He isn't a family yet, but you act like he already is. When did I shift down from your priority list? "Okay," Jihyun mumbled, closing his fists so hard that his knuckles turned white and nails dug into his palms. "I'll behave." He looked up and smiled. 

"Good boy," Jimin leaned and hugged him. "And I am sorry too. I have to go out to work today. But we can hang out later. I will take you shopping. What say? I'll buy you anything you want."

Jihyun nodded, hugging his brother back with tears in his eyes. "Come one now," Jimin pulled away and Jihyun looked down, blinking quickly. "Let's go and resume the game."

"You go first. I will be there in a minute."

Jimin smiled vibrantly before ruffling the brother's hair and leaving the room, to give him some privacy. Jihyun's eyes turned blue again, and he shivered in temper. His nails had dug the blood out from his skin as he glanced down at his hands. He grabbed his phone and dialed a number. "Hey," he said. 

"If it isn't the youngest Park."  The man spoke from the other end. "What do you want, Park?"

"I need a favor."

"Of course, you do. What about my payment?"

"I'll bring over the money once the work is done."

"Since you have been a long and lost customer, I'd have to say... No. Money first, work next."

Jihyun wanted to growl at the man, but he calmed himself. He didn't like to get his hands dirty and the man he was talking to got off on this business. "Fine," he said. "Send over someone to the shopping mall at five. I'll give you half now and half once the work is done. Actually... Make it two. I'll double the payment."

"Two favors, somebody is in the ditch."

Jihyun disconnected the call when he heard the man laughing like the maniac he was. He got up and walked back to the living room, seeing everyone smiling at him, including Jungkook. He smiled back before he sat down, all set to win. 

❣

Jimin was coming out after the hearing from the court. Before he could step into his car, someone called his name. He could tell it was the owner of the laboratories, Min Min-yeon. "You sure won the case, but good luck getting anything done on that piece of shitty land.

Jimin couldn't help the smirk on his face. All he wanted to say was really bitch? But he was an alpha in his thirties now, so he took the mature high ground and extended his hand over to Min-yeon. "Congratulations, you finally contributed towards the environment."

The man scoffed, taking his step back. Before long, he was gone but not without spewing his words in Jimin's mind. Indeed he had won the case, taking back his land where the chemical formulas were being disposed of, but the land was fundamentally rendered useless. It was harmful to wolves because of chemical reactions that had started, and also unfit for irrigation. Nonetheless, he was still happy he was able to stop the spread further, and he was content with the knowledge that his efforts would protect the future. 

He had lied to his omega that the only reason he was invited to his home was that his parents wanted to see him after what happened on his birthday. But in reality, he wanted to be able to take care of him in his heat, as he knew of his dates, which were colliding with the court hearing. He also didn't want to trouble Jungkook by communicating the seriousness of the issue, so he hid it entirely from him, but he also had two more surprises waiting for the younger one. 

Finally reclaiming his land, he missed Jungkook now, thinking to go back home and cuddle him to sleep. He knew that Jungkook was a bit formal with his parents, but he had promised Jihyun to take him out, so he had to keep his craving in check for a bit longer.

As he drove towards the shopping mall, he also felt elated to be spending time with his baby brother.

Not far away, opening the chain of a small bag with wads of cash, Jihyun flashed it to a man. "Dig up anything you can," he said. "Here's his picture and other things that can help you."

The man looked at the screen, at Jungkook. In a bit, he nodded. "And the second favor," Jihyun continued. "Find the disappeared son of that Somi. I need him and tell him that I will give him money in exchange for a little chat. Convince him to talk to me."

The man nodded again, going for the bag, but Jihyun pulled it away. "Not so soon," he smirked. "You don't give me results in a week, the deal is off. I'll get each penny's worth from your boss."

The man now chuckled. "Take it with the boss then. I am here to get the money, so give me the damn money. I am not afraid of your threats. You should know that we provide a guarantee that your work will be done on time. Send me a picture of this omega. What's his name?"

"Jeon Jungkook."

