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Jungkook looks nervous standing before Jimin and his parents.
The alpha has his eyebrows furrowed and jaw set, though when he looks at Jimin the alpha seems to melt and relax just a tiny bit. There is a large box, one meant to hold blankets and furs, between them – the last courting present that Jungkook has made, a clear sign that he wants to build a family with Jimin.
By proper tradition it should be the omega’s parents that accept the proposal, that give their blessings to the union, but Jimin has always hated that. It makes him feel like an object, something that is owned and just sold to whoever has paid enough. Therefore, he answers before his father or mother can even open their mouths.
“I accept. I want to mate you, Jungkook.”
Jimin’s mom clicks her tongue in displeasure, but it’s his dad that talks after Jimin has made his declaration. “You’re going to have your work cut out with this one, young hunter. You still sure you want this wild thing here?”
When Jimin turns around he sees his mother already glaring at his dad. Her face is pulled into a grimace that doesn’t quite go with how beautiful the beta is, but to Jimin that’s a normal sight. He has never been how a typical omega should be, has never acted the way his mother wanted him to. It’s actually what got Jungkook interested in him in the first place, as the alpha admitted once, under the influence of strong wine.
“Chinhae, can you shut up?” Jimin’s mother hisses low and quiet. She purses her lips and then turns to face Jungkook, all traces of annoyance and anger gone. “What my mate and son meant, is that we accept your mating proposal and will let you know our answer soon.”
“What? No, I accept it. He’s been courting me for months now.” Jimin looks at his dad for help.
Chinhae wraps his arm around his mate’s shoulders and sighs. “Ara, my love, do you really think our son cares about that old tradition? He’ll just mate behind our backs even if we decline.” He then gives Jimin a pointed, knowing stare.
“I want only Jimin, alpha Park.” Jungkook says into the small moment of silence. His gaze is soft when he looks down at Jimin. “He’s perfect the way he is.”
Jimin knows he’s blushing and releasing a happy, sugary scent that seems to please Jungkook. With one hand the omega covers as much of his face as he can while trying to hit Jungkook with the other, embarrassed and pleased at the same time. There have been more such declarations from Jungkook before, but none of them have been made in front of other people, much less his parents.
With one swift movement Jungkook catches Jimin’s tiny hand and pulls the omega close. A cough interrupts them.
“Should a newly engaged couple really be that close?” Ara asks.
Jimin sticks his tongue out at his mother before burrowing closer to Jungkook. “Don’t even start mom, dad told me all about what you two got up before your proposal. You have no room to judge me.”
Chinhae doesn’t look in the least bothered by the wide-eyed look of barely contained outrage that Ara sends his way. The alpha has long since gotten used to his mate’s ways, so he simply pats her on the back. “There, there, darling. No need to be shy, your own mother has been telling Jimin about your misgivings for years now.”
Now that his parents are busy bickering with each other Jimin uses the chance to press a quick kiss on Jungkook’s cheek. “I can’t wait for everything else.”
“Me neither.” Jungkook has lost the nervousness and worry. The alpha’s smile is wide and beautiful.
…
Taehyung is the first one to properly congratulate them. The omega envelops Jimin is a hug, a strong one that makes Jimin wheeze, then laugh as Taehyung twirls them both around so many times that they end up falling into a giggling heap onto the ground.
“You both are still just a pair of dumb pups.” Seokjin states with an eyeroll. The butt-pat that he gives Jungkook is packed with some strength, not unlike how pups would sometimes slap each other on purpose. “Good job on not being killed by Jimin’s mom.”
“It wasn’t that bad.” Jungkook narrows his eyes and flexes his fingers.
Jimin has sat up, hair a mess and decorated with loose grass. “Who cares what she thinks anyway.”
Sat in the shadow of a large umbrella Yoongi snorts. He’s not wearing shoes as he has just returned from washing up after his shift at the pottery workshop. “I mean, you really should care about her opinion. She could go to pack alpha and object to your mating intentions.”
It’s not often that that happens, but alpha Chaerin has always been fair in judging these cases. There are some parents even now that object to their kids mating with someone of lower social status, or because of whatever petty grudges that they have against a certain family. Jimin remembers once time when the parents simply did not like the newly joined wolf that their offspring chose. Some families, like Ara’s, are those that stick close to traditions, some of which the younger generations choose to ignore and think of as foolish.
