"Taehyung" Yoongi calls, his voice husky and thick, and his eyes looked void of emotions, indolent and intense. "I forbid you to see Jeongguk"

Yoongi's been like that for a while now, since the day he had to pick Taehyung up from the Black Forest, which was a stupid name according to Yoongi. He never scolded him, nor pushed him into telling him what exactly happened, but the sight of Taehyung shivering, hair wet and nose pink, and all vulnerable, prompted something in his older cousin that made him constantly alert him to never speak to Jeon Jeongguk again, ever.

Taehyung shakes his head, hearing that for the third time while invading Yoongi's room, and it was becoming annoying. "Hyung, stop" he says with a scoff. "You can't forbid me to see Jeongguk"

"I can" Yoongi replies. "I forbid you to see Jeongguk"

Taehyung rolls his eyes. "I need him to write this story, hyung" he says looking at the screen of his laptop, a concentrated look on his face. "Besides, I'm pretty sure I freaked him out that night after I ran away from him like a crazy person" he tells Yoongi, pouting. "He's avoiding me now"

"Good" Yoongi tells, really trying to sound like a scolding hyung but Taehyung caught the way his lips curled upwards into a lazy grin. "Are you going to tell me why you ran away like a crazy person?"

"No"

Yoongi sniffs, noticing the way Taehyung's cheeks became pink, and how the omega kept nibbling at his bottom lip. "Don't tell me you have a crush on him"

Taehyung opens his eyes widely, almost hitting the keyboard of his laptop. "What? Of course not" he snorts, trying to sound amused but Yoongi wasn't buying it by the look on his face. "No! I don't have a crush on him" he scoffs, laughs, and then scoffs again. "We are... friends, acquaintances... buddies if you will"

Yoongi's gummy smile was at its peak. "Buddies?" he asks, mockery in his voice, and he laughs, his usual quiet laugh that you could only tell he was laughing if you stare at him. "I think you have a tiny little crush on him"

"Do I have to remind you that I'm dating my perfectly good boyfriend Bogum?" Taehyung asks, trying to ignore the butterflies on his stomach.

"Your perfectly boring boyfriend Bogum" Yoongi jokes, throwing himself backwards in his bed.

"He's not boring" Taehyung tells, glaring at Yoongi and turning back to his computer, using Yoongi's desk in Yoongi's bedroom because Yoongi has the best items, and the best furniture, and perhaps Taehyung just uses that as an excuse to hang out with his cool cousin. "He's just really well-mannered"

"I didn't know being well-mannered was equivalent to boring" Yoongi says from the bed chuckling huskily.

Taehyung turns to look at him. "Why do you hate Bogumie so much?"

"I do not" Yoongi tells him, arms crossed behind his head while staring at the ceiling. "You know what he told me when I met him back in Daegu?" he asks, and Taehyung juts out his chin waiting for his cousin to elaborate.

Two years ago, Daegu.

Yoongi was sitting on his grand aunt's Victorian couch, waiting impatiently for his younger cousin to finish getting ready to go out. Next to him a nervous alpha, tall, handsome, but really clumsy, constantly fidgeting with his fingers and opening his mouth just to close it after. Yoongi wonder why in earth he agreed to go out with his cousin and his new boyfriend in the first place, but of course Taehyung had given him his best puppy eyes, all big and shiny, and Yoongi had a weak heart.

"You're Min Yoongi, right?" the alpha asks, barely looking at him, knees bouncing nervously under his hands.

"Yes"

The guy nods his head, still looking away. "Everyone in Highschool was scared of you" he tells him, still not looking.

"You don't say" Yoongi replies coldly, taking a can of coca cola from the stall by the couch. His bleached blonde hair falling to his eyes as he lift his chin up to drink.

"Did you know coca cola was originally green?"

Yoongi's choked on his drink, clearing his throat after, and pulling his bangs away from his eyes. "No, I did not" he says, glancing over the guy.

The alpha nods, a silly smile on his face. "I'm Park Bogum" he tells Yoongi, finally looking up at him, a big smile on his face and a bad haircut on his head.

"Okay" Yoongi sniffs, leaving the can of coke where it was. He sneezes right after.

"Bless you" Bogum says showing a big white smile. Yoongi stares at him, sniffing. "People say 'Bless you' when you sneeze because your heart stops for a millisecond"

"What?"

"If you sneeze too hard, you can fracture a rib. If you try to suppress a sneeze, you can rupture a blood vessel in your head or neck and die" Bogum tells him, still smiling dazzlingly.

Yoongi just stared at him, blinking in disbelief. Bogum opens his mouth to speak again but Yoongi beat him into doing it. "Please shut the fuck up"

"But-"

"Taehyung! If you don't come down, I'm strangling your new boyfriend!"

Back to present

Taehyung was laughing so much that the sound of his laughter stopped coming out of his mouth, and he was just laughing with his body. Yoongi was trying hard to just glare at him, but it was impossible when his younger cousin was looking so adorable, so the beta just threw a cushion at him. Taehyung sighs, catching his breath. "Sorry hyung" he says, still smiling widely. "Bogumie just like to share fun facts!"

