"You alright?" Jungkook asked with a creased brow, helping Jimin up the steps to Hoseok and Yoongi's apartment. It was only a short walk away from their place, but the color from Jimin's cheeks had drained with each step. Jungkook slowed down to match Jimin's pace, holding a case of beers for the guys in one hand and guiding Jimin with the other.

Jimin nodded, catching his breath. "Yeah, don't worry. I'm okay. Just feel super lightheaded."

Jungkook's eyes scanned Jimin with the sharp precision of a batter tracking a fastball. "Let me know if it gets worse," he said. "We can always leave early. Hobi-Hyung won't mind."

"I will," Jimin said softly, biting his lower lip. Jungkook took a protective step closer, his broad frame shadowing Jimin's smaller one as he reached for the unlocked door. With a gentle motion, he swung it open, and his hand instinctively found the small of Jimin's back. The touch was light, but it anchored Jimin, steadying his unbalanced steps as they walked inside together.

"You guys made it!" Yoongi called from the kitchen; his voice was warm as he popped the cap off a beer. His grin turned feline at how close Jimin and Jungkook were standing.

Jungkook nodded, placing the box of beers on the kitchen island before reaching over to clasp a hand with Yoongi. Hoseok approached them next, sitting up from where he had been talking with Taehyung. Jungkook greeted him with a handshake before pulling him into a side hug, Hoseok's ever-present smile beaming warmly as he turned his attention onto Jimin.

Jimin took a small step closer to Jungkook until their shoulders lightly overlapped, leaning into him just a little as he drew a shy breath. Hoseok's apartment felt so different from the loud, chaotic energy of the bar the other night. It was nice - much more Jimin's pace – but he still felt slightly anxious.

"Hey, Hobi-hyung," Jimin greeted, letting out a soft "oof" as Hoseok pulled him into a warm hug. Hoseok stepped back, giving Jimin's shoulders a light tap.

"What can I get you, Jimin-ah? Wine, beer, whiskey?"

Jimin laughed, stealing a quick glance up at Jungkook, who grinned back at him. It was almost like he was silently asking Jungkook what to drink, only for Jungkook to point at the case of beers with a deadpan expression like the answer was obvious. Jimin felt his cheeks flush as he rolled his eyes, playfully elbowing Jungkook in the chest. Jungkook clutched at his chest dramatically, pretending to gasp in pain.

"Beer sounds great," Jimin said, his gaze drifting to their friends gathered around Hoseok's coffee table in the living room. The space was larger than he expected, dominated by a big TV and surrounded by a chaotic wall of posters. It looked like a collection of random things Hoseok and Yoongi had picked up over the years of living together - party photos, torn jerseys from games, even lease notices for being too loud. There were a few other decorations that Jimin figured only a group of jocks could appreciate - like a massive, totally out of place cactus sitting inexplicably in one corner. Beside it was a small, plastic Christmas tree decked out with reusable plastic bar cups that discounted drinks when you brought them to the right bar.

"Or actually," Jimin said, noticing Namjoon sipping a dark liquid in a glass. "Is Namjoon having whiskey? Can I have that instead?"

Hoseok beamed again. "Of course," he said. "Take your shoes off and sit down. I'll bring it over. Jungkook, you grab your own beer, buddy."

Jungkook snorted, and Jimin poked him in the side as if to say, Hobi likes me more than you, to which Jungkook pursed his lips.

Jimin glanced over to see Namjoon and Seokjin deep in a card game while Taehyung lounged nearby, scrolling casually on his phone while waiting for Hoseok to return. When Taehyung noticed Jimin, he shifted to wave with a happy box smile on his lips. He reached out and lightly tapped Seokjin on the shoulder.

Seokjin batted Taehyung away without looking, a scowl on his face - until he glanced up and saw Jimin. His expression instantly transformed into one of delight as he let out a squeal.

Jimin gave his friends a shy wave, earning a lazy but warm smile from Namjoon, who placed a card on the table. The move earned him an immediate thwack on the shoulder from Seokjin, who huffed in protest. "You cheated!" Seokjin yelled, causing Taehyung to laugh.

"Jin, baby, I'm just good at this game. You're the one who's hiding their cards under the table." Namjoon said.

"It's called strategy, Joonie." Seokjin pouted.

"He's got a point, Hyung." Taehyung chuckled. He reached over Seokjin's shoulder to tap the end of a half-smoked joint, dropping it into an ashtray on the table, which already had a collection of burnt-out cigarettes scattered in the middle.

