I'm not sure if the name "Jihoo" sounded feminine but I gave Jk's dad that name inspired by the second male lead of the kdrama Boys Over Flowers. So it's not a female name!!!

19/02/2020

Taehyung's first morning in Busan started with the Korean death anniversary ritual, where he got together with Jeongguk and his father to honour the death of the deceased. He had helped Jihoo make arrangements for the anniversary ceremony the previous night, which included organizing and putting together the table and contents for worshipping.

After Jeongguk and Jihoo were done with their traditions, the three of them sat on the front porch and chatted away. It had Taehyung thinking once again, about how Jeongguk's home felt more home than his own. How he felt belonged and accepted, and not insulted and forced to be something he was not.

It brought Taehyung comfort that Jeongguk had become someone permanent and close in his life and his father treated the omega no differently from his own son and Taehyung thought that he would burst from happiness.

In the evening, Jeongguk took Taehyung to visit his mother's grave.

It was around a thirty-minute drive from Jeongguk's house. Jeongguk drove his father's old Maserati, which was quite the sexy sight. What could possibly be better than driving down the country roads sitting next to an alpha who drove with one hand, the other hand resting on Taehyung's thigh?

The sky had darkened with heavy clouds as they reached the cemetery. They reached the gravestone quite soon and Taehyung now stood in front of a grey marble headstone with the writing Jeon Yaewoo. Taehyung smiled at Jeongguk before placing the bouquet of flowers in front of the grave.

Jeongguk took Taehyung's hand as he straightened up beside him. He squeezed the omega's hand before turning his head towards his mother's grave.

"Mom, I brought someone special today" Jeongguk said with a smile, making Taehyung's lips stretch into a grin.

"You told me to find someone that makes me feel warm, like I'm suddenly home, right? Well, I think I found him, mom" Jeongguk said softly. "I'm going to keep him forever"

Taehyung chuckled softly.

"I hope you're happy up there, mom. I hope you're happy that I have found a beautiful person I want to spend the rest of my life with"

Taehyung felt like tearing up.

"Say hi" Jeongguk whispered to Taehyung with a smile.

Taehyung grinned. "Hello Mrs Jeon. I'm the person your son thinks is special"

"You are special"

Taehyung giggled. "I will take good care of him. I like him a lot. He grew up so well. I'm sure you will be happy if you met him today. I will keep him happy"

"We will keep each other happy" Jeongguk grinned.

"Yeah we will. I hope you're happy and at peace now, Mrs Jeon. Your son is in good hands"

Jeongguk laughed.

"Thank you for giving me a chance with your son, Mrs Jeon. I won't disappoint you" Taehyung said and bowed.

Jeongguk smiled softly at him, eyes twinkling like stars. Taehyung smiled back at him with glassy eyes. The alpha's eyes disappeared into his cheeks as he took in the omega's glassy eyes. With a grin, he cradled Taehyung's face with both his hands.

"My omega," Jeongguk whispered before pressing a kiss onto Taehyung's cheek. The omega was quick to wrap his arms around Jeongguk.

"She died of cancer" Jeongguk muttered, engulfed with Taehyung's warmth. "I remember her clearly, though. I'm glad for it"

"I'm not quite sure how you might be feeling right now. I haven't lost someone so close to me. But I'm always here to offer you comfort and if you need someone to rant to"

"I know, my baby. I know you're here. But I wish you would never get to face what I faced. The loss of someone so dear to you"

Taehyung sighed, his arms tightening around the alpha's shoulders.

"Thank you for bringing me here. Letting me meet her"

"I wanted to introduce you to her. To let her know that I'm in safe hands"

Taehyung giggled. "I'm sure she knows now. She has nothing to worry about:

Jeongguk chuckled softly.

"But this means a lot to me. You're many of my first times, Jeongguk. And I hold every memory with you dear to my heart. I feel special whenever I'm with you, you know?"

"You are special to me. If you weren't, I'd never have brought you to the most sentimental place of my life"

"I know. That's my point"

Jeongguk pulled away first, his hands coming to hold Taehyung's hips. "My omega"

Taehytung grinned. "My alpha"

"Fuck, I like you so much"

"Shh! Don't curse in front of your mom!"

Jeongguk gasped softly. "I forgot!"

Taehyung laughed. "Do you want me to give you a few minutes alone? I'm sure you have things to tell her. I will wait by the car?"

Jeongguk nodded. "Thank you. I'll be with you soon"

Taehyung nodded before walking back towards the way he came from. In seconds, he was back in the empty parking lot of the cemetery. A cold wind swept Taehyung's hair onto his face as he leaned against the car, waiting in the dark sky above.