"Fun facts?" Yoongi asks, cocking an eyebrows with a scowl on his face. "When I told you I was getting my wisdom tooth removed, he said the electric chair was invented by a dentist"

"Okay fine" Taehyung breaths, cleaning a tear from under his right eye with a finger. "He sometimes can be a little socially awkward"

"No, I'm socially awkward" Yoongi tells him, shaking his head, and getting up to walk towards his closet. "He's annoying and a weirdo"

"Don't be mean, hyung"

Yoongi hums, taking a dark green sweater and putting it on, going back towards Taehyung to sit in front of him. "Listen Tae" he says, Taehyung staring at him expectantly. "Jokes asides. Bogum may be unexciting but I guess he's a good guy" he sighs, looking down at his hands while talking, not good at making eye contact while having deep conversations. "Jeongguk is a good friend, but he's not dating material" 

Taehyung pouts tilting his head. "What do you mean?"

"He doesn't like commitment, Jeongguk only enjoys playing around" Yoongi explains, taking one of the omega's hand into his own giving it an awkward squeeze. "But you pumpkin... you are boyfriend material, the kind you want to hold hands with, brag in front of your friends and introduce to your parents"

Taehyung's pout switched into a wide squared-shaped smile. "You're sweet" he tells, reaching to squeeze Yoongi's cheeks, but the beta pushed away rolling his eyes. "But you don't have to worry, hyung... I'm not interested in Jeon Jeongguk that way, please trust me"

"Good" Yoongi says, taking his phone from the night table, checking the messages, and typing a reply. "Namjoon's here" he says, and Taehyung nods his head, still smiling, even when the words his cousin just said to him did caused a small pang inside his chest, and he wasn't sure of the reason. "Go to your room now, we're working"

Taehyung sulks, not wanting to leave Yoongi's room. Since they were young, every time Yoongi was with a friend he would shoo Taehyung away, only when he was with Hoseok he let the younger stick around, perhaps it was because Hoseok was trustworthy. "Are you guys going to do bro things?" he asks and Yoongi snorts, a small smile appearing on his face. He opens his mouth to reply but the knocks on his bedroom door alerting them that Namjoon was already there.

"Come in" Yoongi calls huskily, and the doors open revealing the handsome alpha with the scent of grapefruit and muskwood, mixed with a masculine perfume.

"Hey Yoongi... Oh hi Taehyung, how are you?" Namjoon greets them, showing his handsome dimpled smile, and Taehyung decided Namjoon's masculine scents was now one of his favorite smells.

Taehyung clears his throat once he realized he was just smiling dumbly at the alpha who was waiting for his reply. "Umm hi! It's nice to see you hyung...I would stay but Yoongi is kicking me out"

"Yes, I am. Now go away" Yoongi says taking Taehyung by his hands and pulling him up from the chair he was sitting in front of the desk.

Taehyung huffs, pouting at Yoongi, trying to make his best bambi eyes, but it was not working. "Hyung, you're so mean" he says and Namjoon just chuckles at the two.

"Don't be so hard on him" Namjoon says, his voice sounding very gentle. It made Taehyung smile sheepishly.

Yoongi scoffs, rolling his eyes and clicking his tongue. "Want a beer?" he asks.

"Sure"

"Can I have one?" the omega asks showing a boxy grin.

"No" Yoongi snaps, curtly. "I'll be right back, and you" he says remaking the word 'you' while looking at his cousin, pointing a finger at him. "Go to your room, pest"

Taehyung looks the back of his cousin leaving the room, fluffy black hair slightly bouncing with every step, and he huffs air again, sulking. Namjoon laughs shaking his head. "He's private when we are here producing music"

The omega rose his eyebrows. "Oh, that's what you are doing?"

"Yeah" Namjoon replies. "Maybe you can hear us some other time, yeah?"

"I'd like that" Taehyung smiles. "I'll go to my room then, finish this" he says looking at the screen of his laptop before closing it.

"What are you working on?"

"Oh" Taehyung looks flustered. "Actually I'm working on a story to apply for The Yonsei daily"

Namjoon looked surprised. "Oh. really? Are you planning on majoring journalism then?" he asks, and the omega nods, liking how the alpha was not judging him, not even for second. "I'm friends with the editor of the newspapers" he says, and Taehyung looked blown away. "I do translation sometimes for her" he explains. "I heard they were having a meeting with this year's applicants. Want me to talk to her to enroll you?"

"Ah, hyung... I don't want to be a bother" Taehyung tells, looking down at his feet, laptop safely place on his hands. "I was planning to just send them a letter" he says, shrugging and looking up at Namjoon. "I entered classes too late and the spots for applicants were full"

"Nonsense, it's not bother at all" Namjoon says, dimples dipping nicely on his cheeks. "Come on, give your phone number" he says, taking his phone out of his leather jacket. "I'll text you the details" Namjoon says, a hand reaching to pat Taehyung on the head, and for a moment the omega felt that Namjoon's hand lingered too much through his soft locks.

"Uh..." Taehyung hesitates, biting his lips, thinking it was a good opportunity, and that he should take it. "Okay" he says, taking the alpha's phone on his hands and typing his phone number. He hands back the phone and Namjoon smiles at him, reaching to ruffle his ashy blonde hair. "Thank you Namjoon hyung"

"Anything for you baby" Namjoon says, retrieving his hand from the omega's hair.