Jimin knows well what the elders think of these wolfs, as Jimin is one of them. An omega that has never acted as a proper omega.
“I highly doubt that she’d do that.” Jimin says after a minute, still wrapped in Taehyung’s loose embrace. “I mean, she did go for dad even when grandma and grandpa were against it at the start.”
Taehyung makes a series of pfle, pfle, pfle sounds as he tries to spit out Jimin’s hair from his mouth. “Who cares about that, we need to talk about mating night and gifts! I’m gonna give you such an amazing gift, Jiminie!”
As they pull Yoongi into a talk about perfect flowers to use for decoration and the more creative uses of different oils, Jimin forgets about previous worries. In the background Jungkook has managed to goad Seokjin into a chase, despite the beta’s rather loud protests and exclamations about how unfair the situation is towards him. Soon their human bodies change and two wolves dash into the forest that surrounds the pack grounds.
“Do you know who else will take part in the mating blessings?” Jimin asks Yoongi.
The alpha chews of his lips for a moment, then wrinkles his nose. “Pop said Hyemi got herself an omega. Last month, I think, but Hyemi’s parents insisted on waiting until the blessings. Uh, there was another one, maybe?”
“Everyone is getting together already.” Taehyung has let go of Jimin in favor of laying down on the ground again, uncaring of the dirt underneath him. “Ugh, I hope no one comes asking for new clothes. My fingers will be dead.”
“Kitchens will have it far worse than the tailors.” Yoongi points out. He easily evades the pinecone thrown his way.
“I hope I can get away from the bakery for the blessings. I so don’t want to make all that bread and pastries for my own party. Besides, I’m sure mom will want me to go through that whole purifying thing.” Jimin leans back on his hands and groans. “I heard that alphas don’t need to do any of that stuff, so unfair.”
From the forest comes a sharp, high-pitched yelp that they all ignore.
“We need to do other stuff.” Yoongi remarks, but doesn’t elaborate.
…
With the mating blessings so close already Jimin knows he shouldn’t be spending nights with Jungkook. Against his mother’s warnings and wishes the omega sneaks out one evening, carefully making his way in-between the houses, glad for the cover of night.
The way to the house that Jungkook had petitioned to pack alpha Chaerin for is, thankfully, further away from the denser parts of the living section of the pack. The road is deserted of any other wolves, apart from the few alphas that have yet to get to their night patrol duties. Jimin waits a few beats before continuing with his tiny mission.
“Jimin, aren’t you supposed to be home?”
Jimin curses under his nose before turning around and smiling at Namjoon. “I don’t know, am I?”
Namjoon sighs long-suffering, much like Ara. “You know what mom will say if she finds out you were philandering around with Jungkook, especially now, when you need to follow the rules.”
“Joonie. Do you even know me?” Jimin narrows his eyes at his older brother and huffs. “Besides, you didn’t follow them.”
“Yeah, well, I wasn’t mating an omega, or into a better status or whatever, so, like, not the same.” Namjoon replies with the same put-upon tone of voice that Jimin used just seconds ago, barely managing to keep his face straight.
Jimin kicks dirt Namjoon’s way.
With a shake of his head Namjoon grabs Jimin gently by his arm and starts leading the younger back home. “Listen, I know some of this tradition is stupid, I ignored half of that stuff myself, but for the sake of all of our sanity, just wait this one week until the blessings day, please?”
Jimin is still sulking, lips pulled into a displeased pout and scent sour with annoyance.
Namjoon sighs again. “You can’t be that horny.”
“I can be as horny as I want to be! Also! Tell Hoseokie that he most certainly is not allowed to gift me anything weird. I was nice when you two mated, I didn’t do anything embarrassing, so he owes me for behaving.” Jimin plays up his whining the closer they get to the Park house. He doesn’t even try to run away from his brother.
Chinhae is already waiting by the door. “I knew it.”
Namjoon passes Jimin over like the omega is a sack of potatoes. The kick against Namjoon’s shin that Jimin manages to get in is very much an accident. Supposedly. The alpha just grunts.
“How are you doing, Chinhae? Sorry I haven’t been over to visit you and mom, been busy with stuff.” Namjoon accepts the handshake easily enough.
“Same old here. Apart from making sure this one behaves we don’t need to listen to any complaints about the proper omega raising that me and Ara are not doing.” Chinhae rolls his eyes much the same way Jimin so often does. “But don’t worry, we still get to hear about you as well. I guess the elders are right that we never really do get rid of you kids.”
