Archive of Our Own ^beta

 Their story all began when they collided into each other’s lives that day. 

  The train halted its movement once it had arrived at the destination. Noise from the platform’s station started slipping inside the once semi-silent train cabinets, jolting everyone back to their reality.

  Men, women, young and old quickly jumped on their feet to retrieve their handbags, before heading down the train to collect their suitcases.

  Seokjin was one among them, but he wasn’t in a hurry. He stood up to open his cabinet’s door for the Beta grandma and Beta grandpa he shared the room with.

  The grandpa thanked him and praised his manner, while grandma thanked him with a pack of cookies. They walked out hand in hand, happy for they reached their destination.

  After almost all of the passengers got down to the group, Seokjin walked out the room, walking a little faster to get down the train too. He was afraid someone might accidentally take his suitcases, also he didn’t want the person who came to collect him to wait any longer.

  Luckily, all his three suitcases were left on the platform without scratching. Seokjin thanked the handler before wheeling them outside, to the arrival gate.

  In his haste to get to the arrival gate faster, Seokjin collided with a guy taller than him.

  He let out a silent scream, and was prepared to fall down. However, before he could fall down on his ass, a handsome gentleman caught Seokjin by his waist.

  Once Seokjin realized his bum wasn’t on the floor, he quickly stood straight to slightly push the guy, an Alpha,  away.

  “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to run into you.” The man apologized. Hands were still lifted up from when he helped Seokjin.

  “It’s alright. I’m sorry too for not looking at where I was going.” Seokjin bowed politely, stepping back a little to avoid the Alpha as he wasn’t sure if the Alpha could turn aggressive at any moment if he, a Beta, still stood there and staring at the handsome man without blinking as much.

  Since he was still thinking of the Alpha, he didn’t look at where he stepped back which, this time, did land him on his ass.

  Seokjin whined painfully at the fall. His two bums must have bruises on. Oh how lucky! Just when he freshly stepped foot inside the city, and he already made a fool out of himself. And not to mention, in front of a hot stranger.

  The lone Beta tried to get up by himself in order to save face, at the same time, the good looking Alpha gave him his hand. And ohh wow, hand!! Had Seokjin ever mentioned how he loved veiny hands? With lots of blue and red veins. Damn, he wanted to lick and bite them.

  Seokjin embarrassingly shook his head lightly, before taking Alpha’s given hand.

  “Are you okay? Do you need help with your suitcases?”

  “Ahhh no thanks! I’m good.” Seokjin shook his head. He quickly bent down to collect his bags. “My friend actually comes to collect me from this station to my new place. I think I can manage.”

  The Alpha nodded respectfully, respected Seokjin rejecting his offering for help.

  “Okay then. Have a nice day.” The Alpha smiled at him before he turned to walk forward.

  While the Alpha was walking away, a little far from Seokjin now, he heard a clear crystal like, high-pitch like voice calling his name.

  “Hyungggg, Jin hyungggg.....” The voice owner waved and ran towards him.

  Seokjin was about to laugh at his best friend's cuteness when he saw Jimin pull that same Alpha he collided with towards Seokjin’s direction.

  Seokjin's mind went blank, not gonna lie. Jimin... his cute Omega best friend.... was friends with the handsome and kind Alpha, and not to mention who had hands to die for? Shocking!

  “Oh my god, hyung.” Jimin ran into Seokjin, almost making both of them fall down. If not for the gentle Alpha, Gdo! his hand was so warm against Seokjin's back, stopping them from falling down.

  “Minnie-ah, you don’t want to cause your hyung to fall down again.” The Alpha said, chuckled at the pair. Seokjin might or might not turn on a tiny bit by the man's voice.

  “What? You fell down?? Are you hurt somewhere?” Jimin asked, worry showed his voice.

  “I’m good, Jiminie. It was an accident.” Seokjin shyly answered, eyes fleeting from Jimin and the Alpha.

  Jimin must have caught it as he jumped in front of Seokjin.

  “Namjoon hyung, did you bully my hyung and make him fall down?”

  “What?” The Alpha of Seokjin’s wet dream, Namjoon, shook his head rapidly while stepping a few steps away. “No!!! We collided into each other, while I was trying to get back to you guys.”

  “You sure? You love teasing me until I fall off the chair.”

  “That’s because you’re so cute.”

  “You mean Jin hyung isn’t cute?”

  “N-no...” Namjoon groaned, red climbing from his neck to his cheeks. “H-he’s cute and beautiful too, okay? I told you, we just accidentally collided into each other on my way back to the front. I-I...”

  Jimin busted out laughing. As much as Namjoon loved teasing Jimin, Jimin too loved to take revenge on the older Alpha. Not wanting to brag, but he could smell something between his Jin hyung and Namjoon hyung blooming starting from this moment.

  “Alright, Alright.” Jimin turned back to face Seokjin, who blushed at the Alpha compliments. Jimin noticed, but he let it slide for now because Seokjin might be tired from traveling far away from home. “Hyung, let’s go. I can’t wait for you to meet my boyfriend, and my other friends.”

  Seokjin nodded happily, agreeing with Jimin in meeting his friends, also to not look at Namjoon’s direction. 

  “Namjoon hyung, please help with Jinnie hyung suitcases.” Jimin winked at Namjoon, before picking the smallest suitcases among three and dragged Seokjin away.

  Seokjin gave Namjoon a quick glance, to his surprise the Alpha was already staring at him intensely, to give him a thank you nod before following Jimin.

  Turned out Jimin took all his friends to meet Seokjin, at the train station, where he looked dirty from a long hours ride. 

  “Guys, Jin hyung is here.”

  There were three people sitting on the bench together. When they saw Jimin approaching, the palest guy of the three walked faster to Jimin. The others two followed behind.

  “Jin hyung, this is Yoongi hyung, my boyfriend.”

  “Good to see you here, Seokjin-ssi.”

  “Ohhh no, please call me Seokjin. I’ve heard we are only three months apart.” Seokjin gave Jimin a wink, making Yoongi chuckle. He knew Jimin usually talks to Seokjin about their relationship. He had to admit, a few times meeting Seokjin through Zoom didn’t do his beauty justice.

  “Ahhh, okay then. Seokjin hyung is it. Nice to finally meet you in person. Jimin told me about you a lot.”

  They shook hands, before Yoongi took the suitcase from Jimin to allow him easier access in dragging Seokjin to meet his other two friends.

  “Hyung, this is Taehyung, my platonic soulmate, my Omega Bestie. I’ve told you about him a lot. Remember?”

  “Yeah, I remember.”

  Instead of shaking hand, Taehyung jumped to hug Seokjin.

  “Oh my, Jin hyung. You’re so much prettier now.”

  “You too are beautiful, Taehyung-ah.” 

  They hugged each other for a while before Taehyung let go of him, before turning to introduce the guy who stood close by him. He was an Alpha just like Yoongi and Namjoon too, from his scent.

  “Hyung, my boyfriend, Hoseokie hyung.”

  Seokjin and Hoseok nodded at each other.

  “Nice to meet you, Seokjin-ssi.”

  “Please just call me hyung like Yoongi-ah call me. We are all friends, right?”

  “Of course we are.” Hoseok gave him a one million dollar smile.

  “Lastly, Namjoon hyung. You already met him.” Jimin said, manic shone inside his eyes.

  “Already?” Yoongi asked, while staring at the awkward Alpha who was still holding Seokjin’s two suitcases' handles.

  “Erhuh.... yeah!!! They collided into each other. It’s fate.” Jimin exclaimed loudly, to which it made both Seokjin and Namjoon blushed redder. They couldn’t even look at the places where each other stood.

  “Alright, Alright, guys. Let’s help Seokjin hyung settle first. We will have dinner together this evening.” Hoseok said, while trying to hold his Omega boyfriend on his feet.

  “Good idea. Can’t have Namjoon exploding here.” Yoongi took to teasing his friend after he caught up to what Jimin meant, before he took one of the two suitcases Namjoon was still holding and gave one to Hoseok.

  Jimin and Taehyung were still giggling at the two blushy adults while pulling Seokjin each by his arms towards the parking lots.

  Seokjin might or might not send a shy smile towards Namjoon, who looked like he was about to pass out from the beautiful smile sending his way.

  Seokjin took a ride to his new living place with Jimin because his roommate was Jimin. Two of his suitcases were put in Hoseok’s car.

  “Hyung, how is everything at home?”

  “Good. Everything is settled.” Seokjin and Jimin exchanged knowing smiles before they changed subjects.

  Mostly, it was Seokjin and Yoongi who conversed. Seokjin wanted to know more about the person his alike-brother was dating. And Yoongi hoped to please the person who Jimin respected as much as his late parents.

  From Yoongi tales, he and Hoseok and Namjoon all were in the last year of university majoring in Music Production. Yoongi had a minor psychology class, Hoseok was the head of third year dance class and Namjoon minor in English and Japanese languages.

  All three of them were best friends from diapers up until Namjoon had to go live in America for three years.

  “He was supposed to study there and work there. But... accidents happened. So he came back.” Jimin added. Which had Seokjin thinking of what accidents though he didn’t pray.

  The three also worked at the same well-known entertainment. Seokjin remembered Jimin told him they started working young because they needed to support themselves. And to their credit, the agency saw their talents.

  “You know I also train newly trainees too right? My part time jobs that paid well?”

  “Uhh huh. You told me you resigned your library job for it?”

  “Yepp, that was when I met Yoongi hyung. The agency recruited me when they came to the freshman showcase. They said I’m amazing, so they recruited me. I met Hyung on my first day at the company’s lobby, and I’m hooked.”

  Yoongi laughed. “Actually, it’s me who is hooked. He’s the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen. He took my heart the moment I laid eyes on him.”

  Seokjin wholeheartedly agreed with Yoongi because Jimin, indeed the most beautiful, also kind-hearted person Seokjin had the pleasure of being close friends with.

  Soon, another topic tuned in. This time Jimin spoke about how his life became when he came to live with his aunt at the age of 15 (when Jimin’s aunt found Jimin was still alive, 10 years after Seokjin’s parents took him in after his parents passed away in car accident), and Taehyung was his neighbor’s child.

  They both had almost the same personalities, but Taehyung was more easy to trust than Seokjin. Seokjin remembered the fuzzy memories of him and his grandparents coming to Seoul to visit Jimin and Taehyung. He wasn’t sure too, since he too got into an accident at the age of 19.

  Soon, they arrived at Jimin’s place. He was informed that this place first was Jimin and Taehyung’s rent apartment, but last month, Taehyung moved in with Hoseok. That was also one of the reasons why Seokjin decided to come to Seoul to continue his education. He wished to stay with his best friend after years of not meeting.

  “Me and TaeTae already cleaned your room. You can decorate anything to your liking.”

  The room gave off a homey vibe with soft purple wallpaper which had small flowers here and there. There was a bed, and a medium size closet beside the bedroom. The study table looked alright, with two chairs.

  “This book shelf is TaeTae’s. He didn’t bring it with him because he thought you might need it to store your stuffs.”

  Seokjin turned to Taehyung, who was just standing behind him, to hug him and thank him.

  “We are friends, Jin hyung.” Of course, they were. Best friends.

  Later, Jimin showed him their small kitchen and their living room.

  “I’ve already cleaned the kitchen yesterday. Hope it’s clean enough for your obsession with cooking.”

  “Yahhh, you want to sit on the couch while watching me feeding all our friends?” Seokjin jokingly threatens Jimin.

  “Hyung, I’m kidding.”

  Once Seokjin had looked around the house completely, the others beside Jimin bid him a goodbye. They also exchanged numbers too, and Seokjin was added to their group chat.

  “If you need anything, don’t feel afraid/or feel like a bother. Reach out to us, okay? We are happy to help.”

  Seokjin thanked all of them, assuring them he would.

  They hugged each other goodbye. No one had to know he nuzzled in Namjoon’s chest a little, also no one had to know he had Namjoon save under “Cutie Dimple Crush 💜.”

