Kim Taehyung had always considered his life as perfect. He was raised in a wealthy family in Daegu, and was taught to act impeccable and well-mannered, playing the role of a prim and proper omega all his life. And Taehyung took that responsibilities seriously. He attended an all-omegas school all his life, got himself a wealthy boyfriend who was the perfect alpha male and with whom he planned to marry and start a family. Yes, Taehyung had everything settle, he did, until the urge to discover the world around him became stronger.

Taehyung always loved reading books, getting into the life and emotions of different characters was a way of exploring the world. And in adolescence, he started to like writing too, becoming those characters, and telling a story, it was wonderful. And he wanted to keep doing that, he wanted to become a journalist and write. Of course, in his world, it was frowned upon for omegas to study and work instead of being at home and participating in socialite events.

He knew what society expected from him as an omega, but Taehyung wanted to chase his dreams, and his grandparents supported him, as long as after graduating he would mate his boyfriend and avidly participate as a socialite extraordinaire. Basically they told him to write in his spare time, but Taehyung took it, and he got in the Yonsei University, wanting nothing more than invest himself in the adventure of being in college, in the great city of Seoul.

"Taehyung dear" His grandmother speaks, placing her cup of tea in the small table in front of her while reading correspondence. "I spoke with your aunt" she tells him, tilting her head and making the golden framed glasses to fall delicately to her nose. "They are glad to provide with a temporary home for you"

Taehyung lifts his head, stopping his afternoon lecture of his current favorite book to look at his grandmother. "Aunt Hana?"

"Yes, of course" His grandmother replies, a smile appearing on her face. The scent of lilies coming from her always soothed Taehyung, since he was a child and she was the one who took care of him. "You can spend time with your beloved cousin"

"That's wonderful, grandma"

"But dear if you're not comfortable there... If you feel like you made the wrong choice don't hesitate to call me or your grandfather, you can come back home anytime you desire, understood?"

"Yes grandma" Taehyung says, a lazy smile appearing on his face while looking fondly at his grandmother.

He knew she didn't want him to go away from home, and he and his grandfather had a hard time convincing her that it would be good for him to have his college education. She gave in eventually, but from time to time she still tried to persuade Taehyung into staying home and dedicate himself into the socialite lifestyle. But planning events and attending fancy parties was not how he wanted to spend the rest of his life.

"Excuse me, madam" The butler came to the backyard where Taehyung and his grandmother were having tea, bowing down at them. "Mr. Park is here for Mr. Taehyung"

"Ah Jae, just call me Taehyung" The omega says standing up from his seat while looking at the stoic looking beta who has served as a butler for years in their house. His grandmother gives him a judgmental stare but didn't say anything. "Thank you for the tea, grandma"

"Tell Bogum to come say hello to me" The elderly omega says taking the fine china cup of tea in her left hand maintaining her impeccable posture. "And behave"

"I always do" Taehyung smiles, taking the book with him and leaning down to give a kiss on his grandmother's head.

It was the last day he would spend with his boyfriend of two years before going to Seoul until the next holidays. And Taehyung was planning to enjoy his boyfriend as much as he could. Park Bogum was everything Taehyung wanted in an alpha. He was kind, polite and handsome. Smart, honest and a perfect gentleman. Park Bogum was dreamy, and he was completely head over heels for Taehyung.

"Bogumie" Taehyung calls, stopping his steps in the large hall of his grandparent's house. "You came early" he says admiring his boyfriend. Perfectly dressed in trousers and a dressed shirt, and perfectly combed hair, not a single loose piece in his head, not a crinkle in his outfit.

"Hello gorgeous" Bogum says, getting close to Taehyung to kiss him on the cheek. Because the alpha was well-mannered enough to not cross the boundaries in Taehyung's grandparents' home. "You look beautiful as always"

Taehyung smiles, wrapping his arms around the alpha's neck. "You look handsome too" he says taking a deep inhale of breath. "And you smell so good" he says, taking in the scent of the alpha. Amber and muskwood. "My grandma said to go greet her. I'll go get my jacket and we can leave, yeah?"

"Of course" Bogum replies, eyeing lovingly at his young boyfriend.

Taehyung's grandmother, Min Euna, loved Park Bogum, because of all his attributes as a perfect alpha, and because he came from an old money family of course. Taehyung was sure the last aspect was what she loved the most about his boyfriend. His grandfather on the other hand, was neutral about his relationship, even when Taehyung was already planning their dream wedding back when he was eighteen. Of course he had to put that in standby because of college, and Bogum would wait for him to graduate to propose of course, because he was that perfect.

When Taehyung was basically running through the corridor towards his bedroom, he burst into his grandfather large frame, who was patiently fixing an old painting in the wall. "Grandpa"

"Taehyung don't run like that. You could hurt yourself" His grandfather says, and it felt really familiar borderline nostalgic to Taehyung because the man always used to say the same words to him, back then when Taehyung was an energetic child.

"I'm sorry" he says smiling fondly at the man. He was old, but he still looked big and strong, just like alphas were supposed to look. "I'm going on my last date with Bogum before leaving"

His grandfather hums, nodding lightly his head while his eyes were still focused on the painting in the wall. "Don't get home late. Your grandmother is preparing a farewell dinner for us"

"And I bet I wasn't supposed to know that"

"Of course" His grandfather says, turning his head to look at Taehyung. "Pretend to be surprised" he says, smiling mischievously at his grandson.

Taehyung laughs, shaking his head and hugging the alpha. Kim Yuggo gives him a few pats in the back, not good at expressing his feelings. but Taehyung knew him well, knew how much the man loved him.

"Bye grandpa" he says, and the man just hums, eyes going back to look at the painting, deciding which spot in the wall was more suitable for it.

Taehyung decided he wanted to go to an outdoor cinema as a date with Bogum, despite the alpha's protests because he wanted to spend more private time with Taehyung. In reality, Bogum had completely different intentions than Taehyung's planned date. When they were in the back of the open cinema, sitting on the nice blanket Taehyung brought from home, the alpha wasted no time into running his hands on the other's legs, over and over again trying to wrap himself in a kissing session with the pretty omega.

But Taehyung kept pushing his boyfriend's hands away from his thighs, and his mouth away from his nape. "Stop..."

"Babe" Bogum says, stubbornly trying to pull the omega by his waist, and place him on his lap. "This is our last time together until Christmas"

"I know but we're in a public place..." Taehyung tells him, between smiles and nervously pulling away from his boyfriend, eyes focusing on other couples getting cozy and handful in other spots around the park.

"Do you perhaps want to go to my house?" Bogum asks, hopefully, hands stopping his movements of trying to drag Taehyung towards him.

"Not really" Taehyung says, tilting his head to look at the alpha. His eyes now firmer, and he looked quite unsettled. "Bogum, we promised to wait"

"We did but you're so gorgeous, babe" the alpha says, leaning his face to be closer to the omega's, brashly sniffing his scent. "I want to be with you before you go"

"Stop" Taehyung snaps firmly. Hands going to the alpha's chest to stop him for getting close to him. "I don't want to do it before we're properly mated" he tells, furrowing his eyebrows lightly while his brown eyes lingered all over the alpha's face, expecting for him to understand. "You know this"

"You don't want me" Bogum says, his expression becoming sour, just like his scent. The amber in it smelling scorched.

"I do want you" the omega says quickly, his eyes softening for his boyfriend. "I love you" he says, running his slender fingers on Bogum's soft skin, on his jawline. "But I want it to be special... you know that"

"I know" Bogum says, leaning at the omega's touch immediately. "Would it be special if I prepare a romantic evening for Christmas's Eve?"