Jimin snickers from his dad’s side. “That’s just ‘cause mom’s a bad influence, even if she wants to pretend she’s not.”
Namjoon also laughs. “Well, she is trying to remedy that with getting at least one of her kids to sort of follow tradition. With, uh, some success?”
“She should have tried to stick it out with you, this one is a lost cause.” Chinhae ruffles Jimin’s hair. “Anyway, at least I’m still living it up to my rebel status by having a horrible omega as a son and raising an alpha stepkid who almost fought the pack alpha out of pure spite.” The man sounds very proud of both Namjoon and Jimin, though, despite the messes they both have gotten into over the years.
“I still thinks it’s unfair I need to do stupid purity rituals. There has been nothing pure about me sinmfnghs---” Jimin glares at Chinhae and licks the alpha’s hand in a weak try to get it off from his mouth.
Chinhae glares playfully right back. “I love you, but I really do not want to know about whatever you have been up to. Ignorance is bliss and all that.”
Namjoon nods along, equally pleased to have not heard whatever Jimin was about to say. The alpha then perks up when howls ring through the air as the night patrol is called over for a meeting before they are to set off. He quickly excuses himself and then runs away as fast as he can with a fleeting promise to come and visit soon.
With a pat to Jimin’s back Chinhae leads the omega back into the house.
…
“I talked with Kyungsoo and he let you off shift for the week, so that we can start on the rituals.” Ara is already looking down on various white robes. Her fingers skin over the choices, brows furrowed in thought.
Jimin pretends to gag behind her back. “Mom, no. This purity thing is stupid.”
Ara turns around to stare Jimin down. “You have to! The Jeons are a respectable family and we need to show that you’re going to be a good mate for their son.” She sighs and rubs at her forehead. “Look, can you just do this one thing for me?”
“No.”
Jimin tuns around and runs out of the door before Ara has even comprehended what just happened. He runs past the blacksmith’s workshop where Hoseok stands with his hands on his hips and face dirty from smoke and ash. A couple of young pups are kneeling on the ground with their heads down before the, usually, sunny alpha, all smelling of shame and slight fear.
In the pack center, around the large bonfire place, a couple of the older omegas are already preparing for the blessings. From her seat in a rocking chair the oldest beta of the pack, the shaman, is directing the preparation process this way and that way, barking out orders.
Another, younger beta woman stands behind the old woman and shakes her head every time another omega shoots them both annoyed stares. As the granddaughter of the shaman, and third in line for the title, she needs to be around to learn the craft, although the girl does not look happy about it. “Gram, come on, they know how to do this. They set this thing up every year. Your nagging is why no one likes you.”
“And every year they mess it up! Because no one ever listens to me!” The shaman shakes her fist at the most daring omegas, voice croaky with age. She seems to be ignoring the comment about her nagging.
The oldest of the omegas, an old man that Jimin knows is actually the shaman’s best friend, shakes his fist right back. “Shut up, Miyo! Go and take your fifth nap of the day already and let us work! I’ll put ants in your pants again if you keep yammering about.”
“Try me, you old fart! Two can play that game.”
The granddaughter smacks her face with an open palm before taking over overseeing the preparations. She nods Jimin’s way when he passes by, too tired to even bother with a proper greeting. Jimin shakes his head and scurries along, not wanting to get the shaman’s attention and get into another lecture about his lack of manners and proper omega behavior, as if that has actually ever been a thing, if you ask Jimin.
The tailor’s shop is not as busy as Jimin thought it might be this close to the blessings.
“Ran away from your mom again?” Taehyung doesn’t even look away from the dress he seems to have been working on for a while now.
Jimin falls into a pile of fabric cut-offs. “She wants me to do the stupid purity rituals. To impress Jungkook’s family.” He groans into the dust, then sneezes. “As if me feasting and washing in cold flower water, and whatnot will somehow make me more proper.”
“To purify the spirit ones needs to purify the body.” Taehyung’s voice has dropped into an imitation of one of the elders. “A proper omega is one that keeps themselves pure until their intended mate takes them as their own, as proof of their loyalty.”
“Ew.”
“I agree, ew.” Taehyung reaches for his sewing kit and rummages around. “Besides, I’m pretty sure Jeons were one of the first ones to petition for change when the new pack alpha took charge, no?”
