Chapter twenty

The sun was low in the sky when Taehyung finally got back in his tent and took off the heavy armor he was bound to wear every day since his arrival. His tent was more spacious than the others, perhaps a bit bare, but he didn't need much. As the officer in the camp and the man officially tasked with training the new soldiers, he got the largest quarters. His tent sat alone behind the largest one, which housed the storage space, the strategizing room, and Jungkook's quarters.

Taehyung felt better about training today, but Jungkook's father had been particularly pester some this evening, squawking on and on that they were moving ever closer to the soldiers needing to be ready and that they would be doomed if they didn't improve soon, and Taehyung needed to whip them into shape and whatever else he found the breath to complain about. The omega was close to wringing that man's skinny chicken neck when he finally flounced away from the strategy table with a huff, alpha or not.

Taehyung wasn't worried, not yet. A bit surprised perhaps at the lack of progress of his soldiers, but it'd only been two weeks. They had time, and he would rather see the wolves struggle and therefore push themselves a hundred times harder to succeed than be given a bunch of hard-headed, already perfectly trained soldiers. These ones were malleable, untrained, receptive to his methods.

Just when he was about to take off his tunic, a shuffling was heard from behind, causing him to stop in the middle of taking off his clothes and turn around.

"Pardon me, omega Kim." It was a young omega girl from Jungkook's pack. Usually everyone was allowed to visit the training camp, but the sun was soon going to dip down the horizon, and there was a strict rule for omegas not to go out at night. She dipped her head in greeting and parted her thin-lined lips to speak up again. "I've been instructed to tell you that alpha Jeon awaits you by the river. I can lead you there if you wish."

Taehyung was somewhat surprised to hear that Jungkook awaited him by the river. Considering the odd ways, he had been acting for the last few days, the omega shouldn't be questioning his abrupt decisions by now.

First was the scenting part (Jungkook made sure to scent Taehyung at least three times a week), then the occasional gifts he would give him every once in a while, and lastly this. It was weird, foreign in so many ways, but at the same time so pleasantly good that Taehyung didn't have the heart to stop him from doing what was on his mind. His inner wolf didn't want any of this to stop, which was strange considering the fact he'd lost connection with him long time ago.

After weighing it up for a moment, Taehyung said, "Of course. Lead the way." He hadn't had a proper bathe since he left his home. The omega was eager to feel fresh, despite knowing Jungkook, in all his intensity, awaited him there.

The river was gentle when they arrived, flowing and ebbing a steady pace. The late afternoon sun glimmered on the surface, a bright, white reflection. The place consisted of a quiet pool in one part of the river, with a small clearing in the trees and smooth rocks on its bank.

The young girl once again bowed at him, wearing the same polite smile on her pretty round face, the scent of orchids and sweets lingered in the air. "Here you are." She exclaimed with her soft voice before turning her back to him and walking back into the forest, leaving a trail of steps on the spongy ground for as far as the eye could see.

Taehyung closed his eyes to the sky, allowing the waning heat to soak into him. The only sounds were the river and the birds. He was alone here; everyone had likely been instructed to give him privacy to bathe.

"The water is perfect." Well, almost alone. "I felt it with my hand and the temperature shouldn't be unbearably cold."

Jungkook sat on a rock by the riverbed, untying the laces on his leather boots. His jacket was already off and strung onto a tree branch nearby, leaving him in a billowy, cream shirt.

Taehyung swallowed the dry lump in his throat and walked to where Jungkook was. He also slipped off his shoes - woven slippers - and lowered himself onto a rock right on the riverbed. He hesitantly dipped his toes in the cool water. Jungkook was right; it was perfect. He sighed at the fresh relief.

When he turned to Jungkook, he found the alpha looking intently at him. "What?" he asked, sounding a bit shy.

The latter merely shook his head with a smile. "Nothing. I can't wait to go in."

"Go in?" Taehyung's brow darted upwards.

