Jimin could barely speak, let alone walk, without Jungkook supporting him as they entered the apartment. Jungkook's scent was a storm of distress as Jimin's face lost color. He guided Jimin to the couch, but the elevated position only worsened Jimin's nausea. With a quiet groan, Jimin slid to the floor instead, clutching his body to steady his breath.

"Jimin, what do I do? How can I help you?" Jungkook asked, crouching to Jimin's level and gently brushing his hair. His eyes were dark with concern, focused entirely on the omega in front of him. Jimin's wolf purred at the tenderness.

"The heat suppressors," Jimin gasped. "They're on the back counter. I think it's my heat, but it's never hurt this bad. Please..."

Jungkook nodded quickly, urgency flashing in his eyes as he leaped to his feet. His hand briefly squeezed Jimin's shoulder before he moved toward the counter, dialing a number and pressing the phone to his ear. Jimin couldn't make out the conversation, the sharp, searing pain in his abdomen clouding everything else. Instead, he focused on the sound of Jungkook's footsteps against the floor, grounding himself in the rhythm of the familiar sound to keep from collapsing. A few moments later, the comforting scent of citrus and burgundy filled his nose again as Jungkook sat beside him.

"How soon do you think you can get here?" Jungkook asked into the phone, holding it to his ear with his shoulder to free up his hands.

He gently guided Jimin's hand to the glass. Jimin struggled to hold it, and Jungkook's alpha instincts kicked in. He brushed his thumb over Jimin's bottom lip, urging him to open his mouth, all while keeping his attention on the voice on the other end of the line. Jimin obeyed, parting his lips just enough for Jungkook to place the white suppressors on his tongue. Jungkook carefully lifted the glass to Jimin's chin after, helping him take a sip. Some water dribbled down Jimin's chin and Jungkook used the back of his knuckles to softly brush it off.

"I... I don't know. He said his heats aren't usually like this," Jungkook continued on the phone, his voice tight with concern. "I'm worried it's something bad." He placed the glass on the coffee table and reached up to tuck a loose strand of hair behind Jimin's ear. The gesture was tender, almost approving, and Jimin's eyes fluttered closed, savoring it. A soft, happy whine escaped Jimin as he closed his eyes, the brief moment of relief easing the tension in his head.

"Alright, I'll see you soon, Ei-mo. Thank you," Jungkook said, ending the call and slipping his phone back into his pocket.

Jimin kept his eyes closed but hummed when he felt Jungkook start to scratch his scalp softly.

"Help is on the way, Jimin-ah. Do you think you can build a nest like this? My birth mom said a nest should help calm your system down." Jungkook asked, his voice so gentle it almost sounded like a purr. Jimin wasn't sure he'd ever heard him speak this way before. It was so sweet, so full of adoration like he didn't see Jimin as lesser for needing help.

"I can't," Jimin choked, shaking his head slightly. Jungkook pulled his hand back, and Jimin opened his eyes to find him nodding empathetically. Jungkook sank back and drew his knees up, resting his elbows on them. The jock scratched the back of his head in that familiar way that made his baseball cap shift with the movement. Almost subconsciously, Jimin crawled forward, his body instinctively arching as he moved to sit between Jungkook's spread legs. His omega craved the closeness. Jungkook's eyes widened as Jimin fixed his gaze on his baseball cap, a cute wrinkle forming on his nose as he reached up and pushed it off, freeing Jungkook's soft curls. Like the hat was an enemy, standing between him and having the alpha unguarded.

Jungkook swallowed hard as Jimin settled against him, the omega's head resting on his broad shoulder. After a brief pause, Jungkook slowly wrapped his arms around Jimin, pulling him close. His knees gently pressed against Jimin's sides, forming a protective, nest-like barrier around him. Jimin hummed softly, closing his eyes again. His breathing was shallow, a sheen of sweat covering his brow. Jungkook gently scratched the back of Jimin's neck, hoping the soothing touch might help calm Jimin further.

"It's okay, Jimin-ah," Jungkook said softly, though his heart was racing. "My birth mom's on her way. She was already in the area visiting her mate, so she can help you build a nest if you're not able to. Something warm and safe and comfortable. She's an omega, too. Does that sound good?"

All Jimin could do was nod. His hand started to rub his neck over his scent gland, panic rising when he couldn't smell himself in the room. The scent blockers the Jeons had gifted him were the high end kind - the type that seeped into the skin and lasted for hours. It was a thoughtful gift, but Jimin's primal side felt disoriented, like something was missing, when he couldn't detect his own scent.