  When Jimin and Seokjin were done putting Seokjin’s clothes, books, documents and his other belongings into places, Jimin excused himself as he had an appointment with the agency about the new choreography he had to discuss with them.

  Seokjin was more than happy to hug Jimin goodbye. To be honest, with all the welcoming and support he received, especially moving to a new city, he somehow felt so overwhelmed. He feared all of the supports he had received were just a feverish dream.

  Once Jimin went out and locked the door shut, Seokjin allowed himself to fall on the soft mattress. 

  He knew he was scared for nothing. Being a beta was common in this society, but still, Beta was looked down as some sort of underneath (although many had fought along with Beta to erase these types of discrimination) to other ranks. Being more so a Male Beta. Usually, among 10 beta, there was only 1 male Beta. So somehow, it was seen as a bad thing. And Beta Seokjin usually got a lot of teases and remarks when he was in High School.

  Now, he learned not to care about all of these things. Being a Beta didn’t define him as a less than anyone else. At the end of the day, it was his manners behavior and personalities that mattered. Still, whenever he met new people, he was still scared of being judged for his sub-gender.

  Seeing how everyone he had met today warmly welcomed him into their friend’s circle was a bit overwhelmed and heartwarming. He almost forgot the feeling of warmth radiating from everyone, after one cold Sunday evening. 

  Seokjin breathed out stutterly, hoping he could be friends with them until the end of the time. Good friends like them were rare to find.

  Seokjin didn’t realize he took a nap after lots of thinking. It was around 5 when Jimin came back home. He banged on Seokjin’s door, telling him the guys would be waiting for them at their usual BBQ place.

  Seokjin yelled out he would take ten minutes for a shower and dress up, to which Jimin yelled back to hurry up to avoid traffic.

  They two were done around 5:45pm, and thankfully, the bus towards the restaurant road didn’t have much traffic. They arrived at the restaurant 7 minutes after 6pm.

  “Come in, Yoongi hyung’s already ordered meat. Lots of meat.” Taehyung happily exclaimed.

  “Ahhh, I should be the one paying.”

  “Nonsense. It’s my pleasure to pay for a welcome party for my future-brother-in law.”

  The table cheered. Jimin lightly hit Yoongi’s shoulder before giving Seokjin a shy smile. Seokjin gave him a wink and a thumb up in return.

  Not to be rude, but Seokjin did avoid sitting next to Namjoon. No luck though, because his sly friends decided to be a match-maker, and basically pulled Seokjin away from where he sat next to Jimin to push him /almost/ on Namjoon’s lap.

  Namjoon caught him again, preventing to fall full on his lap knowing Seokjin would be very embarrassed. They stared at each other for a whole minute. One, because Namjoon didn’t expect to have Seokjin pushed onto him. Two, because Seokjin’s eyes looked so beautiful he felt like drowning inside them. For Seokjin, he felt the same too. There was something about Namjoon that made him feel so bold, that he would snuggle with the man here now if not for Taehyung aiming his camera at them.

  They snapped out of it, after Taehyung took a snap of them on his phone.

  “Yahhh, you could have hurt Seokjin hyung.” Namjoon scolded their friends, before helping Seokjin sitting down carefully to his left.

  “Ohhhooo, protective now?”

  Namjoon threw tissues at Jimin, then looked at Seokjin to ask if he was alright.

  “Are you alright?”

  “I’m good. Thank you.” Seokjin shyly pulled his wrist away from Namjoon who was shocked to see he had firmly held Seokjin’s delicate wrist all the time.

  “Sorry.”

  “It’s alright.”

  They then settled into a comfortable silence.

  Seokjin got to know more about Hoseok and Namjoon, Taehyung too but it was because he had vague memories of him that made him sure he and Taehyung were just as close before the accident.

  Not many noticed what Namjoon had done as they were busy drinking and eating and being lovey dovey with their boyfriends. It was good though. It gave Namjoon a chance to easily make wraps for Seokjin, mixed rice for Seokjin, and poured him water and beer from time to time without having Jimin teasing them.

  Seokjin shyly ate the food Namjoon put on his plate. In return, he moved his seat a little closer to Namjoon. His excuse was that he could grab some meat and make wraps for Namjoon too.

  If Hoseok noticed the shy glances the two exchanged, he only smiled to himself.

  Because Seokjin’s administration to the university was already running prior to his arrival, he could start his classes as soon as the next Monday arrived.

  Seokjin decided to major in business management (that was his subject before he dropped out for three whole years) and chose another subject in culinary.

  His parents’ wish before they passed was for Seokjin to be happy. They at first wanted Seokjin to only manage the restaurant they ran after he finished university. However, Seokjin wanted to honor his grandparents and parents' recipes. He wanted everyone to remember the tastes of his family recipes, and the uniqueness of The Kim sauces.

  As soon as he presented his idea to his grandparents, they were all very supportive about his decision. They told him to do it if he liked it, and that they would always support Seokjin in every decision he made. Including him decided to come to study in Seoul, leaving his grandparents to run the restaurant with the help of his father’s one and only younger brother.

  To Seokjin’s relief, a lot of Male Beta went to the same school as him. He was welcomed by everyone, maybe not everyone but most.

  The head admin was a very friendly Female Beta. She guided Seokjin around the school. Next, she walked Seokjin to his first class of his Junior Year.

  “Good luck, Seokjin-ssi. If you have any more questions, please come to the learning support center. We will help you with your difficulties.”

  Seokjin bowed in gratitude before walking into his first class.

  Surprisingly, Seokjin got along well with his classmates. They weren’t very noisy people, so they didn’t ask why a 22 years old came to study with them.

  They welcomed Seokjin, and he even managed to befriend a male Omega whose name was Luhan.

  The first period went out well. And so did the second period. In his second period, which was for his minor subject, he befriended Hyun-A.

  When the lunch time approached, Seokjin walked towards the cafeteria to find his friends’ group. It was a fun first day for him today, so he skipped his steps happily towards them.

  On the way, he walked past a poster of the school library looking for a librarian for the 7pm to 11pm shift. 

  Since his apartment was only a block behind the school, and the payment was acceptable for a part-time night job, Seokjin went into the library to ask for more information. He came out with a slip from the senior librarian, and was told to wait for the call.

  Seokjin had expected it, still he was surprised that after he shared the news with his friends, all of them were happy he found a part time job so fast. But, they were also worried. It was late at night when the library would close, when Seokjin’s shift ended.

  “Don’t worry, guys. Mine and Jimin’s place is only a path away from the school. I’m okay. I know the safe shortcut Jimin’s told me.”

  They were still worried, but they trusted Seokjin as an adult. Also, because Seokjin promised he would have pepper spray inside his bag.

  Namjoon was silent the whole time. Seokjin didn’t notice it.

  Seokjin got the job after two weeks of waiting. He celebrated it with all his friends. Among them, only Namjoon looked... uneasy. But he didn’t say anything though. He still congrats Seokjin like everyone did.

  At the night Seokjin lost his parents and his older brother to a horrible car crash, he had never ever thought his life would be this happy and fulfilled. A voice in his head had always constantly reminded him he was alone, no one wanted to befriend with an not-fully presented person like him.

  Of course, the mid-term was very stressful. But being surrounded by his friends who all looked beyond his gender and past, he felt at ease and easy to be himself. He felt like he wouldn’t be judged to be an unworried self around them.

  The only person who made him feel unsettled, not uncomfortable, was Namjoon. Every time, Seokjin swore he didn’t exaggerate, he stayed close to Namjoon, tons of thoughts and feelings swirling inside him.

  From strangers’ perspective, Seokjin was as innocent as Angel. But deep down, he wasn’t. 

  Every single damn time, Namjoon as muchas  stood beside or sat beside or just talked to him. All he could ever think of was bending over the table for Namjoon to take him.

  It was not very safe for work thought, but he really wanted it. He really wanted Namjoon.

  After first, it was because Namjoon was the center of his wet dream. But time went by, he knew he wanted more than just one-time touches. Usually, If Seokjin wanted something, he would try to get it. But Namjoon was not a thing. Namjoon, these past three-four months, held a dear spot inside his heart.

  Not only Namjoon was handsome and kind, he was also intelligent and generous. He wouldn’t mind helping and giving, thus he had a lot of people surrounding him.

  This event somehow discouraged Seokjin from having his confidence up in telling Namjoon he had a crush on him.

  That event somehow convinced him further that he shouldn’t expect for Namjoon to look at his way.

  It was around 12pm, a sunny afternoon. One of the day-shift librarians had a bad diarrhea, so Seokjin took over her shift. She thanked him profusely and promised to get him some sweets before running out of the place.

  Since Seokjin had no class that afternoon, there wasn’t anything to not take it. So why not? Also, he could earn extra money. He indeed lived a comfortable life; he got monthly profit from his parents’ co-own restaurant also with this nice-paid part time job, he could go on with his life easily. But extra money wouldn’t hurt to have earned.

  Now here he was, helping freshmen scan their books while also trying to cheer them up from what they complained about their assignment.

  Around two in the afternoon, he saw Namjoon walking inside the library. He was about to call his name when a girl, with dyed-grey hair and around Seokjin’s age or maybe a few years older, came running from one of the tables towards Namjoon. She put Namjoon in a headlock playfully ahead of pulling him to one of the tables with a few people already sitting down with their laptops open.

  Seokjin bit his lip, eyes staring at Namjoon and the gray hair girl talking about something so passionately. Seeing Namjoon and that gray hair beautiful girl that close, Seokjin felt himself losing that tiny hope he held inside.

  He had to remind himself he looked decent, yes, but there were others out there that were more suitable to stand by a respectable and wise Alpha like Namjoon.

  Seokjin continued to do his works. His smile was still on for those who came to ask for help, but it looked less lively and happy.

  His friends, especially Jimin, noticed Seokjin withdraw himself subtly from their usually one-every-week dinner day.

  Jimin, so did everyone, asked if he was alright. He reassured them all again and again that he was perfectly fine. And told them to not worry, with excuses like start studying back was a lot for him when Jimin clearly could point out it wasn’t the case.

  The young omega could read him like an opened book, so did Taehyung. They tried to coat Seokjin to tell only the two of them what was wrong, but the only answer they received was “I’m alright. You don’t have to worry. I’m really alright.”

  Seokjin noticed Namjoon chose to sit beside him, when he couldn’t keep up the excuse no more than to hang out with them. They didn’t talk much though, even though Seokjin felt so suffocated he wanted to run away he couldn’t. He might overthink, but the idea of his already medium self-confidence self confessing his growing fondness towards a certain Alpha really made him feel suffocated.

  He didn’t know why he felt like that. Namjoon looked after him, taking care of him without him asking (like bought Seokjin food sometimes when he closed the library late, also silently waited to walk Seokjin’s home almost everyday), he still felt so unmatched, unworthy.

  After five weeks of him distancing himself further from the six of them all hanging out together (he sometimes went to hang out with Hoseok and Yoongi. Not Namjoon, only when he stopped by to wait for Seokjin and to walk him home like a gentleman he was, which really made Seokjin mission to stop growing attraction towards him harder than before), he had thought maybe him distancing himself really made Namjoon became persistent to come and wait to walk Seokjin back home every single day, even the raining day. Seeing that it made things more complicated, he started easing back to normal usual before his stupid excuses of distancing himself away. Namjoon didn’t stop to wait and walk home every night though.

  As soon as Seokjin put down his pen, the bell rang through the hall reminding them the summer finally began.

  Seokjin rushed outside the classroom to find Jimin.

  “Ughhh no more assignment for two months.” Seokjin and Jimin cheered, walking towards the cafeteria one last day before the summer time of their life started from tomorrow.

  They met the guys there. Taehyung, since he used to be an idol's personal stylist found assistants to help him, and had changed schedules to study day class with them.

  “Hobi and I will go to meet his and my parents including extended family members this summer. We have a lot to discuss.”

  Taehyung then cheerfully and bashfully lifted his left hand to show off engagement ring on his ring finger.

  Jimin and Seokjin screamed the loudest among all, jumping on their Omega friend in the moment of happiness.