Taehyung's gaze drifted to Jimin and Jungkook. His eyes lingered on them for a beat too long, his expression unreadable. Without a word, he shifted his focus back to the card game between Namjoon and Seokjin.

Jimin wrestled with his snug Chelsea boots, tugging and wiggling his foot to try and pry it out. Jungkook's soft chuckle broke the silence, low and intimate like it was meant just for him. Mischief sparkled in Jungkook's eyes as he watched Jimin huff in frustration, a quiet smirk on his lips.

Jimin pouted, tilting his head with a truly remarkable amount of sass as if to say, You think this is funny? Jungkook shook his head, his grin widening as he effortlessly slipped off his black sneakers.

Jimin shot him a deadpan look, and Jungkook grinned again before crouching down. He rested his elbows on his knees, settling into the position like he was mid-stretch.

"Here," he murmured, nodding toward his shoulder.

Jimin hesitated for a moment, then placed his hand there for balance. His fingers curled slightly, feeling the warmth and solid muscle beneath the cotton of Jungkook's shirt. With Jungkook now steading his center of gravity, Jimin could easily slip the boots off. Though Jimin's touch lingered after, fascinated by the feel of Jungkook's muscles under his palm.

"Jimin?" Yoongi's voice broke through his sudden trace, a teasing smile on his lips as the wolf leaned against the kitchen counter.

"Sorry," Jimin said with a blush, quickly pulling his hand off Jungkook.

Jungkook's scent spiked instantly, and a low rumble of annoyance vibrated in his chest. It was clearly directed at Yoongi for interrupting.

"Jimin called you short, by the way," Jungkook said, standing up and crossing his arms over his chest.

Jimin gasped, putting a hand on his hip as he shot Jungkook an absolutely disbelieving glare. "In my defense," he said, turning back to Yoongi, "we're both short."

"That - that doesn't make it better, Jimin," Yoongi snorted, ruffling Jimin's hair before taking a swig of his beer. He tilted his head toward the couches, gesturing for them to move away from the doorway before Jungkook found more ammunition to throw his way.

"Traitor," Jimin muttered under his breath. Jungkook held his hands up in mock defense before sliding his beers into Hoseok's fridge and grabbing a chilled can.

The two of them made their way to the couches, and Hoseok followed quickly behind. He handed Jimin a low glass of dark whiskey with a single ice cube.

"I'm glad you made it, Jimin. Can't believe we haven't had you over yet." Hoseok said as he sat down on the couch next to Taehyung.

Jungkook leaned in, his chest brushing against Jimin's back in a way that felt both casual and undeniably possessive, as he extended a fist toward Taehyung. The proximity made Jimin's breath hitch. He could feel the solid warmth of Jungkook pressed against him, and his omega all but purred at the contact. It made Jimin feel absolutely insane and embarrassed – because fuck, he was kinda into it.

When Jimin glanced up, his stomach flipped. Jungkook's eyes were pitch black and sharp, with the unmistakable dominance of his wolf rising to the surface. The playful spark that usually softened his expression was gone, replaced by a steady, unyielding intensity that seemed to shift the air around them as he focused on Taehyung. Jungkook's scent deepened in warning, his posture straightening as he stood over Taehyung. A silent challenge lingered in the look.

"We cool?" Jungkook asked Taehyung.

Jimin raised a brow, his attention now fully on the two of them. Taehyung's jaw tightened, but after a moment, he raised his fist, rolling his eyes as he bumped it lightly against Jungkook's in what seemed like some strange conflict-resolution ritual the jock was employing.

"We're cool," Taehyung said, exhaling through his nose.

Jimin frowned, trying to figure out what the fuck that exchange was. Taehyung's nodded at him when he noticed, flicking his brows up in the playful way Jimin was more used to. It seemed to signal a quiet promise that we'll talk about it later.

Before Jimin could dwell on it further, Hoseok stepped in smoothly, drawing Taehyung into a new conversation. Hoseok's gaze flickered between the two alphas, but his tone remained light and easy. Taehyung seemed to welcome the distraction, slipping effortlessly into the flow of Hoseok's words with his usual laid-back charm, the tension dissolving as if it had never been there.

Seokjin jumped to his feet, ditching the cards right after - which meant he was defiantly about to lose - and yanked Jimin into a quick, tight hug. He made a massive show of how much he missed him, complimenting how cute Jimin was and declaring their friendship more important than any unfinished card game. It caused Jimin to giggle, and Jungkook's citrus-sandalwood scent sweetened at the sound.

