The buzz of a saxophone riffing with a piano met Jimin's ears as he walked down the jazz club Taehyung often performed at. His voice was velvety and soulful, and Jimin watched how his friend stood at the mic, his eyes closed in concentration as he sang.

Jimin weaved through the crowd toward the bar, ordering a drink that arrived in a short, dark glass filled with something strong. He took a careful sip, the sharp taste warming his chest, before maneuvering to a seat near the back. He settled beside a group of wolves, their quiet laughter mingling with the haze of smoke as they passed a cigarette between them. Jimin leaned back, taking slow sips from his drink as he settled in, his gaze drifting to Taehyung and his band who were wholly absorbed in their music. Halfway through the set, Taehyung caught his eye, a bright smile spreading across his lips.

They played through a couple more songs, a mix of original songs and improvisations before Taehyung stepped offstage to grab his own drink. A stunning girl in a satin black dress took his place. Her voice was smooth and light, and the contrast between her vocal control with her clear soprano range was decadent to listen to.

Taehyung raised an eyebrow at Jimin as he sat down next to him. Jimin's thumb pushed aside the droplets of condensation clinging to it. The ice cube inside slowly melted, its edges rounding as Jimin looked down at it.

It was natural, the way he slipped into an easy conversation with Taehyung. But then Taehyung's gaze would linger a bit too long every now and again, his usual laid-back demeanor tightening ever so slightly. They had known each other for too long, their bond too deep, not to notice when something was off.

The jazz club was filled with cologne and cigarette smoke, so it was understandable that Taehyung hadn't immediately picked up on Jungkook's scent heavily coating Jimin. He had sprayed some scent blocker before heading over, knowing that without it, he'd probably knock out every single wolf he passed. But this time, he'd used a little less than before, wanting some of Jungkook's scent to still seep through.

Jimin hadn't come to the club to attack Taehyung, he hadn't come to interrogate him or sit him down and villainize him, he came to have a conversation. But the omega held respect for his friend, for their friendship, and so waited till there was a good opening after easing into each other's space to bring up his new relationship and the necessarily boundaries he had establish because of it.

"You're looking at me like you're sad," Taehyung said, noting Jimin's heavy lids and small pout. Jimin hadn't meant to let the expression bleed so blatantly, but there was grief in the air between them. An unsaid end to something that had once been so natural.

Jimin set his half-drunk drink aside. "Tae, did you tell Jungkook that you help me through my heats?"

Taehyung's face paled. He bit the inside of his cheek, clenching his jaw for a moment before releasing the tension and running his hand through his hair. "Yeah," he admitted sheepishly. "I've been feeling like an asshole since. I don't know what got into me, Jimin. I don't say stuff like that... I think I just saw how you two were acting together, and I got so jealous that I lost control." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I've been trying to come up with a way to apologize for it."

Jimin nodded slowly, like he was really trying to listen and understand Taehyung's words, but there was a true shock nestling between his lungs. "You were jealous." He repeated.

Taehyung nodded; his brown eyes turned pleading. "What's going on between you and Jungkook?"

"We're dating," Jimin said, warmth flooding his spine as he said the words aloud. "We made it official yesterday."

Taehyung nodded. He didn't seem surprised, but neither did he necessarily seem heartbroken. If anything, there was a quiet understanding in his expression, the kind only someone with real patience could achieve. Like he didn't believe Jimin wasn't just dating to date.

"Jungkook also mentioned that you said something to him about me and you getting together someday. I don't remember the exact words, but it was something like Jungkook is 'temporary.'" Jimin frowned, again noticing Taehyung's lack of reaction. Not that he expected some big outburst, but it was strange. Like bringing up Jungkook completely zero-ed out the conversation. "That doesn't sit great with me, Tae. It makes me feel confused and hurt. We've been friends for so long, but if you were only my friend because you thought we'd eventually end up together, then it doesn't feel like you see me as a person." Jimin sighed, trying to find the right words to express himself. "I guess 'objectified' is the closest word to describe how I feel, but I'm also aware that might be too strong for this."

Taehyung scratched his head again, his expression thoughtful. After a moment, he just sighed. "I'm not really sure what to say, Jimin. I thought you knew how I felt."

Jimin raised an eyebrow. "How could I? We've never flirted or talked about a future together and we've been friends for over ten years. It feels weird that suddenly this is something I was always supposed to know. Especially since it's coming up now, only after I've started dating someone else." Jimin paused, looking up at the smoke of cigarettes trailing from various club patrons, catching the light sparkle of the jazz singer at the front as she twirled her dress between a note. He felt pressure behind his eyes start to grow and did his best to control it - not every fault fell on Taehyung's shoulders.

