inviting than the room full of people who would bow to all his wishes.
There’s a clear divide between the two gangs. The Lotus and the Komorebi. His father thinks this marriage will bring them together but there will always be this divide. Peace isn’t a possibility with humans and the sad thing is, most people know it but still try to find it.
He scans the room, moving closer to where he can see his father—holding a glass of wine as he stands next to Tanaka Makoto, Souta’s father, and the man who is the leader of the Komorebi.
Jimin smiles, he tilts his head, his scent blooming as he grabs a glass of champagne from one of the servants and he tugs it with grace, the bubbles turning his stomach as he feels Souta’s eyes on him. He can smell his scent of petrichor clouding the room like a rainstorm.
Jimin’s omega growls at the scent, his hair on the back of his neck stands up but he ignores the alpha as he hands the empty glass of champagne to some random member of his gang before bowing to his father.
He lifts his head and gives a slight nod to Makoto but he looks at Sato Ren, “Father.”
“Jimin, late as always, I see,” his father notes.
He just grins, “I had to find the perfect outfit,” he motions down to the lace top and black leather pants. His lotus tattoo can be seen through the fabric and he is proud of it, it is a statement. He isn’t going to be a part of the Komorebi. Ever.
He goes into a small twirl, blinking as he smirks—he can smell some alpha around him. Their scent’s sparking with interest like he is easy. Jimin wants to roll his eyes and growl at them.
His mind is whirling as he thinks of a doe-eyed omega whom Jimin apparently falls easily for. Falling like it's his first time being in love. Foolish. But his heart skips a beat regardless of his thoughts.
“Fashion can make one more confident…” someone says, the voice is all giggles and velvet, “It can change how people perceive you.”
Jimin blinks up at Kim Seokjin. The alpha winks at him, his full mouth tugging into a smile and Jimin rolls his eyes at the man—he is still the same man he met at sixteen years old when his father bought him back from Korea with no reason other than he was quick, charming, and had enough stupid in his blood to do what needed to be done.
Kim Seokjin was found trying to steal from his father and he almost did but Sato Ren didn’t kill the young man, no, he made him into a weapon—his personal bodyguard. Jimin doesn’t know Seokjin’s full background or story but he knows enough that this alpha could run the Lotus seemingly and dangerously.
“Seokjin,” Jimin greets, smiling a little too hard to be sincere.
Jin sighs, his long fingers wrapped around his empty glass, “I told you to call me hyung,” he pouts, his body sagging towards him as he mutters in Korean.
Jimin snorts, “And I told you to call me ‘your majesty’ but that hasn’t come to pass,” he shrugs and Jin’s eyes narrow, not in ignorance but in a playfulness that would cause more problems.
“They are like brothers, these two,” Sato says. Jimin can’t help but roll his eyes at his father’s words, and Jin snickers next to him.
“Good to hear,” the scent of rain and earth blooms next to Jimin and he has to hold his breath before he reaches across and slaps the alpha, “I wouldn’t want my fiancé to be overly friendly with another alpha.”
A hush falls over the room.
While the reason for this meeting hasn’t been announced loudly, the rumors and the truth will always find itself in the same place.
Jimin finally looks over at Souta and he is good-looking with his fluffy black hair, strong jawline, and eyes that pierce. Jimin’s smile slowly bleeds from his face, his scent turning peppery as he hisses, “I am not your anything.”
His omega bares its teeth, growling in his best and senses Tae moving closer but he doesn’t take his eyes from Souta and his stubborn, ugly alpha face and scent.
“Ah—please excuse my son,’ Makoto starts, “He is a bit excited to court you, Jimin.”
Jimin laughs then, the sound breaking through the jazz music and the stillness of each person in the room, “He is nothing more than a pup trying to play house and learn how to get his knot wet,” he sighs, looking away from them all as he grabs another glass from a waiter moving past.
“Jimin!” His father scolds.
Souta growls but Jimin doesn’t look towards the man but at his father, “Yes, father?”
He can smell the strong scent of alpha. Souta’s rainy scent is a storm, Jimin can feel his eyes on him but he isn’t going to give this alpha anything.
“Apologize.”
Jimin stares at his father, he stops himself from curling his hands into fists because he isn’t going to show these stupid men on a power trip any weakness, “No.”
No.
No.
His scent is finally starting to strengthen, “I am not mating him.”
He can’t. He won’t let this man sink his teeth into him. Jimin’s world will be over—his life completely over. He would have to fight for any ounce of freedom away from Souta and his backwards thinking about omegas.
He will try to keep Jimin as a pretty trophy, like a diamond ring in a jewelry box that tarnishes and loses its shine with time.
Alone. Ugly. Cold.
And for goddessaken reason, his mind flashes to the brightness of his mother. Her eyes would glow, her dimples were like permanent markings on her face and she never hid from anything his father did. All the ugly killings, the exchange of weapons, and nights lost in pacing the hallway when his father was out.
They were true mates without a doubt. Maybe that is why she got killed and maybe that is why his father is trying to protect him in the most stupid and barbaric of ways—forced to mate to take over what is rightfully his.
Jimin thought he had years before he took over the Lotus from his father—years to plan, to settle in with Tae and Yoongi at his side, maybe even Jin but now he has months. The place, the family he grew up with is being handed over to the Komorebi on a silver platter and he is expected to go along with it.
He meets his father’s stare, “I will die before I do it,” he hisses. He hears a few people sneeze, his scent of pepper is spiking, cloying the floor as his flowers wilt.
He can sense Tae and Yoongi moving in closer but it is useless. His father is selling him. Park Jimin. The leader of the Kitty Gang. His freedom. He knows everything has a price, everyone can break at a certain point. But this won’t be Jimin’s.
Sato Ren just twirls his glass of wine, “We have talked about this.”
Jimin scoffs, he shakes his head, “You talked and I resisted the urge to throw a knife at you.”
“It is best for you and the Lotus.”
Jimin’s eyes flick down to the almost nonexistent mating bite, his chest tightens, and his world blurs because the last of his mother will be gone sooner rather than later.
It has to be why he is acting out of character like he is dying and it just makes Jimin never want to mate. To never give himself completely to someone if this is the only outcome.
“Baby,” Souta says, voice low, silky as the nickname interrupts Jimin’s staring contest with his father. Souta wraps his fingers around Jimin’s wrist and tugs gently as if to calm him and Jimin snaps.
His omega growls in his chest, he pulls his knife from its hiding place in his sleeve, and presses it against Souta’s neck within moments.
Souta drops his arm but he grins. His teeth are perfectly straight, white, and a smile that promises pretty words and dark bruises.
Silence.
The room falls silent—scents start to mingle, the tension is thick and Jimin grins, “Don’t ever touch me again,” he whispers, he lifts his eyes, bringing the knife up with his gaze as he uses the side of the blade to pat Souta’s cheek, “Or you’ll pay dearly.”
The alpha grins, eyes bright as he licks his lips. As if Jimin’s blood is on his teeth, “Whatever you say, petal.”
Jimin laughs, “Be careful, some flowers are poison,” he moves back, staring at the alpha before his eyes whirl to the head of the Komorebi, he is frowning but his scent is neutral as if he is watching a pup throwing a fit. Jimin looks at Jin who just smiles, his full lips stretched wide and the fucker winks before downing the rest of his wine.
Jimin finally settles on his father again. The man who has taught him everything he knows but also the man who has always kept him at arm's length. Jimin misses his mother. He misses his life even from a week ago before this all started but now as he looks at his father, Jimin wonders if he is starting his own fires now instead of waiting for a mission or an order.
He turns his back, he can see both gang members staring as he passes them. Scents that are familiar and others that have his nose twitching in disgust. Tae and Yoongi are waiting by the door. Jimin twirls his knife in his hand just as his father calls out but he doesn’t sound like the strong alpha of the Louts but like a weak man who has lost hope.
“You will mate him, Jimin!”
Jimin doesn’t look back. He doesn’t wait for his father to say more. He doesn’t listen to the demands or to Souta’s growls. He doesn’t wait for the opportunity of a fire starting—Jimin is going to start one all by himself.
⋆˙⟡
“You should have seen it, hyung,” Jeongguk rambles in his ear and Jimin can’t keep the smile off his face even if he wanted to. He presses the phone harder to his face, the night air swirls around him and Tokyo buzzes in blooming flowers and busy streets. It has been a little less than two weeks since the meeting and he has been avoiding his father but he knows the man is keeping tabs on him.
Tae and Yoongi do answer to him—they are loyal to Jimin but they are under the Lotus rule, not Jimin’s and it makes his omega uneasy. Some part of him feels like he can’t do anything without it going back to his father and right now, he doesn’t want that.
It seems like he has been pulled from missions as well. He has too much free time but he has been using it wisely. He texts and calls Jeongguk at least three times a week to hear about the other omega’s day.
His normalcy is shocking. It is refreshing. Jeongguk’s days consist of photography clients, working on his social media and website but also taking at least a few days a week to take photos at night just for himself or his print shop.
Jeongguk loves nighttime photography the best and Jimin loves hearing about using a flash or not using a flash. He loves it when Jeongguk rambles about something he doesn’t understand in his little photography geeky speeches.
“Hyung?”
The sound of Jeongguk’s soft voice snaps him from his thoughts. His feet stop in a puddle, it has been a rainy spring this year, and he looks up at the cloudy sky, “Yes, darling?”
Jeongguk’s intake of breath feels like gold running in his veins, “You are listening?" He says, his voice is accusative, and Jimin grins. What he would give to see that pout in person.
He misses the other omega, he misses his scent and his big eyes that look at him like he is made of stardust and not city smog and blades to throats. He misses the way his sharpness turns soft for the other man.
“Always,” he breathes, and Jeongguk giggles.
“Sure,” he replies, “So, will you come?”
Come?
He would like to make Jeongguk come—
“Come?”
Jeongguk sighs, “So, you weren't listening."
Jimin smiles, he smiles at the clouds, the city lights and he sighs into the phone, “I would like to make you—”
Jeongguk gasps, “Jimin!”
His heart races and he laughs, he throws his head back and just giggles. His scent blooms and his omega wiggles in his chest. Fuck. He wishes he were in front of Jeongguk to tease him—to watch his cheeks flush, to see those rabbit teeth tug on his bottom lip, and that wicked gleam in his galaxy eyes.
“What did you say?” He breathes out, watching a cloud move over the moon.
“Umm,” Jeongguk clears his throat, “You don’t have to…” he starts, his voice softer, there’s less of that teasing-playful edge, “I am having like a show? You know photography? Wait, you know I do that…” he giggles and Jimin’s heart trembles in his chest, his omega blooming.
Jeongguk sighs, “I am having a show of some of my newest photos in the small art gallery in Odiba this weekend, and umm—I—do you want to come?”
Jimin stops breathing, his omega is clawing at his chest because he wants to go. Of course, he wants to see Jeongguk again but with everything going on…it isn’t exactly the safest.
His heart pounds, his stomach swoops and he wants to go. He wants to see Jeongguk but he also wants to see the photos that Jeongguk must be proud of. Jeongguk isn’t a famous photographer but he is popular enough. He is talented, he is breathtaking and so lovely.
Odaiba isn’t that far. It is near the center of Tokyo, and the small artificial islands hold many museums and fun places to shop, and tiny cafes. Maybe Jimin could try—
“It is okay if you don’t want to!” Jeongguk rushes to say, his voice breaking at the end, “You might be busy and I know we just met…”
Jimin shakes his head, the cloud moves away from the moon, “I will be there, when is it, baby?”
Jimin can hear Jeongguk’s smile, “The opening is Friday at six…so, anytime around there would be perfect.”
“I will be there,” he whispers, his omega is happy. Jimin is happy, so fucking happy for the first time in about a week. Jimin tilts his head back down, the street is becoming more crowded as the night settles in and he knows Tae and Yoongi will start looking for him.
They have his location on their phones. They gave him enough grace to let him wander around the area of his apartment when Jeongguk called him but now it is turning into nighttime and that grace will turn into a cage.
“Really?”
Jimin laughs, “Yes, sweetheart, I’ll be there.”
“I’ll text you the address of the art gallery—”
Jimin pulls his head from the sky and he almost drops his phone as he watches Souta and his second in command, Yuma, leave one of the buildings in front of him—both alphas are laughing as they slither their way down the street.
Jimin can hear Jeongguk talking about the gallery in his ear, his heart is breaking, his body is burning and he moves forward. He licks his lips, trying to calm his scent as his omega bares its teeth.
He knows this is a bad idea.
It is a fucking awful idea.
But he moves forward anyway, following the two alphas. He doesn’t even know what he wants to do but they can’t be up to any good and Jimin should know what his dumb knothead of a fiancé is up to, shouldn’t he?
He smirks, feeling as delicate as a bomb as he walks behind a small group of people. Jimin watches Souta and Yuma over the shoulders of the group. His heart thumps, his mouth fills with spit, and his omega wants to bite and fight the two fuckers who are taking away the Lotus and his freedom.
“Min? Min-n?”
Jimin startles, he stops walking and the phone in his hand is heavy and he lets the group in front of him leave, taking his cover and his view of the two men. A drizzle starts up again and Jimin silently curses as he loses Souta.
He sighs, “I've got to go, okay?” He says into the phone, his shoulders becoming wet with the rain.
“Okay…”
Jimin blinks the rain out of his eyes, umbrellas open around him, people start running, looking for shelter and the puddles dance like broken mirrors. Jimin hates the disappointment in Jeongguk’s voice.
“Are you okay?” The younger omega asks.
Jimin blinks, his heart softening, “I am fine, sweetness…” he swallows, “I just got an annoying email and a meeting I must go to.” A meeting that Souta isn't expecting but will be joining him anyway.
He shakes his head, flinging the rain from his eyes as he jogs down the street, “I’ll call you later, I promise.”
Jimin knows he shouldn’t promise but he can’t leave Jeongguk wondering, his omega would be upset with him, and he would be uneasy to leave Jeongguk without anything.