Namjoon sighed, cleaning up the cards before gently tugging his mate back by the wrist. The omega tripped into Namjoon's lap with a laugh, settling comfortably between his legs.

Jungkook sank into the couch with a grin, one elbow resting casually on the armrest, a beer in his hand. His other arm stretched out along the back of the sofa, relaxed and open. Jimin blushed before sitting down next to him.

As Jimin shifted to get comfortable, Jungkook's hand slid naturally from the headrest to rest lightly on Jimin's hip. Jimin couldn't help leaning into it, letting Jungkook's warmth seep into him. He curled his knees up, finding a position that helped calm the restless heat simmering in his stomach, where his legs rested lightly against Jungkook's thigh. Jungkook's thumb traced slow, absent-minded circles over Jimin's hip, the small, lazy motions. The casual intimacy made Jimin hum in approval, flicking his brows up at Jungkook to tease him, which caused Jungkook to grin back.

Jimin took a sip of his whiskey, the burn doing little to mask the soft smile tugging at his lips. He was suddenly very thankful for spraying the scent blocker on himself before they left to test it out, knowing his water-lily scent would be unrelenting otherwise.

Soon after, their friends slipped into an easy conversation, Jungkook chatting with Namjoon and Yoongi about various travel stories. He shared memories of a solo motorcycle trip to Jeju from the previous summer and mentioned hiking Hall Mountain with his dad soon. Jimin chimed in every now and then with his own Jeju stories, trying not to focus too much on how casually Jungkook had his arm draped around his waist.

"Alright, who wants to present first?" Namjoon asked, leaning forward to grab a small blue bowl from the table. He lifted a lighter, cupping his palm around it to shield the flame, then lit the wolfsbane strain inside. He took a long draw, the smoke curling from the side of his lips as the quiet giant of a wolf tilted his head back. The air was rich with the floral scent of wolfsbane and the familiar tang of weed, a favorite strain of the stoners, mixed with the sharp edge of alcohol.

He passed the bowl to Taehyung, who leaned forward to take it, repeating the motion with the same relaxed ease before offering it to Jimin. Jimin shook his head, and Taehyung shrugged teasingly, turning the bowl toward Hoseok. Hoseok made an amused face, asking Taehyung for help since he hadn't smoked from a bowl before. Taehyung smiled, his amber-oud scent warming at Hoseok's earnest request. He pulled a lighter from his pocket, helping Hoseok light a fresh layer before the wolf took his draw. Taehyung coached him on holding in the smoke, letting it out slowly, and praised him afterward for not coughing.

"Let's leave the order up to Luna," Seokjin announced, swallowing whatever colorful drink he had in front of him. Jimin laughed as Seokjin started inputting their nicknames into a random name generator - God of Destruction, Worldwide Handsome, Tae-HYUNG, Sexy Jiminie, Muscle Bunny JK, Mafia Boss Yoongs, and Hobi-Appa-ssi.

"Should we all drink if we're not picked?" Jimin suggested, earning a laugh from Namjoon.

"Jimin-ah's looking to get drunk tonight," Taehyung teased, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. His eyes flickered briefly to where Jungkook's palm rested on Jimin's hip, the warmth in his gaze sharpening just a bit - as if he thought Jungkook had somehow pressured Jimin into sitting next to him. There was unspoken disapproval in Taehyung's stare, but it felt oddly patient like he didn't believe Jungkook would stick around long enough to matter.

Jimin felt a flicker of frustration stir in his chest. He understood Taehyung's protectiveness and empathized with how their tight-knit group hadn't expanded beyond the core four in a while. But still, if Taehyung could get along with Hoseok just fine, then it wasn't Jungkook being a jock that bothered him. Jimin returned Taehyung's look with a quiet intensity, almost as if to say play nice. 

"Was there another plan than getting drunk?" Jimin asked with a raised brow, trying to ease the weird feeling between him and his best friend. Alcohol abuse? Never. Jimin loved alcohol. But it sucked that his head was still pounding.

"Seokjin! You're up!" Yoongi said with a feline grin as the wheel landed on worldwide handsome.

Seokjin dramatically leaped off Namjoon's lap, where he'd been comfortably sprawled, earning a low, possessive growl from his mate.

"Relax," Seokjin teased, waving Namjoon off with a playful wink. "You'll have the perfect view of my ass while I'm presenting."