Jimin blows away a spider that had gotten too close to his face. “Yup! Besides, there is nothing pure about me anymore, so there is even less of a point to the whole thing. Mom did get me out of baking duties for the week, though.”
“Lucky bitch, my boss is working me like a slave here.” Taehyung clicks his tongue when a stitch doesn’t work out as expected. “Think your mom will keep on pressing about the rituals?”
Jimin rolls in the cutouts for a moment, thinking. “I mean, probably? Unless dad talks to her, but that has not worked before.”
Before Taehyung can reply there is a knock on the door as Namjoon walks in. He sighs at the sight of his younger brother. Jimin makes a tiny, hmph sound and rolls on his side, away from Namjoon and the entrance, now forced to look at a pair of truly ugly pants. But the ugly pants are better than another sort-of lecture from Namjoon and being talked into humoring Ara, while being beyond uncomfortable the whole time.
“Hey there, Tae. Working hard?” Namjoon’s voice is soft.
Taehyung hums. “Everyone wants to be pretty for the blessings. My poor, poor fingers.” The whine that follows sounds very fake.
“Yeah, well, we only get this once a year, after all. You mind if I borrow my brother for a little bit?” Namjoon then asks. The alpha doesn’t bother to get a reply before moving to crouch next to Jimin. “We meet again.”
“Go away. I know why you’re here and I don’t like it.”
“Are you sure about that?”
The snort that Jimin makes is very loud. “You and mom are kind of really the same, so yeah, I am sure.”
From his workstation Taehyung does a very bad job at trying to mask his amused giggles.
Namjoon sighs. “Ouch, but I’ll take it.” The alpha grunts a little as he plops down on the floor, “I’m really not here about the rituals, though.”
“You have your liar voice on, don’t even bother.” Jimin glares over his shoulder at Namjoon, narrow-eyed and peeved. The omega is also simultaneously planning out ways to escape this situation as quicky as he possibly can.
“You don’t know shit about my lair voice, let me tell you. But no, really, I’m not here about that. Hoseok gave me a whole lecture yesterday and then told me that you’ll be staying with us until the blessing. I’d say ordered if it wouldn’t make me seem like I’m afraid of my own mate.”
Taehyung is no longer even trying to pretend he is not listening in. “But you are. Afraid of our sunshine Hoseokie.”
“Tae, please.” Namjoon whines.
Jimin snickers from his dusty fabric scrap pile. “You are!” The omega then thinks over the offer and bites his bottom lip in thought. “You sure mom will agree to this?”
“Your dad is in on this. In secret, for the sake of his own mated couple life and all that, you know, but he said he’ll bring some of your clothes over and then talk to mom. Or, make excuses, I suppose. Which is as good as we can get.”
In the evening Jimin hugs a very sweaty and smelly Hoseok tightly when the alpha comes back home. They both giggle as they sway in the middle of the tiny kitchen area, uncaring of the sooth and dirt that still covers most of Hoseok’s clothing and now gets stuck on Jimin’s shirt.
“I couldn’t believe this idiot here was about peace out of helping you when he himself did so much worse. Tradition, pfft. If we followed tradition, Kim Namjoon, we both would not be properly mated, you hear me!” Hoseok is waving a wooden spoon very threateningly in Namjoon’s face, though the alpha’s eyes sparkle in delight.
“Yes, yes, my love. I know.” Namjoon dutifully nods along.
Jimin, cheeks stuffed full of sweets, doesn’t say anything. It’s only been two days since they last saw each other, but he already misses Jungkook terribly. The omega can’t wait for the blessings, if only to be allowed to see Jungkook naked again.
…
There are gifts left by the door of Hoseok and Namjoon’s tiny house. They are left there by the wolves of the pack that know about Jimin and Jungkook, but are not close enough to either to give them on the day of the blessings. These are all tame, just candles and sweets, baby clothes for any future pup that might happen if Jimin is in the mood of them at some point in his life.
Just as Jimin has started to carefully sort through the tiny pile Jungkook shows up and sits down next to him, arm pressed against Jimin’s.
“Hey.” Jungkook kisses the top of Jimin’s head, completely uncaring if anyone sees them together and being this close. “I heard of your rebelling ways.”
Jimin tilts his head and nips Jungkook’s jaw. “I’m always rebelling, you need to be more specific. Also, I demand you leave this shirt with me, no questions allowed.”
Jungkook snickers a little as leans down to look at the tiny number of gifts that they have already gotten. He sniffs at a candle, then grimaces. “I’ll think about it, but something there smells bad. Like, it makes my nose sting. Can we throw it out?”