Jimin asks, waiting for Jeongguk’s voice, “Okay, Jeongguk-ah?”
The other omega is silent for a moment but he exhales, “Okay, hyung. Please take care.”
“I will.”
Jimin hangs up, he looks down at the screen as it goes black and raindrops splatter across it. His heart feels swollen in his chest, it aches, and he hates the way he cut off Jeongguk’s passion—he sounded almost cold to the younger omega but right now Jimin needs to take his fate into his own hands.
He jogs to where he last saw Souta and he faces a few bars, shops, and a dark alleyway. The omega blinks at it before turning down into the darkness, his boots splashing in the rain, his clothes are heavy and the silver of his jewelry shines in the slivers of light.
He feels him before smelling the rich petrichor. Jimin’s back hits the wall—his jacket scraping the bricks, he grunts as he pulls his knife out and taps it against Souta’s throat. Both wolves pause as their eyes meet.
Rain and pepper float around them in a combination that is anything but pleasant.
“We have been here before,” Jimin grins, he watches Souta roll his eyes, his scent becoming stronger as if he can overpower Jimin’s but the night of the meeting flashes before both of their minds.
Jimin’s knife was against his neck then as well. The omega presses it hard, a thin line breaks his skin, and blood wells up and Souta hisses, his hands tightening on his shoulders, pressing him harder against the wall, “Why are you following us?”
Jimin laughs, he watches the blood fall into the collar of Souta’s shirt before lifting his eyes, his omega is ready to fight but he exhales, “Just checking on my fiancé,” Jimin scoffs.
Souta growls, his scent blooms, fighting the rain that is falling, “Jimin-ah,” he hisses.
Jimin bares his teeth, “Don’t call me that…I am not yours…you don’t get to call me that!” He yells, his scent darkening as his free hand pushes against Souta’s shoulder.
The alpha grins then, he leans closer, the knife digging into his skin but he doesn’t even flinch, “Both of us know that you are.”
Jimin growls, “I could kill you right now.”
Souta laughs, he pulls back, “But you won’t. The leader of the Kitty Gang is truly just a soft little omega—”
Jimin drops the blade, the hand on Souta’s shoulder slaps across his cheeks, his nails tugging, he growls and Souta moves back.
The alpha scent darkens into rain and sandalwood, “Fuck you!” Souta brings his hand up to the four blood lines on his face from Jimin’s nails.
“You wish you could!”
Jimin huffs, his chest rising and falling and Souta tilts his head and Jimin blinks, red seeps into his irises. That’s not good.
Jimin glances down at his forgotten knife and Souta moves. He slams him back against the wall, his temple hitting the brick and he groans as the world turns fuzzy for a moment. Souta’s hot breath nears his jaw and Jimin pushes against him, he growls and kicks out but the alpha keeps him pinned with a hand on his throat and the other on his hip.
“You are fluent in Japanese,” the alpha whispers, “What does Komorebi mean?”
Jimin’s breath is ragged, his omega is clawing at his chest and he just smirks, “It means that you’re a fucking—”
Jimin’s head hits the bricks again and he growls, his whole chest shaking, as he tries to twist his head to bite the son of a bitch but Souta doesn’t let him have his way, “What does it mean?” He stresses the last word.
Jimin grits his teeth, “…it is the light leaking through a tree…”
“It is the sunlight that filters through leaves of trees,” Souta breathes out, the petrichor becoming weak as the sandalwood in his scent strengthens as he whispers along Jimin’s jaw, “…and to have sunlight, you need shadows, don’t you, Jimin-ah?”
Jimin doesn't speak, his omega is fighting, a small whine wanting to leave his throat but Souta continues, “And I am going to drown you in those shadows, omega, if you don’t listen. The Komorebi isn’t just about the light but the darkness that comes along with it.”
Souta pulls back, and Jimin slumps against the wall, his heart is racing, his omega is pacing and is in distress and Jimin feels weak.
He blinks at the other man as Souta leans down to grab Jimin’s forgotten knife, “Your father’s mating mark is almost gone,” he says, twirling the knife and Jimin lifts his eyes from the blade, “You know what that means.”
He does.
True mates don’t live long after their mating mark fades. It is a fucking miracle that it has been years since the passing of his mother and his father’s mark remained but time doesn’t heal. Time makes people forget.
Maybe his father can’t remember the scent of her. Maybe he forgot the feel of her hand in his or the way she looked when she smiled or how she threw herself into him when she laughed.
Maybe Jimin needs to remind him of these things—Ren Sota, the leader of the Lotus, will probably give up and die once the mark is gone. He thinks he is setting Jimin up for a safe and settled future.
Fear makes people do dumb stuff.
Jimin blinks back tears and he whispers, “Lotus roots grow in the darkest of waters.”
Souta just smirks, his eyes sparkling like he has found a challenge, “Well, petal—I hope you continue to enjoy the darkness then.”
The alpha bows, pocketing his knife as he turns his back on Jimin. Souta leaves him in the rain, the dark alley, and in the truth of why this is all happening. Jimin wipes his eyes, tears burning his lashes and he hisses as the world swirls from the hits to his head. Blood is coating his lavender hair and he stumbles forward.
“Jimin!”
The omega looks up and Tae is running towards him but he stops as he takes in the scene, his nose twitching, and he whispers, his words deadly, “Why do you smell like Souta?”
Jimin’s omega keens in his chest, he shakes, his hands ball into fists, “The asshole and I had a little discussion.”
“You’re bleeding…”
“So, is he…” Jimin mumbles, stumbling over to Tae as the world turns into sparks and Tae grabs him with a curse.
“Your head!”
“Just a little bump.”
Tae scoffs, letting Jimin lean on him as he pulls out his phone, “I got him, Yoongi—yeah—we need to go to Indigo.”
Jimin chuckles, “Namjoon is going to love me for bleeding on his floors again.”
“Shut up, Jimin.”
He rolls his eyes and lets Tae lead him to wherever Yoongi is, he is probably in one of their cars and Jimin watches his feet as they move. The puddles showing his face, the blood stuck to his temple and cheek, and his bloodshot eyes.
Jimin bites his lip, his throat tightens, “He thinks he is protecting me…” Jimin doesn’t need to say who, it is obviously his father—his cold hearted father.
“Yeah, he is.”
“He is selling my home—” Jimin sobs out, his body shaking as the cold seeps into him, “He is selling me.”
Tae is quiet for a moment, “He is.”
Jimin can see the headlights of Yoongi’s black car, and Jimin shivers as they step into the backseat. The heater is rolling and Jimin groans as he looks out the window, “Love makes people fools.”
Tae doesn’t say anything to that but he smells the spikes in both Tae’s and Yoongi’s scents and Jimin lets his head hang low as Yoongi drives. His omega is whining, the world is a blur out the windows and Jimin is cold.
He pulls out his phone and there’s a text from Jeongguk. The name he has him under—he changed it a few days ago from Jeongguk’s silly name he dubbed himself—it feels like a punch to the gut as he reads sunshine but the omega is so bright and warm.
Sunshine: Get home safe, Jimin-ah.
Jimin’s hands tremble, his lungs swell and he lets his phone drop to his lap as he cries because some sick part of him wishes he could go to Jeongguk and soak in that warmth of the other omega but he can’t.
But Jimin can’t stay away either—maybe he is just as evil as Souta or any member of a gang who puts innocent people in the line of fire just to feel hope for tomorrow.
⋆˙⟡
Jimin feels like a fool. He runs his hands down his white button-up shirt, his black slacks and matching jacket are a little too perfect, not a wrinkle in sight but Jimin misses his leather jacket and ripped jeans. His hair is styled from his face, the almost blonde hair is bright against the backdrop of Odaiba at night.
He really needs to dye his hair again soon but he will wait until the gash on his head is fully healed from Souta—the bruising on his temple is more green and yellow now—healing beautifully and he is glad. He doesn’t want to explain to Jeongguk the cause of it.
He inhales, looking around at the families and couples milling around the shops, restaurants, and Jimin spots the small art gallery with its bright lights peering through the windows onto the street.
He feels so out of place, his heart is thumping and he looks down at his clothes once again, he smirks thinking about Tae calling him a ‘good boy’ after seeing his choice of outfit for tonight’s date—is it a date?
Jimin is calling it one, fuck, any moment with Jeongguk feels like it could be a date and it is silly. It is dumb but Tae’s words come back to him as he left his apartment earlier tonight, “He makes you gentle.”
Gentle.
Jimin doesn’t feel like that, not with his life crumbling around him, not with the knives hidden on his body, or with the need to throw Souta out a window and watch his body fall to the ground.
A bloody picture that would be.
Jimin stands in front of the art gallery, Proof, the black and white building is pretty with the green brushes and huge glass windows and doors. Jimin looks at the sign just outside and he pauses as his heart catches in his throat.
Jeon Jeongguk
Life Goes On
The title of his exhibit makes Jimin smile, makes him breathless and giddy because it is so Jeongguk. It is hopeful and pretty and Jimin curses because Tae is right, he feels all so soft and anything but like the Park Jimin he needs to be.
Maybe this is a bad idea—
“Hyung!”
Jimin lifts his head, his breath leaves his lungs, letting go of a breath he didn’t even realize he was holding as Jeongguk smiles at him from the doorway. His dark hair is falling into his eyes with pretty waves, his lips are pink and the giant dark green sweater makes Jimin want to coo and throw him into his nest to hide him away from the evilness of the world.
He hasn’t even nested in years.
“Baby,” he says, his voice feels weak, clearing his throat he steps into the art gallery—the place is cool, bright and Jimin doesn’t look at the people who are pointing and mumbling about the photographs on the walls.
Jimin stares at Jeongguk as if he were the museum of things he might learn to love.
Jeongguk smiles, he reaches out and tangles their fingers, a blush is high on his cheeks, “I am so glad you could make it,’ he mumbles, pulling him closer, “I am so glad.”
Jimin just shakes his head, all the previous thoughts of nerves and bad ideas vanish as Jeongguk’s warm palm meets his and his scent of pine and that soft sweetness Jimin hasn’t managed to guess, surrounds him like a forbidden forest, “I wouldn’t have missed it for anything, sweetness.”
Jeongguk dips his head, a smile blooming on his face, “Good,” he whispers and Jimin’s heart stutters as a steady but peaceful silence falls between them.
Jimin looks around the art gallery—the walls are white, the dark wood floors, and tiny spotlights gleaming on photos in black frames. People are smiling and there are a few with tablets taking notes.
“How is it going?” he asks, taking a step closer to the omega, making Jeongguk’s scent turn thick and Jimin licks his lips, watching Jeongguk’s eyes flicker down to the movement.
The younger omega blinks, his eyes glancing up, “Good. A few critics have already talked to me and it seems promising…” he whispers, his lips brushing Jimin’s temples and the older omega wants to pull him closer. He wants a lot when it comes to him but right now, he wants to see Jeongguk’s photography.
He tilts his head, his mouth brushing Jeongguk’s jaw just before he pulls back, his own scent blooming in Jasmine, “Will the artist himself give me a tour then?”
Jeongguk laughs with a shy shake of his head, “Of course.”
Jeongguk doesn’t let go of his hand, leading him to pass a few people, “Do you really think I am an artist?”
Jimin hums, “Anyone who names a group of photos, Life Goes On, is an artist to me,” he grins, “…plus, I used to draw so I know an artist when I see one.”
“You draw?”
Jimin stops, his heart quickens, and he doesn’t even realize he let that little detail about himself slip by his guard. He uses his free hand to run his fingers through his hair, “More like doodling than drawing,” he mumbles.
Jeongguk tugs on his hand making him peer at him, “I think I will be the judge of that if you ever feel comfortable enough to show me some of your drawings,” he grins, that twinkle in his eyes is teasing but gentle, honest.
“Maybe one day,” Jimin whispers, and fuck it all because he means it, “Tell me about the exhibit,” Jimin requests, bumping his shoulder into Jeongguk’s.
“It is shots of people in Japan…” he starts, “To put it simply, it is just people living their lives and it is my view about how life goes on without care of sadness or pain or even the fleeting moments of happiness.”
Jeongguk stops in front of a photo, he points at something and Jimin stares at the sharpness of Jeongguk’s jaw, the way his lips holds a smile in the corner and the gentle voice that is just for him, “I took this while I was out for a midnight ramen run,” he says, a hint of a giggle in his words, his nose scrunching up.
Jimin tears his eyes from the omega before looking at the photo. It is of a group of office workers, ties undone, jackets thrown over their shoulders, they are pointing to the sky, and smiles blooming on their tired faces. Jimin frowns, following the fingers and hands of the men in the photos, and Jimin’s mouth parts.
In the corner of the photograph, there is a star. An actual shooting star.
“Is that real?”
“Yes,” he hums, “Unbelievable, huh?”
Jimin agrees. To see a star in Japan’s city lights is crazy, amongst the smog and tall buildings—it is crazy and even more insane that Jeongguk captured it.
“This one is called ‘Forgotten Dream’,” he mumbles, and Jimin blinks at the tiny little star in the corner of the photo, “I do understand why a lot of people work corporate jobs but…it seems lifeless.”
Jimin tilts his head, “It is a stunning photo. Full of life.”
“They do all look so happy,” Jeongguk says.
Jimin can’t take his eyes from the darkness of the street, the way the men walked out of the store is bright against their backs and the joy and movement in their bodies as they look towards the sky.
“You work for your father’s company, right?”
Jimin stills, his heart drops, he hums, “Yeah—I am…” he starts, “I am like these guys, working for a bigger man in a company…”
“Do you like it?”
Jimin exhales. Does he like the Lotus? The blood, the fight, the weapons, and the control? His home. His way of life. He nods because some part of him loves it. He guesses he is messed up in the head like that.
Jimin turns to look at the other omega, his soft brown eyes are wide, waiting, and his scent consumes Jimin. His own omega is bouncing around in his chest, “Yeah.”
It isn’t a lie but the reality of his life now.