"I guess," Jimin said, "the way that I'm reading it, is because you're an alpha and I'm an omega, then that's enough reason for why you expected us to get together without putting any work in or asking me how I felt about it. If I'm wrong about that, then tell me, please, because Taehyung the feeling I'm experiencing right now isn't great. It feels like the exact alpha/omega bullshit we've criticized a thousand times together."

Taehyung's expression grew sad as he took a long sip, turning his head slightly, trying to shake the tension from his downturned lips. Jimin softened, allowing his friend time to sort through his thoughts. The jazz singer on stage began a new song, its pace quickening, the smoothness of her vocals blending with the gray haze of smoke that lingered in the air. Jimin watched her to give Taehyung some space.

"Isn't he 'temporary', though." Taehyung said, his voice as low as the song entering its pre-chorus. His brow lifted, looking at Jimin from the corner of his eye instead of facing him head on. "He doesn't seem like someone who would even know where to begin with a serious relationship. Aren't you worried that you two will burn bright then fizzle out? I mean, what do you guys talk about with each other? You have nothing in common. Are you okay with that? Being with someone who will always be surface level?" Taehyung swallowed. His Adam's apple rising and falling with the movement. "I don't know Jimin, it's hard to take seriously when I know I could do so much more for you if he never came into the picture."

Jimin frowned. "But it's not for you to decide whether or not to 'take seriously,' though. Look - I need to know that we can be friends still, knowing that we won't get together. That you're willing to respect me with this. I won't pressure you to process everything in one conversation - especially if this has been the way you've been feeling for a while. But do you think that's somewhere you can get to in the future?" Jimin asked, his voice gentle. "You're wrong about Jungkook. He's not surface level. He just happens to live in a batshit reality where being an optimist comes naturally to him. So 'fizzling out' isn't something to hold out for. I know this isn't right for me to say or maybe it's not kind, but I'm trying to be fair to you both by being honest about this so that no one gets hurt further down the line."

Taehyung swallowed, finally looking Jimin in the eyes. Jimin was struck by the storm of emotion cascading through them. There was pain and love, and distrust mixed with hope and understanding. "I think it'll just take some time, Jimin. I guess I was wrong, but I mean... I always thought we'd end up together, you know? Like it was just a matter of time. Then some alpha you've just met swoops in and - I'm just supposed to be okay with that?"

Jimin's expression softened. "I don't think that's fair. You're my best friend, and I can't imagine my life without you, but assuming that you and I would end up together is different from actually acting on it or including me in that decision. Don't I get a say in that? It'd be different if we've flirted or done anything outside of cuddling through heats. But we haven't."

Taehyung rubbed his jaw. "Of course, you get a say, Jimin. I just... thought you'd want the same thing."

Jimin shook his head gently. "Tae, wouldn't it have happened by now if we were meant to be romantic? When were you planning to make a move? This year? Next?"

Taehyung hesitated. "I don't know. I thought it would just happen naturally, you know? We grew up together. But - Jungkook? Really? Out of everyone, it's him?"

Jimin's brow furrowed. "You haven't even given him a chance. He's sweet."

Taehyung's expression hardened slightly. "Yeah, but everyone's sweet. Does that really make him better than me? You've known him for what - a couple months?"

Jimin bit his lip, wondering how to word it in a way that would make Taehyung understand without causing more hurt. In the end, he chose to just be honest. "He makes me really happy. The way he sees life is so pure. He's always excited about something and chasing me around to show me the newest thing he's obsessed with. Like this buddle of energy and joy that I think I lost somewhere along the way in myself, and didn't realize it was possible to gain back. He's like a walking reminder that life isn't always supposed to be so heavy. That we're more than the obstacles or challenges we've overcome. I mean shit - he only knows like one of my key traumas, which is the one on how my parents split, and yet I still feel like he sees me. Before him, I can't remember the last time I laughed at something without psychoanalyzing it afterward. So, I don't know. Maybe being energetic and excited doesn't make me immature; it just means I'm doing okay. He's helping me see that." Jimin ran a hand through his hair. "See that you don't need to give away every vulnerable part of yourself for someone to love you or to feel loved by you."

"You don't want to be with me because I'm not happy enough." Taehyung said slowly, his scent souring into something sharp.

"No, it's not it." Jimin said, his heart dropping. "Taehyung, I think you're beautiful. A soul that is rare and deep and true, but we were meant to complement each other as friends. Don't you think that maybe me and you got comfortable in living life muddled? I'm grateful to have you in my life. Your friendship is a true gift and having the community that we do - one that can support us through our hardships - is a truly beautiful thing. But living with Jungkook and watching how unburdened he lives his life has made me realized that maybe there's another way to go about things. What if sharing our hardships and our complexities, sitting in all that trauma, isn't the only way to find depth in a relationship? What if staying stuck in those conversations for too long only deepens the hold they have on us? I feel hopeful with him. Like someone pulled back a curtain and light has flooded back into my life. And Taehyung, I really like him."