Taehyung felt flustered. Was a common thing to call your friends or acquaintances 'baby'? Maybe it was common in Seoul, or perhaps it was an alpha thing, to call omegas 'baby', he wasn't sure, but it made him feel extremely awkward, even when Namjoon was nothing but nice and handsome, and truly kind. "... Um"

"What are you still here?" Yoongi asks looking close to be annoyed, but Taehyung felt kind of relieve.

"I was just leaving" he says, walking towards the door. "Thank you again Namjoon hyung" he says smiling politely before running off from Yoongi's room with quick steps, towards his bedroom.

He closes the door behind him, leaving his laptop on the desk his Aunt Hana prepared for him. If Namjoon was willing to help him, he would take it, according to his classmates it was difficult to be even considered to participate in the meeting, so it was an amazing opportunity. Taehyung sighs, smiling, and taking his phone to check on his text messages. He had a couple of texts from Bogum which consisted in a lot of heart emojis and saying how much he misses him and loves him. And other messages from no other than Park Jimin.

From P.Jimin.

Hi Tae!

Are you home?

Can I come over?

I want to show you something

Kind of need another omega opinion

Taehyung was surprised by the other omega's friendliness. He replies back quickly, saying it was okay for him to come for a bit. It didn't take long for Jimin to arrive at the Mins residence, entering the apartment sneakily while asking if Yoongi was there. Taehyung nods his head, pulling Jimin towards his bedroom after explaining to him that Yoongi was with Namjoon making music.

"They are so dramatic when they produce music" Jimin tells, getting comfortable in Taehyung's bedroom, exploring five different perfumes he had on a cabinet. "Aunt Hanna really made your bedroom pretty" Jimin comments sniffing one of Taehyung's Gucci perfumes. "Hmm, smells like you"

"I smell like peach blossom" Taehyung says, going to sit at his desk chair, bringing a pink shaggy cushion to his lap. "At least that's what I've been told"

"Yeah, you do, just like this perfume" Jimin grins letting the perfume on the cabinet and walking towards Taehyung's bed to sit on it, bouncing lightly on the mattress. "I like your scent, it's really attractive"

Taehyung blushes, shaking his head. "What did you wanted to show me?"

Jimin seemed to get flustered at that, taking his Chanel handbag and opening. "I... please don't judge me alright? But I kind of bought sometime to impress your cousin" he tells, and Taehyung tilts his head looking curiously at whatever Jimin was about to show him. "Just be honest with me, is this too much?"

Jimin handed him a pink Victoria's Secret box, and Taehyung opened it curiously. There was some kind of lingerie inside of the box, red lace fabric, delicate and pretty. He takes it on his hand, feeling his cheeks warming up by the sight of a thong, a red lace thong for male omegas. Jimin was equally blushing, and after a while of Taehyung inspecting the little piece of clothing, he takes the lingerie from his hands, putting it back on the box.

"You look.... Surprised" Jimin says, looking at the box on his hands, nibling on his bottom lips nervously, expecting for the other omega to say something positive about his shopping choices.

Taehyung opens his mouth, blinking quickly, still trying to process the fact that his dear cousin who was always so cool with the unbothered attitude, rebellious but wise, was engaging into active intercourse with the bubbly omega now sitting on his bed. It was shocking, really.

"I'm not a slut" Jimin bursts out, a pout on his face and his small eyes opened widely.

Taehyung shakes his head. "I didn't say you were"

"You're looking at me funny" Jimin tells, putting the box inside his Chanel handbag once again. He looked flustered, his ears were red, and he was avoiding to look at Taehyung.

"I'm sorry" Taehyung tells smiling at the omega once they made eye contact. "It's just weird to think about Yoongi having sex" he says with a shrug. "I always thought he was kind of asexual?"

"Oh" Jimin replies, more at ease. "Why is that?"

Another shrug. "He always rejected love confessions back in high school" he tells Jimin. "And I've never met any of his potential love interests, I was pretty sure it was nonexistent"

Jimin nods, his lips curling into a small smile. "Yoongi helps me with my heats" he explains, voice soft and looking down at his lap once again. "I don't take suppressants... and betas can't knot an omega so..." he swallows, fidgeting with his hands. "It started as convenient... my mom always searched betas for me as a help during my heats, not to mate of course"

Taehyung frowns, a sudden realization settling in his head, and it felt almost overwhelming. "She asked Yoongi to help you?" he asks in disbelief. Jimin nods. "Oh..."

"He said no" Jimin tells him. "I persuaded him a lot of times but he always said no" Jimin explains, and he looked sad, Taehyung felt the urge to soothe him, so he did. He sat next to Jimin and started brushing his blonde hair with his fingers, earning a satisfied sigh from the smaller omega. "Until we were on a party together and my heat came up, irregular as usual, he helped me get out of that place full of alphas... and ended helping me with the heat as well"

"He's been helping you since then?"

"Yes, it's been six months since that happened" Jimin nods. "And now I have this crush on him" he whines, placing his head on Taehyung's lap, taking him by surprise by the sudden contact. "I'm so helpless..."

Taehyung chuckles. "You're not..." he says, releasing his omega pheromones to comfort the other omega. "I think he'll like it"

"What?"