Jeongguk smiles, “That is good then.”
Jimin scoffs, chuckling, “Show me more of your art.”
The omega doesn’t disappoint. He takes him around to each photo. Jeongguk explains every concept or thought he had while he took the photo. A few times people would stand and listen to him, some even asking questions, and Jimin would stand back, just watching him.
Jeongguk’s hand moving around, his long fingers pointing something out, his graceful insights and he never rushed anyone—letting them take and admire and question him but the moments Jimin liked best are when Jeongguk would look back to make sure he was still there.
His eyes seem apologetic, his smile huge and Jimin would wink at him, making Jeongguk flustered. Jimin’s heart flutters in his chest, his omega whining to stand next to Jeongguk.
Jeongguk gets stopped once more by the owner of the gallery nearing closing time and Jimin is shocked that it has been almost two hours. There’s only one wall left of smaller photos. The wall is covered in these tiny frames and Jimin moves past them, looking at each photo as Jeongguk finishes up talking to the beta.
Jimin stops. His heart stops. The world stops. Near the end wall by the front windows is the photo that Jeongguk took of him the night they met in Indigo. Jimin reaches out, his fingers barely touching the frame—he looks beautiful.
He doesn’t look like how he felt at that moment. He felt tired, annoyed that he had to deal with the Komorebi and he felt mysterious but not beautiful.
His hair looks neon in the lights, his jacket is hanging off his shoulder, his lips are parted and his eyes aren’t narrow or dark but wide as he looks up at the LED lights and signs on the wall of Indigo.
He looks beautiful but sad.
Jimin’s fingers shake as he lets his hand fall back to his side, his heart swells as he smells Jeongguk’s scent, warmth, and sweetness, and Jimin doesn’t look away from the photo as he whispers, “You made me look beautiful.”
“You are beautiful.”
Many people have told him this. He is stunning, he isn’t humble because Jimin knows he looks good but the words coming out of his omega’s mouth? Jimin’s heart feels on fire.
He licks his lips, he turns his head, looking up at Jeongguk and the omega is smiling down at him and Jimin can only whisper, “Thank you.”
Jeongguk giggles, “Are you shy now?” He leans down, his breath is saccharine as if he just ate something sweet, Jeongguk’s fingers brush his and Jimin tilts his head, their eyes meeting, “Are you shy, hyung?” Jeongguk teases, his lips curving up into that intoxicating smile.
Jimin tilts his chin up, he grins as he whispers between them, “Call me beautiful again and I’ll have you whimpering my name in front of that poor gallery employee, baby.”
Jimin can hear Jeongguk swallow hard, he pulls back and Jeongguk’s eyes are flecked with blue—his omega is at the forefront.
Interesting.
Jeongguk closes his eyes, he exhales and Jimin inhales his pretty scent, “Take me home, hyung?” The younger omega asks, his eyes fluttering open.
“Of course, baby.”
Jeongguk smiles, pulling away as he moves to bow to the owner of the gallery and behind the counter to grab his bag. Jimin waits by the door, his eyes scanning the photos once more.
Jeongguk is truly talented. He is so warm, lovely, his idea of life is something Jimin can even consider but the more time he spends with Jeongguk…the more he wants to live a little slower.
He wants to stop to take photos in the street, he wants to see the world in dreams and moments that make his heart sputter and beat for any reason that isn’t being at the end of a knife or gun.
“We have to take public transport,” Jeongguk says, grabbing Jimin's hand, skipping down the street, “I live over in Chuo.”
Jimin thinks that fits—it is right in the middle of everything in Tokyo. Jimin lives in Meguro, a very expensive area, but it is safe and Jimin’s family definitely has the money. Jimin has the money for his pretty lifestyle.
He looks over at Jeongguk, their hands are laced together and Jeongguk is slightly in front of him, almost urging him along while the younger omega scrolls his phone, checking the times for the train.
He is humming a song, it sounds like something bright and happy before a gasp leaves those pink lips, “We have ten minutes until the next train! Come on! Hyung!”
Jimin almost tells him that Jimin can get them a taxi, he can afford it but the words fumble as Jeongguk starts running.
Jimin can’t help but notice that Jeongguk is wearing old sneakers with his suit jacket, his socks are bright red and Jimin lifts his eyes looking at Jeongguk as they run through the city as the light blurs in his eyes.
Jimin can smell street food, he hears a few people annoyed at them for running in the streets, he hears Jeongguk's laughter and the sound of their footsteps. Jimin’s heart pounds in his chest and his world blooms.
He knows Tae and Yoongi are probably laughing from somewhere at him—he knows Yoongi is cursing him for making him run and Tae is probably smiling like a wolf with its prey.
Jeongguk glances over his shoulder at him, his eyes are bright, his smile is like a rabbit and a dimple appears and Jimin finds himself smiling back. He is smiling so hard that he can barely see.
It is perfect.
They run into the subway, the train station is full of people going home and the younger crowds going out. They run into the correct train, Jimin's lungs are burning and Jeongguk’s face is flushed and bright.
They both stare at each other, both fighting back laughter as they move back from the sliding doors, the train is quiet and Jeongguk’s back hits one of the poles and Jimin grips his waist, keeping him steady as he whispers, “Easy, baby.”
Jeongguk makes a soft sound in his throat, “Do you ever get tired of calling me these nicknames?”
Jimin just grins, “Do you want me to stop?”
Jeongguk lifts his hand, their scents mingling as his thumb brushes the apple of Jimin’s cheek, “No…”
Jimin knows his face is on fire, he leans into the touch and Jeongguk exhales a shaky breath, “That’s good to hear, darling,” Jimin whispers, he feels giddy as he looks at the omega in front of him.
Giddy. Stupid. Foolish. Happy.
Damn. He feels like he could sprout wings and fly.
Jeongguk’s scent strengthens, his hair falls into his face as he mumbles, “Do I get to call you cute names?”
He scoffs, “I am not easily—”
“Omega.”
Jimin’s core shakes, his scent blooms jasmine and pepper and his omega comes to the forefront. He looks up at Jeongguk and he swallows a growl as his omega whispers mine.
Jeongguk is smirking like a little shit and Jimin tilts his head, gripping Jeongguk’s chin gently, “Brat.”
Jeongguk calling him by his rank, fuck, it does something to him—he wonders if his eyes are freckled in blue by having his omega called upon.
Jeongguk is staring at him, eyes huge and his lower lip trembling. Jimin wants him.
Jimin closes his eyes and he inhales the happy scent of Jeongguk for the rest of the ride to his home because if he looks at him then he is going to bend Jeongguk over one of these seats and scent the hell out of him. The other passengers be damned.
⋆˙⟡
Jeongguk’s apartment is small but the area is mildly safe and that eases Jimin’s mind as they enter the building. Jimin’s omega feels on edge from Jeongguk calling him by rank—his greedy omega wants him. He wants him safe. Scented. Claimed.
It’s completely foolish.
Jimin has never felt anything like this and he doesn’t know how to stop it. He doesn’t know how not to want to see Jeongguk. Doesn’t know how to shop wanting to learn about him—wanting him.
Jimin glances around the small place and it is very Jeongguk with its dark furniture and splashes of purples and the desk full of cameras and film. Jimin’s eyes drift from the living space with its soft sofa to the tiny kitchen with a lamp glowing, making the space blue and yellow.
There are a few doors to the right of the space. The bathroom and the door that’s cracked must be his bedroom. Jimin can smell the sweetness from here. He fights his omega from taking a huge gulp.
Jimin’s gaze finally lands back on Jeongguk. The omega is watching him, his cheeks are rosy, he is biting his bottom lip, showcasing those endearing rabbit teeth and Jimin jolts because he really doesn’t know how not to want him.
And it might just be his downfall.
Jeongguk deserves better. It isn’t Jimin being the bigger person, no, Jeongguk deserves someone who isn’t engaged, someone who hasn’t killed or washed blood from their body. Someone who isn’t—
“Jimin hyung.”
He snaps his attention to the younger omega and there’s that determined look that the younger sometimes gets. His brows will furrow, his mouth will part and Jimin makes a choice to listen to Jeongguk.
“I don’t do one-night stands or something that’s not exclusive…”
Oh, how Jimin loves him—he is so cute, so brave, standing there with his heart on his sleeve and Jimin takes a step forward. He kicks his shoes off and Jimin makes his second choice of the night.
“Darling, I don’t think my omega will let me have anyone who isn’t you,” Jimin says, his heart pounding and it is not because of a knife fight or a moment of lust in a dirty club bathroom. His heart is like fire flickering against glass.
And then Jeongguk smiles. He smiles and Jimin is lost as his eyes scan over his face—the scrunching of his nose, the wrinkles by Jeongguk’s eyes, and his dimples. Jimin is lost. Fuck everything else. Fuck Souta. Fuck the Lotus. Fucking hell, Jimin is fucking stupid as he makes his final choice of the evening.
He fills the space between them. Pepper and jasmine mingle with Jeongguk’s earthy pine and sweet honey as Jimin grips his waist. He pushes up on his tiptoes and inhales Jeongguk’s scent. His mouth brushes Jeongguk’s jaw like a butterfly's wings.
“Baby,” he exhales and Jeongguk’s hands slide up his back and down again. Soft, soft, soft, and Jimin growls, the sound is soft but Jeongguk’s omega reacts beautifully as he tips his head back.
Jimin hesitates only for one moment but the moment is full—full of the lies between them, Jimin’s life of the yakuza, of blood and steel, of being set to mate an alpha—the moment is so full that it aches and Jimin whines out as he buries his nose into Jeongguk’s neck.
The younger omega is warm, he all but falls into Jimin, and Jimin? Jimin holds him close as their feet tangle, as he breathes Jeongguk in and mumbles against his warm skin, “Mine.”
Jeongguk makes a gasping sound that breaks into a whimper, gentle, gentle, gentle as the younger omega slips his fingers into Jimin’s hair and the older omega is dizzy. Jimin is dizzy, his omega is overjoyed and he walks Jeongguk back.
They stumble through the small apartment. It is messy like a blurry photo, dizzying, and utterly perfect like a memory. Jeongguk’s giggles erupt as his back hits the door to his bedroom, it creaks open and Jimin watches as Jeongguk steps into the room.
Moonlight hits the side of his face, stars dance in his eyes and Jimin glows—stepping from the darkness into the warmth of Jeongguk as he presses himself up against the other omega.
Honey blooms around them and Jeongguk nuzzles his temple before stepping back two steps and falling into his bed, into his nest that smells warm, smells exclusively like Jeongguk and Jimin’s omega bares its teeth, tilting its head. He is sure his eyes are flashing blue for Jeongguk.
Jeongguk grins and it is all stardust and mirth, “What, omega? The nest doesn’t smell like us?” He tilts his head back and Jimin’s chest vibrates with a grumble and he snaps his teeth at Jeongguk.
Jeongguk laughs, throwing his head back as he leans on his elbows, “It won’t smell like you unless you are in it…” The younger omega flutters his lashes, he lets his legs fall open in an invitation, “Come into my nest,” he whispers as his scent cloys around the blue and white bedding.
Jimin kneels in the bed, his weight making Jeongguk shift slightly, and the younger omega’s nose twitches at the strength of his flower and pepper scent and Jimin leans over the other omega.
His weight on his hands, he looks down at Jeongguk—his chest is rising and falling as he inhales his scent. Jeongguk’s eyes are shiny as they flash blue and back to his dark browns and Jimin can’t stop the little chirp that is pulled from his throat.
Jeongguk’s eyes widen and Jimin would be embarrassed by the sound if Jeongguk didn’t chirp back—the sound is purely omega—calling out to another and Jimin snaps at the little sound.
He doesn’t ease into the scenting. He presses his mouth to Jeongguk’s neck, open-mouth kisses and he groans as he presses his scent into the younger omega as they both sink into each other.
Jimin nips at Jeongguk’s scent gland, honey and pine fill his mouth, coating his tongue and he groans at the taste. Jeongguk wiggles underneath him, the crown of his head is in the pillow and Jimin grips the bedding, pulling and tugging as he runs his mouth down his neck.
“Sweetness,” he whispers, whispering into Jeongguk’s ear as he tugs on the lobe, “Baby—” Jimin calls out, nuzzling his cheek and the younger omega turns his head until Jimin catches his eye.
“Jimin-ah,” the younger omega whispers.
Jimin couldn’t stop the smile on his face even if he wanted to, “Hyung,” he scolds gently.
Jeongguk’s eyes sparkle, “Jimin,” his scent turns playful—all honey and warmth. Jimin narrows his eyes and presses his forehead to Jeongguk’s as he mumbles with so much affection it feels like an ache, “Brat.”
Jeongguk smiles, the mole underneath his lips stretches and Jimin wants to kiss it, but the younger omega mumbles, “I wanna scent you too.”
Jimin pulls back, tilting his head as he looks at the omega who smells like him, “What?”
Jeongguk’s cheeks bloom, he sticks his tongue into his cheek, “Hyung.”
“Baby.”
Jeongguk huffs and Jimin smiles, he leans down and presses his lips to Jeongguk's jaw, his lips move down to his neck, and he inhales.
Perfect.
Jimin doesn’t need anything else—not even a kiss. Scenting Jeongguk is more than enough. Jimin slides his fingers into the hair at the back of Jeongguk’s head and tugs, giving him more room to work as he slowly scents him.
Claims him.
Jeongguk’s hands slip up his back, wrapping around him and Jimin sighs, pressing his weight into Jeongguk as the other omega pulls him down—the bedding fluffs up around them, the nest is turning messy from their feet and legs.
Everything falls silent for a moment, Jimin’s eyes slip shut, he feels so at peace—he sighs again, his nose is tucked into Jeongguk’s scent gland and everything is soft. The world feels gentle and Jimin lets everything just be. He doesn’t think of tomorrow or his father or his so-called mating.
He sinks into the moment that he wants more than anything.
His omega is silent, content, happy—he shifts slightly, he huffs as he feels Jeongguk’s hand in his hair, petting, tugging at the knots with care, and the press of Jeongguk’s nose to his temple.
The younger omega holds him, and he scents him gently. It is the complete opposite of his own scenting. Jimin can feel himself drifting off to sleep and he knows Tae or Yoongi are probably outside the apartment freezing their ass off but Jimin can’t make himself move.
“Hyung? Are you going to sleep here?”
He hums, his omega is curled up in his chest—he doesn’t remember the last time he has felt like this. So…so at peace.
“Hmm,” Jimin hums, smacking his lips, “What did you say, sunshine?”
Jeongguk’s scent spikes, and Jimin blinks his eyes open, his cheeks warming as he pulls back, his hands on each side of Jeongguk’s head as he blinks down at the omega—the sound of the little nickname is still on his tongue—much different from the other little pet names he has whispered in his ear.
“If I am sunshine, then you are a moonbeam,” he whispers back, his hand lifts, tucking a stray piece of hair from his forehead, “Moonbeam.”
Jimin releases a breath, he shakes his head but Jeongguk just nods, “The light in the darkness. The forever-changing moon.”
Jimin feels too much. He feels so much, he shouldn’t be here and his chest aches with all the lies and feelings that are caught in the root of a lotus flower—dark, deep, and forever.
Jimin just lets himself fall back into Jeongguk, the younger omega groans at his weight but he wraps his arms around him again as he murmurs, “Are you staying?”
Jimin licks his lips, his mind races but the moment is at a standstill—Jeongguk always makes him live in the moment, to pause and think and feel—it is unlike anything he has ever felt.
There's no rush to move forward, to do better, to move on and get things done—dreams need to move to become real but maybe love just needs to stay still until it grows. Jimin doesn’t know.
So, he mumbles, “Do you want me to stay?”
Jeongguk hesitates, his scent turning brighter as he voices his wish, “Yes.”
Jimin closes his eyes, letting the word sink in and he nods, “Then I’ll stay.”
“Good.”
Jimin chuckles, pulling back and rolling off of Jeongguk, and the younger omega huffs, but Jimin just looks at the omega in his nest—their nest, based on the smell of peppery flowers and honey.
“Can I wash up?”
Jeongguk grins, jumping from the bed, “I’ll show you the bathroom and grab you some clothes.”
“I am guessing the other door in the apartment is the bathroom, baby,” Jimin smiles, his eyes flicking to the door and Jeongguk turns from his fumbling in the tiny dresser.
“Smartass,” he says as he throws Jimin some joggers and a hoodie. Jimin fights the urge to bury his nose into the fabric. It smells like cotton and Jeongguk.
Jimin just grins, skipping to the bathroom, he shuts the door before locking it and turning on the shower—the steam blooms into the room and Jimin pulls out his phone, texting Tae as he hears Jeongguk humming in the kitchen.
Jimin: I’m staying over
Tae Tae: You hate me, don’t you?
Jimin: ;)
Tae Tae: Get your dick wet
Jimin rolls his eyes, not even feeling bad now for making Tae and Yoongi hide out in front of Jeongguk’s building, being his bodyguards isn’t always glamorous. Jimin isn’t going to have sex with Jeongguk tonight. He might not even kiss him but tonight doesn’t feel lacking. Not at all.
He sighs, pulling off the suit jacket and his formal clothes. They pool at his feet and he steps into the shower as he washes off the smog of Japan but also Jeongguk’s scent which his omega growls at him for.
He will just have to scent Jeongguk again before they sleep, he thinks as he dries off and throws on the other omega’s clothes. He turns his phone off just in case someone Jeongguk doesn’t need to know about…yet…tries to contact him.
His stomach twists, his throat tightens but he looks at Jeongguk in the kitchen holding a mug as he looks at a flame in the candle burning on the stove. He looks so pretty, so good and he is everything Jimin isn’t.
Jeongguk is good.
He should leave, he should leave and never look back—
Jimin almost drops his clothes and phone as Jeongguk glances over at him and smiles. Jimin smiles back but it is Jeongguk who speaks first, “You look cute in my clothes.”
Jimin’s mouth parts, his scent bursts, and Jeongguk giggles.
Yeah. Jimin isn’t leaving and it might just be his biggest mistake.
“Cute?”
Jeongguk hums, “Cute, moonbeam. You are cute.”
Jimin bites his lip because he isn’t the leader of the Kitty Gang or even Park Jimin…right now he is just Jimin, an omega falling in love.
⋆˙⟡
Jimin’s leather jacket is laid across the back of the sofa, sunlight drifts through his apartment—the sky looks blue and Jimin wants to stare down at the roads and fancy houses in the Meguro district from his penthouse apartment that is a little too clean and white to be cozy.
His hands are twirling a knife as he sits across from his father. The open living area is silent and Jimin’s heart is pounding like shattering glass. Jimin is counting his lucky stars that he left his suit jacket from the other night in his bedroom because Jeongguk’s scent covers the piece of fabric.
Jimin isn’t even ashamed that he sleeps with it. His omega feels fussy without it and Jimin is itching to see the other omega again. He smiles, watching the tip of the knife as it barely misses his pinky finger as he twists it again. Over and over as the silence stretches on.
Sato Ren clears his throat and Jimin lifts his eyes—the man is frowning and Jimin hates to disappoint him. He hates it and he hates himself for hating it. He isn’t just the leader he follows but his father.
Jimin snaps his eyes to the mating mark and he can barely see the imprint of his mother’s teeth. His heart drops, his stomach swoops and he finally breaks, “What brings you to my home?”
Home. What a funny thing to say given the circumstances.
“There’s a lot that we need to discuss, Jimin,” his father says, a sigh in his voice, his scent is neutral as if he doesn’t have time to deal with Jimin’s questions as if he is a child throwing a fit.
“You have always been a man of few words, summarize.”
The alpha before him narrows his eyes, “The mating ceremony is in two months,” he says, leaning back into the armchair as he looks out the windows.
The discussion is over. It is final.
The world doesn’t end. It doesn’t explode or rain hail and fire doesn’t burn the earth. There’s a car horn outside, the clouds move in front of the sun and the world keeps on going as Jimin’s life ends.
He has two months to fix this. To think of a plan. Before he met Jeongguk he would have just killed Souta and honestly, that is still an option if all else fails but the Lotus and the Komorebi will merge as one.
There are too many factors. The mating, the two gangs becoming one, his father’s fading mating mark, and Jeongguk. Not to mention his father has him off missions for the Lotus so Jimin is even more isolated.
Jimin places his knife on the table between them and says, “I am never going to love him.”
His father looks at him then, he cocks his head to the side, “You have never been stupid, Jimin,” he says, shaking his head, “This isn’t about love. It is about survival.”
He grits his teeth, “You loved mom.”
Sato’s eyes flash red, “And she died because of it. Don’t ever think this arrangement is about love,” he reaches out and grabs Jimin’s knife, tossing it into the air and catching it, “Don’t you want a warm home? Pups? Don’t you want to stop holding guns to people's heads?”
Jimin doesn’t answer because he doesn’t know. His omega is confused, clawing at his chest, growling and whining as his father talks because he never thought about life beyond misses, goofing off with Tae and Yoongi, the money and clubs. Not until—
The front door burst open, “Jimin! I have found the perfect courting gift for…” Tae’s words die off as he looks at his father. Tae’s smile falls and he bows to the man before glancing back at Jimin.
“A courting gift? For Souta?”
Jimin’s scent bleeds peppery. No. For a pretty omega with a smile that covers his whole face and a honeyed scent. Not that asshole.
Tae’s mouth parts, he shifts from foot to foot and Jimin rolls his eyes, saving him, “Maybe,” Jimin says, standing and his father nods approvingly as he stands.
“Your schedule has been updated for a few dates with Souta, be sure to check it later, and Jimin?” His father says, stopping by the front door, “This mating will happen…don’t play dirty.”
“Me? Never, father,” Jimin smiles, blinking owlishly as the door shuts and he swirls his head back around to Tae who pauses for a moment before a scream rips from his throat and Tae jumps over the sofa.
“I didn’t know he would be here!”
Jimin growls, “I don’t care! A courting gift! Now I have to find a courting gift for that alpha! I won’t do it! This is all your fault!”
They circle each other, the sofa acting as a barrier and Jimin’s omega is ready to snap as Tae yells, “But! I did find a little gift for your omega!” He holds his hands in front of him.
His omega.
That sounds about right. Jimin sighs, running his hand down his face, “What is the gift?”
Tae pulls out a necklace. It is simple. Silver and gold with a little sun charm dangling from the chain and Jimin jumps onto the sofa and grabs it from Tae’s outstretched hand as he looks down at the necklace in his palm.
His omega immediately loves it. He smiles—his sunshine—he brings the necklace to his scent gland on his neck, trying to scent the necklace because his omega doesn’t seem to understand that the necklace won’t hold his scent as much as fabric.
Tae chuckles and Jimin narrows his gaze on the other wolf but Tae just smiles, “I am so happy to see you like this.”
He doesn’t need to explain. Jimin never thought he would see himself so smitten for someone either but here he is. Trying to scent a necklace. His heart pounds and Jimin feels his face warm as he stomps to his bedroom with Tae hot on his heels.
Jimin places the necklace down gently on his table, next to his overflowing jewelry box. His fingers linger on the tiny sun as he whispers, “Do you think it is less special since you found it?”
“You are the one giving it to him, your feelings are what make it special. Plus, I could only find it because you don’t shut up about the omega,” Tae laughs, flopping down onto the bed with a groan.
Jimin turns to look at him, “Don’t you touch the jacket next to my pillow…”
Tae’s grin turns almost feral, “You are so in love.”
Jimin growls, throwing anything within range at the alpha as Tae laughs as one of his rings bonks him on the head. Jimin huffs as he mumbles, “Not in love…”
Tae raises a brow and Jimin caves, “Yet.”
⋆˙⟡
Two months. He has two months left before his mating but right now he isn’t going to think about it because he is standing outside of Jeongguk’s apartment for a date. A proper date. Jimin’s scent is fluctuating as the night settles in, bugs hum, people laugh as they walk down the street and lights from street lamps and other buildings flicker on.
Jimin’s pocket feels heavy with the necklace inside of a little box he bought—it is golden and velvet. It is pretty and the box is holding his scent a lot better than the necklace. His omega is relieved over this fact.
Jeongguk called him two days ago asking what he was doing Saturday night. His voice was soft, his rambling and teasing turned into Jeongguk asking him on a date. Jeongguk wants to watch a movie, eat snacks and the younger omega ends up calling the whole thing a date. Jimin’s omega is pacing in his chest, ready to see him and Jimin's heart is also a traitor as it sings to see the other omega.
He hasn’t really been on dates and definitely not ones like this. Jimin is used to expensive restaurants, plays, and clubs. He is used to the night meeting one end and the next day both parties go on their way.
Jimin looks down at his outfit—a white Chanel shirt, black jeans, and his leather jacket with matching boots. His hair is freshly dyed and his rings shine as he knocks on the door.
“Coming!” Jeongguk yells through the door. Jimin hears a silent curse, something falling and the door flies open. Jeongguk blinks, his hair falling in messy fluffy curls, he is wearing joggers and an oversized black t-shirt, and he looks cozy. Perfect.
“Aren’t you going to be uncomfortable wearing jeans to watch a movie?”
Jimin doesn’t even miss a beat, “I guess you’ll just have to undress me, baby.”
Jeongguk’s cheeks fill with color, a smile curls onto his mouth as he shakes his head, “You’re impossible.”
Jimin shrugs, stepping closer, “And yet I am here for a date…with you.”
“This could be a mistake,” Jeongguk whispers, dipping his head down, his tone is teasing but Jimin’s omega freezes in his chest because Jeongguk doesn’t know how right he is.
“Can I come in anyway?” Jimin whispers back, trying to seem alluring but his heart hits his ribs like a bird trapped in a cage.
Jeongguk opens the door wider, his scent is bright, fresh and Jimin’s mouth waters as he steps into the small apartment. He toes off his shoes, his head snapping up as he feels Jeongguk move past him, humming a little tune and Jimin’s omega tilts his head—wanting, wanting, wanting.
Over the past few weeks, they have learned a lot about each other, from the countless phone calls, messages and a few times they met up. Jimin knows that Jeongguk is always making sounds, he is always moving—humming, dancing, swaying back and forth. Jeongguk told him it is because of his ADHD.
Jimin can’t stop himself in some moments. He rubs his back, pats his knee when it shakes or he just smiles at the younger omega when he moves because he is eating something sweet.
“Go to the table, I already pushed the sofa back a little so you can just—oh! We need kimchi!” Jeongguk rambles, the sound of him moving in the kitchen makes Jimin chuckle as he plops himself down on the floor in front of the coffee table.
The TV is paused on a movie, Jimin looks at the pretty opening screen, which is some animated movie and Jimin grins because he is excited to watch the movie with Jeongguk.
Jimin glances down at the array of food on the old wooden table. A few cups of ramen, four packs of onigiri and Jimin blinks at the dumplings. It is one of Jimin’s favorite foods.
Jeongguk appears, sitting down with a small plate of kimchi and he speaks up, “Ah! I remember you telling me on the phone the other day that you love dumplings. So, um, I thought it would be nice to have now.”
Jimin nods, it is so simple and might seem pointless but he can’t remember the last time someone got him something he likes just because they remembered, “Thank you, baby.”
Jimin picks up his chopsticks and pops one of the yummy dumplings into his mouth and Jeongguk grins, his eyes sparkle, “Is it yummy? Eat lots. Okay?” Jeongguk whispers, grabbing another dumpling to place on Jimin’s plate.
The older omega’s chest blooms, his scent sweetens and he doesn’t even stop it. Jeongguk wiggles next to him, a healthy glow on his cheeks as he picks up his cup of ramen as the movie starts to play. Jimin leans back against the sofa, his shoulder brushes Jeongguk’s and Jimin feels calm.