Jihyun spotted Jimin's car at a distance, so he reluctantly handed him the cash and lurked away from him to a safe proximity, grinning widely at his older brother.

Jimin opened the car door from inside and pushed it, indicating for the younger to get in.

He did, closing the door after him. 

Jimin sped up again towards the parking of the shopping mall. "Why were you standing outside?"

"I like breathing the fresh air."

The 30-year-old smiled. "What do you want to buy, Aegi? Thought of anything?" He asked.

"Loads. I am gonna poke many holes in your pocket." Jihyun giggled cutely. 

Jimin was very fond of his brother, so he looked at him with love and slapped him lightly.

They got inside the mall and began looking for the things Jihyun was interested in. From clothes to accessories, shoes, and a new phone, Jimin bought him everything. 

"I am getting hungry," Jimin said after they had spent three hours shopping. 

"Me too. Should we eat something?"

"Let's have ice cream," Jimin suggested. "If we eat here, mother will kill us one by one. She must have been cooking."

"I'd love something cold too," Jihyun nodded and they waddled towards a Häagen-Dazs outlet. 

Getting chocolate, they got out, standing by the glass handrail, looking around at the showrooms. Jimin's eyes fell on a hoodie and he immediately thought of Jungkook, knowing that he wore baggy clothes. "Aegi, stay here or come if you want to. I will get something for Jungkook."

"Let's go," the younger affirmed, trailing behind the alpha. 

Jimin waltzed into the store and touched the fabric, happy that it was soft enough to make his boyfriend purr inside it after his heat. Jungkook sought comfort after being in severe pain for two days, so he could envision the adorableness inside the yellow plush piece of cloth giving him comfort. With a big smile, he took the hoodie to the counter for billing. 

Thinking that he didn't really buy anything for Jungkook since they started dating, he felt happy about the first gift, albeit small, it was thoughtful. 

They were soon on their way, tuned to the stereo, singing along, laughing. It was like old times when their father took the whole family out. Once Jimin gained popularity, it was difficult in Korea to live this freely, but they traveled to foreign countries, where people didn't really care much about him being a famous sportsperson. "How is work now?" Jimin small-talked. 

"Better now that Covid restrictions are lifted," Jihyun told his brother. "Would have been so much fun if we pandemicked together. We would have played games."

Jimin laughed, glancing a little at Jihyun. "Visit me in Paris. I will take you to the beach again. I miss those days too, Aegi. I miss Korea too."

"Then why did you move so far away?" Jihyun asked, his voice had pain that Jimin understood, but he had to. It was long since he had left Korea, long before Covid started after his ex-boyfriend attempted suicide, or made it seem like it, but it had affected Jimin so much that he couldn't do anything. His early retirement from games was also due to the fact that he wasn't able to cope. 

Jimin didn't say anything and the rest of the drive turned spookily silent. The older brother thanked the heavens as they approached home. It was twenty past eight, almost dinner time. Jimin carried a bag to his room while Jihyun carried all his shopping in his hands, even after the older offered to help.

Jimin smiled, seeing Park Jihyun look so excited. He was still like how he was as a kid, a bit jealous, spoiled, suggestive, and somewhat idiot. Jimin opened the door and found Jungkook immersed in a notebook, sketching something on it. As he spotted Jimin, he closed it and grinned. 

"I got you a little something," Jimin enthused, raising the bag a little towards him and Jungkook's grin split ten folds, reaching ear-to-ear. 

"What is this?"

"Nothing big, baby. But something to comfort you in heat," Said Jimin while the omega took the hoodie out and inhaled it deeply, keeping it against his cheek to feel how soft and furry it was. 

"Thank you so much. I love it," Jungkook expressed his gratitude for receiving the present. "But you comfort me more."

"Come here, Jungkook," Jimin opened his arms. Once Jungkook placed himself under the alpha's chin, he groaned softly, hugging him tightly. "I love you, doll. I want to give you the world."

Jungkook's eyes twinkled, but then his face lost all shine.

❣

First Voter: Ana204858