  “Ohhhh my god, I’m so happy for you.”

  After they pampered Taehyung with congratulations, they turned to Hoseok to wish him and Taehyung all the best and happiness in their new journey together.

  Hoseok was very touched with what Jimin and Seokjin had said to him that tears gathered around his eyes.

  Throughout this happy moment, Jimin didn’t notice Yoongi staring at him. So did Seokjin, from Namjoon.

  Hoseok and Taehyung left the next day. They promised to bring back food from their homeland.

  Seokjin left on the second day of summer break. He already put on a permission slip to take a five days break. He wanted to visit his grandparents, so he wanted to have a fresh breath of countryside’s air. It might help clearing his head from lots of thoughts.

  Jimin chose to stay until the third week because Yoongi’s rut would start around mid-first week of summer break. It might end around mid-second or the end of the first week. Seokjin sent both Jimin and Yoongi a lot of suggestive looks, and also bought Jimin a few boxes of kitty condoms and lubes. Yoongi laughed his head off while his poor Omega friend faked a cry of embarrassment. Seokjin knew he loved them.

  Cue to Namjoon, he said he would stay at his place the whole summer. Seokjin wanted to ask if he didn’t go to visit his relatives. But a reminder from Jimin about a vague tragedy Namjoon had faced shut Seokjin up. He remembered Namjoon used to mention that he no longer had parents during one of their drunk movie nights.

  Still, a day before he was supposed to go visit his grandparents, Seokjin visited Namjoon. With a bag full of Kimchi, and frozen Kimbap. Seokjin also brought him a big container of cooked tteobukki which could be frozen up until next week.

  “I cooked food for you.” Seokjin gave Namjoon the bag as soon as he stepped into the Alpha’s apartment.

  “Huh?” Namjoon reluctantly took the bag.

  “You usually only eat Ramen when you're too lazy to go get real food. So I made you some food to last until next week.”

  “Thank you so much, Seokjin Hyung. You don’t have to.” Namjoon whispered softly, eyes staring deep in Seokjin’s with questions lingering inside them.

  They stood in front of the closed door, awkwardly for like two minutes before Seokjin took the bag back.

  “Emmm... I will put them inside the fridge for you.”

  Namjoon blinked at him slowly. He opened his mouth, about to say something, but shut down so quick to retort to nodding.

  Seokjin had visited Namjoon place like 6 times when they rotated their place for their usual Friday late movie night.

  “Em... why did you bring me food though? Seriously, you don’t have to bother cooking for me. I-“ Namjoon asked, slightly standing behind Seokjin awkwardly in his own house.

  “No, Namjoon. You can’t eat rice with ramen for the times you hole up inside here. I know you, Yoongi and Hoseok usually eat Ramen when you guys are busy or lazy. So since you are not going anywhere this summer, I thought I could at least cook you something before I come back. I just... don't want you to live on Ramen. It’s not healthy for your health.” Seokjin said offhandedly, admitted a bit aggressively as he imagined Namjoon could only serve himself with preserved noodles all week. He stood up as soon as he was done arranging food he brought into Namjoon’s fridge.

  “T-thank you, Seokjin hyung.”

  “It’s okay, Namjoon.” Seokjin gave him a small smile. “That’s what friends do for each other.”

  Namjoon returned a small smile in return. They just smiled at each other’s.

  At that moment, Seokjin felt like crying because he really wanted to confess out loud about how he felt towards the Alpha in front of him.

  But his insecurities about his biology, how every girl and guy seemed to flock around Namjoon.... it made it hard to think a decent Beta like him could compete for this beautiful soul Alpha’s heart.

  Seokjin snapped out of it when Namjoon’s phone rang.

  Namjoon excused himself to pick up the call, so Seokjin took the chance to bid him a goodbye as an excuse for packing for tomorrow's trip.

  Their fingers touched when they were about to grab the doorknob. If Seokjin slowly brushed his hand over Namjoon, in the act of pulling his hand away, he hoped Namjoon didn’t notice it.

  His grandparents were like two late twenties adults once they caught a glimpse of Seokjin at the train station. They hugged Seokjin so tightly he almost choked on his own spits.

  All the thoughts of Namjoon temporarily disappeared once they arrived at his old home. His grandma already prepared and cleaned his room, to which he whined that he could do it himself.

  “My grandson is already tired with school loads. This grandma can’t bear to see our Seokjinnie even more tired.”

  Seokjin’s grandpa rolled eyes at his wife's dramatic attempt as Seokjin hugged her again. Hugging her felt like hugging his Papa. His Angel Papa.

  The restaurant was very profitable according to the reports. Seokjin checked the reports of the last six months, again because he already checked one every month as his uncle sent the pdf to his email. They were doing very well. The profit in March was very noticeably higher than others.

  After the restaurant closed, he and his grandparents including his uncle and staff, celebrated with lots of warm and delicious meals that were made from his family’s recipes.

  While eating, drinking and being overall happy, Seokjin saw his grandpa hugged his grandma sideways. They talked softly towards each other. Not gonna lie, Seokjin felt jealousy flaring up in his chest at the look of their relationship, and wished upon the moon and stars he soon would meet his fated one. The one who was so closed, yet seemed impossible to reach.

  His grandparents, especially his grandma, didn’t want to let him go back to the city, far away from them. He understood the house must feel empty after he left for the city. He assured them he would call often. Grandma made lots of side dishes for Seokjin to bring back to enjoy with his friends.

  “Next time take Jiminnie and Taehyungie back home with you, okay? Those two little rascals, haven’t seen them in a long time.”

  Seokjin promised his grandparents that he would tell Jimin and Taehyung about it, and they would FaceTime each other at their usual setup schedule.

  On the way back, Seokjin thought of a lot of advice his grandparents had told him.

  On his last day, he told his two closest people about his feelings towards Namjoon.

  They knew and had also talked to Namjoon during one of Seokjin’s video calls introducing his group of friends. They knew about him, and could see through him that they were 100% certain he was the incarnation of Seokjin’s dad.

  “Your father was like that, remembered? Tall, handsome, wise, kind and good mannered, also love your Papa to death. Namjoon gives me his vibe.” His grandpa said, hand patting Seokjin’s head as the Beta was resting his head on his grandma’s lap. “I remembered when your Papa came home from Anyang University to cry to me about your father. He described everything about him that he likes and his feelings, in tears, just like you now.”

  “Your Papa thought he had no chance, since you know, he was a bit short. And just an average Omega, while in my opinion, my son was the most handsome man, just like you. Anyways, he felt so down that he became sick. He was absent from class for one day, and your father came knocking on my door at 8 at night, expressing his concern about your Papa not going to class.

  He was a very shy Alpha, unlike your grandpa, but was very determined. I saw how he and your Papa clicked after they sorted their feelings out. So for one, don’t doubt yourself. From what years told from your doubtful self of his action towards you, I can guarantee he feels the same. Maybe not 100% a crush like you now. But later on, it would develop into something else. Something that is special between the two of you.”

  Seokjin sighed heavily before opening his eyes to look out at the window. He would confess his feelings once he got back, when their friends weren’t around. If they had a fall-out, Seokjin didn’t want their friends to scold Namjoon or anything like that.

  He would make peace with himself after the confession he and Namjoon weren’t meant to be, like he always thought. He promised himself!

  Unfortunately, Yoongi's rut was still presented when Seokjin arrived back home. He messaged Jimin about the food he brought back, and was told he could come to have dinner with them this evening. Seokjin sent back a “no, thanks” with a winky face. Jimin sent back a middle finger.

  Seokjin then sent texts to Namjoon, also one to the newly engaged couple. The couple just arrived at Hoseok’s parents house. They sent in a lot of their cute, and happy moments’ pictures. Seokjin wished nothing but happiness to the two of them. Happiness really suited them.

  Now, it left only Namjoon not replying. Knowing Namjoon, he would overworked himself as he had a tendency to do so.

  When evening arrived, Namjoon still hadn’t responded back. Seokjin packed food for Jimin and Yoongi, and some for him and Namjoon to share this evening. He had a plan.

  He sent Jimin an sms that he put the food containers on the rug in front of Yoongi’s door, before walking up three floors to Namjoon’s place.

  He texted Namjoon that he came to have dinner with him, but there still wasn’t a reply, again. So he waited. He had waited for five minutes, when suddenly he heard sounds coming from inside of Namjoon’s house. It sounded like someone was opening a door.

  So Seokjin rang the doorbell. A few seconds later, a woman in her bathrobe opened the door to face Seokjin. He remembered she was the same gray-haired woman from the library, the one who hung all over Namjoon that day, in the library.

  “Emm.... hello?” The girl spoke, shocked Seokjin to take a step back.

  “S-sorry... Emmm Namj-joon... emmm... I will leave.”

  Seokjin heard the girl screamed for him to wait, maybe it was because of the container he left behind on the outside rug. Not because Namjoon wasn’t home, yeah, because of the food container.

  As soon as Seokjin arrived back at his place, he dived inside his blanket. Seokjin wasn’t sure if it was because his feelings were in a mess or he had a fever, but his eyes became stingly hot and tears started escaping. His heart ached, and his head was about to be broken into pieces.

  Time passed by so quickly after Seokjin cried himself to sleep, when he woke up to see the clock it was shown to be already 9 at night. Seokjin wiped tears off his face, going inside his bathroom to wash his face before heating leftovers he previously stored inside the fridge.

  He just mixed some rice and meats and vegetables together in a small amount. He didn’t feel like eating, but not eating might cause pain to his stomach.

  He decided to just take a few bites before going to shower, then go to bed.

  By the time 10 at night passed, Seokjin calmed down a little. He watched many cute dog and cat videos on YouTube, as well as watched clips Taehyung sent into the group chat. 

  He noticed Namjoon texted him, but he ignored it.

  In reality, he had no right to be mad at Namjoon. They were just friends. Nothing more or less. Friends !! It was Seokjin who stupidly developed a huge affection towards the Alpha. With Namjoon being his first serious attraction in his life, it was harder than having a silly crush at high school. It was hard to forget all the stolen touches.

  After a while of watching funny videos, Seokjin decided to go to sleep. Tomorrow night, his library job will resume back to normal schedule. He should take advantage of his exhausted state and sleep until tomorrow afternoon.

  Seokjin walked around the apartment to turn off windows and switched the light out as well as got himself a glass of water. As he was about to open his bedroom door, banging from the front door could be clearly heard. Seokjin jumped, startled at the sound. 

  Slowly and cautiously, he approached the door. He peeped at the small hole, and to say his heart didn’t jump at Namjoon with messy hair and heaving loudly outside was a lie.

  “Seokjin hyung. It’s me, Namjoon. Please open the door.”

  Seokjin bit his lip, debating if he should open the door or not.

  After pleas and more pleas coming out of Namjoon, Seokjin slowly opened the door.

  “Yeah? Jiminie is at Yoongi’s place right now.”

  “Jin, Seokjin hyung, I’m here to talk to you.”

  Seokjin opened the door a bit wider, allowing Namjoon to slip inside the apartment since summer wind could get him sick.

  “D-do you need extra food? I packed for two, I thought you and your girl—

  “She’s not my girlfriend.” Namjoon snapped fiercely which scared Seokjin as he took two steps back. When Namjoon realized what he had done, he stepped forwards to hug? Seokjin, but stopped when Seokjin flinched. “I’m so sorry, Jinnie hyung. I didn’t mean to snap at you, I’m so sorry.”

  “I-it’s alright. W-what do you need this late at night?”

  “C-can we talk? About the girl at my place?”

  “A-ahhh I don’t think we need to talk about that. You don’t have to explain yourself to me. We are just friends, w—

  “Jin, stop.” Namjoon irritatedly caught the Beta wrist before dragging him towards the couch. “We are more than just friends. I think of you as more than just friends, why can’t you see it?”

  Namjoon looked like he was about to explode even more, so Seokjin kept his mouth shut.

  “She’s not my girlfriend. She’s just a friend.”