"Your surprise" Taehyung says, looking at the Victoria's Secret box. "He'll like it. You'd look very sexy with that"

Jimin smiles, eyes disappearing. "Thank you, Tae" he says, taking a deep breath. "How do you do it?"

"How do I do what?"

"Your heats" Jimin says. "Who helps you?"

"Oh" Taehyung gulps, feeling heat creeping up to his cheeks, embarrassed. "No one... I take suppressants during my heats"

Jimin frowns. "But Tae, the side effects are so horrible" he says, sitting back on the bed, removing his head from the omega's lap. "I used to get horrible headaches and muscle pain"

"I know... I always get fever and muscle pain" Taehyung pouts, shrugs, and looks away from Jimin. "But for my grandparents an omega's heat is something you can't talk about freely...."

"Like a taboo"

Taehyung nods, feeling suddenly very self-conscious. "It's something shameful"

Jimin frowns. "That's bullshit, it's our fucking nature" he snaps, and that made Taehyung smile at him. "It's the same for every omega in high society though" he began to say. "Despite my mother always seeking for betas to help me through heats, we don't talk about it either" Jimin rolls his eyes. "Imagine an omega spending his heats with a beta and not an alpha, shameful" he says, sounding sardonic, making Taehyung laughs softly. "But remember, Tae. Here, is all about appearances, everyone wants to seem perfect, but they are equally fuck up"

Taehyung let that thought sink in his head, remembering the conversation he heard when he was with his aunt's friends during their friendly meetings. Gossips and appearances seemed to be the main thing during omega reunions in high society. "Can I ask you something personal?"

"Shoot" Jimin says, taking out a lip balm from his handbag to apply. Taehyung recognized it as the one he gave to Jimin on his birthday.

"It's about Jeon Jeongguk..." Taehyung says, and Jimin immediately grins, widely, cheeks popping and eyes disappearing, he looked playful.

"Yeah? What about Jeongguk?" Jimin asks, obviously teasing him, his eyes showing mischievousness, just like the tone of his voice.

Taehyung gulps, looking at the buttons of the sleeve of his white blouse that were suddenly interesting. "Ugh... I heard your parents wanted you to mate him"

Jimin chokes. "What?"

"I thought you two were a thing?" Taehyung tells, big eyes now making eye contact with a laughing Jimin. "Don't laugh!"

"I'm sorry" Jimin laughs, shaking his head. "Jeonggukie and I had been friends since our families lived in Busan" he tells smiling. "He's one of my best friends"

"You don't want to mate him?"

"Of course not" Jimin says scrunching his nose. "My mother is the one who insists that Jeongguk would be the perfect mate for me but that's far being true"

"What do you mean?"

"I love him, I really do" Jimin began to say with a sigh. "But he's a jerk. A charming jerk" he says with an eye roll. "We get along, but not romantically. I like my partner's attention all on me, and Jeonggukie's attention always changes. He likes his freedom"

Taehyung nods again, dumbly, feeling played. Jeongguk wanted him to be one of his many conquests. And like a stupid he let the alpha charm him that night in the lake. Now he felt worse about everything, like a cheater. His boyfriend deserved to know he kissed someone else, because it wasn't fair for him, it wasn't fair at all.

"Tae?" Jimin calls. "Are you okay?"

Taehyung furrow his eyebrows, humming. "Yeah... I'm okay, I just have a lot in my head"

Jimin was looking at him suspiciously. "You can tell me if it's about Jeongguk. I won't judge" he tells, crossing his legs on the bed and turning to face the other omega properly. "And I know you ditch my party to go with him who knows where"

"It's nothing really" Taehyung waves his hands dismissively, shaking his head. Fluffy curls of milk-tea blonde hair falling on his eyes. "We just went to eat ramen"

"Ramen?" Jimin asks uncredulous. "You ditched my party to go eat ramen"

Okay, Taehyung knew that sounded suspicious. He clears his throat, offering a boxy grin at Jimin. "Yes, I love ramen"

Jimin raises his eyebrows, smirking, the teasing glint in his eyes not disappearing. "I'm going to pretend it's true and it wasn't because you like Jeongguk"

"I don't" Taehyung was fast to reply. "I don't like Jeongguk" he tells, shaking his hands once again. "I subjectively find him good looking because well... I'm not blind"

Jimin laughs. "Tae you totally like him" he says obviously enjoying the news.

"No no!" Taehyung whines, shaking his head furiously. "I can't like him. I have a boyfriend, Jimin"

Jimin stops laughing, blinking, and furrowing his eyebrows. "You have a boyfriend?"

"Yeah, and we are planning to mate once I finish college"

"Really?" Jimin asks, looking more surprised than before. "Show me a picture of him. I want to see him" he beams. Taehyung nods, taking his phone on his hands and searching through his gallery. He picks one of his favorite photos with Bogum, one they took when they were travelling with his family in Jeju Island, and they both look cozily in love on a beautiful yellow field of canola flowers. "Oh he's handsome" Jimin says, taking the phone on his hands, and scrolling to another picture. "What's his name?" he asks, looking another picture of Bogum by himself, smiling charmingly at the camera and looking really pristine.

"Bogum" Taehyung tells, wanting to snatch the phone out of Jimin's hands.

"Very handsome" Jimin says. "But..."