Jimin snorted, trying to stifle his laughter as the jocks snickered. Taehyung rolled his eyes light-heartedly. When Taehyung glanced at him, expecting to share an amused grin, Jimin awkwardly blushed instead.

Seokjin started his presentation with an opening monologue casually proclaiming that it was his Luna-given right to be a hater, questioning why peace and love should always be ideal, and pointing out how some people were just outright crazy.

Jimin bit the edge of his thumb, half-listening as he texted Jungkook's birth mom another thank-you message, letting her know he'd used the scent blocker. He'd been surprised by how warm Jungkook's family was. When he'd first sent his thank-you, Jiweon responded with a flurry of texts, matching her sister's energy with a more direct tone. She told him to reach out anytime, offering help and expressing understanding about his situation. Jimin had called his own mom afterward, but it went to voicemail. He tried not to dwell on it, but sitting so close to Jungkook on the couch now, the subtle pressure of his touch felt like a quiet comfort.

Almost like Jungkook and the Jeons were claiming Jimin in ways his own family wasn't willing to.

I'm overthinking this. Jimin reminded himself to pull his thoughts back in line, trying to think more like Jungkook would. It's not that deep being Jungkook's mantra lately, and Jimin had been trying to adopt it. He liked having his knees rest against Jungkook's thighs, the subtle, private circles Jungkook's thumb traced on his waist. He liked how observant Jungkook was and how optimistically he saw the world. As much as Jimin didn't want to admit it, he liked Jungkook. His family issues were a separate problem, and that was okay. The two things didn't have to be tied together if he didn't want them to be.

Jungkook glanced down at Jimin, his brow furrowed in concern, and his citrusy scent deepened as he tried to figure out what was bothering Jimin. Jungkook's gaze brushed over Jimin's sweat gland, a wrinkle of distress at being blocked from getting a hint of Jimin's well-being by his scent.

Rubbing his forehead with his thumb, Jimin glanced up again, his drink nearly empty. Seokjin's presentation had wrapped up, and the random wheel generator appeared on Hoseok's TV, but Jimin couldn't focus on any of it. The dizziness returned, a sharp pinch shooting through his abdomen. He leaned closer to Jungkook, resting his head gently on his shoulder as he tried to breathe through the pain.

"Jimin-ah, you're up, baby," Seokjin cooed, pulling up the presentation Jimin had emailed Hoseok earlier.

Jimin handed Jungkook his drink, watching as Jungkook carefully placed it on the coffee table. As Jimin started to walk over, he shared Seokjin's grin, ready to throw back a platonically flirty remark after Seokjin commented on how great Jimin's ass looked in his jeans. But before he could speak, a sudden, violent cramp seized his body. It knocked the air from his lungs, and he reached for the wall to steady himself, cradling his torso as his hair fell over his face.

The wolves were instantly on their feet, moving to ensure he was okay. Jungkook was the first to reach him, moving impossibly fast to stand at his left. Taehyung appeared on his right, his presence a quiet, steadying support.

"Sorry," Jimin gasped, trying to sound reassuring, but his voice came out small.

"Jimin-ah, are you alright?" Taehyung asked, his scent mixing with Jungkook's as they released distressed pheromones. The combination made Jimin's head spin, and the clash of all the alpha scents in the room only worsened his nausea. He gasped, struggling to swallow as his omega thrashed inside him, desperate to escape before it was forced to submit.

"Y-yeah," Jimin replied, wincing as another cramp hit him. "I just need to use the bathroom for a sec. It's really fine."

What he really needed was some fucking air.

"Are you sure?" Seokjin asked, concern lacing his voice.

Jimin nodded, tightening his grip around his abdomen so the wolves couldn't see him shake. "Really, I'm fine. Probably just ate something. Don't worry about me. Someone else can go next - I'll be right back." He gave his friends a reassuring smile. He tapped Taehyung's forearm to offer him some extra reassurance.

Taehyung clenched his jaw, his thumb gently brushing over Jimin's hand where he held it. Jimin forced a shaky smile, not wanting to worry his friends, and after a moment, Taehyung finally released him. Taking a deep, unsteady breath, Jimin pushed through the sharp pain in his stomach. Jungkook stayed close behind, walking in perfect sync with him, his gaze locked on Jimin with the intensity of someone guiding a teammate off the field.

"Jungkook-ah, I'm fine," Jimin said, gripping the doorframe for support as he reached the bathroom. Jimin closed his eyes, taking a deep breath of the air freshener inside of it. When he opened his eyes, he immediately felt like he could think clearly again.