  “Y-you don’t need to explain. I-“

  “Yes I do. Otherwise you will think of her as my girlfriend and refuse my advance.”

  “Your what?” Seokjin looked at Namjoon like he just saw a ghost.

  “My advance. All of these times, aren’t my actions clear enough to you that I’m really really interested in you, Jinnie? That I really want to court you, but afraid you wouldn’t spare me a chance?”

  “Namjoonie....” Seokjin was sent into speechlessness. Heaven.... was he dreaming?

  “I already bought you a courting gift. And supposed to drop it off before you arrived home, because you know, anonymous and all, but I was called in for an emergency. When I arrived home, Chaerin Noona said my crush came to find me, but she just got out of the shower.”

  “C-courting gift? Noona?”

  “Yes, Jinnie, a courting gift.” Namjoon pulled out a box of two matching bracelets to show Seokjin. “And Chaerin Noona is Yoongi hyung’s oldest sister. She usually crashes at Yoongi’s place, but since he’s in rut, she came to my place because I’m like a second brother to her too.”

  “O-ohh... I thought....”

  “Yeah... so please, Jinnnie,” Namjoon kneeled in front of Seokjin. He lifted the Beta’s head up to wipe his tears away. “I’m a single dude who very much adores a certain Beta name Kim Seokjin. Can you give me a chance to prove my worth to you?”

  Seokjin stared at him. He might have doubted his words, but Namjoon’s eyes showed honesty. His words were honest. The Beta then looked down at the box on his lap, nose stingly hot because he might cry real soon. From happiness, of course.

  “The bracelets are so pretty. I would love to have the pink one on my wrist.”

  Seokjin didn’t look up though when Namjoon sighed in relief and quickly picked the pink stone bracelets to put on Seokjin’s delicate and small wrist.

  Seokjin shyly did the same to Namjoon, only the last bracelet was made of blue stones.

  “Wow...” Namjoon exclaimed softly when he put his wrist close to Seokjin, causing Seokjin to giggle. “as if they are made for us.”

  “Emmm I think the same.”

  They stayed like that for a while, admiring their couple bracelets.

  Suddenly, Seokjin’s phone rang causing the two to jump.

  “Ohh... Jiminie...”

  Seokjin picked up the call. Jimin asked if he had food yet, and if Namjoon came to see him.

  Seokjin shyly looked at the Alpha who was now sitting beside him, still holding Seokjin’s wrist.

  “Emmmm.... yeahhh... we talked a bit... emmmm.... Bracelets yeahh...” Seokjin took the phone away from his ear as Jimin started screaming into the phone. “Jiminieeee.... okieee bye.”

  “What did Jimin say?”

  “He screamed that you finally confessed.”

  “Emm.... I was supposed to do so since mid-term. But I kept pushing back because the occasion didn’t feel right. Also, I noticed you stopped going out with everyone, and avoided me.”

  Seokjin chuckled at his own silliness, before he looked up at Namjoon. He extended his hand which had the bracelet worn on it towards the Alpha. Namjoon smiled softly before twinning their fingers together.

  “I like you, Namjoonie. Since the first time I collided into you at the station. You’re just so handsome... your voice, and your hand too, ugh!!! To die for!!! Later on, after I got to know you more, you’re more than just a handsome Alpha. A guy who willingly helps his friends, tried to subtly take care of me, looked after me. I noticed, I did, but there were doubts and insecurities that kept telling me I wasn’t good enough for you, that I wasn’t the person you wished for.”

  “Jinnie, you are more than good enough. When we first met, I thought I stumbled into a hole that sucked me to the heaven above because there was no way in this human world I could meet an angel. You’re very lovely and nice, beautiful, kind and most importantly always watch out for us. Trust me if I said I have eaten more decent food these past six days.”

  Seokjin shyly giggled, avoiding Namjoon who looked at him as if he was somehow a star that had fallen down onto the earth. Fallen down into his arms, into his life. 

  Seeing that it was already late at night, Seokjin asked if Namjoon wanted to stay the night.

  Namjoon gladly accepted. So at 12am into the new day, they arranged a pillow fort. Seokjin even called to ask the younger Omega if he could use the spare pillows inside Jimin’s closet with a promise of washing it afterwards.

  They started doing the Harry Potter marathon, until the third movie ended Seokjin felt sleepy. So Namjoon arranged his head on the pillow before getting up to shut off everything.

  “Good night,” Namjoon whispered, kissing the Beta’s crowd. “sweet dream, my cutie pie.”

  Seokjin dreamily smiled before he fell into a deep full sleep.

  Seokjin admitted sometimes he had the most vivid memories, to only later realize it was just a dream. Just like right now. He woke up to look around his living room, only to find out there was no one beside him laying down on the messy make-shift pillow fort. The fan was still fanning cool air softly towards his direction.

  “I think I really should confess to Namjoon to preserve my own sanity.” Seokjin talked to himself. How could he not worry when last night seemed as if it was really happening, and not from his wishful thinking?

  Seokjin stood up from where he laid down to collect pillows, and blankets back to his room. Did he really take these pillows and blankets all out by himself?

  Soon enough, Seokjin got the answer he wanted as the front door of his apartment was opened.

  “Ohh Jinnie hyung, you’re up? I brought us Mandu.” Namjoon cheerfully said, before dropping the key, Seokjin’s key, into the key bowl. “I’m sorry I used your key without asking you first since you were sleeping soundly.”

  “N-Namjoon... last night...”

  “Hmm? Last night?” Namjoon asked, looking at Seokjin strangely before he giggled. “Ahhh last night that we confessed our feelings to each other?”

  “We did?” Seokjin whispered. “Omo, so I was not dreaming. We did confess to each other then watched movies before falling asleep.”

  “We did, Jinnie hyung.” Namjoon said, walking towards the Beta to hug him. “You said you like being cuddled, so I cuddled you all night. I only woke up to Jimin calling to ask if you are alright. Since I already was awake, I decided to grab us breakfast. You love shrimp mandu, so I got you some.”

  “Wow, you are amazing, Namjoonie.” Seokjin said, hugging the Alpha, resulting in them standing in the middle of the living room for five minutes straight. Just hugging each other made their hearts settle down.

  After a while, Seokjin’s stomach began grumpily whining. So, with Namjoon laughing at Seokjin’s pouted, they detached themselves to grab food.

  “What time is it, by the way?” Seokjin asked once he shushed Namjoon to sit on the dining chair as he would serve both of them.

  “Around 9....” Namjoon looked at his Lock Screen. “Yeah 9:12am. Why?”

  “Emmm... I have plenty of time before I need to go to the library by 4, and start my shift by 7. I just think of going to have lunch at the park, you know, to get fresh air and stuff... emmm yeah.... on our first date.”

  Seokjin fake-coughed shyly to hide his smile, but couldn’t because Namjoon still could see his blush.

  “You’re so cute, Jinnie hyung. I’m good with it. Will have to finish the track by this night so Yoongi hyung could revise it before final submission.”

  “Emmm... what do you want to eat?” Seokjin asked as he walked with two bowls of Mandu soup towards the dining table. “I will prepare them for us.”

 “Something easy. Like sandwiches. Don’t want to tire you out.” Namjoon replied after a short thought. He handed Seokjin the spoon.

  “Uhuh, I will make like five for us to share.”

  They then dived into their food, a few comments here and there. The atmosphere was so comforting for the Beta that he felt his heart skipped too many beats as Namjoon laughed at his silly jokes.

  Since Namjoon knew he wasn’t very gifted with knives or kitchen utensils, he decided to be an errand man to help Seokjin. Seokjin needed to buy ham, cheese, and breed? Give him 10 minutes, and all the needed ingredients were arranged over the counter.

  They joked a lot during the cooking, which to be honest, almost burned the meats. But thanks to Seokjin's fast reaction, he managed to save 7 out of 10 grilled meats.

  They still laughed about that small incident even after arriving, and relaxing at the nearby park.

  Their first date was unforced and so relaxing. It made Seokjin experienced blissful tenderness, knowing the Alpha he had feelings for could make his entire day happy and light just by being himself. Seokjin was not afraid to admit he fell in love with the one who courted him currently on their first date.

  After a short conversation about their courtship, they sent in texts inside their group chat about their new relationship.  The whole group chat was shocked yet very pleased. With Jimin crying from happiness because he bet Namjoon would confess first. And Hoseok groaned and lost 20,000 won because “I thought Jin hyung would think it’s enough and just kiss Namjoon silly to show his feelings.” Nonetheless, they were all happy for the newly testing-water couple, and promised to celebrate once the engaged couple came home.

  Seokjin clearly remembered all the feelings and details of his and Namjoon’s date. If today counted, it would be the 7 dates they had been to. Although Seokjin was sure he and Namjoon now were on the same page, he was scared to ask the Alpha to be his.

  “You just need to casually joke about that boyfriend material joke of yours to ask him the big questions.” Jimin suggested, before tagging Seokjin to the department store with him.

  Since Jimin’s heat would be starting from tomorrow, and today Seokjin had a day off, he chose to accompany Jimin to buy necessities as well as to grab him and Namjoon snacks for their movie night. They would have gone to the new dog Cafe behind Namjoon and Yoongi’s apartment. However, the Alpha and Yoongi were called in for some emergency, and Hoseok was called to help with Jimin’s one week absence.

  “Oh, hyung!! Look!!! They have a new hotpot flavor.” Jimin exclaimed happily once he spotted the 2x spicy hotpot. “I think I will just eat it during my heat.”

  “Jimin-ah, it might hurt your stomach during that time. Maybe, get some seafood and vegetables’s flavors.”

  After thinking for awhile, Jimin decided to do as Seokjin suggested. Seokjin got two boxes of normal spicy food for him and Namjoon tonight, too. They then went to the can food section.

  “Jimin-ah, you sure you don’t want to watch movie with me and Namjoonie?”

  “Nuhh Uhh, don’t want to see you two make out. Ewwww, can’t stomach the image of my hyung kissing my other hyung.” Jimin said in a jokingly-disgusted manner while Seokjin laughed because he knew Jimin couldn’t quite erase the image of him walking on Namjoon and Seokjin making out on the couch. They were quite touchy, Seokjin confessed. If not for Jimin walking on them, they might have done something more than just kissing.

  “Anyways, do you think two tubes of ice cream is enough for a whole week of heat and torture?”

  Seokjin smiled softly, shaking his head before grabbing two boxes of Vanilla and Cookies ice cream for Jimin and himself.

  Once they checked out, both of them walked as fast as they could to reach back at their apartment because Jimin bought more than enough to feed a troop of Armys, and Seokjin worried his ice cream might melt soon.

  Both of them didn’t know what was awaited of them at their apartment.

  Namjoon could feel his fellow Alpha jitteriness. He understood Yoongi wanted to be close to Jimin since the Omega heat would be began from tomorrow onwards. But, they couldn’t predict when their works needed them. He couldn’t fail Yoongi though because he too just wanted to go back to Seokjin, and cuddled the Beta until his heart contented.

  Speaking of the Beta, the more they spent their time together, the more he started smelling like fresh bloomie jasmine. So fresh and flowery that Namjoon weakened on his knees.

  At first, he thought it might be Jimin. Since Seokjin was a Beta, and Beta had no scent. Also, Flowery and Soft scents were mostly carried by only Omega, less the Alpha. 

  Even after lots of thinking, he still couldn’t put his finger on where that Jasmine scent was coming from because 1. Jimin and Taehyung smelt like fresh peach and strawberry respectively and 2. Yoongi smelt like a pine tree, which was far from Jasmine, while Hoseok had a mix of sea water and rain.

  Remembering this made Namjoon more curious. He turned around, intending to ask Yoongi if he smelled Jasmine when the six of them were hanging out. Instead, he was met with Yoongi threw his notepad which startled Namjoon to the core.

  “You okay, hyung?”

  “I feel so uneasy. Like, something is not right? You know that feeling when you just want to protect someone urgently? Don’t know why I suddenly feel this way.”

  “Maybe you are just worried for Jimin because of his heat, it might be a factor that triggers your Alpha’s mood.”