He was glad for the solitude. The peacefulness of the parking lot with the ground covered with leaves of different greens. The rustling of leaves as they sang nature's song. Far away, peaks of hills kissed the sorrowful sky. A green field also caught Taehyung's eyes, so far away. Taehyung ached to take a closer look.

The nostalgia came welcomingly as he stared into the distant greenery, even though this was his first time visiting Busan.

Maybe in the future, when he and Jeongguk had both figured out their ways in life, they could buy a small house in the countryside and live together.

As mates, maybe.

The thought of him and Jeongguk being mates made his wolf purr with delight and contentment.

Oh, and pups. They would have pups together! Jeongguk's pups...in him. Taehyung smiled to himself. He wondered how many pups Jeongguk wanted. Taehyung thought that two pups were ideal. But he could go for three if Jeongguk wants more. As long as they have the financial stability to raise three pups, Taehyung was content with any amount.

Taehyung wished he could wake up to hills and fields every day, and not the blaring horns and chatter of wolves every morning like it was back home. A small house filled with them and pups of their own and-

Riing

Taehyung was startled awake from his daydreams with Jeongguk's phone going off. He searched where it was coming from, only to see that the phone was on the car seat. Yoongi, the caller ID read.

However, the keys were with Jeongguk. With a sigh, Taehyung decided to go tell Jeongguk about the call, since the alpha seemed nowhere in sight yet. What if it was important?

He started walking back towards the graveyard. As he closed up on the way he walked earlier, he saw Jeongguk's figure in the same place he had seen him earlier. However, he was kneeling in front of his mother's grave.

Taehyung took careful steps, not wanting to disturb Jeongguk just yet. He seemed to be occupied already and Taehyung hated having to disturb him like this. Taehyung could hear inaudible words from Jeongguk as he closed up quietly. Taehyung stopped, wondering if disturbing Jeongguk's alone time with his mother was really worth it. If that phone call was really that important.

Seeing Jeongguk's kneeling figure, his back facing towards Taehyung as he still kept talking, Taehyung shook his head, finally deciding that Yoongi can fuck himself for now. He didn't want to disturb Jeongguk.

Taehyung turned around, as the wind blew against his back once again. And just as he was about to walk back-

"-I think psychology is really interesting. But there's just a lot to study"

A smile crept onto Taehyung's lips as Jeongguk's mumble fell upon his ears. He could hear Jeongguk talking about psychology and not wanting to eavesdrop, he started walking back.

However, he was once again halted into a stop by-

"-met Taehyung in university too. Isn't he amazing, mom?"

Taehyung's eyes widened as his heart bubbled with happiness.

Jeongguk's voice was almost inaudible. However-

"I wish I could spend the rest of my life with him, mom. I think he's the one" A small chuckle.

Taehyung's mouth dropped open. He gulped, unable to move a single limb as he was overwhelmed with happiness.

"I'm courting him too. I'm going to be the alpha you wanted me to be. Not an asshole. I'm doing it the right way, the way dad did with you"

Taehyung shook his head, feeling guilty already that he was overhearing this. He wanted to walk back to the car so badly and give Jeongguk privacy.

"But like... I couldn't help myself. We did some stuff that I'm sure you and dad didn't do before you guys mated" Jeongguk chuckled, sounding a little hesitant.

"But I will take good care of him. I hope you like him. I mean, what's there not to like about him? Isn't he the sweetest? I have never met someone so...lively and...fucking talented and adorable and smart and..."

Taehyung couldn't hear the last part of the sentence. It was too quiet of a mumble. So he held his hand over his mouth and started walking back to the car. He was only able to take a few steps when the wind started blowing against his back and-

"I can't help myself," Jeongguk said. His voice seemed quieter than before. "I know you might think it's too quick but... I just can't help myself"

Taehyung's eyebrows furrowed together as he took another step.

"I think I'm in love with him"

-

The ride back to Jeongguk's house was quiet. The only reason for the quietness was Taehyung's pounding heart and his dancing wolf that just wouldn't calm down. He had blushed scarlet and Jeongguk even asked him if he was alright quite a few times. However, the only thing he could think of was Jeongguk's confession.

I think I'm in love with him

Taehyung had no understanding of love. He's only ever had crushes in his life. The only people he had romantic feelings for were Jeongguk. What's the moment in a relationship that makes you go 'I think I'm in love with him'?

Taehyung didn't know. He only knew that he felt happy as well as a bit guilty for overhearing the conversation. But he didn't want to confess to Jeongguk and ruin whatever he had thought of in his head. Jeongguk surely would tell Taehyung about it when it was time.