Jungkook's frown deepened, his body edging closer, looming over Jimin. His eyes scanned Jimin with the quick calculation of an athlete, determined to find the cause of his discomfort. His scent was sharp, the citrusy undertones of his worry cutting through the spicier notes of his natural scent.

"How can I help? Do you want to go back home? I can say I forgot something," Jungkook suggested, his brows knitted with concern. He reached up, gently tucking a strand of Jimin's hair behind his ear, his fingers lingering for a moment before pulling away. "You're clearly in pain, Jimin."

Jimin rubbed his forehead, torn between two impulses. Part of him wanted to brush off Jungkook's concern, convince himself that he could push through, that he just needed a moment to curl up and fold himself over the damn toilet like a drunk college student at a house party. But the pain was intensifying, and he couldn't seem to find the strength to ignore it. Not when Jungkook was looking at him like that - his wide eyes so sincere, his brow furrowed in focus, his pheromones turning soft and reassuring, yet carefully controlled, not to overwhelm Jimin despite the effort it must've taken for an alpha to hold them back like that.

Jungkook took a step forward, still the same playful, kind jock Jimin knew, but now there was a charge to him, something more in the air between them. In the quiet bathroom, Jungkook lifted his hand, moving it slowly, hesitantly. His gaze never left Jimin's, intense and steady. Jimin flushed when Jungkook's knuckles brushed against his cheek, the soft contact sending a shiver down his spine. His omega purred in response, the pain dulling lightly.

"Are you sure it's okay if we go home?" Jimin asked softly, his voice small as he looked up at Jungkook from beneath his lashes. He didn't want to leave, especially since Hoseok had only just brought everyone together, but another cramp seized him, and Jungkook's hand settled gently on his waist, helping him stay upright.

"I'll get you there faster than I chased those geese I told you about."

"That fast, huh?" Jimin laughed weakly, raising an eyebrow.

"Faster," Jungkook promised, an amused grin on his lips.

Jimin nodded, finally giving in. He followed Jungkook back to the living room, where the group had paused the presentations. No one took up the mantle to go next; instead, they chatted among themselves, ensuring Jimin was all right before returning to the fun. Seokjin was the first to jump up, followed quickly by Hoseok and Taehyung, rushing over to Jimin with concerned expressions.

"Hobi, I'm going to take Jimin home," Jungkook said, reaching out to clasp Hoseok's hand. The two pulled each other into a quick hug with a clap on their backs. The goodbye was extremely simple and effective.

"Chin up, Jimin-ah. We'll hang out again soon, okay?" Hoseok said kindly.

Jimin offered a small smile, leaning into the hand Jungkook had kept securely around his waist.

"Jimin," Taehyung said gently, his gaze soft. "We can take you to the ER if it's really bad. I can call an Uber or an ambulance."

Jimin shook his head, forcing a smile despite the growing discomfort, hoping to ease the worry from his brow. "It's not that bad, Tae. Really. I think I just need to sleep it off."

Taehyung nodded before finally glancing at Jungkook. The two alphas locked eyes, but there was no edge to their gaze this time. It was a rare, almost neutral exchange. Taehyung broke the stare with a sigh, returning his focus to Jimin.

"And you want him?" he asked, his voice steady. The second part of the question - "to take you home" - was left unsaid.

"Yes," Jimin said, his voice almost pleading.

Taehyung seemed to accept it, his scent turning sour, but Jimin could see that the alpha was trying to keep it under control. Without saying another word, Taehyung gave him a final nod before sitting next to Namjoon, who appeared a little faded. Namjoon and Seokjin asked Jimin to text them when he got home, and Seokjin specifically ordered Jungkook to update him on how Jimin was feeling later.

Yoongi gave Jimin a quick pat on the back as a parting gesture, and Seokjin wrapped him in a warm hug before Jungkook crouched down to help Jimin into his shoes. His touch was gentle but deliberate, lifting Jimin's foot by the ankle and expertly lacing up his boots before moving to the other foot. Jungkook draped his jacket over Jimin's shoulders, offering a quick wave to their friends before guiding him home.

________________

A/N:

Next two chapters will be updated later today.

Next two chapters we are going to get really close to a specific trope and then go the other way. So all I ask if for your trust 🫶

Thank you for everyone's kind words on me taking a week off, it blew me away a little and was really sweet ❤️❤️

- Vi