  “You might be right. Today's schedule really messes my plan, and it irritates me so much.”

  “Hyung, go meet Jimin. I will look after your work until you’re back. Mr. Bang would understand. He seemed apologetic when he called us in this morning. If anything happens, I will help with your tracks and send it to you through email, deal? You shouldn’t be stressed before helping Jimin with his heat.”

  Namjoon was right. Stress could trigger Jimin’s moods, and it could lead to a painful Heat experience. 

  “Go see Jimin. And bought something for yourself. You haven’t eaten since lunch. It’s almost 6pm.”

  Yoongi looked at the digital clock, and nodded to himself.

  “I will get Burger King. You need some? I will leave it at Jimin and Seokjin’s place.”

  “Beef burger, please. Would you mind getting Seokjin a fish burger too?”

  “Of course not, Namjoon. I will get extra nuggets for you both too.”

  “Thanks, hyung.” 

  They waved each other goodbye after Yoongi put on his coat and collected his belongings.

  Namjoon turned back to his work, heart feeling happy from a promise of movie night only with Seokjin once Jimin left for Yoongi's place.

  As he was at work, Namjoon didn’t notice his phone rang. Until the second ring that he heard it.

  “Oh, Yoongi hyung.”

  Namjoon picked up the call, thinking it might be because there was no beef burger anymore. But what he heard was much worse than having no beef burger.

  Namjoon didn’t remember closing any of his equipment, they could wait. All he remembered was himself sprung to find his car to drive as fast as not breaking the law as he could to Seokjin’s place.

  The scene before Namjoon made his blood boil. Yoongi must have noticed his sour scent as he looked up. The older Alpha looked as mad as Namjoon.

  “He’s in his room.” Yoongi pointed at Seokjin’s bedroom as he and Hoseok were pushing the couch away to pick up papers and stuff from where they were messily dropped.

  Namjoon quickly took off his shoes, and rushed to find Seokjin.

  The sight before him made his heart clenched in pain, and his head filled with anger.

  Seokjin must have scent him as he looked up.

  The look on Seokjin’s face would haunt him in his sleep for a while. He looked so heartbroken, his eyes were teary while his lips trembled.

  “Joonie,” Seokjin whispered from where he crouched down, picking up a frame of a family photo. More of his parents, his big brother and his photo.

  “God, baby.”  Namjoon quickly went to gather him into his arms, making the Beta let out the cry he had been holding. “I’m so sorry, Jinnie.”

  Seokjin tried to say something but his sobs stopped him, so he retorted to just crying inside Namjoon’s embrace.

  After a few minutes of self-pity crying, Seokjin stopped. He was still sniffing  though.

  “I just came back from shopping with Jimin. And saw the robbers inside, rumbling through our rooms. As soon as they saw us, they jumped out of the window.”

  “Shhh, shhh, it’s alright, Jinnie. You’re safe. That’s what matters to me the most.”

  “They took the necklace you got me at the fair market.”

  “It’s alright, Jinnie. I will get you a new one. I’m just so relieved that you’re safe.”

  When Seokjin calmed down, they separated to tidy the room. Luckily, all of Seokjin’s electronics were left at Namjoon’s place last Monday because the Alpha promised to update their systems for him. The only thing that was missing was the necklace, and a few thousand won Seokjin kept inside his drawer. The robber must haven’t had much time since Seokjin’s bank books were still at their hidden place.

  Once they tidied things up, Namjoon helped Seokjin pack a bag of his clothes.

  “It’s not safe for you to stay here. Let go stay at my place until your landlord sorts this out.”

  “It’s okay, Joonie. I-“

  “No it’s not, baby. My heart almost stopped as soon as I heard from Yoongi hyung that your apartment was robbed. I can’t sleep at night knowing you have no one to stay with, knowing you might be unsafe.”

  Seokjin stared at Namjoon, seeing how scared Namjoon had been to hear about this accident.

  Seokjin went to hug Namjoon tightly before softly asking him to pack all of his clothes, which fit in two big suitcases, while he collected his school materials.

  By the time they were done, three police officers knocked on Seokjin’s door to ask for statements.

  Seokjin answered all the questions asked. He even gave out to the police officers about the men's appearances he could remember.

  “Do you have anywhere safe to stay for now?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Good then. Once things sort out, the landlord will give you a call on when it is safe to come back.”

  The two thanked the police, and brought Seokjin’s belongings out.

  Taehyung had helped Jimin packed, also tidied up the living room.

  “Seokjin will live with me until it’s safe to come back.” Namjoon told their friends.

  “Same as Jimin. I’m glad both of you are safe.” Yoongi said, hand gripped Jimin’s shoulder a little harder than normal, while staring at Seokjin. He had the same emotion in his eyes as Namjoon. Fears!

  “If you guys need anything, just call us.” Hoseok and Taehyung offered, to which Seokjin gratefully nodded. He really had the best people as his friends. 

  Hoseok and Namjoon helped Seokjin with his large suitcases, while Taehyung and Yoongi carried some of Jimin and Seokjin small things like books and their groceries.

  Seokjin and Jimin stayed behind to close the door. They too carried some of their own necessities.

  “I was so scared, hyung” Jimin whispered to Seokjin as he locked the front door.

  “I was too Jimin-ah. But we have our Alphas, we have our friends to help us.” Seokjin smiled assuredly at the Omega. They did have the best Alphas, and friends.

  The guest room at Namjoon two bedrooms apart hadn’t cleaned yet since the last time Chaerin came to crash at. So, Namjoon just kept all of Seokjin’s belongings inside the room before pulling the Beta into his bedroom.

  “Hey, you can shower first.” Namjoon said. “Wait here, okay? I will go bring your clothes’ suitcase over.”

  Namjoonn rushed to bring the one with Alpaca stickers for Seokjin.

  “I will wait outside, okay? Think of here as your home, too.”

  Seokjin nodded. Namjoon smiled at him before he turned to leave.

  However, before he could, Seokjin caught his wrist.

  “Emmm... can you stay inside the bedroom?”

  “Of course, if you’re comfortable with it.” Namjoon assured him. “Come on, I will adjust the hot shower for you.”

  Namjoon led Seokjin by his wrist into the bathroom. He clicked some buttons on the hot shower power box.

  “The temperature is warm.” Namjoon said. “You can shower immediately. I will wait inside the bedroom, and order us a late dinner, alright?”

  Seokjin nodded. He put his clean clothes on Namjoon's rack.

  “Take your time.” Namjoon squeezed his wrist before trotting out of the bathroom.

  But not before Seokjin hugged him from behind, thanking him.

  Namjoon turned to face him, kissing his forehead longer than needed before closing the door.

  To be honest, Namjoon wasn’t better himself. His heart was still beating wildly inside at the news, and his hands were shaking.

  God knows what could have happened if Jimin and Seokjin didn’t go out to get grocerries. They could have been hurt, and worst, killed.

  Namjoon threw himself on the mattress, hands searching for his phone. When he found the food app, he ordered them dumpling soups and large chicken fried rice.

  He then put the phone down in order to pull his head’s pillow to cover his face. This evening took a huge toll on his emotional state. If anything were to happen to Seokjin, and Jimin, he would...

  “Hey.” Seokjin took away the pillow. “Are you okay now?”

  “Not yet. I was very scared when Yoongi hyung called.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be, Jinnie. It’s not your fault.”

  Seokjin bit his lips, then decided to just do what he wanted to. Which was laying like a starfish over Namjoon.

  Namjoon didn’t question it. He hugged Seokjin closer, to calm his protective instinct down.

  After awhile, Namjoon adjusted both of them to cuddle. Seokjin hid his face inside Namjoon's chest, being completely silent.

  “You can cry. Cry it out, Jinnie. I understand you are still scared and shocked.”

  It was like a wall was hammered down. Seokjin sobbed softly into the Alpha chest, which had his body pulled even more closer.

  Namjoon tried his best to comfort Seokjin as much as he could, for his heart broke at the whimpers Seokjin emitted. He whispered sweet things into Seokjin’s ears. Something like he was safe, and Namjoon would never let anyone lay hands on him.

  Around half an hour later, his phone rang indicating the order was delivered.

  Namjoon kissed Seokjin’s cheek before detaching himself away to get them food.

  When he was done paying, Seokjin already closed the bedroom door. His eyes were red. Namjoon kissed his eyelids.

  “Go sit down in front of the TV. We will watch funny shows while eating. You can choose anything you want.” Seokjin nodded, walking towards the TV.

  Seokjin seemed to settle on Tom & Jerry. Namjoon watched the Beta, warmth spread through his body. It was as if his body knowingly gravitated towards the pretty boy. He knew he would do anything in his power, even above his power, to protect this special person of his.

  “Joonie, come sit here.” Seokjin patted the seat beside him, eyes filled with tears from laughing so much.

  They enjoyed their dinner, and a nice cartoon show together.

  Seokjin is determined to defend Namjoon in doing dishes.

  “But you paid for the dinner. I should be the one who washes the plates.”

 “Jinnie, you don’t have to worry about it. Just go relax inside the bedroom.”

  Seokjin pouted, sighing heavily while glaring at Namjoon.

  “If you insist on cleaning plates, I won’t cuddle you to sleep.”

  Namjoon blinked, hands stopping mid way to open the water.

  Seokjin silently celebrated his joy. He kissed Namjoon’s cheeks before pushing the Alpha to go take shower. To which Namjoon obediently did.

  Since there were only four plates, it took less than 10 minutes to clean the all dirty dishes and wipe the table clean.

  Seokjin was surprised Namjoon was still inside the bedroom.

  “I will shower after I change the bedsheet.”

  “I can do it.” Seokjin took the new sheet from Namjoon. “Now go take the shower. It’s almost 10.”

 Namjoon looked at the clock, startled that they took almost an hour to have dinner.

  “Joonie, can I listen to your newly recorded songs?”

  “Of course you can. I will open the file for you.”

  Seokjin beamed when Namjoon handed him his laptop that was already opened with a file that was created just last week.

  “Enjoy it since you are the first person to ever listen to them.”

  “I feel special.” Seokjin said, in awe at the twenty new songs.

  “That's because you are special to me.” Namjoon kissed his forehead before picking up his towel. “I will be quick.”

  Seokjin was left to blush at what Namjoon just told him.

 After Namjoon stepped out of the bathroom with a clean body and clothes, he was surprised to see Seokjin staring at his laptop quietly.

  “Jinnie?”

  His call startled Seokjin, as the Beta looked at him like deer caught in the headlights. Which Seokjin did look like a deer. Cute!

  “I’m sorry.” Seokjin suddenly apologized.

  “Why? What’s wrong?”

  “I..” Seokjin gave him his laptop. “I saw the file with my name on it.”

  “Ahhh..” Namjoon rubbed his neck, awkwardly. He chuckled. “I intend to write you an album to use when I ask you to be my boyfriend.”

  If it was possible for eyes to be bigger, it would be for Seokjin’s.

  “Oh my god. I just ruined it.” He looked close to tears, making the Alpha rush to hug him.

  “It’s alright, Jinnie. Just, I hope you will say yes after I present you the completed album.”

  Seokjin looked at him, more like searching for anger. When he found none, he jumped on Namjoon, making them stumble down on the mattress. Thankfully, the laptop was out on the edge of the bed.

  “You know my answer.”

  “Do I?”

  Seokjin smiled brightly at him, before he leaned down to kiss the Alpha, which he returned greatly with the same fire.

  Living with Seokjin was fun. He got to get up to Seokjin’s cute face, to warm breakfast and most of all, to Seokjin’s kisses.

  A week after the accident, the landlord called Seokjin (well, Jimin just finished with his heat, and he didn’t pick up due to exhaustion) to inform they would change his and Jimin to another building, which was further away from their school and workplace, or the two could take back their deposit without having to pay this month’s rent.

  Seokjin asked their landlord to wait due to Jimin’s situation. The next day, all four of them met at Namjoon’s place, and Yoongi had suggested Jimin to officially move in with him. Namjoon agreed wholeheartedly, immediately taking advantage of Yoongi's suggestions to propose the same idea to Seokjin.

  After three days of settling paperwork with their old landlord, Jimin and Seokjin officially moved in with their boyfriends, or for Seokjin his-soon-to-be boyfriend.

  The two of them decided to share Namjoon’s bedroom, just like before Seokjin officially lived full-time with him.

  They adjusted their lives around each other perfectly well as if they had been living together for years, not just since recently.

  The new semester started by mid July. All of them became busy. Namjoon, Yoongi and Hoseok were busy with their thesis, so it was hard to find time to hang out all together.

  The only time Seokjin felt safe was at night, when Namjoon held him inside his arms.

  Namjoon assured him his album was almost finished, so he asked Seokjin to be a little more patient.

  “I can wait for another 5 years, if it means I will be yours.”

  It was around September that Namjoon had his rut. He had asked Yoongi to take Seokjin in for a while.

  Seokjin looked worried, but, with Namjoon hourly updating him that he was doing just fine, the Beta could feel at ease and continued with his work.

  They kissed all night as soon as Seokjin came back after the rut had ended.

  It was around November that Namjoon noticed something wasn’t right. It seemed as if his neighbors planted a million pots of Jasmine on their balcony.

  Namjoon kept wondering about it. On November 23rd, he received an answer to the Jasmine scent problem.

  It was one of the days he had to stay late with his professor before going to the studio to finish the songs he and his friends were working on. He came home around 11pm to a full force scent of Jasmine filling inside the apartment, and found Seokjin fainted in the middle of the living room.

  The rush towards ER was pretty much as scary as when Namjoon heard Seokjin tangled with the robbing situation.

  He was asked to sit outside, to wait as they examined the Beta. Their friends arrived soon one by one.

  After half an hour of waiting, a doctor came out to ask for Kim Seokjin’s relative.

  “Family of Kim Seokjin?”

  “We are his friends.” Namjoon stood up.

  “Good news. He is alright, just a little overworked. With extra rest, he would be fine. And bad news,” all of them held their breath. “He’s a late bloomer. He’s an Omega, so his heat would hit full force by the next two days. He needs a partner to help ease his pain since late bloomer first heat/rut is very painful.”

  “Late bloomer? Does this explain why he smelt like Jasmine to me?”

  His friends turned to look at him.

  “You smelt Jasmine on him? He smelt nothing to us.”

  “It could be because you and him are matched, or as our ancestors had written you two are fated. Usually, only true mates could smell if their mates were really their rank or would bloom out to something else.” The doctor suggested. It wasn’t something new even if it was uncommon to the current generation.

  All the boys fell silent. The doctor understood their situation clearly since once in a decade, there were only a few late bloomers happened.

  “He would be awake in a few hours. All of you can wait for him in his resting room.”

  All of them thanked the doctor before following the nurse into the room where Seokjin was resting.

  “Is it cheesy and too soon to say I know he’s the one for me?” Namjoon asked his friends quietly as they stood beside the sleeping Seokjin.

  “Yes, but you two are clearly meant for each other.” Yoongi said what everyone thought of.

  “I have never seen you have this much interest in someone. And you two look as if two pieces of puzzle that finally find and fit each other perfectly.” Hoseok added.

  Taehyung and Jimin opted to hug Namjoon instead.

  The guys decided to leave for the night, and would come back in the morning. Namjoon thanked them, before he sat down on the spare chair beside Seokjin’s bed.

  He stared at the now Omega warmly, thinking how many hardships he had been through because he didn’t present on time, and now to be told he was an Omega at an older age with an upcoming heat in just a few hours away.

  “I will always be by your side, Jinnie.” Namjoon kissed the Omega's pink bracelet. “I will protect you with everything I have.”

  Seokjin woke up in the afternoon, the next day. He frowned when he saw the white ceiling and smelt of hospital.

  “That’s because you are in the hospital patient room now, Jinnie.” Namjoon kissed Seokjin’s forehead.

  Seokjin blinked a few times to adjust to the lightning, and to see the man above him clearly.

  “Why am I here?” Seokjin asked. However, instead of getting an answer, Seokjin was helped to sit up and drink a glass of water. Namjoon wiped the dripping water away with his sleeve.

  “You fainted. Overworked, and a late bloomer.”

  Seokjin blinked again, still feeling out of it, before looking at Namjoon dumbly. “W-what d-do you mean?”

  “You are a late bloomer, baby. You’re actually an Omega.”

  Seokjin halted. Did he hear Namjoon just right? Was he...?

  “I don’t understand.”

  So Namjoon explained to him about what the nurse and doctor had told him last night, and the information he found through researching online.

  “So you mean, I am actually an Omega, but because of my hormones, I bloom late?”

  “Yeah? And I think it was because you were under a lot of stress at the time you were supposed to present.”

  “Ohh... and what else?”

  “You will get heat in the next two days, which means tomorrow. I clarified with the nurse, and she told me the heat could last between 2-4 days for the first time. Or might be the same as those who present on time. It depends on your hormones and body.” Namjoon gulped. “Y-Yeahh, and she also said you might need a heat partner to help with the pain.”

  They fell in a silent state. Namjoon, more for because he wanted to ask to be the person who helped Seokjin overcome all the pain. While Seokjin was just speechless from the information he currently just received.  

  “I wish to help you. But if you are not comfortable with me helping, I can help you look thr—“

  “Don’t be silly.” Seokjin cupped the Alpha’s face. “I wouldn’t want a stranger to share my first heat instead of my boyfriend.”

  “Boyfriend?” Namjoon suddenly groaned. “Shit!! I already completed your album, and I left it at the company’s studio.”

  Seokjin laughed at Namjoon throwing a cute tantrum for forgetting the most meaningful gift he was supposed to give Seokjin before asking him to be his boyfriend.

  “It can wait. You can ask me now, and ask me again when you have the album with you.”

  Namjoon looked at Seokjin, eyes shone with happiness and relief. Then, he pulled the Omega in a big bear hug.

  “How am I so lucky!” Namjoon said, nuzzling Seokjin’s neck. Seokjin chuckled before moving his head aside, letting Namjoon scent-marking him freely.

  “I’m the one who is lucky. How can I manage to catch a perfect Alpha like you is a mystery.”

  “I can solve that mystery.” Namjoon kissed his neck softly. “That is because you yourself are the definition of perfect. You are wise, you are beautiful, you are kind, you love your friends dearly, and you have a big heart. You are what everyone wants in a partner, and I’m the most lucky man to have you liking me back.”

  Seokjin flushed at the cheesy compliments, but didn’t push Namjoon away. Instead, he kissed every inch of Namjoon’s face.

  “My Alpha.”

  “Yours. Your Alpha.”

  Seokjin was discharged at 4pm. The whole gang came to take him back to the apartment. They stopped to grab dinner at the closest street food stall, before they went their separate way. Well, only Hoseok and Taehyung. Since Namjoon and Yoongi lived in the same apartment’s building.

  After Seokjin took a shower and changed his clothes, he and Jimin went to the nearest convenience store to grab necessities for Seokjin’s first heat. He took Jimin’s suggestions into consideration a lot, and came out with three bags of products.

  Jimin gave him some good advice. He even suggested Seokjin should do it raw, without condom, from what the doctor had told Seokjin the pregnancy wouldn’t come to him easily since he was a late bloomer, and also because it felt so good to not have plastic in between them.

  Seokjin had hit Jimin for suggesting that, but in his mind, he already considered this option. The morning-after pill was also one of the factors that pushed him to decide to not play safe.

  Namjoon almost dropped a pack of beer when Seokjin told him what he wanted to do.

  “Are you sure, baby? I mean, I am clean. And so do you, right?” Seokjin nodded. “But, there’s still a chance you might get pregnant.”

  “But, the chance I might get pregnant is pretty slim though.” Seokjin looked down at his laps. Suddenly, he wasn’t sure if that was a good idea.

  “Okay, if that’s what you want, we will do it without protection. But, you will still take morning-after pill, alright? Just in case.” Seeing Seokjin feeling down, Namjoon quickly assured him he was fine. More than fine, actually.

  Seokjin nodded eagerly. He remembered what Jimin had explained to him how it felt like to be filled and knot-full, and he couldn’t wait to experience it with his sweet boyfriend.

  Seokjin’s heat hit after they had lunch. He remembered one minute he was inside the bathroom cleaning their toilet, and the next he stumbled and almost fainted from the full force of burning heat.

  He screamed loudly for Namjoon. The Alpha dropped all the dishes, and ran to find his boyfriend clutching his stomach with his skin coloring flaming hot red.

  Namjoon helped Seokjin on their bed to start doing what they were supposed to do.

  At first, Seokjin didn’t understand why people loved sex and knot so much. But after Namjoon filled him to the brim and knotted him for 30 minutes, he understood why.

  It felt like Namjoon took him up to see the galaxy, to see clouds and stars dancing before his eyes.

  “You okay?” Namjoon asked, after he adjusted them to a comfortable position; Seokjin’s back faced Namjoon, and Namjoon had his dick knotted the Omega firmly.

  “Yeah... it’s both pain and pleasure.”

  “Oh..”

  “But I love it though. Has never thought your dick could be sized up more bigger than when you entered me after knotting.”

  Namjoon chuckled at the amazement in Seokjin’s voice.

  “Hmmm... try to rest baby. After the knot goes down, I will go get us snacks and water. I rushed in as soon as I heard you screamed, and forgot to take them inside.”

  Seokjin hummed in agreement, hugging Namjoon’s arms and fell asleep.

  When the knot went down, the Alpha detached himself. Not before making sure his Omega boyfriend slept in a comfortable position.

  “I’m so lucky to have you.” Namjoon kissed his forehead softly before going out to do his uncompleted tasks.

  The heat lasted only 3 days, thank heaven. Seokjin couldn’t imagine the uncomfortableness when Jimin or Taehyung had to go through during their heat.

  After the heat ended, Namjoon treated Seokjin like a King. He bathed him, dressed, fed him, and did everything to make sure Seokjin was well and comfy.

  “Babe, where do you want to keep your morning-after pills at?” Namjoon yelled to ask the Omega, as he was sorting out their laundry.

  “Can you put in the first drawer of the right side nightstand?” Seokjin yelled back. “It’s easier to reach for.”

  “Sure thing.”

  Both of them were worried that Seokjin might accidentally get pregnant (they talked about the possibility, and decided to keep the child if Seokjin really got pregnant.) After a month of seeing no pregnancy symptoms, they went on with their normal life.

  Life was good for both of them. A few days after Seokjin’s heat, Namjoon presented the album he wrote for Seokjin. The Omega cried tears of joy and happiness. Among the 5 tracks, he loved the second track the most. It was titled as “Love”. How could he not love it when Namjoon described him as the person who shaped his human form (saram) from square to circle (sarang) that created the word “love”? 

  They made love that night, but not after Namjoon had nervously asked Seokjin to be his boyfriend, one more time. To which he, again, received the answer by Seokjin pushed him down on the mattress and rode him until both of their energy ran out.

  Life went on, life was good. Namjoon, Yoongi and Hoseok graduated from their major in spring. Seokjin and the other two went to show support towards their respective boyfriends.

  After that, all of them got shit face waste, and it was one of the most treasured memories for Seokjin.

  Life went on, life was good, but life was also unexpected. After about one and a half years of living together and being boyfriends, the two of them hadn’t prepared for the trouble to come.

  It was a few days after his birthday, 7 days to be exact after they celebrated his birthday (Jimin slapped his face with whipped cream, taking revenge on him for doing the same to him on his birthday last October), Namjoon had his rut. It triggered Seokjin’s heat. So they spent them together, took care and looked after each other.

  The periodic of their heat and rut lasted 7 days, just as the usual and were expected. But what they didn’t expect was Seokjin waking up a month after their shared heat and rut to haul anything he had consumed last evening into the toilet at 4am.

  At first, Namjoon thought Seokjin was just using the toilet. But after hearing sobs and vomiting noises, he quickly got on his feet to see Seokjin hauled another shot into the toilet.