Maybe when Taehyung himself decides that he too had fallen in love with Jeongguk.

For now, he didn't know the distinction between love and romantic feelings. However, he knew that he too wanted a future with Jeongguk. To be with him and share his life with him. To have a family with him one day. The ideas themselves felt blissful.

"My omega, tell me what is making you so happy?"

Taehyung's eyes widened, head snapping towards Jeongguk who sat on the driving seat.

"W-what?"

"You pheromones, my baby. As much as I love feeling drunk on them, would you like to share what made you so giddy?"

"O-Oh! Nothing! I'm just really happy right now"

"I can see that. So it can't be nothing"

"I'm just thinking about what happened back there. What you did and what I did. Everything about today brings me happiness"

Jeongguk grinned, placing his hand over Taehyung's thigh. "Do you want to come back here?"

"Yes!" Taehyung gasped softly. "I would love to"

"Let's go on holiday. After the exams"

"Yay! I'm so excited!" Taehyung giggled. "Oh! Shall we come in Winter too?"

"Of course"

"I'm looking forward to it! Can't wait to meet your parents again"

Jeongguk chuckled. "Fuck, you're so adorable"

"S-shut up"

"Just telling the truth, '' Jeongguk squeezed Taehyung's thigh. "By the way, my dad isn't home. He goes out to the grill on mom's anniversary. Says that it's the only way not to fall apart today"

"Oh" Taehyung whispered, looking at Jeongguk.

Jeongguk flashed him a tight-lipped smile. "But like he's been doing that for the last ten years so..." He shrugged.

"How do you cope?"

"Tonight, I have you"

"Yeah, I'm here if you want a shoulder to cry on or ears that are willing to listen to you for hours"

Jeongguk nodded. "The thing about anniversaries is that it's just a day out of the 365 days that just reminds us of the events we're grieving and the memories. It just hits a little harder but it's not like it's the one day we're allowed to cry about it. I don't want to cry about it. The sorrow, and the loss is still there and today is no different. The loss will be there wherever we go"

Taehyung nodded in understanding.

"So the point is that I don't want to cry. I cried like a baby when I was younger. I don't really cry about it anymore. because you just learn to live with it, you know? Like how many days has it been? 3650? Almost. I have felt the loss every day. But I don't cry about it every day. Am I making sense?"

"You are. I think you have found out a very healthy way to cope with the loss"

"Yeah I think so too. You always have to move on. Like, I'm sure my mom is watching me from above and she wouldn't want to see me cry like that! If I think about it, I can weep. But I just...don't. Besides, time heals all wounds. You get me?"

"Yup. I do"

"Sometimes I feel like I don't cry about it even if I remember about it and start thinking about it because I have no tears left to cry about it. I used them all up all those years ago"

"Oh Jeongguk," Taehyung whispered. He placed his hand over the alpha's and squeezed it, to which Jeongguk smiled.

"You are so strong. You're so strong and intelligent and admirable"

"So are you, my princess" Jeongguk whispered and Taehyung squeezed his hand once again.

The rest of the ride was quick and they were able to reach home amidst conversation. And for once, they were alone inside the house.

"Hungry?" Jeongguk muttered as he closed the front door behind him.

"Not really" Taehyung said as he took off his shoes. "Your dad didn't find out that we slept in the same room last night, right?"

"Nope. He'd have said something if he did. Tonight he will be coming pretty late. Probably around like three in the morning so we can sleep together tonight too" Jeongguk smirked.

Taehyung gasped. "Jeongguk! Don't say it like that"

Jeongguk laughed. "So you hungry?"

"Not yet. We'll make dinner later"

"It looks like it will rain tonight. Do you want to watch the night with me after dinner?"

Taehyung's eyes lit up in excitement. "Yes!"

-

Thunder flashed across the midnight blue skies of Busan as Taehyung and Jeongguk sat on the roof of the house. Two mugs of hot chocolate, long emptied, lay by their sides as they shared warmth in the ice cold of the night, the wind as chilly as a winter day.

After they had had the dinner they made, they climbed onto the roof through the small window of Jeongguk's attic. They had stayed here for hours, Taehyung believed. But the hours felt like minutes and it took him by blissful surprise when he heard the distant clocktower's bells churn as the clock struck twelve.

Taehyung smiled as he pressed closer to Jeongguk's side and the alpha planted a kiss atop his head. They had spent hours talking about nothing and everything. Conversation flowed like a stream of water between them. No boulders nor discomfort. Just ease. From their future plans to their sugar preferences in tea. The most important things and the least.