"Jungkook," Jimin breathed, his voice trembling with distress. "I need..." He faltered, unable to finish the sentence, unsure what he was even asking for but his eyes were wide and pleading. He felt terrified, desperate for a nest, for comfort, for safety. Gone was the regular brown color of his eyes, replaced with the golden hue of his omega taking reign of his body, thrashing inside of him. Jimin rubbed his scent gland again, his brow furrowing as the familiar waterlily scent was drowned out by the blocker.

Jungkook immediately understood what was wrong. He inhaled deeply, his thumb gently brushing over Jimin's chin, tilting it to the side. Jimin instinctively bore his neck, offering it to Jungkook with a soft whine, like a pup pulled by the scruff. He inched closer into Jungkook's lap as Jungkook hooked a finger under the hem of Jimin's sweater, pulling it down just enough to expose the soft skin beneath his collarbone. Jimin's skin burned under the touch as Jungkook leaned in, his nose grazing the delicate curve of Jimin's neck. A soft cry slipped from Jimin's lips as the scent of rich sandalwood and sharp citrus flooded his senses. Every breath Jungkook took was deafening in Jimin's ears, the rush of Jungkook's earthy scent against his gland making his head spin.

The alpha cooed reassuring words between each brush, gifting compliments for Jimin to hold onto as he struggled to take on the full impact of Jungkook's scent, his body shaking under the weight of it. Jimin's hands slowly uncoiled from clutching his abdomen and found their place on Jungkook's shoulders. He gripped him harshly, his fingers digging in as a quiet plea for more despite his sensitivity to scents. His need felt animalistic, primal in a way Jimin had never experienced before. Like a fight or flight reaction would kick in if he didn't get consumed by the alpha before him. Jungkook's palm snaked under Jimin's sweater, pushing up the skin of his back, causing Jimin to hum happily. He tilted his head back as his breathing started to falter. Jungkook continued to scent him, each pass enveloping Jimin until it felt like every part of his being was wrapped in that familiar burgundy warmth. It was like his blood was infused with Jungkook's very essence, his every cell imprinted on.

Jungkook was gentle and sweet when he finished, nuzzling Jimin's shoulder as if anchoring them together and telling Jimin how he took the scenting so well. His hand brushed Jimin's hair, threading softly through the strands in such a vulnerable, intimate way that Jimin couldn't but whine, resting against Jungkook again. With each stroke, Jimin felt a little more at ease, his wolf calming as the subtle claim of the alpha settled within him.

A few minutes later, the front door creaked open. Jimin struggled to lift his head, but the suppressors were finally starting to kick in, dulling the worst of the abdominal pain.

"Hey, Ei-mo," Jungkook said softly, keeping Jimin close to him. The young woman who stepped inside resembled Jungkook, though her features were more feminine and softened. Jeon Jiweon had a small, round face with identical wide, star-filled eyes to Jungkook's. They shared the same sharp, small nose, but her lips were full and heart-shaped, giving her an almost ethereal, soft beauty, whereas Jungkook's fuller, round lips gave him an endearing, bunny-like charm.

She hung her coat over her arm and quickly slipped off her shoes, hurrying over to where Jimin and Jungkook were sitting on the floor.

Her scent hit Jimin immediately - daises, but with an unexpected, spiced undertone that reminded him of Jungkook's earthy own, only sweeter. She placed a manicured hand gently on Jungkook's shoulder in greeting before turning her attention to Jimin.

"Hi, Jimin-ssi. It's nice to finally meet you," Jiweon said gently, her voice soft and calming. Jimin's omega hummed in recognition, drawn to both her scent and the presence of another omega in the room. Jungkook kept stroking Jimin's back, offering quiet comfort as Jimin slowly gathered the strength to look up, his irises fully golden. He managed a weak smile, breathing through the wave of sensations still coursing through him. It was getting better, but the suppressors weren't working fast enough to grant him full relief.

"You're so beautiful," Jimin said, his cheeks flushing. The compliment made Jiweon laugh, a rich, familiar sound that reminded Jimin of Jungkook's own. It was full-bodied and carefree, making Jimin's chest tighten in a way he couldn't quite explain. Jungkook's laugh was slowly becoming one of his favorite sounds in the world.

"I could say the same about you," Jiweon replied warmly before rising to her feet. "Let's build you a nest, hm? Jungkook will wait out here until you're ready."

Building a nest was one of the most vulnerable things an omega could do. It was why Jungkook hadn't offered to do it for Jimin himself, knowing it was a deeply private ritual for an omega to take part in. Part of Jimin wanted Jungkook there, but his omega instinctively rejected the idea of their alpha witnessing an unmade nest, growling heavily. The nest was more than just a physical comfort; it was an intimate, raw part of an omega's essence. A sanctuary of safety and security. To an omega, it was a space that felt as personal and vulnerable as exposing their heart. To witness it unmade was the same as seeing an omega brutally cut open, their heart laid bare and pulsing beneath their ribs.