Jimin eats another dumpling, eyeing Jeongguk as he hums along with the movie, “You said we are going to watch your favorite movie?”
“Yeah. It is called Your Name, and it is so beautiful. It is about…” he pauses, tilting his head but his eyes don't leave the screen until he mumbles, “Fate.”
Jimin’s heart skips a beat, his eyes drift down to the rosiness of Jeongguk’s lips from his spicy ramen and yeah, Jimin is going to kiss him before the night ends. He is going to kiss him a lot.
Jimin snaps his eyes back to Jeongguk, he smirks, “Fate, huh? Seems like fate loves you, huh?” He mumbles, referencing all the times Jeongguk has mentioned fate to Jimin.
“Maybe I just don’t pull against it.”
Jimin frowns because Jeongguk doesn’t understand that he can’t follow fate—fate is leading him to mate with another alpha, to give up leadership to the Lotus and he will end up alone—no, no, that won’t happen.
So, Jimin whispers, “Maybe fate isn’t as kind to me as it is to you, darling.”
Jeongguk’s big eyes get bigger if that is even impossible and his scent sorts through many emotions before settling, “Maybe you are trying to control it.”
Jimin huffs, he doesn’t want to have this conversation so he just shrugs his shoulders, grabbing his own cup of ramen and slurping the noodles up. He can feel Jeongguk’s stare but the younger omega finally goes back to his own meal and the movie.
The movie is definitely fun, it is heartfelt and Jimin’s hand slips into Jeongguk’s hair near the end when Jeongguk starts to get teary eyed. Jimin can’t help but imagine what would happen if he and Jeongguk changed bodies.
Chaos.
Unforgiving chaos.
Jimin’s mind is creating scenarios—what if Jeongguk finds out about his so-called (unwanted) fiance or his life as a yakuza? What if—
Jeongguk sniffles and Jimin snaps his head to the younger one, bringing his head to his neck and mumbling, “Honey, why are you crying?”
Jeongguk giggles through his tears, “They found each other again.”
Jimin’s heart swells, it bleeds for his man, “Yeah…they did,” he slips his hand back into Jeongguk’s dark strands and hums, “They did.”
Jeongguk pulls back, his eyes glassy but he smiles, “Did you like it?”
Jimin huffs in amusement, “It is a beautiful movie.”
Jeongguk nods, his scent spikes and he leans forward, “I think the director, Makoto Shinkai, did such a good job! The movie is about love but as I mentioned before…” Jeongguk gushes, taking a breath, “It is about fate! The kindness of it but also the cruelty.”
Jimin watches Jeongguk ramble, his smile that splits his face, the rosy cheeks and wet eyes, “And don’t get me started on the animation—”
Jeongguk gasps as Jimin pulls him forward by the hand in his hair and kisses him. Jeongguk's speech falls short, his breath caught in his throat and Jimin smiles into the kiss. It is a mere peck and Jimin goes to pull back but Jeongguk shakes his head, “More.”
Jimin’s omega sings, his heart flutters as he presses his mouth back to Jeongguk’s and sighs into the kiss—it's warm, spicy from the ramen they ate earlier, and soft. Jeongguk’s lips are so soft.
Jimin pulls back, nipping at Jeongguk’s bottom lip earning himself a soft moan from the other omega. Their scents start to mingle and Jimin fights to control his omega. Jeongguk’s eyes flutter as if he is dreaming, his mouth is parted and he tugs at Jimin.
His fingers are grasping at his jacket and Jimin groans in frustration at not having Jeongguk’s hands on his skin—he pulls back, breathless as Jeongguk whines, “Hold on baby, I did say you would be undressing me…” he says, throwing his jacket somewhere behind him.
Jeongguk looks at him, his hair falling into his eyes, “Looks like you are undressing yourself,” he breathes out, as each exhale of Jimin’s scent pleases him.
Jimin chirps, the sound leaving his throat, calling to the omega in front of him and Jeongguk’s eyes snap from his collar bones.
They stare at each other. Jimin’s mind is racing but it's not the usual thoughts that hold him down. He feels weightless, his lungs full and his heart more than the organ that keeps him alive.
He sniffs the air, honey and pine float around with his peppery jasmine but Jeongguk seems to love the oddness of his scent, his nose twitches, and Jimin’s eyes fall back to the younger omega’s mouth.
The tension is thick, it cloys the room like a third heartbeat. The end credit of the movie rolls and Jimin doesn’t wait for fate as he climbs into Jeongguk's lap, his leg kicking the coffee table out of the way as he sits.
Jeongguk’s hands immediately slip underneath his shirt and Jimin moans at the warmth of him, “Sunshine,” he whispers once as his lips slide between Jeongguk’s.
It is all consuming, Jeongguk encompasses him and Jimin’s omega feels at peace—wet smacks fill the room as the movie ends, the lights from the windows are muted by the sheer curtains, and Jimin’s hands tug at Jeongguk’s hair.
Jimin pushes his tongue past Jeongguk’s lips, running the tip along the roof of his mouth, making the younger omega mewl, his hands tightening on Jimin’s waist. Jimin shudders in his arms, pulling back from the kiss as he nuzzles into his temple, his chest is pressed against Jeongguk’s, and the omega below him pants out, “I want to scent you, please.”
Jimin closes his eyes, he inhales as he mouths down Jeongguk’s jaw, finding a home in his neck and pulling the skin between his teeth, nibbling, marking him as he pulls back to see a purple mark. His thumb traces just below the love bite and Jeongguk makes a gentle sound.
Jimin’s knees are on either side of him, he has been keeping his weight mostly off of him but Jeongguk seems to decide that is enough as he grips his hips, and Jimin curses as he feels the hardness between them.
Sitting fully onto the other omega’s lap, Jimin smells it then, slick.
Sugary honey and it is so gratifying—Jimin growls, the sound echoes, and Jeongguk bares his neck as his nails move down Jimin’s back with a desperate whine, it sounds breathless to Jimin’s ears.
Jeongguk is slicking up for him and so easily. Jimin feels insane, dizzy and he soars down, his mouth attaching itself to Jeongguk’s scent gland. He isn’t gentle, he covers Jeongguk with his jasmine and pepper scent—the place smells like an enchanted forest.
His nose pressing into his skin, his mouth is littering marks, his tongue easing the sting of each bite and Jimin’s mind empties and his heart fills.
Jimin finally leans back just to fall back into Jeongguk. Their lips meet and Jeongguk mumbles into the kiss, words turning to gentle sounds and a wet smack when Jimin pulls back, looking down at him with a parted mouth.
Their breath mingles, Jeongguk’s eyes are blue and he wonders if his are the same, “What do you need, sunshine?” His voice is rough, velvet against steel and Jeongguk blinks as he pulls himself together again.
Their chests meet with each breath, “Want to scent you.”
Jimin runs his tongue over his teeth, his fingers are still in Jeongguk’s hair, “Are you going to make me yours?” He whispers, teasing as he smiles at the younger omega but Jimin’s heart swoops.
Jeongguk’s eyes darken, his scent spilling like honey from a broken jar, “You are mine,” he rumbles out, his chest vibrating, and Jimin shivers.
The older omega brushes his hair back down at the base of his neck and he smiles, a slight curve to his lips, “That’s right,” he whispers, letting his want and a wish shine like moonlight, “Yours.”
“Mine.”
Jimin doesn’t usually let others scent him but this is Jeongguk—his omega and he is scared enough to know what this could mean but the necklace is burning in his jacket pocket across the floor behind them.
If Jeongguk accepts the gift then Jimin is going to fight fate. The fear collects in his gut because being Jimin’s is dangerous but he can’t stop.
He is selfish.
Jimin looks at Jeongguk through his lashes and tilts his head back. Jeongguk’s fingers grasp his shoulders as he presses his mouth into his scent gland—jasmine blooms and Jimin can’t stop the gasps that leave his mouth that break off into a mewl.
“Darling—”
Jeongguk moves slowly like he has all the time in the world. He breaks Jimin apart slowly and Jimin is moaning, he can’t see straight as he blinks his eyes open, his hips moving, rolling gently as the younger omega covers him in his scent.
It's been too long since he last has been scented like this.
“You’re so pretty,” Jeongguk mumbles into his ear, licking the shell as he nuzzles.
“Ah-h—” Jimin bites his lip to stop his sound, slick leaking from him but he doesn’t want it to go too far, not yet—not yet.
He pulls back and Jenogguk’s lips are swollen, red, and perfect.
Jimin reaches his hair, letting his hands fall onto his shoulders and Jeongguk’s hands drift up to his waist, leaving his hips and Jimin smiles down at him, “Do I smell like you?”
“You know you do.”
Jimin giggles, he leans down, their noses brushing as he mumbles, “I have something for you.”
Jeongguk’s scent spikes, his eyes shine like raindrops in the sun, “What? What?” He giggles, wiggling and Jimin laughs, petting his hair.
Jimin slowly moves from Jeongguk’s lap, both hissing as the warmth leaves but Jimin plops down in front of him, twisting back to pull his leather jacket between them. Jeongguk is frowning at it, his lips pushing out into a pout and Jimin’s heart does some swirling thing in his chest.
He pulls out the golden box, it is small in his hand but Jeongguk takes it, glancing at him and Jimin nods, “Open it, sunshine.”
He smiles, snapping open the tiny box and Jeongguk’s pine and honey scent explodes as he takes in the necklace, “It is a courting gift…” He breathes out, as if it is a question.
“Why do you doubt that, silly omega,” Jimin whispers with a shake of his head, his whole body buzzing and he moves closer, shifting on his knees, “Can I put it on you?”
He nods, never looking away from the sun charm even as it falls into place along his chest, the necklace is longer so the sun can rest closer to his heart and Jimin’s omega is clawing at his chest.
“I know I keep bringing up fate…” Jeongguk starts, his teeth tugging on his bottom lip and Jimin reaches between them, his thumb tugging gently and Jeongguk releases his hold, “but…wait!”
The omega smells more like Jimin than himself now as he jumps from the floor, running into his room and Jimin takes a moment to do anything but think of everything that might go wrong—he just feels instead. He feels so much in such a short amount of time for Jeongguk.
“Hyung,” he whispers, sitting back in front of him, his feet tucked underneath himself as he has something cupped in his hands.
Jimin doesn’t even speak, Jeongguk opens his hands, and in the middle of his palm is a curled-up necklace with a moon charm. Jimin lets out a breath he didn’t even realize he was holding and only one word is exhaled, “Sunshine.”
Jeongguk giggles, “Moonbeam.”
⋆˙⟡
Puddles shine in the afternoon sun, Jimin tries his best not to step in the golden water as he walks down the street—there’s a small cafe that sells honey covered bread and Jimin is craving honey.
He smirks to himself, wondering why that could be. Ever since the night he gave the courting gift to Jeongguk and the other omega gave him one in return…he can barely focus on anything that isn’t Jeongguk.
It is insane how quickly Jimin’s world has changed since meeting Jeongguk and maybe some of that has to do with his father taking him off missions. He is basically on house arrest.
“And then Yoongi smiled at me—” Tae giggles, the alpha next to him bumps his shoulders, “He really seems to love lamb…”
Jimin grins at his friend, shaking his head, “It is his favorite food. Of course, he does and you know this.”
Tae groans, “Be happy for me!”
“I am happy that you are finally getting your act together to court him.”
Tae slaps his arm, “Rude!”
Jimin laughs, twisting out of his reach, “It took you long enough!”
Tae sighs, sticking his tongue into his cheek as his shoes splash in a puddle, “I had some good inspiration lately,” he says, looking at him, his smile all boxy and wide but it falls as he whispers, “I have seen what I stand to lose if I wait.”
Jimin frowns, his omega grumbles in his chest, “What do you mean?”
Tae just tilts his head, “Come on, Jimin,” he sighs as they both pass a flower shop that is around the block from the cafe, “You’ve got to decide what you are going to do about Jeongguk.”
What is he going to do? Jimin’s omega claws at his chest at the mention of the other omega. Jimin’s life is in chaos. He never knows the future. The weight of the necklace sits heavily on his chest, he brings his hand up, pressing on the moon charm as he sighs.
It isn’t unusual for wolves to move fast when they find someone they like. Even in the modern age. Their inner wolves know who can be good for them and Jeongguk makes Jimin shine.
They stop walking, Jimin looks at the small cafe—the scent of honey, butter, and coffee floats around as people laugh and mingle around the area, “I am going to…”
Love him.
The words get trapped in his throat, his heart sinks and he balls up his fists like he can fight his way out of these feelings. He keeps pushing everything away like a fucking coward.
“You will have to give up the Lotus,” Tae murmurs, leaning down, “You’ll have to run and never see us again.”
“No.”
“Do you have a plan then? Some great plan to have it all?”
Jimin bites out, his omega growling, “Kill Souta…”
Tae sighs, his scent bitter and burning, “The Lotus and Komorebi are becoming one. You’ll start a war and then your little omega will just be in the middle of it all.”
Jimin’s fists shake, his scent is peppery and burnt as he twists to face his best friend, “What will you have me do then?” His heart hammers against his chest, his bones shake like a house of cards as he hisses the question out like poison.
Tae leans away, he smiles, it is a small thing, a painful thing, “You knew this would end up badly.”
He did.
He did but still…he hoped. He listened to Jeongguk whisper about fate like the universe has ever been kind to him but deep down, maybe he thought just this once he could have something good.
Jimin opens his mouth and Tae stiffens and mumbles, “Speak of the devil,” and Tae blends into the crowd, disappearing, and Jimin blinks, his omega alert at the sudden movement of his bodyguard.
“Hyung!”
Jimin whirls around, his scent blooming into jasmine as he spots Jeongguk running past puddles, people, and with a giant smile on his face, “Jimin hyung!”
His hair is shining in the light, his scent is sweet, calling Jimin like a bee to honey, “Baby,” he breathes out, breathless as Jeongguk slams into him. They move back a few steps from the force and he laughs.