"...Perhaps"

"Maybe we can even mate"

"Don't rush things, darling" Taehyung tells him, voice smooth and fingers now caressing the alpha's hands, interlacing their fingers.

"I love you" Bogum says. "I'm madly in love with you"

"And I love you, darling" the omega tells him back, smiling and leaning in to peck the alpha's lips, sweetly but briefly.

"It's going to be hard without you" Bogum says after a while of cuddling with Taehyung, the movie playing in the big screen forgotten. "I'm going to start working on my family business and I was hoping to have you supporting my back"

Taehyung hums, embracing the other and releasing his omega pheromones to sooth the other, it was something usual between them. Bogum having trouble to trust in Taehyung's love, thinking the omega didn't love him enough, and having to soothe him.

"I have you back" the omega says, nodding his head. "But I need this" he continues, confident in their relationship, even when he knew very well it lacks passion. "Call me every day, okay?"

"I will"

---

Saying goodbye to his grandparents was way more difficult than saying goodbye to his boyfriend. He has lived his whole life with them, after losing his mother, his grandparents practically became his parents. Taehyung was sad, but the excitement burning in his chest overpowered any other emotion, the thrill of finally doing something on his own, for himself, was fulfilling every other aspect.

The train ride was pleasant, it only took a few hours to get to the capital. And Taehyung felt like the typical country boy arriving to the big city. It was a hustle, people not sparing glances at him, except for some alphas who were bold enough to sniff him because he was an unmated omega, bold and quite rude. Taehyung was about to slap one of those alpha with his bag because the man got too close to him, completely invading his personal space, and making him utterly uncomfortable when he tried to put his nose on his neck.

"Back off or I'm cutting your ugly balls, you disgusting piece if shit" A husky voice says grumpily, making the alpha turn and look to the person who spoke to him. But before the man could utter a word, the small guy in front of him pull out from his jacket a pepper-spray and threat the alpha to spray it on his face.

"Fine, shit" the alpha says. "Not even worth it"

"Fucking alphas" the guy says, scoffing and glaring towards the way the alpha went. "Are you alright?"

"Yoongi!" Taehyung squeals, forgetting all about the harassment incident and just focusing on his cousin. He lunged forward taking the small beta in his arms, squeezing him tight and lifting him off the ground, earning a wail from Yoongi of course. "I missed you!"

"Argh, get off me" Yoongi groans, but he didn't make any attempt to move, just letting the omega to embrace him tightly. "So fucking clingy, Tae"

Taehyung smiles, letting go of Yoongi with a bright squared-shaped smile. "It's been almost a year since the last time I saw you" he says, wanting to squeeze Yoongi's cheeks but holding back, knowing his cousin wouldn't appreciate it much.

"I literally saw you five months ago when I went to Daegu for great aunt's birthday" Yoongi scoffs, but he was still looking fondly at his younger cousin. "Anyways, if any alpha bothers you again don't hesitate to fucking punch them in the face"

"Ah, I can't do that" Taehyung replies awkwardly, tucking his ashy colored hair behind his ear. "I hope to not run into more rude alphas"

"Tae, you're in the fucking city now" Yoongi says, pushing Taehyung lightly to make him walk forwards, and helping him with his suitcases. "You have to empower yourself"

Taehyung laughs at that. He knew how Yoongi thought about alphas, he hated them and have a misconception about them, but Taehyung was sure if the beta knew any kind and polite alpha he would definitely think differently. Yoongi always worried about him, and Taehyung had always been well-mannered, he was taught to be like that, but if someone cross the boundaries he was prepared to attack back with claws and fangs.

The moment the two stepped out of the train station, Taehyung felt overwhelmed by the sight of the busy city of Seoul. Urban in all its glory, with tall buildings, skyscrapers, and different types of cars. Affluence of people and street trade, market stores and hustle, so much hustle. It was everything industrialized.

"This is Gwanak" Yoongi says, pulling Taehyung by his arm towards a parking spot near the station. "We're going to Gangnam" he winks making the omega smile, already excited.

Everything in the city seemed vast for Taehyung, noisy and captivating. They were driving in Yoongi's pickup truck, listening to some hip-hop Yoongi seemed to adore. And Taehyung tried to answer to every question Yoongi asked him about college, apparently it was a big deal in their family that an omega was going study journalism. He didn't mind, he was happy, and Yoongi said he was proud of him for making that decision, and that was enough for Taehyung to feel giddy all over again.

"When are you starting?"

"My classes already started" Taehyung tells, fixing the pastel blue silky scarf he was wearing. "I'm planning to integrate this Monday"

"You can go see the campus on Monday" Yoongi began to say, nonchalantly. "Get your schedule and everything. And start on Tuesday"

Taehyung hums, his eyes still lost in the streets of Seoul. "Am I close to yours?"

"Not really" Yoongi says changing the song in the radio. "But I'll show you around, hang out with you until you're all settled" he says, smiling and showing his gums.

"You're the sweetest" Taehyung says, giving Yoongi another of his square-shaped smiles, making his cheekbones to look prominent, a pale peach color dusting them.

"I am the best, I know" Yoongi says and his husky tone was warm-hearted.

---

"I'm excited to see your mother" Taehyung says at the same time they entered the hall of the fancy building where the Mins lived. "Does she still embroider clothing?" he asks, holding with delicacy his handbag and suitcase, and cringing at the sight of Yoongi manhandling his belongings.

Yoongi hums, pressing a finger in the button of the elevator. "She's working with some designers actually. Never seen her so happy before"

The omega beams at that. "Oh that so amazing" he exhales following Yoongi inside the immense elevator, the ridge adorned by golden lights. "I love fashion"

"I know you do" Yoongi snorts. "For someone coming from the country side you look like you just came out of a fashion runaway"

Taehyung coos, leaning against his cousin. "Is this your way of calling me pretty, hyung?"

Another snort from Yoongi. "You know you're pretty" he says shaking his head. "You don't need me to be telling you that" he says cocking an eyebrow and eyeing the omega. "I had to kick a lot of stinky alpha asses back in the Daegu when you started high school" Yoongi half jokes, eyes now focus on the door slipping open when they arrived at their floor. "Are you still with that alpha who used to follow you like a lovesick puppy?"

Taehyung laughs. "Don't be mean hyung" he tells him, playfully slapping his arm. "And yeah, we are planning to mate once I'm done with college"

"Really?" Yoongi asks with a distraught look on his face. "Why?"

"Why do you mean why?"

Yoongi chuckles, leaving Taehyung's suitcases in the tilted floor to enter the cod of the door of the penthouse. "Because he was so fucking boring"

"Hyung" Taehyung scolds, a light pout appearing on his face. "He's polite, kind, sweet, a complete gentleman-"

"And fucking boring" Yoongi teases again, his gums appearing in the smirk he gave to Taehyung before entering the apartment.

Taehyung huffs air, rolling his eyes and wanting to reply something back at Yoongi, but soon everything was forgotten when he saw his aunt standing up from the velvet couch with a bright smile on her face, quite opposite to her son.

"Taehyungie! Oh my!" the beta woman shrieks embracing Taehyung. She was tiny and plump, her head barely reaching at the omega's chest, but she was strong and her warm arms around his waist were leaving him breathless. "You are so tall and gorgeous. I feel like a potato"

Taehyung laughs, embracing his aunt and inhaling the faint chamomile scent from her, nearly colorless. "You're the prettiest potato then, aunt Hana"

"Ah shush" the woman says, looking up fondly at the omega. "I'm really happy grand aunt let you come" she says pulling Taehyung by his hands towards the living room. "I know she wasn't fond of the idea of you starting college and moving to Seoul"

"I know" Taehyung replies leaving all his belongings in the middle of the room while Yoongi was just looking at them, hands inside his jacket pockets and a small grin on his face. "But I'm really convincing" he tells, offering one of his charming smiles to his aunt.