Taehyung's eyes finally softened.

"But I don't want to lose you either. I'm uncomfortable with how you've viewed me all these years, but I think that's because we've never talked about it before. Which is normal, you know, for wolves our age, and something maybe we can both grow in being more honest or respectful of each other in. But... I don't want this to be the end of our friendship if you can't accept that Jungkook's part of my life now." Jimin said.

The jazz singer on stage bowed, exchanging playful banter with some audience members. There were some claps and whistles while Taehyung finished the rest of his drink. "Okay." He said bluntly, shutting down after. Jimin's hands were sweating, and he could feel his heart hammering in his chest as he watched Taehyung's walls go up. "I mean - I'm going to need some time, Jimin. But I'll get there."

"Okay." Jimin said earnestly. "Time. I can do that."

Taehyung sighed, setting his empty glass down between them. He turned his gaze to the stage, watching the instrumentalist take over after the vocalist stepped away. The rest of the club patrons were too absorbed in the music to notice the two wolves in the back of the club, resting their shoulders and forearms against each other, taking in the music with a quiet focus and the heaviness of a goodbye.

* * *

When Jimin stepped through the door, he didn't even get two steps inside before Jungkook wrapped him in the biggest bear hug he'd ever felt. Jimin froze for a moment. His nose pressed against the alpha's chest before he lifted his arms and pulled him in tighter. It didn't take long before the tears began to fall, his exhausted body finally giving in. Jungkook, with his kind heart and gentle nature, held him without hesitation, cupping the back of Jimin's neck to bring him closer, pressing a soft kiss to the top of his head.

When the omega's exhaustion won out, the joy of a new life and the grief of an old one clashed between his ribs. Jungkook lifted Jimin and carried him to Jungkook's room where blankets from the couch were thrown on it, mixing their two scents within the space. His touch was so gentle, lowering Jimin onto the mattress. He kissed his forehead, brushing his nose lightly against Jimin's before lifting him to help him out of his shirt and pants and handing him one of his oversized t-shirts to wear instead. Jimin melted into the fabric, surprised that Jungkook had sprayed some of Jimin's cologne onto it so that Jungkook's scent didn't overwhelm him.

Jungkook was in loose sweatpants and shirtless. His body smelled like light soap, and the faint rose of Jimin's perfume as he turned off the light and climbed in next to Jimin. The alpha's chest was warm against Jimin's back as he wrapped his arms around Jimin's waist, pressing a kiss into Jimin's shoulder.

"You must be so tired." It was all that Jungkook said, and somehow, those five words unraveled Jimin. There was so much foresight behind them; an entire paragraph jammed between the spaces of the words. A gentleness not to bring Taehyung up by name, a kindness not to address a break between childhood friends, and the love and understanding that Jungkook was proud to be the one to take care of him, was all woven between each letter. No push to talk about it, no pressure to share more than he could, simply respect and understanding between partners.

Jimin turned in Jungkook's arms so that he could face him. His eyes were round, his cheeks stained, but he looked up at the alpha like he was the first wolf ever to admire the moon. Instead of talking, Jimin brushed his nose against Jungkook's neck, scenting him, his room, and his bed with an undeniable claim. He'd never felt so possessive in his life, and it was burning him inside. He felt feverish like his wolf might shift and howl for the whole world to know that this alpha, this jock, this insightful and clever and energetic, adorable, and impossibly kind man was his.

Jungkook growled into Jimin's shoulder, but the sound was anything but aggressive. It was almost like a purr, an impossible sound from a wolf but undeniably primal, and somehow, despite everything Jimin had ever experienced, nothing had ever sounded or felt more intimate. Their lips met then, the kiss slow and purposeful. They explored each other, pushing and pulling like the tide and the moon. Jungkook's hands found Jimin's waist, and Jimin gasped. Such a light touch, such gentle fingers, yet his skin felt like lightning struck under them.

But instead of the moment turning heated, Jungkook pulled Jimin closer, gently urging him to rest his eyes as he playfully went through the art-related words he'd learned from Jimin's flashcards. Like he knew Jimin needed something external to hold onto – any unrelated story to Taehyung or Jimin's own emotions to keep him from falling into himself. Jimin listened to the hum of Jungkook's voice, the soothing rhythm lulling him as exhaustion finally took over, and he drifted off to sleep in Jungkook's arms.

______________

A/N:

Hopefully, the goodbye felt grounded. It's a complicated situation when a friend sees you differently than you see them. I'm not sure what the best approach is in real life, but I do think it's easy to become accustomed to the tight circle around you. When something or someone disrupts that balance, it can unintentionally cause harm as people adjust to the change. I don't know if I personally see Taehyung as a bad friend. But what do you think?

- vi