Jimin looks at the gifts as if they have personally offended him greatly.
They find the soap responsible and hide it in Namjoon’s and Hoseok’s bathroom. After doing that and once they are behind closed doors, Jungkook scents Jimin thoroughly. The alpha has his nose buried close to Jimin’s scent gland, arms wrapped tightly around Jimin’s waist in case the omega decides to try and run.
“Mom said your mom came around to talk about the omega rituals you refused to take. She laughed and said she never expected you to go through with them in the first place. Your dad was very amused and got hit because of that.” Jungkook mumbles against Jimin’s skin, words a little slurry.
Jimin feels no shame as he gropes Jungkook’s butt in return, while he still can. “Hah, I win.”
When Namjoon returns from his guard duties he finds the two of them curled up on the couch, blissed out from too much scenting and each purring quietly. The older alpha groans, but still pulls Jimin away from Jungkook despite the desperate whines and, frankly, childish clinging.
“You have, like, three days to go! And I don’t want any of your omega liquids all over my furniture, as much as I may still love you, Jimin.” Namjoon has Jimin by the scruff and tosses the pouting omega in his room.
Jungkook has managed to snap out of his scent bliss and now looks embarrassed. Namjoon rolls his eyes at the other alpha before kicking him out of the house completely.
…
Jimin gets a pretty tunic and pants set in pale brown color for the blessings from Taehyung, adorned with tiny pieces of clear glass. On the stand is Jungkook’s set and Jimin can’t wait to see the alpha dressed in it.
The decorations that have already been put up are amazing. The flowers are still missing, but there are tables and places to sit already put up, the bonfire set up for a large fire that will be started once it gets dark enough. Jimin spies a couple of soft, thick blankets stacked inside the pack alpha’s gazebo, ready to be used, but for now kept safe from any possible, unplanned downpours.
As he is about to turn away and head back to Namjoon and Hoseok’s place, hands full with some more presents and his mating outfit, Jimin notices Ara coming his way. For a moment the omega thinks about running. Just for a tiny moment.
“Don’t even. I’m not here to force you into the rituals. It’s too late for that now anyway.” Ara huffs.
Jimin huffs back just to be petty. “How would I know? All you ever talk about is those stupid rituals lately.”
The mother and son stand in a silent stare-off for a moment, perhaps more alike that they want to admit to. Finally, Ara admits defeat and rubs between her eyes in tiredness, or perhaps the usual motherly wondering of how she managed to raise a child this stubborn. Jimin knows this response of Ara’s very well.
“I give up. I give up on both you and your brother.” Ara tries to look stern and put-out, but it’s easy to tell by her scent that she is anything but.
Jimin sniffs. “You talk as if you didn’t know we got it from you and dad. You’re both shitty role models, honestly.”
Ara is suspiciously quiet for a moment. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, my mating was very traditional and very pure. Like my parents wanted for me.” She pretends she doesn’t hear Jimin’s murmured what about Namjoon then, he sure was around before dad showed up. The beta clears her throat. “I just came to let you know that we moved all your things to Jungkook’s house already, so you don’t need to worry about that.”
“Thanks, mom.” Jimin looks at the couple of gifts he’s still holding and nods down to the body scrub that someone, the omega doesn’t even remembers who it was anymore, got him. “Want this? I’m pretty sure the scent is too strong for Kook, so I was gonna hide it in Joon’s bathroom.”
“Oooh, what is it?” Ara picks up the scrub and sniffs at it, then drops it in the pocket of her dress. “The gifts are more trouble than good. I still remember how someone got your dad and I this weird aphrodisiac that stunk up the whole house, it was horrible.”
Jimin shudders. “Ew.”
“Very ew. Well, anyway, I need to get back to the kitchens. Two overstressed alphas got into a knife duel over soup spices yesterday, so we’re a couple people short, as always for these kinds of festivities.”
With a quick hug they part ways and Jimin finally makes his way to drop off his things. Jungkook intercepts the omega halfway to the house. The alpha is kind of sweaty, a little out of breath as he grins wide and relays to Jimin the shenanigans that the newly accepted bunch of hunters got into today.
“Lead hunter was very angry. I haven’t seen her that red in the face ever! I think Seokjin was about to die from holding in his laughter for so long, the other hunters were betting on what happens first, lead hunter noticing of Seokjin not being able to hold it anymore.” Jungkook cackles.