"With that pretty smile of yours I bet you get can away with murder, dear" Aunt Hana giggles, making Taehyung feels flustered for a brief moment. "Let me show you your room, sweetheart. You will absolutely adore it"

The room his aunt prepared for him was indeed beautiful. Decorated with flowers, and pastel-colored pillows, because omegas loves pillows. Everything was in pastel colors, blue, pink and a soft grey. And she made sure to include a small bookcase and a desk for him to work. The room actually remind Taehyung of his own room back in Daegu, it was cozy and quite homy.

"Thank you, aunt Hana," he tells giving a small hug to his aunt. "I really love it"

"I want you to be comfortable, Taehyung" she says smiling sweetly at him. "I'm proud of you, proud of you choosing your own career"

"Against all odds" the omega answers, with a sigh. The tingling feeling in his stomach increasing by the thought of the path he chose.

"Need help with unpacking?" Yoongi asks, leaving the luggage in the floor of the bedroom.

"Oh no, hyung, thank you"

"Good, because I was planning to take a nap" Yoongi snorts, making Taehyung rolls his eyes.

"Go rest son" his mother says, and the man nods his head, waving to them. "I'm going to prepare dinner, I'll leave so you can rest, sweetheart"

Taehyung sat down on the comfy bed, leaning his body towards the small table at the side to smell the pretty flowers his aunt put in there. They smelt like autumn, and it was similar to the scent flowing in the penthouse. Betas usually had neutral and natural scents, and Yoongi and his uncles were all betas so Taehyung wonder if his aunt wanted to scent the apartment to make it more appealing.

They spend a quiet weekend. Mostly Taehyung arranging his things with his aunt help, Yoongi preparing his thesis, and his uncle working, like the hardworking beta he was. And by Sunday, Taehyung was becoming more restless about finally starting his studies the next day, so he tried to focus on something else, keep himself busy. And that something else was to try to cook food for Yoongi, even when he was a horrible cook.

"I think you're the only omega from the upper-class in Daegu who doesn't know how to cook" Yoongi teases, sitting near the kitchen, busying himself with his laptop.

"It's simple Yoongi" Taehyung began to say, hand wrapped around a wooden spoon and battling with the pancake mix. "An omega just needs to be a cook in the kitchen, a maid in the living room, and an acrobat in the bedroom. And I can hire a cook and a maid"

"You're terrible" Yoongi snorts, shaking his head but Taehyung could see the amusement in his face. "I thought you wanted to wait until you're mated"

"I am waiting" Taehyung says with a small grin on his face. "But I'm quite flexible" he winks at Yoongi.

"I don't want to hear it" Yoongi says putting his hands on his ears, looking absolutely done. "I need some textbooks" he tells, standing up, still covering his ears. "Don't burn the kitchen"

Taehyung rolls his eyes, the tiny grin on his face not disappearing. He was happy to be with his cousin once again, since he was little, he look up at Yoongi, always thinking about him as awesome, and brave, and really smart. Yoongi was definitely Taehyung's hero.

Once he was alone in the kitchen, humming a melody that was stuck in his head for days already, he heard the bell ring, followed by hard knocks on the door. Taehyung frowns, leaving the bowl with the mixture, and cleaning his hands on the pink apron he borrowed from his aunt. He had no idea of who must be the one knocking at the door, his aunt and uncle were at some friends to have lunch, and as far as he knew Yoongi wasn't expecting anyone.

Taehyung walks towards the door and the knocks were getting more restless, and louder, and he was sure he could hear someone whining Yoongi's name at the other side.

He opens the door and was surprised to see another male omega standing there. The omega was babbling stuff until he got awfully quiet when he realized Taehyung wasn't Yoongi. And they stared at each other for a moment that seemed too long, taking in the details of each other's.

"Yes?" Taehyung asks sternly, looking down at the smaller omega, sensing his sweet scent spicing up, the floral lavender scent in him becoming withered.

"Who are you?" the strange omega asks, his tone of voice high-pitched, it sounded really mellow but Taehyung could hear a hint of anger on it. "Where's Yoongi?"

"Oh, he's-" Taehyung wasn't able to formulate the sentence correctly when the other omega just walked through his side entering the penthouse. "Hey!"

The omega was around Yoongi's height, but he made himself look tall and proud in the middle of the living room. Taehyung noticed his hands were forming little fists, and his cheeks were really red, he looked angry, and he got blatantly closer to Taehyung, sniffing him.

"You reek of Yoongi" the omega's voice was shaky. "Did you sleep with him?!"

Taehyung gasps, frowning too, his mouth agape about to answer when his cousin beat him on it. "Jimin?" Yoongi's voice came from the corridor.

"Yoongi" The omega, Jimin, says, turning his whole body to look at Yoongi who was holding a bunch of textbooks on his hands. "You're an ass! You rejected me because of him?!"

"Jimin-"

"Where did you met him huh?" Jimin asks, snaps, yells, and throws his arms in the air. "And since when do you like ditzy blonde bimbos huh?" he asks, pointing towards Taehyung with his tiny finger. Taehyung gasps again, putting his hands on his hips, looking genuinely offended.

"Jimin, you're a ditzy blonde..." Yoongi says with a tired tone of voice, and a sigh.

"And my hair's color is Milk Tea, not blonde" Taehyung snaps back, looking annoyingly at Jimin. "You fluffy Oompa Loompa" he tells, pointing a finger at Jimin who puffed offended, too trying to slap Taehyung's long finger away.

"Ash blonde but whatever you praying mantis with ridiculous long legs" Jimin snaps back, his own hands on his hips imitating Taehyung's position. "And ridiculous long fingers"

"I would say it's more like ash brown" Taehyung replies, with a sigh and reaching his hair with his fingers, running them through his fluffy grey locks.

"Let me see" Jimin says, getting closer to Taehyung to look at his hair properly. "No, it's totally ash blonde"

"Milk tea" Taehyung says, nodding his head and letting his lips curl into a half grin, eyeing curiously to the other omega who was super close.

"Fine! Milk tea color... but how do you keep it? It really looks gorgeous"

"Blue shampoo" Taehyung tells him, now genuinely smiling. "Your hair is really pretty too, looks really soft"

"I use blue shampoo too, and tons of other products for avoid dryness" Jimin explains, returning the smile. "Your hair smell like fruits"

"Are you two serious?" Yoongi asks scoffing, looking at both omegas in disbelief.

"Right" Jimin says facing Yoongi once again, with a glare and crossing his arms against his chest to look more intimidating. "I'm seriously angry at you Min Yoongi"

Yoongi sighs, his eyes looking lazy at the omega. "Jimin, Taehyung is my cousin"

"Oh" Jimin says, eyes widely open and mouth agape. "Oh god, I'm so sorry" he began to whine, looking from Yoongi to Taehyung, trying to put the pieces together. "I knew your cousin was coming, dumb me, hi Taehyung I love your hair, sorry for calling you a bimbo" he tells, smiling broadly and waving at Taehyung. "And a praying mantis"

"Sorry for calling you Oompa Loompa" Taehyung tells him back, waving too.

"Taehyung, this is Park Jimin" Yoongi says, with another sigh, ready to just leave the two omegas alone and go back to his assignment. "He lives in the apartment below us"

"That's my fucking introduction Min Yoongi?" Jimin shouts again, the same intimidating expression from before but the beta wasn't fazed, at all.