  “Shhh, take it all out.” Namjoon rubbed his back, released his soothing scent to try to soothe him.

  It took awhile until Seokjin didn’t feel the urge to vomit anymore.

  Namjoon helped him cleansing his mouth then back into their bed, not forgetting to remind himself to take Seokjin for a quick check up first thing in the morning.

  The ride back from the hospital was silent. None of them made a conversation, or commented, or even opened radio.

  Namjoon helped Seokjin out of the car, hugging him from the parking lots walking towards the elevator. Even when they were inside the lift, Namjoon still held his Omega boyfriend tightly inside his arms, rubbing his back softly.

  The Alpha unlocked their shared home’s door, before carrying the tired looking Omega back into the bedroom.

  “Get some rest, sweetheart. I’m so sorry you have to go through this. I’m here with you, and you will never walk alone.” Namjoon dropped kisses on his forehead and crown. Seokjin anxiously looked up at Namjoon.

  “Promise?”

  “I promise, love.” Namjoon caressed his cheek. “The baby is ours. We will go through every stage together.”

  Seokjin emotionally watched him from beneath, palms grabbing the Alpha cheeks.

  “C-can you cuddle me to sleep?”

  Namjoon climbed up the bed without hesitation.

  Both of them decided to keep the news of their baby to themselves until Seokjin was well past 12 weeks.

  They had a long talk about their future, what their life would be, and most of all, how could both of them raise their child right.

  They came to the conclusion that Namjoon would work full time while Seokjin would choose to study online(they had already arranged consultation hours with the school). At first, Seokjin thought it wasn’t fair. Namjoon shouldn’t be the only one working since baby was very expensive. However, Namjoon managed to convince and assure him that he was alright being the only one working. Nowadays, he received extra work, and it increased his commissions and salary.

  “Maybe I should just stop my education, until I gave birth? We can use my share from the restaurant to help with baby and life expenses.”

  Namjoon obviously refused to even entertain that idea. Seokjin should finish his degree since he would be very exhausted to continue schooling because children tended to want to be closer to their maternal parent more. Also because the school allowed Seokjin to graduate by summer. They came to this decision because Seokjin was an excellent pupil and a 3.9 GPA student. 

  “I would help out as much as I can.” Namjoon said, hugging Seokjin once they arrived at their safety net.

  “I know you would. But you have to take care of your own health too. Can’t have our pillar lift white flag before the baby arrives.”

  The school was stressful, since he only took 4 important courses to be able to graduate faster. The other two Omegas were obviously curious as to why Seokjin could graduate a semester faster, but the older Omega promised he and Namjoon would tell them the reason once they settled matters. Jimin and Taehyung didn’t bug them anymore.

  It was very obvious that the first people they needed to tell were Seokjin’s family. Because Namjoon’s parents and older sister had passed away because of an unfortunate accident, the only close relatives they had now were Seokjin’s grandparents and his uncle, and of course their friends.

  Namjoon had been nervous up until the visit. He could take insults, but he wished to protect Seokjin at all cost.

  To be honest, in Seokjin's mind, he knew his grandparents would love him nonetheless. They would accept, still, the nervousness and fears still circled inside his mind and body.

  Namjoon hugged him silently, nuzzling his neck to comfort and give him his support. He would do more than that to help Seokjin calm down, but since they were on a train to visit Seokjin’s grandparents to break the news, he kept it simple.

  Namjoon had visited Seokjin’s relatives before. About 6 times already. They took a quick likening to him, and quickly took him into their family.

  When they first discussed in breaking the news to Seokjin’s grandparents, he wasn’t sure if it was a good idea.

  Again, after meeting them and telling them about the news, he still wasn’t sure if it was a good idea. He was only about 13 weeks, he could still do things by himself but his grandma didn’t allow him to help in the kitchen, and was told to just sit down.

  “Grandma, I am alright. Seriously, I’m not immobile just because I’m pregnant.”

  Namjoon made it worse though, by agreeing with his grandma and served him on hands and knees.

  All of them really got on Seokjin’s nerves.

  Once Seokjin reached 14 weeks, they invited their friends for a pizza night at their place, even though Namjoon didn’t agree about pizza for Seokjin but with a pout and puppy eyes, Namjoon was gone.

  The six of them gathered inside the house, talking about their days. The two Omega moaned about being bored that now Seokjin chose to take online class instead.

  “Well, I have to since the baby is on the way.”

  The whole room went silent. Except the soon-to-be parents who were expecting reactions from their friends.

  “What did you just say?” Jimin's jaw dropped.

  “Did you just say “the baby on the way”?” Taehyung quoted, looking at the pairs like they grew heads.

  When the initial shock wore off, they screamed loudly, not after hugging (almost jumping but their partners retained them) Seokjin. Namjoon got congratulations slaps on his back from Yoongi and Hoseok.

  The journey to welcome their baby was just starting.

  Seokjin shook his head, feeling like he was talking to a child, not his boyfriend.

  You see, as soon as Seokjin reached 18 weeks old, Mrs. Lee the OB, told them about the surprise that their baby was a baby boy. Namjoon fainted after hearing the news, it took him a while to recover. He took Seokjin to the shopping mall as soon as they left the hospital.

  He was very cute though, looking through the baby section for their child and asked for Seokjin’s opinions on anything.

  Namjoon would have bought the whole store if not for Seokjin pulling him out of the store with promises that they would come back soon since Seokjin felt his hips burning from walking a lot.

  The excitement from his Alpha made Seokjin realize that all the struggles and changes he went through was really worth it. 

  Graduation day arrived before Seokjin expected. The air of June was very hot, and with Seokjin constantly being hungry for all types of food, it made him look fat and ugly..

  “Don’t say that.” Namjoon kissed his forehead before helping him into the graduation gown. “You are the most beautiful person I have ever seen.”

  “But now I look like a piggy.” Seokjin pouted hugely, making Namjoon chuckle.

  “My beautiful piggy, then.”

  They arrived 15 minutes before the ceremony started because Seokjin craved spicy noodles.

  Since Seokjin was pregnant, the MC arranged for him to be the last name to be called and Namjoon helped him walk up the stage.

  “Joonie, I’m pregnant and not disable.” Seokjin rolled his eyes at his Alpha.

  “Babe, you already are at seven months. I just want you to be as comfortable as you can.”

  “Still, I can walk up there by myself.” Seokjin sighed before cupping his Alpha’s face who stopped massaging his thighs to look up at him. “I’m really alright. You don’t need to be at my side 24 hours. You’ve tired yourself to support me and our baby. I just want you to relax, and let me handle it by myself.”

  At the end, Namjoon agreed that Seokjin could go up the stage alone. But that didn’t mean after receiving his diploma certificate Namjoon wasn’t at the other side of the stairs to help him carrying his certificate, and walk him to their friends.

  All of them took pictures with the cute graduated pregnant Omega. Namjoon printed the photo of the seven of them, and hung it inside the living room.

  After graduating, all Seokjin did everyday was look after their house and discuss the restaurant with his uncle. Namjoon tiredly worked alone to support his household.

  Because of that, when Seokjin suddenly had an urge to eat cookies in the middle of the night, he quietly walked towards the kitchen to get them himself.

  And was surprised to see that the spare room that they turned and decorated it into their first child's room had a light on, so Seokjin decided to check it out.

  And, again, he was surprised to see Namjoon decorated the crib.

  “Joonie?”

  Namjoon startled, jumped a little, to see Seokjin at the doorway.

  “Jinnie? Why aren’t you asleep?” The Alpha asked his partner. “You need a massage?”

  Namjoon helped Seokjin sitting down on their baby’s bed before kneeling down to massage his legs and thighs.

  “I’m alright, just hungry.” Seokjin showed him his cookies, then offered one to Namjoon.

  Namjoon quickly opened his mouth, and let Omega feed him. He didn’t want to repeat the same accident when Seokjin was five months old, and offered him smoothie but he declined because he wanted to be thoughtful towards his Omega’s hunger. It only made the Omega cry so hard, accusing Namjoon of being disgusted by him(?). The event still haunted Namjoon to this day, making him swear to himself to never deny anything offered to him by pregnant Seokjin.

  “Now that you finish, you should go back to sleep. You need a lot of rest, my love.”

  Seokjin shook his head. “No. Want to help Joonie.”

  “It’s alright. I just need to fix the hanging toys over the crib.” Namjoon said, then got up to bring the new toys he just bought. “See this galaxy toys? I think our child will like it.”

  Seokjin nodded, eyes twinkling quietly as he stared at the stars and moon swaying by the power of the air conditioner’s air.

  “So cute. I think our Kookie will like it.”

  Namjoon blinked at him.

  “Our Kookie? Why though?

  “Yeah, our Kookie. It is because I’m eating cookies now, and also because I like that.”

  “Hmmm.... we can’t just name him Kim Kookie though.”

  “Well...” Seokjin fidgeted. He nervously starred at his Alpha cutely. “I actually have a name in my mind. I’m not sure if you will like it or not.”

  Namjoon put the toy down on the floor, before coming to sit beside Seokjin, gathered his Omega inside his arms.

  “Babe, I will like any name you want to name our child.”

  “But you are his father.”

  “And you are, too, his papa, also the parent who carries him 9 months and 10 days inside your amazing body. You have every right in naming him. I like any name you want to name our children”

  Seokjin stayed silent, but snuggled happily inside Namjoon’s shoulder.

  “You know, if our surnames aren’t the same, I would suggest our first born to have your surname.” Namjoon said softly.

  “Why are you so sweet and considerate?” Seokjin mumbled, hand holding Namjoon’s.

  “Hmmm... that’s because I’m so thankful that I have the most beautiful and kind and caring person as my love who volunteers to carry our human child inside his body even if he has his body changed?” 

  Seokjin emotionally hit him lightly, making Namjoon fake-whining in pain. He felt so good to hear Namjoon saying that.

  “Yahhh, don’t be so sweet like this. I’m going to cry.” Seokjin mumbled, hiding his face inside his Alpha’s neck.

  Namjoon just chuckled, continuing to hug the only person who had his heart.

  Needless to say, Seokjin fell asleep inside Namjoon’s arms. The Alpha laid him down on their son's bed before going back to fix the toys. When he decided that their son’s room was what he wanted it to be, Namjoon carried his beloved back to their room, and slept in until Yoongi called and scolded him for forgetting about the 10am meeting.

  Seokjin was so used to being alone, all by himself, after his parents passed away. Having his grandparents and his uncle close by helped a lot. Still, even when he was in pain or uncomfortable he still insisted he was alright in being left alone.

  The day his baby finally arrived was here. It actually wasn’t supposed to be today, 1st September, but maybe because he did a lot of lifting or maybe because his baby just wanted to see them soon, that was why Seokjin’s water broke around lunch period .

  Namjoon insisted he would stay at home, but the company really needed his help at the studio. Seokjin, knowing he would be alright or so he thought, told Namjoon to go solve problems then came back to him as quick as he could.

  Namjoon had promised to be home before noon, but things didn’t go as planned because the meeting took longer than expected and Namjoon was expected to fix the beats before he could leave. Seokjin didn’t know about this as he waited by the door, hands shaking slightly for his mind was running mile per minute. He felt jittery, and Namjoon didn’t arrive at the time he promised Seokjin.

  So, with his mild contraction and water already broken, Seokjin called Jimin and Taehyung for help, knowing their boyfriends were with Namjoon.

  “Jin hyung.” Jimin punched in the password to see Seokjin sitting in the middle of the living room, face pale, smiling at him.

  “Are you alright?” Taehyung asked as he and Jimin came in to help him stand up.

  “Wait,” Seokjin shouted. “I’m in a mild contraction.”

  They sat beside Seokjin, rubbing his stomach and hip until he felt better.

  “I’m sorry I can’t contact Yoonie hyung and Hobi hyung, too.” Jimin said. “They must be working right now.”

  “It’s alright. I think I won’t be delivered by this evening if I only experience mild contraction.”