The Jeons helped Jimin to his feet, supporting his weight on both sides as they guided him toward the door. Jiweon reached for the handle but paused, waiting for Jimin's nod before she pushed it fully open. Jimin grabbed Jungkook's forearm as the alpha's grip began to loosen, pulling away. He desperately needed a nest, but the thought of Jungkook leaving his side terrified him.

What came next was driven entirely by his wolf. Jimin's eyes grew wide and pleading as he looked up at Jungkook, baring his neck again.

Jungkook's concern softened as he reassured Jimin, his voice steady and calming. "I'm not going anywhere," he murmured, "You're doing so well, Jimin. You're safe." To emphasize his words, Jungkook leaned down and gently brushed his nose over Jimin's scent gland. The earthy citrus scent wrapped around Jimin, grounding him and soothing his omega instantly. With a shuddering breath, Jimin finally released his grip on Jungkook's forearm.

He followed Jiweon inside, his eyes lingering on Jungkook's as the door clicked softly shut behind him.

***

When Jiweon stepped out of Jimin's room, Jungkook had two mugs of tea waiting on the counter. He hadn't strayed far from the kitchen, refusing to hover near Jimin's door and invade his space yet equally unable to let it out of his sight completely.

"Oh, Jungkook-ah, is that for me?" Jiweon cooed as she approached, a teasing smile on her lips.

Jungkook nodded, lifting one of the mugs and handing the peppermint tea over to her. "Yeah. This one's for Jimin if he wants it, but..." He hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. "I don't know if he does right now or if it'll even help. He usually drinks tea when he's had a long day."

Jungkook gripped the edge of the counter as his birth mom blew the steam off her hot tea, his shoulders sagging as he stretched. His chin dropped to his chest, hair falling over his eyes, and he let out a quiet, defeated sigh.

Jiweon placed a reassuring hand on Jungkook's, her smile softening as she looked at him and gave his hand a brief, awkward tap. Physical affection had never been a large cornerstone to their relationship, but that didn't mean the two lacked warmth. The small age gap between them played a significant role in that dynamic. Jiweon had given birth to Jungkook at just sixteen, and she had only turned thirty-six last week. At twenty, Jungkook still leaned on her most during moments like these - when the people he cared about needed him, and he felt powerless to help. She was closer to his age than his parents, which meant she usually saw situations a bit more clearly than they could, and she never judged him for stumbling through them.

"What do I do?" Jungkook asked, his voice tight with worry as he looked up at her with wide, puppy-dog eyes. "Jimin's never been like this. So...small." Jungkook shook his head, running a hand through his hair as he tried to gather himself. "How is he holding up in there? Is the nest okay?"

His alpha instincts screamed at him to barrel through the door and check on Jimin himself, but he knew better. He couldn't act until Jimin gave him a sign that it was okay. An omega's nest was sacred, the most private and vulnerable space they could create. It wasn't something an alpha barged into without permission, especially when the omega was teetering on the edge of a heat. Jungkook's wolf was restless, growling at him to tear the door down just to make sure Jimin was still breathing, still alive, still safe. It took everything in him not to listen to it.

"He's okay, Jungkook," Jiweon reassured him with a calm smile, her voice soothing but carrying a note of quiet amusement. It wasn't often that Jungkook got so visibly rattled, especially over something outside of a game. And to think, it was over someone like herself – an omega. Jiweon grew quiet then, her smile turning just a touch sad as she stared into her mug.

Jungkook wondered if helping Jimin brought up any old memories for Jiweon. After completing her master's degree last year, Jiweon mated with Yeora, a kind and playful beta whose mischievous nature had reignited the spark in Jiweon that had dimmed after giving birth so young and being abandoned by her boyfriend shortly after. Jiweon often referred to Yeora as a blessing from Luna, saying that she was gentle with her heart in ways that mattered. Jungkook had never fully understood what she meant by that. To him, Yeora and Jiweon's relationship seemed like an intense game of stealing food off each other's plates and poking each other. But there had to be something deeper there - some tenderness in how Yeora matched Jiweon's mischief instead of stifling it, encouraging her youthful side to show instead of dulling it.

Jungkook couldn't imagine what Jiweon's life had been like before Yeora came into it. Jiweon had dropped everything to come over and help Jimin, no questions asked. The fact that she was now playful and teasing meant that Jimin must be okay, but it also made Jungkook worry. Not once had she ever made him feel like a burden or a mistake, but Jungkook couldn't help but wonder if there had been times when Jiweon had felt incredibly lonely and isolated before Yeora. His birth mom had always loved him deeply, and he'd never doubted that, but maybe there had been moments where she longed for an omega who could have helped her, the way she had just helped Jimin, before trusting someone romantically again.