Yoongi rolls his eyes. "Jimin and I are friends"

"With benefits" Jimin corrected, winking over Taehyung.

"Jimin" Yoongi warns, passing a hand through his black hair and face, done.

"Too much information" Taehyung tells, with an amused grin on his face. He never had met any of Yoongi's hookups, or dates, he even thought his cousin was asexual at one point. "So Jimin... want some pancakes?"

"Sure!" Jimin beams, following Taehyung to the kitchen and shoving Yoongi out of his way, earning a groan from the beta.

☆

"Taehyung" Jimin says after munching his last pancakes with tones of chocolate syrup. "You need to come to my birthday party" he says with hoping eyes, and a wishful tone. "I came here actually to invite Yoongi and give him a card" he says leaving a cute baby blue card on the kitchen table, near Yoongi.

"You could just have text me" Yoongi says, eyes focused on whatever he was writing on his laptop. "Like a normal person"

Jimin rolls his eyes. "What's the fun about that? I even put a picture of me in the damn card"

Taehyung lets out an airily laugh. "I'd love to go to your party, Jimin"

"Great" the omega beams, a pretty eye smile on his face. "It'd be a small gathering and only people I like"

"Small gathering means a fuck up party in Jimin's language" Yoongi groans, still not looking at them, still busy with his laptop.

"It does not" Jimin scoffs.

"And your mom let you?" Yoongi asks with a small grin and cocking an eyebrow, finally looking at Jimin while talking.

Jimin hums, nodding his head. "She even ordered a catering"

"We're drinking strong fruity punch and overly priced canapes then" Yoongi tells and looks with amusement towards Jimin who just roll his eyes the tenth time that evening.

"I have to go now.... thank you for the pancakes, Taehyung" Jimin says standing up with a bright smile on his face. "I'm looking forward to see you in my birthday party"

"Thank you for inviting me"

"It's my pleasure" Jimin winks, walking towards Yoongi to pinch his arm. "Oh you have to give me your number. We omegas have to stick together"

Taehyung laughs softly and nods his head. "Sure" he says and he and Jimin exchange phone numbers.

"Alright. I'll see you two this Friday" he says before leaving with a high pitch "Bye!" and making himself noticeable even in the way he walks. Still Yoongi tried to ignore him.

Once the omega was gone, Taehyung wasted not time into teasing his cousin. With knowing eyes and a playful grin. Yoongi glared at him. "We are just friends" the beta says, trying to go back to his work.

"With benefits he said" Taehyung tells, wriggling his eyebrows in slow motion, suggestively.

Yoongi groans, burying his face behind the laptop. "It's nothing like that, Tae" he says, almost as he was excusing himself.

"But he's really good looking, and I think you two look cute together" Taehyung says, not teasing anymore, just being honest with his cousin.

"Yeah, he is but he's an omega"

"Do I have to get defensive?"

"No Tae, you know I don't give a fuck about genotypes and second genders, but his family does" Yoongi says sighing. "And he's an omega, he's supposed to be with a wealthy strong alpha and carry his pups" he says, and Taehyung furrowed his eyebrows. "And I'm just a beta, betas must stick to betas, that's how this shit is"

"Yoongi..."

"You know it's true" Yoongi tells, his eyes showing how upset he was. "You have never look at a beta twice"

"Yoongi it's not like that"

"It's is" Yoongi says closing his laptop abruptly. "Excuse me" he says leaving Taehyung with a pout on his face but unable to say anything else to his cousin. It was true, high society made those unsaid rules, omegas and alphas were supposed to be together, and betas with other betas. Of course that didn't happen in the common of the people, but it happened with people with money. Wealthy society with prejudices about gender and genotypes.

But regarding to Taehyung, he didn't really care about genetic constitution. He just had a type of men he likes. Tall, handsome and with dark hair. He likes Bogum because of his treats, not because he was an alpha.

He sighs, taking the dirty dishes to the sink, getting busy in washing the dishes, no need for a maid on Sunday, and thinking in way to make his cousin to feel better. Movies, lamb skewers for dinner, and listening to music always cheer Yoongi up, since they were kids, and probably was still effective.

That's how Taehyung found himself in the line of a cinema after having too much lamb skewers in a nearby restaurant with Yoongi, and Yoongi's best friend Jung Hoseok. Taehyung knew Hoseok for years already, because he had been friends with Yoongi since High School, and well Hoseok was another beta, a kind and easy-going one.

"Why is the line for buying tickets so fucking large?" Yoongi complains with a huff.

"Why do we have to see a scary movie? I hate those!" Hoseok whines, clinging into Yoongi's side for moral support while Taehyung rolls his eyes at them.

"Hyung" Taehyung began to say with an exasperated sigh. "It's not a scary movie! It's just The Shining, a classic!" he tells, with an excited tone of voice and big, charming eyes looking hopeful at the beta.

Hoseok sighs, on the horns of a dilemma. He really hated horror films, but Taehyung's hopeful face was making him melt. "Is it because Halloween is coming?" the beta asks, still hesitating.

"Taehyung loves classy horror movies" Yoongi says nonchalantly. "Don't get too work up, man"

"You can hold my hand, alright Hobi hyung?" Taehyung suggests, another charming smile that this time effectively convinced Hoseok.

"Really? Alright!" Hoseok squeaks, and Yoongi groans at them, shaking his head with a tiny smile.

Taehyung just laughs, eyes searching for the candies and popcorn near the line. "I'm going to buy popcorn; do you want something?"

"Americano"

"Sprite"

"You two are going to pee in the middle of the movie" Taehyung grunts, shaking his head, but still went overly excited towards the Cinema food counter.

"The less I see the better!" Taehyung heard Hoseok yelling at him, making him laugh while he position himself in the other line for buying popcorn, candies, and soda.

Apparently, it was the opening night of a famous movie that most of teens and young adults were excited to see, but Taehyung didn't know the film because of his fascination with classics of course. He was waiting for his turn, not missing the way some alphas were eyeing him from the other corner, that until another alpha's scent hit his nose. Tonka beans and musk, manly and alluring. Taehyung was about to turn to peer who was the owner of such an appealing scent when he felt the owner of it too close to him, completely invading his personal space, sniffing him.

"Hmm peaches" the guy, a ridiculously handsome alpha, says after deliberately sniffing him.

Taehyung looks stunned for a moment, astonished by the guy's actions. "Excuse me?"

"I said... mmm peaches" the alpha tells, a smug smirk on his face as he tossed some black strands of hair away from his forehead.

Taehyung scoffs, not believing the nerve of some alphas. Just because they were attractive with alluring scents didn't mean they had the right to sniff any omega near them. "It is rude to sniff a stranger" Taehyung says, confident in his stance and staring disapprovingly at the alpha by his side. "Didn't your mom teach you manners?"

"She did" the alpha replies, the smug smirk never leaving his face. And Taehyung did a quick scan on the guy's look. Handsome, a few inches taller than him, and dressed in black, with a leather jacket. The alpha looked like the epitome of the hot bad boy who gets all the omegas, just to break their heart. Yes, Taehyung's grandma taught him about those.

"You're so cliché" Taehyung tells him, after eyeing him.

And the guy cocks an eyebrow, looking really amused. "Cliché?" he asks, tilting his head to watch Taehyung closer, with such a confidence in his stance Taehyung swore he wanted to submit for a second, but it was just a second.

He clears his throat, chin up high. "Yeah, the big bad alpha cliché" he tells him, boringly. "So out of date"

The alpha snorts, and for a moment he looked really boyish to Taehyung's eyes. "And what do you know about big bad alphas, Peachy?"

"P-peachy?"