"How else are you supposed to bathe?" Jungkook replied, amusement clearly lacing his merry tone.

Taehyung had intended to clean his face and feet and hands, but to go in the river? Surely Jungkook must be mad.

"Right here? Anybody could see." The omega tried to protest, hoping the alpha would say he was joking, and they could go back in the camp.

Jungkook shifted and a wave of deep musk and wet roses washed over Taehyung. His eyelids unintentionally fluttered. "Come on, I know you're itching to clean the sweat way."

"This is irrelevant."

"Suit yourself."

Taehyung said nothing as Jungkook walked towards the river, stubbornly remaining rooted to the tree stump. He wasn't an animal. He refused to bathe like one, bare and in a river for anyone to see.

All thoughts died in his mind the moment he flited his eyes towards the alpha and found him in the process of sliding his shirt over his head. Where white cotton once was, now was a wide expansive of creamy skin. Jungkook's muscles flexed with the movement; subtle, but powerful. Everything about him was sharp and defined, from his biceps to the deep v-line Taehyung dared not trace the entirety of with his eyes.

Jungkook, for his part, didn't look fazed or embarrassed by his actions. This much was amply clear the moment his hands moved to the buckle on his belt. Taehyung's mouth dried as his eyes traced the movement.

"W-what are you doing?" The omega gulped and Jungkook's eyes helplessly rooted to the motion, lids fluttering studious as the irises beneath laced over his bobbling throat.

Taehyung's neck was long, thin. The cartilage of his jugular was pronounced against his skin, highlighting its path to his collarbones, where it locked together with emphasis. It was fragile, really, how exposed his neck was, his throat was, how wide and strong his clavicle seemed beneath the vulnerable structure, how accommodating it would be for his fangs to rest there, break the surface of the skin.

Jungkook wondered if his skin would redden under pressure, got curious how the tan would look with the print of his canines drawn on it. He wondered if a bite would get his lips part on instinct.

"Bathing," The alpha enunciated slowly, "generally I don't do that clothed." He smiled mischievously, obviously pleased with the omega's startled expression. "Besides, it's only fair. After all, I've seen you naked. I'm merely returning the favor."

Taehyung felt his cheeks burn furiously. He tried to cool himself into mild indifference, but the terrorizing memories of the day he had to undress in front of the eyes of two alphas caught him unprepared. "Friends don't see each other naked," he said quickly, skidding his gaze away.

"Is that what we are now? Friends?" Jungkook quirked up an eyebrow, a pang of disappointment hit him up like a truck, squeezed at his throat and made his breath hitch.

"It is better than familiars, no?" Taehyung asked in a quiet tone, fidgeting with the cotton sleeves of his tunic.

Jungkook nodded his head weakly. His hands slid his pants down the length of his legs. Taehyung maintained eye contact, refusing to give the alpha the pleasure of knowing he longed to look. "Don't worry, I will keep my briefs on if the thought flusters you so much."

The omega wanted to retort, but before he could say anything, Jungkook had turned his back. He walked to the river's edge.

True to his words, the alpha stood bare but for his tight briefs. What a sight he looked, tall and lean and defined in the afternoon sunlight. Taehyung's mind betrayed him. He longed to reach out and trace his fingers over the sturdy arms and abdominal pack, feel the strong muscles of Jungkook's legs under his palms.

The splash of Jungkook jumping into the river sent glimmering droplets into the air. He emerged a moment later, black hair plastered to his head, strong shoulders surfacing out of the river water.

"It really is a shame," he said as he brought his head above the water, shaking it to get some hair out of his face. He pressed his palms to his temples, swiping it back in a motion so practiced and yet it brought through him a dejectedly pleasurable current. "The water is perfect..."

Taehyung looked over his shoulder and scanned the bank but found nothing but trees and rocks. There was no one here. Still, he hesitated. There felt something intimate about the whole thing, as silly as it seemed.