"I can't believe I have to return to the other life from tomorrow" Taehyung muttered with a sigh.

"Other life?" Jeongguk chuckled. "What do you mean?"

"A life where it's not just you and me. There's my parents, studies. Seojoon-"

"Ugh let's not mention him please!" Jeongguk groaned.

Taehyung pouted. "Fine! sorry! "

"I just want it to be you and me!"

"You think I don't want that?!"

Jeongguk shook his head. "Can't he just die?"

Taehyung laughed. "Enough talk about him. Tell me. What time are we leaving tomorrow?"

"Anytime we wake up? Dad might force us to stay for lunch, though. You okay with that?"

"The longer I stay here, the better"

Jeongguk laughed. "Yeah? You like my place, baby?"

"Of course. I can actually imagine living here instead of my place"

"When we get married, maybe we can move to Busan"

"Married?!" Taehyung exclaimed. "Jeongguk!"

"Too soon?"

Taehyung laughed. "You're crazy. As much as I would love to spend so many happy days with you, it's only been like a month since we met!"

"Come on, it's longer than that. It felt longer"

"It did. At the same time, it doesn't feel like that long. Every time I'm with you, time flies!"

"True. Even today, I was thinking that it would be sad like every other death anniversary of hers. But it didn't. Because you were here and you being here is comforting"

Taehyung pressed a kiss onto Jeongguk's cheek. "I will always be here"

"I always thought that I had a fun life. A fulfilling social life and personal life. But I realised that all my better days were the ones that I spent with you. The happiest days"

"Oh Jeongguk" Taehyung whispered. "I feel the same way. It's like the moment we got to know each other, my days became sunny and bright! Not dull and grey like they felt before"

"Does that mean I'm your sun?"

"Would that mean I'm your moon?"

"Of course, my personal moon goddess"

Taehyung giggled.

Jeongguk grinned at him. "Fuck, you're perfect" He whispered breathlessly.

Taehyung's smile faded as he watched Jeongguk. Jeongguk stared back at him with eyes that tinkled like the stars that could've shone above them if not for the dark clouds. Taehyung was the one who first dived into the kiss.

The kiss felt divine, as their kisses always did. It had Taehyung clinging to Jeongguk's shirt as their lips and tongues locked, an inaudible conversation passing between them. They kissed for longer than Taehyung imagined, under the dark, angry clouds and flashing lightning bolts as chilly winds forced them to share body heat.

When they pulled away, Taehyung buried his head against Jeongguk's neck, huffs of breaths escaping him. He took a deep breath, inhaling Jeongguk's addictive and sweet scent. He smelled warm and familiar, as if Taehyung had known him his whole life. As if his wolf had known Jeongguk his whole life. Jeongguk felt solid and safe. Taehyung wanted nothing more than to cling to his shirt and bury his face in the curve of his neck and never let go.

"My omega" Taehyung heard Jeongguk breathe out after a while.

Only then did Taehyung pull away from Jeongguk, only to press another quick kiss onto his lips. He drew away, staring into Jengguk's dark orbs that swirled with twinkling galaxies. So, so beautiful. Hypnotizing.

Those eyes made Taehyung's heart flutter and stomach flip like a little boy's first crush. But those eyes also felt like home- like his eternal comfort.

Jeongguk had always made him feel wanted and desired and beautiful. He had shown him things Taehyung never thought existed. Had made him feel things he never thought were possible. Inarguably, following his heart and agreeing to a relationship with Jeongguk had been one of the best and happiest decisions he had made.

Moreover, one of the decisions he had made solely for himself, out of very few in his life.

Gazing at the alpha who confessed to being in love with him only a few hours ago, looking into those eyes that held all the stars in the sky, Taehyung felt free. He smiled, cheeks turning red but instead of the usual butterflies Jeongguk's soft and in-love expression drew from him, now all he felt was peace.

As if he was sitting on the sofa in pyjamas back home. The feeling of being comfortable with yourself. As if Jeongguk's presence in his life was nothing out of the ordinary. As if he was just the other part of Taehyung, that had finally come to fit with him.

His other half.

Jeongguk's eyebrows furrowed ever so slightly, questioning the silly smile that Taehyung had on. The omega responded by climbing onto the alpha's lap. Jeongguk's arms circled around Taehyung's waist as if they had been doing this for a long time. And Taehyung's hands rested on the alpha's broad shoulders.

"Alpha" Taehyung whispered.

"My omega?"

"I decided something"

"And what might that be, my prettiness?"

"I'm ready. I'm ready for you. I'm ready to be yours. Make me yours"

🍭

Thoughts?