"Hey, not him Jeon" Yoongi says, appearing out of nowhere with a scowl on his face and placing himself between Taehyung and the alpha.

"Yoongi hyung" the alpha says opening widely his eyes, making them to look doe and mellow, and for a brief second Taehyung thought the alpha was actually cute. "I thought you hate people"

"I do" Yoongi replies with a shrug. "That's why we came late. If I knew there was going to be crowded, I would never had come"

"Yoongi" Another male's voice said suddenly, calling, coming from near the alpha. "I thought you didn't go out to civilization anymore" the man says, and Taehyung looked surprise to see another male omega, tall like him, and absolutely handsome.

"Jin-" Yoongi began to say but soon was interrupted by 'Jin'.

"Oh who's this marvelous being?" Jin asks dramatically, looking at Taehyung with a curious glint in his eyes. "It's that Gucci?"

Taehyung smiles at that, always appreciating someone who with the same taste in designer clothes. "Yeah, it is-"

"He's my cousin so he's not allowed" Yoongi says, glaring at both. Arms crossed against his chest and blowing air to a lonely strand of dark hair from his eyes. "I'm talking to you Jeon" the beta says pointing a steady finger towards the alpha who opens his mouth, still smug, to say something but got interrupted once again.

"Oh hey guys" Hoseok suddenly barged in, smiling widely at the others, and waving his hands amicably.

"Oh we have the whole crew here" Jin tells while his hand went straight to punch suggestively at the rude alpha on his side, earning just a light grunt from him.

"It seems like it" the rude alpha says, his eyes still lingering on Taehyung.

"Are you guys going to Jimin's birthday party?" Hoseok suddenly asks.

"Of course. He would kill us if we don't" Jin snorts, and Taehyung noticed the way his eyes flickered from the rude alpha to Yoongi with a knowing grin.

"Oh hello there" Another guy came, also alpha, also handsome, smiling widely and showing a pair of deep dimples on his cheeks that Taehyung found incredible endearing.

"Fucking hell. Even Joon's here?" Yoongi groans, sighing loudly and grabbing Taehyung by his arm. "We have to go, we're late for the movie. See you guys at Jimin's" he says pulling the omega with him and away from the group.

"It was nice meeting you Yoongi's cousin!" Jin says loudly.

"...Taehyung!" the omega tells also loudly, looking behind him at the three males looking at him. Hoseok saying something to them before jogging behind Yoongi and himself. "Who are they?"

"Friends" Yoongi replies, really surprising Taehyung. "They are annoying though" he says and Taehyung nods, not wanting to ask more and just focusing on the masterpiece he was about to watch for the twentieth time, but this time in Seoul, with his favorite cousin and his friend.

☆

Taehyung's first day at college was everything he expected and more. He was well received by teachers and the principal, and nobody seemed to care about his genotype. It was everything about intellectualism, and studies. And in his chosen career all that mattered was to make art, and critical thinking in the form of writing. The head of student admission gave him his calendar, and Taehyung did not care that most of his classes were at noon, because since he entered college late the best schedules had already been taken.

"Welcome to the College of Humanities, Mr. Kim" The assessor calls. "The most prestigious college among The Faculty of Arts and Sciences of Yonsei"

"Thank you..." Taehyung smiles, giddy while sitting on the leather seat in front of the beta woman.

"I highly suggest that you enroll yourself in activities as The Yonsei Daily if you are planning on majoring Journalism"

"Oh yes, I would love that"

"If you do good, you can become an intern on your second year" She says handing him more papers, triptychs, and documents. "Remember the library is shared with the whole college, just as the cafeteria. You said your cousin would be showing you campus?"

Taehyung nods, putting every document inside of his backpack. "Yes"

"Very well., there's no need for me to assign you a student to chaperone you but if you need anything call her" he says handing a card to the omega. "Mrs. Choi is the head of the Student Council. She can help you in whatever you need to"

"Thank you, Mrs. Song"

The beta smiles nodding her head. "We are happy to have you Mr. Kim" she says fixing her thin glasses. "And remember, hard work is everything"

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences of Yonsei was divided in departments, and his department was a classic building, with an enormous old room where The Yonsei Daily was written, Taehyung fell in love with it immediately and signed his name to participate on it. Then he and Yoongi visited the cafeteria where the beta treat him with lunch, surprisingly the food was good, but Taehyung was a picky eater, so he was just half satisfied with it. After that, Yoongi showed him the library, leaving him there because he had classes. Taehyung didn't mind, the opposite actually because he wanted to explore the big library, smell the books, and perhaps borrow one with his new student ID.

His eyes went wide when he recognized a specific book he read when he was still in high school, the book which made him choose to study humanities and become a journalist. "In Cold Blood by Truman Capote..." he mutters to himself, unaware of his surroundings. Taehyung took the book in his hands ready to borrow it but as he turns around to go towards the counter, he saw someone he never thought he would see there. The alpha from the theatre, the rude one who sniffed him so blatantly.

'Jeon' Yoongi had called him that day, Jeon who was so unfairly handsome it made something stir inside Taehyung. That wasn't supposed to happen, not even when the man was so alluring, too attractive. Not when Taehyung had the perfect boyfriend back home. Taehyung didn't want him to see him, not when he felt like a nervous wreck. Also 'Jeon' was talking to a couple of omega girls, wearing the same charming smile from that day, deliberately flirting.

Taehyung really wanted to scold him, just by the sight of the alpha leaning against the counter close the librarian, elbow supported on it and blocking the other students who were trying to be on the line for borrowing books. And the worst was that nobody said anything to the alpha. Plus, the omegas were obnoxiously giggling extremely loudly.

Taehyung huffs, annoyed. He pushes some students out his way because it was really shocking for him to see that no one would make Jeon move, like they were scared of him. Taehyung decided he would just pass him, go to speak with the librarian and take the book. He didn't intent to push one of the omegas the alpha was talking to, it would look petty of his part, but he was clumsy and bumped into other student who was too big for him and made him stumble backwards, pushing one of the girls near Jeon.

"Sorry" he muttered not daring to look at the omegas and the alpha, sure he was blushing. Taehyung felt too embarrassed to even peer at them, so he just went straight to the librarian leaving the book on the counter.

Taehyung hoped that Jeon didn't saw him, or perhaps to not be interested into making conversation but when he sensed the other scent close, too close, he knew lady luck was not on his side. He froze on his spot, ignoring the librarian asking him for ID.

"No Jane Austen?" Jeon's voice came near behind his ear, too close, too close. "Hm, shocking"

Taehyung gulps, gathering all his self-reliant omega strength. He pulls his new ID for the already annoyed librarian and turns to look at the alpha, acting unbothered. "For your information, not because I'm an omega I should be reading Jane Austen"

The alpha smiles, the same annoyingly handsome smile he probably uses to woo all the omegas. "You read Truman Capote instead?" he asks, taking the book from the counter to scan it with his dark piercing eyes. "He's brilliant but ludicrously fuck up"

"Fuck up?" Taehyung asks, tilts his head to look at the way the alpha's hands were easily turning around the book, his knuckles adorned with tattoos. And once again, he was dressed in all black, a quite contrast from himself dressed in a large sweater of a pretty lilac color.

"Fell in love with one of the murderers" The alpha says, his eyes setting on Taehyung with an unreadable expression, but it still made him to feel uncomfortable, like the alpha was able to read him.

And Taehyung couldn't keep the eye contact with him for too long, preferring to divert his gaze away to the book again and thinking how the author did felt mesmerized by one of the murderers he interviewed to tell the story. "I wouldn't say in love... perhaps smitten. The man was quite charming...."