Stretching his arms above his head, the alpha sighed and flipped onto his back. Rivulets of water ran sideways off the silhouette of his pecs. "Come on," he beckoned. "Surely the omega with oceans for eyes knows how to swim. Perhaps you're too delicate for the rough river water?"

Despite knowing that Jungkook was intentionally teasing him, using mocking humor to get a ruse from him, Taehyung scoffed. He may be an omega, but he wasn't delicate. With red cheeks and far too much petulance, the omega stood up.

"Close your eyes," he demanded, chin higher and shoulders pushed back.

"Seriously?" The alpha wanted to laugh at the command, finding it for absurd.

"Do it." Taehyung insisted, pushing his tongue between his teeth to prevent them from meeting together.

Now upright in the river, Jungkook obligated with a grumble and covered his eyes with his hands. "Do I need to remind you-" he began but was cut off by Taehyung shushing him.

The omega debated silently with himself. He was really hot and sticky and dying for a drink of the cool water, but he thought his poor heart might just give out if he had to edge any closer to the naked, barely concealed form of the alpha to get it. He might come out as rude if he turned and left after being invited to join the alpha, but the thought of stripping down and getting in, or even dipping his toes in with all his clothes still on, made him feel like throwing up. He stood there, staring, eyes wide as he wordlessly argued with himself.

"Taehyung, are you alright?" The deep, soft voice startled the omega out of his internal crisis. He nodded, biting into his lip, not trusting himself to say anything.

"I'm doing perfectly fine," Taehyung cringed at how choppy and manufactured his response was, but he was impressed he could speak at all without his voice cracking.

He dropped his stuff to the soft grass at his bare feet, before bringing horribly shaky hands to the knot at the front of his shirt. His teeth chattered despite the warm weather as he pulled the tie loose and let the garment slip off his shoulders. Taehyung considered taking off his pants, too, but immediately decided against it. Walking back to camp in soaked pants would be uncomfortable, but less so than stripping completely in front of Jungkook and getting near him in the water. Two naked bodies would be too brazen for his liking.

Taehyung edged toward the water and sat down as quietly as he could, already feeling like the thundering of his heartbeat was too loud for the atmosphere. He slipped his toes and feet in, unable to stop a sigh of relief from escaping his lips at the cool water lapping against his ankles.

"Are you really making me do this?" Taehyung tightened his core to try to keep his voice even, taking a long deep breath in and out as he leaned over to roll up the hems of his pants. He didn't expect the alpha to laugh. It was just a small giggle, but it bounced around in Taehyung's mind over and over again.

He'd never heard him laugh before, or even crack a smile bigger than a quirk of his pouty lips. It was higher pitched than he would've thought, nearly boyish in its timbre. When Taehyung looked up into the other man's face, his eyes are scrunched up into little crescent moons and his front teeth peek over his bottom lip just a little bit.

"Absolutely..." Jungkook trailed off, the way he sounded so completely unaffected by this situation had Taehyung shaking, his legs clearly trembling as he dipped them deeper under the water.

He paddled until he was in front of Jungkook. The river flowed gently and was easy to withstand. His skin tingled. He wanted to feel every sensation the water was capable of making him feel. He let his body go, spread his arms to the side and let his legs loose, curling and uncurling his toes and his fingers. The weightlessness and freedom that came from the way his limbs moved through water was positively ethereal.

And he knew this was a mistake. He loved it way too much, way too fucking much. He had forgotten, just a little bit, just how fucking much he loved it. He didn't want to leave the water, not now. He would have to start missing it all over again and it was all Jungkook's fault.

"Can I open my eyes now?" the alpha asked.

"Yes." Taehyung said with unsteady voice.

When Jungkook finally opened his eyes, he blinked against the sunlight for a few moments, eyelashes heavy with water. Taehyung looked away from him, lest he be caught staring.

"Was that so bad?"