Despite the sweat, Jimin lays his head against the alpha’s shoulder and hums along.
Jungkook has one arm wrapped around Jimin’s waist as they walk. When they stop before the front door Jungkook hesitates. Jimin giggles at the sheepish look on the alpha’s face when he realizes that they probably should not be here together for too long again, especially after the scolding they got from Namjoon.
“Just a bit more.” Jimin grins up at his future mate.
Jungkook pokes the tip of Jimin’s nose. “And then you will never get rid of me. And no one will bother us, and I will be the one that will listen to all the complaints about you and will love every second of it. I can’t wait.”
“All the sex whenever I want.” Jimin adds.
“Oh? Whenever you want?” Jungkook’s voice drops just slightly, but he’s still amused and grinning.
Jimin lightly kicks at the alpha’s ankle. “Of course. You’ll need to listen to me now and do as I say. It’s the rules because I said so.”
“Huh… Well, we will need to see about that.” Jungkook drops a quick kiss atop Jimin’s head. Then one on the omega’s nose and then on his lips. The kiss is chaste and quick, just a barely there touch and nothing else. “Bossy omega.”
When Jungkook finally leaves Jimin is left flushed, leaning heavily on the door and clutching onto his clothes. The omega hides his face in the tunic and doesn’t even try to hide his giggles, absolutely sure he has stunk up the place already with how pleased and excited he feels.
…
Jimin is nervous as he walks the marked road into the forest together with Jungkook by his side. There are flowers and candles left along the pathway, guides for the mates-to-be and their closest to follow towards the tiny clearing in the forest where the pack’s shaman will perform the blessings. Jimin squeezes Jungkook’s hand in his own as tightly as possible.
“Finally.” Jungkook whispers.
Jimin nods, swings their clasped hands nervously in tight back and forths. “Yeah, yeah. We’re almost there.”
Surrounded by friends and family Jimin and Jungkook stand together with the other two pairs before the beta shaman. The forest around them is alive with sounds of animals and the crackle of torches that two more betas hold, despite how bright the evening hour still is.
The beta shaman waves a small bushel of slowly burning herbs in a wobbly circle three times before each pair, mumbling her thank yous towards the moon and pleas for a good future to them all. Jimin breathes in the smoke and sneezed in the crook of his elbow as it tickles the inside of his nose. Next to him Jungkook tenses as the need to sneeze passes him by.
“Good! Sneeze out the bad!” The beta shaman nods.
She then drops the herb bushel into a large clay pot that’s filled with red paint. “Red is the color of passion, of fire, life, determination and bravery. With this red I bless your future as mates to be as red as they can be, alphas to be red with passion, betas to be red with determination and omegas to be red with life. For you both to be brave in face of problems and fiery if need be to protect what is yours.”
Jungkook and Jimin are the last to step before the clay pot and dip their clasped hands in it until their wrists. They hold them there as the shaman touches their heads with her trembling hands in yet another prayer, before letting them stand back up again.
The red paint drips all over the forest floor.
“The moon will watch over you, guard you.” The shaman says as her granddaughter walks from pairing to pairing and gives each of them a pair of metal rings. “I bless you in her name and wish you all happiness. Happiness and strength, enough to build happy homes and families of your own.”
On the way back Jimin can’t help but kiss Jungkook just once, in the shadow of the slowly setting sun. Jungkook kisses back just as desperately, their hands now entwined together with drying paint.
The night that settles after their return from the forest is warm, with clear skies and filled with the cheers of pack members and the crackling of the huge bonfire. Jimin stands tall and proud next to Jungkook, their fingers intertwined and sealed together with the dried paint.
Next to them are the two other pairs, both of whom seem equally as overjoyed.
Pack alpha Chaerin stands in the gazebo, so she can look down upon the three new pairs of mates. She’s smiling wide, her smell proud and laugh hearty when she notices how truly distracted everyone is. “Settle down, settle down for just a couple of words!”
The pack quiets down gradually. Jungkook breathes in deep next to Jimin.
“Good, good. Now, for you all.” Chaerin opens her arms wide as she speaks, “I wish you all the happiness in your mated life, the blessings of the moon to always be on your favor, and utmost respect for each other, in both good and bad times. As our shaman has already completed the blessing rituals, I invite you all to feast, feast for the mated to be, for new unities born under the full moon!” She finished with a clap that starts another wave of cheers.