"Still fuck up" the alpha smiles again. "Knowing the guy commit such a horrible crime and still having forbidden feelings for him..." he says almost deviously, tracing the name 'In cold blood' with a finger.

The librarian cleared her throat making Taehyung to yelp, turning quickly towards her with big round eyes, flustered. "Thank you..." he says, and she just grunted in response. He huffs again walking away from the counter to leave place for other students.

"You never told me your name" the alpha says following him and passing the book to the omega.

Taehyung took it, rolling his eyes. "Taehyung"

"Min?"

"No... Kim" Taehyung tells.

"I'm Jeongguk" he says, showing another charming smile and offering a hand to the omega to shook it. "Jeon Jeongguk"

"Jeongguk" Taehyung repeats, letting the name out of his tongue smoothly. "So you like to come to the library to flirt with omegas or you're here for a book?" he dared to ask, earning a chuckle from Jeongguk who took out a small book from the pocket of his big black bomber jacket. Taehyung smiles genuinely at that, eyeing the name of the book. "The Color of Law... No Bukowski? Shocking"

"Touché" Jeongguk laughs, his smile becoming bigger too. "And not because I'm an alpha I should just stick to Bukowski and his genius way of describing masculinity"

"Not because of you being an alpha" Taehyung tells. "Because you're cliché, remember? Probably breaking hearts in a smooth kind of way"

"You're being prejudging, Peachy" Jeongguk says cocking an eyebrow. "You're making it easy for me to believe you are a Jane Austen's avid reader" he says and Taehyung snorts, shaking his head and putting the book inside his bag. "I bet Bukowski would have like Jane Austen" the alpha tells earning a laugh from Taehyung.

"I bet he had fallen for Mr. Darcy too" Taehyung says, still laughing.

"Who wouldn't?" Jeongguk laughs again, and Taehyung didn't want to give much thought of how nice was the sound of that laugh. Shocking the fact he was having that conversation with the alpha, perhaps he did kind of misjudged him just because Jeongguk seemed to be a flirt.

"I should go now..."

"Well, I'll see you around Taehyung"

"Good" Taehyung tells, more confident. "You just used my name instead of Peachy"

"I do like Peachy better" Jeongguk says with a dramatic sigh. "You smell like peaches" he winks, and Taehyung could feel his cheeks and ears burning in embarrassment. Jeongguk seemed to notice because he laughed softly again. "Bye" he tells, waving and returning to his previous spot with the still waiting omegas.

Taehyung decided to not think about that too much. He barely knew Jeongguk and was not about to pull an Elizabeth Bennet on him. The mere thought made him smile, walking towards the exit of the library, happy.

By Friday Taehyung forgot about the birthday party he was supposed to go with Yoongi, his mind occupied with college classes and what chaos came along with those. Also he was inversed into writing a chronicle to apply for the newspapers, he wanted to be a monthly columnist for the start which would definitely help with his academics with that specific extra programmatic activity if he wanted to major journalism, plus according to Hoseok everyone there was really competitive.

Yoongi stood at his bedroom's door, an emotion close to desperation in his face. "You have to come along" he tells, his usual calm husky tone more on alert now.

"But hyung..." Taehyung sighs, leaving his furious typing on his laptop to look up at Yoongi. "I need to find a proper subject so I can write this chronicle and amaze everyone in The Yonsei Daily!"

"Taehyung" Yoongi says pinching the bridge of his nose. "You just started college, don't overwork yourself, it's not worth it. They are going to do it for you anyways"

Taehyung pouts, looking at the empty page of his future chronicle. "I just really want to be look for my hard work and not for being an omega" he huffs, looking down at his lap. "You know how strongly omegas are judged in our society"

"Tae don't worry about those things" Yoongi says more softly. "You came to college. That's something a high-class society omega would never do" he says, and Taehyung let a small smile appear on his pouty lips. "And I bet you're going to be the best of your class, as always. Now get up and get dress. You don't want to face Jimin's wrath, believe me, I've been in the receiving end too many times"

Taehyung laughs at that, nodding his head and letting Yoongi drag him towards his closet. "What's the dress code?"

"It's Jimin's birthday party so chic but elegant"

"Oh!" Taehyung exclaims looking excitedly to a particular sparkly black jacket and a sleek white shirt. "I always wanted to use this" he says taking the shirt and feeling its fabric. "Grandma said it was too flashy"

Yoongi rolls his eyes, walking towards the door. "She's right, come on hurry"

"You look like a fucking model" Yoongi snorts, walking awfully slow steps towards the elevator. "There's going to be alphas, aren't you standing out too much?"

"You sound like an old man" Taehyung defends himself, glaring at his cousin. "And you were the one who spent hours dolling up"

Yoongi rolls his eyes, pressing the button to call the enormous elevator. "I just combed my hair"

"Looking handsome for a certain birthday boy then?" Taehyung teases, smiling brightly at Yoongi after following him inside the elevator. Yoongi slaps his butt, grunting annoyed and pressing the key to the floor below. "I hope he likes the gift I've got for him"

"You're giving him your lip balm"

"It's brand new! I didn't even get to open it..." Taehyung tells. "And it's Chanel"

"Whatever" Yoongi says tensing once the elevator arrived at the floor and the music coming from Jimin's luxury apartment was loud and clear. "You were right Tae. We should just go home and study"

Taehyung chuckles, shaking his head and taking Yoongi's hand into his own to drag him along. "I should just put a ribbon on your head and give you to Jimin"

"Shut up you brat" Yoongi snaps, stopping at the door of the apartment. "Upper class kids in Gangnam are all snobs with daddy issues" he says to Taehyung taking his arm for a moment making the omega to look at him. "Specially alphas. Most of them are assholes who can get away with murder because of their daddies so please be fucking careful"

"I'll be fine" Taehyung says with a sigh. "It's not my first time dealing with pompous alphas hyung... you know that"

"Fine" Yoongi says and finally rings the doorbell. Instantly a butler opened the door, dressed in a suit and wearing a black glittered masquerade eye mask. "I told you..." Yoongi murmured to Taehyung making him chuckle.

"Mr. Min, welcome" the butler says.

"Hello Han" Yoongi says still holding Taehyung by his hand and pulling him behind himself.

"Mr. Jimin is welcoming the guests at the pool" the butler says and Yoongi just nods, entering.

Taehyung smiles at the butler when the man handed him an eye mask, and another one to Yoongi. The omega looked amazed at the sight of Jimin's luxurious apartment. It was really similar to The Mins but more modern decorated, minimalist. And for Jimin's birthday everything was perfectly decorated with white and pink roses; the crystal stairs, the cake, the table, plus huge silver-colored balloons surrounding an equally big '21', and at the ceiling the name 'JIMIN' was written in led lights.

"Fucking hell" Yoongi groans. "Jimin is so dramatic"

Taehyung kept following Yoongi, but he liked everything. He like the roses, the balloons, and the immense cake. It was similar to the parties his grandma tossed, except those were classier, with tea and jazz music. The omega put on his eye mask, a black lace mask which he found absolutely sexy. Yoongi refused to put his own mask on, but Taehyung was sure he would deal with Jimin's wrath later.

The party wasn't crowded, but there were at least fifteen people in the living room, mostly omegas and alphas mingling together. He noticed the way most alphas seemed to look at him as he walked through the room, he was sure his scent was strong enough to be noticed, an effect male omegas had over alphas. But Yoongi's glare and sour scent alerted alphas that the omega was not alone. Taehyung knew Yoongi felt satisfied to be able to intimidate any alpha, even when he was a beta, that was his treat after all.