"But?"

"You would look so much better with Jeongguk" Jimin tells, smiling widely and laughing softly at Taehyung mortified expression.

"Don't say things like that" Taehyung says, more serious, taking his phone back and away from Jimin. "Bogum is perfect. He's stable and he loves me" he says standing up from the bed while Jimin looked at him confusedly. "He wants to mate me, and he's willing to wait for me"

"I was just joking Tae"

"Bogumie gives me comfort, and he's sweet" Taehyung kept blabbering, giving his back to Jimin, and thoughtlessly arranging his accessories on the cabinet. "He deserves the world but I-"

"Taehyung-"

"I should be missing him, right?" Taehyung asks, turning around, and he really seemed to be in a bewildering situation, he looked confused and close to tears. "I should be missing his kisses... I should be wanting to see him... then why?" he asks, and sobs, and Jimin stands up quickly going to him to wrap his arms around him, hugging Taehyung tightly.

"Hey hey it's okay-"

"It's not" Taehyung sniffs, his scent turning sour.

"Tell me what's wrong" Jimin says, placing his chin on Taehyung's shoulder, arms securely wrap around his waist.

"I kissed Jeongguk" Taehyung says, burst out, not wanting to hide it anymore, the guilt was too much, and Jimin trusted him enough with the topic about Yoongi, he as well should trust Jimin back. "I cheated on Bogum. I'm a horrible person. I'm supposed to be in love with my boyfriend, I'm supposed to mate him"

"Are you crushing on Jeongguk?"

Taehyung hesitates, sniffs. "I don't know" he tells. "I'm confused"

"Just because you thought you have everything figured out doesn't mean life works that way, baby" Jimin says, releasing more of his soothing lavender pheromones. "You are too young. Having your feelings changed doesn't make you a bad person, neither is your fault. You can't control your heart" he says, and Taehyung was about to protest again but Jimin continued. "What I'm saying is... If this Bogum of yours is really the one for you, you wouldn't be having second thoughts"

Those words seemed to keep spinning in his head because Jimin was right, if he were truly in love with Park Bogum he wouldn't be thinking in Jeon Jeongguk. What was missing between them that made Taehyung feel attracted to Jeongguk in the first place? Bogum was solid, he gave him security, the security he was instructed to need since he was a child. And Taehyung grasped that because a proper omega required stability, not an unknown future. But at the same time, Taehyung never really followed the conventions his grandmother has laid out for him, not once. He, in a way, was constantly fighting against what high society expects of him as an omega.

"You're right" Taehyung tells after a while, letting his body enjoy Jimin's warmth. "I should figure out my feelings and talk to Bogum"

"That's good, Tae" Jimin says, unwrapping his arms from him and offering the sweetest smile. "And if you like Jeongguk, I'll make sure he doesn't hurt you, okay?"

"I'll make sure Yoongi doesn't hurt you either"

"Deal" Jimin replies smiling. "Some advice from someone who has known Jeongguk since he was a skinny kid with a coconut haircut" he starts to say, earning a chuckle from Taehyung. "He never has date anyone, never. He's scare of commitment because he's scared of getting hurt. But I'm sure if he find out how good that feels with the right person, he'll change his mind"

Taehyung wanted to say he didn't like Jeongguk like that, but at that point it didn't matter anymore. Not when he felt so comfortable talking about it with Jimin, so he just smiles, nodding his head, finding true and understanding in the bubbly omega's words.

"I'll figure out my feelings first" he tells, and Jimin nods. "And if you really are into Yoongi ask him out of a date" he says and Jimin beans at that, nodding his head again, and looking expectantly at the omega. "Go with him to have drinks with lamb skewers, a good conversation is all you need" he says, knowing how simple Yoongi was. "You just need to let him know your heart is with him, and only him"

"I can do that" Jimin beams again. "Thank you, Tae! I'm so happy to be friends with you"

"You like me that much?"

"Yes!" Jimin tells him, his smile so contagious that had Taehyung laughing with him. "Let's be best friends since now on" he says, as a promise, offering his pinky finger. Taehyung was about to take it into his own but when he saw the small little finger of the omega, and he couldn't contain his loud laughter. Jimin glares at him, pouting. "Are you laughing at me?"

"Sorry... sorry... it's just you have ridiculously small fingers" Taehyung laughs again, pulling Jimin towards the bed with him. "So damn cute"

"Shut up you giant"

Something change between him and Jimin that night, something bloomed between silly giggles, smiling eyes and long late-night talks. And Taehyung found in Jimin a best friend with a golden soul, much similar to his own. Jimin ended up staying the night, they fell sleep late, or early in morning, Taehyung couldn't really tell but he slept thinking in how grateful he was to find a friend in Park Jimin.

Once back to classes Taehyung realized that in fact Jeongguk was definitely avoiding him. Taehyung did one of his rituals of gathering courage and texted him with a not so simple 'Hi! Are you mad at me?' but the alpha didn't reply back, and that irked the omega to the point he found himself looking at Jeon Jeongguk all over campus to unleash all his anger on him. But after a while of wandering around and not finding him, Taehyung gave up.