Jungkook piles Jimin’s plate full of food, then feeds him every bite. Jimin sneaks a few pieces of meat and potatoes in the alpha’s mouth as well, even when the man whines about this being his thing. When sauce drips down Jimin’s chin Jungkook licks it away, eyes strangely focused on the blush that Jimin knows has settled on his cheeks.
With the food gone and the paint on their hands smeared across their clothes and faces, Jimin pulls Jungkook off form the soft blankets and towards the bonfire where many of the pack are dancing. In the light of the fire Jungkook seems to glow, his eyes shining like stars in the night and all Jimin wants to do is kiss him now, keep kissing him always.
The music swells and plays well into morning. When Jimin and Jungkook stumble towards their new home, friends and family around them with their gifts in tow, the sky has taken an orange hue due to the rising sun.
Ara and Chinhae gift Jimin and Jungkook some wonderful knitted blankets, while Jungkook’s parents put a pile of curtains in their son’s arms with a chiding warning to finally put them up. Inside of the curtain pile are dishes that they warn about before leaving.
“Now that the old folks are gone, we can reveal our stuff!” Taehyung announces. He gives Jimin a small box with a wink. “Hoseok and I worked on this together, since Namjoon is boring. Have fun, love birds! I’ll want to hear everything when you two decide to rejoin us.”
Jimin sniffs at the box in suspicion. “I don’t trust you.”
“You love and adore us! And those will spice things up amazingly!” Hoseok smacks a kiss on Jimin’s cheek, then one on Jungkook’s cheek as well. “Ah, I’m so happy for you two. You adorable little menaces.”
Namjoon pulls Hoseok away by the alpha’s shirt and first hugs the couple tightly. “I’m so happy for you.” He pulls away with a watery sniff before bending down to present Jungkook with a set of jars wrapped in cloth. “There are ointments for small injuries, bruises and cuts and such. I’m sure they will come in handy.”
“Of course.” Jungkook is already examining the jars with wide, interested eyes. “I get injured all the time while out hunting, this will be a huge help.”
Seokjin and Yoongi also give a joint present, though they have chosen to go for practical instead of whatever nasty thing Taehyung and Hoseok have given. Jimin examines the pots and cups carefully, noting the tiny pictures carved into the cups with awe.
“Yoongi, this is beautiful.” Jimin says as he shows Jungkook the two wolves sitting side by side on one cup’s side.
Seokjin pats the alpha on the back with obvious pride. “Isn’t he? He got his concentration pout on and everything while making those.” The beta ruffles Yoongi’s hair despite the very vocal protests. “But anyway. We both wish you all the best and hope that maybe now we won’t find you in compromising positions all over the pack grounds.”
“What he means is that please keep it in the house and also we’re very proud of you.” Yoongi says through a yawn.
“Yeah.” Jungkook sounds rather close to crying.
Taehyung laughs, though he also seems to be feeling a lot judging by the watery shine of his eyes. “Okay. We’ll let you go and be nasty now. But remember, I want to know everything afterwards!”
Jimin waves his friends away as they leave, Taehyung’s parting hoots loud enough to echo against the trees. The omega gazes up at Jungkook and wants. The alpha seems to be on the same page as he quickly brings all the gifts inside before finally picking Jimin up and carrying him up to the bedroom.
With his back on the soft mattress Jimin lets his hands slide under Jungkook’s shirt. “You left Tae and Hoseok’s gift in the living room.”
Jungkook nibbles along Jimin’s neck, sucks on the scent gland there with a pleased growl. “We can get by without them. Maybe later.”
Jimin makes a sound that’s a mix of a laugh and a moan, fingers holding on tightly onto the back of Jungkook’s shirt. With a huff he pulls at the piece of clothing, so Jungkook moves quickly to take it off, then undressed Jimin as quickly as he can.
“Fuck, you’re so pretty.” Jungkook breathes against Jimin’s inner thigh.
With a chuckle Jimin moves his head enough to be able to peer down at his mate. He licks his lips at the sight of Jungkook between his legs, mouth spit-slick and red. “You’re perfect.”
…
Jimin wakes up and doesn’t even bother to find out what time of the day it is. His body is sore, tired. With a sleepy grunt the omega raises one hand and feels around the base of his neck for the bite that still twinges with the echo of Jungkook’s teeth.
He purrs and curls deeper into Jungkook’s embrace, falls back asleep easily.