They arrive at the pool area; everything decorated the same way as the living room. A bunch of more people here. Taehyung spot Hoseok, who looked utterly happy drinking and chatting. He was with the tall handsome omega from the cinema, and the alpha Taehyung only knew as 'Joon', and of course, the birthday boy in the middle of them.

Jimin was sitting on a tall chair, sipping from a flute glass a red liquid, and wearing an overly dramatic black and white eye mask with tassels. He was loudly chatting and laughing, still not noticing the two new guests.

"I need a drink" Yoongi says grabbing two flute glass from the tray of a passing waiter.

"Oh thanks hyung-"

"These are for me" Yoongi says turning to give his back to Taehyung, preventing the omega to pick up one of the glasses. "No drinking for you. You're not twenty-one yet"

Taehyung pouts, but didn't argue back. He was twenty, and he already had a couple of drinks before back in Daegu, but he didn't handle alcohol well, it was safer to stay sober for the evening.

"Yoongi! Taehyung! You guys came" Jimin shouts, a pretty pink color dusting the apple of his cheeks and the tip of his nose, revealing his drunkenness.

"Happy birthday" Taehyung says letting out a small squeal when Jimin wrapped his arms around him tightly. "I hope you like this" he says giving the small Chanel box to Jimin once the omega release him from his embrace.

"Oh thank you! You're so sweet!" Jimin squeaks looking happily to the small box. "I love Chanel" he says turning to Yoongi, expectantly.

"Happy birthday..." Yoongi muttered and Jimin immediately went over him to give him a koala hug. Taehyung didn't miss the small smile on Yoongi's face. Cute.

"Yoongi, introduce your cousin properly" the omega Taehyung knew as Jin suddenly says, looking curiously at him. "I'm Seokjin"

"Taehyung"

"Hello" the alpha next to Hoseok says, showing his dimpled smile and looking effortlessly handsome to Taehyung's eyes. "I'm Namjoon"

"Nice to meet you..." Taehyung replies, shaking their hands while Hoseok wraps an arm around his shoulders, also drunk. "Hyung..." he whines by the beta clinginess.

"Taehyungie" Hoseok says loudly. "Hyung is so happy to have you here" he tells pinching one of his cheeks roughly, earning another whine and slap on his hand, followed by laughs by everyone.

The group was nice, they made Taehyung feel welcome. The omega was always friendly when it came about meeting new people, he liked that, discover new friends and acquaintances. Taehyung enjoys hearing new histories, and new people always brought new stories for him. Like Hoseok talking about how he and Namjoon have some classes together, but while Hoseok was majoring psychology, Namjoon was a philosophy major. Or Seokjin telling Taehyung how he loves to plan fancy parties, never intended to go to college. Jimin as well, he just kept giggling and telling Taehyung he was a ballet dancer, which Taehyung thought it was amazing and promised the other omega to go see him perform next time.

And he was having a great time, but that was something nagging inside his brain. The absence of one specific alpha who was supposed to be there, but Taehyung didn't say anything, nor asked anything to his cousin. And no one talked about that alpha around them, too busy conversing and telling stories to Taehyung. It was by the time when some waiters brough the giant birthday cake and everyone went inside the house to sing for Jimin when Taehyung noticed him, just arriving, and immediately earning the attention of everyone in the room.

But what Taehyung noticed about him wasn't his handsomeness or the way he looked with leather pants and a nice silk black shirt, it was the furious bruise on his jaw and split open lip. Jeongguk looked battered. But no one seemed to be bother by it, no one. People just flew around him like flies, praising him. Taehyung could tell Jeongguk replied curtly, and he looked tired.

When Jimin saw him he let out a loud squeal jumping towards him with arms wide open. Jeongguk caught him with ease, saying 'Happy birthday' to him almost inaudible, but Taehyung could read his lips. And the sight of the smaller omega all cozy against the alpha made something nasty stir in his stomach. Taehyung figured Jimin was clingy, he hugged him too but there was something about the way he was clinging into Jeongguk that looked more personal, almost needy. It made Taehyung want to advert his gaze away from them, the nasty feeling inside still bothering him.

"Jimin, honey" A woman says, her voice high pitch but firm. She was small too, elegant, and looked like Jimin. Taehyung guessed it was his mother. "Let's sing, shall we?"

"Yes mom" Jimin says, placing himself at her side. Soon everyone started singing 'Happy birthday' to him, he blows the candles after making a wish and everyone applauded.

Taehyung was clapping his hands, a small smile on his face looking at the other omega being hugged by his mother, aunts, and friends. He slowly backed from the group, searching for Yoongi but his eyes met Jeongguk's instead, who was already staring at him. Dark piercing eyes that shone under the bright chandeliers, unwavering on him. There was something extremely dangerous about him at that moment, his tousled long hair falling in those deep eyes made them look even more intense. The alpha smirks, a light curl in his bruised lips as he looks at Taehyung.

The omega adverts his gaze away, weak to maintain eye contact with the alpha. Again searching for Yoongi, and again not finding him. He walks away from the room, thinking that his cousin could be outside. The chilly air was refreshing for him, made his head clearer and made the nasty feeling inside to slowly disappear. He shook his head, taking off the eye mask, and grabbing his phone from his pocket to check for new messages. Bogum had not texted him all day, and it was unusual of him. But his boyfriend had been extremely busy with his new work, and Taehyung didn't mind, he was busy himself.

His stomach made another type of turn when he heard steps near, the unmistaken scent of Jeongguk approaching, alluring as always. Taehyung wonder why the alpha kept following him, why he kept trying to approach him and make conversation.

"Not so fond of cakes?" Jeongguk asks, and Taehyung didn't bother to turn and look at him, eyes busy with the pretty city lights, so different from Daegu.

"I'm not hungry"

Jeongguk hums, stepping closer to him and placing himself right next to the omega, making him tensed up. "No? Because I know an excellent ramen place"

Taehyung looks at the alpha after hearing that. "What are you suggesting?"

The alpha shrugs, looking ahead now, and Taehyung loved the way the city lights reflected on his dark eyes. "I'm starving, and I'm not in the mood for fancy parties"

Taehyung rose his eyebrows, staring at the alpha. He should say no, he should just stay there near his cousin and his new friends and ignore Jeongguk, sure the alpha was bad news for him. But there was something in the way Jeongguk talked, so indifferently and charming that Taehyung felt the urge to spend time with him, he wanted to spend time with him, to know him.

"I like ramen..." he tells and Jeongguk looks at him, the bruise in his strong and defined jaw looked painful, and Taehyung's curiosity made him reach to touch the bruise with timid fingers, taken Jeongguk by surprised. "S-sorry..."

Jeongguk snorts, looking with something unreadable in his eyes. "Come on Peachy, my treat" he says after a while smiling smugly at the omega.

Taehyung tried to not smile back, but he couldn't. His emotions betraying him, and he smiled at Jeongguk brightly nodding his head. "Okay..."

When Jeongguk mentioned he knew 'An excellent ramen place' Taehyung never thought the place was not in Gangnam, most likely in the other side of Han River, in Hongdae, somewhere he never thought he would visit that soon. And Taehyung loved it. The neighborhood was full of art, it was aesthetically unique. Graffities, budget musicians, street dancers, clothing stalls and street food.

They sat on a park, not so far from the Food Truck Jeongguk bought two cups of ramen from. That was something Taehyung never did before, sure he made picnics with his boyfriend back home, but this was rather freer.

"I'm kind of overdress for this" Taehyung muttered, sitting comfortable on a bench crossed legs with the cardboard soup bowl full of instant noodles while Jeongguk handed him a pair of disposable chopsticks.