It wasn't worth overthinking so much about the alpha, at least not in a way that would mess with Taehyung head. He decided to sort his feelings about Bogum first once the alpha comes visit him in Seoul, and not to think about Jeongguk as more than friends because of the sake of his heart. Still, he needed to talk to him because Taehyung still needed to write the story. That day Namjoon had texted him to show up at the meetings room of the Yonsei daily, saying the editor agreed to included him into the potential applicants.

Taehyung was happy, nervous but happy. He wanted to show his journalism skills, and he thought of himself as above average but once he was in the room with the other applicants, he felt obnoxiously small. There were mostly betas wanting to join the newspaper, talking about economy and politics, and Taehyung had really no idea what the hell they were saying. It made him feel stupid. Thankfully, the editor came shortly after.

The editor was a woman, an alpha, and a completely dreadful.

"My name is Song Minji" the alpha tells them, standing at the front of a large rectangular table. A severe look on her face, eyes sharp and small, thin lips forming a line, and short black hair perfectly combed behind her ears. "I'm the head editor of The Yonsei daily, and I don't have time to deal with newcomers so I'm going to make this quick. We need three monthly writers, good enough to fill our standards, which are high" she says, eyeing cautiously at every one in the room, eyes lingering a bit too long on Taehyung. "You have two weeks from now on to work on your story and deliver it to me on the last day, before 6pm. I won't be receiving late works. I don't like mistakes or self-indulgent works, pick your subject wisely. I like facts, and probes. You're not in high school anymore kids" she says, sternly. Taehyung furrows his eyebrows, thinking this Minji girl was really harsh. "Any question?" she asks, and a beta with glasses rose his hand. "Yes?"

"How long the story can be? I'm already at page five of-

"What?" Minji asks, snapping her small eyes open. "Five pages?" she asks, the beta nods and her eyebrow twitches. "Who in the world would want to read that?"

The beta looked mortified. "But I thought-"

"What? That anyone in this university would sit down and suck in five pages of unreadable words? What are you even writing about?" she asks, looking down at the now nervous beta.

"Ugh... social studies about-"

"Get out" Minji demands.

"I-I'm sorry?" The guy asks, blinking and fixing his glasses, Taehyung noticed how his armpits were sweating, soaking his white shirt.

"Get out, we don't need that here" The female alpha says again, firmly. "Save us some time and get out"

The beta sobs, standing up quickly and running out of the room. Taehyung gulps, looking down at his laptop, the girl next to him doing the same.

"Any other question?" She asks, hands on her hips. No one else talked.

After the meeting, Taehyung was divided into continue his story, or just retired before even trying, maybe apply for the Yonsei daily next year. The truth is that the editor had scared him, she was worse than the snobby boys in his classes, looking down at him because he was an omega. He wondered what his grandfather would say to him, the old alpha always had wise words for him, words that encouraged him but at the same time kept him grounded. Maybe he should call him once at home.

Taehyung also had taken the habit of staying in the library to finish work and catch up with his late classes, and that day he did too, not noticing how dark and late it was already. He had some missed calls from his aunt, who was worried because of the hour. Taehyung collected his things to leave the building and go home. The autumn air outside was getting cold, and there was one or another student in the place, almost empty. He walks towards the parking area to call a taxi, but he stop his tracks when he heard muffled voices and the overwhelming scent of two alphas spiking up.

And one of those scents was familiar.

Taehyung get closer to the scents, the voices clearer now. He saw Jeongguk's Jeep parked there, and a couple of meters away the alpha standing in front of another man, another alpha. Jeongguk was looking down, his body tensed, and he was letting the man speak harshly at him.

"... disappointment" the older alpha says with a severe tone. Taehyung was sure that word made Jeongguk flinch. He got closer. "Next time you will be on your own."

Taehyung could see the man clearer once he was closer. He looked like Jeongguk, but older, and he was lacking the boyish charm Jeongguk sometimes wore. His eyes were sharp, severe, and he looked intimidating enough to have Jeongguk quiet, just listening to the harsh words coming out of his mouth.

"I can't waste my time on your idiocy, Jeongguk" the alpha says, coldly, fixing his tie. "You're not a kid anymore. It's time for you to grow up. Am I clear?

"Yes dad"

The elder alpha sighs and hesitates for a moment. "No more covering bills for your illegal antics" he speaks. "Once semester is over you will be taking your place in the family business."

"Fine" Jeongguk huffs, his hands forming fists, and his nails digging into his palms harshly.

The alpha stares at his son for a moment, the severeness on his face not disappearing. He clears his throat. "I'll see you on Sunday" the man tells, taking his car keys and turning to leave. Taehyung sees him entering a Mercedes, leaving an unmoving Jeongguk.

Taehyung didn't know what to do, talk to Jeongguk or just pretend that he hadn't witnessed his father scolding him. The alpha's essence was still bitter, slowly returning to normal, but his body still looked tense. Taehyung decided better to just go back and call his taxi from the other side of the parking lot.

"How much did you hear?" Jeongguk's voice asks, loud and clear, in the middle of Taehyung's attempt to escape the area.

Taehyung yelps, standing up straight and looking at Jeongguk, who was still in the same position, giving his back to Taehyung, still. "Um... not as much as you think" he says, squirming with the strap of his bag. "How long have you known I was here?"