He wraps Jeongguk up in his arms, moving them side to side, “Baby,” he whispers again into Jeongguk's hair. The younger omega giggles, his scent blooms brighter and he nuzzles gently into Jimin's cheek before pulling back.
Jimin can’t even look at Jeongguk before the yellow petals are in his view. Bright, pretty, yellow sunflowers and Jimin looks at the two stems before taking them from Jeongguk.
The younger omega’s face is rosy but he is still grinning as he says, “For you, moonbeam.”
And Jimin’s world becomes bright. Gone from the darker conversation with Tae as he stands in front of a man who clearly adores him. Jimin holds the flowers to his chest, “How—? What?” He smiles.
“I saw you passing the flower shop and I just…I wanted to give you flowers.”
Jimin nods, leaning down to smell them, the petals tickling his nose and cheeks, “They are beautiful.”
Jimin can feel Jeongguk’s gaze on him, his cheeks blooming with color, “What are you doing in Meguro?”
Jeongguk turns around, his camera backpack sits between his shoulders, “I have a shoot soon,” he says, “I never get to come to this fancy place much but it is beautiful.”
“What are you doing here?”
“I live nearby.”
Jeongguk’s eyes widened because this isn’t a cheap part of Japan. Not at all.
“Wow.”
Jimin shrugs, his honesty is going to make Jeongguk ask things he shouldn’t, “My family does pretty well.”
Jimin quickly looks back at the flowers, changing the topic, “Why sunflowers?”
This question brings Jeongguk closer, he wraps his hands around Jimin’s and the flowers, “Have you ever heard of the sunflower theory?”
He shakes his head, his cheeks hurting because he can’t stop smiling when he is with Jeongguk, “No.”
“Well, sunflowers face the light, right?”
Jimin nods along and Jeongguk giggles, his hands tightening, “…later tonight, when you have them in your apartment…” he whispers, “I hope you take them home…” he adds and Jimin laughs with a nod of his head, “They will face each other during the night…”
Jimin forgets to breathe as Jeongguk sways back and forth in happiness, “So, when things get hard…maybe we can face each other? Or something like that.”
Jimin’s mouth parts, he is speechless and he is falling so fucking in love. He doesn’t even try to keep his scent from being overwhelming as he looks down at the two sunflowers between their hands.
“That is so cheesy, huh? Silly of me—”
“It’s not,” Jimin says, “Baby—I—fuck, I like you so much.”
Jeongguk smiles, his eyes are blooming stars in mid-day, “I like you so, so, so much, hyung.”
Jimin leans between the flowers and places a soft peck on Jeongguk’s mouth, “Thank you.”
They both stare at one another, “I wish I could stay but I have that photoshoot…” he looks down at his watch, “In ten minutes.”
“Go, I’ll text you later, okay, darling?”
Jeongguk turns to leave and Jimin slaps his butt and Jeongguk twirls around, his face on fire as he laughs, and Jimin wants to hear the sound forever—wants to never forget it even in a room full of people eliciting his attention.
Jimin watches him leave. He feels Tae next to him again but he doesn’t look at the alpha as he mumbles, “I am not giving him up.”
Tae just sighs, his scent muted, “I didn’t think you would.”
“I have like thirteen percent of a plan,” he mumbles, his fingers brushing over the yellow petals again, “And it starts with Kim Seokjin.”
⋆˙⟡
Hell or high water Jimin is going to make this work. He is going to get the life he wants. He will lead the Lotus and Jeongguk will stay by his side. He can do this. There’s nothing poetic about it. It will come from his blood, sweat, and tears like most things in life do.
He won’t lose his home. He won’t give up Jeongguk.
“A club, really?” Tae asks, “A bit of a cliché, isn’t it?”
Jimin rolls his eyes, scanning his friend and his colorful outfit of greens and purple. Jimin shrugs, looking down at his drink and the water marks that have faded the wood over the years, “He loves nighttime photography.”
Tae hums, “So, you brought him here to work?” The alpha raises his brow and they both survey the club.
Muse is one of the clubs under the Lotus control. It is modernly safe and Jimin loves the drinks here. The colorful teal and yellow lights are stunning, the dance floor is huge and Jimin can control most of what goes on here.
He flickers his eyes to the second floor, “Not to work but to share his passion,” Jimin mutters, his hand tightens on his drink, “Plus, it is safe and I want to dance with him.”
Tae snorts, following his line of sight, “Taking him up to the exclusive floor? You know that’s only for members of the Lotus,” he snickers because they both know that means nothing to Jimin—it's just an added level of security for the other omega.
“If everything works out,” Jimin says, tossing back the rest of his drink, “Then Jeongguk has to get used to the idea of being surrounded by my people.”
“Gang members, you mean.”
Jimin slams the glass back down, his omega stiffening at the thought but he nods, “Yeah.”
The word is a whisper, a plea but it also holds so much fear.
“You’ll tell him soon, then?”
Jimin hums, “After I talk to Seokjin.”
He made plans to speak with Jin in the next few days but the waiting is crushing him, a constant worry—a lack of control.
Tae laughs, grinning as he makes eye contact with the bartender and points down at their empty glasses, “He has been so fun, lately.”
This grabs Jimin's attention. His world has been narrowed down to Jeongguk and plans that feel like false gold. It is a bitter-sweet thing but Jimin hates it.
He rolls his eyes, “Isn’t he always?”
Tae’s lips push together, “Yeah.”
Jimin waits, his eyes widening, “Yeah?”
Tae groans, lifting his new glass in thanks as the bartender sets it before him, “I can’t say much.”
Jimin runs his tongue over his teeth, “Why not?” He hisses, his scent blooming into pepper and he fights to not bare his teeth at his friend. Why can’t he say anything? His heart sinks as he beats against his bones as it falls.
“Your father made us vow not to tell you the happenings in the Lotus.”
Silence.
Fucking silence rings through his head in the loud club.
It isn’t like this is shocking. He knew this was happening because of Jimin’s resistance to the mating but for Tae and Yoongi to side with the Lotus—which makes sense—they are members but they are also Jimin’s.
They are Jimin’s bodyguards.
They are Jimin’s people.
His friends.
“Well.”
That is all that leaves his mouth as his heart breaks and loyalty crumbles like a house of cards. He always hated playing that game as a child. Building a fucking house from paper cards, as it would survive.
“Jimin…”
Jimin looks down at his shot of whiskey. It is golden. It looks like those rain puddles the afternoon Jeongguk gave him those sunflowers.
“I am sure Souta is taking things over nicely,” Jimin spits.
“Nicely is a strong word.”
“I am being sarcastic, asshole.”
Tae groans, his scent spiking, “I know! I know,” he mumbles, “What should I do? Betray them?”
Betray the Lotus.
Jimin throws his shot back, licking his lips as he looks back towards the door. Jeongguk should be here any moment. He would have picked up the omega but Jeongguk had a last-minute photoshoot tonight.
Tonight is a surprise. He called Jeongguk this morning to ask for the date and now he is nervous. He twists his rings around his fingers and he sighs loudly before he looks back over to Tae.
“I just want you to stand by my side,” Jimin whispers, his scent mellowing out as he speaks with candor for the first time in a while—especially when it comes to his feelings on losing everything, “I am going to take the Lotus back and I am not mating Souta.”
Tae nods but they both know that it is crazy.
It is crazy.
It is insane actually.
The chances of getting everything he wants are impossible. No. No, he is going to talk to Jin and, and, and everything will be okay. Each day it feels like he is running in a circle. The same feelings, the same thoughts and he feels almost insane because maybe, just maybe Jimin will have to face that things are changing.
Fate is working her magic and Jimin doesn’t have any control and maybe he never really did.
Jimin needs to tell Jeongguk everything. He will. He decided that after he talks to Jin, he will sit down with the younger omega and explain who he is…what he is, and hope that Jeongguk will understand.
“Jeongguk has been really good for you,” Tae interrupts his racing thoughts and then Tae says something that makes another crack in his heart, “Your mom would love you like this.”
Everything Jimin wants to say just stops but fuck, he feels so much, he feels, feels, feels and he wonders who he is anymore.
“Jimin hyung!”
Sweet pine and honey fill Jimin’s lungs and his omega claws at his chest, “Baby,” he whispers. He hears Tae snicker, and he reaches over and slaps his arm, “Shut it.”
He whirls his eyes back to Jeongguk and the omega is breathtaking.
The fuck.
An error message appears before his eyes as Jeongguk stands before him in silk. Purple silk, tight leather pants that hug his thighs and he is smiling like a rabbit in front of a berry bush.
Jimin immediately pulls Jeongguk between his legs, spreading them to accommodate the pretty omega as he leans his back against the bar, “You are gorgeous,” Jimin whispers, his heart pounding as he reaches forward to brush a few stray hairs from his eyes.
“Jimin,” the younger omega exhales, his voice breathy and soft as he lets his arm hang over his shoulders. Jimin can’t help but grin at him—his scent sweetening as he scans down the younger’s body. He licks his lips, his gut tightening as he thinks about Jeongguk on his lap and his hands underneath that pretty wild shirt.
“You’re whipped, Jiminie,” Tae says next to them, and Jeongguk jolts, he turns his head slightly to look at Tae but Jimin pays the alpha no mind.
“You’re the alpha who was with Jimin from a few days ago.”
Jimin stiffens at Jeongguk’s words, he doesn’t look at Tae but Jeongguk saw them together before the sunflower exchange but he didn’t mention it. Suddenly he wonders how much Jeongguk has noticed.
“Yeah, Jimin wanted some of that popular honey bread,” Tae laughs, his smile tight, “I wonder why he could have been craving honey, hmm?” The alpha laughs, twirling on the barstool.
Jeongguk’s cheek flushes, he turns to look at him, “Why were you carving honey?’
Jimin reaches out, fixing the collar of Jeongguk’s shirt, letting his fingers brush over his neck and collarbone, “I wonder why, baby.”
Jimin smirks, his eyes drift down to Jeongguk’s scent gland and flick back up to meet Jeongguk’s gaze, “It is truly a mystery,’ he giggles, leaning closer, and Jeongguk’s scent spikes. Honey flourishes around them and Jimin’s omega claws at his chest, whining but Jimin holds him back. He winks, watching Jeongguk’s eyes sparkle.
Beautiful.
“Do you want a drink, sweetness?”
Jeongguk looks at the bar behind them and Jimin turns to see the bartender watching with wide eyes because it isn’t a secret amongst his gang that he is engaged and these people know it.
Jimin smirks, raising his brows but the man just looks away and Jimin turns his attention back to Jeongguk who is already watching him. He looks thoughtful, sweet and Jimin leans forward and Jeongguk’s breath hitches in his throat.
Delicious.
His. This omega is his.
“Come on, darling,” Jimin says, the music flows, glasses clink, people watch and Jimin slips his fingers between Jeongguk’s and pulls him along. They move through the scents of lust, happiness, and darkness that Jimin knows a little too well.
Jimin starts up the stairs and Jeongguk pulls on his hand, he looks down at the other omega whose eyes are huge, “This is for like…exclusive members.”
Jimin can’t help the laugh that falls from his lips, his scent blooms and Jeongguk inhales as he takes a step forward. The music pounds, it is shaking the walls and Jimin’s heart is pounding right along with it, “I know,” and he pulls Jeongguk along.
The bouncer at the top of the stairs bows his head, “Master Park,” opening the door, and Jeongguk's chest hits his back when Jimin stops.
“Is Hoseok manning the bar?”
The alpha grins, “Isn’t he always.”
Jimin laughs, “You think he would get tired of it?”
“Of making drinks? Flirting with customers or dancing on the tables?”
“You never know.”
“He is too loyal to you.”
Jimin flashes him a smug smile, looking over his shoulder at a star-struck Jeongguk, “Close your mouth, baby. You are going to give too many people ideas of what they can do to those pretty lips.”
Jeongguk flushes, the pinkness of his skin flows from his ears to his neck as they walk through the door, “Master Park, huh?”
Jimin snorts, his hands tightening around Jeongguk’s but the other omega continues, “Kinda hot.”
Jimin whirls around, their hands dropping but Jimin pulls him close by the hoops of his leather pants, letting his nose brush along his jaw, “Oh? You want to call me master?”
Jeongguk shivers, his scent spiking but his omega just shakes his head—his eyes gleaming bright as he grins, “I will just call you Jimin-ah.”
The older omega can’t stop the growl that leaves him, he presses his lips to his chin as he keeps Jeongguk close, “Hyung,” he corrects.
Jeongguk huffs out a laugh, making their chests touch, “Jimin—”
“Jimin! You fool! It has been weeks!”
They pull apart, Jimin moves slowly, turning his head to look at Hoseok and he is grinning. There’s something wicked in his eyes, his scent of gin is bright as he watches them both.
He is learning a little too much but Jimin trusts him.
The bar is dark wood, shelves hold bottles that glow with the lights that are hidden underneath making the place shine as the dark corners of the room hold seating, pool tables, and a hallway that leads to more private settings.
Jimin flicks his eyes back to Jeongguk, “What do you want to drink, baby?”
Jenogguk slides up next to him, tilting his head just enough to make Jimin consider throwing Hoseok down the stairs for interrupting them as he traces down the unmarked neck. His skin is tan, pretty and he tears his eyes from the other omega’s throat before he bends him over one of the pool tables.
“Mimosa.”
Jimin giggles, he shakes his head as he pulls Jeongguk to the bar because of course Jeongguk would want a brunch drink at night—something sweet and light. Something that is very much like the photographer.
Orange juice and champagne.
The music isn’t as loud up here but Jimin can feel the beats on the floor. Hefeels dizzy as if he is on the dance floor, moving, forgetting life but he is just standing next to Jeongguk.
The younger omega leans against the bar and Jimin grins, pressing his chest to his back, letting his nose run along the back of his neck, honey and pine fill his lungs before plopping his chin on his shoulder, “One mimosa and a whiskey on the rocks.”
Jimin wraps his arms around Jeongguk, he closes his eyes and just exists. The sounds of Hoseok making their drinks, the thump of the music, Jeongguk’s warmth, and the honey scent.
Everything is perfect.
It will be perfect.
Jimin blinks his eyes open as Jeongguk turns his head, pressing his nose to his cheek.
Nuzzling.
Gently. So gently. Jimin’s heart swells in his chest, threatening to burst free.
“I’m going to the restroom,” the younger omega whispers and Jimin nods, pulling away from him as he watches him move past the bar and down the hall. He is safe in this club. It’s Jimin’s after all.
“Soooo!”
Jimin slowly moves his head towards the bartender. Hoseok is smiling—it is a shit eating one, all knowing and playful, as if he has learned Jimin’s inner secrets.
“Don’t even start,” Jimin sighs, grabbing his glass as he twirls the golden liquor, “Tae is already all up my ass about it.”
“Seems like you would want Jeongguk up your ass.”
Jimin grins, “Maybe…” he exhales, taking a tip of his drink.
“That pup doesn’t know anything about our world.”
Jimin’s hand grips his drink, the lights flash around them, his heart is racing as he looks at his friend, “I am going to tell him.”
It sounds like a plea more than a fact.
Hoseok holds his hands out in a sign of peace, “I’m just saying, you are going to keep him as your little secret? A side piece. Sounds cruel and while you are scary…” Hoseok says decidedly, “You aren’t cruel.”
Jimin disagrees with him. He is a murderer. A liar. He has gambled with people's well-being and has done some questionable things for his father. And yet, there is a tiny piece of him that craves something akin to normal.
Something like ramen at midnight. Late mornings, laundry piled up, and Jeongguk’s smile. His omega sees a mate in the other omega and somewhere in the depths of himself he thinks he can love Jeongguk right.
“I am working on a plan,” is all he offers the bartender as he tosses back the rest of his drink, it burns and settles in his chest like embers as he looks at the bright orange drink next to him.
“For your sake, I hope Souta doesn’t find out about him.”
Jimin doesn’t give a response because he would shoot Souta dead before he could even touch Jeongguk. The Lotus and the Komorebi be damned.
“I am just going to have fun tonight,” Jimin grinds his teeth, sliding the glass forward and Hoseok laughs, making him another.
The alpha’s hands work fast and smooth as butter as he says, “By all means, have fun,” he whispers, setting the fresh glass down with a wink.
“There was a line,” Jeongguk says, “Sorry,” he whispers, his shoulder bumping into his and Jimin inhales the sweetness of Jeongguk.
“No problem, baby,” Jimin whispers, sliding his glass to him, and the younger omega quickly takes a sip. He hums, his eyes twinkle in delight. Jimin’s heart skips a beat. Hoseok will be getting a good tip tonight.
Jimin could stare at Jeongguk all night. His round nose, the sharp jawline, and his pouty lips. He wonders if the omega knows that he pushes them together randomly—he just pouts and he thinks. His eyes wide, his heart is on his sleeve and he pouts out into the world.
It is fucking endearing.
Red crawls down his ears to his cheeks and Jimin smiles, he takes another sip of his drink but he never turns his head from looking at Jeongguk. Not even when the omega meets his stare.
“Hyunnggg,” he whines.
“Yes, darling?”
Jeongguk sighs, he looks towards the ceiling and Jimin looks at him.
Jimin looks at him.
One day you will have to change when you fall in love. For love is nothing but change. Love isn’t one form—it is many things. It is everything.
His mother’s words echo in his head, words forgotten, and his body shivers, his heart pounds and he almost looks away from the other omega but Jeongguk looks back towards him and asks, “Do you want to dance?”
He doesn’t even feel his lips move as he whispers yes but he smells his scent sweetening and Jeongguk giggles as he moves back from the bar, holding his hand out but Jimin takes the lead, pulling him down the stairs again and back to the main dance floor on the lower level.
The lights are low, simmering blues and purples around the room, the light reflects off glasses and jewelry and Jimin pulls Jeongguk into the center of the floor.
He lets their hands drop as he turns to face the other omega. Jeongguk’s eyes are shiny, dancing stars, and Jimin’s eyes flicker down to the necklace he gave him.
The sun charm rests on his chest. Jimin suddenly wonders if it is warm from his skin, “Sunshine.”
He whispers the nickname, and it gets lost in the beats and sway of bodies around them. Jimin reaches out, his hand drifting from Jeongguk’s collarbone, over the purple fabric of his silk shirt and Jimin growls softly.
The rise and fall of each inhale and exhale makes Jimin crazy, their scents bleed together and Jimin touches the small moon charm. The lights change, flickering to a deep blue, the song changes, and Jimin tugs Jeongguk closer by the necklace.
Jeongguk’s eyes track him and Jimin feels a shiver racing down his spine.
Jeongguk lets his arm rest over his shoulders, Jimin immediately grabs his waist—tiny, tiny, tiny and Jimin presses his face into the other’s omega neck.
Pine, honey, sweat, and Jimin part his lips, breathing him in like he is starving and maybe he is—maybe he is dying for a touch as gentle as Jeongguk’s.
As good. As lovely. As if Jimin is worth more than his mirth of being the son of the Lotus. He feels fucking alive.
Jimin’s heart stutters.
They move to the music, hips swaying—keeping things tame—for now. Jimin’s fingers dig into Jeongguk’s waist, the fabric is sticking to the other’s omega skin. Jimin steps closer, their chests brushing and Jimin nips at Jeongguk’s ear, tugging on the lobe, “Baby.”
His voice sounds a little breathless even to himself, he is intoxicated with this man—the smell of him. Jimin inhales, filling his lungs and his chest with a scent that is starting to feel like more than comfort but a place for him to rest after hiding behind the mask of the Kitty Gang leader.
The way Jeongguk is warm, Jimin presses closer, and the way Jeongguk’s heart pounds in his chest when they meet as Jeongguk pulls him closer and his scent blooms.
Jasmine, that pepper undertone that a lot of people find strange, “God, moonbeam, you smell so good—”
Jimin can’t even speak as Jeongguk twirls him—light flashes in his eyes and Jimin laughs. Little joys fall from his laugh as his back hits Jeongguk’s chest. He lets his head lean back on Jeongguk’s shoulder.
His eyes close, the lights disappear, and he moves to the beat of the next song. He grinds his ass back into Jeongguk’s crouch. Jimin grins, feeling the semi-hard-on that Jeongguk is sporting thanks to him.
Fuck, he feels delirious between emotions and lust.
Jeongguk tightens his hold on him, “Please.”
The word is whispered and Jimin reaches back and grips Jeongguk’s hair, “Fuck,” he breathes out as he grinds again. Jeongguk’s hands are on his hips, pulling him back, keeping them together.
He is going to take Jeongguk home. He is going to get his omega in his bed and fuck him all night. Jeongguk moans as Jimin turns his head towards his throat and licks the salt from his skin.
Jimin lifts his head from Jeongguk’s shoulder, he is about to turn around and beg Jeongguk to come home with him and his heart stops.
His heart fucking stops.
His breath stutters, he catalogs the two knives underneath his clothes and he prays to whatever god is listening that Tae and Yoongi see what he sees.
Souta.
The alpha’s gaze is dark, he is clenching his glass and Yuma, his second hand man, leans over and whispers something into his ear. Souta grins and mouths something through the darkness of the club.
Jimin blinks. Souta is gone.
Jimin stiffens, he whirls around and Jeongguk stumbles forward, not expecting him to move. His mouth parts but Jimin doesn’t know what to say—he needs to get Jeongguk out now.
Souta is here.
The Komorebi.
Jimin grabs his hand, pulling him through the dancing bodies as his mind races—maybe he didn’t see Jeongguk. Maybe he just thinks it is a stranger Jimin met tonight. Maybe he is going to lose his mind at the thought of Souta anywhere near Jeongguk.
His eyes narrow, already knowing Tae and Yoongi must see that he is nervous—they must. The light of the clubs hurts, and his breathing is ragged as he pulls him towards the bathrooms.
“Hyung! Wait, what is wrong?” Jeongguk asks, his scent is burning honey and pine. It makes Jimin’s omega uneasy and protective but Jimin pauses just for a moment in the darkened hallway.
“Let’s go home, darling—” He whispers, curling up closer, his fingers dragging up his arms but Jeongguk blinks, tilting his head before he whispers, “Something is wrong. Your scent—”
“Nothing is wrong!” He snaps.
Jeongguk’s eyes narrow and he pulls back, “That is a lie.”
The words are not snapped like Jimin’s but gentle like he can help—like he knows what could happen to him if Jimin speaks again. If he tells the truth. If Souta touches him because Jimin knows what Souta does to omegas.
Cruel things.
Awful things.
Jimin takes a step back into the darkness of the hallway.
What did Souta say? Oh. Jimin shakes as the words reappear, ‘I hope you enjoy darkness.’
Jimin blinks hard, tears clog his throat, his whole body shakes in fear but Jeongguk continues and Jimin watches as light dances along Jeongguk’s profile, “What’s happening? We were dancing and it was good,” he whispers the last word as if it was only good for him, “And…do you think we are moving too fast?” He asks.
Jimin can only shake his head as words fail him.
“If so, you could have talked to me, hyung—”
“Jimin!”
Jimin jolts, he growls and snaps his teeth as Souta’s hand claps down onto Jeongguk’s shoulder, “Get the fuck away from him.”
Jeongguk jumps, he whirls his head around and Souta’s and Jeongguk’s eyes meet and Jimin steps from the dark hallway and pulls Jeongguk to him, “I said. Get away from him.”
Souta just grins, teeth appearing, eyes sparkling, “You are in a bad mood, Jimin-ah.”
“Don’t call me that!”
Souta’s scent of a forest after it rains strengthens as he cocks his head, “You are always so demanding,” he chuckles.
Jimin positions Jeongguk behind him, “And you’re a prick.”
“Now, now, Jimin, that’s not any way to talk to your fiance, now is it?”
Jimin laughs, it is dripping with hatred for the alpha before him but it isn’t his voice that fills the space between them. It is Jeongguk’s, “Fiancé?”
Jimin’s omega whines in his chest, it claws at his chest and he looks at Jeongguk. The other omega looks panicked—his bottom lip trembles, his scent is spiking and Jimin turns fully to him, “I am not marrying this knothead.”
“Your father says differently,” Souta chimes in, all smug and full of mirth but Jimin ignores him.
“I am not!” He reaches out, his fingers brushing along Jeongguk’s cheek but the younger omega takes a step back with a shake of his head, “I don’t understand,” he whispers and Jimin’s heart falls down. It hits his ribs, his stomach, and lands somewhere dark and alone.
“He really doesn’t know who you are,” Souta snorts, taking a step closer and Jimin looks at him, “Don’t even think about it! What do you want?”
The alpha licks his teeth, popping his mouth as he says, “For you to be honest.”
“You just want to hurt me.”
“Same thing, isn’t it?” Souta says, tilting his head to Jeongguk.
“Baby,” Jimin whispers, he keeps himself from reaching but he fails as Jeongguk blinks—he blinks hard and Jimin sees tears in his eyes.
“Come with me, little omega, I’ll tell you all about Jimin.”
“I’ll kill you,” Jimin shouts.
Souta bounces on his feet then, “Not if I get him first.”
Jimin’s eyes widen and he mumbles, “You wouldn’t dare?”
“Try me,” Jimin takes a step closer to Jeongguk. His scent turns into black pepper and it battles that of the wet earth of the alpha in front of him, “The Lotus is mine, you are mine and if taking him from you…is what will make you see what is actually happening around you, Jimin-ah…then…” he shrugs.
“I will never let you have control of the Lotus!”
He won’t give Souta his home. The only place he’s ever known. It is his last place where his mother was. It is where his life is. It is where Tae and Yoongi are—
“Jimin?”
Jeongguk.
He doesn’t take his eyes from Souta. He shakes, his scent spikes, and growls because right now he needs to get Jeongguk away from him. He glances around and a few wolves are watching—he sees glints of knives and guns and he turns back to Souta and he sighs, rolling his head before he spits, “As if this is going to stop me.”
“Show me what the leader of the Kitty Gang can do,” he raises his arms and Jimin pushes Jeongguk back into the dark hallway before he pulls one of his knives out and throws it.
The thunk as the knife lodges itself into Souta’s shoulder is fucking satisfying but he doesn’t wait for his men to follow them. He turns and grabs Jeongguk’s wrist and pulls him down—running down the hall as he hears his name screamed.
It is a hard place to heal, the joint between the shoulders but it will give them time to run—not enough time but time.
“Jimin—please.”
“I will explain, I will!” Jimin yells as he sees the back door of the club, “But not right now, not when they are trying to get you.”
Jeongguk makes a soft sound in his chest that is drowned out by a bottle hitting the wall above the door, “Shit!”
Jeongguk screams, it echoes and Jimin pulls the door open, Jeongguk runs into him but Jimin keeps them steady with an arm around his waist, their feet stumble together but the alleyway is silent.
“Jimin-n…” his name is breathless, soft from the younger’s omega lips and Jimin knows they don’t have time to talk about this right now. His heart is breaking his ribs as it pounds against his chest, his scent is going haywire and Jimin pulls Jeongguk close.
The younger omega whines, his scent is pure fear, “Jimin.”
Jimin exhales, “I will explain but we've got to leave, okay? Please. Please, baby-y,” his voice cracks as he cups his face. Jeongguk’s eyes are wide, bright, and his pupils are dilated as his lips wobble. Jimin’s thumb brushes on his lips, “Trust me.”
He doesn’t know what is going through Jeongguk’s mind but the omega nods and Jimin lets his hands fall from his face, interlacing their fingers as he pulls Jeongguk over to his bike.
“You've got to be kidding me,” Jeongguk whispers.
Jimin grabs the helmet from the seat of the motorcycle, “It’s a Suzuki Hayabusa,” he says, holding out the helmet for him, and Jeongguk’s eyebrows furrow and he shakes his head.