"No one cares" Jeongguk replies putting his chopsticks on his mouth to squeeze the sauce of an extra sachet he asked to the seller. Taehyung was looking at him really amused. "Enjoy, peachy"

The omega chuckles, shaking his head lightly. "How can you add more spicey sauce to your noodles?"

"You don't like spicey food?" The alpha asks while he was flipping his hand with his chopsticks stirring the noodles.

Taehyung scrunches his nose. "No, I can't eat spicey food" he says taking a good portion of his classic noodles with kimchi. "I have low tolerance"

Jeongguk snorts, slurping his noodles with ease and letting out a happy sigh after. "I needed this" he tells, and he didn't take much time to finish everything in his bowl, while Taehyung kept eating like the prim omega he was raised to be. Trying to not make a sound, or to spill on his clothes, and of course to not look like a total savage to the alpha. But Jeongguk noticed his behavior, cocking an eyebrow at him, and letting out a loud snort followed by laughter. "Peachy come on. Eat like you mean it"

"I'm eating like I mean it" the omega complains, still fidgeting with his chopsticks and blowing timidly at the hot noodles.

Jeongguk rolls his eyes. "Don't be such a stuck up" he says earning an offended gasp from the omega. "Here" he says leaning closer to Taehyung, using his chopstick to take a good portion of noodles to feed him. "Say ah"

This time Taehyung rolls his eyes, glaring at Jeongguk but obeying him afterwards. Slurping and eating all the noodles in one bite. "Much better huh?"

"Yeah, definitely" Taehyung says, a genuine smile appearing on his face. "My grandma would faint if she saw me eating like this though"

Jeongguk laughs, and Taehyung noticed the way he scrunches his nose every time he genuinely laughs. "My mom stopped fainting when I turned fifteen" he says making Taehyung laugh airily.

"How old are you now?"

"Twenty-three" Jeongguk tells. "Call me hyung" he winks making the omega scoffs playfully. "Keep eating or I'll feed you"

"No need" the omega says, trying to hide the faint blush adorning his cheeks.

That night Taehyung decided he really enjoyed Jeongguk's company. He really misjudged him the first time, the alpha was nice, smart, and extremely charming. The street music made the atmosphere even more enjoyable. It made the district colorful, and lively. Different from his daily pretentious life, and Taehyung welcome that, welcome the free feeling swamping him.

"Are you going to tell me what happened to your face?" Taehyung finally dared to ask.

Jeongguk cocks an eyebrow at him, the smug smirk returning as he look at the omega from head to toes. "I didn't think you wanted to know"

"I didn't want to be rude and ask..."

Jeongguk rolls his eyes. "You're far from being rude, quite the opposite"

"Okay..." Taehyung says, eyes looking down at his lap instead of Jeongguk, suddenly feeling shy. "What happened to you, Jeongguk?"

Jeongguk hums, throwing his head back and tapping his fingers against his chin thinking. Taehyung let his eyes roam on that hand, on the veins and on the tattoos on his knuckles, wondering how it would feel to touch. "I had a fight"

Taehyung frowns, eyes immediately looking right at Jeongguk's darker ones. "You fought with someone?" he asks alarmed, worried.

But Jeongguk just chuckles. "I won, don't worry peachy"

"You won?! Why did you fight?" Taehyung asks again, suddenly feeling quite freak out. "You could got hurt and-"

Jeongguk starts laughing loudly. "You're so cute peachy" he tells, and the omega felt how the tip of his ear began to burn, thankfully it was dark already and he was sure Jeongguk couldn't see the blush. "I box"

"Box?"

"Yeah, do you know boxing? A combat sport? You know where two people wear gloves to throw punches to each other?"

"I know what boxing is" Taehyung scoffs.

"You asked..."

"I meant!" Taehyung yells and instantly clears his throat composing himself. "I meant it as an exclamation" he says calming down, not wanting to show how alarmed he actually was by the news. "Are you a boxer Jeongguk?" he asks as nonchalantly as he could, making Jeongguk laugh again, nose scrunched and eyes crinkling.

"I am" he tells Taehyung after the omega kept glaring at him. "Have you heard about The Game Dogs?" he asks, and Taehyung shakes his head in negative, curiosity peeking in. "We call it Dog fighting" he tells with a shrug. "A bunch of alphas illegally boxing against one another in a ring for gambling purposes"

Taehyung frowns. "What do you do it?"

"I like boxing" Jeongguk says. "I like the adrenaline that comes with it, and the prestige you get after making a name for yourself"

"...But you can get hurt"

"Are you worry about me, Peachy?" Jeongguk asks with a smirk, and a smug tone of voice that made Taehyung scoff.

"No" The omega says quickly. "But it's still dangerous"

"I'm good" Jeongguk winks. "Never lost a fight"

"You're too cocky for your own good" Taehyung tells, eyeing the busted lip and bruised jaw the alpha was now wearing. "Is it like some sort of Fight Club thing?"

Jeongguk snorts. "I wouldn't be talking about it if it was" he tells and Taehyung gasps in realization, eyes bright and big, blinking his eyelashes while looking at Jeongguk expectantly. Jeongguk just looked at him puzzled. "What?"

"Let me do a anticle about these Game Dogs" Taehyung tells excitedly, getting suddenly really close to Jeongguk, grabbing him by his jacket.

"What?"

"I need to write an amazing story about an interesting topic, interesting enough to make a good impression to the stuck ups competitive jerks of The Yonsei Daily and show them I'm not just some spoiled omega who wanted to try something new and study in college" Taehyung tells fast, earning an amused chuckle from Jeongguk.

"You can write whatever you want, Peachy"

"But please help me" He says, feeling with his digits the fabric of Jeongguk's jacket, soft. "I have no knowledge about boxing or illegal fights"

Jeongguk seems to be thinking, but Taehyung was sure he was just trying to tease him. "If I help you... you'd owe me"

"...Owe you"

"Yes" Jeongguk says, grinning and reaching to tuck ashy light brown strands of hair behind Taehyung's ear, making the omega to let go of his jacket instantly, freezing. "And you'd need to come with me to one of my fights"

Taehyung nods, eyebrows furrowed. "Yes, I can go with you"

"You'll have your story then" Jeongguk says sitting back comfortably in the bench, eyes focused on the street musicians playing guitar not so far from them.

They stood in silent for a moment, listening to the music. Taehyung still tensed, wondering how Jeongguk could act so casual. Perhaps the alpha was like this with everyone, Taehyung was not different for him, not like Jimin who seemed so close to him. The same discomfort started engulfing him and wanting to make it disappear he chose to distract himself, to make conversation, friendly conversation.

"What's your major? I've been wanting to ask..." Taehyung says, his gaze also settling on the musicians, tilting his head, and moving lightly his legs by the jazzy sound.

"Laws" The alpha replies and Taehyung turns to look at him shocked. Jeongguk snorts shaking his head. "Don't judge a book by its cover, Peachy" he says smugly, staring back at him. This time Taehyung wonder how he managed to look so effortless attractive with a bruise on his face. "By the way remind me later to give you a copy of Jane Eyre"

"Jerk" Taehyung scoffs, but he was smiling, just like the time they bickered at the library. It was endearing for the omega to talk with Jeongguk about books, really. Most alphas didn't, Bogum didn't.

Their nice, pleasant chatter lasted until Taehyung got a call from an upset Yoongi, Jeongguk decided to take him home because according to him 'An angry Yoongi was an ugly Yoongi'. And smoothly the alpha managed to ask for Taehyung's phone number. Taehyung gave it to him, ignoring the new messages he had from his boyfriend when he saved Jeongguk's contact. He would see them later, he told himself, it was just that. It wasn't like he was doing something wrong.

That night Taehyung fell sleep all giddy inside.