Jeongguk turns around, facing him. He looked handsome, as always, his dark hair tousled and falling to each side of his face. And his eyes deep and devastating, black, flecks of lights in them. Jeongguk was devilishly handsome, and Taehyung had to look away to calm down his throbbing heart, and the thousand butterflies fluttering their winds inside of his tummy.

"Since you entered the parking lot" Jeongguk tells him, his voice was grim, just like his aura. Taehyung kind of miss his usual smirks and teasing words. "Your scent is strong."

Taehyung blushes, looking up to see Jeongguk staring at him, indecipherable eyes. "Oh... okay...I should go now" he says awkwardly, but Jeongguk didn't reply. "I'm sorry for overhearing... it wasn't my intention." He says, offering a smile to the alpha. But since he didn't answer it, Taehyung huffs taking his cell phone to call the taxi service.

He didn't notice Jeongguk walking closer and taking the phone off his hands. "W-what?"

"What are you doing?" The alpha asks.

"Calling a cab?"

Jeongguk snorts. "I'll drive you" he says, not handing back the phone and just walking towards his black Jeep. Taehyung wanted to protest, but the alpha was already out of sight. He groans annoyed, but followed Jeongguk either way, hoping on the passenger seat with a little trouble because of the massive wheels.

Jeongguk starts the vehicle, the radio immediately turns on lulling them with a rock ballad. The alpha didn't ask where to go, he knew the way perfectly to the luxurious apartment complex in Gangnam. Taehyung feels nervous, the scent of tonka beans and amber wood was more overwhelming inside the car, it was similar to a masculine luxurious perfume, spicy and earthy. It was driving Taehyung crazy, and before he would start releasing mating pheromones, he press the button of the window to gain fresh air.

Jeongguk cocks an eyebrows, glancing towards him. "Are you hot?"

Yes. Taehyung flushes, looking away towards the window. "I-I like the autumn aroma" he says, nodding to himself. "Yeah, that's it."

Jeongguk snorts, chuckling. "The autumn aroma" he repeats, and Taehyung hums, eyes still glued to the road of gaudy lights and the hustle of cars. The alpha chuckles again, amused. "How's your story going?"

Tae turns around hearing that question, a small smile creeping across his face. "Good" he tells. "I just need more facts to work on."

"Facts huh?"

"Yeah... I met the editor today" Taehyung tells, watching Jeongguk's side profile. Sharp jaw and distinct cheekbones, picture-perfect. "She made a guy cry."

Jeongguk scrunches his nose, laughing. "Ah, Song Minji"

"You know her?"

"I do" Jeongguk tells pursing his lips. "Bossy, annoying. She needs a good dicking" he laughs. "Don't want to be the one at the receiving end though, poor soul."

"Don't be gross." Taehyung says, shaking his head, smiling too. "And mean."

Jeongguk sniffs, eyebrows lowered and knitted together. "But don't let her overbearing persona put you down, alright?" the alpha says, glancing over Taehyung again. "If that girl gives a hard time, let me know."

"Let you know?" Taehyung asks, eyebrows furrowed and unable to take his eyes off the alpha. "Are you going to protect me from the evil alpha editor?"

Jeongguk laughs, one of his genuine laughs that made him look younger. "My family supports the newspaper" he explains, stopping the jeep on a red light, and taking the opportunity to look over Taehyung. "My family is an important holder for the University."

"Oh" Taehyung mutters, understanding the power Jeongguk's family held over the institution. He knew that the Jungs and the Parks were also important supporters of the institution, but probably not at the Jeons level. "It's fine, I'm gonna be so good she won't be able to give me a hard time."

Jeongguk grins, satisfied. Eyes back on the road when the red light shifts to green. "You're smart, peachy" the alpha tells. "Witty and smart"

The omega smiles too, feeling his cheeks burning up by the compliment. But it felt too good to be praised by Jeongguk, it made his heart flutter content. "I'm really excited to write this story, Jeongguk."

"Yeah?" the alpha asks.

Taehyung hums. "I need to see more of the fights and how the system works though" he says, eyebrows knitted together thinking in the missing pieces he needed to accomplish. "Maybe I should just write about you instead" he says, and Jeongguk cocks an eyebrow at him, a small smirk appearing on his face. "Everyone in the grove seemed to worship you."

Jeongguk chuckles, shaking his head. "You don't want to do that" he tells, the hand on the shift knob going to push some dark locks out of his eyes. "Song Minji hates me, just like half of the people in campus. But if you want to ruin her day... then talk about me"

Taehyung snickers, lips curling into an happy smile by Jeongguk's words. The alpha gave him the impression that he did not mind the hate he receives, on the contrary, he seemed entertained by it.

"I'm sure you're not that bad" Taehyung tells him, a teasing smile on his face. "Just a bit of a jerk."

"You flatter me, peachy" Jeongguk jokes. "I've evolved from a rude jerk to just a little bit of a jerk" he says, stopping the jeep and looking at the omega. "I can die in peace now."

"Shut up" Taehyung rolls his eyes, looking through the windows and noticing they arrived at his apartment building. "Thanks for the ride"

"Anytime" Jeongguk grins at him, waiting for the omega to open the door.

Taehyung shifts in the seat, hand going to the handle to open, but he hesitates. His heart was hammering against his chest, but he knew if he didn't talk with Jeongguk about everything that happened he would continue to be mortified with messy thoughts on his head.