How she looked at Jungkook almost confirmed it, her expression settling into quiet contemplation, her manicured finger brushing the side of the mug. He must look so young to her, yet there Jungkook stood, eager to help and protect Jimin instead of running away or leaving him to fend for himself. Pride shone in her hazel eyes.

Jungkook blinked, standing up straight. Holy shit. I'm thinking like Jimin, he thought suddenly.

Jiweon raised an eyebrow at him, and Jungkook blinked back, wide-eyed and caught off guard, like he'd just realized he'd forgotten his laundry at the laundromat. The feeling was surreal, as if he had stepped outside himself and suddenly saw the complex web of emotions and connections that shaped a person's past, present, and future. Jungkook was a man of the present - he didn't usually venture too far off that path. Yet, there he was, contemplating how a person's life experiences could intertwine to form the person before him.

Jungkook moved toward the fridge, slowly opening it to check if it still had chicken, rice, and protein shakes stocked, hoping it hadn't been replaced by some fancy vegan stuff. He let out a relieved breath when he saw his usual food, and that small comfort helped him settle back into himself. At least he hadn't lost his mind entirely.

How did Jimin ever get anything done? Jungkook thought. A single, fleeting thought about Jiweon and nests had nearly put him out of commission for the day. How Jimin managed this level of deep thinking all the time without completely exhausting himself was beyond him.

"Jungkook." Jiweon's voice broke through his spiraling thoughts, returning his attention to her. "What's on your mind?"

Jungkook glanced anxiously at Jimin's door. "Jimin." He confessed with a worried laugh. "He's so strong, Ei-mo," Jungkook rubbed his arm self-consciously, his fingers tracing the tattoos that inked his skin. "You should have seen him at his art showcase. He was glowing. I've never seen someone own a room like that before. He talked with everyone and jumped from table to table till he actually couldn't breathe. Or at my game? The way he held his ground with my team? I mean, shit... I was so impressed. Jimin isn't afraid of anything. He's unstoppable."

Jungkook's gaze grew distant, his voice thick with admiration. "And he works so hard but still makes time for his friends...for me. Exhaustion doesn't even seem to touch him. The stuff he tells me, the things he's been through, it barely even slows him down." Jungkook faltered, his words trembling as his thoughts returned to Jimin's state. "None of that was there earlier. He was shaking. His face was so pale. He was in so much pain, and I-"

Jungkook's voice cracked, and he had to clear his throat to regain control. He leaned against the cabinet, crossing his ankle, shaking his head in frustration as his forehead dropped into his hand. "How do I help him? I feel so powerless."

Jiweon's expression softened. "When he calls for you, go to him. That's how you help, Jungkook-ah."

"But what if I do something wrong? What if I hurt him? I've only ever been with betas or alphas before – I have no idea what I'm doing."

Jiweon chuckled softly, sipping her tea, a mischievous grin playing at the corners of her lips. She set the mug down, walked over to Jungkook, and gave him a teasing pat on the cheek. "You'll know, Jungkook. Trust that beautiful, golden heart of yours." Her voice was warm and grounding. She grabbed her coat from where she'd left it on the couch and shrugged it on, preparing to leave.

Jungkook nodded slowly, his eyes still distant as he stared at the wall, her words settling in his chest.

Before she headed out, Jiweon paused, giving him one last look. "That omega trusts you a lot, by the way." She said casually, but Jungkook's attention snapped to her. She smiled softly, a knowing glint in her eyes. "He wanted your sweatshirt in his nest. So, if you can't trust yourself, just trust him that he feels safe with you," she said.

The detail hit Jungkook harder than he expected. She was sharing an incredibly private thing with him.

Jiweon pressed a quick, affectionate kiss to Jungkook's cheek before turning to leave. "Call me if you need anything," she said, her tone light but reassuring. "I'm meeting Yeora for dinner nearby anyway, so it's no trouble at all to come back if you need me."

Jungkook nodded, gratitude shining in his eyes.

The door clicked shut behind her and he sank against it, taking a long breath, and running a hand down his face. Jungkook's mind raced as he wondered how Jimin would signal that it was okay for him to check on him. But then, without warning, he felt it. It was subtle but unmistakable to his wolf. The air shifted, a sweet, delicate fragrance of water lilies drifting into the room, filling every living room corner. Beneath it, though, was something deeper, something raw and primal. It was as if a switch had flipped - Jimin's omega calling out to Jungkook's wolf - and he was on his feet before he could process it.

_______________

A/N:

One more to for this four-part update <3

It will be up soon. What do we think of Jiweon though? We finally got to meet Jungkook's birth mom! Any other thoughts?

- Vi