950.

951.

952.

953.

954.

955.

956.

957.

958.

959.

960.

If it was any other time, Jungkook would have thrown a hoodie over his head and rushed outside. But now he had so much to think about. He wasn't reckless by any means.

He was honestly hungry since he only had ginger congee for dinner because he wasn't feeling all well. Now, his stomach was blaring in alarm, demanding he put food in it. He tried his best to control his cravings and even rummaged their fridge, but nope. The pup wanted some convenience store junk food and there was no turning back now.

For the past fifteen minutes, his brain was supplying all convenience store food and reminded him of the taste. If that wasn't enough, it brought up endless supply of combinations he could try. Jungkook was sold.

He slowly approached his mate, pinching his t-shirt and tugged. "Alpha..." Jimin was deep asleep and didn't even stir. So he tugged again with little more force this time. "Alpha...wake up."

The alpha stirred but didn't open his eyes.

"I'm hungry." Jungkook pouted. "Can you go with me to the convenience store?" Thankfully the one opposite to his building was open 24/7. Else he'd have made Jimin drive to the one thirty minutes away.

Jimin hummed and cracked an eye open. "What are you craving for, honey bun?" The alpha's voice was hoarse and deep. Something stirred in his belly and that wasn't hunger. He threw his legs off the bed and ran his hands through his unkempt hair.

Jungkook cleared his throat, battling between two urges. Hunger obviously won after a weak battle. "I'll come with you," he said, grabbing his hoodie. "I could use a walk."

"Okay," Jimin agreed immediately.

Jimin went to check on the pup once before leaving the home with him. Together, they walked to convenience store, hand-in-hand.

"Alpha?"

"Hmm..."

"Can I ask you something?"

"Anything, honey bun," he replied in a sleep-laden voice.

"Are you mad that I invited your mom without asking you?" he asked. He informed Jimin at night, but never thought he should ask him once. He didn't overstep, did he?

The alpha smiled. "No, honey bun. It's okay."

"I just...It was an impulsive decision when I was talking to her. I should have asked you first. I'm sorry."

Jimin exhaled, squeezing his hand gently. "I wanted her there for Minmin," he replied. "She's late, but at least here for Ming."

Jungkook nodded. "You will tell me if you don't like something I do, right?" he asked, still concerned about everything.

Jimin stopped and wrapped his arms around his middle to pull him closer. He kissed his cheek. "She's my mom, honey bun. I might be angry and hurt at what she did, but I could never bring myself to hate her. It would take time for me to forgive her, but I don't want to deprive you or Minmin of a family you always deserved. You need a maternal figure by your side once Ming is here. I don't want you to go through what I suffered with Minmin. Whether I like it or not, I know she could be helpful in times of need. If not for them, I might not be able to stop those news channels in Busan from creating a scandal. So yeah, it won't be a wise choice to shut them out when they have extended an olive branch first."

"What about your brothers? You never talked about them," Jungkook probed.

"There's nothing much to say. First one is five years younger than me and younger one is seven years younger. I don't have a good relationship with them, thanks to my parents. They only met me once a year during holidays and even then we never really had time to bond since I was always ushered from one thing to the other. They hardly meet me eye to eye and I can barely hear their voices when they speak to me."

"Oh. You still talk to them?"

"Not really." Jimin shrugged. "We run into each other sometimes during conferences and such. They treat me more like a leader than as their brother." He sighed. "Jin-Young isn't cut out to be a head alpha. So is Jin-Shan."

Jungkook hummed. "Makes sense why your parents were furious and wanted you back. You were their only hope, but they went about it the wrong way."

Jimin chuckled. "I know I fucked up, but I couldn't have predicted all this, could I?"

Jungkook shook his head. "We all make mistakes."

Jimin sighed. "Come on. Let's get you that food first."

***

[I made this months ago but forgot to share 🥲]

Family Tree: