677.

Taehyung woke up feeling well rested and strangely energetic the next morning. Comfort and warmth surrounded him. Usually after a mini-breakdown like that he'd wake up with a severe hangover, but this time was different.

He knew why. Jungkook had made him so comfortable that he went to sleep immediately after in the nest he had built for him. It was the type of kindness and consideration no one has ever shown him before.

The alpha was truly grateful for this. As he sat up, rubbing his eyes, his thoughts raced with the memories of his early morning dream. Was it real? It certainly felt real. Too real that he could still feel the warmth of Jungkook's parents.

Not everyone in your life is going to leave. Some people come to stay and they aren't going anywhere. Life is short, son. Live it without any regrets. A day gone is never coming back. Your mate loves you and yearns for you. Cherish him and keep wooing him just like you'd have done it. Let him know that he's wanted and desired because living with a fear of rejection is hell. He has done it for almost a year already and yet waiting for you to acknowledge his love without any reservation.

The wise words of Jungkook's father, no— their father now— echoed in his mind.

Trust your partner and fall freely. If you're too afraid to let go and embrace the fall, you'll never find out.

Yoongi.

Shit.

He has been living with fear of rejection all these years.

He glanced around attuned to the other alpha's scent wrapped around him like a blanket. Taehyung pressed his palm flat behind him on the bed where he could still feel the warmth of another body.

He slept on the same bed as me. No wonder I slept so well.

A soft smile lifted the corners of his lips. Suddenly feeling energized, Taehyung pushed the sheets aside and hopped off the bed. "Yoongi hyung!" he yelled.

Throwing the door open, he ran outside in search of Yoongi. He was sure the other alpha wouldn't leave without telling him. He was supposed to accompany him to the shoot this afternoon. So he must be attending to some work calls or cooking breakfast.

Suddenly Taehyung remembered all the time Yoongi tended to him after a bad day and cooked food for him. After each screw ups, each breakdowns, he was there. Even Jimin was the first to run to him, Yoongi was the one to stay through it all.

With every footstep taking him to the kitchen, following the delicious aroma of food and sizzling sound of searing meat, Taehyung realized he has always liked Yoongi more than a friend. Yoongi glanced up from the pan, a look of uncertainty crossing his features.

"You didn't run away," he said. "That's a development."

Taehyung paused, taking in his words that held a hint of relief. "I'm tired of running away. My legs are hurt and exhausted." He scanned the kitchen. "Where are Jungkook and Jimin?"

"They left early saying something about giving us privacy." Yoongi chuckled, going back to stirring the meat. "I made us breakfast. Set the table. I'll bring it over." He shut the stove and began to clean around. "I have a meeting in an hour. If we leave immediately after, we will reach your shoot on time. Do you want me to pick you after?"

"No."

Yoongi hummed, but he still didn't meet him eye to eye as he busied himself with cleaning the stove top and carried the used utensils to the sink. "Thanks for not running away. If you need more time..." He paused, worrying his bottom lip, seemingly lost in his thoughts for a brief moment. It was as if he was trying to suppress the pain that thought alone caused him.

"Turn around, hyung," he ordered.

"What?" Yoongi faced him.

Taehyung didn't think twice. He knew what he wanted and this time he wasn't afraid to go for it.

"Taehyung-ah, I was—" Yoongi staggered a few steps as Taehyung crashed into him. "Mmph—"

Something came alive inside of Taehyung and it just wasn't his wolf. He cupped his face to kiss him properly.

Unlike the previous times, this kiss seemed to just prove him right about his denied feelings for Yoongi all these years. He'd been too much of a coward and his cowardice had been his only enemy. When they pulled apart, Yoongi stared at him confusingly, but also hopefully.

"Remember the time you saved me from those bullies for the umpteenth time?" Taehyung panted against his lips. Yoongi nodded wordlessly. "Other rich kids used to shut me inside the lockers for shits and giggles. Or leave me locked inside the toilets overnight. But then you stepped in and set them straight, introducing me to the other hyungs. I think that was when I developed a crush on you. But this idiot is very bad at feelings and didn't realize it for what it was. I thought you were cool."

Yoongi snorted. "You're lying."

"No." Taehyung shook his head. "I'm not. Hyung, I like you so much that it scared me shitless. I was too afraid to acknowledge or accept it because of how this society views alpha-alpha relationships. But then I also didn't think you liked me back in that sense. I didn't believe it was even remotely possible. I hated myself for falling for someone I can't have. I was confused with all these emotions and feelings I was having. And the only solution was to run from them."

Yoongi stared at him wordlessly, his eyes widening with every word.

"What I'm trying to tell you is... hyung, I was and is an idiot. I'll continue to make mistakes because I tend to overthink everything and then ruin it. But I have come to realize how wrong it was and how it was never solving any of my problems."

Yoongi sniffed. "That you do. So are you a changed man now? You're not gonna run anymore?"

Taehyung shook his head. "No. I told you I'm tired of running. A wise man told me to trust you and fall. That if I'm too afraid of the fall, I'll never know what's waiting for me. And that life is too short to live with regrets."

"Pretty good advice if you ask me." Yoongi smiled. "So what's next?"