Instead of answering him and giving Jungkook the pleasure of knowing he was right, he started to swim around the lake. The omega lowered his lids over his eyes, got on his back and moved his arms. He thought as he drifted so consciously through water, so aware of himself. The lap he swam was offensively short, but he didn't dare move past the shadow of the trees, too afraid of someone seeing him.

"I think it is a good idea," Jungkook piped up. When Taehyung gave him a questioning look, he elaborated. "Being friends. What you said earlier is true. It is far better than familiars and a good place to start." A good place to start courting you, he may add.

Content in this resolution, the omega nodded. "Yes. Friends is good." He said, but for several seconds he found himself doubting the confident way in which he spoke, as if the words that slipped out of his mouth couldn't quite convince him to believe his feelings for Jungkook were just made up of friendly fondness.

They stood in the water a breath away from each other. This close Taehyung could see the small details that painted the canvas of Jungkook's face: the mole underneath his pink lips, the scar carved into the skin of his left cheekbone, the downwards dip of his nose, the water droplets sliding down every curve. Again, he was consumed by an urge to reach out and trace his fingers over the alpha but stopped himself short.

"We should bathe," Taehyung said, simply. He wanted to distract himself.

Jungkook stared at him a moment before nodding as well. "Yes. Of course."

They didn't spend a lot of time in the lake. Just long enough to let the water wash away the journey as much as possible. Taehyung dunked his head under and wringed out his hair. Jungkook splashed his face. They danced around each other wordlessly. Slowly, the sun dipped lower and lower, the temperature with it.

When they exited, Jungkook went first. Like earlier, he offered Taehyung his hand, and when the omega took it his skin burnt where it touched the alpha's.

This time, Taehyung didn't have to ask Jungkook to give him privacy. The other was less bashful and offered Taehyung a towel to dry himself with averted eyes. Something in both their attitudes seemed to have changed in the lake. They were more somber and present, distilled in their interactions with each other.

Jungkook even offered him his own dry shirt. When Taehyung tried to refuse, he insisted.

"Tell me more about your home," The omega asked, when they were sitting on the soft grass drying off.

"Okay," Jungkook answered "What do you want to know?"

"Anything. Surprise me."

Jungkook thought for a moment. "Well, our pack isn't very big but isn't a small one either. There are blocks of buildings and they all form an upwards grid - bakeries, and butchers, and tailors. Pretty much anything you can think of."

Taehyung hummed in understanding. These concepts were new to him. He knew only a little of Jungkook's land and customs. He knew they had big and powerful armies, that they were among the first packs of their kind. They were feared for their battle and might, but their traditional ways of counselling didn't quite settle with Taehyung's taste.

Omegas were still seen as low and weak, being considered as 'inferior goods'.

The wind whistled through the branches, and goosebumps erupted across Taehyung's skin. He was cold but was so greedy to know more about Jungkook from his own lips that he said nothing.

"I didn't have a proper chance to walk you around the pack." Jungkook suddenly spoke up, a slight hint of shyness erupting the deep baritone of his velvet voice. "If we have time, I will show you some of my favorite places in it. You haven't even met the pups yet. I'm sure you will get along pretty quickly." He added.

Taehyung dipped his head. He felt strangely warm at the prospect.

"I would love to." The omega said with a sweet smile plastered on his angelic face, his deeply tanned skin glistened with a sheen of droplets.

When Jungkook turned around his lips were tilted up in a closed-lip smile. Taehyung's eyebrows were strong and dark, furrowed over his deep, soulful eyes. The alpha wished he could step closer and stare into those eyes, learn the patterns of color dotted through them and count each long eyelash that brushed over his high cheekbones. He wished he could run his thumb over the peak of his plush lips before pressing them to his own. He wished all these things as he watched, peeking through the wet bangs of his raven hair, his stomach curling in with a feeling he'd only ever associated with the anticipation and excitement he felt before riding into battle.