  After Seokjin told them he felt normal now, they helped him down towards the parking car. Thanks to Yoongi and Namjoon being carpooled, that was why Jimin could take his car to drive Seokjin to the hospital.

  Seokjin was settled inside. A nurse came to check him, and told him was only 4 cm wide, and they had to wait until he opened at 10 cm wide.

  Seokjin’s best friends thanked her before they massaged Seokjin’s thighs and hips.

  “How are you feeling now?” Jimin asked. He looked worried. 

  “Not bad, really.” Seokjin reassured the two. He had been asked the same questions for 30 minutes already.

  “We were very worried when you called Minnie. Our professor almost stopped us, but we didn’t care.”

  Seokjin laughed, then suddenly cried out in pain as he felt contraction hit him again.

  “You are okay. You are doing great.” The two pat Seokjin’s hands as he was crying in pain.

  After an hour straight of experiencing pains, Seokjin finally managed to take a short nap.

  Jimin had informed Seokjin’s grandparents, and Taehyung was still contacting the other three.

  It was Hobi who picked up the call first. After he heard what Taehyung just explained to him, he immediately put away all the work and rushed to find Namjoon to relay the news.

  The people inside their company’s lobby must have thought of them as some crazy dudes as they ran as fast as their legs could carry them towards the hospital Seokjin was currently resting in.

  “Hyung.” Taehyung called the three when he saw them talking to the front desk.

  “Tae, where is Jinnie?”

  “Room 109.”

  Namjoon thanked him before sprinting towards the destination.

  “He’s alright.” Taehyung answered the other two unasked questions. “He’s asleep, that’s why I’m here getting snacks.”

  Taehyung handed them sandwiches and soft drinks before walking towards the Seokjin room.

  Namjoon knew if he missed his son's birth, if he missed giving Seokjin support during one of the hardest times, he would definitely blame it on himself for his whole life. He shouldn’t have put his phone inside the drawer.

  Fortunately, the guiltilities wouldn’t be eating his consciousness alive everyday. He arrived on time to see Seokjin was resting peacefully.

  “He’s fine, don’t worry. He contacted us as soon as his water broke.”

  “I’m such a shitty boyfriend.” Namjoon groaned at himself. He was such a shitty boyfriend that he allowed his boyfriend to have a difficult time in reaching for help.

  “Hyung, it’s alright. We left our classes as soon as we could. We’ve got him.”

  “Thank you, Jimin-ah. Thank you... for everything.”

  Jimin gave him a huge smile. He understood what Namjoon implied.

  “My pleasure. Just, don’t forget I will be Jinnie hyung’s man of honor at your wedding..”

  Namjoon blushed. This reminded him that his plan was ruined, again. He wanted to propose marriage to Seokjin before their son was born. However, work rained down on him that some nights, he couldn’t come home until 1 or 2 in the morning to see Seokjin sleeping by hugging his pillow.

  “It’s alright, hyung. You can propose after Kookie is born. It’s not late. It’s just that your time hasn’t arrived yet.”

  Jimin gave him another soft smile before walking out of the room.

  Their friends appeared back to visit Seokjin after the Omega was finally awakened, by another construction for the nth time.

  “How long until Seokjin hyung delivery?” Hoseok asked as he watched Namjoon massaged Seokjin’s hips.

  “He’s already at 8 cm, 2 more to go.”

  “Ahh okay. I feel nervous for you two, to be honest.” Hoseok commented.

  The couple smiled at their friends. Even Yoongi just silently sat on the couch, he could smell worries from him too.

  “We will be alright.” Namjoon assured them. “You four are ready to be uncles yet?”

  They all decided to talk about how they were very excited about being uncles, making the whole room sound like they were in a supermarket.

The delivery was at 7 pm. Namjoon felt like he was about to jump off the cliff. He felt so freaking useless. All he could do was whisper love and support beside Seokjin for the Omega who was struggling in pain in order to push their child out.

  Namjoon knew his omega would scold him for feeling this way, for feeling like he wasn’t much of a help when he was. He was Seokjin’s pillar and strength to get through all the pains.

  “You are doing great, my love.” Namjoon cried softly just because Seokjin was crying from trying to push their son out. “I love you so much. You are amazing. Very amazing, my Angel.”

  Seokjin didn’t reply. He gathered those sweet whispers as his sources of energy to push their son until he came out to see the world.

  Namjoon wiped his tears, kissing his foreheads and kept whispering words of encouragement and appreciation towards the one who was bringing Jungkook into this world.

  If Namjoon could, he wished to bear all the pains Seokjin was currently going through.

  Two hours of delivery. To be honest, Seokjin felt drained. But the moment the nurse gave him his child, Jungkook, all the exhaustion went out of the window.

  “Hi, love. It’s Papa.” Seokjin kissed his tiny forehead before looking up for his boyfriend. “Babe?”

  Namjoon stared at their son, tears freely flew down from his eyes.

  “Our son...” Seokjin said, smiling tiredly at his lover. “Hold him, Joonie.”

  Namjoon took Jungkook from Seokjin, before he broke down in the most ugly sob he could ever manage to sob.

  “Our baby... so beautiful... so beautiful our Kookie. Jinnie, you are amazing, my love.”

  “No, we are both amazing. I wouldn’t be able to go throw this without you, Joonie bear.”

  Seokjin looked at his family before his eyes. Namjoon was hugging and kissing their son, not forgetting to thank Seokjin who also kissed Papa too. He felt completed. They were completed.

——or not yet.

  “Namjoon, for the love of me, do not put Kook in a cowboy outfit. He’s only one month old.” Seokjin yelled from the kitchen. He was making cake for Jungkook’s one month old celebration.

  “Babe, but our tiny human would look so cute.”

  Seokjin turned to glare at him.

  “He won’t be comfortable. Just put him in his baby shark onesie.”

  Namjoon pouted, but still picked up the onesie per Seokjin’s order.

  Hearing no reply, Seokjin went out to the living room. He dropped kisses on his boyfriend’s forehead.

  “When we celebrate his 3 years old journey, he could wear it, I promise.”

  “Really?” Namjoon eyes shone brightly.

  Seokjin nodded, smiling at the way his lover radiant happiness.

  “Besides, the outfit is too big for him now. I think when he is three, he would be able to fit.”

  “Okay.” Namjoon nodded, happy once again that the outfit he bought would be used one day. After he was done with Jungkook’s onesie, he asked Seokjin. “Babe, need help?”

  Seokjin shouted out softly “almost done” so Namjoon took that spare time (Jungkook was napping) to do what was supposed to have done before Jungkook was born.

  After hearing no sound from the living roomm, Seokjin went into the living room, only find Jungkook sleeping inside his movable crib, and Namjoon was nowhere to be seen.

  “Joonie?”

  There was no reply. Seokjin assumed he must go to use the toilet, so he returned to the kitchen.

  Seokjin was satisfied with his first-time baking cake, as the bunny cake looked so adorable. “The best cake for my baby.” He mumbled to himself before putting it inside the fridge.

  The doorbell rang from the front door, calling for the Omega attention.

  “Joonie, babe, are you done using the toilet?”

  No one answered his call, so he went to open the door.

  It was Yoongi and Jimin who arrived at their doorsteps.

  “Yah, I thought you two would come to help with cake and food?”

  The two looked at Seokjin sheepishly. He didn’t need to ask why they arrived later than promised if red kissing marks and Jimin’s blushes indicated anything.

  “Sorry, hyung. Can’t keep my hand to myself.” Yoongi apologized, but his eyes told he wasn’t feeling sorry one bit.

  “You two...” Seokjin let his guests inside. “Come in. I don’t know where Namjoon has ran off to.”

  “I saw him when we rode up. He said something about buying birthday candles.”

  “Ah right.” Seokjin face-palmed himself. He forgot they didn’t have birthday candle, and has asked Namjoon to get some. “I’m so forgetful.”

  “It’s alright. Now, what can we help with?”

  Seokjin directed them to the kitchen, telling them what they should help with.

  Unfortunately, Hoseok would be late to the birthday event. Taehyung said it was a family emergency, and that he would be here around seven in the evening.

  “Is he alright though? We can hold the party until Hoseok arrives.” Seokjin suggested, but Taehyung disagreed.

  “He would feel bad about it. I will get him a plate of food. He said he feels so bad he couldn’t come on time to spend time with everyone before celebrating Kook’s milestone with us.”

  “Tell Hoseok we understand. And that Baby Kookie still loves his uncle Hobi.” Seokjin waved Jungkook’s tiny hand at Taehyung. “Right, baby? You love uncle Hobi, yeah?”

  Jungkook blew his spit, then giggling as Taehyung kissed his tiny fist.

  Namjoon arrived back with extra alcohol. 

  “I’m not drinking, babe. Need to breastfeed Kook.”

  “I know. I got you your favorite peach tea instead.” Namjoon showed him the bottle.

  They started dinner at 6pm, eating all the delicious food Seokjin and Jimin and Yoongi had prepared. Taehyung, as he promised, picked up a plate for Hoseok.

  Hoseok called around 6:30pm that he was nearby, so Seokjin called everyone into his living room and brought out the cake.

  Namjoon gave him the candle box. As he was about to take one out, the doorbell rang.

  “Babe, it’s Hoseok. Let’s wait until he comes in to light the candle.” Seokjin nodded.

  “I will use the toilet real quick.” Yoongi excused himself while his boyfriend and Taehyung picked up eaten plates to take them to the dishwasher.

  All of a sudden, all the lights were turned off.

  Seokjin freaked out a little, screaming for his friends. But, no one answered him. With his limited eyesight, he stumbled to find Jungkook wasn’t on the sofa.

  “Namjoon, Joon, babe, the light is out.” Seokjin had a fear of the dark. Even if he knew Namjoon was only a few steps away from him, the darkness scared him.

  Then, a song played out from their living room’s speaker. Seokjin thought again, and it wasn’t right. If the electricity was cut, why....?

  And he heard Jimin and Taehyung’s voices singing from the speaker.

  Seokjin curiously turned towards where he knew the speaker was. He collected his mind to listen to the song carefully.

  By the end of it, Seokjin was bawling his eyes out. It must be Namjoon’s work. The emotions and the stories of good and bad, they were all theirs.

  The room was turned back to light after the song ended. Namjoon was kneeling behind Seokjin.

  “Jinnie,” Seokjin turned around, and had to stop himself from crying harder at the sight. Namjoon was kneeling in front of him with a bouquet of a hundred red roses and the candle box. “Will you open this box for me?”

  Seokjin tremblingly took the candle box. He opened it, took all of the candles out to see a ring inside. He took it out too, to see it was the design he had been talking about before that would be his perfect wedding ring.

  “Joonie...”

  “I saw you looked through the engagement ring website, and you pretended to ask if I thought this ring looked nice on your hand. I knew you thought I thought it was just a simple ring without knowing I know it's an engagement ring. I booked it the day after you asked for my opinion, and had them engraved our name inside the ring.”

  Seokjin looked at the inside of the ring. It had Kim Seokjin and Kim Namjoon engraved inside. He bit his lips to stop more tears flowing down.

  “I actually wanted to ask you this big question since before Jungkook was born. However, the timing didn’t feel right to me. We were very stressed out about his birth, and I wanted you to be surprised when you weren’t feeling sick. Now, that the opportunity is given, I want to ask you, the love of my life, Kim Seokjin, would you choose me to be the one who would walk alongside you until our last day?”

  “God, do you really have to ask?” Seokjin said tearily before he kneeled down opposite of Namjoon, taking his hand. He put the ring on the Alpha’s palm. “You don’t have to ask. I would be the luckiest person alive to have you walking along with me until our last breath.”

  Seokjin pulled Namjoon into a hug, crushing the flower bouquet in between them.

  Seokjin could hear the cheers from their friends, however in that moment, all he could hear was Namjoon’s hard breathing and tiny whispers of “I love you” exchanging in between the two of them. 

  It all started when they collided that day. And now they were here, inside each other’s arms with their hearts beating together and their fates tied securely together until the very end of their journey.