“You need it—”
The back door slams open, and it hits the wall with a bang. Jimin curses, “No, put it on, baby.”
Jeonggu stares at it and they both turn as Souta appears, “Jimin!” His shoulder is bleeding and Jimin whips his head to Jeongguk, “Put it on and get on the damn bike!”
Jeongguk moves, his fingers are shaky but Jimin taps the top of the helmet once it is on, making sure it is down, snugged on his head before he jumps onto the bike.
Jeongguk grips him, his hands pulling at the front of his shirt as the bike roars to life but Jimin doesn’t wait as he takes off—he doesn’t wait as he hears Souta screaming, gunshots hitting the road next to the bike, nor does he wait as he realizes he has fucked up.
Jeongguk isn’t going to be safe now.
He grips the handle of the bike, his heart and mind racing as he pulls off onto the streets of Tokyo with nothing but a bad feeling and the other omega clinging to him as the lights swirl, cars’ headlights look like shooting stars and the wind is holding them back.
Jimin can’t look behind him, not yet, he doesn’t need to see if anyone is following them as he weaves through traffic. Jeongguk’s hands are gripping his shirt, his scent is burning honey. It burns Jimin’s nose.
He doesn’t know how he is going to explain himself to Jeongguk because nothing feels like it will be good enough. And truthfully? Nothing will be. He has lied. He has brought Jeongguk into something dangerous and life changing. He almost got Jeongguk killed tonight.
Jimin’s jaw clenches, his motorcycle hums underneath them and he glances at the red light they are stopped at—everything is loud, his heartbeat is fluttering on his neck and Jeongguk makes a sound, so soft Jimin almost imagines it.
He reaches up, grabbing Jeongguk’s hand that is twisted in his shirt and squeezing his fingers before grabbing the handle and zooming through Tokyo. The sidewalks are full of dreamers and overworkers. The streets are bright and Jimin slings the bike through a smaller neighborhood where there’s a safe house.
The perks of the son of Sato Ren are plenty but right now, it is the ability to get Jeongguk somewhere safe, easily.
He pulls up to a small house, which is tucked amongst others and some older apartment buildings. It is unassuming and quiet. He parks the bike at the side of the house and he takes a steadying breath before slipping off the hot metal.
His hands shake as he runs them through his lavender hair, detangling the knots from the wind and he bites his lip, pulling his courage together to face Jeongguk. His heart twists in his chest.
“Jimin?”
He looks at the younger omega, and the night is surprisingly quiet and the younger omega has pulled off the helmet. His face is red, eyes puffy and glistening with tears but he sways, the helmet falls to the ground as Jeongguk's scent turns into pain.
“Jeongguk!”
Jimin rushes forward, grabbing his elbow and the younger hisses and Jimin looks down as blood stains the sleeve of his shirt, the tangy mental scent of blood blooms, and Jimin’s omega growls.
It fights, it claws at his chest and Jimin whispers, “Baby…”
It is his fault.
It is all his fault.
Jimin just stares at the blood and it flows from his shoulder down to his fingertips as it hits the ground like water—drip, drip, drip.
“You fool!”
Jimin snaps his head up as Tae reaches out for Jeongguk. The alpha’s scent is burning, his mouth in a firm line and Jimin growls, pushing Tae back as he snaps his teeth at his friend.
“Don’t touch him,” JImin hisses and Tae’s eyes darken.
“Then help him, you dumbass.”
Jeongguk whines and Jimin whirls around, “Come on, come on,” he mutters, guiding Jeongguk off the bike and around to the front of the building where Yoongi is waiting with the door open.
Jimin keeps Jeongguk tucked into him as they all stumble through the house. He can’t hear anything over his own breathing, his rapid heart—he doesn’t hear Yoongi on his phone, Tae pulling out medical supplies and he doesn’t hear anything until Jeongguk.
“Hurts.”
The one word snaps Jimin from the circle of his mind like a tightrope snapping. He guides Jeongguk to the bed, and he kneels on the dark bedding guiding Jeongguk to sit but the younger omega calls out, “No! Hyung.”
“Shh, darling,” Jimin whispers, pressing his lips to his hair, “Tae is going to look at the wound, okay?”
“No! Don’t leave me.”
Jimin’s omega roars at the notion of leaving him, “I am not going anywhere.”
“Don’t let me go.”
Jimin looks down at Jeongguk sitting on the bed, his eyes are bloodshot, cheeks wet, lips bitten raw and blood ruins his beautiful scent.
“I will never let you go,” he whispers, tucking a few pieces of his hair behind his ear before Jimin sits on the bed, his back against the headboard and Jeongguk gasps as he climbs onto Jimin’s lap with a groan.
Their chest meet and Jeongguk hides his face in his neck, breathing in deeply and Jimin wonders if his scent is even comforting, it is sharp pepper but the younger breathes it in as if it is sweet, soft, and calming.
Tae appears and he sighs, shaking his head as he looks at them both. Jimin tracks his movement, his hands shaking as they hover over Jeongguk. He is scared of hurting him. Jeongguk nuzzles into the scent gland on his neck and shudders.
“We need to get his shirt off,” Tae says, as he lays out rolls of white bandages, a few smaller medical knives, and scissors along with a few bottles of god knows what. Jimin nods, looking from the supplies and back to Jeongguk on his lap.
“Jeongguk-ah,” He whispers, sliding one of his hands into the hair at the back of his neck, “We need to get the shirt off.”
The other omega huffs and Jimin can’t help but smile as the younger omega nods but he doesn’t move from Jimin, his hands just grip his shirt at his side like a lifeline and Jimin doesn’t try to move him.
“I am going to take it off,” he mumbles, his hands working on the buttons as Tae sits in front of them, his eyes tracking the movement of Jeongguk’s shoulder and Jimin is scared to look as he undoes the last button.
Jeongguk hisses, his nose pressing deeper into his gland as Jimin lets the shirt slide down his shoulders, the purple fabric pooling at his elbows and back but Jimin can’t take his eyes from the red that is smeared along his skin.
Jimin whines, the sound spilling from him without thought and Jeongguk responds immediately by rubbing his cheek along his jaw. Jeongguk is scenting him, trying to calm him down and Jimin doesn’t even try to blink back tears.
They paint his cheeks and lashes because this sweet, sweet omega is trying to calm him, comfort him when Jimin is the one who has done this damage to him. Jimin doesn’t deserve his forgiveness.
“I’m-m okay-yyy,” Jeongguk slurs his words, his lips brushing his throat, “Okay, okay, moonbeam…”
A choked sob tries to leave Jimin at the sound of the nickname, “It’s not okay,” Jimin whispers, biting his lip to keep his crying at bay.
Jeongguk seems to want to argue but he wiggles and gasps as Tae starts to clean the wound. Jimin’s chest rumbles with growls and a protectiveness coats his scent but Tae just rolls his eyes as Jimin holds Jeongguk closer to him.
“Clam down, Jimin—” Tae sighs, his hands moving over Jeongguk’s skin as he cleans the blood.
“I can’t—” he bites out, the bed groaning underneath their weight. The small house is quiet apart from Jeongguk’s occasional whimper and Jimin’s growls. Their scents are cloying and Jimin closes his eyes as Jeongguk keeps trying to scent him. His head hits the headboard with a gentle thump and he wishes it were all a dream.
He wishes he could go back in time and tell Jeongguk everything. Every single fact, awful truth, and about the darkness that Jimin lives in. He isn’t moonlight but the darkness needed to show the light.
Fuck.
He did everything wrong—he wants it all. He wanted it all. He wanted to keep the Lotus. He wanted to keep his home and the routine of missions, money, and power. He also wanted Jeongguk.
He wanted him so badly that he turned a blind eye to everything that was happening around him because Jeongguk made him feel loved.
He felt happy. He felt…grounded for the first time in his life. Somewhere between the midnight ramen, the quiet cafes, and Jeongguk’s bunny smile, Jimin fell fast and hard. His omega didn’t have to look over its shoulder for a knife or a gun. He didn’t have to be brave or cunning. He just had to be Jimin.
“It is just a graze,” Tae mumbles, “It has stopped bleeding now.”
Jimin’s chest cracks open. Relief floods his system like dopamine, “Fuck, okay, thank the fucking universe,” he breathes out and Jeongguk's hands slide from his shoulders to his cheeks as he pulls back from Jimin’s neck.
The sun looks at the moon.
Jeongguk looks at him.
“Hold still, Jeongguk-ah,” Tae whispers as he starts bandaging the wound.
Jimin’s hands tighten on his waist, his eyes don’t leave Jeongguk’s wide-brown eyes as his scent blurs like a memory—pine and honey with pain. Jimin’s thumb rubs smoothing circles into his skin and Jeongguk stutters on a breath.
They both don’t look away from each other. Not when Tae turns on the side lamp on the table, painting them in soft yellow. Not when Tae leaves and the door clicks shut. Not when they both inhale and exhale in sync.
Jimin is scared. He is so scared as he looks at the younger omega—cheeks are tear streaked, nose red but eyes are dark, and angry. Jeongguk sticks his tongue into his cheek and Jimin finally breaks the stare as he looks down at the moon necklace like the coward he is.
“How long were you going to do it?”
Jimin flicks his eyes up, “What?” The word is breathed out and the room stills.
“How long were you going to lie to me?”
Jimin flinches, his mouth parts, his omega whines in his chest, curling up—shameful—and Jimin licks his lips, “I was planning on telling you…”
“Bullshit!”
Jimin jerks back, his hands falling to his side as his fingers grip the bedding and he chokes on the next words, “No! I just needed to talk to Seokjin! I needed to put Souta in his place!” Jimin shouts, his scent blooming into pepper and wilting flowers, “I needed to make sure that you will be safe!”
Jeongguk laughs, it is humorless, it is broken, “Who is Seokjin? I don’t know anything about you!” The younger omega shakes his head, his hair falling into his eyes as he looks away from him—he looks away and it breaks something in Jimin.
“You are in a gang?” He questions.
Jimin hesitates and Jeongguk sighs, pulling back and standing on shaky legs and Jimin is at his side in less than a heartbeat, his hands hover by Jeongguk’s elbows but Jeongguk snaps back with his scent of burnt honey.
“Be careful,” Jimin whispers.
“I am not delicate!” Jeongguk screams.
Jimin stumbles back, his omega is wailing in him, “I don’t think that you are weak,” Jimin tries to argue back.
“Then answer the fucking question,” Jeongguk says, his brows furrowing, his jaw clenching as a few sounds from the door beyond echo around them, “Are you in a gang?”
“Yes.”
Jeongguk nods, he nods again and again in disbelief or acceptance Jimin isn’t sure, “What..” Jeongguk sighs, he shifts on his feet, “Which one?”
Jimin swallows loudly, “Have you heard of the Lotus?” The question drips in stories, blood, and ugly truth.
Jeongguk stumbles back as he mumbles, “Yakuza…” The word breaks, “That is one of the most feared gangs in Japan, isn’t it?”
Jimin rolls his neck, his fingers twitching at his sides, “Mainly, we deal in weapons.”
Jeongguk begins to pace between the door and the bed. Jimin’s heart is breaking, it is crumbling at each movement of the other omega.
“Souta?”
The name feels like a slap. Jimin runs his hands through his hair, his back hitting the wall next to the bed, “My father is trying to get me to mate him.”
Jeongguk lifts his eyes to his and Jimin would give almost anything to know what is happening inside his heart but the younger just asks another question, “Why?”
“Souta’s family runs the Komorebi,” Jimin sighs, “Another gang much like the one I am a part of and they are merging.”
Jeongguk jerks his head, eyes narrowing and Jimin can see the wheels whirling in his mind, “An arranged marriage?” He whispers and he lifts his eyes to stare at him and Jimin pushes back against the wall, “Who are you to the Lotus?”
There’s a clock on the small table in the room, it ticks and ticks, and the light flickers in the room, “It…it’s mine. One day I will run it.”
Jeongguk laughs. He laughs and laughs, he leans over, his hands on his knees as he hisses when he moves his shoulder and Jimin doesn’t even hesitate as he reaches for him, “You are going to get hurt!”
“And whose fault is that!” Jeongguk whispers, jerking from him with a whine and Jimin’s hands are between them, trembling as they both watch him shake, “Whose fault is that?” Jeongguk whispers.
Jimin takes a step back, his omega is oddly quiet in his chest, “Mine.”
Silence falls around them.
It is never silent when they are together and Jimin looks at the man he is falling for and he lets his heart crumble the rest of the way, “I’m sorry.”
“I can’t do this.”
Jimin shakes his head, “I don’t—no, baby!” Jimin's voice fractures but Jeongguk moves back, each step opening something between them and it feels unfixable.
“I can’t be with you right now because you make me—” Jeongguk cuts himself off and exhales, “I can’t think straight if I am with you.”
Jeongguk opens the door and Jimin sees Tae and Yoongi standing in the living area—the world turns water colored and he gasps, stumbling but Jeongguk turns his back on him.
“Jeongguk!”
The younger omega pauses but he shakes his head, “I need time.”
Jimin looks to Yoongi and the alpha nods sharply, moving towards Jeongguk because even if he needs space from Jimin, even if he never wants to see him again, he is in danger because of Souta.
He can’t be alone and Jimin is going to make sure nothing hurts him again. Not even Jimin, himself, so he lets Jeongguk leave with Yoongi. He lets the consequences of his own actions take root.
Jimin reaches out to the lamp on the nightstand and turns it off, putting himself into darkness before he slides down the wall and screams. His wolf is deadly silent in his chest and he screams, he cries out and he hates himself.
Kitty Gang leader? No. He is fucking human. The next leader of the Lotus? No. He is an omega waiting to be married off. Park Jimin? He is a human who doesn’t believe in fate but for a moment he started to think maybe he could love.
He could love simple things like dreams or struggling with laughing so hard that his jaw aches and his heart is full. He thought he could maybe love Jeongguk but his roots are buried too deep in murky waters where sunshine doesn’t reach.