He clears his throat. "Jeongguk" he calls, facing the alpha once again. Jeongguk stares back at him, eyebrows slightly risen, awaiting. "Were you avoiding me?" he asks, and Jeongguk furrows his eyebrows, taken slightly aback. "Were you mad because I left?" he asks and Jeongguk didn't reply immediately, he just stared at Taehyung for a moment too long. Taehyung started to get uncomfortable under that boring gaze. "N-never mind... I should go, thanks for the ride again" he babbles, going to grab the handle again. But he get startled when the automatic lock didn't budge.

"Taehyung" Jeongguk calls, but Taehyung didn't want to move, his body stiff and in the same position. "I was."

"What?" the omega asks, blinking slowly and letting go of the door's handle, but not going to face the alpha.

"I was avoiding you" Jeongguk's voice was soft-hearted, but it didn't sound apologetic.

Taehyung pouts, his heart sinking. He turns to stare at the alpha. "Why?" he asks, not breaking their eye contact, searching in those dark eyes any sing of regret. Nothing.

Jeongguk sniffs, facing away from the omega. "I was angry you rejected me."

"You like me then?" Taehyung asks, not thinking about what he asked until the words had left his mouth. Immediately he covers his lips with a hand, his eyes opened widely and cheeks pink, embarrassed.

Jeongguk chuckles at him, looking again. "I do" he says, and Taehyung's heart did a turn and a twist, and a spin. "But I like a lot of people, peachy" he says making the omega to feel a pang on his stomach, words stinging in his heart, emotions blended together messily. "And I enjoy keeping the people I like around."

Taehyung wanted to cry, but at the same time he wanted to be angry at Jeongguk. He scoffs, shaking his head. Jeon Jeongguk was truly a jerk and managed to make him doubt his feelings for his longtime boyfriend. "You're really a jerk."

"Come on peachy" Jeongguk says, with a sigh. Hand going to squeeze Taehyung's knee, but the omega slapped him away. "I like to have fun" the alpha grins, shrugging nonchalantly. "And apparently you like to settle down, enjoy the tedious life of commitments."

Taehyung nods, feeling upset. He scoffs again, exhaling air and wanting nothing more than to leave Jeongguk's jeep and go home. "You're right" he tells. "I'm not the type of omega you just throw away when you're done having fun with" he informs, eyebrows pressed together, eyes hard on the alpha. "And it's not a tedious life when you're with the right person..."

"Sure, whatever" Jeongguk says. "Then I'm happy for you" he says and Taehyung frowns. "You said you have a boyfriend. Then I'm happy you found your right person"

Taehyung wanted to punch him; he really did. But Jeongguk was also right, Taehyung was supposed to be happy with his boyfriend, his right person. And Jeongguk was being distastefully honest with him, and he should appreciate the honesty, he really should. Then why it hurts so much that Jeongguk didn't like him enough? It made his heart hurt to know he was just another pretty omega the alpha wanted to conquest and keep around to have fun.

So Taehyung smiles, nodding. "You're right" he says, trying to not sound as upset as he felt. "We should be friends" he tells Jeongguk who looked surprised, but really, Taehyung wasn't even making sense in his head. He just wanted to get out of the car and forget about Jeongguk.

"Yeah, we can be friends" Jeongguk shrugs, a wide grin adorning his face. "Jimin and Jin are my only omega friends but I can make another exception for you, peachy."

Taehyung smiles again, and he was sure he was just smiling robotically at that point. His head spinning with random thoughts, thoughts about Jeongguk and how to erase that handsome smirk off his face. He clears his throat. "Right, what a privilege for me" he says sardonically. Jeongguk snorts, amused. "Thank for the ride, pal."

Jeongguk laughs at that, and Taehyung knew how horrible the word 'pal' sounded coming from him. "I'll text you the password for the next fight, yeah?"

The omega sighs, fake smile disappearing from his face. "Okay" he says, and Jeongguk unlocks the door. Taehyung wasted no time into getting out of the car.

He waves at the alpha watching him drive away.

With a sigh, and a painfully beating heart, Taehyung enters the complex, walking towards the elevator. The guard greets him warmly, and the omega greets back, closing the door of the elevator. Once alone, he sobs, but did not allow himself to cry for such a stupid situation. Again, he had to remind himself that he had a boyfriend, a boyfriend he was planning to mate in the future. Jeongguk was nothing, just an attractive alpha that happened to mess up with his head a tiny bit.

The omega strucks his forehead several times against the elevator mirror/wall before exiting at the last floor. He greets his aunt with a kiss on the cheek, telling her he wasn't hungry anymore, and going directly to his room, wanting nothing more than to stop the annoying feeling in his chest. What was he feeling? Why it was so new for him and at the same time it was hurting him? Butterflies on his stomach, giddiness everything he saw or spoke about Jeongguk, jolts of electricity when the alpha would flirt with him or praise him, and that pain inside when Jeongguk told him he wasn't the only one.

"No no no no...." Taehyung whines, burying his face into his pillow, smelling the soothing scent of chamomile that his aunt sprays everywhere. He knew it then; he knew why he felt that way. He had a crush on Jeon Jeongguk.