Taehyung went down on his knees. "Apology," he said. "For dragging you through shit and putting you through all that pain. These words alone aren't enough and it isn't going to erase all these years of pain but I'll start with these. I was immature in how I handled everything. I'm sorry for marking you without your consent. I regret the way everything happened but not the outcome." He took a deep breath. "Please...Please tell me how do I make it right? Let me make it right. Give me a chance, hyung."

Tears filled Yoongi's eyes. "You've always had a chance with me, Taehyung. Even when I believed I had no chance with you, I never gave up on you." He pulled his hand and made him stand up.

Taehyung chuckled dryly. "I was a fool to not see it."

Yoongi cupped his face. "I'm glad you see it now."

Taehyung sniffled. "I love you," he whispered. "I don't know exactly when that happened but I really love you."

Yoongi looked stunned and speechless for a moment. "What?" he gasped.

"Too early, I know," Taehyung sniffled. "But I really do. I love you and I want a future with you. I wasn't joking when I said Jungkook would walk me down the aisle. I was kinda longing for it and saying it playfully while hoping it was true. But it looks like I manifested it."

Yoongi scoffed. "Your timing is shit but..." He cursed before crashing their lips together. "I'll marry you, Kim Taehyung," he growled. "Let's elope right now."

"What?" Taehyung pulled back. "Really?"

Yoongi chuckled. "Yes. Just you, me and our friends. Let's get married."

"Wow...I...okay. But..." Taehyung blinked. "I didn't expect that. I— Oh, God! I don't have a ring."

Yoongi rolled his eyes. "I carry your mating mark. Do you still need a ring?"

"Um...not really but. Fuck it!" He patted his pants, searching for his phone. "We're not rushing it, are we?"

"We are ten years too late," Yoongi growled. "You asked me to marry you. Now you wanna wait?"

"Oh, God. No! Just...I need Jungkook. I need Jimin. Where's Jin hyung. Oh, my God!"

Yoongi stopped Taehyung. "You're panicking."

"For a good reason. I'm about to get married what the fuck! And I got no ring." He began to pace. "I need to call Attorney Kim. We need to file for a marriage license under the special clause. There's a lot to do."

Yoongi pulled him flush against his body and cupped his face with one hand. "Deep breaths, Taehyung-ah. How about we call our friends over for dinner and break the news? And marry next week?"

Taehyung nodded fervently. "Yes, okay. That works too. I mean. It's just a few more days. I got this."

"Shut up," he chided gently. "Come. Let's eat first."

"Hyung, that escalated pretty quickly. You gotta let me process it," Taehyung complained. "Shouldn't we drink and celebrate first."

"No, you're eating first."

"What about marking me back and sealing the deal?" Taehyung suggested. "I really wanna jump your bones."

"It's not gonna work that way." Yoongi began to carry the food to the table. "You have to work for it."

"What?" Taehyung blinked. "Hey, but you accepted my proposal and we're getting married next week probably."

"And I'm saving myself for marriage."

Taehyung's jaw dropped in shock. "That's— " He blocked Yoongi's path. "You—You did it first with Claudia during a party!" He pointed his index finger at Yoongi. "You popped your knot way before me."

"So?" Yoongi walked past him to the dining table. "My body, my knot, my rules."

"Hyung..." Taehyung followed after him. "Can we discuss this and come to an amicable decision? I'm knot-starved for like...I don't know ever?!"

Yoongi rolled his eyes again, setting the dishes down. "Can you grab the utensils? I need to eat while this is still hot."

"Hyung..." Taehyung whined. "At least give me a kiss to seal the proposal."

Yoongi blew a kiss in his direction, going back to the kitchen once more. Taehyung stomped his feet and followed. Then he grabbed Yoongi, hoisting him over his shoulders before running to the guest bedroom before locking the door and throwing him on the bed.

"Hey, what are you doing?!"

"Getting my kiss."

"Food is—"

"I'll help you reheat it." Taehyung made kissing noises as he pinned Yoongi to the bed. "Hyung, please..."

"No."

"Alpha..."

Yoongi's eyes widened and his pupils dilated.

Taehyung smiled victoriously, knowing he had the alpha where he wanted. "Kiss me, please... Make me the happiest man."

Yoongi clenched his jaw. "You're not playing nice."

"Maybe...but alpha, is it wrong for wanting you a bit too much?"

Yoongi let out a thunderous growl and in an instant switched positions to pin Taehyung to the bed. "You're insane."

"I love you and that's what matters the most," Taehyung said confidently. "I'm not scared to admit it anymore. I know even if the entire world is against me I'll have you and the others by my side." He took a deep breath. "I won't be alone. I'll never be alone. Some people are meant to stay and I know that now."

Yoongi cupped his cheek. "You'll never be alone. I won't let you be alone even if you beg for it."

Taehyung chuckled. "That's all I ask for."

"I love you too." He brushed his nose against his. "Been loving for a long time and plan to do so till my last breath."

When they kissed, they were smiling against each other's lips. "Together," Taehyung whispered.

"Forever," Yoongi completed the vow with a deep kiss that made Taehyung's heart swell.

678.

679.

680.

681.

***

A/N: My phone died and I couldn't create image panels for a while. How are you all doing? I'm okay I guess? Lol. Anyways, see y'all later.